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Billie Hayes was born August 5, 1924 in the small town of DuQuoin, Illinois. She started in show business at 9 years old as a tap dancer in local clubs. She was encouraged but not "pushed" by her parents after she expressed the desire to do so. By the time she was in her teens, Hayes had joined a 14-piece orchestra and was working throughout the Midwest. After performing her own act in Chicago, she was cast in a New York revue which toured the United States and Canada.

Hayes landed a part in a Leonard Sillman Broadway production, "New Faces of 1956", at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It ran for 220 performances between June 14, 1956 and December 22, 1956. One of her songs was "The Greatest Invention". The producers of the Broadway production of "Li'l Abner" wanted her for the role of Mammy Yokum but the producers of "New Faces" wouldn't release her from her contract and the part went to Charlotte Rae (best known for playing Mrs. Garrett on the television show The Facts of Life (1979)). Hayes would later succeed Rae in the role and went on to play the part in the 1959 film version and in the 1971 television version, as well.

A fellow cast member in a Las Vegas show in which Hayes was appearing recommended her to Sid Krofft, who was preparing for production for the television show H.R. Pufnstuf. Only two actresses auditioned to play "Witchiepoo". The first was then an unknown Penny Marshall, but it was felt that she was not right for the part. When Hayes auditioned for the part, she created a maniacal cackle and hopped up on a desk and was given the part on the spot. Hayes also appeared in the next Krofft brothers television show Lidsville (1971) and made other guest appearances on other live-action television shows through the rest of the 1970s and until the mid-1980s when she effectively made the transition to voice acting.

Ken Swofford was born on 25 July 1933 in Du Quoin, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Annie (1982), The Andromeda Strain (1971) and Black Roses (1988). He was married to Barbara Ann Biggs. He died on 1 November 2018 in Pacific Grove, California, USA.

Guy Boyd has been a reliable and renowned supporting actor since his film debut in Between the Lines (1977). His acting career began studying Shakespearian dramas and on-and-off Broadway productions before starting a lengthy career in films, usually playing tough authority figures. In twenty years, Boyd has starred in nearly fifty motion pictures and is probably best known for his funny and sometimes sick performance as Detective McLean in Brian De Palma's Body Double (1984). Boyd won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion Award for Best Actor for his role in Robert Altman's Streamers (1983). Most recently, he was seen co-starring on the science fiction television series Black Scorpion (1995).

Actor/Writer. Brian Gant was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the Midwest before moving to New York City at a very young age. Astrological sign is Scorpio. Brian has appeared in numerous plays, films, and television shows. He later moved from New York City to Los Angeles. Some of Mr. Gant's favorite actors are Rod Steiger, Marlon Brando, Charles Laughton, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro, Helen Mirren, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Bruce Willis, Val Kilmer, Diane Keaton, Eli Wallach, Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and Gary Oldman. Self-proclaimed music/funk, film, cooking, and NBA "fanatic." Known for being equally proficient in comedy and drama. Known for extreme, complex character work.

Tim Bearden was born on 12 May 1977 in Du Quoin, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Double Feature (2004), Bridges to Bridges (2012) and Escape from Tomorrow (2013).

Les Hite was born on 13 February 1903 in Du Quoin, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Drive My Car (2021), Greenwich Village (1944) and Gangsters on the Loose (1937). He was married to Fran Kowalski. He died on 6 February 1962 in Santa Monica, California, USA.

Kyle Onstott was born on 12 January 1887 in Du Quoin, Illinois, USA. Kyle was a writer, known for Drum (1976) and Mandingo (1975). Kyle died on 3 June 1966 in San Francisco, California, USA.

Don Stanhouse was born on 12 February 1951 in Du Quoin, Illinois, USA.