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Les Crane and Former Wife Tina Louise

From Barbara M – Mr. Pop – Referencing last week’s Les Crane talkshow, whatever became of Les Crane? Did he leave the business?

Mr. Pop History – After his talkshow, Les Crane could be found playing minor roles in television and movies. Then after his hit “Desiderata” in 1971, he really wasn’t seen or heard from much. He flirted with the idea of becoming a doctor and attended medical school for several years. Next, Crane ran communications seminars for corporations. When personal computers became trendy, Crane, with 4 partners formed a software company called Software Tool Works. 

This company was famous for a mid-1980’s personal computer phenom called Chessmaster 2000. Introduced in the fall of 1986, it sold about 150,000 copies. “Chessmaster” was developed by Crane, whose company was one of the first true indy software success stories. With “Chessmaster,” you could master the art of chess. It featured a dozen levels of play running up to master chess level.

Hope that helps.

Come back soon, as I answer, to the best of my knowledge, another one of your pop history/culture questions.