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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On January 13th, 1962, comedian Ernie Kovacs died in a car crash in west Los Angeles.

In 1973, Eric Clapton made a comeback from drug addiction when he performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London. His backing band included Pete Townshend, Ron Wood and Steve Winwood.

In 1979, singer Donny Hathaway died in a fall from a hotel window in New York. He was 34. Hathaway was known for his duets with Roberta Flack.

In 1986, former members of the Sex Pistols sued former manager Malcolm McLaren. The suit was settled out of court.

In 2002, "The Fantasticks" closed in New York's Greenwich Village. It was the longest-running musical in the world. It had begun production in 1960 and had been performed 17,162 times.

In 2003, musician Pete Townshend was arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography in London. Townshend was later cleared of the charges.

Today's birthdays: Country singer Liz Anderson is 79. Actress Frances Sternhagen is 79. Comedian Rip Taylor is 75. Actor Billy Gray ("Father Knows Best") is 71. Actor Richard Moll ("Night Court") is 66. Guitarist Trevor Rabin of Yes is 55. Drummer Fred White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 54. Actor Kevin Anderson ("Nothing Sacred") is 49. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfuss ("Seinfeld") is 48. Singer Graham "Suggs" McPherson of Madness is 48. Country singer Trace Adkins is 47. Actress Penelope Ann Miller is 45. Actor Patrick Dempsey is 43. Actress Traci Bingham ("Baywatch") is 41. Actress Nicole Eggert ("Baywatch," "Charles in Charge") is 37. Actor Orlando Bloom is 32.

(Above for release Tuesday, January 13th) Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-05-09 1237CST | save this article / add to your favorites list