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Jack Manning, 93, a character actor in theater, film, television and radio for more than a half-century, died Aug. 31 at his home in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

On Broadway, Manning appeared with Helen Hayes in "Harriet," about Harriet Beecher Stowe that opened in 1943, and as Roderigo in the 1943 production of "Othello" starring Paul Robeson and Jose Ferrer.

On TV, Manning attracted wide notice for his one-man serial version of "Hamlet," broadcast in 10 installments of 15 minutes each in 1953. Another of his TV roles was that of Dean Rutherford in the "The Paper Chase."

John T. Elson, 78, the Time magazine religion editor who in 1966 wrote the cover story for the April 8 issue that questioned "Is God Dead?" died Sept. 7.

The issue caused an uproar and gave Time its biggest newsstand sales in more than 20 years, eliciting 3,500 letters to the editor.

The article, for those who ventured past the cover, reflected his scholarly bent. Titled on the inside, "Toward a Hidden God," it began: "Is God dead? It is a question that tantalizes both believers, who perhaps secretly fear that he is, and atheists, who possibly suspect that the answer is no."

NEW YORK TIMES