Toys For Tots

Toys For Tots

Major Bill Hendricks first established Toys For Tots in 1947. Since then, as part of the program, the United States Marine Corps Reserve has collected and distributed over 350 million toys to underprivileged children during the Christmas season. Over the years a number of Hollywood notables have lent their name and pocketbooks to Toys For Tots. Who are some of the actors and actresses who have helped out the non-profit program?

Tim Allen

This star of “The Santa Clause” movies has also appeared in Galaxy Quest, “Jungle to Jungle” (1997) and as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the “Toy Story” movies. Tim Allen has also participated as a National Honorary Chairperson for the Toys for Tots program.

Ann-Margret

This established actress has appeared in the rock opera “The Who’s: Tommy” (1975) and in the football film Any Given Sunday. She recently co-starred in 2006’s “The Break-Up”.

Jim Backus (1913-1989)

This veteran actor may be best remembered for his role as Mr. Howell in the TV comedy “Gilligan’s Island”. However, Jim Backus gained notoriety for voicing the animated Mr. Magoo and for his role in 1955’s “Rebel Without A Cause”.

Lynda Carter

Best known as TV’s Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter has starred in a variety of films including “Super Troopers” (2001), “The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005) and “Sky High” (2005).

Doris Day

Another honorary chairperson for Toys for Tots is Doris Day. The actress has appeared in “Calamity Jane” (1953), “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956), “Pillow Talk” (1959) and “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960).

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood has had a long and notorious career both in front of and behind the camera. He has starred in the westerns “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” (1966) and “Outlaw Josey Wales” (1976), appeared as Inspector Harry Callahan in the “Dirty Harry” films, co-starred in the romantic drama “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995) and received critical acclaim for his acting and directing in “Unforgiven” (1992) and Million Dollar Baby.

Dale Evans (1912-2001) and Roy Rogers (1911-1998)

This on- and off-screen duo made dozens of westerns during their legendary careers. Roy Rogers, also known as the King of the Cowboys, appeared in “Under Western Stars” (1938) and wife, Dale Evans, would star opposite him in 1946’s “Heldorado”.

Glenn Ford (1916-2006)

This star of “Superman” (1978) also appeared in such movies as “Gilda” (1946), “Blackboard Jungle” (1955) and “Cimarron” (1960).

James Garner

James Garner has long been a star on the big and small screen. To TV fans Garner is best known as Bret Maverick in the “Maverick” series and/or as Jim Rockford in “The Rockford Files”. He has also starred in 1963’s “The Great Escape”, “Space Cowboys” (2000) and the dramas “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” (2002) and The Notebook.

Charlton Heston

The star of The Ten Commandments, Charlton Heston also made notable appearances in “Ben Hur” (1959) and “Planet of the Apes” (1968).

Bob Hope (1903-2003)

Bob Hope appeared in numerous films throughout his career. The comedian not only lent his talents to the USO, but he also co-starred in “The Cat and the Canary” (1939), “Some Like It Hot” (1939) and made an uncredited appearance in “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952).

Rock Hudson (1925-1985)

At one point, legendary actor Rock Hudson was one of the most sought after talents in Hollywood. He made memorable appearances in “Giant” (1956) and “A Farewell to Arms” (1957).

Shirley Jones

She may be best known as Shirley Partridge on TV’s “The Partridge Family”, but Shirley Jones has put her mark on cinema as well. Jones appeared in the musical “Oklahoma!” (1955), received critical acclaim for her work in “Elmer Gantry” (1960) and “The Music Man” (1962) and recently co-starred in the comedy “Grandma’s Boy” (2006).

Jack Klugman

Jack Klugman has appeared in a number of movies throughout his career including “12 Angry Men” (1957) and “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962). He would go on to a successful TV career that included starring roles in “The Odd Couple” and “Quincy”.

Jerry Lewis

Not only has Jerry Lewis spent an exorbitant amount of time working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he has also participated with the Toys for Tots campaign. The comedian/actor had a number of successful films as part of a duo with Dean Martin. Lewis also starred in the original “The Nutty Professor” (1963).

Roddy McDowall (1928-1998)

Roddy McDowall starred as a variety of characters during his career on the silver screen. McDowall co-starred in the epic “Cleopatra” (1963), “That Darn Cat!” (1965), The Poseidon Adventure and the horror/comedy “Fright Night” (1985).

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy has been immortalized on TV and in movies as Captain Spock in “Star Trek”. Besides co-starring on a number of TV shows, he also made appearances in the sci-fi movies “Them!” (1954) and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978).

Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)

Prior to becoming Governor of California and later President of the United States, Ronald Reagan had appeared in dozens of movies including “Knute Rockne All American” (1940). Wife, Nancy, had appeared in “East Side, West Side” (1949).

Debbie Reynolds

Actress Debbie Reynolds has made notable appearances in “Singin’ In The Rain” (1952), lent her voice to the animated “Charlotte’s Web” (1973) and in the comedy “In and Out” (1997).

Kenny Rogers

Although he may be better known as a singing superstar or as Brady Hawkes in TV’s “Gambler” movies, this honorary Toys for Tots chairperson, has also appeared on the silver screen. Kenny Rogers starred in the racing comedy “Six Pack” (1982).

Telly Savalas (1922-1994)

Most people may be familiar with Telly Savalas for his portrayal of the title character on TV’s “Kojak”. However, Savalas appeared in a number of movies during his long career including “The Birdman of Alcatraz” (1962), “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), as Bond’s nemesis Blofeld in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) and in 1970’s “Kelly’s Heroes”.

William Shatner

The role of Captain James T. Kirk made William Shatner a superstar. Besides his TV and eventual movie roles in “Star Trek”, Shatner, who is also an honorary chairperson for Toys for Tots, has appeared in “Miss Congeniality” (2000), “Showtime” (2002), Dodgeball and voiced the animated Ozzie in Over the Hedge. He currently stars as the infamous Denny Crane on TV’s “Boston Legal”.

Frank Sinatra (1915-1998)

Entertainer and movie star Frank Sinatra also participated in the Toys for Tots program. Throughout his successful film career, Sinatra starred in such movies as “From Here to Eternity” (1953), “The Man with the Golden Arm” (1955), and the original versions of “Ocean’s 11” (1960) and “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962).

Connie Stevens

Actress Connie Stevens is also an honorary chairperson for the Toys for Tots campaign. Besides starring on the small screen, Stevens has appeared in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978) and “Grease 2” (1982).

James Stewart (1908-1997)

James Stewart is probably best remembered for his role as George Bailey in the timeless holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. He also starred in a number of films including “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), “The Philadelphia Story” (1940) and “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959).

John Wayne (1907-1979)

On screen tough guy, John Wayne, also found time to lend his talents to Toys for Tots. The legendary actor appeared in many films throughout his career including “Stagecoach” (1939), “Sands of Iwo Jima” (1949), 1960’s “The Alamo” and “True Grit” (1969).

Henry Winkler

Honorary Toys for Tots Chairperson, Henry Winkler, might have found fame on the small screen as Arthur Fonzarelli a.k.a. “Fonzie” on the classic TV show “Happy Days” and later in the comedy “Arrested Development”, but he has starred in a number of hit movies. Winkler starred in 1982’s “Night Shift”, made an uncredited appearance as the principal in Scream, appeared as a football coach in “The Waterboy” (1998) and in the 2006 comedy “Click”.

Natalie Wood (1938-1981)

Although her career was demanding, Natalie Wood also found time to be an honorary chairperson for the Toys for Tots program. Wood made a number of memorable appearances in such films as “Miracle on 34^th Street” (1947), “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” (1947), “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), “Splendor in the Grass” (1961) and “West Side Story” (1961).

Jane Wyman

Jane Wyman starred in hundreds of films throughout the 1930s and into the 1990s including “All That Heaven Allows” (1955) and “Pollyanna” (1960). In later years she gained notoriety as the family matriarch, Angela Channing, on the TV drama “Falcon Crest”.

Notable Mentions:

There are plenty of other notable names that have supported Toys for Tots including:

Former First Lady Barbara Bush

Late night TV host Johnny Carson (1925-2005)

Legendary singer Nat King Cole (1919-1965)

Rat Pack Members Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) and Dean Martin (1917-1995)

Legendary musician George Harrison (1943-2001)

Olympic champion Bruce Jenner

Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard

Stage and TV actor Tony Randall (1920-2004)

For more information on Toys For Tots, please visit their official website.

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