Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 206

Page 23 TV Mailbag Smith: Air William Can you please give me some information on William Smith, costar of the series "Laredo?" When is his birthday, how tall is he? K.N., K.L., Webster. William Smith was born March 24, in Columbia, Missouri. Following a four-year stint in the Air Force, Smith enrolled in the University of Munich in 1956, then enrolled at U.C.L.A. where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1958. Following graduation, he planned to work for the United States government in a security-classified job, but that same year he married French actress Michelle Marly, thus making him ineligible for the position.

It was at this time that William decided to become an actor. Shortly after his television debut on "The Ed Wynn Show," Smith spent a year in England starring in "Zero One." The brown-eyed, brown-haired actor stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds. As might be imagined from his rugged physique, Smith works out regularly, lifting 200-pound barbells. While he was in the service he held the light heavyweight weight-lifting championship for the Air Force. He is also an expert skier and swimmer.

William is a linguist who speaks fluent French, German and Russian. According to him, his most treasured possessions are his wife, his son and his Porsche--and in that order. Could I please have some information on Don Hastings who plays Robert Hughes on the daytime series "As the World Turns?" Is he married? D.T., G.P., Rose. Don Hastings was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 1. He credits his start in show business to singing.

At the age of 6 he got his first radio part as a singer, although he hasn't had a singing role since. That first performance led to an audition for a role in the national company of "Life with Father." He went into the play in 1941 and has been acting since. Don made his Broadway bow in "I Remember Mama." In 1949 Hastings turned to television on a fulltime basis, becoming A ranger on "Captain Video." He continued the Force Vet Pat. Florence Lewis, Rochester. You can write to Pat at NBC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020.

Will you please give me some information on the girl who formerly played Helga on Hogan's Heroes? Pam Penfield. Zinta Valda Ziemells, who now calls herself Cynthia Lynn, was born in Riga, Latvia, on April 2. She was only three when she and her mother and grandmother fled Riga, just ahead of the approaching Russian Army, during World War II. After many months of travel, they arrived in Wiesbaden, Germany. Miss Lynn's mother was able to support them for a while by singing.

After the arrival of the Americans in Germany, they were placed in a displaced persons' camp in Germany. Several years later, Latvian friends in the United States were able to arrange for them to be brought here. They arrived in New York City at Christmas time in 1950. Cynthia was employed as a nursemaid for a Long Island family while her mother worked as a singer at the New York cabaret La Vie en Rose. Eventually, Miss Lynn broke into model- William Smith: "Laredo" co-star program for six years until it went off the air.

In April, 1956, he joined the cast of "The Edge of Night," and remained with this daytime series for four and one half years. He has been on "As the World Turns" since October 1960. Don is married to Nan Kennedy, and they and their two daughters live on Long Island. Hastings stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall, has brown hair and blue eyes. Where could I write to Irving Benson who was with the Milton Berle Show," and Red Skelton? Obie Herman, Rochester.

You can write to Irving Benson at ABC, 1330 Avenue of Americas, New York, New York, 10020, and to Red Skelton at CBS, 51 West 52 Street, New York, New York 10019. I enjoy the "Pat Boone Show" very much and would like to know where I could write to ing and began doing television commercials. Soon she was appearing with the June Taylor Dancers OD "The Jackie Gleason Show." In 1959, she went to Hollywood and began acting in television. Miss Lynn is married to Lee Sands, an actor turned producer. Miss Lynn's hobby is painting.

The blue-eyed blonde actress, stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. Miss Lynn left the series to be with her husband who is now working in another country. (The Democrat and Chronicle Invites its readers' questions and comments on television. Please address letters to TV Mailbag, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y, 14614. All letters must be signed.).