Long-time wife of actor Jim Backus, she worked originally under her birth name (Kaye) on Broadway and in WPA productions, and occasionally with her husband after their marriage; played Cora Dithers in TV comedy series Blondie; wrote several books, some with her husband. née KAYE, Henrietta

• Husband: ¤BACKUS, Jim [1913-1989] American actor and writer

Clergyman, religious historian, freedom fighter, champion of religious freedom; Separatist from Congregational church (1746); New Light minister (1748-1756); Baptist Church pastor (1756-1806); Wrote A History of New England, With Particular Reference to the Denomination of Christians Called Baptists (3 vols., 1777-96)

In 1893 the Old Colony Baptist Association dedicated a monument to him in the cemetery at North Middleboro. He believed in complete separation of Church and State and the Dictionary of American Biography says of him that no individual in America since Roger Williams stands out so preeminently as the champion of religious liberty. Also he is known as the historian of the Baptist Church in New England. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention at Boston in 1788, he voted Yes for ratification of the Federal Constitution.

Long-time actor, best known for roles as Thurston Howell III (Gilligan's Island TV show) and the voice of the nearsighted Mr Magoo. né BACKUS, James Gilmore

• Wife: ¤BACKUS, Henny [1911-2004] American actress, author