On Dec. 14, the unforgiving world of Hollywood claimed its latest victim when another familiar face disappeared amid the glamour and glitter. Norman Fell won the hearts of a nation as Mr. Roper, the snooping landlord on the popular '70s sitcom Three's Company. Like many before him, Fell had his moment in the spotlight before lapsing into relative obscurity, thrust back into the spotlight only by death. It seems, then, an appropriate time to reflect on Fell's life and death in relation to those of some other departed TV stars.
George Reeves
On-Screen Image: Hunky leading man
Most Famous Role: Superman on TV's Adventures Of Superman, 1952-1957
Breakthrough Role : One of Scarlett O'Hara's suitors in the opening scene of Gone With The Wind
Known Off-Screen Bad Habits: Excessive use of alcohol
Unrealized Dreams: Reeves planned to direct a science-fiction film starring one-time Superman co-star Phyllis Coates before his death
Age At Death: 45
Cause Of Death: Gunshot wound to the head
Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding Death: Though ruled a suicide, Reeves' demise has been speculatively attributed to both his longtime married mistress and his playgirl fiancée
Bob Crane
On-Screen Image: Smug, good-looking wisecracker
Most Famous Role: Col. Robert Hogan on Hogan's Heroes, 1965-1971
Breakthrough Role : Dr. Kelsey on The Donna Reed Show
Known Off-Screen Bad Habits: Crane's marriage reportedly broke up as a result of his womanizing and insatiable appetite for pornography
Unrealized Dreams: The 1975 series The Bob Crane Show failed to catch on and, though he directed an impressive number of films, none of them received public release
Age At Death: 49
Cause Of Death: Found beaten to death with a crowbar and/or camera tripod, with a cord around his neck
Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding Death: The incident was apparently related to the many homemade, self-starring porn films found with him at the time of death in a Scottsdale, Arizona, hotel room
Norman Fell
On-Screen Image: Harried, put-upon, world-weary working stiff
Most Famous Role: Mr. Roper on Three's Company, 1977-79
Breakthrough Role: One of Frank Sinatra's buddies in Ocean's 11
Known Off-Screen Bad Habits: None
Unrealized Dreams: The Three's Company spinoff The Ropers lasted less than one season
Age At Death: 74
Cause Of Death: Cancer
Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding Death: None
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