Many people of my generation have forgotten about many of the stars of the early, classic days of television. They are not sure about the standards of these shows that made it possible for many of today's popular series to exist. Art Carney was one of the stars of early television. He was a comic genius whose work on "The Honeymooners" as Ed Norton still puts people into tears of laughter and also won him a few Emmys. He was like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton before him in his movements, but his timing and chemistry with Jackie Gleason has never been matched. I highly suggest that many of you watch the "Classic 39" - which were just released on DVD - so you can see where the likes of Kramer, Yogi Bear, and even in some ways Quagmire on "Family Guy" all were born. Art also tried film where he won an Academy Award in 1974 for Best Actor in Paul Mazursky's "Harry and Tonto." Art played a retired schoolteacher on the road with his cat after being evicted from his apartment. It was not his usual comedy that won him the award, but rather his skill which proved he could be dramatic. He also went on to star in "The Late Show" (1977), "House Calls" (1978), "Going in Style" (1979), and his final film role was a cameo in "Last Action Hero" (1993). In addition to film and television, he also performed on Broadway, where he originated the role of Felix Unger in "The Odd Couple" alongside Walter Matthau.

Aside from his accomplishments as an actor, he was also something very personal to me. He was my grandfather. I knew him outside of what was on screen - a side not many got to see. He was not like his television counterpart of Ed Norton, but rather a very reserved, quiet man. He was born on November 4, 1918 in Mt. Vernon, NY to a family with 5 older brothers. He worked his way through stage and radio at a young age and became well-respected in the industry. He met Jean Myers Carney at the age of 18 and went on to marry her. He later divorced her and married Barbara Issac, but then later remarried his first wife. He never took an acting class or had education past high school, but he had a natural talent for his work. He retired 10 years ago and had been living in Westbrook, CT with Jean until his death, which was the result of throat cancer among other things. He is scheduled to be inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2004 where his work will live on, hopefully allowing future generations to watch his genius.