September 16

• 2003 – Sheb Wooley, who recorded the song “Purple People Eater, passed away at the age of 82.
• 2002 – James Gregory, who co-starred in “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” and appeared in episodes of the TV series ” Thriller,” “Inner Sanctum” and the “Twilight Zone,” passed away at the age of 90.
• 2001 – American International Picture co-founder, Samuel Z. Arkoff (the Z. stands for Zachary) passed away at the age of 83.
• 1996 – Gene Nelson, who directed the film “Hand of Death,” and for the TV series’ “Star Trek” and “The Invisible Man,” passed away at the age of 76.