Orson Bean

Played Ben Franklin in the L.A. Reprise! production of "1776"

Returned to series TV as co-star of "Normal, Ohio", a fall Fox sitcom starring John Goodman

Co-starred in "Being John Malkovich"

Wrapped "Unbowed", acting in this project funded, in part, by a California state grant, under a provision of the Federal Job Training Partnership Act; Filmanthropic production company founded to provide on-the-job training to Hollywood's minorities, women, disabled and over-40 community

Directed a Pacific Resident Theatre Ensemble production of "The Quick-Change Room" at the Intar Theater (NYC's Theater Row); starred wife Alley Mills

Played Lydia's editor in "Innerspace"

Provided the voice of Billy Rabbit for CBS animated special "Garfield in the Rough"

Received Grammy nomination (with John Huston and Hans Conreid), best recording for children, for NBC's animated special "The Hobbit"; Bean was the voice of Bilbo Baggins

Received Tony nomination as Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a Musical for "Subways Are for Sleeping"

Acted title role of "Mr Bevis", an eccentric young man loved by everyone and watched over by a guardian angel in a celebrated episode of "The Twilight Zone" (CBS)

Played Dr Smith in "Anatomy of a Murder"

Regular on Merv Griffin-hosted version of "Keep Talking" (ABC)

Appeared in "Playhouse 90" production of "Charley's Aunt"

Returned to Broadway as Ensign Pulver in "Mr Roberts"

Acted in star-studded "The Best of Broadway" (CBS) presentation of "Arsenic and Old Lace", with Helen Hayes, Billie Burke, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Edward Everet Horton; played Mortimer Brewster

Feature debut, "How to Be Very, Very Popular"

Starred on Broadway in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?"

Hosted clever variety show, "The Blue Angel" (CBS), a summer replacement for "See It Now"

New York stage debut, "Men of Distinction"

Was a panelist on CBS' "I've Got a Secret"

Appeared as panelist on the syndicated revival of "To Tell the Truth"

Had regular role of the folksy frontier storekeeper Loren Bray in "Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman" (CBS)

Left home at age 16 after his mother's suicide

Made show business debut as stand-up comic in NYC

Portrayed Reverend Brim in last season of the syndicated soap spoof "Forever Fernwood", a revamp of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"

Raised in Parkinsville, Vermont followed by stint in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Was a regular panelist on "To Tell the Truth" (CBS)