SOUTHLAND : Actor Howard Duff Dies at 76
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SANTA BARBARA — Actor Howard Duff, who played tough detective Sam Spade on radio in the 1940s, Sheriff Titus Semple on TV’s “Flamingo Road” in the 1980s and countless film roles in between, died, it was announced today.
He was 76 and died late Sunday at his home, said his wife of 17 years, Judy Duff. She said authorities believe her husband suffered a massive heart attack.
Duff had taken part in a local telethon Saturday night to raise money for victims of last month’s devastating Santa Barbara fire, which left hundreds homeless.
He was a regular on such hit television series of the 1950s and ‘60s as “Mr. Adams and Eve,” “Dante” and “Felony Squad” and appeared in a number of movies, including “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “The Late Show” and “The Wedding.”
In recent years he was a guest on such shows as “The Golden Girls,” “Midnight Caller” and “Knot’s Landing.”
He is survived by a daughter, Bridget, and a brother, Doug.
Duff’s first wife was actress Ida Lupino.
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