Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn

EDGAR KENNEDY appeared in over 400 Hollywood films spanning four decades. An original Keystone Kop for Mack Sennett, he went on to support such film luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Bros. John Wayne, Lucille Ball and Doris Day. Billed as "The Average Man," Edgar starred in his own short comedy series at RKO for 17 years. Bill Cassara was born and raised in San Jose, California where his love for the movies began while attending weekly programs at the Garden Theatre, a neighborhood cinema.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Cassara dedicated himself to a career in law enforcement. This 25-year veteran of the Monterey County Sheriffs Office currently holds the rank of Sergeant and is assigned to patrol on the Monterey peninsula. In 1984, Cassara founded "The Midnight Patrol" chapter for the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society. He has also been a board member for the Monterey County Arts Habitat and the Monterey County Film Commission. Cassara chaired film events featuring appearances by Doris Day and Clint Eastwood. Cassara also hosted the Edgar Kennedy Celebration in Monterey in 1997.