Vince Edward's series Ben Casey was the E.R. of its time. Running from 1961-66 on ABC, the series was a pioneer of the 'real-life hospital' school of drama. (The show's opening lines -- "Man, Woman, Birth, Death, Infinity" -- became a pop culture mantra .) Edwards's dashing neurosurgeon Casey competed more or less head-to-head with Richard Chamberlain's dashing Dr. Kildare on rival network NBC. Edwards had a long acting career after Casey, but it remained his signature role.