Aug. 13, 1963 - Lawrence Peter Berra (pictured with John Beradino) will make his television drama debut Friday at 1 p.m. on ABC. Berra, known as Yogi at Yankee Stadium, where he fills in either as catcher or first-base coach, will portray a physician on the soap opera “General Hospital.” He utters two critical lines in a crowded coffee shop adjacent to the hospital. Yogi delivers the first — “Here, take my table” — as he leaves the coffee shop. The second comes after his return, when he says, “I forgot my bag.” Mr. Berra previously appeared as himself along with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the motion picture, “That Touch of Mink,” a comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. When the players had ended their hour-and-a-half of acting work on August 23, 1961, Berra grinned and remarked: "This is like stealing money, ain’t it?" Delbert Mann, the director, was particularly impressed with the performance of Berra, who improvised with shrugs, head shakes, and various facial expressions. "I didn't suggest any of these things to Berra," marveled Mann. "He is just an outgoing type.” The picture was a hit.
top of page
bottom of page
Comments