For my ongoing series of living legends, I chose 5 individuals actually who in some way had an impact on the film industry as we know it today. Without further ado, here are a handful of living legends.

Gene Reynolds (1923-)

So Gene Reynolds began as a child actor back in the 1930s first appearing ni the Our Gang shorts and also making appearances in films such as Captains Courageous and Boys Town. Truth be told, I have yet to see one of his early performances. It’s unforgivable I know. However, Reynolds also had a great affect on me because of the many television shows he created/directed/produced later in his career. The list begins most prominently with MASH which he co-created but also Leave it to Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan’s Heroes, and Lou Grant.

Billy & Garry Watson (1923 and 1928)

Okay, so this entry is a little unique because Billy and Garry Watson are hardly known on their own but as two parts in an acting entity, The Watson Family. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, that’s not necessarily unbelievable, but this group of siblings shared the screen with many of the great stars of the 1930s. Their film credits include the likes of Showboat, Young Mr. Lincoln, and perhaps most memorably, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Lola Albright (1924-)

Lola Albright had a long and varied career in both film and television. Perhaps her most memorable role was opposite Kirk Douglas in Champion (1949) as one of his many flings on his way to the top of the boxing world. However, with the popularity of television, she also took many guests spots and even had a stint filling in for Dorothy Malone on Peyton Place.

Dorothy Malone (1925-)

Dorothy Malone will best be remembered for her work in some of Douglas Sirk’s greatest melodramas including Written on the Wind and The Tarnished Angels. She also took on a particularly memorable cameo opposite Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep. She too dabbled in television with her most prominent role being that of Constance Mackenzie on the syndicated television version of Peyton Place.