Another television icon is gone. Sherman Hemsley, "George Jefferson," died today at age 74.

I met Hemsley outside the Peoria Civic Center Theater on September 19, 2006, as arrived to perform in a traveling play. He had his lunch and his wardrobe in his hands as he exited the transport van. He promised to come back outside after he dropped things off inside. Sure enough, about ten minutes later, he popped out to say hello, sign a couple of autographs, and pose for this shot.

One of the original nice guys in Hollywood is gone. Actor Ernest Borgnine died today at age 95. I had the privilege of meeting him twice.

The first shot is from an appearance in Peoria, Illinois, in 2008 to promote the Hallmark Channel, while the second shot is a year later at a collector's convention in Chicago. Both times he was gracious and took time to visit, take pictures, and sign the items I had brought. At the Chicago event, it was neat to sit a table away and see him have breakfast with another fellow Hollywood star, Mickey Rooney. They reminisced about the "old days" over scrambled eggs, bacon, french toast, OJ, and coffee. Classic.