Kem Dibbs; First to Play Buck Rogers on TV

Kem Dibbs, 78, the first actor to play the futuristic hero Buck Rogers on television and a founder of the Thalians. The Lebanon-born Dibbs had been a New York stockbroker before making his way to Hollywood. He helped pioneer the early days of television, appearing as Rogers, the sole protector of the universe, when the series debuted April 15, 1950. Dibbs later appeared in the acclaimed 1950s television series “Studio One,” “Playhouse 90” and “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” He also performed in several motion pictures, including “Riding Shotgun,” “High Society,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Paths of Glory” and “Fate Is the Hunter.” As a founder and acting president of the charitable group the Thalians, Dibbs helped raise about $22 million for the Thalians Mental Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was recently honored with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. On March 28 in Rancho Mirage.