Mike Minor (actor)

Michael Fedderson (December 7, 1940 – January 28, 2016), known as Mike Minor, was an American actor best known for his role as Steve Elliott on Petticoat Junction (1966–1970).[2]

Mike Minor
Mike Minor and Meredith MacRae on TV's Petticoat Junction (1969)
Born
Michael Fedderson

(1940-12-07)December 7, 1940
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedJanuary 28, 2016(2016-01-28) (aged 75)
New York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor, singer
Years active1962–2005
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Spouse(s)Monyeen Rae Martini
(1961–1966; divorced)
Linda Kaye Henning
(1968–1973; divorced)
Marilyn Minor (1981–2016; his death)
Children1
Parent(s)Don Fedderson
Tido Minor

Early life

Minor was born on December 7, 1940, in San Francisco to newspaper advertising man Don Fedderson, who would later become a leading television producer, and Tido Minor.[3][4]

He began voice lessons in 1953 at the age of 13.[1] His first singing job was at Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, where he was engaged for two weeks and held over for ten.[5] He attended University High School in Los Angeles and Brown Military Academy in San Diego.[6] Since then he had appeared at Bimbo's in San Francisco, the Rat Fink Room in New York City, the Elegante in Brooklyn, Izzy's Supper Club in Vancouver and the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.[7]

Career

Television

In 1961, Minor played the character Ray in an episode of My Three Sons, a show produced by his father. He played Steve Elliott on Petticoat Junction in seasons four through seven (1966–70). Elliott, a pilot, crashed his airplane in Hooterville, then recovered and eventually married the character Betty Jo Bradley, though two seasons earlier, he portrayed the character of Dan Plout, and married a friend of Billie Jo’s in an episode titled “Mother of the Bride” which aired on December 15, 1964. Seasons 6 and 7 of the series focused on the newlywed couple of Betty Jo and Steve, and their newborn daughter Kathy Jo Elliott.[2] Many sources erroneously reported that Minor sang the series' title song; in fact, it was sung by Curt Massey, the series' music composer, who co-wrote the song with show creator and producer Paul Henning.[1]

Among Minor's other television credits were The Donald O'Connor Show (1968 version), The Beverly Hillbillies, CHiPs, Vega$, and L.A. Law.

In the 1970s, Minor made brief appearances on daytime shows The Edge of Night and As the World Turns. In the 1980s, he appeared as Brandon Kingsley on All My Children (1980–1982) and as Dr. Royal Dunning on Another World (1983–1984).

Stage

In 1968, Minor made his stage debut, playing the romantic lead in The Impossible Years with Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.[1]

Music

Minor recorded two albums, including This Is Mike Minor (1966), and numerous singles, including the successful "Silver Dollar" and "One Day at a Time".[1][6]

Minor sang the theme song ("Primrose Lane") on season one of the Henry Fonda television series The Smith Family.[8]

Personal life

Minor's childhood ambition was to be a professional baseball player, but when he matured he switched to golf. He was a member of the Hollywood Hackers, an organization of show-biz golfers who travel around the country playing at choice golf courses and entertaining the spectators.[1] On July 22, 1961, Minor married Monyeen Rae Martini; the couple had one son but the marriage ended in divorce.[9]

On September 7, 1968, he married Linda Kaye Henning, who played Betty Jo on Petticoat Junction, following a romance that began on the set. A year before their real-life wedding, they were married in the television series. They divorced five years later and had no children.[9] Minor married Marilyn Minor in 1981.[9]

Death

Minor died of cancer on January 28, 2016 at age 75.[4][10]

References
  1. "Mike Minor Played Steve Elliot on Petticoat Junction Died at 75". Mortys TV. February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  2. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballentine Books. p. 1077. ISBN 978-0345497734.
  3. Stephens, John G. (2004). From My Three Sons to Major Dad: My Life As A TV Producer. Scarecrow Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0810852792.
  4. McLennan, Cynthia (February 1, 2016). "Veteran Soap Actor Mike Minor Dead at 75". Soap She Knows. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  5. "Mike's a Major Star". The Gastonia Gazette. October 28, 1967. p. 12. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  6. Barnes, Mike (February 5, 2016). "Mike Minor, Actor on TV's 'Petticoat Junction,' Dies at 75". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  7. "Michael Minor (1940 - 2016)". The New York Times. February 1, 2016.
  8. Leszczak, Bob (2015). From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records 1950-2000. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 228. ISBN 978-1442242746.
  9. "Mike Minor profile". Omnilexica. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  10. "R.I.P. Mike Minor of 'Petticoat Junction'". MeTV. February 1, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
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