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1-7 of 7
- Freddie Prinze was born Frederick Karl Pruetzel in New York City, New York, to a Puerto Rican mother, Aurea Elena Ruiz, and a German immigrant father, Edward Karl Pruetzel. Freddie grew up in the Washington Heights section of New York City. As a chubby child, he was often bullied, but was quite creative and bright in his extracurricular activities (he was known to have handmade a ham radio, which he used regularly). Early on, he aspired to become famous, and, after enrolling at Fiorella LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, he obtained a job at the Improv Club, in New York, where people started to take notice of his comedic talent (but the long hours he worked at night, balanced by increasing absences in school, caused him to drop out of high school to pursue comedy full-time). He changed his name to Freddie Prinze (to indicate that he was "The Prince of Comedy"). In December 1973, he was invited to perform on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson", which proved to be a breakthrough performance, as he was invited to chat with Johnny after his performance (only two other comedians have enjoyed that privilege). Soon afterwards, he won the role of "Chico Rodriquez" in an NBC-produced TV series called Chico and the Man (1974)(he and co-star Jack Albertson forged a great friendship while working on the show). In 1975, he released a comedy album, titled "Looking Good", and further boosted his popularity with appearances on various TV shows (such as the "Tony Orlando & Dawn" show). In Las Vegas in August 1975, he married Katherine Cochran, with whom he had a son, Freddie Prinze, Jr. (born on March 8, 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico). He loved his role as a father, and his growing popularity. But all the fame had a downside to it: Freddie developed an addiction to drugs (namely Quaaludes and cocaine), and was subsequently arrested in Nov. 1976 for DUI. His marriage was dissolving, and he separated from his wife. He started to mention thoughts of suicide to many of his close friends and family including his friends singer Tony Orlando and comedian David Brenner. In January 1977, following his final public appearance at the Inaugural Ball for President Jimmy Carter, 22-year-old Freddie called his mother, friends and manager and announced that he was committing suicide. While his manager tried to stop him, he placed a .32 caliber pistol against his temple and pulled the trigger.He was rushed to UCLA Medical Center with a massive head wound. He was kept on life support until January 29, 1977, when his family decided to turn off the life support.
- Doris Wellings was born on 27 November 1899 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Fair Game (1958), Coronation Street (1960) and Mrs Thursday (1966). She died on 29 January 1977 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, UK.
- Soundtrack
Ted Mossman was born on 6 April 1912 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He died on 29 January 1977 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Additional Crew
- Writer
Bob Brown was born on 22 August 1915 in Syracuse, New York, USA. He was a writer, known for Batman: Death in the Family (2020). He died on 29 January 1977 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.- John Franz was born on 23 February 1922 in Holborn, London, England, UK. John died on 29 January 1977 in Hampstead, London, England, UK.
- Additional Crew
José Torres was born in 1911 in Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain. José is known for La bella Otero (1954). José was married to Marianne Ivanov. José died on 29 January 1977 in Paris, France.- Kristian sn Sonefeldt was born on 28 April 1887 in Kristiania, Norway. He was an actor, known for Greven av Monte Christo (1965). He died on 29 January 1977 in Oslo, Norway.