It would have been more informative if the mentioned the name of the street. Whether it was a major thoroughfare or side street. Either way he’s dead. Too bad. There’s an old saying and song that nobody walks in L.A.. That would be good advice nowadays. Honestly I thought he had died years ago. Good for him to live to 91. RIP
ANDREW BREITBART: *from Righteous Indignation
One day I asked [my father-in-law Orson Bean] why he had Rush Limbaugh’s book The Way Things Ought to Be on his shelf. I asked him, “Why would you have a book by this guy?”
And Orson said, “Have you ever listened to him?”
I said yes, of course, even though I never had. I was convinced to the core of my being that Rush Limbaugh was a Nazi, anti-black, anti-Jewish, and anti–all things decent. Without berating me for disagreeing with him, Orson simply suggested that I listen to him again.
While I was listening to Jim Rome and Howard Stern, the intensity of the 1992 election cycle warranted that I switch the frequency over to hearing about the horse race.
This is where my rendezvous with destiny begins.
I turned on KFI 640 AM to listen to evil personified from 9 a.m. to noon. Indeed, my goal was to derive pleasure from the degree of evil I found in Rush Limbaugh. I was looking forward to a jovial discussion with Orson to confirm how right I was. One hour turned into three. One listening session into a week’s worth. And next thing I knew, I was starting to doubt my preprogrammed self. I was still a Democrat. I was still a liberal.
But after listening for months while putting thousands of miles on my car, I couldn’t believe that I once thought this man was a Nazi or anything close. While I couldn’t yet accept the premise that he was speaking my language, I marveled at how he could take a breaking news story and offer an entertaining and clear analysis that was like nothing I had ever seen on television, especially the Sunday morning shows, which had been my previous one-stop shop for my political opinions.
Most important, though, Limbaugh, like the professor I always wanted but never had the privilege to study under, created a vivid mental picture of...
Here’s a “it’s a small world story”
In the 1970’s I owned a few Pet Stores in Northern NJ and in 1973 I was at one of my suppliers are saw there a small green Turtle (Red eared slider) of the variety every child probably owned at some point in their young lives.
This one however had two heads, both looking alert and functioning. I thought this would be a great display for one of my stores specializing in fresh and salt water fish, reptiles and birds. I bought it for the princely sum of $125 back when the average 1 headed Turtle of this variety was selling (wholesale) for $.20-$.25 cents per.
Anyway I put my Turtle in a display aquarium and called a lose friend who worked at a local newspaper and she came in and did a great front page piece on my Turtle (and me). AS I said this was a small town paper so I really didn’t expect much but soon I was amazed and pleased with the reaction.
The traffic at my store increased at least 10 fold within a week and while not everyone bought something some did and more importantly many became aware became aware of my store who may not have been before since I was in a strip mall not far from the mega shopping centers in Paramus NJ.
In quicj order the story from the local paper was picked up by Life Magazine who sent a photographer to take pictures of the Turtle (But not me) and did a centerfold in an upcoming issue. The NY Daily News did a piece and finally about 3 weeks into this thing my phone rings and I picked it up, aid hello, Id’d the store (Wonderful World of Pets) and asked if I could be of help. The caller asked for me bhy name and when I said I was he and to whom am I speaking they said “This is Orson Bean”. WEll of course at first I thought it was a joke and said something like “yeah ok what can I do for you.” Bean said he had red of my 2 headed Turtle and wondered if I would allow him to take it on the Tonight Show in a week or so. He said I would be able to go into the Green Room where guests waiting to go on with Johnny Carson waited. After determining this was the real deal I of course said yes.
When I went into NY to the NBC Studio where they did the show I met Orson Bean an gave him my Turtle and explained the back round of it and the fact it was very rare but not outrageously so but what WAS rare was the fact that both of the heads acted independently and both would eat and would even get somewhat aggressive towards the other.
The best part was when he was introduced and walked out with my Turtle. I was in the Green Room (I met Barry White there)
and heard Orson Bean describe what he had and when Carson asked him where in the world did he get it he said, and I quote. “This Turtle was loaned to me by my good friend *** ******* who owns the Wonderful World of Pets in Montvale NJ.
I had just gotten the greatest plug I could have ever hoped for as millions tune in to watch the Tonight show. By the expression on Carson’s face it was obvious what Orson Bean had done was a big no-no since advertisers pay big, big bucks to get a mention on his show. Anyway my Turtle, now named “Double Header” a name chosen by my wife reflecting my love of baseball became even more popular and we enjoyed a nice boost in business at each of the stores because I would move the Turtle around and advertise in the local and regional news papers when and where Double Header would appear.
After about 6 months things quieted down, Double Header was doing fine and growing which was something the huge majority of these mutations never did since they rarely lived for more than a few days or weeks. Then one day I got a call from a man who traveled with a Carnival who asked me if I wanted to sell my Turtle. Initially I said of course not since he was part of my business and was a great draw. The man persisited in calling me multiple times and one day he said to me, “Name your price”. I thought I would end this for once and all and said I wouldn’t take a penny less than $1500. To my utter amazement he said yes and wanted to come and meet me at my store. He did and he had a hand written contract (I still have it) stipulating the price and that he would take delivery when the Carnival started back up in the Spring (this was in late January) and that the Turtle must be healthy and eating well in order for him to pay the agreed amount.
Bottom line he came back about 2 months later, checked out the Turtle and watched as I fed him, was satisfied and handed me the cash. Remember this was 1973 and $1500 represented a clear profit of $1375 not including the increased business and personal notoriety Double Header brought me.
BTW, I was also on the show, “To Tell The Truth” with the panel being asked to decide who among the 3 guests was the owner of the Two Headed Turtle.
I actually received a call from Orson Bean about 3-4 months after the whole thing ended and I had sold my Turtle. He said he was just calling to thank me for allowing him to bring my Turtle on the Tonight Show.
Orson Bean was a real gentleman and a class act of the sort we seldom if ever see from Hollywood these days.
Veteran actor Orson Bean killed by vehicle in Venice
I don't care if he was jaywalking at night, if he was struck where that tent is, how the heck do you hit a guy in the middle of the street? Inattention, speeding, cell phone?
On Johnny Carson, 1974 https://youtu.be/fnvbwrPDxrc
“Father-in-law of Andrew Breitbart”
I had no idea!
I told him to remember to take the blindfold off after the show ...
I hadn’t heard that name in so many years that I was unaware he was even still with us. RIP Orsen, and thanks for the comedy you provided for all those years.
R.I.P. Orson Bean.
He was always on the panel of To Tell the Truth when I was a kid, sitting next to Peggy Cass. Soupy Sales might have also been on those panels.
Mark Steyn had him as a guest on his video show, which you can catch on Steynonline.com. No doubt there will an extensive obit, as that is one of the many things Mr. Steyn does professionally.
Also related to President Calvin Coolidge as I remember.
Beats having cancer, stroke or Alzheimers. I should be so lucky to be struck and killed shortly thereafter rather than rot or waste away. He dodged a bullet.
Fond memories of Orson Bean. Remember him telling the story of the Gaboon Viper on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and later learning that he was Andrew Breitbart’s father in law. Rest in peace Mr. Bean.
I was just exchanging emails with Orson last week. This is a bummer.
As a child I often played the concept album for “Your a Good Man Charlie Brown.” Orsen Bean played Charlie Brown. I always think of him as Charlie Brown.
Interview with Orson Bean by Breitbart Radio's Rebecca Mansour, October 15, 2017. They discuss changes in Hollywood. 9 minutes.
-PJ
I always got him confused with Darren McGavin, but what do I know I was born in 76.
Agree it appears the white lines that cross the streets here in LA are to measure how far you got tossed, it happen every night here due to drunks dopers and speeders.
Night time is not a time to be walking here.
RIP.