Archie Lang

Archie L. Lang, 95, of Elizabethtown, KY, died Wednesday, February 17, 2016. He was a native of Chicago, a WW II U.S. Navy veteran, a 1938 graduate of Mount Carmel High School, a 1942 graduate of Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and received a master's degree in music from Columbia University. He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Gladys Lang; dear brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Skok, Patricia Clarke, Paul Lang and John Lang. He is survived by his cherished partner of 20 years Georgietta Raikes. He was the loving father of Denise Lang and Michael Lang; grandfather to Taylor (Brian) Wilson and Ryan Caldwell; and "Papa" to Bobbie Jo Harris and Jonathon Lairmore. Archie spent his life in all aspects of the entertainment industry, as an actor, director and producer. In 1970 and for the next 25 years, the Chicago Tribune Charities, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, hired him to produce the nationally renowned Ruth Page version of "The Nutcracker". During his tenure as producer, stars of the American and International Ballet world vied to perform, secure in the knowledge he would accommodate their schedules and treat them with the upmost respect. He directed some of Chicago's most prestigious event's, including the Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Fashion Show and Passavant Cotillion, where he was also the Master of Ceremonies. In the 1980's and 1990's, he divided his time between Chicago and Los Angeles, where as an actor he appeared in more than 75 television shows and 10 feature films. He created the role of Michael Forbes, Museum Director on "General Hospital" and was seen in the continuing role of Senator Lee in "Dallas". Archie was a member of The Mighty Carson Art Players on the "Tonight Show" hosted by Johnny Carson and his theatre performances included a variety of roles at the Actors Forum in Los Angeles. Memorial contributions may be made in Archie's honor to The Ruth Page School of Dance Scholarship Fund, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610 or Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas (www.mybenedictine.edu).