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@john-barry, I think you've mistaken Billy the streetcar operator for Billy Mumy, the robot inventor who was catapulted to fame when he and his invention were spotted at a diner in Van Nuys by a national TV network that was trying to cast parts for a new family-oriented science fiction series. Here's a rare photo of Billy and his invention as they wait for their patty melt and 30W40 shake at the fateful diner.
Once Billy caught the acting bug, he abandoned his career in science and became a rising star in Hollywood, playing the romantic lead in several highly acclaimed but commercially unprofitable avant-garde productions.
Alas, as Billy aged, his cuteness aged with him. As his close-up potential began to fade, so did the major studios' patience with his newly discovered and erratic hedonistic lifestyle. In his later years, he was forced to accept less-challenging roles.
Eventually, he was unable to find work, banned from most studio lots, and reduced to washing dishes at the familiar diner in Van Nuys, where Robby the Robot had launched a successful franchise operation featuring "Robby Melts and High Viscosity Oil" served by an automated waiter and kitchen staff. As Billy was forced out of that position for lacking "organizational skills equal to the speed and efficiency of the rest of the staff," rumors began to circulate regarding "The Curse of the Mumy." A legend was born even as a once dazzling shooting star began to fade into oblivion.
@jkuvakas A heartbreaking tale of the perils of Hollywood fame achieved too early. Few know that Billy's final acting role, which morphed from his Mummy gig, was that of Dr. Peter Brady, star of The Invisible Man. Billy, although by this time a man of few words, reportedly loved driving the Austin Healey his character owned.
@100ford2003 ..........From the Cold Case files of missing persons,Clinton Iowa:Anthony Freemont was his REAL moniker......had a thing for the older dames like Bridgette Bardot and Cloris Leachman......and a very short fuse that would put you in the cornfield just for lookin` at him wrong
@jkuvakas A heartbreaking tale of the perils of Hollywood fame achieved too early. Few know that Billy's final acting role, which morphed from his Mummy gig, was that of Dr. Peter Brady, star of The Invisible Man. Billy reportedly loved driving the Austin Healey his character owned.
@jkuvakas A heartbreaking tale of the perils of Hollywood fame achieved too early. Few know that Billy's final acting role, which morphed from his Mummy gig, was that of Dr. Peter Brady, star of The Invisible Man. Billy reportedly loved driving the Austin Healey his character owned.
weren`t there a BUNCH of Bradys ?
Yeah....Carol and Mike's brats. They never talked about Uncle Billy's fall from grace.
@100ford2003 ..........From the Cold Case files of missing persons,Clinton Iowa:Anthony Freemont was his REAL moniker......had a thing for the older dames like Bridgette Bardot and Cloris Leachman......and a very short fuse that would put you in the cornfield just for lookin` at him wrong
I see you found a pic of conflicted Billy during his dunce days spent in the corner at his therapy group. It was ultimately a successful transition period for him...just prior to the Mummy role.
@jkuvakas A heartbreaking tale of the perils of Hollywood fame achieved too early. Few know that Billy's final acting role, which morphed from his Mummy gig, was that of Dr. Peter Brady, star of The Invisible Man. Billy, although by this time a man of few words, reportedly loved driving the Austin Healey his character owned.
