Did you know…?
I read somewhat recently that the two lead characters in one of my favorite TV shows, Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter of The Big Bang Theory, were named as a tribute to the late Sheldon Leonard (see picture to the right). Sheldon Leonard was one of the 20th century’s most prolific directors (The Andy Griffith Show, among many others), producers (The Dick Van Dyke Show, among many others), and actors (probably most famous for playing Nick, the bartender, in It’s a Wonderful Life). His acting career also included two films with Abbott and Costello – Hit The Ice (1943) and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951).
Anyway, since I’m such a big fan of both The Big Bang Theory and Abbott & Costello, I decided to research the connection (albeit a somewhat loose one) between the two.
Sure enough, in The Official Vanity Archives (#187) of the Chuck Lorre Productions (these are the notes flashed briefly at the end of each show produced by Chuck Lorre), the producer “channels” Sheldon Leonard. Apparently, Mr. Lorre has consistently ignored Mr. Leonard’s suggestions with regard to sitcom ideas. Toward the end of this particular vanity card, he (the “channeled” Sheldon Leonard) states:
”…I tell him to do a show about four wise guys and a sexy dame what knows da score. So what does da knucklehead do? Scientists and a waitress! It just breaks my heart. But at least the dope managed to slip my name in dis one.” (italics added)
Here’s the trailer for Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man. Mr. Leonard plays a gangster, Boots Morgan, in the film:
Leonard died at in 1997 at the age of 89, and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.