Columnist, Author, Actor. Born James Richard Hughes Bacon, the son of a journalist, he studied at the University of Notre Dame and Syracuse University from where he received his degree in Journalism; he began his career initially as an intern with the South Bend News-Times, before joining the Associated Press. Following service in the US Navy during World War II, Bacon resumed at the AP in Chicago, relocating to the Los Angeles bureau in 1948, covering Hollywood and befriending many film legends including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor. This led to numerous minor parts on TV and films, which include the programs “The Big Valley”, “The Virginian”, “Adam-12”, and the “Planet of the Apes” picture series. From 1968 until 1986, he worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and later was a columnist with Beverly Hills 213. Bacon authored several books, which include “Hollywood Is a Four Letter Town” (1977), “Made in Hollywood” (1978) and “How Sweet it is: The Jackie Gleason Story” (1985). He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died from congestive heart failure at age 96. (bio by: C.S.)