Don Herbert, aka Mr. Wizard, dead at 89

Don Herbert taught science on television to kids on the 1951-1964 series Watch Mr. Wizard. I was a little young to remember that show, but I do remember watching him when the show was revived in the 1980s as Mr. Wizard's World. There was also another version of the show in Canada titled Mr. Wizard that ran from 1971-1975, and a short-lived ABC Saturday morning show in 1971 called Curiosity Shop.

The science shows weren't the only TV shows that Herbert was on. He started as an actor in the 1950s and appeared on General Electric Theater. He was also a guest on the very first episode of Late Night with David Letterman on February 1, 1982. There have been many parodies of Mr. Wizard over the years, including skits from Bob and Ray and the police lab guy on Police Squad!

Herbert died of bone cancer near Los Angeles on Tuesday.

[via Best Week Ever]