Jonathan Harris

Graduated from James Monroe High School in The Bronx, New York, in 1931.

Attended the same high school as Estelle Reiner (future mother of famous actors Rob Reiner and Lucas Reiner), then known as Estelle Lobost, who graduated a year behind him, in 1932.

His Broadway debut was in 1942 on the play "Heart of the City".

His only son, Richard, who was 16 at the time, visited the set of "The Third Man" (1959), where the relationship between father and son was reconnected.

Although his character's eventual monopolization of "Lost in Space" (1965) aggravated members of the cast, all of them stated that he was the nicest of people to work with.

Following "Lost in Space" (1965), he did numerous commercials for the International House of Pancakes.

Harris and the rest of the cast of "Lost in Space" (1965), were very disappointed by its cancellation in 1968, attributed to the show's high cost.

He was the only cast member of "Lost in Space" (1965) who would not appear at fan-related conventions without being paid. His asking price was $500.

At conventions, insisted that his booth or table be separate from the rest of "Lost in Space" (1965) cast members. He refused to be in the same part of the building as June Lockhart and convention coordinators had to accede to his demands - he was a major draw to conventions.

Best remembered by the public for his special guest starring role as Dr. Zachary Smith on "Lost in Space" (1965).

Remained good friends with Bill Mumy during and after "Lost in Space" (1965).

Would often sit up at night thinking of ways to insult the robot ("Be quiet, you bubble-headed booby!") while on "Lost in Space" (1965). His colorful put-downs for his mechanical colleague, almost all of them unscripted, are among the best-remembered aspects of the show.

Was reunited with ex-"Lost in Space" (1965) co-star, Bill Mumy, alongside Leonard Nimoy (of "Star Trek" (1966) fame) at a Disney World Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (1996).

Had beat out both actors, Jack Elam and Carroll O'Connor for the role of Dr. Zachary Smith on "Lost in Space" (1965).

Came up with a list of alliterative insults that eventually worked their way into popular speech on "Lost in Space" (1965).

Until his death, he received 500 letters each month. Having been grateful for the character he played on "Lost in Space" (1965), he answered each and every letter.

His father, Sam, got struck by a car and was found dead in 1977.

Although he reprised his most infamous role as Dr. Smith in a one-hour TV special Lost in Space Forever (1998) (TV) in 1998, he refused a cameo in the motion picture version of Lost in Space (1998) later that year, unlike June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright, the other stars of the 60s show. With typically cryptic "Dr. Smith" flair, he announced that if he could not play his own role in the movie, he wanted nothing to do with it. Interestingly, Gary Oldman portrayed "Dr. Smith" in a curiously subdued fashion.

Before future director John Lasseter would work with him on both movies: A Bug's Life (1998) and Toy Story 2 (1999), he would describe Harris, as his childhood television hero.

His widow, Gertrude Bergman, died in 2008, just 6 years after his death.