Dance Hall of the Dead

Tony Hillerman (1925–2008) was an American author of award–winning mysteries set on the Navajo Indian reservation featuring Native American policeman Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee, twelve novels of which made the New York Times bestsellers list. His Leaphorn novels have won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, and Macavity Award for Best Novel. His other honors include the Center for the American Indian’s Ambassador Award, the Spur Award for Best Western Novel, and the Navajo Tribal Council Special Friend of the Dineh award. The Western Writers of America honored him with the Wister Award for Lifetime achievement in 2008, and was named by the Mystery Writers of America as one of mystery fiction’s Grand Masters. He also wrote several stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction.

Michael Ansara (1922–2013), born in Syria and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, entered Los Angeles City College in 1941. After training at Pasadena Playhouse, Ansara blossomed as a classical actor with such groups as the Hollywood Players’ Ring. He went on to be cast as Cochise in the 1956 television series version of Broken Arrow. In later years Ansara was active in the lucrative world of television cartoon voice-over work. He was married for several years to actress Barbara Eden.