Dick Martin of Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" fame passes in May.

Dan Rowan (left) and Dick Martin (right)

You've all seen the lists at the end of the year of celebrities who have passed away that year. I was sad to see that Dick Martin of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In fame had died in May of this year. I worked with Mr. Martin on the film, The Trial of Old Drum, a few years ago. We spoke briefly on set and I told him how much I was entertained by Laugh-In and applauded him and partner Dan Rowan (who preceeded Martin in death in 1987) on that groundbreaking series. Very nice man.

Incidentally, Dick was married to former 1966 May Playmate of the Month, actress Dolly Read, best known for her lead in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. They were still married when he died. Here's Dolly in all her - well, part of her "glory".

Laugh-In was an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968 to May 14, 1973. The title, Laugh-In, came out of events of the 1960s hippie culture, such as "love-ins" or "be-ins." These were terms that were, in turn, derived from "sit-ins," common in protests associated with civil rights and anti-war demonstrations of the time.

The show was characterized by a rapid-fire series of gags and sketches, many of which conveyed sexual innuendo or were politically charged. Rowan and Martin continued the exasperated straight man (Dan Rowan) and "dumb" guy (Dick Martin) act which they had established as nightclub comics.

Beside the regular "cast" on the weekly show, Laugh-In had celebrities drop by and do schtick, as well as musical groups. Check out this holiday clip.

Dan Rowan (left) and Dick Martin (right) on Laugh-In.