Separated at Birth? Michael Gregory & Richard Devon.

Actors Richard Devon (top) and my friend, Michael Gregory.

Devon was an American character actor best known for his roles in television and episodic television and film, including The Rifleman, Lassie, and The Twilight Zone, and the films Machine Gun Kelly, The Comancheros and Kid Galahad. He passed away in February of this year at the age of 83.

Michael and I worked on the film Combustion a few years ago and have struck up a friendship since. He was the original "Dr. Rick Webber" in "General Hospital" for two years in the mid- to-late 1970's and has numerous film and television credits, including Matlock and McGyver. He even had a stint as Dean Martin's bodyguard for ten years. I'm a big Dino fan so Michael regales me with his DM stories. He's extremely busy in the voice-over market and works with a number of veterans' charities.

I caught the beginning of The Commancheros (featuring The Duke) and saw Richard Devon and thought, "is that Michael?". But Michael's almost 20 years younger, which is what led to this blog post. Above: Michael and I in West Hollywood in September 2009 right before I moved back to Wisconsin.

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My friend, Michael Gregory. "See ya later, Michael!"

I hate saying "goodbye" to people. I'm moving back to Wisconsin soon - gotta be there by 9/12 to MC a golf tournament. So I don't say "goodbye" - I say, "see ya later". And I will.

So, I had lunch Wednesday at Silver Spoons in West Hollywood with my friend, actor Michael Gregory. We met years ago while I was working at PorchLight Entertainment and we were in the movie, Combustion, together. Helluva guy, that Michael. He worked as Dean Martin's bodyguard for 10 years. (Deano is my favorite all-around entertainer. His son, Ricci Martin, who I also know, used to refer to Gregory as, "Mike DaGard"or Mike DeGard - a moniker Michael uses from time to time.) Michael has starred in film, TV and theater, including: Terminator, RoboCop, Total Recall, Beverly Hills Cop, the original Dr. Rick Webber in General Hospital, Return of the Outlaws and Blue Eyes.

Michael's been involved with charity work for years. Veterans are the biggest heart tugger for him, including Iraq War vets. Two of his charities include Desert Thunder, a children's charity dedicated to raising donations that are distributed to children's service organizations in Southern California and Southern Nevada, and Stars and Stripes Foundation.

Above: Michael on his bike outside Silver Spoons, a Hollywood and celebrity gathering spot for decades. The waiter asked for Michael's autograph. Didn't ask for mine. Oh - forgot. The kindly gentleman pictured below was very helpful to me in finding the front door to the place (he was on the patio, as were we). Come to find out that the kindly gentleman was a friend of Michael's actor Robert Forster. He's at Silver Spoons every day.

Forster's film career was revived when Quentin Tarantino cast him in Jackie Brown. He's starred in Mulholland Drive, Charlies Angels: Full Throttle, Delta Force, Psycho (remake), TV series, "Heroes", among others. Forster saw Michael and he came over to our table and chatted with us. Nice guy. One of the things I'll miss about CA - you can run into anyone at anytime - anyplace.

As Mike DaGard says, "Make every day some kinda holiday!".

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