TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-12-2007, 07:55 PM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8PNIV1O0.html

TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Herbert, who as "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

"He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory.

In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items.

"He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature."

Herbert encouraged children to duplicate experiments at home, said Jacobs, who recounted serving as a behind-the-scenes "science sidekick" to Herbert on the '80s "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired on the Nickelodeon channel.

When Jacobs would reach for beakers and flasks, Herbert would remind him that science didn't require special tools.

"'You could use a mayonnaise jar for that,'" Jacobs recalled being chided by Herbert. "He tried to bust the image of scientists and that science wasn't just for special people and places."

Herbert's place in TV history was acknowledged by later stars. When "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted in 1982, Herbert was among the first-night guests.

Born in Waconia, Minn., Herbert was a 1940 graduate of LaCrosse State Teachers College and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II. He worked as an actor, model and radio writer before starting "Watch Mr. Wizard" in Chicago on NBC.

The show moved to New York after several years. He is survived by six children and stepchildren and by his second wife, Norma, his son-in-law said. A private funeral service was planned.

Ireneparalegal · 06-12-2007, 07:58 PM

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

First reading abt Frankie from the Real World who died and now this????

I grew up watching him. This is a sad day for kids who loved science or those kids who never thought science could be fun. HOW SAD!!!!

Thank you Mr. Herbert for all the fun you brought our way.

Zoneboy · 06-12-2007, 07:59 PM

I used to love watching him as a kid, This is sad news indeed.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-12-2007, 08:29 PM

Rest in Peace r Wizzard Don Herbert

eltonfan80 · 06-12-2007, 08:34 PM

that's sad i loved his show

Skywalker · 06-12-2007, 08:50 PM

I used to watch Mr. Wizard's World a lot when I was a kid.

R.I.P. Don.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-16-2007, 01:15 PM

me and my Brother also watched Mr Wizard World on Nick

06-12-2007, 07:55 PM	#1
Janice Administrator Forum Celebrity Stormin' Norman Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 34,461	TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89 http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8PNIV1O0.html TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89 LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Herbert, who as "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey. "He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory. In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items. "He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature." Herbert encouraged children to duplicate experiments at home, said Jacobs, who recounted serving as a behind-the-scenes "science sidekick" to Herbert on the '80s "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired on the Nickelodeon channel. When Jacobs would reach for beakers and flasks, Herbert would remind him that science didn't require special tools. "'You could use a mayonnaise jar for that,'" Jacobs recalled being chided by Herbert. "He tried to bust the image of scientists and that science wasn't just for special people and places." Herbert's place in TV history was acknowledged by later stars. When "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted in 1982, Herbert was among the first-night guests. Born in Waconia, Minn., Herbert was a 1940 graduate of LaCrosse State Teachers College and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II. He worked as an actor, model and radio writer before starting "Watch Mr. Wizard" in Chicago on NBC. The show moved to New York after several years. He is survived by six children and stepchildren and by his second wife, Norma, his son-in-law said. A private funeral service was planned. __________________ God Bless Our Troops

06-12-2007, 07:58 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal Forum Celebrity LEGAL SPICE ;) Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,548	NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! First reading abt Frankie from the Real World who died and now this???? I grew up watching him. This is a sad day for kids who loved science or those kids who never thought science could be fun. HOW SAD!!!! Thank you Mr. Herbert for all the fun you brought our way. __________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

06-12-2007, 07:59 PM	#3
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: Carthage, NC Posts: 22,521	I used to love watching him as a kid, This is sad news indeed. __________________ *"It's the way things are. A big tree falls and a new one grows right out of the same ground. Old animals die and young ones take their places. Even people step aside when it's time."* (R.G. Armstrong as the Contractor in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark")

06-12-2007, 08:29 PM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Forum Celebrity Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,398	Rest in Peace r Wizzard Don Herbert __________________ Who Dat

06-12-2007, 08:34 PM	#5
eltonfan80 Forum Regular RIP MJ I'LL MISS YOU FOREVER Join Date: Jan 11, 2005 Location: in a cloud above the sky Posts: 845	that's sad i loved his show __________________ michael jackson 8-29-58- forever rip

06-12-2007, 08:50 PM	#6
Skywalker Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 13,701	I used to watch Mr. Wizard's World a lot when I was a kid. R.I.P. Don.

06-16-2007, 01:15 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Forum Celebrity Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,398	me and my Brother also watched Mr Wizard World on Nick

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