Keeping The Evening Superman

Sometimes weird things happen in life.

For example, back in 2015, a group of us Adventures of Superman fans attended the memorial service for the "Greatest Jimmy Olsen of all", Jack Larson at the James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus. Celebrity attendees included actresses Kathleen Nolan (The Real McCoys) and Debra Winger (Urban Cowboy).

Above, a group photo with Chuck McCann. Photo courtesy of Brad Shey.

Following the services, several of us migrated over to the Smoke House Restaurant in the Burbank/Tolucca Lake area (across the street from Warner Bros. Studios) for dinner and drinks. While there, we ran into comedian Chuck McCann. Several of us had a photo taken with McCann at the restaurant bar. 

The good Lord must've been sending us a message of some sort, maybe a "thank-you" for attending Jack Larson's memorial service by keeping the evening within the theme of Superman.

How so?

Chuck McCann played Superman in a comedy skit back in the 1970s. So, if that isn't in keeping with keeping things Superman that evening, I don't know what is. 

Above, Chuck McCann as Superman in a 1970s skit.

Sadly, McCann passed away in 2018 at age 83.

Many believe "things happen for a reason". Perhaps this was one of them.

The Jack Larson Memorial

The Jack Larson Memorial was held this evening at the James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus.

The program consisted of remembrances of Larson from members of his family and colleagues during his days as a writer, producer and playwright and through music. There were also stills and film clips of his acting days on the Adventures of Superman television show and more recently. One of the speakers, surprisingly, was actress Debra Winger (Urban Cowboy and An Officer and A Gentleman).

Another surprise, actress Kathleen Nolan (The Real McCoys) also spoke and she detailed her relationship with Jack.

Among the audience members, besides Denise Santos and myself, were Jim Nolt and his daughter Lisa, Stephanie Shayne, Ray Duke, Brad Shey, Mike Goldman, Jim Beaver, Jeff Breslauer, Gary Grossman, Mike Clark and several others.

Prior to the program, refreshments were served.

Following the Memorial, several of us went to dinner at the Smokehouse restaurant in Toluca Lake, where we met comedian Chuck McCann.

Accompanying this blog post are the pages from the memorial booklet that was given out to attendees.

As Jack was always there for us at events, we were there for him.