In 2009, he underwent heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, an event that Mr. Williams said caused him to take stock of his life.

His own greeting was equally cordial. Still exploring! he cried, as he shook them by the hand. We will hope your new experiences will not be so nerve-racking as our last.

The safeness of the new drug hadn't been proven, so it could only be used experimentally, and you had to sign a waiver accepting the risks.

Vaudeville's dead, and TV's the box they're going to bury it in!