


One man auteur Bill Rebane, director, producer, screenwriter and photographer of such films as MONSTER A GO-GO (1965), INVASION FROM INNER EARTH (1974), THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION (1975), THE DEMONS OF LUDLOW (1982), THE GAME (1982) and BLOOD HARVEST (1985) has officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Wisconson. The following was taken off the UP NORTH WISCONSIN web site (www.ashlandwi.com):
Saxon Filmmaker Throws Hat In Gubernatorial Ring
By A.J. VAN BEEST
The Daily Press
SAXON - Independent thinker and retired film producer Bill Rebane is returning his attention to state politics and has declared his candidacy for governor.
Rebane previously ran for the position in 1979.
Rebane said the biggest reason he is running is that he feels many of today's politicians are not adequately representing their constituents.
"My campaign platform is that I am a non-politician," Rebane said. "Politicians are out of touch with reality. Unless he is a real statesman, it doesn't take a professional politician to represent people."
Rebane said he has special interests in education, small business and increasing the ability of counties and communities to govern themselves.
Rebane operated the Shooting Ranch Motion Picture Studios in Gleason for almost 30 years ending in 1988. For part of that time, Rebane said he had the only full-time feature film studio in the Midwest. He also said he was instrumental in creating the Wisconsin Film Office in the late 70's. he said some of the skills he gained from these experiences would translate directly to the governor's office.
"I'm a business man," Rebane explained. "I built an industry unlike any other in Wisconsin, and I was very successful in managing my business and the many people involved in it. In many ways, the position of governor is not very different than that of a corporation's chief executive officer. My career demanded a great deal of skill in communicating, diplomacy, tact and manners"
Rebane said his first job on the campaign trail is to research some issues so he can discuss them at a higher level and help inform people.
"Do you know why the state is running a deficit?" he asked. "Neither do I. I think there are a very few people in the state understand the deficit. We need to know about these things; that should be part of a politician's job."
Rebane said he supports efforts to reform public school curriculum to better match the findings of cognitive development specialists.
"It's a proven fact that of you want to teach a child something, you start them young," he said. "If you want them to speak and read several languages, you start in grade school not in high school. You don't teach your kids French or Spanish or Russian in high school, you have to start them at an earlier age."
Rebane also said he thinks that colleges should include more practical forms of education in their curricula.
"If you took the graduating classes from Yale and Harvard and any of those students had to attend a formal state dinner, they'd be unable to function because they wouldn't know which is the salad fork and which is the meat fork," he said with a smile. "It seems like technical colleges do more for students than four year schools."
Rebane also said it's necessary for Americans to "return to family values" and have parents involved in their children's' lives by setting limits and providing support.
In addition to domestic opportunities for education, he said America needs to work to educate people around the world.
"We're not going to solve the problems of the world, like overpopulation, by sending rubbers to Africa, but through education," he said. "We have to help the people there become civilized and understand why they shouldn't have nine children when they can't afford them. It goes back to logic and common sense."
Rebane said he is a staunch supporter of the American entrepreneurial spirit.
"Small business is this country's foundation, but it's in danger" he said. "I really have a problem with people going to big chains to buy things made in China and neglecting smaller merchants right there on Main Street selling American wares."
Rebane said he would work to reduce the amount of paperwork facing small business owners and try to make it easier for them to access state resources such as grants.
"It's always the business community using its creative mind to get something done," he said. "The government and representatives lack the creativity and innovative thinking needed to find better ways to solve problems."
Rebane said he wants to foster entrepreneurial opportunities across the state.
"I came to America from Germany when I was 15 and couldn't speak English," he said. "I lived on the south side of Chicago, off 63rd St. I went to four movies a day and in six months, learned to speak English. The moment I could, I got myself a little red wagon, and went to the supermarket and made myself a bundle of money delivering groceries for people.
"That was the kind of America I remember: the America with tremendous opportunities for everyone. The only thing you needed was the willingness and ambition to work and make something of yourself. I don't know what happened to those days, but I miss them and want to bring them back. ... I've lived the American dream, and I want to pass some of that on to others and remind them of what this country is all about."
Who knew that this man, who has entertained me and countless others with his cheap regional films, had ambitions more far-reaching than any of his films could imagine? Hey, if a former b-actor could become president, why couldn't a b-director become governor? Stay tuned for further updates on his campaign.
A
special
thanks to William Forsche (www.forsche.com/folio/folio.html)
for the heads-up.
George 'Buck' Flower personally sent CritCon this email:
"Buck Flower and Charles Napier have recently signed an agreement with Publish America to publish a novel, RED NECKS IN LOVE. Cowritten by Napier and Flower, this story, exploring back roads of Red Neck humor that Jeff Foxworthy would be terrified to tread, proves self expression to be sometimes possible for even bovine feces kickers. The book should be on the market before the end of 2002, in case anybody cares."
Buck Flower
This
should be some crazy book considering the talent involved. See the George
'Buck' Flower Profile for more info on this crazy actor/writer/producer
and all-around Jack of all trades. Charles Napier should be no
stranger to those surfing this site. He had his face chewed off by
Hannibal Lecter in SILENCE OF
THE LAMBS (1991), appeared in a slew of films with Mr. Flower
and has done more TV appearances than you can shake a stick at. He is
truly an icon in the B-Movie Hall of Fame.
On
August 10, 2002 low-budget auteur Doris Wishman died in Coral
Gables, Florida of lymphoma. She was somewhere in her 80s. Known for
her no-budget nudies of the 60's, including BLAZE
STARR GOES NUDIST (1960) DIARY
OF A NUDIST (1961) and NUDE
ON THE MOON (1962), Wishman graduated to "roughies"
including BAD GIRLS GO TO HELL
(1965) and ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER MAN
(1966). In the 70s she made a string of head-scratching films
including THE AMAZING TRANSPLANT
(1970), the Chesty Morgan duo DEADLY WEAPONS (1973)
and DOUBLE AGENT 73 (1974),
and the pseudo-documentary LET
ME DIE A WOMAN (1978). She then tried tackling the horror
genre with the howlingly-bad A
NIGHT TO DISMEMBER (1979). This was her last film until Mike
Vraney and his Something
Weird Video company released a slew of her films on video in the
early 90s. People were amazed by her penchant for pointing the camera
at people's feet and inanimate objects at the most inopportune times.
She did this to cover the fact that she filmed these films silent and
avoided showing lip movement so she didn't have to match it in the
dubbing process. Some have said that she lacked any talent at all and
while that may have been true, her films were one of a kind. They
were not meant to be viewed alone but rather with an alcohol or
doobie-induced crowd. Her resurgance in popularity gave her the
opportunity to direct more films including SATAN WAS A LADY
and DILDO HEAVEN (both 2001). Doris Wishman passed away while
in post-production of her final film EACH TIME I KILL (2002).
She will be missed.
Andre
de Toth, director of the ground-breaking 3-D film HOUSE
OF WAX (1953), died of an aneurysm in his Burbank,
California home on October 27, 2002. He was 90. The eye-patch wearing
director (he lost an eye as a child and was not able to view the 3-D
process due to lack of depth-perception) was also married to actress
Veronica Lake (whose last film was the 1970 stinker FLESH
FEAST) from 1944 - 1952 and had three children. Known for
his crime noir films such as PITFALL
(1947) and CRIME WAVE (1954) and westerns starring Gary Cooper (SPRINGFIELD
RIFLE - 1952) and Randolph Scott (STRANGER
WORE A GUN - 1953), de Toth had a style that was widely
admired and emulated by other directors, such as Martin Scorcese and
Quentin Tarantino. His last directorial effort was the slasher film TERROR
NIGHT (1987).
Nathan
Juran, best know as the director of ATTACK
OF THE 50-FOOT WOMAN (1958 as "Nathan Hertz") and
Acadamy Award winner for art direction for 1941's HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY
died of natural causes in his Palos Verde Estates, California home on
October 23, 2002. He was 95. The list of Juran's accomplishments in
the horror/sci-fi/fantasy field is impressive, including THE
DEADLY MANTIS, BRAIN
FROM PLANET AROUS, 20
MILLION
MILES TO EARTH
(all 1957), 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD
(1958), JACK THE GIANT KILLER
(1962), FIRST MEN IN THE MOON
(1964) and THE BOY WHO CRIED WEREWOLF
(1973 - his last film). Juran had also directed episodes of many
fantasy and sci-fi TV series, including VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF
THE SEA, LOST IN SPACE, THE TIME TUNNEL and LAND
OF THE GIANTS.
June
8, 2003: Muscleman actor Trevor Goddard, a former boxer who once had
a recurring role on the TV series JAG and plays a pirate in
the upcoming movie "Pirates of the Caribbean," died in an
apparent suicide, investigators said Monday. He was 37. Goddard's
body was found in his North Hollywood home on Sunday by a woman who
also lived at the location, according to Officer Grace Brady, a
police spokeswoman. Police said they could not disclose her
relationship to Goddard. An autopsy was planned Monday but the death
had already been classified as suicide with prescription drugs, said
Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. Corral
said Goddard was in the midst of a divorce and his estranged wife,
Ruthann, was in San Francisco during the weekend. The couple has two
young sons. Born in Perth, Australia, Goddard's work as a
professional boxer led to an acting role in a beer commercial. From
there he had a small role in the 1994 action film "MEN
OF WAR" and played the martial-arts fighter Kano in
1995's MORTAL KOMBAT,
based on the popular fighting video game. In 1998, Goddard began a
recurring part on the military TV series JAG
as Lt. Cmdr. Michael "Mic" Brumby, a role he played until
2001. Other film credits include 1998's DEEP
RISING, an uncredited role in 2001's car-theft thriller GONE
IN 60 SECONDS and the role of Grapple in Disney's 2003 PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.
Unfortunately, he'll probably best be remembered for the commercial
where he enters a kitchen after a kangaroo messes a woman's floor
ands says, "I can clean that floor, mate!" Other roles on
TV include guest starring on THE
X-FILES, 18 WHEELS OF JUSTICE,
NOWHERE MAN, SILK
STALKINGS and others. He will be missed. UPDATE:
It's 2006 and they just started reshowing his commerical with the
kangaroo again after not showing it for almost two years. The
Advertising biz has always amazed me!
October
20, 2003: Director Donald G. Jackson, maker of impossibly cheap
horror and science fiction films such as THE
DEMON LOVER (1976 - his debut film), ROLLER
BLADE (1985 and 5 sequels), HELL
COMES TO FROGTOWN (1987 - his most professional feature) and
over a dozen more genre films passed away of leukemia. Don was a
maverick filmmaker often filming his movies on video and using his
own money or funds collected from friends and business partners
(including long-time friend Scott Shaw). He was a weird individual
who had a vision that no one else was able to quite understand and
only very close friends knew of his fatal condition. While most of
his films are not widely distributed, Mr. Jackson did have a cult
following and his antics can be viewed in one of the best
documentaries of the filmmaking business: DEMON
LOVER DIARY, a no-holds barred look at low-budget
filmmaking. If you can find a copy of this film, pick it up. Mr.
Jackson was 60 years old when he was taken from us. R.I.P.
06/03/2004:
My friend Mario has informed me that all-around filmmaker Robert A.
Burns has taken his life after learning that he had terminal cancer.
Burns was a driving force in horror films, acting as art director of
the original TEXAS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974 - giving that house the creepy vibe
that still chills me to the bone today), THE
HILLS HAVE EYES (1977), THE HOWLING
(1981), DON'T GO NEAR THE PARK
(1981), RE-ANIMATOR (1985), PLAY
DEAD (1984), THE OUTING
(1986) and many others. He also directed and wrote the obscure MONGREL (1982),
starred as the title character in CONFESSIONS
OF A SERIAL KILLER (1985) and worked in various capacities
on films such as DISCO
GODFATHER (1979), TOURIST
TRAP (1978), MICROWAVE
MASSACRE (1983) and many other genre films. He will surely
be missed by all his fans who knew him for his good humor and
dedication to the preservation of the B-Movie. Check out the
following link: www.robert-a-burns.com/FAREWELL.HTML (The link and
his site are no longer in service. It showed him laying next to a
tombstone with his hands folded on his stomach, with a goodbye note
to everyone.) to see that he knew what he was doing till the very
end. Goodbye Robert, you will be missed by everyone who gave a damn
about the small films that gave us the scares and thrills that most
major Hollywood crap could not hold a candle to. I only hope God
realizes what a good person he has in his hands now.
It breaks my heart to give you the following news. I'll let my friend Paul Gaita tell you in an email he sent me:
"Hello
all:
Don
Edmonds informed me this afternoon that character actor George
"Buck" Flower passed away in his sleep last night
(06/18/04). Buck had been struggling with his health for the better
part of 2004. He was 66.
Buck's
credits including appearances in five John Carpenter films (THE FOG,
ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, STARMAN, THEY LIVE and VILLAGE
OF THE DAMNED) as well as features by Robert Zemeckis (BACK
TO THE FUTURE and its first sequel) Tobe Hooper (SPONTANEOUS
COMBUSTION), William Lustig (MANIAC COP and RELENTLESS),
Don Edmonds (ILSA, SHE-WOLF OF THE SS, BARE KNUCKLES),
and many others. Buck also served as second unit director, casting
director, scriptwriter and producer on countless independent films,
including THE BIKINI CARWASH COMPANY and TAKIN' IT OFF
series, and recently co-wrote a novel, REDNECKS IN LOVE, with friend
and fellow character actor Charles Napier.
On
a personal note, Buck was a good friend and an incredible source of
information on low-budget and independent filmmaking in Los Angeles
during the '70s, as well as one of the funniest and kindest people
I've ever met. I will miss him very much.
Paul
Gaita"
I'm still reeling from the news. I just talked to George a couple of months ago. I knew he was ill, but I didn't realize how bad it actually was. The filmmaking business has lost one of it's best character actors. I will miss him and his humor dearly. R.I.P. Buck.
Here's an email from Jim Wynorski which about explains it all:
"Just
a note regarding Buck Flower. As some of you know, I worked
with Buck more than a few times over the years, and he was always one
of the nicest, warmest individuals. About two months ago, I
received a phone call from him and he matter of factly told me he had
inoperable cancer. He'd debated about keeping it a secret, but
finally decided to put it out there so his friends knew what was
happening. Naturally, I was saddened by the news, (1) because
he was a really nice guy and (2) he added so much to any role I might
throw at him.
Just
last Saturday, I called him at home and his daughter told me he was
at a local hospital. I reached him there, and he told me the
cancer had taken over his spine. In trying to remove it, the
doctors had paralysed him from the waist down. They were sending him
home the next day to await the inevitable. It was agonizing to hear,
but the great thing was what he said before he hung up -- "I may
be down, but I'm not out. The devil's gonna have helluva time
with me."
I
never got to see him because of a planned trip out of the country,
but on hearing the sad news today, I can safely guarantee you
there's no way Mr. Scratch won that tussle - 'cause ol Buck kickin'
ass up-stairs tonight. See you in the next life, partner.
Jim
Wynorski"
I only hope that Buck gets the proper write-ups in the obituary pages of the major newspapers (although I doubt he will). VARIETY will probably have a small obit but most other magazines and papers will probably no doubt just ignore his passing. Considering that he has appeared in over 150 films and many TV shows, I believe that we should not let his death go unnoticed. I was a major fan of his who became a friend about a couple of years ago, when he wrote thanking me for profiling him on my website. His humor and stories were so funny that I would find myself crying from laughter and almost wetting myself. I always believed he was a major talent caught up in doing minor roles. I was just watching him in the film CHEERLEADER CAMP recently (one of his biggest roles, being fifth-billed) and he got off some zingers in that one. He told me that most of the lines he did in that film were improvised by himself. At least we have all the films to remember him by. I know that I shall never forget him.
I received this email from his daughter Verkina, who worked with her dad on many films including appearing with him in DRIVE-IN MASSACRE:
"Hi,
was searching the internet for sites that contained any info about
my dad & came across yours, very cool & thanks so much for
including him.
So
funny to me that he always spoke of his career to be so much less
than it really was. It took more than several minutes to print out
his list of credits from imbd & I have an entire crate filled w/
tapes of his films, many of which I have never even seen. How many
actors would give their left nut for such a list?
His
last week was such a farce that I rather think he died of disgust
& not of cancer.
I
have 2 brothers, and he gave each of us a generous heart, an odd
sense of humor and a sense of uncommon loyalty. We are really going
to miss the old bastard.
Verkina
Flower-Crow"
We
will all miss him, Verkina.
By the way, I just saw you in THE
WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA (1976), which not only starred your
father, but he was also casting director as well. You played young
Molly in the flashbacks. This film is a definite cult classic waiting
to be rediscovered. Buck made a lot of films with director Matt
Cimber (real name: Matteo Ottaviano), but I feel this one is his best.
I
just watched Buck in his final role in director Jeffrey Obrow's THEY
ARE AMONG US on Sci-Fi (07/17/2004). Buck has a pivital role in
the film which really doesn't kick in till the final 30 minutes. It
is a bigger role than he normally has gotten as of late and he really
put his heart into it. In it, he plays the long-lost father of Alison
Eastwood, who saves his daughter's life by placing a well-aimed
shovel hit to an alien's head. The movie is a strange hybrid of INVASION
OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and Brian Yuzna's SOCIETY.
It's left wide-open for a sequel.
Veteran
character actor John Vernon passed away February 1, 2005 after
complications from heart surgery. He was 72. Vernon skyrocketed to
fame
as Dean Wormer in ANIMAL HOUSE
(1978) and enjoyed a long and varied career in both TV and films. He
worked with the greats: Alfred Hitchcock in TOPAZ
(1969), Don Siegel (DIRTY HARRY
- 1971, as the angry Mayor) and Clint Eastwood (THE
OUTLAW JOSEY WALES - 1976, as the guilt-stricken Fletcher
who lets Eastwood go at the end of the film by saying "I think
I'll try to tell him the war is over.") as well as working the
B-movie biz in such films as CURTAINS (1982),
SAVAGE STREETS
(1984), BLUE MONKEY (1987)
and KILLER
KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (1988, as Officer Mooney, who ends up
with a Klown's hand shoved up his ass and manipulated like a puppet)
and many others. He appeared as a guest star on many TV series and
starred in a few of his own in his native Canada (including the
popular mid-60's series WOJECK
which was considered groundbreaking for Vernon's portrayal of the
title character, a medical coroner that would lay the way for the
much-later series QUINCY).
He was a major talent that will be missed. Check out the Internet
Movie Database for his impressive filmography. He was the father
of actresses Kate Vernon (HOSTILE
TAKEOVER - 1987) and Nan Vernon.
Sheree
North, the beautiful blond actress from many action films and TV
shows has passed away at age 72 on November 4, 2005 from
complications from cancer surgery. North is probably best known as
the mother of Kramer on SEINFELD,
who was the first to give out his first name, Cosmo. North was in
such genre films as DESTINATION
INNER SPACE (1966), MANIAC COP (1988),
CHARLEY VARRICK
(1973), TELEFON (1977) and many
TV Movies from the 70's and 80's. She was also a guest star on many
of the popular TV dramas and comedies from the 50's through the late
90's. Her most prolific role was that of the aforementioned Babs
Kramer and she can be seen frequently in that role on reruns of SEINFELD.
For someone like me, though, she will be best remembered as the
tough as nails blond bombshell in the action films of the 70's.
Goodbye Sheree. I will miss you.
Multiple
Academy Award winning actress Shelley Winters , 85, died of a heart
attack on January 14, 2006. While many normal film viewers will
remember
her as a mainstream actress in major motion pictures and TV series
since the 1940's, I still have fond memories of her as the
championship swimmer Belle Rosen in THE
POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), who doesn't survive the big
dive but saves everyone who followed her, and her whacked-out
performances in a pair of early 70's thrillers, WHOEVER
SLEW AUNTIE ROO? (1971) and WHAT'S
THE MATTER WITH HELEN? (1972), both directed by cult
director Curtis Harrington. Not one to hide her feelings, Ms. Winters
was an outspoken person who would appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH
JOHNY CARSON blind-stinking drunk, making Johnny cry with laughter as
she would tell her true-life stories. No actor was safe from her
acidic, yet somehow, comforting tongue. She was also an accomplished
author and was considered a sexpot
in her early acting career, once a roommate of Marilyn Monroe (But
much more talented. Watch NIGHT
OF THE HUNTER [1955] to see what I mean.). As she
gained weight, she began taking on character roles and began a
lucrative career as a TV movie actress in the 70s, appearing in such
films as REVENGE (1971), THE
DEVIL'S DAUGHTER (1973) and many others and appeared in
theatrical genre films such as THE MAD ROOM
(1969), BLOODY MAMA (1970), POOR
PRETTY EDDIE (1975) and THE
VISITOR (1978). I always admired her as an actress, even if
some of her career choices were questionable. But, she was one of
those actors who improved whatever she was in. Most kids nowadays
recognise her in the frequent repeats as the grandmother of Roseanne
Barr's character on the TV series ROSEANNE. We are losing our
best old-time actors at an alarming rate and, as a baby-boomer
myself, will miss her. R.I.P. Shelly and I hope Heaven welcomes you
with open arms. For more on Ms. Winter's career and her extremely
long filmography, check out the Internet
Movie Database.
Actor
Rick Dean, who could be seen in countless Roger Corman productions,
died suddenly at the age of 53 on February 3, 2006 according to
long-time Dean friend Jim Wynorski. Known for his ruggedness and
portrayals of bad guys, soldiers and bikers, Dean was the consummate
performer, standing out from even the most professional
"name" actor in the film he was currently in. Rick was the
only person to be in 2 CARNOSAUR
films, his first film was ISLAND
OF BLOOD (1982), he had leading roles in Dan Golden's NAKED
OBSESSION (1990) and Cirio Santiago's NAM
ANGELS (1988) and could recently be seen in GACY (2003)
and SPECIES III (2004). His
last film will be SATANIC,
also directed by Dan Golden and will be released in April of 2006.
Dean had appeared in more than 50 films since 1982 which meant that
his talents were sorely needed in the B films that he appeared in.
You could always depend on him to put in a good performance. His
talents and raw energy will be sorely missed. This is another case
where I learned of the death of an actor strictly through emails. The
newspapers (except for the entertainment periodical VARIETY) didn't
even bother to mention his passing away. I know I will miss him. He
had a face that you will never forget. R.I.P. Rick and let it be
known that you did (and still do) have fans out there.
Val
Guest, the versatile British director and screenwriter best known
for directing science-fiction classics THE
QUATERMASS XPERIMENT and THE
DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE has died. He was 94. Guest died of
prostate cancer on May 10, 2006 in a Palm Desert hospice, said his
wife, actress Yolande Donlan. He "brought a lot of intelligence
to a genre that is often sorely in need of it," said director
Joe Dante, a longtime fan of his films. "Every single one of his
pictures is thoughtful and well-done." After becoming a director
in the 1940s, Guest made comedies, thrillers and musicals, but he was
best known for his science-fiction works. THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT
was a 1955 science-fiction horror thriller with a semi-documentary
feel about an experimental rocket ship that crashes in rural England
with only one surviving crew member. An invisible force gradually
transforms him into a monstrous creature as he consumes plants,
animals and humans. In the 1961 film THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE,
simultaneous nuclear explosions by the United States and the Soviet
Union knock Earth off its axis and send it hurtling toward the sun.
The picture earned Guest and co-writer Wolf Mankowitz best British
screenplay awards from the British Academy of Film and Television
Arts. Guest also was one of the five credited directors on the 1967
James Bond spoof CASINO
ROYALE. "He was a jack-of-all-trades," Dante said.
"But there are a lot of little gems in his output that,
hopefully, will come to light now." Other Guest films include THE
ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (OF THE HIMALAYAS) (1957), WHEN
DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH (1970), KILLER
FORCE (1976) and many others.
2006 sure turned into a bad year for fans of genre cinema. A lot of celebrities, both well-known and little known, have passed away this year. It seems more have died this year than any other year in recent memory. At the rate this is happening, we won't have many of our favorite stars from the 50's 60's & 70's left alive to appear in new films. Who will Fred Olen Ray employ? The following is just a small sampling of the people who shared our love of cinema that have passed away (and a lot of them really hit me where it hurts):
*SHELLEY
WINTERS
- See above.
*RICK
DEAN
- See above.
*VAL
GUEST
- See above.
*JACK
PALANCE
- On of the great villians of cinema. Adept in all genres of film
including Horror (CRAZE - 1973; DRACULA
- 1973; ALONE IN THE DARK
- 1982), Westerns (SHANE - 1953; GOD'S
GUN - 1976), Action/Adventure ( ONE
MAN JURY - 1978; TANGO
& CASH - 1989), Fantasy (HAWK
THE SLAYER - 1980; BATMAN
- 1989), Science Fiction (THE
SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME - 1979; CYBORG
2 - 1993) and many others, including CITY
SLICKERS (1991), for which he won the Acadamy Award for Best
Supporting Actor. Who can forget his acceptance speech at the Oscars
when he did the one-handed pushups? A true great who always
entertained even when the character he played was despicable. He was
87 years old and died of natural causes on November 10, 2006.
*GARY
GRAVER - For more on Mr. Graver's illustrious career,
please click HERE.
*NELSON
DE LA ROSA - Not very many people know his name, but once
you saw him you would never forget him. Standing at only 27 inches
tall, he is best remembered as Marlon Brando's diminutive sidekick in THE
ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU
(1996). He also appeared in the Italian horror film RATMAN
(1987) and was the blueprint for Mini-Me in the AUSTIN
POWERS films. Sports fans on the East Coast also knew him as
the pal of then-Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, who used Nelson as a
good luck charm during the Sox's 2004 World Series run. Nelson died
October 22, 2006 of a heart attack. He was 38 years old. R.I.P. Nelson.
*AL
LEWIS - Best known as Grampa on the 60's TV series THE
MUNSTERS,
Al Lewis had a varied career in many fields. He was a restauranteur,
political candidate who ran for Governor of New York and a basketball
talent scout. Some of the genre films Al Lewis has appeared in are THE
NIGHT STRANGLER (1973), BLACK
STARLET (1974) and FRIGHT HOUSE
(1988). He released a tape of horror and sci-fi trailers in 1989
called GRAMPA'S SCI-FI HITS.
His exact age cannot be verified. He claims to have been born in
1910, but after his death his son said that he was actually born in
1923. He died on February 3, 2006.
*AARON
SPELLING - Probably the most successful producer in TV
history. His list of television hits is staggering and there is no
need to post them here. What isn't well-known are his television
flops. Who here remembers ALL SOULS
(2001)? How about BUDDY FARO
(1998)? Does 10-8 (2003) ring a
bell? The truth is that he had more failures than hits, but he always
bounced back with one long-running series after another. Spelling was
also responsible for a lot of TV movies, including SATAN'S
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (1973 & 2000), CROWHAVEN
FARM (1970), THE LAST CHILD
(1971), A TASTE OF EVIL
(1971) and many others.
Aaron Spelling died June 23, 2006 of complications from a stroke. He
was 83 years old. TV will never see the likes of him again.
*ANTHONY
FRANCIOSA - Likable actor who started out doing live
television in the 50's and has appeared in many genre films,
including WEB OF THE SPIDER
(1971), THE DEADLY HUNT
(1971), ACROSS 110TH STREET
(1972), CURSE OF THE
BLACK WIDOW (1977), FIREPOWER (1979),
SIDE SHOW (1981), DEATH
WISH II (1982), Dario Argento's TENEBRE
(1982), DAUGHTER OF DEATH
(1982), DEATH HOUSE (1987,
directed by John Saxon), FASHION CRIMES
(1989) and GHOST WRITER
(1990). Some of his TV series include THE NAME OF THE GAME
(1968), SEARCH (1972) and MATT
HELM (1975). He was also the third husband of Shelley
Winters, who also passed away this year. Mr. Franciosa
died of a stroke on January 19, 2006. He was 78.
*CHRIS
PENN - One of the biggest shocks of the year for me was
the death of Chris Penn at the age of 40 from complications of an
enlarged heart. While many people may solely consider him the
less-talented brother of Sean Penn (who he appeared with in AT
CLOSE RANGE in 1986), I think of him as a talented actor who
appeared in many excellent action films, including RESERVOIR
DOGS (1992), TRUE ROMANCE
(1993), FIST OF THE NORTH STAR
(1995) and THE FUNERAL (1996).
His many TV appearances included guest stints on CHICAGO
HOPE (1995), CSI: MIAMI
(2003), WILL & GRACE (2003) and LAW
& ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (2005). Mr. Penn died on
January 24, 2006.
*DARREN
McGAVIN
- Versatile actor who was a personal favorite of mine ever since he
starred in the two TV movies and the subsequent series KOLCHAK:
THE NIGHT STALKER (1974) and then much later did guest
appearances on THE X-FILES
(1993 - 2002) as a favor to creator Chris Carter, who was a huge fan
of Kolchak. Mr. McGavin starred in a slew of genre features,
including HAPPY
MOTHER'S DAY, LOVE GEORGE (1973, which he also directed), THE
MARTIAN CHRONICLES (1980), HANGAR
18 (1980), DEAD HEAT
(1988), BY DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT (1990)
and HAPPY HELL NIGHT
(1992). He has over 170 film and TV credits dating back to 1945,
including my personal fave of playing Frank Black's (Lance
Hendriksen) father on an episode of Chris Carter's MILLENNIUM
(1997). Mr. McGavin died on February 25, 2006 at the age of 83 of
natural causes.
*RICHARD
FLEISCHER - Director of films in various genres, but
excelled when directing films in the Fantasy, Action and Sci-Fi
categories. His list of films include 20000
LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954), FANTASTIC
VOYAGE
(1966), THE BOSTON STRANGLER
(1968), SEE NO EVIL
(1971), SOYLENT GREEN
(1973), MR. MAJESTYK (1974),
the infamous MANDINGO
(1975), AMITYVILLE 3-D (1983)
and CONAN THE DESTROYER
(1984). His father was Max Fleischer, producer of the early Betty
Boop, Popeye and Superman cartoons. Mr. Fleischer died on March 25,
2006 at age 89 of natural causes.
*DAN
CURTIS - Prolific producer/director who created the first
horror soap opera DARK SHADOWS
(1966 - 1970). He took the success of that series and made two
theatrical films based on it: HOUSE
OF DARK SHADOWS (1970) and NIGHT
OF DARK SHADOWS (1971). He directed a bunch of horror
features including the wildly popular TRILOGY
OF TERROR (1975), THE
NORLISS TAPES (1973), DRACULA (1973),
THE NIGHT STRANGLER
(1973, which led to the KOLCHAK
TV series) SCREAM OF
THE WOLF (1974), BURNT OFFERINGS
(1976), CURSE OF THE
BLACK WIDOW (1977) and many, many others. He later became
known for producing and directing quality mini-series such as THE
WINDS OF WAR (1983) and WAR AND REMEMBERANCE (1988). He is
best remembered by me for scaring the crap out of me in the 70's with
all his scary TV movies, some which are listed above. He died of a
brain tumor on March 27, 2006, 21 days after the death of his wife.
He was 78 years old.
*
CANDICE RIALSON - Popular 70's exploitation actress who
retired from films as the decade ended. Her film list is impressive
and bizarre: PETS (1974); THE
GIRL ON THE LATE,LATE SHOW (1974); CANDY
STRIPE NURSES (1974); SUMMER
SCHOOL TEACHERS (1974); MAMA'S
DIRTY GIRLS (1974); HOLLYWOOD
BOULEVARD (1976); CHATTERBOX
(1977, the talking vagina movie!); MOONSHINE
COUNTY EXPRESS (1977) and WHO
IS KILLING THE STUNTMEN? (aka STUNTS
-1977). Her last credit is WINTER KILLS
(1979). She also had extensive TV credits during the 70's, including
guest stints on SHAFT (1974), MAUDE
(1975), SWITCH (1976), FANTASY
ISLAND (1978) and others. Ms. Rialson died of liver disease
(Uncomfirmed sources say it was brought on by alcoholism) on March
31, 2006. She was 54 years old.
*ROBERT
DONNER
- Superb character actor, whose long, skull-like face was perfect for
psycho and heavy roles. He originally appeared as one of the bad guys
in a lot of Westerns, especially the later John Wayne ones. Some of
his genre films are VANISHING POINT
(1971), HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER (1973),
THE HORROR AT 37,000 FEET (1973), DAMNATION
ALLEY (1978) and HYSTERICAL
(1983 - as Crazy Ralph, who was constantly getting run over while
riding his bike warning people that they are doomed). A lot of fans
of the MORK & MINDY TV show will recognize him as Exidor.
He did a ton of television guest roles on such series as ADAM-12,
THE MOD SQUAD, THE WALTONS
and THE FALL GUY, just to mention a few. Mr. Donner died of a
heart attack on June 8, 2006. He was 74 years old.
*MAKO
- Superb Japanese actor, who was nominated for an Academy Award for
his first film role in THE SAND PEBBLES (1966). He later
appeared in a ton of genre films, including THE
KILLER ELITE (1975), THE BIG BRAWL
(1980), AN EYE FOR AN EYE
(1981), CONAN THE DESTROYER
(1984), ARMED RESPONSE
(1986), THE PERFECT WEAPON
(1990), BULLETPROOF MONK
(2003) and many others. He also guest-starred in numerous TV series,
including KUNG FU (1973), QUINCY
M.E. (1977), WALKER,
TEXAS RANGER (1997) and is probably better-known for his
numerous appearances on M*A*S*H
(1971). His small 5' 4" frame never hindered his performances.
He always seemed larger than life. He was always a joy to watch. Mako
died on July 21, 2006 of cancer. He was 72 years old.
*JOSEPH STEFANO
- If only for his involvement in the original series of THE
OUTER LIMITS (1963 - 1965) as writer and producer, Mr.
Stefano will always have my unending gratitude. It will always be the
most influential television series in my life. But he did so much
more. This multi-award winning writer wrote the screenplays for
Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO (1960), EYE
OF THE CAT (1969), REVENGE
(1971), SNOWBEAST (1977), PSYCHO
IV: THE BEGINNING (1990) and many others. One of the holy
grails of film collecting is the rare pilot that Mr. Stefano wrote
and co-directed after he left THE
OUTER LIMITS. The name of the film was THE
GHOST OF SIERRA DE COBRE (1964) starring Martin Landau (who
has said it was the best film he has ever appeared in) and it was
originally meant as a pilot for a series that never materialized. It
is supposedly so scary that network executives nearly shit their
pants when they viewed it. Naturally they passed on it and it was
shown in foreign markets and never televised in the US. The last film
credit Joseph Stefano had (besides the abortion called PSYCHO
- 1998, made without his co-operation) was an update of his teleplay, "A
Feasibility Study" for the new version of THE
OUTER LIMITS (1995 - 2002). Mr. Stefano died of a heart
attack on August 25, 2006. He was 84 years old.
*TAMARA
DOBSON
- This 6' 2" ex-model didn't make a lot of films, but nearly
every one of them should be of interest to
readers of this site. She made her mark as an extra in early 70's
films (COME BACK,
CHARLESTON BLUE - 1970; FUZZ
- 1972), before gaining star billing as the title character in two
Blaxploitation classics: CLEOPATRA
JONES (1973) and CLEOPATRA
JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD (1975). She made three more
films (MURDER AT THE WORLD SERIES - 1977; CHAINED
HEAT - 1983; AMAZONS -
1984) and appeared as
a guest star on a couple of TV series before
retiring from acting to devote her time to designing her own line of
clothing. She is listed in Guinness as the tallest leading actress to
ever appear in films. Ms. Dobson died of pneumonia and multiple
sclerosis (which she was fighting since 2000) at age 59 on October 2, 2006.
*JEREMY
SLATE - Highly recognizable long-time exploitation actor
who made a bunch of 60's biker (he wrote the story and starred in HELL'S
ANGELS '69 [1969]) and drug-themed films, mixing in a lot of
TV guest star work. His lists of films include: THE
BORN LOSERS (1967); THE
MINI-SKIRT MOB (1968); THE
HOOKED GENERATION (1968); HELL'S
BELLES (1970); CROSSCURRENT
(1971); THE
CENTERFOLD GIRLS (1973); STOWAWAY
TO THE MOON (1975); STRANGER
IN OUR HOUSE (1978); THE
DEAD PIT (1989); TRENCHCOAT
IN PARADISE (1989) and THE
LAWNMOWER MAN (1992). Some of the many TV series he appeared
in were: IRONSIDE (1969); MANNIX
(1971); GHOST STORY
(1972); THE ROOKIES (1974)
and MY NAME IS EARL (2006). Mr. Slate died on November 18,
2006 of esophageal cancer. He was 80 years old.
*DON
DOHLER - Maryland-based director/writer/producer, who
made a string of no-budget horror features that somehow got video and
TV exposure. Starting out with the sonambulistic THE
ALIEN FACTOR (1977), a story about and alien spaceship that
crashes in a Maryland neighborhood, containing a zoo of collected
alien species that escape, is the first in a series of films that
contain themes of neighbors fighting alien entities. The other films
that followed were, FIEND (1980), NIGHTBEAST
(1982), THE GALAXY INVADER
(1985), BLOOD MASSACRE
(1988) and ALIEN
FACTOR 2: THE ALIEN RAMPAGE (1999). He then quit using film
and began producing video efforts for other people including, HARVESTERS
(2001), STAKES (2002) and
others. Mr. Dohler died December 2, 2006 of brain cancer. Age
unavailable as of this writing.
Others who have died in 2006: They may not have extensive genre credits, but they did make their mark in motion picture history. By that, I mean that they have appeared in many films but only a few that would interest viewers of this site:
*DON
STEWART
- (January 9,
2006):
Actor - THE DOOMSDAY FLIGHT
(1966); PRESCRIPTION: MURDER
(1968); CARNIVAL MAGIC
(1981); AMERICAN NINJA
(1985); FUTURE ZONE (1990); LISTEN (1996)
*ANNE
MEACHAM - (January 12, 2006): Actress - LILITH
(1964); DEAR DEAD DELILAH
(1972); SEIZURE (1974); SEEDS
OF EVIL (1975)
*JEAN
BYRON - (February 3, 2006): Actress - THE
MAGNETIC MONSTER (1953); INVISIBLE
INVADERS (1959); McCLOUD (TV-1972)
*FRANKLIN
COVER - (February 5, 2006): Actor - SHORT
WALK TO DAYLIGHT (1972); THE
STEPFORD WIVES (1975)
*PEDRO
GONZALEZ-GONZALEZ - (February
6, 2006):
Actor - RING OF FEAR
(1954); BATES MOTEL
(1989); GHOST WRITER (1989); DOWN
THE DRAIN (1990)
*PHIL
BROWN - (February 9, 2006):
Actor - THE BOY CRIED MURDER
(1966); STAR WARS (1977); MANEATERS
ARE LOOSE! (1978)
*ANDREAS
KATSULAS - (February 13, 2006): Actor - COMMUNION
(1989); THE DEATH
OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK (1990); EXECUTIVE
DECISION (1996)
*XAVIER
BARQUET - (February 15, 2006): Actor - FORTRESS
OF AMERIKKKA
(1989); JUNGLE ASSAULT
(1989); I'M DANGEROUS TONIGHT (1990)
*PAUL
CARR - (February 17, 2006): Actor - THE
SEVERED ARM (1973); THE BAT PEOPLE
(1974); TRUCK STOP
WOMEN
(1974); SISTERS OF DEATH
(1977); HIDDEN VIEW (1990)
*RICHARD
BRIGHT - (February 18, 2006): - Actor - GIRLS
NITE OUT
(1983); CUT AND RUN (1985); GHOUL
SCHOOL (1990, as "Eddie Gambino");
*DENNIS
WEAVER - (February 24, 2006):
Actor - WHAT'S THE
MATTER WITH HELEN? (1971); DUEL
(1971); TERROR ON THE BEACH
(1973); DON'T GO TO SLEEP (1982)
*DON
KNOTTS - (February 24, 2006): Actor/Comedian - THE
GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN (1966); I
LOVE A MYSTERY (1973); THE
PRIVATE EYES (1981); PLEASANTVILLE (1998)
*JENNY
TAMBURI - (March 1, 2006): Actress - WOMEN
IN CELL BLOCK 7 (1973); FRANKENSTEIN
ITALIAN STYLE (1975); THE PSYCHIC (1977)
*HOWARD
JACKSON - (March 7, 2006): Martial Artist/Actor - DISCO
GODFATHER (1980); CODE
OF SILENCE (1985); INVASION USA
(1985); DEATHROW GAMESHOW (1987);
*GORDON
PARKS
- (March
7, 2006):
Director - SHAFT (1971); SHAFT'S
BIG SCORE! (1972); THE
SUPER COPS (1974)
*MAUREEN
STAPLETON - (March
13, 2006):
Actress - THE FAN (1981); THE
ELECTRIC GRANDMOTHER (1982); COCOON
(1985); COCOON: THE RETURN (1988)
*BOB
DELEGALL - (March 21, 2006): Actor - SUPER
DUDE (1974); DR.
STRANGE
(1978); THE PRESIDIO (1988); BACK
TO BACK (1996)
*ELOY
DE LA IGLESIA - (March 23, 2006);
Director/Screenwriter - CANNIBAL
MAN (1972); CLOCKWORK
TERROR (1972); THE DEPUTY (1978)
*SHIN
SANG-OK (aka
SIMON SHEEN) -
(April 11. 2006):
Producer/Director/Writer - 3
NINJA Films (1994
- 1998); GALGAMETH
(1996); GARDEN OF EVIL (1998)
*ANTHONY-JAMES
RYAN - (April 15, 2006): Producer/Writer/Actor - VIXEN!
(1968); CHERRY, HARRY
& RAQUEL (1970); SWEET SUZY
(1973); SUPERVIXENS (1975)
*BRETT
GOLDIN - (April 16, 2006): Actor - SLASH
(2002); CITIZEN VERDICT
(2003); BLAST! (2004)
*SCOTT
BRAZIL - (April 17, 2006):
TV Producer/Director - SPACE
RANGERS (1993); STRANGE
LUCK (1995); THE BURNING
ZONE
(1996); BUFFY (1997); THE
SHIELD (2002)
*HENDERSON
FORSYTHE -(April
17, 2006):
Actor - DEATHDREAM
(1973); IN THE LINE OF
DUTY: MANHUNT IN THE DAKOTAS (1991); SPECIES
II (1998)
*ALIDA
VALLI
- (April
22, 2006):
Actress - EYES WITHOUT A FACE
(1960); LISA AND THE DEVIL
(1973); THE TEMPTER
(1974); SUSPIRIA (1977); INFERNO (1980)
*JENNIFER
JAYNE - (April
23, 2006): Actress
- THE CRAWLING EYE
(1958); DR.
TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS (1965); THE
MEDUSA TOUCH (1978)
*BETSY
JONES-MORELAND
- (May 1, 2006): Actress - LAST
WOMAN ON EARTH (1960); CREATURE
FROM THE HAUNTED SEA (1961); THE
HINDENBURG (1975)
*BYRON
MORROW - (May 11, 2006): Actor - CYBORG
2087 (1966); COLOSSUS:
THE FORBIN PROJECT (1970);
THE STONE KILLER (1973); PANIC
ON THE 5:22 (1974)
*PAUL
MARCO - (May 14, 2006): Actor - BRIDE
OF THE MONSTER (1955); PLAN 9 FROM
OUTER SPACE (1959);
NIGHT OF THE GHOULS
(1959); THE NAKED MONSTER (2005)
*DAN
Q. KENNIS - (May 17, 2006):
Producer
- ANGELS' WILD WOMEN
(1972); GIRLS FOR RENT
(1974); RAIDERS OF THE
LIVING DEAD (1986); ALIENATOR (1989)
*SALVATORE
BILLA - (May 22, 2006): Actor - KIDNAP
SYNDICATE (1975); LEGEND
OF THE WOLF WOMAN (1976); a bunch of 70'S
ITALIAN CRIME THRILLERS
*LEONARDO
PESCAROLO - (May 24, 2006):
Producer - WHAT
HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? (1972); AUTOPSY
(1973); RINGS OF FEAR (1978);
*PAUL
GLEASON - (May 27, 2006):
Actor - WELCOME TO
SPRING BREAK (1988); DIE HARD
(1988); DIGITAL MAN
(1995); ABOMINABLE (2004)
*AUDREY
CAMPBELL - (June 8, 2006): Actress - WHITE
SLAVES OF CHINATOWN (1964); OLGA"S
HOUSE OF SHAME (1964); OLGA'S
GIRLS (1964); SIN
IN THE SUBURBS (1964);
*MONTY
BERMAN - (June 14, 2006): Producer/Director - THE
CRAWLING EYE (1958); BLOOD
OF THE VAMPIRE (1958); JACK
THE RIPPER
(1959); THE FIENDISH GHOULS (1960)
*ARTHUR
FRANZ - (June 16, 2006):
Actor - INVADERS
FROM MARS
(1953); BACK FROM THE DEAD
(1957); MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS
(1958); THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE
(1959); SISTERS OF DEATH (1977)
*RICHARD
STAHL - (June 18, 2006):
Actor - BEWARE! THE BLOB
(1972); FUZZ (1972); TERMINAL
ISLAND (1973); THE DARING DOBERMANS
(1974); GOOD AGAINST EVIL (1977)
*BENJAMIN
HENDRICKSON - (July 1, 2006):
Actor - THE DEMON MURDER CASE
(1983); MANHUNTER (1986); RUSSKIES
(1987); CONSENTING ADULTS (1992)
*JAN
MURRAY - (July
2, 2006):
Comedian/Actor - WHO
KILLED TEDDY BEAR (1965); DAY
OF THE WOLVES (1973); FEAR CITY (1984)
*AMZIE
STRICKLAND - (July 5, 2006): Actress - CURSE
OF THE UNDEAD (1959); DEATH
CRUISE (1974); THE LEGEND OF LIZZIE BORDEN (1975)
*JUNE
ALLYSON - (July 8, 2006): Actress - SEE
THE MAN
RUN
(1971); CURSE OF THE
BLACK WIDOW (1977); BLACKOUT (1978)
*BARNARD
HUGHES - (July 11, 2006):
Actor - RAGE (1972); SISTERS
(1973); THE UFO INCIDENT (1975); THE
LOST BOYS (1987)
*RED
BUTTONS - (July 13, 2006):
Comedian/Actor - WHO
KILLED MARY WHAT'S 'ER NAME? (1971); THE
POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972); SIDE
SHOW (1981) "And he didn't get a dinner!" (An old
Red Buttons joke during the DEAN MARTIN ROASTS series).
*CARRIE
NYE - (July
14, 2006):
Actress - TOO SCARED TO SCREAM
(1982); CREEPSHOW (1983)
*MICKEY
SPILLANE -(July 17, 2006): - Writer/Actor - RING
OF FEAR (1954); KISS ME DEADLY
(1955): THE GIRL HUNTERS
(1963); I,
THE JURY (1982)
*JACK
WARDEN - (July 19, 2006):
Actor - THE WHITE BUFFALO
(1977); THE PRESIDIO (1988); THINGS
TO DO IN DENVER WHEN
YOU'RE DEAD (1995)
*ROBERT
CORNTHWAITE -(July 20, 2006): Actor
- WAR OF THE WORLDS
(1953); FUTUREWORLD (1976); TIME
TRACKERS (1989); WHITE DWARF (1995); THE
NAKED MONSTER (1995/2005)
*ELISABETH
VOLKMANN - (July 25, 2006): Actress - NURSES
REPORT (1972); SEX
LIFE IN A CONVENT (1972); BEYOND
THE DARKNESS (1974); RED HEAT (1985)
*PATRICK
ALLEN - (July 28, 2006): Actor - ISLAND
OF THE BURNING DAMNED (1967); THE
BODY STEALERS (1969); WHEN
DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH (1970); PUPPET
ON A CHAIN (1971); THE GRAVEYARD (1974)
*BRUNO
KIRBY - (August 14, 2006): - Actor - BORDERLINE
(1980); FLESH & BLOOD
(1985); ONE EYED KING
(2001); HELTER SKELTER (2004)
*ALAN
VINT - (August
16, 2006):
Actor - WELCOME
HOME, SOLDIER BOYS (1972); BADLANDS
(1973); MACON COUNTY LINE
(1974); EARTHQUAKE (1974)
*SIG
SHORE - (August 17, 2006):
Producer/Director/Screenwriter - SUPER FLY
(1972); SUPERFLY T.N.T. (1973):
SUDDEN DEATH (1985); THE
SURVIVALIST (1987): THE
RETURN OF SUPERFLY (1990)
*GLENN
FORD - (August 30, 2006):
Actor - THE
DISAPPEARANCE OF FLIGHT 412 (1974); SUPERMAN
(1978); THE VISITOR
(1978); HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO ME (1980)
*ROBERT
EARL JONES
- (September
7, 2006):
Actor - SLEEPAWAY CAMP
(1983); WITNESS (1985); MANIAC
COP 2 (1990)
*PAT
CORLEY - (September
11, 2006):
Actor - THE
SUPER COPS
(debut - 1974); AUDREY ROSE
(1977); NIGHTWING (1979); THE
STEPFORD CHILDREN (1987)
*MICKEY
HARGITAY - (September 14, 2006):
Bodybuilder/Actor - BLOODY
PIT OF HORROR (1965); LADY
FRANKENSTEIN (1971); DELIRIUM
(1972); THE
REINCARNATION OF ISABEL (1973). Father of LAW
& ORDER:SVU actress Mariska Hargitay.
*EDWARD
ALBERT - (September 22,
2006):
Actor - GALAXY OF TERROR
(1981); FIST FIGHTER (1989); DEMON
KEEPER (1994); STAGEGHOST (2000)
*TIM
ROONEY - (September 23, 2006): Actor - VILLAGE
OF THE GIANTS (1965); RIOT
ON SUNSET STRIP (1967); THE LONERS (1972)
*GIUSEPPI BENNATI -
(September 27, 2006): Director - THE
KILLER RESERVED NINE SEATS (1974)
*TOM
BELL - (October
4, 2006):
Actor - QUEST FOR LOVE
(1971); STRAIGHT ON
TILL MORNING (1972); THE KRAYS
(1990); LONG TIME DEAD (2002)
*DEREK
BOND - (October 15, 2006): Actor - STRANGER
FROM VENUS (1954); THE HAND
(1960); BLIND SIGHT (1996)
*DANIEL
EMILFORK - (October 17, 2006):
Actor
- MIDI MINUIT (1970); THE
DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE (1971); WHO
IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? (1978); CITY
OF LOST CHILDREN (1995)
*PHYLLIS
KIRK - (October
19, 2006):
Actress - HOUSE OF WAX (1953)
*JANE
WYATT - (October 20, 2006): Actress - WEEKEND
OF TERROR (1970: STAR TREK
IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (1986);
AMITYVILLE
IV: THE EVIL ESCAPES (1989)
*MILTON
SELZER - (October 21, 2006); Actor - CROWHAVEN
FARM (1970); BLOOD
AND LACE (1971); THE EVIL
(1977); CAPRICORN ONE
(1978); SHOOT TO KILL (1988)
*ARTHUR
HILL - (October 22, 2006):
Actor - THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1971);
ORDEAL (1973); FUTUREWORLD
(1976); REVENGE OF THE
STEPFORD WIVES (1980); MURDER
IN SPACE (1985)
*TINA
AUMONT - (October 28, 2006): Actress - TORSO
(1973); LIFESPAN (1974); TWO
ORPHAN VAMPIRES (1997)
*NIGEL
KNEALE - (October 29, 2006): Writer - Wrote the
screenplays to: FIRST MEN
IN THE MOON (1964); THE
WITCHES (1966); QUATERMASS
AND THE PIT (1967); THE
STONE TAPE (1972) and THE
WOMAN IN BLACK (1989), among others
*ADRIENNE
SHELLY - (November 1,
2006 - Murdered):
Actress/Director - HEXED (1993); THE
ROAD KILLERS (1994); REVOLUTION
#9 (2001)
*BASIL
POLEDOURIS - (November 8, 2006): Film Composer - TINTORERA
(1977); CONAN THE DESTROYER
(1984); RED DAWN (1984); FLESH
& BLOOD (1985); ROBOCOP (1987)
*MARIO
MEROLA - (November 12, 2006): Actor/Singer - FROM
CORLEONE TO BROOKLYN (1978); THE
NEW GODFATHERS (1979); HUNTED
CITY (1979); THE MAFIA TRIANGLE (1981)
*JOHN
HALLAM - (November 14, 2006): Actor - QUEST
FOR LOVE (1971); THE WICKER MAN
(1973); HENNESSEY (1975); THE
PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT (1977); LOVE
AND BULLETS (1979); DRAGONSLAYER
(1981); LIFEFORCE (1985)
*FRANCIS
GIROD - (November 19, 2006): Director - THE
INFERNAL TRIO (1974); THE
ELEGANT CRIMINAL (1990); DEATH
IN THERAPY (1996); TRANSFIXED (2001)
*ROBERT
ALTMAN - (November
20, 2006): Director
- BREWSTER McCLOUD
(1970); IMAGES (1972); THE
LONG GOODBYE
(1973); THIEVES LIKE US
(1974); QUINTET (1979): POPEYE
(1980); THE GINGERBREAD MAN (1998)
*PERRY
HENZELL - (November
30, 2006):
Director - Directed one of the greatest cult films of all time: THE
HARDER THEY COME
(1972) and brought reggae music to the masses.
*DON
DOHLER - (December 2, 2006):
Director/Producer/Writer - THE
ALIEN FACTOR (1977); FIEND
(1980); NIGHTBEAST
(1982); THE GALAXY INVADER
(1985); BLOOD MASSACRE
(1989); ALIEN
FACTOR 2: ALIEN RAMPAGE (2001); HARVESTERS
(2001); many more.
MARCH
6,
2007: Roger Watkins, the controversial director of the 70's
grindhouse hit LAST
HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET, died of heart failure. He was 58
years old. Watkins, who also directed the seldom-seen horror film SHADOWS
OF THE MIND (1980), worked in films for many years usually
using pseudonyms. Watkins directed the above-average porn films HER
NAME WAS
LISA
(1979) and MIDNIGHT HEAT
(1983) using the pseudonym "Richard Mahler". Watkins spent
most of his filmic career using a wide array of names, including
Claude Armand, Ray Hicks, Victor Janos, Richard Joseph, Norman F.
Kaiser, Brian Laurence, Steven Morrison. Brian Newett and Bernard Travis.
Watkins was in negotiations to film a sequel to LHODES
when he passed away. R.I.P "Terry Hawkins".
MARCH
7, 2007: Andy
Sidaris, the director/producer/screenwriter of a string of sexy spy
thriller passed away of throat cancer at the age of 76. Born in
Chicago, Illinois, he was best known for his "Bullets, Bombs,
and Babes" series of B-movies produced between 1985 and 1998.
These films featured a rotating "stock company" of actors
mostly made up of Playboy Playmates and Penthouse Pets including
Julie Strain, Dona Speir, Hope Marie Carlton, Cynthia Brimhall,
Roberta Vasquez, Julie K. Smith, Shae Marks and Wendy Hamilton.
Sidaris pioneered what he called the "honey shot",
close-ups of cheerleaders and pretty girls in the stands at sporting
events. He won an Emmy Award in 1969 for directing the Summer Olympics.
Before
the B-movies, Sidaris was a pioneer in sports television. He
directed coverage of hundreds of football and basketball games,
Olympic events, and special programs and won seven Emmy awards for
his work in the field. His best known work was with ABC's Wide World
of Sports; he was the show's first director, and continued in that
post for 25 years. Sidaris branched out to dramatic television in the
1970s, directing episodes of programs like GEMINI MAN (1976), KOJAK
(mid-1970s), THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES (late-1970s)
and Monday Night Football.
Then
he expanded into film, specializing in action flicks featuring
gun-toting Playboy Playmates with titles like MALIBU
EXPRESS and DO OR DIE.
Most of Sidaris' "Triple B" series (later given the title
L.E.T.H.A.L. Ladies) focused on the adventures of a team of secret
agents and were mostly filmed in Hawaii. Several entries in the
series were only produced by him and were written and directed by
others. Although the series featured recurring characters, continuity
between films was not a priority and it was common for an actress who
played a villain (and was killed off) in one film to re-appear in a
subsequent film as a hero. With his wife as his production partner,
he made 12 films. His son, Christian Drew Sidaris, took over the
directorial reins on two of the L.E.T.H.A.L Ladies films: ENEMY
GOLD (1993) and THE
DALLAS CONNECTION (1994).
MARCH
20, 2007: John P. Ryan, a character actor who appeared in Bob
Rafelson films, died March 20 in Los Angeles of a stroke. He was 70.
Born in New York, he served in the military and was introduced to the
film business by Jack Nicholson. He appeared with Nicholson in
Rafelson's FIVE EASY PIECES and THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS
as well as in Arthur Penn's THE MISSOURI BREAKS. His other
genre film credits include IT'S ALIVE
(1974) and the sequel IT LIVES AGAIN
(1978), FUTUREWORLD (1976), RUNAWAY
TRAIN (1985), AVENGING
FORCE (1986), FATAL BEAUTY (1987), CLASS
OF 1999 (1990) and DELTA
FORCE 2 (1990), in which he was injured in a helicopter
accident that also killed 5 people. John P. Ryan (who also used
to appear simply as "John Ryan") was also a veteran of many
television series of the 70's and 80's including: KOJAK,
MATT HELM, STARSKY
AND HUTCH, HAWAII
FIVE-O and M*A*S*H.
His manic acting style and bug-eyed appearance (especially as
flustered police captains or nasty villians), made him an
exploitation film staple, which was sealed as the father of the
mutant baby in the first two of Larry Cohen's IT'S ALIVE
series. His passing went unreported in most major newspapers. He will
be missed.
APRIL
4, 2007: Director
Bob Clark, who is well-known to genre fans for his early films CHILDREN
SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1972), DEATHDREAM
(1972) and BLACK CHRISTMAS
(1974) was killed today by a drunk driver while driving along a
stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. Clark's 22 year-old son, Ariel,
was also killed in the crash. Clark would later receive mainstream
attention for his PORKY'S
franchise in the early 80's and his best film, the Christmas
perennial, A CHRISTMAS STORY
in 1983. For people who think that driving drunk is a victimless
crime, let this be your wake-up call. Both the drunk driver and his
passenger only received minor injuries. Let's hope he receives major
jail time. Bob Clark was 67 years old. May he rest in peace.
APRIL
30, 2007:
Tom Poston, the beloved sad-eyed comedian most fondly remembered as
confused handyman George Utley on NEWHART,
paseed away at the age of 85. Known for playing funny sad sacks, Mr.
Poston appeared in many TV comedy series, starting with GET
SMART as a guest star and was a favorite of Bob Newhart, who
had him appear on every comedy series he did, leading up to his
co-starring role as George Utley. He was widely used in comedy series
of the 90's and 00's, guest starring or having recurring roles on THAT
'70S SHOW, COACH, FAMILY MATTERS, MURPHY BROWN,
GRACE UNDER FIRE and many others. Genre fans may remember him
for two films he did with William Castle in the early 60's: ZOTZ! (1962)
and THE OLD DARK HOUSE
(1963). Mr Poston also appeared on Boris Karloff's THRILLER TV
series (the episode titled "Masquerade"), was a co-star in
Mad Magazine's UP THE ACADEMY (1980), and was a guest on Chris
Carter's THE LONE GUNMEN,
just to name a few. He was married to his NEWHART SHOW co-star
Suzanne Pleshette (who is battling lung cancer) when he died.
MAY
7, 2007: The Los Angeles Times reports that actor Nicholas
Worth, known for villainous roles in numerous horror features, died
of heart
failure
today at Van Nuys Valley Presbyterian Hospital at age 69.
After work in blaxploitation movies (starting with 1973s SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM!) and TV in the 70s, Worth first
caught serious attention from genre fans for his performance as
deranged strangler Kirk Smith in 1980s DONT
ANSWER THE PHONE! (recently released on uncut DVD by Deimos/BCI
Eclipse). Wes Craven subsequently cast him as one of Louis
Jourdans henchmen (paired with David Hess) in 1982s SWAMP
THING, in the 1984 TV movie INVITATION
TO HELL and as the uncredited voice of the Reaper in
1984s THE HILLS HAVE
EYES PART
2.
Worth was also a bad guy in Sam Raimis DARKMAN
(1990), in which he memorably confronted himself
(actually the titular hero in a false face). His other genre credits
include 1986's THE LADIES CLUB
(as a rapist who gets castrated), 1987s HELL
COMES TO FROGTOWN and the action flicks ACTION
JACKSON (1988) and DEAD
WEEKEND (1995), along with episodes of many TV series,
including THE X FILES (The
Goldberg Variation). On a more personal note: I met
Nicholas Worth a few times early in my career when I was a cameraman
on commercial shoots. He was alway a charming, funny gentleman who
was nothing like his persona on the big screen. He was a true
professional as well as a truly nice human being. He will be missed.
MAY
21, 2007: Italian director Bruno Mattei, who directed a ton of
horror and exploitation films usually under the names "Vincent
Dawn", "Stefan Oblowsky" and about a dozen other
pseudonyms, died today at Grassi Hospital in Ostia City, Italy after
battling an undisclosed illness and being in a coma for several days.
He was 75 years old. Mattei was king of the Italian exploitation
films and one of the very few horror directors still working in the
business. Known for directing such sleaze epics as SS
GIRLS (1977), THE
OTHER HELL (1980), NIGHT
OF THE ZOMBIES (1980), CAGED
WOMEN
(1982), WOMEN'S PRISON MASSACRE
(1983), RATS: NIGHT OF TERROR
(1984), and ZOMBI 3
(1988), he also directed a string of low-budget "homages"
to some of the big budget blockbusters, including ROBOWAR
(1988), SHOCKING DARK
(1989) and CRUEL JAWS
(1994). Mattei was one of the few remaining Italian exploitation
directors alive still making films and turned out inexpensive horror
films, shooting in the digital video format. Most of his later films
are as yet unavailable to the U.S. market. Let's hope some
enterprising distributor picks these up (titles include: LAND
OF DEATH - 2003; CANNIBAL
HOLOCAUST: THE BEGINNING - 2003; THE
TOMB - 2004; THE
JAIL: THE WOMAN'S HELL - 2006 (purportedly, one of his
sleaziest films besides his porno films); ISLAND
OF THE LIVING DEAD
- 2006: and his last film, ZOMBIES:
THE BEGINNING - 2007) and put them out on DVD for the whole
world to enjoy. Bruno Mattei was never apologetic for the type of
films he made and he was right. There was (and still is) a market for
these types of films. It's just unfortunate that no one but Mr.
Mattei was still making them. His death is an important end to to an
era of genre filmmaking. An era that we will not likely see ever
again. R.I.P. Bruno Mattei.
May
25, 2007: I
was just notified by Patricia Frost that her father,
director/producer/writer Lee Frost, has passed away on May 25. I was
a big fan of Mr. Frost, as he had directed the notorious LOVE
CAMP 7 (1969), as well as HOUSE
ON BARE MOUNTAIN (1962), ZERO
IN AND SCREAM (1970), THE
THING WITH TWO HEADS (1972), POLICEWOMEN
(1974), THE BLACK GESTAPO
(1975) and many, many others. He also wrote the screenplay (with
frequent partner Wes Bishop) for RACE
WITH THE DEVIL (1975) and appeared as an actor in many of
his and his friends films. He was a pioneer during the 60's
sexploitation boom who moved on to action, horror and blaxploitation
flicks throughout his career. His last directorial effort was the
erotic thriller PRIVATE OBSESSION
in 1994.
I
was a big fan. He will be missed. For more on the career of Lee
Frost, view my profile by clicking HERE.
RIP
Mr. Frost.
June
5, 2007: Veteran
producer Peter Simpson, maker of some 40 Canadian-financed movies
and TV shows including THE ELEVENTH HOUR and the PROM NIGHT
franchise, died Tuesday in a Toronto hospital from complications due
to lung cancer. He was 64. Known as much for his outspoken manner as
his lengthy list of credits, the Scottish-born former adman produced
his first film in 1978, THE SEA GYPSIES, before moving on to
his 1980 breakthrough PROM NIGHT.
The teen horror, which featured Leslie Nielsen and Jamie Lee Curtis,
was a hit and led to a string of genre movies through the '80s and
'90s, including CURTAINS
(1982), the actioners NO CONTEST
(1994), THE RAGE
(1996) and PROM NIGHT
III: THE LAST KISS (1990), his sole effort as a director. In
1997, he cofounded Norstar Filmed Entertainment and went on to
produce notable titles including the World War I drama REGENERATION
(1997) and the Gemini Award-winning THE ELEVENTH HOUR (2002).
"He was a one-of-a-kind guy, passionate about the industry,
passionate about everything he invested himself in. That was part of
his charm," says longtime friend and colleague Milt Avruskin.
"When you got beneath that, there beat a heart of gold."
Upon accepting a special Genie Award in 2004 for his contributions to
the industry, Simpson spoke out against Telefilm Canada for a secret
and controversial deal it had struck with Creative Artists Agency, in
which the Hollywood outfit was to recruit Canuck actors based in L.A.
to appear in Canadian productions, in return for a packaging fee.
"I hope Stursberg doesn't [expect] to get his phone calls
answered at that price," Simpson quipped, referring to Telefim's
then-boss Richard Stursberg. Simpson courted controversy again in
2005 when he represented KARLA,
the U.S.-made biopic of serial killer Karla Homolka, to Canadian
distributors, eventually striking a deal with Christal Films. His
most recent credits include the supernatural thriller THE
MARSH, starring Forest Whitaker, and the forthcoming CTV
mini WOULD BE KINGS, on which he executive produced alongside
his wife, Ilana Frank.
|
2009 is proving to be one of the worst years for celebrity deaths that I can remember in quite a long time. Here is a comprehensive list of all those celebrities, both famous and little-known, who have passed away in 2009:
Michael
Currie (Actor:
HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH - 1982) - 12/22/09 |
WILLIAM CAMPBELL 10/30/1923 - 04/28/2011
Mr. Campbell was always a solid, dependable actor, from his starring roles in such films as DEMENTIA 13 (1963) and BLOOD BATH (1966), to his character roles in such TV series and films like STAR TREK (episodes "The Squire Of Gothos" and "The Trouble With Tribbles" - both 1967), PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW (1969) and BLACK GUNN (1972).
YVETTE VICKERS 08/26/1928 - 2010 (?)
Ms. Vickers' (best known to genre fans for her roles in
ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN [1958] and ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES [1959]) mummified body wasn't discovered until April 27, 2011, when a neighbor noticed mail yellowing in her mailbox and cobwebs on the front door of her home. Initial autopsy results say she may have been dead up to a year! This just screams out so many questions, the main one being: How does a mailman not notice mail piling up in a mailbox? A terrible end for such a beautiful, yet flawed, woman. This is one of the most mysterious deaths for many, many years and her death still has not beeen resolved, especially the question of why it took so long to discover her body. In today's society, that's unforgivable.
JACKIE COOPER 09/15/1922 - 05/03/2011
Mr. Cooper had an instantly recognizable face,
especially to all of us old enough to remember him as a small child on the OUR GANG/LITTLE RASCALS shorts from the 1930's that use to play on TV constantly in the 60's & 70's. He was also the youngest person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award; for Best Actor In a Leading Role in the film SKIPPY (1931). Most people not old enough to remember that will know him as Daily Planet editor Perry White in the four SUPERMAN films (1978 - 1987). He easily transferred from movie star to TV director and directed countless TV series episodes during the 70's & 80's, including some Emmy Award winning episodes of M*A*S*H. Mr. Cooper retired from show business in 1989, saying "I'm sixty-seven, and worked sixty-four years."
ROSS HAGEN 05/21/1938 - 05/07/2011
Ross Hagen's deep, gravelly voice and rugged good looks made
him a prime candidate for many bad guy roles in movies and TV from the 60's until his death. Mr. Hagen had starring roles in such films as ANGELS' WILD WOMEN [1972], WONDER WOMEN (1973) and NIGHT CREATURE (1978), as well as having supporting roles in films like AVENGING ANGEL (1985), ACTION U.S.A. (1989) and BLOOD GAMES (1990). Fred Olen Ray used Mr. Hagen in many films during the 80's & 90's, including PRISON SHIP (1986), ALIENATOR (1990) and DINOSAUR ISLAND (1994). Hagen directed a handful of genre films during his career, including THE GLOVE (1978), B.O.R.N. (1988) and CLICK: THE CALENDER GIRL KILLER (1990). R.I.P. Ross Hagen, and thanks for the memories.
JAMES ARNESS 05/26/1923 - 06/03/2011
While most people will remember Mr. Arness as the
actor in the TV Western series GUNSMOKE (one of TV's longest-running series, on air from 1955 to 1975) and being the older brother of actor Peter Graves (who passed away in 2010), I have rather fond memories of him playing the "carrot creature" in THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951) and his starring role in the giant ant creature feature THEM! (1954), both TV staples during my childhood. While I was never a fan of GUNSMOKE when I was a kid, I find much pleasure in watching episodes of the series as an adult. Farewell James Arness and thanks more making my life a little more brighter.
PETER FALK 09/16/1927 - 06/23/2011
Peter Falk will be best remembered as the star of the COLUMBO TV
series, but I also remember him for his memorable film roles in such movies as MURDER, INC. (1960), THE GREAT RACE (1965), HUSBANDS (1970), A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE (1974), MURDER BY DEATH (1976), THE CHEAP DETECTIVE (1978), THE IN-LAWS (1979; and one of my favorite comedies of all time!), THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987), VIG (1998; a very underrated film), UNDISPUTED (2002) and many, many others. Mr. Falk had the chops to do both drama and comedy, which is why he was so successful in both TV and films. Goodbye to a true classic and I hope as you pass through the Pearly Gates, you stop, turn around and say to St. Peter, "Oh, just one more thing......."
ROBERTS BLOSSOM 03/25/1924 - 07/08/2011
Here was a character actor that always impressed the audience
with his wide range. He could make your skin crawl as serial killer Ezra Cobb (based on Ed Gein) in DERANGED (1974) or make you cry like a baby with his emotional performance as neighbor Marley in HOME ALONE (1990). This tall, lanky actor (who always appeared older than he actually was) had done a wide range of films, including SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE (1972), ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ (1979), CHRISTINE (1983), THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (1995) and TV shows like AMAZING STORIES, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, THE TWILIGHT ZONE (the 80's version) and CHICAGO HOPE. The man was incapable of giving a bad performance and his absence is just another reminder of how we are losing those great character actors who have impressed us to that little thing we call old age. R.I.P. Roberts Blossom.
G.D. SPRADLIN 08/31/1920 - 07/24/2011
Man, this has been a terrible year when it come to the deaths of highly
capable character actors and G.D. (Gervase Duan) Spradlin was no exception. He had the looks, height (6' 2") and the voice to play a wide assortment of characters, including Presidents (THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT - 1998), cops and detectives (HELL'S ANGELS '69 - 1969; TANK - 1984), military personnel (APOCALYPSE NOW - 1979; THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE - 1983; INTRUDERS - 1992), government officials (THE GODFATHER PART II - 1974; RICH MAN, POOR MAN BOOK II - 1976) and an assortment of bad guys (MANEATERS ARE LOOSE! - 1978; THE FORMULA - 1980; NICK OF TIME - 1995). Spradlin also directed two movies during his lifetime, one of them being the 1972 kidnap exploitationer THE ONLY WAY HOME, starring Bo Hopkins and Steve Sandor. Spradlin was 90 years-old when he passed away of natural causes on his cattle ranch is San Luis Obispo in California.
CLIFF ROBERTSON 09/09/1923 - 09/10/2011
Cliff Robertson was the consummate A-list actor (He won an Academy Award for his role as a mentally handicapped man in CHARLY [1968]),
who wasn't afraid to get his toes wet in genre filmmaking. Besides appearing on the very first episode of the original TV series THE OUTER LIMITS (titled "The Galaxy Being"), Robertson appeared twice on THE TWILIGHT ZONE ("A Hundred Yards Over The Rim" [1961] & "The Dummy" [1962]), made several appearances on TV's BATMAN as "Shame", starred in director Frank Perry's terribly overlooked suspenser MAN ON A SWING (1974) and Brian De Palma's OBSESSION (1976), co-starred in Natalie Wood's last film, BRAINSTORM (1983), portrayed the President of the United States in John Carpenter's ESCAPE FROM L.A. (1996), co-wrote the screenplay and starred in the horror film THE 13TH CHILD (2002) and appeared as Ben Parker in all three of Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN films. Not too shabby for a man who could carry any mainstream film on his broad shoulders (Check out his performances in J.W. COOP [1971] and THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID [1972] when you get the chance). We lost another great one, folks. R.I.P. Cliff Robertson.
CHARLES NAPIER 04/12/1936 - 10/05/2011
One of the best character actors, period. From his time spent as a regular player in the films of Russ Meyer (CHERRY, HARRY & RAQUEL! - 1970; BEYOND THE VALLEY
OF THE DOLLS - 1970; THE SEVEN MINUTES - 1971; SUPERVIXENS - 1975), a regular on 70's, 80's & 90's TV (KOJAK; THE ROCKFORD FILES; BJ AND THE BEAR; DALLAS; THE A-TEAM; RENEGADE; and many others), the countless exploitation and A-List films he appeared in (THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - 1977; THE BLUES BROTHERS - 1980; WACKO - 1982; SWING SHIFT - 1984; RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II - 1985; DEEP SPACE - 1988; THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991; SKEETER - 1993), to the voiceover work he did in such animated series as THE SIMPSONS, THE CRITIC, GOD THE DEVIL AND BOB and SQUIDBILLIES, Charles Napier was the consumate professional and the go-to guy if you needed an angry police chief, heartless cop or sheriff, gruff military man or anyone who can handle a situation that seems uncontrollable with an instantly recognizable voice. I met Mr. Napier on a couple of occasions (once in tandem with late character actor George "Buck" Flower) and he was as nice on the inside as hard as he looked on the outside. A real teddy bear of a man. RIP to one of the hardest working men in show business. A real, serious loss to films and TV.
DAVID A. HESS 09/19/1939 - 10/07/2011
Wow. This one hurts badly. David was an extremely talented
musician before he hit the big time in films starring as Krug in LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (1972). He made a string of films that played on that Krug personna (HITCH-HIKE - 1977; THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK - 1979) and also appeared as the chief bad guy in Wes Craven's SWAMP THING (1982) and a red herring in Ruggero Deodato's BODY COUNT (1987), but music was always David's passion. Yet he had no problem appearing at countless conventions signing autographs and taking photos with fans of his films. He was a true film fan's dream; taking time to talk about his films and even spending more time with you if you wanted to talk about music. David appeared in a few recent films (ZOMBIE NATION - 2004; ZODIAK KILLER - 2005; SMASH CUT - 2009), but he was always more passionate about his music (and he wrote a lot of songs for the films he appeared in). Rest in peace, David. You were truly an original in a sea of imposters.
OTHER GENRE PERSONALITIES WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2011
PETE POSTLEWAITE (Actor: THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK - 1997; THE TOWN - 2010) - 01/02/11
ANNE FRANCIS (Actress: FORBIDDEN PLANET - 1956; HAUNTS OF THE VERY RICH - 1972) - 01/02/11
JILL HAWORTH (Actress: IT! - 1967; HORROR HOUSE - 1969; TOWER OF EVIL - 1972; THE MUTATIONS - 1974) - 01/03/11
ARON KINCAID (Actor: THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI - 1966; CREATURE OF DESTRUCTION - 1967) - 01/06/11
JUAN PIQUER SIMON (Director: PIECES - 1982; THE POD PEOPLE - 1983; SLUGS - 1987; CTHULHU MANSION - 1992) - 01/08/11
PETER YATES (Director: BULLIT - 1968; MOTHER, JUGS & SPEED - 1976; EYEWITNESS - 1981; KRULL - 1983) - 01/09/11
DAVID NELSON (Actor/Director: SMASH-UP ON INTERSTATE 5 - 1976; THE HOUSE OF DEATH - 1982) - 01/11/11
PAUL PICERNI (Actor: THE UNTOUCHABLES [Original TV Show Regular]; THE FEARMAKER - 1971) - 01/12/11
SUSANNAH YORK (Actress: SKY RIDERS - 1976; SUPERMAN - 1978; THE AWAKENING - 1980) - 01/15/11
BRUCE GORDON (Actor: THE UNTOUCHABLES ["Frank Nitti" on the original TV Series]; PIRANHA - 1978) - 01/20/11
JAY GARNER (Actor: SILENT NIGHT BLOODY NIGHT - 1974; BUCK RIGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1981) - 01/21/11
CHARLIE CALLAS (Comedian/Actor: THE BIG MOUTH - 1967; HIGH ANXIETY - 1977; HYSTERICAL - 1982) - 01/27/11
JOHN BARRY (Film Composer: KING KONG - 1976; THE WHITE BUFFALO - 1977; STARCRASH - 1978; nearly the entire JAMES BOND series up till THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS - 1987) - 01/30/11
CHARLES E. SELLIER JR. (Producer/Director: BEYOND AND BACK - 1978; HANGAR 18 - 1980; THE BOOGENS - 1981; SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT - 1984) - 01/31/11
MARIA SCHNEIDER (Actress: LAST TANGO IN PARIS - 1972; THE PASSENGER - 1975; MAMA DRACULA - 1980) - 02/03/11
TURA SANTANA (Actress: FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! - 1967; THE ASTRO ZOMBIES - 1968; THE DOLL SQUAD - 1973) - 02/04/11
KENNETH MARS (Actor: THE PRODUCERS - 1968; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974; FLETCH - 1985) - 02/12/11
T.P. McKENNA (Actor: THE BEAST IN THE CELLAR - 1970; STRAW DOGS - 1971; LADY KILLER - 1973) - 02/13/11
DAVID F. FRIEDMAN (Ground-breaking Producer/Writer: BLOOD FEAST - 1963; 2000 MANIACS - 1964; COLOR ME BLOOD RED - 1965; THE DEFILERS - 1965; LOVE CAMP 7 - 1969; JOHNNY FIRECLOUD - 1975; 2001 MANIACS - 2005 and too many more to mention. One of the last William Castle-like film hucksters to sell the sizzle rather than the steak. A true original with quite a huge filmography.) - 02/14/11
LEN LESSER (Actor: BLOOD AND LACE - 1971; TRUCK STOP WOMEN - 1974; DEATH HUNT - 1981; GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE - 1989; and, of course, "Uncle Leo" on SEINFELD) - 02/16.11
FRANK ALESIA (Actor: THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI - 1966; RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP - 1967; MARYJANE - 1968) - 02/27/11
GARY WINICK (Producer/Director: CURFEW - 1989; FINAL - 2001) - 02/27/11
JANE RUSSELL (Actress: THE OUTLAW - 1943; THE BORN LOSERS - 1967; DARKER THAN AMBER - 1970) - 02/28/11
CHARLES JARROTT (Director: LOST HORIZON - 1973; CONDORMAN - 1981; THE AMATEUR - 1981) - 03/04/11
MICHAEL GOUGH (Actor: HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM - 1959; KONGA - 1961; BLACK ZOO - 1963; DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS - 1965; BERSERK - 1967; TROG - 1970; THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE - 1973 [One of the best cameos in horror film history]; VENOM - 1981; BATMAN - 1989) - 03/17/11
ELIZABETH TAYLOR (Actress: HAMMERSMITH IS OUT - 1972; NIGHT WATCH - 1973; THE MIRROR CRACK'D - 1980) - 03/23/11
FARLEY GRANGER (Actor: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN - 1951; AMUCK - 1972; THE SLASHER - 1972; THE PROWLER - 1981; DEATH MASK - 1984) - 03/27/11
JESS OSUNA (Actor: THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR - 1975; TAPS - 1981) - 04/02/11
WAYNE ROBSON (Actor: CUBE - 1997; WRONG TURN - 2003; SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD - 2009) - 04/04/11
SKIP O'BRIEN (Actor: PERFECT PREY - 1998; CSI: 2000 - 2003 [Det. Ray O'Riley]; BLOW - 2001; THE HITCHER - 2007) - 04/06/11
SIDNEY LUMET (Director: CHILD'S PLAY - 1972; SERPICO - 1973; DOG DAY AFTERNOON - 1975; NETWORK - 1976; EQUUS - 1977; DEATHTRAP - 1982; BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD - 2007; Man, is that a classic resume or what?) - 04/09/11
TREVOR BANNISTER (Actor: ARE YOU BEING SERVED? ["Mr. Lucas" in one of my favorite British Sitcoms]; HOSTAGE - 1992) - 04/14/11
MICHAEL SARRAZIN (Actor: EYE OF THE CAT - 1969; THE GROUNDSTAR CONSPIRACY - 1972; FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY - 1973 TV Movie; THE REINCARNATION OF PETER PROUD - 1975; THE GUMBALL RALLY - 1976; DOUBLE NEGATIVE - 1980; FIGHTING BACK - 1982; FEARDOTCOM - 2002) - 04/17/11
YOSHIKO TANAKA (Actress: BLACK RAIN - 1989; GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE - 1989; RING 0: BIRTHDAY - 2000) - 04/21/11
ROGER GIMBEL (TV Producer: GARGOYLES - 1972; BIRDS OF PREY - 1973; DEATH MOON - 1978; SURVIVAL OF DANA - 1979; S.O.S. TITANIC - 1979; APOLOGY - 1986) - 04/26/11
MICHAEL WALTMAN (Actor: ARIZONA HEAT - 1988; BEYOND THE LAW - 1993; TOWER OF TERROR - 1997) - 04/27/11
MARY MURPHY (Actress: THE WILD ONE - 1953; THE MAD MAGICIAN - 1954; THE ELECTRONIC MONSTER - 1958) - 05/04/11
DANA WYNTER (Actress: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS - 1956; IF HE HOLLERS, LET HIM GO! - 1968; AIRPORT - 1970; THE QUESTOR TAPES - 1974) - 05/05/11
DOLORES FULLER (Actress: GLEN OR GLENDA? - 1953; MESA OF LOST WOMEN - 1953; BRIDE OF THE MONSTER - 1955; THE CORPSE GRINDERS 2 - 2000) - 05/09/11
CHARLES F. HAAS (Director: THE BEAT GENERATION - 1959; PLATINUM HIGH SCHOOL - 1960; THE OUTER LIMITS [TV Series: 1964 - 1965]) - 05/12/11
BARBARA STUART (Actress: AIRPLANE! - 1980; PTERODACTYL WOMAN FROM BEVERLY HILLS - 1997; Too many TV shows to mention, including the original THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["A Thing About Machines" - 1960]) - 05/15/11
EDWARD HARDWICKE (Actor: THE NEXT SCREAM YOU HEAR - 1974; THE HAUNTING OF JULIA - 1977; VENOM - 1981) - 05/16/11
LEONARD KASTLE (Director/Writer: THE HONEYMOON KILLERS - 1969 [His only film, but what a film it is!]) - 05/18/11
RANDY "MACHO MAN" SAVAGE (Wrestler/Actor: SPIDER-MAN - 2002; Too many TV animation voiceover characters and televised wrestling action matches to mention) - 05/20/11
BILL HUNTER (Actor: STONE - 1974; THE MAN FROM HONG KONG - 1975; MAD DOG MORGAN - 1976; THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE - 1983) - 05/21/11
HARRY REDMOND JR. (Special Effects: KING KONG - 1933; SON OF KONG - 1934; THE MAGNETIC MONSTER - 1953; DONOVAN'S BRAIN - 1953; GOG - 1954; THE OUTER LIMITS [Original TV Series: 1964 - 1965]) - 05/23/11
LILLIAN ADAMS (Actress: TORMENTED - 1960; LEPKE - 1975; GOOD AGAINST EVIL - 1977; BRUCE ALMIGHTY - 2003) - 05/25/11
JEFF CONAWAY (Actor: THE PATRIOT - 1986; BAY COVEN - 1987; ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK - 1988; THE BANKER - 1989; THE SLEEPING CAR - 1990; ALIEN INTRUDER - 1993; MINER'S MASSACRE - 2002) - 05/27/11
CLARICE TAYLOR (Actress: CHANGE OF MIND - 1969; PLAY MISTY FOR ME - 1971; FIVE ON THE BLACK HAND SIDE - 1973) - 05/30/11
PAT JACKSON (Director: WHAT A CARVE UP! - 1961; TO CHASE A MILLION - 1967) - 06/03/11
JOHN BOSWALL (Actor: LADY KILLER - 1973; 1984 - 1984; PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL - 2003) - 06/06/11
LEONARD STERN (TV Producer/Writer: GET SMART - 1965-1968; BROCK'S LAST CASE - 1973; McMILLAN & WIFE - 1971-1977) - 06/07/11
JOHN MACKENZIE (Director: UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO - 1971; THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY - 1980; THE FOURTH PROTOCOL - 1987; THE LAST OF THE FINEST - 1990; QUICKSAND - 2003) - 06/08/11
PAUL MASSIE (Actor: SAPPHIRE - 1959; THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL - 1960; THE LOST, THE FOUND - 1995) - 06/08/11
ROY SKELTON (Actor: NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AFTER NIGHT - 1969; Voice of the Daleks on the DOCTOR WHO series) - 06/08/11
ART BALINGER (Actor: VANISHED - 1971; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974: THE AMAZING CAPTAIN NEMO - 1978; THE SWARM - 1978) - 06/10/11
LAURA ZISKIN (Producer: EYES OF LAURA MARS - 1979; D.O.A. - 1988; SPIDER-MAN - 2002) - 06/12/11
CLAUDIA BRYAR (Actress: I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN - 1957; WELCOME HOME, JOHNNY BRISTOL - 1972; PSYCHO II - 1983) - 06/16/11
DON DIAMOND (Actor: HIT MAN - 1972; THE TOOLBOX MURDERS - 1978; THE KID WITH THE BROKEN HALO - 1982) - 06/19/11
ANTHONY HERRERA (Actor: NIGHT OF BLOODY HORROR - 1969; HELTER SKELTER - 1976; MANDRAKE - 1979; NIGHT RIDER - 1979; TWISTED - 1986; WRITER'S BLOCK - 1991; EXTREME JUSTICE - 1993) - 06/21/11
DAVID RAYFIEL (Screenwriter: THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR - 1975; LIPSTICK - 1976; DEATH WATCH - 1980) - 06/22/11
FRED STEINER (TV Music Composer: PERRY MASON - 1962-1966; STAR TREK - 1967-1969) - 06/23/11
SHELBY GRANT (Actress: OUR MAN FLINT - 1966; FANTASTIC VOYAGE - 1966; THE WITCHMAKER - 1969) - 06/25/11
ALICE PLAYTEN (Actress: WHO KILLED MARY WHATS'ERNAME - 1971; AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION - 1982; LEGEND - 1985) - 06/25/11
MARGARET TYZACK (Actress: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - 1968; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - 1971; THE LEGACY - 1978; THE QUARTERMASS CONCLUSION - 1979; UNTIL DEATH - 2002) - 06/25/11
EDITH FELLOWS (Actress: JANE EYRE - 1934; THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART II - 1975) - 06/26/11
ELAINE STEWART (Actress: BRIGADOON - 1954; THE RISE AND FALL OF LEGS DIAMOND - 1960; MOST DANGEROUS MAN ALIVE - 1961) - 06/27/11
BILLY BECK (Actor: DIRTY O'NEIL - 1974; MEAN DOG BLUES - 1978; THE BLOB - 1988; GUILTY AS CHARGED - 1991; LEPRECHAUN 2 - 1994; MYSTERY MEN - 1999) - 06/29/11
LESLIE BROOKS (Actress: THE SECRET OF THE WHISTLER - 1946; THE CORPSE CAME C.O.D. - 1947; THE COBRA STRIKES - 1948) - 07/01/11
ANNA MASSEY (Actress: PEEPING TOM - 1960; FRENZY - 1972; VAULT OF HORROR - 1973; HAUNTED - 1995; THE MACHINIST - 2004) - 07/03/11
GORDON TOOTOOSIS (Actor: THE EDGE - 1997; BLACK POINT - 2002; HYBRID - 2007; DOOMSDAY PROPHECY - 2011) - 07/05/11
SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ (TV Producer/Writer: GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1964-1965; IT'S ABOUT TIME - 1966-1967; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1969-1974; THE INVISIBLE WOMAN - 1983) - 07/12/11
GOOGIE WITHERS (Actress: THE LADY VANISHES - 1938; HAUNTED HONEYMOON - 1940; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1945) - 07/15/11
EDSON STROLL (Actor: SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES - 1961; THE THREE STOOGES IN ORBIT - 1962; McHALE's NAVY - 1962-1966 [Series regular; played "Virgil Edwards"]) - 07/18/11
SHEILA BURRELL (Actress: THE DAWN KILLER - 1959; PARANOIAC - 1963; AFRAID OF THE DARK - 1991) - 07/19/11
TOM ALDREDGE (Actor: WHO KILLED TEDDY BEAR - 1965; THE MIND SNATCHERS - 1972; FULL MOON HIGH - 1981; *batteries not included - 1987; BRENDA STARR - 1989; Series regular on both THE SOPRANOS and BOARDWALK EMPIRE) - 07/22/11
LINDA CHRISTIAN (Actress: REBEL FLIGHT TO CUBA - 1959; THE DEVIL'S HAND - 1962; DELITTI - 1987) - 07/22/11
TRESA HUGHES (Actress: LOLLY MADONNA XXX - 1973; THE SENTINEL - 1977) - 07/24/11
CHRISTOPHER "CHIP" MAYER (Actor: STUNTS UNLIMITED - 1980; SURVIVOR - 1987; OFFICIAL DENIAL - 1994; RAVEN - 1996; FUGITIVE CHAMPION - 1998) - 07/24/11
JANE WHITE (Actress: KLUTE - 1971; BELOVED - 1998) - 07/24/11
SILVIO NARIZZANO (Director: DIE! DIE! MY DARLING! - 1965; BLUE - 1968; WHY SHOOT THE TEACHER - 1977; BLOODBATH - 1979) - 07/26/11
POLLY PLATT (Producer/Writer: TARGETS - 1968; BOTTLE ROCKET - 1996; CORMAN'S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL - 2011) - 07/27/11
RICHARD PEARSON (Actor: ONE OF OUR DINOSAURS IS MISSING - 1975; THE THIRTEENTH REUNION - 1980; THE MIRROR CRACK'D - 1980; WHOOPS APOCALYPSE - 1988) - 08/02/11
BUBBA SMITH (Football Player/Actor: THE POLICE ACADEMY series of films - 1984-1989; BLACK MOON RISING - 1986; THE WILD PAIR - 1987; THE SILENCE OF THE HAMS - 1994; DOWN 'N DIRTY - 2001; FULL CLIP - 2006) - 08/03/11
FRANCESCO QUINN (Actor [son of Anthony Quinn]: PLATOON - 1986; INDIO - 1989; DEADLY RANSOM - 1998; VLAD - 2003; HELL RIDE - 2008) - 08/05/11
JOHN WOOD (Actor: WARGAMES - 1983; LADYHAWKE - 1985; CITIZEN X - 1995; THE AVENGERS - 1998; THE LITTLE VAMPIRE - 2000) - 08/06/11
JIMMY SANGSTER (Screenwriter [one of the genre's best]: THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1957; THE CRAWLING EYE - 1958; THE MUMMY - 1959; BRIDES OF DRACULA - 1960; PARANOIAC - 1963; DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS - 1965; WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? - 1972; SCREAM, PRETTY PEGGY - 1973; GOOD AGAINST EVIL - 1977; THE LEGACY - 1978; PHOBIA - 1980) - 08/19/11
REZA BADIYI (TV Director: THE EYES OF CHARLES SAND - 1972; POLICEWOMAN CENTERFOLD - 1983; BLADE IN HONG KONG - 1985; EYE OF THE STALKER - 1995; Hundreds of TV series episodes) - 08/20/11
MICHAEL SHOWERS (Actor: THE COLLECTOR - 2009; COLOMBIANA - 2011) - 08/22/11
EVE BRENT (Actress: THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971; THE WHITE BUFFALO - 1977; FADE TO BLACK - 1980; BRAINWAVES - 1983; THE EXPERTS - 1989; THE GREEN MILE - 1999) - 08/27/11
JAG MUNDHRA (Director/Writer: OPEN HOUSE - 1987; HACK-O-LANTERN - 1988; THE JIGSAW MURDERS - 1989; NIGHT EYES - 1990; TROPICAL HEAT - 1993; WILD CACTUS -1993) - 09/04/11
CHARLES S. DUBIN (TV Director: MURDER ONCE REMOVED - 1971; DEATH IN SPACE - 1974; MOVING VIOLATION - 1976 [a rare theatrical release]; THE DEADLY TRIANGLE - 1977; A MASTERPIECE OF MURDER - 1986; Hundreds of TV series episodes) - 09/05/11
GEORGE KUCHAR (Truly Independent Filmmaker: CORRUPTION OF THE DAMNED - 1965; DESTINATION DAMNATION - 1972; SYMPHONY FOR A SINNER - 1979; ASCENTION OF THE DEMONOIDS - 1985) - 09/06/11
ANDY WHITFIELD (Actor: SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE - 2010 [He died much, much too young]) - 09/11/11
JACK GARNER (Actor [brother of James Garner]: THIS STUFF'LL KILL YA! - 1969; THE MAD BOMBER - 1973; THIS HOUSE POSSESSED - 1981; MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS - 1981; FANTASIES - 1982; SUNSET - 1988) - 09/13/11
FRANCES BAY (Super-Great Character Actress who began acting at the age of 59: THE ATTIC - 1980; NOMADS - 1986; ARACHNOPHOBIA - 1990; THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 1991 [She has one of the best death scenes in the film. Hint: It involves swallowing gunpowder and then being burned at the stake.]; CRITTERS 3 - 1991; TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME - 1992; SINGLE WHITE FEMALE - 1992; THE NEIGHBOR - 1993; HAPPY GILMORE - 1996 [Her most famous film. Played the Grandmother of Adam Sandler.]; STRANGER THAN FICTION - 2000; EDMOND - 2005; BARE KNUCKLES - 2010) - 09/15/11
NORMA EBERHARDT (Actress: THE RETURN OF DRACULA - 1958; LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG - 1958) - 09/16/11
PETER E. BERGER (Film Editor: HOT POTATO - 1976; THE PACK - 1977; KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK - 1978; STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME - 1986; STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER - 1989; STAY TUNED - 1992; STAR TREK: GENERATIONS - 1994; METRO - 1997; STAR TREK: INSURRECTION - 1998; 88 MINUTES - 2007) - 09/22/11
JERRY HAYNES (Actor: ROBOCOP - 1987; STEELE'S LAW - 1991; MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK - 1993; TEXAS JUSTICE - 1995) - 09/26/11
DORIS BELACK (Actress: THE BLACK MARBLE - 1980; THE CRADLE WILL FALL - 1983; *batteries not included - 1987) - 10/04/11
DIANE CILENTO (Actress: NEGATIVES - 1968; THE WICKER MAN - 1973; SPELL OF EVIL - 1973) - 10/06/11
MARILYN NASH (Actress: MONSIEUR VERDOUX - 1947; UNKNOWN WORLD - 1951; SPINE TINGLER! THE WILLIAM CASTLE STORY - 2007) - 10/06/11
GEORGE BAKER (Actor: CURSE OF THE FLY - 1965; ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1969; THE EXECUTIONER - 1970; THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1977; FFOLKES - 1979; HOPSCOTCH - 1980) - 10/07/11
PAUL KENT (Actor: THE MAD BOMBER - 1973; PRAY FOR THE WILDCATS - 1974; HELTER SKELTER - 1976; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982; PROGRAMMED TO KILL - 1987; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS - 1987; DOUBLE REVENGE - 1988; JIGSAW MURDERS - 1989; A KILLER AMONG US - 1990; HELTER SKELTER - 2004) - 10/07/11
MARK KINGSTON (Actor: INVASION - 1965; SAINT JACK - 1979; SPHINX - 1980) - 10/09/11
ALAN FUDGE (Actor: AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; BUG - 1975; ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE? - 1978; GOLIATH AWAITS - 1981; BRAINSTORM - 1983; CHILLER - 1985; MY DEMON LOVER - 1987; I SAW WHAT YOU DID - 1988; NIGHTMARE ON THE 13TH FLOOR - 1990; M.A.N.T.I.S. - 1994; GALAXIS - 1995; SHARK SWARM - 2008) - 10/10/11
PATRICIA BRESLIN (Actress: HOMICIDAL - 1961; I SAW WHAT YOU DID - 1965) - 10/12/11
PETER HAMMOND (British TV Director: THE PHANTOM KID - 1977; THE SIGN OF FOUR - 1987) - 10/12/11
SHEILA ALLEN (Actress: CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED - 1964; THE ALPHABET MURDERS - 1965; THE LEGEND OF SPIDER FOREST - 1971; HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE - 2005) - 10/13/11
SUE LLOYD (Actress: THE IPCRESS FILE - 1965; HYSTERIA - 1965; CORRUPTION - 1968; PERCY - 1971; INNOCENT BYSTANDERS - 1972; NO. 1 OF THE SECRET SERVICE - 1977; THE STUD - 1978; THE BITCH - 1979; EAT THE RICH - 1987; U.F.O. - 1993) - 10/20/11
T. MAX GRAHAM (Actor: ANGEL UNCHAINED - 1970; ERASERHEAD - 1977; SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK - 1991; BONNIE & CLYDE VS. DRACULA - 2008) - 10/27/11
RICHARD GORDON (Producer: FIEND WITHOUT A FACE - 1958; FIRST MAN INTO SPACE - 1959; DEVIL DOLL - 1964; CURSE OF THE VOODOO - 1965; ISLAND OF TERROR - 1966; TOWER OF EVIL - 1972; HORROR HOSPITAL - 1973; HORROR PLANET - 1981) - 11/01/11
SID MELTON (Actor: LOST CONTINENT - 1951; THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE - 1959; HIT! - 1973; THE DAY THE EARTH MOVED - 1974; SIXPACK ANNIE - 1975; GAME SHOW MODELS - 1977) - 11/02/11
LEONARD STONE (Actor: THE BIG MOUTH - 1967; A MAN CALLED DAGGER - 1968; WILLIE WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 1971; TERROR IN THE SKY - 1971; BEG, BORROW OR STEAL - 1973; SOYLENT GREEN - 1973; THE GIRL IN THE EMPTY GRAVE - 1977; HARDLY WORKING - 1980; Too many TV Series appearances to mention) - 11/02/11
MARGARET FIELD (Actress [Mother of Sally Field]: THE MAN FROM PLANET X - 1951; CAPTIVE WOMEN - 1952; THE STRANGER - 1973) - 11/06/11
JOE FRASER (Boxer/Actor: ROCKY - 1976; GHOST FEVER - 1987) - 11/07/11
ANDREA TRUE (Porn Actress/Singer: DEVIL'S DUE - 1973; SORCERESS - 1974; THE SEDUCTION OF LYN CARTER - 1974; SEDUCTION - 1976; The Disco Tune "More, More, More" as "The Adrea True Connection") - 11/07/11
RICKY HUI (Hong Kong Actor: THE FLYING GUILLOTINE - 1975; CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS - 1976; MR. VAMPIRE - 1985; THE HAUNTED COPSHOP - 1987; DIVERGENCE - 2005) - 11/08/11
RICHARD MORANT (Actor: MAHLER - 1974; HIJACK! - 1975; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1976; THE MAD DEATH - 1983; THE COMPANY OF WOLVES - 1984; JACK THE RIPPER - 1988) - 11/09/11
JOHN NEVILLE (Ultra-Great Actor: UNEARTHLY STRANGER - 1964; A STUDY IN TERROR - 1965 [as "Sherlock Holmes"]; THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN - 1988 [as "Baron Munchausen"]; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 1993; THE FIFTH ELEMENT - 1997; X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE - 1998 [also a semi-regular on the TV Series]; URBAN LEGEND - 1998) - 11/19/11
DOROTHY MORRIS (Actress: TARZAN'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE - 1942; MACABRE - 1958; SECONDS - 1966) - 11/22/11
JUDY LEWIS (Actress: OPERATION BIKINI - 1963; THUNDER IN DIXIE - 1964; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; SOUTHERN DOUBLE CROSS - 1976) - 11/25/11
KEN RUSSELL (One-Of-A-Kind Film Director/Writer: THE DEVILS - 1971; MAHLER - 1974; TOMMY - 1975; LISZTOMANIA - 1975; VALENTINO - 1977; ALTERED STATES - 1980; CRIMES OF PASSION - 1984 [the first time I ever saw a dildo used as a murder weapon!"]; GOTHIC - 1986; THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM - 1988; WHORE - 1991) - 11/27/11
BILL McKINNEY (Supreme Charactor Actor: SHE FREAK - 1967; ANGEL UNCHAINED - 1970; DELIVERANCE - 1972 (He's unforgettable here]; CLEOPATRA JONES - 1973; THE OUTFIT - 1973; THE STRANGE AND DEADLY OCCURRENCE - 1974; STRANGE NEW WORLD - 1975; THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES - 1976 [One of his finest performances]; CANNONBALL - 1976; WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER? - 1979; ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN - 1980; ST. HELENS - 1981; FIRST BLOOD - 1982; KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS - 1989; THE CHINA LAKE MURDERS - 1990; THE GREEN MILE - 1999; 2001 MANIACS - 2005) - 12/01/11
ALAN SUES (Comedian/Actor: ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968 - 1972; OH HEAVENLY DOG - 1980; GRIDLOCK - 1980; SNOWBALLING - 1984; A BUCKET OF BLOOD - 1995) - 12/01/11
DAN BIGGERS (Actor: MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY - 1983; CAROLINA SKELETONS - 1991; BASKET CASE 3 - 1992; DEADLY RELATIONS - 1993) - 12/05/11
HARRY MORGAN (Actor: THE BIG CLOCK - 1948; HIGH NOON - 1952; THE FLIM-FLAM MAN - 1967; DRAGNET [TV Series - 1967-1970; as "Officer Bill Gannon"]; ELLERY QUEEN: DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU - 1971; M*A*S*H [TV Series - 1974-1983; as "Colonel Sherman T. Potter"]; EXO-MAN - 1977; MANEATERS ARE LOOSE! - 1978; MURDER AT THE MARDI GRAS - 1978; THE CAT FROM OUTER SPACE - 1978; SPARKLING CYNANIDE - 1983; INCIDENT IN A SMALL TOWN - 1994) - 12/07/11
SUSAN GORDON (Actress: ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE - 1958; TORMENTED - 1960; THE BOY AND THE PIRATES - 1960; PICTURE MOMMY DEAD - 1966) - 12/11/11
HAROLD HOPKINS (Actor: ADAM'S WOMAN - 1970; GALLIPOLI - 1981; BLACKROCK - 1997; THE CLINIC - 2010) - 12/11/11
LOUISE HENRY (Actress: THE CASINO MURDER CASE - 1935; CHARLIE CHAN ON BROADWAY - 1937; THE PHANTOM STRIKES - 1938; CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO - 1939) - 12/12/11
ALBERTO DE MENDOZA (Actor: PSYCHOUT FOR MURDER - 1969; ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER - 1969; BLADE OF THE RIPPER - 1971; THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL - 1971; A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN - 1971; HORROR EXPRESS - 1972; SPECIAL KILLERS - 1973; OPEN SEASON - 1974; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1974; THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE DARK - 1976; CURSE OF THE BLACK CAT - 1977) - 12/12/11
BERT SCHNEIDER (Producer: HEAD - 1968; EASY RIDER - 1969; TRACKS - 1977; DAYS OF HEAVEN - 1978) - 12/12/11
DON SHARP (Director/Writer: THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE - 1963; WITCHCRAFT - 1964; CURSE OF THE FLY - 1965; THE FACE OF FU MANCHU - 1965; RASPUTIN: THE MAD MONK - 1966; THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU - 1966; THE DEATH WHEELERS [PSYCHOMANIA] - 1973; DARK PLACES - 1973; HENNESSY - 1975; BEAR ISLAND - 1979; WHAT WAITS BELOW - 1985) - 12/14/11
ROBERT EASTON (Actor: THE LOVED ONE - 1965; ONE OF OUR SPIES IS MISSING - 1966; THE TOUCH OF SATAN - 1971; THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION - 1975; PET SEMATARY II - 1992; NEEDFUL THINGS - 1993; SPIRITUAL WARRIORS - 2007; HORRORWEEN - 2011) - 12/16/11
DAN FRAZER (Actor: LORD LOVE A DUCK - 1966; ...tick...tick...tick - 1970; FUZZ - 1972; THE STOOLIE - 1972; CLEOPATRA JONES - 1973; SUPER COPS - 1974; KOJAK [TV Series - 1973-1978; essayed the regular role of "Captain Frank McNeil"]; THE PACK - 2010) - 12/16/11
NICOL WILLIAMSON (Actor: THE JERUSALEM FILE - 1972; THE WILBY CONSPIRACY - 1975; THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION - 1976 [Played "Sherlock Holmes"]; THE CHEAP DETECTIVE - 1978; EXCALIBUR - 1981; VENOM - 1981; THE EXORCIST III - 1990; SPAWN - 1997) - 12/16/11
TED MARKLAND (Actor: ANGELS FROM HELL - 1968; WELCOME HOME, SOLDIER BOYS - 1972; ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975; FIGHTING MAD - 1976; DOOMSDAY MACHINE - 1976; EYE OF THE TIGER - 1986; LIBERTY & BASH - 1989; LIVE BY THE FIST - 1993; AMERICAN KICKBOXER 2 - 1993; BLOOD RING 2 - 1995; CYXORK 7 - 2006) - 12/18/11
WILLIAM DUELL (Singer/Actor: DEADHEAD MILES - 1972; THE HAPPY HOOKER - 1975; ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975; A STRANGER IS WATCHING - 1982; ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK - 1988) - 12/22/11
MARION SEGAL FREED (Editor/Producer [Married to actor George Segal for 25 years and then married director/producer/writer Herb Freed]: BADLANDS - 1973; RUSSIAN ROULETTE - 1975; DAYS OF HEAVEN - 1978; SUBTERFUGE - 1996; PARADISE LOST - 1999; CHILD 2 MAN - 2000) - 12/22/11
PEDRO AMENDAREZ JR. (Actor: THE VAMPIRE GIRLS - 1969; KILLER BY NIGHT - 1972; THE SOUL OF NIGGER CHARLEY - 1973; DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK - 1973; CHOSEN SURVIVORS - 1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974; THE DOGS OF WAR - 1980; THE TREASURE OF THE AMAZON - 1985; LICENCE TO KILL - 1989; OUTSIDE THE LAW - 1998; ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO - 2003) - 12/26/11
What can one say about Susan Tyrrell that hasn't already been said? I first noticed her considerable talents in the homophobic/incest-tinged horror film NIGHT WARNING (1981). I was instantly
hooked and tried to watch everything she appeared in, from her Acadamy Award-nominated performance as James Keach's girlfriend in FAT CITY (1972), her mentally handicapped Mary in ANDY WARHOL'S BAD (1977) and the independent "Huh?" film FORBIDDEN ZONE (1982). She continued acting even though she lost both legs below the knees due to a blood disease in April 2000 (and shows us in the film BUDDY BOY - 2000) and once you saw her perform, you never forgot her. She once said, "The last thing my mother said to me was, 'SuSu, your life is a celebration of everything that is cheap and tawdry.' I've always liked that, and I've always tried to live up to it." We are all better off for it. Other films Susan Tyrrell appeared in were CATCH MY SOUL (1974) THE KILLER INSIDE ME (1976), TALES OF ORDINARY MADNESS (1981), FAST-WALKING (1982), ANGEL (1984 - She's unforgettable here), AVENGING ANGEL (1985), FLESH + BLOOD (1985), THE OFFSPRING (1987), BIG TOP PEE-WEE (1988), CRY-BABY (1990), POWDER (1995) and THE BONEYARD COLLECTION (2006), among many others. Thanks for the memories, Susan, and I hope you can find some cheap and tawdry people in Heaven. I know there must be some up there.
Holy Jesus Christ. This one hurts badly. Richard Lynch was the consummate bad guy character actor, thanks in part to his looks (He was burned badly around his face and upper torso in 1967 after taking LSD and setting
himself on fire in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art near Cleopatra's Needle. After recuperation, he bravely and candidly spoke about it in an anti-drug documentary.) and mostly due to his tremendous talents. Who can forget his epic ending fight with Chuck Norris in INVASION U.S.A. (1985), one of the best action films of the 80's? Richard Lynch immediately caught audiences attention in his debut film, the 1973 drama SCARECROW (he managed to outshine both Gene Hackman and Al Pacino!). After that performance, he was in high demand, both in regular and genre films, appearing as a hitman in THE SEVEN-UPS (1973), a hunter with no conscious in OPEN SEASON (1974), and plenty of TV appearances, usually as the villain. But it was his roles in horror and action films that made genre film fans stand up and take notice, The first one being the scary dude in THE PREMONITION (1975), an uncharacterizable figure in Larry Cohen's GOD TOLD ME TO (1976) and a bloodsucker in the 1979 TV film, THE VAMPIRE (1979). Other Lynch films include THE BARON (1977), GOOD AGAINST EVIL (1977), DEATHSPORT (1978), STEEL (1979), DELTA FOX (1979; a rare starring role as a good guy), THE NINTH CONFIGURATION (1979; his fight in a bar is a thing of beauty), THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER (1982), CUT AND RUN (1985), SAVAGE DAWN (1985), BAD DREAMS (1988), ONE MAN FORCE (1989), LOCKDOWN (1990), ALLIGATOR II: THE MUTATION (1991), TRANCERS II (1991), SCANNER COP (1994), MINER'S MASSACRE (2002), LAID TO REST (2009) and Rob Zombie's THE LORDS OF SALEM (2012; Lynch's final film). Mr. Lynch's death is a terrible, terrible loss to the genre community. R.I.P. Richard Lynch.
Ernest Borgnine has always made me think he was an actor who would never die. I saw him on an interview with Tavis Smiley a short while ago and he looked at least 30 years younger than his 95 years. His secret: Don't retire and keep on acting, something he did
right up until his death. Known basically for his bad guy roles in 50's films such as FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953), JOHNNY GUITAR (1954) and BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK (1955), Ernie would turn everyone's head in 1955 with his sweet-natured role as Marty Piletti in the drama MARTY, which earned him an Academy Award for best actor. His gap-toothed grin could make you smile or send chills right through your bones. Known basically to Baby-Boomers as the good-natured Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the long-running TV series MCHALE'S NAVY (1962 - 1966), Borgnine had no problem shedding that image after the series ended (that in itself is quite a feat), appearing is such films as THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967), ICE STATION ZEBRA (1968), THE WILD BUNCH (1969; if you've never seen it, you can't consider yourself a film lover), WILLARD (1971; man, he was mean in this one and his death is memorable), BUNNY O'HARE (1971), THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), EMPEROR OF THE NORTH (1973; my favorite of his bad guy roles), SUNDAY IN THE COUNTRY (1974), THE DEVIL'S RAIN (1975), THE GHOST OF FLIGHT 401 (1978), RAVAGERS (1979), SUPER FUZZ (1980), ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981), DEADLY BLESSING (1981), YOUNG WARRIORS (1983), CODE NAME: WILD GEESE (1984), SKELETON COAST (1987), LASER MISSION (1989), RED (2010), the voice of "Mermaid Man" on SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and hundreds more. As you can see by the small amounts of titles I listed, Ernest Borgnine was comfortable in any role spanning all genres. He was truly an original and will be missed by all of us who have enjoyed his performances since we were kids. 95 is a good, ripe old age to pass away (although I was still surprised by his death due to renal failure), but his film work will be eternal. Thanks for all the memories Ernie!
Character Actor Supreme R(obert) G(olden) Armstrong always turned in a great performance and had one of those faces and voices that you could never forget, especially
after watching one of his performances. He started by acting in Western TV shows in the 50's & 60's and would remain a TV staple throughout his entire acting career, but he also turned-in fantastic performances in theatrical films such as THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE - 1970 (Director Sam Peckinpah would use him in a lot of his films & TV Series episodes); ANGELS DIE HARD - 1970; THE GREAT WHITE HOPE - 1970; THE FINAL COMEDOWN - 1972; THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID - 1972; GENTLE SAVAGE - 1973; PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID - 1973; WHITE LIGHTNING - 1973; THE LEGEND OF HILLBILLY JOHN - 1974; RACE WITH THE DEVIL - 1975; WHITE LINE FEVER - 1975; DIXIE DYNAMITE - 1976; THE CAR - 1977; THE PACK - 1977; DEVIL DOG: THE HOUND OF HELL - 1978; STEEL - 1979; EVILSPEAK - 1981; THE BEAST WITHIN - 1982; LONE WOLF McQUADE - 1983; CHILDREN OF THE CORN - 1984; PREDATOR - 1987; BULLETPROOF - 1988; GHETTO BLASTER - 1989; TRAPPER COUNTY WAR - 1989; DICK TRACY - 1990 (as "Pruneface"); WARLOCK: THE ARMAGEDDON - 1993; and literally hundreds of others. If I had to pick my favorite R.G. Armstrong performance, it would be as "The Old Man" (he was never given a name) on several appearances of the TV Show MILLENNIUM - 1996-1999. His acting and eventual death on the show proved to me what a great character actor he really was. Mr. Armstrong lived a nice long life and retired from acting in 2001, but at least we still have his performances to show young actors today how effortless it looked to be a true meaningful character. He will be missed by a lot of people, including myself.
Best known as "J.R. Ewing" on TV's DALLAS - 1978-1991 (He appeared in all 356 episodes!) and the new TNT reboot (2012); THE CAVERN - 1964; FAIL-SAFE - 1964; I DREAM OF JEANNIE TV Series - 1965-1970; UP IN THE CELLAR - 1970; VANISHED - 1971;
A HOWLING IN THE WOODS - 1971; BEWARE! THE BLOB - 1972 (He also directed it and when it was re-released to theaters, it had the tag line "The Film That J.R. Shot", playing on the "Who shot J.R.?" ending of the much-talked about finale of Season 3 of DALLAS [1980], then the most popular show on TV. It would remain a top-rated TV Series for several more years. It also spun-off one of the longest-running nighttime soap operas, KNOTS LANDING - 1979-1993, in which Hagman would make appearances as J.R. in early episodes.); NO PLACE TO RUN - 1972; THE ALPHA CAPER - 1973; HURRICANE - 1974; SIDEKICKS - 1974; SARAH T. - PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE ALCOHOLIC - 1975; THE BIG RIP-OFF - 1975; MOTHER, JUGS & SPEED - 1976 (I think that this is his best non-TV performance); CRY FOR JUSTICE - 1977; INTIMATE STRANGERS - 1977; CHECKERED FLAG OR CRASH - 1977; SUPERMAN - 1978; DEADLY ENCOUNTER - 1982; THE THIRD TWIN - 1997; PRIMARY COLORS - 1998; He also directed episodes of TV's IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1988-1995 and I DREAM OF JEANNIE. He will be sorely missed and anyone who watched the new reboot of DALLAS could see what a trouper he really was. He knew he was dying (and, God, those eyebrows; I couldn't take my eyes off them!), yet he continued to act (and he still had that commanding presence). I can't see the new reboot continuing with his loss (from throat cancer; he knew since October 2012 that the cancer had returned, yet he had filmed six of the fifteen episodes for the 2013 season when he passed away), although I'm sure the producers will find a way. I just can't see any incarnation of DALLAS without Hagman as J.R. Ewing. Goodbye Larry and thanks for the hours and hours you kept me entertained. UPDATE: The producers of the DALLAS reboot say they will incorporate J.R.'s death into the series. Even though Larry Hagman wasn't supposed to be the lead in the reboot, he dominated every scene he was in. It might as well now be shown on The CW, since the plots will focus on the younger Ewing clan. UPDATE #2: The TNT show plans an episode dealing with J.R.'s death and promises plenty of "Guest Stars". Maybe Jenilee Harrison, Victoria Principal, Pricilla Presley and Brad Pitt will show up! Or maybe they'll dig up the corpse of Jim Davis and put him in the coffin with J.R. Weirder things have happened (Remember the shower scene with Patrick Duffy, making the season before it nothing but Victoria Principal's bad dream?). The original DALLAS never recoverered after that misstep. A true "Jump The Shark" moment. UPDATE #3: TNT canceled DALLAS in 2014, proving that Larry Hagman was what made DALLAS such a spellbinding experience..
SILVANA GALLARDO (Actress: DEATH WISH II - 1982; CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS - 1984; OUT OF THE DARK - 1989; SOLAR CRISIS - 1990; THE BIG ONE: THE GREAT LOS ANGELES EARTHQUAKE - 1990) - 01/02/12
JOAQUIN MARTINEZ (Actor: THE STALKING MOON - 1968; EXECUTIVE ACTION - 1973; WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN - 1978; FLASHPOINT - 1984; REVENGE - 1990; THE LIGHTNING INCIDENT - 1991; DIE ANOTHER DAY - 2002) - 01/03/12
HARRY FOWLER (Actor: FIRE MAIDENS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1956; BOOBY TRAP - 1957; THE DAWN KILLER - 1959; THE NANNY - 1965; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME - 1970; CROSSED SWORDS - 1977; BODY CONTACT - 1987; CHICAGO JOE AND THE SHOWGIRL - 1990) - 01/04/12
HIDEAKI NITANI (Actor: FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD - 1965; TOKYO DRIFTER - 1966; TIDAL WAVE - 1973; THE FAMILY - 1974) - 01/07/12
MAE LaBORDE (Actress [died at age 102 and didn't start acting until 2006]: EVIL BONG - 2006; PINEAPPLE EXPRESS - 2008) - 01/09/12
LILA KAYE (Actress: SEE NO EVIL - 1971; A PLACE TO DIE - 1973; THE BLACK PANTHER - 1977; AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON - 1981; THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1987; DRAGONWORLD - 1994) - 01/10/12
MORGAN JONES (Actor: FORBIDDEN PLANET - 1956; NOT OF THIS EARTH - 1957; THE GIANT CLAW - 1957; THE BOY AND THE PIRATES - 1960) - 01/13/12
BEVERLY McDERMOTT (Casting Director: AIRPORT '77 - 1977; CUBA CROSSING - 1980; NIGHTMARE BEACH - 1989; HAMMERHEAD - 1990) - 01/19/12
MARION MATHIE (Actress: DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE - 1968) - 01/20/12
DICK TURFELD (Voice Actor/Narrator: Narrator of TV Series VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964-1966; Voice of The Robot and narrator of TV Series LOST IN SPACE - 1965-1968; THE TIME TUNNEL [TV Series Announcer - 1966-1967]; TUNNEL VISION - 1976) - 01/22/12
JAMES FARENTINO (Actor: VIOLENT MIDNIGHT - 1963; VANISHED - 1971; THE FAMILY RICO - 1972; THE ELEVATOR - 1974; THE POSSESSED - 1977; THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - 1980; DEAD & BURIED - 1981; THE CRADLE WILL FALL - 1983; BULLETPROOF - 1996; TERMINATION MAN - 1998; MURDER IN THE MIRROR - 2000) - 01/24/12
IAN ABERCROMBIE (Actor: SOLE SURVIVOR - 1970; WICKED WICKED - 1973; SEXTETTE - 1978; THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES HOLLYWOOD - 1980; BLOOD BEACH - 1980; THE ICE PIRATES - 1984; FLICKS - 1987; CURSE IV: THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE - 1988; WARLOCK - 1989; PUPPET MASTER III: TOULON'S REVENGE - 1991; ARMY OF DARKNESS - 1992; TEST TUBE TEENS FROM THE YEAR 2000 - 1994; RATTLED - 1996; probably best known as "Mr. Pitt" on the TV Series SEINFELD - 1994-1998; INLAND EMPIRE - 2006) - 01/26/12
ROBERT HEGYES (Actor: Best known for portraying Sweathog "Juan Epstein" on the TV Series WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1975-1979; and "Detective Manny Esposito" on CAGNEY & LACEY - 1986-1988; UNDERGROUND ACES - 1981; KILL CRAZY - 1990; THE PANDORA PROJECT - 1998) - 01/26/12
JOHN RICH (TV Director: Directed hundreds of episodic TV shows, including the original THE TWILIGHT ZONE [ "A Most Unusual Camera" - 1960; "A Kind Of A Stopwatch" - 1963]; T.H.E. CAT - 1966; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1971-1974; BENSON - 1980-1982) - 01/29/12
FREDERICK TREVES (Actor: A DEADLY GAME - 1979; THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1980; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; DEFENSE OF THE REALM - 1986; PAPER MASK - 1990; AFRAID OF THE DARK - 1991) - 01/30/12
DON CORNELIUS (Host/Actor: SOUL TRAIN host - 1971-2007; CLEOPATRA JONES - 1973; NO WAY BACK - 1976; ROADIE - 1980; TAPEHEADS - 1988) - 02/01/12
BEN GAZZARA (Actor: ANATOMY OF A MURDER - 1959; WHEN MICHAEL CALLS - 1972; THE FAMILY RICO - 1972; PURSUIT - 1972; THE NEPTUNE FACTOR - 1973; CAPONE - 1975; SAINT JACK - 1979; ROAD HOUSE - 1989 {My favorite of his bad guy performances]; STAG - 1997; THE BIG LEBOWSKI - 1998; SUMMER OF SAM - 1999; 13 - 2010 [nearly unrecognizable]) - 02/03/12
ZALMAN KING (Actor/Director/Producer/Writer: SOME CALL IT LOVING - 1973; TRIP WITH THE TEACHER - 1975; BLUE SUNSHINE - 1978; GALAXY OF TERROR - 1981; ENDANGERED SPECIES - 1982; TWO MOON JUNCTION - 1988; WILD ORCHID - 1989; RED SHOE DIARIES - 1992) - 02/03/12
SAM COPPOLA (Actor: HONOR THY FATHER - 1973; CRAZY JOE - 1974; DEATH JOURNEY - 1976; FINGERS - 1978; FATAL ATTRACTION - 1987; STREET HUNTER - 1990; A KISS BEFORE DYING - 1991) - 02/05/12
BILL HINZMAN (Actor/Director: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1968; THE CRAZIES - 1973; THE MAJORETTES - 1987; REVENGE OF THE LIVING ZOMBIES - 1988; EVIL AMBITIONS - 1996; SHADOW: DEAD RIOT - 2006) - 02/05/12
PETER BRECK (Actor: THE WILD AND THE INNOCENT - 1989; THE BEATNIKS - 1960: PORTRAIT OF A MOBSTER - 1961; THE CRAWLING HAND - 1963; SHOCK CORRIDOR - 1963; THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER - 1982; THE UNNAMABLE II: THE STATEMENT OF RANDOLPH CARTER - 1993; ENEMY ACTION - 1999) - 02/06/12
PHILIP BRUNS (Actor: THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT - 1971; SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT - 1974; ROCK-A-DIE BABY - 1975; THE KANSAS CITY MASSACRE - 1975; FLASH AND THE FIRECAT - 1976; CORVETTE SUMMER - 1978; THE STUNT MAN - 1980; RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD PART II - 1988; DEAD MEN DON'T DIE - 1990; DIGITAL MAN - 1995; JOHNNY SKIDMARKS - 1998) - 02/08/12
LAURIE MAIN (Actor: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1962; TARGET: HARRY - 1969; NIGHT CHASE - 1970; PRIVATE PARTS - 1972; TIME AFTER TIME - 1979; MOM AND DAD SAVE THE WORLD - 1992) - 02/08/12
DAVID KELLY (Actor: THE ITALIAN JOB - 1969; QUACKSER FORTUNE HAS A COUSIN IN THE BRONX - 1970; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1982; THE JIGSAW MAN - 1982; THOU SHALT NOT KILL...EXCEPT - 1985; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 2005; THE KOVAK BOX - 2006) - 02/12/12
ELYSE KNOX (Actress [Mother of actor Mark Harmon]: THE MUMMY'S TOMB - 1942; ARABIAN NIGHTS - 1942; HIT THE ICE - 1943) - 02/15/12
LINA ROMAY (Actress/Adult Film Director [Wife and frequent collaborator of director Jess Franco]: EROTIC KILL - 1973; WOMEN BEHIND BARS - 1975; BARBED WIRE DOLLS - 1976; JACK THE RIPPER - 1976; WANDA, THE WICKED WARDEN - 1977; WHITE CANNIBAL QUEEN - 1980; DIAMONDS OF KILIMANDJARO - 1983; MACUMBA SEXUAL - 1983; FACELESS - 1987; TENDER FLESH - 1997; KILLER BARBYS VS. DRACULA - 2002) - 02/15/12
DICK ANTHONY WILLIAMS (Actor: WHO KILLED MARY WHATS'ERNAME? - 1971; THE MACK - 1973; SLAUGHTER'S BIG RIP-OFF - 1973; DEADLY HERO - 1976; THE DEEP - 1977; THE JERK - 1979; A GUN IN THE HOUSE - 1981; OMEN III: THE FINAL CONFLICT - 1981; THE STAR CHAMBER - 1983; THROUGH NAKED EYES - 1983; GRIZZLY II: THE PREDATOR - 1983 [Unfinished film]; EDWARD SCISSORHANDS - 1990; THE RAPTURE - 1991; THE GIFTED - 1983; HOT BOYZ - 2000; BLOOD AND BONE - 2009) - 02/16/12
PETER HALLIDAY (Actor: NIGHT CREATURES - 1962; VIRGIN WITCH - 1972; THE FAST KILL - 1972; MADHOUSE - 1974; NIGHT FLIGHT - 2002) - 02/18/12
RIC WAITE (Cinematographer: DAY OF THE WOLVES - 1971 [Debut]; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1977; THE INITIATION OF SARAH - 1978; DEFIANCE - 1980; THE LONG RIDERS - 1980; REVENGE OF THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1980; THE BORDER - 1982; 48 HRS. - 1982; RED DAWN - 1984; COBRA - 1986; MARKED FOR DEATH - 1990; OUT FOR JUSTICE - 1991; RAPID FIRE - 1992; ON DEADLY GROUND - 1994; TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. - 1997; THE TRIANGLE - 2001) - 02/18/12
SULLIVAN WALKER (Actor: THE EXTERMINATOR - 1980; CROCODILE DUNDEE - 1986; THE FIRM - 1993; GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' - 2005) - 02/20/12
BRUCE SURTEES (Cinematographer [A favorite of Clint Eastwood]: THE BEGUILED - 1971 [Debut]; PLAY MISTY FOR ME - 1971; DIRTY HARRY - 1971; CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1972; HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER - 1973; NIGHT MOVES - 1975; THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES - 1976; ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ - 1979; WHITE DOG - 1982; SUDDEN IMPACT - 1983; BEVERLY HILLS COP - 1984; PSYCHO III - 1986; THE BIRDS II: LAND'S END - 1992; THE SUBSTITUTE - 1996) - 02/23/12
ED BRIGADIER (Actor: TERROR STALKS THE CLASS REUNION - 1992; HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP - 1996; DR. CHOPPER - 2005 [played the title character]; HAUNTED ECHOES - 2008; ALIEN ECSTASY - 2009) - 02/26/12
PHILLIP R. ALLEN (Actor: TRAPPED BENEATH THE SEA - 1974; HELTER SKELTER - 1976; SPECIAL DELIVERY - 1976; THE LADY IN RED - 1979; BLINDED BY THE LIGHT - 1980; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984; IN SELF DEFENSE - 1987; MORTAL SINS - 1992) - 03/01/12
LEONARDO CIMINO (Actor: COTTON COMES TO HARLEM - 1970; COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE - 1972; HONOR THY FATHER - 1973; HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT - 1980; AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION - 1982; V - 1983; DUNE - 1984; THE MONSTER SQUAD - 1987; THE SEVENTH SIGN - 1988; WATERWORLD - 1995; BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD - 2007) - 03/03/12
JOAN TAYLOR (Actress: EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS - 1956; GIRLS IN PRISON - 1956; 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH - 1957; SPLIT - 1989) - 03/04/12
PETER BERGMAN (Comedian/Actor [Member of the Firesign Theatre comedy group]: EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG - 1975; CRACKING UP - 1977; J-MEN FOREVER - 1979) - 03/09/12
DENNIS BOWEN (Actor: THE HATFIELDS AND THE McCOYS - 1975; VAN NUYS BLVD. - 1979; GAS PUMP GIRLS - 1979; MARTIANS GO HOME - 1989; LISA - 1990) - 03/09/12
FAITH BROOK (Actress: IN THE STEPS OF A DEAD MAN - 1974; FFOLKES - 1979; BLOODBATH - 1979; THE CURSE OF KING TUT'S TOMB - 1980; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980; EYE OF THE NEEDLE - 1981; THEY DO IT WITH MIRRORS - 1991) - 03/11/12
PEPE "JOSE" RUBIO (Actor: GOLIATH AGAINST THE GIANTS - 1961; THE MISTRESSES OF DR. JEKYLL - 1964) - 03/15/12
ROBERT FUEST (Director/Writer: AND SOON THE DARKNESS - 1970; THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES - 1971; DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN - 1972; THE LAST DAYS OF MAN ON EARTH - 1973; THE DEVIL'S RAIN - 1975; REVENGE OF THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1980) - 03/21/12
HAL E. CHESTER (Producer: THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS - 1953; CURSE OF THE DEMON - 1957; THE DOUBLE MAN - 1967) - 03/25/12
STELLA TANNER (Actress: MURDER MOST FOUL - 1964; 1,000 CONVICTS AND A WOMAN - 1971) - 03/26/12
WARREN STEVENS (Actor: GORILLA AT LARGE - 1954; FORBIDDEN PLANET - 1956; CYBORG 2087 - 1966; MADIGAN - 1968; THE SWEET RIDE - 1968; THE AMAZING CAPTAIN NEMO - 1978; STROKER ACE - 1983; SAMURAI COP - 1989; Hundreds of TV series episodes, including the original THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["Dead Man's Shoes" - 1962] and THE OUTER LIMITS ["Keeper Of The Purple Twilight" - 1964]) - 03/27/12
GARY WALBERG (Actor: THE MALTESE BIPPY - 1969; THE CHALLENGE - 1970; THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS! - 1970; THE ORGANIZATION - 1971; KING KONG - 1976; TWO-MINUTE WARNING - 1976; THE SPIRIT - 1987; Probably best known as "Lt. Frank Monahan" on the QUINCY M.E. TV Series - 1976-1983) - 03/27/12
NEIL TRAVIS (Film Editor: THE TRAVELING EXECUTIONER - 1970 [Debut]; THEY CALL IT MURDER - 1971; THE COWBOYS - 1972; MEN OF THE DRAGON - 1974; JAWS 2 - 1978; HOT STUFF - 1979; CUJO - 1983; THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT - 1984; DANCES WITH WOLVES - 1990; OUTBREAK - 1995; TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES - 2003) - 03/28/12
LUKE ASKEW (Actor: COOL HAND LUKE - 1967; EASY RIDER - 1969; ANGEL UNCHAINED - 1970; PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID - 1973; WALKING TALL PART II - 1975; ROLLING THUNDER - 1977; WANDA NEVADA - 1979; THE BEAST WITHIN - 1982; THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERESS - 1984; BULLETPROOF - 1988; DUNE WARRIORS - 1991; FRAILTY - 2001) - 03/29/12
JAMAA FANAKA (Truly One-Of-A-Kind Director/Producer/Writer: SOUL VENGEANCE - 1975 [One of the very few times you will see a man strangle someone with his ever-growing penis!]; EMMA MAE - 1976; PENITENTIARY - 1979; PENITENTIARY II - 1982; PENINTENTIARY III - 1987; STREET WARS - 1992) - 04/01/12
RIKIYA YASUOKA (Actor: EXECUTIONER - 1974; THE GREAT CHASE - 1975; ROARING FIRE - 1982; DEATH SHADOW - 1986; THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II - 1989; BLACK RAIN - 1989; DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA - 1992) - 04/08/12
BARRY CAHILL (Actor: HANG 'EM HIGH - 1968; DADDY'S GONE A-HUNTING - 1969; ...tick...tick...tick - 1970; THE GROUNDSTAR CONSPIRACY - 1972; COFFY - 1973; THE STONE KILLER - 1973; THE BIG RIP-OFF - 1975; GRAND THEFT AUTO - 1977; WHEN YOU COMUN' BACK, RED RYDER? - 1979) - 04/09/12
GRANT TILLY (Actor: TREASURE OF THE YANKEE ZEPHYR - 1981; BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT - 1982; NATE AND HAYES - 1983; THE RETURNING - 1990; 30 DAYS OF NIGHT - 2007) - 04/10/12
JONATHAN FRID (Actor: Best known for playing "Barnabas Collins" in the DARK SHADOWS afternoon supernatural soap opera - 1967-1971; HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS - 1970; THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER - 1973; SEIZURE [Director Oliver Stone's debut film]; Cameo in Director Tim Burton's DARK SHADOWS remake movie - 2012) - 04/13/12
MARILYN LOVELL (Singer/Actress: THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA - 1971; THE FOLKS AT RED WOLF INN - 1972 [Heard on soundtrack several times as a singer]]; SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM - 1973 [Heard on the music soundtrack]; GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI - 1996) - 04/13/12
WILLIAM FINLEY (Actor [Favorite of directors Brian De Palma and Tobe Hooper]: MURDER A LA MOD - 1968; SISTERS - 1973; PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE - 1974; EATEN ALIVE - 1977; THE FURY - 1978; THE FUNHOUSE - 1981; SILENT RAGE - 1982; NIGHT TERRORS - 1995) - 04/14/12
PAUL BOGART (Director: TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1959; JOHNNY BELINDA - 1967; MARLOWE - 1969; HALLS OF ANGER - 1970; SKIN GAME - 1971; MR. RICCO - 1975; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1975-1979 [Directed 97 Episodes!]; OH, GOD! YOU DEVIL - 1984; THE CANTERVILLE GHOST - 1986) - 04/15/12
DICK CLARK (Host/Producer/Actor: AMERICAN BANDSTAND - 1956-1987; KILLERS THREE - 1968; WILD IN THE STREETS - 1968; PSYCH-OUT - 1968; THE SAVAGE SEVEN - 1968; THE WEREWOLF OF WOODSTOCK - 1975; THE DARK - 1979; MURDER IN TEXAS - 1981; THE DEMON MURDER CASE - 1983; THE POWER 1984; CATCHFIRE - 1990; DEATH DREAMS - 1991; I don't think people know how different TV would be without the presence of Dick Clark. He was a true innovator.) - 04/18/12
ROBERT O. RAGLAND ( Film Composer: THE BABYSITTER - 1969 [Debut}; THE TOUCH OF SATAN - 1971; THE THING WITH TWO HEADS - 1972; THE DARING DOBERMANS - 1973; ABBY - 1974; GRIZZLY - 1976; MANSION OF THE DOOMED - 1976; THE FORCE BEYOND - 1978; THE GLOVE - 1979 JAGUAR! - 1979; LOVELY BUT DEADLY - 1981; Q - 1982; 10 TO MIDNIGHT - 1983; HYSTERICAL - 1983; EVILS OF THE NIGHT - 1984; THE SUPERNATURALS - 1986; DEEP SPACE - 1988; PLATO'S RUN - 1997; THE FEAR: RESURRECTION - 1999) - 04/18/12
LEVON HELM (Musician [One of the original members of "The Band"]/Actor: BEST REVENGE - 1984; FIRE DOWN BELOW - 1997; SHOOTER - 2007; IN THE ELECTRIC MIST - 2009) - 04/19/12
PETER CARSTEN (Actor: GIRL FROM HONG KONG - 1961; A STUDY IN TERROR - 1965; THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM - 1966; THE VENGEANCE OF FU MANCHU - 1967; DARK OF THE SUN - 1968; AND GOD SAID TO CAIN - 1970; WEB OF THE SPIDER - 1971; MANHUNT - 1977; THE SQUEEZE - 1978) - 04/20/12
WALTER MATTHEWS (Actor: THE NAKED KISS - 1964; BEYOND REASON - 1977; TO KILL A COP - 1978; SHE'S DRESSED TO KILL - 1979; ALCATRAZ: THE WHOLE SHOCKING STORY - 1980; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; CANNERY ROW - 1982; MISSION KILL - 1986) - 04/28/12
PATRICIA MEDINA (Actress: ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN THE FOREIGN LEGION - 1950; ALADDIN AND HIS LAMP - 1952; PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE - 1954; MR. ARKADIN - 1955; THE BEAST OF HOLLOW MOUNTAIN - 1956; SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES - 1961; THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE - 1968; LATITUDE ZERO - 1969; TIMBER TRAMPS - 1975) - 04/28/12
JOEL GOLDSMITH ( TV & Film Composer: AUDITIONS - 1978; LASERBLAST - 1978; ISLAND OF BLOOD - 1982; THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS - 1983; BANZAI RUNNER - 1987; WATCHERS - 1988; MOON 44 - 1990; ENDLESS DESCENT - 1990; BROTHERHOOD OF THE GUN - 1991; MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE - 1993; MAN'S BEST FRIEND - 1993; RATTLED - 1996; VAMPIRELLA - 1996; KULL THE CONQUEROR - 1997; HAUNTING SARAH - 2005; WAR OF THE DEAD - 2011) - 04/29/12
GEORGE MURDOCK (Character Actor Supreme: GUNN - 1967; THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971; A HOWLING IN THE WOODS - 1971; THE MACK - 1973; CRY RAPE - 1973; THE DEATH SQUAD - 1974; WILLIE DYNAMITE - 1974; THOMASINE & BUSHROD - 1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974; BREAKER! BREAKER! - 1977; THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - 1977; ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN - 1980; THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER - 1982; CERTAIN FURY - 1985; RETRIBUTION - 1987; STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER - 1989; THE X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE - 1998; Hundreds of TV Series roles, including an occurring appearance as "Lt. Ben Scanlon" on BARNEY MILLER - 1976-1982) - 04/30/12
CHARLOTTE MITCHELL (Actress: VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED - 1960; BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW - 1971; OUT OF THE DARKNESS - 1985) - 05/02/12
JAMES ISAAC (Director: THE HORROR SHOW - 1989; JASON X - 2001; SKINWALKERS - 2006; PIG HUNT - 2008; He died much, much too young) - 05/06/12
GEORGE "GOOBER" LINDSEY (Actor: ENSIGN PULVER - 1964; SNOWBALL EXPRESS - 1972; CHARLEY AND THE ANGEL - 1973; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1984; Best known as "Goober Pyle" on the TV Series THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1964-1968 and MAYBERRY R.F.D. - 1968-1971) - 05/06/12
YALE SUMMERS (Actor: MAD DOG CALL - 1961; THE AMAZING CAPTAIN NEMO - 1978; Too many TV appearances to mention, including the episode "Second Chance" on the original THE OUTER LIMITS - 1964; Also produced the televised SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS until 2009.) - 05/06/12
RUTH FOSTER (Actress: CYBORG 2087 - 1966; DIMENSION 5 - 1966) - 05/12/12
RICHARD RABAGO (Martial Artist/Actor: TIME BURST: THE FINAL ALLIANCE - 1989; KARATE WARS - 1989; THE MASTER DEMON - 1991; OUT FOR BLOOD - 1992; FULL IMPACT - 1993; MAGIC KID II - 1994; POCKET NINJAS - 1997; REDEMPTION - 2002) - 05/18/12
JANET CARROLL (Actress: THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE - 1986; THE KILLING TIME - 1987; THE PLATINUM TRIANGLE - 1989; FAMILY BUSINESS - 1989; TIMEMASTER - 1995; THE OMEGA CODE - 1999; ENOUGH - 2002; THE ART OF WAR III: RETRIBUTION - 2009) - 05/22/12
LEE RICH (Producer [co-founder of Lorimar Television]: DO NOT FOLD, SPINDLE OR MUTILATE - 1971; PURSUIT - 1972; DYING ROOM ONLY - 1973; DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK - 1973; THE STRANGER WITHIN - 1974; BAD RONALD - 1974; HELTER SKELTER - 1976; THE CHOIRBOYS - 1977; KILLJOY - 1981; HARD TO KILL - 1990; INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992; PASSENGER 57 - 1992; GLORIA - 1999) - 05/24/12
BILL WOHRMAN (Actor: MASTERBLASTER - 1987; THE OPPONENT - 1988; COCOON: THE RETURN - 1988; PRIMAL RAGE - 1988; NIGHTMARE BEACH - 1989; KILLER CROCODILE - 1989) - 05/28/12
MATTHEW YURICICH (Special Effects Technician: ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT - 1961; THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE - 1972; LOST HORIZON - 1973; SOYLENT GREEN - 1973; WESTWORLD - 1973; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974; LOGAN'S RUN - 1976; DAMNATION ALLEY - 1977; CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND - 1977; BLADE RUNNER - 1982; V - 1983; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984; 2010 - 1984; FRIGHT NIGHT - 1985; SOLARBABIES - 1986; THE MONSTER SQUAD - 1987; DIE HARD - 1988; HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE MARLBORO MAN - 1991) - 05/28/12
CHRISTOPHER CHALLIS (British Cinematographer: SINK THE BISMARCK! - 1960; A SHOT IN THE DARK - 1964; RETURN FROM THE ASHES - 1965; THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1970; VILLAIN - 1971; THE DEEP - 1977; S.O.S. TITANIC - 1979; THE MIRROR CRACK'D - 1980; EVIL UNDER THE SUN - 1982; TOP SECRET! - 1984) - 05/31/12
KATHRYN JOOSTEN (Actress: THE PACKAGE - 1989; BEST MEN - 1997; PHOENIX - 1998; DARK MIND - 2006; MEGA PYTHON VS. GATOROID - 2011; Best known as "Delores Landingham" on THE WEST WING - 1999-2002 and "Karen McCluskey" on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2005-2012) - 06/02/12
RICHARD DAWSON (TV Game Show Host/Actor: MUNSTER GO HOME - 1966; THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE - 1968; Even though he's mostly remembered for his role as "Cpl. Peter Newkirk" on HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965-1972 and the Host of FAMILY FEUD - 1976-1985 [where he kissed every female panelist, earning him the nickname "The Kissing Bandit"], his dramatic performance as the egotistical take-no-prisoners game show host "Damon Killian" in the film THE RUNNING MAN [1987], should have opened more dramatic roles for him [He's simply unforgettable]. The role was iconic and would fit perfectly on Reality TV today. Unfortunately, it was his last acting performance.) - 06/02/12
STAN JOLLEY (Art Director/Production Designer/Producer: THE PHYNX - 1970; CITY BENEATH THE SEA - 1971; NIGHT OF THE LEPUS - 1972; WALKING TALL - 1973; TERROR IN THE WAX MUSEUM - 1973; JACK THE RIPPER GOES WEST - 1974; FRAMED - 1975; THE SWARM - 1978; TAPS - 1981; WITNESS - 1985) - 06/04/12
CAROLINE JOHN ( Actress: ASSASSIN - 1973; LINK - 1986; THE WOMAN IN BLACK - 1989; THE ZERO IMPERATIVE - 1994; P.R.O.B.E.: THE DEVIL OF WINTERBORNE - 1995; P.R.O.B.E.: GHOSTS OF WINTERBORNE - 1996; UNNATURAL SELECTION - 1996) - 06/05/12
RAY BRADBURY (Novelist/Screenwriter {One of the most legendary Sci-Fi/Horror writers of the 20th Century]: IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1953; THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS - 1953; FAHRENHEIT 451 - 1966; THE ILLUSTRATED MAN - 1969; THE SCREAMING WOMAN - 1972; THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES - 1980; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983; Host/Writer for THE RAY BRADBURY THEATER - 1985-1992) - 06/05/12
FRANK CADY (Actor: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE - 1951; THE ATOMIC CITY - 1952; THE BAD SEED - 1956; 7 FACES OF DR. LAO - 1964; Best known as "Sam Drucker" on three 60's TV sitoms: THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1968-1970, PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1963-1970 and GREEN ACRES - 1965-1971) - 06/08/12
ANN RUTHERFORD (Actress: GONE WITH THE WIND - 1939; THE GHOST COMES HOME - 1940; WHISTLING IN THE DARK - 1941; BERMUDA MYSTERY - 1944; MURDER IN THE MUSIC HALL - 1946; THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY - 1947; THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS - 1972) - 06/11/12
GEORGE LEECH (Stuntman/Actor [Worked as stuntman or stunt arranger on eleven James Bond films, beginning with DR. NO in 1962 and ending with A VIEW TO A KILL in 1985.]: KISS THE GIRLS AND MAKE THEM DIE - 1966; PUPPET ON A CHAIN - 1971; THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN - 1976; THE WILD GEESE - 1978; SUPERMAN - 1978; FFOLKES - 1979; THE PASSAGE - 1979; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980) - 06/17/12
VICTOR SPINETTI (Actor: HELP! - 1965; MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR - 1967; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME - 1970; DEFEAT OF THE MAFIA - 1970; DIGBY, THE BIGGEST DOG IN THE WORLD - 1973; THE KRAYS - 1990) - 06/18/12
BRIAN HIBBARD (Musician/Actor [Was once a member of The Flying Pickets, an Acappella group that had a number one UK hit single: 'Only You' in 1983.]: TWIN TOWN - 1997; REVOLVER - 2005) - 06/18/12
ANTHONY BATE (Actor: ACT OF MURDER - 1964; GHOST STORY - 1974; ICEBOUND IN THE ANTARCTIC - 1982; EMINENT DOMAIN - 1990; Hundreds of British TV Series Episodes) - 06/19/12
ANDREW SARRIS (Film Critic/Historian/Author {One of the most influential film critics in the United States]: Although he was very opininiated and sometimes very cruel to film directors, producers and actors, he never pulled any punches. He is one of the reasons I became a film critic. I can't hold a candle to his writing style (and fantastic barbs), but he has a special place in my heart. Goodbye, dear friend, even though we never met [He would have probably slapped me in the face if I ever said that to him in person].) - 06/20/12
JUAN LUIS GALIARDO (Actor: COMMANDO ATTACK - 1968; AUTOPSY - 1973; THE DEADLY TRIANGLE - 1973; ORDER TO ASSASSINATE - 1975; INQUISITION - 1976; GUYANA: CULT OF THE DAMNED - 1979; ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN - 1995; Nearly 170 more Spanish/Mexican films that never made it to the United States.) - 06/22/12
DORIS SINGLETON (Actress: TERROR AT MIDNIGHT - 1956; VOICE IN THE MIRROR - 1958; DEADLY MESSAGES - 1985; Hundreds of TV Series appearances) - 06/26/12
MARIO O'HARA (Filipino Director/Writer/Actor: MORTAL - 1976; CONDEMNED - 1984; TERROR - 1999; DEMONS - 2000) - 06/26/12
NORA EPHRON (Director/Producer/Writer: SILKWOOD - 1983; COOKIE - 1989; MY BLUE HEAVEN - 1990 [a laugh riot]; MICHAEL - 1996; BEWITCHED - 2005 [a low point in her career]) - 06/26/12
DON GRADY (Actor/Music Composer: MA BARKER'S KILLER BROOD - 1960; THE WILD McCULLOCHS - 1975; Best known as "Robbie Douglas" on the long-running TV Series MY THREE SONS - 1960-1971 [356 Episodes!]) - 06/27/12
TAKEO CHII (Actor: LADY SNOWBLOOD - 1973; THE YOUTH KILLER - 1976; NEW FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: SPECIAL CELLBLOCK X - 1977; ANGEL GUTS: NAMI - 1979; MOON MASK RIDER - 1982; BEE BOP HIGH SCHOOL - 1985 [and its many sequels - 1986-1988]; DEATH SHADOW - 1986) - 06/29/12
ANDY GRIFFITH (Actor: Known basically for his roles as Sheriff Andy Taylor on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1960-1968 and lawyer Ben Matlock on MATLOCK - 1986-1995, Griffith first gained audience attention in the film A FACE IN THE CROWD - 1957 and also appeared in many good TV Movies, including THE STRANGER IN 7A - 1972; PRAY FOR THE WILDCATS - 1974; WINTER KILL - 1974; SAVAGES - 1974; STREET KILLING - 1976; THE GIRL IN THE EMPTY GRAVE - 1977; DEADLY GAME - 1977; MURDER IN TEXAS - 1981; THE DEMON MURDER CASE - 1983; FATAL VISION - 1984; and a hilarious theatrical role as "General Rancor" in SPY HARD - 1996. Another TV icon bites the dust.) - 07/03/12
ERIC SYKES (Actor: THE SPY WITH A COLD NOSE - 1966; SHALAKO - 1968; THEATRE OF BLOOD - 1973; THE OTHERS - 2001; HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE - 2005) - 07/04/12
ISUZU YAMADA (Japanese Actress: THRONE OF BLOOD - 1957; THE SPELL OF THE HIDDEN GOLD - 1958; YOJIMBO - 1961; THE SHOGUN'S SAMURAI - 1978) - 07/09/12
DOLPHY (Filipino Actor/Comedian [considered a national treasure in the Philippines]: DRAKULA GOES TO R.P. - 1973; DOLPHY'S ANGELS - 1980; THE QUICK BROWN FOX - 1980; THE BEST IN THE WEST - 1981; BLACK MAGIC - 1987; ACTION IS NOT MISSING - 1987; Literally hundreds of other films) - 07/10/12
SAGE STALLONE (Actor Son of Sylvester Stallone and Co-Owner of Grindhouse Releasing: ROCKY V - 1990; THE EVIL INSIDE ME - 1993; DAYLIGHT - 1996; REFLECTIONS OF EVIL - 2002; CHAOS - 2005; MOSCOW ZERO - 2006) - 07/13/12
RICHARD D. ZANUCK (Film Producer: SSSSSSS - 1973; WILLIE DYNAMITE - 1974; THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS - 1974; JAWS - 1975; THE ISLAND - 1980; THE VERDICT - 1982; COCOON - 1985; MULHOLLAND DRIVE - 1996; DEEP IMPACT - 1998; PLANET OF THE APES - 2001; DARK SHADOWS - 2012) - 07/13/12
DON BRINKLEY (TV Writer/Producer: VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1965-1966; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967-1968; MANNIX - 1970; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1979-1986) - 07/14/12
CELESTE HOLM (Actress: ALL ABOUT EVE - 1950; THE UNDERGROUND MAN - 1974; DEATH CRUISE - 1974; THE PRIVATE FILES OF J. EDGAR HOOVER - 1977; MIDNIGHT LACE - 1981; THIS GIRL FOR HIRE - 1983; MURDER BY THE BOOK - 1987; Hundreds of TV Series appearances) - 07/15/12
WILLIAM ASHER (Director/Producer/Writer: THE 27TH DAY - 1957; JOHNNY COOL - 1963; BEACH BLANKET BINGO - 1965; FIREBALL 500 - 1966; NIGHT WARNING - 1981 [a must for all horror fans!]; Hundreds of TV Series episodes) - 07/16/12
MORGAN PAULL (Actor: DIRTY O'NEIL - 1974; MURPH THE SURF - 1975; MITCHELL - 1975; THE KANSAS CITY MASSACRE - 1975; THE LAST HARD MEN - 1976; KISS ME, KILL ME - 1976; TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING - 1977; THE SWARM - 1978; THE FANTASTIC SEVEN - 1979; FADE TO BLACK - 1980; BLADE RUNNER - 1982; UNCLE SAM - 1996) - 07/17/12
SIMON WARD (Actor: FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED - 1969; QUEST FOR LOVE - 1971; BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 1974; DEADLY STRANGERS - 1976; HOLOCAUST 2000 - 1977; DOMINIQUE - 1979; THE MONSTER CLUB - 1981; SUPERGIRL - 1984) - 07/20/12
TONY EPPER (Actor/Stuntman: BAD GEORGIA ROAD - 1977; CUTTER'S WAY - 1981; THE BEASTMASTER - 1982; RUNAWAY TRAIN - 1985; THE HITCHER - 1986; ALIEN FROM L.A. - 1988; KID - 1990; NOWHERE TO RUN - 1993; EXCESSIVE FORCE - 1993) - 07/20/12
FRANK PIERSON (Director/Producer/Writer: CAT BALLOU - 1965; COOL HAND LUKE - 1967; THE ANDERSON TAPES - 1971; DOG DAY AFTERNOON - 1975; KING OF THE GYPSIES - 1976; CITIZEN COHN - 1992) - 07/22/12
SHERMAN HEMSLEY (Actor: Best known as "George Jefferson", first on ALL IN THE FAMILY and then in the popular spin-off THE JEFFERSONS [1975 - 1985]; LOVE AT FIRST BITE - 1979; STEWARDESS SCHOOL - 1986; GHOST FEVER - 1987; CLUB FED - 1990) - 07/24/12
CHAD EVERETT (Actor: JOURNEY TO MIDNIGHT - 1968; THE INTRUDER WITHIN - 1981; THUNDERBOAT ROW - 1989; HEROES STAND ALONE - 1989; THE JIGSAW MURDERS - 1989; OFFICIAL DENIAL - 1994; PSYCHO - 1998; MULHOLLAND DR. - 2001; Hundreds of TV series episodes, including his own starring role in the popular MEDICAL CENTER [1969 - 1976]) - 07/24/12
MARY TAMM (Actress: TALES THAT WITNESS MADNESS - 1973; THE ODESSA FILE - 1974; THREE KINDS OF HEAT - 1987; AMAZONS AND GLADIATORS - 2001; DOGHOUSE - 2009; Played "Romana" on the British DR. WHO series from 1978 - 1979) - 07/26/12
LUPE ONTIVEROS (Actress: THE BIG FIX - 1978; THE BORDER - 1982; THE GOONIES - 1985; THE ROSARY MURDERS - 1987; DOLLY DEAREST - 1991; UNIVERSAL SOLDIER - 1992; CANDYMAN: DAY OF THE DEAD - 1999; DARK MIRROR - 2007) - 07/26/12
RUSS MAYBERRY (TV Director: THE JESUS TRIP - 1971 [a rare theatrical release]; PROBE - 1972; A VERY MISSING PERSON - 1972; FER-DE-LANCE - 1974; STONESTREET: WHO KILLED THE CENTERFOLD MODEL? - 1977; THE 3,000 MILE CHASE - 1977; ROOSTER - 1982; Mayberry was also a much-in-demand Series TV director, directing episodes of KOJAK; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN; THE BRADY BUNCH; IRONSIDE; McCLOUD; MARCUS WELBY M.D.; HARRY O; THE ROCKFORD FILES; THE FALL GUY; MAGNUM P.I.; and many, many others. A true loss to Television.) - 07/27/12
NORMAN ALDEN (Actor: THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1963; THE PATSY - 1964; RED LINE 7000 - 1965; THE WILD ANGELS - 1966; KILLERS THREE - 1968; THE TRACKERS - 1971; BEN - 1972; KANSAS CITY BOMBERS - 1972; CRY PANIC - 1974; TERROR ON THE 40TH FLOOR - 1974; SAMURAI - 1979; BORDERLINE - 1980; BACK TO THE FUTURE - 1985; THEY LIVE - 1988; CUTTING CLASS - 1989; ED WOOD - 1994; Literally hundreds of TV Series episodes, dating back to the 1950's and ending in 2006) - 07/27/12
GEOFFREY HUGHES (Actor: THE VIRGIN SOLDIERS - 1969; THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW - 1971; INN OF THE FRIGHTENED PEOPLE - 1971; TIFFANY JONES - 1973; FLICK - 2008) - 07/27/12
JOHN FINNEGAN (Actor: SAVAGE - 1973; TERROR ON THE 40TH FLOOR - 1974; CAPONE - 1975; CONSPIRACY OF TERROR - 1975; GLORIA - 1980; REHEARSAL FOR MURDER - 1982; THE NATURAL - 1984; SCHOOL SPIRIT - 1985; SPELLBINDER - 1988; BIG MAN ON CAMPUS - 1989; THE LAST OF THE FINEST - 1990; LAST ACTION HERO - 1993; MARS ATTACKS! - 1996) - 07/29/12
JONATHAN HARDY (Actor: MAD MAX - 1979; DEATH WARMED OVER - 1984; BLOODMOON - 1990; TUNNEL VISION - 1995; The voice of "Rygel XVI" on the FARSCAPE TV Series - 1999-2003; Nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing the screenplay to BREAKER MORANT - 1980) - 07/30/12
GORE VIDAL (Novelist/Screenwriter: I ACCUSE! - 1958; DARK POSSESSION - 1959; MYRA BRECKINRIDGE - 1970; CALIGULA - 1979) - 07/31/12
METIN ERKSAN (Turkish Director: SEYTAN - 1974 [also referred to as the "Turkish Exorcist"]; A SUICIDE - 1975; A HORRIBLE TRAIN - 1975) - 08/04/12
JUDITH CRIST (Influential Film Reviewer: She wrote thousands of film reviews. I always looked forward to her reviews of films being shown on TV when she wrote for TV GUIDE in the 1960's & 1970's. I kept many of her TV reviews in scrapbooks since I was a kid. She had a killer sense of humor and wasn't afraid to call a turd a turd. Surprisingly, she liked many TV movies of the 70's, which only made me want to see them more.) - 08/07/12
AL FREEMAN JR. (Actor: BLACK LIKE ME - 1964; ENSIGN PULVER - 1964; THE DETECTIVE - 1968; CASTLE KEEP - 1969; PERRY MASON RETURNS - 1985; SEVEN HOURS TO JUDGMENT - 1988) - 08/09/12
MEL STUART (Director: WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 1971; BRENDA STARR - 1976; MEAN DOG BLUES - 1978; His real love was directing documentaries [over 40 since 1961]) - 08/09/12
CARLO RAMBALDI (Special Effects & Makeup Master: PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES - 1965; BLOODY PIT OF HORROR - 1965; A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN - 1971; BAY OF BLOOD - 1971; THE FRENCH SEX MURDERS - 1972; FRANKENSTEIN 80 - 1972; ANDY WARHOL'S FRANKENSTEIN - 1973; ANDY WARHOL'S DRACULA - 1974; DEEP RED - 1975; KING KONG - 1976; ALIEN - 1979; POSSESSION - 1981; E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL - 1982; DUNE - 1984; KING KONG LIVES - 1986; PRIMAL RAGE - 1988) - 08/10/12
RON PALILLO (Actor: Best known as "Arnold Horshack" on WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1975-1979; SKATETOWN, U.S.A. - 1979; THE INVISIBLE WOMAN - 1983; SURF II - 1984; FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES - 1986; SNAKE EATER - 1989; SNAKE EATER II: THE DRUG BUSTER - 1989; HELLGATE - 1990; COMMITTED - 1991; THE GUARDIANS - 2010) - 08/14/12
PHYLLIS THAXTER (Actress: WOMEN'S PRISON - 1955; MAN AFRAID - 1957; INCIDENT IN SAN FRANCISCO - 1971; SUPERMAN - 1978; Dozens of TV appearances, including ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS [6 Episodes - 1956-1960], THRILLER - 1961, THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1962 and THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR [3 episodes - 1963-1964]) - 08/14/12
BIFF ELLIOT (Actor: I, THE JURY - 1953; THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS - 1965; BLOOD BATH - 1966; DESTINATION INNER SPACE - 1966; THE DAY OF THE WOLVES - 1971; THE HARD RIDE - 1971; COOL BREEZE - 1972; THE WILD McCULLOGHS - 1975; BEYOND REASON - 1977; THE DARK - 1979) - 08/15/12
WILLIAM WINDOM (Charactor Actor Supreme: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - 1962; PRESCRIPTION: MURDER - 1968; THE DETECTIVE - 1968; THE GYPSY MOTHS - 1969; BREWSTER McCLOUD - 1970; ASSAULT ON THE WAYNE - 1971; THE MEPHISTO WALTZ - 1971; ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1971; A TASTE OF EVIL - 1971; THE MAN - 1972; PURSUIT - 1972; THE DAY THE EARTH MOVED - 1974; THE ABDUCTION OF SAINT ANNE - 1975; JOURNEY FROM DARKNESS - 1975; MEAN DOG BLUES - 1978; SIDE SHOW - 1981; LAST PLANE OUT - 1983; SPACE RAGE - 1985; STREET JUSTICE - 1987; DEAD AIM - 1987; FUNLAND - 1987; COMMITTED - 1991; ATTACK OF THE 50 FT. WOMAN - 1993; CHILDREN OF THE CORN: THE GATHERING - 1996; FUGITIVE X: INNOCENT TARGET - 1996; RAISING DEAD - 2002; DISMEMBERED - 2003; Literally hundreds of TV Series appearances, including starring roles in MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT - 1969-1970 and PARENTHOOD - 1990-1991) - 08/16/12
TONY SCOTT (Director/Producer [Died of apparent suicide by jumping off a bridge in Los Angeles; younger brother of director Ridley Scott]: THE HUNGER - 1983; TOP GUN - 1986; BEVERLY HILLS COP II - 1987; THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991; TRUE ROMANCE - 1993; THE FAN - 1996; ENEMY OF THE STATE - 1998; MAN ON FIRE - 2004; DOMINO - 2005; DEJA VU - 2006; THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 - 2009; UNSTOPPABLE - 2010) - 08/19/12
PHYLLIS DILLER (Comedienne/Actress: THE FAT SPY - 1966; MAD MONSTER PARTY - 1967; THE ADDING MACHINE - 1969; PINK MOTEL - 1982; DR. HACKENSTEIN - 1988; THE BONEYARD - 1991; THE SILENCE OF THE HAMS - 1994; THE DEBTORS - 1999; Hundreds of TV appearances, including her own show, THE PHYLLIS DILLER SHOW [a.k.a. THE PRUITTS OF SOUTHAMPTON] - 1966-1967) - 08/20/12
JEFFREY STONE (Actor: THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE - 1958; THE OUTER LIMITS [TV Episode "The Duplicate Man" - 1964]; Director of STRANGE PORTRAIT - 1966) - 08/22/12
STEVE FRANKEN (Actor: THE TIME TRAVELERS - 1964; WESTWORLD - 1973; THE REINCARNATION OF PETER PROUD - 1975; MURDER ON FLIGHT 502 - 1975; ANTS - 1977; AVALANCHE - 1978; TERROR OUT OF THE SKY - 1978; THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU - 1980; FREEWAY - 1988; TRANSYLVANIA TWIST - 1989; MUNCHIE STRIKES BACK - 1994; THE PANDORA PROJECT - 1998; THE OMEGA CODE - 1999; AGENT RED - 2000; EXTREME LIMITS - 2001; ANGELS & DEMONS - 2009) - 08/24/12
AURORA BAUTISTA (Actress: THE RIGHT TO BE BORN - 1966; GANGSTER'S LAW - 1969; IT HAPPENED AT NIGHTMARE INN - 1973) - 08/27/12
JOE LEWIS (Martial Artist/Stuntman/Actor: JAGUAR LIVES! - 1979; FORCE: FIVE - 1981; MR. X - 1995; BLOODMOON - 1997) - 08/31/12
MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN (Hulking actor who broke-out in THE GREEN MILE - 1999 and never looked back. He died at the age of 54 after suffering a heart attack on July 13, 2012. ARMAGEDDON - 1998; THE WHOLE NINE YARDS - 2000; PLANET OF THE APES - 2001; THE SCORPION KING - 2002; DAREDEVIL - 2003; PURSUED - 2004; SIN CITY - 2005; THE LAST MIMZY - 2007; TV Series regular on THE FINDER - 2012; Dozens of TV appearances and Video Game voiceover appearances) - 09/03/12
JOE SOUTH (Singer/Songwriter: His rendition of "Games People Play" got plenty of airtime in my house. It is still a favorite and the lyrics couldn't more truer today than they were in the early-70's) - 09/05/12
JAKE EBERTS (Producer: THE NAME OF THE ROSE - 1986; THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN - 1988; DANCES WITH WOLVES - 1990; NO ESCAPE - 1994; THE ILLUSIONIST - 2010) - 09/06/12
BERTIL NORSTROM (Actor: I AM CURIOUS YELLOW - 1967; SENSUOUS SORCERESS - 1970; PISTOL - 1973; PERSONA NON GRATA - 2008) - 09/06/12
LEIGH HAMILTON (Actress: A MAN, A WOMAN AND A BANK - 1979; FORCED VENGEANCE - 1982; MISSING PIECES - 1983; CODE OF VENGEANCE - 1985; HOCUS POCUS - 1993) - 09/08/12
STANLEY LONG (Director/Producer: NAUGHTY! - 1971; SEX THROUGH THE AGES - 1974; ADVENTURES OF A PRIVATE EYE - 1977; IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU - 1977; SCREAMTIME - 1986 [directed as "Al Beresford"]) - 09/10/12
LANCE LeGAULT (Excellent Character Actor: THE YOUNG RUNAWAYS - 1968; CATCH MY SOUL - 1974; COMA - 1978; NOWHERE TO RUN - 1978; DONNER PASS: THE ROAD TO SURVIVAL - 1978; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1979; FAST-WALKING - 1982; IRON EAGLE - 1986; KIDNAPPED - 1987; WELCOME TO SPRING BREAK - 1989; SHADOW FORCE - 1992; MIDNIGHT HEAT - 1996; DARK BREED - 1996; EXECUTIVE TARGET - 1997; SCORPIO ONE - 1998; Stuntmen - 2009; Dozens of TV appearances including a regular role on WEREWOLF - 1987-1988) - 09/10/12
TOMAS EVJEN (Norwegian Producer: DEAD SNOW - 2009) - 09/11/12
WINSTON REKERT (Actor: YOUR TICKET IS NO LONGER VALID - 1981; DEAD WRONG - 1983; ETERNAL EVIL - 1985; AGNES OF GOD - 1985; LAST STOP - 2000; MURDER AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL - 2000; SAVAGE ISLAND - 2005; NYC: TORNADO TERROR - 2008; PHANTOM RACER - 2009; Dozens of Canadian TV appearances) - 09/14/12
STEPHEN DUNHAM (Actor: THE MUMMY - 1999; TRAFFIC - 2000; GET SMART - 2008; SAVAGES - 2012; Died at age 48 of a heart attack.) - 09/14/12
JOHN INGLE (Actor: AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON - 1987; DEFENSE PLAY - 1988; HEATHERS - 1988; THE NEON EMPIRE - 1989; ROBOCOP 2 - 1990; REPOSSESSED - 1990; STEPFATHER III - 1992; DEATH BECOMES HER - 1992; SKEETER - 1993; BATMAN & ROBIN - 1997; Best known for his long-standing work on several TV sopa operas.) - 09/16/12
STEVE SABOL (Sports Filmmaker: Anytime you see an NFL film clip it was probably because of Steve Sabol, who co-founded NFL Films. The man bled football and he will be missed by every sportscaster and footbal fan in the world, even if audiences never heard of his name. An important date in sports history.) - 09/18/12
ANDY WILLIAMS (Singer: Even though he was a small part-time actor in the 50's & early 60's and had his own music hall in Branson, Missouri, his music has graced dozens of films, including THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN - 1972; WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER? - 1979; HEXED - 1993; SHALLOW GRAVE - 1994; DEAD PRESIDENTS - 1995; THE ZODIAC - 2005; LORD OF WAR - 2005) - 09/25/12
JOHNNY LEWIS (Actor: Killed his landlady by shooting her and then beating her repeatedly over the head with a baseball bat and then committed suicide by jumping off the roof of his landlady's house. ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM - 2007; ONE MISSED CALL - 2008; FELON - 2008; Was a regular on the SONS OF ANARCHY TV series, playing "Half Sack", until he left the series in 2009; 186 DOLLARS TO GET OUT - 2012) - 09/26/12
HERBERT LOM (Actor: While mainstream audiences may recoginize him as Chief Inspector Dreyfeus in most of the PINK PANTHER films [1964 - 1983] starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, true genre fans know him for his roles in MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - 1961; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1962; RETURN FROM THE ASHES - 1965; JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN - 1969; MARK OF THE DEVIL - 1970; COUNT DRACULA - 1970; DORIAN GRAY - 1970; MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE - 1971; ASYLUM - 1972; AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS - 1973; THE DEAD ZONE - 1983; SKELETON COAST - 1988; RIVER OF DEATH - 1989; MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH - 1989. He will be sorely missed. The man could be laugh-out loud funny as well as scary as hell. He was 95-years young.) - 09/27/12
MICHAEL O'HARE (Actor: THE PURSUIT OF D.B. COOPER - 1981; C.H.U.D. - 1984; INTO THIN AIR - 1985; THE TRIAL OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1989; THE AMBULANCE - 1990; BY A THREAD - 1990) - 09/28/12
TURHAN BEY (Actor: FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK - 1941; DRUMS OF THE CONGO - 1942; THE MUMMY'S TOMB - 1942; ARABIAN NIGHTS - 1942; THE MAD GHOUL - 1943; THE AMAZING MR. X - 1948; POSSESSED BY THE NIGHT - 1994; VIRTUAL COMBAT - 1995) - 09/30/12
HANK MOONJEAN (Producer/Second Unit Director: COOL HAND LUKE - 1967; CHILD'S PLAY - 1972; THE FORTUNE - 1975; HOOPER - 1978; THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN - 1981; SHARKY'S MACHINE - 1981; STROKER ACE - 1983) - 10/08/12
HARRIS SAVIDES (Cinematographer: HEAVEN'S PRISONERS - 1996; THE GAME - 1997; THE YARDS - 1999; ELEPHANT - 2003; BIRTH - 2004; ZODIAC - 2007; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007) - 10/09/12
LEO O'BRIEN (Actor: THE LAST DRAGON - 1985; RAPPIN' - 1985; NEW JACK CITY - 1991) - 10/10/12
ALEX KARRAS (Athlete/Actor: Best known as "Mongo" in BLAZING SHADOWS - 1974, where he punches-out a horse unconcious; HARDCASE - 1972; THE 500 POUND JERK - 1973; WIN, PLACE OR STEAL - 1975; FM - 1978; JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG - 1978; WHEN TIME RAN OUT - 1980; VICTOR VICTORIA - 1982; PORKY'S - 1982; AGAINST ALL ODDS - 1984; Star of the popular TV Series WEBSTER - 1983-1989; BUFFALO '66 - 1998) - 10/11/12
GARY COLLINS (Actor: QUARANTINED - 1970; AIRPORT - 1970; THE SIXTH SENSE [TV Series: 1972 - 1973]; HOUSTON, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM - 1974; ONLY A SCREAM AWAY - 1974; THE DOUBLE KILL - 1975; DIAL A DEADLY NUMBER - 1976; THE NIGHT THEY TOOK MISS BEAUTIFUL - 1977; STREETS OF HONG KONG - 1979; KILLER FISH - 1979; HANGAR 18 - 1980; Host of TV's HOUR MAGAZINE - 1980-1988; WATCHERS REBORN - 1998; Over 50 TV Series guest appearances as various characters and over 30 TV appearances as himself, usually as a panelist on game shows or TV specials like CIRCUS OF THE STARS or host of the MISS AMERICA PAGEANT [1985 - 1991]. Married to actress and former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley from 1967 to 2011.) - 10/13/12
SYLVIA KRISTEL (Actress: BECAUSE OF THE CATS - 1973; EMMANUELLE 1 to 4 - 1974-1984; THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979; THE NUDE BOMB - 1980; PRIVATE LESSONS - 1981; THE BIG BET - 1985; RED HEAT - 1985; DRACULA'S WIDOW - 1988) - 10/18/12
JOE MELIA (Actor: MODESTY BLAISE - 1966; OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR - 1969; SWEENEY! - 1977; THE SIGN OF FOUR - 1983) - 10/20/12
BOB BRUNNER (TV Writer/Producer: Wrote the famous "Jump The Shark" episode of HAPPY DAYS - 1974-1984 and forever changed what the phrase would mean. He was also credited for giving the Arthur Fonzarelli character, played by Henry Winkler, the nickname "Fonzie", so he is one of the unsung heroes of TV writing/producing. Also wrote/produced episodes of DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1978-1986 and several other TV sitcoms.) - 10/28/12
LEONARD TERMO (Actor: THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1974; YEAR OF THE DRAGON - 1985; TURK 182! - 1985; A PRAYER FOR THE DYING - 1987; HIDER IN THE HOUSE - 1989; MIDNIGHT CABERET - 1990; MOBSTERS - 1991; FIGHT CLUB - 1999) - 10/30/12
TERI SHIELDS (Actress/Producer: Mother of actress Brooke Shields; WANDA NEVADA - 1979; SARAHA - 1983; BACKSTREET DREAMS - 1990) - 10/31/12
GUAN SHAN (KWAN SHAN) Actor & Father of Rosamund Kwan: BRUTAL BOXER - 1972; THE SEVEN COFFINS - 1975; GODFATHERS OF FURY - 1982; A BETTER TOMORROW II - 1987; POLICE STORY 2 - 1988; EXECUTIONERS - 1993) - 11/01/12
AUSTIN WAI TIN-CHI (HUI TIEN-CHI) (Actor: THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN - 1978; AVENGING EAGLE - 1978; THREE AVENGERS - 1979; INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MASTER - 1979; HEROES SHED NO TEARS - 1980; FEARLESS HYENA 2 - 1983; THE BLADE - 1995; FLASH POINT - 2007)) - 11/04/12
CLIVE DUNN (Actor: THE MOUSE ON THE MOON - 1963; THE MINI-MOB - 1967; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969; THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU - 1980; Best known for portraying "LCpl. Jack Jones" on the long-running British TV Series DAD'S ARMY - 1968-1977) - 11/06/12
ROGER HAMMOND (Actor: BECAUSE OF THE CATS - 1973; ROYAL FLASH - 1975; QUEEN KONG - 1976; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1976; MORONS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1985; AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 2004) - 11/08/12
DEBORAH RAFFIN (Actress: NIGHTMARE IN BADHAM COUNTY - 1976; GOD TOLD ME TO - 1976; THE SENTINEL - 1977; SKI LIFT TO DEATH - 1978; MIND OVER MURDER - 1979; JUNGLE HEAT - 1983; GRIZZLY 2: THE PREDATOR - 1983; DEATH WISH 3 - 1985; SCANNERS II: THE NEW ORDER - 1991; Plenty of TV show appearances and TV Movies) - 11/21/12
DANN CAHN (Editor: THE PHYNX - 1970; BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1970; BLACK NOON - 1971; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978; BUD AND LOU - 1978; ANGEL CITY - 1980; THE OCTAGON - 1980; THE FIVE OF ME - 1981; TOUGH ENOUGH - 1983; BATES MOTEL - 1987; TARZAN IN MANHATTAN - 1989; JAKE SPANNER, PRIVATE EYE - 1989) - 11/21/12
JOSE LUIS BORAU (Director/Writer: POACHERS - 1975; LA SABINA - 1979; ON THE LINE - 1984; DEAR NANNY - 1986; LEO - 2000) - 11/23/12
TONY LEBLANC (Spanish Actor: TORREJON CITY - 1962; THE ASTRONAUT - 1970; TORRENTE, THE DUMB ARM OF THE LAW - 1998; TORRENTE 2: MISSION IN MARBELLA - 2001; TORRENTE 3: THE PROTECTOR - 2005; TORRENTE 4 - 2011) - 11/24/12
DINAH SHERIDAN (Actress: DARK SECRET - 1949; BLACKOUT - 1950; BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER - 1952; THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - 1970; THE THIRTEENTH REUNION - 1980; THE MIRROR CRACK'D - 1980) - 11/25/12
BOB KELLETT (British Director: SPACE: 1999 - 1975-1977; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? [Movie - 1977; TIGHTROPE TO TERROR - 1983) - 11/27/12
FREDERICK NEUMANN (Actor: WALKER - 1987; ASTONISHED - 1990; PRINCE OF TIDES - 1991; COMFORTABLY NUMB - 1995) - 11/27/12
DON RHYMER (Screenwriter: BANNER TIMES - 1993; CARPOOL - 1996; UNDER WRAPS - 1997; BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE - 2000; AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON - 2004; RIO - 2011) - 11/28/12
ALLEN JOSEPH (Actor: VIOLENT MIDNIGHT - 1963; THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA - 1971; PANIC ON THE 5:22 - 1974; MARATHON MAN - 1976; ERASERHEAD - 1978; POLICE STORY: A CRY FOR JUSTICE - 1979; RAGING BULL - 1980; SATURDAY THE 14TH - 1981) - 11/30/12
JOSE BENAZERAF (Director/Producer: THE CHAMBERMAID'S DREAM - 1971; NAKED SEX - 1973; BLACK LOVE - 1974; THE INFAMOUS HOUSE OF MADAME X - 1974; SS BORDELLO - 1978; VISIONS OF LUST - 1983; SHARP SHOOTERS - 1983; SEX RESORT - 1986; BACKDOOR TO PARIS - 1990) - 12/01/12
EILEEN MORAN (Visual Effects Producer: LAKE PLACID - 1999; FIGHT CLUB - 1999; THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy - 2001-2003; I, ROBOT - 2004; KING KONG - 2005; 30 DAYS OF NIGHT - 2007; JUMPER - 2008; DISTRICT 9 - 2009; RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - 2011; PROMETHEUS - 2012) - 12/03/12
ED GRADY (Actor: WOLFMAN - 1979; LADY GREY - 1980; D.A.R.Y.L. - 1985; FLORIDA STRAITS - 1987; UNMASKING THE IDOL - 1988; THE HANDMAID'S TALE - 1990; THE LOST CAPONE - 1990; NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER - 1991; NIGHT OF THE HUNTER - 1991; THE NIGHTMAN - 1992; CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE - 1992; DEADLY RELATIONS - 1993; CHILDREN OF THE CORN III: URBAN HARVEST - 1995; DEADLY PURSUITS - 1996; LOLITA - 1997) - 12/10/12
AXEL ANDERSON (Actor: FINGER ON THE TRIGGER - 1965; BATTLE OF THE BULGE - 1965; THE DELTA FACTOR - 1970; BANANAS - 1971; ASSASSINS - 1995; UNDERCURRENT - 1998; VANISHED - 2006; THE REAPING - 2007; THE CONDEMNED - 2012) - 12/16/12
DANNY STEINMANN (Director/Writer: HALLUCINATION GENERATION - 1966 [Actor, as "Danny Stone"]; HIGH RISE - 1973 [as "Danny Stone"]; THE UNSEEN - 1980 [as "Peter Foleg"]; SAVAGE STREETS - 1984; FRIDAY THE 13TH PART V: A NEW BEGINNING - 1985) - 12/16/12
CLIFF OSMOND (Actor: THE FORTUNE COOKIE - 1966; THE DEVIL'S 8 - 1969; SWEET SUGAR - 1972; INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS - 1973; THE FRONT PAGE - 1974; SHARK'S TREASURE - 1975; JOE PANTHER - 1976; THE GREAT BRAIN - 1978; HANGAR 18 - 1980; IN SEARCH OF A GOLDEN SKY - 1984; COPACABANA - 1985; FOR WHICH HE STANDS - 1996; Osmond also directed THE PENITENT - 1988 and BXX: HAUNTED - 2012, as well as appearing as a guest star on hundreds of TV series episodes) - 12/22/12
DON MEDFORD (TV Director: TALES OF TOMORROW - 1951-1953; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1955; CLIMAX! - 1957; SUSPICION - 1957-1958; M SQUAD - 1958-1959; THE DETECTIVES - 1959-1960; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1961-1963; TO TRAP A SPY [1964; Re-edited theatrical TV pilot of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.]; THE FUGITIVE - 1965-1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; INCIDENT IN SAN FRANCISCO - 1971; THE HUNTING PARTY [1971 - Theatrical]; THE ORGANIZATION [1971 - Theatrical]; POLICE STORY - 1975-1976; BARETTA - 1975-1978; THE CLONE MASTER - 1978; THE FALL GUY - 1983-1985; SOMETHING IS OUT THERE - 1988) - 12/22/12
JACK KLUGMAN (Actor: CRY TERROR! - 1968; TWILIGHT ZONE [TV Series: Four Episodes 1960-1963]; HAIL, MAFIA - 1965; THE DETECTIVE - 1968; THE SPLIT - 1968; THE ODD COUPLE [TV Series: 1970 - 1975]; QUINCY M.E. [TV Series: 1976 - 1983]; TWO MINUTE WARNING - 1976; ONE OF MY WIVES IS MISSING - 1976; Hundreds of TV Series appearances) - 12/24/12
CHARLES DURNING (Top-Notch Portly Character Actor [who started acting when he was forty years-old!]: HI, MOM - 1970; DOOMSDAY VOYAGE - 1972; DEADHEAD MILES - 1973; SISTERS - 1973; THE STING - 1973; THE FRONT PAGE - 1974; DOG DAY AFTERNOON - 1975; BREAKHEART PASS - 1975; THE HINDENBURG - 1975; TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING - 1977; THE CHOIRBOYS - 1977; THE FURY - 1978; THE MUPPET MOVIE - 1979; WHEN A STRANGER CALLS -1979; DIE LAUGHING - 1980; THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - 1980; TRUE CONFESSIONS - 1981; DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW - 1981; SHARKY'S MACHINE - 1981; TOOTSIE - 1982; THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS - 1982 {Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]; TO BE OR NOT TO BE - 1983 [Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]; STICK - 1985; STAND ALONE - 1985 [a rare leading role]; BIG TROUBLE - 1986; TOUGH GUYS - 1986; SOLARBABIES - 1986; THE ROSARY MURDERS - 1986; COP - 1988; BRENDA STARR - 1989; PRIME TARGET - 1989; CAT CHASER - 1989; FATAL SKY - 1990; DICK TRACY - 1990; V.I. WARSHAWSKI - 1991; WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK - 1993; THE HUDSUCKER PROXY - 1994; EVENING SHADE [TV Series: 1990 - 1994]; SPY HARD - 1996; RECON - 1996; SHELTER - 1998; HARD TIME - 1998 {a favorite of Burt Reynolds, Durning made a series of HARD TIME films with him]; JUSTICE - 1999; O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? - 2000; STATE AND MAIN - 2000; THE JUDGE - 2001; L.A.P.D. TO PROTECT AND SERVE - 2001; DEAD CANARIES - 2003; DEATH AND TEXAS - 2004; DIRTY DEEDS - 2005; DETECTIVE - 2005; DESPERATION - 2006; KINKY KILLERS - 2007; iMURDERS - 2008; DEAL - 2008; NAKED RUN - 2011; THE GREAT FIGHT - 2011; ROGUE ASSASSIN - 2012; Hundreds of TV Series appearances, including an Emmy-worthy performance on NCIS [2003 - Present] in 2004, but he didn't win. He also portrayed Denis Leary's father on RESCUE ME - 2004-2011, which also earned him an Emmy nomination [He was Emmy-nominated nine times, but never won]. In 2008, he was awarded the Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild as well as getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.) - 12/24/12
GERRY ANDERSON (Producer/Writer: SUPERCAR [TV Series: - 1961-1962]; FIREBALL XL5 [TV Series: - 1962-1963]; STINGRAY [TV Series: - 1964-1965]; THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO - 1966; THUNDERBIRDS [TV Series: 1965-1966]; CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS [TV Series: - 1967-1968]; THUNDERBIRD 6 - 1968; JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN - 1969; UFO [TV Series: - 1970-1973]; INVASION: UFO - 1974; THE PROTECTORS [TV Series: - 1972-1974; ALIEN ATTACK - 1976; JOURNEY THROUGH THE BLACK SUN - 1976; THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW - 1976; SPACE: 1999 [TV Series: - 1975-1977]; INVADERS FROM THE DEEP - 1981; COSMIC PRINCESS - 1983; TERRAHAWKS [TV Series: - 1983-1986]; DICK SPANNER P.I. - 1986; SPACE POLICE - 1986) - 12/26/12
HARRY CAREY JR. (Actor: RED RIVER - 1948; 3 GODFATHERS - 1948; MISTER ROBERTS - 1955; THE SEARCHERS - 1956; THE GREAT IMPOSTER - 1961; THE RARE BREED - 1966; BILLY THE KID VS. DRACULA - 1966; CYBORG 2087 - 1966; THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE - 1968; BANDOLERO! - 1968; DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER - 1969; THE MOONSHINE WAR - 1970; BIG JAKE - 1971; SOMETHING BIG - 1971; RUN, COUGAR, RUN - 1972; TAKE A HARD RIDE - 1975; THE LONG RIDERS - 1980; ENDANGERED SPECIES - 1982; GREMLINS - 1984; MASK - 1985; UFORIA - 1985; CHERRY 2000 - 1987; ILLEGALLY YOURS - 1988; CROSSBOW: THE MOVIE - 1989; THE EXORCIST III - 1990; BAD JIM - 1990; BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III - 1990; THE SUNCHASER - 1996; Hundreds of TV appearances) - 12/27/12
MIKE HOPKINS (Oscar-Winning Sound Editor: THE LAST GRENADE - 1970; DOOMWATCH - 1972; HORROR HOSPITAL - 1973; SUPERMAN - 1978; BLADE RUNNER - 1982; THE HUNGER - 1983; DEATH WARMED OVER - 1984; DEAD ALIVE - 1992; HEAVENLY CREATURES - 1994; THE FRIGHTENERS - 1996; ABERRATION - 1997; THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy - 2001-2003; KING KONG - 2005; TRANSFORMERS - 2007; PUBLIC ENEMIES - 2009) - 12/30/12
COUNCIL CARGLE (Actor: DETROIT 9000 - 1973; WORD OF HONOR - 1981; JACKIE BROWN - 1997; THE ELEVATOR - 2001) - 01/02/13
NED WERTIMER (Actor: SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS - 1964; C.C. AND COMPANY - 1970; SECOND CHANCE - 1972; BAD COMPANY - 1972; YOU'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN - 1973; THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1975; THE PACK - 1977; PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END - 2007; Hundreds of TV series appearances. He was probably best known as Ralph the Doorman on THE JEFFERSONS - 1975-1984) - 01/02/13
TONY LIP (Actor: RAGING BULL - 1980; THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1984; YEAR OF THE DRAGON - 1985; LAST RITES - 1988; LOCK UP - 1989; GOODFELLAS - 1990; INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992; DONNY BRASCO - 1997; ALL IN - 2006; THE SOPRANOS [TV Series: 2001 -2007]; STILETTO - 2008) - 01/04/13
MARTHA GREENHOUSE (Actress: THE GROUP - 1966; UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE - 1967; GOING APE - 1970; BANANAS - 1971; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1975; TOMORROW NIGHT - 1998; Leader for SAG and AFTRA for more than four decades) - 01/04/13
BARBARA WERLE (Actress: BATTLE OF THE BULGE - 1965; THE RARE BREED - 1966; SECONDS - 1966; VALLEY OF MYSTERY - 1967; KRAKATOA: EAST OF JAVA - 1969; CHARRO! - 1969; GONE WITH THE WEST - 1975; PERILOUS VOYAGE - 1976) - 01/05/13
T.S. COOK (Writer: THE CHINA SYNDROME - 1979; WE'RE FIGHTING BACK - 1981; RED FLAG: THE ULTIMATE GAME - 1981; ATTACK ON FEAR - 1984; OUT OF THE DARKNESS - 1985; NIGHTBREAKER - 1989; HIGH DESERT KILL - 1989; IN THE LINE OF DUTY: STREET WAR - 1992; TEXAS JUSTICE - 1995; THE HIVE - 2008; NYC: TORNADO TERROR - 2008) - 01/05/13
DAVID R. ELLIS (Director/Stuntman: FINAL DESTINATION 2 - 2003 [one of the best car/truck/motorcycle wrecks in film history, in my opinion]; CELLULAR - 2004; SNAKES ON A PLANE - 2006; ASYLUM - 2008; THE FINAL DESTINATION - 2009; SHARK NIGHT 3D - 2011; Over 75 films as a stuntman or Stunt Coordinator, including ROADHOUSE - 1989; WARLOCK - 1989; DAYS OF THUNDER - 1990; MISERY - 1990 and SLIVER - 1993. He was 60 years-old and no cause of death was given. He was found dead in his hotel room in South Africa while preparing for his latest film KITE.) - 01/07/13
BILLE BROWN (Actor: BLACK AND WHITE - 2002; DIRTY DEEDS - 2002; BLACKJACK: IN THE MONEY - 2005; DYING BREED - 2008; 3 ACTS OF MURDER - 2009; AT WORLD'S END - 2009; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER - 2010; KILLER ELITE - 2011) - 01/13/13
CONRAD BAIN (Actor: Best known as the adoptive father to Todd Bridges and Gary Coleman on the long-running TV series DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1978-1986, Bain also appeared in plenty of films, including MADIGAN - 1968; A LOVELY WAY TO DIE - 1968; COOGAN'S BLUFF - 1968; I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER - 1970; BANANAS - 1971; THE ANDERSON TAPES - 1971; WHO KILLED MARY WHATS'ERNAME? - 1971; A PLEASURE DOING BUSINESS - 1979; C.H.O.M.P.S. - 1979; CHILD BRIDE OF SHORT CREEK - 1981) - 01/14/13
NAGISA OSHIMA (Director/Writer: PLEASURES OF THE FLESH - 1965; VIOLENCE AT NOON - 1966; BAND OF NINJA - 1967; DEATH BY HANGING - 1968; THE CEREMONY - 1971; IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES - 1976; EMPIRE OF PASSION - 1978; MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE - 1983; TABOO - 1999) - 01/15/13
FRED J. LINCOLN (Actor/Porno Director/Producer: LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT - 1972; FLESHPOT ON 42ND STREET - 1973; CASE OF THE FULL MOON MURDERS - 1973; TEENAGE NURSES - 1974; THE DEFIANCE OF GOOD - 1975; DOMINATRIX WITHOUT MERCY - 1976; SOUPERMAN - 1976; DEFIANCE - 1980; MANEATERS - 1983; Lincoln, who directed more than 300 porno films and was considered one of the true adult film legends, was active in directing and acting until 2008) - 01/17/13
JEFF CAHILL (Actor: THE BLUES BROTHERS - 1980; THE SHADOW - 1994; CARJACK - 1996; Plenty of TV series, including DANGEROUS MINDS - 1996-1997; ER - 1998-1999; NYPD BLUE - 1999-2000; and PRISON BREAK - 2009; He was 44 years-old) - 01/18/13
ANDY COPP (Director/Producer/Writer/Actor: THE MUTILATION MAN - 1998; BLACK SUN - 2003; THE MANSON FAMILY - 2003; ATROCITY CIRCLE - 2005; FILTY MCNASTIEST: APOCALYPSE FUCK! - 2005; QUIET NIGHTS OF BLOOD AND PAIN - 2009; CURCH OF THE EYES -2013 [uncompleted]; Death by suicide) - 01/19/13
MICHAEL WINNER (Director: MURDER ON THE CAMPUS - 1961; SOME LIKE IT COOL - 1962; I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT'S'SNAME - 1967; THE NIGHTCOMERS - 1971; CHATO'S LAND - 1972; THE MECHANIC - 1972; SCORPIO - 1973; THE STONE KILLER - 1973; DEATH WISH - 1974; THE SENTINEL - 1977; THE BIG SLEEP - 1978; FIREPOWER - 1979; DEATH WISH II - 1982; SCREAM FOR HELP - 1984; DEATH WISH 3 - 1985; APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH - 1988; BULLSEYE! - 1990; DIRTY WEEKEND - 1993; He was also a well-respected food critic) - 01/21/13
JANICE KNICKREHM (Actress: HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS - 1995; INVASION OF PRIVACY - 1996; NOT IN THIS TOWN - 1997; SLC PUNK! - 1997; ABSENCE OF THE GOOD - 1999; THE HAUNTING OF MARSTEN MANOR - 2007) - 01/23/13
LLOYD PHILLIPS (Producer: WARLORDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY - 1982; NATE AND HAYES - 1983; TWELVE MONKEYS - 1995; THE EDGE - 1997; VERTICAL LIMIT - 2000; THE LEGEND OF ZORRO - 2005; THE INTERNATIONAL - 2009; INGLORIOUS BASTERDS - 2009; THE TOURIST - 2010; MAN OF STEEL - 2013) - 01/25/13
PATRICIA LOVELL (Producer/Actress: PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK - 1975; A SHATTERED SILENCE - 1977; GALLIPOLI - 1981; MONKEY GRIP - 1982; THE PERFECTIONIST - 1987) - 01/26/13
BERNARD HORSFALL (Actor: THE ANGRY SILENCE - 1960; MAN IN THE MOON - 1960; GUNS AT BATASI - 1964; ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1969; QUEST FOR LOVE - 1971; SOME KIND OF HERO - 1972; GOLD - 1974; SHOUT AT THE DEVIL - 1976; BRASS TARGET - 1978; INSIDE THE THIRD REICH - 1982; GANDHI - 1982; A DISTANT SCREAM - 1984; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1988; BRAVEHEART - 1995; STONE OF DESTINY - 2008; Hundreds of appearances on British TV series) - 01/29/13
PATTY ANDREWS (Singer/Actress: Last of the surviving Andrew Sisters singing trio; BUCK PRIVATES - 1941; HOLD THAT GHOST - 1941; IN THE NAVY - 1941; PRIVATE BUCKAROO - 1942; THE PHYNX - 1970; THE GONG SHOW MOVIE - 1980) - 01/30/13
ED KOCH (Mayor/Actor: The 105th Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989, born and bred in Bronx, NY, who loved to appear in movies and was the first Mayor to host SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1983 [How'm I doin'?"]; THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN - 1984; KEY EXCHANGE - 1985; TRADING HEARTS - 1988; RUN FOR COVER - 1995; CITY HALL - 1996; WE OWN THE NIGHT - 2007; During his later years, he was a successful book author and spent two seasons as the judge on THE PEOPLE'S COURT - 1997-1999; Coincidentally, on the day of his death, the no-holds-barred documentary KOCH [2012] opened in theaters. He was 88 years-old.) - 02/01/13
JOHN KERR (Actor and Tony Award-winning stage Actor/Musician: THE COBWEB - 1955; PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 1961; SEVEN WOMEN FROM HELL - 1961; YUMA - 1971; THE LONGEST NIGHT - 1972; INCIDENT ON A DARK STREET - 1973; THE PARK IS MINE - 1986; Hundreds of TV show appearances, including a regular role as District Attorney John Fowler on PEYTON PLACE - 1964-1969) - 02/02/13
PETER GILMORE (Actor: Regular on the CARRY ON... Series of comedy spoof films; BOMB IN THE HIGH STREET - 1961; MASTER SPY - 1964; THE GREAT ST. TRINIAN'S TRAIN ROBBERY - 1966; OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR - 1969; THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES - 1971; WARLORDS OF THE DEEP - 1978; YOU'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN - 1986; ON DANGEROUS GROUND - 1996; Plenty of British TV Series, including an arc on DR. WHO [1984] as "Brazen") - 02/03/13
STUART FREEBORN (Special Effects Makeup Artist: THE THIEF OF BAGDAD - 1940; THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI - 1957; THE MOUSE THAT ROARED - 1959; THE HANDS OF ORLAC - 1960; THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL - 1961; TARZAN GOES TO INDIA - 1962; DR. STRANGELOVE... - 1964; SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON - 1964; THE ALPHABET MURDERS - 1965; 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - 1968; 10 RILLINGTON PLACE - 1971; SEE NO EVIL - 1971; BEWARE MY BRETHREN - 1972; THE TERRORISTS - 1974; MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS - 1974; THE OMEN - 1976; SPECTRE - 1977; STAR WARS - 1977; SUPERMAN - 1978; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; SUPERMAN II - 1980; RETURN OF THE JEDI - 1983; SUPERMAN III - 1983; TOP SECRET! - 1984; HAUNTED HONEYMOON - 1986; SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE - 1987) - 02/05/13
GERRY HAMBLING (Editor: MAID FOR MURDER - 1962; THE ADDING MACHINE - 1969; BUGSY MALONE - 1976; MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - 1978; PINK FLOYD THE WALL - 1982; ANGEL HEART - 1987; LEONARD PART 6 - 1987; MISSISSIPPI BURNING - 1988; IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER - 1993; THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE - 2003) - 02/05/13
CHRIS BRINKER (Producer/Director: THE BOONDOCK SAINTS - 1999; BOROUGH OF KINGS - 2000; OVERNIGHT - 2003 [one of the best documentaries of the year; a scathing look at the rise and fall of BOONDOCK SAINTS director Troy Duffy]; LONELY STREET - 2009; THE BOONDOCK SAINTS II: ALL SAINTS DAY - 2009; WHISKEY BAY - 2013 [his directorial debut, still in Post-Production.] I'm not afraid to say that I still am a big fan of both BOONDOCK SAINTS films. Excesses and all, they were different from the normal crap. And how many times will you see Willem Dafoe dressed as a woman?) - 02/07/13
ALAN SHARP (Screenwriter: ULZANA'S RAID - 1972; BILLY TWO HATS - 1974; NIGHT MOVES - 1975; DAMNATION ALLEY - 1978; THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND - 1983; LITTLE TREASURE - 1985; THE LAST HIT - 1993; ROB ROY - 1995; LATHE OF HEAVEN - 2002; NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES - 2006) - 02/08/13
RICHARD COLLINS (Screenwriter/Producer: LADY SCARFACE - 1941; JOURNEY INTO FEAR - 1943; RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11 - 1954; THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA - 1954; CULT OF THE COBRA - 1955; INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS - 1956; PAY OR DIE - 1960; THE DESPERATE MISSION - 1969; Hundreds of TV episodes, including Producer of BONANZA and MATLOCK and writer of teleplays for PLANET OF THE APES - 1974 and REMINGTON STEELE) - 02/14/13
ENNIO GIROLAMI (Actor and Brother of Italian Director Enzo G. Castellari: HELLBENDERS - 1967; FEAST OF SATAN - 1971; ROME: THE OTHER SIDE OF VIOLENCE - 1974; THE LAST SHARK - 1981; TENEBRE - 1982; 1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS - 1982; WARRIORS OF THE WASTELAND - 1983; ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX - 1983; TUAREG: THE DESERT WARRIOR - 1984; OPERATION NAM - 1986; SINBAD OF THE SEVEN SEAS - 1989; KILLER CROCODILE - 1989; KILLER CROCODILE 2 - 1990; MAXIMUM VELOCITY - 2002) - 02/16/13
RICHARD BRIERS (Actor: MURDER SHE SAID - 1961; THE GIRL ON THE BOAT - 1961; FATHOM - 1967; RENTADICK - 1972; WATERSHIP DOWN - 1978; FRANKENSTEIN - 1994; PETER PAN - 2003; COCKNEYS VS. ZOMBIES - 2012; Hundreds of British TV Series appearances, including DOCTOR WHO - 1987) - 02/17/13
LOU MYERS (Actor: MISSING PIECES - 1992; THE PASSION OF DARKLY NOON - 1995; VOLCANO - 1997; RIOT - 1997; Best known as "Vernon Gaines" on the TV Series A DIFFERENT WORLD - 1987-1993) - 02/19/13
JOAQUIN CORDERO (Mexican Actor: SANTO VS. THE EVIL BRAIN - 1961; SANTO VS. THE INFERNAL MEN - 1961; THE TERRIBLE GIANT OF THE SNOW - 1963; THE MONSTER OF THE VOLCANO - 1964; MUSEUM OF HORROR - 1964; 100 CRIES OF TERROR - 1965; TO KILL IS EASY - 1966; DOCTOR SATAN - 1966; DR. SATAN VERSUS BLACK MAGIC - 1968; CITY RATS - 1986; VACATIONS OF TERROR 2 - 1991; Hundreds of other films and Mexican TV Series) - 02/19/13
GEORGE IVES (Actor: NIAGRA - 1953; HOT RODS TO HELL - 1967; THE SECRET WAR OF HARRY FRIGG - 1968; GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT - 1972; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 2001; Dozens of TV series appearances) - 02/22/13
DALE ROBERTSON (Actor: Known mainly for his roles as a Western star, Robertson did sometimes break the mold and appear in such films as SON OF SINBAD - 1955; COAST OF SKELETONS - 1964; THE ONE EYED SOLDIERS - 1966; MELVON PURVIS G-MAN - 1974; THE KANSAS CITY MASSACRE - 1976 [last two films starring as Melvin Purvis]; Hundreds of TV series appearances, including a starring role in TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1957-1962) - 02/27/13
JOSE SANCHO (Actor: APACHE FURY - 1964; DJANGO, A BULLET FOR YOU - 1969; WHEELS ON MEALS - 1984; LIVE FLESH - 1997; ARACHNID - 2001; STRANDED - 2001; THE WITCH AFFAIR - 2003; Hundreds of Spanish language TV Series appearances) - 03/03/13
MICHAEL D. MOORE (Director/Assistant Director/Second Unit Director: THE FASTEST GUITAR ALIVE - 1967; KILL A DRAGON - 1967; PATTON - 1970; SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION - 1970; EMPEROR OF THE NORTH - 1973; BADGE 373 - 1973; THE YAKUZA - 1974; MISTER DEATHMAN - 1977; AIRPORT '77 - 1977; DAMNATION ALLEY - 1977; RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - 1981; ISHTAR - 1987; WILLOW - 1988; TOY SOLDIERS - 1991; FLUBBER - 1997) - 03/04/13
ROBERT E. RELYEA (Producer/Second Unit Director: THE GREAT ESCAPE - 1963; BULLITT - 1968; THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - 1973; EVEL KNIEVEL - 1974; HIGH RISK - 1976; LAST ACTION HERO - 1993) - 03/05/13
DAMIANO DAMIANI (Director/Writer: MAFIA - 1968; CONFESSIONS OF A POLICE CAPTAIN - 1971; THE ASSASSIN OF ROME - 1972; THE DEVIL IS A WOMAN - 1974; HOW TO KILL A JUDGE - 1975; THE WARNING - 1980; AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION - 1982; MASSACRE PLAY - 1989) - 03/07/13
MALACHI THRONE (Actor: Best known as Noah Bain on the TV Series IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968-1969; THE DOOMSDAY FLIGHT - 1966; CODE NAME: HERACLITUS - 1967; POLICE STORY - 1967; ASSAULT ON THE WAYNE - 1971; SUPERMAN - 1975; STUNTS - 1977; EAT AND RUN - 1987; LONGARM - 1988; PRIMARY MOTIVE - 1992; CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - 2002; Hundreds of TV series appearances dating back to the 1950's) - 03/13/13
SUBAS HERRERO (Filipino Actor: THE BIG BIRD CAGE - 1972; BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA - 1973; DRAGON FIRE - 1974; BLACK MAMBA - 1974; BAMBOO GODS AND IRON MEN - 1974; SAVAGE SISTERS - 1974; TOO HOT TO HANDLE - 1977; BLIND RAGE - 1978; ENTER THE NINJA - 1981; INDIO - 1981; KOMMANDO LEOPARD - 1985; DELTA FORCE 2: THE COLUMBIAN CONNECTION - 1990; SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL III - 1991; DARNA - 1991; SHOTGUN BANJO - 1992; ASIAN COP: HIGH VOLTAGE - 1995; WANTED PERFECT MURDER - 1997) - 03/15/13
HENRY BROMELL (TV Producer/Director/Writer: NORTHERN EXPOSURE - 1990-1995; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1993-1999; PANIC - 2000; CARNIVALE - 2003-2005; BROTHERHOOD - 2006-2008; RUBICON - 2010; HOMELAND - 2011-2012) - 03/18/13
HARRY REEMS (Legendary Porno Actor: DARK DREAMS - 1971; THE ALTAR OFLUST - 1971; THE ABDUCTORS - 1972; DEEP THROAT - 1972; DEEP SLEEP - 1972; PENETRATION - 1972; FLESHPOT ON 42ND STREET - 1973; HIGH RISE - 1973; FORCED ENTRY - 1973; DEVIL IN MISS JONES - 1973; CASE OF THE FULL MOON MURDERS - 1973; THE LOVE WITCH - 1974; DEADLY WEAPONS - 1974; MEMORIES WITHIN MISS AGGIE - 1974; SOMETIMES SWEET SUSAN - 1975; EVERY INCH A LADY - 1975; SHERLICK HOLMES - 1975; EROTIC DR. JEKYLL - 1976; SEX WISH - 1976; LET ME DIE A WOMAN - 1977; DEMENTED - 1980; TO ALL A GOODNIGHT - 1980; NATIONAL LAMPOON'S MOVIE MADNESS - 1982; FOR YOUR THIGHS ONLY - 1984; GIRLS ON FIRE - 1984; ORIENTAL JADE - 1985; OBSESSION - 1985; LUST IN SPACE - 1985; LOOSE ENDS - 1985; HOT BLOODED - 1985; EROTICA JONES - 1985; DEEP CHILL - 1985; NAUGHTY NURSES - 1986; EVIL ANGEL - 1986; ANGEL'S REVENGE - 1986; NIGHT PROWLERS - 1988; CHINA AND SILK - 1988; Hundreds of others. Goodbye to a true legend.) - 03/19/13
ELI RICHBOURG (Producer: TIGERLAND - 2000; BAD COMPANY - 2002; PHONE BOOTH - 2002; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 2004; THE NUMBER 23 - 2007; BLOOD CREEK - 2009) - 03/20/13
JAMES HERBERT (Novelist: [All these novels were made into films] THE SURVIVOR - 1981; THE RATS [DEADLY EYES - 1983, was made from this novel]; FLUKE - 1995; FEAR IN THE DARK - 1991; HAUNTED - 1995; THE MOST PERFECT SCARY MOVIE - 2005) - 03/20/13
ROBERT NICHOLS (Actor: THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD - 1951; JOHNNY DARK - 1954; THE ATOMIC KID - 1954; THIS ISLAND EARTH - 1955; THE 30 FOOT BRIDE OF CANDY ROCK - 1959; CALL ME BWANA - 1963; ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1971; SECOND CHANCE - 1972; THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS - 1972; WICKED, WICKED - 1973; WESTWORLD - 1973; THE NIGHT THEY ROBBED BIG BERTHA'S - 1975; GOD TOLD ME TO - 1976; SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER - 1993; Dozens of TV Show appearances) - 03/21/13
NORMAN R. PALMER (Editor: THE LEGEND OF LOBO - 1962; THE GNOME-MOBILE - 1967; THE SHAGGY D.A. - 1976; MIDNIGHT MADNESS - 1980; THE GHOSTS OF BUXLEY HALL - 1980) - 03/23/13
PETER DURYEA (Actor: TAGGART - 1964; THE BOUNTY KILLER - 1965; LT. ROBIN CRUSOE U.S.N. - 1967; CATALINA CAPER - 1967; BLOOD OF THE IRON MAIDEN - 1970; Dozens of TV Show appearances) - 03/24/13
DON PAYNE (Writer/Producer: THE SIMPSONS - 2000-2010; MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND - 2006; FANTASTC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER - 2007; THOR - 2011) - 03/26/13
FAY KANIN (Writer/Producer: RASHOMON - [TV Movie - 1961]; SWORDSMAN OF SIENA - 1962; THE OUTRAGE - 1964; HEAT OF ANGER - 1972; HUSTLING - 1975; FRIENDLY FIRE - 1979) - 03/27/13
RICHARD GRIFFITHS (Actor: Best known for portraying "Uncle Vernon Dursley" in the HARRY POTTER series of films [2001 - 2011]; BREAKING GLASS - 1980; SUPERMAN II - 1980; CHARIOTS OF FIRE - 1981; RAGTIME - 1981; BRITANNIA HOSPITAL - 1982; GORKY PARK - 1983; GREYSTROKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES - 1984; SHANGHAI SURPRISE - 1986; WITHNAIL & I - 1987; BLAME IT ON THE BELLBOY - 1992; GUARDING TESS - 1994; FUNNY BONES - 1995; SLEEPY HOLLOW - 1999; THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY - 1995; PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - 2011; HUGO - 2011) - 03/28/13
MILO O'SHEA (Actor: ULYSSES - 1967; BARBARELLA - 1968; THE ADDING MACHINE - 1969; LOOT - 1970; THE ANGEL LEVINE - 1970; SACCO & VANZETTI - 1971; AND NO ONE COULD SAVE HER - 1973; THEATRE OF BLOOD - 1973; DIGBY, THE BIGGEST DOG IN THE WORLD - 1973; IT'S NOT THE SIZE THAT COUNTS - 1974; ARABIAN ADVENTURE - 1979; THE VERDICT - 1983 (My favorite of his performances); THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; BROKEN VOWS - 1987; THE DREAM TEAM - 1989; ONLY THE LONELY - 1991; MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND - 1993; MYSTICS - 2003) - 04/02/13
JESUS "JESS" FRANCO (Director/Producer/Writer: Prolific director of erotic and horror films and master of the zoom lense. He also had more pseudonyms than any director in history; THE SADISTIC BARON VON KLAUS - 1962; THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF - 1962; THEMISTRESSES OF DR. JEKYLL - 1964; THE DIABOLICAL DR. Z - 1966; SUCCUBUS - 1968; KISS AND KILL - 1968; 99 WOMEN - 1969; SADIST EROTICA - 1969; DEADLY SANCTUARY - 1969; VENUS IN FURS - 1969; THE BLOODY JUDGE - 1970; COUNT DRACULA - 1970; VAMPYROS LESBOS - 1971; SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY - 1971; THE SINISTER EYES OF DR. ORLOFF - 1973; FEMALE VAMPIRE - 1973; THE DEMONS - 1973; A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD - 1974; NIGHT OF THE ASSASSINS - 1974; EXORCISM - 1974; WOMEN BEHIND BARS - 1975; BARBED WIRE DOLLS - 1976; JACK THE RIPPER - 1976; KISS ME KILLER - 1977; WANDA THE WICKED WARDEN - 1977; LOVE CAMP - 1977; WHITE CANNIBAL QUEEN - 1980; DEVIL HUNTER - 1980; HELLHOLE WOMEN - 1981; BLOODY MOON - 1981; DIAMONDS OF KILIMANDJARO - 1983; MACUMBA SEXUAL - 1983; MANSION OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1985; FURY IN THE TROPICS - 1986; ALONE AGAINST TERROR - 1986; SLAVE OF CRIME - 1987; FACELESS - 1987; DARK MISSION - 1988; REVENGE IN THE HOUSE OF USHER - 1988; JUNGLE OF FEAR - 1993; KILLER BARBYS - 1996; TENDER FLESH - 1997; LUST FOR FRANKENSTEIN - 1998; A BAD DAY AT THE CEMETERY - 2008; PAULA-PAULA - 2010; Over 150 other titles.) - 04/02/13
JEAN SINCERE (Actress: ROXANNE - 1987; PULSE - 1988; SCANDAL IN A SMALL TOWN - 1988; THE INCREDIBLES - 2004; Appeared as a guest actress in dozens of TV series since 1949) - 04/03/13
ROGER EBERT (Film Critic/Screenwriter/Author: Love him or hate him, Mr. Ebertwas one of the first groundbreaking film critics to reach tremendous popularity. While I loved to laugh at his and film partner Gene Siskel's evisceration of slasher films in the early 1980's on their TV shows SNEAK PREVIEWS/AT THE MOVIES - 1980-1990, there was no doubt that Mr. Ebert was one of the most knowledgeable film critics ever. And he lived for film and loved every minute of it. While most people would have retired after receiving bad news about having cancer [and losing part of his jaw], he kept on reviewing films in his own unique manner. While I seldom agreed with his assessments of films [he particulalrly was very nasty towards horror films], I still bought many of his books, my favorite being YOUR MOVIE SUCKS. All this coming from the man who wrote the screenplays for BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1970; UP! - 1976; and BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTRA-VIXENS - 1979 for director Russ Meyer. Mr. Ebert was never ashamed of these films and would talk about them frankly [it also helped that these films are considered classics by violence/softcore porn fans like myself]. With sadness in my heart, I must now say: "The balcony is now closed forever and see you at the movies!" My heart is about as sad as it can get and I hope they have films in Heaven [not that I believe in such things].) - 04/04/13
BIGAS LUNA (Director/Writer: He only directed 20 films, but they were all imbued with his own personal sense of the absurd; REBORN - 1981 [One of the strangest religious films ever made]; ANGUISH - 1987 [My personal favorite of his films]; JAMON JAMON - 1992 [The film that made the world aware what a great actor Javier Bardem is]) - 04/05/13
LES BLANK (Documentary Filmmaker: HOT PEPPER - 1973; BURDEN OF DREAMS - 1982 {One of the best documentaries about filmmaking, in this case the making of Werner Herzog's FITZCARRALDO - 1982]; IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER? - 1984; INNOCENTS ABROAD - 1991) - 04/07/13
ANNETTE FUNICELLO (Actress: One of my childhood crushes, thanks to all her appearances in those AIP "Beach" films, she passed away at age 70 due to complications of multiple sclerosis; THE SHAGGY DOG - 1959; BABES IN TOYLAND - 1961; BEACH PARTY - 1963; MUSCLE BEACH PARTY - 1964; BIKINI BEACH - 1964; PAJAMA PARTY - 1964; BEACH BLANKET BINGO - 1965; THE MONKEY'S UNCLE - 1965; HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI - 1965; DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE - 1965; FIREBALL 500 - 1966; THUNDER ALLEY - 1967; HEAD - 1968; BACK TO THE BEACH - 1987; She was only 12 years-old when she first started out acting in the 50's on THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB and was the only Mouseketeer kept under contract by Walt Disney when the show was canceled.) - 04/08/13
RICHARD BROOKER (Actor/Stuntman: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III - 1982; DEATHSTALKER - 1983; DEEP SEA CONSPIRACY - 1987; GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM - 2006; HIS NAME WAS JASON: 30 YEARS OF FRIDAY THE 13TH - 2009; THE MEN BEHIND THE MASK - 2009; NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY - 2010) - 04/08/13
JONATHAN WINTERS (Actor/Comedian: One of my fondest childhood memories was, as a six year-old, my mother taking me to a Cinerama release of IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD [1963] and laughing the hardest at Winters' antics. Winters was also amaster of improvisation and I never missed an episode of his TV Series THE JONATHAN WINTERS SHOW [1967 - 1969]. He was funny as hell, but also suffered from personal demons, including acute mental illness. He was 87 years old when he passed away, worked right up until he died and he will be missed by everyone who grew up with him. Some of the films Winters appeared in were: THE LOVED ONE - 1965; THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING - 1966; PENELOPE - 1966; EIGHT ON THE LAM - 1967; NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T - 1968; VIVA MAX - 1969; THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURGH - 1979; MORE WILD WILD WEST - 1980; THE LONGSHOT - 1986; THE SHADOW - 1994; THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE - 2000; Winters was also an expert voiceover artist and did voices for many TV cartoon series, as well as supplying the voice of Papa Smurf in THE SMURFS [2011] movie [One of his last acting gigs was supplying the same voice in THE SMURFS 2 movie, not yet released at the time of his death]. He also acted in dozens of TV series and one of his earliest TV roles was playing "Fats" Brown in the 1961 episode titled "A Game Of Pool" on THE TWILIGHT ZONE. He also played Robin William's son Mearth on MORK & MINDY during the 1981-1982 season. He was also a favorite on THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR [1966 - 1973] and was also a regular on the DEAN MARTIN ROASTS... specials, usually playing his favorite comic characters, Maude Frickert and Elwood Suggins. R.I.P. old friend.) - 04/11/13
MICHAEL FRANCE (Screenwriter: CLIFFHANGER - 1993; GOLDENEYE - 1995; HULK - 2003; THE PUNISHER - 2004; FANTASTIC FOUR - 2005) - 04/12/13
FRANK BANK (Actor: Best known for playing Clarence 'Lumpy' Rutherford on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1958-1963 and the revival THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1983-1989; He also played Lumpy in the TV Movie STILL THE BEAVER - 1983 and played a different character in the theatrical release LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1997; Other roles include THE STORY OF WILL ROGERS - 1952 and HIGH SCHOOL U.S.A. - 1983) - 04/13/13
RENTARO MIKUNI (Japanese Actor: THE BURMESE HARP - 1956; ESCAPE FROM HELL - 1963; KWAIDAN - 1964; ZATOICHI THE OUTLAW - 1967; SHADOW OF DECEPTION - 1971; ZATOICHI AT LARGE - 1972; THE POSSESSED - 1976; SWEET REVENGE - 1977; VENGEANCE IS MINE - 1979; SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN - 1981; FREE AND EASY series of films - 1988-2009; Over 150 more films) - 04/14/13
RICHARD LePARMENTIER (Actor: ROLLERBALL - 1975; BLIND MAN'S BLUFF - 1977; STAR WARS - 1977 [received immortality as Admiral Motti, the first person that Darth Vader choked out across the room using the Force for insulting Vader's "sorcerer ways']; THE PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT - 1977; SILVER DREAM RACER - 1980; SUPERMAN II - 1980; OCTOPUSSY - 1983; PAINT ME A MURDER - 1984; WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT - 1988; THE BERLIN CONSPIRACY - 1992) - 04/15/13
PAT SUMMERALL (Sports Commentator/Actor: Summerall only acted in one film, BLACK SUNDAY [1977], but those who watched the Super Bowl every year heard his concisive and knowledgeable voice concerning the players and the rules up until 2002. While football was his passion [He played 10 years {1952-1961} in the NFL, as a kicker for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cardinals, and New York Giants. His real first name was George, but he earned the nickname Pat, short for "Point After Touchdown"], he was never afraid to make fun of himself in TV series such as THE SIMPSONS and FAMILY GUY. He also played himself in the film THE REPLACEMENTS - 2000. He also spent some time at the Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol abuse and had a liver transplant in 2004.) - 04/16/13
ALLAN ARBUS (Actor: Best known for playing psychiatrist Doctor Sidney Freedman on M*A*S*H - 1972-1983, where his best advice was, "Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice. Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice."; PUTNEY SWOPE - 1969; CISCO PIKE - 1972; COFFY - 1973; THE YOUNG NURSES - 1973; SCREAM, PRETTY PEGGY - 1973; LAW AND DISORDER - 1974; STALK THE WILD CHILD - 1976; RAID ON ENTEBBE - 1976; DAMIEN: OMEN II - 1978; AMERICATHON - 1979; GANSTER WARS - 1981; VOLUNTEERS - 1985; CROSSROADS - 1986; FROM THE HIP - 1987; WHEN HE'S NOT A STRANGER - 1989; IN DARK PLACES - 1997; MAKING CONTACT - 1999; Dozens of TV show appearances. He was 95 years-old.) - 04/19/13
NOSHER POWELL (Stuntman: THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT - 1955; HORROR OF DRACULA - 1958; THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1962; FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1963; THE PINK PANTHER - 1963; A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS - 1964; GOLDFINGER - 1964; THE SECRET OF BLOOD ISLAND - 1964; THUNDERBALL - 1965; PSYCHO CIRCUS - 1966; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - 1967; THE DIRTY DOZEN - 1967; THE ASSASSINATION BUREAU - 1969; THE ITALIAN JOB - 1969; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969; ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1969; THE LEGEND OF SPIDER FOREST - 1971; DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - 1971; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973; BRANNIGAN - 1975; STAR WARS - 1977; THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1977; SUPERMAN - 1978; MOONRAKER - 1979; FLASH GORDON - 1980; FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - 1981; OCTOPUSSY - 1983; KRULL - 1983; A VIEW TO A KILL - 1985; WILLOW - 1988; LEGIONAIRRE - 1998 [His last film]) - 04/20/13
VIVI BACH (Danish Actress: SANDERS - 1963; BULLETS DON'T ARGUE - 1964; MOZAMBIQUE - 1965; THE SPY WITH TEN FACES - 1966; SKI FEVER - 1966; WITH DEATH ON YOUR BACK - 1967; ASSIGNMENT K - 1968) - 04/22/13
JOHNNY LOCKWOOD (Actor: DUFFER - 1971; NUMBER 96 - 1974; ALL AT SEA - 1977; NORMAN LOVES ROSE - 1982; STANLEY: EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE ONE - 1984; MOULIN ROUGE! - 2001; THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE - 2003) - 04/25/13
JACK SHEA (TV Director: Directed hundreds of TV series episodes, Including HAWAII FIVE-O - 1968-1980; SANFORD AND SON - 1972-1977; THE JEFFERSONS - 1975-1985; SILVER SPOONS - 1982-1987; GROWING PAINS - 1985-1992; His movies include: DAYTON'S DEVILS - 1968; THE MONITORS - 1969; THE STRANGE MONSTER OF STRAWBERRY COVE - 1971; MASON - 1977; WENDY HOOPER, U.S. ARMY - 1981; PEN 'N' INC. - 1981; KANGAROOS IN THE KITCHEN - 1982; MR. SUCCESS - 1984; He was also the Directors Guild of America [DGA] president from 1997 to 2002.) - 04/28/13
DEANNA DURBIN (Singer/Actress: ONE HUNDRED MEN AND A GIRL - 1936; THAT CERTAIN AGE - 1938; SPRING PARADE - 1940; IT STARTED WITH EVE - 1941; THE AMAZING MRS. HOLLIDAY - 1943; CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY - 1944; LADY ON A TRAIN - 1945; She retired from acting in 1948 after marrying director Charles David. She lived in seclusion in France for the rest of her life, just the way she wanted it.) - 04/30/13
MIKE GRAY (Director/Producer/Writer: THE CHINA SYNDROME - 1979; WAVELENGTH - 1983; CODE OF SILENCE - 1985; STARMAN TV Series - 1986-1987; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1987-1994; Gray was also a huge proponent of drug reform) - 04/30/13
MARTIN KEVAN (Actor: VOICES - 1995; THE SLEEP ROOM - 1998; THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - 1999; THE GREAT GATSBY - 2000; BIG WOLF ON CAMPUS - 2000; XCHANGE - 2001; CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND - 2002) - 05/01/13
TED BEYER (Actor: THE GAMEKEEPER - 1980; THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HARRY - 1982; THREADS - 1984; WETHERBY - 1985; HOW HIGH THE MOON - 1994; Plenty of 80's & 90's British TV Series appearances) - 05/03/13
MARIO MACHADO (Actor: Real-life TV News anchorman who is best known for portraying news anchor "Casey Wong" in the first three ROBOCOP films; Other film appearances include: DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY - 1971; BRIAN'S SONG - 1971; THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAUTY CONTEST - 1973; OH, GOD! - 1977; BLIND AMBITION - 1979; THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979; THE SUICIDE'S WIFE - 1979; ROCKY III - 1982; SCARFACE - 1983; BLUE THUNDER - 1983; STREETS OF JUSTICE - 1985; TRIPLECROSS - 1986; DEAD MAN WALKING - 1987; JACK'S BACK - 1988; WITHOUT WARNING - 1994; THE 13TH DAY - 2009; He also made dozens of TV series appearances, usually as a TV new anchor or reporter on the courtroom steps) - 05/04/13
GRADY HUNT (Costume Designer that worked mainly in TV, although he also worked on theatrical movies: MUNSTER, GO HOME - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966-1968; JIGSAW - 1968; THE SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST - 1968; ANGEL IN MY POCKET - 1969; NIGHT GALLERY - 1970-1971; ONE MORE TRAIN TO ROB - 1971; DEADLY DREAM - 1971; A HOWLING IN THE WOODS - 1971; THE FAILING OF RAYMOND - 1971; THE DEVIL AND MISS SARAH - 1971; McCLOUD - 1971-1972; A VERY MISSING PERSON - 1972; THE LONGEST NIGHT - 1972; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972-1973; COLUMBO - 1972-1975; SAVAGE - 1973; SHE CRIED MURDER - 1974; THE QUESTOR TAPES - 1974; THE ELEVATOR - 1974; A CASE OF RAPE - 1974; BANACEK - 1972-1974; THE CALIFORNIA KID - 1974; SARAH T.-PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE ALCOHOLIC - 1975; THE BIG RIP-OFF - 1975; DARK VICTORY - 1976; BRENDA STARR - 1976; PERILOUS VOYAGE - 1976; THE QUEST - 1976-1977; POLICE WOMAN - 1974-1977; THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY - 1977-1978; QUARK - 1977-1978; THE LAST OF THE GOOD GUYS - 1977; INSTITUTE FOR REVENGE - 1979; THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN GUN - 1979; SALVAGE 1 - 1979-1980; DETOUR TO TERROR - 1980; POLICE STORY: CONFESSIONS OF A LADY COP - 1980; GOLIATH AWAITS - 1981; DESIRE, THE VAMPIRE - 1982; COCAINE AND BLUE EYES - 1983; BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE - 1982-1983; MURDER ME, MURDER YOU - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979-1984; MORE THAN MURDER - 1984; DEADLY MESSAGES - 1985; THE RETURN OF MICKEY SPILLANE'S MIKE HAMMER - 1986; T.J. HOOKER - 1982-1986; STARMAN - 1986; POLICE STORY: THE FREEWAY KILLINGS - 1987; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984-1987; MIKE HAMMER: MURDER TAKES ALL - 1989) - 05/05/13
RAY HARRYHAUSEN (Visual Effects Technician/Producer/Director: One of the most influential stop-motion animators in the world. Those who don't know his name haveno reason to be on this site; Some of his films include: MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1949; IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA - 1955; EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS - 1956; 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH - 1957; THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD - 1958; THE 3 WORLDS OF GULLIVER - 1960; MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - 1961; JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS - 1964; FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - 1964; ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. - 1966; THE VALLEY OF GWANGI - 1969; THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD - 1973; SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER - 1977; CLASH OF THE TITANS - 1982; Harryhausen also made cameo appearances in films such as SPIES LIKE US - 1985; BEVERLY HILLS COP III - 1994; MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1998; THE BONEYARD COLLECTION - 2006; BURKE & HARE - 2010 as favors to directors [especially John Landis] who grew up watching his films and appeared in dozens of documentaries about special effects; Harryhausen also did the special effects and directed most of the Puppetoon shorts for producer George Pal during the 1940's and was also a cameraman with Frank Capra for the military during World War II. He was a creative mastermind (the fight with the skeletons in JASON will always stick in my mind), only hampered by time and monetary restraints, but he achieved many great things during his lifetime, especially to this young impressionable lad during the 60's. He had no grievances against CGI except that it was becoming "overexposed" and you always knew how it was done. It took the mystery out of films. Tom Hanks once said, "Many people think CITIZEN KANE is the best movie of all time. I think it is JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS." That was one of the nicest things I have ever heard. Harryhausen was 92 years-young when he passed away. We lost a genius today.) - 05/07/13
JEANNE COOPER (Actress: Best known as character Katherine 'Kay' Chancellor on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS soap opera [1973 - 2013], where she appeared for forty years [her real-life facelift in the 80's was incorporated into the series], and the son of actor Corbin Bernsen, Ms. Cooper was also an accomplished actress who appeared in the following films: THE HOUSTON STORY - 1956; CALLING HOMICIDE - 1956; 5 STEPS TO DANGER - 1957; ROCK ALL NIGHT - 1957; PLUNDER ROAD - 1957; SCREAMING MIMI - 1958; UNWED MOTHER - 1958; HOUSE OF WOMEN - 1962; THE INTRUDER - 1962 [Director Roger Corman's scathing film against the influences of racism, with William Shatner as the protagonist,, which I consider one of Corman's best films, but is the only one of his movies that actually lost money. The film was just way too ahead of its time and is now considered a classic.]; BLACK ZOO - 1963; TONY ROME - 1967; THE BOSTON STRANGLER - 1968; THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN... - 1970; KANSAS CITY BOMBER - 1972; SWEET HOSTAGE - 1975; LETHAL JUSTICE - 1991; BEYOND SUSPICION - 1993; THE TOMORROW MAN - 2002; DEAD AIR - 2009; Ms. Cooper also appeared in hundreds of TV series episodes, including THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["Mr. Denton on Doomsday" - 1959], THRILLER ["The Big Blackout" - 1960] and KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER ["The Devil's Platform" - 1974]. My condolences to Corbin Bernsen and the rest of her family.) - 05/08/13
TAYLOR MEAD (Actor, usually for independent underground films: THE QUEEN OF SHEBA MEETS THE ATOM MAN - 1963; THE BIZARRE ONES - 1968; MIDNIGHT COWBOY - 1969; MESSALINA, EMPRESS OF ROME - 1977; FEEDBACK - 1978; UNION CITY - 1980; UNDERGROUND U.S.A. - 1980; SHADOWS IN THE CITY - 1991; NATURAL BORN CRAZIES - 1994; MULTIPLE FUTURES - 1995; FROGS FOR SNAKES - 1998 ECSTASY FOR ENTROPY - 1999; CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV - 2000; NUBILE NUISANCE - 2006; He was also the Assistant Director of some of the early films by Andy Warhol) - 05/08/13
BRYAN FORBES (Director/Writer/Actor: All as Director/Writer: SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON - 1964; KING RAT - 1965, THE WRONG BOX - 1966; DEADFALL - 1968; LONG AGO, TOMORROW - 1971; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1975; THE NAKED FACE - 1984; All as an Actor: RAIDERS IN THE SKY - 1953; SEA DEVILS - 1953; MAN WITH A MILLION - 1954; AN INSPECTOR CALLS - 1954; SATELLITE IN THE SKY - 1956; QUATERMASS II: ENEMY FROM SPACE - 1957; THE GUNS OF NAVARONE - 1961; A SHOT IN THE DARK - 1964; He was also an uncredited writer for THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF - 1970) - 05/08/13
ALFREDO LANDA (Actor: THE EXECUTIONER - 1963; FOUL PLAY - 1977; THE CRACK - 1981; THE CRACK II - 1983; THE HOLY INNOCENTS - 1984; THE LOST PARADISE - 1985; SINATRA - 1988; THE END OF A MYSTERY - 2003; Mr. Landa spent most of his professional career starring in Spanish comedy films [over 130 titles], but got noticed by the world in the 80's for his excellent dramatic roles and is now considered one of the best Spanish actors of his generation) - 05/09/13
DAVID CAMPLING (Editor/Sound Editor: TO CATCH A SPY - 1971; QUEEN KONG - 1976; THE STUD - 1978; THE GOLDEN LADY - 1979; DEATH WISH II - 1982; 10 TO MIDNIGHT - 1983; SCARAB - 1983; TOP SECRET! - 1984; THE TERMINATOR - 1984; AMOS - 1985; PLATOON - 1986; HYPER SAPIEN: PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER STAR - 1986; INVASION EARTH: THE ALIENS ARE HERE - 1988; MIDNIGHT CROSSING - 1988; THE BOUNTY HUNTER - 1990; WITH MURDER IN MIND - 1992; THROUGH THE EYES OF A KILLER - 1992; AWAKE TO DANGER - 1995; THE STRANGER BESIDE ME - 1995; THE LAST DAYS OF FRANKIE THE FLY - 1996; STRANGER IN MY HOUSE - 1999; RIPPER 2: LETTER FROM WITHIN - 2004; UNCONSCIOUS - 2006) - 05/09/13
LAURENCE HADDON (Actor: HANDS OF A STRANGER - 1962; TORN CURTAIN - 1966; VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1967; MURDER ONCE REMOVED - 1971; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1974; THE EXECUTION OF PRIVATE SLOVIK - 1974; GUILTY OR INNOCENT: THE SAM SHEPPARD MURDER CASE - 1975; BRINKS: THE GREAT ROBBERY - 1976; AMERICAN RASPBERRY - 1977; NEVER CON A KILLER - 1977; KILLING STONE - 1978; THE ORDEAL OF PATTY HEARST - 1979; THE STREETS OF L.A. - 1979; THE ALIENS ARE COMING - 1980; A GUN IN THE HOUSE - 1981; GOLIATH AWAITS - 1981; WHITE WATER REBELS - 1983; FATAL VISION - 1984; MIRRORS - 1985; SCHOOL SPIRIT - 1985; CAGED IN PARADISO - 1990; Hundreds of guest roles on TV series dating back to the 1960's) - 05/10/13
ARNOLD PETERS (Actor: SUEZ 1956 - 1979; WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS? - 1980; FRANKENSTEIN - 1984; KNOCKBACK - 1984; Dozens of British TV series roles) - 05/11/13
DAVID CONNELL (Actor: HI, MOM! - 1970; THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE - 1970; GORDON'S WAR - 1973; WOLFEN - 1981; 2ND TAKE - 2011) - 05/11/13
DR. JOYCE BROTHERS (Psychologist/Actor: First came to prominence as a winning contestant on the 50's game show THE $64,000 QUESTION [1955] on the subject of boxing! Her bright and breezy personality, where she was never afraid of making fun of herself, made her a staple on hundreds of TV series, talk shows and game shows, where she usually played herself. Some of her roles were on: ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; POLICE WOMAN - 1974-1977; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1981; SIMON & SIMON - 1983; CHiPS - 1983; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1990; PICKET FENCES - 1994; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1997; JAG - 2004; Her film roles included: EMBRYO - 1976; HERO AT LARGE - 1980; OH, GOD! BOOK II - 1980; MORE WILD WILD WEST - 1980; THE LONELY GUY - 1984; LOVE AT STAKE - 1987; THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD - 1988; ANIMAL BEHAVIOR - 1989; LOADED WEAPON 1 - 1994; EXIT TO EDEN - 1994; SPY HARD - 1996; DEAR GOD - 1996; ANALYZE THAT - 2002; DORM DAZE 2 - 2006) - 05/13/13
PENNE HACKFORTH JONES (Actress: ALVIN PURPLE - 1973; DOWN THE WIND - 1975; IMAGE OF DEATH - 1976; THE JOURNALIST - 1979; RUNNING ON EMPTY - 1982; IRRESITIBLE FORCE - 1993; PARADISE ROAD - 1997; Dozens of Australian TV series guest roles) - 05/17/13
STEVE FORREST (Actor: Best known as 'Hondo' Harrelson on the S.W.A.T. TV series - 1975-1977; PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE - 1954; THE LIVING IDOL - 1957; THE LONGEST DAY - 1962; THE YELLOW CANARY - 1963; THE MAN IN A LOOKING GLASS - 1965; THE WILD COUNTRY - 1970; CHANT OF SILENCE - 1973; THE HANGED MAN - 1974; THE HATFIELDS AND THE McCOYS - 1975; MANEATERS ARE LOOSE! - 1978; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1979; MOMMIE DEAREST - 1981; HOTLINE - 1982; SAHARA - 1983; SPIES LIKE US - 1985; AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON - 1987; KILLER: A JOURNAL OF MURDER - 1995; S.W.A.T. - 2003; Hundreds of TV series appearances including THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["The Parallel" - 1963]; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER ["Catch Fear by the Throat" - 1963]; THE SIXTH SENSE ["Echo of a Distant Scream" - 1972]; CIRCLE OF FEAR ["The Summer House" - 1972]; NIGHT GALLERY ["The Waiting Room" - 1972]; He was also the star of the little-seen THE BARON [1966-1967] TV series and was a favorite guest star [playing different characters] on MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986-1996.) - 05/18/13
CARLO MONNI (Actor: CONTAMINATION - 1980; TALES OF ORDINARY MADNESS - 1981 [His scenes were deleted from the final edit]; THE SCORPION WITH TWO TAILS - 1982; THE ASSISI UNDERGROUND - 1985; DIAL: HELP - 1988; THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE - 2003) - 05/19/13
BELLA FLORES (Filipino Actress: JAMES BATMAN - 1966; W.I.A. WOUNDED IN ACTION - 1966; THE MAGNIFICENT ZORRO - 1968; PUSSY CAT STRIKES AGAIN - 1969; MR. WONG STRIKES AGAIN - 1969; TARGET, HONG KONG - 1970; HOT ANGELS - 1971; MYSTERIOUS MAD KILLER - 1972; MISSING IN ACTION - 1984; ESCORT GIRLS - 1985; READY!...AIM!...FIRE!... - 1987; AMERICAN FORCE 2: THE UNTOUCHABLE GLORY - 1988; KILLER VS. NINJAS - 1989; SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL IV - 1992; SOLDIER BOYZ - 1995; Literally about 220 more films, most never released outside the Philippines) - 05/19/13
RICHARD THORP (British Actor: THE DAM BUSTERS - 1955; THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET - 1957; THE GOOD COMPANIONS - 1957; BITTER HARVEST - 1963; MYSTERY SUBMARINE - 1963; SWORD OF LANCELOT - 1963; THE SWINGING MAIDEN - 1963; SUBURBAN WIVES - 1972; Hundreds of British TV series, including over 450 episodes of EMMERDALE - 1982-2013) - 05/22/13
BILL PERTWEE (British Actor: DAD'S ARMY - 1971; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN DEADLY SINS - 1971; THE DEATH WHEELERS - 1973; MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE - 1974; CONFESSIONS OF A POP PERFORMER - 1975; WHAT'S UP SUPERDOC - 1978; WHAT'S UP NURSE - 1978; SEE HOW THEY RUN - 1984; RUN FOR YOUR WIFE - 2012; Dozens of British TV series appearances, including a regular on DAD'S ARMY - 1968-1977) - 05/27/13
EDDIE ROMERO (Filipini Director/Producer/Writer: LOST BATTALION - 1962; THE RAIDERS OF THE LEYTE GULF - 1963; MORO WITCH DOCTOR - 1964; THE RAVAGERS - 1965; BRIDES OF BLOOD - 1968; MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND - 1969; BEAST OF BLOOD - 1971; BEAST OF THE YELLOW NIGHT - 1971; THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE - 1972; BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA - 1973; THE WOMAN HUNT - 1973; BEYOND ATLANTIS - 1973; SAVAGE SISTERS - 1974; SUDDEN DEATH - 1975; WHITEFORCE - 1988; Dozens of Philippines-made films that never made it to U.S. shores. Best known to the world as the director of late-60's to 70's exploitation and horror films.) - 05/28/13
HELEN HANFT (Actress: NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1976; MANHATTAN - 1979; STARDUST MEMORIES - 1980; ARTHUR - 1981; HONKY TONK FREEWAY - 1981; THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; NINE 1/2 WEEKS - 1986; OFF BEAT - 1986; APOLOGY - 1986; MOONSTRUCK - 1987; CLINTON AND NADINE - 1988; COMING TO AMERICA - 1988; LICENSE TO DRIVE - 1988; IDENTITY CRISIS - 1989; THE BUTCHER'S WIFE - 1991; I.Q. - 1994; THE ASSOCIATE - 1996; FEVER - 1999; DUMMY - 2002; NOISE - 2007) - 05/29/13
NINO BARAGLI (Italian Editor: THE GRIM REAPER - 1962; DJANGO - 1965; THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY - 1966; HELLBENDERS - 1967; GRAND SLAM - 1967; MAFIA - 1968; ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST - 1968; THE FAMILY - 1970; SACCO & VANZETTI - 1971; DUCK, YOU SUCKER - 1971 [one of my favorite Westerns of all time]; WHEN WOMEN LOST THEIR TAILS - 1972; THE ASSASSIN OF ROME - 1972; MY NAME IS NOBODY - 1973; DEAD AIM - 1975; THE INHERITANCE - 1976; CALIGULA - 1979; CONTAMINATION - 1980; ORDER OF DEATH - 1983; ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA - 1984; BARBED WIRE - 1991; GANGSTERS - 1992; THE MONSTER - 1994; Hundreds of other films.) - 05/29/13
JEAN STAPLETON (Actress: Best known as "Dingbat" Edith Bunker on the taboo-breaking showALL IN THE FAMILY [1971 - 1979], this talented actress also did a lot more TV [since 1951] and a few movies. They include: DAMN! YANKEES - 1958; BELLS ARE RINGING - 1960; SOMETHING WILD - 1961; UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE - 1967; COLD TURKEY - 1971; KLUTE - 1971; TAIL GUNNER JOE - 1977; ANGEL DUSTED - 1981; SOMETHING'S AFOOT - 1984; THE BUDDY SYSTEM - 1984; DEAD MAN'S FOLLY - 1986; TENDER PLACES - 1987; FIRE IN THE DARK - 1991; GHOST MOM - 1993; MICHAEL - 1996; PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - 2001; Goodnight Jean and thanks for a decade of funny and emotional TV. She could be both hilarious and heartbreaking as Edith Bunker [Edith's rape and Gloria losing the baby episodes will always be remembered by me as the first TV series that made me cry] and she was a damn fine actress. She was 90 years-old when she passed away.) - 05/31/13
ESTHER WILLIAMS (Actress: She was a teenage swimming champion who became a movie star and dubbed "America's Mermaid" [for her ability to stay underwater for long periods of time] during the 40's, 50's & early 60's before retiring. Her third husband was actor Fernando Lamas, until his death in 1982, which made her the stepmother of actor Lorenzo Lamas. While none of her films would really interest readers of this site, her death should go noticed, even for the fact that she turned down starring roles in the Irwin Allen films THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE - 1972 and THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974. Some of her films include A GUY NAMED JOE - 1944; THE HOODLUM SAINT - 1946; FIESTA - 1947; TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME - 1949; NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER - 1949; TEXAS CARNIVAL - 1951; MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID - 1952; JUPITER'S DARLING - 1955; RAW WIND IN EDEN - 1958; THE BIG SHOW - 1961. She was 91 years-old when she passed away.) - 06/06/13
MAXINE STUART (Actress: KITTEN WITH A WHIP - 1964; TRAVIS LOGAN, D.A. - 1971; THE UNDERGROUND MAM - 1974; KILL ME IF YOU CAN - 1977; THE SEEDING OF SARAH BURNS - 1979; COAST TO COAST - 1980; PRIVATE BENJAMIN - 1980; THE ROUSTERS - 1983; THE HAUNTING OF SEACLIFF INN - 1994; MURDER ONE: DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER - 1997; Hundreds of TV series appearances, including THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["Eye Of The Beholder" - 1960] and THE OUTER LIMITS ["The Man Who Was Never Born" - 1963]) - 06/06/13
HARRY LEWIS (Actor: KEY LARGO - 1948; BOMBA ON PANTHER ISLAND - 1949; GUN CRAZY - 1950; THE FAT MAN - 1951; PENDULUM - 1969; THE ASTRAL FACTOR - 1976; Plenty of TV series appearances and he also opened the "Hamburger Hamlet" restaurant with his wife, Marilyn Lewis, in Hollywood in the late 1940s with his life savings of $3500.00. It became famous and later expanded into an extremely successful chain, which he sold in 1997 for 33 million dollars.) - 06/09/13
JAMES GANDOLFINI (Actor: Superb character actor who became an international star due to his three-time Emmy Award winning work as mobster Tony Soprano on the series THE SOPRANOS - 1999-2007; His film roles included SHOCK! SHOCK! SHOCK! - 1987; THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991; A STRANGER AMONG US - 1992; TRUE ROMANCE - 1993 [the first time I really noticed how good he was]; TERMINAL VELOCITY - 1994; CRIMSON TIDE - 1995; GET SHORTY - 1995 [another superb performance]; THE JUROR - 1996; PERDITA DURANGO - 1997; FALLEN - 1998; 8MM - 1999; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 2001; THE LAST CASTLE - 2001 [Jesus, he was so mean in this one!]; THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 - 2009; VIOLET & DAISY - 2011; KILLING THEM SOFTLY - 2012; ZERO DARK THIRTY - 2012; THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE - 2013; He also has three new movies in the can but they were not released at the time of his death. He was only 51 years-old and passed away of a heart attack while on vacation in Italy.) - 06/19/13
MIGUEL MORAYTA (Spanish-born Mexican Director: SOUL OF STEEL - 1957; THE BLOODY VAMPIRE - 1962; THE INVASION OF THE VAMPIRES - 1963; DOCTOR SATAN - 1966; CAPULINA VS. THE MONSTERS - 1974; Over 70 other films in all genres, including Comedy, Romance, Drama, Musical and Westerns. He was 105 years-old when he passed away.) - 06/19/13
ELLIOTT REID (Actor: INHERIT THE WIND - 1960; THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR - 1961; SON OF FLUBBER - 1963; BLACKBEARD'S GHOST - 1968; SOME KIND OF NUT - 1969; FINAL WARNING - 1977; HEAVEN CAN WAIT - 1978; YOUNG EINSTEIN - 1988; Hundreds of TV show appearances dating from the early-50's to the mid-90's.) - 06/21/13
GARY DAVID GOLDBERG (Emmy-Winning TV Producer/Writer: THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972-1978; THE TONY RANDALL SHOW - 1976-1978; THE LAST RESORT - 1979-1980; LOU GRANT - 1977-1982; SHOOTER - 1988; FAMILY TIES - 1982-1989; SPIN CITY - 1996-2002) - 06/22/13
RICHARD MATHESON ( Novelist/Screenwriter and writer of some of the best TV Movie teleplays of the 70's: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN - 1957; HOUSE OFUSHER - 1960; MASTER OF THE WORLD - 1961; PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 1961; BURN, WITCH, BURN - 1962; TALES OF TERROR - 1962; A COMEDY OF TERRORS - 1963; THE RAVEN - 1963; THE LAST MAN ON EARTH - 1964; DIE! DIE! MY DARLING - 1965; THE DEVIL RISES OUT - 1968; DE SADE - 1969; THE OMEGA MAN - 1971; DUEL - 1971; THE NIGHT STALKER - 1972; THE NIGHT STRANGLER - 1973; THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE - 1973; DYING ROOM ONLY - 1973; SCREAM OF THE WOLF - 1974; THE STRANGER WITHIN - 1974; TRILOGY OF TERROR - 1975; THE STRANGE POSSESSION OF MRS. OLIVER - 1977; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1977; SOMEWHERE IN TIME - 1980; THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN - 1981; JAWS 3-D - 1983; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983; LOOSE CANNONS - 1990; TRILOGY OF TERROR II - 1996; STIR OF ECHOES - 1999; I AM LEGEND - 2007; THE BOX - 2009; REAL STEEL - 2011; Matheson was also involved deeply in writing episodes of TV series, including some well known episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE like "Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" [1963] and "Night Call" [1964], as well as episodes of NIGHT GALLERY like "Big Surprise" [1971] and "The Funeral" [1972]. He was a major influence of some of the best modern day horror writers, including Stephen King.) - 06/23/13
PAT ASHTON (British Actress: THE BENNY HILL SHOW - 1972-1980; BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH - 1984; Dozens of British TV series appearances.) - 06/23/13
LAU KAR-LEUNG (Chinese Martial Arts Director/Actor/Stuntman [Also known as Liu Chia-Lang]: As Director: BREAKOUT FROM OPPRESSION - 1973; THE SPIRITUAL BOXER - 1975; DIRTY HO - 1976; CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS - 1976; EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN - 1977; THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN - 1978; MAD MONKEY KUNG FU - 1979; LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA - 1982; EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER - 1984; TIGER ON BEAT - 1988; MAD MISSION V: THE TERRACOTTA HIT - 1989; THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER - 1994, and nearly 20 other films; He also acted and was Stunt Coordinator on over 75 other martial arts films.) - 06/25/13
JIM KELLY (Martial Artist/Actor: MELINDA - 1972; ENTER THE DRAGON - 1973; BLACK BELT JONES - 1974; THREE THE HARD WAY - 1974; GOLDEN NEEDLES - 1974; TAKE A HARD RIDE - 1975; ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO - 1976; HOT POTATO - 1976; BLACK SAMURAI - 1977; THE TATTOO CONNECTION - 1978; DEATH DIMENSION - 1978; MR. NO LEGS - 1979; ULTIMATUM - 1994; STRANGLEHOLD - 1994; THE WAY OF THE LITTLE DRAGON - 1997; THE UNBEATABLE BRUCE LEE - 2001; UNDERCOVER BROTHER - 2002; BAADASSSSS CINEMA - 2002; MACKED, HAMMERED, SLAUGHTERED AND SHAFTED - 2004; AFRO NINJA - 2009) - 06/29/13
PAUL JENKINS (Actor: THE ORGANIZATION - 1971; OUTRAGE - 1973; CHINATOWN - 1974; THE IMPOSTER - 1975; FEAR ON TRIAL - 1975; LAW AND ORDER - 1976; NETWORK - 1976; NIGHT GAMES - 1980; SNEAKERS - 1992; Dozens of TV series guest appearances from the early-70's to 2005) - 07/01/13
PJ TOROKVEI (Writer/Actor: WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1979-1982; REAL GENIUS - 1985; BACK TO SCHOOL - 1986; ARMED AND DANGEROUS - 1986; CADDYSHACK II - 1988; GUARDING TESS - 1994; HOSTAGE FOR A DAY - 1994) - 07/03/13
FRANK MORRISS (Film Editor: HAUSER'S MEMORY - 1970; DUEL - 1971; CUTTER - 1972; THE RETURN OF CHARLIE CHAN - 1973; CHARLEY VARRICK - 1973; THE MIDNIGHT MAN - 1974; A CRY FOR HELP - 1975; THE STRANGE POSSESSION OF MRS. OLIVER - 1977; YOUNGBLOOD - 1978; DEATH CAR ON THE FREEWAY - 1979; INSIDE MOVES - 1980; BLUE THUNDER - 1983; ROMANCING THE STONE - 1984; SHORT CIRCUIT - 1986; BIRD ON A WIRE - 1990; THE HARD WAY - 1991; POINT OF NO RETURN - 1993; ANOTHER STAKEOUT - 1993; NICK OF TIME - 1995; EVEL KNIEVEL - 2004; Over 40 other films.) - 07/03/13
ANNA WING (British Actress: THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW - 1971; A DOLL'S HOUSE - 1973; THE HAUNTING OF JULIA - 1977; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1978; THE GODSEND - 1980; XTRO - 1983; DOG EAT DOG - 2001; TOOTH - 2004; SON OF RAMBOW - 2007; Hundreds of British TV series guest appearances.) - 07/07/13
JOE CONLEY (Actor: Best known for playing "Ike Godsey" on THE WALTONS - 1972-1981, Conley also appeared in plenty of movies including JUVENILE JUNGLE - 1958; WHEN HELL BROKE LOOSE - 1958; A NICE LITTLE BANK THAT SHOULD BE ROBBED - 1958; BLUEPRINT FOR ROBBERY - 1961; PATTY - 1962; THE LONGEST NIGHT - 1972; IMPURE THOUGHTS - 1986; WHATEVER IT TAKES - 1998; CAST AWAY - 2000; BLIND OBSESSION - 2002 and dozens of guest appearances on TV series dating back to the mid-50's.) - 07/07/13
CORY MONTEITH (Actor: Best known for his role on the TV series GLEE - 2009-Present, Montieth also appeared in a slew of teen horror films including KILLER BASH - 2005; BLOODY MARY - 2006; FINAL DESTINATION 3 - 2006; KRAKEN: TENTACLES OF THE DEEP - 2006; HYBRID - 2007; WHITE NOISE 2: THE LIGHT - 2007; THE INVISIBLE - 2007 and WHISPER - 2007. He also appeared in many New Millennium TV series as a guest star, including STARGATE: ATLANTIS; SUPERNATURAL; SMALLVILLE; STARGATE SG-1; KYLE XY and KAYA. He was only 31 years-old when he was found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver, Canada of a heroin/alcohol overdose. He had a history of drug abuse and had a stint in rehab during April of this year.) - 07/13/13
DENNIS BURKLEY (Actor: Rotund character actor [who usually played good-old Southern boys, a heavy or a Southern police officer] who made my exploitation yearsduring the 70's, 80's & 90's enjoyable. His films include BUMMER - 1973; NIGHTMARE HONEYMOON - 1974; STAY HUNGRY - 1976; DELTA COUNTY USA - 1977; HEROES - 1977; MAD BULL - 1977; LASERBLAST - 1978; AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE DIXIE BAR & GRILL - 1979; MRS. R'S DAUGHTER - 1979; SUMMER FANTASY - 1984; MASK - 1985; THE SLUGGER'S WIFE - 1985; STEWARDESS SCHOOL - 1986; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1986; MALONE - 1987; NO WAY OUT - 1987; PASS THE AMMO - 1988; FLETCH LIVES - 1989; AN INNOCENT MAN - 1989; LAMBADA - 1990; THE END OF INNOCENCE - 1990; THE DOORS - 1991; STOP! OR MY MOM WILL SHOOT - 1992; WISHMAN - 1992; SIDEKICKS - 1992; BEYOND THE LAW - 1993; SON IN LAW - 1993; EYE OF THE STALKER - 1995; TIN CUP - 1996; TOUCH - 1997; CON AIR - 1997; POSSUMS - 1998; THE FIRST 9 1/2 WEEKS - 1998; VICE - 2000; WISH YOU WERE DEAD - 2002; HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE - 2003; Burkley was also an in-demand TV guest star, appearing in over 75 TV series, including KOJAK; STARSKY AND HUTCH; McCLOUD; QUINCY, M.E.; BARETTA; THE ROCKFORD FILES; B.J. AND THE BEAR; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO; a regular on SANFORD - 1980-1981; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO; HILL STREET BLUES; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD; THE HITCHHIKER; ER; NYPD BLUE; RENEGADE; and many others, including a recurring role as the voice of "Principal Ross" on the animated show KING OF THE HILL) - 07/14/13
BRIONY McROBERTS (Actress: PETER PAN - 1976; THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN - 1976; EDGE OF SANITY - 1989; Dozens of British TV series, including a recurring role as "Anna" on BACHELOR FATHER - 1970-1971; She committed suicide by jumping in front of a train.) - 07/17/13
VINCENZO CERAMI (Italian Screenwriter: THE DIRTY OUTLAWS - 1967; THE SILENT STRANGER - 1968; HATE IS MY GOD - 1969; BLINDMAN - 1971; HIGH FREQUENCY - 1988; THE HATEFUL DEAD - 1989; JOHNNY STECCHINO - 1991; THE MONSTER - 1994; LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL - 1997; VIPER - 2000; PINOCCHIO - 2002) - 07/17/13
STEVEN H. SMITH (Camera Operator/Cinematographer: BLADE RUNNER - 1982; BRAINSTORM - 1983; STICK - 1985; COLORS - 1988; FLASHBACK - 1990; BIRD ON A WIRE - 1990; THE BODYGUARD - 1992; CLEAN SLATE - 1994; DRACULA: DEAD AND LONING IT - 1995; GHOST OF MARS - 2001; SUPERBAD - 2007) - 07/19/13
MEL SMITH (English Comedian/Actor/Director: BULLSHOT CRUMMOND - 1983; SLAYGROUND - 1983; MORONS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1985; RESTLESS NATIVES - 1985; EUROPEAN VACATION - 1985; THE PRINCESS BRIDE - 1987; THE TALL GUY - 1989; THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE - 1989; THE MISADVENTURES OF MR. WILT - 1990; BRAIN DONORS - 1992; ART DECO DETECTIVE - 1994; THE RIDDLE - 2007) - 07/19/13
DENNIS FARINA (Actor: Great character actor that came into prominence on the TV series CRIME STORY - 1986-1988, but was acting for years before then in movies andTV; He also spent two years as one of the head detectives on TV's LAW & ORDER - 2004-2006 and one year on the HBO series LUCK - 2011-2012 before the ASPCA made it permanently halt production due to the death of three horses; His movies include THIEF - 1981; THROUGH NAKED EYES - 1983; CODE OF SILENCE - 1985; FINAL JEOPARDY - 1985; TRIPLECROSS - 1986; MANHUNTER - 1986 (one of my favorite Farina performance); SIX AGAINST THE ROCK - 1987; MIDNIGHT RUN - 1988 (my second favorite Farina performance); THE CASE OF THE HILLSIDE STRANGLERS - 1989; MEN OF RESPECT - 1990; PERFECT CRIMES - 1991; STREET CRIMES - 1992; ANOTHER STAKEOUT - 1993; STRIKING DISTANCE - 1993 (this film gets a lot of flak, but I always enjoy watching it); THE CORPSE HAD A FAMILIAR FACE - 1994; GET SHORTY - 1995 (my third favorite Farina performance); OUT OF SIGHT - 1998; SAVING PRIVATE RYAN - 1998; THE MOD SQUAD - 1999; REINDEER GAMES - 2000; BAD SEED - 2000; SNATCH - 2000; BIG TROUBLE - 2002; PAPARAZZI - 2004; EMPIRE FALLS - 2005; YOU KILL ME - 2007; KNUCKLEHEAD - 2010; Farina was 69 years-old) - 07/22/13
RONA ANDERSON (Actress: THE 20 QUESTIONS MURDER MYSTERY - 1950; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1951; WHISPERING SMITH INVESTIGATES - 1952; NOOSE FOR A LADY - 1953; THE BLACK RIDER - 1954; THE CASE OF THE RED MONKEY - 1955; SHADOW OF A MAN - 1956; SPIN A DARK WEB - 1956; MAN WITH A GUN - 1958; OPERATION MERMAID - 1963; DEVILS OF DARKNESS - 1965; THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE - 1969) - 07/23/13
EILEEN BRENNAN (Actress: THE LAST PICTURE SHOW - 1971; SCARECROW - 1973; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1973; THE STING - 1973; COME DIE WITH ME - 1974; KNUCKLE - 1975; THE NIGHT THAT PANICKED AMERICA - 1975; HUSTLE - 1975; MURDER BY DEATH - 1976; THE DEATH OF RICHIE - 1977; THE GREAT SMOKEY ROADBLOCK - 1977; FM - 1978; THE CHEAP DETECTIVE - 1978; PRIVATE BENJAMIN - 1980; PANDEMONIUM - 1982; THE FUNNY FARM - 1983; CLUE - 1985; STICKY FINGERS - 1987; RENTED LIPS - 1987; WHITE PALACE - 1990; PRECIOUS VICTIMS - 1993; RECKLESS - 1995; JEEPERS CREEPERS - 2001; DUMB LUCK - 2003; THE HOLLOW - 2004; Hundreds of TV Series guest appearances) - 07/28/13
MICHAEL ANSARA (Actor: Good-looking Syria-born character actor who appeared in many TV series and films. When he first broke into films in 1944, he was typecastas a foreign bad guy or Native American Indian [he portrayed Cochise in the TV series BROKEN ARROW - 1956-1958], but plenty of TV work proved that he could do much, much, more. SERPENT OF THE NILE - 1953; WHITE WITCH DOCTOR - 1953; SLAVES OF BABYLON - 1953; JUPITER'S DARLING - 1955; ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY - 1955; THE LONE RANGER - 1956; THE TALL STRANGER - 1957; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1961; THE COMANCHEROS - 1961; THE CONFESSION - 1964; HARUM SCARUM - 1965; TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER - 1966; THE DESTRUCTORS - 1968; SOL MADRID - 1968; TARGET: HARRY - 1969; GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1969; THE PHYNX - 1970; DEAR DEAD DELILAH - 1972; THE DOLL SQUAD - 1973; ORDEAL - 1973; IT'S ALIVE - 1974; DAY OF THE ANIMALS - 1977; THE MANITOU - 1978 [My favorite Ansara performance], DR. STRANGE - 1978; ACCESS CODE - 1984; KGB: THE SECRET WAR - 1985; KNIGHTS OF THE CITY - 1986; ASSASSINATION - 1987; BORDER SHOOTOUT - 1990; Hundreds of TV guest appearances, including the episode "Soldier" on THE OUTER LIMITS - 1963-1965 and "Kane" on an episode of the original STAR TREK - 1966-1969, which he reprised on STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - 1993-1999) - 07/31/13
GAIL KOBE (Actress/ Soap Opera Producer: She was mainly a TV actress who dabbled now and again in TV movies such as DESTINATION SPACE - 1959 and THE LEGEND OF LIZZIE BORDEN - 1975. I remember her for her roles in two episodes of the original THE OUTER LIMITS, "Specimen: Unknown" and "Keeper Of The Purple Twilight" [both 1964]. She was also a regular on PEYTON PLACE - 1964-1969, appeared on three episodes of the original THE TWILIGHT ZONE ["A World Of Difference" - 1960; "In His Image" - 1963 and "The Self-Improvement Of Salvadore Ross" - 1964], and had guest roles on such series as MANNIX, MOD SQUAD, IRONSIDE, GUNSMOKE and many others. She then went on to produce 210 episodes of the soap opera THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 08/01/13
DAVID C. ANDERSON (Second Unit Director/Production Manager: DR. NO - 1962; FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1963; THE SHUTTERED ROOM - 1967; THE KREMLIN LETTER - 1970; 200 MOTELS - 1971; THEATRE OF BLOOD - 1973; THE EAGLE HAS LANDED - 1976; THE DEER HUNTER - 1978; FLASH GORDON - 1980; STRANGE BEHAVIOR - 1981; INVASION U.S.A. - 1985; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 - 1986; BEST SELLER - 1987; MIRACLE MILE - 1988; TEQUILA SUNRISE - 1988; NOWHERE TO RUN - 1993) - 08/04/13
KAREN BLACK (Actress: Excellent actress who was adept in any genre. When she became older, she began taking on character roles in a staggering amount B-films during the 90's right up until her death from cancer. Her films include: THE PRIME TIME - 1959 [her debut]; HARD CONTRACT - 1969; EASY RIDER - 1969 [her breakout role]; FIVE EASY PIECES - 1970; DRIVE, HE SAID - 1971; BORN TO WIN - 1971; CISCO PIKE - 1972; PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT - 1972; LITTLE LAURA AND BIG JOHN - 1973; THE PYX - 1973; THE OUTFIT - 1973; THE GREAT GATSBY - 1974; LAW AND DISORDER - 1974; AIRPLANE 1975 - 1974; TRILOGY OF TERROR - 1975[the famous TV movie that defined her career in horror films]; NASHVILLE - 1975; FAMILY PLOT - 1976; BURNT OFFERINGS - 1976; THE STRANGE POSSESSION OF MRS. OLIVER - 1977; CAPRICORN ONE - 1977; THE SQUEEZE - 1978; KILLER FISH - 1979; KILLING HEAT - 1981; THE LAST HORROR FILM - 1982; CUT AND RUN - 1985; ETERNAL EVIL - 1985; SAVAGE DAWN - 1985; INVADERS FROM MARS - 1986; IT'S ALIVE III: ISLAND OF THE ALIVE - 1987; HOSTAGE - 1987; THE INVISIBLE KID - 1988; OUT OF THE DARK - 1988; HITZ - 1988; HOMER AND EDDIE - 1989; THE CHILDREN - 1990; EVIL SPIRITS - 1990; FATAL ENCOUNTER - 1990; OVEREXPOSED - 1990; TWISTED JUSTICE - 1990; ZAPPED AGAIN! - 1990; NIGHT ANGEL - 1990; HAUNTING FEAR - 1990; MIRROR MIRROR - 1990; THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN - 1991; THE KILLERS EDGE - 1991; CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT - 1991; QUIET FIRE - 1991; AUNTIE LEE'S MEAT PIES - 1991; LEGEND OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN - 1992; RETURN OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN - 1992; THE DOUBLE O KID - 1992; DEAD GIRLS DON'T TANGO - 1992; CAGED FEAR - 1992; JUDGEMENT - 1992; PLAN 10 FROM OUTER SPACE - 1995; DINOSAUR VALLEY GIRLS - 1996; MOVIES MONEY MURDER - 1996; CRIMETIME - 1996; CHILDREN OF THE CORN IV: THE GATHERING - 1996; STIR - 1997; INVISIBLE DAD - 1998; I WOKE UP EARLY THE DAY I DIED - 1998; BURY THE EVIDENCE - 1998; THE UNDERGROUND COMEDY MOVIE - 1999; PARADISE COVE - 1999; OLIVER TWISTED - 2000; THE DONOR - 2001; SOULKEEPER - 2001; HARD LUCK - 2001; MINER'S MASSACRE - 2002; TEKNOLUST - 2002; A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS - 2002; HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES - 2002 [she was simply fantastic as "Mother Firefly"]; DR. RAGE - 2005; FIRECRACKER - 2005; ONE LONG NIGHT - 2007; CONTAMINATION - 2008; REPO CHICK - 2009; STUCK - 2009; SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE - 2011; DARK BLOOD - 2012; OOGA BOOGA - 2013. Ms. Black also did plenty of TV guest spots during the 60's through the 80's on such series as THE F.B.I., RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, THE BIG VALLEY, THE INVADERS, MANNIX, ADAM-12, THE NAME OF THE GAME, CIRCLE OF FEAR, E/R and MURDER, SHE WROTE. In 2003, she had a guest role on LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, her only network TV role in the New Millennium.) - 08/08/13
JACK CLEMENT (Producer/Songwriter: As Producer: DEAR DEAD DELILAH - 1972. As Songwriter: HELL ON WHEELS - 1967; ...tick...tick...tick - 1970; THAT'LL BE THE DAY - 1973; A PERFECT WORLD - 1993; DROP DEAD GORGEOUS - 1999; A DIRTY SHAME - 2004; WALK THE LINE - 2005; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007) - 08/08/13
HAJI (Actress: Big-busted gal who was a favorite of Russ Meyer. She appeared in such films as FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! - 1965; MOTOR PSYCHO - 1965; GOOD MORNING...AND GOODBYE! - 1967; BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1970; BIGFOOT - 1970; UP YOUR ALLEY - 1971; WHAM! BAM! THANK YOU SPACEMAN! - 1975; SUPERVIXENS - 1975; THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE -1976; ILSA, HAREM KEEPER OF THE OIL SHEIKS - 1976; DEMONOID: MESSENGER OF DEATH - 1981; THE DOUBLE-D AVENGER - 2001; KILLER DRAG QUEENS ON DOPE - 2003) - 08/09/13
HENRY POLIC II (Actor: Known for his TV roles [the "Sheriff Of Nottingham" on WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975], Polic did venture into films every now and then. His film and TV series appearances include: THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; MONSTER SQUAD [TV Series - 1976]; THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE - 1977; RABBIT TEST - 1978; MORK & MINDY - 1979; SCAVENGER HUNT - 1979; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1980; OH, GOD! BOOK TWO - 1980; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978 & 1981; DARKROOM [TV Series - 1982]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1982; HOLLYWOOD CHAOS - 1989; WEBSTER - 1983-1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986 & 1989; COMBUSTION - 2004. Polic also supplied voices to many animated series including: SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO - 1979; SMURFS - 1981; THE FONZ AND THE HAPPY DAYS GANG - 1980-1981; THE DUKES - 1983; YO YOGI! - 1991 and BATMAN - 1992-1994. He was 68 years-old) - 08/11/13
LISA ROBIN KELLY (Actress: Best known for playing "Laurie", Eric Foreman's [Topher Grace] snotty sister on THAT 70'S SHOW - 1998-2003, Kelly got her first acting gig on a 1992 episode of MARRIED WITH CHILDREN. Her film roles include: RELENTLESS IV: ASHES TO ASHES - 1994; PAYBACK - 1995; TERROR IN THE SHADOWS - 1995; AMITYVILLE: DOLLHOUSE - 1996; THE SURVIVOR - 1998; KILL THE MAN - 1999; CLUBLAND - 1999. Her TV roles include stints on THE X-FILES ["Syzygy" - 1996], POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY, THE NET and CHARMED. Kelly battled alcohol and drug addiction [she was fired from THAT 70'S SHOW for that reason] and died of an overdose while at rehab.) - 08/14/13
LUCIANO MARTINO (Producer/Writer: Brother of Italian director/writer Sergio Martino, Luciano produced/wrote many of his brother's films as well as many other Italian productions including: THE WHIP AND THE BODY - 1963; URSUS IN THE LAND OF FIRE - 1963;HERCULES AND THE MASKED RIDER - 1964; HERCULES AGAINST THE BARBARIANS - 1964; HERCULES AND THE TYRANTS OF BABYLON - 1964; GIANTS OF ROME - 1964; GOLIATH AT THE CONQUEST OF DAMASCUS - 1965; SECRET AGENT FIREBALL - 1965 [one of his handfull of stabs at directing]; THE MURDER CLINIC - 1966; KILLERS ARE CHALLENGED - 1966; ARIZONA COLT - 1966; 10,000 DOLLARS FOR A MASSACRE - 1967; THE SWEET BODY OF DEBORAH - 1968; VENGEANCE IS MINE - 1968; SO SWEET...SO PERVERSE - 1969; NAKED AND VIOLENT - 1970; BLADE OF THE RIPPER - 1971; THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL - 1971; ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK - 1972; THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS - 1972; YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY - 1972; NO WAY OUT - 1973; ALMOST HUMAN - 1974; THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A MINOR - 1975; SYNDICATE SADISTS - 1975; SEX WITH A SMILE - 1976; A MAN CALLED BLADE - 1977; THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD - 1978; SCREAMERS [ISLE OF THE FISHMEN] - 1979; CONCORDE AFFAIR '79 - 1979; THE GREAT ALLIGATOR - 1979; EATEN ALIVE! - 1980; CANNIBAL FEROX - 1981; THE SCORPION WITH TWO TAILS - 1982; IRONMASTER - 1983; A BLADE IN THE DARK - 1983; 2019: AFTER THE FALL OF NEW YORK - 1983; BLASTFIGHTER - 1984; MIAMI GOLEM - 1985; HANDS OF STEEL - 1986; DELIRIUM - 1987; THE OPPONENT - 1988; THE SLEAZY UNCLE - 1989 and many, many others. He was 79 years-old.) - 08/14/13
AUGUST SCHELLENBERG (Actor: Best known for his portrayal of "Randolph Johnson" in thethree FREE WILLY films [1993 - 1997], Schellenberg had a long career on TV and in movies. Some of his acting credits are: RIP-OFF - 1971; ONE MAN - 1977; POWER PLAY - 1978; BEAR ISLAND - 1979; DEATH HUNT - 1981; KINGS AND DESPERATE MEN - 1981; CROSS COUNTRY - 1983; COVERGIRL - 1984; BEST REVENGE - 1984; MARK OF CAIN - 1986; BLACK ROBE - 1991; TERROR ON TRACK 9 - 1992; GETTING GOTTI - 1994; CRAZY HORSE - 1996; SILENCE - 1997; THE UNSAID - 2001; TREMORS 4: THE LEGEND BEGINS - 2004; 45 R.P.M. and THE LAST MOVIE - 2012 which, eerily enough. was his last movie. His TV roles include: THE NEW AVENGERS, THE HITCHHIKER, THE LITTLEST HOBO, PHILIP MARLOWE PRIVATE EYE, AIRWOLF, FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES, COUNTERSTRIKE, WALKER TEXAS RANGER, DUE SOUTH, GREY'S ANATOMY and SAVING GRACE.) - 08/15/13
LEE THOMPSON YOUNG (Actor: Known for his role on TV as the title character in Disney's THE FAMOUS JETT JACKSON - 1998-2001 and for his current role as "Detective Barry Frost" on RIZZOLI & ISLES - 2010-Present. Other movies and TV shows Young appeared on were JOHNNY TSUNAMI -1999; THE GUARDIAN - 2002; FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - 2004; SOUTH BEACH - 2006; THE HILLS HAVE EYES II - 2007; FLASHFORWARD - 2009-2010; JUST AN AMERICAN - 2012; Young committed suicide with a gun. He was 29 years-old) - 08/19/13
ELMORE LEONARD (Novelist: Leonard was known for writing Western and hard-biting detective novels; Some of the movies based on his books were: 3:10 TO YUMA - 1957; HOMBRE - 1967; THE BIG BOUNCE - 1969; THE MOONSHINE WAR - 1970 [Leonard also wrote the screenplay]; JOE KIDD - 1972; MR. MAJESTYK - 1974; STICK - 1985 [also screenplay]; 52 PICK-UP - 1986 [also screenplay]; THE ROSARY MURDERS - 1987; CAT CHASER - 1989; GET SHORTY - 1995; JACKIE BROWN - 1997 [Leonard has publicly said that this was his favorite film based on one of his novels, in this case "Rum Punch"]; OUT OF SIGHT - 1998; JUSTIFIED [TV Series - 2010-Present]. Leonard was 87 years-old) - 08/20/13
TED POST (Director: THE PEACEMAKER - 1956; THE LEGEND OF TOM DOOLEY - 1959; ESPIONAGE:FAR EAST - 1961; HANG 'EM HIGH - 1968; BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1970; NIGHT SLAVES - 1970; DR. COOK'S GARDEN - 1971; FIVE DESPERATE WOMEN - 1971; DO NOT FOLD, SPINDLE OR MUTILATE - 1971; SANDCASTLES - 1972; THE BABY - 1972 [one of the best cult films of the 70's in my opinion]; THE HARRAD EXPERIMENT - 1973; MAGNUM FORCE - 1973; WHIFFS - 1975; GO TELL THE SPARTANS - 1978; GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK - 1978; DIARY OF A TEENAGE HITCHHIKER - 1979; NIGHTKILL - 1980; Post also directed hundreds of TV series episodes including: PERRY MASON, THRILLER, GUNSMOKE, RAWHIDE, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, COMBAT!, COLUMBO, BEYOND WESTWORLD and CAGNEY & LACEY. Post was 95 years-old.) - 08/20/13
JEAN HILL (Actress: Acted in three John Waters films: DESPERATE LIVING - 1977; POLYESTER - 1981 and A DIRTY SHAME - 2004. Her only other film appearances were in the documentaries IN BAD TASTE - 2000 and FRANCES: A MOTHER DIVINE - 2010) - 08/21/13
GILBERT TAYLOR (Cinematographer: SEVEN DAYS TO NOON - 1950; DR. STRANGELOVE - 1964; A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - 1964; REPULSION - 1965; CUL-DE-SAC - 1966; BLOOD FIEND - 1967; QUACKSER FORTUNE HAS A COUSIN IN THE BRONX - 1970; MACBETH - 1971; FRENZY - 1972; THE OMEN - 1976; STAR WARS - 1977; ESCAPE TO ATHENA - 1979; DRACULA - 1979; FLASH GORDON - 1980; VENOM - 1981; VOYAGE OF THE ROCK ALIENS - 1984; LASSITER - 1984; THE BEDROOM WINDOW - 1987 and over 50 more. Taylor was 99 years-old) - 08/23/13
JULIE HARRIS (Actress: EAST OF EDEN - 1955; I AM A CAMERA - 1955; A DOLL'S HOUSE - 1959;REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT - 1962; THE HAUNTING - 1963; THE HOLY TERROR - 1965; HARPER - 1966; REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDER EYE - 1967; JOURNEY TO MIDNIGHT - 1968; THE SPLIT - 1968; THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - 1970; HOW AWFUL ABOUT ALLAN - 1970; HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - 1972; THE HIDING PLACE - 1975; VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED - 1976; CRIMEWAVE - 1985; ANNIHILATOR - 1986; GORILLAS IN THE MIST - 1988; THE DARK HALF - 1993; LUCIFER'S CHILD - 1995; BAD MANNERS - 1997. Ms. Harris was also an accomplished Broadway actress, winning six Tony Awards. She was also in demand on TV, being nominated for an Emmy many times and winning three. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING [1952], her first role in a theatrical feature. Ms. Harris was 87 years-old.) - 08/24/13
WILLIAM FROUG (TV Producer/Writer: SAM BENEDICT - 1962-1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1963-1964; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1964-1965; BEWITCHED - 1966-1967; IN SEARCH OF AMERICA - 1971) - 08/25/13
GERALD MURPHY (Actor: SACRED HEARTS - 1985; WATERWORLD - 1995; I WAS A RAT - 2001; BATMAN BEGINS - 2005; PUMPGIRL - 2009; THE COMEDIAN - 2012. Dozens of British TV Series appearances.) - 08/26/13
MURRAY GERSHENZ (Actor: Proprietor of Music Man Murray record shop in Los Angeles, Mr. Murray didn't start acting until he was 80 years-old. Some of his theatrical credits include: THE ONION MOVIE - 2008; EXTREME MOVIE - 2008; THE HANGOVER - 2009; 3 BLIND SAINTS - 2011; SMASHED - 2012; THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE - 2013. His TV credits include: PUSHING DAISIES - 2007; MAD MEN - 2010; HOUSE M.D. - 2010 and NCIS: LOS ANGELES - 2012. Murray Gershenz was 91 years-old) - 08/28/13
DAVID FROST (Producer/Interviewer: Stoic British personality, best known for his informative interviews with ex-President Richard Nixon, which was depicted in the film FROST/NIXON [2008]. Frost was also a producer of many documentary and theatrical films, including: CHARLEY-ONE-EYE - 1973; WHO KILLED LAMB? - 1974; DYNASTY - 1976; LEADBELLY - 1976; THE SEARCH FOR MENGELE - 1985; BLOODLINES: THE DRACULA FAMILY TREE - 2003; RETREAT - 2011; THE UNSEEN - 2013. Frost was 74 years-old.) - 08/31/13
OLE ERNST (Dutch Actor: THE FIRST CIRCLE - 1973; THE ESCAPE - 1973; BLIND IS BEAUTIFUL - 1976; TERROR - 1977; YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE - 1982; THE BOY WHO DISAPPEARED - 1984; EAINFOX - 1984; EPIDEMIC - 1987; COUNT AXEL - 2001; THE COLLECTOR - 2004; THE CROCS - 2008) - 09/01/13
TOMMY MORRISON (Former Champion Heavyweight Boxer who was diagnosed with HIV in 1996: Morrison appeared in two films, THEY LIVE - 1988 and ROCKY V - 1990, as Tommy "Machine" Gunn. Morrison died of an undisclosed illness and was 44 years-old.) - 09/01/13
JOSE RAMON LARRAZ (Spanish Director: Larraz made some of the best horror/thriller/sexploitation films of the 70's. 80's & 90's including: WHIRLPOOL - 1970 [One of the first non-porn films to be Rated X]; DEVIATION - 1971; LA MUERTE INCIERTA - 1973; VAMPYRES - 1974; SYMPTOMS [a.k.a. THE BLOOD VIRGIN] - 1974; THE HOUSE THAT VANISHED [a.k.a. SCREAM AND DIE] - 1974; THE VIOLATION OF THE BITCH [a.k.a. THE COMING OF SIN] - 1978; THE GOLDEN LADY - 1979; STIGMA - 1980; THE NATIONAL MUMMY - 1981; MADAME OLGA'S PUPILS - 1981; BLACK CANDLES [a.k.a. HOT FANTASIES] - 1982; REST IN PIECES - 1987; EDGE OF THE AXE - 1988; DEADLY MANOR [a.k.a. SAVAGE LUST] - 1990; SEVILLA CONNECTION - 1992. Mr. Larraz was 84 years-old.) - 09/03/13
BILL WALLIS (Actor: THE BED SITTING ROOM - 1969; THE ORCHARD END MURDER - 1980; BRAZIL - 1985; THE WHISTLE BLOWER - 1986; THE BOURNE IDENTITY - 1988; THE GREAT ESCAPE II: THE UNTOLD STORY - 1988; THE SECRET LIFE OF IAN FLEMING - 1990; CRIMESTRIKE - 1990; SPLITTING HEIRS - 1993; SON OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1993; A MERRY WAR - 1997; THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL - 2008. Mr. Wallis also did dozens of British TV series guest roles and was a regular on the British TV series DANGERFIELD - 1995-1999.) - 09/06/13
LOUISE CURRIE (Actress: YOU'LL FIND OUT - 1940; THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES AGAIN! - 1940; THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL - 1941; CITIZEN KANE - 1941; DOUBLE TROUBLE - 1941; THE APE MAN - 1943; THE MASKED MARVEL - 1943; VOODOO MAN - 1944; THE CRIMSON KEY - 1947; THE CHINESE RING - 1947. She retired from acting in 1956. Ms. Currie was 100 years-old.) - 09/08/13
ALBERTO BEVILACQUA (Italian Screenwriter/Director: ATOM AGE VAMPIRE - 1960; BLACK SABBATH - 1963; PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES - 1965; THIS KIND OF LOVE - 1972; EYE OF THE CAT - 1975; WOMAN OF WONDERS - 1985; BLUE TANGO - 1987; GIALLOPARMA - 1999) - 09/09/13
DON NELSON (Screenwriter/TV Writer: NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN - 1976; GUS - 1976; HERBIE GOES TO MONTE CARLO - 1977; THE MUNSTER'S REVENGE - 1981; THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY - 1987. Some of the TV shows he wrote for include: THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR; BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE; SIMON & SIMON and DROOPY: MASTER DETECTIVE) - 09/10/13
WILLIAM A. GRAHAM (Director: SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1958; THE DOOMSDAY FLIGHT - 1966; THREE FOR DANGER - 1967; WATERHOLE #3 - 1967; TRIAL RUN - 1969; SUBMARINE X-1 - 1969; CHANGE OF HABIT - 1969; THE INTRUDERS - 1970; HONKY - 1971;JIGSAW - 1972; CRY FOR ME BILLY - 1972; BIRDS OF PREY - 1973; MR. INSIDE/MR. OUTSIDE - 1973; CHANT OF SILENCE - 1973; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1974; TOGETHER BROTHERS - 1974; TRAPPED BENEATH THE SEA - 1975; BEYOND THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE - 1975; SHARK KILL - 1976; 21 HOURS AT MUNICH - 1976; CONTRACT ON CHERRY STREET - 1977; AND I ALONE SURVIVED - 1978; GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES - 1980; RAGE! - 1980; DEADLY ENCOUNTER - 1982; THE LAST NINJA - 1983; CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS - 1984; POLICE STORY: THE FREEWAY KILLINGS - 1987; RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON - 1991; ELVIS AND THE COLONEL: THE UNTOLD STORY - 1993; BEYOND SUSPICION - 1993; TERROR IN THE SHADOWS - 1995; DYING TO BELONG - 1997; THE HUNT FOR THE UNICORN KILLER - 1999; BLOOD CRIME - 2002. Mr. Graham was also a much-in-demand TV series director, working on such series as ROUTE 66; NAKED CITY; 12 O'CLOCH HIGH; THE F.B.I.; THE FUGITIVE; BATMAN; POLICE STORY; TRUE BLUE and THE X-FILES.) - 09/12/13
ROD MASTERSON (Actor: THE LIFE AND ASSASSINATION OF THE KINGFISH - 1977; WALK PROUD - 1979; TIGHTROPE - 1984; THE OUTSIDE WOMAN - 1989; FALSE WITNESS - 1989; BLAZE - 1989; DELTA HEAT - 1992; DANGEROUS PROPOSITION - 1998) - 09/12/13
JIMMY HERMAN (Actor: DANCES WITH WOLVES - 1990; WARRIOR SPIRIT - 1994; BLIND JUSTICE - 1994; PHANTOM TOWN - 1999; IN THE BLUE GROUND: A NORTH OF 60 MYSTERY - 1999; REINDEER GAMES - 2000; DEATH TRAIN TO THE PACIFIC - 2001; JOHNSON COUNTY WAR - 2002; DISTANT DRUMMING: A NORTH OF 60 MYSTERY - 2005; SANTA's SLAY - 2005. He also did some TV, including episodes of THE X-FILES, THE OUTER LIMITS [the new version]; THE CROW: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN and SUPERNATURAL) - 09/13/13
RICHARD C. SARAFIAN (Director: TERROR AT BLACK FALLS - 1962; ANDY - 1965; SHADOW ON THE LAND - 1968; FRAGMENT OF FEAR - 1970;VANISHING POINT - 1971 [his cult film success]; MAN IN THE WILDERNESS - 1971; LOLLY-MADONNA XXX - 1973; THE MAN WHO LOVED CAT DANCING - 1973; THE NEXT MAN - 1976; SUNBURN - 1979; DISASTER ON THE COASTLINER - 1979; THE BEAR - 1984; EYE OF THE TIGER - 1986 [my favorite film he directed]; STREET JUSTICE - 1987; SOLAR CRISIS - 1990. Mr. Sarafian was also a popular TV Series director who was responsible for some memorable TV, including the "Living Doll" episode of TWILIGHT ZONE [1963]. His other TV credits include episodes of MAVERICK; SURFSIDE 6; HAWAIIAN EYE; 77 SUNSET STRIP; BONANZA; THE WILD WILD WEST; BATMAN; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E.; I SPY; GUNSMOKE; SHANNON; THE WILD SIDE; and many others. He is the father of successful TV director Deran Sarafian [the CSI: franchise], who also dabbled in such theatrical films as ALIEN PREDATOR - 1985; INTERZONE - 1987; DEATH WARRANT - 1990 and TERMINAL VELOCITY - 1994) - 09/18/13
KEN NORTON (Boxer/Actor: Champion Heavyweight Boxer, who defeated both Muhammed Ali and Duane Bobick and also dabbled in acting. He is best known for the racial melodramas MANDINGO - 1976 and it's sequel DRUM - 1976. Other film appearances include: TOP OF THE HEAP - 1972; DELTA PI - 1984; OCEANS OF FIRE - 1986; KISS AND BE KILLED - 1991; FROG AND WOMBAT - 1998 and THE MAN WHO CAME BACK - 2008) - 09/18/13
LUCIANO VINCENZONI (Italian Screenwriter: DESTINATION FURY - 1961; DUEL OF THE CHAMPIONS - 1961; FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE - 1965; THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY - 1966; DEATH RIDES A HORSE - 1967; DUCK, YOU SUCKER [a.k.a. A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE - 1971; one of my favorite spaghetti westerns]; MR. HERCULES AGAINST KARATE - 1973; THE KNOCK-OUT COP - 1973; WAR GODDESS - 1973; THREE TOUGH GUYS - 1974; POLICEWOMAN - 1974; THE BEAST - 1974; ORCA: THE KILLER WHALE - 1977; CUT AND RUN - 1985 [uncredited]; MIAMI SUPERCOPS - 1985; RAW DEAL - 1986; VENETIAN RED - 1989; SAFARI - 1991; BEYOND JUSTICE - 1992 [uncredited]; THE FALSE LIAR - 2008 [his autobiography]) - 09/22/13
GARY BRANDNER (Novelist/Screenwriter: Although he only wrote one screenplay, CAMERON'S CLOSET - 1988, his novels were adapted for many movies, the best-known being THE HOWLING - 1981 and the many sequels, including HOWLING II...YOUR SISTER IS A WEREWOLF - 1985; THE MARSUPIALS: THE HOWLING III - 1987; HOWLING IV: THE ORIGINAL NIGHTMARE - 1988; HOWLING V: THE REBIRTH - 1990; HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS - 1991 and the truly awful HOWLING: NEW MOON RISING - 1995. His novel "Walkers" was adapted for the TV movie FROM THE DEAD OF NIGHT - 1989 and he had a small role in SATAN'S STORYBOOK - 1989) - 09/23/13
ANTHONY HINDS (Producer/Writer (usually writing screenplays using the pseudonym "John Elder"): One of the chief architects of Hammer Films Productions during its golden heyday. He was the son of Hammer Films co-founder Will Hammer and took over the business when his father passed away. His films include: WHAT THE BUTLER SAW - 1950;SOMEONE AT THE DOOR - 1950; MAN IN BLACK - 1950; THE BLACK WIDOW - 1951; MAN BAIT - 1952; TERROR STREET - 1953; PAID TO KILL - 1954; THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT - 1955; X: THE UNKNOWN - 1956; THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1957; QUATERMASS II: ENEMY FROM SPACE - 1957; THE CAMP ON BLOOD ISLAND - 1958; HORROR OF DRACULA - 1958; THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1958; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1959; THE STRANGLERS OF BOMBAY - 1959; THE BRIDES OF DRACULA - 1960; NEVER TAKE SWEETS FROM A STRANGER - 1960; THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF - 1961; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1962; NIGHT CREATURES - 1962; PARANOIAC - 1963; THESE ARE THE DAMNED - 1963; THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE - 1963; THE OLD DARK HOUSE - 1963; THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1964; DIE! DIE! MY DARLING! - 1965; DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS - 1966; THE REPTILE - 1966; RASPUTIN: THE MAD MONK - 1966; THE MUMMY'S SHROUD - 1967; FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN - 1967; JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS - 1968; THE LOST CONTINENT - 1968 (one of my favorite Hammer Films); DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM HIS GRAVE - 1968; TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA - 1970; SCARS OF DRACULA - 1970; JOURNEY TO MIDNIGHT - 1971; FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL - 1974; THE GHOUL - 1974; LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF - 1975; VISITOR FROM THE GRAVE - 1980; SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MASKS OF DEATH - 1984) - 09/30/13
GIULIANO GEMMA (Actor/Musician: BEN-HUR - 1959; MESSALINA - 1960; BATTLE OF THE WORLDS - 1961; MY SON, THE HERO - 1962; THE LEOPARD - 1963; GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON - 1963; THE TWO GLADIATORS - 1964; HERCULES AGAINST THE SONS OF THE SUN - 1964; A PISTOL FOR RINGO - 1965; BLOOD FOR A SILVER DOLLAR - 1965; VENGEANCE OF THE VIKINGS - 1965; THE RETURN OF RINGO - 1966; KISS KISS-BANG BANG - 1966; ARIZONA COLT - 1966; FOR A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS - 1966; THE BASTARD - 1968; WHEN WOMEN HAD TAILS - 1970; THE SMUGGLERS - 1971; AMIGO, STAY AWAY - 1972; EVEN ANGELS EAT BEANS - 1973; THE MAGNIFICENT DARE DEVIL - 1973 SHOOT FIRST...ASK QUESTIONS LATER - 1975; AFRICA EXPRESS - 1976; THE DESERT OF THE TARTARS - 1976; SAFARI EXPRESS - 1977; CORLEONE - 1978; THE BIGGEST BATTLE - 1978; OPERATION LEOPARD - 1980; THE WARNING - 1980; TENEBRE - 1982; TEX AND THE LORD OF THE DEEP - 1985; READY TO FIGHT - 1988; THE OPPONENT - 1988; MAD LOVE - 2001; THE FINAL INQUIRY - 2006; TO ROME WITH LOVE - 2012) - 10/01/13
TOM CLANCY (Novelist: Many of Clancy's novels became well-received films and TV movies, including: THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER - 1990; PATRIOT GAMES - 1992; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - 1994; OP CENTER - 1995 [also an Executive Producer]; NETFORCE - 1999 and THE SUM OF ALL FEARS - 2002 [also an Executive Producer]. His novels were also popular fodder for video games, including the RAINBOX SIX franchise, THE SPLINTER CELL franchise, ROGUE SPEAR and GHOST RECON. He also played an animated version of himself on THE SIMPSONS, was a guest contestant on the game show JEOPARDY! and was a frequent guest on the CHARLIE ROSE show.) - 10/01/13
JONATHAN KAUFER (Writer/Director/Actor: HOLMES AND YO-YO - 1976-1977; QUARK - 1978; SOUP FOR ONE - 1982; INTO THE NIGHT - 1985; ALWAYS - 1985; DREAM ON - 1990; BAD MANNERS - 1997) - 10/02/13
RAOUL N. RIZIK (Actor: BROADCAST NEWS - 1987; DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY - 1991; DOUBLE EDGE - 1992; NAILS - 1992; JUSTICE - 1999; KNOCKOUT - 2000; BLOW - 2001. Various guest star roles on episodic TV series during the 90's and the New Millennium.) - 10/03/13
CARLO LIZZANI (Italian Director/Writer: THE SECRET AGENTS - 1965; THE HILLS RUN RED - 1966; THE VIOLENT FOUR - 1968; CRAZY JOE - 1974; THE LAST 4 DAYS - 1974; THE TEENAGE PROSTITUTION RACKET - 1976; KLEINHOFF HOTEL - 1977; THE HOUSE OF THE YELLOW CARPET - 1983; THE WICKED - 1991; CELLULOID - 1996) - 10/05/13
PAUL ROGERS (British Actor: MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL - 1951; SVENGALI - 1954; OUR MAN IN HAVANA - 1959; A CIRCLE OF DECEPTION - 1960; THE MARK - 1961; WALK IN THE SHADOW - 1962; THE THIRD SECRET - 1964; HE WHO RIDES A TIGER - 1965; THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN - 1968; THE RECKONING - 1969; THE LOOKING GLASS WAR - 1969; I WANT WHAT I WANT - 1972; THE ABDICATION - 1974; THE SECRET AGENT - 1975; THE EXECUTIONER - 1980. Dozens of British TV series guest roles. He even made an appearance on the popular American TV Series SEINFELD in 1991.) - 10/06/13
RIFT FOURNIER (TV Series Writer: GO - 1973-1975; NOWHERE TO HIDE [TV Movie - 1976]; BARETTA - 1977; RAFFERTY - 1977; KOJAK - 1978; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1978; CODE RED - 1982; COVER STORY - 1984 [he also directed the episode]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1985; MATLOCK - 1987; REVOLVER [TV Movie - 1992]) - 10/06/13
DANIEL DUVAL (French Actor/Director: THE JUDGE - 1984; AMONG WOLVES - 1985; DANGER PASSION - 1986; STAN THE FLASHER - 1990; WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT ME? - 1997; BEWARE MY LOVE - 1998; NIGHT WIND - 1990; PAYOFF - 2003; TIME OF THE WOLF - 2003; PROCESS - 2004; 36TH PRECINCT - 2004; CACHE - 2005; TIME TO LEAVE - 2005; THE SECOND WIND - 2007; DISTRICT 13: ULTIMATUM - 2009) - 10/10/13
TERRY RHOADS (Actor: PRISON FOR CHILDREN - 1987; PERRY MASOM: THE CASE OF THE RUTHLESS REPORTER - 1991; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE HEARTBROKEN BRIDE - 1992; LIAR LIAR - 1997; MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL - 1997; THE OMEGA CODE - 1999; THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW - 2004; AMERICAN GUN - 2005; DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT - 2005; TV: THE MOVIE - 2006; DANCE FLICK - 2009; HITCHCOCK - 2012. Dozens of TV series appearances from the early-90's to the time of his death.) - 10/11/13
MANN RUBIN (TV Writer: TALES OF TOMORROW - 1952-1953; JUSTICE - 1954-1955; CLIMAX! - 1957; RIPCORD - 1962; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; PERRY MASON - 1964-1965; THE F.B.I. - 1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1968; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967-1971; MOD SQUAD - 1971; BANYON - 1972; MANNIX - 1971-1973; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1973; IRONSIDE - 1973-1975; HEC RAMSEY - 1974; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974; THE ROOKIES - 1974-1975; HARRY O - 1975; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1975; BARETTA - 1976; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; FUTURE COP - 1977; QUINCY M.E. - 1977-1978; BARNABY JONES - 1976 - 1978; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978; DRAGNET - 1990; THE HUMAN SHIELD - 1991. Some of Rubin's screenplays, both theatrical and for television include: THE BEST OF EVERYTHING - 1959; WALK A TIGHTROPE - 1965; BRAINSTORM - 1965; THE AMERICAN DREAM - 1966; WARNING SHOT - 1967; THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971 [Story Only]; SEE THE MAN RUN - 1971; MURDER IN THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR - 1974; THE AMAZING CAPTAIN NEMO - 1978 and THE FIRST DEADLY SIN - 1980) - 10/12/13
KRISHNA SHAH (Director/Producer/Writer: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966 [Writer; episode "The Abominable Snowman Affair']; RIVALS - 1972; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974 [Writer; episode "Dr. Wells Is Missing']; THE RIVER NIGER - 1976; SHALIMAR - 1978; HARD ROCK ZOMBIES - 1985; AMERICAN DRIVE-IN - 1985; EVIL LAUGH - 1986 [Executive Producer]; OMEGA COP - 1990 [Casting Director]; TED & VENUS - 1991 [Executive Producer]; SOUTH BEACH - 1993 [Producer]; SLEEPAWAY CAMP IV: THE SURVIVOR - 2012 [Supervising Producer]) - 10/13/13
KIM HAMILTON (Actress: ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW - 1959; THE LEECH WOMAN - 1960; THE WIZARD OF BAGHDAD - 1960; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - 1962; THE WILD ANGELS - 1966; KOTCH - 1971; HEAVY TRAFFIC - 1973; STONE - 1979; BODY AND SOUL - 1981. Dozens of TV series appearances, including "The Big Tall Wish" episode of TWILIGHT ZONE - 1960; "First Class Honeymoon" episode on ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; and roles on BEN CASEY; MOD SQUAD; ADAM-12; ALL IN THE FAMILY; THE ROOKIES; KOJAK; MANNIX; SANFORD AND SON; GOOD TIMES; PROJECT U.F.O.; VEGA$; QUINCY M.E.; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY; THE JEFFERSONS; ST. ELSEWHERE; SIMON & SIMON; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT; LAW & ORDER; THE CLIENT and PRIVATE PRACTICE [2008 - her last acting role]. Ms. Hamilton was 81 years-old) - 10/16/13
ED LAUTER (Actor: Character actor supreme. Started out in theater, but quickly graduated to TV and films. Instantly recognizable and talented as all hell. Very sad day for every genre film lover. Was good friends with Charles Bronson and appeared in many of his films. Some of his films include: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! - 1972; THE NEW CENTURIONS - 1972; HICKEY & BOGGS - 1972; BAD COMPANY - 1972; RAGE - 1972; DIRTY LITTLE BILLY - 1972; LOLLY-MADONNA XXX - 1973; THE LAST AMERICAN HERO - 1973; EXECUTIVE ACTION - 1973; THE MIDNIGHT MAN - 1974; THE LONGEST YARD - 1974 [the first time I really took notice of him as an actor]; THE GODCHILD - 1974; SATAN'S TRIANGLE - 1975; A SHADOW IN THE STREETS - 1975; FRENCH CONNECTION II - 1975; BREAKHEART PASS - 1975; FAMILY PLOT - 1976; KING KONG - 1976; THE WHITE BUFFALO - 1977; THE CHICKENCHRONICLES - 1977; THE CLONE MASTER - 1978; MAGIC - 1978; THE JERICHO MILE - 1979; UNDERCOVER WITH THE KKK - 1979; GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES - 1980; ALCATRAZ: THE WHOLE SHOCKING STORY - 1980; COMING ATTRACTIONS - 1980; DEATH HUNT - 1981; THE AMATEUR - 1981; ROOSTER - 1982; TIMERIDER: THE ADVENTURE OF LYLE SWANN - 1982; CUJO - 1983; THE BIG SCORE - 1983; LASSITER - 1984; FINDERS KEEPERS - 1984; REAL GENIUS - 1985; DEATH WISH 3 - 1985; YOUNGBLOOD - 1986; 3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH - 1986; RAW DEAL - 1986; FIREFIGHTER - 1986; REVENGE OF THE NERDS II: NERDS IN PARADISE - 1987; GLEAMING THE CUBE - 1989; FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY - 1989; BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY - 1989; MY BLUE HEAVEN - 1991; THE ROCKETEER - 1991; JUDGEMENT - 1992; THE RETURN OF IRONSIDE - 1993; EXTREME JUSTICE - 1993; TRUE ROMANCE - 1993; TRIAL BY JURY - 1994; DIGITAL MAN - 1995; BREACH OF TRUST - 1995; MULHOLLAND FALLS - 1995; MERCENARY - 1996; RATTLED - 1996; RAVEN HAWK - 1996; FOR WHICH HE STANDS - 1996; THE SWEEPER - 1996; COYOTE SUMMER - 1996; TOP OF THE WORLD - 1997; DOLLAR FOR THE DEAD - 1998; NIGHT OF TERROR - 1999; OUT IN FIFTY - 1999; BLAST - 2000; PYTHON - 2000; KNIGHT CLUB - 2001; GO FOR BROKE - 2002; STARSHIP TROOPERS 2: HERO OF THE FEDERATION - 2004; ART HEIST - 2005; VENICE UNDERGROUND - 2005; THE LONGEST YARD - 2005 [He, along with Burt Reynolds, were the only two actors to return for the remake]; BROTHERS IN ARMS - 2005; THE LOST - 2006; THE NUMBER 23 - 2007; THE FRANKENSTEIN SYNDROME - 2010; TAKEN BY FORCE - 2010; CARNAL INNOCENCE - 2011; BLIND PASS - 2013; THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN - 2014 [in post-production when he passed away]; Ed Lauter was also in demand on episodic tv, appearing in such series as: MANNIX [his film acting debut]; LONGSTREET: CANNON; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO; THE WALTONS; BARETTA; POLICE STORY; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO; B.J. AND THE BEAR [a series regular]; SIMON & SIMON; ST. ELSEWHERE; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK; MANIMAL; MAGNUM, P.I.; THE A-TEAM; MIAMI VICE; MURDER, SHE WROTE; THE EQUALIZER; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES; GOLDEN YEARS [A mini-series regular]; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER; ER [a semi-regular]; THE X-FILES; MILLENNIUM; COLD CASE; PSYCH and SHAMELESS. One of the best character actors of my generation, Ed Lauter was 74 years-old when he passed away of mesothelioma [exposure to asbestos].) - 10/16/13
LOU SCHEIMER (Animation TV Producer: A pioneer in Saturday morning animation/live-action series (the founder of Filmation Studios), Scheimer either Produced or Executive Produced the following animated and live-action series: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1966; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 1967; THE ARCHIE SHOW - 1968; AQUAMAN - 1968; SABRINA AND THE GROOVIE GOOLIES - 1970; FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS - 1972-1985; THE ABC SATURDAY SUPERSTAR MOVIE - 1973; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF GILLIGAN - 1974; STAR TREK - 1973-1974; THE SECRET LIVES OF WALDO KITTY - 1975; THE GHOST BUSTERS - 1975; SHAZAM! - 1975-1976; ISIS - 1974-1976; ARK II - 1976; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF BATMAN - 1977; SPACE ACADEMY - 1977; TARZAN, LORD OF THE JUNGLE - 1976-1979; JASON OF STAR COMMAND - 1978-1979; FLASH GORDON - 1979-1980; SPORT BILLY - 1979-1980; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ZORRO - 1981; BLACKSTAR - 1981; HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE - 1983-1985; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1986; SHE-RA: PRINCESS OF POWER - 1985-1987; BRAVESTARR - 1987 - 1988; HAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1990. Scheimer also voiced many characters on the series he produced, including the voice of "Dumb Donald" on FAT ALBERT and "Tracy The Gorilla" on GHOSTBUSTERS.) - 10/17/13
MARY CARVER (Actress: THE WILD AND THE INNOCENT - 1959; PAY OR DIE - 1961; DREAM NO EVIL - 1970; GLASS HOUSES - 1972; I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN - 1977; THE LAZARUS SYNDROME - 1978; THROUGH THE MAGIC PYRAMID - 1981; PROTOCOL - 1984; BEST SELLER - 1987; ARACHNOPHOBIA - 1990; SAFE - 1995. Ms. Carver also has an extensive TV resume, appearing in the episode "The Incredible World of Horace Ford" on TWILIGHT ZONE - 1963; episodes of GUNSMOKE; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.; MANNIX; MCCLOUD; MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN; THE ROCKFORD FILES; LOU GRANT; BEYOND WESTWORLD; QUINCY M.E.; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and was a regular on SIMON & SIMON - 1981-1989. Mary Carver was 89 years-old) - 10/18/13
JON LOCKE (Actor: Locke was mainly a TV actor, appearing in mostly Western series like THE TEXAN - 1959; CIMARRON CITY - 1959; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1959; BONANZA - 1960; RIVERBOAT - 1960; LARAMIE - 1959-1961; WAGON TRAIN - 1960-1964; LAREDO - 1965-1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963-1966 and GUNSMOKE - 1955-1974, but then became better known as the Abominable Snowman/Sleestack Leader in the cult 1976 series LAND OF THE LOST and appeared in movies such as CINDERELLA LIBERTY - 1973; THE LAST DAY - 1975; the memorable religious film YEARS OF THE BEAST - 1981; THE BIG TURNAROUND - 1988; TRANSYLVANIA TWIST - 1989 and MAD WAGON PARTY - 2010.) - 10/19/13
LARRI THOMAS (Actress: ROAD TO BALI - 1952; MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID - 1952; HOUSE OF WAX - 1953; CURUCU, BEAST OF THE AMAZON - 1956; THE BEAT GENERATION - 1959; ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS - 1964; MARY POPPINS - 1964; THE SILENCERS - 1966; IN GOD WE TRU$T -1980; EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY - 1988. Ms. Thomas also made a few appearances on 50's & 60's TV series, but always as an uncredited extra, just like 80% of her films.) - 10/20/13
NOEL HARRISON (Singer/Actor: Best known for singing the British top-10 hit "The Windmills Of Your Mind", Harrison [the son of actor Rex Harrison] also had a healthy career in movies and television. Some of his films include: AGENT 8 3/4 - 1964; WHERE THE SPIES ARE - 1966; POWER - 1986; TAGGETT - 1991; DEJA VU - 1997; THE MURDER IN CHINA BASIN - 1999. His TV series appearances include: THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966-1967 [a series regular]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1970; MOD SQUAD - 1970; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1972; THE EVIL TOUCH - 1974; HART TO HART - 1981; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1989; THE YOUNG RIDERS - 1990; TRACY TAKES ON... - 1999). Harrison had a heart attack after a musical performance in England and died shortly thereafter in a hospital. He was 79 years-old.) - 10/20/13
HAL NEEDHAM (Expert Stuntman/Director: As Director: SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT - 1977; HOOPER - 1978; THE VILLAIN - 1979; DEATH CAR ON THE FREEWAY - 1979; STUNTS UNLIMITED - 1980; SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II - 1980; STOCKERS - 1981; THE CANNONBALL RUN - 1981; MEGAFORCE - 1982; STROKER ACE - 1983; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1984; RAD - 1986; BODY SLAM - 1986; HARD TIME: HOSTAGE HOTEL - 1999; as well as episodes of TV. As a stuntman, Needham was an innovator, as well as setting many stunt records. He invented many devices to film stunts, including the air bag [which is now used in every pedestrian vehicle] and the Shotmaker Camera Car, which was able to make car chases faster and safer to shoot. He also won an Academy Award [twice: one for the creation for the Shotmaker Camera Car in 1987 and an Honorary Award in 2013], an Emmy [for the Shotmaker Elite Camera Car and Crane, an improvement of his original creation] and owned a NASCAR team. He did every major stunt in most major movies and TV shows from the mid-50's until his directing career started in 1977 [4,500 episodes of TV and 350 movies]. He still holds a record for a boat stunt in the film GATOR [1976]. He was also one of the first directors to show outtakes during the final credits of his films. Needham passed away due to cancer.) - 10/25/13
MARCIA WALLACE (Actress: Probably best known as the voice of "Miss Krabappel" on THE SIMSONS [1990 - 2013] and as Bob Newhart's secretary "Carol" on THE BOB NEWHART SHOW[1972 - 1978] to us older viewers, Wallace has also made guest appearances on dozens of TV shows and has appeared in many TV movies [she very rarely stepped off TV onto the big screen]. Some of her TV movies include: THE CASTAWAYS ON GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1979; GRIDLOCK - 1980; PRAY TV - 1980; CHARACTERS - 1980; TEEN WITCH - 1989 [theatrical]; MY MOM'S A WEREWOLF - 1989 [theatrical]; GHOULIES III: GHOULIES GO TO COLLEGE - 1991 [DTV]; TRIPLE PLAY - 2004; THE SIMPSONS MOVIE - 2007 [theatrical]; BIG STAN - 2007 [theatrical]. Her TV guest appearances included roles on such shows as: COLUMBO - 1971; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1978; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; MAGNUM P.I. - 1981; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; ALF - 1987; NIGHT COURT - 1988; SMALL WONDER - 1988; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1989-1990; WHAT A DUMMY - 1990; THE MUNSTERS TODAY - 1991; DARKWING DUCK - 1991-1992; FULL HOUSE - 1993-1995; MURPHY BROWN - 1994-1998; THAT'S MY BUSH! - 2001; 7TH HEAVEN - 2003; VAMPIRE MOB - 2010. THE SIMPSONS creators announced that they were going to kill off a major character during the 2013 - 2014 season and now with the untimely death of Marcia Wallace, Miss Krabappel seems like the obvious choice, but producers of the show say that she will simply "retire from teaching", with Bart writing a farewell to her on the blackboard in the show's opening credits. Thanks for all the memories. A true TV icon. She died from complications of pneumonia and was 70 years-old.) - 10/25/13
NIGEL DAVENPORT (Actor: PEEPING TOM - 1960; IN THE COOL OF THE DAY - 1963; BITTER HARVEST - 1963; THE VERDICT - 1964; THE THIRD SECRET - 1964; WHERE THE SPIES ARE - 1965; SANDS OF THE KALAHARI - 1965; LIFE AT THE TOP - 1965; PLAY DIRTY - 1969; THE ROYAL HUNT FOR THE SUN - 1969; THE VIRGIN SOLDIERS - 1969; THE MIND OF MR. SOAMES - 1970; NO BLADE OF GRASS - 1970; THE LAST VALLEY - 1971; VILLAIN - 1971; CHARLEY-ONE-EYE - 1973; THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - 1973; BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 1974; PHASE IV - 1974 [my favorite film starring him]; DEATH OF A SNOWMAn - 1976; THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU - 1977; THE LONDON CONNECTION - 1979; ZULU DAWN - 1979; CRY OF THE INNOCENT - 1980; CHARIOTS OF FIRE - 1981; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES - 1984; WITHOUT A CLUE - 1988; THE OPIUM WAR - 1997; SHANGHAI KNIGHTS - 2003. Dozens of British television series guest appearances.) - 10/25/13
LOU REED (Singer/Songwriter/Actor: Long-lasting and phenomenal musician/songwriter whose music and compositions have graced many films and TV shows including: UNDERGROUND U.S.A. - 1980; UP THE ACADEMY - 1980; TIMES SQUARE - 1980; AMERICAN POP - 1981; ROCK & RULE - 1983; GET CRAZY - 1983; MIAMI VICE - 1985; WHITE NIGHTS - 1985; SOUL MAN - 1986; TRUE BELIEVER - 1989; PENN & TELLER GET KILLED - 1989; FLASHBACK - 1990; SILENT SCREAM - 1990; THE DOORS - 1991; THE RAPTURE - 1991; UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD - 1991; THE COWBOY WAY - 1994; NATURAL BORN KILLERS - 1994; TRAINSPOTTING - 1996; LOST HIGHWAY - 1997; MAD CITY - 1997; VELVET GOLDMINE - 1998; SLC PUNK! - 1998; B. MONKEY - 1998; HIGH FIDELITY - 2000; BEFORE NIGHT FALLS - 2000; ALMOST FAMOUS - 2002; PROZAC NATION - 1991; THE SALTON SEA - 2002; LAUREL CANYON - 2002; WONDERLAND - 2003; SCHOOL OF ROCK - 2003; BLADE: TRINITY - 2004; BRICK - 2005; V FOR VENDETTA - 2005; THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP - 2006; CONTROL - 2007; JUNO - 2007; BONES - 2007; MEDIUM - 2008; ROCKNROLLA - 2008; TRUE BLOOD - 2008; CSI: - 2007-2008; SUCK - 2009; ZOMBIELAND - 2009; FRINGE - 2010; MEN IN BLACK 3 - 2012; LORDS OF SALEM - 2012; FLIGHT - 2012 and over 100 more. Reed acted in a few small films, but usually in bit parts or as voiceover work. His songs "Sweet Jane" and "Walk On The Wild Side" are two of his tunes that gets played in more films than most any other songs. Reed was 71 years-old and recently had a liver transplant.) - 10/27/13
ALDO BARBERO (Argentinian Actor: THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP - 1967; CRIMINAL AFFAIR - 1968; INVASION - 1969; THE KNIGHT AND THE SWORD - 1970; THE NAKED BEAST - 1971; LET'S PLAY IN THE WORLD - 1971; HUMAN TRASH - 1972; THE TRUCE - 1974; THE ISLAND - 1979; TIME FOR REVENGE - 1981; TO RETURN - 1982; THE EXTERMINATORS - 1989; A WALL OF SILENCE - 1993; CORRUPT POLICE - 1996.) - 10/27/13
GRAHAM STARK (British Actor/Comedian: He was in every PINK PANTHER film except the first one. His films include: DOWN AMONG THE Z MEN - 1952; THEY NEVER LEARN - 1956; INN FORTROUBLE - 1960; SINK THE BISMARK! - 1960; OPERATION SNAFU - 1961; OPERATION SNATCH - 1962; MAID FOR MURDER - 1962; THE WRONG ARM OF THE LAW - 1963; THE MOUSE ON THE MOON - 1963; SWORD OF LANCELOT - 1963; A SHOT IN THE DARK - 1964; GUNS AT BATASI - 1964; THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES - 1965; ALFIE - 1966; THE WRONG BOX - 1966; THOSE FANTASTIC FLYING FOOLS - 1967; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; SALT AND PEPPER - 1968; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME - 1970; A DAY AT THE BEACH - 1972; THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1975; I'M NOT FEELING MYSELF TONIGHT - 1976; THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN - 1976; THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER - 1977; THE REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1978; PRISONER OF ZENDA - 1979; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980; HAWK THE SLAYER - 1980; VICTOR VICTORIA - 1982; TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1982; SUPERMAN III - 1983; CURSE OF THE PINK PANTHER -1983; BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH - 1984; BLIND DATE - 1987; JANE AND THE LOST CITY - 1987; SON OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1993; THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO AND HIS JOURNEYS TO THE END OF THE EARTH - 1998. Stark had also appeared in dozens of British and American TV series, including: A SHOW CALLED FRED - 1956; ONE STEP BEYOND ["The Stranger" - 1961]; MAN OF THE WORLD - 1962-1963; BENNY HILL - 1962-1963; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1962-1965; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1965; TICKLE THE TUM - 1988; MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT - 1994 and AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - 1997.) - 10/29/13
IRENE KANE (Actress who was better known as journalist and writer "Chris Chase": She had a small acting career, included roles in Stanley Kubrick's KILLER'S KISS - 1955 and Bob Fosse's ALL THAT JAZZ - 1979. Her TV career included roles on the TV soap opera LOVE OF LIFE - 1962-1965; NAKED CITY - 1958-1963 and LOOK UP AND LIVE - 1962; She also appeared as herself in the documentary STANLEY KUBRICK: A LIFE IN PICTURES - 2001 [She was Kubrick's ex-sister-in-law]. She also co-authored the books "Life Is a Banquet" [with Rosalind Russell]; "The Times of My Life" and "Betty: A Glad Awakening" [both with Betty Ford]; "Josephine: The Josephine Baker Story" [with Jean-Claude Baker] and "Name Dropping: The Life and Lies of Alan King" [with Alan King]) - 10/31/13
HANS VON BORSODY (Austrian-born German Actor: BIMBO THE GREAT - 1958; THE KIDNAPPING OF MISS NYLON - 1959; THE PERJURER - 1959; THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN SPIDER - 1960; CONQUEROR OF MARACAIBO - 1961; CANDIDATE FOR MURDER - 1962; COMMANDO - 1962; THE INVISIBLE TERROR - 1963; THE CAVERN - 1964; GOLDEN GODDESS OF RIO BENI - 1964; BUFFALO BILL - 1965; TRUNK TO CAIRO - 1966; SIEGFRIED: WHOM THE GODS WISH TO DESTROY - 1966; THE VENGEANCE OF SIEGFRIED - 1967 [sequel to previous film]; MASSACRE IN THE BLACK FOREST - 1967; DATE FOR A MURDER - 1967; BARE NAKED IN UPPER BAVARIA - 1969; MANIACS ON WHEELS - 1970; BLUE DREAMS - 1977; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977; BLOODLINE - 1979; The VISIT - 2008 and many more. Dozens of TV series guest appearances, including his own show, CLIFF DEXTER, from 1966 to 1968.) - 11/04/13
PAUL MANTEE (Actor: ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS - 1964; BLOOD ON THE ARROW - 1964; AN AMERICAN DREAM - 1966; A MAN CALLED DAGGER - 1968; THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? - 1969; ADVENTURES OF NICK CARTER - 1972; CALL TO DANGER - 1973; CRY RAPE - 1973; THAT MAN BOLT - 1973; BREAKOUT - 1975; FRAMED - 1975;HELTER SKELTER - 1976; DAY OF THE ANIMALS - 1976; THE MANITOU - 1978; FUGITIVE FAMILY - 1980; ALCATRAZ: THE WHOLE SHOCKING STORY - 1980; WOLF LAKE - 1980; DEATH RAY 2000 - 1981; FIRST STRIKE - 1985; ILLUSIONS - 1992; DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY - 1993; LURKING FEAR - 1994; APOLLO 13 - 1995; MEMORIAL DAY - 1998 [his last acting gig]. Mantee also made hundreds of TV series appearances, including guest roles on DRAGNET - 1959; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; BEN CASEY - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1965-1966; BATMAN - 1967; THE FUGITIVE - 1966-1967; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; I SPY - 1968; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968; THE F.B.I - 1965-1970; MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE - 1967-1971; CANNON - 1971; THE MAGICIAN - 1974; POLICE STORY - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1968-1975; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1973-1975; MANNIX - 1968-1975; S.W.A.T. - 1975; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1976; KOJAK - 1976; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1977; LOGAN'S RUN - 1978; BARNABY JONES - 1977-1979; VEGA$ - 1979-1981; QUINCEY M.E. - 1977-1982; SIMON & SIMON - 1982; THE A-TEAM - 1984; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1984; T.J. HOOKER - 1985; REMINGTON STEELE - 1985; THE FALL GUY - 1983-1986; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983-1988 [recurring character named "Det. Al Corassa"]; L.A. LAW - 1990; HUNTER - 1989-1991; SEINFELD - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1994; and many many more.) - 11/07/13
SHIRLEY MITCHELL (Actress: One of the very last I LOVE LUCY actresses that was still alive. She portrayed "Marion Strong". Her film appearances include: MR. LORD SAYS NO - 1952; THE CLOWN - 1953; DESK SET - 1957; TOO MUCH, TOO SOON - 1958; MY BLOOD RUNS COLD - 1965; SUMMER CAMP NIGHTMARE - 1987; BIG BUSINESS - 1988; THE WAR OF THE ROSES - 1989. Ms. Mitchell's many TV series appearances included guest roles on I MARRIED JOAN - 1953-1953; THE MILTON BERLE SHOW - 1956; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1956-1957; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1958; DRAGNET - 1958; BACHELOR FATHER - 1958-1959 [a semi-regular]; THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1954-1961; MR. ED - 1962; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1962-1963; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1954-1964; PERRY MASON - 1963-1965; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1951-1966; THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS SHOW - 1966; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1967-1968; GREEN ACRES - 1967-1971; THE ODD COUPLE - 1974; EMERGENCY! - 1975; CHICO AND THE MAN - 1976; CHiPS - 1979; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1981; THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR - 1990 and many, many more. She was 91 years-old.) - 11/11/13
DAVID TYNAN (TV Writer/Producer: WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1988; SCENE OF THE CRIME - 1991; SILK STALKINGS - 1992; HIGHLANDER - 1992-1998; POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY - 1997-1999; THE LOST WORLD - 2000; FIRST WAVE - 2000; FLASH GORDON - 2007) - 11/11/13
AL RUSCIO (Actor: AL CAPONE - 1959; THE NAKED FLAME - 1964; FEVER HEAT - 1968; MARTINELLI, OUTSIDE MAN - 1977; RUBY AND OSWALD - 1978; POLICE STORY: A CRY FOR JUSTICE - 1979; IN SEARCH OF HISTORIC JESUS - 1979; THE HUNTER - 1980; A RUMOR OF WAR - 1980; ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN - 1980; FARRELL FOR THE PEOPLE - 1982; DEADLY FORCE -1983; JAGGED EDGE - 1985; MEDIUM RARE - 1987; LADY MOBSTER - 1988; BLOOD RED - 1989; CAGE - 1989; THE GODFATHER: PART III - 1990; GUILTY BY SUSPICION - 1991; DEAD SILENCE - 1991; FUTURE KICK - 1991; THE SILENCE OF THE HAMS - 1994; SHOWGIRLS - 1995; XTRO 3: WATCH THE SKIES - 1995; THE PHANTOM - 1996; FRAGMENTS - 2008. Hundreds of TV series appearances, including PETER GUNN - 1959-1961; the "Man in the Cage" episode of THRILLER - 1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1959-1963; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; BARETTA - 1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976-1977; KOJAK - 1976-1977; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1978; SALVAGE 1 - 1979; LOU GRANT - 1978-1980; TAXI - 1981; SHANNON - 1981-1982; THE FALL GUY - 1982; BARNEY MILLER - 1977-1982; T.J. HOOKER - 1982; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984; THE A-TEAM - 1985; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1984-1985; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; AMAZING STORIES - 1986; MATLOCK - 1986; HILL STREET BLUES - 1982 - 1986; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1985-1987; HUNTER - 1984-1990; LIFE GOES ON - 1990-1992; SEINFELD - 1993; JOE'S LIFE - 1993; NYPD BLUES - 1998; THE X-FILES - 1999 and many, many more. Al Ruscio was 89 years-old.) - 11/12/13
MICKEY KNOX (Actor & Italian Film English Dubber: KILLER MCCOY - 1947; JUNGLE PATROL - 1949; THE ACCUSED - 1949; WHITE HEAT - 1949; DESTINATION BIG HOUSE - 1950; CRIMINAL LAWYER - 1951; VICE SQUAD - 1953; THE NAKED STREET - 1955; G.I. BLUES - 1960; THE VICTORS - 1963; THE 10TH VICTIM - 1965; THE BIGGEST BUNDLE OF THEM ALL - 1968; BEYOND THE LAW - 1968; WILD 90 - 1968; HIGH CRIME - 1973; STREET LAW - 1974; HIGH ROLLERS - 1976; THE CYNIC, THE RAT AND THE FIST - 1977; FROM CORLEONE TO BROOKLYN - 1979; THE BLUE-EYED BANDIT - 1980; DAY OF THE COBRA - 1980; 1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS - 1982; THE LONELY LADY - 1983; MURDER-ROCK: DANCING DEATH - 1984; BOLERO - 1984; THE FIFTH MISSILE - 1986; OPERATION: NAM - 1986; STAGEFRIGHT - 1987; BUY & CELL - 1987; RENT-A-COP - 1987; VAMPIRE IN VENICE - 1988; GHOULIES II - 1988; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1988; GHOSTS CAN'T DO IT - 1989; FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND - 1990; THE GODFATHER III - 1990; CEMETERY MAN - 1994. Mr. Knox also made an occasional television appearance in such TV shows as THE LONE RANGER - 1955; ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1956; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1981; QUINCY M.E. - 1981; HART TO HART - 1981-1983 and THE X-FILES - 1999) - 11/15/13
PETER WINTONICK (Documentary Filmmaker/Editor: IN PRAISE OF OLDER WOMEN - 1978 [Editor]; AGENCY - 1980 [Editor]; YOUR TICKET IS NO LONGER VALID - 1981 [Editor]; THE BAY BOY - 1984 [Editor]; A RUSTLING OF LEAVES: INSIDE THE PHILIPPINES REVOLUTION - 1988 [Editor]; MANUFACTURING CONSENT: NOAM CHOMSKY AND THE MEDIA - 1992; CINEMA VERITE: DEFINING THE MOMENT - 2000; SEEING IS BELIEVING: HANDICAMS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE NEWS - 2002; pilgrIMAGE - 2009) - 11/18/13
GEORGES LAUTNER (French Director: WOMEN AND WAR - 1962; THE BLACK MONOCLE - 1961; OPERATION GOLD INGOT - 1961; THE EYE OF THE MONOCLE - 1962; THE MONOCLE - 1964; THE GREAT SPY CHASE - 1964; LET'S NOT GET ANGRY - 1966; ROAD TO SALINA - 1970; TROUBLESHOOTERS - 1971; FLIC STORY - 1971; MAN IN THE TRUNK - 1973; SOMEONE IS BLEEDING - 1974; THE BOTTOM LINE - 1976; THESE SORCERERS ARE MAD - 1978; COP OR HOOD - 1979; THE PROFESSIONAL - 1980; LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 3: THE WEDDING - 1985; THE MURDERED HOUSE - 1988; BELIEVED VIOLENT - 1990; STRANGER IN THE HOUSE - 1992) - 11/22/13
JAY LEGGETT (Actor/Comedian/Writer/Director: MARIO AND THE MOB - 1992; HERO - 1992; HIT ME - 1996; ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE - 1988; ANOOSH OF THE AIRWAYS - 1999; THANK YOU, GOOD NIGHT - 2001; NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING - 2002; EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH - 2003. Some TV series Mr. Leggett appeared on include: ER - 1994; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1999; IN LIVING COLOR - 1993-2001; NYPD BLUE - 2002; FACTORY - 2008 and AXE LORDS - 2011; Jay Leggett was only 50 years-old) - 11/23/13
ELKE NEIDHART (Actress: ALARM ON 83RD STREET - 1965; THE JOURNEY - 1972; LIBIDO - 1973; ALVIN PURPLE - 1973; THE TRUE STORY OF ESKIMO NELL - 1975; ILLUMINATIONS - 1976; INSIDE LOOKING OUT - 1977. She was also a regular on the first season of the Australian TV series SKIPPY - 1968 and also appeared on the Australian TV series THE LINK MEN - 1970; DELTA - 1970 and SHANNON'S MOB - 1975. She also became the first director to stage Richard Wagner's RING CYCLE in Austraila.) - 11/25/13
TONY MUSANTE (Actor: RIDE WITH TERROR - 1963; ONCE A THIEF - 1965; THE INCIDENT - 1967 [his breakout role, in my opinion]; THE DETECTIVE - 1968; A PROFESSIONAL GUN - 1969; THE ANONYMOUS VENETIAN - 1970; THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE - 1970 [his best-known theatrical role in genre circles]; THE GRISSOM GANG - 1971; THE LAST RUN - 1971; THE DESPERATE MILES - 1975; NOWHERE TO HIDE - 1977; HIGH ICE - 1980; SPY CONNECTION - 1983; THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1984; REARVIEW MIRROR - 1984; DEAD FRIGHT - 1985; THE REPENTER - 1985; DEVIL'S HILL - 1987; EXILED - 1998; THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN - 1999; THE YARDS - 2000; WE OWN THE NIGHT - 2007. Mr. Musante was also known for his many TV series appearances, including a starring role in the series TOMA - 1973-1974. Other TV appearances include: THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964; ONCE A THIEF - 1965; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1965-1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1973; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1975; MEDICAL STORY - 1975-1976 [he received an Emmy nomination for his performance]; POLICE STORY - 1974-1976; MACGRUDER AND LOUD - 1985; THE EQUALIZER - 1986; NIGHT HEAT - 1987; OZ - 1997 [a regular on the first season]; ACAPULCO H.E.A.T. - 1997; NOTHING SACRED - 1997; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 2000-2003; 100 CENTRE STREET - 2001 and POMPEII - 2007. Tony Musante was 77 years-old) - 11/26/13
JANE KEAN (Actress: Best known for portraying "Trixie Norton" on THE HONEYMOONERS sections of THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW from 1966 to 1970 and on several HONEYMOONERS specials during the late-70's. Ms. Kean was also very involved in TV and appeared in the occasional movie, including: CHATTERBOX! - 1977; PETE'S DRAGON - 1977; EXPLORERS - 1985; FATAL CHARM - 1990; GIDEON - 1999 and ABNER, THE INVISIBLE DOG - 2013. Her TV credits include: THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1956-1959; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1964; THE LUCY SHOW - 1966; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970; CANNON - 1974; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; DALLAS - 1979; IT'S A LIVING - 1981; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1985; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1985; SHE'S THE SHERIFF - 1987; GROWING PAINS - 1989; DREAM ON - 1991 and MADMAN OF THE PEOPLE - 1994. Ms. Kean was 90 years-old.) - 11/26/13
LEWIS COLLINS (Actor: Handsome and underrated actor who once tested for the role of James Bond. His films include: THEY DISAPPEAR WHEN YOU LIE DOWN - 1974; CONFESSIONS OF A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - 1976; MUST WEAR TIGHTS - 1978; THE FINAL OPTION - 1982; A NIGHT ON THE TOWN - 1983; CODE NAME: WILD GEESE - 1984; KOMMANDO LEOPARD - 1985; CARLY'S WEB - 1987; THE COMMANDER - 1988; A GHOST IN MONTE CARLO - 1990. Mr. Collins also did a few TV series [mainly British] in his career, including Z CARS - 1974; WARSHIP - 1974; THE CUCKOO WALTZ - 1975-1977 [a series regular]; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1977; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1977-1983 [a series regular]; ROBIN HOOD - 1986; JACK THE RIPPER - 1988; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1989; CLUEDO - 1991-1992 [a series regular]; TARZAN - 1993-1994; THE GRIMLEYS - 1999 and THE BILL - 2002. Lewis Collins was 67 years-old.) - 11/27/13
DANNY WELLS (Actor: ROLL, FREDDY, ROLL! - 1974; THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1975; WHIFFS - 1975; GUS - 1976; THE SHAGGY D.A. - 1976; THE HUNTED LADY - 1977; GOIN' COCONUTS - 1978; THE MAN IN THE SANTA CLAUS SUIT - 1979; NIGHTSIDE - 1980; PRIVATE BENJAMIN - 1980; BODY AND SOUL - 1981; LIFE STINKS - 1991; MAGNOLIA - 1999; THE KILLING YARD - 2001; PROTECTION - 2001; THE LAST KISS - 2006. Mr. Wells TV series appearances include roles on SHAFT - 1974; HARRY O - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1974; COLUMBO - 1975; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1975; KOJAK - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1976; SANFORD AND SON - 1974-1976; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1978; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978; CHiPS - 1979-1981; LOU GRANT - 1982; HAPPY DAYS - 1982; THE A-TEAM - 1983-1984; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984; THE JEFFERSONS - 1975-1985 [a semi-regular as "Charlie"]; THE FALL GUY - 1983-1986; RIPTIDE - 1984-1986; HUNTER - 1985-1991; RENEGADE - 1993; FLASHPOINT - 2009; ROOKIE BLUE - 2013) - 11/28/13
PAUL WALKER (Actor: Best known for starring in the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise of films who bizarrely died at the age of 40 in a car crash as a passenger during his own charity event. His films include: MONSTER IN THE CLOSET - 1986 [his debut]; PROGRAMMED TO KILL - 1987; TAMMY AND THE T-REX - 1994; MEET THE DEEDLES - 1998; PLEASANTVILLE - 1998; VARSITY BLUES - 1999; SHE'S ALL THAT - 1999; THE SKULLS - 2000; THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS - 2001; JOY RIDE - 2001; 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS - 2003; TIMELINE - 2003; INTO THE BLUE - 2005; RUNNING SCARED - 2006 [my favorite film of his]; EIGHT BELOW - 2006; FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - 2006; THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BOBBY Z - 2007; THE LAZARUS PROJECT - 2008; FAST & FURIOUS - 2009; TAKERS - 2010; FAST FIVE - 2011; VEHICLE 19 - 2012; HOURS - 2013; FAST & FURIOUS 6 - 2013; PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES - 2013; BRICK MANSIONS - 2014; FAST & FURIOUS 7 - 2014 [still filming when he died]. Walker's TV credits include: HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1985-1986; THROB - 1986-1987 [a series regular]; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1990; WHO'S THE BOSS - 1991; WHAT A DUMMY - 1991; THE BOYS ARE BACK - 1994 and TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1996.) - 11/30/13
JEAN KENT (Actress: WARN THAT MAN - 1943; MAN OF EVIL - 1944; MADONNA OF THE SEVEN MOONS - 1945; THE WICKED LADY - 1945; THE MAGIC BOW - 1946; THE SMUGGLERS - 1947; SLEEPING CAR TO TRIESTE - 1948; THE INHERITANCE - 1950; FIVE ANGLES ON MURDER - 1950; THE BIG FRAME - 1952; SHADOW OF FEAR - 1954; THE HAUNTED STRANGLER - 1958; WEB OF EVIDENCE - 1959; BLUEBEARDS TEN HONEYMOONS - 1960; K IS FOR KILLING - 1974; SHOUT AT THE DEVIL - 1976. Ms. Kent also appeared in dozens of British TV series.) - 11/30/13
CHRISTOPHER EVAN WELCH (Actor: CHINESE COFFEE - 2000; HAMLET - 2000; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 2004; KEANE - 2004; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 2005; THE INTERPRETER - 2005; THE HOAX - 2006; THE GOOD SHEPHERD - 2006; SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK - 2008; THE MASTER - 2012; LINCOLN - 2012; ADMISSION - 2013. Mr. Welch also appeared in many TV shows, including: THIRD WATCH - 1999; THE PRACTICE - 2001; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2003; WHOOPI - 2004; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2000-2005; THE BOOK OF DANIEL - 2006; THE SOPRANOS - 2006; NURSE JACKIE - 2009; THE GOOD WIFE - 2010; GRAVITY - 2010; RUBICON - 2010 [a series regular] and ELEMENTARY - 2012. Mr. Welch was believed to be 48 years-old.) - 12/02/13
RONALD LEE HUNTER (Actor: THE SENTINEL - 1977; THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN - 1979; OFF THE MINNESOTA STRIP - 1980; RAGE OF ANGELS - 1983; TEACHERS - 1984; THE ADVENTURE OF THE ACTION HUNTERS - 1987; JAKARTA - 1988; INTERNAL AFFAIRS - 1988; MIDNIGHT MAN - 1995; ALONG CAME POLLY - 2004; POINT OF ENTRY - 2007; PARASOMNIA - 2008; RE-CUT - 2010. Mr. Hunters TV credits includes roles on THE LAZARUS SYNDROME - 1979 [a series regular]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1981 [he was "Harvey Lacey" in the pilot episode]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1983; HART TO HART - 1983; SIMON & SIMON - 1986; THE EQUALIZER - 1988; LAW & ORDER - 1991; NORTHERN EXPOSURE - 1993; SILK STALKINGS - 1993; NYPD BLUE - 1995; PROFILER - 1997; THAT'S LIFE - 2001-2002; JUDGING AMY - 2004; EYES - 2005; ER - 2006; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2006; THE BIG BANG THEORY - 2008 and MONK - 2009) - 12/03/13
BARRY JACKSON (British Actor who did extensive TV work, but did the occasional movie: Movies include: GIRL ON A ROOF - 1962; THE PRIMITIVES - 1962; STRANGLER'S WEB - 1965; THE WITNESS - 1966; THE BOFORS GUN - 1968; ALFRED THE GREAT - 1969; RYAN'S DAUGHTER - 1970; LONG AGO, TOMORROW - 1971; DIAMONDS ON WHEELS - 1974; BARRY LYNDON - 1975; ACES HIGH - 1976; THE GLITTERBALL - 1977; THE SAILOR'S RETURN - 1978; THE BUNKER - 1981; THE SHOOTING PARTY - 1985; THURSDAY THE 12TH - 2003; DERAILED - 2005. Mr. Jackson's vast TV appearances include roles in A FOR ANDROMEDA - 1961; THE DESPERATE PEOPLE - 1963; THE MASK OF JANUS - 1965; SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOTLE - 1967; MAGIC MANSION - 1966-1968; PUBLIC EYE - 1968-1971; SUSPICION - 1972; SPY TRAP - 1972; THE FRIGHTENERS - 1972; SPECIAL BRANCH - 1973; NEW SCOTLAND YARD - 1973; GREAT MYSTERIES - 1974; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1967-1974; Z CARS - 1962-1975; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1976; SECRET ARMY - 1977; CROWN COURT - 1973-1977; BLAKES 7 - 1978; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978; DOCTOR WHO - 1965-1979; SMUGGLER - 1981; INTO THE LABYRINTH - 1982; LOVEJOY - 1986; HARD CASES - 1988-1989; CASUALTY - 1990; MINDER - 1984-1994; THREE SEVEN ELEVEN - 1993-1994; SILENT WITNESS - 1997; BIRDS OF A FEATHER - 1998; BERNARD'S WATCH - 1997-2001; A TOUCH OF FROST - 1994-2002; THE BILL - 1991-2003; MIDSOMER'S MURDERS - 1997-2011 [series regular]; DOCTORS - 2005-2012 and dozens more.) - 12/05/13
KATE WILLIAMSON (Actress and wife of actor Al Ruscio [see above], who passed away less than a month earlier: RACING WITH THE MOON - 1984; THE FINAL DAYS - 1989; RED SHOES DIARY - 1992; DREAM LOVER - 1993; SHADOW OF OBSESSION - 1994; STATE OF EMERGENCY - 1994; DISCLOSURE - 1994; TOUCH - 1997; THE LAST TIME I COMMITTED SUICIDE - 1997; INTERVIEW WITH THE ASSASSIN - 2002; DAHMER - 2002. Ms. Williamson's TV credits include appearances on POLICE STORY - 1997; DARKROOM - 1981; HILL STREET BLUES - 1983; CHEERS - 1984; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987; SOMETHING IS OUT THERE - 1988; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1989; ELLEN - 1995; PROFILER - 1997; JAG - 1998; HOME IMPROVEMENT - 1998 and NYPD BLUE - 2003.) - 12/06/13
LOUIS WALDON (Actor: THE DOUBLE-BARRELLED DETECTIVE STORY - 1965; THE LOVE MERCHANT - 1966; THE SWAP AND HOW THEY MAKE IT - 1966; MISCONDUCT - 1966; THE NUDE RESTAURANT - 1967; FLESH - 1968; THE BIZARRE ONES - 1968; LONESOME COWBOYS - 1968; THE SPY WHO CAME - 1969; THE VIRGIN PRESIDENT - 1969; NECROPOLIS - 1970; VAMPIRA - 1971; LENZ - 1971; DREAM CITY - 1973; FEEDBACK - 1978; MASK - 1985; MISSION KILL - 1986; PUNK VACATION - 1990; DISTANCE - 2003; THE FEATURE - 2008; DESERT VOWS - 2009) - 12/06/13
EDOUARD MOLINARO (French Director: A TOUCH OF TREASON - 1962; ARSENE LUPIN VS. ARSENE LUPIN - 1962; AGENT 38-24-36 - 1964; MALE HUNT - 1964; TO COMMIT A MURDER - 1967; MY UNCLE BENJAMIN - 1969; SWEET DECEPTION - 1972; THE IRONY OF CHANCE - 1974; DRACULA AND SON - 1976; LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - 1978; LA CAGE AUX FOLLES II - 1980; FOR 200 GRAND, YOU GET NOTHING NEW - 1982; PALACE - 1985; THE SUPPER - 1992; BEAUMARCHAIS THE SCOUNDREL - 1995) - 12/07/13
DON MITCHELL (Actor: Best known as playing "Mark Sanger" on TV's IRONSIDE - 1967-1975; His theatrical & TV movie credits include: WARNING SHOT - 1967; A SHORT WALK TO DAYLIGHT - 1972; SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM - 1973, POLICE STORY: A CRY FOR JUSTICE - 1979; PERFUME - 1991 and THE RETURN OF IRONSIDE - 1993. His TV credits include appearances on MR. NOVAK - 1965; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1965-1966; BEWITCHED - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1966-1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1967; TARZAN - 1967; INSIGHT - 1967-1969; McMILLAN & WIFE - 1972; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1972 [an IRONSIDE crossover episode]; MEDICAL STORY 1976; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; CHiPS - 1979; CAPITOL - 1982 and MATLOCK - 1986. Mr. Mitchell was 70 years-old and died of natural causes. He was quoted as saying that the late Raymond Burr was his mentor.) - 12/08/13
ALAN COLEMAN (British TV Director/Producer/Writer: LUNCHBOX - 1957; ESCAPE INTO THE NIGHT - 1972; CROSSROADS - 1972; LATE NIGHT THEATRE - 1972-1973; THE JENSEN CODE - 1973; THE KIDS FROM 47A - 1973-1974; CLASS OF 74 - 1974; THE YOUNG DOCTORS - 1977-1981; CASE FOR THE DEFENSE - 1978; PRISONER: CELL BLOCK H - 1979; PUNISHMENT - 1981; GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES - 1991; NEIGHBOURS - 1992-1994; HOME AND AWAY - 1996; ABOVE THE LAW - 2000; TWENTYFOURSEVEN - 2001) - 12/10/13
ROSSANA PODESTA (Actress: COPS AND ROBBERS - 1951; FINISHING SCHOOL - 1953; VOICE OF SILENCE - 1953; ULYSSES - 1954; HELEN OF TROY - 1956; RAW WIND IN EDEN - 1958; FURY OF THE PAGANS - 1960; SLAVE OF ROME - 1961; SODOM AND GOMORRAH - 1962; HORROR CASTLE - 1963; SEVEN GOLDEN MEN - 1965; SEVEN GOLDEN MEN STRIKE AGAIN - 1966; INTIMACY - 1970; MAN OF THE YEAR - 1971; THE SENSUOUS SICILIAN - 1973; SEX DIARY - 1978; SEVEN DANGEROUS GIRLS - 1979; COUNTRY LADY - 1980; HERCULES - 1983; SECRETS SECRETS - 1985 [her final film].) - 12/10/13
ELEANOR PARKER (Actress: THE BIG SHOT - 1942; THE MYSTERIOUS DOCTOR - 1943; BETWEEN TWO WORLDS - 1944; CRIME BY NIGHT - 1944; PRIDE OF THE MARINES - 1945; OF HUMAN BONDAGE - 1946; THE WOMAN IN WHITE - 1948; CHAIN LIGHTNING - 1950; CAGED - 1950; DETECTIVE STORY - 1951; THE NAKED JUNGLE - 1954; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM - 1955; LIZZIE - 1957; A HOLE IN THE HEAD - 1959; PANIC BUTTON - 1964; THE SOUND OF MUSIC - 1965; WARNING SHOT - 1967; EYE OF THE CAT - 1969; VANISHED - 1971; HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - 1972; SUNBURN - 1979; SHE'S DRESSED TO KILL - 1979; ONCE UPON A SPY - 1980; DEEAD ON THE MONEY - 1991 and many more. Some of her TV series appearances include roles on THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; BREAKING POINT - 1964; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1968; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1969-1970 [a series regular]; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1972; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1978; VEGA$ - 1980; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979-1982; FANTASY ISLAND - 1977-1983 and MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986) - 12/09/13
TOM LAUGHLIN (Actor/Director/Writer: THE DELIQUENTS - 1957; LAFAYEYYE ESCADRILLE - 1958; SOUTH PACIFIC - 1958; SENIOR PROM - 1958; GIDGET - 1959; BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA - 1959; THE PROPER TIME - 1962 [also/writer/director]; LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON - 1965 [also writer/director] BORN LOSERS - 1967 [also director]; BILLY JACK - 1971 [also writer/director]; THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK - 1974 [also writer/director]; THE MASTER GUNFIGHTER - 1975 [also writer]; THE LITTLEST HORSE THIEVES - 1976; BILLY JACK GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1977 [also writer/director]; THE BIG SLEEP - 1978; THE LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER - 1982. Mr. Laughlin also ran for President of the United States three times and was married to frequent co-star Delores Taylor since 1954, making their marriage 59 years-old. Whether you agreed with his politics or not, Tom Laughlin was a great screen presence in the 60's & 70's. He made an unfinished fifth Billy Jack film in 1985, THE RETURN OF BILLY JACK, where our hero battle child pornographers. Let's hope we see the footage some day. Mr. Laughlin was 82 years-old.) - 12/12/13
AUDREY TOTTER (Actress: MAIN STREET AFTER DARK - 1945; DANGEROUS PARTNERS - 1945; THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE - 1946; LADY IN THE LAKE - 1947; THE UNSUSPECTED - 1947; ALIAS NICK BEAL - 1949; THE SET-UP - 1949; UNDER THE GUN - 1951; FBI GIRL - 1951; THE SELLOUT - 1952; MAN IN THE DARK - 1953; MASSACRE CANYON - 1954; WOMEN'S PRISON - 1955; A BULLET FOR JOEY - 1955; THE VANISHING AMERICAN - 1955; GHOST DIVER - 1957; JET ATTACK - 1958; MAN OR GUN - 1958; THE CARPETBAGGERS - 1964; HARLOW - 1965; THE OUTSIDER - 1967; CITY KILLER - 1984. Ms. Totter also dis many TV appearances, including roles on CLIMAX! - 1955-1958; WAGON TRAIN - 1958; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1960-1961; ROUTE 66 - 1962; OUR MAN HIGGINS - 1962-1963 [a series regular]; PERRY MASON - 1964; BONANZA - 1966; IRONSIDE - 1969; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973; HARRY O - 1975; POLICE STORY - 1975; MATT HELM - 1976; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986 [her last acting role]) - 12/12/13
DANIEL ESCOBAR (Actor: TALK RADIO - 1988; THE BEAUTICIAN AND THE BEAST - 1997; LEATHER JACKET LOVE STORY - 1997; MR. MURDER - 1998; THE MEXICAN - 2001; BLOW - 2001; THE COUNTRY BEARS - 2002; THE HUMAN CONTRACT - 2008; NOT FORGOTTEN - 2009; SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS - 2010. Mr. Escobar also did plenty of TV, including a recurring role on Disney's LIZZIE McGUIRE - 2001-2002; MURPHY BROWN - 1996; MEN BEHAVING BADLY - 1997; SNOOPS - 1999; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2000; DHARMA & GREG - 1999-2002; NYPD BLUE - 1998-2002; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2002; CHARMED - 2003; TWO AND A HALF MEN - 2003; BLIND JUSTICE - 2005; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2009 and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - 2011. He was 48 years-old.) - 12/13/13
PETER O'TOOLE (Actor: Handsome, blue-eyed actor who became as well known for his drinking habits more than his acting in his later years. Still, he always gave everything to his roles, which made even the crappiest of movies he starred in seem much better thanthey were. His films include: KIDNAPPED - 1960; THE SAVAGE INNOCENTS - 1960; THE DAY THE ROBBED THE BANK OF ENGLAND - 1960; LAWRENCE OF ARABIA - 1962 [his breakout role]; BECKET - 1964; LORD JIM - 1965; WHAT'S NEW PUSSTCAT - 1965; HOW TO STEAL A MILLION - 1966; THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS - 1967; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; THE LION IN WINTER - 1968; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS - 1969; MURPHY'S WAR - 1971; THE RULING CLASS - 1972; ROSEBUD - 1975; MAN FRIDAY - 1975; THE FAR SIDE OF PARADISE - 1976; POWER PLAY - 1978; ZULU DAWN - 1979; CALIGULA - 1979 [his most notorious film]; THE STUNT MAN (1980); MY FAVORITE YEAR - 1982 [my favorite of his films]; SVENGALI - 1983; PYGMALION - 1983; SUPERGIRL - 1985; CREATOR - 1985; CLUB PARADISE - 1986; THE LAST EMPEROR - 1987; HIGH SPIRITS - 1988; WINGS OF FAME - 1990; THE RAINBOW THIEF - 1990; KING RALPH - 1991; THE SEVENTH COIN - 1993; GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - 1996; FAIRYTALE: A TRUE STORY - 1997; PHANTOMS - 1998; THE MANOR - 1999; JOAN OF ARC - 1999; THE FINAL CURTAIN - 2002; BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS - 1993; HITLER: THE RISE OF EVIL - 1993; TROY - 1994; VENUS - 2006; RATATOUILLE - 2006; EAGER TO DIE - 2010; THE WHOLE WORLD AT OUR FEET - 2013. Mr. O'Toole was nominated for the Academy Award eight times, but only won the Honorory Award in 2003 for his remarkable characters in film. He also won four Golden Globes and an Emmy. One of the greats of film and occasional TV.) - 12/14/13
JOAN FONTAINE (Actress: A MILLION TO ONE - 1937; THE MAN WHO FOUND HIMSELF - 1937; A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS - 1937; SKY GIANT - 1938; GUNGA DIN - 1939; REBECCA - 1940; SUSPICION - 1941; JANE EYRE - 1943; LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN - 1948; KISS THE BLOOD OFF MY HANDS - 1948; BORN TO BE BAD - 1950; BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT - 1956; ISLAND IN THE SUN - 1957; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1961; TENDER IS THE NIGHT - 1961; THE WITCHES - 1966; DARK MANSIONS - 1986. Ms. Fontaine also did some television, including: THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; CANNON - 1975; RYAN'S HOPE - 1980; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981; BARE ESSENCE - 1983 and HOTEL - 1986.) - 12/15/13
AL GOLDSTEIN (Actor and Pornography Pioneer [Publisher/writer of Screw Magazine]: DYNAMITE CHICKEN - 1971; IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD - 1973; MIDNIGHT BLUE [Cable Access TV Series - 1974-2003]; SOS: SCREW ON SCREEN - 1975; HONEY PIE - 1976; LET MY PUPPETS COME - 1976; THAT LUCKY STIFF - 1980; DIRTY LOOKS - 1982; RESIDENT ALIEN - 1990; VOW OF PASSION - 1991; TALES FROM THE CLIT - 1993; BUZZZZ! - 1993; DENIAL - 1998; WADD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN C. HOLMES - 1999; CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV - 2000; PORN STAR: THE LEGEND OF RON JEREMY - 2001; BEACH BASH - 2002; INSIDE DEEP THROAT - 2005; OBSCENE - 2007. Goldstein, who called himself an "angry Jew", blamed the Internet for destroying his life, but according to many people, including his four ex-wives and his current wife, he could be a bastard [he was sued for harassment several times; the lawsuits making him penniless and at one time he lived in a homeless shelter], but he was a porn trailblazer. Goldstein was 77 years-old.) - 12/19/13
MARTY HORNSTEIN (Producer/Production Manager: SILENT RUNNING - 1972; ISN'T IT SHOCKING? - 1973; BLACK BELT JONES - 1974; TRUCK TURNER - 1974; GOLDEN NEEDLES - 1974; THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR - 1975; ODE TO BILLY JOE - 1976; FUTUREWORLD - 1976; SYBIL - 1976; ONE ON ONE - 1977; I, THE JURY - 1982; BAD BOYS - 1983; BACK TO THE BEACH - 1987; JACKNIFE - 1989; THE BLOOD OF HEROES - 1989; THE PERFECT WEAPON - 1991; STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY - 1991; WHISPERS IN THE DARK - 1992; BEVERLY HILLS COP III - 1994; DROP ZONE - 1994; THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS - 1996; STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT - 1996; STAR TREK INSURRECTION - 1998; LETTERS FROM A KILLER - 1998; ALONG CAME A SPIDER - 2001; STAR TREK: NEMESIS - 2002; THE LAST RUN - 2004.) - 12/19/13
ALLAN MCKEOWN (British TV Producer: Married to actress/comedienne Tracey Ullman and produced all her TV movies and series. Other TV series include: DOING TIME - 1979; ASTRONAUTS - 1981; DEAD ERNEST - 1982; SHINE ON HARVEY MOON - 1982; SUNSET LIMOUSINE - 1982; ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN - 1985; MOG - 1985; GIRLS ON TOP - 1985-1986; FREDDIE AND MAX - 1990; LOVE HURTS - 1992; THE OLD BOY NETWORK - 1992; STAND BY YOUR MAN - 1992; FULL STRETCH - 1993; BIRDS OF A FEATHER - 1989-1993; LOVEJOY - 1986-1994; AN INDEPENDENT MAN - 1995; MEN OF THE WORLD - 1994-1995; GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART - 1993-1996; PIE IN THE SKY - 1994-1996; TRACEY TAKES ON ... - 1996-1999; MUMBAI CALLING - 2007-2008; STATE OF THE UNION - 2008 - 2010. He was 67 years-old.) - 12/24/13
JOSEPH RUSKIN (Actor: Respected TV and Film character actor, whose face is instanty recognizable, if not his name. A real filmic hero to me on both TV and films. It seems at one time you couldn't turn on a TV and not see his face, usually as tough guys, gangsters, cops, hoods and military personnel, but he was also perfectly adept at comedy. We lost a goodone today, folks. Some of his theatrical and television films include: UNSOLVED - 1960; HELL BENT FOR LEATHER - 1960; THE RISE AND FALL OF LEGS DIAMOND - 1960; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1960; DIARY OF A MADMAN - 1963; ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS - 1964; BOGARD - 1974; PANACHE - 1976; DR. SCORPION - 1978; THE GYPSY WARRIORS - 1978; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1979; POWER - 1980; THE MUNSTER'S REVENGE - 1981; THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER - 1982; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 1983; PRIZZI'S HONOR - 1985; THE LONGSHOT - 1986; SATURDAY THE 14TH STRIKES BACK - 1988; ORIGINAL SIN - 1989; INDECENT PROPOSAL - 1993; DEADLY EXPOSURE - 1993; THE CRIMINAL MIND - 1993; FIREPOWER - 1993; CYBER TRACKER - 1994; THE LAST DON - 1997; KING COBRA - 1999; WISHCRAFT - 2002; THE SCORPION KING - 2002; THE STREETSWEEPER - 2002; DIAMOND ZERO - 2005; SMOKIN' ACES - 2006. Mr. Ruskin's extensive TV credits include roles on such TV series as TWILIGHT ZONE [episodes "Man In A Bottle' - 1960 and "To Serve Man" - 1962]; THE OUTER LIMITS - [episode "Production and Decay of Strange Particles" - 1964]; during the 60's until the 00's, he was a member of the STAR TREK universe, appearing in nearly every incarnation of the show as different characters; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1958; NAKED CITY - 1959; BRONCO - 1959; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1959; PETER GUNN - 1959; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1960; DANTE - 1960-1961; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1961; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1962; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1959-1963; THE ALFRED
HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; MISTER ED - 1963; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; BURKE'S LAW - 1965; GET SMART - 1965; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1966; THE LUCY SHOW - 1966; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1965-1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966-1967; MOD SQUAD - 1969; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1968-1970; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1970; BANYON - 1971; NIGHT GALLERY [episode "The Messiah on Mott Street" - 1971]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968-1972; McCLOUD - 1973; THE MAGICIAN - 1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974; PLANET OF THE APES - 1974; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1975; POLICE STORY - 1975; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975; HARRY O - 1976; SWITCH - 1977; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1977; POLICE WOMAN - 1977; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978; QUINCY M.E. - 1979; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976-1981; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; KNIGHT RIDER - 1984; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1985; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1986 [one of the few stars to appear on all three incarnations of Alfred Hitchcock's show]; RIPTIDE - 1986; STINGRAY - 1987; MAX HEADROOM - 1987; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1988; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988; L.A. LAW - 1991; BROOKLYN SOUTH - 1997; ER - 1997; THAT'S MY BUSH! - 2001; ALIAS - 2002; BONES - 2006 [His final role] and many, many more. Mr. Ruskin was 89 years-old.) - 12/28/13
JAMES AVERY (Actor: Best known as "Uncle Philip Banks" on the TV series THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR - 1990-1996, Avery was adept at both theatrical films and TV with equal aplomb. His theatrical and TV films include: THE BLUES BROTHERS - 1980; THE STUNT MAN - 1980; ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1983; FLETCH - 1985; APPOINTMENT WITH FEAR - 1985; THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT - 1986; THE LADIES CLUB - 1986; 8 MILLION WAYWS TO DIE - 1986; STOOGEMANIA - 1986; CONDOR - 1986; EXTREMITIES - 1986; TIMESTALKERS - 1987; THREE FOR THE ROQAD - 1987; NIGHTFLYERS - 1987; DEADLY DAPHNE'S REVENGE - 1987; BODY COUNT -1987; LICENSE TO DRIVE - 1988; BEASTMASTER 2: THROUGH THE PORTAL OF TIME - 1991; SHOUT - 1991; WITHOUT WARNING: TERROR IN THE TOWERS - 1993; LITTLE MISS MILLIONS - 1993; THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE - 1995; SPIRIT LOST - 1997; OUT IN FIFTY - 1999; EPOCH - 2001; LETHAL EVICTION - 2005; RESTRAINING ORDER - 2006; WHO'S YOUR CADDY? - 2007; THE GRIND - 2010; HUNT FOR THE LABYRINTH KILLER - 2013; GO, BOLIVIA, GO! - 2013 [his last film]. Mr. Avery's extensive TV credits includes appearances on: TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1983; THE JEFFERSONS - 1983; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1983-1984; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1984; SPENCER - 1984; STREET HAWK - 1985; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1985; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985; THE A-TEAM - 1985; MOONLIGHTING - 1985; AMAZING STORIES - 1986; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1987; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1988; VALERIE - 1987-1989; A DIFFERENT WORLD - 1989; AMEN - 1986-1989; NIGHT COURT - 1990; FM - 1989-1990 [series regular]; L.A. LAW - 1988-1992; MURDER ONE - 1995; SPARKS - 1996-1998 [series regular]; IN THE HOUSE - 1996-1998; VENGEANCE UNLIMITED - 1999; CSI: - 2000; THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW - 2001; THE LEGEND OF TARZAN - 2001; DHARMA & GREG - 2000-2002; JUDGING AMY - 2002; THE DIVISION - 2002-2003 [series regular]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2003; SOUL FOOD - 2001-2003; THAT 70's SHOW - 2004; CHARMED - 2004; NYPD BLUE - 2004; STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE - 2005; THE CLOSER - 2005-2007 [a semi-regular on the first three seasons]; ELI STONE - 2008; SHERRI - 2009; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2012; HARRY'S LAW - 2012 [his last TV series appearance]. Mr. Avery and his booming voice was also in much demand for voiceover work on many animated TV shows. He was 65 years-old.) - 12/31/13
JUANITA MOORE (Actress: CABIN IN THE SKY - 1943; TARZAN'S PERIL - 1951; AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD - 1952; WITNESS TO MURDER - 1954; WOMEN'S PRISON - 1955; LORD OF THE JUNGLE - 1955; RANSOM! - 1956; IMITATION OF LIFE - 1959; WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - 1962; PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION - 1964; THE SINGING NUN - 1966; UPTIGHT - 1968; SKIN GAME - 1971; THE MACK - 1973; FOX STYLE - 1973; THOMASINE & BUSHROD - 1974; THE ZEBRA KILLER - 1974; ABBY - 1975; FUGITIVE LOVERS - 1975; DELIVER US FROM EVIL - 1977; O'HARA'S WIFE - 1982; TWO MOON JUNCTION - 1988; THE KID - 2000 [her last film]. Ms. Moore also did plenty of TV Series Appearances, with roles on: ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1961; WAGON TRAIN - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; BEN CASEY - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963-1965; DRAGNET 1967 - 1967; MANNIX - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1971; ADAM-12 - 1973; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW - 1977; ER - 2000; JUDGING AMY - 2001 [her last acting role]. Ms. Moore was 99 years-old.) - 01/01/14
BILLY McCOLL (Actor: THE ONE AND ONLY PHYLLIS DIXLEY - 1978; THE MUSIC MACHINE - 1979; ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE - 1984; SHOOT FOR THE SUN - 1986; DREAM BABY - 1989; JUTE CITY - 1992; SOFT TOP HARD SHOULDER - 1993; STRICTLY SINATRA - 2001; DEATH DEFYING ACTS - 2007; THE UNTOLD TOMMY COOPER - 2011. Mr. McColl also appeared in plenty of British TV series, including: MURDER NOT PROVEN? - 1984; DOCTOR WHO - 1986; BETWEEN THE LINES - 1994; 99-1 - 1995; HAMISH MACBETH - 1995; THE BILL - 1994-1996; THE JUMP - 1998; PSYCHOS - 1999; GLASGOW KISS - 2000; MURDER CITY - 2004; TAGGART - 1998-2010; and VERA - 2012 [his last role]) - 01/01/14
MIKE VRANEY (Film Rediscoverer Pioneer: Mike may not be well-known to most of society, but to us genre film lovers, he was one of the founding fathers of rediscovering films that were long-thought lost (you couldn't read a genre zine for the past 24 years without seeing a Something Weird Video Ad). Mike Vraney founded Something Weird Video in 1990 and wasinstrumental in releasing some of the most obscure films ever on VHS and, eventually, on DVD-R and DVD. He also signed deals with Harry Novak and David Friedman for their film libraries and unleashed a bunch of sexploitation, exploitation, action, horror, sword & sandal and other genres of films to the home video market. Some thought of him as a film bootlegger, but to many people he was the man to thank for seeing such obscure films as BOOBY TRAP - 1970; THE TOY BOX - 1970; GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS - 1973; THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP - 1967; THE ELECTRIC CHAIR - 1975; THE SINFUL DWARF - 1972; THE ADULT VERSION OF JEKYLL AND HIDE - 1971; A SCREAM IN THE STREETS - 1973; AXE - 1974; SATAN'S CHILDREN - 1974; THE KILLER SNAKES - 1974; SEX PSYCHO - 1971; NIGHT OF THE WARLOCK - 1971; RATTLERS - 1975; KIDNAPPED COED - 1975; HITCH HIKE TO HELL - 1977; and hundreds [if not thousands] more. Mike also reminded us of our love of Herschell Gordon Lewis' films [many seen on home video for the very first time], released hundreds of trailer tapes [of every genre, including over 370 two-hour tapes of "Nudie Cutie" loops] and hardcore porn films, which angered some porn directors who thought they deserved money for the films Mike released. No matter what you thought of him, without his perseverence and love of films [he searched relentlessly through warehouses and shuttered movie theaters and discovered many long-thought lost gems], many of us would not be the genre film lovers we are today. He was only 56 years-old [he died of lung cancer] and he will be missed. This is just early 2014 and is one of the biggest shocks of my life. Goodbye Mike. I hope they play all the movies you love where you are.) - 01/02/14
BERNARD GLASSER (Producer: GOLD RAIDERS - 1951; THE STORM RIDER - 1957; ESCAPE FROM RED ROCK - 1957; SPACE MASTER X-7 - 1958; RETURN OF THE FLY - 1959; THE SERGEANT WAS A LADY - 1961 [also directed]; THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1963; THE THIN RED LINE - 1964; CRACK IN THE WORLD - 1965; BIKINI PARADISE - 1967; RUN LIKE A THIEF - 1968 [also directed]; TRIANGLE - 1970 [also directed].) - 01/02/14
SAUL ZAENTZ (Producer: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975; THREE WARRIORS - 1977; THE LORD OF THE RINGS - 1978; AMADEUS - 1984; THE MOSQUITO COAST - 1986; THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING - 1988; AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD - 1991; THE ENGLISH PATIENT - 1996 [in my opinion, it it like watching paint dry for two weeks, which is probably why it won the Oscar® for Best Picture] and GOYA'S GHOSTS - 2006. Mr. Zaentz was 92 years-old.) - 01/03/14
CARMEN ZAPATA (Actress: HAIL, HERO! - 1969; PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT - 1972; THE GIRLS OF HUNTINGTON HOUSE - 1973; BAD CHARLESTON CHARLIE - 1973; KEEP AN EYE ON DENISE - 1973; THOSE MAD, MAD MOVIEMAKERS - 1974; W - 1974; BOSS NIGGER - 1975; WINNER TAKES ALL - 1975; SHARK KILL - 1976; BILLY JACK GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1977; TELEFON - 1977; RABBIT TEST - 1978; BOULEVARD NIGHTS - 1979; HOMEWARD BOUND - 1980; HOW TO BEAT THE HIGH CO$T OF LIVING - 1980; VULTURES - 1987; BROKEN ANGEL - 1988; HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE - 1990; SECRETS - 1992; SISTER ACT - 1992; POINT OF NO RETURN - 1993; SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT - 1993; SKINS - 1994; DEATH IN GRANADA - 1996; FIDEL - 2002 {her final acting role]. Ms. Zapata also appeared in many TV Series including roles on: ROOM 222 - 1970; McMILLAN AND WIFE - 1971; THE ROOKIES - 1973; MOD SQUAD - 1973; ADAM-12 - 1970-1973; THE F.B.I. - 1973; BARNABY JONES - 1974; KOJAK - 1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972-1975; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1975; McCLOUD - 1975; HARRY O - 1975; MANNIX - 1975; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1976; VIVA VALDEZ - 1976 [series regular]; WONDER WOMAN - 1979; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1979-1980; THE PHOENIX - 1982; FANTASY ISLAND - 1983; MATT HOUSTON - 1982-1984; HUNTER - 1987; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1989; DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN - 1998. Ms. Zapata was 86 years-old) - 01/05/14
RUN RUN SHAW (Producer: With his brother Runme Shaw, created the internationally known Shaw Brothers Studios (Run Run Shaw had donated billions of dollars to charities, schools and hospitals) and made nearly 1,000 films. Run Run, along with his brother (who passed away in 1985), produced such films as: THE BLACK FOREST - 1964; THE ASSASSIN - 1967; KILLER DARTS - 1968; THE GOLDEN SWORD - 1969; THE HEROIC ONES - 1970; KING EAGLE - 1971; THEANONYMOUS HEROES - 1971; THE DEADLY DUO - 1971; THE MIGHTY ONE - 1971; THE WATER MARGIN - 1972; FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH - 1972 [one of the first martial arts films to start the craze in the United States]; THE 14 AMAZONS - 1972; SACRED KNIVES OF VENGEANCE - 1972; THE BLACK ENFORCER - 1972; SHANGHAI LIL - 1973; THE BASTARD - 1973; IMPERIAL TOMB RAIDERS - 1973; BAMBOO HOUSE OF DOLLS - 1973; SCANDAL - 1974; BLACK MAGIC - 1975; CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD - 1975; LADY OF THE LAW - 1975; BLACK MAGIC II - 1976; THE OILY MANIAC - 1976; HEROES OF THE UNDERGROUND - 1976; KILLER CLANS - 1976; CANNONBALL! - 1976; HOMICIDES: THE CRIMINALS PART II - 1976; THE WEB OF DEATH - 1976; DIRTY HO - 1976; BIG BAD SIS - 1976; ARSON: THE CRIMINALS PART 3 - 1977; JADE TIGER - 1977; JUDGEMENT OF AN ASSASSIN - 1977; CHINATOWN KID - 1977; THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN - 1978; CLAN OF AMAZONS - 1978; FIVE DEADLY VENOMS - 1978; THE AVENGING EAGLE - 1978; STROKE OF DEATH - 1979; THE KUNG FU INSTRUCTOR - 1979; MAD MONKEY KUNG FU - 1979; METEOR - 1979; CLAN OF THE WHITE LOTUS - 1980; SHAOLIN HELLGATE - 1980; IRON CHAIN FIGHTER - 1980; KILLER CONSTABLE - 1980; BLOOD BEACH - 1980; HEX VS. WITCHCRAFT - 1980; TEN TIGERS OF KWANGTUNG - 1980; BLOODY PARROT - 1981; NOTORIOUS EIGHT - 1981; LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA - 1982; FIVE ELEMENT NINJA - 1982; TIGER KILLER - 1982; FIVE SUPERFIGHTERS - 1983; HONG KONG GODFATHER - 1985; DISCIPLES OF THE 36 CHAMBER - 1985 and about 290 other films [His company made about 600 other films that he was not involved with]. Run Run Shaw quit making films after the death of his brother and was an unbelievable 106 years-old when he passed away. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. Fans of Hong Kong martial arts films and horror weirdness owe Run Run Shaw a huge debt of gratitude.) - 01/07/14
ERIC LAWSON (Actor: Best known for portraying the "Marlboro Man" on all those roadside billboards and magazine ads from 1978 to 1981, Lawson, was also an actor who appeared in movies and on TV. His films included: THE DON IS DEAD - 1973; RATTLERS - 1976; THE LASTRIDE OF THE DALTON GANG - 1979; THE SEEKERS - 1979; GYMKATA - 1985; AFTER THE SHOCK - 1990; SON OF THE MORNING STAR - 1991; SKEETER - 1993; TALL TALE - 1995; RUMPELSTILTSKIN - 1995; WHEN TIME EXPIRES - 1997; STEEL SHARKS - 1997; THE SHOOTER - 1997; COUNTER MEASURES - 1998; THE PROPHET - 1999; KING COBRA - 1999; INVISIBLE MOM II - 1999; AGENT RED - 2000. Mr. Lawson's TV credits included roles on: POLICE STORY - 1974; CANNON - 1972-1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975; BARETTA - 1976; CHiPS - 1979; 240-ROBERT - 1979; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1979; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979; DYNASTY - 1981-1983; AUTOMAN - 1984; THE A-TEAM - 1985; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1980-1985; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1991; DANGEROUS WOMEN - 1991; BODIES OF EVIDENCE - 1992; THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY JR. - 1993; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1995; BAYWATCH - 1992-1995; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1998; and SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, INC. - 1997-1999. Mr. Lawson was a smoker since the age 14 and died of respiritory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at age 72. He once filmed an anti-smoking TV PSA later in his life mimicking his Marlboro Man image once an accident on a Western film ended his acting career. This should teach kids not to start smoking!) - 01/10/14
LARRY D. MANN (Actor: FLAMING FRONTIER - 1958; THE QUICK AND THE DEAD - 1963; SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN - 1963; ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS - 1964; HARLOW - 1965; THE SINGING NUN - 1966; THE APPALOOSA - 1966; DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND - 1966; THE SWINGER - 1966; A COVENANT WITH DEATH - 1967; CAPRICE - 1967; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1967; THE WICKED DREAMS OF PAULA SCHULTZ - 1968; ANGEL IN MY POCKET - 1969; THE LIBERATION OF L.B. JONES - 1970; THERE WAS A CROOKEED MAN... - 1970; DO NOT FOLD, SPINDLE OR MUTILATE - 1971; GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT - 1972; CHARLEY AND THE ANGEL - 1973; OKLAHOMA CRUDE - 1973; THE STING - 1973; COTTER - 1973; BLACK EYE - 1974; THE OCTAGON - 1980; LOVE, LIES AND MURDER - 1991. Mr. Mann also appeared in plenty of TV Series, with roles on: 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE BIG VALLEY - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1965; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1965-1966; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1966; GET SMART - 1966; CAPTAIN NICE - 1967; THE GREEN HORNET - 1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966-1967; DRAGNET 1967 - 1967; MANNIX - 1968; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1966-1969; BEWITCHED - 1965-1969; GREEN ACRES - 1970-1971; NIGHT GALLERY ['Deliveries In The Rear" - 1972]; MOD SQUAD - 1972; GUNSMOKE - 1967-1973; BARETTA - 1975; COLUMBO - 1978; QUINCY M.E. - 1978; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1981; HILL STREET BLUES - 1983-1985; MACGUYVER - 1985 -1990. Mr. Mann did the voices for a slew of animated shorts during the 70's for producer Friz Freleng to be shown before the feature film was shown in theaters. Mann was 91 years-old) - 01/06/14
FRANK MARTH (Actor: Best known for his many different roles on THE HONEYMOONERS and then THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW, Marth was also in a ton of movies and TV series. His films include: FRIGHT - 1956; BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - 1961; MADAME X - 1966; MADIGAN - 1968; PENDULUM - 1969; THE LOST MAN - 1969; MAROONED - 1969; BEG, BORROW OR STEAL - 1973; SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS - 1973; RUNAWAY! - 1973; ALOHA MEANS GOODBYE - 1974;ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN - 1975; THE LINDBERGH KIDNAPPING CASE - 1976: TELEFON - 1977; MANEATERS ARE LOOSE! - 1978; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1979; LOVING DEADLY - 1994 [his last acting role]. Mr. Marth's numerous TV Series appearances include roles on: THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1955-1958; CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? - 1961; THE DEFENDERS - 1963-1964; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1964; PERRY MASON - 1964-1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1964-1966; THE GREEN HORNET - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967; THE BIG VALLEY - 1966-1968; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965-1970; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967-1971; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1972; MOD SQUAD - 1972; MANNIX - 1970-1972; IRONSIDE - 1973; SHAFT - 1973; THE ROOKIES - 1974; GUNSMOKE - 1968-1974; POLICE STORY - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1975; M*A*S*H - 1975; CANNON - 1972-1976; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975-1977; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974-1977; WONDER WOMAN - 1977; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1977; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1978; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1979; LOU GRANT - 1979; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1980; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1981; VEGA$ - 1979-1981; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1981; QUINCY M.E. - 1976-1982; SIMON & SIMON - 1982; THE FALL GUY - 1983; THE A-TEAM - 1985; DIRTY DOZEN: THE SERIES - 1988. Mr. Marth was 91 years-old.) - 01/12/14
JOHN HORSLEY (British Actor: BLACKMAILED - 1951; ISLAND RESCUE - 1951; THE FRIGHTENED MAN - 1952; THE BIG FRAME - 1952; TERROR ON A TRAIN - 1953; DEADLY NIGHTSHADE - 1953; WHEEL OF FATE - 1953; RECOIL - 1953; THE RUNAWAY BUS - 1954; NIGHT PEOPLE - 1954; THE DETECTIVE - 1954; DELAYED ACTION - 1954; THE BRAIN MACHINE - 1955; THE CASE OF THE RED MONKEY - 1955; MURDER ON APPROVAL - 1955; A TIME TO KILL - 1955; THE WEAPON - 1956; BATTLE HELL - 1957; STRANGER IN TOWN - 1957; HELL DRIVERS - 1957; VIOLENT STRANGER - 1957; BLACK TIDE - 1958; OPERATION AMSTERDAM - 1959; WRONG NUMBER - 1959; SINK THE BISMARK! - 1960; THE SINISTER MAN - 1961; THE SECRET WAYS - 1961; THE NIGHT OF THE PROWLER - 1962; PANIC - 1963; WHERE THE BULLETS FLY - 1966; THE LIMBO LINE - 1968; THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS - 1985; COLD WAR KILLERS - 1986; THE FOURTH PROTOCOL - 1987; STANLEY'S DRAGON - 1994; REBECCA - 1997 [his last acting role]. Mr. Horsley did literally hundreds of British TV Series guest roles from the 50's to the 90's. He was 93 years-old.) - 01/12/14
ALEXANDRA BASTEDO (Actress: 13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS! - 1961; THE LIQUIDATOR - 1965; THAT RIVIERA TOUCH - 1966; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; MY LOVER MY SON - 1970; THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER! - 1970; THE KASHMIRI RUN - 1970; THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE - 1972; I HATE MY BODY - 1974; THE GHOUL - 1975; YOUR HEAVEN, MY HELL - 1976; FIND THE LADY - 1976; THE MAN INSIDE - 1976; THE VOYEUR - 1977; STIGMA - 1980; LEGEND OF THE CHAMPIONS - 1983; BATMAN BEGINS - 2005. Ms. Bastedo also made several Spanish films that have yet to be dubbed or subtitled in English and did just a few British TV series appearances. She was 67 years-old.) - 01/12/14
RICHARD (DICK) SHEPERD (Producer/Production Manager: THE HANGING TREE - 1959; THE FUGITIVE KIND - 1960; LOVE IN A GOLDFISH BOWL - 1961; BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - 1961; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974; ROBIN AND MARIAN - 1976; ALEX & THE GYPSY - 1976; THE HUNGER - 1983; VOLUNTEERS - 1986; THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK - 1998.) - 01/14/14
STANFORD TISCHLER (Editor and Producer: THE BIGAMIST - 1953 [one of two theatrical films he edited]; WAGON TRAIN - 1957; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1957-1958; BACHELOR FATHER - 1957-1958 [Edited 20 episodes]; MEN INTO SPACE - 1960; PATTY - 1962 [the second and last theatrical film he edited]; WARKILL - 1968 [Associate Producer]; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967-1969 [Associate Producer on 50 episodes]; THE CHALLENGE - 1970; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1970; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Death in the Family/The Merciful/Class of '99/Witches' Feast' - 1971]; M*A*S*H - 1972-1983 (Edited 239 episodes and was Associate Producer on 129 episodes from 1977 to 1983]; AFTER MASH - 1983-1984; PEYTON PLACE: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1985 [his last credit]. Mr. Tischler was 92 years-old.) - 01/15/14
ROGER LLOYD-PACK (British Actor: SECRET CEREMONY - 1968; THE MAGUS - 1968; HAMLET - 1969; FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE - 1970; THE GO-BETWEEN - 1970; FRIGHT - 1971; THE MAN WHO COULDN'T GET ENOUGH - 1974; THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT - 1975; MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE MEN - 1979; BLOODY KIDS - 1979; CUBA - 1979; NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR - 1984; THE DELIBERATE DEATH OF A POLISH PRIEST - 1986; PRICK UP YOUR EARS - 1987; THE FINDING - 1987; THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER - 1989; THE STONE AGE - 1989; THE MISADVENTURES OF MR. WILT - 1990; AMERICAN FRIENDS - 1991; THE OBJECT OF BEAUTY - 1991; ANNA LEE: HEADCASE - 1993; THE TRIAL - 1993; U.F.O. - 1993; CITIZEN LOCKE - 1994; INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE - 1994; THE YOUNG POISONER'S HANDBOOK - 1995; HOLLOW REED - 1996; THE MISSING POSTMAN - 1997; PREACHING TO THE PERVERTED - 1997; HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE - 2005; THE LIVING AND THE DEAD - 2006; THE HISTORY OF MR. POLLY - 2007; TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - 2011. Mr. Lloyd-Pack also did plenty of British TV Series, including: THE AVENGERS - 1965 [his first role]; SPYDER'S WEB - 1972; SPECIAL BRANCH - 1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1972-1973; SURVIVORS - 1976; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978; MOVING - 1985; INSPECTOR MORSE - 1987; BYKER GROVE - 1990; MURDER MOST HORRID - 1996; KNIGHT SCHOOL - 1997-1998; THE BILL - 1991-2000; ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES - 1981-2003 [a semi-regular]; DOCTOR WHO - 2006; THE OLD GUYS - 2009-2010; THE BORGIAS - 2012; THE VICAR OF DIBLEY - 1994-2013 [a semi-regular]. He was 69 years-old.) - 01/15/14
RUSSELL JOHNSON (Actor: Probably best known to everyone for portraying "The Professor" on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND [1964 - 1967] and the related 70's & 80's telemovies, Johnson had a healthy career in both films and TV. His movies [both theatrical and TV] include: RANCHO NOTORIOUS - 1952; LOAN SHARK - 1952; LAW AND ORDER - 1953; IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1953; THE STAND AT APACHE RIVER - 1953; RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO - 1954; JOHNNY DARK - 1954; BLACK TUESDAY - 1954; STRANGE LADY IN TOWN - 1955; THIS ISLAND EARTH - 1955; ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS - 1957; ROCK ALL NIGHT - 1957; THE SPACECHILDREN - 1958; THE SAGA OF HEMP BROWN - 1958; BADMAN'S COUNTRY - 1958; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965; CRY FOR POOR WALLY - 1969; THE MOVIE MURDERER - 1970; VANISHED - 1971; THE HORROR AT 37,000 FEET - 1973; BEG, BORROW OR STEAL - 1973; ALOHA MEANS GOODBYE - 1974; YOU LIE SO DEEP, MY LOVE - 1975; ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN - 1975; THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR - 1975; HITCH HIKE TO HELL - 1977; NOWHERE TO HIDE - 1977; THE GHOST OF FLIGHT 401 - 1978; THE GREAT SKYCOPTER RESCUE - 1980; OFF THE WALL - 1983; BLUE MOVIES - 1988; WITH A VENGEANCE - 1992 [his last movie]. Mr. Johnson's extensive TV series credits include roles on ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1953; THE LONE RANGER - 1955; CLIMAX! - 1956; CIRCUS BOY - 1956; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1957; STEVE CANYON - 1958; BLACK SADDLE - 1959-1960 [a series regular]; THRILLER ["The Hungry Glass" - 1961]; TWILIGHT ZONE ["Execution" - 1960; "Back There" - 1961]; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1962; BEN CASEY - 1962; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1961-1963; LARAMIE - 1961-1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE OUTER LIMITS ["Specimen: Unknown" - 1964]; THE INVADERS - 1967; FELONY SQUAD - 1968; THE F.B.I. - 1968-1970; IRONSIDE - 1972; GUNSMOKE - 1957-1972; MANNIX - 1974; CANNON - 1974-1975; McMILLAN & WIFE - 1977; POLICE STORY - 1978; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; LOU GRANT - 1978; BEYOND WESTWORLD - 1980; THE JEFFERSONS - 1982; DALLAS - 1986; MACGUYVER - 1986; NEWHART - 1987; ALF - 1987; MONSTERS - 1988; MY TWO DADS - 1989; ROSANNE - 1995; MEEGO - 1997 [His last role. He basically retired from show business when his son David died of A.I.D.S. at age 39 in 1994 and spent most of the rest of his life organizing charity events to fight the disease.]. On being typecast as The Professor [he usually played heavies before the TV Series aired], Russell said: "It used to make me upset to be typecast that way. But as the years have gone on, I have given in. I am the Professor, and that's the way it is. The show has brought a lot of joy to people, and that's not a bad legacy" Not a bad legacy indeed. Thanks for giving our life a little kindness in times when we needed it. Mr. Johnson was 89 years-old.) - 01/16/14
DAVE MADDEN (Actor: Best known as "Reuben Kincaid", the manager of THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY [1970 - 1974], Madden only did two theatrical films [the voice of Ram in the animated CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 1970 and the Roger Corman-produced EAT MY DUST - 1976), but he appeared in plenty of TV Series, including roles on: CAMP RUNAMUCK - 1965-1966 [a series regular]; ACCIDENTAL FAMILY - 1967; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1969; BEWITCHED - 1967-1969; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1973; THE GIRL WHO CAME GIFT-WRAPPED - 1974 [TV Movie]; HAPPY DAYS - 1974; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977; MULLIGAN'S STEW - 1977; BARNEY MILLER - 1978; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1979; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; MORE WILD WILD WEST - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1981; ALICE - 1978-1986 [a semi-regular]; THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1986; LIFE WITH LUCY - 1986; HERMAN'S HEAD - 1991 [opening narrator]; THE BEN STILLER SHOW - 1992; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1994; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1998 [his last on-screen appearance]. He retired from acting and moved to Florida. Mr. Madden was 82 years-old) - 01/16/14
HAL SUTHERLAND (Director of Animated Theatrical Movies and TV Shows: ROD ROCKET - 1963; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1966; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 1967; THE ARCHIE SHOW - 1968; FANTASTIC VOYAGE - 1968; THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN HOUR - 1968; AQUAMAN - 1968; THE HARDY BOYS - 1969; SABRINA AND THE GROOVIE GOOLIES - 1971; FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS - 1972; THE ABC SATURDAY SUPERSTAR MOVIE - 1972; MISSION: MAGIC! - 1973; TREASURE ISLAND - 1973; STAR TREK - 1973-1974; JOURNEY BACK TO OZ - 1974; OLIVER TWIST - 1974; FLASH GORDON - 1979; GILLIGAN'S PLANET - 1982; HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE - 1983; PINOCCHIO AND THE EMPEROR OF THE NIGHT - 1989 [his last film credit]. Mr. Sutherland was 85 years-old.) - 01/16/14
RUTH DUCCINI (Actress: Her real name was Ruth L. Robinson and she only appeared in two films: One, playing a Munchkin in THE WIZARD OF OZ - 1939 [she was one of the last surviving Munchkins and didn't receive any on-screen credit] and the other film was lampooning her Munchkin image in UNDER THE RAINBOW - 1981. She was 95 years-old and outlived all of her normal-sized stars by many, many years.) - 01/16/14
JOSEPH T. NAAR (Producer: Started out in TV producing episodes of TV Series such as LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1959 and CHECKMATE - 1960 and then waited 12 years to produce his only three theatrical films: BLACULA - 1972; SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM - 1973 and THE ALL-AMERICAN BOY - 1973. He then went back to TV , producing episodes of STARSKY & HUTCH - 1975-1979; STRIKE FORCE - 1982; the TV Movie and Series HALF NELSON - 1985; and the TV Movie THE FERRET - 1985 before retiring. Mr. Naar was a William Morris agent before he became a producer and was 88 years-old when he passed away.) - 01/17/14
SARAH MARSHALL (Actress: THE LONG, HOT SUMMER - 1958, WILD AND WONDERFUL - 1964; A RAGE TO LIVE - 1965; LORD LOVE A DUCK - 1966; EMBASSY - 1972; THE BUNKER - 1981; THE PEOPLE VS. JEAN HARRIS - 1981; DAVE - 1993; DANGEROUS MINDS - 1995; BAD BLOOD - 2006; BAD BLOOD...THE HUNGER - 2012 [her last role}. Ms. Marshall's many TV Series guest appearances included roles on: THRILLER ["God Grante That She Lye Stille" - 1961; "The Poisoner" - 1961]; PERRY MASON - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE ["Little Girl Lost" - 1962]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1960-1962; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1965; F TROOP - 1966; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1966; GET SMART - 1966; I SPY - 1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967; STAR TERK - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1967; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1968; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; THREE'S COMPANY - 1981; THE JEFFERSONS - 1981; HART TO HART - 1983; REMINGTON STEELE - 1984; SMALL WONDER - 1987; CHEERS - 1989. Ms. Marshall was 80 years old) - 01/18/14
BEN STARR (TV & Film Writer: Best known for writing the catch phrase Whatchu talking bout Willis? from DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1978-1986, Starr wrote for all manner of TV shows, including: I MARRIED JOAN - 1953; CLIMAX! - 1954-1955; PERRY MASON - 1957; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1959-1960; BACHELOR FATHER - 1958-1962; MR. ED - 1961-1963; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1964-1966; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1966; THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW - 1972; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1971-1973; MAUDE - 1974; CHICO AND THE MAN - 1977; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1977-1978; MORK & MINDY - 1979; HELLO, LARRY - 1979; SILVER SPOONS - 1982-1987. Mr. Starr's theatrical screenwriting duties included: TOM, DICK AND HARRY - 1960; OUR MAN FLINT - 1966; THE PAD AND HOW TO USE IT - 1966; TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER - 1966; THE BUSY BODY - 1967; THE SPIRIT IS WILLING - 1967; HOW TO COMMIT MARRIAGE - 1969; MY SISTER HANK - 1972; TREASURE ISLAND - 1973 and OLIVER TWIST - 1974. Mr. Starr was 92 years-old.) - 01/19/14
GORDON HESSLER (Director/Producer/Writer: Best known with his dealings with American International Pictures, Mr. Hessler would later branch out on his own and make some scary TV movies and other films during his illustrious career. His films include [as director]: THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE - 1965; THE LAST SHOT YOU HEAR - 1969; THE OBLONG BOX - 1969 [also Producer]; DESADE - 1969 [uncredited]; SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN - 1970; CRY OF THE BANSHEE - 1970 [also Producer]; MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE - 1971[AIP recut the film for a PG-Rating, nearly eliminating most of Lilli Palmer's footage, but MGM's Midnite Movies DVD series restored the film to Gordon's version]; EMBASSY - 1972; MEDUSA - 1973; SCREAM, PRETTY PEGGY - 1973; THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD - 1973; SKYWAY TO DEATH - 1974; HITCHHIKE! - 1974; A CRY IN THE WILDERNESS - 1974; BETRAYAL - 1974; 3-WAY SPLIT - 1976; THE STRANGE POSSESSION OF MRS. OLIVER - 1977; SECRETS OF THREE HUNGRY WIVES - 1978; KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK - 1978 [The film that the KISS Army would be ever so grateful to him for making. I was not part or have never been part of the KISS Army!]; PUZZLE - 1978; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1979; THE SECRET WAR OF JACKIE'S GIRLS - 1980; TALES OF THE HAUNTED - 1981; CALIFORNIA COWBOYS - 1984; PRAY FOR DEATH - 1985; RAGE OF HONOR - 1987; THE MISFIT BRIGADE - 1987; THE GIRL ON A SWING - 1988 [also Writer]; OUT ON BAIL - 1989; JOURNEY OF HONOR - 1991; BAD BLOOD - 1994 [Second Unit Director; his last film credit]. Mr. Hessler also directed more than his share of TV series episodes, including directorial chores on episodes of: ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1961; LUCAS TANNER - 1974; AMY PRENTISS - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1974; KUNG FU - 1975; SWITCH - 1975; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1976; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1976-1977; LITTLE WOMEN - 1978; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; CHiPS - 1978-1982 [12 episodes]; SHANNON - 1981-1982; THE MASTER - 1984; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1985; and THE EQUALIZER - 1989. Mr, Hessler also Produced or Associate Produced 69 episodes of THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962-1965 and Produced six episodes of RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966. The TV Series BIOGRAPHY also did an episode on his life and appeared in many documentaries about horror films, one to be released later in 2014. Mr. Hessler was 83 years old.) - 01/19/14
UBALDO CONTINIELLO (Italian Film Music Composer: Worked on normal theatrical films until the start of the 80's, when he did the music for Italian hardcore and softcore films. BLACK TIGRESS - 1967; THE LAST ITALIAN TANGO - 1973; DREAM OF ZORRO - 1975; LIVE LIKE A COP. DIE LIKE A MAN - 1976; MEET HIM AND DIE - 1976; LAST CANNIBAL WORLD - 1977; THE NOTHING MAN - 1977; GANGBUSTER - 1977; LAST FEELINGS - 1978; EMANUELLE IN THE COUNTRY - 1978; ...AND GIVE US OUR DAILY SEX - 1979; PLAY MOTEL - 1979; INTIMATE RELATIONS - 1979; MACABRE - 1980; BLOW JOB - 1980; COLLEGE GIRLS ON VACATION - 1980; TRHAUMA - 1980; A GUN FOR A COP - 1981; SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 HAPPY SADISTS - 1982; BABY SITTER - 1982; THE SEDUCTION OF ANGELA - 1986; GAME OF SEDUCTION - 1990 [his last film].) - 01/20/14
JAMES JACKS (Producer: RAIZING ARIZONA - 1987; HEARTS AND SOULS - 1993; HARD TARGET - 1993; DAZED AND CONFUSED - 1993; TOMBSTONE - 1993; VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED - 1995; MALLRATS - 1995; DON'T LOOK BACK - 1996; MICHAEL - 1996; THE JACKAL - 1997; A SIMPLE PLAN - 1998; THE MUMMY - 1999; THE GIFT - 2000; THE MUMMY RETURNS - 2001; RAT RACE - 2001; THE SCORPION KING - 2002; DARK BLUE - 2002; THE HUNTED - 2003; THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR - 2008; THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF A WARRIOR - 2008; THE SCORPION KING 3: BATTLE FOR REDEMPTION - 2012 [his last film]. Mr. Jacks was 66 years-old.) - 01/20/14
LUIS AVALOS (Actor: Best known to us baby boomers as "Roberto/Dr. Doolats" on TV's THE ELECTRIC COMPANY [1972 - 1977], Mr. Avalos was an accomplished actor in both movies and TV. His movie roles included: BADGE 373 - 1973; OUT TO LUNCH - 1974; THE GHOST OF FLIGHT401 - 1978; LONG JOURNEY BACK - 1978; HOT STUFF - 1979 [my favorite role of his]; THE HUNTER - 1980; STIR CRAZY - 1980; LOVE CHILD - 1982; THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF D.C. COLLINS - 1984; BOYS IN BLUE - 1984; SLICKERS - 1985; GHOST FEVER - 1987 [almost all of us would rather forget this film]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE MUSICAL MURDERER - 1989; CRIMINAL ACT - 1989; CHANGES - 1991; FIRES WITHIN - 1991; THE BUTCHER'S WIFE - 1991; LONE JUSTICE 2 - 1995; LONE JUSTICE: SHOWDOWN AT PLUM CREEK - 1996; JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE - 1997; LOVE STINKS - 1999; WISHCRAFT - 2002; HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE - 2003; THE RINGER - 2005; $5 A DAY - 2008 [his last acting role]. Mr. Avalos' TV credits included roles on: KOJAK - 1977; THE ANDROS TARGETS - 1977; THE JEFFERSONS - 1979; HIGHCLIFFE MANOR - 1979; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1980; BENSON - 1980; HILL STREET BLUES - 1981; SOAP - 1978-1981; IT'S A LIVING - 1981; FAME - 1982; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1982; BARNEY MILLER - 1978-1982; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1983; CONDO - 1983 [a series regular]; SIMON & SIMON - 1983; E/R - 1984-1985 [a series regular]; I HAD THREE WIVES - 1985 [a series regular]; YOU AGAIN? - 1986-1987; FULL HOUSE - 1989; EMPTY NEST - 1989; HANGIN' WITH MR. COOPER - 1992-1993 [a semi-regular]; ER - 1995; JAG - 1995; NYPD BLUE - 1996; SPARKS - 1997; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1999; COLUMBO - 2000; RESURRECTION BLVD. - 2001-2002; and COME ON OVER - 2006-2007. Mr. Avalos was 67 years-old.) - 01/22/14
PIERRE JALBERT (Actor/Editor [and pro skier]: Best known for playing "PFC Paul 'Caje' Lemay" on the TV Series COMBAT! - 1962-1967. Some of his other acting roles were in movies such as: SKI CRAZY! - 1955; THE SKI BUM - 1971; 43: THE RICHARD PETTY STORY - 1972 [also editor]; THE VAN - 1977 [editor only]; DARK ECHOES - 1977 [editor only]; SKI LIFT TO DEATH - 1978; THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979; and GOOD-BYE CRUEL WORLD - 1983. Mr. Jalbert has also appeared on the TV series MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967; CUSTER - 1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; NIGHT GALLERY [the "Lone Survivor" episode - 1971]; and SANTA BARBARA - 1989. He also did some uncredited sound work on THE GODFATHER - 1972; and was ADR & Dialogue Editor on such films as BLOODLINE - 1979; NORTH DALLAS FORTY - 1979; SHOGUN - 1980 [nominated for an Emmy®]; SECRET ADMIRER - 1985; NOBODY'S FOOL - 1986; and EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY - 1988. Mr. Jalbert was 89 years-old.) - 01/22/14
RIZ ORTOLANI (Film Music Composer: Besides Ennio Morricone, Mr. Ortolani was one of the most prolific music composers in the Italian film industry. His compositions are as easy to spot as Morricone's and just as well orchestrated. A real loss to the filmmaking community, his compositions and songs will be used for years to come in films and TV. Some of his more than 250 films include: TERROR OVER ROME - 1957; VALLEY OF THE LIONS - 1961; MONDO CANE - 1962 [nominated for the Academy Award® for the song "More" and nominated for a Grammy® for Best original Score]; THE FALL OF ROME - 1963; HORROR CASTLE - 1963; CASTLE OF BLOOD - 1964; ECCO - 1964; SHATTERHAND - 1964; HOUR OF DEATH - 1964; THE YELLOW ROLLS-ROYCE - 1964 [won the Golden Globe® for the song "Forget Domani"]; SPY IN YOUR EYE - 1965;AFRICA ADDIO - 1966; LIGHTNING BOLT - 1966; THE SPY WITH THE COLD NOSE - 1966; DAY OF ANGER - 1967; THE VIOLENT FOUR - 1968; THE GIRL WHO COULDN'T SAY NO - 1968; DEAD MEN DON'T COUNT - 1968; BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL - 1968; BOOTLEGGERS - 1969; ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER - 1969; SO SWEET...SO PERVERSE - 1969; NIGHT OF THE SERPENT - 1969; THE UNHOLY FOUR - 1970; THE MCKENZIE BREAK - 1970; MADRON - 1970 [nominated for both an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe® for the song "Till Love Touches Your Life"]; THE STATUE - 1971; CONFESSIONS OF A POLICE CAPTAIN - 1971; THE HUNTING PARTY - 1971; WEB OF THE SPIDER - 1971; GOODBYE UNCLE TOM - 1971; THE VALACHI PAPERS - 1972; SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS - 1972; THE DEAD ARE ALIVE - 1972; DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING - 1972; A REASON TO LIVE, A REASON TO DIE - 1972; MAFIA JUNCTION - 1973; SEVEN DEAD IN THE CAT'S EYE - 1973; MEAN FRANK AND CRAZY TONY - 1973; THERE IS NO 13 - 1974; HOW TO KILL A JUDGE -1975; BLONDE IN BLACK LEATHER - 1975; HOLIDAY HOOKERS - 1976; DEATH STEPS IN THE DARK - 1977; I AM AFRAID - 1977; DOUBLE MURDER - 1977; CYCLONE - 1978; RINGS OF FEAR - 1978; BRUTES AND SAVAGES - 1978; FROM HELL TO VICTORY - 1979; TIGERS IN LIPSTICK - 1979; CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST - 1980 [Some believe it is his best score. I don't.]; THE WARNING - 1980; HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK - 1980 [my nomination for his best score]; FEAR IN THE CITY - 1981; ZEDER: REVENGE OF THE DEAD - 1983; TUAREG: THE DESERT WARRIOR - 1984; THE NEW GLADIATORS - 1984; THE CORRUPTION - 1986; THE INQUIRY - 1986; BROTHERS IN BLOOD - 1987; KILLER CROCODILE - 1989; MASSACRE PLAY - 1989; KILLER CROCODILE 2 - 1990; ONE COLD MAY MORNING - 1990; THE DARK SUN - 1990; PAPRIKA - 1991; ANGEL WITH A GUN - 1992; THE VOYEUR - 1994; THEB BEST MAN - 1997; MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DANCE - 1999; CHRISTMAS REMATCH - 2004; WHEN DO THE GIRLS SHOW UP? - 2005; THE HIDEOUT - 2007; UN MATRIMONIO [Italian Mini-Series - 2013-2014; his last original work] and over 150 more films. His songs are used a lot in the films of Quentin Tarantino, including in such films as KILL BILL: VOL. 1 & VOL. 2; INGLORIOUS BASTERDS and DJANGO UNCHAINED, as well as the films DREAM BABY - 1989; THE GUN IN BETTY LOU'S HANDBAG - 1992; OUT TO SEA - 1997; SOUL PLANE - 2004; BEYOND THE SEA - 2004; KISS KISS BANG BANG - 2005; DRIVE - 2011; and many more to come in the future. In 2013 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Soundtrack Awards. Mr. Ortolani was 82 years-old.) - 01/23/14
JOHN CACAVAS (Film & TV Music Composer: Mr. Cacavas is the third film music composer to pass away in this month and he is widely known for his compositions. mainly for his opening KOJAK [1973 -1978] theme song. Some of Cacavas' movie & TV film music compositions included: HORROR EXPRESS - 1972; SHE CRIED MURDER - 1973; LINDA - 1973; THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA - 1973; BLADE - 1973; THE ELEVATOR - 1974; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; SST: DEATH FLIGHT - 1977; AIRPORT '77 - 1977; MURDER AT THE WORLD SERIES - 1977; SUPERDOME - 1978; THE TIME MACHINE - 1978; HANGAR 18 - 1980; ONCE UPON A SPY - 1980; NO PLACE TO HIDE - 1981; GANGSTER WARS - 1981; CRY FOR THE STRANGERS - 1982; THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG - 1982; MORTUARY - 1983; THEY'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE - 1984; LADY BLUE - 1985; MURDER: BY REASON OF INSANITY - 1985; POLICE STORY: THE FREEWAY KILLINGS - 1987; MURDER IN PARADISE - 1990; The RETURN OF IRONSIDE - 1993; PERFECT MURDER, PeRFECT TOWN: JONBENET AND THE CITY OF BOULDER - 2000 [his last credit]. Mr. Cacavas' TV series work included contributing music to: AMY PRENTISS - 1974; KATE MCSHANE - 1975; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; MRS. COLUMBO - 1979; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1978-1979; WORKING STIFFS - 1979; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1977-1980; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1980; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1981; SHANNON - 1981; THE EQUALIZER - 1988; MATLOCK - 1986-1991 and MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992. Many of his compositions and songs have been used on other TV shows and movies, including: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD - 2007; COLLEGE ROAD TRIP - 2008; MY ONE AND ONLY - 2009 and TRUE BLOOD - 2011. Mr. Cacavas was 83 years-old.) - 01/28/14
ARTHUR RANKIN JR. (Director/Producer/Writer: Rankin, along with long-time production partner Jules Bass [known as Rankin/Bass Productions] have turned out countless TV animated holiday classics, including: RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER - 1964; THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - 1968; FROSTY THE SNOWMAN - 1969; SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TOTOWN - 1970; HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL - 1971; 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - 1974; THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS - 1974; RUDOLPH'S SHINY NEW YEAR - 1976 and many other holiday animated shows. Rankin/Bass were also responsible for the animated TV series KING KONG - 1966; JACKSON 5IVE - 1971-1972; THE OSMONDS - 1972; THE ABC SATURDAY SUPERSTAR MOVIE - 1972-1973; FESTIVAL OF FAMILY CLASSICS - 1972-1973; SILVERHAWKS - 1986; TIGERSHARKS - 1987; THUNDERCATS - 1985-1989, as well as many others. Rankin/Bass were also responsible for the films: RETURN TO OZ - 1964; WILLIE MCBEAN AND HIS MAGIC MACHINE - 1965; MAD MONSTER PARTY - 1967; KING KONG ESCAPES [U.S. Version - 1967]; MOUSE ON THE MAYFLOWER - 1968; THE MAD, MAD, MAD COMEDIANS - 1970; 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA - 1973; MARCO - 1973; THE FIRST EASTER RABBIT - 1976; THE EASTER BUNNY IS COMIN' TO TOWN - 1977; THE LAST DINOSAUR - 1977; THE HOBBIT - 1977; THE BERMUDA DEPTHS - 1978; THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN - 1978; THE IVORY APE - 1980; THE RETURN OF THE KING - 1980; PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS - 1980; THE BLOODY BUSHIDO BLADE - 1981 [their only R-Rated film]; THE FLIGHT OF THE DRAGONS - 1982; THE LAST UNICORN - 1982; THE SINS OF DORIAN GRAY - 1983; THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS - 1985; THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS - 1987; SANTA, BABY - 2001 and BUTTERFLY BLUES - 2011. Mr. Rankin Jr. was 89 years-old.) - 01/30/14
CHRISTOPHER JONES (Actor: CHUBASCO - 1967; WILD IN THE STREETS - 1968; THREE IN THE ATTIC - 1968; THE LOOKING GLASS WAR - 1969; A BRIEF SEASON - 1969; RYAN'S DAUGHTER - 1970; MAD DOG TIME - 1996 [his first film in 26 years and also his last]. Mr. Jones was devastated by the murder of his good friend Sharon Tate by Charles Manson's followers and disappeared into drug culture until Quentin Tarantino tried to get him a part in PULP FICTION - 1994 [he refused]. Mr Jones starred as Jesse James on the TV series THE LEGEND OF JESSE JAMES - 1965-1966 and also appeared on the TV shows JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967 and THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967. He was supposed to be the 60's & 70's generation of James Dean, but Tate's death left him a shell of a man who used drugs to kill the pain. He was 72 years-old when he passed away due to cancer.) - 01/31/14
MAXIMILIAN SCHELL (Actor/Director: CHILDREN, MOTHER AND THE GENERAL - 1955; THE PLOT TO ASSASSINATE HITLER - 1955; THE GIRL FROM FLANDERS - 1956; TAXI DRIVER BAENZ - 1957; THE YOUNG LIONS - 1958; THE FIFTH COLUMN - 1960; JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - 1961 [he was brilliant in this and won the Academy Award® for Best Actor]; FIVE FINGER EXERCIZE - 1962; THE CONDEMNED OF ALTONA - 1962; TOPKAPI - 1964; RETURN FROM THE ASHES - 1965 [another excellent performance]; THE DEADLY AFFAIR - 1966; COUNTERPOINT - 1967; THE CASTLE - 1968 [one of his most unusual roles]; HEIDI - 1968 [Notorious for the fact that it cutinto the final minutes of a football game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders, where the Raiders scored two touchdowns and won the game, but those on the East Coast never saw the touchdowns and flooded the phones at NBC with complaints. It forever will be known as the "Heidi Bowl". It also led to a rule where football games would from then on be shown in their entirety, which is why THE GOOD WIFE and THE MENTALIST is always late on Sunday nights during football season.]; KRAKATOA: EAST OF JAVA - 1969 [even though Krakatoa was west of Java!]; SIMON BOLIVAR - 1969; FIRST LOVE - 1970 [also Director]; THE PEDESTRIAN - 1973 [also Director]; THE ODESSA FILE - 1974; END OF THE GAME - 1975 [also Director; uncredited voice only on audiotape]; THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH - 1975 [nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Actor]; THE DAY THAT SHOOK THE WORLD - 1975; ST. IVES - 1976; CROSS OF IRON - 1977; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977; JULIA - 1977 [nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; AVALANCHE EXPRESS - 1979; THE BLACK HOLE - 1979 [one of Disney's first major releases to be rated PG]; TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS - 1979 [also Director]; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1983; MARLENE - 1984 [Director only]; THE ASSISI UNDERGROUND - 1986; THE ROSE GARDEN - 1989; THE FRESHMAN - 1990; CANDLES IN THE DARK - 1993 [also Director]; JUSTIZ - 1993; LITTLE ODESSA - 1994; THE VAMPYRE WARS - 1996; THE EIGHTEENTH ANGEL - 1998; JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES - 1998; DEEP IMPACT - 1998; JOAN OF ARC - 1999; LOVE, LIES, PASSIONS - 2002; MY SISTER MARIA - 2002 [Director only]; COAST TO COAST - 2003; HOUSE OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES - 2006; DARKNESS - 2009. Mr. Schell did very little American TV; just some episodes of PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959 [where he first essayed his role in JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG]; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1959; and BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CRYSLER THEATRE - 1967. Mr Schell was 83 years-old) - 02/01/14
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN (Actor: Pudgy, but excellent actor who always took a role and made it his own, no matter what genre it was. He could easily play comedy as he could drama. Unfortunately, his real-life heroin addiction was a well-known open secret and he was found in his own NYC apartment bathroom dead at the age 46 of a heroin overdose with the needle still sticking in his arm. This should be a wake-up call to the Hollywood establishment and make every actor take a drug test before they are offered a role. We have seen too much of this kind of behavior happen in Tinsletown [and other places] to let it go on any longer. Philip Seymour Hoffman was bound to have plenty of award-winning roles ahead of him, but heroin cut any chance for that short. It's time for people to wake up and stare into reality. Roles are not more important than lives. Some of Mr. Hoffmann's roles during his short life read like a who's who of great directors and include: MY NEW GUN - 1992; SCENT OF A WOMAN - 1992; MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK - 1993; MONEY FOR NOTHING - 1993; THE GETAWAY - 1994; WHEN A MANLOVES A WOMAN - 1995; HARD EIGHT - 1998 [starting his long partnership with director Paul Thomas Anderson]; TWISTER - 1996; BOOGIE NIGHTS - 1997 [one of his most heartbreaking acting assignments]; MONTANA - 1998; NEXT STOP WONDERLAND - 1998; THE BIG LIEBOWSKI - 1998; PATCH ADAMS - 1998 [the less said about this movie, the better]; FLAWLESS - 1998; MAGNOLIA - 1998 [my personal favorite of Paul Thomas Anderson's films]; THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY - 1999; STATE AND MAIN - 2000; ALMOST FAMOUS - 2000; PUNCH DRUNK LOVE - 2002; RED DRAGON - 2002; 25TH HOUR - 2002; COLD MOUNTAIN - 2003; ALONG CAME POLLY - 2004; STRANGERS WITH CANDY - 2005; CAPOTE - 2005 [Academy Award® winner for Best Actor]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III - 2006; THE SAVAGES - 2007; BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD - 2007 [This was director Sidney Lumet's last film, as he cast Hoffman as a heroin-addled brother of a family that owned a jewelry store. He makes his brother, played by Ethan Hawke, rob the place because he owes a lot of money to the company he works at that he stole from to support his drug habit and it ends up with their mother being shot dead. His father, played by Albert Finney, finds out and kills his own son for what he has done by suffocating him with a pillow in the hospital. This was almost like a future vision of Hoffman's life and also a great movie from a legendary master director.]; CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR - 2007 [nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; SYNECHDOCHE, NEW YORK - 2008 [His most unusual role, thanks to director Charlie Kaufman]; DOUBT - 2008 [proving that he could stand toe-to-toe with Meryl Streep and win; nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; PIRATE RADIO - 2009; THE INVENTION OF LYING - 2009; JACK GOES BOATING - 2010; THE IDES OF MARCH - 2011; MONEYBALL - 2011; THE MASTER - 2012 [another superb role; nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor, basically playing a bastardized version of L. Ron Hubbard]; THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE - 2013; GOD'S POCKET - 2014; A MOST WANTED MAN - 2014. Hoffman was in post-production on the first part and seven days from finishing filming the second part of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY when the terrible scourge of drug addiction took him from us. Just look at his output in just a matter of 13 years [he also had a guest role on TV's LAW & ORDER in 1991, his first role, although you would never know it. It was his only foray into TV Series, although he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy© for the use of his voice in the long-running kids animated TV series ARTHUR - 1996-Present in 1996.]. We lost an excellent actor, but when those demon drugs grab a hold of your soul [apparently, police found over 50 bags of heroin in Hoffman's apartment, as well as various bottles of addictive prescription drugs] and won't let go, he needed the help of friends to get control of his life back. Unfortunately, there were none on that fateful day. His first autospy was labeled "inconclusive" (what a fucking joke!), so further tests have to be taken before he can be buried. A devastating loss to the filmmaking community. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.) - 02/02/14
CRAIG LAHIFF (Australian Director/Producer/Writer: THE COMING - 1981 [Director only]; CODA - 1987 [Director & Writer]; THE DREAMING - 1988 [Producer & Writer]; FEVER - 1988; STRANGERS - 1991; EBBTIDE - 1994 [Director & Producer]; HEAVEN'S BURNING [Director & Executive Producer]; BLACK & WHITE - 2002 [Director only]; POLITICS, POWER, JUSTICE AND THE MEDIA: CONTROVERSIES OF THE STUART CASE - 2010 [Director & Producer]; SWERVE - 2011. Mr. Lahiff was 66 years-old.) - 02/02/14
RICHARD BULL (Actor: Probably best known for his role as Shopkeeper Nels Oleson on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1974-1983 and the subsequent TV Movies of the 80's [I never watched a single episode of the show], Mr. Bull did plenty of other TV shows and theatrical and TV movies during his lifetime. Some of those movies included: FEAR STRIKES OUT - 1957; OPERATION MAD BALL - 1957; BUT NOT FOR ME - 1959; THREE CAME BACK - 1961; DELLA - 1964; THE SATAN BUG - 1965 [my first notice of Bull's mug]; IN LIKE FLINT - 1967; HOUR OFTHE GUN - 1967; THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR - 1968; THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AMERICAN WIFE - 1968; STALKING MOON - 1968; MOONFIRE - 1970; MOVE - 1971; THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN - 1971; MAN AND BOY - 1971; SWEET SWEET RACHEL - 1971; ULZANA'S RAID - 1972; HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER - 1973; THE PRESIDENT'S PLANE IS MISSING - 1973; EXECUTIVE ACTION - 1973; BREEZY - 1973; HEAT WAVE! - 1974; NEWMAN'S LAW - 1974; THE PARALLAX VIEW - 1974; A DIFFERENT STORY - 1978; THE GOLDEN GATE MURDERS - 1979; THE GREAT CASH GIVEAWAY GETAWAY - 1980; WHERE PIGEONS GO TO DIE - 1990; A DAY IN THE LIFE - 2000; THE SECRET - 2001; LET'S GO TO PRISON - 2006; SUGAR - 2008; WITLESS PROTECTION - 2008. Some of Mr. Bull's many TV series guest spots included roles on: PANIC! - 1958; TALES OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1958; MEN INTO SPACE - 1959; THE VIRGINIAN - 1962; THE BILL DANA SHOW - 1963; THE RICHARD BOONE SHOW - 1963; BEN CASEY - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962-1965; I SPY - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966; GOMER PYLE U.S.M.C. - 1966-1967; THE ANDY GRIFFIITH SHOW - 1966-1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1968; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964-1968; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1968; FELONY SQUAD - 1966-1969; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969; IRONSIDE - 1969; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1971; OWEN MARSHALL: COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1971; THE F.B.I. - 1969-1971; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967-1971; COLUMBO - 1971; NICHOLS - 1971-1972 [Lead role in short-lived series]; BONANZA - 1969-1972; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1972; THE ROOKIES - 1973; MANNIX - 1968-1974; APPLE'S WAY - 1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1973-1974; MOVIN' ON - 1975; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1976; MOST WANTED - 1976; LOU GRANT - 1978; AMAZING STORIES - 1985; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1986; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985-1986; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1985-1988; ER - 1999; BOSS - 2011 [His last role]. Mr. Bull was 89 years-old.) - 02/03/14
LOUAN GIDEON (Actress: Movies include: WHERE THERE'S A WILL - 1989; EASY WHEELS - 1989; SUBURBAN COMMANDO - 1991; AIRBORNE - 1993; JAILBREAKERS - 1994; P.U.N.K.S. - 1999; TREEHOUSE HOSTAGE - 1999. Ms. Gideon's TV appearances included roles on: SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1986; DRAGNET - 1989; THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1991; EERIE, INDIANA - 1991; WHO'S THE BOSS? - 1991; GET A LIFE - 1991; NIGHT COURT - 1990-1992; SAVED BY THE BELL - 1992; ONE WEST WAIKIKI - 1994; SILK STALKINGS - 1995; A.J.'S TIME TRAVELERS - 1995; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1996; DARK SKIES - 1996; L.A. FIREFIGHTERS - 1996; SEINFELD - 1997; THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK - 1994-1998 [a semi-regular]; THE TOM SHOW - 1998; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 2000; TITUS - 2001; SIX FEET UNDER - 2001; JOAN OF ARCADIA - 2003; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2004 [her last acting role]. She was 58 years-old.) - 02/03/14
GLORIA LEONARD (Porn Actress/Director: SEX MANIAC - 1975; THE OPENING OF MISTY BEETHOVEN - 1976; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTERS - 1976; TEMPTATIONS - 1976; SOUPERMAN - 1976; THE TROUBLE WITH YOUNG STUFF - 1977; MY SEX-RATED WIFE - 1977; HEAT WAVE - 1977; WATER POWER - 1977; MARASCHINO CHERRY - 1978; FIONA ON FIRE - 1978; THE LEGEND OF LADY BLUE - 1978; ALL ABOUT GLORIA LEONARD - 1978 [also Director]; LITTLE BLUE BOX - 1979; EXTREME CLOSE-UP - 1979; INTIMATE DESIRES - 1980 [also Director]; OCTOBER SILK - 1980; TRAMP - 1980; ROOMMATES - 1981; DIRTY LOOKS - 1982; BIZARRE MOODS - 1982; LADIES OF THE KNIGHT - 1984; NEW YORK VICE - 1984; HOT WIRE - 1985; SEX APPEAL - 1986; THREE DAUGHTERS - 1986; TATTOO VAMPIRES - 1988; VOW OF PASSION - 1991 [Director only]; WISHMAN - 1992; SLOW DANCING - 1992 [Director only]; TWO HEARTS - 1993 [Director only]; STILL INSATIABLE - 1999; OOZE - 2000; and many others. Ms. Leonard also appeared on the TV Shows SIMON & SIMON - 1984 and SILK STALKINGS - 1999. Ms. Leonard was 73 years-old.) - 02/03/14
WU MA (Hong Kong Actor/Director who dealt mainly in kung fu and horror/fantasy films: As a Director: DEAF MUTE HEROINE - 1971; THE WATER MARGIN - 1972; THE PIRATE - 1973; SMALL TIGER - 1973; MANCHU BOXER - 1974; FROM CHINA WITH DEATH - 1974; RETURN OF THE PANTHER - 1974; ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS - 1975; THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE - 1975; THE PROTECTORS - 1975; GRAND MASTER OF DEATH - 1976; SNAKE: CRANE SECRET - 1976; THE NAVAL COMMANDOS - 1977 [co-director]; ALONG COMES THE TIGER - 1977; MURDER OF MURDERS - 1978; SHOWDOWN AT COTTON MILL - 1978; EUNUCH AT THE WEST PALACE - 1979; THE HANDCUFF - 1979; EAGLE WITH A YELLOW FACE - 1980; KUNG FU OF EIGHT DRUNKARDS - 1980; WU TANG CLAN - 1980 [title stolen by the rap group of the same name]; BEWARE OFPICKPOCKETS - 1981; BRAVE COMMANDO - 1981; SHAOLIN DEADLY KICKS - 1982; THE DEAD AND THE DEADLY - 1982; MR. BOO MEETS POM POM - 1985; MY COUSIN, THE GHOST - 1987; BURNING SENSATION - 1989; JUST HEROES - 1989; FOX LEGEND - 1990; DEVIL GAMBLER - 1991; ONCE UPON A CHINESE HERO - 1993; THE CHINESE GHOSTBUSTER - 1994; CIRCUS KIDS - 1994; GENERATION PENDRAGON - 1999. As an actor: THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO - 1966; TRAIL OF THE BROKEN BLADE - 1967; ANGEL STRIKES AGAIN - 1968; THE BELLS OF DEATH - 1968; RETURN OF THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN - 1969; THE FLYING DAGGAR - 1969; THE INVINCIBLE FIST - 1969; TWELVE DEADLY COINS - 1969; THE LIZARD - 1972; BLACK TAVERN - 1972; SMALL TIGER - 1973; MANCHU BOXER - 1974; PARIS KILLERS - 1974; THE FOUR HANDS OF DEATH - 1977; MASTER OF DEATH - 1978; BLOODY TREASURY FIGHT - 1979; SPOOKY ENCOUNTERS - 1980; THE PRODIGAL SON - 1981; BLOODY MONKEY MASTER - 1981; PROJECT A - 1983; WHEELS ON MEALS - 1984; HEART OF A DRAGON - 1985; MR. VAMPIRE - 1985; SHANGHAI EXPRESS - 1986; PEKING OPERA BLUES - 1986; RIGHTING WRONGS - 1986; HEROIC FIGHT - 1986; 100 WAYS TO MURDER YOUR WIFE - 1986; SCARED STIFF - 1987; EASTERN CONDORS - 1987; A CHINESE GHOST STORY - 1987; NO COMPROMISE - 1988; DRAGONS FOREVER - 1988; IN THE BLOOD - 1988; MR. VAMPIRE SAGA - 1988; FEMALE REPORTER - 1989; SEVEN WARRIORS - 1989; THE SWORDSMAN - 1990; TRIAD STORY - 1990; GAMBLER'S WAR - 1990; RETREAT OF THE GODFATHER - 1991; ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA - 1991; GUYS IN GHOST'S HANDS - 1991; LADY WOLF - 1991; DEVIL AND MASTER - 1991; THUNDER MISSION - 1992; SWORDSMAN III: THE EAST IS RED - 1993; THE BEHEADED 1000 - 1994; MELTDOWN - 1995; IRON MONKEY 2 - 1996; HOUSE OF FURY - 2005; BATTLE OF THE WARRIORS - 2006; 14 BLADES - 2010; LEGENDARY AMAZONS - 2011; WHITE VENGEANCE - 2011; and over 200 more. Ma was 71 years-old) - 02/04/14
CHRISTOPHER BARRY (British TV Producer/Director: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR - 1958-1959; COMPACT - 1962; THE NET - 1962; NO CLOAK - NO DAGGER - 1963; MOONSTRIKE - 1963; SMUGGLER'S BAY - 1964; THE FLYING SWAN - 1965; TAKE A PAIR OF PRIVATE EYES - 1966; ST. IVES - 1967; THE FIRST ADVENTURES OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1967; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1969; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1968-1969; PAUL TEMPLE - 1970-1971; MOONBASE 3 - 1973; POLDARK - 1975; ANGELS - 1976; Z CARS - 1967-1978; DOCTOR WHO - 1963-1979 [Directed 43 episodes]; ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - 1978-1980; NANNY - 1982; DRAMARAMA - 1983; THE TRIPODS - 1984-1985; DOWNTIME - 1995.) - 02/07/14
ERIC BERCOVICI (Award-Winning & Nominated Writer/Producer: Both theatrical and TV Credits include: SQUARE OF VIOLENCE - 1961; CONQUERED CITY - 1962; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; I SPY - 1966; DAY OF THE EVIL GUN - 1968; HELL IN THE PACIFIC - 1968; THE OUTCASTS - 1969; CHANGE OF HABIT - 1969; THE OTHER MAN - 1970 [nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award®]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1970; CADE'S COUNTY - 1971; THE DEADLY HUNT - 1971; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1970-1971 [nominated for a Writers Guild Of America Award®]; ASSIGNMENT: MUNICH - 1972; THE CULPEPPER CATTLE COMPANY - 1972 [nominated for a Writers Guild Of America Award®]; ASSIGNMENT VIENNA - 1972-1973; WHEELER AND MURDOCH - 1973; THREE THE HARD WAY - 1974 [the best Blaxploitation film in my opinion]; STRANGE HOMECOMING - 1974; THE LOG OF THE BLACK PEARL - 1975; OUT OF SEASON - 1975; TAKE A HARD RIDE - 1975; POLICE STORY - 1976; WASHINGTON: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1977 [nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Limited Series]; HUNTERS OF THE REEF - 1978; FLESH & BLOOD - 1979; TOP OF THE HILL - 1980; SHOGUN - 1980 [Both TV Movie & Mini-Series. Won an Emmy® for Outstanding Limited Series, which he shared with James Clavell as a Producer. He was also nominated for an Emmy® for writing Episode 5 of the Mini-Series.]; McCLAIN'S LAW - 1981-1982; CHICAGO STORY - 1981 -1982 [both TV Movie and series]; ONE SHOE MAKES IT MURDER - 1982; JESSIE - 1984; THE FIFTH MISSILE - 1986; FAREWELL MOSCOW - 1987; NOBLE HOUSE - 1988 [his last film credit]. Father of Actor/Director Luca Bercovici. Mr. Bercovici was 80 years-old.) - 02/09/14
SHIRLEY TEMPLE BLACK (Actress: While not known for her genre films, Shirley Temple was one of the most popular singing and dancing child stars ever, who turned her back on show business in the mid-60's and became an environmental activist and then became involved in politics, where she was taken very seriously. For all you genre fans out there, she was once married to the late John Agar and took the last name "Black" when she married Charles Black in 1950 and stayed married to him until his death in 2005. Some of Ms. Temple's films include: STAND UP AND CHEER! - 1934; LITTLE MISS MARKER - 1934; NOW AND FOREVER - 1934; BRIGHT EYES - 1934; THE LITTLE COLONEL - 1935; CURLY TOP - 1935; CAPTAIN JANUARY - 1936; POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL - 1936; STOWAWAY - 1936; WEE WILLIE WINKLE - 1937; HEIDI - 1937; REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM - 1938; LITTLE MISS BROADWAY - 1938; SUSANNAH OF THE MOUNTIES - 1939; THE BLUE BIRD - 1940; MISS ANNIE ROONEY - 1942; SINCE YOU WENT AWAY - 1944; THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER - 1947; FORT APACHE - 1948; MR. BELVEDERE GOES TO COLLEGE - 1949; THE STORY OF SEABUSCUIT - 1949; A KISS FOR CORLISS - 1949 [her last theatrical film]. Ms. Temple did very little TV, She had he own omnibus show called SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1958 - 1961, on which she appeared 12 times and made a personal appearance on THE RED SKELTON HOUR in 1963. She made a TV pilot in 1965 called GO FIGHT CITY HALL, but it was not picked-up and she gave up on show business and turned her talents elsewhere. Many believe her life after films was much more important, since she did so much for the environment and was friendly with many Presidents [she was appointed U.S. Ambassador to both Ghana and Czechoslovakia] and was named as a delegate to the United Nations in 1969 by President Nixon. She also had a radical masectomy and made it public, which gave hope and courage to many women. She was truly one of a kind. Ms. Temple was 85 years-old.) - 02/10/14
ROY ALVAREZ (Filipino Actor: THE HOT BOX - 1972; THE BIG BIRD CAGE - 1972; SUPER GEE - 1973; WORKING GIRLS - 1984; ALEXANDRA - 1985; YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW - 1986; TIGERSHARK - 1987; SUPER INDAY AND THE GOLDEN BIBE - 1988; MCBAIN - 1991; RUBBERMAN - 1996; FRATS - 1997; SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL 6 - 1997; THE KITE - 1999; SPIRIT WARRIORS - 2000; ID - 2001; NAKED NIGHTS - 2001; SPIRIT WARRIORS: THE SHORTCUT - 2003; MESSAGE SENT - 2003; THE NIGHT INFINITE - 2010; KUNG FU DIVAS. Mr. Alvarez made dozens of films in many genres [including action, horror and fantasy] that never made it out of his native Philippines. He was 63 years-old.) - 02/11/14
SID CAESAR (One of TV's best Comedy Writers/Actors: He made watching television in the early 50's [along with Milton Berle, who were bitter enemies with each other] hilarious with YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - 1950-1954; CAESAR's HOUR - 1957; and THE SID CAESAR SHOW - 1958 and had a cadre of writers such as Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Howard Morris[many who also performed on the shows]. His DNA changed TV in so many ways, that it would take a novel to tell the whole story His films include: IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD - 1963; THE MOUSE THAT ROARED - 1966, THE BUSY BODY - 1967; THE SPIRIT IS WILLING - 1967 [a guilty pleasure of mine]; 10 FROM YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - 1973 [a must for any comedy fan]; HAMBURGERS - 1974; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; SILENT MOVIE - 1976; FIRE SALE - 1977; CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW - 1977; BARNABY AND ME - 1977; THE CHEAP DETECTIVE - 1978; GREASE - 1978; AMERICA 2100 - 1979; THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU - 1980; THE MUNSTER'S REVENGE - 1981; HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1 - 1981; GREASE 2 - 1982; FOUND MONEY - 1983; OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE - 1984; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1984; STOOGEMANIA - 1986; FREEDOM FIGHTER - 1988; SIDE BY SIDE - 1988; VEGAS VACATION - 1997; THE WONDERFUL ICE CREAM SUIT - 1998; COMIC BOOK: THE MOVIE [his last film appearance]. Mr. Caesar's TV Series appearances included roles on: CHECKMATE - 1961; THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW - 1967; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1967; THAT GIRL - 1968; THAT'S LIFE - 1968-1969; MAKE ROOM FOR GRANDDADDY - 1970; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1971; WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975; VEGA$ - 1978; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1981; MATT HOUSTON - 1982; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1984; AMAZING STORIES - 1985; LOVE & WAR - 1995; LIFE WITH LOUIE - 1997; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1997. Ceasar battled acute alcoholism and prescription drug abuse throughout most of the 60's & 70's. Mr. Caesar was 91 years-old.) - 02/12/14
KEN JONES (British Actor: THE CHASE - 1964; THE FILE OF THE GOLDEN GOOSE - 1969; S.W.A.L.K. - 1971; THE SEVEN MINUTES - 1971; GUMSHOE - 1971; I'M THE GIRL HE WANTS TO KILL - 1974; MURDER BY DECREE - 1979; DOING TIME - 1979; THE HUMAN FACTOR - 1979; DANGEROUS DAVIES: THE LAST DETECTIVE - 1981; NO SURRENDER - 1985; WHOOPS APOCALYPSE - 1988; STANLEY'S DRAGON - 1994; JUDE - 1996. Mr. Jones many TV appearances included roles on: THE PLANE MAKERS - 1963; NO HIDING PLACE - 1964-1965; SOFTLY SOFTLY - 1968; PUBLIC EYE - 1969; THE GUARDIANS - 1971; THE LAST OF THE BASKETS - 1971-1972 [a series regular]; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1963-1972; OWEN, M.D. - 1973; Z CARS - 1962-1974; THE WACKERS - 1975 [a series regular]; SERPICO - 1976; THE SQUIRRELS - 1974-1977 [a semi-regular]; RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY - 1978; SECONDS OUT - 1981-1982 [a series regular]; DEAD ERNEST - 1982; PULASKI: THE TV DETECTIVE - 1987; VALENTINE PARK - 1987-1988; WATCHING - 1991; THE DETECTIVES - 1996; MURDER MOST HORRID - 1996; A CERTAIN JUSTICE - 1998; OUT OF SIGHT - 1997-1998; CASUALTY - 1996-2000; MURPHY'S LAW - 2003; THE 4400 - 2005; DOCTORS - 2000-2007. Mr. Jones was 83 years-old.) - 02/13/14
RALPH WAITE (Actor: Best known as Papa Walton on THE WALTONS [1972 - 1981] and the reunion movies in the 80's & 90's [being nominated in 1978 for an Emmy® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series], as well as recently portraying Mark Harmon's father on NCIS [2008 - 2013], Ralph Waite has had a long history in the filmmaking business. Some of his films included: COOL HAND LUKE - 1967; THE BORGIA STICK - 1967; A LOVELY WAY TO DIE - 1968; LAST SUMMER - 1969; FIVE EASY PIECES - 1970; THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS -1971; THE SPORTING CLUB - 1971; THE GRISSOM GANG - 1971; LAWMAN - 1971; HOT SUMMER WEEK - 1972; CHATO'S LAND - 1972; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! - 1972; TROUBLE MAN - 1972; KID BLUE - 1973; THE STONE KILLER - 1973; THE SECRET LIFE OF JOHN CHAPMAN - 1978; RED ALERT - 1977; OHMS - 1980; ON THE NICKEL - 1980 [also Director]; ANGEL CITY - 1980; THE GENTLEMAN BANDIT - 1981; A GOOD SPORT - 1984; GROWING PAINS - 1984; CRIME OF INNOCENCE - 1985; THE RIVER PIRATES - 1988; RED EARTH, WHITE EARTH - 1989; SPARKS: THE PRICE OF PASSION - 1990; CRASH AND BURN - 1990; DESPERATE HOURS - 1990; THE BODYGUARD - 1992; CLIFFHANGER - 1993; SIN & REDEMPTION - 1994; SIOUX CITY - 1994; KEYS - 1994; A SEASON OF HOPE - 1995; THE THIRD TWIN - 1997; THE PRESIDENT'S MAN - 2000; TIMEQUEST - 2000; SPIRIT - 2001; SUNSHINE STATE - 2002; BLESSINGS - 2003; SILVER CITY - 2004; MURDER 101: IF WISHES WERE HORSES - 2007; GENERATION GAP - 2008; ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE JR. - 2009; LETTERS TO GOD - 2010; 25 HILL - 2011; GABE THE CUPID DOG - 2012. Mr Waite's TV roles included appearances on: HAWK - 1966; N.Y.P.D. - 1967-1968; BONANZA - 1970; NICHOLS - 1971; ROOTS - 1977 [nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor]; THE MISSISSIPPI - 1983-1984 [a series regular who directed one episode]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1989; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1990; TIME TRAX - 1994; MURDER ONE - 1996 [a semi-regular]; ORLEANS - 1997; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1999; ROCKET POWER - 1999; CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL - 1999; ALL MY CHILDREN - 2001; THE PRACTICE 2004; CARNIVALE - 2003-2005 [a series regular]; COLD CASE - 2007; CANE - 2007; THE CLEANER - 2008; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2008; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2009; OFF THE MAP - 2011; NCIS - 2008-2013 [He was given a tear-jerking sendoff on a 2014 episode. If you didn't cry, you weren't human.]; BONES - 2009-2013 [portraying David Boreanaz's grandfather]; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 2009-2013 [94 episodes and his last acting role]. Mr. Waite was 85 years old.) - 02/13/14
JAMES CONDON (Australian Actor: TOMORROW'S CHILD - 1957; THE STOWAWAY - 1958; JENNY - 1962; POINT OF DEPARTURE - 1966; NUMBER 96 - 1974; SCOBIE MALONE - 1975; BARNABY AND ME - 1977; CASS - 1978; TIM - 1979; HOODWINK - 1981; SUPERSLEUTH - 1984; THE BOY WHO HAD EVERYTHING - 1985; BODY BUSINESS - 1986; BACKSTAGE - 1988; A CRY IN THE DARK - 1988; TROUBLE IN PARADISE - 1989; BONY - 1990; THE GREAT AIR RACE - 1990; THE EFFICIENCY EXPERT - 1992; KANGAROO PALACE - 1997; AFTER THE DELUGE - 2003. Mr. Condon's TV appearances included roles on: THE ROVERS - 1970; CATWALK - 1972; HOMICIDE - 1966-1972; MATLOCK POLICE - 1972; RYAN - 1974; McCLOUD - 1976; LUKE'S KINGDOM - 1976 [a series regular]; CASE FOR THE DEFENCE - 1978; CHOPPER SQUAD - 1979; BELLAMY - 1981 [a series regular]; CARSON'S LAW - 1983; SONS AND DAUGHTERS - 1984; PRISONER: CELL BLODCK H - 1985-1986 [a series regular]; A COUNTRY PRACTICE - 1982-1988; TIME TRAX - 1993; NEIGHBOURS - 1985-1995 [appeared in 34 episodes]; BLUE HEELERS - 1998-2000. Mr. Condon was 90 years-old.) - 02/14/14
CLIFF BOLE (TV Director: [only mentioned if he directed 4 or more episodes; otherwise he directed three or less]; BARETTA - 1976; EMERGENCY - 1976-1977; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975-1978 [Directed 12 episodes]; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1978; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1979; SUPERTRAIN - 1979; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1977-1980 [Directed 6 episodes]; THEASPHALT COWBOY - 1980 [TV Movie]; VEGA$ - 1979-1981 [Directed 13 episodes]; STRIKE FORCE - 1981-1982 [Directed 4 episodes]; HART TO HART - 1982; THE FALL GUY - 1982; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978-1984 [Directed 24 episodes]; FINDERS OF LOST LOVES - 1984; HOLLYWOOD BEAT - 1985; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1985; MATT HOUSTON - 1983-1985 [Directed 9 episodes]; V - 1985; T.J. HOOKER - 1982-1985 [Directed 17 episodes]; HELL TOWN - 1985; SHADOW CHASERS - 1985; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1984-1986 [Directed 4 episodes]; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1987-1988; MACGYVER - 1986-1988 [Directed 16 episodes]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1988; GUNS OF PARADISE - 1989-1991 [Directed 4 episodes]; THE YOUNG RIDERS - 1992; SILK STALKINGS - 1993; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1987-1994 [Directed 24 episodes]; BAYWATCH - 1992-1994 [Directed 5 episodes]; POINTMAN - 1995; STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9 - 1993-1995 [Directed 9 episodes]; L.A. FIREFIGHTERS - 1996; MILLENNIUM - 1997; M.A.N.T.I.S. - 1994-1997; PROFILER - 1998; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1995-1999 [Directed 10 episodes]; HARSH REALM - 2000; THE X-FILES - 1997-2002 [Directed 4 episodes]; SUPERNATURAL - 2007 [His last TV credit]. Mr. Bole was also Associate Producer on 17 episodes ofthe DANIEL BOONE TV Series - 1967-1968; Assistant Director on 7 episodes of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975; and was First Assistant Director on the theatrical film SEPTEMBER 30, 1955 - 1977. Mr. Bole was 76 years-old.) - 02/15/14
CHRISTOPHER MALCOLM (Scottish-Born Actor: THE DESPERADOS - 1969; FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE - 1970; WELCOME TO THE CLUB - 1971; THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY MCKENZIE - 1972; DIAMONDS ON WHEELS - 1974; THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE - 1975; TERROR FROM WITHIN - 1975; IT'S A LOVELY DAY TOMORROW - 1975; THE STRANGE CASE OF THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT - 1977; FORCE 10 FROM NAVARONE - 1978; THE GREAT RIVIERA BANK ROBBERY - 1979; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; THE DOGS OF WAR - 1980; SHOCK TREATMENT - 1981; RAGTIME - 1981; REDS - 1981; SUPERMAN III - 1983; LASSITER - 1984; KING DAVID - 1985; RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY - 1985; SPIES LIKE US - 1985; HIGHLANDER - 1986; LABYRINTH - 1986; EAT THE RICH - 1987; THE MONEYMAN - 1987; WHOOPS APOCALYPSE - 1988. Mr. Malcolm's TV appearances included roles on: STRANGE REPORT - 1969; JUSTICE - 1971; THE PROTECTORS - 1972; SECOND VERDICT - 1976; ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES... - 1983; NEVER SAY DIE - 1987; LOVEJOY - 1994; ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS - 1992-2011 {His last credit]. Mr. Malcolm was 67 years-old.) - 02/15/14
MARY GRACE CANFIELD (Actress: Best known as "Ralph Monroe" on the TV Show GREEN ACRES - 1965-1971. Her films included: THE INTERNS - 1962; COME BLOW YOUR HORN - 1963; ARCHIE - 1964; DON'T MAKE WAVES - 1967; THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE - 1967; JOHNNY BELINDA - 1967; NIGHT OF TERROR - 1972; HALF A HOUSE - 1975; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983; BURNING RAGE - 1984; SOUTH OF RENO - 1988; RETURN TO GREEN ACRES - 1990; YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN - 1993. Her TV show appearances included roles on: THRILLER ["A Good Imagination" - 1961; "The Hollow Watcher" - 1962]; THE HATHAWAYS - 1961-1962; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1961-1962; HAZEL - 1962; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1963; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965-1966; BEWITCHED - 1966; ADAM-12 - 1970; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1973; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983; ALICE - 1985; THE JACKIE THOMAS SHOW - 1993. Ms. Canfield was 89 years-old.) - 02/15/14
JIMMY T. MURAKAMI (Director/Producer/Animator: CHARLEY - 1965; HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP - 1980 [uncredited Director of some scenes]; BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS - 1980 [one of Producer Roger Corman's better STAR WARS rip-offs]; WHEN THE WIND BLOWS - 1986; THEEASTER STORY KEEPERS - 1998; THE CHRISTMAS STORY KEEPERS - 1998; CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MOVIE - 2001. Mr. Murakami also wrote/directed/produced and animated dozens of shorts including: THE INSECTS - 1964; BREATH - 1967; THE BOX - 1967; GEORGE...THE PEOPLE - 1967; THE MAGIC PEAR TREE - 1968; THE GOOD FRIEND - 1969; PASSING - 1975; DEATH OF A BULLET - 1979; THE SNOWMAN - 1982; DREAM EXPRESS - 1990; and THE CHEERFUL RASCAL - 1992. He was also the uncredited Producer of the 1971 animated TV Movie THE POINT; Associate Producer and uncredited Second Unit Director and Art Director on VON RICHTHOFEN AND BROWN - 1971; Animator on the theatrical film THE NAKED APE - 1973 and FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME TV Movie - 1974; Director the "Soft Landing" sequence of HEAVY METAL - 1981; Producer of THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TV Series - 1989; Supervising Director of the TV Series THE STORY KEEPERS - 1995-1997 and Animator of his own documentary JIMMY MURAKAMI: NON-ALIEN - 2010. He was a jack-of-all-trades who worked on many more film and TV projects and was 80 years-old when he passed away.) - 02/16/14
EMMET G. LAVERY JR. (Producer: DELANCEY STREET: THE CRISIS WITHIN - 1975; SERPICO (TV Series - 1976); THE GHOST OF FLIGHT 401 - 1978; ACT OF VIOLENCE - 1979; NERO WOLFE - 1979.) - 02/16/14
MALCOLM TIERNEY (British Actor: FAMILY LIFE - 1971; EXISTENCE - 1973; STAR WARS - 1977; THE MEDUSA TOUCH - 1978; COLLISION COURSE - 1979; McVICAR - 1980; LITTLE DORRIT -1988; IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER - 1993; BRAVEHEART - 1995; THE APOCALYPSE WATCH - 1997; THE SAINT - 1997; L.A. WITHOUT A MAP - 1998; SHINER - 2000; NCS: MANHUNT - 2001; THE FINAL CURTAIN - 2002; HINDENBURG - 2007; THE UNSINKABLE TITANIC - 2008; TWO DAYS IN THE SMOKE - 2014 [his final role]. Mr. Tierney's extensive British TV experience included roles on such series as: NO HIDING PLACE - 1964; PUBLIC EYE - 1965; ESCAPE - 1967; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1971; Z CARS - 1964-1973; THE LOVE SCHOOL - 1975; THE SWEENEY - 1976; POLDARK - 1977; STRANGERS - 1978-1980; THE SPOILS OF WAR - 1980-1981; THE HOME FRONT - 1983; SPYSHIP - 1983; BROOKSIDE - 1984; C.A.T.S. EYES - 1986; ROOM AT THE BOTTOM - 1986; DOCTOR WHO - 1986; A BIT OF A DO - 1989; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1990; VAN DER VALK - 1992; LOVEJOY - 1986-1993; THE BILL - 1996-1998; THE BROKER'S MAN - 1998; DALZIEL AND PASCOE - 1998-1999; THE WILSONS - 2000; HEARTBEAT - 2001; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2004; DOCTORS - 2008; WALLANDER - 2009. Mr. Tierney was 76 years-old.) - 02/18/14
TONI UCCI (Actor: THE SONG OF DESTINY - 1957; THE LOVE SPECIALIST - 1958; THE FACTS OF MURDER - 1959; TERROR OF OKLAHOMA - 1959; THE PASSIONATE THIEF - 1960; THE ASSASSIN - 1961; PSYCHOSISSIMO - 1962; THE TERRIBLE 7 - 1963; CORPSE FOR THE LADY - 1964; HONEYMOONS WILL KILL YOU - 1966; THE MILLION DOLLAR COUNTDOWN - 1967; WITHOUT FAMILY - 1972; ITALIAN SEX - 1974; THE LAST DESPERATE HOURS - 1974; THE MESSIAH - 1975; STRIP FIRST, THEN WE TALK - 1975; SEX FOR SALE - 1976; THE COP IN BLUE JEANS - 1976; HIT SQUAD - 1976; A SPECIAL COP IN ACTION - 1976; HOW TO LOSE A WIFE AND FIND A LOVER - 1978; MY WIFE GOES BACK TO SCHOOL - 1981; DESIRABLE TEACHER 2 - 1982; A HOUSE IN ROME - 1988; BREATH OF LIFE - 1990; THE VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN FRACASSA - 1990; THE HEROES - 1994. Mr. Ucci was 92 years-old.) - 02/19/14
LARRY MOSS (Actor; Voice Actor; Dialect Coach: THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT - 1974; SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO - 1979; SMURFS - 1981; THE DUKES - 1983; KNIGHT RIDER - 1983; THE FALL GUY - 1985; SHERLOCK HOUND - 1984-1985; THE PATRIOT - 1986; FAME - 1987; JAWS: THE REVENGE - 1987; FATAL ATTRACTION - 1987; DUCKTALES - 1987; MILES FROM HOME - 1988; FATAL JUDGEMENT - 1988; COVER-UP - 1991; SCISSORS - 1991; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1991; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996; BABE: PIG IN THE CITY - 1998; LANSKY - 1999; DEUCES WILD - 2002; and HAPPY FEET - 2006 [his last credit]. Mr. Moss was 83 years-old.) - 02/19/14
ROGER HILL (Actor: THE EDUCATION OF SONNY CARSON - 1974; ONCE UPON A CLASSIC - 1979; THE WARRIORS - 1979 [as "Cyrus" the gang leader known for saying ]; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1982; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1983-1984; THE LEATHERSTOCKING TALES - 1984; ORSON WELLES' MAGIC SHOW - 1985. Mr. Hill was 65 years-old.) - 02/20/14
HAROLD RAMIS (Actor/Director/Producer/Writer: Funny guy who joined Chicago's Second City's Improvisational Theatre Troupe, then joined The National Lampoon Show and then was part of an incredible comedy team that created and starred in what many(including myself) still think was the funniest show on the air: SECOND CITY TV (a.k.a. SCTV). After cutting his teeth on that show, he became an accomplished actor, writer, producer and director of some of the best movies of the 70's till the end of his life, including: ANIMAL HOUSE - 1978 [Writer]; MEATBALLS - 1979 [Actor]; CADDYSHACK - 1980 [Director & Writer]; HEAVY METAL - 1981 [Voice only]; STRIPES - 1981 [Actor]; NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION - 1983 [Director & Voice Actor]; SPACEHUNTER: ADVENTURES IN THE FORBIDDEN ZONE - 1983 [Voice only]; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984 [Writer & Actor]; CLUB PARADISE - 1986 [Director]; BACK TO SCHOOL - 1986 [Writer; and one of my favorite 80's comedies]; ARMED AND DANGEROUS - 1986 [Writer]; BABY BOOM - 1987 [Actor]; GHOSTBUSTERS II - 1989 [Actor]; GROUNDHOG DAY - 1993 [Director, Writer & Actor; His crowning achievement which many other films and TV Shows would copy; winner of the BAFTA Award® for Best Original Screenplay which he shared with co-writer Danny Rubin]; AIRHEADS - 1994 [Actor]; STUART SAVES HIS FAMILY - 1995 [Director; vastly underrated]; MULTIPLICITY - 1996 [Director & Producer]; AS GOOD AS IT GETS - 1997 [Actor]; ANALYZE THIS - 1999 [Director & Writer]; BEDAZZLED - 2000 [Director, Writer & Producer]; ANALYZE THAT - 2002 [Director]; THE ICE HARVEST - 2005 [Director; a very change of pace subject for him]; THE LAST KISS - 2006 [Actor]; KNOCKED UP - 2007 [Actor]; WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY - 2007 [Actor]; YEAR ONE - 2009 [Actor, Director & Writer; Good for a few yucks, but any comedy starring Jack Black automatically brings it down a few pegs, at least in my opinion]. Ramis also directed four episodes of the American TV version of THE OFFICE between 2006 and 2010. Ramis was nominated and won many other awards during his lifetime, including an award from the American Screenwriters Association, USA® for the Screenwriting Hall Of Fame in 2001. He was 69 years-old.) - 02/24/14
GUNTER REISCH (German Writer/Director: YOUNG PEOPLE - 1956; MARK OF THE NIGHT - 1957; FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS - 1960; NEW YEAR'S EVE PUNCH - 1960; A LORD OF ALEXANDER SQUARE - 1967; ON OUR WAY TO LENIN - 1969; WOLF: LIFE AND ILLUSION OF A GERMAN ANARCHRIST - 1974; NELKEN IN ASPIC - 1976; ANTON THE MAGICIAN - 1978; THE FIANCE - 1980; ZIMBABWE: DREAMS OF THE FUTURE - 1990) - 02/24/14
ED VASSALLO (Actor: Worked mainly in TV [known mainly for playing "Tom Giglione" on THE SOPRANOS] during his short life span [He was only 41 years-old when he passed away], but appeared in such movies as: ROBERTA - 1999; TRIFLING WITH FATE - 2000; ASTRONOMY OF ERRORS - 2000; PINERO - 2001; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 2005; THE DEEP AND DREAMLESS SLEEP - 2006; LOGJAM - 2010; and KEEP THE LIGHTS ON - 2012. His TV appearances included roles on SEX AND THE CITY - 1998; LAW & ORDER: SVU - 2003; JOHNNY ZERO -2005; LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY - 2005; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2002-2005; SIX DEGREES - 2006; LAW & ORDER - 2002-2007; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 2007-2008; FRINGE - 2009; and PERSON OF INTEREST - 2011.) - 02/25/14
NORMAN YONEMOTO (Writer/Director: GARAGE SALE - 1976; CHATTERBOX! - 1977; AN IMPOTENT METAPHOR - 1979; GREEN CARD: AN AMERICAN ROMANCE - 1982; SAVAGE STREETS - 1984; MADE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1990. Mr. Yonemoto was 67 years-old.) - 02/28/14
ALAIN RESNAIS (French Director: HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR - 1959; LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD - 1961; THE WAR IS OVER - 1966; JE T'AIME JE T'AIME - 1968; STAVISKY - 1971; PROVIDENCE - 1977; LIFE IS A BED OF ROSES - 1983; LOVE UNTO DEATH - 1984; I WANT TO GO HOME - 1989; SMOKING/NO SMOKING - 1993; SAME OLD SONG - 1997; NOT ON THE LIPS - 2003; PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES - 2006; WILD GRASS - 2009; YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET - 2012; LIFE OF RILEY - 2014. He was responsible for launching the film careers of Emmanuelle Riva and Delphine Seyrig. He directed 10 different actors in César®-nominated performances [The French equivalent of the Oscars®]. Mr. Renais was 91 years-old.) - 03/01/14
GAIL GILMORE (Actress: GIRL HAPPY - 1965; THE GIRLS ON THE BEACH - 1965; BEACH BALL - 1965; VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS - 1965; HARUM SCAREM - 1965; THE LOVED ONE - 1965 [She met writer Terry Southern on the set and basically gave up on Hollywood to be with him, although they never married, in New York and then Connecticut until his death thirty years later]; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969; END OF THE ROAD - 1970; LUCKY DAYS - 2008. TV shows included: MR. NOVAK - 1964; MY THREE SONS - 1964; PERRY MASON - 1964; WAGON TRAIN - 1964; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1964; and THE LONG HOT SUMMER - 1965. Ms. Gilmore was 76 years-old when she passed away due to lung cancer.) - 03/02/14
SCOTT KALVERT (Director/Producer/Writer: Kalvert's short career including directing THE BASKETBALL DIARIES - 1995 and DEUCES WILD - 2002, as well as directing the music documentaries GUNS N ROSES: LIVE AT THE RITZ - 1988; FORM...FOCUS...FITNESS: THE MARKY MARK WORKOUT - 1993 and a music video from CYNDI LAUPER: 12 DEADLY CYNS...AND THE SOME - 1994. Kalvert was known for directing iconic music videos such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's "Parents Just Don't Understand," Salt-N-Pepa's "Shoop" and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's "Good Vibrations." Kalvert also Produced films such as NATIONAL LAMPOON'S LOST REALITY - 2004; PARTNERS - 2005; BAD RELIGION: LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM - 2006 and SCHOOL GYRLS - 2009. He is also credited as writer of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S LOST REALITY 2 - 2005. Mr. Kalvert was 49 years-old and his death is listed as a possible suicide.) - 03/05/14
SHEILA MACRAE (Actress: Best known for portraying "Alice Kramden" on THE HONEYMOONERS episodes [49 times] on THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW - 1966-1970. While her professional actress roles weren't extensive, she did appear in movies such as: BACKFIRE - 1950; CAGED - 1950; PRETTY BABY - 1950; KATIE DID IT - 1951; NO PLACE LIKE HOME - 1960; BIKINI BEACH - 1964; HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI - 1965; THE SECRET WAR OF JACKIE'S GIRLS - 1980; GOLDIE AND THE BOXER GO TO HOLLYWOOD - 1981; THE NAKED CAGE - 1986; THT PERILS OF P.K. - 1986 [also Producer]. She also appeared on such TV shows as: I LOVE LUCY - 1955; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1962; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1966; THE SHEILA MACRAE SHOW - 1971; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979; SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1984; PARENTHOOD - 1990-1991 [a series regular]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1991; and MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1993 [her last credit]. Ms. MacRae was 89 years-old.) - 03/06/14
HAL DOUGLAS (Movie Trailer Narrator; Voiceover Artist: Known for starting a lot of movie trailers with the words "In a world..." LETHAL WEAPON - 1987; THE CONEHEADS - 1993; PHILADELPHIA - 1993; FORREST GUMP - 1994; WATERWORLD - 1995; HOUDINI - 1996; MEN IN BLACK - 1997; CON AIR - 1997; HBO FIRST LOOK - 1997-1999; MEET THE PARENTS - 2000; COMEDIAN - 2002 [probably his funniest on-screen appearance]; NANNY MACPHEE - 2005; THE HOLIDAY - 2006; CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS - 2009; and hundreds more movie trailers. Mr. Douglas was 89 years-old and was considered one of the trailblazers of movie trailer narration.) - 03/07/14
WENDY HUGHES (Actress: THE SPIRAL BUREAU - 1974; 'JOCK' PETERSEN - 1974; SIDECAR RACERS - 1975; IS THERE ANYBODY THERE? - 1975; THE ALTERNATIVE - 1976; HIGH ROLLINGIN A HOT CORVETTE - 1977; NEWSFRONT - 1978; A WOMAN IN THE HOUSE - 1978; PUZZLE - 1978; MY BRILLIANT CAREER - 1979; KOSTAS - 1979; TOUCH AND GO - 1980; HOODWINK - 1981; LONELY HEARTS - 1982; A DANGEROUS SUMMER - 1982; CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU - 1983; MY FIRST WIFE - 1984; AQN INDECENT OBSESSION - 1985; REMEMBER ME - 1985; I CAN'T GET STARTED - 1985; HAPPY NEW YEAR - 1987; WARM NIGHTS ON A SLOW MOVING TRAIN - 1988; ECHOES OF PARADISE - 1989; THE HEIST - 1989; DONOR - 1990; WILD ORCHID II: TWO SHADES OF BLUE - 1992; PRINCESS CARABOO - 1994; LUST AND REVENGE - 1996; PARADISE ROAD - 1997; THE MAN WHO SUED GOD - 2001; CATERPILLER WISH - 2006; and SALVATION - 2008. TV show appearances include roles on: NUMBER 96 - 1972; HOMICIDE - 1967-1972; MATLOCK POLICE - 1971-1976; RUSH - 1976; THE OUTSIDERS - 1976; RETURN TO EDEN - 1983 [miniseries]; FIVE MILE CREEK - 1984; AMERIKA - 1987 [miniseries]; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1993 [semi-regular on first season]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1993; SNOWY RIVER: THE MCGREGOR SAGA - 1996-1998 [series regular]; STATE CORONER - 1997-1997 [series regular]; MDA - 2005; TWO TWISTED - 2006; CITY HOMICIDE - 2007; ALL SAINTS - 2009; MISS FISHER'S MURDER MYSTERIES - 2012 [her last credit]. Ms. Hughes was 61 years-old.) - 03/08/14
ROLDAN AQUINO (Filipino Actor: THE BIG BIRD CAGE - 1972; CAPTAIN BARBELL - 1973; DRAGON FIRE - 1974; THE GAME OF DEATH - 1974; RETURN OF THE DRAGON - 1974; BURLESK QUEEN - 1977; SCOUT RANGER - 1979; SUPERHAND - 1980; JONES BRIDGE MASSACRE - 1989; DELTA FORCE 2: THE COLOMBIAN CONNECTION - 1990; CANARY BROTHERS OF TONDO - 1992; COMFORT WOMEN: A CRY FOR JUSTICE - 1994; RUN BARBI RUN - 1995; VIRGIN PEOPLE 2 - 1996; HEY BABE! - 1999; DADDY O, BABY O! - 2000; YOU ARE THE ONE - 2006; 666 - 2010; MANILA KINGPIN: THE ASIONG STORY - 2011; MORON 5 AND THE CRYING LADY - 2012; THE FIGHTING CHEFS - 2013. Mr. Aquino made dozens more Filipino films which were never dubbed or subbed in English and was 65 years-old when he passed away.) - 03/10/14
CYNTHIA LYNN (Actress: TV Actress best known for playing "Helga" on HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965-1971 and only made one theatrical film, BEDTIME STORY - 1964. Other TV series appearances included roles on: SURFSIDE 6 - 1962; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965; MR. TERRIFIC - 1967; GIDGET GROWS UP - 1969; THE ODD COUPLE - 1970; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1973; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974; and HARRY O - 1975 and then she retired from acting and wrote an autobiography called "Escape to Freedom". Ms. Lynn was 77 years-old.) - 03/10/14
RICHARD COOGAN (Actor: CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS - 1949 [Series regular]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS ["Dark Victory" - 1951]; SUSPENSE - 1949-1951; EYE WITNESS - 1953; GIRL ON THE RUN - 1953; THE MASK - 1954; THREE HOUR TO KILL - 1954; THE REVOLT OF MAMIE STOVER - 1956; HARBOR MASTER - 1957; THE CALIFORNIANS - 1957-1958 [Series regular]; BRONCO - 1960; VICE RAID - 1960; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1960; MAVERICK - 1960; BONANZA - 1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; PERRY MASON - 1963; LARAMIE - 1960-1963; GUNSMOKE - 1963. Mr. Coogan was 99 years-old.) - 03/12/14
ABBY SINGER (Production Manager; Unit Manager: OUT OF SIGHT - 1966; TAMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE - 1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966-1968; SHADOW OVER ELVERON - 1968; THE COUNTERFEIT KILLER - 1968; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; ISTANBUL EXPRESS - 1968; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1968-1972; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974; YOUNG LOVE - 1974; GUNSMOKE - 1974; MARY'S INCREDIBLE DREAM - 1976; PHYLLIS - 1975-1976; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1974-1976; THE TONY RANDALL SHOW - 1976-1977; SOMETHING FGOR JOEY - 1977; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1974 - 1977; RHODA - 1974-1978; NOWHERE TO RUN - 1978; THE MEANEST MEN IN THE WEST - 1978; FIRST, YOU CRY - 1978; THORNWELL - 1981; THW WHITE SHADOW - 1978-1981; LOU GRANT - 1980-1981; WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1980-1982; A LITTLE SEX - 1982; IN DEFENSE OF KIDS - 1983; NEWHART - 1982-1983; HILL STREET BLUES - 1981-1983; REMINGTON STEELE - 1982-1985; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1982-1988; COLUMBO - 1989; MAJOR DAD - 1989-1993; FAMILY PLAN - 1997. Mr. Singer was 96 years-old.) - 03/13/14
KEN UTSUI (Japanese Actor: Best known for playing "Super Giant" in a series of 50's & 60's films. SEVEN SAMURAI - 1954; TWILIGHT SALOON - 1955; REVENGE OF THE PEARL QUEEN - 1956; SUPER GIANT - 1957; SUPER GIANT 2: RESCUE FROM OUTER SPACE - 1957; SUPER GIANT3: INVADERS FROM THE PLANETS - 1957; SUPER GIANT 7: SPACEMEN APPEAR - 1958; UNDERWATER MURDER - 1958; WHITE LINE - 1958; SUPER GIANT CONTINUES: THE DEVIL INCARNATE - 1959; SUPER GIANT 9: KINGDOM OF THE GIANT MOTH - 1959; THE GREAT WALL - 1962; THE BLACK REPORT - 1963; INVADERS FROM SPACE - 1965 [edited from various SUPER GIANT movies, but here he is known as "Starman"]; ATOMIC RULERS OF THE WORLD - 1965 [still another film edited from parts of SUPER GIANT films where our hero is now known as "Starman"]; EVIL BRAIN FROM OUTER SPACE - 1965 [another "Starman" film edited from SUPER GIANT movies]; ATTACK FROM SPACE - 1965 [the last "Starman" film culled from footage of SUPER GIANT films]; THE FALCON FIGHTERS - 1969; GATEWAY TO GLORY - 1970; THE BULLET TRAIN - 1975; THE HYPNOTIST - 1999; SIBERIAN EXPRESS 3 - 2003; UNTIL THE LIGHTS COME BACK - 2005; THE UNBROKEN - 2009; HOME: THE HOUSE IMP - 2012; TIME SCOOP HUNTER - 2013. Mr. Utsui made many more films and TV series which were never subbed or dubbed into English. He was 82 years-old when he passed away.) - 03/14/14
DAVID BRENNER (Comedian/Actor: Jewish comedian who always made fun of his ethniticity, but rarely ventured into films: His only two film roles not as himself were in the TV series SNIP - 1976 and WORTH WINNING - 1989. He appeared as himself hundreds of times on TV on such shows as: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1971; THE DAVID FROST SHOW - 1971-1972; ABC LATE NIGHT - 1973 {his first TV comedy concert]; THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY W@ORLD - 1974; THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL - 1975; AMERICAN BANDSTAND'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY - 1977; DINAH! - 1974-1978; EBONY, IVORY AND JADE - 1979 [TV Movie which he appeared as himself]; THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES - 1975-1980; THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW - 1974-1980; THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW - 1975-1981; CATCH A RISING STAR'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY - 1982; JUST MEN! - 1983; YOUNG AT HEART COMEDIANS - 1984; THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON - 1971-1984 [over 150 appearances, including some as a guest host]; NIGHTLIFE - 1987; THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW - 1993; LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN - 1993-1997; LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN - 1994-1999; DAVID BRENNER: BACK WITH A VENGEANCE - 2000; ARLI$$ - 2001; POLITICALLY INCORRECT - 2002; GOODNIGHT, WE LOVE YOU - 2004; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005; HOWARD STERN - 1995-2005; THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO - 2005; QUEER EYE - 2006; COMICS UNLEASHED - 2006-2009; THE TRAGIC SIDE OF COMEDY - 2009; MODERN FAMILY - 2010. Mr. Brenner was 78 years-old.) - 03/15/14
OSWALD MORRIS (Cinematographer: CIRCLE OF DANGER - 1951; ISLAND OF DESIRE - 1952; THE GOLDEN MASK - 1953; BEAT THE DEVIL - 1953; BEAU BRUMMELL - 1954; THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS - 1956; MOBY DICK - 1956; A FAREWELL TO ARMS - 1957; THE KEY - 1958; LOOK BACK IN ANGER - 1959; OUR MAN IN HAVANA - 1959; THE ENTERTAINER - 1960; THE GUNS OF NAVARONE - 1961; SATAN NEVER SLEEPS - 1962; LOLITA - 1962; COME FLY WITH ME - 1963; THE CEREMONY - 1963; OF HUMAN BONDAGE - 1964; THE HILL - 1965; THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD - 1965; STOP THE WORLD: I WANT TO GET OFF - 1966; THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - 1967; REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE - 1967; OLIVER! - 1968; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS - 1969; FRAGMENT OF FEAR - 1970; SCROOGE - 1970; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - 1971; SLEUTH - 1972; THE MACKINTOSH MAN - 1973; BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 1974; THE ODESSA FILE - 1974; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1974; THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING - 1975; THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION - 1976; EQUUS - 1977; THE WIZ - 1978; THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER - 1981; THE DARK CRYSTAL - 1982 [his last film credit]. Mr. Morris was 98 years-old.) - 03/17/14
JAMES REBHORN (Actor: A great character actor that many may not know by name, but you would surely remember his face. Some of his films included: THE YUM YUM GIRLS - 1976; HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE - 1980; SOUP FOR ONE - 1982; SESSIONS - 1983; SILKWOOD - 1983; HE'S FIRED, SHE'S HIRED - 1984; CAT'S EYE - 1985; ROCKABYE - 1986; A DEADLY BUSINESS - 1986;WHATEVER IT TAKES - 1986; KOJAK: THE PRICE OF JUSTICE - 1987; THE HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET - 1988; HEART OF MIDNIGHT - 1988; KOJAK: ARIANA - 1989; DESPERATE HOURS - 1990; REGARDING HENRY - 1991; KOJAK: FATAL FLAW - 1991; SHADOWS AND FOG - 1991; MY COUSIN VINNY - 1992; BASIC INSTINCT - 1992; WHITE SANDS - 1992; WIND - 1992; DEADLY MATRIMONY - 1992; SCENT OF A WOMAN - 1992; LORENZO'S OIL - 1992; CARLITO'S WAY - 1993; BLANK CHECK - 1994; 8 SECONDS - 1994; GUARDING TESS - 1994; I LOVE TROUBLE - 1994; WHITE SQUALL - 1996; INDEPENDENCE DAY - 1996; MISTRIAL - 1996; THE GAME - 1997; SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS - 1999; THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY - 1999; THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE - 2000; MEET THE PARENTS - 2000; LAST BALL - 2001; THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH - 2002; FAR FROM HEAVEN - 2002; THE TRADE - 2003; COLD MOUNTAIN - 2003; REVERSIBLE ERRORS - 2004; THE LAST SHOT - 2004; ANAMORPH - 2007; BABY MAMA - 2008; THE INTERNATIONAL - 2009; THE BOX - 2009; A LITTLE HELP - 2010; THE SPARROW AND THE TIGRESS - 2010; REAL STEEL - 2011; COMA - 2012; SLEEPWALK WITH ME - 2012; THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN - 2012; THE PERFECT WEDDING - 2012; THE ORDAINED - 2013; BEFORE I SLEEP - 2013. Mr. Rebhorn's TV series appearances included roles on: KATE & ALLIE - 1985-1986; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1985-1987; THE EQUALIZER - 1986-1988; WISEGUY - 1990; AGAINST THE LAW - 1990; I'LL FLY AWAY - 1992; THE WRIGHT VERDICTS - 1995; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1997; SEINFELD - 1998 [He played the D.A. on the final episode]; NOW AND AGAIN - 2000; THE PRACTICE - 2001; UC: UNDERCOVER - 2001; THIRD WATCH - 1999-2002 [a semi-regular]; HACK - 2003; WATERFRONT - 2006; THE BOOK OF DANIEL - 2006 [a series regular]; THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY - 2007; LAW & ORDER - 1992-2008; CANTERBURY'S LAW - 2008; BOSTON LEGAL - 2008; ROYAL PAINS - 2009; 30 ROCK - 2010; BIG LAKE - 2010 [a series regular]; BLUE BLOODS - 2012; MADE IN JERSEY - 2012; THE GOOD WIFE - 2013; ELIGHTENED - 2013; WHITE COLLAR - 2009-2013 [a series semi-regular]; HOMELAND - 2011-2013 [a series semi-regular and his last credit]. Mr. Rebhorn was 65 years-old.) - 03/21/14
DIRK CRAFT (Second Unit Director/Assistant Director/Director: THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1990; SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO - 1991; LATE FOR DINNER - 1991; WHITE SANDS - 1992; INTRUDERS - 1992; RUNNING MATES - 1992; RUBDOWN - 1993; ISLAND CITY - 1994; DECONSTRUCTING SARAH - 1994; DINOSAURS - 1991-1994; ALIEN NATION: DARK HORIZON - 1994; THE AVENGING ANGEL - 1995; ANGUS - 1995; ALIEN NATION: BODY AND SOUL - 1995; ALIEN NATION: MILLENNIUM - 1996; RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE - 1996; ALIEN NATION: THE ENEMY WITHIN - 1996; THE CRUCIBLE - 1996; QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY - 1997; ALIEN NATION: THE UDARA LEGACY - 1997; STEEL - 1997; ER - 1997; ALONE - 1997; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1998; TWO FOR TEXAS - 1998; LOVE BOAT: THE NEXT WAVE - 1998; MARTIAL LAW - 1998; PURGATORY - 1999; INTERN - 2000; ALL YOU NEED - 2001; VIP - 2000-2001; EARTH VS. THE SPIDER - 2001; THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED - 2001; TEENAGE CAVEMAN - 2002; VAN WILDER: PARTY LIAISON - 2002; MDs - 2002; THE D.A. - 2004; WANTED - 2005; RUNNING WITH SCISSORS - 2006; NIP/TUCK - 2005-2010; BURN NOTICE - 2010; DICKI - 2011; DETROIT 1-8-7 - 2011; RIZZOLI & ISLES - 2010-2012; MIXOLOGY - 2013. Mr. Craft was 48 years-old.) - 03/24/14
HARRY NOVAK (Legendary Exploitation Movie producer: For my detailed description on his life and the films he was involved with, click HERE. He was 86 years-old.) - 03/26/14
LORENZO SEMPLE JR. (Writer: Best known for writing the quirky teleplays for the TV Series BATMAN - 1966-1968, Mr. Semple Jr. worked agressively both in TV andmovies, turning out some decent entertainment. Some of his TV and Movie credits included: THE ARCHANGEL HARRISON - 1955; BUCKSKIN - 1958; TARGET - 1958; PURSUIT - 1958; THE HONEYMOON MACHINE - 1961; KNIGHT'S GAMBIT - 1964; BREAKING POINT - 1964; THE ROGUES - 1964; THE FLIERS - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1964-1965; SUMMER FUN - 1966; BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966; THOMPSON'S GHOST - 1966; THE RAT PATROL - 1966; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1967; FATHOM - 1967; PRETTY POISON - 1968 [a favorite of mine]; DADDY'S GONE A-HUNTING - 1969 [another favorite]; THE SPORTING CLUB - 1971; THE MARRIAGE OF A YOUNG STOCKBROKER - 1971; PAPILLON - 1973 [another favorite]; THE SUPER COPS - 1974; THE PARALLAX VIEW - 1974 [a masterwork of political paranoia that still holds up today]; THE DROWNING POOL - 1975; THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR - 1975 [my absolute favorite of Semple's screenplays]; KING KONG - 1976 [nearly ruined his career]; HURRICANE - 1979]; FLASH GORDON - 1980 [think BATMAN with 1980 special effects]; NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN - 1983 [considered the bastard stepchild of James Bond films even though it starred Sean Connery]; SHEENA - 1984; REARVIEW MIRROR - 1984; NEVER TOO YOUNG TO DIE - 1986 [uncredited]; RAPTURE - 1993; PRETTY POISON - 1996 [a TV Movie remake using Semple's screenplay from the original film. Also his last screen credit]. Mr. Semple Jr. was 91 years-old) - 03/28/14
KATE O'MARA (Actress: English Actress who mainly workrd in TV, but sometimes ventured into theatrical films: SECRET AGENT - 1965; GASLIGHT THEATRE - 1965; NO HIDING PLACE - 1964-1966; COURT MARTIAL - 1966; WEAVER'S GREEN - 1966; ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! - 1967; MOGUL - 1967; THE CHAMPIONS - 1968; CORRUPTION - 1968 [Theatrical film with Peter Cushing]; THE SAINT - 1967-1968; GREAT CATHERINE - 1968; THE LIMBO LINE - 1968; THE AVENGERS - 1969; Z CARS - 1967-1969; THE DESPERADOS - 1969; THE MAIN CHANCE - 1969; DEPARTMENT S - 1969; NEVER A CROSS WORD - 1970; CODENAME - 1970; PAUL'S TEMPLE - 1970; THE VAMPIRE LOVERS - 1970 [Her first impression on me]; THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1970 [I instantly recognized her from the previous film]; THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN QUICK - 1970; THE PERSUADERS! - 1972; JASON KING - 1972; CLOUDS OF WITNESS - 1972; A MAN ABOUT A DOG - 1972; THE PATHFINDERS - 1972; SPY TRAP - 1973; MEN OF AFFAIRS - 1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1974; THE TAMARIND SEED - 1974; WHOSE CHILD AM I? - 1976; THE BROTHERS - 1975-1976 [series regular]; MACHINEGUNNER - 1976; THE TWO RONNIES - 1977; AN UNKNOWN FRIEND - 1978; THE NATIVITY - 1978; RETURN OF THE SAINT - 1978; TRIANGLE - 1981-1982 [series regular]; DYNASTY - 1986 [19 episodes]; DEMPSEY AND MAKEPEACE - 1986; DOCTOR WHO - 1985-1987 [She played "The Rani" in two story arcs]; HOWARD'S WAY - 1989-1990 [series regular]; CLUEDO - 1990; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1992 [voice only]; ALADDIN - 1992 [voice only]; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1997; FAMILY AFFAIRS - 1997; THW ROAD TO ITHACA - 1999; CROSSROADS - 2001; BAD GIRLS - 2001; ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS - 1995-2003; DOCTORS - 2008; BENIDORM - 2012 [her last credit]. Ms. O'Mara was 74 years-old.) - 03/30/14
RICHARD BRICK (Producer/Unit Production Manager: RAGTIME - 1981; LITTLE GLORIA...HAPPY AT LAST - 1982; ANDRIA DORIA: THE FINAL CHAPTER - 1982; SILKWOOD - 1983; PLACES IN THE HEART - 1984; HANGIN' WITH THE HOMEBOYS - 1991; ARIZONA DREAM - 1992; CAUGHT - 1996; DECONSTRUCTING HARRY - 1997; CELEBRITY - 1998; SWEET AND LOWDOWN - 1999; PETER JENNINGS REPORTING: UFOs-SEEING IS BELIEVING - 2005. Mr. Brick was 68 years-old.) - 04/02/14
JOHN PINETTE (Actor: Cherub-like actor/comedian. His movies include: THANKSGIVING DAY - 1990; REVENGE OF THE NERDS III: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1992; RECKLESS KELLY - 1993; REVENGE OF THE NERDS IV: NERDS IN LOVE - 1994; JUNIOR - 1994; DEAR GOD - 1996; SIMON SEZ - 1999; MY 5 WIVES - 2000; DUETS - 2000; DO IT FOR UNCLE MANNY - 2002; THE PUNISHER - 2004; THE LAST GODFATHER - 2010 (his last film credit). His TV credits include: SMART GUYS - 1988; ALF - 1990; STUDIO 59 - 1991; VINNIE & BOBBY - 1993; PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE - 1992-1993 [a semi-regular]; HIGH TIDE - 1995; LIFE'S WORK - 1996; SEINFELD - 1998 [the fat guy who gets robbed that the Seinfeld gang decide to videotape and laugh at rather than help, which leads to the trial in the final episode]. Mr. Pinette was 52 years-old.) - 04/05/14
JOSE WILKER (Brazilian Actor: THE DECEASED - 1965; DONA FLOR AND HER TWO HUSBANDS -- 1972; ROUGH DIAMOND - 1977; BYE BYE BRASIL - 1980; KING OF CANDLE - 1983; THE MAN IN THE BLACK CAPE - 1986; PRISONER OF RIO - 1988; BETTER DAYS AHEAD - 1990; MEDICINE MAN - 1992; LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE - 1997; THE BATTLE OF CANUDOS - 1997; DEAD IN THE WATER - 2002; THE MAN OF THE YEAR -- 2003; MARY, MOTHER OF THE SUN GOD - 2003; THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL -- 2006; ELVIS & MADONA -- 2010; Dozens of Movies and TV Series that were never dubbed or subbed into English. Mr. Wilker was 67 years-old.) - 04/05/14
MICKEY ROONEY (Actor: World-famous actor who started acting since he was a child in a series of shorts playing "Mickey McGuire" [over 50 shorts from 1926 - 1933], voiced "Oswald, The Lucky Rabbit" in a series of over 10 animated shorts, found recognition in the "Andy Hardy" series of films and acted until the day he died. Some of his films include: THE BIGCAGE - 1933; THE BIG CHANCE - 1933; THE WORLD CHANGES - 1933; THE LOST JUNGLE - 1934; MANHATTAN MELODRAMA - 1934; HALF A SINNER - 1934; HIDE-OUT - 1934; DEATH ON THE DIAMOND - 1934; RECKLESS - 1935; THE HEALER - 1935; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - 1935; AH, WILDERNESS - 1935; LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY - 1936; THE DEVIL IS A SISSY - 1936; CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS - 1937; A FAMILY AFFAIR - 1937 [The first "Andy Hardy" film. 17 films and shorts would follow and then a reboot film in 1958 called ANDY HARDY COMES HOME, which failed miserably at the boxoffice.]; SLAVE SHIP - 1937; LIVE, LOVE AND LEARN - 1937; LOVE IS A HEADACHE - 1938; HOLD THAT KISS - 1938; LORD JEFF - 1938; BOYS TOWN - 1938; STABLEMATES - 1938; BABES IN ARMS - 1939 [nominated for an Oscar® for Best Actor]; YOUNG TOM EDISON - 1940; STRIKE UP THE BAND - 1940; A YANK AT EATON - 1942; THE HUMAN COMEDY - 1943 [nominated for an Oscar® as Best Actor]; GIRL CRAZY - 1943; NATIONAL VELVET - 1944; KILLER McCOY - 1947 [Rooney changes his good guy image to play a bad guy for the first time]; THE BIG WHEEL - 1949; QUICKSAND - 1950; THE FIREBALL - 1950; THE STRIP - 1951; MY OUTLAW BROTHER - 1951; OFF LIMITS - 1953; A SLIGHT CASE OF LARCENY - 1953; DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD - 1954; THE ATOMIC KID - 1954; THE BOLD AND THE BRAVE - 1956 [nominated for an Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor]; FRANCIS IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE - 1956 [Took over Donald O'Connor's role in the "Francis The Talking Mule' series and it turned out to be the last film in the series.]; MAGNIFICENT ROUGHNECKS - 1956; OPERATION MAD BALL - 1957; BABY FACE NELSON - 1957 [Played the title role.]; A NICE LITTLE BANK THAT SHOULD BE ROBBED - 1958; THE BIG OPERATOR - 1959; THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ADAM AND EVE - 1960; PLATINUM HIGH SCHOOL - 1960; KING OF THE ROARING 20'S: THE STORY OF ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN - 1961; BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - 1961; REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT - 1962; IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD - 1963; THE SECRET INVASION - 1964; TWENTY-FOUR HOURS TO KILL - 1965; HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI - 1965; AMBUSH BAY - 1966; THE DEVIL IN LOVE - 1966; SKIDOO - 1968; THE COMIC - 1969; 80 STEPS TO JONAH - 1969; COCKEYED COWBOYS OF CALICO COUNTY - 1970; THE MANIPULATOR - 1971 [Rooney's strangest film of his entire career, even rising above his role in SKIDOO.]; PULP - 1972; THE GODMOTHERS - 1973; THUNDER COUNTY - 1974; FROM HONG KONG WITH LOVE - 1975; FIND THE LADY - 1976; THE DOMINO KILLINGS - 1977; PETE'S DRAGON - 1977; THE MAGIC OF LASSIE - 1978; ARABIAN ADVENTURE - 1979; THE BLACK STALLION - 1979 [nominated for an Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor and Mr. Rooney's favorite movie of his career.]; MY KIDNAPPER, MY LOVE - 1980; BILL - 1981 [one of his best TV Movies which won him both an Emmy® and a Golden Globe® for Best Actor.]; BILL: ON HIS OWN - 1983 [sequel to the TV Movie BILL.]; LIGHTNING, THE WHITE STALLION - 1986; ERIK THE VIKING - 1989; SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 5: THE TOY MAKER - 1991 [his name in this film was "Joe Petto", so I think you can imagine what this was a horror version of.]; MAXIMUM FORCE - 1992; THE LEGEND OF WOLF MOUNTAIN - 1992; REVENGE OF THE RED BARON - 1994; MAKING WAVES - 1994; KILLING MIDNIGHT - 1997; SINBAD: THE BATTLE OF THE DARK KNIGHTS - 1998; BABE: PIG IN THE CITY - 1998; THE FIRST OF MAY - 1999; INTERNET LOVE - 2000; PHANTOM OF THE MEGAPLEX - 2000; ILLUSION INFINITY - 2004; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 2006; THE THIRSTING - 2007; WRECK THE HALLS - 2008; EMPIRE STATE BUILDING MURDERS - 2008; GERALD - 2010; NIGHT CLUB - 2011; THE MUPPETS - 2011; BAMBOO SHARK - 2011; THE VOICES FROM BEYOND - 2012; THE WOODS - 2012; DR. JEKYLL AND MR HYDE - 2014; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3 - 2014 [his last film]; plus about 180 other films. Mr. Rooney's TV Series credits included roles on: THE MICKEY ROONEY SHOW - 1954-1955 [a series regular]; WAGON TRAIN - 1959-1960; CHECKMATE - 1961; THE INVESTIGATORS - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE - ['The Last Night Of A Jockey - 1963]; RAWHIDE - 1964; COMBAT! - 1964; MICKEY - 1964-1965 [a series regular]; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1970; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1957-1970; SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN - 1970; DAN AUGUST - 1971; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Rare Objects" - 1972]; THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS - 1974; ONE OF THE BOYS - 1982
[a series regular]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1982; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1988; JACK'S PLACE - 1992; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK STALLION - 1990-1993 [a series regular]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1993; FULL HOUSE - 1994; CONAN - 1997; ER - 1998; MIKE HAMMER, PRIVATE EYE - 1998; REMEMBER WENN - 1998. Rooney shared a Juvenile Oscar® with Deanna Durbin in 1939 and won an Honorary Oscar® in 1984 for working 50 years in show business [and he still lasted 30 more years!]. Was nominated for Broadway's 1980 Tony Award® as Best Actor (Musical) for SUGAR BABIES. Rumor has it that Walt Disney named Mickey Mouse after Rooney. He also has four (!) stars on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. One of the last of the old-time Movie Stars who worked as a contract player with several different movie production companies. Was married eight times [including Ava Gardner and Martha Vickers and was married to Jan Rooney from 1978 until his death, even though they have been "permanently separated since June 2012 and Mickey had been living with his stepson Mark Rooney and his wife Charlene]. He and Jackie Gleason were the first actors considered to play Archie Bunker in ALL IN THE FAMILY, but both turned it down because they thought they couldn't speak such bigoted dialogue without it ruining their careers [we now know that would not be the case]. He is also the only actor to appear in a film in ten consecutive decades. He also had a firm dislike for the late Ernest Borgnine ("All the Oscars in the world can't buy him dignity, class and talent. I don't know why he is famous and why he is a star. Talk about a lucky jerk."). He was firmly anti-gay ["I never knew anything about anyone being gay in Hollywood when I was working in the studios. Did you know that? They weren't in closets, they were in safes."], but was willing to admit that there are many people anti-Mickey Rooney, too, and he attributed all his audience members, whether straight or gay, as his "family". Mickey Rooney was 93 years-old, 89 of those years as an actor. This is truly the end of an era and a sad day in the film business. We shall never see the likes of him again.) - 04/06/14|
PERLITA NEILSEN (British Actress: Her movie and TV credits included: THREE BAGS FULL - 1949; LACE ON HER PETTICOAT - 1952; PORTRAIT OF REMBRANDT - 1952; GILBERT AND SULLIVAN - 1953; TROUBLE IN STORE - 1953; SEPTEMBER TIDE - 1958; SHE DIDN'T SAY NO! - 1958; WILLIAM TELL - 1959; THE EUSTACE DIAMONDS - 1959 [series regular]; JUST FOR MEN - 1960; EMMA - 1960 [series regular]; THE VISE - 1960; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1960; MAIGRET - 1961; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1955-1961; THE FLYING SWAN - 1965; FALL OF EAGLES - 1974; THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS - 1981 [her last credit]. Ms. Neilsen was 80 years-old.) - 04/07/14
MARY ANDERSON (Actress: GONE WITH THE WIND - 1939; FLIGHT ANGELS - 1940; ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO -- 1940; CHEERS FOR MISS BISHOP -- 1941; UNDER AGE - 1941; BAHAMA PASSAGE -- 1941; LIFEBOAT -- 1944; WILSON - 1944; WHISPERING CITY - 1947; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1950; THE UNDERWORLD STORY - 1950; HUNT THE MAN DOWN - 1950; CHICAGO CALLING -- 1951; PASSAGE WEST - 1951; DANGEROUS CROSSING - 1953; I, THE JURY -- 1953; JET OVER THE ATLANTIC - 1959; CHEECH AND CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE - 1980 [her last credit]. TV Series appearances included roles on: RACKET SQUAD - 1951; THE UNEXPECTED - 1952; THE DOCTOR - 1952; TREASURY MEN IN ACTION - 1954; TELEPHONE TIME - 1956; CLIMAX! - 1956-1957; THE GRAY GHOST - 1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; PERRY MASON - 1958; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1958-1960; LOCK UP - 1960; MY THREE SONS - 1962; LAWMAN - 1962; PEYTON PLACE - 1964 [12 Episodes]; DANIEL BOONE - 1965. Ms. Anderson was 94 years-old.) - 04/06/14
JIM HELLWIG a.k.a. "THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (Wrestler/actor: Good-looking and well-built WWE wrestler during the 80's & 90's that was just coming into his own on the business side ofwrestling since he announced he was retiring from the ring. Although he didn't make many movies and was just inducted into the WWE Wrestling Hall of Fame a few days earlier, good things looked like they were coming his way. Then he unexpectedly died after collasping of undisclosed reasons at the front of a hotel in Arizona on April 8, 2014. His last public appearance was on WWE's "Monday Night Raw" the day before to thunderous applause. This should teach everyone that fame, money and success mean absolutely nothing if you don't have your health. I remember his signature moves "The Gorilla Press Slam" and the finishing move "The Running Splash". When he entered the ring, he made quite an impression with his multicolored face paint and his habit of shaking the ring's ropes until they nearly fell off. I usually don't mention wrestlers in my obituary column, but The Ultimate Warrior was one of the main reasons I watched wrestling for nearly ten years. His small filmography included parts in: ODD JOBS -- 1986; and FIREPOWER - 1993. He also appeared in hundreds of televised wrestling matches, starting with WRESTLEMANIA IV - 1987. Hellwig, who had his name legally changed to The Ultimate Warrior in the early 90's, was only 54 years-old when he passed away.) -- 04/08/14
PHIL HARDY (Author: Noted film and music author who edited three of my favorite film books that I use to read over and over before there was any such thing as the Internet: THE AURUM ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORROR, THE AURUM ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE FICTION and THE AURUM ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WESTERNS. Hardy also wrote books on Samuel Fuller, THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE COMPANION TO CRIME, co-edited the essential THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ROCK, THE FABER COMPANION TO 20TH CENTURY POPULAR MUSIC and DOWNLOAD!: HOW DIGITAL DESTROYED THE RECORD INDUSTRY. Hardy was also a freelance music writer and screenwriter, writing the screenplay to the documentary FOOD TRUCKS AND ROCK 'N' ROLL [1986]. He was also founding editor of the biweekly newsletter MUSIC AND COPYRIGHT until he was bought out in 2008. Hardy was 69 years-old.) - 04/08/14
PHYLLIS FRELICH (Deaf Actress: TV and Film credits included: BARNEY MILLER - 1981; GIMME A BREAK! - 1985; LOVE IS NEVER SILENT - 1985; NEW LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1985; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1986; BRIDGE TO SILENCE - 1989; HUNTER - 1991; JUDGEMENT - 1992; L.A. LAW - 1992; SANTA FE - 1997; PACIFIC BLUE - 1998; ER - 1998/1999; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1999; CHILDREN ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS - 2002; SUE THOMAS: F.B.EYE - 2004; SWEET NOTHING IN MY EAR - 2007; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2011 [As Gil Grissom's Mother]. She won the 1980 Tony Award® for her performance in the play CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. Ms. Frelich was 70 years-old and was married to her husband Robert Steinberg [who was her sign interpreter for the 1980 Tony Awards®] for over 45 years.) - 04/10/14
EDNA DORE (British Actress: MORE DEADLY THAN THE MALE - 1959; JUNGLE STREET GIRLS - 1960; THE WIND OF CHANGE - 1961; HIGH HOPES - 1988; BRAZEN HUSSIES - 1996; THE CANTERVILLE GHOST - 1997; NIL BY MOUTH - 1997; LES MISERABLES - 1998; GOODBYE CHARLIE BRIGHT - 2001; WEAK AT DENISE - 2001; ALL OR NOTHING - 2002; SKELLIG: THE OWL MAN - 2009; 44 INCH CHEST - 2009; ANOTHER YEAR - 2010. Ms. Dore's TV Series appearances included roles on: ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1960; OUTBREAK OF MURDER - 1962; Z CARS - 1963; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1964-1968; SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1968; DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE - 1969; DOCTOR AT LARGE - 1971; DOCTOR IN CHARGE - 1972; THE BROTHERS - 1974; THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET - 1976; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1980-1982; TENKO - 1984; KING OF THE GHETTO - 1986; TICKETS FOR THE TITANIC - 1988; EASTENDERS - 1988-1990; SCREEN ONE - 1992; LOVE HURTS - 1993; WESTBEACH - 1993; CAPITAL LIVES - 1994; NO BANANAS - 1996; CASUALTY - 1987-1997; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1999; PEAK PRACTICE - 2000; TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE - 2000-2002; TIC -2002; SHANE - 2004; EYES DOWN - 2003-2004; ALL ABOUT GEORGE - 2005; THE BILL - 1985-2006; MINDER - 2009; SHAMELESS - 2010; MIDSOMERS MURDERS - 2011 [her last role]. Ms. Dore was 92 years-old.) - 04/11/14
PAUL WURTZEL (Assistant Director: A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO - 1942; JITTERBUGS - 1943; ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM - 1946; THE CRIMSON KEY - 1947; SECOND CHANCE - 1947; THE INVISIBLE WALL - 1947; DANGEROUS YEARS - 1947; HALF PAST MIDNIGHT - 1948; ARTHUR TAKES OVER - 1948; FIGHTING BACK - 1948; NIGHT WIND - 1948; TUCSON - 1949; CALL ME MISTER - 1951; THE GLORY BRIGADE - 1953; BENEATH THE 12-MILE REEF - 1953; THREE YOUNG TEXANS - 1954; SHIELD FOR MURDER - 1954; THE BOB MATHIAS STORY - 1954; THREE BAD SISTERS - 1956; CRIME AGAINST JOE - 1956; THE BROKEN STAR - 1956; THE BLACK SLEEP - 1956; VOODOO ISLAND - 1957; PHARAOH'S CURSE - 1957; HOT ROD RUMBLE - 1957; WAR DRUMS - 1957; HELL BOUND - 1957; FORT BOWIE - 1958; MACABRE - 1958. Mr. Wurtzel was also Assistant Director on such TV show s as: THE THIN MAN - 1957-1958; FIBBER MCGEE AND MOLLY - 1959; THE NEW BREED - 1961-1962; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962-1963; THE FUGITIVE -- 1963-1964; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1964-1965; THE INVADERS - 1967; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972; THE F.B.I. - 1965 - 1972; and BARNABY JONES - 1973-1977. He was also Unit Production Manager on the TV Movies THE PARADISE CONNECTION - 1979 and THE ARCHER: FUGITIVE FROM THE EMPIRE - 1981; and TV series such as BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1981; HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG - 1982; and THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1985--1987. Mr. Wurtzel was 92 years-old.) - 04/18/14
RAMON PONS (Spanish Actor: TO LOVE, PERHAPS TO DIE - 1973; THE LEGEND OF BLOOD CASTLE - 1973; THE PRIEST - 1978; TAC-TAC - 1982; SCARAB - 1983; CINEMA - 1989; BROKEN EMBRACES - 2009 and about 25 other Spanish films not dubbed or subtitled into English. Mr. Pons was also a much in-demand TV series actor. He was 73 years-old.) - 04/21/14
CRAIG HILL (Actor: DETECTIVE STORY - 1951; FIXED BAYONETS! - 1951; WHAT PRICE GLORY - 1952; THE I DON'T CARE GIRL - 1953; THE FLIGHT THAT DISAPPEARED - 1961; YOU HAVE TO RUN FAST - 1961; DEADLY DUO - 1962; HANDS OF A GUNFIGHTER - 1965; TASTE OF KILLING - 1966; SEVEN PISTOLS FOR A MASSACRE - 1967; FIFTEEN SCAFFOLDS FOR THE KILLER - 1967; I WANT HIM DEAD - 1968; BURY THEM DEEP - 1968; THREE CROSSES NOT TO DIE - 1968; ASSIGNMENT: TERROR - 1970; WHEN HEROES DIE - 1970; THE MASKED THIEF - 1971; DAY OF JUDGMENT - 1971; AND THE CROWS WILL DIG YOUR GRAVE - 1972; MY HORSE, MY GUN, YOUR WIDOW - 1972; AN ANIMAL CALLED MAN - 1972; CREATION OF THE DAMNED - 1974; CONFESSIONS OF EMANUELLE - 1977; THE LAST DADDY - 1977; TOP SECRET - 1978; BLOODSTAINED SHADOW - 1978; STIGMA - 1980; SCAPEGOAT - 1985; ANGUISH - 1987; FALL OF THE EAGLES - 1989; ESMERALDA BAY - 1989; WRITTEN IN THE STARS - 1991; DEADLY DECEPTION - 1991; REVOLVER - 1992; DOWNTOWN HEAT - 1994; TALES OF THE STINKING MILITARY SERVICE - 1994; SECOND NAME - 2002; PLATILLOS VOLANTES - 2003 [his last film]. Mr. Hill was a regular on the TV series WHIRLYBIRDS - 1957-1960, but did very little TV after the early-60's. He was 88 years-old.) - 04/21/14
RICARDO BAULEO (Argentinian Actor: TO HELL WITH THIS PRIEST! - 1967; THE DEADLY ORGAN - 1967; BLOOD OF THE VIRGINS - 1967; THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP - 1969; SENSUAL JUNGLE - 1969; DO WHAT YOU WANT - 1973; THE GREAT ADVENTURE -- 1974; THE SUPER, SUPER ADVENTURE - 1975; THE BIONIC SUPERAGENTS - 1977 [Bauleo did almost a dozen SUPERAGENT films playing the character "Tiburon"]; THERE ARE NO MEN LEFT - 1991; THE SUPERAGENTS: THE NEW GENERATION - 2005; 5.5.5. - 2013. Bauleo was 67 years-old when he passed away and did about 50 more films in Argentina that have yet to be dubbed or subbtitled in English.) - 04/24/14
ANTONIO PICA (Spanish Actor: FISTFUL OF DOLLARS - 1964; CODE NAME: JAGUAR - 1965; MAN ON A SPYING TRAPEZE - 1966; HIGH SEASON FOR SPIES - 1966; TARGET GOLDSEVEN - 1966; I'LL KILL HIM AND RETURN ALONE - 1967; A WITCH WITHOUT A BROOM - 1967; DJANGO KILL...IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT! - 1967; DIE SLOWLY, YOU'LL ENJOY IT MORE - 1967; BANDIDOS - 1968; SATANIK - 1968; DEATH KNOWS NO TIME - 1969; A BULLET FOR ROMMEL - 1969; A BULLET FOR SANDOVAL - 1969; S.O.S. INVASION - 1969; SANTO AGAINST THE MAFIA ASSASSINS - 1970; AWKWARD HANDS - 1970; THE UNDERGROUND - 1970; SPANIARDS IN PARIS - 1971; LONG LIVE ROBIN HOOD - 1971; DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR - 1971; TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT - 1972; THE HEROES - 1973; THE HUNCHBACK OF THE MORGUE - 1973; VENGEANCE OF THE ZOMBIES - 1973; SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH - 1973; THE KILLER WITH A THOUSAND EYES - 1974; HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN - 1975; CRY, ONION! - 1975; MARK OF ZORRO - 1975; SANTO IN THE MYSTERY OF THE BLACK PEARL - 1976; LYCANTROPUS: THE MOONLIGHT MURDERS - 1996. Mr. Pica was 83 years old and was a good friend of late horror actor/writer/director Paul Naschy, which made him come out of retirement to do his last film.) - 04/26/14
BOB HOSKINS (Actor: UP THE FRONT - 1972; THE NATIONAL HEALTH - 1973; INSERTS - 1974; ROYAL FLASH - 1975; CRY TERROR - 1976; ZULU DAWN - 1979; THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY - 1980 [the film the brought Hoskins to international attention]; OTHELLO - 1981; PINK FLOYD THE WALL - 1982; BEYOND THE LIMIT - 1983; LASSITER - 1984; THE COTTON CLUB - 1984; BRAZIL - 1985; SWEET LIBERTY - 1986; MONA LISA - 1986 [Nominated for an AcademyAward® for Best Actor. Won both the BAFTA Award® and Cannes Award® for Best Actor.]; A PRAYER FOR THE DYING - 1987; WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT - 1988; THE RAGGEDY RAWNEY - 1988 [also directed]; HEART CONDITION - 1990; MERMAIDS - 1990; SHATTERED - 1991; THE FAVOUR, THE WATCH AND THE VERY BIG FISH - 1991; HOOK -- 1991; THE INNER CIRCLE- 1991; PASSED AWAY -- 1992; BLUE ICE -- 1992; SUPER MARIO BROS. -- 1993; THE BIG FREEZE - 1993; RAINBOW - 1995; NIXON - 1995; BALTO - 1995; THE SECRET AGENT - 1996; MICHAEL -- 1996; 24 7: TWENTY FOUR SEVEN -- 1997; SPICE WORLD - 1997; COUSIN BETTE - 1998; PARTING SHOT - 1998; FELICIA'S JOURNEY - 1999; CAPTAIN JACK - 1999; LIVE VIRGIN - 1999; A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS - 1999; THE WHITE RIVER KID -- 1999; NORIEGA: GOD'S FAVORITE - 2000; ENEMY AT THE GATES - 2001; LAST ORDERS - 2001; THE LOST WORLD -- 2001; WHERE ESKIMOS LIVE - 2002; MAID IN MANHATTAN - 2002; THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY - 2003; DEN OF LIONS - 2003; VANITY FAIR -- 2004; BEYOND THE SEA - 2004; UNLEASHED - 2005; SON OF THE MASK - 2005 [Nominated for a Razzie Award® for Worst Supporting Actor]; STAY - 2005; GARFIELD 2 - 2006; HOLLYWOODLAND - 2006; THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS - 2006; SPARKLE - 2007; OUTLAW - 2007; GO GO TALES - 2007; RUBY BLUE - 2007; DOOMSDAY - 2008; PINOCCHIO - 2008; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 2009; WILL - 2011; OUTSIDE BET - 2012; SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN - 2012 [his last acting role]. Mr. Hoskins also appeared in some TV series, including VILLAINS - 1972; CROWN COURT - 1973; NEW SCOTLAND YARD - 1973; THICK AS THIEVES - 1974 [a series regular]; PENNIES FROM HEAVEN - 1978 [TV mini-series]; FLICKERS - 1980 [TV mini-series]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1996 ["Fatal Caper", which he also directed]. Bob Hoskins was 71 years-old.) - 04/29/14
JUDI MEREDITH (Actress: SUMMER LOVE - 1958; WILD HERITAGE - 1958; MONEY, WOMEN AND GUNS - 1958; JACK THE GIANT KILLER - 1962; THE RAIDERS - 1963; AMERICAN IN PARIS - 1964; THE NIGHT WALKER - 1964; A LETTER TO NANCY - 1965; DARK INTRUDER - 1965; QUEEN OF BLOOD - 1966; SOMETHING BIG - 1971. Ms. Meredith's many TV appearances included roles on: THE ADVENTURES OF JIM BOWIE - 1956; TELEPHONE TIME - 1957; CONFLICT - 1957; PANIC! - 1957; BLONDIE - 1957; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1958; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; THE GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN SHOW - 1955-1958 [semi-regular]; M SQUAD - 1958; THE RESTLESS GUN - 1958; CIMARRON CITY - 1959; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1959; THE GEORGE BURNS SHOW - 1958-1959 [semi-regular]; YANCY DERRINGER - 1959; RIVERBOAT - 1960; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1959-1960 [series regular]; LARAMIE - 1960; THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET - 1960; THE ROARING 20'S - 1961; THE INVESTIGATORS - 1961; THE TALL MAN - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961; THE NEW BREED - 1962; GUNSMOKE - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1962; HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL - 1961-1963; WAGON TRAIN - 1959-1964; RAWHIDE - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1966; PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES - 1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1967; BONANZA - 1962-1967; MANNIX - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1969; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1971-1972; EMERGENCY! - 1973; TOMA - 1973 [her last acting role]. She once dated both Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin and passed away at the age of 77.) - 04/30/14
PAULINE WAGNER (Actress: Best known as Fay Wrays double that can be seen writhing on the ledge of the Empire State Building in the climax of the 1933 film KING KONG and a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild [SAG}, Ms. Wagner also acted in bit parts or uncredited roles in a handful of films, including: KING OF JAZZ - 1930; COLLEGE LOVERS - 1930; UP POPS THE DUKE - 1931 [Short film]; MORNING GLORY - 1933; LADY KILLER - 1933; MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN - 1936; HOLD BACK THE DAWN - 1941; NEW YORK TOWN - 1941. Ms. Wagner was 103 years-old) - 05/02/14
EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. (Actor: Best known as the star of the long-running TV series THE F.B.I. - 1965-1974. Movie roles included: MR. AND MRS. NORTH - 1946; HOUSE OFSTRANGERS - 1949; BAND OF ANGELS - 1957; BOMBERS B-52-1957; THE DEEP SIX - 1958; TOO MUCH, TOO SOON - 1958; VIOLENT ROAD - 1958; GIRL ON THE RUN - 1958; HOME BEFORE DARK - 1958; THE CROWDED SKY - 1960; A FEVER IN THE BLOOD - 1961; BY LOVE POSSESSED - 1961; THE CHAPMAN REPORT - 1962; HARLOW - 1965; THE REWARD - 1965; WAIT UNTIL DARK - 1967; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; WHO IS THE BLACK DAHLIA? - 1975; TERROR OUT OF THE SKY - 1978; THE GATHERING, PART II - 1979; BEYOND WITCH MOUNTAIN - 1982; FAMILY IN BLUE - 1982; THE AVENGING - 1982; BABY SISTER - 1983; SHOOTING STARS - 1983; THE TEMPEST - 1983; HOT SHOTS! - 1991; BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM - 1993; STREET CORNER KIDS - 1994; CAB TO CANADA - 1998; THE FIRST DAY - 2001; Some of his TV Series appearances included roles on: THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1957; MAVERICK - 1957-1958; BRONCO - 1961; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959-1962; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1958-1964 [a series regular]; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1965; FANTASY ISLAND - 1983; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1984; REMINGTON STEELE - 1983-1987; HOTEL - 1984-1988; HUNTER - 1988; ZORRO - 1990 [a series regular]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988-1992; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; THE NANNY - 1994; BABYLON 5 - 1997. Later in his career, Zimbalist became a voice artist for many animated TV series and video games. Zimbalist was 95 years-old.) - 05/02/14
LESLIE CARLSON (Actor: THE NEPTUNE FACTOR - 1973; THE HARD PART BEGINS - 1973; McQ - 1974; DERANGED: CONFESSIONS OF A NECROPHILE - 1974; BLACK CHRISTMAS - 1974; SHOOT - 1976; DEADLY HARVEST - 1977; WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND - 1977; HIGH-BALLIN' - 1978; LOST AND FOUND - 1979; NOTHING PERSONAL - 1980; IMPROPER CHANNELS - 1981; CIRCLE OF TWO - 1981; ESCAPE FROM IRAN: THE CANADIAN CAPER - 1981; THE JULY GROUP - 1981; SHOCKTRAUMA - 1982; VIDEODROME - 1983; THE DEAD ZONE - 1983; A CHRISTMAS STORY - 1983; THE FLY - 1986; UNNATURAL CAUSES - 1986; STREET SMART - 1987; ROLLING VENGEANCE - 1987; SING - 1989; CHAINDANCE - 1991; THE GIRL FROM MARS - 1991; K2 - 1991; IMPOLITE - 1992; DEAD AHEAD: THE EXXON VALDEZ DISASTER - 1992; MORNING GLORY - 1993; A STRANGER IN THE MIRROR - 1993; NO CHILD OF MINE - 1993; THE SONG SPINNER - 1995; YOUNG AGAIN - 1995; BEYOND THE CALL - 1996; MOONSHINE HIGHWAY - 1996; THE WISHING TREE - 1999; THE SPREADING GROUND - 2000; CATCH A FALLING STAR - 2000; HARLAN COUNTY WAR - 2000; THE LAST DEBATE - 2000; SILVER MAN - 2000; HAVEN - 2001; BAILEY'S MISTAKE - 2001; TRIBULATION FORCE - 2002; ANONYMOUS REX - 2004; SNOW - 2004; PLAGUE CITY: SARS IN TORONTO - 2005; BAG OF BONES - 2011 [mini-series]. His TV show appearances included roles on: THE NEW AVENGERS - 1977; NIGHT HEAT - 1985; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1988; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1988; MURPHY'S LAW - 1988; STREET LEGAL - 1987-1989; MACGUYVER - 1989-1990; 21 JUMP STREET - 1990; SCALES OF JUSTICE - 1991; HIGHLANDER - 1992; THE X-FILES - 1994; PSI FACTOR - 1997; SUE THOMAS: F.B.EYE - 2005; HAVEN - 2010; ROOKIE BLUE - 2012; MURDOCH MYSTERIES - 2013 [his last credit]. Mr. Carlson was 81 years-old.) - 05/03/14
JEAN GAVIN (French Actor: THE MURDERER IS NOT GUILTY - 1946; SON OF FRANCE - 1946; DROPPED FROM HEAVEN - 1946; SIX HOURS TO LOSE - 1947; THE WILD OAT - 1953; THE BIG FLAG - 1954; OBSESSION - 1954; GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR - 1955; THE MAIDEN - 1955; LAW OF THE STREETS - 1956; THE CRUCIBLE - 1957; YOUNG GIRLS BEWARE - 1957; THE RIVER OF THREE JUNKS - 1957; ADVENTURES IN INDOCHINA - 1958; RIFF RAFF GIRLS - 1959; EMILE'S BOAT - 1962; INFERNO - 1964; OUR MEN IN BAGDAD - 1966; RIDER ON THE RAIN - 1970; ONE WAY TICKET - 1971; WHERE DID TOM GO? - 1971; AND HOPE TO DIE - 1972; THE STORY OF O - 1975; BAD STARTERS - 1976; THE GROPER - 1976; THE FRENCH WOMAN - 1977; WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? - 1978; ONE DEADLY SUMMER - 1983; VENUS - 1984. He also appeared in about 50 more French films. Mr. Gavin was 92 years-old) - 05/05/14
NANCY MALONE (TV Director & Actress: As a Director: MERLENE OF THE MOVIES - 1981; THERE WERE TIMES, DEAR - 1985; THE COLBYS - 1985; STARMAN - 1986; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1988; HOTEL - 1985-1988 [11 episodes]; HEARTBEAT - 1989; NIGHTINGALES - 1989; DYNASTY - 1985 - 1989 [16 episodes]; THE BRADYS - 1990; SHADES OF LA - 1990; KNOTS LANDING - 1991; MELROSE PLACE - 1992-1994 [10 episodes]; VANISHING SON - 1995; PICKET FENCES - 1995; THE BURNING ZONE - 1997; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1997-1998; I MARRIED A MONSTER - 1998; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1999-2001; JUDGING AMY - 2002; RESURRECTION BLVD. - 2002-2004; THE GUARDIAN - 2004. As an Actress: FORGOTTEN CHILDREN - 1952; FRIGHT - 1956 [one of her few theatrical films]; THE VIOLATORS - 1957 [another theatrical film]; ROUTE 66 - 1961; NAKED CITY - 1960-1963 {semi-regular; appeared in 51 episodes]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Fun And Games" - 1964]; TWILIGHT ZONE ['Stopover In A Quiet Town" - 1964]; THE LONG, HOT SUMMER - 1965-1966 [26 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1964-1966; TARZAN - 1967; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1969; SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1970; DAN AUGUST - 1971; MAN IN THE MIDDLE - 1972; SET THIS TOWN ON FIRE - 1973; THE GIRLS OF HUNTINGTON HOUSE - 1973; RX FOR THE DEFENSE - 1973; THE MAN WHO LOVED CAT DANCING - 1973 [theatrical film]; THE F.B.I. - 1973; IRONSIDE - 1968-1973; SKYWAY TO DEATH - 1974; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974; LUCAS TANNER - 1974; CANNON - 1975; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1976; CAPRICORN ONE - 1977 [theatrical film]; SWITCH - 1978; JAMES AT 16 - 1978; LOU GRANT - 1981; THE KILLING OF RANDI WEBSTER - 1981; SCENE OF THE CRIME - 1985. Ms. Malone was 79 years-old) - 05/08/14
H.R. GIGER (Artist and Conceptual Designer: Giger's designs were first noticed in the film ALIEN - 1979 and he quickly became in demand to create other strange creatures for films (not counting all the ALIEN sequels). Those films included: FUTURE KILL - 1985 [poster only];POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE - 1986; TOKYO: THE LAST WAR - 1989; SPECIES - 1995; KILLER CONDOM - 1996; SPECIES II - 1998; and PROMETHEUS - 2012. He also designed portions of the first two DARK SEED video games. He was also involved in doing conceptual art for director Alejandro Jodorowsky's late-70's version of DUNE, which never happened (There's a documentary called JODOROWSKY'S DUNE [2013] about the failed attempt and is must-viewing for seeing how quickly a good idea can go bad.). He also designed album covers for rock stars, and Debbie Harry's and Emerson Lake & Palmer's album covers were voted among the 100 best in music history in a survey of rock journalists. Owning a piece of his original art and sculptures were in the same league as owning an original Rembrandt or Remington. Now they will just become twice as expensive. His art exhibits were always a mind-bender (and definitely not for the weak-hearted) and there's a permanent one located in Las Vegas. If you are ever in town, go see it and look at how a master can make the tiniest details stand out. Giger died from complications of a fall and was only 74 years-old.) - 05/12/14
SUTRADER ARIZAL (Indonesian Director: Simply credited as "Arizal", this director gave the public some of the weirdest and wildest fantasy and action films on record, including DR. FIRDAUS - 1976; SPECIAL SILENCERS - 1979 [You want weird? This one delivers it in spades!]; FEROCIOUS FEMALE FREEDOM FIGHTERS, PART 2 - 1982; THE STABILIZER - 1986; FINAL SCORE - 1986 [a personal favorite since the first time I saw it]; AMERICAN HUNTER - 1990; DOUBLE CROSSER - 1990 [most reviewed on this website]; and over 50 more Indonesian films that have not been dubbed or subtitled in English. Maybe someday we will see some more of his output, but he remains my favorite Indonesian director of all time. Arizal was 71 years-old) - 05/18/14
GORDON WILLIS (Cinematographer: END OF THE ROAD - 1970; LOVING - 1970; THE LANDLORD - 1970; THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - 1970; LITTLE MURDERS - 1971; KLUTE - 1971; THE GODFATHER - 1972; BAD COMPANY - 1972; THE PAPER CHASE - 1973; THE PARALLAX VIEW - 1974; THE GODFATHER: PART II - 1974; THE DROWNING POOL - 1975; ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN -- 1976; ANNIE HALL - 1977; INTERIORS - 1978; COMES A HORSEMAN - 1978; MANHATTAN - 1979; WINDOWS - 1980 [also directed; his only directorial effort]; STARDUST MEMORIES - 1980; PENNIES FROM HEAVEN - 1981; ZELIG - 1983 [nominated for an Academy Award®]; BROADWAY DANNY ROSE - 1984; THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; PERFECT - 1985; THE MONEY PIT - 1986; THE PICK-UP ARTIST - 1987; BRIGHT LIGHT, BIG CITY - 1988; PRESUMED INNOCENT - 1990; THE GODFATHER: PART III - 1990 [nominated for an Academy Award®]; MALICE - 1993; THE DEVIL'S OWN - 1997 [his last film]. In 1995 Mr. Willis won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers, USA, and won an honorary Academy Award at the 2010 ceremonies for his unsurpassed mastery of light, shadow, color and motion [His nickname was "The Prince Of Darkness".]. He was also nominated for a Razzie Award® as Worst Director for WINDOWS. Mr. Willis was 82 years-old.) - 05/18/14
PETER CURTIN (Australian Actor: WINNER TAKES ALL - 1975; THE LAST OUTLAW - 1980; BLOOD MONEY - 1980; I CAN JUMP PUDDLES - 1981; HANDLE WITH CARE - 1986; WHOSE BABY - 1986; OFFICIAL DENIAL - 1994; IN PURSUIT OF HONOR - 1995; VIRTUAL NIGHTMARE - 2000; TILL HUMAN VOICES WAKE US - 2002; DARKNESS FALLS - 2002; TOM WHITE - 2004; ANACONDAS: THE HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID - 2004. TV Series included appearances on HOMICIDE - 1965-1966; BLUEY - 1976-1977; SKYWAYS - 1979; THE ZOO FAMILY - 1985 [series regular]; THE FLYING DOCTORS - 1986; PRISONER: CELL BLOCK H - 1980-1986; INSIDE RUNNING - 1989; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1988-1990; EMBASSY - 1990; A COUNTRY PRACTICE - 1993; TIME TRAX - 1993; SNOWY - 1993 [series regular]; SEACHANGE - 1999-2000; THE GAMES - 2000; SOMETHING IN THE AIR - 2001; PONDEROSA - 2002; ALL SAINTS - 2002; MDA - 2002; WHITE COLLAR BLUE - 2002; STINGERS - 1999-2003; BLUE HEELERS - 1994-2004; NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES - 2006; CITY HOMICIDE - 2008; SATISFACTION - 2009-2010; HOUSE HUSBANDS - 2013. Mr. Curtin was 71 years-old.) - 05/19/14
BIFF MANARD (Actor/Comedian: Best known in the 70's as an L.A. comedy scene icon and later in Las Vegas (and one hell of a nice guy), Manard made friends with many comedians, who offered him roles in their films as a sign of friendship. Sometimes Manard himself would steal all the scenes he was in, but he was so well-liked, none of his friends minded. His films include: MACHISMO: 40 GRAVES FOR 40 GUNS - 1971; SHANKS - 1974 [William Castle's final film]; PRAY TV - 1980; UNDERGROUND ACES - 1981; ST. HELENS - 1981; LUNCH WAGON - 1981; BUDDY BUDDY - 1981; OFF THE WALL - 1983; SURF II - 1984; ZONE TROOPERS - 1985; TRANCERS - 1985 [He was great friends with Tim Thomerson, who started out with Biff]; THE WONG GUYS - 1988; TRANCERS II - 1991; DESERT KICKBOXER - 1992; BLANKMAN - 1994; ART DECO DETECTIVE - 1994; BONANZA: UNDER ATTACK - 1995 [TV Movie]; SNITCH - 1996; EIGHT DAYS A WEEK - 1997; THE INCREDIBLE GENIE - 1998; DIRTY JOKES THE MOVIE - 2008 - [his last on screen acting appearance]. Mr. Manard's TV appearances included roles on: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1970 [his debut]; BONANZA - 1971-1972; THE JEFFERSONS - 1976; CHiPS - 1981; KNOTS LANDING - 1982; FATHER MURPHY - 1982; TUCKER'S WITCH - 1982; STAR TRER: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1988; NIGHT COURT - 1991; HUNTER - 1991; THE FLASH - 1990-1991 [series regular]; VIPER - 1994; RENEGADE - 1994; FULL HOUSE - 1995; SMITH - 2008. Maynard also wrote THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - 1976 [Lynde's facial expressions while rock band KISS played are priceless, because they are real]; 11 episodes of THE JACKSONS - 1976-1977 [before Michael became a superstar]; and one episode of PINK LADY - 1980. Biff was the Centerfold in the May, 1975 issue of Playgirl Magazine. He also appeared as himself in the documentary THE GREEN LADY in 2014. Biff Manard was 71 years-old.) - 05/19/14
ROMANO ALBANI (Italian Cinematographer: Famous for his collaborations with Dario Argento and Charles Band [TERRORVISION is one of the most colorful films of the 80's] and later Lamberto Bava. His films included: BLUE JEANS - 1975; TO FORGET VENICE - 1979 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film]; INFERNO - 1980; STARK SYSTEM - 1980; WEST OF PAPERINO - 1982; THE GOOD SOLDIER - 1982; BLOOD LINK - 1982; STORMTROOPERS II - 1982; THE ODD SQUAD - 1982; A STRANGE PASSION - 1984; PHENOMENA - [a.k.a. CREEPERS - 1985]; MAMMA EBE - 1985; TROLL - 1986; TERRORVISION - 1986; BLOOD TIES - 1986; THE AMERICAN BRIDE - 1986; LOVE SINS - 1987; DEVILS OF MONZA - 1987; ROMAN HOLIDAY - 1987; OBSESSION: A TASTE FOR FEAR - 1988; THE SLEAZY UNCLE - 1989; ACT OF SORROW - 1990; FERDINANDO, MAN OF LOVE - 1990; THE CAVE OF THE GOLDEN ROSE - 1991; SAFARI - 1991; DARK FRIDAY - 1993; THE CAVE OF THE GOLDEN ROSE 3 - 1993; THE CAVE OF THE GOLDEN ROSE 4 - 1994; THE DRAGON RING - 1994; THE CAVE OF THE GOLDEN ROSE 5 - 1996; THE WHITE ELEPHANT - 1998; THE BUTCHER - 1998; TURN OF THE CENTURY - 1999 [TV mini-series]; HUMAN CURRENCY - 2001 [TV mini-series]. Mr. Albani also photographed dozens of Italian films, TV films and TV series that have never been translated into English. Mr. Albani was 68 years-old.) - 05/21/14
SERGIO DE BUSTAMANTE (Mexican Actor: HOUSE WIFE TO YOUR NEIGHBOR - 1958; A MAN IN A TRAP - 1965; THE FINAL RACE - 1966; THE BEGINNING - 1973; THE FLYING PONY - 1982; MERCENARIES OF DEATH - 1983; POISON FOR THE FAIRIES - 1984; SANTA SANGRE - 1989; ORGY OF TERROR - 1989; THE DEMONS OF THE DESERT - 1990; FEMALE POLICE DETECTIVE - 1990; ONE MAN'S WAR - 1991; BLOODY SECRET - 1991; FOREST OF DEATH - 1993; VAMPIRO: WARRIOR OF THE NIGHT - 1993; and about 80 more Mexican movies and TV Series that have never been subbed or dubbed into English. Mr. Bustamante was 79 years-old.) - 05/22/14
MATTHEW COWLES (Actor: Husband of actress Christine Baranski [THE GOOD WIFE] and played "Billy Clyde Tuggle" on the TV soap opera ALL MY CHILDREN from 1984 to 1990, Mr. Cowlesalso acted in the films THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - 1970; THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - 1971; THE HOSPITAL - 1971; IRISH WHISKEY REBELLION - 1972; CRAWLSPACE - 1973; THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE - 1973; THE HAPPY HOOKER - 1975; SLAP SHOT - 1977; THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP - 1982; EDDIE MACON'S RUN - 1983; LOVE ON THE RUN - 1985; THE MONEY PIT - 1986; STARS AND BARS - 1988; BRENDA STARR - 1989; SIGNS OF LIFE - 1989; SHE'S BACK - 1989; STELLA - 1990; KOJAK: IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING - 1990; WHITE FANG 2: THE MYTH OF THE WHITE WOLF - 1994; THE COWBOY WAY - 1994; THE JUROR - 1996; NURSE BETTY - 2000; NOON BLUE APPLES - 2002; CITY BY THE SEA - 2002; SEASON OF THE HUNTED - 2003; THE LIVING WAKE - 2007; AMERICAN LOSER - 2007; TRAIN WRECK - 2008; POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS - 2009; VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE - 2009; SHUTTER ISLAND - 2010. Mr. Cowles also did extensive TV work, appearing in guest spots on such series as: N.Y.P.D. - 1969 [his acting debut]; A WORLD APART - 1971; KOJAK - 1976; MIAMI VICE - 1985; THE EQUALIZER - 1986; LONESOME DOVE - 1989 [TV mini-series]; LAW & ORDER - 1991; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1993; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 1997; THE BIG EASY - 1997; DEADLINE - 2000; OZ - 2003; LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY - 2005; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2008; LIFE ON MARS - 2008-2009. He returned to ALL MY CHILDREN in 2013 for 32 episodes to reprise his role as Billy Clyde Tuggle. Mr. Cowles was 69 years-old.) - 05/22/14
MICHAEL GOTTLIEB (Director/Producer/Writer: Brother of Carl Gottlieb. Movies include: MANNEQUIN - 1987 [Director & Writer]; THE SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE - 1990 [Directed as "Alan Smithee"]; MANNEQUIN 2: ON THE MOVE - 1992 [Based on character created by Gottlieb]; MR. NANNY - 1993 [Director & Writer]; A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT - 1995. Mr. Gottlieb was also the Producer of the MORTAL KOMBAT video games, along with other video games during the 1990's & 2000's.) - 05/23/14
MONA FREEMAN (Actress: TILL WE MEET AGAIN - 1944; TOGETHER AGAIN - 1944; DANGER SIGNAL - 1945; BLACK BEAUTY - 1946; DEAR RUTH - 1947; VARIETY GIRL - 1947; STREETS OF LAREDO - 1949; THE HEIRESS - 1949; I WAS A SHOPLIFTER - 1950; COPPER CANYON - 1950;BRANDED - 1950; DEAR BRAT - 1951; THE LADY FROM TEXAS - 1951; FLESH AND FURY - 1952; JUMPING JACKS - 1952; THUNDERBIRDS - 1952; ANGELFACE - 1952; SHADOW OF FEAR - 1954; BATTLE CRY - 1955; HOLD BACK THE NIGHT - 1956; HUK! - 1956; DRAGOON WELLS MASSACRE - 1957; THE WORLD WAS HIS JURY - 1958; WELCOME HOME, JOHNNY BRISTOL - 1972 [her last role]. When theatrical roles wore off, Ms. Freeman did plenty of TV work during the 50's & 60's, including: DAMON RUNYON THEATER - 1955; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1955; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1956; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1956; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1955-1956; THE 20TH CENTURY-FOX HOUR - 1956; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1956; STUDIO 57 - 1957; MATINEE THEATRE - 1957; CLIMAX! - 1955-1958; WAGON TRAIN - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1958; PURSUIT - 1958; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1958-1959; RIVERBOAT - 1959; MAVERICK - 1959-1960; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1960; JOHNNY RINGO - 1960; THRILLER - ["The Mark Of The Hand" - 1960]; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1960; THE TALL MAN - 1961; PERRY MASON - 1962-1965; BRANDED - 1966. Ms, Freeman became bored with acting and became a portrait and landscape painter. Ms. Freeman was 87 years-old) - 05/23/14
BUNNY YEAGER (Photographer/Actress/Camera Dept.: Born Linnea Eleanor Yeager, Bunny, who was named "Prettiest Photographer in the World" in 1953 is credited with discovering Bettie Page and giving us the iconic image of Ursula Andress coming out of the ocean in a bikini in DR. NO - 1962. She worked as a still photographer on the films HIDEOUT IN THE SUN - 1960; NUDES ON THE MOON - 1961; PAGAN ISLAND - 1962; BLAZE STARR GOES NUDIST - 1962; INTIMATE DIARY OF ARTISTS' MODELS - 1963; BOND GIRLS ARE FOREVER - 2002 and BROAD DAYLIGHT - 2004. She was Technical Coordinator on the films NATURE'S SWEETHEARTS - 1963 and HOW I BECAME A NUDIST - 1968. She appeared as herself in the films BUNNY YEAGER'S NUDE CAMERA - 1963; BUNNY YEAGER'S NUDE LAS VEGAS - 1964; NUDES ON TIGER REEF - 1965; HOTTIES - 1998; 100 GIRLS BY BUNNY YEAGER - 1999; JIMMY'S STORY - 2006; HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS: GODFATHER OF GORE - 2010 and BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL - 2012. She acted in the films LADY IN CEMENT - 1968; HARRY & SON - 1974 and an episode of the TV series B.L. STRYKER - 1989. Ms. Yeager was 84 years old.) - 05/24/14
HERB JEFFRIES (Actor and the First Black Singing Cowboy: Born Umberto Alejandro Ballentino, Mr. Jeffries broke many racial boundries in film and singing [with his natural baritone voice] and appeared in all-black singing Westerns such as: HARLEM ON THE PRAIRIE - 1937; TWO-GUN MAN FROM HARLEM - 1938; RHYTHM RODEO - 1938; THE BRONZE BUCKAROO - 1939 and HARLEM RIDES THE RANGE - 1939. He quit acting for nearly 15 years to concentrate on his music, including his big hit signature song "Flamingo" in 1941. Mr. Jeffries then returned to acting occasionally, appearing in such film and TV series as DISC JOCKEY - 1951; CALYPSO JOE - 1957; MUNDO DEPRAVADOS - 1967 [Director/Screenwriter only]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1967; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968; THE VIRGINIAN - 1969; WHERE'S HUDDLES? - 1970; CHROME AND HOT LEATHER - 1971; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969-1973; JARRETT - 1973; TWICE IN A LIFETIME - 1974; PORTRAIT OF A HITMAN - 1979; THE CHEROKEE KID - 1996 [his last acting role]. while still singing to sold-out nightclubs and paying tribute to Duke Ellington, who became fast friends in the 1940's and was the last surviving member of Ellington's orchestra [He traveled extensively in Europe and owned a Parisian nightclub at one time]. Mr. Jeffries, who was married five times, including to striptease artist Tempest Storm during 1959 to 1967, was well-like by everyone and was 100 years-old when he passed away. He should be fondly remembered for both his singing and film career as a groundbreaker of racial barriers.) - 05/25/14
LEE CHAMBERLIN (Actress: Best known as "Brenda" on THE ELECTRIC COMPANY - 1971-1973 [260 appearances], she was also an accomplished actress that appeared in both films and TV series. Her films included: ALL AT SEA - 1970; UP THE SANDBOX - 1972; UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT - 1974; LET'S DO IT AGAIN - 1975; LONG JOURNEY BACK - 1978; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1979; ONCE UPON A FAMILY - 1980; BRAVE NEW WORLD - 1980; BEAT STREET - 1984; WILLING TO KILL: THE TEXAS CHEERLEADER STORY - 1992. Ms. Chamberlin's TV series appearances included roles on: ALL'S FAIR - 1976-1977; JAMES AT 16 - 1977; WHAT'SW HAPPENING!! - 1977; LOU GRANT - 1978; PARIS - 1979-1980; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1980; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1981-1982; RYAN'S FOUR - 1983; PACIFIC STATION - 1991; VIPER - 1994; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1983-1995; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1997; SPARKS - 1997; THE PRACTICE - 1998; C-16: FBI - 1998; TO HAVE AND HOLD - 1998; NEWSRADIO - 1999; MOESHA - 1999; ANY DAY NOW - 2000; CITY OF ANGELS - 2000; THE DISTRICT - 2001; NYPD BLUE - 2001; FIRST MONDAY - 2002; JUDGING AMY - 2002; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2002. Ms. Chamberlin was 76 years-old.) - 05/25/14
MAYA ANGELOU (Poet/Writer/Actress: As Writer: GEORGIA, GEORGIA - 1972; THE RICHARD PRYOR SPECIAL? - 1977 [also appeared as herself]; I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS - 1979; SISTER, SISTER - 1982 [also the Producer]; AMERICA'S DREAM - 1996; HOW DO YOU SPELL GOD? - 1996; THE BLACK CANDLE - 2008. As an Actress: PORGY AND BESS - 1959; ROOTS - 1977; POETIC JUSTICE - 1993; THERE ARE NO CHILDREN HERE - 1993; SESAME STREET - 1995 [as herself]; THE JOURNEY OF AUGUST KING - 1995; HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT - 1995; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1995; ELMO SAVES CHRISTMAS - 1996; HAPPILY EVER AFTER: FAIRY TALES FOR EVERY CHILD - 2000; THE RUNAWAY - 2000; MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION - 2006. Ms. Angelou also directed the film DOWN IN THE DELTA - 1998 and read her poem "On the Pulse Into Morning" at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton on January 20, 1993. She was also nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for LOOK AWAY. At age seven, Ms. Angelou was raped by her mother's boyfriend. She wasn't going to tell anyone, but her brother Bailey persuaded her to tell him who raped her. As a result, the man was killed. Maya believed her spoken word caused his death, and as a result refused to speak for years, which eventually led to her becoming a master poet and novelist, knowing the power of the written word. Maya Angelou was 86 years-old.) - 05/28/14
KARLHEINZ BOHM (German International Actor who also used the name "Carl Boehm": SON OF DR. MORITZ - 1954; SACRED LIE - 1954; THE ETERNAL WALTZ - 1954; OPERATION SLEEPING BAG - 1955; SWEDISH GIRL - 1955; SISSI - 1955; HER CRIME WAS LOVE - 1955; KITTY AND THE GREAT BIG WORLD - 1956; NINA - 1956; SISSI: THE YOUNG EMPRESS - 1956; SEAMEN - 1957; CASTLE IN TYROL - 1957; SISSI: THE FATEFUL YEARS OF AN EMPRESS - 1958; THE STOWAWAY - 1958; COURT MARTIAL - 1959; PEEPING TOM - 1960; PLAYGIRL AFTER DARK - 1960; CROOK AND THE CROSS - 1960; THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE - 1962; CROSS OF THE LIVING - 1962; THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM - 1962; COME FLY WITH ME - 1963; RIFIFI IN TOKYO - 1963; THE VENETIAN AFFAIR - 1967; HUBERTUS CASTLE - 1973; MARTHA - 1974; EFFI BRIEST - 1974; FOX AND HIS FRIENDS - 1975; MOTHER KUSTERS GOES TO HEAVEN - 1975. He also made appearances in American TV series, such as: THE VIRGINIAN - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1963 and COMBAT! - 1963. Mr Bohm became a minor cult celebrity because of his appearance in the revival PEEPING TOM in the 1980's and spent his later years working on charitable causes, especially in Ethiopia. He was 86 years-old.) - 05/29/14
JOAN LORRING (Actress: SONG OF RUSSIA - 1944; THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY - 1944; THE CORN IS GREEN - 1945; THREE STRANGERS - 1946; THE VERDICT - 1946; THE OTHER LOVE - 1947; THE LOST MOMENT - 1947; THE GANGSTER - 1947; GOOD SAM - 1948; THE BIG NIGHT - 1951; STRANGER ON THE PROWL - 1952; THE STAR WAGON - 1966; THE MIDNIGHT MAN - 1974. Ms. Lorring also appeared in many early TV series, including: THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1952; THE DOCTOR - 1952; THE MOTOROLA TELEVISION HOUR - 1954; LOVE STORY - 1954; DANGER - 1954; SUSPENSE - 1954; CENTER STAGE - 1954; NORBY - 1955; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1954-1955; THE ELGIN HOUR - 1955; PONDS THEATER - 1955; APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER - 1955; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1955; STAR STAGE - 1956; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1956; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1950-1956; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1956; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1965; FOR THE PEOPLE - 1965; RYAN'S HOPE - 1979-1980; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980 [her last acting role]. Ms. Lorring was 88 years-old.) - 05/30/14
MARTHA HYER (Actress: BORN TO KILL - 1947; THUNDER MOUNTAIN - 1947; THE VELVET TOUCH - 1948; GUN SMUGGLERS - 1948; RUSTLERS - 1949; ROUGHSHOD - 1949; THE CLAY PIGEON - 1949; SALT LAKE RAIDERS - 1950; THE LAWLESS - 1950; FRISCO TORNADO - 1950; THE KANGAROO KID - 1950; ORIENTAL EVIL - 1951; GEISHA GIRL - 1952; ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS - 1953; SO BIG - 1953; RIDERS TO THE STARS - 1954; THE SCARLET SPEAR - 1954; THE BATTLE OF ROGUE RIVER - 1954; DOWN THREE DARK STREETS - 1954; CRY VENGEANCE - 1954; SABRINA - 1954; FRANCIS IN THE NAVY - 1955; KISS OF FIRE - 1955; RED SUNDOWN - 1956; BATTLE HYMN - 1957; MISTER COREY - 1957; THE DELICATE DELINQUENT - 1957; MY MAN GODFREY - 1957; ONCE UPON A HORSE... - 1958; SOME CAME RUNNING - 1958; MISTRESS OF THE WORLD - 1960; THE LAST TIME I SAW ARCHIE - 1961; PYRO - 1964; THE CARPETBAGGERS - 1964; THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - 1964; BIKINI BEACH - 1964; BLOOD ON THE ARROW - 1964; THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER - 1965; THE CHASE - 1966; THE NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY - 1966; PICTURE MOMMY DEAD - 1966; THE HAPPENING - 1967; HOUSE OF 1000 DOLLS - 1967; SOME MAY LIVE - 1967; CATCH AS CATCH CAN - 1968; ONCE YOU KISS A STRANGER... - 1969; CROSSPLOT - 1969; THE DAY OF THE WOLVES - 1971. Ms Hyer also appeared in mny TV series, including roles on: THE LONE RANGER - 1950; RACKET SQUAD - 1952; THE UNEXPECTED - 1952; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1953; PRIVATE SECRETARY - 1953; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1954-1956; CLIMAX! - 1958; RAWHIDE - 1959; THE DEPUTY - 1960; ROUTE 66 - 1961; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962-1965; BEWITCHED - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1965; BRANDED - 1965; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1966; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1967; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1969; THE VIRGINIAN - 1970; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1971; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1972; MCCLOUD - 1974 [her last role]. Ms. Hyer was 89 years-old.) - 05/31/14
STEVEN H. SCHEUER (Film Writer/Movie Historian and Critic: Editor of the book "Movies on TV" (originally titled "TV Movie Almanac & Ratings") which was published in 17 editions between 1958 and 1993. The book was similar in style to the regularly-updated Maltin's book "TV Movies and Video Guide" with its mixture of movies, videos and TV movies with ratings up to four stars but as the first edition of that guide did not appear until 1968 preceded it by 10 years. His brother was the politician James H. Scheuer and his other siblings were Walter Scheuer and Amy Scheuer Cohen. Mr. Scheuer died of congestive heart failure at the age of 88.) - 05/31/14
ANN B. DAVIS (Actress: Best known as "Alice Nelson" the housekeeper on THE BRADY BUNCH - 1969-1974 [a show I never watched once], Ms. Davis was already an accomplished actress and was a regular on two other series before THE BRADY BUNCH: THE BOB CUMMINGS SHOW - 1955-1959 [She won two Emmys® as "Charmaine 'Schultzy' Schultz" and the show was unofficailly renamed LOVE THAT BOB] and THE JOHN FORSYTHE SHOW - 1965-1966. Some of her films included: A MAN CALLED PETER - 1955; THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - 1956; PEPE - 1960; ALL HANDS ON DECK - 1961; LOVER COME BACK - 1961; BIG FISH, LITTLE FISH - 1971; ONLY WITH MARRIED MEN - 1974; THE BRADY GIRLS GET MARRIED - 1981; A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS - 1988; NAKED GUN 33 1/3: THE FINAL INSULT - 1994; THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE - 1995. Ms. Davis' other TV series appearances included roles on: MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1956; WAGON TRAIN - 1960; THE NEW BREED - 1962; MCKEEVER & THE COLONEL - 1963; THE PHYLLIS DILLER SHOW - 1966; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1973; THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR - 1976-1977; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980; THE BRADY BRIDES - 1981; DAY BY DAY - 1989; THE BRADYS - 1990; HI HONEY, I'M HOME - 1991; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1997 [her last acting role, although she appeared on talk shows as herself, the last one being a BRADY BUNCH reunion on THE TALK in 2014]. Ms. Davis was 88 years-old and passed away after hitting her head in her bathroom early one morning never regaining consciousness.) - 06/01/14
RIK MAYALL (Comedian/Actor/Writer: Best known for his role as "Rick" on the British comedy TV series THE YOUNG ONES - 1982-1984 [and it was very popular in the U.S., thanks to MTV], Mayall has done all manner of films and TV. His films include: THE ORCHARD END MURDER - 1980; EYE OF THE NEEDLE - 1981; AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON - 1981; SHOCK TREATMENT - 1981; KEVIN TURVEY INVESTIGATES - 1981; DANGEROUS BROTHERS PRESENTS: WORLD OF DANGER - 1986; EAT THE RICH - 1987; WHOOPS APOCALYPSE - 1988; JAKE'SJOURNEY - 1988; DROP DEAD FRED - 1991 [Hey William Wilson: Blow me!]; LITTLE NOISES - 1992; CARRY ON COLUMBUS - 1992; MICKY LOVE - 1993; BRIEFEST ENCOUNTER - 1993; DANCING QUEEN - 1993; BOTTOM LIVE - 1993; HORSE OPERA - 1993; A. B'STARD EXPOSED - 1994; THE BIG ONE - 1995; DIRTY OLD TOWN - 1995; CLAIRE DE LUNE - 1995; THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS - 1995 [voice only]; OUT OF MY HEAD - 1995; BRING ME THE HEAD OF MAVIS DAVIS - 1997; REMEMBER ME? - 1997; BOTTOM LINE 3: HOOLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1997; THE CANTERVILLE GHOST - 1997; GUEST HOUSE PARADISO - 1999; MERLIN: THE RETURN - 2000; BOTTOM 2001: AN ARSE ODDITY - 2001; KEVIN OF THE NORTH - 2001; DAY OF THE SIRENS - 2002; CHAOS AND CADAVERS - 2003; SINDY: THE FAIRY PRINCESS - 2003; COLD DARK - 2003; CHURCHILL: THE HOLLYWOOD YEARS - 2004; JUST FOR THE RECORD - 2010; EVIL CALLS - 2011; HIGHWAY TO HELL - 2012; ERRORS OF THE HUMAN BODY - 2012; ONE BY ONE - 2012 [not released until 2014]; THE ESCAPE - 2015 [His last acting role; Filmed a week before he passed away]. He also had a part in HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE - 2001, but all his scenes were cut out of the film. Mr. Mayall's TV series appearances included roles on: THE SQUAD - 1980; A KICK UP THE EIGHTIES - 1981; THE BLACK ADDER - 1983; THE YOUNG ONES - 1982-1984; THE LENNY HENRY SHOW - 1984; HAPPY FAMILIES - 1985; JACKANORY - 1966-1986; BLACK-ADDER II - 1986; FILTHY RICH & CATFLAP - 1987 [series regular]; FRENCH AND SAUNDERS - 1987; GRIM TALES - 1989; BLACKADDER GOES FORTH - 1989; THE NEW STATESMAN - 1987-1992 [series regular]; BOTTOM - 1991-1995 [series regular]; HOW TO BE A LITTLE SOD - 1995; THE BILL - 1997; IN THE RED - 1998; WATERSHIP DOWN - 1999 [series regular; voice only]; THE KNOCK - 2000; TALES OF UPLIFT AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT - 2001 [series regular]; MURDER ROOMS: MYSTERIES OF THE REAL SHERLOCK HOLMES - 2001; BELIEVE NOTHING - 2002 [series regular]; SHOEBOX ZOO - 2004 [series regular; voice only]; ALL ABOUT GEORGE - 2005 [series regular]; SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - 2006 [voice only]; KING ARTHUR'S DISASTERS - 2005-2006 [series regular; voice only]; MINDER - 2009; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE - 2009; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2009; THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS... - 1983-2012 [19 appearances]; DAMO AND IVOR - 2013 [series regular]; JONATHAN CREEK - 2009-2013; MAN DOWN - 2013 [series regular; first season only]; CRACKANORY - 2014. Rik Mayall was just 56 years-old when he passed away.) - 06/09/14
RUBY DEE (Actress: Outstanding actress and activist who was married to actor Ossie Davis from 1948 until his death in 2005. Some of Ms, Dee's films included: THAT MAN OF MINE - 1946; WHAT A GUY - 1948; THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY - 1950; NO WAY OUT - 1950; THE TALL TARGET - 1951; GO MAN GO - 1954; THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME - 1956; EDGE OF THE CITY - 1957; ST. LOUIS BLUES - 1958; OUR VIRGIN ISLAND - 1959; TAKE A GIANT STEP - 1959; A RAISIN IN THE SUN - 1961; THE BALCONY - 1963; GONE ARE THE DAYS! - 1963; THE INCIDENT - 1967 [powerful performance]; UPTIGHT - 1968; THE SHERIFF - 1971; BUCK AND THE PREACHER - 1972; BLACK GIRL - 1972; TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK - 1972; IT'S GOOD TO BE ALIVE - 1974;WEDDING BAND - 1974; COOL RED - 1976; I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS - 1979; ALL GOD'S CHILDREN - 1980; THE TORTURE OF MOTHERS - 1980; CAT PEOPLE - 1982; LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT - 1982; GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN - 1984; THE ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS - 1985; CROWN DICK - 1987; WINDMILLS OF THE GODS - 1988; DO THE RIGHT THING - 1989 [probably her most powerful performance]; LOVE AT LARGE - 1990; THE COURT-MARTIAL OF JACKIE ROBINSON - 1990; DECORATION DAY - 1990 [Won an Emmy® for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special]; JUNGLE FEVER - 1991; COP AND 1/2 - 1993; JUST CAUSE - 1995; MR. AND MRS. LOVING - 1996; CAPTIVE HEART: THE JAMES MINK STORY - 1996; STORIES FROM THE EDGE - 1996; A SIMPLE WISH - 1997; THE WALL - 1998; BABY GENIUSES - 1999; SHELLY FISHER - 1999; A STORM IN SUMMER - 2000; FINDING BUCK MCHENRY - 2000; FEAST OF ALL SAINTS - 2001; TAKING BACK OUR TOWN - 2001; BABY OF THE FAMILY - 2002; NAMING NUMBER TWO - 2006; THE WAY BACK HOME - 2006; ALL ABOUT US - 2007; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007 [nominated for an Academy Award® and won a SAG Award® for Best Supporting Actress]; STEAM - 2007; AMERICA - 2009; THE PERFECT AGE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL - 2009; DREAM STREET - 2010; RED & BLUE MARBLES - 2011; VIDEO GIRL - 2011; POLITICS OF LOVE - 2011; A THOUSAND WORDS - 2012; 1982 - 2013. Her many TV series appearances included roles on: PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960-1961; ALCOLA PREMIERE - 1963; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1963; THE FUGITIVE - 1963; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; THE DEFENDERS - 1965; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1966; THE BOLD ONES: THE PROTECTORS - 1969; PEYTON PLACE - 1968-1969 [semi-regular]; TENAFLY - 1973; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATIONS - 1979 [mini-series]; OSSIE AND RUBY! - 1980 [series regular]; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1987; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1985-1990; CHINA BEACH - 1990; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1990; EVENING SHADE - 1993; THE STAND - 1994 [mini-series]; STREET GEAR - 1995 [series regular]; PROMISED LAND - 1998; COSBY - 1999; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1999; LITTLE BILL - 1999 - 2002 [series semi-regular; voice only]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2007. Ms. Dee also won a Grammy® in 2007 for Best Spoken Word album, along with her husband, for "With Ossie And Ruby: In This Life Together" [Davis's win was posthumous]. She was an outstanding actress who could do practically everything [although she never seemed to do any stage work] and was 91 years-old when she passed away of natural causes) - 06/11/14
CARLA LAEMMLE (Actress : Her uncle was Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle. Her films include: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1925; TOPSY AND EVA - 1927; UNCLE TOM'S CABIN - 1927; THE GATE CRASHER - 1928; THE BROADWAY MELODY - 1929; THE HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 - 1929; KING OF JAZZ - 1930; DRACULA - 1931; MYSTERY OD EDWIN DROOD -- 1935; THE ADVENTURES OF FRANK MERRIWELL - 1936; ON YOUR TOES -- 1937. Ms Laemmle took a long leave of absence from film acting and then returned in THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS CLUB - 2001; POOLTIME - 2010; A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS - 2013; THE EXTRA - 2014 and MANSION OF BLOOD - 2014 [her last film]. She was the last surviving cast member of both THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA [1925] and DRACULA [1931]. She co--authored a book about her times and exploits at Universal studios, titled "Growing Up With Monsters: My Times at Universal Studios in Rhymes". Ms. Laemmle was 104 years-old.) - 06/12/14
SAM KELLY (British Actor: TIFFANY JONES - 1973; CARRY ON DICK - 1974; CARRY ON BEHIND - 1975; DOING TIME - 1979; ARTHUR'S HALLOWED GROUND - 1984; JENNY'S WAR - 1985; ACORN ANTIQUES - 1986; BLOOD RIGHTS - 1990; BLUE ICE - 1992; STALAG LUFT - 1993; REQUIEM APACHE - 1994; ELEVEN MEN AGAINST ELEVEN - 1995; TOPSY-TURVY - 1999; HONEST - 2000; WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - 2000; ALL OR NOTHING - 2002; LIFE BEYOND THE BOX: NORMAN STANLEY FLETCHER - 2003; BEAUTY - 2004; CHRISTMAS AT THE RIVIERA - 2007; JIMMY WILDE - 2009; HARVEST - 2009; NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS - 2010; COMMON PEOPLE -2013; MR. TURNER - 2014 [his last acting role]. British TV series that Mr. Kelly appeared in included: THE LIVER BIRDS - 1972 [his debut]; 7 OF 1 - 1973; BLACK AND BLUE - 1973; RENTAGHOST - 1976; PORRIDGE - 1974-1977 [semi-regular]; THE TWO RONNIES - 1976; THE BOUNDER - 1982; CROWN COURT - 1973-1982; NOW AND THEN - 1983-1984 [semi-regular]; BLEAK HOUSE - 1985 [mini-series]; WE'LL THINK OF SOMETHING - 1986; SCREEN TWO - 1986-1987; HOME TO ROOST - 1990; 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1982-1991 [semi-regular]; INSPECTOR MORSE - 1991; STAY LUCKY - 1991; VIRTUAL MURDER - 1992; HAGGARD - 1990-1992 [series regular]; ON THE UP - 1990-1992 [series regular]; THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES - 1993; A TOUCH OF FROST - 1996; DRESSED FOR BREAKFAST - 1997; BORN TO RUN - 1997; HOLDING ON - 1997 [mini-series]; COLD FEET - 1998; PEAK PRACTICE - 1999; MICAWBER - 2001-2002; BARBARA - 1995-2003 [semi-regular]; LIFE BEGINS - 2004; CASUALTY - 1995-2004; BLACK BOOKS - 2004; MIDSOMERS MURDERS - 2006; NEW STREET LAW - 2006; WHERE THE HEART IS - 2006; DOCTORS - 2006; THE LAST DETECTIVE - 2007; THE BILL - 1992-2007; NEW TRICKS - 2008; MAGIC GRANDAD - 2009 [series regular]; HEARTBEAT - 2004-2009; MY FAMILY - 2010; OUTNUMBERED - 2011; AGATHA CHRISTIE: POIROT - 2013. Mr. Kelly was 70 years-old.) - 06/14/14
CASEY KASEM (Radio DJ/Actor: Best known for hosting "America's Top 40" in syndicated radio for over 30 years, Kasem was also the voice of "Shaggy" for a large chunk of the SCOOBY-DOO animated series [in various incarnations and movies] and was also an actor. His films included: THE GLORY STOMPERS -- 1967 [also Associate Producer]; 2000 YEARS LATER - 1969; WILD WHEELS - 1969; THE CYCLE SAVAGES - 1969 [also Executive Producer]; SCREAM FREE! - 1969; THE GIRL FROM THUNDER STRIP - 1970; THE INCREDIBLE 2-HEADEDTRANSPLANT - 1971 [a personal favorite of the lunatic kind]; DOOMSDAY MACHINE - 1972; SOUL HUSTLER - 1973; THE NIGHT THAT PANICKED AMERICA - 1975; THE GUMBALL RALLY - 1976; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - 1977; DISCO FEVER - 1978; THE DARK - 1979; COSMIC SLOP - 1994; JAMES DEAN: RACE WITH DESTINY - 1997; MERRY CHRISTMAS, GEORGE BAILEY - 1997; LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION - 2003. Some of Kasem's non-animated TV roles included guest spots on: GARRISON'S GORILLAS - 1968; SKYHAWKS - 1969; THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR - 1974; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1974; POLICE STORY - 1977; QUINCY M.E. - 1977; WONDERBUG - 1977; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977; SWITCH - 1977; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1978; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1984; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1985; GEORGE BURNS COMEDY WEEK - 1985; MY TWO DADS - 1989; HOMEBOYS IN OUTER SPACE - 1996. Kasem's voiceover work in animated TV series and movies [besides the hundreds of episodes of various SCOOBY-DOO series and movies up until 2013] included: THE FAMOUS ADVENTURES OF MR. MAGOO - 1964; THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN HOUR - 1967-1968; HOT WHEELS - 1969; JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS - 1970; HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL - 1971; WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME - 1973; SUPER FRIENDS - 1973; THE CITY THAT FORGOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS - 1974; HONG KONG PHOOEY - 1974; EMERGENCY +4 - 1974 [series regular]; THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS - 1975; FREEDOM IS - 1976; WHAT'S NEW, MR. MAGOO? - 1977; THE ALL-NEW SUPER FRIENDS HOUR - 1977; JANA OF THE JUNGLE - 1978; CHALLENGE OF THE SUPERFRIENDS - 1978; THE FLINTSTONES MEET ROCKULA AND FRANKENBONE - 1979; THE RETURN OF THE KING - 1980; BATTLE OF THE PLANETS - 1978-1980; SPACE STARS - 1981; SUPER FRIENDS - 1980-1983; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984; THE SUPER POWERS TEAM: GALACTIC GUARDIANS - 1985; THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE - 1986; THE TRANSFORMERS - 1984-1987; SESAME STREET - 1971 - 1990; TINY TOON ADVENTURES - 1991; 2 STUPID DOGS - 1993; CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS - 1994; HISTERIA! - 2000; RUGRATS IN PARIS: THE MOVIE - 2000; BLUE'S CLUES - 2003. Casey Kasem was also the Announcer for NBC Saturday Mornings in the 1980s and was the youngest member ever to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard Magazine in 1997. Kasem made the news for nearly a month before his death because his second wife Jean, whom he was married to since 1980, hid him from his three children [from his first wife Linda Myers] and wouldn't allow them to see him. When he was found, thanks to a court order, and was determined to be suffering from severe dementia [it was announced in 2013 that he was diagnosed with advanced Parkinson's disease] and unable to get out of bed, his children decided he was better off being withheld food and life support and he died a couple of days later. Now the children and the wife are fighting over his body. Absolutely ridiculous. This is no way to treat a legend, even in death. Mr. Kasem was 82 years-old. "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.") - 06/15/14
JACQUES BERGERAC (Actor: TWIST OF FATE - 1954; SHADOW OF THE GUILLOTINE - 1956; STRANGE INTRUDER - 1956; LES GIRLS - 1957; GIGI - 1958; THUNDER IN THE SUN - 1959; THE HYPNOTIC EYE - 1960; FEAR NO MORE - 1961; ALWAYS ON SUNDAY -1962; FURY OF ACHILLES - 1962; A GLOBAL AFFAIR - 1964; TAFFY AND THE JUNGLE HUNTER - 1965; SPECIAL MISSION LADY CHAPLIN - 1966; UNKISSED BRIDE - 1966. Mr. Bergerac appeared as a guest on many TV series, including: KRAFT THEATRE - 1954; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956; CLIMAX! - 1957; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1956-1958; MATINEE THEATRE - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; THE DAVID NIVEN SHOW - 1959; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1957-1962; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1959-1963; PERRY MASON - 1964; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1967; THE LUCY SHOW - 1967; DANIEL BOONE - 1967; GET SMART - 1968; BATMAN - 1967-1968; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965-1968; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1969 [his last acting role]. He was once married to both Ginger Rogers and Dorothy Malone and gave up acting to become head of Revlon's Paris office. Jacques Bergerac was 87 years-old.) - 06/15/14
PATSY BYRNE (British Actress: THE CHERRY ORCHARD - 1962; AS YOU LIKE IT - 1963; THE RULING CLASS - 1972; THE ALF GARNETT SAGA - 1972; THE GATHERING STORM - 1974; THE CLASS OF MISS MACMICHAEL - 1979; THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER - 1982; BRITANNIA HOSPITAL - 1982; MR. LOVE - 1985; STEALING HEAVEN - 1988; HANNA'S WAR - 1988; ADAM BEDE - 1992; EMILY'S GHOST - 1992; THE HIGHER MORTALS - 1993; THE TREASURE SEEKERS - 1996; THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE - 1996; LES MISERABLES - 1998; DAVID COPPERFIELD - 1999; KEVIN & PERRY GO LARGE - 2000. Some of Ms. Byrne's British TV appearances include guest roles on: FIRST NIGHT - 1963; ESPIONAGE - 1964; DOOMWATCH - 1971; Z CARS - 1970-1973; I, CLAUDIUS - 1976; HEADMASTER - 1977; HAZELL - 1978; THE DEVIL'S CROWN - 1978; ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - 1978; THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP - 1979-1980 [mini-series]; A LITTLE SILVER TRUMPET - 1980 [mini-series]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1982; MIRACLES TAKE LONGER - 1983-1984 [series regular]; THE SETBACKS - 1980-1984 [series semi-regular]; BLEAK HOUSE - 1985 [mini-series]; BLACK-ADDER II - 1986 [series regular]; A DOROTHY L. SAYERS MYSTERY - 1987; A TASTE FOR DEATH - 1988 [mini-series]; INSPECTOR MORSE - 1989; THE SILVER CHAIR - 1990; FAMILY TRAVELLERS IN NORTH AMERICA - 1992 [series regular]; WATCHING - 1987-1993 [series semi-regular; 50 episodes]; ALLEYN MYSTERIES - 1994; HARD TIMES - 1994; CASUALTY - 1995; PEAK PRACTICE - 1997; HEARTBEAT - 1998; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1998; HOLBY CITY - 2006 [her last acting role]. Ms. Byrne was 80 years-old.) - 06/17/14
JAMES NELSON (Sound Editor: ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - 1956; DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK - 1956; RUN OF THE ARROW - 1957; THE JAMES DEAN STORY - 1957; ESCAPADE IN JAPAN - 1957; THE GIRL MOST LIKELY - 1958; THE PROUD REBEL - 1958; THE FEARMAKERS - 1958; OPERATION SNAFU - 1961; SAIL A CROOKED SHIP - 1961; TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK - 1961; THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES - 1962; WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - 1962; THE NOTORIOUS LANDLADY - 1962; SAFE AT HOME! - 1962; EXPERIMENT IN TERROR - 1962; DON'T KNOCK THE TWIST - 1962; FIVE FINGER EXERCISE - 1962; 13 WEST STREET - 1962; BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ - 1962; THE THREE STOOGES IN ORBIT - 1962; THE INTERNS - 1962; THE PLOT THICKENS - 1963; DIAMOND HEAD - 1963; OPERATION BIKINI - 1963; BYE BYE BIRDIE - 1963; BEACH PARTY -1963; HOOTENANNY HOOT - 1963; THE COMEDY OF TERRORS - 1963; MUSCLE BEACH PARTY - 1964; BIKINI BEACH - 1964; FLIGHT TO FURY - 1964; PAJAMA PARTY - 1964; HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE - 1965; BEACK BLANKET BINGO - 1965; SKI PARTY - 1965; HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI - 1965; THE BOUNTY KILLER - 1965; VOYAGE TO A PREHISTORIC PLANET - 1965; MOTORPSYCHO! - 1966; DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE - 1965; QUEEN OF BLOOD - 1966; NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY - 1966; FIREBALL 500 - 1966; TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD - 1966; THE WILD ANGELS - 1966; DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMBS - 1966; THE SHOOTING - 1966; RIDE IN THE WHIRLWIND - 1966; THE BUBBLE - 1966; BIKINI BEACH BODY - 1967; THUNDER ALLEY - 1967; DEVIL'S ANGELS - 1967; THE BORN LOSERS - 1967; THE TRIP - 1967; TARZAN AND THE GREAT RIVER - 1967; PSYCH-OUT - 1968; THE SAVAGE SEVEN - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL! - 1968; TARZAN AND THE JUNGLE BOY - 1968; KILLERS THREE - 1968; HEAD - 1968; THREE IN THE ATTIC - 1968; 99 WOMEN - 1969; 2000 YEARS LATER - 1969; RUN, ANGEL, RUN - 1969; EASY RIDER - 1969; THE GAY DECEIVERS - 1969; THE MONITORS - 1969; SOLE SURVIVOR - 1970; THE GRASSHOPPER - 1970; EL CONDOR - 1970; FIVE EASY PIECES - 1970; THE CURIOUS FEMALE - 1970; SPEEDING UP TIME - 1971; THE PROJECTIONIST - 1971; SIMON, KING OF THE WITCHES - 1971; JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN - 1971; TWO-LANE BLACKTOP - 1971; WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS - 1971; THE LAST MOVIE - 1971; THE LAST PICTURE SHOW - 1971; THE FEARMAKER - 1971; CABARET - 1972; SWEET KILL - 1972; THE CANDIDATE - 1972; THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS - 1972; THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE - 1972; EXTREME CLOSE-UP - 1973; THE EXORCIST - 1973 [won The Golden Reel Award®]; AMERICAN GRAFITTI - 1973; ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE - 1973; BADLANDS - 1973; FREEBIE AND THE BEAN - 1974 [won The Golden Reel Award®]; MANDINGO - 1975; COONSKIN - 1975; THE CHINA SYNDROME - 1979 [Associate Producer only]; BORDERLINE - 1980 [Producer only]; THE JUDAS PROJECT - 1990 [also Producer]; SOLAR CRISIS - 1990 [Producer only]; THE SEVENTH COIN - 1993 [Executive Producer only]. Mr. Nelson's TV series included: MEDIC - 1954-1956; CIRCUS BOY - 1957; THE FRANK SINATRA SHOW - 1957-1958; THE ADVENTURES OF RIN TIN TIN - 1958-1959; MANHUNT - 1959-1960; FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1957-1960; THE HATHAWAYS - 1961-1962; NAKED CITY - 1965-1962 [104 episodes]; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1959-1963 [76 episodes]; EMPIRE - 1962-1963; OUR MAN HIGGINS - 1962-1963; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1958-1964 [218 episodes]; HAZEL - 1961-1965 [114 episodes]; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1965-1966; THE LEGEND OF JESSE JAMES - 1965-1966; BLUE LIGHT -- 1966; THE HERO - 1966-1967; GET SMART - 1966-1967; CAPTAIN NICE - 1967; THE MONKEES - 1966-1968 [58 episodes]; TARZAN - 1966-1968 [59 episodes]; THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW - 1967-1969 [56 episodes]; H.R. PUFNSTUF - 1969-1970; THE GOOD GUYS - 1968-1970; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1969-1971. Mr. Nelson was 82 years-old.) - 06/19/14
STEVE ROSSI (Comedian/Actor: Best known as one half of the comedy team of (Marty) Allen & (Steve) Rossi, who appeared on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW 20 times, Rossi, at first with partner Allen and then by himself (he and Allen broke up and reunited three times), appeared in a handful of films, which included: THE LAST OF THE SECRET AGENTS? - 1966; THE MAN FROM O.R.G.Y. - 1970; ALLEN AND ROSSI MEET DRACULA AND FRANKENSTEIN - 1974; THE MEXICAN - 2001 and VEGAS, CITY OF DREAMS - 2001. Rossi also partnered with Slappy White and Joe. E. Ross and was one time Howard Stern's manager and announcer on his radio show in 1987. He was still performing in Las Vegas as late as 2013 and was a staple on TV game shows like I'VE GOT A SECRET - 1962; PASSWORDS ALL-STARS - 1964; TO TELL THE TRUTH - 1964; WHAT'S MY LINE? - 1964-1967; and THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES - 1967-1968, as well as being a guest on a lot of talk shows during the 60's & 70's, including THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR - 1966-1967. Mr. Rossi died at the age of 82 due to complications of cancer of the esophagus.) - 06/22/14
ELI WALLACH (Actor: One of the best actors of his or any generation, Mr. Wallach could do anything from Westerns, Comedy, Drama, Horror or any other genre. He was the consummate professional [with his distincty gravelly voice] and will be missed by all of us who fondly remember him in the Spaghetti Westerns of the 60's & 70's. Some of his many films included: BABY DOLL - 1956; THE LARK - 1957; THE LINEUP - 1958; THE GIFT OF THE MAJI - 1958; LULLABY - 1960; SEVEN THIEVES - 1960; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1960 [his theatrical breakout]; THE MISFITS - 1961; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1962; THE VICTORS- 1963; ACT ONE- 1963; THE MOON-SPINNERS- 1964; KISSES FOR MY PRESIDENT - 1964; LORD JIM - 1965; GENGHIS KHAN - 1965; DANGER GROWS WILD - 1966; HOW TO STEAL A MILLION - 1966; THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY - 1966 [his Spaghetti Western breakout role]; POPPIES ARE ALSO FLOWERS - 1966 [won an EMMY®]; THE TIGER MAKES OUT - 1967; HOW TO SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE AND RUIN YOUR LIFE - 1968; A LOVELY WAY TO DIE - 1968; ACE HIGH - 1968; THE BRAIN - 1969; MACKENNA'S GOLD - 1969; ZIG ZAG - 1970; THE ADVENTURES OF GERARD - 1970; THE ANGEL LEVINE - 1970; THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - 1970; ROMANCE OF A HORSETHIEF - 1971; DON'T TURN THE OTHER CHEEK - 1971; THE TYPISTS - 1971; A COLD NIGHT'S DEATH - 1973; CINDERELLA LIBERTY - 1973; STATELINE MOTEL - 1973; INDICT AND CONVICT - 1974; CRAZY JOE - 1974; HOUSTON, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM - 1974; SHOOT FIRST...ASK QUESTIONS LATER - 1975; EYE OF THE CAT - 1975; 20 SHADES OF PINK - 1976; PLOT OF FEAR - 1976; THE SENTINEL - 1977; NASTY HABITS - 1977; THE DOMINO KILLINGS - 1977; THE DEEP - 1977; CIRCLE OF IRON - 1978; GIRLFRIENDS - 1978; LITTLE ITALY - 1978; MOVIE MOVIE - 1978; THE PIRATE - 1978; FIREPOWER - 1979; WINTER KILLS - 1979; GURI - 1979; THE HUNTER - 1980; FUGITIVE FAMILY - 1980; THE SALAMANDER - 1981; THE PRIDE OF JESSE HALLAM - 1981; SKOKIE - 1981; THE WALL - 1982; THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG - 1982; ANATOMY OF AN ILLNESS - 1984; SAM'S SON - 1984; EMBASSY - 1985; MURDER: BY REASON OF INSANITY - 1985; TOUGH GUYS - 1986; SOMETHING IN COMMON - 1986; NUTS - 1987; THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY - 1987; THE TWO JAKES - 1990; THE GODFATHER PART III - 1990; BRIDE OF VIOLENCE - 1991; ARTICLE 99 - 1992; LEGACY OF LIES - 1992; MISTRESS - 1992; NIGHT AND THE CITY - 1992; BRIDE OF VIOLENCE 2 - 1993; TWO MUCH - 1995; THE ASSOCIATE - 1996; NAKED CITY: JUSTICE WITH A BULLET - 1998; UNINVITED - 1999; KEEPING THE FAITH - 2000; THE BOOKFAIR MURDERS - 2000; MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM - 2002; MYSTIC RIVER - 2003; THE ROOT - 2003; KING OF THE CORNER - 2004; A TASTE OF JUPITER - 2005; THE HOAX - 2006; THE HOLIDAY - 2006; MAMA'S BOY - 2007; VOTE AND DIE: LISZT FOR PRESIDENT - 2008; THE TOE TACTIC - 2008; TICKLING LEO - 2009; THE GHOST - 2010; WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS - 2010. Mr. Wallach was also not a stranger to TV, appearing in guest roles on such series as: LIGHT'S OUT - 1951; DANGER - 1952; THE WEB - 1952; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1949-1955 [his debut on a televised play called "The Beautiful Bequest" - 1949]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1952-1957; CLIMAX! - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958-1959; OUTLAWS - 1962; NAKED CITY - 1960-1962; BATMAN - 1967 [he played "Mr. Freeze"]; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1971; KOJAK - 1975; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1981; OUR FAMILY HONOR - 1985-1986 [series regular]; WORLDS BEYOND - 1987; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1986-1987; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1988; L.A. LAW - 1991; LAW & ORDER - 1992; TRIBECA - 1993; 100 CENTRE STREET - 2001; THE EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD - 2002; THE JOB - 2002; VERITAS: THE QUEST - 2003; ER - 2003; WHOOPI - 2004; STROKER AND HOOP - 2005 [voice only]; STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP - 2006; NURSE JACKIE - 2009. Mr. Wallach won an honorary lifetime achievement award in 2011 from the Academy Awards® for "'For a lifetime's worth of indelible screen characters." He was married to actress Anne Jackson from 1948 until his death at the age of 98 years-old. Thanks for all the memories, Eli!) - 06/24/14
GREG COOTE (Producer: Former head of Dune Entertainment, Greg Coote produced or executive produced many movies for theaters and TV, including: ARCHER - 1985; THE BLUE LIGHTNING - 1986; THE CHALLENGE - 1986; ARMY WIVES - 1986; JACK SIMPSON: A WILLESEE DOCUMENTARY - 1987; THE PERFECTIONIST - 1987; THE FIRST KANGAROOS - 1988; THE DELINQUENTS - 1989; BLOODMOON - 1990; PRISONERS OF THE SUN - 1990; DEEP SLEEP - 1992; HURRICANE SMITH - 1992; TURTLE BEACH - 1992; THE POWER OF ONE - 1992; OVER THE HILL - 1992; FORTRESS - 1992; LIGHTNING JACK - 1994; THE PHANTOM - 1996; HOTEL DE LOVE - 1996; BULLET - 1996; PARADISE ROAD - 1997; DIANA & ME - 1997; JOEY - 1997; TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY - 1998; A WALK ON THE MOON - 1999; MAX KNIGHT: ULTRA SPY - 2000; VIRTUAL NIGHTMARE - 2000; ON THE BEACH - 2000; DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 2000; CODE RED - 2001; CURSE OF THE TALISMAN - 2003; FAMILY CURSE - 2003; CROWSNEST - 2012; GIRL IN PROGRESS - 2012; THE RECKONING - 2014 [his last film]. Mr. Coote's TV series credits included: PARADISE BEACH - 1993; PACIFIC DRIVE - 1996; THE LOST WORLD - 1999; BEASTMASTER - 1999. Mr. Coote was 71 years-old.) - 06/27/14
BOBBY WOMACK (Singer/Songwriter: Womack only acted in one film, SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - 1978 [which he also sang], but his songs were on the soundtracks of many films, including: BORIS AND NATASHA - 1992; SPRUNG - 1997; JACKIE BROWN - 1997 [although Womack's song "Across 110th Street" was not used in the 1972 film of the same name, Quentin Tarantino made it this film's main theme song]; ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE - 1998; WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE - 1998; MEET THE PARENTS -2000; THE LADIES MAN - 2000; ALI - 2001; THE GIGOLOS - 2006; TALK TO ME - 2007; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007; FISH TANK - 2009; DREDD - 2012 and many TV shows. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009. Mr. Womack was 70 years-old) - 06/27/14
MESACH TAYLOR (Actor: Best known as "Anthony Bouvier" on the TV series DESIGNING WOMEN - 1986-1993 [nominated for an Emmy® in 1989 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in aComedy Series] and "Shel Baylor" on DAVE'S WORLD - 1993-1997, Mesach Taylor had a long career in movies and television. Some of his film included: DAMIEN: OMEN II - 1978; STONY ISLAND - 1978; THE HOWLING - 1981; THE BEAST WITHIN - 1982; EXPLORERS - 1985; WARNING SIGN - 1985; ONE MORE SATURDAY NIGHT - 1986; INSIDE OUT - 1986; MANNEQUIN - 1987; THE LAST INNOCENT MAN - 1987; THE ALLNIGHTER - 1987; HOUSE OF GAMES - 1987; ULTRA WARRIOR - 1990; HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE - 1990; MANNEQUIN 2: ON THE MOVE - 1991; CLASS ACT - 1992; DOUBLE, DOUBLE, TOIL AND TROUBLE - 1993; VIRTUAL SEDUCTION - 1995; NOTHING LASTS FOREVER - 1995; THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS - 1997; JACKS OR BETTER - 2000; FRIENDS AND FAMILY - 2001; CLUB FIJI - 2008; TRANCED - 2010; WIGGER - 2010; HYENAS - 2011. Mr. Taylor's TV credits include guest roles on such shows as: BARNABY JONES - 1978; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1980; LOU GRANT - 1979-1981; M*A*S*H - 1981; BARNEY MILLER - 1982; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1982; BUFFALO BILL - 1983-1984 [series regular]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1985; MELBA - 1986; ALF - 1986; HILL STREET BLUES - 1982-1986; WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW! - 1985-1987; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1987; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1992; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; CAROLINE IN THE CITY - 1996; STATIC SHOCK - 2000; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 2001; ALL OF US - 2005; THE UNIT - 2006; NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE - 2004-2007 [series semi-regular]; HANNAH MONTANNA - 2008; JESSIE - 2012; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2012-2014 [two of the best episodes of the series and Taylor's last acting role as Rossi's old homeless military friend; he had an emotional episode dedicated to him called "Anonymous" on January 21, 2015]. Mr. Taylor was only 67 years-old when he lost a year-and-a-half-long struggle with colorectal cancer.) - 06/28/14
PAUL MAZURSKY (Director/Writer/Actor: As a director/writer: BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE - 1969 [also acted and nominated for an Oscar® for Best Screenplay]; ALEX IN WONDERLAND - 1970 [also acted]; BLUME IN LOVE - 1973 [also acted]; HARRY AND TONTO - 1974 [also acted and nominated for an Oscar® for Best Screenplay. Star Art Carney won the Oscar® for Best Actor.]; NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1976 [also acted]; AN UNMARRIED WOMAN - 1978 [also acted and nominated for Oscars® for Best Picture and Best Screenplay]; WILLIE & PHIL - 1980; TEMPEST - 1983 [also actor]; MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON - 1984 [also actor]; DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS - 1986 [also acted]; MOON OVER PARADOR - 1988[also acted]; ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY - 1989 [also acted and nominated for an Oscar® for best screenplay]; SCENES FROM A MALL - 1991 [also acted]; THE PICKLE - 1993 [also acted]; FAITHFUL - 1996 [also acted]; WINCHELL - 1998 [also acted]; COAST TO COAST - 2003 [also acted]; YIPPEE - 2006. As an actor: FEAR AND DESIRE - 1953; BLACKBOARD JUNGLE - 1955; DEATHWATCH - 1966; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND - 1972; A STAR IS BORN - 1976; A MAN, A WOMAN AND A BANK - 1979; HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1 - 1981; INTO THE NIGHT - 1985; PUNCHLINE - 1988; SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS - 1989; MAN TROUBLE - 1992; CARLITO'S WAY - 1993; LOVE AFFAIR -1994; MIAMI RHAPSODY - 1995; 2 DAYS IN THE VALLEY - 1996 [my favorite acting performance]; TOUCH - 1997; WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION - 1997; BULWORTH - 1998; WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE - 1998; ANTZ - 1998 [voice only]; CRAZY IN ALABAMA - 1999; A SLIGHT CASE OF MURDER - 1999; THE MAJESTIC - 2001; DA WAN - 2001; DO IT FOR UNCLE MANNY - 2002; I WANT SOMEONE TO EAT CHEESE WITH - 2006; CATTLE CALL - 2006; KUNG FU PANDA 2 [voice only]. Mr. Mazursky was also not a stranger to TV, appearing in such series as: THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1956; THE KAISER ALUMINUM HOUR - 1956-1957; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1957; THE CHEVY MYSTERY SHOW - 1960; OUTLAWS - 1961; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1961; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1961; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; HENNESEY - 1962; THE DETECTIVES - 1960-1962; SAINTS AND SINNERS - 1962; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1960-1963 ["The Purple Testament" - 1960; "The Gift" - 1962; "He's Alive" - 1963]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1960-1963; THE REAL MCCOYS - 1963; CHANNING - 1964; THE MONKEES - 1966 [also co-creator of the series]; LOVE ON A ROOFTOP - 1966; GETTING TOGETHER - 1972; FRASIER - 1995; INK - 1996; THE SOPRANOS - 2000-2001; ONCE AND AGAIN - 1999- 2002 [series semi-regular]; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2004-2009 [series semi-regular]; FEMME FATALES - 2011. Mazursky also appeared as himself in many documentaries and talk shows. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Writers Guild of America on February 1, 2014. Mr. Mazursky was 84 years-old.) - 06/30/14
BOB HASTINGS (Actor: Mainly worked in television and was best known as "Lt. Elroy Carpenter" on MCHALE'S NAVY - 1962-1966. Other TV series included: CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS - 1949; ATOM SQUAD - 1953; TOM CORBETT. SPACE CADET - 1955; THE BIG STORY - 1956; KITTY FOYLE - 1958; DEADLINE - 1959; THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1956-1959; THE REAL MCCOYS - 1959; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1959; THE GRAND JURY - 1959; HENNESEY - 1960; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1960; THE GREAT IMPOSTER - 1961 [theatrical film]; WINDOW ON MAIN STREET - 1961; THE TALL MAN - 1962; MOON PILOT - 1962 [theatrical film]; CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? - 1962; PETE AND GLADYS - 1961-1962; ROOM FOR ONE MORE - 1962;GUNSMOKE - 1961-1962; BEN CASEY - 1961-1962; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1961-1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["I Dream Of Genie" - 1963]; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1964; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1964 [theatrical film]; MCHALE'S NAVY JOINS THE AIR FORCE - 1965 [theatrical film]; THE MUNSTERS - 1964-1966; SUPERBOY - 1966 {Andy Warhol theatrical film]; BATMAN - 1967; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1967; DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELING SALESLADY? - 1968 [theatrical film]; THE BAMBOO SAUCER - 1968 [theatrical film]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1968; THE GOOD GUYS - 1968; THE FLYING NUN - 1969; ANY SECOND NOW - 1969 [TV movie]; ANGEL IN MY POCKET - 1969 [theatrical film]; THE LOVE GOD? - 1969 [theatrical film]; THE FLIM-FLAM MAN - 1969 [TV movie]; THE BOATNIKS - 1970 [theatrical film]; HERE'S LUCY - 1970; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1970; HOWDY - 1970 [TV movie]; HOW TO FRAME A FIGG - 1971 [theatrical film]; GREEN ACRES - 1967-1971; THE PARTNERS - 1971; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1971; THE STRANGE MONSTER OF STRAWBERRY COVE - 1971 [TV movie]; ELLERY QUEEN: DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU - 1971 [TV movie]; MY THREE SONS - 1972; A VERY MISSING PERSON - 1972 [TV movie]; EMERGENCY! - 1972; ROOM 222 - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1972; THE POSEIDEN ADVENTURE - 1972 [theatrical film]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1973; CHARLEY AND THE ANGEL - 1973 [theatrical film]; ADAM-12 - 1968-1973; THE ALL-AMERICAN BOY - 1973 [theatrical film]; TRAPPED - 1973 [TV movie]; APPLE'S WAY - 1974; HEC RAMSEY - 1974; JERRY - 1974 [TV movie]; DEVLIN - 1974; TERROR ON THE 40TH FLOOR - 1974 [TV movie]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1968-1974; KAREN - 1975; CONSPIRACY OF TERROR - 1975 [TV movie]; NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN - 1976 [theatrical film]; ALL IN THE FAMILY -1971-1976 [12 episodes as "Tommy Kelsey"]; THE MILLION DOLLAR RIP-OFF - 1976 [TV movie]; THE QUEST - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975-1977; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1975-1977; COVER GIRLS - 1977 [TV movie]; C B BEARS - 1977; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1977; POLICE STORY - 1976-1977; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977; SZYSZNYK - 1978; OPERATION PETTICOAT - 1978; QUINCY M.E. - 1978; BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON - 1978; HARPER VALLEY PTA - 1978 [theatrical film]; CRASH - 1978 [TV movie]; DELTA HOUSE - 1979; WONDER WOMAN - 1977-1979; ALICE - 1979; THE BILLION DOLLAR THREAT - 1979 [TV movie]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979; THREE'S COMPANY - 1979; CALIFORNIA FEVER - 1979; THE WALTONS - 1980; SWAN SONG - 1980 [TV movie]; LOU GRANT - 1980; FATHER FIGURE - 1980 [TV movie]; FLO - 1980; THORNWELL - 1981 [TV movie]; THE MUNSTER'S REVENGE - 1981 [TV movie]; SEPARATE WAYS - 1981 [theatrical film]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1981-1982; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979-1984; SNOWBALLING - 1984 [theatrical film]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1985; REMINGTON STEELE - 1985; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; MAJOR DAD - 1990; SHADOW FORCE - 1992 [theatrical film. During the latter part of his career he voiced the role of Commissioner Gordon on various BATMAN animated TV series and video games. Mr. Hastings was 89 years-old.) - 06/30/14
PAUL APTED (Sound Editor: Son of director Michael Apted. Some of the films Mr. Apted worked on were: NELL - 1994; DOWN PERISCOPE - 1996; CELTIC PRIDE - 1996; CHAIN REACTION - 1996; EXTREME MEASURES - 1996; JINGLE ALL THE WAY - 1996; STAR MAPS - 1997; OUT TO SEA - 1997; ONE EIGHT SEVEN - 1997; THE EDGE - 1997; ALIEN: RESURRECTION - 1997; LOST IN SPACE - 1998; DOCTOR DOLITTLE - 1998; THE X FILES - 1998; BROKEDOWN PALACE - 1999; SUPERNOVA - 2000; FROM HELL - 2001; ENOUGH - 2002; DIE ANOTHER DAY - 2002; THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN - 2003; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 2004; ON A CLEAR DAY - 2005; SAHARA - 2005; BASIC INSTINCT 2 - 2006; X-MEN: THE LAST STAND - 2006; FLICKA - 2006; ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE - 2007; LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA - 2007; THE SECRET OF MOONACRE - 2008; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 2010; SHANGHAI - 2010; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER - 2010; CHASING MAVERICKS - 2012; A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD - 2013; THE WOLVERINE - 2013; GETAWAY - 2013; PRISONERS - 2013; THE BOOK THIEF - 2013; LOUDER THAN WORDS - 2013; THE DRUNK - 2014; THE FAULT OF OUR STARS - 2014. Mr. Apted was only 47 years-old and died from complications of colon cancer.) - 07/04/14
DAVE LEGENO (Actor/Professional Cage Fighter: SNATCH - 2000; BATMAN BEGINS - 2005; ROLLIN' WITH THE NINES - 2006; ALEX RIDER: OPERATION STORMBREAKER - 2006; OUTLAW - 2007; RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER - 2007; ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE - 2007; THE COTTAGE - 2008; WEST ON 10 LDN - 2008; HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - 2009; COMMAND PERFORMANCE - 2009; 44 INCH CHEST - 2009; CENTURION - 2010; LENNON NAKED - 2010; DEAD CERT - 2010; BONDED BY BLOOD - 2010; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 - 2010; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 - 2011; WASHED UP - 2011; ASYLUM BLACKOUT - 2011; BIG FAT GYPSY GANGSTER - 2011; THE RAVEN - 2012; SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN - 2012; THE LAST KNIGHTS - 2014; SWORD OF VENGEANCE - 2014. Some of Mr. Legeno's TV appearances included roles on: HOPE AND GLORY - 2000; ED STONE IS DEAD - 2003; THE BILL - 2002-2003; EASTENDERS - 2004-2005; THE LAST DETECTIVE - 2005; ROMAN'S EMPIRE - 2007 [mini-series]; EMMERDALE - 2007; THE FIXER - 2009; MI-5 - 2010; GREAT EXPECTATIONS - 2011 [mini-series]; RIPPER STREET - 2013; BORGIA - 2011-2014. Dave Legeno also did voices for video games and was 50 years-old when his body was found while hiking in Death Valley.) - 07/06/14
DICKIE JONES (Actor: KID MILLIONS - 1934; STRANGE WIVES - 1934; LITLE MEN - 1934; BABES IN TOYLAND - 1934; THE HAWK - 1935; QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE - 1935; WESTWARD HO - 1935; MOONLIGHT ON THE PRAIRIE - 1935; DANIEL BOONE - 1936; WILD HORSE ROUND-UP - 1936; BLACK LEGION - 1937; BLAKE OF SCOTLAND YARD - 1937; SMOKE TREE RANGE - 1937; FLYING FISTS - 1937; STELLA DALLAS - 1937; RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED - 1937; THE KID COMES BACK - 1938; BORDER WOLVES - 1938; LAND OF FIGHTING MEN - 1938; THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOK - 1938; THE FRONTIERSMEN - 1938; WOMAN DOCTOR - 1939; NANCY DREW...REPORTER - 1939; THE MAN WHO DARED - 1939; SKY PATROL - 1939; BEWARE SPOOKS! - 1939; DESTRY RIDES AGAIN - 1939; VIRGINIA CITY - 1940; BRIGHAM YOUNG - 1940; ADVENTURE IN WASHINGTON - 1941; THE VANISHING VIRGINIAN - 1942; THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN - 1944; THE STRAWBERRY ROAN - 1948; SONS OF NEW MEXICO - 1949; REDWOOD FOREST TRAIL - 1950; ROCKY MOUNTAIN - 1950; FORT WORTH - 1951; THE OLD WEST - 1952; WAGON TEAM - 1952; LAQST OF THE PONY RIDERS - 1953; THE BAMBOO PRISON - 1954; ATTILA - 1954; NAVY YARD - 1955; THE WILD DAKOTAS - 1956; THE COOL AND THE CRAZY - 1958; SHADOW OF THE BOOMERANG - 1960; THE DEVIL'S BEDROOM - 1964; REQUIEM FOR A GUNFIGHTER - 1965 [his last acting role]. Mr. Jones' TV Series roles included appearances on: THE LONG RANGER - 1949-1950; CHEVRON THEATRE - 1952; THE RANGE RIDER - 1951-1953 [series regular]; MR. & MRS. NORTH - 1953; THE GENE AUTREY SHOW - 1950-1954; ANNIE OAKLEY - 1954-1955; NAVY LOG - 1955; BUFFALO BILL, JR. - 1955-1956 [series regular]; THE GRAY GHOST - 1957; FLIGHT - 1958; PONY EXPRESS - 1950; THE BLUE ANGELS - 1960; WAGON TRAIN - 1962. Dickie Jones retired from acting to a career to pursue a career in real estate and banking. Mr. Jones was 87 years-old.) - 07/07/14
RAY LONNEN (British Actor: Mainly known for his TV series work, especially THE SANDBAGGERS - 1978-1980, Mr. Lonnen also dabbled in movies. His films included: ZEPPELIN - 1971; GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS - 1980; MURDER ELITE - 1985; MAN EATERS - 1988; DADDY'S GIRL - 2002; LIFE BEYOND THE BOX: NORMAN STANLEY FLETCHER - 2003; TREASURE OF ALBION - 2006; THE SCHOOL THAT ROARED - 2009; RE-EVOLUTION - 2011; RUN FOR YOUR WIFE - 2012; GINGER & ROSA - 2012; FOR LOVE'S SAKE - 2013; EXTENDED REST - 2014 [his last acting role]. Mr. Lonnen's many British TV series appearances included roles on: LOVE STORY - 1965-1966; THE POWER GAME - 1966; THE FELLOWS - 1967; THE SAINT - 1966-1968; HONEY LANE - 1967-1969; MOGUL - 1970; JACKANORY - 1970; MENACE - 1970; PAUL TEMPLE - 1971; THE GUARDIANS - 1971; THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1971; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1971; JUSTICE - 1971; HOLLY - 1972; DOCTOR WHO - 1973; WHODUNNIT? - 1973; SOFTLY SOFTLY: TASK FORCE - 1970-1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1973; NEW SCOTLAND YARD - 1972-1974; HUNTER'S WALK - 1974; PUBLIC EYE - 1975; CORONATION STREET - 1975; CROWN COURT - 1975-1976; ROOMS - 1977; Z CARS - 1970-1977; THE GENTLE TOUCH - 1980; HARRY'S GAME - 1982; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1983; THE BRIEF - 1984 [series regular]; LOVEJOY - 1986; YELLOWTHREAD STREET - 1990 [series regular]; SINGLES - 1991; CLUEDO - 1993; HEARTBEAT - 1993; HARRY - 1993; JOHNNY AND THE DEAD - 1995; BUDGIE THE LITTLE HELICOPTER - 1994-1996 [voice only]; CRIME TRAVELLER - 1997; CI5: THE NEW PROFESSIONALS - 1999; DOCTORS - 2000; STARHUNTER - 2001; CROSSROADS - 2002; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2007; THE BILL - 2001-2009. Mr. Lonnen was 74 years-old.) - 07/11/14
TOM ROLF (Film Editor: INVASION OF THE ANIMAL PEOPLE - 1959; THE GLORY GUYS - 1965; CLAMBAKE - 1967 [also Associate Producer]; UNDERGROUND - 1970; THE MCKENZIE BREAK - 1970; THE HUNTING PARTY - 1971; THE HONKERS - 1972; COUNTRY BLUE - 1973; LOLLY-MADONNA XXX - 1973; THE MAN WHO LOVED CAT DANCING - 1973; THE LAST AMERICAN HERO - 1973; VISIT TO A CHIEF'S SON - 1974; THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK - 1974; FRENCH CONNECTION II - 1975; FEAR ON TRIAL - 1975; LUCKY LADY - 1975; TAXI DRIVER - 1976; BLACK SUNDAY - 1977; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - 1977; BLUE COLLAR - 1978; HARDCORE - 1979; PROPHECY - 1979; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980; GHOST STORY - 1981; THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG - 1982; WARGAMES - 1983; THE RIGHT STUFF - 1983; THIEF OF HEARTS - 1984; QUICKSILVER - 1986; NINE 1/2 WEEKS - 1986; OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE - 1987; STAKEOUT - 1987; THE GREAT OUTDOORS - 1988; BLACK RAIN - 1989; JACOB'S LADDER - 1990; SNEAKERS - 1992; MR. JONES - 1993; THE PELICAN BRIEF - 1993; DANGEROUS MINDS - 1995; HEAT - 1995; THE DEVIL'S OWN - 1997; THE HORSE WHISPERER - 1998; WINDTALKERS - 2002; EQUILIBRIUM - 2002; CRAZY - 2008; ADMIRAL - 2008. Mr. Rolf was also Editor and Production Manager on the TV series THE BIG VALLEY - 1965-1969 and Editor on the series ADMIRAL - 2009. Rolf also wrote the screenplay to the film THE RESURRECTION OF ZACHARY WHEELER - 1971. Mr. Rolf was 82 years-old) - 07/14/14
ELAINE STRITCH (Actress: Ascerbic, very well-liked actress who had a wicked sense of humor and wasn't afraid to tell it like it is. This won her a legion of fans, especially in the theater work she did, but she also did her fair share of movies and TV. Her films included: THE SCARLET HOUR - 1956; THREE VIOLENT PEOPLE -- 1956; A FAREWELL TO ARMS - 1957; THE PERFECT FURLOUGH - 1958; KISS HER GOODBYE - 1959; WHO KILLED TEDDY BEAR - 1965 [a personalfavorite of mine]; TOO MANY THIEVES - 1967; PIGEONS - 1970; THE POWDER ROOM - 1971; THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE - 1975; PROVIDENCE -- 1977; STRANDED -- 1986; SEPTEMBER - 1987; COCOON: THE RETURN - 1988; SPARKS: THE PRICE OF PASSION - 1990; CADILLAC MAN - 1990; STEEL MAGNOLIAS - 1990; THE SECRET LIFE OF ARCHIE'S WIFE - 1990; AN INCONVENIENT WOMAN - 1991; CHANCE OF A LIFETIME - 1991; OUT TO SEA - 1997; KRIPPENDORF'S TRIBE - 1998; AN UNEXPECTED LIFE - 1998; SCREWED - 2000 [She was a real piece of work in this Norm MacDonald flop comedy]; SWMALL TIME CROOKS - 2000; AUTUMN IN NEW YORK - 2000; PARADISE - 2004; MONSTER-IN-LAW - 2005; ROMANCE & CIGARETTES - 2005; PARANORMAN - 2012 [voice only]; RIVER OF FUNDAMENT - 2014 [her last acting role]. Ms. Stritch's many TV appearances included roles on: THE GROWING PAYNES - 1949; KRAFT THEATRE - 1953; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1955; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955; MATINEE THEATRE - 1955; THE ALCOLA HOUR - 1957; CLIMAX! - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1959; WAGON TRAIN - 1960; MY SISTER EILEEN - 1960-1961 [series regular]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1963; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1965-1966; POLLYANNA - 1973; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1974; SHADES OF GREENE - 1975; TWO'S COMPANY - 1975-1979 [series semi-regular]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1979-1980; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1980; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1983; THE ELLEN BURSTYN SHOW - 1986-1987 [series regular]; TATTINGERS - 1988; HEAD OF THE CLASS - 1990; THE COSBY SHOW - 1989-1990; LAW & ORDER - 1992-1997 [Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Guess Actress in 1993]; SOUL MAN - 1998; OZ - 1998; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 1997-2001; ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY - 2002 [Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Individual Performance in 2004]; 30 ROCK - 2007-2012 [Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Guest Actress in 2007]. Ms. Stritch was 89 years-old.) - 07/17/14
JAMES GARNER (Actor: Known to many people for his starring role on the popular TV series MAVERICK - 1957-1962 and THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974-1980 [Emmy Award® in 1977 as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series; and the ROCKFORD TV movies he made in the 90's], James Garner was an accomplished actor who was just as adept to comedy as he was to action and Western films. His films include: TOWARD THE UNKNOWN - 1956; THEGIRL HE LEFT BEHIND - 1956; SHOOT-OUT AT MEDICINE BEND - 1957; SAYANORA - 1957; DARBY'S RANGERS - 1958; UP PERISCOPE - 1959; CASH MCCALL - 1960; THE CHILDREN'S HOUR - 1961; BOY'S NIGHT OUT - 1962; THE GREAT ESCAPE - 1963; THE THRILL OF IT ALL - 1963; THE WHEELER DEALERS - 1963; MOVE OVER, DARLING - 1963; THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY - 1964; 36 HOURS - 1965; THE ART OF LOVE - 1965; A MAN COULD GET KILLED - 1966; DUEL AT DIABLO - 1966 [one of my favorite Westerns and nasty as hell]; MISTER BUDDWING - 1966; GRAND PRIX - 1966; HOUR OF THE GUN - 1967; THE PINK JUNGLE - 1968; HOW SWEET IT IS! - 1968; SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! - 1969; MARLOWE - 1969; A MAN CALLED SLEDGE - 1970; SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER - 1971; SKIN GAME - 1971 {a must watch]; THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS - 1972 [a superb mystery thriller]; ONE LITTLE INDIAN - 1973; THE CASTAWAY COWBOY - 1974; HEALTH - 1980; THE FAN - 1981; VICTOR VICTORIA - 1982 [his best comedy, in my opinion]; TANK - 1984; THE GLITER DOME - 1984; MURPHY'S ROMANCE - 1985 [nominated for an Academy Award® as Best Actor]; SUNSET - 1988 [universally panned, but I happen to like it a lot]; MY NAME IS BILL W. - 1989; DECORATION DAY - 1990; THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN - 1992; FIRE IN THE SKY - 1993 [man, was he mean in this film!]; BARBARIANS AT THE GATE - 1993; BREATHING LESSONS - 1994; MAVERICK - 1994 [a funny remake of his old TV show]; MY FELLOW AMERICANS - 1996; DEAD SILENCE - 1997; TWILIGHT - 1998; LEGALESE - 1998; ONE SPECIAL NIGHT - 1999; SPACE COWBOYS - 2000; THE LAST DEBATE - 2000; ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE - 2001 [voice only]; ROUGHING IT - 2002; DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD - 2002; THE NOTEBOOK - 2004; THE ULTIMATE GIFT - 2006; BATTLE FOR TERRA - 207 [voice only]. Mr. Garner's other TV series appearances included roles on: ZANE GREY THEATER - 1956; CONFLICT - 1956-1957; CHEYENNE - 1955-1957; SUGARFOOT - 1957; ANGEL - 1961; NICHOLS - 1971-1972 [series regular]; YOUNG MAVERICK - 1979; BRET MAVERICK - 1981-1982 [series regular]; SPACE - 1985 [TV mini-series]; MAN OF THE PEOPLE - 1991-1992 [series regular]; STREETS OF LAREDO - 1999 [TV mini-series]; CHICAGO HOPE - 2000; GOD, THE DEVIL AND BOB - 2000-2001 [series regular; voice only]; FIRST MONDAY - 2002 [series regular]; 8 SIMPLE RULES - 2003-2005 [stepped in as the male role model after the unfortunate passing of John Ritter]. James Garner also has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and was nominated for many awards for his body of work, but seldom won any of the awards, except two People's Choice Awards® [in 1978 and 1982] and three Golden Globe Awards®. Mr. Garner was an intensely private person who had many famous friends [John Wayne once called him the best actor on the planet] and had many health problems, but he always gave it all to every role he had. A major loss to the filmmaking industry and humanity in general. Mr. Garner was 86 years-old.) - 07/19/14
JOHN FASANO (Director/Producer/Writer/Actor: As Director: ROCK 'N' ROLL NIGHTMARE - 1987; BLACK ROSES - 1988 [also Producer and Editor]; THE JITTERS - 1989 [also Producer and Editor]; MURDER AT THE PRESIDIO - 2005; A FAMILY LOST - 2007 [also Executive Producer]; KAMEN RIDER: DRAGON KNIGHT - 2013 [TV Series; 10 episodes]. As Producer: RAPID FIRE - 1992; TOMBSTONE - 1993; THE HUNCHBACK - 1997 [also Writer]; ACCORDING TO OCCAM'S RAZOR - 1999; GINOSTRA - 2002; DARKNESS FALLS - 2003 [also Writer]; LADIES NIGHT - 2005; COOL MONEY - 2005; INTERCESSOR: ANOTHER ROCK 'N' ROLL NIGHTMARE - 2005; THE LEGEND OF BUTCH & SUNDANCE - 2006 [also Writer and Actor]; RAPID FIRE - 2006; HOLIDAY SWITCH - 2007; WOKE UP DEAD - 2009 [TV Series; 24 episodes, Writer of 2 episodes]; HANNAH'S LAW - 2012 [also Writer and Actor]; PENNHURST - 2012. As Writer: SHAUNA: EVERY MAN'S FANTASY - 1985; ANOTHER 48 HRS. - 1990; FX: THE SERIES - 1996-1997 [2 episodes]; MEAN STREAK - 1999; UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN - 1999; THE HUNLEY - 1999; THE VISIT - 1999; PROFILER - 2000 [TV Series; 1 episode]; MEGIDDO: THE OMEGA CODE 2 - 2001; SAVING JESSICA LYNCH - 2003; JESSE STONE: STONE COLD - 2005; FIRESTORM: LAST STAND AT YELLOWSTONE - 2006; SNIPER: RELOADED - 2011; THE ELEVENTH VICTIM - 2012; SNIPER: LEGACY - 2014. As Actor: BLOOD SISTERS - 1987 [also Assistant Director]; ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE - 1987 [also Assistant Director]; STUDENT AFFAIRS - 1987; IRVING - 1995; GOOD VS. EVIL - 2000 [TV Series; 1 episode]; MOOCHERS - 2006; THE CAPTURE OF THE GREEN RIVER KILLER - 2008. John Fasano was only 52 years-old.) - 07/19/14
SKYE MCCOLE BARTUSIAK (Actress: Extremely young actress who was found dead of non-apparent causes. During her short career, she appeared in: STORM OF THE CENTURY - 1999 [TV mini-series]; JAG - 1999 [TV]; THE CIDER HOUSE RULES - 1999; WITNESS PROTECTION - 1999; JUDGING AMY - 1999 [TV]; PROVIDENCE - 2000 [TV]; FRASIER - 2000 [TV]; THE PROPHET'S GAME - 2000; THE PATRIOT - 2000 [played Mel Gibson's daughter]; THE DARKLING - 2000; LAW & ORDER: SVU - 2000 [TV]; BLONDE - 2001 [TV mini-series]; DON'T SAY A WORD - 2001; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2001 [TV]; RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS - 2001; THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE - 2001; FIRESTARTER 2: REKINDLED - 2002; FLASHPOINT - 2002; 24 - 2002-2003 [TV]; LOVE COMES SOFTLY - 2003; AGAINST THE ROPES - 2004; GEORGE LOPEZ - 2004 [TV]; BOOGEYMAN - 2005; HOUSE M.D. - 2005 [TV]; LOST - 2005 [TV]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2005 [TV}; KILL YOUR DARLINGS - 2006; CLOSE TO HOME - 2007 [TV]; PINEAPPLE - 2008; AMERICAN PRIMITIVE - 2009; GOOD DAY FOR IT - 2011; SICK BOY - 2012. She also made a series of unrelated shorts during her short, but busy, career, two of which she directed [UNIVERSITY OF PENN RELATED CARNIVAL - 2011; BUSHIDO - 2013]. Ms. Bartusiak died of an accidental drug overdose and was only 21 years-old.) - 07/19/14
PHILLIP MARSHAK (Director: Mainly directed porn films, with two exceptions. His films were: DRACULA SUCKS - 1978 [Probably one of the best porn films of the 1970's; softcore version is called LUST AT FIRST BITE]; LUST FLIGHT 2000 - 1978; OLYMPIC FEVER - 1979; NITE FLIGHT - 1980; HOT LOVE - 1980; CATACLYSM - 1980 [his best movie and most unusual horror film; also Editorial Consultant]; INTIMATE LESSONS - 1982; SPACE VIRGINS - 1984; PASSIONATE LEE - 1984; BLUE ICE - 1985; NIGHT TRAIN TO TERROR - 1985 [Anthology film in which Marshak edited down CATACLYSM into a 30-minute episode]. Phillip Marshak was 80 years-old.) - 07/27/14
WILTON SCHILLER (TV Writer: CHINA SMITH - 1952; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CHINA SMITH - 1954; LASSIE - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1955-1956; ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1957; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1958; MAN WITHOUT A GUN - 1958; BROKEN ARROW - 1957-1958; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1957-1958; RESCUE 8 - 1958; M SQUAD - 1957-1959 [8 episodes]; DRAGNET - 1959; THE DEPUTY - 1960; JOHNNY RINGO - 1960; INTERPOL CALLING - 1960; MAN WITH A CAMERA - 1958-1960 [5 episodes]; THE FOUR JUST MEN - 1959-1960; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1960; RAWHIDE - 1960-1962; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1963; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1961-1963; BEN CASEY - 1962-1963; THE NEW INTERNS - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; MANNIX - 1968; ADAM-12 - 1970; SUPERMAN - 1973; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1976-1978 [6 episodes]; CAPTAIN AMERICA II: DEATH TOO SOON - 1979 [TV Movie]; FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE - 1983. Mr. Schiller was also Producer of 4 episodes of BEN CASEY - 1965-1966; 30 episodes of THE FUGITIVE - 1966-1967; 23 episodes of MANNIX - 1967-1968; POLICE SURGEON - 1971; the TV Movie THE MAN INSIDE - 1976; the TV Movie FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE - 1983 and the theatrical film CALIFORNIA DREAMING - 2007 [his last credit]. Mr. Schiller was 95 years-old.) - 07/27/14
JAMES SHIGETA (Actor: Films included: THE CRIMSON KIMONO - 1959; WALK LIKE A DRAGON - 1960; CRY FOR HAPPY - 1961; BRIDGE TO THE SUN - 1961; FLOWER DRUM SONG - 1961; PARADISE, HAWAIIAN STYLE - 1966; DEATH WALKS IN LAREDO - 1966; THE MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE JUNK - 1967; MANILA, OPEN CITY - 1968; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1968; ESCAPE TOMINDANAO - 1968; LOST HORIZON - 1973; THE QUESTOR TAPES - 1974; THE YAKUZA - 1974; THE KILLER WHO WOULDN'T DIE - 1976; MIDWAY - 1976; SAMURAI - 1979; ENOLA GAY: THE MEN, THE MISSION, THE ATOMIC BOMB - 1980; THE RENEGADES - 1982; TOMORROW'S CHILD - 1982; THE FAMILY MARTINEZ - 1986; DIE HARD - 1988; CAGE - 1989; CHINA CRY: A TRUE STORY - 1990; CAGE II - 1994; MIDNIGHT MAN - 1995; SPACE MARINES - 1996; DRIVE - 1997; MULAN - 1998 [voice only]; BROTHER - 2000; A RIBBON OF DREAMS - 2002; THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH - 2009 {his last acting role]. Mr. Shigeta's many TV series appearances included roles on: PLAYDATE - 1961; NAKED CITY - 1962; DR. KILDARE - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1964; THE LIEUTENANT - 1964; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Nightmare" - 1963; "The Inheritors: Part 1" - 1964]; THE BING CROSBY SHOW - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1964-1965; I SPY - 1965; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1968; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1969; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1969-1971; MEDICAL CENTER - 1969-1972; EMERGENCY! - 1974; KUNG FU - 1974-1975; KHAN! - 1975; MATT HELM - 1975; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; S.W.A.T. - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1977; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977; POLICE WOMAN - 1978; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1978; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; THE GREATEST AMERICAN AMERICAN HERO - 1982; T.J. HOOKER - 1983; THE LOVE BOAT - 1983; MASQUERADE - 1983; MATT HOUSTON - 1984; AIRWOLF - 1985; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1981-1986; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1987; SIMON & SIMON - 1984-1988; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1988; A PEACEABLE KINGDOM - 1989; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1989; DRAGNET - 1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1992; SEAQUEST 2032 - 1994; RENEGADE - 1993-1994; BABYLON 5 - 1994; CYBILL - 1996; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 - 1999; THREAT MATRIX - 2004. Mr. Shigeta was 81 years-old.) - 07/28/14
GEORGIO GASLINI (Music Composer: LA NOTTE - 1961; UN AMORE - 1965; BUT YOU WERE DEAD - 1966; MY SISTER, MY LOVE - 1969; BALI - 1970; THE PACIFIST - 1970; THE ANONYMOUS VENETIAN - 1970; YOUR HANDS ON MY BODY - 1970; CROSS CURRENT - 1971; THE HASSLED HOOKER - 1972; NIGHT OF THE DEVILS - 1972; SO SWEET, SO DEAD - 1972; THE FIVE DAYS - 1973; FIVE WOMEN FOR THE KILLER - 1974; DEEP RED - 1975 [his best-known score; he shared musical scoring with Goblin]; KLEINHOFF HOTEL - 1977; WAVES - 2004 [Short; his last score]. He also scored a few Italian mini-series and TV shows. Mr. Gaslini was 84 years-old.) - 7/29/14
ROBERT HALMI SR. (TV Producer: VISIT TO A CHIEF'S SON - 1974; HUGO THE HIPPO - 1975; MY OLD MAN - 1979; NURSE - 1980; WILSON'S REWARD - 1980; WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN - 1981; BEST OF FRIENDS - 1981; PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1983; SVENGALI - 1983; CHINA ROSE - 1983; COOK & PEARY: THE RACE TO THE POLE - 1983; NAIROBI AFFAIR - 1984; LILY IN LOVE - 1984; LONG RIDE - 1984; THE NIGHT THEY SAVED CHRISTMAS - 1985; IZZY & MOE - 1985;LOLLIPOP DRAGON: THE GREAT CHRISTMAS RACE - 1985; CHOICES - 1986; BARNUM - 1986; SPEARFIELD'S DAUGHTER - 1986 [mini-series]; PACK OF LIES - 1987; THE MAYFLOWER MADAM - 1987; GRAND LARCENY - 1987; ALONE IN THE NEON JUNGLE - 1988; LEADER OF THE BAND - 1988; SPIES, LIES & NAKED THIGHS - 1988; CHEETAH - 1989; IVORY HUNTERS - 1990; THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY - 1991; MRS. LAMBERT REMEMBERS LOVE - 1991; THE SECRET - 1992; AN AMERICAN STORY - 1992; CALL OF THE WILD - 1993; A FAMILY TORN APART - 1993; GYPSY - 1993; INCIDENT IN A SMALL TOWN - 1994; IN SPITE OF LOVE - 1994; THE YEARLING - 1994; SCARLETT - 1994 [mini-series]; MY BROTHER"S KEEPER - 1995; WHITE DWARF - 1995; JOHNNY'S GIRL - 1995; KIDNAPPED - 1995; BYE, BYE, BIRDIE - 1995; HARVEY - 1996; GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - 1996 [won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Miniseries]; THE SUNSHINE BOYS - 1996; JAKE'S WOMEN - 1996; CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS - 1996; LONDON SUITE - 1996; MARY & TIM - 1996; IN COLD BLOOD - 1996; BRIDGE OF TIME - 1997; 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA - 1997; TIDAL WAVE: NO ESCAPE - 1997; THE ODYSSEY - 1997; ROBINSON CRUSOE - 1997; MOTHER TERESA: IN THE NAME OF GOD'S POOR - 1997; FORBIDDEN TERRITORY: STANLEY'S SEARCH FOR LIVINGSTONE - 1997; A CHRISTMAS MEMORY - 1997; THE LONG WAY HOME - 1998; MOBY DICK - 1998 [mini-series]; MERLIN - 1998 [mini-series]; ONLY LOVE - 1998; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 1998; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1999; NOAH'S ARK - 1999 [mini-series]; CLEOPATRA - 1999 [mini-series]; ANIMAL FARM - 1999; THE MAGICAL LEGENDS OF THE LEPRECHAUNS - 1999; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1999; THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER - 2000; THE 10TH KINGDOM - 2000 [mini-series]; DON QUIXOTE - 2000; ARABIAN NIGHTS - 2000; JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS - 2000; LAND OF OZ - 2001; THE LOST EMPIRE - 2001; VOYAGE OF THE UNICORNS - 2001; THE INFINITE WORLDS OF H.G. WELLS - 2001 [mini-series]; PRINCE CHARMING - 2001; SNOW WHITE: THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL - 2001; STRANDED - 2002; KING OF TEXAS - 2002; DINOTOPIA - 2002 [mini-series]; MR. ST. NICK - 2002; SNOW QUEEN - 2002; DC 9/11: TIME OF CRISIS - 2003; THE LION IN WINTER - 2003; FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN - 2004; EARTHSEA - 2004 [mini-series]; THE COLT - 2005; HERCULES - 2005; MERLIN'S APPRENTICE - 2006 [mini-series]; FINAL DAYS OF PLANET EARTH - 2006; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 2006; HOGFATHER - 2006; SON OF THE DRAGON - 2006; HYBRID - 2007; EYE OF THE BEAST - 2007; MARCO POLO - 2007; SOMETHING BENEATH - 2007; GRIZZLY RAGE - 2007; MANEATER - 2007; CROC - 2007; TIN MAN - 2007 [mini-series]; BLACK SWARM - 2007; DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 2008; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 2008; THE HIVE - 2008; THE COLOR OF MAGIC - 2008; SWAMP DEVIL - 2008; VIPERS - 2008; INFECTED - 2008; KNIGHTS OF BLOODSTEEL - 2009 [mini-series]; DO YOU KNOW ME? - 2009; RISE OF THE GARGOYLES - 2009; HELLHOUNDS - 2009; HIGH PLAINS INVADERS - 2009; ALICE - 2009 [mini-series]; THE PHANTOM - 2009 [mini-series]; RIVERWORLD - 2010; KILLER WAVE - 2011 [mini-series]; NEVERLAND - 2011; TREASURE ISLAND - 2012 [his last film]. Mr. Halmi also produced the TV series DINOTOPIA - 2002 and FLASH GORDON - 2007-2008. Nominated for 10 Emmy Awards® and won one. His son, Robert Halmi Jr. is the founder of The Hallmark Channel and is also an Emmy Award® winner. He was 90 years-old.) - 07/30/14
DICK SMITH (Top-Notch Makeup Man: Dick Smith was the maestro to many of the modern-day special effects makeup artists [including being television's first important make-up artist, working for NBC TV from 1945 to 1959], including Rick Baker and Tom Savini. He was an Academy Award® winner and nominated seven more times for his extraordinary work in transforming people into monsters, older versions of the characters the actors play and some convincing bloody wounds and body parts. His films include: GREAT CATHERINE - 1948; DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS - 1949; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1955; THE LARK - 1957; THE FLAME BARRIER - 1958; THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE - 1959; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - 1959; REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT - 1962; ALL THE WAY HOME - 1963; THE CARDINAL - 1963; THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT - 1964; WHAT A WAY TO GO! - 1964; HARVEY MIDDLEMAN, FIREMAN - 1965;MARK TWAIN TONIGHT! - 1967 [Won an Emmy Award® for Individual Achievements in Art Direction and Allied Crafts - Makeup]; THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 1968; ARSENIC AND OLD LACE - 1969; MIDNIGHT COWBOY - 1969; HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS - 1970; LITTLE BIG MAN - 1970 [He should have won an Academy Award® for the old age makeup he applied to Dustin Hoffman, but he wasn't even nominated!]; WHO IS HARRY KELLERMAN AND WHY IS HE SAYING TERRIBLE THINGS ABOUT ME? - 1971 THE GODFATHER - 1972 [Again never nominated for his transformation of Marlon Brando]; THE EXORCIST - 1973 [another award snub]; THE GODFATHER: PART II - 1974; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1975; THE SUNSHINE BOYS - 1975; TAXI DRIVER - 1976; HARRY S. TRUMAN: PLAIN SPEAKING - 1976; MARATHON MAN - 1976; THE SENTINEL - 1977; EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC - 1977; THE DEER HUNTER - 1978; ALTERED STATES - 1980; SCANNERS - 1981 [can anyone ever forget that head explosion?]; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; THE FAN - 1981; GHOST STORY - 1981; THE HUNGER - 1983; SPASMS - 1983; AMADEUS - 1984 [Academy Award® winner for Best Makeup]; STARMAN - 1984; POLTERGEIST III - 1988; EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICAN - 1988; DAD - 1989; SWEET HOME - 1989; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE - 1990; DEATH BECOMES HER - 1992; FOREVER YOUNG - 1992; BETRAYAL OF THE DOVE - 1993; HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL - 1999 [his last film]. Mr. Smith also worked on the TV series: FIRESIDEE THEATRE - 1951; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1949-1952; KRAFT THEATRE - 1952; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1957; GENERAL MOTORS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW - 1957; THE DINAH SHORE CHEVY SHOW - 1958; MUSIC WITH MARY MARTIN - 1959; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1959-1960; 'WAY OUT - 1961; GOLDEN SHOWCASE - 1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; DARK SHADOWS - 1967; NORTH AND SOUTH - 1985 [mini-series]; NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II - 1986 [mini-series]; MONSTERS - 1988-1991 [72 episodes]; GOLDEN YEARS - 1991. Mr. Smith won an Honorary Academy Award® in 2012 [presented by Rick Baker] and in 2014 won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards®. Dick Smith was 92 years-old.) - 07/31/14
WALTER MASSEY (Actor: NOW THAT APRIL'S HERE - 1958; A COOL SOUND FROM HELL - 1959; ILLEGAL ABORTION - 1966; THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SEXY - 1971; BLOOD RELATIVES - 1978; TOMORROW NEVER COMES - 1978; TWO SOLITUDES - 1978; JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG - 1978; AGENCY - 1980; AMBER WAVES - 1980; HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME - 1981; GAS - 1981; BLACK MIRROR - 1981; HARD FEELINGS - 1982; COOK & PEARY: THE RACE TO THE POLE - 1983; THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE - 1984; EVIL JUDGMENT - 1984; MRS. SOFFEL - 1984; BREAKING ALL THE RULES - 1985; BLUE LINES - 1985; ETERNAL EVIL - 1985; THE BOY IN BLUE - 1986; FORD: THE MAN AND THE MACHINE - 1987; ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE - 1987; STATE PARK - 1988; NO BLAME - 1988; MALAREK - 1988; RED EARTH; WITE EARTH - 1989; JACKNIFE - 1989; SNAKE EATER II: THE DRUG BUSTER - 1989; WHISPERS - 1990; NELLIGAN - 1991; DAVID COPPERFIELD - 1993; MRS. PARKER AND THE VICIOUS CIRCLE - 1994; HART TO HART: TWO HARTS IN 3/4 TIME - 1995; DEAD SILENT - 1999; BONANNO: A GODFATHER'S STORY - 1999; MONET: SHADOW AND LIGHT - 1999; WAKING THE DEAD - 2000; ARE YOU AFRAIDE OF THE DARK?: THE TALE OF THE SILVER LIGHT - 2000; VARIAN'S WAR - 2001; THE STORK DERBY - 2002; ARTHUR'S HALLOWEEN - 2004; THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED - 2005; MY FIRST WEDDING - 2006; MY DAUGHTER'S SECRET - 2007; A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS - 2007; SECRETS OF THE SUMMER HOUSE - 2008; THE VELVETEEN RABBIT - 200. Mr. Massey was also a veteran of many TV series, including being a regular on the TV Shows: THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD - 1982-1983; LASSIE - 1997-1999; GALIDOR: DEFENDERS OF THE OUTER DIMENSION - 2002 [voice only]; TRIPPING THE RIFT - 2004-2007 [voice only]; and ARTHUR - 1996-2013. Other TV series appearances included guest roles on: THE UNFORSEEN - 1960; SEAWAY - 1965; FAMILY COURT - 1971; ADVENTURES OF THE LITTLE KOALA - 1984 [voice only]; THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ - 1986 [voice only]; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1989; THE SMOGGIES - 1989 [voice only]; SAMURAI PIZZA CATS - 1990-1991 [voice only]; THE LITTL' BITS - 1990-1991 [voice only]; THE HIDDEN ROOM - 1991; SIRENS - 1994-1995; SPACE CASES - 1996; ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? - 1994-2000; FOR BETTER OR WORSE - 2000 [voice only]. Mr. Massey was 85 years-old.) - 08/04/14
MARILYN BURNS (Actress: Probably the first scream queen due to her role asthe much-tortured Sally Hardesty in the original THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - 1974; Ms. Burns did very few films after that except for making quick cameo appearances or starring in a few low budgeters. But her role in TCM will let her legacy live on forever. Other films she did included: HELTER SKELTER - 1976; EATEN ALIVE - 1977 [her second film with director Tobe Hooper]; KISS DADDY GOODBYE [a.k.a. REVENGE OF THE ZOMBIE - 1981]; FUTURE-KILL - 1985; TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1994; AMERICAN PSYCHO - 2000 [uncredited]; THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE - 2000 [documentary]; BOOGEYMEN: THE KILLER COMPILATION - 2001 [documentary]; HORROR BUSINESS - 2005 [documentary]; VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP & VIDEOTAPE - 2010 [documentary]; BUTCHER BOYS - 2012 [plays the old lady the cannibalistic boys steal the dog from, only for the dog to get tossed out the window of a speeding car for biting the kidnapper!]; TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D - 2013; SACRAMENT - 2014; IN A MADMAN'S WORLD - [Date undetermined; her last acting role]. Ms. Burns spent a lot of her time directing and starring in plays in theaters in Texas. She was 64 years-old.) - 08/05/14
MENAHEM GOLAN (Director/Producer/Writer: This is a big loss to the filmmaking community, especially those who grew up during the VHS generation. Menahem Golan was the co-founder of The Cannon Group (with Yoram Globus) and gave us some of the best, weirdest, horror, action, martial arts and Western films during the 70's, 80's & 90's. His films included: EL DORODO - 1963; TEVYE AND HIS SEVEN DAUGHTERS - 1968; LUPO! - 1970; ATTACK AT DAWN - 1970; I LOVE YOU ROSA - 1972; ESCAPE TO THE SUN - 1972; THE HOUSE ON CHELOUCHE STREET - 1973; THE FOUR DEUCES - 1975; DIAMONDS - 1975; GOD'S GUN - 1976; THE PASSOVER PLOT - 1976; OPERATION THUNDERBOLT - 1977; VENGEANCE - [a.k.a. KID VENGEANCE - 1977]; LEMON POPSICLE - 1978; URANIUM CONSPIRACY - 1978; THE ALASKA WILDERNESS ADVENTURE - 1978; GOING STEADY - 1979; THE MAGICIAN OF LUBLIN - 1979; THE GODSEND - 1980; THE HAPPY HOOKERGOES HOLLYWOOD - 1980; SCHIZOID - 1980; THE APPLE - 1980 [one of the weirdest musicals ever]; SEED OF INNOCENCE - [a.k.a. TEEN MOTHERS - 1980]; DR. HECKYL AND MR. HYPE - 1980; NEW YEAR'S EVIL - 1980; HOT BUBBLEGUM - 1981; LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER - 1981; ENTER THE NINJA - 1981; BODY AND SOUL - 1981; DEATH WISH II - 1982; HOSPITAL MASSACRE - 1982; THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN - 1982 [known for its extremely downbeat ending]; THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON - 1982; HOUSE OF LONG SHADOWS - 1983; TREASURE OF THE FOUR CROWNS - 1983; ONE MORE CHANCE - 1983; PRIVATE POPSICLE - 1983; 10 TO MIDNIGHT - 1983 [one of my favorite Charles Bronson films]; THE WICKED LADY - 1983; HERCULES - 1983; REVENGE OF THE NINJA - 1983; SAHARA - 1983; LOVE STREAMS - 1984; OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE - 1984; BABY LOVE - 1984; GRACE QUIGLEY - 1984; BREAKIN' - 1984; MAKING THE GRADE - 1984; THE AMBASSADOR - 1984; THE NAKED FACE - 1984; ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE - 1984; BOLERO - 1984; NINJA III: THE DOMINATION - 1984 [one of the craziest martial arts films ever made]; EXTERMINATOR 2 - 1984; MARIA'S LOVERS - 1984; MISSING IN ACTION - 1984; BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO - 1984; HOT RESORT - 1985; MISSING IN ACTION II: THE BEGINNING - 1985; NINE DEATHS OF THE NINJA - 1985; MATA HARI - 1985; DEJA VU - 1985; THE ASSISI UNDERGROUND - 1985; UP YOUR ANCHOR - 1985; RAPPIN' - 1985; LIFEFORCE - 1985; THUNDER ALLEY - 1985; HOT CHILI - 1985; THE ADVENTURES OF HERCULES II - 1985; AMERICAN NINJA - 1985; WAR AND LOVE - 1985; INVASION U.S.A. - 1985 [my favorite Chuck Norris movie]; THE BERLIN AFFAIR - 1985; DEATH WISH 3 - 1985; RUNAWAY TRAIN - 1985; THE SICILIAN CONNECTION - 1985; KING SOLOMON'S MINES - 1985; FOOL FOR LOVE - 1985; THE DELTA FORCE - 1986 [great action movie with an all-star cast]; THE NAKED CAGE - 1986; FIELD OF HONOR - 1986; AMERICA 3000 - 1986; MURPHY's LAW - 1986; DANGEROUSLY CLOSE - 1986; COBRA - 1986; INVADERS FROM MARS - 1986; DETECTIVE SCHOOL DROPOUTS - 1986; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 - 1986; AVENGING FORCE - 1986 [screaming out for a disc release!]; 52 PICK-UP - 1986; FIREWALKER - 1986; ALAN QUATERMAIN AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD - 1986; ALADDIN - 1986; SALOME - 1986; ASSASSINATION - 1987; OVER THE TOP - 1987; NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET - 1987; THE BARBARIANS - 1987; DOWN TWISTED - 1987; STREET SMART - 1987; THE HANOI HILTON - 1987; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1987; SHY PEOPLE - 1987; HANSEL AND GRETEL - 1987; BARFLY - 1987; AMERICAN NINJA 2: THE CONFRONTATION - 1987; MASCARA - 1987; SNOW WHITE - 1987; TOUGH GUYS DON'T DANCE - 1987; KING LEAR - 1987; TOO MUCH - 1987; SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE - 1987; GOING BANANAS - 1987; MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE - 1987; SURRENDER - 1987; DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN - 1987; UNDERCOVER - 1987; BRADDOCK: MISSING IN ACTION III - 1988; MERCENARY FIGHTERS - 1988; BLOODSPORT - 1988; ALIEN FROM L.A. - 1988; APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH - 1988; BUSINESS AS USUAL - 1988; SALSA - 1988; PUSS IN BOOTS - 1988; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 1988; HERO AND THE TERROR - 1988; HAUNTED SUMMER - 1988; MANIFESTO - 1988; MESSINGER OF DEATH - 1988; HANNA'S WAR - 1988; STRAY DAYS - 1988; A DRY IN THE DARK - 1988; DOIN' TIME ON PLANET EARTH - 1988; THE EVERLASTING SECRET FAMILY - 1988; KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS - 1989 [killer ending]; RED RIDING HOOD - 1989; SINBAD OF THE SEVEN SEAS - 1989; CYBORG - 1989; MACK THE KNIFE - 1989; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - 1989; THE ROSE GARDEN - 1989; THE FORBIDDEN DANCE - 1990; BAD JIM - 1990; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1990; STREET HUNTER - 1990; BULLSEYE! - 1990; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1990; KILLING STREETS - 1991; THE FINEST HOUR - 1992; DANCE MACABRE - 1992; HIT THE DUTCHMAN - 1992; DESERT KICKBOXER - 1992; PRISON PLANET - 1992; INVADER - 1992; SILENT VICTIM - 1993; AMERICAN CYBORG: STEEL WARRIOR - 1993; TEENAGE BONNIE AND KLEPTO CLYDE - 1993; MAD DOG COLL - 1993; EMMANUELLE IV - 1993; DEAD CENTER - 1993; DEADLY HEROES - 1993; DEATH WISH V: THE FACE OF DEATH - 1994; STICKFIGHTER - 1994; RUSSIAN ROULETTE: MOSCOW 95 - 1995; ARMSTRONG - 1998; THE VERSACE MURDER - 1998; SPEEDWAY JUNKIE - 1999; LIMA: BREAKING THE SILENCE - 1999; AFTER SEX - 2000; KUMITE - 2000; DEATH GAME - 2001; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 2002; OPEN HEART - 2002; FINAL COMBAT - 2003; ESCAPE TO GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN - 2004; A DANGEROUS DANCE - 2007; CHILDREN OF WAX - 2007; MARRIAGE AGREEMENT - 2008; OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! - 2009. Some of the films The Cannon Group distributed theatrically are FANDO AND LIS - 1968; SCRATCH HARRY - 1969; SAM'S SONG - 1969; JOE - 1970; GUESS WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY? - 1970; THE BEAST IN THE CELLAR - 1970; CAULDRON OF BLOOD - 1970; SOUTH OF HELL MOUNTAIN - 1971; GOODBYE UNCLE TOM - 1971; CRUCIBLE OF HORROR - 1971; I, MONSTER - 1971; BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW - 1971; MAID IN SWEDEN - 1971; WHO KILLED MARY WHATS'ERNAME? - 1971; AU PAIR GIRLS - 1972; THE LIMIT - 1972; THE LOVE PILL - 1972; MAFIA WAR - 1973; NAUGHTY WIVES - 1973; THE BLOCKHOUSE - 1973; PUSHING UP DAISIES - 1973; TRAINED TO KILL U.S.A. - [THE NO MERCY MAN - 1973]; SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT - [a.k.a. DEATH HOUSE - 1973]; BLOOD FEAST - [a.k.a. THE LADY IN RED KILLS SEVEN TIMES - 1973]; THE THUNDER KICK - 1973; FISTS OF THE DOUBLE K - 1973; THE GODFATHERS OF HONG KONG - 1973; THE HONG KONG CONNECTION - 1974; CHALLENGE OF THE DRAGON - 1974; THE GODFATHER SQUAD - 1974; THE HAPPY HOOKER - 1975; THE YUM YUM GIRLS - 1976; NAUGHTY GIRLS ON THE LOOSE - 1976; SNATCHED - 1976; SLUMBER PARTY '57 - 1976; THE HAPPY HOUSEWIVES - 1976; NORTHVILLE CEMETERY MASSACRE - 1976; BLOOD BATH - 1976; MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH - 1976; PRIME TIME - [a.k.a. AMERICAN RASPBERRY - 1977]; CHERRY HILL HIGH - 1977; 2076 OLYMPIAD - 1977; THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1977; CHEERLEADERS BEACH PARTY - 1978; SAVAGE WEEKEND - 1979; AMERICAN NITRO - 1979; GAS PUMP GIRLS - 1979; INCOMING FRESHMAN - 1979; THE SWAP - 1979; THE GREAT SKYCOPTER RESCUE - 1980; DRACULA'S LAST RITES - 1980; HOT T-SHIRTS - 1980; CONTAMINATION - [a.k.a. ALIEN CONTAMINATION - 1980]; THE SEVEN MAGNIFICENT GLADIATORS - 1983; YOUNG WARRIORS - 1983; THRONE OF FIRE - 1983; THE VIOLENT BREED - 1984; DIRTY WAR - 1984; PANTHER SQUAD - 1984; STRANGLER VS. STRANGLER - 1984; THE COMPANY OF WOLVES - 1984; THE FINAL EXECUTIONER - 1984; BRIDGE TO HELL - 1986; YOUNG DRAGONS: KUNG FU KIDS - 1986; HELL SQUAD - 1986; LINK - 1986; NINJA HUNT - 1986; OSA - 1986; MANNEQUIN - 1987; PENITENTIARY III - 1987; DANCERS - 1987; GOR - 1987; MASTER OF DRAGONARD HILL - 1987; URBAN WARRIORS - 1987; CROSS MISSION - 1987; WARTIME - 1987; HOLLYWOOD HARRY - 1987; PLATOON LEADER - 1988; MIAMI COPS - 1989; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1989; RIVER OF DEATH - 1989; CRACK HOUSE - 1989; KICKBOXER - 1989; AMERICAN NINJA 3: BLOOD HUNT - 1989; THE BRONX EXECUTIONER - 1989; FIGHT FOR US - 1989; THE SECRET OF THE ICE CAVE - 1989; THE FOURTH WAR - 1990; A MAN CALLED SARGE - 1990; ROCKULA - 1990; AFRICA EXPRESS - 1990; AMERICAN NINJA 4: THE ANNIHILATION - 1990; KEATON'S COP - 1990; MIDNIGHT RIDE - 1990; DEATH WARRANT - 1990; AMERICAN KICKBOXER - 1991; THE BORROWER - 1991; THE HUMAN SHIELD - 1991; THE HITMAN - 1991; TERMINAL BLISS - 1992; ROOTS OF EVIL - 1992; FIFTY/FIFTY - 1992; TO THE DEATH - 1992; AMERICAN NINJA 5 - 1993; STREET KNIGHT - 1993; HELLBOUND - 1994 and many others. Cannon Films also released dozens of titles on VHS with HBO Video. Menahem Golan was 85 years-old.) - 08/08/14
ED NELSON (Actor: Rugged, handsome actor who play heavies and good guys throughout his career. He was talented enough to become a leading man, but just didn't seem to be able to break that wall. He usually played character parts and the occasional lead role in B-films [he was a stock player for producer Roger Corman in the 50's]. He also did a lot of TV [He did 436 episodes of PEYTON PLACE from 1964 to 1969 and a lot of TV Movies during the 70's & 80's], so his face should be familiar to everyone who watched TV during the 60's, 70's, & 80's. His films included:THE STEEL TRAP - 1952; NEW ORLEANS UNCENSORED - 1955; SWAMP WOMEN - 1956; ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS - 1957 [My first peek at the talent of the man. The film may be pure cheese, but Nelson played it straight.]; ROCK ALL NIGHT - 1957; INVASION OF THE SAUCERMEN - 1957 [another favorite]; BAYOU- 1957; HELL ON DEVIL'S ISLAND - 1957; TEENAGE DOLL - 1957; CARNIVAL ROCK - 1957; STREETS OF DARKNESS - 1958; TEENAGE CAVEMAN - 1958; SHE GODS OF SHARK REEF - 1958; NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST - 1958 [still another favorite]; THE CRY BABY KILLER - 1958; HOT ROD GIRL - 1958; THE BRIAN EATERS - 1958 [still another favorite; also a Producer]; I, MOBSTER - 1958; THE YOUNG CAPTIVES - 1959; T-BIRD GANG - 1959; A BUCKET OF BLOOD - 1959; VALLEY OF THE REDWOODS - 1960; ELMER GANTRY - 1960; CODE OF SILENCE - 1960; DEVIL'S PARTNER - 1961; JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG - 1961; SOLDIER IN THE RAIN - 1963; THE MAN FROM GALVESTON - 1963; ALONG CAME A SPIDER - 1970; [TV Movie]; A LITTLE GAME - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE SCREAMING WOMAN - 1972 [TV Movie]; TIME TO RUN - 1973; RUNAWAY! - 1973 [TV Movie]; LINDA - 1973 [TV Movie]; HOUSTON, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM - 1974 [TV Movie]; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; THE MISSING ARE DEADLY - 1975 [TV Movie}; THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD - 1975; MIDWAY - 1976; RIDING WITH DEATH - 1976 [TV Movie]; FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI - 1977; MURDER IN PEYTON PLACE - 1977 [TV Movie]; SUPERDOME - 1978 [TV Movie]; ACAPULCO GOLD - 1978; DOCTOR'S PRIVATE LIVES - 1978 [TV Movie]; LEAVE YESTERDAY BEHIND - 1978 [TV Movie]; CRASH - 1978 [TV Movie]; ANATOMY OF A SEDUCTION - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE GIRL, THE GOLD WATCH & EVERYTHING - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF FRANK CANNON - 1980 [TV Movie]; ENOLA GAY: THE MEN, THE MISSION, THE ATOMIC BOMB - 1980 [TV Movie]; HELP WANTED: MALE - 1983 [TV Movie]; SHAFT OF LOVE - 1983 [TV Movie]; PEYTON PLACE: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1985 [TV Movie]; POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING - 1986; SWORN TO SILENCE - 1987 [TV Movie]; BRENDA STARR - 1989; DEADLY WEAPON - 1989; THE BONEYARD - 1991 [rare leading man performance]; SISTER ISLAND - 1996; WHO AM I? - 1998; TONY BRAVO IN SCENES FROM A FORGOTTEN CINEMA - 2000; RUNAWAY JURY - 2003 [his last role]. Mr. Nelson's TV series credits are even more extensive and included roles on: MEN OF ANNAPOLIS - 1957; HARBOR COMMAND - 1957; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; FLIGHT - 1958; HIGHWAY PATROL - 1957-1959; TIGHTROPE - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; JOHNNY RINGO - 1960; RIVERBOAT - 1959; M SQUAD - 1958-1960; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1957-1960; CORONADO 9 - 1960; THE BLUE ANGELS - 1960; OUTLAWS - 1960; THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1960; THE DEPUTY - 1960; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1961; THE REBEL - 1959-1961; THE AQUANAUTS - 1961; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1958-1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1959-1961; BAT MASTERSON - 1959-1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1960-1961; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1961; THRILLER - ["The Fatal Impulse" - 1960;"The Cheaters" - 1960; "A Good Imagination" - 1961; "Dialogues With Death" - 1961]; HENNESEY - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1962; MAVERICK - 1959-1962; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; THE DETECTIVES - 1961-1962; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962; THE TALL MAN - 1962; BONANZA - 1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; CHECKMATE - 1961-1962; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1962; WIDE COUNTRY - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1962; RAWHIDE - 1959-1962; STONEY BURKE - 1962; SAINTS AND SINNERS - 1963; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Valley Of The Shadow" - 1963]; LARAMIE - 1960-1963; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962-1963; THE DAKOTAS - 1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961-1963; CHANNING - 1963; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Nightmare" - 1963]; WAGON TRAIN - 1961-1963; REDIGO - 1963; COMBAT! - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1963-1964; GUNSMOKE - 1959-1964; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1964; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1964; PERRY MASON - 1961-1964; THE SILENT FORCE - 1970-1971
[series regular]; POLICE SURGEON - 1971; THE MAN AND THE CITY - 1971; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1971; CANNON - 1971; O'HARA: U.S. TREASURY - 1972; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Little Girl Lost" - 1972]; BANACEK - 1972; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1972; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1971-1972; SEARCH - 1973; ESCAPE - 1973; TENAFLY - 1973; MOD SQUAD - 1973; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1973; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1973; KUNG FU - 1973; THE F.B.I. - 1971-1973; ADAM-12 - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1974; POLICE WOMAN - 1974; MEDICAL CENTER - 1971-1975; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1975; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; GEMINI MAN - 1976; MOST WANTED - 1976; GIBBSVILLE - 1976; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1977; LOGAN'S RUN - 1977; DALLAS - 1978; DAVID CASSIDY-MAN UNDERCOVER - 1978; SALVAGE 1 - 1979; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977-1979; BARNABY JONES - 1974-1979; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1980; HAGEN - 1980; LOU GRANT - 1980; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1981; VEGA$ - 1978-1981; WALKING TALL - 1981; CHiPS - 1981; QUINCEY M.E. - 1981; BRET MAVERICK - 1982; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; THE FALL GUY - 1983; FINDERS OF LOST LOVES - 1984; CAPITOL - 1983-1984; DYNASTY - 1987; HOTEL - 1987; THE LAW AND HARRY MCGRAW - 1988; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1988; J.J. STARBUCK - 1988; MACGYVER - 1989; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1988-1990; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1995. As you can plainly see, if you were a TV watcher during the 60's, 70's & 80's, it was hard not to see Ed Nelson in one of your favorite shows. He was the consummate professional character actor who had a healthy life in both movies and TV. Another one of my childhood heroes to pass away this year. He is the father of Christopher S. Nelson, who starred in director Greydon Clark's WITHOUT WARNING - 1980 and was married to the same woman [Patricia Amelia Miller] from 1951 up till the time of his death, an amazing 63 years! Ed Nelson was 85 years-old when he passed away of congestive heart failure. Goodbye Ed Nelson and thanks for the hours and hours of enjoyment you gave me.) - 08/09/14
CHARLES KEATING (Actor: LIFE AND DEATH OF PENELOPE - 1976; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978; DO YOU REMEMBER? - 1978; EDWARD AND MRS. SIMPSON - 1978 [TV mini-series]; RICHARD II - 1978 [TV Movie]; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1976-1978; CROWN COURT - 1972-1979 [series regular]; A DEADLY GAME - 1979 [TV Movie]; CRIBB - 1981; BRIDESHEAD REVISITED - 1981 [TV mini-series]; JANET AND COMPANY - 1982; STRANGERS - 1982; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1982; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1983; FUNNY MONEY - 1983 [theatrical film]; A TALENT FOR MURDER - 1984 [TV Movie]; HOTEL - 1985; FRESNO - 1986 [TV mini-series]; MIAMI VICE - 1987; CBS SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1987; THE EQUALIZER - 1987-1988; AWAKENINGS - 1990 [theatrical film]; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1989-1990; THE BODYGUARD - 1992 [theatrical film]; GOING TO EXTREMES - 1992-1993 [series regular]; PORT CHARLES - 1997; SEX AND THE CITY - 1998; ANOTHER WORLD - 1991-1999; THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR - 1999 [theatrical film]; HARLEM ARIA - 1999 [theatrical film]; HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS - 1999; XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - 2000; PROVIDENCE - 2000; ALIAS - 2001; DEUCE BIGELOW: EUROPEAN GIGOLO - 2005 [theatrical film; his last performance]. Mr. Keating was 72 years-old.) - 08/09/14
ROBIN WILLIAMS (Comedian/Actor: Now this one comes as an actual shock because Robin Williams seemed to have it all, but a severe bout of depression made him commit suicide [he hung himself, but I will not reveal how]. It just proves that drama is easy, but comedy comes from a place most of us rather not find within ourselves, because it usually comes from a place that is dark, deep and dank. Some say to truly be a great comedian, you have had to suffer in your life, and as we have learned from Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor [Williams idolized both Pryor and Jonathan Winters and got the opportunity to work with each of them more than once] and countless other comedians who self-destructed before their time, that old addage is true. Comedy may befunny to the audience, but true comedians suffer for their craft. I am sorry to have to say that Robin Williams is one of the latest. Williams started as a standup comedian and appearing in various low-budget movies and TV shows until his role of alien Mork on two episodes of HAPPY DAYS - 1978-1979 made him a true TV star, which led to the wild and popular series MORK & MINDY - 1978-1982. where Williams would ad-lib some of his lines and crack up the cast, crew and audience. So many retakes had to be filmed for the half hour series, that Williams was nearly ordered to cut back on the improvisation, but you can't tell a comic to quit what he does best [the writers finally left some script pages blank and said that this is the place where Williams could try whatever he wanted]. After the series ended, Williams went on to become a popular theatrical comedian and drama actor, which surprised many people. His theatrical films included: CAN I DO IT 'TILL I NEED GLASSES? - 1977 [his debut]; POPEYE - 1980; {Williams said, "If you watch it backwards, it has a plot!"]; THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP - 1982 [the film that after MORK & MINDY ended, put Williams on the actor map and made him a boxoffice star]; THE SURVIVORS - 1983; MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON - 1984; THE BEST OF TIMES - 1986; CLUB PARADISE - 1986; SEIZE THE DAY - 1986; DEAR AMERICA: LETTERS HOME FROM VIETNAM - 1987; GOOD MORNING VIETNAM - 1987 [superb performance; just the right mixture of comedy and drama; nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor]; JONATHAN WINTERS: ON THE LEDGE - 1987 [Winters played Williams "baby" on the final season of MORK & MINDY]; THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN - 1988; PORTRAIT OF A WHITE MARRIAGE - 1988; DEAD POETS SOCIETY - 1989 [nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor]; I'M FROM HOLLYWOOD - 1989; CADILLAC MAN - 1990; AWAKENINGS - 1990; DEAD AGAIN - 1991; SHAKES THE CLOWN - 1991 [real funny cameo]; THE FISHER KING - 1991 [nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor]; HOOK - 1991; ALADDIN - 1992 [voice only]; TOYS - 1992 [much maligned film, but I love it]; MRS. DOUBTFIRE - 1993 [before Eddie Murphy or Martin Lawrence donned fat suits and played women, Williams appeared as this female character in this wildly popular film first]; BEING HUMAN - 1994; IN SEARCH OF DR. SEUSS - 1994; NINE MONTHS - 1995; TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR - 1995; JUMANJI - 1995; THE BIRDCAGE - 1996; JACK - 1996; THE SECRET AGENT - 1996; HAMLET - 1996; FATHER'S DAY - 1997; DECONSTRUCTING HARRY - 1997; FLUBBER - 1997; GOOD WILL HUNTING - 1997 [although writers/stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon get most of the publicity for this film, it is Williams who is the glue that holds the film together; so much so that he won the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; WHAT DREAMS MAY COME - 1998; PATCH ADAMS - 1998 [his most annoying performance]; JAKOB THE LIAR - 1999; BICENTENNIAL MAN - 1999 [another maligned film that always makes me shed a tear in the end]; GET BRUCE - 1999; A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - 2001 [voice only]; ONE HOUR PHOTO - 2002 [Williams was absolutely chilling as a photo developing store worker who is also a stalker]; DEATH TO SMOOCHY - 2002; INSOMNIA - 2002 [another excellent role where Williams gets to play the bad guy]; THE FINAL CUT - 2004 [must be seen by everyone; the idea behind the film is wonderful and chilling at the same time]; HOUSE OF D - 2004; NOEL - 2004; ROBOTS - 2005 [voice only]; THE BIG WHITE - 2005; THE NIGHT LISTENER - 2006 [based on a true story about a sick person on the phone who does not exist]; RV - 2006; EVERYONE'S HERO - 2006 [voice only]; MAN OF THE YEAR - 2006; HAPPY FEET - 2006 [voice only]; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 2006; LICENSE TO WED - 2007; AUGUST RUSH - 2007; SHRINK - 2009; WORLD'S GREATEST DAD - 2009 [another film that should be seen by everyone; believe me when I say that this is not your normal Williams vehicle]; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN - 2009; OLD DOGS - 2009; HAPPY FEET TWO - 2011 [voice only]; THE BIG WEDDING - 2013; LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER - 2013; THE FACE OF LOVE - 2013; RICHARD PRYOR: OMIT THE LOGIC - 2013; ALTMAN - 2014; BOULEVARD - 2014; THE ANGRIEST MAN IN BROOKLYN - 2014; MERRY FRIGGIN' CHRISTMAS - 2014 [unreleased at the time of his death]; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB - 2014 [unreleased at the time of his death]; ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING - 2015 [voice only and his last role; unreleased at the time of his death]. Robin Williams was still a face you could see on television, whether it was his freeform humor on the nightly talk show rounds or in TV series like: THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW - 1977; LAUGH-IN - 1977; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1977; AMERICA 2-NIGHT - 1978; OUT OF THE BLUE - 1979 [playing his Mork
character]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1982; MORK & MINDY/LAVERNE & SHIRLEY/FONZ HOUR - 1982 - [voice only]; SCTV NETWORK - 1982; ET AND FRIENDS: MAGICAL MOVIE VISITORS - 1982; PRYOR'S PLACE - 1984; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1994 [a great episode of an excellent series]; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1992-1994; FRIENDS - 1997; GREAT MINDS THINK FOR THEMSELVES - 1997 [voice only]; ONE SATURDAY MORNING - 1998 [voice only]; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; ANATOMY OF A SCENE - 2001; FREEDOM: A HISTORY OF US - 2003; LIFE WITH BONNIE - 2003; PLAYER$ - 2003; THE RUTLES 2: CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH - 2004; MIND OF MENCIA - 2006; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2008 [Williams is the bad guy and is one of the few of them to get away and never get caught. He was excellent in this episode, comparing most people to sheep.]; WILFRED - 2012 [voice only]; LOUIE - 2012; SESAME STREET - 1991-2012; THE CRAZY ONES - 2013-2014 [series regular; the show was getting decent ratings, but CBS canceled it anyway, which may have brought back his depression; this is my speculation only]. Along with friends Billy Crystal and Whoopie Goldberg, hosted the yearly COMIC RELIEF telethons, which from 1986 to 2010 helped the nation's homeless and raised over $50 million. Williams battled alcohol and drug addiction in the past and seemed to have won both of those battles, but depression is probably one of the worst diseases [besides cancer] that a person can go through [His wife has also said he was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson's Disease]. I hope wherever Robin Williams is now, he knows that he had a lot of fans here and we hated to see him leave. He still had so much potential, but, like I said before, being a really good comedian takes all the bad things that happened in your life and made them funny to an audience, but those scars never really went away on the inside. Goodnight sweet Prince of Comedy. Robin Williams was only 63 years-old. A real loss for everyone who liked to laugh. To read my thoughts about clinical depression, click HERE. Robin Williams' cremated ashes were scattered in the San Francisco Bay according to his wishes.) - 08/11/14
JOE VISKOCIL (Visual Effects Artist: FLESH GORDON - 1974; STAR WARS - 1977; THE DAY TIME ENDED - 1979; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; SPACEHUNTER: ADVENTURES IN THE FORBIDDEN ZONE - 1983; RAGEWAR - 1984; THE TERMINATOR - 1984; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984; RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1985; CRITTERS - 1986; HOUSE - 1986; THE BOY WHO COULD FLY - 1986; INSIDE OUT - 1986; QUIET COOL - 1986; STUDENT CONFIDENTIAL - 1987; MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE - 1987; REMOTE CONTROL - 1988; KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1988; THE BLOB - 1988; BAT*21 - 1989; THE ABYSS - 1989; ROBOT JOX - 1989; SOLAR CRISIS - 1990; SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT 4: INITIATION - 1990; PUPPET MASTER II - 1990; FLIGHT OF THE BLACK ANGEL - 1991; BARTON FINK - 1991; TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY - 1991; CAST A DEADLY SPELL - 1991; AFTERBURN - 1992; TOYS - 1992; PASSIONATA - 1992; BATMAN RETURNS - 1992; MATINEE - 1993; TRUE LIES - 1994; INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE - 1994; ULTRAMAN: THE ULTIMATE HERO - 1993 [TV Series]; BIKINI SQUAD - 1993; SECRET SINS OF THE FATHER - 1994; CLIFFORD - 1994; JOHNNY MNEMONIC - 1995; APOLLO 13 - 1995; NO WAY BACK - 1995; UNDER SIEGE 2: DARK TERRITORY - 1995; MAGIC IN THE WATER - 1995; INDEPENDENCE DAY - 1996; VOLCANO - 1997; ALIEN: RESURRECTION - 1997; GODZILLA - 1998; ARMAGEDDON - 1998; JANE AUSTIN'S MAFIA! - 1998; ARLINGTON ROAD - 1999; ATOMIC TRAIN - 1999; DREAM PARLOR - 1999; SCREAM 3 - 2000; REINDEER GAMES - 2000; BATTLEFIELD EARTH - 2000; IMPOSTOR - 2001; PANIC ROOM - 2002; STAR TREK: NEMESIS - 2002; THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN - 2003; TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE - 2004; 10.5: APOCALYPSE - 2006; SLIP - 2006; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 2008; BARRY MUNDAY - 2010; SOURCE CODE - 2011; INAPPROPRIATE COMEDY - 2013; THE PREY - 2014. Mr. Viskocil was 61 years-old.) - 08/11/2014
LAUREN BACALL (Actress: Holy hell, this has been a bad week for celebrity deaths. When I was a kid and watched Bacall with Humphrey Bogart, I was the most jealous man in the world. I LOVED Lauren Bacall (and still do), so the report of her death a day after Robin Williams, was like a one-two punch in the gut. Lauren Bacall was a dreamy young woman when she started out in films and had that long beautiful face, flowing hair and raspy voice that kids like me loved to listen to. I could spend hours just listening to Ms. Bacall reading the phonebook. During her later years, Bacall continued to work and I was still glad to see her because she was still one of the very few people who had "it". And "it" was very special to people like me. Even though she loved Bogey very much [they were my picture of an ideal perfect married couple], and was married to him from 1945 until Bogart's death in 1957 (bearing two children with him), she eventually married actor Jason Robards from 1961 to 1969 (bearing one child) and never married again. One can only guess why, but I prefer to believe that her love for Humphrey Bogart was so strong, that no other man could step into his shoes. She was my favorite actress of all time and the news of her death affects me greatly. During her later years, she was a tough old broad, but I'm sure she would be happy that someone said that about her. Ms. Bacall's films included: TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT - 1944; CONFIDENTIAL AGENT - 1945; THE BIG SLEEP - 1946; DARK PASSAGE - 1947; KEY LARGO - 1948 [my favorite of her films]; YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN - 1950; BRIGHT LEAF - 1950; HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE - 1953; WOMAN'S WORLD - 1954; THE COBWEB - 1955; BLOOD ALLEY - 1955; BLITHE SPIRIT - 1956 [TV Movie]; PATTERNS - 1956; WRITTEN IN THE WIND - 1956; DESIGNING WOMAN - 1957; THE GIFT OF LOVE - 1958; NORTH WEST FRONTIER - 1958; SHOCK TREATMENT - 1963 [another favorite; became a cult film after many TV viewings and the advent of VHS); SEX AND THE SINGLE GIRL - 1964; HARPER - 1966; APPLAUSE - 1973 [TV Movie]; MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS - 1974; THE SHOOTIST - 1976 [John Wayne's last film]; PERFECT GENTLEMEN - 1978 [TV Movie]; HEALTH - 1980; THE FAN - 1981; APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH - 1988; MR. NORTH - 1988; INNOCENT VICTIM - 1989; DINNER AT EIGHT - 1989 [TV Movie]; MISERY - 1990 [her only real horror film, unless you consider THE FAN horror, which I don't]; A LITTLE PIECE OF SUNSHINE - 1990 [TV Movie]; A STAR FOR TWO - 1991; ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS - 1991; THE PORTRAIT - 1993 [TV Movie]; PRET-A-PORTER - 1994; FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES - 1996; MY FELLOW AMERICANS - 1996; DAY AND NIGHT - 1997; TOO RICH: THE SECRET LIFE OF DORIS DUKE - 1999 [TV Movie]; MADELINE: LOST IN PARIS - 1999 [voice only]; PRESENCE OF MIND - 1999; DIAMONDS - 1999 THE VENICE PROJECT - 1999; DOGVILLE - 2003; HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE - 2004 [voice only]; BIRTH - 2004; THE LIMIT - 2004; MANDERLAY - 2005; THESE FOOLISH THINGS - 2005; THE WALKER - 2007; SCOOBY-DOO AND THE GOBLIN KING - 2008; WIDE BLUE YONDER - 2010; ERNEST & CELESTINE - 2012 [voice only]; THE FORGER - 2012. Ms. Bacall did very little TV [besides the TV movies I have mentioned], but she did make appearances on: PRODUCERS SHOWCASE - ["The Petrified Forest" - 1955]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - ["A Dozen Deadly Roses" - 1963]; DR. KILDARE - 1963; MR. BROADWAY - ["Take A Walk Through A Cemetery" - 1964; "Something To Sing About" - 1964]; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - ["Double Jeopardy" - 1965]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979 [she and the recently late Jim Garner were good friends]; THE GENERAL MOTORS PLAYWRIGHTS THEATER - ["The Parallax Garden" - 1993]; SCREEN ONE - 1993; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1993 [voice only]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1998; FAMILY GUY - 2014 [voice only; her last performance]. Lauren Bacall was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be sorely missed. Another one of my childhood idols to have passed away this year. Ms. Bacall was 89 years-old.) - 08/12/14
ARLENE MARTEL (TV Actress also known as "Arline Sax": Best known as the prospective bride for Spock in the 1967 STAR TREK episode "Amok Time", the only TREK episode set on the planet Vulcan, Ms. Martel is a veteran of many TV series guest episodes with a few theatrical films here and there. Her credits included: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1958; THE RESTLESS GUN - 1958; THIS MAN DAWSON - 1960; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1960; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1960; THE REBEL - 1960; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["What You Need" - 1959; "Twenty Two" - 1961]; HONG KONG - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1960-1961; GUNSLINGER - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1961; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1960-1961; BEN CASEY - 1961; BUS STOP - 1962; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; CHEYENNE - 1962; THE GLASS CAGE - 1964 [theatrical film]; BREAKING POINT - 1964; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Demon With A Glass Hand" - 1964]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1965; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1962-1966; THE FUGITIVE- 1966; IRON HORSE - 1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967; THE FLYING NUN - 1968; THE MONKEES - 1966-1968; ANGELS FROM HELL - 1968 [theatrical film]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1969; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1970; HERE COMES THE BRIDES - 1970; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1966-1970; BEWITCHED - 1971; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1972; MCCLOUD - 1971-1972; ADVENTURES OF NICK CARTER - 1972 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1970-1973; THE DELPHI BUREAU - 1973; BANACEK - 1973; INDICT AND CONVICT - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974; COLUMBO - 1972-1974; THE ROOKIES - 1974; PETROCELLI - 1974; GUNSMOKE - 1975; CONSPIRACY OF TERROR - 1975 [TV Movie]; CHATTERBOX! - 1977 [theatrical film]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977; RICHIE BROCKELMAN, PRIVATE EYE - 1978; DRACULA'S DOG - 1978 [theatrical film]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978; THE DAY THE LOVING STOPPED - 1981 [TV Movie]; ELEANOR, FIRST LADY OF THE WORLD - 1983 [TV Movie]; KNOT'S LANDING - 1983; BERRENGER'S - 1985; THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS - 1985 [TV Movie]; WHAT DO WOMEN WANT - 1996 [theatrical film]; A WALK TO REMEMBER - 2002 [theatrical film]; STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN - 2007 [video movie]; BROTHERS & SISTERS - 2010. Ms. Martel was 78 years-old.) - 08/12/14
MADELEINE COLLISON (Actress: Made famous, along with her sister Mary, for her role in Hammer Films' TWINS OF EVIL - 1971, Madeleine had a very short acting career and started out with a very saucy Harrison Marks 8mm film and later on, a Playboy spread and modeling work, before quitting the business and raising a family in Malta. Ms. Collinson's short film career consisted of the films: SOME LIKE IT SEXY - 1969; PERMISSIVE - 1970; I AM A GROUPIE - 1970; HALFWAY INN - 1970 [short]; PASSION POTION - 1971; THE LOVE MACHINE - 1971; TWINS OF EVIL - 1971; THE WORLD OF HAMMER - 1994 [a documentary using her TWINS OF EVIL footage]. Ms. Collinson also did some signing conventions in recent years and passed away at the age of 62 years-old.) - 08/14/14
ALAN LANDSBURG (TV Producer: MIRROR, MIRROR OFF THE WALL - 1969; BLACK WATER GOLD - 1970 [also director]; A STORM IN SUMMER - 1970 [won an Emmy® for Outstanding Dramatic Program]; THE FRONT PAGE - 1970 [Production Manager only]; ALASKA WILDERNESS LAKE - 1971 [theatrical film; nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Documentary]; IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT MYSTERIES - 1973; IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS - 1973; THE SMALL MIRACLE - 1974; MURDER IN THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR - 1974; THE OUTER SPACE CONNECTION - 1975 [theatrical film; based on his book of the same name]; ROCK-A-DIE BABY - 1975; FEAR ONTRIAL - 1975 [nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Special]; THE SAVAGE BEES - 1976; ANTS - 1977; TARANTULAS: THE DEADLY CARGO - 1977; RUBY AND OSWALD - 1978; TERROR OUT OF THE SKY - 1978; THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE SCANDAL - 1979; TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS - 1979; AND BABY MAKES SIX - 1979; MYSTERIOUS ISLAND OF BEAUTIFUL WOMEN - 1979; MARATHON - 1980; THE CHISHOLMS - 1980 [TV mini-series]; BABY COMES HOME - 1980; THE JAYNE MANSFIELD STORY - 1980; A LONG WAY HOME - 1981; BILL - 1981 [nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Special]; THE WHITE LIONS - 1981 [theatrical film]; SUDDENLY SINGLE - 1981; BURNED AT THE STAKE - 1981 [theatrical film]; MYSTERIOUS TWO - 1982; PORKY'S II: THE NEXT DAY - 1983 [theatrical film]; JAWS 3-D - 1983 [theatrical film]; ADAM - 1983 [nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Special]; BILL: ON HIS OWN - 1983; KENNEDY - 1983 [TV mini-series]; THE PARENT TRAP II - 1986; ADAM: HIS SONG CONTINUES - 1986; LONG GONE - 1987; STRANGE VOICES - 1987; A PLACE AT THE TABLE - 1988; TOO YOUNG THE HERO - 1988; A STONING IN FULHAM COUNTY - 1988; THE RYAN WHITE STORY - 1989; UNSPEAKABLE ACTS - 1990 [also the writer]; SO PROUDLY WE HAIL - 1990; IN DEFENSE OF A MARRIED MAN - 1990; PRISONERS OF WEDLOCK - 1991; NIGHTMARE IN COLUMBIA COUNTY - 1991; A MOTHER'S RIGHT: THE ELIZABETH MORGAN STORY - 1992 [also the writer]; TERROR IN THE NIGHT - 1994 [writer only]; IF SOMEONE HAD KNOWN - 1995 [also the writer]; THE LOTTERY - 1996; COUNTRY JUSTICE - 1997; THAT'S INCREDIBLE! - 1998 [also segment director]; THAT'S INCREDIBLE: THE REUNION PART 2 - 2003 [writer & director only]. Mr. Landsburg found fame on TV with his series THAT'S INCREDIBLE! - 1980-1984 and IN SEARCH OF... - 1976-1982. Some other TV series and specials he worked on were: BIOGRAPHY - 1961-1963 [also writer & director]; MEN IN CRISIS - 1964-1965 [also director]; TIME LIFE SPECIALS: THE MARCH OF TIME - 1965-1966 [directed two episodes]; NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIALS - 1965-1967; THE UNDERSEA WORLD OF JACQUES COUSTEAU - 1968-1969; IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR - 1971; ALAN KING IN LAS VEGAS - 1973; THE KID FROM C.A.P.E.R. - 1976; BETWEEN THE WARS - 1978; THE FUTURE: WHAT'S NEXT? - 1982; THE GLORY BOYS - 1984; TRUE CONFESSIONS - 1986. He was an important name on TV whose death was overshadowed by some more "famous" deaths, but TV watchers should recognise his name from the many TV Movies and specials he worked on. A huge loss to the TV community. Mr. Landsburg was 81 years-old.) - 08/14/14
STEPHEN LEE (Actor: Wonderful TV and Film character actor who could play possibly anything. I'll never forget him for his role in DOLLS - 1987 as the grown man who still wanted so much to be a child, even though he knew that being an adult means being responsible. It was his one redeeming quality that kept him alive throughout the film. His other films included: WARGAMES - 1983; PURPLE HEARTS - 1984; CRIMES OF PASSION - 1984;GENERATION - 1985 [TV Movie]; DOLLS - 1987; LA BAMBA - 1987; TERRORIST ON TRIAL: THE UNITED STATES VS. SALIM AJAMI - 1988 [TV Movie]; WHITE LIES - 1989 [TV Movie]; ROBOCOP 2 - 1990; THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 1991 [another good role]; HELL HATH NO FURY - 1991 [TV Movie]; GHOULIES III: GHOULIES GO TO COLLEGE - 1991; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE HEARTBROKEN BRIDE - 1992 [TV Movie]; MEN DON'T TELL - 1993 [TV Movie]; PREHYSTERIA! - 1993; MIDNIGHT RUN OF YOUR LIFE - 1994 [TV Movie]; WHO DO I GOTTA KILL? - 1994; ROSEANNE AND TOM: BEHIND THE SCENES - 1994 [TV Movie; portrayed Tom Arnold]; BLACK SCORPION - 1995; THE UNINVITED - 1996; CARNOSAUR 3: PRIMAL SPECIES - 1996; BLACK SCORPION II: AFTERSHOCK - 1997; THE NEGOTIATOR - 1998; LURED INNOCENCE - 2000; BURLESQUE - 2010 [his final role]. Stephen Lee was much more prolific on TV, where he had guest roles on such TV series as: HART TO HART - 1981; REMINGTON STEELE - 1982; SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS - 1983; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1093; MAGGIE BRIGGS - 1984; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1984; WHO'S THE BOSS? - 1984; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985; AMAZING STORIES - 1985; THE LOVE BOAT - 1986; HOTEL - 1986; DREAM WEST - 1986 [TV mini-series]; THE B.R.A.T. PATROL - 1986; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1986; VALERIE - 1986; GUNG HO - 1986-1987 [series semi-regular]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1988; THIRTYSOMETHING - 1988; TV 101 - 1988-1989; SANTA BARBARA - 1989; HARD TIME ON PLANET EARTH - 1989; FAMILY TIES - 1989; GUNS OF PARADISE - 1989; CITY - 1990 [series regular]; HERMAN'S HEAD - 1991; NIGHT COURT - 1991; ROSEANNE - 1991; CIVIL WARS - 1991; SISTERS - 1992; QUANTUM LEAP - 1992; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1992; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1989-1993; GRACE UNDER FIRE - 1993; BABYLON 5 - 1994; TEKNOMAN - 1994; LOVE & WAR - 1995; BROTHERLY LOVE - 1996; HUDSON STREET - 1996; EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND - 1996; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1996; PROFILER - 1996; CYBILL - 1996; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1996; MURDER ONE - 1996; SEINFELD - 1997; 410 HOPE ST. - 1997; BROOKLYN SOUTH - 1997; MIKE HAMMER, PRIVATE EYE - 1998; TO HAVE & TO HOLD - 1998 [series regular]; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1999; BECKER - 1999; CHICAGO HOPE - 1999; COVER ME - 2000; DARK ANGEL - 2000; NASH BRIDGES - 1997-2000 [series semi-regular]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2001; MY WIFE AND KIDS - 2001; PHILLY - 2002; SO LITTLE TIME - 2002; JOHN DOE - 2002; ER - 2003; LESS THAN PERFECT - 2003; LINE OF FIRE - 2003; MIRACLES - 2003; THE WEST WING - 2004; COMMANDER IN CHIEF - 2005; INVASION - 2005; THRESHOLD - 2005; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2006; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2006; NIP/TUCK - 2006; BOSTON LEGAL - 2007; RAINES - 2007; NCIS - 2007; FEAR ITSELF - ["Eater" - 2008]; BONES - 2009; NUMB3RS - 2009; BROTHERS - 2009; 'TIL DEATH - 2010; GHOST WHISPERER - 2010. Stephen Lee was only 58 years-old.) - 08/15/14
PETER MCALEVEY (Producer: HARD PROMISES - 1991; RADIO FLYER - 1992; BORN TO RUN - 1993; KLASH - 1995; MURDER IN THE FIRST - 1995 [Project Consultant]; BACK IN BUSINESS - 1997; RETROACTIVE - 1997 [a special "Thanks" from the producer and director]; CHAMPIONS - 1998; SHADOW HOURS - 2000; BODY AND SOUL - 2000; NAKED MOVIE - 2002; SCREAMERS - 2006 [documentary]; KILL HER, NOT ME - 2013. Mr. McAlevey was 58 years-old.) - 08/15/14
DON PARDO (TV Personality: Best known as the announcer [726 episodes!] on the long-running SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1975-Present [he left the show during Season 7, but returned for Season 8 - on, making him the person that's been involved with the show for the longest], Pardo's distinctive voice got him many announcing gigs and he wasn't afraid to make fun of his deep baritone voice. His other announcing and voice gigs [he started out on NBC radio in 1944 and when TV gigs rolled around, was rarely spotted on-camera] on both TV and movies included: NBC PRESENTS - 1949; REMEMBER THIS DATE - 1950; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1951-1953; WINNER TAKE ALL - 1952; ALL STAR REVUE - 1953; THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN - 1953; CHOOSE UP SIDES - 1953;JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - 1953; DROODLES - 1954; MAX LIEBMAN PRESENTS: PROMENADE - 1954; CONCENTRATION - 1958; 1962-1963; CHARGE ACCOUNT - 1960; THE PRICE IS RIGHT - 1956-1963; THE MATCH GAME - 1964; EYE GUESS - 1966; CELEBRITY DOUBLETALK - 1967; THREE ON A MATCH - 1971; JEOPARDY - 1964-1975; WINNING STREAK - 1964; JACKPOT - 1974-1975; NEWS 4 NEW YORK - 1980-1991; STEVE MARTIN'S BEST SHOW EVER - 1981; THOSE WONDERFUL TV GAME SHOWS - 1984 [documentary]; THE COMPLEAT AL - 1985; THE SEX O'CLOCK NEWS - 1985; RADIO DAYS - 1987; TOTALLY MINNIE - 1988; LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN - 1988; WHEEL OF FORTUNE - 1988; THE BEST OF EDDIE MURPHY: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1989; THE EARTH DAY SPECIAL - 1990; DR. DEMENTO 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION - 1991; THE WEIRD AL YANKOVIC VIDEO LIBRARY: HIS GREATEST HITS - 1992; DREAM ON - 1992; STAY TUNED - 1992; HONEYMOON IN VEGAS - 1992; LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN - 1997; THE GODSON - 1998 [rare on-screen appearance]; HISTERIA! - 1998; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 25 - 1999; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE CHRISTMAS - 1999; OZ - 2001; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE CHRISTMAS 2002 - 2002; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE WEEKEND HALFTIME UPDATE SPECIAL - 2003; WEIRD AL YANKOVIC: THE ULTIMATE VIDEO COLLECTION - 2003; LIVE FROM NEW YORK: THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 2005 [documentary]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: THE BEST OF SATURDAY TV FUNHOUSE - 2006; LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON - 2009; SNL PRESENTS: A VERY GILLY CHRISTMAS - 2009; 30 ROCK - 2009 [another rare on-screen appearance]; THE 19TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES HALL OF FAME - 2010 [honoree]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE PRESENTS: SPORTS ALL STARS - 2010; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE BACKSTAGE - 2011 [documentary]; THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - 2011; THE SIMPSONS - 2010-2012; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: HALLOWEEN - 2013; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: BEST OF THIS SEASON - 2014; SNL SPORTS SPECTACULAR - 2014. Don Pardo was one of only two people to have a lifetime contract with NBC [the other was Bob Hope], read the first announcement of President Kennedy's death on NBC News on November 22, 1963 and he remained married to the same woman [Catherine Lyons] from 1938 until her death in 1995. Pardo was the consummate professional who never took his job too seriously and I, for one will miss his soothing voice on TV. I grew up listening to his wonderful voice and will miss him dearly. During his 90th birthday, the cast of SNL brought him onstage during the finale of the show and paid tribute to him. His face may not be familiar, but his voice was one-of-a-kind and we should all be thankful for it. Mr. Pardo lived to the ripe old age of 96 years-old.) - 08/18/14
BRIAN G. HUTTON (Director/Actor: As Director: WILD SEED - 1965; THE PAD AND HOW TO USE IT - 1966; SOL MADRID - 1968; WHERE EAGLES DARE - 1968; KELLY'S HEROES - 1970; X, Y AND ZEE - 1972; NIGHT WATCH - 1973; THE FIRST DEADLY SIN - 1980; HIGH ROAD TO CHINA - 1983. As Actor in both movies and on TV: ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1954; GOOD MORNING, MISS DOVE - 1955; GUNSMOKE - 1956; FEAR STRIKES OUT - 1957; GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL - 1957; CLIMAX! - 1957; OFFICIAL DETECTIVE - 1957; THE SHERIFF OF COCHISE - 1957; PERRY MASON - 1957; CARNIVAL ROCK - 1957; STATE TROOPER - 1958; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1958; THE CASE AGAINST BROOKLYN - 1958; KING CREOLE - 1958; SUGARFOOT - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959; LAST TRAIN FROM GUN HILL - 1959; THE BIG FISHERMAN - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; LAW OF THE PLAINSMAN - 1959; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1960; THE BEST OF THE POST - 1960; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; RAWHIDE - 1961; WAGON TRAIN - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961; FRONTIER CIRCUS - 1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1959-1961; GERONIMO - 1962; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959-1962; THE INTERNS - 1962; LARAMIE - 1962; ARCHER - 1975. Mr. Hutton left showbiz in the mid-80's to start a career in real estate and also become a plumber! He was 79 years-old.) - 08/19/14
RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH (Actor/Director: One of the world's best actor/directors in the world has left us. He gave us so many memorable performances and directed many outstanding films, that it is hard to think of anyone alive today that can compare to him. One of the true greats. As an Actor: IN WHICH WE SERVE - 1942; IT STARTED AT MIDNIGHT - 1943; THE HUNDRED POUND WINDOW - 1944; JOURNEY TOGETHER - 1945; STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - 1946; SECRET FLIGHT - 1946; THE SMUGGLERS - 1947; DANCING WITH CRIME - 1947; BRIGHTON ROCK - 1947; DULCIMER STREET - 1948; THE OUTSIDER - 1948; THE LOST PEOPLE - 1949; BOYS IN BROWN - 1949; OPERATION DISASTER - 1950; HELL IS SOLD OUT - 1951; THE MAGIC BOX - 1951; GLORY AT SEA - 1952; FATHER'S DOING FINE - 1952; EIGHTO'CLOCK WALK - 1954; PT RAIDERS - 1955; PRIVATE'S PROGRESS - 1956; THE BABY AND THE BATTLESHIP - 1956; BROTHERS IN LAW - 1957; STRANGE AFFECTION - 1957; DUNKIRK - 1958; THE MAN UPSTAIRS - 1958; DESERT PATROL - 1958; BREAKOUT - 1959; I'M ALL RIGHT JACK - 1959; JET STORM - 1959; SOS PACIFIC - 1959; THE ANGRY SILENCE - 1960 [also Producer]; THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN - 1960; UPGREEN-AND AT 'EM - 1960; WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND - 1961 [also the Producer]; ONLY TWO CAN PLAY - 1962; ALL NIGHT LONG - 1962; TRIAL AND ERROR - 1962; THE GREAT ESCAPE - 1963 [the film that made me want to watch everything Attenborough was in]; THE THIRD SECRET - 1964; SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON - 1964 [an excellent performance; also the Producer]; GUNS AT BATASI - 1964; THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX - 1965 [another excellent performance]; THE SAND PEBBLES - 1966 [still another excellent performance; won Golden Globe® for Best Supporting Actor]; DOCTOR DOLITTLE - 1967 [won Golden Globe® for Best Supporting Actor]; ONLY WHEN I LARF - 1968; THE BLISS OF MRS. BLOSSOM - 1968; DAVID COPPERFIELD - 1969; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969 [the most out-there performance of his career]; THE LAST GRENADE - 1970; LOOT - 1970; A SEVERED HEAD - 1970; 10 RILLINGTON PLACE - 1971 [a chilling performance]; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1974; BRANNIGAN - 1975 [one of the few films where John Wayne stars in a modern times film]; ROSEBUD - 1975; CONDUCT UNBECOMING - 1975; THE CHESS PLAYERS - 1977; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977 [also the Director]; THE HUMAN FACTOR - 1978; JURASSIC PARK - 1993 [long period between acting roles due to Attenborough's directing career and he was the protégé to Steven Spielberg]; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - 1994; E=MC2 - 1996; HAMLET - 1996; THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK - 1997; ELIZABETH - 1998; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - 1999; THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - 2000; JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: THE REAL STORY - 2001; PUCKOON - 2002. As a Director: OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR - 1969 [also the Producer]; YOUNG WINSTON - 1972 [also the Producer]; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977; MAGIC - 1978 [the most unusual film of his career]; GANDHI - 1982 [also the Producer; won two Academy Awards®: one for Best Director and one for Best Picture; also won Golden Globe® for Best Director]; A CHORUS LINE - 1985; CRY FREEDOM - 1987 [also the Producer]; CHAPLIN - 1992 [also the Producer]; SHADOWLANDS - 1993 [also the Producer]; IN LOVE AND WAR - 1996 [also the Producer]; GREY OWL - 1999 [also the Producer]; CLOSING THE RING - 2007 [also the Producer]. Mr. Attenborough also produced THE L-SHAPED ROOM - 1964, voiced a JURASSIC PARK video game and filmed a 10 minute segment for JURASSIC PARK: THE RIDE at the Universal Studios theme park. He was also good friends with Anthony Hopkins, who appeared in many of Attenborough's directorial films. He was also knighted by the Queen Of England in 1976, making him "Sir Richard Attenborough", but he was too nice to have anyone call him that. Attenborough was nominated for awards around the world for many of his films, but never got an Academy Award® nomination for his acting. Richard Attenborough was 90 years-old.) - 08/24/14
ANDREW V. MCLAGLEN (Director: Known mainly for his Westerns, many with with John Wayne, (my second favorite genre of film) and other genres, Mr. McLaglen was responsible for such films as: LOVE HONOR AND GOODBYE - 1945 [Assistant Director]; KILLER SHARK - 1950 [Assistant Director]; BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY - 1951 [Assistant Director]; WILD STALLION - 1952 [Assistant Director]; HERE COMES THE MARINES - 1952 [Assistant Director]; BIG JIM MCLAIN - 1952 [Assistant Director]; HELLGATE - 1952 [Assistant Director]; KANSAS PACIFIC -1953 [Assistant Director]; FORT VENGEANCE - 1953 [Assistant Director]; PLUNDER OF THE SUN - 1953 [Assistant Director]; ISLAND IN THE SKY - 1953 [Assistant Director]; THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY - 1954 [Assistant Director]; TRACK OF THE CAT - 1954 [Assistant Director]; BLOOD ALLEY - 1955 [Assistant Director]; GUN THE MAN DOWN - 1956; MAN IN THE VAULT - 1956; THE ABDUCTORS - 1957; FRECKLES - 1960; THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME - 1961; MCLINTOCK! - 1963; SHENANDOAH - 1965; THE RARE BREED - 1966; THE BALLAD OF JOSIE - 1967; MONKEYS, GO HOME - 1967; THE WAY WEST - 1967; THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE - 1968; BANDELERO! - 1968; HELLFIGHTERS - 1968; THE UNDEFEATED - 1969; CHISUM - 1970; ONE MORE TRAIN TO ROB - 1971; FOOL'S PARADE - 1971 [also Producer]; SOMETHING BIG - 1971 [also Producer]; CAHILL U.S. MARSHALL - 1973; THE LOG OF THE BLACK PEARL - 1975 [TV Movie]; STOWAWAY TO THE MOON - 1975 [TV Movie]; MITCHELL - 1975; THE LAST HARD MEN - 1976 [one of my favorite bloody westerns]; BANJO HACKETT: ROAMIN' FREE - 1976 [TV Movie]; MURDER AT THE WORLD SERIES - 1977; TRAIL OF DANGER - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE WILD GEESE [another favorite; this time a modern-day violent mercenary film]; FFOLKES - 1979 [unusual un-James Bond-like role for Roger Moore, who may or may not be gay in the film {he has a severe dislike for women}, but can certainly kick ass]; BREAKTHROUGH - 1979; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980; THE SHADOW RIDERS - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE BLUE AND THE GRAY - 1982 [TV mini-series]; TRAVIS MCGEE - 1983 [TV Movie]; SAHARA - 1983; THE DIRTY DOZEN: THE NEXT MISSION - 1985 [TV Movie]; ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES - 1986 [TV mini-series]; RETURN FROM THE RIVER KWAI - 1989; EYE OF THE WIDOW - 1991 [his last directorial effort]. Mr. McLaglen was also extensively involved in directing episodes of episodic TV series, including: THE LINEUP - 1957; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1960 [3 episodes]; PERRY MASON - 1958-1960 [7 episodes]; GUNSLINGER - 1961 [5 episodes]; EVERGLADES - 1961; RAWHIDE - 1959-1962 [6 episodes]; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1957-1963 [an amazing 116 episodes!]; THE TRAVELS OF JAIMIE MCPHEETERS - 1963; THE VIRGINIAN - 1964; THE LIEUTENANT - 1963-1964 [4 episodes]; GUNSMOKE - 1956-1965 [another amazing 96 episodes!]; WAGON TRAIN - 1965; BANACEK - 1973-1974 [2 episodes]; HEC RAMSEY - 1974; AMY PRENTISS - 1974; CODE R - 1977; THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY - 1977 [directed one episode of this TV mini-series]. Mr. McLaglen also Produced the film SEVEN MEN FROM NOW - 1956; was Unit Production Manager on HONDO - 1953; was Production Assistant on DAKOTA - 1945; and acted in the film SINCE YOU WENT AWAY - 1944. Mr. McLaglen was 94 years-old.) - 08/30/14
JOAN RIVERS (Comedienne/Actress/Writer/Director: Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, Joan Rivers was known for her acerbic humor [No one was safe, including her husband Edgar Rosenberg, who passed away in 1987 by suicide and Joan never remarried. Her greatest regret is that early in her career she use to tell this joke: "One of the earliest jokes I did about my husband was that I was the one who really caused Edgar's suicide, because, while we were making love, I took the bag off my head."] and her many plastic surgeries (which made most of her face immobile), Joan Rivers' career ebbed and flowed so often, it was hard to keep up with her. She was hot once again, thanks to the pairing with her daughter Melissa and their witty remarks at red carpet events and reality shows [first for the E! Channel, then for the TV Guide Channel], but a vocal cord operation went wrong and Ms. Rivers was induced into a medical coma which she never came out of. Love her or hate her (I found her hilarious at one moment and infuriating atthe next), she definitely knew how to play to an audience. I remember as a kid watching her on the ED SULLIVAN SHOW doing her six minute routine and she was as clean as could be. By the time she went out on her own, she became known as a "blue" comedienne, someone who would do or say anything that came into her mind and most people loved her concerts. So here's to Joan Rivers: I hope where ever you are, you are making people laugh so hard they are peeing their pants. I'm sure she would enjoy that. Joan Rivers only Directed and co-wrote one movie, the highly reviled RABBIT TEST - 1978, about a man (Billy Crystal) finding out he was pregnant. Watching it today, I found that it is basically a kitchen sink comedy that predates AIRPLANE! - 1980 and is similar in plot to the much later Arnold Schwarzenegger-starrer JUNIOR - 1994. So like Joan Rivers would so often say: "Can we talk?" Ms. Rivers acting roles included parts in such films and TV shows as: THE SWIMMER - 1968 [very underrated]; HERE'S LUCY - 1973; NEEDLES AND PINS - 1973; SCANDAL U.S.A. - 1981; THE LOVE BOAT - 1983; THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN - 1984; LES PATTERSON SAVES THE WORLD - 1987; SPACEBALLS - 1987 [voice only and she was funny]; LOOK WHO'S TALKING - 1989 - [voice only]; 227 - 1990; HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE - 1990 [TV Movie]; LADY BOSS - 1992 [TV Movie]; PUBLIC ENEMY #2 - 1993; SERIAL MOM - 1994; TEARS AND LAUGHTER: THE JOAN AND MELISSA RIVERS STORY - 1994 [TV Movie]; NAPOLEAN - 1995 [voice only]; DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST - 1997 [voice only]; SUDDENLY SUSAN - 1998-1999; GOOSED - 1999; KNITWITS REVISITED - 1999 [voice only]; INTERN - 2000; WHISPERS: AN ELEPHANT'S TALE - 2000 [voice only]; HIP! EDGY! QUIRKY! - 2002; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2002; FIRST DAUGHTER - 2004; I'M WITH HER - 2004; SHREK 2 - 2004 [voice only]; DAVE THE BARBARIAN - 2004 [voice only]; LESS THAN PERFECT - 2005; BOSTON LEGAL - 2006; SPACEBALLS: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 2008-2009 [voice only; series regular]; CELEBRITY GHOST STORIES - 2009; ARTHUR - 2008-2010 [voice only]; NIP/TUCK - 2004-2010; WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS - 2010; JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST? - 2011; LOUIE - 2011; THE SMURFS - 2011; TOWER HEIST - 2011; THE SIMPSONS - 2011 [voice only]; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2012; DROP DEAD DIVA - 2012; IRON MAN 3 - 2013; ROMANCING THE JOAN - 2013. Besides co-writing RABBIT TEST [early in her career, she was a writer/performer for CANDID CAMERA - 1965], Joan Rivers was also responsible for writing the following films and TV shows: THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON - 1965 [She wrote one episode and was later named permanent guest host of the show when Johnny was on vacation until he blackballed her in 1986 for starting her own late night talk show called THE LATE SHOW and Johnny never talked to her again]; THE GIRL MOST LIKELY TO... - 1973 [TV Movie]; HUSBANDS AND WIVES - 1977 [TV Movie]; HUSBANDS, WIVES & LOVERS - 1978 [wrote 10 episodes]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1983; JOAN RIVERS AND FRIENDS SALUTE HEIDI ABROMOWITZ - 1985; THE LATE SHOW - 1986-1987 [wrote 11 episodes]; THE JOAN RIVERS SHOW - 1989-1993 [series regular]; CMT: 40 GREATEST DONE ME WRONG SONGS - 2004; STRAIGHT TALK - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE JOAN RIVERS POSITION - 2004-2006 [series regular]; JOAN RIVERS: BEFORE MELISSA PULLS THE PLUG - 2006 [TV Movie and harbinger of things to come]; JOAN RIVERS: DON'T START WITH ME - 2012 [also Executive Producer]; IN BED WITH JOAN - 2013 [series regular and also Executive Producer]. She also Executive Produced the TV documentary WHY WE LAUGH: FUNNY WOMEN - 2013. Ms. Rivers has also appeared as herself over 1000 times on nearly every talk show, game show and entertainment show during her career [she did over 300 episodes of the various incarnations of the TV game show THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES alone!], including her own talk show series, THE JOAN RIVERS SHOW from 1968 to 1969 and again from 1989-1993 using the same title [for which she won an Emmy Award® in 1990 for Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host]. She was also nominated for Broadway's 1994 Tony Award® as Best Actress (Play) for portraying the title character, Sally Marr, in SALLY MARR... AND HER ESCORTS, nominated for a Grammy Award® in 1965 for Best Comedy Album and she was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7030 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on July 26, 1989. When young female comediennes use to come up to her and say they wouldn't be here without her, Joan used to say: "Get the fuck away from me. I still could take every one of you with one hand behind my back. Outta here. Talk like that at my funeral, but not till then." Well, I guess they can all talk now. Love her or hate her, she was a force to be reckoned with and was the poster girl for plastic surgery and was not afraid to say so. Joan Rivers was 81 years-old.) - 09/04/14
STEFAN GIERASH (Actor: Superb character actor whose face would be familiar to many who watched TV and films, but would never know him by name. His films included: THE YOUNG DON'T CRY - 1957; THAT KIND OF WOMAN - 1959; THE HUSTLER - 1961; THE TRAVELING EXECUTIONER - 1970; WHAT'S UP, DOC? - 1972; PARTICULAR MEN - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE NEW CENTURIANS - 1972; JEREMIAH JOHNSON - 1972; HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER - 1973 [played the Mayor of the ill-fated town]; CLAUDINE - 1974; THIS IS THE WEST THAT WAS - 1974 [TV Movie];CORNBREAD. EARL AND ME - 1975; RETURN TO EARTH - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE GREAT TEXAS DYNAMITE CHASE - 1976; CARRIE - 1976 [played Mr. Morton, who gets electrocuted at the microphone stand in the finale]; CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS - 1976 [TV mini-series]; SILVER STREAK - 1976; VICTORY AT ENTEBBE - 1976; BLUE SUNSHINE - 1978; TARTUFFE - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE CHAMP - 1979; BEGGERMAN, THIEF - 1979 [TV Movie]; A MAN CALLED SLOANE - 1979 [TV Movie]; BLOOD BEACH - 1980; STUNTS UNLIMITED - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MILLION DOLLAR FACE - 1981 [TV Movie]; BIG BEND COUNTRY - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE WINDS OF WAR - 1983 {TV mini-series]; MY WICKED, WICKED WAYS: THE LEGEND OF ERROL FLYNN - 1985 [TV Movie]; PERFECT - 1985; DREAM WEST - 1986 [TV mini-series]; THE ROSARY MURDERS - 1987; SPELLBINDER -1988; INCIDENT AT DARK RIVER - 1989 [TV Movie]; MEGAVILLE - 1990; MISTRESS - 1992; CRUEL DOUBT - 1992 [TV Movies]; JACK THE BEAR - 1993; DAVE - 1993; EMPTY CRADLE - 1993 [TV Movie]; JUNIOR - 1994; MURDER IN THE FIRST - 1995; THE ROCKFORD FILES: FRIENDS AND FOUL PLAY - 1996 [TV Movie]; CRIME OF THE CENTURY - 1996 [TV Movie]; STARRY NIGHT - 1999; LEGEND OF THE PHANTOM RIDER - 1992; THE HUNTER'S MOON - 2009 [his last acting role]. Mr. Gierash's extensive TV series experience included roles on: MISTER PEEPERS - 1952; YOU ARE THERE - 1955; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1957; BRENNER - 1959; THE WITNESS - 1961; THE DEFENDERS - 1961; THE LLOYD BRIDGES SHOW - 1962; NAKED CITY - 1962; EMPIRE - 1963; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; STONEY BURKE - 1963; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962-1963; DR. KILDARE - 1963; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1963; GUNSMOKE - 1966; BONANZA - 1969-1971; NICHOLS - 1971 [series regular]; IRONSIDE - 1972; MOD SQUAD - 1973; KUNG FU - 1974; KATE MCSHANE - 1975; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; JIGSAW JOHN - 1976; HOLMES & YO-YO - 1976; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1976; SWITCH - 1975-1976; SERPICO - 1976; BARETTA - 1977; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1977; MEETING OF MINDS - 1978; A.E.S. HUDSON STREET - 1978 [series semi-regular]; LUCAN - 1978; DALLAS - 1979; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1980; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1980; BARNEY MILLER - 1976-1981; M*A*S*H - 1981; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1982; QUINCY M.E. - 1982; TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1983; THE JEFFERSONS - 1983; REMINGTON STEELE - 1983; MATT HOUSTON - 1984; RIPTIDE - 1984; FALCON CREST - 1984; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1985; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["A Small Talent For War" - 1986]; HE'S THE MAYOR - 1986; THE COLBYS - 1986; WEREWOLF - 1987; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987; SANTA BARBARA - 1988; CHEERS - 1989; MIAMI VICE - 1989; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1989; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1990; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - ["Lower Berth" - 1990]; DARK SHADOWS - 1991 [series regular]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1991; KNOTS LANDING - 1992; THE PRACTICE - 1997; THE PRETENDER - 1998; ER - 1998; BRIMSTONE - 1999. Mr. Gierash was 88 years-old.) - 09/06/14
DENNY MILLER (Actor: Known for playing the first blond-haired Tarzan [in only one film] and portraying the Gorton's Fisherman in all those TV commercials [up until 2005], Denny Miller [who often used the pseudonym "Scott Miller"] had an extensive TV and film career. His films included: SOME CAME RUNNING - 1958; TARZAN, THE APE MAN - 1959; LOVE IN A GOLDFISH BOWL - 1961; THE PARTY - 1968; VANISHED - 1971 [TV Movie]; MAKING IT - 1971; DOOMSDAY MACHINE - 1972; BUCK AND THE PREACHER - 1972; THE GRAVY TRAIN - 1974; THE ISLAND AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD - 1974; NICK AND NORA - 1975; DANGER IN PARADISE - 1977 [TV Movie]; DR. SCORPION - 1978; THE NORSEMAN - 1978; CABO BLANCO - 1980; CIRCLE OF POWER - 1981; THE SEAL - 1981 [TV Movie]; V - 1983 [TV Movie]; SHOOTING STARS - 1983 [TV Movie]; MORE THAN MURDER - 1984 [TV Movie]; HELL TO PAY - 2005 [his last acting appearance]. Denny Miller's extensive TV credits included roles on such series as: NORTHWEST PASSAGE - 1958; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1960; RIVERBOAT - 1960; LARAMIE - 1960; THE RIFLEMAN - 1960; STAGECOAST WEST - 1961; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; THE DEPUTY - 1961; WAGON TRAIN - 1961-1964 [series regular as "Scott Miller"]; BEN CASEY - 1965; MONA MCCLUSKEY - 1965-1966 [series regular]; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1965-1967; I SPY - 1968; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1968; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1968; THE HIGH CHAPARREL - 1968; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; LOVE AMERICAN STYLE - 1969; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1970; THE VIRGINIAN - 1971; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE- 1971; SARGE - 1971; GUNSMOKE - 1971; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1973; MCCLOUD - 1973; DUSTY'S TRAIL - 1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974; EMERGENCY! - 1974; MOBILE ONE - 1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1975; CANNON - 1975; BRONK - 1976; ALICE - 1976; QUINCY M.E. - 1976; KEEPER OF THE WILD - 1977; WONDER WOMAN - 1977; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1977; BARNABY JONES - 1975-1978; QUARK - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1978; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977-1978; THE RUNAWAYS - 1979; YOUNG MAVERICK - 1979; STONE - 1980; FANTASY ISLAND - 1980; TEENSPEED AND BROWN SHOE - 1980; BEYOND WESTWORLD - 1980; M*A*S*H - 1981; CHARLIE's ANGELS - 1977-1981; VEGA$ - 1979-1981; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1978-1981; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1981; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1981; VOYAGERS! - 1982; SIMON & SIMON - 1983; DALLAS - 1984; HART TO HART - 1984; KNIGHT RIDER - 1984; THE FALL GUY - 1982-1984; MATT HOUSTON - 1983-1984; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1986; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1982-1986; OUTLAWS - 1987; WEREWOLF - 1987; BORDERTOWN - 1989-1990; LONESOME DOVE: THE SERIES - 1994-1995; DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN - 1996. Denny Miller was 80 years-old.) - 09/09/14
RICHARD KIEL (Actor: Best known by mainstream audiences for playing the metal-toothed "Jaws" in two James Bond films [the first one as a villain and the second one as an anti-hero who saves Bond's life in outer space], most genre fans will remember this giant of a man [at 7' 2"] as the star of the titular early-60's horror comedy EEGAH - 1962 and the alien in the classic TWILIGHT ZONE episode "To Serve Man" - 1962. Mr. Kiel broke his leg last week, but details on his death are still sketchy and the cause of his death may or may not have to do with his broken leg. We have lost a gentle giant today and I give thanks to all the roles I fondlyremember him in. Once you saw his face and frame, you would never forget him. His films included: THE PHANTOM PLANET - 1961; THE PHANTOM - 1961 [TV Movie]; EEGAH - 1962; HOUSE OF THE DAMNED - 1963 [if you have never seen this film, you are missing out on a creepy experience]; THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1963; LASSIE'S GREATEST ADVENTURE - 1963; ROUSTABOUT - 1964; THE NASTY RABBIT - 1964; TWO ON A GUILLOTINE - 1965; THE HUMAN DUPLICATORS - 1965; BRAINSTORM - 1965; THE LAS VEGAS HILLBILLYS - 1966; A MAN CALLED DAGGER - 1968; NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T - 1968 [TV Movie]; SKIDOO - 1968; ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER - 1970; THE BOY WHO STOLE THE ELEPHANT - 1970 [TV Movie]; DEADHEAD MILES - 1973; THE LONGEST YARD - 1974 [spoke the iconic line during the footbal game, "I think I broke his fuckin' neck!']; FLASH AND THE FIRECAT - 1976; GUS - 1976; SILVER STREAK - 1976; THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1977 [he was offered the role of Darth Vader in STAR WARS, but wisely chose the role here as "Jaws" instead, because his face can be seen and his voice wouldn't have been dubbed by James Earl Jones]; FORCE TEN FROM NAVARONE - 1978; THEY WENT THAT-A-WAY & THAT-A-WAY - 1978; THE HUMANOID - 1979; MOONRAKER - 1979; SO FINE - 1981; HYSTERICAL - 1983; PHOENIX - 1983; MAD MISSION PART III: OUR MAN FROM BOND STREET - 1984; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1985; PALE RIDER - 1985; MOB BUSTERS - 1985; THINK BIG - 1989; THE PRINCESS AND THE DWARF - 1989; THE GIANT OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN - 1991 [also Writer and Executive Producer]; HAPPY GILMORE - 1996; INSPECTOR GADGET - 1999; BLOODHOUNDS, INC. #5: FANGS FOR THE MEMORY - 2000; TANGLED - 2010 [voice only]. Mr. Kiel's many TV series guest appearances included roles on: KLONDIKE - 1960; THRILLER - ["Well Of Doom" - 1961]; LARAMIE - 1961; KING OF DIAMONDS - 1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["To Serve Man" - 1962]; LASSIE - 1963; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1965; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1965; HONEY WEST - 1966; MY MOTHER THE CAR - 1966; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1966; THE MONKEES - 1967; THE MONROES - 1967; I SPY - 1968; WILD WILD WEST - 1965-1968 [played Dr. Miguelito Loveless' {Michael Dunn} right hand man "Voltaire"]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; DANIEL BOONE - 1969; EMERGENCY! - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - [played the monster in "The Spanish Moss Murders" and "The Diablero" in "Bad Medicine" - both 1974]; SWITCH - 1975; THE BARBARY COAST - 1975-1976 [series regular]; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1976; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1976; LAND OF THE LOST - 1976; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977; YOUNG DAN'L BOONE - 1977; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1977 [Was the original choice to play The Hulk, but after two days of playing the green giant, producers thought he was too thin, so they went with Lou Ferrigno instead, but footage of him can be seen in the very first episode; Kiel really didn't mind, because he only had sight in one eye {a trait we both possess} and hated the contact lenses in his eyes.]; THE FALL GUY - 1981; SIMON & SIMON - 1983; OUT OF THIS WORLD - 1988; SUPERBOY - 1989; BLOODHOUNDS, INC. - 2011 [his last role]. He also played Bigfoot in an undated National Geographic special for producer David L. Wolper. Mr. Kiel was in a very serious automobile accident in 1992, which required him to use a cane to walk or a motorized scooter to get around. He appeared at many conventions in his electric scooter because he didn't want to disappoint his fans [watch HAPPY GILMORE and you will notice that Kiel is filmed from the waste-up in most of his scenes or seen leaning against objects when shown full body]. He also authored two books, one an autobiography titled "Making It BIG In The Movies" and co-authored a third book with Pamela Wallace {an Academy Award® winner for co-writing the screenplay for WITNESS - 1985} titled "Kentucky Lion, The Cassius Marcellus Clay Story", a historical novel. Even though Richard Kiel never won any awards for his acting, he supplied countless hours of enjoyment to those who watched TV or went to the movies. Goodnight, Gentle Giant. You will be missed. Mr. Kiel was 74 years-old.) - 09/10/14
JOACHIM FUCHSBERGER (German Actor: Best known to U.S. audiences for starring in a string of German Edgar Wallace thrillers in the 60's [which were shown countless times and like most films from that time period, just stopped ending being televised] and to European TV audiences for his hosting duties on the popular German entertainment show JA ODER NEIN ["Yea Or Nay" - 1990-1994]. His films included: IF I COULD BE GOD JUST ONCE - 1954; 08/15 - 1954; 8/15 PART 2 - 1955; THE LAST MAN - 1955; 8/15 AT HOME - 1955; SYMPHONY IN GOLD - 1956; LITTLE MAN ON TOP - 1957; SONG OF NAPLES - 1957; ILLUSION - 1957 [TV Movie]; BATTLE OF MONTE CASSINO - 1958; MAGDALENA - 1958; U47: LT. COMMANDER PRIEN - 1959; THE SCARLET BARONESS - 1959; FACE OF THE FROG - 1959; THE TERRIBLE PEOPLE - 1960; DEAD EYES OF LONDON - 1961; THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL - 1961; THE STRANGE COUNTESS - 1961; GOODBYE - 1961; THE CARPET OF HORROR - 1962; THE INN ON THE RIVER - 1962; THE CURSE OF THE YELLOW SNAKE - 1963; MYSTERY SUBMARINE - 1963; THE WHITE SPIDER - 1963; THE BLACK ABBOT - 1963; ROOM 13 - 1964; THE MYSTERIOUS MAGICIAN - 1964; THE LAST TOMAHAWK - 1965; THE FACE OF FU MANCHU - 1965; I KNEW HER WELL - 1965; WHO KILLED JOHNNY R.? - 1966; THE BATTLE OF THE MODS - 1966; LONG LEGS, LONG FINGERS - 1966; HOW TO SEDUCE A PLAYBOY - 1966; THE COLLEGE GIRL MURDERS - 1967; TARGET FRANKIE - 1967; DIE SLOWLY, YOU'LL ENJOY IT MORE - 1967; THE ZOMBIE WALKS - 1968; COMMANDOS - 1968; SCHOOL OF FEAR - 1969; SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT - 1969; HOTEL ROYALE - 1969 [TV Movie]; OLYMPIA-OLYMPIA - 1971; WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? - 1972; SUPERBUG, SUPER AGENT - 1972; FROM HONG KONG WITH LOVE - 1973; THE FLYING CLASSROOM - 1973; SCROUNGED MEALS - 1977; TRANCE - 1982; THE FOURTH KING - 1997; HEART AND SWORD - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE VEXXER - 2007 [His first theatrical film in 34 years]; BIBLE CODE - 2008 [TV Movie]; LIVE IS LIFE - 2010 [TV Movie]; LIVE IS LIFE II - 2013. Mr. Fuchsberger also made dozens of movies and TV shows that were never translated into English. In real life, his nickname was "Blacky", named so for his preference for the "Black & White" brand of whiskey. Mr. Fuchsberger was also an accomplished songwriter in the 1960's for German singers; was stadium announcer at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich; and was the first German Ambassador for UNICEF in 1984. His only regret that he was offered the role of James Bond when a German production company was offered Ian Fleming's rights to his novels, but he turned it down, saying the films would be much too expensive. Joachim Fuchberger was 87 years-old.) - 09/11/14
THEODORE J. FLICKER (Writer/Director: Co-creator of the successful TV Series BARNEY MILLER - 1975-1982 [an amazing 171 episodes; he also wrote two episodes], Flicker was also an intelligent director/writer of theatrical films and TV series. His films included: THE TROUBLEMAKER - 1964 [also Writer]; SPINOUT - 1966 [Writer only] THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST - 1967 [a great 60's film; also Writer]; UP IN THE CELLAR - 1970 [also Writer]; PLAYMATES - 1972 [TV Movie]; GUESS WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED? - 1973 [TV Movie]; ANN IN BLUE - 1974 [TV Movie]; JUST A LITTLE INCONVENIENCE - 1977 [TV Movie; also Writer]; LAST OF THE GOOD GUYS - 1978 [TV Movie; also Writer]]; JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG - 1978 [also Writer; one of the most under-appreciated children's films of all time]; WHERE LADIES GO - 1980 [TV Movie]; SOGGY BOTTOM, U.S.A. - 1981. His TV work included directing and writing episodes of: MANY HAPPY RETURNS - 1964; THE BILL DANA SHOW - 1964 [Directed 3 episodes]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; THE ROGUES - 1965; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1965 [Directed 3 episodes]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1965; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1965; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1966; NIGHT GALLERY - [Directed and Wrote "Hell's Bells" - 1971; Directed "Junior" - 1971; and Wrote "A Question Of Fear" - 1971]; BANYON - 1971 [Directed one episode in 1971 and Wrote another episode in 1972]; NICHOLS - 1971 [Writer only]; MOD SQUAD - 1972 [Writer only]; BANACEK - [Directed one episode in 1972 and Wrote another episode in 1973]; HERE WE GO AGAIN - 1973 [Writer only]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - [Directed the episode "Act Break" in 1985 and was his last credit]. Mr. Flicker was 84 years-old and his death is contributed to "Hot Tub Lung" [medical term: "hypersensitivity pneumonitis'] for his years of working with clay as a sculptor.) - 09/12/14
AUDREY LONG (Actress: She had a short-lived decade-long film career [mostlty in B Films], but appeared in two of the best film noirs of the 40's. Her films included: EAGLE SQUADRON - 1942; PARDON MY SARONG - 1942 [with Abbott & Costello]; THE GREAT IMPERSONATION - 1942; A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE - 1944; TALL IN THE SADDLE - 1944 [with John Wayne]; PAN-AMERICANA - 1945; WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND - 1945; THE LOST WEEKEND - 1945; A GAME OF DEATH - 1945; PERILOUS HOLIDAY - 1946; BORN TO KILL - 1947 [her best film]; DESPERATE - 1947; ADVENTURES OF GALLANT BESS - 1948; SONG OF MY HEART - 1948; PERILOUS WATERS - 1948; STAGE STRUCK - 1948; MIRACULOUS JOURNEY - 1948; HOMICIDE FOR THREE - 1948; DUKE OF CHICAGO - 1949; AIR HOSTESS - 1949; POST OFFICE INVESTIGATOR - 1949; ALIAS THE CHAMP - 1949; TRIAL WITHOUT JURY - 1950; DAVID HARDING, COUNTERSPY - 1950; THE PRETTY GIRL - 1950; BLUE BLOOD - 1951; INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR - 1951; CAVALRY SCOUT - 1951; SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET - 1951; INDIAN UPRISING - 1952 [her last film]. She was married to her second husband, Leslie Charteris, the creator of THE SAINT, from 1952 [the year she left films] until his death in 1993. Audrey Long was 92 years-old.) - 09/19/14
POLLY BERGEN (Actress: Her films included: ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE - 1949; AT WAR WITH THE ARMY - 1950; THAT'S MY BOY - 1951; WARPATH - 1951; THE STOOGE - 1952; CRY OF THE HUNTED - 1953; FAST COMPANY - 1953; ARENA - 1953; ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO - 1953; CAPE FEAR - 1962 [one of her best roles]; BELLE SOMMERS - 1962 [TV Movie]; THE CARETAKERS - 1963; KISSES FOR MYPRESIDENT - 1964; A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN - 1967; AN ECHO OF THERESA - 1973 [TV Movie]; ANATOMY OF TERROR - 1973 [TV Movie]; DEATH CRUISE - 1974 [TV Movie]; MURDER ON FLIGHT 502 - 1975 [TV Movie]; HAROLD ROBBIN'S 79 PARK AVENUE - 1977 {TV mini-series]; TELETHON - 1977 [TV Movie]; HOW TO PICK UP GIRLS! - 1978 [TV Movie]; BORN BEAUTIFUL - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE WINDS OF WAR - 1983 [TV mini-series]; VELVET - 1984 [TV Movie]; MAKING MR. RIGHT - 1987; ADDICTED TO LOVE - 1988 [TV Movie]; SHE WAS MARKED FOR MURDER - 1988 [TV Movie]; WAR AND REMEMBRANCE - 1988-1989 [TV mini-series]; THE HAUNTING OF SARAH HARDY - 1989 [TV Movie]; MY BROTHER'S WIFE - 1989 [TV Movie]; CRY-BABY - 1990; STEEL MAGNOLIAS - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE LIGHTNING FIELD - 1991 [TV Movie]; LADY AGAINST THE ODDS - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SKIN-DEEP SCANDAL - 1993 [TV Movie]; ARLY HANKS - 1994 [TV Movie]; LEAVE OF ABSENCE - 1995 [TV Movie]; DR. JEKYLL AND MS. HYDE - 1995; THE SURROGATE - 1995 [TV Movie]; ONCE UPON A TIME...WHEN WE WERE COLORED - 1995; IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE - 1996 [TV Movie]; FOR HOPE - 1996 [TV Movie]; EARLY BIRD - 2005 [TV Movie]; PARADISE, TEXAS - 2005; A VERY SERIOUS PERSON - 2006; CANDLES ON BAY STREET - 2006 [TV Movie]; STRUCK BY LIGHTNING - 2012 [her last acting role]. Ms. Bergen's extensive TV credits included roles on: THE ALAN YOUNG SHOW - 1950; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1952; THE PEPSI-COLA PLAYHOUSE - 1953 [She was host of the show from 1954 to 1955]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1954; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955; THE ELGIN HOUR - 1954-1955; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1956; STAR STAGE - 1956; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957; THE POLLY BERGEN SHOW - 1958; LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1958; THE GEORGE BURNS SHOW - 1960; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1961; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1961; WAGON TRAIN - 1961; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1963; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1966-1967; ELLERY QUEEN - 1973; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977-1982; FANTASY ISLAND - 1984; HOTEL - 1985; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985; MY TWO DADS - 1988; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1990; BABY TALK - 1991-1992 [series regular]; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1998; TWICE IN A LIFETIME - 1999; THE SOPRANOS - 2004; COMMANDER IN CHIEF - 2005-2006 [series regular]; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2007-2011 [series semi-regular]. Ms. Bergen was 84 years-old.) - 09/20/14
GEORGE SLUIZER (Director: Dutch director known for his superior thriller THE VANISHING - 1988 and the inferior American remake in 1993. His films included: STAMPING GROUND - 1971; JOHN, THE KNIFE AND THE RIVER - 1972 [also Writer]; TWICE A WOMAN - 1979 [also Producer and Writer]; RED DESERT PENITENTIARY - 1985 [also Producer and Writer]; THE VANISHING - 1988 [also Producer, Editor and Writer]; UTZ - 1992; THE VANISHING - 1993; CRIMETIME - 1996 [also Executive Producer]; DYING TO GO HOME - 1996 [also Producer and Additional Dialogue]; THE COMMISSIONER - 1998 [also Writer]; THE STONE RAFT - 2002 [also Producer and Writer]; DARK BLOOD - 2012 [The film River Phoenix was acting in until his death of a drug overdose in 1993. Sluizer managed to finish the film by reading from the unfinished parts of the script on screen since only 80% of the movie was shot.]. Mr. Sluizer also Produced THE YEAR OF THE CANCER - 1975; TIRO - 1979; and BASTILLE - 1984. George Sluizer also directed three NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIALS on TV from 1967 to 1969. Mr. Sluizer was 82 years-old.) - 09/20/14
EDDIE NICART (Director/Actor/Stuntman: Known for directing the Filipino films starring the diminutive Weng-Weng, Mr. Nicart was very involved in the Philippines film community. His directorial films included: AGENT 00 - 1981; FOR Y'UR HEIGHT ONLY - 1981 [also Stunts]; AMERICAN COMMANDO - 1981; D'WILD WILD WENG - 1982 [also Stunts]; THE IMPOSSIBLE KID - 1982 [also Stunts]; THE CUTE...THE SEXY N' THE TINY - 1982; ALAMAT NI LEON GUERRERO - 1982 [a LONE RANGER rip-off]; ZIGOMAR - 1984 [a ZORRO rip-off]; BURNING POWDER - 1984; CALIBER 357 - 1985 [may be the same film as BURNING POWDER]; JIMBO - 1985; BLASTING BULLETS - 1985 JACK MORO - 1989; And a few more not translated into English. As an actor: THE KARATE CHAMPIONS - 1968; LIKE LIGHTNING IN KARATE - 1968; ALDOPONG HITLER - 1969; ONE MAN ARMY - 1969; THE INCOMPARABLE - 1969; LIQUIDATION SQUAD - 1969; THE INFILTRATORS - 1969; IMPASSE - 1969; GUN-RUNNERS - 1969; KILL: THE MAGNIFICENT AGENTS! - 1969; BORN TO BE WILD - 1969; OMAR CASSIDY AND THE SANDALYAS KID - 1970; GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT - 1970; ALAMO SCOUTS - 1970; THE YOUNG IDOLS - 1970; POSSESS ME - 1971; LEON DIMASUPIL - 1973; DAREDEVIL RIDERS - 1973; BRUKA: QUEEN OF EVIL - 1974; KID KALIWETE - 1978; CHOPSTICK KID - 1979; CALIBER .45 - 1980; VIVA SANTIAGO! - 1981; THE GUNFIGHTER - 1983: DA BEST IN DA WEST - 1984 [also Stunts]; SLOANE - 1986; JUNGLE WOLF - 1986; DELIMA GANG - 1989; UZI BROTHERS - 1989; FATIMA BUEN STORY - 1994 [also Stunts]; KOKEY - 1997 [also Stunts]; Dozens of other films not translated into English. As Stuntman [member of the infamous SOS Daredevils team]: SIGSAW NG DIGMAAN - 1963; BEN TUMBLING: A PEOPLE'S JOURNAL STORY - 1985; TIGERSHARK - 1987; WHITE FORCE - 1988; THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA - 1989; DELIMA GANG - 1989; PRETTY BOY HOODLUM - 1991; BOYONG MANALAC: HUMAN TERMINATOR - 1991; MAYOR CESAR CLIMACO - 1994; ULTIMATUM - 1994; ROBO WARRIORS - 1996; About a 100 more films not translated into English. There are also a lot of films missing from Eddie Nicart's resume on IMDb, so what is listed here is merely a sampling. Mr. Nicart also appeared as himself in the documentaries THE SEARCH FOR WENG WENG - 2007/2014 and MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED - 2011. Eddie Nicart was 68 years-old.) - 09/27/14
SARAH DANIELLE GOLDBERG (Actress: Young actress [who sometimes used the name "Sarah Danielle Madison"] who was found dead in her bed with her laptop on her lap. Her death is considered natural. She worked mainly on TV, but delved into films every now and then. Her credits included: TIME OF YOUR LIFE - 1999; IVANSXTC - 2000; JURASSIC PARK III - 2001; TRAINING DAY - 2001; VIRGINS - 2001; MEN, WOMEN & DOGS - 2001; JUDGING AMY - 2002-2004 [series semi-regular]; IN JUSTICE - 2006; 7TH HEAVEN - 2002-2006 [series semi-regular]; SAVAGE PLANET - 2007 [TV Movie]; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2007; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2007; IN PLAIN SIGHT - 2008; THE BEAST - 2008; HOUSE M.D. - 2009; PIG - 2011; 90210 - 2009-2011 [series semi-regular]. Ms. Goldberg was 40 years-old.) - 09/27/14
GEOFFREY HOLDER (Actor/Dancer: Tall [6' 6"], deep-voiced Tony®-winning [for directing the Broadway version of THE WIZ] actor/dancer/choreographer with an unforgettable laugh, who I best remember for being in a James Bond films and being the 7-Up spokesperson in the 70's &80's ["It's the un-cola! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"]. His films included: CARIB GOLD - 1957; PORGY AND BESS - 1959; ALL NIGHT LONG - 1962; ANDROCLES AND THE LION - 1967 [TV Movie]; DOCTOR DOLITTLE - 1967 [he said he experienced plenty of racism while working on this film]; KRAKATOA: EAST OF JAVA - 1969; EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX *BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK - 1972; THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY - 1973 [TV Movie]; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973 [his role as "Baron Samedi" is not soon forgotten and it was Roger Moore's first time as James Bond]; THE NOAH - 1975; SWASHBUCKLER - 1976; THE GOLD BUG - 1980 [TV Movie]; Annie - 1982; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1983 [TV Movie]; JOHN GRIN'S CHRISTMAS - 1986 [TV Movie]; GHOST OF A CHANCE - 1986 [TV Movie]; WHERE CONFUCIUS MEETS THE NEW WAVE - 1987 [Narrator]; BOOMERANG - 1992; CHANCE OR COINCIDENCE - 1998; GOOSED - 1999; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 2005 [Narrator]; THE LITTLE WIZARD: GUARDIAN OF THE MAGIC CRYSTALS - 2008 [Narrator]. Mr Holder didn't do too much TV [when he wasn't doing movies, he was doing plays], but he appeared on the following TV Shows: THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1957; THE DUPUNT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1958; TARZAN - 1967-1968; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1970; BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE - 1997; CYBERCHASE - 2002-2003. Mr. Holder also did voices for a couple of video games [HELL: A CYBERPUNK THRILLER - 1995; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 2005], but Theater was his passion and he did many plays over the years, whether appearing in them, choreographing them or directing them. He also wrote two books on Caribbean cuisine. He left an indelible mark on anyone who ever saw him perform. And that deep bass laugh could either scare you witless or make you laugh along with him. Truly one of a kind. Geoffrey Holder was 84 years-old.) - 10/05/14
MARIAN SELDES (Actress: Popular TV, Theater and Movie actress whose name wasn't widely known, but whose face was very familiar. Her credits included: SURE AS FATE - 1951; OUR SISTER EMILY - 1952 [TV Movie]; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1952-1953; THE LONELY NIGHT - 1954 [Theatrical Documentary]; OMNIBUS - 1953; KRAFT THEATRE - 1953-1955; GUNSMOKE - 1956; THE YOUNG STRANGER - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; THE TRUE STORY OF JESSE JAMES - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1951-1957; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE - 1956-1957; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1957; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1953-1957; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956-1957; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957; HALF HOUR TO KILL - 1958; M SQUAD - 1958; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1957-1958; THE COURT OF LAST RESORT - 1958; CLIMAX! - 1958; PERRYMASON - 1958; SUSPICION - 1957-1958; JANE WYMAN PRESENTS FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1958; THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957-1958; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1958; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1958; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1958; THE TEXAN - 1959; THE BIG FISHERMAN - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, USA - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1960; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1959-1960; THE ROBERT HERRIDGE THEATER - 1960; THE GLAMOUR TRAP - 1961 [TV Movie]; CHRONICLE - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; BREAKING POINT - 1964; THE DEFENDERS - 1962-1964; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; BRANDED - 1965; THE STAR WAGON - 1966 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1968; KATE MCSHANE - 1975; FINGERS - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; LOVING - 1983; GERTRUDE STEIN AND A COMPANION! - 1987 [TV Movie]; KATE & ALLIE - 1987; ZITS - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; IN A PIG'S EYE - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; LAW & ORDER - 1991; GOOD & EVIL - 1991; WHO'S THE BOSS? - 1991; WALTER & EMILY - 1992; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992; THE GUN IN BETTY LOU'S HANDBAG - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; MURPHY BROWN - 1992; THE WHOLE SHEBANG - 1993; THE BEST OF FAMILIES: MARRIAGE, PRIDE & MADNESS - 1994 [TV Movie]; TRUMAN - 1995 [TV Movie]; CLARISSA - 1995 [TV Movie]; WINGS - 1995; C.P.W. - 1995; TOM AND HUCK - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; DIGGING TO CHINA - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; AFFLICTION - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; HOME ALONE 3 - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; REMEMBER WENN - 1998; SEX AND THE CITY - 1998; CELEBRITY - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; COSBY - 1996-1998; THE HAUNTING - 1999; IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK 2 - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE OTHERS - 2000; DUETS - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; 100 CENTRE STREET - 2001; TOWN & COUNTRY - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY - 2001; THE EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD - 2002; HOLLYWOOD ENDING - 2002 [Theatrical film]; AMERICA'S MOST TERRIBLE THINGS - 2002 [TV Movie]; MONA LISA SMILE - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; FRASIER - 2004; TRACKING THE LION IN WINTER [TV Movie; narrator-voice only]; PLAINSONG - 2004 [TV Movie]; CLUBHOUSE - 2004; THE BOOK OF DANIEL - 2006; IN FROM THE NIGHT - 2006 [TV Movie]; BIG DAY - 2006; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2007; SUBURBAN GIRL - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; THE VISITOR - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; AUGUST RUSH - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; THE TOE TACTIC - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; LEATHERHEADS - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; HOME - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; THE EXTRA MAN - 2010 [Theatrical Film]; NURSE JACKIE - 2011; JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE - 2011 [Theatrical Film; her last acting role]. Ms. Seldes also appeared on the soap operas THE GUIDING LIGHT and ONE LIFE TO LIVE. She also received a Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, where she said: "All I've done is live my life in the theater and loved it. If you can get an award for being happy, that's what I've got." Seldes also Won Broadway's 1967 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actress [Dramatic] for Edward Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE and was nominated for four more during her theatrical career. She also taught acting at The Juilliard School from 1967 to 1991 and at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus since 2002. Her students included Oscar-winners William Hurt, Kevin Kline, the late Robin Williams, Kevin Spacey, Emmy Award-winners Kelsey Grammer and Laura Linney, and Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone. Ms. Seldes also entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for appearing in DEATHTRAP from 1978 until late in 1982 without ever missing a single performance. Another great performer that never got her due in newspapers when she passed away. Marian Seldes was 86 years-old.) - 10/06/14
FEDERICO BOIDO (Italian Actor: Mostly used the pseudonym "Rick Boyd" and appeared in many Spaghetti Westerns. His films included: HERCULES AND THE TREASURE OF THE INCAS - 1964; AGENT 3S3: PASSPORT TO HELL - 1965; MACISTE, AVENGER OF THE MAYANS - 1965; THE SECRET AGENTS - 1965; PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES - 1965; DJURADO - 1966; THE SEVENTH FLOOR - 1967; RENEGADE RIDERS - 1967; DJANGO KILLS SOFTLY - 1967; HALLELUJA FOR DJANGO - 1967; THE BANG-BANG KID - 1967; FACE TO FACE - 1967; DANGER: DIABOLIK - 1968; THE RUTHLESS FOUR - 1968; SPIRITS OF THE DEAD - 1968; I WANT HIM DEAD - 1968. RUN, MAN, RUN - 1968; A SKY FULL OF STARS FOR A ROOF - 1968; ACE HIGH - 1968; SARTANA THE GRAVEDIGGER - 1969; WAR DEVILS - 1969; RANGERS ATTACK AT HOUR X - 1970; DJANGO DEFIES SARTANA - 1970; I AM SARTANA, TRADE YOUR GUNS FOR A COFFIN - 1970; ROY COLT AND WINCHESTER JACK - 1970; BALLAD OF DEATH VALLEY - 1970; WIND FROM THE EAST - 1970; ADIOS SABATA - 1970; HAVE A GOOD FUNERAL, MY FRIEND...SARTANA WILL PAY - 1970; CHAPAQUA'S GOLD - 1970; TERRIBLE DAY OF THE BIG GUNDOWN - 1971; THE RETURN OF SABATA - 1971; DAY OF JUDGMENT - 1971; A BULLET FOR A STRANGER - 1971; HOLY WATER JOE - 1971; HIS NAME WAS HOLY GHOST - 1972; TWO BROTHERS IN TRINITY - 1972; THEY CALL HIM VERITAS - 1972; JOE DAKOTA - 1972; TALES OF CANTERBURY - 1973; ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND - 1973; SUPER FLY T.N.T. - 1973; SHANGHAI JOE - 1973; HERE WE GO AGAIN, EH PROVIDENCE? - 1973; RETURN OF SHANGHAI JOE - 1975; APACHE WOMAN - 1976; DEATH HUNT - 1977; DEAR GORBACHEV - 1988; BRIDE OF VIOLENCE - 1991; USURA GALLERY - 1997; THE DIABOLICAL SUPER-CRIMINAL - 2007 [Documentary; his last film appearance]. Mr. Boido was 74 years-old.) - 10/07/14
JAN HOOKS (Actress/Comedian: Best known for her stint on Saturday Night Live [she was formerly part of the improv group The Groundlings and was deemed 'too old" when sheoriginally auditioned for SNL in 1975!], Ms. Hooks died much too young, but with plenty of movie and TV credits. Those included: THE BILL TUSH SHOW - 1980; PRIME TIMES - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE 1/2 HOUR COMEDY HOUR - 1983; THE JOE PISCOPO SPECIAL - 1984; NOT NECESSARILY THE NEWS - 1983-1984 [series regular]; PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE - 1985; COMEDY BREAK - 1985; WILDCATS - 1986; FUNLAND - 1987; SUPERMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY - 1988 [TV documentary]; DEAR JOHN - 1989; BATMAN RETURNS - 1992; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1991-1993 [series semi-regular; she replaced Jean Smart for the last two seasons]; CONEHEADS - 1993; A DANGEROUS WOMAN - 1993; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1986-1994 [she did a great Hillary Clinton]; THE MARTIN SHORT SHOW - 1994; THE DANA CARVEY SHOW - 1996; HILLER AND DILLER - 1997; SIMON BIRCH - 1998; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 1996- 2000 [series semi-regular]; PROVIDENCE - 2001; FUTURAMA - 2001 [voice only]; PRIMETIME GLICK - 2001; THE SIMPSONS - 1992-2002 [series semi-regular; voice only, she portrayed "Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon"]; GAME OVER - 2004 [voice only]; JIMMY GLICK IN LALAWOOD - 2004; 30 ROCK - 2010. Jan Hooks died of an unknown serious illness and was 57 years-old.) - 10/09/14
GARY MCLARTY (Stuntman/Actor: McLarty did stunts in over 150 films and appeared in bit parts in some of those films. He was considered an expert stuntman, but he died in a traffic accident with fellow stuntman Bob Orrison [who was driving and also passed away; see below], of all things, proving that no one is safe in traffic, not even stuntmen. Just a sampling of his films included: THE WILD BUNCH - 1969; BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1970; THE LOSERS - 1970; CHROME AND HOT LEATHER - 1971; THE THING WITH TWO HEADS - 1972; THE STONE KILLER - 1973; MCQ - 1974; POLICEWOMEN - 1974; DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY - 1974 [also bit part actor]; THE GRAVY TRAIN - 1974; THE LONGEST YARD - 1974; A BOY AND HIS DOG - 1975; CRAZY MAMA - 1975; FLASH AND THE FIRECAT - 1976; VIGILANTE FORCE - 1976; THE GREAT SMOKEY ROADBLOCK - 1977; CONVOY - 1978; ANIMAL HOUSE - 1978 [also Second Unit Director]; HOOPER - 1978; THE BLUES BROTHERS - 1980; BLADE RUNNER - 1982 [also bit part]; THE ENTITY - 1982; BLUE THUNDER - 1983; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983; SCARFACE - 1983; THE TERMINATOR - 1984; BEVERLY HILLS COP - 1984; WARNING SIGN - 1985; COMMANDO - 1985; F/X - 1986; COBRA - 1986; BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA - 1986; MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE - 1986 [also bit part]; EYE OF THE TIGER - 1986; NIGHTFORCE - 1987 [also bit part]; ROLLING VENGEANCE - 1987; CODE NAME: ZEBRA - 1987; THE SEVENTH SIGN - 1988; RAMBO III - 1988; THE BLOB - 1988; ROAD HOUSE - 1989; PHANTOM OF THE MALL: ERIC'S REVENGE - 1989; TANGO & CASH - 1989; MIAMI BLUES - 1990; ANOTHER 48 HRS. - 1990; GHOST - 1990; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1990; STONE COLD - 1991; 976-EVIL II - 1991; NOWHERE TO RUN - 1993; FALLING DOWN - 1993; JURASSIC PARK - 1993; THE LAST ACTION HERO - 1993; WARLOCK: THE ARMAGEDDON - 1993; DOUBLE DRAGON - 1994; NIGHT OF THE RUNNING MAN - 1995; WATERWORLD - 1995; JADE - 1995; FROM DUSK TILL DAWN - 1996; RAVEN HAWK - 1996; BATMAN & ROBIN - 1997; LETHAL WEAPON 4 - 1998; THE SIEGE - 1998; GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS - 2000; HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE - 2003; MURDER WITHOUT CONVICTION - 2004 [his last film]. His bit acting roles [which he also did stunts] included such films and TV shows as: THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967 [TV]; SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION - 1970; BEARCATS! - 1971 [TV]; KUNG FU - 1972 [TV]; MITCHELL - 1975; ROOSTER COGBURN - 1975; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976 [TV]; MAYDAY AT 40,000 FEET - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG RIDES AGAIN - 1979; ...ALL THE MARBLES - 1981; CANNERY ROW - 1982; THE BEASTMASTER - 1982; AIRWOLF - 1984 [TV]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; HARD TO KILL - 1990; THE MOD SQUAD - 1999; THE PROPHET - 1999. In 2001, Gary McLarty made headlines by testifying in a court of law that he refused Robert Blake's offer to kill his wife Bonnie Lee Bakely. Blake was acquitted of killing his wife. Gary McLarty was 74 years-old.) - 10/11/14
BOB ORRISON (Stuntman/Actor: Died in the same traffic accident that killed stuntman Gary McLarty [see above], where Orrison was driving his pickup truck with McLarty as a passenger, made a legal U-turn and was sideswiped by someone driving a Jeep Cherokee [both people in the Jerokee were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries]. Orrison's stunts were performed in such films and TV shows as: BANDOLERO! - 1968; 5 CARD STUD - 1968; CHE! - 1969; THE WILD BUNCH - 1969; THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY - 1969; THE UNDEFEATED - 1969; CHISUM - 1970; MOLLY AND LAWLESS JOHN - 1972; CLASS OF '44 - 1973; THREE THE HARD WAY - 1974; A BOY AND HIS DOG - 1975; HARRY O - 1974-1975 [stunt driver in 11 episodes]; THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE - 1976; BOUND FOR GLORY - 1976; FUN WITH DICK AND JANE - 1977; SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT - 1977; HOOPER - 1978; SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II - 1980; IN GOD WE TRU$T - 1980; CHARLIE CHAN AND THE CURSE OF THE DRAGON QUEEN - 1981; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979-1985 [stunt driver for the General Lee for 144 episodes!]; THE A-TEAM - 1983-1986 [George Peppard's stunt double for 92 episodes]; NO MAN'S LAND - 1987; ACTION JACKSON - 1988; THE SEVENTH SIGN - 1988; RAMBO III - 1988; ROAD HOUSE - 1989; TANGO & CASH - 1989; FAR OUT MAN - 1990; DAYS OF THUNDER - 1990; DIE HARD 2 - 1990; STONE COLD - 1991; BEASTMASTER: THROUGH THE PORTAL OF TIME - 1991; UNIVERSAL SOLDIER - 1992; REVENGE ON THE HIGHWAY - 1992 [TV Movie]; HOFFA - 1992; SPEED - 1994; STARGATE - 1994; THE AVENGING ANGEL - 1995 [TV Movie]; TWO-BITS AND PEPPER - 1995 [also bit actor]; BREAST MEN - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE WEDDING PLANNER - 2001; THE ANIMAL - 2001; THE LAST COWBOY - 2003 [TV Movie]; DETECTIVE - 2005 [TV Movie; also bit actor; his last film appearance]. His acting roles included parts on such TV shows and films as: STAR TREK - 1967-1968; THE IMMORTAL - 1970; MANNIX - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; THE CULPEPPER CATTLE COMPANY - 1972; MITCHELL - 1975; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1977; CONVOY - 1978; SUNBURN - 1979; TOM HORN - 1980; BIGFOOT: THE UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE - 1994. Bob Orrison was 86 years-old.) - 10/11/14
ELIZABETH NORMENT (Actress: Worked in both movies and television, her last role being Kevin Spacey's secretary "Nancy Kaufberger" on HOUSE OF CARDS - 2013-2014. Other roles included: THE WOMAN IN RED - 1984 [theatrical film]; RUNAWAY - 1984 [theatrical film]; ROBERT KENNEDY AND HIS TIMES - 1985 [TV mini-series]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Examination Day" - 1985]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1987; L.A. LAW - 1987; HOOPERMAN - 1988; TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE FINAL DAYS - 1989 [TV Movie]; MANCUSO, FBI - 1990; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1991-1992; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1992; HIGHER EDUCATION - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE MARSHALL - 1995; ER - 1995; CO-ED GIRL - 1996 [TV Movie]; PARTY OF FIVE - 1995-1996; SISTERS - 1996; ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION - 1997 [theatrical film]; MURDER IN MIND - 1997 [theatrical film]; NOTHING SACRED - 1997; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2006; ALL MY CHILDREN - 2008; LAW & ORDER - 2002-2008; POLITICAL ANIMALS - 2012 [TV mini-series]; BLUE BLOODS - 2013; HOUSE OF CARDS - 2013-2014 [her last acting appearance]. Elizabeth Norment was 61 years-old.) - 10/13/14
ELIZABETH PEÑA (Actress: Hard working and well-liked actress whose career lasted 40 years, even though she was only 55 when she passed away. She worked on TV right up to her death: Her films included: EL SUPER - 1979; TIMES SQUARE - 1980; THEY ALL LAUGHED - 1981;CROSSOVER DREAMS - 1985; DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS - 1986; LA BAMBA - 1987; *batteries not included - 1987; VIBES - 1988; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1989 [TV Movie]; BLUE STEEL - 1989; DRUG WARS: THE CAMARENA STORY - 1990 [TV mini-series]; JACOB'S LADDER - 1990; THE WATERDANCE - 1992; FUGITIVE AMONG US - 1992 [TV Movie]; ROOMATES - 1994 [TV Movie]; DEAD FUNNY - 1994; ACROSS THE MOON - 1995; FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME - 1995; THE INVADERS - 1995 [TV Movie]; IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE II - 1996 [TV Movie]; LONE STAR - 1996; RECON - 1996; CONTAGIOUS - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE SECOND CIVIL WAR - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE PASS - 1998; RUSH HOUR - 1998; STRANGELAND - 1998; ALDRICH AMES: TRAITOR WITHIN - 1998 [TV Movie]; BORDER LINE - 1999 [TV Movie}; SEVEN GIRLFRIENDS - 1999; THINGS BEHIND THE SUN - 2001; TORTILLA SOUP - 2001; ON THE BORDERLINE - 2001; IMPOSTER - 2001; ZIG ZAG - 2002; TEN TINY LOVE STORIES - 2002; THE HOLLYWOOD MOM'S MYSTERY - 2004 [TV Movie]; SUBURBAN MADNESS - 2004 [TV Movie]; THE INCREDIBLES - 2004 [voice only]; HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THEIR SUMMER - 2005; TRANSAMERICA - 2005; DOWN IN THE VALLEY - 2005; SUENO - 2005; KEEP YOUR DISTANCE - 2005; THE LOST CITY - 2005; ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN - 2007; GOAL II: LIVING THE DREAM - 2007; DRAGON WARS: D-WAR - 2007; LOVE COMES LATELY - 2007; RACING FOR TIME - 2008 [TV Movie]; A SINGLE WOMAN - 2008; NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS - 2008; MOTHER AND CHILD - 2009; BECOMING EDUARDO - 2009; DOWN FOR LIFE - 2009; THE PERFECT FAMILY - 2011; KING JOHN - 2013 [TV Movie]; IN THE DARK - 2013 [TV Movie]; BLAZE YOU OUT - 2013; PLUSH - 2013; GIRL ON THE EDGE - 2014. Ms. Peña's many TV appearances included guest roles on: CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985; T.J. HOOKER - 1985; HILL STREET BLUES - 1986; TOUGH COOKIES - 1986 [series regular]; I MARRIED DORA - 1987-1988 [series regular]; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1990-1991 [series semi-regular]; DREAM ON - 1993; L.A. LAW - 1993-1994; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1995; TWO - 1996; DEAD MAN'S GUN - 1997; DELLAVENTURA - 1997; THE EDDIE FILES - 1998; RESURRECTION BLVD. - 2000-2001 [series regular]; BOSTON PUBLIC - 2002-2003; CSI: MIAMI - 2003; MAYO & MIGUEL - 2004; NCIS - 2004; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2005; JUSTICE LEAGUE - 2004-2005 [voice only]; NUMB3RS - 2005; MINORITEAM - 2006 [voice only]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2007 [voice only]; GHOST WHISPERER - 2009; OUTLAW - 2010; OFF THE MAP - 2011 [series semi-regular]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 2011; PRIME SUSPECT - 2012; COMMON LAW - 2012; MAJOR CRIMES - 2013; MODERN FAMILY - 2013; MATADOR - 2014 [series regular]. She also directed TV episodes of RESURRECTION BLVD. - 2002; THE BROTHERS GARCIA - 2003 and YLSE - 2008. Elizabeth Peña won four ALMA Awards® for her work both in movies and TV and won several more awards, including The Independent Spirit Award® for Best Supporting Female in LONE STAR [1996]. Ms. Peña was only 55 years-old and passed away after a short stay in the hospital. It turns out her death was caused by alcohol abuse. What a shame.) - 10/14/14
MISTY UPHAM (Actress: Young Native American actress who committed suicide due to severe depression, money and other troubles. She disappeared on October 6, 2014. Her movie and TV credits included: SKINS - 2002; AUF WIEDERSEHEN, PET - 2002; SKINWALKERS - 2002 [TV Movie]; DREEMKEEPERS - 2003 [TV Movie]; EDGE OF AMERICA - 2003 [TV Movie]; EXPIRATION DATE - 2006; FROZEN RIVER - 2008 [nominated for an Independent Spirit Award®]; THE DRY LAND - 2010; BIG LOVE - 2010; DJANGO UNCHAINED - 2012; JIMMY P. - 2013; AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY - 2013 [her most famous role; nominated for a SAG Award®]; CAKE - 2014. Misty Upham was 32 years-old. Juliette Lewis [not the most stable actress on this planet] wants authorities to look into Misty's death as a homicide because she was outspoken for Native American causes!) - 10/16/14 (Body found on this date.)
LYNDA BELLINGHAM (British Actress: Best known as a TV actress, but she made an occasional theatrical film. Her credits include: THE MISFIT - 1971; KATE - 1971; A FAMILY AT WAR - 1971; THE FENN STREET GANG - 1972; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1972-1973 [25 episodes]; TELL TARBY - 1973; ALL STAR COMEDY CARNIVAL - 1973 [TV Movie]; A LITTLE BIT OF WISDOM - 1974; BILLY LIAR - 1974; WITHIN THESE WALLS - 1975; Z CARS - 1974-1975; THE SWEENEY - 1975; COUPLES - 1976; WHODUNNIT? - 1976; CONFESSIONS OF A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; YUS MY DEAR - 1976; SWEENEY! - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; YES, HONESTLY - 1977; DOCTOR ON THE GO - 1977; BIG BOY NOW! - 1977; STAND UP, VIRGIN SOLDIERS - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; THE FUZZ - 1977; THE PINK MEDICINE SHOW - 1978; DON'T FORGET TO WRITE - 1979; HAZELL - 1979; SHOESTRING - 1979; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1980; MACKENZIE - 1980; RIDING HIGH - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; FUNNY MAN - 1981; BLAKES 7 - 1981; ANGELS - 1982; EDUCATING MARMALADE - 1982; THE GENTLE TOUCH - 1984; DOCTOR WHO - 1986; FILTHY RICH & CATFLAP - 1987; SCREEN TWO - 1987; ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - 1988-1990 [47 episodes]; JACKANORY - 1993; SECOND THOUGHTS - 1991-1994 [49 episodes]; MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT - 1994 (TV mini-series]; FAITH IN THE FUTURE - 1995-1998 [22 episodes]; THE SCARLET TUNIC - [Theatrical Film]; CASUALTY - 1998; DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; REACH FOR THE MOON - 2000 {TV mini-series]; THE ROMANOVS: AN IMPERIAL FAMILY - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; WAKING THE DEAD - 2001; BODYWORK - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; MY UNCLE SILAS - 2001; HAPPY TOGETHER [TV Movie]; AT HOME WITH THE BRAITHWAITHES - 2000-2003 [9 episodes]; HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: MY LIFE AS A FAIRY TALE - 2003 [TV Movie]; DEVIL'S GATE - 2003 [Theatrical Movie]; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2004; DALZIEL AND PASCOE - 2004; THE LAST DETECTIVE - 2004; MONKEY TROUSERS - 2004 [TV Movie]; THE BILL - 2004 [19 episodes]; ODD SOCKS - 2004; MURDER IN SUBURBIA - 2005; HOLBY CITY - 2006; BONKERS - 2007; NEW TRICKS - 2007; ROBIN HOOD - 2007; RE-EXTINCT - 2008 [TV Movie]; LOVE SOUP - 2008; MISTER ELEVEN - 2009 [TV mini-series]; TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT - 2014 [TV mini-series]. Ms. Bellingham was 66 years-old.) - 10/19/14
GERARD PARKES (Actor: Born in Ireland but worked mainly in Canada. Films included: ISRAEL - 1967 [Canadian Film Awards® winner for Best Performance By A Lead Actor]; A GREAT BIG THING - 1968; ISABEL - 1968; THE APPRENTICE - 1971; THE PYX - 1973; RUNNING TIME - 1974; SECOND WIND - 1976; WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND - 1977; BETHUNE - 1977 [TV Movie]; AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1979 [TV Movie]; YESTERDAY - 1981; SPASMS - 1983; DRAW! -1984 {TV MOVIE]; THE SUICIDE MURDERS - 1985 [TV Movie]; FIGHT FOR LIFE - 1987 [TV Movie]; A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS - 1987 [TV Movie]; GLORY ENOUGH FOR ALL - 1988 [TV Movie]; SHORT CIRCUIT 2 - 1988; THE JANUARY MAN - 1989; BRIDGE TO SILENCE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE GUNRUNNER - 1989; SPEAKING PARTS - 1989; THE LAST WINTER - 1989; MONEY - 1991; THE ADJUSTER - 1991; J.F.K.: RESTLESS YOUTH - 1993 [TV Movie]; DIEPPE - 1993; [TV Movie]; TRAPPED IN PARADISE - 1994; SMALL GIFTS - 1994 [TV Movie]; IT TAKES TWO - 1995; MOTHER NIGHT - 1996; HANDEL'S LAST CHANCE - 1996 [TV Movie]; THUNDER POINT - 1998 [TV Movie]; THANKS OF A GRATEFUL NATION - 1998 [TV Movie]; STORM OF THE CENTURY - 1999 {TV mini-series]; THE BOONDOCK SAINTS - 1999; MUST BE SANTA - 1999 [TV Movie]; ENSLAVEMENT: THE TRUE STORY OF FANNY KEMBLE - 2000 [TV Movie]; A HOUSE DIVIDED - 2000 [TV Movie]; DEEPLY - 2000; BLESSED STRANGER: AFTER FLIGHT 111 - 2000 [TV Movie]; SAINT RALPH - 2004; THE BOONDOCK SAINTS 2: ALL SAINTS DAY - 2009. Guest roles on TV series included: ENCOUNTER - 1960; THE FOREST RANGERS - 1963-1965 [9 episodes]; SEAWAY - 1966; BARNEY BOOMER - 1967; UPSIDE TOWN/SWINGAROUND - 1968; ADVENTURES IN RAINBOW COUNTY - 1969; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970; KING OF KENSINGTON - 1978; A GIFT TO LAST - 1979; HOME FIRES - 1980; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1981; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1981; SEEING THINGS - 1985; NIGHT HEAT - 1985; TODAY'S SPECIAL - 1986; FRAGGLE ROCK - 1983-1987 [96 episodes]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["The Crossing" - 1988]; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1989; FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES - 1990; RAY BRADBURY PRESENTS - 1990; SHINING TIME STATION - 1991; CANADA: A PEOPLE'S HISTORY - 2000. Mr. Parkes was 90 years-old.) - 10/19/14
L.M. KIT CARSON (Screenwriter/Producer/Actor: As Screenwriter: THE LEXINGTON EXPERIENCE - 1971 [Documentary]; THE AMERICAN DREAMER - 1971 [Documentary; also Director and appeared as himself in an uncredited role]; THE LAST WORD - 1979; BREATHLESS - 1983; CHINESE BOXES - 1984 [also Actor]; PARIS, TEXAS - 1984; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 - 1986 [also Associate Producer and songwriter]; THE HITCHHIKER - 1987 [TV Series; "The Legendary Billy B."; "Why Are You Here?" {CableACE Award® winner for Best Writing}]; BULFIGHTER - 2000 [also Actor and Producer]; PERFUME - 2001 [also Producer]; TEMPO - 2003. As a Producer: THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER - 2005. As an Actor: DAVID HOLZMAN'S DIARY - 1967; RUNNING ON EMPTY - 1988; MIAMI VICE - 1989 [TV Series; "The Cell Within"]; LAST FAIR DEAL - 1995 [also Executive Producer]; HURRICANE STREETS - 1997 [also Executive Producer]; BIRTH OF A NATION - 1997 [Documentary]; SENSO UNICO - 1999; FAMOUS - 2000; CQ - 2001; HAMLET IN THE HAMPTONS - 2002 [Also Associate Producer]. He also wrote, produced or starred in a series of shorts, including: THE SUNSHINE SISTERS - 1972; BOTTLE ROCKET - 1994; DIRECTION MAN - 1996; SNAKELAND - 1996; GOODFRIENDS - 1997; MIDSUMMER - 1999; WITH IT - 2004; GODLESS - 2005; BASTARD - 2010. He was also extremely influential in helping freshman director Wes Anderson get his full-length film BOTTLE ROCKET - 1996 made after Executive Producing the 13 minute 1994 short, and he is giving Co-Producer status in the credits. Mr. Carson was 73 years-old after battling a long illness.) - 10/20/14
LILLI CARATI (Italian Actress: Talented actress who appeared in sex comedies and police actioners and then ending her career in porn. HIT SQUAD - 1976; SCHOOL DAYS - 1976; GANGBUSTER - 1977; CONVOY BUSTERS - 1977; A NIGHT FULL OF RAIN - 1978; THE EXHIBITIONIST - 1978; BEING TWENTY - 1978; JAILBIRDS - 1978; SKIN DEEP - 1979; GIVE ME FIVE - 1980; THERE IS A GHOST IN MY BED - 1981; VULTURES OVER THE CITY - 1981; MAGIC MOMENTS - 1984; THE ALCOVE - 1984; THE PLEASURE - 1985; A LUSTFUL MIND - 1986; PEEPSHOW - 1986; ON MY LIPS - 1987; LILLI CARATI'S DREAMS - 1987; A VERY DEBAUCHED GIRL - 1988; THE WHORE - 1990. Also a handful of films not translated into English. Ms. Carati was 58 years-old.) - 10/20/14
OX BAKER (Wrestler/Actor: STAMPEDE WRESTLING - 1957 [TV Show]; THE BIG BRAWL - 1980; ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK - 1981 [he played Kurt Russell's opponent, Slag, in the fight-to-the-death wrestling match]; BLOOD CIRCUS - 1985 [the mysterious, long sought-after sci-fi wrestling film shilled on TV by huckster Santo Gold, but never sold]; CHILLING VISIONS: 5 SENSES OF FEAR - 2013; PINWHEEL - 2015. Mr. Baker [his real first name was Douglas] was voted "Most Hated Wrestler" in 1976 in a poll taken by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He once killed opponent Alberto Torres in the ring, but an autopsy revealed that Torres entered the ring with a ruptured pancreas and Baker was absolved from the death. Ox Baker was 80 years-old.) - 10/20/14
MARCIA STRASSMAN (Actress: Best known to Baby Boomers as Gabe Kaplan's wife, Julie Kotter, on WELCOME BACK, KOTTER [1975-1979], Ms. Strassman was best known as a TV actor, but ventured out into theatrical films every now and then: Her credits included: THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1964-1965; IRONSIDE - 1967; CHANGES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT - 1972 [TV Movie]; M*A*S*H - 1972-1973; LOVE STORY - 1973; POLICESTORY - 1974; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1975; JOURNEY FROM DARKNESS - 1975 [TV Movie]; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; BRENDA STARR - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT II - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978; TIME EXPRESS - 1979; WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1975-1979 [94 Episodes]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979; ONCE UPON A FAMILY - 1980 [TV Movie]; BRAVE NEW WORLD - 1980 [TV Movie]; GOOD TIME HARRY - 1980; LIKELY STORIES, VOL. 1 - 1981 [TV Movie]; SOUP FOR ONE - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; MAGNUM P.I. - 1982; AT EASE - 1983; E/R - 1984; THE AVIATOR - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; SHADOW CHASERS - 1985; STINGRAY - 1987; AMAZING STORIES - 1987; HAUNTED BY HER PAST - 1987 [TV Movie]; I MARRIED DORA - 1987; DADDY CAN'T READ - 1988; TICKETS, PLEASE - 1988; TV 101 - 1989; HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; BOOKER - 1989-1990 [series regular]; FAST GETAWAY - [DTV Film]; AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR PARENTS WERE WEIRD - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; MASTERGATE - 1992 [TV Movie]; CIVIL WARS - 1992; ANOTHER STAKEOUT - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; PHENOM - 1994; SWEET JUSTICE - 1995; FAMILY REUNION: A RELATIVE NIGHTMARE - 1995 [TV Movie]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1995; CHARLIE GRACE - 1995; CRAZY LOVE - 1995; COPS N ROBERTS - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1996; THE ROCKFORD FILES: FRIENDS AND FOUL PLAY - 1996 [TV Movie]; HIGHLANDER - 1996; EARTH MINUS ZERO - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; L.A. HEAT - 1997; TRACY TAKES ON... - 1997; RUGRATS - 1997 [voice only]; AAAHH, REAL MONSTERS - 1995-1997 [voice only]; BAYWATCH - 1997; ODD MAN OUT - 1999; NOAH KNOWS BEST - 2000 [series regular]; GALE FORCE - 2002 [DTV Film]; PROVIDENCE - 2002-2004; THE MOVIE HERO - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; POWER PLAY - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; TREMORS - 2003 [series regular]; THIRD WATCH - 2004; REEKER - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; TWENTY GOOD YEARS - 2006; LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT - 2014 [TV Movie; her last acting role]. Marcia Strassman was 66 years-old and passed away after battling breast cancer.) - 10/25/14
RENEE ASHERSON (British Actress: Films included: THE WAY AHEAD - 1944; HENRY V - 1944; JOHNNY IN THE CLOUDS - 1945; CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA - 1945; HOUR OF GLORY - 1949; MANIACS ON WHEELS - 1949; THE CURE FOR LOVE - 1949; POOL FOR LONDON - 1951; THE MAGIC BOX - 1951; MALTA STORY - 1953; TIME IS MY ENEMY - 1954; THE RED DRESS - 1954; THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE - 1961; RASPUTIN: THE MAD MONK - 1965; SCHOOL FOR UNCLAIMED GIRLS - 1969; THEATRE OF BLOOD - 1973; GREY OWL - 1999; THE OTHERS - 2001 [her last acting role]. TV series appearances included: HAPPY AND GLORIOUS - 1952; RHEINGOLD THEATRE - 1953-1956; AT HOME - 1960 [TV Movie]; THE PURSUERS - 1961; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1960-1961; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1961-1962; LOVE STORY - 1963; THIRTY MINUTE THEATRE - 1963-1966; STRANGE REPORT - 1969; KATE - 1971; COUNTRY MATTERS - 1973 [TV mini-series]; AWAY FROM IT ALL - 1973; CLAYHANGER - 1976; VICTORIAN SCANDALS - 1976; JUBILEE - 1977; ARMCHAIR THRILLER - 1978; DISRAELI: PORTRAIT OF A ROMANTIC - 1978 [TV mini-series]; TWO'S COMPANY - 1979; A MAN CALLED INTREPID - 1979 [TV mini-series]; FLESH AND BLOOD - 1980; GOODBYE DARLING - 1981; TENKO - 1981; LOVE AND MARRIAGE - 1984; CROWN COURT - 1984; EDWIN - 1984 [TV Movie]; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE: A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED - 1985 [TV Movie]; ROMANCE ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS - 1985 [TV Movie]; TIME FOR MURDER - 1985; TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN - 1989 [TV mini-series]; SIR NORBERT SMITH, A LIFE - 1989 [TV Movie]; CHAIN - 1990 [TV mini-series]; LIFE AFTER LIFE - 1990 [TV Movie]; SCREEN ONE - 1992; SCREEN TWO - 1992; LOVEJOY - 1993; HARNESSING PEACOCKS - 1993 [TV Movie]; BRIGHTON BELLES - 1994; PERFORMANCE - 1995; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 1997. Ms. Asherson was married to actor Robert Donat from 1953 until his death in 1958. She never remarried. Renee Asherson passed away of natural causes and was 99 years-old.) - 10/30/14
IAN FRASER (Music Composer: Fraser holds the distinction of being the most Emmy®-honored composer/conductor in TV history. Won an outstanding 11 Emmy Awards® and nominated for 20 more for his music on TV for his CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON [From 1984 until 2012] and JULIE ANDREWS, BING CROSBY and DOROTHY HAMILL Specials, as well as for other special programming on TV, including three Emmy Award® shows. His other credits included: DOCTOR DOLITTLE - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; WITH LOVE, SOPHIA - 1967; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; SCROOGE - 1970 [Theatrical Film; Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Music, Original Song Score]; THE ANTHONY NEWLEY SHOW - 1971; PETER PAN - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 1978; TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS - 1979 [TV Movie]; HOPSCOTCH - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; LINDA IN WONDERLAND - 1980 [TV Movie]; ANN-MARGRET: HOLLYWOOD MOVIE GIRLS - 1980 [TV Documentary]; ZORRO: THE GAY BLADE - 1981 [Theatrical Film; Razzie Award® for Worst Original Score]; FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; LIFE OF THE PARTY: THE STORY OF BEATRICE - 1982 [TV Movie]; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983; BABES IN TOYLAND - 1986 [TV Movie]. Mr. Fraser was Musicial Director or Composer on over 53 TV specials and was considered the premiere composer of music for the White House by five Presidents. He also served 10 terms as the Television Academy's Music Peer Group Governor. Ian Fraser was 81 years-old and passed away from complications due to cancer.) - 10/31/14
RICHARD SCHAAL (Actor/ Comedian: First husband of actress Valerie Harper and an early member of Chicago's Second City comedy troup, Schaal did both TV and Movies [but mainlyTV]. His credits included: EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1964; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1964; MR. BROADWAY - 1964; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1966; THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1969; THE VIRGIN PRESIDENT - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THAT GIRL - 1967-1970; THE F.B.I. - 1970; STORY THEATRE - 1971; SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1972; BANACEK - 1973; STEELYARD BLUES - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1973; HERE WE GO AGAIN - 1973; BACHELOR-AT-LAW - 1973 [TV Movie]; SHAFT - 1974; NIGHTMARE - 1974 [TV Movie]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1970-1974; THURSDAY'S GAME - 1974 [TV MOVIE]; A KNIFE FOR THE LADIES - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972-1974; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974; LET'S SWITCH! - 1975 [TV Movie]; HARRY O - 1975; SONG OF THE SUCCUBUS - 1975 [TV Movie]; ROCK-A-DIE BABY - 1975 [TV Movie]; PHYLLIS - 1975-1976 [Series Regular; Directed one episode]; RHODA - 1974-1976; FISH - 1977; POLICE WOMAN - 1977; PLEASE STAND BY - 1979; AMERICATHON - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; THE HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1980; IT'S A LIVING - 1980; NERO WOLFE - 1981; THE TWO OF US - 1981; HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. - 1982; O'HARA'S WIFE - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; JUST OUR LUCK - 1983 [Series Regular]; ONCE BITTEN - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1981-1985; TALL TALES & LEGENDS - 1986; SHADOW CHASERS - 1986; ALMOST GROWN - 1988-1989; SYDNEY - 1990 [his last acting credit]. Richard Schaal died of natural causes and was 86 years-old.) - 11/04/14
LEIGH CHAPMAN (Writer/Actress: Chapman found success both as an actress and a writer, doing screenplays, teleplays and acting for both TV and Movies. As a Writer: BURKE'S LAW - 1964-1965; A SWINGIN' SUMMER - 1965; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1966; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1966-1968 [six episodes; one of her scripts would earn actress Agnes Moorehead her only acting Emmy Award®]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; MOD SQUAD - 1968; TRUCK TURNER - 1974; DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY - 1974 [her best screenplay, in my opinion]; HOW COME NOBODY'S ON OUR SIDE? - 1975; STEEL - 1979; BOARDWALK - 1979; THE OCTAGON - 1980; KING OF THE MOUNTAIN - 1981; IMPULSE - 1990; STORM AND SORROW - 1990. As an Actress: RIPCORD - 1963; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1963; LAW OF THE LAWLESS - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964; COMBAT! - 1964; DR. KILDARE - 1964; VALENTINE'S DAY - 1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965-1966 [8 episodes]; IRON HORSE - 1966; OCCASIONAL WIFE - 1966; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1966; THE MONKEES - 1966; LAND'S END - 1968 [TV Movie]; AFTER THE STORM - 2001 [TV Movie]. Ms. Chapman was battling cancer for eight months and died at the age of 75.) - 11/04/14
DAVID WATSON (Actor: Best known as taking Roddy McDowall's place as Cornelius in BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1970 when McDowall refused to play the role [McDowall would return to play the role in the following three APES films as well as the short-lived TV Series], Watson was a British actor who appeared in very few TV shows and movies. His credits included: RAWHIDE - 1965; NEVER TOO YOUNG - 1965-1966 [series regular]; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1966; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1967; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968; THE LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD - 1968; THE MYSTERY OF EDWARD SIMMS - 1968 [TV Movie]; DANIEL BOONE - 1968-1970; BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1970; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1977; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1977; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978; BEYOND THE NEXT MOUNTAIN - 1987; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE LADY IN THE LAKE - 1988 [TV Movie]; PAPERBACK ROMANCE - 1994; GOOD GUYS BAD GUYS - 1997; MY BROTHER JACK - 2001 [TV Movie]; CRIMINAL WAYS - 2003. Mr. Watson was 74 years-old.) - 11/05/14
MICHAEL LENNICK (Director/Producer/Editor/Visual Effects Artist: Known for directing and producing documentaries and DVD extras like VIDEODROME: FORGING THE NEW FLESH - 2004 and THE SCANNERS WAY - 2014, Mr. Lennick was also a Visual Effects Artist for movies and TV. His directing/producing/editing credits included: THE ALL-NIGHT SHOW - 1980 [TV Series]; OWL/TV - 1985 [TV Series]; VISTA: THE NEW MAGICIANS - 1985 [also visual effects]; 2001 AND BEYOND - 2001; SCIENCE HIGHWAY- 2001; THE HIGHEST STEP IN THE WORLD - 2002; ROCKET SCIENCE - 2002; DR. TELLER'S VERY LARGE BOMB - 2006; THE LAND OF SPACE AND TIME - 2009; A MESSAGE FROM SPACE - 2011; 2001: THE SCIENCE OF FUTURES PAST - 2012. He did Visual Effects for such films and TV series as: THE LAST CHASE - 1981; MURDER BY PHONE - 1982; VIDEODROME - 1983; THE DEAD ZONE - 1983; FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES - 1987; MY SECRET IDENTITY - 1988; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1988; MILLENNIUM - 1989; HARRISON BERGERON - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD - 1996; BORROWED HEART - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE BIG HIT - 1998; EARTHQUAKE IN NEW YORK - 1998 [TV Movie]; FREE FALL - 1999; DICK - 1999; CHEATERS - 2000 [TV Movie]. Michael Lennick died of an aggressive brain tumor and was 61 years-old.) - 11/07/14
ERNEST KINOY (Writer: Worked mainly in Television, but occasionally ventured into theatrical features. All credits are TV series unless otherwise noted: THE CHEVROLET TELE-THEATRE - 1948; MASTERPIECE PLAYHOUSE - 1950; LIGHTS OUT - 1950-1951 [5 episodes]; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1951; CHEVRON THEATRE - 1953; THE MARRIAGE - 1954; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1955; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1956; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1957; THE ALCOA HOUR - 1956-1957; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1955-1957 [4 episodes]; SUSPICION - 1957-1958; WHERE IS THY BROTHER? - 1958 [TV Movie]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1955-1958 [4 episodes]; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1959; BRENNER - 1959; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1959; SUNDAY SHOWCASE - 1960; DIAGNOSIS: UNKNOWN - 1960; MOMENT OF FEAR - 1960; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1956-1961; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1961; DR. KILDARE - 1961-1962; SAINTS AND SINNERS - 1962; NAKED CITY - 1961-1963 [6 episodes]; BREAKING POINT - 1963; ROUTE 66 - 1963; ESPIONAGE - 1963-1964; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964; THE DEFENDERS - 1961-1964 [9 episodes; Emmy Award® winner for 1961 episode "Blacklist']; FOR THE PEOPLE - 1965 [4 episodes]; BRIGADOON - 1966 [TV Movie]; SHANE - 1966; PINOCCHIO - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE BILL COSBY SHOW - 1970; THE BOLD ONES: THE SENATOR - 1971; BROTHER JOHN - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; CRAWLSPACE - 1972 [TV Movie]; BUCK AND THE PREACHER - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; RX FOR THE DEFENSE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE PRESIDENT'S PLANE IS MISSING - 1973 [TV Movie]; CHANGE AT 125TH STREET - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE STORY OF JACOB AND JOSEPH - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE RIVALRY - 1975; COLLISION COURSE: TRUMAN VS. MACARTHUR - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STORY OF DAVID - 1976 [TV Movie]; LEADBELLY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; VICTORY AT ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie]; ROOTS - 1977 [TV mini-series; Emmy Award® winner]; THE DEADLIEST SEASON - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE BEST OF FAMILIES - 1977 [TV mini-series]; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE HENDERSON MONSTER - 1980 [TV Movie]; SKOKIE - 1981 [TV Movie; Writers Guild of America, USA Award® winner]; MURROW - 1986 [TV Movie]; WHITE WATER SUMMER - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; STONES FOR IBARRA - 1988 [TV Movie]; LINCOLN - 1988 [TV mini-series]; CHERNOBYL: THE FINAL WARNING - 1991 [TV Movie]; TAD - 1995 [TV Movie]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998-1999 [his final credits]. Mr. Kinoy also won a Writers Guild of America, USA Award® in 1978, the "Laurel Award" for TV Writing Achievement. He was 89 years-old.) - 11/10/14
STEVE DODD (Australian Actor: Films and TV Series included: RIPTIDE - 1969 [TV Series]; WOOBINDA, ANIMAL DOCTOR - 1970 [TV Series]; DELTA - 1969-1970 [TV Series]; THE SPOILER - 1972 [TV Series]; SPYFORCE - 1972-1973 [TV Series]; HOMICIDE - 1974 [TV Series]; OUR MAN IN THE COMPANY - 1974 [TV Series]; POLLY MY LOVE - 1975 [TV Movie]; RUSH - 1976 [TV Series]; THE OUTSIDERS - 1976 [TV Series]; THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; LITTLE BOY LOST - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; GLENVIEW HIGH - 1979 [TV Series]; GALLIPOLI - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; CHASE THROUGH THE NIGHT - 1983 [TV Movie]; BOY IN THE BUSH - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE FLYING DOCTORS - 1985 [TV mini-series]; THE COCA-COLA KID - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; FLIGHT INTO HELL - 1985 [TV mini-series]; SHORT CHANGED - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE FACTS OF LIFE DOWN UNDER - 1987 [TV Movie]; GROUND ZERO - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; THE FLYING DOCTORS - 1987-1988 [TV Series]; STONES OF DEATH - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; A CRY IN THE DARK - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; THE CROSSING - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; DEADLY - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE MATRIX - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; THE ALICE - 2005-2006 [TV Series]; SEPTEMBER - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; BROKEN SUN - 2010 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Steve Dodd was 86 years-old.) - 11/10/14
KEN TAKAKURA (Japanese Actor: Versitile actor who first started out in Japaneses films and then became the go-to actor in international productions. He was the Japanese equivalent of Clint Eastwood. His films included: PROFESSOR CHOP - 1956; NIPPON G-MEN - 1956; THE OUTSIDERS - 1958; ALTITUDE 7000 METERS: FOUR HOURS OF TERROR - 1959; IF YOU'RE A MAN, CHECK IT OUT - 1960; THE UNTAMED OF THE SKY - 1960; THE FLOWER, THE STORM, AND THE GANG - 1961; THE DEVIL'S BALLAD - 1961; HELL'S KITCHEN - 1962; TOKYO UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; OPERATION DIAMOND - 1962; BOSS OF THE UNDERWORLD: GANG OF 11 - 1963; TOKYO UNTOUCHABLE: DASSO - 1963; DUEL OF THE UNDERWORLD - 1963; TWO-SWORD FENCING IS BORN - 1963; GANG CHUSHINGURA - 1963; TOKYO GANG VS. HONG KONG GANG - 1964; JAKOMAN AND TETSU - 1964; ANKOKUGAI MAIN STREET - 1964; WOLVES. PIGS AND PEOPLE - 1964; THE JAPANESE YAKUZA - 1964; MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: THE DUEL AT ICHIJOJI - 1965; A FUGITIVE FROM THE PAST - 1965; THE MAN FROM ABASHIRI PRISON - 1965 [based on director Stanley Kramers 1958 film THE DEFIANT ONES] ; RETURN TO ABASHIRI - 1965; MITAMOTO MUSASHI: MUSASHI VS. KOJIRO - 1965; BRUTAL TALES OF CHIVALRY - 1965; ABASHIRI PRISON: SAGA OF HOMESICKNESS - 1965; ABASHIRI PRISON: NORTHERN SEACOAST STORY - 1966; BRUTAL TALES OF CHIVALRY 2 - 1966; BRUTAL TALES OF CHIVALRY 3 - 1966; A MAN'S WARRIOR SPIRIT - 1966; ABASHIRI PRISON: DUEL TO THE SOUTH - 1966 [Five more ABASHIRI PRISON films would follow, the last one made in 1968]; BRUTAL TALES OF CHIVALRY 4 - 1967; THE CHIVALROUS LIFE - 1967; DIARIES OF THE KAMIKAZI - 1967; THE DRIFTING AVENGER - 1968; THE DAY THE SUN ROSE - 1968; RED PEONY GAMBLER - 1968; BRUTAL TALES OF CHIVALRY 5 - 1969; RED PEONY GAMBLER: FLOWER CARDS MATCH - 1969; RED PEONY GAMBLER: SECOND GENERATION CEREMONY - 1969; THE VAGRANT COMES TO A PORT TOWN - 1969; THE FLOWER AND THE DRAGON - 1969; CHIVALROUS GEISHA - 1969; TOO LATE THE HERO - 1970; HELL IS MAN'S DESTINY - 1970; BRAVE RED FLOWER OF THE NORTH - 1970; THE PATH OF THE KING - 1971; DUEL OF SWIRLING FLOWERS - 1971; CHERRY BLOSSOM FIRE GANG - 1972; GOLGO 13 - 1973; THE YAKUZA - 1974; THE HOMELESS - 1974; THE BULLET TRAIN - 1975; INTERNATIONAL GANGS OF KOBE - 1975; MOUNT HAKKODA - 1977; THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF - 1977; WINTER'S FLOWER - 1978; NEVER GIVE UP - 1978; A DISTANT CRY FROM SPRING - 1980; STATION - 1981; ANTARCTICA - 1983; DEMON - 1985; SEE YOU - 1988; BLACK RAIN - 1989; MR. BASEBALL - 1992; 47 RONIN - 1994; RAILROAD MAN - 1999; THE FIREFLY - 2001; RIDING ALONG FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES - 2005; DEAREST - 2012 [his last film]. Mr. Takakura literally made dozens of Japanese films that were never translated into English and were usually distributed by the Toei Company. He was 83 years-old.) - 11/10/14
CAROL ANN SUSI (Actress: Best known to modern TV watchers as the voice of Mrs. Wolowitz on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Carol Ann Susi was an accomplished TV and Movie actress who started out in the early-70's. Her credits included: KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1974 [She played "Monique Marmelstein" on three episodes: "The Zombie"; "Firefall"; and "They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be" and were her first acting roles]; CRACKLE OF DEATH - 1974 [TVMovie with two episodes of KOLCHAK, with the episode 'Freefall' included]; THE BIG RIP-OFF - 1975 [TV Movie]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1975; RICH MAN, POOR MAN - 1976 [TV mini-series]; LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING - 1981 [TV Movie]; LOVE SCENES - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; MY SISTER SAM - 1987; THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; SIMON & SIMON - 1987; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1987; BLOOD RED - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; WEDDING BAND - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; WHO'S THE BOSS? - 1989; GROWING PAINS - 1990; NIGHT COURT - 1990; MURPHY BROWN - 1990; MY BLUE HEAVEN - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; MASTERS OF MENACE - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; HEAD OF THE CLASS - 1990; THE NEW ADAM-12 - 1990; MARRIED PEOPLE - 1990; DONOR - 1990 [TV Movie]; CHEERS - 1991; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1991; SEINFELD - 1992; DEATH BECOMES HER - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; A DIFFERENT WORLD - 1992; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1992; BLOSSOM - 1993; UNDER INVESTIGATION - 1993 [DTV]; NYPD BLUE - 1994; POINTMAN - 1995; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1995-1996; THE HOME COURT - 1996; ER - 1996; EDIE & PEN - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1996; WEDDING BELL BLUES - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; FIRED UP - 1997; EAT YOUR HEART OUT - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; JUST SHOOT ME! - 1998; JANE AUSTEN'S MAFIA! - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; OH BABY - 1998; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1998; BECKER - 1998; USA HIGH - 1998; THE AMATI GIRLS - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; CITY GUYS - 2000; TEMPEST EYE - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; RUDE AWAKENING - 2001; THAT'S LIFE - 2001; SIX FEET UNDER - 2001; CATS & DOGS - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; DUTY DATING - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; JUST DESSERTS - 2004 [TV Movie]; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 2004; MCBRIDE: IT'S MURDER, MADAM - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2000-2005; OUT OF PRACTICE - 2005; LOVE, INC. - 2006; THAT 70'S SHOW - 2006; COFFEE DATE - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; JOURNEYMAN - 2007; UGLY BETTY - 2008; RED VELVET - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2008; CSI: NY - 2008; 'TIL DEATH - 2010; JUST GO WITH IT - 2011 [Theatrical Film]; THE BIG BANG THEORY - 2007-2014. Carol Ann Susi was battling cancer and was 62 years-old.) - 11/11/14
WARREN CLARKE (British Actor: Films included: THE VIRGIN SOLDIERS - 1969; THE BREAKING OF BUMBO- 1970; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - 1971; ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1972; O LUCKY MAN! - 1973; THE GREAT RIVIERA BANK ROBBERY - 1979; HAWK THE SLAYER - 1980; FROM A FAR COUNTRY - 1981; FIREFOX - 1982; ENIGMA - 1983; REAL LIFE - 1984; LASSITER - 1984; TPO SECRET! - 1984; THE FLYING DEVILS - 1985; ISHTAR - 1987; CRUSOE - 1988; I.D. - 1995; GREEN FINGERS - 2000; BLOW DRY - 2001; ARTHUR'S DYKE - 2001; RED RIDING: 1974 - 2009; RED RIDING: 1980 - 2009; RED RIDING: 1983 - 2009. TV Series and Movie appearances included roleson: PARDON MY EXPRESSION - 1965-1966; MISTER MISFIT - 1967 [TV Movie]; NET PLAYHOUSE - 1968; THE AVENGERS - 1968; CORONATION STREET - 1965-1968; ON THE ROCKS - 1969; PARKIN'S PATCH - 1969; CALLAN - 1970; LOVE STORY - 1973; SIX DAYS OF JUSTICE - 1973; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1973; SOFTLY SOFTLY: TASK FORCE - 1973; JENNIE: LADY RANDOLPH CHURCHILL - 1974 [TV mini-series]; THE SWEENEY - 1975; HOW'S YOUR FATHER? - 1975; GREENHILL PALS - 1975 [TV Movie]; OUR MUTUAL FRIEND - 1976 [TV mini-series]; THE EXPERT - 1976; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1976 [TV Movie; played Quasimodo]; Z CARS - 1978; THE ONEDIN LINE - 1978; SCREENPLAY - 1979; S.O.S. TITANIC - 1979 [TV Movie]; TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - 1979 [TV mini-series]; HEARTLAND - 1980; THE TEMPEST - 1980 [TV Movie]; HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR - ["The Thirteenth Reunion" - 1980]; WOLCOTT - 1981 [TV mini-series]; THE JAIL DIARY OF ALBIE SACHS - 1981 [TV Movie]; MASADA - 1981 [TV mini-series]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1981; MINDER - 1982; CROWN COURT - 1973-1982; SHELLEY - 1980-1982; HOMEFRONT - 1983; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1972-1983; REILLY: ACE OF SPIES - 1983 [TV mini-series]; THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED LADY - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE COLD ROOM - 1984 [TV Movie]; BIG DEAL - 1984; GULAG - 1985 [TV Movie]; BERGERAC - 1981-1985; UNNATURAL CAUSES - 1986; THE RETURN OF THE ANTELOPE - 1986; MANDELA - 1987 [TV Movie]; BLACK ADDER THE THIRD - 1987; WISH ME LUCK - 1988; TICKETS FOR THE TITANIC - 1988; WORLDS BEYOND - 1988; NICE WORK - 1989 [TV mini-series]; CHELMSFORD 123 - 1990; HANDS OF A MURDERER - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE MANAGERESS - 1989-1990; STAY LUCKY - 1990; ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - 1990; LOVEJOY - 1991; SLEEPERS - 1991; ALL GOOD THINGS - 1991; BOON - 1986-1991; GONE TO THE DOGS - 1991 [TV mini-series]; ANGELS - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE SECRET AGENT - 1992; GONE TO SEED - 1992; CONJUGAL RIGHTS - 1993; ALL IN THE GAME - 1993 [TV mini-series]; SCREEN TWO - 1986-1994; THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR - 1994; JOSEPH IN EGYPT - 1995 [TV Movie]; MOVING STORY - 1994-1995; GIVING TONGUE - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE LOCKSMITH - 1997 [TV mini-series]; A RESPECTABLE TRADE - 1998 [TV mini-series]; IN THE RED - 1998; THE MYSTERY OF MEN - 1999 [TV Movie]; DOWN TO EARTH - 2000-2001; THE DEBT - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE DEPUTY - 2004 [TV Movie]; BLEAK HOUSE - 2005; DALZIEL AND PASCOE - 1996 - 2007; CHRISTMAS AT THE RIVIERA - 2007; THE INVISIBLES - 2008; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE - 2009; INSPECTOR LEWIS - 2010; INSPECTOR GEORGE GENTLY - 2010; JUST WILLIAM - 2010; WILD AT HEART - 2011; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2011; IN WITH THE FLYNNS - 2011-2012; TROLLIED - 2012; WAY TO GO - 2013; CALL THE MIDWIFE - 2013; CHUGGINGTON - 2010-2014; POLDARK - 2015 [Filming started on this TV Series when Clarke passed away; he was the star, leaving the fate of the show up in the air]. Warren Clarke was 67 years-old.) - 11/12/14
GLEN A. LARSON (TV Writer/Producer/Director: Prolific TV executive who was not only a jack-of-all-trades, he created some memorable TV shows, such as both incarnations of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978 & 2003. His credits included: THE FUGITIVE - 1966 [writer]; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966 [writer]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968-1970 [writer of 19 episodes; directed 1 episode]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1970 [writer]; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1970 - 1973 [creator of 50 episodes {he left the series when Peter Duel committed suicide} and writer of 8 episodes]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: WINE, WOMEN AND WAR - 1973 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: SOLID GOLD KIDNAPPING - 1973 [TV Movie;executive producer]; FOOLS, FEMALES AND FUN - 1974 [TV Movie; creator and executive producer]; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1974 [director and writer of two episodes]; SWITCH - 1975-1976 [executive producer of 25 episodes]; BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER - 1977 [TV Movie; writer and producer]; MCCLOUD - 1970-1977 [producer and executive producer of 37 episodes]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978-1979 [creator and executive producer of 22 episodes {including the 1978 TV Movie that was also shown theatrically}; writer of 14 episodes]; SWORD OF JUSTICE - 1978-1979 [creator of 9 episodes; executive producer of 10 episodes; writer of 2 episodes]; EVENING IN BYZANTIUM - 1978 [TV Movie; writer]; THE ISLANDER - 1978 [TV Movie; writer]; SWITCH - 1975-1978 [creator of 70 episodes; writer of 5 episodes]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977-1978 [creator of 30 episodes; writer of 12 episodes; director of 1 episode]; A DOUBLE LIFE - 1978 [TV Movie; writer]; MISSION GALACTICA: THE CYLON ATTACK - 1979 [TV Movie; executive producer]; BATTLES: THE MURDER THAT WOULDN'T DIE - 1980 [TV Movie; executive producer]; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1979-1980 [executive producer of 22 episodes, including the TV movie that was also shown theatrically]; GALACTICA 1980 - 1980 [executive producer of 14 episodes]; NIGHTSIDE - 1980 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979-1981 [executive producer of 38 episodes]; CONQUEST OF EARTH - 1981 [TV Movie; creator, writer and executive producer]; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1978 - 1981 [executive producer of 48 episodes]; FITZ AND BONES - 1981 [producer]; TERROR AT ALCATRAZ - 1982 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; ROOSTER - 1982 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; SIMON & SIMON - 1982 [writer of 1 episode]; TRAUMA CENTER - 1983 [creator and executive producer of 13 episodes]; QUINCY, M.E. - 1975-1983 [creator of 145 episodes; writer of 11 episodes; executive producer of 17 episodes]; MANIMAL - 1983 [creator and producer of 8 episodes; writer of 1 episode]; MASQUERADE - 1983-1984 [creator and executive producer of 13 episodes; writer of 1 episode]; AUTOMAN - 1983-1984 [creator and executive producer of 13 episodes; writer of 2 episodes]; COVER UP - 1984-1985 [executive producer of 7 episodes]; IN LIKE FLYNN - 1985 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; CRAZY DAN - 1986 [TV Movie; writer]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1982-1986 [creator and executive producer of 86 episodes; writer of 2 episodes]; THE FALL GUY - 1981-1986 [creator and executive producer of 112 episodes; writer of 10 episodes]; THE HIGHWAYMAN - 1987
[executive producer]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1980-1988 [creator of 158 episodes; executive producer of 152 episodes; writer of 2 episodes]; THE ROAD RAIDERS - 1989 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; CHAMELEONS - 1989 [TV Movie; director, writer and executive producer]; P.S.I. LUV U - 1991-1992 [executive producer of 13 episodes]; STAYING AFLOAT - 1993 [TV Movie; writer]; ONE WEST WAIKIKI - 1994-1996 [creator and executive producer of 19 episodes]; TEAM KNIGHT RIDER - 1997-1998 [executive producer of 22 episodes]; NIGHTMAN - 1997-1999 [director of 1997 TV movie; creator of 44 episodes; writer of 6 episodes and executive producer of 3 episodes of the TV series]; THE DARWIN CONSPIRACY - 1999 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; MILLENNIUM MAN - 1999 [TV Movie; writer and executive producer]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 2003-2009 [characters based on his original series and consulting producer, including 2003 mini-series; 2007 TV movie and 73 episodes of the TV series]; KNIGHT RIDER - 2008-2009 [characters based on his original series and consulting producer; 18 episodes]; CAPRICA - 2009-2010 [characters based on his original BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and consulting producer; 18 episodes]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD & CHROME - 2012 [TV Movie; creator and consulting producer]. Mr. Larson started his career as a member of the musical group The Four Preps, which were seen on several episodes of THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET - 1957-1962 and was given a "Thanks" in the final credits of the theatrical films THE PICASSO TRIGGER - 1988; LEPRECHAUN - 1993; and RUMPLESTILTSKIN - 1995. Glen A. Larson died at age 77 from esophageal cancer in his home in Santa Monica, California. A true TV pioneer that will be missed. From Variety.Com: In his prime, Glen A. Larson could have sold a pilot for ice to the Eskimo Network. The prolific producer, who died Friday, November 14, 2014 at the age of 77, was not afraid of stretching the limits of physics and credulity in the pursuit of a hit series. He gave us K.I.T.T., the talking supercomputer car of KNIGHT RIDER. He gave us Steve Austin, the astronaut whose creaky atomic-powered implants gave him superhuman strength. He put Lorne Greene in a track suit and cape to lead BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. And he sicced a mild-mannered NYU professor who turns into fierce animals on NBC with MANIMAL. But even with a track record of success that also included QUINCY, M.E., MAGNUM, P.I., THE FALL GUY and, yes, B.J. AND THE BEAR, Larson had plenty of ones that got away. Culled from the pages of Variety, heres a look at eight Larson pilots that never made it to series. Most of them did see the light of primetime eventually, airing as TV movies or busted pilots during off-peak periods.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SIN three half-hour pilots produced for NBC in 1973. The idea was to focus on a cardinal sin in each episode. The prototype half-hours dealt with sloth, lust and envy, with a cast that included a post BEWITCHED Dick Sargent and Julie Catwoman Newmar. The pilots were eventually strung together and ran in 1974 as a telepic under the title FOOLS, FEMALES AND FUN.
PRISONERS OF PARADISE a 1974 pilot for ABC. At least it was proposed as a pilot, before disappearing off the face of the earth (and the pages of Variety).
THE ISLANDER first developed for NBC in 1977, the project shifted to CBS and got made as a pilot but went no further. Dennis Weaver, who Larson worked with in MCCLOUD, starred as a retired lawyer who buys a hotel in Hawaii. Bernadette Peters and Sharon Gless co-starred. The setting was clearly a warm-up for planting MAGNUM in the 50th state.
ROOSTER a 1981 buddy detective vehicle for ABC starring Paul Williams and Pat McCormick, the notoriously out-there comedy writer known for his association with Johnny Carsons TONIGHT SHOW.
HALF NELSON 1984 NBC pilot starring Joe Pesci as a New York City cop who moves to Beverly Hills to break into the movies, but joins the force after failing to become a star. Dean Martin played himself. UPDATE: As a reader notes, this did become a short-lived series in 1985 after airing as a TV movie.
HARPER'S BIZARRE a 1984 CBS pilot about a male model who spies for a covert intelligence agency.
FREE SPIRITS a 1985 CBS pilot about five former musicians who uncover the murder of a friend and decide to form a detective agency.
Yet the masterwork of busted Larson pilots has to be BENNY AND BARNEY, a 1976 effort for NBC that revolved around rookie cops in Las Vegas. When it ran as a telepic (BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER) in January 1977, Varietys reviewer noted that the show bore more than a passing resemblance to ABCs STARSKY AND HUTCH. BENNY was so bad, so riddled with cliches that it inspired the introductory disclaimer below from the critic IDd only by the pseudonym Mor (as was the papers cryptic custom for reviews back then). One school of thought maintains that the worst examples of popular art become classics in 20 years, the implication being that judgment should be suspended on the junk-food diet of television lest some future cultural dietitian find it nutritious and delicious. If that dubious proposition holds water, then BENNY AND BARNEY should be put into a time capsule along with a nomination for best potential for future schlock. Mor was undoubtedly comforted in later years to see MANIMAL consistently voted among the worst TV shows of all time. But Larson by his own admission didnt care much for the opinion of TV critics. He kept selling, writing and producing shows into the 1990s and laughed all the way to the bank.) - 11/14/14
MIKE NICHOLS (Director/Producer: Top notch award-winning director who was married to successful newswoman Diane Sawyer; His films as a director included: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? - 1966; THE GRADUATE - 1967 [Academy Award® & Golden Globes® winner for Best Director]; CATCH-22- 1970; CARNAL KNOWLEDGE - 1971 [also Producer]; THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - 1973; THE FORTUNE - 1975 [also Producer]; GILDA LIVE - 1980 [Documentary]; SILKWOOD - 1981 [also Producer]; HEARTBURN - 1986 [also Producer]; BILOXI BLUES - 1988;WORKING GIRL - 1988; POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE - 1990 [also Producer]; REGARDING HENRY - 1993 [also Producer]; WOLF - 1994 [his only horror film]; THE BIRDCAGE - 1996 [also Producer]; PRIMARY COLORS - 1998 [also Producer]; WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? - 2000 [also Producer]; WIT - 2001 [HBO Movie; also Producer & Writer; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special and Outstanding Made for Television Movie {Shared}]; ANGELS IN AMERICA [HBO mini-series; also Producer; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special and Outstanding Mini-series {Shared}; My personal favorite of his work]; CLOSER - 2004 [also Producer]; CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR - 2007. As a Producer or Executive Producer: FAMILY - 1976 [TV Series]; THE 'ANNIE' CHRISTMAS SHOW [TV Movie]; THE LONGSHOT - 1988; THE REMAINS OF THE DAY - 1993; THE DESIGNATED MOURNER - 1997 [also lead actor]; FRIENDS WITH KIDS - 2011; CRESCENDO! THE POWER OF MUSIC - 2014 [Documentary; his last film]. Mr. Nichols got his start as an actor, appearing in such series as OMNIBUS - 1958; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1958; and PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1960. Nichols also directed 17 different actors in Oscar®-nominated performances and won more Tony Awards® for Best Direction of a Play than any other individual [Theater was his real love]. He won for BAREFOOT IN THE PARK [1964]; LUV and THE ODD COUPLE [both 1965]; PLAZA SUITE [1968]; THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE [1972]; THE REAL THING [1984]; and Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN [2012]. He has also won for directing the musical MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT [2005]; and as producer for ANNIE [1977]; and THE REAL THING [1984]. He was also nominated for Tony Awards® 7 times for directing: The musical THE APPLE TREE [1967]; 1974's UNCLE VANYA, 1977's COMEDIANS, 1977's STREAMERS, 1978's THE GIN GAME [also as producer], and as producer of 2003's THE PLAY THAT I WROTE and 2005's WHOOPI THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW [Special Theatrical Events]. His favorite quote of mine is what he said about Elizabeth Taylor: "There are three things I never saw Elizabeth Taylor do: Tell a lie; be unkind to anyone; and be on time." Mike Nichols died suddenly of cardiac arrest and was 83 years-old) - 11/19/14
JIMMY HEUNG (Hong Kong Presenter/Producer: Born "Wa Sing Heung", he Produced or Presented many Hong Kong films from the late 70's until 2010. Some of his films were: As a Producer: GOOSE BOXER - 1979; THE CRAZY COMPANIES II - 1988; CASINO RAIDERS - 1989 [also Co-Director & Co-Writer]; GOD OF GAMBLERS - 1989 [also Presenter]; A HOME TOO FAR - 1990; CASINO RAIDERS - 1991; CRAZY SAFARI - 1991; GOD OF GAMBLERS II - 1991; TRICKY BRAINS - 1991; GOD OF GAMBLERS III: BACK TO SHANGHAI - 1991 [also Presenter]; FIGHT BACK TO SCHOOL - 1991; DANCES WITH THE DRAGON - 1991 [also Presenter]; ROYAL TRAMP - 1992 [also Presenter]; ARREST THE RESTLESS - 1992; IT'S NOW OR NEVER - 1992; PERFECT EXCHANGE - 1993 [also Presenter]; DRAGON CHRONICLES: THE MAIDENS OF HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN - 1994; HAIL THE JUDGE - 1994; FROM BEIJING WITH LOVE - 1994; GOD OF GAMBLERS' RETURN - 1994 [also Presenter] ; AFRAID OF NOTHING: THE JOBLESS KING - 1999; FLIRTING SCHOLAR II - 2010; ADVENTURES OF THE KING - 2010. As a Presenter: MYSTERIOUS FOOTWORKS - 1978; NO RISK. NO GAIN: CASINO RAIDERS-THE SEQUEL - 1990 [also Co-Director]; SISTER OUTLAW - 1992; DEVIL LOVER - 1992; ROYAL TRAMP II - 1992; INVINCIBLE - 1992; KING OF BEGGARS - 1992; WONDER GIRLFRIEND - 1993; MANHUNT ACROSS THE BORDER - 1993; LOVE QUADRANGLE - 1993; BLACK PANTHER - 1993; THE VWRONG BEDFELLOW - 1993; LAST HERO IN CHINA - 1993; HITMAN BLUES - 1993; WHORES FROM THE NORTH - 1993; KUNG FU MISTRESS - 1994; STRANGER FROM HELL - 1994; BACHELOR MEN - 1996; THE FORMULA - 2000. Heung also co-wrote the screenplay to THE KIDNAP OF WONG CHAK FEI - 1993; and acted in the films A CHAMP CALLER KILLER-KICKER - 1974; and THE LOST GENERATION - 1983. Jimmy Heung died of cancer and was 64 years-old.) - 11/20/14
JOANNA DUNHAM (British Actress: TV actress who occasionally ventured into theatrical films, her most famous ones playing Mary Magdalene in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965; and being in the first seqment of the anthology horror film THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD - 1971. Her roles included: WILLIAM TELL - 1959 [TV Series]; H.G. WELLS' INVISIBLE MAN - 1959 [TV Series]; PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR - 1959 [TV Series]; INSIDE STORY - 1960 [TV Series]; THE FOUR JUST MEN - 1960 [TV Series]; ON TRIAL - 1960 [TV Series]; ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1960 [TV Series]; ON TRIAL: THE DILKE PLACE - 1961 [TV Movie]; DANGER MAN - 1961 [TV Series]; THE GREAT ARMORED CAR SWINDLE - 1961; DANGEROUS AFTERNOON - 1961; FIRST NIGHT - 1963 [TV Series]; THE THIRD MAN - 1964 [TV Series]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960-1964 [TV Series]; A CHOICE OF COWARD - 1964 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965; LOVE STORY - 1964-1965 [TV Series]; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1965 [TV Series]; SEVEN DEADLY SINS - 1966 [TV Series]; SANCTUARY - 1967 [TV Series]; WICKED WOMEN - 1970 [TV Series]; THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD - 1971; TRIAL - 1971 [TV Series]; THE PASSENGER - 1971 [TV Series]; JASON KING - 1972 [TV Series]; THE ADVENTURER - 1972 [TV Series]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1959-1972; SYKES - 1972; A DAY AT THE BEACH - 1972; THRILLER - 1973 [TV Series]; CRIME OF PASSION - 1973 [TV Series]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1974 [TV Series]; ROOMS - 1975 [TV Series]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1975 [TV Series]; AQUARIUS - 1975 [TV Series]; NBC SPECIAL TREAT - 1975 [TV Series]; SPACE: 1999 - 1976 [TV Series]; THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW - 1976 [TV Movie]; SUTHERLAND's LAW - 1976 [TV Series]; WARSHIP - 1977 [TV Series]; VAN DER VALK - 1973-1977 [TV Series]; THE OTHER ONE - 1979 [TV Series]; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1971-1979 [TV Series]; LOVE AMONG THE ARTISTS - 1979 [TV mini-series]; BORN AND BRED - 1980 [TV Series]; THE OUTSIDER - 1983; WHO DARES WINS - 1984 [TV Series]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1985 [TV Series]; MOONDIAL - 1988 [TV mini-series]; SCANDAL - 1989; THEN CHURCHILL SAID TO ME - 1993 [TV Series]; THE ADVOCATE - 1993; DIANA: A TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE'S PRINCESS - 1998 [TV Movie; her last role]. When her acting roles dried-up, she went back to her first love, painting, and was married to British actor Reggie Oliver from 1992 until her death. Joanna Dunham was 78 years-old.) - 11/25/14
P.D. JAMES (Author: Her hard-hitting crime novels [she was nicknamed "The Queen Of Crime'] were turned into movies, TV mini-series and TV Series [usually featuring her favorite creation, Scotland Yard sleuth Adam Dalgliesh {used in 12 of her 20 novels}, portrayed first by British actor Roy Marsden and later by actor Martin Shaw]. Her tough, no-nonsense approach to the subject was usually gritty, real and bloody and she never believed that crime novels should be considered B-material. She didn't write her first novel until she was 40 in 1964 [right after the death of her husband, whom she was married to since 1941 and never married again] to support her family and continued to work as a civil servant until 1979 [she became a millionaire in 1980 after the publication of her eighth book, INNOCENT BLOOD]. Younger crime novelists accused her of snobbery because she liked to write about middle-class murderers, preferably intelligent and well-educated, who agonize over right and wrong and spend time planning and justifying their crimes, but that was usually jealousy talking and she offered no apologies for her settings, saying her interest was in what made people tick. Some of her novels were turned into: AN UNSUITABLE JOB FOR A WOMAN - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; DEATH OF AN EXPERT WITNESS - 1983 [TV mini-series]; SHROUD FOR A NIGHTINGALE - 1984 [TV mini-series]; COVER HER FACE - 1985 [TV mini-series]; THE BLACK TOWER - 1985 [TV mini-series]; A TASTE FOR DEATH - 1988 [TV mini-series]; DEVICES AND DESIRES - 1991 [TV mini-series]; UNNATURAL CAUSES - 1993 [TV Movie]; A MIND TO MURDER - 1995 [TV Movie]; ORIGINAL SIN - 1997 [TV mini-series]; A CERTAIN JUSTICE - 1998 [TV Series]; AN UNSUITABLE JOB FOR A WOMAN - 1997-2001 [TV Series]; DEATH IN HOLY ORDERS - 2003 [TV mini-series]; THE MURDER ROOM - 2005 [TV mini-series]; CHILDREN OF MEN - 2006 [Theatrical Film; probably the best made adaptation of her books, the bleak dystopian future novel of the same name]; DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY - 2013 [TV miniseries; also Executive Producer]. P. [Phyllis] D. [Dorothy] James also appeared as herself on a couple of dozen British television talk shows, TV Series and documentaries, in 1983 she was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) by the Queen, and was 94 years-old when she passed away of natural causes.) - 11/27/14
MORDECAI LAWNER (Actor: Bit-player who never appeared in the opening credits of a film, but was still an actor nonetheless. His biggest role was probably playing Woody Allen's father in ANNIE HALL - 1977. His films included: CLAUDINE - 1974; THE BIG BLUE MARBLE - 1974 [TV Series]; HESTER STREET - 1975; ANNIE HALL - 1977; RING OF PASSION - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE WALL - 1982 [TV Movie]; SOUP FOR ONE - 1982; BILLIONS FOR BORIS - 1984; RAW DEAL - 1986; STARTING FROM SCRATCH - 1988 [TV Series]; KATE & ALLIE - 1989 [TV Series]; GHOSTBUSTERS II - 1989; LAW & ORDER - 1991 [TV Series]; A FISH IN THE BATHTUB - 1999; 100 CENTRE STREET - 2002 [TV Series]; AGUAVIVA - 2012 [Short]; HERE'S WHAT I LIKE: OUR FOREFATHERS. AND NOW I'LL TELL YOU WHY - 2014 [Short; his last acting role]. Mr. Lawner was a regular on and Off Broadway. On Broadway in 1995, he played Stanley in DEATH OF A SALESMAN in George C. Scotts Circle in the Square production and continued to acting in regional stage productions well into his 80's. Mordecai Lawner was 86 years-old.) - 11/27/14
FRANK YABLANS (Producer: According to IMDb: "His five years as head of Paramount are often referred to as "Paramount's Golden Years," during which he was responsible for the development, production and marketing of films, acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, including THE GODFATHER, CHINATOWN, PAPER MOON, SERPICO, DEATH WISH, LADY SINGS THE BLUES, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, and THE LONGEST YARD. In addition, Paramount Television, which reported to him, had successes such as STAR TREK, THE ODD COUPLE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE, and the pilot for HAPPY DAYS." After he left Paramount, he became a producer, making such films and TV Series as: SILVER STREAK - 1976; THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT - 1977; THE FURY - 1978; NORTH DALLAS FORTY - 1979 [also Co-Screenwriter]; MOMMIE DEAREST - 1981 [also Co-Screenwriter; the film is now considered a camp classic; It won two Razzie Awards® in 1982 for Worst Screenplay & Worst Picture and another one in 1990 for Worst Picture Of The Decade]; MONSIGNOR - 1982; THE STAR CHAMBER - 1983; KIDCO - 1984; THE CALLER - 1987; BUY & CELL - 1987; LISA - 1990; CONGO - 1995; A DOG OF FLANDERS - 1999; ROME - 2005-2007 [Cable TV Series]; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 2007 [animated film that was one of the lowest grossing animated theatrical films on record]; NOAH - 2012 [another animated religious film]; and appears as himself in the documentary ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: THE WILD, UNTOLD STORY OF CANNON FILMS - 2014 [his last credit]. Again, according to IMDb [In regards to his early-80's career]: "During that time, Yablans was asked to assume the task of rebuilding MGM/UA Studio. As Co-Chairman and CEO, he reduced overhead costs and rearranged MGM and United Artists into one entity: MGM/UA. Immediately after assuming his responsibilities at MGM/UA, Yablans embarked upon an enthusiastic, yet cautious program designed to attract creative talent to the Company while controlling the risks inherent and motion picture production, distribution, and marketing. Under Yablans guidance, the Company produced and distributed a variety of high, medium and modestly budgeted films, including such hits as WAR GAMES; OCTOPUSSY; A CHRISTMAS STORY; YENTYL; HOT DOG: THE MOVIE; BREAKIN'; RED DAWN; TEACHERS; and 2010. His last independent film, CONGO, which was produced for Paramount Pictures, has grossed in excess of $400 million worldwide. In addition, Yablans has spent the last few years focusing on Family entertainment market producing the highly regarded A DOG OF FLANDERS and BABY GENIUSES." Frank's older brother [by one year] is Irwin Yablans, who Executive Produced the first three HALLOWEEN films - 1978-1982; and Produced or Executive Produced such horror films as TOURIST TRAP - 1979; NOCTURNA - 1979; FADE TO BLACK - 1980; HELL NIGHT - 1981; THE SEDUCTION - 1982; PARASITE - 1982; SCREAM FOR HELP - 1984; PRISON - 1987; and ARENA - 1989, as well as producing a wide variety of films of other genres, including ROLLER BOOGIE - 1979; TANK - 1984; and my favorite, VIETNAM, TEXAS - 1990. Frank Yablans was 79 years-old.) - 11/27/14
ROBERTO GOMEZ BOLAÑOS (Actor/Directer/Producer/Writer: Roberto Gómez Bolaños was a beloved Mexican comedian, fondly known throughout Latin America as "Chespirito". Nearly none of his many films or TV series and "novellas" were ever translated into English and THE SIMPSONS creator Matt Groening has stated in the past that his character "Bumblebee Man" was based on his "El Chapulin Colorado" [The Crimson Grasshopper] character. He worked for over five decades on TV and in films and many of his TV shows decades ago are still shown in Latin America. Since there are few English-language titles for his work, I will give their Spanish titles where appropriate. They included [as Actor]:DOS LOCOS EN ESCENA - 1960 [also Writer]; DOS CRIADOS MALCRIADOS - 1960 [also Writer]; SABADOS DE LA FORTUNA - 1966 [TV Series]; THE CRAZY WORLD OF THE YOUNG - 1967; LOS SUPERGENIOS DE LA MESA CUADRADA - 1968 [TV Series; also Writer]; EL CIUDADANO GOMEZ - 1968 [TV Series; also Writer]; OPERACION CARAMBOLA - 1968 [also Writer]; EL ZANGANO - 1968 [also Writer]; LA PRINCESA HIPPIE - 1969 [also Writer]; LAS TRES MAGNIFICAS - 1970 [also Writer]; EL AMOR DE MARIA ISABEL - 1970; EL CUERPAZO DEL DELITO - 1970; LA HERMANA TRINQUETE - 1970; CHESPIRITO - 1970 [TV Series; also Writer]; EL CHAVO DEL OCHO - 1972-1976 [TV Series; also directed 16 episodes; Writer of 15 episodes]; EL CHAPULIN COLORADO - 1973-1978 [TV Series; also Writer of 4 episodes]; LA CHICHARRA - 1979 [TV Series; also Writer of 1 episode]; EL CHANFLE - 1979 [also Writer]; EL CHANFLE II - 1982 [also Director, Producer & Writer]; DON RATON Y DON RATERO - 1983 [also Director]; CHARRITO - 1984 [also Director & Writer]; MUSICA DE VIENTO - 1988 [also Director]; CHESPIRITO - 1990 [TV Series; also Writer of 2 episodes]. As Director: CHESPIRITO - 1980 [Directed 1 episode]; MILAGRO Y MAGIA - 1991 [TV SERIES]; EL CHAPULIN COLORADO - 1973-2012 [TV Series; Directed 11 episodes]. As Writer: COMICOS Y CANCIONES - 1956 [TV Series]; LOS LEGIONARIOS - 1958; VAGABUNDO Y MILLONARIO - 1959; ANGELITOS DEL TRAPECIO - 1959; DESERT TIGERS - 1960; EL DOLOR DE PAGAR LA RENTA - 1960; LOS DESENFRENADOS - 1960; LIMOSNEROS CON GARROTE - 1961; UN PAR...A TODO DAR - 1961; 'PEGANDO CON TUBO' - 1961; DOS TONTOS Y UN LOCO - 1961; EN PELIGRO DE MUERTE! - 1962; LOS INVISIBLES - 1963; LOS ASTRONAUTAS - 1964; LOS REYES DEL VOLANTE - 1965; CADA QUIEN SO LUCHA - 1966; DOS MESEROS MAJADEROS - 1966; LA BATALLA DE LOS PASTELES - 1966; LA CIGUENA DISTRAIDA - 1966; DETECTIVES O LADRONES...? - 1967; UN NOVIO PARA DOS HERMANAS - 1967; DOS PINTORES PINTORESCOS - 1967; UN PARA DE ROBA CHICOS - 1967; EL CAMINO DE LOS ESPANTOS - 1967; ROMANCE SOBRE RUEDAS - 1969; JUAN EL DESALMADO - 1970; LA GUERRA DE LAS MONJAS - 1970; AHI MADRE! - 1970; FRAY DOLAR - 1970; HIJAZO DE MI VIDAZA - 1972; CHILINDRINA EN APUROS - 1992; QUE VIVAN LOS MUERTOS! - 1998 [TV Movie; also Producer]; 30 ANOS DE CHAVES: BILHETES TROCADOS - 2011 [TV Movie]; EL CHAVO ANIMADO - 2007-2013 [Executive Producer of 136 episodes; 94 episodes based on his characters; Writer of 30 episodes]. As Producer: VIDEOTEATROS: VENGAN CORRIENDO QUE LES TENGO UN MUERTO - 1993 [TV Movie]; THE LAST CALL - 1996; UN BAUL ILENO DE MIEDO - 1997; ELISA ANTES DEL FIN DEL MUNDO - 1997; THE FIRST NIGHT - 1998; LA PALOMA DE MARSELLA - 1999; EN UN CLAROSCURO DE LA LUNA - 1999. Roberto Gómez Bolaños received a lifetime achievement award, along with his wife Florinda Meza, at the 2004 Casandra Awards, in the Dominican Republic. He was 85 years-old and will be a terrible loss to the Latin American community.) - 11/28/14
BUNTA SUGAWARA (Japanese Actor: Made over 200 films, known for the many crime films that deal with the Japanese Yakuza [dozens of which were never translated into English] and was a contemporary with actor Ken Takakura, who passed away on November 10, 2014 [see obituarty above]. Films included: IN THE TOWN OF PATHOS, THE FOG FALLS - 1956; WHITE LINE - 1958; GIRL DIVER OF SPOOK MANSION - 1959; THE BLOODY SWORD OF THE 99TH VIRGIN - 1959; FEMALE SLAVE SHIP - 1960; BLACK BREASTS - 1960; INVITATION TO THE ENCHANTED TOWN - 1961; LEGEND OF A DUEL TO THE DEATH - 1963; THE SCENT OF INCENSE - 1964;NIPPON PARADISE - 1964; BLOOD AND RULES - 1965; PURGATORY FORCE: ASSAULT CASE - 1966; THE RIVER KINO - 1966; A STORY FROM ABASHIRI - 1967; WICKED PRIEST - 1967; THE FAST LIVER - 1968; THE GHOST-CAT OF CURSED POND - 1968; RED PEONY GAMBLER: GAMBLER'S OBLIGATION - 1968; A LIVELY GEISHA - 1968; YAKUZA'S LAW - 1969; MEMOIR OF JAPANESE ASSASSINS - 1969; THE KILLER PRIEST'S JOURNEY - 1969; ORGANIZED VIOLENCE - 1969; JAPANESE ORGANIZED CRIME BOSS - 1969; RED PEONY GAMBLER: ORYU'S RETURN - 1970; BALLAD OF DEATH - 1970; WHIPMASTER - 1970; THUGS OF SHINJUKU - 1970; THE RETURN OF THE DESPERADO - 1970; THE UNDERGROUND SYNDICATE - 1970; THE KILLER PRIEST COMES BACK - 1970; ONE WAY PASSAGE TO DEATH - 1970; BLOODSTAINED CLAN HONOR - 1970; THE BLOODY PRIEST - 1971; TRIALS OF AN OKINAWA VILLAGE - 1971; THE KANTO BROTHERS' CODE OF HONOR - 1971; RED PEONY GAMBLER: EXECUTION OF DUTY - 1972; CHERRY BLOSSOM FIRE GANG - 1972; STREET MOBSTER - 1972; YAKUZA SKIRMISHES - 1972; OUTLAW KILLERS: THREE MAD DOG BROTHERS - 1972; THE RED SILK GAMBLER - 1972; WITHERED TREE: THE ADVENTURES OF MONJIRO - 1972; GOKUDO'S NOTORIOUS REPUTATION - 1972; BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY - 1973; BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY: HIROSHIMA DEATHMATCH - 1973; TOKYO-SEOUL-BANGKOK - 1973; BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OF HUMANITY: PROXY WAR - 1973; BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY: POLICE TACTICS - 1974; STUDENT GANGSTER - 1974; VIOLENT STREETS - 1974; BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OF HUMANITY: FINAL EPISODE - 1974; NEW BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY 1 - 1974; GOKUDO VS. MAMUSHI - 1974; FATHER OF THE KAMIKAZE - 1974; COPS VS. THUGS - 1975; KOBE KOKUSAI GANG - 1975; NEW BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY 2: BOSS'S HEAD - 1975; NEW BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY 3: BOSS'S LAST DAYS - 1976; TATTOOED HIT MAN - 1977; YAKUZA WAR: THE JAPANESE DON - 1977; HONOR OF JAPAN - 1977; THE BOXER - 1977; JAPANESE GODFATHER: AMBITION - 1977; DOG FLUTE - 1978; DYNAMITE BANG BANG - 1978; JAPANESE DON: CONCLUSION - 1978; MACHINE GUN DRAGON - 1978; THE GOLDEN DOG - 1979; THE MAN WHO STOLE THE SUN - 1979; STAR OF DAVID: BEAUTY HUNTING - 1979; THE GATE OF YOUTH - 1981; FLAMES OF BLOOD - 1981; TO TRAP A KIDNAPPER - 1982; CONQUEST - 1982; THE BURMESE HARP - 1985; THE HALL OF THE CRYING DEER - 1986; THE SAMURAI - 1986; ACTRESS - 1987; CRANE - 1988; YAWARA! - 1989; MY PHOENIX - 1989; YELLOW FANGS - 1990; TEKKEN - 1990; DISTANT JUSTICE - 1992; SCARRED ANGELS - 1997; ALLEY CAT - 2000; SPIRITED AWAY - 2001 [voice only; Japanese version]; MY GRANDPA - 2003; THE GREAT YOKAI WAR - 2005; TALES FROM EARTHSEA - 2006 [voice only; Japanese version]; THE VULTURE - 2007 [TV mini-series]; THE BATTERY - 2007; SISTERHOOD - 2008; WOLF CHILDREN - 2012 [voice only; Japanese version; his last credit]. On February 23, 2012, Sugawara announced his retirement from acting. He came to the decision after the Great East Japan Earthquake and being hospitalized in the winter of 2011. Bunta Sugawara was 81 years-old.) - 11/28/14
GERRY FISHER (Cinematographer: ACCIDENT - 1967; THE MIKADO - 1967; SEBASTIAN - 1968 [also Producer]; INTERLUDE - 1968; AMSTERDAM AFFAIR - 1968; SECRET CEREMONY - 1968; THE SEA GULL - 1968; HAMLET - 1969; NED KELLY - 1970; MACHO CALLAHAN - 1970; MALPERTUIS - 1971; ALL THE RIGHT NOISES - 1971; THE GO-BETWEEN - 1971 [BAFTA Film Award® nomination]; SEE NO EVIL - 1971; MAN IN THE WILDERNESS - 1971; THE OFFENCE - 1972; THE AMAZING MR. BLUNDEN - 1972; THE NELSON AFFAIR - 1973; A DOLL'S HOUSE - 1973; BUTLEY - 1974; S*P*Y*S - 1974; JUGGERNAUT - 1974; BRANNIGAN - 1975; THE ROMANTIC ENGLISHWOMAN - 1975; THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES' SMARTER BROTHER - 1975; DOGPOUND SHUFFLE - 1975; MR. KLEIN - 1976; ACES HIGH - 1976 [BAFTA Film Award® nomination]; THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU - 1977; THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE - 1977; ROADS TO THE SOUTH - 1978; FEDORA - 1978; WISE BLOOD - 1979; DON GIOVANNI - 1979; THE NINTH CONFIGURATION - 1980; VICTORY - 1981; WOLFEN - 1981; LOVESICK - 1983; YELLOWBEARD - 1983; SAMSON AND DELILAH - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE HOLCROFT COVENANT - 1985; HIGHLANDER - 1986; MAN ON FIRE - 1987; ORN - 1987; RUNNING ON EMPTY - 1988; DEAD BANG - 1989; BLACK RAINBOW - 1989; THE FOURTH WAR - 1990; THE EXORCIST III - 1990; COMPANY BUSINESS - 1991; DIGGSTOWN - 1992; THE POSITIVELY TRUE ADVENTURES OF THE TEXAS CHEERLEADER-MURDERING MOM - 1993 [TV Movie]; DANDELION DEAD - 1994 [TV mini-series]; COPS AND ROBBERSONS - 1994; WHEN SATURDAY COMES - 1996; K - 1997; FURIA - 1999 [his last film credit]. Fisher also worked as a Camera Operator or Assistant Cameraman on over 50 more films before he became an award-nominated Cinematographer [but, sadly, no wins]. Gerry Fisher was 88 years-old.) - 12/02/14
GIULIO QUESTI (Italian Director/Writer: He didn't make very many films, but the ones he made were memorable and very weird. His films as Director included: LATIN LOVERS - 1961; NUDI PER VIVERI - 1964 [Mondo Documentary; The three directors {Elio Petri, Giuliano Montaldo and Giulio Questi} took a common pseudonym for that film : Elio Montesti; Italian censors burned the negative to the film]; DJANGO KILL...IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT! - 1967 [also Writer]; DEATH LAID AN EGG - 1968 [also Writer; one of the weirdest films ever made; if you have never seen it, you are really missing out on something special!]; ARCANA - 1972 [also Writer]; VAMPIRISMUS - 1982 [TV Movie; also Writer]; DON'T OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE MAN IN BLACK - 1990 [TV Movie; also Writer]. As a Writer: THE POSSESSED - 1965. Mr. Questi also made a few Italian movies, TV movies and mini-series that have not been translated into English. Giulio Questi was 90 years-old.) - 12/03/14
MANUEL DE SICA (Music Composer: Italian music composer who scored many genres of movies. His films included: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS - 1970; GANG WAR - 1971; THE CRIMES OF THE BLACK CAT - 1972; GANG WAR IN NAPLES - 1972; WE'LL CALL HIM ANDREA - 1972; THEY CALL HIM VERITAS - 1972; A BRIEF VACATION - 1973; THE VOYAGE - 1974; CAGLIOSTRO - 1975; THE HOUSE OF RAOUL - 1975; THE NUDE PORTER - 1976; THE TWIST - 1976; DEAR FATHER - 1979; I'M PHOTOGENIC - 1980; UNDER SIEGE - 1980; SUNDAY LOVERS - 1980; I'M GOING TO LIVE BY MYSELF - 1982; HEART - 1984 [TV mini-series]; VACATION IN AMERICA - 1984; THE ALCOVE - 1985; 45TH PARALLEL - 1986; YUPPIES 2 - 1986; GIALLO - 1987 [TV Series]; MONTE CARLO GRAND CASINO - 1987; BYE BYE BABY - 1988; TASTE OF LIFE - 1988; THE ICICLE THIEF - 1989; WOMEN IN ARMS - 1990 [TV Movie]; VOLERE VOLARE - 1991; CHRISTMAS VACATION '91 - 1991; WOLF! WOLF! - 1992; RICKY & BARABBA - 1992; ANNI 90 PART II - 1993; ON THE DARK CONTINENT - 1993; CEMETERY MAN - 1994; MEN MEN MEN - 1995; CHRISTMAS VACATION '95 - 1995; CELLULOID - 1996; 3 - 1996; ANNI 50 [TV mini-series]; CHRISTMAS VACATION 2000 - 1999; PIPER - 2007 [TV Movie]; UNDEAD MEN - 2011 [TV Movie]; LOVE IS NOT PERFECT - 2012. He also literally had scored dozens of other Italian films and TV series that were never translated into English. He also directed and wrote the 1976 Italian TV Movie THE HERO and his songs could be heard in such movies and TV shows as A PLACE FOR LOVERS - 1968; ALFREDO, ALFREDO - 1972; A BRIEF VACATION - 1973; and the opening music ['The Circus'] for Larry David's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2000-2011. He was also the son of famous actor/director Vittorio De Sica, who passed away in 1974. Manuel De Sica was 65 years-old.) - 12/05/14
KEN WEATHERWAX (Actor: Besides a small role on WAGON TRAIN in 1964, Weatherwax's entire acting career was playing "Pugsley Addams", first on THE ADDAMS FAMILY TV series [1964-1966]; then lending his voice as Pugsley on THE ADDAMS FAMILY animated TV series [1973] and then playing Pugsley Sr. on HALLOWEEN WITH THE NEW ADDAMS FAMILY TV Movie [1977]. Weatherwax spent most of his career as a set builder for TV series and movies and was 59 years-old when he passed away from an appartent heart attack.) - 12/07/14
EDDIE ROUSE (Character Actor: Vesatile character actor who had just finished-up the filming the pilot for the new HBO series WESTWORLD, when he died suddenly of liver failure. His other films and TV roles included: GEORGE WASHINGTON - 2000; JUWANNA MANN - 2002; ALL THE REAL GIRLS - 2003; UNDERTOW - 2004; THE NUMBER 23 - 2007; LOW AND BEHOLD - 2007; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007; K-VILLE - 2007 [TV series]; PINEAPPLE EXPRESS - 2008; OBSERVE AND REPORT - 2009; RAISING THE BAR - 2009 [TV Series]; PANDORUM - 2009; I'M STILL HERE - 2010; THE WHOLE TRUTH - 2010 [TV Series]; ALYCE KILLS - 2011; THE SITTER - 2011; THE GREEN HORNET - 2011 [his scenes were cut from the film]; BEING FLYNN - 2012; NATURE CALLS - 2012; DRAGON EYES - 2012; THE FORTUNE THEORY - 2013; LOW DOWN - 2014; PUNCTURE WOUNDS - 2014; STAND DOWN SOLDIER - 2014; GUTTER SLUT - 2014 [also Producer]; WESTWORLD - 2015 [TV Series; no word of if his scenes in the pilot will be refilmed or if HBO is willing to show it untouched, but his role of "Kissy", short for Kisecawchuck, a laconic American-Indian card and contraband dealer from the town's saloon, was a recurring role.] Eddie Rouse also made a series of shorts during his small acting period and was 60 years-old.) - 12/07/14
MARY ANN MOBLEY (Actress: Former Miss America who became an actress and game show regular and appeared in a lot of movies and TV during the 60's till the 80's. Her films included: GET YOURSELF A COLLEGE GIRL - 1964; GIRL HAPPY - 1965 [with Elvis Presley]; YOUNG DILLINGER - 1965; HARUM SCARUM - 1966 [with Presley again]; THREE ON A COUCH - 1966; THEKING'S PIRATE - 1967; FOR SINGLES ONLY - 1968; THE LEGEND OF CUSTER - 1968; ISTANBUL EXPRESS - 1968 [TV Movie]; MY DOG: THE THIEF - 1969 [TV Movie]; GOD BLESS MR. FERGUSON - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE LIE - 1973 [TV Series]; THE GIRL ON THE LATE, LATE SHOW - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY - 1977 [TV mini-series]; THE SECRET OF LOST VALLEY - 1980 [TV Movie]; BANDIT: BANDIT BANDIT - 1994 [TV Movie]. Her TV credits included appearances on: MISS AMERICA PAGEANT - 1958 [she was Miss Mississippi and was the Winner in 1959]; BE OUR GUEST - 1960 [regular singing performer]; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1965 [5 episodes]; MY BROTHER THE ANGEL - 1966; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; PERRY MASON - 1964-1966; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965-1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1967; IRON HORSE - 1967; CUSTER - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1969; TO ROME WITH LOVE - 1970; SEARCH - 1972; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1973; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1973 [5 episodes]; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; POLICE STORY - 1974; BORN FREE - 1974; MATCH GAME PM - 1975 [Game show regular]; FLYING HIGH - 1979; CARD SHARKS - 1980 [2 appearances]; VEGAS - 1980; FAMILY FEUD - 1983 [1 appearance]; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978-1984 [8 episodes]; HOTEL - 1984; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1985 [3 episodes]; BODY LANGUAGE - 1984-1985 [10 appearances]; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1980-1986 [11 episodes]; SUPER PASSWORD - 1986 [5 appearances] FALCON CREST - 1988 [4 episodes]; THE NEW HOLLYWOOD SQUARES - 1987-1989 [15 appearances]; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1990; HEARTS AFIRE - 1992; HARDBALL - 1994 [her last acting role]; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1999 [played herself]; DEAD LIKE ME - 2003 [played herself in a mock infomercial showing on TV]; CUPCAKE WARS - 2012 [played herself and last TV appearance]. Mary Ann Mobley was married to actor Gary Collins [she appeared on his TV series THE SIXTH SENSE in 1972] from 1967 until his death in 2012 and was a tireless humanitarian, working for many causes during her lifetime, especially child hunger and the March Of Dimes. She was 77 years-old and succumbed to the effects of breast cancer.) - 12/09/14
TOM ADAMS (Actor: Best known for his role in the film THE GREAT ESCAPE - 1963, Adams appeared in many movies and British TV Series, which included: GHOST SQUAD - 1961 [TV Series]; MAIGRET - 1962 [TV Series]; PLAY IT COOL - 1962; A PRIZE OF ARMS - 1962; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1963 [TV Series]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1963 [TV Series]; THE GREATESCAPE - 1963; DRAMA 61-67 - 1963 [TV Series]; NO HIDING PLACE - 1963 [TV Series]; THIS IS MY STREET - 1964; EMERGENCY WARD-10 - 1964 [TV Series; series regular]; LONDONERS - 1965 [TV Series]; R3 - 1965 [TV Series]; THE 2ND BEST SECRET AGENT IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD - 1965 [Star of the film]; WHERE BULLETS FLY - 1966 [Sequel to the previous film]; THE SPIES - 1966 [TV Series]; THE FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL - 1966; FATHOM - 1967; THE INFORMER - 1967 [TV Series]; JOURNEY TO THE UNKNOWN - 1968 [TV Series]; SUBTERFUGE - 1968; O.K. YEVTUSHENKO - 1968 [Second sequel to 2ND BEST]; THE AVENGERS - 1961-1969 [TV Series]; STRANGE REPORT - 1969 [TV Series]; UFO - 1970 [TV Series]; THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD - 1971; VON RICHTHOFEN AND BROWN - 1971; THE PERSUADERS! - 1971 [TV Series]; VILLAINS - 1972 [TV Series]; THE FAST KILL - 1972; EMMERDALE - 1972 [TV Series]; MADIGAN - 1972-1973 [TV Series]; Z CARS - 1965-1974 [TV Series]; SPY TRAP - 1973-1975 [TV Series]; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1972-1976 [TV Series]; THE MANY WIVES OF PATRICK - 1977 [TV Series]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1975-1978 [TV Soap Opera]; THE ENIGMA FILES - 1980 [TV Series; series regular]; THE ONEDIN LINE - 1977-1980 [TV Series]; BID FOR POWER - 1982 [TV Series]; WEST COUNTRY TALES - 1983 [TV Series]; DOCTOR WHO - 1984 [TV Series]; MARK OF THE DEVIL - 1984 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1984 [TV Series]; THE PYRATES - 1986 [TV Movie]; STRIKE IT RICH! - 1986-1987 [TV Series]; FIDDLERS THREE - 1991 [TV Series]; DUEL OF HEARTS - 1991 [TV Movie]; LOVEJOY - 1991 [TV Series]; PYRATES - 1991 [Uncredited]; THIS IS THE END - 1995 [TV Movie]; PACIFIC BLUE - 1999 [TV Series]; FOCUS NORTH - 1999 [TV Series]; THE ESTATE AGENTS - 2002 [TV Series]; CASUALTY - 2002 [TV Series]; DAY OF THE SIRENS - 2002 [his last acting role]. He was also the voice of many British TV commercials. Tom Adams died of cancer and was 76 years-old.) - 12/11/14
ROBERT TAYLOR (Animator/Storyboard Artist/Director: Taylor was a top animator who worked with Ralph Bakshi on many cartoon shorts during the 60's & 70's and was one of the animators of THE PINK PANTHER shorts that would play in theaters before a film or during intermission between double features. He also directed the following animated features and TV Series: THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT - 1974 [also Writer]; HEIDI'S SONG - 1982 [also Writer]; ROCK ODYSSEY - 1987 [also Writer]; TALESPIN - 1990-1991 [9 Episodes; Emmy Award® Winner for the episode "Plunder & Lightning"]; GOOF TROOP - 1992-1993 [12 Episodes]; BONKERS - 1993-1994 [15 Episodes]; THE TIN WOODSMAN OF OZ - 2009 [his last credit]. Taylor was also the artist of the Vulture cartoon that played in GAS PUMP GIRLS - 1979 as well as working as Story or Storyboard Director on many animated TV Series from the 70's through the 90's. Robert Taylor was 70 years-old.) - 12/11/14
GEORGE ARDISSON (Actor: Italian actor [born Giorgio Ardisson] who appeared in all genres of Italian films [including porno]. His credits included: MORGAN THE PIRATE - 1960; THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS - 1961; HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD - 1961; ERIK THE CONQUEROR - 1961; THE MASKED CONQUEROR - 1962; A QUEEN FOR CAESAR - 1962; CATHARSIS - 1963; GRAND CANYON MASSACRE - 1964; THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH - 1964; AGENT 3S3: PASSPORT TO HELL - 1965; HERCULES AND THE PRINCESS OF TROY - 1965; JULIET OF THE SPIRITS - 1965; OPERATION COUNTERSPY - 1966; AGENT 3S3: MASSACRE IN THE SUN - 1966; COUNTDOWN TO DOOMSDAY - 1966; DATE FOR A MURDER - 1967; A MAN CALLED AMEN - 1968; MAY GOD FORGIVE YOU...BUT I WON'T - 1968; ZORRO THE FOX - 1968; DJANGO DEFIES SARTANA - 1970; YOUR SWEET BODY TO KILL - 1970; CHAPAQUA'S GOLD - 1970; THE FEMALES - 1970; HUMAN COBRAS - 1971; THE VIRGIN OF BALI - 1972; SIXTEEN - 1973; CLAP, YOU'RE DEAD - 1974; C.I.A. SECRET STORY - 1975; A VIRGIN IN THE FAMILY - 1975; THE STALLION - 1975; THE GIRLFRIEND - 1977; EYES BEHIND THE STARS - 1978 [weird beyond belief]; SUPER SEXY MARKET - 1979; THE TUNNEL - 1980; EROTIC FAMILY - 1980; DON'T LOOK IN THE ATTIC - 1982; AMOK - 1983; DELITTI - 1987; THE CROSS OF SEVEN JEWELS - 1987 [a really batshit crazy film!]; THE TEMPEST - 1988; TRANSGRESSION - 1988; GETTING EVEN - 1989; WHAT A GIRL - 1991; SHADOW WARRIORS - 1992 [his last acting role]. He also appeared in dozens of films that haven't been dubbed or subtitled into English. George Ardisson was 83 years-old.) - 12/11/14
GERALD SIM (British Actor: Films included: FAME IS THE SPUR - 1947; JOSEPHINE AND MEN - 1955; THE ANGRY SILENCE - 1960; TROUBLE IN THE SKY - 1960; WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND - 1961; FLAT TWO - 1962; ONLY TWO CAN PLAY - 1962; MURDER CAN BE DEADLY - 1962; THE AMOROUS MR. PRAWN - 1962; THE L-SHAPED ROOM - 1962; THE WRONG ARM OF THE LAW - 1963; I COULD GO ON SINGING - 1963; HEAVENS ABOVE! - 1963; THE PUMPKIN EATER - 1964; SEANCE ON A WET AFTERTNOON - 1964; KING RAT - 1965; THE MURDER GAME - 1965; THE WRONG BOX - 1966; THE WHISPERERS - 1967; OUR MOTHER'S HOUSE - 1967; NOBODY RUNS FOREVER - 1968; OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR - 1969; THE MADWOMAN OF CHALLIOT - 1969; MISCHIEF - 1969; THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF - 1970; THE LAST GRENADE - 1970;DOCTOR IN TROUBLE - 1970; RYAN'S DAUGHTER - 1970; LONG AGO, TOMORROW - 1971; DR. JEKYLL & SISTER HYDE - 1971; FRENZY - 1972; DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN - 1972; YOUNG WINSTON - 1972; KADOYNG - 1972; NO SEX PLEASE: WE'RE BRITISH - 1973; WIPERS THREE - 1973 [TV Movie]; ONCE THE KILLING STARTS - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE: THE STORY OF CINDERELLA - 1976; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977; EDWARD AND MRS. SIMPSON - 1978 [TV mini-series]; SUEZ 1956 - 1979; GANDHI - 1982; PAINT ME A MURDER - 1984 [TV Movie]; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE: THE MOVING FINGER - 1985 [TV Movie]; CRY FREEDOM - 1987; CHELWORTH - 1989 [TV mini-series]; NUMBER ONE GUN - 1990; PATRIOT GAMES - 1992; CHAPLIN - 1992; SHADOWLANDS - 1993. TV Series appearances included: BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1950; THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE - 1962; THE HUMAN JUNGLE - 1963; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1963; TAXI! - 1963; FESTIVAL - 1963; Z CARS - 1963; IT'S DARK OUTSIDE - 1964; GHOST SQUAD - 1964; DETECTIVE - 1964; CURTAIN OF FEAR - 1964; CROSSROADS - 1964; ZERO ONE - 1965; LEGEND OF DEATH - 1965; ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! - 1966; THE BARON - 1967; SEND FOSTER - 1967; MAN IN A SUITCASE - 1967-1968; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1964-1968 [3 episodes]; CITY 68' - 1968; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1968; THE AVENGERS - 1962-1968 [4 episodes]; JOURNEY TO THE UNKNOWN - 1969; STRANGE REPORT - 1969; SPECIAL BRANCH - 1969; DOOMWATCH - 1970; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1967-1971; PAUL TEMPLE - 1971; THE 10 COMMANDMENTS - 1971; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1969-1971; SHIRLEY'S WORLD - 1971; THE PERSUADERS! - 1971; NEW SCOTLAND YARD - 1973; SIX DAYS OF JUSTICE - 1972-1973; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1967-1974; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1974; MY NAME IS HARRY WORTH - 1974; JUSTICE - 1974; CROWN COURT - 1974; BLESS THIS HOUSE - 1974; ROOMS - 1975; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1975; THE MAIN CHANCE - 1975; QUILLER - 1975; THE FALL AND RISE OF REGINALD PERRIN - 1976; WARSHIPS - 1977; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1977; THE FOUNDATION - 1977-1978 [series regular]; WODEHOUSE PLAYHOUSE - 1978; BBC2 PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1978; RIPPING YARNS - 1979; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978-1979; ARMCHAIR THRILLER - 1980; CRIBB - 1980; WILFRED AND EILEEN - 1981 [3 episodes]; CORONATION STREET - 1982; LADY IS A TRAMP - 1983; BERGERAC - 1984; CHANCE IN A MILLION - 1984; DON'T WAIT UP - 1984; BY SWORD DIVIDED - 1985; EXECUTIVE STRESS - 1986; JACK THE RIPPER - 1988; KEEPING UP APPEARANCES - 1990; LOVE HURTS - 1992; SCREENPLAY - 1993; THE LEGACY OF REGINALD PERRIN - 1996; TO THE MANOR BORN - 1979-2007 [15 episodes; his last credit]. Mr. Sim was the brother-in-law of Richard Attenborough and David Attenborough and appeared seven of Richard's films. Gerald Sim was 89 years-old.) - 12/11/14
SERGIO FIORENTINI (Actor: Italian actor who specialized in Italian sex comedies and action films in the 70's. His credits included: JEKYLL - 1969 [TV miniseries]; THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV - 1969 [TV mini-series]; AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO - 1972 [TV Movie]; SECRETS OF A NURSE - 1973; THE HANDSOME DEVIL - 1974; EXTRA - 1976 [TV Movie]; ROME: THE OTHER SIDE OF VIOLENCE - 1976; A SPECIAL COP IN ACTION - 1976; I AM THE LAW - 1977; THE CAT - 1978 [TV mini-series]; LULU - 1986 [TV mini-series]; SOUND - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE INVISIBLE WALL - 1991; STUBBORN FATE - 1992; ANGEL WITH A GUN - 1992; SECRET CONFESSION - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1999 [TV mini-series]; POPE JOHN XXIII - 2002 [TV Movie]; ANSWER ME - 2004; TAXI LOVERS - 2005; POMPEI - 2007 [TV mini-series]; BORIS - 2007 [TV Series]; MARRIED TO A COP - 2008 [TV Series]; PAUL VI: THE POPE IN THE TEMPEST - 2008 [TV Movie]; ME, THEM AND LARA - 2009; CRIMES - 2006-2010 [TV Series]; SHE'S A THIEF - 2010 [TV Series]; ALL AT SEA - 2011. The majority of Mr. Fiorentini's filmography hasn't been released in English, either dubbed or subtitled. He also dubbed the voice of Gene Hackman when his films were released in Italy. Sergio Fiorentini was 80 years-old.) - 12/11/14
MARY DAWNE ARDEN (Actress: Successful model-turned actress that appeared in a few select films (mainly in Italy) during the 60's & early-70's and then returned for one film in 2012. Her films included: THE ATTIC - 1963; BLOOD AND BLACK LACE - 1964 [her best-known film; directed by Mario Bava]; THE MANIACS - 1964 [a comedy directed by Lucio Fulci]; TWO ESCAPE FROM SING SING - 1964 [another comedy directed by Lucio Fulci]; REVENGE OF THE GLADIATORS - 1964; OH! THOSE MOST SECRET AGENTS - 1964 [her third, and final, comedy directed by Lucio Fulci]; JULIET OF THE SPIRITS - 1965 [directed by Federico Fellini]; A...LIKE ANONYMOUS - 1966; KRIMINAL - 1966 [directed by Umberto Lenzi]; I DUE SANCULOTTI - 1966; MASTER STROKE - 1967; DOCTORS' WIVES - 1971; THEY CALL HIM MARCARDO - 1971; BLOODY CHRISTMAS - 2012. She also appeared in the Italian photo comics series SADISTIK and moved to Mexico, where she co-hosted television documentaries for Mexican Public Television. She recently ran a succesful image consultant agency and appeared on E! Entertainment Television where she would discuss celebrity scandals. Mary Dawne Arden was 81 years-old.) - 12/13/14
BOOTH COLMAN (Actor: Versatile film and TV character actor with a staggering resumé; His credits included: THE BIG SKY - 1952; JULIUS CAESAR - 1953; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953; THE REVLON MIRROR THEATRE - 1953; FLIGHT NURSE - 1953; SECRET OF THE INCAS - 1954; THEM! - 1954; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1952-1954; RING OF FEAR - 1954; LIVING IT UP - 1954; THE HUMAN JUNGLE - 1954; THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA - 1954; THE SILVER CHALICE - 1954; PRINCE OF PLAYERS - 1955; THE PRODIGAL - 1955; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1953-1955; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; CLIMAX! - 1955; MOONFLEET - 1955; JUMP INTO HELL - 1955; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1955; PASSPORT TO DANGER - 1956; WORLD WITHOUT END - 1956; FLIGHT TO HONG KONG - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; THE ADVENTURES OF JIM BOWIE - 1956; TELEPHONE TIME - 1956; THE GRAY GHOST - 1957; MY GUN IS QUICK - 1957; THE GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN SHOW - 1957; THE VEIL - 1958; THE POWER AND THE RESURRECTION - 1958; HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE - 1958; BROKEN ARROW - 1956-1958; THE BEAST OF BUDAPEST - 1958; THE CASE AGAINST BROOKLYN - 1958; DRAGNET - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; TARAWA BEACHHEAD - 1958; AUNTIE MAME - 1958; RESCUE 8 - 1958; MAN WITH A CAMERA - 1959; YANCY DERRINGER - 1959; BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1959; THE CALIFORNIANS - 1959; ZORRO - 1959; THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD WOMEN - 1959; THEBRAMBLE BUSH - 1960; UNDER TEN FLAGS - 1960; ROMANOFF AND JULIET - 1961; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1961; THE COMANCHEROS - 1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1961; THRILLER - 1961-1962 ["Man In The Cage" - 1961; "Waxworks" - 1962]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1962; ROUTE 66 - 1962; KING OF DIAMONDS - 1962; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1961-1962; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1962; CHEYENNE - 1962; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962-1963; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; G.E. TRUE - 1963; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1964 ["ZZZZZ"]; KISSES FOR MY PRESIDENT - 1964; A GLOBAL AFFAIR - 1964; THE ROGUES - 1964; PERRY MASON - 1964; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE - 1964; BEN CASEY - 1964; RAIDERS FROM BENEATH THE SEA - 1964; PROFILES IN COURAGE - 1965; RUNAWAY GIRL - 1965; HARLOW - 1965; ARIZONA RAIDERS - 1965; WILD ON THE BEACH - 1965; THE FUGITIVE - 1965; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1965; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1965; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1966; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965-1966; BONANZA - 1962-1966; THE MONKEES - 1966; IRON HORSE - 1967; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1966-1967; THE SECOND HUNDRED YEARS - 1967; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1967; GARRISON'S GORILLAS - 1967; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1968; MARYJANE - 1968; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965-1968; TARZAN - 1968; THE OUTSIDERS - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; DANIEL BOONE - 1965-1969; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1969; ADAM-12 -1969; MEDICAL CENTER - 1970; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1970; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967-1970; THE LAWYER - 1970; THE FLYING NUN - 1968-1970; MOD SQUAD - 1970; THE VIRGINIAN - 1970; ARNIE - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; GIDEON - 1971 [TV Movie]; SCANDALOUS JOHN - 1971; THE D.A. - 1971; MANNIX - 1967-1971; ADVENTURES OF NICK CARTER - 1972 [TV Movie]; GUNSMOKE - 1963-1972; MY THREE SONS - 1965-1972; THE SMITH FAMILY - 1971-1972; CANNON - 1972; TIME TO RUN - 1973; BARNABY JONES - 1973; KUNG FU - 1973; LOVE STORY - 1973; I LOVE YOU...GOODBYE - 1974; A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN - 1974 [TV Movie]; FOOLS, FEMALES AND FUN - 1974 [TV Movie]; PLANET OF THE APES - 1974 [played "Zaius" in six episodes]; APPLE'S WAY - 1975; LINCOLN - 1975 [TV mini-series]; LUCAS TANNER - 1975; RETURNING HOME - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975; BARBARY COAST - 1975; HARRY O - 1976; POLICE STORY - 1974-1976; TIME TRAVELERS - 1979 [TV Movie]; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; THE RETURN OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST DETECTIVE - 1976 [TV Movie]; FRANCIS GARY POWERS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE U-2 SPY INCIDENT - 1976 [TV Movie]; SWITCH - 1975-1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972-1976; GIBBSVILLE - 1977; YESTERDAY'S CHILD - 1977 [TV Movie]; BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON - 1977; DELVECCHIO - 1977; IN THE GLITTER PALACE - 1977 [TV Movie]; MCCLOUD - 1971-1977; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1979; THE WALTONS - 1979; FOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1979 [TV mini-series]; NORMA RAE - 1979; QUINCY M.E. - 1977-1979; THE BEST PLACE TO BE - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979; MARCIANO - 1979 [TV Movie]; GALACTICA 1980 - 1980; LOU GRANT - 1977-1981; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1983; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 1986; DESTINATION AMERICA - 1987 [TV Movie]; SHOOTDOWN - 1988 [TV Movie]; CIVIL WARS - 1991-1992; CHICAGO HOPE - 1995; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1997; AIR AMERICA - 1999; RETURN TO THE SECRET GARDEN - 2000; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 2001; FRASIER - 2003; INTOLERABLE CRUELTY - 2003; JAKE IN PROGRESS - 2005; MY NAME IS EARL - 2006; THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY - 2008 [his last acting role]. He also narrated the English version of the documentary THE CITY OF GODS - 1968 ansd appeared in the documentaries THE SOUTH BANK SHOW - 1991 [a documentary TV Series]; and LAUREL & HARDY: THEIR LIVES AND MAGIC - 2011. Mr. Colman had also played Ebenezer Scrooge more than 500 times on the stage of the Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan. Booth Colman was 91 years-old.) 12/15/14
TONY MUNAFO (Actor/Associate Producer: He has appeared in a number of films starring Sylvester Stallone. He has also been the Associate Producer on a number of films also starring Stallone. As an Actor: THE DEATH COLLECTOR - 1976; VOICES - 1979; ROCKY II - 1979; THE WANDERERS - 1979; COCAINE COWBOYS - 1979; JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - 1980; THE EXTERMINATOR - 1980; THE IDOLMAKER - 1980; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; THE CHOSEN - 1981; PRINCE OF THE CITY - 1981; FIGHTING BACK - 1982; AUTHOR! AUTHOR! - 1982; STAYING ALIVE - 1983; TWO OF A KIND - 1983; RHINESTONE - 1984; CAT'S EYE - 1985; RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II - 1985; WISE GUYS - 1986; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1987 [TV Series]; OVER THE TOP - 1987 [also Associate Producer]; LOCK UP - 1989 [also Associate Producer]; ROCKY V - 1990 [also Associate Producer]; OSCAR - 1991; THE SPECIALIST - 1994 [also Associate Producer]; DAYLIGHT - 1996 [also Associate Producer]. As an Associate Producer: COBRA - 1986; RAMBO III - 1988; TANGO & CASH - 1989; STOP! OR MY MOM WILL SHOOT - 1992; CLIFFHANGER - 1993; DEMOLITION MAN - 1993; JUDGE DREDD - 1995; ASSASSINS - 1995. Tony Munafo was 69 years-old.) - 12/18/14
VIRNA LISI (Actress: Beautiful Italian actress that not only starred in Italian films, but also international productions. Her films included: CARDINAL LAMBERTINI - 1954; GOODBYE NAPLES! - 1955; NEW MOON - 1955; CAVALRYMEN - 1955; THE BACHELOR - 1955; EIGHTEENYEAR OLDS - 1956; THE DOLL THAT TOOK THE TOWN - 1957; LOST SOULS - 1959; WORLD OF MIRACLES - 1959; DUEL OF THE TITANS - 1961; HIS EXCELLENCY STAYED FOR DINNER - 1961; EVA - 1962; THE SHORTEST DAY - 1963; DON'T TEMPT THE DEVIL - 1963; THE BLACK TULIP - 1964; FROM FRANCE WITH LOVE - 1964; HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE - 1965; THE DOLLS - 1965; THE POSSESSED - 1965; CASANOVA 70 - 1965; MADE IN ITALY - 1965; KISS THE OTHER SHEIK - 1965; THE BIRDS, THE BEES AND THE ITALIANS- 1966; A MAIDEN FOR THE PRINCE - 1966; ASSAULT ON A QUEEN - 1966; NOT WITH MY WIFE, YOU DON'T! - 1966; THE 25TH HOUR - 1967; THE GIRL AND THE GENERAL - 1967; ARABELLA - 1967; ANYONE CAN PLAY - 1968; THE GIRL WHO COULDN'T SAY NO - 1968; BETTER A WIDOW - 1968; IF IT'S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM - 1969; THE CHRISTMAS TREE - 1969; THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA - 1969; THE HEIST - 1970; THE VOYEUR - 1970; THE STATUE - 1971; LOVE ME STRANGELY - 1971; COBBLESTONES - 1972; BLUEBEARD - 1972 [I love her in this movie]; THE SERPENT - 1973; WHITE FANG - 1973; PHILO VANCE - 1974 [TV mini-series]; CHALLENGE TO WHITE FANG - 1974; BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL - 1977; ERNESTO - 1979; FOOTLOOSE - 1979; THE CRICKET - 1980; MISS RIGHT - 1982; TIME FOR LOVING - 1983; CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS - 1985 [TV mini-series]; I LOVE N.Y. - 1987; MERRY CHRISTMAS...HAPPY NEW YEAR - 1989; QUEEN MARGOT - 1994 [Cannes Film Festival Award® winner for Best Actress; César Awards, France® winner for Best Supporting Actress]; FOLLOW YOUR HEART - 1996; BALZAC: A PASSIONATE LIFE - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE - 2002; ANNA'S WORLD - 2004 [TV Movie]; MY DAUGHTERS - 2005-2010 [TV mini-series]; THE LADY WHO RETURNS - 2011 [TV mini-series]; LATIN LOVER - 2015 [her last acting role]. Ms. Lisi also did many more films and TV series, TV movies and TV mini-series that have not been subtitled or dubbed into English. She was also cast for the titled role in BARBARELLA - 1968, but turned it down and returned to Italy. Virna Lisi was 78 years-old.) - 12/18/14
ARTHUR GARDNER (Actor/Producer: Gardner started out working in silent movies as an uncredited actor and continued acting until the 1950's. He also became a film and TV Producer starting in the 1940's. As an Actor: KING OF JAZZ - 1930; ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT -1930; SHIPMATES FOREVER - 1935; ASSASSIN OF YOUTH - 1937; MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE - 1938; RELIGIOUS RACKETEERS - 1938; DRAMATIC SCHOOL - 1938; HEART OF THE NORTH - 1938; WATERFRONT - 1939; ANDY HARDY GETS SPRING FEVER - 1939; EACH DAWN I DIE - 1939; I WANTED WINGS - 1941; NAVY BLUES - 1941; HARD GUY - 1941; I KILLED THAT MAN - 1941; YOU'RE IN THE ARMY NOW - 1941; RUBBER RACKETEERS - 1942; I ESCAPED FROM THE GESTAPO - 1943; SUSPENSE - 1946; THE BRUTE MAN - 1946; THE VAMPIRE - 1957 [also Producer; his last acting role]. As a Producer: ROGER TOUHY, GANGSTER - 1944; SOUTHSIDE 1-1000 - 1950; WITHOUT WARNING! - 1952; VICE SQUAD - 1953; DOWN THREE DARK STREETS - 1954; THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD - 1957; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1958 [TV Series]; THE RETURN OF DRACULA - 1958; THE FLAME BARRIER - 1958; LAW OF THE PLAINSMAN - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 26 Episodes]; THE DICK POWELL THEATER - 1962 [TV Series]; GERONIMO - 1962; THE DETECTIVES - 1959-1962 [TV Series; 97 Episodes]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1958-1963 [TV Series; 166 Episodes]; THE GLORY GUYS - 1965; CLAMBAKE - 1967; THE SCALPHUNTERS - 1968; SAM WHISKEY - 1969; THE BIG VALLEY - 1965-1969 [TV Series; 112 Episodes]; UNDERGROUND - 1970; THE MCKENSIE BREAK - 1970; THE HUNTING PARTY - 1971; THE HONKERS - 1972; KANSAS CITY BOMBER - 1973; WHITE LIGHTNING - 1973; MCQ - 1974; BRANNIGAN - 1975; GATOR - 1976; SAFARI 3000 - 1982 [also Writer; his last Producer credit]. Mr. Gardner also appeared as himself in the documentaries: LON CHANEY: A THOUSAND FACES - 2000; TVOGRAPHY: LEE MAJORS-HOLLYWOOD'S BIONIC HERO - 2002; and THE 100 GREATEST WAR FILMS - 2005. Arthur Gardner was an amazing 104 years-old when he passed away of natural causes.) - 12/19/14
BILLIE WHITELAW (Actress: Accomplished British actress who improved everything she appeared in. Her films included: THE FAKE - 1953; THE SLEEPING TIGER - 1954; COMPANIONS IN CRIME - 1954; ROOM IN THE HOUSE - 1955; MIRACLE IN SOHO - 1957; SMALL HOTEL - 1957; CARVE HER NAME WITH PRIDE - 1958; GIDEON OF SCOTLAND YARD - 1958; BREAKOUT - 1959; BOBBIKINS - 1959; THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS - 1960; HELL IS A CITY - 1960 [BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles]; MAKE MINE MINK - 1960; I PROMISE TO PAY - 1961; NO LOVE FOR JOHNNIE - 1961; I LIKE MONEY - 1961; THE DEVIL'S AGENT - 1962; THE COMEDY MAN - 1964; CHARLIE BUBBLES - 1967 [BAFTA Film Award® winner for Best Supporting Actress; National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA® winner for Best Supporting Actress]; TWISTED NERVE - 1968 [BAFTA Film Award® winner for Best Supporting Actress]; THE ADDING MACHINE - 1969; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME - 1970; LEO THELAST - 1970; GUMSHOE - 1971; EAGLE IN A CAGE - 1972; FRENZY - 1972 [Hitchcock!]; NIGHT WATCH - 1973; THE OMEN - 1976 [she was evil incarnate; BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Best Supporting Actress]; THE WATER BABIES - 1978 [voice only]; LEOPARD IN THE SNOW - 1978; AN UNSUITABLE JOB FOR A WOMAN - 1982; THE DARK CRYSTAL - 1982 [voice only]; SLAYGROUND - 1983; THE CHAIN - 1984; TANGIERS - 1985; SHADEY - 1985; MURDER ELITE - 1985; MAURICE - 1987; JOYRIDERS - 1988; THE DRESSMAKER - 1988; THE KRAYS - 1990 [excellent as the mother of the murderous twins; BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Best Actress]; FREDDIE AS F.R.O.7. - 1992; DEADLY ADVICE - 1994; JANE EYRE - 1996; THE LOST SON - 1999; QUILLS - 2000; HOT FUZZ - 2007 [her last acting role]. TV Series appearances included roles on: THE SECRET GARDEN - 1952; WITHOUT THE PRINCE - 1952 [TV Movie]; THE PATTERN OF MARRIAGE - 1953; RHEINGOLD THEATRE - 1954; TERMINUS - 1955; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1955; OTHELLO - 1955 [TV Movie]; THEATRE ROYAL - 1955; TALES FROM SOHO - 1956; WITHOUT LOVE - 1956 [TV Movie]; MY PAL BOB - 1957; THE TALES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1957; YOU'RE A LONG TIME DEAD - 1958 [TV Movie]; THIS DAY IN FEAR - 1958 [TV Movie]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1957-1958; TIME OUT FOR PEGGY - 1958-1959 [series regular]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1960; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1957-1960; ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1960; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER - 1961; STRYKER OF THE YARD - 1961; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1957-1961; ESPIONAGE - 1963; FIRST NIGHT - 1963; FESTIVAL - 1964; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1966; KNOCK ON ANY DOOR - 1966; LOVE STORY - 1966; THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 1968 [TV Movie]; JACKANOTY - 1969; WICKED WOMEN - 1970; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1970; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1956-1971; POET GAME - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE SEXTET - 1972 [BAFTA TV Award® for best Actress in a TV Series]; WESSEX TALES - 1973 [TV mini-series; BAFTA TV Award® nominee for Best Actress]; NAPOLEAN AND LOVE - 1974 [TV mini-series]; WHODUNNIT? - 1974; SPACE: 1999 - 1976; SUPERNATURAL - 1977 [TV mini-series]; EUSTACE AND HILDA - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE LIVELY ARTS - 1977-1978; A TALE OF TWO CITIES - 1980 [TV Movie]; PRIVATE SCHULZ - 1981; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1981; JAMAICA INN - 1983 [TV Movie]; CAMILLE - 1984 [TV Movie]; IMAGINARY FRIENDS - 1987 [TV mini-series]; THE SECRET GARDEN - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE FIFTEEN STREETS - 1989 [TV Movie]; LORNA DOONE - 1990 [TV Movie]; DUEL OF HEARTS - 1991 [TV Movie]; A MURDER OF QUALITY - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE CLONING OF JOANNA MAY - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERFORMANCE - 1993; SCREEN TWO - 1989-1994; FIRM FRIENDS - 1992-1994; BORN TO RUN - 1997 [series regular]; MERLIN - 1998 [TV mini-series]; SHOOTING THE PAST - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE LAST OF THE BLONDE BOMBSHELLS - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE CANTERBURY TALES - 1998-2000; A DINNER OF HERBS - 2000 [TV mini-series]; JUDGE JOHN DEED - 2002. Ms. Whitlaw's son's apartment was used in the film SHAUN OF THE DEAD - 2004 and he talked her into playing a role in Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg's next film, HOT FUZZ - 2007, which would turn out to be her acting swansong. Playwright Samuel Beckett referred to her as "the perfect actress" and she was thoroughly enjoyable [and sometimes creepy] in the roles she essayed. I first noticed her in THE OMEN and then tried to watch everything she did. A pure talent. Billie Whitelaw was 82 years-old.) - 12/21/14
RICHARD GRAYDON (Stuntman/Bit Actor: Did stunts for many of the James Bond films and appeared in tiny acting parts in many of the films he did stunts for. Films included: FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1963; GOLDFINGER - 1964; THUNDERBALL - 1965; YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - 1967; ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1969; WHEN EIGHT BELLS TOLL - 1971; DON'T LOOK NOW - 1973; DEAD CERT - 1974; 11 HARROWHOUSE - 1974; ROYAL FLASH - 1975; THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH - 1976; STAR WARS - 1977; THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1977; THE DUELLISTS - 1977; DEATH OR FREEDOM - 1977; THE WILD GEESE - 1978; INTERNATIONAL VELVET - 1978; FFOLKES - 1979; THE PASSAGE - 1979; THE LADY VANISHES - 1979; MOONRAKER - 1979; RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - 1981; FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - 1981; OCTOPUSSY - 1983; CHAMPIONS - 1984; ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE - 1984; A PASSAGE TO INDIA - 1984; LADYHAWKE - 1985; A VIEW TO A KILL - 1985; DREAM LOVER - 1986; PIRATES - 1986; PATHFINDER - 1987; WILLOW - 1988; BATMAN - 1989; THE LITTLEST VIKING - 1989; BOON - 1991 [TV Series]; DOCTOR FINLAY - 1993 [TV Series]; PIE IN THE SKY - 1997 [TV Series]; LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS - 1998 [His last screen appearance]. As a Bit Actor [in films not listed above]: WICKED WIFE - 1953; THE AVENGERS - 1966 [TV Series]; THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE - 1968; THE LAST VALLEY - 1971; THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL - 1974 [TV mini-series]; LOVE AND BULLETS - 1979; EYE OF THE NEEDLE - 1981; JOCKEY SCHOOL - 1982 [TV mini-series]; DEJA VU - 1985; LONDON'S BURNING - 1989 [TV Series]; WINGS OF FAME - 1990; BETWEEN THE LINES - 1993 [TV Series]; SHOOTING FISH - 1997. Richard Graydon was 92 years-old.) - 12/22/14
JEREMY LLOYD (Actor/Writer: British comedy actor who then began writing teleplays and screenplays for British TV and films. As an actor: SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS - 1960; MAN IN THE MOON - 1960; SEVEN KEYS - 1961; A COMING-OUT PARTY - 1961; FLAME IN THE STREETS - 1961; CITIZEN JAMES - 1961 [TV Series]; PLAY IT COOL - 1962; OPERATION SNATCH - 1962; CROOKS ANONYMOUS - 1962; TWO AND TWO MAKE SIX - 1962; WE JOINED THE NAVY - 1962; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1962 [TV Series]; JUST FOR FUN - 1963; SANDERS - 1963; THE RAG TRADE - 1963 [TV Series]; THE DICKIE HENDERSON SHOW - 1963-1964 [TV Series]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1964 [TV Series]; A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - 1964; THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES... - 1965; HELP! - 1965; A STUDY IN TERROR - 1965; THE LIQUIDATOR - 1965; ZERO ONE - 1965 [TV Series]; CARNABY, M.D. - 1966; THE WRONG BOX - 1966; THE SANDWICH MAN - 1966; THREE HATS FOR LISA - 1966; THE LONG DUEL - 1967; SMASHING TIME - 1967; CALLAN - 1967 [TV Series]; SALT AND PEPPER - 1968; THE ASSASSINATION BUREAU - 1969; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1969 [TV Series]; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS - 1969; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969; THE AVENGERS - 1967-1969 [TV Series]; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1969-1970 [TV Series; regular for one season]; LADY CHATTERLY VERSUS FANNY HILL - 1971; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1971 [TV Series]; SHIRLEY'S WORLD - 1971 [TV Series]; ALBERT! - 1971 [TV Series]; IT'S AWFULLY BAD FOR YOUR EYES, DARLING - 1971 [TV Series]; FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT - 1972 [TV Series]; BBC SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1972 [TV Series]; MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS - 1974; WHODUNNIT? - 1974 [TV Series]; THE BAWDY ADVENTURES OF TOM JONES - 1976; MAGGIE - 1986 [TV Movie]; 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1992 [TV Series]; BENJAMIN BRITTEN: PEACE AND CONFLICT - 2013 [His last acting role]. As a Writer: NEW LOOK - 1959 [TV Series]; VACANT LOT - 1967 [TV Series]; THE DICKIE HENDERSON SHOW - 1960-1968 [TV Series; 49 episodes]; MUM'S BOYS - 1968 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; THE HARRY SECOMBE SHOW - 1968 [TV Series]; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1969-1970 [TV Series; 26 episodes]; OLD DRACULA - 1974; WHODUNNIT? - 1973-1974 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; COME BACK MRS. NOAH - 1976-1977 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; BEANES OF BOSTON - 1979 [TV Movie]; OH HAPPY BAND - 1980 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED IN AUSTRALIA? - 1980-1981 [TV Series; 16 episodes]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1972-1985 [One of the best British TV Comedy Series; 69 episodes]; 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1982-1992 [TV Series; 85 episodes]; WHICH WAY TO THE WAR - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF 'ALLO 'ALLO - 2007 [TV Movie Documentary]. Mr. Lloyd was very shortly married to actress Joanna Lumley [THE NEW AVENGERS] in 1970. His most famous sitcom as a writer, ARE YOU BEING SERVED?, was based on Lloyd's own experiences working at Simpsons of Piccadilly. He was also the subject of a persistent urban legend which claims that he was invited to a dinner party at the home of Sharon Tate on the night that she was murdered by followers of Charles Manson. There seems to be no truth in this myth, as Lloyd was performing at a live show in New York during the week of Tate's death, and there is no evidence to suggest that he had ever met Tate or her husband, Roman Polanski, while she was still living. Jeremy Lloyd was 84 years-old.) - 12/22/14
JOSEPH SARGENT (Director: Sargent, who started his career out as a bit actor, became a powerhouse director of theatrical films, TV movies and TV series. His films and TV movies included: STREET-FIGHTER - 1959; ONE SPY TOO MANY - 1966 [cobbled-together episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. for theatrical release]; THE SPY IN THE GREEN HAT - 1967 [another cobbled-together U.N.C.L.E. theatrical release]; THE HELL WITH HEROES - 1968; THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT - 1968 [TV Movie]; COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT - 1970 [an underrated classic and way ahead of its time]; TRIBES - 1970 [TV Movie]; MAYBE I'LL COME HOME IN THE SPRING - 1971 [TV Movie; also Producer]; MAN ON A STRING - 1972 [TV Movie]; BUCK AND THE PREACHER - 1972 [fired and replaced by Sidney Poitier]; THE MAN - 1972 [as relevant today as itwas back then]; THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE - 1973 [TV Movie]; WHEELER AND MURDOCH - 1973 [TV Movie; also Producer]; WHITE LIGHTNING - 1973 [a great Burt Reynolds action film]; SUNSHINE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE - 1974 [the first and still the best]; HUSTLING - 1975 [TV Movie]; FRIENDLY PERSUASION - 1975 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE NIGHT THAT PANICKED AMERICA - 1975 [TV Movie; also Producer]; MACARTHUR - 1977; GOLDENGIRL - 1979; AMBER WAVES - 1980 [TV Movie]; PLAYING FOR TIME - 1980 [uncredited]; COAST TO COAST - 1980; FREEDOM - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE MANIONS OF AMERICA - 1981 [TV mini-series]; TOMORROW'S CHILD - 1982 [TV Movie]; NIGHTMARES - 1983; MEMORIAL DAY - 1983 [TV Movie]; CHOICES OF THE HEART - 1983 [TV Movie; also Producer]; TERRIBLE JOE MORAN - 1984 [TV Movie]; SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1984 [TV Movie]; SPACE - 1985 [TV mini-series]; LOVE IS NEVER SILENT - 1985 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special]; PASSION FLOWER - 1986 [TV Movie]; THERE MUST BE A PONY - 1986 [TV Movie]; OF PURE BLOOD - 1986 [TV Movie; also Producer]; JAWS: THE REVENGE - 1987 [also Producer; some consider it his worst theatrical film; I can't say I disagree]; THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY - 1989 [TV Movie]; DAY ONE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE INCIDENT - 1990 [TV Movie]; CAROLINE? - 1990 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special]; IVORY HUNTERS - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE SHE SOUGHT - 1990 [TV Movie]; NEVER FORGET - 1991 [TV Movie]; MISS ROSE WHITE - 1992 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing]; SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER - 1992 [TV Movie; also Producer]; SKYLARK - 1993 [TV Movie; also Producer]; ABRAHAM - 1994 {TV Movie]; WORLD WAR II: WHEN LIONS ROARED - 1994 [TV Movie]; MY ANTONIA - 1995 [TV Movie]; MANDELA AND DE KLERK - 1997 [TV Movie]; MISS EVERS' BOYS - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE LONG ISLAND INCIDENT - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE WALL - 1998 [TV Movie]; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 1998 [TV Movie; also Producer]; A LESSON BEFORE DYING - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF LAREDO - 1999 [TV mini-series]; THE SAVIOR OF SAN NICOLA - 2000; FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY: THE ARTURO SANDOVAL STORY - 2000 [TV Movie]; BOJANGLES - 2001 [TV Movies]; SALEM WITCH TRIALS - 2002 [TV Movie]; OUT OF THE ASHES - 2003 [TV Movie]; SOMETHING THE LORD MADE - 2004 [inarguably his finest TV Movie; Directors Guild Of America, USA Award® winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television]; WARM SPRINGS - 2005 [TV Movie; Directors Guild Of America, USA Award® winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television]; SYBIL - 2007 [TV Movie]; SWEET NOTHING IN MY EAR - 2008 [TV Movie; also Producer; his last directorial credit]. He directed episodes of the following TV Series: LASSIE - 1961-1964; BONANZA - 1964; KENTUCKY JONES - 1964; MR. NOVAK - 1964-1965; DANIEL BOONE - 1965; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1965; THE FUGITIVE - 1965-1966; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; STAR TREK - 1966; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1966; THE F.B.I. - 1966; WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR - 1966-1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; GARRISON'S GORILLAS - 1967; THE IMMORTAL - 1969; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1969-1970; LONGSTREET - 1971 [Pilot episode; also Producer]; KOJAK - 1973 [Pilot episode "The Marcus-Nelson Murders", which ran over 2 hours; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama - A Single Program; Directors Guild Of America, USA Award® winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television]; CBS SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1988. Mr. Sargent was also nominated or won many other awards for his contributions to films and TV, and rightfully so. Watch any of his films or TV Movies and you will see he had a definite style. Joseph Sargent died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was 89 years-old.) - 12/22/14
RHODES REASON (Actor: Younger brother of actor Rex Reason [who is still alive]. Films included: DYNAMITE, THE STORY OF ALFRED NOBLE - 1954 [TV Movie]; THE FARMER FROM MONTICELLO - 1955 [TV Movie]; LADY GODIVA OF COVENTRY - 1955; CRIME AGAINST JOE -1956; TENSION AT TABLE ROCK - 1956; FLIGHT TO HONG KONG - 1956; THE DESPERADOS ARE IN TOWN - 1956; EMERGENCY HOSPITAL - 1956; VOODOO ISLAND - 1957; JUNGLE HEAT - 1957; THE BIG FISHERMAN - 1959; YELLOWSTONE KELLY - 1959; A FEVER IN THE BLOOD - 1961; KING KONG ESCAPES - 1967; THE DELTA FACTOR - 1970; PRUDENCE AND THE CHIEF - 1970 [TV Movie]; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND GOODBYE - 1974 [TV Movie]; CRUISIN' HIGH - 1976; A SENSITIVE, PASSIONATE MAN - 1977 [TV Movie; his last film acting role]. TV Series included: SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1956; HIGHWAY PATROL - 1956; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1957; MAVERICK - 1957; SUGARFOOT - 1957; FRONTIER DOCTOR - 1959; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1959; WHITE HUNTER - 1957-1959 [Lead role; 39 episodes]; CHEYENNE - 1956-1960; THRILLER - 1960 ["Girl With A Secret']; BUS STOP - 1961-1962 [Series regular]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1959-1963; PERRY MASON - 1966; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1966-1967; THE BIG VALLEY - 1967; STAR TREK - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1972; HERE'S LUCY - 1968-1973; THE MANHUNTER - 1975; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1976; PHYLLIS - 1977. Mr. Reason made his professional acting debut at the age of 18 in the play ROMEO AND JULIET under the direction of Charles Laughton. In the early 1980s he starred in the Broadway musical ANNIE, playing Daddy Warbucks for nearly three years. Rhodes Reason passed away of lymphoma cancer and was 84 years-old.) - 12/26/14
BERNARD KAY (British Actor: Prolific actor who appeared in all genres of films and TV. His films included: YOU'RE A LONG TIME DEAD - 1958 [TV Movie]; CARRY ON SERGEANT - 1958; FOREIGN FIELD - 1959 [TV Movie]; BACKFIRE - 1962; DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - 1965; THEY CAME FROM BEYOND SPACE - 1967; THE SHUTTERED ROOM - 1967; TORTURE GARDEN - 1967; LUTHER - 1968 [TV Movie]; WITCHFINDER GENERAL - 1968; INTERLUDE - 1968; DARLING LILI - 1970; TROG - 1970;THE HUNTING PARTY - 1971; RUNNING SCARED - 1972; LADY CAROLINE LAMB - 1972; THE HIDING PLACE - 1975; SPY STORY - 1976; SWEENEY! - 1977; SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER - 1977; THE GREAT RIVIERA BANK ROBBERY - 1979; SAKHAROV - 1984 [TV Movie]; IN POSSESSION - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE CASE OF MARCEL DUCHAMP - 1984; THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN THE WORLD - 1988; BOMBER HARRIS - 1989 [TV Movie]; A GHOST IN MONTE CARLO - 1990 [TV Movie]; STEAL THIS MOVIE - 2000; HARLAN COUNTY WAR - 2000 [TV Movie]; PURITAN - 2005; PIERREPOINT: THE LAST HANGMAN - 2006; JOY DIVISION - 2006; PSYCHOSIS - 2010 [his last acting role]. Mr. Kay also appeared in over a hundred TV series, which included: MAIGRET - 1961; THE AVENGERS - 1962; SUSPENSE - 1963; COMPACT - 1964; MYSTERIES AND MIRACLES - 1965; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1965; OBJECT Z - 1965; THE BARON - 1966; SOFTLY SOFTLY - 1967; THE CHAMPIONS - 1968; MY PARTNER THE GHOST - 1970; DOCTOR WHO - 1964-1971 [19 episodes]; THE ADVENTURER - 1972; Z CARS - 1962-1972 [8 episodes]; BARLOW - 1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1974; THE SWEENEY - 1975; SPACE: 1999 - 1976; TARGET - 1977; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978; ACCIDENT - 1978-1979; ARMCHAIR THRILLER - 1980; THE ENIGMA FILES - 1980; SCARF JACK - 1981; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1982; THE BILL - 1984; JULIET BRAVO - 1982-1985; THE FOURTH FLOOR - 1986; REMINGTON STEELE - 1987; WORLDS BEYOND - 1987; LONDON'S BURNING - 1989; MINDER - 1984-1994; PSI FACTOR: CHRONICLES OF THE UNKNOWN - 1996; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1998; CASUALTY - 2002; DOCTORS - 2002-2008; TV BURP - 2008; CASUALTY 1909 - 2009. Bernard Kay was also very active on the Stage and was 86 years-old.) - 12/29/14
LUISE RAINER (German Actress: Even though Ms. Rainer's output was rather small, she was the first actor to win back-to-back Oscars®. Her films included: YEARNING 202 - 1932; MADAMEHAT BESUCH - 1932; HEUT' KOMMT'S FRAUF AN - 1933; ESCAPADE - 1935; THE GREAT ZIEGFELD - 1936 [Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Leading Role]; THE GOOD EARTH - 1937 [Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Leading Role]; THE EMPEROR'S CANDLESTICKS - 1937; BIG CITY - 1937; THE TOY WIFE - 1938; THE GREAT WALTZ - 1938; DRAMATIC SCHOOL - 1938; HOSTAGES - 1943; DER ERSTE KUB - 1954; THE GAMBLER - 1997. Her few TV Series appearances included: THE CHEVROLET TELE-THEATRE - 1949; BY CANDLELIGHT - 1949 [TV Movie]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1950; FAITH BALDWIN ROMANCE THEATRE - 1951; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1952; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1950-1953; SUSPENSE - 1954; COMBAT! - 1965; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; A DANCER - 1991 [TV Movie]. Luise Ranier was the first victim of the "Oscar Curse", as winning the award two straight years in a role hampered, rather than helped, her career. She was quoted as saying: "For my second and third pictures [English language] I won Academy Awards. Nothing worse could have happened to me. The Oscar is not a curse. The real curse is that once you have an Oscar they think you can do anything." She did receive a Star on the Walk of Fame in February 1960. She retired from filmmaking, only to be coaxed every now and then to appear in a film or TV series. Ms. Ranier was 104 years-old.) - 12/30/14
EDWARD HERRMANN (Actor: Talented Character Actor best known to genre audiences as the lead vampire in THE LOST BOYS - 1987 and his recurring role in the TV Series GILMORE GIRLS - 2000-2007, but Herrmann improved every film and TV series that he appeared in. His films included: LADY LIBERTY - 1971; THE PAPER CHASE - 1973; THE DAY OF THEDOLPHIN - 1973; THE GREAT GATSBY - 1974; THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER - 1975; VALLEY FORGE - 1975 [TV Movie]; ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN - 1976 [TV Movie]; ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN: THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS - 1977 [TV Movie]; A LOVE AFFAIR: THE ELEANOR AND LOU GEHRIG STORY - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE BETSY - 1978; BRASS TARGET - 1978; TAKE DOWN - 1979; THE NORTH AVENUE IRREGULARS - 1979; PORTRAIT OF A STRIPPER - 1979 [TV Movie]; FREEDOM ROAD - 1979 [TV Movie]; 3 BY CHEEVER - 1979 [TV mini-series]; HARRY'S WAR - 1981; THE PRIVATE HISTORY OF A CAMPAIGN THAT FAILED - 1981 [TV Movie]; DEAR LIAR - 1981 [TV Movie]; REDS - 1981; THE ELECTRIC GRANDMOTHER - 1982 [TV Movie]; DEATH VALLEY - 1982 [one of the most underrated slasher films of the 80's]; THE GIFT OF LIFE - 1982 [TV Movie]; A LITTLE SEX - 1982; ANNIE - 1982; FREEDOM TO SPEAK - 1982 [TV mini-series]; MEMORIAL DAY - 1983 [TV Movie]; MRS. SOFFEL - 1984; THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE - 1985; COMPROMISING POSITIONS - 1985; MURROW - 1986 [TV Movie]; LAUGHTER IN THE DARK - 1986; THE LOST BOYS - 1987; OVERBOARD - 1987; BIG BUSINESS - 1988; SO PROUDLY WE HAIL - 1990 [TV Movie]; SWEET POISON - 1991 [TV Movie]; FIRE IN THE DARK - 1991 [TV Movie]; HERO - 1992; BORN YESTERDAY - 1993; MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK - 1993; FOREIGN STUDENT - 1994; DON'T DRINK THE WATER - 1994 [TV Movie]; RICHIE RICH - 1994; THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON - 1995 [TV Movie]; HERE COME THE MUNSTERS - 1995 [TV Movie; played Herman Munster]; NIXON - 1995; SOUL OF THE GAME - 1996 [TV Movie]; A SEASON IN PURGATORY - 1996 [TV Movie]; WHAT LOVE SEES - 1996 [TV Movie]; PANDORA'S CLOCK - 1996 [TV Movie]; CRITICAL CARE - 1997; BETTER LIVING - 1998; SAINT MAYBE - 1998 [TV Movie]; ATOMIC TRAIN - 1999 [TV Movie]; VENDETTA - 1999 [TV Movie]; WALKING ACROSS EGYPT - 1999; DOUBLE TAKE - 2001; THE SHAFT - 2001; THE CAT'S MEOW - 2001; JAMES DEAN - 2001 [TV Movie]; THE EMPEROR'S CLUB - 2002; INTOLERABLE CRUELTY - 2003; ISAAC'S STORM - 2004 [TV Movie]; FIRST INVASION: THE WAR OF 1812 - 2004 [TV Documentary; narrator]; BEREFT - 2004; THE AVIATOR - 2004; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, PART 2 - THE LAWS OF MAN - 2006 [TV Movie; narrator]; RELATIVE STRANGERS - 2006; VIOLENT EARTH: NEW ENGLAND'S KILLER HURRICANE - 2006 [TV Movie; narrator]; WEDDING DAZE - 2006; THE MAYFLOWER - 2006 [TV Movie; narrator]; FACTORY GIRL - 2006; EIGHTY ACRES OF HELL - 2006 [TV Movie; narrator]; I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE - 2007; ANDREW JACKSON - 2007 [TV Movie; narrator]; THE SKEPTIC - 2009; HATCHING PETE - 2009 [TV Movie]; THE SIX WIVES OF HENREY LAFEY - 2009; SON OF MORNING - 2011; BUCKY LARSON: BORN TO BE A STAR - 2011; REDEMPTION: FOR ROBBING THE DEAD - 2011; A CHRISTMAS WISH - 2011 [TV Movie]; A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - 2011 [TV Movie];
WONDER WOMAN - 2011 [TV Movie]; PRICE CHECK - 2012; TREASURE BUDDIES - 2012 [MFHV]; CHRISTMAS ORANGES - 2012; HEAVEN'S DOOR - 2013; THE WOLF OF WALL STREET - 2013; THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN - 2014; COACH OF THE YEAR - 2015 [his last role]. His TV Series appearances included: BEACON HILL - 1975; M*A*S*H - 1980; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1984-1986; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1984-1987; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1987; HOTHOUSE - 1988; WINGS - 1995; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS - 1996; THE PRACTICE - 1997-2001 [Won an Emmy Award® in 1999 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]; OZ - 2000-2003; CROSSING JORDAN - 2003; TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR - 2005 [voice only]; UFO FILES - 2005 [narrator]; BIBLE BATTLES - 2005 [narrator]; GILMORE GIRLS - 2000-2007 [series regular; 154 episodes]; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2007; 30 ROCK - 2008; LAW & ORDER - 1995-2009; BETTER WITH YOU - 2011; DROP DEAD DIVA - 2011; AMERICAN DAD! - 2012 [voice only]; HARRY'S LAW - 2012; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS - 2013; HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - 2013; THE GOOD WIFE - 2010-2013; BLACK BOX - 2014. Mr. Herrmann was nominated five times for an Emmy Award® (one win), was fond of performing on the Stage and was the voice heard on many of the programs that aired on The History Channel. Edward Herrmann passed away due to brain cancer and was 71 years-old. What a lousy way to end 2014.) - 12/31/14
DONNA DOUGLAS (Actress: Best known for playing "Elly May Clampett" on THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1962-1971, Ms. Douglas was also involved in other TV Shows and a few movies her credits included: THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1956; TIGHTROPE - 1959; CAREER - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; U.S. Marshall - 1959; L'IL ABNER - 1959 [Theatrical Film];
BACHELOR FATHER - 1959; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1960; BELLS ARE RINGING - 1960 [Theatrical Film]; LOCKUP - 1960; THE DETECTIVES - 1960; ROUTE 66 - 1960; THRILLER - 1961 ["The Hungry Glass']; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; CHECKMATE - 1961; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1961; HENNESEY - 1961; THE AQUANAUTS - 1960-1961; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; PETE AND GLADYS - 1961; DR. KILDARE - 1961; LOVER COME BACK - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1962; MISTER ED - 1961-1962; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1960-1962 ["Eye Of The Beholder" - 1960; 'Cavender Is Coming" - 1962]; SAM BENEDICT - 1962; THE DEFENDERS - 1964; FRANKIE AND JOHNNY - 1966 [Theatrical Film; Lead Role]; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1962-1971; NIGHT GALLERY - 1972 ["Last Rites For A Dead Druid"]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1979-1973; ADAM-12 - 1973; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1974; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978-1979; THE RETURN OF THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE SUPER MARIO BROS. SUPER SHOW! - 1989; CHRONICLES OF LIFE STARFISH - 2008 [TV Short]; CHRONICLES OF LIFE TRIALS - 2013 [her last acting role]. [About the early careers of Buddy Ebsen's, Max Baer Jr.'s, Irene Ryan's and herself, before co-starring on THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES (1962)]: "It was the American Dream. But I think it had a lot of good things in it, too. We were all so grateful to be working, Buddy Ebsen--he had started out in vaudeville, and he had done many things, but his career wasn't on an upswing or anything. Granny, [Irene Ryan] she wasn't really doing anything. Max Baer and I, we were babies just starting out, so everybody was so grateful to be working." Donna Douglas was proud of her role as Elly May Clampett in THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES and occasionally made public appearances dressed as Elly May. She spent hours autographing photos and personally responding to fan mail - even though she received far more than anyone else in the cast of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. She grew closest to member Buddy Ebsen and considered him her "second father". When Ebsen passed away in 2003, Ms. Douglas was devastated [She even attended Irene Ryan's funeral in 1973]. Ms. Douglas had a second career as a gospel singer, as well as a popular real estate agent in Beverly Hills, California. Donna Douglas was 81 years-old.) - 01/01/15
BILL HART (Actor/Stuntman: As an actor [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THE DEPUTY - 1960; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1960; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1960-1961; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1961-1962; STONEY BURKE - 1962-1963 [Series Regular]; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1963; MCLINTOCK! - 1963 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1963-1964 ["Tourist Attraction" - 1963; "The Zanti Misfits" - 1963; "Fun And Games" - 1964]; DANIEL BOONE - 1964; BURKE'S LAW - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1964; THE ROUNDERS - 1965 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; THE GLORY GUYS - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; WILD WILD WEST - 1965; LAREDO - 1965; THE LONER - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; BRANDED - 1965-1966; HONEY WEST - 1966; DUEL AT DIABLO - 1966 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS - 1966; HURRY SUNDOWN - 1967[Theatrical Film]; THE LAST CHALLENGE - 1967 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; CIMMARON STRIP - 1967; HONDO - 1967; MANNIX - 1967; THE WILD BUNCH - 1969 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; BONANZA - 1965-1970; THE GETAWAY - 1972 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1974 [22 episodes]; SASQUA - 1975 [Theatrical Film; long thought lost]; RIDING HIGH - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977; THE WILD WILD WEST REVISITED - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE SACKETTS - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG RIDES AGAIN - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; TOM HORN - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; THE HUNTER - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; THE LEGEND OG THE LONE RANGER - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; BEST OF THE WEST - 1981; DEADLY FORCE - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; THE GAMBLER: THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES - 1983 [TV Movie]; MASQUERADE - 1984; THE YELLOW ROSE - 1984; CITY HEAT - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; NO MERCY - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; SCROOGED - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; SOLAR CRISIS - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; TWO BITS & PEPPER - 1995 [Theatrical Film; also Stunts]; HARD TIME: THE PREMONITION - 1999 [TV Movie]; PALO PINTO GOLD - 2009 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. As a Stuntman [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: STAGECOAST WEST - 1960 [TV Series]; THE ALAMO - 1960; THE COMANCHEROS - 1961; SAVAGE SAM - 1963; MAIL ORDER BRIDE - 1964; A DISTANT TRUMPET - 1964; FIRECREEK - 1968; THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN - 1970; PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID - 1973; SANTEE - 1973; DRUM - 1976; BOUND FOR GLORY - 1976; THE FRISCO KID - 1979; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980; SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES - 1980; ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK - 1981; UNDER THE RAINBOW - 1981; THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER - 1982; THE BEASTMASTER - 1982; KISS MY GRITS - 1982; CLOAK & DAGGER - 1984; BETTER OFF DEAD... - 1985; A FINE MESS - 1986; FLICKS - 1987; THE BEDROOM WINDOW - 1987; HELL COMES TO FROGTOWN - 1988; SUNSET - 1988; MIDNIGHT RUN - 1988; YOUNG GUNS - 1988; DANGEROUS LOVE - 1988; THE NAKED GUN - 1988; TEQUILA SUNRISE - 1988; GLORY - 1989; KEATON'S COP - 1990; PEACEMAKER - 1990; BORDER SHOOTOUT - 1990; SUBURBAN COMMANDO - 1991; MOBSTERS - 1991; LETHAL WEAPON 3 - 1992; LIVE WIRE - 1992; WISHMAN - 1992; ARMY OF DARKNESS - 1992; DR. GIGGLES - 1992; THE SANDLOT - 1993; HOLY MATRIMONY - 1994; SEPARATE LIVES - 1995; THE JACKAL - 1997; THE WAY OF THE GUN - 2000 [his last Stunt film]. Bill Hart was also Glenn Ford's double in many of his films and was 80 years-old.) - 01/02/15
BERNARD (BERNIE) WILLIAMS (Producer/Production Manager/Second Unit Director: Films as a producer [either as an Associate producer, Producer or Executive Producer]: A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - 1971; LADY CAROLINE LAMB - 1972; BARRY LYNDON - 1975; THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE - 1977; THE BIG SLEEP - 1978; FLASH GORDON - 1980; RAGTIME - 1981; AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION - 1982; THE BOUNTY - 1984; MIRACLES - 1986; MANHUNTER - 1986 [also Production Manager]; WISDOM - 1986 [also First Assistant Director]; WHO'S THAT GIRL - 1987 [nominated for a Razzie Award® for Worst Picture]; WAR PARTY - 1988 [also Production Manager]; DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - 1988 [also First Assistant Director and bit Actor]; NAVY SEALS - 1990; WHAT ABOUT BOB? - 1991; HOUSESITTER - 1992 [also Production Manager]; SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER - 1993 [also Production Manager]; STAR TREK: GENERATIONS - 1994 [also Production Manager]; THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD - 1995 [also Production Manager]; BLOOD AND WINE - 1996 [also Production Manager]; BOWFINGER - 1999 [also Production Manager]; THE SCORE - 2001 [also Production Manager]; DAREDEVIL - 2003 [also Production Manager and bit Actor]; CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 2006 [also First Assistant Director; his last screen credit]. As a Production Designer: ALFIE - 1966 [Location Manager]; THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM - 1966 [Unit Manager]; THE PRISONER - 1967-1968 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; BATTLE OF BRITAIN - 1969; BROTHERLY LOVE - 1970; SKY RIDERS - 1976. As a Second Unit Director or Assistant Director: CALL ME GENIUS - 1961; A COMING-OUT PARTY - 1961; THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE - 1961; JIGSAW - 1962; WE JOINED THE NAVY - 1962; A BOY TEN FEET TALL - 1963; THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH - 1964; BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING - 1965; KHARTOUM - 1966. Bernard Williams passed away due to cancer and was 72 years-old.) - 01/04/15
KHAN BONFILS (Actor: Best known for playing "Saesee Tiin" in STAR WARS EPISODE 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE - 1999, Bonfils was rehearsing for Rocky Rodriguez Jr.'s DANTE'S INFERNO by Craft Theatre when he suddenly passed away. His other films included: SHADOW RUN - 1998; LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE - 2003; SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW - 2004; BATMAN BEGINS - 2005; BODY ARMOUR - 2007; TRIBE - 2011; SKYFALL - 2012; TRAVELLER - 2013; RAZORS - 2015 [his last film]. Khan Bonfils' age was unknown at the time of his death, but he was no more than 45 years-old.) - 01/05/15
LANCE PERCIVAL (British Actor: Films and TV Series included: THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL - 1961; ROOMMATES - 1961; OPERATION SNAFU - 1961; WHAT A WHOPPER - 1961; POSTMAN'S KNOCK - 1962; CARRY ON CRUISING - 1962; TWICE AROUND THE DAFFODILS - 1962; IN THE DOGHOUSE - 1962; CITIZEN JAMES - 1962 [TV Series]; IT'S A LIVING - 1962 [TV Series]; THE V.I.P.S - 1963; THE DICKIE HENDERSON SHOW - 1963 [TV Series]; IT'S ALL OVER TOWN - 1963; COMEDYPLAYHOUSE - 1964 [TV Series]; HIDE AND SEEK - 1964; A CHILD'S GUIDE TO SCREENWRITING - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE YELLOW ROLLS-ROYCE - 1964; YOU MUST BE JOKING! - 1965; THE BIG JOB - 1965; JOEY BOY - 1965; THE BEATLES - 1965-1967 [Animated TV Series; voiced Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr]; MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER - 1968; YELLOW SUBMARINE - 1968 [voice only]; TOO LATE THE HERO - 1970; DARLING LILI - 1970; THE WEEKEND MURDERS - 1970; THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP - 1970; MR. TUMBLEWEED - 1971 [TV Movie]; UP POMPEII - 1971; THE MAGNIFICENT 6 AND1/2: UP THE CREEK - 1971; THE CHASTITY BELT - 1971; THE ADVENTURER - 1972 [TV Series]; OUR MISS FRED - 1972; JASON KING - 1972 [TV Series]; UP THE FRONT - 1972; THE COBBLERS OF UMBRIDGE - 1973 [TV Movie]; WHO DO YOU DO? - 1972-1973 [TV Series]; UP THE WORKERS - 1973 [TV Series]; THE BOY WITH TWO HEADS - 1974 [TV Series; series regular]; WHODUNNIT? - 1974 [TV Series]; THE KENNETH WILLIAMS SHOW - 1976 [TV Series]; CONFESSIONS OF A SUMMER CAMP COUNCILLOR - 1977; THE WATER BABIES - 1978 [voice only]; ROSIE DIXON-NIGHT NURSE - 1978; TARGET - 1978 [TV Series]; QUINCY'S QUEST - 1979; SHOESTRING - 1980 [TV Series]; COMEDY TONIGHT - 1980 [TV Movie]; ANDY ROBSON - 1983 [TV Series]; HAPPY FAMILIES - 1985 [TV Series]; BLUEBIRDS - 1989 [TV Series; series regular]; JEKYLL & HYDE - 1990 [TV Movie; his last acting role]. He also starred as himself in: THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS - 1962-1963; IMPROMPTU - 1964; LANCE AT LARGE - 1964; THE LANCE PERCIVAL SHOW - 1965-1966; COUNTDOWN - 1987-1990; and the documentary SIR DAVID FROST: THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS - 2013. After national service with the Seaforth Highlanders in Egypt, he moved to Montreal, where he wrote advertising jingles for radio. He formed a calypso group and, as Lord Lance, toured Canada and the US.. Lance Percival was 81 years-old.) - 01/06/15
ROD TAYLOR (Actor: Legendary Australian barrel-chested actor who worked with many great directors in all genres of films. His films included: INLET WITH STURT - 1951; KING OF THE CORAL SEA - 1953; LONG JOHN SILVER - 1954; THE VIRGIN QUEEN - 1955; TOP GUN -1955; HELL ON FRISCO BAY - 1955; WORLD WITHOUT END - 1956; THE CARERED AFFAIR - 1956; GIANT - 1956; THE RACK - 1956; RAINTREE COUNTY - 1957; STEP DOWN TO TERROR - 1958; SEPARATE TABLES - 1958; ASK ANY GIRL - 1959; THE TIME MACHINE - 1960 [probably the film he will be remembered for by horror and sci-fi enthusiasts]; COLOSSUS AND THE AMAZON QUEEN - 1960; 101 DALMATIONS - 1961 [Voice only]; DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO - 1962 [TV Movie]; SEVEN SEAS TO CALAIS - 1962; THE BIRDS - 1963 [Hitchcock!]; THE V.I.P.S - 1963; A GATHERING OF EAGLES - 1963; SUNDAY IN NEW YORK - 1963; FATE IS THE HUNTER - 1964; 36 HOURS - 1964; YOUNG CASSIDY - 1965; THE LIQUIDATOR - 1965; DO NOT DISTURB - 1965; THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT - 1966; HOTEL - 1967; CHUKA - 1967; DARK OF THE SUN - 1968 [extremely violent]; NOBODY RUNS FOREVER - 1968; THE HELL WITH HEROES - 1968; ZABRISKIE POINT - 1970; DARKER THAN AMBER - 1970 [Taylor's fight with a white-haired William Smith is one of the best and most violent fight scenes ever committed to film!]; THE MAN WHO HAD POWER OVER WOMEN - 1970; FAMILY FLIGHT - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE TRAIN ROBBERS - 1973; THE HEROES - 1973; TRADER HORN - 1973; THE DEADLY TRACKERS - 1973; TACTICAL GUERILLA - 1974; VORTEX - 1976; A MATTER OF WIFE...AND DEATH - 1976 [TV Movie]; GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - 1977; THE PICTURE SHOW MAN - 1977; JAMAICAN GOLD - 1979; CRY OF THE INNOCENT - 1980 [TV Movie]; HELLINGER'S LAW - 1981 [TV Movie]; JACQUELINE BOUVIER KENNEDY - 1981 [TV Movie]; A TIME TO DIE - 1982; CHARLES AND DIANA: A ROYAL LOVE STORY - 1982 [TV Movie]; ON THE RUN - 1983; HOT SPOT - 1985; MASK OF MURDER - 1988; MASQUERADE - 1990 [TV MOVIE]; PALOMINO - 1991 [TV Movie]; GRASS ROOTS - 1992 [TV Movie]; OPEN SEASON - 1995; THE POINT
OF BETRAYAL - 1995; WELCOME TO WOOP WOOP - 1997; THE WARLORD: BATTLE FOR THE GALAXY - 1998 [TV Movie]; KAW - 2007 [his appearance here was a tip of the hat to THE BIRDS]; INGLORIOUS BASTERDS - 2009 [played Winston Churchill; his last film]. Taylor was also very involved in TV, appearing on such shows as: STUDIO 57 - 1955; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; CHEYENNE - 1955; SUSPICION - 1957; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957-1958; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1959 ['When The Sky Was Opened"]; ZANE GREY THEATRE - 1960; GOODYEAR THEATER - 1960; ALCOA THEATRE - 1960; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1957-1960; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1960; HONG KONG - 1960-1961 [Series Regular]; BUS STOP - 1961; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1963; BEARCATS! - 1971 [Series Regular]; THE OREGON TRAIL - 1976-1977 [Series Regular]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980; MASQUERADE - 1983-1984 [Series Regular]; OUTLAWS - 1986-1987 [Series Regular]; FALCON CREST - 1988-1990 [Series Regular]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1995; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1996-2000. Rod Taylor was also considered for lead roles in PLANET OF THE APES and ENTER THE DRAGON, but studios went with Charlton Heston and John Saxon respectively. Rod Taylor was 84 years-old, just four days shy of his 85th Birthday.) - 01/07/15
ROBERT KINOSHITA (Art Director/Set Designer/Production Designer: Worked during the early days of TV and beyond to give TV shows and films a distinctive look. Also well-known for his robot designs. As Art Director: SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1955 [TV Series]; THE SAGA OF THE VIKING WOMEN AND THEIR VOYAGE TO THE WATERS OF THE GREAT SEA SERPENT - 1957; GUN FEVER - 1958; MACABRE - 1958; TOKYOAFTER DARK - 1969; MEN INTO SPACE - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 36 episodes]; SEA HUNT 1960-1961 [TV Series; 36 episodes]; KLONDIKE - 1961 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; LOCK UP - 1960-1961 [TV Series; 10 episodes]; BAT MASTERSON - 1961-1962 [TV Series; 20 episodes]; THE NUN AND THE SERGEANT - 1962; RIPCORD - 1962 [TV Series]; LOST IN SPACE - 1965-1967 [TV Series; 50 episodes]; THE PRIVATE NAVY OF SGT. O'FARRELL - 1968; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1970-1971 [ TV Series; 24 episodes]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: WINE, WOMEN AND WAR - 1973 [TV Movie]; KOJAK - 1973-1974 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; PLANET EARTH - 1974 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1974 [TV Series]; THE DEAD DON'T DIE - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; MAYDAY AT 40,000 FEET! - 1976 [TV Movie]; RABBIT TEST - 1978; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978 [TV Series; 12 episodes]; BARNABY JONES - 1978-1979 [TV Series; 23 episodes]; BELLE STARR - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE GONG SHOW MOVIE - 1980; GOING APE - 1981; MATT HOUSTON - 1982 [TV Series]; GIRLS OF THE WHITE ORCHID - 1983 [TV Movie]; LOVELINES - 1984; COVER UP - 1984 [TV Series; 3 episodes; his last credit]. As a Set Designer: THE BROKEN STAR - 1956; THE BLACK SLEEP - 1956; PHAROAH'S CURSE - 1957; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 14 episodes]; ROCK ALL NIGHT - 1957; TEENAGE DOLL - 1957; HERE COMES TOBOR - 1957 [TV Movie]; HARBOR COMMAND - 1957-1958 [TV Series; 18 episodes]; THE ROUGH RIDERS - 1958 [TV Series]; MACKENZIE'S RAIDERS - 1958-1959 [TV Series; 38 episodes]; HIGHWAY PATROL - 1956-1959 [TV Series; 113 episodes]; BOLD VENTURE - 1959 [TV Series]; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1957-1959 [TV Series; 46 episodes]; WORLD OF GIANTS - 1959 [TV Series]; SEA HUNT - 1958-1959; 59 episodes]; BAT MASTERSON - 1958-1959 [TV Series; 38 episodes]; LOCK UP - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 5 episodes]. As a Production Designer: BOP GIRL GOES CALYPSO - 1957; CARNIVAL ROCK - 1957; THE PHANTOM PLANET - 1961 [also Associate Producer; FAREWELL TO MANZANAR - 1976 [TV MOVIE]; THE MAN WITH BOGART'S FACE - 1980. Mr. Kinoshita was also Associate Producer on the film HELL'S BLOODY DEVILS - 1970 and was an uncredited robot builder on FORBIDDEN PLANET - 1956 [including work on Robby The Robot]. Kinoshita worked on his first film in 1937, 100 MEN AND A GIRL, but his film career was temporarily derailed when he and his wife were forced into a Japanese internment camp in Arizona during World War II. In 2004 he was honored with a career retrospective by Hollywood Heritage; he was also inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame by the Carnegie-Mellon Institute. Robert Kinoshita was 100 years-old.) - 01/09/15
SAMUEL GOLDWYN JR. (Producer: Son of legendary film mogul Samuel Goldwyn and father to actor Tony Goldwyn. His films included: GOOD-TIME GIRL - 1948; MAN WITH A GUN - 1955; SNEAK PREVIEW - 1956 [TV Series]; THE SHARKFIGHTERS - 1956; THE PROUD REBEL - 1958; THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN - 1960; THE YOUNG LOVERS - 1964 [also Director]; COTTON COMES TO HARLEM - 1970; COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE - 1972; THE VISITOR - 1979 [possibly the weirdest film ever made]; THE GOLDEN SEAL - 1983; ONCE BITTEN - 1985;THE 59TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS - 1987 [TV Special]; A PRAYER FOR THE DYING - 1987; FATAL BEAUTY - 1987; THE 60TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS - 1988 [TV Special; Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Variety-Music Events Programming]; APRIL MORNING - 1988 [TV Movie]; MYSTIC PIZZA - 1988; OUTBACK - 1989; STELLA - 1990; ROCK-A-DOODLE - 1991; THE PROGRAM - 1993; THE PREACHER'S WIFE - 1996; FLIPPER - 1997 [TV Series]; TORTILLA SOUP - 2001; MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD - 2003 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture]; THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY - 2013 [his last film credit]. Goldwyn Jr. rejoined the military in 1950, where he produced and directed documentaries for the staff of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Back in the U.S., he worked under Edward R. Murrow at CBS News and co-produced the documentary series ADVENTURE. His Samuel Goldwyn Company was one of the most significant distributors of independent film during the period in which they flourished in the 1980s and 1990s. Among the films the company acquired and distributed were Bill Forsyths GREGORY'S GIRL - 1981; Jim Jarmuschs STRANGER THAN PARADISE - 1984; Alex Coxs SID AND NANCY - 1986; Stephen Frears PRICK UP YOUR EARS - 1987; Robert Townsends HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE - 1987; David Lynchs Palme dOr winner WILD AT HEART - 1990; Charles Burnetts TO SLEEP WITH ANGER - 1990; John Sayles CITY OF HOPE - 1991; Ang Lees THE WEDDING BANQUET - 1993; and Kenneth Branaghs MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - 1993. Some of the other films The Samuel Goldwyn Company distributed [both theatrically and/or on home video] were: LASERBLAST - 1978; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978; STONE COLD DEAD - 1979; FORBIDDEN ZONE - 1980; TIME WALKER - 1982; SECRETS - 1983; NOT FOR PUBLICATION - 1984; THE MANHUNT - 1984; DANCE WITH A STRANGER - 1985; 3:15 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH - 1986; WITCHBOARD - 1986; PROM NIGHT II - 1987; HEART OF MIDNIGHT - 1988; LONGTIME COMPANION - 1989; THE WATERDANCE - 1992; LANDSLIDE - 1992; THE PLAYBOYS - 1992; TRACES OF RED - 1992; WILD WEST - 1992; FEAR OF A BLACK HAT - 1993; SUTURE - 1994; THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE - 1994; CHAMELEON - 1995; I SHOT ANDY WARHOL - 1996; FOXFIRE - 1996; AMERICAN BUFFALO - 1996; DESERT BLUE - 1998; THE EXPERIMENT - 2001; and COLD SOULS - 2009. His last pickup before he passed away was BAD ASS 3 - 2015. His familys charitable contributions are evident throughout the city of Hollywood: Samuel Goldwyn Foundation sponsors the yearly Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards, created the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Childrens Center day care facility, built the Academy of Motion Pictures theater and constructed the Hollywood Public Library in memory of his mother Frances Howard Goldwyn. Goldwyn Jr. also appeared as himself in over a dozen documentaries talking about his and his father's legacy and the actors they worked with. This is what he said about his father and the films he made: "With every picture he made, my father raised the money, paid back the bank, and kept control of the negative. He said, you be careful of these films: some people will tell you they're not worth anything, but don't you believe it." I wish every film studio felt this way. Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was 88 years-old.) - 01/09/15
FRANCESCO ROSI (Italian Director/Writer: Multiple award-winning director and screenwriter who was beloved not just in Italy, but the world over. His films as Director/Screenwriter [unless noted] included: ANITA GARABALDI - 1952 [Director only]; KEAN: GENIUS OR SCOUNDREL - 1957; THE CHALLENGE - 1958; THE MAGLIARI - 1959; SALVATORE GIULIANO - 1962; HANDS OVER THE CITY - 1963; THE MOMENT OF TRUTH - 1965; MORE THAN A MIRACLE - 1967; MANY WARS AGO - 1970; THE MATTEI AFFAIR - 1972; LUCKY LUCIANO - 1973; THE CONTEXT - 1976; CHRIST STOPPED AT EBOLI - 1979; THREE BROTHERS - 1981; CARMEN - 1984; CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD - 1987; THE PALERMO CONNECTION - 1990; NEAPOLITAN DIARY - 1992 [Documentary]; THE TRUCE - 1997 [his last film]. Other films as a Screenwriter included: PARIS IS ALWAYS PARIS - 1951; BELLISSIMA - 1952; THE CITY STANDS TRIAL - 1952; ROMAN TALES - 1955; THE BIGAMIST - 1956. Francesco Rosi died of complications from bronchitis and was 92 years-old.) - 01/10/15
TAYLOR NEGRON (Actor/Comedian: Funny Latino comedian [his parents and all of his grandparents were born in Puerto Rico] who was just as comfortable in front of a camera as he was on stage with a microphone. Best known to action fans as "Milo", the guy who keeps hitting Bruce Willis in the face and survives the car crash in the swimming pool in THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991. His films included: THE GONG SHOW MOVIE - 1980; FREEDOM - 1981 [TV Movie]; YOUNG DOCTORS IN LOVE - 1982; FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH - 1982; EASY MONEY - 1983; JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY - 1984; BETTER OFF DEAD... - 1985 [He was good friends with director Savage Steve Holland and would appear in all three of his 80's comedy films]; BADMEDICINE - 1985; ONE CRAZY SUMMER - 1986; THE WHOOPEE BOYS - 1986; RIVER'S EDGE - 1986; PUNCHLINE - 1988; HOW I GOT INTO COLLEGE - 1989; NOTHING BUT TROUBLE - 1991; THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991; MORNING MAN AT 88.0 - 1993 [TV Movie]; MR. JONES - 1993; THE STONED AGE - 1994 [played himself]; ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD - 1994; INEVITABLE GRACE - 1994; HART TO HART: SECRETS OF THE HART - 1995 [TV Movie]; FREAKY FRIDAY - 1995 [TV Movie]; MR. STITCH - 1995 [TV Movie]; BIO-DOME - 1996; SPY HARD - 1996; CHANGING HABITS - 1997; COURTING COURTNEY - 1997; TAKE A NUMBER - 1997 [played himself]; A KID IN ALADDIN'S PALACE - 1997 [MFHV]; I WOKE UP EARLY THE DAY I DIED - 1998 [Movie based on an Ed Wood script that has never been released on U.S. home video]; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD - 1998; YOU LUCKY DOG - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE THIN PINK LINE - 1998; CAN'T STOP DANCING - 1999; THIS SPACE BETWEEN US - 1999; EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY - 1999; STUART LITTLE - 1999; SWAP MEET - 1999; GUN SHY - 2000; CIVILITY - 2000; REBEL YELL - 2000; THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS - 2000; THE IN CROWD - 2000; LOSER - 2000; THE FLUFFER - 2001; LLOYD - 2001; CALL ME CLAUS - 2001 [TV Movie]; DUTY DATING - 2002; TREADING WATER - 2002; PAULY SHORE IS DEAD - 2002; MY DINNER WITH JIMI - 2003; FUNKY MONKEY - 2004; DEATH TO THE SUPERMODELS - 2005 [MFHV; also Production Designer]; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005 [Documentary about the world's dirtiest joke. Negron's telling of it was one of the funniest parts of the documentary.]; THE ENIGMA WITH A STIGMA - 2006; SURF SCHOOL - 2006 [also Co-Producer]; PLEDGE THIS! - 2006; THREE DAYS TO VEGAS - 2007; ENTRY LEVEL - 2007; CHANNELS - 2008; SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD NURSE - 2008 [TV Movie]; LOCK AND ROLL FOREVER - 2008; SUPER CAPERS: THE ORIGINS OF ED AND THE MISSING BULLION - 2008; THE DEPORTED - 2009; STUNTMEN - 2009; SCREAM OF THE BIKINI - 2009; BABYSITTERS BEWARE - 2009; SHOOT THE HERO - 2010; THE CHATEAU MEROUX - 2011; VAMPS - 2012; SANTORINI BLUE - 2013; SCOOT AND KASSIE'S CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE - 2013; ALIENATED - 2015 [his last acting role]. His many TV Series appearances included roles on: THE LAST RESORT - 1979; DETECTIVE SCHOOL - 1979 [series regular]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1985; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF BEANS BAXTER - 1987; ANYTHING BUT LOVE - 1989; ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN - 1990; FALCON CREST - 1988-1990; DREAM ON - 1990; THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR - 1990; INTO THE NIGHT - 1991; FRANNIE'S TURN - 1992; THE BEN STILLER SHOW - 1992; CIVIL WARS - 1993; SEINFELD - 1993 ["The Smelly Car"]; DAVE'S WORLD - 1993; GRACE UNDER FIRE - 1994; HOPE AND GLORIA - 1995; CLUELESS - 1996; PARTY OF FIVE - 1996; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1996; THE PRETENDER - 1997; ARSENIO - 1997; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1997 [voice only]; ODDVILLE, MTV - 1997; THE PRACTICE - 1997; SMART GUY - 1997; ER - 1997; FRIENDS - 1997; FOR YOUR LOVE - 1998; JENNY - 1998; YOU WISH - 1998; NASH BRIDGES - 1998; GOOD VS. EVIL - 1999; THE HUGHLEYS - 1998-2000 [8 episodes]; SPECIAL UNIT 2 - 2001; SO LITTLE TIME - 2001-2002 [series regular]; MY WIFE AND KIDS - 2004; THAT'S SO RAVEN - 2005; LEGION OF THE SUPER HEROES - 2007 [voice only]; RENO 911! - 2007; ZOEY 101 - 2007; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2007; WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE - 2007; 'TIL DEATH - 2009; EVERYONE COUNTS - 2010; ROMANTIC ENCOUNTERS WITH MELINDA HILL - 2012. Negron also appeared nine times on THE DATING GAME in the 70's and was good friends with Whoopie Golbderg and late actress Susan Tyrrell. Taylor Negron passed away after a long battle with cancer and was just 57 years-old.) - 01/10/15
BRIAN CLEMENS (Writer: One of the best and most prolific British writers of genre films and TV Series that there ever was. This one is a personal shock for me, since he was so influential during my formative years, especially my love for the 60's TV Series THE AVENGERS, his work on Hammer Film Productions and his many 70's TV Movies. His films and TV Series included [Films unless otherwise noted]: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MARTIN KANE - 1957 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE BETRAYAL - 1957; OPERATION MURDER - 1957; AT THE STROKE OF NINE - 1957; THREE SUNDAYS TO LIVE - 1957; THE DEPRAVED - 1957; WHITE HUNTER - 1958 [TV Series]; A WOMANOF MYSTERY - 1958; ON THE RUN - 1958; A WOMAN POSSESSED - 1958; MOMENT OF INDISCRETION - 1958; THREE CROOKED MEN - 1958; LINKS OF JUSTICE - 1958; THE SECRET MAN - 1958; THE VICE - 1955-1959 [TV Series; 20 episodes]; DIAL 999 - 1959 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; THE CHILD AND THE KILLER - 1959; INNOCENT MEETING - 1959; WEB OF SUSPICION - 1959; TOP FLOOR GIRL - 1959; HIGH JUMP - 1959; INTERPOL CALLING - 1959 [TV Series]; H.G. WELLS' INVISIBLE MAN - 1959 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; MISSION IN MOROCCO - 1959; CRASH DIVE - 1959; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1960 [TV Series]; IDENTITY UNKNOWN - 1960; MAN FROM INTERPOL - 1960 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; THE TELL-TALE HEART - 1960; TRANSATLANTIC - 1960; AN HONOURABLE MURDER - 1960; RETURN OF A STRANGER - 1961; THE MASK OF THE CLOWN - 1961 [TV Series]; HIGHWAY TO BATTLE - 1961; DANGER MAN - 1960-1961 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; TWO WIVES AT ONE WEDDING - 1961; TOP SECRET - 1961 [TV Series]; GHOST SQUAD - 1961 [TV Series]; THE PERSUERS - 1961; THE COURT MARTIAL OF MAJOR KELLER - 1961; THE MIDDLE COURSE - 1961; THE SPANISH SWORD - 1962; THE SILENT INVASION - 1962; FATE TAKES A HAND - 1962; SIR FRANCIS DRAKE - 1962 [TV Series]; THE CHEATERS - 1961-1962 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; TARNISHED HEROES - 1962; STATION SIX-SAHARA - 1963; MAN OF THE WORLD - 1963 [TV Series]; THE SENTIMENTAL AGENT - 1963 [TV Series]; THE PROTECTORS - 1964 [TV Series]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT DRAMA - 1964 [TV Series]; LOVE STORY - 1965 [TV Series]; CURSE OF THE VOODOO - 1965; RIVIERA POLICE - 1965 [TV Series]; A WOMAN'S TEMPTATION - 1966; INTRIGUE - 1966 [TV Series]; ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! - 1966 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; THE CORRUPT ONES - 1967; THE BARON - 1966-1967 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; THE AVENGERS - 1963-1969 [TV Series; 32 episodes. Clemens' episodes were usually the most inventive and he was nominated for an Emmy Award® in 1968; Also Produced 83 episodes between 1965 to 1969; He was also instrumental in getting Diana Rigg hired to Play Mrs. Peel and a vast majority of horny kids will forever be greatful to him for that.]; THE CHAMPIONS - 1968-1969 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; AND SOON THE DARKNESS - 1970 [very underrated]; SEE NO EVIL - 1971 [as close to an Italian giallo film as a British mystery film ever got.]; DR. JEKYLL & SISTER HYDE - 1971; THE PERSUADERS - 1971 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE ADVENTURER - 1972 [TV Series]; SUSPICION - 1972 [TV Series]; THE WOMAN HUNTER - 1972 [TV Movie]; MY WIFE NEXT DOOR - 1972 [TV Series; Creator and Writer of 13 episodes]; THE PROTECTORS - 1972-1973 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; AN ECHO OF THERESA - 1973 [TV Movie]; LADY KILLER - 1973 [TV Movie]; POSSESSION - 1973 [TV Movie]; SOMEONE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE CARNATION KILLER - 1973 [TV Movie]; MURDER IN MIND - 1973 [TV Movie]; A PLACE TO DIE - 1973 [TV Movie]; FILE IT UNDER FEAR - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE EYES HAVE IT - 1973 [TV Movie]; SPELL OF EVIL - 1973 [TV Movie]; DEATH IN SMALL DOSES - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD - 1973; CAPTAIN KRONOS-VAMPIRE HUNTER - 1974 [also Director; his only directorial film]; A KILLER WITH TWO FACES - 1974 [TV Movie]; ONCE THE KILLING STARTS - 1974 [TV Movie]; ONLY A SCREAM AWAY - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE SAVAGE CURSE - 1974 [TV MOVIE]; ONE DEADLY OWNER - 1974 [TV Movie]; K IS FOR KILLING - 1974 [TV Movie]; SIGN IT DEATH - 1974 [TV Movie]; IN THE STEPS OF A DEAD MAN - 1974 [TV Movie]; A COFFIN FOR THE BRIDE - 1974 [TV Movie]; I'M THE GIRL HE WANTS TO KILL - 1974 [TV Movie]; MURDER IS A ONE-ACT PLAY - 1974 [TV Movie; COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE NEXT SCREAM YOU HEAR - 1974 [TV Movie]; SCREAMER - 1974 [TV Movie]; A KILLER IN EVERY CORNER - 1974 [TV Movie]; COMEDY PREMIERE - 1975 [TV Series]; MIRROR OF DECEPTION - 1975 [TV Movie]; NEXT VICTIM - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE NEXT VOICE YOU SEE - 1975 [TV Movie]; MURDER ON THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - 1975 [TV Movie]; NURSE WILL MAKE IT BETTER - 1975 [TV Movie]; A KILLER WITH TWO FACES - 1975 [TV Movie]; WHERE THE ACTION IS - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE DOUBLE KILL - 1975 [TV Movie]; WON'T WRITE HOME MOM, I'M DEAD - 1975 [TV Movie]; IF IT'S A MAN, HANG UP - 1975 [TV Movie]; A MIDSUMMER NIGHTMARE - 1975 [TV Movie]; DEATH IN DEEP WATER - 1975 [TV Movie]; QUILLER - 1975 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; SLEEPWALKER - 1976 [TV Movie]; NIGHTMARE FOR A NIGHTINGALE - 1976 [TV Movie]; DIAL A DEADLY NUMBER - 1976 [TV Movie]; KILL TWO BIRDS - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE EXPERT - 1976 [TV Series]; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1976-1977 [TV Series; 17 episodes; also Produced 22 episodes]; ESCAPADE - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS - 1980 [One of Disney's first PG-Rated films]; DARKROOM - 1981 [TV Series]; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1977-1983 [TV Series; 57 episodes]; BERGERAC - 1983 [TV Series]; MARK OF THE DEVIL - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE SWEET SCENT OF DEATH - 1984 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - [TV Series; 2 episodes]; THE SECRET SERVANT - 1984 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; TIMESTALKERS - 1987 [TV Movie]; WORLDS BEYOND - 1986-1987 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1989 [TV Series]; BLUE BLOOD - 1990 [TV mini-series; Wrote all 10 episodes]; HIGHLANDER II: THE QUICKENING - 1991 [Story only]; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1990-1991 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE
GLASS COFFIN - 1991 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE RECKLESS ROMEO - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE HEARTBROKEN BRIDE - 1992 [TV Movie]; HIGHLANDER - 1992 [TV Series]; JUSTINE: A PRIVATE AFFAIR - 1995; BUGS - 1995-1999 [TV Series; 40 episodes]; CI5: THE NEW PROFESSIONALS - 1999 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; THE WRONG SIDE OF THE RAINBOW - 2000 [TV Series]; MCBRIDE: FALLEN IDOL - 2006 [TV Movie]; JANE DOE: HOW TO FIRE YOUR BOSS - 2007 [TV Movie]; AND SOON THE DARKNESS - 2010 [Received a based on screenplay credit for writing the original, and much better, 1970 film; his last screen credit]. Brian Clemens was awarded the OBE [Officer of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to Broadcasting and to Drama. On a more personal note: Some of my fondest memories of watching TV in the 70's was watching the 11:30pm ABC WIDE WORLD MYSTERY/WIDE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT to view Clemens' deftly-written TV Movies [Originally made under the umbrella called THRILLER, of which there were 43 separate movies!] from 1973 to 1976. They were mixed-in with terrible U.S.A.-made SOV atrocities usually produced by soap opera queen Gloria Monty and other SOV MFTV movies that were too cheap to be shown in Prime Time [THE WEREWOLF OF WOODSTOCK anyone?]. A few hand-picked Clemens titles were then shown in the early-80's on WPIX [Channel 11 in NYC] under the banner "Mystery Theatre" and released on VHS on the ThrillerVideo label. Brian Clemens was 83 years-old.) - 01/10/15
ANITA EKBERG (Actress: Beautiful woman who was elected Miss Sweden in 1950, got a modeling contract in the United States and then became an actress, who shot to an international sex symbol after starring in director Federico Fellini's LA DOLCE VITA - 1960. Her films included: THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER - 1953; ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS - 1953;TAKE ME TO TOWN - 1953; THE GOLDEN BLADE - 1953; BLOOD ALLEY - 1955; ARTISTS AND MODELS - 1955; WAR AND PEACE - 1956; BACK FROM ETERNITY - 1956; HOLLYWOOD OR BUST - 1956; MAN IN THE VAULT - 1956; ZARAK - 1956; PICKUP ALLEY - 1957; VALERIE - 1957; PARIS HOLIDAY - 1958; SCREAMING MIMI - 1958; THE MAN INSIDE - 1958; SHEBA AND THE GLADIATOR - 1959; LA DOLCE VITA - 1960; THE DAM ON THE YELLOW RIVER - 1960; THREE ETC.'S AND THE COLONEL - 1960; LITTLE GIRLS AND HIGH FINANCE - 1960; THE MONGOLS - 1961; BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1961; BOCCACCIO '70 - 1962; CALL ME BWANA - 1963; 4 FOR TEXAS - 1963; LOVE FACTORY - 1964; THE ALPHABET MURDERS - 1965; WHO WANTS TO SLEEP? - 1965; LOVE PARADE - 1966; WAY...WAY OUT - 1966; PARDON, ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST? - 1966; THE COBRA - 1967; THE GLASS SPHINX - 1967; WOMAN TIMES SEVEN - 1967; NIGHT OF HATE - 1968; IF IT'S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM - 1969; FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1969; A CANDIDATE FOR A KILLING - 1969; THE BLONDE CONNECTION - 1969; THE DIVORCE - 1970; THE CONJUGAL DEBT - 1970; THE FRENCH SEX MURDERS - 1972; DEADLY TRACKERS - 1972; NORTHEAST OF SEOUL - 1972; VALLEY OF THE DANCING WIDOWS - 1975 [scenes deleted]; GOLD OF THE AMAZON WOMEN - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE KILLER NUN - 1979; S+H+E: SECURITY HAZARDS EXPERT - 1980; FATTY GIRL GOES TO NEW YORK - 1982; THE SEDUCTION OF ANGELA - 1986; COUNT MAX - 1991; AMBROGIO - 1992; WITNESS RUN - 1996 [TV Movie]; BAMBOLA - 1996; THE RED DWARF - 1998; BLONDES: ANITA EKBERG - 1999 [TV Movie]; BEAUTY CENTRE - 2002 [TV Series; her last acting role]. Ms. Ekberg won a Golden Globe Award® in 1956 for Most Promising Newcomer - Female and was married and divorced to actors Anthony Steel and Rik Van Nutter. Anita Ekberg was 83 years-old.) - 01/11/14
WES KENNEY (TV Director/Producer: Also known as "H. Wesley Kenney", he worked exclusively on TV and is mainly known for his soap opera work, but he ventured to other TV Series, too. As a Director: ROCKY KING, INSIDE DETECTIVE - 1950-1954 [Directed most of the episodes during its four year run; number of episodes is unknown]; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1959-1960 [2 episodes]; THE WORKING MOTHER - 1961 [TV Movie]; YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION - 1962; SEVEN TIMES MONDAY - 1962 [TV Movie]; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1965 [2 episodes]; GIDGET - 1966; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1968-1974 [Won a Daytime Emmy Award® in 1974 for Best Individual Director for a Drama Series]; MISS KLINE, WE LOVE YOU - 1974 [ABC AFTERNOON PLAYBREAKepisode; also Producer; Won two Daytime Emmy Awards® in 1974 for Best Individual Director for a Special Program and Daytime Director of the Year]; MURDER IN THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR - 1974 [TV Movie; also Producer]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1974-1975 [24 episodes]; ROSENTHAL AND JONES - 1975 [TV Movie]; FAR OUT SPACE NUTS - 1975; DISTANT EARLY WARNING - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE SHAMAN'S LAST RAID - 1975 [ABC AFTERSCHOOL SPECIALS episode]; BIG JOHN, LITTLE JOHN - 1976; THE JEFFERSONS - 1977; THE POWER TO REVEAL - 1978 [MFHV documentary tape about the diagnosis and management of heart disease and cancer; also Producer and narrated by Eric Severeid]; LADIES' MAN - 1980; FLO - 1981; FILTHY RICH - 1982-1983 [3 episodes]; CBS SOAP BREAK - 1995 [Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award® in 1996 for Outstanding Directing - Special Class]. As a Producer: DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1968-1979 [Nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards® in 1974 for Outstanding Program Achievement in Daytime Drama and Outstanding Achievement by Individuals in Daytime Drama; Won a Daytime Emmy Award® in 1978 for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series]; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 1982-1987 [236 episodes; Won two Daytime Emmy Awards® in 1985 & 1986 for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series and nominated in the same category in 1987]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1987-1989 [also Head Writer during the 1988 WGA strike; Nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards® in 1988 & 1989 for Outstanding Drama Series]. The number of shows Kenney worked on during the early-50's on the long-defunct DuMont Television Network is vast, but mainly unknown since it was live TV that no longer exists. Here's a quote from Mr. Kenney about the days of live TV in the early-50's: "One day, a baby elephant was going to appear on MANHATTAN SPOTLIGHT. Meanwhile, CAPTAIN VIDEO was on the air. Suddenly, the elephant started trumpeting...On the air, Captain Video stood up and said, 'What the hell is that?' And the Ranger said, 'I don't know, Captain, but get down, it might be dangerous!'" When Mr. Kenney retired from television, he began teaching Televison and Video Production at UCLA film school. Wes Kenney died of cardiac arrest and was 89 years-old.) - 01/13/15
SID SMITH (TV Director: TEXACO STAR THEATRE - 1948; ALL STAR REVUE - 1952-1953 [8 episodes]; THE SATURDAY NIGHT REVUE - 1953; THE DUKE - 1954; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1953-1954 [7 episodes]; THE JIMMY DURANTE SHOW - 1954-1955 [8 episodes]; THE RAY ANTHONY SHOW - 1956; AMERICA PAUSES FOR THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY - 1959; CHEVROLET GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS OF RED RIDING HOOD - 1965 [TV Movie]; THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR - 1959-1966 [42 episodes; also Producer of 7 episodes]; PINOCCHIO - 1968 [TV MOVIE]; PINOCCHIO - 1976 [TV Movie]; MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT - 1976; THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - 1976 [one of the most demented TV special ever made, even beating out THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 1978]; NBC SPECIAL TREAT - 1975-1976 [2 episodes]; CBS: ON THE AIR - 1978 [mini-series documentary]; TUT: THE BOY KING - 1978 [TV Movie Documentary); THE MAGIC OF DAVID COPPERFIELD IV: THE VANISHING AIRPLANE - 1981; AMERICA'S MUSICAL THEATER - 1986; BOB HOPE'S ROYAL COMMAND PERFORMANCE FROM SWEDEN - 1986; BOB HOPE'S BAGFUL OF CHRISTMAS CHEER - 1986; BOB HOPE'S USO CHRISTMAS FROM THE PERSIAN GULF: AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHT DAYS - 1988; BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FROM WAIKOLOA, HAWAII - 1989; BOB HOPE'S 1990 CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE FROM BERMUDA - 1990; BOB HOPE'S CROSS-COUNTRY CHRISTMAS - 1991; BOB HOPE'S FOUR-STAR CHRISTMAS FIESTA FROM SAN ANTONIO -1992; BOB HOPE'S BAG FULL OF CHRISTMAS MEMORIES - 1993 [his last directorial credit]. Mr. Smith was also producer of MISS TEEN, MISS USA and MISS UNIVERSE PAGENTS during the 80's and early-90's and was Executive Producer of THE MAGIC OF DAVID COPPERFIELD V: THE STATUE OF LIBERTY DISAPPEARS - 1983. Sid Smith was 93 years-old.) - 01/13/15
FRANK MAZZOLA (Film Editor: STILETTO - 1969; PERFORMANCE - 1970; MACHO CALLAHAN - 1970; THE HIRED HAND - 1971; THE SECOND COMING OF SUZANNE - 1974; POOR PRETTY EDDIE - 1975 [his editing of Leslie Uggams' rape with two dogs humping is not forgotten once viewed]; DEMON SEED - 1977; A WOMAN CALLED MOSES - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURGH - 1979; THE SECRET DIARY OF SIGMUND FREUD - 1984; ANNIHILATOR - 1986 [TV Movie]; AMERIKA - 1987 [TV mini-series; Co-Editor]; INSTANT KARMA - 1990; NOWHERE MAN - 1991; WILD SIDE - 1995 [Director's Cut; also Producer]; SOMEBODY IS WAITING - 1996 [Director's Cut]; ANNIE'S GARDEN - 1997 [also Consulting Producer]; THE ARGUMENT - 1999 [Short; also Producer]; THE MASK MAKER - 2000 [Short; his last editing credit]; Mr. Mazzola also was a bit actor, appearing in uncredited roles in such films as THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1939; ALWAYS IN MY HEART - 1942; THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR - 1948; TORCH SONG - 1953; EAST OF EDEN - 1955; REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE - 1955 [his only acting on-screen credit; portrayed "Crunch"; also uncredited Technical Advisor]; HOT BLOOD - 1956; THE WAY TO THE GOLD - 1957. Mr. Mazzola also appeared in a few documentaries [as himself] about actor James Dean and director Donald Cammell. Frank Mazzola passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease and was 79 years-old.) - 01/13/15
DARREN SHAHLAVI (Actor/Stuntman: As an Actor: THE TURBULENT AFFAIR - 1991 [also Stunts]; HERO'S BLOOD - 1991 [also Stunts]; NEW HUMAN SKIN LANTERN - 1993; GUNS & ROSES - 1993 [also Assistant to the Producer]; DEADLY TARGET - 1994; ANGEL ON FIRE - 1995 [also Stunts]; ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE - 1995; SIXTY MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1995; GUARDIAN ANGELS -1995; TAI CHI II - 1996; BLOODMOON - 1997 [played the martial arts proficient Killer]; COMPUTER HERO - 1998; LETHAL COMBAT - 1999; HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT - 2000 [also Fight Coordinator]; LEGION OF THE DEAD - 2001 [also Fight Coordinator]; G.O.D. - 2001; XTREME WARRIORS - 2001; I SPY - 2002; SOMETIMES A HERO - 2003 [also Stunts]; BEYOND THE LIMITS - 2003 [also Stunt Coordinator and Fight Coordinator]; THE FINAL CUT - 2004; THE SURVIVOR'S CLUB - 2004 [TV Movie]; MELTDOWN - 2004 [TV Movie]; JIMINY GLICK IN LALAWOOD - 2004; SUMMER STORM - 2004; ALONE IN THE DARK - 2005; 1-800-MISSING - 2005 [TV Series]; BLOODRAYNE - 2005; MERLIN'S APPRENTICE - 2006 [TV mini-series]; SLITHER - 2006; 300 - 2006 [also Utility Stunts]; IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE - 2007 [also Ray Liotta's Stunt Double]; ALIEN AGENT - 2007 [MFHV]; REAPER - 2007 [TV Series]; BIONIC WOMAN - 2007 [TV Series]; INTELLIGENCE - 2007 [TV Series]; WATCHMAN - 2009; SMALLVILLE - 2009 [TV Series]; SANCTUARY - 2008-2009 [TV Series]; IP MAN 2 - 2010; BORN TO RAISE HELL - 2010; HUMAN TARGET - 2011 [TV Series]; RED RIDING HOOD - 2011; MORTAL KOMBAT: LEGACY - 2011 [TV Series]; TACTICAL FORCE - 2011; TRUE JUSTICE - 2012 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; ALADDIN AND THE DEATH LAMP - 2012 [TV Movie; portrayed Aladdin]; ARROW - 2012 [TV Series]; THE PACKAGE - 2012; BIG THUNDER - 2013 [TV Movie]; SURVIVAL CODE - 2013 [TV Movie]; RED WIDOW - 2013 [TV Series]; THE MARINE 3: HOMEFRONT - 2013 [MFHV]; CONTINUUM - 2013 [TV Series]; ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND - 2013 [TV Series]; METAL HURLANT CHRONICLES - 2012-2014 [TV Series]; HIGH MOON - 2015 [TV Movie]; POUND OF FLESH - 2015; TOMORROWLAND - 2015; KICKBOXER: VENGEANCE - 2015 [Filming when he passed away. It is not known whether his role will be recast or doubles will be used to finish the film]. As a Stuntman: THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK - 2004; BLADE: TRINITY - 2004; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 2006; POSTAL - 2007; THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL - 2008; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN - 2009; SMOKIN' ACES 2: ASSASSINS' BALL - 2010 [MFHV]; REPO MEN - 2010; THE STRANGER - 2010 [MFHV]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-GHOST PROTOCOL - 2011. Darren Shahlavi was only 42 years-old.) - 01/14/15
DONALD HARRON (Actor/Comedian; Best known for his newscaster "Charlie Farquharson" on both HEE HAW and THE RED GREEN SHOW [he even wrote a couple of books using that pseudonym], Harron was a gifted actor and writer who appeared on many TV series and fims. His credits as an actor included [TV Series, except as noted]: BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1951; THE SOUNDBARRIER - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL - 1953 [TV Movie]; ENCOUNTER - 1953; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1955; ALCOA HOUR - 1956; PRODUCERS' PLAYHOUSE - 1956; ON CAMERA - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; THE TEXAN - 1958; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1958-1959; THE BEST OF EVERYTHING - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; ONE STEP BEYOND - 1959 ["Doomsday']; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1959-1960; MOMENT OF FEAR - 1960; CBS REPERTOIRE WORKSHOP - 1960; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1961; LOOK UP AND LIVE - 1961; PLAYDATE - 1962; FESTIVAL - 1962; CYRANO DE BERGERAC - 1962 [TV Movie]; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962; THE DEFENDERS - 1963-1964; ESPIONAGE - 1964; DR. KILDARE - 1964 [3 episodes]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1964 ["The Inheritors, Parts 1 & 2"]; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1965; MR. NOVAK - 1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1965; PROFILES IN COURAGE - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1965; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1965 [4 episodes]; BURKE'S LAW - 1965; BLUE LIGHT - 1966; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1966; I DEAL IN DANGER - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1966; ONE HUNDRED YEARS YOUNG - 1967 [TV Movie; portrayed Charlie Farquharson]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967; WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR - 1967; PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; ADVENTURES IN RAINBOW COUNTY - 1969; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1971; THE F.B.I. - 1965-1971 [3 episodes]; THE HOSPITAL - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; NORMAN CORWIN PRESENTS - 1972; AND THAT'S THE NEWS, GOODNIGHT - 1974 [playing Charlie Farquharson]; THE HUMAN COLLISION - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; RIEL - 1979 [TV Movie]; HEE HAW - 1974-1982 [83 episodes as Charlie Farquharson]; PEEP - 1984 [TV Movie]; ADDERLY - 1986; REALLY WEIRD TALES - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE RED GREEN SHOW - 2003-2004 [2 episodes as Charlie Farquharson]; PUPPETS WHO KILL - 2005 [his last acting role]. Mr. Harron also Directed and Wrote 2 TV Movie versions of ANNE OF THE GREEN GABLES [1956 & 1958] and wrote 52 episodes of HEE HAW between 1974 and 1979. He was also host or co-host of the TV game shows THE BIG REVUE - 1952 [His first time portraying Charlie Farquharson] and ANYTHING YOU CAN DO - 1972 and had his own talk show, THE DON HARRON SHOW, in 1984. He was also awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 23, 1980 for his services to performing arts in Canada. In 2007, Mr. Harron was given the Gemini Award® for Lifetime Achievement in Radio and Television. Donald Harron was 90 years-old.) - 01/17/15
EDGAR FROESE (Musician/Film Composer: In 1967, Edgar [Wilmar] Froese created the band TANGERINE DREAM and music, especially movie soundtracks, would never be the same again (using electronic instruments like synths and the Mellotron, along traditional instruments like rock guitar and blues harmonica). Besides their non-film related albums [which everyone withgood taste in music should search out and buy), Froese and TANGERINE DREAM created the atmospheric soundtracks [or songs] for the following films and TV Series: AUF SCHEIBER SCHEIBT MAN NICHT - 1969; VAMPIRA - 1971 [German TV Movie]; GERADEAUS BIS ZUM MORGEN - 1972; EIN FUR ALLEMAL - 1973; MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE - 1976; SORCERER - 1977; KNEUSS - 1978; JAHRESZEITEN DER LIEBE - 1979 [German TV Movie]; DAS VERBOTENE SPIEL - 1979 [German TV Series; 3 episodes]; DANIEL - 1980 [German TV Movie]; TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT - 1980; UNDER LOCK AND KEY - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MAN INSIDE - 1980 IM REGEN NACH AMERIKA - 1981 [German TV Movie]; THIEF - 1981 [My favorite of their soundtracks; simply stunning, even though The Razzie Awards® nominated it for the worst soundtrack of the year, proving that The Razzies have taste in their ass.]; STRANGE BEHAVIOR - 1981; THE CLUB - 1981; FUTURE WAR 1986 - 1982; SOLOMON'S NIGHTMARE: A STUDY IN GRAY - 1982; KAMIKAZE 1989 - 1982; IDENTIFICATION OF A WOMAN - 1982; THE SOLDIER - 1982; RAINER WERNER FASSBINDER: LETZTE ARBEITEN - 1982 [Documentary]; VON RICHTERN UND ANDEREN SYMPATHISANTEN - 1982 [Documentary]; BRANDMALE - 1983; THE KEEP - 1983 [very creepy; would like to see the full, unedited version some day]; SPASMS - 1983; RISKY BUSINESS - 1983; WAVELENGTH - 1983; FIRESTARTER - 1984; FLASHPOINT - 1984; FORBIDDEN - 1984 [TV Movie]; HEARTBREAKERS - 1985; LEGEND - 1985 [Tangerine Dream created the soundtrack for the U.S. version only]; MOONLIGHTING - 1985 [TV Series]; RED HEAT - 1985 [the Linda Blair version]; VISIONQUEST - 1985; STREET HAWK - 1985 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; THE PARK IS MINE - 1986 [TV Movie]; ZONING - 1986 [German TV Movie]; CITY OF SHADOWS - 1987; DEADLY CARE - 1987 [TV Movie]; NEAR DARK - 1987 [another excellent score]; SHY PEOPLE - 1987; THREE O'CLOCK HIGH - 1987; TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT - 1987 [TV Movie]; CANYON DREAMS - 1987 [Video Documentary Short]; DEAD SOLID PERFECT - 1988; DESTINATION BERLIN - 1988; MIRACLE MILE - 1988 [another excellent soundtrack]; RED NIGHTS - 1988; MIAMI VICE - 1988 [TV Series]; CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - 1989; CRACK USA: COUNTRY UNDER SIEGE - 1989 [Documentary Short]; KICKBOXER FROM HELL - 1990 [unauthorized samples of their music] GHOST DAD - 1990; THE MAN INSIDE - 1990; RAINBOW DRIVE - 1990; WE ALL HAVE TALES: RUMPLESTILTSKIN - 1990 [TV Series]; TATORT - 1976-1991 [German TV Series]; THE SWITCH - 1993; THREE PHASE: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE - 1993 [Grammy Awards® nomination for Best Music Video - Long Form]; AMERICA UNDERCOVER: MEMPHIS PD: WAR ON THE STREET - 1996 [TV Documentary]; EDGE - 1997; LUMINOUS VISIONS - 1998; GREAT WALL OF CHINA - 1999; DISCOVERY - 2001 [Short]; THE SQUID AND THE WHALE - 2005; THE OC - 2005 [TV Series]; L'INFERNO - 2006 [1911 silent movie re-released with Tangerine Dream soundtrack.]; GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - 2008 [Video Game]; SOMETHING IN THE AIR - 2012; GRAND THEFT AUTO V - 2013 [Video Game]; THE VAMPIRE DIARIES - 2013 [TV Series]. Froese released 24 solo albums, while working with TANGERINE DREAM, they released nearly 50 non-film albums and also released 21 soundtrack albums. Edgar Froese remained a member of the band until his death. Edgar Froese was 70 years-old.) - 01/20/15
PAULINE YATES (British Actress: As an actress [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: FLY AWAY PETER - 1959 [TV Movie]; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1959; EPILOGUE TO CAPRICORN - 1959; THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW - 1960 [TV Movie]; IDENTITY UNKNOWN - 1960 [Theatrical Film];DRAMA 61-67 - 1961; STUDIO 4 - 1962; OUT OF THIS WORLD - 1962; NO HIDING PLACE - 1962; HANCOCK - 1963; THE HUMAN JUNGLE - 1963; GHOST SQUAD - 1963; NEVER MENTION MURDER - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; EMERGENCY WARD 10 - 1964 [6 episodes]; FIRST NIGHT - 1964; GIDEON C.I.D. - 1965; DARLING - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1962-1965 [3 episodes]; OUR MAN AT ST. MARK'S - 1966; BLACKMAIL - 1966; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1958-1966 [4 episodes]; SOFTLY, SOFTLY - 1966; MR. ROSE - 1967; Z CARS - 1962-1967 [3 episodes]; THE RONNY BARKER PLAYHOUSE - 1968; CITY 68' - 1968; LIONHEART - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; HARK AT BARKER - 1969; W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM - 1969; STRANGE REPORT - 1970; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1970; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1970; SENTIMENTAL EDUCATION - 1970 [mini-series]; A ROOM IN TOWN - 1970 [TV Movie]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1964-1970 [6 episodes]; BACHELOR FATHER - 1970; A CHRISTMAS NIGHT WITH THE STARS - 1970; THE DOCTORS - 1971 [series regular; 24 episodes]; CRIME OF PASSION - 1972; HARRIET'S BACK IN TOWN - 1972-1972 [series star; 92 episodes]; BOOTSIE AND SNUDGE - 1974; NIGHTINGALE'S BOYS - 1975 [3 episodes]; ROOMS - 1975 [3 episodes]; GOING, GOING, GONE...FREE? - 1975 [TV Movie]; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1975; MY HONOURABLE MRS. - 1975 [9 episodes]; SAVAGES - 1975 [TV Movie]; CENTRE PLAY - 1977; THE FOUR FEATHERS - 1978 [TV Movie]; CROWN COURT - 1978; THE RISE AND FALL OF REGINALD PERRIN - 1976-1979 [series regular; 21 episodes]; BBC2 PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1979; LEAP IN THE DARK - 1980; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1982; KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY - 1980-1982 [series regular; 25 episodes]; SHE'LL BE WEARING PINK PYJAMAS - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; HOLD THAT DREAM - 1986 [TV Movie]; SCREENPLAY - 1989; RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY - 1991; SO HAUNT ME - 1992; ELENYA - 1992 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; CASUALTY - 1995; THE LEGACY OF REGINALD PERRIN [series regular; 7 episodes]; RECKLESS: THE SEQUEL - 1998 [TV Movie]; KAVANAGH QC - 1999; WARRIORS - 1999 [TV Movie]; DOCTORS - 2001; ROSE AND MOLONEY - 2002 [her last acting role]. Pauline Yates was 85 years-old.) - 01/21/15
BARRIE INGHAM (British Actor: Popular British actor who appeared in a lot of British TV and films. His credits included [TV Series, except where noted]: INSIDE STORY - 1960; THE CHEATERS - 1960; THE FOURTH SQUARE - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; DANGER MAN - 1961; LOOKING ABOUT - 1961; THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE - 1961-1962; SAKI - 1962 [TV mini-series]; SILENT EVIDENCE - 1962; THE VICTORIANS - 1963 [8 episodes]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1963; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1963-1964; THE PLANE MAKERS - 1964; ANN VERONICA - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE INDIAN TALES OF RUDYARD KIPLING - 1964; THE VILLAINS - 1964; UNDERMIND - 1965; DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; ARMCHAIRMYSTERY THEATRE - 1965; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960-1965 [4 episodes]; DOCTOR WHO - 1965; INVASION - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; THE LIARS - 1966; REDCAP - 1966; THE SCALES OF JUSTICE - 1966; BLACKMAIL - 1966; THEATRE 625 - 1966 [4 episodes]; THE BARON - 1967; MR. ROSE - 1967; A CHALLENGE FOR ROBIN HOOD - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; THE AVENGERS - 1967; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1966-1968; THE CAESARS - 1968 [4 episodes]; THE POWER GAME - 1969 [4 episodes]; MY PARTNER THE GHOST - 1970; HINE - 1971 [series star; 13 episodes]; STEPTOE AND SON - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; BEYOND A JOKE - 1972; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1967-1972 [3 episodes]; THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1973; THE DAY OF THE JACKAL - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PENELOPE - 1976; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT DRAMA - 1978; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1970-1978 [3 episodes]; THE SWEENEY - 1978; FUNNY MAN - 1981 [series regular; 7 episodes]; CAMELOT - 1982 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1982; THE JEFFERSONS - 1982; CHARLEY'S AUNT - 1983 [TV Movie]; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1983; HART TO HART - 1983; VOYAGERS! - 1983; SIMON & SIMON - 1983; SPARKLING CYNANIDE - 1983 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1983; ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE JERK, TOO - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE FALL GUY - 1984; GEORGE WASHINGTON - 1984 [TV mini-series]; P.O.P. - 1984 [TV Movie]; AIRWOLF - 1984; THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1985; HOTEL - 1985; MY WICKED, WICKED WAYS: THE LEGEND OF ERROL FLYNN - 1985 [TV Movie]; STREET HAWK - 1985; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1985; SECRET WEAPONS - 1985 [TV Movie]; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; SHADOW CHASERS - 1986; THE A-TEAM - 1986; COMEDY FACTORY - 1986; THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE - 1986 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1985-1986; BERGERAC - 1986; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1987; MATLOCK - 1987; WEBSTER - 1989; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1989; THE TAILOR OF GLOUCHESTER - 1989 [TV Movie]; MYSTERY!: CAMPION - 1990; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1993; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994; JOSH KIRBY...TIME WARRIOR CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 6 - 1995-1996 [MFHV]; JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MUSICAL - 2001 [TV Movie; sang 4 songs]; A TOUCH OF FROST - 2002; THE TRIANGLE - 2005 [TV mini-series; his last acting role]. Mr. Ingham is one of only 29 actors to appear in both the "Star Trek" and "Doctor Who" franchises. He played Paris in DOCTOR WHO: SMALL PROPHET, QUICK RETURN (1965), DOCTOR WHO: DEATH OF A SPY (1965) and DOCTOR WHO: HORSE OF DESTRUCTION (1965) and Danilo O'Dell in STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION: UP THE LONG LADDER (1989). He also played the role of Alydon in DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS (1965) although this is not considered part of the "Doctor Who" franchise. He also co-starred in sixteen stage plays opposite actress Judi Dench. Barrie Ingham was 82 years-old.) - 01/23/15
JOE FRANKLIN (TV Talk Show Host/Actor: Franklin's talk show, THE JOE FRANKLIN SHOW, ran from 1950 to 1993, first on ABC and then on WOR-TV [Channel 9 in New York]. He claimed to have interviewed over 300,000 guests during his 43-year television career, which some people doubt, but there is no denying his staying power. Franklin's guests included (sometimes on thesame panel) Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe (with whom Franklin co-authored "The Marilyn Monroe Story" in 1953), Jayne Mansfield, Cary Grant, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Rudy Vallee, Jimmy Durante, Madonna, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, The Ramones, Lou Albano and five U.S. Presidents (including John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon). Franklin never employed a co-host, but his producer, Richie Ornstein, was a standard feature on THE JOE FRANKLIN SHOW who interacted with guests and discussed trivia. Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, Julia Roberts, Bruce Springsteen, Robin Williams, John Belushi and Richard Pryor got their first television exposure on THE JOE FRANKLIN SHOW. Frank Sinatra appeared four times. Bob Diamond was the Director of THE JOE FRANKLIN SHOW. In 1999, Joe Franklin and producer Steve Garrin partnered with restaurant mogul, Dennis Riese, to open "Joe Franklin's Memory Lane Restaurant" in Manhattan's Theater District, where he appeared frequently and conducted live, in-person interviews with entertainers such as Billy Crystal, who impersonated Franklin on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Joe Franklin's Restaurant operated as a Comedy Club where many aspiring comics got their first stage time until February 2010. Franklin appeared in the following films and TV series, usually as himself: THE COMEBACK TRAIL - 1982; BROADWAY DANNY ROSE - 1984; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984; NORMAN'S CORNER - 1987 [TV Movie]; INVISIBLE THREAD - 1987 [TV Movie]; BUM RAP - 1988; THAT'S ADEQUATE - 1989; CBS SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1989 [TV Series]; GHOUL SCHOOL - 1990; 29TH STREET - 1991; TRACEY TAKES ON NEW YORK - 1993 [TV Movie]; SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST - 1994 [TV Series]; 50,000,000 JOE FRANKLIN FANS CAN'T BE WRONG - 1997 [documentary]; TERROR FIRMER - 1999; THE BOYS BEHIND THE DESK - 2000; SPACE SPAWNS - 2002 [MFHV]; THE SIGNS OF THE CROSS - 2005; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005 [documentary]; BLACK RIBBON - 2007; AMERICAN SWING - 2008 [documentary]; THE MERCY MAN - 2009; LIFE AFTER DARK: THE STORY OF SIBERIA BAR - 2009 [documentary]; THE LEGEND OF IVAN TORS - 2011 [documentary]; THE OUTRAGEOUS SOPHIE TUCKER - 2014 [documentary]; THE MICKEY KATZ PROJECT - 2015 [a documentary he was working on when he passed away]. He was married to Lois Meridan from 1952 until the day of his death. Joe Franklin passed away of prostate cancer and was 88 years-old.) - 01/24/15
THAN WYENN (Actor: Popular actor who started out at the beginning of his career in bit parts in 50's theatrical films and later worked on many TV series until the mid-80's. His credits included [TV Series unless noted}: THE UNDERCOVER MAN - 1949 [Theatrical film]; TERRY AND THE PIRATES - 1952; A SLIGHT CASE OF LARCENY - 1953 [Theatrical Film]; TENNESSEE CHAMP - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; RAYMAR OF THE JUNGLE - 1954; THE HUMAN JUNGLE - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA - 1954 [Theatrical Film}; THE LINEUP - 1954; BLACK TUESDAY - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; PETE KELLY'S BLUES - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; THE NAKED STREET - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; GOOD MORNING MISS DOVE - 1955 [Theatrical film}; DRAGNET - 1955; BIG TOWN - 1956; STAR STAGE - 1956; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1956 [Theatrical Film]; STUDIO 57 - 1956; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1946; JANE WYMAN PRESENTS FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1956;SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1956; THE ADVENTURES OF HIRAM HOLLIDAY - 1957; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1957; THE 20TH CENTURY-FOX HOUR - 1955-1957; HOT ROD RUMBLE - 1957 [Theatrical Film}; BEGINNING OF THE END - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; GUNSMOKE - 1955-1957; THE INVISIBLE BOY - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; M SQUAD - 1957; THE COURT OF LAST RESORT - 1957; ZORRO - 1957-1958 [7 episodes]; ZANE GREY THEATRE - 1958; THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; THE TRUE STORY OF LYNN STUART - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; BOOTS AND SADDLES - 1958; JEFFERSON DRUM - 1958; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; PERRY MASON - 1957-1958; FLIGHT - 1958; TRACKDOWN - 1958; I WANT TO LIVE! - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; U.S. MARSHAL - 1958; THE THIN MAN - 1959; PETE KELLY'S BLUES - 1959; IMITATION OF LIFE - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE TEXAN - 1959; THE LAWLESS YEARS - 1959; MARKHAM - 1959; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959; THIS MAN DAWSON - 1959; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1959-1960; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Execution" - 1960]; THE BOY AND THE PIRATES - 1960 [Theatrical Film]; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1959-1960 [4 episodes]; RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE - 1959-1960; NATIONAL VELVET - 1961; STAGECOAST WEST - 1960-1961 [3 episodes]; THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS ROBIN - 1961; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; NAKED CITY - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1962; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962; THRILLER - ["The Man In The Cage" - 1961; "Innocent Bystanders" - 1962}; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1962; IT'S A MAN'S WORLD - 1962; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1961-1962; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962-1963; RAWHIDE - 1963; WIDE COUNTRY - 1963; THE DAKOTAS - 1963; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1963-1964; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; VALENTINE'S DAY - 1965; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964-1965; COMBAT! - 1963-1965; THE MONEY TRAP - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; HONEY WEST - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1965; DAKTARI - 1966; A MAN CALLED SHENENDOAH - 1966; THE MUNSTERS - 1966; THE GIRL FRON U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; GAMBIT - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1966-1967 [3 episodes]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1967 [3 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967; MR. TERRIFIC - 1967; SULLIVAN'S EMPIRE - 1967; ROSIE! - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; THE INVADERS - 1967; THE RAT PATROL - 1967; THE PINK JUNGLE - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; THE OUTSIDER - 1968; THE VIRGINIAN - 1964-1968 [4 episodes]; NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T - 1968 - [TV Movie]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968 [4 episodes]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969; DRAGNET 1967 - 1969; GET SMART - 1967-1969; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1970; INSIGHT - 1970; THE HIGH CHAPARREL - 1970; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969-1970; NIGHT GALLERY - ["The Doll" - 1971]; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1970-1971; IRONSIDE - 1970-1971 [3 episodes]; ELLERY QUEEN: DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU - 1971 [TV Movie]; SARGE - 1971; THE F.B.I. - 1970-1971; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1971; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; HEC RAMSEY - 1973; SEARCH - 1973; RUNAWAY! - 1973 [TV Movie]; SHAFT - 1974; CANNON - 1973-1974; EMERGENCY! - 1974; POLICE STORY - 1974; ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN - 1975 [TV Movie]; MEDICAL STORY - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1976; DELVECCHIO - 1976; VICTORY AT ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1977 [5 episodes]; MOST WANTED - 1977; BLACK SUNDAY - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; LOU GRANT - 1977; SWITCH - 1977; BARNABY JONES - 1974-1977 [4 episodes]; THE BILLION DOLLAR THREAT - 1979 [TV Movie]; BEING THERE - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; POWER - 1980 [TV Movie]; ENOLA GAY: THE MEN, THE MISSION, THE ATOMIC BOMB - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE TWO LIVES OF CAROL LETNER - 1981 [TV Movie]; HART TO HART - 1982; MAE WEST - 1982 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1983; QUINCY M.E. - 1977-1983 [4 episodes]; SPLASH - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; NEWHART - 1984; KNIGHT RIDER - 1985; SIMON & SIMON - 1985. T.J. HOOKER - 1985 [his last acting role]. Mr. Wyenn served for 37 years as a consultant to the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Affairs, was a founder of the city's Yiddish Kinder Theater, was a member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA, voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1966 and worked for thirty-seven years as the Drama Consultant for the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education. Than Wyenn was 95 years-old.) - 01/30/15.
GERALDINE MCEWAN (British Actress: Popular actress best known for playing Miss Marple in a series of 12 British TV Movies and for her award-winning stage work. Her films included: THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY - 1953; BEWARE OF CHILDREN - 1961; A FLEA IN HER EAR - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE DANCE OF DEATH - 1969; THE BAWDY ADVENTURES OF TOM JONES - 1976; THE LITTLEST HORSE THIEVES - 1976; FAT - 1979 [TV Movie]; FOREIGN BODY - 1986; HENRY V - 1989; ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES - 1991; MOSES - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE LETTER -1999; TITUS - 1999; LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST - 2000; CONTAMINATED MAN - 2000; THIN ICE - 2000 [TV Movie]; FOOD OF LOVE - 2002; THE MAGDALENE SISTERS - 2002; PURE - 2002; CARRIE'S WAR - 2004 [TV Movie]; VANITY FAIR - 2004; THE LAZARUS CHILD - 2005; THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT - 2005 [voice only]; THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY - 2010 [voice only; her last acting role]. Miss McEwan's many TV credits included: CRIME ON OUR HANDS - 1954 [6 episodes]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1958-1960 [3 episodes]; OUT OF THIS WORLDE - 1962; PROFILES IN COURAGE - 1964; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1965; JACKANORY - 1967-1971 [11 episodes]; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1968-1972; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1970-1972 [3 episodes]; AWAY FROM IT ALL - 1973; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1971-1973 [3 episodes]; LATE NIGHT THEATRE - 1973-1974; GOLDEN GALA - 1978; THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE - 1978 [series star; 7 episodes]; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1982; THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES - 1982 [TV mini-series]; ALL FOR LOVE - 1982; TEARS BEFORE BEDTIME - 1983; MAPP & LUCIA - 1985-1986 [series star; 10 episodes]; CAUGHT IN THE ACT - 1988 [TV Movie Documentary]; ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT - 1989 [TV mini-series]; PEBBLE MILL - 1992; MULBERRY - 1992-1993 [series star; 13 episodes]; FRENCH AND SAUNDERS - 1994; RED STAR - 1999; VICTORIA WOOD WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS - 2000; GMTV - 2004; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE - 2004-2007 [played Miss Marple in 12 TV movies]. Miss McEwan originated the female lead role in Joe Orton's LOOT, captivated Broadway with productions of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, THE PRIVATE EAR AND THE PUBLIC EYE, and most recently, THE CHAIRS, earning her a Tony nomination for best actress. As a member of the Royal National Theatre, acting along side Albert Finney, and Laurence Olivier, Geraldine spent the 1960s and 70s with memorable roles including THE DANCE OF DEATH, LOVE FOR LOVE, A FLEA IN HER EAR, CHEZ NOUS, HOME AND BEAUTY, THE BROWNING VERSION, HARLEQUINADE and THE WHITE DEVIL. In 1976 she had the distinction of being nominated for an Olivier Award® in two separate categories. In 1983 she won the Evening Standard Best Actress Award® for THE RIVALS. In 1991 she won the BAFTA Best Actress Award® for her intense and powerful performance as the Mother in the TV Mini-Series ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT (1989) and in 1995 she won the Evening Standard Best Actress Award® for her performance of Lady Wishfort in THE WAY OF THE WORLD. Geraldine McEwan suffered a severe stroke in October 2014 and never recovered. She was 82 years-old.) - 01/31/15
LIZABETH SCOTT (Actress: Beautiful Actress [real name: Emma Matzo] with a husky voice, who worked in film and TV from the 1940's to the 1960's. She took the name "Lizabeth Scott" because there already was an actress with the name "Elizabeth Scott". Her films and TV Series included: YOU CAME ALONG - 1945; THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS - 1945 [her best-known film and most problematic production; see below]; DEAD RECKONING - 1947 [HumphreyBogart!; a powerful film noir]; DESERT FURY - 1947; VARIETY GIRL - 1947; I WALK ALONE - 1948; PITFALL - 1948; TOO LATE FOR TEARS - 1949 [her favorite film]; FAMILY THEATRE - 1949 [TV Series]; EASY LIVING - 1949; PAID IN FULL - 1950; DARK CITY - 1950 [excellent film noir; Scott sang five songs]; THE COMPANY SHE KEEPS - 1951; TWO OF A KIND - 1951; RED MOUNTAIN - 1951; THE RACKET - 1951; STOLEN FACE - 1952; SCARED STIFF - 1953 [Martin & Lewis]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1952-1953 [TV Series]; BAD FOR EACH OTHER - 1953; SILVER LODE - 1954; THE EDDIE CANTOR COMEDY THEATER - 1955 [TV Series]; STUDIO 57 - 1955 [TV Series]; THE 20TH CENTURY-FOX HOUR - 1956 [TV Series]; THE WEAPON - 1956; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1956 [TV Series]; LOVING YOU - 1957 [with Elvis Presley; Scott decided to retire from the big screen after this film, only to be coaxed out of retirement in 1972 for a major role in PULP]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1960 [TV Series]; BURKE'S LAW - 1963 [TV Series]; THE THIRD MAN - 1965 [TV Series]; PULP - 1972 [her final acting role]; ALAN LADD: THE TRUE QUIET MAN - 1999 [documentary]; MICHAEL JACKSON: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - 2001 [documentary]. On the strength of her first performance in YOU CAME ALONG [combined with her excellent stage work], movie mogul Hal B.Wallis starred Lizabeth Scott in THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946) over Barbara Stanwyck's protests. Scott ended up in third place at the top behind Stanwyck and Van Heflin, with Kirk Douglas, in his film debut, billed below the three stars. The film is actually two in one, with Stanwyck and Scott inhabiting two parallel worlds, both linked by Heflin. The female leads have only one brief scene together. The director, Lewis Milestone, swore never to work with Wallis again, who wanted to re-shoot all of Scott's scenes, which Wallis had to do personally. The film boasts an Oscar nominated screenplay by Robert Rossen, music by Miklós Rózsa, art direction by Hans Dreier, and costumes by Edith Head. Lizabeth Scott spent her remaining years working for various charities such as Project HOPE and the Ancient Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She also had a career as a real estate developer. Lizabeth Scott was 92 years-old.) - 01/31/15
ROBERT BLEES (Writer/Producer: Blees was a well-respected writer of films who then became a producer of several TV series. His films and TV series as a Writer included: SWEATER GIRL - 1942; PAID IN FULL - 1950; ALL I DESIRE - 1953; THE GLASS WEB - 1953; PLAYGIRL - 1954; MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION - 1954 [his best-known screenplay]; THE YELLOW MOUNTAIN - 1954; THE CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA - 1954; ONE DESIRE - 1955; DAMON RUNYON THEATER - 1955 [TV Series]; THE FIGHTING CHANCE - 1955; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1955 [TV Series]; SLIGHTLY SCARLET - 1956; AUTUMN LEAVES - 1956; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE BLACK SCORPION - 1957 [a troubled production and also Blees first stab at writing a monster film]; CLIMAX! - 1958 [TV Series]; HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL - 1958; SCREAMING MIMI - 1958; FROM EARTH TO THE MOON - 1958; PETER GUNN - 1958 [TV Series]; RICHARD DIAMOND: PRIVATE EYE - 1959 [TV Series]; ZANE GREY THEATRE - 1960 [TV Series]; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1960 [TV Series]; TALES OF THE VIKINGS - 1960 [TV Series]; THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW - 1960 [TV Series]; HONG KONG - 1961 [TV Series]; CHECKMATE - 1961 [TV Series]; BUS STOP - 1961 [TV Series]; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER - 1962; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; FROGS - 1972 [a rather well-written 'nature gone amok' screenplay]; WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? - 1972; DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN - 1972 [the last of his trio of films for American International Pictures and one of his best]; CANNON - 1973 [TV Series]; HARRY O - 1975 [TV Series]; A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN - 1975 [also Producer]; CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW - 1977 [TV Movie]; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1975 [TV Series]; COLUMBO - 1978 [TV Series]; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978-1979 [9 episodes]; FLAMINGO ROAD - 1981 [TV Series]; SAVAGE HARVEST - 1981 [highly underrated film]; AIRWOLF - 1985 [TV Movie]; GIDGET'S SUMMER REUNION - 1985 [TV Movie; his last writing credit}. As a Producer: BUS STOP - 1961-1962 [8 episodes]; COMBAT! - 1962-1963 [13 episodes]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1963-1964 [7 episodes]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1966; OFF WE GO - 1966 [TV Movie]; BONANZA - 1967-1968 [12 episodes]; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1978; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978-1979 [5 episodes]. Mr. Blees was a former board member of Writers Guild of America West and the Producers Guild of America and also served for decades on the board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Robert Blees was 96 myears-old.) - 01/31/15
EDWARD DEBLASIO (TV Writer: DeBlasio wrote scripts for many popular TV shows [best known for DYNASTY - 1981-1988], including: THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK ["The Legend Of Lylah Clare"] - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; MR. BROADWQAY - 1964; THE DEFENDERS - 1964-1965 [4 episodes]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1965; BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1966; SEAWAY - 1965-1966 [5 episodes]; CORONET BLUE - 1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1968; N.Y.P.D. - 1967-1968 [4 episodes]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968; THE LEGEND OF LYLAH CLARE - 1968 [Theatrical Film; movie based on his teleplay]; THIS TOWN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME - 1969 [TV Movie]; STRANGE REPORT - 1969 [also Story Editor for 15 episodes]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966-1971; BONANZA - 1971; SARGE - 1971; THE MAN AND THE CITY - 1971-1972 [3 episodes]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; IRONSIDE - 1971-1972 [3 episodes]; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1973; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1973; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1972-1974 [3 episodes; also Executive Story Consultant for 13 episodes]; THE MAN FROM INDEPENDENCE - 1974; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1970-1974 [4 episodes]; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1978 [15 episodes; also Executive Story Consultant for 40 episodes]; PARIS - 1979; THE BOY WHO DRANK TOO MUCH - 1980 [TV Movie]; DYNASTY - 1981-1988 [94 episodes; Produced 109 episodes; Executive Script and Story Editor for 85 episodes]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1989-1990 [5 episodes; Supervising Producer of 22 episodes during the same years]; DYNASTY: THE REUNION - 1991 [TV Movie]; JANEK: THE SILENT BETRAYAL - 1994 [TV Movie; his last writing assignment]. Edward DeBlasio was 88 years-old.) - 02/01/15
RICHARD BONEHILL (Actor: Stuntman: Best known for his stunt work with edged weapons and minor multiple characters on the STAR WARS franchise, Bonehill was an actor/stuntman who was building up a resume when he mysteriously passed away; His Acting roles included: STARWARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; FLASH GORDON - 1980; KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY - 1982 [TV Series]; STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI - 1983; JEMIMA SHORE INVESTIGATES - 1983 [TV Series]; TOP SECRET! - 1984; GALLOPING GALAXIES! - 1985 {TV Series; also Sword Master]; HIGHLANDER - 1986 [also Fight Double]; ROBIN HOOD - 1984-1985 [TV Series]; CALL ME MISTER - 1986 [TV Series]; DOCTOR WHO - 1982-1986 [TV Series; 11 episodes]; THE CELTS - 1987 [TV Documentary; Sword Master]; HORIZON - 1987 [TV Documentary; Sword Master]; 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1988 [TV Series]; KNIGHTMARE - 1988 [TV Series]; THE BILL - 1988 [TV Series]; ROB ROY - 1995; FRENCHMAN'S CREEK - 1998 [TV Movie]; JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS - 2000 [TV Movies]; COLD AND DARK - 2005; JOURNALS OF ERWICH - 2013 [Short; his last acting role]. As a Stuntman: IVANHOE - 1982; THE WICKED LADY - 1983; THE ZANY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1984 [TV Movie]; BLUE MONEY - 1985; EDGE OF DARKNESS - 1985 [TV mini-series]; ROBINSON CRUSOE - 1997; PRINCE VALIANT - 1997 [Sword Master]; PIRATES - 1998 [Sword Master]; THE AVENGERS - 1998; THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK - 1998; THE EVIL STREAK - 1999 [TV Series]; GORMENGHAST - 2000 [TV Series; Sword Master]; PRINCESS OF THIEVES - 2001 [Fencing Master]; THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY - 2001 [TV Movie; Sword Master]; THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 2002 [Fencing Coach]; SHERLOCK - 2002 [TV Series; Fencing Master]; GEORGE AND THE DRAGON - 2004; BLEAK HOUSE - 2005 [TV Series; Fencing & Sword Master]; SHARPE'S CHALLENGE - 2006 [TV Movie; Sword Master]; SIMON SHAMA'S POWER OF ART - 2006 [TV Series; Sword Master} SHARPE'S PERIL - 2008 [TV Movie; Sword Master];. Richard Bonehill was 67 years-old.) - 02/03/15
JEFFREY SEGAL (British Actor: Known mainly for his British TV Series work, Mr. Segal also infrequently ventured out into theatrical films [only twice]. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; DEAD GIVEAWAY - 1957; SCOTLAND YARD - 1960; BARNABY RUDGE - 1960; NO HIDING PLACE - 1961; THE TRAITORS - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; THE BIG PULL - 1962; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1962; THE PLANE MAKERS - 1963; SUSPENSE - 1963; BOYD Q.C. - 1963; TELETALE - 1963; EMERGENCY-WARD 10 - 1964; THE SCALES OF JUSTICE - 1965; LONDONERS - 1965; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1965; CORONATION STREET - 1965; MRS. THURSDAY - 1966; SERGEANT CORK - 1964-1966; KING OF THE RIVER - 1966; GEORGE AND THE DRAGON - 1966; THE FORSYTHE SAGA - 1967 [TV mini-series]; THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - 1967 [TV Movie]; THEATRE 625 - 1967; SOFTLY SOFTLY - 1967; THE POWER GAME - 1969; FRAUD SQUAD - 1969; HADLEIGH - 1969; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1969; SMITH - 1970 [TV miniseries]; HORIZON - 1971; DOCTOR AT LARGE - 1971; UFO - 1971; OWEN, M.D. - 1971; THE SHADOW OF THE TOWER - 1972 [TV mini-series]; THE VIADUCT - 1972 [TV mini-series]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1972; CALLAN - 1972; THE MAN OUTSIDE - 1972; CRIME OF PASSION - 1972; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1972; PUBLIC EYE - 1972; Z CARS - 1962-1972 [6 episodes]; SOFTLY SOFTLY: TASK FORCE - 1970-1972; THE STRAUSS FAMILY - 1972 [TV mini-series]; THE PROTECTORS - 1973; LATE NIGHT THEATRE - 1973; BOWLER - 1973; LOVE STORY - 1965-1973; ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - 1973 [TV Movie]; NAPOLEAN AND LOVE - 1974 [TV mini-series]; ARMCHAIR CINEMA - 1974; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1974; THE PALLISERS - 1974; THE SWEENEY - 1975; THE MAIN CHANCE - 1975; EDWARD THE KING - 1975; THE GIRLS OF SLENDER MEANS - 1975; FAWLTY TOWERS - 1975; THE PHOENIX AND THE CARPET - 1977; MURDER MOST ENGLISH: A FLAXBOROUGH CHRONICLE - 1977; DAD'S ARMY - 1972-1977; LAW & ORDER - 1978 [TV mini-series]; THE DEVIL'S CROWN - 1978; BLESS ME FATHER - 1978; SHOESTRING - 1979; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1975-1979; POTTER - 1980; INVASION - 1980; OH HAPPY BAND - 1980; TO SERVE THEM ALL MY DAYS - 1980 [TV mini-series]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970-1981; RENTAGHOST - 1978-1981; IT AIN'T HALF HOT MUM - 1974-1981; MINDER - 1982; TERRY AND JUNE - 1981-1982; YES MINISTER - 1982; THE NATION'S HEALTH - 1983; ALADDIN AND THE FORTY THIEVES - 1984 [TV Movie]; STRANGERS AND BROTHERS - 1984; BERGERAC - 1984; FREUD - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE PICKWICK PAPERS - 1985; OLIVER TWIST - 1985 [TV mini-series]; LYTTON'S DIARY - 1985; BIG DEAL - 1984-1986; DAVID COPPERFIELD - 1986 [TV mini-series]; LOST EMPIRES - 1986 [TV mini-series]; THE KENNY EVERETT TELEVISION SHOW - 1986; REST IN PIECES - 1987 [Theatrical horror film directed by Jose Ramon Larraz as "Joseph Braunstein"]; VANITY FAIR - 1987; TICKETS FOR THE TITANIC - 1987; BUST - 1988; LOVE HURTS - 1993; JONATHAN CREEK - 2003 [his last acting role]. Jeffrey Segal was 94 years-old.) - 02/05/15
DONOVAN WINTER (Director/Producer/Screenwriter: British jack-of-all-trades who made a handful of films during the 60's & 70's and then stopped. His credits included [all as director/producer/writer]: THE TRUNK - 1961 [Director & Writer only]; WORLD WITHOUT SHAME - 1962; A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS OR 'BIRDS, DOLLS & SCRATCH' ENGLISH STYLE - 1965 [Short]; PROMENADE - 1968 [Short]; SOME LIKE IT SEXY - 1969; SUNDAY IN THE PARK - 1970; ESCORT GIRLS - 1975; THE DEADLY FEMALES - 1976; GIVE US TOMORROW - 1978 [Director & Producer only; his last film credit]. Mr. Winter also wrote the short film BULLET FROM THE PAST - 1957 and also was Editor of most of his films. Donovan Winter was 82 years-old.) - 02/06/15
RICARDO PALACIOS (Actor: Spanish actor who starred in all genres of films. His films included: DIALOGUES OF PEACE - 1965; FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE - 1965; DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - 1965; A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM - 1966; RETURN OF THE SEVEN - 1966; THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY - 1966; FLYING FROM THE HAWK - 1966; THE UGLY ONES - 1967; DYNAMITE JOE - 1967; UP THE MACGREGORS - 1967; KITOSCH, THE MAN WHO CAME FROM THE NORTH - 1967; BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS - 1967; SEVEN FOR PANCHO VILLA - 1967; YOUNG REBEL - 1967; FIFTEEN SCAFFOLDS FOR THE KILLER - 1967; GUNLAW - 1967; DEVIL'S ANGEL -1968; THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU - 1968; RUN, MAN, RUN - 1968; 1001 NIGHTS - 1968; ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST - 1968; THE BATTLE OF THE LAST PANZER - 1969; CRY CHICAGO - 1969; EL CONDOR - 1970; SECRET INTENTIONS - 1970; BLACK BEAUTY - 1971; SOCRATES - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE HORSEMEN - 1971; CAPTAIN APACHE - 1971; RED SUN - 1971; DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR - 1971; BAD MAN'S RIVER - 1971; WHAT THE PEEPER SAW - 1972; FABULOUS TRINITY - 1972; FAT BROTHERS OF TRINITY - 1973; THE MAN CALLED NOON - 1973; BLOOD MONEY - 1974; THE SPIKES GANG - 1974; DICK TURPIN - 1974 [also writer]; DALLAS - 1975; THE WIND AND THE LION - 1975; VALLEY OF THE DANCING WIDOWS - 1975; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1975; TAKE A HARD RIDE - 1975; THE BANANAS BOAT - 1976; SOLDIER OF FORTUNE - 1976; THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE DARK - 1976; WHERE TIME BEGAN - 1977; THE BLACK PEARL - 1977; WIDOW'S NEST - 1977; WHISKY AND GHOSTS - 1978; THE HOUSE ON GARIBALDI STREET - 1979 [TV Movie]; RETURN OF SUPERBUG - 1979; SEVEN DAYS IN JANUARY - 1979; ...AND THE THIRD YEAR, HE RESUSCITATED - 1980; HUMAN BEASTS - 1980 [directed by Paul Naschy and also known as THE BEAST'S CARNIVAL]; LOS CANTABROS - 1980 [also directed by Paul Naschy]; THE CRAVING - 1981 [also directed by Paul Naschy and known also as NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF]; CAR CRASH - 1981; COMIN' AT YA! - 1981 [beginning of the early-80's 3-D craze]; FREDDY THE CROUPIER - 1982; MI CONEJO ES EL MEJOR - 1982 [Director & Writer only]; ADVENTURES OF FELIPE MARLBORO, VOLUME 8 - 1983 [one of Palacios' many films with director Jesus Franco]; BLACK VENUS - 1983; USA: VIOLATION AND VENGEANCE - 1983; CAMINO SOLITARIO - 1984 [another Jesus Franco-directed film]; THE ARK OF THE SUN GOD - 1984; MONSTER DOG - 1984 [my favorite film of his; plays "Sheriff Morrison"]; DIRTY GAME IN CASABLANCA - 1985; TEX AND THE LORD OF THE DEEP - 1985; STAR KNIGHT - 1985; LULU BY NIGHT - 1986; FURY IN THE TROPICS - 1986 [Jesus Franco again]; ALONE AGAINST TERROR - 2011 [still more Franco]; SIDA, LA PESTA DEL SIGLO XX - 1986 [Another Franco film, reportedly finished but never released]; CRYSTALSTONE - 1987; BIBA LA BANDA - 1987 [also Directed & Written by Palacios, his last feature film direction, but he did direct future episodes of Spanish TV Series]; THE IMPECCABLE SINNER - 1987; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1987; GOING DOWN IN MOROCCO - 1989; THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1989; THE THINGS OF LOVE - 1989; HOT BLOOD - 1990; DANGEROUS GAMES - 1994 [German TV Movie]; DON JUAN - 1997 [TV mini-series]; DOLLAR FOR THE DEAD - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE GREEN MARCH - 2002 [his last acting role]. Mr. Palacios has literally dozens of features and TV Series that have never been subtitled or dubbed in English. Ricardo Palacios was 74 years-old.) - 02/11/15
GARY OWENS (Voice Actor/Actor/Narrator: Best known as the announcer [who would always cup a hand over his ear] on ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1973, Mr. Owens was one of the best voice actors and narrators [and occasional actor] to ever grace the TV screen. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THE NAKED WITCH - 1961 [Theatrical Film; narrator of prologue]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1965 [actor]; ROGER RAMJET - 1965 [voice of Roger Ramjet]; THE MUNSTERS - 1965-1966 [narrator and actor]; THE LAST OF THE SECRET AGENTS? - 1966 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; SUMMER FUN - 1966 [actor]; SPACE GHOST - 1966 [voice ofSpace Ghost]; MR. TERRIFIC - 1967 [announcer]; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966-1967 [newscaster on TV]; BATMAN - 1966-1967 [voice only; 3 episodes]; THE LOVE BUG - 1968 [Theatrical Film; appeared as the announcer]; THE PERILS OF PENELOPE PITSTOP - 1969 [narrator]; DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN - 1972 [Theatrical Film; narrator]; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1973 [announcer and regular performer; 140 episodes]; BARNABY JONES - 1973 [actor]; OUT TO LUNCH - 1974 [TV Movie; announcer]; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1975 [TV Reporter]; IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN! - 1975 [TV Movie; announcer]; THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE - 1975 [Theatrical Film; Radio newscaster]; THE SCOOBY-DOO/DYNOMUTT HOUR - 1976 [voice only]; MAN FROM ATLANTIS - 1977 [announcer]; SCOOBY'S LAFF-A-LYMPICS - 1977 [voice only]; CAPTAIN CAVEMAN AND THE TEEN ANGELS - 1977 [voice only]; RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN -1978 [Theatrical Film; newscaster]; COMING ATTRACTIONS - 1978 [Theatrical film; narrator]; YOGI'S SPACE RACE - 1978 [voice only]; DYNOMUTT DOG WONDER - 1978 [voice of Blue Falcon in 20 episodes]; LEGEND OF THE SUPERHEROES - 1979 [narrator]; GALACTICA 1980 [voice of Cy]; SPACE STARS - 1981 [voice of Space Ghost]; NO SOAP, RADIO - 1982 [skit performer]; HYSTERICAL - 1983 [Theatrical Film; TV announcer]; BREAKAWAY - 1983 [Host & Announcer]; THE MIGHTY ORBOTS - 1984 [voice only]; EUROPEAN VACATION - 1985 [Theatrical Film; 'Pig In A Poke' Announcer]; SIMON & SIMON - 1985 [actor]; YOGI'S TREASURE HUNT - 1985-1986 [narrator]; SESAME STREET - 1969-1986; [voice only; 6 episodes]; SLEDGE HAMMER! - 1987 [actor and announcer]; DTV MONSTER HITS [TV Movie; narrator]; DESTROYER - 1988 [Theatrical Film; game show announcer]; HOW I GOT INTO COLLEGE - 1989 [Theatrical Film; sports announcer]; THE SUPER MARIO BROS. SUPER SHOW - 1989 [voice only]; NIGHT COURT - 1989 [actor]; KILL CRAZY [Theatrical Film; actor]; BOBBY'S WORLD - 1990 [voice only]; DIGGING UP BUSINESS - 1991 [Theatrical Film; actor]; SQUARE ONE TV - 1988-1991 [voice only]; DINOSAURS - 1992 [narrator]; SCACED OUT - 1992 [TV Movie; Robot's voice]; GOOF TROOP - 1992 [voice only]; RAW TOONAGE - 1992 [voice only]; ADVENTURES OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG - 1993 [voice only]; TOM AND JERRY KIDS SHOW - 1990-1993 [voice only]; 2 STUPID DOGS - 1993 [voice only]; SKELETON WARRIORS - 1994 [voice only]; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1988-1994 [voice only; 42 episodes]; LOVE & WAR - 1994 [announcer]; SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD - 1994 [narrator]; THE REN & STIMPY SHOW - 1992-1994 [voice only; 6 episodes]; SWAT KATS: THE RADICAL SQUADRON - 1993-1994 [voice only; 22 episodes]; THE TWISTED TALES OF FELIX THE CAT - 1995 [voice only]; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1995 [voice only]; THE MASK - 1996 [voice only]; SPY HARD - 1996 [Theatrical Film; actor]; SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST - 1996 [announcer]; EEK! THE CAT - 1992-1997 [voice only; 31 episodes]; THE CARTOON CARTOON SHOW - 1997 [voice only]; BORDER TO BORDER - 1998 [Theatrical Film; actor]; THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES - 1998 [voice only]; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1998 [actor]; MUPPETS FROM SPACE - 1999 [Theatrical Film; uncredited actor]; THAT '70S SHOW - 1999 [announcer/narrator]; BUZZ LIGHTYEAR OF STAR COMMAND - 2000 [voice only]; JANE WHITE IS SICK & TWISTED - 2002 [Theatrical Film; actor]; FRANK MCKLUSKY, C.I. - 2002 [Theatrical film; actor]; DEXTER's LABORATORY - 1998-2003 [voice only]; COMIC BOOK: THE MOVIE - 2004 [Theatrical Film; actor]; JOHNNY BRAVO - 2004 [voice only]; WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE - 2008 [voice only]; BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD - 2011 [voice of Space Ghost]; THE ADVENTURES OF KAITLYN KITTY KAT KAY - 2015 [announcer; his last role]. Gary Owens was 80 years-old.) - 02/12/15
PAMELA CUNDELL (British Actress: Best known for her British TV series work, Ms. Cundell would occasionally venture out into theatrical films. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: BOOTSIE AND SNUDGE - 1961-1983; NO HIDING PLACE - 1965; ITV PLAY OFTHE WEEK - 1965; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1966; HALF A SIXPENCE - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; THEATRE 625 - 1968; UKRIDGE - 1968; THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL - 1968; THE BENNY HILL SHOW - 1968 [Benny Hill would use her for various incarnations of his series because of her comedic touch]; THIRTY MINUTE THEATRE - 1969; BARRY HUMPHRIES' SCANDALS - 1970; DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE - 1970; NEVER SAY DIE - 1970; MRS. DIGBY DARLING - 1971; ON THE BUSES - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; BACHELOR FATHER - 1971; THE FENN STREET GANG - 1971; THE BENNY HILL SHOW - 1972; THE LIVER BIRDS - 1972; CLOCHEMERLE - 1972; PARDON MY GENIE - 1972; THE TRAIN NOW STANDING - 1972 [6 episodes]; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1973; THIRTY MINUTES WORTH - 1973; LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; Oh, FATHER!- 1973; BERYL'S LOT - 1973; MARKED PERSONAL - 1974; BLESS THIS HOUSE - 1974; THE BEST OF BENNY HILL - 1974; Z CARS - 1970-1975 [3 episodes]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1975; DAWSON'S WEEKLY - 1975; THE GROWING PAINS OF PC PENROSE - 1975; SHADES OF GREENE - 1975; CLAYHANGER - 1976 [3 episodes]; EMILY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; THE XYY MAN - 1977 [3 episodes]; DAD'S ARMY - 1969-1977 [11 episodes]; SHE LOVES ME - 1978 [TV Movie]; ONLY WHEN I LAUGH - 1979; POTTER - 1980; HIM AND HIS ARMY - 1980 [TV Movie]; GRANDAD - 1979-1980; YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE - 1981; MEMOIRS OF A SURVIVOR - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; DOUBTING THOMAS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE WICKED LADY - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; PAUL THE OTHER ONE - 1984; TROUBLE AND STRIFE - 1986; BIG DEAL - 1984-1986 [Series regular; 29 episodes]; FRENCH AND SAUNDERS - 1987; BREAD - 1987; BOON - 1988; NO STRINGS - 1989; HOME JAMES! - 1990; LONDON'S BURNING - 1990; CASUALTY - 1991; THE BORROWERS - 1992 [-TV mini-series]; MINDER - 1982-1993 [3 episodes]; THE RETURN OF THE BORROWERS - 1993; GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART - 1993; A TOUCH OF FROST - 1994; THE CHOIR - 1995 [TV mini-series]; CROWN PROSECUTOR - 1995; THE DETECTIVES - 1996; PAUL MERTON IN GALTON AND SIMPSON'S... - 1997; SMITH & JONES - 1997; 24 7: TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; HOLBY CITY - 2001; THE BILL - 2001; PARADISE GROVE - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; BLACKBALL - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; THE JEALOUS GOD - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; EASTENDERS - 2005-2006 [5 episodes]; DOCTORS - 2001-2009 [4 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR WIFE - 2012 [Theatrical Film]; A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING - 2012 [Theatrical Film; Her last acting role]. Pamela Cundell was 95 years-old.) - 02/14/15
LOUIS JOURDAN (Actor: Suave French actor who took on a whole slew of different roles, but always with a sense of wealthy "nose-up-in-the-air" playfulness. His films and TV Series appearances included: LE CORSAIRE - 1939 [his debut]; COMEDY OF HAPPINESS - 1940; HER FIRST AFFAIR - 1941; PARADE EN 7 NUITS - 1941; L'ALESIENNE - 1942; TWILIGHT - 1942; IMMORTAL FRANCE - 1943; LES PETITES DU QUAI AUX FLEURS - 1944; TWILIGHT - 1944 [different than the 1942 film]; LA BOHEME - 1945; THE PARADINE CASE - 1947; LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN - 1948; NO MINOR VICES - 1948; MADAME BOVARY - 1949; BIRD OF PARADISE - 1951; ANNE OF THE INDIES - 1951; THE HAPPY TIME - 1952; A STRING OF BLUE BEADS - 1953 [TV Movie]; DECAMERON NIGHTS - 1953; FRANCOISE STEPS OUT - 1953; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1954 [TV Series]; THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - 1954 [Film won 2 Academy Awards®]; THE ELGIN HOUR - 1954 [TV Series]; PARIS PRECINCT - 1955 [TV Seriesregular; 22 episodes]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1955 [TV Series]; CLIMAX! - 1955 [TV Series]; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE SWAN - 1956; JULIE - 1956; HER BRIDAL NIGHT - 1956; CHEVRON HALL OF STARS - 1956 [TV Series]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1956-1957 [TV Series]; LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON - 1957; ESCAPADE - 1957; DANGEROUS EXILE - 1957; GIGI - 1958 [Golden Globes® nominee for Best Motion Picture Actor - Comedy/Musical; Film won 9 Academy Awards®]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1958 [TV Series]; THE BEST OF EVERYTHING - 1959; CAN-CAN - 1960 [Nominated by Directors Guild Award® for Walter Lang for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures; Won a Grammy Award® for Cole Porter for Best Soundtrack Album or Recording of Original Cast from a Motion Picture or TV; Nominated by Writers Guild Of America® for Best Written American Musical]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960 [TV Series]; AMAZONS OF ROME - 1961; THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1961; DISORDER - 1962; DARK JOURNEY - 1962; MATHIAS SANDORF - 1963; THE V.I.P.S - 1963; IRMA LA DOUCE - 1963 [Narrator; Film won one Academy Award® for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment for Andre Previn]; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964 [TV Series]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; MADE IN PARIS - 1966; THE SULTANS - 1966; TO COMMIT A MURDER - 1967; YOUNG REBEL - 1967; A FLEA IN HER EAR - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968 [TV Series]; TO DIE IN PARIS - 1968; FEAR NO EVIL - 1969 [TV Movie; one of the most sought-after TV films of all times]; RUN A CROOKED MILE - 1969 [TV Movie]; RITUAL OF EVIL - 1969 [TV Movie; sequel to FEAR NO EVIL]; THE F.B.I. - 1967-1971 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE GREAT AMERICAN BEAUTY CONTEST - 1973 [TV Movie]; PIANGE...IL TELEFONO - 1975; THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO - 1975 [TV MOVIE]; THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE MORE IT GOES, THE LESS IT GOES - 1977; COUNT DRACULA - 1977 [TV Movie; Jordan's portrayal of the Count is very underrated]; COLUMBO - 1978 [TV Series]; SILVER BEARS - 1978; SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO - 1979 [TV Series; voice only]; THE FRENCH ATLANTIC AFFAIR - 1979 [TV mini-series]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1980 [TV Series]; ALOHA PARADISE - 1981 [TV Series]; VEGA$ - 1980-1981; SWAMP THING - 1982 [many horror fans know him from this film]; OCTOPUSSY - 1983 [James Bond villain]; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1983-1983 [TV Series; Hosted 83 episodes as himself]; DOUBLE DEAL - 1983; HOTEL - 1984 [TV Series]; THE FIRST OLYMPICS: ATHENS 1896 - 1984 [TV mini-series]; COVER UP - 1984 [TV Series]; BEVERLY HILLS MADAM - 1986 [TV Movie]; GRAND LARCENY - 1987; GRACE KELLY: THE AMERICAN PRINCESS - 1987 [TV Documentary]; COUNTERFORCE - 1988; THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING - 1989; YEAR OF THE COMET - 1992 [his last acting role]. His son committed suicide by drug overdose in 1981, which made Jourdan take on fewer acting roles. It was he who found the body of his only child, Louis Henry, 29, in his Beverly Hills home. His son had suffered from depression and had apparently taken an overdose of drugs. The police labeled it a suicide, even though it may have been an accidental overdose. He was married to the same woman [Berthe 'Quique' Frederique Jourdan] from 1946 until her death in 2014 and once said in the late-70's: "When one has been married over thirty years, of course it would be absurd not to admit there have been some difficulties, at some times. But the important thing is that we have weathered them." He never watched any of his films and said he would rather be known as a character actor rather than an actor. Louis Jourdan was 93 years-old.) - 02/14/15
LASSE BRAUN (Italian Pornographic Director/Producer/Writer: Mr. Braun was a popular director of adult films [first softcore and then hardcore] who sometimes used the name "Alberto Ferro" [his real name] And "Falcon Stuart" for his films, which included: DIRTY HEAD - 1966 [Short]; GOLDEN BUTTERFLY - 1966 [Short]; CAKE ORGY - 1972 [Short]; CLOSE-UP - 1973 [Short]; TERRORIZED VIRGIN - 1974 [Short]; PENETRATION - 1974; WET DREAMS - 1974; AHAHAHAHAH! - 1974 [Short; Producer only]; SENSATIONS - 1975; KINKORAMA - 1976; SEX MANIACS - 1977; SATIN PARTY - 1977 [Short]; LOVE INFERNO - 1977; BODY LOVE - 1978; AMERICAN DESIRE - 1981; YOUNG NYMPHO - 1986; TEMPTATIONS OF THE FLESH - 1986; SECRET MISTRESS - 1986; HIDDEN FANTASIES - 1986; FLASHER - 1986; DEEP & WET - 1986; ITALIAN SEX - 1989; HOTEL BIZARRE - 1990; FANTASY NIGHTS - 1990 [Producer & Writer only]; TENDER BLUE EYES - 1992; BLAME IT ON THE VODKA - 1992 [Producer & Writer only]; MICHELLE - 1993 [Producer & Writer only]; DIAMONDS ARE FOR PLEASURE - 1996; UNCONTROLLABLE LUST - 1997; NIGHT AND DAY - 1998; INTRIGUE - 1999. As an attorney, he got his start in the adult-film business by defending people who were accused of selling "pornographic" pictures and movies in the 1960s. From there he began to make his own short adult films, then progressed to producing and directing full-length adult films. Lasse Braun was 79 years-old) - 02/16/15
JUNE FAIRCHILD (Actress: THE MONKEES - 1966 [TV Series]; WHERE ANGELS GO TROUBLE FOLLOWS! - 1968; HEAD - 1968; PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW - 1971; SUMMERTREE - 1971; DRIVE, HE SAID - 1971; TOP OF THE HEAP - 1972; YOUR THREE MINUTES ARE UP - 1973; DETROIT 9000 - 1973; DIRTY O'NEIL - 1974; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974; THE STUDENT BODY - 1976; SEXTETTE - 1978; UP IN SMOKE - 1978 [her last film]. June Fairchild was a Manhattan Beach prom queen, a go-go dancer, an actress who appeared in more than a dozen films and, for a time, an addict and alcoholic who slept in a cardboard box on skid row in Los Angeles. She was a known alcoholic who had many DUIs. She spent her last years living on Social Security disability payments in small rooms in downtown hotels. June Fairchild died at a Los Angeles convalescent home. The cause was liver cancer and she was 68 years-old.) - 02/17/15
HARRIS WITTELS (TV Writer/Producer/Actor: As a Writer: 2007 MTV MOVIE AWARDS - 2007; MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2007 - 2007; HUMAN GIANT - 2008; 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS - 2008; 2008 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS - 2008; SECRET GIRLFRIEND - 2009 [12 episodes]; LIVE AT GOTHAM - 2009; THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM - 2008-2010 [4 episodes]; EASTBOUND & DOWN - 2012 [2 episodes]; HUMBLEBRAG - 2012 [Video Short; also Actor]; THE BADGER'S PROMISE - 2013 [Short; also Director & Actor]; RUBBERHEAD - 2014 [TV Movie; also Actor]; COPS, CUM, DICKS AND FLYING - 2014 [Short; also Actor]; PARKS AND RECREATION - 2009-2015 [12 episodes; also Executive Story Editor of 30 episodes]. As a Producer: SECRET GIRLFRIEND - 2009 [6 episodes]; EASTBOUND & DOWN - 2012 [2 episodes]; PARKS AND RECREATION - 2011-2015 [77 episodes]. As an Actor: CHEAP SEATS: WITHOUT RON PARKER - 2006; STUDIO CDR ON THE FRANKLIN STRIP - 2006 [Short]; THE VERY FUNNY SHOW - 2007; THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM - 2007-2008 [3 episodes]; RONNA & BEVERLY - 2009 [TV Movie]; THE VACATIONAIRES - 2009 - [TV Video Short]; THE SUITS - 2010 [TV Series Shorts; 4 episodes]; UCB COMEDY ORIGINALS - 2010 [TV Series; THE BACK ROOM - 2010 [TV Series Short]; GUY TALK - 2012 {TV Short]; SUSAN 313 [TV Movie]; GUY TALK 2 - 2012 {TV Short]; COMEDY BANG! BANG! - 2012-2013 [2 episodes]; NEWSREADERS - 2014; PARKS AND RECREATION - 2010-2015 [8 episodes]; RICH GIRL PROBLEMS - 2012 [Short}. Harris Wittels died of a drug overdose and was just 30 years-old.) - 02/19/15
BRUCE SINOFSKY (Director/Producer: Influential documentary filmmaker [who usually worked a lot with co-director Joe Berlinger] whose three PARADISE LOST documentaries eventually led to the release of the "West Memphis Three". He also made some other influential documentaries, some serious, some funny; His credits included: BROTHER'S KEEPER - 1992 [Won a Directors Guild Of America Award® for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary/Actuality]; BEGGING GAME - 1995; PARADISE LOST: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HILLS - 1996 [Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Informational Programming]; WHERE IT'S AT: THE ROLLING STONE STATE OF THE UNION - 1998; PARADISE LOST 2: REVELATIONS - 2000 [Nominated for an Emmy Award®]; MOTLEY CRUE - 2001; AC/DC - 2001; GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT: THE LEGACY OF SUN RECORDS - 2001; ONE WHO DAY - 2002; HOLLYWOOD HIGH - 2003; METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER - 2004 [If you have never seen this one, I would advise you do; Won an Independent Spirit Award® for Best Documentary]; TEN DAYS THAT UNEXPECTEDLY CHANGED AMERICA - 2006; ADDICTION - 2007; SAN QUENTIN FILM SCHOOL - 2009 [TV Series documentary; 6 episodes]; PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY - 2011 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Documentary, Features; also nominated for an Emmy Award®]; OPRAH PRESENTS: MASTER CLASS - 2011-2012 [TV Series documentary; 5 episodes; ICONOCLASTS - 2005-2012 [TV Series documentary; 11 episodes]; OPRAH'S MASTER CLASS: CIVIL RIGHTS SPECIAL - 2015 [TV Documentary; his last film]. All totalled, Mr. Sinofsky and Mr. Berlinger won 17 major awards and were nominated 15 more times for their documentary work. Bruce Sinofsky died from complications from diabetes at 58 years-old.) - 02/21/15
PAUL NAPIER (Producer/Actor: Best known for portraying the original "Mr. Goodwrench" for GM from 1977 and then for several years, Mr. Napier was also an accomplished commercial actor(over 400 commercials), he served on the AFTRA board for nearly three decades, and Founded and Produced the first 19 Screen Actor Guild Awards from 1995 to 2013 [missing the 3rd and 4th shows]. He was also an actor who appeared on many TV series and theatrical movies. His credits included [TV Series unless noted}: FIREBALL 500 - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; THE BORN LOSERS - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; FELONY SQUAD - 1967-1968 [3 episodes]; THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW - 1967-1968 [3 episodes]; THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AMERICAN WIFE - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; THE F.B.I. - 1969; THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS - 1970; THE BOLD ONES: THE SENATOR - 1970; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1972; LUCAS TANNER - 1974; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1975; AMELIA EARHART - 1976 [TV Movie]; SST: DEATH FLIGHT - 1977 [TV Movie]; WESTSIDE MEDICAL - 1977; KILL ME IF YOU CAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE LAST HURRAH - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE CAMPUS CORPSE - 1977 [Theatrical Film; also known as THE HAZING]; KOJAK - 1978; HART TO HART - 1979; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1980; DYNASTY - 1981; STAND BY YOUR MAN - 1981 [TV Movie]; TAXI - 1983; HER LIFE AS A MAN - 1984 [TV Movie]; ROBERT KENNEDY AND HIS TIMES - 1985 [TV mini-series]; GETTING EVEN - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; KNOTS LANDING - 1986 [3 episodes]; FALCON CREST - 1987; L.A. LAW - 1989; WHEN WE WERE YOUNG - 1989 [TV Movie]; SISTER KATE - 1989; DRAGNET - 1990; HUNTER - 1990; DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; SAVED BY THE BELL: HAWAIIAN STYLE - 1992 [TV Movie]; COACH - 1993; BLOODLINES: MURDER IN THE FAMILY - 1983 [TV Movie]; SEAQUEST 2032 - 1994; TIME CHANGER - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; ROGUE GALAXY - 2005 [Video Game; voice only]; OLD GRACE - 2008 [Short]; DISHONORED - 2012 [Video Game; voice only]. Mr. Napier was also a longtime member of SAG's National Honors and Tributes Committee and was among the members who selected Life Achievement recipients. Paul Napier was 84 years-old.) - 02/21/15
BEN WOOLF (Actor; Diminutive actor [4' 3½"] best known for playing "Infantata" on the first season of AMERICAN HORROR STORY - 2011-2012 and "Meep" on AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW - 2014-2015. He was hit on the head by a side mirror of a fast-moving SUV as he was crossing the street and died four days later of head trauma and a stroke. He was very young and only had a few credits, which included: TV FACE - 2007 [TV Series]; EAGLEHEART - 2012 [TV Series]; WOGGIE - 2012 [Theatrical Film]; UNLUCKY CHARMS - 2013 [Theatrical Film]; DEAD KANSAS - 2013 [Theatrical Film]; HAUNTING CHARLES MANSON - 2014 [Theatrical Film]; TMI HOLLYWOOD - 2015 [TV Series]; AMERICAN HORROR STORY - 2011-2015 [TV Series]. He was also a Stunt Performer on an episode of the TV Series DEXTER in 2013. Ben Woolf was 34 years-old.) - 02/23/15
LEONARD NIMOY (Actor/Director/Singer: Best known as playing the pointy-eared emotionless half-Vulcan/half-Human Dr. Spock on the STAR TREK TV Shows and Theatrical Films, Mr. Nimoy had a wide and varied career and was never typecast [His friends called him Lenny]. His talent ranged from the Stage all the way to audio recordings and the world is now a sadder place without him in it. His films as an actor included: QUEEN FOR A DAY - 1951; RHUBARB - 1951; KID MONK BARONI - 1952; FRANCIS GOESTO WEST POINT - 1952; ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE - 1952; OLD OVERLAND TRAIL - 1953; THEM! - 1954 (where I first noticed him as an actor]; THE BRAIN EATERS - 1958 [a very large part in the film]; THE BALCONY - 1963; DEATHWATCH - 1966; VALLEY OF MYSTERY - 1967 [TV Movie]; ASSAULT ON THE WAYNE - 1971 [TV Movie]; CATLOW - 1971; BAFFLED! - 1973 [TV Movie}; THE ALPHA CAPER - 1973 [TV MOVIE]; REX HARRISON PRESENTS STORIES OF LOVE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE MISSING ARE DEADLY - 1975 [TV Movie; scared the crap out of me as a teenager]; INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS - 1978 [one of the better remakes ever made]; STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE - 1979 [Boring to the extreme, but popular enough at the boxoffice to spawn many sequels; some great, some good, some, terrible]; SEIZURE: THE STORY OF KATHY MORRIS - 1980 [TV Movie]; VINCENT - 1981 [TV Movie; also Director & Writer]; A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA - 1982 [TV Movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special]; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982 [a vast improvement over the first film and made the sequels push to make themselves better]; MARCO POLO - 1983 [TV mini-series]; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984 [also Director]; THE SUN ALSO RISES - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE - 1986 [voice of Galvatron]; STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME - 1986 [also Director and Story By credit; many, including myself, think this is the finest ST film]; STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER - 1989 [religious metaphysical claptrap directed by William Shatner who proves he is no Leonard Nimoy]; NEVER FORGET - 1991 [TV Movie]; STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY - 1991 [also Story By credit]; THE HALLOWEEN TREE - 1993 [TV Movie; voice only]; THE PAGEMASTER - 1994 [voice only]; BONANZA: UNDER ATTACK - 1995 [TV Movie]; DAVID - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON - 1997 [MFHV]; THE LOST WORLD - 1998 [TV Movie]; BRAVE NEW WORLD - 1998 [TV Movie]; RASHI: A LIGHT AFTER THE DARK AGES - 1999 [voice only]; SINBAD: BEYOND THE VEIL OF MISTS - 2000 [voice only]; ATLANTIS THE LOST EMPIRE - 2001 [voice only]; STAR TREK - 2009 [the first reboot of the series]; LAND OF THE LOST - 2009 [voice only]; TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON - 2011 [voice of Sentinel Prime]; ZAMBEZIA - 2012 [voice only]; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS - 2013 [his last acting role]; TO BE TAKEI - 2014 [Documentary]. Mr. Nimoy's many TV series appearances included such shows as: FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953; YOUR FAVORITE STORY - 1955; LUKE AND THE TENDERFOOT - 1955; NAVY LOG - 1956; THE MAN CALLED X - 1956; WEST POINT - 1956-1957; HIGHWAY PATROL - 1957-1958; HARBOR COMMAND- 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1957-1958 [3 episodes]; BROKEN ARROW - 1957-1958 [3 episodes]; CIMARRON CITY - 1958; MACKENZIE'S RAIDERS - 1959; STEVE CANYON - 1959; 26 Men - 1959 [3 episodes]; DRAGNET - 1954-1959; THE ROUGH RODERS - 1959; COLT .45 - 1959; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1959; LOCK UP - 1960; M SQUAD - 1959-1960; SEAHUNT - 1958-1960 [8 episodes]; TATE - 1960; OUTLAWS - 1960; THE REBEL - 1960; BONANZA - 1960; THE TALL MAN - 1960-1961; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1961; RAWHIDE - 1961; TWO FACES WEST - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961; TWILIGHT ZONE ["A Quality Of Mercy - 1961"]; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; LARAMIE - 1962; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; WAGON TRAIN - 1959-1962 [4 episodes]; STONEY BURKE - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1962; PERRY MASON - 1963; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1963; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1963; DR. KILDARE - 1964; THE LIEUTENANT - 1964; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963-1964; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["I, Robot" - 1964; "Production And Decay Of Strange Particles" - 1964]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964; PROFILES IN COURAGE - 1964; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1965; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964-1965; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; COMBAT! - 1963-1965; THE MAN CALLED SHENENDOAH - 1965; DANIEL BOONE - 1966; GET SMART - 1966; GUNSMOKE - 1961-1966 [4 episodes]; STAR TREK - 1966-1969 [the series that made him a star; 79 episodes; Nominated 3 times for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969-1971 [series regular for two years]; NIGHT GALLERY ["She'll Be Company For You" - 1972]; COLUMBO - 1973; STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 1973-1974 [voice only; 22 episodes]; IN SEARCH OF... - 1976-1982 [On-Screen Narrator for 146 episodes; also wrote 2 episodes; Robert Vaughn narrated the pilot episode, but declined to host the series. Rod Serling narrated the initial TV specials, but died before the regular series began and Nimoy was cast in the role; This show use to scare the shit out of me]; T.J. HOOKER - 1983 [Nimoy reunites with Shatner on TV]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1986; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1991 [played Mr. Spock for a 2-part episode, the second part being shot first due to Nimoy's schedule]; THE OUTER LIMITS ["I, Robot" remake - 1995]; THE SIMPSONS - 1993-1997 [voice only]; ANCIENT MYSTERIES - 1994-1997 [Host/Narrator]; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1997 [voice only]; THE HARRYHAUSEN CHRONICLES - 1998 [TV Documentary; narrator]; INVASION AMERICA - 1998 [4
episodes]; BECKER - 2001; FUTURAMA - 1999-2002 [voice only]; WILLIAM SHATNER IN CONCERT - 2006 [TV Special Documentary]; THE BIG BANG THEORY - 2012 [voice only]; HISTORY'S MYSTERIES - 2008-2011 [TV Documentaries; narrator]; FRINGE - 2009-2011 [11 episodes; a great way to end a TV career; his role as William Bell was mysterious and creepy from the alternate Universe he help create. Saturn Award® winner in 2010 for Best Guest Starring Role on Television]. As a Director: NIGHT GALLERY [TV Series; "Death On A Barge" - 1973]; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1982 [TV Series]; T.J. HOOKER - 1983 [TV Series]; 3 MEN AND A BABY - 1987; THE GOOD MOTHER - 1988; BODY WARS - 1989 [Short]; FUNNY ABOUT LOVE - 1990; HOLY MATRIMONY - 1994; DEADLY GAMES - 1995 [TV Series]; He also directed The Bangles' 1984 music video "Going Down to Liverpool". Leonard Nimoy also did nearly 150 documentaries, usually as the narrator or a participant and many were about the STAR TREK phenomena [which he has never stated he regretted doing, unlike other members of the series]; did voice work on many STAR TREK-based video games, appeared as a panelist on Game Shows and did late night & morning Talk Shows for interviews. Nimoy also had a star on the Walk Of Fame on January 16, 1985, at 6651 Hollywood Blvd. and was nominated and won many awards including the Life Career Award [in 1987] and Lifetime Achievement Award [in 2009] by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films®. He was nominated for an Emmy Award® four times, but never won. His Stage credits have included FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, OLIVER, CAMELOT and EQUUS and hit #121 on the Billboard Singles Chart in 1967 with "Visit to a Sad Planet". Leonard Nimoy was a man of many talents and will be missed by everyone who worked, watched and loved him [which also includes President Obama, who wrote this tear-jerking goodbye to Leonard Nimoy and Mr. Spock: "Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock. Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Treks optimistic, inclusive vision of humanitys future. I loved Spock. In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for Live long and prosper. And after 83 years on this planet and on his visits to many others its clear Leonard Nimoy did just that. Michelle and I join his family, friends, and countless fans who miss him so dearly today." More praises for Leonard Nimoy flowed in soon after: Zachary Quinto, who took over the role of Spock in the STAR TREK reboot and acted alongside Nimoy in two films thanks to the films' time-twisting plot lines, shared on his Instagram, "My heart is broken. I love you profoundly my dear friend. And I will miss you every day. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." STAR TREK reboot director J.J. Abrams penned, "Dearest Leonard. What a man you were. What a life you lived. As funny and thoughtful and generous and loving as you were talented. You taught us all, at every encounter. We will miss and love you forever." A trio of Star Trek captains also remembered their fallen comrade. "It is with sadness that I heard of Leonard Nimoy's death. I was lucky to spend many happy,
inspiring hours with him. He won't be forgotten," tweeted Patrick Stewart, who played Jean-Luc Picard on the TV spin-off STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Following news of Nimoy's death, his longtime co-star William Shatner wrote, "I loved him like a brother. We will all miss his humor, his talent, and his capacity to love." Chris Pine, who portrays Captain Kirk in the STAR TREK cinematic reboot, tweeted simply, "The world has become a darker place." One of the most unique messages of remembrance for the legendary STAR TREK star came from the final frontier of space itself, when NASA astronaut Terry Virts posted a photo doing a Vulcan hand salute on the International Space Station. The simple message LLAP - meaning Live long and prosper - accompanied the split-fingered sign made famous by Spock, which was framed by the coastline of Nimoys home state of Massachusetts.]. I will sure miss him, too. If there is an afterlife, may he Live Long and Prosper. It just will never be the same not hearing his booming voice on TV and in films, but at least we have his body of work to fall back on. And what a body of work! Leonard Nimoy died of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was 83 years-old.). - 02/27/15
RICHARD BAKALYAN (Actor: Great character actor [sometimes billed as "Dick Bakalyan"] with that familiar face that you would recognize immediately, but never know his name. Was popular in supporting roles on both films and TV Series. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: ATTILA - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; LUKE AND THE TENDERFOOT - 1955; OFFICIAL DETECTIVE - 1957; THE DELINQUENTS - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; THE DELICATEDELINQUENT - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; DINO - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; THE BROTHERS RICO - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; HEAR ME GOOD - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; THE LINEUP - 1957; CASEY JONES - 1957; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1957-1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; THE COOL AND THE CRAZY - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; JUVENILE JUNGLE - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; THE BONNIE PARKER STORY - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; PANIC! - 1958; HOT CAR GIRL - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; BAT MASTERSON - 1959; THE D.A.'S MAN - 1959; PARATROOP COMMAND - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; UP PERISCOPE - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE LAWLESS YEARS - 1959; U.S. MARSHAL - 1959; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1959; -30- - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE DEPUTY - 1959; PETER GUNN - 1959; HENNESSEY - 1959; TIGHTROPE - 1959; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1960; JOHNNY RINGO - 1960; MR. LUCKY - 1960; LOCK UP - 1960; DAN RAVEN - 1960; THE TALL MAN - 1960; LAS VEGAS BEAT - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1961; CHECKMATE - 1961; THE REBEL - 1959-1961 [4 episodes]; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1961; MIAMI UNDERCOVER - 1961; HOLIDAY LODGE - 1961; THE ERRAND BOY - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; LAWMAN - 1961; THE NEW BREED - 1962; PANIC IN YEAR ZERO! - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; DR. KILDARE - 1962; PRESSURE POINT - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1963; OPERATION BIKINI - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; LARAMIE - 1963; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1960-1963 [6 episodes]; WAGON TRAIN - 1963; CHANNING - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964; BEN CASEY - 1964; THE PATSY - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; NONE BUT THE BRAVE - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; WENDY AND ME - 1965; LUKE AND THE TENDERFOOT - 1965 [TV Movie; used footage of actor's 50's TV series appearance] NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS - 1965; VON RYAN'S EXPRESS - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; BRANDED - 1965; MR. ROBERTS - 1966; COMBAT! - 1962-1966; FOLLOW ME, BOYS! - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; THE MONROES - 1966; THE TAMMY GRIMES SHOW - 1966; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967; THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; HONDO - 1967; CIMARRON STRIP - 1967; GARRISON'S GORILLAS - 1968; DEAN MARTIN PRESENTS THE GOLDDIGGERS - 1968 [played himself]; BATMAN - 1966-1968 [6 episodes]; NEVER A DULL MOMENT - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; MOD SQUAD - 1968; FELONY SQUAD - 1968; GUNSMOKE - 1966-1969; THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1970; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971; NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; MANNIX - 1967-1972 [3 episodes]; THE BOBBY DARIN SHOW - 1973; CHARLEY AND THE ANGEL - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; CHINATOWN - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; CHASE - 1974; THE MANHUNTER - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1975 ["The Trevi Collection"]; THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; KOJAK - 1975; CANNON - 1974-1975; THE WHIZ KID AND THE CARNIVAL CAPER - 1976 [TV Movie]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; WOMAN OF THE YEAR - 1976 [TV Movie]; VIVA VALDEZ - 1976; SWITCH - 1976; THE SHAGGY D.A. - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1977; MOST WANTED - 1977; EMERGENCY! - 1975-1977 [3 episodes]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1977; PINE CANYON IS BURNING - 1977 [TV Movie]; BUNCO - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1978; BARNABY JONES - 1977-1978; RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; H.O.T.S. - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; CHiPS - 1980; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1980; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980; THE MAN WITH BOGART'S FACE - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; VEGA$ - 1978-1981 [5 episodes]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1978-1981 [3 episodes]; THE FOX AND THE HOUND - 1981 [Theatrical Film; Voice only]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981; HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG - 1982; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983; SHOOTING STARS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE FALL GUY - 1981-1984; BLAME IT ON THE NIGHT - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; MATT HOUSTON - 1984; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984; HEART OF A CHAMPION: THE RAY MANCINI STORY - 1985 [TV Movie]; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1986; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1987; SLEDGE HAMMER! - 1987; HUNTER - 1987-1988 [3 episodes]; MATLOCK - 1987-1990; CONFESSIONS OF A HITMAN - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; HUDSON STREET - 1995; BAYWATCH NIGHTS - 1995-1996; JAG - 1998; MILLENNIUM - 1998 [the episode "Somehow, Satan Got Behind Me", one of the few comedic episodes of the series]; DISCHORD - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; THE BLAIR WITCH MOUNTAIN PROJECT - 2002 [Short; played himself] LAS VEGAS - 2004; COLD CASE - 2004; ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL - 2006 [Theatrical
Film]; MY NAME IS EARL - 2008 [his last acting role]. Mr. Bakalyan was also Producer and Screenwriter of the violent 1970 Western FIVE SAVAGE MEN [a.k.a. THE ANIMALS]. According to IMDb: "Got a foot in the door playing juvenile delinquents in low-budget "teenpix" in the 1950s right after the James Dean rebel phase kicked in. Was typecast as the leader of a street gang in his first film, Robert Altman's THE DELINQUENTS [1957], seeing as how he actually was somewhat of a juvenile delinquent, having done a year's probation at age 15. This role was followed with another gang member appearance in Jerry Lewis' THE DELICATE DELINQUENT [1957]." and "He and fellow actor Dickie Jones were arrested in Kansas City for "vagrancy" while shooting THE COOL AND THE CRAZY [1958] on location in that city. The pair were standing on the sidewalk between takes, in full "JD" getup, when they were noticed by police who thought they actually were teenage gang members and hauled them in. It took several hours for the film company to straighten things out and get the two released from jail." Both he and Leonard Nimoy, who co-starred in LUKE AND THE TENDERFOOT [1955] together, passed away on the same day. He was also great friends with singer/actor Bobby Darin and was one of the last people to see him alive. Richard Bakalyan was 84 years-old.) - 02/27/15
DANIEL VON BARGEN (Actor: Dependable character actor Von Bargen will forever be known to me as the supremely evil Nix in Clive Barker's LORD OF ILLUSIONS - 1995, but he had a widely varied career on both films and TV. His films included: THE SCARLET LETTER - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE DEAN OF THIN AIR - 1983 [TV Movie]; RIGHT TO KILL? - 1985 [TV Movie]; SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991; COMPANY BUSINESS - 1991; SHADOWS AND FOG - 1991; THE GOOD POLICEMAN - 1991; COMPLEX WORLD - 1992; BASIC INSTINCT - 1992; CITIZEN COHN - 1992 [TVMovie]; THE LAST HIT - 1993 [TV Movie]; ROBOCOP 3 - 1993; WITH HOSTILE INTENT - 1993 [TV Movie]; SCAM - 1993; RISING SUN - 1993; THE SAINT OF FORT WASHINGTON - 1993; SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION - 1993; PHILADELPHIA - 1993; THE GIFT OF LOVE - 1994 [TV Movie]; I.Q. - 1994; THE SHAMROCK CONSPIRACY - 1995 [TV Movie]; CRIMSON TIDE - 1995; LORD OF ILLUSIONS - 1995 [once seen, Nix is never forgotten]; TRUMAN - 1995 [TV Movie]; LOOKING FOR RICHARD - 1996; BROKEN ARROW - 1996; BEFORE AND AFTER - 1996; THE WRITING ON THE WALL - 1996 [TV Movie]; THINNER - 1996 [played the Judge cursed by the old man to grow scaly skin]; G.I. JANE - 1997; THE REAL BLONDE - 1997; TROUBLE ON THE CORNER - 1997; AMISTAD - 1997; THE POSTMAN - 1997 [excellent role; When he was making this film, he was forced to remain on location in Washington State and was unable to go to his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Kevin Costner, director/star of the film, took time out from filming and helped him make a video for his parents to make up for his absence.]; DESERT BLUE - 1998; I'M LOSING YOU - 1998; INFERNO - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE FACULTY - 1998; A CIVIL ACTION - 1998; THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER - 1999; UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN - 1999; SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS - 1999; A QUESTION OF FAITH - 2000; O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? - 2000; SHAFT - 2000; THE KID - 2000; SUPER TROOPERS - 2001 [funny role]; TRIGGER HAPPY - 2001; THE MAJESTIC - 2001; COASTLINES - 2002; S1M0NE - 2002; ARTWORKS - 2003; DEAD HORSE - 2004; DRIP - 2005; THINGS THAT HANG FROM TREES - 2006; LONDON BETTY - 2009 [his last role]. His TV Series appearances included: GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1974; VISIONS - 1976; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1985; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1985-1986; H.E.L.P. - 1990; GUIDING LIGHT - 1993; ONE WEST WAIKIKI - 1994; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1994-1995; NYPD BLUE - 1996; THE WEST - 1996 [TV Series Documentary; voice only]; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1995-1997; LEWIS & CLARK: THE JOURNEY OF THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY - 1997 [TV Documentary; voice only]; THE PRETENDER - 1998; SIGNIFICANT OTHERS - 1998; SEINFELD - 1997-1998 [played "Kruger", George's "I don't care" boss for 4 episodes]; THE X-FILES - ["The Pine Bluff Variant" - 1998]; ARLI$$ - 1998; PARTY OF FIVE - 1998; FANTASY ISLAND - 1999; THE PRACTICE - 1999; MARGARET SANGER - 1999 [TV Documentary; voice only]; CITY OF ANGELS - 2000; TIME OF YOUR LIFE - 2000; THE FEARING MIND - 2000; THE WEST WING - 2000; ALLY MCBEAL - 2001; JUDGING AMY - 2001; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2000-2002 [played "Commandant Edwin Spangler" in 15 episodes]; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2003; LAW & ORDER - 1991-2004 [3 episodes]. Daniel Von Bargen suffered from severe depression. On February 20, 2012, 911 (emergency) were called after he shot himself in the temple with a .38 caliber gun. He was listed in critical condition after the shooting. He recovered and blamed being diagnosed with having diabetes as the reason for his suicide attempt. Daniel Von Bargen passed away after what relatives said was a "long illness" and was 64 years-old.) - 02/28/15
LYNN BORDEN (Actress: Although her acting career started in 1962 and she has a little more than 40 film and TV credits total [not including her one season as a regular on the TV series HAZEL - 1965-1966] , Ms. Borden still made a few films for us genre lovers, but never in a starring role. Her credits included: DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - 1962; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1963 [TV Series]; THE FUGITIVE - 1963 [TV Series]; THE NEW PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1963 [TV Series]; THE CARPETBAGGERS - 1964; WHAT A WAY TO GO! - 1964; ROUSTABOUT - 1964; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964 [TV Series]; HAZEL - 1965-1966 [TV Series; 29 episodes]; THE F.B.I. - 1968 [TV Series]; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1967-1968 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE WRECKING CREW - 1968; IRONSIDE - 1969 {TV Series]; GET SMART - 1967-1969 [TV Series]; BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE - 1969; MOD SQUAD - 1969 [TV Series]; FROGS - 1972 [death by snapping turtles!]; THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID - 1972; THE WEEKEND NUN - 1972 [TV Movie]; BLACK MAMA WHITE MAMA - 1973 [portrays lesbian "Matron Densmore"]; WALKING TALL - 1973; THIS IS A HIJACK - 1973; BREEZY - 1973; THE WHIZ KID AND THE MYSTERY AT RIVERTON - 1974 [TV Movie]; DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY - 1974; THE BIG RIP-OFF - 1975 [TV Movie]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1975 [TV Series]; POLICE STORY - 1975 [TV Series]; PETROCELLI - 1976 [TV Series]; ST. IVES - 1976; THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY - 1977 [TV mini-series]; DOG AND CAT - 1977 [TV Movie]; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977 [TV Series]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978 [TV Movie]; CENTENNIAL - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE FALL GUY - 1982 [TV Series]; SAVANNAH SMILES - 1982; HELLHOLE - 1985 [portrayed Judy Landers' mother]; CSI: NY - 2006 [TV Series; her last role}. Ms. Borden was Miss Arizona 1957 in the 1958 Miss America Pageant (won by Colorado's Marilyn Van Derbur). She was a Swimsuit Preliminary Award winner and also was a top 10 semi-finalist. In July 2007 she was a guest at the Western Film Fair in Charlotte, NC, along with Jacqueline Scott, Betty Lynn, Lana Wood, Joyce Meadows, Rick Lenz, Brett Halsey and Robert Dix. First met current husband Roger Brunelle in the 1960's when he repaired her Corvette. They married years later [in 1982, which explains her long gap in her credits] after their previous marriages had ended and stayed married until her death. Lynn Borden was 77 years-old.) - 3/03/15
HARVE BENNETT (Producer/Writer: Mr. Bennett was a well-known producer and screenwriter of both TV series and theatrical films, especially the STAR TREK series of theatrical movies. His credits as Producer included: NOW IS TOMORROW - 1959 {TV Movie; Associate Producer & Creator]; MOD SQUAD - 1968-1971 [TV Series; Produced 45 episodes & Creator of 123 episodes; nominated for an Emmy Award® in 1970 for Outstanding Dramatic Series]; THE BIRDMEN - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE ASTRONAUT - 1972 [TV Movie]; FAMILY FLIGHT - 1972 [TV Movie]; YOU'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN - 1973 [TV Movie]; RUNAWAY! - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE ALPHA CAPER - 1973[TV MOVIE]; MONEY TO BURN - 1973 [TV Movie]; DEATH RACE - 1973 [TV Movie]; HEATWAVE! - 1974 [TV Movie]; HOUSTON, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM - 1974 [TV Movie]; GUILTY OR INNOCENT: THE SAM SHEPPARD CASE - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975 [TV Series; 11 episodes]; RICH MAN, POOR MAN - 1976 [TV mini-series; 9 episodes; nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Limited Series]; GEMINI MAN - 1976 [TV Series; 12 episodes]; RIDING WITH DEATH - 1976 [TV Movie; also Creator]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976-1977 [TV Series; 38 episodes; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1978 [TV Series; 98 episodes]; GO WEST, YOUNG GIRL - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE AMERICAN GIRLS - 1978 [TV Series]; SALVAGE 1 - 1979 [TV Series; 19 episodes]; FROM HERE TO ETERNITY - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN GUN - 1979 [TV Movie]; NICK AND THE DOBERMANS - 1980 [TV Movie]; FROM HERE TO ETERNITY - 1980 [TV Series]; ALEX AND THE DOBERMAN GANG - 1980 [TV Movie]; QUIZ KIDS - 1981 [TV Series]; A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA - 1982 [TV MOVIE; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Drama Special]; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982 [also Story By credit]; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1982 [TV Series]; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1983 [also screenwriter and Flight Recorder voice]; THE JESSE OWENS STORY - 1984 [TV Movie}; STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME - 1986 [also screenwriter; considered by many, including myself, to be the best film in the series]; STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER - 1989 [also Story By credit; Razzie Award® winner for Worst Picture and rightfully so, as director William Shatner {hoping to have the success fellow cast member Leonard Nimoy did directing the previous two STAR TREK films} turned the STAR TREK franchise into a religious piece of jumbled mindless claptrap]; TIME TRAX - 1993-1994 [TV Series; 43 episodes]; INVASION AMERICA - 1998 [TV Series; Produced & Created 13 episodes]. As a Writer: THE YOUNG REBELS - 1970 [TV Series]; MOD SQUAD - 1973 [5 episodes]; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975 [11 episodes]; GEMINI MAN - 1976 [4 episodes]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1977 [2 episodes]; CRASH LANDING: THE RESCUE OF FLIGHT 232 - 1992 [TV Movie]; TIME TRAX - 1994 [4 episodes]; INVASION AMERICA [2 episodes]. Mr. Bennett also directed a 1994 episode of TIME TRAX titled "Dream Team" and acted in STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER as "Starfleet Chief of Staff Robert Bennett", appeared as himself in the TV documentary STAR TREK 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - 1991; appeared in an episode of TIME TRAX in 1993 titled "A Stranger in Time"; appeared as himself in an episode of TV's BIOGRAPHY titled "Leonard Nimoy: Spock and Beyond" [ironically, their deaths would be less than a week apart]; voiced "President McAllister" in 7 episodes of INVASION AMERICA; was the Aurora Computer voice in the short film FINAL RUN - 2010 [his last credit]; and was appearing as himself in the documentary THE CON OF WRATH at the time of his death, No word if or when the documentary would be released. Here is Bennett's take on the late Gene Roddenberry: "I had very little to do with Roddenberry on the movies. I was fortunate enough to have a mandate from Paramount not to pay any attention to him, which is easier said than done because he is the master manipulator of a large and loyal following. It's like the Bolshevik party, it isn't that there were so many of them, it's just that they were so smart and vociferous. He is a remarkable visionary, but a very bad supervisor of other writers. I don't want to rake muck, because it is not my nature to do that. There is a tremendous misconception about Roddenberry. I am his replacement. His vengeance, some say, is STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. He alienated some really creative people who were doing the very best to make his show a hit. That's the summation of what my perspective is." Harve Bennett left the Star Trek universe [he was offered $1.5 million to Produce STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY - 1991, but turned it down] when Rodenberry and his fanbase viciously opposed his idea of making a STAR TREK prequel, with much younger actors playing the roles of Kirk, Spock, etc.. J.J. Abrams was very successful with the idea in 2009 with the reboot of STAR TREK. Harve Bennett was 84 years-old.) - 03/04/15
ALBERT MAYSLES (Documentary Filmmaker/Cinematographer: Maysles is best known for making the documentary GIMME SHELTER - 1970, which showed The Rolling Stones at the Altamont Free Concert, warts and all [including a Hell's Angel stabbing to death a fan who was brandishing a gun; the Hell's Angels were stupidly hired as "security"], but Maysles made many more films [usually with his brother David Maysles, who passed away in 1987 at age 55], all of them documentaries. They included: PSYCHIATRY IN RUSSIA - 1955; YOUTH IN POLAND - 1957; SHOWMAN - 1963 [about movie magnate Joseph E. Levine]; WHAT'S HAPPENING!: THE BEATLES IN THE U.S.A. - 1964 [TV Documentary]; THE DELEGATE - 1964; SALESMAN - 1968 [six weeks in the lives of four door-to-door Bible salesmen]; GIMME SHELTER - 1970 [a stark contrast to the happiness of WOODSTOCK]; CHRISTO'S VALLEY CURTAIN - 1974 [Documentary short; nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Documentary, Short Subjects]; GREY GARDENS - 1975 [absorbing look that was a profile of Jacqueline Onassis' eccentric cousins and was later made into a 2009 drama on HBO starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange]; RUNNING FENCE - 1977; OZAWA - 1985 [TV Documentary]; VLADIMIR HOROWITZ: THE LAST ROMANTIC - 1985 [TV Documentary; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Classical Music/Dance Programming - Directing]; HOROWITZ PLAYS MOZART - 1987; ISLANDS - 1987 [TV Documentary]; JESSYE NORMAN SINGS CARMEN - 1988; CHRISTO IN PARIS - 1990; THE BEATLES: THE FIRST U.S. VISIT - 1991; SOLDIERS OF MUSIC - 1991 [Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Individual - Informational Programming]; BAROQUE DUET - 1992 [TV Documentary]; ABORTION: DESPERATE CHOICES - 1992 [TV Documentary]; SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: SWIMSUITS '92 - 1992 [MFHV]; UMBRELLAS - 1994; CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ROLLING STONES - 1994 [TV Documentary]; LETTING GO: A HOSPICE JOURNEY - 1996; CONCERT OF WILLS: THE MAKING OF THE GETTY CENTER - 1997; THIS IS AN ADVENTURE - 2005 [MFHV]; THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS - 2006; A MOTHER'S DESPERATION - 2007 [TV Documentary]; THE GATES - 2007; SALLY GROSS: THE PLEASURE OF STILLNESS - 2007; MUHAMMAD AND LARRY - 2009 [TV Documentary]; THE LOVE WE MAKE - 2011; IRIS - 2014; IN TRANSIT - 2015 [his last film]. In total, Albert Maysles won 23 awards at films festivals for his work and was nicknamed "The Dean Of Documentaries". Mr. Maysles was also a cinematographer, not only on his documentaries, but other directors' documentaries. He never worked on a fictional film. Albert Maysles was 88 years-old.). - 03/05/15
DANNY LERNER (Producer/Director/Writer: Born in Haifa, Israel, Lerner began his career at a drive-in theater in Israel before he joined Nu World Productions [one of the premiere DTV maker of action and horror films during the 90's to the New Millennium] in 1986 as an Associate Producer. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998 and soon thereafter founded production company Millennium Films with Avi Lerner [his brother], Danny Dimbort and Trevor Short. His death was announced nearly two weeks after he passed away. His credits asProducer included: YOU'RE FAMOUS - 1989; FUNNY FACE - 1989; LETHAL NINJA - 1992; CYBORG COP - 1993; POINT OF IMPACT - 1993; WOMAN OF DESIRE - 1994; PROJECT SHADOWCHASER II - 1994; CYBORG COP II - 1994; NEVER SAY DIE - 1994 [also "Story By" Credit]; DEADLY OUTBREAK - 1995; SOLAR FORCE - 1995; BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT - 1995; LIVE WIRE 2: HUMAN TIMEBOMB - 1995; CYBORG COP III - 1995; WARHEAD - 1996 [also "Story By" Credit]; DANGER ZONE - 1996 [also "Story By" Credit]; ORION'S KEY - 1996 [also "Story By" Credit]; SUNDAY - 1997; OPERATION DELTA FORCE - 1997 [also "Story By" Credit]; MERCHANT OF DEATH - 1997 [also "Story By" Credit]; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 2: MAYDAY - 1997 [also "Story By" Credit]; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 3: CLEAR TARGET - 1998 [also "Story By" Credit]; SWEEPERS - 1998 [also Second Unit Director]; BRIDGE OF DRAGONS - 1999; THE 4TH FLOOR - 1999; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 4: DEEP FAULT - 1999 [also "Story By" Credit]; TRAITOR'S HEART - 1999 [also Director and "Story By" Credit]; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 5: RANDOM FIRE - 2000 [also "Story By" Credit]; U.S. SEALS - 2000 [also "Story By" Credit]; THE ALTERNATE - 2000; CITY OF FEAR - 2000; SPIDERS - 2000; CROCODILE - 2000; OCTOPUS - 2000; FOR THE CAUSE - 2000; SHARK ATTACK 2 - 2000; SPIDERS II: BREEDING GROUND - 2001; REPLICANT - 2001; U.S. SEALS II - 2001; TICKER - 2001 [perhaps the worst Steven Seagal film ever, and that's saying a lot!]; THE GREY ZONE - 2001; EDGES OF THE LORD - 2001; OCTOPUS II: RIVER OF FEAR - 2001 [also "Story By" Credit]; THE ORDER - 2001; PANIC - 2002; HARD CA$H - 2002; DERAILED - 2002; FROGMEN: OPERATION STORMBRINGER - 2002 [also "Story By" Credit]; PARTING GIFTS - 2002; SHARK ATTACK 3: MEGALODON - 2002; SUBMARINES - 2003; MARINES - 2003; RATS - 2003; DEATH TRAIN - 2003 [also "Story By" Credit]; DISASTER - 2003 [also "Story By" Credit]; DEN OF LIONS - 2003; SPECIAL FORCES - 2003; IN HELL - 2003 [one of Van Damme's best DTV flicks]; ALIEN HUNTER - 2003; OUT FOR A KILL - 2003 [also "Story By" Credit]; AIR MARSHAL - 2003; SHARK ZONE - 2003 [also Director and "Story By" Credit]; AIR STRIKE - 2004; RAGING SHARKS - 2005 [also Director]; TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY - 2005 [also Director]; TODAY YOU DIE - 2005 [also "Story By" Credit]; THE CUTTER - 2005; THE CONTRACT - 2006; WICKED LITTLE THINGS - 2006; THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BOBBY Z - 2007; HERO WANTED - 2008; WAR, INC. - 2008; TRAIN - 2008; THE PRINCE & ME 3: A ROYAL HONEYMOON - 2008; THICK AS THIEVES - 2009; DIRECT CONTACT - 2009 [also Director and "Story By" Credit]; STREETS OF BLOOD - 2009; COMMAND PERFORMANCE - 2009; NINJA - 2009; COOL DOG - 2010 [also Director and "Story By" Credit]; CONAN THE BARBARIAN - 2011; THE EXPENDABLES 2 - 2012; OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN - 2013; KILLING SEASON - 2013; HOMEFRONT - 2013; THE LEGEND OF HERCULES - 2014; THE EXPENDABLES 3 - 2014; AUTOMATA - 2014; LONDON HAS FALLEN - 2015 [his last producer credit]. Mr. Lerner also directed FINDING RIN TIN TIN - 2007; and SHARK IN VENICE - 2009; and got "Story By" credits on the films MERCENARY FOR JUSTICE - 2006 [also Unit Director and Executive In Charge Of Production]; and SHARK IN VENICE - 2009. He was also Production Supervisor, Unit Supervisor or Production Manager on the following films: MASTER OF DRAGONARD HILL - 1987; DRAGONARD - 1987; SKELETON COAST - 1988; HOWLING IV: THE ORIGINAL NIGHTMARE - 1988; AMERICAN NINJA 3: BLOOD HUNT - 1989; THE HOUSE OF USHER - 1989; THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH - 1989; BURIED ALIVE - 1990. Most of the films listed were shot in South Africa, Namibia, Israel, Mexico, Bulgaria, Canada and United States. Danny Lerner was 62 years-old.) - 03/06/15
SAM SIMON (Producer/Writer/Director: Sam Simon was one of those rare birds you hardly even hear about: a millionaire, who when he found he had Stage 4 cancer in 2012 and had no hope to live, started to give away all his money to charities, And he had quite a bit of it being the Producer and Creator of THE SIMPSONS from its start on THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW - 1988-1990 up to his death [Simon named Homer and Marge after his real-life parents] . He use to kid that every quarterly royalty check he received from the syndication of THE SIMPSONSwould make him a millionaire all over again and he would immediately give that money away to deserving charities, like starting a foundation that trained dogs to help disabled people, including veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he gave generously to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, among other groups. PETAs headquarters in Norfolk, Va., was renamed the Sam Simon Center in 2013. He was a true lover of people and his death, although inevitable, still sent a shock around the world. We all lost a good man today and the world is worse off without him. Oh, and he was married to actress Jennifer Tilly from 1984 to 1991. The lucky bastard. His credits as Producer included {all are TV Shows unless otherwise indicated]: TAXI - 1982-1982 [24 episodes]; CHEERS - 1984-1985 [25 episodes]; THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW - 1988-1990 [45 episodes]; THE BEST OF THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994-1995 [22 episodes]; HOUSE OF CARDS - 2001 [TV Movie; also Writer]; ROCK & ROLL BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL - 2001 [TV Movie; also Writer]; AMERICAN ADVENTURE - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1998-2003 [93 episodes]; THE MINOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JACKIE WOODMAN - 2006-2007 [played himself]; SAM'S GAME - 2009 [played himself]; Z ROCK - 2008-2009 [8 episodes]; ALL IN: THE POKER MOVIE - 2009 [Theatrical Documentary]; STAND UP TO CANCER - 2012 [TV Special; also Writer]; DREAM CAMP CALIFORNIA - 2014 (TV mini-series Documentary; played himself.]; UNITY - 2015 [Theatrical Documentary; Narrator]; THE SIMPSONS - 1989-2015 [an amazing 544 episodes; his last screen credit]. As a writer [TV Series unless noted]: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MIGHTY MOUSE AND HECKLE AND JECKLE - 1979; FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS - 1979; BEST OF THE WEST - 1981; BARNEY MILLER - 1982; TAXI - 1981-1983 [13 episodes]; CHEERS - 1982-1985 [5 episodes]; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1987-1988 [3 episodes]; THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW - 1987-1990 [5 episodes]; SIBS - 1991; THE SUPER - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; PHENOM - 1993-1994 [22 episodes]; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994-1995 [27 episodes]; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 2001 [2 episodes]; THE SIMPSONS MOVIE - 2007 [Theatrical Film; uncredited]; THE SIMPSONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL. IN 3-D! ON ICE! - 2010 [TV Special]; THE SIMPSONS - 1989-2015 [wrote only 8 episodes during the years 1990 to 1992]. As a Director [TV Shows unless otherwise noted]: THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994 [6 episodes]; FRIENDS - 1997; MEN BEHAVING BADLY - 1997; NORM - 1999 [4 episodes]; THE MICHAEL RICHARDS SHOW - 2000; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1997-2003 [29 episodes]; ANGER MANAGEMENT - 2012. Mr. Simon was also the writer of "The Itchy & Scratchy" and "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" main title themes from THE SIMPSONS and acted in a few movies, like SHANGHAI NOON - 2002. According to The New York Times: He was recruited to play football at Stanford but quit after one day of practice. While he was a student there, he drew sports cartoons for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated in 1977. Four years later, after he had worked as a storyboard artist and writer for Filmation Studios, he mailed an unsolicited script to the producers of TAXI. They accepted and produced his script, and by the following year, Mr. Simon had become one of the shows main writers. He was soon writing and producing for several other shows, including CHEERS. After he left THE SIMPSONS [He is still credited as Executive Producer & Creator on THE SIMPSONS, despite not having worked on the show since 1993. He estimates his severance & syndication deals earns him around $10 million a year. - Ed.], Mr. Simon helped develop other series, including the short-lived program THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW and the THE DREW CAREY SHOW which enjoyed a long run. He also became a competitive poker player and hosted a program on Playboy TV featuring celebrities playing Texas hold em. He was a frequent guest on Howard Sterns radio show. He was recently a consultant on the Charlie Sheen sitcom ANGER MANAGEMENT In 1997, he entered a different arena entirely when he began managing the boxer Lamon Brewster. In 2004, Mr. Brewster won the World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship. Mr. Simons marriage to the actress and competitive poker player Jennifer Tilly ended in divorce, but the two remained close. A brief marriage to Jami Ferrell, a Playboy model, also ended in divorce. Information about survivors was not immediately available. One beneficiary of his philanthropy, the Sea Shepherd Society, which opposes whale hunting, named one of its boats for Mr. Simon. (Others are also named for celebrity supporters.) In 2011, his Sam Simon Foundation started a program that provides low-income families with free vegan meals. Asked whether he was imposing his own vegan diet on those his charity served, Mr. Simon said: They can eat all the meat they want. Im just not going to pay for it. Did I forget to mention that he was once married to Jennifer Tilly? The lucky bastard. Sam Simon was only 59 years-old.) - 03/08/15
WINDELL MIDDLEBROOKS (Actor: Young actor best known as the pushy "Curtis Brumfield" on the TV Series BODY OF PROOF - 2011-2013 and the Miller High Life Delivery Guy who always ranted on those TV commercials, Middlebrooks died unexpectedly and left a short, butmemorable body of performances. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: WEEKENDS AT THE DL - 2005; THE BERNIE MAC SHOW - 2005; JULIE RENO, BOUNTY HUNTER - 2006; ALL OF US - 2006; MY NAME IS EARL - 2007; VERONICA MARS - 2007; HANNAH MONTANA - 2007; ENTOURAGE - 2007; CHOCOLATE NEWS - 2008; ER - 2008; ACE IN THE HOLE - 2009 [TV Movie]; MISS MARCH - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; PARKS AND RECREATION - 2009; ENLIGHTENED! - 2009 [Short]; SCRUBS - 2009-2010 [6 episodes]; COUGAR TOWN - 2010; THE SUITE LIFE ON DECK - 2008-2010 [10 episodes]; IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA - 2010; YOGA FOR COUCH POTATOES - 2011 [MFHV; plays himself]; BODY OF PROOF: THE MUSICAL - 2012 [Short]; HECKLE OR HELL - 2012 [Short; also Executive Producer]; BODY OF PROOF - 2011-2013 [series regular; 42 episodes]; TMI HOLLYWOOD - 2013; THE MASON TWINS - 2014 [TV Movie]; MIGHTY MED - 2014; ROAD HARD - 2015 [Theatrical Film; his last role]. Middlebrooks also did the talk show route when he became popular as the Miller Rant Guy and then a co-star on BODY OF PROOF. Windell Middlebrooks was only 36 years-old.) - 03/09/15
RALPH TAEGER (Actor: Taeger was popular for a short time in the 60's as a TV and movie actor, but quickly went downhill for being known as difficult to work with. He did odd jobs and was selling firewood from his own company when he passed away. Even then, before he passed away, he was arrested for under-reporting his income to the California State Compensation Insurance Fund and the IRS. His credits included: IT STARTED WITH A KISS - 1959; LOCK UP - 1960 [TV Series]; MEN INTO SPACE - 1960 [TV Series]; BAT MASTERSON - 1960 [TV Series]; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1959-1960 [TV Series]; SEA HUNT - 1960 [TV Series]; KLONDIKE - 1960-1961 [TV Series regular; 16 episodes]; ACAPULCO - 1961 [TV Series regular; 8 episodes]; KING OF DIAMONDS - 1961 [TV Series]; THE NEW BREED - 1961 [TV Series]; X-15 - 1961; A.P.O. 923 - 1962 [TV Movie]; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1963 [TV Series]; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["From Agnes - With Love" episode - 1964]; THE CARPETBAGGERS - 1964; STAGE TO THUNDER ROCK - 1964; A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME - 1964; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965 [TV Series]; HONDO - 1967 [TV Series; played title character for 17 episodes until he became too difficult to work with {studio heads said that the ratings were too low to cover-up the fact that Taeger was so demanding}; this led to him getting offered less roles and basically being blackballed from the business]; THE DELTA FACTOR - 1970; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975 [TV Series]; THE HOSTAGE HEART - 1977 [TV Movie]; QUINCY M.E. - 1977-1982 [TV Series]; FATHER MURPHY - 1983 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Here's a personal quote from Taeger: "I loved the money I was paid, but I never saved or invested any of it. I lived most of the time at a country club and never went near the studio unless I had to. The checks came in all the same. I didn't work at acting or making contacts. Then, all at once, it seemed to be over except for an occasional small part." Ralph Taeger was 78 years-old.) - 03/11/15
IB MELCHIOR (Writer/Director: The Denmark-born Melchior moved to the U.S. after World War II and directed over 500 live TV shows [most now lost forever] and then moved to writing [both books and for TV & Movies] and sometimes directing some of the strangest sci-fi and horror films of the late-50's and early-to-mid-60's. His credits included [as Writer unless otherwise noted]: PERRY COMO'S KRAFT MUSIC HALL - 1948 [TV Series; Director only]; TOMCORBETT, SPACE CADET - 1950 [Technical Director only]; WHERE THERE'S SMOKE - 1957 - [Short; Director only]; THE MARCH OF MEDICINE - 1958 [TV Documentary; Director only]; LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG - 1958; WHEN HELL BROKE LOOSE - 1958 [also Technical Advisor]; 13 DEMON STREET - 1959 [TV Series; "A Gift Of Murder" episode]; THE ANGRY RED PLANET - 1959 [also Director]; MEN INTO SPACE - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; REPTILICUS - 1961; JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET - 1962 [also Montage Director]; PATTY - 1962 [Associate Producer only]; ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS - 1964; THE TIME TRAVELERS - 1964 [also Director]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1964 [TV Series; "The Premonition" episode]; PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES - 1965 [Wrote the English language version only]; AMBUSH BAY - 1966; KEEP OFF THE GRASS - 1970 [Short; also Director and Editor]; DEATH RACE 2000 - 1975 [Screenplay was based on his story "The Racer"]; MY LOVELY MONSTER - 1991 [Actor only]; LOST IN SPACE - 1998 [Special Advisor to Mark Koch only]; MARIO BAVA: MAESTRO OF THE MACABRE - 2000 [TV Documentary; appeared as himself only]; FAMOUS MONSTER: FORREST J. ACKERMAN - 2007 [Documentary; appeared as himself only]; DEATH RACE - 2008 [Screenplay based on the 1975 Movie which was based on Melchior's story "The Racer"]; TRAILERS FROM HELL - 2008 [Documentary; appeared as himself only]; START YOUR ENGINES - 2010 [Video Documentary Short; appeared as himself only]. According to IMDb: "He was also the writer of a script entitled "Space Family Robinson," (1964) which, along with the Gold Key comic "Space Family Robinson" (1962) that predated it, was claimed to have been the inspiration for Irwin Allen's TV series LOST IN SPACE (1965). Details were revealed in Ed Shifres' book "Space Family Robinson: The True Story" (Windsor House, 1996), re-published as "Lost in Space: The True Story" (Windsor House, 1998). The book was extremely controversial and critically acclaimed, with excellent reviews from notable Hollywood writers. Neither Melchior nor the creators of the "Space Family Robinson" comic series received recognition as original contributors of what became LOST IN SPACE. At one point Prelude Pictures hired him as a consultant on its film LOST IN SPACE (1998), but Melchior never received his contracted royalty payment and the Supreme Court refused to even review the case." Ib Melchoir was awarded a Golden Scroll for Best Writing by the Academy of Science-Fiction (for body of work) in 1976. Mr. Melchior was 97 years-old.) - 03/13/15
LUCIANO ERCOLI (Director/Producer: Popular Italian theatrical film Producer/Director during the 60's & 70's who sometimes used the name "André Colbert". His Credits as a Director Included: FORBIDDEN PHOTOS OF A LADY ABOVE SUSPICION - 1970 [also Producer & Editor]; DEATH WALKS ON HIGH HEELS - 1971 [also Producer]; DEATH WALKS AT MIDNIGHT - 1972 [also Producer]; THE MAGNIFICENT DARE DEVIL - 1973; IL FIGLO DELLA SEPTOLA VIVA - 1974 [considered lost]; LUCREZIA GIOVANE - 1974 [also Screenwriter]; KILLER COP - 1975; THE RIP-OFF - 1977 [also Screenwriter]. As a Producer: NUDE ODYSSEY - 1961; THE COMMANDANT - 1963; FANTOMAS - 1964; WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY TOTO? - 1964; IVORY COAST ADVENTURE - 1965; A PISTOL FOR RINGO - 1965; OSS 117: MISSION FOR A KILLER - 1965; THE RETURN OF RINGO - 1965; KISS KISS-BANG BANG - 1966; TOTO OF ARABIA - 1966; LONG DAYS OF VENGEANCE - 1967; THE RUTHLESS FOUR - 1968. Mr. Ercoli also wrote the screenplays to ASSASSINATION - 1967 and THE STUDENT CONNECTION - 1974. Luciano Ercoli left the film business after receiving a large inheritance and passed away in his home in Barcelona, Spain. He was 85 years-old.) - 03/15/15
WALTER GRAUMAN (Director/Producer: Grauman was mainly known as a TV director, who every once in a while did a theatrical film. He was well-regarded in directorial circles and directed hundreds of hours of TV series and TV movies. His directorial credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THE DISEMBODIED - 1957 [Theatrical Film;]; COLT .45 - 1957; MATINEE THEATRE - 1955 - 1958 [18 episodes; his debut]; PETER GUNN - 1959; STEVE CANYON - 1958-1959 [7 episodes]; MAN WITHOUT A GUN - 1958-1959 [4 episodes]; ALCOA THEATRE - 1959 [4 episodes]; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1959; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1959; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1959; PERRY MASON - 1959-1960; WICHITA TOWN - 1960;THE CHEVY MYSTERY SHOW - 1960 [episode titled 'The Summer Hero"]; THE NEW BREED - 1961-1962 [10 episodes]; EMPIRE - 1962; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1962; THE FUGITIVE - 1963 [Pilot TV Movie for the popular series]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1959-1963 [21 episodes]; NAKED CITY - 1962-1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Miniature" - 1963]; BOSTON TERRIER - 1963 [TV Movie]; ROUTE 66 - 1962-1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; 633 SQUADRON - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; LADY IN A CAGE - 1964 [Theatrical Film; a highly regarded thriller]; FANFARE FOR A DEATH SCENE - 1964 [TV Movie; uncredited Director]; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1965; A RAGE TO LIVE - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; THE FUGITIVE - 1963-1965 [11 episodes]; HONEY WEST - 1965; BLUE LIGHT - 1966 [7 episodes]; I DEAL IN DANGER - 1966 [Theatrical Film; also Producer]; THE WORLD: COLOR IT HAPPY - 1967 [TV Movie; Segment Director]; FELONY SQUAD - 1966-1967 [3 episodes]; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1968; LANCER - 1968; DAUGHTER OF THE MIND - 1969 [TV Movie; also Producer; creepy as hell and scared the crap out of me when I was a kid]; THE LAST ESCAPE - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; DAN AUGUST - 1970; THE OLD MAN WHO CRIED WOLF - 1970 [TV Movie; also Producer]; CROWHAVEN FARM - 1970 [TV Movie; also Producer; another creepy TV film that gave me the shivers as a kid]; THE FORGOTTEN MAN - 1971 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; PAPER MAN - 1971 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; THEY CALL IT MURDER - 1971 [TV Movie; also Producer]; DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES - 1971 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; JIGSAW - 1972; THE F.B.I. - 1972-1974 [3 episodes]; MANHUNTER - 1974 [TV Movie]; ADAMS OF EAGLE LAKE - 1975; FORCE FIVE - 1975 [TV Movie]; BERT D'ANGELO/SUPERSTAR - 1976; MOST WANTED - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972-1977 [12 episodes]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1977; ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE? - 1978 [TV Movie; another effective thriller]; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1979 [49 episodes]; CRISIS IN MID-AIR - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN GATE MURDERS - 1979 [TV Movie]; TOP OF THE HILL - 1980 [TV Movie]; TO RACE THE WIND - 1980 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; THE MEMORY OF EVA RYKER - 1980 [TV Movie]; PLEASURE PALACE - 1980 [TV Movie]; VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1981 [TV Movie]; BARE ESSENCE - 1982 [TV Movie pilot for the short-lived series]; ILLUSIONS - 1983 [TV Movie; also Producer]; BARE ESSENCE - 1983 [Directed all 11 episodes; also Producer]; V - 1984; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1985; SCENE OF THE CRIME - 1984-1985; COVENANT - 1985 [TV Movie]; OUTRAGE! - 1986 [TV Movie]; WHO IS JULIA? - 1986 [TV Movie; also Producer]; SHAKEDOWN ON THE SUNSET STRIP - 1988 [TV Movie]; COLUMBO - 1990; NIGHTMARE ON THE 13TH FLOOR - 1994 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984-1996 [54 episodes; his last credit]. Grauman's Producer credits included: THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1960-1961 [3 episodes]; THE NEW BREED - 1961-1962 [9 episodes]; BLUE LIGHT - 1966 [15 episodes; "Created By" credit for 17 episodes]; FELONY SQUAD - 1966-1969 [Executive Producer for 73 episodes]; THE SILENT FORCE - 1970-1971 [15 episodes]; ADAMS OF EAGLE LAKE - 1975 [2 episodes]. Mr. Grauman also wrote the "Blind Man's Bluff" episode of THE CHEVY MYSTERY SHOW - 1960. George Lucas has said that he patterned the trench run sequence that results in the destruction of the Death Star in the original STAR WARS [1977] on a scene in Grauman's 1964 film 633 SQUADRON. Grauman also directed a pilot for a proposed ABC series called NICK QUARRY with Tony Scotti playing the lead character, a two-fisted private eye. It never made it on air. Walter Grauman was 93 years-old, passing away three days after his birthday.) - 03/20/15
GREGORY WALCOTT (Actor: Forever to be known as the star of Ed Wood's PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE [1959], Walcott was actually an accomplished actor who appeared in many films and TV Series, especially of the Western genre. He was also a stock player in four Clint Eastwood films of the 70's, usually ending with Eastwood beating him to a bloody pulp. His credits included [TVSeries unless otherwise noted]: RED SKIES OF MONTANA - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; FEARLESS FAGAN - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; BATTLE ZONE - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; ABOVE AND BEYOND - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; I LED 3 LIVES - 1953; STORIES OF THE CENTURY - 1954; BATTLE CRY - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; STRANGE LADY IN TOWN - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; MISTER ROBERTS - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE - 1955; THE MCCONNELL STORY - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1954-1955; TEXAS LADY - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; THE COURT-MARTIAL OF BILLY MITCHELL - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; DR. CHRISTIAN - 1956; CHEYENNE - 1956; THE LIEUTENANT WORE SKIRTS - 1956 [Theatrical Film]; THE STEEL JUNGLE - 1956 [Theatrical Film]; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 1956; NAVY LOG - 1956; CRUSADER - 1956; THUNDER OVER ARIZONA - 1956 [Theatrical Film]; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957; THE PERSUADER - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; JET ATTACK - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; SUGARFOOT - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; CLIMAX! - 1958; FRONTIER DOCTOR - 1958; BADMAN'S COUNTRY - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; 26 MEN - 1958; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1959; PERRY MASON - 1959; TRACKDOWN - 1959; HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE - 1959; MAVERICK - 1959; PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE - 1959 [Theatrical Film; voted by many to be the worst film ever made, but it is still fun anyway]; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1959; THE RIFLEMAN - 1958-1959; COLT .45 - 1959; SIMON LASH: THE BLACK BOOK - 1960 [TV Movie]; WICHITA TOWN - 1960; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1960; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1957-1960; THE TALL MAN - 1960; THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1960; RIVERBOAT - 1960; WAGON TRAIN - 1957-1960; TALES WO WELLS FARGO - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; THE AQUANAUTS - 1961; BAT MASTERSON - 1960-1961; ON THE DOUBLE - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; THE OUTSIDER - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; THE DEPUTY - 1960-1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961-1962 [Series regular; 30 episodes]; LARAMIE - 1960-1963 [5 episodes]; THE DAKOTAS - 1963; G.E. TRUE - 1963; CAPTAIN NEWMAN, M.D. - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; RAWHIDE - 1960-1964 [5 episodes]; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1966; SHANE - 1966; THE BIG VALLEY - 1966; DANIEL BOONE - 1967; BILL WALLACE OF CHINA - 1967 [Theatrical Film; also Producer; played title character]; CHANGES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE HIGH CHAPARREL - 1969-1970; THE MOD SQUAD - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; PRIME CUT - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; JOE KIDD - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; MAN OF THE EAST - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; BONANZA - 1960-1972 [7 episodes]; THE LAST AMERICAN HERO - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; CHASE - 1973; POLICE STORY - 1973; THE COWBOYS - 1974; THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; WHO STOLE THE SHAH'S JEWELS - 1974 [Theatrical
Film]; THE EIGER SANCTION - 1975 [Theatrical Film; played a memorable bad guy named "Pope"]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1975; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975; KOJAK - 1975; GEMINI MAN - 1976; THE QUEST - 1976 [TV Movie]; MIDWAY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; MCCLOUD - 1976; LAND OF THE LOST - 1976; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1977; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1977; BARNABY JONES - 1977; BARETTA - 1978; DONNER PASS: THE ROAD TO SURVIVAL - 1978 [TV Movie]; EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; ESCAPADE - 1978 [TV Movie]; CHiPS - 1979; VEGA$ - 1979; NORMA RAE - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; TILT - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; TO RACE THE WIND - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE CONTENDER - 1980 [TV mini-series]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1981; IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD - 1982 [Theatrical Documentary; contained footage of Walcott in PLAN 9]; DYNASTY - 1984; ALICE - 1984; AIRWOLF - 1985; SIMON & SIMON - 1981-1986; HOUSE II: THE SECOND STORY - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; DALLAS - 1980-1990 [3 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984-1991 [3 episodes]; ED WOOD - 1994 [Theatrical Film; ironically, his last acting credit]; THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EDWARD D. WOOD JR. [Documentary; Narrator and appeared as himself]. Gregory Walcott was introduced to his wife Barbara May Watkins at a party by Hollywood legend, Dale Evans. Gregory and Barbara had been married for 55 years when Barbara passed away on June 14, 2010. Gregory Walcott was 87 years-old.) - 03/20/15
ALBERTA WATSON (Actress: Wonderful actress who is best remembered for her role as "Madeline" on TV's LA FEMME NIKITA [1997-2001] and returned to the role on TV's NIKITA [2011 - 2012], but she made plenty of genre movies and TV appearances from the late-70's-on. Her credits included: POWER PLAY - 1978; IN PRAISE OF OLDER WOMEN - 1978; STONE COLD DEAD - 1979 [the first time I noticed this beautiful woman]; KINGS OF KENSINGTON - 1980 [TV Series]; DAY OF RESURRECTION - 1980; WAR BRIDES - 1980 [TV Movie]; PASSENGERS - 1980 [TVMovie]; DIRTY TRICKS - 1981; BLACK MIRROR - 1981; THE SOLDIER - 1982; THE KEEP - 1983 [she was excellent in this]; BEST REVENGE - 1984; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984 [TV Series]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1984 [TV Series]; MURDER IN SPACE - 1985 [TV Movie]; KANE & ABEL - 1985 [TV mini-series]; FORTUNE DANE - 1986 [TV Series]; WOMEN OF VALOR - 1986 [TV Movie]; WHITE OF THE EYE - 1987 [another excellent performance]; BUCK JAMES - 1978-1988 [TV Series regular; 19 episodes]; RED EARTH, WHITE EARTH - 1989 [TV Movie]; DESTINY TO ORDER - 1989; THE EQUALIZER - 1985-1989 [TV Series]; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1989 [TV Series]; STREET LEGAL - 1987-1989 [TV Series]; ISLAND SON - 1990 [TV Series]; GRAND - 1990 [TV Series]; THE HITMAN - 1991; ZEBRAHEAD - 1992; LAW & ORDER - 1991-1992 [TV Series]; RELENTLESS: MIND OF A KILLER - 1993 [TV Movie]; MATRIX - 1993 [TV Series]; SPANKING THE MONKEY - 1994; JONATHAN STONE: THREAT OF INNOCENCE - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1995 [TV Series; "If These Walls Could Talk" episode]; HACKERS - 1995; A CHILD IS MISSING - 1995 [TV Movie]; GOTTI - 1996 [TV Movie; portrayed Victoria Gotti]; SHOEMAKER - 1996; SWEET ANGEL MINE - 1996; GIANT MINE - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE SWEET HEREAFTER - 1997 [heartbreaking performance]; SEEDS OF DOUBT - 1998; THE GIRL NEXT DOOR - 1998 [TV Movie]; LIFE BEFORE THIS - 1999; SOUL FOOD - 2000 [TV Series]; DESIRE - 2000; DEEPLY - 2000; LA FEMME NIKITA - 1997-2001 [TV Series; portrayed "Madeline" for 89 episodes]; HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH - 2001; CHASING CAIN - 2001; AFTER THE HARVEST - 2001 [TV Movie]; TART - 2001; THE ART OF WOO - 2001; GUILT BY ASSOCIATION - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE WILD DOGS - 2002; CHASING CAIN: FACE - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE RISEN - 2003 [TV Movie]; PENGUINS BEHIND BARS - 2003 [TV Movie]; 1-800-MISSING - 2003 [TV Series]; PUPPETS WHO KILL - 2004 [TV Series]; THE PRINCE AND ME - 2004; THE NEWSROOM - 2004 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; MY BROTHER'S KEEPER - 2004; SHOW ME YOURS - 2004 [TV Series regular; 8 episodes]; VENDETTA: NO CONSCIENCE, NO MERCY - 2004; SOME THINGS THAT STAY - 2004; CHOICE: THE HENRY MORGENTALER STORY - 2005 [TV Movie]; 24 - 2004-2005 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; AT THE HOTEL - 2006 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; CITIZEN DUANE - 2006; AWAY FROM HER - 2006; ANGELA'S EYES - 2006 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; A LOBSTER TALE - 2006; THE LOOKOUT - 2007; GROWING OP - 2008; THE BORDER - 2008 [TV Series regular; 10 episodes]; HELEN - 2009; THE SPINE - 2009 [Short; voice of 350-pound Mary Rutherford in the award-winning animated film]; HEARTLAND - 2010 [TV Series]; NIKITA - 2011-2012 [TV Series semi-regular; 9 episodes; her last acting role]. Ms. Watson was nominated four times for a Gemini Award® [the Canadian version of an Emmy Award®] for her TV work and won a National Board of Review, USA® Award as part of Best Acting by an Ensemble for THE SWEET HEREAFTER - 1997 [and well deserved]. Although she has appeared in numerous major commercial releases and hit television shows, during the last ten years Watson has preferred independent (and especially Canadian) productions. Alberta Watson passed away from cancer and was only 60 years-old.) - 03/21/15
IVAN NAGY (DirectorWriter/Producer: Director of theatrical and TV fare who was blackballed for being the boyfriend of Heidi Fleiss during her prostitution ring scandal. After the scandal blew over, all he could get were porno films to direct. His films as director included: BAD CHARLESTON CHARLIE - 1973 [also Writer and Actor]; PUSHING UP DAISIES - 1973 [also Writer]; DEADLY HERO - 1975 (probably his best film); DELVECCHIO - 1977 [TV Series]; CHiPS - 1977 [TV Series; also Writer]; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977-1978 [TV Series]; MIND OVER MURDER - 1979 [TV Movie]; CAPTAIN AMERICA II: DEATH TOO SOON - 1979 [TV Movie]; ONCE UPON A SPY - 1980 [TV Movie]; MIDNIGHT LACE - 1981 [TV Movie]; A GUN IN THE HOUSE - 1981 [TV Movie]; JANE DOE - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1983 [TV Series]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1983 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; A TOUCH OF SCANDAL - 1984 [TV Movie]; PLAYING WITH FIRE - 1985 [TV Movie]; INTIMATE ENCOUNTERS - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE HIGHWAYMAN - 1988 [TV Series]; SKINNER - 1993 [a really bad-taste horror film that has a lot of fans, me included]; LUSTY LIASONS - 1994 [Made For Pay TV]; TRAILER TRASH TERRI - 1998 [MFHV; also Writer]; ALL NUDE NIKKI - 1998 [MFHV]; ALL NUDE ATHENA - 1998 [MFHV; also Writer]; ALL AMERICAN PIMP - 1999 [MFHV}; IZZY SLEEZE'S CASTING COUCH CUTIES - 1999 [MFHV]; WILD DESIRE - 1999 [MFHV; also Writer]; SUPER FINE PURE GOLD - 2000 [MFHV; also Producer]; TOUCH ME - 2001 [MFHV; his last directorial film]. Mr. Nagy was also Production Manager on ANGEL OF MERCY - 1993 and NIGHT OF THE ARCHER - 1994, appeared as himself on the TV documentary HEIDI FLEISS: HOLLYWOOD MADAM - 1995, and was Executive Producer on HITCHHIKER MASSACRE - 2014, his last credit. He was also married to actress Irene Tsu from 1971 to 1980. Ivan Nagy was 77 years-old.) - 03/23/15
RICHARD L. BARE (Director/Producer/Writer: Bare was a director/producer/writer of dozens of live-action theatrical shorts during the 40's & 50's that usually began with "So You Think" or "So You Want" [SO YOU WANT TO GIVE UP SMOKING - 1942 is the first; SO YOUR WIFE WANTS TO WORK - 1956 is the last; with 58 more in-between them], all of them starring George O'Hanlon as "Joe McDoakes", and he would sneak in a theatrical film or short documentary between them before he switched to doing some TV work [including the classic 1962 episode of TWILIGHT ZONE titled "To Serve Man"], where he became house director for GREEN ACRES [1965 - 1971], directing an amazing 168 consecutive episodes of the series [which was a TV record]. One of his final directorial achievements was the theatrical film thriller WICKED,WICKED [1973], which was the first [and only] film to be shot in the process of "Duo-Vision" where the screen was split in two and two different things were going on at the same time on the left and right side of the screen [headache-inducing if you only have one good eye, like me!]. Richard L. Bare's directorial credits included [sans the 'So You..." series]: SOME GIRLS DON'T TALK - 1948; FLAXY MARTIN - 1949; THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET - 1949; RETURN OF THE FRONTIERSMAN - 1950; THIS SIDE OF THE LAW - 1950; THE MAGNAVOX THEATRE - 1950 [TV Series]; GANG BUSTERS - 1952 [TV Series; also Producer]; BEULAH - 1952 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; DOC CORKLE - 1952 [TV Series]; PRISONERS OF THE CASBAH - 1953; THE JOE PALOOKA STORY - 1954-1955 [TV Series; 3 episodes; also Producer of 6 episodes]; SO THIS IS HOLLYWOOD - 1955 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; CASABLANCA - 1956 [TV Series]; REAL GEORGE - 1956 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE STORM RIDERS - 1956; THE OUTLANDERS - 1956; BORDER SHOWDOWN - 1956; SHOOT-OUT AT MEDICINE BEND - 1957; THE TRAVELLERS - 1957; COLT .45 - 1958 [TV Series]; SUGARFOOT - 1958 [TV Series]; BROKEN ARROW - 1956-1958 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; DECISION - 1958 [TV Series; also Producer]; LAWMAN - 1958 [TV Series]; GIRL ON THE RUN - 1958; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1958-1959 [TV Series; 6 episodes, including the pilot]; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1958-1959 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; MAVERICK - 1957-1959 [TV Series; 11 episodes]; THIS REBEL BREED - 1960; THE ISLANDERS - 1960 [TV Series; also Producer & Writer]; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1961 [TV Series]; BUS STOP - 1962 [TV Series]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1962 [TV Series]; ROUTE 66 - 1962 [TV Series]; CHEYENNE- 1955-1962 [TV Series; 21 episodes]; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963 [TV Series]; THE DAKOTAS - 1963 [TV Series]; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Third From The Sun" - 1960; "The Purple Testament" - 1960; "Nick Of Time" - 1960; "The Prime Mover" - 1961; the classic "To Serve Man" - 1962; "The Fugitive" - 1962; "What's In The Box" - 1964]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963-1964 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1964-1965 - [TV Series; 34 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966 [TV Series]; I SAILED TO TAHITI WITH AN ALL GIRL CREW - 1968 [also Producer & Writer]; PIONEER SPIRIT - 1969 [TV Movie]; GREEN ACRES - 1965-1971 [TV Series; 168 consecutive episodes]; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1971 [TV Series]; LASSIE - 1972 [TV Series]; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1972 [TV Series]; WICKED, WICKED - 1973 [also Producer & Writer]; FARADAY AND COMPANY - 1973 [TV Series; his last director credit]. Richard L. Bare also Produced the entire 32 episode season of the 1960-1961 TV Series THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS ROBIN, appeared as himself on a 1958 episode of THIS IS YOUR LIFE where James Garner was the subject, and was Screenwriter of the 1939 theatrical film TWO GUN TROUBADOR. He was also the author of the 1971 book "The Film Director" (MacMillan Company), which became the classic "nuts and bolts" text on that profession. In the spirit of low budgets, Collier Books issued a soft cover edition in 1973 with a cover price of only $2.95. A second edition was published in 2000. Richard L. Bare was a true legend in both shorts, films and TV and passed away at the ripe old age of 101 years-old.) - 03/28/15
ROBERT Z'DAR (Actor: Dependable character actor who is immediately recognizable, due to his extremely large chin. Perhaps his most famous role is that of the Maniac Cop "Matt Cordell" in the three-film franchise. Starred or co-starred in many genre films, both Hollywood productions and independent films [including some hard-to-find cheapies from late director Donald G. Jackson and Scott Shaw]. His films included: HELL HOLE - 1985;HOT CHILI - 1985; MOONLIGHTING - 1985 [TV Series]; FLESH AND BULLETS - 1985; THE NIGHT STALKER - 1987; CHERRY 2000 - 1987; CODE NAME: ZEBRA - 1987; MANIAC COP - 1988; THE KILLING GAME - 1988; GROTESQUE - 1988; FRESH KILL - 1988; EVIL ALTAR - 1988; DEAD END CITY - 1988; GROWING PAINS - 1989 [TV Series]; TRAINED TO KILL - 1989; TANGO & CASH - 1989; MANIAC COP 2 - 1990; A GNOME NAMED GNORM - 1990; SOULTAKER - 1990 [One of his scariest roles]; THE FINAL SANCTION - 1990; KILLING AMERICAN STYLE - 1990; DRAGONFIGHT - 1990; GYPSY - 1991; THE FLASH - 1991 [TV Series]; THE KILLERS EDGE - 1991; THE BIG SWEAT - 1991; BEASTMASTER: THROUGH THE PORTAL OF TIME - 1991; MOBSTERS - 1991; QUIET FIRE - 1991; SAMURAI COP - 1991; YOUNG REBELS - 1992; THE DIVINE ENFORCER - 1992 [one of the most unintentionally hilarious films of all time!]; THE LEGEND OF WOLF MOUNTAIN - 1992; THE SUMMONED - 1992; SHADOW OF THE DRAGON - 1992; FROGTOWN II - 1992; MARKED FOR MURDER - 1993 [TV Movie]; MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE - 1993; IN A MOMENT OF PASSION - 1993; WILD CACTUS - 1993; MARCHING OUT OF TIME - 1993; IT'S SHOWTIME - 1993; DOUBLE BLAST - 1994; THE MOSAIC PROJECT - 1994; THE DEVIL'S PET - 1994; SILENT FURY - 1994; NIGHT REALM - 1994; ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT - 1994; NATURALLY BAD - 1995; PROFESSIONAL AFFAIR - 1995; RED LINE - 1995 [also Associate Producer]; RUN LIKE HELL - 1995 [perhaps one of the worst films ever made]; POINT DUME - 1995; EQUAL IMPACT - 1995; ENTER THE BLOOD RING - 1995; DESTINATION VEGAS - 1995; LONE TIGER - 1996; FUGITIVE X: INNOCENT TARGET - 1996; THE SEARCHER - 1996; STORMY NIGHTS - 1996; SHOTGUN BOULEVARD - 1996; DANGEROUS CARGO - 1996; CYBERKIDZ - 1996 [TV Series]; AMERICAN CHINATOWN - 1996; FUTURE WAR - 1997; GUNS OF EL CHUPACABRA - 1997; POCKET NINJAS - 1997; TOTAL FORCE - 1997; HOLLYWOOD COPS - 1997; DEADLY CURRENCY - 1997; GUNS OF EL CHUPACABRA II: THE UNSEEN - 1998; DECAY - 1998; FATAL PURSUIT - 1998; CRIMES OF THE CHUPACABRA - 1998; THE WATERFRONT - 1998; NO REST FOR THE WICKED - 1998; TYRONE - 1999; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 2000 [TV Series]; THE THIEF & THE STRIPPER - 2000; TRANCE - 2002; MOB DAZE - 2002; WHEN HEAVEN COMES DOWN - 2002 [also Associate Producer]; DEADLY MEMORIES - 2002 [also Associate Producer]; SCARY TALES: THE RETURN OF MR. LONGFELLOW - 2003 [also Associate Producer]; ROCK N' ROLL COPS 2: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - 2003; ZOMBIEGEDDON - 2003; VAMPIRE BLVD. - 2004; THE ROCKVILLE SLAYER - 2004 [also Associate Producer]; SUPER HELL - 2005; DRAWING BLOOD - 2005; SPACED OUT - 2006; VOICES FROM THE GRAVES - 2006 [also Co-Producer]; YIN YANG INSANE - 2007 [Short]; DEEFLOWERED - 2008; UNTITLED HORROR COMEDY - 2009 [also Associate Producer]; LA FEMME VAMPIR - 2009; BLOOD, BULLETS AND BABES - 2009; MELTDOWN - 2009; THE WAITER - 2010; LA FEMME VAMPIR VOLUME 2 - 2010; POST-MORTEM - 2010; NOT ANOTHER B MOVIE - 2010; SALVADORE'S DELI - 2010 [still in Post Production after his death]; THE GIRL - 2011;
ROGUE ASSASSIN - 2012; MOUNTAIN MAFIA - 2012; VOICES FROM BEYOND - 2012; LITTLE CREEPS - 2012; DEATH FROM ABOVE - 2012; THE PERFECT CANDIDATE - 2012 [Short]; CAESAR AND OTTO'S DEADLY XMAS - 2012 [played himself]; INDIE FILM SCHOOL - 2012-2013 [TV Series; played himself]; MONSTERS ON MAIN STREET - 2014; ROCK N' ROLL COPS LITE - 2014; SUPER HELL 3: DREAMS OF HORROR - 2014; EASTER SUNDAY - 2014; PRECIOUS METTLE - 2014; A BLOOD STORY - 2015; HIGH ON THE HOG - 2015; SAMURAI COP 2: DEADLY VENGEANCE - 2015 [his last film]. Prior to acting, Z'Dar was a singer/keyboardist/guitar player for the Chicago-based rock band Nova Express, which performed as an opening act for such groups as Jefferson Airplane, The Who, and The Electric Prunes. Other early jobs included a jingle writer for the Leo Burnett and J. Walter Thompson ad agencies, a Chicago police officer, and even a brief stint as a Chippendales dancer. Mr. Z'Dar suffered a serious back injury while doing a stunt on a movie set in 2002. He was forced to use a cane or motor scooter to get around until he made an almost-complete recovery by 2006. This is a terrible loss for the genre community and we are not likely to ever see his kind again. He added an extra amount of goosebump-inducing terror every time his mug appeared on the screen. Robert Z'Dar died of cardiac arrest and was just 64 years-old.) - 03/30/15
TOM TOWLES (Actor: Gained wide attention for his role in HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER - 1986, was a frequent actor in horror films and appeared in nearly every film John McNaughton and Rob Zombie directed. His films and TV Series appearances included: DOG DAY AFTERNOON - 1975 [Uncredited]; E/R - 1984 [TV Series]; PINK NIGHTS - 1985; HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER - 1986; JACK AND MIKE - 1987 [TV Series]; HIGH MOUNTAIN RANGERS - 1987 [TV Series]; SABLE - 1988 [TV Series]; MEN DON'T LEAVE - 1990; NIGHT OF THELIVING DEAD - 1990; THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 1991; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1991 [TV Series]; THE BORROWER - 1991; MANN & MACHINE - 1992 [TV Series]; FORTRESS - 1992; BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT - 1993; MAD DOG AND GLORY - 1993; STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - 1993 [TV Series]; SEINFELD - 1993 [TV Series]; NYPD BLUE - 1993-1994 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; L.A. LAW - 1994 [TV Series]; BAKERSFIELD P.D. - 1993-1994 [TV Series]; GIRLS IN PRISON - 1994 [TV Movie]; VR 5 - 1995 [TV Series]; NIGHT STAND - 1996 [TV Series]; GOD'S LONELY MAN - 1996; NORMAL LIFE - 1996; THE ROCK - 1996; PACIFIC BLUE - 1996 [TV Series]; ER - 1996 [TV Series]; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 1996 [TV Series]; GRIDLOCK'D - 1997; PROFILER - 1997 [TV Series]; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1997 [TV Series]; WARRIORS OF VIRTUE - 1997; NIGHT OF THE LAWYERS - 1997; THE PROPHECY II - 1998; DR. DOLITTLE - 1998 [Voice only]; MAXIMUM BOB - 1998 [TV Series]; THE PRETENDER - 1998 [TV Series]; LANSKY - 1999 [TV Movie]; MERCENARY II: THICK AND THIN - 1999; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1999 [TV Series]; MORE DOGS THAN BONES - 2000; 18 WHEELS OF JUSTICE - 2001 [TV Series]; FIREFLY - 2002 [TV Series]; GROOM LAKE - 2002; PUSH, NEVADA - 2002 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; ROBBERY HOMICIDE DIVISION - 2002 [TV Series]; HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES - 2002; SAVING JORDAN - 2003 [TV Series]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2003 [TV Series]; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2003 [TV Series]; THE DEVIL'S REJECTS - 2005; MIAMI VICE - 2006; GRINDHOUSE - 2007 ['Werewolf Woman Of The SS" trailer]; HOME SICK - 2007; HALLOWEEN - 2007; BLOOD ON THE HIGHWAY - 2008 [His last acting credit]. Mr. Towles also wrote the two-part pilot episode of the TV Series E/R - 1984 and wrote a 1994 episode of NYPD BLUE titled "You Bet Your Life" [He was considered for the role of Det. Andy Sipowitz, but it went to Dennis Franz instead]. Besides the uncredited part in DOG DAY AFTERNOON, Towles was a member of Chicago's The Organic Theatre Company appearing in numerous productions and often collaborating on the writing as well before he went back to films in 1985. Tom Towles was battling an unreported serious medical condition for the past several years and was 65 years-old when he passed away.) - 04/05/15
RICHARD DYSART (Actor: A lot of older TV watchers will remember Richard Dysart as "Leland McKenzie", one of the founders of the "McKenzie, Brackman, Cheney, Kuzack, and Becker" law firm on L.A. LAW [1986-1994], but horror fans are more likely to remember him as "Dr. Copper", the man who gets his arms chewed off by an alien while tryingto defribillate a dead man in John Carpenter's THE THING [1982]. Richard Dysart was a fantastic actor who always gave his all no matter how small the part, whether in films or on TV. His films included: LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER - 1963; PETULIA - 1968; THE LOST MAN - 1969; THE SPORTING CLUB - 1971; THE HOSPITAL - 1971; THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE TERMINAL MAN - 1974; THE CRAZY WORLD OF JULIUS VROODER - 1974; DAY OF THE LOCUST - 1975; GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE HINDENBURG - 1975; LINCOLN - 1975-1976 [TV mini-series]; GEMINI MAN - 1976 [TV mini-series]; RIDING WITH DEATH - 1976 [TV Movie; Flashback Scenes from GEMINI MAN]; THE COURT-MARTIAL OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER - 1977 [TV Movie]; IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Movie]; AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE - 1978; FIRST, YOU CRY - 1978 [TV Movie]; PROPHECY - 1979 [The only mutant bear film you ever need to see!]; METEOR - 1979; BEING THERE - 1979 [he was fantastic as "Dr. Robert Allenby"]; BOGIE - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE ORDEAL OF DR. MUDD - 1980 [TV Movie]; CHURCHILL AND THE GENERALS - 1981 [TV Movie]; BITTER HARVEST - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE PEOPLE VS. JEAN HARRIS - 1981 [TV Movie]; NORMA RAE - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE SEAL - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE THING - 1982; MISSING CHILDREN: A MOTHER'S STORY - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN - 1985; MASK - 1985; MALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1985 [TV Movie]; PALE RIDER - 1985; WARNING SIGN - 1985 [a very underrated movie]; BLOOD & ORCHIDS - 1986 [TV Movie]; CASTLE IN THE SKY - 1986 [voice only for English-language version]; THE LAST DAYS OF PATTON - 1986 [TV Movie]; SIX AGAINST THE ROCK - 1987 [TV Movie]; WALL STREET - 1987; MOVING TARGET - 1988 [TV Movie]; MICKEY'S 60TH BIRTHDAY - 1988 [TV Movie]; DAY ONE - 1989 [TV Movie]; WAR AND REMEMBRANCE - 1989 [TV mini-series]; BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III - 1990; MYSTERY OF THE KEYS - 1991 [TV Movie]; MARILYN & BOBBY: HER FINAL AFFAIR - 1993 [TV Movie]; PANTHER -
1995; A CHILD IS MISSING - 1995 [TV Movie]; HARD RAIN - 1998 [This movie has a bad reputation, but I like it, especially Dysart and movie-wife Betty White's dialogue]; SPAWN 3: ULTIMATE BATTLE - 1999 [voice only]; L.A. LAW: THE MOVIE - 2002 [TV Movie; his final acting role]. Dysart's many TV Series appearances included: YOU ARE THERE - 1953; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; MR. BROADWAY - 1964; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964; THE DEFENDERS - 1965; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1969; NET PLAYHOUSE - 1966-1972; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1972; BARETTA - 1975; MAUDE - 1975; DOC - 1975; MCCOY - 1975; DOCTORS' HOSPITAL - 1975; CANNON - 1976; SARA - 1976; THE ANDROS TARGETS - 1977; COLUMBO - 1978; VISIONS - 1978; LOU GRANT - 1980; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1984; INSIGHT - 1984; CHALLENGE OF THE GOBOTS - 1984 [voice only]; L.A. LAW - 1986-1994 [Series Regular; 171 episodes; Won one Emmy Award® for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and nominated 3 more times in the same category in 1989, 1990 & 1991]; BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 1992-1994 [voice only]; SPAWN - 1997-1999 [Series Regular; voice only; 18 episodes]. Richard Dysart suffered from an unknown long illness and he was 86 years-old when he passed away.) - 04/05/15
BEN POWERS (Actor: Ben Powers is best known to Baby Boomers [like myself] for playing Thelma's [Bern Nadette Stanis] husband "Keith Anderson" on the final season of the classic CBS sitcom GOOD TIMES [1978-1979], but fans of Cheech and Chong movies should also recognize him. His credits included: BROTHER TO DRAGONS - 1975 [TV Movie]; LAUGH-IN - 1977 [An unsuccessful attempt to revive ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN, but without Rowan or Martin; it showcased Robin Williams before he became a star on MORK & MINDY; lasted one season]; THE GREAT AMERICAN LAUGH-OFF - 1977 [TV Special; Powers played himself]; GOOD TIMES - 1978-1979 [TV Series; 24 episodes]; CHEECH AND CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE - 1980; GIMME A BREAK! - 1982 [TV Series]; THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER - 1982; FLAMINGO ROAD - 1982 [TV Series]; DROP-OUT FATHER - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE NEW ODD COUPLE - 1982 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1982 [TV Series]; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1982-1983 [TV Series]; THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN - 1983; SHATTERED VOWS - 1984 [TV Movie]; UNCENSORED - 1984 [MFHV]; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984-1985 [TV Series; played "Moochie" for 13 episodes until star Stacy Keach was arrested and incarcerated for cocaine possession; his last acting role]. Powers gave up acting to do stand-up comedy [which is what got him noticed for his TV roles], where he incorporated impressions of such celebrities as Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis into his act. Ben Powers was 66 years-old.) - 04/06/15
JAMES BEST (Actor: Dependable character actor best known for his long-running role of exasperated Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on the TV Series THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979-1985, but he was an accomplished and quite brilliant actor in films [Both expensive A films and B films] and TV. His film roles included: ONE WAY STREET - 1950; COMANCHE TERRITORY - 1950; I WAS A SHOPLIFTER - 1950; PEGGY - 1950; WINCHESTER '73 - 1950; KANSAS RAIDERS -1950; TARGET UNKNOWN - 1951; AIR CADET - 1951; APACHE DRUMS - 1951; THE CIMARRON KID - 1952; ABOUT FACE - 1952; STEEL TOWN - 1952; THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS - 1952; FRANCIS GOES TO WEST POINT - 1952; MA AND PA KETTLE AT THE FAIR - 1952; FLAT TOP - 1952; SEMINOLE - 1953; COLUMN SOUTH - 1953; THE PRESIDENT'S LADY - 1953; THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FANTHOMS - 1953 [his first horror feature]; CITY OF BAD MEN - 1953; MCCOY OF ABILENE - 1953 [TV Movie]; SKIP TAYLOR - 1953 [TV Movie]; RIDERS TO THE STARS - 1954; THEY RODE WEST - 1954; THE YELLOW TOMAHAWK - 1954; THE CAINE MUTINY - 1954; RETURN FROM THE SEA - 1954; THE RAID - 1954; SEVEN ANGRY MEN - 1955; A MAN CALLED PETER - 1955; THE ETERNAL S$EA - 1955; TOP OF THE WORLD - 1955; COME NEXT SPRING - 1956; WHEN GANGLAND STRIKES - 1956; FORBIDDEN PLANET - 1956; GABY - 1956; CALLING HOMICIDE - 1956; THE RACK - 1956; HOT SUMMER NIGHT - 1957; LAST OF THE BADMEN - 1957; I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF - 1957; MAN ON THE PROWL - 1957; COLE YOUNGER, GUNFIGHTER - 1958; THE LEFT HANDED GUN - 1958; THE NAKED AND THE DEAD - 1958; RIDE LONESOME - 1959; VERBOTEN! - 1959; THE KILLER SHREWS - 1959 [keep reading his filmography for a filmic record]; CAST A LONG SHADOW - 1959; THE MOUNTAIN ROAD - 1960; AFTERMATH - 1960 [TV Movie]; BLACK GOLD - 1962; SHOCK CORRIDOR - 1963 [Best gives an excellent performance in this]; THE QUICK GUN - 1964; BLACK SPURS - 1965; SHENANDOAH - 1965; THREE ON A COUCH - 1966; FIRST TO FIGHT - 1967; FIRECREEK - 1966; RUN, SIMON, RUN - 1970 [TV Movie]; SOUNDER - 1972; SAVAGES - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE RUNAWAY BARGE - 1975 [TV Movie]; ODE TO BILLY JOE - 1976; GATOR - 1976 [also Assistant To The Producers]; THE SAVAGE BEES - 1976 [TV Movie]; NICKELODEON - 1976; ROLLING THUNDER - 1977 [one of his best film roles as a bad guy you just can't help but hate]; THE BRAIN MACHINE - 1977; MCLAREN'S RIDERS - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE END - 1978 [also Associate Producer]; HOOPER - 1978 [also uncredited Writer]; CENTENNIAL - 1979 [TV mini-series]; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1979 [TV mini-series]; IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD - 1982 [archive footage of THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS and THE KILLER SHREWS]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD: REUNION! - 1997 [TV Movie]; RANEY - 1997; DEATH MASK - 1998 [also Writer]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD: HAZZARD IN HOLLYWOOD - 2000 [TV Movie]; HOT TAMALE - 2006; MOONDANCE ALEXANDER - 2007; RETURN OF THE KILLER
SHREWS - 2012 [also Writer; Best returns to the role of "Thorn Sherman", the same role he portrayed in the 1959 original, 53 years earlier!]; THE SWEETER SIDE OF LIFE - 2013 [TV Movie; his last acting role]. His TV Series roles included: FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1953; HOPALONG CASSIDY - 1954; STORIES OF THE CENTURY - 1954; ANNIE OAKLEY - 1954; THE GENE AUTRY SHOW - 1954; THE ADVENTURES OF KIT CARSON - 1954-1955; BUFFALO BILL, JR. - 1955; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1953-1955; CAMEO THEATRE - 1955; THE LONE RANGER - 1955; RED RYDER - 1956; THE ADVENTURES OF CHAMPION - 1955-1956; CROSSROADS - 1956; FRONTIER - 1956; TELEPHONE TIME - 1956; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1953-1956 [5 episodes]; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957; THE SHERIFF OF COCHISE - 1957; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 1957; WEST POINT - 1957; RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE - 1957; CODE 3 - 1957; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958; CLIMAX! - 1958; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1958; TARGET - 1958; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1958; THE RESTLESS GUN - 1958; TRACKDOWN - 1957-1958 [3 episodes]; BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1958; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1958-1959; RESCUE 8 - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; THE DAVID NIVEN SHOW - 1959; THE MAN AND THE CHALLENGE - 1959; THE LINEUP - 1955-1959 [3 episodes]; STARTIME - 1959; WAGON TRAIN - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; PONY EXPRESS - 1960; THE TEXAN - 1960; MARKHAM - 1960; MEN INTO SPACE - 1960; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; LOCK UP - 1960; THE REBEL - 1960; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1960; BAT MASTERSON - 1958-1960; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1957-1961 [3 episodes]; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW - 1961; STAGECOACH WEST - 1960-1961 [3 episodes]; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1960-1961; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1958-1961 [3 episodes]; WHISPERING SMITH - 1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; LARAMIE - 1959-1962 [3 episodes]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1962; THE RIFLEMAN - 1962; BRONCO - 1962; CHEYENNE - 1962; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962; G.E. TRUE - 1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["The Grave" - 1961; "The Last Rites Of Jeff Myrtlebank" - 1962; "Jess-Belle" - 1963]; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; REDIGO - 1963; THE FUGITIVE - 1963; COMBAT! - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; DESTRY - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1955-1964 [4 episodes]; DANIEL BOONE - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1963-1965; FLIPPER - 1965;
BURKE'S LAW - 1965; HONEY WEST - 1965; THE VIRGINIAN - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1963-1966; IRON HORSE - 1966; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966; HAWK - 1966; BONANZA - 1961-1968 [3 episodes]; I SPY - 1966-1968; MOD SQUAD - 1968; FELONY SQUAD - 1966-1968; THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT - 1967-1969; GUNSMOKE - 1963-1969 [3 episodes]; LANCER - 1970; DAN AUGUST - 1970; HAWKINS - 1973; ENOS - 1980; THE DUKES - 1983 [voice only; 20 episodes]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979-1985 [141 episodes; Directed three episodes from 1981 to 1984]; B.L. STRYKER - 1990; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1991. Physical ailments curtailed his work for a long period late in his career, and he established a well-respected acting workshop in Los Angeles. He also served as artist-in-residence at the University of Mississippi, teaching and directing. He formed the first school to teach actors Motion Picture Technique in the 1970s. He taught in Hollywood for 25 years and worked with such prominent stars as Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Gary Busey, Teri Garr, Lindsay Wagner, Farrah Fawcett, and Quentin Tarantino. He was good friends with many character actors and major celebrities, including Denver Pyle, Denny Miller, Brian Keith, Ann Doran, Robert Fuller, John Smith, James Drury, Doug McClure, Adam West, Sorrell Booke, James Arness, Ken Curtis, Alex Cord, Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Robert Horton, Claude Akins, Eric Fleming, Lee Marvin, Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, James Garner, Andy Griffith, Nancy Stafford, Robert Conrad and Dabbs Greer. James Best passed away due to complications from pneumonia and was 88 years-old.) - 04/06/15
GEOFFREY LEWIS (Actor: Wonderful actor [and father of actress Juliette Lewis] who could be both funny and scary as hell. He was a favorite of Clint Eastwood [appearing in seven of his films] and did films and TV in nearly every genre. His films included: THE FAT BLACK PUSSY-CAT - 1963 [uncredited]; THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971; WELCOME HOME, SOLDIER BOYS - 1971; THE CULPEPPER CATTLE CO. - 1972; MOON OF THE WOLF - 1972 [TV Movie]; BAD COMPANY - 1972; HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER - 1973; DILLINGER - 1973; MY NAME IS NOBODY - 1973; HONKY TONK - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE GUN AND THE PULPIT - 1974 [TV Movie]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974; MACON COUNTY LINE - 1974; THE GREAT ICE RIP-OFF -1974 [TV Movie]; ATTACK ON TERROR: THE FBI VS. THE KLU KLUX KLAN - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER - 1975; THE WIND AND THE LION - 1975; SMILE - 1975; LUCKY LADY - 1975; THE NEW DAUGHTERS OF JOSHUA CABE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE - 1976; THE GREAT HOUDINI - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE DEADLY TRIANGLE - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE HUNTED LADY - 1977 [TV Movie]; SHOOT THE SUN DOWN - 1978 [One of the strangest Westerns ever made]; WHEN EVERY DAY WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY - 1978 [TV Movie]; THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON - 1978 [Directed by Lucio Fulci!]; EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE - 1978; CENTENNIAL - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE JERICHO MILE - 1979 [TV Movie]; TILT - 1979; SAMURAI - 1979 [TV Movie]; HUMAN EXPERIMENTS - 1979 [a 10 on the Bizarre Scale]; SALEM'S LOT - 1979 [TV Movie]; TOM HORN - 1980; BRONCO BILLY - 1980; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980; BELLE STARR - 1980 [TV Movie]; ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN - 1980; SKYWARD CHRISTMAS - 1981 [TV Movie]; I, THE JURY - 1982; THE SHADOW RIDERS - 1982 [TV Movie]; LIFE OF THE PARTY: THE STORY OF BEATRICE - 1982 [TV Movie]; 10 TO MIDNIGHT - 1983 [a personal favorite]; THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.: THE FIFTEEN YEARS LATER AFFAIR - 1983 [TV Movie]; TRAVIS MCGEE - 1983 [TV Movie]; SEPTEMBER GUN - 1983 [TV Movie]; NIGHT OF THE COMET - 1984 [another personal favorite]; LUST IN THE DUST - 1985; STORMIN' HOME - 1985 [TV Movie]; STITCHES - 1985; DALLAS: THE EARLY YEARS - 1986 [TV Movie]; ANNIHILATOR - 1986 [TV Movie]; SPOT MARKS THE X - 1986 [TV Movie]; TIME OUT - 1988; OUT OF THE DARK - 1988; DESERT RATS - 1988 [TV Movie]; PANCHO BARNES - 1988 [TV Movie]; FLETCH LIVES - 1989; PINK CADILLAC - 1989; DESPERADO: THE OUTLAW WARS - 1989 [TV Movie]; CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - 1989; TANGO & CASH - 1989; AT MY PLACE - 1990 [MFHV}; GUNSMOKE: THE LAST APACHE - 1990 [TV Movie]; DISTURBED - 1990; MATTERS OF THE HEART - 1990 [TV Movie]; DOUBLE IMPACT - 1991; THE LAWNMOWER MAN - 1992; WISHMAN - 1992; POINT OF NO RETURN - 1993; ARMY OF ONE - 1993; THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE - 1993; ONLY THE STRONG - 1993; DAY OF RECKONING - 1994 [TV Movie]; WHITE FANG 2: MYTH OF THE WHITE WOLF - 1994; LAST RESORT - 1994 [MFHV]; MAVERICK - 1994; THE DRAGON GATE - 1994; GAMBLER V: PLAYING FOR KEEPS - 1994 [TV Movie]; WHEN THE DARK MAN CALLS - 1995 [TV Movie]; KANSAS - 1995 [TV Movie]; TRILOGY OF TERROR II - 1996 [TV Movie]; AN OCCASIONAL HELL - 1996; AMERICAN PERFEKT - 1997; ROUGH RIDERS - 1997 [TV Movie]; MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL - 1997; THE UNDERWORLD - 1997 [TV Movie]; FIVE ACES - 1999; THE PROPHET'S GAME - 2000; THE WAY OF THE GUN - 2000; HIGHWAY 395 - 2000; SONG OF THE VAMPIRE - 2001 [MFHV]; SUNSTORM - 2001; A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS - 2002; THE NEW GUY - 2002; MIND GAMES - 2003; A PAINTED HOUSE - 1993 [TV Movie]; MY LIFE WITH MEN - 2003 [TV Movie]; MAY DAY - 2003 [MFHV]; BRAZILIAN BRAWL - 2003 [MFHV]; RENEGADE - 2004; PLAINSONG - 2004 [TV Movie]; PATIENTS - 2004 [TV Movie]; SOCIAL GUIDANCE - 2005; DOWN IN THE VALLEY - 2005; THE FALLEN ONES - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE DEVIL'S REJECTS - 2005 [another personal favorite]; VOODOO MOON - 2006 [TV Movie]; WILD HEARTS - 2006 [TV Movie]; FINGERPRINTS - 2006; WICKED LITTLE THINGS - 2007; COLD ONES - 2007; MOVING MCALLISTER - 2007; CHINAMAN'S CHANCE: AMERICA'S OTHER SLAVES - 2008; THOMAS KINKADE'S CHRISTMAS COTTAGE - 2008 [TV Movie]; THE BUTCHER - 2009; THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO - 2009 [voice only]; PICKIN' & GRINNIN' - 2010; MISS NOBODY - 2010; MOMMY'S LITTLE MONSTER - 2012; RETREAT! - 2012; HIGH AND OUTSIDE - 2016 [still filming at the time of his death; his last acting role]. Mr. Lewis' many TV roles included: THEN CAME BRONSON - 1970; BONANZA - 1970; THE HIGH CHAPARRAL - 1970; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1970; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1971; LONGSTREET - 1971; CADE'S COUNTY - 1971; MANNIX - 1971-1972; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971-1972 [3 episodes]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1972; GUNSMOKE - 1972; CANNON - 1972; MOD SQUAD - 1973; KUNG FU - 1973; THE WALTONS - 1974; S.W.A.T. - 1975; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1975; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975; HARRY O - 1975; BERT D'ANGELO/SUPERSTAR - 1976; THE ROOKIES - 1976; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; ALICE - 1976; MCCLOUD - 1976; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1976 [3 episodes]; ARK II- 1976; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1977; HUNTER - 1977; THE SIX
MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1977; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1977; QUARK - 1978; MORK & MINDY - 1978; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1979; A MAN CALLED SLOANE - 1979; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1980 [3 episodes]; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1980; LOU GRANT - 1977-1980; FLO - 1980-1981 [Series Regular; 29 episodes; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for his role of "Earl Tucker"]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1976-1983; GUN SHY - 1983 [6 episodes]; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1983; AFTER M*A*S*H - 1983; MAXIMUM SECURITY - 1984 [3 episodes]; BLUE THUNDER - 1984; THE YELLOW ROSE - 1984; HOT PURSUIT - 1984; FALCON CREST - 1984 [9 episodes]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1984; WILD SIDE - 1985; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1985; THE FALL GUY - 1985; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1985; SHADOW CHASERS - 1985; THE A-TEAM - 1984-1985; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1984-1986; AMAZING STORIES - 1986; SIDEKICKS - 1986; MACGYVER - 1986; EASY STREET - 1987; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1987; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1987; J.J. STARBUCK - 1987; MATLOCK - 1988; MATHNET - 1988; SQUARE ONE TV - 1988; GUNS OF PARADISE - 1989; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1990; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1996 [4 episodes]; LAND'S END - 1995-1996 [Series Regular; 22 episodes]; THE X-FILES - 1999; PENSACOLA: WINGS OF GOLD - 2000; THE HUNTRESS - 2001; THIEVES - 2001; THE GUARDIAN - 2003; ODYSSEY 5 - 2002-2003; DAWSON'S CREEK - 2003; NIP/TUCK - 2003; COLD CASE - 2004; LAS VEGAS - 2004; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2004 ["In The Dark"; one of my favorite and most unusual episodes of the series]; FAT ACTRESS - 2005; MY NAME IS EARL - 2006 [he was father-in-law to series regular Ethan Suplee]; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2006; HOUSE M.D. - 2007 [his last TV role]. As you can see from his credits list, Geoffrey Lewis worked with some of the most famous actors and actresses during the period and he always improved everything he appeared in. Another wonderful character actor to die in the supremely bad year of 2015. Geoffrey Lewis was 79 years-old.) - 04/07/15
BETTY LUCAS (Actress: Popular Australian TV actress who infrequently ventured out into theatrical films. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THREE IN ONE - 1957 [Theatrical Film}; SHADOW OF A DOUBT - 1957 [TV Movie]; WHIPLASH - 1961; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1962; FIENDS OF THE FAMILY - 1968 [TV Movie]; THREE TO GO - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; WHAT FOR MARRIANE? - 1971 [TV Movie]; A GIRL IN AUSTRALIA - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; MATLOCK POLICE - 1971-1973; HOMICIDE - 1967-1973 [9 episodes]; DIVISION 4 - 1969-1973 [4 episodes]; CERTAIN WOMEN - 1973; SILENT NUMBER - 1974; BETWEEN WARS - 1974 [Theatrical film]; THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN - 1975; THE ALTERNATIVE - 1976 [TV Movie]; CASE FOR THE DEFENCE - 1978; PRISONER: CELL BLOCK H - 1979 [10 episodes]; RAT RACE - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; PUNISHMENT - 1981; BELLAMY - 1981; TAURUS RISING - 1982; THE BODY CORPORATE - 1983 [TV Movie]; ALL THE RIVERS RUN - 1983 [TV mini-series]; STANLEY: EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE ONE - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; MY FIRST WIFE - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; RUNAWAY ISLAND - 1984; WILLING AND ABEL - 1987; RICHMOND HILL - 1988; THE LAST RESORT - 1988; THE FLYING DOCTORS - 1987-1989; THE FAMILY BUSINESS - 1989 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; TANAMERA-LION OF SINGAPORE - 1989 [TV mini-series]; ...ALMOST - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; MORE WINNERS: MR. EDMUNDS - 1990 [TV Movie]; A COUNTRY PRACTICE - 1981-1991 [6 episodes]; HEY DAD..! - 1993; JOH'S JURY - 1993 [TV Movie]; MOTHER AND SON - 1994; G.P. - 1991-1995; PACIFIC DRIVE - 1996; WATER RATS - 1996; HEARTBREAK HIGH - 1996; MURDER CALL - 1998; THEY - 1998 [Short]; YOUNG LIONS - 2002; ALWAYS GREENER - 2001-2002 [6 episodes]; BLUE HEELERS - 2000-2003; FEED - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; THE SURGEON - 2005; JINDABYNE - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; PASS TIME - 2006 [Short]; ALL SAINTS - 1999-2009 [5 episodes]; THE BALLAD OF BETTY & JOE - 2009 [Short]; PACKED TO THE RAFTERS - 2010; HERMAN AND MARJORIE - 2010 [Short]; CUPID - 2011 [Short; her last acting role]. Betty Lucas was 88 years-old.) - 04/07/15
STAN FREBERG (Voice Actor/Actor: Stan Freberg got his start doing uncredited voice work during the 1940's on Warner Bros. animated shorts, as well as extensive radio work [he voiced Cecil The Sea Sick Serpent in one of the first animated TV series TIME FOR BEANY - 1950-1951]. He was also noteworthy for the following two reasons: 1: He was one of the first comedians to release a comedy album and 2: He was the first person to write funny commercials, both forradio and TV, earning him the nickname "Father Of the Funny Commercial". He continued voicing, writing and narrating animated shorts, movies [LADY AND THE TRAMP - 1955; TOM THUMB - 1955; I GO POGO - 1980; LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION - 2003] and TV Shows [THE BUGS BUNNY SHOW - 1960; THE FAMOUS ADVENTURES OF MR. MAGOO - 1964; WUZZLES - 1985; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1989-1994; DUCK DODGERS - 2003] well into the New Millennium [even writing and voicing some funny songs, such as "John And Marsha"] and every once in a while ventured into live-action films and television, making appearances in such movies an TV Series such as: CALLAWAY WENT THATAWAY - 1951; GERALDINE - 1953; THE EDDIE CANTOR COMEDY THEATER - 1955 [TV Series]; CLUB OASIS - 1958 [TV Series]; SAM AND FRIENDS - 1961 [TV Series]; IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD - 1963; THE MONKEES - 1966 [TV Series]; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967 [TV Series]; ROSEANNE - 1996 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE WEIRD AL SHOW - 1997 [TV Series; 9 episodes; Weird Al Yancovic lists Freberg as a major influence on his career as a musician and comedian]; HERCULES - 1999 [TV Series]; THE STAN FREBERG COMMERCIALS - 1999 [MFHV; essential to everyone to get an idea of his influence on humorous modern-day TV commercials]; UNKNOWN SENDER - 2008 [TV Series; 3 episodes; his last acting role]. He also appeared in numerous film and TV documentaries on animation and the Golden Age of TV and was nominated for two Emmy Awards®, one for voicing Cecil The Sea Sick Serpent in 1951 and another for Outstanding Writing for the 1962 TV Special CHUN KING CHOW MEIN HOUR [which was changed to "Stan Freberg Presents Chinese New Year's Special" in later showings as not to offend Asians]. Stan Freberg was a true pioneer in comedy, radio, music and voice work, and his body of work will live on for generations to come. Stan Freberg was 88 years-old.) - 04/07/15
DICKIE OWEN (Actor: British actor who had a brief ten-year career in movies and on TV in the 1960's and then just disappeared from the business. He worked on a few Hammer Film productions, as well as some famous British TV Series: His credits included: A TOUCH OF LARCENY - 1959 [uncredited]; KNIGHT ERRANT LIMITED - 1960 [TV Series]; HELL IS A CITY - 1960; WATCH YOUR STERN - 1960; CONCRETE JUNGLE - 1960; GIRL ON A ROOF - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE SAINT - 1962 [TV Series]; THE PLANE MAKERS - 1963 [TV Series]; ZULU - 1964; ESPIONAGE - 1964 [TV Series]; LOVE STORY - 1963-1964 [TV Series]; HMS PARADISE - 1964 [TV Series]; CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB - 1964 [played "Ra-Antef", The Mummy]; RICHARD WHITTINGTON ESQUIRE - 1964 [TV Movie]; A WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1965 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; MRS. THURSDAY - 1966 [TV Series]; THREE HATS FOR LISA - 1966; ORLANDO - 1967 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; THE MUMMY'S SHROUD - 1967; MAN IN A SUITCASE - 1967 [TV Series]; UKRIDGE - 1968 [TV Series]; Z CARS - 1968 [TV Series]; CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - 1968 [his last acting role]. Dickie Owen was 85 years-old.) - 04/08/15
PAUL NUCKLES (Stuntman/Stunt Coordinator: Paul Nuckles was one of the premiere stuntmen and stunt coordinators on films and TV Series of every type. He retired over 15 years ago, but his legacy willalways live on in films and television shows. His credits as stuntman or stunt coordinator included: SNIPER'S RIDGE - 1961 [one of the many films he did in the 60's as a stuntman where he goes uncredited]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1958-1964 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; CHUBASCO - 1967; BULLITT - 1968; THE RAT PATROL - 1966-1968 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; CHARRO! - 1969; THE UNDEFEATED - 1969; HOW DID A NICE GIRL LIKE YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? - 1969; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968-1970 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; THE LOSERS - 1970 [a.k.a. NAM'S ANGELS; also a credited actor]; WHICH WAY TO THE FRONT? - 1970; GET SMART - 1965-1970 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; THEN CAME BRONSON - 1969-1970 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN... - 1970; C.C. & COMPANY - 1970; CHROME AND HOT LEATHER - 1971; BUNNY O'HARE - 1971; THE GRISSOM GANG - 1971; THE THING WITH TWO HEADS - 1972; SLAUGHTER - 1972; BLACK GUNN - 1972; GENTLE SAVAGE - 1973; CLEOPATRA JONES - 1973; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966-1973 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; THE OUTFIT - 1973; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973; POLICEWOMEN - 1974; DEVIL TIMES FIVE - 1974; THE GRAVY TRAIN - 1974 [a.k.a. THE DION BROTHERS]; THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE - 1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974; THE FRONT PAGE - 1974; THE F.B.I. 1965-1974 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; POOR PRETTY EDDIE - 1974; THE BLACK GESTAPO - 1975; ADAM-12 - 1968-1975 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1975 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; RACE WITH THE DEVIL - 1975 [also Second Unit Director]; DARKTOWN STRUTTERS - 1975; MANNIX - 1967-1975 [TV Series; unknown episodes]; DIXIE DYNAMITE - 1976; A SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS - 1976 [also Second Unit Director]; FUTUREWORLD - 1976; HOLLYWOOD MAN - 1976; SCORCHY - 1976; MEDICAL CENTER - 1969-1973 [TV Series]; STUNTS - 1977; THE SHADOW OF CHIKARA - 1977; FINAL CHAPTER: WALKING TALL - 1977; SPEEDTRAP - 1977; SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER - 1977; HEARTBREAK MOTEL - 1978 [a lousy re-edit of POOR PRETTY EDDIE that cuts most of the violence nudity and sex!]; TEXAS DETOUR - 1978 [also a credited actor]; BIG BOB JOHNSON AND HIS FANTASTIC SPEED CIRCUS - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE SCANDAL - 1979 [TV Movie]; WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER? - 1979; PHOBIA - 1980; BUTTERFLY - 1982; CHiPS - 1977-1983 [TV Series; Stunt Coordinator on 19 episodes; also Directed one episode in 1980; also Location Manager on a 1983 episode set in France]; CAVE-IN! - 1983 [TV Movie]; PLACES IN THE HEART - 1984 [also a credited actor]; MAKING MR. RIGHT - 1987; MIAMI VICE - 1984-1988 [TV Series; Stunt Coordinator on 89 episodes]; DOGMA - 1999 [his last credit]. Paul Knuckles also had acting roles on: THE IMMORTAL - 1970 [TV Series]; EMERGENCY! - 1972 [TV Series]; THE ROOKIES - 1974 [TV Series]; C.H.O.M.P.S. - 1979. According to Chris Poggiali (who runs the always entertaining blog Temple Of Schlock): "Paul was also a songwriter prior to working in film. His songs include "Monster Motion" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett (the sequel to "Monster Mash") and "Scavenger" by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones." He was also a member of Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall Of Fame. Paul Nuckles was 75 years-old.) - 04/10/15
JUDITH MALINA (Actress: German-born actress who had an erratic acting career, first appearing on TV during the 50's Golden Age and then switching to appearing in underground films [she was married to underground director Julian Beck until his death in 1985] before making the break into some A-List Hollywood films and TV shows [she played "Granny" on the feature film version of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1991]. Her credits included: THE GOLDBERGS - 1954 [TV Series]; THE BACHELOR PARTY - 1957; NARCISSUS - 1958; FLAMING CREATURES - 1963; THE QUEEN OF SHEBA MEETS THE ATOM MAN - 1963; APRES LA PASSION SELON SADE - 1968; CANDY - 1968; LOVE AND ANGER - 1969; WHEELS OF ASHES - 1969; DOG DAY AFTERNOON - 1975; NO PICNIC - 1986; RADIO DAYS - 1987; MIAMI VICE - 1987 [TV Series]; THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S - 1987; CHINA GIRL - 1987; AMERICAN STORIES: FOOD, FAMILY AND PHILOSOPHY - 1989; THE EQUALIZER - 1989 [TV Series]; ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY - 1989; AWAKENINGS - 1990; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1991; TRIBECA - 1993 [TV Series]; HOUSEHOLD SAINTS - 1993; MEN LIE - 1994; ER - 1996 [TV Series]; THE DELI - 1997; MUSIC FROM ANOTHER ROOM - 1998; LET IT SNOW - 1999; NOTHING REALLY HAPPENS: MEMORIES OF AGING STRIPPERS - 2003; THE SOPRANOS - 2006 [TV Series]; WHEN IN ROME - 2010; OVER/UNDER - 2013 [TV Movie; her final acting credit]. Judith Malina was 88 years-old.) - 04/10/15
PAUL ALMOND (Director/Producer/Writer: Paul Almond is best known for making the first installment of the documentary series SEVEN UP! - 1963 [Michael Apted took over the rest of the series, which as of 2012 was up to 56 UP!], which was a definite influence on director Richard Linklater's award-winning fictional film BOYHOOD [2014], but Almond also directed feature films and episodes of U.S. and Canadian TV Series. His credits as Director included: CBC SUMMER THEATRE - 1955 [TV Series; also Producer & Writer]; ON CAMERA - 1954-1956 [TV Series; 19 episodes; also Producer of those 19 episodes; Wrote one episode in 1957]; FIRST PERFORMANCE - 1957 [TV Series; also Producer]; ENCOUNTER - 1957-1958 [TV Series; 4 episodes; also Producer of 4 episodes]; SHADOW OF A PALE HORSE - 1960 [TV Movie; also Producer]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; PLAY OF THEWEEK - 1960 [TV Series]; R.C.M.P. - 1960 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960 [TV Series]; MACBETH - 1961 [TV Movie; also Producer & Writer]; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1961 [TV Series]; THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE - 1962 [TV Series; episode titled "Backfire", which was also released as a theatrical film the same year]; PLAYDATE - 1962-1963 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; THE LABYRINTH - 1963 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE DARK DID NOT CONQUER - 1963 [TV Movie; also Producer & Writer]; JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE - 1963 [TV Movie; also Producer & Writer]; SEVEN UP! - 1963 [TV documentary short; also Producer]; OCTOBER BEACH - 1964 [TV documentary short; also Producer & Writer]; THE FOREST RANGERS - 1963-1965 [TV Series; 15 episodes]; FOR THE PEOPLE - 1965 [TV Series]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1966 [TV Series]; WOJECK - 1966 [TV Series; 2 episodes; also Producer]; FESTIVAL - 1960-1967 [TV Series; 19 episodes; also produced 18 episodes from 1960 to 1966; Wrote one episode in 1960]; ISABEL - 1968 [also Producer & Writer]; ACT OF THE HEART - 1970 [also Producer & Writer]; JOURNEY - 1975 [also Producer, Writer & Editor]; FOR THE RECORD - 1979 [TV Series]; EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY - 1979 [TV Movie]; FINAL ASSIGNMENT - 1980; UPS & DOWNS - 1981 [also Producer & Writer]; CAPTIVE HEARTS - 1987; THE DANCE GOES ON - 1992 [also Producer & Writer]; 49 UP! - 2005 [Footage of Almond's SEVEN UP! is shown]; 56 UP! - 2012 [Footage of Almond's SEVEN UP! is shown]. Almond also Produced and Wrote THE HILL - 1959 [TV Movie]; was Executive In Charge Of Production of the extremely weird hybrid horror thriller DOPPELGANGER - 1993; and got a "Special Thanks" on Martin Scorsese's MEAN STREETS - 1973. He was also married to actress Geneviève Bujold from 1967 to 1973 and had this to say about her: "It isn't so easy to live with an actress. I married Genevieve--not Isabel or St. Joan or Anne Boleyn--but I live with them all...There is a curious internal process going on in her that begins the moment she signs to do a picture. At the first "Action!" she has become the character, and it never leaves her until long after the last "Cut!". Almond's television and movie productions have won numerous awards, including: 12 Canadian Film Awards (Genies)®, 3 Ohio State Awards® and other international awards. In 2007, the Director's Guild of Canada® presented Paul Almond with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to Canadian film and television. According to the IMDb: Paul Almond has written eight novels in The Alford Saga (historical fiction). The saga begins with The Deserter in 1800 then follows, through the eyes of a settler's family, most major developments in Canadian history in an exciting adventure romance format. The Survivor (Book 2, published in 2011) and The Pioneer (Book 3, published in 2012), and The Pilgrim (Book 4, published in 2012), were followed by The Chaplain (Book 5, published in 2013). Red Deer Press published both The Gunner (Book 6) and The Hero (Book 7) in 2014. The Inheritor - released April 2015 by Red Deer Press - is the eighth and final novel in The Alford Saga. In it, the protagonist, Paul Alford, breaks into the impenetrable world of motion pictures in the 1960s when none existed in Canada. His creative career becomes central to the rich blossoming of Canadian culture and he puts Canadian ideas and stars on the world's screens. Paul Almond suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 83 years-old.) - 04/10/15
JONATHAN CROMBIE (Actor: Canadian actor best known for his television work and also as a member of the improv comedy group Pretty Funny Sketch Troupe [a.k.a. Skippy's Rangers],who infrequently ventured out into theatrical films. He was also an award-winning stage actor. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; ANNE OF THE GREEN GABLES - 1985 [TV mini-series]; A JUDGMENT IN STONE - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; BULLIES - 1986 [Theatrical Film; one of the better "Hillbillies Vs. City Folk" exploitationers]; THE DAY THEY CAME TO ARREST THE BOOK - 1987 [An episode of CBS SCHOOLBREAK SPECIAL]; ANNE OF AVONLEA - 1987 [TV Movie sequel to ANNE OF THE GREEN GABLES; played the same role of "Gilbert Blythe"]; MOUNT ROYAL - 1988 [series regular; 16 episodes]; ALBERT HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1988; KNIGHTWATCH - 1988; THE JEWELLER'S SHOP - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; THE TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC - 1989 [TV Movie; voice only]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1989; THE CAMPBELLS - 1990; 21 JUMP STREET - 1991; AVONLEA - 1992 [played "Gilbert Blythe" on one episode]; CAFE ROMEO - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE TEDDY BEARS' CHRISTMAS - 1992 [TV Movie; voice only]; THE GOOD FIGHT - 1992 [TV Movie]; CLASS OF '96 - 1993; MATRIX - 1993; COMEDY NOW! - 1998; SKETCHCOM - 1998; THE TEDDY BEARS' SCARE - 1998 [TV Movie; voice only]; POWER PLAY - 1999-2000 [9 episodes]; ANNE OF THE GREEN GABLES: THE CONTINUING STORY - 2000 [TV Movie; fourth time playing 'Gilbert Blythe"]; THE WAITING GAME - 2001 [TV Movie]; EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT - 2002; THE JANE SHOW - 2004; SLINGS AND ARROWS - 2003-2005 [4 episodes]; THE SECRET WORLD OF BENJAMIN BEAR - 2004-2010 [voiced the title character for 17 episodes]; COTTAGE COUNTRY - 2013 [Theatrical Film]; THE GOOD WIFE - 2015 [his final acting role]. He also directed/produce/wrote and appeared in the 2015 documentary WAITING FOR ISHTAR. Jonathan Crombie died of a brain hemorrhage and was just 48 years-old.) - 04/15/15
JAYNE MEADOWS (Actress: Meadows was a fantastic television actress who was the widow of TV legend Steve Allen, the elder sister of actress Audrey Meadows and she was nominated for three Emmy Awards® for her outstanding guest-starring performances on three separate TV Series. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: UNDERCURRENT - 1946 [Theatrical Film}; LADY IN THE LAKE - 1947 [Theatrical Film; one of thebest film noirs]; DARK DELUSION - 1947 [Theatrical Film]; SONG OF THE THIN MAN - 1947 [Theatrical Film; the penultimate THIN MAN film to star William Powell and Myrna Loy]; THE LUCK OF THE IRISH - 1948 [Theatrical Film]; ENCHANTMENT - 1948 [Theatrical Film]; THE FAT MAN - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; DAVID AND BATHSHEBA - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1951; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1952; WOMAN WITH A SWORD - 1952 [TV Movie]; PULITZER PRIZE PLAYHOUSE - 1952; KRAFT THEATRE - 1952; SUSPENSE - 1953; THE WEB - 1953; DANGER - 1952-1953 [3 episodes]; PONDS THEATER - 1954; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1955; JANE WYMAN PRESENTS THE FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1955; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1956; IT HAPPENED TO JANE - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE ANN SOUTHERN SHOW - 1959; THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1957-1960 [4 episodes]; COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL - 1960 [Theatrical Film]; THE NEW STEVE ALLEN SHOW - 1961; DUPONT SHOW OF THW WEEK - 1962; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1957-1963 [6 episodes]; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1964; THE STEVE ALLEN COMEDY HOUR - 1967; GOOD MORNING, WORLD - 1968; NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T - 1968 [TV Movie]; HERE COME THE BRIDES - 1969; DELLA - 1969; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970; HERE'S LUCY - 1970; MEDICAL CENTER - 1969-1972 [10 episodes]; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1972; ADAM-12 - 1973; WITNESS TO YESTERDAY - 1974; THE GIRL WITH SOMETHING EXTRA - 1974; JAMES DEAN - 1976 [TV Movie]; NORMAN, IS THAT YOU? - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; THE PRACTICE - 1976; THE NANCY WALKER SHOW - 1976; SWITCH - 1977; SEX AND THE MARRIED WOMAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; HAVE I GOT A CHRISTMAS FOR YOU - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE MUPPETS GO HOLLYWOOD - 1979; THE PAPER CHASE - 1979; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1979; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1979; TENSPEED AND BROWN SHOE - 1980; THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST - 1980 [TV Movie]; RISE AND SHINE - 1981; ALOHA PARADISE - 1981; MEETING OF MINDS - 1977-1981 [10 episodes; 1978 Emmy Award® nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series]; TRAPPER JOHN M.D. - 1980-1982; MISS ALL-AMERICAN BEAUTY - 1982 [TV Movie]; IT'S NOT EASY - 1983 [10 episodes]; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979-1983 [5 episodes; also wrote a 1983 episode]; DON'T ASK ME, ASK GOD - 1984 [TV Movie]; HOTEL - 1985; DA CAPO - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1985 [TV MOVIE]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; A MASTERPIECE OF MURDER - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1986 [5 episodes]; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1986; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1987-1988 [3 episodes; 1987 Emmy Award® nominee for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series]; PARENT TRAP: HAWAIIAN HONEYMOON - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE JACKIE BISON SHOW - 1990 [voice only]; MURDER BY NUMBERS - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; MATHNET - 1991; CITY SLICKERS - 1991
[Theatrical Film]; SQUARE ONE TV - 1991; CIVIL WARS - 1992; THE PLAYER - 1992 [Theatrical Film; portrayed herself]; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 1993 [3 episodes]; SISTERS - 1993; TOM - 1994; CITY SLICKERS II: THE LEGEND OF CURLY'S GOLD - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; CASINO - 1995 [Theatrical Film; portrayed herself]; HIGH SOCIETY - 1995-1996 [7 episodes; 1995 Emmy Award® nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series]; THE NANNY - 1997; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS - 1998; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998; THE STORY OF US - 1999 [Theatrical Film; her last acting role]. Miss Meadows was also an accomplished stage actress and was a favorite game show panelist, appearing on such shows as TO TELL THE TRUTH; PASSWORD ALL-STARS; THE CELEBRITY GAME; THE MATCH GAME; I'VE GOT A SECRET; WHAT'S MY LINE?; THE HOLLWOOD SQUARES; MATCH GAME/HOLLYWOOD SQUARES HOUR; TRIVIA TRAP; and THE NEW HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. She also was a frequent guest on all the talk shows from the 1950's to the 1990's and appeared in many documentaries about the Golden Age of TV and the people who made them special [such as her husband and Jackie Gleason]. To a Baby Boomer like myself, when you saw Jayne Meadows on your TV screen, you knew you were going to be entertained. A true TV legend. Jayne Meadows died of natural causes and was 95 years old.) - 04/26/15
ANDREW LESNIE (Cinematographer: Academy Award®-winning Australian cinematographer best known for his work on both of the BABE films, as well as THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT trilogies for director Peter Jackson [as well as Jackson's remake of KING KONG]. Hiscredits as cinematographer included: WONDER WORLD! - 1979 [TV Series; also Director]; THE COMEBACK - 1980 [Documentary]; BODYLINE - 1984 [TV mini-series]; FANTASY MAN - 1985; UNFINISHED BUSINESS - 1985; EMOH RUO - 1986; FAIR GAME - 1987; CYCLONE TRACY - 1986 [TV Mini-series]; DARK AGE - 1987 [an underrated film about a killer giant crocodile]; AUSTRALIAN DREAM - 1987; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1988 [TV Series]; THE DELINQUENTS - 1989; THE SAINT: FEAR IN FUN PARK - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE RAINBOW WARRIOR CONSPIRACY - 1989 [TV Movie]; MORE WINNERS: MR. EDMUND - 1990 [TV Movie]; BOYS IN THE ISLAND - 1990; THE GIRL WHO CAME LATE - 1992; TEMPTATION OF A MONK - 1993; FATAL PAST - 1993; SPIDER & ROSE - 1994; HOUSE OF FUN - 1994 [TV Series]; BABE - 1995; TWO IF BY SEA - 1996; DOING TIME FOR PATSY CLINE - 1997; THE SUGAR FACTORY - 1998; BABE: PIG IN THE CITY - 1998; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING - 2001 [Academy Award® for Best Cinematography]; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS - 2002; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - 2003 [also had an uncredited acting role as the "Corsair of Umbar"]; LOVE'S BROTHER - 2004; KING KONG - 2005; I AM LEGEND - 2007; BRAN NUE DAE - 2009; THE LOVELY BONES - 2009; THE LAST AIRBENDER - 2010; RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - 2011; THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - 2012; THE TURNING - 2013; THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG - 2013; HEALING - 2014; THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES - 2014; THE WATER DIVINER - 2014 [his last credit]. Mr. Lesnie also worked in the Camera or Electrical Departments on the following films: PATRICK - 1978; THE KILLING OF ANGEL STREET - 1981; MAD MAX: THE ROAD WARRIOR - 1981; DEAD EASY - 1982; EARLY FROST - 1982; DEAD END DRIVE-IN - 1986; INCIDENT AT RAVEN'S GATE - 1988; THE 13TH FLOOR - 1988; FAREWELL TO THE KING - 1989; DARK CITY - 1998; HAPPY FEET - 2006; SHINE A LIGHT - 2008. Andrew Lesnie suffered a fatal heart attack and was 59 years-old.) - 04/27/15
NIGEL TERRY (Actor: Nigel Terry was a British actor best known for his role of "King Arthur" in EXCALIBUR - 1981, but he also did many British TV series and film roles during his career. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1967; KENILWORTH - 1967 [3 episodes]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1967; THE GOLDEN AGE - 1967; THEATRE 625 -1967; SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1968; THE LION IN WINTER - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; BOT MEETS GIRL - 1968; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1969; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1969; MY PARTNER THE GHOST - 1970; FLAME - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; EXCALIBUR - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; THE MERRY WIVES OF WINSOR - 1982 [TV Movie]; SYLVIA - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; DEJA VU - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; CARAVAGGIO - 1986 [Theatrical Film; played the title character]; SCREEN TWO - 1986; UP LINE - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE LAST OF ENGLAND - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1988 [3 episodes]; WIPE OUT - 1988 [TV mini-series]; WAR REQUIEM - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; SOUTH OF THE BORDER - 1990; THE BILL - 1991; THE ORCHID HOUSE - 1991 [4 episodes]; EDWARD II - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; ZORRO - 1991; CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; COVINGTON CROSS - 1992 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; GENGIS KHAN - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE MUSHROOM PICKER - 1993 [TV mini-series]; HIGHLANDER - 1993; BLUE - 1993 [Theatrical film; voice only]; IN SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES - 1994; WYCLIFFE - 1995; THE VET - 1995; RESORT TO MURDER - 1995 [TV mini-series]; DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - 1995 [TV Movie]; PIE IN THE SKY - 1996; THE HUNCHBACK - 1997 [TV Movie]; RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - 1997 [TV Movie]; MORTIMER'S LAW - 1998; THE EBB-TIDE - 1998 [TV Movie]; FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD - 1998 [TV Movie]; SILENT WITNESS - 1999; HOLBY CITY - 2000; ON WINGS OF FIRE - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; THE SEARCH FOR JOHN GISSING - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 2002 [TV Movie]; FEARDOTCOM - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; THE RIDE - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; DANIELLE CABLE: EYEWITNESS - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASES PART 1: THE MOAB STORY - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; THE VICE - 2003; THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASES: ANTWERP - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; TROY - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; CUTTING IT - 2004; WAKING THE DEAD - 2004; FOYLE'S WAR - 2004; SEA OF SOULS - 2005; MALICE AFORETHOUGHT - 2005 [TV Movie]; RED MERCURY - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; MI-5 - 2005; BLACKBEARD - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE - 2007 [4 episodes]; SENSITIVE SKIN - 2007; CASUALTY - 2007; DOCTOR WHO - 2008; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE - 2009; GENGHIS KHAN: THE STORY OF A LIFETIME - 2010 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. His last screen appearance will be in the documentary BEHIND THE SWORD IN THE STONE - 2015, about the making of EXCALIBUR. Nigel Terry passed away due to complications of emphysema and was 69 years-old.) - 04/30/15
GRACE LEE WHITNEY (Actress: Ms. Whitney [who sometimes acted under the name "Ruth Whitney"] is best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirks [William Shatner] personal assistant "Yeoman Janice Rand" in the original STAR TREK series, and several of its subsequent films, but she also had a long career in film and TV. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted; most of her theatrical films in the 50's were uncredited roles]:MYSTERY RANGE - 1947 [Theatrical Film]; THE TEXAN MEETS CALAMITY JANE - 1950 [Theatrical Film]; THE UNEXPECTED - 1952; COWBOY G-MEN - 1953; HOUSE OF WAX - 1953 [Theatrical Film; one of the first 3-D films]; HANNAH LEE: AN AMERICAN PRIMITIVE - 1953 [Theatrical Film]; TOP BANANA - 1954 [Theatrical Film; she also appeared in the stage version]; RIDING SHOTGUN - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; WOMEN'S PRISON - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; STRANGE LADY IN TOWN - 1955 [Theatrical film]; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; THE NAKED AND THE DEAD - 1958 [Theatrical Film]; THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1958; SOME LIKE IT HOT - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1961; BAT MASTERSON - 1961; THE ISLANDERS - 1961; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; THE REAL MCCOYS - 1961; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE - 1961; POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; HENESSEY - 1961; KING OF DIAMONDS - 1962; THE ROARING 20'S - 1961-1962; THE DETECTIVES - 1961-1962; A PUBLIC AFFAIR - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962; GUNSMOKE - 1962; THE RIFLEMAN - 1962; FRONTIER CIRCUS - 1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961-1962 [3 episodes]; ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1962; CRITIC'S CHOICE - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962-1963; IRMA LA DOUCE - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1961-1963 [5 episodes]; THE MAN FROM GALVESTON - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1963; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Controlled Experiment" - 1964, the series' only humorous episode]; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1964; WAGON TRAIN - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1964; BEWITCHED - 1964; NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS - 1965; STAR TREK - 1966 [released from her contract after 8 episodes due to "creative retooling"]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965-1967; BATMAN - 1967; RANGO - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1967 [TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1967 [TV Movie]; WAY DOWN CELLAR - 1968 [TV Movie]; CIMARRON STRIP - 1968; MANNIX - 1968; THE BIG VALLEY - 1968; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963-1968; THE OUTSIDER - 1969; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1962-1969 [4 episodes]; THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS - 1970; CANNON - 1974; THE NEXT STEP BEYOND - 1978; STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; HART TO HART - 1980; THE KID WITH THE 200 I.Q. - 1983 [TV Movie]; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY - 1991 [Theatrical Film];
STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1996; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998; STAR TREK NEW VOYAGES: PHASE II - 2007; STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN - 2007 [MFH; her last acting role]. According to the IMDb, this is what Ms. Whitney had to say about her "termination" on the original STAR TREK TV Series: "They wanted William Shatner to have romances in each episode with a different person, because for him to be stuck with one woman was not good for him and it wasn't good for the audience. That's what they told me, so I was written out. There were two blonde girls and one black girl. Nichelle Nichols was a more important character and couldn't be written out. Everything's political in America. One of the blondes have to go. The other one was engaged to the boss, so guess who went? I just about killed myself. I drank, that's what we do, we drink to get rid of pain. I was really mad. My God, was I bitter." [She became a recovering alcoholic, who helped many people with addiction problems through womens prisons or the Salvation Army and would rather be remembered for her work in helping people deal with their addictions than as an actress]. Ms. Whitney also appeared as a Contestant Escort on the TV Series QUEEN FOR A DAY - 1956; and appeared in several documentaries about STAR TREK, including: TREKKIES - 1997; BRING BACK...STAR TREK - 2009; and THE CAPTAINS - 2011. She was also a professional singer [opening in clubs for the likes of Billie Holiday and Buddy Rich, and touring with the Spike Jones Band] before she became an actress and continued to sing in a band called STAR, who would play at various STAR TREK conventions throughout the country. Grace Lee Whitney was 85 years-old. She was the oldest surviving member of the original STAR TREK series and now that mantle is held by William Shatner.) - 05/01/15
NORMAN THADDEUS VANE (Director/Producer/Writer: His output may have been small, but he did direct a couple of good horror features in the 80's. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: PONDS THEATER - 1957 [TV Series; Writer only]; CONSCIENCE BAY - 1960 [Director/Producer/Writer/Uncredited Editor]; THE FLEDGLINGS - 1964 [Producer & Writer];MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER - 1968 [Writer]; LOLA - 1969 [a.k.a. TWINKY; Associate Producer & Writer]; 1931: ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW YORK - 1972 [Writer]; THE EVIL TOUCH - 1974 [TV Series; Writer]; SHADOW OF THE HAWK - 1976 [Writer]; DRACULA SUCKS - 1978 [Second Unit Director]; FRIGHTMARE - 1981 [a.k.a. THE HORROR STAR; Director & Writer]; THE BLACK ROOM - 1981 [Co-Director & Writer]; CLUB LIFE - 1985 [Director/Producer/Writer]; MIDNIGHT - 1989 [Director/Producer/Writer]; TAXI DANCERS - 1993 [Director/Producer/Writer]; YOU'RE SO DEAD - 2007 [Director/Producer/Writer; still unreleased; his final credits]. Vane's first play, "The Penguin", opened Off-Broadway in 1952 starring Martin Landau, to stellar reviews. His Broadway debut, "Harbor Lights", ran for only four performances. Vane spent most of the 1960s and early 1970s in London, where he wrote and directed his first two films, CONSCIENCE BAY and THE FLEDGLINGS; ran two nightclubs, including Esmeralda's Barn, which was eventually sold to the British gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray; and was a regular contributor to Penthouse Magazine. In the mid-1960s, he married Sarah Caldwell, then 16 years old [he was 38], and later cast her in the 1968 film MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER. He was writer and associate producer of the 1969 movie LOLA, starring Charles Bronson which was based loosely on his marriage to Caldwell. [The two divorced by the late 1960s]. According to interviews is such books as Stephen Thrower's "Nightmare USA", Vane bedded almost every girl he met and could be quite the cad, but he led a very interesting life. Norman Thaddeus Vane was 86 years-old.) - 05/02/15
ELLEN ALBERTINI DOW (Actress: Ms. Dow didn't start acting on TV and in movies [best known as the "Rapping Grannie" in THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998] until she was 71 years-old. She was alway memorable in her roles, whether big or small and always knew how to make you laugh. Her credits included [TV Shows unless otherwise noted]: AMERICAN DRIVE-IN - 1985 [Theatrical film]; TOUGH GUYS - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1986; BODY SLAM - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; MUNCHIES - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; WALK LIKE A MAN - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1987; MOONLIGHTING - 1988; MR.BELVEDERE - 1986-1988; WEBSTER - 1988; GOING TO THE CHAPEL - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES - 1989; HOOPERMAN - 1989; CHRISTINE CROMWELL - 1989; NEWHART - 1989; MURPHY BROWN - 1990; MY BLUE HEAVEN - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1990; GENUINE RISK - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; BLOOD AND CONCRETE - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1988-1991 [3 episodes]; K-9 - 1991 [TV Movie]; TRUE COLORS - 1991; MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; SISTER ACT - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; DOWN THE SHORE - 1992; THE WONDER YEARS - 1992; WINGS - 1992; SPACE CASE - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; QUANTUM LEAP - 1993; THE BUILDING - 1993; SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; TWOGETHER - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW - 1994; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1994; FAMILY MATTERS - 1990-1994 [4 episodes]; HEARTS AFIRE - 1994; EMPTY NEST - 1994; RADIOLAND MURDERS - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; ON OUR OWN - 1994; THE BOYS ARE BACK - 1995; CYBILL - 1995; SISTER, SISTER - 1995; PROBLEM CHILD 3: JUNIOR IN LOVE - 1995 [TV Movie]; SEINFELD - 1995; ER - 1995; SISTERS - 1996; HOPE & GLORIA - 1996; NED AND STACEY - 1996 [3 episodes]; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1996; DAVE'S WORLD - 1997; MURDER ONE: DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER - 1997 [TV mini-series]; MURDER ONE - 1997; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1997; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1997; THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; CLUELESS - 1998; CARNIVAL OF SOULS - 1998 [MFHV]; 54 - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; THE NANNY - 1998; PATCH ADAMS - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; SUDDENLY SUSAN - 1998; PAYNE - 1999 [3 episodes]; ARLI$$ - 1999; JUST SHOOT ME! - 1999; READY TO RUMBLE - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; ROAD TRIP - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; GOOD VS. EVIL - 2000; NIKKI - 2000; WILL & GRACE - 2001; JUDGING AMY - 2001; LONGSHOT - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; MAYBE IT'S ME - 2001-2002 [Series Regular; 22 episodes]; EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS - 2002 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; YES, DEAR - 2003; A MINUTE WITH STAN HOOPER - 2003; ANNIE'S POINT - 2005 [TV Movie]; SCRUBS - 2005; SIX FEET UNDER - 2005; WEDDING CRASHERS - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; LAS VEGAS - 2005; HALFWAY DECENT - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; MY NAME IS EARL - 2005; FAT GIRLS - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL - 2006; NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE - 2006; HANNAH MONTANA - 2006; IN CASE OF EMERGENCY - 2007; COLD CASE - 2007; THE BLUE HOUR - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2005-2008 [voice only]; LONELY STREET - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; WITHOUT A PADDLE: NATURE'S CALLING - 2009 [MFHV]; ACCORDING TO JIM - 2009; THE INVITED - 2010 [Theatrical Film]; SHAMELESS - 2011; NOT ANOTHER NOT ANOTHER MOVIE - 2011 [Theatrical Film]; SHE WANTS ME - 2012 [Theatrical Film]; FAMILY GUY - 2006-2012 [voice only]; NEW GIRL - 2013; EAST OF ACADIA - 2013 [Theatrical Film; her last acting role]. Ellen Albertini Dow also taught dance and drama for 30 years before she started her new career as an actress. She died of natural causes at the age of 101 years-old.) - 05/04/15
ELIZABETH WILSON (Actress: Erstwhile actress who was better known for her stage work, but did many theatrical films [many quite famous] and TV projects [many of them filmed plays of stage work she starred in] during her career. Her credits includes [theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: NOTORIOUS - 1946; THE SECRET ROOM - 1954 [TV Series]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1955 [TV Series]; PICNIC - 1955; STAR TONIGHT - 1956 [TV Series]; PATTERNS - 1956; THE GODDESS - 1958; THE TUNNEL OF LOVE - 1958; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - 1959; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1954-1960 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; INTERPOL CALLING - 1960 [TV Series];PLAYGIRL AFTER DARK - 1960; THE DETECTIVES - 1960 [TV Series]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1961 [TV Series]; A CHILD IS WAITING - 1963; THE BIRDS - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963-1964 [TV Series Regular; 26 episodes]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1962-1965 [TV Series]; DARK SHADOWS - 1966 [TV Series]; NEW YORK TELEVISION THEATRE - 1967 [TV Series]; THE TIGER MAKES OUT - 1967; THE GRADUATE - 1967; LET ME HEAR YOU WHISPER - 1969 [TV Movie]; JENNY - 1970; CATCH-22 - 1971; LITTLE MURDERS - 1971; THE LIE - 1973 [TV Movie]; DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - 1973; MAN ON A SWING - 1974; ANOTHER APRIL - 1974 [TV Movie]; MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP - 1975 [TV Movie]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1975 [TV Series]; THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE - 1975; THE EASTER PROMISE - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE HAPPY HOOKER - 1975; DOC - 1975-1976 [TV Series Regular; 23 episodes]; ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - 1978 [TV Movie]; VISIONS - 1979 [TV Series]; SANCTUARY OF FEAR - 1979 [TV Movie]; ONCE UPON A FAMILY - 1980 [TV Movie]; NINE TO FIVE - 1980; THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN - 1981; MORNING'S AT SEVEN - 1982 [TV Movie]; MILLION DOLLAR INFIELD - 1982 [TV Movie]; TUCKER'S WITCH - 1982 [TV Series]; GRACE QUIGLEY - 1984; YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU - 1984 [TV Movie]; MORNINGSTAR/EVENINGSTAR - 1986 [TV Series Regular; 7 episodes]; WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN? - 1986; NUTCRACKER: MONEY, MADNESS & MURDER - 1987 [TV mini-series; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special]; THE BELIEVERS - 1987; A CONSPIRACY OF LOVE - 1987 [TV Movie]; NORA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT - 1989 [MFHV]; BURNING BRIDGES - 1990 [TV Movie]; REGARDING HENRY - 1991; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1991; SKYLARK - 1993 [TV Movie]; QUEEN - 1993 [TV mini-series]; DELTA - 1993 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; IN THE BEST OF FAMILIES: MARRIAGE, PRIDE & MADNESS - 1994 [TV Movie]; QUIZ SHOW - 1994; SPRING AWAKENING - 1994 [TV Movie]; SCARLETT - 1994 [TV mini-series]; NOBODY'S FOOL - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1995 [TV Series]; THE BOYS NEXT DOOR - 1996 [TV Movie]; SPECIAL REPORT: JOURNEY TO MARS - 1996 [TV Movie]; DELLAVENTURA - 1997 [TV Series]; PROMISED LAND - 1998 [TV Series]; ROCKY ROAD - 2001; GIDEON'S CROSSING - 2001 [TV Series]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2002 [TV Series]; HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON - 2012 [her last film acting role]. Ms. Wilson also received the 1972 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for David Rabe's STICKS AND BONES, was awarded the 1979 Joseph Jefferson Award® for Actress in a Principal Role in a Play for MORNING'S AT SEVEN, at the Academy Festival Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, and was a favorite actress of director Mike Nichols, who cast her in several of his films and Broadway plays. Elizabeth Wilson was 94 years-old.) - 05/09/15
MICHAEL CAMPUS (Director/Producer/Writer: While Mr. Campus' output was small compared to other people in his similar situation, he made some seminal films that people of a certain age will never forget. His films includes: AGES OF MAN - 1966 [Associate Producer only]; Z.P.G. - 1972 (addressed the over-population problem long before most films did; Director Only); THE MACK - 1973 [to call this a blaxploitation film is to do it a disservice; this is anunflinching view of a pimp based on Campus following around a real-life one and then making a fictional film about it; Director only]; THE EDUCATION OF SONNY CARSON - 1974 [one of the most underrated films ever made. If you ever get to watch it, please do so!; Director only]; THE PASSOVER PLOT - 1976 [the film that turns Christianity on its head; had people protesting it because Campus dared to offer an alternate view on their religion; Director only]; SURVIVAL - 1976 [predates reality shows by 25 years; the plot is simple: dinner guests at a wealty benefactor must justify their own existence or be put to death; Director, Producer & Writer]; THE MAN WHO BROKE 1,000 CHAINS - 1987 [TV Movie; Producer & Writer]; HIROSHIMA - 1995 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; CODE NAME: WOLVERINE - 1996 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only] THOMAS KINKADE'S CHRISTMAS COTTAGE - 2008 [after a thirty year absence from theater screens, due to his ruffling a few feathers in the business with his former films, Campus returned with this rather innoculous look at the story behind painter Thomas Kinkade's famous painting; Director & Producer; his last credits]. According to Variety: Campus, a Manhattan native, graduated from U. of Wisconsin and served as a U.S. Army lieutenant in Berlin after WWII. He broke into the business as a writer-producer on PM East/PM West late-night talk show hosted by Mike Wallace and Joyce Davidson, then joined ABC Televisions special projects division to work on documentaries such as Saga of Western Man, Meet Comrade Student and India the Troubled Giant. Campus later became director of special programs at CBS, where he supervised over 150 specials including Horowitz at Carnegie Hall, Hal Holbrooks Mark Twain Tonight and Peter Halls production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. He worked for David Suskinds Talent Associates and produced AGES OF MAN, starring John Gielgud. Campus also wrote and produced THE MAN WHO BROKE 1,000 CHAINS and produced CODE NAME WOLVERINE and HIROSHIMA. In 1973, Campus directed THE MACK, starring Max Julien and Richard Pryor, one of the most successful blaxploitation films of the era. THE MACK was honored by film Independent in 2013 with a 40th anniversary screening with Quentin Tarantino providing his personal print. Campus directed 1974s THE EDUCATION OF SONNY CARSON, based on the political activists 1972 autobiography. His other big-screen directing credits include 2008s THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE, starring Peter OToole, Marcia Gay Harden and Jared Padelecki. He was a member of the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Michael Campus passed away of natural causes and was 80 years-old.) - 05/15/15
MARY ELLEN TRAINOR (Actress: Actress best known as the put-upon psychiatrist "Dr Stephanie Woods" in all four LETHAL WEAPON films [Mel Gibson was the cause of her relentless ribbing as she tried to figure out what made him tick], Trainor also appeared in may more TV series and films. Her credits included: CHEERS - 1983 [TV Series}; ROMANCING THE STONE - 1984; THESTONE BOY - 1984; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985 [TV Series]; THE GOONIES - 1985; CBS AFTERSCHOOL SPECIAL - 1986 [TV Series]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1986-1987 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; LETHAL WEAPON - 1987; AMAZING STORIES - 1987 [TV Series]; THE MONSTER SQUAD - 1987; ACTION JACKSON - 1988; DIE HARD - 1988; SCROOGED - 1988; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1989 [TV Series]; GHOSTBUSTERS II - 1988; LETHAL WEAPON 2 - 1989; BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II - 1989; FEAR STALK - 1989 [TV Movie]; ROCK HUDSON - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE OUTSIDERS - 1990 [TV Series]; FIRE BIRDS - 1990; RICOCHET - 1991 [she portrayed the same news reporter, "Gail Wallens", that she did in DIE HARD]; GRAND CANYON - 1991; KUFFS - 1992; LETHAL WEAPON 3 - 1992; DEATH BECOMES HER - 1992; PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE - 1990-1993 [TV Series; played Parker's mother in 16 episodes]; GREEDY - 1994; FORREST GUMP - 1994; LITTLE GIANTS - 1994; SEDUCED AND BETRAYED - 1995 [TV Movie]; CONGO - 1995; A FACE TO DIE FOR - 1996 [TV Movie]; EXECUTIVE DECISION - 1996; RELATIVITY - 1996-1997 [TV Series; Series Regular; 17 episodes]; HOPE - 1997 [TV Movie]; LETHAL WEAPON 4 - 1998; SOMEONE TO LOVE ME - 1998 [TV Movie]; ANYWHERE BUT HERE - 1999; AMY'S ORGASM - 2001; ROSWELL - 1999-2002 [TV Series; Semi-regular; 24 episodes]; MOONLIGHT MILE - 2002; FREAKY FRIDAY - 2003; THE MUSIC INSIDE - 2005; CAKE: A WEDDING STORY - 2007; MCBRIDE: REQUIEM - 2008 [TV Movie; her last acting role]. Ms. Trainor was also Assistant To The Producer on the films BIG WEDNESDAY - 1978; HARDCORE - 1979 and 1941 - 1978. She was once married to director Robert Zemeckis [they divorced in 2000] and appeared in four of his films. Mary Ellen Trainor passed of complications from pancreatic cancer and was 64 years-old.) - 05/20/15
ANNE MEARA (Actress/Comedienne: Anne Meara was a television institution since the Golden Age Of Television. Along with her husband, actor/comedian Jerry Stiller [they were married from 1954 until Meara's death], they redefined comedy and produced child Ben Stiller, who would go on to become a bigger star than his parents [but he would always put them in his TV shows and movies]. Meara also became an accomplished dramatic actress later in her life and did so by making it look easy [it's not]. We lost a fantastic actress today. Her creditsincluded [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; THE GREATEST GIFT - 1954; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1954; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1959; NINOTCHKA - 1960 [TV Movie]; LINUS! THE LION HEARTED - 1964-1965 [voice only; 3 episodes]; THE OUT OF TOWNERS - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; DAMES AT SEA - 1971 [TV Movie]; IRISH WHISKEY REBELLION - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE ABC COMEDY HOUR - 1972; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1971-1972; THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW - 1972-1973 [3 episodes]; THE CORNER BAR - 1972-1973 [7 episodes]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1973; MEDICAL CENTER - 1974; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1974; KATE MCSHANE - 1975 [Series Regular; played titled character for 10 episodes; nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]; RHODA - 1976-1977 [7 episodes; nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Supporting Actress]; NASTY HABITS - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; TIME EXPRESS - 1979; FAME - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1979-1982 [Series Regular; 52 episodes; nominated for a 1981 & 1982 Emmy Award® for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series]; THE OTHER WOMAN - 1983 [TV Movie; also Writer; won a Writers Guild Of America Award® for Original/Adapted Comedy Anthology]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979-1983 [3 episodes]; THE LONGSHOT - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE PERILS OF P.K. - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE STILLER & MEARA SHOW - 1986 [Series Regular; also Writer]; MY LITTLE GIRL - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1987; THAT'S ADEQUATE - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; ALF - 1987-1989 [8 episodes; also Wrote a 1989 episode]; MONSTERS - 1990; AWAKENINGS - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; THE GENERAL MOTORS PLAYWRIGHTS THEATER - 1991; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1991; HIGHWAY TO HELL - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; SESAME STREET - 1978-1991 [3 episodes]; CBS SCHOOLBREAK SPECIAL - 1987-1993; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988-1993; REALITY BITES - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1994; GOOD ADVICE - 1994; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1994; THE SEARCH FOR ONE-EYE JIMMY - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; MURPHY BROWN - 1994; HEAVY WEIGHTS - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; KISS OF DEATH - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; THE DAYTRIPPERS - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS - 1996 [Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]; JITTERS - 1997 [TV Movie]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1993-1998 [5 episodes]; SOUTHIE - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; THE THIN PINK LINE - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; JUDY BERLIN - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; A FISH IN THE BATHTUB - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; THE DIARY OF THE HURDY-GURDY MAN - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; BROOKLYN THRILL KILLERS - 1999 [Short]; THE INDEPENDENT - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; CHUMP CHANGE - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; WHAT MAKES A FAMILY - 2001 [TV Movie]; ED - 2001; ZOOLANDER - 2001 [Theatrical Film; uncredited appearance]; WILL & GRACE - 2001; GET WELL SOON - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; OZ - 1999-2002; LIKE MIKE - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; GOOD MORNING, MIAMI - 2003; CHARLIE LAWRENCE - 2003; CROOKED LINES - 2003
[Theatrical Film]; SEX AND THE CITY - 2002-2004 [4 episodes]; FOUR KINGS - 2006; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 1999-2007 [9 episodes]; HEADCASE - 2009; WONDER PETS! - 2009; WHEN EVENING COMES - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; MERCY - 2009; GRAVITY - 2010; ANOTHER HARVEST MOON - 2010 [Theatrical Film}; STILLER & MEARA - 2010-2011 [played herself for 26 episodes; also Executive Producer]; RIP CITY - 2011 [TV Movie]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2004-2012 [her role as Doug Hutchinson's mother in the 2004 episode titled "Scavenger" was a tour-de-force performance that helped solve a crime; Her fascination with Humprey Bogart was just icing on the cake]; PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE - 2014 [voice only; her last acting role]. Anne Meara & Jerry Stiller also appeared 38 times on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW [once every two months] and was a guest on neary every talk show from the 1960's to the time of her death. She was also a popular panelist on game shows, including THE NEW $25,000 PYRAMID; MATCH GAME 73; CELEBRITY SWEEPSTAKES; various incarnations of THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES; PASSWORD PLUS and SUPER PASSWORD. In 2007, she finally got her Star on the Walk Of Fame [shared with her husband] on February 9, 2007 at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. She also won an Obie Award® for the 1955 off-Broadway production MADCHEN IN UNIFORM. She was one of the greats, both on Television, Stage and Movies and my condolences go out to Jerry & Ben Stiller and their entire families. Anne Meara was 85 years-old.) - 05/23/15
VICENTE ARANDA (Director/Screenwriter: Spanish director and writer who worked in all genres of films. Is best known by horror fans for his film THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE - 1972. His films as director included: BRILLIANT FUTURE - 1965 [also Writer]; LEFT-HANDED FATE - 1965 [also Writer]; THE EXQUISITE CADAVER - 1969 [also Writer]; THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE - 1972[also Writer]; THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL IN THE WORLD - 1974; CLARA ES EL PRECIO - 1975; FORBIDDEN LOVE - 1977 [also Writer]; GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN PANTIES - 1980 [also Writer]; MURDER IN THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE - 1982 [also Writer]; FANNY STRAW-TOP - 1984 [also Writer]; TIME OF SILENCE - 1986 [also Writer]; LUTE: FORGE ON OR DIE - 1987 [also Writer]; LUTE II - 1988 [also Writer]; IF THEY TELL YOU I FELL - 1989 [also Writer]; RIDERS OF THE DAWN - 1990 [TV Series; also Writer; 5 episodes]; LOVERS: A TRUE STORY - 1991 [also Writer]; THE BILINGUAL LOVER - 1993 [also Writer]; INTRUDER - 1993 [also Writer]; TURKISH PASSION - 1994 [also Writer]; LUMIERE AND COMPANY - 1995 [Documentary]; FREEDOMFIGHTERS - 1996 [also Writer]; THE NAKED EYE - 1998 [also Writer]; JEALOUSLY - 1999 [also Writer]; MAD LOVE - 2001 [also Writer]; CARMEN - 2003 [also Writer]; THE MAIDEN'S CONSPIRACY - 2006 [also Writer]; LOLITA'S CLUB - 2007 [also Writer]; LUNA CALIENTE - 2009 [also Writer & Producer; his last credits]. Mr. Aranda also co-wrote the screenplay to THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE DARK - 1975 and won many awards, including the Goya Award®, the Spanish equivalent to the Academy Awards®, for several of his films. Vicente Aranda was 88 years-old.) - 05/26/15
RUSSELL WOLFE (Producer/Actor: Wolfe was a highly respected producer of "Faith-Based Films", his biggest as a producer being GOD'S NOT DEAD - 2014, which grossed $60 million at the boxoffice. His credits as a Producer included: HIDDEN SECRETS - 2006 [also Writer]; THE WAGER - 2007 [also Actor]; SARAH'S CHOICE - 2009 [MFHV}; IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE - 2009 [MFHV; also Actor & Writer}; WHAT IF... - 2010 [also Actor]; ; JOHNNY - 2010 [also Actor]; THE ENCOUNTER - 2010; RUN ON - 2011; APOSTLE PETER AND THE LAST SUPPER - 2012 [also Actor]; THE MARK - 2012; CHRISTMAS ANGEL - 2012 [TV Movie]; ME AGAIN - 2012 [also Actor]; BROTHER WHITE - 2012 [also Actor]; THIS IS OUR TIME - 2013; THE BOOK OF ESTHER - 2013 [also Actor]; REVELATION ROAD 2: THE SEA OF GLASS AND FIRE - 2013 [also Actor]; THE BOOK OF DANIEL - 2013 [also Actor]; GOD'S NOT DEAD - 2014 [also Actor]; MOM'S NIGHT OUT - 2014; REDEEMED - 2014 [also Actor]; THE BLACK RIDER: REVELATION ROAD - 2014 [also Actor]; DO YOU BELIEVE? - 2015; THE DANCER AND THE DAME - 2015; GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 - 2016 [his last role as Producer]. As an Actor: HOLYMAN UNDERCOVER - 2010; REVELATION ROAD: THE BEGINNING OF THE END - 2013; FINDING NORMAL - 2013; SILVER BELLS - 2013 [MFHV]. He also wrote THE MARK: REDEMPTION - 2013. Mr. Wolfe was a co-founder of production company Pure Flix, which has produced and distributed nearly 100 faith and family properties. Russell Wolfe had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] and was just 50 years-old.) - 05/27/15
REYNALDO REY (Comedian/Actor: Best known as "Ray's Father" in the first FRIDAY film - 1995, Rey was an accomplished stand-up comedian and actor on black TV series and films. His credits included [Films unless otherwise noted]; SANFORD - 1981 [TV Series]; YOUNG DOCTORS IN LOVE - 1982; HARLEM NIGHTS - 1989; ONE NIGHT STAND - 1990 [TV Series]; 227 - 1986-1990[TV Series; 18 episodes; also wrote 2 episodes]; FAR OUT MAN - 1990; A RAGE IN HARLEM - 1990; THE BEST OF ROGER TOWNSEND & HIS PARTNERS IN CRIME - 1990 [TV Special]; THE ROYAL FAMILY - 1991 [TV Series]; THE THREE MUSCATELS - 1991; WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP - 1992; FINAL SHOT: THE HANK GATHERS STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; BEBE'S KIDS - 1992 [voice only]; HOUSE PARTY 3 - 1994; FRIDAY - 1995; THE PARENT 'HOOD - 1995 [TV Series]; THE WAYANS BROS. - 1997 [TV Series]; SPRUNG - 1997; FAKIN' DA FUNK - 1997; SISTER SISTER - 1998 [TV Series]; THE BREAKS - 1999; JACKIE'S BACK! - 1999 [TV Movie]; PLAY IT TO THE BONE - 1999; LITTLE RICHARD - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE CHEAPEST MOVIE EVER MADE - 2000; MIDNIGHT BLUE - 2000 [TV Movie]; FOR DA LOVE OF MONEY - 2002; FAMILY REUNION: THE MOVIE - 2003 [MFHV]; THE BERNIE MAC SHOW - 2004 [TV Series]; STILL "BOUT IT - 2004 [MFHV]; SURVIVOR OF THE ILLEST - 2004; SUPER SPY - 2004 [MFHV]; MY BIG PHAT HIP HOP FAMILY - 2005; TREASURE N THA HOOD - 2005 [MFHV]; ISSUES - 2006; WHO MADE THE POTATOE SALAD? - 2006; EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS - 2007 [TV Series]; BLACK SUPAMAN - 2007 [MFHV]; DIVINE INTERVENTION - 2007; AMERICAN DREAM - 2008; FIRST SUNDAY - 2008; INTERNET DATING - 2008 [MFHV]; PAWN SHOP - 2012 [his last acting role]. He also appeared as himself on SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO - 1989; THE UPTOWN COMEDY CLUB - 1992; DEF COMEDY JAM - 1992; COMICS UNLEASHED - 2008-2010 and a handful of documentaries on comedy and comedians [Red Foxx was his idol]. Mr. Rey also co-wrote Johnny "Guitar" Watson's hit, "Superman Lover" and was a contestant [using his real name, Harry Reynolds] on MATCH GAME 73. Reynaldo Rey suffered a stroke and was 75 years-old.) - 05/28/15
BETSY PALMER (Actress: Throughout the late 1950s, Palmer was recognized as a news reporter on TODAY (1952) on NBC, then became largely involved in television; from then on, she remained in made-for-TV films and notable guest appearances, before playing the murderous avenging mother Mrs. Voorhees in the horror film FRIDAY THE 13TH - 1980. Her credits as an actress included: MARTINSVILLE, U.S.A. - 1951 [TV Series]; I'LL BUY THAT - 1953 [TV Series}; DANGER - 1953 [TV Series]; CAMPBELL SUMMER SOUNDSTAGE - 1953 [TV Series];JANET DEAN, REGISTERED NURSE - 1954 [TV Series]; INNER SANCTUM - 1954 [TV Series]; THE WEB - 1954 [TV Series]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; DEATH TIDE - 1955; THE LONG GRAY RIDE - 1955; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955 [TV Series]; MISTER. ROBERTS - 1955; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1953-1955 [TV Series]; QUEEN BEE - 1955; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1955 [TV Series]; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR VIDEO PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1956 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; STAR STAGE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE ALCOA HOUR - 1956 [TV Series]; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1954-1957 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1953-1957 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; THE TIN STAR - 1957; KRAFT THEATRE - 1956-1957 [3 episodes]; CLIMAX! - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE TRUE STORY OF LYNN STUART - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958 [TV Series]; IT HAPPENED TO JANE - 1959; THE BALLAD OF LOUIE THE LOUSE - 1959 [TV Movie]; THE LAST ANGRY MAN - 1959; SUNDAY SHOWCASE - 1959 [TV Series]; OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE - 1959 [TV Series]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1954-1960 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; A PUNT, A PASS, AND A PRAYER - 1968 [TV Movie]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972 [TV Series]; THE NEW CANDID CAMERA - 1974 [TV Series; Co-Host]; FRIDAY THE 13TH - 1980; NUMBER 96 - 1980 [TV Series]; CHiPS - 1980 [TV Series]; RYAN'S HOPE - 1980 [TV Series]; FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 - 1981; ISABEL'S CHOICE - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1982 [TV Series]; MAGGIE - 1982 [TV Series]; T.J. HOOKER - 1983; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1987 [TV Series]; NEWHART - 1987 [TV Series]; WINDMILLS OF THE GODS - 1988 [TV Movie]; OUT OF THIS WORLD - 1987-1988 [TV Series]; GODDESS OF LOVE - 1988 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1989 [TV Series]; KNOTS LANDING - 1989-1990 [Season Regular; 29 episodes]; COLUMBO - 1991 [TV Series]; DEEP DISH TV - 1992 [TV Movie]; STILL NOT QUITE HUMAN - 1992 [TV Movie]; UNVEILED - 1994; JUST SHOOT ME! - 1998 [TV Series]; THE FEAR: RESURRECTION - 1999; HANG TIME - 2000 [TV Series]; FREAKYLINKS - 2001 [TV Series]; WALTZING ANNA - 2006; BELL WITCH: THE MOVIE - 2007 [her last acting role]. Ms. Palmer also appeared on many talk shows [THE JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW - 1958-1959; THE GARRY MOORE SHOW - 1959-1960; THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1955-1965; THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON - 1962-1966; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 1967; THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW - 1966-1967; GIRL TALK - 1967-1970], was a panelist on many game shows [WHAT'S MY LINE?; THE PRICE IS RIGHT; PASSWORD All-STARS; TO TELL THE TRUTH; I'VE GOT A SECRET {193 episodes!}; PERSONALITY; THE NEW $25,000 PYRAMID; FAMILY FEUD] and then did many documentaries on horror films after her iconic success in FRIDAY THE 13TH, including GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM - 2006; BETSY PALMER: A SCREAM QUEEN LEGEND - 2006; HIS NAME WAS JASON: 30 YEARS OF FRIDAY THE 13TH - 2009; and CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13TH - 2013. She was also a frequent guest at many horror conventions around the world. Betsy Palmer passed away of natural causes and was 88 years-old). - 05/29/15
JIM BAILEY (Singer/Female Impersonator/Actor: Bailey was famously known for his uncanny portrayals of Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, Phyllis Diller and Peggy Lee and was a multiple award-winning performer in Las Vegas, theatrical stage performer and did plenty of TV appearances as himself [an accomplished opera singer] or his females impersonations on many of the 60's, 70's & 80's talk shows, as well as appearing on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW 7 times. He occasionally ventured out into acting and appeared in such television shows and theatrical films such as: HERE'S LUCY - 1972 [TV Series]; SWITCH - 1976 [TV Series]; THE DAY IT CAME TO EARTH - 1977; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979 [TV Series]; VEGA$ - 1980 [TV Series]; BACK ROADS - 1981; THE STEVE ALLEN COMEDY HOUR - 1981 [TV Series]; THE SURROGATE - 1984; NIGHT COURT - 1985 [TV SERIES]; VULTURES - 1987; PENITENTIARY III - 1987; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1997 [TV Series; voice only]; ALLY MCBEAL - 2001 [TV Series; his final film acting role]. Jim Bailey passed away due to complications of pneumonia and was 67 years-old) - 05/30/15
JULIE HARRIS (Costume Designer: Academy Award® and BAFTA Award® winning costume designer [not to be confused with the actress with the same name] for films of every kind. Her credits included: HOLIDAY CAMP - 1947; THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL - 1947; BROKEN JOURNEY - 1948; GOOD-TIME GIRL - 1948; CALENDAR - 1948; MY BROTHER'S KEEPER - 1948; QUARTET - 1948; ONCE UPON A DREAM - 1949; THE BODY SAID NO! - 1950; TRIO - 1950; TRAVELLER'S JOY - 1950; HIGHLY DANGEROUS - 1950; MR. DRAKE'S DUCK - 1951; NIGHT WITHOUT STARS - 1951; HOTEL SAHARA - 1951; ENCORE - 1951; ANOTHER MAN'S POISON - 1951; SO LITTLE TIME - 1952; SOMETHING MONEY CAN'T BUY - 1952; MADE IN HEAVEN - 1952; PROJECT M7 - 1953; THE GOLDEN MASK - 1953; DESPERATE MOMENT - 1953; TURN THE KEY SOFTLY - 1953; ALWAYS A BRIDE - 1953; PARATROOPER - 1953; HELL BELOW ZERO - 1954; YOU KNOW WHAT SAILORS ARE - 1954; LAND OF FURY - 1954; THE PRISONER - 1955; VALUE FOR MONEY - 1955; CAST A DARK SHADOW - 1955; SIMON AND LAURA - 1955; THE MARCH HARE - 1956; IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD - 1956; TRIPLE DECEPTION - 1956; REACH FOR THE SKY - 1956; MIRACLE IN SOHO - 1957; THE STORY OF ESTHER COSTELLO - 1957; THE BEASTS OF MARSEILLES - 1957; THE GYPSY AND THE GENTLEMAN - 1958; THE BIG MONEY - 1958; THE SHERIFF OF FRACTURED JAW - 1958; WHIRLPOOL - 1959; SAPPHIRE - 1959; PORTRAIT OF A SINNER - 1959; NORTH WEST FRONTIER - 1959; SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1960; LOSS OF INNOCENCE - 1961; THE NAKED EDGE - 1961; THE FAST LADY - 1962; ALL NIGHT LONG - 1962; THE WAR LOVER - 1962; WE JOINED THE NAVY - 1962; TAMAHINE - 1963; VENGEANCE OF KALI - 1963; FATHER CAME TOO! - 1964; THE CHALK GARDEN - 1964; PSYCHE 59 - 1964; A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - 1964; CARRY ON CLEO - 1964; DARLING - 1965 [Academy Award® winner]; HELP - 1965; THE WRONG BOX - 1966 [BAFTA Award® winner]; EYE OF THE DEVIL - 1966; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; THE WHISPERERS - 1967; PRUDENCE AND THE PILL - 1968; DEADFALL - 1968; DECLINE AND FALL...OF A BIRDWATCHER - 1968; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS - 1969; THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1970; FRENZY - 1972; THE PRIVATE EYE - 1972; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973; ROLLERBALL - 1975; THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT - 1975; THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE: THE STORY OF CINDERELLA - 1976; CANDLESHOE - 1977; THE SAILOR'S RETURN - 1978; LOST AND FOUND - 1979; DRACULA - 1979; THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER - 1981; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE SIGN OF FOUR - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE KINGFISHER - 1983 [TV Movie]; ARCH OF TRIUMPH - 1984 [TV Movie]; A HAZARD OF HEARTS - 1987 [TV Movie]; A PERFECT HERO - 1991 [TV mini-series; her final credit]. Julie Harris was 94 years-old.) - 05/30/15
HIROSHI KOIZUMI (Japanese Actor: Best known to American audience for his appearances in Japanese "Kaiju" films, or giant monster films, usually for director Ishiro Honda. Mr. Koizumi also did many other Japanese features, many of them never released in the U.S. in either subtitled or dubbed form. His credits included [all feature films unless otherwise noted]; MR.LUCKY - 1952; YOUNG PEOPLE - 1952; TOKYO SWEETHEART - 1952; THE MAN WHO CAME TO PORT - 1952; MY WONDERFUL YELLOW CAR - 1953; LAST EMBRACE - 1953; MR. PU - 1953; GIRLS AMONGST THE FLOWERS - 1953; MAMA'S DIARY - 1954; LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS - 1954; MOTHER'S FIRST LOVE - 1954; TWELVE CHAPTERS ON WOMEN - 1954; LOVE MAKEUP - 1955; TOMORROW'S HAPPINESS - 1955; GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN - 1955; CRY-BABY - 1955; BLUE HORIZON - 1955; THE UNDERWORLD - 1956; PRISON SHIP - 1956; A PATH THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS - 1957; BE HAPPY, THESE TWO LOVERS - 1957; A FAREWELL TO THE WOMAN CALLED MY SISTER - 1957; SONG FOR A BRIDE - 1958; A HOLIDAY IN TOKYO - 1958; ROMANCE AND RHYTHM - 1958; THREE DOLLS IN GINZA - 1959; I BOMBED PEARL HARBOR - 1960; DAUGHTERS, WIVES AND A MOTHER - 1960; MASTER FENCER SEES THE WORLD - 1960; LOVERS OF GINZA - 1961; A NIGHT IN HONG KONG - 1961; MOTHRA - 1961; DIFFERENT SONS - 1961; STAR OF HONG KONG - 1962; 47 SAMURAI - 1962; MATANGO: ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE - 1963; ATRAGON - 1963; ATTACK SQUADRON! - 1963; GOOD MORNING, MY BABY - 1964; GODZILLA VS. THE THING - 1964; DAGORA, THE SPACE MONSTER - 1964; GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER - 1964; WHITE ROSE OF HONG KONG - 1965; NIGHT IN BANGKOK - 1966; ULTRA-Q - 1965-1966 [TV Series]; THE DAPHNE - 1966; JAPAN'S LONGEST DAY - 1967; FRESHMAN YOUNG GUY - 1969; BATTLE OF THE JAPAN SEA - 1969; RAINBOWMAN - 1972-1973 [TV Series]; LITTLE ADVENTURER - 1973; GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA - 1974; THE LAST DAYS OF PLANET EARTH - 1974; HUMAN REVOLUTION II - 1976; GODZILLA 1985 - 1984; NINJA TASK FORCE KAKURANGER - 1994-1995 [TV Series]; GODZILLA, MOTHRA, MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. - 2003; A LITTLE PRINCESS - 2009 [TV Series; his last credit]. There are literally dozens of other films and TV Series in his filmography that never had a U.S. release. Mr. Koizumi worked on a few films as an Executive Producer, such as TETSUO II: BODY HAMMER - 1992 and the anime GENESIS SURVIVOR GAIARTH - 1992; and also served as host of Japan's long-running game show QUIZ GRAND PRIX [1970-1980] a Japanese version of JEOPARDY. Hiroshi Koizumi was 88 years-old.) - 05/31/15
KATHERINE CHAPPELL (Visual Effects Artist/Editor: Katherine "Kate" Chappell was an extremely young Visual Effects Artist who was just getting started in the business when a freak accident befell her. She was in South Africa on a volunteer mission to help protect wildlife on June 1st2015, when a lion attacked her through an open window of the vehicle she was traveling in. Ms. Chappell wound down her window to take a photo of a lion, which was only a couple of feet away, when it lunged at Chappell and fatally bit her. She was instantly killed [although some people claim she was denied aid by the safari park employees] by the very same animal she was trying to protect, proving that you should never turn your back or get close to a wild animal, no matter now beautiful they are. They are wild for a reason. Ms. Chappell's credits as a Visual Effects Artist/Visual Effects Editor included: GRAVITY - 2010 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; ARTHUR - 2011; CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE - 2011; TOWER HEIST - 2011; ROYAL PAINS - 2012 [TV Series; 2 episodes]; THANKS FOR SHARING - 2012; MINDBENDERS - 2012; THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY - 2013; GODS BEHAVING BADLY - 2013; APOCALYPSE POMPEII - 2014; NOAH - 2014; CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER - 2014; DIVERGENT - 2014; GODZILLA - 2014; GAME OF THRONES - 2014 [Pay Cable Series; 2 episodes]; IN THE HEART OF THE SEA - 2015 [her last credit]. She was also Editor of the DTV film CHAMBER OF SHADOWS - 2009, was Director/Producer/Editor of two short films, STRUNG TOGETHER - 2006 and GRIM DETERMINATION - 2008 [which she also Wrote], was a Production Assistant on the short film MERRY CHRISTMAS...I GOT YOU HERPES - 2006, was a Post-Production Assistant on 4 episodes of the TV Series UNCLE MORTY'S DUB SHACK - 2006 and was an Intern on the Reality TV Shows MY DAD IS BETTER THAN YOUR DAD - 2008 [4 episodes] and I DO! - 2008 [1 episode]. Katherine Chappell was only 29 years-old.) - 06/01/15
ALBERTO DE MARTINO (Director/Writer: Popular Italian director/writer of Sword and Sandal, Spy, Spaghetti Westerns, Giallo, Action, Mystery and Horror films, who sometimes used the name "Martin Herbert". His credits as Director included: THE INVINCIBLE GLADIATOR - 1961 [also Writer & Producer]; TERRIBLE SHERIFF - 1962; PERSEUS AGAINST THEMONSTERS - 1963 [also Writer]; THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER - 1963; THE SECRET SEVEN - 1963 [also Writer]; HERCULES AGAINST THE GIANT WARRIORS - 1964 [also Writer]; THE REVOLT OF THE SEVEN - 1964 [also Writer]; ASSAULT ON FORT TEXAN - 1965 [also Writer]; $100,000 FOR RINGO - 1965 [also Writer]; THE SPY WITH TEN FACES - 1966 [also Writer]; SPECIAL MISSION LADY CHAPLIN - 1966; HE WHO SHOOTS FIRST - 1966 [also Writer]; DIRTY HEROES - 1967 [also Writer]; OPERATION KID BROTHER - 1967; BANDITS IN ROME - 1968 [also Writer]; CARNAL CIRCUIT - 1969 [also Writer]; THE MAN WITH ICY EYES - 1971; CRIME BOSS - 1972 [also Writer]; SCENES FROM A MURDER - 1972 [also Writer]; COUNSELOR AT CRIME - 1973 [also Writer]; HERE WE GO AGAIN, EH PROVIDENCE? - 1973; THE ANTICHRIST [a.k.a. THE TEMPTER] - 1974 [also Writer]; STRANGE SHADOWS IN AN EMPTY ROOM - 1976 [still one of the best car chases in Italian action cinema]; HOLOCAUST 2000 [a.k.a. THE CHOSEN] - 1977 [also Writer]; THE PUMAMAN - 1980 [also Writer]; BLOOD LINK - 1982 [also Writer]; MIAMI GOLEM [a.k.a. MIAMI HORROR] - 1985 [also Writer]; FORMULA FOR A MURDER - 1985 [also Writer; his last film credits]. His writing credits included: THE THREE MUSKETEERS - 1956 [TV Series]; and GLADIATORS 7 - 1962. De Martino also worked as Assistant Director on GUILT IS NOT MINE - 1952; LA MIA VITA E TUA - 1953; FABULOUS INDIA - 1954 [Documentary]; NOI SIAMO LE COLONNE - 1956; NAPOLI, SOLE MIO! - 1958; GHOSTS AND THIEVES - 1959; MINOTAUR, THE WILD BEAST OF CRETE - 1960; AKIKO - 1961; Second Unit Director on DUCK, YOU SUCKER [a.k.a. A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE] - 1971; and Assistant Editor on THE MEDIUM - 1951. Alberto De Martino passed away at 84 years-old, just 10 days shy of his 85th birthday.) - 06/02/15
RICHARD JOHNSON (Actor: Popular English actor, who appeared in many films and TV Series and is best known to readers of this site for his roles in THE HAUNTING - 1963, BEYOND THE DOOR - 1974 and ZOMBIE - 1979. His credits included: BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1950 [TV Series]; CAPTAIN HORATIO HORNBLOWER R.N. - 1951; CALLING BULLDOG DRUMMOND - 1951; PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - 1952 [TV mini-series]; HOW DOES IT END? - 1952[TV Series]; SCOTLAND YARD INSPECTOR - 1952; WEDNESDAY THEATRE - 1952 [TV Series]; THE HEIR OF SKIPTON - 1953 [TV mini-series]; SAADIA - 1953; THE QUEEN CAME BY - 1955 [TV Movie]; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1955 [TV Series]; THEATRE ROYAL - 1955 [TV Series]; ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION - 1957 [TV Series]; THE BUCCANEERS - 1957 [TV Series]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1959 [TV Series]; THE FOUR JUST MEN - 1959 [TV Series]; EPILOGUE TO CAPRICORN - 1959 [TV Series]; NEVER SO FEW - 1959; CAIRO - 1963; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1960-1963 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; 80,000 SUSPECTS - 1963; THE HAUNTING - 1963; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1956-1964 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE PUMPKIN EATER - 1964; THE OTHER WOMAN - 1964; ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; THE HUMAN JUNGLE - 1964 [TV Series]; THE AMOROUS ADVENTURES OF MOLL FLANDERS - 1965; OPERATION CROSSBOW - 1965; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1965 [TV Series]; KHARTOUM - 1966; THE WITCH - 1966; DEADLIER THAN THE MALE - 1967; THE ROVER - 1967; DANGER ROUTE - 1967; OEDIPUS THE KING - 1968; A TWIST OF SAND - 1968; THE COLUMN - 1968; EMMA HAMILTON - 1968; SOME GIRLS DO - 1969; JULIUS CAESAR - 1970; THE FIFTH DAY OF PEACE - 1970; THE BELOVED - 1971; REMBRANDT - 1971 [TV Movie]; ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1972; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1970-1972 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; A AN ABOUT A DOG - 1972 [TV Movie]; MURDER IN MIND - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE MOVIE QUIZ - 1973 [TV Series]; GREAT MYSTERY - 1974 [TV Series]; ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1974 [TV Movie]; BEYOND THE DOOR - 1974; MOSES THE LAWGIVER - 1974 [TV mini-series]; CHURCHILL'S PEOPLE - 1975 [TV Series]; THE NIGHT CHILD - 1975; HENNESSEY - 1975 [also 'Original Story" credit]; QUILLER: ASSAULT ON THE RITZ - 1975 [TV Movie]; SPACE: 1999 - 1975 [TV Series]; THE LONG ISLAND - 1975 [TV Movie]; ACES HIGH - 1976; TAKE ALL OF ME - 1976; ORIGINS OF THE MAFIA - 1976 [TV mini-series; narrator only]; THE MESSAGE - 1977; THE FOUR FEATHERS - 1978 [TV Movie]; ACROSS A CROWDED ROOM - 1978; THE COMEBACK - 1978; SCREAMERS - 1979; ZOMBIE - 1979; THE FLAME IS LOVE - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE GREAT ALLIGATOR - 1979; HART TO HART - 1979 [TV Series]; A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE - 1979; SPY! - 1980 [TV Series]; PORTRAIT OF A REBEL: THE REMARKABLE MRS. SANGER - 1980 [TV Movie]; HAYWIRE - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MARQUISE - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MONSTER CLUB - 1981; THE MEMBER FOR CHELSEA - 1981 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE KENNY EVERETT TELEVISION SHOW - 1981-1982 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980-1982 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CYMBELINE - 1982 [TV Movie]; MAGNUM P.I. - 1981-1983 [TV Series]; THE AERODROME - 1983 [TV Movie]; MR. PALFREY OF WESTMINSTER - 1984 [TV Series]; THE BIKO INQUEST - 1984 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; TURTLE DIARY - 1985 [also Producer]; WHAT WAITS BELOW - 1985; LADY JANE - 1986; DEMPSEY AND MAKEPEACE - 1986 [TV Series]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987 [TV Series]; A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - 1988 [TV Movie]; VOICE IN THE HEART - 1989 [TV Movie]; TREASURE ISLAND - 1990; THE SECRET OF IAN FLEMING - 1990 [TV Movie]; MADE IN HEAVEN - 1990 [TV Series]; DIVING IN - 1990; DUEL OF HEARTS - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE CRUCIFER OF BLOOD - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE CAMOMILE LAWN - 1992 [TV mini-series]; ANGLO
SAXON ATTITUDES - 1992 [TV mini-series]; HEAVY WEATHER - 1995 [TV Movie]; KAVANAGH QC - 1996 [TV Series]; MURDER MOST HORRID - 1996 [TV Series]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1996 [TV Series]; BREAKING THE CODE - 1996 [TV Movie]; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1997 [TV Series]; SUPPLY & DEMAND - 1998 [TV mini-series]; I.K-IVAR KRUEGER - 1998 [TV mini-series]; THE ECHO - 1998 [TV Series]; MILK - 1999; REDERIET - 2000 [TV Series]; HAPPY DAYS - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE WHISTLE-BLOWER - 2001 [TV Movie]; LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER - 2001; THE ROYAL - 2005 [TV Series]; THE ROBINSONS - 2005 [TV Series Regular; 6 episodes]; WHATEVER LOVE MEANS - 2005 [TV Movie]; WALLIS & EDWARD - 2005 [TV Movie]; REBUS - 2006 [TV Series]; SCOOP - 2006; DOC MARTIN - 2004-2006 [TV Series]; TWO FAMILIES - 2007; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 1999-2007 [TV Series]; WAKING THE DEAD - 2007 [TV Series]; THE RAVEN - 2007 [TV Movie]; JUMP! - 2008 [also Associate Producer]; THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS - 2008; MI-5 - 2008 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; INSPECTOR LEWIS - 2010 [TV Series]; THE BLEAK OLD SHOP OF STUFF - 2011 [TV Series]; THE OTHER CHILD - 2013 [TV Movie]; SILENT WITNESS - 2013 [TV Series]; RADIATOR - 2014 [his last acting role]. Mr. Johnson was also Executive Producer of CASTAWAY - 1986 and Producer of THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE - 1987. Richard Johnson was 87 years-old.) - 06/05/15
VINCENT BUGLIOSI (Prosecutor/Author: Renowned for successfully prosecuting Charles Manson and four of his followers, Bugliosi would then go on to write a best seller about the case titled HELTER SKELTER, which was turned into two television films of the same name [as well as other movies without that name], one in the 70's and the other in the New Millennium. Mr. Bugliosi would appear in many documentaries about Charles Manson and himself and would see George DiCenzo, Richard Crenna, Arliss Howard and Bruno Kirby portray him in movies. Some of Mr. Bugliosi film and TV credits included: MANSON - 1973; HELTER SKELTER - 1976 [Two Part TV Movie; portrayed by George DiCenzo]; ON TRIAL: LEE HARVEY OSWALD - 1986 [TV Movie Documentary]; AND THE SEA WILL TELL - 1991 [TV Movie; portrayed by Richard Crenna]; TILL DEATH DO US PART - 1992 [TV Movie; portrayed by Arliss Howard]; WE THE JURY - 1996 [TV Movie; Production Executive]; ABSOLUTELY 100% GUILTY - 1999 [MFHV Documentary]; ORWELL ROLLS IN HIS GRAVE - 2003 [Documentary]; HELTER SKELTER - 2004 [3 Hour TV Movie; also Executive Producer; portrayed by Bruno Kirby]; CALL IT DEMOCRACY - 2005 [Documentary]; MANSON'S MISSING VICTIMS - 2008 [TV Movie Documentary]; MANSON - 2009 [TV Movie Documentary]; THE PROSECUTION OF AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT - 2012 [Documentary]; PARKLAND - 2013 [based on his book "Four Days In November: The Assassination Of John F. Kennedy"]. He also appeared on countless TV talk shows, news programs and short documentaries. Vincent Bugliosi was 80 years-old. Too bad that psycho Manson outlived him.) - 06/06/15 (Now that date is scary: 6 + 6 + (1+5) = 666)
PIERRE BRICE (French Actor: Known to genre fans for his roles in MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN - 1960 and as the Native American "Winnetou" in the German series of Western films from the 60's and beyond, Brice appeared in many genres of films and TV shows during his career. His credits included: SEVENTH HEAVEN - 1958; YOUTHFUL SINNERS - 1958; THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES - 1958; THE AMBITIOUS ONE - 1959; THE COSSACKS - 1960; LIPSTICK - 1960; CALL GIRLS OF ROME - 1960; MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN - 1960; LADIES MAN - 1960; THE PHARAOH'S WOMAN - 1960; BONDAGEGLADIATOR SEXY - 1961; AKIKO - 1961; THE ROBBERS - 1962; SWEET ECSTASY - 1962; INVASION 1700 - 1962; THE TREASURE AT SILVER LAKE - 1962; THE SHORTEST DAY - 1963; INVINCIBLE MASKED RIDER - 1963; SAMSON AND THE SLAVE QUEEN - 1963; WINNETOU - 1963; THE SILENT PACT - 1963; OLD SHATTERHAND - 1964; GOLDEN GODDESS OF RIO BENI - 1964; WINNETOU: THE RED GENTLEMAN - 1964; AMONGST VULTURES - 1964; SHOTS IN 3/4 TIME - 1965; A PLACE CALLED GLORY - 1965; THE OIL PRINCE - 1965; WINNETOU: THE LAST SHOT - 1965; OLD SUREHAND - 1965; THE DACIANS - 1966; KILLER'S CARNIVAL - 1966; WINNETOU AND THE CROSSBREED - 1966; WINNETOU AND OLD FIREHAND - 1966; THE VALLEY OF DEATH - 1968; ERIKA-THE PERFORMER - 1971; NIGHT OF THE DAMNED - 1971; FIGHT IN VAIN - 1971; FEMININE FEMININE - 1973; YOU ARE A TRAITOR AND I'LL KILL YOU! - 1974; SEX POT - 1975; STAR MAIDENS - 1976 [TV Series; Series Regular; 8 episodes]; MY FRIEND WINNETOU - 1980 [2 German TV Specials; once again played Winnetou]; WONDERLAND - 1983 [TV Movie; Played Winnetou yet again]; THREE CRAZY JERKS - 1987; LAKESIDE HOTEL - 1991-1993 [TV Series; Series Regular; 17 episodes]; HUNT FOR THE BLUE DIAMOND - 1993 [TV Movie]; JUNGLE HOSPITAL - 1996 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; WINNETOU'S RETURN - 1998 [2 Part German TV Movie; the last time Brice would portray Winnetou]; DREAM HOTEL - 2005 [TV Series]; MY LIFE - 2008 [TV Series]; CRUISE IN GLUCK - 2009 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Brice had many more European film and TV credits, but they were never dubbed or subtitled for the U.S. Mr. Brice was extremely popular in Germany, where he apppeared as himself on many German talk shows, game shows and entertainment series and took part in a documentary of departed friend Lex Barker in 2010 [Barker talked Brice into becoming a singer, where he released several German records. Since he couldn't speak German at the time, he sang them phonetically.]. Barker played "Old Shatterhand" in many of Brice's WINNETOU films, as well as having a series of German Western films himself. In 1992, Brice received Germany's Cross of Merit, First Class as one the most popular Frenchmen in Germany. Pierre Brice was 86 years-old.) - 06/06/15
SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE (Actor Supreme: While I am not shocked to hear that one of my favorite actors had passed away [he looked very frail the last time I saw him], I am still surprised because, to me, he will always be Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein's monster, Scaramanga, etc. He could do anything, and to Baby Boomers like myself, Christopher Lee wasa sign of quality entertainment. He could be debonnaire, evil, comical, dangerous, thoughtful, abrasive, even all those qualities at once, yet when he was on the screen, you couldn't take your eyes off him. I'm thankful that once his Hammer Films [Usually paired with the late, wonderful Peter Cushing, who was best friends with Lee. Lee had this to say about Cushing: "He really was the most gentle and generous of men. I have often said he died because he was too good for this world."] closed up for good [they have since re-invented themselves and started over], that he still was in demand, because there was never anyone like him before or since. I'm just glad that he received a new legion of fans, thanks to George Lucas and Peter Jackson, who put him in their STAR WARS, LORD OF THE RINGS and HOBBIT films. I hate to say goodbye to my last true horror icon and it makes me extremely sad to do so, but the day has come and I just wanted to say: Thank you, Mr. Lee, for making my childhood and adulthood an enjoyable romp at the many movie theaters I saw you in. You will live on forever in your films and your performances. Even though I never met you, your passing away was like losing a family member. I say this with extreme sadness, but with joy in my heart for the many times you made me jump out of my seat and watch you steal every scene you were in. You towered over everyone else, not just in height, but in talent, too. Goodbye, dear friend. If there is a God in Heaven, he now has competition. Sir Christopher Lee's many credits included [films unless otherwise noted]:
THE 1940'S & 1950'S: KALEIDOSCOPE - 1946-1947 [TV Series]; CORRIDOR OF MIRRORS - 1948; ONE NIGHT WITH YOU - 1948; HAMLET - 1948; A SONG FOR TOMORROW - 1948; PENNY AND THE POWNALL CASE - 1948; MY BROTHER'S KEEPER - 1948; SARABAND - 1948; SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC - 1948; THE GAY LADY - 1949; THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED - 1950; PRELUDE TO FAME - 1950; CAPTAIN HORATIO HORNBLOWER R.N. - 1951; VALLEY OF THE EAGLES - 1951; THECRIMSON PIRATE - 1952; MR. POTTS GOES TO MOSCOW - 1952; BOMBAY WATERFRONT - 1952; BABES IN BAGDAD - 1952; MOULIN ROUGE - 1952; INNOCENTS IN PARIS - 1953; COLONEL MARCH OF SCOTLAND YARD - 1954 [TV Series]; DESTINATION MILAN - 1954; THAT LADY - 1955; THE DARK AVENGER - 1955; POLICE DOG - 1955; THE VISE - 1955 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; TALES OF HANS ANDERSON - 1954-1955 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE COCKLESHELL HEROES - 1955; ALIAS JOHN PRESTON - 1955; STORM OVER THE NILE - 1955; MOBY DICK REHEARSED - 1955 [TV Movie]; CHEVRON HALL OF STARS - 1956 [TV Series]; PRIVATE'S PROGRESS - 1956; ALEXANDER THE GREAT - 1956 [voice only]; THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL - 1956 [TV Series]; PORT AFRIQUE - 1956; PURSUIT OF THE GRAF SPEE - 1956; BEYOND MOMBASA - 1956; RHEINGOLD THEATRE - 1953-1956 [TV Series; 16 episodes]; AGGIE - 1956 [TV Series]; SAILOR OF FORTUNE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE ERROL FLYNN THEATRE - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; NIGHT AMBUSH - 1957 [TV Series]; ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION - 1956-1957 [TV Series]; THE ACCURSED - 1957; SHE PLAYED WITH FIRE - 1957; THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN - 1957 [the first time he played a horror icon on screen]; STOWAWAY GIRL - 1957 [voice only]; THE GAY CAVALIER - 1957 [TV Series]; BITTER VICTORY - 1957; THE TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN - 1957; O.S.S. - 1958 [TV Series]; IVANHOE - 1958 [TV Series]; A TALE OF TWO CITIES - 1958; WHITE HUNTER - 1958 [TV Series]; HORROR OF DRACULA - 1958 [many, including myself, think his portrayal of Dracula is the best filmic interpretation and this was the first film in which he portrayed him]; MISSILES FROM HELL - 1958; CORRIDORS OF BLOOD - 1958; WILLIAM TELL - 1959 [TV Series]; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1959; THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH - 1959; HOT MONEY GIRL - 1959; THE MUMMY - 1959 [played another horror icon]; TALES OF THE VIKINGS - 1959 [TV Series]; UNCLE WAS A VAMPIRE - 1959.
THE 1960'S: PLAYGIRL AFTER DARK - 1960; THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL - 1960; HORROR HOTEL [a.k.a. CITY OF THE DEAD - 1960]; WILD FOR KICKS - 1960; THE HANDS OF ORLAC - 1960; THE TERROR OF THE TONGS - 1961; SCREAM OF FEAR - 1961; THE DEVIL'S DAFFODIL - 1961; ONE STEP BEYOND - 1961 [TV Series]; HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD - 1961; SECRET OFTHE RED ORCHID - 1962; THE PIRATES OF BLOOD RIVER - 1962; THE DEVIL'S AGENT - 1962; SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DEADLY NECKLACE - 1962 [first time he played Sherlock Holmes; Peter Cushing played Holmes in their 1959 film HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES]; STRANGLEHOLD - 1962; KATARSIS - 1963; HORROR CASTLE - 1963; THE WHIP AND THE BODY - 1963; THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES - 1964; ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964; CRYPT OF THE VAMPIRE - 1964; CASTLE OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1964; THE GORGON - 1964; DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS - 1965; SHE - 1965; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1965 [voice only]; THE SKULL - 1965; THE FACE OF FU MANCHU [portrayed Fu Manchu for the first time]; DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS - 1966; RASPUTIN, THE MAD MONK - 1966; CIRCUS OF FEAR - 1966; THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU - 1966; ISLAND OF THE BURNING DAMNED - 1967; THE VENGEANCE OF FU MANCHU - 1967; THEATRE OF DEATH - 1967; FIVE GOLDEN DRAGONS - 1967; THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM - 1967 [one of my favorites for so many reasons]; THE DEVIL RIDES OUT - 1968; EVE - 1968; THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU - 1968; DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE - 1968; CURSE OF THE CRIMSON ALTAR - 1968; THE AVENGERS - 1967-1969 [TV Series]; THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU - 1969; THE OBLONG BOX - 1969; THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN - 1969.
THE 1970'S: SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN - 1970; THE BLOODY JUDGE - 1970; EUGENIE...THE STORY OF HER JOURNEY INTO PERVERSION - 1970; COUNT DRACULA - 1970; ONE MORE TIME - 1970; TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA - 1970; JULIUS CAESAR - 1970; THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1970 [portrayed Sherlock's brother, Mycroft]; SCARS OF DRACULA - 1970;UMBRACLE - 1970; THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD - 1971; I, MONSTER - 1971; HANNIE CAULDER - 1971; DRACULA A.D. 1972 - 1972; HORROR EXPRESS - 1972; NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT - 1973; DARK PLACES - 1973; THE CREEPING FLESH - 1973; POOR DEVIL - 1973 [TV Movie; portrayed Lucifer]; GREAT MYSTERIES - 1973 [TV Series]; THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA - 1973 [the last time he would portray Hammer's Dracula]; THE WICKER MAN - 1973 [a classic]; THE THREE MUSKETEERS - 1973; RAW MEAT - 1973; THE FOUR MUSKETEERS: MILADY'S REVENGE - 1974; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1974 [portrayed Scaramanga, the three-nippled hitman nemesis of James Bond]; THE BUTCHER, THE STAR AND THE ORPHAN - 1975; SPACE: 1999 - 1975 [TV Series]; DIAGNOSIS: MURDER - 1975; KILLER FORCE - 1976; TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER - 1976; ALBINO - 1976; DRACULA AND SON - 1976 [French parody of Lee's Hammer Dracula films]; THE KEEPER - 1976; MEATCLEAVER MASSACRE - 1977 [Lee appears on-screen for the opening and closing footage, but he swears he did this for another film. Once you watch it, you'll agree with him.]; AIRPORT '77 - 1977; END OF THE WORLD - 1977; STARSHIP INVASIONS - 1977; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1977-1978 [TV mini-series]; RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 1978; CIRCLE OF IRON - 1978; CARAVANS - 1978; THE PIRATE - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE PASSAGE - 1979 [extremely brutal film]; ARABIAN ADVENTURE - 1979; NUTCRACKER FANTASY - 1979 [voice only]; JAGUAR LIVES! - 1979; CAPTAIN AMERICA II: DEATH TOO SOON - 1979 [TV Movie]; BEAR ISLAND - 1979; 1941 - 1979.
THE 1980'S: SERIAL - 1980; ONCE UPON A SPY - 1980 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1980 [TV Series]; THE SALAMANDER - 1981; TALES OF THE HAUNTED - 1981 {TV Movie; Host]; AN EYE FOR AN EYE - 1981; GOLIATH AWAITS - 1981 [TV Movie]; STEIGLER AND STEIGLER - 1981; SAFARI3000 - 1982; MASSARATI AND THE BRAIN - 1982 [TV Movie]; CHARLES AND DIANA: A ROYAL LOVE STORY - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE LAST UNICORN - 1982 [voice only]; HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS - 1983; THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE - 1983; THE FAR PAVILLIONS - 1984 [TV mini-series]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1984 [TV Series]; THE ROSEBUD BEACH HOTEL - 1984; HOWLING II...YOUR SISTER IS A WEREWOLF - 1985 [gets a lot of putdowns because it follows THE HOWLING, but this one is a black comedy and Lee is great in it. The closing scene alone is worth watching the whole film]; JOCKS - 1986; SHAKA ZULU - 1986 [TV mini-series]; UN METIER DU SEIGNEUR - 1986 [French TV Movie]; THE DISPUTATION - 1986 [TV Movie]; MIO IN THE LAND OF FARAWAY - 1987; THE GIRL - 1987; DARK MISSION: EVIL FLOWERS - 1988; MASK OF MURDER - 1988; OLYMPUS FORCE: THE KEY - 1988; AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 1989 [TV mini-series]; THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1989; THE FRENCH REVOLUTION - 1989; FALL OF THE EAGLES - 1989; MURDER STORY - 1989; HONEYMOON ACADEMY - 1989 [MFHV].
THE 1990'S: TREASURE ISLAND - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE MISER - 1990; GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH - 1990; THE CARE OF TIME - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE RAINBOW THIEF - 1990; JOURNEY TOHONOR - 1991; CURSE III: BLOOD SACRIFICE - [a.k.a. PANGA - 1991]; SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE LEADING LADY - 1991; [TV Movie; the second time he portrayed Sherlock Holmes]; BEAUTH AND THE BEAST - 1992 [MFHV; voice only]; INCIDENT AT VICTORIA FALLS - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES - 1992 [TV Series]; DOUBLE VISION - 1992 [TV Movie]; CYBER EDEN - 1992; DETONATOR - 1993 [TV Movie]; FUNNY MAN - 1994; POLICE ACADEMY: MISSION TO MOSCOW - 1994; A FEAST AT MIDNIGHT - 1994; THE TOMORROW PEOPLE - 1995 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; STREET GEAR - 1995 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; MOSES - 1995 [TV Movie]; TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION - 1996 [TV Series; Hosted 4 episodes]; PRINCESS ALISEA - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE STUPIDS - 1996; INANHOE - 1997 [TV mini-series]; SOUL MUSIC - 1997 [TV Serieds; portrayed "Death" in 7 episodes]; WYRD SISTERS - 1997 [TV mini-series]; THE ODYSSEY - 1997 [TV Series]; TALE OF THE MUMMY - 1998; JINNAH - 1998; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1997-1998 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; SLEEPY HOLLOW - 1999.
2000 TO 2015: GORMENGHAST - 2000 [TV mini-series]; IN THE BEGINNING - 2000 [TV Movie]; GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS - 2000 [TV mini-series]; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING - 2002; STAR WARS: EPISODE II-ATTACK OF THE CLONES - 2002; THELORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS - 2002; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - 2003; CRIMSON RIVERS 2: ANGELS OF THE APOCALYPSE - 2004; STAR WARS: EPISODE III-THE RETURN OF THE SITH - 2005; GREYFRIARS BOBBY - 2005; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 2005; CORPSE BRIDE - 2005 [voice only]; POPE JOHN PAUL II - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN COMPASS - 2007; THE COLOR OF MAGIC - 2007 [TV Movie]; STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - 2008 [voice only]; BOOGIE WOOGIE - 2009; TRIAGE - 2009; GLORIOUS 39 - 2009; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 2010 [voice of the Jabberwocky]; THE HEAVY - 2010; BURKE AND HARE - 2010; SEASON OF THE WITCH - 2011; THE RESIDENT - 2011; THE WICKER TREE - 2011; HUGO - 2011; THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK - 2011 [Narrator]; DARK SHADOWS - 2012; THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - 2012; NIGHT TRAIN TO LISBON - 2013; THE GIRL FROM NAGASAKI - 2013; THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES - 2014; ANGELS IN NOTTING HILL - 2014; EXTRAORDINARY TALES - 2015 [voice only; his final film]. Mr. Lee's distinctive baritone voice was also very much in demand for video games in the New Millennium and he provided voices for dozens of video games, including those that had to do with the STAR WARS and LORD OF THE RINGS franchises. The last video game he voiced was LEGO THE HOBBIT: THE VIDEO GAME in 2014.
On 16 June 2001, Christopher Lee was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to drama. He was created a Knight Bachelor on 13 June 2009 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama and charity. In addition he was made a Commander of the Order of St John on 16 January 1997. He either won or was nominated for many awards, but was never recognized by the Academy Awards®, proving once again that the Academy has a bias against actors recognized for their iconic horror films [He appeared in over 240 films and more than half of them cannot be considered horror films, nutMr. Lee held no anomosity, saying this about Hammer Films: "I've always acknowledged my debt to Hammer. I've always said I'm very grateful to them. They gave me this great opportunity, made me a well-known face all over the world for which I am profoundly grateful."]. Early in his career, Lee dubbed foreign films into English and other languages including Jacques Tati's MR. HULOT'S HOLIDAY [1953]. Sometimes he dubbed all the voices including women's parts. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., recalled that Lee could do any kind of accent: "foreign, domestic, North, South, Middle, young, old, everything. He's a great character actor". On a funnier note on this sad day, Lee was listed as the Center of the Hollywood Universe by the Oracle of Kevin Bacon website at the University of Virginia, because he can be linked to any one in Hollywood on average in 2.59 steps. That is less than either Charlton Heston or Kevin Bacon himself. Believe it or not, Mr. Lee was also a fan of heavy metal music. One of his favorite bands was the Italian symphonic power metal band Rhapsody, and he had also appeared on one of their albums [listen to the speech in the intro on the song "Unholy Warcry" on the album "The Dark Secret"]. Lee also appeared on the Rhapsody single "The Magic of the Wizard's Dream", where he did a duet with Rhapsody vocalist Fabio Leoni in English, German, Italian and French versions of the song. He has also stated that he was a fan of U.S. heavy metal band Manowar, proving that age has nothing to do with tastes in music [He has also said many times that if he didn't become an actor, he would have been an opera singer.]. But this is, indeed, a very sad day because we lost one of the greatest British actors every to grace the screen. My heart is broken and full of fondness for Sir Christopher Lee at the same time. He was the last horror icon and all-around grand actors of my generation. And I will miss him dearly. Sir Christopher Lee died of heart failure and was 93 years-old.) - 06/07/15
JEAN GRUAULT (French Screenwriter: Best known on U.S. shores for scripting the art house hits JULES AND JIM - 1962, THE STORY OF ADELE H - 1975 and the Oscar®-nominated MY AMERICAN UNCLE - 1980, Gruault started writing film in the early 60's. His Writing credits included: THE BETRAYERS - 1961; PARIS BELONGS TO US - 1961; JULES AND JIM - 1962; THE SOLDIERS - 1963; THE GHOSTLY RENTAL - 1965 [TV Movie]; THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW ROOM - 1965 [TV Movie]; THE NUN - 1966; THE RISE OF LOUIS XIV - 1966 [TV Movie]; THE WILD CHILD - 1970; ANNE AND MURIEL - 1971; THE STORY OF ADELE H - 1975; THE MESSIAH - 1975; THE GREEN ROOM - 1978; THE BRONTE SISTERS - 1979; MY AMERICAN UNCLE - 1980 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen]; THE CHARTERHOUSE OF PARMA - 1982 [TV mini-series]; VIA DEGLI SPECCHI - 1983; LIFE IS A BED OF ROSES - 1983; THE 80'S - 1983 [Documentary]; LIFE UNTO DEATH - 1984; ALEXINA - 1985; GOLDEN EIGHTIES - 1986; AUSTRALIA - 1989; NAPOLEON IN EUROPE - 1991 [TV Series]; THE MARRIAGE BOAT - 1994; THE LIFE OF CHARLES PATHE - 1995 [TV Movie]; BELLE EPOQUE - 1995 [TV mini-series]; NO MAN'S ZONE - 2012; MARGUERITE & JULIEN - 2015 [his last film credit]. Mr. Gruault won and was nominated for many other awards for his film writing work and was also a bit actor [usually going uncredited] in many films that he wrote. Jean Gruault was 90 years-old.) -- 06/09/15
VINCENT MUSETTO (Newspaper Editor/Film Critic: Vincent Musetto was a long-time editor of the notorious New York Post, who also wrote film reviews. Out of all the notorious front page headlines the New York Post printed, Musetto was credited with this one in 1983, which made headlines of its own around the world [it's probably the most famous newspaper headline other than the "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline on the front page of the Chicago Daily Tribune on November 3, 1948]. Musetto retired as editor in 2011, but still continued to write film reviews for the newspaper. Musetto was extremely harsh on horror films and very few received positive reviews from him. But he will always be remembered for his outrageous front page headlines, which earns him a place in history. Vincent Musetto passed away from pancreatic cancer and was 74 years-old.) - 06/09/15
ROBERT CHARTOFF (Producer: Robert Chartoff was one of the film industry's premiere film Producers, starting in the 60's and continuing till the day he died, even winning an Academy Award® for ROCKY - 1976 and being nominated for a couple more [with producing partner IrwinWinkler]. His films as Producer included: POINT BLANK - 1967; THE SPLIT - 1968; THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY? - 1969; THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT - 1970; LEO THE LAST - 1970; BELIEVE IN ME - 1971; THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT - 1971; THE NEW CENTURIONS - 1972; THUMB TRIPPING - 1972; THE MECHANIC - 1972; UP THE SANDBOX - 1972; BUSTING - 1974; S*P*Y*S - 1974; THE GAMBLER - 1974; BREAKOUT - 1975; PEEPER - 1976; ROCKY - 1976 [Academy Award®-winner for Best Picture]; NICKELODEON - 1976; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - 1977; VALENTINO - 1977; COMES A HORSEMAN - 1978; UNCLE JOE SHANNON - 1978; ROCKY II - 1979; RAGING BULL - 1980 [Academy Award®-nominated for Best Film]; TRUE CONFESSIONS - 1981; ROCKY III - 1982; THE RIGHT STUFF - 1983 [Academy Award®-nominated for Best Film]; BEER - 1985; ROCKY IV - 1985; ROCKY V - 1990 [Nominated for a couple of Razzie Awards®]; STRAIGHT TALK - 1992; IN MY COUNTRY - 2004; ROCKY BALBOA - 2006; THE TEMPEST - 2010; THE MECHANIC - 2011; ENDER'S GAME - 2013; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - 2014; THE GAMBLER - 2014; CREED - 2015 [his last on-screen credit]. He was supposed to Produce a film called SCARPA in 2015 starring longtime friend Sylvester Stallone, but the fate of that film is now up in the air due to his death. Robert Chartoff died due to complications of pancreatic cancer and was 81 years-old.) - 06/10/15
JULIE KIRKHAM (Producer: Ms. Kirkham didn't work on a lot of movies, but she did Produce some well-known films during her short period. She was known as one of the best readers and script advisers in Hollywood and helped launch screenwriters, including Steve Zaillian, Ron Shelton, Craig Bolotin, Blake Herron and Jordan Roberts. Her films as producer included: UNDER FIRE - 1983 [Director of Production Development]; BREATHLESS - 1983 [Director of Production Development]; THE TERMINATOR - 1984 [Director of Production Development]; DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN - 1985 [Director of Production Development]; THE FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN - 1985 [Director of Production Development]; AT CLOSE RANGE - 1986 [Director of Production Development]; ROBOCOP - 1987 [Director of Production Development]; CHERRY 2000 - 1987 [Associate Producer]; BLACK RAIN - 1989 [Executive Producer]; THAT NIGHT - 1992 [Executive Producer]; ANNA AND THE KING - 1999 [Co-Producer]; KNOCKAROUND GUYS - 2001 [Co-Producer]; DIRTY DANCING: HAVANA NIGHTS - 2004 [Co-Producer]; AROUND THE BEND - 2004 [Producer]; 3,2,1...FRANKIE GO BOOM - 2012 [Executive Producer; her last Producing credit]. Ms. Kirkham also wrote the story to the short film SAPPHIRE MAN - 1988. Julie Kirkhan died of multiple myeloma and was 61 years-old.) - 06/10/15
RON MOODY (Actor: British actor that was nominated for an Academy Award® for his role as "Fagin" in the musical film OLIVER! - 1968. His other credits included: DAVY - 1958; THE VISE - 1958 [TV Series]; FOLLOW A STAR - 1959; MAKE MINE MINK - 1960; ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING BOX - 1960 [TV Movie]; FIVE GOLDEN HOURS - 1961; A PAIR OF BRIEFS - 1962; THE WINTER'S TALE - 1962 [TV Movie]; SUMMER HOLIDAY - 1963; THE MOUSE ON THE MOON - 1963; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1963 [TV Series]; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1963 [TV Series]; FESTIVAL - 1963 [TVSeries]; LADIES WHO DO - 1963; MURDER MOST FOUL - 1964; SEASIDE SWINGERS - 1964; THURSDAY THEATRE - 1964 [TV Series]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1964 [TV Series]; SAN FERRY ANN - 1965; ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1965 [TV Series]; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1966 [TV Series]; THE SANDWICH MAN - 1966; THE AVENGERS - 1966-1967 [TV Series]; ASTERIX THE GAUL - 1967 [voice only]; OLIVER! - 1968 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor in a Leading Role; Won a Golden Globe Award® for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy]; THE HARRY SECOMBE SHOW - 1968 [TV Series]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969 [TV Series]; DAVID COPPERFIELD - 1969 [TV Movie]; THIRTY MINUTE THEATRE - 1970 [TV Series]; THE TWELVE CHAIRS - 1970; FLIGHT OF THE DOVES - 1971; SHIRLEY'S WORLD - 1971 [TV Series]; THE EDWARDIANS - 1972 [TV mini-series]; GUNSMOKE - 1973 [TV Series]; VILLAGE HALL - 1974 [TV Series]; LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF - 1975; DOGPOUND SHUFFLE - 1975; CLOSED-UP TIGHT - 1975; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1976 [TV Series]; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1976 [TV Series]; THE STRANGE CASE OF THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT - 1977; MIDNIGHT IS A PLACE - 1977 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE WORD - 1978 [TV mini-series]; DOMINIQUE - 1979; UNIDENTIFIED FLYING ODDBALL - 1979; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980 [TV Series]; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1980 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1981 [TV Movie]; INTO THE LABYRINTH - 1981 [TV Series; 14 episodes]; STRIKE FORCE - 1981 [TV Series]; THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE - 1981 [MFHV}; WRONG IS RIGHT - 1982; TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1982 [TV Series]; HART TO HART - 1981-1983 [TV Series]; WHERE IS PARSIFAL? - 1984; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1984 [TV Series]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985 [TV Series]; HIDEAWAY - 1986 [TV mini-series]; THE TELEBUGS - 1986 [voice only]; ASTERIX AND THE BIG FIGHT - 1989 [voice only]; A GHOST IN MONTE CARLO - 1990 [TV Movie]; HOW'S BUSINESS - 1991; EMILY'S GHOST - 1992; MIKE & ANGELO - 1994 [TV Series]; A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT - 1995; LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE - 1995 [TV Series]; THE ANIMALS OF FARTHING WOOD - 1993-1995 [TV Series Regular; 39 episodes]; NOAH'S ISLAND - 1997 [TV Series]; THE PEOPLE'S PASSION - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE 3 KINGS - 2000; REVELATION - 2001; PARADISE GROVE - 2004; EASTENDERS - 2003 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; KEEN EDDIE - 2004 [TV Series]; LOST DOGS -2005; MOUSSAKA & CHIPS - 2005; CELEBRATE OLIVER! - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE BILL - 1998-2006 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CASUALTY - 2010 [TV Series]; HOLBY CITY - 2005-2012 [TV Series; his final credit]. Moody first appeared as Fagin in Lionel Barts West End stage adaptation in 1960, and won a Tony Award® when he returned to the role for a Broadway revival in 1984. Ron Moody was 91 years-old.) - 06/11/15
MONICA LEWIS (Singer/Actress: Ms. Lewis was a well-established singer in the 40's & 50's [even supplying the singing voice of the Chiquita Banana for 14 years, as well a shilling for other products on TV], having a string of hits songs and doing an occasional acting gig. But when she married Universal Pictures production executive Jennings Lang in 1956 [and staying married to him until his death in 1996], she began appearing in more of his films and TV series. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: INSIDE STRAIGHT - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; EXCUSEMY DUST - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; THE STRIP - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; AFFAIR WITH A STRANGER - 1953 [Theatrical Film]; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1957; STUDIO 57 - 1957; THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW - 1957; THE D.I. - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; PETER GUNN - 1958; M SQUAD - 1959; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1959; RIVERBOAT - 1959; JOHNNY STACCATO - 1959-1960; THE DEPUTY - 1960; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1960-1961 [3 episodes]; LARAMIE - 1961; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1955-1962; THE TALL MAN - 1961-1962; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1963; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1964; CROSSROADS - 1964; WAGON TRAIN - 1965; CONVOY - 1965; LAREDO - 1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1965-1968 [3 episodes]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1971; NIGHT GALLERY - ["The Different Ones" - 1971]; EMERGENCY! - 1972; CHARLEY VARRICK - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; IRONSIDE - 1968-1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; BARBARY COAST - 1975; AIRPORT '77 - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; QUINCY M.E. - 1977; ROLLERCOASTER - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; ACTOR - 1978 [TV Movie]; NUNZIO - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; THE IMMIGRANTS - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; BOXOFFICE - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; THE STING II - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; STICK - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1985; SANTA BARBARA - 1985; FALCON CREST - 1986; DEAD HEAT - 1988 [Theatrical film]; JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! - 2007 [her last appearance]. Ms. Lewis appeared as herself on the very first telecast of THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW back in 1948 and sang on many entertainment TV Series during the 50's. During the 80's & 90's, Ms. Lewis returned to music, recording several albums, including one as a tribute to her late husband. She also wrote a photo-filled autobiography called "Hollywood Through My Eyes". Monica Lewis passed away of natural causes and was 93 years-old.) - 06/12/15
BLAZE STARR (Legendary Burlesque Stripper/Model/Actress: Most of us never experienced true burlesque, but thanks to the late Mike Vraney and his company Something Weird Video, we all got a taste of what is was really like, thanks to the shorts and films featuring such famous strippers and models as Bettie Page and Starr. Legendary stripper and burlesque dancer BlazeStarr was born Fannie Belle Fleming in 1932 in Wilsondale, West Virginia. Her parents were Lora Evans and Goodlow Mullins. She had ten siblings. Blaze left home and moved to Washington, DC while only in her mid-teens. She was discovered by her first manager Red Snyder working as either a hat-check girl or at a donut shop [her story always changed]. Starr got her stage name from Snyder, but, nonetheless, still left him after he attempted to rape her. With her fiery red hair, shapely and voluptuous 38D-24-37 figure, and sultry, energetic, and captivating stage presence (her stage routines included a comedic exploding coach gag and having a large trained black panther untie a ribbon on her costume, which made it fall to the floor), Blaze became a major headliner at the Two O'Clock Club in Baltimore, Maryland, and earned the nicknames "Miss Spontaneous Combustion" and "The Hottest Blaze in Burlesque." Starr made $1,500 dollars per week at the peak of her stripping career. Among the men's magazines she appeared in at the height of her fame are "Sizzle," "Ace," "Scamp," "Sir!," "Best for Men," "Rogue," and "Modern Man." Moreover, Starr posed for pictures for noted fetish photographer Irving Klaw. Blaze achieved her greatest notoriety in the late 1950s as the paramour for Louisiana state governor Earl Kemp Long (Earl Long); this affair inspired the 1989 feature film BLAZE - 1989, which Paul Newman played Long, Lolita Davidovich portrayed Starr, and it even has a cameo from Ms. Starr as a stripper named Lily. She portrayed herself in the immensely popular Doris Wishman nudie cutie romp BLAZE STARR GOES NUDIST - 1962. In 1974, Starr wrote the autobiographical book "Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry." Blaze retired from stripping in 1983. In 1989, Starr had become a gemologist who spent several holiday seasons selling hand-crafted jewelry at the Carrolltowne Mall in Eldersburg, Maryland. Blaze also owned and operated the Two O'Clock Club in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Starr also appeared in the 1956 documentary BUXOM BEAUTEASE; had a small role as herself in the 1990 thriller ON THE BLOCK; and appeared in the essential 2010 documentary BEHIND THE BURLY Q. Blaze Starr passed away due to heart problems and was 83 years-old.) - 06/15/15
STEVE BLAUNER (Producer: A lot of people never heard of Steve Blauner, but he, along with fellow Producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, made some of the most seminal films of the late-60's & early-70's. Mr. Blauner started out as tragic singer Bobby Darin's manager [where Darindemanded that he get 50% of his royalties, not the usual 15%]. Darin and Blauner parted ways professionally in 1965 when Darin was nominated for an Academy Award® for CAPTAIN NEWMAN, M.D. but remained friends [After Darins death, Blauner represented his estate.]. He then worked for Screen Gems, where he was involved in various capacities with such TV Series as BEWITCHED; HAZEL; I DREAM OF JEANNIE; and THE MONKEES. Blauner then joined Schneider & Rafelson to create BBS Productions (based on the initials of their first names) and made such films as the Monkee's HEAD - 1968; EASY RIDER - 1969 [Nominated for two Academy Awards®]; FIVE EASY PIECES - 1970; THE LAST PICTURE SHOW - 1971 [Two Academy Award® wins for Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman for Best Supporting Actor and Actress]; DRIVE, HE SAID - 1971; A SAFE PLACE - 1971; THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS - 1972; and the Academy Award® winning documentary HEARTS AND MINDS - 1974. When BBS Productions disbanded, Mr. Blauner Produced RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE IN CONCERT - 1979; Executive Produced the failed TV Series NEW MONKEES - 1987; and was Consultant on the Bobby Darin bio-pic BEYOND THE SEA - 2004, where he was portrayed onscreen by John Goodman [he continued to be the late Darin's estate manager until the day he died]. Early in Blauner's career, where he worked with TV legend Ernie Kovacs, he also was Technical Advisor on the horror film THE DEVIL'S HAND - 1961. A documentary on the days of BBS Productions and how they created a New Hollywood was made in 2010 and called AMERICA LOST AND FOUND: THE BBS STORY, which is required viewing for those who want to know what a force they were in Hollywood, yet ignored by many big shots except for a few. Steve Blauner died due to complications from hip surgery and was 81 years-old.) - 06/16/15
JACK ROLLINS (Producer: Mr. Rollins claim to fame is that he Co-Produced [with the late Charles H. Joffe] nearly all of Woody Allen films ever since 1969, except LOVE AND DEATH - 1975. Besides Woody Allen, Rollins handled or managed Harry Belafonte, the comedy team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, David Letterman, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Robert Klein, DickCavett, Jimmy Tingle, Diane Keaton, Paula Poundstone, Martin Short and Lenny Bruce in their early careers. Mr. Rollins credits as a Producer included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN - 1969; THE WOODY ALLEN SPECIAL - 1969 [TV Special]; DON'T DRINK THE WATER - 1969; BANANAS - 1971; EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX* BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK - 1972; THE TED BESSELL SHOW - 1973 [TV Special]; SLEEPER - 1973; THE FRONT - 1976; ANNIE HALL - 1977; INTERIORS - 1978; MANHATTAN - 1979; STARDUST MEMORIES - 1980 [also Actor]; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY - 1982; THE MARX BROTHERS IN A NUTSHELL - 1982 [TV Documentary]; ZELIG - 1983; BROADWAY DANNY ROSE - 1984 [also appeared as himself]; THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS - 1986; DAVID LETTERMAN'S 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY FILM FESTIVAL - 1986 [TV Special]; RADIO DAYS - 1987; SEPTEMBER - 1987; LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN: 6TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - 1988 [TV Special]; ANOTHER WOMAN - 1988; NEW YORK STORIES - 1989; CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS - 1989; ALICE - 1990; LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN - 1983-1991 [Executive Producer; 191 episodes; nominated 9 times for an Emmy Award®, but never won]; SHADOWS AND FOG - 1991; HUSBANDS AND WIVES - 1992; RICK REYNOLDS: ONLY THE TRUTH IS FUNNY - 1993 [TV Special]; MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY - 1993; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY - 1994; MIGHTY APHRODITE - 1995; EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU - 1996; DECONSTRUCTING HARRY - 1997; CELEBRITY - 1998; SWEET AND LOWDOWN - 1999; SMALL TIME CROOKS - 2000; THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION - 2001; HOLLYWOOD ENDING - 2002; JIMI HENDRIX: THE DICK CAVETT SHOW - 2002 [TV Special]; ANYTHING ELSE - 2003; MELINDA AND MELINDA - 2004; MATCH POINT - 2005; SCOOP - 2006; CASSANDRA'S DREAM - 2007; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA - 2008; WHATEVER WORKS - 2009; YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER - 2010; MIDNIGHT IN PARIS - 2011; TO ROME WITH LOVE - 2012; BLUE JASMINE - 2013; MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT - 2014; IRRATIONAL MAN - 2015 [his last credit]. It should be noted that Mr. Rollins retired in 1993, but even after Rollins retired, Woody Allen continued to give him Executive Producer credits on his films. Jack Rollins was 100 years-old.) - 06/18/15
JAMES HORNER (Film Music Composer: Mr. Horner was one of the premiere movie music composers, winning two Academy Awards® and amassing a large amount of other awards. Tragically, he died when a plane he was piloting crashed on Monday June 22 [he was the only person on-board] and he left us a legacy of well over 150 films to remember him by. Horner got his start by supplying music for the films of Producer Roger Corman [which Corman would re-use over and over in his later films, a Corman trait], but quickly moved up the ladder to score A-list films. To list all the films he worked on would be quite the chore, so I will pick out some of his little-known and best-known films that he scored. They included: THE WATCHER - 1978; UP FROM THE DEPTHS - 1979; THE LADY IN RED - 1979;HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP - 1980; BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS - 1980; ANGEL DUSTED - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE HAND - 1981; WOLFEN - 1981; DEADLY BLESSING - 1981; A FEW DAYS IN WEASEL CREEK - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE PURSUIT OF D. B. COOPER - 1981; A PIANO FOR MRS. CIMINO - 1982 [TV Movie]; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982; 48 HRS - 1982; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983; SPACE RAIDERS - 1983; KRULL - 1983; BRAINSTORM - 1983; THE DRESSER - 1983; GORKY PARK - 1983; UNCOMMON VALOR - 1983; THE STONE BOY - 1984; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984; HEAVEN HELP US - 1985; COCOON - 1985; VOLUNTEERS - 1985; THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN - 1985; WIZARDS OF THE LOST KINGDOM - 1985; COMMANDO - 1985; OFF BEAT - 1986; ALIENS - 1986; WHERE THE RIVER RUN BLACK - 1986; THE NAME OF THE ROSE - 1986; AN AMERICAN TAIL - 1986; PROJECT X - 1987; *batteries not included - 1987; WILLOW - 1988; RED HEAT - 1988; VIBES - 1988; THE LAND BEFORE TIME - 1988; COCOON: THE RETURN - 1988; FIELD OF DREAMS - 1989; HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS - 1989; IN COUNTRY - 1989; DAD - 1989; GLORY - 1989; I LOVE YOU TO DEATH - 1990; ANOTHER 48 HRS. - 1990; ONCE AROUND - 1991; CLASS ACTION - 1991; THE ROCKETEER - 1991; THUNDERHEART - 1992; PATRIOT GAMES - 1992; UNLAWFUL ENTRY - 1992; SNEAKERS - 1992; SWING KIDS - 1993; JACK THE BEAR - 1993; HOUSE OF CARDS - 1993; THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE - 1993; THE PELICAN BRIEF - 1993; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - 1994; PAGEMASTER - 1994; LEGENDS OF THE FALL - 1995; BRAVEHEART - 1995; CASPER - 1995; APOLLO 13 - 1995 [Academy Award®]; JADE - 1995; JUMANJI - 1995; BALTO - 1995; COURAGE UNDER FIRE - 1996; RANSOM - 1996; THE DEVIL'S OWN - 1997; TITANIC - 1997 [Academy Award®; reportedly the biggest-selling orchestral soundtrack in history]; DEEP IMPACT - 1998; MASK OF ZORRO - 1998; MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1998; BICENTENNIAL MAN - 1999; THE PERFECT STORM - 2000; HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS - 2000; ENEMY AT THE GATES - 2001; A BEAUTIFUL MIND - 2001; IRIS - 2002; WINDTALKERS - 2002; THE FOUR FEATHERS - 2002; RADIO - 2003; BEYOND BORDERS - 2003; THE MISSING - 2003; HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG - 2003; BOBBY JONES: STROKE OF GENIUS - 2004; TROY - 2004; THE FORGOTTEN - 2004; FLIGHTPLAN - 2005; THE LEGEND OF ZORRO - 2005; THE NEW WORLD - 2006; ALL THE KING'S MEN - 2007; APOCALYPTO - 2006; THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES - 2008; THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS - 2008; AVATAR - 2009; THE KARATE KID - 2010; DAY OF THE FALCON - 2011; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 2012; ONE DAY IN AUSCHWITZ - 2015 [Documentary]; WOLF TOTEM - 2015; SOUTHPAW - 2015; THE 33 - 2015 [his last screen credit]. Mr. Horner met James Cameron during his days with Roger Corman, where they would form a friendship, and Cameron used him in the majority of his films. Horner was supposed to score the upcoming two sequels to AVATAR, but his unfortunate death made that an impossibility. James Horner was 61 years-old.) - 06/22/15
LAURA ANTONELLI (Actress: Italian actress who was quite popular until she was convicted in the 1990's for dealing and possession of cocaine, which was overturned ten years later. But the damage was done and she passed away destitute in a government-funded apartment. Her credits as an actress include [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE MAGNIFICENT CUCKOLD - 1964; DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMBS - 1966; PARDON, ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST? - 1966; THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION - 1968; RING OF DEATH - 1969; THE ARCHANGEL - 1969; DEVIL IN THE FLESH - 1969; A MAN CALLED SLEDGE - 1970; BALI - 1970; GRADIVA - 1970; SWASHBUCKLER - 1971; WITHOUT APPARENT MOTIVE - 1971; SECRET FANTASY - 1971; THE SENATOR LIKES WOMEN - 1972; SCOUNDREL IN WHITE - 1972; MALICIOUS - 1973; HOW FUNNY CAN SEX BE? - 1973; LOVERS AND OTHER RELATIVES - 1974; PASSION - 1974; TILL MARRIAGE DO US PART - 1974; THE DIVINE NYMPH - 1975; THE INNOCENT - 1976; WIFEMISTRESS - 1977; BLACK JOURNAL - 1977; TIGERS IN LIPSTICK - 1979; HYPOCHONDRIAC - 1979; INSIDE LAURA ANTONELLI - 1979; I'M GETTING A YACHT - 1980; CASTA E PURA - 1981; PASSION OF LOVE - 1981; IL TURNO - 1981; SESSO E VOLENTIERI - 1982; VIUUUILENTEMENTE MIA - 1982; PORCA VACCA - 1982; SLICES OF LIFE - 1985; DEAD FRIGHT - 1985; THE VENETIAN WOMAN - 1986; DEPARTMENT STORE - 1986; RIMINI RIMINI - 1987; ROBA DA RICCI - 1987; A TIME OF INDIFFERENCE - 1988 [TV Movie]; DISPERATAMENTE GIULIA - 1989 [TV mini-series]; THE MISER - 1990; MALICIOUS 2000 - 1991 [her final acting credit]. Laura Antonelli was 73 years-old.) - 06/22/15
DICK VAN PATTEN (Actor: Cherub-faced actor who was appearing on Stage since the age of 7 [as "Dickie Van Patten"] and then in TV and films since the 1940's, but came into prominence on TV during the 1970's, culminating in the long-running series EIGHT IS ENOUGH [1977-1981], where he portrayed the patriarchal "Tom Bradford" for 112 episodes. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1950; MAMA - 1949-1956 [8 episodes]; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; RAWHIDE - 1959; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1960;NAKED CITY - 1961; YOUNG DR. MALONE - 1961-1962 [series regular for one season]; VIOLENT MIDNIGHT - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; CHARLY - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1970; THE GOVERNOR & J.J. - 1970; ARNIE - 1970 [3 episodes]; CONFESSIONS OF A TOP CRIME BUSTER - 1971 [TV Movie]; ZACHARIAH - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; THAT GIRL - 1970-1971; MAKING IT - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; SANFORD AND SON - 1972; THE DON RICKLES SHOW - 1972; BEWARE! THE BLOB - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; JOE KIDD - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE PARTNERS - 1971-1972 [series regular; 19 episodes]; HEC RAMSEY - 1972; DIRTY LITTLE BILLY - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE CROOKED HEARTS - 1972 [TV Movie]; BANYON - 1972; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1972; SNOWBALL EXPRESS - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; MCMILLAN AND WIFE - 1973; THE BRIAN KEITH SHOW - 1973; CANNON - 1973; THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW - 1972-1973; ACTS OF LOVE AND OTHER COMEDIES - 1973 [TV Movie; uncredited]; SOYLENT GREEN - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; THICKER THAN WATER - 1973; ADAM'S RIB - 1973; WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME - 1973 [voice only]; WESTWORLD - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1973 [4 episodes]; SUPER DAD - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; BANACEK - 1974; CHOPPER ONE - 1974; THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1972-1974 [10 episodes]; THE GIRL WITH SOMETHING EXTRA - 1974 [TV Movie]; YOUNG LOVE - 1974 [TV Movie]; ERNIE, MADGE AND ARTIE - 1974 [TV Movie]; SIERRA - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1974; ADAM-12 - 1974; THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; HOT L BALTIMORE - 1975; THE ROOKIES - 1973-1975; GRANDPA MAX - 1975 [TV Movie]; LADIES OF THE CORRIDOR - 1975 [TV Movie]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972-1975 [3 episodes]; WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975 [series regular; 13 episodes]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; EMERGENCY! - 1972-1976; BARNABY JONES - 1974-1976; TREASURE OF MONTECUMBE - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; GUS - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; ACE - 1976 [TV Movie]; CHARO AND THE SERGEANT - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1976 [TV Movie; pilot for the long-running series; Van Patten's good friend Bernie Koppel got the part that network executives wanted Van Patten to play, but he was already committed to do EIGHT IS ENOUGH]; PHYLLIS - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972-1976 [4 episodes]; MAUDE - 1976; WONDER WOMAN - 1976; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975-1976; WHAT'S HAPPENING!! - 1976; THE SHAGGY D.A. - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; FREAKY FRIDAY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; THE TONY RANDALL SHOW - 1976; GIBBSVILLE - 1977 CPO SHARKEY - 1977; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1977; HAPPY DAYS - 1976-1977 [3 episodes]; HIGH ANXIETY - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; WITH THIS RING - 1978 [TV Movie]; NUTCRACKER FANTASY - 1979 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; DIARY OF A TEENAGE HITCHHIKER - 1979 [TV Movie]; CHiPS - 1979; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1977-1981 [Series Regular; 112 episodes; When the show was canceled in 1981, Van Patten said, "Nobody called me to tell me it was canceled. I read it in the paper."]; LUNCH WAGON - 1981 [Theatrical Film; uncredited]; HIGH POWDER - 1982 [TV Movie]; TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT - 1983; INSIGHT - 1973-1983 [3 episodes]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1984 [6 episodes]; MASQUERADE - 1984; FINDER OF LOST LOVES - 1984; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984; THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY - 1984 [TV Movie]; HOTEL - 1983-1984; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; THE MIDNIGHT HOUR - 1985 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; PICNIC - 1986 [TV Movie]; COMBAT HIGH - 1986 [TV Movie]; WAR OF THE STARS - 1987; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1987; SPACEBALLS - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; EIGHT IS ENOUGH: A FAMILY REUNION - 1987 [TV Movie]; RAGS TO RICHES - 1987; A MOUSE, A MYSTERY AND ME - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF PIPPI LONGSTOCKING - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; 14 GOING ON 30 - 1988 [TV Movie]; GOING TO THE CHAPEL - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; COUPLES DO IT DEBBIE'S WAY - 1988 [MFHV]; GROWING PAINS - 1989; AN EIGHT IS ENOUGH WEDDING - 1989 [TV Movie]; JAKE SPANNER, PRIVATE EYE - 1989 [TV Movie]; MCGEE AND ME! - 1990; WIOU - 1990-1991 [series regular; 14 episodes]; BODY TROUBLE - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; FINAL EMBRACE - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE GOLDEN PALACE - 1993; ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; THE ODD COUPLE: TOGETHER AGAIN - 1993 [TV Movie]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1993; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; BAYWATCH - 1994; HEAVEN HELP US - 1994; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1994; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994; A DANGEROUS PLACE - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; CYBILL - 1995; MAYBE THIS TIME - 1996; LOVE IS ALL THERE IS - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; BOY MEETS WORLD - 1996; WORLD SERIES OF POKER - 1995-1996 [host/commentator]; DEMOLITION HIGH - 1996 [MFHV]; THE WEIRD AL SHOW - 1997; LOVE BOAT: THE NEXT WAVE - 1998; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1995-1998; EVASIVE ACTION - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; FAMILY GUY - 1999 [voice only]; DEMOLITION UNIVERSITY - 1999 [MFHV; uncredited]; ANGEL ON ABBEY STREET - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; BIG BROTHER TROUBLE - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; THE PRICE OF AIR - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; GROOM LAKE - 2002 [MFHV];
ANOTHER PRETTY FACE - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE SANTA TRAP - 2002 [TV Movie]; DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; LIFE WITH BONNIE - 2003; THE SURE HAND OF GOD - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; 7TH HEAVEN - 2004; QUIET KILL - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; BIOGRAPHY - 2000-2004 [3 episodes, including one in 2001 that was devoted to his life]; ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - 2005; FREEZERBURN - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; THAT 70'S SHOW - 2006; THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM - 2008; OPPOSITE DAY - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; SARAH'S CHOICE - 2009 [MFHV]; FIRST DOG - 2010 [Theatrical Film]; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2011; SILVER SKIES - 2014 [Theatrical Film; his final acting role]. Dick Van Patten was also a frequent panelist on game shows like THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, FAMILY FEUD and TO TELL THE TRUTH, appeared on many daytime and nightime TV talk shows [he appeared on THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW 8 times between 1978 and 1980, six times as a co-host] and even appeared in two Weird Al Yankovic videos ["Smells Like Nirvana" and "Bedrock Anthem"] as himself. He was also the author of several bestselling books, including "How To Get Your Child Into Show Business", "Totally Terrific TV Trivia" and his autobiography, "Eight Isn't Enough". Mr. Van Patten was also known for starting [by lending his name to] "Natural Balance", a line of high-end dog food that is intended to be indistinguishable from stews and other dishes that are normally intended for human consumption. He is also well known for turning out three sons who would also become actors: Nels Van Patten, James Van Patten and Vincent Van Patten. His sister is actress Joyce Van Patten. His half-brother is Emmy Award®-winning TV director Timothy Van Patten. He was married to actress Pat Poole in 1954 and stayed married to her until his death [61 years]. Mr. Van Patten got a Star on the Walk Of Fame on November 20, 1985 at 1541 N. Vine Street. He was never nominated for any other award, but Baby Boomers like myself always appreciated when he showed up on the TV screen. My memories of him will always be fond. Dick Van Patten died due to complications from diabetes and was 86 years-old.) - 06/23/15
PATRICK MACNEE (Actor: Holy Christ. June has been a terrible month for losing some of my most fondest TV stars. Mr. Macnee will be always known to Baby Boomers like myself as the dapper umbrella-carrying British crimefighter "John Steed" on THE AVENGERS [1961-1969], especially the years he spent with the beautiful "Emma Peel", played by Diana Rigg. They became a TV icon, both in England and across the pond. Mr. Macnee was also a very accomplished actor who appeared in many other TV Shows and Theatrical films. Hisdistinctive voice set him apart from most other actors during his period of prominence. His credits included [TV unless otherwise noted]: PYGMALIAN - 1938 [Theatrical Film; uncredited]; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP - 1943 [Theatrical Film; uncredited]; MORNING DEPARTURE - 1946 [TV Movie]; ARMS AND THE MAN - 1946 [TV Movie]; A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY - 1947 [TV Movie]; THE BRONTES - 1947 [TV Movie]; HAMLET - 1947 [TV Movie]; WUTHERING HEIGHTS - 1948 [TV Movie]; THAT FATAL NITGHT - 1948 [Theatrical Film]; HOUR OF GLORY - 1948 [Theatrical Film]; MACBETH - 1949 [TV Movie]; ALL OVER TOWN - 1949 [Theatrical Film]; MYSELF A STRANGER - 1949 [TV Movie]; TEN MINUTE ALIBI - 1950 [TV Movie]; THIS GIRL IS MINE - 1950 [Theatrical Film]; DICK BARTON AT BAY - 1950 [Theatrical Film]; THE FIGHTING PIMPERNEL - 1950 [Theatrical Film]; THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 1950 [TV Movie]; FLESH & BLOOD - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; NOCTURNE IN SCOTLAND - 1951 [TV Movie]; THE AFFAIR AT ASSINO - 1953 [TV Movie]; TALES OF ADVENTURE - 1952-1953 [12 episodes]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1950-1953 [5 episodes]; SCOPE - 1955; CBC SUMMER THEATRE - 1955; PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE - 1956; ARMSTRONC CIRCLE THEATRE - 1956; STAR TONIGHT - 1956; PLAYWRIGHTS '56 - 1956; THE ALCOA HOUR - 1956; PURSUIT OF THE GRAF SPEE - 1956 [Theatrical Film]; PACIFIC 13 - 1957; LES GIRLS - 1957 [Theatrical Film]; FIRST PERFORMANCE - 1957; THE VEIL - 1958; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958; ON CAMERA - 1955-1958 [5 episodes]; SUSPICION - 1958; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956-1958 [8 episodes]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1956-1956 [6 episodes]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; NORTHWEST PASSAGE - 1958; ALCOA THEATRE - 1958; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; ONE STEP BEYOND - 1959; FOLIO - 1955-1959; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1959; MARKHAM - 1959; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959; RAWHIDE - 1959; THE SWAMP FOX - 1959; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959; TWILIGHT ZONE - ['Judgment Night" - 1959]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1959; SHADOW OF A PALE HORSE - 1960 [TV Movie]; THE UNFORSEEN - 1960; STAR TIME - 1960; THE HILL - 1960 [TV Movie]; ENCOUNTER - 1953-1960 [27 episodes]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960; THE WINTER'S TALE - 1962 [TV Movie]; THURSDAY THEATRE - 1964; CONFLICT - 1966; LOVE STORY - 1964-1966; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1960-1966 [3 episodes]; THE AVENGERS - 1961-1969 [Series Regular; 161 episodes]; INCENSE FOR THE DAMNED - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1970; MISTER JERICO - 1970 [TV Movie]; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Logoda's Heads" - 1971]; THE WOMAN I LOVE - 1972 [TV Movie]; DIANA - 1972; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1974; COLUMBO - 1975; KHAN! - 1975; CARIBE - 1975; MATT HELM - 1975; SHERLOCK HOLMES IN NEW YORK - 1976 [TV Movie]; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1976-1977 [Series Regular; 26 episodes]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978 [TV Pilot Movie/Theatrical Film; uncredited voice]; EVENING IN BYZANTIUM - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1978 $WEEPSTAKE$ - 1979; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978-1979 [13 episodes; only 2 episodes on-screen, the rest as the uncredited opening announcer]; THE BILLION DOLLAR THREAT - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE FANTASTIC SEVEN - 1979 [TV Movie]; KING SOLOMON'S TREASURE - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1980; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; VEGA$ - 1981; THE HOWLING - 1981 [Theatrical Film; he's really good in this]; DICK TURPIN - 1981; COMEDY OF HORRORS - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE HOT TOUCH - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; HOUSE CALLS - 1981; REHEARSAL FOR MURDER - 1982 [TV Movie]; YOUNG DOCTORS IN LOVE - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; LIKELY STORIES, VOL. 2 - 1983 [TV Movie]; SWEET 16 [Theatrical Film; very underrated slasher film]; GAVILAN - 1982-1983 [7 episodes]; THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.: THE FIFTEEN YEARS LATER AFFAIR - 1983 [TV Movie]; FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE CREATURE WASN'T NICE - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; AUTOMAN - 1983; EMPIRE - 1984 [6 episodes]; THIS IS SPINAL TAP - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1984; HART TO HART - 1984; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; A VIEW TO A KILL - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; HOTEL - 1985; SHADEY - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; CLUB MED - 1986 [TV Movie]; MARY - 1986; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; LIME STREET - 1983-1986 [6 episodes]; WAXWORK - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; TRANSFORMATIONS - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS -
1988; MURPHY'S LAW - 1988; CHILL FACTOR - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1989; LOBSTER MAN FROM MARS - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 1989 [TV mini-series]; WHERE THERE'S A WILL - 1989 [TV Movie]; MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; SORRY WRONG NUMBER - 1989 [TV Movie]; DICK FRANCIS: BLOOD SPORT - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF SAM MCCLOUD - 1989 [TV Movie]; DICK FRANCIS: TWICE SHY - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE RAY BRADBURY THEATRE - 1990; SUPER FORCE - 1990 [TV Movie Pilot]; EYE OF THE WIDOW - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; THE GAMBLER RETURNS: LUCK OF THE DRAW - 1991 [TV Movie]; SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE LEADING LADY - 1991 [TV Movie]; P.S.I. LUV U - 1991 [5 episodes]; INCIDENT AT VICTORIA FALLS - 1992 [TV Movie]; WAXWORK II: LOST IN TIME - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; SUPER FORCE - 1990-1992 [Series Regular; 48 episodes]; DREAM ON - 1992; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1992; COACH - 1992; JACK'S PLACE - 1993; THUNDER IN PARADISE - 1993 [MFHV; Pilot Movie for TV Series]; THE HOUND OF LONDON - 1993 [TV Movie]; KING B: A LIFE IN MOVIES - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES - 1993-1994; THUNDER IN PARADISE - 1994 [Series Regular; 24 episodes]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1997; NIGHTMAN - 1997 [TV Movie Pilot]; SPY GAME - 1997-1998 [3 episodes]; NIGHTMAN - 1997-1998 [6 episodes]; THE AVENGERS - 1998 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; NANCHERROW - 1999 [TV Movie]; FAMILY LAW - 2000; FRASIER - 2001; THE LOW BUDGET TIME MACHINE - 2003 [Theatrical Film; his last acting credit]. Mr. Macnee was forced to retire from acting due to problems with arthritis, but still did voiceover work, usually for audio books. Another Baby Boomer icon to pass away in the cruel month of June. What amazes me is that Mr. Macnee never won any awards for his body of work. He was always an excellent actor who automatically raised the bar in everything he appeared in. Patrick Macnee was 93 years-old). - 06/25/15
JACK CARTER (Comedian/Actor: To old fogies like myself, I remember Jack Carter's comedy career, where he would appear on Ed Sullivan [40 episodes] or a Dean Martin variety show [9 episodes] and do his bits. It was Jewish vaudeville/burlesque material, but his delivery was good. He was in demand on a lot of game shows because of his funny, brusk comments that would always elicit a laugh. He was also a very experienced actor, but he washardly ever used a lot in that capacity; usually just a bit part here and there, but he always made an impression. Still, he was in the business for over 80 years and had a nice body of work. During the latter part of his career, he was much in demand as a voice artist for animated shows and video games, due to his deep, raspy voice. He worked up to the day he passed away. Jack Carter's career as an actor included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; AMERICAN MINSTRELS OF 1949 - 1949; TALES OF TOMORROW - 1951; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1954; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1955; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1955; THE ROARING 20'S - 1962; HENNESSEY - 1962; THE HORIZONTAL LIEUTENANT - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; ALFRED HITCKCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1962; MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1963; DR. KILDARE - 1962-1963; ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1964; VIVA LAS VEGAS - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964; COMBAT! - 1965; MISTER ROBERTS - 1966; BEN CASEY - 1966; BATMAN - 1966; THE ROAD WEST - 1966; SPOTLIGHT - 1967; THE LUCY SHOW - 1967; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1967; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1968; THE EXTRAORDINARY SEAMAN - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1969; THE LONELY PROFESSION - 1969 [TV Movie]; JULIA - 1969; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968-1970; MANNIX - 1970; MEDICAL CENTER - 1971; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1971; THE RESSURRECTION OF ZACHARY WHEELER - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; MCCLOUD - 1971; YOUNG DR. KILDARE - 1972; THE PARTNERS - 1972; CADE'S COUNTY - 1972; THE FAMILY RICO - 1972 [TV Movie]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1973 [3 episodes]; BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE - 1973; THE BOB HOPE SHOW - 1966-1973; POOR DEVIL - 1973 [TV Movie]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973; POLICE STORY - 1973; THE SEX SYMBOL - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1975; THE GIRL WHO COULDN'T LOSE - 1975 [TV Movie; nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award® for Outstanding Actor]; BIG EDDIE - 1975; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; CANNON - 1975; HUSTLE - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; WON TON TON: THE DOG WHO SAVED HOLLYWOOD - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; EMERGENCY! - 1973-1976; THE GREAT HOUDINI - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE AMAZING DOBERMANS - 1976 [Theatrical Film; one of his biggest theatrical roles]; GIBBSVILLE - 1977; SANFORD AND SON - 1977; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977; KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL - 1977; THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; INSIGHT - 1975-1977; THE LAST HURRAH - 1977 [TV Movie]; HAVE I GOT A CHRISTMAS FOR YOU - 1977 [TV Movie]; SWITCH - 1978; RECORD CITY - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; CHiPS - 1978; HUMAN FEELINGS - 1978 [TV Movie]; RAINBOW - 1978 [TV Movie]; FLYING HIGH - 1978; CARTER COUNTRY - 1979; THE GLOVE - 1979 [Theatrical Film; another good role for Carter]; BIG SHAMUS, LITTLE SHAMUS - 1979; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1979; BEYOND WESTWORLD - 1980; THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE HUSTLER OF MUSCLE BEACH - 1980 [TV Movie]; ALLIGATOR - 1980 [Theatrical Film; pivitol role for Carter; probably his best remembered by genre fans]; THE OCTAGON - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; FOR THE LOVE OF IT - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1981; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1981; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978-1981 [5 episodes]; SEPARATE WAYS - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1 - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; HEARTBEEPS - 1981 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; BUNNICULA, THE VAMPIRE RABBIT - 1982 [TV Movie; voice only]; DARKROOM - 1982; GIMME A BREAK - 1982; THE FUNNY FARM - 1983 [Theatrical Film; another good movie role]; HAMBONE AND HILLIE - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; LOVE SCENES - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; 1ST & 10: THE CHAMPIONSHIP - 1985; COVER UP - 1985; GROWING PAINS - 1985; FAME - 1985; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1986; THE TROUBLE WITH DICK - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; AMAZING STORIES - 1987; LETHAL VICTIMS - 1987 [Theatrical Film; one of his worst roles in films]; SANTA BARBARA - 1985-1988 [7 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1988; RED NIGHTS - 1988 [MFHV]; TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE - 1988; ARENA - 1989 [Theatrical Film; portrayed the fight announcer]; DEADLY EMBRACE - 1989 [MFHV]; SATAN'S PRINCESS - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; CYBER-C.H.I.C. - 1990 [MFHV]; CAGED FURY - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; SEXPOT - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1991; IN THE HEAT OF PASSION - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; BROADWAY BOUND - 1992 [TV Movie]; BLOSSOM - 1992; EMPTY NEST - 1992; THE OPPOSITE SEX AND HOW TO LIVE WITH THEM - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; DREAM ON - 1993; DOUBLE DECEPTION - 1993 [TV Movie]; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1993; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; TIME TRAX - 1994; THE WATCHER - 1995; CYBILL - 1995; THE REN & STIMPY SHOW - 1993-1995 [voice only; 7 episodes]; PRIMA DONNAS - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1995 [voice only]; KIRK - 1995; BAYWATCH - 1996; COACH - 1996; SAVED BY THE BELL: THE NEW CLASS - 1996; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1996; CAROLINE IN THE CITY - 1996; LIVING SINGLE - 1996; THE GOOD BAD GUY - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; SUPERMAN - 1997 [voice only]; L.A. HEAT - 1997; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1998; OCTOBER 22 - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; HERCULES - 1998 [voice only]; THE MODERN ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER -
1998 [Theatrical Film]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1998; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 1999; 7TH HEAVEN - 1999; PLAY IT TO THE BONE - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; HOLLYWOOD OFF-RAMP - 2000; ONE WORLD - 2000; DRIVING ME CRAZY - 2000 [TV Movie]; STARK RAVING MAD - 2000; ARLI$$ - 2001; KING OF THE HILL - 2001-2002 [voice only]; ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE - 2003; JUST SHOOT ME! - 2003; ONE LAST RIDE - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; JUSTICE LEAGUE - 2004 [voice only]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2004; PHIL OF THE FUTURE - 2004 [voice only]; ER - 2005-2006; COUGAR CLUB - 2007; THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; MONK - 2008; DESPERATE HOUSWIVES - 2009; RAISING THE BAR - 2009; RUBY AND THE ROCKITS - 2009; PARKS AND RECREATION - 2009; iCARLY - 2010; LET GO - 2011 [Theatrical Film]; FAMILY GUY - 2011 [voice only]; NEW GIRL - 2012; RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - 2013; GO ON - 2013; SHAMELESS - 2012-2014 [4 episodes]; MERCY - 2014 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Jack Carter also directed two episodes of HERE'S LUCY in 1971; appeared as a panelist on many game shows, including WHAT'S MY LINE; THE MOVIE GAME; CAN YOU TOP THIS; THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES; THE NEW $25,000 PYRAMID; MATCH GAME 73; CELEBRITY SWEEPSTAKES; TATTLETALES and SUPER PASSWORD; and also appeared as himself on many of the nightly talk & variety shows and documentaries about Jewish comedians [including his good friend Don Rickles]. Jack Carter died of respiratory failure and was 93 years-old.) - 06/28/15
SERGIO SOLLIMA (Director/Screenwriter: Sollima is best known for his Sword And Sandal screenplays and for directing/writing Spaghetti Westerns, but he had directed and written a wide variety of genres [sometimes using the pseudonym "Simon Sterling"]. His filmsas Director included: SEX CAN BE DIFFICULT - 1962; AGENT 3S3: PASSPORT TO HELL - 1965 [also Screenplay]; AGENT 3S3: MASSACRE IN THE SUN - 1966 [also Screenplay]; REQUIEM FOR A SECRET AGENT - 1966 [also Screenplay]; THE BIG GUNDOWN - 1966 [also Screenplay; besides the films of Sergio Leone, this is probably one of the best Spaghetti Westerns ever made]; FACE TO FACE - 1967 [also Screenplay]; RUN, FAMILY, RUN - 1968 [also Screenplay]; THE FAMILY - 1970 [also Screenplay]; DEVIL IN THE BRAIN - 1972 [also Screenplay]; BLOOD IN THE STREETS - 1973 [also Screenplay]; SANDOKAN - 1976 [TV mini-series; also Screenplay]; THE BLACK CORSAIR - 1976 [also Screenplay]; SANDOKAN: THE TIGER OF MALAYSIA - 1978 [TV Movie; also Screenplay]; I RAGAZZI DI CELLULOIDE - 1981 [TV mini-series; also Screenplay]; I RAGAZZI DI CELLULOIDE 2 - 1984 [TV mini-series; also Screenplay]; MAN VS. MAN - 1987 [TV Movie]; STEPS OF LOVE - 1989; SOLO PER DIRTI ADDIO - 1992 [TV Movie]; BERLIN '39 - 1993 [also Screenplay]; THE SON OF SANDOKAN - 1998 [TV mini-series; also Screenplay; his last credits]. Mr. Sollima's other Screenplays also included: BEHIND CLOSED SHUTTERS - 1951; TRIPOLI, BEL SUOL D'AMORE - 1954; RICORDATI DI NAPOLI - 1958; CAROSELLO DI CANZONI - 1958; WORLD OF MIRACLES - 1959; KNIGHT OF 100 FACES - 1960; MADRI PERICOLOSE - 1960; I TEDDY BOYS DELLA CANZONE - 1960; URSUS - 1961; GOLIATH AGAINST THE GIANTS - 1961; THE SECRET OF THE BLACK FALCON - 1961; SWORD IN THE SHADOWS - 1961; THE FURY OF HERCULES - 1962; MACISTE [SAMSON] AGAINST THE SHEIK - 1962; THE REBEL GLADIATORS - 1962; THE TEN GLADIATORS - 1963; TRIUMPH OF THE TEN GLADIATORS - 1964; SPARTACUS AND THE TEN GLADIATORS - 1964; THE MYSTERIES OF THE DARK JUNGLE - 1991 [TV mini-series]. Mr. Sollima was also First Assistant Director on the film FOREIGN EARTH - 1954; appeared as himself on several documentaries on Spaghetti Westerns during the New Millennium and got a "Special Thanks" on Quentin Tarantino's INGLORIOUS BASTERDS - 2009. Sergio Sollima was 94 years-old.) - 07/01/15
DIANA DOUGLAS (Actress: Ms. Douglas was once married to Kirk Douglas and her son is famous actor/producer Michael Douglas. She started appearing in films in the 1940's and then became a TV staple. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; KEEPER OF THE FLAME - 1942 [Theatrical Film]; THE LATE GEORGE APLEY - 1947 [Theatrical Film]; LET'S LIVE AGAIN - 1948; THE SIGN OF THE RAM - 1948 [Theatrical Film]; HOUSE OF STRANGERS - 1949 [Theatrical Film]; PHOTOCRIME - 1949; MASTERPIECE PLAYHOUSE - 1950; THE WEB - 1950; KRAFT THEATRE - 1951; THE WISTLE AT EATON FALLS - 1951 [Theatrical Film]; STORM OVER TIBET - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; MONSOON - 1952 [Theatrical Film]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1953;MEDALLION THEATRE - 1953; THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN - 1953; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1955; THE INDIAN FIGHTER - 1955 [Theatrical Film]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; MEDIC - 1956; BIG TOWN - 1956; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1956; WEST POINT - 1956; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1953-1957 [4 episodes]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1952-1959; NAKED CITY - 1959; FLIPPER - 1964; FOR THE PEOPLE - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1965; N.Y.P.D. - 1967; LOVING - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; LOVE IN A MANY SPLENDORED THING - 1973; HAWKINS - 1973; KUNG FU - 1973; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974; THE COYBOYS - 1974 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; DEAD MAN ON THE RUN - 1975 [TV Movie]; CANNON - 1974-1975; BARNABY JONES - 1975; TAIL GUNNER JOE - 1977 [TV Movie]; ALEXANDER: THE OTHER SIDE OF DAWN - 1977 [TV Movie]; BILLY: PORTRAIT OF A STREET KID - 1977 [TV Movie]; ANOTHER MAN, ANOTHER CHANCE - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; MARY WHITE - 1977 [TV Movie]; NIGHT CRIES - 1978 [TV Movie]; W.E.B - 1978; A FIRE IN THE SKY - 1978 [TV Movie]; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE WALTONS - 1979 [3 episodes]; KNOTS LANDING - 1980; NERO WOLFE - 1981; CHiPS - 1981; JAWS OF SATAN - 1981 [Theatrical Film; probably best known to horror fans for her role of "Evelyn Downs"]; THE DAY THE BUBBLE BURST - 1982 [TV Movie]; LOU GRANT - 1977-1982; CAPITOL - 1982; SISTER, SISTER - 1982 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1982; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1977-1979, 1982 [TV Soap Opera; Series Regular during those years]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983; THE STAR CHAMBER - 1983 [Theatrical Film; appeared with her son Michael]; DALLAS - 1983; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1984; DYNASTY - 1981-1984 [3 episodes]; DIRTY WORK - 1985 [TV Movie]; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1986; THE PAPER CHASE - 1985-1986 [Series Semi-Regular; 14 episodes]; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1987; PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; COLD HEAVEN - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; A TOWN TORN APART - 1992 [TV Movie]; DARK JUSTICE - 1993; HARTS OF THE WEST - 1993; IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY - 2003 [Theatrical Film; appeared with ex-husband Kirk, son Michael and grandson Cameron]; THE WEST WING - 2004; COLD CASE - 2007; ER - 2008 [her final acting role]. Diana Douglas passed away from cancer and was 92 years-old.) - 07/03/15
AMANDA PETERSON (Actress: Ms. Peterson is best known for playing Patrick Dempseys leading lady in the beloved 1987 movie CAN'T BUY ME LOVE. She was found dead in her home and the cause of death is still pending. Her other acting credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: FATHER MURPHY - 1982; ANNIE - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; SILVER SPOONS - 1984; BEST KEPT SECRETS - 1984 [TV Movie]; BOONE - 1983-1984 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD - 1985; EXPLORERS - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; A YEAR IN THE LIFE - 1986 [TV mini-series]; CAN'T BUY ME LOVE - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; THE LAWLESS LAND - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; A YEAR IN THE LIFE - 1987-1988 [Series Regular; 22 episodes; Won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series]; LOVE AND BETRAYAL - 1989 [TV Movie]; LISTEN TO ME - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1990; FATAL CHARM - 1990 [MFHV]; HELL HATH NO FURY - 1991 [TV Movie]; POSING: INSPIRED BY THREE REAL STORIES - 1991 [TV Movie]; JACK'S PLACE - 1993 [4 episodes]; WINDRUNNER - 1994 [Theatrical Film; her final acting role; she decided to leave show business after this role]. Ms. Peterson also appeared in about 35 - 40 TV commercials before she was 14 years old. UPDATE: 09/16/15: The Coroner's report says that Amanda Peterson died of accidental acute morphine toxicity. Her parents have gone on record saying that their daughter was raped three decades ago and she had never recovered from it and it changed her "forever". Amanda Peterson was 43 years-old and died 3 days short of her 44th Birthday.) - 07/05/15
JERRY WEINTRAUB (Producer: Multiple Emmy Award winning Producer, who also produced theatrical movies. His credits as Producer included [TV unless otherwise noted]; FRANK SINATRA: THE MAIN EVENT - 1974; AN EVENING WITH JOHN DENVER - 1975 [Emmy Award for Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music]; NASHVILLE - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS - 1975; JOHN DENVER AND FRIEND - 1976; FATHER O FATHER - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE DOROTHY HAMILL SPECIAL - 1976; NEIL DIAMOND: LIVE AT THE GREEK - 1977; SZYSZNYK - 1977; SEPTEMBER 30, 1955 - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; OH, GOD - 1977 [TheatricalFilm]; NEIL DIAMOND: I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE WITH ME TONIGHT - 1977; THE CARPENTERS AT CHRISTMAS - 1977; DOROTHY HAMILL PRESENTS WINNERS - 1978; THE CARPENTERS: A CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT - 1978; CRUISING - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; ROCKY MOUNTAIN REUNION - 1980; THE CARPENTERS: MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC - 1980; BLUE JEANS - 1980 [TV Movie]; ALL NIGHT LONG - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; JOHN DENVER: MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS - 1981; DINER - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; JOHN DENVER: THE HIGHER WE FLY - 1983; ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOLIDAY WITH JOHN DENVER AND THE MUPPETS - 1983; THE KARATE KID - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; THE COWBOY AND THE BALLERINA - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; THE KARATE KID PART II - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; HAPPY NEW YEAR - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; THE KARATE KID PART III - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; THE KARATE KID - 1989 [TV Series based on the films; 13 episodes]; PURE COUNTRY - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE NEXT KARATE KID - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; THE SPECIALIST - 1994; VEGAS VACATION - 1997 [Theatrical Film; also Actor]; THE AVENGERS - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; SOLDIER - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; THE INDEPENDENT - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; OCEAN'S ELEVEN - 2001 [Theatrical Film; also Actor]; OCEAN'S TWELVE - 2004 [Theatrical Film; also Actor]; L'CHAIM: TO LIFE TELETHON - 2005; OCEAN'S THIRTEEN - 2007 [Theatrical Film; also Actor]; NANCY DREW - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; THE KARATE KID - 2010 [Theatrical Film]; 41 - 2011 [Documentary]; BEHIND THE CANDELABRA - 2013 [HBO Movie; Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie; deservedly so]; RED ARMY - 2014 [Documentary]; YEARS OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY - 2014 [TV Series Documentary; 9 episodes; Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series]; WESTWORLD - 2015 [HBO Series]; TARZAN - 2016 [Theatrical Film; In Post Production when Weintraub passed away; his last credit]. Mr. Weintraub appeared as an Actor in the following Theatrical Films: THE FIRM - 1993; FULL FRONTAL - 2002; and CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND - 2002. He also appeared on a few nighttime talk and interview shows, as well as a few documentaries as himself, including JOHN G. AVILDSEN: KING OF THE UNDERDOGS - 2015, the last time he would appear on screen. Before he became a successful Producer [and even after], the Bronx-born native managed a number of famous celebrities including: Karen Carpenter, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, The Moody Blues, Bob Dylan and John Denver. He had this to say about himself: "I had the belief I could put on an Elvis [Elvis Presley] tour back in the 1960s when I was working in the music business. I didn't know him and had little experience as a promoter. I called his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, every day for a year. Every day he'd say no. Finally, after a year of calling, he called me and said I could put on the tour if I raised $1million. I pulled it off. I don't take no for answer. I find a way to convince people to come along with me. They want to be persuaded. When I sit in a room with you I'm going to sell you something whether you want it or not. At the end you'll say: 'I'm glad I bought that.' " He was nominated for 4 Razzie Awards for CRUISING; THE KARATE KID PART III; THE SPECIALIST and THE AVENGERS. It should be noted that CRUISING is now considered a cult film and not because it is bad. He also won a ShoWest Award in 2007 for Producer Of The Year. He received a Star on the Walk of Fame on April 24, 1984 at 6931 Hollywood Blvd. Jerry Weintraub passed away due to cardiac arrest and was 77 years-old.) - 07/06/15
DANIEL QUINN (Actor: Jesus, July is already turning out to be a lousy month. Daniel Quinn will always be remembered by me for his two appearances as "Detective Samuel Staziak" in the SCANNER COP films [one of the best franchises, in my opinion], but he did so many other films and TV Series. His credits include [Films unless otherwise noted]: WILLIAM TELL - 1988 [TV Series]; HUNTER - 1989 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; DEAD BANG - 1989; CITY RHYTHMS - 1989; MATLOCK - 1989 [TV Series]; SO PROUDLY WE HAIL - 1990 [TV Movie]; IMPULSE - 1990; CHINA BEACH - 1990 [TV Series]; WILD AT HEART - 1990; THE CHASE - 1991 [TV Movie]; WHORE - 1991; CONAGHER - 1991 [TV Movie]; MOTORAMA - 1991; DARK JUSTICE - 1992 [TV Series]; LADY BOSS- 1992 [TV Movie]; EXTREME JUSTICE - 1993; MOON OVER MIAMI - 1993 [TV Series]; THE LAST OUTLAW - 1993 [TV Movie]; RENEGADE - 1994 [TV Series]; SCANNER COP - 1994; THE AVENGING ANGEL - 1995 [TV Movie]; SCANNER COP II - 1995; VANISHING SON - 1995 [TV Series]; MARKER - 1995 [TV Series]; AMERICAN COP - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE X-FILES - [TV Series; "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space' " - 1996]; PACIFIC BLUE - 1997 [TV Series]; PORT CHARLES - 1997 [TV Series]; ER - 1997 [TV Series]; ANGRY DOGS - 1997; BACK TO EVEN - 1998; L.A. HEAT - 1999 [TV Series]; BAYWATCH - 1989-1999 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; SLICE & DICE - 2000; LITTLE PIECES - 2000; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 2001 [TV Series]; SPIDERS II: BREEDING GROUND - 2001; LIVING IN FEAR - 2001 [TV Movie]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2001 [TV Series]; PROJECT VIPER - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 2002 [TV Soap Opera; 28 episodes]; SHE SPIES - 2003 [TV Series]; NYPD BLUE - 1995-2004 [TV Series]; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2004 [TV Series]; MONK - 2005 [TV Series]; HEADS N TAILZ - 2005; MIRACLE AT SAGE CREEK - 2005; RAISING FLAGG - 2005; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2007 [TV Series]; TWENTYSIXMILES - 2010 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; RUBBER - 2010 [One of the strangest horror films ever made about a killer automobile tire!]; CODEX - 2011 [also Producer]; THE SESSIONS - 2012; KARAOKE MAN - 2012; WRONG COPS - 2013; STORY OF EVA - 2014; THE BRIDE HE BOUGHT ONLINE - 2015; GET THE GIRL - 2015; FETISH FACTORY - 2015; PSYCHOPHONIA - 2015; [His final acting role]. According to IMDb: Daniel was a leading force against the closure of the Motion Picture Home's Long Term Care Unit. Daniel served as an activist for the rights of Motion Picture and Television Industry elderly. As a leader in his advocacy for the Motion Picture and Television Fund's fabled Motion Picture Home's Long Term Care unit, Daniel was a critical element in organizing and speaking at several awareness events, fund raisers, and rallies. Daniel's vociferous and focused protection of his mother Rosemary's (and 137 other residents) status of care, led to the overturning of any attempt to close the 'nursing home' that has been home to aged members of the entertainment industry for over 90 years. Daniel worked closely with SAG Hollywood Board members to first gain the support of the Screen Actors Guild Union. Attending most of the 2009 and 2010 SAG Hollywood Board meetings, Daniel then spoke on the dais to the SAG National Board members, urging for their support to insure the future of the Long Term Care unit at the MPTF, his words were welcomed to a successful SAG National Board vote to stand by the historic mission in providing a safe haven for Industry members in need of long term care. Daniel then secured the support of the Teamsters Union, to build a powerful Industry pushback on the MPTF's plans to shutter the Long Term Care unit of the Home. Daniel was instrumental in returning the meaning of 'we take care of our own' to the Motion Picture and Television Fund. As you can see, Daniel Quinn was a caring and giving person who saw his mother die with dignity in a care facility he fought to keep open. Daniel Quinn was also very involved in stage work and his long-time friend and mentor, actor Paul Sorvino, was instrumental for him getting roles on stage. He was also very good friends with actor John Schneider and they appeared in the streaming series TWENTYSIXMILES together, where they both sing and play instruments. Daniel Quinn died of heart disease. His age is unknown, but my best guess is that he was in his early-to-mid-50's.) - 07/06/15
IRWIN KEYES (Actor: Instantly recognizable actor who used his hulking bad looks to turn to a career playing boxers or bad guys in films and on TV, usually as the sidekick of the head bad guy. He was in a lot of genre films [especially horror & action films] that I watched throughout my life. He was also solidly funny in the roles that demanded it. Believe me when I tell you that there will never be another actor wholooked like him [his comparison to Rhondo Hatton is not unwarranted since they both died of the same malady: Acromegaly]. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: TEAM-MATES - 1978; MANNY'S ORPHANS - 1978; THE WARRIORS - 1979; NOCTURNA - 1979; SQUEEZE PLAY - 1979; THE PRIZEFIGHTER - 1979; BLOODRAGE: NEVER PICK UP A STRANGER - 1979; THE PRIVATE EYES - 1980; FRIDAY THE 13TH - 1980; THE EXTERMINATOR - 1980; STARDUST MEMORIES - 1980; LOVELY BUT DEADLY - 1981; POLICE SQUAD! - 1982 [TV Series]; ZAPPED! - 1972; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1982 [TV Series]; CHAINED HEAT - 1983; THE JEFFERSONS - 1981-1984 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; EXTERMINATOR 2 - 1984; IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR - 1984 [TV Movie]; MOONLIGHTING - 1985 [TV Series]; BROTHERS - 1986 [TV Series]; YOU RUINED MY LIFE - 1987 [TV Movie]; NICE GIRLS DON'T EXPLODE - 1987; OUTLAWS - 1987 [TV Series]; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1987 [TV Series]; DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN - 1987; KANDYLAND - 1987; FRANKENSTEIN GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1988; MOONLIGHTING - 1988 [TV Series]; SONNY SPOON - 1988 [TV Series]; GROWING PAINS - 1989 [TV Series]; DOWN THE DRAIN - 1990; MOB BOSS - 1990 [MFHV]; DISTURBED - 1990; GUILTY AS CHARGED - 1991; ADVENTURES IN DINOSAUR CITY - 1991; MOTORAMA - 1991; ON THE AIR - 1992 [TV Series Regular; 9 episodes]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - [TV Series; "Maniac At Large" - 1992]; HORROR KUNG-FU THEATER - 1992 [TV Series]; DREAM LOVER - 1993; MAGIC KID - 1993 [MFHV]; THE SILENCE OF THE HAMS - 1994; OBLIVION - 1994; THE FLINTSTONES - 1994; GET SMART - 1995 [TV Series]; TIMEMASTER - 1995; THE POWER WITHIN [MFHV]; HERE COMES THE MUNSTERS - 1995 [TV Movie]; OBLIVION 2: BACKLASH - 1996; PURE DANGER - 1996 [MFHV]; EZ STREETS - 1996 [TV Series]; ASYLUM - 1997; THE GODSON - 1998; TEQUILA BODY SHOTS - 1999; TIMEGATE: TALES OF THE SADDLE TRAMPS - 1999 [MFHV]; THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS - 2000; THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS CLUB - 2001 [MFHV Short]; BLACK SCORPION - 2001 [TV Series]; PERFECT FIT - 2001; DEAD LAST - 2001 [TV Series]; LEGEND OF THE PHANTOM RIDER - 2002; HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES - 2002; INTOLERABLE CRUELTY - 2003; RHYTHM CITY VOLUME ONE: CAUGHT UP - 2005 [MFHV]; THE FALLEN ONES - 2005 [TV Movie]; NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH - 2005; SHADOWBOX - 2005; HORROR HIGH - 2005 [MFTV}; WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY - 2006; SENT - 2006 [Short]; EL MASCARADO MASSACRE - 2006; CARELESS - 2007; DARKPLACE - 2007 [MFHV]; DREAM SLASHERS - 2007 [MFHV; also Co-Producer]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS - 2007 [TV
Series]; THE URN - 2008; THE HITCHCOCK OF HIPHOP - 2009 [MFHV]; BLACK DYNAMITE - 2009; MANSFIELD PATH - 2009 [Short]; THE SCREAM - 2009 [MFHV]; DAHMER VS. GACY - 2010; HAM SANDWICH - 2010 [Short]; EVIL BONG 3-D: THE WRATH OF BONG - 2011; EAGLEHEART - 2012 [TV Series]; THE BOARD ROOM - 2012 [Short]; AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - 2012 [TV Series; 5 episodes; also Wrote 2 episodes]; THE MASTER & ME - 2013 [Short]; HALF-LIFE: RAISE THE BAR - 2013 [Short]; DEAD KANSAS - 2013; DIRTY LITTLE LIARS - 2013 [TV Series]; PROFESSOR CREEPY'S SCREAM PARTY - 2013 [TV Movie]; PORTEND - 2015; ANGEL INVESTORS - 2015 [Passed away while filming; his last acting role]. He also acted in TV commercials, appeared in many music videos and did voiceover work on several video games in the New Millennium. Moreover, his recurring line "Hi! Remember Me?" from the TV series THE JEFFERSONS [1981 -1984] briefly became a catchphrase in the early 1980's and there was even a poster with his picture as the character Hugo Mojelewski. Irwin Keyes passed away due to acromegaly [abnormal growth of the hands, feet, and face, caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland] and was just 63 years-old.) - 07/08/15
OMAR SHARIF (Actor: My god, will someone please tell the Grim Reaper to take a few weeks off? Omar Sharif [born "Michel Shalhoub"] was an actor's actor, an Egypt-born talent who came into prominence with his roles in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA - 1962 [for which he was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor] and for his title role as "Yuri" in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - 1965. Mr. Sharif could be suave, romantic, evil and anyother trait that was asked of him and he always pulled it off with panache, even elevating the most minor of roles into something audiences sat up and took notice to. Baby Boomers like myself are rapidly losing actors of our generation who were actually stars, not manufactured pieces of meat to parade across screens. And Omar Sharif was a star. His credits included: DEVIL OF THE SAHARA - 1954; STRUGGLE IN THE VALLEY - 1954; OUR BEST DAYS - 1955; THE LEBANESE MISSION - 1956; DARK WATERS - 1956; LAND OF PEACE - 1957; GOHA - 1958; THE FAULT OF MY LOVE - 1958; NO TOMORROW - 1958; HIDDEN SHORE - 1958; STRUGGLE ON THE NILE - 1959; SCANDAL IN ZAMALEK - 1959; RENDEZVOUS WITH A STRANGER - 1959; LADY OF THE CASTLE - 1959; FOR THE SAKE OF A WOMAN - 1959; AGONY OF LOVE - 1960; I LOVE MY MASTER - 1961; DEAD AMONG THE LIVING - 1961; THE RIVER OF LOVE - 1961; THERE IS A MAN IN OUR HOUSE - 1961; MY ONLY LOVE - 1961; LAWRENCE OF ARABIA - 1962; THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE - 1964; BEHOLD A PALE HORSE - 1964; THE YELLOW ROLLS-ROYCE - 1964; GENGHIS KHAN - 1965 [played the title role]; MARCO THE MAGNIFICENT - 1965; DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - 1965; THE MAMELUKES - 1965; DANGER RUNS WILD - 1966; THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS - 1967; MORE THAN A MIRACLE - 1967; FUNNY GIRL - 1968 [He sung with his own voice and was quite good]; MAYERLING - 1968; MACKENNA'S GOLD - 1969; THE APPOINTMENT - 1969; CHE! - 1969 [Played the titled character; It was the first time I saw Sharif on the big screen]; THREE MEN ON A HORSE - 1969; THE LAST VALLEY - 1971; THE HORSEMEN - 1971; THE BURGLARS - 1971; BRAINWASHED - 1972; MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - 1973 [Played Captain Nemo; this was actually a 1973 French mini-series called "L'île mystérieuse" that was cut down to feature length for theaters]; THE TAMARIND SEED - 1974; JUGGERNAUT - 1974 [one of my favorite Sharif roles during the 70's]; FUNNY LADY - 1975; CRIME AND PASSION - 1976; THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN - 1976 [uncredited cameo role]; ASHANTI - 1979; BLOODLINE - 1979; S+H+E: SECURITY HAZARDS EXPERT - 1980 [Made its premiere in the U.S. on TV]; THE BALTIMORE BULLET - 1980; OH HEAVENLY DOG - 1980; PLEASURE PALACE - 1981 [TV Movie]; GREEN ICE - 1981 [Underrated robbery movie]; INCHON - 1981 [Uncredited role]; LA MARTINGALE - 1983 [French TV Movie]; AYOUB - 1983; THE FAR PAVILLIONS - 1984 [TV mini-series]; TOP SECRET! - 1984 [Sharif proved he was adept at broad comedy]; VICIOUS CIRCLE - 1985 [TV Movie]; EDGE OF THE WORLD - 1985 [TV Movie]; PETER THE GREAT - 1986 [TV mini-series]; HAREM - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE MIND OF DAVID BERGLAS - 1986 [TV Series]; ANASTASIA: THE MYSTERY OF ANNA - 1986 [TV Movie]; GRAND LARCENY - 1987; THE POSSESSED - 1988; PARADISE CALLING - 1988; KEYS TO FREEDOM - 1989; THE PUPPETEER - 1989; MOUNTAINS ON THE MOON - 1990; JOURNEY OF LOVE - 1990; THE RAINBOW THIEF - 1990; DESERT LAW - 1991 [TV mini-series]; MOTHER - 1992; MEMORIES OF MIDNIGHT - 1991 [TV Movie]; BEYOND JUSTICE - 1992; HEAVENLY SIN - 1992; MRS. 'ARRIS GOES TO PARIS - 1992 [TV Movie]; MOTHER - 1993 [TV mini-series based on the 1992 film with the same name]; LAUGHTER, GAMES, SERIOUSNESS AND LOVE - 1993; LIE DOWN WITH LIONS - 1994 [TV Movie]; GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - 1996 [TV Movie]; CATHERINE THE GREAT - 1996 [TV Movie]; HEAVEN BEFORE I DIE - 1997; MYSTERIES OF EGYPT - 1998; THE 13TH WARRIOR - 1999 [Sharif, who had a small role in this vastly underrated film, was highly memorable as Antonio Banderas' sultan friend]; GOING PUBLIC - 2000 [MFHV]; CENSOR - 2001; THE PAROLE OFFICER - 2001; SHAKA ZULU: THE CITADEL - 2001 [TV Movie];
MONSIEUR IBRAHIM - 2003 [Won both the Venice Film Festival Audience Award and a French Cesar Award for Best Actor]; URBAN MYTH CHILLERS - 2003-2004 [French TV Series Regular; 22 episodes; also Writer]; HILDAGO - 2005 [one of my favorite Sharif roles of all time]; THE SEARCH FOR ETERNAL EGYPT - 2005 [TV Movie]; IMPERIUM: SAINT PETER - 2005 [TV Movie]; FIRE AT MY HEART - 2006; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE CROWN PRINCE - 2006 [TV Movie]; ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING - 2006; HANAN WA HANEEN - 2007 [Egypt mini-series]; 10,000 B.C. - 2008 [voice only]; HASSAN & MARK - 2008; THE LAST TEMPLAR - 2009 [TV mini-series]; THE TRAVELLER - 2009; I FORGOT TO TELL YOU - 2009; A CASTLE IN ITALY - 2013; ROCK THE CASBAH - 2013; 1001 INVENTIONS AND THE WORLD OF IBN AL-HAYTHAM - 2015 [Short; his last acting role]. Omar Sharif also co-produced the film THE SUN WILL NEVER SET - 1962; wrote the film ROAD TO LAS VEGAS - 2009; and sang two songs on the soundtrack of the film BLACK HAWK DOWN - 2001. He was also heavily involved with Stage work, especially in England. Mr Sharif was also a world-class Bridge player and had been known to anticipate or postpone shootings in order to be able to attend major bridge events. He gave up Bridge in the 2000's, saying that he needed to spend more time with his family. A few months before he passed away, Sharif's son, Tarek, announced that his father had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease since 2012. Omar Sharif passed away of a heart attack and was 83 years-old.) - 07/10/15
ROGER REES (Actor: The Welsh-born Rees is probably best remembered as "Robin Colcord", Kirstie Alley's object of affection during four years of the TV Series CHEERS - 1989-1993, but the classically-trained Rees was an old hand at acting long before then. His credits included [TV Series unless other wise noted]: THE PLACE OF PEACE - 1975 [TV Movie]; UNDER WESTERN EYES - 1975 [TV Movie]; BOUQUET OF BARB WIRE - 1976; A COMEDY OF ERRORS - 1978 [TV Movie]; A PERFORMANCE OF MACBETH - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE THREE SISTERS - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY - 1982 [TV mini-series; Nominated for an Emmy Award]; STAR 80 - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; IMAGINARY FRIENDS - 1983 [TV Movie];SAIGON: YEAR OF THE CAT - 1983 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1984; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE EBONY TOWER - 1984 [TV Movie]; GOD'S OUTLAW - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE FINDING - 1987 [TV Movie]; TEN GREAT WRITERS OF THE MODERN WORLD - 1988 [TV mini-series]; SINGLES - 1988-1989 [Series Regular; 14 episodes]; THE RETURN OF SAM MCCLOUD - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG RIDERS - 1990; THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; IF LOOKS COULD KILL - 1992 [Theatrical Film; Rees was excellent in this comedy action film as the bad guy]; P.J. SPARKLES - 1992 [TV Movie; voice only]; STOP! OR MY MOM WILL SHOOT - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; CHARLES AND DIANA: UNHAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE TOWER - 1993 [TV Movie]; CHEERS - 1989-1993 [17 episodes]; THE LEGEND OF PRINCE VALIANT - 1991-1993 [3 episodes]; ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; MY SO-CALLED LIFE - 1994; MIGHTY MAX - 1994 [voice only]; THE POSSESSION OF MICHAEL D. - 1995 [TV Movie]; GARGOYLES - 1995 [voice only]; PHANTOM 2040 - 1995 [voice only]; THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; SUDDEN MANHATTAN - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; TITANIC - 1996 [TV mini-series]; BOSTON COMMON - 1997 [8 episodes]; M.A.N.T.I.S. - 1994-1997 [Series semi-regular; 22 episodes]; EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS - 1997 [voice only]; TROUBLE ON THE CORNER - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; LIBERTY! THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION - 1997 [TV mini-series]; DAMIAN CROMWELL'S POSTCARDS FROM AMERICA - 1997; NEXT STOP, WONDERLAND - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; DOUBLE PLATINUM - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE BUMBLEBEE FLIES AWAY - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; THE CROSSING - 2000 [TV Movie]; BLACKMALE - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; OZ - 2001 [also Director]; 3 A.M. - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; THREE SISTERS - 2001; RETURN TO NEVER LAND - 2002 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; THE EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD - 2002; THE SCORPION KING - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; FRIDA - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; THE EMPEROR'S CLUB - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; VERITAS: THE QUEST - 2003; LAW & ORDER - 2003; THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASES PART 2: VAUX TO THE SEA - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASES PART 3: FROM SARK TO FINISH - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; GOING UNDER - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; GAME 6 - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; THE WEST WING - 2000-2005 [8 episodes]; A LIFE IN SUITCASES - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; THE NEW WORLD - 2005 [Theatrical Film; uncredited]; THE PINK PANTHER - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; RELATED - 2005-2006; FALLING FOR GRACE - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; THE TREATMENT - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; GARFIELD 2 - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; THE PRESTIGE - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2007 [3 episodes]; THE INVASION - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; THE NARROWS - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; HAPPY TEARS - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2009; THE CLEVELAND SHOW - 2010 [voice only]; THE GOOD WIFE - 2010; ALMOST PERFECT - 2011 [Theatrical Film]; SUBMISSIONS ONLY - 2012; THE MIDDLE - 2013; WAREHOUSE 13 - 2009-2013 [7 episodes]; ELEMENTARY - 2012-2014; AFFLUENZA - 2014 [Theatrical Film]; IT COULD BE WORSE - 2013-2014 [TV mini-series]; FOREVER - 2015; SURVIVOR - 2015 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Roger Rees, although a Theatrical and TV actor, was mainly a Stage actor, with secondary careers as a playwright and stage director, and even won a Tony Award for Best Actor in the Broadway Stage version of "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby" in 1982. He was also nominated for a Tony Award in the same category in 1995 for "Indescretions". Mr. Rees was a proud gay man who married his longtime partner, writer/producer Eric Elice [who co-wrote the musicals "Jersey Boys" and "The Addams Family"], in 2011. Mr. Rees' death is a shock to the stage community, as he has directed many actors, including B.D. Wong [in "Herringbone", in which Wong played 12 roles] and starred opposite Sir Ian McKellen in "Waiting For Godot". Roger Rees' cause of death was not reported [although it was well-known that he was in failing health for the last few years] and he was 71 years-old.) - 07/10/15
ALEX ROCCO (Actor: When is this madness going to end? Alex Rocco was one of my favorite actors in the world. I saw him in so many theatrical films and on TV when I was growing up, he was like a second father to me. And this man had range. He could do drama, thrillers, horror and comedy (which he was surprisingly adept at). It is with a heavy heart that I announce his passing away. There will never be another Alex Rocco, ever. And we all all the worse off for that. His credits included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: MOTORPSYCHO! - 1965; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967 [TV Series]; BATMAN - 1967 [TV Series]; THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE - 1967; GET SMART - 1967 [TV Series]; THE BOSTONSTRANGLER - 1968; BLOOD MANIA - 1970 [The first time I saw Rocco in a theater]; THAT GIRL - 1970-1971 [TV Series]; WILD RIDERS - 1971; BRUTE CORPS - 1971 [Try to find the Code Red DVD of this underrated scummy little gem!]; THE GODFATHER - 1972 [his first major motion picture role as "Moe Greene" and he nailed it]; STANLEY - 1972 [an incestual father in a killer snake movie!]; THE F.B.I. - 1972 [TV Series]; THE OUTSIDE MAN - 1972; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1971-1973 [TV Series]; BONNIE'S KIDS - 1973 [another underrated role]; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1973 [TV Series]; SLITHER - 1973; THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE - 1973; DETROIT 9000 - 1973 [a favorite of Quentin Tarantino and it has to do with Rocco's huge part in the film]; LEGEND IN GRANITE - 1973 [TV Movie]; LOTSA LUCK - 1974 [TV Series]; THREE THE HARD WAY - 1974 [one of the best Blaxploitation films]; THE ROOKIES - 1974 [TV Series]; FREEBIE AND THE BEAN - 1974; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1974 [TV Series]; KOJAK - 1973-1975 [TV Series]; RAFFERTY AND THE GOLD DUST TWINS - 1975; HUSTLING - 1975 [TV Movie]; TWIGS - 1975 [TV Movie]; CANNON - 1972-1975 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975 [TV Series]; A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN - 1975; HEARTS OF THE WEST - 1975; THREE FOR THE ROAD - 1975 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; DELVECCHIO - 1977 [TV Series]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1977 [TV Series]; POLICE STORY - 1975-1977 [TV Series; 3 episodes, which usually were the most enjoyable]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977 [TV Series]; BARNABY JONES - 1977 [TV Series]; DOG AND CAT - 1977 [TV Series]; BARETTA - 1977 [TV Series]; FIRE SALE - 1977; HUSBANDS AND WIVES - 1977 [TV Movie]; HAROLD ROBBINS' 79 PARK AVENUE - 1977 [TV mini-series]; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977 [TV Series]; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1977 [TV Movie; 1977 was a busy year for Rocco!]; A QUESTION OF GUILT - 1978 [TV Movie]; RABBIT TEST - 1978 [some people think this is the worst bad-taste comedy ever made; directed by the late Joan Rivers]; THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THE SEPTIC TANK - 1978 [TV Movie]; VOICES - 1979; HERBIE GOES BANANAS - 1980; THE STUNT MAN - 1980; CHiPS - 1980 [TV Series]; LILY: SOLD OUT - 1981 [TV Special]; NOBODY'S PERFEKT - 1981; THE ENTITY - 1982 [one of the best paranormal films ever made]; THE FIRST TIME - 1982 [TV Movie]; SMALL & FRYE - 1983 [TV Series}; THE BEST OF TIMES - 1983 [TV Series}; JESSIE - 1984 [TV Series}; MATT HOUSTON - 1984 [TV Series}; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1984; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMACK - 1984 [TV Series]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1984 [TV Series]; SIMON & SIMON - 1982-1984 [TV Series]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1982-1984 [TV Series]; HOT PURSUIT - 1984; HOLLYWOOD BEAT - 1985 [TV Series]; THE A-TEAM - 1985 [TV Series]; STICK - 1985; BRAKER - 1985 [TV Movie]; GOTCHA! - 1985; BADGE OF THE ASSASSIN - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1985 [TV Series]; STIFFS - 1985; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1986 [TV Series]; T.J. HOOKER - 1984-1986 [TV Series]; P.K. AND THE KID - 1987; RETURN TO HORROR HIGH - 1987 [another fine Rocco performance in an underrated horror film]; CBS SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1987 [TV Series]; RAGS TO RICHES - 1987 [TV Series]; HOTEL - 1987 [TV Series]; HUNTER - 1987 [TV Series]; SCENES FROM A GOLDMINE - 1987; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1981-1988 [TV Series Recurring Character; 11 episodes]; LADY IN WHITE - 1988; DREAM A LITTLE DREAM - 1989; WIRED - 1989; MURPHY BROWN - 1989 [TV Series]; THE FAMOUS TEDDY Z - 1989-1990 [TV Series Regular; 20 episodes]; CAROL & COMPANY - 1990 [TV Series]; HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE - 1990 [TV Movie]; A QUIET LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD, A PERFECT LITTLE MURDER - 1990 [TV Movie]; MIDNIGHT CALLER - 1991 [TV Series]; AN INCONVENIENT WOMAN - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE POPE MUST DIE[T] - 1991; SIBS - 1991-1992 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes]; BORIS AND NATASHA - 1992 [TV Movie]; LOVE, HONOR & OBEY: THE LAST MAFIA MARRIAGE - 1993 [TV Movie]; DADDY DEAREST - 1993 [TV Series]; BONKERS - 1993 [TV Series]; HARMFUL INTENT - 1993 [TV Movie]; FLIGHT OF THE DOVE - 1994; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1994-1995 [TV Series Regular; 27 episodes]; GET SHORTY - 1995; CAN'T HURRY LOVE - 1995 [TV Series]; PARTNERS - 1995 [TV Series]; HOPE & GLORIA - 1995 [TV Series]; PINKY AND THE BRAIN - 1996 [TV Series; voice only]; THAT THING YOU DO! - 1996; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1996 [TV Series]; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1997; THE SIMPSONS - 1990-1997 [TV Series; voice only; 3 episodes as "Roger Meyers Jr.", the owner of the "ITCHY & SCRATCHY SHOW"]; GOODE BEHAVIOR - 1997 [TV Series]; JUST WRITE - 1997; EARLY EDITION - 1997 [TV Series]; NICK FRENO: LICENSED TEACHER - 1997 [TV Series]; HOME IMPROVEMENT - 1997 [TV Series];
MICHAEL HAYES - 1997 [TV Series]; GOODBYE LOVER - 1998; SILK STALKINGS - 1998 [TV Series]; A BUG'S LIFE - 1998 [voice only]; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1999 [TV Series]; JUST SHOOT ME! - 1999 [TV Series]; DUDLEY DO-RIGHT - 1999 [the best part of the movie, as the funny Indian Chief]; FAMILY LAW - 1999 [TV Series]; SAM CHURCHILL: SEARCH FOR A HOMELESS MAN - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE PRACTICE - 2000 [TV Series]; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 2000 [TV Series]; THE LAST PRODUCER - 2000; THE ANGRY BEAVERS - 2000 [TV Series; voice only]; THE WEDDING PLANNER - 2001; ITALIAN TIES - 2001; FAMILY GUY - 1999-2001 [TV Series]; BIG SHOT: CONFESSIONS OF A CAMPUS BOOKIE - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE COUNTRY BEARS - 2002; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2003 [TV Series]; LUCKY - 2003 [TV Series]; THE JOB - 2003; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 2004 [TV Series]; THE DIVISION - 2001-2004 [TV Series Recurring Character; 14 episodes]; CRAZYLOVE - 2005; ER - 2005 [TV Series]; FIND ME GUILTY - 2006; JAM - 2006; SMOKIN' ACES - 2006 [one of his best performances during the latter part of his career]; THE WEDDING BELLS - 2007 [TV Series]; READY OR NOT - 2009; PARTY DOWN - 2010 [Pay Cable Series]; DOWN HERE - 2010; BATMAN: YEAR ONE - 2011 [TV Series; voice only]; AND THEY'RE OFF - 2011; THE LIFE & TIMES OF TIM - 2011 [Pay Cable Series; voice only]; PRIVATE PRACTICE - 2012 [TV Series]; THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET - 2013; MAGIC CITY - 2012-2013 [Pay Cable Series Regular; 8 episodes]; SCAMMERHEAD - 2014; EPISODES - 2014-2015 [Pay Cable Series]; MARON - 2015 [TV Series]; SILVER SKIES - 2015 [Still in Post-Production]; THE OTHER - 2016 [Still in Post-production; his final acting role]. Mr. Rocco was not without his personal problems though. He was known to pal around with gangsters during his younger days and when his girlfriend was hit on by Charlestown mobster Georgie McLaughlin in 1961, it set off the Boston Irish Gang War of the early 1960s. Rocco himself was picked up as a suspect in the murder of Bernie McLaughlin, but never charged. His other credits include starring in the February 3, 2008, Super Bowl ad for Audi that parodied the famous "horse head" scene in THE GODFATHER - 1972. Alex Rocco was born on a leap year on February 29, 1936 and passed away at the age of 79 years-old. Goodbye dear friend and thank you for the many hours you entertained me.) - 07/18/15
GEORGE COE (Actor: Wonderful actor who died on the same day as Alex Rocco, his co-star in THE ENTITY - 1982. His credits included [TV Series Unless otherwise noted]: THE DOCTORS - 1963; FOR THE PEOPLE - 1965; SOMERSET - 1971-1972; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING - 1975 [TV Movie]; FRENCH POSTCARDS - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; KRAMER VS. KRAMER - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; THE FIRST DEADLY SIN - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; BIG BLONDE - 1980 [TV Movie]; KENT STATE - 1981 [TV Movie]; BROKEN PROMISES - 1981 [TV Movie]; BUSTIN' LOOSE - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; RED FLAG: THE ULTIMATE GAME - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE AMATEUR - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; DREAMSDON'T DIE - 1982 [TV Movie]; DROP-OUT FATHER - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE ENTITY - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; THE COUNTRY GIRL - 1982 [TV Movie]; LISTEN TO YOUR HEART - 1983 [TV Movie]; RAGE OF ANGELS - 1983 [TV Movie]; GOODNIGHT, BEANTOWN [5 episodes]; SESSIONS - 1983 [TV Movie]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1983 [3 episodes]; HE'S NOT YOUR SON - 1984 [TV Movie]; MICKEY + MAUDE - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; THE HOUSE OF GOD - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; MY WICKED, WICKED WAYS: THE LEGEND OF ERROL FLYNN - 1984 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1985; REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1985; MOONLIGHTING - 1985; HEAD OFFICE - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; FAMILY TIES - 1986; BLOOD & ORCHIDS - 1986 [TV Movie]; SIMON & SIMON - 1986; THE PAPER CHASE - 1986; DALLAS - 1986; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1986 [3 episodes]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1975-1986 [11 episodes]; BLIND DATE - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; UNCLE TOM'S CABIN - 1987 [TV Movie]; BEST SELLER - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; WHY ON EARTH? - 1987 [TV Movie]; MAX HEADROOM - 1987-1988 [Series Regular; 14 episodes]; MAGNUM P.I. - 1988; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1988; SHOOTDOWN - 1988 [TV Movie]; COUSINS - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; THOSE SHE LEFT BEHIND - 1989 [TV Movie]; MY NAME IS BILL W. - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE HOLLYWOOD DETECTIVE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW - 1989; COLUMBO - 1989; MATLOCK - 1989; AMEN - 1990; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1990; THIRTYSOMETHING - 1987-1990; THE END OF INNONENCE - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; FINE THINGS - 1990 [TV Movie]; MURPHY BROWN - 1990; TO MY DAUGHTER - 1990 [TV Movie]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1991; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1991 [4 episodes]; NIGHT COURT - 1991; L.A. LAW - 1986-1991 [5 episodes]; THE HUMAN FACTOR - 1992; CROSSROADS - 1992; CAMP CANDY - 1992; SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR: THE ALISON GERTZ STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; NURSES - 1992; THE MIGHTY DUCKS - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990-1992; LAW & ORDER - 1993; JOE'S LIFE - 1993; THE COSBY MYSTERIES - 1995; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1995; GOSPA - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; CAGNEY & LACEY: THE VIEW THROUGH THE GLASS CEILING - 1995 [TV Movie]; NICK AND JANE - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; HOME IMPROVEMENT - 1997; JENNY - 1998; THE PRETENDER - 1998; THE PRACTICE - 1998; THE NANNY - 1998; ANY DAY NOW - 1999; WORKING - 1998-1999 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 8 episodes]; THE OMEGA CODE - 1999 [Theatrical Film]; TWO GUYS, A GIRL AND A PIZZA PLACE -
2000; LADIES MAN - 2000; BIG EDEN - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; BULL - 2000; A RUMOR OF ANGELS - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; DIAMOND MEN - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; THE LONE GUNMEN - 2001; BECKER - 2001; SMALLVILLE - 2002; THE WEST WING - 2001-2002 [3 episodes]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2002; THE DIVISION - 2003; JUDGING AMY - 2003; GILMORE GIRLS - 2005; NUMB3RS - 2005; COLD CASE - 2006; BONES - 2007; CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH [voice only; 3 episodes]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2007; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2002-2007; PRIVATE PRACTICE - 2007; NIP/TUCK - 2007; CORPORATE AFFAIRS - 2008 [Theatrical Film]; SUPERNATURAL - 2008; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2008; STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - 2009 [voice only]; FUNNY PEOPLE - 2009 [Theatrical Film]; TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON - 2011 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; WRINKLES - 2011 [Theatrical Film; voice only for the English language version]; THE LEGEND OF KORRA - 2012; CHEZ UPSHAW - 2013 [Theatrical Film]; TWO AND A HALF MEN - 2013; WILFRED - 2011-2013; 13 SINS - 2014 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; ARCHER - 2009-2014 [Series Regular; 24 episodes; voice only; his final acting role]. Mr. Coe was the Producer of the film DISTANCE - 1975; and served for two years as vice president of the Screen Actor's Guild. He also Directed, Produced and Acted in the short film DE DÜVA: THE DOVE - 1968, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Live Action; and was given the Ralph Morgan Award in 2009 by The Screen Actors Guild [SAG]. A little-known fact about George Coe is that ne was one of the original cast members on the first three episodes of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in 1975. After that, he made several more uncredited appearances on the show during the first season [and other seasons], including the prison warden in the classic "Lifer Follies" sketch. George Coe was suffering from an undisclosed long-term illness and was 86 years-old.) - 07/18/15
VAN ALEXANDER (Film & TV Music Composer: Mr. Alexander, who was best known for writing "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" with frequent collaborator Ella Fitzgerald [another one of his famous songs was "Where, O Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"], was a 1940's big band leader who then went on to score dozens of theatrical films and TV series of the 50's, 60's & 70's [he was Emmy nominated three times and won an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award in 2002 for his lifetime achievement in music]. He was a favorite of Mickey Rooney and worked on three of William Castle's 60's films and wrote the theme music to some well-known TV shows of theperiod. His credits as a Composer included: THE ATOMIC KID - 1954; THE MICKEY ROONEY SHOW - 1954-1955 [TV Series; 19 episodes]; THE TWINKLE IN GOD'S EYE - 1955; JAGUAR - 1955; NO MAN'S WOMAN - 1955; THE FIGHTING CHANCE - 1955; WHEN GANGLAND STRIKES - 1956 [Uncredited]; BABY FACE NELSON - 1957; SPOILERS OF THE FOREST - 1957; THE GUY MITCHELL SHOW - 1957 [TV Series]; SENIOR PROM - 1958 [Uncredited]; ANDY HARDY COMES HOME - 1958; THE LAST MILE - 1969; THE BIG OPERATOR - 1959; GIRLS TOWN - 1959; THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ADAM AND EVE - 1960; PLATINUM HIGH SCHOOL - 1960; THE AMERICANS - 1961 [TV Series]; SAFE AT HOME! - 1962; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1962 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1963 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; 13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS! - 1963; BREAKING POINT - 1963 [TV Series]; STRAIT-JACKET - 1964; I SAW WHAT YOU DID - 1965; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1964-1965 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; HAZEL - 1963-1966 [TV Series; 76 episodes]; TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD - 1966; BEWITCHED - 1966 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1966; THE SECOND HUNDRED YEARS - 1967 [TV Series]; THE WACKY WORLD OF JONATHAN WINTERS - 1972 [TV Series]; THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - 1965-1974 [TV Series; Head Music Arranger for the entire run of the show; 261 episodes]; THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR - 1976-1977 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; BATTLE-AXE: THE MAKING OF STRAIT-JACKET - 2002 [DVD Documentary Short; his last credit]. His original songs appeared in the following films: "A-Tisket, A-Tasket": THE COWBOY AND THE LADY - 1938; HONOLULU - 1939; BROADWAY SERENADE - 1939; RIDE 'EM COWBOY - 1942; TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR - 1944; THE BANDIT - 1946; UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS - 1948 [Documentary Short]; THE LAST TIME I COMMITTED SUICIDE - 1997; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 2007 [TV Series]; DANCING WITH THE STARS - 2008 [TV Series]. "The Tambourine Waltz": TIMBERJACK - 1955. "Jim Bowie": THE LAST COMMAND - 1955. "The Long Ride Home": A TIME FOR KILLING - 1967. "One Way Street": HEAVY - 1995; MOJAVE MOON - 1996. "Tony's Analysis": APT PUPIL - 1997. Van Alexander died of heart failure and was 100 years-old.) - 07/19/15
AL CHECCO (Actor: Very popular TV actor who every once in a while ventured into feature films [usually uncredited roles in Don Knotts' films, who was his good friend and comedy partner, together entertaining the troops at USO shows]. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: TALES OF TOMORROW - 1952; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1955; THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1955; PLAYWRIGHTS '56 - 1955; THE HATHAWAYS - 1961; THE JANE POWELL SHOW - 1961; BRONCO - 1962; SHANNON - 1962; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1962; MISTER ED - 1961-1963 [4 episodes]; GOING MY WAY - 1963; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1963; THE INCREDIBLE MT. LIMPETT - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1962-1965; THE MUNSTERS - 1965; BROADSIDE - 1965; GOMER PYLE USMC - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1965; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965; MR. TERIFFIC - 1966; THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; BATMAN - 1966; THE PHYLLIS DILLER SHOW - 1966; HOTEL - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; THE RELUCTANT ASTRONAUT - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; P.J. - 1968 [TheatricalFilm]; THE PARTY - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; BULLITT - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; THE OUTSIDER - 1968; ANGEL IN MY POCKET - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1969; THE FLYING NUN - 1969; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1969; INSIGHT - 1970; THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; ADAM AT 6 A.M. - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1970; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1070; I LOVE MY WIFE - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; HOW TO FRAME A FIGG - 1971 [Theatrical Film; scenes deleted]; SKIN GAME - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; THE MOD SQUAD - 1971; BONANZA - 1970-1971; GLASS HOUSES - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; CADE'S COUNTY - 1972; THE F.B.I. - 1967-1972 [3 episodes]; GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972; THE ROOKIES - 1973; GO ASK ALICE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE - 1973 [TV Movie]; EXTREME CLOSE-UP - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; ADAM- 12 - 1969-1973; BOGARD - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; IRONSIDE - 1972-1974; HERE'S LUCY - 1973-1974; HAWKINS - 1974; THE TERMINAL MAN - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; HARRY O - 1974; POLICE STORY - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - ["Primal Scream" - 1975]; KUNG FU - 1975; FAR OUT SPACE NUTS - 1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975; HELTER SKELTER - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE MILLION DOLLAR RIP-OFF - 1976 [TV Movie]; ALEX & THE GYPSY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; WONDERBUG - 1976; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976-1977; HAROLD ROBBINS' 79 PARK AVENUE - 1977 [TV mini-series]; PETE'S DRAGON - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; THE OTHER SIDE OF HELL - 1978 [TV Movie]; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978 [Theatrical Film]; HAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1978 [TV Movie]; QUINCY M.E. - 1978; SOME KIND OF MIRACLE - 1979 [TV Movie]; BLIND AMBITION - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979; HOW TO BEAT THE HIGH CO$T OF LIVING - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; TALES OF THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG - 1982 [TV Movie]; DALLAS - 1983; KNIGHT RIDER - 1984; SINS OF THE FATHER - 1985 [TV Movie]; MATT HOUSTON - 1985; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1988; KATE & ALLIE - 1989; CRAPS: HOW TO PLAY - 1989 [MFHV]; GROWING PAINS - 1991; AGAINST THE GRAIN - 1993; BECKER - 2000; STARING AT THE SUN - 2002 [Short]; SCRUBS - 2004 [His last role]. Al Checco was 93 years-old.) - 07/19/15
E.L. DOCTOROW (Author/Screenwriter: Doctorow was an enormously talented novelist who wrote 14 fictional novels from 1960 ["Welcome To Hard Times'] to 2014 ["Andrew's Brain"]. He also wrote four books of short stories, wrote a play [DRINKS BEFORE DINNER - 1979], wrote essays on various subjects ["Jack London, Hemingway, and the Constitution" - 1983; "Poets and Presidents" - 1993 and "Creationists" - 2006], did a photo essay ["American Anthem" - 1983], authored a scathing 144-page book on America in general called "Reporting the Universe" for the Harvard University Press in 2003 [it caused a lot of controversy, especially after 9-11was still fresh on a lot of people's minds], the funny/sad short story "Wakefield", about a husband who falls asleep in his garage and his wife reports him missing, so he plays along and observes the craziness that goes on around him, for The New Yorker in 2008, the short story "All The Time In The World" for the Kenyon Review in 2009 and wrote an op-ed piece called "Unexceptionalism: A Primer" for The New York Times in 2012. Some of his novels were turned into theatrical films [some of which he wrote the screenplays to, also]. Those films included: WELCOME TO HARD TIMES - 1967 [based on his novel of the same name]; RAGTIME - 1981 [based on his novel of the same name; which was also turned into a Broadway musical in 1998]; DANIEL - 1983 [also screenwriter; based on his novel "The Book Of Daniel"]; BILLY BATHGATE - 1991 [based on his novel of the same name]; JOLENE - 2008 [also Executive Producer; based on his story "Jolene: A Life']. Doctorow also acted in Robert Altman's BUFFALO BILL AND THE INDIANS, OR SITTING BULL'S HISTORY LESSON - 1976, appeared in a few TV Documentaries and was a frequent guest on THE CHARLIE ROSE SHOW - 1998-2014. Mr. Doctorow never had a kind word to say about WELCOME TO HARD TIMES [which he said was the second worst film ever made, the first being SWAMP FIRE - 1948], RAGTIME [which he said the first ten minutes were good, but unfortunately it goes on] or DANIEL [which he said was one of the greatest commercial disasters of all time], but being a novelist, he had this perfect prose to say about growing up in the Bronx as a kid: "In the dark Bronx days of the Great Depression, I lived on a street named after the brook or burn that once flowed through it. I came down the front steps of my house into a world that was sunny, warm, and clean. Nobody in the neighborhood owned a car, and so the street belonged to the kids. It was our stickball field, our flea market. We flipped pennies against a wall, traded baseball cards, played skelly with soda-bottle caps; we opened our hands for the delicate art of box ball, and abandoned ourselves to the wild neighborhood wars of ringolevio. An eminence who lived on our block was a captain in the Sanitation Department, which is why every other day in summer, the water wagon came grinding up the street, spraying from the sides of its tank a beautiful spreading arc of glistening rainbows that seemed ethereally to be herding this beast of a truck like a pair of angels. And when the water wagon turned the corner and was gone, the street was suddenly quiet except for the bubbling rivulets of water running along the guttered curbs, carrying with it our fleets of walnut shells and ice-cream sticks as we scurried along to see how far they would go before running aground." Beautiful, wouldn't you say? Doctorow also won the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction in 2014. E.L. Doctorow passed away due to complications of lung cancer and was 84 years-old.) - 07/21/15
THEODORE BIKEL (Actor: Another great performer that the cruel month of July has taken from us. Mr. Bikel was just as involved in Stage work as he was in films and TV, and was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1958, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for THE ROPE DANCERS and in 1960, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor [Musical] for THE SOUND OF MUSIC [Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the song "Edelweiss" specifically for him to perform on Broadway]. Bikel was also a very smart person [he was a member of MENSA], which is probably why he always brought a sense of layers to thecharacters in almost every film role he appeared in; lesser actors would not be able to give them the layers like Bikel did. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE CHERRY ORCHARD - 1947 [TV Movie]; NO ALTERNATIVE - 1949; ISLAND RESCUE - 1951; THE AFRICAN QUEEN - 1951; MOULIN ROUGE - 1952; DESPERATE MOMENT - 1953; NEVER LET ME GO - 1953; MELBA - 1953; A DAY TO REMEMBER - 1953; THE LITTLE KIDNAPPERS - 1953; JOHNNY, YOU'RE WANTED - 1953 [TV mini-series]; THE LOVE LOTTERY - 1954; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1954 [TV Series]; FORBIDDEN CARGO - 1954; CHANCE MEETING - 1954; BETRAYED - 1954; THE DIVIDED HEART - 1954; LOOK UP AND LIVE - 1954 [TV Series]; THE COLDITZ STORY - 1955; ABOVE US THE WAVES - 1955; PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE - 1955 [TV Series]; THE ELGIN HOUR - 1955 [TV Series]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1955 [TV Series]; STAR TONIGHT - 1955 [TV Series]; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955 [TV Series]; STRANGE EXPERIENCES - 1955 [TV Series]; JUSTICE - 1955 [TV Series]; ESCAPE FROM THE IRON CURTAIN - 1956; THE ALCOA HOUR - 1956 [TV Series]; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1955-1956 [TV Series]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1955-1956 [TV Series]; THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT - 1957 [TV Movie]; CLIMAX! - 1957 [TV Series]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1957 [TV Series]; THE VINTAGE - 1957; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1955-1957 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION - 1957; THE ENEMY BELOW - 1957; THE KIDNAPPERS - 1958; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1955 [TV Series]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1955-1958 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; FRAÜLEIN - 1958; THE DEFIANT ONES - 1958 [Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]; I BURY THE LIVING - 1958 [totally creepy thriller disguised as a horror film; also sings two uncredited songs on the soundtrack]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958 [TV Series]; I WANT TO LIVE! - 1958; FOLIO - 1958 [TV Series]; A DOG OF FLANDERS - 1959; WOMAN OBSESSED - 1959; THE ANGRY HILLS - 1959; THE BLUE ANGELS - 1959; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1959 [TV Series]; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960 [TV Series; 'The Dybbuk"]; DIRECTIONS - 1960 [TV Series]; THE NAKED CITY - 1961-1962 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1962 [TV Series]; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1962 [TV Series; 'Four O'Clock"]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962 [TV Series]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1962 [TV Series]; DR. KILDARE - 1962 [TV Series]; ROUTE 66 - 1962 [TV Series]; SAM BENEDICT - 1962 [TV Series]; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962 [TV Series]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1963 [TV Series]; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963 [TV Series]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964 [TV Series]; COMBAT - 1964 [TV Series]; MY FAIR LADY - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1964 [TV Series]; GUNSMOKE - 1965 [TV Series]; WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND - 1965 [TV Movie]; BURKE'S LAW - 1964-1965 [TV Series]; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1965 [TV Series]; SANDS OF THE KALAHARI - 1965; THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING - 1966; BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS - 1967; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK - 1967 [TV Movie]; SAINT JOAN - 1967 [TV Movie]; SWEET NOVEMBER - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968 [TV Series]; MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN - 1969; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969 [TV Series]; DARKER THAN AMBER - 1970 [Totally overlooked film that needs a disc release]; IRONSIDE - 1971 [TV Series]; 200 MOTELS - 1971; KILLER BY NIGHT - 1972 [TV Movie]; CANNON - 1972 [TV Series]; THE LITTLE ARK - 1972; MOD SQUAD - 1973 [TV Series]; KILLER ON FLIGHT 502 - 1975 [TV Movie]; MEDICAL STORY - 1975 [TV Series]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1976 [TV Series]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976 [TV Series]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1976 [TV Series]; VICTORY AT ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976 [TV Series]; TESTIMONY OF TWO MEN - 1977 [TV mini-series]; COLUMBO - 1977 [TV Series; played a MENSA member, which wasn't a stretch]; THE SAN PEDRO BEACH BUMS - 1977 [TV Series]; POLICE WOMAN - 1978 [TV Series]; LOOSE CHANGE - 1978 [TV mini-series]; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1978 [TV Series]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978 [TV Series]; THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN - 1978 [TV Movie; also sang some songs on the soundtrack]; ALL IN TRE FAMILY - 1978-1979 [TV Series; plays the butcher who falls in love with Edith and she almost cheats on Archie; he sings several songs to Edith on both the episodes he appeared in]; THE RETURN OF THE KING - 1980 [TV Movie; voice only]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1982 [TV Series]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1983 [TV Series]; GLITTER - 1984 [TV
Series]; HOTEL - 1985 [TV Series]; COVER UP - 1985 [TV Series]; THE FALL GUY - 1985 [TV Series]; HELL TOWN - 1985 [TV Series]; DYNASTY - 1985 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; PRINCE JACK - 1985; THE PAPER CHASE - 1986 [TV Series]; VERY CLOSE QUARTERS - 1986; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1987 [TV Series]; BUCK JAMES - 1988 [TV Series]; FALCON CREST - 1987-1988 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; A STONING IN FULHAM COUNTY - 1988 [TV Movie]; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1988 [TV Series]; THE EQUALIZER - 1988 [TV Series]; DARK TOWER - 1989 [very troubled production history]; SEE YOU IN THE MORNING - 1989; THE FINAL DAYS - 1989 [TV Movie]; CHRISTINE CROMWELL - 1989-1990 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CITY - 1990 [TV Series]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1990 [TV Series]; SHATTERED - 1991; THE NEW LASSIE - 1991 [TV Series]; MEMORIES OF MIDNIGHT - 1991 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1992 [TV Series]; CRISIS IN THE KREMLIN - 1992; BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT - 1993; MY FAMILY TREASURE - 1993; LAW & ORDER - 1994 [TV Series]; BABYLON 5 - 1994 [TV Series]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1994 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE BURNING ZONE - 1996 [TV Series]; SHADOW CONSPIRACY - 1997; BROOKLYN SOUTH - 1997 [TV Series]; MICHAEL HAYES - 1997 [TV Series]; BABYLON 5: IN THE BEGINNING - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE PRETENDER - 1998 [TV Series];; SECOND CHANCES - 1998; H.U.D. - 2000 [TV Movie]; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 2002; JAG - 2003 [TV Series]; THE LITTLE TRAITOR - 2007 [his last acting role]. Mr. Bikel also mappeared as himself on various variety and talk shows during the 60's & the 70's where he got to use his excellent singing voice and talk about events of the day [He was a favorite of like-minded individuals like David Frost]. He got a star on the Walk Of Fame on April 29, 2005 at 6233 Hollywood Blvd. TheodoreBikel passed away of natural causes and was 91 years-old.) - 07/21/15
SEAN MALONE (Actor: An up-and-coming actor who was just coming into his own when his life was cut short by an accidental drowning. Mr. Malon's small filmography included: GONE BABY GONE - 2007; LEO - 2008 [Short]; SCALPERS - 2009; THE FIGHTER - 2010 [probably his best role as "Wolfie']; WHALING CITY - 2011; THE FORGER - 2014 [his last film]. Sean Malone was 54 years-old.) - 07/29/15
"ROWDY" RODDY PIPER (Actor/Wrestler: What a shitty way to end July. Roddy Piper [born Roderick George Toombs] was not only one of the best performing wrestlers, he was also one of the best performing actors who came from wrestling [as well as being one of the nicest men on this planet]. Who can forget his line "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum." and that crazy ten-minute fight between him and Keith David in THEY LIVE - 1988? [They wouldn't see each other for twenty years after the filmwas made {no animosity involved}, but Piper said that it was Keith who helped him perfect his character of "Nada" in the film.] Pure action/horror film heaven. Roddy acted before then, but people took notice of him for that role and his acting career just took off in B-Films. He was so popular, in fact, that he retired from wrestling for a long period of time until the acting roles dried up [his acting roles started to pick up again after 2005]. Even in his later films, like ALIEN OPPONENT - 2010, there was still a playfulness to him that no one else had. [Just look at that one-on-one fight he had with the girl in the film, especially the ending of the fight, which I am sure was improvised]. My heart is heavy, He beat cancer [successfully beating Hodgkins Lymphoma], he beat opponents in the ring [too many to count], but he just couldn't beat his heart, which gave out on him at the young age of 61 years-old [thankfully, in his sleep]. I would like to think if there is a Heaven, Roddy would be showing God how to perform the perfect "eye poke' and "sleeper hold". His acting roles included [Wrestling is acting, too, but I am purposely keeping all of those credits off of here, although he was one of the main reasons I watched wrestling in the 80's. Him and his kilt, which no other person could get away with with such panaché. {His favorite line was "Real men wear kilts.", even though he was actually a Canadian!}]: THE ONE AND ONLY - 1978; LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES - 1985 [Music Video Short; sang with Meat Loaf, Cyndi Lauper and Rick Derringer]; BODY SLAM - 1986; THE HIGHWAYMAN - 1987 [TV Movie]; BUY & CELL - 1987; HELL COMES TO FROGTOWN - 1988; THEY LIVE - 1988; THE LOVE BOAT: A VALENTINE'S VOYAGE - 1990 [TV Movie]; TAGTEAM - 1991; ZORRO - 1990-1991 [TV Series]; SUPERBOY - 1992 [TV Series]; SILK STALKINGS - 1992 [TV Series]; HIGHLANDER - 1993 [TV SERIES]; BACK IN ACTION - 1993; IMMORTAL COMBAT - 1994; ROBOCOP - 1994 [TV Series]; TOUGH AND DEADLY - 1995 [MFHV]; NO CONTEST - 1995 [One of my favorite 90's action films. Piper was nearly indestructible in this and he was human, not some kind of robot. Every time he would appear after I thought he was dead, I would say, "Damn!"]; JUNGLEGROUND - 1995; MARKED MAN - 1996; TERMINAL RUSH - 1996; SCI-FIGHTERS - 1996 [MFHV]; DEAD TIDES - 1997; THE BAD PACK - 1997; FIRST ENCOUNTER - 1997; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1998 [TV Series]; HARD TIME - 1998; THE OUTER LIMITS - [TV Series; "Small Friends" - 1999]; SHEPHERD - 1999; LAST TO SURRENDER - 1999; LEGLESS LARRY & THE LIPSTICK LADY - 1999; MENTORS - 2000 [TV Series]; JACK OF HEARTS - 2000; THREE WISE GUYS - 2005; COSTA CHICA: CONFESSION OF AN EXORCIST - 2006; SHUT UP AND SHOOT! - 2006; HONOR - 2006; DOMESTIC IMPORT - 2006; GHOSTS OF GOLDFIELD - 2007 [MFHV]; SUPER SWEET 16: THE MOVIE - 2007 [TV Movie]; BLIND EYE - 2007; STREET TEAM MASSACRE - 2007; THE MYSTICAL ADVENTURES OF BILLY OWENS - 2008 [MFHV]; A GOTHIC TALE - 2009 [Narrator]; THE ROONEYS - 2010 [TV Short]; THE PORTAL - 2010; MUNCHIE THE AGENT - 2010 [TV Series]; COLD CASE - 2010 [TV Series]; BILLY OWENS AND THE SECRET OF THE RUNES - 2010 [MFHV]; LIGHTS OUT - 2010; ALIEN OPPONENT - 2010 [His role may have been small, but he was the one who stood the tallest]; GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS - 2011 [Voice only]; FANCYPANTS - 2011; BENEATH THE TOP HAT - 2011 [Short]; BREAKING IN - 2012 [TV Series]; CLEAR LAKE - 2012; NIGHT TRAVELER - 2013 [Voice only]; IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA - 2009-2013 [TV Series]; PRO WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES - 2013; BODYSLAM -
2013 [Short]; ADVENTURES IN TIME - 2014 [TV Series]; THE TAKEAWAY - 2014; DON'T LOOK BACK - 2014; THE RECONCILER - 2014; OTHER PLANS - 2014; THE MASKED SAINT - 2015 [Completed; release date is in early January 2016]; THE CHAIR - 2015 [in Post-Production]; THE GREEN FAIRY - 2015 [in Post-Production]; BETTING ON BAKER - 2015 [in Post-Production]; PORTAL TO HELL!!! - 2016 [Short; in Post Production; his last acting role]. Here's a quote in Piper's own words about being cast in THEY LIVE: "You know, when we did it, it was about Reaganomics, but it was also a political statement [about] where our society is headed. Right now, what they're trying to do in society is get rid of all cash money so you just have a chip and everything is on your chip. Well, that's full control. If you go on an airplane right now, they won't take cash anymore. They actually say, "We're a cashless airplane." Wait a second? You won't take cash? That's "OBEY. This is your God." I think this movie is a statement of "keep our freedom," and I believe everybody gets that from it no matter what generation." I can't describe my feelings right now. He was famous for his dislike of WWE President Vince McMahon and hated that he was cast as a bad guy later in his career. He said so in one of his "Piper's Pit" segments on MONDAY NIGHT RAW and McMahon instantly fired him. There was no one on Earth like Rowdy Roddy and I'm sad to see him drift off this mortal coil. Too many wrestlers are still in the ring way past their prime and there should be some kind of law or Union that forbades it. Roddy was always in great shape [even after battling and beating cancer], but there has to be a connection between his wrestling and his heart attack. Who's next Ric Flair? I will miss Piper, but his legend will live on in all the films and DVDs of his wrestling days, so goodnoght dear man. It was great while it lasted. Roddy Piper was 61 years-old. Now will everyone please send their best vibes and well wishes to Jimmy Superfly Snuka, who has been battling stomach cancer? He was an old pal [as well as a WWE {WWF}] opponent who was good friends with Roddy Piper for many, many years [remember the coconut incident?]. The wrestling community was a close-knit one, especially back in the 70's & 80's and it didn't make a difference whether you were a friend or an enemy in the ring. You were usually friends out of the ring. Vince McMahon has made sure that doesn't happen today, which is why I don't watch wrestling anymore. Even though it has always been fake, wrestling is really nothing but acting with violence. There was always a chance of danger that someone could really get hurt and I have seen enough matches in the 80's to see some wrestlers get hurt badly. It does take a toll on your body. Imagine being a stuntman performing 30 stunts every day for 20 years. That is the life of a wrestler and it ends up doing damage. Permanent damage that can't be undone. Yes, Roddy's death hit me hard, but there was no outlet for people like him to get regular medical attention since wrestlers, especially those who don't wrestle anymore, do not have healthcare. Even President Obama's ACA is too expensive for a lot of them, which forces overage and overweight wrestlers to wrestle in high school gymnasiums for $50 a bout. It's a crying shame because I have seen it with my own eyes. Roddy had a SAG card because of his acting, but a lot of former wrestlers will never have that privilege. This is a cause I really feel strongly about. If professional football can finally admit to brain damage caused by concussions on the field and put hundreds on millions of dollars in a fund to help those suffering from permanent brain damage, wrestling can do the same, except injuries are much more varied and extensive. But squeezing money out of Vince McMahon is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Remember, he got away scott-free with the Wrestling Steriod
Scandal, even though many wrestlers testified that he supplied them with steroids. He got away with wrestlers' deaths because he made them perform dangerous stunts that they didn't really want to do [Remember Owen Hart's death when the wire snapped that lowered him from the ceiling?]. Some wrestlers have killed their entire families before taking their own lives (Chris Benoit? Sean OHaire's suicide in 2014?). It's about time McMahon paid for his sins, if not in a court of law, at least in his wallet. But, let's face it, audiences are to blame, too. They want their wrestlers to be huge and cut like an Adonis. You can't get that by exercise alone. Anyone who thinks they can is a fool. Quit letting Vince McMahon get away with legalized murder. I am glad Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson [quickly becoming the #1 boxoffice draw and for good reason], Dave Bautista [hilarious in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY], Bill Goldberg, Steve Austin [one of the better DTV action stars], Jesse Ventura [who has turned into a right-wing conspiracy theorist] and a few more wrestlers have managed to break free from McMahon's WWE "family" [only returning as commentators or hosts if McMahon pays them enormous amounts of money for their time], but many more of them [John Cena, Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, Paul "The Big Show" Wight, Glen "Kane" Jacobs, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Trish Stratus, Randy Orton, and Ted DiBiase Jr.], are forced to star in WWE's film productions, many of those films being unprofitable dogs [the only one I really liked was Kane's SEE NO EVIL - 2006, only because it was directed by the talented Gregory Dark, a porn director by trade, something the WWE did not want you to know. But don't get me started on the Soska Sisters' horrid sequel.]. But there are so many things that McMahon and the WWE don't want you to know [such as racism in the ranks]. If you did, you would never watch one of their programs or pay for their streaming service again. Shame on McMahon and shame on the WWE. Sure, the WWE does great things, too, like support our troops and give dying children their last wishes [as well as visiting children in hospitals], but that is like comparing apples to oranges. And don't get me started on that "tribute" to Roddy Piper at the opening of WWE's MONDAY NIGHT RAW on August 3, 2015. It was nothing but a joke, since McMahon has made it well-known about his bad feelings about Piper [I'm not faulting the wrestlers because they had to follow McMahon's directions]. The whole tribute ran hollow. Only the audience made it real. Other wrestlers who passed away in the past couple of years long before they should have include Jim "The Ultimate Warrior" Hellwig, Dusty Rhodes, Tim "The Arsonist" Arson, Perro Aguayo, Jr., Thomas Couch, Larry Winters and Buddy "The Nature Boy" Landel. I'm sure there will be more before the year is over.) - 07/31/15
COLEEN GRAY (Actress: Probably best known as her role of "Fay" in Stanley Kubrick's THE KILLING - 1956, Ms. Gray was also a popular theatrical and film actress, mainly sticking to TV during her later years. Her credits included [TV Series unless other wise noted. "TF" will stand for "Theatrical Film]: STATE FAIR - 1945 [TF]; THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE - 1946 [TF]; THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM - 1947 [TF; scenes deleted]; KISS OF DEATH - 1947 [TF; another excellent film]; NIGHTMARE ALLEY - 1947 [TF; a classic]; FURY AT FURNACE CREEK - 1948 [TF]; RED RIVER - 1948 [TV; another classic]; SAND - 1949 [TF]; FATHER IS A BACHELOR - 1950 [TF];RIDING HIGH - 1950 [TF]; THE SLEEPING CITY - 195o [TF]; PULITZER PRIZE PLAYHOUSE - 1950; LUCKY NICK CAIN - 1951 [TF]; APACHE DRUMS - 1951 [TF]; STARLIGHT THEATRE - 1951; DANGER - 1951; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1951; FAITH BALDWIN ROMANCE THEATRE - 1951; CELANESE THEATRE - 1952; MODELS, INC. - 1952 [TF]; THE UNEXPECTED - 1952; KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL - 1952 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1951-1952; THE VANQUISHED - 1953 [TF]; SABRE JET - 1953 [TF]; THE FAKE - 1953 [TF]; FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1951-1954; FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1955; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1955; LAS VEGAS SHAKEDOWN - 1955 [TF]; TENNESSEE'S PARTNER - 1955 [TF]; THE TWINKLE IN GOD'S EYE - 1955 [TF]; DAMON RUNYON THEATRE - 1955; FRONTIER - 1956; CLIMAX! - 1956; THE KILLING - 1956 [TF]; CROSSROADS - 1956; STAR IN THE DUST - 1956 [TF]; CRUSADER - 1956; FRONTIER GAMBLER - 1956 [TF]; DEATH OF A SCOUNDREL - 1956 [TF]; THE BLACK WHIP - 1956 [TF]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1957; DESTINATION 60,000 - 1957 [TF]; THE VAMPIRE - 1957 [TF; one of her few horror films]; COPPER SKY - 1957 [TF]; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958; HELL'S FIVE HOURS - 1958 [TF]; JOHNNY ROCCO - 1958 [TF]; MARKHAM - 1959; CAPTAIN JOHN GRIEF - 1959; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1960; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1960; ELFAGO BACA: GUS TOMLIN IS DEAD - 1960 [TV Movie]; THE DEPUTY - 1960; THE LEECH WOMAN - 1960 [TF; her second horror film]; INSIGHT - 1960; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1960; HONG KONG - 1961; LAWMAN - 1961; MAVERICK - 1961; CORONADO 9 - 1961; THE TALL MAN - 1961; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1961; THE PHANTOM PLANET - 1961 [her third horror film; although technically science fiction]; BUS STOP - 1961; RAWHIDE - 1961; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; WINDOW ON MAIN STREET - 1962; SAINTS AND SINNERS - 1962; WILD COUNTRY - 1962; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1961-1962; MISTER ED - 1961-1962; THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET - 1963; THE DAKOTAS - 1963; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; TOWN TAMER - 1965 [TF]; BRANDED - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1960-1966 [4 episodes]; THE VIRGINIANS - 1966-1967; MY THREE SONS - 1965-1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1967-1968; P.J. - 1968 [TF]; BONANZA - 1968; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1968; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1968; BRIGHT AFFAIR - 1969; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; ADAM-12 - 1970; THE F.B.I. - 1971; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1971; THE LATE LIZ - 1971 [TF]; ELLERY QUEEN: DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU - 1971 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1971; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; IRONSIDE - 1968-1975; EMERGENCY! - 1972-1976; MCCLOUD - 1974-1977 [4 episodes]; MOTHER - 1978 [TF]; THE BEST PLACE TO BE - 1978 [TV Movie]; WHIZ KIDS - 1984; CRY FROM THE MOUNTAIN - 1985 [TF]; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - 1986 [her last acting role]. Ms. Gray was a staunch conservative Republican who, in 1964, along with Victor Jory and Susan Seaforth Hayes, testified before the US Congress as part of "Project Prayer", arguing in favor of a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer. They lost. She and husband Fritz Zeiser [who passed away in 2012] were involved with the non-profit volunteer organization Prison Fellowship, founded in 1976 by Charles Colson (a former prisoner himself for his involvement in the Watergate scandal), which assists the church in providing ministry to prisoners and their families, as well as their victims. A lot of good that did, right? Did it bring back the lives lost that were taken from the prisoners? Nice idea, bad execution, especially with Colson's involvement. Colleen Gray was 92 years-old.) - 08/03/15
LELA SWIFT (Director/Producer: A lot of women will remember Ms. Swift as the four-time Emmy Award-winning director/producer of the TV soap opera RYAN'S HOPE - 1975-1989, but I remember her fondly for her 11:30 PM ABC WIDE WORLD OF MYSTERY films she directed in the mid-70's. They were cheap-looking films shot-on-video, but some of them were quiteentertaining. She was also a house director on Dan Curtis' gothic soap opera DARK SHADOWS - 1966-1971 and was also involved in other programs during the 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's. She was one of the first women directors to get respect in the business because of her knowledge of turning out quality product quick and cheap and she only worked in television. She never ventured out into theatrical films. Some people call her "The Queen Of Video". Her credits included as a Director: THE VAUGHN MONROE SHOW - 1950; SUSPENSE - 1950 [another credit not found on IMDb]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1950-1952 [6 episodes]; THE WEB - 1952 [Directed a young James Dean; don't look for this on IMDb because it is not there]; THE HOUSE ON HIGH STREET - 1959-1960 [The first television soap opera [on NBC] to be shot on videotape for later broadcast, instead of performed live; Directed all the episodes, but the exact number is unknown. Some say it runs towards 200]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1961; SPECIAL FOR WOMEN: THE GLAMOUR TRAP - 1961 [TV Special]; SPECIAL FOR WOMEN: WHAT'S WRONG WITH MEN? - 1962 [TV Special; Emmy Award for Best Director of a TV Special; another credit you won't find on IMDB]; YEARS WITHOUT HARVEST - 1963 [TV Documentary]; DEAD OF NIGHT: A DARKNESS AT BLAISEDON - 1969 [TV Movie; Busted Pilot Film]; DARK SHADOWS - 1966-1971 [an amazing 588 episodes!; also Produced 126 episodes during the 1970-1971 Season]; NORMAN CORWIN PRESENTS - 1972 [3 episodes]; MY SECRET MOTHER - 1973 [TV Movie]; A GIFT OF TERROR - 1973 [TV Movie; Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Individual Director for a Special Program]; DEADLY VISITOR - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE SATAN MURDERS - 1974 [TV Movie]; NIGHTMARE AT 43 HILLCREST - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE CLONING OF CLIFFORD SWIMMER - 1974 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE TWO DEATHS OF SEAN DOOLITTLE - 1975 [TV Movie]; ALIEN LOVER - 1975 [TV Movie]; RYAN'S HOPE - 1975-1989 [A jaw-dropping 829 episodes!]; THE ROPE - 1989 [her last credit]. She also appeared as herself in the documentary DARK SHADOWS: BEHIND THE SCENES - 1991. A lot of people would say that Lela Swift's output was small, but when you add up every one of her credits, she towers over most TV Directors, both male and female. Thanks for the late-night nightmares, Lila. I appreciated what you did for us TV watchers in the 70's. She was a pioneer for women in television and should be held in high regard by anyone who watches television. Lila Swift was 96 years-old.) - 08/04/15
GEORGE COLE (Actor: Popular British actor who has been appearing in films and TV since the 1940's. He is probably best known to British audiences as the star of the long-running British TV series THE MINDER - 1979-1994, in which he put in 109 appeaances. He is best known to genre film fans as "Roger Morton" from THE VAMPIRE LOVERS - 1970. He was also known for the series of "ST. TRINIAN'S" films he did in the 50's & 60's. His credits included [Theatricalfilms unless masked as "TS" for Television Series]; BOMBSIGHT STOLEN - 1941; THOSE KIDS FROM TOWN - 1942; ADVENTURE FOR TWO - 1943; JOURNEY TOGETHER - 1945; DR. ANGELUS - 1948 [TV Movie]; MY BROTHER'S KEEPER - 1948; QUARTET - 1948; THE ANATOMIST - 1949 [TV Movie]; THE SPIDER AND THE FLY - 1949; OPERATION DISASTER - 1950; THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE - 1950; MR. GILLIE - 1950 [TV Movie]; GONE TO EARTH - 1950; FLESH & BLOOD - 1951; LAUGHTER IN PARADISE - 1951; BIKINI BABY - 1951; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1951; THE LORD SAYS NO - 1952; RAINY DAY - 1952 [TV Movie]; THE WILD HEART - 1952; THE PASSIONATE SENTRY - 1952; MR. POTTS GOES TO MOSCOW - 1952; FOLLY TO BE WISE - 1953; WILL ANY GENTLEMEN...? - 1953; THE INTRUDER - 1953; THE CLUE OF THE MISSING APE - 1953; THE ADVENTURES OF SADIE - 1953; AN INSPECTOR CALLS - 1954; TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT - 1954; THE BELLS OF ST. TRINIAN'S - 1954; A PRIZE OF GOLD - 1955; WHERE THERE'S A WILL - 1955; MARRIAGE A LA MODE - 1955; A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT - 1955 [TV Movie]; QUENTIN DURWARD - 1955; IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD - 1956; THE WEAPON - 1956; THE GREEN MAN - 1956; SUSPICION - 1957 [TS]; BLUE MURDER AT ST. TRINIAN'S - 1957; TOO MANY CROOKS - 1959; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1959 [TS]; THE BRIDAL PATH - 1959; DON'T PANIC CHAPS - 1959; PURE HELL AT ST. TRINIAN'S - 1960; A LIFE OF BLISS - 1960- 1961 [TS; 3 episodes]; CLEOPATRA - 1963; DR. SYN, ALIAS THE SCARECROW - 1963 [Originally a WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY 3-part movie]; GIDEON C.I.D. - 1964 [TS]; ONE WAY PENDULUM - 1965; DON'T BANK ON IT - 1965 [TV Movie]; THE LEGEND OF YOUNG DICK TURPIN - 1966 [TV Movie]; THE GREAT ST. TRINIAN'S TRAIN ROBBERY - 1966; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1963-1966 [TS]; THE INFORMER - 1966 [TS]; BLACKMAIL - 1966 [TS]; VENDETTA - 1966 [TS]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1956-1967 [TS]; HALF HOUR STORY - 1967 [TS]; A MAN OF OUR TIMES - 1968 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1966-1968 [TS]; THE SEX GAME - 1968 [TS]; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1969 [TS]; THE GOLD ROBBERS - 1969 [TS]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969 [TS]; THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL? - 1968-1969 [TS]; A ROOM IN TOWN - 1970 [TV Movie]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1959-1970 [TS]; THE VAMPIRE LOVERS - 1970; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970 [TS]; MENACE - 1970 [TS]; UFO - 1971 [TS]; SHADOWS OF FEAR - 1971 [TS]; JACKANORY - 1969-1971 [TS; 6 episodes]; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1971 [TS]; FRIGHT - 1971; SIX FACES - 1972 [TS]; MADIGAN - 1972 [TS]; AWAY FROM IT ALL - 1973 [TS]; TAKE ME HIGH - 1974; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1974 [TS]; VILLAGE HALL - 1974 [TS]; AFFAIRS FROM THE HEART - 1974 [TS]; QUILLER - 1975 [TS]; THE BLUE BIRD - 1976; THE SWEENEY - 1976 [TS]; DOUBLE NICKLES - 1977; GOOD NEIGHBORS - 1978 [TS]; THE VOYAGE OF CHARLES DARWIN - 1978 [TS; 3 episodes]; RETURN OF THE SAINT - 1978 [TV Series]; DON'T FORGET TO WRITE! - 1977-1979 [TV Series Regular; 12 episodes]; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1969-1979 [TS; 3 episodes]; THE BOUNDER - 1982 [TS; 5 episodes]; LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER - 1982 [TV Movie]; PERISHING SOLICITORS - 1983 [TV Movie]; DEADLINE AUTO THEFT - 1983; BLOTT ON THE LANDSCAPE - 1985 [TV mini-series]; COMRADE DAD - 1984-1986 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 8 episodes]; TUBE MICE - 1988 [TS]; NATURAL CAUSES - 1988 [TV Movie]; LIFE AFTER LIFE - 1990 [TV Movie]; ROOT INTO EUROPE - 1992 [TV Series Star; 5 episodes]; MINDER - 1979-1994 [TV Series Regular; 109 episodes]; AN INDEPENDENT MAN - 1995 [TV Series Regular; 7 episodes]; MARY REILLY - 1996 [one of my favorite of Cole's roles]; MY GOOD FRIEND - 1995-1996 [TV Series Regular; 14 episodes]; DAD - 1997-1999 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; THE GHOST OF GREVILLE LODGE - 2000; THE
SLEEPER - 2000 [TV Movie]; STATION JIM - 2001 [TV Movie]; BODILY HARM - 2002 [TV mini-series]; FAMILY BUSINESS - 2004 [TS]; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE - 2007 [TS]; A CLASS APART - 2007 [TV Movie]; DIAMOND GEEZER - 2007 [TS]; NEW TRICKS - 2007 [TS]; THE DINNER PARTY - 2007 [TV Movie]; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2008 [TS]; HEARTBEAT - 2005-2008 [TS; his final acting role]. His mentor was famous British actor Alastair Sim, who [with his wife] took in Cole and his mother when they were destitute. He taught Cole everything he knew about acting and they eventuually appeared in nine films together. He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1992 Queen's Honours List for his services to drama, which is considered a big deal [like getting the American Cross in the U.S.], but Sim never saw him receive it, since he passed away in 1976. George Cole was also very involved in Stage work and always made time to appear in plays. What is amazing to me is that George Cole never won any major awards [although he was nominated for a BAFTA twice {the British equivalent of the Emmy Award} for his work on MINDER]. It just goes to show you that some people are in this business not for awards, but because they enjoy it. And George Cole certainly loved to act. George Cole was 90 years-old.) - 08/05/15
TERRENCE EVANS (Actor: I particularly loved this wonderful character actor because he could play anything. Most modern audiences would immediately know him from his role as the legless, wheelchair-bound "Monty" in the remake of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - 2003 and its sequel TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING - 2006 [the film that showed how he graphically lost both legs below the knee], but he has been one my favorite character actors for years. He just had a face to play bad guys and he never disappointed. His credits included [Theatrical films unless marked with a "TS" for Television Series]: THE YOUNGCOUNTRY - 1970 [TV Movie]; CODY - 1977; HART TO HART - 1979 [TS]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979 [TS]; FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN - 1980; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1980 [TS]; QUINCY M.E. - 1981 [TS]; THE WORLD'S GREATEST HERO - 1982 [TS]; VOYAGERS! - 1982 [TS]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1984 [TS]; THE A-TEAM - 1984 [TS]; PALE RIDER - 1985; GUS BROWN AND MIDNIGHT BREWSTER - 1985 [TV Movie]; DREAM WEST - 1986 [TV mini-series];THERE MUST BE A PONY - 1986 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN HARVEST - 1987 [TV Movie]; LBJ: THE EARLY YEARS - 1987 [TV Movie]; NUTCRACKER: MONEY, MADNESS & MURDER - 1987 [TV mini-series]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1987 [TS]; BRIDE OF BOOGEDY - 1987 [TV Movie]; BORN IN EAST L.A. - 1987; THE GAMBLER PART III: THE LEGEND CONTINUES - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1988 [TS]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE LADY IN THE LAKE - 1988 [TV Movie]; MONSTERS - 1988 {TS]; GUNS OF PARASISE - 1989 [TS]; HARD TIME ON PLANET EARTH - 1989 [TS]; CURSE II: THE BITE - 1989; PHANTOM OF THE MALL: ERIC'S REVENGE - 1989; TRAPPER COUNTY WAR - 1989; CADDIE WOODLAWN - 1989; QUANTUM LEAP - 1990 [TS]; FALCON CREST - 1990 [TS]; WELCOME HOME, ROXY CHARMICHAEL - 1990; THE NEW-ADAM-12 - 1991 [TS]; TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY - 1991; WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT - 1993; STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - 1993 [TS]; ALIEN NATION: DARK HORIZON - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR - 1995 [TS]; RENEGADE - 1996 [TS]; DARK SKIES - 1996 [TS]; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1997 [TS]; THE LAST EMBRACE - 1997; MADAM SAVANT - 1997; ER - 1998 [TS]; THICK AS THIEVES - 1999; THE RUNNER - 1999; ANY DAY NOW - 1999 [TS]; ANOTHER WOMAN'S HUSBAND - 2000 [TV Movie]; CROCODILE - 2000 [Lousy movie, with a role elevated by Evans]; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - 2003; COLD CASE - 2004 [TS]; DOWN IN THE VALLEY - 2005; LAST RITES [MFHV]; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING - 2006; THE PUMPKIN KARVER - 2006 [another lousy horror film elevated by Evans]; MR. FIX IT - 2006; ALEXANDER: HERO OF HEROES - 2007; LAS VEGAS - 2007 [TS]; BOPPIN' AT THE GLUE FACTORY - 2009; CHAIN LETTER - 2009 [nice little horror film, especially in its Unrated form]; EAGLEHEART - 2013 [TS]; BIGFOOT THE MOVIE - 2015 [his last acting role]. Terrence Evans was 81 years-old.) - 08/07/15
FRANK GIFFORD (Sports Commentator/Actor: Frank Gifford was a mainstay to me from 1971 to 1997 as one of the commentators on ABC's MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL for an amazing 413 Mondays! [he was with CBS before jumping ship to ABC and the rest is history], but women will remember him best as the husband of Kathie Lee Gifford, who use to talk about him endlessly on LIVE WITH REGIS AND KATHIE LEE every weekday morning [There was a scandal where he supposedly had an affair with flight attendant Suzen Johnson in 1997; the one-time encounterwas allegedly arranged, paid for, and taped by the Globe tabloid and Kathie Lee forgave him; expensive jewelry came into play, no doubt]. He played halfback/wide receiver/defensive back for the NFL's New York Giants [1952-1964; which was considered a long time for a football player]. Every once in a while, Gifford would venture out into films [all his 50's films were bit or uncredited parts] and TV, usually playing himself or an exaggerated version of himself. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]; THAT'S MY BOY - 1951 [TF]; THE INKNOWN MAN - 1952 [TF]; SALLY AND SAINT ANNE - 1952 [TF]; BONZO GOES TO COLLEGE - 1952 [TF]; THE ALL AMERICAN - 1953 [TF]; WALKING MY BABY BACK HOME - 1953 [TF]; SIGN OF THE PAGAN - 1954 [TF]; DARBY'S RANGERS - 1958 [TF]; UP PERISCOPE - 1959 [TF]; TURNPIKE COP - 1960 [TF]; CAPTAIN KANGAROO - 1962; HAZEL - 1963; THE REPORTER - 1964; PAPER LION - 1968; THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE - 1973 [TF]; THE WAY IT WAS - 1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1976; TWO-MINUTE WARNING - 1976 [TF]; VIVA KNIEVEL! - 1977 [TF]; THE SAN PEDRO BEACH BUMS - 1977; WEBSTER - 1984; LIFE GOES ON - 1989; THE ADVENTURES OF PETE & PETE - 1993; JERRY MACGUIRE - 1996 [TF]; COACH - 1995-1996 [3 episodes]; HOWARD COSELL: TELLING IT LIKE IT IS - 1999 [TV Documentary]; SPIN CITY - 1997; :03 FROM GOLD - 2003 [TV Documentary]; TOOTS - 2007 [TV Documentary]; PSYCH - 2009; LOMBARDI - 2010 [TV Documentary]; BEATLES STORIES - 2011 [TV Documentary]; GLICKMAN - 2013 [TV Documentary]; A FOOTBALL LIFE - 2013 [his last screen appearance]. Gifford always hosted the SUPER BOWL when it was ABC's turn to carry it and he was also a popular game show guest, appearing on such game shows as WHAT'S MY LINE?; PASSWORD ALL STARS; BEAT THE CLOCK; and THE NEW HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. Gifford was also the Sportscaster for ABC's EYEWITNESS NEWS from 1972 to 1973 and hosted ABC WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS ['The Thrill Of Victory...The Agony Of Defeat'] and did commentary on many Bowl games and other sporting events. This man lived for sports, but was not ashamed to make fun of his image, even going on late night programs to tell everyone that he strayed from his wife for one night [that took a lot of balls and I'm not talking footballs!]. He was just a human being like the rest of us and we, as a species, are not perfect. Frank Gifford passed away of natural causes and was 84 years-old.). - 08/09/15
JACK GOLD (Director: British director who usually stuck to television, but when he ventured out into theatrical films, they were usually weird and wonderfdul ones. His credits included (Television unless markewd with a "TF" for Theatrical Features): TONIGHT - 1963 [TV Documentary; Associate Producer only]; CALL THE GUN EXPERT - [6 episodes; also Producer of those 6 episodes]; MY FATHER KNEW LLOYD GEORGE - 1965 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE LATE SHOW - 1966 [TV Series; Producer only; 1 episode]; OMNIBUS- 1966 [TV Documentary]; FAMINE - 1967 [TF Documentary; also Producer]; THE BOFORS GUN - 1968 [TF]; THERECKONING - 1970 [TF]; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1967-1970; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1971; STOKER LEISHMAN'S DIARIES - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE GANGSTER SHOW: THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE NATIONAL HEALTH - 1973 [TF]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969-1973; WHO? - 1973 [TF; one of the most mind-bending mysteries ever filmed]; CONFLICT - 1973 [TF; overlooked religious drama; one of my favorite religious films and I'm an Atheist!]; LATE NIGHT DRAMA - 1974; CENTRE PLAY - 1974; MAN FRIDAY - 1975 [TF; a different take on the life of Robinson Crusoe's life, told through the eyes of Friday]; THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT - 1975 [TV Movie; Homosexuality on British TV in the 70's was way ahead on American TV and Gold proved it here]; ACES HIGH - 1976 [TF; BAFTA Award-nominated film about the horrors of World War I]; THE MEDUSA TOUCH - 1978 [TF; unfairly crucified film about a comatose patient with supernatural powers; also Producer]; THE SAILOR'S RETUTN - 1978 [TF]; THANK YOU, COMRADES - 1978 [TV Movie]; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1979; A DEADLY GAME - 1979 [TV Movie; excellent Cold War spy story]; LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MERCHANT OF VENICE - 1980 [TV Movie]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1972-1981 [3 episodes; BAFTA TV Award winner for Best Play For episode "Stoker's Copper" - 1972.]; ALL FOR LOVE - 1982; RED MONARCH - 1983 [TV Movie]; PRAYING MANTIS - 1983 [TV Movie]; MACBETH - 1983 [TV Movie]; GOOD AND BAD AT GAMES - 1983 [TV Movie]; SAKHAROV - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE CHAIN - 1984 [TF]; ME AND THE GIRLS - 1985 [TV Movie]; MURROW - 1986 [TV Movie]; ESCAPE FROM SOBIBOR - 1987 [TV Movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special]; STONES FOR IBARRA - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE TENTH MAN - 1988 [TV Movie]; BALL-TRAP ON COTE SAUVAGE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE ROSE AND THE JACKAL - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE WAR THAT NEVER ENDS - 1991 [TV Movie]; SHE STOOD ALONE - 1991 [TV Movie]; SCREEN TWO - 1992; THE LUCONA AFFAIR - 1993 [TF]; SPRING AWAKENING - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE - 1994 [TV Movie]; HEAVY WEATHER - 1995 [TV Movie]; INTO THE BLUE - 1997 [TV Movie]; GOODNIGHT, MISTER TOM - 1998 [TV Movie]; INSPECTOR MORSE - 2000; KAVANAUGH QC - 1997-2001 [4 episodes]; THE JOHN THAW STORY - 2002 [TV Documentary]; THE COLLECTOR - 2004 [Short; Producer only] THE BRIEF - 2004. Mr. Gold also acted in the films THE PACKAGE - 1989 and LOST ANGELS - 1989. The last thing Jack Gold worked on was as Story Consultant on the film OLIVIA TWIST - 2014. Jack Gold may not be a well-known name to genre enthusuiasts, but he has three or four theatrical films that should be watched by film enthusiasts at least once. I believe a nice DVD of WHO? is still available from Scorpion Entertainment on Amazon.com. I would suggest that you buy it. Jack Gold was 85 years-old.) - 08/09/15
DAVID A. PRIOR (Director/Producer/Screenwriter: This one is a shocker because David Prior was so young. He made so many bad films, but his films were bad in an entertaining way. Many of them usually starred his brother Ted Prior. But, to me, David A. Prior will always be immortilized as one of the co-founders (with David Winters and Peter Yuval) of the VHS label Action International Pictures (A.I.P.) Home Video. They released many of Prior's films, as well as some of the most inept action/horror/thriller films ever made. Needless to say, I own many of them. David Prior's credits included [as Director & Writer unless otherwise noted];SLEDGEHAMMER - 1983 [you have to see this VHS SOV atrocity, now on DVD, at least once; his first "film"; KILLZONE - 1985; KILLER WORKOUT - 1987 [also Co-Producer & Editor; one of his few horror films]; MANKILLERS - 1987; DEADLY PREY - 1987 [one of my favorite Prior films. Must be seen to be believed]; NIGHT WARS - 1988; DEATH CHASE - 1988; OPERATION WARZONE - 1988; JUNGLE ASSAULT - 1989 [also Producer & Actor]; HELL ON THE BATTLEGROUND - 1989; RAPID FIRE - 1989 [also Producer & Casting Director]; FUTURE FORCE - 1989 [a really fun actioner]; BORN KILLER - 1989 [Executive Producer & Second Unit Director only]; FUTURE ZONE - 1990 [also Editor; sequel to the previous film]; INVASION FORCE - 1990 [also Actor]; PRESUMED GUILTY - 1989 [Uncredited Co-Executive Producer only]; THE FINAL SANCTION - 1990; WHITE FURY - 1990 [like watching paint dry]; LOCK 'N' LOAD - 1990; THE LOST PLATOON - 1991 [one of his best films]; RAW NERVE - 1991; THAT'S ACTION - 1991 [a collection of clips from A.I.P.'s library]; DARK RIDER - 1991 [Executive Producer only]; CENTER OF THE WEB - 1992; ARMED FOR ACTION - 1992 [Executive Producer only]; DOUBLE THREAT - 1993; NIGHT TRAP - 1993; RAW JUSTICE - 1994; MUTANT SPECIES - 1994 [also Producer]; FELONY - 1994; BODY COUNT - 1995 [Writer only]; THE P.A.C.K. - 1997 [Executive Producer only]; HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT - 2000 [Writer & Producer only]; LOST AT WAR - 2007 [also Producer]; ZOMBIE WARS - 2007 [also Producer]; THE DRAGON WARRIOR - 2011 [Executive Producer only]; NIGHT CLAWS - 2013 [also Producer & Editor]; DEADLIEST PREY - 2013 [also Producer & Actor]; RELENTLESS JUSTICE - 2014 [also Producer]; DANCIN' IT'S ON - 2015 [Writer Only]; ASSASSIN'S FURY - 2016 [also Producer & Editor; his last film]. David A. Prior shot most of his films in Mobile, Alabama, where he lived [although he was born in Newark, New Jersey]. He was a very important celebrity in my movie watching years [you'll find many reviews of his films on this site] in the 80's & 90's and I can't believe that most newspapers overlooked his death. Mr. Prior passed away due to cancer and was just 59 years-old.] - 08/16/15
YVONNE CRAIG (Actress: Ms. Craig is best known for playing Batgirl on the BATMAN TV series for 26 episodes from 1967-1968. but she was already an accomplished actress by then. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: EIGHTEEN ANDANXIOUS - 1957 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958; PERRY MASON - 1958; GIDGET - 1959 [TF]; THE YOUNG LAND - 1959 [TF]; BRONCO - 1959; PHILLIP MARLOWE - 1959; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1959; MR. LUCKY - 1959; MAN WITH A CAMERA - 1960; HENNESSEY - 1960; THE CHEVY MYSTERY SHOW - 1960; HIGH TIME - 1960 [TF]; CHECKMATE - 1960; THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW - 1960; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; PETER LOVES MARY - 1961; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1961; THE AQUANAUTS - 1961; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1961; BY LOVE POSSESSED - 1961 [TF]; THE JIM BACKUS SHOW - 1961; SEVEN WOMEN FROM HELL - 1961 [TF]; MARGIE - 1961; ICHABOD AND ME - 1961; THE GERTRUDE BERG SHOW - 1961; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962; LARAMIE - 1962; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1962; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1959-1962 [6 episodes]; WIDE COUNTRY - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1962-1963; IT HAPPENNED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR - 1963 [TF]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1960-1964 [4 episodes]; KISSIN' COUSINS - 1964 [TF]; ; DR. KILDARE - 1964; CHANNING - 1964; WAGON TRAIN - 1964; ADVANCE TO THE REAR - 1964 [TF]; TOM, DICK AND MARY - 1964; QUICK BEFORE IT MELTS - 1964 [TF]; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; KENTUCKY JONES - 1965; SKI PARTY - 1965 [TF]; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1965; THE BIG VALLEY - 1965; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1966; ONE SPY TOO MANY - 1966 [TF; made from episodes from THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and new scenes added so it could be released theatrically];ONE OF OUR SPIES IS MISSING - 1966 [TF; another cobbled together episodes of U.N.C.L.E. with new scenes added]; MISTER ROBERTS - 1966; MY THREE SONS - 1966; IN LIKE FLINT - 1966 [TF; and a good one]; MARS NEEDS WOMEN - 1967 [TF; a Larry Buchanan disaster; unintentionally funny, though]; BATMAN - 1967-1968 [played Batgirl for 26 episodes during the last season of the series]; THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR - 1968; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; MOD SQUAD - 1968; STAR TREK - 1969 [many remember her role as "Marta" in "Whom Gods Destroy"]; THE GOOD GUYS - 1969; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1970; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1970; THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - 1970 [TV Movie]; HOW TO FRAME A FIGG - 1971 [TF]; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1972; THE PARTNERS - 1971-1972
, LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1972 [4 episodes]; MANNIX - 1969-1973; JARRETT - 1973; THE MAGICIAN - 1973; KOJAK - 1973; EMERGENCY! - 1974; HOLMES AND YO-YO - 1976; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1977; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1979; FANTASY ISLAND - 1983; DIGGIN' UP BUSINESS - 1990 [TF]; OLIVIA - 2009-2011 [Series Regular; 29 episodes; her final role]. Ms. Craig was also the Producer of the film THE COMIC BOOK KID - 1993; and sang with Elvis Presley on KISSIN' COUSINS - 1964 [she went uncredited]. Once she quit acting, she produced industrial films (a very lucratuve market) and then became a very successful real estate agent. She has said many times that the only reason she took the role on BATMAN was so audiences could remember her face with the name. Before BATMAN it was always, "Oh, look, it's what's her name?" Well, she changed that, but it also seemed to hurt her acting career, as she had more roles before doing BATMAN than she did after. Well, at least she wasn't as badly typecast as Adam West or Burt Ward, who had to resort to store opening ceremonies or cheap B-Movies to keep their careers alive. She changed her career and did quite well for herself. Yvonne Craig passed away due to complications of breast cancer and was 78 years old.) - 08/17/15
BUD YORKIN (Director/Producer/Writer: Bud Yorkin was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of television that was always trying to break taboo subjects, whether it was with Norman Lear on ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1971-1979 [he Directed the second unaired pilot episode in 1969 and Executive Produced 206 episodes] or advancing black comedy on SANFORD ANDSON - 1972-1977 [he Directed 7 episodes and Executive Produced 135 episodes]. His credits as a director included [TV series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: THE SPIKE JONES SHOW - 1954; LIGHT'S DIAMOND JUBILEE - 1954 [TV Documentary]; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1952-1954 [9 episodes]; THE SOLDIERS - 1955 [also Produced 11 episodes]; THE TONY MARTIN SHOW - 1954-1956 [3 episodes; Produced 4 episodes; also Wrote 2 episodes]; THE GEORGE GOEBEL SHOW - 1954-1956 [31 episodes]; AN EVENING WITH FRED ASTAIRE - 1958 [Also Producer and Writer; Two-time Emmy Award winner for Best Writing of a Single Musical or Variety Program and for Best Direction of a Single Musical or Variety Program]; THE JACK BENNY HOUR - 1959 [also Writer; Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy]; ANOTHER EVENING WITH FRED ASTAIRE - 1959 [also Producer]; BOBBY DARIN AND FRIENDS - 1961 [also Producer]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1961 [also Producer]; THE TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD SHOW - 1956-1961 [55 episodes; also Produced 53 episodes]; THE DANNY KAYE SPECIAL - 1961 [also Producer]; HENRY FONDA AND FAMILY - 1962 [also Producer]; THE ANDY WILLIAMS SPECIAL - 1962 [also Producer and Writer]; COME BLOW YOUR HORN - 1963 [TF]; NEVER TOO LATE - 1965 [TF]; AN EVENING WITH CAROL CHANNING - 1966 [also Producer]; DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE - 1967 [TF]; THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW - 1964-1967 [7 episodes; also Produced 6 episodes]; INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU - 1968 [TF]; PREMIERE - 1968 [also Producer]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1969 - 1979 [Directed second unaired pilot episode called "Those Were The Days" in which Gloria, Mike and Lionel Jefferson were played by different actors. This pilot, unlike the first one, actually aired in a TV special; It would take two more years {1971} for the series to finally make it to air and the rest is history {it really was history}. I never laughed or cried so hard during a TV series. The final cast were pitch perfect and full of layers. The episode where Gloria loses her baby still makes me cry like a baby, especially when Archie tries to comfort her. And then there's the Sammy Davis Jr. episode. I don't remember laughing so hard in my life; Executive Produced 206 episodes; What surprises me it that Yorkin was never nominated for an Emmy Award for this show, proving to me that the Academy of Television would rather have idiots watch TV during the 70's.]; THE MANY SIDES OF DON RICKLES - 1970 [There's only one, you hockey puck!; also Producer]; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME [TF; probably Yorkin's best theatrical film; also Producer]; ROBERT YOUNG AND THE FAMILY - 1971 [also Producer]; MAUDE - 1972; THE THIEF WHO CAME TO DINNER - 1973 [TF; also Producer]; SANFORD AND SON - 1972-1977 [5 episodes; Executive Produced 135 episodes; Nominated 3 times for an Emmy Award, but never won, probably as a punishment for making people actually use their emotions on ALL IN THE FAMILY]; CARTER COUNTRY - 1977 [also Writer]; WHAT'S HAPPENNING!! - 1976-1979 [also Executive Producer of 65 episodes]; [also Executive
Producer]; P.O.P. - 1984 [TV Movie]; TWICE IN A LIFETIME - 1985 [TF; also Procucer]; ARTHUR 2: ON THE ROCKS - 1987 [TF]; LOVE HURTS - 1990 [TF; also Producer; his last directorial effort]. Mr. Yorkin also was Executive Producer on BARNABY - 1965 [TV Movie]; COLD TURKEY - 1971 [TF]; GOOD TIMES - 1975; SANFORD ARMS - 1977 [4 episodes]; ONE IN A MILLION - 1980; I LOVE LIBERTY - 1982; BLADE RUNNER - 1982 [TF; uncredited Co-Executive Producer]; Produced DUKE ELLINGTON...WE LOVE YOU MADLY - 1973; DEAL OF THE CENTURY - 1985 [TF]; and INTERSECTION - 1994 [TF]; was Executive Consultant on the short-lived GRADY - 1975 [an offshoot of SANFORD AND SON]; was Presenter of BLADE RUNNER - 1982 [TF]; and acted in the film FOR THE BOYS - 1991 [TF]. Useless trivia: He was originally hired to direct MYRA BRECKINRIDGE [1970] but quit and was replaced by Michael Sarne [a wise choice if you ask me]. In 2003, he won a PGA Award for a Lifetime Achievement Award in Television. Bud Yorkin was a true pioneer on TV, forming Tandem Production with friend Norman Lear and they always tried to make TV more than a medium for idiots. They managed to make some thought-provoking, hilarious and emotional pieces of TV. Without ALL IN THE FAMILY, TV would probably be quite different today and for that we should be thanking him. I am right now. Bud Yorkin passed away of natural causes and was 89 years-old.) - 08/18/15
MELODY PATTERSON (Actress: Best remembered as "Wrangler Jane" from F TROOP [1965 - 1967], who had a thing for "Capt. Wilton Parmenter" [Ken Berry]. Ms. Patterson didn't havemany credits on her resumé, but she will best be remembered by me for her role in the film BLOOD AND LACE - 1970; probably the most gruesome PG-Rated movie ever made. I really don't know why her career didn't take off, becauses she had both the looks and the acting chops to have a long career. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: BYE BYE BIRDIE - 1963 [TF; uncredited]; SHINDIG! - 1965; WENDY AND ME - 1965; F TROOP - 1965-1967 [65 episodes]; THE MONKEES - 1967; GYPSY - 1967; THE RARE BREED - 1968 [TF]; ADAM-12 - 1968; GREEN ACRES - 1968; THE CYCLE SAVAGES - 1969 [TF]; BLOOD AND LACE - 1970 [TF; If you have never seen this film, because it never had a legitimate U.S. home video release, you owe it to yourself to try and find a copy from some foreign outlet. The grimiest, bloodiest, most incestual PG Film ever made.]; THE HARRAD EXPERIMENT - 1973 [TF; uncredited]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969-1974 [3 episodes]; THE IMMORTALIZER - 1989 [TF; her last role after a long absence]. Ms. Patterson was also a panelist on the game show THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES in 1967 and was also a semi-professional singer. She was once married to actor James MacArthur, which would explain her three appearances on HAWAII FIVE-O. Melody Patterson kept her toes dipped in acting by teaching it to high school students and passed away from multiple organ failure at 66 years-old.) - 08/20/15
WES CRAVEN (Director/Producer/Writer: One of the most influential Directors of the 70's & 80's, he resurrected his career in a big way by making fun of his reputation in the late-90's. This is an awful way to end August. When you talk about legends in the horror genre filmmaking field, the name Wes Craven alway was one of those names. His films as Director included: THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT - 1972 [also Writer & Editor; Do I really need to say anything about this film?]; THE FIREWORKS WOMAN - [X-Rated Film he directed, wrote, edited and starred in as "Abe Snake"]; THE HILLS HAVE EYES - 1977 [also Writer& Editor; My favorite ofall his films. Says more about the family unit than IMAGINARY PEOPLE, and I'm talking about two totally different families here, not just the whitebred one]; STRANGER IN OUR HOUSE - 1978 [TV Movie]; DEADLY BLESSING - 1981 [also Writer; Totally underrated; the nightmare scene of the spider falling into the mouth still gives me goosebumps]; SWAMP THING - 1982 [also Writer]; INVITATION TO HELL - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART II - 1984 [also Writer; One of the most ridiculous sequels in history. Even the dog has a flashback! Still totally watchable, though.]; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET - 1984 [also Writer; Craven created a whole new horror icon and the 80's & 90's would never be the same]; CHILLER - 1985 [TV Movie]; CASEBUSTERS - 1986 [TV Series]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1985 - 1986 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW - 1988 [Not what people were expecting, but it has a great reputation today]; SHOCKER - 1989 [Also Executive Producer, Writer and Actor; Craven's failed attempt to create a new horror icon]; NIGHT VISIONS - 1990 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer and Writer]; THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS - 1991 [Also Executive Producer and Writer; At the time, I was the only one to like this social commentary about the haves and have-nots disguised as a horror film, but audiences today have warmed up to it. It's also bat-shit crazy!]; NIGHTMARE CAFE - 1992 [TV Series; Also Executive Produced and Wrote 6 episodes]; WES CRAVEN'S NEW NIGHTMARE - 1994 [Also Executive Producer, Writer and Actor; Craven's attempt to revive Freddy Kreuger got great reviews, but audiences at the time were not expecting actors to portray bastardizations of themselves. Looked at rather fondly today for trying to do something different.]; VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN - 1995 [Proves one thing: Never put Eddie Murphy in a horror film!]; SCREAM - 1996 [also Actor {as a janitor in a Freddy Kreuger sweater}; Revived Wes Craven's career and created a whole new genre of horror film: the self-referential genre]; SCREAM 2 - 1997 [also Actor; I actually liked this one better than the first, but you have to watch the first to really appreciate the second one]; MUSIC FROM THE HEART - 1998 [Craven's attempt to get away from the horror genre. It failed miserably, even though it starred Meryl Streep, who was nominated for an Academy Award]; SCREAM 3 - 2000 [also Actor; Unnecessary]; CURSED - 2005 [The Weinstein Brothers tinkered with the finished film so much {turning it into a PG-13 abortion}, Craven nearly took his name off it. An unrated version is available on DVD]; RED EYE - 2005 [also Actor]; PARIS JE T'AIME - 2006 [also Writer and Actor]; MY SOUL TO TAKE - 2010 [also Writer; Very bad horror film]; SCREAM 4 - 2011 [also Producer and Actor {scenes deleted}; again, totally unnecessary; updates the mythos by using modern computer technology as a way of communication. His last directorial effort]. His credits as a Producer included: TOGETHER - 1972 [Associate Producer]; KENT STATE - 1981 [TV Movie; Producer]; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS - 1987 [also Writer & Executive Producer]; THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - 1989 [TV Series; Produced 5 episodes; Wrote 1 episode]; MIND RIPPER - 1995 [Executive Producer]; WISHMASTER - 1997 [Executive Producer]; CARNIVAL OF SOULS - 1998 [Executive Producer]; DON'T LOOK DOWN - 1998 [TV Movie; Executive Producer]; HOLLYWEIRD - 1998 [TV Movie; Executive Producer]; DRACULA 2000 - 1999 [Executive Producer; also Presenter]; THEY SHOOT DIVAS, DON'T THEY? - 2002 [TV Movie; Executive Producer]; FEAST - 2005 [Executive Producer]; THE HILLS HAVE EYES - 2006 [Producer; Characters Created By]; THE BREED - 2006 [Executive Producer]; THE HILLS HAVE EYES II - 2007 [Producer; Characters Created By]; THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT - 2009 [Producer; Characters Created By]; SCREAM - 2015 [TV Series; Executive Produced 10 Episodes]; THE GIRL IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS - 2015 [Executive Producer; in Post-Production when he passed away]; HOME - 2016 [Executive Producer; in Post-Production when he passed away]. His credits as a Writer included: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET II: FREDDY'S REVENGE - 1984 [Characters Created By]; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER - 1988 [Characters Created By]; THE FAT BOYS: ARE YOU READY FOR FREDDY? - 1988 [Music Video; Characters Created By]; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD - 1989 [Characters Created By]; FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES - 1988-1990 [TV Series; Characters Created By; 44 episodes]; FREDDY'S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE - 1991 [Characters Created By]; FREDDY VS.
JASON - 2003 [Characters Created By]; PULSE - 2006 [Screenplay]; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET - 2010 [Characters Created By], He also Acted in: SWEET CAKES - 1976; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1985 [Episode titled "Children's Zoo"]; FANGORIA'S WEEKEND OF HORRORS - 1986 [MFHV}; GORGON VIDEO MAGAZINE - 1989 [MFHV]; BODY BAGS - 1993; THE FEAR - 1995; SHADOW ZONE: THE UNDEAD EXPRESS - 1996 [TV Movie]; WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD - 1998; STARK RAVING MAD - 2000 [TV Series]; JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK - 2001; BOSTON LEGAL - 2006; DIARY OF THE DEAD - 2007 [Voice only]; CASTLE - 2013 [TV Series]. Craven also edited IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD - 1973 [also Actor]; and KITTY CAN'T HELP IT - 1975 [he worked in the Adult Film Industry throughout the mid-70's, so we have yet to figure out how many pornographic features he worked on.]. He was also an Advisor on BLOODFIST II - 1990; a Presenter on THEY - 2002; DRACULA II: ASCENTION - 2003; and DRACULA III: LEGACY - 2005; a Gaffer on HERE COMES THE TIGERS - 1978; and a Cinematographer on THE EVOLUTION OF SNUFF - 1978 [a.k.a. CONFESSIONS OF A BLUE MOVIE STAR]. Wes Craven also appeared in dozens of documentaries dealing with horror films, as well as being a guest on many late night talk shows. Wes Craven was an idol to many of us and I will never forget this quote of his about horror movies: "Horror films don't create fear. They release it." Truer words were never spoken and the world will miss his twisted brand of horror. Another Baby Boomer icon lost in the wind. Wes Craven passed away due to complications of brain cancer and was 76 years-old.) - 08/30/15
DEAN JONES (Actor: Likable, youthful-looking actor who gained prominence first as the titled character in the TV Series ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1962-1963 and then in a series of Walt Disney films [he was considered by Disney as one of two of their most bankable stars in the 60's & 70's], including THE LOVE BUG - 1968, as well as a short-lived TV Series based on the film,HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG - 1982. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME - 1956; THESE WILDER YEARS - 1956; TEA AND SYMPATHY - 1956; THE OPPOSITE SEX - 1956; THE RACK - 1956; THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTTIME - 1956; SLANDER - 1957; TEN THOUSAND BEDROOMS - 1957; DESIGNING WOMAN - 1957; UNTIL THEY SAIL - 1957; JAILHOUSE ROCK - 1957; HANDLE WITH CARE - 1958; IMITATION GENERAL - 1958; TORPEDO RUN - 1958; NIGHT OF THE QUARTER MOON - 1959; NEVER SO FEW - 1959; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1960 [TV Series]; THE AQUANAUTS - 1960 [TV Series]; OUTLAWS - 1960 [TV Series]; STAGECOAST WEST - 1960 [TV Series]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1961 [TV Series]; BONANZA - 1961 [TV Series]; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1961 [TV Series]; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1962 [TV Series]; ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1962-1963 [TV Series Regular; 32 episodes]; UNDER THE YUM YUM TREE - 1963; BEN CASEY - 1963 [TV Series]; BURKE'S LAW - 1963 [TV Series]; THE NEW INTERNS - 1964; TWO ON A GUILLOTINE - 1965 [One of Jones' few forays into horror]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965 [TV Series]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1965 [TV Series]; THAT DARN CAT! - 1965; THE UGLY DACHSHUND - 1966; ANY WEDNESDAY - 1966; MONKEYS, GO HOME! - 1967; BLACKBEARD'S GHOST - 1968; THE HORSE IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT - 1968; THE MICKEY MOUSE ANNIVERSARY SHOW - 1968; THE LOVE BUG - 1968; WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT, WORLD? - 1969 [TV Series]; MR. SUPERINVISIBLE - 1970; THE MILLION DOLLAR DUCK - 1971 [nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy]; THE CHICAGO TEDDY BEARS - 1971 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; THE GREAT MAN'S WHISKERS - 1972 [TV Movie]; SNOWBALL EXPRESS - 1972; GUESS WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED? - 1973 [TV Movie]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1974 [TV Series]; THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS - 1974; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976 [TV Series]; THE SHAGGY D.A. - 1976; HERBIE GOES TO MONTE CARLO - 1977; ONCE UPON A BROTHERS GRIMM - 1977 [TV Movie]; WHEN EVERY DAY WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY - 1978 [TV Movie]; BORN AGAIN - 1978; THE LONG DAYS OF SUMMER - 1980 [TV Movie]; ALOHA, PARADISE - 1981 [TV Series]; HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG - 1982 [TV Series Regular; 5 episodes]; THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SCROOGE - 1983 [TV Movie]; DON'T ASK ME, ASK GOD - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984 [TV Movie]; FINDERS OF LOST LOVES - 1984 [TV Series]; ST. JOHN ON EXILE - 1986; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984-1988 [TV Series]; FIRE AND RAIN - 1989 [TV Movie]; OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY - 1991; BEETHOVEN - 1992; SAVED BY THE BELL: HAWAIIAN STYLE - 1992 [TV Movie]; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - 1994; THE VISIBLE BIBLE: ACTS - 1994 [MFHV];
BEETHOVEN - 1994 [TV Series Regular; voice only]; THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES - 1995 [TV Movie]; NOWHERE MAN - 1995 [TV Series]; SPECIAL REPORT: JOURNEY TO MARS - 1996 [TV Movie]; A SPASSO NEL TEMPO - 1996 [Italian Film that was never shown in the U.S.]; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996 [TV Series; voice only]; THAT DARN CAT - 1997; SUPERMAN - 1997 [TV Series; voice only]; THE LOVE BUG - 1997 [TV Movie]; BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUBZERO - 1998 [MFHV; voice only]; ADVENTURES FROM THE BOOK OF VIRTUES - 1998 [TV Series]; SCROOGE AND MARLEY - 2001 [TV Movie]; MANDIE AND THE SECRET TUNNEL - 2009; GOD PROVIDES - 2009 [MFHV]; SIX BY SONDHEIM - 2013 [TV Documentary; his last credit]. Dean Jones was also a professional singer and sung the title tunes to the TV Series GUNSIGHT RIDGE - 1957; and HERBIE, THE LOVE BUG - 1982. He also sang in many of his Disney films and at the 1959 & 1981 Academy Awards, as well as the film YOU CAN THANK ME LATER - 1999, which he did not appear as an actor. Mr. Jones also appeared on many talk & entertainment shows during the 60's, 70's & 80's, where he would sing. As you can probably tell by some of the titles on his resumé, Mr. Jones was a born-again Christian. Dean Jones passed away due to complications of Parkinson's disease and was 84 years-old.) - 09/01/15
JUDY CARNE (Actress: Best known for her three season stint on ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1970 [she introduced the phrase "Sock it to me!" to the American vernacular], Judy Carne was already an established actress and accomplished dancer, doing many TV series and an occasional theatrical film, as well as Stage work. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: DANGER MAN - 1961; THE RAG TRADE - 1961 [8 episodes]; A PAIR OF BRIEFS -1962 [Theatrical Film]; THE CHEATERS - 1962; FAIR EXCHANGE - 1963 [11 episodes]; DR. KILDARE - 1964; THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; THE BAILEYS OF BALBOA - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; GIDGET - 1965; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1964-1966 [3 episodes]; GUNSMOKE - 1966; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1966; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1966; LOVE ON A ROOFTOP - 1966-1967 [Series Regular; 30 episodes]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965-1967; THE BIG VALLEY - 1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1968; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1970 [Series Regular for first 3 seasons; 45 episodes]; ALL THE RIGHT NOISES - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; SUPER ELASTIC PLASTIC GOGGLES - 1971 [TV Special]; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES - 1971 [TV Movie]; CADE'S COUNTY - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1973 [5 episodes]; SOMEONE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS - 1973 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1974; QB VII - 1974 [TV mini-series]; ONLY WITH MARRIED MEN - 1974 [TV Movie]; OH BABY, BABY, BABY - 1974 [An ABC AFTERNOON PLAYBREAK episode]; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1976; OUT OF ORDER - 1981 [Short]; ON THE LINE - 1982; WHAT ABOUT ME - 1993 [Theatrical Film; her final acting credit]. Judy Carne was also a frequent guest on talk shows and was a panelist on such game shows as JUKE BOX JURY; THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES; THE NEW $25,000 PYRAMID; MATCH GAME 73; THE CROSS-WITS; and BLANKETY-BLANK. Ms. Carne was married to Burt Reynolds from 1963 to 1967. Her 1985 autobiography, "Laughing on the Outside, Crying on the Inside", detailed her fast spiral into heroin addiction after leaving LAUGH-IN. Since her autobiography was released, she remained in relative obscurity, only coming out to appear in a LAUGH-IN 25TH ANNIVERSARY special in 1993. Her career is a grimy look into the underbelly of show business and how fickle being a celebrity really is. Judy Carne was 76 years-old.) - 09/03/15
ALAN STEEL (Actor: Italian actor whose real name is "Sergio Ciani", who is best remembered for the Italian "Sword And Sandal" films that played endlessly on 60's & 70's television and then switched over to Spaghetti Westerns when the other genre petered out. His creditsincluded [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]; HERCULES UNCHAINED - 1959; THE GIANT OF MARATHON - 1959; SAMSON - 1961; THE FURY OF HERCULES - 1962; THE REBEL GLADIATORS - 1962; THE OLD TESTAMENT - 1962; SAMSON AND THE SLAVE QUEEN - 1963; HERCULES AND THE MASKED RIDER - 1963; HERCULES AND THE BLACK PIRATES - 1964; HERCULES AGAINST ROME - 1964; HERCULES AGAINST THE MOON MEN - 1964; HERCULES AND THE TREASURE OF THE INCAS - 1964; SAMSON AND THE MIGHTY CHALLENGE - 1964; 3 AVENGERS - 1964; A...FOR ASSASSIN - 1966; GOODBYE MAMMA - 1967; I'LL DIE FOR VENGEANCE - 1968; SLAUGHTER ON THE KHYBER PASS - 1970; THE LITTLE COWBOY - 1973; FASTHAND - 1973; DAGLI ARCHIVI DELLA POLICIA CRIMINALE - 1973; KORKUSUZ CENGAVER - 1976 [Turkish Actioner]; ROBIN HOOD: HERO OF SHERWOOD - 1976 [also Co-Writer]; LO TIGRO, TU TIGRI, EGLI TIGRA - 1978; BABY LOVE - 1979 [his final film]. Alan Steel was 79 years-old.) - 09/05/15
MARTIN MILNER (Actor: Best remembered for his role as "Officer Pete Malloy" on ADAM-12 - 1968-1975 and to older viewers as "Tod Stiles" on ROUTE 66 - 1960-1964, I will always remember Martin Milner as the bad guy in director William Castle's 13 GHOSTS - 1960 and his demise by being crushed to death in the four-poster bed. Martin Milner was a constant face on TV from the 60's through the 80's, but he did a lot of theatrical films before he did TV and his credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: LIFE WITH FATHER -1947 [TF]; THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS - 1948 [TF]; THE GREEN PROMISE - 1949 [TF]; SANDS OF IWO JIMA - 1949 [TF]; THE LONE RANGER - 1950; LOUISA - 1950 [TF]; OUR VERY OWN - 1950 [TF]; HALLS OF MONTEZUMA - 1951 [TF]; OPERATION PACIFIC - 1951 [TF]; THE BIGELOW THEATRE - 1951; THE STU ERWIN SHOW - 1950-1951 [6 episodes]; I WANT YOU - 1951 [TF]; THE CAPTIVE CITY - 1952 [TF]; BELLES ON THEIR TOES - 1952 [TF]; MY WIFE'S BEST FRIEND - 1952 [TF]; SPRINGFIELD RIFLE - 1952 [TF]; BATTLE ZONE - 1952 [TF]; TORPEDO ALLEY - 1952 [TF]; THE SABRE AND THE ARROW - 1953 [TF]; DESTINATION GOBI - 1953 [TF]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1954 [TF]; THE LONG GRAY LINE - 1955 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1954-1955; DRAGNET - 1952-1955 [6 episodes]; MISTER ROBERTS - 1955 [TF]; PETE KELLY'S BLUES - 1955 [TF]; FRANCIS IN THE NAVY - 1955 [TF]; THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE - 1955; ON THE THRESHOLD OF SPACE - 1956 [TF]; TV READER'S DIGEST - 1956; NAVY WIFE - 1956 [TF]; SCREAMING EAGLES - 1956 [TF]; THE CHARLES FARRELL SHOW - 1956; WEST POINT - 1956; PILLARS IN THE SKY - 1956 [TF]; TELEPHONE TIME - 1956; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1956; CROSSROADS - 1956; NAVY LIFE - 1956; THE LIFE OF RILEY - 1953-1957 [4 episodes]; MAN AFRAID - 1957 [TF]; DESK SET - 1957 [TF]; GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL - 1957 [TF]; SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS - 1957 [TF]; WAGON TRAIN - 1958; TOO MUCH, TOO SOON - 1958 [TF]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956-1958; MARJORIE MIRNINGSTAR - 1958 [TF]; RAWHIDE - 1959; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1958-1959; COMPULSION - 1959 [TF]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959; STEVE CANYON - 1959; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1958-1959; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1959; U.S. MARSHAL - 1959; THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ADAM AND EVE - 1960 [TF]; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Mirror Image" - 1960]; 13 GHOSTS - 1960 [TF]; SEX KITTENS GO TO COLLEGE - 1960 [TF; also Associate Producer]; ROUTE 66 - 1960-1964 [116 episodes]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1964; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1965; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965; MEMORANDUM FOR A SPY - 1965 [TV Movie]; ZEBRA IN THE KITCHEN - 1965 [TF]; STARR, FIRST BASEMAN - 1965 [TV Movie]; GIDGET - 1965; LAREDO - 1965; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1965-1966 [3 episodes]; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1965-1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966; SKI FEVER - 1966 [TF]; THE RAT PATROL 1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967; FELONY SQUAD - 1967; INSIGHT - 1967; VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1967 [TF]; LAND'S END - 1968 [TV Movie]; THREE GUNS FOR TEXAS - 1968 [TF]; DRAGNET 1967 - 1968; COLUMBO - 1971; THE D.A. - 1971 [Guest Starred as "Officer Pete Malloy"]; EMERGENCY! - 1972 [Guest Starred as "Officer Pete Malloy"]; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1972-1973; RUNAWAY! - 1973 [TV Movie];
HURRICANE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1975 [TF]; ADAM-12 - 1968 - 1975 [174 episodes]; SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1975 - 1975 [Series Regular; 20 episodes]; FLOOD! - 1976 [TV Movie]; SST: DEATH FLIGHT - 1977 [TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1977; BLACK BEAUTY - 1978 [TV mini-series]; LITTLE MO - 1978 [TV Movie]; CRISIS IN MID-AIR - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE SEEKERS - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE LAST CONVERTIBLE - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1980; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981; THE ORDEAL OF BILL CARNEY - 1981 [TV Movie]; MASQUERADE - 1984; AIRWOLF - 1985; NASHVILLE BEAT - 1989 [TV Movie; reunited with ADAM-12 co-star Kent McCord]; MACGYVER - 1988-1990; THE NEW ADAM-12 - 1990-1991; LIFE GOES ON - 1992 [5 episodes]; ROBOCOP - 1993; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1996 [5 episodes]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1997; his last acting role]. Besides his many acting accomplishments, Martin Milner was married to the same woman, singer and actress Judith Bess Jones, for 58 years. That says a lot about a person. His role in ADAM-12 made me, and a lot of people of my generation, want to become a police officer. This quote by Mr. Milner about sums it up: "I have no complaints on any level. I'm pretty happy about the way everything turned out.." Martin Milner died peacefully on a Sunday night at his home in Carlsbad, California, surrounded by his family. He was 83 years-old.) - 09/06/15
RICHARD "DICKIE" MOORE (Actor: Child actor best known for giving Shirley Temple her first on-screen kiss. Moore also appeared on a few Hal Roach Rascals and Our Gang shorts as "Dickie" during the early 1930's. He retired from acting the 1950's and became a publicist. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE BELOVED ROGUE - 1927; OBJECT: ALIMONY - 1928; BLUE SKIES - 1929; MADAME X - 1929; LUMMOX - 1930; SON OF THE GODS - 1930; THE THREE SISTERS - 1930; LET US BE GAY - 1930; THE MATRIMONIAL BED - 1930; LAWFUL LARCENY - 1930; THE OFFICE WIFE - 1930; PASSION FLOWER - 1930; ALOHA - 1931; SEED - 1931; THREE WHO LOVED - 1931; CONFESSIONS OF A CO-ED - 1931; THE STAR WITNESS - 1931; THE SQUAW MAN - 1931; SOB SISTER - 1931; HUSBAND'S HOLIDAY - 1931; MANHATTANPARADE - 1931; UNION DEPOT - 1932; FIREMAN, SAVE MY CHILD - 1932; THE EXPERT - 1932; DISORDERLY CONDUCT - 1932; SO BIG! - 1932; NO GREATER LOVE - 1932; MILLION DOLLAR LEGS - 1932; WINNER TAKE ALL - 1932; BLONDE VENUS - 1932; THREE ON A MATCH - 1932; DECEPTION - 1932; THE DEVIL IS DRIVING - 1932; THE RACING STRAIN - 1932; OLIVER TWIST - 1933; OBEY THE LAW - 1933; GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE - 1933; THE WOLF DOG - 1933; MAN'S CASTLE - 1933; CRADLE SONG - 1933; GALLANT LADY - 1933; THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN - 1934; UPPERWORLD - 1934; IN LOVE WITH LIFE - 1934; FIFTEEN WIVES - 1934; THE HUMAN SIDE - 1934; TOMORROW'S YOUTH - 1934; THE WORLD ACCUSES - 1934; LITTLE MEN - 1934; WITHOUT CHILDREN - 1935; SWELLHEAD - 1935; SO RED THE ROSE - 1935; PETER IBBETSON - 1935; TIMOTHY'S QUEST - 1936; THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR - 1936; THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE - 1936; STAR FOR A NIGHT - 1936; THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA - 1937; MADAME X - 1937; THE BRIDE WORE RED - 1937; LOVE, HONOR AND BEHAVE - 1938; MY BILL - 1938; THE GLADIATOR - 1938; THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER - 1938; THE UNDER-PUP - 1939; HIDDEN POWER - 1939; THE BLUE BIRD - 1940; A DISPATCH FROM REUTER'S - 1940; THE GREAT MR. NOBODY - 1941; SERGEANT YORK - 1941; THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIN EDEN - 1942; MISS ANNIE ROONEY - 1942 [Shirley Temple's first on-screen kiss]; HEAVEN CAN WAIT - 1943; HAPPY LAND - 1943; JIVE JUNCTION - 1943; THE SONG OF BERNADETTE - 1943; THE EVE OF ST. MARK - 1944; YOUTH RUNS WILD - 1944; SWEET AND LOW-DOWN - 1944; OUT OF THE PAST - 1947; DANGEROUS YEARS - 1947; 16 FATHOMS DEEP - 1948; BEHIND LOCKED DOORS - 1948; BAD BOY - 1949; TUNA CLIPPER - 1949; CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS - 1949 [TV Series]; KILLER SHARK - 1950; CODY OF THE PONY EXPRESS - 1950; SURE AS FATE - 1951 [TV Series]; STARLIGHT THEATRE - 1951 [TV Series]; EIGHT IRON MEN - 1952; THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING - 1952; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1951-1953 [TV Series]; THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE - 1954 [TV Series]; THE WEB - 1954 [TV Series]; OMNIBUS - 1957 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Dickie Moore also appeared on a handful of documentaries about the stars he worked with and was appearing as himself in the documentary WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO NORMA JEAN?, slated for a 2016 release, when he passed away. He met actress Jane Powell in 1981 when he was researching his book on child stars "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and they got married in 1988 and stayed together until his death. Richard "Dickie" Moore was 89 years-old.) - 09/10/15
FRANCO INTERLENGHI (Italian Actor: Mr. Interlenghi appeared in some classic films during his career from the 1940's to the 2000's, especially the early films of Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini and Michelangelo Antonioni. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise indicated]: SHOESHINE - 1946; FABIOLA - 1949; SUNDAY IN AUGUST - 1950; TERESA - 1951; PARIS IS ALWAYS PARIS - 1951; THE LITTLE WORLD OF DON CAMILLO - 1952;PRISON - 1952; THE CITY STANDS TRIAL - 1952; SUNDAY HEROES - 1952; DON LORENZO - 1952; THE WAYWARD WIFE - 1953; I VITELLONI - 1953; THE VANQUISHED - 1953; CAVALCADE OF SONG - 1953; THE STORY OF WILLIAM TELL - 1953 [Short]; THE LOVERS OF MANON LESCOUT - 1954; MID-CENTURY LOVE - 1954; 100 YEARS OF LOVE - 1954; HALF A CENTURY OF SONG - 1954; THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA - 1954; ULYSSES - 1954; THE TWO ORPHANS - 1954; WILD LOVE - 1955; ALTAIR - 1956; A TAILOR'S MAID - 1957; A FAREWELL TO ARMS - 1957; YOUNG HUSBANDS - 1958; THE SKY BURNS - 1958; LOVE IS MY PROFESSION - 1958; CIGARETTES, WHISKEY AND WILD WOMEN - 1959; HIT AND RUN - 1959; THE BIG NIGHT - 1959; CRONACHE DEL '22 - 1961 [also Writer]; GARIBALDI - 1961; PILLAGED - 1967; THE COLUMN - 1968; PLANET VENUS - 1972; THE LEFT HAND OF THE LAW - 1975; CHINA 9, LIBERTY 37 - 1978; MIRANDA - 1985; JUKE BOX - 1985; THE PROFESSOR - 1986; THE MISER - 1990; TOMATO - 1990; WOMEN IN ARMS - 1990 [TV Movie]; CLOSE FRIENDS - 1992; KILLERS COME TO PARIS - 1992; ANTELOPE COBBLER - 1993; COPENHAGEN FOX-TROT - 1993; THE TEDDY BEAR - 1994; THE KING OF PARIS - 1995; MARCHING IN DARKNESS - 1996; STELLA'S FAVOR - 1996; RACKET - 1997 [TV mini-series]; JOSEPH OF NAZARETH - 2000 [TV Movie]; A LONG LONG LONG NIGHT OF LOVE - 2001; POPE JOHN XXII - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE - 2003; TOSCA AND THE WOMEN - 2003; DON MATTEO - 2004 [TV mini-series]; CRIME NOVEL - 2005 [a.k.a. KINGS OF CRIME]; POPE JOHN PAUL I: THE SMILE OF GOD - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAMS TODAY - 2007; I, DON GIOVANNI - 2009; LA BELLA SOCIETA - 2010 [his last acting role]. Mr. Interlenghi has dozens of Italian theatrical films, TV Movies and TV Series that haven't been dubbed or subbed into English and was also Producer of the mondo film THE WORLD AT NIGHT - 1962. Franco Interlenghi was 83 years-old) - 09/10/15
FRANK D. GILROY (Writer/Director: Started writing teleplays to TV Series to the 1950's and for a short time became a director and writer of theatrical films His credits as a writer included [TV Series unless marked woth a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1953; PONDS THEATER - 1953; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1953; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1954; JUSTICE -1954; ON CAMERA - 1955; THE FASTEST GUN ALIVE - 1956 [TF]; RHEINGOLD THEATRE - 1956; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1956-1958 [3 episodes]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1955-1957; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1955-1958; THE RIFLEMAN - 1958; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1958; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1958; WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR - 1960 [4 episodes]; GUNDOWN AT SANDOVAL - 1960 [TF]; THE GALLANT HOURS - 1960 [TF]; THE REBEL - 1960; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1960; DRAMA 61-67 - 1962; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1966 [Creator of 81 episodes]; THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES - 1968 [TF]; THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN - 1970 [TF]; DESPERATE CHARACTERS - 1971 [TF; also Director & Producer]; THE TURNING POINT OF JIM MALLOY - 1975 [TV Movie; also Director & Producer; pilot for the short-lived series GIBBSVILLE - 1976]; FROM NOON TILL THREE - 1976 [TF; also Director; one of Charles Bronson's strangest films]; ONCE IN PARIS - 1978 [TF; also Director & Producer]; NERO WOLFE - 1979 [TV Movie; also Director]; JINXED! - 1982 [TF]; THE GIG - 1985 [TF; also Director & Producer]; THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1989 [TF; also Director]; BURKE'S LAW - 1994 - 1995 [4 episodes]; MONEY PLAY$ - 1998 [TV Movie; also Director; His last professional credit]. Frank D. Gilroy won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his Broadway play THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES in 1965 and when it was turned into a movie in 1968, Jack Albertson won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Frank D. Gilroy passed away from natural causes and was 89 years-old.) - 09/12/15
WILLIAM J. BECKER (Studio Executive: A lot of people may have never heard of this man and you won't find him on IMDb, but he has done more for the restoration of films than anyone in the world. I'll let Variety explain: "William Becker, who with a partner acquired Janus Films in 1965, expanded its catalog of arthouse and Hollywood classics and broadened the distribution of that catalog to audiences at universities and to movie fans via DVD, died Saturday from complications of kidney failure in Southampton, N.Y. He was 88. Becker was a theater critic, a culturally oriented financier and close associate of writers and directors whose passion for the art of film motivated him at least as much as a desire to make money. Janus, which had beenfounded in the 1950s by a pair of Harvard alumni, exposed American moviegoers to the then mostly unfamiliar work of groundbreaking directors such as Italians Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni; Ingmar Bergman; Frenchmen François Truffaut and Robert Bresson; Luis Buñuel; and Japanese masters Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi. After acquiring the company, Becker and his partner Saul J. Turell secured the rights to an enormous cache of international films, including Jean Renoirs GRAND ILLUSION and Sergei Eisensteins BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN as well as key American works like Orson Welles CITIZEN KANE and the original KING KONG Janus had been a small, financially shaky company; they transformed it to one thats still prospering by expanding the means of distributing its films, from celluloid to streaming. In 2006 the company celebrated its first half-century by releasing the DVD boxed set 'Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films.' New York Times critic Dave Kehr compared this collection to the 50-volume set of the worlds literary canon selected a century earlier by Harvard president Charles William Eliot. 'Janus Films does not have quite the clout of Harvard,' Mr. Kehr wrote, 'but it says a lot about the central role Janus has played in American film culture that the selections made by a modestly staffed for-profit distribution house have come to assume almost as much canonical authority as Mr. Eliots choices.' Arthur William John Becker III was born in St. Louis. He enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis at the age of 15 and began corresponding with Henry Miller, the renegade author of heavily erotic novels such as 'Henry and June.' Becker spent some time studying at Duke but graduated from Harvard in 1948 and, as a Rhodes scholar, earned a doctorate at Wadham College, Oxford, penning a thesis on the poet William Butler Yeats. After a stint in the Navy, he became a drama critic for literary journal the Hudson Review in the early 1950s and a partner of Broadway producer and real estate powerhouse Roger L. Stevens, who helped Becker buy the theater magazine Playbill. Becker and Turell, who was securing the rights to films for what became the Walter Reade Organization, bought Janus from its original owners, Cyrus Harvey Jr. and Bryant Haliday, two actors who were programming art films at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, Mass. They expanded to a Manhattan venue in 1953 and founded Janus three years later. In 1957, after screening two films by Fellini, they achieved their first breakthrough hit with Bergmans THE SEVENTH SEAL By the early 1960s, however, Janus was weakening, and the company was sold in 1965. During the 1960s and 70s, the new owners vastly expanded Janus library, which contained only 30 films, securing relationships with foreign distributors and acquiring rights both to experimental films and an array of classics that could be screened together in festivals as a new, younger audience embraced film not merely as entertainment but as art. Janus benefited amid an arthouse revival, the growth in college enrollment and the introduction of an increasing number of university film courses. Later it capitalized on the nascent home video market by releasing its catalog first on laser disc, and then on DVD. It also merged with Voyager, which evolved into the Criterion Collection, and eventually expanded into distribution on cable TV and online. Eventually Beckers son Peter became president of Criterion. [Turells son Jonathan became managing director of Janus and Criterion CEO]. In addition to his son Peter, Becker is survived by his wife, choreographer Patricia Birch; another son, photographer Jonathan; daughter Alison Price Becker; a sister; and six grandchildren." I believe a person like this should get all the accolades he deserves and he deserves an infinite amount. Walter J. Becker died of kidney failure and was 88 years-old.) - 09/13/15
JACKIE COLLINS (Writer/Producer/Actress: The older sister of actress Joan Collins, Jackie Collins was a successful author of dozens of "trashy" novels [she sold nearly 400 million copies of her novels all over the world], some of which were turned into movies [two of them starring her sister] and TV miniseries. She started out as an actress before she turned to writing. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1955 [TV Series; Actress]; THEY NEVER LEARN - 1956 [Actress]; IT COULD BE YOU - 1957 [Actress]; ALLAT SEA - 1957 [Actress]; ASSIGNMENT REDHEAD - 1958 [Actress]; ROCK YOU SINNERS - 1958 [Actress]; THE SAFECRACKER - 1958 [Actress]; INTENT TO KILL - 1958 [Actress]; ROOM 43 - 1958 [Actress]; THE SHAKEDOWN - 1960 [Actress, as "Lynn Curtis"]; NIGHT OF PASSION - 1960 [Actress]; DANGER MAN - 1961 [TV Series; Actress]; THE SAINT - 1963 [TV Series; Actress]; COMPACT - 1965 [TV Series; Actress]; THE STUD - 1978 [Screenwriter; Based on her novel; starred sister Joan Collins]; THE WORLD IS FULL OF MARRIED MEN - 1979 [Screenwriter; Based on ner novel]; THE BITCH - 1979 [Based on her novel; starred sister Joan Collins]; YESTERDAY'S HERO - 1979 [Screenplay]; MINDER - 1980 [TV Series; Actress]; HOLLYWOOD WIVES - 1985 [TV mini-series; Based on her novel; also Creative Consultant]; LUCKY CHANCES - 1990 [TV mini-series; Based on two of her novels; also Executive Producer]; LADY BOSS - 1992 [TV Movie; Writer; Based on her novel]; JACKIE'S BACK! - 1999 [TV Movie; Actress]; GIRLFRIENDS - 2003 [TV Series; Actress]; HOLLYWOOD WIVES: THE NEW GENERATION - 2003 [TV Movie; Based on her novel; also Executive Producer]; JACKIE COLLINS PRESENTS - 2004 [TV Documentary; also Executive Producer]; PARIS CONNECTIONS - 2010 [Based on her novel; also Producer]; SUBURGATORY - 2014 [TV Series; Actress, voice only]; SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO! - 2015 [Actress; her final appearance]. Ms. Collins was also a regular on many daytime and nighttime talk shows and was a panelist on game shows, like THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. For some unknown reason, she received a "Special Thanks" on the horror film NIGHTMARE WEEKEND - 1985. When she was a teenager, she was expelled from Francis Holland School in England for truancy, smoking, and selling copies of her own book of dirty limericks. She would end up sending her children to the very same school. Jackie Collins died from complications due to breast cancer and was 77 years-old.) - 09/19/15
JACK LARSON (Actor: Best known for portraying "Jimmy Olsen" on the 50's series ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1952-1958, Jack Larson retired from show business after being typecast as Jimmy Olsen and concentrated on writing [becoming the first playwright to win a Rockefeller Foundation grant], coming out every once in a whileto do a guest appearance on a TV show or film. My favorite Larson moment is from a 2010 episode of LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT called "Quickie", where an unrecognizable Larson plays grandfather to a notorious sex addict with AIDS who knowingly spreads it around to every girl he has sex with, which is many, thanks to a new mobile app (and gets acid thrown in his face in the courtroom by one of his victims). Larson's final scene in the episode brings tears to your eyes (if you're human) and is one of my favorite episodes of the series. Larson doesn't have many on-screen credits, but when he was on-screen, he was memorable. Jack Larson was gay [no big deal today, but scandalous back then] and he was the longtime companion of late director James Bridges, with whom he co-produced a number of popular films of the 1970s and 1980s. They remained a couple until Bridges' death in 1993. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: FIGHTER SQUADRON - 1948; FLAMING YOUTH - 1949; TRIAL WITHOUT JURY - 1950; A WONDERFUL LIFE - 1950 [Short]; REDWOOD FOREST TRAIL - 1950; FIGHTING COAST GUARD - 1951; ON THE LOOSE - 1951; STARLIFT - 1951; KID MONK BARONI - 1952; BELLES ON THEIR TOES - 1952; BATTLE ZONE - 1952; FLAT TOP - 1952; STAR OF TEXAS - 1953; THREE SAILORS AND A GIRL - 1953; MAN CRAZY - 1953; STAMP DAY FOR SUPERMAN - 1954 [Short]; ABOUT MRS. LESLIE - 1954; JOHNNY TROUBLE - 1957; NAVY LOG - 1955-1957 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1952-1958 [TV Series Regular; 101 episodes]; TALES OF THE
VIKINGS - 1959 [TV Series]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1960 [TV Series]; GOMER PYLE USMC - 1965 [TV Series]; THE BABY MAKER - 1970 [Producer only]; MIKE'S MURDER - 1984 [Associate Producer only]; PERFECT - 1985 [Co-Producer Only]; BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY - 1988 [Associate Producer only]; SUPERBOY - 1991 [TV Series]; UNSOLVED MYSTERIES - 1995 [TV Series]; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1996 [TV Series; played "Old Jimmy Olsen"]; SUPERMAN RETURNS - 2006; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2010 [TV Series; one of the most heartbreaking performances on the series; nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Guest Appearance in a TV Series]; BOB'S NEW SUIT - 2011; SURGE OF POWER: REVENGE OF THE SEQUEL - 2016 [Filming at the time of his death; his last credit]. Jack Larson also did about a dozen documentaries about the Superman TV show and his friends Montgomery Clift [they were once a couple] and James Dean. To Baby Boomers like myself, It wouldn't be a day without watching an episode of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN in syndication when I was a kid. It is much too low-tech for kids today, but for people like myself, it is a slice of pure nostalgia. Goodnight, Jack Larson, and thanks for all the great memories. I'm off to watch that LAW & ORDER: SVU episode again. Jack Larson was 87 years-old.) - 09/20/15
CATHERINE E. COULSON (Actress/Assistant Camera Operator: Best known to viewing audiences as "The Log Lady" on David Lynch's groundbreaking TV series TWIN PEAKS [1990 - 1991], and also reprising the role for the 2017 reboot, Catherine Coulson was also an accomplished camera operator, working with Lynch as far back as ERASERHEAD - 1977. Hercredits as an Actress included: THE AMPUTEE - 1974 [Short Film by David Lynch]; Gary Graver's TRICK OR TREATS - 1982; FEMME FATALE - 1991; TWIN PEAKS - 1990-1991 [TV Series; 12 episodes]; ANOTHER YOU - 1991; TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME - 1992; RING OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE SECRET LIFE OF HOUSES - 1994; THE FOUR DIAMONDS - 1995 [TV Movie]; I DON'T KNOW JACK - 2002; CALVIN MARSHALL - 2009; PSYCH - 2010 [TV Series]; WALK-ON - 2012; PORTLANDIA - 2012 [TV Series]; REDWOOD HIGHWAY - 2013; ALL ABOUT TWO - 2014 [TV Movie]; TWIN PEAKS - 2017 [Pay Cable "Continuation", taking place 25 years after the original series; 9 episodes]. Ms. Coulson's behind-the-camera credits included: THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE - 1976 [Camera Assistant]; BREAKFAST IN BED - 1977 [Producer]; IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN - 1977 [Production Assistant]; ERASERHEAD - 1977 [Assistant Director & Assistant Camera]; MOONSHINE COUNTY EXPRESS - 1977 [Second Assistant Camera]; OPENING NIGHT - 1977 [Assistant Camera]; THE TOOLBOX MURDERS - 1978 [Second Assistant Camera]; STARHOPS - 1978 [Second Assistant Camera]; YOUNGBLOOD - 1978 [Second Assistant Camera]; A FORCE OF ONE - 1979 [Second Assistant Camera]; MODERN ROMANCE - 1981 [Second Assistant Camera]; BITTER HARVEST - 1981 [TV Movie; Assistant Camera]; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982 [First Assistant Director]; PRIVATE PRACTICES: THE STORY OF A SEX SURROGATE - 1986 [Camera Operator]; THE FRENCH AS SEEN BY... - 1978 [TV mini-series; Assistant Camera]; NIGHT ON EARTH - 1991 [First Assistant Camera]; MUSIC FOR THE MOVIES: BERNARD HERRMANN - 1992 [Assistant Camera]. Catherine E. Coulson was once married to the late Jack Nance and they divorced in 1976, but she would find herself appearing with him on TWIN PEAKS fifteen years later. Catherine E. Coulson died due to complications of cancer and was 71 years-old.) - 09/28/15
JOHN GUILLERMIN (Director/Producer/Writer: Known as the director of THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974 and the KING KONG remake [1976], Mr. Guillermin was a director and writer since the 1940's. His credits as Director included [all Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MELODY IN THE DARK - 1949 [Writer & Producer only]; HIGH JINKS IN SOCIETY - 1949 [Director/Producer/Writer]; PAPER GALLOWS - 1950 [Director & Producer]; THESMART ALECK - 1951; TWO ON THE TILES - 1951; FOUR DAYS - 1951; BACHELOR IN PARIS - 1952; MISS ROBIN HOOD - 1952; STRANGE STORIES - 1953; YOUR FAVORITE STORY - 1953 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; OPERATION DIPLOMAT - 1953 [Director & Writer]; ADVENTURE IN THE HOPFIELDS - 1954; SHOP SPOILED - 1954; TORMENTA - 1955; THUNDERSTORM - 1956; TOWN ON TRIAL - 1957; AGGIE - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 15 episodes]; SAILOR OF FORTUNE - 1957-1958 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; THE WHOLE TRUTH - 1958; HELL, HEAVEN OR HOBOKEN - 1958; TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE - 1959 [Director & Writer]; THE DAY THEY ROBBED THE BANK OF ENGLAND - 1960; NEVER LET GO - 1960 [Director & Writer]; WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS - 1962; TARZAN GOES TO INDIA - 1962 [Director & Writer]; GUNS AT BATASI - 1964; RAPTURE - 1965; THE BLUE MAX - 1966; P.J. - 1968; HOUSE OF CARDS - 1968; THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN - 1969; EL CONDOR - 1970; SKYJACKED - 1972; SHAFT IN AFRICA - 1973; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974 [Fred Astaire was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]; KING KONG - 1976; DEATH ON THE NILE - 1978; MR. PATMAN - 1980; SHEENA - 1984 [Nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Director]; KING KONG LIVES - 1986 [This one always gets a bad reputation, but I enjoy it for its goofy charms and a truly heartbreaking ending. This is also the film that the annoying video store guy kept calling Mark Wahlberg to return on VHS in THE BIG HIT - 1998]; THE TRACKER - 1988 [TV Movie; his final credit]. He was replaced by Jack Smight as director of MIDWAY - 1976 and by Andrew V. McLaglen for SAHARA - 1983. John Guillermin was 89 years-old.) - 09/28/15
PAT WOODELL (Actress: Beautiful actress best known for her role on PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1963-1965, but exploitation fans recognize her for the films she made in the 1970's. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: CHEYENNE - 1962; RED NIGHTMARE - 1962 [Short]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962-1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; TALENT SCOUTS - 1963; CELEBRITY PARTY - 1963 [TV Special]; G.E. TRUE - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1964 [Sang as part of a group known as "The Ladybugs"]; PETTCOAT JUNCTION - 1963-1965 [74 episodes; also sang on 11 episodes; Was replaced as "Bobbie Jo Bradley" in 1965 by Lori Saunders and the series continued until 1970]; THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE - 1965 [Singer]; THE MUNSTERS - 1966; BUNNY AND CLAUDE: WE ROB CARROT PATCHES - 1968 [Animated Short; Voice only]; THE GREAT CARROT-TRAIN ROBBERY - 1969 [Animated Short; Voice only]; BRIGHT PROMISE - 1969; THE BIG DOLL HOUSE - 1971 [TF; The beginning of her short, but sweet, Exploitation career]; THE WOMAN HUNT - 1972 [TF]; THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE - 1972 [TF]; CLASS OF '74 - 1972 [TF]; THE ROOMMATES - 1973 [TF]; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973 [Her final acting credit]. She retired from acting to raise a family. Pat Woodell passed away due to cancer and was 71 years-old.) - 09/29/15
LARRY BREZNER (Producer: Mr. Brezner played a key role in developing the careers of Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Martin Short and Bette Midler and was credited with working effectivelybehind the scenes to set up movie projects. He produced Crystals THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN - 1987 and Williams GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM - 1987. His Producing credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: GOOD TIME HARRY - 1980 [TV Series]; THE ACORN PEOPLE - 1981 [TV Series]; THE BILLY CRYSTAL COMEDY HOUR - 1982 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; BILLY CRYSTAL: A COMIC'S LINE - 1984 [TV Documentary]; THE YOUNG COMEDIANS ALL-STAR REUNION - 1986 [TV Special]; ROBIN WILLIAMS: AN EVENING AT THE MET - 1986 [TV Special]; WOMEN OF THE NIGHT - 1987 [TV Special]; THE 11TH ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS - 1987 [TV Special]; THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN - 1987; GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM - 1987; THE 12TH ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS SPECIAL - 1987 [TV Special]; THE 'BURBS - 1989 [I love this film thanks to Brother Theodore]; COUPE DE VILLE - 1990; GOOD GRIEF - 1990 [TV Series]; PASSED AWAY - 1992; THE VANISHING - 1993; ANGIE - 1994; CLIFFORD - 1994 [This film nearly destroyed the careers of everyone involved]; KRIPPENDORF'S TRIBE - 1998; THE EXTREME ADVENTURES OF SUPER DAVE - 2000 [MFHV]; FREDDIE GOT FINGERED - 2001 [Another comedy that made nearly every critic's list of the worst film of the year]; SORORITY BOYS - 2002; THE LAST SHOT - 2004; THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED - 2005; LITTLE BRITAIN USA - [HBO Series; 6 episodes]; ARTHUR - 2011 [Very poor remake]; RIDE ALONG - 2014 [Very popular comedy]; RIDE ALONG 2 - 2016 [He passed away as this film was being made. His last credit.]. The well-liked Brezner entered the hospital for treatment of leukemia in July after he was diagnosed with the disease, according to longtime business partner David Steinberg [not the comedian]. Larry Brezner was 73 years-old.) - 10/05/15
RALPH RICHESON (Actor: Richeson became an actor at a rather unusual age [mid-life] and made his acting debut as wily cook "Richardson" on the HBO series DEADWOOD - 2004-2006 [20 episodes]. His very few other credits included: HANCOCK - 2008; NO MAN'S LAND: THE RISE OF REEKER - 2008; THE REVENANT - 2009 and PARKS AND RECREATION - 2010 [TV Series]. He also was the Executive Producer on the film LEGEND HAS IT - 2009. Ralph Richeson was 63 years-old.) - 10/27/15
AL MOLINARO (Actor: Probably best known as "Al Delvecchio" on the TV Series HAPPY DAYS - 1974-1984, Mr. Molinaro was aready a TV veteran long before that role. His small list of credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: LOVE ME MADLY - 1954 [Theatrical Film]; THENAME OF THE GAME - 1969; GET SMART - 1969; GREEN ACRES - 1969-1979 [3 episodes]; THAT GIRL - 1971; BEWITCHED - 1971; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1974 [3 episodes]; IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN! - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1970-1975 [73 episodes as poker night player "Murray The Cop"]; DOC - 1975; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1976 [Appeared as "Al Delvecchio"]; MAYDAY AT 40,000 FEET! - 1976 [TV Movie]; FREAKY FRIDAY - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; ROSETTI AND RYAN - 1977; GREAT DAY - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977; A CHRISTMAS FOR BOOMER - 1979 [TV Movie]; GRIDLOCK - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE UGILY FAMILY - 1982 [TV Movie]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979-1982; JOANIE LOVES CHACHI - 1982-1983 [Appeared as "Al Delvecchio" in 17 episodes]; HAPPY DAYS - 1974-1984 [Before appearing as diner owner "Al Delvecchio", he also had role as "Igor" and "Alfred" on the show, which was shortened to "Al"; 146 episodes]; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1985; THE FAMILY MAN - 1990-1991 [22 episodes]; STEP BY STEP - 1992; WEEZER: "BUDDY HOLLY" - 1994 [Music Video; Appeared as "Al Delvecchio"; his last on-screen role]. Two of Mr. Molinaro's brothers were long-running politicians [District Attorney and State Representative] in Wisconsin. In 1987, he and fellow HAPPY DAYS cast member Anson Williams opened a chain of diners in the Midwestern United States, called "Big Al's" after his lovable and long running HAPPY DAYS character. The chain of diners didn't last long. After his acting career dried-up, Mr. Molinaro did many TV commercials for Oncor family-size frozen dinners. Al Molinaro suffered from bad gall stones was 96 years-old.) - 10/29/15
FRED DALTON THOMPSON (Actor/Politician: Even though I hardly ever agreed with Mr. Thompson's politics [which he always managed to sneak in his term as 'D.A. Arthur Branch" on LAW & ORDER - 2002-2007], there was no denying that he was a great actor, who started his thespian career later in life. Even though I would not vote for the man [he was anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, etc.], who was the only practicing politician [Senator of Tennessee] to take an regular acting job while still in office [LAW & ORDER again, but his term ran out in2003 and he would not run again, even though he would have probably won], I will never forget him telling Sam Waterson's character "Assistant D.A. Jack McCoy" that he did not have what it took to become head D.A. [Which was proved wrong in L&O's last years], I'm still going to miss him. The last thing I saw him do was reverse mortgage commercials for American Advisors Group [AAG] on TV and he looked extremely thin, but I attributed it to diet, but he was actually dying of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer [Jesus, while I am writing this obit he turns up on screen in an AAG commercial! Elderly people: Do your homework before you even think about reverse mortgages! NOTE: AAG continues to run Dalton's commercials even though he has passed away. Very bad taste from a company as crooked as a corkscrew. Why don't you show some human decency AAG?]. Brave till the end. He was a lawyer [but I will not hold that against him] before he became an actor, which explains why he started his acting career later in his life. Mr. Thompson's's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MARIE - 1985; NO WAY OUT - 1987; UNHOLY MATRIMONY - 1988 [TV Movie]; FEDS - 1988; WISEGUY - 1988 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CHINA BEACH - 1989 [TV Series]; ROSEANNE - 1989 [TV Series]; FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY - 1989; THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER - 1990; DAYS OF THUNDER - 1990; DIE HARD 2 - 1990; FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER - 1991 [Uncredited]; CLASS ACTION - 1991; NECESSARY ROUGHNESS - 1991; CURLY SUE - 1991; CAPE FEAR - 1991; ACES: IRON EAGLE III - 1992; BED OF LIES - 1992 [TV Movie]; THUNDERHEART - 1992; WHITE SANDS - 1992; STAY THE NIGHT - 1992 [TV Movie]; DAY-O - 1992 [TV Movie]; KEEP THE CHANGE - 1992 [TV Movie]; MATLOCK - 1989-1993 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; BARBARIANS AT THE GATE - 1993; BORN YESTERDAY - 1993; IN THE LINE OF FIRE - 1993; BABY'S DAY OUT - 1994; - Pause For Public office - SEX AND THE CITY - 2000 [TV Series; not really an acting job, but just a politician appearing on TV in the background]; RACHAEL AND ANDREW JACKSON: A LOVE STORY - 2001 [TV Movie; voice only]; DOWNLOAD THIS - 2002; EVEL KNIEVEL - 2004; RACING STRIPES - 2005 [voice only]; LAST BEST CHANCE - 2005 [MFHV]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2005 [TV Series; appeared as "D.A. Arthur Branch"]; LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD - 2005; LAW & ORDER: TRIAL BY JURY - 2005-2006 [TV Series; appeared as "D.A. Arthur Branch" for 13 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2003-2006 [TV Series; appeared as "D.A. Arthur Branch" for 11 episodes]; CONVICTION - 2006 [TV Series; appeared as "D.A. Arthur Branch"]; LAW & ORDER - 2002 -2007 [TV Series; appeared as "D.A. Arthur Branch" for 116
episodes]; BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE - 2007 [TV Movie]; LIFE ON MARS - 2009 [TV Series]; IRONMEN - 2010; THE GENESIS CODE - 2010; SECRETARIAT - 2010; ALLEGED - 2010; SINISTER - 2012 [His only stab at a horror movie; still good as the Sheriff who wanted Ethan Hawke and his family to move out of town]; THE GOOD WIFE - 2011-2012 [TV Series]; THE LAST RIDE - 2012; PERSECUTED - 2014; 23 BLAST - 2014; UNLIMITED - 2015; ALLEGIANCE - 2015 [TV Series]; A LARGER LIFE - 2015; 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN - 2015 [his last acting appearance]. Mr. Thompson was a large man, standing 6'6" and Thompson can be seen on the archival footage of the Watergate Hearings in Oliver Stone's NIXON [1995]. He was one of the active lawyers on the Watergate committee during the trial. It seemed that you couldn't watch a major motion picture during the early-90's without Mr. Thompson being in it. My favorite line from Thompson comes from when he was still a politician and giving a speech: "After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." (Talk about being honest!). He also ran for President of the United States [but bowed out due to lack of funding] , and did a lot of right-wing talk shows, usually on The FOX News Network [like I said, I didn't agree with his politics, but that didn't stop me from enjoying him as an actor]. Fred Dalton Thompson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and it was in remission for over 7 years, but it came back and he passed away from it. Fred Dalton Thompson was just a mere 73 years-old.) - 11/01/15
COLIN WELLAND (Screenwriter/Actor: Best known for winning the Academy Award® for his screenplay of CHARIOTS OF FIRE - 1981, Mr. Welland was also an accomplished actor as well as writer. His acting credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: JACKANORY - 1969 [5 episodes]; FRAUD SQUAD - 1969; KES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1965-1970; FOR THE LOVE OF ADA - 1970; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1970; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969-1970; VILLAIN - 1971 [Theatrical Film]; KATE - 1971; STRAW DOGS - 1971 [Theatrical Film;one of his most powerful roles as "Rev. Barney Hood"]; MAN AT THE TOP - 1972 [5 episodes]; VILLAGE HALL - 1974; THE SWEENEY - 1975; THE WILD WEST SHOW - 1975; MACHINEGUNNER - 1976 [TV Movie]; SWEENEY! - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; COTTAGE TO LET - 1977; THE COST OF LOVING - 1977; Z CARS - 1962-1978 - [88 episodes]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1974-1981 [4 episodes]; COWBOYS - 1980-1981 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; FARMERS ARMS - 1983 [TV Movie]; SCREENPLAY - 1987; DANCIN' THRU THE DARK - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; THE SECRET LIFE OF IAN FLEMING - 1990 [TV Movie]; MADE IN HEAVEN - 1990; FOR THE GREATER GOOD - 1992; SCREEN TWO - 1993; THE FIX - 1997 [TV Movie]; TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - 1997; BRAMWELL - 1998 [TV mini-series; his last acting role]. As A Writer [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1970; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969-1971 [3 episodes]; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1971; SCENE - 1972; LOVE AT 50 - 1973 [German TV Movie]; THE WILD WEST SHOW - 1975 [6 episodes]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970-1976 [5 episodes]; YANKS - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; CHARIOTS OF FIRE - 1981 [Theatrical Film; Academy Award® winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen]; TWICE IN A LIFETIME - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; A DRY WHITE SEASON - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; WAR OF THE BUTTONS - 1994 [Theatrical Film; one of my favorites]; SCREEN ONE - 1994 [his last writing assignment]. His first film appearance is perhaps still his best-loved, the sympathetic Mr. Farthing in KEA - 1969, for which he won a BAFTA®. Welland started in television in 1962 with his role of Constable David Graham in the long-running police serial Z CARS - 1962. With its groundbreaking grittiness the series introduced a new realism to the genre. Welland stayed with the show until 1965, by which time he was a household name. He reappeared with the other stars from the early years of Z CARS in the show's finale in 1978. In 1979 he put in one of his most memorable TV performances in Dennis Potter's award-winning play PLAY FOR TODAY: BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS - 1979, which recalled the days of the author's childhood. Playing the role of a child, Welland cavorted gleefully around woods and fields crammed into a pair of boy's shorts. Colin Welland passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease and was 81 years-old.) - 11/02/15
MELISSA MATHISON (Screenwriter/Producer: Her credits list may be small, but there was nothing small about the films. Ms. Mathison, whowas once married to Harrison Ford [but that's neither here or there], was a talented screenwriter as the following credits will show: THE BLACK STALLION - 1979; E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL - 1982 [Also Associate Producer; Nominated for an Academy Award®, Golden Globe® & BAFTA® for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen]; THE ESCAPE ARTIST - 1982; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983 [Wrote the "Kick The Can" episode under the name "Josh Rogan"]; SON OF THE MORNING STAR - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD - 1995; KUNDUN - 1997 [Also Co-Producer]; THE BFG - 2016 [her last credit]. Ms. Mathison was also a Location Assistant on THE GODFATHER PART II - 1974; Executive Assistant on APOCALYPSE NOW - 1978; and Storyline Consultant: English Dubbed Version on PONYO - 2008. Melissa Mathison passed away from an unknown illness and was just 65 years-old.) - 11/04/15
GEORGE BARRIS (TV & Movie Car Designer/Actor: Known for his designs of the 60's TV series Batmobile, K.I.T.T. on KNIGHT RIDER - 1982-1986, and the eerie Devil-possessed automobile in THE CAR - 1977, Barris was a master car designer, who also dabbled into acting and other film-related business. His credits as a car designer included: HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL - 1958; CINDERFELLA - 1960; FOR THOSE WHO THINK YOUNG - 1963; THE PATSY - 1964; THE MUNSTERS - 1965 [TV Series]; MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS - 1965; THE SILENCERS - 1966; OUT OF SIGHT - 1966; FIREBALL 500 - 1966; BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966; THUNDER ALLEY - 1967; MANNIX - 1967 [TV Series]; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966-1967 [TV Series]; THE LOVE BUG - 1968; THE BANANNA SPLITS ADVENTURE HOUR - 1968 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1962-1968 [TV Series]; THE BUGALOOS - 1970-1971 [TV Series; 14 episodes]; BEARCATS! - 1971 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; SUPERVAN - 1977 [also Actor]; THE CAR - 1977; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979 [TV Series]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1982 [TV Series]; JURASSIC PARK - 1993; TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE - 1997; JAMES DEAN: RACE WITH DESTINY - 1997 [TV Movie; He was great friends with James Dean; his last credit]. George Barris also was a bit actor on PIT STOP - 1966; MAG WHEELS - 1978 [also Executive Producer] , SMOKEY AND THE HOTWIRE GANG - 1979, and THE JUNKMAN - 1982. He also Executive Produced/Wrote/Acted in DISCO FEVER - 1978. He was a Co-Director/Co-Producer of JUKE BOX RACKET - 1960. He also got a "Thanks" on DEADLINE AUTO THEFT - 1983. He also appeared in many documentaries and the last time we saw him on TV was as himself on a 2013 episode of AMERICAN PICKERS. George Barris passed away due to complications of cancer and was 89 years-old.) - 11/05/15
GUNNAR HANSEN (Actor: Known primarily as "Leatherface" in the first THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE - 1974 [and, yes, "chain" and "saw" were separate words back then], Hansen turned that role into a film and convention career [I must have met him more than 25 times at conventions and we always talked because we were of the same stature and were interested in things other than horror films [tattoos being one of them]. Just a note to horror conventioneers: not all film icons want to talk about their careers. Talk about something non-film related with them and see what happens.]. I liked Gunnar. He was a personable guy who always knew my name and always gave me a firm handshake, Sad to hear he is no longer with us: His credits as an actor included: THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE - 1974; THE DEMONLOVER - 1977 [After acting in this movie, he decided to quit acting and continued his dream of writing, but after being offered many jobs that he refused {including THE HILLS HAVE EYES - 1977 and EATEN ALIVE - 1976} he decided that he could both: be an actor and a writer.]; HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS - 1988; CAMPFIRE TALES - 1991; MOSQUITO - 1995 [my favorite role of his]; FREAKSHOW - 1995; EXPLODING ANGEL - 1995; REPLIGATOR - 1996; HELLBLOCK 13 - 1999; HATRED OF A MINUTE - 2002; WITCHHUNTER - 2002 [MFHV]; RACHEL'S ATTIC - 2002; SINISTER - 2002 [Short]; NEXT VICTIM - 2003; THE BUSINESS - 2004 [Video Short]; CHAINSAW SALLY - 2004; MURDER-SET-PIECES - 2004 [One of the most controversial films he appeared in]; ACONITE - 2005; APOCALYPSE AND THE BEAUTY QUEEN - 2005; THE DEEPENING - 2006; DEBBIE ROCHON CONFIDENTIAL - 2006; SWARM OF THE SNAKEHEAD - 2006; BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY - 2007; SHUDDER - 2007 [MFHV]; GIMME SKELTER - 2007; REYKJAVIK WHALE WATCHING MASSACRE - 2009; WON TON BABY! - 2009; IT CAME FROM TRAFALGAR - 2009; TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D - 2013; SUMMER COLONY - 2013 [Video Documentary]; THE GATHERING - 2015 [his last film]. Mr. Hansen also wrote the documentary DANCING AT THE THE MILL - 2011 and the film DEATH HOUSE [still in pre-production at the time of his death]. He also did about a dozen documentaries about his Leatherface character and horror films in general. He was born in Reykjavik, Iceland and moved to the United States at the age of 5. Gunnar lived in Maine till he was 11, then his family moved to Texas, where he went to high school and then the University of Texas. He majored in English and mathematics and then went to graduate school in Scandinavian Studies and English. His first job out of high school was as a computer operator. Hansen was a graduate from the University of Texas - Austin. He did some theater work in college. In the summer of 1973 he heard that Tobe Hooper and others were in town and were doing a movie and decided to give it a try. After interviewing with Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, the writer of TCM, he got the part of Leatherface the retarded killer. After TCM he tried to make a living as a writer. Gunnar worked as a magazine editor for a while and then wrote for a magazine for several years. He has written several screenplays, one with his partner Gary Jones [director of MOSQUITO - 1995]. Hansen has also written books and some film documentaries. Gunnar, who is originally from Iceland, also directed a documentary on Greenland. He also spent some time designing web pages for GTE. His Leatherface character also turned up on TV in AMERICAN PSYCHO - 2000. Gunnar Hansen passed away from pancreatic cancer [Please, will someone come up with a cure?] and was just 68 years-old.) - 11/07/15
NATHANIEL MARSTON (Actor: Mr. Marston was in a seroius automobile accident on October 30, 2015, but passed away on this date due to his extensive injuries. He was nest known as "Michael McBain" on the TV Soap Opera ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 2001-2007, he also had a few other credits, including a 2011 Christmas film in which he was the star and got very good reviews. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; MATT WATERS - 1996 [6 episodes]; THE CRAFT - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; LOVE IS ALL THERE IS - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; EDUCATING MATT WATERS - 1996 [TV Movie]; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1998-1999 [3 episodes]; ORDINARY SINNER - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM - 2002 [TV Movie]; CIAO AMERICA - 2002 [Theatrical Film]; THE PAW - 2005 [Short; also Co-Producer]; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 2001-2007 [198 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2008; WHITE COLLAR - 2010; CASTLE - 2010; BLUE BLOODS - 2011; WALK A MILE IN MY PRADAS - 2011 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Nathaniel Marston was only 40 years-old.) - 11/10/15
SAEED JAFFREY (Actor: India-born actor who found much success on English films and television. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1963; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1965; Z-CARS - 1967; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1969; THE GURU - 1969 [TF]; CALLAN - 1969; MOGUL - 1967-1969 [3 episodes]; STRANGE REPORT - 1069; THE DOCTORS - 1970; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1970;THE HORSEMEN - 1971 [TF]; ADAM SMITH - 1972 [3 episodes]; THE PROTECTORS - 1973; THE REGIMENT - 1973; THE ADVENTURES OF BLACK BEAUTY - 1973; NOTORIOUS WOMAN - 1974 [TV mini-series]; THE WILBY CONSPIRACY - 1975 [TF]; TWO'S COMPANY - 1975; THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING - 1975 [TF; wonderful in this film]; PLAYS FOR BRITAIN - 1976; LUCKY FELLER - 1976; THE CHESS PLAYERS - 1977 [TF]; GANGSTERS - 1976-1978 [11 episodes]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1975-1978 [3 episodes]; RACE FOR SURVIVAL - 1978 [TV Movie]; HULLABALOO OVER GEORGIE AND BONNIE'S PICTURES - 1978 [TV Movie]; CROWN COURT - 1975-1979 [3 episodes]; TURTLE'S PROGRESS - 1979; THE LAST GIRAFFE - 1979 [TV Movie]; MINDER - 1979; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980; STAYING ON - 1980 [TV Movie]; SPHINX - 1981 [TF]; CHASHME BUDDOOR - 1981 [TF]; STRANGERS - 1981; STAR - 1982 [TF]; GANDHI - 1982 [TF]; AAGMAN - 1982 [TF]; ROMANCE - 1983 [TF]; THE FAR PAVILLIONS - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN - 1984 [TV mini-series]; ME AND MY GIRL - 1984; THE RAZOR'S EDGE - 1984 [TF]; MITCH - 1984; A PASSAGE TO INDIA - 1984 [TF]; CRICKETER - 1985 [TF]; MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE - 1985 [TF]; LOVE MATCH - 1986 [TV Movie]; DARKNESS - 1986 [TV mini-series]; A KILLING ON THE EXCHANGE - 1987 [TV mini-series]; PARTITION - 1987 [TF]; AVAM - 1987 [TF]; TANDOORI NIGHTS - 1985-1987 [12 episodes]; BEYOND THE NEXT MOUNTAIN - 1987 [TF]; DIAMOND'S EDGE - 1988 [TF]; THE DECEIVERS - 1988 [TF]; HARD CASES - 1989; AFTER MIDNIGHT - 1990 [TF]; THE VILLAGE BY THE SEA - 1991; RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY - 1991; 15TH AUGUST - 1993 [TF]; LITTLE NAPOLEANS - 1994 [TV mini-series]; STAGES - 1994; BOLLYWOOD - 1994 [TF]; SOMETIME, NEVER - 1995; GAMBLER - 1995 [TF]; LIVE TODAY - 1995 [TF}; LULU - 1996 [TF]; BANDIT LOVERS - 1997 [TF]; COMMON AS MUCK - 1994-1997 [8 episodes]; THE JOURNEY - 1997 [TF]; GRANDPA CHATTERJEE - 1997 [TV Movie]; AUNTY NO. 1 - 1998 [TV Movie]; GURU IN SEVEN - 1998 [TF]; CORONATION STREET - 1999 [4 episodes]; BEING CONSIDERED - 2000 [TF]; THE CANTERBURY TALES - 2000; SECOND GENERATION - 2000 [TF]; ON WINGS OF FIRE - 2001 [TF]; PERFECT WORLD - 2001; MR. IN-BETWEEN - 2001 [TF]; SNAPSHOTS - 2002 [TF}; MAD DOGS - 2002 [TF]; DAY OF THE SIRENS - 2002 [TF]; THE DETECTIVE LYNLEY MYSTERIES - 2003; CROSS MY HEART - 2003 [TF]; WHO IS IN MY DREAM? - 2004 [TF]; HOLBY CITY - 2004; DOCTORS - 2004; BE MORE ETHNIC - 2007 [TV Movie]; THE BATTLE FOR BUNKER HILL - 2008 [TF]; EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE - 2011 [TF; his last acting credit]. Mr. Jaffrey also starred in about 50 films from his homeland in India and was just as popular there as he was in England. In the 1960s he made numerous stage appearances and participated in a number of tours. He also started his U.S.
television career in these years. He was the director of publicity and advertising for the Government of India in their Tourist Office in the U.S. from 1958 to 1960. His performance in the BBC classic GANGSTERS - 1976, as "Rafiq" earned him countrywide recognition in the United Kingdom. This was even though he had acted in Theatres and appeared on television previously in the U.K. During this period he acted in the off-Broadway play "A Tenth of an Inch Make The Difference" written and directed by Rolf Forsberg, who later cast Saeed Jaffrey and his wife Madhur in the noted short films, PARABLE in 1964, and STALKED, starring Jack Hawkins, in 1968. Mr. Jaffrey began his feature film career acting in the movie THE GURU [1969], and since then has made numerous film appearances along with Hollywood stars such as Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan etc. He had, since then, worked with directors of high caliber such as Satyajit Ray, James Ivory, David Lean and Richard Attenborough. He was a member of the Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He was known over the world for his impeccable English accent, his dapper style and his catch phrase "My dear boy". They form part of an acting persona that audiences have always found enchanting. He used his smooth charm to good effect whether he is playing the archetypal oily, corrupt businessman or the kindly, knowing, father like figure. He was the first Asian to have received British and Canadian Academy Award nominations for acting, and is the first ever to be awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to drama. Saeed Jaffrey suffered a brain hemorrhage was 86 years-old.) - 11/14/15
DAVID CANARY (Actor): Known mainly today for his work on TV soap operas, especially ALL MY CHILDREN, where he portrayed good and bad twin brothers Stuart and Adam Chandler, for nearly 30 years. Mr. Canary was better known to Baby Boomers as one of the stars of BONANZA fo six years. He was an accomplished actor [He won 5 Daytime Emmy Awards®] who appeared in many TV series and theatrical films. He was a great character actor. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]; PEYTON PLACE - 1965 - 1966 [27episodes]; HOMBRE - 1967 [Theatrical Film}; GUNSMOKE - 1967; THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; DUNDEE AND CULHANE - 1967; CIMARRON STRIP - 1968; THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE F.B.I. - 1971; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1971; BEARCATS! - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971-1972; INCIDENT ON A DARK STREET - 1972 [TV Movie]; BONANZA - 1967-1973 [91 episodes]; KUNG FU - 1973; POLICE STORY - 1973; MELVIN PURVIS, G-MAN - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE ROOKIES - 1973-1974; SHARK'S TREASURE - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; POSSE - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; JOHNNY FIRECLOUD - 1975 [Theatrical Film; One of my favorite roles. Canary plays a gay police officer who understands Johnny's motivations]; S.W.A.T. - 1975; THE DAIN CURSE - 1978 [TV mini-series]; SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1978; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1982; ANOTHER WORLD - 1982; IN A PIG'S EYE - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; REMEMBER WENN - 1997; LAW & ORDER - 1998 [You could not be a New York actor without appearing in at least one incarnation of this show]; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 2000 [Unknown amount of episodes]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2001; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 2005 [Unknown episodes]; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2011; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1984 - 2011 [hundreds of episodes; 5 Daytime Emmy Awards {1986; 1988; 1989; 1993; 2001} for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 2013 [11 episodes for the soap's finale; his last acting role]. David Canary's background was a very interesting one. In addition to playing Candy Canaday on BONANZA - 1967-1973, he has some noteworthy western forbears in his own family. He is the great-great-nephew of Martha Jane Canary, a.k.a. Calamity Jane. He was a student of Kung Fu by teacher Chuck Norris. During a contract dispute in 1967 between actor Leonard Nimoy and the producers of STAR TREK - 1966-1969, Canary was a strong contender as a replacement for Mr. Spock. He made guest appearances on both of the longest running prime time dramas in US television history: GUNSMOKE and LAW & ORDER. He was also a trained singer. Even though he officially retired from acting in 2010, he was coaxed out of it a couple of times by his soap opera buddies and some Broadway plays. Mr. Canary was 77 years-old.) - 11/16/15
REX REASON (Actor: Mr. Reason was a workmanlike actor [his actor brother Rhodes Reason passed away less than a year earlier] who is best known for some of his horror and Western films. His credits included: SCARAMOUCHE - 1952; MODELS INC - 1952; STORM OVER TIBET -1952; SALOME - 1953; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1953 [TV Series]; MISSION OVER KOREA - 1953; CHINA VENTURE - 1952; TAZA, SON OF COCHISE - 1954; O'ROURKE OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED - 1954; YANKEE PASHA - 1954; SIGN OF THE PAGAN - 1954; SMOKE SIGNAL - 1954; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1954-1955 [TV Series]; THIS ISLAND EARTH - 1955 [probably his best-known film]; ALLAN IN MOVIELAND - 1955 [TV Movie]; KISS OF FIRE - 1955; LADY GODIVA OF COVENTRY - 1955; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US - 1956; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956 [TV Series]; TALES OF THE 77TH BENGAL LANCERS - 1957 [TV Series]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953-1957 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; BADLANDS OF MONTANA - 1957; CONFLICT - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; BAND OF ANGELS - 1957; UNDER FIRE - 1957; THE WEB - 1957 [TV Series]; TRACKDOWN - 1957 [TV Series]; THE RAWHIDE TRAIL - 1958; THUNDERING JETS - 1958; THE SAD HORSE - 1959; THE MIRACLE OF THE HILLS - 1959; MAN WITHOUT A GUN - 1957-1959 [TV Series Star; 59 episodes]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1960 [TV Series]; BRONCO - 1960 [TV Series]; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1960 [TV Series]; SUGARFOOT - 1960; THE ALASKANS - 1960 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE ROARING 20'S [TV Series Star; 28 episodes]; PERRY MASON - 1962 [TV Series]; G.E. TRUE - 1963 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1963 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Rex Reason left show business to become a real estate agent, where he did very well for himself. He recently did convention signings because of the renewed popularity of THIS ISLAND EARTH and THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US. Rex Reason died of bladder cancer and was 86 years-old.) - 11/19/15
GERMAN ROBLES (Actor: I spent many nights with Mr. Robles, watching him portray vampires and other bad [and good] guys in Mexican horror films that K. Gordon Murray edited and redubbed into English for TV and theaters. I don't care what anyone says; the Mexican horror films of the 50's & 60's were some of the most atmospheric films at the time and German Robles was a huge part of them. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE VAMPIRE - 1957; THE VAMPIRE'S COFFIN - 1958; CASTLE OF THEMONSTERS - 1958; THE LIFE OF AGUSTIN LARA - 1959; PUEBLO EN ARMAS - 1959; LA SAMBRA EN DEFENSA DE LA JUVENTUD; VIVA LA DOLDADERA - 1960; THE CURSE OF NOSTRADAMUS - 1960; LA FURIA DEL RING - 1961; WHERE ARE YOUR HEART? - 1961; THE BLOOD OF NOSTRADAMAS - 1962; NOSTRADAMUS AND THE DESTROYER OF MONSTERS - 1962; THE BRAINIAC - 1962 [my favorite of his films]; GENII OF DARKNESS - 1962; THE LIVING HEAD - 1963; EN LA VIEJA CALIFORNIA - 1963; CURSED INHERITANCE - 1963; LAS BRAVOS DE CALIFORNIA - 1963; NARCOTICS DIVISION - 1963; SEMAFORO EN ROJO - 1964; EL RIO DE LAS ANIMAS - 1964; FRENTA AL DESTINO - 1964; THE FIGHT FOR GLORY - 1964; DOS CABALLEROS DE ESPADA - 1964; LOS MURCIELAGOS - 1964; EL HOMBRE PROPONE - 1965; EL ZURDO - 1965; NEUTRON BATTLES THE KARATE ASSASSINS - 1965; THE TRIAL OF CHRIST - 1966; THREE COMEDIES OF LOVE - 1966; DEBORAH - 1967 [TV Series]; ROCAMBOLE CONTRA LA SECTA DEL ESCORPION - 1967; THE CHINESE ROOM - 1968; UN TORO ME LLAMA - 1968; TRAMPA PARA UN CADAVER - 1969; ALMOHADA PARA TRES (1969); THE PHANTOM GUNSLINGER - 1970; EL JARDIN DE LA TIA ISABEL - 1971; EL ARTE DE ENGANAR - 1973; PENTHOUSE - 1973 [TV Series]; EL TIGRE DE SANTA JULIA - 1974; THE VAMPIRES OF COYOACAN - 1974; RAPINA - 1975; TIEMPO Y DESTIEMPO - 1976; FRAY BARTOLOME DE LAS CASAS - 1993; MARISOL - 1996 [TV Series; 80 episodes]; RECLUSORIO - 1997; LA PALOMA DE MARSELLA - 1999; FRIENDS FOREVER - 2000 [TV Series]; SERAFIN: THE MOVIE - 2001 [voice only]; LA LEYENDA DE LA NAHUALA - 2007 [voice only]; PASION - 2007 [TV Series]; THE SECRET - 2010 [his last acting role]. I mentioned a lot of Spanish titles because they were horror or thriller films which have yet to be dubbed or subbed into English. Mr. Robles spent much of the 1980's doing dozens of TV series, none of which were translated for the English speaking crowd. Mr. Robles was also a popular voiceover artist for many of the top animation and non-animation films and U.S. TV Series when they were shown in Mexico and Spain. He dubbed Macdonald Carey on the soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES; KITT [William Daniels] on KNIGHT RIDER; McLean Stevenson and Harry Morgan on M*A*S*H*; Bill Nighy on THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films; Peter O'Toole on RATATOUILLE; Jonathan Harris on A BUG'S LIFE; Earl Boen on both TERMINATOR and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY; and Christopher Lloyd on ANASTASIA. He also directed one episode of the Mexican TV Series EL OTRO - 1960 and 21 episodes of MARISOL - 1996. German Robles died due to complications of COPD and was 86 years-old.) - 11/21/15
MARJORIE LORD (Actress: Best known as playing Danny Thomas' wife on the long-running TV Series MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1957-1964, Ms. Lord was an actress since the 1930's. Her credits included: BORDER CAFE - 1937; ON AGAIN-OFF AGAIN - 1937; FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS - 1937; HIDEAWAY - 1937; HIGH FLYERS - 1937; GIRL'S SCHOOL - 1938; THE MIDDLETON FAMILY AT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR - 1939; ESCAPE FROM HONG KONG - 1942; TIMBER! - 1942; MOONLIGHT IN HAVANA- 1942; THE ADVENTURES OF SMILIN' JACK - 1943; HI, BUDDY - 1943; SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON - 1943; SHANTYTOWN - 1943; JOHNNY COME LATELY - 1943; FLESH AND FANTASY - 1943; PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - 1947 [TV Series]; NEW ORLEANS - 1947; THE ARGYLE SECRETS - 1948; THE STRANGE MRS. CRANE - 1948; YOUR SHOW TIME - 1949 [TV Series]; AIR HOSTESS - 1949; MASKED RAIDERS - 1949; RIDING HIGH - 1950; THE LOSTVOLCANO - 1950; CHAIN GANG - 1950; THE MAGNAVOX THEATRE - 1950 [TV Show]; STOP THAT CAB - 1951; RACKET SQUAD - 1951 [TV Series]; THE ADVENTURES OF KIT CARSON - 1951 [TV Series]; THE VALPARAISO STORY - 1951; CHINA SMITH - 1952 [TV Series]; RAMAR OF THE JUNGLE - 1953 [TV Series]; HOLLYWOOD OPENING NIGHT - 1953 [TV Series]; CHEVRON THEATRE - 1953 [TV Series]; REBEL CITY - 1953; DOWN LAREDO WAY - 1953; MEXICAN MANHUNT - 1953; MCCOY FROM ABILENE - 1953 [TV Movie]; BIG TOWN - 1954 [TV Series]; FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1954 [TV Series]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1954; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1954; HOPALONG CASSIDY - 1954; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1950-1954 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; CROWN THEATRE WITH GLORIA SWANSON - 1954 [TV Series]; THE LONE WOLF - 1954 [TV Series]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1952-1954 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; PORT OF HELL -1954; CLIMAX! - 1954 [TV Series]; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1954-1955 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THUNDER OVER SANGOLAND - 1955 [Three episodes of RAMAR OF THE JUNGLE edited together and released as a theatrical film]; THE LONE RANGER - 1950-1955 [TV Series]; THE STAR AND THE STORY - 1955 [TV Series]; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1955 [TV Series]; TV READER'S DIGEST - 1956 [TV Series]; WIRE SERVICE - 1956 [TV Series]; THE ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1958 [TV Series]; THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR - 1958; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 196i [TV Series]; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1957-1964 [TV Series; 228 episodes]; SPECIAL FOR WOMEN: THE MENACE OF AGE - 1964 [TV Special]; THE DANNY THOMAS REUNION SPECIAL - 1965 [TV Series]; BOY, DID I GET A WRONG NUMBER! - 1966; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1967 [TV Series]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969 [TV Series]; MAKE ROOM FOR GRANDDADDY - 1970-1971 [TV Series; 24 episodes]; THIS CHILD IS MINE - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE MISSING ARE DEADLY - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977 [TV Series]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978 [TV Series]; THE PIRATE - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980 [TV Series]; SWEET SURRENDER - 1987 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; SIDE BY SIDE - 1988 [TV Movie; her last acting role]. Ms Lord recieved a Star on The Walk of Fame on On February 8, 1960 at 6317 Hollywood Blvd. Ms. Lord was also a singer anf belted out songs on MAKE ROOM FOR FADDY and several other series, some of them talk/variety shows like THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1960, THE JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW - 1962 and THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW - 1963. She was also a panelist on the game show PASSWORD ALL STARS during the 1963 to 1964 season. Marjorie Lord was also the mother of actress Ann Archer. Ms. Lord died of natural causes and was 97 years-old.) - 11/28/15
WILL MACMILLAN (Actor: Best known for his hard-to-find DTV VHS movie CARDS OF DEATH [1986], Mr. MacMillan was an accomplished actor, even appearing in an early George A. Romero film. His credits included: GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1963 - 1969 TV Soap; Unknown episodes, but they were in the hundreds. IMDb doesn't even have him listed as being on this soap opera because they don't list actors on the soap until after 1985. Sometimes IMDb can be a real tool {not the good kind}]; WHITE RAT - 1972; THE CRAZIES - 1973; THE SISTER-IN-LAW - 1974; THE ENFORCER - 1976; THREE'S COMPANY - 1977 [TV Series]; ENOLA GAY: THE MEN, THE MISSION, THE ATOMIC BOMB - 1980 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1981 [TV Series]; LITTLEHOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1981-1982 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1981-1982 [TV Series]; FATHER MURPHY - 1982 [TV Series]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1983 [TV Series]; TIN MAN - 1983; THE A-TEAM - 1984 [TV Series]; RIPTIDE - 1985 [TV Series]; HUNTER - 1985 [TV Series]; CARDS OF DEATH - 1986 [MFHV; also Director, Writer & Producer; one of the most sought-after VHS tapes on the market, which only had a small tape release in Japan on 1986 and then an even smaller one in 2014; One day it will be released on disc, so everyone can enjoy it]; SALVADOR - 1986; MOONLIGHTING - 1986 [TV Series]; FAME - 1987 [TV Series]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1987; WEREWOLF - 1987 [TV Series]; KNOTS LANDING - 1986 [TV Series]; NEARLY DEPARTED - 1989 [TV Series]; CHAMELEONS - 1989 [TV Movie]; FINE THINGS - 1990 [TV Movie]; DARK ROMANCES: VOL. 1 - 1990 [MFHV]; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1991 [TV Series]; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1991 [TV Series]; L.A. LAW - 1991 [TV Series]; GUNS OF PARADISE - 1991 [TV Series]; REASONABLE DOUBTS - 1991 [TV Series]; LIFE GOES ON - 1991 [TV Series]; MATLOCK - 1989-1992 [TV Series]; RENEGADE - 1992 [TV Series]; WILLING TO KILL: THE TEXAS CHEERLEADER STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; ASPEN EXTREME - 1993; HOMEFRONT - 1993 [TV Series]; DANGER THEATRE - 1993 [TV Series]; BAD GIRLS - 1994; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1994 [TV Series]; SCHEMES - 1994 [MFHV]; MURDER ONE - 1995 [TV Series]; BEVERLY HILLS 90210 - 1997 [TV Series]; NYPD BLUE - 1999 [TV Series]; LAS VEGAS - 2004 [TV Series]; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 2004 [TV Soap; unknown episodes]; MONARCH OF THE MOON - 2005; THE WEST WING - 2005 [TV Series]; CLOSE TO HOME - 2006 [TV Series]; JADA - 2008; RAISING THE BAR - 2008 [TV Series]; HOUSE ARREST - 2012; his final acting role]; DESTINY TRAIL - 2015 [Director & Executive Producer only]. He was also heavily involved in theater and appeared in a few short films. Will MacMillan was 71 years-old.) - 12/02/15
ANTHONY VALENTINE (Actor: Popular British actor who has been acting since the 1940s and appeared on his share of horror films. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: NO WAY BACK - 1949 [TF]; ALADDIN - 1951 [TV Movie]; EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES - 1952; RHEINGOLD THEATRE - 1953; CAPTAIN BRASSBOUND'S CONVERSATION - 1953 [TV Movie]; STRANGER IN THE HOUSE - 1953 [TV Movie]; VICE VERSA - 1953 [TV mini-series]; THE GIRL ON THE PIER - 1953 [TF]; ADVENTURE IN THE HOPFIELDS - 1954 [TF]; JOHNNIE'S NIGHT OUT - 1954 [TV Movie]; THE SECRET WAY - 1954 [TV Movie]; MY UNCLE ROLLO - 1954 [TV Movie]; THE BRAIN MACHINE - 1955 [TF]; THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST - 1955 [6 episodes]; FUN AT ST. FANNIES - 1955 [TF]; REX MILLIGAN - 1956 [6 episodes]; AGGIE - 1957 [TV Movie]; THEWHARF ROAD MOB - 1957 [TF]; BILLY BUNTER AT GREYFRIARS SCHOOL - 1955-1957 [15 episodes]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1958; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1958; THE SCARF - 1959 [3 episodes]; THE CORNET PLAYER - 1960 [TV Movie]; THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS - 1960 [TF]; THE TRUE MISTERY OF THE PASSION - 1960 [TV Movie]; AN AGE OF KINGS - 1960 [13 episodes]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1961; A FOR ANDROMEDA - 1961; THESE ARE THE DAMNED - 1963 [TF]; RIVIERA POLICE - 1965; LOVE STORY - 1966; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1966; INTRIGUE - 1966; THIS MAN CRAIG - 1967; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1967; THE AVENGERS - 1967-1968; SOFTLY SOFTLY - 1969; SCOBIE IN SEPTEMBER - 1969 [6 episodes]; DR. FINLAY'S CASEBOOK - 1969 [3 episodes]; THE EXPERT - 1969 [3 episodes]; TAKE THREE GIRLS - 1969; DEPARTMENT S - 1970; CODENAME - 1970 [13 episodes]; PERFORMANCE - 1970 [TF]; PUT OUT MORE FLAGS - 1970 [TV Movie]; BUDGIE - 1971; SUNSET SONG - 1972 [TV mini-series]; HORROR ON SNAPE ISLAND - 1972 [TF]; CALLAN - 1967-1972 [30 episodes]; Z CARS - 1972 [3 episodes]; THE PATHFINDERS - 1972; THE DONATI CONSPIRACY - 1973 [3 episodes]; SPYTRAP - 1973; COLDITZ - 1974 [11 episodes]; WHODUNNIT - 1974; JUSTICE - 1971-1974 [9 episodes]; FEAR IS SPREADING - 1975 [TV Movie]; SPACE: 1999 - 1975; ARMCHAIR CINEMA - 1975; TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER - 1976 [TF]; THE DANCING YEARS - 1976 [TV Movie]; ALIEN ATTACK - 1976 [TV Movie]; RAFFLES - 1975-1977 [14 episodes]; ESCAPE TO ATHENA - 1979 [TF]; CARPATHIAN EAGLE - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MONSTER CLUB - 1981 [TF]; MASADA - 1981 [TV mini-series]; MURDER IS EASY - 1982 [TV Movie]; AIRLINE - 1982; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980-1982; THE PLAGUE DOGS - 1982 [TF; Voice only]; BERGERAC - 1983; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1982-1983; MINDER - 1979-1983 [3 episodes]; KILLER EXPOSED - 1984 [TV Movie]; ROBIN HOOD - 1984-1985; LIME STREET - 1985; PULASKI: THE TV DETECTIVE - 1987; A FATHER'S REVENGE - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE DIRTY DOZEN: THE FATAL MISSION - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE FEAR - 1988 [5 episodes]; HANNAY - 1989; AFTER THE WAR - 1989 [TV mini-series]; BOON - 1989; LOVEJOY - 1986-1991; THE CASE-BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1991; STAY LUCKY - 1991; THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT - 1991; MOON AND SON - 1992; VAN DER VALK - 1992; THE FIFTH CORNER - 1992; COVINGTON CROSS - 1992; RIDERS - 1993; BODY & SOUL - 1993 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; AGE OF TREASON - 1993 [TV Movie]; JEFFERSON IN PARIS - 1995 [TF]; ASIAN CONNECTION: MIDNIGHT ORCHID - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE KNOCK - 1994-1996 [13 episodes]; THE WAY TO DUSTY DEATH - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE DETECTIVES - 1994-1997; THE HOUSE OF ANGELO - 1997 [TF]; DIANA: A TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE'S PRINCESS - 1998; CUISINE AMERICAINE - 1998 [TF]; THE BILL - 1998; WAKING THE DEAD - 2001; TWO MEN WENT TO WAR - 2002 [TF]; JUDGE JOHN DEED - 2002; THE COMMANDER: VIRUS - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE COMMANDER: BLACKDOG - 2005 [TV Movie]; HEARTBEAT - 2006; NUREMBERG: NAZIS ON TRIAL - 2006 [TV mini-series]; THE LAST DETECTIVE - 2007; THE COMMANDER: ABDUCTION - 2008 [TV Movie]; CASUALTY - 2009; CORONATION STREET - 2009-2010 [36 episodes]; CHUGGINGTON - 2010 [Voice only]; CHUGGINGTON: VISION QUEST [TV Mini-series; Voice only; his last credit]. Anthony Valentine passed away due to complications of Parkinson's disease and was 76 years-old.) - 12/02/15
ROBERT LOGGIA (Actor: One of the great actors of several generations. His filmography feels like a "best-of" list. He will be fondly remembered for his roles in movies like SCARFACE - 1983, but he started out doing nearly every TV Series during the 60's, 70's & 80's and has done much, much better work than DePalma's masterwork. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME - 1956; THE GARMENT JUNGLE - 1957; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1956-1957 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; MATINEE THEATER - 1958 [TV Series]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958 [TV Series]; COP HATER - 1958; THE LOST MISSILE - 1958; WAGON TRAIN - 1959; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1959 [TV Series]; ONE STEP BEYOND - 1960 {TV Series]; STRINDBERG ON LOVE - 1960 [TV Movie]; WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR - 1958-1960 [TV Series; 10 episodes]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1969 [TV Series]; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960 [TV Series]; AN ARABIAN NIGHT - 1960 [TV Movie]; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960 [TV Series]; NAKED CITY - 1961 [TV Series]; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1961 [TV Series]; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1961; ALFREDHITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1960-1962 [TV Series]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962 [TV Series]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962 [TV Theatre]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962 [TV Series]; THE ROBERT TAYLOR SHOW - 1963 [TV Series]; THE DEFENDERS - 1961-1963 [TV Series]; RAWHIDE - 1963 [TV Series]; CATTLE KING - 1963]; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963 [TV Series]; BREAKING POINT - 1964 [TV Series]; ROUTE 66 - 1964 [TV Series]; BEN CASEY - 1963-1964 [TV Series]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964 [TV Series]; GUNSMOKE - 1965 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD - 1965; COMBAT! - 1965 [TV Series]; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963-1965 [TV Series]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964-1965 [TV Series]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965 [TV Series]; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1965 [TV Series]; THE WACKIEST SHIP IN THE ARMY - 1966 [TV Series]; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1966 [TV Series]; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1966 [TV Series]; THE THREE SISTERS - 1966; T.H.E. CAT - 1966-1967 [TV Series; Lead Role; 26 episodes; one of my favorite TV shows. It still is.]; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1965-1967 [TV Series]; CUSTER - 1967 [TV Series]; TARZAN - 1968 [TV Series]; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968 [TV Series]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1968 [TV Series]; CHE! - 1969; THEN CAME BRONSON - 1969 [TV Series]; THE HIGH CHAPARREL - 1968-1970 [TV Series]; YOUNG DR. KILDARE - 1972 [TV Series]; THE F.B.I. - 1970-1972 [TV Series]; TURN THE OTHER CHEEK - 1974; KOJAK - 1975 [TV Series]; THE MANHUNTER - 1975 [TV Series]; MANNIX - 1975 [TV Series]; CARIBE - 1975 [TV Series]; HARRY O - 1975 [TV Series]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975 [TV Series]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1975 [TV Series]; MALLORY: CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE - 1976 [TV Movie]; CANNON - 1974-1976 [TV Series]; COLUMBO - 1976 [TV Series]; S.W.A.T. - 1975-1976 [TV Series]; STREET KILLING - 1976 [TV Movie]; SCOTT FREE - 1976 [TV Movie]; WONDER WOMAN - 1976 [TV Series]; THE MONEYCHANGERS - 1976 [TV mini-series]; RAID ON ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie]; SWITCH - 1977 [TV Series]; POLICE WOMAN - 1976-1977 [TV Series]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1977 [TV Series]; SPEEDTRAP - 1977; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1976-1977; FIRST LOVE - 1977; REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1978; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976-1978 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1978; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1975-1976 [TV Series]; SWORD OF JUSTICE - 1978 [TV Series]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1979 [TV Series]; NO OTHER LOVE - 1979 [TV Movie]; KAZ - 1979 [TV Series]; QUINCY M.E. - 1980 [TV Series; also Directed one episode]; THE NINTH CONFIGURATION - 1980; FLATFOOT ON THE NILE - 1980; VEGA$ - 1979-1980 [TV Series]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976-1980; CASINO - 1980 [TV Movie]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981 [TV Series]; NERO WOLFE - 1981 [TV Series]; HART TO HART - 1981 [TV Series; Directed one episode]; S.O.B. - 1981; A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA - 1982 [TV Movie]; AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN - 1982; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1982 [TV Series]; FALCON CREST - 1982 [TV Series]; TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1982; PSYCHO II - 1983; CURSE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1983; SCARFACE - 1983; THE FERRET - 1984 [TV Movie]; EMERALD POINT N.A.S. - 1983-1984 [TV Series Regular; 16 episodes]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1984 [TV Series]; MATT HOUSTON - 1984 [TV Series]; A TOUCH OF SCANDAL - 1984 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984 [TV Series]; PRIZZI'S HONOR - 1985; JAGGED EDGE - 1985 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]; STREETS OF JUSTICE - 1985 [TV Movie]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1986 [TV Series]; ARMED AND DANGEROUS - 1986; THAT'S LIFE! - 1986; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1980-1986 [TV Series; 3 episodes; also directed 2 episodes]; OVER THE TOP - 1987; HOT PURSUIT - 1987; CONSPIRACY: THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 8 - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE
BELIEVERS - 1987; GABY: A TRUE STORY - 1987; AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON - 1987; ECHOES IN THE DARKNESS - 1987 [TV Movie]; BIG - 1988 [Saturn Award® winner for Best Supporting Actor]; INTRIGUE - 1988 [TV Movie]; FAVORITE SON - 1988 [TV mini-series]; OLIVER & COMPANY - 1988 [voice only]; DREAM BREAKERS - 1989 [TV Movie]; RUNNING AWAY - 1989 [TV Movie]; RELENTLESS - 1989; TRIUMPH OF THE SPIRIT - 1989; OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS - 1990; MANCUSO, F.B.I. - 1989-1990 [TV Series Star; 20 episodes; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]; MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE MARRYING MAN - 1991; SUNDAY DINNER - 1991 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; NECESSARY ROUGHNESS - 1991; GLADIATOR - 1992; AFTERBURN - 1992 [TV Movie]; INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992 [My favorite Loggia performance. He could have just phoned the role in, but he literally sinks his teeth into it. And where else are you going to see Don Rickles die like that?]; SPIES INC. - 1992; WILD PALMS - 1993 [TV mini-series]; LIFEPOD - 1993 [TV Movie]; NURSES ON THE LINE: THE CRASH OF FLIGHT 7 - 1993 [TV Movie]; MERCY MISSION: THE RESCUE OF FLIGHT 771 - 1993 [TV Movie]; BAD GIRLS - 1994; THE LAST TATTOO - 1994; WHITE MILE - 1994 [TV Movie]; I LOVE TROUBLE - 1994; COLDBLOODED - 1995; JAKE LASSITER: JUSTICE ON THE BAYOU - 1995 [TV Movie]; BETWEEN LOVE AND HONOR - 1995 [TV Movie]; PICTURE WINDOWS - 1995 [TV Series]; MAN WITH A GUN - 1995; THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT - 1996 [TV Movie]; INDEPENDENCE DAY - 1996; MISTRIAL - 1996 [TV Movie]; PANDORA'S CLOCK - 1996 [TV Movie]; LOST HIGHWAY - 1997 [Unusual doesn't begin to describe Loggia's role]; SMILLA'S SENSE OF SNOW - 1997; THE DOG OF FLANDERS - 1997 [voice only]; THE DON'S ANALYST - 1997 [TV Movie]; JOE TORRE: CURVEBALLS ALONG THE WAY - 1997 [TV Movie]; STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD - 1998 [TV Series]; WIDE AWAKE - 1998; THE PROPOSITION - 1998; HOLY MAN - 1998; HARD TIME - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE SUBURBANS - 1999; JOAN OF ARC - 1999 [TV mini-series]; FLYPAPER - 1999; BONANNO: A GODFATHER'S STORY - 1999 [TV Movie]; LIVE VIRGIN - 1999; THE FEARING MIND - 2000 [TV Series]; RETURN TO ME - 2000; FRASIER - 2000 [TV Series]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 2000 [TV Series]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2000 [TV Series]; DHARMA & GREG - 2000 [TV Series]; DODSON'S JOURNEY - 2001 [TV Movie]; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2001 [TV Series; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]; THE GUARDIAN - 2001 [TV Series]; THE SHIPMENT - 2001 [very underrated comedy thriller]; ALL OVER AGAIN - 2001; THE SOPRANOS - 2004 [Pay Cable Series; 4 episodes]; KOJAK - 2005 [TV Series]; THE DEAL - 2005; FUNNY MONEY - 2006; RAIN - 2006; FORGET ABOUT IT - 2006; TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR - 2006 [TV Series]; WILD SEVEN - 2006; QUEENS SUPREME - 2003-2007 [TV Series; 13 episodes]; THE BONEYARD COLLECTION - 2008; HER MORBID DESIRES - 2008 [MFHV]; MONK - 2008 [TV Series]; THE LEAST OF THESE - 2008; SHRINK - 2009; HARVEST - 2010 [Charlotte Film Festival Award® winner for Best Actor]; OBITUARY OF THE SUN - 2010; HAWAII FIVE-O - 2010 [TV Series; one of the few actors to appear on both versions of the show]; FAKE - 2011; THE GRAND THEFT - 2011; THE GREAT FIGHT - 2011; THE LIFE ZONE - 2011; MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE - 2011 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; APOSTLE PETER AND THE LAST SUPPER - 2012; TIM & ERIC'S BILLION DOLLAR MOVIE - 2012 [Loggia looked awful in this film]; THE DIARY
OF PRESTON PLUMMER - 2012; MARGARINE WARS - 2012; FAMILY GUY - 2011-2013 [TV Series; voice only]; REAL GANGSTERS - 2013; SNAPSHOT - 2014; SCAVENGER KILLERS - 2014; AN EVERGREEN CHRISTMAS - 2014; THE BIG FAT STONE - 2014; NO DEPOSIT - 2015; BLEEDING HEARTS - 2015; SICILIAN VAMPIRES - 2015; LA TRATTORIA SITCOM - 2015 [TV Movie]; 12 ANGRY MEN AND WOMEN - 2016 [Northeast Film Festival Award® winner for Best Ensemble Cast]; RENAISSANCE MAN - 2016; HOSPITAL ARREST - 2016 [his final film]. As you can see, Robert Loggia was just as comfortable on TV as he was in films. A real rare bird. Here's what he had to say in 2011 about the making of SCARFACE - 1983: "We rehearsed our Scarface [1983] to the nines. Long period of rehearsal, so that by the time we started to shoot, it was almost like doing a play. We all had a grand time doing it. It was a wonderful cast. We all got along well together, and that's it...The acting talent, the cinematography, we were propelled into a real class action film. Long after I kick the bucket it'll be played." He also started his career on stage and never gave up working on it, playing Broadway whenever he had the time. He was in the business a staggering 65+years. Robert Loggia passed away due to complications of Alzheimer's disease and was 85 years old. What a loss for both film and theater.) - 12/04/15
HOLLY WOODLAWN (Actress: One of the first transgender actor/actresses to grace the screen [and the last surviving trio of "drag queens" {I hate that term!} who also included Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis], thanks to Andy Warhol; Her films included: TRASH - 1970; IS THERE SEX AFTER DEATH? - 1971; WOMEN IN REVOLT - 1971; SCARECROW IN A GARDEN OF CUCUMBERS - 1972; TAKE OFF - 1978;TOOTSIE - 1982 [Technical Advisor]; NIGHT OWL - 1993; THE MATINEE IDOL - 1995; SCATHED - 1995; PHANTOM PAIN - 1996; BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS - 1998; BEVERLY HILLS HUSTLER - 1998; TWIN FALLS, IDAHO - 1999; MILWAUKIE, MINNESOTA - 2003; ALIBI - 2007; HEAVEN WANTS OUT - 2009; THE LIE - 2007; EAST OF THE TAR PITS - 2012; DUST - 2012; TRANSPARENT - 2014 [her final acting role]. At least she got to appear on a show that celebrates transgendered persons. She went through a whole lot of hell throughout her life because of her choice. Which makes me ask: Why don't people mind their own business and let people be who they want to be? As long as it is within legal paramenters [which trangerderism is], whose business is it? People today make me sick, but I was proud of Holly Woodlawn, warts and all, for staying the course. She appeared in dozens of documentaries about Andy Warhol, his acting entourage and even herself. She use to be one of a kind, but now transgendered people are coming out more in the open and being accepted by most people. To those who don't, I have one thing to say to you: Shame, shame, shame. Your Bible says to treat everyone the same, but it's apparent you ignore that part as you spit out your bile. Look in the mirror and see the real evil one. The legendary Lou Reed song "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" refers to Holly, indelibly imprinting her story in American pop culture. "Holly Came From Miami, F-L-A..." are the beginning lyrics forever describing Holly's arrival in New York City and ultimate imprint on the landscape of 1970s chique. My favorite Woodlawn quote is this: "If I'm wearing pants, call me a man. If I'm wearing a dress, call me a cab!" Holly Woodlawn [born Haraldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl in Puerto Rico] was 69 years-old.) - 12/06/15
NICHOLAS SMITH (British Actor: Known best for his role as "Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold" on the British sitcom ARE YOU BEING SERVED? [I absolutely loved the series!], Mr, Smith was already an accomplished actor. His credits included (TV Series unless otherwise noted]: PATHFINDER TO MARS - 1960; THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE - 1961; DOCTOR WHO - 1964 [3 episodes]; THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES... - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; A TALE OF TWO CITIES - 1965 [3 episodes]; THEATRE 625 - 1966; THE FROST REPORT - 1966 [13 episodes]; THE FICTION MAKERS - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; SOFTLY SOFTLY - 1967; THEWEDNESDAY PLAY - 1966-1967; SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE - 1967; CHAMPION HOUSE - 1967; DANGER ISLAND - 1967 [6 episodes]; FREEWHEELERS - 1968 [4 eposodes]; SALT AND PEPPER - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; THE AVENGERS - 1967-1968; THE SAINT - 1968; THE CHAMPIONS - 1969; A WALK WITH LOVE AND DEATH - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE FIRST CHURCHILLS - 1969 [TV mini-series]; THE FLAXTON BOYS - 1969; UP POMPEII! - 1970; DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE - 1970; W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM - 1970; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1970; IF IT MOVES, FILE IT - 1970; THE TWELVE CHAIRS - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1971; THE LIVER BIRDS - 1971; BUDGIE - 1971; PAUL TEMPLE - 1971; THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1971; ACE OF WANDS - 1971 [4 episodes]; SPYDER'S WEB - 1972; CRIME OF PASSION - 1972; THE CANTERBURY TALES - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; IN FOR A PENNY - 1972; COMEDY PLAYHOUSE - 1972; HARRIET'S BACK IN TOWN - 1973; BAXTER! - 1973; DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE - 1973 [TV Movie]; WHODUNNIT? - 1973; SIR YELLOW - 1973; DOCTOR IN CHARGE - 1973; FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL - 1974 [Theatrical Film]; VILLAGE HALL - 1974; Z CARS - 1972-1975 [9 episodes]; THE SWEENEY - 1975; THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES' SMARTER BROTHER - 1975 [Theatrical Film]; AND MOTHER MAKES FIVE - 1976; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; WINGS OF SONG - 1978 [TV Movie]; WORZEL GUMMIDGE - 1979; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1972-1985 [69 episodes]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED AGAIN? - 1992-1993 [12 episodes]; MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT - 1994 [TV mini-series]; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996 [voice only]; WHAT RATS WON'T DO - 1998; THE GHOULS - 2003; REVOLVER - 2004 [6 episodes]; DOCTORS - 2004; THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT - 2005 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; EVERY HIDDEN THING - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; THE DALEK TAPES - 2006 [TV Documentary]; LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE - 2008; M.I. HIGH - 2010; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 2011 [his last acting role]. Nicholas Smith was 81 years-old.) - 12/06/15
MARTIN E. BROOKS (Actor - Best known as his role of "Dr. Rudy Wells" on THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975-1978 and THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976-1978 and the various related TV movies of the 80's & 90's, Mr. Brooks was a regular on TV and appeared in only 2 theatrical films [THE MAN {1972} was made for TV but deemed too controversial for the idiot box]. His credits included [TV Series Unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]; SURE AS FATE - 1951; SUSPENSE - 1952-1954 [3 episodes]; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1951-1954; CLIMAX! - 1955; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1953-1955 [3 episodes]; DECOY - 1957; JOHNNY GUNMAN - 1957; LOVE OF LIFE - 1957; THE UNITED STATES SCREEN HOUR - 1958; KRAFT THEATRE - 1958; THE SECRET STORM - 1958; NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL - 1959; 'WAY OUT - 1961; CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? - 1961; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1963; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1953-1963 [7 episodes]; SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1963-1964; COMBAT! - 1965; THE LONER - 1966; GUNSMOKE - 1967; THE FUGITIVE - 1967; IRON HORSE - 1967; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1968; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969; COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT - 1970 [TF]; THE SILENT FORCE - 1970; THE OLD MAN WHO CRIED WOLF - 1970 [TV Movie]; NIGHT GALLERY - ["The Last Laurel" - 1971]; MEN AT LAW - 1971; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971; CANNON - 1971; THE PARTNERS - 1971; MOD SQUAD - 1971; OWEN MARSHALL: COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1972; THE MAN - 1972 [TF]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1972; DOUBLE IDENTITY - 1972; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1972-1973 [6 episodes]; GRIFF - 1973; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; A SPECIAL ACT OF LOVE - 1973 [TV Special]; HARRY O - 1974; PLANET OF THE APES - 1974; MCCLOUD - 1975; BARBARY COAST - 1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975-1978 [44 episodes]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976-1978 [45 episodes]; LIFE LIFERTY AND PURSUIT OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - 1981 [TV Movie; Two episodes of THE PLANET OF THE APES {1974} edited together with new footage added]; FAREWELL TO THE PLANET OF THE APES [TV Movie; Two episodes of THE PLANET OF THE APES {1974} edited together with new footage added]; QUINCY, M.E. - 1981; DALLAS - 1983-1984 [10 episodes]; JESSIE - 1984; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1984; AIRWOLF - 1985; THE EXECUTION - 1985 [TV Movie]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985; BENSON - 1985; THE RETURN OF THE SIX-MILLION-DOLLAR MAN AND THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1987 [TV Movie]; HUNTER - 1986-1988 [6 episodes]; BIONIC SHOWDOWN: THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN AND THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1989 [TV Movie]; KNOTS LANDING - 1992 [3 episodes]; BIONIC EVER AFTER? - 1994 [TV Movie]; T-FORCE - 1994; STREET GUN - 1996 [his last acting credit]. Martin E. Brooks passed away of natural causes and was 90 years-old.) - 12/07/15
DENIS HEROUX (Director/Producer/Writer: Famous Canadian for his producing capabilities, but he directed a few good horror films, too. His credits included: ALONE WITH OTHERS - 1962 [Director & Producer]; JUSQU'AU COU - 1964 [Director, Producer & Writer]; VALERIE - 1969 [Director & Idea for Story]; INITIATION - 1970 [Director]; VIRGIN LOVERS - 1970 [Director]; SEVEN TIMES A DAY - 1971 [Director & Producer]; A FEW ACRES OF SNOW - 1973 [Director]; I'VE HAD IT - 1973 [Director]; THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY TO FIND A WAY - 1974 [Director & Story Suggestions]; STRIKEBREAKER - 1974 [Director]; JAQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND LIVING IN PARIS - 1975 [Director];DON'T PUSH IT - 1975 [Director]; NAKED MASSACRE - 1976 [Director & Writer; really nasty film based on the Richard Speck massacre]; THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE - 1976 [Co-Producer]; THE UNCANNY - 1977 [Director; Horror anthology film where each story involves cats]; BLOOD RELATIVES - 1978 [Producer]; TOMORROW NEVER COMES - 1978 [Associate Producer]; VIOLETTE - 1979 [Producer]; US TWO - 1979 [Producer]; ATLANTIC CITY - 1980 [Producer; Nominated for an Academy Award®]; QUEST FOR FIRE - 1981 [Producer]; LOUISIANA - 1984 [TV Movie; Producer]; THE BLOOD OF OTHERS - 1984 [Producer]; THE BAY BOY - 1984 [Producer]; HEATHCLIFF AND THE CATILLAC CATS - 1984 [TV Series; Producer; 65 episodes]; THE PARK IS MINE - 1985 [Pay Cable Movie; Producer]; JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS - 1985 [TV Series; Producer; 65 episodes]; MASK - 1985 [TV Series; Producer; 65 episodes]; SWORD OF GIDEON - 1985 [Pay Cable Movie; Executive Producer]; THE LONELY PASSION OF BRIAN MOORE - 1986 [Documentary; Appeared as himself]; CONTROL - 1987 [Executive Producer]; MOUNT ROYAL - 1988 [TV Series; Producer]; GOD BLESS THE CHILD - 1988 [TV Movie; Producer]; EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS II: EDDIE LIVES! - 1989 [Executive Producer]; BORDERTOWN - 1990-1991 [TV Series; Supervising Producer; 30 episodes]; BLACK ROBE - 1991 [Executive Producer]; COUNTERSTRIKE - 1990-1992 [TV Series; Executive Producer; 4 episodes]; TALES OF THE WILD - 1994-1995 [TV Series; Story Editor; 3 episodes; Editor - 1 episode]; ADVENTURES OF SMOKE BELLEW - 1996 [TV mini-series; Writer]; SANDS OF EDEN - 1998 [TV Movie; Producer]; SECRET SOCIETY - 2000 [Executive Producer; his last credit.]. He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on December 19, 1983 for his services to the film industry in Canada. He was the brother of famous Canadian Producer Claude Heroux. Denis Heroux suffered from a long illness and passed away at the age of 75.). - 12/10/15
ROSE SIGGINS (Actress: The second person from AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW 2014-2015 to have died this year (Ben Woolf passed away on February 23rd). She played"Legless Suzi" on the series for 13 episodes. The actress died from complications from kidney stone surgery. Siggins reportedly contracted an infection that spread through her body. She died Saturday in a Denver hospital. Siggins had sacral agenesis, a genetic disorder that caused her kidney and pancreas problems throughout her life. A GoFundMe account has been set up in her honor. She is survived by two children. She only acted in that series, but appeared in the documentaries RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! - 2000 [TV Series]; EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE - 2005 [TV Series Documentary); BORN DIFFERENT: UNBELIEVABLE MEDICAL CONDITIONS - 2010 [TV Documentary]; AMERICAN HORROR SHOW FREAKSHOW: EXTRA-ORDINARY ARTISTS - 2014 [TV mini-series Documentary]; SCHLITZIE: ONE OF US - 2016 [Documentary; her last screen appearance]. She only had half a body [she lost both legs at age 2], but never let it deter her from trying to live a normal life, having a husband and two children. She was a true profile in courage. Rose Siggins was only 43 years-old.) - 12/12/15
DON LEAVER (British TV Series Director: Mr. Leaver never directed a theatrical film, preferring to stick with TV, in which he was quite prolific. His credits included [all are TV Series]: POLICE SURGEON - 1960 [8 episodes]; OUT OF THE WORLD - 1962; DIMENSIONS OF FEAR - 1963 [4 episodes]; JEZEBEL ex UK - 1963; PUBLIC EYE - 1965 [also Producer for 2 episodes];ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; THE AVENGERS - 1961 - 1966 [20 episodes]; HAUNTED - 1967; THE GAMBLERS - 1967; THE INFORMER - 1967 [4 episodes]; THE GOLD ROBBERS - 1969 [TV mini-series]; MAN AT THE TOP - 1972; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1964-1972 [12 episodes]; THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1973; VAN DER VALK - 1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1973-1974 [5 episodes]; ZODIAC - 1974; NAPOLEAN AND LOVE - 1974 [TV mini-series]; SPECIAL BRANCH - 1974; SUTHERLAND'S LAW - 1975; AGAINST THE CROWD - 1975; WHERE THE ACTION IS - 1975 [TV Movie]; A MIDSUMMER NIGHTMARE - 1975 [TV Movie]; WESTWAY - 1976; OPERATION PATCH - 1976 [7 episodes; also Producer for 7 episodes]; KILLERS - 1976; BEASTS - ['The Dummy" - 1976]; ROOMS - 1975-1977 [9 episodes]; HAZELL - 1978; SCORPION TALES - 1978; THE FAMOUS FIVE - 1978 [5 episodes; also Producer for 17 episodes from 1978-1979]; ACCIDENT - 1978-1979 [3 episodes]; HEARTLAND - 1979; TURTLE'S PROGRESS - 1980; SOUNDING BRASS - 1980 [3 episodes]; WITCHING TIME - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MARK OF SATAN - 1980 [TV Movie]; DIAMONDS - 1981; BERGERAC - 1981; A FINE ROMANCE - 1983-1984 [13 episodes; also Producer for 13 episodes]; BIRD OF PREY 2 - 1984 [4 episodes]; MITCH - 1984 [4 episodes]; THE DETECTIVE - 1985 [TV mini-series; 5 episodes]; CALL ME MISTER - 1986; UNNATURAL CAUSES - 1986; BUST - 1987; RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES - 1988; CHAIN - 1990 [TV mini-series]; LOVEJOY - 1991; AN INDEPENDENT MAN - 1995 (also Producer for 7 episodes]; A TOUCH OF FROST - 1992-1996 [4 episodes; also Producer for 19 episodes from 1992 to 1999]; HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES - 1997; THE BILL - 1999-2000 [His last directorial credit]. Mr. Leaver also acted in the 1955 TV Movie THE RUNNING TIDE and was Executive Producer of the mini-series PRIME SUSPECT - 1999. Don Leaver was 86 years-old.) - 12/13/15
KEN POGUE (Actor: To affectionados of TV Movies, the name Ken Pogue is legendary. To others, they will probably remember him for the Canadian TV Series ADDERLY - 1986-1987. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: POLICE SURGEON - 1971 [TV Series]; THE NEPTUNE FACTOR - 1973; DANGEROUS RELATIONS - 1973; THE NAKED MIND - 1974 [TV Series]; THE NATIONAL DREAM: BUILDING THE IMPOSSIBLE RAILWAY - 1974 [TV mini-series]; PERFORMANCE - 1975 [TV Series]; SECOND WIND - 1976; THE SILENT PARTNER - 1978; LOST AND FOUND - 1979; AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1979 [TV Movie]; EVERY PERSONIS GUILTY - 1979 [TV Movie]; A PAID VACATION - 1979 [TV Movie]; F.D.R.: THE LAST YEAR - 1980 [TV Movie]; DAY OF RESURRECTION - 1980; SUZANNE - 1980; WAR BRIDES - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1980 [TV Series]; SILENCE OF THE NORTH - 1981; THE JULY GROUP - 1981 [TV Movie]; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD - 1981 [TV Series]; MURDER BY PHONE - 1982; THE GREY FOX - 1982; LITTLE GLORIA...HAPPY AT LAST - 1982 [TV Movie]; SHOCKTRAUMA - 1982 [TV Movie]; TODAY'S SPECIAL - 1983 [TV Movie]; HORATIO ALGER UPDATED: FRANK AND FEARLESS - 1983 [TV Special]; IN DEFENSE OF KIDS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE DEAD ZONE - 1983; HOT MONEY - 1983 [TV Movie]; GENTLE SINNERS - 1983 [TV Movie]; LOUISIANA - 1984 [TV Movie]; TUCKER AND THE HORSE THIEF - 1985 (TV Movie]; A TIME TO LIVE - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE EXECUTION OF RAYMOND GRAHAM - 1985 [TV Movir]; KANE & ABEL - 1985 [TV mini-series]; PERRY MASON RETURNS - 1985 [TV Movie]; MIRACLE AT MOREAUX - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE SUICIDE MURDERS - 1985 [TV Movie]; LOVE & LARCENY - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE - 1986 [TV Movie]; MAFIA PRINCESS - 1986 [TV Series]; NIGHT HEAT - 1985-1986 [TV Series]; ACT OF VENGEANCE - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE EDISON TWINS - 1986 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; PHILIPE MARLOWE, PRIVATE EYE - 1986 [TV Series]; THE CLIMB - 1986; DOING LIFE - 1986 [TV Movie]; KEEPING TRACK - 1986; SPEARFIELD'S DAUGHTER - 1986 [TV mini-series]; DEAD OF WINTER - 1987; THE LIBERATORS - 1987 [TV Movie]; AMERIKA - 1987 [TV mini-series]; AIRWOLF - 1987 [TV Series]; ADDERLY - 1986-1987 [TV Series; 21 episodes]; CRAZY MOON - 1987; RIN TIN-TIN: K-9 COP - 1988 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; HITTING HOME - 1988 [TV Movie]; DIAMONDS - 1988 [TV Series]; DAY ONE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1989 [TV Series]; WELCOME HOME - 1989; PERFECT WITNESS - 1989 [TV Movie]; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1989 [TV Series]; WHERE THE HEART IS - 1990; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK STALLION - 1990 [TV Series]; MACGUYVER - 1990 [TV Series]; NEON RIDER - 1991 [TV Series]; RUN - 1991; THE HITMAN - 1991; CHAINDANCE - 1991; THE COMMISH - 1991 [TV Series]; MY SON JOHNNY - 1991 [TV Movie]; A MOTHER'S JUSTICE - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE HEIGHTS - 1992 [TV Series]; BLIND MAN'S BLUFF - 1992 [TV Movie]; SEXUAL ADVANCES - 1992 [TV Movie]; STILL NOT QUITE HUMAN - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE AMY FISHER STORY - 1993 [TV Movie]; SHERLOCK HOLMES RETURNS - 1993 [TV Movie]; COBRA - 1993 [TV Series]; HARVEST FOR THE HEART - 1994 [TV Movie]; VOICES FROM WITHIN - 1994 [TV Movie]; EVERYONE ELSE'S CHILD - 1994 [TV Movie]; DANGEROUS INTENTIONS - 1995; HIGHLANDER - 1995 [TV Series]; SLIDERS - 1995 [TV Series]; WINGS OF COURAGE - 1995; STRANGE LUCK - 1995 [TV Series]; SHADOW OF A DOUBT - 1995 [TV Movie]; DUE SOUTH - 1994-1995 [TV Series]; IN THE LAKE OF THE WOODS - 1996 [TV Movie]; HOME SOUNDS - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE SENTINEL - 1996 [TV Series]; BAD MOON - 1996 [vastly underrated horror film]; AN UNEXPECTED FAMILY - 1996 [TV Movie]; CONTAGIOUS - 1997 [TV Movie]; DAD'S WEEK OFF - 1997 [TV Movie]; ALL THE WINTERS THAT HAVE BEEN - 1997 [TV Movie]; FINAL DESCENT - 1997 [TV Movie]; WINDSOR PROTOCOL - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1996-1998 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; AN UNEXPECTED LIFE - 1998 [TV Movie]; DEAD MAN'S GUN - 1997-1998 [TV Series]; COLD SQUAD - 1998 [TV Series]; EMILY OF THE NEW MOON - 1998 [TV Series]; HARD TIME: THE DAVID MILGAARD STORY - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE JACK BULL - 1999 [TV Movie]; MILLENNIUM -
1997-1999 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; VIPER - 1997-1999 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; SO WEIRD - 1999 [TV Series]; BROTHERHOOD OF MURDER - 1999 [TV Movie]; OUT OF TIME - 2000 [TV Movie]; BEAUTIFUL JOE - 2000; THE SIXTH DAY - 2000; DAVINCI'S INQUEST - 2000 [TV Series]; THE CHRISTMAS SECRET - 2000 [TV Movie]; CROSSFIRE TRAIL - 2001 [TV Movie]; LOVE AND TREASON - 2001 [TV Movie]; MYSTERIOUS WAYS - 2000-2001 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; NIGHT VISIONS - 2001 [TV Series]; TOM STONE - 2002 [TV Series]; SOUL FOOD - 2002 [TV Series]; JOHNSON COUNTY WAR - 2002 [TV Movie]; BREAKING NEWS - 2002 [TV Series]; JUST CAUSE - 2002 [TV Series]; TAKEN - 2002 [TV mini-series]; MONTE WALSH - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE DEAD ZONE - 2003 [TV Series]; PHENOMENON II - 2003 [TV Movie]; DISTANT DRUMMING: A NORTH OF 60 MYSTERY - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE COLLECTOR - 2005 [TV Series]; THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS - 2005 [TV Movie]; INTO THE WEST - 2005 [TV mini-series]; DECK THE HALLS - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE MERMAID CHAIR - 2006 [TV Movie]; A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS - 2009 [TV Movie]; FRINGE - 2011 [TV Series]; ALCATRAZ - 2012 [TV Series]; RED WIDOW - 2013 [TV Series; 3 episodes; his final acting role]. Ken Pogue passed away due to complications of cancer and was 81 years-old.) - 12/15/15
PATRICIA ELLIOTT (Actress: Known for her work on soap operas, Ms. Elliott appeared in a few theatrical films, videos and TV series. Her credits were: THE GREEN SLIME - 1968; THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE ADAMS CHRONICLES - 1976 [TV mini-series]; BIRCH INTERVAL - 1976; KOJAK - 1977 [TV Series]; THE QUINNS - 1977 [TV Movie]; SOMEBODY KILLED HERHUSBAND - 1978; TARTUFFE - 1978 [TV Movie]; NATURAL ENEMIES - 1979; SUMMER SOLSTICE - 1981 [TV Movie]; SOMETIMES I DON'T LOVE MY MOTHER - 1982 [TV Special]; NURSE - 1982 [TV Series]; EMPIRE - 1984 [TV Series]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1984 [TV Series]; PARTNERS IN CRIME - 1984 [TV Series]; THE CARTIER AFFAIR - 1985 [TV Movie]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985 [TV Series]; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1985-1987 [TV Series]; A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE LADIES - 1987 [TV Movie]; KATE & ALLIE - 1988 [TV Series]; CRIMINAL HEARTS - 1996; CASPER: A SPIRITED BEGINNING - 1997 [MFHV]; MEN IN WHITE - 1998 [TV Movie}; CASPER MEETS WENDY - 1988 [MFHV]; RICHIE RICH'S CHRISTMAS WISH - 1998 [MFHV]; 101 WAYS [A THING WILL DO TO KEEP HER VOLVO] - 2000; BEETHOVEN'S BIG BREAK - 2009 [MFHV]; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1990-2011 [TV Soap Opera; 62 episodes. Her last acting role.]. Between 1974 and 1982, Ms. Elliott appeared in 69 episodes of THE CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER. She Won Broadway's 1973 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. She was also nominated in 1977 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for THE SHADOW BOX. Patricia Elliott died of leiomyosarcoma and was 77 years-old.) - 12/20/15
MARGARET HALL (Actress: Best known for her comedy bits on THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW - 2004-2015, Ms. Hall was already a actress with a few [not many] credits behind her, especially on soap operas. Her credits included: THE HOLY TERROR - 1965 [TV Movie]; DIRECTIONS - 1967 [TV Series]; SUMMER OF MY GERMAN SOLDIER - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE BELL JAR - 1979; SO FINE - 1981; DEATH MASK - 1984 [a vastly underrated film]; POWER - 1986; CIRCUS - 1988 [TV Movie]; WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S - 1989; PARTY GIRL - 1995; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1991-1996 [TV Soap Opera; unknown episodes]; REMEMBER WENN - 1996-1998 [TV Series Regular; 45 episodes]; QUEENIE IN LOVE - 2001; THE GURU - 2002; DIEGO RIVERA: I PAINT WHAT I SEE - 2002 [Documentary]; JUDY GARLAND: BY MYSELF - 2004 [TV Documentary; voice only]; LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN - 2004- 2005 [TV Talk Show; was the lady at the end of the show holding flowers waiving goodnight]; MILDRED PIERCE - 2011 [TV mini-series; her last acting role]. Ms. Hall was married to actor Gil Rogers at the time of her death and was hreavily involved in Stage work, even appearing with Laurence Olivier in BECKET. Margaret Hall was 84 years-old.) - 12/21/12
GEORGE CLAYTON JOHNSON (Writer: Best known as the writer of OCEAN'S ELEVEN and LOGAN'S RUN [with William F. Nolan] novels, Mr. Johnson also dabbled into movies and on TV, especially the original TWILIGHT ZONE; His credits included: ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959 [TV Series]; OCEAN'S ELEVEN - 1960 [Story]; ROUTE 66 - 1961 [TV Series]; THE LAW AND MR. JONES - 1962 [TV Series]; TWILIGHT ZONE - 1960-1963 [TV Series; "The Four Of Us Are Dying" - 1960; "Execution" - 1960; "A Penny For Your Thoughts" - 1961; "A Game Of Pool" - 1961; "Nothing In The Dark" -1962; "Kick The Can" - 1962; "Ninety Years Without Slumbering" - 1963]; MR. NOVAK - 1964 [TV Series]; HONEY WEST - 1965 [TV Series]; STAR TREK - 1966 [TV Series; 'Man Trap"]; KUNG FU - 1974 [TV Series]; LOGAN'S RUN - 1976 [Based on his novel]; LOGAN'S RUN - 1977-1978 [TV Series; Characters Created By; 14 episodes]; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983 [Screenplay, Episode 2: "Kick The Can']; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1989 [TV Series; based on his story "A Game Of Pool"]; OCEAN'S ELEVEN - 2001 [Characters]; OCEAN'S TWELVE - 2004 [Characters]; OCEAN'S THIRTEEN - 2007 [Characters]; THE JUNGLE OF JULES LEVINE - 2015 [Short; his last screen credit]. Mr. Johnson also Acted in the following films and TV Series: SEA HUNT - 1961 [TV Series]; THE INTRUDER - 1962 {Roger Corman's best film]; THE BONEYARD COLLECTION - 2008; HER MORBID DESIRES - 2008 [MFHV]; CRUSTACEAN - 2009; SAINT BERNARD - 2013. Mr. Johnson also appeared in documentaries about Rod Serling, THE TWILIGHT ZONE; STAR TREK and Forrest J. Ackerman [who was the single person to make Johnson aware to readers of his contributions to horror decades ago in Famous Monsters of Filmland]. This is Mr. Johnson's brutally honest description of his life: "I'm a free man. I don't wear anybody's collar. I'm not obliged to smile if I don't want to. That gives me a lot of perverse pride -- I really am a person who could stop doing what I'm doing right now, go off to Ceylon tomorrow and live among the fishermen. I make a living without having a job; I don't cater to anybody. I believe that's the hardest thing to achieve in this world -- any kind of autonomy, any kind of independence, any kind of freedom. So, I'm very, very proud of the fact that I'm an independent." Upon deciding that he wanted to become a writer, Johnson joined a circle of Southern California science-fiction writers that included William F. Nolan, Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson and Ray Bradbury. Johnson was a strong advocate for the legalization of marijuana. He reputedly smoked weed all day, every day, well into his 80's. Mr. Johnson battled bladder and prostate cancer and was 86 years-old.) - 12/22/15
BROOKE MCCARTER (Actor: McCarter had a short filmography, but kept on going until the day he died. His credits included: THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1985 [TV Series; episode "Joy Ride"];THRASHIN' - 1986; THE LOST BOYS - 1987; DOUBLE SWITCH - 1987; WIRED - 1989; FAST GETAWAY - 1991 [Song Performer and Song Writer only]; AMERICA THE VIOLENT - 1996 [MFHV; Music Composer only]; LEAVES OF GREEN - 2002 [Documentary; Director only]; THE UH-OH SHOW - 2009; EMERGING PAST - 2011 [MFHV; also Associate Producer]; THE EMERGING PAST DIRECTOR'S CUT - 2016 [MFHV; also Associate Producer]. In 1989, McCarter co-directed and wrote the documentary short, ME, MYSELF and I. After the filming of THE LOST BOYS, he became Corey Haim's manager through most of the 90's. McCarter also did many TV commercials during his short lifetime. He produced the song "Dirty Little Secret" for performer Ali Handal and played drums in a band, especially on the song "Cry Little Sister", which was on the LOST BOYS soundtrack. Brooke McCarter died due to complications of a liver ailment and was just 52 years-old.) - 12/22/15
JASON WINGREEN (Actor: Mainly known for playing "Harry Snowden" on ALL IN THE FAMILY 1976-1979 and ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE 1979-1983, Wingreen had a very extensive television career, making a few theatrical films between TV gigs. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATER - 1955; CLIMAX! - 1955; THREE BRAVE MEN - 1956 [TF]; THE TRUE STORY OF JESSE JAMES - 1957 [TF]; THE KAISER ALUMINUM HOUR - 1957; THE BRAVADOS - 1958 [TF]; STEVE CANYON - 1958; THE ROUGH RIDERS - 1958; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1959; ALCOA THEATRE - 1959; MAN WITHOUT AGUN - 1959; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1959; FIVE FINGERS - 1959; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1959 [4 episodes]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1959; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1959-1960; JOHNNY STACCATO - 1960; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1960; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1960; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; EVERYTHING'S DUCKY - 1961 [TF]; THE NEW BREED - 1962; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1962; BUS STOP - 1960; MARGIE - 1962; THE LLOYD BRIDGES SHOW - 1962; HURRICANE HANNAH - 1962 [TV Movie]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1960-1963 [9 episodes]; TWILIGHT ZONE - ['A Stop At Willoughby' - 1960; "The Midnight Sun" - 1961; "The Bard" - 1963]; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["O.B.I.T." - 1963; "The Special One" - 1964; "Expanding Human" - 1964]; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964; PROFILES IN COURAGE - 1964; DR. KILDARE - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; THE ROGUES - 1965; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1965; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965; A RAGE TO LIVE - 1965 [TF]; BURKE'S LAW - 1965; HONEY WEST - 1965; THE LONER - 1965; THE SLENDER THREAD - 1965 [TF]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1966 [Writer of one episode in 1965]; GET SMART - 1966; THE LONG, HOT SUMMER - 1965-1966 [8 episodes]; BLUE LIGHT - 1966; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1966; THE ROUNDERS - 1966; HAWK - 1966; SHANE - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1964-1966 [4 episodes]; WARNING SHOT - 1967 [TF]; CAPTAIN NICE - 1967; THE FUGITIVE - 1963-1967 [6 episodes]; THE GREEN HORNET - 1967; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966-1967; PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES - 1967; THE KARATE KILLERS - 1967 [TF]; THE ROAD WEST - 1967; A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN - 1967 [TF]; THE INVADERS - 1967; JOHNNY BELINDA - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1967 [4 episodes]; CIMARRON STRIP - 1968; THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT - 1968; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967-1968; COWBOY IN AFRICA - 1968; FELONY SQUAD - 1966-1968 [4 episodes]; STAR TREK - 1968; TO DIE IN PARIS - 1968 [TV Movie]; MARLOWE - 1969 [TF]; THE DUNWICH HORROR - 1970 [TF]; MAYBERRY R.F.D. - 1970; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1969-1970; LANCER - 1968-1970 [3 episodes]; THE CHEYENNE SOCIAL CLUB - 1970 [TF]; SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1970; THE OLD MAN WHO CRIED WOLF - 1970 [TV Movie]; THE BOLD ONES: THE SENATOR - 1970; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1970; ROOM 222 - 1970; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968-1971 [3 episodes]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968-1971; BANYON - 1971; SKIN GAME - 1971 [TF]; THE LAST CHILD - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971 [TF]; NIGHT GALLERY - 1970-1971; PAPER MAN - 1971 [TV Movie]; CADE'S COUNTY - 1971; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1972; KILLER BY NIGHT - 1972 [TV Movie]; GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL - 1972 [TV Movie]; COLUMBO - 1972; CANNON - 1972; THE F.B.I. - 1967-1972 [6 episodes]; GUNSMOKE - 1972; ADAM-12 - 1968-1972 [3 episodes]; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE! - 1972 [TF]; MOD SQUAD - 1970-1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1972 [3 episodes]; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS - 1972 [TF]; MANNIX - 1969-1972 [4 episodes]; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1972; BONANZA - 1963-1972 [3 episodes]; HUNTER - 1973 {TV Movie]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1967-1973 [3 episodes]; KUNG FU - 1973; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1973; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1973; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE ROOKIES - 1972-1973; SHAFT - 1973; OUTRAGE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - 1973 [TV Movie]; HAWKINS - 1974; CRY PANIC - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE ELEVATOR - 1974 [TV Movie]; HONKY TONK - 1974 [TV Movie]; DEATH IN SPACE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE TERMINAL MAN - 1974 [TF]; POLICE STORY - 1974; IRONSIDE - 1967-1974 [6 episodes]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1969-1974 [3 episodes]; MR. RICCO - 1975 [TF]; WINNER TAKE ALL - 1975 [TV Movie]; LUCAS TANNER - 1975; BRONK - 1975; SHELL GAME - 1975 [TV Movie]; MOBILE ONE - 1975; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1975; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1975; HUSTLE - 1975 [TF]; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1976; FURY OF THE DRAGON - 1976 [TF; Collection of 4 episodes of THE GREEN HORNET edited together to make a film, thanks to the untimely death of Bruce Lee. This was actually the second movie to do this {THE GREEN HORNET was the first}. Wingreen didn't appear in the first]; BARBARY COAST - 1976; LOUIS ARMSTRONG-CHICAGO STYLE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1976; MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN - 1976; MOVING VIOLATION - 1976 [TF]; THE WALTONS - 1976; THE
QUEST - 1976; THE TONY RANDALL SHOW - 1976; HAPPY DAYS - 1977; QUINCY M.E. - 1977; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1972-1977; THE MAN WITH THE POWER - 1977 [TV Movie]; BLANSKY'S BEAUTIES - 1977; LOU GRANT - 1977; KOJAK - 1973-1977 [3 episodes]; MAUDE - 1977; CARTER COUNTRY - 1978; THE PRESIDENT'S MISTRESS - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976-1978; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1977-1979; CAPTAIN AMERICA - 1979 [TV Movie]; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1979 [TV mini-series]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1976-1979 [25 episodes]; VEGA$ - 1978-1979; THE GOLDEN GATE MURDERS - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980 [TF; Voice of Boba Fett; Fett's voice was rerecorded by Temeuera Morrison for re-releases in true George Lucas fashion of not leaving his STAR WARS films alone. At least he doesn't own the films any more.]; AIRPLANE! - 1980 [TF]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1982; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1979-1983 [92 episodes]; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1984; OH, GOD! YOU DEVIL - 1984 [TF]; THE RED FURY - 1984 [TF]; MALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1985 [TV Movie]; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1985 [TV Movie]; A MASTERPIECE OF MURDER - 1986 [TV Movie]; STARMAN - 1986; HILL STREET BLUES - 1986; MATHNET - 1987; SQUARE ONE TV - 1987; HUNTER - 1987; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; ARTHUR 2: ON THE ROCKS - 1988 [TF]; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1989; FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES - 1989; MATLOCK - 1987-1991 [11 episodes]; SEINFELD - 1992; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1994 [his last acting role]. Jason Wingreen also wrote episodes for THRILLER - ["Portrait Without A Face" - 1961]; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; and THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964. Jason Wingreen passed away of natural causes and was 95 years-old.) - 12/25/15
MEADOWLARK LEMON (Basketball Player/Actor: The name most synonomous with the Harlem Globetrotters [especially to Baby Boomers like myself], Meadowlark used his basketball prowess to get some acting roles and it turned out he wasn't half bad. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: HARLEM GLOBE TROTTERS- 1970 - 1971 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes; voice only]; THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS POPCORN MACHINE - 1974; THE GOLDIE HAWN SPECIAL - 1978; HELLO LARRY - 1978-1979 [13 episodes]; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1979; THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURG - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; MODERN ROMANCE - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; HERE'S BOOMER - 1981; CRASH ISLAND - 1981 [TV Movie]; ALICE - 1983; BIG CITY COMEDY - 1986 [MFHV]; KIDS AGAINST CRIME - 1995; CELEBRATE THE DREAM: 50 YEARS OF EBONY MAGAZINE - 1996 [TV Special; his last role.]. He played more than 16,000 games [where he eventually became their leader] before he left the Globetrotters in 1983 to form a rival team, [he spent much of the 80's playing basketball for many non-pro teams] but returned in 1993 to play 50 games with them. He was a recipient of the National Basketball Hall of Fame's John Bunn Award in 2000 and enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. Meadowlark Lemon was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in 2014, even though he never played for the NBA. He also appeared on several late night talk shows and as a guest on game shows. When he gave up basketball and being an actor, he became an ordained Minister and lived in Scottsdale, Arizona. Meadowlark Lemon was 83 years-old.) - 12/27/15
HASKELL WEXLER (Cinematographer: Two-time Academy Award® winner cinematogtapher who shot some of the best films of the 60's & 70's, he also Directed one of the best films of the late 60's. His credits included: STAKEOUT ON FOPE STREET - 1958; THE SAVAGE EYE - 1960; FIVE BOLD WOMEN - 1960; STUDS LONIGAN - 1960; THE RUNAWAY - 1961; THE FISHERMAN AND HIS SOUL - 1961; THE HOODLUM PRIEST - 1981; ANGEL BABY - 1961; LONNIE - 1963; AMERICA, AMERICA - 1963; FACE IN THE RAIN - 1963; THE BEST MAN - 1964; THE LOVED ONE -1965 [a cult classic; also Producer]; THE BUS - 1965 [Documentary; also Director, Producer & Writer]; WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? - 1966 [Academy Award® for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1967; FACES - 1968; THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR - 1968; MEDIUM COOL - 1969 [also Director/producer/ writer; one of the best films about TV coverage of the 1968 Democratic Convention; as relevant today {just switch parties} as it was back then]; THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE - 1972; THE CONVERSATION - 1972; AMERICAN GRAFFITI - 1973 [Visual Consultant only]; INTRODUCTION TO THE ENEMY - 1974 [Documentary]; ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975 [One of the few films that everyone should watch]; UNDERGROUND - 1976 [Documentary]; BOUND FOR GLORY - 1976 [Academy Award® for Best Cinematography]; COMING HOME - 1978; PAUL JACOBS AND THE NUCLEAR GANG - 1979 [Documentary]; NO NUKES - 1980 [Documentary]; SECOND-HAND HEARTS - 1981; RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP - 1982 [Comedy Concert]; LOOKIN' TO GET OUT - 1982; THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN - 1983; BUS II - 1983 [Director only]; LATINO - 1985 [Director & Writer only]; MATEWAN - 1987; UNCLE MEAT - 1987 [MFHV Documentary; also appeared as himself]; COLORS - 1988; THREE FUGITIVES - 1989; BLAZE - 1989; OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY - 1991; THE BABE - 1992; THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH - 1994; CANADIAN BACON - 1995; THE SIXTH SUN: MAYAN UPRISING IN CHIAPAS - 1995 [Documentary]; MULHOLLAND FALLS - 1996; THE RICH MAN'S WIFE - 1996; LIMBO - 1999; SANDRA BERNHARD: I'M STILL HERE...DAMN IT! - 1999 [TV Special]; GOOD KURDS, BAD KURDS: NO FRIENDS BUT THE MOUNTAINS - 2000 [Documentary]; BUS RIDERS UNION - 2000 [Documentary; also Director]; THE MAN ON LINCOLN'S NOSE - 1990 [Documentary]; 61* - 2001 [TV Movie]; BRIDGE TO HAVANA - 2004 [MFHV Documentary]; SILVER CITY - 2004; STEVE MCQUEEN: THE ESSENCE OF COOL - 2005 [Documentary; appeared as
himself only]; BASTARDS AT THE PARTY - 2005 [Documentary]; WHO NEEDS SLEEP? - 2006 [Documentary; also Director]; FROM WHARF RATS TO LORDS OF THE DOCKS - 2007 [Documentary; also Director]; BIG LOVE - 2007 [Pay Cable Series]; A SENSE OF WONDER - 2008 [MFHV]; IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY: AMERICA'S CONSCIENCE, A SOLDIER'S SACRIFICE - 2009 [Documentary]; SOMETHING'S GONNA LIVE - 2010 [Documentary]; WILL THE REAL TERRORIST PLEASE STAND UP? - 2010 [Documentary]; BRINGING KING TO CHINA - 2011 [Documentary]; OCCUPY LOS ANGELES - 2012 [Documentary]; FOUR DAYS IN CHICAGO - 2013 [Documentary; also Director & Writer]; TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN: THE LIFE OF THOMAS PAINE - (TV Documentary - 2016; his last credit). Haskell Wexler was very political and cause oriented and made dozens of short documentaries on the subjects {as well has his many feature-length documentaries]. Wexler was awarded a Lifetime Achivement award by the Cinematographer's Guild, the American Society of Cinematographers. He received five Oscar nominations for his cinematography, in total, plus one Emmy Award nomination in a career that has spanned six decades [He won 15 awards and was nominated for 11 more at various award shows]. He also won a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 28, 1996 at 7070 Hollywood Blvd. Haskell Wexler passed away of natural causes and died quietly in his sleep at the age of 93 years-old.) - 12/27/15
LEMMY a.k.a. LEMMY KILMISTER a.k.a. IAN FRASER KILMISTER (Musician/Actor: Lead singer and bassist for the music group Motorhead [who have officially disbanded since his death; he had that one-of-a-kind gravelly voice, those two huge bumps on his face and was also a member of Hawkwind before he switched to Motorhead], Lemmy was always a film fan [he worked with Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films many, many times] amd would usually take bit parts in movies, especially horror films. His credits as an actor were: EAT THE RICH - 1987; THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS... - 1990 [TV Series]; HARDWARE - 1990; AIRHEADS - 1994; JOHN WAYNE BOBBITT UNCUT - 1994 [MFHV];TROMEO AND JULIET - 1996; TERROR FIRMER - 1999; FREZNO SMOOTH - 1999; CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV - 2000; DOWN AND OUT WITH THE DOLLS - 2001; LAPDANCE 01 - 2001 [MFHV]; THE CURSE OF EL CHARRO - 2005; CHARLIE'S DEATH WISH - 2005 [MFHV]; MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE! - 2005 [MFHV]; SCARFACE: THE WORLD IS YOURS - 2006 [Video Game; Voice Only]; PSYCH - 2008 [TV Series]; THE MIND OF A DEMON - 2009 [Documentary; Narrator]; BRUTAL LEGEND - 2009 [Video Game; Voice only]; FULL OF REGRET - 2010 [Short]; LEMMY - 2010 [Documentary about his life]; THE BALLAD OF DANKO JONES - 2012 [Short]; RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH VOLUME 1 - 2013; GUTTERDAMMERUNG - 2016; MIDNIGHT SHOW - 2016 [Filming at the time of his death]. His music from various bands and by himself are included such films as: ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE - 1987; HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH - 1992; GROSSE POINTE BLANK - 1997; WISHMASTER - 1997; STEAL - 2002; ASH WEDNESDAY - 2002; THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE - 2004 [Don't laugh, he was also a huge fan of Janet Jackson!]; SMOKIN' ACES - 2006; SHOOT 'EM UP - 2007; SUPERBAD - 2007; HOUSE M.D. - 2012 [TV Series]; DOM HEMINGWAY - 2013; RAGE - 2014 [TV Series] and many more, usually using the song "Ace Of Spades", which he wrote. He was also very involved in WWE Wrestling [everyone loved Lemmy] and appeared in over 60 documentaries about music and personalities. He and Ozzy Osborne [who worked together as songwriters] had a bet about who would die first. It looks like Ozzy won. According to the IMDb, this is what Lemmy had to say about death: "Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to be my age. I don't worry it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good." It's been good for us, too, Lemmy. I met Lemmy once at a film convention and he was one of the nicest people to talk to. We talked about all his "hobbies" and especially loved hearing his songs played at Wrestlemania. He was also a HUGE horror fan. We will miss your distinctive voice and surprise cameos in horror films. Lemmy passed away after a short time battling agressive cancer [he only learned he had it two days earlier!] and was 70 years-old. What a fucking shitty year!). - 12/28/15
WAYNE ROGERS (Actor: Best known as portraying Trapper John McIntyre on M*A*S*H from 1972-1975, Mr. Rogers was a multi-talented person, not just in the show business neighborhood. His acting credits included: SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1959 [TV Soap Opera]; ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW - 1959; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1959 [TV Series]; WANTED:DEAD OR ALIVE - 1960 [TV Series]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1960 [TV Series]; LAW OF THE PLAINSMAN - 1959-1960 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; JOHNNY RINGO - 1960 [TV Series]; STAGECOACH WEST - 1961-1962 [TV Series Regular; 38 episodes]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962 [TV Series]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962 [TV Series]; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1963 [TV Series]; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1963 [TV Series]; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1963 [TV Series]; DR. SEX - 1964 [also Producer & Writer as "Juan Rogero"]; GOMER PYLE U.S.M.C. - 1964 [TV Series]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1965 [TV Series]; THE GLORY GUYS - 1965; GUNSMOKE - 1959-1965 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; MY BROTHER, THE ANGEL - 1965 [TV Series]; HONEY WEST - 1965 [TV Series]; THE LONG HOT SUMMER - 1965-1966 [TV Series]; THE FUGITIVE - 1966 [TV Series]; COMBAT! - 1966 [TV Series]; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966 [TV Series]; CHAMBER OF HORRORS - 1966 [TV Movie deemed too violent for TV, so it was released theatrically]; SHANE - 1966 [TV Series]; THE INVADERS - 1967 [TV Series]; COOL HAND LUKE - 1967; THE BIG VALLEY - 1968 [TV Series]; LANCER - 1968 [TV Series]; WUSA - 1970; MEN AT LAW - 1971 [TV Series]; CANNON - 1971 [TV Series]; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1971 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; DOOMSDAY MACHINE - 1972; POCKET MONEY - 1972; BARNABY JONES - 1973; ATTACK ON TERROR: THE F.B.I. VS. THE KU KLUX KLAN - 1975 [TV Movie]; M*A*S*H - 1972 -1975 [TV Series Regular; 73 episodes]; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976 [TV Series Regular - 13 episodes]; THE NOVEMBER PLAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; HAVING BABIES II - 1977 [TV Movie]; IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Movie]; THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY - 1978 [TV Movie]; ONCE IN PARIS - 1978; TOP OF THE HILL - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE HOT TOUCH - 1981; HOUSE CALLS - 1979-1982 [TV Series; 57 episodes; also Directed 3 episodes & Wrote 2 episodes]; CHIEFS - 1983 [TV mini-series]; HE'S FIRED, SHE'S HIRED - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE LADY FROM YESTERDAY - 1985 [TV Movie]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE...FIFTEEN YEARS LATER - 1985 [TV Movie; took Larry Hagman's role since he was too involvd in DALLAS]; THE GIG - 1985; ONE TERRIFIC GUY - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE GIRL WHO SPELLED FREEDOM - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE AMERICAN HARVEST - 1988 [TV Series]; THE KILLING TIME - 1988; DROP-OUT MOTHER - 1988 [TV Movie]; BLUEGRASS - 1988 [TV Movie]; HIGH RISK - 1988 [TV Movie]; PASSION AND PARADISE - 1989 [TV Movie]; MIRACLE LANDING - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE GOODBYE BIRD - 1993; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1993-1996 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI - 1996; DIAGNOSIS
MURDER - 1997; LOVE LIES BLEEDING - 1999; COO COO CAFE - 2000; FROZEN WITH FEAR - 2001; THREE DAYS IN THE RAIN - 2002; MIRACLE DOGS - 2003 [TV Movie]; NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING! - 2003 [Also Producer; His last acting role]. Wayne Rogers also Co-Wrote and Executive Produced director Ted V. Mikels' THE ASTRO ZOMBIES - 1968. He also executive Produced the TV Movies PERFECT WITNESS - 1989; NIGHT OF THE TWISTERS - 1996; and MONEY PLAY$ - 1998. Wayne Rogers turned down the role [Pernell Roberts took it] in the TV series TRAPPER JOHN M.D. [1979-1986] because he didn't want to play a doctor on TV again, but that's exactly what he did when he starred in the series HOUSE CALLS. Both series made their debut the same year. Wayne Rogers made millions of dollars being a business and financial advisor an would show up frequently on financial shows on cable stations up to the week he passed away. He didn't squander his earnings as an actor, but instead turned it into a valuable business portfolio. Not bad for a guy who's half-responsible for THE ASTRO ZOMBIES! He got his Star in the Walk Of Fame on December 13, 2005 at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.. He never once said that he regretted leaving M*A*S*H and said so in many documentaries about the ground-breaking series. He had a life-long financial plan with his quality of life and his family's and he got to see it come to fruition. How many other people can say that? Wayne Rogers was battling pneumonia and was 82 years-old. The next-to- last celebrity to die in the dreaded year of 2015. And it would have to be one of the nicest guys, to boot.) - 12/31/15
BETH HOWLAND (Actress: Best known as "Vera Louise Gorman" on the long running sitcom ALICE - 1976-1985, Ms. Howland, who was married to MURPHY BROWN actor Charles Kimbrough, also appeared in many other TV Shows and movies. Her credits included [TV Seriesunless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: LI'L ABNER - 1959 [TF]; THE TED BESSELL SHOW - 1973; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1973; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974 [TF]; CANNON - 1975; THE ROOKIES - 1975; BRONK - 1975; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1972-1975; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1976; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1977; YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU - 1979 [TV Movie]; DANCE FEVER - 1979; THE WILD WACKY WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINTER - 1980 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1982; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1983 [6 episodes]; A CARIBBEAN MYSTERY - 1983 [TV Movie]; ALICE - 1976-1985 [202 episodes]; COMEDY FACTORY - 1985; TERRIBLE THINGS MY MOTHER TOLD ME - 1988 [TV Afternoon Movie]; YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU - 1988; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1993; READING RAINBOW - 1993; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1997; CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL - 2000; BATMAN BEYOND - 2000 [Voice only]; THE TICK - 2002; AS TOLD BY GINGER - 2002 [her final acting role]. She was married to actor Michael J. Pollard from 1961 to 1969 and retired from acting after marrying Charles Kimbrough in 1992. In the mid to late 60s, she was the Salem Cigarette girl on television ["You can take Salem out of the country, but..."]. Her death wasn't announced until May 25, 2016 because she didn't want the publicity, according to her husband. Beth Howland was 72 years-old.) - 12/31/15