Annabeth Gish's Resume Loaded With Super Credits

Q: I first discovered actress Annabeth Gish in "When He's Not a Stranger," a TV movie from the early '90s, and have since seen her in last fall's "Courtroom" series and the recent movie "Beautiful Girls." I would love to know all about her. Will "Stranger" be released on video?

A: Gish, who's not related to to screen legend Lillian Gish, has an impressive list of credits, starting with "Desert Bloom" and "Mystic Pizza." She took a break from acting to earn her bachelor's degree at Duke University, but returned to star opposite Kevin Costner in "Wyatt Earp," the miniseries "Scarlett" and Oliver Stone's "Nixon" (as Julie Eisenhower). Her 1989 TV movie about date rape, "When He's Not a Stranger," is available on video. The actress's next project is the HBO movie "Don't Look Back," with Eric Stoltz, John Corbett ("Northern Exposure"), Josh Hamilton, Amanda Plummer and Billy Bob Thornton.

Q: We recently saw the film "Apollo 13" and I noticed Clint Howard's name in the credits. I say he's actor/director/producer Ron Howard's younger brother. Also, didn't he star in the old TV series "Gentle Ben"? Does Clint often appear in his brother's films?

A: Clint Howard, five years junior to brother Ron, has appeared in most of his brother's productions, from Ron's 1978 filmed-in-Dallas TV movie "Cotton Candy" (which the brothers co-wrote) to the Academy Award-nominated "Apollo 13." Clint began his acting career with his brother on "The Andy Griffith Show" as Leon, the kid who always had a sandwich in his hand. He also guest-starred as a child in one of the classic episodes of the original "Star Trek" series, "The Corbomite Maneuver." And he's gone solo in four TV series: "The Baileys of Balboa" (1964), "Gentle Ben" (1967-69), "The Cowboys" (1974) and "Gung Ho" (1986).

Q: What has happened to "Picket Fences"? And is it true that this is the last season for "Murder, She Wrote"?

A: The Emmy-winning CBS series "Picket Fences" played out its final season in late April with three shows the same week. "Murder, She Wrote" wraps up its 12th and final season May 19.

Q: Years ago, did Bobby Darin have a weekly comedy show? Who was his partner on that show?

A: The popular singer ("Mack the Knife," "Splish Splash") hosted a summer replacement series for "The Dean Martin Show" in 1972 called the "Bobby Darin Amusement Co." The comedy-variety show featured stock players Dick Bakalyan, Rip Taylor and Steve Landesburg. The show returned in the winter as a midseason replacement. Darin died after open heart surgery the following year. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Send questions to: the Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, TX 75265. Sorry, no personal replies.