A memorial service for actor James O’Rear will be held on Saturday, July 1, at 1 p.m. at Theater West, where he was a longtime member. O’Rear was 86 and an active member in the theater’s Musical Comedy Workshop up to the week before he died, on June 14. In addition to attending NYC’s Neighborhood Playhouse from 1935 to 1937, O’Rear was a member of the Group Theater, appearing in productions such as My Heart’s in the Highlands and replacing Elia Kazan as Eddie Fuseli in Golden Boy. He also participated in Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater. “Jimmy’s performance in and knowledge of the American musical theater was astounding,” says friend Betty Garrett. “He was a walking encyclopedia.” Theater West is located at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West. Donations to Theater West will be welcome in lieu of flowers.

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