Death in Hollywood

by Keith Phipps
January 13th, 1999

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