January 1961 in Film & Television History

Events in Film & TV

Music History

Jan 15 Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records

Television Debut

Jan 19 1st episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" is filmed

Actor, Comedian, Writer and Director Carl Reiner

Jan 21 KIFI TV channel 8 in Idaho Falls, Idaho (NBC) begins broadcasting
Jan 23 Supreme Court rules cities & states have right to censor films

Conference of Interest

Jan 25 1st live, nationally televised presidential news conference with JFK

Film Release

Jan 25 Walt Disney's animated film "101 Dalmatians", based on the novel by Dodie Smith and directed by Clyde Geronimi and Hamilton Luske is released in the US

Jan 27 "Sing Along with Mitch" [Miller] premieres on NBC TV
Jan 30 Bobby Darin is youngest performer to headline a TV special on NBC
Jan 30 KAET TV channel 8 in Phoenix, AZ (PBS) begins broadcasting

Birthdays in Film & TV

Jan 1 Fiona Phillips, British television presenter
Jan 1 Mark Wingett, British actor
Jan 2 Craig James, American NFL running back and sports commentator (Pro Bowl 1985; New England Patriots; ABC, ESPN), born in Jacksonville, Texas

Gabrielle Carteris (62 years old)

Jan 2 American actress (Andrea in Beverly Hills 90210), born in Scottsdale, Arizona

Jan 2 Todd Haynes, American film director
Jan 4 Lee Curreri, American actor (Bruno Martelli-Fame), born in NYC, New York
Jan 6 Howie Long, American NFL tackle/actor/broadcaster (Broken Arrow), born in Somerville, Massachusetts
Jan 7 Supriya Pathak, Indian actress, born in Mumbai, India
Jan 9 Oliver Goldstick, American screenwriter
Jan 10 Evan Handler, American actor (Dear Mr Wonderful), born in NYC, New York
Jan 10 Janet Jones, American actress (American Anthem, Flamingo Kid), born in Bridgeton, Missouri

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (62 years old)

Jan 13 American comedienne and actress (Elaine Benes-Seinfeld, SNL, Veep), born in NYC, New York

Jan 13 Kelly Hrudey, Canadian NHL goalie, 1983-98 (NY Islanders; LA Kings), and broadcaster, born Edmonton, Alberta
Jan 15 Yves P. Pelletier, Canadian comedian & film director, born in Laval, Canada
Jan 17 Brian Helgeland, American writer & film director, born in Providence, Rhode Island
Jan 18 Jeff Yagher, American actor, born in Lawrence, Kansas
Jan 19 Paul McCrane, American actor (Hotel New Hampshire, We're Fighting Back), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 19 William Ragsdale, American actor (Fright Night, Mannequin 2, Smooth Talk), born in El Dorado, Arkansas
Jan 21 Sherry Ramsay, American actress (Trish Mason-As the World Turns), born in Stauton, Virginia
Jan 24 Nastassja Kinski, German actress (Tess, Cat People), born in Berlin, Germany
Jan 25 Michele Tobin, American actress (Fitzpatricks), born in Chicago, Illinois
Jan 27 Dina Bonnevie, Filipina actress (Beautiful Strangers; The Blood Sisters), born in 60) Quezon City, Philippines
Jan 27 Karen Velez, American Playboy playmate (December, 1984; 1985 Playmate of the Year), born in Rockville Center, New York

Deaths in Film & TV

Jan 4 Barry Fitzgerald, Irish actor (Academy Award, Going My Way), dies at 72
Jan 13 Blanche Ring, American singer ("In The Good Old Summer Time"), and stage and screen actress, dies at 89
Jan 14 Ernest Thesiger, English actor (Brass Monkey, Ghoul), dies at 81