Don DeFore - "This is Your Life" (6 May 1953)

Don DeFore is best remembered to today's audiences as "Mr. B" on TV's "Hazel". At the time of this broadcast, he played "Thorny", the affable next door neighbor on TV's "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet". The premise of this show was to surprise the subject on live TV and honor him. Don DeFore's wife Marion Holmes, and four children appear, as well as other friends and relatives from his home town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ralph Edwards is the host. Broadcast from the El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood, CA.

[@hipdadiddy]

A shame that at age 73, I'm a member of the last generation that'll know anything about him (I was a fan of "Hazel", the early 60's sitcom in which Don played the head of the household who hired the titular maid). My dad got to know him on a troop ship, either on their way to or back from the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater in World War II. Said Don truly was one of the nicest guys he'd ever met--friendly, sincere, an all-round gent.

[@rhondamcknight2596]

Well deserved acknowledgement of an honorable family man.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Don DeFore was a real person in a town of phonies, a family man where it seemed every other marriage ended in divorce. he was married to the same woman for over 50 years. A very well loved person in Hollywood.

[@scotnick59]

Very well put

[@rhondamcknight2596]

Don DeFore and Martin Milner, two great unpretentious family men who knew actor was a career to raise a healthy family.

[@kbunky69]

Don DeFore was a very good friend of Walt Disney and the only person to own and operate a business in Disneyland.

[@ragingbull154]

He seemed to be such a great guy. Love watching Hazel on AntennaTV. Hazel would drive him crazy but it always turned out good in the end. Back when television was worth watching.

[@user-lx6yr2mk8d]

🎉

[@karenkoepp9276]

Love this! Don DeFore was not only a great actor but what a Husband, Father, Son and Sibling he was to his family! I sure wish I would have had the chance to meet him! Men of his character are few and far between!

[@brentsacoolguy]

Don Defore was a prince of a fellow....He has always been one of my favorites.

[@lanadale1479]

I loved every minute of this Wonderful This is Your Life Video. He Was quite a Great Soul. Loved watching his reactions to everyone.

[@peterraimondi9569]

Mr. B., what a great gentleman.

[@Farrah300]

I remember him from the sitcom, "Hazel'. He was a very good actor.

[@TrishStClair]

I enjoyed anything with him in it. Seemed such a good man.

[@anneroselli161]

I love you and hazel too lol Anna roselli

[@mariareale9040]

Love Don. You can tell he us such a genuine and good man.

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

I think it’s prophetic that this show, certainly this episode, was sponsored by “Hazel” Bishop. It’s such a funny shadow of what would come to Don DeFore’s career just seven/eight years later.

[@pugzlipigeon5906]

Don was a handsome devil

[@daisydukes8252]

He sure was-I’ve always thought so. Wish there were men around like him now.

[@lorrainechandler7864]

Don DeFore was a sweet man.

[@juliedeeg9269]

This is excellent as I have always respected Don DeFore. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute.

[@Solidrock-jq6rp]

Absolutely loved this. I grew up in that decade.

[@terrid5449]

What a great guy.

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

Way to go Thorny!

[@debbiewashburn1000]

Yes! I loved him as Thorny!

[@rubytuesday5412]

I've only just become aware of Don Defore from watching Hazel, before my time, but thanks to YT I'm watching all the re-runs.. Just love Mr. B and all the others on the show. Thanks for this uploader.

[@knots12345678]

“Hazel” Bishop, What a coincidence!

[@eddancer1381]

This is your life was a great TV show Ed

[@debbielighthall9671]

I love him

[@JJJBRICE]

Don Defore's" family seemed to be wholesome than the Nelson family. Oh my , that takes some doing! Helen O'Connell , known primarily as a big band era singer also had other talents . She was a regular on the Today show. She was an hostess for some years for the Miss Universe pageant with Bob Barker.

[@Farrah300]

He and his wife would be married for more than 50 years until his death in 1993.

[@JJJBRICE]

@@Farrah300 yes Farrah . That is impressive !

[@coquetteetparfaite8499]

Congratulations from Canada 👍🏼

[@williamst.mariejr.6070]

So glad you posted this episode! Love Don DeFore .....Ralph Edwards is an ass. What he did to Lou Costello is unforgivable. So inept a man should never have hosted a show like this

[@SueBeaWho]

What did he do? I LOVE Bud and Lou!

[@tc06rtw]

Thanks for asking, but it was HARD to pin down !! Lou Costello Jr., 2 days short of his first birthday, had accidentally drowned in the family pool. (Left napping, the baby worked loose one of the slats on his crib, climbed out & fell into the pool, unnoticed by the nanny.) During his live appearance on “This Is Your Life,” Lou Costello was confronted with images of his, now dead, son.

[@williamst.mariejr.6070]

It's been a very long time. I recall the hurt and misery in Lous face as Ralph dramatically revealed intimate details of his sons death. You could see Lou reliving it as Ralph continued oblivious to the result...Anyone else would have compassionately jumped ahead to something else. He seemed to be the only one who didnt realize what was happening or he didnt care. I would not watch it again at gunpoint. It was television at its worst.

[@SueBeaWho]

Yes, the pain was SO OBVIOUS in Lou's eyes. :(

[@davidbrown8303]

William St.Marie Jr. Are you a Hick ?

[@starbuono3333]

I want a charm bracelet !

[@jean-claudecherica1385]

Hi! Thorny. Long time no see.

[@sopitabo]

Funny thing i just watched this guy in "Ramrod" as a tough guy,had'nt heard of him before.He looks the exact opposite of the film character.He must have been decent guy married to the same woman all his life,we should laud that instead of some of the bullshit wer

[@scotnick59]

Always liked Don alright, but he seemed an odd candidate for this show in '53....oh, well: enjoyed it anyway