Actors and Others for Animals

HISTORY

A better actor than Richard Basehart has yet to be born. This supremely gifted man, who brought to life our beloved Admiral Nelson, passed away in 1984 at the age of 70. He left us way too soon. Richard Basehart holds a place of honor in the fantasy worlds of Irwin Allen. For without Basehart, there might never have been the fantasy worlds of Irwin Allen. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was a hit show for many reasons, but preeminent among them was the casting of Richard Basehart in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson. Without this consummate actor at the helm, the submarine series might have voyaged to the bottom of the ratings, and gone down in history as a failure for Irwin Allen. However, because of Basehart, Voyage remained believable. Despite monsters, mummies, mermaids and more, viewers happily anchored themselves to the talents of Richard Basehart, and stayed with the show for four seasons. The success of Voyage enabled Irwin Allen to go on to develop Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, and Time Tunnel. The Poseidon Adventure, one of the great disaster films of all time, quite possibly the big bang of the disaster film genre, soon followed. And so did dozens of other Irwin Allen blockbusters. Be sure to search this site for the details on all those classic disaster movies. But while you're visiting this particular page, won't you help us pay homage to Richard Basehart--the man to whom Irwin Allen aficionados owe so much. We can no longer call or write to tell him how grateful we are, to let him know just how much we admire him and appreciate his work. However, we can pay our respects in another way. Although we should always remember him for his magnificent career as an actor, we should first and foremost revere Richard Basehart as a great humanitarian. Let us help make his legacy a lasting one.

WHY ACTORS AND OTHERS FOR ANIMALS WAS FOUNDED
On a day in 1971, Richard Basehart and his wife Diana were driving down one of California's busy freeways. The couple witnessed an incomprehensible act of cruelty as the person in the car ahead of them threw a dog out the window to its death. One can well imagine feelings of shock, anger, and heartbreak. The Baseharts could nothing to help that poor creature lying on the road, but neither would they let its death be in vain. They quickly called together a group of their fellow actors, and other members of the local California community, in order to try to put an end to such inhumanity. They hoped to use their celebrity status to get the media's attention, which would, in turn, get the public's attention. And so, Actors and Others For Animals was born.
WHAT ACTORS AND OTHERS FOR ANIMALS DOES
This non-profit organization is dedicated to the promotion of humane treatment of animals. Among their many projects and services is an ongoing campaign to further humane education in schools. In addition, the organization has been instrumental in getting legislation passed, which protects animals from needless suffering. Staff counselors respond to over 5000 requests each month from loving pet owners and others concerned about the welfare of animals. Since day one in 1971, they have focused most of their efforts on the need for spaying and neutering. Actors and Others subsidizes spay/neuter procedures, as well as other medical surgeries, and even provides pet meals for the animal companions of the elderly, the handicapped, and those living on fixed incomes. "Actors and Others for Animals has always put a priority on raising the quality of life for animals. We look forward to the day when our story has an ending where 'every creature great and small' lives happier ever after."
THE BASHART FUND
Created by Diana Basehart after the death of her husband, the Basehart Fund helps animals in drastic medical situations get the treatment they so desperately need. At the present time, the Fund is somewhat depleted and in desperate need itself. (We will have information on how to donate to this very special fund asap.)
ACTORS AND OTHERS -- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VOYAGE-IN-PERSON and ACTORS FOR OTHERS
Voyage fans who attended VIP in October 1998 had a unique opportunity to learn more about this worthy organization. As part of our tribute to the irreplaceable and dearly missed Richard Basehart, material about Actors and Others was available throughout the weekend.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- If you live in California and would like to become a volunteer at Richard Basehart's Actors and Others For Animals, call (818) 755-6045.
- If you live elsewhere in America and would still like to help, send a check to: Actors and Others For Animals, 11523 Burbank Blvd., N. Hollywood, CA., 91601
- If you don't live in the United States, but wish to support Richard Basehart's charity, you can donate the following: 8X11 pictures frames suitable for wall hanging, prizes for students in Humane Education classes, i.e., small toys, erasers, tapes, puzzles, rulers, scissors, etc.

"Not to know is bad. Not to want to know is worse. Not to hope is unthinkable. Not to care is unforgivable."
Nigerian Saying

MAIN WEB SITE

Actors and Others for Animals site

Includes ideas for voluteering help, celebrity merchandise in aid of AOA, and much more

DONATION SITE

Donation Site

CONTACT DETAILS

Actors and Others for Animals
11523 Burbank Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601

(818) 755-6045

Charity supported by actors and fans of Irwin Allen

In conjunction with AAOFA, the IANN is helping to promote the charitable work of the actors and actresses who support this fund.