Dick Martin

Over the course of his 25 years in television, comedian Dick Martin created an enviable legacy as an actor, director, and co-host of the top-rated comedy show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." Born in 1922, Martin teamed up with fellow comedian Dan Rowan in 1952, and the two played the nightclub circuit across America off and on for the next 15 years. In 1967 they were recruited by NBC to replace "The Dean Martin Show" with their own hour-long comedy program. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" featured a cast of young unknowns such as Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, and Arte Johnson. The show was fast-paced, colorful, and obviously derived from the far-out spirit of the times. Martin and Rowan played themselves off against the swinging '60s energy of the show as straight-men from another era. After "Laugh-In" went off the air in 1973, Martin appeared as a panelist on a number of celebrity-staffed comedy game shows such as "Match Game" and "Password Plus." He also started his second career as a director. He first worked with Bob Newhart in 1977 on the original "The Bob Newhart Show" and later directed 32 episodes of the very successful '80s version, "Newhart." Martin also helmed filming of "Family Ties," "Mama's Family," and "Webster." He died in Santa Monica, California, in 2008.