VILMOS ZSIGMOND (Cinematographer: Academy Award® winning cinematographer who got his start doing sexploitation and B-Films {sometimes using the names "William Zsigmond' or "Bill Zsigmond"]. His credits as a Cinematographer and Director Of Photography included: WILD GUITAR - 1962 [2nd Unit Photography]; THE SADIST - 1963 [His first feature length film and it was amazing; The black & white photography was stunning. A classic of the genre.]; LIVING BETWEEN TWO WORLDS - 1963; THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME CRAZY MIXED-UP ZOMBIES?!! - 1964 [Camera Operator]; WHAT'S UP FRONT! - 1964; THE TIME TRAVELERS - 1964; THE NASTY RABBIT - 1964; DEADWOOD '76 - 1965; TALES OF A SALESMAN - 1965; SUMMER CHILDREN - 1965; RAT FINK A BOO BOO - 1965; PSYCHO A GO-GO - 1965 & 1967; MONDO MOD - 1967; THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE - 1967; THE NAME OF THE GAME IS KILL! - 1968; SATAN'S SADISTS - 1969; THE BOLD ONES: THE PROTECTORS - 1969 [TV Series]; THE MONITORS - 1969; FIVE BLOODY GRAVES - 1969; FUTZ - 1969; BAHA MARIMBA BAND - 1069 [TV Movie]; HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS - 1970; RED SKY AT MORNING - 1971; DUSTY AND SWEETS MCGEE - 1971 [Additional Photography]; MCCABE & MRS. MILLER - 1971 [First stab at an A-Film. He was very successful]; THE HIRED HAND - 1971; THE SKI BUM - 1971; IMAGES - 1972; DELIVERANCE - 1972 [His beginning of greatness]; COUNTRY MUSIC - 1972; THE LONG GOODBYE - 1973 [National Society of Film Critics Awards® for Best Cinematography]; SCARECROW - 1973; CINDERELLA LIBERTY - 1973; THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS - [1974; Beginning of his fruitful relationship with Stephen Spielberg]; THE GIRL FROM PETROVKA - 1974; MOHAGONY - 1975 [Additional Photography]; SWEET REVENGE - 1976; OBSESSION - 1976; CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND - 1977 [Academy Award® winner for Best Cinematography]; THE DEER HUNTER - 1978 [Probably the best film on the Vietnam War and Zsigmond's photography had a lot to do with it; BAFTA Award® winner for Best Cinematography]; WINTER KILLS - 1979; FLESH & BLOOD - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE ROSE - 1979; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980 [It may have been considered a major bomb, but there is no denying the the cinematography was great]; BLOW OUT - 1981; THE BORDER - 1982 [Additional Photography]; JINXED! - 1982; TABLE FOR FIVE - 1983; NO SMALL AFFAIR - 1984; THE RIVER - 1984; REAL GENIUS - 1985; THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK - 1987; JOURNEY TO SPIRIT ISLAND - 1988; FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY - 1989; THE TWO JAKES - 1990; CHINA BEACH - 1989-1990 [TV Series; Special Interview Footage; 2 episodes]; THE BONFIRES OF THE VANITIES - 1990; STALIN - 1992 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special; and the American Society of Cinematographers Award® for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Pilots]; THE LONG SHADOW - 1992 [Director only]; SLIVER - 1993; INTERSECTION - 1994; MAVERICK - 1994 [also Actor]; THE CROSSING GUARD - 1995; ASSASSINS - 1995; THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS - 1996 [one of my favorites]; PLAYING BY HEART - 1998; ILLEGAL MUSIC - 1998; THE BODY - 2001; THE MISTS OF AVALON - 2001 [TV mini-series]; LIFE AS A HOUSE - 2001; BAD BANK - 2002; TIMELINE - 2003; JERSEY GIRL - 2004; MELINDA AND MELINDA - 2004; SURRENDER, DOROTHY - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE BLACK DAHLIA - 2006; CASSANDRA'S DREAM - 2007; YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER - 2010; LOUIS - 2010 [also Actor]; THE SUMMER CHILDREN - 2011; THE MAIDEN DANCED TO DEATH - 2011; COMPULSION - 2013; THE MINDY PROJECT - 2012-2014 [TV Series; 24 episodes]; SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS - 2014 [his last credit]. Mr. Zsigmond also photographed dozens of documentaries and shorts. He also won the American Society of Cinematographers Award® in 1999 for his Lifetime Achievement in films. He was also nominated for awards dozens of times for his work on films. His films had a distinctive look, even in the early years, which made him wanted by many directors. Vilmos Zsigmond was 85 years-old.) - 01/01/16
ROBERT STIGWOOD (Producer: Mr. Stigwood got started by managing musicians such as Cream, Eric Clapton and The Bee Gees, producing musical stage plays, and eventually turned to film Producing, where he is attributed as the driving force behind bringing the the films JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - 1973, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER - 1977 and GREASE - 1978 to the screen. He also launched the RSO Records label, where he released albums by Eric Clapton and the FAME and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK soundtrack albums. His films as a Producer included: TRAITOR'S GATE - 1962 [TV Movie]; CUCUMBER CASTLE - 1970; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - 1973; VIRGINIA HILL - 1974 [TV Movie]; TOMMY - 1975 [also Presenter]; BUGSY MALONE - 1976; SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER - 1977; GREASE - 1978; SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - 1978; MOMENT BY MOMENT - 1978 [One of the world's worst films]; THE MUSIC FOR UNICEF CONCERT: A GIFT OF SONG - 1979 [TV Special]; THE BEE GEES SPECIAL - 1979 [TV Special]; TIMES SQUARE - 1980; THE FAN - 1981; GALLIPOLI - 1981 [also Presenter]; GREASE 2 - 1982; STAYING ALIVE - 1983; YOUNG LUST - 1984; EVITA - 1996 [his last film]. He also Presented the true-life cannibal film SURVIVE!- 1976. He also was a well-known stage play producer, which allowed him to bring many of the films listed above to film. Robert Stigwood passed away from a heart attack and was 81 years-old.) - 01/04/16
SILVANA PAMPANINI - (Actress: Italian Actress [and sex symbol] who was popular after World War II and gave up acting in the mid-1960's to take care of her elderly parents. Her credits included: APOCALYPSE - 1947; WHEN LOVE CALLS - 1947; IL BARONE CARLO MAZZA - 1948; BE SEEING YOU, FATHER - 1948; THE FIREMEN OF VIGGIU - 1949; SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN THIEVES - 1949; MARECHIARO - 1949; 47 MORTO CHE PARLA - 1950; THE FORCE OF DESTINY - 1950; HAWK OF THE NILE - 1950; TWIN'S TROUBLE - 1950; LA BISCARA - 1950; IL RICHIAMO NELLA TEMPESTA - 1950; E ARRIVATO IL CAVALIERE! - 1950; BELLEZZE IN BICILETTA - 1951; IO SONO IL CAPATAZ - 1951; ANTHONY OF PADUA - 1951; MIRACOLO A VIGGIU - 1951; LA PAURA FA 90 - 1951; O.K. NERO - 1951; INA BRUNA INDAVOLARA! - 1951; TIZIO, CAIO, SEMPRONO - 1951; HA FATTO 13 - 1951; DON JUAN'S NIGHT OF LOVE - 1952; THE CITY STANDS TRIAL - 1952; THE WOMAN WHO INVENTED LOVE - 1952; FRUSTRATIONS - 1952; MADAMOISELLE GOBETE - 1952; BUFERE - 1953; KOENIGSMARK - 1953; L'INCANTEVOLE NEMICA - 1953; A HUSBAND FOR ANNA - 1953; A CAVALCADE OF SONG - 1953; VORTICE - 1953; NOI CANNIBALI - 1953; A DAY IN COURT - 1954; MID-CENTURY LOVES - 1954; MARRIAGE - 1954; THE SLAVE OF SIN - 1954; HALF A CENTURY OF SONG - 1954; ISLAND SINNER - 1954; THE CHEERFUL SQUADRON - 1954; ORIENT EXPRESS - 1954; ISLAND PRINCESS - 1954; TOWER OF LUST - 1955; THE BELLE OF ROME - 1955; ROMAN TALES - 1955; CANZONI DI TUTTA ITALIA - 1955; EXPERTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD - 1956; LAW OF THE STREETS - 1956; SARANNO UOMINI - 1957; THE YEAR LONG ROAD - 1958; THIRST FOR LOVE - 1959; GUNS OF THE BLACK WITCH - 1961; LOVE AND FAITH - 1961; MARTI A CONGRESSO - 1961; THE GAUCHO - 1964; NAPOLEONCITO - 1964; MONDO PAZZO...GENTE MATTA! - 1966; TRES MIL KILOMDETROS DE AMOR - 1967; MAZZABUBU...QUANTE CORNA STANNO QUAGGIU? - 1971; TRE STELLE - 1999 [TV Movie; Her final film]. She was never married and was one of the most popular actress of the 50s and the 60s in Italy, France and, strangely enough, Japan. She never went to do a Hollywood film because of her poor command of English, although she got many offers to do them. She worked more in TV when looking after her elderly parents. This way, she could pay the bills and live a good life. She worked in TV as late as 2002, but none of the shows were ever dubbed or subbed into English. Silvana Pampanini was 90 years-old.) - 01/06/16
PAT HARRINGTON JR. (Actor: To Baby Boomers like myself, Harrington will always be known as the super "Dwayne F. Schneider" on the TV Series ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1975-1984, who made everything sound sexual [or at least have a double meaning]. He was the only reason I watched the show. He was a well-respected actor well before that series aired and his credits included {TV Series unless otherwise noted): THE FORD THEATRE HOUR - 1949; THE PLYMOUTH PLAYHOUSE - 1953; THE MOTOROLA TELEVISION HOUR - 1953; THE ELGIN HOUR - 1955; THE ALCOA HOUR - 1956; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1959-1960 [11 episodes]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1960; THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; THE JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW - 1960; THE NEW STEVE ALLEN SHOW - 1961; A.P.O. 923 - 1962 [TV Movie]; THE WHEELER DEALERS - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; MOVE OVER, DARLING - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; GRINDL - 1964; KENTUCKY JONES - 1964; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1964; THE YELLOWBIRD - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE BING CROSBY SHOW - 1965; MR. NOVAK - 1965; THE LUCY SHOW - 1965; THE MUNSTERS - 1964-1965; HANK - 1966; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1966; F TROOP - 1966; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1966; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965-1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967; EASY COME, EASY GO - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; CAPTAIN NICE - 1967; THE SUPERMAN/AQUAMAN HOUR OF ADVENTURE - 1967 [voice only]; JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH - 1967 [voice only]; THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; GOOD MORNING, WORLD - 1968; 2000 YEARS LATER - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; THE OUTSIDER - 1968-1969; MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN - 1969; AQUAMAN - 1968-1969 [3 episodes; voice only]; THE PINK PANTHER SHOW - 1969; THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; HERE COMES THE BRIDES - 1970; THE FLYING NUN - 1970; THE MOST DEADLY GAME - 1970; THE NEW ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1971; THE INTERNS - 1970-1971; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1971; THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS - 1971; CADE'S COUNTY - 1971; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1971; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1972; WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT - 1972 [TV Movie]; EVERY LITTLE CROOK AND NANNY - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE CANDIDATE - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; TABITHA AND ADAM AND THE CLOWN FAMILY - 1972 [voice only]; THE NEW SCOOBY-DOO MOVIES - 1972 [4 episodes; voice only]; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1972; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1973; SAVAGE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1973 [voice only]; THE ROOKIES - 1973; THE GIRL WITH SOMETHING EXTRA - 1973; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1973 [3 episodes]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1970-1973; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; THE AFFAIR - 1973 [TV Movie]; WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME - 1972-1973 [voice only; 8 episodes]; FARADAY AND COMPANY - 1973; CHASE - 1974; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1971-1974 [11 episodes]; THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1974; BANACEK - 1974; THE HEALERS - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT - 1974 [Theatrical Film; voice only]; COLUMBO - 1974; LET'S SWITCH! - 1975 [TV Movie]; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - 1975 ["Primal Scream"]; POLICE STORY - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; FAY - 1975; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1974-1975; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975; INSIGHT - 1966-1976; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE CRITICAL LIST - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE LAST CONVERTIBLE - 1979 [TV mini-series]; CAPTAIN CAVEMAN AND THE TEEN ANGELS - 1977-1980 [40 episodes; voice only]; BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS - 1982 [TV Movie]; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1975-1984 [199 episodes; also wrote 12 episodes]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977-1984 [5 episodes]; GLITTER - 1984; WHO'S THE BOSS? - 1985; COMEDY FACTORY - 1985; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; HOTEL - 1986; A GARFIELD CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - 1987 [voice only]; DUET - 1989; THE RAY BRADBURY THEATRE - 1989; SYDNEY - 1990; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1991 [4 episodes]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1991; YO YOGI! - 1991 [voice only]; THE TRIALS OF ROSIE O'NEILL - 1992; ROUND TRIP TO HEAVEN - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; STREET JUSTICE - 1992; CIVIL WARS - 1992; I YABBA-DABBA DO! - 1993 [TV Movie; voice only]; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1994 [voice only]; SILK STALKINGS - 1994; ROSEANNE - 1995; THE GEORGE CARLIN SHOW - 1995; EMPTY NEST - 1995; BURKE'S LAW - 1995; SPRING FLING! - 1995 [TV Movie]; KIRK - 1995; THE WAYAN BROS. - 1996; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1994-1997 [voice only]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1999; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1999; AS TOLD BY GINGER - 2000; THESE OLD BROADS - 2001 [TV Movie]; ABLAZE - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; LAS VEGAS - 2003; YES, DEAR - 2004; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2005; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2006; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2012 [his final acting role]. Harrington also voiced THE INSPECTOR, a series of theatrical cartoons [an off-shoot of THE PINK PANTHER shorts] that use to play between double features in the 1960's. He was also a panelist on several game shows and various talk shows. Pat Harrington Jr. passed away due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease and was 86 years-old.) - 01/06/16
ANGUS SCRIMM (Actor: I have to say that this one did not take me by surprise, especially when I saw some recent photos of him. Still, PHANTASM [1979] is my favorite horror film of all time and Angus Scrimm was a huge part of it. Angus [Who used the pseudonyms "Rory Guy" and "Lawrence Guy" on some of his films; actually, his real name was "Lawrence Rory Guy". He used to do some showcase theater off campus, but William C. de Mille didn't like his students at USC to do that. Young Lawrence then created the pseudonym "Angus Scrimm" to cover his tracks. Many years later, he revived it to play The Tall Man in PHANTASM.] was the consummate professional, who could do comedy [Watch him in his cameo in JOHN DIES AT THE END - 2012. When he mentions his brother, I always lose it!], as well as anything else that was asked of him, was a one-of-a-kind actor. Once you saw his face, you never forgot it. And he used his unusual looks to get some small and big roles, usually in small genre films. Once I saw PHANTASM at a theater, it changed my life. I felt something watching that film that I never felt before. Every Halloween, I play that film for my viewing pleasure. Back a few years ago, when kids came to my apartment complex for some candy on my favorite day of the year, they would see it playing on my TV and some of them didn't want to leave. I can't say I blame them, because it still has the same effect on me. Mr. Scrimm's credits included [Theatrical Films unless noted]; SWEET KILL - 1972 [a.k.a. THE AROUSERS]; SCREAM BLOODY MURDER - 1973; JIM, THE WORLD'S GREATEST - 1976; A PIECE OF THE ACTION - 1977; QUINCY M.E. - 1978 [TV Series]; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1978 [TV Series]; SECRETS OF THREE HUNGRY WIVES - 1978 [TV Movie]; PHANTASM - 1979; SALVAGE 1 - 1979 [TV Series]; WITCHES' BREW - 1980; WALT DISNEY: ONE MAN'S DREAM - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE LOST EMPIRE - 1984; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1984 [TV Series]; SANTA BARBARA - 1984 [TV Series; played a funeral director]; FIRST STRIKE - 1985; CHOPPING MALL - 1986 [a.k.a. KILLBOTS]; PHANTASM II - 1988; TRANSYLVANIA TWIST - 1989; THE NUTT HOUSE - 1989 [TV Series]; SUBSPECIES - 1991; MUNCHIE - 1992; MINDWARP - 1992; DEADFALL - 1993; PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD - 1994; MUNCHIE STRIKES BACK - 1994; FATAL FRAMES - 1996; VAMPIRELLA - 1996 [MFHV]; WISHMASTER - 1997 [Narrator; voice only]; PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION - 1998; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1998-1999 [TV Series]; BEL AIR - 2000; BOOGEYMEN: THE KILLER COMPILATION - 2001 [archive footage of Scrimm as "The Tall Man" in PHANTASM]; FREAKYLINKS - 2001 [TV Series]; THE NIGHTMARE ROOM - 2001 [TV Series]; LEGEND OF THE PHANTOM RIDER - 2002; NEW JERSEY - 2003 [TV Series]; COUPLING - 2003 [TV Series]; THE OFF SEASON - 2004; ALIAS - 2001-2006 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; INCIDENT ON AND OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD - 2005 [Don Coscarelli's episode of Showtime's MASTERS OF HORROR]; SATANIC - 2005; ROBERT AND THERESA - 2006 [Short]; AUTOMATON - 2006; RED 71 - 2008; I SELL THE DEAD - 2008; SPACEMAN ON EARTH - 2009 [Short]; SATAN HATES YOU - 2010; FEMME FATALES - 2011 [Cable TV Series]; JOHN DIES AT THE END - 2012 [His part was small as a priest, but he made you laugh with his line about his brother]; THE TRICK IS THE TREAT - 2011 [Short]; DISCIPLES - 2014; ALWAYS WATCHING: A MARBLE HORNETS STORY - 2013; PHANTASM: RAVAGER - 2016 [Fittingly, his last acting role]. He also got a "special thanks" in Ti West's THE INNKEEPER - 2011 and a "thanks" in HOUSE OF GOOD AND EVIL - 2013. Mr. Scrimm did not limit his career efforts to simply acting, however. As a journalist he has written and edited for "TV Guide", "Cinema Magazine", the now-defunct "Los Angeles Herald-Examiner" and other publications. He has also written liner notes for thousands of LPs and CDs, for just about every genre from classical music to jazz, from Frank Sinatra and The Beatles to Artur Rubinstein and Itzhak Perlman. He worked for Capitol Records for nine years, writing album notes for the singers the label had under contract, such as Nat 'King' Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. He won a Grammy Award® for best album liner notes [he won for his notes on "Korngold: The Classic Erich Wolfgang Korngold" in 1974]. What a sad way to begin 2016. I met Scrimm at a few conventions in my life and, besides his towering appearance, he was a helluva nice guy. All fans of genre films are going to miss him. I can't wait to see his last film. Angus Scrimm passed away of natural causes in his sleep and was 89 years-old.) - 01/09/16
BARBARA ALLYNE BENNET (Actress/Production Coordinator: Actress that worked mainly on TV in minor roles. Her parts got bigger as she got older. Her credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: EMERGENCY! - 1974; RAID ON ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie; also Production Coordinator]; BILLY: PORTRAIT OF A STREET KID - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THE SEPTIC TANK - 1978 [TV Movie]; FLYING HIGH - 1978 [also Production Coordinator - 1978-1979; 15 episodes]; THE ROSE - 1979 [Theatrical Film; Production Coordinator only]; EVITA PERON - 1981 [TV Movie]; A KILLER IN THE FAMILY - 1983 [TV Movie; Casting Coordinator only]; DYNASTY - 1984; ROBERT KENNEDY AND HIS TIMES - 1985 [TV mini-series]; NORTH BEACH AND RAWHIDE - 1985 [TV Movie]; DIVORCE COURT - 1986; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; THE MALIBU BIKINI SHOP - 1986 [Theatrical Film; Assistant to R.J. Louis only]; MATHNET - 1987; SANTA BARBARA - 1987; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1987; MAC AND ME - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; SUPERIOR COUTY - 1989; SNOOPS - 1989; ANGEL TOWN - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; WORKING TRA$H - 1990 [TV Movie]; DAUGHTERS OF PRIVILEGE - 1991 [TV Movie]; MURDER 101 - 1991 [TV Movie]; BLACK TIE AFFAIR - 1993; PARTY OF FIVE - 1994; NYPD BLUE - 1995; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 - 1995-1997; FELICITY - 1998; THE PRACTICE - 2000; CHICAGO HOPE - 2000; THE WEST WING - 2000; GO FISH - 2001; LOVE & SUPPORT - 2001 [Theatrical Film]; HEART OF THE BEHOLDER - 2005 [Theatrical Film]; INSIDE - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; BROTHERS & SISTERS - 2008; THE OFFICE - 2011; SHAMELESS - 2014; THE NURSE - 2014 [Theatrical Film]; COUNTING FOR THUNDER - 2015 [Theatrical Film; her last credit]. Bennet also was active in the Screen Actors Guild. She served on the SAG Board from 2005-07, chaired the SAG Casting Committee and served on the SAG Commercial Performers Committee from 2005-06. She also served on the SAG-AFTRA Film Society Executive Committee for several years. She worked on the Western Council of The Actors Fund, fundraising and producing the annual Tony party [she was very involved with the Stage]. Barbara Allyne Bennet was 76 years-old.) - 01/09/16
MICHAEL GALEOTA (Actor: Child actor famous for the TV Series THE JERSEY - 1999-2004 and never did another acting job on TV or movies again. His death is still a mystery. His other credits included: THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB - 1990 [TV Series]; WOMEN & MEN 2: IN LOVE THERE ARE NO RULES - 1991 [TV Movie]; SECRET SANTA - 1994 [Short]; BUSHWACKED - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; ER - 1995 [TV Series]; BAILEY KIPPER'S P.O.V. - 1996 [TV Series Regular; played titled character; 13 episodes]; RATTLED - 1996 [TV Movie]; CLUBHOUSE DETECTIVES - 1996 [Theatrical film]; PROFILER - 1997 [TV Series]; ALLY MCBEAL - 1997 [TV Series]; MAGIC JERSEY - 1998 {TV Movie]; CAN'T BE HEAVEN - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; THE NIGHTMARE ROOM - 2001 [TV Series]; MISSING BRENDAN - 2003 [Theatrical Film]; THE JERSEY - 1999-2004 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Michael Galeota was 31 years-old.] - 01/10/16
DAVID BOWIE (Musician/Actor: Not only was David Bowie [The Thin White Duke, my favorite period of his] a world-class musician [who sometimes looked like an androgynous alien with superior intellect; Bowie came out as being bisexual long before it was socially acceptable to do so] that could sing any type of song [remember his duet with Bing Crosby during Christmas on TV all those years ago in 1977?], he was also a very good actor who was woefully underused in film. I think casting directors thought of him as a musician only [the bisexual tag probably hurt him, too, I'm sad to say], but watch his performances in THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH - 1976 [as an alien trying to get back home who changes his mind when consumerism takes him over and he becomes an alcoholic], THE HUNGER - 1983 [as a vampire of a different kind] and THE PRESTIGE - 2006 [where he portrayed Nikola Tesla, who invents a contraption that just blew all our collective minds, who tells Robert Angier {Hugh Jackman} to destroy it and never use it, but he doesn't and we see the consequences in one of the best surprises since THE SIXTH SENSE - 1999; read director Christopher Nolan's recollections about working with Bowie HERE] and you could see he had plenty of range. Bowie always had a collections of musicians, including Brian Eno, Niles Rogers and Robert Fripp [a very dapper man], who were always on his wavelength, as he was constantly changing his style and creating some amazing music [and clothing] to go along with his lyrics. His Ziggy Stardust character brought him into worldwide attention, but it only lasted 18 months. Then came his Thin White Duke period which, in my opinion, he made his best music. From 1988 to 1992, Bowie was part of a band called "Tin Machine" with Reeves Gabrels, Tony & Hunt Sales [the sons of comic Soupy Sales], producing three albums which were not well received. When listened to today, you can basically hear the beginnings of Grunge Music before Nirvana and Pearl Jam made it popular just a couple of years later. Tin Machine was just slightly ahead of the curve. Bowie continued to be professionally-active right up until his death, with his latest album BLACKSTAR [his 25th album] released Friday, January 8, 2016 - on his 69th birthday. It is set to be honored at a concert at Carnegie Hall on March 31, 2016 featuring the Roots, Cyndi Lauper and the Mountain Goats. The multi-talented artist also has a musical, LAZARUS running Off Broadway, which features his musical catalog and stars DEXTER actor Michael C. Hall. His film credits included: THE IMAGE - 1967 [Short]; THEATRE 625 - 1968 [TV Series]; THE VIRGIN SOLDIERS - 1969; PIERROT IN TURQUOISE OR THE LOOKING GLASS MURDERS - 1970 [Short; also Writer]; THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH - 1976 [What a great film; awarded a Golden Scroll® by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Actor]; JUST A GIGOLO - 1978; BAAL - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE SNOWMAN - 1982 [Short]; THE HUNGER - 1983; MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE - 1983 [a vastly underrated film]; YELLOWBEARD - 1983; JAZZIN' FOR BLUE JEAN - 1984 [Video Short; also Writer]; INTO THE NIGHT - 1985; ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS - 1986; LABYRINTH - 1986 [Scared the shit out of me and I was closing in on 30!]; THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST - 1988 [played Pontius Pilate]; DREAM ON - 1991 [Pay Cable TV Series]; THE LINGUINI INCIDENT - 1991; TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME - 1993 [Essential]; FULL STRETCH - 1993 [TV Series]; BASQUIAT - 1996 [played Andy Warhol]; GUNSLINGER'S REVENGE - 1998; B.U.S.T.E.D. - 1999; MR. RICE'S SECRET - 2000; THE HUNGER - 1999-2000 [Pay Cable TV Series based on the movie; 20 episodes]; EMPTY - 2000 [Short]; ZOOLANDER - 2001; NATHAN BARLEY - 2005 [TV Series]; EXTRAS - 2006 [Pay Cable TV Series; He was absolutely hilarious in his cameo]; THE PRESTIGE - 2006 [palyed Nikola Tesla with an anger that very few people could express; we must remember that Thomas Edison stole many of Tesla's ideas and patented them]; ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES - 2006 [Voice only]; SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - 2007 [TV Series; Voice only]; AUGUST - 2008; BANDSLAM - 2009 [although he made a few more shorts playing himself, this was his last acting gig]. Mr. Bowie contributed songs to so many films and TV shows, it would take me all day to type them up, so I'll just mention the ones that were memorable to me: BING CROSBY'S MERRIE OLDE CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Special; Bowie went uncredited because his mother loved Crosby and Bowie wanted to "normalize his career"; The song they sang together was released as a single and is usually played on the radio every Christmas; Crosby died shortly after this TV special was filmed]; CHRISTIANE F. - 1981; CAT PEOPLE - 1982 ["Putting Out The Fire" is one of the most memorable songs in any movie; Quentin Tarantino reused it in his INGLORIOUS BASTERDS - 2009 in one of his iconic scenes; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Original Song - Motion Picture]; THE HUNGER - 1983; SIXTEEN CANDLES - 1984; THE FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN - 1985; LABYRINTH - 1986; WHEN THE WIND BLOWS - 1986 [Animated film that should be seen by everyone]; SOMETHING WILD - 1986; ALIEN NATION - 1988; HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH - 1992; DR. GIGGLES - 1992; AMONGST FRIENDS - 1993; CLUELESS - 1995; SHOWGIRLS - 1995; SE7EN - 1995; LOST HIGHWAY - 1997; GROSSE POINT BLANK - 1997;  STARSHIP TROOPERS - 1997; GODZILLA - 1998; DETROIT ROCK CITY - 1999; STIGMATA - 1999; AMERICAN PSYCHO - 2000; 15 MINUTES - 2001; TRAINING DAY - 2001; LONG TIME DEAD - 2002; THE GIRL NEXT DOOR - 2004; RAISING HELEN - 2004; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS - 2005 [Pay Cable Movie]; COLD CASE - 2005 [TV Series]; C.R.A.Z.Y. - 2005; LORD OF WAR - 2005; ALPHA DOG - 2006; TORCHWOOD - 2006 [TV Series]; JUNO - 2007; JCVD - 2008 [Marie Mazziotti's recording of Bowie's "Modern Love" was simple, yet effective]; WORLD'S GREATEST DAD - 2009; SUCK - 2009; NINJA ASSASSIN - 2009; HOT TUB TIME MACHINE - 2010; THE GREEN HORNET - 2011; EVA - 2011; PERSON OF INTEREST - 2012 [TV Series]; JACK REACHER - 2012; TRANCE - 2013; AMERICAN HUSTLE - 2013; NEIGHBORS - 2014; FOXCATCHER - 2014; STRANGE MAGIC - 2015; and hundreds of others [Nearly every filmmaker wanted a Bowie song on their soundtrack]. David Bowie also performed on many Music Videos, TV Specials and Talk Shows [he was especially humorous on Conan]. His musical output was simply staggering. He was married to model Iman [my sincerest condolences to her] since 1992 and suffered ill health throughout most of his adult life, culminating in a heart attack in 2004. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 12, 1997 at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. and in 1999, he was awarded France's Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. David Bowie passed away due to complications of battling cancer for 18 months and was 69 years-old. R.I.P. Ziggy Stardust. And remember: "We can be heroes, just for one day.") - 01/11/16
ALAN RICKMAN (Actor: Jesus H. Christ! January has already become a very depressing year without the addition of Rickman to the death brigade. He is universally known as the main bad guy "Hans Gruber" in the action classic DIE HARD - 1988, but a lot of kids and book fanatics know him better as "Severus Snape" in the HARRY POTTER series of films. My God, he passed away much too young and had so much talent. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]; ROMEO & JULIET - 1978 [TV Movie]; THERESE RAQUIN - 1980 [TV mini-series]; SHELLEY - 1980 [TV Series]; SMILEY'S PEOPLE -  1982 [TV mini-series]; THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES - 1982 [TV mini-series]; BUSTED - 1983 [TV Movie]; SUMMER SEASON - 1985 [TV Series]; GIRLS ON TOP - 1985 [TV Series]; DIE HARD - 1988 [The film that made him a household name. He was simply wonderful as a bad guy without a conscience, even till the end.]; THE JANUARY MAN - 1989; THEATRE NIGHT - 1989 [TV Series]; SCREENPLAY - 1989 [TV Series]; QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER - 1990 [another memorable bad guy]; TRULY MADLY DEEPLY - 1990; CLOSET LAND - 1991; ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES - 1991 [another memorable villain with some great comic lines]; CLOSE MY EYES - 1991; BOB ROBERTS - 1992; FALLEN ANGELS - 1993 [TV Series]; MESMER - 1994; AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE - 1995; SENSE AND SENSIBILITY - 1995; RASPUTIN - 1996 [TV Movie; played the titled character; won an Emmy®, a Screen Actors Guild Award® and a Golden Globe® for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV]; MICHAEL COLLINS - 1996; THE WINTER GUEST - 1997 [also Director & Writer]; JUDAS KISS - 1998; DARK HARBOR - 1998; DOGMA - 1999; GALAXY QUEST - 1999; A FISH TALE - 2000 [voice only]; BLOW DRY - 2001; WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE - 1991 [TV Movie]; HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE - 2001; THE SEARCH FOR JOHN GISSING - 2001; KING OF THE HILL - 2002 [TV Series; voice only]; HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS - 2002; LOVE ACTUALLY - 2003; SOMETHING THE LORD MADE [HBO TV Movie; extremely absorbing film; one of my favorites; one of the most nominated TV Movies ever made and winner of several awards for different categories; Unbelievably, Rickman won nothing]; HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN - 2004; THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY - 2005 [voice only]; HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE - 2005; SNOW CAKE - 2006; PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER - 2006 [terribly underrated film]; NOBLE SON - 2007; HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX - 2007; SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET [Rickman gets to sing and he was good!]; BOTTLE SHOCK - 2008; HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - 2009; HAROLD PINTER: A CELEBRATION - 2010 [TV Documentary]; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 2010 [voice only]; BACK AT THE BARNYARD - 2010 [TV Series]; FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S BLACK PATRIOTS - 2010 [TV Documentary; voice only]; THE SONG OF LUNCH - 2010 [TV Movie]; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 - 2010; PORTRAITS IN DRAMATIC TIME - 2011; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 - 2011 [the final Harry Potter film]; GAMBIT - 2012; LEE DANIEL'S THE BUTLER - 2013; A PROMISE - 2013; CBGB - 2013; A LITTLE CHAOS - 2014 [also Director & Writer]; EYE IN THE SKY - 2015; ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - 2016 [voice only; his final role]. Rickman was also heavily involved in Stage work. Rickman first came to the attention of American audiences as "Vicomte de Valmont" in LES LIAISON DANGEREUSES [DANGEROOUS LIAISONS] on Broadway in 1987 [he was nominated for a Tony Award® for his performance in the role and would receive another Tony® nomination in 2002 for his work in PRIVATE LIVES.]. When he was denied the chance to portray the character in the film version of DANGEROUS LIAISONS, he chose DIE HARD instead and the rest is history. Harry Potter fans honored the late Alan Rickman on Thursday, January 14, 2016, by turning London's Platform 9 3/4 shop into a touching memorial. Visitors of King's Cross station used scarves, flowers, and notes to decorate the site and pay their respects to the man who played the saga's menacing potions professor. "So much love for our Snape," tweeted one user. "Potterhead solidarity." The beloved movie and theater actor's death was announced early Thursday morning, eliciting near-immediate responses from J.K. Rowling and Co. The author said she was "shocked and devastated," noting the world had "lost a great talent. This is a major loss to Film and Theater [Daniel Radcliffe said that Rickman turned up at all his stage plays and movie sets to give him moral support after the Harry Potter films ended. Radcliffe went on to say that Rickman was there to help him on the first Harry Potter film because he was so young and inexperienced. Alan Rickman was not only a major talent, but he was also a friend for life]. Alan Rickman passed away of cancer and was 69 years-old.) - 01/14/16
DAN HAGGERTY (Actor: Dan [Real name: Gene Jajonski] and I had a fake love/hate relationship. Actually, I loved the bearded guy, but I also loved ripping into his bad acting [you'll see a lot of his films reviewed on this site, where I always say that Haggerty only had one expression [which was true] and he would send me emails saying I was right. He was one of the nicest guys/bad actors I ever dealt with and he always told me to tell the truth as I saw it, whether I was right or wrong. And I did. And he would send me another humorous email telling me whether I was right or wrong, but to keep doing it. He loved the way I put him down. He had a unique sense of humor that made me look forward to reading his emails when I saw his name on the header. I treasure those emails and have always kept them personal, because it was like one friend talking to another. We lost touch a few years ago and I never knew Dan had cancer. If I did, I would have encouraged him since I am a cancer survivor. Unfortunately, the disease got the better of him and the barrel-chested actor passed away. I learned yesterday that he passed away and I had to stop what I was doing and I cried for a couple of hours. Most of his films may have stunk, but Dan the person was one of the nicest guys I ever dealt with. It was like losing a brother that I didn't keep in touch with, but realized too late that I should have. Goodbye, dear friend. May the angels lift you up to the stars. Dan's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE FILES OF JEFFREY JONES - 1953 [TV Series]; MUSCLE BEACH PARTY - 1964 [Dan was a real-life Mucle Beach bodybuilder]; GIRL HAPPY - 1965; SAIL TO GLORY - 1967; EASY RIDER - 1969 [Also Motorcycle Builder]; THE WILD COUNTRY - 1970 [Wild Animal Trainer only]; ANGELS DIE HARD - 1970; THE TENDER WARRIOR - 1971; CHROME AND HOT LEATHER - 1971; BURY ME AN ANGEL - 1972 [his first really big part]; PINK ANGELS - 1972; SLEAZY RIDER - 1973; SUPERCHICK - 1973; HEX - 1973; GENTLE SAVAGE - 1973 [Set Decorator only]; WHEN THE NORTH WIND BLOWS - 1974; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GRIZZLY ADAMS - 1974 [The role he is most associated with]; THE ADVENTURES OF FRONTIER FREMONT - 1976; DESPERATE WOMEN - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GRIZZLY ADAMS - 1977-1978 [TV Series; 37 episodes; Won a People's Choice Award® for Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program in 1977]; ONCE UPON A STARRY NIGHT - 1978 [TV Movie; A Grizzly Adams TV Movie]; TERROR OUT OF THE SKY - 1978 [TV Movie]; CHiPS - 1979 [TV Movie]; CONDOMINIUM - 1980 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1981 [TV Series]; AMERICANA - 1981 [Also Animal Handler and Set Dresser]; KING OF THE MOUNTAIN - 1981; LEGEND OF THE WILD - 1981 [A Grizzy Adams Theatrical Film]; THE CAPTURE OF GRIZZLY ADAMS - 1982 [TV Movie; his Grizzly Adams character refused to die]; LADIES NIGHT - 1983; THE LOVE BOAT - 1983 [TV Series]; ABDUCTED - 1986 [Probably his best film]; TERROR NIGHT - 1987 [a.k.a. BLOODY MOVIE]; NIGHT WARS - 1988; ELVES - 1989 [Also Associate Producer; Probably Dan's worst and most watchable film]; THE CHILLING - 1989; MIND TRAP - 1989; ICE PAWN - 1989; CHANCE - 1990 [Also Associate Producer]; THE INHERITOR - 1990; THE CHANNELER - 1990; REPO JAKE - 1990; ONE MAN WAR - 1990; DEADLY DIAMONDS - 1991 [MFHV]; THAT'S ACTION - 1991 [Video Documentary containing scenes from Dan's films]; SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE - 1991; SOLDIER'S FORTUNE - 1991; THE MAGIC VOYAGE - 1992 [voice only]; LOVE AND DYNAMITE - 1992; CHEYENNE WARRIOR - 1994 [TV Movie]; ABDUCTED II: THE REUNION - 1995 [Failed to catch the spark of the original film]; THE LITTLE PATRIOT - 1995; FATHER FROST - 1996; GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN - 1997 [Not a Grizzly Adams film]; BORN CHAMPION - 1998; PUSS IN BOOTS - 1999; ESCAPE TO GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN - 2000; AN ORDINARY KILLER - 2003; MOTOCROSS KIDS - 2004; BIG STAN - 2007; THE BOOK OF RUTH: JOUURNEY OF FAITH - 2009 [MFHV]; AXE GIANT: THE WRATH OF PAUL BUNYAN - 2012 [Dan's death was very memorable]; CASA DE MI PADRE - 2012 [Funny gag featuring Haggerty at the end of the film]; DEAD IN 5 HEARTBEATS - 2013; 40 NIGHTS - 2016; THE UNTOLD STORY - 2016 [his final film]. Dan's last appearance was on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT on January 15, 2016 and he also appeared as himself on dozens of TV talk shows, game shows and BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STARS [two times]. He also received a Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame on February 1 1994 at 7070 Hollywood Blvd. [He is the only person to have his star REMOVED from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was actually meant to honor another actor, the late Don Haggerty, and the committee made an error in spelling. Eventually Dan received a legitimate star, now located in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.]. There's was a lot more to Dan's life, not all of it good [one legal entanglement got him blackballed from Hollywood for years], but I would rather remember him as a very personable guy who could dish it out as good as he got it. And do it in a way that was never threatening. Besides, anyone who loved animals the way Dan did is OK in my book. Goodbye, Dan. You were one of a kind. Dan Haggerty passed away of cancer and was 74 years-old.) - 01/15/16
GLENN FREY (Musician/Actor: Frey was best known as the Grammy Award® winning guitarist of supergroup The Eagles ["I Can't Tell You Why" {recorded in 1980} is my favorite Eagles tune], but he did do some acting on the side and much of his solo and Eagles work turned up in movies and TV. His acting credits included: MIAMI VICE - 1985 [TV Series]; LET'S GET HARRY - 1986 [Theatrical Film that went straight-to-video]; WISEGUY - 1989 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; SOUTH OF SUNSET - 1993 [TV Series; 7 episodes; this was Frey's chance of becoming a TV star since he was the star of the series, but it was cancelled after only one episode, even though 7 had been filmed]; JERRY MAGUIRE - 1996; NASH BRIDGES - 1997 [TV Series]; ARLI$$ - 2002 [Pay Cable TV Series; his last acting role]. Films and TV series that featured The Eagles or Frey's solo work included: FM - 1978; WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1979 [TV Series]; URBAN COWBOY - 1980; THE BEST LITTLE GIRL IN THE WORLD - 1981 [TV Movie]; FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH - 1982; KNIGHT RIDER - 1982 [TV Series]; BEVERLY HILLS COP - 1984; SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL - 1984; STREET HAWK - 1985 [TV Series]; THE SURE THING - 1985; GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN - 1985; DESPERADO - 1987 [TV Movie; Features the title tune, my second favorite Eagles song, recorded way back in 1973]; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1988 [TV Series]; MIAMI VICE - 1985-1988 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; SEASON OF FEAR - 1989; GHOSTBUSTERS II - 1989; THELMA & LOUISE - 1991; REASONABLE DOUBTS - 1993 [TV Series]; BAYWATCH - 1993 [TV Series]; THE X-FILES - 1994 [TV Series; The song "Hotel California" was used in one of the finest hours of TV in an episode titled "Beyond The Sea"]; SGT. BILKO - 1996; SEINFELD - 1996 [TV Series]; MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 - 1993-1997 [TV Series]; THE BIG LEBOWSKI - 1998; OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE - 1999; SPACE COWBOYS - 2000; VERTICAL LIMIT - 2000; THE SOPRANOS - 2000-2001 [Pay Cable TV Series]; IN AMERICA - 2002; WINTER PASSING - 2005; THE SIMPSONS - 2005 [TV Series]; MIDNIGHT HEAT - 2007; THE LEAGUE - 2013 [TV Series]; HELLO LADIES - 2013 [Pay Cable TV Series]; SOUTH PARK - 2013 [TV Series]; THE BLOCK - 2014 [TV Series]; JOY - 2015 [The last soundtrack credit at the time of his death]. Frey also appeared in dozens of music videos and documentaries featuring The Eagles. He also appeared on many talk shows as a solo act. Frey was one of only two members of The Eagles to have been with the band since its creation. The other is Don Henley. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame® in 2000. Here's what Glenn Frey said about Phil Collins and his song "In The Air Tonight" and how he became part of MIAMI VICE: "I don't know that I've ever heard a single record that had more atmosphere than this Phil Collins track. It's so cinematic and it's another one of those records that starts out and it sort of hooks you, and you can't stop listening and then once he's got you drawn in then he starts adding things. I love the tension in that record. There's something sort of unpredictable about it. You don't quite know what's going to happen next and of course when the drum fills come in it's absolutely mind blowing. I always liked the song and then I remember seeing it on an episode of MIAMI VICE. Don Johnson and his partner driving in one of their cool cars and it's night time and it's Miami and they're headed some place where some bad stuff is gonna go down. And here's this song playing while they're cruising through the night streets of Miami. Totally cool. Love Phil Collins." Glenn Frey passed away due to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia and was 67 years-old.) - 01/18/16
ABE VIGODA (Actor: Mr. Vigoda has been around so long, I thought he was born old. I was just watching THE GODFATHER SAGA [1981; a combination of the first two films {1972 & 1974} in chronological order] and was always struck by Vigoda's scene where he knew his time was up and asked Robert Duvall for a break for "old time's sake." That scene has always stuck with me because of the grace Vigoda handled the scene, even though he knew he was going to die. His final words, "Tell Don Corleone it was nothing personal, just business." was the epitome of Mob life [Vigoda was an unknown at the time and Francis Ford Coppola picked him out of 500 auditions for the role of Salvatore "Sal" Tessio for the first GODFATHER film]. I've respected Abe Vigoda over the years and enjoyed the hell out of him, but I swear he never seemed to change in appearance, even after watching him for over 40 years. To hear he has died was really a shock to me. He was one guy I thought would live forever. But he has had a terrific career in some great movies and TV series and gave pleasure to everyone who watched him act. Abe Vigoda was like some mythical creature to me. You never knew why he always looked old, but you were glad he was around. Mr. Vigoda's many credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: SUSPENSE - 1949; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1949; BUCK ROGERS - 1950; ALL STAR REVUE - 1951; THREE ROOMS IN MANHATTAN - 1965 [TF]; DARK SHADOWS - 1969-1970; THE GODFATHER - 1972 [TF]; THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER - 1973 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1973; THE DON IS DEAD - 1973 [TF]; THE CONVERSATION - 1973 [TF]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1973; THE ROOKIES - 1974; TOMA - 1973-1974; THE STORY OF PRETTY BOY FLOYD - 1974 [TV Movie]; NEWMAN'S LAW - 1974 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1974 [The Series' 150th episode]; KOJAK - 1974; THE GODFATHER PART II - 1974 [TF]; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPT. BARNEY MILLER - 1974 [The first pilot for BARNEY MILLER, which was shown in August of 1974. Another revised pilot was shot and aired in January 1975 and the rest was history]; CANNON - 1975; HAVING BABIES - 1976 [TV Movie]; COS - 1976; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; THE GODFATHER: A NOVEL FOR TELEVISION - 1977 [TV mini-series; a highly edited version of the first two GODFATHER films that cuts out most of Sonny's death and Michael shooting the two guys in the restaurant {also all nudity and some funny replacements for foul language}; It was done better in 1981 for theatrical showings]; FINAL WARNING - 1977 [TV Movie]; FISH - 1977-1978 [35 episodes; an unsuccessful spin-off of his character on BARNEY MILLER. When the series failed, partly due to lawsuits between Vigoda and 4D Productions {Vigoda said he only wanted a raise because the theme of the show was changed from the pilot "FISH AND BERNICE" and 4D sued, saying that Vigoda wouldn't show up for rehearsals}, he went back to MILLER, where he appeared occasionally until the show was cancelled in 1982 {his only appearance in 1982 was clips from past episodes in the final episode}]; THE CHEAP DETECTIVE - 1978 [TF]; THE COMEDY COMPANY - 1978 [TV Movie]; VEGA$ - 1978; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974-1978; HOW TO PICK UP GIRLS! - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979; $WEEPSTAKE$ - 1979; SUPERTRAIN - 1979; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1979; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; DEATH CAR ON THE FREEWAY - 1979 [TV Movie]; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1979; DANCE FEVER - 1979; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1980; GRIDLOCK - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE GODFATHER SAGA - 1981 [TF; The first two Godfather films were re-edited together in chronological order with additional footage added. Not edited for violence or nudity like the 1977 TV mini-series; runs over 7 hours without a break!]; THE BIG STUFFED DOG - 1981 [TV Movie]; BARNEY MILLER - 1974-1981 [61 episodes; nominated in 1976, 1977 & 1978 for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series, but never won]; HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. - 1981; CANNONBALL RUN II - 1984 [TF]; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984; THE STUFF - 1985 [TF]; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1985; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - 1986; VASECTOMY: A DELICATE MATTER - 1986 [TF]; PLAIN CLOTHES - 1987 [TF]; SUPERBOY - 1988; B.L. STRYKER - 1989; SANTA BARBARA - 1989 [7 episodes]; LOOK WHO'S TALKING - 1989 [TF]; PRANCER - 1989; KEATON'S COP - 1990 [TF]; JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO - 1990 [TF]; MONSTERS - 1990; MACGYVER - 1990; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK STALLION - 1990; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1991; THE GODFATHER TRILOGY: 1901-1980 - 1992 [MFHV; Strings all three GODFATHER films in chronological order with additional footage not seen in theaters]; LUCKY LUKE - 1992; FIST OF HONOR - 1993 [TF]; SUGAR HILL - 1993 [TF]; ME AND THE KID - 1993 [TF]; BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM - 1993 [TF; voice only]; NORTH - 1994 [TF]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1994; HOME OF ANGELS - 1994 [TF]; JURY DUTY - 1995 [TF]; THE MISERY BROTHERS - 1995 [TF]; LAW & ORDER - 1996; WEIRD SCIENCE - 1996; LOVE IS ALL THERE IS - 1996 [TF]; UNDERWORLD - 1996 [TF]; THE DANA CARVEY SHOW - 1996; WINGS - 1996; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1996; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1997 [TF]; GOOD BURGER - 1997 [TF]; FARTICUS - 1997 [TF]; A BROOKLYN STATE OF MIND - 1998 [TF]; WITNESS TO THE MOB - 1998 [TV Movie]; REEL TO REEL - 1998 [TV Movie]; PROMISED LAND - 1998; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1999; JUST THE TICKET - 1999 [TF]; NORM - 1999; MANHATTAN, AZ - 2000 [3 episodes]; CHUMP CHANGE - 2000 [TF]; TEA CAKES OR CANNOLI - 2000 [TF]; DEADLINE - 2001; FAMILY GUY - 2001 [voice only]; CRIME SPREE - 2003 [TF]; LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN: 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - 2003; FARCE OF THE PENGUINS - 2006 [TF; voice only]; FRANKIE THE SQUIRREL - 2007 [Short]; THE UNKNOWN TRILOGY - 2008 [MFHV]; HIGH SCHOOL USA! - 2013 [voice only]; SWEET DESTINY - 2014 [TF; his last acting credit]. Mr. Vigoda spent most of the 1950's & 1960's doing stage work. From 1994 to 2009, Abe Vigoda would turn up unexpectedly in comedy bits on LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN which were usually funny as hell [Conan liked to make fun of Vigoda's life-long old man look]. He was also a semi-regular on the DEAN MARTIN ROASTS specials during the late 1970's. He was also a guest panelist on a few game shows during the 70's, including TATTLETALES, THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES and BREAK THE BANK. He also got a "Special Thanks" on the 2014 documentary THAT GUY DICK MILLER. During the 80's, many filmmakers mistakenly thought Abe Vigoda was dead and would ask casting agents for an "Abe Vigoda Type", not realizing that Vigoda was very much alive. One reason I really loved Abe Vigoda was because he lived in the same small town in New Jersey as I do and would see him every once in a while in grocery or department stores. I would always say hello and he would flash that famous grin and say "How the hell are you doin'?" I would always call him "Mr. Vigoda", but he insisted that I call him Abe. He was a true gentleman. An old-school kind of guy. Always graceful and accommodating. I will miss him. Abe Vigoda died of natural causes in his sleep on January 26, 2016 in Woodland Park, New Jersey. He was 94 years-old.) - 01/26/16
TOMMY KELLY (Actor: Child actor whose main claim to fame was playing Tom Sawyer in THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER [1938]. He made a series of films and then retired from acting when he became an adult. His credits included: THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER - 1938; PECK'S BAD BOY WITH THE CIRCUS - 1938; THEY SHALL HAVE MUSIC - 1939; GONE WITH THE WIND - 1939 [Uncredited]; CURTAIN CALL - 1940; IRENE - 1940; MILITARY ACADEMY - 1940; GALLANT SONS - 1940; NICE GIRL? - 1941; DOUBLE DATE - 1941; LIFE BEGINS FOR ANDY HARDY - 1941; MUG TOWN - 1942; THE BEGINNING OR THE END - 1947; THE FABULOUS TEXAN - 1947; HE WALKED BY NIGHT - 1948; ADVENTURE IN BALTIMORE - 1949; BATTLEGROUND - 1949; THE WEST POINT STORY - 1950; THE MAGNIFICENT YANKEE - 1950 [his last acting role]. When he retired from acting, he became a teacher in Washington, D.C. and refused to talk about his acting career. Tommy Kelly died of congestive heart failure and was 90 years-old.) - 01/26/16
FRANK FINLAY (Actor: Highly respected Academy Award® nominated British actor best known for his Shakespeare work both on film and stage. He also mafe more than a few films of interest to genre enthusiasts. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: THE TWOPENNY DIAMOND - 1956 [TV Movie]; THE SECRETS OF THE PRAIRIE - 1956 [TV mini-series]; JOHN AND PADDY - 1956 [TV Movie]; THE TELESCOPE - 1957 [TV Movie]; ONION BOYS - 1958; BIG GUNS - 1958; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1959; TARGET LUNA - 1960 [6 episodes]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; DOCTOR KNOCK - 1961; THE CHARLIE DRAKE SHOW - 1961; SOLDIER, SOLDIER - 1961 [TV Movie]; ONE WAY PENDULUM - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNGER GENERATION - 1961; THE COMPARTMENT - 1961 [TV Movie]; YOU CAN'T WIN - 1961; UNDER WESTERN EYES - 1962 [TV Movie]; STUDIO 4 - 1962; Z CARS - 1962; WALK IN THE SHADOW - 1962 [TF]; THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER - 1962 [TF]; THE LONGEST DAY - 1962 [TF]; PRIVATE POTTER - 1962 [TF]; DOCTOR IN DISTRESS - 1963 [TF]; DRAMA 61-67 - 1963; UNDERWORLD INFORMERS - 1963 [TF]; THE WILD AFFAIR - 1963 [TF]; AGENT 8 3/4 - 1964 [TF]; THE COMEDY MAN - 1964 [TF]; A STUDY IN TERROR - 1965 [TF]; OTHELLO - 1965 [TF; Academy Award® & Golden Globe® nomineee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Won as Best Actor at the San Sebastián International Film Festival®]; THE SANDWICH MAN - 1966 [TF]; THIRTEEN AGAINST FATE - 1966; THE DEADLY BEES - 1966 [TF]; MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - 1967 [TV Movie]; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1967; THE JOKERS - 1967 [TF]; ROBBERY - 1967 [TF; fantastic movie]; THEATRE 625 - 1967; I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT'S'ISNAME - 1967 [TF]; LES MISERABLES - 1967 [TV mini-series]; INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU - 1968 [TF]; THE SHOES OF A FISHERMAN - 1968 [TF]; TWISTED NERVE - 1968 - [TF; the movie which made me take notice of Finlay]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1962-1969 [4 episodes]; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1969; THIS HAPPY BREED - 1969 [TV Movie]; THE MOLLY MCQUIRES - 1970 [TF]; CROMWELL - 1970 [TF]; IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN - 1971 [TF; another film I saw several times on different double bills under various titles]; GUMSHOE - 1971 [TF]; CASANOVA - 1971 [TV mini-series]; SITTING TARGET - 1972 [TF]; DANNY JONES - 1972 [TF]; THE EXORCISM OF HUGH - 1972 [TF; a.k.a. NEITHER THE SEA NOR THE SAND]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1969-1973; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1969-1973 [4 episodes]; SHAFT IN AFRICA - 1973 [TF]; THE THREE MUSKETEERS - 1973 [TF]; THE FOUR MUSKETEERS: MILADY'S REVENGE - 1974 [TF]; BOUQUET OF BARBED WIRE - 1976 [6 episodes]; ANOTHER BOUQUET - 1977 [TV mini-series]; COUNT DRACULA - 1977 [TV Movie; played Van Helsing]; SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE WILD GEESE - 1978 [TF; still one of my favorites]; THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD - 1978 [TV Movie]; MURDER BY DECREE - 1979 [TF]; RING OF DARKNESS - 1979 [TF]; BETZI - 1980 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1981; TALES FROM A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS - 1981 [TV Movie]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970-1981 [3 episodes]; THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER - 1982 [TF]; ENIGMA - 1982 [TF]; THE PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH - 1983 [TF]; THE BLACK ADDER - 1983; THE KEY - 1983 [TF]; SAKHAROV - 1984 [TV Movie]; A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1984 [TV Movie]; ARCH OF TRIUMPH - 1984 [TV Movie]; NINE DAYS IN MAY - 1984 [TV Movie]; NINETEEN NINETEEN - 1985 [TF; voice only]; SCREEN TWO - 1985; LIFEFORCE - 1985 [TF; a real guilty pleasure]; CASANOVA - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE TWO RONNIES - 1987; CHRISTMAS NIGHT WITH THE TWO RONNIES - 1987 [TV Movie]; EREBUS: THE AFTERMATH - 1988 [TV mini-series]; THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1989 [TF]; KING OF THE WIND - 1990 [TF]; BURNING SHORE - 1991 [TV Movie]; CTHULHU MANSION - 1992 [TF]; THE OTHER SIDE - 1992 [TV Movie]; STALIN - 1992 [TV Movie]; AN EXCHANGE OF FIRE - 1993; SPARROW - 1993 [TF]; CHARLEMAGNE - 1994 [TV mini-series]; THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1994; LOVEJOY - 1994; HEARTBEAT - 1994; A MIND TO MURDER - 1995 [TV Movie]; GOSPA - 1995 [TF]; LIMITED EDITION - 1996 [TF]; PUT K SLAVE - 1997 [TF]; COMMON AS MUCK - 1997 [3 episodes]; FOR MY BABY - 1997 [TF]; SO THIS IS ROMANCE? - 1997 [TF]; THE GRAND - 1998; STIFF UPPER LIPS - 1998 [TF]; DREAMING OF JOSEPH LEES - 1999 [TF]; THE MAGICAL LEGEND OF THE LEPRECHAUNS - 1999 [TV Movie]; HOW DO YOU WANT ME? - 1998-1999 [10 episodes]; LONGITUDE - 2000 [TV Movie]; WHERE THE HEART IS - 2000; BRAND SPANKING NEW SHOW - 2000; IN THE BEGINNING - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE SINS - 2000 [TV mini-series]; STATION JIM - 2001 [TV Movie]; THE MARTINS - 2001 [TF]; THE PIANIST - 2002 [TF]; SILENT CRY - 2002 [TF]; THE LOST PRINCE - 2003 [TV Movie]; EROICA - 2003 [TV Movie]; PRIME SUSPECT 6: THE LAST WITNESS - 2003 [TV mini-series]; THE STATEMENT - 2003 [TF]; LIGHTHOUSE HILL- 2004 [TF]; JOHNNY AND THE BOMB - 2006 [TV mini-series]; LIFE BEGINS - 2004-2006 [16 episodes]; PRIME SUSPECT 7: THE FINAL ACT - 2006 [TV mini-series]; THE WAITING ROOM - 2007 [TF]; MERLIN - 2008; FOUR SEASONS - 2008-2009 [TV mini-series; his final acting role]. Mr. Finlay was awarded the CBE [Commander of the Order of the British Empire] in the 1984 New Year's Honours List for his services to drama and was presented with his award by Queen Elizabeth II in February 1984 investiture ceremony. He played Inspector Lestrade in two unrelated films which featured Sherlock Holmes attempting to solve the Jack the Ripper murders: A STUDY IN TERROR [1965] and MURDER BY DECREE [1979]. Both films featured Anthony Quayle in a supporting role. He also portrayed Holmes' creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in THE OTHER SIDE [1992]. To me, if he only appeared in LIFEFORCE [the uncut version], he would still be one of my favorite actors. Frank Finlay passed away due to heart failure and was 89 years-old.) - 01/30/16
BOB ELLIOTT (Comedian/Actor: Best known as half of the comedy team Bob And Ray [the late Ray Goulding, who passed away in 1990], Mr. Elliott [whose son, Chris Elliott, would become a famous comedian of his own] ventured out into acting when he wasn't recording comedy albums with his partner [there never was a permanent straight man in the duo; they would rotate that job to each other as they saw fit]. Mr. Elliott doesn't have that many credits on TV and in films, but he starred in one of my favorite late-70's thrillers, SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE [1979], where he portrayed a burglar/murderer/rapist without a conscience, a real departure from his normal demeanor. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF' for Theatrical films]: BOB AND RAY - 1951-1953; NOTHING BUT THE BEST - 1953; THE NAME'S THE SAME - 1955; THE NBC COMEDY HOUR - 1956; TEST DIVE BUDDIES - 1959 [Animated Short; voice only]; KID GLOVES - 1960 [Animated Short; voice only]; THE REVLON REVUE - 1960; THE JONATHAN WINTERS SPECIALS - 1965; COLD TURKEY - 1971 [TF]; BETWEEN TIME AND TIMBUKTU - 1972 [PBS TV Movie; very bizarre and adult it its approach]; THE DAVID STEINBERG SHOW - 1976; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1978; BOB & RAY, JANE, LARAINE & GILDA - 1979 [TV Special; also Writer]; HAPPY DAYS - 1979; SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE - 1979 [TF; a.k.a. VENGEANCE]; FROM CLEVELAND - 1980 [Failed TV Pilot featuring members from SCTV; also Writer]; THE STEVE ALLEN COMEDY HOUR - 1981; B.C.: A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS - 1981 (TV Animated Special; voice only]; AUTHOR! AUTHOR! - 1982 [TF]; KIDCO - 1984 [TF]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1985; THE BOB MONKHOUSE SHOW - 1986; ACTION FAMILY - 1986 [TV Movie]; FDR: A ONE-MAN SHOW - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE GNOME'S GREAT ADVENTURE - 1987 [TF; Voice only]; COMING OF AGE - 1988; NEWHART - 1988; QUICK CHANGE - 1990 [TF]; GET A LIFE - 1990-1992 [34 episodes; starred with his real-life son Chris]; CABIN BOY - 1994 [TF]; LATELINE - 1999; BOB MONKHOUSE'S COMEDY HEROES - 2004 [TV Special]; KING OF THE HILL - 2008 [Voice only; his last acting role]. Bob and Ray were a very funny comedy team and appeared 11 times on THE JACK PAAR TONIGHT SHOW - 1960-1962; 4 times on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1957-1963; and 7 times on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON - 1969-1972. Bob Elliott passed away of lung cancer and was 92 years-old.) - 02/02/16
HERB "HERBIE" BRAHA (Actor: Bit Part Actor who appeared in some TV Series and genre films that we all know and love. His credits included: THE SKI BUM - 1971; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977 [TV Series];  KOJAK - 1977 [TV Series]; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1978 [TV Series]; THE LORD OF THE RINGS - 1978 [Voice only]; OLIVER'S STORY - 1978 [Voice only]; SPIDER-MAN STRIKES BACK [TV Movie; Compilation of episodes from the TV Series to make a TV Film]; ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL - 1979; VAMPIRE - 1979 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1978 - 1979 [TV Series]; BOGIE - 1980 [TV Movie; played Peter Lorre]; THE HOWLING - 1981; NERO WOLFE - 1981 [TV Series]; SOAP - 1981 [TV Series]; HAPPY DAYS - 1981 [TV Series]; THE BEACH GIRLS - 1982; SOME KIND OF HERO - 1982; BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE - 1983 [TV Series]; LOTTERY - 1984 [TV Series]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1984 [TV Series]; CHILD'S PLAY 2 - 1990; ACAPULCO H.E.A.T. - 1994 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Herbie Braha died of congestive heart failure and was 69 years-old.) - 02/06/16
ROBERT BEECHER (Actor: Character actor who was more interested in stage work than film or TV work, but he did venture out every once in a while to appear in both. His credits included (TV Series unless otherwise noted]: SPACE PATROL - 1952; THE GALE STORM SHOW: OH! SUSANNA - 1959; TWO FACES WEST - 1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961-1962; SHOOT OUT AT BIG SAG - 1962 [Theatrical Film]; RAWHIDE - 1965; LAREDO - 1966; PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS - 1967; WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1977; AMERICAN POP - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; SMOKEY BITES THE DUST - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; FANTASY ISLANS - 1982; HILL STREET BLUES - 1982; CHiPS - 1982; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1983; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1985; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 1986; STINGRAY - 1986; SUPERIOR COURT - 1986; THE JUDGE - 1987; WHAT A COUNTRY - 1987; RAGS TO RICHES - 1989; DICK TRACY - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; QUANTUM LEAP - 1990; BARTON FINK - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; THE NEON EMPIRE - 1991 [TV Movie]; BUGSY - 1991 [Theatrical Film]; BODY CHEMISTRY II: VOICE OF A STRANGER - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; THE GOLDEN PALACE - 1992; RED ROCK WEST - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; THIRST - 1998 [TV Movie]; TWIN FALLS IDAHO - 1999 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Robert Beecher passed away of natural causes and was 94 years-old.) - 02/12/16
VANITY a.k.a. DENISE KATRINA MATTHEWS (Beautiful Singer/Actress: Best known as a protogé of Prince, being his backup singer and then singing in a band of her own, Vanity did venture out into acting, sometimes using the name "D.D. Winters" and appearing in films that genre lovers have become to love. She was a very pretty woman and would have become a wonderful actress if she weren't Born Again and put God above everything else, including acting, which she quit doing. Her credits included: KLONDIKE FEVER - 1980; TERROR TRAIN - 1980; TANYA'S ISLAND - 1980 [Her most unusual film, thanks to director Alfred Sole]; THE LAST DRAGON - 1985 [this film has become a cult item]; NEVER TOO YOUNG TO DIE - 1986 [fun teenage secret agent flick]; 52 PICK-UP - 1986 [the antithesis of NEVER TOO YOUNG TO DIE, this is a hardcore thriller flick about the drug trade]; MIAMI VICE - 1987 [TV Series]; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1987 [TV Series]; DEADLY ILLUSION - 1987; ACTION JACKSON - 1988 [Her best known film as the singer with a heroin habit]; T AND T - 1988 [TV Series]; FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES - 1989 [TV Series]; BOOKER - 1989 [TV Series]; MEMORIES OF MURDER - 1990 [TV Movie]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1991 [TV Series]; SWEATING BULLETS - 1991 [TV Series]; NEON CITY - 1991 [Underrated post-apocalypse film that should be on everyone's must-see list]; SILK STALKINGS - 1992 [TV Series]; LADY BOSS - 1992 [TV Movie]; HIGHLANDER - 1992 [TV Series]; COUNTERSTRIKE - 1993 [TV Series]; DA VINCI'S WAR - 1993; SOUTH BEACH - 1993; KISS OF DEATH - 1997 [Her last acting role]. She also has songs on such films as PRIVATE SCHOOL - 1983 and BEVERLY HILLS COP - 1983 [her song "Nasty Girl" was very popular]. She was also in the video compilations THE BEST OF SEX AND VIOLENCE - 1981 and FAMOUS T & A - 1982, both showing her early nude scenes [which she quit doing after TANYA'S ISLAND]. Here's what she said when she was Born Again: "When I came to the Lord Jesus Christ, I threw out about 1,000 tapes of mine--every interview, every tape, every video. Everything." To me, that is just overkill and biting the hand that fed her during the 80's & 90's. This is exactly the reason I am an Athiest. You own your former life, you don't throw it away like it was trash. Vanity died of kidney failure [from years of crack cocaine abuse, which she kicked] and was only 57 years-old.) - 02/15/16
GEORGE GAYNES (Actor: Best known as the Inspector Closeau-like Commandant Eric Lassard in the POLICE ACADEMY movies and TV Series, Gaynes was also known for his role on TV's PUNKY BREWSTER and as a baritone singer and stage actor [He actually appeared in operas, because his singing was that good]. Gaynes' credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: NBC TELEVISION OPERA THEATRE - 1955; ONE TOUCH OF VENUS - 1955 [TV Movie]; WEST POINT - 1956; THE DEFENDERS - 1962; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962; CHEYENNE - 1962; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962; EMPIRE - 1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; PT 109 - 1963 [Theatrical Film]; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; JOY HOUSE - 1964 [Theatrical Film]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1965; NEW YORK TELEVISION THEATRE - 1966; THE GROUP - 1966 [Theatrical Film]; BONANZA - 1968; MANNIX - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968; MAROONED - 1969 [Theatrical Film]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1970; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1971; DOCTORS' WIVES - 1971; SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1971-1972; SEARCH - 1972; THE BOY WHO CRIED WEREWOLF - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; SLAUGHTER'S BIG RIP-OFF - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; COLUMBO - 1972-1973; THE WAY WE WERE - 1973 [Theatrical Film]; THE SIX MILLION DILLAR MAN - 1974; CANNON - 1974; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1974; TRILOGY OF TERROR - 1975 [TV Movie; one of the best of the 70's anthologies]; SONG OF THE SUCCUBUS - 1975 [TV Movie]; MCCLOUD - 1975; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; HARRY AND WALTER GO TO NEW YORK - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; WOMAN OF THE YEAR - 1976 [TV Movie]; BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON - 1976; CAPTAINS AND KINGS - 1976 [TV mini-series]; THE QUEST - 1976; DELVECCHIO - 1976; NICKELODEON - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; RICH MAN, POOR MAN-BOOK 2 - 1976-1977 [TV mini-series]; WASHINGTON: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1977 [TV mini-series]; THE GIRL IN THE EMPTY GRAVE - 1977 [TV Movie]; CARTER COUNTRY - 1977; STOCKARD CHANNING IN JUST FRIENDS - 1979 [TV Special]; BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - 1979 [TV Movie]; WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1979 [Also Directed an episode in 1982]; SCRUPLES - 1980 [TV mini-series]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1980; ALTERED STATES - 1980; EVITA PERON - 1981 [TV Movie]; QUINCY M.E. - 1979-1982; DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID - 1982 [Theatrical Film]; TOOTSIE - 1982 [Theatrical Film; extremely funny in his role as a man in love with Tootsie {Dustin Hoffman}, whom he doesn't know is a male. Should have won the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor.]; TO BE OR NOT TO BE - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; CHEERS - 1983; I'M GOING TO BE FAMOUS - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; BLUE THUNDER - 1984; POLICE ACADEMY - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; MOM'S ON STRIKE - 1984 [TV Special]; IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR - 1984 [TV Movie]; MICKI + MAUDE - 1984 [Theatrical Film]; POLICE ACADEMY 2: THEIR FIRST ASSIGNMENT - 1985 [Theatrical Film]; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1985 [Animated TV Series; voice only]; HOTEL - 1986; POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE NUMBERS GAME - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; POLICE ACADEMY 4: CITIZENS ON PATROL - 1987 [Theatrical Film]; MATLOCK - 1987; POLICE ACADEMY 5: ASSIGNMENT: MIAMI BEACH - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1984-1988 [86 episodes]; POLICE ACADEMY 6: CITY UNDER SIEGE - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; THE NEW LASSIE - 1989; THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MOLLY DODD - 1989-1991 [17 episodes]; DINOSAURS - 1992; A TAXI DRIVER IN NEW YORK - 1992 [Theatrical Film]; STEPMONSTER - 1993 [MFHV]; HEARTS AFIRE - 1992-1993 [23 episodes]; POLICE ACADEMY 7: MISSION TO MOSCOW - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; VANYA ON 42ND STREET - 1994 [Theatrical Film]; THE FANTASTIC FOUR - 1994 [Theatrical Film; A Roger Corman Production which he stopped from being released. It is available on various boots on the internet; It's actually quite entertaining in a Roger Corman-budget way]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1996 [3 episodes]; THE CRUCIBLE - 1996 [Theatrical Film]; WAG THE DOG - 1997 [Theatrical Film]; POLICE ACADEMY: THE SERIES - 1998 [Only made one appearance on the show]; SLIDERS - 1999; JUST MARRIED - 2003 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role; He retired after making this film]. Mr Gaines was married to the same woman [Allyn Ann McLeriem, who played his love interest on PUNKY BREWSTER] from 1953 until his death. George Haynes passed away of natural causes and was 98 years-old.) - 02/15/16
RAY WEST (Sound Re-Recordist: Academy Award® and Emmy® winning sound recordist [he worked in all manner of sound recording] whose job it was to make films sound outstanding. He worked on some great genre low-budget horror films, too. His credits included: GUNSMOKE - 1973 [TV Series]; THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - 1974 [TV Series]; SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT - 1977; STAR WARS [Academy Award® winner for Best Sound]; THE WINDS OF KITTY HAWK - 1978 [TV Movie; Emmy® winner for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Mixing]; THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE SCANDAL - 1979 [TV Movie]; CALIFORNIA DREAMING - 1979; SAINT JACK - 1979; SCAVENGER HUNT - 1979; WILD TIMES - 1980 [TV mini-series]; THE FOG - 1980; URBAN COWBOY - 1980; CADDYSHACK - 1980; BORDERLINE - 1980; RUNNING SCARED - 1980; FEAR NO EVIL - 1981; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; HIGH RISK - 1981; THEY ALL LAUGHED - 1981; FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN - 1981 [TV Movie]; CHILD BRIDE OF SHORT CREEK - 1981 [TV Movie]; ISABEL'S CHOICE - 1981 [TV Movie]; VICE SQUAD - 1982; THE SEDUCTION - 1982; A LITTLE SEX - 1982; SATAN'S MISTRESS - 1982; STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN - 1982; THE BEASTMASTER - 1982; THE CONCRETE JUNGLE - 1982; THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG - 1982 [TV Movie]; TRIUMPHS OF A MAN CALLED HORSE - 1983; CUJO - 1983; CITY GIRL - 1984; WHERE THE BOYS ARE - 1984; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984; WINDY CITY - 1985; MASK - 1985; FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING - 1985; RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1985 [If he only worked on this film, he would get a mention on this list]; TRANSYLVANIA 6-5000 - 1985; HAMBURGER: THE MOTION PICTURE - 1986; BLACK MOON RISING - 1986; THE NAKED CAGE - 1986; CRAWLSPACE - 1986 [It must have been difficult remixing Klaus Kinski!]; APOLOGY - 1986 [Pay Cable Movie]; SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE - 1986; WIRED TO KILL - 1986; UNNATURAL CAUSES - 1986 [TV mini-series; Emmy® winner for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special]; ALAN QUATERMAIN AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD - 1986; THE KINDRED - 1987; BLOOD VOWS: THE STORY OF A MAFIA WIFE - 1987 [TV Movie]; EVIL DEAD II - 1987; LBJ: THE EARLY YEARS - 1987 [TV mini-series]; OUT ON A LIMB - 1987 [TV mini-series]; NICE GIRLS DON'T EXPLODE - 1987; NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET - 1987; PRETTY SMART - 1987; PROGRAMMED TO KILL - 1987; IN THE MOOD - 1987; BLUFFING IT - 1987 [TV Movie]; RIGHT TO DIE - 1987 [TV Movie]; MIAMI VICE - 1987 [TV Series]; FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC - 1987; EARTH STAR VOYAGER - 1988 [TV Movie]; LADY IN WHITE - 1988; SUNSET - 1988; SPLIT DECISIONS - 1988; LADYKILLERS - 1988 [TV Movie]; NOT SINCE CASANOVA - 1988; THE WONDER YEARS - 1988 [TV Series]; THE SLEEPING CAR - 1990; 83 HOURS 'TIL DAWN - 1990 [TV Movie]; N.Y.P.D. MOUNTED - 1991 [TV Movie]; ADVENTURES IN DINOSAUR CITY - 1991; THE RAPE OF DR. WILLIS - 1991 [TV Movie]; INTO THE SUN - 1992; MINDWARP - 1992; THE X-FILES - 1993 [TV Series]; SNIPER - 1993 [his last credit]. Ray West co-owned West Productions, which remixed sound on many more TV Shows and Movies than are shown on this credits list. No one knows which ones he personally worked on or which ones his employees worked on. But no matter how you look at it, he personally worked on many films that us genre film fans loved. Ray West passed away of natural causes and was 90 years-old.) - 02/17/16
ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI (Director/Writer: Extremely unique surrealist Polish director that will be best remembered by readers of this site for his ultra-weird art horror film POSSESSION - 1981 [make sure to watch the full version and not the severely edited version]. If you have never seen it, you will be in for one hell of a surprise. Most of Zulawski's films tended to lean towards arty, but they were always watchable. His films got him into so much trouble in Poland [most of them contained nudity and brutal violence, sometimes in the same scene], that he moved to France, where ratings and political climates were looser. His credits as Director/Writer in film included: THE STORY OF TRIUMPHANT LOVE - 1969 [TV Short]; PAVONCELLO - 1969 [TV Short]; THE THIRD PART OF THE NIGHT - 1971; THE DEVIL - 1972 [Banned in Poland]; THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: LOVE - 1975; POSSESSION - 1981; THE PUBLIC WOMAN - 1984; MAD LOVE - 1985; MALADY OF LOVE - 1987 [Story only]; ON THE SILVER GLOBE - 1988 [He returned to Poland to make this, but the communist Polish Ministry of Culture were so brutal [they tried to burn the negative}, it took him two years to finish it. He was able to salvage most of the film negative {thanks to liberalists that were beginning to take over the country}, reshoot the missing pieces that did make it into the fire and went back to France, never to return to Poland as a filmmaker again.]; MY NIGHTS ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOUR DAYS - 1989; BORIS GODOUNOV - 1989; BLUE NOTE - 1991; SHE-SHAMAN - 1996 [a.k.a. SZAMANKA; Another mind-bending film with horror overtones]; FIDELITY - 2000; COSMOS - 2015 [his last film]. Mr. Zulawski was also Assistant Director or Second Unit Director on the following films: SAMSON - 1961 [also bit actor]; LOVE AT TWENTY - 1962; THE ASHES - 1965; and THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS - 1967. He was also a major actor in the French softcore porn film SADNESS AND BEAUTY - 1985 and the French TV mini-series DANGEROUS LIAISONS - 2003. Andrzej Zulawski passed away due to complications of cancer and was 75 years-old.) - 02/17/16
HARPER LEE (Author: Being a child of the 1960's, Lee's only novel, 1960's Pulitzer Prize® winning TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD [which was made into an Academy Award® winning film in 1962, in which Lee was an uncredited Producer], opened my eyes as to what it meant being Black in America, especially down South through the eyes of a white child. Growing up with a racist father during those times was extremely hard, because he forbade me from playing with the Black kids, but I did so anyway [And it should come as no surprise that some towns in Texas totally banned the book, even today!]. I grew up colorblind when it came to skin color thanks to that book, especially during all the belt whippings my father would give me for playing with the Black kids. All the whippings in the world didn't stop me, thanks to the words of Harper Lee and that is why I think she deserves a place on every obituary list. She did more with one book before Martin Lurther King came around when it came to civil rights. That Lee was a white woman is simply extraordinary. She was born and raised in Alabama with a lawyer father [Atticus Finch is loosely based on him], but swears that the novel is not autobiographical [She was a recluse and never made public appearances until much later in her life]; she said that it was taken from bits and pieces of trials that she watched her defense attorney father participate in [She also swore she was not Scout Finch]. She grew frail during her later years and released another book named GO SET A WATCHMAN in July 2015 [Which I read, but refuse to read again. Read it and you will know why.], but it was actually written before MOCKINGBIRD. I still read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD often, because the words just roll off the tongue like a fine aged wine. Harper Lee may have only one major accomplishment in her life, but what an accomplishment it was. It still resonates around the world. My ass may have been sore during most of my childhood, but I wore it like a badge of honor. Harper Lee was 89 years-old, but her words will endure forever. And isn't it unusual that she passed away during Black History Month?) - 02/19/16
UMBERTO ECO (Italian Author: February 19th became a bad day for deaths for great authors. Senor Umberto was the author of one of my most favorite books of the 80's: THE NAME OF THE ROSE, which was turned into the wonderfully atmospheric medieval 1986 thriller of the same name starring Sean Connery and a very young Christian Slater. Eco was also an expert on signs and symbols, something that has fascinated me every since I saw my first Mummy movie as a young boy and saw those hieroglyphics on the stone walls. I had to know what they meant and, later in my life, I had a chance to meet Mr. Eco in Italy and he was an immense help. But Umberto Eco was much, much more than that. He was a very educated man who knew everything from religious Saints to comic book heroes and villains [and the roles they played in religion], so there was no subject he couldn't talk about. He was a professor of semiotics, the study of communication through signs and symbols, at the University of Bologna. Also a philiosopher, a historian, literary critic, and an aesthetician. He is an avid book collector and owns more than 30,000 volumes. The subjects of his scholarly investigations range from St. Thomas Aquinas, to James Joyce, to Superman. It's not very often that you get a chance to meet a person like this, but I did on a trip to Italy in the early 90's. Even though his English was broken [Hey, he lived in Italy! I should have learned Italian!], we had lunch and I laughed so hard I cried. There was no subject he didn't know about and that included movies. Just sitting outside listening to him talk in the language of love [I was there with my ex-wife, who just got over a major operation and this was something we did to get her mind off it. Eco was aware and made her feel right at home, talking about her interests, too.] made the whole trip worthwhile. I think being a novelist is one of the noblest of professions because it teaches the reader things they never learned before. Umberto Eco was the book and I was the reader listening to him. Farewell, my friend. I will never forget our long lunch together in Milan. Mr. Eco also authored several more books, some of them fiction, and appeared on many Italian TV talk shows as himself. Oh, and I forgot one thing: He thought I was brave telling him I was an Athiest in a country known for their religion. But he never put me down in any way. We even talked religion for a little while. Umberto Eco passed away due to complications of cancer and was 84 years-old. This one hurt.) - 02/19/16
DOUGLAS SLOCOMBE (Cinematographer: Three-time Academy Award® nominee who photographed some of our most famous and beloved films: His credits included: SHIPS WITH WINGS - 1941; GREEK TESTAMENT - 1943 [Documentary]; SAN DEMETRIO LONDON - 1943; FOR THOSE IN PERIL - 1944; DEAD OF NIGHT - 1945 [his first brush with horror; the movie still holds up today]; THE GIRL OF THE CANAL - 1945; THE CAPTIVE HEART - 1946; HUE AND CRY - 1947; THE LOVES OF JOANNA GODDEN - 1947; IT ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY - 1947; SARABAND - 1948; ANOTHER SHORE - 1948; KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS - 1949; A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY - 1949; DANCE HALL - 1950; CAGE OF GOLD - 1950; THE LAVENDER HILL MOB - 1951; THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT - 1951; HIS EXCELLENCY - 1952; CRASH OF SILENCE - 1952; THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT - 1953; THE LOVE LOTTERY - 1954; LEASE OF LIFE - 1955; TOUCH AND GO - 1956; PANIC IN THE PARLOR - 1956; DECISION AGAINST TIME - 1957; HEAVEN AND EARTH - 1957 [TV Movie]; BIG TIME OPERATORS - 1957; AT THE SEA - 1957; DAVY - 1958; TREAD SOFTLY STRANGER - 1958; CIRCUS OF HORRORS - 1960 [Director Sidney Hayers' first film]; THE BOY WHO STOLE A MILLION - 1960; SCREAM OF FEAR - 1961; THE MARK - 1961; WONDERFUL TO BE YOUNG! - 1961; THE L-SHAPED ROOM - 1962; FREUD - 1962; THE SERVANT - 1963 [A must-see for film lovers; BAFTA Award® for Best Cinematography; British Society of Cinematographers Award® for Best Cinematography]; THE THIRD SECRET - 1964; GUNS AT BATASI - 1964; A HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA - 1965; PROMISE HER ANYTHING - 1965; THE BLUE MAX - 1966; FATHOM - 1967; ROBBERY - 1967; THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS - 1967 [Essential]; BOOM! - 1968; THE LION IN WINTER - 1968 [British Society of Cinematographers Award® for Best Cinematography]; THE ITALIAN JOB - 1969; THE BUTTERCUP CHAIN - 1970; THE MUSIC LOVERS - 1970; MURPHY'S WAR - 1971; TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT - 1972 [Academy Award® nominee for Best Cinematography]; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - 1973 [British Society of Cinematographers Award® for Best Cinematography]; THE GREAT GATSBY - 1974 [BAFTA Award® for Best Cinematography; British Society of Cinematographers Award® for Best Cinematography]; THE DESTRUCTORS - 1974; LOVE AMONG THE RUINS - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE MAIDS - 1975; ROLLERBALL - 1975; THAT LUCKY TOUCH - 1975; HEDDA - 1975; THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA - 1976; THE BAWDY ADVENTURES OF TOM JONES - 1976; NASTY HABITS - 1977; JULIA - 1977 [Academy Award® nominee for Best Cinematography; BAFTA Award® for Best Cinematography; British Society of Cinematographers Award® for Best Cinematography]; CARAVANS - 1978; THE LADY VANISHES - 1979; LOST AND FOUND - 1979; NIJINSKY - 1980; RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - 1980 [Slocombe found a new friend with Spielberg; Academy Award® nominee for Best Cinematography]; THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE - 1983; NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN - 1983; INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM - 1984; WATER - 1985; LADY JANE - 1986; INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE - 1989 [his final cinematographer credit]. He was also Director of Photography of the India scenes in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND - 1977 and was a British reporter photographer of WWII shorts that would show before and between films at theaters. He was also Second Unit Photogtapher on the films CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE - 1944; WHISKY GALORE - 1949; and THE SHIRALEE - 1957. He was also famous for never using a light meter on the set of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and was awarded the O.B.E. [Officer of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2008 Queen's New Years Honors List for his services to the film industry. Douglas Slocombe passed away from natural causes and was 103 years-old. We all should be so lucky.) - 02/22/16
TONY BURTON (Actor: Versatile actor best known as Apollo Creed's trainer in ROCKY - 1976 and then appeared in the next five Rocky sequels up until ROCKY BALBOA - 2006 [he was finally given the name "Duke" in ROCKY III - 1982 and I am sure he would have appeared in CREED - 2015 if he didn't retire from acting in 2007, but Wood Harris plays his son in CREED], but he was also a genre actor who appeared in many films and TV Series that we loved. In real life, he was a professional boxer who had a 16-3 professional boxing record and held the Light-Heavyweight Championship of Arizona. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE BLACK GODFATHER - 1974; KOJAK - 1974 [TV Series]; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 1975 [TV Series]; BARETTA - 1975 [TV Series]; HARRY O - 1976 [TV Series]; THE RIVER NIGER - 1976; TRACKDOWN - 1976 [a personal favorite]; THE BINGO LONG TRAVELING ALL-STARS & MOTOR KINGS - 1976; DELVECCHIO - 1976 [TV Series]; GOOD TIMES - 1976 [TV Series]; GEMINI MAN - 1976 [TV Series]; ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 - 1976 [my absolute favorite]; ROCKY - 1976; THE MONEYCHANGERS - 1976 [TV mini-series]; GIBBSVILLE - 1976 [TV Series; 1976 was a very good year for Mr. Burton]; SWITCH - 1977 [TV Series]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1977 [TV Series]; SANFORD AND SON - 1977 [TV Series]; RANSOM FOR ALICE! - 1977 [TV Movie]; KILL ME IF YOU CAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977 [TV Series]; HEROES - 1977; BEYOND REASON - 1977 [another good year for Burton; Telly Savalas directed this very weird film]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1978 [TV Series]; CPO SHARKEY - 1978 [TV Series]; BLACKJACK - 1978; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979 [TV Series]; ROCKY II - 1979; SKAG - 1980 [TV Series]; TENSPEED AND BROWN SHOE - 1980 [TV Series]; WHITE MAMA - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE SHINING - 1980 [He played Chess with Stanley Kubrick on the set]; THE HUNTER - 1980 [Steve McQueen's final film]; SCARED STRAIGHT! ANOTHER STORY - 1980 [TV Movie]; STIR CRAZY - 1980; INSIDE MOVES - 1980 [vastly underrated film]; FITZ AND BONES - 1981 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1981 [TV Series]; CHiPS - 1981 [TV Series]; QUINCY M.E. - 1981 [TV Series]; BRET MAVERICK - 1982 [TV Series]; ROCKY III - 1982; T.J. HOOKER - 1982; THE TOY - 1982; HAPPY - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE A-TEAM - 1984 [TV Series]; MOONLIGHTING - 1985 [TV Series]; HEART OF A CHAMPION: THE RAY MANCINI STORY - 1985 [TV Movie]; ROCKY IV - 1985; AIRWOLF - 1986 [TV Series]; THE FALL GUY - 1982-1986 [TV Series]; THE PAPER CHASE - 1986 [TV Series]; ARMED AND DANGEROUS - 1986; OCEANS OF FIRE - 1986 [TV Movie]; ON FIRE - 1987 [TV Movie]; YOU RUINED MY LIFE - 1987 [TV Movie]; FRANK'S PLACE - 1987-1988 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes]; POLICE STORY: COP KILLER - 1988 [TV Movie]; AMEN - 1989 [TV Series]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1990 [TV Series]; A DIFFERENT WORLD - 1990 [TV Series]; SIDE OUT - 1990; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1990 [TV Series]; OVER MY DEAD BODY - 1990 [TV Series]; ROCKY V - 1990; TWIN PEAKS - 1991 [TV Series]; HOUSE PARTY 2 - 1991; LIFE GOES ON - 1991 [TV Series]; HOOK - 1991; MISSION OF JUSTICE - 1992; RENEGADE - 1993 [TV Series]; PRIVATE OBSESSION - 1995 [MFHV; Director Lee Frost's last film]; CYBER-TRACKER 2 - 1995 [MFHV]; FATAL CHOICE - 1995; NYPD BLUE - 1996 [TV Series]; BLACK ROSE OF HARLEM - 1996; POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY - 1996 [TV Series]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1996 [TV Series]; FLIPPING - 1997; FARTICUS - 1997; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1998 [TV Series]; KNOCKOUT - 2000; THE LOT - 2001 [TV Series]; SHADE - 2003; EXORCISM - 2003; ROCKY BALBOA - 2006; HACK! - 2007 [pretty decent horror film; his final acting role]. Tony Burton had one of those instantly recognizable faces, even if you didn't know his name. Tony Burton was 78 years-old.) - 02/25/16
ANTONY "ANTHONY" GIBBS (Editor: Multiple Emmy® nominated Editor who was comfortable in TV Movies and Theatrical films: His credits included: A TOUCH OF LARCENY - 1959 [also Sound Editor]; THE THIRD MAN - 1959 [TV Series]; NIGHT OF PASSION - 1960; OSCAR WILDE - 1960; THE DEVIL INSIDE - 1961; DOCTOR BLOOD'S COFFIN - 1961; THE SNAKE WOMAN - 1961; THE UNSTOPPABLE MAN - 1961; A TASTE OF HONEY - 1961; TIARA TAHITI - 1962; THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER - 1962 [essential]; TOM JONES - 1963; GIRL WITH GREEN EYES - 1964; THE LUCK OF GINGER COFFEY - 1964; THE LOVED ONE - 1965 [also essential]]; THE KNACK...AND HOW TO GET IT - 1965; MADEMOISELLE - 1966; RHE SAILOR FROM GIBRALTAR - 1967; PETULIA - 1968; THE BIRTHDAY PARTY - 1968; PERFORMANCE - 1970 [excellent cult film]; ALL THE RIGHT NOISES - 1971; WALKABOUT - 1971 [I love this film; made a distinct impression on me when I saw it in theaters]; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - 1971; THE RAGMAN'S DAUGHTER - 1972; THE BLACK WINDMILL - 1974; JUGGERNAUT - 1974 [another great film]; ROLLERBALL - 1975; THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA - 1976 [very unusual film; arty and exploitative at the same time]; A BRIDGE TOO FAR - 1977; F.I.S.T. - 1978; BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY YEARS - 1979; YESTERDAY'S HERO - 1979; THE WILDCATS OF ST. TRINIAN'S - 1980; THE DOGS OF WAR - 1980 [another excellent film]; FROM A FAR COUNTRY - 1981; RAGTIME - 1981 [Edited the U.K. portions of the film]; BAD BOYS - 1983 [Not the Will Smith film, but an excellent drama about juvenile prison starring Sean Penn]; DUNE - 1984 [unfairly maligned in my opinion and I love the longer version, even if director David Lynch does not]; AGNES OF GOD - 1985; TAI-PAN - 1986; RUSSKIES - 1987; STEALING HOME - 1988; IN COUNTRY - 1989; THE TAKING OF BEVERLY HILLS - 1991; DEVLIN - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE - 1993; DON JUAN DEMARCO - 1994; A CASE FOR LIFE - 1996 [TV Movie]; CRIME OF THE CENTURY - 1996 [TV Movie; Emmy® nominee for Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single Camera Production]; GEORGE WALLACE - 1997 [TV Movie]; RONIN - 1998; REINDEER GAMES - 2000; JAMES DEAN - 2001 [TV Movie; Emmy® nominee for Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special]; SCORCHED - 2003 [Additional Editing]; SAHARA - 2005 [Additional Editing; his last film]. An Editor, to me, is just as important as a Director. It is their job to take pieces of film and make something astounding from them. Antony Gibbs had a beautiful career as an Editor [he also won and was nominated for many editing awards] and was 90 years-old.] - 02/26/16
GEORGE KENNEDY (Actor: February has been a brutal month for celebrity deaths and this one is the worst way to end the month. Academy Award® winner George Kennedy did all manner of TV and films, including television shows [he appeared in nearly every Western TV series from the late-50's & 60's] and films that genre lovers of this site love to no end. The last time I saw Kennedy, he looked fragile and frail, but it still is shocking because he was the kind of person you think would live forever. I hate that another one of my heroes is no longer with us Just look at his credits [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1956-1959 [TV Series; 14 episodes; also Technical Advisor on 52 episodes]; COLT .45 - 1959 [TV Series]; CHEYENNE - 1959 [TV Series]; THE DEPUTY - 1959 [TV Series]; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1960 [TV Series]; LAWMAN - 1960 [TV Series]; LARAMIE - 1960 [TV Series]; SUGARFOOT - 1959-1960 [TV Series]; PETER GUNN - 1960 [TV Series]; MAVERICK - 1960 [TV Series]; SPARTACUS - 1960; ROUTE 66 - 1960 [TV Series]; RIVERBOAT - 1960 [TV Series]; GUNFIGHT AT BLACK HORSE CANYON - 1961 [TV Movie; episodes of TALES OF WELLS FARGO edited together]; THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS ROBIN - 1961 [TV Series]; SURFSIDE SIX - 1961 [TV Series]; KLONDIKE - 1961 [TV Series]; GUNSLINGER - 1961 [TV Series]; THE AMERICANS - 1961 [TV Series]; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; BAT MASTERSON - 1961 [TV Series]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1961 [TV Series]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961 [TV Series]; THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME - 1961; RAWHIDE - 1962 [TV Series]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1962 [TV Series]; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1962 [TV Series]; THE TALL MAN - 1961-1962 [TV Series]; OUTLAWS - 1962 [TV Series]; THRILLER - 1962 [TV Series; "The Innocent Bystanders" episode]; LONELY ARE THE BRAVE - 1962; THE SILENT WITNESS - 1962; GOING MY WAY - 1962 [TV Series]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963 [TV Series]; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1960-1963 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962-1963 [TV Series]; THE MAN FROM DINER'S CLUB - 1963; PERRY MASON - 1963 [TV Series]; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1963 [TV Series]; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATRE - 1962-1963 [TV Series]; GRINDL - 1963 [TV Series]; ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH - 1963 [TV Movie]; THE TRAVELS OF JAMIE MCPHEETERS - 1963 [TV Series]; CHARADE - 1963 [Great as the bad guy. Gave moviegoers a good look at what a great actor Kennedy was]; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1963 [TV Series]; STRAIT-JACKET - 1964 [Damn good thriller]; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1964 [TV Series]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1963-1964 [TV Series]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1964 [Theatrical Film of the TV Series; all new material]; ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS - 1964; SEE HOW THEY RUN - 1964 [TV Movie]; BONANZA - 1961-1964 [TV Series]; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964 [TV Series]; THE ROGUES - 1964 [TV Series]; HUSH...HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE - 1964 [Another great thriller with horror undertones]; IN HARM'S WAY - 1965; MIRAGE - 1965 [another great performance]; SHENANDOAH - 1965; THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER - 1965 [one of my favorite Westerns]; DANIEL BOONE - 1965 [TV Series]; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1965 [TV Series]; THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX - 1965 [a great desert-based thriller]; LAREDO - 1965 [TV Series]; THE LEGEND OF JESSE JAMES - 1966 [TV Series]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1966 [TV Series]; GUNSMOKE - 1960-1966 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; DR. KILDARE - 1963-1966 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1964-1966 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE BALLAD OF JODIE - 1966; HURRY SUNDOWN - 1966; THE DIRTY DOZEN - 1966 [essential viewing]; TARZAN - 1967 [TV Series]; COOL HAND LUKE - 1967 [Academy Award® winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; the film still holds up today]; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1968 [TV Series]; BANDELERO! - 1968; THE PINK JUNGLE - 1968; THE LEGEND OF LYLAH CLARE - 1968; THE BOSTON STRANGLER - 1968; GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1969; THE GOOD GUYS AND THE BAD GUYS - 1969; GAILY, GAILY - 1969; ...tick...tick...tick - 1970; AIRPORT - 1970 [gave Kennedy his first franchise role in films]; ZIG ZAG - 1970; DIRTY DINGUS MAGEE - 1970; FOOL'S PARADE - 1971; IRONSIDE - 1971 [TV Series]; SARGE - 1971-1972 [TV Series Star; 15 episodes]; A GREAT AMERICAN TRAGEDY - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE BULL OF THE WEST - 1972 [TV Movie; 2 episodes of THE VIRGINIAN edited together]; LOST HORIZONS - 1973 [villified upon original release, this musical of the 30's film has become a cult item]; CAHILL U.S. MARSHALL - 1973 [another film with John Wayne]; DELIVER US FROM EVIL - 1973 [TV Movie]; A CRY IN THE WILDERNESS - 1974 [TV Movie]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974; AIRPORT 1975 - 1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974 [started the disaster film genre that was prevalent during the 70's]; THE EIGER SANCTION - 1975 [his second film with Clint Eastwood]; THE 'HUMAN' FACTOR - 1975 [overlooked thriller in which Kennedy is the star out for revenge]; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975-1976 [TV Series; 25 episodes; the most adult police series during its time]; AIRPORT 1977 - 1977; PROOF OF THE MAN - 1977 [Japanese-made cop thriller]; MEAN DOG BLUES - 1978 [Kennedy is great in this prison film]; DEATH ON THE NILE - 1978; BRASS TARGET - 1988; SEARCH AND DESTROY - 1979; BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE DOUBLE MCGUFFIN - 1979 [use to play all the time on HBO and then just disappeared]; NEVER SAY NEVER - 1979 [TV Movie]; STEEL - 1979 [another underrated film]; THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979; DEATHSHIP - 1980 [my favorite haunted ship movie]; DAY OF RESURRECTION - 1980; HOTWIRE - 1980; THE ARCHER: FUGITIVE FROM THE EMPIRE - 1981 [TV Movie]; JUST BEFORE DAWN - 1980 [my favorite "terror in the woods" film]; WACKO - 1982 [the first film where Kennedy shows his comedy chops]; THE JUPITER MENACE - 1982; FANTASY ISLAND - 1983 [TV Series]; CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO - 1984; RARE BREED - 1984; THE JESSE OWENS STORY - 1984 [TV Movie]; BOLERO - 1984 [Razzie Award® nominee for Worst Supporting Actor]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984 [TV Series]; HALF NELSON - 1985 [TV Movie]; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1985 [TV Movie]; RADIOACTIVE DREAMS - 1985; SAVAGE DAWN - 1985; THE DELTA FORCE - 1986 [another favorite of mine; a hummable theme song that you won't get out of your head for weeks]; RIGGED - 1986; LIBERTY - 1986 [TV Movie]; BENSON - 1986 [TV Series]; CREEPSHOW 2 - 1987 [unfairly maligned anthology film; not a fan of anthologies, but I love this one]; THE GUNFIGHTERS - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE GAMBLER, PART III: THE LEGEND CONTINUES - 1987 [TV Movie]; PRIVATE ROAD: NO TRESPASSING - 1987; WHAT PRICE VICTORY - 1988 [TV Movie]; BORN TO RACE - 1988; COUNTERFORCE - 1988; DEMONWARP - 1988 [the weirdest horror film ever made; must be seen to be believed]; NIGHTMARE AT NOON - 1988; TOP LINE - 1988; UNINVITED - 1988 [MFHV]; THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! - 1988 [Another franchise for Kennedy, where he proves to be very funny]; THE TERROR WITHIN - 1989; MINISTRY OF VENGEANCE - 1989; ESMERELDA BAY - 1989 [his only film with director Jess Franco]; BRAIN DEAD - 1990; HIRED TO KILL - 1990; MAYUMI: VIRGIN TERRORIST - 1990 [Korean-made thriller]; GOOD COPS, BAD COPS - 1990 [TV Movie]; HANGFIRE - 1991; DALLAS - 1988-1991 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 74 episodes]; DRIVING ME CRAZY - 1991; THE NAKED GUN 2 1/2: THE SMELL OF FEAR - 1991; INTENSIVE CARE - 1991; FINAL SHOT: THE HANK GATHERS STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; DISTANT JUSTICE - 1994; LONESOME DOVE - 1994 [TV Series]; NAKED GUN 33 1/3: THE FINAL INSULT - 1994; RIVER OF STONE - 1994; SANTO BUGITO - 1995 [TV Series; voice only]; THE COMMISH - 1995 [TV Series]; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1995 [TV Series; voice only]; DALLAS: J.R. RETURNS - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996 [TV Series; voice only]; CATS DON'T DANCE - 1997 [voice only]; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1997 [TV Series; voice only]; BAYOU GHOST - 1997; DALLAS: WAR OF THE EWINGS - 1998 [TV Movie]; SMALL SOLDIERS - 1998 [voice only]; DENNIS THE MENACE STRIKES AGAIN - 1998 [MFHV]; MEN IN WHITE - 1998 [TV Movie]; VIEW FROM THE TOP - 2003; MONSTER MAKERS - 2003 [TV Movie]; THREE BAD MEN - 2005; TRUCE - 2005; DON'T COME KNOCKING - 2005; SANDS OF OBLIVION - 2007 [TV Movie made for SyFy]; THE MAN WHO CAME BACK - 2008; SIX DAYS IN PARADISE - 2010; MAD MAD WAGON PARTY - 2010 [a really bad movie]; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 2003-2010 [TV Soap Opera; 4 episodes]; ANOTHER HAPPY DAY - 2011; THE GAMBLER - 2014 [his final acting role]. Kennedy also did the usual nighttime talk shows and was a member of many game shows. Due to his tall, enormously broad frame, Kennedy was frequently cast in the 1960s and 1970s as bullies and thugs, and had the distinction of brutalizing stars like Cary Grant, Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood on screen while gaining a reputation off-screen as one of the nicest actors around. By his 60s he finally got the chance to play friendlier characters, such as his lovable Capt. Ed Hocken in the NAKED GUN films. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on October 3, 1991 at 6356 Hollywood Blvd. George Kennedy passed away of natural causes and was 91 years-old.) - 02/28/16
JIM CLARK (Editor/Director: Many genre film fans will recognise Jim Clark as the director of the films RENTADICK - 1972 and the Peter Cushing/Vincent Price horror film MADHOUSE - 1974 [The other six films he directed were not genre related], but he was better known in the filmmaking community as a first class Academy Award® winning Editor on some many great films. His credits as an Editor included: ONE WISH TOO MANY - 1956; SURPRISE PACKAGE - 1960; THE GRASS IS GREENER - 1960; THE INNOCENTS - 1961 [a classic of supernatural horror]; TERM OF TRIAL - 1962; CHARADE - 1963 [featuring George Kennedy, who passed away a day earlier]; THE PUMPKIN EATER - 1964; DARLING - 1965; FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD - 1967; X, Y AND ZEE - 1972; VISIONS OF EIGHT - 1973 [Documentary]; THE DAY OF THE LOCUST - 1975; THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLME'S SMARTER BROTHER - 1975; THE MARATHON MAN - 1976 ["Is it safe?"]; THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE - 1977; AGATHA - 1979; YANKS - 1979; HONKY TONK FREEWAY - 1981 [also Second Unit Director]; PRIVATES ON PARADE - 1983; THE KILLING FIELDS - 1984 [Academy Award® and BAFTA Award® winner for Best Film Editing]; THE FROG PRINCE - 1985; THE MISSION - 1986 [Academy Award® nominee for Best Film Editing; BAFTA Award® winner for Best Editing]; YOUNG TOSCANINI - 1988; MEMPHIS BELLE - 1990; MEETING VENUS - 1991; SPIES, INC. - 1992; THIS BOY'S LIFE - 1993; RADIO INSIDE - 1994; A GOOD MAN IN AFRICA - 1994; NELL - 1994; COPYCAT - 1995; MARVIN'S ROOM - 1996; THE JACKAL - 1997 [also voice on TV]; THE TRENCH - 1999; ONEGIN - 1999; THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - 1999; KISS KISS BANG BANG - 2001; THE GATHERING STORM - 2002 [TV Movie]; CITY BY THE SEA - 2002; VERA DRAKE -  2004; OPAL DREAM - 2006; VIRGIN TERRITORY - 2007; HAPPY-GO-LUCKY - 2008 [his last editing job]. Jim Clark's other Directing credits included: SOLDIER '67 - 1966 [Short]; THE CHRISTMAS TREE - 1966; SENGHENYDD: PORTRAIT OF A MINING TOWN - 1966 [Documentary Short; also Producer]; SPEAKING OF BRITAIN - 1967 [Documentary Short]; DAY OF REST - 1970 [Short]; and EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE ONE - 1970. He was Consulting Editor or Second Assistant Editor on THE LOVE LOTTERY - 1954; THE LADYKILLERS - 1955; and WAR OF THE BUTTONS - 1994. He lent his voice to the following films: LUPIN III: THE FUMA CONSPIRACY - 1987; CRUSHER JOE THE OVAS - 1989 [TV mini-series]; YOU'RE UNDER ARREST - 1994; and ROBINSON CRUSOE - 1997. He was also Assistant Sound Editor on THE CRUEL SEA - 1953 and Creative Consultant on MIDNIGHT COWBOY - 1969. In 2005, Jim Clark won a Career Achievement Award from American Cinema Editors®. In 2011, Clark published the memoir "Dream Repairman: Adventures in Film Editing". Jim Clark passed away due to a long illness and was 85 years-old.) - 02/29/16
LEE REHERMAN (Actor/Athletic Competitor: Reherman attended Cornell University, where he played football as an offensive lineman. Following his graduation with a B.S. in 1988, he attended the Miami Dolphins training camp trying out for the team's offensive line, but did not make the team. Thereafter, he earned his MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He was pursuing his PhD when he left to begin his television and film career. He started out with bit parts on TV and film until he entered AMERICAN GLADIATORS - 1991-1996 [also GLADIATORS 2000 - 1995 and GLADIATORS - 1993-2000] using the name "Hawk". After that, the acting assignments became bigger and he even had a regular weekly role on a network sitcom. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: COLUMBO - 1992; LAST ACTION HERO - 1993 [TF]; GLADIATORS 2000 - 1995; ELLEN - 1995; MADtv - 1995; DOWNHILL WILLIE - 1995 [TF]; AMERICAN GLADIATORS - 1991-1996 [104 episodes]; BUDDIES - 1996; CHAMPIONS - 1998 [TF]; CROSSFIRE - 1998 [TF]; HARD TIME - 1998 [TV Movie]; HEAVEN & THE SUICIDE KING - 1998 [TF]; ROLLERJAM - 2000; THE NET - 1999; CAROLINE IN THE CITY - 1999; SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, INC. - 1999; GLADIATORS - 1993-2000 [19 episodes]; ANGEL - 2001; GILMORE GIRLS - 2001; THE X-FILES - 2001-2002 ["Vienen" - 2001; "The Truth: Parts 1 & 2" - 2002]; THE SHIELD - 2003; NCIS - 2003; EVE - 2004; DEATH AND TEXAS - 2004 [TF]; THAT'S SO RAVEN - 2004; GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY - 2002-2004; THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY - 2005; DETECTIVE - 2005 [TV Movie]; MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE - 2005; PLAN B - 2005 [TV Movie]; THAT YIN YANG THING - 2005; CHARMED - 2006; THE CHELSEA HANDLER SHOW - 2006; IN CASE OF EMERGENCY - 2007; BRATZ - 2007 [TF]; THE CLOSER - 2007; FINAL APPROACH - 2007 [TV Movie]; SHARPSHOOTER - 2007 [TV Movie]; STRESS TEST - 2007; CORY IN THE HOUSE - 2008; LEVERAGE - 2008; NOT EASILY BROKEN - 2008 [TF]; STAR-VING - 2009 [4 episodes]; RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 2009 [TF]; WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE - 2009; PRISON BREAK - 2009; HANNAH MONTANA - 2010; FATHER VS. SON - 2010 [TF]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 2010 [TV Soap Opera; 5 episodes]; 90210 - 2010; TERRIERS - 2010; LOOK - 2010 [TV Series Regular; 11 episodes]; FRED & VINNIE - 2011 [TF]; MEDIUM - 2011; REGULAR SHOW - 2011; WORKAHOLICS - 2011; COMING & GOING - 2011 [TF]; CHUCK - 2011; BLACKOUT - 2012 [3 episodes]; THE GREAT ESCAPE - 2012 [9 episodes]; MR. BOX OFFICE - 2013; STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS - 2013 [TF]; HOLT KILLS RANDY - 2014 [TF; also Co-Producer]; SAM & CAT - 2014; MIGHTY MIA - 2014 [TV Movie]; THE FIRST FAMILY - 2012-2015 [TV Series Regular; 29 episodes]; COOPER BARRETT'S GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE - 2016; K.C. UNDERCOVER - 2015-2016 [3 episodes]; JANE THE VIRGIN - 2016 [His final acting role]. Reherman also lent his voice to the video games GHOST RECON ADVANCED WARFIGHTER - 2005 and DEAD RISING 3 - 2013. He was also Producer of AMERICAN VETERAN AWARDS from 1999 to 2004; and FORZA MOTORSPORTS SHOWDOWN - 2007 [also the Host]; and Co-Producer or Associate Producer of ARENA - 2004-2005 [also the Host]; BATTLE OF THE SUPERCARS - 2010 [also the Host]; and OFF-ROAD OVERHAUL - 2011-2012 [also the Host]. Reherman was also the Host of TRAPPED IN TV GUIDE - 2006; I DARE YOU - 2000-2007; GAME CHANGERS - 2013; and HOT ROD TV - 2008-2013 [94 episodes]. Reherman was found dead on March 1, 2016 in his house in Manhattan Beach, California. Lee Reherman was just 49 years-old.) - 02/29/16
PAT CONROY (Novelist/Screenwriter: Pat Conroy wrote many great books that were semi-autobiographical and some of those novels made very good films, both theatrically and on TV. He also wrote some original screenplays, both based in his books and originals, or just let the studios use his novels without his help. His credits included: CONRACK - 1974 [Based on his novel "The Water Is Wide"; it's a very emotional film; watch it if you can find a copy; Jon Voight is excellent]; THE GREAT SANTINI - 1979 [Based on his book of the same name; Very emotional without much emotion {besides screaming} being shown on screen; "Santini" is based on Conroy's father]; THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE - 1983 [Based in his novel of the same name; an unflinching look at military school, based partly on Conroy's experiences; still stands up today]; UNCONQUERED - 1989 [TV Movie; Conroy wrote the original Teleplay and some people think this TV Movie about racial inequality is one of the finest TV Movies ever made]; THE PRINCE OF TIDES - 1991 [Conroy co-wrote the screenplay based on his novel of the same name. The only one of Conroy's movies I don't like. It is probably due to Barbra Streisand starring in it. Can't stand her; Academy Award® nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published]; THE WATER IS WIDE - 2006 [TV Movie; Based on Conroy's novel of the same name. Jeff Hephner portrays Pat Conroy as a teacher in 1969 who tries to teach a class of black kids to the best of his abilities while fighting a female Superintendent who is racist and doesn't agree with Conroy's techniqies. This true story has Conroy teaching for one year and then asked not to come back, which led to marriage and him becoming an author. There are some surprises in this TV Movie that you won't see coming. This is a slightly altered version of CONRACK. The film was nominated for two Emmy Awards®]. His other books included “My Losing Season”, “Beach Music”, “South of Broad” and the biography of his father "The Death Of Santini". Pat Conroy passed away due to complications of pancreatic cancer and was 70 years-old.] - 03/04/16
NANCY REAGAN (Actress: Former First Lady who was married to late California Governor and President Ronald Reagan since 1952. They met while making movies [using the name "Nancy Davis"; her real name was Anne Frances Robbins], fell in love and the rest is history. Nancy Reagan has a small TV and film resumé, but there are at least a couple of entries that will interest genre film fans. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise specified]: THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1949 [TV Series]; THE DOCTOR AND THE GIRL - 1949; EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE - 1949; SHADOW ON THE WALL - 1950; THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR... - 1950 [This film use to play all the time during the 60's & 70's and then just disappeared]; NIGHT INTO MORNING - 1950; IT'S A BIG COUNTRY: AN AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY - 1951; TALK ABOUT A STRANGER - 1952; SHADOW IN THE SKY - 1952; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953 [TV Series]; DONOVAN'S BRAIN - 1953 [a 50's classic]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1954 [TV Series]; CLIMAX! - 1955 [TV Series; it's amazing how many actors from the period did this television show]; THE DARK WAVE - 1956; HELLCATS OF THE NAVY - 1957; CRASH LANDING - 1958; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1961 [TV Series]; THE TALL MAN - 1961 [TV Series]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1956-1961 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962; 87TH PRECINCT - 1962 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1962 [TV Series; her final acting role]. On the following credits list, she appeared as herself. All are TV Series unless otherwise specified. They included: THE EZIO PINZA SHOW - 1952; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 1968; THE DAVID FROST SHOW - 1970; THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - 1973; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1983; THE CHEMICAL PEOPLE - 1983 [TV Movie]; JAMES STEWART: A WONDERFUL LIFE - 1987 [TV Documentary hosted by Johnny Carson]; AMERICA'S TRIBUTE TO BOB HOPE - 1988 [TV Special]; THE FLINTSTONE KIDS' JUST SAY NO SPECIAL - 1988 [Animated TV Movie]; WILD BILL: HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK - 1995 [Theatrical Documentary]; INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE - 1995 [TV Documentary]; KILLER SUN - 1999 [TV Documentary]; AMERICAN HARDCORE - 2006 [Documentary]; A/K/A TOMMY CHONG - 2006 [Documentary]; PENN & TELLER: BULLSHIT! - 2004; BALLS OF FURY - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; LE CIRCUE: A TABLE IN HEAVEN - 2007 [Theatrical Documentary]; OUTRAGE - 2009 [Documentary]; RONALD REAGAN: THE LIFE AND LEGACY - 2014 [MFHV Documentary]; THE MAKING OF TRUMP - 2015 [Documentary]. She appeared in many more documentaries, about acting, her husband, politics and her anti-drug stance ["Just Say No!" was attributed to her] and made many appearances on daytime and nighttime talk shows, even after her husband passed away of Alzheimers in 2004. I'm not going to talk about Nancy Reagan's politics, because this is not the time. As a genre film fan, she did a few movies that will always be remembered by me watching them on TV as a child and teenager. Nancy Reagan passed away due to complications of congestive heart failure and was 94 years-old.). - 03/06/16
MICHAEL WHITE (Film Producer: First a Wall Street runner and then a Stage Producer, George White then moved on to Producing movies, some of them we know and love. His credits as an Executive Producer or Producer included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: OH! CALCUTTA! - 1972; MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL - 1975; THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - 1975; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1978; SHOCK TREATMENT - 1981; URGH! A MUSIC WAR - 1981 [Documentary]; MOONLIGHTING - 1982; STRANGER'S KISS - 1983; THE SUPERGRASS - 1985 [also Actor]; WHITE MISCHIEF - 1987; EAT THE RICH - 1987; HIGH SEASON - 1987; THE DECEIVERS - 1988; NUNS ON THE RUN - 1990; THE POPE MUST DIE[T] - 1991; TURN OF THE SCREW - 1992; THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS... - 1982-1993 [TV Series; 36 episodes; also Actor]; WIDOW'S PEAK - 1994; THE GLAM METAL DETECTIVES - 1995 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; ENIGMA - 2001; SHOOT ME! - 2002 [TV Series]; SHOOT ME! 2 - 2005 [TV Series; his last Producing credit]. He was also Assistant To The Director on MAGIC - 1978; Associate Presenter on POLYESTER - 1981 and MY DINNER WITH ANDRE - 1981; Actor on FESTIVAL IN CANNES - 2001; and got a "Special Thanks" on WAXWORK - 1988. He also wrote his autobiography "Empty Seats". Michael White died of heart failure and was 80 years-old.) - 03/07/16
GEORGE MARTIN (Composer/Musician: Best known as the record producer for The Beatles, George Martin was also an accomplished musician and composer, who worked on many films and whose songs can be heard in many films. He also had the reputation of being one of the nicest people in the business, not an easy reputation to have. His credits as a Film Composer, Music Arranger or Musical Director included [sometimes more than one duty on the same film]: CROOKS ANONYMOUS - 1962 [also an uncredited Original Song]; TAKE ME OVER - 1963; CALCULATED RISK - 1963; A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - 1964 [Academy Award® nominee for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment]; FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY - 1965; THE FAMILY WAY - 1966; MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR - 1967; YELLOW SUBMARINE - 1968 [Grammy Award® nominee for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show]; WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS - 1969 [TV Movie]; PULP - 1972 [his greatest film achievement in my opinion]; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973 [Grammy Award® nominee for Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture]; THE OPTIMISTS OF NINE ELMS - 1973; SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND - 1968 [Dozens of Martin's songs can also be heard on the soundtrack]; HONKY TONK FREEWAY - 1981 [Also two songs on the soundtrack]; GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROAD STREET - 1984 [also Actor]; THE PRINCE'S TRUST ROCK GALA - 1988 [TV Special]; IMAGINE - 2006 {TV Series; Grammy Award® winner for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for the episode titled " The Beatles in 'Love' "] Martin's songs can be heard in the following films: SMILEY - 1956; I LIKE MONEY - 1961; V.D. - 1961; ALFIE - 1965; THE BOBO - 1967; THE SOUTHERN STAR - 1969; MR. JERICO - 1970 [TV Movie]; GOODBYE BRUCE LEE: HIS LAST GAME OF DEATH - 1975; RINGO - 1978 [TV Special]; ROADIE - 1980; THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY - 1995 [TV Documentary mini-series]; THE RHYTHM OF LIFE - 1997 [TV Series]; THE ALCHEMISTS OF SOUND - 2003 [TV Documentary]; ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - 2007; FROST/NIXON - 2008; ALOHA - 2015; THE WALKING DEAD: MICHONNE - 2016 [Video Game]. George Martin also Produced MUSIC FOR MONTSERRAT - 1997 and SPIKE MILLIGAN: I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL...A LIVE TRIBUTE - 2002; Acted in PAUL MCCARTNEY: TAKE IT AWAY - 1982 [TV Special] and appeared in over 80 documentaries about The Beatles, The 60's English Music Invasion and Pop Music, as well as appear on many British and American talk and interview shows, where his sense of humor and jovial manner actually made him one of the nicest guys in the music business. In 2002, he won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Soundtrack Awards®. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® (under the category Non-Performer, which is bullshit) in 1999. George Martin was actually the "Fifth Beatle", as he played keyboards on many of their songs [Every member of the band bought a piano and Martin bought a guitar, ao they all could learn each other's instruments. Martin would publicly say that the band would learn keyboards much better than he learned guitar.]. Martin also managed many other singers and bands, but he will be forever associated with The Beatles, even if he thought the best musician overall was Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. One of the last of the music producer legends [Phil Spector could have learned a thing or two from him], who thought that putting orchestras into pop music would help the sound and it did. His life story would make a great book and movie. George Martin died of natural causes and was 90 years-old.) - 03/08/16
RICHARD "DICK" DAVALOS (Actor: One of his first theatrical films was a great one to start off with: EAST OF EDEN - 1955, with James Dean [they became friends while making it]. He went on to have a semi-healthy career in TV and feature films, some that we know and love. His Credits included [Theatrical Films ore marked with a "TF", otherwise they are TV Series appearances]; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953; PONDS THEATER - 1955; EAST OF EDEN - 1955 [TF]; THE SEA CHASE - 1955 [TF]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1955; I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES - 1955 [TF]; STAR TONIGHT - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; WEST POINT - 1957; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1957; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1958; DECOY - 1959; ALL THE YOUNG MEN - 1960 [TF]; ONE STEP BEYOND - ["The Return" - 1960]; R.C.M.P.- 1960; BONANZA - 1960; THE AMERICANS - 1961 [TV Series Regular; 11 episodes]; LARAMIE - 1961; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962; THE CABINET OF CALIGARI - 1962 [TF; his first horror film]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1961-1962; DR. KILDARE - 1962; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1963; PERRY MASON - 1962-1964; RAWHIDE - 1965; BLUE LIGHT - 1966; COOL HAND LUKE - 1967 [TF; his role as "Blind Dick" is memorable]; THE RAT PATROL - 1968; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1968; PIT STOP - 1969 [TF; recently made available on Blu-Ray. It's an essential watch]; MANNIX - 1970; KELLY'S HEROES - 1971 [TF; got to co-star with Clint Eastwood]; BROTHER, CRY FOR ME - 1971 [TF]; THE F.B.I. - 1971; WILL TO DIE - 1971 [TF]; SNATCHED - 1973 [TV Movie; pilot movie for series in which he did not appear]; TOMA - 1973; PETROCELLI - 1975; S.W.A.T. - 1975; BRONK - 1975; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1975; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976; THE QUEST: THE LONGEST DRIVE - 1976 [TV Movie; Two episodes of the series stitched together]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1977; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1979 [TV mini-series]; HOT STUFF - 1979 [TF; I just love the craziness of this film]; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1979; THE JEFFERSONS - 1980; BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS - 1980; HART TO HART - 1981; DEATH HUNT - 1981 [TF; got to appear with both Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin]; THE FALL GUY - 1983; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983 [TF; not given the proper respect it deserves]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990; BETWEEN THE SHEETS - 2003 [TF]; NINJA CHEERLEADERS - 2008 [TF; his last acting role]. His face also appears on the album cover of The Smiths' "Strangeways, Here we Come." Also appears on the sleeve covers of The Smiths' "Best ...I" and "Best ...II". He was also the grandfather of Alexa Cavalos, who appeared in such movies and TV series as THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK - 2004; THE MIST - 2007; CLASH OF THE TITANS - 2010; and is a series regular on THE MAN FROM HIGH CASTLE - 2015-2016. Richard Davalos was 85 years-old.) - 03/08/16
KEITH EMERSON (Musician/Composer: This one comes as a great shock to me because I grew up listening to the prog rock of Emerson, Lake & Palmer [He belonged to a band called "The Nice" before hooking up with his other two famous mates] while smoking pot and having those big-ass earphones on in the 70's [their music was better listened to with headphones on when you were/are stoned]. The fact that Emerson committed suicide by gunshot to his head was really a shocker. He alone was also a film composer for the likes of Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci and Michele Soavi and they were damn fine soundtracks and instantly recognizable as his work. His credits as Music Composer included: JIMI - 1970 [Short; also played with The Nice]; DAS SILO - 1970 [Short; also played with The Nice]; INFERNO- 1980 [for director Dario Argento; also Music Arranger & Musician]; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981 [probably my favorite of his soundtracks; also Music Producer, uncredited Keyboard Player and the song "I'm A Man" playing on the soundtrack]; MURDER-ROCK: DANCING DEATH [for director Lucio Fulci; The music is like catching an earworm. It will take weeks to get it all out of your head. All of his songs playing on the soundtrack were originals made just for the film]; BEST REVENGE - 1984 [also Orchestral Arranger and performed 4 songs on the soundtrack]; THE CHURCH - 1989 [for director Michele Soavi]; IRON MAN - 1994 [Animated TV Series; also Music Producer]; THE WHITE ROOM - 2001 [Short]; GODZILLA: FINAL WARS - 2004 [is listed as "Kîsu Emâson" in the credits; played "Godzilla's Theme"]; EMERSON: PICTURES OF AN EXIBITIONIST - 2016/2017 [Documentary; also Executive Producer & Camera Operator; his final film in Post-Production at the time of his death]. Emerson's credits as a Musician or Music Director/Arranger included: RED SUN - 1970 [played with The Nice]; ARMAGEDDON: THE GREAT BATTLE OF GENMA - 1983 [Japanese Anime Movie]; UP THE ELEPHANT AND ROUND THE CASTLE - 1983-1985 [TV Series; Music Composer {including theme song} for 22 episodes]. Emerson's single songs or his band's songs can be heard on the following: DOCTOR WHO - 1971 [TV Series]; PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION - 1973 [Theatrical Documentary]; RAPE VICTIMS - 1975 [I worked on this film when I was in college and told the director {who is wrongly listed on the IMDb} to use ELP songs as temporary tracks while we were shooting. Imagine my surprise when I found they were in the finished film! ELP never complained, though.]; MY MASTER, MY LOVE - 1975; BIZARRE MOODS - 1976; TEENAGE DEVIATES - 1976; DARIO ARGENTO'S WORLD OF HORROR - 1985 [Documentary]; ROCK FAMILY TREES - 1998 [TV Series Documentary]; THAT 70'S SHOW - 1999 [TV Series]; FREAKS AND GEEKS - 2000 [TV Series]; TOP TEN - 2001 [TV Series Documentary]; HEROES - 2010 [TV Series]; MACGRUBER - 2010. He appeared as himself in: EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER ON TOUR - 1974 [Concert Documentary]; EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER IN CONCERT - 1981 [Concert Documentary]; DARIO ARGENTO: AN EYE FOR HORROR - 2000 [TV Documentary]; MOOG - 2004 [Documentary; his sound owes a great deal to that man]; EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER: 40TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT - 2011 [Concert Documentary]; HOW THE BRITS ROCKED AMERICA - 2012 [TV mini-series Documentary]; HEARING IS BELIEVING - 2016 [Documentary]. He also got a "Thanks" on the 2010 Documentary LEMMY [who also passed away at the very end of last year]. So far, 2016 has been a bad year for musicians who have worked on genre films and I hope it stops, but suicide is never the answer unless you are dying from an incurable disease [no word of why Emerson took his life]. Still, Keith Emerson will always be a keyboard master to me [Jesus, the sounds he could make come out of those electric keyboards!] and he was only 71 years-old.) - 03/10/16
JAMES SHELDON (TV Director: Prolific TV Director who worked on many TV series from the 1950's to the 1980's. He has directed some classic TV Series including: WE, THE PEOPLE - 1948; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1949; MISTER PEEPERS - 1952 [10 episodes]; THE RED BUTTONS SHOW - 1952; THE EDDIE ALBERT SHOW - 1952 [Betty White was a regular]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1953; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1953-1954 [11 episodes]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1953-1953 [3 episodes]; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1955; STUDIO 57 - 1955; JANE WYMAN PRESENTS THE FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1955; HOLIDAY HOTEL - 1955; DR. CHRISTIAN - 1956; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1956 [5 episodes]; MAMA - 1956; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1956 [5 episodes]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1956 [3 episodes]; WEST POINT - 1956-1957 [13 episodes]; THE COURT OF LAST RESORT - 1957; RICHARD DIAMOND: PRIVATE DETECTINE - 1958; HARBOR COMMAND - 1957-1958 [3 episodes]; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1959; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957-1959 [9 episodes]; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1959; LAW OF THE PLAINSMAN - 1959; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1957-1960 [44 episodes]; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1960; PERRY MASON - 1960; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1957-1961 [4 episodes]; ANGEL - 1961; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1961; MARGIE - 1962; 87TH PRECINCT - 1962 [4 episodes]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["The Whole Truth" {one of the few that was shot on videotape to save money}; "A Penny For Your Thoughts";'Long Distant Call" {simply chilling}; " It's A Good Life" {one of the scariest half hours on TV}; "Still Valley" - all 1961; "I Sing The Body Electric" - 1962]; THE BRAZEN BELL - 1962 [Theatrical Film; Edited from episodes of TV's THE VIRGINIAN with some original footage]; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962 [4 episodes]; THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN - 1962 [Theatrical Film; Edited from episodes of TV's THE VIRGINIAN with some original footage]; GOING MY WAY - 1963; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; WAGON TRAIN - 1963; NAKED CITY - 1962-1963 [6 episodes]; ROUTE 66 - 1961-1963 [10 episodes]; ESPIONAGE - 1963; THE DEFENDERS - 1963; THE DOCTOR AND THE NURSES - 1964; BRENNER - 1964; THE BING CROSBY SHOW - 1964-1965 [27 episodes]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1965 [3 episodes]; GUNSMOKE - 1957-1965; THE TRIAL OF O'BRIEN - 1965; MY MOTHER THE CAR - 1965; O.K. CRACKERBY! - 1965; BATMAN - 1966; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1966; THE FUGITIVE - 1963-1967 [7 episodes]; WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR - 1966-1967 [7 episodes]; MY THREE SONS - 1967 [8 episodes]; PETTICOAT JUNGLE - 1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967; FELONY SQUAD - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1967-1968 [3 episodes]; JULIA - 1968; THAT GIRL - 1967-1969 [7 episodes]; FROM ROME WITH LOVE - 1969; GIDGET GROWS UP - 1969 [TV Movie]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1962-1970 [8 episodes]; MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT - 1969-1970 [3 episodes]; LONGSTREET - 1971; ANNA AND THE KING - 1972; BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE - 1973 [3 episodes]; ROOM 222 - 1971-1973 [8 episodes]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1973 [8 episodes]; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1973-1974 [3 episodes]; DOC ELLIOT - 1974; APPLE'S WAY - 1974; PETROCELLI - 1974 [3 episodes]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; SANFORD AND SON - 1975-1976 [6 episodes]; INSIGHT - 1971-1976 [3 episodes]; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; MONSTER SQUAD - 1976; MCDUFF, THE TALKING DOG - 1976; MR. T. AND TINA - 1976; ALICE - 1976; RICH MAN, POOR MAN-BOOK II - 1976-1977; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1974-1977 [4 episodes]; SWITCH - 1978; FAMILY - 1978; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1978; WITH THIS RING - 1978 [TV Movie]; M*A*S*H - 1972-1979; FLYING HIGH - 1979; FRIENDS - 1979; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977-1979 [5 episodes]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979-1980 [5 episodes]; THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE CONTENDER - 1980 [TV mini-series]; KNOTS LANDING - 1980; 240-ROBERT - 1981; THE WALTONS - 1981; NURSE - 1981 [3 episodes]; CODE RED - 1981-1982; MCCLAIN'S LAW - 1981-1982; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1982; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1982 [4 episodes]; SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS - 1982-1983 [3 episodes]; SMALL & FRYE - 1983; WHIZ KIDS - 1983; LOTTERY! - 1983-1984 [4 episodes]; NO EARTHLY REASON - 1984 [TV Movie]; JESSIE - 1984; PARTNERS IN CRIME - 1984; THE EQUALIZER - 1985; SLEDGE HAMMER! - 1986 [His last director assignment]. In addition to directing, he discovered several actors and actresses and gave them early breaks in their careers, notably James Dean and Tony Randall. He also wrote the autobiography "Before I Forget: Directing Television 1948 - 1988". It is estimated that he directed nearly 1,200 episodes of TV [Beating James Burrows who, at the time of this obit, just passed the 1,000 episode mark]. James Sheldon died of complications of cancer and was 95 years-old.) - 03/12/16
SYLVIA ANDERSON (Creator/Writer/Producer/Actress: With her late husband Gerry Anderson [they were married from 1962 to 1975], they created a whole new technique of TV Series in the 60's: The action/sci-fi puppet [a.k.a. "Supermarionation'] series, beginning with SUPERCAR - 1961-1962. She was also a voice actress for all of those series. Her credits as a creator/writer/voice actress included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Films]: SUPERCAR - 1961-1962 [39 episodes; also Dialogue Director for 4 episodes]; FIREBALL XL5 - 1962-1963 [39 episodes; also Script Supervisor for 4 episodes]; STINGRAY - 1964 [13 episodes; also Script Supervisor for 36 episodes; also Producer]; THE DES O'CONNOR SHOW - 1966 [Voice Actress only]; THUNDERBIRDS - 1965-1966 [8 episodes; also Script Supervisor for 31 episodes]; THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO - 1966 [TF; also Producer]; CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS - 1967-1968 [32 episodes]; THUNDERBIRD 6 - 1968 [TF; also Producer]; JOE 90 - 1968-1969 [Writer & Creator only]; JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN - 1969 [TF; Writer only; also Producer]; THE SECRET SERVICE - 1969 [Writer & Creator only]; THE PROTECTORS - 1973 [Writer Only]; UFO - 1970-1973 [Writer only; 26 episodes; Producer of one 1970 episode]; THE INVESTIGATOR - 1973 [TF; Writer & Voice Actress only]; JOURNEY THROUGH THE BLACK SUN - 1976 [TV Movie; Creator only; Also Producer]; ALIEN ATTACK - 1976 [TV Movie; Creator only; Also Executive Producer]; SPACE: 1999 - 1975-1977 [Creator only; 48 episodes; Producer of 26 episodes during the 1975-1976 Season]; DESTINATION MOONBASE-ALPHA - 1978 [Creator only]; THE INCREDIBLE VOYAGE OF STINGRAY - 1980 [MFHV; Writer only]; CAPTAIN SCARLET VS. THE MYSTERONS - 1980 [TV Movie; Creator only]; REVENGE OF THE MYSTERONS FROM MARS - 1981 [TV Movie; Creator only]; INVADERS FROM THE DEEP - 1981 [TF; Writer only; Also Producer]; COSMIC PRINCESS - 1982 [Creator only]; ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS - 1994 [Voice Actress only]; THUNDERBIRDS - 2004 [Writer only]; THUNDERBIRDS 1965  - 2015 [3 episodes]; THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO - 2015-2016 [Creator only; 26 episodes; Also Voice Actress on one episode; her last credit]. She was also Continuity Supervisor for 3 episodes of FOUR FEATHERS FALLS - 1960 and the Theatrical Film CROSSROADS TO CRIME - 1960. She was also the UK Programming Chief for HBO. Silvia Anderson passed away after a brief illness and was 88 years-old.) - 03/16/16
FRANK SINATRA JR. (Singer/Actor: The son [Real name: Francis Wayne Sinatra] of the legendary Frank Sinatra who sang more than he acted, but he was nearly an exact copy of his father, it was uncanny. He didn't have many TV or Film credits, but they included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1962; THE APRIL IN PARIS BALL - 1962 [TV Movie]; SAM BENEDICT - 1963; SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1965; A MAN CALLED ADAM - 1966 [TF]; FRANK SINATRA JR. WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS - 1969 [TV Special; also Writer]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1970; ONE SOLDIER'S GAMBLE - 1970 [TF]; THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - 1970-1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1972; WACKY TAXI - 1972 [TF]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1973; ADAM-12 - 1972-1974 [3 episodes]; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1974; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979; DO IT IN THE DIRT - 1979 [TF]; POLICE STORY: CONFESSIONS OF A LADY COP - 1980 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1982; CODE NAME: ZEBRA - 1987 [TF]; COOL WORLD - 1992 [TF]; ...AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING - 1999 [TF]; THE SOPRANOS - 2000; SON OF THE BEACH - 2002; HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE - 2003 [TF]; EVERYTHING OR NOTHING - 2007 [TF]; FAMILY GUY - 2006-2008 [Voice only]; SINATRA: ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL - 2015 [Two-Part Pay TV Documentary]. He also appeared as a panelist on many TV Game Shows and was a guest on daytime and nighttime talk & entertainment shows dating back from the 60's till his death; was Composer and wrote a song ["Dance Baby Dance"] on the movie THE BEACH GIRLS AND THE MONSTER - 1965; and his last credit was as a singer in the movie ENTERTAINER [2015]. He was kidnapped on December 9, 1963 and released 2 days later after a $240,000.00 ransom was paid by his family. Frank Sinatra Jr. passed away of cardiac arrest and was 72 years-old.) - 03/16/16
LARRY DRAKE (Actor: Shit, another one that hit me hard. I loved Larry Drake and DR. GIGGLES - 1992 is one of my favorite horror movies of the 90's. It is terribly underrated. But Drake first caught my attention as the retarded Benny on the TV Series L.A. LAW - 1987-1994, where he won two Emmy Awards® for that role and was nominated three times for a Golden Globe Award®. I still had the feeling after the series ended that he didn't get the recognition he deserved. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THIS STUFF'LL KILL YA! - 1971 [His first film was by director Hershell Gordon Lewis!]; TRUCKER'S WOMAN - 1975; KIDNAPPED CO-ED - 1976; THE ELECTRIC CHAIR - 1976; THE SENIORS - 1978; BATTLE CREEK BRAWL - 1980; DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW - 1981 (TV Movie; Drake was excellent]; THE WHITE LIONS - 1981; THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH - 1983 [TV Movie]; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1983 [TV Series]; THE TAMING OF THE SHREW - 1983 [MFHV]; THE KARATE KID - 1984; THE LADIES CLUB - 1986; CODE OF VENGEANCE - 1986 [TV Series]; HUNTER - 1987 [TV Series]; FOR KEEPS? - 1988; WEREWOLF - 1988 [TV Series]; TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - 1988 [TV Movie]; OH, HENRY! - 1989 [TV Movie]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1989-1990 [TV Series]; DARKMAN - 1990 [Drake was perfect as the villain]; MURDER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: THE PAMELA WOJAS SMART STORY - 1991 [TV Movie]; DARKMAN - 1992 [TV Movie; Failed Pilot]; DR. GIGGLES - 1992 [High praise from me!]; BLIND GERONIMO AND HIS BROTHER - 1992; THE LEGEND OF PRINCE VALIANT - 1991-1993 [TV Series]; ONE MORE MOUNTAIN - 1994 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1987-1994 [TV Series; 144 episodes; Two Emmy Awards® in 1988 and 1989 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; Three Golden Globe Award® nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television]; DARKMAN II: THE RETURN OF DURANT - 1995 [MFHV]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1995 [TV Series]; THE JOURNEY OF AUGUST KING - 1995; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1995 [TV Series]; THE BEAST - 1996 [TV Movie]; ROAD ROVERS - 1996 [TV Series; Voice only]; SUPERMAN - 1996 [TV Series; Voice only]; WOLF PACK - 1996 [TV Movie]; BEAN - 1997; DEAD MAN'S GUN - 1997 [TV Series]; SPY GAME - 1998 [TV Series]; PREY - 1998 [TV Series Regular; 14 episodes]; OVERNIGHT DELIVERY - 1998; PARANOIA - 1998 [Pretty good thriller]; THE TREAT - 1998; FANTASY ISLAND - 1998 [TV Series]; BATMAN BEYOND: THE MOVIE - 1999 [Voice only]; BATMAN BEYOND - 1999 [TV Series; Voice only]; DESERT HEAT - 1999; DURANGO KIDS - 1999; RUNAWAY VIRUS - 2000 [TV Movie]; TIME OF HER TIME - 2000; THE FEARING MIND - 2000 [TV Series]; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 2000 [TV Series]; TIMEQUEST - 2000; AMERICAN PIE 2 - 2001; STARGATE SG-1 - 2001 [TV Series]; DARK ASYLUM - 2001 [Lousy horror film, but Drake is a hoot]; THIEVES - 2001 [TV Series]; AS TOLD TO GINGER - 2002 [TV Series]; L.A. LAW: THE MOVIE - 2002 [TV Movie; Drake reprises his Benny character]; SPUN - 2002; SIX FEET UNDER - 2002 [Pay Cable TV Series]; A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY - 2002 [TV Series]; FIREFLY - 2002 [TV Series]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2003 [TV Series]; JUSTICE LEAGUE - 2003 [TV Series; Voice only]; WHAT'S NEW, SCOOBY DOO? - 2004 [TV Series; Voice only]; JOHNNY BRAVO - 1999-2004 [TV Series; Voice only; 27 episodes]; I WILL AVENGE YOU, IAGO! - 2005; OFFICER DOWN - 2005 [TV Movie]; MRS. HARRIS - 2005 [TV Movie]; LIVING THE DREAM - 2006; LOVE HOLLYWOOD STYLE - 2006; 7TH HEAVEN - 2006 [TV Series]; DORM DAZE 2 - 2006 [MFHV]; ATTACK OF THE GRYPHON - 2007; PATHOLOGY - 2008; BOSTON LEGAL - 2008 [TV Series]; GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT - 2009 [MFHV; Voice only]; DEAD AIR - 2009 [His last acting role]. Here is what Larry Drake said about playing villains: "Evil characters are usually more memorable to audiences because you don't see them every day. What you do see are people trying to get by and be socially acceptable and follow most rules. I mean, nobody slows down on the freeway when things are going well. They slow down when there's an accident, to see if they can see some blood. Nobody reports good stuff on the news, they report bad stuff. The bad news is more distinctive, it shocks us." Drake was a personal favorite of mine and he died way too soon. He passed away of undetermined causes [his friend found him dead in his home] and he was just 66 years-old.) - 03/17/16
JOE SANTOS (Actor: Fantastic character acter best known to Baby Boomers as "Dennis Becker" from THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974-1980 and his appearances on POLICE STORY - 1974-1978. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: NAKED CITY - 1963; WARM NIGHTS AND HOT PLEASURES - 1964 [TF]; A CAROL FOR ANOTHER CHRISTMAS - 1964 [TV Movie]; FLESH AND LACE - 1965 [TF]; MOONLIGHTING WIVES - 1966 [TF]; THE TIGER MAKES OUT - 1967 [TF]; MY BODY HUNGERS - 1967 [TF]; THE DETECTIVE - 1968 [TF]; THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK - 1971 [TF]; THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT - 1971 [TF]; THE LEGEND OF NIGGER CHARLEY - 1972 [TF]; SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! - 1972 [TF]; ROOM 222 - 1972; SHAMUS - 1973 [TF]; NIGHTSIDE - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE - 1973 [TF]; TOMA - 1973; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE DON IS DEAD - 1973 [TF]; BLADE - 1973; BARNABY JONES - 1974; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974; THE GIRL ON THE LATE, LATE SHOW - 1974 [TV Movie]; A KNIFE FOR THE LADIES - 1974 [TF]; ZANDY'S BRIDE - 1974 [TF]; KUNG FU - 1975; BARETTA - 1975; A MATTER OF WIFE...AND DEATH - 1975 [TV Movie]; JOE FORRESTER - 1976; THE SELLING OF VINCE D'ANGELO - 1976 [TV Movie]; LOU GRANT - 1977; POLICE STORY - 1974-1978 [8 episodes]; BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON - 1978; DAVID CASSIDY-MAN UNDERCOVER - 1978; EISCHEID - 1979; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974-1980 [112 episodes; Emmy® nominated in 1979 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]; POWER - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE HUSTLER OF MUSCLE BEACH - 1980 [TV Movie]; ME AND MAXX - 1980 [TV Series Regular; 11 episodes]; WENDY HOOPER, U.S. ARMY - 1981 [TV Movie]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1982; LIKELY STORIES, VOL. 2 - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1983; BLUE THUNDER - 1983 [TF]; JESSIE - 1984; A.K.A. PABLO - 1984 [TV Series Regular; 6 episodes]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984 [3 episodes]; FEAR CITY - 1984 [TF]; COVER UP - 1984; THE A-TEAM - 1984; THE RATINGS GAME - 1984 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1984; T.J. HOOKER - 1985; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1986; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1985-1986 [8 episodes]; THE EDUCATION OF ALLISON TATE - 1986 [TF]; SUPERIOR COURT - 1986; ADDERLY - 1987; MACGYVER - 1986-1987; MAGNUM P.I. - 1986-1988 [5 episodes]; DEADLINE: MADRID - 1988 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1988; MIAMI VICE - 1988; QUANTUM LEAP - 1989; BEVERLY HILLS BRATS - 1989 [TF]; REVENGE - 1990 [TF]; SANTA BARBARA - 1990 [5 episodes]; THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA - 1990 [TV Movie]; HUNTER - 1984-1990; GOOD COPS, BAD COPS - 1990 [TV Movie]; DEADLY DESIRE - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991 [TF]; MO' MONEY - 1992 [TF]; SINATRA - 1992 [TV Movie]; BAKERSFIRLD P.D. - 1993; NYPD BLUE - 1993; TRIAL BY JURY - 1994 [TF]; ART DECO DETECTIVE - 1994 [TF]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: I STILL LOVE L.A. - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: IF THE FRAME FITS... - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: GODFATHER KNOWS BEST - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: FRIENDS AND FOUL PLAY - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: PUNISHMENT AND CRIME - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: SHOOT-OUT AT THE GOLDEN PAGODA - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE POSTMAN - 1997 [TF]; THE RIGHT WAY - 1998 [TF]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: IF IT BLEEDS...IT LEADS - 1999 [TV Movie]; AUGGIE ROSE - 2000 [TF]; HAMMERLOCK - 2000 [TF]; PROXIMITY - 2001 [TF]; THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS - 2001 [TF]; THE SOPRANOS - 2008 [8 episodes]; CHRONIC - 2015 [TF; his last acting role]. He was also the cousin of Exploitation Director Joseph W. Sarno. Joe Santos died from a heart attack and was 84 years-old.) - 03/18/16
JAN NEMEC (Director/Writer: Czech Director who was part of the European "New Wave" movement. Many of his films were hard to understand, but they were mezmerizing all the same.  He directed three highly influential feature films before the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia [now called the Czech Republic] in 1968 effectively ended his career, but he bounced back on TV in the 70's and feature films in the early 90's. His credits included: DIAMONDS IN THE NIGHT - 1964; PEARLS OF THE DEEP - 1966; A REPORT ON THE PARTY AND THE GUESTS - 1966; MARTYRS OF LOVE - 1967; RETURN - 1968; DAS RUCKENDEKOLLETE - 1975; METAMORPHOSiS - 1975 [TV Movie; one of the best movies based on a Franz Kafka novel]; TRUE STORIES: PEACE IN OUR TIME? - 1988 [TV Movie Documentary]; THE POET REMEMBERS - 1989 [TV Movie]; STRAHOVSKA DEMONSTRACE - 1990; IN THE LIGHT OF THE KING'S LOVE - 1991; CODE NAME: RUBY - 1997 [Want your mind blown? Watch this film, but it is very hard to find.]; LATE NIGHT TALKS WITH MOTHER - 2001 [Documentary; also Cinematographer & Music Composer]; LANDSCAPE OF MY HEART - 2004 [also Cinematographer & Music Composer]; TOYEN - 2005 [also Producer; one of his most celebrated films]; THE FERRARI DINO GIRL - 2009; THE WOLF FROM ROYAL VINEYARD STREET - 2016 [Shooting at the time of his death. No word on whether it was near finished]. He also won or was nominated for many awards for his short films (I counted 7) and his feature films.  Mr. Nemec also acted in other people's films, including: NO ENTRANCE - 1960; THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING - 1988; '68 - 1988; and CORPUS DELICTI - 1991. He was also the Music Composer for CODE NAME: WILD GEESE - 1984. Jan Nemec passed away from an unknown illness and was 79 years-old.) - 03/18/16
PETER BROWN (Actor: Very capable character actor who started out in the 50's in so many Western TV series and small bit parts in films and then did some great exploitation films in the 70's. His face is instantly recognizable, but many people didn't know his name. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: ONE WEST POINT - 1957; THE STORY OF ESTHER COSTELLO - 1957 [TF]; SAYONARA - 1957 [TF]; COLT .45 - 1957; DARBY'S RANGERS - 1958; TOO MUCH, TOO SOON - 1958 [TF]; MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR - 1958 [TF]; VIOLENT ROAD - 1958 [TF]; NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS - 1958 [TF; voice only]; ONIONHEAD - 1958 [TF; scenes deleted]; WESTBOUND - 1959 [TF; voice only]; THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS - 1959 [TF]; SUGARFOOT - 1958-1959; MAVERICK - 1957-1960 [3 episodes]; MERRILL'S MARAUDERS - 1962 [TF; his first film where his character has a name]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1962; LAWMAN - 1958-1962 [TV Series Regular; 156 episodes]; CHEYENNE - 1957-1962 [4 episodes]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1962; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; SUMMER MAGIC - 1963 [TF]; REDIGO - 1963; A TIGER WALKS - 1964 [TF]; RIDE THE WILD SURF - 1964 [TF]; KITTEN WITH A WHIP - 1964 [TF]; WAGON TRAIN - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; LAREDO - 1965-1967 [TV Series Regular; 56 episodes]; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1964-1967 [3 episodes]; THREE GUNS FOR TEXAS - 1968 [TF]; THE BEST YEARS - 1969 [TV Movie]; MOD SQUAD - 1969; BACKTRACK! - 1969 [TF; an unusual mixture of previous footage from episodes of LAREDO and THE VIRGINIAN that actually works]; HUNTERS ARE FOR KILLING - 1970 [TV Movie]; ATTACK AT DAWN - 1970 [TF]; THE MOST DEADLY GAME - 1970; TEENAGE TEASE - 1971 [TF]; MY THREE SONS - 1971; DAN AUGUST - 1971; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1971; CHROME AND HOT LEATHER - 1971 [TF]; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1971; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972; PIRANHA, PIRANHA - 1972 [TF; a TV staple throughout the 70's]; THE MAGICIAN - 1973; FOXY BROWN - 1974 [TF; his death was great!]; MEMORY OF US - 1974 [TF]; ACT OF VENGEANCE - 1974 [TF; a.k.a. RAPE SQUAD; Brown played the perverted rapist in an orange jumpsuit and hockey mask who hummed Christmas songs while raping women!]; POLICE STORY - 1974; SLASHED DREAMS - 1975 [TF; truly awful film]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1975; MATT HELM - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1977; QUINCY M.E. - 1977; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1972-1978 [10 episodes]; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1978; VEGA$ - 1978; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1978; SALVAGE 1 - 1979; PROJECT U.F.O. - 1979; CALIFORNIA FEVER - 1979; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1980; TOP OF THE HILL - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE GIRL, THE GOLD WATCH & EVERYTHING - 1980 [TV Movie]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1981; DALLAS - 1982; THE CONCRETE JUNGLE - 1982 [TF; good WIP film]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1982; HART TO HART - 1983; LOVING - 1983; T.J. HOOKER - 1983; MANIMAL - 1983; WHIZ KIDS - 1984; COVER UP - 1984; THE FALL GUY - 1984; RIPTIDE - 1984; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; KNIGHT RIDER - 1985; SIMON & SIMON - 1984-1986; AIRWOLF - 1986; THE AURORA ENCOUNTER - 1986 [TF]; THE A-TEAM - 1986; THE MESSENGER - 1986 [TF; Brown starred with Fred Williamson]; OHARA - 1988; AARON'S WAY - 1988; 1ST & TEN: THE CHAMPIONSHIP - 1988; HUNTER - 1989; GENERATIONS - 1989 [3 episodes]; DEMONSTONE - 1990 [TF]; BAYWATCH - 1990; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 1989-1991 [6 episodes]; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 1991-1992 [6 episodes]; WINGS - 1992; ONE WEST WAIKIKI - 1994; FISTS OF IRON - 1995 [TF]; ASYLUM - 1997 [TF]; BABYLON 5 - 1997; WASTELAND JUSTICE - 1999 [TF]; JAG - 2000; THE PENNING TAPE - 2000 [MFHV Documentary; Producer and Narrator]; THE WEDDING PLANNER - 2001 [TF]; HOLLYWOOD, IT'S A DOG'S LIFE - 2004 [TF]; Y.M.I. - 2004 [TF]; LAND OF THE FREE? - 2004 [TF]; THREE BAD MEN - 2005 [TF]; HELL TO PAY - 2005 [TF; his last acting role]. He was also Executive Producer on the films GENTLE SAVAGE - 1973 [He and William Smith were good friends and made a few movies and TV series together] and SPARKLE - 1976; and got a "Special Thanks" on the 1984 TV Movie CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS. According to the IMDb: "In the early 1960s when TV-western mania reached its peak, an American magazine sponsored a contest for the actors who portrayed western heroes and villains. Since the climactic moment of so many shows was the classic quick-draw shoot-out, the actors had to acquire that skill to play their scenes. The magazine held a competiton among some of the stars of the shows, firing blanks, aiming not at each other but downrange, and using an electronic timer. Quite a number of cowboy stars showed up to "slap leather." Peter Brown beat them all and won the title of the fastest gun in Hollywood." He was also married five times. I'll end Peter Brown's obituary with the following quote he made about his life as an actor: "Every actor likes to work. But there are different qualities of work. I've gone to the Philippines to make war movies in the jungles and swamps with leeches and I've ridden horses playing cowboys and Indians. I've lots of different kinds of work and I am grateful for all of it." Peter Brown died of unknown causes and was 80 years-old.) - 03/21/16
RITA GAM (Actress: Rita Gam was a TV and film actress who did a few films that genre film fans will recognize. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: BELIEVE IT OR NOT - 1950; LIGHTS OUT - 1951; TRAPPED - 1951; SOMERSET MAUGHAM TV THEATRE - 1951; LOVE OF LIFE - 1951; DANGER - 1951; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1951; CAMEO THEATRE - 1952; CRIME PHOTOGRAPHER - 1952; THE THIEF - 1952 [TF; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Most Promising Newcomer - Female]; THE ADVENTURES OF FU MANCHU: THE ZAYAT KISS - 1952 [TV Movie]; SAADIA - 1953 [TF; Played the title role]; NIGHT PEOPLE - 1954 [TF]; THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1954; YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - 1954; THE MOTOROLA TELEVISION HOUR - 1954; SIGN OF THE PAGAN - 1954 [TF]; THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1954; THE FORD TELVISION THEATRE - 1955; MAGIC FIRE - 1955 [TF]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1955; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1956; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1956; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1956; MOHAWK - 1956 [TF]; THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1957; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1958; SIERRA BARON - 1958 [TF]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1958; COSTA AZZURRA - 1959 [TF]; HANNIBAL - 1959 [TF]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1960; KING OF KINGS - 1961 [TF]; SINNERS GO TO HELL - 1962 [TF; a.k.a NO EXIT; Won the Silver Berlin Bear® as Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival]; FESTIVAL - 1964; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1964; THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW - 1966; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1966; HIDDEN FACES - 1968; KLUTE - 1971 [TF]; SHOOT OUT - 1971 [TF]; SUCH GOOD FRIENDS - 1971 [TF]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1973; MANNIX - 1974; THE GARDENER - 1974 [TF; a.k.a. SEEDS OF EVIL]; LAW AND DISORDER - 1974 [TF]; MATT HELM - 1975; HARRY O - 1976; HEROES OF THE BIBLE - 1978; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1981; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1983 [5 episodes]; TUCKER'S WITCH - 1983; DISTORTIONS - 1987 [TF]; GRACE KELLY: THE AMERICAN PRINCESS - 1987 [Video Documentary]; MIDNIGHT - 1989 [TF]; ROWING THROUGH - 1996 [TF]; MONACO - 1997 [Short; Voice only; her last acting role]. She Was a bridesmaid at Grace Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco and was married to director Sidney Lumet from 1949 to 1955. Rita Gam passed away of respiratory failure and was 86 years-old.) - 03/22/16
KEN HOWARD (Actor: To Baby Boomers like myself, Ken Howard was best known for his television work in the 1970's, especially the lead in THE WHITE SHADOW - 1978-1981, a show way ahead of its time [Although a great, entertaining series, it was always a low-rated show, but CBS let it run 3 seasons. Can you imagine that happening today?]. He was also President of the Screen Actors Guild [SAG and, in 2012, SAG-AFTRA {American Federation of Television and Radio Artists}] since 2009 [he was re-elected in 2012 and 2015] and won two Emmy Awards® and a Tony Award®. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: N.Y.P.D. - 1969; TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME, JUNIE MOON - 1970 [TF]; SUCH GOOD FRIENDS - 1971 [TF]; THE STRANGE VENGEANCE OF ROSALIE - 1972 [TF; I love this film]; BONANZA - 1972 [portrayed Mark Twain]; 1776 - 1972 [TF; played Thomas Jefferson]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1973; ADAM'S RIB - 1973 [Star of failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; MANHUNTER - 1974 [TV Movie; Pilot for TV Series]; THE MANHUNTER - 1974-1975 [Star of TV Series; 23 episodes]; THE COURT-MARTIAL OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER - 1977 [TV Movie]; SUPERDOME - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE CRITICAL LIST - 1978 [TV Movie]; A REAL AMERICAN HERO - 1978 [TV Movie; Brian Dennehy played Buford Pusser]; FATHER DAMIEN: THE LEPER PRIEST - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE BODY HUMAN: FACTS FOR BOYS - 1980 [Daytime Emmy® winner for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming - Performers]; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1978-1981 [54 episodes; as a high-school basketball star in Manhasset, Long Island, New York, in 1961, Howard was actually nicknamed "The White Shadow" because he was the only Caucasion starter on the varsity basketball team!]; VICTIMS - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE COUNTRY GIRL - 1982 [TV Movie]; IT'S NOT EASY - 1983 [Failed TV Series; 10 episodes]; SECOND THOUGHTS - 1983 [TF]; RAGE OF ANGELS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE THORN BIRDS - 1983 [TV mini-series]; GLITTER - 1984; HE'S NOT YOUR SON - 1984 [TV Movie]; HOTEL - 1984-1985; DRUG FREE KIDS: A PARENTS GUIDE - 1986 [MFHV]; DYNASTY - 1985-1986 [13 episodes]; THE COLBYS - 1985-1986 [19 episodes; played same character as on DYNASTY]; RAGE OF ANGELS: THE STORY CONTINUES - 1986 [TV Movie]; DREAM GIRL, U.S.A. - 1986; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1984-1988 [Portrayed Mark Twain in an 1984 adaption of "Pudd'nhead Wilson", his second time playing Twain on TV; in 1988, he was part of an adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude"]; THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT - 1989 [TV Movie]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1991; OSCAR - 1991 [TF]; P.S.I. LUV U - 1991; MURDER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: THE PAMELA WOJAS SMART STORY - 1991 [TV Movie]; MEMORIES OF MIDNIGHT - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1992; MASTERGATE - 1992 [TV Movie]; BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 1993 [Voice only]; HART TO HART RETURNS - 1993 [TV Movie]; ULTERIOR MOTIVES - 1993 [TF]; MOMENT OF TRUTH: TO WALK AGAIN - 1994 [TV Movie]; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - 1994 [TF]; ONE WEST WAIKIKI - 1994; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1994 [6 episodes]; CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS - 1994 [Voice only]; NYPD BLUE - 1994; OP CENTER - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE NET - 1995 [TF]; HER HIDDEN TRUTH - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE CLIENT - 1996; SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE - 1997 [TV Movie]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1996-1997; TACTICAL ASSAULT - 1998 [MFHV]; MELROSE PLACE - 1994-1998 [5 episodes]; AT FIRST SIGHT - 1999 [TF]; THE WEST WING - 1999; A VOW TO CHERISH - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE PRACTICE - 1997-2000; PERFECT MURDER, PERFECT TOWN: JONBENET AND THE CITY OF BOULDER - 2000 [TV Movie]; CHASING THE SUN - 2001 [TV Series Documentary; Narrator for 4 episodes]; FAMILY LAW - 2001; ARLI$$ - 1996-2001; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2004; A BOYFRIEND FOR CHRISTMAS - 2004 [TV Movie]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2001-2005 [Series Semi-Regular; 49 episodes]; DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY - 2005 [TF]; IN HER SHOES - 2005 [TF]; THE OFFICE - 2006; GEORGE LOPEZ - 2006; GHOST WHISPERER - 2006; HUFF - 2006; CONVICTION - 2006; ARC - 2006 [TF]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2006; WHERE'S MARTY? - 2006 [MFHV]; THE CLUBHOUSE - 2007; SACRIFICES OF THE HEART - 2007 [TV Movie]; THE NINE - 2007; MICHAEL CLAYTON - 2007 [TF]; CANE - 2007 [Failed TV Series; 10 episodes]; SMOTHER - 2007 [TF]; RAMBO - 2008 [TF; my favorite of his later roles]; UNDER STILL WATERS - 2008 [TF]; BROTHERS & SISTERS - 2008; ELI STONE - 2008; BOSTON LEGAL - 2008; DIRTY SEXY MONEY - 2008; COLD CASE - 2009; GREY GARDENS - 2009 [Pay Cable Movie; Emmy® winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]; 2:13 - 2009 [TF]; THE BEACON - 2009 [TF]; A NUMBERS GAME - 2010 [TF]; UNSCRIPTED - 2011; THE COUNCIL OF DADS - 2011 [TV Movie]; FAIRLY LEGAL - 2011; THE CLOSER - 2011; J. EDGAR - 2011 [TF]; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - 2012 [3 episodes]; COUNTER CULTURE - 2012 [TV Movie]; BLUE BLOODS - [2012]; JUST AN AMERICAN - 2012 [TF]; 30 ROCK - 2011-2013 [9 episodes]; A.C.O.D. - 2013 [TF]; BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY - 2014 [TF]; TEENS WANNA KNOW - 2014; THE JUDGE - 2014 [TF]; THE WEDDING RINGER - 2015 [TF]; JOY - 2015 [TF; his last acting role]. He appeared on the 22nd SAG Awards® in January 2016. Howard was the author of the 2003 book "Act Natural: How to Speak to Any Audience", based on the drama courses he had taught at Harvard University. His voice can be heard on dozens of best-selling books on tape and disc. He also had a kidney transplant in 2000, the kidney donated by longtime friend, stunt-woman Jeannie Epper [his wife was also former stunt-woman Linda Fetters]. Howard worked endlessly on programs to donate organs and on finding cures for Alzheimer's disease. He and his wife were also involved in various charities for finding homeless animals homes [which makes him and his wife heroes in my book]. According to the IMDb: "In 1968, two years into the three-year program at the Yale School of Drama, he accepted a small role on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Promises, Promises". He originated the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Tony-winning musical 1776 [1972], directed by Peter H. Hunt, receiving a Theatre World Award®. Howard earned his Tony Award® for his work as a young gym coach at a Catholic Boys' school in "Child's Play" [1970]. He has starred on Broadway in "Seesaw", "The Norman Conquests", "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" and the national tour of "Equus". In 2008, Howard starred in the one-man play, "According to Tip". His award-winning performance as Thomas P. 'Tip' O'Neill was critically acclaimed." Ken Howard's cause of death was not known at the time of this obituary [he was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2007 and was recently hospitalized with shingles] and was 71 years-old. He passed away five days before his 72nd birthday.) - 03/23/16
EARL HAMNER JR. (Writer/Producer: Best known as a Writer and Producer of THE WALTONS - 1972-1982, Hamner started much earlier on TV Writing and Producing some classic episodes of quality TV Series and movies, both for TV and Theatrical. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film]: THE KATE SMITH HOUR - 1953 [Writer only]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1954 [Writer only]; JUSTICE - 1954 [Writer only]; TACTIC - 1959 [Writer only]; MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1962 [Writer only]; IT'S A MAN'S WORLD - 1962 [Writer only]; SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN - 1963 [TF; Based on his Novel]; PALM SPRINGS WEEKEND - 1963 [TF; Writer only]; TWILIGHT ZONE - [Writer only; "The Hunt"; "A Piano In The House" - 1962; "Jess-Belle"; "Ring-A-Ding Girl" - 1963;"You Drive"; "Black Leather Jackets"; "Stopover In A Quiet Town"; "The Bewitchin' Pool" - 1964]; THE LONG, HOT SUMMER - 1965 [Writer only]; WAGON TRAIN - 1965 [Writer Only]; ABC STAGE 67 - 1966 [Writer only]; THE INVADERS - 1967 [Writer only]; HEIDI - 1968 [TV Movie; There a great story about this film being shown before a football game ended and millions of people missed the greatest comeback of the season]; GENTLE BEN - 1967-1969 [Writer of 8 episodes]; TIGER, TIGER - 1969 [TV Movie; Writer only]; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1969 [Writer only]; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1970 [Writer of 4 episodes]; AESOP'S FABLES - 1971 [TV Movie; Writer only]; THE HOMECOMING: A CHRISTMAS STORY - 1971 [TV Movie based on Hamner's novel "The Homecoming"; a WALTONS pilot film with only Richard Thomas returning as "John-Boy Walton" and Ellen Corby as "Esther Walton" to the series; Writer only; also a Voice Narrator]; THE LAST GENERATION - 1971 [TF; Writer Only]; CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 1973 [TF; Story credit only]; A DREAM FOR CHRISTMAS - 1973 [TV Movie; Uncredited Story credit only]; POMROY'S PEOPLE - 1973 [TV Movie; Creator and Co-Producer only]; WHERE THE LILIES BLOOM - 1974 [TF; Writer only]; APPLE"S WAY - 1974-1975 [Creator and Executive Producer only for 28 episodes; Executive Story Consultant for 10 episodes]; LASSIE: A NEW BEGINNING - 1978 [TV Movie; Writer only]; THE WALTONS: A DECADE OF THE WALTONS - 1980 [TV Special; Creator and Executive Producer only]; JOSHUA'S WORLD - 1980 [TV Movie; Writer only]; THE WALTONS - 1972-1982 [Writer of 9 episodes; Creator of 213 episodes; Executive Producer of 123 episodes; also Narrator of 211 episodes; Executive Story Consultant for 137 episodes from 1972 to 1978; Nominated 4 times for an Emmy Award®, but never won]; A WEDDING ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only; also the Narrator]; A DAY FOR THANKS ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie; Creator and Executive Producer only; also Narrator]; MOTHERS DAY ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie; Executive Producer and Creator only]; THE GIFT OF LOVE: A CHRISTMAS STORY - 1983 [TV Movie; Co-Executive Producer and Writer only]; MORNINGSTAR/EVENINGSTAR - 1984 [Executive Producer and Creator; Writer of 8 episodes]; FALCON CREST - 1981-1986 [Creator of 228 episodes; Executive Producer of 128 episodes; Writer of 2 episodes; Creative Consultant on on 28 episodes during the 1986-1987 season]; CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH - 1993 [TV Movie; Writer only]; A WALTON THANKSGIVING REUNION - 1993 [Creator and Executive Producer only]; SNOWY RIVER: THE MACGREGOR SAGA - 1993 [Executive Producer of 1 episode only];  A WALTON WEDDING - 1995 [TV Movie; Creator and Executive Producer only]; A MOTHER'S GIFT - 1995 [TV Movie; Writer only]; A WALTON EASTER - 1997 [Creator and Executive Producer only]; THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE - 1997 [TV Movie; Writer only]; THE WILD THORNBERRIES - 2000 [Writer of one episode only]; NIGHT VISIONS - 2001 [Writer of one episode only]; THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: A MOUSE TALE - 2002 [TV Movie; Writer only]; CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 2006 [TF; Story credit only; his last credit]. Hamner based the grandparents in his popular television series THE WALTONS on his own maternal Italian-American grandparents Ora Lee and A. Gianniny, an Anglicized version of the Italian name Giannini. Hamner saw the documentary EARL HAMNER: STORYTELLER - 2015 and was proud of the production, according to his daughter. He also became the honored recipient of the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Humanitarian Award®, and accepted Media Heritage Founder’s Award® just before he died. He was married to the same woman [Jane Martin] since 1954. Earl Hamner Jr. passed away due to complications of cancer [he was diagnosed in 2014] and was 92 years-old.) - 03/24/16
MARGARET BLYE (Actress: She sometimes used the name "Maggie Blye" when she acted on TV and in films. She didn't really have much in the way of credits, but she was a very good actress.  Her credits included [Theatrical Film if marked with a "TF"]: SUMMER AND SMOKE - 1961 [TF]; CHANNING - 1964; HAZEL - 1964; PERRY MASON - 1965; GUNSMOKE - 1964-1965; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1965; THE VIRGINIAN - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1966; THE IRON MEN - 1966 [TV Movie]; HOMBRE - 1967 [TF; with Paul Newman]; WATERHOLE #3 - 1967 [TF; with James Coburn and Carroll O'Connor, two actors she would work again with in the future]; DIAMONDS FOR BREAKFAST - 1968 [TF]; THE ITALIAN JOB - 1969 [TF; her best known role; with Michael Caine and Benny Hill]; THE SPORTING CLUB - 1971 [TF]; EVERY LITTLE CROOK AND NANNY - 1972 [TF; with Victor Mature, Lynn Redgrave and Dom DeLuise]; ASH WEDNESDAY - 1973 [TF; with Elizabeth Taylor and Henry Fonda]; MY DAD LIVES IN A DOWNTOWN HOTEL - 1973 [Afternoon TV Movie]; MELVIN PURVIS, G-MAN - 1974 [TV Movie]; KODIAK - 1974; HARD TIMES - 1975 [TF; my favorite of her roles {she played the memorable "Gayleen Schoonover"} as she acts opposite Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, James Coburn and Strother Martin; this was Walter Hill's first film as a director and it is still one of my favorite of his films]; HARRY O - 1975; MAYDAY AT 40,000 FEET! - 1976 [TV Movie]; FINAL CHAPTER: WALKING TALL - 1977 [TF]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979; UNDERCOVER WITH THE KKK - 1979 [TV Movie]; LITTLE DARLINGS - 1980 [TF]; HART TO HART - 1981; GOLDEN GATE - 1981 [TV Movie]; LIAR'S MOON - 1982 [TF; had two official endings: a feel good one and a sad one. The Vestron VHS had both the endings {the sad one was shown first} and the DVD has only the feel good one; Pay Cable use to alternate the endings during the 80's]; THE ENTITY - 1982 [TF; also a great role for her; once you see Barbara Hershey's breasts being fondled by an invisible spirit, you will never forget it; Frank De Felitta, who wrote this film, passed away on March 31 of this year, a mere week after Ms. Lyle]; KIDCO - 1984 [TF]; MISCHIEF - 1985 [TF]; LOVE LIVES ON - 1985 [TV Movie]; LBJ: THE EARLY YEARS - 1987 [TV Movie]; HOUSTON KNIGHTS - 1987; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1988 [4 episodes]; HUNTER - 1990; SILHOULETTE - 1990 [TV Movie]; PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE - 1992; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1993; CUPID - 1997 [TF; underrated thriller]; JOURNEY OF THE HEART - 1997 [TV Movie]; GLAM - 1997 [TF]; SOFT TOILET SEATS - 1998 [TF]; THE PROPHET'S GAME - 2000 [TF; with the late Dennis Hopper]; LAST GOODBYE - 2004 [TF; with Faye Dunaway and the late David Carradine]; THE GINGERDEAD MAN - 2005 [MFHV; a new low for her; it would be a new low for any established actress]; MEET THE SANTAS - 2005 [TV Movie]; MAN IN THE CHAIR - 2007 [TF]; MEET MY MOM - 2010 [TV Movie; a.k.a. SOLDIER LOVE STORY; her last acting credit]. Margaret Blye passed away due to complications of cancer and was 76 years-old.) - 03/24/16
GARRY SHANDLING (Actor/Writer/Producer/Comedian: Shandling was considered the premiere comedian during the 90's, thanks to his no-holds-barred pay cable comedy series THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW- 1992-1998, but he was also an accomplished writer and actor, as well as being a multiple Award winner and nominee. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for Theatrical Film"]; SANDFORD AND SON - 1975-1976 [Writer of 4 episodes]; WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1976 [Writer of one episode]; THE HARVEY KORMAN SHOW - 1978 [Writer of one episode]; GARRY SHANDLING: ALONE IN LAS VEGAS - 1984 [TV Special; Performer & Writer; also Producer]; MICHAEL NESMITH IN TELEVISION PARTS - 1985 [TV Special; Actor only]; DOCTOR DUCK'S SECRET ALL-PURPOSE SAUCE - 1986 [MFHV; Writer only]; THE GARRY SHANDLING SHOW: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - 1986 [TV Special; Performer & Writer; also Executive Producer]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1987 [Host]; MOTHER GOOSE ROCK 'N' RHYME - 1990 [Actor only]; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1986-1990 [Actor & Writer; 71 episodes; Executive Producer for 55 episodes from 1987 to 1990]; GARRY SHANDLING: STAND UP - 1991 [TV Special; Writer & Performer; also Executive Producer]; THE BEN STILLER SHOW - 1992 [Actor Only]; THE NIGHT WE NEVER MET - 1993 [TF; Uncredited Actor]; BOB HOPE: THE FIRST 90 YEARS - 1993 [TV Documentary; Interviewee only]; LOVE AFFAIR - 1994 [TF; Actor only]; MIXED NUTS - 1994 [TF; Actor only]; DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST - 1996 [Writer & Voice actor]; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1992-1998 [Actor & Writer; 89 episodes; Also Executive Producer; Directed 3 episodes in 1998; Emmy Award® winner in 1992 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series]; DR. DOLITTLE - 1998 [TF; Voice only]; WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? - 2000 [TF; Actor, Producer & Writer]; THE X-FILES - 2000 [Played Fox Mulder in a faux TV Series in the episode "Hollywood A.D."; Very funny episode; Tea Leoni, David Duchovny's wife at the time, played Dana Scully]; TOWN & COUNTRY - 2001 [TF; Actor only]; ZOOLANDER - 2001 [TF; Actor only]; RUN RONNIE RUN - 2002 [TF; Actor only]; THE RUTLES 2: CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH - 2004 [TV Special; Actor only]; TRUST THE MAN - 2005 [TF; Actor only]; OVER THE HEDGE - 2006 [TF; Voice Actor only]; TOM GOES TO THE MAYOR - 2006 [Voice Actor only]; KEVIN NEALON: NOW HEAR ME OUT! - 2009 [Performer only]; IRON MAN 2 - 2010 [TF; Actor only]; THE DICTATOR - 2012 [TF; Uncredited Actor]; CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER - 2014 [TF; Actor only; Played the same character he did in IRON MAN 2. His final role]. He also got a "Thanks" on HOUSE OF D - 2004 [TF; Starring David Duchovny]; FUNNY PEOPLE - 2009 [TF]; and LOUIS C.K.: LIVE AT THE COMEDY STORE - 2015 [TV Special]. He also did standup routines on over 100 daytime and nighttime Entertainment and Talk shows and about a dozen comedy documentaries, as well as appearances on many Award shows. He was a big influence on comics today and when he died, the outpouring of love for Shandling started coming out, even by non-comedian George Clooney, who tells a story about Shandling [who never met the pre-popular Clooney before] putting Clooney's bike in the trunk of his car and driving him to an audition so he would make it on time. That's the kind of person he was. Garry Shandling died of a heart attack and was 66 years-old. As Jeffrey Tambor [who also wrote a touching obituary] would say: "Hey now!") - 03/24/16
JIM HARRISON (Novelist/Screenwriter: Harrison is mainly known for his book work, but a few theatrical films have been made from his novels and novellas and, on occasion, he also wrote the Screenplay. His small filmic credits list included: COLD FEET - 1989 [Written By]; REVENGE - 1990 [Based on his novella; also Screenwriter]; WOLF - 1994 [Written By; also Associate Producer]; LEGENDS OF THE FALL - 1994 [Based on his novella; Women love this film; probably his most popular film]; CARRIED AWAY - 1996 [Based on his novella "Farmer"]; DALVA - 1996 [TV Movie; Based on the novella of the same name. His last film credit]. Harrison's wife passed away in October 2015 and they were married since 1959. Jim Harrison passed away of unknown causes [maybe a broken heart?] and was 79 years-old.) - 03/26/16
PATTY DUKE (Actress: Jesus, March has been a cruel month. Patty Duke was a terrific actress who came into prominence playing identical cousins on THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1963-1966, even though she did plenty of TV and films before that series premiered as a child actress, even winning an Oscar® [as well as many more awards later in her life]. She also did many theatrical films and TV Movies that a lot of us genre film lovers really admire [It seems by her filmography that she loved doing horror and thriller films and TV Shows. I call her  "The Queen of 70's & 80's Horror & Thriller TV Movies"]. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF" for theatrical film]: RENDEZVOUS - 1958; THE BRIGHTER DAY - 1958-1959; KITTY FOYLE - 1958; COUNTRY MUSIC HOLIDAY - 1958 [TF]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1957-1958; THE GODDESS - 1958 [TF]; KRAFT THEATRE - 1957-1958 [4 episodes]; SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1958 [TV Movie], MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS - 1959 [TV Movie]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1956-1959 [6 episodes]; 4D MAN - 1959 [TF; Her first foray into Horror]; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - 1959 [TF]; ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS TIME - 1959 [TV Movie]; THE POWER AND THE GLORY - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE MIRACLE WORKER - 1962 [TF; played Helen Keller; won an Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and deservedly so; also Golden Globe® winner for Most Promising Newcomer - Female]; BEN CASEY - 1962; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1958-1962 [6 episodes]; WIDE COUNTRY - 1963; BILLIE - 1965 [TF]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1963-1966 [105 episodes]; THE DAYDREAMER - 1966 [TF; Voice only]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1967; VALLEY OF THE DOLLS - 1967 [TF; if she was only known for this film, I would be satisfied]; JOURNEY TO THE UNKNOWN - 1969 [TV Movie]; ME, NATALIE - 1969 [TF; Golden Globe® winner for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical]; THE CLIFF - 1970 [TV Movie]; MY SWEET CHARLIE - 1970 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role]; MATT LINCOLN - 1970; TWO ON A BENCH - 1971 [TV Movie]; NIGHT GALLERY - ["The Diary" - 1971]; IF TOMORROW COMES - 1971 [TV Movie]; SHE WAITS - 1972 [TV Movie; spooky movie, especially for TV]; DEADLY HARVEST - 1972 [TV Movie]; YOU'LL LIKE MY MOTHER - 1972 [TF; intense horror thriller]; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1972; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1973; NIGHTMARE - 1974 [TV Movie]; HARD DAY AT BLUE NOSE - 1974 [TV Movie]; MISS KLINE, WE LOVE YOU - 1974 [Afternoon TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; DON ADAMS' SCREEN TEST - 1975;  MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1975; PHILLIP AND BARBARA - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976; LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ROSEMARY'S BABY - 1976 [TV Movie]; CAPTAINS AND KINGS - 1976 [TV mini-series; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series]; FIRE! - 1977 [TV Movie]; ROSETTI AND RYAN - 1977; CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW - 1977 [TV Movie]; KILLER ON BOARD - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE STORYTELLER - 1977 [TV Movie]; HAVING BABIES III - 1978 [TV Movie]; A FAMILY UPSIDE DOWN - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE SWARM - 1978 [TF]; WOMEN IN WHITE - 1979 [TV Movie]; HANGING BY A THREAD - 1979 [TV Movie]; BEFORE AND AFTER - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE MIRACLE WORKER - 1979 [TV Movie; did not portray Helen Keller; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special as "Annie Sullivan"]; THE WOMEN'S ROOM - 1980 [TV Movie]; MOM, THE WOLFMAN AND ME - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE BABYSITTER - 1980 [TV Movie; wonderful Thriller]; THE GIRL ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - 1981 [TV Movie]; BY DESIGN - 1981 [TF]; THE VIOLATION OF SARAH MCDAVID - 1981 [TV Movie]; PLEASE DON'T HIT ME, MOM - 1981 [TV Movie]; SOMETHING SO RIGHT - 1982 [TV Movie]; IT TAKES TWO - 1982-1983 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes]; SEPTEMBER GUN - 1983 [TV Movie]; INSIGHT - 1974-1983 [6 episodes]; BEST KEPT SECRETS - 1984 [TV Movie]; GEORGE WASHINGTON - 1984 [TV mini-series]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977-1984 [3 episodes]; GIFTS OF GREATNESS - 1985 [MFHV]; HOTEL - 1985; HAIL TO THE CHIEF - 1985 [7 episodes]; A TIME TO TRIUMPH - 1986 [TV Movie]; GEORGE WASHINGTON II: THE FORGING OF A NATION - 1986 [TV Movie]; WILLY/MILLY - 1986 [TF]; KAREN'S SONG - 1987 [Failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; IT'S A LIVING - 1987; FIGHT FOR LIFE - 1987 [TV Movie]; J.J. STARBUCK - 1987; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE AVENGING ACE - 1988 [TV Movie]; FATAL JUDGEMENT - 1988 [TV Movie]; AMITYVILLE: THE EVIL ESCAPES - 1989 [TV Movie; Released in an R-Rated version on VHS, the same version shown in theaters overseas]; EVERYBODY'S BABY: THE RESCUE OF JESSICA MCCLURE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE HITCH-HIKERS - 1989 [TF]; CALL ME ANNA - 1990 [TV Movie; also Co-Producer and based on her book of the same name]; ALWAYS REMEMBER I LOVE YOU - 1990 [TV Movie]; ABSOLUTE STRANGERS - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE TORKELSONS - 1991; LAST WISH - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE LEGEND OF PRINCE VALIANT - 1991-1992 [3 episodes]; GRAVE SECRETS: THE LEGACY OF HILLTOP DRIVE - 1992 [TV Movie; excellent supernatural film which could have played in theaters]; PRELUDE TO A KISS - 1992 [TF]; A KILLER AMONG FRIENDS - 1992 [TV Movie]; FAMILY OF STRANGERS - 1993 [TV Movie]; NO CHILD OF MINE - 1993 [TV Movie]; A MATTER OF JUSTICE - 1993 [TV Movie]; ONE WOMAN'S COURAGE - 1994 [TV Movie]; CRIES FROM THE HEART - 1994 [TV Movie]; AMAZING GRACE - 1995 [5 episodes]; ANGELS, OUR MYSTERIOUS MESSENGERS - 1995 [TV Movie Documentary]; WHEN THE VOWS BREAK - 1995 [TV Movie]; RACE AGAINST TIME: THE SEARCH FOR SARAH - 1996 [TV Movie]; HARVEST OF FIRE - 1996 [TV Movie]; TO FACE HER PAST - 1996 [TV Movie]; FRASIER - 1997; A CHRISTMAS MEMORY - 1997 [TV Movie]; WHEN HE DIDN'T COME HOME - 1998 [TV Movie]; REEL TO REEL - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW: STILL ROCKIN' IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - 1999 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; KIMBERLY - 1999 [TF]; THE MARTIN SHORT SHOW - 1999; A SEASON OF MIRACLES - 1999 [TV Movie]; MIRACLE ON THE MOUNTAIN: THE KINCAID FAMILY STORY - 2000 [TV Movie]; LOVE LESSONS - 2000 [TV Movie]; FAMILY LAW - 2001; FIRST YEARS - 2001; LITTLE JOHN - 2002 [TV Movie]; SEX AT 24 FRAMES PER SECOND - 2003 [Video Documentary]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1998-2003 [3 episodes]; JUDGING AMY - 2005; MURDER WITHOUT CONVICTION - 2004 [TV Movie]; BIGGER THAN THE SKY - 2005 [TF]; FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL NEXT DOOR - 2006 [TV Movie]; THE FOUR CHILDREN OF TANDER WELCH - 2008 [TF]; LOVE FINDS A HOME - 2009 [TV Movie]; PRECIOUS - 2009 [TF; blink and you'll miss her on TV]; THROWING STONES - 2009 [TV Movie]; UNANSWERED PRAYERS - 2010 [TV Movie]; THE PROTECTOR - 2011; HAWAII FIVE-O - 2011 [One of the few actresses to appear on both versions of the series]; DROP DEAD DIVA - 2012; AMAZING LOVE - 2012 [TF]; GLEE - 2013; LIV AND MADDIE - 2015; POWER OF THE AIR - 2017 [TF; in Post-Production at the time of her death; Her final role]. She was also a panelist on many game shows during the 60's to the 80's; appeared on many morning and late night talk and entertainment shows; and appeared as a presenter on many award shows. She was in demand right up until her death, which attests to her acting ability. Even though she was very religious, she also had a fascination with the supernatural, which can be seen in her many movie, TV Series and TV Movie credits. She had an open mind about it all, which made her a very rare religious person. She also got a Star on the Walk Of Fame On August 17, 2004 at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. She was also diagnosed as having Manic-Depression [which could explain her being married four times, including to actor John Astin, which produced actor son Sean Astin; her marriage to Michael Tell only lasted 13 days!], but everyone has their troubles and we should not look at her any differently [She co-authored a book about the disorder, "A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness"]. She was also the President of the Screen Actors Guild [SAG] from 1985 to 1988. She was also a singer and had a gold record, "Please, Just Don't Stand There" - 1965. Patty Duke had her bad days thanks to her condition [which she finally got under control with the proper medication], but there is no denying that she was a wonderful actress. Patty Duke passed away of sepsis [the result of a ruptured intestine] and it is hard to believe that she was only 69 years-old.) - 03/29/16
FRANK DE FELITTA (Director/Writer: He directed and wrote some very good horror films during his career, which ran from the 1950's to the 1990's [he was also a prolific novelist]. His credits included [Theatrical film if marked with a "TF"]; YOUR JEWELER'S SHOWCASE - 1953 [Writer only]; TALES OF TOMORROW - 1952-1953 [Writer only; 8 episodes]; THE PLYMOUTH PLAYHOUSE - 1953 [Writer only]; MEDALLION THEATRE - 1953 [Writer only]; CAMPBELL SUMMER SOUNDSTAGE - 1953-1954 [Writer only; 6 episodes]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1951-1954 [Writer Only; 9 episodes]; SUSPENSE - 1954 [Writer only; 3 episodes]; DANGER - 1954 [Writer only; 4 episodes]; WINDOWS - 1955 [Writer only]; WITCHCRAFT - 1961 [TV Movie; Writer only]; ASSIGNMENT: UNDERWATER - 1961 [Director & Writer; also Executive Producer for 38 episodes]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962 [Director & Writer; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Documentary Programs for the episode "Emergency Ward"]; THE STATELY GHOSTS OF ENGLAND - 1965 [TV Movie; Director & Writer; also Producer]; ANZIO - 1968 [TF; Writer only]; Z.P.G. - 1972 [TF; Writer only; also Executive Producer]; TRAPPED - 1973 [TV Movie; Director & Writer; one of the first killer dog movies]; THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE - 1974 [TF; Writer only]; AUDREY ROSE - 1977 [TF; Writer only; based on his novel; also Producer]; THE TWO WORLDS OF JENNIE LOGAN - 1979 [TV Movie; Director & Writer]; DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW - 1981 [TV Movie; Director only; a real scary TV movie starring the late Larry Drake, who passed away two weeks earlier]; THE ENTITY - 1982 [TF; Writer only; a great supernatural film; the Barbara Hershey invisible breast fondling scene will never be forgotten once seen]; KILLER IN THE MIRROR - 1986 [TV Movie; Director only]; THE PENTHOUSE - 1989 [TV Movie; Writer only]; SCISSORS - 1991 [TF; Director & Writer; his last film, which starred Sharon Stone; not a bad way to exit the business!]. He also had a bit part as an actor in RICH AND FAMOUS - 1981 [TF]; Wrote the song "Lonely For You" in 1960, which was used in the film TWO FAMILY HOUSE - 2000; and appeared as himself in the documentaries HOLLYWOOD GHOST STORIES - 1986 [TF; Documentary] and CALIFORNIA'S MOST HAUNTED - 2003 [TV Documentary]. Frank De Felitta passed away of natural causes and was 94 years-old.) - 03/31/16
DOUG KRANER (Productiom Designer/Art Director/Art Department: Multiple Emmy Award® nominated Production Designer who also worked on theatrical films. His TV Series and films as a Production Designer included: THE PRIVATE HISTORY OF A CAMPAIGN THAT FAILED - 1981 [TV Movie; Art Director]; MY DINNER WITH ANDRE - 1981 [Set Director]; THE ELECTRIC GRANDMOTHER - 1982 [TV Movie; Assistant Art Director]; LITTLE GLORIA...HAPPY AT LAST [TV Movie; Set Director; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special]; THE DEMON MURDER CASE - 1983 [TV Movie; Set Director]; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1984-1986 [Art Director]; THE MONEY PIT - 1986 [Assistant Art Director]; CHARLEY HANNAH - 1986 [TV Movie; Art Director]; NO MERCY - 1986 [Art Director]; WORKING GIRL - 1988 [Art Director]; DOMINICK AND EUGENE - 1988; HOME AT LAST - 1988 [TV Movie]; LEAN ON ME - 1989; UNCLE BUCK - 1989 [Also Visual Consultant]; NO PLACE LIKE HOME - 1989 [TV Movie]; STATE OF GRACE - 1990]; SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY - 1991; CURLY SUE - 1991; RAISING CAIN - 1992; MR. WONDERFUL - 1993; BABY'S DAY OUT - 1994; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - 1994; MR. WRONG - 1996; EXTREME MEASURES - 1996; A SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART - 1998 [Also Art Director]; I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER - 1998; JUST VISITING - 2001; ENOUGH - 2002; GODSEND - 2004; FERTILE GROUND - 2005 [TV Movie]; IN FROM THE NIGHT - 2006 [TV Movie]; AREA 57 - 2007 [TV Movie]; DARK BLUE - 2009 [TV Series]; THE FORGOTTEN - 2009-2010 [17 episodes]; NIKITA - 2010; THE TIN STAR - 2012 [TV Movie]; DEVIOUS MAIDS - 2013 [10 episodes]; THE TOMORROW PEOPLE - 2013-2014 [17 episodes]; GOTHAM - 2014 [9 episodes; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program; his last credits]. Doug Kraner passed away due to complications of cancer and was 65 years-old.) - 04/04/16
BARBARA TURNER (Actress/Writer: She was an Emmy Award® nominated writer who also acted. She was also the mother of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh and was married to both actor Vic Morrow and director Reza Badiyi. Her credits as an actress included ["TF" means Theatrical Film]: TWO-GUN LADY - 1955 [TF]; MEDIC - 1956; MONSTER FROM GREEN HELL - 1957 [TF]; M SQUAD - 1957; SUSPICION - 1957; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958; THE FRANK SINATRA SHOW - 1958; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959; WINK OF AN EYE - 1965 [TF]; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; THE LINEUP - 1960; OPERATION EICHMANN - 1961 [TF]; OUTLAWS - 1961; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1963; BREAKING POINT - 1963; CHANNING - 1963; NIGHTMARE IN CHICAGO - 1964 [TV Movie]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965; BEN CASEY - 1962-1965; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966; LA VUELTA SEL MEXICANO - 1967 [TF; Mexican]; THE DESPERATE MISSION - 1969 [TV Movie]; SOLDIER BLUE - 1970 [TF; Uncredited]; EN BUSCA DE UN MURO - 1974 [TF; Mexican; her last acting role]. Ms. Turner's writing credentials included: DEATHWATCH - 1966 [TF; Directed by Vic Morrow]; PETULIA - 1968 [TF; Directed by Richard Lester]; THE AFFAIR - 1973 [TV Movie]; WIDOW - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE DARK SIDE OF INNOCENCE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE WAR BETWEEN THE TATES - 1977 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy - Adaptation]; FREEDOM - 1981 [TV Movie]; SESSIONS - 1983 [TV Movie; also Supervising Producer]; EYE OF THE SPARROW - 1987 [TV Movie; also Producer]; OUT OF THE DARKNESS - 1994 [TV Movie]; GEORGIA - 1995 [TF; also Producer; starred her daughter]; POLLOCK - 2000 [TF; Directed by Ed Harris]; THE COMPANY - 2003 [TF; Directed by Robert Altman]; HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN - 2012 [HBO Pay-TV Movie; also Executive Producer; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie]; KNOCK WOOD: CHARLIE MCCARTHY PROJECT - [Date unknown, it was in the Pre-Production stage when she passed away]. She was also Script Consultant on THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY - 2001; and got a "Special Thanks" on THE SQUID AND THE WHALE - 2005; MARGOT AT THE WEDDING - 2007; and GREENBERG - 2010. Barbara Turner was 79 years-old.) - 04/06/16
MERLE HAGGARD (Singer/Song Writer/Actor: Haggard was one of the last old-time country singers and many of his songs were used in films. He also dabbled as an actor and appeared in a dozen films. His credits as an Actor included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE - 1967 [also Music]; KILLERS THREE - 1968 [also Music]; FROM NASHVILLE WITH MUSIC - 1969 [also Music]; DELLA - 1969 [TV Series]; DOC ELLIOT - 1974 [TV Series]; HUCKLEBERRY FINN - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE WALTONS - 1976 [TV Series]; CENTENNIAL - 1979 [TV mini-series; also Music]; THE LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER - 1981 [also Music]; THE ALL AMERICAN COWBOY - 1985 [TV Movie]; HEE HAW - 1969-1989 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; WAG THE DOG - 1997 [also Music]; MY FOOL HEART - 2011; ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN - 2016 [Filming at the time of his death]. Mr. Haggard's songs can be heard in the following theatrical films [I'm keeping TV Series out of the list because it will take all day to type them]: CANNONBALL - 1958; MONDO TRASHO - 1969; CHISUM - 1970; COCKSUCKER BLUES - 1972; YOUNG AND ABUSED - 1975; DRIVE-IN - 1976; PONY EXPRESS RIDER - 1976; CONVOY - 1978; SAINT JACK - 1979; BRONCO BILLY - 1980; HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - 1980; SIX PACK - 1982; CHINA LAKE - 1983; HEARTBURN - 1986; PLATOON - 1986; FOR ALL MANKIND - 1989 [Theatrical Documentary]; BIG BAD JOHN - 1990; THE TURNING - 1992; FARGO - 1996; FATHERS' DAY - 1997; NIAGRA, NIAGRA - 1997; FULL TILT BOOGIE - 1997; COUNTRY KILBURN - 2000; THE SLAUGHTER RULE - 1992; KEN PARK - 2002; CRASH - 2004; BE HERE TO LOVE ME: A FILM ABOUT TOWNES VAN ZANDT - 2004 [Theatrical Documentary]; THE LIFE AND HARD TIMES OF GUY TERRIFICO - 2005; RAIL KINGS - 2005 [MFHV]; THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADAS ESTRADA - 2005; BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN - 2005; COME EARLY MORNING - 2006; THE STRANGERS - 2008; CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY - 2009 [Theatrical Documentary]; LEGION - 2010; COUNTRY STRONG - 2010; THE PLAYERS - 2012; THE SAPPHIRES - 2012; THE FACTORY - 2012; JACK REACHER - 2012; THE JUDGE - 2014; FINDERS KEEPERS; 2015 [Theatrical Documentary; his last film music credit]. He was also the Host of TV's DEATH VALLEY DAYS in 1975; appeared in dozens of daytime and nighttime entertainment and talk shows [usually performing songs]; was in many documentaries about Country Music or his very good friend Johnny Cash [As a former inmate of San Quentin, Merle Haggard saw Johnny Cash play at the prison. Haggard was later granted a pardon by Ronald Reagan when the former actor was Governor of California.]; and has scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles charts between 1967 to 1988. Merle Haggard was inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and rightfully so. In the 60's & 70's, a lot of people thought Haggard bore an uncanny resemblence to actor Warren Beatty. Merle Haggard died of double pneumonia on his birthday and just turned 79 years-old.) - 04/06/16
BALLS MAHONEY (Wrestler/Actor: Mahoney, whose real name was Jonathan Techner, was a popular ECW wrestler during the late-90's to the mid-00's until WWE Wrestling bought ECW and basically ended his wrestling career, appearing sporadically on WWE and a bastardized version of ECW before leaving professional wrestling. He was released by WWE in 2008 and began wrestling independently. He did appear in a handful of films, which included: HARDCORE JUSTICE - 2010 [TV Movie]; GLORY BY HONOR IX - 2010 [TV Movie]; I SPILL YOUR GUTS - 2012 [One of the worst horror films ever made]; and EXTREME RISING - 2012 [His last acting role]. Mahoney appeared in hundreds of wrestling matches, some of which are available on home video. His finishing move was usually the "Nutcracker Suite", a combination of a Body Slam into a Piledriver. He also appeared in several documentaries about wrestling. Balls Mahoney passed away one day after his 44th birthday.) - 04/12/16
DORIS ROBERTS (Actress: Multi-talented Emmy Award® winning actress best known as the sarcastic mother "Marie Barone" on EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND - 1996-2005, she was doing television and film since the early 1950's, appearing in some films that genre film freaks like myself love. Her crefits included [TV Series unless marked with a "TF' for Theatrical film]: STARLIGHT THEATRE - 1951; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1952; SUSPENSE - 1952; LOOK UP AND LIVE - 1954; 'WAY OUT - 1961; SOMETHING WILD - 1961 [TF]; FEN CASEY - 1963; NAKED CITY - 1962-1963; THE DEFENFERS - 1962-1964; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964-1965; BAREFOOT IN THE PARK - 1967 [TF]; DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE - 1967 [TF]; NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY - 1968 [TF]; A LOVELY WAY TO DIE - 1968 [TF]; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1969; THE HONEYMOON KILLERS - 1969 [TF]; LITTLE MURDERS - 1971 [TF]; A NEW LEAF - 1971 [TF]; SUCH GOOD FRIENDS - 1971 [TF]; LOOK HOMEWARD, ANGEL - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE HEARTBREAK KID - 1972 [TF]; THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE - 1974 [TF]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1975; HESTER STREET - 1975 [TF]; THE LILY TOMLIN SPECIAL - 1975; FAY - 1975; JOE AND SONS - 1975; MEDICAL CENTER - 1975; BARETTA - 1975; MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN - 1976 [3 episodes]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1976; VIVA VALDEZ - 1976; YOUR PLACE OR MINE? - 1976 [TV Movie]; 33 HOURS IN THE LIFE OF GOD - 1976 [TV Movie]; BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976; FAMILY - 1976; RHODA - 1976; BLOOD BATH - 1976 [TF]; BLANSKY'S BEAUTIES - 1977; THE STORYTELLER - 1977 [TV Movie]; IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Movie]; RUBY AND OSWALD - 1978 [TV Movie]; RABBIT TEST - 1978 [TF]; SOAP - 1978 [4 episodes]; JENNIFER: A WOMAN'S STORY - 1979 [TV Movie]; GOOD LUCK, MISS WYCKOFF - 1979 [TF]; THE ROSE - 1979 [TF]; ANGIE - 1979-1980 [Series Regular; 36 episodes]; HERE'S MOOMER - 1980; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK - 1980 [TV Movie]; BARNEY MILLER - 1977-1980 [5 episodes]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979-1981; MAGGIE - 1981-1982 [8 episodes]; ALICE - 1981-1982; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1982 [Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1983 [5 episodes]; ANOTHER WOMAN'S CHILD - 1983 [TV Movie]; ME & MRS. C. - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980-1984 [3 episodes]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1985; CALIFORNIA GIRLS - 1985 [TV Movie]; A LETTER TO THREE WIVES - 1985 [TV Movie]; ALVIN GOES BACK TO SCHOOL - 1986 [TV Movie]; MR. BELVEDERE - 1986; ORDINARY HEROES - 1986 [TF]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1983-1987 [Series Regular, many Baby Boomers like myself remember her as the tart "Mildred Krebs"; 72 episodes]; NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET - 1987 [TF]; YOU ARE THE JURY - 1987; IF IT'S TUESDAY, IT MUST BE BELGIUM - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE FIG TREE - 1987 [TV Movie]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983-1988; PERFECT STRANGERS - 1989; FULL HOUSE - 1989; NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION - 1989 [TF]; SIMPLE JUSTICE - 1989 [TF]; HONEYMOON ACADEMY - 1989 [MFTV]; BLIND FAITH - 1990 [TV Movie]; LADIES ON SWEET STREET - 1990 [TF]; A MOM FOR CHRISTMAS - 1990 [TV Movie]; EMPTY NEST - 1991; THE SUNSET GANG - 1991 [TV Movie]; SUNDAY DINNER - 1991; THE FAMILY MAN - 1991; USED PEOPLE - 1992 [TF]; THE BOYS - 1993 [6 episodes]; THE NIGHT WE NEVER MET - 1993 [TF]; THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW - 1993; A TIME TO HEAL - 1994 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990-1994; STEP BY STEP - 1994; TAFFY - 1994 [TF]; WALKER: TEXAS RANGER - 1995; BURKE'S LAW - 1995; THE GRASS HARP - 1995 [TF]; DREAM ON - 1993-1995 [6 episodes]; HIGH SOCIETY - 1996; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1997 [voice only]; A THOUSAND MEN AND A BABY - 1997 [TV Movie]; MY GIANT - 1998 [TF]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 1999 [ played Marie Barone]; A FISH IN THE BATHTUB - 1999 [TF]; THE WILD THORNBERRYS - 2000 [voice only]; ONE TRUE LOVE - 2000 [TV Movie]; FULL CIRCLE - 2001 [TF]; ALL OVER THE GUY - 2001 [TF]; THE SONS OF MISTLETOE - 2001 [TV Movie]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2002; LIZZY MCGUIRE - 2002; DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR - 2003 [TF]; A TIME TO REMEMBER - 2003 [TV Movie]; RAISING WAYLON - 2004 [TV Special]; EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND - 1996-2005 [210 episodes; Four Emmy Awards® for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, in 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2005; shared an SAG Award® in 2003 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]; GRANDMA'S BOY - 2006 [TF; I just love this crazy, dirty comedy, even though nearly every critic hated it!]; I-SEE-YOU.COM - 2006 [TF]; OUR HOUSE - 2006 [TV Movie]; KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS - 2006 [TF]; ME, ELOISE - 2006; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2007; PLAY THE GAME - 2009 [TF]; ALIENS IN THE ATTIC - 2009 [TF]; MRS. MIRACLE - 2009 [TV Movie]; ANOTHER HARVEST MOON - 2010 [TF]; MIRACLE IN MANHATTAN - 2010 [TV Movie]; SPECIAL AGENT OSO - 2011 [voice only]; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2011; THE MIDDLE - 2010-2011 [3 episodes]; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2011; MARGARINE WARS - 2012 [TF]; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2012; COUNTER CULTURE - 2012 [TV Movie]; MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION - 2012 [TF]; THE 4 TO 9ERS - 2012 [TV Movie]; MAJOR CRIMES - 2013; TOUCHED - 2014 [TV Movie]; THE LITTLE RASCALS SAVE THE DAY - 2014 [MFHV]; THE 4 TO 9ERS: THE DAY CREW - 2014 [TV mini-series]; MELISSA AND JOEY - 2013-2014 [3 episodes]; THE BIRTHDAY BOYS - 2014; NO DEPOSIT - 2015 [TF]; LA TRATTORIA SITCOM - 2015; MERRY KISSMAS - 2015 [TV Movie]; JOB'S DAUGHTER - 2016 [TF]; ADAM ASTRA CASTING - 2016 [TV Movie]; THE RED MAPLE LEAF - 2016 [TF; her last acting credit]. She also directed an episode of the TV Series ANGIE in 1980. She also received a Star on the Walk Of Fame on February 10, 2003 at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Ms. Roberts was also heavily involved in stage work and originally turned down the iconic role on RAYMOND because of it, but was thankfully talked into it. Doris Roberts was 90 years-old.) - 04/17/16
SCOTT NIMERFRO (Producer/Writer: A well-known Producer and Writer of films and TV, Mr. Nimerfro always seemed to work in fringe areas of genre productions. His credits included: TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1993-1995 [Producer of 27 episodes; Writer of 11 episodes]; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1995 [Writer only]; W.E.I.R.D. WORLD - 1995 [TV Movie; Co-Producer & Writer]; DEMON KNIGHT [Theatrical Film; Co-Producer only]; BACK TO BACK - 1996 [TV Movie; Writer only]; BORDELLO OF BLOOD - 1996 [Theatrical Film; Co-Producer only]; PERVERSIONS OF SCIENCE - 1997 [Co-Producer of 10 episodes; Writer of 1 episode]; TREKKIES - 1997 [Documentary; Co-Producer only]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1999-2000 [Writer of 5 episodes only]; X-MEN - 2000 [Theatrical Film; Co-Producer only]; SPECIAL UNIT 2 - 2001-2002 [Writer of 2 episodes only]; CREEPTALES - 2004 [MFHV; Co-Producer only]; TIL DEATH DO US PART - 2007 [Writer of two episodes only]; STARGATE: ATLANTIS - 2007 [Writer of 1 episode only]; PUSHING DAISIES - 2007 - 2009 [Producer of 29 episodes; Writer of 2 episodes; This series deserved a much longer life than it got; Nominated for a WGA Award® for Best New Series]; THE GATES - 2010 [Producer of 13 episodes; Writer of 2 episodes]; POSSESSING PIPER ROSE - 2011 [TV Movie; Writer only]; RINGER - 2012 [Supervising Producer of 6 episodes; Writer of 2 episodes]; TRON: UPRISING - 2013 [Writer of 3 episodes only]; HANNIBAL - 2013-2014 [Co-Executive Producer of 13 episodes; Writer of 7 episodes; one of the best network TV Series of the New Millennium]; ONCE UPON A TIME - 2014-2016 [Co-Executive Producer of 32 episodes; Writer of 3 episodes; his last credits]. He was also a Production Assistant on PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES - 1987; Video Coordinator on SCROOGED - 1988; and Story Supervisor on the animated TALES FROM THE CRYPTKEEPER - 1993-1994.  As you can see, Mr. Nimerfro loved working on horror, sci-fi and fantasy productions and he will be missed. Scott Nimerfro passed away of angiosarcoma and was just 55 years old.) - 04/18/16
CHYNA (Wrestler/Actress: Former WWE and TNT Impact! wrestler [real name: Joan Marie Laurer] who turned actress, even appearing in porn films. She had many personal problems and posted a rambling Twitter message three days before her death. Besides her wrestling TV & Video credits, her other credits as an actress included (Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: PACIFIC BLUE - 2000 [TV Series]; ALIEN FURY: COUNTDOWN TO INVASION - 2000 [TV Movie]; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 2000 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH - 2001 [TV Series; voice only]; ON THE LINE - 2001; RELIC HUNTER - 2002 [TV Series]; THE NICK CANNON SHOW - 2002 [TV Series]; MATT MCKLUSKY, C.I. - 2002; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 2002 [TV Series]; TRACKER - 2001-2002 [TV Series]; HUNTER: BACK IN FORCE - 2003 [TV Movie]; ALIEN TRACKER - 2003 [MFHV]; JUST ANOTHER ROMANTIC WRESTLING COMEDY - 2006; ILLEGAL ALIENS - 2007; COUGAR CLUB - 2007; LOSING CONTROL - 2011; SACRIFICE - 2011 [TV Movie]; BACKDOOR TO CHYNA - 2011 [Porn]; A NIGHT AT THE SILENT MOVIE THEATER - 2012; AVENGERS XXX: A PORN PARODY - 2012 [Porn]; SHE-HULK XXX: AN AXEL BRAUN PARODY - 2012 [Porn]; WHITE T - 2013 [her last acting role]. She also appeared on many talk shows and game shows under her real name before she made porn and appeared on CELEBRITY REHAB - 2007. She had a really messed-up childhood, which continued into adulthood. For a sad laugh, read her over-hyped biography on IMDb which was probably written by herself. Chyna’s brain will be donated to science for the study of CTE [Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy]. The cause of her death is unknown [although many think it was suicide by drug overdose] and was 45 years-old.) - 04/20/16
PRINCE (Musician/Actor: What in the hell is going on here? First we lose Prince protogé Vanity and now we lose Prince [real name: Prince Rogers Nelson] himself. Here was a musician who made every song he wrote and played (he was one of the premiere guitar players who owned some of the most unusually shaped guitars) seem fresh and new. He also was an Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and multiple Grammy Award® winner [He also won a Razzie Award® for worst actor]. He acted in a few films, some great, some not so great, but his music will live on forever because there was no one else like him. I saw him live at a concert and couldn't believe the sounds he made come out of his guitars without any computerized equipment. It was a concert I will never forget. And he was still so young when he passed away. His films as an actor included: PURPLE RAIN - 1984 [He won an Academy Award® for Best Music, Original Song Score], UNDER THE CHERRY MOON - 1986 [Also Director]; GRAFFITI BRIDGE - 1990 [Also Director & Writer; won a ASCAP Award® for Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures]; THE SACRIFICE OF VICTOR [MFHV; Also Producer]. He also appeared in many music videos and compilations. The films that Prince songs appeared in were [I am purposely leaving out TV shows, otherwise the list will never end!]: SUMMER LOVERS - 1982; STILL SMOKIN - 1983; RISKY BUSINESS - 1983; HOT DOG...THE MOVIE - 1984; THE WILD LIFE - 1984; THE SLUGGER'S WIFE - 1985; KRUSH GROOVE - 1985; THE BAND OF THE HAND - 1986; FIRE WITH FIRE - 1986; CRASH COURSE - 1988 [TV Movie]; BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY - 1988; MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN - 1988; BATMAN - 1989; PRETTY WOMAN - 1990; WITHOUT YOU I'M NOTHING - 1990; DELIRIOUS - 1991; THE LAST BOY SCOUT - 1991; INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992; POETIC JUSTICE - 1993; PCU - 1994; BLANKMAN - 1994; SHOWGIRLS - 1995; VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN - 1995; WAITING TO EXHALE - 1995; GIRL 6 - 1996; KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY - 1996; STRIPTEASE - 1996; ROMEO + JULIET - 1996; SCREAM 2 - 1997; DOWN IN THE DELTA - 1998; BAMBOOZLED - 2000; JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK - 2001; HEAD OF STATE - 2003; ARE WE THERE YET? - 2005; GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' - 2005; HAPPY FEET - 2006 [Golden Globe® winner for Best Original Song - Motion Picture for the song "The Song Of The Heart"]; HER BEST MOVE - 2007; LICENSE TO WED - 2007; RUSH HOUR 3 - 2007; DAN IN REAL LIFE - 2007; P.S. I LOVE YOU - 2007; FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - 2008; GULLIVER'S TRAVELS - 2010; THE EQUALIZER - 2014; and I am sure many more films in the future. He was also the halftime show during the rainy SuperBowl 41 in 2007 and many critics believe it was the best ever. Everyone knows he changed his name to a symbol and was known as "The Artist Formally Known As Prince" because of his contract with Warner Brothers was considered by him as "oppressive". He was finally released from that contract in 2000 [he ended up resigning with them a couple of years before his death with a much more lucrative contract]. In November 2005, he was told by his doctors that he would need a hip replacement following years of energetic dancing on stage. Prince was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, and had seizures through his early childhood. However, it wasn't until 2009 in an interview with PBS's Travis Smiley that Prince openly talked about this, one of very few celebrities to go public about their experience as someone living with epilepsy. He also credited epilepsy with motivating him to become a performer. A a few weeks ago, his private jet had to make an emergency landing in Moline Ill., when he fell ill and had to cancel some concerts. He was found in his Paisley Park compound in Minneapolis already dead. There will only ever be one Prince and I am happy that I got to see him perform live. He may have been short in stature, but he was a giant when it came to talent and advanced the careers of many musicians and bands. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band paid their respects to Prince by opening their Saturday-night May 23, 2016 NYC show at the Barclays Center with a cover of "Purple Rain". Bruce even wore a purple scarf while singing the song. Prince may be gone forever but his former band, The Revolution, may soon be back on the road. The rock band, which was formed in Minneapolis in 1979 by Prince and disbanded 1986, announced that they plan to do a reunion tour in honor the “Little Red Corvette” singer. Many cable news outlets canceled their usual programming to look at the life of Prince, the musician, the man. Now those are some of the best compliments a musician can get. Many rag zines, celebrity internet sites and TV shows keep on mentioning Prince's past drug abuse and imply that he may have died of a drug overdose/suicide [{including that douchebag Gene Simmons} which the coroner's office has already stated was untrue, although he was addicted to Percocet and the National Enquirer said he died of AIDS, but the final coroner's report stated that he passed away from self-administered fentanyl and weighed just 112 pounds.], but leave the man alone. He is gone. The police in Minneapolis have grown tired of all the stupid questions, so they have classified this as a "criminal" investigation [in name only, but now they are looking at the doctor who prescribed Percocet to him], so no idiotic questions could be asked or answered. Prince was only 57 years-old) - 04/21/16
WAYNE CRAWFORD (Actor/Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Mr. Crawford, who also acted under the name "Scott Lawrence", was a legend in genre films [Many of his films can be found reviewed on this website]. He loved to do them and it showed. I can't tell you how much enjoyment this man brought into my life. His films as an actor were: SWEET BIRD OF AQUARIUS - 1970 [Producer only]; PRIMUS - 1971 [TV Series]; SOMETIMES AUNT MARTHA DOES DREADFUL THINGS - 1971 [a trash classic]; GOD'S BLOODY ACRE - 1975 [also Writer & Producer]; DEADBEAT - 1977 [a.k.a. TOMCATS and AVENGED; also Writer & Producer]; CHEERING SECTION - 1977 [also Writer, Producer & Second Unit Director]; THE GUY FROM HARLEM - 1977; BARRACUDA - 1978 [also Director of Underwater Scenes & Producer]; VALLEY GIRL - 1983 [also Writer & Producer]; TRIAL BY TERROR - 1983 [also Writer]; NIGHT OF THE COMET - 1984 [Producer and Writer of the song "Whole World Is Celebratin" only]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985 [TV Series]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985 [TV Series]; 3:15 MOMENT OF TRUTH - 1986; JAKE SPEED - 1986 [fun little action film with a RAIDERS influence; also Writer & Producer]; QUIET THUNDER - 1988 [MFHV]; HEAD HUNTER - 1988; WHITE GHOST - 1988; THE EVIL BELOW - 1989 [also Uncredited Co-Director]; MORTAL PASSIONS - 1989 [Executive Producer only]; RISING STORM - 1989; PEACEMAKER - 1990 [Producer only]; CRIME LORDS - 1991 [MFHV; Also Director]; DIARY OF A HITMAN - 1991; SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT - 1991 [Executive Producer only]; OKAVANGO: THE WILD FRONTIER - 1993 [TV Series Star; 8 episodes; also Director of 3 episodes and Creator & Executive Producer of 8 episodes]; STICKFIGHTER - 1994; TRADE-OFF - 1995 [Executive Producer only]; AMERICAN COP - 1995 [a.k.a. AMERICANSKI BLUES; also Director]; U'BEJANI - 1996 [also Director & Writer]; MICHAEL HAYES - 1997 [TV Series]; L.A.P.D.: TO PROTECT AND SERVE - 2001; SNAKE ISLAND - 2002 [also Director, Producer & Writer]; THE COMPANY YOU KEEP - 2003; ROCK & ROLL EULOGY - 2004 [Voice only]; SOUTH OF HELL - 2005 [a horror film where he plays himself and host of a student film production; also Producer] FORGET ABOUT IT - 2006; DOG DAYS OF SUMMER - 2007; AMERICAN HEART - 2009 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; ROCKTOWN: FROM THE SMALL FARM TO THE BIG BOX - 2009 [Documentary]; LOST COLONY - 2015 [his last acting role]. Mr. Crawford also directed ON THE LOOSE IN WILDEST AFRICA - 1996 [TV Series and Host] and got a "Special Thanks" on the film FARTZILLA - 2014. He was also a chair of the directing faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for more than 12 years. Whenever I saw Wayne Crawford's name on a film, I knew I was in for something different. Not always good, but different. I can't believe he is gone. Wayne Crawford passed away due to cancer and was 69 years-old.) - 04/30/16
WILLIAM SCHALLERT (Actor: Versatile and prolific character actor who is best remembered as the put-upon Father/Uncle on THE PATTY DUKE SHOW 1963-1966 [Patty Duke passed away a little over a month earlier]. Although known mainly as a TV actor, Mr. Shallert did occasionally branch out into theatrical films [his early films from the 40's & early 50's were mostly small uncredited roles], some important to us genre film fans. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE FOXES OF HARROW - 1947 [TF]; DR. JIM - 1947 [TF]; MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1949 [TF]; THE RECKLESS MOMENT - 1949 [TF]; PERFECT STRANGERS - 1950 [TF]; LONELY HEARTS BANDITS - 1950 [TF]; BELLE LE GRAND - 1951 [TF]; M - 1951 [TF]; THE MAN FROM PLANET X - 1951 [TF]; THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE - 1951 [TF]; FAMILY THEATRE - 1951; THE PEOPLE AGAINST O'HARA - 1951 [TF]; BANNERLINE - 1951 [TF]; ANNE OF THE INDIES - 1951 [TF]; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1951 [3 apisodes]; SPACE PATROL - 1951-1952; ROSE OF CIMMARON - 1952 [TF]; SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - 1952 [TF]; HOODLUM EMPIRE - 1952 [TF]; PAULA - 1952 [TF]; REBOUND - 1952; STORM OVER TIBET - 1952 [TF]; SALLY AND SAINT ANNE - 1952 [TF]; HOLIDAY FROR SINNERS - 1952 [TF]; CAPTIVE WOMEN - 1952 [TF]; FLAT TOP - 1952 [TF]; INVASION U.S.A. - 1952 [TF]; TORPEDO ALLEY - 1952 [TF]; THE JAZZ SINGER - 1952 [TF]; MR. & MRS. NORTH - 1953; SWORD OF VENUS - 1953 [TF]; THE GIRLS OF PLEASURE ISLAND - 1953 [TF]; PORT SINISTER - 1953 [TF]; RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11 - 1954 [TF]; CAPTAIN KIDD AND THE SLAVE GIRLS - 1954 [TF]; THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY - 1954 [TF]; GOG - 1954 [TF]; THEM! - 1954 [TF]; THE RAID - 1954 [TF]; SHIELD FOR MURDER - 1954 [TF]; TOBOR THE GREAT - 1954 [TF}; DOWN THREE DARK STREETS - 1954 [TF]; THE WHISTLER - 1954; BLACK TUESDAY - 1954 [TF]; WATERFRONT - 1955; SMOKE SIGNAL - 1955 [TF]; THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE - 1955; THE MAN WHO TORE DOWN THE WALL - 1955 [TV Movie]; TOP OF THE WORLD - 1955 [TF]; FRONT ROW CENTER - 1955; COMMANDER CODY: SKY MARSHAL OF THE UNIVERSE - 1955 [3 episodes]; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1955; FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1955 [3 episodes]; BOBBY WARE IS MISSING - 1955 [TF]; STUDIO 57 - 1955; HELL'S HORIZON - 1955 [TF]; TV READER'S DIGEST - 1955 [3 episodes]; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1956; GLORY - 1956 [TF]; CHEVRON HALL OF STARS - 1956; FORD STAR JUBILEE - 1956; THE LONE RANGER - 1956 [TF]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1955-1956; RAW EDGE - 1956 [TF]; IT'S A GREAT LIFE - 1955-1956; YOU ARE THERE - 1956; CROSSROADS - 1956; GUNSLINGER - 1956 [TF]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955-1956 [5 episodes]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1956; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1955-1956; COMBAT SERGEANT - 1956; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1956; FRIENDLY PERSUASION - 1956 [TF]; WRITTEN IN THE WIND - 1956 [TF]; MASSACRE AT SAND CREEK - 1956 [TV Movie]; THE GRAY GHOST - 1957; THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN - 1957; THE TATTERED DRESS - 1957 [TF]; THE O. HENRY PLAYHOUSE - 1957; THE GIRL IN THE KREMLIN - 1957 [TF]; MAN IN THE SHADOW - 1957 [TF]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1957 [3 episodes]; BLONDIE - 1957; TELEPHONE TIME - 1957; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1957; BAND OF ANGELS - 1957 [TF]; MAN ON FIRE - 1957 [TF]; CODE 3 - 1957; THE STORY OF MANKIND - 1957 [TF]; THE TARNISHED ANGELS - 1957 [TF]; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1957; THE MONOLITH MONSTERS - 1957 [TF]; ZORRO - 1957; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1957; HEY, JEANNIE! - 1958 [4 episodes]; SUGARFOOT - 1958; THE ADVENTURES OF MCGRAW - 1958; JUVENILE JUNGLE - 1958 [TF]; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1958; CRY TERROR! - 1958 [TF]; THE ADVENTURES OF JIM BOWIE - 1957-1958 [8 eposides]; THE GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN SHOW - 1955-1958 [4 episodes]; CLIMAX! - 1954-1958 [ 3 episodes]; JEFFERSON DRUM - 1958; U.S. MARSHAL - 1958; THE TEXAN - 1958; TORPEDO RUN - 1958 [TF]; FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; SOME CAME RUNNING - 1958 [TF]; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1959; SPECIAL AGENT 7 - 1959; MAVERICK - 1959; PETER GUNN - 1959; STEVE CANYON - 1958-1959 [3 episodes]; LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1959; DAY OF THE OUTLAW - 1959 [TF]; THE BEAT GENERATION - 1959 [TF]; BLUE DENIM - 1959 [TF]; PILLOW TALK - 1959 [TF]; RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE - 1959; FIVE FINGERS - 1959; WICHITA TOWN - 1959; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1958-1959 [4 episodes]; JOHNNY MIDNIGHT - 1960; MEN INTO SPACE - 1960; PHILIP MARLOW - 1959-1960 [5 episodes]; LAWMAN - 1960; THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1960; WAGON TRAIN - 1960; THE GAMBLER, THE NUN AND THE RADIO - 1960 [TV Movie]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Mr. Bevis" - 1960]; JOHNNY RINGO - 1959-1960; THE GALLANT HOURS - 1960 [TF]; SEAHUNT - 1960; ONE STEP BEYOND - 1959-1960; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1960; THE DETECTIVES - 1960; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1960; STAGECOAST WEST - 1960; DANTE - 1960; LOCK UP - 1960; BAT MASTERSON - 1960; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1961; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1958-1961 [4 episodes];CHECKMATE - 1961; THE RIFLEMAN - 1959-1961 [3 episodes]; THE LAW AND MR. JONES - 1961; CORONADO 9 - 1961; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1961; GUNSLINGER - 1961; THE REBEL - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; THRILLER - 1961; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1961; LIFE WITH ARCHIE - 1962 [TV Movie]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; HENNESEY - 1961-1962; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1962; BONANZA - 1962; PERRY MASON - 1957-1962 [3 episodes]; DR. KILDARE - 1962; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1962; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1959-1963 [Series Semi-regular; 24 episodes]; LASSIE - 1962;  77 SUNSET STRIP - 1960-1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; LONELY ARE THE BRAVE - 1962 [TF]; PARADISE ALLEY - 1962 [TF]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1955-1962 [8 episodes]; STONEY BURKE - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1963; HAZEL - 1963; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1957-1963 [4 episodes]; MCKEEVER & THE COLONEL - 1962-1963; ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1963; EMPIRE - 1963; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1963; RAWHIDE - 1959-1963 [3 episodes]; THE LUCY SHOW - 1963; SHOTGUN WEDDING - 1963 [TF]; ARCHIE - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1963-1966 [Series Regular; 104 episodes]; COMBAT! - 1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966; PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS - 1967; THE RAT PATROL - 1967; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1967 [TF]; HOUR OF THE GUN - 1967 [TF]; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967; WILL PENNY - 1967 [TF]; STAR TREK - ["The Trouble With Tribbles" - 1967]; THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT - 1968; SPEEDWAY - 1968 [TF]; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1968; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967-1969 [4 episodes]; MOD SQUAD - 1969; SAM WHISKEY - 1969 [TF]; HERE COMES THE BRIDES - 1968-1969; THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS SHOW - 1969; BEWITCHED - 1969; THAT GIRL - 1969; ROOM 222 - 1969; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1969; THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES - 1969 [TF]; GET SMART - 1967-1970 [5 episodes]; COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT - 1970 [TF; way ahead of its time]; TWO BOYS - 1970 [TV Movie]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1970; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1970; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969-1970 [3 episodes]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1971; ESCAPE - 1971 [TV Movie]; FUNNY FACE - 1971; THE MAN AND THE CITY - 1971 [3 episodes]; THE D.A. - 1971; MAN ON A STRING - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE F.B.I. - 1969-1972; THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE - 1972 [TF]; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1971-1972; THE DELPHI BUREAU - 1972; BANACEK - 1973; KUNG FU - 1973; PARTNERS IN CRIME - 1973 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1967-1973; CHARLEY VARRICK - 1973 [TF]; GUNSMOKE - 1957-1973 [7 episodes]; HIJACK! - 1973 [TV Movie]; LOVE STORY - 1973; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1973; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974; REMEMBER WHEN - 1974 [TV Movie]; BARNABY JONES - 1974; THE MANHUNTER - 1974; DEATH SENTENCE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1975 [TF]; POLICE STORY - 1975; PROMISE HIM ANYTHING - 1975 [TV Movie]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; TUNNEL VISION - 1976 [TF]; BERT D'ANGELO/SUPERSTAR - 1976; DAWN: PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE RUNAWAY - 1976 [TV Movie]; SWITCH  - 1976; ALL'S FAIR - 1976; MAUDE - 1976; THE NANCY WALKER SHOW - 1976-1977 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; TAIL GUNNER JOE - 1977 [TV Movie]; INSIGHT - 1963-1977 [3 episodes]; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1978; DINKY DOG - 1978 [Voice only; 18 episodes]; APPLE PIE - 1978; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977-1978 [Semi-Regular; 11 episodes]; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1978; LITTLE WOMEN - 1978 [TV mini-series]; GRANDPA GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1978 [TV Movie]; LEGENDS OF THE SUPERHEROES - 1979; IKE: THE WAR YEARS - 1979 [TV mini-series]; BLIND AMBITION - 1979 [TV mini-series]; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1979; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1976-1979; THE JERK - 1979 [TF]; CHiPS - 1979; DOOMSDAY CHRONICLES - 1979 [Documentary; Host]; HANGAR 18 - 1980 [TF]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1980 [4 episodes]; ENOS - 1981; THE WALTONS - 1980-1981 [4 episodes]; LOU GRANT - 1979-1982; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1983; GRACE KELLY - 1983 [TV Movie]; TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE - 1983 [TF]; THROUGH NAKED EYES - 1983 [TV Movie]; MATT HOUSTON - 1984; AMAZONS - 1984 [TV Movie]; GREMLINS - 1984 [TF]; THE DUCK FACTORY - 1984; TEACHERS - 1984 [TF]; GIDGET'S SUMMER REUNION - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE PAPER CHASE - 1985; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1986; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Shadow Play" - 1986]; NORTH AND SOUTH, BOOK II - 1986 [TV mini-series]; HOTEL - 1986; WILDFIRE - 1986; UNDER THE INFLUENCE - 1986 [TV Movie]; HOUSTON: THE LEGEND OF TEXAS - 1986 [TV Movie]; SIMON & SIMON - 1987; INNERSPACE - 1987 [TF]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1986-1987 [3 episodes]; MATLOCK - 1987; THE NEW GIDGET - 1986-1988 [Series Regular; 44 episodes]; A YEAR IN THE LIFE - 1988; BRING ME THE HEAD OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1985-1988 [3 episodes]; MIDNIGHT CALLER - 1989; WAR AND REMEMBRANCE - 1988-1989 [TV mini-series]; CROSS OF FIRE - 1989 [TV Movie]; QUANTUM LEAP - 1989; MURPHY BROWN - 1990; THE INCIDENT - 1990 [TV Movie]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1990; SANTA BARBARA - 1990 [3 episodes]; HELD HOSTAGE: THE SIS AND JERRY LEVIN STORY - 1991 [TV Movie]; MRS. LAMBERT REMEMBERS LOVE - 1991 [TV Movie]; HOUSE PARTY 2 - 1991 [TF]; FISH POLICE - 1992 [Voice only]; DINOSAURS - 1992 [Voice only]; THE TORKELSONS - 1991-1992 [Series Regular; 22 episodes]; PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE - 1993; MATINEE - 1993 [TF]; STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - 1993; BEETHOVEN'S 2ND - 1993 [TF]; COACH - 1994; THE GOOD LIFE - 1994; SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROCK! - 1994 [TV Movie]; MELROSE PLACE - 1994; SWEET JUSTICE - 1994; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1994; ROSEANNE - 1995; HARVEY - 1996 [TV Movie]; 100 YEARS OF HORROR - 1996 [TV Documentary Series; 4 episodes]; 100 YEARS OF HORROR: THE MONSTER MAKERS - 1996 [MFHV Documentary]; DREAM ON - 1994-1996 [4 episodes]; ER - 1996; TO DANCE WITH OLIVIA - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE SECOND CIVIL WAR - 1997 [TV Movie]; PACIFIC BLUE - 1999; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW: STILL ROCKIN' IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - 1999 [TV Movie]; FAMILY LAW - 1999; SON OF THE BEACH - 2001; THE ZETA PROJECT - 2002; WHAT'S NEW SCOOBY DOO? - 2003-2005 [Voice only]; CLOSE TO HOME - 2006; MY NAME IS EARL - 2006; HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - 2007; SWEETZER - 2007 [TF]; THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY - 2008; RECOUNT - 2008 [TV Movie]; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2009; ACCORDING TO JIM - 2009; GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT - 2009 [MFHV; Voice only]; THE DEEP END - 2010; MEDIUM - 2010; TRUE BLOOD - 2008-2011 [3 episodes]; BAG OF BONES - 2011 [TV mini-series]; 2 BROKE GIRLS - 2014 [His last acting role]. William Schallert was also President of the Screen Actors Guild [SAG] from 1979 to 1981. He swore never to retire from acting, which he did and was married to the same woman, Leah Waggner, since 1949. A true legend on TV and in films. People always recognize him for his role in the STAR TREK episode "The Trouble With Tribbles", but he always took it with good humor. William Schallert was 93 years-old.) - 05/08/16
DAVE BELL (Producer: Emmy Award® winning TV Producer who produced many TV documentaries and TV Movies. His credits included: MEDIX - 1967 [TV Series]; WHITNEY AND THE ROBOT - 1979 [TV Series]; HOOKER - 1983 [Documentary]; VANISHED: MISSING CHILDREN - 1983 [Documentary]; GROWING UP STONED - 1984 [Documentary]; NADIA - 1984 [TV Movie]; MISSING PERSONS: FOUR TRUE STORIES - 1984 [Documentary]; DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE - 1985 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special]; MISSING...HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PERSON? - 1985 [Documentary; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Informational Special]; DYING FOR LOVE: A LIFETIME SPECIAL OF THE IMPACT OF AIDS ON WOMEN - 1987 [Documentary]; ONCE UPON HER TIME - 1988 [Documentary]; MISSING: REWARD - 1989 [TV Series]; THE LONG WALK HOME - 1990 [Theatrical Film]; A KILLER AMONG US - 1990 [TV Movie]; ASYLUM - 1992 [Documentary]; FAMILY SECRETS - 1993 [TV Series]; AMERICA UNDERCOVER - 1992-1993 [Documentary Series]; DEEP RED - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS - 1995 [TV Special]; LAPD - 1995 [TV Series]; THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS III - 1996 [TV Special; also Director]; NIGHT VISITORS - 1996 [TV Movie]; RUN FOR COVER - 1999 [TV Movie]; JUST A DREAM - 2002 [Theatrical Film, his last credit]. Dave Bell passed away from cancer and was 84 years-old.) - 05/13/16
ALAN YOUNG (Actor: Best known as the put-upon Wilbur in the talking horse sitcom MR. ED 1961-1966, Mr. Young was a well known radio, movie and TV star well before that series started. He became a much sought-after voice actor [usually with a Scottish accent] from the early 80's and beyond and voiced Scrooge McDuck for Disney on both TV and Home Video movies and "Farmer Smurf" on the long-running THE SMURFS. His credits included [TV series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MARGIE - 1946 [TF]; CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAY - 1949 [TF]; MR. BELVEDERE GOES TO COLLEGE - 1949 [TF]; AARON SLICK FROM PUNKIN CRICK - 1952 [TF]; ANDROCLES AND THE LION - 1952 [TF]; THE ALAN YOUNG SHOW - 1950-1952 [also Writer; Winner of an Emmy Award® for Best Actor]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1954; GENTLEMEN MARRY BRUNETTES - 1955 [TF]; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1955; STAR STAGE - 1955; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1955-1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; CHEVRON HALL OF STARS - 1956; STUDIO 57 - 1956; THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1957; ALAN YOUNG - 1958 [3 episodes]; TOM THUMB - 1958 [TF]; FIVE FINGERS - 1959; ENCOUNTER - 1959-1960; STAR TIME - 1960; THE TIME MACHINE - 1960 [TF]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1962; MR. TERRIFIC - 1966; MR. ED - 1958-1966 [144 episodes; Directed 4 episodes in 1965]; GIBBSVILLE - 1976; BAKER'S HAWK - 1976 [TF]; THE CAT FROM OUTER SPACE - 1978 [TF]; BLACK BEAUTY - 1978 [TV Movie]; SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO - 1979 [Voice only]; BATTLE OF THE PLANETS - 1978-1980 [Voice only; 85 episodes]; SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS - 1981 [Voice only]; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1983; RUBIK, THE AMAZING CUBE - 1983 [Voice only]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1983; SITCOM - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1982-1983 [Voice only; 13 episodes]; THE DUKES - 1983 [Voice only; 7 episodes]; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1983 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE NEW SCOOBY AND SCRAPPY-DOO SHOW - 1983 [Voice only]; DOWN TO EARTH - 1984; ABC WEEKEND SPECIALS - 1980-1984 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; ROBO FORCE: THE REVENGE OF NAZGAR - 1984 [TV Movie; Voice Only]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE - 1986 [TF; Voice only]; THE BLINKINS - 1986 [TV Movie; Voice only]; ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS - 1983-1987 [Voice only; 42 episodes]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1987; DUCKTALES: THE TREASURE OF THE GOLDEN SUNS - 1987 [TV Movie; Voice only]; ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - 1987 [TV Movie; Voice only]; COMING OF AGE - 1988-1989 [Series Regular; 15 episodes]; THE SMURFS - 1983-1989 [Voice Only; 119 episodes]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1990; CITY - 1990; DUCKTALES THE MOVIE: TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP - 1990 [TV Movie; Voice only]; TALESPIN - 1990 [Voice Only]; DUCKTALES - 1987-1990 [Voice only; 98 episodes]; EARTH ANGEL - 1991 [TV Movie]; RAW TOONAGE - 1992 [Voice only]; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1993; COACH - 1993; A FLINTSTONES FAMILY CHRISTMAS - 1993 [TV Movie; Voice only]; KING B: A LIFE IN THE MOVIES - 1993 [TF]; HART TO HART: HOME IS WHERE THE HART IS - 1994 [TV Movie]; BEVERLY HILLS COP III - 1994 [TF; His most memorable role in his older years]; PARTY OF FIVE - 1994; BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 1994 [Voice only]; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1995 [Voice only]; MAYBE THIS TIME - 1995; THE WAYAN BROS. - 1995; THE REN & STIMPY SHOW - 1994-1995 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 1997; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1997; USA HIGH - 1997 [Voice only]; KELLY KELLY - 1998; THE TONY DANZA SHOW - 1998; MICKEY'S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS - 1999 [MFHV; Voice only]; RUDE AWAKENING - 2000; HANG TIME - 2000; ER - 2000; FREAKYLINKS - 2001; GOD, THE DEVIL AND BOB - 2001 [Voice only]; MAYBE IT'S ME - 2001; THE TIME MACHINE - 2002 [TF; appeared in both the remake and the original as the same character]; HOUSE OF MOUSE - 2002 [Voice only]; STATIC SHOCK - 2004; EM & ME - 2004 [TF]; MICKEY'S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS - 2004 [MFHV; Voice only]; MEGAS XLR - 2004 [Voice only]; MICKEY'S AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 2005 [MFHV; Voice only]; THE TIME MACHINE ALAN YOUNG - 2016 [Documentary; Narrator; his final screen appearance]. He was also a panelist on many game shows, appeared on daytime and nighttime talk shows and appeared in many documentaries. He started a broadcast division for the Christian Science Church in Boston shortly after finishing MR ED, which explains his absence from acting for ten years. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Alan Young was 96 years-old.) - 05/19/16
JOE FLEISHAKER (Actor: 500 pound actor that appeared mainly in Troma Films [Troma once pronounced him "Troma's Biggest Star" in their usual bad taste manner]. Once you saw him, you never forgot him. His credits included: TROMA'S WAR - 1988; THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II - 1989; THE TOXIC AVENGER PART III: THE LAST TEMPTATION OF TOXIE - 1989; SGT. KABUKIMAN N.Y.P.D. - 1990; THE TROMA SYSTEM - 1993 [Short]; TROMEO AND JULIET - 1996; THE TROMAVILLE CAFE - 1997 [TV Series]; TERROR FIRMER - 1999 [I love this film]; CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV - 2000; TROMA'S EDGE TV - 2000 [TV Series]; CAPTAIN BILL AND THE ROCKIN' BUCCANEERS - 2001 [Short]; PARTS OF THE FAMILY - 2003 [MFTV]; ZOMBIEGEDDON - 2003 [MFHV; Voice only]; UNCONVENTIONAL - 2004 [Video Documentary]; TALES FROM THE CRAPPER - 2004 [MFHV]; MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE! - 2005 [MFHV Documentary]; POULTRYGEIST: NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD - 2006; TROMA VISUAL STUDIOS: A LESSON IN BROWNRAYS - 2010 [Video Short]; I SPILL YOUR GUTS - 2012 [One of the worst horror movies I have ever seen]; TRASHTASTIC - 2013; RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH VOLUME 2 - 2016 [his last acting role]. He also frequently appeared on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN. Joe Fleishaker suffered a heart attack due to his hefty weight and congestive heart failure. He was 62 years-old.) - 05/23/16
BURT KWOUK (Actor: Best known as the sidekick Cato of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau in all those PINK PANTHER films [where he would always surprise attack Inspector Clouseau when he came home in some of the funniest fights ever committed to celluloid], Kwouk was also a great actor in many other films and TV series. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MCCREARY MOVES IN - 1957 [TV Series]; WINDOM'S WAY - 1957; HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR - 1957 [TV Series]; MORE THAN ROBBERY - 1958 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; YESTERDAY'S ENEMY - 1958 [TV Movie]; THE INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS - 1958; UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS - 1959; EXPRESSO BONGO - 1959; INTERNATIONAL DETECTIVE - 1960 [TV Series]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1960 [TV mini-series]; THE TERROR OF THE TONGS - 1961; PASSPORT TO CHINA - 1961; DANGER MAN - 1961 [TV Series]; THE SINISTER MAN - 1961; SATAN NEVER SLEEPS - 1962; THE WAR LOVER - 1962; MAN OF THE WORLD - 1962 [TV Series]; THE RIVER FLOWS EAST - 1962 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE COOL MIKADO - 1963; SISPENSE - 1963 [TV Series]; 55 DAYS AT PEKING - 1963; THE SENTIMENTAL AGENT - 1963 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; A SHOT IN THE DARK - 1964; GOLDFINGER - 1964; THURSDAY THEATRE - 1965 [TV Series]; CURSE OF THE FLY - 1965; THE AVENGERS - 1961-1965 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1965 [TV Series]; BANG! BANG! YOU'RE DEAD! - 1966; LOST COMMAND - 1966; THE DEVIL'S EGGSHELL - 1966 [TV Movie]; THE SANDWICH MAN - 1966; THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU - 1966; SECRET AGENT - 1965-1967 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - 1967; NOBODY RUNS FOREVER - 1968; THE CHAMPIONS - 1968 [TV Series]; THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN - 1968; THE SAINT - 1965-1968 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; KOROSHI - 1968 [TV Movie]; MOGUL - 1966-1969 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; CALLAN - 1967-1969 [TV Series]; THE CHAIRMAN - 1969; THE MISFIT - 1970 [TV Series]; DEEP END - 1970; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1971 [TV Series]; SHIRLEY'S WORLD - 1971 [TV Series]; MADAM SIN - 1972 [TV Movie]; JASON KING - 1972 [TV Series]; THE ADVENTURER - 1972-1973 [TV Series]; THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1975; ROLLERBALL - 1975; WHODUNNIT? - 1975 [TV Series]; YES, HONESTLY - 1976 [TV Series]; HUNTER'S WALK - 1976 [TV Series]; THE MELTING POT - 1975-1976 [TV Series]; LUCKY FELLER - 1976 [TV Series]; THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN - 1976; WARSHIP - 1977 [TV Series]; THE VELVET GLOVE - 1977 [TV Series]; THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE - 1977; THE STRANGE CASE OF THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT - 1977; THE WATER MARGIN - 1977 [TV mini-series]; THE TOMORROW PEOPLE - 1978 [TV Series]; REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1978; RETURN OF THE SAINT - 1978 [TV Series]; IT AIN'T HALF HOT MUM - 1977-1978 [TV Series]; THE LONDON CONNECTION - 1979; ROBIN'S NEST - 1979 [TV Series]; THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU - 1980; KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY - 1980 [TV Series]; MINDER - 1980 [TV Series]; SHOESTRING - 1980 [TV Series]; SPEARHEAD - 1981 [TV Series]; DOCTOR WHO - 1982 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; Q.E.D. - 1982 [TV Series]; THERE'S A LOT OF IT ABOUT - 1982 [TV Series]; THE MAGNIFICENT ONE - 1982 [TV Movie]; TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1982; CURSE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1983; HART TO HART - 1983 [TV Series]; THE KENNY EVERETT TELEVISION SHOW - 1983-1984 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; THE BRIEF - 1984 [TV Series]; MARK OF THE DEVIL - 1984 [TV Movie]; TENKO - 1981-1984 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 19 episodes]; PLENTY - 1985; TICKLE ON THE TUM - 1986-1987 [TV Series]; T-BAG BOUNCES BACK - 1987 [TV Series]; HOWARD'S WAY - 1987 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; EMPIRE OF THE SUN - 1987; NOBLE HOUSE - 1988 [TV mini-series]; THIN AIR - 1988 [TV mini-series]; BOON - 1989 [TV Series]; RACE FOR GLORY - 1989; I BOUGHT A VAMPIRE MOTORCYCLE - 1990; AIR AMERICA - 1990; MEDICS - 1990 [TV Series]; THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT - 1991 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; LEON THE PIG FARMER - 1992; CARRY ON COLUMBUS - 1992; SHOOTING ELIZABETH - 1992; SON OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1993; LOVEJOY - 1992-1993 [TV Series]; UNDER THE HAMMER - 1994 [TV Series]; SPACE PRECINCT - 1994 [TV Series]; THE WANDERER - 1994 [TV Series]; BULLET TO BEIJING - 1995 [TV Movie]; SHE GOOD FIGHTER - 1995; PEGGY SU! - 1997; FROM CHINA WITH LOVE - 1998; ARABIAN NIGHTS - 2000 [TV mini-series]; MOBY DICK - 2000 [TV Movie; Voice only]; BANZAI - 2001 [TV Series; Voice only]; THE MONKEY KING - 2001 [TV Movie]; QUEEN OF SWORDS - 2001 [TV Series]; KISS OF THE DRAGON - 2001 [one of his better later day roles]; THE WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE - 2002; BEYOND BORDERS - 2003; GATE TO HEAVEN - 2003; STRATOSPHERE GIRL - 2004; THE GREAT CHALLENGE - 2004; FAT SLAGS - 2004; WAKE OF DEATH - 2004; PLANET SKETCH - 2005 [TV Series]; JUDGE JOHN DEED - 2005 [TV Series]; THE BILL - 2003-2005 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; SILENT WITNESS - 2006 [TV Series]; LOW WINTER SUN - 2006 [TV Movie]; DOCTORS - 2006 [TV Series]; HERE COMES THE QUEEN - 2008 [TV Series]; HONEST - 2008 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE WRONG DOOR - 2008 [TV Series]; SPIRIT WARRIORS - 2010 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE - 2002-2010 [TV Series Regular; 78 episodes]; PAUL O'GRADY LIVE - 2010 [TV Series; his last acting role]. Mr. Kwouk was awarded the OBE [Officer of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2011 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama. Burt Kwouk was 85 years-old.) - 05/24/16
ANGELA PATON (Actress: Best known for her roles in GROUNDHOG DAY - 1993 [She played Mrs. Lancaster, the kindly, elderly, small-town innkeeper who played host to Bill Murray on his never-ending day] and CLEAN SLATE - 1994 [also with Bill Murray], Ms. Paton was an accomplished actress long before then [She didn't start her TV and film acting until she was over 50 years-old, but was on Stage long before then. She appeared on Broadway in HARVEY in 2012 and did plays with Helen Mirren and a whole bunch of other famous theatre stars much earlier in her career, usually in San Francisco.]. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: DIRTY HARRY - 1971 [TF; uncredited]; WINNIE - 1988 [TV Movie]; THIRTYSOMETHING - 1988; DEAR JOHN - 1989; FALCON CREST - 1988-1989 [6 episodes]; HUNTER - 1989; THE WONDER YEARS - 1989; ROE VS. WADE - 1989 [TV Movie]; MANHUNT: SEARCH FOR THE NIGHT STALKER - 1989 [TV Movie]; DOCTOR DOCTOR - 1990; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1990; FLATLINERS - 1990 [TF]; LIFESTORIES - 1990; WELCOME HOME, ROXY CARMICHAEL - 1990 [TF]; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1991; LOVE, LIES AND MURDER - 1991 [TV Movie]; QUANTUM LEAP - 1991; MY LIFE AND TIMES - 1991; CRAZY FROM THE HEART - 1991 [TV Movie]; LIES OF THE TWINS - 1991 [TV Movie]; WINGS - 1991; L.A. LAW - 1991; THE LAST OF HIS TRIBE - 1992 [TV Movie]; CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR - 1992 [TV Movie]; MURPHY BROWN - 1992; KEEP THE CHANGE - 1992 [TV Movie]; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1992; NURSES - 1991-1992; GROUNDHOG DAY - 1993 [TF]; SIRENS - 1993; AND THE BAND PLAYED ON - 1993 [TV Movie]; LOVE & WAR - 1993; CLEAN SLATE - 1994 [TF]; BLUE SKY - 1994 [TF]; WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN? - 1994 [TV Movie]; DAVE'S WORLD - 1994; TRAPPED IN PARADISE - 1994 [TF]; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 1995; SOMETHING WILDER - 1995; NYPD BLUE - 1995; PICKET FENCES - 1995; THE CLIENT - 1995; HOME IMPROVEMENT - 1994-1995; HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - 1995 [TF]; ER - 1995; SEDUCED BY MADNESS: THE DIANE BORCHARDT STORY - 1995 [TV mini-series]; EYE FOR AN EYE - 1996 [TF]; CYBILL - 1996; THE HOME COURT - 1996; CAROLINE IN THE CITY - 1996; HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD - 1996 [TF]; INK - 1997; THE TOM SHOW - 1997; LOLITA - 1997 [TF]; CRACKER: MIND OVER MURDER - 1997; THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998 [TF]; THE CON - 1998 [TV Movie]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1998; PLAYERS - 1998; DHARMA & GREG - 1998; JESSE - 1998; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; SLIDERS - 1999; THE JOYRIDERS - 1999 [TF]; BOSTON PUBLIC - 2001; THE KENNEDYS - 2001 [TV Movie]; EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - 2001 [TF]; JOE DIRT - 2001 [TF]; THAT'S LIFE - 2001; THE X-FILES - 2001; FIRST MONDAY - 2002; BECKER - 2002; THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND - 2003 [TF]; DIE! MOMMY, DIE! - 2003 [TF]; JAG - 2003; AMERICAN WEDDING - 2003 [TF]; NUMB3RS - 2005; RED EYE - 2005 [TF]; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2005; FOUR KINGS - 2006; THE VALLEY OF LIGHT - 2007 [TV Movie]; THE FINAL SEASON - 2007 [TF]; MY NAME IS EARL - 2008; SONS OF TUCSON - 2010; MEDIUM - 2010; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2011; I AM I - 2013 [TF]; I DIDN'T DO IT - 2014; LAST WISHES - 2014 [Short; her last acting role]. She was married to the same man, actor Robert Goldsby, since 1952. Angela Paton suffered a recent heart attack and was 86 years-old.) - 05/27/16
MUHAMMAD ALI (Boxer/actor: One of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time [56 Wins {37 by knockout}; 5 Losses], Ali [real name: Cassius Clay] was the only sports figure to make me cry. That took place during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, when a Parkinson's-ravaged Ali lit the giant torch to officially start the games. It was a moment I shall never forget and neither will millions of other people. It was one of the most raw, emotional things that transcended true spirit I ever saw on TV. Before Ali was cursed with Parkinsons, he was known for his antics out of the boxing ring, as well as inside the ring. He would come up with clever poems and sayings [earning him the nickname "The Louisville Lip"], once saying that he was so fast an athlete that he could turn off the lights in his bedroom and be in his bed asleep before the lights went out. And it was close to the truth [Ali's punches produced approximately 1,000 pounds of force]. I love this bit of wisdom from him: "The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." His back-and-forths with sharp-tongued late sportcaster Howard Cosell were the stuff that legends were made of [They were actually friends when the cameras weren't on]. To see him slowly be incapacitated by Parkinsons was pure torture. I grew up during the prime period of his life, when he would beat champions left and right [pun intended] and even lose some of those fights. He also stepped out into acting for a short period and, even though his credits are small, he was always memorable. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT - 1962 [TF]; THE JERRY LEWIS SHOW - 1963; DELLA - 1969; THE SUPER FIGHT - 1970 [TF]; FIGHT OF THE CENTURY - 1971 [TV Movie]; BLACK RODEO - 1972 [TF; Documentary]; TRAVELS WITH FLIP - 1975 [TV Movie]; LOLA! - 1975; COS - 1976; THE SONNY AND CHER SHOW - 1979; THE GREATEST - 1977 [TF; also Writer; Ali portrayed himself in a slightly fictionalized version of his life story, including his refusal to join the armed forces for the war in Vietnam, which he was totally against and changing his name when he converted to Islam]; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1979; FREEDOM ROAD - 1979 [TV Movie; his only true acting role where he didn't play himself]; VEGA$ - 1979; BODY AND SOUL - 1982 [TF]; DOIN' TIME - 1985 [TF]; WHEN WE WERE KINGS - 1996 [Documentary; Academy Award® winner for Best Documentary]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1999; THE HURRICANE - 1999 [TF]; LOVE AT TIMES SQUARE - 2003 [TF]; KILL THE IRISHMAN - 2011 [TF]; THE THREE HIKERS - 2015 [Documentary; his last screen appearance]. Ali also did countless Documentaries, TV Talk Shows, Sport Specials and Game Shows throughout his career. He was also one of the pioneers of Pay-Per-View, as many of his fights during the 70's could only be viewed that way. I remember watching "The Rumble In The Jungle" that way in a movie theater back in 1974. He was also involved in the WWF Wrestling [now WWE] from the mid-1980's to the 1990's and was inducted into their Hall Of Fame in 2014. In 2002, Ali was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. His star is the only one to be mounted on a vertical surface, out of deference to his request that his name not be walked upon. He simply was the greatest athelete in the world and was the biggest Sports Royalty there ever was [even beating Michael Jordan, in my opinion], who was adored by Hollywood stars, politicians and regular people like myself. Muhammad Ali passed away due to respiratory ailments and septic shock from Parkinsons and was 74 years-old. "Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee." That will now be the mantra in Heaven.) - 06/03/16
BILL RICHMOND (Writer/Producer/Actor: Three-time Emmy Award® winning writer for THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW - 1973-1978, Mr. Richmond also worked very closely with Jerry Lewis in writing some of his most memorable movies. Bill Richmond's credits included (As Writer unless otherwise noted]: DRAGNET - 1959 [Actor only]; THE BELLBOY - 1960 [Actor only; portrayed Stan Laurel]; THE LADIES MAN - 1961; THE ERRAND BOY - 1961 [also Actor]; THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1963 [also Actor; Jerry Lewis' best film, thanks to the sharp writing and Lewis' performance]; THE JERRY LEWIS SHOW - 1964 [6 episodes]; THE PATSY - 1964 [also Actor as the Piano Player]; THE FAMILY JEWELS - 1965; THREE ON A COUCH - 1966 [Actor only]; THE BIG MOUTH - 1967 [a personal favorite]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1967; THE JERRY LEWIS SHOW - 1967-1968 [8 episodes]; HOOK, LINE AND SINKER - 1969 [Actor only]; THE KELLY MONTEITH SHOW - 1976; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1976; CPO SHARKEY - 1977; WHAT'S HAPPENING!! - 1976-1977; PEEPING TIMES - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW - 1973-1978 [120 episodes; Three Emmy Awards® in 1974, 1975 & 1978 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series]; WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1978-1979 [5 episodes; also Producer of 23 episodes]; THREE'S COMPANY - 1979-1980 [2 episodes; also Producer of 15 episodes]; JOHN RITTER: BEING OF SOUND MIND AND BODY - 1980 [TV Special]; THE TIM CONWAY SHOW - 1980 [also Producer]; NO SOAP, RADIO - 1982; THAT'S TV - 1982 [TV Movie]; WIZARDS AND WARRIORS - 1983; CRACKING UP - 1983 [also Actor]; DOUBLE TROUBLE - 1984-1985 [3 episodes; also Producer of 1 episode]; CHARLIE & CO. - 1985-1986 [4 episodes; also Producer of 1 episode]; HEARTLAND - 1989; LENNY - 1990-1991; SCORCH - 1992; THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW - 1993; BLOSSOM - 1991-1993 [5 episodes; also Supervising Producer of 5 episodes]; THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1996 [Inferior remake using Lewis and Richmond's script as a starting point]; ACTION - 1999 [Actor only]; WRECKREATION NATION WITH DAVE MORDAL - 2009 [Producer only; his final credit]. Bill Richmond died of natural causes and was 94 years-old.) - 06/04/16
THERESA SALDANA (Actress: Best known as the wife of Michael Chiklis' character on the TV Series THE COMMISH - 1991-1996 and her near-death stalking incident in 1982, Ms. Saldana was just as comfortable in movies as she was on TV. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND - 1978 [TF; her acting debut]; NUNZIO - 1978 [TF]; HOME MOVIES - 1979 [TF]; 240-ROBERT - 1979; DEFIANCE - 1980 [TF; my favorite role of hers]; SOFIA LOREN: HER OWN STORY - 1980 [TV Movie]; RAGING BULL - 1980 [TF; played Joe Pesci's wife]; NURSE - 1981; SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS - 1983; T.J. HOOKER - 1983; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1983; VICTIMS FOR VICTIMS: THE THERESA SALDANA STORY - 1984 [TV Movie; portrayed herself]; THE EVIL THAT MEN DO - 1984 [TF; my second favorite role of hers]; ROCCO'S STAR - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Dead Woman's Shoes" - 1985]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1985; SIMON & SIMON - 1986; MATLOCK - 1986; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - 1986; HUNTER - 1987; SANTA BARBARA - 1987; JUVI - 1987 [Afternoon TV Movie]; THE HIGHWAYMAN - 1987 [TV Movie]; WEREWOLF - 1987; BUCK JAMES - 1988; FALCON CREST - 1988; THE NIGHT BEFORE - 1988 [TF]; DOUBLE REVENGE - 1988 [TF]; OF MEN AND ANGELS - 1989 [TF]; NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - 1990 [Voice only; 15 episodes]; MACGYVER - 1990; ANGEL TOWN - 1990 [TF]; SHAMEFUL SECRETS - 1993 [TV Movie]; CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS - 1994 [Voice only]; LAW & ORDER - 1995; JONNY QUEST VERSUS THE CYBER INSECTS - 1995 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE COMMISH - 1991-1996 [92 episodes; Golden Globe® nominee in 1994 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series]; SHE WOKE UP PREGNANT - 1996 [TV Movie]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1997; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996-1997 [Voice only]; NOTHING SACRED - 1997; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1997; MARTIAL LAW - 1998; THRILL SEEKERS - 1999 [TV Movie]; CARLO'S WAKE - 1999 [TF]; READY TO RUN - 2000 [TV Movie]; BATMAN BEYOND - 2001 [Voice only]; THE BERNIE MAC SHOW - 2003; GANG WARZ - 2004 [TF]; ILLUSION INFINITY - 2004 [TF; her last acting role]. Shortly after her appearance in RAGING BULL, a lunatic religious fanatic, who claimed to have been ordered by higher powers, attacked and attempted to murder Ms. Saldana [she was stabbed several times outside her West Hollywood home]. After a long, hard recovery, Ms. Saldana has devoted her life to helping other women who have had similar traumatic experiences. She lost a major role in TOOTSIE - 1982 because she was still recovering from the attack [Geena Davis replaced her]. Her appearance on the TV Show HUNTER in 1987 was a thinly veiled account of her attack. A bottled water deliveryman, who was passing by, saved Ms. Saldana from being killed and he eventually became a Deputy Sheriff of Los Angeles County after telling the Press that he always wanted to be a police officer. He took all the exams, thanks to the Sheriff fast-tracking his desires, and passed every one with flying colors. No cause of death was given at the time of this writing, but Theresa Saldana was in the hospital and was 61 years-old.) - 06/06/16
MIMMO PALMARA (Italian Actor: Best known for his roles in peplum films [sometimes using the pseudonym "Dick Palmer"], including the first international hit HERCULES - 1958. He went on to have a long career in films and on TV, transitioning into spy films, sex comedies, police actioners and Spaghetti Westerns. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: EMPTY EYES - 1953;THE WANTON CONTESSA - 1954; ATTILA - 1954; THE RIVER GIRL - 1954; FORBIDDEN - 1954; WAR AND PEACE - 1956; ROLAND THE MIGHTY - 1957; TERROR OVER ROME - 1957; WHITE NIGHTS - 1957; MARISA - 1957; HERCULES - 1958; HERCULES UNCHAINED - 1959; SHEBA AND THE GLADIATOR - 1959; THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII - 1959; GASTONE - 1960; GOLIATH AGAINST THE GIANTS - 1961; THE COLOSSUS OF ROME - 1961; HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMAN - 1961; THE TROJAN HORSE - 1961; COLOSSUS AND THE HUNS - 1962; SODOM AND GOMORRAH - 1962; SLAVE GIRLS OF SHEBA - 1963; GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON - 1963; GOLIATH AND THE REBEL SLAVE - 1963; HERCULES AND THE MASKED RIDER - 1963; THE TEN GLADIATORS - 1963; SANDOKAN THE GREAT - 1963; TEMPLE OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT - 1964; HERCULES AGAINST ROME - 1964; THE TWO GLADIATORS - 1964; SANDOKAN: PIRATE OF MALAYSIA - 1964; BULLETS DON'T ARGUE - 1964; 3 AVENGERS - 1964; THREE SWORDS FOR ROME - 1964; KINDAR THE INVUNERABLE - 1965; ADVENTURES OF A SECRET AGENT - 1965; FOR ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER DAY - 1966; TWO SONS OF RINGO - 1966; THE INCREDIBLE PARIS INCIDENT - 1967; LEFT HANDED JOHNNY WEST - 1967; THE STRANGER - 1967; THE HANDSOME, THE UGLY AND THE STUPID - 1967; POKER WITH PISTOLS - 1967; AND THEN A TIME FOR KILLING - 1968; VENGEANCE IS MY FORGIVENESS - 1968; A LONG RIDE FROM HELL - 1968; PSYCHOPATH - 1968; EXECUTION - 1968; TRUSTING IS GOOD...KILLING IS BETTER - 1968; BLACK JACK - 1968; ISABELLA, DUCHESS OF THE DEVILS - 1969; THE RANGERS - 1970; THE CROOK - 1970; THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE - 1971; GUNMAN OF ONE HUNDRED CROSSES - 1971; AND HIS NAME WAS HOLY GHOST - 1971; PANHANDLE 38 - 1972; THE ARENA - 1974; CHAINS - 1974; VIOLENT CITY - 1975; THAT MALICIOUS AGE - 1975; HOLIDAY HOOKERS - 1976; CONVOY BUSTERS - 1978; SICILIAN CONNECTION - 1987; 28° MINUTO - 1991; UN INVERNO FREDDO FREDDO - 1996 [his last acting role]. He had many other films and TV Series appearances that were not subtitled or dubbed into English. In 1967 Mr. Palmara founded SINC Cinematografica, an Italian dubbing company. Mimmo Palmara was 87 years-old.) - 06/10/16
GORDON CONNELL (Actor: Known mainly as a TV actor, Mr. Connell every once in a while ventured into Theatrical Films. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: AS CAESAR SEES IT - 1962 [TV Movie]; ON THE RUN - 1965 [TV Movie]; JAN & DEAN: ON THE RUN - 1966 [TV Movie]; ROSEMARY'S BABY - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; BEWITCHED - 1970; GREEN ACRES - 1971; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1976; ONCE UPON A BROTHERS GRIMM - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE GHOST OF FLIGHT 401 - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978; THE JEFFERSONS - 1978-1979; SKINFLINT: A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1981; CREEPSHOW 2 - 1987 [Theatrical Film; Animation Voice only]; LINCOLN - 1992 [TV Movie]; LAW & ORDER - 1998; SEX AND THE CITY - 2001 [his last film acting role]. Mr. Connell also was also involved in Stage work, making his Broadway debut in "Subways Are For Sleeping" in 1961. Additional stage credits include "Hello, Dolly!," "Big River," "The Human Comedy," and "Lysistrata" (the latter being the only time he and his wife Jane Connell ever appeared together on Broadway). He met wife Jane Connell when he played piano for a college melodrama. They wed in 1948 [and stayed married until her death on 2013] and gained early experience on radio and toured in stock. When their "Straw Hat Revue" did well at summer theaters in the Northeast, they eventually relocated to New York. They developed a following performing together in such San Francisco night clubs as The Purple Onion and The Hungry I.  Also a musician, Connell composed songs for cabaret artists and musical theatre. Gordon Connell was 92 years-old.) - 06/12/16
MIHALY 'MICHU' MESZAROS (Actor/Stuntman: Diminutive 33" actor who is best known as portraying ALF - 1986-1990 whenever he had to be shown full body. He is also known as the small person on the poster artwork for the horror film WAXWORK - 1988, where he portrayed Hans, the museum curator and guide. His credits included: H.R. PUFNSTUF - 1970; WAXWORK - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; BIG TOP PEE-WEE - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; LOOK WHO'S TALKING - 1989 [Stunt Double]; ALF - 1986-1990 [10 episodes; also Personal Assistant during 1986-1987]; DEAR JOHN - 1991; WARLOCK: THE ARMAGEDDON - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; FREAKED - 1993 [Theatrical Film]; DEATH TO CUPID - 2015 [Short; his final acting role]. Meszaros performed for the Hungarian National Circus prior to coming to America in the 1970's. Once in the United States, Mihaly was a member of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Mihaly Meszaros fell into a coma in 2013 and never recovered. He was 76 years-old.) - 06/13/16
ANN MORGAN GUILBERT (Actress: Best known as next door neighbor "Millie Helper" on THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1961-1966 and "Grandma Yetta" on THE NANNY - 1992-1999, Ms. Guilbert was a veteran of both TV and Films. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MY THREE SONS - 1961; HENNESEY - 1961; YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG ONCE - 1962 [TV Movie]; TWO FOR THE SEESAW - 1962 [TF]; THE MAN FROM DINER'S CLUB - 1963 [TF]; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; ONE MAN'S WAY - 1964 [TF]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1961-1966 [61 episodes]; HEY, LANDLORD - 1966; A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN - 1967 [TF]; GOOD MORNING, WORLD - 1967; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1967; HOW SWEET IT IS! - 1968 [TF]; ADAM-12 - 1968; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1969; ROOM 222 - 1969; VIVA MAX - 1969 [TF]; DRAGNET 1967 - 1967-1970; D.A.: CONSPIRACY TO KILL - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE NEW ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1971 [10 episodes]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1971; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1971; SECOND CHANCE - 1972 [TV Movie]; CHASE - 1973 [TV Movie]; EMERGENCY! - 1972-1974 [3 episodes]; THE RANGERS - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE GHOST BUSTERS - 1975; ON THE ROCKS - 1975; MAUDE - 1976; AMELIA EARHART - 1976 [TV Movie]; BARNEY MILLER - 1981; CHEERS - 1989; NEWHART - 1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990; THE FANELLI BOYS - 1990-1991 [Series Regular; 19 episodes]; BLOSSOM - 1991; HOME IMPROVEMENT - 1993; ROOM FOR TWO - 1993; HERMAN'S HEAD - 1993; EMPTY NEST - 1991-1993; PICKET FENCES - 1992-1994 [5 episodes]; GRUMPIER OLD MEN - 1995 [TF]; SEINFELD - 1991-1996; SOUR GRAPES - 1998 [TF]; THE NANNY - 1993-1999 [56 episodes]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW REVISITED - 2004 [TV Movie]; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2005; STATE OF MIND - 2007; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2007; PLEASE GIVE - 2010 [TF]; HAPPILY DIVORCED - 2012; MODERN FAMILY - 2013; THE WINKLERS - 2014 [TV Movie]; GREY'S ANATOMY - 2015; GETTING ON - 2013-2015 [Series Regular; 15 episodes]; LIFE IN PIECES - 2016 [Her last acting role]. Ms. Guilbert was also actively involved in Stage work, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway including "The Immigrant: A Hamilton County Album", where she created the role of Alma, for which she won the 1988 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production, at Washington, DC's Arena Stage. Ann Morgan Guilbert passed away due to cancer and was 87 years-old.) - 06/14/16
YUMI SHIRAKAWA (Actress: Prolific Japanese actress who appeared in more than her share of Japanese kaijú  ["giant monster"] and horror films, as well as starring in movies of every type. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SCOUNDREL - 1956; RODAN - 1956; BE HAPPY, THESE TWO LOVERS - 1957; THE MYSTERIANS - 1957; THE PRINCESS OF BADGER PALACE - 1958; A HOLIDAY IN TOYKO - 1958; THE HAPPY PILGRIMAGE - 1958; THE H-MAN - 1958; BOSS OF THE DARK BLACK CITY - 1959; INAO: STORY OF AN IRON ARM - 1959; THE SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN - 1960; EVENING STREAM - 1960; MAN AGAINST MAN - 1960; SAZAE AND GRANNY APRON - 1960; ROMANCE EXPRESS - 1961; CHALLENGE TO LIVE - 1961; THE SCARLET MAN - 1961; THE LAST WAR - 1961; AUTUMN FOR THE KOBAYAKAWA FAMILY - 1961; THE END OF SUMMER - 1961; DIFFERENT SONS - 1961; GORATH - 1962; 47 SAMURAI - 1962; WALLEYED NIPPON - 1963; YEARNING - 1964; TRAP OF SUICIDE KILOMETER - 1964; THE ADVENTURES OF TAKLA MAKAN - 1966; FAMILY GAME - 1983 [TV Series]; FAMILY GAME II - 1984 [TV Series]; FAMILY GAME: SPECIAL - 1985 [TV Movie]; DADDY SURVIVAL - 1995 [TV Series]; GTO: GREAT TEACHER ONIZUKA - 1998 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE TWENTY-FOUR HOUR LIE - 1999 [TV Movie]; FORBIDDEN LOVE - 1999 [TV Series]; DIAMOND GIRL - 2003 [TV Series]; DIGNITY OF SPECIAL TEMPORARY STAFF - 2005 [TV mini-series]; THE SECOND MOVEMENT - 2013 [TV mini-series]; DOCTOR X - 2013 [TV mini-series]; BLACK PRESIDENT - 2014 [TV mini-series; her last acting role]. Ms. Shirakawa has at least 50 more Theatrical Films, TV Series and TV Movie credits, but they have yet [at the time of this writing] to be dubbed or subtitled into English. She was a popular actress of directors Ishiro Honda and Yasujiro Ozu, who put her in many of their films. Yumi Shirakawa died of heart failure and was 79 years-old) - 06/15/16
RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS (Actress: Best known for her role of "Corabeth Walton" on THE WALTONS - 1975-1981, she also appeared in many TV Series and Theatrical Films. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: ALL THE WAY HOME - 1963 [TF]; THE AMERICAN PARADE - 1974 [TV mini-series]; PAPER MOON - 1974; THIS IS THE WEST THAT WAS - 1974 [TV Movie]; FUTURE COP - 1976; WHEN EVERY DAY WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY - 1978 [TV Movie]; FIVE DAYS FROM HOME - 1978 [TF]; GETTING WASTED - 1980 [TF}; THE WALTONS - 1975-1981 [107 episodes]; A WEDDING ON WALTONS MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie]; MOTHERS DAY ON WALTONS MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie]; A DAY FOR THANKS ON WALTONS MOUNTAIN - 1982 [TV Movie]; BOONE - 1983-1984 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; DALLAS - 1984; FALCON CREST - 1985; SARA - 1985 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; PERFECT - 1985 [TF]; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; DYNASTY - 1985; NOBODY'S FOOL - 1986 [TF]; JUST IN TIME - 1988 [6 episodes]; THE DEAD POOL - 1988 [TF]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1987-1989; SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH - 1989 [TV Movie]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1990; GUESS WHO'S COMING FOR CHRISTMAS? - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE TORKELSONS - 1991 [3 episodes]; A WALTON THANKSGIVING REUNION - 1993 [TV Movie]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1994; 8 SECONDS - 1994 [TF]; A WALTON WEDDING - 1995 [TV Movie]; A WALTON EASTER - 1997 [TV Movie]; INHERIT THE WIND - 1999 [TV Movie]; SORDID LIVES - 2000 [TF]; SWEET POTATO QUEENS - 2003 [TV Movie]; 12 MILES OF BAD ROAD - 2007 [Her final acting role]. Ronnie Claire Edwards died of natural causes and was 83 years-old.) - 06/14/16
LOIS DUNCAN (Novelist/Writer: Many of Ms. Duncan's novels have been turned into films, mostly in the horror category. The novels that have been turned into films included: STRANGER IN OUR HOUSE - 1978 [TV Movie; based on her novel "Summer Of Fear"]; KILLING MR. GRIFFIN - 1997; I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER - 1997 [a movie version of Duncan's novel of the same name that she severely disliked for reasons that will be explained later]; I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU - 1998 [TV Movie; based on her novel "Gallows Hill"]; I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER - 1998 [based on characters created by Duncan]; DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU - 1999 [TV Movie]; HELD FOR RANSOM - 2000 [based on her novel "Ransom"]; I'LL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER - 2006 [based on characters created by Duncan]; HOTEL FOR DOGS - 2009; STRANGER WITH MY FACE - 2009 [TV Movie; the last film as of this writing to be made from one of her novels]. Here is what she had to say about the film version of I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER: "A movie loosely based upon my novel, "I Know What You Did Last Summer", opened in theaters around the country. I was ecstatic until I settled into a theater seat with my box of popcorn and discovered that Hollywood had turned my teenage suspense story into a slasher film. The setting had been changed from the mountains of New Mexico to a fishing village on the East Coast, so an insane fisherman, who wasn't in my book, could decapitate my characters with an ice hook. The first thing I did after leaving the theater was phone our daughter Kerry and warn her not to let the grandchildren see it." It was especially unnerving to Ms. Duncan because on July 16, 1989, her 18 year old daughter Kaitlyn Arquette was found dead in her car. She had been shot in the head. Lois Duncan died of unknown causes and was 82 years-old.) - 06/15/16
RON LESTER (Actor:  Best known as the overweight young actor in movies such as VARSITY BLUES - 1999 and the TV Series POPULAR - 1999-2001, Mr. Lester underwent gastric bypass and had 17 major cosmetic surgeries after the gastric operation in late 2000, losing over 250 pounds. Those operations may have led to his death. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: GOOD BURGER - 1997 [TF]; VARSITY BLUES - 1999 [TF]; DILL SCALLION - 1999 [TF]; COUSIN SKEETER - 1999; FREAKS AND GEEKS - 1999-2000 [3 episodes]; POPULAR - 1999-2001 [43 episodes]; SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH - 2001; NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE - 2001 [TF]; DRUM SOLO - 2001 [Short]; THE GREENSKEEPER - 2002 [TF; his only horror project]; THE KARATE DOG - 2005 [TV Movie]; CSI: NY - 2005; WHAT HOLLYWOOD TAUGHT US ABOUT SEX - 2005 [TV Movie Documentary]; THE FAT BOY CHRONICLES - 2010 [TF; also Co-Executive Producer]; I THINK MY MOM'S TRYING TO KILL ME - 2013 [Short; also Associate Producer]; RACING LEGACY - 2015 [TF: also Director, Writer & Executive Producer]; BOMB CITY - 2017 [TF; filming at the time of his death]. Here is what he said about his obesity and his operations: "Am I alive? Yes. Am I happy? No. Did I throw away my career to be skinny? Yes. I wouldn't do [the surgery] again. I would much rather have died happy, rich, and kept my status and gone out on top." Ron Lester passed away due to heart and liver failure. He was just 45 years-old.) - 06/17/16
ANTON YELCHIN (Actor: Extremely young actor, best known for his portrayals of Chekov in the new STAR TREK franchise of films [filmmaker J.J. Abrams says his role of Pavel Chekov will not be recast in the film franchise] and for playing "Charlie Brewster" in the 2011 remake of FRIGHT NIGHT, who died in a freak accident when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee [which has known issues for slipping out of gear] rolled down his steep driveway and pinned him against his security gate, crushing him to death. Mr. Yelchin was a talented actor who immigrated from Russia with his parents when he was only six months old and at the age of ten he made his way into TV and in films. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: ER - 2000 [TV Series]; GEPPETTO - 2000 [TV Movie]; A MAN IS MOSTLY WATER - 2000; DELIVERING MILO - 2001 [portrayed the titled character]; 15 MINUTES - 2001; ALONG CAME A SPIDER - 2001; HEARTS IN ATLANTIS - 2001 [Just watched this again recently and he was very good, enough to win a Young Artist Award® for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor]; JUDGING AMY - 2002 [TV Series]; A TIME FOR DANCING - 2002; ROOFTOP KISSES - 2002 [Short]; TAKEN - 2002 [TV mini-series]; THE PRACTICE - 2002 [TV Series]; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2003 [TV Series]; CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - 2004; JACK - 2004 [TV Movie]; NYPD BLUE - 2004 [TV Series]; HOUSE OF D - 2004; FIERCE PEOPLE - 2005; ALPHA DOG - 2006 [the first time I noticed that he was extremely talented]; HUFF - 2004-2006 [TV Series Regular; 26 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2006 [TV Series]; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2006 [TV Series]; CHARLIE BARTLETT - 2007 [played the titled character]; NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU - 2008; MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - 2008; STAR TREK - 2009 [the first time he portrayed Chekov]; TERMINATOR SALVATION - 2009; MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC - 2010; LIKE CRAZY - 2011; YOU AND I - 2011; THE BEAVER - 2011; FROM UP ON POPPY HILL - 2011 [Voice only]; THE SMURFS - 2011 [Voiced "Clumsy Smurf" in two movies and a series of shorts]; FRIGHT NIGHT - 2011; THE SMURFS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 2011 [Short; Voice only]; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM - 2011 [HBO Animated Series; Voice only]; THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS - 2012 [Voice only]; ODD THOMAS - 2013 [portrayed the titled character]; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS - 2013; ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - 2013; THE SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW - 2013 [Short; Voice Only]; THE SMURFS 2 - 2013 [Voice only]; BROKEN BELLS AFTER THE DISCO - 2013 [Short]; RUDDERLESS - 2014; 5 TO 7 - 2014; THE APPRENTICE - 2014 [Short]; CYMBELINE - 2014; BURYING THE EX - 2014; DYING OF THE LIGHT - 2014; COURT OF CONSCIENCE - 2015 [Short]; EXPERIMENTER - 2015; KISS KISS FINGERBANG - 2015 [Short]; BROKEN HORSES - 2015; THE DRIFTLESS AREA - 2015; UNITY - 2015 [Documentary; Narrator]; GREEN ROOM - 2015 [Effective little horror film]; SUPERMANSION - 2015 [TV Series; Voice only]; RISE - 2016 [Short; will be developed into a feature films sometime in 2017 or 2018]; STAR TREK BEYOND - 2016 [Yelchin never got to see it premiere in theaters]; PORTO - 2016; WE DON'T BELONG HERE - 2016; REMEMORY - 2016; THOROUGHBRED - 2017; TROLLHUNTERS - 2016 [Netflix Animated Series; Voice Only; his voice work was not completed for the series before he died, but he did enough voice work for there to be a Season 2, which there will be.]. Mr. Yelchin also voiced his roles for STAR TREK and THE SMURFS in video games and appeared on many late night talk shows. He was also a musician and songwriter. Here is what he had to say about why he went into acting: "I was a horrible athlete. My parents are athletes; they tried me to get me to do that [professional figure skating], but I just couldn't. I sucked. First I wanted to be a scientist, and I set our bathroom on fire. Then I wanted to be a basketball player and I'm a not-very-tall white, Russian Jewish kid. So that didn't work out either." It's a shame that he died in such a freak accident because he had a long acting career ahead of him. Anton Yelchin was only 27 years-old.) - 06/19/16
GOTZ GEORGE (Actor: Popular German actor best known for his role as "Horst Schimanski" in two long-running TV Series and a series of theatrical films. He was also involved in early 60's German Westerns, including the WINNETOU series of films. His credits included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: WHEN THE WHITE LILACS BLOOM AGAIN - 1953; THE BIG TEST - 1954; AS LONG AS THE HEART STILL BEATS - 1958; JACQUELINE - 1959; THE FAIR - 1960; UNTIL HELL IS FROZEN - 1961; MURDER PARTY - 1961; HER MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY - 1962; THE TREASURE OF SILVER LAKE - 1962; HYPNOSIS - 1962; MAN AND BEAST - 1963; DESTINATION DEATH - 1964; MARK OF THE TORTOISE - 1964; AMONGST VULTURES - 1965; A MAN CALLED GRINGO - 1965; WINNETOU AND THE CROSSBREED - 1966; THE LONG DAY OF INSPECTOR BLOMFIELD - 1968; MATCH - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU - 1968; COMMANDOS - 1968; WIND FROM THE EAST - 1970; THE ILLEGAL - 1972 [TV mini-series]; TODLICHER POKER - 1972 [Directed by Ulli Lommel]; HAMBURG TRANSIT - 1973 [TV Series]; DER KOMMISSAR - 1970-1973 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; DEATH IS MY TRADE - 1977; DERRICK - 1978 [TV Series]; THE OLD FOX - 1978-1979 [TV Series]; DANTON'S DEAD - 1981; OUT OF ORDER - 1984; SCENE OF THE CRIME: A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH - 1985 [as "Horst Schimanski"; THE CRACK CONNECTION - 1987 [as "Horst Schimanski"]; THE CAT - 1988; THE BREAK - 1989; BLUE-EYED - 1989; BUKOW AND KONIG - 1990 [TV Series; as "Horst Schimanski"]; TATORT - 1971-1991 [TV Series; played "Horst Schimanski' for 32 episodes]; SCHTONK - 1992; ME AND CHRISTINE - 1993; SCHULZ & SCHULZ - 1989-1993 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE SWINE - 1995 [TV mini-series]; THE SANDMAN - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE DEATHMAKER - 1995 [probably George's most chilling performance as "Fritz 'The Butcher of Hanover' Haarmann", real-life serial killer of 27 boys]; DIE STURZFLIEGER - 1995 [Sci-Fi Comedy]; MORLOCK - 1993-1996 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; ROSSINI - 1997; THE TRIO - 1998; THE BUBI SCHOLZ STORY - 1998 [TV Movie]; SOLO FOR CLARINET - 1998; AFTER THE TRUTH - 1999; VIKTOR VOGEL-COMMERCIAL MAN - 2001; COMING HOME - 2003; GOD IS DEAD - 2003; MYSTERIOUS FRIENDS - 2003 [TV Movie]; MARIA AN CALLAS - 2006; THE NOVEMBERMAN - 2007 [TV Movie]; MEIN KAMPF - 2009; CIVIL COURAGE - 2010 [TV Movie]; ZETTL - 2012; DECKNAME LUNA - 2012 [TV Series]; GEORGE - 2013 [TV Movie]; SCHIMANSKI - 1997-2013 [TV Series; 17 episodes; George's last time portraying "Horst Schimanski"]; BOSE WETTER - 2016 [his last acting role]. Gotz George has literally over 50 more Films, TV Series and TV Movies which have not been dubbed or subtitled in English. He has won over 28 German and Eupopean Awards as Best Actor and was nominated 11 more times [Winning more than losing is quite the accomplishment]. Mr. George was also very involved in Stage work, making his first appearance in 1950 and continuing to do it throughout his career. If we were to compare his popularity to an American actor, he would most probably be described as a German version of Burt Reynolds, but with much more Stage experience. Like Reynolds, he performed all the stunts in his movies and TV Series himself, which took a toll on his body. Gotz George passed away after a short illness and was 77 years-old.) - 06/19/16
JAMES VICTOR (Actor: Dependable character actor on both TV and in films, usually as Latino bad guys or policemen. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: SHADOWS - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; TOO LATE BLUES - 1961 [Theatrical Film]; THE LLOYD BRIDGES SHOW - 1962-1963; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; MY THREE SONS - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; I SPY - 1967; THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST - 1967 [Theatrical Film]; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1966-1968; GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSEY - 1970 [Theatrical Film]; ADAM-12 - 1970; FUZZ - 1972 [Theatrical Film]; THE MAGICIAN - 1974; KUNG FU - 1975; TWIN DETECTIVES - 1976 [TV Movie]; VIVA VALDEZ - 1976 [TV Series Regular; 12 episodes]; MIXED NUTS - 1977 [TV Short]; ROLLING THUNDER - 1977 [Theatrical Film; One of the best political actioners of the 70's]; POLICE STORY - 1978; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 1978; THE WHITE SHADOW - 1979; BOULEVARD NIGHTS - 1979 [Theatrical Film]; THE STREETS OF L.A. - 1979 [TV Movie]; DEFIANCE - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; BORDERLINE - 1980 [Theatrical Film]; LOU GRANT - 1981; FALCON CREST - 1981-1982 [3 episodes]; DESIRE, THE VAMPIRE - 1982 [TV Movie]; LOSIN' IT - 1983 [Theatrical Film]; CONDO - 1983 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; A.K.A. PABLO - 1984; HUNTER - 1984; THE A-TEAM - 1985; SECOND SERVE - 1986 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1987; I MARRIED DORA - 1987; ANGELICA, MI VIDA - 1988; THE TELEPHONE - 1988 [Theatrical Film; Voice only]; STAND AND DELIVER - 1988 [Theatrical Film]; ZORRO - 1990-1993 [TV Series Regular; 88 episodes]; GUNFIGHTER'S MOON - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1996; STREETS OF LAREDO - 1999 [TV mini-series]; RAY OF SUNSHINE - 2006 [Theatrical Film]; ADVENTURES IN APPLETOWN - 2008 [MFHV]; CASA DE MI PADRE - 2012 [Theatrical Film; Will Ferrell's take-off of Mexican Western films of the 60's & early 70's. The language spoken was Spanish and subtitled in English.]; BLESS ME, ULTIMA - 2013 [Theatrical Film; his last acting role]. Mr. Victor was also the Assistant Director on the Theatrical Film FACES - 1968 and was a lifelong friend of John Cassavetes [who passed away in 1989] who Victor affectionally called "Godfather". James Victor passed away due to heart disease and was 76 years-old.) - 06/20/16
STUART NISBET (Actor: Nisbet was a background actor [usually portraying bartenders, reporters, doctors, police officers, judges, etc.] who was working in TV and Films since 1960. Although his name was not well known, his face certainly was and he appeared in almost 200 films and TV series. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE TAB HUNTER SHOW - 1960; ROUTE 66 - 1961; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1961; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1960-1961 [3 episodes]; TWO FACES WEST - 1961; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1961; THE BOB CUMMINGS SHOW - 1961; CHECKMATE - 1961-1962; THIRD OF A MAN - 1962 [TF]; THE QUICK AND THE DEAD - 1963 [TF]; EMPIRE - 1963; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["In Praise Of Pip" - 1963]; GRINDL - 1963; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1964; GUNSMOKE - 1964; BEN CASEY - 1961-1964; HAZEL - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1965; THE MUNSTERS - 1965; THE F.B.I. - 1965; A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH - 1965; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965; MY MOTHER THE CAR - 1965; BARNEY - 1965 [TV Movie]; LAREDO - 1966; DR. KILDARE - 1961-1966 [5 episodes]; FOR PETE'S SAKE - 1966 [TF]; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1966; THAT GIRL - 1966; THE ROAD WEST - 1966; THE GREEN HORNET; THE FUGITIVE - 1965-1967 [3 episodes]; HOT RODS TO HELL - 1967 [TF]; OCCASIONAL WIFE - 1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1967 [5 episodes]; MY THREE SONS - 1967; RIDE TO HANGMAN'S TREE - 1967 [TF]; BEWITCHED - 1964-1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1967 [TF]; GAMES - 1967 [TF]; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1967; THE FELONY SQUAD - 1967; DUNDEE AND THE CULHANE - 1967; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1967; THE MONKEES - 1967; IRON HORSE - 1967 [1967 was a banner year for Nisbet]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967-1968; YOURS, MINE AND OURS - 1968 [TF]; THE SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST - 1968 [TF]; BLONDIE - 1968; THE OUTCASTS - 1968; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1968; MAYBERRY R.F.D. - 1968; THE OUTSIDERS - 1968; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1968; TO DIE IN PARIS - 1968 [TV Movie; another banner year for Nisbet]; GET SMART - 1966-1969 [3 episodes]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1965-1969; ANGEL IN MY POCKET - 1969 [TF]; THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS - 1969; LOVE IS A FUNNY THING - 1969 [TF]; THEN CAME BRONSON - 1969; THE SILENT GUN - 1969 [TV Movie]; MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT - 1969 [3 episodes]; THE BILL COSBY SHOW - 1970; THE BOLD ONES: THE PROTECTORS - 1970; THE VIRGINIAN - 1962-1970 [19 episodes]; DRAGNET 1967 - 1967-1970 [8 episodes]; THE HIGH CHAPARRAL - 1970; THE INTRUDERS - 1970 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1970; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968-1971 [4 episodes]; HOW TO FRAME A FIGG - 1971 [TF]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1971; THE BOLD ONES: THE SENATOR - 1971; MARRIAGE: YEAR ONE - 1971 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1967-1971 [3 episodes]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1972; BONANZA - 1961-1972 [9 episodes]; THE LONERS - 1972 [TF]; BANACEK - 1972; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Spectre In Tap Shoes" - 1972; "You Can Come Up Now, Mrs. Milliken" - 1972]; THE JUDGE AND JAKE WYLER - 1972 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1968-1973 [5 episodes]; CANNON - 1973; BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE - 1973; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1969-1973 [3 episodes]; COLUMBO - 1972-1973; SLITHER - 1973 [TF]; THE MAD BOMBER - 1973 [TF]; YOUR THREE MINUTES ARE UP - 1973 [TF]; OUTRAGE - 1973 [TV Movie]; HEC RAMSEY - 1973; ADAM-12 - 1972-1974; TOMA - 1974; HEATWAVE! - 1974 [TV Movie]; LOTSA LUCK - 1974; IT'S GOOD TO BE ALIVE - 1974 [TV Movie]; HAPPY DAYS - 1974; DOC ELLIOTT - 1974; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974 [TF]; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER ["The Vampire" - 1974]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974; THE LAW - 1974 [TV Movie]; MOVIN' ON - 1974; POLICE STORY - 1974; EARTHQUAKE - 1974 [TF; Voice only]; THE MISSLES OF OCTOBER - 1974 [TV Movie]; EMERGENCY! - 1974; THE MISSING ARE DEADLY - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE MANHUNTER - 1975; MCCLOUD - 1975; LUCAS TANNER - 1975; MEDICAL STORY - 1975 [TV Movie]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975; HEARTS OF THE WEST - 1975 [TF]; F. SCOTT FITZGERALD IN HOLLYWOOD - 1975 [TV Movie]; MOBILE ONE - 1975; COLLISION COURSE: TRUMAN VS. MACARTHUR - 1976 [TV Movie]; RICH MAN, POOR MAN - 1976 [TV mini-series]; BRINKS: THE GREAT ROBBERY - 1976 [TV Movie]; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1973-1977 [3 episodes]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1977 [3 episodes]; MOST WANTED - 1977, OH, GOD - 1977 [TF]; BLACK MARKET BABY - 1977 [TV Movie]; THREE'S COMPANY - 1977; PROJECT - U.F.O. - 1978; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978; MR. TOO LITTLE - 1978 [TF]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1979; THE NIGHT RIDER - 1979 [TV Movie]; BEGGERMAN, THIEF - 1979 [TV Movie]; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1980 [8 episodes]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1980; QUINCY M.E. - 1980-1981; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1981; TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT - 1981; FATHER MURPHY - 1982; MADAME'S PALACE - 1982; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1983; T.J. HOOKER - 1986; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1984-1988; TO HEAL A NATION - 1988 [TV Movie]; LADY MOBSTER - 1988 [TV Movie]; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1988; L.A. LAW - 1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1989; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1989; THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS - 1989 [TF]; EMPTY NEST - 1989; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1990; FALL FROM GRACE - 1990 [TV Movie]; THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1990; GROWING PAINS - 1990; MURDEROUS VISION - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE WOMAN WHO SINNED - 1991 [TV Movie]; BAYWATCH - 1991; HOMEFRONT - 1992; CRIES UNHEARD: THE DONNA YAKLICH STORY - 1994 [TV Movie]; POLICE ACADEMY: MISSION TO MOSCOW - 1994 [TF]; MURDER IN THE FIRST - 1995 [TF]; CASINO - 1995 [TF]; THE CLIENT - 1996; HIGH INCIDENT - 1996; NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - 1996 [Short]; DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN - 1997; THE TONY DANZA SHOW - 1997; WINCHELL - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE PRACTICE - 2001 [His last acting role]. As you can see, he was a prolific actor and no role was too small for him, which made him popular in the filmmaking community. He was a dependable actor whose career spanned nearly six decades. Stuart Nisbet died of unknown causes and was 82 years-old.) - 06/23/16
GIUSEPPE FERRARA (Italian Director: Award-winning director whose films dealt with crime, law and politics in Italy, most of them shot in documentary style [he started out making documentaries] and most of them exposing the crookedness of all three themes. Many of his films never made it to U.S. shores, but if they did, they wouldn't be much different in tone with our crime, law and political atmosphere, especially in this day and age. His credits included: MYSTERIES OF ROME - 1963 [Documentary]; IL SASSO IN BOCCA - 1969 [also Writer & Editor]; UNA CITTA MALATA - 1973 [Documentary]; C.I.A. SECRET STORY - 1975 [also Screenplay]; PANAGULIS VIVE - 1980 [TV mini-series; also Writer]; CENTRO GIORNO A POLERMO - 1984 [also Screenplay]; THE MORO AFFAIR - 1986 [also Screenplay & Actor; Probably his most famous film about the Red Brigade kidnapping the Chief of the Christian Democraty, whose body was found 55 days later in the trunk of a red Renault. This film displayed that the Italian political and judicial system was just as crooked as the Red Brigade.]; CONTRA-DICTION: IL CASO NICARAGUA - 1988; NARCOS - 1992 [also Screenwriter]; GIOVANNI FALCONE - 1993 [also Screenplay]; STATE SECRET - 1995; DONNE DI MAFIA - 2001 [TV Movie; also Writer]; THE BANKERS OF GOD: THE CALVI AFFAIR - 2003 [also Screenplay]; GUIDO CHE SFIDO LE BRIGATE ROSSE - 2007 [also Screenplay]; ALL HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL - 2008 [also Actor]; ROMA NUDA - 2013 [His final directorial effort]. Mr. Ferrara also co-wrote the Screenplay to LA POSTA IN GIOCO - 1988; and acted in the films A POCKETFUL OF CHESTNUTS - 1970; SON TORNATE A FIORIRE LE ROSE - 1975 and L'ISPETTORE SARTE-UN POLIZIOTTO, UNA CITTA - 1992 [TV Series]. Giuseppe Ferrara died of cardiopulmonary arrest and was 83 years-old.) - 06/25/16
BUD SPENCER (Actor: Barrel-chested Italian actor [real name: Carlo Pedersoli, which he used early during his acting career, but he changed his name to Bud Spencer as an homage to Spencer Tracy and to the American beer Budweiser.] who was well-known and loved for the series of TRINITY Spaghetti Westerns he did with Terence Hill [Real name: Mario Girotti; they did 18 films together, not all of them TRINITY films], as well as the many FLATFOOT, EXTRALARGE and other films of every type he starred in. He was a real star in Italy [Believe it or not, he was an Olympic swimmer before the acting bug bit him!] as well as most of the world and was instantly regognizable as the giant strong man, even if people didn't know his name. This is another real blow to me in a year full of tragic deaths. I have loved Spencer ever since I first saw him in a movie theater back in the early-70's and searched out every thing he did after that. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise specified]:  QUEL FANTASMA FI MIO MARITO - 1950; QUO VADIS - 1951; HUMAN TORPEDOS - 1954; A HERO OF OUR TIMES - 1957; A FAREWELL TO ARMS - 1957; MAMA'S BOY - 1957; HANNIBAL - 1959 [Spencer's first film with Terence Hill, both acting under their real names]; GOD FORGIVES...I DON'T! - 1967; TODAY WE KILL, TOMORROW WE DIE! - 1968; BEYOND THE LAW - 1968; ACE HIGH - 1968; THE FIVE MAN ARMY - 1969; BOOT HILL - 1969; THE FIFTH DAY OF PEACE - 1970; THEY CALL ME TRINITY - 1970 [The film that made him a world-wide name as "Bambino", along with Terence Hill as Trinity]; BLACKIE THE PIRATE - 1971; TRINITY IS STILL MY NAME! - 1971; FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET - 1971 [Spencer works with Dario Argento!]; IT CAN BE DONE, AMIGO - 1972; BLACK TURIN - 1972; ALL THE WAY BOYS - 1972 [also composer of the song "Flying Through the Air"]; A REASON TO LIVE, A REASON TO DIE - 1972; EVEN ANGELS EAT BEANS - 1973 [also composer of the song "Angel and Beans"]; THE KNOCK OUT COP - 1973 [his first time portraying "Inspector 'Flatfoot' Rizzo]; WATCH OUT, WE'RE MAD - 1974; TURN THE OTHER CHEEK - 1974; FLATFOOT IN HONG KONG - 1975; SOLDIER OF FORTUNE - 1976; CHARLESTON - 1977; CRIME BUSTERS - 1977 [also composer of the song "Angel and Beans"]; FLATFOOT IN AFRICA - 1978; UPPERCUT - 1978; TRINITY: GAMBLING FOR HIGH STAKES - 1978; THE SHERIFF AND THE SATELLITE KID - 1979 [Sci-Fi Western inspired by CLOSE ENCOUNTERS]; I'M FOR THE HIPPOPOTAMUS - 1979 [Spencer teamed with Terence Hill in a non-TRINITY film]; FLATFOOT ON THE NILE - 1980; EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME - 1980 [Sci-Fi Western]; BUDDY GOES WEST - 1981; WHO FINDS A FRIEND FINDS A TREASURE - 1981; BANANA JOE - 1982 [also Story credit]; BOMBER - 1982; CAT AND DOG - 1983; GO FOR IT - 1983; DOUBLE TROUBLE - 1984 [with Terence Hill]; TRINITY: GOOD GUYS AND BAD GUYS - 1985; ALADDIN - 1986; BIG MAN-AN UNUSUAL INSURANCE - 1988 [The first of a series of TV Movies starring Spencer as "Jack Clementi". Spencer also wrote the Screenplays to all the films.]; BIG MAN-THE FALSE ETRUSCAN - 1988 [TV Movie]; BIG MAN-THE DIVA - 1988 [TV Movie]; BIG MAN-BOOMERANG - 1988 [TV Movie]; BIG MAN-$395 AN OUNCE - 1988 [TV Movie]; BIG MAN-A POLICY FOR HELL - 1988 [TV Movie]; SPEAKING OF THE DEVIL - 1991; EXTRALARGE: BLACK AND WHITE - 1991 [A series of TV Movies {an extension of the BIG MAN series of TV Movies} very popular throughout the world, except for the United States, where Spencer portrayed the title character "Jack 'Extralarge' Climenti", first with ex-MIAMI VICE sidekick Philip Michael Thomas and then with ex-POLICE ACADEMY sound effects jokester Michael Winslow]; EXTRALARGE: MIAMI KILLER - 1991 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: MOVING TARGET - 1992 [TV Movie]; DETECTIVE EXTRALARGE: YO-YO - 1992 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: CANNONBALL - 1992 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: BLACK MAGIC - 1992 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: LORD OF THE SUN - 1993 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: INDIANS - 1993 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: NINJA SHADOW - 1993 [TV Movie; also Screenplay & Producer]; EXTRALARGE: GONZALES' REVENGE - 1993 [TV Movie]; EXTRALARGE: DIAMONDS - 1993 [TV Movie; also Screenplay & Producer]; EXTRALARGE: CONDOR MISSION - 1993 [TV Movie; also Producer]; THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - 1994; WE ARE ANGELS - 1997 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; FIREWORKS - 1997; TO THE LIMIT - 1997; THREE FOREVER - 1998; HIJOS DEL VIENTO - 2000; SINGING BEHIND SCREENS - 2003; FATHER HOPE - 2005 [TV Movie]; KILLING IS MY BUSINESS, HONEY - 2009; RECIPE FOR CRIME - 2010 [TV Series Regular; 10 episodes]; NINJA MISSION FORCE - 2013 [TV Series]; ZOE - 2016 [Short; his last acting role]. Bud Spencer was especially big [pun intended] in Germany, where he made many appearance on German TV talk shows, game shows and documentaries were made about him. He was also an inventer [He holds a Juris Doctor degree] who has several patents registered in his name. He was also a helicopter and plane pilot and owned an air transport business thanks to his role in ALL THE WAYS BOYS. He won many foreign film awards during his career, including a Bambi Award® [shared with Terence Hill] in 1975; two Jupiter Awards® for "Best International Actor" in 1978 & 1979; two German Bravo Otto Awards® in 1978 & 1979 for "Best Actor"; a David di Donatello Award® in 2010 for his career in films; an Italian Online Movie Award® in 2012 for "Lifetime Achievement"; and many others. In 2005 Spencer entered politics, standing as regional councillor in Lazio for the center-right Forza Italia party. He became a politician specifically at the bequest of then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. According to Spencer: "In my life, I've done everything. There are only three things I haven't been - a ballet dancer, a jockey and a politician. Given that the first two jobs are out of the question, I'll throw myself into politics." Unfortunately, he lost and Berlusconi was defeated in office in 2006. Bud Spencer was a man of many talents, but his acting was especially piognant to me. He could be mean, gentle, funny and downright scary and I, personally, will miss him. A very important actor from my childhood until today. He is one of the main reasons I love Spaghetti Westerns and always will. Goodbye gentle giant. The world will not be the same without you. Bud Spencer died of natural causes and was 86 years-old. It makes sense that he was born on Halloween in 1929.) - 06/27/16
AHARON IPALE (Actor: Best known as the Pharaoh In THE MUMMY - 1999 and THE MUMMY RETURNS - 2001, Mr. Ipalé, who was born on Morocco, was instantly recognizable as the bad Arab guy [even though he was Jewish] or Biblical figure in countless TV Series and Films. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1963 [unknown amount of episodes]; W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM - 1969; CHRIST RECRUCIFIED - 1969 [TV mini-series]; HIS NAME WAS MADRON - 1970 [TF]; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - 1971 [TF]; THE ADVENTURER - 1972; JASON KING - 1972; INNOCENT BYSTANDERS - 1972 [TF]; THE ZOO GANG - 1974; WARSHIP - 1974; THE VENTURERS - 1975; MOSES THE LAWGIVER - 1974-1975 [TV mini-series]; CENTRE PLAY - 1975; RAID ON ENTEBBE - 1976 [TV Movie; also Technical Advisor]; TOO HOT TO HANDLE - 1977 [TF]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1977; THE FEATHER AND FATHER GANG - 1977; THE HOSTAGE HEART - 1977 [TV Movie]; KOJAK - 1977; POLICE WOMAN - 1978; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1978; THE IMMIGRANTS - 1978 [TV Movie]; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1978; TAXI - 1979; VEGA$ - 1979; SALVAGE 1 - 1979, THE CONCORDE...AIRPORT '79 - 1979 [TF]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979; HAGEN - 1980; THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES HOLLYWOOD - 1980 [TF]; XANADU - 1980 [TF]; IT'S A LIVING - 1981; THE FINAL OPTION - 1982 [TF]; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1982 [5 episodes]; SADAT - 1983; RITA HAYWORTH: THE LOVE GODDESS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984; DYNASTY - 1984; ON A NARROW BRIDGE - 1985 [TF]; THE FALL GUY - 1985; CODE NAME: FOXFIRE - 1985; THE SHOOTING PARTY - 1985 [TF]; BEVERLY HILLS COWGIRL BLUES - 1985 [TV Movie]; SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - 1986 [unknown amount of episodes]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1986; THE EQUALIZER - 1986; ISHTAR - 1987 [TF]; WISEGUY - 1987; MACGYVER - 1987; VIBES - 1988 [TF]; MIAMI VICE - 1988; B.L. STRYKER - 1989; ONE MAN OUT - 1989 [TF]; 1ST & TEN: THE CHAMPIONSHIP - 1989; TOP OF THE HILL - 1989 [TV Movie]; DRUG WARS: THE CAMARENA STORY - 1990 [TV mini-series]; A GHOST IN MONTE CARLO - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE TRAGEDY OF FLIGHT 103: THE INSIDE STORY - 1990 [TV Movie]; WIOU - 1991; FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1991; THE GREAT PRETENDER - 1991 [TV Movie]; EYE OF THE WIDOW - 1991 [TF]; SWEATING BULLETS - 1992; TARZAN - 1993; AMERICAN NINJA 5 - 1993 [TF]; SON OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1993 [TF]; INVISIBLE: THE CHRONICLES OF BENJAMIN KNIGHT - 1993 [TF]; DOOMSDAY GUN - 1994 [TV Movie]; FORTUNE HUNTER - 1994; GUARDIAN ANGEL - 1994 [MFHV]; THE ROCKFORD FILES: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE - 1995 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990-1995; A KID IN ALADDIN'S PALACE - 1997 [MFHV]; LAW & ORDER - 1997; SUPPLY & DEMAND - 1998 [TV mini-series]; SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, INC - 1998; THE MUMMY - 1999 [TF]; THE PRINCESS AND THE BARRIO BOY - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE MUMMY RETURNS - 2001 [TF]; ALIAS - 2001-2002 [4 episodes]; HIDDEN HILLS - 2002; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: THE MUSICAL - 2006 [TF]; SLEEPER CELL - 2006; THE UNIT - 2007; CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR - 2007 [TF]; THE BIBLE - 2013 [TV Movie]; I'LL BE HOME SOON - 2014 [Short]; THE BRINK - 2015; RAY DONOVAN - 2015 [his last acting role]. Aharon Ipalé died in his home in Israel of unknown causes and was 74 years-old.) - 06/28/16
ROBIN HARDY (Director/Writer: Mr. Hardy is famous for directing one of the most atmospheric and sensual horror films of the 1970's, THE WICKER MAN - 1973, but he actually started out in the United States and Canada in the 1960's making commercials and educational films. Even though he doesn't have many theatrical credits, he was also a well-known author and novelist. His credits included: THE WICKER MAN - 1973 [Director & uncredited Actor only]; SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER - 1978 [TV Series; Actor only]; THE FANTASIST - 1986 [Director & Writer; a very good film I love more than THE WICKER MAN]; FORBIDDEN SUN - 1989 [Writer & Executive Producer only]; THE WICKER TREE - 2011 [Director & Writer; sequel to THE WICKER MAN, where Hardy is also credited with writing two songs on the soundtrack; his final credit]. Mr. Hardy was also mentioned in the credits of the surreal remake of THE WICKER MAN - 2006, which I still think is a purposeful comedy and not an unintentional one as proclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Mr. Hardy wanted to make a third WICKER MAN film as a tribute to his friend, Sir Christopher Lee, but he passed away of unknown causes before he could make it. Robin Hardy was 86 years-old.) - 07/01/16
TEDDY ROONEY (Actor/Musician: Teddy Rooney was the son of actors Mickey Rooney and Martha Vickers [They were married from 1949 to 1951, Vickers being the third of Mickey Rooney's eight wives], who has a very small film credits list because he quit acting to pursue a career as a musician. He played bass and sang with his half-brothers Mickey Jr. and Tim. His credits included: PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957 [TV Series]; ANDY HARDY COMES HOME - 1958 {Theatrical Film; Played Mickey Rooney's son]; AMERICA PAUSES FOR THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY - 1959 [TV Movie]; THE LINKLETTER SHOW - 1959 [TV Series]; STARTIME - 1959 [TV Series]; IT HAPPENED TO JANE - 1959 [Theatrical Film]; THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF - 1959 [TV Movie]; THE REBEL - 1960 [TV Series]; SEVEN WAYS FROM SUNDOWN - 1960 [Theatrical Film]; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1960 [TV Series]; THE DINAH SHORE CHEVY SHOW - 1960 [TV Series]; WAGON TRAIN - 1960 [TV Series]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1960 [TV Series]; HEDDA HOPPER'S HOLLYWOOD - 1960 [TV Documentary]; THE DICK CLARK SHOW - 1960 [TV Series]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1961 [TV Series]; LASSIE - 1962 [TV Series]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1963 {TV Series; his last acting role]. Teddy Rooney suffered from a long illness and was 66 years-old.) - 06/02/16
CAROLINE AHERNE (Actress/Director/Producer/Writer: Ms. Aherne was a British born actress who excelled in comedy and died much too young. Her Credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: FRANK SIDEBOTTOM'S FANTASTIC SHED SHOW - 1992 [Actress; 3 episodes]; CATHOLICS AND SEX - 1992 [TV mini-series; Actress]; THE DEAD GOOD SHOW [TV Movie; Actress & Writer]; IT'S A MAD WORLD, WORLD, WORLD, WORLD - 1993 [TV Movie; Actress]; COMIC TIMING - 1993 [Actress & Writer of one episode]; THE WORLD OF LEE EVANS - 1995 [Actress]; THE SMELL OF REEVES AND MORTIMER - 1995 [Actress]; AUNTIE'S ALL-TIME GREATS - 1996 [TV Movie; Actress]; THE MRS. MERTON SHOW - 1995-1998 [Actress and Writer of 29 episodes; BAFTA TV Award® winner in 1997 for Best Talk Show]; MRS. MERTON AND MALCOLM - 1999 [Actress, Producer & Writer of 6 episodes]; DOSSA AND JOE - 2002 [Director, Producer & Writer of 6 episodes]; SUNSHINE - 2008 [Actress]; THE FATTEST MAN IN BRITAIN - 2008 [TV Movie; Writer]; THE FAST SHOW FASTER - 2011 [Actress]; THE ROYALE FAMILY - 1998-2012 [Actress & Writer of 25 episodes; Director of 11 episodes; Producer of 8 episodes; BAFTA TV Award® winner in 2000 & 2007 for Best Situation Comedy; also nominated in 1999 & 2001]; THE SECURITY MEN - 2013 [TV Movie; Writer, Executive Producer and Creator];  THE FAST SHOW - 1994-2014 [Actress of 23 episodes; Writer of 10 episodes]; STRANGE HILL HIGH - 2013-2014 [Actress of 26 episodes]; AFTER HOURS - 2015 [Actress]; POUND SHOP WARS - 2012-2015 [Narrator of 10 episodes]; GOGGLEBOX - 2013-2016 [Narrator of 60 episodes; Her final credits]. Ms. Aherne was also a popular British TV talk show guest and won several other British TV awards for her work. She also had an IQ of 177. Caroline Aherne passed away due to cancer and was just 52 years-old.) - 07/02/16
MICHAEL CIMINO (Director/Producer/Writer: Cimino only directed 8 films during his life, but he held the distinction of both winning an Academy Award® and then accused of almost bankrupting United Artists/MGM with a film made just a couple of years later. Clint Eastwood took an instant liking to him after he wrote a Dirty Harry film and let him direct and write one of his best films of the 70's [at least in my opinion], but the fiasco of 1980 nearly ruined his career as a filmmaker [which I found totally unfair since he had a distinct style all his own]. Michael Cimino's credits included [all Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SILENT RUNNING - 1971 [Screenplay only]; MAGNUM FORCE - 1973 [Screenplay only]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974 [Director & Screenplay]; THE DEER HUNTER - 1978 [Director,Producer & Screenplay; Won five Academy Awards®, including two for Cimino for Best Director and Best Film Of The Year; Won a DGA Award® for Best Director; The Russian Roulette scene would be copied countless times in films and on TV.]; THE ROSE - 1979 [Uncredited Screenplay rewrites]; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980 [The film that nearly ruined Cimino's career due to cost overruns and the final long-running final print {over 300 minutes, which he cut down to 219 minutes} he turned in {which would have meant theaters could only show the film two or three times a day}. The studio cut it down to a more acceptable length of 149 minutes, but the film made no sense. I watched Cimino's Director's cut of the film a few years ago and found it flawed, but mesmerizing. It probably would have won awards if United Artists released Cimino's version.]; 250.000 MUCKEN IM PAPPKARTEN - 1985 [Screenplay only; German film not released in the United States]; YEAR OF THE DRAGON - 1985 [Director & Screenwriter {with Oliver Stone}; one of the better action films of the 80's even though it was nominated for several Razzie Awards®]; THE SICILIAN - 1987 [Director & Producer]; DESPERATE HOURS - 1990 [Director & Producer]; THE SUNCHASER - 1996 [Director & Producer]; TO EACH HIS OWN CINEMA - 2007 [Director only]; Il PIANTO DELLA STATUA - 2007 [Screenplay only; his final credit]. Mr. Cimino was also a published author, writing the novel "Big Jane" - 2001, among others. He was big in France because his views on film, a mixture of fatalistic beauty, mixed with stylized and realistic violence, struck a chord with the French people, whose films of the 1930's also had those elements. In 2001, the French Minister of Culture decorated him Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and the Prix Littéraire Deauville 2001, an award that previously went to Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal. There are also rumors that he contributed rewrites to the films THE DOGS OF WAR - 1980 and THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1984, but his involvement with those films remains unsubstantiated. He was also set to direct FOOTLOOSE - 1984, but Producer Daniel Melnick fired him when he asked to make screenplay changes. He was also hired to direct THE KING OF COMEDY - 1982, but his preoccupation with HEAVEN'S GATE got him fired and replaced by Martin Scorsese. Michael Cimino certainly lived an interesting life, with more films unmade than made because of HEAVEN'S GATE fiasco and the stigma that was attached to him because of it, but he endured and will always be remembered. Michael Cimino died in France of undisclosed causes and was 77 years-old.) - 07/02/16
EUAN LLOYD (British Film Producer: Mr. Lloyd produced one of my favorite star-packed action films of the 70's, THE WILD GEESE - 1978, but he began Producing long before then. His credits included: LOVE IN MONACO - 1959 [Documentary; also Director & Writer]; THE SECRET WAYS - 1961 [Associate Producer]; GENGHIS KHAN - 1965 [Associate Producer]; THE POPPY IS ALSO A FLOWER - 1966; MURDERER'S ROW - 1966 [Associate Producer]; SHALAKO - 1968; CATLOW - 1971; THE MAN CALLED NOON - 1973; PAPER TIGER - 1975; THE WILD GEESE - 1978; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980; THE FINAL OPTION - 1982; WILD GEESE II - 1985 [His last Producing credit]. Mr. Lloyd also directed two short films, APRIL IN PORTUGAL - 1956 and LAND OF LAUGHTER - 1957 [also Writer]. Euan Lloyd was 92 years-old.) - 07/02/16
ROGER DUMAS (French Actor/Comedian: Mr. Dumas has been acting in films and on TV since the early 1950's. He has appeared in many memorable films, some during the French New Wave. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: WILD FRUIT - 1954; BEFORE THE DELUGE - 1954; MAID IN PARIS - 1956; IF ALL THE GUYS IN THE WORLD... - 1956; HER BRIDAL NIGHT - 1956; ISABELLE IS AFRAID OF MEN - 1957; MIMI PINSON - 1958; ASPHALT - 1959; RUE DE PARIS - 1959; SIGNED, ARSENE LUPIN - 1959; BELLS WITHOUT JOY - 1962; CROSS OF THE LIVING - 1962; THE DEADLY DECOY - 1962; HELENE - 1962 [TV Movie]; SQUEAK-SQUEAK - 1963; THAT MAN FROM RIO - 1964; CHANCE AT LOVE - 1964; CODE NAME: TIGER - 1964; AN ORCHID FOR THE TIGER - 1965; LINE OF DEMARCATION - 1966; DEAR CAROLINE - 1968; BIG BANK ROLL - 1969; BRUNO: SUNDAY'S CHILD - 1969; RAGING FISTS - 1975; THE AY-RAB - 1975; THE PHONEY - 1975; DEAR INSPECTOR - 1977; THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1979 [TV mini-series]; CINEMA 16 - 1976-1983 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE OUTSIDER - 1983; FORT SAGANNE - 1984; THE PUBLIC WOMAN - 1984; LOVE ON THE QUIET - 1985; FOLLOW MY GAZE - 1986; THE DEBUTANTE - 1986; MASKS - 1987; TOP MANAGERS - 1987; THE ENIGMATIC MISTER S. - 1987 [TV Movie]; CHOUANS! - 1988; THE SANDWICH YEARS - 1988; BUNKER PALACE HOTEL - 1989; THE RETURN OF LEMMY CAUTION - 1989 [TV Movie]; LAURA AND LUIS - 1989 [TV mini-series]; MACARONI - 1991 [TV Movie]; A TALE OF WINTER - 1992; LOULOU GRAFFITI - 1992; PETAIN - 1993; NAVARRO - 1989-1993 [TV Series]; A NEW LIFE - 1993; NEW WORLD - 1995; TYKHO MOON - 1996; SOLEIL - 1997; MAIGRET - 1997 [TV Series]; THE CORRIDORS OF TIME: THE VISITORS II - 1998; THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1998 [TV mini-series; his second mini-series of the same novel]; LES DESTINEES - 2000; LES MISERABLES - 2000 [TV mini-series]; INCH'ALLAH SUNDAY - 2001; THE THIBAULTS - 2003 [TV mini-series]; VENUS AND APOLLO - 2005 [TV Series]; INTERNAL AFFAIRS - 2005 [TV Series]; COMEDY OF POWER - 2006; LE GRAND MEAULNES - 2006; HUNTING AND GATHERING - 2007; I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A GANGSTER - 2007; CA$H - 2008; THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE - 2008; BANK ERROR IN YOUR FAVOUR - 2009; THE CONCERT - 2009; MOM LOST IT! - 2009 [TV Movie]; DUMAS - 2010; BEHIND THE WALLS 3D - 2010 [The first French live action movie shot in 3D and it was a horror film]; ZAFARA - 2012 [Voice only]; THE LANZAC CLAN - 2013 [TV Movie]; FIRST GROWTH - 2015 [his last acting role]. Mr. Dumas also had literally dozens of Films, TV Series and TV Movies that were never dubbed or subtitled into English. He also released a music/comedy album, "Pieces Of Mind" in 2008. Roger Dumas was 84 years-old.) - 07/03/16
NOEL NEILL (Actress: Best known as reporter "Lois Lane" on the 50's TV Series ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1953-1958, Ms. Neill was acting long before then and took a 20 year sabbatical from acting once the series ended. First we lose Jack Larson in 2015, who played "Jimmy Olsen" on the series and now we lose Ms. Neill. All it does is remind me how old I really am. I remember coming home from school during the 60's and watching the series religiously when it was in syndication. Ms. Neill's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MAD YOUTH - 1940; HENRY ALDRICH FOR PRESIDENT - 1941; MISS POLLY - 1941; THE REMARKABLE ANDREW - 1942; SHE'S IN THE ARMY - 1942; MISS ANNIE ROONEY - 1942; HENRY AND DIZZIE - 1942; SALUTE FOR THREE - 1943; PRAIRIE CHICKENS - 1943; LADY OF BURLESQUE - 1943; YOUNG IDEAS - 1943; LET'S FACE IT - 1943; STANDING ROOM ONLY - 1944; HENRY ALDRICH'S LITTLE SECRET - 1944; ARE THESE OUR PARENTS? - 1944; OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY - 1944; RAINBOW ISLAND - 1944; HERE COME THE WAVES - 1944; BRING ON THE GIRLS - 1945; DUFFY'S TAVERN - 1945; THE STORK CLUB - 1945; TARS AND SPARS - 1946; THE BLUE DAHLIA - 1946; THE WELL-GROOMED BRIDE - 1946; JUNIOR PROM - 1946; FREDDIE STEPS OUT - 1946; HIGH SCHOOL HERO - 1946; VACATION DAYS - 1947; OVER THE SANTA FE TRAIL - 1947; SMASH-UP: THE STORY OF A WOMAN - 1947; SARGE GOES TO COLLEGE - 1947; THE HAL ROACH COMEDY CARNIVAL - 1947; THE FABULOUS JOE - 1947; BRICK BRADFORD - 1947; SMART POLITICS - 1948; GLAMOUR GIRLS - 1948; THE BIG CLOCK - 1948; ARE YOU WITH IT? - 1948; CAMPUS SLEUTH - 1948; SUPERMAN - 1948 [The first time she played Lois Lane; Kirk Alyn portrays Superman]; BEYOND GLORY - 1948; MUSIC MAN - 1948; ADVENTURES OF FRANK AND JESSE JAMES - 1948; WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME - 1948; GUN RUNNER - 1949; SON OF A BADMAN - 1949; THE SKY DRAGON - 1949; FORGOTTEN WOMEN - 1949; THE JAMES BROTHERS OF MISSOURI - 1949; RED, HOT AND BLUE - 1949; ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN - 1950 [Alyn again portrays Superman and Neill is Lois Lane]; THE CISCO KID - 1950 [TV Series]; THE LONE RANGER - 1951 [TV Series]; ABILENE TRAIL - 1951; AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - 1951; WHISTLING HILLS - 1951; SUBMARINE COMMAND - 1951; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1951 [TV Series]; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1952; RACKET SQUAD - 1952 [TV Series]; MONTANA INCIDENT - 1952; INVASION U.S.A. - 1952; GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES - 1953; STAMP DAY FOR SUPERMAN - 1954 [Short]; PUBLIC DEFENDER - 1954; THE LAWLESS RIDER - 1954; ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1953-1958 [TV Series; 78 episodes; She replaced Phyllis Coates in the part on the TV series when Coates was offered a leading part in another TV series and left the show in 1952.] Noel Neill takes a 20 year absence from acting. SUPERMAN - 1978 [Neill makes a cameo on a train as Lois Lane's {Margot Kidder} mother, while original screen Superman Kirk Alyn portrays Lois' father]; SUPERMAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY - 1988 [TV Movie Documentary]; SUPERBOY - 1991 [TV Series]; HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 - 2004 [Short]; SURGE OF POWER - 2004; SUPERMAN RETURNS - 2006 [The first time Neill didn't portray Lois Lane or a relative of hers in a Superman film or TV series; Jack Larson also had a cameo as a bartender.]; SURGE OF POWER: REVENGE OF THE SEQUEL - 2017 [In post-production at the time of her death. Her final acting role]. In her teens Noel Neill was a popular photographic model. While Betty Grable's pin-up was #1 among GIs during World War II, Neill ranked next. She worked as a professional singer and dancer, under contract to Bing Crosby. Noel Neill suffered from a long illness and passed away at the age of 95 years-old.) - 07/03/16
JOHN MCMARTIN (Actor: Mr. McMartin was a veteran Stage actor who ventured into TV and films, but working live on-stage was his first love. Even though he did plenty of plays and musicals, his face will instantly be recognizable to those of us who watch TV and Movies. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1958; FRONTIERS OF FAITH - 1961; RIDE WITH TERROR - 1963 [TV Movie]; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1961-1963 [unknown amount of episodes]; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1964 [3 episodes]; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964; MR. BROADWAY - 1964; A THOUSAND CLOWNS - 1965 [Theatrical Film]; WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT FEELING GOOD? - 1968 [Theatrical Film]; PREMIERE - 1968; SWEET CHARITY - 1969 [Theatrical Film; Reprised the role he played on Broadway]; JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE - 1969; MEDICAL CENTER - 1969; INSIGHT - 1970; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1970; RITUAL OF EVIL - 1970 [TV Movie; it has rightfully become a cult item]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1970; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1971; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971; GOD BLESS MR. FERGUSON - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1973; HARRY O - 1974; CANNON - 1975; FEAR ON TRIAL - 1975 [TV Movie]; PHYLLIS - 1975-1976; ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN - 1976 [Theatrical Film]; FAY - 1976; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1976; THE FATAL WEAKNESS - 1976 [TV Movie]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1976; THIEVES - 1977 [Theatrical Film]; THE DEFECTION OF SIMAS KUDIRKA - 1978 [TV Movie]; DEAR DETECTIVE - 1979; BUTTERFLIES - 1979 [TV Movie]; BRUBAKER - 1980 [Theatrical Film; one of my favorite prison movies]; THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1980 [TV Movie]; HART TO HART - 1981; BLOW OUT - 1981 [Theatrical Film]; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1975-1981; PENNIES FROM HEAVEN - 1981 [Theatrical Film; Mr. McMartin got to sing and dance, using his natural abilities]; THE LAST NINJA - 1983 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1982-1984; DREAM LOVER - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; MURROW - 1986 [TV Movie]; FALCON CREST - 1985-1986 [8 episodes]; LEGAL EAGLES - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; KAY O'BRIEN - 1986; MAGNUM P.I. - 1984-1986; NATIVE SON - 1986 [Theatrical Film]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1987; WHO'S THAT GIRL? - 1987 [Theatrical Film; the big bomb of 1987; vanity production for Madonna; film is forever, but her acting was abysmal]; LINCOLN - 1988 [TV mini-series]; ROOTS: THE GIFT - 1988 [TV Movie]; TATTINGER'S - 1989; DAY ONE - 1989 [TV Movie]; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1987-1989 [4 episodes]; CHEERS - 1989; LITTLE SWEETHEART - 1989 [Theatrical Film]; A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM - 1990 [Theatrical Film; an underrated comic thriller with one hell of an ending]; SEPARATE BUT EQUAL - 1991 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1991 [4 episodes]; EMPTY NEST - 1992; CITIZEN COHN - 1992 [Pay TV Movie]; SISTERS - 1992; COACH - 1990-1992; BOB - 1993; FRASIER - 1994; THREE BUSINESSMEN - 1998 [Theatrical Film]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1997-1998; SPIN CITY - 1999; OZ - 2000; THE DISH - 2000 [Theatrical Film]; H.U.D. - 2000 [TV Movie]; FURTHER TALES OF THE CITY - 2001 [3 episodes]; KINSEY - 2004 [Theatrical Film]; NO RESERVATIONS - 2007 [Theatrical Film]; LAW & ORDER - 1992-2009 [5 episodes; if you were an actor in New York City, making an appearance on this show was a prerequisite]; UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT - 2015 [his last acting role on film]. As unbelievable as it sounds, Mr. McMartin never won a Tony® or Emmy Award® for his extremely long body of work. He was nominated for a Tony Award® five times [the last one being Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in "Into the Woods" in May 2002], but he never won. What I really find unbelievable is that he wasn't even nominated for an Emmy Award®, considering all the amazing TV Movies and mini-series he acted in. John McMartin passed away from cancer and was 86 years-old.) - 07/06/16
NORMAN ABBOTT (TV Director: Norman Abbott was a famous director of TV series and TV Movies and rarely stepped out of that medium. He was also the nephew of Bud Abbott [who raised him with his Bud's mother, Olivia], of Abbott & Costello fame, my favorite comedy team of all time. It was Bud who talked Norman into becoming a TV director, having another family member continue in show business. Mr. Abbott's credits included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: STARS OF JAZZ - 1956; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; THE GEORGE GOBEL SHOW - 1958 [6 episodes]; THE ALL-STAR CHRISTMAS SHOW - 1958 [TV Special]; THE THIN MAN - 1959; THE DENNIS O'KEEFE SHOW - 1959; LOVE AND MARRIAGE - 1959; BACHELOR FATHER - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; DENNIS THE MENACE - 1960; FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1954-1960 [unknown amount of episodes] ICHABOD AND ME - 1961-1962 [4 episodes]; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1960-1962 [43 episodes]; MCKEEVER & THE COLONEL - 1962-1963; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962-1963 [16 episodes]; MCHALES NAVY - 1963-1964; THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM - 1961-1965 [38 episodes; also Producer of 22 episodes; Emmy Award® winner for Best Director in 1965]; KAREN - 1965; THE MUNSTERS - 1964-1966 [12 episodes, including the unaired pilot]; THE LAST OF THE SECRET AGENTS? - 1966 [Theatrical Film starring the comedy team of Marty Allen and Steve Rossi; also Story credit]; GET SMART - 1967 [4 episodes]; BLONDIE - 1968; JACK BENNY'S NEW LOOK - 1969 [TV Special; also Producer]; ROOM 222 - 1970; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1970; THE DON KNOTTS SHOW - 1970-1971 [13 episodes]; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1970-1971 [3 episodes]; ONCE UPON A TOUR - 1972 [TV Movie]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1973 [5 episodes]; ADAM-12 - 1974; THAT'S MY MAMA - 1975; WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975; THE GHOST BUSTERS - 1975 [8 episodes]; SANFORD AND SON - 1974-1976 [11 episodes]; OPERATION PETTICOAT - 1976 [4 episodes]; FISH - 1977; FATHER KNOWS BEST: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - 1977 [TV Movie]; DANNY AND THE MERMAID - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE BAD NEWS BEARS - 1979; WELCOME BACK, KOTTER - 1978-1979 [23 episodes]; WORKING STIFFS - 1979; CALIFORNIA FEVER - 1979; ANGIE - 1979; ALICE - 1976-1980 [6 episodes]; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1980 [3 episodes]; A LOVE LETTER TO JACK BENNY - 1981 [TV Movie Documentary]; SPRING FLING OF GLAMOUR AND COMEDY - 1981 [TV Special]; THE NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1984-1986 [3 episodes]; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1989; THE MUNSTERS TODAY - 1988-1989 [his final directorial credits]. Norman Abbott was also a stand-in for his Uncle Bud in the films RIO RITA - 1942 [also Uncredited Actor]; WHO DONE IT? - 1943 [also Uncredited Actor]; HIT THE ICE - 1943; and THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES - 1946 [my favorite film of the comedy duo]. Mr. Abbott also acted in the film KEEP 'EM SLUGGING - 1943 and the TV Series THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1954. He was also Dialogue Director on the Abbott & Costello films THE WISTFUL WIDOW OF WAGON GAP - 1947; ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN - 1948 [still one of the best horror comedies of all time]; and AFRICA SCREAMS - 1949. He also was Stage Manager for I LOVE LUCY - 1951-1954; and appeared on screen and supplied photos for an episode of TV's BIOGRAPHY titled "The Munsters: America's First Family of Fright" - 2003. Norman Abbott was 93 years-old.) - 07/09/16
JAY TORREZ (Stuntman: Jay Torrez was a young stuntman who worked in everything, from TV Series to Theatrical Films. He was found dead outside his Valencia County, New Mexico home, the possible victim of heat stroke while working out with his beloved horse. His stunt credits included: THE SHIELD - 2007 [TV]; HALLOWEEN - 2007; THE COMEBACKS - 2007; CANE - 2007 [TV]; HAMLET 2 - 2008; A BEAUTIFUL LIFE - 2008; EASY MONEY - 2008 [TV]; CRASH - 2009 [TV]; OBSERVE AND REPORT - 2009; CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE - 2009; TERMINATOR SALVATION - 2009; SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS - 2009; THE CLOSER - 2009 [TV]; GAMER - 2009; THE KEEPER - 2009; THE TERROR EXPERIMENTS - 2010; INHALE - 2010; MACHETE - 2010 [Danny Trejo's stunt double]; TERRIERS - 2010 [TV]; IN PLAIN SIGHT - 2010-2011 [TV]; METRO - 2011 [TV Movie]; THE FINDER - 2012 [TV]; ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE [RECYCLING AT THE END OF DAYS] - 2012 [Short; also played a zombie]; VEGAS - 2012 [TV]; SONS OF ANARCHY - 2012 [TV]; THE SIXTH GUN - 2013 [TV Movie]; LONGMIRE - 2013 [TV; also bit Actor]; 2 GUNS - 2013; WE'RE THE MILLERS - 2013; FORCE OF EXECUTION - 2013 [also bit Actor]; 50 TO ONE - 2014; SPARE PARTS - 2015; SICARIO - 2015; THE SCORCH TRIALS - 2015; THE CONDEMNED 2 - 2015; FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: THE SERIES - 2016 [TV]; THE LOST PUEBLO - 2016; WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT - 2016; THE NIGHT SHIFT - 2015-2016 [TV; 3 episodes]; GOLD - 2016; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 2016; SHOT CALLER - 2016; FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME - 2016 [his last credit]. He was also an accomplished martial artist, a strength and conditioning coach, a surfing instructor, and a horse trainer and wrangler [Working with horses was his favorite pasttime]. Jay Torrez was only 35 years-old.) - 07/10/16
CORRADO FARINA (Italian Director/Writer: Mr. Farina was basically known as a documentary filmmaker, but he Directed & Wrote two films that are of interest to genre fans: THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR FACE - 1971 [also uncredited Actor; a biting satire/horror film of the evils of capitalism] and BABA YAGA [a.k.a. THE DEVIL WITCH; KISS ME KILL ME - 1973; also uncredited Actor; his only pure horror film]. The rest of his directorial/writing efforts were either shorts or documentaries, although he was Assistant Director on NIGHT OF FLOWERS - 1973 and a bit actor on the film 5 MASKS - 2015, which was his last film credit. He was also a prominent TV commercial Director and novelist. Corrado Farina passed away from a heart attack and was 77 years-old.) - 07/11/16
ERIC BERGREN (Screenwriter: Even though Mr. Bergren has a short credits list, he should be remembered for having his first produced Screenplay nominated for an Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, BAFTA® and Writers Guild of America® awards for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1981 [which he would have shared with David Lynch & writing partner Christopher De Vore]. To say his work in the business was infrequent is putting it mildly, but his output was quirky. His credits included: THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1981; also bit Actor]; FRANCES - 1982 [Nominated for 2 Academy Awards, but not for writing]; ...THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THIS... - 1988 [Short; also Director]; THE DARK WIND - 1991; LITTLE GIRL FLY AWAY - 1998 [TV Movie; his last credit]. Eric Bergren passed away from liver cancer and was 62 years old.) - 07/14/16
GARRY MARSHALL (Director/Producer/Writer/Actor: Garry was much more than the brother of actress/comedienne Penny Marshall [whom he created LAVERNE & SHIRLEY for; it gave her the impetus to become a successful director]. He was a five-time Emmy Award® nominee who created, wrote, directed and produced some of the most memorable sitcoms from the 60's to the 90's [and I watched almost all of them religiously] and was also a director of some funny theatrical films, most of them romantic comedies. He was a jack of all trades and loved by the filmmaking community and audiences alike. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical film]: THE JACK PAAR SHOW - 1960 [Writer of 3 episodes]; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1963-1964 [Writer of 5 episodes]; THE BILL DANA SHOW - 1964 [Writer of 2 episodes]; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964 [Writer only]; GOMER PYLE U.S.M.C. - 1964 [Writer of 2 episodes]; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 1962-1965 [Writer of 11 episodes; Script Consultant on 15 episodes]; HANK - 1965 [Writer only]; I SPY - 1965 [Writer only]; THE LUCY SHOW - 1964-1966 [Writer of 11 episodes]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964-1966 [Writer of 18 episodes; Actor in 2 episodes]; HEY, LANDLORD! - 1966-1967 [Creator & Producer of 31 episodes; Directed & Acted in 1 episode]; SHERIFF WHO - 1967 [TV Movie; Writer & Producer only]; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1967 [Writer only]; DICK VAN DYKE - 1968 [TV Special; Writer only]; HOW SWEET IT IS! - 1968 [TF; Writer/Producer/ Uncredited Actor Only]; THE GRASSHOPPER - 1970 [TF; Writer & Producer only]; THE MURDOCKS AND THE MCCLAYS - 1970 [TV Movie; Writer only]; BAREFOOT IN THE PARK - 1970 [Writer only]; EVIL ROY SLADE - 1972 [TV Movie; Writer only]; ME AND THE CHIMP - 1972 [Creator of 13 episodes; Executive Producer and Director of 1 episode]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1973 [Writer of 19 episodes]; WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT - 1973 [TV Movie; Writer only]; DOMINIC'S DREAMS - 1974 [TV Movie; Director/Writer/Executive Producer]; THE BRIAN KEITH SHOW - 1972-1974 [Creator of 47 episodes]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1970-1975 [Creator & Executive Producer of 114 episodes; Writer of 7 episodes; Director of 6 episodes; Actor in 5 episodes; Nominated four times for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Comedy Series]; WIVES - 1975 [TV Movie; Writer & Producer]; BLANSKY'S BEAUTIES - 1977 [Creator of 13 episodes; Executive Producer of 2 episodes; Director of 1 episode]; WALKIN' WALTER - 1977 [Executive Producer of 1 episode]; WHO'S WATCHING THE KIDS - 1978-1979 [Executive Producer of 10 episodes]; BEANE'S OF BOSTON - 1979 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; ANGIE - 1979-1980 [Creator & Producer of 36 episodes]; MEAN JEANS - 1981 [Executive Producer & Director of 1 episode]; MORK & MINDY - 1978-1982 [Creator & Executive Producer of 94 episodes; Director of 1 episode; Nominated in 1979 for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Comedy Series]; YOUNG DOCTORS IN LOVE - 1982 [TF; Director & Executive Producer only]; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1976-1983 [Creator & Executive Producer of 178 episodes; Director of 2 episodes; Actor in 2 episodes]; JOANIE LOVES CHACHI - 1982-1983 [Creator of 17 episodes; Executive Producer of 3 episodes]; THE NEW ODD COUPLE - 1982-1983 [Creator of 18 episodes]; HERNDON - 1983 [TV Movie; Director & Executive Producer only]; HAPPY DAYS - 1974-1984 Creator & Executive Producer of an amazing 255 episodes; Writer of 2 episodes; Director of 1 episode in 1974; Actor on 2 episodes]; THE FLAMINGO KID - 1984 [TF; Director & Writer only]; FOUR STARS - 1986 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; NOTHING IN COMMON - 1986 [TF; Director only]; NOTHING IN COMMON - 1987 [TV Series based on his previous year's film; Producer of 1 episode]; OVERBOARD - 1987 [TF; Director & Uncredited Actor only]; BEACHES - 1988 [TF; Director & Uncredited Actor only; probably the most watched chick flick ever]; THE LOTTERY - 1989 [Short; Director only]; PRETTY WOMAN - 1990 [TF; Director & Uncredited Actor only; Another famous chick flick where Julia Roberts was nominated for an Academy Award®. Mr. Marshall would years later say how she just popped off the theatrical screen and he loved watching her grow up.]; FRANKIE AND JOHNNY - 1991 [TF; Director & Producer only]; EXIT TO EDEN - 1994 [TF; Director/Producer/Phone Voice only; One of the most unintentionally funny films ever made {even though it was meant to be a comedy}; It almost ruined Marshall's career]; DEAR GOD - 1996 [TF; Director & Actor only]; TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS - 1996 [TF; Executive Producer & Actor only]; THE OTHER SISTER - 1999 [TF; Director & Writer only]; RUNAWAY BRIDE - 1999 [TF; Director & Uncredited Actor only]; THE PRINCESS DIARIES - 2001 [TF; Director only]; RAISING HELEN - 2004 [TF; Director only]; THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT - 2004 [TF; Director only]; GEORGIA RULE - 2007 [TF; Director only]; VALENTINE'S DAY - 2010 [TF; Director & Uncredited Actor only]; NEW YEAR'S EVE - 2011 [TF; Director & Producer only; Razzie Award® nominee for Worst Director]; WENDY - 2013 [Director of 23 episodes]; SEE DAD RUN - 2014 [Writer & Actor of 1 episode]; THE ODD COUPLE - 2015-2016 [Executive Consultant on 16 episodes; Actor on 1 episode]; GRANDFATHERED - 2015-2016 [Executive Consultant on 5 episodes]; MOTHER'S DAY - 2016 [TF; Director & Story only; his final credit.]. Besides his acting credits already noted,  Garry Marshall also acted in: THE PHONY AMERICAN - 1961 [TF]; GOLDFINGER - 1964 [TF]; GOOD MORNING, WORLD - 1967; MARYJANE - 1968 [TF about marijuana!]; PSYCH-OUT - 1968 [TF; another drug film, this time about LSD]; GRAND THEFT AUTO - 1977 [Marshall gets to act beside Ron Howard in a Roger Corman film!]; VEGA$ - 1980; LOST IN AMERICA - 1985 [TF]; JUMPIN' JACK FLASH - 1986 [TF]; SECRET AGENT 00 SOUL - 1990 [TF]; SOAPDISH - 1991 [TF]; A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN - 1992 [TF; Directed by his sister Penny]; A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN - 1993 [Marshall acted in 2 episodes of the failed TV Series of Penny Marshall's film]; HOCUS POCUS - 1993 [TF; played the Devil]; NIGHT STAND - 1995; LIVE NUDE GIRLS - 1995 [TF]; PINKY AND THE BRAIN - 1997 [Voice only]; MURPHY BROWN - 1994-1997 [portrayed "Stan Lansing" in 24 episodes]; CITY GUYS - 1997; MARY JANE'S NOT A VIRGIN ANYMORE - 1998 [TF]; WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE... - 1998 [TF]; CHiPS '99 - 1998 [TV Movie]; NEVER BEEN KISSED - 1999 [TF]; THIS SPACE BETWEEN US - 1999 [TF]; NORM - 1999; CAN'T BE HEAVEN - 2000 [TF]; MADtv - 2000; TOMCATS - 2001 [TF]; THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN - 2001 [TF]; THE MAJESTIC - 2001 [TF; Voice only]; ORANGE COUNTY - 2002 [TF]; THREE SISTERS - 2001-2002; MOTHER GHOST - 2002 [TF]; MONK - 2002; RUGRATS - 2002 [Voice only]; SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH - 2002; THE LONG RIDE HOME - 2003 [TF]; THEY CALL HIM SASQUATCH - 2003 [TF]; DEVIL'S NIGHT - 2003 [TF]; LISTEN UP - 2004; FATHER OF THE PRIDE - 2004 [5 episodes; Voice only]; CHICKEN LITTLE - 2005 [TF; Voice only]; KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS - 2006 [TF]; BROTHERS & SISTERS - 2007; THE L WORD - 2007; CHRONIC TOWN - 2008 [TF]; THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM - 2008; ER - 2009; RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 2009 [TF]; ACCORDING TO JIM - 2009; THE SIMPSONS - 1999-2011; LOUIE - 2012; THE LOONEY TUNES SHOW - 2011-2013 [9 episodes; Voice only]; LIFE AFTER BETH - 2014 [TF; loved him as the grandfather in this horror/comedy]; TWO AND A HALF MEN - 2014; LIV AND MADDIE - 2014; BROOKLYN NINE-NINE - 2015; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2015; BOJACK HORSEMAN - 2015 [Voice only]; SCOOBY-DOO AND KISS: ROCK AND ROLL MYSTERY - 2015 [MFHV; Voice only]; PENN ZERO: PART-TIME HERO - 2015 [Voice only]. Mr. Marshall also made appearances on dozens of morning and nighttime talk shows, not only to talk about comedy, but also about politics. He was also a regular presence on many game shows, especially all the versions of THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. A documentary about his career was being made at the time of his death and he appeared in many other documentaries about TV sitcoms and one about directing failed sitcom pilots, which he had nore than his share of. But it is his hit series and movies we will remember him for, giving Henry Winkler, the late Robin Williams and many other stars their first taste of celebrity. A lot of people owe him favors that they can never repay, but Garry Marshall knew talent when he saw it and that was enough payment for him. We have lost another legend, especially to Baby Boomers like myself. Thankfully, most of his hit sitcoms are available on home video and streaming. And women love him for his series of hit chick flicks [some of which even I like!]. Unlike HAPPY DAYS, Garry Marshall never "jumped the shark". In his immortal words: "In the education of the American people, I am Recess." You were much more to me than that, Mr. Marshall. Much, much more. He won a PGA [Producers Guild of America] Award® in 1998 for Lifetime Achievement in Television and received a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on November 23, 1983 at 6838 Hollywood Blvd. Garry Marshall died due to complications of pneumonia and was 81 years-old.) - 07/19/16
JOHN LADALSKI (Martial Artist/Actor: John Ladalski was a Jeet Kune Do instructor under Sifu Dan Inosanto, his former teacher. As a professional instructor, John passed his knowledge of martial arts on to other performers. Mr. Ladalski worked mostly on films in Hong Kong and China, a lot of them the cut-and-past films of Director Godfrey Ho [who alerted me of his death]. In 1991 he was hired by a Malaysian film development board to train 30 performers for films and television in a three month course. He has also worked for Malaysia’s Sunny Films as a stunt/action director and trainer. His credits included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]; GAME OF DEATH - 1978; SEVEN - 1979; THE INFORMER - 1980; TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL - 1982; THE CHIEH BOXING MASTER - 1982; HERO AT THE BORDER REGION - 1982; MY REBELLIOUS SON - 1982; G-MEN '75 - 1975-1982 [Japanese TV Series]; IN THE CLAWS OF THE CIA - 1982; BLOW UP - 1982 [Date approximate]; MISSION THUNDERBOLT - 1983; MISSION TO KILL - 1983; AVENGING DRAGON - 1983; DOUBLE TROUBLE - 1984; NINJA THUNDERBOLT - 1984; CODE NAME: WILD GEESE - 1984; CITY NINJA - 1985; NINE DEATHS OF THE NINJA - 1985; THE PROTECTOR - 1985 [with Jackie Chan]; MAGNUM THUNDERBOLT - 1985; NINJA HOLOCAUST - 1985; MAJESTIC THUNDERBOLT - 1985; CHASE A FORTUNE - 1985; NINJA THE PROTECTOR - 1986; NINJA THE FINAL DUEL - 1986; ARMOUR OF GOD - 1986; SAKURA KILLERS - 1987; DOG TAGS - 1987; DIAMOND NINJA FORCE - 1988; HEROES THREE - 1988; CITY WAR - 1988; DEATH CAGE - 1988; LONG ARM OF THE LAW: PART 3 - 1989; THE INSPECTOR WEARS SKIRTS II - 1989; BURNING AMBITION - 1989; KICKBOXER - 1989; BLOODFIGHT - 1989; UNDER POLICE PROTECTION - 1989; CITY COPS - 1989; DADDA CONNECTION - 1990; SPY GAMES - 1990; AIR AMERICA - 1990; THE CYPRUS TIGERS - 1990; IN THE LINE OF DUTY 5: MIDDLE MAN - 1990; SUDDEN THUNDER - 1990 [also Action Director]; OPERATION CONDOR: ARMOUR OF GOD II - 1991; OPS BELANTARA - 1992 [also Writer]; SHAOLIN DOLEMITE - 1999 [MFHV]; PHANTOM OF SNAKE - 2000; THE WESLEY'S MYSTERIOUS FILE - 2002; ALEXANDER - 2004 [Stunts only]; THE PROTECTOR - 2005 [with Tony Jaa]; GARUDA 7 - 2016 [also Producer; filming at the time of his death]. John Ladalski passed away on the same day as his idol, Bruce Lee, and was 66 years-old.) - 07/20/16
BILL "CHILLY BILLY" CARDILLE (Actor/TV Horror Host: Bill Cardille is best remembered as the Field Reporter on the original & remake of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1968 & 1990, but many others [including myself] remember him as the host of the popular Chiller Theater {begun the year of my birth, 1957]. showing some of the worst, yet popular, horror films of the time [before horror films, he hosted Wrestling and Dance Studio programs], all airing from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on Channel 11 [He retired from Channel 11 in 1996]. He was also an original part of the local chapter of the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and did it up until the year before he passed away, making over $15 million for children with MD. His acting career was short and usually associated with zombie films [and small parts], but when you are part of a groundbreaking horror film, you are generally fondly remembered, especially on the convention circuit. He did many conventions, even some just focused on collecting the cast and crew of the original NIGHT together [sadly, a lot of them have since passed on] and he was always pleasant to his fans, especially when they mentioned Chiller Theater. His credits included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1968; THE DOCTORS - 1970 [TV Series]; DAY OF THE DEAD - 1985; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1990; THE ASSASSINATION FILE - 1996 [TV Movie]; LIVING DEAD - 2012; MEET YOUR MAKER - 2013 [Short]; MILKMAN - 2015 [Short; his last acting role]. Mr. Cardille also did a many more documentaries and films where his former footage was archived into films then he did actual films, appearing in such documentaries & films as: HORRIBLE HORROR - 1986 [archive footage only]; NIGHT OF THE DAY OF THE DAWN OF THE SON OF THE BRIDE OF THE RETURN OF TERROR - 1991 [archive footage only]; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - 1999 [archive footage only and a terrible film]; THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE - 2000 [archive footage only]; MIDNIGHT MOVIES: FROM MONSTERS TO THE MAINSTREAM - 2005 [archive footage only]; AMERICAN SCARY - 2006; ONE FOR THE FIRE: THE LEGACY OF 'NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD' - 2008; AUTOPSY OF THE DEAD - 2009; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED - 2009 [archive footage only; another horrible film]; LIGHTWEIGHT - 2011 [Short Documentary]; THAT $#!% WILL ROT YOUR BRAIN: HOW THE MONSTER KIDS TRANSFORMED POPULAR CULTURE - 2014; and SMOKE AND MIRRORS: THE STORY OF TOM SAVINI - 2015. Bill Cardille was married to the same woman [Louise Maras] since 1953 and his daughter Lori Cardille was Sarah in DAY OF THE DEAD - 1985. Bill Cardille won many awards for his work on TV and radio and was one of those people who knew how to do anything and make it seem easy when, in fact, it was very hard. Bill "Chilly Billy" Cardille passed away due to cancer and was 87 years-old.) - 07/21/16
MARNI NIXON (Singer/Actress: Ms. Nixon was the unsung heroine [pun intended] of many musical films and her voice had been dubbed [usually uncredited] for many actresses, including Deborah Kerr in THE KING AND I - 1956; Natalie Wood in WEST SIDE STORY - 1961; and Audrey Hepburn in MY FAIR LADY - 1964. She also sang uncredited in many films and acted [this time credited] in films and TV Series. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE BASHFUL BACHELOR - 1942 [Actress]; JOAN OF ARC - 1948 [Uncredited Singer]; BIG CITY - 1948 [Uncredited Singer]; THE SECRET GARDEN - 1949 [Uncredited Singer]; CINDERELLA - 1950 [Uncredited Singer]; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1951 [Uncredited Singer]; GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES - 1953 [Uncredited Singer of high notes for Marilyn Monroe]; DEMENTIA a.k.a. DAUGHTER OF HORROR [Featured Singing Voice]; THE KING AND I - 1956 [Uncredited Actress & Singer]; BOY ON A DOLPHIN - 1957 [Uncredited Singer]; AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER - 1957 [Actress & Uncredited Singer]; NEW YORK PHILHARMONICS YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS - 1961 [TV Series; Singer]; WEST SIDE STORY - 1961 [Uncredited Singer; Grammy Award® nominee for Album Of The Year; Natalie Wood thought she could sing and was horrified to discover Nixon had dubbed her singing voice. Turns out Ms. Wood was not a good singer and a one-sided feud started. Ms. Nixon was only doing what she was paid for and when she walked into the orchestration room to dub Wood's voice, the entire orchestra stood up and applauded. For years people thought that was Wood's voice because Nixon went uncredited. Many years later, Time Magazine called her the "ghostess with the mostess" and truer words were never spoken {or sung}. Both Deborah Kerr and Audrey Hepburn loved her.]; THE DANNY KAYE SHOW - 1963 [TV Series; Singer]; MARY POPPINS - 1964 [Uncredited Singer]; MY FAIR LADY - 1964 [Uncredited Singer]; BONANZA - 1965 [TV Series; Uncredited Singer]; THE SOUND OF MUSIC - 1965 [Actress & Uncredited Singer; she bore a remarkable resemblance to Julie Andrews, which is why she was usually in the background]; THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE - 1966 [TV Series; Singer]; JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - 1967 [TV Movie; Singer]; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 1968 [TV Series; Singer]; THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW - 1969 [TV Series; Actress]; WATERSHIP DOWN - 1978 [Uncredited Additional Voices];  BOOMERANG - 1979-1984 [Hostess of local Seattle TV Series; won 4 local Emmy Awards®]; TAKING MY TURN - 1984 [TV Movie; Actress]; HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, WARNER BROS. - 1991 [TV Documentary; Uncredited Singer]; SEINFELD - 1994 [TV Series; Singer]; I THINK I DO - 1997 [Actress]; MULAN - 1998 [Singer]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: THE BEST OF PHIL HARTMAN - 1998 [TV Special; Uncredited Singer]; SPACED - 1999 [TV Series; Singer]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2001 [TV Series; Actress]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2002 [TV Series; Uncredited Singer]; HOLLYWOOD SINGING AND DANCING: A MUSICAL TREASURE - 2008 [TV Documentary; Uncredited Singer]; 20 TO 1 - 2010 [TV Documentary; Uncredited Singer]; GLEE - 2011 [TV Series; Uncredited Singer; her final credit]. She also appeared as herself in over a dozen documentaries on Hollywood musicals. Ms. Nixon was a sought after voice teacher, Stravinsky’s favorite singer, a concert favorite conducted by Leonard Bernstein and Andre Previn, and a beloved Broadway actress. She also wrote an autobiography of her life called “I Could Have Sung All Night”. Marni Nixon passed away due to breast cancer and was 86 years-old.) - 07/24/16
JERRY DOYLE (Actor/Nationally Syndicated Talk Radio Show Host: Mr. Doyle is best known to audiences for portraying "Michael Garibaldi" on BABYLON 5 - 1994-1998, but he guest-starred on many other TV Series and did an occasional Theatrical Film. Jerry Doyle's credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MOONLIGHTING - 1987; REASONABLE DOUBTS - 1991; HOMEFRONT - 1991-1992; BABYLON 5: THE GATHERING - 1993 [TV Movie; his first appearance as Michael Garibaldi]; RENEGADE - 1995; THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST - 1996 [Voice only]; CAPTAIN SIMIAN & THE SPACE CHIMPS - 1997-1908 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; THE OUTSIDER - 1998 [TV Movie]; BABYLON 5: RIVER OF SOULS - 1998 [TV Movie]; BABYLON 5 - 1994-1998 [109 eposides]; BABYLON 5: CALL TO ARMS - 1999 [TV Movie]; SLIDERS - 1999; MARTIAL LAW - 1999; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 - 2000; STORM WATCH - 2000 [TF]; DEVIOUS BEINGS - 2002 [TF]; LOST TREASURE - 2003 [TF]; THE LONG RIDE HOME - 2003 [TF]; JAG - 2003; NYPD BLUE - 2004; OPEN HOUSE - 2004 [TF; also performed three songs]; REPUBLIC OF DOYLE - 2010 [His last on-screen credit, although he was in Pre-Production for a film titled THE CIRCUIT, for release in 2016.]. Mr. Doyle worked for ten years as a stockbroker on Wall Street before going to Hollywood and ran in 2000 as the Republican candidate for California's 24th Congressional District [he lost]. He launched the news platform EpicTimes with his long-time BABYLON 5 friend J. Michael Straczynski [Creator of the sci-fi series] in 2013 and in Straczynski's own words about Doyle: “He was funny, and dangerous, and loyal, and a prankster, and a pain in the ass; he was gentle and cynical and hardened and insightful and sometimes as dense as a picket fence &ldots; and his passing is a profound loss to everyone who knew him, especially those of us who fought beside him in the trenches of BABYLON 5.'” Straczynski continued: “It is another loss in a string of losses that I cannot understand. Of the main cast, we have lost Richard Biggs, Michael O’Hare, Andreas Katsulas, Jeff Conaway and now Jerry Doyle, and I’m goddamned tired of it.” Straczynski concluded: “So dear sweet universe, if you are paying attention in the vastness of interstellar space, take a moment from plotting the trajectory of comets and designing new DNA in farflung cosmos, and spare a thought for those who you have plucked so untimely from our ranks &ldots; and knock it off for a while. Because this isn’t fair. And Jerry Doyle would be the first person to tell you that. Right before he put a fist in your face. Which is what I imagine he’s doing right now, on the other side of the veil.” When the acting assignments dried up, he became a nationally syndicated talk show host on The Jerry Doyle Show. It was a popular radio program where Doyle could just speak his mind and a lot of people didn't like what he had to say, but those that knew him, yet disagreed with his views, still loved him as a person. Jerry Doyle died of undetermined causes [no foul play is expected] and was 60 years-old.) - 07/27/16
GLORIA DEHAVEN (Actress: Ms. DeHaven was an old-time movie star when being a star meant something [She was an MGM contract actress, mainly in Musicals]. When the movie roles dried up, she seamlessly inserted herself into TV and was an in-demand actress there, too. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MODERN TIMES - 1936 [TF]; SUSAN AND GOD - 1940 [TF]; KEEPING COMPANY - 1940 [TF]; THE PENALTY - 1941 [TF]; TWO-FACED WOMAN - 1941 [TF]; BEST FOOT FORWARD - 1943 [TF]; THOUSANDS CHEER - 1943 [TF]; BROADWAY RHYTHM - 1944 [TF]; TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR - 1944 [TF]; STEP LIVELY - 1944 [TF; She gave Frank Sinatra his first on-screen kiss]; BETWEEN TWO WOMEN - 1945 [TF]; THE THIN MAN GOES HOME - 1945 [TF]; SUMMER HOLIDAY - 1948 [TF]; SCENE OF THE CRIME - 1949 [TF]; YES SIR, THAT'S MY BABY - 1949 [TF]; THE DOCTOR AND THE GIRL - 1949 [TF]; THE YELLOW CAB MAN - 1950 [TF]; THREE LITTLE WORDS - 1950 [TF]; SUMMER STOCK - 1950 [TF]; I'LL GET BY - 1950 [TF]; TWO TICKETS TO BROADWAY - 1951 [TF]; THE ALAN YOUNG SHOW - 1951; DOWN AMONG THE SHELTERING PALMS - 1953 [TF]; SO THIS IS PARIS - 1954 [TF]; APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE - 1955; THE GIRL RUSH - 1955 [TF]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1956; PRODUCERS' SHOWCASE - 1957; MR. BROADWAY - 1957 [TV Movie]; THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ELLERY QUEEN - 1959; THE RIFLEMAN - 1959; JOHNNY RINGO - 1959; WAGON TRAIN - 1960; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1961; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1961; THE DEFENDERS - 1961; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1962; THE LLOYD BRIDGES SHOW - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1964; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1966; FLIPPER - 1967; MANNIX - 1967; CALL HER MOM - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE JIMMY STEWART SHOW - 1972; WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT - 1972 [TV Movie]; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1973; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1973; GUNSMOKE - 1974; NAKIA - 1974 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; MOVIN' ON - 1975; WHO IS THE BLACK DAHLIA? - 1975 [TV Movie]; BANJO HACKETT: ROAMIN' FREE - 1976 [TV Movie]; WON TON TON: THE DOG WHO SAVED HOLLYWOOD - 1976 [TF]; MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN - 1976-1977 [Series Regular; 30 episodes]; QUINCY M.E. - 1977; THE CABOT CONNECTION - 1977 [TV Movie]; SHARON: PORTRAIT OF A MISTRESS - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE TED KNIGHT SHOW - 1978; POLICE STORY - 1978; EVENING IN BYZANTIUM - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; DELTA HOUSE - 1979; BOG - 1979 [TF; her only pure horror film; she played two parts]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1979; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1980; HELLO, LARRY - 1980; DARKROOM - 1981; FANTASY ISLAND - 1978-1982; HART TO HART - 1982; FALCON CREST - 1983; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1983; PIGS VS. FREAKS - 1984 [TV Movie]; RYAN'S HOPE - 1983-1985 [13 episodes]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1983-1986; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1987-1989 [3 episodes]; LADIES ON SWEET STREET - 1990 [TF]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1993; OUTLAWS: THE LEGEND OF O.B. TAGGART - 1994 [TF]; OUT TO SEA - 1997 [TF]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2000 [her last acting role]. Ms. DeHaven was also a panelist on many game shows; a frequent guest on daytime and nighttime talk shows [dating back to THE ED WYNN SHOW in 1950]; and an established singer and dancer who would use her beautiful voice and fancy footwork on films, on TV and on Stage in plays. She was also host of the morning movie series "Prize Movie" on WABC-TV (Channel 7) in New York for a few years starting in 1969. Gloria DeHaven passed away of natural causes and was 91 years-old.) - 07/30/16
DAVID HUDDLESTON (Actor: Many people may not know the name of this supreme character actor, but his face will be instantly recognizable to anyone who watched TV or Films from the 1960's until the present. He was the John Goodman of his time and never put in a bad performance [he co-starred with Goodman in THE BIG LEBOWSKI - 1998]. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: SHOTGUN SLADE - 1960; HARRIGAN AND SON - 1961; ALL THE WAY HOME - 1963 [TF]; BLACK LIKE ME - 1964 [TF]; A LOVELY WAY TO DIE - 1968 [TF]; SLAVES - 1969 [TF]; ADAM-12 - 1969; THEN CAME BRONSON - 1969; SOUTHERN FRIED - 1970 [TV Movie]; WUSA - 1970 [TF]; NORWOOD - 1970 [TF]; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1970; RIO LOBO - 1970 [TF; his first film with John Wayne]; ROOM 222 - 1971; SARGE - 1971; BEWITCHED - 1970-1971 [3 episodes]; FOOL'S PARADE - 1971 [TF]; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1971; CANNON - 1971; THE PARTNERS - 1971; SUDDENLY SINGLE - 1971 [TV Movie]; SOMETHING BIG - 1971 [TF; a totally underrated film. The log drowning scene is still fresh in my mind 35 years after seeing it in a theater]; BRIAN'S SONG - 1971 [TV Movie; one of the best male tear-jerkers of all time]; THE HOMECOMING: A CHRISTMAS STORY - 1971 [TV Movie]; LONGSTREET - 1971; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1972; BAD COMPANY - 1972 [TF; Huddleston co-starred with a young Jeff Bridges. They would later appear together again in THE BIG LEBOWSKI]; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; BONANZA - 1971-1972; THE WALTONS - 1971-1972; COUNTRY BLUE - 1973 [TF]; BROCK'S LAST CASE - 1973 [TV Movie]; HAWKINS - 1973; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; TENAFLY - 1973; THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1973; McQ - 1974 [TF; one of John Wayne's few modern-day films]; HEATWAVE! - 1974 [TV Movie]; BLAZING SADDLES - 1974 [TF; many people remember Huddleston from this film]; IRONSIDE - 1971-1974; BILLY TWO HATS - 1974 [TF]; THE SNOOP SISTERS - 1974; THE GUN AND THE PULPIT - 1974 [TV Movie]; DIRTY SALLY - 1974; NIGHTMARE HONEYMOON - 1974 [TF; great little thriller in which Huddleston's murder sets off a series of deadly events]; PAPER MOON - 1974; NAKIA - 1974; THE KLANSMAN - 1974 [TF; Huddleston was the mayor of a town full of KKK members which O.J. Simpson starts to kill!]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1974; GUNSMOKE - 1971-1974 [4 episodes]; THE ROOKIES - 1972-1974; KUNG FU - 1973-1975; EMERGENCY! - 1975; KAREN - 1975; POLICE WOMAN - 1975; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1975; BREAKHEART PASS - 1975 [TF; With Charles Bronson!]; THE OREGON TRAIL - 1976; BRONK - 1976; PETROCELLI - 1974-1976 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 9 episodes]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1976; SHARK KILL - 1976 [TV Movie; one of the first TV Movies to cash-in on the popularity of JAWS]; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; SANFORD AND SON - 1976; SHERLOCK HOLMES IN NEW YORK - 1976 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976; SPENCER'S PILOTS - 1976; ONCE AN EAGLE - 1976 [TV mini-series]; THE PRACTICE - 1976; BARNABY JONES - 1977; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1976-1977 [TV mini-series]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1977; CRIME BUSTERS - 1977 [TF; His first of two films with Terrence Hill and the late Bud Spencer, who passed away a little over a month earlier]; BLANSKY'S BEAUTIES - 1977; HEE HAW - 1977; THE GREATEST - 1977 [TF; Huddleston co-stars with Muhammed Ali, who died earlier in the year]; THE KALLIKATS - 1977 [Star of failed TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE WALTONS - 1977 [Archive Footage only]; CAPRICORN ONE - 1977 [TF]; THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER - 1977 [TF]; WINNER TAKE ALL - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG PIONEERS - 1978; KATE BLISS AND THE TICKER TAPE KID - 1978 [TV Movie]; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978 [TF]; KAZ - 1979; SUPERTRAIN - 1979; HIZZONNER - 1979 [Star of failed TV Series; 7 episodes; also Executive Producer of all 7 episodes]; VEGA$ - 1979; BENSON - 1980; GORP - 1980 [TF]; SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II - 1980 [TF]; THE OKLAHOMA CITY DOLLS - 1981 [TV Movie]; COMPUTERCIDE - 1981 [TV Movie]; FAMILY REUNION - 1981 [TV Movie]; EMILY & THE ANGEL - 1982 [Afternoon TV Movie]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1982; THE FALL GUY - 1983; M.A.D.D.: MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS - 1983 [TV Movie]; GO FOR IT - 1983 [TF; With Terrence Hill and Bud Spencer]; THE ACT - 1984 [TF]; FINNEGAN BEGIN AGAIN - 1985 [TV Movie]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1985; SANTA CLAUS - 1985 [TF; played Santa]; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; SPOT MARKS THE X - 1986 [TV Movie]; WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS - 1986 [TV Movie]; OUR HOUSE - 1986-1987 [also Directed 1 episode in 1988]; J.J. STARBUCK - 1987; FRANTIC - 1988 [TF; Directed by Roman Polanski]; THE TRACKER - 1988 [TV Movie]; MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE NUTT HOUSE - 1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990; COLUMBO - 1990; IN A CHILD'S NAME - 1991 [TV Movie]; COCONUT DOWNS - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE WONDER YEARS 1990-1992 [3 episodes]; LUCKY LUKE - 1992 [TV Series with Terrence Hill]; LIFE WITH MIKEY - 1993 [TF]; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1994; WALKER: TEXAS RANGER - 1994; CULTIVATING CHARLIE - 1994 [TF]; SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT - 1995 [TF]; JOE'S APARTMENT - 1996 [TF]; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1997; LIVING SINGLE - 1997; THE MAN NEXT DOOR - 1997 [TF; his only pure horror film]; THE BIG LEBOWSKI - 1998 [TF; The film he will probably be remembered for, but he has been better in other films and TV Series]; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; THE PRACTICE - 1999; JUDGING AMY - 2000; G-MEN FROM HELL - 2000 [TF]; GILMORE GIRLS - 2000-2001; THE WEST WING - 2000-2002; REVEILLE - 2004 [Short]; THE WILD THORNBERRIES - 1998-2004 [Voice only]; THE PRODUCERS - 2005 [TF]; ANDY BARKER, P.I. - 2007; POSTAL - 2007 [TF; Bad-taste comedy Directed by Uwe Boll. It made me laugh out loud a few times.]; OLD GLORY - 2008 [Video Short]; JERICHO - 2007-2008; SAVING GRACE B. JONES - 2009 [TF; Voice only]; INNOCENT'S WAY: THE SHORT - 2009 [Short]; IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA - 2009; THE BENEVOLENT BYZANTINE ORDER OF THE NOBLES OF THE EGNIMATIC ORACLE - 2010 [Short]; LOCKER 13 - 2014 [TF; his last film credit]. Mr Huddleston was also heavily involved in Stage work and considered his "crowning achievement" [of all his performances across all media] to be that of Benjamin Franklin in the 1998 & 2003 Stage revivals of "1776". To read a lengthy interview with David Huddleston, I recommend you purchase Issue Number 46 of Steven Puchalski's excellent long-running zine SHOCK CINEMA by clicking HERE. David Huddleston passed away due to kidney and lung disease and was 85 years old.) - 08/02/16
SAGAN LEWIS (Actress: This actress, best known as one of the stars of ST. ELSEWHERE - 1982-1988 and the wife of TV Producer/Writer/Creator Tom Fontana [whom she married twice], didn't do a lot of acting, but she was fantastic when she was on screen; Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: A LITTLE SEX - 1982 [TF]; M*A*S*H - 1983; COCAINE: ONE MAN'S SEDUCTION - 1983 [TV Movie]; WEEKEND - 1984 [TV Short]; DEADLY INTENTIONS - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE BLINKINS - 1986 [TV Movie; Voice only]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1982-1988 [TV Series Regular; 86 episodes; also Writer of one episode in 1988]; MOONLIGHTING - 1988; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1995-1999 [5 episodes]; FULL RIDE - 2002 [TF]; THE PHILANTHROPIST - 2009 [Her last acting role]. She was also a Photo Double/Stand In on ABOUT SCHMIDT - 2002 [TF]; and Acting Coach and Associate Producer on SEDONA - 2011 [TF]. Sagan Lewis passed away due to cancer and was 63 years-old.) - 08/07/16
KENNY BAKER (Actor: This diminutive actor [3 feet 8 inches] may be known best for portraying the original R2D2 in the first six STAR WARS films, but he was much, much more to many of us. He may have been small is stature, but he was huge when it came to talent and opened the doors for a slew of dwarf actors. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: CIRCUS OF HORRORS - 1960; MAN OF THE WORLD - 1962 [TV Series]; DAVE ALLEN AT LARGE - 1975 [TV Series]; STAR WARS - 1977; THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 1978 [TV Special]; WOMBLING FREE - 1978; THE MUPPET SHOW - 1980 [TV Series]; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; FLASH GORDON - 1980; THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1980; TIME BANDITS - 1981 [He was great in this film; also sang "Me And My Shadow"]; THE GOODIES - 1980-1981 [TV Series]; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1982 [TV Movie]; RETURN OF THE JEDI - 1983; THE ADVENTURE GAME - 1984 [TV Series]; AMADEUS - 1984; DER ROSENKAVALIER - 1985 [German TV Movie]; MONA LISA - 1986; LABYRINTH - 1986; 3-2-1 - 1987 [TV Music series; Performed "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" with a group of dwarf singers known as "The Mini Tones", a satrical musical group he was with since the 70's. It was George Lucas who saw him performing in the group to decide to make him R2D2 in the original STAR WARS. And the rest is history.]; SLEEPING BEAUTY - 1987; WILLOW - 1988; PRINCE CASPIAN AND THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER - 1989 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE MAN FROM AUNTIE - 1990 [TV Series]; U.F.O. - 1993; THE KING AND I - 1999 [Voice only]; STAR WARS: EPISODE I-THE PHANTOM MENACE - 1999; BOOBS IN THE WOODS - 1999 [MFHV]; 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE - 2002; STAR WARS: EPISODE II-ATTACK OF THE CLONES - 2002; THE CAGE - 2002 [Short]; SWISS TONI - 2003 [TV Series]; STAR WARS: EPISODE III-REVENGE OF THE SITH - 2005; THE BATTERSEA RIPPER - 2006; CASUALTY - 1992-2007 [TV Series]; ONE NIGHT AS THE ARISTO - 2013 [Short; Voice only]; WHEN THE DEVIL RIDES OUT - 2016 [In Post-Production at the time of his death].  Mr. Baker also appeared in about a dozen documentaries about STAR WARS or science fiction films. He also appeared as the Jester in the music video of "Safety Dance" by "Men Without Hats". Kenny Baker died of undetermined causes [he had bad lung disease for the past few years] and was 81 years-old.) - 08/13/16
FYVUSH FINKEL (Actor: I remember Fyvush for his long-standing comedic roles in both PICKET FENCES - 1992-1996 and BOSTON PUBLIC - 2000-2004 [he was also capable of giving a performance that could make you cry], but he started out acting on film rather late in life [besides one film in 1950 and one TV Series appearance in 1977] and I thought he passed away a long time ago. I was wrong and now I am sad that I didn't see his later roles. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MONTICELLO, HERE WE COME - 1950 [TF]; KOJAK - 1977; EVERGREEN - 1985 [TV mini-series]; OFF BEAT - 1986 [TF]; SEIZE THE DAY - 1986 [TF]; BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS - 1986 [TF]; Q&A - 1990 [TF]; MOBSTERS - 1991 [TF]; THE PICKLE - 1993 [TF]; FOR LOVE OR MONEY - 1993 [TF]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1995; AARON'S MAGIC VILLAGE - 1995 [TF; Voice only]; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1995 [Voice only]; NIXON - 1995 [TF]; MIXED NUTS - 1996 [TV Movie]; PICKET FENCES - 1992-1996 [86 episodes]; RUGRATS - 1996 [Voice only]; THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER GOES TO MARS - 1998 [MFHV; Voice only]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1998-1999 [Regular of failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; EARLY EDITION - 1996-1999; THE CREW - 2000 [TF]; BOSTON PUBLIC - 2000-2004 [66 episodes]; THE WEDDING BELLS - 2007; THE URN - 2008 [TF; my favorite performance of his]; A SERIOUS MAN - 2009 [TF]; HARRY'S LAW - 2011; BLUE BLOODS - 2013; THE OTHER MEN IN BLACK - 2013 [TF]; GAME DAY - 2016 [TF; in Post-Production at the time of his death]. He was also a huge actor on Stage, performing in a touring company of "Fiddler On The Roof" for 12 years, first as the inkeeper Mordcha and working his way to the starring role, Tevye the Milkman. In 2007, the 85-year-old character actor appeared in David Ives' play, "New Jerusalem". Other Stage plays include "Little Shop Of Horrors" [I saw him perform in that musical Off-Broadway show in the early-80's, portraying "Gravis Mushnick" the florist store owner. At the end of the show, plants & vines would fall down from the ceiling, scaring the hell out of some of the theater audience {it was a very small, personal theater}.] and he won an Obie Award® for his role in Shakespeare's "Cafe Crown". I love Fyvush's take on acting: "I love people. I keep telling performers, 'Not only do you owe them a good performance, you also owe them love. If you love them, they love you 10 times more. It is not the producers that pay your wages; they do. If they don't like you, you're not going to get work. But if they love you, they'll put you in comfort.' " Fyvush Finkel passed away of heart problems and was 93 years-old.) - 08/14/16
ARTHUR HILLER (Director: Academy Award®-nominated Director who started out in TV and worked his way to Theatrical Films, some of them very memorable and not your normal films. His credits included [Theatrical Film unless marked with TV for TV Series]: MATINEE THEATRE - 1955-1956 [TV; 6 episodes]; MASSACRE AT SAND CREEK - 1956 [TV Movie]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1956-1957 [TV; 4 episodes]; THE CARELESS YEARS - 1957; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1958 [TV]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1958 [TV; 6 episodes]; CLIMAX! - 1957-1958 [TV; 4 episodes]; TELEPHONE TIME - 1957-1958 [TV; 4 episodes]; SUSPICION - 1958 [TV]; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1958 [TV]; STEVE CANYON - 1958 [TV]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1958 [TV]; WAGON TRAIN - 1959 [TV]; THE THIRD MAN - 1959 [TV; 7 episodes]; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1958-1959 [TV; 4 episodes]; HOTEL DE PAREE - 1960 [TV]; PERRY MASON - 1958-1960 [TV; 4 episodes]; THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW - 1960 [TV]; THRILLER - ["The Twisted Image" - 1960; "Child's Play" - 1960; "Rose's Last Summer" - 1960]; GUNSMOKE - 1959-1960 [TV; 9 episodes]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1958-1960 [TV; 4 episodes]; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1960 [TV; 3 episodes]; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1960 [TV]; HONG KONG - 1961 [TV]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1958-1961 [TV; 17 episodes]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1961 [TV]; NAKED CITY - 1961 [TV; 5 episodes]; BUS STOP - 1961 [TV]; THE DETECTIVES - 1959-1962 [TV; 5 episodes]; ROUTE 66 - 1960 - 1962 [TV; 12 episodes]; BEN CASEY - 1962 [TV]; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962 [TV]; INSIDE DANNY BAKER - 1963 [TV Movie; Unsold Pilot.]; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962-1963 [TV; 4 episodes]; MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS - 1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1963 [TV]; THE WHEELER DEALERS - 1963; EMPIRE - 1962-1963 [TV]; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1964 [TV]; THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY - 1964; STARR, FIRST BASEMAN - 1965 [TV Movie]; PROMISE HER ANYTHING - 1965; PENELOPE - 1966; TOBRUK - 1967; THE TIGER MAKES OUT - 1967; POPI - 1969; THE OUT OF TOWNERS - 1970; LOVE STORY - 1970 [Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Director; Won the Golden Globe® for the same category]; PLAZA SUITE - 1971; THE HOSPITAL - 1971 [One of the most subversive films of the 70's, on par with NETWORK]; MAN OF LA MANCHA - 1972 [also Producer]; INSIGHT - 1964-1974 [TV; 3 episodes]; THE CRAZY WORLD OF JULIUS VROODER - 1974 [also Producer]; THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH - 1975; W.C. FIELDS AND ME - 1976; SILVER STREAK - 1976 [The film that made Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder a popular comedy team]; THE IN-LAWS - 1979 [also Producer; Still one of my favorite comedies. "Serpentine! Serpentine!"]; NIGHTWING - 1979 [Hiller's only pure horror film]; MAKING LOVE - 1982; AUTHOR! AUTHOR! - 1982; ROMANTIC COMEDY - 1983; THE LONELY GUY - 1984 [also Producer]; TEACHERS - 1984; OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE - 1987; SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL - 1989; TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - 1990; MARRIED TO IT - 1991; THE BABE - 1992; CARPOOL - 1996; AN ALAN SMITHEE FILM: BURN HOLLYWOOD BURN - 1997 [Hiller purposely went out to make a bad film to see if anyone would get the joke, but the Razzie Awards®  still nominated him as worst director, along with the non-existent Alan Smithee, who was Hiller himself!]; PUCKED - 2006 [His last credit as a director]. Mr. Hiller also acted in the following films: HOLLYWOOD BEAT - 1993 [TV]; BEVERLY HILLS COP III - 1994; ROSEWELL - 1994 [TV Movie]; MERCHANTS OF VENUS - 1998; LAND OF THE FREE - 1998; LOST IN THE PERSHING POINT HOTEL - 2000; SPEAKEASY - 2002; and A-LIST - 2006. He was also Producer on two episodes of ON CAMERA - 1954 [TV] and Technical Advisor on THE THIRD MAN - 1959 [TV]. Mr. Hiller won the Academy Award's® "Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award" in 2002 and won or was nominated for many other awards for his extremely large body of work. He was also president of the Director's Guild of America [DGA] from 1989-1993 and then President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences [AMPAS] from 1993 to 1997. Arthur Hiller died of natural causes and was 92 years-old.) - 08/17/16
JACK RILEY (Actor/Comedian: Many Baby Boomers like myself remember Mr. Riley for his role as the terminally-depressed "Elliot Carlin" on THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972-1978 [stealing every scene he was in], while many children and teens will remember him as the voice of "Stu Pickles" on various incarnations of THE RUGRATS. Jack Riley had a long career in Television and Movies [Mel Brooks used him a lot in his films, even if they were minor roles] and he will be missed for his impeccable comic timing and also his dramatic acting. He was a man of many talents. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES - 1962 [TF]; OCCASIONAL WIFE - 1966-1967 [7 episodes]; GOMER PYLE, USMC - 1967; THE FLYING NUN - 1967; MITZI - 1968 [TV Movie]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1968; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1970; PAT PAULSEN'S HALF A COMEDY HOUR - 1970; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970; CATCH-22 - 1970 [TF]; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1970; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1969-1970 [3 episodes]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1970-1971 [4 episodes]; MCCABE & MRS. MILLER - 1971 [TF]; THE GOOD LIFE - 1971; THE TODD KILLINGS - 1971 [TF]; GETTING TOGETHER - 1972; M*A*S*H - 1972; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1971-1972 [3 episodes]; THE THIEF WHO CAME TO DINNER - 1973 [TF]; THE LONG GOODBYE - 1973 [TF; also performed the film's title tune]; CANNON - 1973; THE ADDAMS FAMILY FUN HOUSE - 1973 [TV Movie; also Writer; played Gomez Addams, a little-known fact]; COLUMBO - 1973; THE GIRL WITH SOMETHING EXTRA - 1973; KUNG FU - 1974; THE SNOOP SISTERS - 1974; HAPPY DAYS - 1974; BANK SHOT - 1974 [TF]; CALIFORNIA SPLIT - 1974 [TF]; POLICE WOMAN - 1974; CAN I SAVE MY CHILDREN? - 1974 [Afternoon TV Movie]; BARNABY JONES - 1975; HARRY O - 1975; SILENT MOVIE - 1976 [TF]; ALICE - 1976; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977; BUMPERS - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER - 1977 [TF]; HIGH ANXIETY - 1977 [TF]; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972-1978 [TV Series Semi Regular; 49 episodes]; ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES! - 1978 [TF]; JOE & VALERIE - 1979; BARNEY MILLER - 1976-1979; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1979; MOTHER AND ME, M.D. - 1979 [TV Movie]; BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY YEARS - 1979 [TF]; THE HALLOWEEN THAT ALMOST WASN'T - 1979 [TV Special; played the Werewolf]; MARRIAGE IS ALIVE AND WELL - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE WILD WACKY WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINTER - 1980 [TV Special]; THE TIM CONWAY SHOW - 1980; TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT - 1980; HART TO HART - 1980; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1981; LADIES MAN - 1981; HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1 - 1981 [TF]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981; SIMON & SIMON - 1982; LOVE, SIDNEY - 1982; THE RULES OF MARRIAGE - 1982 [TV Movie]; ALL NIGHT RADIO - 1982 [TV Movie]; FRANCES - 1982 [TF]; FAMILY TIES - 1982; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1983 [5 episodes]; NINE TO FIVE - 1983; CONDO - 1983; WHEN YOUR LOVER LEAVES - 1983 [TV Movie]; TO BE OR NOT TO BE - 1983 [TF]; DOMESTIC LIFE - 1984; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1983-1984; FINDERS KEEPERS - 1984 [TF]; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1984; DOWN TO EARTH - 1984; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; NIGHT PATROL - 1984 [TF]; RIPTIDE - 1985; LOTS OF LUCK - 1985 [TV Movie]; FIRST THE EGG - 1985 [Afternoon TV Movie]; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1978-1985 [4 episodes]; SILVER SPOONS - 1985; BROTHERS-IN-LAW - 1985 [TV Movie]; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1985; THE HISTORY OF WHITE PEOPLE IN AMERICA - 1985 [TV Movie]; GIMME A BREAK! - 1986; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; THE HISTORY OF WHITE PEOPLE IN AMERICA VOLUME II - 1986 [TV Movie]; ROXIE - 1987 [Failed TV Series; 6 episodes]; WHAT A COUNTRY - 1987; ALF - 1987; SPACEBALLS - 1987 [TF]; THROB - 1987; THIS IS YOUR LIFE - 1987 [Riley was the subject]; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1988; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1988; RENTED LIPS - 1988 [TF]; MATHNET - 1988; SQUARE ONE TELEVISION - 1988; NEWHART - 1988 [Riley did a take-off cameo of the role he portrayed over a decade earlier on Bob Newhart's previous show]; PORTRAIT OF A WHITE MARRIAGE - 1988 [TF]; A FINE ROMANCE - 1989; GLEAMING THE CUBE - 1989 [TF]; DUET - 1989; HARD TIME ON PLANET EARTH - 1989; C.H.U.D. 2: BUD THE CHUD - 1989 [TF]; MY TWO DADS - 1990; PAYBACK - 1990 [TF]; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1990 [Voice only]; NIGHT COURT - 1984-1991 [7 episodes]; BABES - 1991; HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS - 1991; CIVIL WARS - 1992; THE PLAYER - 1992 [TF]; FAMILY MATTERS - 1993; HANGIN' WITH MR. COOPER - 1993; A DANGEROUS WOMAN - 1993 [TF]; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1994; DAVE'S WORLD - 1994; NEW YORK DAZE - 1995; THE BOYS ARE BACK - 1995; FRIENDS - 1995; HUDSON STREET - 1995; THEODORE REX - 1995 [TF; words cannot express how bad this film is]; COACH - 1996; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1996; SEINFELD - 1997; BOOGIE NIGHTS - 1997 [TF]; THE SECRET LIFE OF ALEX MACK - 1997; GEORGE & LEO - 1997; BAYWATCH - 1997; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1997; VENUS ENVY - 1997 [TF]; A RUGRATS VACATION - 1997 [MFHV; Voice Only]; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD - 1998 [TF]; MIKE HAMMER, PRIVATE EYE - 1998; WORKING - 1998; THE RUGRATS MOVIE - 1998 [TF; Voice only; also performed the song "Dull-A-Bye"]; OH, GROW UP - 1999; RUGRATS IN PARIS: THE MOVIE - 2000 [TF; Voice only]; RUGRATS: ACORN NUTS AND DIAPEY BUTTS - 2000 [TV Movie; Voice only]; RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT - 2001 [TF; Voice only]; THE RUGRATS: ALL GROWED UP - 2001 [TV Movie; Voice only]; SON OF THE BEACH - 2000-2002 [Series Semi-Regular; 10 episodes]; RUGRATS GO WILD - 2003 [TF; Voice only]; LUCKY - 2003; BURL'S - 2003 [Short]; THAT 70'S SHOW - 2004; YES, DEAR - 2005; MCBRIDE: THE DOCTOR IS OUT...REALLY OUT - 2005 [TV Movie]; RUGRATS - 1991-2005 [Riley's first time voicing "Stu Pickles", for 143 episodes]; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005 [TF; Scenes Edited out]; ROOM 6 - 2006 [TF]; PAPA'S BAG - 2007 [Short]; AVENGING ANGEL - 2007 [TV Movie]; ALL GROWN UP - 2003-2007 [Riley continued to voice "Stu Pickles" for 18 episodes]; EASY TO ASSEMBLE - 2009; NORA FALLS - 2009 [Short; his last acting role]. Jack Riley also performed some out-of-nowhere comedy bits on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO - 1992; voiced Stu Pickles on several RUGRATS Video Games; was a panelist on many Game Shows; appeared in several documentaries; and wrote the TV Special THE MANY SIDES OF DON RICKLES - 1970. Jack Riley passed away due to pneumonia and was 80 years-old.) - 08/19/16
STEVEN HILL (Actor: This one hit me hard because Hill [real name: Solomon Krakovsky] was part of my life every week for a decade as gruff District Attorney Adam Schiff on LAW & ORDER - 1990-2000 [Roy Thinnes was the D.A. on the very first episode, but Hill took over from the second episode-on] and an episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU - 2000 before retiring from acting. He was also the head of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE team during its first season [1966-1967], before being replaced [under dubious circumstances] by Peter Graves for the following years. Steven Hill was a talented actor who did plenty of TV Series and Movies since the 1940's. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: ACTOR'S STUDIO - 1949 [4 episodes]; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1949; SUSPENSE - 1949-1950; STARLIGHT THEATRE - 1950; A LADY WIHOUT PASSPORT - 1950 [TF]; MAGNAVOX THEATRE - 1950; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1952; DANGER - 1951-1952; LIGHTS OUT - 1952; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1952; THE MASK - 1954; THE MOTOROLA TELEVISION HOUR - 1954; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1954 [3 episodes]; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1954; STORM FEAR - 1955 [TF; Directed by actor Cornel Wilde and written by Hill's good friend Horton Foote]; PLAYWRIGHTS '56 - 1955-1956; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1957; THE SEVEN LIVELY ARTS - 1957; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1957; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1958; THE GODDESS - 1958 [TF; written by Paddy Chayefsky]; PURSUIT - 1958; THE LINEUP - 1959; KISS HER GOODBYE - 1959 [TF]; DILLINGER - 1960 [TV Movie; portrayed Melvin Purvis]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; SUNDAY SHOWCASE - 1960 [3 episodes]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1962; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1960-1962 [Portrayed Jack "Legs" Diamond in 2 episodes]; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1962; DR. KILDARE - 1962; BEN CASEY - 1962-1963; A CHILD IS WAITING - 1963 [TF]; NAKED CITY - 1963; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1963; ESPIONAGE - 1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1964-1965; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965; RAWHIDE - 1965; THE SLENDER THREAD - 1965 [TF]; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966-1967 [28 episodes; Hill was fired after 1 season {as an Orthodox Jew, he had to work on Saturdays, which was against his religious beliefs} and was replaced on the series by Peter Graves. After his firing, he went on a sabbatical from acting to focus on selling homes in real estate, hence he moved to New York.]; THE ANDROS TARGETS - 1977; KING - 1978 [TV mini-series]; IT'S MY TURN - 1980 [TF]; EYEWITNESS - 1981 [TF]; RICH AND FAMOUS - 1981 [TF]; YENTL - 1983 [TF]; TEACHERS - 1984 [TF]; GARBO TALKS - 1984 [TF]; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1984; BETWEEN TWO WOMEN - 1986 [TV Movie]; ON VALENTINE'S DAY - 1986 [TF]; RAW DEAL - 1986 [TF]; LEGAL EAGLES - 1986 [TF]; HEARTBURN - 1986 [TF]; BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS - 1986 [TF]; COURTSHIP - 1987 [TF]; THIRTYSOMETHING - 1988; RUNNING ON EMPTY - 1988 [TF]; THE BOOST - 1988 [TF]; COLUMBO - 1989; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1990; WHITE PALACE - 1990 [TF]; BILLY BATHGATE - 1991 [TF]; THE FIRM - 1993 [TF]; WHERE'S THE MONEY, NOREEN? - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE CITY OF GREATER NEW YORK: THE STORY OF CONSOLIDATION - 1998 [TV Documentary; Voice only]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2000; LAW & ORDER - 1990-2000 [229 episodes; Nominated for Emmy Awards® in 1998 & 1999 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; Seven Screen Actor Guild Award® nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series; His final acting role, which came as a total surprise to the cast and crew, who celebrated his achievements on LARRY KING LIVE shortly after learning of his departure.]. One of my fondest and most memorable moments on LAW & ORDER is when the camera stayed close on Schiff's face while a doctor pulled the plug on his terminally ill wife. He said more with one little wimper-like noise then ten pages of dialogue could convey, as we hear the EKG machine go flat. The look on his face always brought a tear to my eye. It was a moment of pure acting, rare on a procedural show and even rarer coming from Adam Schiff. Dianne Wiest [2000-2002], the late Fred Dalton Thomson [2002-2007] and then Jack McCoy himself, Sam Waterston [2007-2010], took over Schiff's position before the series went off the air in 2010. For 20 years, this was my weekly go-to show and Steven Hill was a very important part of it. Reruns of the show are still part of my TV life. Before becoming an actor on TV and in film, he was a Stage actor, appearing in plays alongside Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and many other famous actors and directors, including Elia Kazan. During television's early years, Hill mainly did live or Kinescope [filming live television on a monitor using ancient forms of videotape] plays and it earned him the Sylvania Television Award for dramatic actor of the year in 1954. When a rabbi convinced him to adhere to Orthodox Judiasm, it basically ended his Stage career because he could not appear in Friday night and Saturday matinee performances. That religious ryder was a part of all his movie and TV contracts which makes the creators of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE the cretins here. They just didn't understand how devoted Hill was towards his religion and basically made his life hell during the filming of the last few episodes of the first season [They thought they could break Hill of his religious convictions] and then fired him when he refused to pick the show over his religion. It made Hill so mad, he took a sabbatical from acting for over 10 years. If it is one thing I like, even though I am an Atheist, is a man of convictions and Hill was one of those rare peiple.  Steven Hill passed away of natural causes and was 94 years-old.) - 08/23/16
MARVIN KAPLAN (Actor: Versatile character actor [discovered by Katharine Hepburn while performing in a play at USC] who played all types of people on both TV and in Movies. Later in his life, he became a much in-demand voice actor and voiced many animated TV Series. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: ADAM'S RIB - 1949 [TF; Hepburn got him the role]; FRANCIS - 1950 [TF]; KEY TO THE CITY - 1950 [TF]; THE REFORMER AND THE REDHEAD - 1950 [TF]; HOLLYWOOD THEATRE TIME - 1950; I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE - 1951 [TF]; THE FAT MAN - 1951 [TF]; CRIMINAL LAWYER - 1951 [TF]; BEHAVE YOURSELF! - 1951 [TF]; ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD - 1951 [TF]; THE FABULOUS SENORITA - 1952 [TF]; STARS IN THE EYE - 1952 [TV Special]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE - 1953; SHOWER OF STARS - 1954; MEET MILLIE - 1952-1955 [Series Regular; 78 episodes]; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1958; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1954-1958 [3 episodes]; THE LUX SHOW - 1958; ALCOA THEATRE - 1959; WAKE ME WHEN IT'S OVER - 1960 [TF]; M SQUAD - 1960; TOM, DICK AND HARRY - 1960 [TV Movie]; ACAPULCO - 1961; THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; TOP CAT - 1961-1962 [30 episodes; Voice of "Choo Choo"]; THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1963 [TF]; MAGGIE BROWN - 1963 [TV Movie]; A NEW KIND OF LOVE - 1963 [TF]; IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD - 1963 [TF]; BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1963-1964; THE BAILEYS OF BALBOA - 1964; VALENTINE'S DAY - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1965; THE GREAT RACE - 1965 [TF; one of my favorite comedies]; HANK - 1965; HONEY WEST - 1966; GIDGET - 1966; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1968; MY THREE SONS - 1968; PREMIERE - 1968; MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT - 1969; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1969; MOD SQUAD - 1969; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1970; JULIA - 1971; THE CHICAGO TEDDY BEARS - 1971 [4 episodes]; WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME - 1972; THE SEVERED ARM - 1973 [TF; Kaplan's death was a doozie]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1973; CHOPPER ONE - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - ["Bad Medicine" - 1974]; SNAKES [a.k.a. FANGS; HOLY WEDNESDAY] - 1974 [TF]; THE LOST SAUCER - 1975; FREAKY FRIDAY - 1976 [TF]; C B BEARS - 1977; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1977; WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER - 1977; CHiPS - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1979; MIDNIGHT MADNESS - 1980 [TF]; SATURDAY SUPERCADE - 1983 [3 episodes; Voice only]; DECK THE HALLS WITH WACKY WALLS - 1983 [Animated TV Movie; Voice only]; DON'T ASK ME, ASK GOD - 1984 [TV Movie]; ABC WEEKEND SPECIALS - 1981-1984; ALICE - 1978-1985 [Series Semi-Regular; 82 episodes]; HOLLYWOOD VICE SQUAD - 1986 [TF]; MACGYVER - 1986; THE FALL GUY - 1986; THE SMURFS -1986 [Voice only]; TOP CAT AND THE BEVERLY HILLS CATS - 1987 [Animated TV Movie; Reprised his "Choo Choo' voice from the 1961-1962 series]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1988; 1ST & TEN: THE CHAMPIONSHIP - 1988; THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SUPERTED - 1989 [Voice only]; MY TWO DADS - 1989; DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE - 1989 [TV Movie]; WILD AT HEART - 1990 [TF; David Lynch's surreal takeoff on the WIZARD OF OZ]; WAKE, RATTLE & ROLL - 1990 [Voice Only]; MONSTERS - 1990; THEY CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - 1991; DELIRIOUS - 1991 [TF]; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1991 [Voice only]; ON THE AIR - 1992 [7 episodes]; MONSTER IN MY POCKET: THE BIG SCREAM - 1992 [TV Short; Voice only]; WITCHBOARD 2 - 1993 [TF]; THE BIG GIG - 1993 [Short]; REVENGE OF THE NERDS IV: NERDS IN LOVE - 1994 [TV Movie]; THE CARTOON CARTOON SHOW - 1995 [Voice only]; AAAHH!!! REAL MONSTERS - 1996 [Voice only]; JOHNNY BRAVO - 1997 [Voice only]; ER - 1999; EVEN STEVENS - 2002; BECKER - 1998-2004 [4 episodes]; MCBRIDE: THE CHAMELEON MURDER - 2005 [TV Movie]; DARK AND STORMY NIGHT - 2009 [TF]; TROUPERS - 2011 [Documentary]; AUTISM AND CAKE - 2012 [Short]; LOOKIN' UP - 2016 [TF; also Writer & Executive Producer; In Post-Production at the time of his death. His final acting role.]. Marvin Kaplan also wrote episodes of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1965; THE BILL COSBY SHOW - 1969; MOD SQUAD - 1971; MAUDE - 1972; and the film WATCH OUT FOR SLICK [also Executive Producer] - 2010. He was also a longtime member of Theatre West, a California-based Stage company, where he performed in countless plays. Mr Kaplan also served as AFTRA Los Angeles local president for eight years. Marvin Kaplan passed away in his sleep and was 89 years-old.) - 08/25/16
GENE WILDER (Actor: Brilliant comic actor who was the go-to guy for director Mel Brooks in his popular string of late-60's & 70's films. Mr. Wilder was a man of many comic talents. He could make you bend over laughing as hard as you possibly could with just a look or, as in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974, make you howl with a certain piece of dialogue as plain as "Get me out if here. Get me the Hell out of here!" He totally owned the 70's with his comic timing and then found new life after being paired with the late Richard Pryor in four films [they were never friends, though, because Pryor was a drug abuser and notorious for showing up on set late], the first one being SILVER STREAK - 1976, directed by Arthur Hiller, who passed away earlier this month. He was a brilliant mind who lost most of it to Alzheimer's. That is God's final joke on a comedian I love. He always has to have the final word. Mr. Wilder's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1961 [TV Series]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1962 [TV Series]; THE DEFENDERS - 1962; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962-1963 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; DEATH OF A SALESMAN - 1966 [TV Movie]; BONNIE AND CLYDE - 1967 [He was absolutely hilarious in his role as an undertaker, not an easy thing to do in such a serious film]; THE PRODUCERS - 1967 [Wilder's first time working with Mel Brooks. The film is considered a classic now; Academy Award® nomination as Best Supporting Actor]; START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME - 1970; QUACKSER FORTUNE HAS A COUSIN IN THE BRONX - 1970; WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 1971 [I could write a dissertation on how subversive this film is, but most people love it for the songs, the "Oompa Loompas", the colorful set design and Wilder's performance. A film better for adults than children. Once seen through adult eyes, you may never let your children watch it again. But I am willing to bet you will; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Actor in a Motion Picture; Wilder hated the idea of Tim Burton's remake of the film in 2005 after seeing a trailer on TV of what Johnny Depp was doing with the Wonka character. He never saw the film.]; THE SCARECROW - 1972 [TV Movie]; EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX* BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK - 1972 [One of director Woody Allen's funniest films. The giant boob scene is worth the price of admission alone]; ACTS OF LOVE AND OTHER COMEDIES - 1973 [TV Movie]; RHINOCEROUS - 1974 [One of Wilder's most obscure films. He stars with Zero Mostel again, just like he did in THE PRODUCERS]; BLAZING SADDLES - 1974 [Do I need to say more? One thing: Richard Pryor co-wrote the screenplay, but lost the role he wanted to Cleavon Little.]; THURSDAY'S GAME - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE LITTLE PRINCE - 1974; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974 [Also Screenplay; Academy Award® nomination for his first-time screen-writing effort, along with Mel Brooks; My favorite Brooks/Wilder colaboration. Not only is it extremely funny, it also pays respect to the 30's Universal horror films.]; THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES' SMARTER BROTHER - 1975 [also Director & Screenplay]; SILVER STREAK - 1976 [The first teaming of Wilder and Richard Pryor. It was apparent from the second they were on the screen together that they had chemistry; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Actor in a Motion Picture.]; THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER - 1977 [also Director, Producer & Screenplay]; THE FRISCO KID - 1979 [Wilder turns in another funny performance, even with the funky Jewish accent]; SUNDAY LOVERS - 1980 [also Director & Screenplay]; STIR CRAZY - 1980 [With Pryor]; HANKY PANKY - 1982 [Wilder's co-star was ex-SLNer Gilda Radner, whom Wilder married two years later; When she passed away from cancer in 1989, Gene Wilder was never the same. Directed by Sidney Poitier.] THE WOMAN IN RED - 1984 [also Director & Screenplay; After a few less than money-making films, this one returned Wilder back into the limelight, partly thanks to the hit song "The Woman In Red" sung by Stevie Wonder]; HAUNTED HONEYMOON - 1986 [also Director & Screenplay; One of these days, this will become a cult film]; SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL - 1989 [also Screenplay; with Pryor]; FUNNY ABOUT LOVE - 1990; ANOTHER YOU - 1991 [with Pryor]; ELIGIBLE DENTIST - 1993 [TV Movie]; SOMETHING WILDER - 1994-1995 [TV Series; His only starring TV role. Unfortunately, the series was a bust and only lasted 15 episodes]; MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN - 1999 [TV Movie; also Teleplay; first of two TV Movies where Wilder stars as "Cash" Carter", which he hoped would return in a series of TV Movies, It never happened.]; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 1999 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® nominee for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries]; THE LADY IN QUESTION - 1999 [TV Movie; also Teleplay. Played "Cash" Carter the last time.]; WILL & GRACE - 2002-2003 [TV Series; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]; THE YO GABBA GABBA! MOVIE 2 - 2015 [TV Movie; Voice only; his last acting credit.]. Gene Wilder also loved to sing in many of his films. Who can ever forget "Pure Imagination" from WILLY WONKA? It is one of the best songs in any film in the last 50 years because it tells you that having a vivid imagination is a good thing, not a bad thing like most parents think. Wishes can come true and Wilder's performance of that song and in the film in general deserved an Academy Award® [He did receive a Golden Globe® nomination]. He received a tribute from Coldplay on Monday night, August 29, 2016. Chris Martin and his bandmates remembered the actor with a cover of “Pure Imagination,” from Wilder’s classic 1971 film WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. The band performed at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Monday, after news broke of Wilder’s death the earlier in the day in Connecticut. After his wife Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer in 1989, Gene co-founded Gilda's Club, a support group to raise awareness of the disease. It is still going strong today, even though he remarried a few years after her death. Wilder himself In 1999 was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and also treated his cancer with an adult stem-cell treatment. He made a full recovery from cancer in 2000. Gene Wilder passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease and was 83 years-old.) - 08/29/16
JON POLITO (Actor: One of the best character actors of our generation, Jon Polito was a favorite of the Coen Brothers and appeared in films of every type, even more than his share of horror films. His specialty was playing gangsters or crooked cops, because he had the looks and voice to fit the roles. Everyone knows what he looks like, but only a select few knew him by name. It is too bad that their deaths happen to get people to remember these character actors' achievements. Jon Polito's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: THE GANGSTER CHRONICLES - 1981 [TV mini-series; 13 episodes]; GANGSTER WARS - 1981 [Theatrical Movie edited from the mini-series]; THE CLAIRVOYANT - 1982 [a.k.a. THE KILLING HOUR; THE KILLING KIND; Very underrated film]; RUNNING OUT - 1983 [TV Movie]; AS THE WORLD TURNS - 1984 [TV Soap Opera]; A GOOD SPORT - 1984 [TV Movie]; C.H.U.D. - 1984; THE PRINCESS AND THE CALL GIRL - 1984; DEATH OF A SALESMAN - 1985 [TV Movie]; COMPROMISING POSITIONS - 1985; REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - 1985; HIGHLANDER - 1985; DREAM LOVER - 1985; A DEADLY BUSINESS - 1986 [TV Movie]; FIRE WITH FIRE - 1986; CRITICAL CONDITION - 1987 [I will never forgive Richard Pryor for stealing the name of my 1982 zine. Just kidding!]; OHARA - 1987 [Regular on failed TV Series; 11 episodes]; ALONE IN THE NEON JUNGLE - 1988 [Pay TV Movie]; WISEGUY - 1988 [TV Series]; CRIME STORY - 1986-1988 [TV Series semi-regular; 16 episodes; One of my favorite 80's series]; MEMORIES OF MANON - 1988 [TV Movie]; HOMEBOY - 1988; MIAMI VICE - 1988 [TV Series]; THE EQUALIZER - 1986-1989 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; LIVIN' LARGE - 1989 [TV Movie]; TRYING TIMES - 1989 [TV Series]; THE FRESHMAN - 1990 [Polito has nothing but nice things to say about Marlon Brando; He also tells a story about the power that Brando wielded.]; MILLER'S CROSSING - 1990 [One of his best performances; Polito believed this one role had led to his heavy workload ever since.]; BARTON FINK - 1991 [Another great performance that he almost didn't take, but Frances McDormand convinced him to take it.]; THE ROCKETEER - 1991 [He proved in this movie he could be a comedic gangster and loved that most of the planes you see in this film are real and not CGI]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1991 [TV Series]; EMPTY NEST - 1991 [TV Series]; HEARTS ARE WILD - 1992 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; LEATHER JACKETS - 1992; FLODDER IN AMERIKA! - 1992; DINOSAURS - 1993 [TV Series; Voice only]; FALLEN ANGELS - 1993 [TV Series]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1993 [TV Series]; THE CONTENDERS - 1993; THE HUDSUCKER PROXY - 1994; VIPER - 1994 [TV Pilot Movie]; VIPER - 1994 [TV Series; Pilot episode]; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS - 1993-1994 [The best TV he has ever done; 13 episodes; He was not rehired for the second season because the network wanted to add a female cast member. Many people, including myself, believe that was a huge mistake.]; THE CROW - 1994 [One of the actors on set to see Brandon Lee get killed by a blank bullet; Polito thought the entire shoot was cursed because the cherry picker driver was electrocuted at the beginning of the film and was was badly burned. There were also unexplained fires and other injuries. He warned Brandon Lee not to end up like Vic Morrow when he crashed through the glass of Polito's character's pawn shop window and cut himself badly.]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992-1994 [TV Series]; GIRLS IN PRISON - 1994 [Pay TV Movie]; BLANKMAN - 1994; THE SHAGGY DOG - 1994 [TV Movie]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1995 [TV Series]; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1995 [TV Series]; FLUKE - 1995; BURKE'S LAW - 1995 [TV Series]; BUSHWHACKED - 1995; NYPD BLUE - 1995 [TV Series]; THE INVADERS - 1995 [TV Series]; HIGH SOCIETY - 1995 [TV Series]; DREAM ON - 1995-1996 [Pay TV Series; 4 episodes]; HOMEWARD BOUND II: LOST IN SAN FRANCISCO - 1996 [Voice only]; SWIFT JUSTICE - 1996 [TV Series]; ROSEANNE - 1996 [TV Series]; JUST YOUR LUCK - 1997 [MFHV]; INVASION - 1997 [TV Series]; FIRED UP - 1997 [TV Series]; THE CORPORATE LADDER - 1997; OVER THE TOP - 1997 [TV Series]; LIFE WITH LOUIE - 1997 [TV Series]; NIGHTMAN - 1997; PLAYERS - 1998 [TV Series]; JENNY - 1998 [TV Series]; SEINFELD - 1998 [TV Series]; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1996-1998 [TV Series]; THE DEFENDERS: CHOICE OF EVILS - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE BIG LEBOWSKI - 1998 [The role he is most recognized for because it has become a cult clasic]; TALES OF THE MUMMY - 1998; MUSIC FROM ANOTHER ROOM - 1998; MONEY PLAY$ - 1998 [TV Movie]; WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE... - 1998; HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS: THE TV SHOW - 1998 [TV Series]; VERONICA'S CLOSET - 1998 [TV Series]; MILLENNIUM - 1998 [Polito shone in the episode titled "Omerta']; ANGELS DANCE - 1999; ROAD KILL - 1999; NASH BRIDGES - 1999 [TV Series]; GOOD VS. EVIL - 1999 [TV Series]; THE APARTMENT COMPLEX - 1999 [TV Movie]; STUART LITTLE - 1999; CARLO'S WAKE - 1999; OH, YEAH! CARTOONS - 2000 [TV Series; Voice only]; THE PRETENDER - 1996-2000 [TV Series]; HOMICIDE: THE MOVIE - 2000 [TV Movie]; EARLY EDITION - 1997-2000 [TV Series]; AFTER SEX - 2000; NOWHERE MAN - 2000; POPULAR - 2000 [TV Series]; THE INVISIBLE MAN - 2000 [TV Series]; THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE - 2000; THE TANGERINE BEAR: HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! - 2000 [MFHV; Voice only]; BOYS LIFE 3 - 2000; BATMAN BEYOND - 2000 [TV Series; Voice only]; FLIES ON CUPID - 2001; THE TAILOR OF PANAMA - 2001; THE SHRINK IS IN - 2001; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 2001; GIDEON'S CROSSING - 2001 [TV Series]; THE CHRIS ISAAC SHOW - 2001 [TV Series]; MIMIC 2 - 2001; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 2001-2002 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; THE CHRONICLE - 2001-2002 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes]; BECKER - 2002 [TV Series]; 29 PALMS - 2002; WOMEN VS. MEN - 2002 [TV Movie]; PUSH, NEVADA - 2002 [TV Series]; SHE SPIES - 2002 [TV Series]; BLACK MASK 2: CITY OF MASKS - 2002 [Probably his most unusual movie]; THE SINGING DETECTIVE - 2003; DRAGNET - 2003 [TV Series]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2003 [TV Series]; VIEW FROM THE TOP - 2003; GILMORE GIRLS - 2002-2003 [TV Series]; THE BOX - 2003 [One of the most misunderstood films of the year; Bound to become a cult item]; THE LYON'S DEN - 2003 [TV Series]; LIFE ON PAROLE - 2003 [TV Movie]; 10-8: OFFICERS ON DUTY - 2004 [TV Series]; IT'S ALL RELATIVE - 2004 [TV Series]; THE MENTALIST - 2004 [TV Movie; has nothing to do with the future CBS Series that Polito also appeared in.]; JUDGING AMY - 2004 [TV Series]; OLIVER BEENE - 2003-2004 [TV Series]; THE JURY - 2004 [TV Series]; CHARLIE THE OX - 2004; THE LAST SHOT - 2004; SCRUBS - 2004 [TV Series]; MY WIFE AND KIDS - 2004 [TV Series]; FAMILY PLAN - 2005 [TV Movie]; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2005 [TV Series]; SHORT ORDER - 2005; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2005 [TV Series]; GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - 2005 [TV Movie]; THE HONEYMOONERS - 2005; THRESHOLD - 2005 [TV Series]; AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER - 2005 [TV Series; 5 episodes; Voice only]; THE BUZZ ON MAGGIE - 2005 {TV Series; Voice Only]; LIES AND ALIBIS - 2006; MASTERS OF HORROR - ["Haeckel's Tale" - 2006]; CUTTING ROOM - 2006; GRILLED - 2006; HANDY MANNY - 2006 [TV Series; Voice only]; FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - 2006; BIG NOTHING - 2006; HAPPILY N'EVER AFTER - 2006 [Voice only]; MEDIUM - 2007 [TV Series]; COUGAR CLUB - 2007; AMERICAN GANGSTER - 2007; THE GHOST WHISPERER - 2005-2008 [TV Series]; LAS VEGAS - 2008 [TV Series]; THE MARCONI BROS. - 2008; ROCK MONSTER - 2008 [Comedic SyFy Original horror film]; CHOWDER - 2008 [TV Series]; BART GOT A ROOM - 2008; DO NOT DISTURB - 2008 [TV Series]; CHOCOLATE NEWS - 2008 [TV Series]; TWO AND A HALF MEN - 2008 [TV Series]; MONK - 2009 [TV Series]; SUPER CAPERS: THE ORIGIN OF ED AND THE MISSING BULLION - 2009; RAISING THE BAR - 2008-2009 [TV Series regular for a failed series; 10 episodes]; CITIZEN JANE - 2009 [TV Series]; STIFFS - 2010; THE MENTALIST - 2010 [TV Series]; BURNING PALMS - 2010; THE GRIND - 2010; GLENN MARTIN DDS - 2009-2010 [TV Series; Voice only]; VENUS & VEGAS - 2010; THE LAST GODFATHER - 2010; FUNNY OR DIE PRESENTS... - 2011 [Pay TV Series]; SON OF MORNING - 2011; ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART 1 - 2011; FROM THE HEAD - 2011; BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN - 2011 [TV Series; Voice only]; BATMAN: YEAR ONE - 2011 [MFHV; Voice only]; IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA - 2011 [TV Series]; THUNDERCATS - 2011 [TV Series; Voice only]; FRANKLIN & BASH - 2012 [TV Series]; ROBOT AND MONSTER - 2012 [TV Series; Voice only]; MIKE & MOLLY - 2012 [TV Series]; GANGSTER SQUAD - 2013; BUNHEADS - 2012-2013 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; SAINT FRANCIS - 2014 [TV Movie]; LOCKER 13 - 2014; CASTLE - 2014 [TV Series] MURDER IN THE FIRST - 2014 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; 39 TO GO - 2014 [TV Series]; BIG EYES - 2014; BROKER - 2015 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2016 [TV Series; Voice Only]; MODERN FAMILY - 2014-2016 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; COMEDY BANG! BANG! - 2016 [TV Series]; MAJOR CRIMES - 2016 [TV Series; His final acting role.]. Mr. Polito also voiced a lot of Video Games and appeared in a handful of award-winning Shorts. Heres a quote by Polito in which he tells the brutal truth about his career: "I've accepted everything that was offered to me in my life. I'm a total whore. I have no standards. I do everything." All I have to say is thank the Lord that he did. He was an amazing person to watch, no matter what he did. Jon Polito passed away from complications of melanoma and was only 65 years old.) - 09/01/16
JOHN HOSTETTER (Actor: Best known for his recurring role as "John", the stage manager of FYI, the news program on MURPHY BROWN - 1988-1997, John Hostetter was an actor better known for his small parts on TV Series and Theatrical Films, as well as being a voice artist for animated movies [mostly Japanese anime] and TV series. Major roles were not common, but his face and voice are still recognizable to people who watch TV and Movies. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE IN-LAWS - 1979 [TF]; HEART BEAT - 1980 [TF]; ONCE UPON A SPY - 1981 [TV Movie]; KNIGHTRIDERS - 1981 [TF; This is the George Romero film about people who act like they live in medieval times and joust on motorcycles. It may sound weird, but it is an excellent film.]; CHiPS - 1982; ALADDIN AND HIS MAGIC LAMP - 1982 [TF; Voice only]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1982; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1983; HOTEL - 1984; KATY CATERPILLAR - 1884 [TF; Voice only]; BEST DEFENSE - 1984 [TF]; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1984; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984; T.J. HOOKER - 1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1985; INTO THE NIGHT - 1985 [TF]; A DEATH IN CALIFORNIA - 1985 [TV mini-series]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1985; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1985; G.I. JOE - 1985 [16 episodes; Voice only]; MOONLIGHTIMG - 1985; A WINNER NEVER QUITS - 1986 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1986; SECOND SERVE - 1986 [TV Movie]; CASTLE IN THE SKY - 1986 [TF; Voice only]; HUNTER - 1985-1986; HEARTBREAK RIDGE - 1986 [TF]; THE LEFTOVERS - 1986 [TV Movie]; REPAIRS - 1987 [Short]; THE BETTY FORD STORY - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE TRANSFORMERS - 1986-1987 [11 episodes; Voice only]; THE STEPFORD CHILDREN - 1987 [TV Movie]; G.I. JOE: THE MOVIE - 1987 [MFHV; Voice only]; BEVERLY HILLS COP II - 1987 [TF]; ARIA - 1987 [TF]; NO WAY OUT - 1987 [TF]; FAMILY TIES - 1984-1987; DALLAS - 1983-1987; NEWHART - 1987; LEONARD PART 6 - 1987 [TF]; FRANK'S PLACE - 1988; ROCK 'N' ROLL MOM - 1988 [TV Movie]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1988; FALCON CREST - 1988; COACH - 1989; QUANTUM LEAP - 1989; KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE - 1989 [TF; Voice only]; AN EIGHT IS ENOUGH WEDDING - 1989 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1989; MATLOCK - 1987-1990 [3 episodes]; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1990; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1990; THE FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1990; THE FLASH - 1991; WHO'S THE BOSS - 1988-1991; TOP OF THE HEAP - 1991; MACGYVER - 1991; KNOT'S LANDING - 1985-1991; THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS - 1991 [TF; More relevant today than when the late Wes Craven directed it]; BABY OF THE BRIDE - 1991 [TV Movie]; FROGS! - 1991 [TV Movie]; CLASS ACT - 1992 [TF]; FBI: THE UNTOLD STORIES - 1993; WILDER NAPALM - 1993 [TF]; NYPD BLUE - 1993; TEKKAMAN BLADE II - 1994 [TV mini-series; Voice only]; FINAL FANTASY - 1994 [MFHV; Voice only]; EVERY BREATH - 1994 [TF]; ROSWELL - 1994 [TV Movie]; LOVE AFFAIR -1994 [TF]; THE SECRETARY - 1995 [TV Movie]; BIO HUNTER - 1995 [MFHV; Voice only]; OUR SON, THE MATCHMAKER - 1996 [TV Movie]; BLACK MASK - 1996 [TF; Voice only]; SUDDENLY SUSAN - 1997; PRINCESS MONONOKE - 1997 [TF; Voice only]; SPICY CITY - 1997; TWILIGHT OF THE DARK MASTER - 1997 [TF; Voice only]; MURPHY BROWN - 1988-1997 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 65 episodes]; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1998; ER - 1998; FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON - 1998 [TV nini-series]; JAG - 1998; STAR TREK: INSURRECTION - 1998 [TF]; GOLGO 13: QUEEN BEE - 1998 [MFHV; Voice only]; WASTELAND - 1999; SPAWN - 1997-1999 [6 episodes; Voice only]; 7TH HEAVEN - 2000; TIME SHARE - 2000 [TF]; VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST - 2000 [TF; Voice only]; ARLI$$ - 2000 [Pay Cable sitcom]; GEN 13 - 2000 [MFHV; Voice only]; MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE LAST FREE MAN - 2001 [TV Movie]; SHEENA - 2002; KERMIT'S SWAMP YEARS - 2002 [MFHV]; THE HAWK IS DYING - 2006 [TF; His last acting role]. Mr. Hostetter also wrote the lyrics and music for the song "The Hero Always Gets The Girl" from FLESH GORDON MEETS THE COSMIC CHEERLEADERS - 1990 and added voices to a few Japanese Anime Video Games to the American versions of VAMPIRE HUNTER D - 1999 and others. John Hostetter died of cancer and was 69 years-old.) - 09/02/16
LESLIE H. MARTINSON (Director: This charming Bostonian is known mainly for directing the camp classic BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966, but Martinson has been directing TV (mainly Westerns) and theatrical movies since the early-1950's. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: CITY DETECTIVE - 1953; COWBOY G-MEN - 1952-1953; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE - 1953; CHEVRON THEATRE - 1953 [7 episodes]; THE REVLON MIRROR THEATER - 1953; THE PEPSI-COLA PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1954 [7 episodes]; THE ROY ROGERS SHOW - 1953-1954 [11 episodes; Script Supervisor on 27 episodes]; THE ATOMIC KID - 1954 [TF; a good old-fashioned comedy thriller with Mickey Rooney based on our fears of nuclear war at the time]; TV READER'S DIGEST - 1955; THE MICKEY ROONEY SHOW: HEY MULLIGAN - 1954-1955 [24 episodes]; TOPPER - 1955; DAMON RUNYON THEATER - 1955 [4 episodes]; CRUSADER - 1955; CROSSROADS - 1955; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1955-1956 [6 episodes]; HOT ROD GIRL - 1956 [TF; One of the better "Juvenile Delinquent" films of the period]; BIG-FOOT WALLACE - 1957 [TV Movie]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1957; CAPTAIN GALLANT OF THE FOREIGN LEGION - 1957; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1957; CONFLICT - 1957 [4 episodes]; HOT ROD RUMBLE - 1957 [TF]; SUGARFOOT - 1957-1959 [8 episodes]; COLT .45 - 1958-1959 [6 episodes]; THE ALASKANS - 1960; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1959-1960 [8 episodes]; SURFSIDE 6 - 1960; CHEYENNE - 1956-1960 [13 episodes]; MAVERICK - 1957-1961 [18 episodes]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959-1961 [4 episodes]; LAWMAN - 1958-1961 [12 episodes]; ROOM FOR ONE MORE - 1962 [5 episodes]; BRONCO - 1958-1962; THE ROARING 20'S - 1960-1962 [6 episodes]; LAD: A DOG - 1962 [TF; a childhood classic]; BLACK GOLD - 1962 [TF]; FBI CODE 98 - 1963 [TV Movie]; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1958-1963 [9 episodes]; PT 109 - 1963 [TF; about JFK's Naval years]; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1963; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1963-1964 [6 episodes]; FOR THOSE WHO THINK YOUNG - 1964 [TF]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS - 1964-1965 [16 episodes]; THE DOUBLE LIFE OF HENRY PHYFE - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965-1966 [10 episodes]; BATMAN - 1966; MR. ROBERTS - 1966 [4 episodes]; BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966 [TF; Very popular today because it doesn't take itself seriously like most modern superhero films; Batman: "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb.", in one of the film's funniest sequences.]; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966; FATHOM - 1967 [TF; Raquel Welsh in a bikini. Who cares about plot?]; THE OUTCASTS - 1969; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1969; THE CHALLENGERS - 1970 [TV Movie] THE IMMORTAL - 1970 [3 episodes]; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; MRS. POLIFAX-SPY - 1971 [TF]; THE CHICAGO TEDDY BEARS - 1971; LONGSTREET - 1971; HOW TO STEAL AN AIRPLANE - 1971 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1971 [3 episodes]; CIRCLE OF FEAR - 1972; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1971-1973 [9 episodes]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970-1973 [12 episodes]; THE RETURN OF CHARLIE CHAN - 1973 [TV Movie; Uncredited Director]; DUSTY'S TRAIL - 1973; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1970-1973 [6 episodes]; ROOM - 222 - 1972-1973 [4 episodes]; ...AND MILLIONS DIE! - 1973 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1969-1974 [9 episodes]; THE MANHUNTER - 1974; THE MAGICIAN - 1973-1974; CANNON - 1974; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1975 [3 episodes]; SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - 1975; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; ESCAPE FROM ANGOLA - 1976 [TF]; MOST WANTED - 1977; CODE R - 1977; CRUISE MISSLE - 1977 [TF]; BARNABY JONES - 1974-1977 [9 episodes]; RESCUE FROM GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1978 [TV Movie]; WONDER WOMAN - 1978-1979 [5 episodes]; BIGFOOT AND WILDBOY - 1979; BIG SHAMUS, LITTLE SHAMUS - 1979; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1979; YOUNG MAVERICK - 1979; DALLAS - 1979-1980 [4 episodes]; THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERIFF LOBO - 1980; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1979-1980 [3 episodes]; QUINCY M.E. - 1980; HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. - 1982; THE KID WITH THE BROKEN HALO - 1982 [TV Movie]; CHiPS - 1981-1982 [11 episodes]; PRIVATE BENJAMIN - 1982; THE KID WITH THE 200 I.Q. - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1983; SMALL & FRYE - 1983; MANIMAL - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1981-1983 [5 episodes]; THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF D.C. COLLINS - 1984 [TV Movie]; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1984; AIRWOLF - 1984; SMALL WONDER - 1985-1989 [26 episodes; his last directorial credits]. Mr. Martinson was also Script Supervisor on the films THE YEARLING - 1946; FIESTA - 1947; SUMMER HOLIDAY - 1948; THE PIRATE - 1948; EASTER PARADE - 1948; COMMAND DECISION - 1948; TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME - 1949 [also Assistant Director]; THE STRATTON STORY - 1949; THAT MIDNIGHT KISS - 1949; AMBUSH - 1950; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1950; SUMMER STOCK - 1950 [also Assistant Director]; GO FOR BROKE! - 1951 [also Assistant Director]; THE TALL TARGET - 1951; SPLIT SECOND - 1953; and VICE SQUAD - 1953. He was also an Uncredited Writer for the film SEX AND THE SINGLE GIRL - 1964 and Executive Producer to the TV Series CONNIE MARTINSON TALKS BOOKS - 1980 [Connie Martinson was his real-life wife and remained so until the day he passed away]. NOTE: This is one of the few times when the IMDb has absolutely no background information on someone with this many credits. I had to do a Yahoo search and piece together his life. Almost every internet headline mentions his Batman Movie credit, but as you can see, he was responsible for so much more. He won the Western Film prestigious Golden Boot Award® in 2006. Leslie H. Martinson passed away from natural causes and was an amazing 101 years-old.) - 09/03/16
HUGH O'BRIAN (Actor: Popular and handsome actor [he refused to publicly talk about his good looks, which cost him some important theatrical and TV roles, but he did things his own way and became popular anyway] of three generations; I remember him as a Baby Boomer for the TV Shows, TV Movies and Theatrical Films of the 60's & 70's; the generation before me remember him as portraying Wyatt Earp from the long running TV Series THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1955-1961 and for all the Western Films he appeared in. He would portray Wyatt Earp off and on until 1994. To many people, he was Wyatt Earp, a good-looking guy [even in old age] looking to bring justice into the lawless Wild West. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: KIDNAPPER - 1948 [TF]; OBOLER COMEDY THEATRE - 1949; NEVER FEAR - 1949 [TF]; D.O.A. - 1950 [TF]; ROCKETSHIP X-M - 1950 [TF]; BEYOND THE PURPLE HILLS - 1950 [TF]; THE RETURN OF JESSE JAMES - 1950 [TF]; VENGEANCE VALLEY - 1951 [TF]; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1950-1951 [4 episodes]; BUCKAROO SHERIFF OF TEXAS - 1951 [TF]; FIGHTING COAST GUARD - 1951 [TF]; LITTLE BIG HORN - 1951 [TF]; ON THE LOOSE - 1951 [TF]; CAVE OF OUTLAWS - 1951 [TF]; THE CIMARRON KID - 1952 [TF]; THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS - 1952 [TF]; RED BALL EXPRESS - 1952 [TF]; SALLY AND SAINT ANNE - 1952 [TF]; SON OF ALI BABA - 1952 [TF]; YANKEE BUCCANEER - 1952 [TF; Off-Screen Narrator only]; THE RAIDERS - 1952 [TF]; MEET ME AT THE FAIR - 1953 [TF]; THE LAWLESS BREED - 1953 [TF]; SEMINOLE - 1953 [TF]; THE MAN FROM THE ALAMO - 1953 [TF; Won a Golden Globe Award® for Most Promising Newcomer - Male]; THE STAND AT APACHE RIVER - 1953 [TF]; BACK TO GOD'S COUNTRY - 1953; TAZA, SON OF COCHISE - 1954 [TF; Voice only]; O'ROURKE OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED - 1954 [TF]; FIREMAN SAVE MY CHILD - 1954 [TF]; MOBY DICK - 1954 [TV Movie]; DRUMS ACROSS THE RIVER - 1954 [TF]; BROKEN LANCE - 1954 [TF]; THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - 1954 [TF]; WHITE FEATHER - 1955 [TF]; STUDIO 57 - 1954-1955; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1954-1955 [4 episodes]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1955; STAGE 7 - 1955; DAMON RUNYON THEATER - 1955; THE TWINKLE IN GOD'S EYE - 1955 [TF]; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1955; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1956; THE STAR AND THE STORY - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956; THE BRASS LEGEND - 1956 [TF]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1957; THE CHRISTOPHERS - 1957; DATE WITH THE ANGELS - 1957; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957-1958; THE FIEND WHO WALKED THE WEST - 1958 [TF]; ALIAS JESSE JAMES - 1959 [TF; Uncredited appearance as Wyatt Earp]; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1959-1960; THE SECRET WORLD OF EDDIE HODGES - 1960 [TV Movie]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1960; SUNDAY SHOWCASE - 1961; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1961; THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1955-1961 [227 episodes]; FEATHERTOP - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1961; THEATRE '62 - 1962; ALCOA PREMIERE - 1962; THE VIRGINIAN - 1962; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962; PERRY MASON - 1963; COME FLY WITH ME - 1963 [TF]; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER - 1962-1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1963; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1964; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATER - 1965; BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964-1965; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1965; LOVE HAS MANY FACES - 1965 [TF]; IN HARM'S WAY - 1965 [TF]; ASSASSINATION IN ROME - 1965 [TF]; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1965 [TF; My favorite take on Agatha Christie's novel]; AMBUSH BAY - 1966 [TF]; PREVIEW TONIGHT - 1966; AFRICA: TEXAS STYLE - 1967 [TF]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1967 [TV Movie]; A PUNT, A PASS AND A PRAYER - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE BEAUTIFUL PHYLLIS DILLER SHOW - 1968; STRATEGY OF TERROR - 1969 [TF]; WILD WOMEN - 1970 [TV Movie]; SWING OUT, SWEET LAND - 1970 [TV Movie]; HARPY - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE WACKY WORLD OF JONATHAN WINTERS - 1972; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1972; PROBE - 1972 [TV Movie Pilot for the TV Series SEARCH]; SEARCH - 1972-1973 [TV Series Regular; 23 episodes]; HALF THE GEORGE KIRBY COMEDY HOUR - 1973; MURDER ON FLIGHT 502 - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE DIAMOND MERCENARIES - 1976 [TF]; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; THE SHOOTIST - 1976 [TF; John Wayne's final film; O'Brian was the last man the Duke killed on-screen]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976; BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER - 1977 [TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1973-1977 [3 episodes]; MURDER AT THE WORLD SERIES - 1977 [TV Movie]; CRUISE INTO TERROR - 1978 [TV Movie]; GAME OF DEATH - 1978 [TF]; GREATEST HEROES OF THE BIBLE - 1978; THE SEEKERS - 1979 [TV mini-series]; BUSH DOCTOR - 1982 [TV Movie]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1977-1982 [5 episodes, including the Pilot]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1982; MATT HOUSTON - 1982; TWINS - 1988 [TF]; DOIN' TIME ON PLANET EARTH - 1988 [TF]; GUNS OF PARADISE - 1989 [Portrayed Wyatt Earp on two episodes]; GUNSMOKE: THE LAST APACHE - 1990 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990; THE GAMBLER RETURNS: THE LUCK OF THE DRAW - 1991 [TV Movie; portrayed Wyatt Earp]; L.A. LAW - 1993; WYATT EARP: RETURN TO TOMBSTONE - 1994 [TV Movie; last time portraying Wyatt Earp]; CALL OF THE WILD - 2000 [His final acting role, although he was supposed to appear in a movie called OLD SOLDIERS in 2016, but it was only in the pre-production stage]. Hugh O'Brian was also a regular panelist on a lot of game shows during the 60's & 70's and also a regular on daytime and nighttime Talk Shows. Mr. O'Brian also had a star on the Walk Of Fame installed on February 8, 1960 at 6613 Hollywood Blvd., was nominated for an Emmy Award® in 1957 for Best Continuing Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic Series for THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP and received the Western Golden Boot Award® in 1991. According to IMDb: His proudest achievement was the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), which he founded in 1958 after spending considerable time with Dr. Albert Schweitzer and his clinic in Africa. Struck by the impassioned work being done by Schweitzer, O'Brian set up his own program to help develop young people into future leaders. O'Brian was awarded honorary degrees by several prestigious institutions of higher learning. The perennial bachelor finally "settled down" and tied the knot at age 81 with long-time companion of 18 years Virginia Barber in 2008, who was close to three decades his junior [She was 54; he was 83]. They lived in his Benedict Canyon home. He was also a singer and Stage actor, too, but he was proudest of his volunteer work with the military [he was the youngest drill instructor at 17 years of age in Marine Corp. history and was one of the first celebrities to frontline tours of Vietnam at the request of the State Department] and created The Hugh O'Brian Acting Awards Competition, which was developed in 1964 at UCLA with cash awards going to acting talents. He was a good man who passed on his good fortune to those who needed it the most. Hugh O'Brian passed away of natural causes and was 91 years-old.) - 09/05/16
ALEXIS ARQUETTE (Actor: One of the first transvestite actors [real name: Robert Arquette and had the nicknames "Lex" and "Eva Destruction"] to portray both men and women in films and TV Series. He was another talented member of the odd Arquette clan [which includes actors David, Richmond, Rosanna and Patricia] who chose some unusual roles in his/her career, mainly showing off what a strange, yet absorbing actor he/she was. I considered him even a weirder version of Crispin Glover, an actor I also love. Mr./Ms. Arquettes's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN - 1989 [his first film was as a transexual named Georgette, which was unforgetable]; ALIEN NATION - 1989 [TV Series]; HIGH SCORE - 1990; TERMINAL BLISS - 1990; DEATH OF A SCHOOLBOY - 1990; THE HOLLOW BOY - 1991 [TV Movie]; JUMPIN' AT THE BONEYARD - 1992; BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - 1992; OF MICE AND MEN - 1992; MIRACLE BEACH - 1992; THE WORD - 1993 [TV Series]; GREY KNIGHT - 1993; GRIEF - 1993; JACK BE NIMBLE - 1993 [One of the most underrated horror films of the 90's]; THREESOME - 1994; LIES OF THE HEART: THE STORY OF LAURIE KELLOGG - 1994 [TV Movie]; PULP FICTION - 1994; DON'T DO IT - 1994; DEATH WEEKEND - 1995 [TV Movie]; FRISK - 1995; WHITE MAN'S BURDEN - 1995; ROSEANNE - 1995 [TV Series]; PARADISE FRAMED - 1995; FRANK & JESSE - 1995; DAYS OF THE PENTECOST - 1995; THINGS I NEVER TOLD YOU - 1996 [an absolute gem of a movie]; SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK...AGAIN - 1996 [Arquette was the best thing about this horror movie sequel]; NEVER MET PICASSO - 1996; SCREAM, TEEN, SCREAM - 1996 [Short]; INSIDE OUT - 1997 [Short]; GOODBYE AMERICA - 1997; I THINK I DO - 1997; CLOSE TO - 1997 [Short]; KISS & TELL - 1997; THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998 [Arquette was absolutely hilarious as a Boy George-wannabe in a wedding band. Small role, big laughs]; CLEOPATRA'S SECOND HUSBAND - 1998; LOVE KILLS - 1998; CHILDREN OF THE CORN V: FIELDS OF TERROR - 1998; BRIDE OF CHUCKY - 1998 [Arquette again was his usual weird, but unusually-dressed, self as a victim of Jennifer Tilly]; FOOL'S GOLD - 1998; SHE'S ALL THAT - 1999; CLUBLAND - 1999; BEGGARS AND CHOOSERS - 1999 [TV Series; played both a man and a women in his episode]; OUT IN FIFTY - 1999; THE STRIP - 1999 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; PICCADILLY PICKUPS - 2000; FELICITY - 2000 [TV Series]; THE PRICE OF AIR - 2000; BOYS LIFE 3 - 2000; PERFECT LOVER - 2001; XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - 2001 [TV Series]; SONS OF THE BEACH - 2001 [TV Series]; AUDIT - 2000 [Short]; FRIENDS - 2000-2001 [TV Series; He was the Brother-In-Law of Courtney Cox because she was married to David Arquette at the time]; TOMORROW BY MIDNIGHT - 2001; THE TRIP - 2002; SPUN - 2002; KILLER DRAG QUEENS ON DOPE - 2003 [also Producer]; THE MOVIE HERO - 2003; WASABI TUNA - 2003; LORDS OF DOGTOWN - 2005; WANTED - 2005 [TV Series]; THE SURREAL LIFE - 2003-2006 [TV Series; 12 episodes]; CALIFORNICATION - 2008 [Pay Cable Series]; HERE & NOW - 2010; HARD BREAKERS - 2010; GETTING BACK TO ZERO - 2013; FIRE ISLAND '79 - 2013 [Short; Voice only]; BLENDED - 2014; THE PRETENDER - 2016 [Short]; CITIZENS - 2017; in Post-Production at the time of his death; His final acting role]. He was also the Storyboard Artist for the film MOTOROLA - 1991; and appeared in many documentaries about transvestites [Whether he was a man or a woman on any given day depended in how he felt that particular day]. He was cast as the "Young Boy" in The Tubes' "She's a Beauty" video because he/she happened to be on the set that day and was also an L.A. area underground cartoonist, his/her most famous strip was called "Nico's Mobile Mole" and was about his/her friend, actress Nico Petrakis. Alexis Arquette died of unknown causes and was 47 years-old.) - 09/11/16
KIM MCGUIRE (Actress: Ms. McGuire had a short-lived acting career, her first film was portraying "Mona 'Hatchet-Face' Malnorowski" in director John Water's CRY-BABY - 1990, but her memorable role did very little to help her acting career. Her credits included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: CRY-BABY - 1990; DREAM ON - 1990 [TV Series]; DISTURBED - 1990; ON THE AIR - 1992 [TV Series; 7 episodes]; ACTING ON IMPULSE - 1993 [TV Movie]; SERIAL MOM - 1994; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1995 [TV Series; her final acting role]. She also supplied a voice in the video game ZORK: NEMESIS - 1996 and appeared in the video documentary short IT CAME FROM... BALTIMORE!! - 2005. Ms. McGuire spent most of her time as an attorney and wrote a book "Without Recourse? Finding Your Voice!" in 2013. Kim McGuire passed away from cardiac arrest due to pneumonia and was 60 years-old.) - 09/14/16
JAMES STACY (Actor: Multiple Emmy Award®-nominated actor who lost his left arm and left leg in a serious motorcycle accident [his girlfriend died in the crash] in 1973, yet, with some financial and spiritual help from actor friends, he learned how to live with his disability and continued acting, being nominated for the Emmys after the accident. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: HIGHWAY PATROL - 1957; SAYONARA - 1957 [TF]; LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE - 1958 [TF]; SOUTH PACIFIC - 1958 [TF]; TARGET - 1958; LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON - 1962 [TF]; A.P.O. 923 - 1962 [TV Movie]; SHANNON - 1962; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1962; CHEYENNE - 1962; THE DONNA REED SHOW - 1962 [3 episodes]; CELEBRITY PARTY - 1963 [TV Special]; SUMMER MAGIC - 1963 [TF]; HAZEL - 1963; THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET - 1956-1964 [30 episodes]; WINTER A GO-GO - 1965 [TF]; MR. ROBERTS - 1965; A SWINGIN' SUMMER - 1965 [TF]; PERRY MASON - 1964-1966; AND BABY MAKES THREE - 1966 [TV Movie]; THE MONROES - 1966; COMBAT! - 1966; THE SHERIFF - 1966 [TV Movie]; INSIGHT - 1967; PREMIERE - 1968; CIMARRON STRIP - 1968; FLAREUP - 1969 [TF]; LANCER - 1968-1970 [Series Star; 51 episodes]; MEN AT LAW - 1970; PAPER MAN - 1971 [TV Movie]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972; HEAT OF ANGER - 1972 [TV Movie]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1972; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1972; GUNSMOKE - 1964-1973 [5 episodes]; ORDEAL - 1973 [TV Movie]; POSSE - 1975 [TF; his first acting role since the accident, with a role written specifically for him]; JUST A LITTLE INCONVENIENCE - 1977 [TV Movie; Emmy nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special]; MY KIDNAPPER, MY LOVE - 1980 [TV Movie; also Producer]; DOUBLE EXPOSURE - 1982 [TF]; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983 [TF]; HOTEL - 1985; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1986 [Emmy nominated for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; WISEGUY - 1990 [5 episodes]; MATTERS OF THE HEART - 1990 [TV Movie]; F/X 2 - 1991 [TF]; THE NEW WKRP ON CINCINNATI - 1992 [retired from acting after this role]. James Stacy was married to Connie Stevens [1963 - 1966] and Kim Darby [1968 - 1969]. He never married again. In a turn of events in which I have no sympathy for Stacy, in 1995, Stacy was arrested in California on charges of child molestation. Fleeing to Honolulu, Stacy attempted suicide [he drank a bottle of whiskey and jumped off a 1000 foot cliff, but a ledge 45 feet below broke his fall]. The following year, he was convicted of molesting an 11-year old girl. He served his six-year sentence at the California Institution for Men, at Chino. He was listed on National and California state sex offender registries. James Stacy possibly died of an allergic reaction after being admitted to the hospital and was 79 years-old.) - 09/15/15
EDWARD ALBEE (Playwright: One of the best modern-day playwrights [He won two Tony Awards® and three Pulitzer Prize Awards®] of any generation, Albee was responsible for the absolutely riveting film WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? - 1966, which won five Academy Awards® for Best Actress [Elizabeth Taylor], Best Supporting Actress [Sandy Dennis], Best Cinematography [Haskell Wexler]; Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Ernest Lehman [also the film's Producer] was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Screenplay adapted from Albee's writings [and also Best Picture]. Also nominated were director Mike Nichols, actors Richard Burton and George Segal and three more Oscar® nominations. Many of his plays were performed all over the world and also turned into movies. The play with the most movie adaptations is Albee's first play THE ZOO STORY. He won Pulitzer Prizes for "A Delicate Balance" [1967]; "Seascape" [1975]; and "Three Tall Women" [1994]. He was nominiated for two more. Besides winning a Tony Award for WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? in 1963, he also won another one nearly 40 years later in 2002 with "Edward Albee's The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?" and was nominated for five others. Other Albee plays included "The Ballad Of Sad Cafe" [1964]; "Tiny Alice" [1965]; "The Sandbox" [1990]; "The Play About The Baby" [2001] and others, nearly all of them nominated for major awards and winning many local awards. Edward Albee was a legend for our generation and certainly had a way with words. Even though his work has nothing to do with this website, I would advise that you educate yourself and see one of his plays or watch one of the movies based on his plays to see how powerful words can be. Sometimes they hurt worse than getting shot in the heart. Albee was a true national treasure. Edward Albee suffered from a short illness and was 88 years-old) - 09/16/16
CURTIS HANSON (Director/Producer/Writer: This madness called death has to take a holiday because we cannot afford to lose any more people whose work I love. Curtis Hanson got his start in the exploitation business and then became an Academy Award® winning screenwriter and one hell of a filmmaker. His credits included [Director unless otherwise noted]; THE DUNWICH HORROR - 1970 [Screenplay only]; SWEET KILL - 1972 [also Producer & Screenplay; a.k.a. THE AROUSERS; A KISS FROM EDDIE]; EVIL TOWN - 1977 [Co-Directed this piecemeal film under the pseudonym "Edward Collins"]; THE SILENT PARTNER - 1978 [Associate Producer & Screenplay only];  THE LITTLE DRAGONS - 1979 [also Producer]; WHITE DOG - 1982 [Screenplay only. Totally underrated film]; LOSIN' IT - 1983; NEVER CRY WOLF - 1983 [Screenplay only]; THE CHILDREN OF TIMES SQUARE - 1986 [TV Movie; also Teleplay]; THE BEDROOM WINDOW - 1987 [also Screenplay]; BAD INFLUENCE - 1990; THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE - 1992; THE RIVER WILD - 1994; L.A. CONFIDENTIAL - 1997 (also Producer & Screenplay; Won the Academy Award® for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published; Co-star Kim Basinger also won an Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Nominated for seven more Academy Awards® {including Hanson for Best Director}; This is one of those films I can watch over and over without growing tired of. Never forget "Rollo Tamasi".]; WONDER BOYS - 2000 [also Producer]; ADAPTATION - 2002 [Actor only]; GREG THE BUNNY - 2002 [TV Series]; 8 MILE - 2002 [also Producer; Proved that Eminem could act]; IN HER SHOES - 2005 [also Producer]; LUCKY YOU - 2007 [also Producer & Screenplay]; THREE RIVERS - 2010 [TV Series; Executive Producer only for one episode]; TOO BIG TO FAIL - 2011 [Pay Cable Movie; also Executive Producer; Two Emmy Award® nominations for Hanson]; THE BIG YEAR - 2011 [Producer only]; HOKE - 2012 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; CHASING MAVERICKS - 2012 [also Producer; his last directorial effort]. Hanson also appeared in about a dozen documentaries, some about Alfred Hitchcock, his film hero. In total, Hanson has won 49 different awards for his films [mainly for L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, but others, too]. Curtis Hanson passed away of natural causes and was 71 years-old.) - 09/20/16
FERN BUCHNER (Make-Up Artist: Ms. Buchner was the favorite make-up artist of Woody Allen, working on nearly two dozen of his films. She also worked in some genre films that may interest readers of this site: Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: LADY LIBERTY - 1971; THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - 1971 [Costume Designer only]; A PLACE CALLED TODAY - 1972; THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS - 1972; SUMMER WISHES, WINTER DREAMS - 1973; ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN - 1976; ANNIE HALL - 1977; THE BERMUDA DEPTHS - 1978 [TV Movie]; INTERIORS - 1978; OLIVER'S STORY - 1978; MANHATTAN - 1979; ALL THAT JAZZ - 1979; STARDUST MEMORIES - 1980; NIGHTHAWKS - 1981; ARTHUR - 1981; REDS - 1981; SOUP FOR ONE - 1982; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY - 1982; LOVESICK - 1983; ZELIG - 1983 [BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Best Make Up Artist]; BROADWAY DANNY ROSE - 1984; THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN - 1984; FIRSTBORN - 1984; THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO - 1985; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS - 1986; SWEET LIBERTY - 1986; CRITICAL CONDITION - 1987; RADIO DAYS - 1987; KOJAK: THE PRICE OF JUSTICE - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S - 1987; THE DEAD - 1987; WALL STREET - 1987; SEPTEMBER - 1987; MR. NORTH - 1988; ANOTHER WOMAN - 1988; COUSINS - 1989; NEW YORK STORIES - 1989; SEE YOU IN THE MORNING - 1989; PARENTHOOD - 1989; CRIME AND MISDEMEANORS - 1989; PRESUMED INNOCENT - 1990; EDWARD SCISSORHANDS - 1990; ALICE - 1990; SCENES FROM A MALL - 1991; ONE GOOD COP - 1991; WHAT ABOUT BOB? - 1991; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1991 [BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Best Make Up Artist]; FRIED GREEN TOMATOES - 1991; SINGLE WHITE FEMALE - 1992; HUSBANDS AND WIVES - 1992; CONSENTING ADULTS - 1992; MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY - 1993; ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES - 1993 [BAFTA Film Award® nominee for Best Make Up Artist]; THE PAPER - 1994; THE WAR - 1994; BOYS ON THE SIDE - 1995; MAD LOVE - 1995; MIGHTY APHRODITE - 1995; UP CLOSE & PERSONNAL - 1996 [Also Bit Actor]; C.P.W. - 1996 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU - 1996; THE PROSECUTORS - 1996 [TV Movie]; PICTURE PERFECT - 1997; RED CORNER - 1997; THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO - 1998; PHOENIX - 1998;  SNAKE EYES - 1998 [Her final credit]. Fern Buchner passed away from natural causes and was 87 years-old.) - 09/23/16
BILL NUNN (Actor: Very talented actor who had a pivitol role in DO THE RIGHT THING - 1989, portraying "Radio Raheem" in Spike Lee's best film [in my opinion] and as close as you come to the truth about race relations in a fictional film [it is still as relevant today as the time it was made]. He was also one of the few people that appeared in all three Toby McGuire SPIDER-MAN films, as "Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson". Bill Nunn's credits included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: SHARKY'S MACHINE - 1981; VIETNAM WAR STORY - 1987 [TV Series]; SCHOOL DAZE - 1988; DO THE RIGHT THING - 1989 [If you haven't seen it, you should. It may just open your mind. I usually don't say that about any film.]; THE LITTLEST VICTIM - 1989 [TV Movie]; GLORY - 1989; DEF BY TEMPTATION - 1989; CADILLAC MAN - 1990; MO' BETTER BLUES - 1990; NEW JACK CITY - 1991 ["Drugs ain't a black thing, or a white thing. It's a death thing. Death don't give a shit about color!".]; REGARDING HENRY - 1991; WHITE LIE - 1991 [TV Movie]; SISTER ACT - 1992; LOADED WEAPON 1 - 1993; BAKERSFIELD P.D. - 1993 [TV Series]; BLOOD BROTHERS - 1993; THE LAST SEDUCTION - 1994; DANGEROUS HEART - 1994 [TV Movie]; SAVE ME - 1994; TRAPS - 1994 [TV Series]; SILENT WITNESS: WHAT A CHILD SAW - 1994 [TV Movie]; CANDYMAN: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH - 1995; THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD - 1995; CANADIAN BACON - 1995; TRUE CRIME - 1995 [MFHV]; CHICAGO HOPE - 1995 [TV Series]; THE AFFAIR - 1995 [TV Movie]; MONEY TRAIN - 1995; LOCAL HEROES - 1995 [Failed TV Series]; FALLEN ANGELS - 1995 [TV Series]; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1995 [TV Series]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1996 [TV Series]; MR. AND MRS. LOVING - 1996 [TV Movie]; BULLETPROOF - 1996; EXTREME MEASURES - 1996; QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY - 1997 [TV Movie]; MILLENNIUM - 1997 [TV Series]; KISS THE GIRLS - 1997; MAD CITY - 1997; ELLEN FOSTER - 1997 [TV Movie]; EARLY EDITION - 1998 [TV Series]; ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED - 1998 [TV Movie]; HE GOT GAME - 1998; AMBUSHED - 1998; CARRIERS - 1998 [TV Movie]; THE LEGEND OF 1900 - 1998; THE TIC CODE - 1999; PASSING GLORY - 1999 [TV Movie]; FOOLISH - 1999; THE PRICE OF A BROKEN HEART - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE HUNGRY BACHELORS CLUB - 1999; STOLEN FROM THE HEART - 2000 [TV Movie]; LOCKDOWN - 2000; THE SUBSTITUTE: FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION - 2001 [MFHV]; THE JOB - 2001-2002 [TV Series Regular; 19 episodes]; SPIDER-MAN - 2002; PEOPLE I KNOW - 2002; THE KUDZU CHRISTMAS - 2002 [MFHV; also Associate Producer]; RUNAWAY JURY - 2003; THE DISTRICT - 2003 [TV Series]; SPIDER-MAN 2 - 2004; OUT THERE - 2006; IDLEWILD - 2006; OCTOBER ROAD - 2007 [TV Series]; FIREHOUSE DOG - 2007; SPIDER-MAN 3 - 2007; RANDY AND THE MOB - 2007; A RAISIN IN THE SUN - 2008 [TV Movie]; LITTLE BEAR AND THE MASTER - 2008; HELP ME, HELP YOU - 2009; WON'T BACK DOWN - 2012; SIRENS - 2014-2015 [TV Series Regular; 22 episodes; His last acting role]. Mr. Nunn also did plenty of Stage work and his father had worked for over 40 years as a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he has 5 Super Bowl rings. He uncovered many players from traditionally black colleges, including Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Mel Blount. Bill Nunn's cause of death was not reported at the time of this obituary and he was just 62 years-old.) - 09/24/16
HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS (Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Any horror film fanatic who doesn't know his name really is not a horror film fanatic. H.G. Lewis started out directing "nudie cuties" on the early-60's, but it was his bloody gore-filled film trilogy, with a lot of help from Producer and huckster David F. Friedman, beginning with 1963's BLOOD FEAST which nicknamed him "The Godfather Of Gore", and rightfully so. No one back then was quite prepared for the sheer amount of blood and guts these films had to offer and Lewis branched out into other genres, but took the blood and gore with him. Lewis' films were very low budget and most of the gore scenes unconvincing today, but to audiences in the 60's, they were unlike anything they have ever seen. He also directed using the pseudonyms "Armand Parys", "Mark Hansen", "Sheldon Seymour" and "R.L. Smith". And he became a legend once VHS was available in every home. Herschell Gordon Lewis' directorial credits [unless otherwise noted] included: THE NAKED EYE - 1956 [Associate Producer only]; THE PRIME TIME - 1960 [Producer & Additional Dialogue only]; LIVING VENUS - 1961 [also Producer & Screenplay]; THE ADVENTURES OF LUCKY PIERRE - 1961 [also Screenplay & Song Composer]; DAUGHTER OF THE SUN - 1962 [also Screenplay]; NATURE'S PLAYMATES - 1962; BOIN-N-G - 1963 [also Screenplay & Song Composer]; BLOOD FEAST - 1963 [also Producer, Song Composer & Screenplay; The film that changed horror films forever]; GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BARES - 1963; BELL, BARE AND BEAUTIFUL - 1963; SCUM OF THE EARTH - 1963 [also Screenplay]; TWO THOUSAND MANIACS! - 1964 [also Screenplay and composed most of the film's unforgettable songs; My favorite Lewis film; Part Two of the "Gore Trilogy"]; MOONSHINE MOUNTAIN - 1964 [also Producer & Song Composer]; MONSTER A GO-GO - 1965 [Uncredited Director; also Producer, Production Designer & Additional Dialogue; He took an unreleasable film by director Bill Rebane, shot some additional footage and it got a theatrical release]; COLOR ME BLOOD RED - 1965 [also Screenplay; Part 3 of the "Gore Trilogy"]; SIN, SUFFER AND REPENT - 1965 [Documentary]; JIMMY, THE BOY WONDER - 1966; SOMETHING WEIRD - 1967; A TASTE OF BLOOD - 1967 [also Producer]; THE GRUESOME TWOSOME - 1967 [also Producer]; THE GIRL, THE BODY AND THE PILL - 1967 [also Producer & Song Composer]; BLAST-OFF GIRLS - 1967 [also Producer & Screenplay]; THE MAGIC LAND OF MOTHER GOOSE - 1967; SHE-DEVILS ON WHEELS - 1968 [also Producer & Song Composer]; SUBURBAN ROULETTE - 1968 [also Producer, Song Composer & Screenplay]; THE ALLEY TRAMP - 1968 [also Producer]; JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT - 1968 [also Producer & Song Composer]; HOW TO MAKE A DOLL - 1968 [also Producer & Screenplay]; THE PSYCHIC - 1968 [Screenplay only]; THE ECSTASIES OF A WOMAN - 1969 [also Screenplay]; LINDA AND ABILENE - 1969; MISS NYMPHET'S ZAP-IN - 1970 [also Producer & Screenplay]; THE WIZARD OF GORE - 1970 [also Producer]; BLACK LOVE - 1971 [also Producer]; THIS STUFF'LL KILL YA! - 1971 [also Producer, Song Composer & Screenplay]; THE YEAR OF THE YAHOO! - 1972 [also Producer & Song Composer]; THE GORE GORE GIRLS - 1972 [also Producer & Song Composer; Unbelievable effects, especially a black girls nipples, in which one gives milk and the other gives chocolate milk!]; Herschell Gordon Lewis disappeared into relative obscurity [besides writing a couple of teleplays for two mid-70's TV Movies: BRIDGER - 1976 {also Sound Editor} and WANTED: THE SUNDANCE WOMAN - 1976 and Sound Recorder for one theatrical film, THE SHADOW OF CHIKARA - 1977], becoming a popular writer of advertising and mailings for marketers worldwide, even being inducted into the Direct Marketing Association's Hall of Fame [He wrote 32 books on the subject, some which are still being used today]. Doing this made him a hell of a lot more money than making films and for more than twenty years, he taught graduate-level courses in mass communications, and lectured at professional seminars worldwide. Then VHS came into prominence and his films were getting released, mainly by a few companies, including the late Mike Vraney's Something Weird Video [named after a Lewis film]. Herschell Gordon Lewis became a horror maven's star and he appeared at conventions and even directed a few more films, including BLOOD FEAST 2: ALL U CAN EAT - 2002; THE UH-OH SHOW - 2009 and his last directorial effort, HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS' BLOODMANIA - 2016, an anthology film which is now available for release. He was also Executive Producer on 2001 MANIACS: FIELD OF SCREAMS - 2010 [also Song Composer] and the video series THE CHAINSAW SALLY SHOW - 2010; Song Composer for 2001 MANIACS - 2005; and was given "based upon the motion picture" credit on the remake of THE WIZARD OF GORE - 2007. He also acted in many of his films, usually as a radio voice or narrator, but also had roles in films such as BOOK OF LORE - 2007 [Voice only]; RETARDEAD - 2008 [Opening narration only];  SMASH CUT - 2009; 7 DEADLY SINS: INSIDE THE ECOMM CULT - 2009; THE GAINESVILLE RIPPER - 2010; TONIGHT YOU DIE - 2011; and the remake of BLOOD FEAST - 2016. Herschell Gordon Lewis was a legend in the film business and proved that you didn't need unlimited finances to make good gory films. Herschell Gordon Lewis passed away of unknown causes and was 87 years-old.) - 09/26/16
GARY GLASBERG (Producer/Writer: Well-liked Producer who was currently the show-runner on NCIS and NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, when he passed away in his sleep unexpectedly at a rather young age. His credits included as Producer included [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: RUGRATS - 1992 [Writer only]; THE PRINCESS AND THE COBBLER - 1993 [Theatrical Film; Additional Dialogue only]; MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS - 1993 [Writer only; 4 episodes]; SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD - 1994 [Writer only]; DUCKMAM: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1995 [Writer only]; SWIFT JUSTICE - 1996 [Writer only]; L.A. FIREFIGHTERS - 1996 [Writer only]; VIPER - 1997 [Writer only]; RECESS - 1997 [Writer only]; GHOST STORIES - 1997-1998 [Writer only]; L.A. DOCTORS - 1998 [Writer only]; MERCY POINT - 1998 [Writer only]; GOOD VS. EVIL - 1999 [Writer only]; COVER ME - 2000 [Writer only]; THE $TREET - 2000 [Writer & Executive Story Editor only]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2001-2004 [Produced 51 episodes; Wrote 8 episodes]; THE EVIDENCE - 2006 [Produced 2 episodes; Wrote 1 episode]; LAWS OF CHANCE - 2006 [Executive Producer only]; BONES - 2006-2007 [Co-Executive Producer of 24 episodes; Wrote 2 episodes]; SHARK - 2007-2008 [Co-Executive Producer 16 episodes; Wrote 1 episode]; YOU ASK, THEY TELL - 2008 [TV mini-series; Executive Producer]; THE MENTALIST - 2008-2009 [Co-Executive Producer 23 episodes; Wrote 3 episodes]; NCIS: NEW ORLEANS - 2014-2016 [Executive Producer 49 episodes; Creator of 54 episodes]; NCIS - 2010-2016 [Executive Producer 169 episodes; Wrote 29 episodes; his last credits]. He was given a proper tribute at the end of the third episode on the 12th Season of NCIS on October 3, 2016. Gary Glasberg was found dead in his sleep and was only 50 years-old.) - 09/28/16
JOHN VULICH (Special Effects Master: John Vulich was one half of Optic Nerve who, along with partner Everett Burrell, created some of the best practical effects for horror movies [actually films of many genres] and TV Series. His credits as a Special Effects Technician included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: GHOULIES - 1984; FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER - 1984; DAY OF THE DEAD - 1985 [also portrayed a Featured Zombie]; TROLL - 1986; ELIMINATORS - 1986; TERRORVISION - 1986; CRAWLSPACE - 1986; THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 - 1986; FROM BEYOND - 1986; DOLLS - 1987; THE LOST BOYS - 1987; EVIL SPAWN - 1987 [Creature Sound Effects only]; TERROR NIGHT - 1987 [Uncredited Cinematographer & Editor only]; WEREWOLF - 1987-1988 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; FRIGHT NIGHT PART 2 - 1988; COCOON: THE RETURN - 1988; NIGHTMARE SISTERS - 1988 [Succubus Vocal Effects only]; DR. ALIEN - 1989; LINNEA QUIGLEY'S HORROR WORKOUT - 1990 [MFHV]; TWO EVIL EYES - 1990; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1990; SPIRITS - 1990; THE SLEEPING CAR - 1990 [Laboratory Technician only]; THE DARK HALF - 1993; NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD - 1993; THE FANTASTIC FOUR - 1994; MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE MOVIE - 1995; CASTLE FREAK - 1995; DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT - 1995; HYPERNAUTS - 1996 [TV Series; 3 episodes; Directed 1 episode]; THE DREW CAREY SHOW - 1997 [TV Series]; CHARMED - 1998 [TV Series]; BABYLON 5: IN THE BEGINNING - 1998 [TV Movie]; BABYLON 5: THIRDSPACE - 1998 [TV Movie]; BABYLON 5: THE RIVER OF SOULS - 1998 [TV Movie]; SUSAN'S PLAN - 1998; CHARMED - 1998 [TV Series; 4 episodes]; BABYLON 5 - 1994-1998 [TV Series; 110 episodes; also Creator of 24 episodes in 1994]; BABYLON 5: A CALL TO ARMS - 1999 [TV Movie]; CRUSADE - 1999 [TV Series]; BEING JOHN MALKOVICH - 1999; THE X-FILES - 1998-2001 [TV Series; 30 episodes]; ANGEL - 2000-2001 [TV Series; 22 episodes]; BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - 1997-2002 [TV Series; 105 episodes]; KING OF THE ANTS - 2003; RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: RAVE TO THE GRAVE - 2003 [also Associate Producer]; RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: NECROPOLIS - 2003 [also Associate Producer]; MADHOUSE - 2004 [also Associate Producer]; THE PRESTIGE - 2006; FURNACE - 2007 [Associate Producer only] STAR TREK NEW VOYAGES: PHASE II - 2007 [TV Series; his last makeup credit]; GINGERDEAD MAN 2: PASSION OF THE CRUST - 2008 [Co-Producer, Voice of the Gingerdead Man & Acted as "Makeup Effects Guy #4" only]; WAFFLE HUT - 2012 [TV Movie; Line Producer only]; GOING VERTICAL - 2017 [Associate Producer only. Filming at the time of his death]. John Vulich died in his sleep and was only 55 years-old. He passed away just two days after his birthday.) - 10/12/16
THOMAS MIKAL FORD (Actor: An actor best known for playing "Tommy Strawn" on the long-running sitcom MARTIN - 1992-1997, Ford (who used the name "Tommy Ford" for most of his acting gigs) did a lot of TV and movies before and after that series. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: KATE & ALLIE - 1987; A DIFFERENT WORLD - 1989; NASTY BOYS - 1989 [TV Movie]; HARLEM NIGHTS - 1989 [TF]; BOOKER - 1989; NASTY BOYS - 1990 [TV Series based on the 1989 TV Movie]; ACROSS THE TRACKS - 1990 [TF]; Q & A - 1990 [TF]; SINGER & SONS - 1990 [4 episodes]; EQUAL JUSTICE - 1990; LAW & ORDER - 1990; UNCLE BUCK - 1990 [3 episodes]; THE FLASH - 1991; BABY TALK - 1991; VERONICA CLARE - 1991; MACGYVER - 1991; THE BUTCHER'S WIFE - 1991 [TF]; BRAIN DONORS - 1992 [TF]; CLASS ACT - 1992 [TF]; NIGHT AND THE CITY - 1992 [TF]; LIVING SINGLE - 1993; MR. JONES - 1993 [TF]; THE KANGAROO - 1995 [TF]; AGAINST THE LAW - 1997 [TF]; MARTIN - 1992-1997 [132 episodes]; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1998-1999 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW - 1999; THE PRETENDER - 2000; HIS WOMAN, HIS WIFE - 2000 [MFHV]; THE PARKERS - 1999-2001 [7 episodes]; JUDGING AMY - 2001; THE PROUD FAMILY - 2002-2004 [Voice only]; HITCHED - 2005 [TV Movie]; CITY TEACHERS - 2007 [TF]; HOUSE - 2007; WHO'S GOT THE JOKES? - 2006-2008 [5 episodes]; LOVE AIN'T SUPPOSED TO HURT 2: THE WEDDING - 2009 [MFHV]; BABY MAMA'S CLUB - 2010 [TF]; TEMPLETON PRIDE - 2011; LET'S STAY TOGETHER - 2011; SUGAR MAMAS - 2012 [TV Movie]; SWITCHIN' THE SCRIPT - 2012 [TF]; THE FATE OF LOVE - 2012 [TF]; TO LOVE AND CHERISH - 2012 [TV Movie]; NO MORE GAMES - 2012 [TF]; HIGHWAY - 2012 [TF]; THE GOOD OLE DAYS - 2012 [TF]; WHO DID I MARRY? - 2013 [TF]; BASKETBALL WIFE - 2013 [4 episodes]; DREAMS - 2013 [TF]; IN THE MEANTIME - 2013 [TV Movie]; DOUGLASS U - 2013 [TF]; AT MAMU'S FEET - 2013 [TF; also Executive Producer]; IN GOD'S HANDS - 2014 [TV Movie]; BIG LOSERS - 2014 [TF]; 4PLAY - 2014 [TF]; FOR LOVE OR MONEY - 2014 [TF]; WHERE'S THE LOVE? - 2014 [TV Movie]; UNSPOKEN WORDS - 2014 [TF]; COULD THIS BE LOVE - 2014 [TF]; FIRST IMPRESSION - 2014 [TF]; BREEZE - 2014 [TF; also Executive Producer]; CONFLICT OF INTEREST - 2014 [TF; also Director, Executive Producer & Story]; BLAQ GOLD - 2015 [TV Movie]; EVERY FAMILY HAS PROBLEMS - 2015 [TF]; ZOE EVER AFTER - 2016; LOVE DIFFERENT - 2016 [TF]; ADDICTION BY SUBTRACTION - 2016 [MFHV]; BLUES FOR LIFE - 2016 [TF]; BEAT STREET RESURRECTION - 2016 [MFHV; also Co-Director & Producer]; THE BALLERINA - 2016 [TF]; FADE AWAY - 2016 [TF]; THE LAST TIME - 2016 [TF; also Producer]; HE WATCHES OVER ME - Date Unknown [In Post Production at the time of his death]; PANTHERLESS - ? [Also Producer; Filming at the time of his death. No information on whether his role would be recast or whether the film would be shelved]. Mr. Ford was also Director and Executive Producer of the TV Series BOULEVARD WEST - 2012; and Directed the film SWITCHING LANES, which is finished, but has no release date yet. He has been involved in numerous legitimate theater productions for which he has received tremendous critical acclaim for his producing, directing and acting efforts. Among those productions are "Jonin", "South of Where We Live", [Drama Logue Award, Image Award nominations], "Monsoon Christmas" [Drama Logue & Image Award], "Living Room" [Image Award nomination] and "Distant Fires" [Drama Logue & Image Award nomination] among a host of others. Thomas Mikal Ford died from an aneurysm and was just 54 years-old.) - 10/12/16
TED V. MIKELS (Director/Producer/Writer/Jack-Of-All-Trades: Ted Mikels was a legend in his field and a true independent filmmaker. None of his films were very good, but most of them were highly entertaining in a bad way [except his later shot-on-video films, which were just plain bad]. With his barrel chest, bear tooth necklace and white handlebar mustache, he was instantly recognizable and he once own a castle on L.A. that he kept stocked with the women who would star in his films [he later fell on hard times and was penniless]. He was always willing to help new filmmakers with their projects [he was an excellent cinematographer] and generally considered a nice guy, even by the women in his castle, whom he never took advantage of (that does not mean he did not have sex with a few of them). Mr. Mikels film credits as director included: STRIKE ME DEADLY - 1963 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer]; DR. SEX - 1964 [also Producer & Writer]; GENESIS - 1964 [Editor & Cinematographer only]; ONE SHOCKING MOMENT - 1965  [also Producer, Editor & Writer]; DAY OF THE NIGHTMARE - 1965 [Cinematographer only]; THE BLACK KLANSMAN - 1966 [also Producer & Editor]; ORGY OF THE DEAD - 1965 [Uncredited Assistant Director Only]; AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. - 1966 [Uncredited Cinematographer only]; THE HOSTAGE - 1967 [Cinematographer only]; THE CATALINA CAPER - 1967 [Cinematographer only]; GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS - 1968 [also Producer]; THE ASTRO ZOMBIES - 1968 [also Producer, Editor & Writer; The film he is most famous for]; THE CORPSE GRINDERS - 1971 [also Producer, Editor & Writer; My favorite of his films]; CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS - 1972 [Executive Producer only]; BLOOD ORGY OF THE SHE DEVILS - 1973   [also Producer, Editor & Writer]; THE DOLL SQUAD - 1973 [also Producer, Editor & Writer; CHARLIE'S ANGELS definitely ripped this off]; ALEX JOSEPH AND HIS WIVES - 1977 [also Producer, Editor & Writer]; THE WORM EATERS - 1977 [Producer only]; MISSILE X: THE NEUTRON BOMB INCIDENT - 1979 [Producer & Writer only of U.S. Version]; THE AFTERMATH - 1982 [Uncredited Co-Producer only]; TEN VIOLENT WOMEN - 1982   [also Producer, Editor & Writer]; ANGEL OF VENGEANCE - 1987 [also Line Producer, Editor & Writer]; KNEE DANCING - 1988 [Cinematographer only]; MISSION: KILLFAST - 1991 [also Producer]; APARTHEID SLAVE-WOMEN'S JUSTICE - 1997 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer]; DIMENSION IN FEAR - 1998 [also Writer & Editor]; ADDICTED TO MURDER: TAINTED BLOOD - 1998 [Actor only]; THE CORPSE GRINDERS 2 - 2000 [also Executive Producer & Writer; Simply awful]; CAULDRON: BAPTISM IN BLOOD - 2004 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer]; MALEVOLENCE - 2004 [Actor only]; MARK OF THE ASTRO-ZOMBIES - 2004 [also Producer & Writer]; PLANETFALL - 2005 [Actor only]; HEART OF A BOY - 2006  [also Producer, Cinematographer & Writer]; THE WILD WORLD OF TED V. MIKELS - 2008 [Documentary; Executive Producer only]; DEAD COUNTRY - 2008 [Actor only]; DEMON HAUNT - 2009 [also Producer, Cinematographer & Co-Writer]; KILLER BIKER CHICKS - 2009 [Actor only]; DEADER COUNTRY - 2009 [Actor only]; 7 DEADLY SINS: INSIDE THE ECOMM CULT - 2009 [Actor only]; ASTRO ZOMBIES: M3-CLONED - 2010 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer]; ASTRO ZOMBIES: M4-INVADERS FROM CYBERSPACE - 2012 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer]; CORPSE GRINDERS 3 - 2012 [Executive Producer only]; OUR FOREVER FRIENDS - 2013 [Documentary; Associate Producer only] PARANORMAL EXTREMES: TEXT MESSAGES FROM THE DEAD - 2015 [also Producer, Editor, Cinematographer & Writer; His final directorial effort] THE CORPSE GRINDERS - 2016 [Executive Producer, Second Unit Director & Actor only; filming at the time of his death. Directed by Timo Rose.]. Ted V. Mikels was a legend in independent filmmaking who worked on hundreds of films uncredited [he also acted in nearly all his films uncredited] and led a very interesting life. He always seemed to be in great shape for his age, which is amazing to me to learn of his death. He was an avid body builder and refused to join the Directors Guild of America [DGA] because he refused to be told what he could or couldn't do. Good for him. Ted was one of the last independents and was an amazing 87 years-old. He didn't look a day over 50.) - 10/16/16
BETTE JANE COHEN (Editor: Ms. Cohen was an editor-turned-documentary filmmaker who won major praise for her doc THE SPIRIT IN ARCHITECTURE: JOHN LAUTNER - 1990. Her films as an Editor included: METEOR - 1979 [Uncredited Assistant Film Editor]; THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN - 1981 [Assistant Film Editor]; BUSTIN' LOOSE - 1981 [Assistant Film Editor]; SPLITZ - 1982; TRIAL BY TERROR - 1983; CREATURE - 1985 [a.k.a. TITAN FIND]; UNDER THE CHERRY MOON - 1986 [First Assistant Film Editor]; THE ALLNIGHTER - 1987 [Assistant Editor]; LADY IN WHITE - 1988 [Additional Assistant Film Editor]; THE ABYSS - 1989 [Uncredited Assistant Film Editor]; THE SLEEPING CAR - 1990; THE SPIRIT IN ARCHITECTURE: JOHN LAUTNER - 1990 [also Director, Producer & Writer; Cohen had recently completed a 25th anniversary update to the documentary.]; MOTHER - 1995 [MFHV; her last credit]. She was recently working on a documentary about the Swiss architect Albert Frey, who spent much of his career in Palm Springs. Bette Jane Cohen died after a long illness in Los Angeles. She was 62 years-old.) - 10/19/16
MICHAEL MASSEE (Actor: Terrific character actor whose face you immediately recognize, but whose name you probably didn't know. His distinct infamy is as the character named "Funboy" who actually killed Branson Lee in THE CROW - 1994, due to a faulty blank gun accidentally loaded with a live round. Mr. Massee's other credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MY FATHER IS COMING - 1991 [TF]; THE CROW - 1994 [TF]; HOME OF ANGELS - 1994 [TF]; THE MARSHAL - 1995; SAHARA - 1995 [TV Movie]; TALES FROM THE HOOD - 1995 [TF]; SE7EN - 1995 [TF]; THE LOW LIFE - 1995 [TF]; BURNZY'S LAST CALL - 1995 [TF]; PICKET FENCES - 1996; AN UNFINISHED AFFAIR - 1996 [TV Movie]; GUY - 1996 [TF]; MOJAVE MOON - 1996 [TF]; THE X-FILES - ["The Field Where I Died" - 1996]; MURDER ONE - 1996; ONE FINE DAY - 1996 [TF]; LOST HIGHWAY - 1997 [TF]; THE END OF VIOLENCE - 1997 [TF]; THE BIG EASY - 1997; THE GAME - 1997 [TF]; PLAYING GOD - 1997 [TF]; AMISTAD - 1997 [TF]; THE LAST DON - 1997; JAMAICA BEAT - 1997 [TF]; MILLENNIUM - 1998; L.A. DOCTORS - 1999; THE FLORENTINE - 1999 [TF]; BAD CITY BLUES - 1999 [TF]; THE WHITE RIVER KID - 1999 [TF]; THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS - 2001 [TF]; NASH BRIDGES - 1997-2001; CORKY ROMANO - 2001 [TF]; 24 - 2001-2001 [Series Semi-Regular; 12 episodes]; THE PRACTICE - 2002; MOMENTUM - 2003 [TV Movie]; THREAT MATRIX - 2003; DRAGNET - 2003; CATWOMAN - 2004 [TF]; NYPD 2069 - 2004 [TV Movie]; CARNIVALE - 2003-2005 [Pay TV Series; 5 episodes]; REVELATIONS - 2005 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; THE BATMAN - 2005 [Voice only]; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2006; ULTIMATE AVENGERS - 2006 [MFHV; Voice only]; ALIAS - 2005-2006; ULTIMATE AVENGERS II - 2006 [MFHV; Voice only]; PANDEMIC - 2007 [TV Movie]; COLD CASE - 2007; UNDERDOG - 2007 [TF; Voice only]; SUPERNATURAL - 2007; SHARK - 2008; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2008 [My favorite performance of his as rocker "Jordie Black" on an episode titled "Reunion"]; CSI:NY - 2009; FLASHFORWARD - 2009-2010 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 8 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: LA - 2010; HUMAN TARGET - 2011; THE RESIDENT - 2011 [TF]; HOUSE - 2011; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2011; FRINGE - 2012; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - 2012 [TF]; DAKOTA - 2012; RIZZOLI & ISLES - 2010-2013 [4 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2013; CBGB - 2013 [TF]; IRONSIDE - 2013; AT THE DEVIL'S DOOR - 2014 [TF]; THE LAST SURVIVORS - 2014 [TF]; THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 - 2014 [TF]; INTERVENTIONS - 2014 [6 episodes]; THE WOLVES OF SAVIN HILLS - 2015 [TF]; THE BLACKLIST - 2015; EVERLASTING - 2016 [TF]; LAST MAN CLUB - 2016 [TF; His last acting role]. Although he was no way at fault, here is what he had to say about killing Brandon Lee: "It absolutely wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't even supposed to be handling the gun until we started shooting the scene and the director changed it. I just took a year off and I went back to New York and didn't do anything. I didn't work. What happened to Brandon Lee was a tragic accident and I don't think you ever get over something like that." Michael Massee passed away due to cancer and was just 61 years-old.) - 10/20/16
KEVIN MEANEY (Stand-Up Comedian/Actor: Popular comedian who was part of the 80's "New Wave Comedy" and whose catchphrase was, "That's not right!" His death was unexpected, as he was supposed to perform stand-up in East Providence, R.I. the following day. He also appeared on some TV Series and movies. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1986; BIG - 1988 [TF]; LIMITED PARTNERS - 1988 [TV Special]; PRIME TIME PETS - 1990 [Host of the pilot only]; UNCLE BUCK - 1990-1999- [Played the titled character based on the John Candy movie; 18 episodes]; THE JACKIE THOMAS SHOW - 1993; THE DAY MY PARENTS RAN AWAY - 1993 [TV Movie]; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1994 [Voice only; 5 episodes]; SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST - 1994; DUCKMAN: PRIVATE DICK/FAMILY MAN - 1994-1995 [Voice only]; NED AND STACEY - 1995; ROCKO'S MODERN LIFE - 1996 [Voice only]; DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST - 1995-1996 [Voice only; Also Writer of Additional Dialogue]; BROTHERLY LOVE - 1997; PLUMP FICTION - 1997 [TF]; THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER TO THE RESCUE - 1997 [MFHV; Voice only]; THE TOM SHOW - 1997; BEYOND BELIEF: FACT OR FICTION - 1998; SIN CITY SPECTACULAR - 1998; MAD JACK THE PIRATE - 1998 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; LATE FRIDAY - 2001 [Host]; THE NIGHTMARE ROOM - 2002; SHUT UP AND KISS ME! - 2004 [TF]; 30 ROCK - 2010; HETEROSEXUALS - 2010 [TF]; TOADALEES - 2014; ARE YOU JOKING? - 2014 [TF]; HEY MONSTER, HANDS OFF MY CITY - 2014 [TF]; BLOOD RANSOM - 2014 [TF]; 2 BROKE GIRLS - 2015; CALL ME LUCKY - 2015 [Documentary]; HIDDEN AMERICA WITH JONAH RAY - 2016 [His last acting role]. Mr. Meaney was also a guest on many daytime and nighttime talk shows; a panelist on many game shows and a stand-up comedian on many specials, including ONE NIGHT STAND - 1989 on HBO. Kevin Meaney was found dead in his home in Forestburgh, N.Y. of unknown causes and was only 60 years-old.) - 10/21/16
MICHAEL GLEASON (Writer/Producer: Mr. Gleason was a well-known Writer and Producer of TV Series, especially REMINGTON STEELE - 1982-1987. Mr. Gleason's other Writing credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: RAWHIDE - 1962; LARAMIE - 1962; IT'S A MAN'S WORLD - 1962-1963; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1963-1964; INSIGHT - 1965; THE BIG VALLEY - 1967; PEYTON PLACE - 1965-1968 [132 episodes]; THE SURVIVORS - 1969 [also Associate Producer]; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1969 [Story Consultant only]; PARIS 7000 - 1970; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1971; CANNON - 1971; THE LAST OF THE POWERSEEKERS - 1971 [TV Movie; also Associate Producer]; CADE'S COUNTY - 1972; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: WINE, WOMEN AND WAR - 1973 [TV Movie; Producer only]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: THE SOLID GOLD KIDNAPPING - 1973 [TV Movie; Producer only]; LOVE IS NOT FOREVER - 1974 [TV Movie; Producer only]; FOOLS, FEMALES AND FUN - 1974 [TV Movie; also Producer]; MCCLOUD - 1972-1974 [4 episodes; also Producer of 11 episodes; Nominated for two Emmy Awards® in 1974 & 1975 for Outstanding Limited Series; Nominated for two WGA Awards® in 1973 & 1975 for Episodic Drama Teleplays]; SONS AND DAUGHTERS - 1974 [Producer only; 9 episodes]; FORCE FIVE - 1975 [TV Movie; also Producer]; YESTERDAY'S CHILD - 1977 [TV Movie]; RICH MAN, POOR MAN-BOOK II - 1977 [5 episodes; Executive Producer of 21 episodes]; THE OREGON TRAIL - 1976-1977 [also Executive Producer of 4 episodes]; A DOUBLE LIFE - 1978 [TV Movie]; FAST CHARLIE...THE MOONBEAM RIDER - 1979 [TF]; SWORD OF JUSTICE - 1978-1979 [Creator; 10 episodes]; THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST - 1980 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1982-1987 [Creator & Executive Producer of 94 episodes; Writer of 15 episodes]; CARLY'S WEB - 1987 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; MURPHY'S LAW - 1988-1989 [also Executive Producer of 7 episodes]; SPORTING CHANCE - 1990 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; REWRITE FOR EVIL - 1991 [TV Movie]; MACSHAYNE: WINNER TAKES ALL - 1994 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; MACSHAYNE: THE FINAL ROLL OF THE DICE - 1994 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; THE SHAMROCK CONSPIRACY - 1995 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1994-1995 [3 episodes; also Executive Producer of 22 episodes]; HARRISON: CRY OF THE CITY - 1996 [TV Movie]; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1996; MR. & MRS. SMITH - 1997; THE BURNING ZONE - 1997; POLICE ACADEMY: THE SERIES - 1997-1998 [4 episodes; also Creative Consultant on 26 episodes]; NASH BRIDGES - 1999; NIGHTMAN - 1999; MARTIAL LAW - 2000; CHARMED - 2000-2002; SHE SPIES - 2003; WILD CARD - 2004; MY SILENT PARTNER - 2006 [TV Movie]; MURDER 101: COLLEGE CAN BE MURDER - 2007 [TV Movie; his final Writing credit]. Mr. Gleason also published a crime novel, "Working Dirty", in 2013. Michael Gleason died of unknown causes and was 78 years-old.) - 10/21/16
JOHN ZACHERLE(Y) (TV Personality/Singer/Actor: I think the IMDb biography of my childhood idol sums up about everything I wanted to say about this amazing man: "John Zacherle [later known as John Zacherley] was born September 26, 1918 in Philadelphia, PA, the youngest of four children. He went to high school in the Germantown area, then enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Bachelor's Degree. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a quartermaster in North Africa and Europe, and after the war he returned to Philadelphia, joining a local repertory theater company. In 1954, he appeared as an actor at WCAU-TV in the western ACTION IN THE AFTERNOON, playing several roles [including an undertaker]. It was produced by the station and aired in the New York City market. Three years later, he was hired as the host of WCAU's SHOCK THEATER, which debuted on October 7, 1957. As the host, Zacherle appeared as the character Roland [pronounced Ro-LAND], wearing a long black undertaker's coat and who lived with his wife [known as "My Dear"] and his lab assistant, Igor. It involved numerous stylized horror-comedy gags that have since become a standard to countless horror film hosts. In the opening sequence, Zacherle would descend a long staircase to the crypt. The producers erred on the side of goriness, showing fake severed heads with chocolate syrup blood. The show sometimes featured live "cut-ins" during the movie, in which the soundtrack continued to play on the air, while the visual feed switched briefly to a shot of Zacherle in the middle of a humorous stunt, such as riding a tombstone. The show ran for 92 broadcasts until 1958. He was a close colleague of AMERICAN BANDSTAND host Dick Clark, and he sometimes filled in on road touring shows of "Bandstand" in the 1960s. Dick reportedly gave Zacherle the nickname of "The Cool Ghoul," and in 1958, partly with the assistance of Clark, he recorded "Dinner with Drac" for Cameo Records, backed by Dave Appell. At first, it was thought that the recording was too gory to play on "Bandstand," and Zacherle returned to the studio to cut a second, tamer version. Eventually, both versions was released simultaneously as backsides of the same 45rpm record, and it broke the top ten nationally. Zacherle later released several LPs mixing horror sound effects with novelty songs. In 1958, CBS purchased WCAU-TV, which prompted Zacherle to leave Philadelphia for WABC-TV in New York. He continued in the same format as SHOCK THEATER, but the studio added a "y" to the end of his name (to help with pronunciation), and in March 1958, they changed the title to ZACHERLEY AT LARGE. His Roland character became Zacherley and "My Dear" became Isobel. He also began appearing in motion pictures, including "Key to Murder" [1958], alongside several of his "Action in the Afternoon" colleagues. In 1960, Zacherley moved to WOR-TV, and in a promotional gimmick, he staged a presidential campaign. His "plaform" recording can be found on the album "Spook Along with Zacherley" [1960], which originally included a "Zacherley for President" book and poster set, which is highly collectible today. He's the only horror host to appear on the cover of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" twice. In 1963, he was the first host/performer of WPIX-TV, Channel 11, New York City, hosting CHILLER THEATRE, THE MIGHTY HERCULES CARTOON SHOW [seen weekday evenings from September to November, 1963], and THE THREE STOOGES SHOW until January of 1964. He then moved to WNJU-TV in Newark and hosted a teenage dance show called DISC-O-TEEN, appearing in full costume and using the teenage participants in his skits, attracting bands like The Lovin' Spoonful, The Young Rascals and The Doors [Zacherle recalls, "Jim Morrison looked at our weird set and mumbled, 'This is the damnedest TV show I've ever seen.'"] He was a morning radio host for WNEW-FM in 1967, and two years later he became the station night broadcaster [10pm-2am] with a progressive rock format. The success of the show led to the use of the same format in Philadelphia. As "Zacherley," he hosted several rock concerts in New York City's Central Park in the 60's and 70's. On February 14, 1970, he appeared at Fillmore East music hall in New York to introduce The Grateful Dead, and his introduction of the band can be heard on their album "Dick's Picks - Volume 4." In 1971, he switched his show to WPLJ-FM in New York, where he stayed for ten years. In the early 1980's, he played a wizard on CAPTAIN KANGAROO, appearing without his costume and makeup. He continued to perform in character at Halloween broadcasts in the New York and Philadelphia areas throughout the 80's and 90's, and once narrated Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" which was backed up by the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1986, he hosted a direct-to-video program called HORRIBLE HORROR", where he performed monologues between clips from public domain sci-fi and horror films. In 1988, he struck up a friendship with B-movie horror director Frank Henenlotter, and voiced one of the lead characters in his horror comedy BRAIN DAMAGE, playing Aylmar, a slug-like, drug-dealing, brain-eating parasite. He also a cameo in Henelotter's FRANKENHOOKER, appropriately playing a TV weatherman who specializes in forecasts for mad scientists. In late 1992, Zacherley joined the staff of "K-Rock," WXRK-FM, at a time when the roster included other free-form luminaries as Vin Scelsa [with whom he'd worked at WPLJ] and Meg Griffin. However, in January of 1996, the station switched to an alternative rock format and hired all new disc jockeys. He was inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in 2011, and has lived in a one-bedroom, rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan for the past 50 years." That was a great biography about a milti-talented man, but I have a few more things to add about the man. Zacherle did many conventions in his well-known full makeup and clothing costume and was always a pleasant man with that distinctive, infectious laugh who would talk to you for hours while signing autographs and taking photos with fans. He just wasn't a horror host; he loved music most of all and, even at his advanced age, appreciated all types of music. One of my favorite TV memories happened in 2008, when John Zacherle put on his get-up and hosted the film TARANTULA [1958] on WPIX TV Channel 11's CHILLER THEATRE for one last time. Years of nostalgia came rushing over me, back to when I was a child and watched the original CHILLER THEATRE. I recorded it and it will remain one of my most treasured DVD-Rs. Other Zacherle credits included: UNCLE HARRY - 1960 [TV Special; Part of PLAY OF THE WEEK]; WHAT'S MY LINE? - 1960 [TV Game Show; Contestant]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1982 [TV Series]; GEEK MAGGOT BINGO OR THE FREAK FROM SUCKWEASEL MOUNTAIN - 1983 [Famous Underground Film]; HOORAY FOR HORRORWOOD - 1991 [Documentary]; THE FAMOUS MONSTERS 1993 WORLD CONVENTION SOUVENIR VIDEO - 1993 [Video Documentary]; I AM LEGEND - 1994 [Video Documentary]; NIAGARAVATION - 1995 [Theatrical Film]; THE ZACHERLEY ARCHIVES - 1998 [MFHV; also Producer]; MONSTERAMA: A TRIBUTE TO HORROR HOSTS - 2004 [Documentary]; THAT'S INDEPENDENT! - 2004 [Documentary]; UNCONVENTIONAL - 2004 [Documentary]; DR. HORROR'S EROTIC HOUSE OF IDIOTS - 2004 [MFHV]; THE PERFECT WOMAN - 2004 [Short]; THE DRUNKEN DEAD GUY - 2005 [MFHV]; AMERICAN SCARY - 2006 [Documentary]; THE WITCH'S DUNGEON: 40 YEARS OF CHILLS - 2006 [Documentary]; VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE - 2006 [Video Documentary; Clips Provider only]; BYGONE BEHEMOTH - 2010 [Short; his final acting role]; THE AURORA MONSTERS: THE MODEL CRAZE THAT GRIPPED THE WORLD - 2010 [Documentary]; CELLULOID BLOODBATH: MORE PREVUES FROM HELL - 2012 [Movie Trailer Documentary]; ONE HIT WONDERLAND - 2012 [Documentary]. John Zacherle(y) passed away from natural causes and was 98 years-old.) - 10/27/16
DON MARSHALL (Actor: Best remembered by Baby Boomers as one of the regular actors on TV's LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1968-1970 and the film THE THING WITH TWO HEADS - 1972, Don Marshall had a very varied career in both mediums as one of the early black actors to make it during the 60's when there weren't that many roles for black people. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE INTERNS - 1962 [TF]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1963; GREAT GETTIN' UP MORNIN' - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE LIEUTENANT - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1964; SHOCK TREATMENT - 1964 [TF]; THE ROGUES - 1965; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; BEN CASEY - 1965; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; DAKTARI - 1966 [3 episodes]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966; STAR TREK - 1967; MR. TERRIFIC - 1967; TARZAN - 1967; IRONSIDE - 1967; PREMIERE - 1968; DRAGNET 1967 - 1967-1968; SERGEANT RYKER - 1968 [TF]; THE DONALD O'CONNOR SHOW - 1969; JULIA - 1968-1970 [4 episodes]; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1968-1970 [Series Regular; 51 episodes]; BEWITCHED - 1970; THE RELUCTANT HEROES - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE THING WITH TWO HEADS - 1972 [TF]; TERMINAL ISLAND - 1973 [TF]; UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT - 1974 [TF]; POLICE STORY - 1974-1975; HUGO THE HIPPO - 1975 [TF; Voice only]; GOOD TIMES - 1976; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; RICH MAN, POOR MAN-BOOK II - 1976; BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977; RESCUE FROM GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1978 [TV Movie]; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1979; THE SUICIDE'S WIFE - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1978-1980 [3 episodes]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1981; CAPITOL - 1982; FINDER OF LOST LOVES - 1984; HIGHWAY HEARTBREAKER - 1992 [TV Movie; His final acting role]; THE FANTASY WORLDS OF IRWIN ALLEN - 1995 [TV Movie Documentary]; FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES - 2012 [TV Movie Documentary]. Don Marshall passed away from an unknown illness and was 80 years-old.) - 10/30/16
OWISO ODERA (Actor: Young up-and-coming Kenya born actor who passed away much too soon. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]; NUMB3RS - 2005; THE UNIT - 2006; RELATIVE OBSCURITY - 2007 [TF]; DIRT - 2007 [4 episodes]; THE THIRST: BLOOD WAR - 2008 [TF]; ACHOLILAND - 2009 [Short]; FLASHFORWARD - 2010; THREE RIVERS - 2009-2010 [6 episodes]; BLUE BLOODS - 2013; OJ: THE MUSICAL - 2013 [TF]; THE ORIGINALS - 2014 [3 episodes]; NCIS: LOS ANGELES - 2014; THE GOOD WIFE - 2014; THE MILLERS - 2014 [Voice only]; UNFORGETTABLE - 2014; MADAME SECRETARY - 2014; H4 - 2015 [TF]; MINORITY REPORT - 2015; ASHA - 2015 [Short; His last film acting role]. Mr. Odera was also heavily involved in stage work. He died on stage during rehearsals for a new play called "Measure Plus Dido" and first responders were unable to save him. Owiso Odera was just 43 years-old.) - 11/04/16
JOHN CARSON (Actor: Prolific British actor who has appeared on many British TV series and all genres of films. Readers of this site will recognize him for the Hammer horror film and other horror films that he did. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: TEHERAN - 1946 [TF]; BOSTON BLACKIE - 1952 [3 episodes]; QUENTIN DURWARD - 1955 [TF]; RAMSBOTTOM RIDES AGAIN - 1956 [TF]; SWORD OF FREEDOM - 1957; A PICTURE OF AUTUMN - 1957 [TV Movie]; INTENT TO KILL - 1958 [TF]; TELEVISION PLAYWRIGHT - 1959; IVANHOE - 1958-1959 [5 episodes]; THE LADY IS A SQUARE - 1959 [TF]; WILLIAM TELL - 1959; EMERGENGY-WARD 10 - 1959 [Series Regular; 23 episodes]; H.G. WELLS' INVISIBLE MAN - 1959; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1958-1959 [3 episodes]; BBC SUNDAY_NIGHT THEATRE - 1959; PORTRAIT OF A MAN - 1960 [TV Movie]; SATURDAY PLAYHOUSE - 1960; FORMULA FOR DANGER - 1960 [3 episodes]; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD - 1959-1960; THE PURSUERS - 1961; MASK OF A CLOWN - 1961; SEVEN KEYS - 1961 [TF}; THE SECRET OF THE NUBIAN TOMB - 1961; YOU CAN'T WIN - 1961; LOCKER 69 - 1962 [TF]; THE CHEATERS - 1961-1962; OLIVER TWIST - 1962 [TV mini-series; 9 episodes]; OUT OF THIS WORLD - 1962; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1962 [4 episodes]; GUNS OF DARKNESS - 1962 [TF]; MAN OF THE WORLD - 1962; THE BACCHAE - 1962; THE SET UP - 1963 [TF]; MASTER SPY - 1963 [TF]; ACCIDENTAL DEATH - 1963 [TF]; SUSPENSE - 1962-1963 [3 episodes]; GHOST SQUAD - 1961-1963; MAUPASSANT - 1963; FIRST NIGHT - 1963; MAIGRET - 1962-1963; SMOKESCREEN - 1964 [TF]; ACT OF MURDER - 1964 [TF]; IT'S DARK OUTSIDE - 1964 [7 episodes]; FESTIVAL - 1964; THE PROTECTORS - 1964; STORY PARADE - 1964; THE EDGAR WALLACE MYSTERY THEATRE - 1962-1964 [4 episodes]; THE OLD WIVE'S TABLE - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1964; CRANE - 1964; ABOUT RELIGION - 1965; FRONT PAGE STORY - 1965; ZERO ONE - 1965; BLACKMAIL - 1965; THE AVENGERS - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; HEREWARD THE WAKE - 1965 [9 episodes]; THE MAN IN THE LOOKING GLASS - 1965 [TV Movie]; BLOOD BEAST FROM OUTER SPACE - 1965 [TF; a 70's TV perennial]; THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES - 1966 [TF]; THE LIARS - 1966; COURT MAQRTIAL - 1966; THE BARON - 1966; PUBLIC EYE - 1965-1966; ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! - 1966; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1966; THE SAINT - 1962-1967 [4 episodes]; GIRL IN A BLACK BIKINI - 1967; NO HIDING PLACE - 1967; CONFLICT - 1967; THE INFORMER - 1967; MAN IN A SUITCASE - 1967; THE EXPERT - 1968; THUNDERBIRD 6 - 1968 [TF; Voice only]; THE CHAMPIONS - 1969; THE DETECTIVE - 1968-1969; DOMBEY AND SON - 1969 [TV mini-series; 13 episodes]; DEPARTMENT S - 1970; THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF - 1970 [TF; Very underrated]; WICKED WOMEN - 1970; TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA - 1970 {TF]; THE MURDOCKS AND THE MCCLAYS - 1970 [TV Movie]; THE SINNERS - 1970 [TV mini-series]; MENACE - 1970; HAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1970; RULES, RULES, RULES - 1971; PAUL TEMPLE - 1971; OUT OF THE UNKNOWN - 1971; TAKE THREE GIRLS - 1971; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1967-1971; MALE BAIT - 1971 [TF]; MOGUL - 1966-1972 [15 episodes]; LOVE STORY - 1972; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1971-1972; NO EXIT - 1972; EMMA - 1972 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; ARMCHAIR 30 - 1973; POSSESSION - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE ADVENTURES OF BLACK BEAUTY - 1973-1974; SPECIAL BRANCH - 1974; CAPTAIN KRONOS-VAMPIRE HUNTER - 1974 [TF; One of my favorites]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1970-1974; COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE COLLABORATORS - 1974; NIGHTINGALE'S BOYS - 1975; AFFAIRS OF THE HEART - 1975; ,SUTHERLAND'S LAW - 1975; SHADES OF GREENE - 1975; BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH - 1976; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1976; KILLERS - 1976; VICTORIAN SCANDALS - 1976; THE NEW AVENGERS - 1976; THE MACKINNONS - 1977; RAFFLES - 1977; JUBILEE - 1977; MURDER MOST ENGLISH: A FLAXBOROUGH CHRONICLE - 1977; CENTRE PLAY - 1977; SECRET ARMY - 1977; THE CHILDREN OF NEW FOREST - 1977 [5 episodes]; 1990 - 1978; SEND IN THE GIRLS - 1978; THE FAMOUS FIVE - 1978; THE PROFESSIONALS - 1978; KIDNAPPED - 1978 [TV mini-series; 8 episodes]; SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DOCTOR WATSON - 1979; TELFORD'S CHANGE - 1979; AFTER JULIUS - 1979; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1980; THE ENIGMA FILES - 1980; GUARDIAN OF THE ABYSS - 1980 [TV Movie]; OPPENHEIMER - 1980 [TV mini-series; 7 episodes]; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1981; SUNDAY NIGHT THRILLER - 1981; CRIBB - 1981; KING's ROYAL - 1982; FROST IN MAY - 1982 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; SQUADRON - 1982; DOCTOR WHO - 1983 [4 episodes]; STRANGERS AND BROTHERS - 1984; SKATING ON THIN UYS - 1985 [TF]; CITY OF BLOOD - 1987 [TF]; SURVIVOR - 1987 [TF]; TENTH OF A SECOND - 1987 [TF]; AN AFRICAN DREAM - 1987 [TF]; DIAMONDS HIGH - 1988 [TF]; SHAKA ZULU - 1986-1989 [5 episodes]; THE LAST WARRIOR - 1989 [TF]; SCREEN ONE - 1989; SCHWEITZWER - 1990 [TF]; THE SHELTERING DESERT - 1991 [TF]; THE LAST HERO - 1991 [TF]; MY DAUGHTER'S KEEPER - 1991 [TF]; DEATH IN THE FAMILY - 1993 [TV mini-series]; WOMAN OF DESIRE - 1994 [TF]; THE VISUAL BIBLE: ACTS - 1994 [MFHV]; RHODES - 1996 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; MANDELA AND de KLERK - 1997 [TV Movie]; MAIGRET - 1997; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 2: MAYDAY - 1997 [TF]; BLACK VELVET BAND - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD - 1998; OPERATION DELTA FORCE 3: CLEAR TARGET - 1998 [TF]; CI5: THE NEW PROFESSIONALS - 1999; I DREAMED OF AFRICA - 2000 [TF]; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT - 1989-2005; THE DEAL - 2008 [TF]; DOOMSDAY - 2008 [TF; one of my favorite of his latter roles]; DOCTORS - 2011; SILENT WITNESS - 2012; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2013; AMICUS VAULT OF HORROR - 2015 [Video Documentary; his final acting role].  as you can see, he certainly was prolific on TV and in Theatrical Films, but most remember him from the few films and television shows he did with Hammer Films. A lot of people ,said he sounded exactly like James Mason and if you ever saw him act, you would agree. John Carson passed away in Cape Town,  South Africa and was 89 years-old.) - 11/05/16
JULIE GREGG (Actress: Ms. Gregg was best known as being Sonny Corleone's wife, Sandra, in THE GODFATHER - 1972 and THE GODFATHER PART II - 1974, but she acted in a lot of TV Series and an occasional Movie during her career. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965; BONANZA - 1965; BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966 [TF]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1966; BATMAN - 1966 [3 episodes]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1966; IRON HORSE - 1967; BEWITCHED - 1966-1967; HELL OF BORNEO - 1967 [TF]; THE FLYING NUN - 1968; MOD SQUAD - 1969; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1969-1970; THE VIRGINIAN - 1970; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969-1970; MATT LINCOLN - 1970; GUNSMOKE - 1971; THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS - 1971; SARGE - 1971; THE GODFATHER - 1972 [TF]; BANYON - 1972 [Series Regular; 7 episodes]; MAN OF LA MANCHA - 1972 [TF]; CANNON - 1972-1973; MANNIX - 1970-1973 [3 episodes]; THE F.B.I. - 1974; KOJAK - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - ["The Devil's Platform" - 1974]; THE GODFATHER PART II - 1974 [TF]; IRONSIDE - 1975; MOBILE TWO - 1975 [TV Movie; Pilot for the short-lived MOBILE ONE TV Series]; MOBILE ONE - 1975-1976 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; BARETTA - 1976; THE GODFATHER: A NOVEL FOR TELEVISION [TV mini-series; Both GODFATHER films were edited so the story was in chronological order, with material not seen in either film and shown over four days in one three-hour segment and three two-hour segments. Since this was for TV, most of the foul language was dubbed and a lot of violence was missing, especially most of Sonny's death. Ms. Gregg was only in three parts since the first part was way before Sonny was an adult. Director Francis Ford Coppola agreed to re-edit THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER PART II into one, in order to raise money for his beleaguered production APOCALYPSE NOW - 1979.]; THE WILDS OF TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1978; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; THE SEEKERS - 1979 [TV mini-series]; SKINFLINT: A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1979 [TV Movie]; B.J. AND THE BEAR - 1979-1981 [3 episodes]; NURSE - 1981; FALCON CREST - 1985; BROTHERS - 1987; THE KILL REFLEX - 1989 [TF]; TRHE GODFATHER TRILOGY: 1901 - 1980 - 1992 [TF: One of the best re-edited trilogies ever made. I watched it on HBO recently and it was over 7 hours long!]; DEAD ON - 1994 [TF; her last film acting role]; Ms, Gregg was also heavily involved in Stage work and sas nominated for Broadway's 1968 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for "The Happy Time". She also acted and sang the role of Julie LaVerne in a 1981 touring production of "Show Boat". Her acting mentor was Jackie Cooper, who had her cast in the failed TV Series MOBILE ONE - 1975-1976, in which Cooper was the star. Julie Gregg passed away from cancer and was 72 years-old.) - 11/07/16
LEONARD COHEN (Singer/Songwriter: One of my favorite singer/songwriters, this Grammy Award® winning Quebec, Canada-born wonder wrote and sang songs that actually told a story and most of them were dark and entrancing [or in his own words: "I always considered myself a minor writer. My province is small, and I try to explore it very, very thoroughly."]. I have many favorites that he has written and sung, but my favorite has to be "The Future" which was played over the end credits of Oliver Stone's NATURAL BORN KILLERS - 1994. Many films and TV Series used his songs on their soundtracks and it would take me all day to list them all. Cohen had that distinctive voice that would pull you in and not let you go until the song was over, so I am only going to list the movies his songs were on. Do yourself a favor if you never heard a Cohen song: Buy one of his albums, any one really, and sit spellbound throughout the entire run. He was one of the best and beats Bob Dylan in my opinion because his songs were the real, raw deal. The films Leonard Cohen's songs can be heard on are [Documentary filmmakers loved to use his music and for good reason]:  THE ERNIE GAME - 1967 [also Actor]; THE THORN - 1971; DYNAMITE CHICKEN - 1971; MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN - 1971; MCCABE & MRS. MILLER - 1971; BEWARE OF A HOLY WHORE - 1971; THE SECOND COMING OF SUZANNE - 1974; FOX AND HIS FRIENDS - 1975; LIKE A BIRD ON A WIRE - 1975 [TV Movie]; FEAR OF FEAR - 1975 [TV Movie]; A WEDDING - 1978; THE CAT - 1988; LOVE AT LARGE - 1990; BANNED FROM HEAVEN - 1990; BIRD ON A WIRE - 1990; PUMP UP THE VOLUME - 1990; EXOTICA - 1994; COLD WATER - 1994; NATURAL BORN KILLERS - 1994; WHEN NIGHT IS FALLING - 1995; STRANGE DAYS - 1995; BREAKING THE WAVES - 1996; A PERFECT CANDIDATE - 1996; RIVER STREET - 1996; BASQUIAT - 1996; LOST AND FOUND - 1996; LOVE, ETC. - 1996; TRUE LOVE AND CHAOS - 1997; MR. JEALOUSY - 1997; PLATINUM - 1997 [TV Movie]; HEAVEN BEFORE I DIE - 1997; KISS THE SKY - 1998; WONDER BOYS - 2000; ONE HUNDRED STEPS - 2000; DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA - 2000; SHREK - 2001; SECRETARY - 2002; YELLOWKNIFE - 2002; THE EMBALMER - 2002; THE GOOD THIEF - 2002; THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE - 2003; THE GIN GAME - 2003 [TV Movie]; NATHALIE - 2003; Z CHANNEL: A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION - 2004; THE EDUKATORS - 2004; A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD - 2004; LAND OF PLENTY - 2004; SAINT RALPH - 2004; WOLF - 2004; THE LAST TRAPPER - 2004; KISSED BY WINTER - 2005; DUCK - 2005; BAREFOOT - 2005; LORD OF WAR - 2005; FOUR CORNERS OF SUBURBIA - 2006; FAILURE TO LAUNCH - 2006; SALVADOR - 2006; DELIVER US FROM EVIL - 2006; THE BACKWOODS - 2006; BANISHED - 2007; THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS - 2007; LUCKY YOU - 2007; UNFINISHED SKY - 2007; FEAST OF LOVE - 2007; THE ESCAPIST - 2008; SUGAR - 2008; ELEGY - 2008; THE LAST DEADLY MISSION - 2008; CURE FOR LOVE - 2008; THE TENDER HOOK - 2008; BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL - 2008; WATCHMEN - 2009; PIRATE RADIO - 2009; PASSENGER SIDE - 2009; BUSTIN' DOWN THE DOOR - 2009; BARNEY'S VERSION - 2010; LIFE AS WE KNOW IT - 2010; THE PUTT PUTT SYNDROME - 2010; TAKE THIS WALTZ - 2011; RAMPART - 2011; THE FIRST TIME - 2012; DARK TOURIST - 2012; THE CONGRESS - 2013; SUZANNE - 2013; LAST LOVE - 2013; ISMAEL - 2013; LIFE ITSELF - 2014; TAMMY - 2014; ALTMAN - 2014; WILD - 2014; ROSEWATER - 2014; CAROLS BY KINDLELIGHT - 2014; MIA MADRE - 2015; THE PROGRAM - 2015; THE BRIDE - 2015; THE WALK - 2015; HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE - 2016; IRREPLACEABLE - 2016; THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING - 2016; THE INFILTRATOR - 2016; PETE'S DRAGON - 2016; WAR DOGS - 2016; SING - 2016 [his last film while still alive, but there will be many more in the future]. Mr. Cohen also composed the entire scores of the following: ANGEL - 1967 [Short]; SATELLITE - 1968; WHO'S HE ANYWAY - 1983 [Short]; OTHER TONGUES - 1984; NIGHT MAGIC - 1985 [also Screenwriter]; BOTH SIDES OF THE WIRE - 1993; KINDRED: THE EMBRACED - 1996 [TV Series]; LEONARD COHEN: I'M YOUR MAN - 2005; and HALLELUJAH - 2016 [Short]. His music can be heard on hundreds of TV series and he even had a big acting part on a 1986 episode of MIAMI VICE. He has done plenty of filmed concerts, which are mesmerizing to watch because he was a fascinating musical genius. Some interesting tidbits about Leonard Cohen: He was engaged to Rebecca De Mornay. He spent part of the late 1990s living in a Buddhist monastery in California, became a monk and was the student of Zen Master, Sasaki Roshi. His Zen name was Jikan, which means "Silent One". His "Greatest Hits" collection was voted the most depressing album ever, the vote made by a British magazine [I guess they miss the point of his music]. He was awarded the O.C. [Officer of the Order of Canada] on April 19, 1991 and the C.C. [Companion of the Order of Canada] on October 10, 2002 for his services to music. He was 32 years old when he released his first album. As you can see, he was no ordinary person by any stretch of the imagination and his music reflected that. He was a living legend as far as I'm concerned and now he is no longer with us. Leonard Cohen died from undisclosed causes [it turns out he fell out of his bed in his sleep and never woke up, dying peacefully] and was 82 years-old) - 11/10/16
ROBERT VAUGHN (Actor: Dependable and formidable actor best known to Baby Boomers for his role as "Napolean Solo" in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1968 and "Harry Rule" in THE PROTECTORS - 1972-1974. Vaughn was also part of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1960. He was a familiar face in movies, usually playing a bad guy, crooked cop or gunfighter. He has been acting since the mid-50's and mainly on TV for the first half half of his career. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MEDIC - 1955; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; YOU ARE THERE - 1956; BIG TOWN - 1956; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1956; FRONTIER - 1956; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1956 [TF; Uncredited]; WEST POINT - 1956; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956; FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1956; TELEPHONE TIME - 1957; HELL'S CROSSROADS - 1957 [TF]; NO TIME TO BE YOUNG - 1957 [TF]; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1956-1957; GUNSMOKE - 1956-1957; DRAGNET - 1958; PANIC! - 1958; TEENAGE CAVE MAN - 1958 [TF; Vaughn's first horror film]; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; WHIRLY BIRDS - 1958; JEFFERSON DRUM - 1958; UNWED MOTHER - 1958 [TF]; THE RIFLEMAN - 1958; GOOD DAY FOR A HANGING - 1959 [TF]; ZORRO- 1959; BRONCO - 1959; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957-1959; FRONTIER DOCTOR - 1959; THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS - 1959 [TF; Nominated for an Academy Award® as Best Actor in a Supporting Role]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1959; STATE TROOPER - 1959; RIVERBOAT - 1959; THE LINEUP - 1959; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959; WICHITA TOWN - 1959; LAW OF THE PLAINSMAN - 1959; ALCOA THEATRE - 1960; THE REBEL - 1960; MEN INTO SPACE - 1960; THE MAN FROM BLACKHAWK - 1960; CHECKMATE - 1960; LARAMIE - 1960; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1960 [TF]; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1960; WAGON TRAIN - 1958-1960; STAGECOACH WEST - 1961; THRILLER - 1961; THE BIG SHOW - 1961 [TF]; THE AQUANAUTS - 1961; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1957-1961; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1961; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1961; 87TH PRECINCT - 1961; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER - 1962; BONANZA - 1962; G.E. TRUE - 1963; EMPIRE - 1963; THE VIRGINIAN - 1963; BOSTON TERRIER - 1963 [TV Movie]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1963; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE CARETAKERS - 1963 [TF]; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1962-1963; THE LIEUTENANT - 1963-1964 [Series Regular; 16 episodes]; TO TRAP A SPY - 1964 [TF; Uncredited appearance as Napolean Solo]; THE SPY WITH MY FACE - 1965 [TF; Uncredited appearance as Napolean Solo]; PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES - 1966; ONE SPY TOO MANY - 1966 [TF; Episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. stitched together]; THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT - 1966 [TF; Uncredited appearance as Napolean Solo]; ONE OF OUR SPIES IS MISSING - 1966 [TF; Episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. stitched together]; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1965-1966; THE VENETIAN AFFAIR - 1966 [TF]; THE KARATE KILLERS - 1967 [TF; Uncredited appearance as Napolean Solo]; THE SPY IN THE GREEN HAT - 1967 [TF; Episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. stitched together]; THE HELICOPTER SPIES - 1968 [TF; Episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. stitched together]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964-1968 [Series Regular; 105 episodes]; HOW TO STEAL THE WORLD - 1968 [TF; Episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. stitched together]; BULLITT - 1968 [TF; Great as a corrupt politician]; IF IT'S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM - 1969 [TF]; THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN - 1969 [TF]; JULIUS CAESAR - 1970 [TF]; THE MIND OF MR. SOAMES - 1970 [TF; Memorable supernatural thriller]; THE STATUE - 1971 [TF]; CLAY PIGEON - 1971 [TF]; THE WOMAN HUNTER - 1972 [TV Movie]; WITNESS TO YESTERDAY - 1974; THE MAN FROM INDEPENDENCE - 1974 [TF]; THE PROTECTORS - 1972-1974 [Series Regular; 52 episodes; Also Directed one episode]; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974 [TF]; SCAR TISSUE - 1975 [TF]; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1976 [Also Directed one episode]; COLUMBO - 1975-1976; KISS ME, KILL ME - 1976 [TV Movie]; CAPTAINS AND KINGS - 1976 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; 3-WAY SPLIT - 1976 [TF]; DEMON SEED - 1977 [TF; Voice of the baby-making computer, Proteus IV]; THE FEATHER AND FATHER GANG - 1977; WASHINGTON: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1977 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]; STARSHIP INVASION - 1977 [TF: Simply awful]; THE LUCIFER COMPLEX - 1978 [TF; Even more awful than the previous film]; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; THE ISLANDER - 1978 [TV Movie]; GREATEST HEROES OF THE BIBLE - 1978; BRASS TARGET - 1978 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1979; BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE - 1979 [TV mini-series]; CENTENNIAL - 1978-1979 [TV mini-series; 10 episodes]; GOOD LUCK, MISS WYCOFF - 1979 [TF; Very underrated]; THE REBELS - 1979 [TV Movie]; MIRROR, MIRROR - 1979 [TV Movie]; CUBA CROSSING - 1980 [TF. This film hads more alternate titles than Jess Franco has pseudonyms]; DOCTOR FRANKEN - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST - 1980 [TV Movie]; CITY IN FEAR - 1980 [TV Movie]; DAY OF RESURRECTION - 1980 [TF]; HANGAR 18 - 1980 [TF; I love this film for a reason I can yet explain]; BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS - 1980 [TF; One of Roger Corman's STAR WARS rip-offs and one of his best]; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1980; S.O.B. - 1981 [TF]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981; FANTASIES - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE DAY THE BUBBLE BURST - 1982 [TV Movie]; A QUESTION OF HONOR - 1982 [TV Movie]; INSIDE THE THIRD REICH - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE BLUE AND THE GRAY - 1982 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; F.D.R.: THE MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE - 1983 [TV Movie; portrayed F.D.R., one of many real-life politicians and Military Men he has played in his career]; SILENT REACH - 1983 [TV mini-series; 2 episodes]; INTIMATE AGONY - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.: THE FIFTEEN YEARS LATER AFFAIR - 1983 [TV Movie]; SUPERMAN III - 1983 [TF; The less said, the better]; HEROES - 1983 [TF]; HOTEL - 1983; THE LAST BASTION - 1984 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; EMERALD POINT N.A.S. - 1983-1984 [Series regular; 13 episodes]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1984; EVERGREEN - 1985 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; PRIVATE SESSIONS - 1985 [TV Movie]; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1985 [TV Movie]; BLACK MOON RISING - 1986 [TF]; MURROW - 1986 [TV Movie; Portrayed F.D.R. again]; PRINCE OF BEL AIR - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE DELTA FORCE - 1986 [TF; One of my favorite 80's actioners]; STINGRAY - 1986; YOU ARE THE JURY - 1986; HOUR OF THE ASSASSIN - 1987 [TF]; THE A-TEAM - 1986-1987 [Series Regular during the last season; 13 episodes]; DESPERADO - 1987 [TV Movie]; NIGHTSTICK - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE CALL ME RENEGADE - 1987 [TF]; REACHING FOR THE SKIES - 1987; KILLING BIRDS - 1987 [TF; Italian horror film]; THE RAY BRADBURY THEATER - 1988; SKELETON COAST - 1988 [TF]; THE EMISSARY - 1988 [TF]; CAPTIVE RAGE - 1988 [TF]; THAT'S ADEQUATE - 1989 [TF; Very funny comedy where Vaughn appears as Adolf Hitler]; HUNTER - 1989 [3 episodes]; C.H.U.D. II: BUD THE CHUD - 1989 [TF]; RIVER OF DEATH - 1989 [TF]; BRUTAL GLORY - 1989 [MFHV]; TRANSYLVANIA TWIST - 1989 [TF; Kitchen sink comedy that is very funny at times]; BURIED ALIVE - 1990 [TF]; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1990 [TF]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE DEFIANT DAUGHTER - 1990 [TV Movie]; DARK AVENGER - 1990 [TV Movie]; GOING UNDER - 1990 [TF]; LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - 1991; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1992 [3 episodes]; TATORT - 1992; BLIND VISION - 1992 [TF]; LINCOLN - 1992 [TV Movie; Voice only]; DANGER THEATRE - 1993 [TV Series Host; 7 episodes]; TRACKS OF GLORY - 1994 [TV mini-series; 2 episodes]; SIRENS - 1994; KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES - 1993-1994; WSH: THE MYTH OF THE URBAN MYTH - 1994 [TV Movie]; DUST TO DUST - 1994 [TF]; ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 1995 [TV Movie]; BURKE'S LAW - 1995; DANCING IN THE DARK - 1995 [TV Movie]; WITCH ACADEMY - 1995 [TF]; JOE'S APARTMENT - 1996 [TF]; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1996; MILK & MONEY - 1996 [TF]; MENNO'S MIND - 1997 [TF]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1996-1997; MOTEL BLUE - 1997 [TF]; VULCAN - 1997 [TF]; AN AMERICAN AFFAIR - 1997 [TF]; THE COMPANY MAN - 1998 [MFHV]; VISIONS - 1998 [TF]; HOST - 1998 [TV Movie]; MCCINSEY'S ISLAND - 1998 [TF]; THE NANNY - 1996-1998; THE SENDER - 1998 [TF]; LAW & ORDER - 1997-1998 [3 episodes. Extremely effective as a man of power who is losing his mental capacities]; BASEKETBALL - 1998 [TF]; RECESS - 1999; THE SENTINEL - 1999; THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - 1998-2000 [6 episodes]; POOTIE TANG - 2001 [TF; another underrated comedy]; COTTONMOUTH - 2002 [TF]; HAPPY HOUR - 2003 [TF]; HOODLUM & SON - 2003 [TF]; SCENE STEALERS - 2004 [TF]; 2BPERFECTLYHONEST - 2004 [TF]; GANG WARZ - 2004 [TF]; THE WARRIOR CLASS - 2007 [MFHV]; FAMILY OF THE YEAR - 2007; THE VERDICT - 2008 [TV Movie]; LITTLE BRITAIN USA - 2008; PATRIMONY - 2011 [Short]; HUSTLE - 2004-2012 [48 episodes]; CORONATION STREET - 2012 [13 episodes]; EXCUSE ME FOR LIVING - 2012 [TF]; THE MAGNIFICENT ELEVEN - 2012 [TF]; A CRY FROM WITHIN - 2014 [TF]; PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS - 2014; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2006-2015; THE AMERICAN SIDE - 2016 [TF]; GOLD STAR - 2016 [TF; His final acting role]. Mr. Vaughn also was a panelist on many game shows, was a good friend of Steve McQueen [ever since they made THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN together, the theme of which Vaughn used as the ringtone on his cell phone] and appeared in many Documentaries. He had a star installed on The Walk Of Fame on July 27, 1998 at 6633 Hollywood Blvd. Robert Vaughn was one great actor and was widely in demand as you can see by his credits list. He could also play comedy just as well as drama and enjoyed the chance to do so when the chance came up. Robert Vaughn died of acute leukemia and was 83 years-old.) - 11/11/16
LUPITA TOVAR (Actress: Mexico-born actress [Her father was Mexican and her mother was Irish] who is best known for her role as "Eva" in the 1931 Spanish Version of DRACULA, filmed at the same time as the Bela Lugosi version, only with Carlos Villar portraying "Conde Drácula" [A lot of critics find the Spanish version of the film superior than the Lugosi version, even though all the same sets were used in both versions. They feel it is better acted and they are probably right. I found the English version very static.]. Many films during the 1930's shot both English and Spanish language versions of films, using different actors and directors. She may have been the last surviving member of both versions of DRACULA. She started out doing silent films and her other film credits included: THE VEILED WOMAN - 1929; JOY STREET - 1929; THE BLACK WATCH - 1929; THE COCK-EYED WORLD - 1929; THE CAT AND THE CANARY - 1930 [Spanish version; Filmed in two versions just like DRACULA]; PARISIAN GAITIES - 1931 [Short; Spanish Version]; DRACULA - 1931 [Spanish Version]; TEN CENTS A DANCE - 1931 [Spanish Version]; YANKEE DON - 1931; ARABIAN NIGHTS - 1931 [Spanish Version]; EAST OF BORNEO - 1931; BORDER LAW - 1931; SANTA - 1932 [Mexico's first all-talking film]; BROKEN LIVES - 1935; STORM OVER THE ANDES - 1935; THE INVADER - 1936; MARIHUANA - 1936; CAPTAIN CALAMITY - 1936 [Spanish Version]; BLOCKADE - 1938; EL ROSARIO DE AMOZOC - 1938; MARIA - 1938; THE FIGHTING GRINGO - 1939; TROPIC FURY - 1939; SOUTH OF THE BORDER - 1939; GREEN HELL - 1940; THE WESTERNER - 1940; TWO GUN SHERIFF - 1941; RESURRECTION - 1943; GUN TO GUN - 1944 [Short]; MIGUEL STROGOFF - 1944; THE CRIME DOCTOR'S COURAGE - 1945; INVITATION PLAYHOUSE: MIND OVER MURDER - 1952 [TV Series; Her last acting role]. Ms. Tovar quit acting to raise a family with her husband, film Producer Paul Kohner [They were married from 1932 until her husband's death in 1988]. Her son is film Producer Pancho Kohner who produced most of Charles Bronson's films from the mid-70's to throughout the 80's. Lupita Tovar passed away of natural causes and was an amazing 106 years-old. She died on the day after her daughter Susan Kohner's 80th birthday. Susan Kohner is an Academy Award® nominated actress for IMITATION OF LIFE - 1959.) - 11/12/16
LISA MASTERS (Actress: Little-known actress who usually appeared in small, sometimes uncredited roles in TV series and films, Her career was beginning to flourish when she passed away. Ms. Masters credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: CLOSE UP - 1996 [TF]; BURN - 1998 [TF]; THE SIEGE - 1998 [TF]; ONE DAY - 2002 [Short]; HOPE & FAITH - 2004; THE STEPFORD WIVES - 2004 [TF]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2005; UGLY BETTY - 2008; THE CLIQUE - 2008 [MFHV]; IT'S COMPLICATED - 2009 [TF]; BEACH LANE - 2010 [TV Movie]; GOSSIP GIRL - 2011; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2012; ROYAL PAINS - 2012; BLUMENTHAL - 2013 [TF]; UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT - 2015; NASHVILLE - 2015; THE GIRL IN THE BOOK - 2015 [TF]; FISHBOWL - 2015 [TF; Her final acting role]. Ms. Masters was also Art Director for the film BENEATH THE MISSISSIPPI - 2008. She has also appeared in over 30 TV Commercials, She also appeared in Off-Broadway plays. Lisa Masters was vacationing and was found dead in a hotel room in Lima, Peru. Lisa Masters Masters had been struggling with depression, and officials found antidepressants in her hotel room. She apparently hanged herself and was 52 years-old.) - 11/15/16
JOAN CARROLL (Child Actress: During the late-1930's and to mid-1940's, child actress Joan Carroll [born Joan Marie Felt] starred in a variety of films, some of them well known. Her credits included [all theatrical films]: ONE MILE FROM HEAVEN - 1937; WALKING DOWN BROADWAY - 1938; GATEWAY - 1938; TWO SISTERS - 1938; MR. MOTO'S LAST WARNING - 1939; TOWER OF LONDON - 1939; A CHILD IS BORN - 1939; BARRICADE - 1939; LADDIE - 1940; PRIMROSE PATH - 1940; ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS - 1940; OBLIGING YOUNG LADY - 1942; PETTICOAT LARCENY - 1943; MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS - 1944 [Her best-known film; she co-starred with Judy Garland]; TOMORROW, THE WORLD - 1945; THE CLOCK - 1945; THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S - 1945 [Also one of her popular films, in which she co-starred with Bing Crosby, and her last as a child actress at the age of 13. She basically retired from Show Business, except for a few other credits {which you will see below}]. In 1969, she appeared in the West German musical mini-series DES BROADWAYS LIEBSTES KIND, her only appearance as an adult actress. She also appeared as herself on the TV series THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1951 and CAVALCADE OF STARS - 1951 and some WW II propaganda documentary shorts during the early-1940's. Ms. Carroll was married to the same man [James Krack] for 65 years, since 1951, and was also an accomplished ice skater and piano player. Joan Carroll died of undisclosed causes and was 84 years-old.) - 11/16/16
PAUL SYLBERT (Production Designer: Mr. Sylbert was an Academy Award® winning Production Designer for HEAVEN CAN WAIT - 1978 and was nominated for an Academy Award® for THE PRINCE OF TIDES - 1991. His other film credits as Production Designer included: PREMIERE - 1951 [TV Special]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1952 [TV Series]; SUSPENSE - 1952 [TV Series; 9 episodes]; ROOGIE'S BUMP - 1954; THE WRONG MAN - 1956; BABY DOLL - 1956; A FACE IN THE CROWD - 1957; COUNTRY MUSIC HOLIDAY - 1958; TEENAGE MILLIONAIRE - 1961; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1961 [TV Series]; WITHOUT EACH OTHER - 1962; THE TIGER MAKES OUT - 1967; RIOT - 1969; BAD COMPANY - 1972; THE DROWNING POOL - 1975; ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975; MIKEY AND NICKY - 1976; HEAVEN CAN WAIT - 1978 [Academy Award® winner for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration]; HARDCORE - 1979; LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER - 1979 [TV Special]; KRAMER VS. KRAMER - 1979; RESURRECTION - 1980; BLOW OUT - 1981; WOLFEN - 1981; WITHOUT A TRACE - 1983; GORKY PARK - 1983; THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE - 1984; FIRSTBORN - 1984; THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN - 1985; ISHTAR - 1987; NADINE - 1987; THE PICK-UP OFFICE - 1987; BILOXI BLUES - 1988; FRESH HORSES - 1988; CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - 1991; RUSH - 1991; THE PRINCE OF TIDES - 1991 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration]; SLIVER - 1993; MILK MONEY - 1994; FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME - 1991; THE GRASS HARP - 1995; ROSEWOOD - 1997; CONSPIRACY THEORY - 1997; TO END ALL WARS - 2001; A TRIP TO SWADADES - 2008 (His last on-screen credit. Mr. Sylbert also Directed 1 episode of MR. BROADWAY - 1964; 2 episodes of THE DEFENDERS - 1964; 1 episode of THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964; 1 episode of THE REPORTER - 1964; and the films INSTANT LOVE - 1965 [considered "Lost"] and the great little film THE STEAGLE - 1971 [also Screenwriter]. He was also responsible for the story on which the Sylvester Stallone-Rutger Hauer film NIGHTHAWKS [1981] was based. He was also the twin brother of late two-time Academy Award® winning Production Designer Richard Sylbert [who passed away in 2002] and in 2009 won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild®. Peter Sylbert died in a hospital of undisclosed causes and was 88 years-old.) - 11/19/16
PETER SUMNER (Actor: Australian actor best known for his role as "Lt. Pol Treidum" in the original STAR WARS - 1977. His other credits included [Australian TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical film]: MY BROTHER JACK - 1965; THEY'RE A WEIRD MOB - 1966 [TF]; COLOR ME DEAD - 1969 [TF]; THE LINK MEN - 1970; NED KELLY - 1970 [TF}; DELTA - 1969-1970; DYNASTY - 1970; OVER THERE - 1972; THE COMEDY GAME - 1973; BONEY - 1973; SPYFORCE - 1971-1973 [TV Series Regular; 41 episodes]; CERTAIN WOMEN - 1973; ...AND MILLIONS WILL DIE - 1973 [TV Movie]; HUMAN TARGET - 1974 [TV Movie]; A TOUCH OF REVERENCE - 1974; THE EVIL TOUCH - 1973-1974 [3 episodes]; MATLOCK POLICE - 1974; HOMICIDE - 1974; SILENT NUMBER - 1974; THE SPIRAL BUREAU - 1974 [TV Movie]; DIVISION 4 - 1975; THE LOST ISLANDS - 1976; MCMANUS - 1976 [TV Movie]; LUKE'S ISLAND - 1976; STAR WARS - 1977 [TF]; BLUEY - 1977; GLENVIEW HIGH - 1978; THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH - 1978 [TF; Very underrated film]; CATSPAW - 1978; THE KING OF TWO DAY WONDER - 1978 [TF]; SKYWAYS - 1979; MIDDLE AGE SPREAD - 1979 [TF]; YOUNG RAMSAY - 1980; PLAYERS IN THE GALLERY - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE DEPARTMENT - 1980 [TV Movie]; TRIAL BY MARRIAGE - 1980; RUN REBECCA, RUN! - 1981 [TF]; THE SURVIVOR - 1981 [TF; A great little horror film, like an extended episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE]; TICKLED PINK - 1978-1981; COP SHOP - 1977-1983 [4 episodes]; THE DISMISSAL - 1983 [TV mini-series]; BUSH CHRISTMAS - 1983 [TF]; SPECIAL SQUAD - 1984; THE SECRET DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA - 1984 [TV Movie]; FIVE MILE CREEK - 1984; ARMY WIVES - 1986 [TV Movie]; SHARK'S PARADISE - 1987 [TV Movie]; HOT ICE - 1987 [TV Movie]; ALL THE WAY - 1988 [TV mini-series]; THE FLYING DOCTORS - 1987-1989; NEIGHBOURS - 1990 [Long-Running TV Series; 16 episodes]; HAMPTON COURT - 1991; CLUEDO - 1992 [Series Regular; 21 episodes]; SURVIVE THE SAVAGE SEA - 1992 [TV Movie]; A COUNTRY PRACTICE - 1984-1992 [6 episodes]; SEEING RED - 1992 [TF]; G.P. - 1989-1995 [4 episodes]; HEARTBREAK HIGH - 1997 [Series Semi-Regular; 37 episodes]; SPELLBINDER - 1995-1997 [5 episodes]; MOBY DICK - 1998 [TV mini-series]; MURDER CALL - 1998; THE DARK REDEMPTION - 1999 [Short; Played "Lt. Pol Treidum" in this STAR WARS Fan Film]; HOME AND AWAY - 2000; WATER RATS - 1998-2001; OUTRIDERS - 2001 [4 episodes]; JEOPARDY - 2002; BLUE HEELERS - 2002; SNOBS - 2003; JESSICA - 2004 [TV Movie]; ALL SAINTS - 1999-2008; EKTOPOS - 2011 [TF]; RYDER COUNTRY - 2012 [TF]; RAKE - 2014; THE QUARANTINE HAUNTINGS - 2015 [TF; His last acting role]. Peter Sumner was battling a long illness and was 74 years-old.) - 11/22/16
ANDREW SACHS (Actor: Best known for playing "Manuel" the fumbling Spanish waiter on FAWLTY TOWERS - 1975-1979, Mr. Sachs was acting long before and after that cult series. His first film was in the 1940's, but his forte was British TV and using his wonderful voice doing voiceover work on animated British & foreign TV Series. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: HUE AND CRY - 1947 [TF]; THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY - 1947 [TF]; DIAL 999 - 1959; MAKE MINE A DOUBLE - 1959 [TF]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1958-1959 [3 episodes]; BRIAN RIXA PRESENTS: BOOBS IN THE WOODS - 1960 [TV Movie]; NOTHING BARRED - 1961 [TF]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1961; THE SIX PROUD WALKERS - 1962 [TV Series Regular; 12 episodes]; THE SAINT - 1962; DIAL RIX - 1962; MR TOBY'S CHRISTMAS - 1962 [TV mini-series; Portrayed Mr. Toby]; ESPIONAGE - 1963; LEGEND OF DEATH - 1965; INTRIGUE - 1966; ASTERIX THE GAUL - 1967 [TF; Voice for English language version]; HUGH AND I SPY - 1968; NEAREST AND DEAREST - 1968; FRAUD SQUAD - 1969; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1968-1969 [3 episodes]; MY PARTNER THE GHOST - 1970; CALLAN - 1970; CODENAME - 1970; HITLER: THE LAST TEN DAYS - 1973 [TF]; COVER UP - 1974 [TF]; ROBIN HOOD JUNIOR - 1975 [TF]; THE CONFESSIONAL - 1975 [TF; One of Director Pete Walker's great horror films]; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1977 [TF]; TOOK AND CO. - 1977 [also Writer]; THE SOUND OF LAUGHTER - 1977; THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW - 1976-1977; SEND IN THE GIRLS - 1978; CROWN COURT - 1978; RISING DAMP - 1978; WHAT'S UP NURSE! - 1978 [TF]; REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1978 [TF; Portrayed "Hercule Poirot"]; STRANGERS - 1979; LOVELY COUPLE - 1979; FAWLTY TOWERS - 1975-1979 [12 episodes; played "Manuel" on the first and last seasons only]; THE TEMPEST - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE HISTORY OF MR. POLLY - 1980 [TV mini-series; 5 episodes]; MONKEY - 1978-1980 [52 episodes; Voice only for English language version]; HISTORY OF THE WORLD-PART 1 - 1981 [TF]; DEAD ERNEST - 1982[ TV Series Regular; Played Ernest for 7 episodes]; IT'LL ALL BE OVER IN HALF AN HOUR - 1983 [3 episodes]; BIG DEAL - 1984; THE GALACTIC GARDEN - 1985 [TV Movie; also Writer]; THERE COMES A TIME - 1985 [TV Series Regular; 7 episodes]; ARTISTS AND MODELS - 1986; ASSERT YOURSELF - 1987 [TV mini-series]; CONSUMING PASSIONS - 1988 [TF]; ASTERIX AND THE BIG FIGHT - 1988 [TF; Voice for the English language version]; BERGERAC - 1989; WOOF! - 1992; THE GINGERBREAD MAN - 1992; THE MUSHROOM PICKER - 1993 [TV mini-series]; THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD - 1993 [TF]; EVERY SILVER LINING - 1993 [6 episodes]; TAXANDRIA - 1994 [TF]; MINDER - 1994; LESSON FAUST - 1994 [TF; Voice for English language version]; PIRATES - 1994; WILLIAM'S WISH WELLINGTONS - 1994-1995 [11 episodes; Voice only]; HORIZON - 1996 [TV Documentary; portrayed Albert Einstein]; THE FORGOTTON TOYS - 1997 [Voice only]; THE LEGEND OF THE LOST KEYS - 1998; BIG BAG - 1996-1998 [29 episodes; Voice only]; NORMAN ORMAL: A VERY POLITICAL TURTLE - 1998 [TV Movie; Voice only]; STARHILL PONIES - 1998; PARKING WARS - 1999; JACK OF HEARTS - 1999; LITTLE GREY RABBIT - 2000; THAT PETER KAY THING - 2000 [6 episodes; Voice only]; ATTACHMENTS - 2000; SILENT WITNESS - 2000; NOWHERE IN AFRICA - 2001 [TF]; SINGLE VOICES - 2002; COMEDY LAB - 2002; BETWEEN IRAQ AND A HARD PLACE - 2003 [TV Movie]; DOCTORS - 2003; DOCTOR WHO: SHADA - 2003 [6 episodes]; CHEEKY - 2003 [TF]; LOOKING FOR VICTORIA - 2003 [TV Movie]; SPEER UN ER - 2005 [German TV mini-series]; HOLBY CITY - 2005; EGYPT - 2005 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; TIMEWATCH - 1994-2005 [TV Documentary; Narrator]; THE BILL - 2006; MR. LOVEDAY'S LITTLE OUTING - 2006 [TV Movie]; CORONATION STREET - 2009 [27 episodes]; GOING POSTAL - 2010 [TV mini-series]; CASUALTY - 2008-2011 [3 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR WIFE - 2012 [TF]; QUARTET - 2012 [TF]; SPIES OF WARSAW - 2013 [TV mini-series]; BREAKING THE BANK - 2014 [TF]; EASTENDERS - 2015; ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - 2016 [TF; His last credited role]. Mr. Sachs also did many documentaries [usually as the Narrator], British comedy variety shows and game shows. He recorded children's books on tape and classics like Charles Dickens, Evelyn Waugh, George Eliot, etc. He was up to take over as DOCTOR WHO but didn't get the part. Sylvester McCoy got the part. There is a wax figure of him as "Manuel", from FAWLTY TOWERS, in Madam Tussaud's in London. Andrew Sach passed away from dementia and was 86 years-old.) - 11/23/16
FLORENCE HENDERSON (Actress/Singer: Florence Henderson was everyone's favorite TV mother, thanks to her role of "Carol Brady" on THE BRADY BUNCH - 1969-1974 [which typecast her for the rest of her career]. Sure she may have been an old-fashioned mom when compared to those mothers who exist today, but she made sure all her kids and the ones she adopted by marrying Robert Reed [who was gay in real life], always did the right things. Not many moms are like that today. Ms. Henderson was also a much-in-demand actress and singer on both TV and in films and the following is her Filmography [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: A SALUTE TO RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN - 1954; I SPY - 1955; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1957-1958; LITTLE WOMEN - 1958; SING ALONG - 1958; THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE - 1968; THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - 1968; SONG OF NORWAY - 1970 [TF]; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1969-1974 [117 episodes]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1975; THE SMOTHER BROTHERS SHOW - 1975; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; THE LOVE BOAT - 1976 [Pilot TV Movie for the long-running series]; DINAH! - 1976; DONNY AND MARIE - 1976; THE MUPPET SHOW - 1976; THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - 1976 [Considered to be the weirdest one hour TV Special ever. Pal Lynde's look at rock band KISS is priceless]; 3 GIRLS 3 - 1977; THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR - 1976-1977  [Series Regular; 9 episodes]; THE MUPPETS GO HOLLYWOOD - 1979 [TV Special]; THE BRADY GIRLS GET MARRIED - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE BRADY BRIDES - 1981 [Regular for failed TV Series; 5 episodes]; HART TO HART - 1981; POLICE SQUAD! - 1982; ALICE - 1983; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979 - 1983 [3 episodes]; GLITTER - 1984; FINDER OF LOST LOVES - 1984; COVER UP - 1985; THE LOVE BOAT - 1977-1987 [10 episodes]; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1987; JUST A REGULAR KID: AN AIDS STORY - 1987 [Afternoon TV Movie]; A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS - 1988 [TV Movie]; THERE REALLY IS A SANTA CLAUS - 1989 [TV Movie]; DAY BY DAY - 1989; FREE SPIRIT - 1989; THE BRADYS - 1990 [Regular in failed TV Series; 5 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986-1990 [3 episodes]; OUT OF THIS WORLD - 1991; SHAKES THE CLOWN - 1991 [TF; One of my favorite films of all time]; FOR GOODNESS SAKE - 1993 [Short]; ROSEANNE - 1994; NAKED GUN 33 1/3: THE FINAL INSULT - 1994 [TF]; THE MOMMIES - 1994; NIGHT STAND - 1995; CAROLINE IN THE CITY - 1995; FUDGE - 1995; THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE - 1995 [TF; played "Grandma"); BRADY BUNCH HOME MOVIES - 1995 [TV Special]; DAVE'S WORLD - 1993-1995 [4 episodes]; BAD HAIR DAY: THE VIDEO - 1996 [Video Short]; FOR GOODNESS SAKE II - 1996 [Short]; NEW PASSAGES - 1996 [TV Movie]; ELLEN - 1997; HERCULES - 1998; ALLY MCBEAL - 2000; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2000; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1983-2000; LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - 2001 [TV Movie; Voice only]; MOM'S ON STRIKE - 2002 [TV Movie]; WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY - 2002; I LOVE MUPPETS - 2002 [TV Special]; DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR - 2003 [TF]; 'WEIRD AL' YANKOVIC: THE ULTIMATE VIDEO COLLECTION - 2003 [MFHV; Appeared in "Amish Paradise" Music Video]; THE SURREAL LIFE - 2003-2006; LOONATICS UNLEASHED - 2006 [Voice only; 3 episodes]; THE BRADY BUNCH CAST BACK IN HAWAII - 2006 [TV Movie]; MY FAIR BRADY - 2006-2007 [15 episodes]; THE JUNIOR DEFENDERS - 2007 [MFHV]; FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE - 2008 [TF]; LADIES OF THE HOUSE - 2008 [TV Movie]; SAMANTHA WHO? - 2009; THE FLORENCE HENDERSON SHOW - 2007-2009 [TV Interview Show; 52 episodes]; VENUS & VEGAS - 2010 [TF]; THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO - 2010 [Portrayed "Traffic School Instructor" in one of Jay's comedy bits]; THE CHRISTMAS BUNNY - 2010 [TF]; SCOOBY-DOO!: MYSTERY INCORPORATED - 2011 [Voice only]; SHATNER'S RAW NERVE - 2011; THE CLEVELAND SHOW - 2012 [Voice only]; HANDY MANNY - 2012 [Voice only]; MATCHMAKER SANTA - 2012 [TV Movie]; HAPPILY DIVORCED - 2012; 30 ROCK - 2012; VANITY FAIR: DECADES - 2013 [TV Special]; WHO'S COOKING WITH FLORENCE HENDERSON - 2013 [Reality Series Regular; 12 episodes; also Co-Executive Producer]; WE HAVE A DREAM - 2013 [MFHV]; TROPHY WIFE - 2014; INSTANT MOM - 2014; FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK - 2016 [TF]; SOFIA THE FIRST - 2016; K.C. UNDERCOVER - 2016; THE ELEVENTH - 2016; GRANDMOTHERS MURDER CLUB - 2017 [TF; In Post-Production at the time of her death. Her final acting role]. Florence Henderson was also a frequent quest on many daytime and nighttime talk & variety shows [she first appeared on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW in 1954], a frequent panelist on many game shows [especially THE MATCH GAME - 1963-1967 {68 episodes} and the many incarnations of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES] and dozens of documentaries about the 60's, 70's and THE BRADY BUNCH. In 1996 she got a Star on The Walk of Fame at At 7060 Hollywood Blvd. In 2007, she and the rest of THE BRADY BUNCH cast & crew won TV Land Awards® Pop Culture Award. Her husband, Dr. John Kappas [who passed away in 2002], was a hypnotherapist, and he and Florence met when he helped her battle depression during the mid-1980s. In a 2006 TV Guide/Bravo poll, her Carol Brady character was named the TV mom that most shaped viewers perceptions of a housewife with 45% of the vote. She topped both June Cleaver and Shirley Partridge for the honor. Ms. Henderson was also heavily involved in Stage work and claimed to have performed the role of "Maria" in the Rodger & Hammerstein musical, "The Sound of Music", more than any other actress. Another Baby Boomer idol is now no more. Florence Henderson died of undisclosed circumstances at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day [Just the Monday before her death, she appeared on DANCING WITH THE STARS, cheering on her Brady daughter Maureen McCormick and Florence herself was in competition on the show in 2010] and was 82 years-old.) - 11/24/16
AL BRODAX (TV & Movie Animation Producer: Mr. Brodax was a producer of animated TV Series and shorts [Beetle Bailey; Snuffy Smith & Barney Google; Krazy Kat] that were shown between double features since 1960 and, as a child, I saw most of these series and shorts first run [He joined King Features Syndicate in 1960 as the head of their then-newly created film and television development department.]. His credits included [TV Series unless otherwise mentioned]: THE PHANTOM - 1961 [TV Movie; Production Executive]; POPEYE THE SAILOR - 1960-1962 [Executive Producer of 220 episodes; five different animation studios were simultaneously involved in creating the episodes]; HOME SWEET SWAMPY - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer & Writer]; PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer & Writer]; HERO'S REWARD - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer & Writer]; SNUFFY'S SONG - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; THE HAT - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; THE METHOD AND MAW - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; A TREE IS A TREE IS A TREE? - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer & Writer]; TAKE ME TO YOUR GEN'RUL - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; KEEPING UP WITH KRAZY - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; ET TU OTTO - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; MOUSE BLANCHE - 1962 [Short; Executive Producer]; KRAZY KAT - 1963 [Executive Producer for 48 episodes]; BEETLE BAILEY - 1963 [Executive Producer for 45 episodes]; SNUFFY SMITH AND BARNEY GOOGLE - 1963-1964 [Executive Producer for 45 episodes]; THE NEW CASPER CARTOON SHOW - 1963-1964 [Executive producer for 13 episodes]; HELLO DERE - 1965 [Executive Producer & Producer]; COOL MCCOOL - 1966 [Executive Producer, Lyrics Writer & Creator]; THE BEATLES - 1965-1967 [Executive Producer & Creator of 39 episodes]; YELLOW SUBMARINE - 1968 [Theatrical Film; Producer and Screenplay; Uncredited Director of live sequences]; BLONDIE - 1968-1969 [Executive Producer & Theme Music Composer for 13 episodes; This was a live action show, not Animation]; BETWEEN TIME AND TIMBUKTU - 1972 [TV Movie; Supervisor]; MAKE A WISH - 1970-1975 [AnimationSupervisor]; ANIMALS, ANIMALS, ANIMALS - 1975-1980 [Animation Supervisor]; SUNSHINE PORCUPINE - 1980 [TV Movie; Producer & Writer; his last screen credit]. He worked as a Hollywood consultant to Marvel Comics in the 1980s. In 2004 Brodax released a memoir, "Up Periscope Yellow: The Making of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine". From 1950 to 1960, Brodax worked in program development for the William Morris Agency, where he helped develop YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS; PULITZER PRIZE PLAYHOUSE; and OMNUBUS. Al Brodax died of undisclosed causes and was 90 years-old.) - 11/24/16
RON GLASS (Actor: Dependable actor best known to Baby Boomers as one of the stars of the classic TV sitcom BARNEY MILLER - 1975-1982 and to Millennials as one of the stars of the unfairly cancelled FIREFLY - 2002-2003 and the Theatrical Film wrapup to the series SERENITY - 2005 [Which I hoped would turn into a franchise, but it did not happen]. He was always playing a different character and was a regular on many series, making him one of the memorable actors of our generations. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1973; BEG, BORROW OR STEAL - 1973 [TV Movie]; SHIRTS/SKINS - 1973 [TV Movie]; MAUDE - 1973; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1973; GRIFF - 1973; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1974; CHANGE AT 125TH STREET - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE CRAZY WORLD OF JULIUS VROODER - 1974 [TF]; GOOD TIMES - 1974; SANFORD AND SON - 1972-1974; LET'S SWITCH! - 1975 [TV Movie]; INSIGHT - 1973-1975; FOSTER AND LAURIE - 1975 [TV Movie]; WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974-1976 [3 episodes]; CRASH - 1978 [TV Movie]; HART TO HART - 1980; BARNEY MILLER - 1975-1982 [164 episodes; Nominated for an Emmy Award® in 1982 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series]; THE NEW ODD COUPLE - 1982-1982 [Short-lived black version of the classic TV series; He played "Felix Unger" for 18 episodes]; GUS BROWN AND MIDNIGHT BREWSTER - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - 1985 [Played the Devil in the episode "I Of Newton"]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SHOOTING STAR - 1986 [TV Movie]; 227 - 1987; DEEP SPACE - 1988 [TF]; SONNY SPOON - 1988; FAMILY MATTERS - 1989; THE NEW ADAM-12 - 1991; AMEN - 1989-1991 [4 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992; THE ROYAL FAMILY - 1992; RHYTHM & BLUES - 1992-1993 [Regular of short-lived TV Series; 13 episodes]; DESIGNING WOMEN - 1993; ALADDIN - 1994 [Voice only]; HOUSEGUEST - 1995 [TF]; IT'S MY PARTY - 1996 [TF]; MR. RHODES - 1996-1997 [Regular on short-lived TV Series; 17 episodes]; BACK IN BUSINESS - 1997 [TF]; SUPERMAN - 1997 [Voice only]; THE PRACTICE - 1997; TEEN ANGEL - 1997-1998 [Regular on short-lived TV Series; 17 episodes]; INCOGNITO - 1999 [TV Movie]; TWICE IN A LIFETIME - 1999; FRIENDS - 1999; UNBOWED - 1999 [TF]; DEAL OF A LIFETIME - 1999 [TF]; JACK & JILL - 2000; ZOE, DUNCAN, JACK & JANE - 2000; STAR TREK: VOYAGER - 2000; RUDE AWAKENING - 2001; RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT - 2001 [TF; Voice only]; YES, DEAR - 2001; RUGRATS - 1993-2001 [Voice only; 5 episodes]; THE EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD - 2001; THE PROUD FAMILY - 2001; A RUGRATS KWANZAA SPECIAL - 2001 [TV Movie; Voice only]; FIREFLY - 2002-2003 [Unfairly cancelled TV Series; 14 episodes]; THE DIVISION - 2004; SERENITY - 2005 [TF; a continuation of FIREFLY and a damn good movie]; SECRET HISTORY OF RELIGION: KNIGHTS TEMPLAR - 2006 [TV Movie; Reenactor]; SECRET HISTORY OF RELIGION: DOOMSDAY-BOOK OF REVELATION - 2006 [TV Movie; Reenactor]; SHARK - 2006-2007 [3 episodes]; ALL GROWN UP - 2003-2008 [Voice only; 12 episodes]; LAKEVIEW TERRACE - 2008 [TF]; DIRTY SEXY MONEY - 2008; DEATH AT A FUNERAL - 2010 [TF]; CSI:NY - 2011; STRANGE FRAME: LOVE & SAX - 2012 [TF; Voice only]; MAJOR CRIMES - 2013; AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - 2013-2014; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2014; THE CALAMITIES OF JANE - 2016 [His final acting role]. Mr. Glass also directed one episode of the TV Series STAT in 1991. Ron Glass also did his fair share of Documentaries and Game Shows as well as voicing several Video Games, yet he hardly did any appearances on daytime or nighttime Talk Shows. Ron Glass [who was a Buddhist] passed away of respiratory failure and was 71 years-old.) - 11/26/16
FRITZ WEAVER (Actor: Jesus Christ Almighty, when is Novenber going to end? I always loved Fritz Weaver for playing highly intelligent people, even in horror films such as CREEPSHOW - 1982. Mr. Weaver has a long Credits list, so let's get started. His filmography included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1957; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1958; OMNIBUS - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959; CBS REPERTOIRE WORKSHOP - 1960; FESTIVAL - 1960; PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1961; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1957-1961 [3 episodes]; WAY OUT - 1961; JANE EYRE - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Third From The Sun" - 1960; "The Obsolete Man" - 1961]; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961; THE NEW BREED - 1961; THE POWER AND THE GLORY - 1961 [TV Movie]; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1956-1962 [4 episodes]; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE DEFENDERS - 1961-1963; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1962-1964; ESPIONAGE - 1964; World War one - 1964 [TV Documentary; was the voice of Woodrow Wilson]; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1964; FAIL-SAFE - 1964 [TF; One of the best Cold War thrillers of the 60's]; TO TRAP A SPY - 1964 [TF; Two episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. edited together with unseen footage added]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1964 [He was the first THRUSH villain]; THE ROGUES - 1964; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1964; RAWHIDE - 1964; THE FUGITIVE - 1966; COMBAT! - 1966; GUNSMOKE - 1967; THE BORGIA STICK - 1967 [TV Movie]; NBC EXPERIMENT IN TELEVISION - 1967; THE CRUCIBLE - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE INVADERS - 1967; PREMIERE - 1968; GENTLE BEN - 1968; N.Y.P.D. - 1968; CBS PLAYHOUSE - 1968; THE OUTCASTS - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969; FELONY SQUAD - 1969; THE BIG VALLET - 1967-1969; THE MALTESE BIPPY - 1969 [TF; Stars Rowan & Martin of LAUGH-IN]; IRONSIDE - 1970; A WALK IN THE SPRING RAIN - 1970 [TF]; BERLIN AFFAIR - 1970 [TV Movie]; DAN AUGUST - 1971; MEN AT LAW - 1971; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1971 [4 episodes]; COMPANY OF KILLERS - 1971 [TV Movie]; NIGHT GALLERY - ["A Question Of Fear" - 1971]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1961-1971 [4 episodes]; MEDICAL CERNER - 1972; ROOM 222 - 1972; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELOR AT LAW - 1972; HEAT OF ANGER - 1972 [TV Movie]; BANYON - 1972; MOD SQUAD - 1972; THE SNOOP SISTERS - 1972; HUNTER - 1973; MANNIX - 1968-1973; THE DELPHI BUREAU - 1973; RX FOR THE DEFENSE - 1973 [TV Movie]; DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - 1973 [TF]; KUNG FU - 1974; THE BOOK OF MURDER - 1974 [TV Movie]; A TOUCH OF THE POET - 1974 [TV Movie]; BARNABY JONES - 1973-1974; PETROCELLI - 1974; MOVIN' ON - 1974; GIVE ME LIBERTY - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE LEGEND OF LIZZY BORDEN - 1975 [TV Movie; one of the most grisly TV Movies of the 70's]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975; CANNON - 1971-1975 [3 episodes]; MARATHON MAN - 1976 [TF; "Is it safe yet?"]; BLACK SUNDAY - 1977 [TF; one of my favorite of Weaver's roles]; DEMON SEED - 1977 [TF; a movie way ahead of its time]; WONDER WOMAN - 1977; CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS - 1977 [TV Movie]; HOLOCAUST - 1978 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series]; THE BIG FIX - 1978 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1979; DAN AUGUST: ONCE IS NEVER ENOUGH - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES - 1980 [TV mini-series]; CHILDREN OF DIVORCE - 1980 [TV Movie]; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1980; NIGHTKILL - 1980 [TF; highly underrated thriller]; SEE CHINA AND DIE - 1981 [TV Movie]; QUINCY M.E. - 1981; JAWS OF SATAN - 1981 [TF; simply awful horror film]; FALCON CREST - 1982; CREEPSHOW - 1982 [TF; one of his better film roles]; MAID IN AMERICA - 1982 [TV Movie]; GREAT PERFORMANCES - {"Antigone" - 1973; "Alice In Wonderland" - 1983]; DON'T EAT THE PICTURES: SESAME STREET AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART - 1983 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1984; HOT PURSUIT - 1984; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984; HAWAIIAN HEAT - 1984; THE HEARST AND DAVIES AFFAIR - 1985 [TV Movie]; A DEATH IN CALIFORNIA - 1985 [TV mini-series]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["The Star" - 1985]; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - ["Inside The Closet" - 1984; "Comet Watch" - 1986]; POWER - 1986 [TF]; UNDER SIEGE - 1986 [TV Movie]; DREAM WEST - 1986 [TV mini-series]; D.C. COPS - 1986 [TV Movie]; I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN - 1987 [TV mini-series]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985-1987; MY NAME IS BILL W. - 1989 [TV Movie]; FRIDAY'S CURSE - 1989 [a.k.a. FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES]; MONSTERS - 1989; MATLOCK - 1989; AMERICAN MASTERS - 1990 [TV Documentary; Narrator]; AGAINST THE LAW - 1990; IRONCLADS - 1991 [TV Movie];  CITIZEN COHN - 1992 [Pay Cable Movie; an excellent piece of filmmaking]; BLIND SPOT - 1993 [TV Movie]; CLASS OF '96 - 1993; POINTMAN - 1994 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1994; STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - 1994; SPRING AWAKENING - 1994 [TV Movie]; BROKEN TRUST - 1995 [TV Movie]; FLOATING PALACES - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE X-FILES - ["Tunguska" - 1996; "Terma" - 1996]; RESCUERS: STORIES OF COURAGE: TWO WOMEN - 1997 [TV Movie]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1992 & 1998; PROMISED LAND - 1998; FRASIER - 1998; THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR - 1999 [TF]; LAW & ORDER - 1991-2005 [3 episodes]; THIS MUST BE THE PLACE - 2011 [Voice only]; MUHAMMAD ALI'S GREATEST FIGHT - 2013 [TF]; WE'LL NEVER HAVE PARIS - 2014 [TF]; THE COBBLER - 2014 [TF]; THE CONGRESSMAN - 2016 [TF; His final acting role]. Mr. Weaver's deep voice made him a perfect narrator for dozens of Documentaries [Since 1995, Weaver was known as the narrator of programs on the History Channel.]. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award® in 2001 [with many other actors] for the album "The Complete Shakespeare Sonnets". He was also heavily involved in stage work and he won a Tony Award® in 1970 for his role in Robert Marasco’s drama “Child’s Play,” about the malevolent environment at an exclusive Roman Catholic school for boys [It was made into a movie in 1972, but Weaver was not invited to play the role that won him a Tony Award®]. Fritz Weaver passed away of unknown causes and was 90 years-old.) - 11/26/16
THOMAS C. RAINONE (Special Effects/Second Unit Director/Actor: Although the name may be unknown and his life a mystery, Tom Rainone was en expert Special Makeup Effects/Visual Effects master who died way too young and worked on some memorable films [As a child and teenager, he made dozens of amateur 8mm films]. His credits included [all Theatrical Films or Movies released directly to Home Video]: ARMAGEDDON FABULOSA - 1981 [Short; Director & Special Effects]; SOCIETY - 1989 [Production Assistant/Actor only]; BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR - 1989 [Special Effects Coordinator]; INITIATION: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 4 [MFHV; Special Effects Coordinator]; GUYVER - 1991 [Special Effects Coordinator: Creature Effects Crew; Second Unit Director & Actor]; SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 5: THE TOY MAKER - 1991 [MFHV: Second Unit Director only]; SOMETHING OF MINE - 1991 [Actor and Profanity Wrangler {this must be an inside joke}; Supplier of Cadillac only]; HONEY I BLEW UP THE KID - 1992 [Special Makeup/Effects Coordinator: Visual Effects Unit]; SLEAZEMANIA ON PARADE - 1992 [MFHV; Cinematographer of New Footage] RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III - 1993 [Special Effects Production Coordinator and Second Unit Director]; NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD - 1993 [Makeup Effects Coordinator and Special Effects Supervisor]; FREAKED - 1993 [Puppeteer only]; CHILDREN OF THE CORN III: URBAN HARVEST - 1995 Special Effects Supervisor and Associate Producer]; LORD OF ILLUSIONS - 1995 [Special Makeup and Visual Effects]; NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW - 1995 [Digital Effects]; THE SURGEON - 1995 [Logistics Coordinator]; WISHMASTER - 1997 [Visual Effects Supervisor]; STAR KID - 1997 [Visual Effects Supervisor]; PHANTOMS - 1998 [Prosthetic Effects Supervisor]; FEVER - 1999 [Actor only]; ED GEIN - 2000 [Actor only]; THE CROW: SALVATION [Special Effects Coordinator]; THE JOE SPINELL STORY - 2001 [Video Documentary; Appeared as himself. His last film credit]. He also directed the music video for The Revolting Cocks version of "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?", which contained lots of horror imagery and celebrities. Mr. Rainone gave up on filmmaking when he got tired of no one listening to him and refusing to do things the Hollywood way. Thomas C. Rainone died from heart disease and was 54 years-old.) - 11/28/16
VAN WILLIAMS (Actor: A lot of people remember Van Williams as "Britt Reid" on the short-lived 60's TV Series THE GREEN HORNET - 1966-1967, with Bruce Lee portraying his sidekick Kato [the pair even made 3 appearances on BATMAN during the same years], but he also made TV Series [a few as the Series' regular] and Film appearances since the 1950's. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical film]: KING RICHARD II - 1954 [TV Movie]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1958-1959; LAWMAN - 1959. COLT .45 - 1959; TALL STORY - 1960 [TF]; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1959-1960 [TV Series Regular; 37 episodes; the Series that made TV Executives and Film Companies recognize him]; SURFSIDE 6 - 1960-1962 [TV Series Regular; 69 episodes]; CHEYENNE - 1962; RED NIGHTMARE - 1962 [Short; one of many propaganda shorts made during the Cold War to warn us of the dangers of Communism]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1961-1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1963; THE CARETAKERS - 1963 [TF]; TEMPLE HOUSTON - 1964; THE TYCOON - 1964-1965 [TV Series Regular; 32 episodes]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1965; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1965; BATMAN: THE MOVIE - 1966 [TF; Voice of President LBJ only]; PREVIEW TONIGHT - 1966; THE MILTON BERLE SHOW - 1966; THE GREEN HORNET - 1966-1967 [TV Series Regular; 26 episodes]; BATMAN - 1966-1967 [3 episodes]; THE BIG VALLEY - 1968; MANNIX - 1970; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1970; NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1971; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1972; APPLE'S WAY - 1974; GUNSMOKE - 1974; THE GREEN HORNET - 1974 [TF; Upon the suggestion of his 10 year old son Marco, producer Laurence Joachim licensed the rights to turn THE GREEN HORNET {1966-1967} into two feature length movies, making this first one the fifth biggest grossing Bruce Lee film ever. Larry and Marco took the best from the TV show, and edited them together with added fight scenes.];  WESTWIND - 1975 [Regular on Failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; THE MANHUNTER - 1975; THE RUNAWAYS - 1975 [TV Movie]; BERT D'ANGELO/SUPERSTAR - 1976; FURY OF THE DRAGON - 1976 [TF; The second theatrical film made from episodes of THE GREEN HORNET {1966-1967} with added fight scenes]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1977; BARNABY JONES - 1977; THE RED HAND GANG - 1977 [4 episodes]; YOU GOTTA START SOMEWHERE - 1977 [TV Movie]; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1976-1978 [4 episodes]; COLORADO C.I. - 1978 [TV Movie]; CENTENNIAL - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE NIGHT RIDER - 1979 [TV Movie]; MRS. COLUMBO - 1979; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1979; HAUNTED LIVES: TRUE GHOST STORIES - 1991; DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY - 1992 [TF; Portrayed the Green Hornet Director; His last film credit]. Mr. Williams quit acting to become a successful businessman. Bruce Lee was his friend and martial arts instructor and when they starred together on THE GREEN HORNET, he lobbied for Lee to have more screen time, but was turned down because they didn't want the show to focus on a non-white actor [Williams did appear in a few documentaries about his friend Lee, though]. In 1976, Van Williams appeared on Stage in "27 Wagons Full of Cotton", with Tony Musante and Meryl Streep. Van Williams was the last surviving member of THE GREEN HORNET and passed away from renal failure. He was 82 years-old.) - 11/28/16
KEO WOOLFORD (Actor/Director/Producer: Mr. Woolford is a Honolulu, Hawaii-born actor best known for his recurring role of "Sgt. James Chang" on the reboot of HAWAII FIVE-O - 2011-Present. His other credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MAHAI MEANS LOVE AND EXPENSIVE - 1993 [Short]; TRUE VENGEANCE - 1997 [MFHV]; HAPPY TEXAS - 1999 [TF]; HAWAII - 2004; BENCH WARMERS - 2005 [Short]; FALLING FOR GRACE - 2006 [TF]; NA KAMALEI: MEN OF HULA - 2006 [Documentary; Co-Producer Only]; JUST - 2007 [Short]; LAUNDROMAT - 2008 [Short]; WATER FALLS - 2008 [Short]; HE LIKES GUYS - 2009 [TF]; IF I WAS LIKE YOU - 2009 [SHORT]; SWORD VS. SHIELD - 2010 [Short]; LUNCHTIME - 2010 [Short; Director & Producer only]; 6B: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HAWAII FILMS - 2011 [TF]; ACT OF VALOR - 2012 [TF; also Stunts]; THE PEOPLE I'VE SLEPT WITH - 2012 [TF]; THE WRITER'S BLOCK - 2012 [Short]; THE HAUMANA - 2013 [also Director/Producer/Writer]; THE LEES OF LOS ANGELES - 2014 [Director & Executive Producer only]; GODZILLA - 2014 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 2011-2015 [6 episodes]; SONG ON CANVAS - 2015 [Short; Director only]; 5TH PASSENGER - 2017 [In Post-Production at the time of his death]. He was a member of the vocal group Brownskin who shared concert stages with Christina Aguilera, Ginuwine and Mya. Mr. Woolford was also a member of the Hobo House On The Hill Records team that was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album ["Island Warriors"] in 2002. He also loved working on stage replacing Jason Scott Lee as the lead role in the West End production of 'The King and I' at the London Palladium. Performing from 2000 to 2002, it became the longest-running revival of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in history at the time. Keo Woolford died from complications from a stroke and was 49 years-old.) - 11/28/16
GRANT TINKER (Network Executive: If the name sounds familiar. but you can't place it, it was probably because he didn't appear in any movies or TV Shows, but he was once married to Mary Tyler Moore, whom he co-founded MTM Enterprises with his then-wife in 1969 [They divorced in 1982]. MTM was sold to British investors in 1990 and to International Family Entertainment in 1993. MTM became part of 20th Century Fox in 1996. Some of MTM Enterprises TV Shows were THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - 1970-1977; RHODA - 1974-1978; THE BOB NEWHART SHOW - 1972-1978; WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1978-1982; HILL STREET BLUES - 1981-1987; and ST. ELSEWHERE - 1982-1988. Mr. Tinker worked at NBC three different times in three different positions: NBC Radio executive, 1949-1950 [He was also one of NBC TV's first interns]; Vice President of Programming, West Coast, 1961-1967 [where he worked on THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW - 1953-1965 and THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1961-1966]; Chairman of NBC, 1981-1986. As Chairman of last-place NBC, he turned it around to first place by approving such series as THE COSBY SHOW - 1984-1992; CHEERS - 1982-1993; FAMILY TIES - 1982-1989; NIGHT COURT - 1984-1993; and THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1985-1992, among others [His motto was, “First be best, then be first.”]. Tinker left NBC in 1986 when parent company RCA was bought out by General Electric, but he left behind a legacy of shows that are still popular today in syndication. In 1976, he won the Publicists Guild of America® Showmanship Award in Television. In 1985, he won the Television Critics Association Awards® Career Achievement Award. In 1987, he won the Emmy Awards® Governor's Award. In 1991, the PGA Awards® gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award in Television. In 1997, he was inducted into The Television Hall Of Fame®. In 2005, he was awarded the "Personal Award" from the Peabody Awards®. In 2007, the Gold Derby Awards® nominated him for a Life Achievement Award. As you can see, Grant Tinker was a very important person behind the scenes in television. He appeared in many Documentaries about his time with MTM Enterprises [with its iconic meowing cat as its logo, a takeoff of MGM's roaring lion] and NBC, but the only time he was seen in something otherwise than Documentaries and Award Shows were as a guest on LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN in 1982 and as a guest of a TV Special of THIS IS YOUR LIFE in 1987. His son, Mark Tinker, was and is an Executive Producer of ST. ELSEWHERE; L.A. LAW; the entire run of ABC's NYPD BLUE [1995-2005]; PRIVATE PRACTICE and now NBC's CHICAGO P.D.. Grant Tinker passed away of unknown causes and was 91 years-old.) - 11/29/16
ALICE DRUMMOND (Actress: Best known as the frightened librarian in the original GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984, Ms. Drummond has appearde in many films and TV Series, including Soap Operas Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: DARK SHADOWS - 1967 [4 episodes]; NEW YORK TELEVISION THEATRE - 1970; WHERE'S POPPA? - 1970 [TF]; PARTICULAR MEN - 1972 [TV Movie]; WHERE THE HEART IS - 1973 [3 episodes]; MAN ON A SWING - 1974 [TF; very underrated]; THIEVES - 1977 [TF]; THE BEST OF FAMILIES - 1977 [TV mini-series]; RYAN'S HOPE - 1978 [3 episodes]; KING OF THE GYPSIES - 1979 [TF]; SANCTUARY OF FEAR - 1979 [TV Movie]; HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT - 1980 [TF]; EYEWITNESS - 1981 [TF]; PARK PLACE - 1981 [4 episodes]; LOVE, SIDNEY - 1981; THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS - 1982; AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE - 1984; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984; GREAT PERFORMANCES - 1977-1984; THE EQUALIZER - 1986; NIGHT COURT - 1984-1987; KATE & ALLIE - 1988; THE HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE SUICIDE CLUB - 1988 [TF]; FUNNY FARM - 1988 [TF]; RUNNING ON EMPTY - 1988 [TF]; THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MOLLY DODD - 1989; ANIMAL BEHAVIOR - 1989 [TF]; MONEY, POWER, MURDER - 1989 [TV Movie]; NIKKI AND ALEXANDER - 1989 [TV Movie]; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE - 1990 [TF]; AWAKENINGS - 1990 [TF]; LENNY - 1990-1991 [TV Series Regular; 16 episodes]; FRANNIE'S TURN - 1992 [6 episodes]; DAYBREAK - 1993 [PAY TV Movie]; MONEY FOR NOTHING - 1993 [TF]; GRACE UNDER FIRE - 1994; ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE - 1994 [TF]; LAW & ORDER - 1994; NOBODY'S FOOL - 1994 [TF]; I.Q. - 1994 [TF]; JEFFREY - 1995 [TF]; TO WONG FOO THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR - 1995 [TF]; NEW YORK NEWS - 1995; WALKING AND TALKING - 1996 [TF]; COSBY - 1996; COMMANDMENTS - 1997 [TF]; 'TIL THERE WAS YOU - 1997 [TF]; OFFICE KILLER - 1997 [TF]; IN & OUT - 1997 [TF]; TRINITY - 1998; JUST THE TICKET - 1999 [TF]; EARTHLY POSSESSIONS - 1999 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE LETTER - 1999 [TF]; I'LL TAKE YOU THERE - 1999 [TF]; ADVICE FROM A CATERPILLAR - 1999 [TF]; JOE GOULD'S SECRET - 2000 [TF]; SPIN CITY - 2000; THE RISING PLACE - 2001 [TF]; ED - 2002; PIECES OF APRIL - 2003 [TF]; HOUSE OF D - 2004 [TF]; THE JURY - 2004; THE HONEYMOONERS - 2005 [TF]; BOSTON LEGAL - 2005; MITCH ALBOM'S FOR ONE MORE DAY - 2007 [TV Movie]; CHRONIC TOWN - 2008 [TF]; SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK - 2008 [TF]; DOUBT - 2008 [TF]; MOTHERHOOD - 2008 [TF]; AFTER.LIFE - 2009 [TF]; FURRY VENGEANCE - 2010 [TF]; OPEN HOUSE - 2011 [Short; her final credit]. Ms Drummond was also very active on Stage. She acted in Tennessee Williams's play, "Sweet Bird of Youth," at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, England with Lauren Bacall, James Grout, Frances Cuka, Simon Rouse, Geraldine Alexander, Colin Reese, and Michael Beck in the cast. Harold Pinter was director. She was nominated for a 1970 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actress [Dramatic] for "The Chinese and Dr. Fish". Alice Drummond died from complication due to a fall and was 88 years-old.) - 11/30/16
DON CALFA (Actor: Damn! Another one of the great character actors to pass on this year. Don Calfa was one of the stars of RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1985 [some of his dialogue was priceless], as well as doing many other classic films and TV Series throughout his career. I loved seeing him in a film. It meant that even if the movie smelled worse than fish left out in the Sun, we could always count on Calfa to raise it a notch. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: NO MORE EXCUSES - 1968 [TF]; UTTERLY WITHOUT REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE - 1969 [TF]; POUND - 1972 [TF]; GREASER'S PALACE - 1972 [TF]; GOODNIGHT, MY LOVE - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE DELPHI BUREAU - 1972; THE RAINBOW BOYS - 1973 [TF]; THE BLUE KNIGHT - 1973 [TV Movie]; CINDERELLA LIBERTY - 1973 [TF]; RHINOCEROUS - 1974 [TF]; BANK SHOT - 1974 [TF]; SHANKS - 1974 [William Castle's final directorial effort and the film was mostly silent]; THE LAW - 1974 [TV Movie]; KOJAK - 1974-1975; PEEPER - 1976 [TF]; MOST WANTED - 1976; BARETTA - 1976; DELVECCHIO - 1976; NICKELODEON - 1976 [TF]; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1977; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974-1977 [3 episodes]; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - 1977 [TF]; RIDING HIGH - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1978; STEEL COWBOY - 1978 [TV Movie]; FOUL PLAY - 1978 [TF]; THE COMEDY COMPANY - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE RUNAWAYS - 1979; 10 - 1979 [TF]; THE ROSE - 1979 [TF]; 1941 - 1979 [One of Steven Spielberg's rare misses]; NOBODY'S PERFECT - 1980; THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE - 1981 [TF]; PARK PLACE - 1981 [4 episodes]; BENSON - 1981; BARNEY MILLER - 1977-1981 [7 episodes]; THE DAY THE BUBBLE BURST - 1982 [TV Movie]; SHOOTING STARS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE STAR CHAMBER - 1983 [TF]; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 1983 [TF]; ALLISON SYDNEY HARRISON - 1983 [TV Movie]; LEGMAN - 1984; NIGHT COURT - 1984; E. NICK: A LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND - 1984 [TF; polays the totle character]; SIMON & SIMON - 1985; THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1985; [TF; considered a classic and rightfully so]; HELL TOWN - 1985; OUR FAMILY HONOR - 1985; AMAZING STORIES - 1985; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; RUNNING SCARED - 1986 [TF]; THROB - 1986; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984-1986; NINE TO FIVE - 1987; TALKING WALLS - 1987 [TF]; PRIVATE EYE - 1987; TREASURE OF THE MOON GODDESS - 1987 [TF]; HOUSTON KNIGHTS - 1988; [ALIEN] PRIVATE EYE [TV Movie; Directed by Mark Tinker as a failed pilot. Tinker is the son of the late Grant Tinker, who passed away on November 29, 2016 {see directly above Calfa's obituary}]; THE PRESIDEO - 1988 [TF]; THE NEW HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE TO HAPPINESS - 1988 [MFHV]; BLUE MOVIES - 1988 [TF]; WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S - 1989 [TF; played Paulie, the hit man who killed Bernie with a lethal injection in this funny comedy hit]; CHOPPER CHICKS IN ZOMBIETOWN - 1989 [TF]; MANCUSO, FBI - 1989; MATLOCK - 1990; TWIN PEAKS - 1991; BUGSY - 1991 [TF]; ME MYSELF AND I - 1992 [TF]; STAY TUNED - 1992 [TF]; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1990-1993 [3 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988-1993; NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD - 1993 [TF]; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 - 1993-1994 [3 episodes]; BOY MEETS WORLD - 1994; TERRIFIED - 1995 [TF]; COLUMBO - 1990-1995; COPS N ROBERTS - 1995 [TF]; PROGENY - 1998 [TF]; DOCTOR DOOLITTLE - 1998 [TF]; DONWARD ANGEL - 2001 [TF]; THE 4TH TENOR - 2002 [TF]; LESS THAN PERFECT - 2003; NIGHT CREEP - 2003 [MFHV]; CORPSES ARE FOREVER - 2004 [MFHV; also Associate Producer]; SHARKSKIN - 2015 [TF]; LEWISBERG - 2017 [TF; his last acting credit]. Mr. Calfa was sharing an apartment with the late Richard Lynch in 1967 at the time of Lynch's LSD-fueled accident [He set himself on fire, burning most of his upper body, including his face. His looks gave him a career in films as a bad guy.]. Don Calfa died of undisclosed causes and was 76 years-old. He died two days before his next birthday.) - 12/01/16
BILLY CHAPIN (Actor: Child actor best known for his roles in TOBOR THE GREAT - 1954 and the great suspenser [and the only film directed by Charles Laughton] NIGHT OF THE HUNTER - 1955.  When he became a teenager, he quit the business. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: CASANOVA'S BROWN - 1944 [TF; portrayed the Brown's baby daughter!]; THE COCKEYED MIRACLE - 1946 [TF]; CELANESE THEATRE - 1952; CHEVRON THEATRE - 1952; AFFAIR WITH A STRANGER - 1953 [TF]; THE KID FROM LEFT FIELD - 1953 {TF; another very enjoyable film]; TOPPER - 1953; DRAGNET - 1953-1954 [3 episodes]; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1954; TOBOR THE GREAT - 1954 [TF; another TV staple from the 60's & 70's that hardly is seen anymore]; WATERFRONT - 1954 [3 episodes]; NAKED ALIBI - 1954 [TF]; THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - 1954 [TF]; STAGE 7 - 1955; A MAN CALLED PETER - 1955 [TF]; VIOLENT SATURDAY - 1955 [TF]; THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER - 1955 [TF; still considered a classic of suspense up till this day]; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1955; CHEYENNE - 1955; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1955; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1955; MY FRIEND FLICKA - 1955; FORD STAR JUBILEE - 1955; TV READER'S DIGEST - 1956; CLIMAX! - 1956 [It seems everyone who did TV in the 50's did at least one episode of this show]; TENSION AT TABLE ROCK - 1956 [TF]; CROSSROADS - 1956; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1957; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957; PANIC! - 1957; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1954-1957 [3 episodes]; THE ADVENTURES OF MCGRAW - 1958; THE CALIFORNIANS - 1958; LEAVE IT TO BEAVER - 1959; FRONTIER JUSTICE - 1959; FURY - 1956-1959 [His last screen credit]. He was on stage already as a toddler and made his theatrical debut properly in the 1951 play "Three Wishes for Jamie" on Broadway. For this performance he won the N.Y. Drama Critics Award® as the most promising young actor of the year. Like most other child actors, he was afflicted by alcohol and drug problems while in his twenties and thirties. His sister, Lauren Chapin, was also a child star who appeared in the sitcom FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1954-1960 [She did very little acting after the series ran its course]. His brother, Michael Chapin, was also an actor who appeared in many Western movies and TV shows and also quit acting in 1959. Billy Chapin passed away due to a long illness and was 72 years-old.) - 12/02/16
MARGARET WHITTON (Actress: Best known for her Stage work, but Ms. Whitton [who sometimes acted under the name "Peggy Whitton"] will be best remembered as the owner of the Cleveland Indians baseball team in the comedies MAJOR LEAGUE - 1989 and its sequel MAJOR LEAGUE II - 1994. Her other credits include [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: PARADES - 1972; TEENAGE HITCHHIKERS - 1975; MOVIE MADNESS - 1982; LOVE CHILD - 1982; MIAMI VICE - 1984 [TV Series]; HOMETOWN - 1985 [Failed TV Series Regular; 10 episodes]; THE BEST OF TIMES - 1986; 9 1/2 WEEKS - 1986; THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S - 1987; THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON - 1987 [Appeared as her character in THE SECRET OF MY SUCCE$S]; BABY BOOM - 1987; TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - 1987 [TV Series]; IRONWEED - 1987; CAT & MOUSSE - 1987 [Short]; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1986-1988 [TV Series]; A FINE ROMANCE - 1989 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; MAJOR LEAGUE - 1989; LITTLE MONSTERS - 1989; KOJAK: NONE SO BLIND - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE SUMMER MY FATHER GREW UP - 1991 [TV Movie]; GOOD & EVIL - 1991 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...THEY GET EVEN - 1992; CUTTERS - 1993 [TV Series; 5 episodes]; THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE - 1993; MAJOR LEAGUE II - 1994; MENENDEZ: A KILLING IN BEVERLY HILLS - 1994 [TV Movie]; TRIAL BY JURY - 1994 [Her final film acting role]. She also received a "Special Thanks" in the Documentary GASLAND - 2010, which everyone in favor of fracking should seek out and watch. It is guaranteed to change your mind. After giving up on acting in films and TV, she appeared on Broadway in "And the Apple Doesn't Fall..." [1995] and the original, award-winning musical "Marlene" [1999], the story of legendary Marlene Dietrich that starred Siân Phillips. She had also made a name for herself as a theater director. Her directing credits included Marina Carr's "Portia Coughlin" [1996] and "By the Bog of Cats" [1998], and The Public Theater's production of "Dirty Tricks" [2004], starring Judith Ivey as Martha Mitchell. Margaret was the President of independent film producer Tashtego Films, and had Directed and Produced her first feature film, A BIRD IN THE AIR - 2011, starring Rachel Nichols and Jackson Hurst. Margaret Whitton passed away due to cancer and was just 66 years-old.) - 12/04/16
PETER VAUGHAN (Actor: Excellent British character actor who never looked the same in any film he did, whether it was the "Winston The Ogre" in TIME BANDITS - 1981 or "Maester Aemon" from HBO's GAME OF THRONES from 2011 to 2015. He was also well-known to British audiences for all the TV Series he appeared in, especially his guest appearances in the 70's comedy PORRIDGE. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: STAGE BY STAGE - 1954; TALES OF SOHO - 1956; POTTS AND THE PHANTOM PIPER - 1957; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT THEATRE - 1957; THE ADVENTURES ON BEN GUNN - 1958; MARY BRITTEN, M.D. - 1958; PLAYED UPON A STAGE - 1959; THE 39 STEPS - 1959 [TF]; SAPPHIRE - 1959 [TF]; SATURDAY PLAYHOUSE - 1959; INTERPOL CALLING - 1959; PROBATION OFFICER - 1959; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1959; INSIDE STORY - 1960; KNIGHT ERRANT UNLIMITED - 1960; MAN FROM INTERPOL - 1960; VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED - 1960 [TF]; MAKE MINE MINK - 1960 [TF]; DEADLINE MIDNIGHT - 1960 [4 episodes]; BOYD Q.C. - 1958-1960; TWO LIVING, ONE DEAD - 1961 [TF]; THREE LIVE WIRES - 1961; TOP SECRET - 1961; THE COURT MARTIAL OF MAJOR KELLER - 1961 [TF]; A BOOK WITH CHAPTERS IN IT - 1961 [TV Movie]; A CHANCE OF THUNDER [6 episodes]; THE CHEATERS - 1962; OLIVER TWIST - 1962 [TV mini-series; 10 episodes]; I THANK A FOOL - 1962 [TF]; THE DEVIL'S AGENT - 1962 [TF]; RICHARD THE LIONHEART - 1962; NO HIDING PLACE - 1960-1962 [4 episodes]; HANCOCK - 1963; DIMENSIONS OF FEAR - 1963; STILL LIFE - 1963 [TV Movie]; THE PUNCH AND JUDY MAN - 1963 [TF]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1963; MAUPASSANT - 1963; THE HORSE WITHOUT A HEAD - 1963 [TV Movie]; THE VICTORS - 1963 [TF]; FESTIVAL - 1963; SMOKE SCREEN - 1964 [TF]; CRANE - 1964; FIRST NIGHT - 1963-1964; ESPIONAGE - 1964; ARMCHAIR MYSTERY THEATRE - 1964; THE SAINT - 1964; DIE! DIE! MY DARLING - 1965; ROTTEN TO THE CORE - 1965; KNOCK ON ANY DOOR - 1965; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1966; CORONATION STREET - 1966; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1959-1966 [4 episodes]; QUICK BEFORE THEY CATCH US - 1966 [4 episodes]; OUR MAN AT ST. MARK'S - 1966; PUBLIC EYE - 1966; ADAM ADAMANT LIVES! - 1966; THE INFORMER - 1966; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1956-1967 [4 episodes]; GREAT EXPECTATIONS - 1967 [7 episodes]; THIS WAY FOR MURDER - 1967 [TV mini-series]; THEATRE 625 - 1967; THE NAKED RUNNER - 1967 [TF]; THE MAN OUTSIDE - 1967 [TF]; HAUNTED - 1967; MAN IN A SUITCASE - 1967; THE BOFORS GUN - 1968 [TF]; HAMMERHEAD - 1968 [TF; Played the titled character in an underrated film]; OMNIBUS - 1968; THE EXPERT - 1968; THE AVENGERS - 1968; A TWIST OF SAND - 1968 [TF]; TREASURE ISLAND - 1968; Played "Long John Silver" in 9 episodes]; ALFRED THE GREAT - 1969 [TF]; THE GOLD ROBBERS - 1969 [TV mini-series; 13 episodes]; MY PARTNER THE GHOST - 1969; TASTE OF EXCITEMENT - 1969 [TF]; STRANGE REPORT - 1969; THE WEDNESDAY PLAY - 1968-1970 [3 episodes]; SUDDEN TERROR - 1970 [TF; one of my favorite 70's Thrillers]; BIG BROTHER - 1970 [TV mini-series]; THE PERSUADERS! - 1971; THE RIVALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1971; STRAW DOGS - 1971 [TF; Portrays the leader of the gang that attacks Dustin Hoffman's house]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1971; THE PIED PIPER - 1972 [TF]; SAVAGE MESSIAH - 1972 [TF]; NO EXIT - 1972; A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS - 1972 [TV Movie]; A MAN WITHOUT FRIENDS - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE ADVENTURER - 1973; MADIGAN - 1973; FULL HOUSE - 1973; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1973; THE BLOCKHOUSE - 1973 [TF]; THE EYES HAVE IT - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE MACKINTOSH MAN - 1973 [TF]; BLACK AND BLUE - 1973; THE PROTECTORS - 1973; MALACHI'S COVE - 1973 [TF]; MASSACRE IN ROME - 1973 [TF]; ZODIAC - 1974; SYMPTOMS - 1974 [TF; a remarkable horror film]; FALL OF EAGLES - 1974 [TV mini-series]; THE PALLISERS - 1974 [TV mini-series]; 11 HARROWHOUSE - 1974 [TF]; INTIMATE REFLECTIONS - 1974 [TF]; HARTE 10 - 1974-1975 [TV miniseries; 3 episodes]; THE SQUIRRELS - 1975; AGAINST THE CROWD - 1975; THE SWEENEY - 1975; LIFE AND DEATH OF PENELOPE - 1976; PORRIDGE - 1975-1977 [3 episodes]; PHILBY, BURGESS AND MACLEAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; VALENTINO - 1977 [TF]; THE DOOMBOLT CASE - 1978 [8 episodes]; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1978; PREMIERE - 1978 [TV mini-series]; FREEDOM OF THE DIG - 1978 [TV Movie]; CROWN COURT - 1979; HENRY VIII - 1979 [TV Movie]; ZULU DAWN - 1979 [TF]; THE DANEDYKE MYSTERY - 1979 [5 episodes]; DOING TIME - 1979 [TF; a.k.a. PORRIDGE, a film sequel to the mid-70's TV Series. British audiences always seem to remember him for his role of "Harry Grout" in both the TV Series and this movie]; CITIZEN SMITH - 1977-1979 [14 episodes]; FOX - 1980 [7 episodes]; THE MORECAMBE & WISE SHOW - 1980; THE CRUCIBLE - 1980 [TV Movie]; SHELLEY - 1981; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1981; TIME BANDITS - 1981 [TF]; THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN - 1981 [TF]; WINSTON CHURCHILL: THE WILDERNESS YEARS - 1981 [TV mini-series]; COMING OUT OF THE ICE - 1982 [TV Movie]; JAMAICAN INN - 1983 [TV Movie]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1984; CZECH MATE - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE RAZOR'S EDGE - 1984 [TF]; FORBIDDEN - 1984 [TF]; BRAZIL - 1985 [TF; one of the strangest film of the 80's, thanks to director Terry Gilliam]; BLEAK HOUSE - 1985 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; C.A.T.S. EYES - 1985; MONTE CARLO - 1986; SINS - 1986 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; HAUNTED HONEYMOON - 1986 [TF]; SEASON'S GREETINGS - 1986 [TV Movie]; SCREEN TWO - 1987; WHEN WE ARE MARRIED - 1987 [TV Movie]; OUR GEOFF - 1987 [TV Movie]; HARRY'S KINGDOM - 1987 [TV Movie]; CODENAME: KYRIL - 1988 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; THE BOURNE IDENTITY - 1988 [TV mini-series]; THEATRE NIGHT - 1988; GAME, SET AND MATCH - 1988; WAR AND REMEMBERANCE - 1988 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; COUNTDOWN TO WAR - 1989 [TV Movie]; MOUNTAINS ON THE MOON - 1990 [TF]; KING OF THE WIND - 1990 [TF]; THE CASE-BOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES - 1991; CHANCER - 1990-1991 [TV Series Regular - 13 episodes]; PRISONER OF HONOR - 1991 [TV Movie]; BOON - 1991; MISTRESS OF SUSPENSE - 1992; LOVEJOY - 1992; NIGHTINGALES - 1993; HEART OF DARKNESS - 1993 [TV Movie]; CIRCLE OF DECEIT - 1993 [TV Movie}; THE REMAINS OF THE DAY - 1993 [TF]; ARENA - 1993; DANDELION DEAD - 1994 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; MURDER MOST HORRID - 1994; RAB C. NESBITT - 1994; FATHERLAND - 1994 [TV Movie]; BIRDS OF A FEATHER - 1994; HILDEGARD OF BINGEN - 1994 [TV Documentart]; THE CHOIR - 1995 [TV mini-series; 5 episodes]; OLIVER'S TRAVELS - 1995 [TV mini-series]; OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH - 1996 [TV mini-series; 8 episodes; Nominated for a BAFTA Award® and a Royal Television Award® for Best Actor]; THE SECRET AGENT - 1996 [TF]; THE CRUCIBLE - 1996 [TF]; FACE - 1997 [TF]; MOONSTONE - 1997 [TV Movie]; OUR MUTUAL FRIEND - 1998 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; LES MISERABLES - 1998 [TF]; THE LEGEND OF 1900 - 1998 [TF]; HORATIO HORNBLOWER: THE WRONG WAR - 1999 [TV Movie]; AN IDEAL HUSBAND - 1999 [TF]; LONGITUDE - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE INVERSE CANON - 2000 [TF]; THE 10TH KINGDOM - 2000 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; HOTEL SPLENDIDE - 2000 [TF]; THE THING ABOUT VINCE - 2000 [TV mini-series; 3 episodes]; LORNA DOONE - 2000 [TV Movie]; SECOND SIGHT: KINGDOM OF THE BLIND - 2000 [TV Movie]; KISS KISS BANG BANG - 2001 [TF]; IN DEEP - 2002; THE JURY - 2002 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes]; CASUALTY - 2003; THURSDAY THE 12TH - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE MOTHER - 2003 [TF]; MARGERY AND GLADYS - 2003 [TV Movie]; SWEET MEDICINE - 2003; LIFE BEYOND THE BOX: NORMAN STANLEY FLETCHER - 2003 [TV Movie; fake documentary based on the main character in PORRIDGE. Vaughan returns once again as "Harry Grout".]; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS - 2004 [TF]; BEAUTY - 2004 [TV Movie]; THE QUEEN OF SHEBA'S PEARLS - 2004 [TF]; MALICE AFTERTHOUGHT - 2005 [TV Movie]; HEARTBEAT - 2002-2005; DEATH AT A FUNERAL - 2007 [TF]; MOBILE - 2007 [TV mini-series]; CHRISTMAS AT THE RIVIERA - 2007 [TV Movie]; LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD - 2008; HOLBY BLUE - 2008; IS ANYBODY THERE? - 2008 [TF]; THE ANTIQUES ROGUE SHOW - 2009 [TV Movie]; SILK - 2011; ALBATROSS - 2011 [TF]; DOC ROBIN - 2011; GAME OF THRONES - 2011-2015 [11 episodes; His final acting credit]. He was once married to THE OMEN [1976] actress Billie Whitelaw. Peter Vaughan died of undisclosed causes and was 93 years-old.) - 12/06/16
JOSEPH MASCOLO (Actor: A multiple award-winning actor for portraying "Stefano DiMera" on the soap opera DAYS OF OUR LIVES, for which he appeared from 1982 till the time of his death, Joseph Mascolo was also an accomplished Theatrical actor and TV Series guest star, usually as a mob boss or evil henchman. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: FROM THESE ROOTS - 1958; TRUE STORY - 1957-1961; CORONET BLUE - 1967; HOT SPUR - 1968 [TF; an "Adults Only" sex Western directed by Lee Frost]; THE GOOD GUYS - 1969; THE DOCTORS - 1969; SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! - 1972 [TF; My favorite role of his]; THE RESOLUTION OF MOSSIE WAX - 1973 [TV Movie]; WHERE THE HEART IS - 1973; HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, LOVE GEORGE - 1973 [TF]; THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR - 1973 [TF]; ALL IN THE FAMILY - 1974; DOMINIC'S DREAM - 1974 [TV Movie]; BARETTA - 1975; NBC SPECIAL TREAT - 1976; BRONK - 1975-1976 [TV Series Regular; 25 episodes]; KOJAK - 1976; MONSTER SQUAD - 1976; MIGHTY MOOSE AND THE QUARTERBACK KID - 1976 [Afternoon TV Movie]; SWITCH - 1977; STONESTREET: WHO KILLED THE CENTERFOLD MODEL? - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1977; JAWS 2 - 1978 [TF; his biggest movie role]; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; LOU GRANT - 1978; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979; THE GANGSTER CHRONICLES - 1981 [TV mini-series; 13 episodes]; GANGSTER WARS - 1981 [TF; Edited theatrical film compromised of footage from THE GANGSTER CHRONICLES]; SHARKY'S MACHINE - 1981 [TF]; SHANNON - 1982; YES, GIORGIO - 1982 [TF]; HEART TO HART - 1984; ERNIE KOVACS: BETWEEN THE LAUGHTER - 1984 [TV Movie]; COMEDY FACTORY - 1985; BROTHERS - 1985; CRAZY LIKE A FOX - 1985; SANTA BARBARA - 1985 [12 episodes]; HAVE YOU TRIED TALKING TO PATTY? - 1986 [Afternoon TV Movie]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1986; JOE BASH - 1986; HEAT - 1986 [TF]; HUNTER - 1987; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1987; RAGS TO RICHES - 1987; THE EQUALIZER - 1988; THE TRIAL OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1989 [TV Movie]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1989 [6 episodes]; DAYS OF OUR LIVES' 35TH ANNIVERSARY - 2000 [TV Movie]; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 2001-2006 [475 episodes]; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1982-2016 [an amazing 1,623 episodes; his last acting role; Won three Soap Opera Digest awards® in 1984, 1985 & 1997 as Outstanding Villain in a Daytime Serial. According to Soap Opera Digest, had an open-ended contract on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, which allowed him to play villainous Stefano DiMera whenever he felt like resuming the role {and whenever the writers came up with a good story line}. This allowed the character to be "killed off" more times than anyone can count, coming back -- in one memorable sequence -- through a bargain with Satan himself.]. Mr. Mascolo played the clarinet, and he played with the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y.C for two years. Joseph Mascolo died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease and was 87 years-old.) - 12/08/16
ALAN THICKE (Actor/Writer/Music Composer: Canadian jack-of-all-trades Alan Thicke is best known for his starring role as "Dr. Jason Seaver" on the hit TV sitcom GROWING PAINS - 1985-1992, but he also composed theme music to a lot of TV shows [which is probably why his son Robin Thicke {"Blurred Lines"} became a top-selling musician] and got started in the business by Writing comedy scripts for TV Series & Movies. His acting credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: IT'S OUR STUFF - 1969; TIME FOR LIVING - 1969 [Also Writer]; THE POINT - 1971 [Animated TV Movie; Voice only as Narrator for the third telecast]; JACK: A FLASH FANTASY - 1974 [TV Movie]; AMERICA 2-NIGHT - 1978 [Also Writer & Producer of 65 episodes]; COPPER MOUNTAIN - 1983 [TV Movie]; CALENDAR GIRL MURDERS - 1984 [TV Movie]; MASQUERADE - 1985; SCENE OF THE CRIME - 1985; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SHOOTING STAR - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1984-1987 [3 episodes]; NOT QUITE HUMAN - 1987 [TV Movie]; 14 GOING ON 30 - 1988 [TV Movie]; HITTING HOME - 1988 [TV Movie]; DANCE 'TIL DAWN - 1988 [TV Movie]; NOT QUITE HUMAN II - 1989 [TV Movie]; THE GREAT AMERICAN SEX SCANDAL - 1990 [TV Movie]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1991; AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR PARENTS WERE WEIRD - 1991 [TF]; GROWING PAINS - 1985-1992 [167 episodes]; STILL NOT QUITE HUMAN - 1992 [TV Movie]; TRAVELQUEST - 1992; THE TRIAL OF RED RIDING HOOD - 1992 [TV Movie]; STEPMONSTER - 1993 [MFHV]; BETRAYAL OF THE DOVE - 1993 [TF]; RUBDOWN - 1993 [TV Movie]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1993; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; ROBIN'S HOODS - 1994; LAMB CHOP AND THE HAUNTED STUDIO - 1994 [TV Movie]; OPEN SEASON - 1995 [TF]; MINOR ADJUSTMENTS - 1995; LAMB CHOP'S SPECIAL CHANUKAH - 1995 [TV Movie]; LAMB CHOP'S CHANUKAH AND PASSOVER SURPRISE - 1996 [TV Movie]; HOPE & GLORIA - 1995-1996 [TV Series Regular; 35 episodes]; THE SECRET SHE CARRIED - 1996 [TV Movie]; DEMOLITION HIGH - 1996 [MFHV]; MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - 1996-1997 [3 episodes]; ANY PLACE BUT HOME - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE OUTER LIMITS - 1997; SHADOW OF THE BEAR - 1997 [TV Movie]; WINDSOR PROTOCOL - 1997 [TV Movie]; ANARCHY TV - 1998 [TF]; THUNDER POINT - 1998 [TV Movie]; CASPER MEETS WENDY - 1998 [MFHV]; TWO OF HEARTS - 1999 [TV Movie]; ARLI$$ - 1999; ICE ANGEL - 2000 [TV Movie]; BEAR WITH ME - 2000 [TF]; THE GROWING PAINS MOVIE - 2000 [TV Movie; also Producer]; BEGGARS AND CHOOSERS - 2000; 7TH HEAVEN - 2001; X-ROADS - 2001 [TF]; TEDDY BEARS PICNIC - 2002 [TF]; JUST SHOOT ME! - 2002; SON OF THE BEACH - 2000-2002 [3 episodes]; EGG, THE ARTS SHOW - 2003; TRAPS! THE MUSICAL - 2003 [TV Movie; Completed but never released]; CAROLINA - 2003 [TF]; HOLLYWOOD NORTH - 2003 [TF]; RAISING HELEN - 2004 [TF]; CHILDSTAR - 2004 [TF]; MY WIFE AND KIDS - 2004; GROWING PAINS: RETURN OF THE SEAVERS - 2004 [TV Movie]; YES, DEAR - 2005; HALF & HALF - 2005; JOEY - 2005; SEX, LOVE & SECRETS - 2005; THE SURFER KING - 2006 [TF]; NOBODY'S WATCHING - 2006 [TV Movie]; ALPHA DOG - 2006 [TF]; NED'S DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE - 2007; ABOUT A GIRL - 2008; JPOD - 2008 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; 'TIL DEATH - 2008; TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB! - 2009; STAR-VING - 2009; THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD - 2009 [TF]; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 2006-2009 [7 episodes]; ROBODOC - 2009 [TF]; MAKING A SCENE - 2010 [TV Movie]; I'M IN THE BAND - 2011 [5 episodes]; THAT'S MY BOY - 2012 [TF]; THE L.A. COMPLEX - 2012 [4 episodes]; HEMINGWAY - 2012 [TF]; NOTES FROM DAD - 2013 [TV Movie]; BANK$TAS - 2013 [TF]; HOT PACKAGE - 2013; FUGGET ABOUT IT - 2012-2013 [3 episodes]; LET IT SNOW - 2013 [TV Movie]; HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - 2008-2013 [5 episodes]; BAD MANAGEMENT - 2013 [TV Movie]; CAMP SUNSHINE - 2013 [TV Movie]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2014 [Voice Only]; TOM GREEN LIVE - 2014; A COOKIE CUTTER CHRISTMAS - 2014 [TV Movie]; THE STANLEY DYNAMIC - 2014; TINY PLASTIC MEN - 2015; SCREAM QUEENS - 2015; WISH UPON A CHRISTMAS - 2015 [TV Movie]; IT'S NOT MY FAULT AND I DON'T CARE ANYWAY - 2015 [TF]; GRANDFATHERED - 2016; MIKE TYSON MYSTERIES - 2016 [Voice only]; STOP THE WEDDING - 2016 [TV Movie]; THIS IS US - 2016 [Probably 2016's best reviewed new Network TV Series]; FULLER HOUSE - 2016; I LIKE YOU JUST THE WAY I AM - 2016; THE CLAPPER - 2017 [TF; In Post-Production at the time of his death. His final acting role]. Mr. Thicke's credits as a Writer included [All TV Shows]; THE TOMMY HUNTER SHOW - 1965; THAT'S SHOW BIZ - 1970; THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW - 1972-1973 [24 episodes]; THE BOBBY DARIN SHOW - 1973 [6 episodes]; THE FLIP WILSON SPECIAL - 1974; DON ADAMS' SCREEN TEST - 1975; THE BARRY MANILOW SPECIAL - 1977; THE RICHARD PRYOR SPECIAL? - 1977; THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW - 1977; FERNWOOD TONIGHT - 1977 [Writer & Producer of 48 episodes]; THE MAC DAVIS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - 1977; LADIES NIGHT - 1978 [TV Movie; also Producer]; OLIVIA - 1978 [TV Special]; THE BOBBY VINTON SHOW - 1975-1978 [Writer & Producer of 6 episodes]; OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS - 1980 [TV Special; also Producer]; A SPECIAL ANNE MURRAY CHRISTMAS - 1981 [TV Special]; THE ALAN THICKE SHOW - 1980-1982 [Star, Writer & Producer of 102 episodes]; CARIBBEAN CRUISE - 1983 [TV Movie]; WINTER CARNIVAL IN QUEBEC - 1984 [TV Special]; THICKE OF THE NIGHT - 1983-1984 [Star, Writer & Executive Producer of 17 episodes]; ANNE MURRAY: THE SOUNDS OF LONDON - 1985 [TV Special]; UNUSUALLY THICKE - 2014-2015 [Star, Writer & Executive Producer of 28 episodes]. His Music credits as Writer of the Theme Songs to TV Series included: THE JOKER'S WILD - 1974; THE WIZARD OF ODDS - 1973-1974 [also Producer]; THE DIAMOND HEAD GAME - 1975; STUMPERS! - 1976; CELEBRITY SWEEPSTAKES - 1974-1977; HELLO, LARRY - 1979; WHEW! - 1980; JOE'S WORLD - 1979-1980; DIFF'RENT STROKES - 1978-1986 [Probably his most famous theme song; Played for 181 episodes]; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1979-1988 [Another well-known Theme Song; Played on 201 episodes!]; UNUSUALLY THICKE - 2014. Alan Thicke also sang many times on GROWING PAINS and other series [many of the songs written by himself] and his Theme Show music compositions show up on various TV Shows and Theatrical films. Mr. Thicke has written songs for artists such as Marc Anthony, Christina Aguilera, Mya, Brian McKnight & Pink, among others. He also appeared as a panelist on many Game Shows, was a guest on many daytime and nighttime Talk Shows and appeared in dozens of Documentaries. The one thing I loved about Alan Thicke is that he wasn't afraid to poke fun at himself or let other people do it. He was always a good sport. Alan Thicke was also a big Hockey enthusiast/player [Gordy Howe once broke his nose in a celebrity hockey game. He hosted Wayne Gretzky's wedding in Edmonton, Canada and in 2003 he lost five teeth and required 30 stitches after getting hit in the face by a flying puck while playing hockey with actor Michael Vartan.], so it should come as no surprise that he had a fatal heart attack while playing Hockey with his youngest son Carter in Burbank California. Alan Thicke was only 69 years-old.) - 12/13/16
BERNARD FOX (Welsh Actor: Best known to American Television-watching Baby Boomers as "Dr. Bombay", who made frequent appearances on BEWITCHED - 1966-1972, Bernard Fox was an extremely good actor who was equally comfortable in drama or comedy and made more than his share of TV Series guest appearances and acted in many films [his preferance was American TV Shows and Movies]. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: SIXPENNY CORNER - 1955-1956 [10 episodes]; SPIN A DARK WEB - 1956 [TF]; HOME AND AWAY - 1956 [TF]; THE COUNTERFEIT PLAN - 1957 [TF]; WIRE SERVICE - 1957; BLUE MURDER AT ST. TRINIAN'S - 1957 [TF]; THE SAFECRACKER - 1958 [TF]; A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - 1958 [TF; I liked this film much better than James Cameron's version of the sinking of the Titanic]; VICTORY - 1958 [TV Movie]; THE TWO-HEADED SPY - 1958 [TF]; DIXON OF DOCK GREEN - 1959; THE GOLDEN SPUR - 1959; ITV TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1959; CAPTURED - 1959 [TF]; NO HIDING PLACE - 1960; THE LOVE OF MIKE - 1960; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1960; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1961; THREE LIVE WIRES - 1961 [TV Series Regular; 26 episodes; also Wrote 1 episode]; THE LONGEST DAY - 1962 [TF]; COMBAT! - 1962; ENSIGN O'TOOLE - 1963; THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER - 1963 [TF]; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1963; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1962-1963 [3 episodes]; HONEYMOON HOTEL - 1964 [TF]; QUICK BEFORE IT MELTS - 1964 [TF]; MCHALE'S NAVY - 1964; STRANGE BEDFELLOWS - 1965 [TF]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964-1965 [3 episodes]; PERRY MASON - 1965; THE FLINTSTONES - 1965 [Voice only]; O.K. CRACKERBY! - 1965; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; F TROOP - 1965; I SPY - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1965; TAMMY - 1966; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1966; THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER - 1965-1966 [3 episodes]; MUNSTER, GO HOME! - 1966 [TF]; HOLD ON! - 1966 [TF]; ONE OF OUR SPIES IS MISSING - 1966 [TF; Edited episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.]; THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1964-1966 [3 episodes]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1966 [3 episodes]; THE WIDE OPEN DOOR - 1967; THE MONKEES - 1968; STAR! - 1968 [TF]; THE BAMBOO SAUCER - 1968 [TF; I love this film for all the wrong reasons]; THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN - 1968; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1969; HERE COMES THE BRIDES - 1969; DANIEL BOONE - 1969; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1969; IRONSIDE - 1970; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965-1970 [10 episodes]; THE YOUNG REBELS - 1970; THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY - 1971; BIG JAKE - 1971 [TF]; THE MILLION DOLLAR DUCK - 1971 [TF]; ARNIE - 1971; NIGHT GALLERY - ["House-With Ghost" - 1971]; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1972 [TV Movie; Portrayed "Dr. Watson"]; BEWITCHED - 1966-1972 [19 episodes]; ANNA AND THE KING - 1972; OLIVER AND THE ARTFUL DODGER - 1972 [Voice only]; INTERTECT - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1973; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1973 [3 episodes]; ARNOLD - 1973 [TF; overlooked horror/comedy]; DIRTY SALLY - 1974; COLUMBO - 1972-1975; BARNABY JONES - 1975; EMERGENCY! - 1975; CANNON - 1975; BARBARY COAST - 1975; THE RESCUERS - 1977 [TF; Voice only]; HERBIE GOES TO MONTE CARLO - 1977 [TF]; SOAP - 1978; TABITHA - 1977-1978 [Returned to play his "Dr. Bombay" character from BEWITCHED for two episodes]; M*A*S*H - 1978; WHAT'S HAPPENING!! - 1978; ALIEN ZONE - 1978 [Anthology horror film; a.k.a. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD and ZONE OF THE DEAD]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; SCOOBY-DOO AND SCRAPPY-DOO - 1979 [Voice only]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1980; THE PRIVATE EYES - 1980 [TF]; GAUGUIN THE SAVAGE - 1980 [TV Movie]; LOU GRANT - 1980; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1981; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981; HART TO HART - 1982; THE JEFFERSONS - 1982; GUNSHY - 1983; YELLOWBEARD - 1983 [TF]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1983; HOTEL - 1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1984; THE FALL GUY - 1985; RIPTIDE - 1986; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; 18 AGAIN! - 1988 [TF]; PUNKY BREWSTER - 1988; PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE - 1989; CHIP 'N' DALE RESCUE RANGERS - 1990 [Voice only]; THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER - 1990 [TF; Voice only]; TITANIC - 1997 [TF; Appeared in this film and the British film A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, which I like more than this overlong film]; THE MUMMY - 1999 [TF; portrayed the unforgettable aviator "Winston Havelock"]; PASSIONS - 1999-2000 [Portrayed "Dr. Bombay" two final times]; DHARMA & GREG - 2001; SURGE OF POWER - 2004 [TF; His last acting role]. Privately, Bernard Fox was a devotee and expert at magic and a sought-after painter of landscapes. Bernie Kopell is now the last cast member, recurring or regular, of BEWITCHED. Bernard Fox passed away of heart failure and was 89 years-old.) - 12/14/16
ZSA ZSA GABOR (Actress/Socialite: Zsa Zsa was a beautiful celebrity [She was Miss Hungary of 1936], who used her looks to break into show business [she could never remember anyone's name, so she called them "Dahlink" in that thick Hungarian accent], following her late sister Eva Gabor [GREEN ACRES - 1965-1971] from Budapest, Hungary to Hollywood, California to become an actress [Thanks to a letter of introduction by Basil Rathbone and his wife to the upper Hollywood echelon.]. Zsa Zsa is also better known for slapping a police officer during a traffic dispute on June 14, 1989, when she did not know her license tag was expired and spent three days in jail and had to do 120 hours of community service after her three days in jail expired. She was not above making fun of that incident, especially in the film THE NAKED GUN 2 1/2: THE SMELL OF FEAR - 1991. She was a true celebrity after that incident, but she did many TV Series guest appearances and theatrical films before then. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THIS IS SHOW BUSINESS - 1951; LOVELY TO LOOK AT - 1952 [TF]; WE'RE NOT MARRIED! - 1952 [TF]; MOULIN ROUGE - 1952 [TF]; THE STORY OF THREE LOVES - 1953 [TF]; LILI - 1953 [TF]; THE MOST WANTED MAN - 1954 [TF]; THE BEAUTY AND THE BULLFIGHTER - 1954 [TF]; 3 RING CIRCUS - 1954 [TF]; BALL OF THE NATIONS - 1954 [TF]; CLIMAX! - 1955; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1955; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1956; SNEAK PREVIEW - 1956; THE BOB CUMMINGS SHOW - 1956; DEATH OF A SCOUNDREL - 1956 [TF]; THE LIFE OF RILEY - 1957; THE GIRL IN THE KREMLIN - 1957 [TF]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1957; THE MAN WHO WOULDN'T TALK - 1958 [TF]; TOUCH OF EVIL - 1958 [TF; a great film to be part of, even if her role was small]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956-1958 [5 episodes]; QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE - 1958 [TF; she is best known to readers of this site for her starring role in this film]; FOR THE FIRST TIME - 1959 [TF]; LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1959; NINOTCHKA - 1960 [TV Movie]; LA CONTESSA AZZURRA - 1960 [TF]; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1960; PEPE - 1960 [TF]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1956-1961; MR. ED - 1962; THE ROAD TO HONG KONG - 1962 [TF; Scenes deleted]; BOYS' NIGHT OUT - 1962 [TF]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1963; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1964; DOUBLE JEOPARDY - 1965; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1965; F TROOP - 1966; ALICE IN WONDERLAND OR WHAT IS A NICE KID LIKE YOU DOING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS? - 1966 [TV Movie]; THE ROUNDERS - 1966; PICTURE MOMMY DEAD - 1966 [TF; My favorite film of hers.; Bert I. Gordon directed.]; ARREVEDERCI, BABY! - 1966 [TF]; BONANZA - 1967; JACK OF DIAMONDS - 1967 [TF]; BATMAN - 1968 [As Minerva, the glamorous owner of a mineral spa, in the last episode of the series]; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968; MY THREE SONS - 1968; BRACKEN'S WORLD - 1969; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1968-1970 [9 episodes]; NIGHT GALLERY - ["The Painted Mirror" - 1971]; MOOCH GOES TO HOLLYWOOD - 1971 [TV Movie; Voice only]; UP THE FRONT - 1972 [TF]; DON ADAMS' SCREEN TEST - 1975; WON TON TON: THE DOG WHO SAVED HOLLYWOOD - 1976 [TF]; 3 GIRLS 3 - 1977; EVERY GIRL SHOULD HAVE ONE - 1978 [TF]; SUPERTRAIN - 1979; HOLLYWOOD, ICH KOMME - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981; THE FACTS OF LIFE - 1981; KNOTS LANDING - 1982; MATT HOUSTON - 1983; FRANKENSTEIN'S GREAT AUNT TILLIE - 1984 [TF; Simply terrible horror/comedy]; CALIFORNIA GIRLS - 1985 [TV Movie]; SMART ALEC - 1986 [TF]; CHARLIE BARNETT'S TERMS OF ENROLLMENT - 1986 [MFHV]; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1987; A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS - 1987 [TF; Even though her role was small, it was memorable]; JOHANN STRAUSS: THE KING WITHOUT A CROWN - 1987 [TF]; CHRISTMAS AT PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE MUNSTERS TODAY - 1989; CITY - 1990; HAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1990 [TF; Voice only]; THE NAKED GUN 2 1/2: THE SMELL OF FEAR - 1991 [TF]; THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR - 1991 [In real life, she lived and died in Bel-Air]; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1992 [TF]; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1993 [TF]; EMPTY NEST - 1994; CYBILL - 1995; TATTOOED TEENAGE ALIEN FIGHTERS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1995; A VERY BRADY SEQUEL - 1996 [TF; Her last acting role]. Ms. Gabor was a frequent panelist on numerous Game Shows dating back to the 1950's [She once halted the taping of THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES because she broke a nail and wouldn't go back on until it was fixed]; was a Guest on many daytime & nighttime talk shows [she was a favorite of Mike Douglas, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson] and participated in many documentaries. In 1952, she was nominated for a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award® for Most Outstanding Female Personality, and in 1958 she won a Golden Globe® for "the most glamorous actress". She also received a Star on The Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960 at 6915 Hollywood Blvd. She may not have been a great actress, but her offscreen antics were just as entertaining as her onscreen antics. She was a beautiful woman well into her 60's and knew when it was time to get out of the limelight. She was married nine times [Take that Elizabeth Taylor!; She and her sister Magda Gabor were both married to George Sanders!], to one man for only one day [She had the marriage annulled], and was the ex-step-great-grandmother of Paris Hilton [Believe me, Paris Hilton had nothing on Zsa Zsa when it came to public disruptions!], due to her marriage to Conrad Hilton. Besides that one child [the late Francesca Hilton], Zsa Zsa and her last husband, Frédéric von Anhalt [They were married from 1987 until her death], in what is one of the most unusual things I ever heard, adopted several men to be their sons and renamed them all with German names with the word "Prinz" as part of their new identities [there was doubt that Frédéric von Anhalt was a real Prince due to his lineage]. All these men paid millions each for the opportunity [including a brothel owner, a string of health clubs owner, a strip club owner and even a surgeon!]. One of her favorite lines about her divorces was, "You never really know a man until you have divorced him." No one could ever say Zsa Zsa Gabor was an ordinary woman [she also had a hip replacement in 2010 and had her right leg amputated in 2011]. All I can say to Zsa Zsa is this: Goodbye Dahlink. I hope you have as much fun where you are heading as you gave us here. Zsa Zsa Gabor suffered a heart attack and was 99 years-old.) - 12/18/16
DICK LATESSA (Actor: Better known as a Broadway actor, Mr. Latessa ventured out into TV and Theatrical Films in between Broadway gigs. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF For Theatrical Film]: GET SMART - 1968; MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - 1969; IRONSIDE - 1969; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1969; PHILEMON - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE EDGE OF NIGHT - 1975-1976 [Unknown amount of episodes]; CAPTAIN KANGAROO - 1979; THE FAMILY MAN - 1979 [TV Movie]; AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY AFTER - 1981 [TV Movie]; ONE OF THE BOYS - 1982; NURSE - 1982; THE NEIGHBORHOOD - 1982 [TV Movie]; A QUESTION OF HONOR - 1982 [TV Movie]; TRACKDOWN: FINDING THE GOODBAR KILLER - 1983 [TV Movie]; PUDD'NHEAD WILSON - 1984 [TV Movie]; IZZY & MOE - 1985 [TV Movie]; OUT OF THE DARKNESS - 1985 [TV Movie]; ROCKABYE - 1986 [TV Movie]; SPENSER: FOR HIRE - 1985-1987; THE TRIAL OF BERNHARD GOETZ - 1988 [TV Movie]; WORKING IT OUT - 1990; TRUE BLUE - 1989-1990 [TV Series Regular; 12 episodes]; OVER THE LIMIT - 1990 [Afternoon TV Movie]; THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES - 1991 [TV Movie]; YOUNG INDIANA JONES - 1993; SHATTERED TRUST: THE SHARI KARNEY STORY - 1993 [TV Movie]; C.P.W. - 1996; THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE - 1996 [TF]; BETTER THAN EVER - 1997 [TF]; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1997 [Unknown amount of episodes]; SOUL MAN - 1998; THICKER THAN BLOOD - 1998 [TV Movie]; STIGMATA - 1999 [TF]; THE ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES: SPRING BREAK ADVENTURE - 1999 [MFHV]; THE SOPRANOS - 2001; ED - 2001; THE EVENT - 2003; LAW & ORDER - 1990-2003 [5 episodes; There was an old rule that if you were a New York-based actor, if you didn't do at least one episode of LAW & ORDER, you really haven't made it; He appeared in "Everybody's Favorite Bagman"; This is actually the series' pilot. It was produced in 1988 for CBS, which passed on the show. After NBC picked it up, the network decided to air the pilot 5 episodes after the premiere episode, in which the detectives are meeting ADA Robinette for the first time and Roy Thinnes appears as the DA before he was replaced by Steven Hill.]; ALFIE - 2004 [TF]; THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL - 2005 [TF]; THE BLACK DONNELLYS - 2007 [5 episodes]; SIX DEGREES - 2007; THE LAST NEW YORKER - 2007 [TF]; BROTHERHOOD - 2007; CLOSE RELATIONS - 2008 [Short]; THE GOOD WIFE - 2009; A BUDDY STORY - 2010 [TF]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2010; EMILY OWENS M.D. - 2012; ODD MOM OUT - 2015 [His last film acting role]. After making his Broadway debut in 1968’s “The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N,” Latessa went on to appear in Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies,” Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and "Broadway Bound,” and musicals such as “The Will Rogers Follies,” “Damn Yankees,” “A Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Cabaret” and “Promises, Promises Mr. Latessa also won Broadway's 2003 Tony Award® as Best Actor [Featured Play - Musical, for portraying playing joke-store owner Wilbur Turnblad] for "Hairspray." Dick Latessa died of undisclosed causes and was 87 years-old.] - 12/19/16
MICHELE MORGAN (Actress: Ms. Morgan was one of the vintage greats of French & International Films and made many movies loved all over the world. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]; MEET MISS MOZART - 1936; THE PARISIAN LIFE - 1936; UNE FILLE A PAPA - 1936; 40 GIRLS AND A BABY - 1936; MES TANTES ET MOI - 1937; GIGOLETTE - 1937; HEART OF PARIS - 1937; STORM - 1938; PORT OF SHADOWS - 1938; CORAL REEFS - 1939; NIGHTCLUB HOSTESS - 1939; LAW OF THE NORTH - 1939; LES MUSCIENS DU CIEL - 1940; STORMY WATERS - 1941; JOAN OF PARIS - 1942; IMMORTAL FRANCE - 1943; TWO TICKETS TO LONDON - 1943; HIGHER AND HIGHER - 1943; PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE - 1944 [with Humphrey Bogart]; PASTORAL SYMPHONY - 1946 [The very first Cannes Film Festival Award® winner for Best Actress]; THE CHASE - 1946 [Film Noir with Robert Cummings]; THE FALLEN IDOL - 1948; SOUVENIR - 1948; FABIOLA - 1949; HERE IS THE BEAUTY - 1950; THE NAKED HEART - 1950; THE GLASS CASTLE - 1950; THE STRANGE MADAME X - 1951; THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS - 1952; THE MOMENT OF TRUTH - 1952; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1953 [TV Series]; THE PROUD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 1953; DAUGHTERS OF DESTINY - 1954; OBSESSION - 1954 [One of her most beloved films; Very adult subject matter for the time.]; OASIS - 1955; NAPOLEON - 1955; THE GRAND MANEUVER - 1955; MARGUERITE OF THE NIGHT - 1955; IF PARIS WERE TOLD TO US - 1956; SHADOW OF THE GUILLOTINE - 1956 [Plays Marie Antoinette]; THE VINTAGE - 1957; THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE TAG - 1957; THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES - 1958; MAXIME - 1958; LOVE ON THE RIVIERA - 1958; TOO LATE FOR LOVE - 1959; WINTER HOLIDAYS - 1959; GRAND HOTEL - 1959; THE WRETCHES - 1960; FORTUNATE - 1960; THE LIONS ARE LOOSE - 1961; THREE FACES OF SIN - 1961; THE WINNER - 1961; MEETINGS - 1962; CRIME DOES NOT PAY - 1962; BLUEBEARD - 1963; THE SCAPEGOAT - 1963; BE CAREFUL, LADIES! - 1963; WEB OF FEAR - 1964; THE LAST STEPS - 1964; MARKED EYES - 1964; TELL ME WHOM TO KILL - 1965; LOST COMMAND - 1966; LA BIEN-AIMEE - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE DIARY OF AN INNOCENT BOY - 1968; MADAME - 1971 [TV Movie]; CAT AND MOUSE - 1975; ROBERT AND ROBERT - 1978; LE TOUT POUR LE TOUT - 1981 [TV Movie]; EMMENEZ-MOI AU THEATRE: CHERI - 1984 [TV Movie]; A MAN AND A WOMAN: 20 YEARS LATER - 1986; THE SECRET DRAWER - 1986-1987 [TV mini-series]; EVERYBODY'S FINE - 1990; LA VEUVE DE L'ARCHITECTE - 1995 [TV Movie]; THE RIVAL - 1999 [TV Movie; Her last film acting role]. Ms. Morgan also appeared as herself in many documentaries, some of them devoted to her over five decades in the film business. She received a Star on The Walk Of fame on February 8, 1960 at 1645 Vine Street. She also received a career award in 1992 from France's César Awards® and in 1996 received the Career Golden Lion® from the Venice Film Festival®. In France, she was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1969, raised to Officer in 1994, to Grand Officer in 2009 and received the Grand-Croix in 2013. Her life in movies both in Hollywood and abroad is really interesting and she wrote an autobiography named "Avec ces yeux-là", which is also available in English. There are many funny and sad stories in her life, such as when Alfred Hitchcock turned her down for the lead in SUSPICION [1941} because he thought her English wasn't good enough. Joan Fontaine got the role and won a Best Actress Academy Award® for it. Ms. Morgan the hired a linguist to help her improve her English and she was then offered the lead in JOHNNY BELINDA [1948], but Belinda was a mute girl and Ms. Morgan turned down the role because she thought it was an insult. Jane Wyman got the role and won a Best Actress Academy Award® for her performance. Ms. Morgan regards this choice as one of her biggest professional mistakes. TRIVIA NOTE: She had a mansion built away from most other Hollywood star mansions. When she married William Marshall in 1942 [No not the BLACULA actor, but another actor {BLACKMAIL - 1947} who was verbally and physically abusive to Ms. Morgan. They divorced in 1948.], he made her move out of the mansion because men didn't live at women's houses. That mansion would be the site of Sharon Tate's murder by Charles Mansons' followers in 1969. Michele Morgan passed away of natural causes and was 96 years-old.) - 12/20/16
GIL PARRONDO (Set Decorator/Art Director/Production Designer: Two-time Academy Award® winner for his Art and Set Direction on films. He worked on many U.S. Films, but equally worked on many Spanish Films [Many of his 1950's & early 1960's Films have never been dubbed or subtitled into English]. Some of his films will be of interest to readers of this site;. His credits as Set Decorator/Art Designer included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: RED FISH - 1955; CONFIDENTIAL REPORT - 1955 [Uncredited]; FEDRA, THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER - 1956; THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION - 1957 [Associate Art Director]; THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD - 1959; THE 3 WORLDS OF GULLIVER - 1960; ACCIDENTS MAY HAPPEN - 1961; THE TRUTH ABOUT SPRING - 1964; DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - 1965 [Associate Art Director]; SOUND OF HORROR - 1966 [Also Production Designer; I absolutely love this horror film about an invisible dinosaur creature attacking an archaeology crew); DR. COPPELIUS - 1966; THE RAT PATROL - 1966-1967 [TV Series; 16 episodes]; MASSACRE HARBOR - 1968; THE VALLEY OF GWANGI - 1969; HAMELIN - 1969; BATTLE OF BRITAIN - 1969; PATTON - 1970 [Academy Award® winner for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration]; THE GREAT WHITE HOPE - 1970 [Uncredited]; FOUR RODE OUT - 1970; BLIND MAN'S BLUFF - [a.k.a. CAULDRON OF BLOOD - 1970]; THE HORSEMEN - 1971 [Uncredited]; NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA - 1971 [Academy Award® winner for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration];; TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT - 1972 [Academy Award® nominee for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration]; DON QUIXOTE RIDES AGAIN - 1973; THE GIRL FROM THE RED CABARET - 1973; OPEN SEASON - 1974 [Also Production Designer; Really nasty chase thriller]; ROBIN AND MARIAN - 1976; THE BLACK SWORD - 1976; SPHINX - 1981; BICYCLES ARE FOR THE SUMMER - 1984; THE BROTHER FROM SPACE - 1984 [Extremely bad E.T. ripoff]; IGUANA - 1988; THE LONG WINTER - 1992 [Also Production Designer]; YOUR NAME POISONS MY DREAMS - 1996; DEATH IN GRANADA - 1996 [Also Production Designer]; THE GRANDFATHER - 1998; THE RETURN OF EL COYOTE - 1998 [Also Production Designer]; DIVERTIMENTO - 2000 [Also Production Designer]; YOU'RE THE ONE - 2000 [Goya Award® winner for Best Production Design]; HOTEL DANUBIO - 2003; NINETTE - 2005 [Goya Award® winner for Best Production Design]; LAS LLAVES DE LA INDEPENDENCIA - 2005; SUNDAY LIGHT - 2007; DEAD BIRDS - 2008; HOLMES AND WATSON: MADRID DAYS - 2012. Mr. Parrondo was Production Designer on the following films: THE WIND AND THE LION - 1975; MARCH OR DIE - 1977; THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL - 1978; CUBA - 1979; PAPER HEART - 1982; RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY - 1985; LIONHEART - 1987; ONASSIS: THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 1988 [TV Movie]; FAREWELL TO THE KING - 1989; THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS - 1989; TANGO - 1992 [TV Series; 8 episodes]; CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY - 1992; DON JUAN - 1997 [TV mini-series]; FIRST AND LAST LOVE - 2002; STORY OF A KISS - 2002; THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY - 2004; COLD SKIN - 2017 [His last film credit]. Mr. Parrondo literally has dozens of other films that were never released in English. He was the first Spanish person to win an Oscar. As of 2016, he's the only Spanish person to win two Oscars [both films directed by Franklin Schaffner]. Gil Parrondo died of natural causes and was 95 years-old.) - 12/24/16
GEORGE MICHAEL (Musician: Wow. This one hurt because I saw him sing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" with Elton John at Madison Square Garden in the early-90's and the performance sent shivers down my spine. I really wasn't a fan of most of George Michael's (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) music since it was mostly teenie-bopper stuff when he and his high school friend Andrew Ridgeley performed as Wham!, but when he left to have a solo career [he and Ridgeley remained friends up until Michael's death] and released a Grammy Award®-winning album in 1987 titled "Faith" [also containing a #1 hit song with that name], his career skyrocketed and that album sold 20 million copies worldwide. His songs were also more mature and he broke a lot of ladies' hearts when he announced on CNN in 1998 that he was gay [He said: "I know I'm basically a good person whose two crimes appear to be that I'm gay and I've got a big mouth to go with it."], a confession that took guts back then. He has had his share of law problems [which I rather not get into], but he was a great performer up to the day he died. His and Wham!'s music were used in everything from TV shows (especially song and dancing competition shows all over the world) to Theatrical Films, so I am going to leave out all the song and dancing competition TV shows and concentrate on regular TV Series and Theatrical films that used his music. They included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE FALL GUY - 1985; KNIGHT RIDER - 1985; PERFECT - 1985 [TF]; YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW - 1986 [TF]; DTV 'DOGGONE' VALENTINE - 1987 [TV Movie]; ROCK ODYSSEY - 1987 [TF]; THE BEIDERBECKE TAPES - 1987 [TV mini-series]; BEVERLY HILLS COP II - 1987 [TF; Won a Razzie Award® for Worst Original Song, "I Want Your Sex"]; ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES... - 1987; THE BIG PICTURE - 1989 [TF]; THE PRINCE OF TIDES - 1991 [TF]; BITTER MOON - 1992 [TF]; BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD - 1993; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 1996; THIS LIFE - 1997; BRITISH MEN BEHAVING BADLY - 1997; NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS - 1997; THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998 [TF]; HARD - 1998 [TF]; VERY BAD THINGS - 1998 [TF]; TOUCH AND GO - 1998; A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY - 1998 [TF]; STARS IN THEIR EYES - 1990-1999 [6 episodes]; MAYBE BABY - 2000 [TF]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 2000 [TF]; ZOOLANDER - 2001 [TF]; THE RULES OF ATTRACTION - 2002 [TF]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2003; SCRUBS - 2003; THE OFFICE - 2003 [British Version]; WILL & GRACE - 2004; CHRISTMAS IN LOVE - 2004 [TF]; BANNED IN THE UK - 2005; FILTHY GORGEOUS: THE TRANNYSHACK STORY - 2005 [Theatrical Documentary]; FAMILY GUY - 2005; REUNION - 2005 [also Writer of one episode]; TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE STORY OF RICKY BOBBY - 2006 [TF]; PSYCH - 2006; STARTER FOR 10 - 2006 [TF]; THE HOLIDAY - 2006 [TF]; IT TAKES TWO - 2007; I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK & LARRY - 2007 [TF]; RATS AND CATS - 2007 [TF]; HOT ROD - 2007 [TF]; THE NANNY DIARIES - 2007 [TF]; COLD CASE - 2003-2007; EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS - 2008; BABY MAMA - 2008 [TF]; THE INBETWEENERS - 2008; ANGUS, THONGS AND PERFECT SNOGGING - 2008 [TF]; ELI STONE - 2008-2009 [13 episodes; Wrote one episode in 2008; Appeared in 4 episodes in 2008; I think the show was unfairly cancelled because of the subject matter]; 90210 - 2009; RAGE - 2009; LOOSE WOMEN - 2009; ELECTRIC DREAMS - 2009 [TV mini-series]; HOUSE - 2009; NIP/TUCK - 2006-2009 [Performed on a 2006 episode]; ANGELA AND FRIENDS - 2009; HEARTBREAKER - 2010 [TF]; HOT TUB TIME MACHINE - 2010 [TF]; THE INFIDEL - 2010 [TF]; TRAVEL BOUND - 2010; MISFITS - 2010; COMMUNITY - 2011; WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN - 2011 [TF]; SHOWBOATERS - 2011; RUDE TUBE - 2011; HAPPY FEET 2 - 2011 [TF]; EASTENDERS - 1985-2012 [12 episodes]; KATH & KIMDERELLA - 2012 [TF]; BEST POSSIBLE TASTE: THE KENNY EVERETT STORY - 2012 [TV Movie]; THE OFFICE - 2012 [American Version]; THE DUMPING GROUND - 2013; BLENDED - 2014 [TF]; WALKING ON SUNSHINE - 2014 [TF]; SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - 2014 [TV Documentary]; TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES - 2014 [TF]; ALPHA AND OMEGA 4: THE LEGEND OF THE SAW TOOTHED CAVE - 2014 [MFHV]; NEW TRICKS - 2014; THE GOLDBERGS - 2014; THE MINDY PROJECT - 2014; EASTENDERS: BACK TO OURS - 2015; GLEE - 2010-2015 [3 episodes]; MY MAD FAT DIARY - 2015; CORONATION STREET - 2015; MOVIE NIGHTS - 2015; KIRSTIE'S HANDMADE CHRISTMAS - 2015; MIKE & MIKE - 2015; DEADPOOL - 2016 [TF]; ZOOLANDER 2 - 2016 [TF]; KEANU - 2016 [TF]; SAUSAGE PARTY - 2016 [TF]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2016; BLEED FOR THIS - 2016 [TF]; SCREAM QUEENS - 2015-2016; CASUALTY - 1986-2016 [his final credit before his death]. Believe me. George Michael's songs will be used on both TV and Theatrical films for decades to come. George also won a Grammy Award® for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance Vocal Performance by Duo or Group for "I Knew You Were Waiting" with Aretha Franklin. He was nominated for seven more Grammy Awards®. It is estimated that he sold over 80 million albums both by himself and with Wham!. His popularity may have waned in the United States, but he was still popular all over the world. He also made many Music Videos [some of which he directed] and Concert Videos, performed on many daytime and nighttime Talk Shows and his music was used in many Video Games. There is so much more I could write about George Michael, but I'll leave that to other people. All I will say is that this was clearly George's "Last Christmas" [another best-selling song that has been recorded by over 21 artists, but there is nothing like the original] and that he and his "big mouth" will be severely missed. I find it funny that people pay tribute to a man of this caliber once he passes away [a large collection of his songs are the most downloaded on iTunes after his death]. He may be still alive if we payed tribute to him while he was still with us [My iPod is full of his solo songs and those he recorded with other musical idols like Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield]. George Michael passed away due to natural causes [he died peacefully in his sleep, according to the coroner's report in early March 2017] and was just 53 years-old.) - 12/25/16
RICKY HARRIS (Comedian/Actor: Ricky Harris was a stand-up comedian [and good friend of Snoop Dogg] who occasionally acted on TV and in films. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: POETIC JUSTICE - 1993 [TF]; DANGER THEATRE - 1993; MURDER WAS THE CASE: THE MOVIE - 1995 [Video Short; also Directed & Wrote Additional Material]; TALES FROM THE HOOD - 1995 [TF; Probably his best-known role]; HEAT - 1995 [TF; with Pacino and DeNiro!]; HIGH SCHOOL HIGH - 1996 [TF]; FATHER'S DAY - 1997 [TF]; MILLENNIUM - ["Sense And Antisense" - 1997]; HARD RAIN - 1998 [TF; a much maligned film, but I watch it every time it is on]; MOESHA - 1996-1998 [5 episodes]; KINGS - 1998 [Short]; THICK AS THIEVES - 1999 [TF; He gives another memorable performance in this film]; SIMON SEZ - 1999 [TF; Trying to turn Dennis Rodman into an action star was a major flop]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2000; THE DISTRICT - 2001; BONES - 2001 [TF; co-starred with good friend Snoop Dogg]; MDs - 2002; FASTLANE - 2003; LUCKY - 2003; THE HANDLER - 2003; THE TRACY MORGAN SHOW - 2003; WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED - 2004 [TF]; CSI: NY - 2004; NYPD BLUE - 2001-2004; NOT A LOVESTORY - 2004 [TF]; ER - 2005; BOSS'N UP - 2005 [TF]; THE MEMORY THIEF - 2007 [TF]; THIS CHRISTMAS - 2007 [TF]; CSI: MIAMI - 2007 [one of the few non-regulars to appear on all three CSI series]; RAISING THE BAR - 2008; THE GAME - 2008; EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS - 2006-2008 [5 episodes]; DOUGH BOYS - 2009 [TF]; DARK BLUE - 2009; MR. SADMAN - 2009 [TF]; THE CAPE - 2011; BATTLEFIELD AMERICA - 2012 [TF]; MID LIFE GANGSTER - 2013; DOPE - 2015; A ROYAL FAMILY HOLIDAY - 2015 [TV Movie]; ROYAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS - 2015 [TV Movie]; THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY - 2016 [TV mini-series]; THE WORKOUT ROOM - 2016 [TF]; CHECK POINT - 2017 [TF; also Associate Producer; His final film role]. Mr. Harris was also the host of 6 episodes of DEF COMEDY JAM in 1995 and was portraying himself in a documentary called UNTITLED THUG LIFE PROJECT at the time of his death. Ricky Harris died of a heart attack and was only 54 years-old.) - 12/26/16
BARBARA TARBUCK (Actress: Best known for portraying "Jane Jacks" on the TV Soap Opera GENERAL HOSPITAL from 1996 to 2010, Ms. Tarbuck was a frequent guest star on many TV Series and infrequently appeared in Theatrical Films. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical film]: DAVID CASSIDY-MAN UNDERCOVER - 1978; THE WALTONS - 1979; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1979; THE CRACKER FACTORY - 1979 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1979; MRS. R'S DAUGHTER - 1979 [TV Movie]; DALLAS - 1979 [3 episodes]; CALIFORNIA FEVER - 1979; NIGHT-FLOWERS - 1979 [TF]; LOST IN DEATH VALLEY - 1980 [Afternoon TV Movie]; A CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SNOW - 1980 [TV Movie]; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - 1981; QUINCY M.E. - 1979-1981 [3 episodes]; BETWEEN TWO LOVES - 1982 [Afternoon TV Movie]; POLICE SQUAD! - 1982; LOU GRANT - 1982; NEWHART - 1982; M*A*S*H - 1982; CONDO - 1983; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1983; VICTIMS FOR VICTIMS: THE THERESA SALDANA STORY - 1984 [TV Movie]; DIRTY WORK - 1985 [TV Movie]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1983-1985 [3 episodes]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["One Life, Furnished In Early Poverty" - 1985]; SHORT CIRCUIT - 1986 [TF]; BIG TROUBLE - 1986 [TF]; DYNASTY - 1982-1986; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; FALCON CREST - 1986-1987 [7 episodes]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1987; KNOTS LANDING - 1980-1987; HUNTER - 1988; OUT OF TIME - 1988 [TV Movie]; DAVID - 1988 [TV Movie]; I KNOW MY FIRST NAME IS STEVEN - 1989 [TV mini-series]; L.A. LAW - 1989; MOONLIGHTING - 1989; 21 JUMP STREET - 1989; THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE OUTSIDERS - 1990; DRAGNET - 1990; SANTA BARBARA - 1990 [9 episodes]; TESTING DIRTY - 1990 [Afternoon TV Movie]; SHE-WOLF OF LONDON - 1991; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1991; CURLY SUE - 1991 [TF]; SILK STALKINGS - 1991; QUANTUM LEAP - 1992; CIVIL WARS - 1991-1992; A HOUSE OF SECRETS AND LIES - 1992 [TV Movie]; PICKET FENCES - 1992; A CHILD LOST FOREVER: THE JERRY SHERWOOD STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; MIDNIGHT WITNESS - 1993 [TF]; JACK REED: BADGE OF HONOR - 1993 [TV Movie]; A KISS GOODNIGHT - 1994 [TV Movie]; SCANNER COP II - 1995 [MFHV]; THE TIE THAT BINDS - 1995 [TF]; EYE OF THE STALKER - 1996 [TV Movie]; SEDUCED BY MADNESS: THE DIANE BORCHARDT STORY - 1996 [TV Movie]; PACIFIC BLUE - 1996; THE BURNING ZONE - 1996; THE PRACTICE - 1997; BEFORE HE WAKES - 1998 [TV Movie]; MR. MURDER - 1998 [TV Movie]; L.A. DOCTORS - 1998; ER - 1999 [Portrayed a woman with 12 dogs!]; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2000; THE HUNTRESS - 2001; THE DIVISION - 2001; JUDGING AMY - 2001; JUST ASK MY CHILDREN - 2001 [TV Movie]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2001; STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE - 2002; SIX FEET UNDER - 2002; THE LEGEND OF RAZORBACK - 2002 [Short]; MISTER STERLING - 2003; NYPD BLUE - 2003 [3 episodes]; WITHOUT A TRACE - 2003; THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASE, PART 1: THE MOAB STORY - 2003 [TF]; COLD CASE - 2003 [Portrayed an elderly mother who comes to terms with her murdered son's homosexuality; She was fantastic here. Almost all the episodes of this series bring out some emotion in me during the finale, mainly because the choice of music they used]; WALKING TALL - 2004 [TF; portrayed Dwayne Johnson's mother]; NCIS - 2004; NIP/TUCK - 2004; MEDICAL INVESTIGATION - 2004; MEDIUM - 2005; CSI: NY - 2005; CLOSE TO HOME - 2006; EYES - 2007; SMITH - 2007; GONE - 2007 [Short]; JOURNEYMAN - 2007; WEDNESDAY AGAIN - 2007 [TF]; S. DARKO - 2009 [TF]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1996-2010 [41 episodes]; THE EVENT - 2011; GLEE - 2011; AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM - 2012-2013 [5 episodes]; MAD MEN - 2013; WILD HORSES - 2013 [Short]; DEXTER - 2013; THE PAINTING - 2014 [Short]; COME SIMI - 2015 [TF; her last acting role]. Ms. Tarbuck was also a Stage actress, her New York theatre work included "Landscape & Silence" by Harold Pinter, "Water Engine" by David Mamet, Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound", Joseph Chaikin's production of "America Hurrah!", and "Enter The Night" by Marie Irene Fornes. Barbara Tarbuck died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and was 74 years-old.) - 12/27/16
CARRIE FISHER (Actress/Author: For Christ's sake, will 2016 end already!!! I am getting sick and tired of adding the names of people I loved in the obituary section of this site. Carrie Fisher [The daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher] is probably best known as "Princess Leia" in the STAR WARS universe, but she was so much more than that. I would even venture to say that the books she wrote out-rank anything she has done in movies or on TV. She had so much talent with the written word, even when she was fighting her demons [Everyone has demons, but no one used them more to her advantage than Ms. Fisher]. Carrie Fisher's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: DEBBIE REYNOLDS AND THE SOUND OF CHILDREN - 1969 [TV Special]; SHAMPOO - 1975; STAR WARS - 1977 [Years later, she admitted to having an affair with Harrison Ford, who was married, while they were making this film]; COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA - 1977 [TV Movie]; RINGO - 1978 [TV Movie]; LEAVE YESTERDAY BEHIND - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 1978 [TV Special]; MR. MIKE'S MONDO VIDEO - 1979; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1980 [TV]; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980; THE BLUES BROTHERS - 1980; UNDER THE RAINBOW - 1981; LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - 1982 [TV]; THE RETURN OF THE JEDI - 1983; FAERIE TALE THEATRE - 1984 [TV]; GARBO TALKS - 1984; FRANKENSTEIN - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE - 1985; GEORGE BURNS COMEDY WEEK - 1985 [TV]; HAPPILY EVER AFTER - 1985 [TV Movie; Voice only]; FROM HERE TO MATERNITY - 1985 [TV Short]; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS - 1986; HOLLYWOOD VICE SQUAD - 1986 [I love this overlooked film]; LIBERTY - 1986 [TV Movie]; SUNDAY DRIVE - 1986 [TV Movie]; AMAZING STORIES - 1987 [TV]; PAUL REISER OUT ON A WHIM - 1987 [TV Special]; AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON - 1987; THE TIME GUARDIAN - 1987; APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH - 1988; THE 'BURBS - 1989; LOVERBOY - 1989; TWO DADDIES? - 1989 [TV Movie]; SHE'S BACK - 1989; WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... - 1989; TRYING TIMES - 1989 [TV]; SWEET REVENGE - 1990; RED, HOT & BLUE - 1990 [TV Movie]; SIBLING RIVALRY - 1990; DROP DEAD FRED - 1991; SOAPDISH - 1991; HOOK - 1991 [A blink and you'll miss it cameo, as Tinkerbell spreads fairy dust on Fisher and George Lucas on a bridge]; THIS IS MY LIFE - 1992; FRASIER - 1995 [TV]; ELLEN - 1995 [TV]; PRESENT TENSE, PAST PERFECT - 1995 [TV Short]; AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY - 1997; GUN - 1997 [TV]; DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST - 1998 [TV; Voice only]; IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW - 1999 [TV]; SCREAM 3 - 2000 [She wrote her own scenes and wrote other one-liners for the film]; LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS - 2000; SEX AND THE CITY - 2000 [TV]; THESE OLD BROADS - 2001 [TV Movie; also Writer & Co-Executive Producer]; HEARTBREAKERS - 2001; JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK - 2001; A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY - 2002 [TV]; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S RAVE - 2002; CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE - 2003; WONDERLAND - 2003 [One of my favorite films]; GOOD MORNING, MIAMI - 2003 [TV]; STATESIDE - 2004; JACK & BOBBY - 2004 [TV]; THE RUTLES 2: CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH - 2004 [TV Special]; UNDISCOVERED - 2005; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005 [Documentary]; SMALLVILLE - 2005 [TV]; ROMANCING THE BRIDE - 2005 [TV Movie]; FRIENDLY FIRE - 2006 [MFHV]; SUFFERING MAN'S CHARITY - 2007; COUGAR CLUB - 2007; ODD JOB JACK - 2007 [TV]; WEEDS - 2007 [TV]; SIDE ORDER OF LIFE - 2007 [TV]; 30 ROCK - 2007 [TV]; THE WOMEN - 2008; ROBOT CHICKEN: STAR WARS EPISODE II - 2008 [TV Short; Voice only]; WHITE LIGHTNIN' - 2009; CELEBRITY GHOST STORIES - 2009 [TV]; FANBOYS - 2009; SORORITY ROW - 2009 [I think this horror remake of THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW {1981} is very good]; ENTOURAGE - 2010 [TV]; WRIGHT VS. WRONG - 2010 [TV Movie]; A CHILD'S GARDEN OF POETRY - 2011 [TV Movie; Voice only]; IT'S CHRISTMAS, CAROL! - 2012 [TV Movie]; THE BIG BANG THEORY - 2014 [TV]; LEGIT - 2014 [TV]; MAP TO THE STARS - 2014; STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - 2015; GIRLFRIENDS' GUIDE TO DIVORCE - 2014-2016; COKED UP! - 2016 [Documentary]; CATASTROPHE - 2015-2016 [Streaming TV; 5 episodes; actually the final acting role before her death]; FAMILY GUY - 2005-2017 [TV; 22 episodes; Voice only; 2 of her voice episodes have yet to be shown at the time of her death]; STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII - 2017 [In Post-Production at the time of her death; her scenes were completed; a title change will probably happen]. Ms. Fisher also wrote: POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE - 1990 [Her screenplay based on her book of the same name]; YOUNG INDIANA JONES: PARIS, OCTOBER 1916 - 1993 [TV Movie]; CARRY FISHER: THE HOLLYWOOD FAMILY - 1995 [TV Special]; CARRIE ON HOLLYWOOD - 1995 [TV Documentary]; ROSEANNE - 1997 [TV]; THE ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES: DEMONS OF DECEPTION - 2007 [MFHV; Uses Footage from her previous YOUNG INDIANA JONES episode]; WISHFUL DRINKING - 2010 [TV Documentary based on her book of the same name]. She also wrote additional material for the 69th, 74th & 79th ACADEMY AWARDS® ceremonies [As well as being an uncredited and in-demand "script doctor" for many famous films: SISTER ACT - 1992; LETHAL WEAPON 3 - 1992; SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER - 1993; MADE IN AMERICA - 1993; LAST ACTION HERO - 1993; LOVE AFFAIR - 1994; MY GIRL 2 - 1994; THE RIVER WILD - 1994; MILK MONEY - 1994; OUTBREAK - 1995; THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES - 1996; COYOTE UGLY - 2000; KATE & LEOPOLD - 2001; INTOLERABLE CRUELTY - 2003; and George Lucas' second trio of STAR WARS films - 1999-2005; were just some of the films she acted as a script doctor on. She quit doing it because of the process of where the studios wanted everything that was going to be changed submitted in writing and then they would use her and other's ideas and not get paid for them.]. She also appeared in dozens of documentaries [many of them dealing with STAR WARS and her family lineage], appeared on many daytime and nighttime TV Talk Shows [she was always a great interviewee because she told it like it was, especially about her bipolar disorder and addictions to prescription pills, LSD and cocaine, which helped many people] and was an accomplished Stage actress. She also authored over 15 books which everyone should read because she had a style like no one else [Read "Postcards From The Edge" first. You can thank me later. Here's a short paragraph describing her parents: "I don't know if they were culturally significant, but they were very popular. My mother and my father were America's sweethearts. They literally received that tag. Even my parents sort of went along with the assumption that they were a good couple, but they probably weren't a very good couple. Anyway, my father was best friends with a man named Michael Todd. Mike Todd was married to Elizabeth Taylor. Mike Todd died in a plane crash, and my father consoled Elizabeth Taylor with his penis."]. She was married for a year to singer Billy Joel [Her only marriage], but she continued dating him for 8 years after their divorce. She was also an animal lover, especially to her French bulldog Gary, whom was her constant companion who went with her everywhere [Fisher's only daughter, actress Billie Lourd of TV's SCREAM QUEENS, will be now taking care of Gary. Billie was the product of Fisher and powerful film agent Bryan Lourd. They never married and Bryan Lourd eventually left her for a man!].  Carrie Fisher suffered a major heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday, December 23, 2016 and was transported to a Los Angeles hospital, where she died a few days later without regaining consciousness. Carrie Fisher was just 60 years-old. NOTE: Carrie Fisher was cremated and her ashes placed in an urn shaped like a giant Prozac pill. It shows, even in death, Carrie Fisher had a great sense of humor about everything, including her much-publicized mental illness. UPDATE: Carrie Fisher’s death was caused by sleep apnea and other undetermined factors [like drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and ecstacy, in her system], the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office revealed on Friday, June 16, 2017.) - 12/27/16
DEBBIE REYNOLDS (Actress/Dancer/Singer: Holy Christ Almighty! First it was Carrie Fisher and now it is her equally famous mother, Debbie Reynolds. Ms. Reynolds missed her daughter so much, that a few hours before she died, she told her son, Todd Fisher [Carrie's brother], "“I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie.” and then her heart just gave out due to grief, unsaid love, and the pressure put on her by the papparazzi [those pieces of scum]. Then she was gone [There have been rumors about her declining health over the last few months]. This is one of the saddest stories of 2016, a year full of sad stories, but Debbie Reynolds was always a rock and someone you could depend on to tell you the truth, yet a parent should not live to see their children die, but it happens hundreds of times of day all over the world. Only, this time, Debbie Reynolds took her daughter's death so hard, she lost all reason to live. We hear about cases like this all the time, but to die the next day? That is uncommon and extremely sad and I cried when I first heard it. Not that I was a huge fan of Debbie Reynolds, but the emotional aspect of the story. It was heart-wrenching and almost surreal at the same time. At first I thought it was another piece of Fake News on Facebook, but when I started hearing it on all the TV news stations, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Both mother and daughter dying of heart attacks back-to-back. Motherly love is a hard thing to let go of, no matter how old your children are. Unbelievable. Now let's get on to Debbie's career: Ms. Reynolds was an Academy Award® nominated actress for Best Actress in a Leading Role in the film THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN - 1964 and won the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award® in 2016. She won the 1948 Miss Burbank contest and was offered a screen test by Warner Bros. the day after her win. She proved to be a natural in front of the camera and was immediately put into films [more on her life after the filmography]. Her credits included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: JUNE BRIDE - 1948; THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY - 1950; THREE LITTLE WORDS - 1950; TWO WEEKS IN LOVE - 1950; MR. IMPERIUM - 1951; SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - 1952 [Ms. Reynolds has said that there were only two painful things in her life: giving birth and appearing in this film. She worked so hard in this film to keep up with Gene Kelly that every day her feet were bleeding!]; SKIRTS AHOY! - 1952; I LOVE MELVIN - 1953; THE AFFAIRS OF DOBIE GILLIS - 1953; GIVE A GIRL A BREAK - 1953; SUSAN SLEPT HERE - 1954; ATHENA - 1954; HIT THE DECK - 1955; THE TENDER TRAP - 1955; MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS - 1956; THE CATERED AFFAIR - 1956; BUNDLE OF JOY - 1956; TAMMY AND THE BACHELOR - 1957 [Ms. Reynolds, who usually sang in most of her Film and TV projects, had a #1 smash hit song with "Tammy" {it went Gold and was #1 for 5 weeks}, even though Sandra Dee would take over the role of Tammy in following films; Ms. Reynolds was pregnant with Carrie Fisher while making this film]; THIS HAPPY FEELING - 1958; THE MATING GAME - 1959; SAY ONE FOR ME - 1959; IT STARTED WITH A KISS - 1959; THE GAZEBO - 1959; THE RAT RACE - 1960; PEPE - 1960; THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY - 1961; THE SECOND TIME AROUND - 1961; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1962; MY SIX LOVES - 1963; MARY, MARY - 1963; THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN - 1964 [Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role]; GOODBYE CHARLIE - 1964; THE SINGING NUN - 1966; DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE - 1967 [Something she was quite familiar with]; HOW SWEET IT IS! - 1968; PAT PAULSEN'S HALF A COMEDY HOUR - 1970 [TV]; THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS SHOW - 1969-1970 [TV; 26 episodes; NBC cancelled the popular series when Ms. Reynolds complained that cigarette TV commercials played during breaks, which was against her contract stipulation. Rather than losing major cigarette advertisers, NBC cancelled the show rather than bow down to Ms. Reynold's rightful demands.]; WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HELEN? - 1971 [Her only horror film]; CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 1973 [Voice only]. Ms. Reynolds took nearly a decade off from acting and then returned with: ALOHA PARADISE - 1981 [TV; 7 episodes]; MADAME'S PLACE - 1982 [TV]; ALICE - 1982 [TV]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980-1983 [TV; 3 episodes]; JENNIFER SLEPT HERE - 1983 [TV]; DO IT DEBBIE'S WAY - 1983 [MFHV; Exercise video for "women of a certain age"; Also Writer]; HOTEL - 1986 [TV]; SADIE AND SON - 1987 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE MUSICAL MURDER - 1989 [TV Movie]; KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE - 1989 [Voice only]; MOVIE MEMORIES WITH DEBBIE REYNOLDS - 1991 [TV; also Executive Producer]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1991; BATTLING FOR BABY - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE BODYGUARD - 1992; HEAVEN & EARTH - 1993; WINGS - 1994 [TV]; MOTHER - 1996; WEDDING BELL BLUES - 1996; ROSEANNE - 1997 [TV; Ms. Reynold's portrayed John Goodman's mentally unstable mother. When Roseanne and Debbie got into a scripted fight in the backyard, Roseanne broke one of Debbie's ribs by accident]; IN & OUT - 1997; ZACK AND REBA - 1998; RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MOVIE - 1998 [Voice only]; HALLOWEENTOWN - 1998 [TV Movie; Ms. Reynolds did four of these Halloweentown movies for The Disney Channel]; THE CHRISTMAS WISH - 1998 [TV Movie]; A GIFT OF LOVE: THE DANIEL HUFFMAN STORY - 1999 [TV Movie]; RUGRATS IN PARIS: THE MOVIE - 2000 [Voice only]; THESE OLD BROADS - 2001 [TV Movie based on daughter's Carrie's teleplay. Carrie has a small part as a hooker in the film and brother Todd has a small part as "Timothy"]; HALLOWEENTOWN II: KALABAR'S REVENGE - 2001 [TV Movie]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 2001 [TV]; GENERATION GAP - 2002 [TV Movie]; FIRST MONDAY - 2002 [TV]; RUGRATS - 2000-2002 [TV; 10 episodes; Voice only]; HALLOWEENTOWN HIGH - 2004 [TV Movie]; WILL & GRACE - 1999-2006 [TV; 10 episodes; Portrayed Debra Messing's mother]; RETURN TO HALLOWEENTOWN - 2006 [TV Movie]; LOLO'S CAFE - 2006 [TV Movie]; KIM POSSIBLE - 2003-2007 [TV; 4 episodes]; FAMILY GUY - 2008 [TV; Voice only]; LIGHT OF OLYMPIA - 2008 [Voice only]; THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR - 2010 [TV; Voice only]; ONE FOR THE MONEY - 2012; IN THE PICTURE - 2012 [Short]; BEHIND THE CANDELABRA - 2013 [TV Movie; portrayed Liberace's mother]; THE 7D - 2015 [TV; her final film acting role]. Debbie Reynolds did dozens of documentaries [one, BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, to be released in 2017; In early 2017, HBO plans on showing the 2016 Documentary BRIGHT LIGHTS: STARRING CARRIE FISHER AND DEBBIE REYNOLDS, something they planned on doing before either of them passed away. The only difference is they moved it up from its March release to Saturday, January 8, 2017 at 8:00pm.];  appeared as a panelist on every version of THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES; and appeared on many daytime and nighttime talk shows [she was a favorite of Johnny Carson]. Debbie Reynold's personal life was quite complicated to say the least. She was married three times, her first husband being singer Eddie Fisher. Their marriage lasted four years [1955 - 1959], but the way it ended was the real story. Elizabeth Taylor was a good friend of Debbie's and her husband Mike Todd had just died in a plane crash in 1958. Eddie Fisher left Debbie to console Elisabeth Taylor and their marriage lasted from 1959 to 1964, where Elizabeth left Fisher to marry Richard Burton [for the first of two times!]. It was a gossip columnist's dream during that time and Debbie Reynolds got married two more times [both ending in divorce], although she and Elizabeth Taylor eventually made up and became friends again, appearing together in the TV Movie THESE OLD BROADS in 2001 [co-written by daughter Carrie Fisher]. Here is what she said when asked what her favorite movie was: "I think one of my favorite films is DARK VICTORY - 1939 with Bette Davis. Why? She was so wonderful in that film. And ... maybe I just want a good cry once in a while without having to go through a divorce." Ms. Reynolds made her Broadway debut in 1973 in the revival of "Irene". Although the reviews for the show itself were mixed, hers were all raves and she wound up with a Tony Award® nomination the following year for Best Actress in a Musical. The production ultimately ran some 20 months. In 1976, she appeared in a one-woman, short-run [10 days - 14 performances] review named "Debbie!" at the Minskoff Theatre. Her only other Broadway appearance came when she succeeded Lauren Bacall in "Woman of the Year" in 1983. She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6654 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 13, 1997. Ms. Reynolds was also the recipient of 17 more awards and 36 other nominations. She was also a huge collector of Hollywood memorabilia and opened a museum to display it all. Unfortunately, it went out of business in 1997. Her collection is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. Useless trivia: She was given a "Special Thanks" during the end credits of THE MALIBU BEACH VAMPIRES - 1991. Debbie Reynolds died of a stroke [a broken heart would be more appropriate; the story goes that she asked son Todd for permission to die] and was 84 years-old.) - 12/28/16
WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER (Actor: 2016 couldn't leave us without taking one last actor we Baby Boomers loved. William Christopher is best known for portraying "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983 [Where he gave his character lots of dimension and emotional courage in what could have been a one-note role, yet there are episodes where he is front and center that will make you cry like a baby.], but he also had a few other credits. He doesn't have as many credit as most other character actors, but they didn't act on a Number One Television Show for many years and have the series end on a proper note with a TV rating so high [106 million viewers], that it is still the highest-rated non-sports episode on TV. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1965; HANK - 1965; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1966; THE FORTUNE COOKIE - 1966 [TF]; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1965-1966; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1966; THE PERILS OF PAULINE - 1967 [TF]; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965-1968 [4 episodes]; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1965-1968 [Recurring role as "Pvt. Lester Hummel" for 16 episodes]; THE PRIVATE NAVY OF SGT. O'FARRELL - 1968 [TF]; THE SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST - 1968 [TF]; WITH SIX YOU GET EGGROLL - 1968 [TF]; THAT GIRL - 1969-1970; THE VIRGINIAN - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1968; INSIGHT - 1972; NICHOLS - 1971-1972 [4 episodes]; COLUMBO - 1974; MOVIN' ON - 1974; LUCAS TANNER - 1975; KAREN - 1975; GOOD TIMES - 1975; HEARTS OF THE WEST - 1975 [TF]; FOR THE LOVE OF IT - 1980 [TV Movie]; M*A*S*H - 1972-1983 [213 episodes]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981-1984 [3 episodes]; AFTER MASH - 1983-1985 [Series Regular; 30 episodes; Very disappointing TV Series]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1985; RENO AND YOLANDA - 1987 [TV Special]; THE LITTLE TROLL PRINCE - 1987 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE SMURFS - 1984-1988 [6 episodes; Voice only]; THE NEW WKRP IN CINCINNATI - 1993; HEAVEN SENT - 1994 [TF]; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1997; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998; TEAM KNIGHT RIDER - 1998; MAD ABOUT YOU - 1998; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 2012 [11 episodes; His final acting role.]. Mr. Christopher co-authored a book, with wife Barbara Christopher, "Mixed Blessings", about life with their autistic son Ned. William Christopher passed away from non-lung small cell carcinoma [a disease he suffered from for years] and was 84 years-old. Sorry everyone, no more "Jocularity".) - 12/31/16

WILLIAM T. MARSHALL (Producer: Bill Marshall [as he was generally billed] was a producer of Canadian films, but, most importantly, was the co-founder of the Toronto International Film Festival [TIFF] back in 1976 and continued to run it until his death. His films as a Producer or Executive Producer included: DR. FRANKENSTEIN ON CAMPUS - 1970 [also Writer; a film still waiting for a proper Home Video Release]; OUTRAGEOUS! - 1977; FELICITY - 1978; WILD HORSE HANK - 1979; MR. PATMAN - 1980; HANK WILLIAMS: THE SHOW HE NEVER GAVE - 1980; CIRCLE OF TWO - 1981; THE NAKED COUNTRY - 1985 [Also Legal Consultant; A very good film made in Australia]; THE WAR BOY - 1985; KANGAROO - 1987; WARM NIGHTS ON A SLOW MOVING TRAIN - 1988; ISLAND - 1989; GOLDEN BRAID - 1990; SLEEP WHEN YOU ARE DEAD - 1990 [Legal Consultant only]; A WOMAN'S TALE - 1991; THE NUN AND THE BANDIT - 1992; SECRETS - 1992; SEEING RED - 1992; VAUDEVILLE - 1992 [TV Movie; Legal Services only]; THE SILVER STALLION: KING OF THE WILD BRUMBIES - 1993; EXILE - 1994; LUST AND REVENGE - 1996; PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - 1999; INNOCENCE - 2000; BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GUNS - 2000 [Legal Services only]; NIJINSKY: THE DIARIES OF VASLAV NIJINSKY - 2001 [Also Legal Advisor]; FOUR JACKS - 2001 [Legal Advisor only]; GANGSTER EXCHANGE - 2010 [His last on-screen credit]. He also produced live theater productions such as the Toronto production of “Hair” and he helped establish the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, The Toronto Film and Television Office, and he was past president of the Canadian Association of Motion Picture Producers.  William T. Marshall died of cardiac arrest while at the hospital and was 77 years-old.) - 01/01/17
GEORGE KOSANA (Actor: Mr. Kosana is best known for portraying "Sheriff McClelland" in the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1968 and was one of ten investors in the making of the film [He and nine other people chipped in $600 a piece]. He used that notoriety to appear in a handfull of films, sometimes in his Sheriff McClelland role. His film credits included: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 1968 [also Production Manager]; THERE'S ALWAYS VANILLA - 1971 [another George Romero film]; WILLIE STARGELL: WHAT IF I DIDN'T PLAY BASEBALL? - 1974 [TV Documentary; Grip only]; THE BOOBY HATCH - 1976; INCEST DEATH SQUAD - 2009; LIVING DEAD - 2012; PSYCHOTIC STATE - 2014; MY UNCLE JOHN IS A ZOMBIE - 2016 [in Post-Production at the time of his death; His final acting role]. His Sheriff McClelland image was used as archive footage in a few films and documentaries, including: HORRIBLE HORROR - 1986; NIGHT OF THE DAY OF THE DAWN OF THE SON OF THE BRIDE OF THE RETURN OF THE TERROR - 1991; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - 1999 [A complete re-edited botch job of the original 1968 film, with added footage of people who couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. John Russo should be ashamed of himself. Mr. Kosana was Production Manager of the archive footage]; THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE - 2000; MIDNIGHT MOVIES: FROM THE MARGINS TO THE MAINSTREAM - 2005; ONE FOR THE FIRE: THE LEGACY OF 'NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - 2008 [Documentary where Mr. Kosana appears as himself and contains archive footage of him in the original film]; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED - 2009 [The original film is made to look animated. Another disaster with new animated footage.]; THE DEAD OF NIGHT - 2010; CELLULOID BLOODBATH: MORE PREVUES FROM HELL - 2012 [Trailer Compilation; Appears as himself and archive footage]; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 2: DEADLOCK - 2017 [Low-Budget junk which uses much of the footage of the original film, only colorized]. George Kosana suffered from long battles with various illnesses and was 81 years-old.) 01/02/17
FRANCINE YORK (Actress: Beautiful actress who did plenty of TV and Theatrical Films during the 60's & 70's [the high point of her career], including the movie THE DOLL SQUAD - 1973, directed by the late Ted V. Mikels, which many [including myself], think is where the TV Series CHARLIE'S ANGELS stole their premise from. She also appeared in a few TV Series and Movies that fans of this site will fondly remember. Her credits included [TV Series unless Marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: RESCUE 8 - 1959; BRINGING UP BUDDY - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1961; SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1961; THE RIGHT APPROACH - 1961 [TF]; LOCK UP - 1960-1961; THE SERGEANT WAS A LADY - 1961 [TF]; SURFSIDE 6 - 1962; SHANNON - 1962; THE INTERNS - 1962 [TF]; IT'S ONLY MONEY - 1962 [TF]; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962; WILD ONES ON WHEELS - 1962 [TF]; SECRET FILE: HOLLYWOOD - 1962 [TF]; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1963; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1963; THE GALLANT MEN - 1963; THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - 1963 [TF]; A NEW KIND OF LOVE - 1963 [TF]; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964; BEDTIME STORY - 1964 [TF]; MY FAVORITE MARTIAN - 1964; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1964; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964 [3 episodes]; HAZEL - 1964; THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY - 1964 [TF]; SPACE PROBE TAURUS - [a.k.a. SPACE MONSTER - 1965; TF]; MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE - 1965 [TF]; BURKE'S LAW - 1964-1965 [5 episodes]; TICKLE ME - 1965 [TF; with Elvis Presley]; THE FAMILY JEWELS - 1965 [TF]; VACATION PLAYHOUSE - 1965; MY BROTHER, THE ANGEL - 1965; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1964-1965; PERRY MASON - 1965-1966; BATMAN - 1966 [Portrayed "Lydia Limpet", henchwoman of The Bookworm {Roddy McDowall} in two episodes]; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1966; CURSE OF THE SWAMP CREATURE - 1966 [One of Larry Buchannan's cheap horror films made expressly for TV]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1967; LOST IN SPACE - 1967; RIDE TO HANGMAN'S TREE - 1967 [TF]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968 [3 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1968; THE OUTSIDER - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968; GREEN ACRES - 1968; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1968; THE CITY BENEATH THE SEA - 1969 [TV Movie]; ANY SECOND NOW - 1969 [TV Movie]; THE F.B.I. - 1969; IRONSIDE - 1968-1969; PIONEER SPIRIT - 1969 [TV Movie]; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1969; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1969; LAND OF THE GIANTS - 1970; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1970; TO ROME WITH LOVE - 1970; CANNON FOR CORDOBA - 1970 [TF]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1971; MANNIX - 1971; BEWITCHED - 1971; LONGSTREET - 1971; THE CHICAGO TEDDY BEARS - 1971; WELCOME HOME, SOLDIER BOYS - 1971 [TF; Very underrated because it is hardly seen today]; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1972; ADAM-12 - 1971-1972; EMERGENCY! - 1972; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1972; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1969-1972 [3 episodes]; HEC RAMSEY - 1973; I LOVE A MYSTERY - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE DOLL SQUAD - 1973 [TF]; POLICE STORY - 1973; DIRTY SALLY - 1974; THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS - 1974 [TF; Horror film with a good performance by Andrew Prine]; KOJAK - 1974; ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN - 1975 [TV Movie]; THEY ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT - 1975 [TV Movie]; HALF A HOUSE - 1975 [TF]; COLUMBO - 1975; BARBARY COAST - 1975; PETROCELLI - 1975-1976; BERT D'ANGELO/SUPERSTAR - 1976; TIME TRAVELERS - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE QUEST - 1976; FLOOD - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974-1977 [3 episodes]; FUTURE COP - 1977; DAYS OF OUR LIVES - 1978 [26 episodes]; ZERO TO SIXTY - 1978 [TF]; JASON OF STAR COMMAND - 1979 [3 episodes]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1982; THE NIGHT THE BRIDGE FELL DOWN - 1983 [TV Movie]; CRACKING UP - 1983 [TF]; MASQUERADE - 1984; BERRENGERS - 1985; RIPTIDE - 1985; BROTHERS - 1986; MAMA'S FAMILY - 1987; THE UNDER ACHIEVERS - 1987 [TF; Director Jackie Kong's last feature at the time of this writing]; MR. BELVEDERE - 1989; MATLOCK - 1991; MARILYN ALIVE AND BEHIND BARS - 1993 [TF; Ms. York portrays Marilyn Monroe in what is one of the weirdest film of all time. To read more about it, click HERE]; LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN - 1993; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 - 1993; PRIVATE OBSESSION - 1994 [MFHV; Director Lee Frost's final film]; BURKE'S LAW - 1995; COUNTER MEASURES - 1998 [MFHV]; THE BIG TEASE - 1999 [TF]; THE FAMILY MAN - 2000 [TF]; DUMPED - 2000 [MFHV]; EVEN STEVENS - 2001; SEXUAL PREDATOR - 2001 [MFHV]; THE KING OF QUEENS - 2003-2004; HERCULES IN HOLLYWOOD - 2005 [TF]; LAS VEGAS - 2005; MIRACLE AT SAGE CREEK - 2005 [TF]; ASTRO ZOMBIES: M3-CLONED - 2010 [MFHV; Another one of the late Ted V. Mikel's films, this one shot on video and terrible]; BUCKET AND SKINNER'S EPIC ADVENTURES - 2012; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2012; ACTOR'S DAY IN L.A. - 2012; THE MINDY PROJECT - 2015; STAR TREK: PROGENY - 2016; WHERE THE BEARS ARE - 2016; TEN VIOLENT WOMEN: PART TWO - 2017 [MFHV; Ted V. Mikels final directorial effort and Ms. York's final film. In Post-Production at the time of both deaths].  Jerry Lewis cast her as a sexpot in his film IT'S ONLY MONEY - 1962 and liked her performance so much, he used her in five of his other films. She also acted on stage and was working on her autobiography at the time of her death. Francine York passed away from cancer [When is a cure going to be found?] and was 78 years-old.) - 01/06/17
TONY ROSATO (Actor: Italy-born and Canada-transplanted Tony Rosato was mainly a secondary actor [although he did stand out in some roles] and is better known for writing comedy & acting gags for SCTV - 1980--1981 and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1981-1982. His credits as an actor included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE SILENT PARTNER - 1978 [TF]; RUNNING - 1979 [TF]; THE LITTLEST HOBO - 1980; KING OF KENSINGTON - 1980; NOTHING PERSONAL - 1980 [TF]; HOG WILD - 1980 [TF]; ROLLER REVOLUTION - 1980 [TV Movie]; SCTV - 1977-1981 [36 episodes]; IMPROPER CHANNELS - 1981 [TF]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1981-1982 [21 episodes]; AMANDA'S (1983 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; UTILITIES - 1983 [TF]; SHELLGAME - 1985 [TV Movie]; SEEING THINGS - 1986; SEPERATE VACATIONS - 1986 [TF]; BUSTED UP - 1986 [TF]; POPEYE DOYLE - 1986 [TV Movie]; COURAGE - 1986 [TV Movie]; HOT SHOTS - 1986; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SHOOTING STAR - 1986 [TV Movie]; ONE POLICE PLAZA - 1986 [TV Movie]; HANGIN' IN - 1986-1987; THE DAY THEY CAME TO ARREST THE BOOK - 1987 [Afternoon TV Movie]; HANDS OF A STRANGER - 1987 [TV Movie]; NIGHTSTICK - 1987 [TV Movie]; SADIE AND SON - 1987 [TV Movie]; HEARTS OF FIRE - 1987 [TF]; CITY OF SHADOWS - 1987 [TF]; SWITCHING CHANNELS - 1988 [TF]; BALONEY - 1988; NIGHT HEAT - 1985-1989 [TV Series Regular; 54 episodes; Nominated for a Gemini Award® in 1989 for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor]; DIAMONDS - 1987-1989; BROWN BREAD SANDWICHES - 1989 [TF; Voice only]; FRIENDS, LOVERS & LUNATICS - 1989 [TF]; WISEGUY - 1990; IN DEFENSE OF A MARRIED MAN - 1990 [TV Movie]; MANIAC MANSION - 1990; THE ADVENTURES OF SUPER MARIO BROS. 3 - 1990 [Voiced Luigi for 26 episodes]; MYSTERY DATE - 1991 [TF]; SWEATING BULLETS - 1991; THE NEW SUPER MARIO WORLD - 1991 [Voiced Luigi for 13 episodes]; L.A. LAW - 1992; THE GREAT DIAMOND ROBBERY - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE GOOD FIGHT - 1992 [TV Movie]; SECRET SERVICE - 1993; LONESOME DOVE: THE SERIES - 1994; ROBOCOP - 1994; THE GREAT DEFENDER - 1995; HIGHLANDER - 1995; RENT-A-KID - 1995 [TV Movie]; CONSPIRACY OF FEAR - 1995 [MFHV]; SUGARTIME - 1995 [TV Movie]; KISSINGER AND NIXON - 1995 [TV Movie; portrayed Charles Colson, Special Council to President Nixon]; THE HAUNTING OF LISA - 1996 [TV Movie]; DUE SOUTH - 1996; F/X: THE SERIES - 1996; THE BUSY WORLD OF RICHARD SCARRY - 1993-1997 [Voice only; 35 episodes]; FAMILY PLAN - 1997 [TF]; THE ADVENTURES OF SAM & MAX: FREELANCE POLICE - 1997-1998 [Series Regular; 19 episodes]; STICKIN' AROUND - 1996-1998 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 14 episodes]; EERIE, INDIANA: THE OTHER DIMENSION - 1998; SEEDS OF DOUBT - 1998 [TF]; IN THE DOGHOUSE - 1998 [TV Movie]; GEORGE AND MARTHA - 1999 [Voice only]; COMING UNGLUED - 1999 [TV Movie]; MYTHIC WARRIORS: GUARDIANS OF THE LEGEND - 1998-1999 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; BLASTER'S UNIVERSE - 1999-2000 [TV Series Regular; 10 episodes]; RELIC HUNTER - 1999-2000 [3 episodes]; HOLLYWOOD OFF-RAMP - 2000; MENTORS - 2000; THE ACCUSER - 2000; THE 2ND ANNUAL CANADIAN COMEDY AWARDS - 2001; YOU BELONG TO ME - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE RIPPING FRIENDS - 2002 [Voice only]; PELSWICK 2000-2002 [TV Series Regular; Voice Only; 26 episodes]; MONSTER BY MISTAKE - 2003; ODD JOB JACK - 2003; MAFIA DOCTOR - 2003 [TV Movie]; LUCKY - 2003; DA BOOM CREW - 2004 [Voice only; 13 episodes]; DOC - 2001-2004; REAL GANGSTERS - 2013 [TF]; SCAREDY SQUIRREL - 2011-2013 [Voice only; 9 episodes]; IT WAS YOU CHARLIE - 2013 [TF]; WE ARE NOT HERE - 2013 [Short]; THE CHRISTMAS SWITCH - 2014 [TV Movie]; ODD SQUAD - 2014; THE BIG FAT STONE - 2014 [TF]; NO DEPOSIT - 2015 [TF]; LA TRATTORIA SITCOM - 2015 [TV Movie]; SICILIAN VAMPIRE - 2015 [TF]; BORN DEAD - 2016 [TF]; IDIOT PARADE - 2016 [TV Movie; His last acting credit]. Mr. Rosato also wrote the Screenplay to director Jackie Kong's last film [at the time of this writing] THE UNDER ACHIEVERS - 1987. He was also the Announcer of THE RON JAMES SHOW - 2009-2012 [29 episodes]. Tony Rosato died of undisclosed causes and was 62 years-old.) - 01/09/17
WILLIAM PETER BLATTY (Novelist/Screenwriter/Director/Producer: Well, 2017 is looking to start out just as bad as 2016. William Peter Blatty is probably best known for writing the Screenplay to THE EXORCIST - 1973, based on his own novel, but he started out writing comedy films for director Blake Edwards and  had also directed two of my favorite films [look in filmography section], one best known for a fantastic bar fight and the other a jolting jump scare that gets to me every time. His credits as a Screenwriter included [All Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: NO PLACE TO LAND - 1958 [Actor only]; THE MAN FROM THE DINER'S CLUB - 1963; A SHOT IN THE DARK - 1964 [One of the funniest Inspector Clouseau/Pink Panther films, especially the nudist colony sequence]; JOHN GOLDFARB, PLEASE COME HOME! - 1965 [also Uncredited Actor]; PROMISE HER ANYTHING - 1966; WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DADDY? - 1966; GUNN - 1967; THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY - 1969; DARLING LILI - 1970; THE OMEGA MAN - 1971; [Uncredited Screenplay work]; THE EXORCIST - 1972 [also Producer & Actor; Academy Award® winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium; Also nominated for Best Picture; Golden Globe® winner for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture; Saturn Award® winner for Best Writing]; INSIGHT - 1968-1975 [TV Series; 2 teleplays]; THE NINTH CONFIGURATION - 1980 [Also Director, Producer & Actor; Based on his Novel "Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane" {also an alternate title of the film}; one of the best bar fights in film history; Golden Globe® winner for Best Screenplay; Saturn Award® winner for Best Writing]; THE EXORCIST III - 1990 [also Director; It took Blatty ten years to write his next film and direct, but this film has one of the best jump scares in film history. Even though you know it is coming, it will always make you jump. Forget about the tacked-on exorcism scene {the Producers demanded that Blatty put one in to appease audiences} and enjoy the rest of the film. George C. Scott and Ed Flanders register as a detective and his priest friend. Their dialogue is natural and none of it seems fake; Saturn Award® winner for Best Writing]; EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING - 2004 [Based on Blatty's ideas from THE EXORCIST; Director Paul Schrader shot a film named DOMINION: PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST, but the studio didn't like it and hired director Renny Harlin to reshoot the film with more exploitable moments. Blatty preferred DOMINION, calling it "a handsome, classy, elegant piece of work".]; LEGION - 2016 [also Director; The original Director's Cut of THE EXORCIST III was discovered and released as LEGION, which was the name of Blatty's novel which this film was based on. It is superior to THE EXORCIST III in so many ways, even though I love both versions.]; THE EXORCIST - 2016 [TV Series; "Inspired" from Blatty's novel; 10 episodes; His final film credit]. According to IMDb: "Years before he became famous for writing "The Exorcist", Blatty appeared on Groucho Marx's quiz show, YOU BET YOUR LIFE in 1961, posing as an Arab sheik with so many wives that he could not recall how many he had. Groucho was completely taken in. When Blatty revealed that it was a hoax after a couple of minutes, he told Groucho that he did it because George Fenneman had said that Groucho was an expert at spotting phonies. Groucho replied, "That is incorrect, because I've had Fenneman in my employ now for 14 years." Blatty won $10,000 on the show, and when Groucho asked what he intended to do with the money, Blatty replied that he was going to take a year off from his job and write a novel. That novel was 'The Exorcist'." William Peter Blatty passed away of undisclosed causes and was 89 years-old.) - 01/12/17
DICK GAUTIER (Stand-Up Comedian/Singer/Composer/Dancer/Actor: Dick Gautier [sometimes billed as "Richard Gautier"] will always be Hymie the Robot on GET SMART from 1966 to 1968 to me, but he had many other TV Series and Theatrical Films he starred in and then became a much sought-after voice actor. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: STANLEY - 1956 [A failed sitcom for Buddy Hackett that took place at a lobby of a hotel. Even though a young and somewhat inexperienced Carol Burnett played Hackett's wife and episodes of the series were written by Neil Simon and Woody Allen, Hackett made an enemy out of nearly everyone, including Dick {he played a secondary character on the show}, who said of Hackett: "Buddy Hackett was mean from the ground up." Carol Burnett did not once have Hackett as a guest star on her hugely popular and long-running variety show. That should tell you something about Hackett.]; THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1960; BUTTERBALL BROWN - 1962 [Unsold and unaired Pilot]; THE LIVELY ONES - 1963; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; ENSIGN PULVER - 1964 [TF]; THE BAILEYS OF BALBOA - 1964; GIDGET - 1965; THE PATTY DUKE SHOW - 1966 [Dick said this about the late William Schallert, who played the twins' Uncle Martin Lane: "There isn't a nicer guy around. A very sweet guy."]; BEWITCHED - 1966; LOVE ON A ROOFTOP - 1967; MR. TERRIFIC - 1967 [Series Regular; 17 episodes: According to Dick: "That was a piece of crap!"]; DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE - 1967 [TF]; MARYJANE - 1968 [TF; also Writer]; GET SMART - 1966-1968 [6 episodes]; THE FLYING NUN - 1969; THE MINNIE PEARL SHOW - 1969 [Unsold and unaired Pilot]; THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS SHOW - 1969; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1971; HOLLYWOOD SUITE - 1972; WILD IN THE SKY - 1972 [TF; a.k.a. BLACK JACK; also Writer & Producer]; HERE WE GO AGAIN - 1973 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1971-1973 [6 episodes; also Writer of 2 episodes]; MARY TYLER MOORE - 1973; BANACEK - 1973; THE MANCHU EAGLE MURDER CAPER MYSTERY - 1973 [TF]; DIANA - 1974; HAWKINS - 1974; THURSDAY'S GAME - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE NEW TEMPERATURES RISING SHOW - 1974; THE ROCKFORD FILES - 1974; KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - ["The Werewolf" - 1974]; WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN - 1975 [Series Regular as Robin Hood; 13 episodes]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1976; GOOD HEAVENS - 1976; BENNY AND BARNEY: LAS VEGAS UNDERCOVER - 1977 [TV Movie]; FUN WITH DICK AND JANE - 1977 [TF]; SWITCH - 1977; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977; BILLY JACK GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1977 [TF]; KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL - 1977; SEX AND THE MARRIED WOMAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; INSIGHT - 1977; MULLIGAN'S STEW - 1977; WONDER WOMAN - 1978; MAN FROM ATLANTIS - 1978; THE EDDIE CAPRA MYSTERIES - 1978; FLYING HIGH - 1978; $WEEPSTAKE$ - 1979; STOCKARD CHANNING IN JUST FRIENDS - 1979; EISCHEID - 1979; MRS. COLUMBO - 1979; THE LOVE BOAT - 1978-1979; MARATHON - 1980 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1980; HAPPY DAYS - 1981; TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT - 1981; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1981; QUINCY M.E. - 1983; ZORRO AND SON - 1983; MASQUERADE - 1983; COPPER MOUNTAIN - 1983 [TV Movie]; GOODNIGHT, BEANTOWN - 1984; FANTASY ISLAND - 1980 - 1984 [3 episodes]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1984; ALICE - 1983-1985; THIS WIFE FOR HIRE - 1985 [TV Movie]; CHALLENGE OF THE GOBOTS - 1985 [Voice only]; GALTAR AND THE GOLDEN LANCE - 1985 [Voice only; 21 episodes]; YOGI'S TREASURE HUNT - 1986 [Voice only]; NEW LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1986; GOBOTS: BATTLE OF THE ROCK LORDS - 1986 [TF; Voice only]; JONNY QUEST - 1986 [Voice only]; DANIEL AND THE LION'S DEN - 1986 [Video Short; Voice only]; TRANSFORMERS: FIVE FACES OF DARKNESS - 1986 [MFHV; Voice only]; G.I. JOE: ARISE, SERPENTOR, ARISE! - 1986 [TV Movie; Voice only]; WILDFIRE - 1986; LIFE WITH LUCY - 1986; G.I. JOE - 1986 [Voice only; 19 episodes; Voiced Serpentor in all the G.I. Joe animated TV Series, Video Movies and TV Movies]; INHUMANOIDS - 1986 [Voice only; 8 episodes]; INHUMANOIDS: THE MOVIE - 1986 [MFHV; Voice only]; SKY COMMANDOS - 1987 [Voice only]; G.I. JOE: THE MOVIE - 1987 [MFHV; Voice only]; MATLOCK - 1987; THE TRANSFORMERS - 1986-1987 [Voice only; 28 episodes]; FOOFUR - 1986-1987 [Voice only; 16 episodes]; DUCKTALES - 1987 [Voice only]; SHE'S THE SHERIFF - 1987-1988; WE GOT IT MADE - 1988; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984-1988; A PUP NAMED SCOOBY-DOO - 1988 [Voice only]; THE NEW YOGI BEAR SHOW - 1988 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; GLITCH! - 1988 [TF]; GET SMART, AGAIN! - 1989 [TV Movie; played Hymie one last time]; THE SMURFS - 1985-1989 [Voice only; 3 episodes]; FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES - 1989; CHARLES IN CHARGE - 1988-1989; WAKE, RATTLE & ROLL - 1990 [Voice only]; MIDNIGHT PATROL: ADVENTURES IN THE DREAM ZONE - 1990 [Voice only; 13 episodes]; THE MUNSTERS TODAY - 1991; BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - 1992 [Voice only]; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1992 [TF]; GARFIELD AND FRIENDS - 1992 [Voice only]; SILK STALKINGS - 1992; TOM & JERRY KIDS SHOW - 1990-1993 [Voice only; 6 episodes]; THE GOLDEN PALACE - 1993; THE PIRATES OF DARK WATER - 1991-1993 [Voice only; 18 episodes]; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1992-1993 [Voice only; 21 episodes]; CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS - 1995 [Voice only]; COW AND CHICKEN - 1997-1999 [Voice only; 3 episodes]; YOU ANIMAL - 2004 [Short; Voice only]; BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL - 2004 [TV mini-series Documentary]; NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY - 2010 [Video Documentary]; NIP/TUCK - 2010 [His final acting role]. Mr. Gautier was also a panelist on many, many game shows [THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES - 1967; PASSWORD ALL-STARS - 1973; TATTLETALES - 1975-1976 {an amazing 49 episodes}; MATCH GAME 73 - 1973-1977; SUPER PASSWORD - 1984-1986; and many more]; and a guest on many morning and afternoon talk shows during the 60's & 70's. When he got out of the Navy, he decided to become a stand-up comedian [he and Mort Sahl became close friends]. He played clubs all over the country, and for a time toured with the folk act The Kingston Trio. He was also a successful song composer, creating such songs as "Like Our Love", "Lonely River" and  "Quiet Place". Mr. Gautier was nominated for Broadway's 1961 Tony Award® as Best Supporting or Featured Actor [Musical; as "Conrad Birdie"] for "Bye, Bye Birdie" [where Gautier sang the semi-hit song  "Honestly Sincere" on Columbia Records in 1960] and was a reknown artist and author of books on how to draw. If you want to really laugh, go to his biography section on IMDb and read about his thoughts on comics Professor Irwin Corey and Ronnie Schell. I was laughing so hard, I nearly peed my pants. Dick Gautier suffered from a long illness and passed away at 85 years-old. Another one of my childhood idols bites the dust.) - 01/13/17
WILLIAM "BILL" MARGOLD (X-Rated Actor/Director/Writer: Bill Margold was active in the porno industry from the early-70's until just a few years ago [Some of his pseudonyms were: William Bear, Mr. Drea, Lem Lary, Dee Lyons, Bill Magold, William Maragold, Billy Margold, Bill Margold, Mr. William Margold, W. Margold, Uncle Mo, Bearson Stubbs and Mr. Stubbs]. He is best known as an actor, appearing in over 170 adult films, but he also directed and wrote a few porno films, too. His credits included [as an actor in all Films or Made for Videos, unless otherwise noted]: THE GODDAUGHTER - 1972; THE CALIFORNIA CONNECTION - 1973; PANORAMA BLUE - 1974; THE PLAYMATES IN DEEP VISION 3D - 1974; FLESH GORDON - 1974; BLACK LOLITA - 1975 [Not a Porn Film]; MARILYN AND THE SENATOR - 1975 [also Assistant To The Director]; HOLLYWOOD SHE-WOLVES - 1976; SPECIAL DELIVERY - 1976; WORLD OF SEXUAL FANTASY - 1976; HI SCHOOL HONIES - 1976; HARD CANDY - 1976; A LITTLE MORE THAN LOVE - 1977; CLOSET CASANOVA - 1977; YOUNG, HOT 'N' NASTY TEENAGE CRUISERS - 1977; FANTASM COMES AGAIN - 1977 [also uncredited Casting Consultant]; THE DISCO DOLLS IN HOT SKIN - 1978; DRACULA SUCKS - 1978 [Also Writer of Additional Material; Still one of my favorite adult films]; THE PSYCHIATRIST - 1978; LUST FLIGHT 2000 - 1978 [also Writer]; CARNAL ENCOUNTERS OF THE BAREST KIND - 1978 [also Writer]; AUDITIONS - 1978; A TASTE OF SUGAR - 1978 [Voice only]; PINK CHAMPAGNE - 1979; ONE PAGE OF LOVE - 1979; THE PRODUCER'S WIFE - 1979; SUPERWARE PARTY - 1979; FOOTBALL WIDOW - 1979; CARNAL'S CUTIES - 1979 [also Director, Producer & Writer]; HARDCORE - 1979 [Technical Consultant only; Not a porn film]; WEEKEND FANTASIES - 1980; TINSELTOWN - 1980; PLATO'S: THE MOVIE - 1980; NIGHT FLIGHT - 1980 [also Writer]; LOVE STORY - 1980 [Short]; THE LITTLE FRENCH MAID - 1981; LOVE GODDESSES - 1981; ANYTIME ANYPLACE - 1981; OLYMPIC FEVER - 1981; RING OF DESIRE - 1981; THE MASTER AND MS. JOHNSON - 1981; REPORT CARD - 1981; INSIDE HOLLYWOOD - 1981; FAST CARS FAST WOMEN - 1981; WHAT WOULD YOUR MOTHER SAY? [Porno Documentary; Director only]; LUST INFERNO - 1982; INTIMATE LESSONS - 1982; THE GIRL FROM S.E.X. - 1982; DESIRE - 1982; PLEASURE DOME - 1982; CASANOVA II - 1982; THE YOUNG LIKE IT HOT - 1983; SWEET ALICE - 1983; LITTLE GIRL LOST... - 1983; FEELS LIKE SILK - 1983; FLESH AND LACES - 1983; FLESH AND LACES: PART II - 1983; CALIFORNIA VALLEY GIRLS - 1983 [Second Unit Director only]; MARATHON - 1983; LAS VEGAS GIRLS - 1983; LACY AFFAIR - 1983; FLESH POND - 1983; FANTASY FOLLIES - 1983 [also Writer]; EROTIC RADIO WSEX - 1983; EIGHTH EROTIC FILM FESTIVAL - 1983; BODIES IN HEAT - 1983; 'A BIT' TOO MUCH TOO SOON - 1983; STIFF COMPETITION - 1984 [One of the most expensive adult films of the time]; FANTASY FOLLIES II - 1984 [also Writer]; TOO YOUNG TO KNOW - 1984; THE OTHER SIDE OF LIANNA - 1984; THE EYES OF EDDIE MARS - 1984 [also Creative Consultant]; PASSIONATE LEE - 1984 [also Writer & Second Unit Director]; LITTLE GIRLS...DIRTY DESIRES - 1984 [Creative Consultant only]; FANTASY WEEKEND - 1984; EROTIC AEROBICS - 1984; DIAL 'F' FOR FANTASY - 1984; BENT OVER THE RENT - 1984; TWICE A VIRGIN - 1984 [Writer only]; SPACE VIRGINS - 1984 [Writer & Second Unit Director only]; HOT CHOCOLATE - 1984 [Writer only]; CORRECTION OF JULIE - 1985; CORPORATE ASSETS - 1985; BLUE ICE - 1985; THE GOOD TIME GIRLS - 1985; SWEET SURRENDER - 1985; DR. STRANGE SEX - 1985; CUNNING COEDS - 1985; LITTLE GIRLS TALKING DIRTY - 1985 [Writer only]; LITTLE AMERICAN MAID - 1986 [also Assistant To The Producer]; NUDES AT ELEVEN - 1986; CHASTITY AND THE STARLETS - 1986; SANTANIA - 1986; DOUBLE STANDARDS - 1986 [Voice only]; CLASS OF '86 - 1986; TIGHT FIT - 1987; THE CHOCOLATE FUDGE FACTORY - 1987; THE CAT CLUB - 1987; SEX CLUB 2020 - 1987; SCHOOL DAYZE - 1987; LET'S TALK DIRTY - 1987; LEATHER AND LACE - 1987; JACK HAMMER - 1987; FUTURE SODOM - 1987; DON'T GET THEM WET!!!! - 1987 [alsp Producer]; DIVORCE COURT EXPOSE 2 - 1987 [also Producer]; DEVILED X - 1987; DEBBIE DOES THE DEVIL IN DALLAS - 1987; OLDER WOMEN WITH YOUNG BOYS - 1987 [Writer only]; DREAM JEANS - 1987 [Writer only]; BORN TO BURN - 1987; BORN TO BE WILD - 1987; BORN TO BE MAID - 1987 [also Producer]; MAXINE - 1988; LEAVE IT TO CLEAVAGE - 1988; HYAPATIA LEE'S ARCADE SERIES 2 - 1988; BROADCAST NUDES - 1988; DETROIT DAMES - 1989; WHEN LOVE CAME TO TOWN - 1989 [also Director]; VOODOO LUST: THE POSSESSION - 1989; SPOILED RICH - 1989; SHEER HAVEN - 1989; ORIENTIAL TREATMENT II: THE PEARL DIVERS - 1989 [also Creative Consultant]; MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN LOTUS - 1989; LOVE FROM THE BACKSIDE - 1989; IMMORALS 1: BROKEN HEARTS - 1989 [also Director]; BUTTS MOTEL 3 - 1989; FRAT BRATS - 1989 [Director only] THE NIGHT TEMPTRESS - 1990 [Voice only]; MIDNIGHT ZONE - 1990; MIDNIGHT FIRE - 1990; INNER BLUES - 1990; IMMORALS 2: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BANGED - 1990 [also Director]; ETERNAL BLISS - 1990 [also Director]; AUSSIE EXCHANGE GIRLS - 1990; THE ANUS FAMILY - 1991; THE TASTING - 1991; IMMORALS 3: STROKED - 1991 [also Director]; IMMORALS 4: CHOICE CUTS - 1991 [also Director]; DANCES WITH FOXES - 1991 [Production Manager only]; SEYMORE BUTTS RIDES AGAIN - 1992; PUBLIC EYE - 1992; FOXXXY LADY - 1992; BLUE MOON - 1992; BLACK MEN CAN HUMP - 1992; BACK IN THE PEN - 1992; NYMPHO ZOMBIE COEDS - 1993; STAR STRUCK - 1993; POSITIVELY PAGAN 4 - 1993; MAIN COURSE: IT GOES FROM SOUP TO NUTZ - 1993 [also Director & Producer]; BUTT WATCH - 1993; WINTER HEAT - 1994; BUTT WATCH 3 - 1994; DIRTY WESTERN II: SMOKIN GUNS - 1994 [Creative Assistant only]; STIFF COMPETITION 2 - 1994 [Extras Casting only]; TALKING BLUE - 1995 [X-Rated TV Series]; THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES 5: THE INFERNO - 1995 [Extras Casting only]; A POOL PARTY AT SEYMORE'S - 1995; THE ULTIMATE FANTASY - 1996; SHANE'S WORLD 2: CABIN FEVER - 1996; PUNK ASS - 1996; DESIRE KILLS - 1996 [Director only]; DEEP THROAT THE QUEST 2: JAIL BREAK/PUSSY AUCTION - 1997; PHILMORE BUTTS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - 1997; NET DREAMS - 1997; DEBBIE DOES DALLAS: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1997 [Extras Casting only]; DIRTY BOB'S XCELLENT ADVENTURES 35 - 1997; SINFUL DESIRES 2 - 1998; BEST OF SHANE 1 - 1998; ANAL BALL - 1999; EYE CANDY REFOCUSED - 1999; THE SOPORNOS 2 - 2000; LAS VEGAS REVUE 2000 - 2000; THE SOPORNOS 4 - 2002; FLOSS - 2002; TOO MANY BLONDE MOMENTS - 2002; THE SOPORNOS 5 - 2003; THE SOPORNOS 6 - 2003; PERFECT POUTS - 2003; ETERNAL VIRGINS - 2003; CHEERLEADER PINK - 2003; CHARM SCHOOL BRATS - 2003; ACES IN THE HOLES - 2003; SORORITY SEX KITTENS 6 - 2003; CHEERLEADER SCHOOL - 2003; UP IN THE CLUB: L.A. - 2004; THE SOPORNOS 7 - 2004; THE SOPORNOS 8 - 2004; HIGH DESERT PIRATES - 2004; ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE - 2004; UNTIL THE NIGHT - 2004; DARKSIDE - 2005; MAD COWGIRL - 2006; THE MAKEUP - 2007; NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD: THE WILD, UNTOLD STORY OF OZPLOITATION! - 2008 [Non-Porn Documentary; Love this doc.]; REWIND THIS! - 2013 [Documentary about VHS. A must-see how adult films made VHS a viable way to distribute films of all genres]; HACKIN' JACK VS. THE CHAINSAW CHICK 3D - 2014 [Not an Adult Film, but a horror film]; AFTER PORN ENDS 2 - 2017 [Adult Documentary; Consulting Producer only; his last screen credit]. Margold also did about two dozen documentaries, both for theaters and TV, about the Adult Film business [he was considered an historian on the subject] and many of his performances were turned into loops and compiled as films. He was also the person to give Ron Jeremy his nickname "The Hedgehog". He also founded or co-founded a handful of groups which protected porn actors and actresses.  William Margold died of a heart attack while hosting a live radio show. He was 73 years-old.) - 01/17/17
MIGUEL FERRER (Actor: To say Mr. Ferrer was the consummate character actor is not doing him justice. This SAG Award® winning actor could do anything, from comedy to drama, but his best roles were as an "is he or isn't he" villian. His face was just so expressive, he didn't have to say a word for what would take two pages of dialogue for most other actors to convey. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: MAGNUM, P.I. - 1981; TRUCKIN' BUDDY MCCALL - 1982 [TF]; AND THEY'RE OFF - 1982 [TF]; CHiPS - 1983; HEARTBREAKER - 1983 [TF]; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 1983 [TF]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1984; STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK - 1984 [TF]; FLASHPOINT - 1984 [TF]; LOVELINES - 1984 [TF]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1984; T.J. HOOKER - 1985; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1982-1985 [3 episodes]; HOUSTON KNIGHTS - 1987; HOTEL - 1987; KUNG FU: THE NEXT GENERATION - 1987 [TV Movie]; ROBOCOP - 1987 [TF; a terrific bad guy]; OHARA - 1987; DOWNPAYMENT ON MURDER - 1987 [TV Movie]; HOOPERMAN - 1988; C.A.T. SQUAD: PYTHON WOLF - 1988 [TV Movie]; BADLANDS 2005 - 1988 [TV Movie]; DEEPSTAR SIX - 1989 [TF; I loved him in this flick!]; MIAMI VICE - 1987-1989; GUTS AND GLORY: THE RISE AND FALL OF OLIVER NORTH - 1989 [TV Movie]; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1989 [TV Pilot Movie]; VALENTINO - 1989 [TF]; DRUG WARS: THE CAMARENA STORY - 1990 [TV mini-series]; REVENGE - 1990 [TF]; THE GUARDIAN - 1990 [TF]; TWIN PEAKS  - 1990-1991 [8 episodes]; SHANNON'S DEAL - 1990-1991 [Series Semi-Regular; 9 episodes]; MURDER IN HIGH PLACES - 1991 [TV Movie]; BROKEN BADGES - 1990-1991 [Series semi-Regular; 7 episodes]; ON THE AIR - 1992 [7 episodes]; IN THE SHADOW OF A KILLER - 1992 [TV Movie]; TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME - 1992 [TF]; CRUEL DOUBTS - 1992 [TV mini-series]; THE HARVEST - 1992 [TF; A Film you must see to understand Mr. Ferrer's talent]; POINT OF NO RETURN - 1993 [TF]; HOT SHOTS: PART DEUX - 1993 [TF]; SCAM - 1993 [TV Movie]; ANOTHER STAKEOUT - 1993 [TF]; IT'S ALL TRUE - 1993 [Video Documentary; Narrator]; BLANK CHECK - 1994 [TF]; ROYCE - 1994 [TV Movie]; BRUCE LEE: THE IMMORTAL DRAGON - 1994 [TV Documentary; Narrator; He was good friends with Brandon Lee]; THE STAND - 1994 [TV mini-series]; INCIDENT AT DECEPTION RIDGE - 1994 [TV Movie]; ER - 1994; JACK REED: A SEARCH FOR JUSTICE - 1994 [TV Movie]; A PROMISE KEPT: THE OKSANA BAIUL STORY - 1994 [TV Movie]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1990-1994 [3 episodes]; THE RETURN OF HUNTER: EVERYONE WALKS IN L.A. - 1995 [TV Movie]; IN THE LINE OF DUTY: HUNT FOR JUSTICE - 1995 [TV Movie]; FALLEN ANGELS - 1995 [Prologue Narrator of 6 episodes; Actor on 1 episode]; PROJECT: ALF - 1996 [TV Movie]; DEATH IN GRANADA - 1996 [TF]; JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA - 1997 [TV Movie; Portrayed Dr. Eno, The Weather Man]; THE SHINING - 1997 [TV mini-series]; THE NIGHT FLIER - 1997 [TF; another must-see!]; MR. MAGOO - 1997 [TF]; BRAVE NEW WORLD - 1998 [TV Movie]; MEN IN BLACK: THE SERIES - 1998 [Voice only]; MULAN - 1998 [TF; Voice only]; WHERE'S MARLOWE? - 1998 [TF]; HERCULES - 1998 [Voice only]; LATELINE - 1998-1999 [Series Regular; 17 episodes]; WILL & GRACE - 1999; SUPERMAN - 1997-1999 [Voice only; 3 episodes]; 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN - 2000; TRAFFIC - 2000 [TF; SAG Award® winner for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture]; BOOGEYMEN: THE KILLER COMPILATION - 2001 [Video Compilation]; SUNSHINE STATE - 2002 [TF]; SHADOW REALM - 2002 [TV Movie]; NIGHT VISIONS - 2002; SIGHTINGS: HEARTLAND GHOST - 2002 [TV Movie]; BRILLIANT BUT CANCELLED - 2002 [TV Documentary]; L.A. COUNTY 187 - 2003; JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES - 2003-2004 [Voice only; 8 episodes]; THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE - 2004 [TF]; SILVER CITY - 2004 [TF]; THE MAN - 2005 [TF]; ROBOT CHICKEN - 2006 [Voice only]; AMERICAN DAD! - 2007 [Voice only]; CROSSING JORDAN - 2001-2007 [Series Regular; 117 episodes; Directed 4 episodes]; BIONIC WOMAN - 2007 [9 episodes including the Unaired Pilot]; THE BATMAN - 2007 [Voice only]; JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER - 2008 [MFHV; Voice only]; MEDIUM - 2008; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2008; CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - 2009; THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN - 2009 [Voice only]; KINGS - 2009; WRONG TURN AT TAHOE - 2009 [TF]; LIE TO ME - 2009; PSYCH - 2010; HARD RIDE TO HELL - 2010 [MFHV; Ferrer was a mean ass in this one]; EDGAR FLOATS - 2010 [TV Movie]; THIS IS NOT A MOVIE - 2011 [TF]; BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 - 2011 [MFHV; Voice only]; BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN - 2011 [Voice only]; THUNDERCATS - 2011 [Voice only]; THE PROTECTOR - 2011 [Series Regular; 13 episodes]; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - 2011 [5 episodes]; APPLEBAUM - 2012 [TV Movie]; NOAH - 2012 [TF; Voice only]; THE COURIER - 2012 [TF]; BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 3: VIVA LA FIESTA! - 2012 [MFHV; Voice only]; YOUNG JUSTICE - 2010-2013 [11 episodes]; IRON MAN 3 - 2013 [TF]; FOUR ASSASSINS - 2013 [TF]; RIO 2 - 2014 [TF; Voice only]; ADVENTURE TIME - 2011-2014 [Voice only; 4 episodes]; TWIN PEAKS: THE MISSING PIECES - 2014 [TF]; NCIS: LOS ANGELES - 2012-2017 [105 episodes; a few of them not shown until after his death; You could visually see how his real-life illness was making him look like a skeleton]; TWIN PEAKS - 2017 [Ferrer never saw it premiere on Showtime]; TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT - 2017 [MFHV; Voice only; his last acting role]. Here's Miguel Ferrer's recollections on making ROBOCOP: "ROBOCOP was maybe the best summer of my entire life. It was the summer of 1986, and it was the best part I'd been asked to do at the time, and working with an amazing director, Paul Verhoeven. The writer Edward Neumeier and I became great friends, and he gave me just so much to work with. I woke up every day and when I was looking at myself in the mirror shaving, I just couldn't believe my good fortune. I was the happiest guy probably in the state during that time. To tell you the truth, while we were doing it, I had no idea that it wouldn't be silly. I had no idea if it was going to be a good movie or a bad movie, or what it was going to be. I knew that it was great fun to make, but while you're in the middle of these things, you just don't know how it's going to turn out. It has to pass through so many hands-editing, the music, the sound design, how it's marketed, and all the rest of it. You just don't know. And sometimes the RoboCop suit itself looked absolutely laughable. And they struggled to find angles in which it didn't look silly, so to tell you the truth, at the time, many of us, myself especially, had no idea if it was going to be any good. Then I saw a screening of the finished product before it came out and I knew it was a really wonderful, different kind of picture, with sophisticated humor and yet good action and compelling characters and something that was really special. I remember the first time sitting in the movie theater and watching a trailer, and the audience absolutely laughed at it in the worst way possible. Which was, to say the least, disheartening. Then, I remember the first night the movie came out and I think I drove around to every theater in Los Angeles in which it was playing and kind of stood in the back and watched the reaction, and that was one of the great thrills of my life." Mr. Ferrer formerly played drums and sang in the Los Angeles band "The Jenerators" with actor [LOST IN SPACE - 1965-1968]  and co-founder Bill Mumy [Ferrer's musical credits including playing drums on Keith Moon's 1975 album "Two Sides of the Moon"] and was the oldest of five children of José Ferrer [ZOLTAN: HOUND OF DRACULA - 1977] and singer/actress Rosemary Clooney. George Clooney was his cousin and they were very close. Miguel Ferrer passed away of throat cancer and was just 61 years-old. NOTE: On March 5, 2017, NCIS: LOS ANGELES gave Ferrer a fitting tribute [using The Jenerators' version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", sung by Ferrer himself] just before the end credits and in the storyline.) - 01/19/17
MARY WEBSTER (Actress: Ms. Webster was a TV and Film actress for about ten years [before that, she appeared on the Stage], from the early 1950's to the early 1960's [her last role was in a TWILIGHT ZONE episode]. She made a few theatrical films, the most memorable one being MASTER OF THE WORLD - 1961, opposite Vincent Price. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical film]: CAMEO THEATRE - 1955; FATHER KNOWS BEST - 1955; BIG TOWN - 1955; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; ENGAGEMENT PARTY - 1956 [Short]; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1956; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 1956; THE CHARLES FARRELL SHOW - 1956; THE GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN SHOW - 1956; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956 [3 episodes]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1957; PANIC! - 1957; THE DELICANT DELINQUENT - 1957 [TF; Jerry Lewis' first film without Dean Martin]; BACHELOR FATHER - 1957; THE TIN STAR - 1957 [TF]; EIGHTEEN AND ANXIOUS - 1957 [TF]; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; M SQUAD - 1958; BUCKSKIN - 1959; THE RESTLESS GUN - 1959; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1959; FRONTIER DOCTOR - 1959; COLT .45 - 1959; BLACK SADDLE - 1959; MEN INTO SPACE - 1959; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1959-1960; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1960; SHOTGUN SLADE - 1960; THE TEXAN - 1959-1960; PERRY MASON - 1960; THE TALL MAN - 1961; ROUTE 66 - 1961; ASSIGNMENT: UNDERWATER - 1961; MASTER OF THE WORLD - 1961 [TF]; THE LAWLESS YEARS - 1961; THE CLOWN AND THE KID - 1961 [TF]; DR. KILDARE - 1963; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1963; TWILIGHT ZONE - ["A Passage For Trumpet" - 1960; "Death Ship" - 1963; Her last acting credit]. She was also a contestant on the 1991 Seniors Tournament Final on the game show JEOPARDY! Mary Webster passed away of undetermined causes and was 81 years-old.) - 01/23/17
GORDEN KAYE (Actor: British actor best known for his role of "René Artois" in the long-running British sitcom 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1982-1992. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: CHAMPION HOUSE - 1968; INSIDE GEORGE WEBLEY - 1968; CORONATION STREET - 1969-1970 [12 episodes]; SCENE - 1972; VILLIANS - 1972; THE GORDON PETERS SHOW - 1973; THE FLAXTON BOYS - 1971-1973 [4 episodes]; HEY BRIAN! - 1973; FOLLYFOOT - 1973; EMMERDALE - 1973 [5 episodes]; SEZ LEZ - 1973; TILL DEATH US DO PART - 1974; MY OLD MAN - 1974; SOUTH RIDING - 1974 [TV mini-series]; THE GROWING PAINS OF PC PENROSE - 1975; THE LITTLEST HORSE THIEVES - 1976 [TF]; WELL ANYWAY - 1976; SYKES - 1976; JABBERWOCKY - 1977 [TF]; MR. BIG - 1977; IT AIN'T HALF HOT MUM - 1977; BACKS TO THE LAND - 1977; THE FOUNDATION - 1978; COME BACK MRS. NOAH - 1977-1978 [6 episodes]; ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - 1978; THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF ADELAIDE HARRIS - 1979; DOING TIME - 1979 [TF]; SHOESTRING - 1979; CITIZEN SMITH - 1979; GOD'S WONDERFUL RAILWAY - 1980; JUST LIZ - 1980 [3 episodes]; OH HAPPY BAND - 1980; BORN AND BRED - 1978-1980 [11 episodes]; KELLY MONTEITH - 1980; ARE YOU BEING SERVED? - 1978-1981 [3 episodes]; CODENAME-ICARUS - 1981 [5 episodes]; FAME IS THE SPUR - 1982 [TV mini-series]; DEAD ON TIME - 1983 [Short]; LET THERE BE LOVE - 1982-1983; DON'T ROCK THE BOAT - 1983; MANSFIELD PARK - 1983 [TV mini-series]; MINDER - 1984; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1984; THE GENTLE TOUCH - 1984; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN - 1984 [TV Movie]; MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - 1984 [TV Movie]; BRAZIL - 1985 [TF]; SCREEN TWO - 1985; WOGAN - 1986; THE NOEL EDMONDS SATURDAY ROADSHOW - 1988; THE LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE - 1990; THE TALE OF LITTLE PIG ROBINSON - 1990 [TV Movie]; 'ALLO 'ALLO - 1982-1992 [Series Regular; 85 episodes; also Singer on 7 episodes]; SCREEN ONE - 1993; THE BEST OF 'ALLO 'ALLO! - 1994 [TV Movie]; AN AUDIENCE WITH RONNIE CORBETT - 1997 [TV Special]; REVOLVER - 2001-2004 [4 episodes; His final acting role]. He also interviewed The Beatles for Huddersfield local radio, in February 1963, the day they performed in the town. Archive footage of his "René Artois" character were also used in a dozen British Documentaries and he appeared on specials like COMEDY RELIEF - 1988 and some Game Shows as a panelist. He had a dent in his forehead that was caused when a plank of wood went through his car window during an exceptionally severe gale in January 1990. He recovered after the accident, but he still cannot remember anything about it. Gorden Kaye (the unusual spelling of his first name was a hospital mistake when he was born) died of undisclosed causes and was 75 years-old.) - 01/23/17
MARY TYLER MOORE (Actress: Talk about comedy icons. Mary Tyler Moore was a multiple Emmy Award® and Golden Globe® winner for being every man's idea of a perfect wife on THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1961-1966 and every husband's worst nightmare for a wife on THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - 1970 - 1977. She did equally well in drama, winning a Golden Globe® and nominated for an Academy Award® for her amazing performance in director Robert Redford's ORDINARY PEOPLE - 1980. Nearly everyone loved Mary Tyler Moore, not just as an actress, but as an activist for a diabetes cure, of which she was a diabetic [It finally killed her]. She was also a strong animal rights activist and spent much free time educating people on why animals are important to our lives [adoption is important from no-kill shelters, something I strongly agree with] and our ecology. Any person who feels like that [She and old pal Betty White worked for the same cause when it came to animals] is a good person with a strong soul. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET - 1952; THE EDDIE FISHER SHOW - 1957; ONCE UPON A HORSE - 1958 [TF]; THE GEORGE BURNS SHOW - 1959; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1959; STEVE CANYON - 1959; RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE - 1959 [6 episodes; only heard her voice and showed her legs in all the episodes]; BRONCO - 1959; BOURBON STREET BEAT - 1959; JOHNNY STACATTO - 1960; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1960; THE TAB HUNTER SHOW - 1960; CHECKMATE - 1960; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1960; RIVERBOAT - 1959-1960; BACHELOR FATHER - 1960; THE DEPUTY - 1960; THE AQUANAUTS - 1961; SURFSIDE 6 - 1961; STAGECOACH WEST - 1961; LOCK UP - 1961; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959-1961 [4 episodes]; X-15 - 1961 [TF]; STRAIGHTAWAY - 1961; THRILLER - ["The Fatal Impulse" - 1960; "Man Of Mystery" - 1962]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1961-1966 [TV Series Regular; 158 episodes; Emmy Award® winner in 1964 & 1966 for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; GOLDEN GLOBE® winner in 1965 for Best TV Star - Female; She once told David Letterman that Dick Van Dyke's nickname on the set was "Penis Von Lesbian"!]; THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - 1967 [TF]; DON'T JUST STAND THERE - 1968 [TF]; WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT FEELING GOOD? - 1968 [TF]; CHANGE OF HABIT - 1969 [TF; with Elvis Presley]; RUN A CROOKED MILE - 1969 [TV Movie]; THE AMERICAN PARADE - 1974 [TV mini-series; Narrator]; MARY'S INCREDIBLE DREAM - 1976 [TV Movie]; PHYLLIS - 1976; COUSINS - 1976 [TV Movie; Executive Producer only]; RHODA - 1974-1977 [6 episodes]; THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - 1970-1977 [TV Series Regular; 168 episodes; Directed one episode in 1971; Won the Emmy Award® in 1973, 1974 & 1976 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; Golden Globe® winner in 1971 for Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical {she was nominated every year by the Golden Globes®, but only won in 1971}; "A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."]; MARY - 1978 [Failed TV Series]; FIRST, YOU CRY - 1978 [TV Movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award®]; THE MARY TYLER MOORE HOUR - 1979 [Failed TV Series; 11 episodes]; ORDINARY PEOPLE - 1980 [TF; Golden Globe® Winner for Best Actress in a Motion Picture; Academy Award® nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role; She based her role on her contentuous family life when she was a child]; MAKING M*A*S*H - 1981 [TV Movie Documentary; Narrator]; SIX WEEKS - 1982 [TF]; HEARTSOUNDS - 1984 [TV Movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award®]; FINNEGAN BEGIN AGAIN - 1985 [TV Movie]; JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS - 1986 [TF]; MARY - 1985-1986 [Failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; SHALOM SESAME - 1987; LINCOLN - 1988 [TV mini-series; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special {she portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln}]; ANNIE MCGUIRE - 1988-1989 [Failed TV Series; 10 episodes]; MURPHY BROWN - 1989; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1989 [Host]; THE LAST BEST YEAR - 1990 [TV Movie]; THANKSGIVING DAY - 1990 [TV Movie]; STOLEN BABIES - 1993 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special]; FRASIER - 1994; NEW YORK NEWS - 1995 [Failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; STOLEN MEMORIES: SECRETS FROM THE ROSE GARDEN - 1996 [TV Movie]; FLIRTING WITH DISASTER - 1996 [TF]; HOW THE TOYS SAVED CHRISTMAS - 1996 [TF; Voice only]; PAYBACK - 1997 [TV Movie]; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1997 [4 episodes]; KEYS TO TULSA - 1997 [TF]; KIDS ARE PUNNY - 1998 [Voice only]; KING OF THE HILL - 1999 [Voice only]; MARY AND RHODA - 2000 [TV Movie; Also Executive Producer; It's bizarre how Ms. Moore died before Valerie Harper, since Harper was given a death sentence due to inoperable brain cancer three years ago and is still alive at the time of this writing]; LABOR PAINS - 2000 [TF]; GOOD AS GOLD [TV Movie]; LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON: THE STRANGE STORY OF SANTE AND KENNY KIMES - 2001 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; THE ELLEN SHOW - 2001; CHEATS - 2002 [TF]; MISS LETTIE AND ME - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE GIN GAME - 2003 [TV Movie; also Co-Executive Producer; Reunited with her old friend Penis Von Lesbian]; BLESSINGS - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW REVISITED - 2004 [TV Movie]; SNOW WONDER - 2005 [TV Movie]; THAT 70'S SHOW - 2006 [3 episodes]; LIPSTICK JUNGLE - 2008; AGAINST THE CURRENT - 2009 [TF]; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2011-2013 [Her last acting credits]. She also appeared on nearly all the daytime and nighttime Talk Shows, took part in dozens of documentaries [one about herself in 2015] and appeared on more award shows than I can count. She was once married to Grant Tinker [They founded MTM Enterprises together in 1969 and sold it in 1990], who passed away in November 2016. She won Tony Awards® in 1980 and in 1985. She won in 1980 after taking over the lead in the play "Whose Life Is It Anyway?". She was so good that she was given a special Tony because she was not eligible for a traditional nomination due to being a replacement performer. She won in 1985 when her company, MTM, backed the revival of the play "Joe Egg". She received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award on January 29, 2012 in Los Angeles and received a Star on The Walk Of Fame On September 8, 1992 at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. She has also had some personal tragedies [her son dying by gunshot by a pistol known for having a hair trigger {it was pulled from the market} and her entering rehab in the mid-80's for alcoholism], but she was one of the most talented, funny comediennes and actresses in the business. I, for one, will miss her. Mary Tyler Moore passed away due to complications of diabetes and was 80 years-old.) - 01/25/17
MIKE CONNORS (Actor: Jesus Christ Almighty, 2017 is turning out to be worse than 2016 when it comes to celebrity deaths, especially actors I loved. Mike Connors [Who began acting using the names "Touch Connors" {called that during his school basketball days} and "Michael Connors". His real name was Krekor llevado Ohanian!] was a man's man, a rough and tumble actor who appeared in some of Roger Corman's early 1950's films as well as being the star of the great, long-running TV Series MANNIX - 1967-1975 and some memorable TV movies during the 70's. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: SUDDEN FEAR - 1952 [TF]; THE 49TH MAN - 1953 [TF]; SKY COMMANDO - 1953 [TF]; ISLAND IN THE SKY - 1953]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1954; MR. & MRS. SMITH - 1954; DAY OF TRIUMPH - 1954 [TF]; CITY DETECTIVE - 1955; FIVE GUNS WEST - 1955 [TF]; THE LINEUP - 1955; FRONTIER - 1955; THE TWINKLE IN GOD'S EYE - 1955 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1955; THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP - 1955; DAY THE WORLD ENDED - 1955 [TF; One of Roger Corman's films that would play continuously on TV in the 60's & 70's]; HAVE CAMERA WILL TRAVEL - 1956 [TV Movie]; DR. HUDSON'S SECRET JOURNAL - 1956; JAGUAR - 1956 [TF]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956; SWAMP WOMEN - 1956 [TF; Another Corman film that played endlessly on TV]; THE OKLAHOMA WOMAN - 1956 [TF]; FLESH AND THE SPUR - 1956 [TF; also Executive Producer]; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1956; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1956 [TF]; THE ADVENTURES OF JIM BOWIE - 1956; SHAKE, RATTLE & ROCK! - 1956 [TF]; GUNSMOKE - 1956; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 1956; HEY, JEANNIE! - 1957; VOODOO WOMAN - 1957 [TF; another Corman TV Staple]; THE SHERIFF OF COCHISE - 1957; CODE 3 - 1957; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1957; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1957; THOSE WHITING GIRLS - 1957; M SQUAD - 1957; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1957; THE GALE STORM SHOW: OH! SUSANNA - 1957; MAVERICK - 1957; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1957; WAGON TRAIN - 1958; SUICIDE BATTALION - 1958 [TF]; TELEPHONE TIME - 1958; OFFICIAL DETECTIVE - 1958; STUDIO 57 - 1958; LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG - 1958 [TF]; CHEYENNE - 1958; TARGET - 1958; THE TEXAN - 1958; CIMARRON CITY - 1958; RESCUE 8 - 1958; JEFFERSON DRUM - 1958; LAWMAN - 1958; THE ROUGH RIDERS - 1959; BRONCO - 1959; ONE STEP BEYOND - ["The Aerialist" - 1959]; THE CALIFORNIANS - 1959; MIKE HAMMER - 1959; STATE TROOPER - 1956-1959; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1957-1959; TIGHTROPE - 1959-1960 [TV Series Star; 37 episodes]; THE DALTON THAT GOT AWAY - 1960 [TF]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1962; THE EXPENDABLES - 1962 [TV Movie]; REDIGO - 1963; PANIC BUTTON - 1964 [TF]; GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM - 1964 [TF]; WHERE LOVE HAS GONE - 1964 [TF]; PERRY MASON - 1965; HARLOW - 1965 [TF]; SITUATION HOPELESS...BUT NOT SERIOUS - 1965 [TF]; STAGECOAST - 1966 [TF]; KISS THE GIRLS AND MAKE THEM DIE - 1966 [TF; I always loved this spy film, brought on by the success of the James Bond films]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1968-1970; PAT PAULSEN'S HALF A COMEDY HOUR - 1970; HERE'S LUCY - 1971 [Portrayed Joe Mannix]; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1972; THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW - 1970-1973 [7 episodes]; BEG, BORROW OR STEAL - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE WACKY WORLD OF JONATHAN WINTERS - 1974; MANNIX - 1967-1975 [TV Series Star; 194 episodes; Won a Golden Globe Award® in 1970 for Best TV Actor - Drama; Nominated five more times and also nominated 4 times by the Emmy Awards®; It was Desilu Productions last series]; THE KILLER WHO WOULDN'T DIE - 1976 [TV Movie]; REVENGE FOR A RAPE - 1976 [Very mature TV Movie, especially for the 70's]; JOYS - 1976 [TV Special]; POLICE STORY - 1977; LONG JOURNEY BACK - 1978 [TV Movie]; AVALANCHE EXPRESS - 1979 [TF]; THE DEATH OF OCEAN VIEW PARK - 1979 [TV Movie]; HIGH MIDNIGHT - 1979 [TV Movie]; CASINO - 1980 [TV Movie]; NIGHTKILL - 1980 [TF]; TODAY'S F.B.I. - 1981-1982 [Failed TV Series; 18 episodes]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1981-1982 [4 episodes]; EARTHLINGS - 1984 [TV Movie]; THE FUNNIEST JOKE I EVER HEARD - 1984 [TV Special]; GLITTER - 1984; THE FALL GUY - 1984; TOO SCARED TO SCREAM - 1985 [TF; also Producer; Underrated horror film]; FIST FIGHTER - 1989 [TF]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1989; WAR AND REMEMBRANCE - 1988-1989 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; ARMEN AND BULLIK - 1993 [TV Movie]; THE COMMISH - 1993; HART TO HART RETURNS - 1993 [TV Movie]; PUBLIC ENEMY #2 - 1993 [TF]; BURKE'S LAW - 1994; WILLIAM SAROYAN: THE MAN, THE WRITER - 1994 [TF; Documentary; Narrator only]; DOWNTOWN HEAT - 1994 [TF]; WILD BILL: HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK - 1995 [TF; Documentary]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1989-1995 [3 episodes]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1997 [Portrayed Joe Mannix]; JAMES DEAN: LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG - 1997 [TF]; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1998; GIDEON - 1998 [TF]; HERCULES - 1998-1999 [Voice only; 10 episodes]; THE EXTREME ADVENTURES OF SUPER DAVE - 2000 [MFHV]; NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING! - 2003 [TF; Portrayed Joe Mannix]; THE DESILU STORY - 2003 [TV Movie Documentary]; TWO AND A HALF MEN - 2007, THE RIVER RAN RED - 2008 [Video Documentary; Voices only; His final acting credit]. Mr. Connors also did the usual round of daytime and nighttime talk & variety shows, was a panelist on several game shows [especially HOLLYWOOD SQUARES in its various incarnations] and appeared as himself in many documentaries. He was married to the same woman, Marylou Connors [nee Mary Lou Riley], from 1949 until his death [an unbelievable 77 years!]. Mike Connors was a very private man and valued his family life more than anything. Mike Connors passed away due to complications of leukemia [he was only diagnosed having it a week earlier!] and was 91 years-old. Another one of my Baby Boomer heroes now gone.) - 01/26/17
BARBARA HALE (Actress: Best known as portraying "Della Street" on the long-running TV Series PERRY MASON - 1957-1966 and the mother of actor William Katt. She also returned to her Della Street role in the series of Perry Mason TV Movies during the 1980's & 1990's. But she was an actress long before becoming Della Street and her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: GILDERSLEEVE'S BAD DAY - 1943 [TF]; MEXICAN SPITFIRE'S BLESSED EVENT - 1943 [TF]; THE SEVENTH VICTIM - 1943 [TF]; THE IRON MAJOR - 1943 [TF]; GILDERSLEEVE ON BROADWAY - 1943 [TF]; GOVERNMENT GIRL - 1943 [TF]; AROUND THE WORLD - 1943 [TF]; HIGHER AND HIGHER - 1943 [TF]; THE FALCON OUT WEST - 1944 [TF]; GOIN' TO TOWN - 1944 [TF]; HEAVENLY DAYS - 1944 [TF]; THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD - 1944 [TF]; WEST OF THE PECOS - 1945 [TF]; FIRST YANK INTO TOKYO - 1945 [TF]; LADY LUCK - 1946 [TF]; A LIKELY STORY - 1947 [TF]; THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR - 1948 [TF]; THE WINDOW - 1949 [TF]; THE CLAY PIGEON - 1949 [TF]; JOLSON SINGS AGAIN - 1949 [TF]; AND BABY MAKES THREE - 1949 [TF]; THE JACKPOT - 1950 [TF]; EMERGENCY WEDDING - 1950 [TF]; LORNA DOONE - 1951 [TF]; THE FIRST TIME - 1952 [TF]; CASTLE IN THE AIR - 1952 [TF]; THE SABRE AND THE ARROW - 1953 [TF]; SEMINOLE - 1953 [TF]; THE LONE HAND - 1953 [TF]; FOOTLIGHTS THEATER - 1953; A LION IN THE STREETS - 1953 [TF]; UNCHAINED - 1955 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1953-1955; THE FAR HORIZONS - 1955 [TF]; STUDIO 57 - 1955; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1955; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1955; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1955; CLIMAX! - 1955; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1956; DAMON RUNYON THEATER - 1956; THE HOUSTON STORY - 1956 [TF]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1952-1956 [3 episodes]; STAR STAGE - 1956; CROSSROADS - 1956; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956; 7TH CAVALRY - 1956 [TF]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1956-1957; THE OKLAHOMAN - 1957 [TF]; SLIM CARTER - 1957 [TF]; DESERT HELL - 1958 [TF]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATRE - 1955-1959; PERRY MASON - 1957-1966 [263 episodes; Emmy Award® winner in 1959 for Best Supporting Actress {Continuing Character} in a Dramatic Series {also nominated in 1961}; She only missed appearing in 8 episodes]; CUSTER - 1967; BUCKSKIN - 1968 [TF]; INSIGHT - 1969; LASSIE - 1969; AIRPORT - 1970 [TF]; THE RED, WHITE AND BLACK - 1970 [TF]; THE MOST DEADLY GAME - 1970; IRONSIDE - 1971; ADAM-12 - 1971; THE DORIS DAY SHOW - 1972; CHESTER, YESTERDAY'S HORSE - 1973 [TV Movie]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1974; THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION - 1975 [TF; Beware of the Volkswagen-Beetle dressed up as a giant Spider!; A cult classic for all the wrong reasons]; THE FLIGHT OF THE GRAY WOLF - 1976 [TV Movie]; BIG WEDNESDAY - 1978 [TF; Co-starred with her son, William Katt, for the first time]; THE YOUNG RUNAWAYS - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1982 [Once again, guest-starred with series regular William Katt]; PERRY MASON RETURNS - 1985 [TV Movie; She and Raymond Burr would return to play Perry Mason and Della Street in a long string of TV films until Burr passed away. She would then continue as Della Street on a few more TV movies with other actors, such as Hal Holbrook, portraying lawyers, but not Perry Mason. William Katt appeared as Mason's chief detective researcher in many of these TV films]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE NOTORIOUS NUN - 1986 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SHOOTING STAR - 1986 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE LOST LOVE - 1987 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SINISTER SPIRIT - 1987 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE MURDERED MADAM - 1987 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SCANDALOUS SCOUNDREL - 1987 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE AVENGING ACE - 1988 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE LADY IN THE LAKE - 1988 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE LETHAL LESSON - 1989 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE MUSICAL MURDER - 1989 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE ALL-STAR ASSASSIN - 1989 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE POISONED PEN - 1990 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DECEPTION - 1990 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SILENCED SINGER - 1990 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE DEFIANT DAUGHTER - 1990 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE RUTHLESS REPORTER - 1991 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE MALIGNED MOBSTER - 1991 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE GLASS COFFIN - 1991; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE FATAL FASHION - 1991 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE FATAL FRAMING - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE RECKLESS ROMEO - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE HEARTBROKEN BRIDE - 1992 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SKIN-DEEP SCANDAL - 1993 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE TELLTALE TALK SHOW HOST - 1993 [TV Movie]; PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE KILLER KISS - 1993 [TV Movie; Raymond Burr's last performance as Perry Mason; He passed away on September 12, 1993]; A PERRY MASON MYSTERY: THE CASE OF THE WICKED WIVES - 1993 [TV Movie; Paul Sorvino took over as the defense lawyer]; A PERRY MASON MYSTERY: THE CASE OF THE LETHAL LIFESTYLE - 1994 [TV Movie; Hal Holbrook took over as the defense lawyer]; A PERRY MASON MYSTERY: THE CASE OF THE GRIMACING GOVERNOR - 1994 [TV Movie; Hal Holbrook again]; A PERRY MASON MYSTERY: THE CASE OF THE JEALOUS JOKESTER - 1995 [TV Movie; Hal Holbrook for the final time in the last TV Perry Mason Movie; Barbara Hale's final acting role]. During her time on PERRY MASON - 1957-1966, Ms. Hale was known industry-wide for her screams. "She has the best shriek in Hollywood", Raymond Burr once said. She married actor Bill Williams in 1946 and stayed married to him until his death in September 1992 {She once said: "It took me two years to talk him into marrying me."]. Besides William Katt, they had two other female children together [both not actresses], William being the middle child. She won a Star on The Walk Of Fame on February 8, 1960 at 1628 Vine Street. Barbara Hale died of natural causes and was 94 years-old.) - 01/26/17
SIR JOHN HURT (Actor: February can't come soon enough with all these great actors dying in January. John Hurt was an actor's actor, nominated or winning countless awards and appearing in blockbuster films so he could act in low-budget, more personal, films that meant a lot to him. His gravelly voice, and skull-like face made him a great villain, but he was equally comfortable portraying caring, subtle people [Many people assumed Mr. Hurt was gay, but he was married four times and had two children] in some excellent independent films. His one-of-a-kind voice was also in demand for a lot of animated films, too. In other words, John Hurt was the shit, an actor who could do anything, including reading the phone book, and keep you in your seat the entire time. I am sure people who knew him will print much more personal obituaries, but John Hurt meant a lot to me, even though I never met him. He gave me days of enjoyment [and some iconic moments] from the films I watch in which he was in. Goodbye, John, the World loved you! His Credits included [Theatrical Films unless marked with a TV for Television Series]: Z CARS [TV]; PROBATION OFFICER - 1961-1962 [TV]; YOUNG AND WILLING - 1962; ONCE ABOARD THE LUGGER... - 1963 [TV]; DRAMA 61-67 - 1961-1963 [TV]; THE CONTACT - 1963; FIRST NIGHT - 1963-1964 [TV]; THIS IS MY STREET - 1964; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1964 [TV]; LOVE STORY - 1964 [TV]; GIDEON C.I.D. - 1964 [TV]; THURSDAY THEATRE - 1964 [TV]; ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - 1966; THE SAILOR FROM GIBRALTOR - 1967; ITV PLAYHOUSE - 1967 [TV]; SINFUL DAVEY - 1969; BEFORE WINTER COMES - 1969; IN SEARCH OF GREGORY - 1969; 10 RILLINGTON PLACE - 1971 [One of the best British Thrillers of the 70's; BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor]; ITV SUNDAY NIGHT THEATRE - 1971 [TV]; CRY OF THE PENGUINS - 1971; THE PIED PIPER - 1972; WESSEX TALES - 1973 [TV mini-series]; THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD - 1974 [TV Movie]; LITTLE MALCOLM AND HIS STRUGGLE AGAINST THE EUNUCHS - 1974; THE GHOUL - 1975; TEN FROM THE TWENTIES - 1975 [TV]; THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT - 1975 [TV Movie; groundbreaking film about homosexuality; BAFTA TV Award® nominee for Best Actor]; SHADES OF GREENE - 1976 [TV]; PLAY FOR TODAY - 1976 [TV]; STREAM LINE - 1976; THE SWEENEY - 1976 [TV]; I, CLAUDIUS - 1976 [TV mini-series [TV mini-series; I remember watching this on TV and was mesmerized by Hurt's performance as Caligula, even though the mini-series was censored in the United States]; SPECTRE - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE DISAPPEARANCE - 1977; THE SUNDAY DRAMA - 1977 [TV]; THREE DANGEROUS LADIES - 1977; PAPERBACK - 1977; EAST OF ELEPHANT ROCK - 1978; THE ISLAND - 1978 [TV Movie]; MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - 1978 [Golden Globe® and BAFTA Award® winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture; Academy Award® nominee for the same category]; THE SHOUT - 1978 [Very unusual film about a man who can make a sound that can kill people, but this is not a horror film]; WATERSHIP DOWN - 1978 [Voice only]; THE LORD OF THE RINGS - 1978 [Voice only}; ALIEN - 1979 [One of filmdom's most iconic moments: The baby alien bursting out of Hurt's chest while everyone is eating. If he will be remembered for anything, it will be for this scene; BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor]; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1980 [One of my favorite Hurt performances, considering he was directed by David Lynch; Both Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee and BAFTA Award® winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role; When he yells out, "I am not an animal. I am a human being!", you get the emotional message]; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980 [Watch the full version, not the abridged theatrical version]; HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1 - 1981 [Mel Brooks comedy]; NIGHT CROSSING - 1982 [Very tense film that should be seen by all]; PARTNERS - 1982 [Bad police comedy that plays on Hurt's homosexuality]; PAUL MCCARTNEY: TAKE IT AWAY - 1982; THE PLAGUE DOGS - 1982 [Voice only]; KING LEAR - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND - 1983 [an unfairly maligned Sam Peckinpah film; Hurt's Take on the film: "The script was pretty difficult. So was Sam [Peckinpah]. It wasn't until I made him laugh that I thought, "Thank God." There's a scene in the film where I have to imitate a weatherman, and that had Sam rolling in the aisles. Before that, he would say things like, "Why do you move so fast?" He wasn't exactly encouraging of confidence. But afterwards, I couldn't put a foot wrong. We were terrific, and I saw him until the day that he died."]; CHAMPIONS - 1984; SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE - 1984; THE HIT - 1984 [Love this film and Hurt's performance is amazing]; NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR [1984] - 1984 [More relevant today than the year it was made; He also appeared in a Music Video by The Eurythmics, who did the sountrack to the film and released it as their fourth album]; AFTER DARKNESS - 1985; THE BLACK CAULDRON - 1985 [Voice only]; JAKE SPEED - 1986; ROCINATE - 1986; WHITE MISCHIEF - 1987; FROM THE HIP - 1987; ARIA - 1987; SPACEBALLS - 1987 [Another Mel Brooks film; Hurt lampoons his iconic scene in ALIEN]; VINCENT - 1987 [Voice only]; THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK - 1987 [Narrator only]; DAVID MACAULEY: PYRAMID - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE STORYTELLER - 1987-1988 [TV; Played the titled character; 9 episodes]; A DINNER OF HERBS - 1988 [TV Movie]; THE BENGALI NIGHT - 1988; DEADLINE - 1988 [TV Movie]; SCANDAL - 1989; LITTLE SWEETHEART - 1989; WINDPRINTS - 1989; WHO BOMBED BIRMINGHAM? - 1990 [TV Movie]; ROMEO.JULIET - 1990; THE FIELD - 1990 [BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]; FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND - 1990 [Roger Corman's final {so far} directorial effort; Hurt's take on Roger Corman: "Everybody's got to work with Roger Corman. You can't leave out that experience. I was amazed when I met him, because I was expecting to see this rather freaky character with hair all over the place-a complete crazy man. But he wasn't. He was dressed in a tie and a suit, with very neat hair. At first, I thought he was a solicitor."]; KING RALPH - 1991; LAPSE OF MEMORY - 1991; SCREENPLAY - 1991 [TV]; RED FOX - 1991 [TV mini-series]; DARK AT NOON - 1992; PERFORMANCE - 1992 [TV]; LIVING ON BORROWED TIME - 1993; MONOLITH - 1993; EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES - 1993 [Beware of female hitch-hikers with enormous thumbs!]; RABBIT EARS: ALADDIN AND THE MAGIC LAMP - 1994 [MFHV; Voice only]; THUMBELINA - 1994 [Voice only]; GREAT MOMENTS IN AVIATION - 1994; SECOND BEST - 1994; PICTURE WINDOWS - 1995 [TV]; ROB ROY - 1995; DEAD MAN - 1995; WILD BILL - 1995; SCREEN TWO - 1995 [TV]; LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND - 1997 [Why he wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe® or Academy Award® for his excellent and humane performance is one of the world's great mysteries]; CONTACT - 1997; THE CLIMB - 1997; BANDYTA - 1997; TENDER LOVING CARE - 1997 [MFHV]; THE COMMISSIONER - 1988; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1998 [TV]; NIGHT TRAIN - 1998; ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS - 1998; A MONKEY'S TALE - 1999 [Voice only]; IF...DOG...RABBIT - 1999; YOU'RE DEAD... - 1999; THE TIGGER MOVIE - 2000 [Voice only]; NEW BLOOD - 2000 [Very good action film that makes yourself ask questions long after it is over]; KRAPP'S LAST TAPE - 2000 [TV Movie]; WATERSHIP DOWN - 1999-2000 [TV; 7 episodes]; LOST SOULS - 2000; TABLOID - 2001; CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN - 2001; HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE - 2001; SHAOLIN: WHEEL OF LIFE - 2001 [TV Movie; Voice only]; MIRANDA - 2002; CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - 2002; BAIT - 2002 [TV Movie]; OWNING MAHOWNY - 2003; DRACULA'S BRAM STOKER - 2003 [Documentary; Voice only as Narrator]; DOGVILLE - 2003 [Voice only]; HELLBOY - 2004 [Hurt puts a lot of his emotion in this comedy/horror film]; PRIDE - 2004 [TV Movie]; SHORT ORDER - 2005; VALIANT - 2005 [Voice only]; MANDERLAY - 2005 [Voice only]; THE SKELETON KEY - 2005; BEYOND THE GATES - 2005; THE PROPOSITION - 2005 [A wonderful and violent true story about the Australian West in the 19th Century]; V FOR VENDETTA - 2005 [Another film that is more relevant today than the year it was made]; THE ALAN CLARK DIARIES - 2004-2006 [TV; 6 episodes]; PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER - 2006 [Voice only as Narrator; basically an overlooked film about a true incident; very well made]; BOXES - 2007; HELLBOY ANIMATED: BLOOD AND IRON - 2007 [Voice only]; MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION - 2007 [TV]; THE OXFORD MURDERS - 2008; INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL - 2008; RECOUNT - 2008 [TV Movie]; HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY - 2008; OUTLANDER - 2008; LECTURE 21 - 2008; NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU - 2008; AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK - 2009 [Portrayed Quentin Crisp; BAFTA TV Award® nomination for Best Actor; At the Berlin International Film Festival he won a "Special Teddy"® for his outstanding acting performance.]; THE LIMITS OF CONTROL - 2009; 44 INCH CHEST - 2009; THE GRUFFALO - 2009 [TV Movie; Voice only]; LOU - 2010; A TURTLE'S TALE: SAMMY'S ADVENTURES - 2010 [Voice only]; BRIGHTON ROCK - 2010; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 - 2010; ULTRAMARINES, A WARHAMMER 40,000 MOVIE - 2010 [Voice only]; WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU - 2010 [TV Movie; A spine chilling version based on M.R. James' book]; REGRET NOT SPEAKING - 2011; THE CONFESSION - 2011 [TV Series Star; 10 episodes]; MELACHOLIA - 2011; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 - 2011; TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - 2011; IMMORTALS - 2011; THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD - 2011 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE CONFESSION - 2011; JAYNE MANSFIELD'S CAR - 2012; IN LOVE WITH ALMA COGAN - 2012; SIGHTSEERS - 2012 [Voice only]; PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS - 2012 [TV]; THE HOLLOW CROWN - 2012 [TV]; PLANET DINOSAUR: ULTIMATE KILLERS - 2012 [Voice only]; LABYRINTH - 2012 [TV mini-series]; MERLIN - 2008-2012 [TV; Voice only; 65 episodes]; CHARLIE COUNTRYMAN - 2013 [Voice only as Narrator]; ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE - 2013 [Unusual film that mixes vampirism, horror and romance. The final scene will chill you to the bone.]; SWAN LAKE 3D-LIVE FROM THE MARIINSKY THEATRE - 2013; SNOWPIERCER - 2013 [A modern-day sci-fi classic about how we are all put into a caste system]; DOCTOR WHO - 2013 [TV; 3 episodes]; HERCULES - 2014; A.K.A. NADIA - 2015; THOMAS & FRIENDS: SODOR'S LEGEND OF THE LOST TREASURE - 2015 [Voice only]; THE LAST PANTHERS - 2015 [TV; 6 episodes]; CHICKLIT - 2016; THE JOURNEY - 2016; JACKIE - 2016; BACK TO UTOPIA - 2016 [Voice only]; THE PITY OF WAR: THE LOVES AND LIVES OF WAR POETS - 2016 [TV Movie]; THAT GOOD NIGHT - 2017; DAMASCUS COVER - 2017 [In Post-Production at the time of his death]; MY NAME IS LENNY - 2017 [In Post-Production at the time of his death]; DARKEST HOUR - 2017 [Filming at the time of his death. Status of the film is unknown at the time of this writing.]. John Hurt also appeared in about a dozen short films for filmmakers who were just starting out in the business. He also appears in dozens of documentaries and narrates dozens more. He was awarded the CBE [Commander of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to Drama and he was awarded the Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama as an actor. In 2012, John Hurt received a BAFTA Award® for his Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema [and he deserved it]. There is so much more to John Hurt's life, but I'll leave that up to a biographer to detail. John Hurt passed away of pancreatic cancer and was 77 years-old.) - 01/27/17
RICHARD PORTMAN (Sound Recorder/Mixer/Dubber: Richard Portman [who sometimes used the names "Dick Portman" and "Dr. Zero"] was a highly regarded sound mixer, recordist and dubber, nominated for 11 Academy Awards® and winning one for THE DEER HUNTER - 1978; Mr. Portman has worked as a sound recordist/mixer/dubber on nearly 200 films and worked with some of the most prestigious directors. He also had a hand in sound recording or mixing many films that would please readers of this site. His movie credits included [He worked very little on TV series, although he did a handful of TV Movies]: IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD - 1963; THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR - 1968; THE LANDLORD - 1970; THE HAWAIIANS - 1970; WHERE'S POPPA? - 1970; WUSA - 1970; LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSEY - 1970; LITTLE BIG MAN - 1970; MAN AND BOY - 1971; WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 1971; CARNAL KNOWLEDGE - 1971; THE HIRED HAND - 1971; KOTCH - 1971 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; THE ORGANIZATION - 1971; HOWARD AND MAUDE - 1971; THE COWBOYS - 1972; SILENT RUNNING - 1972; THE GODFATHER - 1972 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; BUCK AND THE PREACHER - 1972; HAMMERSMITH IS OUT - 1972; THE HONKERS - 1972; THE CANDIDATE - 1972 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; JUNIOR BONNER - 1972; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN - 1972; MAN OF LAMANCHA - 1972; THE GETAWAY - 1972; UP THE SANDBOX - 1972; COUNTRY BLUE - 1973; WATTSTAX - 1973; PAPER MOON - 1973 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; OKLAHOMA CRUDE - 1973; A NAME FOR EVIL - 1973; HIT! - 1973; THE WAY WE WERE - 1973; JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL - 1973; THE LAST DETAIL - 1973; PAPILLON - 1973; THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN - 1973 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; THE MORNING AFTER - 1974 [TV Movie]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974; DAISEY MILLER - 1974; CHOSEN SURVIVORS - 1974; THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT - 1974; MR. MAJESTYK - 1974; TOGETHER BROTHERS - 1974; CALIFORNIA SPLIT - 1974; THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE - 1974; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM - 1975; FUNNY LADY - 1975 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; POSSE - 1975; NASHVILLE - 1975 [BAFTA Award® winner for Best Sound Track]; MURPH THE SURF - 1975; SMILE - 1975; FAREWELL, MY LOVELY - 1975; THE MASTER GUNFIGHTER - 1975; MAHOGANY - 1975; THE KILLER ELITE - 1975; LIPSTICK - 1976; THE RIVER NIGER - 1976; STAY HUNGRY - 1976; ODE TO BILLIE JOE - 1976; SILENT MOVIE - 1976; BUFFALO BILL AND THE INDIANS, OR SITTING BULL'S HISTORY LESSON - 1976; WELCOME TO L.A. - 1976; THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN - 1976 [One of my favorite movies of all time]; THE LATE SHOW - 1977; MR. BILLION - 1977; ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN: THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS - 1977 [TV Movie; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Mixing]; THE DOMINO KILLINGS - 1977; 3 WOMEN - 1977; STAR WARS - 1977 [BAFTA Award® winner for Best Sound]; NEW YORK, NEW YORK - 1977 [BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Sound Track]; OUTLAW BLUES - 1977; MARCH OR DIE - 1977; LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR - 1977; HIGH ANXIETY - 1977; REMEMBER MY NAME - 1978; STRAIGHT TIME - 1978; THE END - 1978; A WEDDING - 1978; THE CHILDREN OF SANCHEZ - 1978; THE DEER HUNTER - 1978 [Academy Award® winner for Best Sound; BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Sound Track]; QUINTET - 1979; A PERFECT COUPLE - 1979; RICH KIDS - 1979; THE LAST WORD - 1979; STARTING OVER - 1979; THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA - 1980; COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER - 1980 [Academy Award® & BAFTA Award® nomination for Best Sound]; HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - 1980; MR. PATMAN - 1980; RESURRECTION - 1980; HEALTH - 1980; HEAVEN'S GATE - 1980; DELUSION - 1981; AMERICAN POP - 1981; BODY HEAT - 1981; ON GOLDEN POND - 1981 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; TIMERIDER: THE ADVENTURE OF LYLE SWANN - 1982; TRENCHCOAT - 1983; SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES - 1983; EL NORTE - 1983; MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1983 [Short]; SUMMERSPELL - 1983; SPLASH - 1984; FLESHBURN - 1984; CHOOSE ME - 1984; COUNTRY - 1984; FRANKENWEENIE - 1984 [Short]; THE RIVER - 1984 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Sound]; BABY: SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND - 1985; READY OR NOT, HERE I COME - 1985; FLETCH - 1985; THE BLACK CAULDRON - 1985; THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN - 1985; TROUBLE IN MIND - 1986; MURPHY'S LAW - 1986; THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE - 1986; GOOD TO GO - 1986; THE WRAITH - 1986; HYPER SAPIENS: PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER STAR - 1986; WISDOM - 1987; PALS - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE MONSTER SQUAD - 1987; MADE IN HEAVEN - 1987; PRISON - 1987; THE MODERNS - 1988; PERMANENT RECORD - 1988; KANSAS - 1988; FAR NORTH - 1988; PAINT IT BLACK - 1989; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1989 [TV Series]; SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL - 1989; SHE'S BACK - 1989; NIGHT GAME - 1989; THE HEIST - 1989 [TV Movie]; GHOSTS CAN'T DO IT - 1989; TRENCHCOAT IN PARADISE - 1989 [TV Movie]; PERFECT WITNESS - 1989 [TV Movie]; DOWNTOWN - 1990; DARK ANGEL - 1990; BAD INFLUENCE - 1990; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 1990 [Pay Cable TV Series; "Three's A Crowd" - 1990; "The Thing From The Grave" - 1990]; PRESUMED INNOCENT - 1990; RUN - 1991; L.A. STORY - 1991; THE SUMMER MY FATHER GREW UP - 1991 [TV Movie]; DOC HOLLYWOOD - 1991; CAST A DEADLY SPELL - 1991 [Pay Cable Movie]; MARRIED TO IT - 1991; HARD PROMISES - 1991; OFF AND RUNNING - 1991; THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE - 1992; ARTICLE 99 - 1992; THE BABE - 1992; AFTERBURN - 1992 [Pay Cable Movie]; CITIZEN COHN - 1992 [Pay Cable Movie; Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special]; CONSENTING ADULTS - 1992; BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT - 1993; ARMY OF ONE - 1993; GUILTY AS SIN - 1993; FATAL INSTINCT - 1993; THE PELICAN BRIEF - 1993; THE AIR UP THERE - 1994; BRAINSCAN - 1994; WOLF - 1994; THE SCOUT - 1994; THE FANTASTICKS - 1995; DOLORES CLAIRBORNE - 1995; FORGET PARIS - 1995; NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN - 1996; CRITICAL CARE - 1997; GLORIA - 1999; FIGHTING EDDIE - 2000 [Short; Actor only]; ON SIX-MILE POND - 2003 [Documentary Short]; FOXHOLE - 2003 [Documentary Short]; MEANS TO AN END - 2003 [Short]; CONFESSIONS OF A FLORIST - 2003; VOLARE - 2004 [Short; His final credit]. That is some body of work, isn't it? Mr. Portman took time off from his career, teaching his craft at the Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida and was the first person to ever sound mix a feature by himself due to his creating an entirely new approach to re-recording sound and post-production. According to an 1998 interview with editor/sound editor Walter Murch at the Cinema Audio Society Annual Awards, Portman was the person who inspired the R2-D2 robot name for all the future Star Wars films. While working on AMERICAN GRAFITTI - 1973, Murch was using Portman's shorthand and said out-loud "R2-D2". A sleepy George Lucas woke up and asked what was said and Murch replied again. Lucas took notes that were later used a few years later on the first STAR WARS film. Richard Portman died from complications due to a broken hip from a fall and was 82 years-old.) - 01/28/17
STANLEY KALLIS (Producer/Writer: Stanley Kallis was a very famous Producer of TV Series and TV Movies that many Baby Boomers remember. He very seldom ventured out into Theatrical Films except for the beginning of his career. His credits as an Associate Producer, Producer or Executive Producer included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE HOT ANGELS - 1958 [TF; also Writer]; ROADRACERS - 1959 [TF; also Writer]; OPERATION DAMES - 1959 [TF; also Original Story]; WAGON TRAIN - 1959 [Writer of one episode]; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1961; THE LAW AND MR. JONES - 1960-1961 [32 episodes]; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962-1963 [17 episodes]; DELLA - 1964 [TF]; WHO GOES THERE? - 1965 [TV Movie; it was a pilot for an unsold sitcom series where Pat Hingle and Ben Blue play two troublesome ghosts who haunt an otherwise normal California home. Jack Arnold directed the failed pilot movie.]; THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR - 1968 [Writer of one episode only]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1968-1970 [32 episodes]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1970-1971 [24 episodes; He helped develop the concept of this series in 1967 with Writer Leonard Freeman, moved on to MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and then came back to this series as Executive Producer for one season]; THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - 1972 [TV Movie]; ADVENTURES OF NICK CARTER - 1972 [TV Movie]; JIGSAW - 1972 [TV Movie; Pilot for the TV Series]; JIGSAW - 1972 [Failed TV Series]; BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL - 1973 [TV Movie]; FARADAY AND COMPANY - 1973 [Failed TV Series]; COP ON THE BEAT - 1975 [TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1973-1976 [63 episodes; Won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Drama Series in 1976; Nominated two more times previously in 1974 & 1975; The show, based on a Joseph Wambaugh novel, was so adult for its time because Kallis and the writers went on many ride-alongs with the police and learned that officers carry themselves differently than the normal citizen because of their job. This was not a bad thing, but just the way things were and still are.]; KISS ME, KILL ME - 1976 [TV Movie]; IN THE GLITTER PALACE - 1977 [TV Movie]; WASHINGTON: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - 1977 [TV mini-series; 6 episodes; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Limited Series]; HUNTERS OF THE REEF - 1978 [TV Movie]; SEX AND THE SINGLE PARENT - 1979 [TV Movie]; AMBER WAVES - 1980 [TV Movie; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special]; ENOLA GAY: THE MEN, THE MISSION, THE ATOMIC BOMB - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE MANIONS OF AMERICA - 1981 [TV mini-series]; DREAM HOUSE - 1981 [TV Movie]; TWO OF A KIND - 1982 [TV Movie]; RITA HAYWORTH: THE LOVE GODDESS - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE MISSISSIPPI - 1983; TWO MARRIAGES - 1983-1984 [Failed TV Series; 10 episodes]; JESSIE - 1984; THE GLITTER DOME - 1984 [TV Movie; Writer only; Won the Edgar Allan Poe Award® for Best Television Feature or Miniseries]; THE NEW MIKE HAMMER - 1984 [6 episodes]; KANE & ABEL - 1985 [TV mini-series]; VITAL SIGNS - 1986 [TV Movie]; I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN - 1987 [TV mini-series]; IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT - 1988 [3 episodes]; COLUMBO - 1989 [5 episodes]; BREWSTER PLACE - 1990 [Uncredited Executive Producer for the failed Oprah Winfrey series, which was based on the terrific mini-series THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE - 1989]; THE EXILE - 1991; THE INSIDE PITCH - 2004 [TV Movie; his last screen credit]. He was married to the same woman [Lucetta Kallis] for 66 years. Stanley Kallis passed away of undisclosed causes and was 88 years-old.) - 01/28/17
FRANK PELLEGRINO (Actor/Restaurateur: Mr. Pellegrino is best known for portraying "Bureau Chief Frank Cubitoso" on THE SOPRANOS - 1999-2004, who was always looking to catch Tony Soprano [the late James Gandolfini] doing something illegal, but never did, but he was also a familiar face in some well-known movies [many of them where he played gangsters, because he had the face for it] and also the owner [with his son, Frank Jr.] of "Rao's" Restaurants located in New York City [I ate there once and the food was terrific!], at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles. He was known to be a tough man on screen, but many people who knew him personally said he was a pussycat, except when he was in his restaurants [Business first, pleasantries later.]. His credits included [Theatrical films unless marked with a TV for TV Series]: TRUE BLUE - 1989 [TV]; KOJAK: NONE SO BLIND - 1990 [TV Movie]; GOODFELLAS - 1990 [portrayed "Johnny Dio"]; LOVE, HONOR & OBEY: THE LAST MAFIA MARRIAGE - 1993 [TV Movie]; MANHATTAN MURDER MUSTERY - 1993; MR. WONDERFUL - 1993; ANGIE - 1994; IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU - 1994; TARANTELLA - 1995; NEW YORK UNDERCOVER - 1994-1995 [TV Series Regular; 16 episodes]; THE CITY - 1995 [TV]; ON SEVENTH AVENUE - 1996 [TV Movie]; SWIFT JUSTICE - 1996 [TV; 4 episodes]; GOTTI - 1996 [TV Movie]; COP LAND - 1997; F/X: THE SERIES - 1997 [TV]; DELLAVENTURA - 1997 [TV]; SILENT PREDATOR - 1997; CELEBRITY - 1998; REAR WINDOW - 1998 [TV Movie]; LAW & ORDER - 1995-1999 [TV]; SCOUT'S HONOR - 1999 [Short]; MICKEY BLUE EYES - 1999; 18 SHADES OF DUST - 2001]; BIG APPLE - 2001 [Failed TV Series Regular; 5 episodes]; FRIENDS AND FAMILY - 2001; KNOCKAROUND GUYS - 2001; THIRD WATCH - 2001 [TV]; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2002 [TV]; HAPPY END - 2003; THE SOPRANOS - 1999-2004 [Pay Cable Series Semi-Regular; 11 episodes]; SEARCHING FOR BOBBY D - 2005; BROOKLYN LOBSTER - 2005; CARLITO'S WAY: RISE TO POWER - 2005 [MFHV]; GOD'S GIFT - 2006 [Short]; BEER LEAGUE - 2006; WHAT ABOUT SAL? - 2008 [Short]; DELIVERING THE GOODS - 2012; ENQUIRING MINDS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE MAN BEHIND THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER - 2014 [Documentary; Executive Producer only]; ODD MOM OUT - 2015 [TV; His last acting role]. He also appeared as himself on about a half dozen cooking shows on TV, sometimes with his daughter-in-law [and expert chef] Carla Pellegrino. Mr. Pellegrino was also Editor of "Rao's Cookbook: Over 100 Years of Italian Home Cooking" -  1998 and sings on two albums: "An Evening at Rao's" - 1998 and "Christmas at Rao's" - 2001. Frank Pellegrino died of lung cancer and was 72 years-old.) - 01/31/17
JOHN GAY (Screenwriter: John Gay was a well-known writer of Films and TV Series since the 1950's. Gay started out in live television starring with his wife Barbara [who he was still married to up till his death] in MR. AND MRS. MYSTERY - 1949 and went on to write for numerous live TV dramas. His credits as a Writer included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: APARTMENT 3-C - 1949 [also Actor]; THE KEN MURRAY SHOW - 1952; SHADOW OF THE CLOAK - 1951-1952; HOLLYWOOD OPENING NIGHT - 1953; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1952-1953; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1953; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1953; THE STRANGER - 1954 [4 episodes]; CENTER STAGE - 1954; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1956; KRAFT THEATRE - 1956; TELEDRAMA - 1956; RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP - 1958 [TF]; THE DEVIL AS A ROARING LION - 1958 [TV Movie]; SEPARATE TABLES - 1958 [TF; Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and winner of many other awards]; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1959; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; THE AMERICANS - 1961; THE HAPPY THIEVES - 1961 [TF]; THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE - 1962 [TF]; BBC SUNDAY-NIGHT PLAY - 1962; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1962 [TF; Uncredited Writer]; MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY - 1962 [TF; Uncredited Writer]; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1963 [TF]; THE FIFTH PASSENGER - 1963 [TV Movie]; ESPIONAGE - 1963; THE TRAVELS OF JAIME MCPHEETERS - 1963-1964 [3 episodes; also Executive Story Consultant for 14 episodes]; THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL - 1965 [TF]; TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER - 1966 [TF]; DIE BETTLEROPER - 1967 [German TV Movie]; THE LAST SAFARI - 1967 [TF]; THE POWER - 1968 [TF; One of the first films to make me jump out of my seat in a theater; if you have seen the film, you know what scene I am talking about]; NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY - 1968 [TF; My favorite of Gay's screenplays and a tour-de-force performance by Rod Steiger]; SOLDIER BLUE - 1970 [TF; this film caused quite a stir when released]; SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION - 1970 [TF; once you see the log drowning, you never forget it]; POCKKET MONEY - 1972 [TF]; ALL MY DARLING DAUGHTERS - 1972 [TV Movie]; MY DARLING DAUGHTERS' ANNIVERSARY - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE CHADWICK FAMILY - 1974 [TV Series]; THINGS IN THEIR SEASON - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE - 1974 [TV Movie]; ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN - 1975 [TV Movie]; HENNESSEY - 1975 [TF]; A MATTER OF TIME - 1976 [TF]; THE AMAZING HOWARD HUGHES - 1977 [TV Movie]; KILL ME IF YOU CAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE COURT-MARTIAL OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER - 1977 [TV Movie]; GOLDEN RENDEZVOUS - 1977 [TF]; CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS - 1977 [TV Movie]; LES MISERABLES - 1978 [TV Movie]; TRANSPLANT - 1979 [TV Movie]; A PRIVATE BATTLE - 1980 [TF]; A TALE OF TWO CITIES - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE BUNKER - 1981 [TV Movie]; BERLIN TUNNEL 21 - 1981 [TV Movie]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1981 [TV Movie]; STAND BY YOUR MAN - 1981 [TV Movie]; THE LONG SUMMER OF GEORGE ADAMS - 1982 [TV Movie]; A PIANO FOR MRS. CIMINO - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1982 [TV Movie]; IVANHOE - 1982 [TV Movie]; WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION - 1982 [TV Movie]; FATAL VISION - 1984 [TV mini-series; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special]; SAMSON AND DELILAH - 1984 [TV Movie]; DOUBLETAKE - 1985 [TV Movie]; MANHUNT FOR CLAUDE DALLAS - 1986 [TV Movie]; SIX AGAINST THE ROCK - 1987 [TV Movie]; UNCLE TOM'S CABIN - 1987 [TV Movie]; WINDMILLS OF THE GODS - 1988 [TV mini-series]; INHERIT THE WIND - 1988 [TV Movie]; AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 1989 [TV mini-series]; FINAL NOTICE - 1989 [TV Movie]; BLIND FAITH - 1990 [TV mini-series]; SHADOW OF A DOUBT - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE BURDEN OF PROOF - 1992 [TV Movie]; TRIAL: THE PRICE OF PASSION - 1992 [TV Movie]; CRUEL DOUBT - 1992 [TV mini-series]; TRICK OF THE EYE - 1994 [TV Movie]; SUMMER OF FEAR - 1996 [TV Movie]; AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS - 1999 [MFHV; His last screen credit]. John Gay also served as a Member of the Board of the Writers Guild of America {WGA] from 1971 to 1975 and from 1977 to 1979 and was Vice President of the Guild from 1985 to 1987. He received the Writers Guild’s Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award® for Television Writing Achievement, the WGAW’s Morgan Cox Award® in 1992 for Guild service, and the WGAW’s Edmund H. North Award®, presented to a Guild member “whose courageous leadership, strength of purpose and continuing selfless activity on behalf of the Guild through the years, as well as professional achievement of the highest order, have served to establish the Writers Guild of America as a pillar of strength and security for writers throughout the world.” Mr. Gay also co-wrote a 2008 autobiography "Any Way I Can – 50 Years in Show Business". John Gay died of undisclosed causes and was 92 years-old.) - 02/04/17
PROFESSOR IRWIN COREY (Stand-Up Comedian/Actor: Corey, who was a famous stand-up comedian [his signature look was a tux with tails, a la Groucho Marx, with sneakers and his nickname was "The World's Foremost Authority"] from the 40's through the 90's, was not very well-liked by very many other comedians of his time [especially the ones he had to share a stage with], but he did manage to appear in a few TV Series and Movies. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless marked with a TV for TV Series]: CAVALCADE OF STARS - 1950 [TV]; THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW - 1957-1958 [TV]; OMNIBUS - 1958 [TV]; THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1959 [TV]; JACKIE GLEASON: AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE - 1964-1965 [TV; 3 episodes]; ROMP!!! - 1968 [TV Special]; WHERE THE GIRLS ARE - 1968 [TV Movie]; HOW TO COMMIT MARRIAGE - 1969; FOREPLAY - 1975; DOC - 1975-1976 [TV; 3 episodes]; CAR WASH - 1976 [Probably his most watched movie]; THIEVES - 1977; CHATTERBOX! - 1977 [Yes, the film with the talking vagina!]; FAIRY TALES - 1978; THE EDGE OF NIGHT - 1981 [TV]; STUCK ON YOU! - 1982; THE COMEBACK TRAIL - 1982 [Writer of Additional Material only]; CRACKERS - 1984; THE PERILS OF P.K. - 1986; THAT'S ADEQUATE - 1989; THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR - 1989 [TV]; A TRIBUTE TO THE BOYS: LAUREL & HARDY - 1992 [TV Documentary]; BASIC VALUES: SEX, SHOCK & CENSORSHIP IN THE 90'S - 1993 [Pay Cable Movie]; JACK - 1996; I'M NOT RAPPAPORT - 1996; THE BOYS BEHIND THE DESK - 2000; THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION - 2001 [his last acting role]. Corey also appeared in the documentary IRWIN & FRAN - 2013, which was filmed when he was 99 years-old and entailed his marriage to Fran Corey for over 71 years [she passed away in 2011]. He also did many of the daytime and nighttime talk/variety shows and was a favorite of Mike Douglas and Johnny Carson. He also appeared in many documentaries and appeared as a panelist on some game shows. He also acted on Stage [since the 1930's], appeared in Run-DMC's "Rock Box" Music Video and released two comedy albums, "The World's Foremost Authority" and "Prof. Irwin Corey, the World's Foremost Authority, Entertains at Le Ruban Bleu". Irwin Corey rarely had a good word to say about anyone in the business, and was known to put down such people as Ed Sullivan [whose show he appeared on!], Jerry Lewis, Jackie Mason, Milton Berle and Woody Allen. Professor Irwin Corey passed away from natural causes and was an amazing 102 years-old.) - 02/07/17
RICHARD HATCH (Actor/Director/Producer: Richard Hatch will forever be known as "Captain Apollo" on the STAR WARS TV knock-off BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978-1979, but he did a lot of television before then and plenty of TV and Films after that. His credits included: [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: ALL MY CHILDREN - 1971; ALIAS SMITH AND JONES - 1971; YOUNG DR. KILDARE - 1972; ROOM 222 - 1972; THE SIXTH SENSE - 1972; KUNG FU - 1973; CRIME CLUB - 1973 [TV Movie]; BARNABY JONES - 1973; THE NEW PERRY MASON - 1973; F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AND 'THE LAST OF THE BELLES' - 1974 [TV Movie]; NAKIA - 1974; MEDICAL CENTER - 1974; THE HATFIELDS AND THE MCCOYS - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE ROOKIES - 1973-1975; BEST FRIENDS - 1975 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973-1975 [3 episodes]; THE WALTONS - 1974-1975; CANNON - 1972-1975; MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN - 1976; ADDIE AND THE KING OF HEARTS - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1976-1977 [Series Regular {when Michael Douglas left} on the Last Season; 24 episodes]; FOREVER FERNWOOD - 1977; DEADMAN'S CURVE - 1978 [TV Movie]; WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF '65? - 1978; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978 [TF; Started out as a theatrical film, one of the final films to use Sensurround, and then was used as the TV pilot film for the TV Series]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1978-1979 [Series Regular; 21 episodes; Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama]; CHiPS - 1979; THE HUSTLER OF MUSCLE BEACH - 1980 [TV Movie]; LIVING LEGEND: THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL - 1980 [TF]; CHARLIE CHAN AND THE CURSE OF THE DRAGON QUEEN - 1981 [TF]; PRISONERS OF THE LOST UNIVERSE - 1983 [TF]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1983; MASQUERADE - 1983; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1984; FINDER OF LOST LIVES - 1984; COVER UP - 1985; T.J. HOOKER - 1985; DYNASTY - 1984-1985 [5 episodes]; MACGRUDER AND LOUD - 1985; HEATED VENGEANCE - 1985 [TF; my favorite film of his]; RIPTIDE - 1985; THE LOVE BOAT - 1982-1985 [3 episodes]; BLACKE'S MAGIC - 1986; MACGYVER - 1986; HOTEL - 1983-1987 [3 episodes]; THROB - 1987; LAST PLATOON - 1988 [TF]; PARTY LINE - 1988 [TF]; DARK BAR - 1988 [TF]; GHETTO BLASTER - 1989 [TF]; LEATHERNECKS - 1989 [TF]; THE HITCH-HIKERS - 1989 [TF]; SANTA BARBARA - 1990 [TV Soap Opera; 12 episodes]; BEYOND KILIMANJARO, ACROSS THE RIVER OF BLOOD - 1990 [TF]; DELTA FORCE COMMANDO II: PRIORITY RED ONE - 1990 [TF]; JAKE AND THE FATMAN - 1990; RENAISSANCE - 1994 [TF]; BAYWATCH - 1995; SECOND CHANCE - 1996 [MFHV]; IRON THUNDER - 1998 [TF; my second favorite movie of his]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE SECOND COMING - 1999 [Short; appeared as Captain Apollo; also Director, Executive Producer & Writer; most of the surviving cast of the original series also appeared]; THE GHOST - 2001 [TF]; UNSEEN EVIL - 2001 [TF]; BIG SHOTS - 2001 [TF]; GALACTICON - 2003 [MFHV Documentary; also Director & Executive Producer]; THE RAIN MAKER - 2005 [TF]; THE GREAT WAR OF MAGELLAN - 2005 [Short; also Director, Producer & Writer]; SKILLS FOR ACTORS: WEAPON HANDLING SKILLS - 2008 [MFHV; he hosted at least 4 of these SKILLS FOR ACTORS videos]; INALIENABLE - 2008 [TF]; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 2004-2009 [Played "Tom Zarek" on 22 episodes of the reboot series; It was the cable series that got around the word "fuck" by saying "frak" instead]; WAR OF HEAVEN - 2010 [Short]; THE HUNTED - 2010; B-SIDES - 2011; THE LITTLE MATCH MAKERS - 2011 [TF]; WHO THE FRAK - 2011 [5 episodes; also Producer of 3 episodes]; THE GUILD - 2011; D.N.E. DO NOT ERASE - 2012 {Short]; SEASON OF DARKNESS - 2012 [TF]; MINDBENDER: TALE OF A DARK XMAS - 2012 [Short]; DEAD BY FRIDAY - 2012 [TF; also Executive Producer]; THE SILICON ASSASSIN PROJECT - 2012-2013 [7 episodes; also Director of one episode, "Problem Child"]; DEAD RECKONING - 2013 [Short]; SNITCH - 2014 [Short]; PAIRINGS - 2014; PRELUDE TO AXANAR - 2014 [Short]; LOADOUT: GOING IN HOT - 2014 [Short]; ALIEN HUNGER - 2014 [TF; a.k.a. THE POD]; COWBOYS & ENGINES - 2015 [Short]; CHATTER - 2015 [TF]; STARSHIP II: RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMSES - 2016 [TF]; THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE - 2016 [TF]; DEAD BY FRIDAY - 2016 [TF; Remake of previous 2012 film]; WHITE WINGS - 2016 [Short; Director only]; BLADE OF HONOR - 2017; ASYLUM OF DARKNESS - 2017 [TF]; PERSONAL SPACE - 2017; DIMINUENDO - 2017 [TF; his last acting role]. He was also involved with at least 12 documentaries about BATTLESTAR GALACTICA [the original series], which is amazing since the series only lasted one season. He tried for years to get a new series going, even appearing as Captain Apollo and directing a short devoted to the new series and he was paid back by given a semi-regular role on the SyFy reboot series, which became extremely popular for a few seasons [at least by SyFy standings]. Richard Hatch was never embarassed by his Captain Apollo role and attended many conventions devoted to the show. Rather, he embraced it [he wrote books based on the original series] and much of the credit to the reboot's success is due to Hatch's perseverence. Richard Hatch died of Pancreatic Cancer and was 71 years-old.) - 02/07/17
BRUCE LANSBURY (TV Producer/Writer: Mr. Lansbury was a famous producer of some of the best TV series and TV Movies. His output may be low in the amount of titles he was involved in, but most of his series lasted a lot longer than most TV series. His credits as Producer include [TV Series unless otherwise noted]: THE WILD WILD WEST - 1966-1969 [69 episodes]; THE SILENT GUN - 1969 [TV Movie]; ASSAULT ON THE WAYNE - 1971 [TV Movie]; ESCAPE - 1971 [TV Movie]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969-1972 [43 episodes]; THE BRADY BUNCH - 1972-1974 [Vice President: Creative Affairs of 45 episodes only]; LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE - 1972-1974 [Vice President of 38 episodes only]; HAPPY DAYS - 1975 [Vice President: Creative Affairs for 5 episodes only];  NIGHT GAMES - 1974 [TV Movie; Vice President of Creative Affairs only]; PARAMOUNT PRESENTS - 1974 [TV Special; Vice President of Creative Affairs only]; THE UNDERGROUND MAN - 1974 [TV Movie; Vice President: Creative Affairs only]; THE MAGICIAN - 1973-1974 [Creator of 21 episodes; Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs for 19 episodes]; PETROCELLI - 1974-1975 [Senior Vice President: Creative Affairs of 19 episodes only]; THE LAST DAY - 1975 [TV Movie; Senior Vice President: Creative Affairs only];  BANJO HACKETT: ROAMIN' FREE - 1976 [TV Movie]; BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE - 1976 [TV Movie]; ROGER & HARRY: THE MITERA TARGET - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY - 1977 [4 episodes; even though the series didn't last very long, it is still loked upon with fondness]; WONDER WOMAN - 1977-1979 [38 episodes; interjected more sci-fi stories into the series, which made it better and last longer]; BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY - 1978-1980 [20 episodes; also Wrote one episode in 1980]; WORLD WAR III - 1982 [TV Movie]; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1983 [also wrote 3 episodes]; SUMMER GIRL - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE INITIATION - 1983 [Theatrical Film; Lansbury's only Theatrical Film]; STREET HAWK - 1985 [12 episodes; also Creator of 12 episodes]; KNIGHT RIDER - 1985-1986 [21 episodes; also Wrote one episode in 1985]; A STRANGER WAITS - 1987 [TV Movie; also Writer]; THE RETURN OF THE SIX-MILLION-DOLLAR MAN AND THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1987 [TV Movie; also Writer]; I'M DANGEROUS TONIGHT - 1990 [TV Movie; also Writer]; ZORRO - 1990-1991 [Writer of 6 episodes only]; SWAMP THING - 1992 [Writer of one episode only]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992-1996 [88 episodes; also Wrote 15 episodes; He was the younger brother of series actress Angela Lansbury]; MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE CELTIC RIDDLE [TV Movie; Writer only; His final credit]. Mr. Lansbury was also an uncredited young actor in the 1953 film THE STORY OF THREE LOVES. Bruce lansbury was a huge fan of science fiction and tried to interject some type of it into every series or TV movie he made, beginning with THE WILD WILD WEST. Bruce Lansbury died of complications from Alzheimer's disease and was 87 years-old.] - 02/13/17
GERALD HIRSCHFELD (Cinematographer: Mr. Hirschfeld was a famous award-winning Director of Photography, who would photograph such "A" Films as YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974 and some lesser genre films such as THE CAR - 1977 [a personal favorite of mine]. Mr. Hirschfeld's credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SHADES OF GRAY - 1949 [Short]; 'C'-MAN - 1949; GUILTY BYSTANDER - 1950; WITH THESE HANDS - 1950; MISTER UNIVERSE - 1951; TWO GALS AND A GUY - 1951; JOHNNY JUPITER - 1953 [TV Series]; MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN - 1954 [TV Movie]; FAIL-SAFE - 1964; THE INCIDENT - 1967; DAYS IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE - 1968; GOODBYE, COLUMBUS - 1969; LAST SUMMER - 1969; SOME KIND OF NUT - 1969; COTTON COMES TO HARLEM - 1970; DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE - 1970; 'DOC' - 1971; T.R. BASKIN - 1971; CHILD'S PLAY - 1972; SUMMER WISHES, WINTER DREAMS - 1973; TWO PEOPLE - 1973 [Cinematographer of New York Scenes]; THE AFFAIR - 1974 [TV Movie]; THE GRAVY TRAIN - 1974 [a.k.a. THE DION BROTHERS]; W - 1974; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - 1974; SHELL GAME - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR - 1975; MASTERMIND - 1976; DRAGONFLY - 1976; TWO-MINUTE WARNING - 1976; THE CAR - 1977; THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER - 1977; COMA - 1978 [Photographer of Jefferson Institute sequence]; KING - 1978 [TV mini-series; Additional photographer on 3 episodes]; SLOW DANCING IN THE BIG CITY - 1978 [Director of Photography in the ballet sequence in Lincoln Center]; THE BELL JAR - 1979; AMERICATHON - 1980; VOLKSWAGEN 25TH ANNIVERSARY - 1980 [Short]; WHY WOULD I LIE? - 1980; SUNDAY LOVERS - 1980; NEIGHBORS - 1981; MY FAVORITE YEAR - 1982; COUNTRY GOLD - 1982 [TV Movie]; TO BE OR NOT TO BE - 1983; MR. SMITH - 1983 [TV Series; Director of 6 episodes only]; THE HOUSE OF GOD - 1984; LOVE LIVES ON - 1985 [TV Movie]; HEAD OFFICE - 1985; MALONE - 1987; CHILD OF THE NIGHT - 1990 [TV Movie]; THE NEON EMPIRE - 1991 [TV Movie]; SECRET SINS OF THE FATHER - 1994 [TV Movie; His last Cinematographer credit]. Mr. Hirschfeld was also Director of Photography on a failed tv pilot during the 1950's called THE GILLMEN. No one is sure what year in the 50's it was filmed because it is considered lost. He also wrote the Cinematographer's handbook "Image Control--Motion Picture and Video Camera Filters and Lab Techniques". In 2007, he won the President's Award® from American Society of Cinematographers. Gerald Hirschfeld died of natural causes and was 95 years-old.) - 02/13/17
SEIJUN SUZUKI (Director: Well-liked Japanese Director who made films since the mid - 1950's. Many were in the thriller or crime categories, many dealing with the Yakuza; His credits as a Director included: HARBOUR TOAST: VICTORY IS IN OUR GRASP - 1956; PURE EMOTIONS OF THE SEA - 1956; SATAN'S TOWN - 1956; INN OF THE FLOATING WEEDS - 1957; EIGHT HOURS OF FEAR - 1957; THE NAKED WOMAN AND THE GUN - 1957; UNDERWORLD BEAUTY - 1958; THE BOY WHO CAME BACK - 1958; YOUNG BREASTS - 1958; VOICE WITHOUT A SHADOW - 1958; LOVE LETTER - 1959 [Short]; PASSPORT TO DARKNESS - 1959; AGE OF NUDITY - 1959; TAKE AIM AT THE POLICE VAN - 1960; THE SLEEPING BEAST WITHIN - 1960; SMASHING THE O-LINE - 1960; EVERYTHING GOES WRONG - 1960; FIGHTING DELINQUENTS - 1960; TOKYO NIGHT - 1961; A HELL OF A GUY - 1961; THE MAN WITH THE HOLLOW-TIP BULLETS - 1961; THE WIND-OF-YOUTH GROUP CROSSES THE MOUNTAIN PASS - 1961; BLOOD-RED WATER ON THE CHANNEL - 1961; MILLION DOLLAR SMASH-AND-GRAB - 1961; HIGH-TEEN YAKUZA - 1962; THE GUYS WHO PUT MONEY ON ME - 1962; DETECTIVE BUREAU 2-3: GO TO HELL BASTARDS - 1963; YOUTH OF THE BEAST - 1963; THE BASTARD - 1963; KANTO WANDERER - 1963; THE FLOWERS AND THE ANGRY WAVES - 1964; GATE OF FLESH - 1964; THE CALL OF BLOOD - 1964; STORY OF A PROSTITUTE - 1965; STORY OF BASTARDS: BORN UNDER A BAD STAR - 1965; TATTOOED LIFE - 1965; CARMEN FROM KAWACHI - 1966; TOKYO DRIFTER - 1966 [One of his most acclaimed films, and rightfully so]; FIGHTING ELEGY - 1966; BRANDED TO KILL - 1967 [For the next 10 years, he worked mainly in television because of a conflict with Hori Kyusaku, who was the president of Nikkatsu Studios; many of those TV Series were never shown in the U.S. or subtitled or dubbed into English]; GOOD EVENING DEAR HUSBAND: A DUEL - 1968 [TV Movie]; THERE'S A BIRD INSIDE A MAN - 1969; A TALE OF SORROW AND SADNESS - 1977; THE FANG IN THE HOLE - 1979; ZIGEUNERWEISEN - 1980 [Surreal Horror Thriller that won awards in many countries]; HEAT-HAZE THEATRE - 1981; KAZOKU NO SENTAKU - 1983 [TV Movie]; CAPONE CRIES A LOT - 1985; LUPIN III: THE GOLD OF BABYLON - 1985; YUMENJI - 1991; KEKKON - 1993; PISTOL OPERA - 2001; PRINCESS RACCOON - 2005 [also Executive Producer; His final film as a Director]. He also acted in bit parts in about 20 films until 2011, but none of the films he directed. Seijun Suzuki passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was 93 years-old.) - 02/13/17
GEORGE "THE ANIMAL" STEELE (Wrestler/Actor: George "The Animal" Steele [Real name: William James Myers] was one of those wrestlers that you never forgot after the first time you saw him. Most younger people will recognize him as playing Swedish wrestler and actor Tor Johnson in Tim Burton's ED WOOD - 1994, but during the 60's, 70's & 80's he was a force to be reckoned with. A giant bald man of very few words [he hardly spoke because of a football accident when he was a child where he nearly bit off his tongue; he talked with a natural lisp, so he would only say a word or two when in the ring] with more hair on his back then ten normal people have on their entire bodies. His trademarks of ripping apart turnbuckles [sometimes with his teeth; this trademark came around in the late 60's when a match with Chief Jay Strongbow wasn't going too well, so Steele improvised] and rubbing the stuffing across his opponent's face and his green tongue [the result of eating green Clorettes candy before his matches] were really scary for a young child and really entertaining for a young adult [and let's not forget his doll he called "Mine" that he would bring into the ring during the end of his career]. He was a wrestler for the Worldwide Wrestling Federation [now the WWE] for over two decades and his fights were always memorable. He was a bad man in the ring for a very long time, but when he was almost ready to leave wrestling for good, he turned into a good guy and the fans loved him. He was forced to quit wrestling in 1989 due to suffering from Crohn's Disease, but he stayed in wrestling as a Road Agent and sometimes wrestled, but not often. He is in this obituary section not because of his wrestling career [and the many WWE TV shows, VHS tapes and DVDs which featured his matches], but because when he left wrestling, he turned into a part-time actor and appeared in the following [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: RUTHLESS PEOPLE - 1988; MR. NANNY - 1993; ED WOOD - 1994 [He studied with a voice coach for three weeks to get Tor Johnson's Swedish accent]; SQUEEGEE - 1996 [Short]; USED CARS - 1997 [Short]; BLOWFISH - 1997; SMALL TOWN CONSPIRACY - 2003; PSYCHOPATHIC: THE VIDEOS - 2007 [MFHV]; SOUTH OF HEAVEN - 2008; BOSTON GIRLS - 2010; CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE - 2010 [Documentary]; KAYE.FABE - 2011 [Short; His last acting role]. Steele was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005, was good friends with Jack Nicholson and was a published author [proving that he wasn't the "Animal" he played in the ring]. He was married to the same woman, Patricia Randolph, from 1955 until the time of his death and is also survived by three children. Thanks for all the memories, George. Everyone knows wrestling is fake, but you were one of the first to make it feel real. George "The Animal" Steele passed away from kidney failure and was 79 years-old. Other Wrestlers to die so far in 2017 include: Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka [01/15/17]; Chavo Guerrero Sr. [02/11/17]; Nicole Bass [02/16/17]; and Ivan "The Russian Bear" Koloff [02/18/17].) - 02/17/17
WARREN FROST (Actor: Best known as "Dr. Will Hayward" [the coroner who refused to perform Laura Palmer’s autopsy] on TV's TWIN PEAKS from 1990 to 1991, Mr. Frost was a recognizable face on many TV Series, but did very little Theatrical Films. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE GRAY GHOST - 1957; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1957; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1957; NAVY LOG - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1958; SUSPICION - 1958; WAR OF THE COLODSSAL BEAST - 1958 [TF]; THE GALE STORM SHOW: OH! SUSANNA - 1958; MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958-1959; THE MATING GAME - 1959 [TF]; IT STARTED WITH A KISS - 1959 [TF]; PERRY MASON - 1960; SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE - 1972 [TF]; SATAN'S TOUCH - 1984 [TF]; TATTINGERS - 1988; QUANTUM LEAP - 1989; BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - 1989; SO PROUDLY WE HAIL - 1990 [TV Movie]; PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING - 1990 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1990; AN INCONVENIENT WOMAN  - 1991 [TV mini-series]; TWIN PEAKS - 1990-1991 [30 episodes]; FALSE ARREST - 1991 [TV Movie]; GET A LIFE - 1991; CIVIL WARS - 1991; TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME - 1992 [TF; Scenes Deleted]; INTRUDERS - 1992; FUGITIVE NIGHTS: DANGER IN THE DESERT - 1993 [TV Movie]; SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT - 1993 [TF]; THE BYRDS OF PARADISE - 1994 [5 episodes]; THE STAND - 1994 [TV mini-series]; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1994; GRACE UNDER FIRE - 1995; MATLOCK - 1991-1995 [Series semi-regular; 18 episodes]; MURDER ONE - 1995; THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW - 1996; SEINFELD - 1992-1998 [ Played "Mr. Ross" in 5 episodes as the father of George Costanza's fiancee Susan Ross, whose character had an affair with the author John Cheever; his house was burned down by Kramer's Cuban cigar; and his daughter was poisoned to death with bad glue on her wedding invitation envelopes]; TWIN PEAKS: THE MISSING PIECES - 2014 [TF; Re-edited version of TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME that restores Frost's part that was cut out of the original]; TWIN PEAKS - 2017 [Pay TV Series {billed by David Lynch as Season 3} that was in Post-Production at the time of Frost's death. His final acting credit]. He is the father of Mark Frost, who co-created TWIN PEAKS and many other TV Series [HILL STREET BLUES; THE EQUALIZER; ON THE AIR, etc.]. Warren Frost is also published playwright with four plays to his credit and has writen a novel. He was married to the same woman, Mary Virginia Calhoun, from 1949 till the time of his death. Warren Frost passed away after a long illness and was 91 years-old.] - 02/17/17
PATTY DWORKIN (Actress: Patty Dworkin originally performed on stage in Ohio with the Kenley Players before moving onto Broadway, where she worked on “See Saw,” “Shenandoah” and “Sly Fox.” After working with Jackie Gleason on "Sly Fox", he convinced her changed her name to "Patty Freedman" and she became an actress on both TV Series and Theatrical films [She was put under contract by ABC]. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; HAPPY DAYS - 1979; DELTA HOUSE - 1979; SHIRLEY - 1980; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1981; HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. - 1981; EIGHT IS ENOUGH - 1981; HEAVY METAL - 1981 [TF; Voice only]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979-1982; AIRPLANE II: THE SEQUEL - 1982 [TF]; MR. MOM - 1983 [TF]; SUNSET LIMOUSINE - 1983 [TV Movie]; EMERALD POINT N.A.S. - 1983; THE SEDUCTION OF GINA - 1984 [TV Movie]; THREE'S COMPANY - 1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1984; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984 [TF]; DYNASTY - 1984; NIGHT COURT - 1986; MOONLIGHTING - 1986; MARVIN: BABY OF THE YEAR - 1989 [TV Short; Voice only]; LAW & ORDER - 1996 [Her final film credit]. After she quit acting, Ms. Dworkin became a very successful publicist. Patty Dworkin died of breast cancer and was 64 years-old.) - 02/17/17
RICHARD SCHICKEL (Film Critic/Author/Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Mr. Shickel was the consummate film critic and author, first writing film reviews for Life Magazine and then switching in 1972 to Time Magazine [where he remained until his death]. He has written many books [37 of them] on films and film personalities and then became a filmmaker himself of Documentaries starting in the early 70's. His credits as a Documentary Director included: THE MOVIE CRAZY YEARS - 1971 [Writer Only]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: WILLIAM A. WELLMAN - 1973 [TV Documentary]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: VINCENT MINNELLI - 1973 [TV Documentary; also Writer]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: RAOUL WALSH - 1973 [TV Documentary; also Writer]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: KING VIDOR - 1973 [TV Documentary; also Writer]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: HOWARD HAWKS - 1973 [also Writer & Producer]; ; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: GEORGE CUKOR - 1973 [TV Documentary; also Writer]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: FRANK CAPRA - 1973 [TV Documentary]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: ALFRED HITCHCOCK - 1973 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; LIFE GOES TO THE MOVIES - 1976; [TV Documentary; Writer & Producer only; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement]; THE CORAL JUNGLE - 1976 [TV Series; Writer only]; MAKING STAR WARS - 1977 [TV Documentary; Writer only]; THE WORLD OF WILLA CATHER - 1977 [also Writer & Producer]; FUNNY BUSINESS - 1978 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; THE HORROR SHOW - 1979 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; SPFX: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980 [TV Documentary; Writer & Producer only]; JAMES CAGNEY: THAT YANKEE DOODLE DANDY - 1981; FROM 'STAR WARS' TO 'JEDI': THE MAKING OF A SAGA - 1983 [TV Documentary; Writer & Producer only]; HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 007; 25 YEARS OF JAMES BOND - 1987 [Writer only]; MINNELLI ON MINNELLI: LIZA REMEMBERS VINCENTE - 1987 [TV Documentary; Also Writer & Producer. Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Informational Programming - Directing]; GARY COOPER: AMERICAN LIFE, AMERICAN LEGEND - 1989 [also Writer & Producer]; BARBARA STANWYCK: FIRE AND DESIRE - 1991 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; MYRNA LOY: SO NICE TO COME HOME TO - 1991 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; CLINT EASTWOOD ON WESTERNS - 1992 [TV Documentary; Producer only]; ELIA KAZAN: A DIRECTOR'S JOURNEY - 1995 [also Writer]; ARTHUR PENN - 1995 [also Writer]; EASTWOOD ON EASTWOOD - 1997 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; THE HARRYHAUSEN CHRONICLES - 1998 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 MOVIES: THE WILDER SHORES OF LOVE - 1998 [TV Documentary; Co-Executive Producer only]; AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 MOVIES: AGAINST THE GRAIN - 1998 [TV Documentary; Co-Executive Producer only]; AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 MOVIES: IN SEARCH OF - 1998 [TV Documentary; Co-Executive Producer only]; AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 STARS: AMERICA'S GREATEST LEGENDS - 1999 [TV Documentary; Writer only]; AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 LAUGHS: AMERICA'S FUNNIEST MOVIES - 2000 [TV Documentary; Writer only SHOOTING WAR - 2000 [TV Documentary; also Writer]; WOODY ALLEN: A LIFE IN FILM - 2002 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: SAMUEL FULLER - 2003 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; CHARLIE: THE LIFE AND ART OF CHARLES CHAPLIN - 2003 [also Writer & Producer]; THE BIG RED ONE - 2004 [Restorer of the 1980 film; Special Citations from Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards® and the Seattle Film Critics Awards®]; SCORSESE ON SCORSESE - 2004 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; WATCH THE SKIES!: SCIENCE FICTION, THE 1950S AND US - 2005 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer; essential viewing for fans of science fiction films of the 50's; Nominated by The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards® for Best TV Presentation]; SPIELBERG ON SPIELBERG - 2007 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS: THE WARNER BROS. STORY - 2008 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; RON HOWARD: 50 YEARS IN FILM - 2008 [TV Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; THE EASTWOOD FACTOR - 2010 [Video Documentary; also Writer & Producer]; EASTWOOD DIRECTS: MTHE UNTOLD STORY - 2013 [also Writer & Producer; his last film credit]. Since Schickel was a virtual walking encyclopedia on film and actors, he also appeared in dozens of other documentaries as himself. Schickel was not the most liked film critic because he was brutally honest [at least to himself] about film personalities that we deem classic stars of the silver screen, but we lost a valuable resource of many untold stories about Hollywood and the secrets it holds. Richard Schickel died from a series of strokes and was 84 years-old.) - 02/18/17
PASQUALE SQUITIERI (Director/Writer: Mr. Squitieri [also known under the pseudonym "William Redford"] was mainly a director of Italian films that dealt with police corruption, crime organizations and Italy's crooked justice system. His credits as Director included [All are Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: IO E DIO - 1969 [also Writer]; DJANGO DEFIES SARTANA - 1970 [Spaghetti Western; also Writer & Uncredited Actor]; DEATH'S DEALER - 1971 [another Spaghetti Western; also Writer]; GANG WAR IN NAPLES - 1972 [also Writer]; VIAGGIA, RAGAZZA, VIAGGIA, HI LA MUSICA NELLE VENE - 1973; BLOOD BROTHERS - 1974 [also Writer]; THE CLIMBER - 1975 [also Writer]; I AM THE LAW - 1977 [also Writer]; SNIPER - 1978 [also Writer]; CORLEONE - 1978 [also Writer]; SAVAGE BREED - 1980 [also Writer]; CLARETTA - 1984 [also Writer]; THE REPENTER - 1985 [also Writer]; HIT MAN - 1986 [TV mini-series]; THE THIRD SOLUTION - 1988 [also Writer]; VAMPIRE IN VENICE - 1988 [Uncredited Writer only]; GLI INVISIBILI - 1988 [also Writer; Won New Cinema Award® at the Venice Film Festival]; IL COLORE DELL'ODIO - 1989 [also Writer]; ACT OF SORROW - 1990 [also Writer]; CORSICA - 1991 [also Writer]; THE RED COLIBRI - 1995 [Writer only]; STUPOR MUNDI - 1997 [also Editor]; BRIGANDS - 1999 [also Editor]; COUNSELOR DE GREGORIO - 2003 [also Writer]; HOTEL MEINA - 2007 [Writer only]; IL GIORNO DELLA SHOAH - 2010 [TV Movie; also Writer]; FATHER - 2011 [also Writer]; ALTER EGO - 2014 [His last screen credit]. He was a longtime companion of Claudia Cardinale [They did many films together] and have a daughter named Claudia. Pasquale Squitieri died of undisclosed causes and was 78 years-old.) - 02/18/17
NEIL FINGELTON (Actor: Mr. Fingleton was the U.K.'s tallest person at 7' 7 1/2" tall and comes from a family of tall people. His siblings are all very tall people. Neil Fingleton won a basketball scholarship to the United States first playing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. This gave him the ability to be an actor in some of the world's most popular superhero and TV Series: His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SUPERHUMAN: GIANTS - 2007 [TV Documentary]; HOLE IN THE WALL - 2008 [TV Series]; X MEN: FIRST CLASS - 2011; 47 RONIN - 2013; POINTLESS CELEBRITIES - 2013 [TV Series]; GAME OF THRONES - 2014 [Pay Cable Series; played "Mag the Mighty']; JUPITER ASCENDING - 2015; AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON - 2015 [Motion Capture performer of Ultron & Stunts only]; DOCTOR WHO - 2015 [TV Series; his final acting appearance]. Neil Fingleton passed away of heart failure and was just 36 years-old.) - 02/25/17
SCOTT LEW (Director/Producer/Writer: Mr. Lew was a jack-of-all-trades in the filmmaking business until the affects of ALS [Lew Gehrig's Disease] took him at an early age. His credits included: ABERRATION - 1997 [Writer & Co-Producer]; WELCOME SINNERS! THE VELVET HAMMER STORY - 2001 [Documentary Short; Director/Producer & Additional Photography); LET'S GO TO PRISON - 2006 [Associate Producer]; BICKMER SHMECKLER'S COOL IDEAS - 2006 [Director & Writer]; THE DEAD ZONE - 2007 [TV Series; Writer of the episode "Switch"]; LIVING WITH LEW - 2007 [Documentary; Appeared as himself]; RENO 911! - 2008 [TV Series; Actor]; JUJITSUING REALITY - 2011 [Documentary Short; Appeared as himself]; SEXY EVIL GENIUS - 2013 [DTV; Writer; His final credit]. Scott Lew passed away from ALS and was just 48 years-old.) - 02/25/17
BILL PAXTON (Actor/Director/Producer/Musician: So far, this is the shock of 2017 for me. Who didn't love Bill Paxton, who started working in various capacities for Roger Corman, became a star recognized by all ["Game over, man!"] thanks to James Cameron and even directed and appeared in weird music videos with friend Billy Mumy of Barnes & Barnes and co-wrote good songs as the singer of the alt-rock group Martini Ranch [with partner Andrew Todd]. Bill Paxton was a true jack-of-all trades and he did everything, no matter how small it was, like a true expert. His credits as an actor included [Theatrical films unless otherwise noted]: BIG BAD MAMA - 1974 [Set Dresser only]; CRAZY MAMA - 1975; BEACH BLANKET BANGO - 1975 [Art Director only]; EAT MY DUST - 1976 [Set Decorator only]; CARRIE - 1976 [Location Manager only]; DEATH GAME - 1977 [Assistant Set Dresser only]; THE EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, AN UNFOLDING FANTASY - 1977 [Short; also Co-Producer]; FISH HEADS - 1980 [Music Video Short; also Director, Producer, Editor & Co-Writer with Bill Mumy as  friend of Barnes & Barnes; Paxton got SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to show it as a short]; THE SIX O'CLOCK FOLLIES - 1980 [TV Series]; STRIPES - 1981; GALAXY OF TERROR - 1981 [Uncredited Set Decorator only]; BARNES & BARNES: LOVE TAP - 1981 [Music Video Short; also Co-Writer]; MCCLAIN'S LAW - 1982 [TV Series]; PAT BENATAR: SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT - 1982 [Music Video Short; Paxton learned German for his part in this video]; NIGHT WARNING - 1982 [One of my favorite horror films]; GREAT DAY - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE - 1983; DEADLY LESSONS - 1983 [TV Movie]; MORTUARY - 1983 [The first film to make me stand up and notice Paxton]; TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN - 1982 [also Production Designer]; STREETS OF FIRE - 1984; IMPULSE - 1984; THE TERMINATOR - 1984; THE ATLANTA CHILD MURDERS - 1985 [TV mini-series]; WEIRD SCIENCE - 1985; COMMANDO - 1985; AN EARLY FROST - 1985 [TV Movie]; ALIENS - 1986 [The film that made him a star; Won the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Saturn Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; FRESNO - 1986 [TV mini-series]; MIAMI VICE - 1986 [TV Series]; FLICKS - 1987 [Assistant Set Dresser only]; DEADLY NIGHTMARES - 1987 [TV Series]; NEAR DARK - 1987 [another great performance]; MARTINI RANCH: REACH - 1988 [Music Video Short; Also Producer; Directed by James Cameron and features Kathryn Bigelow, Lance Henriksen and Jenette Goldstein]; PASS THE AMMO - 1988; RIDING FAST - 1988; THE ROOMMATE - 1989 [Short]; SLIPSTREAM - 1989; BACK TO BACK - 1989; NEXT OF KIN - 1989; BRAIN DEAD - 1990 [Underrated horror film]; THE LAST OF THE FINEST - 1990; NAVY SEALS - 1990; PREDATOR 2 - 1990; THE DARK BACKWORDS - 1991; ONE FALSE MOVE - 1992 [One of his finest acting roles]; THE VAGRANT - 1992; TRESPASS - 1992; BOXING HELENA - 1993; INDIAN SUMMER - 1993; MONOLITH - 1993; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - ["People Who Live In Brass Hearses" - 1993]; TOMBSTONE - 1993; FUTURE SHOCK - 1994; TRUE LIES - 1994 [Wonderfully comic role]; APOLLO 13 - 1995 [A Screen Actor Guild Awards® winner for Outstanding Performance by a Cast]; THE LAST SUPPER - 1995; FRANK & JESSE - 1995; TWISTER - 1996; THE EVENING STAR - 1996; TRAVELLER - 1997 [also Producer]; TITANIC - 1997; A BRIGHT SHINING LIE - 1998 [Pay TV Movie; Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television]; TRAP - 1998 [Unit Manager only]; A SIMPLE PLAN - 1998 [another superb performance]; MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1998; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1999 [TV Series; Host]; U-571 - 2000; VERTICAL LIMIT - 2000; FRAILTY - 2001 [Also Director; a wonderfully twisted thriller; In 2003 he was awarded The Filmmaker's Showcase Award® from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for his "keen sense of style and a powerful grasp of storytelling"]; SPY KIDS 2: ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS - 2002; LIMP BIZKIT: EAT YOU ALIVE - 2003 [Music Video Short]; FRASIER - 2003 [TV Series]; RESISTENCE - 2003; SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER - 2003; CLUB DREAD - 2004 [also Singer; Funny take-off on slasher films & Jimmy Buffett]; THUNDERBIRDS - 2004; HAVEN - 2004; THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED - 2005 [Director only]; THE GOOD LIFE - 2007 [also Producer & Singer]; BIG LOVE - 2006-2011 [Pay Cable Series; 55 episodes. Nominated in 2007, 2008 & 2010 for a Golden Globe® for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama]; HAYWIRE - 2011; TATTOO - 2011 [Short; Director & Story only]; SHANGHAI CALLING - 2012; SKY SOLDIER - 2012 [TV Movie; Narrator]; HATFIELDS & MCCOYS - 2012 [TV mini-series; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]; THE COLONY - 2013; 2 GUNS - 2013; RED WINGS - 2013; PARKLAND - 2013 [Producer only]; JFK: THE FINAL HOURS - 2013 [Documentary; Narrator]; MILLION DOLLAR ARM - 2014; AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - 2014 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; EDGE OF TOMORROW - 2014; NIGHTCRAWLER - 2014; PIXIES - 2015 [Voice only]; TEXAS RISING - 2015 [TV mini-series]; THE GAMECHANGERS - 2015 [TV Movie]; TERM LIFE - 2016; MEAN DREAMS - 2016; TRAINING DAY - 2017 [TV Series; Paxton was one of the stars of this series and he has six episodes filmed and in the can. No comment by CBS of the future of the series]; THE CIRCLE - 2017 [In Post-Production; His final acting role]. Mr. Paxton always did the round of daytime and nighttime talk shows whenever he had a new movie coming out and people that worked with him said he was a huge practical jokester. Bill Paxton died from complications of heart surgery [the coroner's report said Paxton had a heart attack while he was being operated on] and was just 61 years-old.) - 02/26/17
MIRIAM COLON (Actress: A prolific Puerto Rican actress, Miriam Colon will be best remembered by readers of this site as the mother of Al Pacino in SCARFACE - 1983 [Even though she was only four years older than Pacino in real life]. She was just as comfortable in films and on TV Series and has been acting since the late 1940's. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: LOS PELOTEROS - 1951 [TF]; DANGER - 1955; STAR TONIGHT - 1955; CROWDED PARADISE - 1956 [TF; also Technical Advisor]; THE BIG STORY - 1957; DECOY - 1958; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1956-1958; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1959; LUX PLAYHOUSE - 1959; STAYE TROOPER - 1959; MARKHAM - 1959; MIKE HAMMER - 1959; PETER GUNN - 1959; TALES OF WELLS FARGO - 1959; JOHNNY STACCATO - 1959; CAPTAIN DAVID GRIEF - 1959; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1959; ONE STEP BEYOND - ["The Hand" - 1959]; JOHNNY MIDNIGHT - 1960; BRONCO - 1960; THE DEPUTY - 1960; OVERLAND TRAIL - 1960; ASSIGNMENT: UNDERWATER - 1960; THE LAW AND MRS. JONES - 1960;  SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK - 1958-1961; ONE-EYED JACKS - 1961 [TF]; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1961; BATTLE AT BLOODY BEACH - 1961 [TF]; THE OUTSIDER - 1961 [TF]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; THE TALL MAN - 1962; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962; THE NEW BREED - 1962; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE WEEK - 1962; DR. KILDARE - 1962; THE DEFENDERS - 1962; HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL - 1963; LARAMIE - 1963; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1963; HARBOR LIGHTS - 1963 [TF]; BEN CASEY - 1963; THUNDER ISLAND - 1963 [TF]; THE GREAT ADVENTURE - 1963; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1963; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1964; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1964; THE LEGEND OF JESSE JAMES - 1966; THE APPALOOSA - 1966 [TF]; N.Y.P.D. - 1967; THE FUGITIVE - 1967; THE VIRGINIAN - 1967; CHRISTMAS IN THE MARKETPLACE - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE HIGH CHAPARRAL - 1968; BONANZA - 1969; THE DESPERATE MISSION - 1969 [TV Movie]; THEY CALL IT MURDER - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY - 1972 [TF; Fantastic horror movie]; GUNSMOKE - 1962-1974 [8 episodes]; DR. MAX - 1974 [TV Movie]; SANFORD AND SON - 1974; THE HEMINGWAY PLAY - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE MEANEST MEN IN THE WEST - 1978 [TV Movie; Her parts were edited in from her appearance on THE VIRGINIAN]; A LIFE OF SIN - 1979 [TF]; THE EDGE OF NIGHT - 1980 [7 episodes]; BACKROADS - 1981 [TF]; STARSTRUCK - 1981 [TV Movie]; SCARFACE - 1983 [TF]; BEST KEPT SECRETS - 1984 [TV Movie]; LADY BLUE - 1985; KAY O'BRIEN - 1986; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1987; DEADLINE: MADRID - 1988 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1991; LAW & ORDER - 1991; LIGHTNING FIELD - 1991 [TV Movie]; CITY OF HOPE - 1991 [TF]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992; THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS - 1993 [TF]; THE COSBY MYSTERIES - 1994; NYPD BLUE - 1994; SABRINA - 1995 [TF]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1995; OEDIPUS MAYOR - 1996 [TF]; LONE STAR - 1996 [TF]; MISTRIAL - 1996 [TV Movie]; COSBY - 1996; ONE LIFE TO LIVE - 1996-1997 [unknown amount of episodes]; GLORIA - 1999 [TF]; STREET OF LAREDO - 1999 [TV mini-series]; FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY: THE ARTURO SANDOVAL STORY - 2000 [TV Movie]; ALL THE PRETTY HORSES - 2000 [TF]; THIRD WATCH - 2001; THE BLUE DINER - 2001 [TF]; GUIDING LIGHT - 2001-2002 [portrayed a handicapped person who had to use a wheelchair; Nominated in 2001 & 2002 for an ALMA Award® for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama]; ALMOST A WOMAN - 2002 [TV Movie]; VISIONES: LATINO ART AND CULTURE - 2004 [TV Documentary mini-series]; JONNY ZERO - 2005; GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS - 2005 [TF]; GOAL II: LIVING THE DREAM - 2007 [TF]; THE CRY - 2007 [TF]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2009; GOAL! III - 2009 [MFHV]; GUN HILL ROAD - 2011 [TF]; THE BAY - 2011; HAWTHORNE - 2011; HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA - 2010-2011 [6 episodes]; FOREVERLAND - 2011 [TF]; BLESS ME, ULTIMA - 2013 [TF; Won an Imagen Award® for Best Actress/Supporting Actress - Feature Film]; TOP FIVE - 2014 [TF]; BETTER CALL SAUL - 2015; THE GIRL IS IN TROUBLE - 2015 [TF]; THE SOUTHSIDE - 2015 [TF; Her final acting role]. Ms. Colon was also an accomplished Stage actress and was awarded the 1994 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Performance for "Floating Islands" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. She appeared in two films with Jack Nicholson and appeared in two of the U.S.'s longest running nighttime TV series. Guess which one they were. Miriam Colon passed away from a pulmonary infection and was 80 years-old.) - 03/03/17
ROBERT OSBORNE (Actor/Film Historian: My first recollection of award-winning Mr. Osborne was as a film historian on Turner Classic Movies [TCM] since its inception in 1994 [Before the launch of TCM, Osborne hosted films on the Movie Channel from 1986-1993.], who would introduce movies with a touch of humor and trivia you never knew about the film being shown [He was the official historian of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]. Then, he would interview classic stars from the Golden Age of film, and he would ask them scholary questions, not the same old clap-trap that other reviewers would ask. He would also act as master of ceremonies on yearly cruises, where people like you and I could watch these classic films on the big screen and rub elbows with the stars of those films, many of them no longer with us. In other words, he was a walking film encyclopedia [who authored many books on cinema and important actors of the time], who would introduce films no matter what their pedigree. He would introduce 50's giant monster films just the same way he would THE MALTESE FALCON or CITIZEN KANE, with a whole lot of behind-the-scenes information and a touch of humor. I have missed Osborne for the past few months on TCM and wondered where he was. The guy who would eventually share duties with him [Ben Mankiewicz]  was now alone and now I know why. He was not feeling himself. So imagine my surprise when I was doing research on Robert Osborne that I found out he began his career as a bit actor, appearing in very small role in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO - 1960 and end up writing some classic documentaries. TCM was a channel meant for Robert Osborne and Robert Osborne was the man meant for TCM. Without either of them, the channel loses some of its power, but fans of 30's, 40's & 50's classic [and not-so-classic] still have one outlet to see these films uncut and commercial-free. And I am one of them. I will miss Mr. Osborne's face introducing Herschell Gordon Lewis' BLOOD FEAST as I will him recollecting NORTH BY NORTHWEST. To Robert Osborne, film was an important part of world history and I couldn't agree more. People loved him and now he is gone. I just hope TCM shows his pre-recorded prologues and epilogues for the films they are about to show. Learning some little-known information is partly what makes these films so interesting. Osborne was a storyteller. I am going to miss that. His credits as an actor included [Theatrical film unless otherwise noted]: DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1954 [TV Series]; THE CALIFORNIANS - 1958 [TV Series]; CHAIN OF COMMAND - 1959 [TV Movie]; WHIRLYBIRDS - 1959 [TV Series]; ONE STEP BEYOND - ["Brainwaves" - 1959]; PSYCHO - 1960; SPARTACUS - 1960; TWENTY PLUS TWO - 1961; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1962 [TV Series]; THE MAN WITH BOGART'S FACE - 1980; HARVEY BIRDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW - 2001 [TV Series; Voice only]; COMING ATTRACTIONS: THE HISTORY OF THE MOVIE TRAILER - 2009 [Documentary; Narrator]; UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT - 2015 [TV Series; His final acting role]. He also Wrote the following Documentaries: LANA TURNER TODAY - 1982 [Also Producer & Interviewer]; BECOMING ATTRACTIONS: THE TRAILERS OF LANA TURNER - 1996 [TCM Documemtary; also Host]; BECOMING ATTRACTIONS: THE TRAILERS OF JUDY GARLAND - 1996 [TCM Documentary; also Host]; BECOMING ATTRACTIONS: THE TRAILERS OF HUMPHREY BOGART - 2000 [TCM Documentary; also Host]. Other Documentaries Robert Osborne appeared in [but didn't Host; some are extras on DVDs] were: WELCOME TO SHERWOOD! THE STORY OF 'THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD' - 2003; HOLD YOUR BREATH AND CROSS YOUR FINGERS: THE STORY OF 'DARK PASSAGE' - 2003; LET FREEDOM SING! THE STORY OF 'YANKEE DOODLE DANDY' - 2003; DISCOVERING TREASURE: THE STORY OF THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE - 2003; DIVIDED HIGHWAY: THE STORY OF 'THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT' - 2003; CURTAINS FOR ROY EARLE: THE STORY OF 'HIGH SIERRA' - 2003; A LOVE STORY: THE STORY OF 'TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT' - 2003; REMARKS ON MARX: A NIGHT AT THE OPERA - 2004; TARZAN: SILVER SCREEN KING OF THE JUNGLE - 2004; PERSONAL HISTORY: FOREIGN HITCHCOCK - 2004; HITCHCOCK AND DIAL M - 2004; BEFORE THE FACT: SUSPICIOUS HITCHCOCK - 2004; 3D: A BRIEF HISTORY - 2004; THE SEA HAWK: FLYNN IN ACTION - 2005; DODGE CITY: GO WEST, ERROL FLYNN - 2005; DIVE BOMBER: KEEP 'EM IN THE AIR - 2005; CAPTAIN BLOOD: A SWASHBUCKLER IS BORN - 2005; 'THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON': TO HELL OR GLORY - 2005; BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT: THE MAKING OF '12 ANGRY MEN' - 2008; A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: THE SUSPENSEFUL WORLD OF THRILLERS - 2009; A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: THE GIGANTIC WORLDS OF EPICS - 2009; TCM: TWENTY CLASSIC MOMENTS - 2014. MR. OSBORNE also hosted the TCM Documentary Series PRIVATE SCREENINGS from 1996 to 2014, where he interviewed the stars that were hardly interviewed on normal nighttime talk shows. Some of his interviewees were Robert Mitchum, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Leslie Caron, Mickey Rooney, Rod Steiger; James Garner; Anthony Quinn, Ernest Borgnine and many more [most no longer alive] for 28 episodes. All episodes of the series is like a mini-history of film and I particularly enjoyed his episode on Child Stars. He also hosted THE ESSENTIALS from 2006 until his death on TCM, where Osborne and a famous star would watch the star's favorite films. There were definitely some classics in that bunch of films [Alec Baldwin, a very good friend of Osborne's and frequent celebrity guest, will take over hosting duties on THE ESSENTIALS, starting May 6, 2017. Don't worry, Baldwin is also a walking film encyclopedia.]. But my favorite Robert Osborne moment came in 2002, when he hosted a pasted-together representation of the 1927 lost film LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT. It was one of the most fascinating looks at a film which no one seems to have a full print of anymore [never say never], but Osborne made you feel that you have seen the movie in your mind. Mr. Osborne received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1601 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 1, 2006. In conclusion, the world will be a less-informed planet without Robert Osborne in it. Robert Osborne died of undisclosed causes and was 84 years-old.) - 03/06/17
LAWRENCE MONTAIGNE (Actor: Mr. Montaigne was one of those actors that should have made it big, but it just wasn't in the cards. He is more recognizable to STAR TREK fans, because of his roles of Romulans and Vulcans in the original series and was a frequent guest star on TV Series from the 60's to the 80's, but he never gained the popularity he should have. He started his career as a bit actor in theatrical films before making TV his medium of choice. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE BAND WAGON - 1953 [TF]; PILLAR OF FIRE - 1959 [TF; Israeli Film]; RAPINA AL QUARTIERE OVEST - 1960 [TF; Italian Film]; MOBBY JACKSON - 1960 [TF]; THE MONGOLS - 1961 [TF]; SEDUCTION OF THE SOUTH - 1961 [TF]; DAMON AND PYTHIAS - 1962 [TF]; CAPTAIN SINBAD - 1963 [TF; One of his best film roles]; THE GREAT ESCAPE - 1963 [TF]; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1964; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["Cold Hands, Warm Hearts" - 1964]; COMBAT! - 1964; THE ROGUES - 1963-1964 [3 episodes]; THE SATAN BUG - 1965 [TF]; A TIME FOR KILLING - 1965 [TV Movie]; SYNANON - 1965 [TF]; BURKE'S LAW - 1965; THE FUGITIVE - 1965; PERRY MASON - 1965; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1965; DAKTARI - 1966; LASSIE - 1966; DR. KILDARE - 1966; BLUE LIGHT - 1966; I SPY - 1966; JERICHO - 1966; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966; THE FELONY SQUAD - 1967; THE TIME TUNNEL - 1966-1967; LAREDO - 1967; TOBRUK - 1967 [TF]; DANIEL BOONE - 1966-1967; BATMAN - 1967 [Played robot "Mr. Glee", an adversary of The Joker]; STAR TREK - 1966-1967 [Played Vulcan "Stonn" and "Decius", the very first Romulan seen on the show]; HONDO - 1967; IRON HORSE - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965-1967; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1968; THE POWER - 1968 [TF; Very underrated film]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1968; CITY BENEATH THE SEA - 1969 [TV Short]; THE FLYING NUN - 1969; HERE COME THE BRIDES - 1969; THE PSYCHO LOVER - 1970 [TF]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966-1971; BEARCATS! - 1971; BONANZA - 1972; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1972; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1973; BARNABY JONES - 1974; THE F.B.I. - 1965-1974 [8 episodes]; CHOPPER ONE - 1974; THE UNDERGROUND MAN - 1974 [TV Movie]; CANNON - 1974; ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN - 1975 [TF]; MCCLOUD - 1975; FRAMED - 1975 [TF]; YOUNG LADY CHATTERLY - 1977 [TF]; THE FEATHER AND FATHER GANG - 1977; THE MILLION DOLLAR DIXIE DELIVERANCE - 1978 [TV Movie; Writer only]; THE ORDEAL OF DR. MUDD - 1980 [TV Movie]; EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME - 1980 [TF; Italian Sci-Fi Film starring the late Bud Spencer and little Cary Guffey of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS fame]; DEADLY BLESSING - 1981 [TF; I believe it is one of late director Wes Craven's best films]; DALLAS - 1982; LICENSE TO KILL - 1984 [TV Movie]; DAKOTA - 1988 [TF]; He retired in the late 80's, but came back in the New Millennium to do two projects: SCI FI VISIONARIES - 2004 [Video Short]; STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN - 2007 [DTV; Portrays Stonn, the Vulcan character he played on the original STAR TREK TV Series; His final acting role]. Mr. Montaigne wrote his autobiography and titled it "A Vulcan Odyssey". It is also rumored that if Leonard Nimoy left to do MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE in 1966, Lawrence Montaigne would have been Mr. Spock because they were similar in appearance. Lawrence Montaigne passed away of natural causes and was 86 years-old.) - 03/17/17
JIMMY BRESLIN (Journalist/Columnist/Actor: My favortite memory of Jimmy Breslin, who was a Pulitzer Prize® winner and reporter for the New York Daily News, was his closing statement as himself at the end of Spike Lee's SUMMER OF SAM - 1999, which was about as perfect as an ending to a film could be. Breslin didn't have many acting credits, but he took part in dozens of Documentaries [one on Donald Trump in 1991], especially about his hometown of Queens, New York [he never did try to hide that distinctive Queens accent]. Many of his stories for the newspaper were essential reading, because he always told it like he saw it and never backed down. He was a reporter who could never be accused of writing "fake news", because he had a network of sources that would only trust him because they knew he would rather spend his life in prison for life than give up their names. But the reason he is on this list is not because of his reporter duties, but because of his acting talents. The list is small and consists mainly of TV Series [Theatrical Films are marked with a TF]: IF EVER I SEE YOU AGAIN - 1978 [TF]; I GO POGO - 1980 [TF; Voice only]; JIMMY BRESLIN'S PEOPLE - 1986 [Host]; CBS SUMMER PLAYHOUSE - 1989 [also Consultant]; NUCLEAR FAMILY - 1989 [TV Movie; also Writing Consultant & Co-Producer]; THE CRITIC - 1994-1995 [Voice only]; INK - 1997 [his last credit as an actor]. Mr. Breslin was also responsible for the novel the film THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT - 1971 was based on; wrote the Storyline for the 1982 TV Movie THE NEIGHBORHOOD and sang "Nowhere Man" on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in 1986. He was also a regular on all the nightime talk shows and appeared on Johnny Carson's THE TONIGHT SHOW 15 times from 1963 to 1975. He leaves a big hole in the reporting world, a hole that will probably never be filled. Jimmy Breslin died in his Manhattan home of complications from pneumonia and was 88 years-old.) - 03/19/17
BERNIE "BERNI" WRIGHTSON (Comic Book Artist/Illustrator/Writer/Art Department: Beloved comic book illustrator and writer, his main creation being the Swamp Thing and writing and illustration on some of the best horror comics for Warren Publications. He changed his name to "Berni" so as not confuse people with the-then famous Olympic diver that shared his name. His artwork is legendary and instantly recognizable and he had a more mature look at comic books during a period when even the most dark superhero was taking it rather lightly.  He was involved in films in many ways, so I'll tell you what he did in each entry of his credits list [TF = Theatrical Film; TV = TV Series]: HEAVY METAL - 1981 [TF; a segment of the film based on his story "Captain Sternn"; also Original Art]; CREEPSHOW - 1982 [TF; Miscellaneous Art of the bumpers between segments]; SWAMP THING - 1982 [TF; Wes Craven's version of Wrightson's comic book]; GHOSTBUSTERS - 1984 [TF; Creature Design Consultant]; THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING - 1989 [Jim Wynorski's more comical take on Wrightson's comic]; SWAMP THING - 1990-1991 [TV; Based on Bernie's comic book and listed as "Creator " for 5 episodes, until the series went off on its own direction]; SPACE TRUCKERS - 1996 [TF; Conceptual Artist]; GALAXY QUEST - 1999 [TF; Conceptual Artist/Creature Designs]; DITA IN DISTRESS - 1999 [TF; Actor only]; WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK! - 2001 [Short; Actor only]; THIR13EN GHOSTS - 2001 [TF; Special Makeup Effects Crew; Conceptual Designer]; SPIDER-MAN - 2002 [TF; Uncredited Character Designer]; RIDING THE BULLET - 2004 [TF; Grim Reaper Designer; Original Artwork]; LAND OF THE DEAD - 2005 [TF; Makeup Effects Designer/Illustrator]; BIKER MICE FROM MARS - 2006 [TV; Character Design]; MIRACLES AND MYSTERIES: CREATING "THE GREEN MILE" - 2006 [Video Documentary; Artwork]; THE MIST - 2007 [TF; Creature Designer/Artist]; DARK COUNTRY - 2009 [TF; Visual Consultant]; SECRET ORIGIN: THE STORY OF DC COMICS - 2010 [Video Documentary; Art Contributor]; JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION - 2016 [TV; Character Created By Credit for Swamp Thing, who appeared in 2 episodes]; JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK - 2017 [DTV; Character Created By Credit for Destiny, who appeared in the animated movie for home video release. His last on-screen credit]. He also appeared as himself in several Documentaries and on Short Documentaries made as extras for DVDs of films he worked on. He was also working on Pre-Production as Concept Artist and Producer on a film called DOWN, SATAN!, but nothing is known about whether the film will be made or not. Bernie Wrightson died due to complications of brain cancer and was 68 years-old.) - 03/19/17
CHUCK BARRIS (Game Show Producer/Host/Actor: Who can forget Barris as the host of THE GONG SHOW 1976-1980? As the show progressed, you could plainly see Barris let cocaine take over his life. There were times on the show when you thought Barris was going to kill someone. It got so bad, that the show was forceably cancelled [along with three other long-running Barris-produced game show, including THE DATING GAME and THE NEWLYWED GAME] and Barris directed and starred in the legendary THE GONG SHOW MOVIE - 1980, which made very little sense, but Barris was a revelation. It also help explain, in its own way, why the game show was cancelled. Barris was on a death spiral and kicking the show off the air saved his life. He wrote a book called CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, which became a movie of the same name in 2002, where Sam Rockwell (in a knockout performance) plays Barris and implies that Barris was an agent/hitman for the CIA while he was a host of THE GONG SHOW!  Barris' other credits as a Producer of Game Shows included: THE DATING GAME - 1965; THE NEWLYWED GAME - 1966; THE DREAM GIRL OF 1967 - 1966-1967 [270 episodes]; OPERATION: ENTERTAINMENT - 1968; THE GAME GAME - 1969; COP OUT! - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE NEW TREASURE HUNT - 1973; THE ALL-STAR GONG SHOW SPECIAL - 1977 [TV Special]; THE CHUCK BARRIS RAH-RAH SHOW - 1977-1978 [Host of 8 episodes]; THE $1.98 BEAUTY SHOW - 1978; 3'S A CROWD - 1979; THE NEWLYWED GAME - 1977-1980; THE GONG SHOW - 1976-1980 [amount of hosted episodes unknown; Won a Daytime Emmy Award® in 1977 for Outstanding Talk, Service or Variety Series]; THE GONG SHOW MOVIE - 1980 [Theatrical Film; Actor/Writer/Director only]; TREASURE HUNT - 1981; THE NEW NEWLYWED GAME - 1984; ANYTHING FOR LAUGHS - 1985 [TV Special]; BAMBOOZLE - 1986 [TV Movie]; THE ALL NEW DATING GAME - 1986 [His last credit as Producer]. He also acted in the Theatrical Film HUGO POOL - 1997; was a Consultant and appeared as himself in present day on CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND - 2002; and wrote the music to nearly every Game Show theme (and others); and, as a songwriter, he co-composed the song "Palisades Park", a number three hit in the US for singer Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon in 1962, which was used in films such as TEENAGE COVER GIRLS - 1977 and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS - 2011. Mr. Barris led a very interesting life and wrote another book in 2007 titled "The Big Question: A Novel of Reality Television by the Author of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind". What is truth and what was in his dangerous mind are things you have to decide for yourself. Chuck Barris died of natural causes and was 87 years-old.) - 03/21/17
TOMAS MILIAN (Actor: A lot of people think Tomas Milian, the star of many excellent Spaghetti Westerns in the 60's, action and thrillers [especially the eleven police actioners where he portrays "Detective Nico Giraldi" {1976 - 1984}, where the films started seriously, but as the films progressed, they became action comedies] of the 70's and beyond was an Italian. He was actually an American that was born in Cuba who found most of his acting fame in Italy [His father was an army general under a Cuban dictatorship. In 1933 the dictatorship was overthrown and his father arrested. He committed suicide in 1945 in his home, with Tomas as an eyewitness. He may have gotten his filmic intensity from that incident.]. He was always dependable and made everything he appeared in better than it had any right to be. I loved his 70's output, but he appeared in some great films from all over the world up until the day he passed away. I would go as far to say that he was considered the Clint Eastwood of Italy. He was that popular, but he made many more films than Eastwood. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise specified]: DECOY - 1958 [TV Series]; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1959 [TV Series]; THE BIG NIGHT - 1959; BELL' ANTONIO - 1960; SILVER SPOON SET - 1960; UNEXPECTED - 1961; LAURA NUDA - 1961; A DAY FOR LIONHEARTS - 1961; DAY BY DAY, DESPERATELY - 1961; BOCCACCIO '70 - 1962; DISORDER - 1962; THE SHORTEST DAY - 1963; RO.GO.PA.G. - 1963; THE ATTIC - 1963; CRAZY SEA - 1963; LA BANDA CASAROLI - 1963; L'UOMO - 1964 [TV Movie; Considered lost]; TIME OF INDIFFERENCE - 1964; I KILL, YOU KILL - 1965; THE CAMP FOLLOWERS - 1965; THE AGONY AND THE ECSTACY - 1965; I SOLDI - 1965; TO ARMS WITH LOVE - 1966; THE UGLY ONES - 1966; THE BIG GUNDOWN - 1966; DJANGO KILL...IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT! - 1967; FACE TO FACE - 1967; DJANGO: DEATH SENTENCE - 1968; NIGHT OF HATE - 1968; THE VIOLENT FOUR - 1968; RUN, MAN, RUN - 1968; A FINE PAIR - 1968; TEPEPA - 1969; WHERE ARE YOU GOING ALL NAKED? - 1969; THE CONSPIRACY OF TORTURE - 1969; THE YEAR OF THE CANNIBALS - 1970; THE MAGNIFICENT BANDITS - 1970 [One of Milian's best Westerns]; L'AMORE CONIUGALE - 1970; COMPANEROS - 1970; THE DESIGNATED VICTIM - 1971; THE LAST MOVIE - 1971; RIPPED-OFF - 1972; SONNY AND JED - 1972; DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING - 1972 [Milian's first giallo and it was directed by Lucio Fulci!]; LIFE IS TOUGH, EH PROVIDENCE? - 1972; COUNSELOR AT CRIME - 1973; HERE WE GO AGAIN, EH PROVIDENCE? - 1973; EMERGENCY SQUAD - 1974; ALMOST HUMAN - 1974 [One of his best roles ever]; SHOOT FIRST...ASK QUESTIONS LATER - 1975; SILENT ACTION - 1975; THE FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE... - 1975; SYNDICATE SADISTS - 1975; MAD ENOUGH TO KILL - 1975; SEX WITH A SMILE - 1976; THE TOUGH ONES - 1976; THE COP IN BLUE JEANS - 1976; THE TWIST - 1976; TOUGH COP - 1976; HIT SQUAD - 1976; YOUNG, VIOLENT, DANGEROUS - 1976; THE CYNIC, THE RAT AND THE FIST - 1977 [Another great action film]; DESTRUCTION FORCE - 1977 [also Dialogue Writer]; MESSALINA, MESSALINA - 1977; SWINDLE - 1977; THE SON OF THE SHEIK - 1977; BROTHERS TILL WE DIE - 1978 [also Co-Writer]; LITTLE ITALY - 1978; THE GANG THAT SOLD AMERICA - 1979; WINTER KILLS - 1979; LUNA - 1979; ASSASSINATION ON THE TIBER - 1979; IL LUPO E L'AGNELLO - 1980; CRIME AT PORTA ROMANA - 1980; MANOLESTA - 1981; UNO CONTRO L'ALTRO, PRATICAMENTE AMICI - 1981; CRIME AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT - 1981; IDENTIFICATION OF A WOMAN - 1982; CRIME ON THE HIGHWAY - 1982; MONSIGNOR - 1982; CAT AND DOG - 1983; IL DIAVOLO E L'ACQUASANTA - 1983; CRIME IN FORMULA ONE - 1984; COP IN DRAG - 1984; KING DAVID - 1985; MIAMI VICE - 1985 [TV Series]; SALOME - 1986; THE EQUALIZER - 1985-1987 [TV Series]; DISTANT LIGHTS - 1988; UNA CASA A ROMA - 1988 [TV Movie]; CAT CHASER - 1989; MASSACRE PLAY - 1989; DRUG WARS: THE CAMARENA STORY - 1990 [TV mini-series]; REVENGE - 1990; HAVANA - 1990; VOGLIA DI VIVERE - 1990 [TV Movie]; L.A. LAW - 1991 [TV Series]; MONEY - 1991; JFK - 1991; FRANNIE'S TURN - 1992 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1992 [TV Series]; SCREENPLAY - 1992 [TV Series]; NAILS - 1992 [TV Movie]; LOVE, HONOR & OBEY: THE LAST MAFIA MARRIAGE - 1993 [TV Movie]; MARILYN & BOBBY: HER FINAL AFFAIR - 1993 [TV Movie]; THE COWBOY WAY - 1995; THE BURNING SEASON: THE CHICO MENDES STORY - 1995 [TV Movie]; FOOLS RUSH IN - 1997; OZ - 1997 [Cable TV Series]; AMISTAD - 1997; THE YARDS - 2000; LAW & ORDER - 2000 [TV Series; His role as Chilean Colonel Emilio Pantoya in the episode titled "Vaya Con Dios" was one of the best episodes of the series]; FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY: THE ARTURO SANDOVAL STORY - 2000 [TV Movie]; TRAFFIC - 2000; AMBUSH - 2001 [Short]; UC: UNDERCOVER - 2001 [TV Series]; WASHINGTON HEIGHTS - 2002; THE LOST CITY - 2005; THE FEAST OF THE GOAT - 2005; FUGLY! - 2014 [His final acting role]. Tomas Milian also did many documentaries on the Italian film industry and short documentaries that were included as extras on DVDs and Blu-Rays. A Documentary called THE JOURNEY OF TOMAS MILIAN was being made in 2017 when he passed away. I cannot tell you how many hours Tomas kept me entertained. When he started getting older, he returned to the United States and got many jobs as an actor on TV and films. Personally, I will miss him dearly. Tomas Milian died of a stroke in Miami, Florida and was 84 years-old.) - 03/23/17
LOLA ALBRIGHT (Actress: Strikingly beautiful, Ms. Albright may not of had the same chances as Betty Grable or Lauren Bacall, but she made her mark in Theatrical Films and TV Series, especially as "Edie Hart" on PETER GUNN - 1958-1961. And unlike those other starlets, she was not bashful about appearing in 50's Horror and Sci-Fi films. Ms. Albright's credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: THE UNFINISHED DANCE - 1947 [TF]; THE PIRATE - 1948 [TF]; EASTER PARADE - 1948 [TF]; JULIA MISBEHAVES - 1948 [TF]; CHAMPION - 1949 [TF]; TULSA - 1949 [TF]; THE GIRL FROM JONES BEACH - 1949 [TF]; BODYHOLD - 1949 [TF]; THE GOOD HUMOR MAN - 1950 [TF]; BEAUTY ON PARADE - 1950 [TF]; WHEN YOU'RE SMILING - 1950 [TF]; HE'S A COCKEYED WONDER - 1950 [TF]; THE KILLER THAT STALKED NEW YORK - 1950 [TF]; SIERRA PASSAGE - 1950 [TF]; ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE - 1951; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1951; ALL STAR REVUE - 1952; TALES OF TOMORROW - 1952; ARTIC FLIGHT - 1952 [TF]; RACKET SQUAD - 1953; THE SILVER WHIP - 1953 [TF]; FIRESIDE THEATRE - 1954; THE PEPSI-COLA PLAYHOUSE - 1954; DUFFY'S TAVERN - 1954; ADVENTURES OF THE FALCON - 1954; TREASURE OF RUBY HILLS - 1955 [TF]; THE MAGNIFICENT MATADOR - 1955 [TF]; SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE - 1955; IT's A GREAT LIFE - 1955; THE TENDER TRAP - 1955 [TF]; GUNSMOKE - 1955; FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1956; THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE - 1956; CELEBRITY PLAYHOUSE - 1956; THE BOB CUMMINGS SHOW - 1955-1957 [7 episodes]; PAWNEE - 1957 [TF]; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1956-1957 [3 episodes]; THE MONOLITH MONSTERS - 1957 [TF]; CODE 3 - 1957; OREGON PASSAGE - 1957 [TF}; SEVEN GUNS TO MESA - 1958 [TF]; THE THIN MAN - 1958; PANIC! - 1958; TARGET - 1958; MICHAEL SHAYNE - 1960; A COLD WIND IN AUGUST - 1961 [TF]; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1961; KING OF DIAMONDS - 1961; PETER GUNN - 1957-1961 [84 episodes; Sang in 38 episodes; Her sultry-voiced nightclub singer "Edie Hart" inspired two music albums, "Lola Wants You" - 1957 and "Dreamsville" - 1959. Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Best Supporting Actress {Continuing Character} in a Dramatic Series]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1961; ADVENTURES IN PARADISE - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1961; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1962; KID GALAHAD - 1962 [TF]; SAINTS AND SINNERS - 1962; MY THREE SONS - 1962; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1963; THE THIRD MAN - 1963; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964; DR. KILDARE - 1964; JOY HOUSE - 1964 [TF]; WAGON TRAIN - 1964; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962-1964; MR. BROADWAY - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1965 [5 episodes]; RAWHIDE - 1964-1965; WILL BANNER - 1965 [TV Movie]; PEYTON PLACE - 1965-1966 [14 episodes; She played Constance McKenzie after Dorothy Malone became sick and could no longer play the role.]; LAREDO - 1966; LORD LOVE A DUCK - 1966 [TF; very misunderstood film; Won a Silver Berlin Bear Award® at the Berlin International Film Festival for Best Actress.]; BRANDED - 1965-1966 [3 episodes]; RUNAWAY BOY - 1966 [TV Movie]; HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION - 1967 [TV Movie]; BONANZA - 1965-1967; TO SLEEP, PER CHANCE TO SCREAM - 1967 [TV Movie]; THE WAY WEST - 1967 [TF]; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1967; READY AND WILLING - 1967 [TV Movie]; CIMARRON STRIP - 1967; THE MONEY JUNGLE - 1967 [TF]; WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT? - 1968 [TF]; THE HELICOPTER SPIES - 1968 [TF; Edited from two episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. featuring Ms. Albright with some newly-shot footage]; THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS - 1968 [TF]; MY SECRET MOTHER - 1973 [Afternoon TV Movie]; KOJAK - 1973; MEDICAL CENTER - 1972-1974; THE NURSE KILLER - 1975 [TV Movie]; POLICE STORY - 1975; MCMILLAN & WIFE - 1976; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1976; COLUMBO - 1976; DELTA COUNTY, U.S.A. - 1977 [TV Movie]; TERRACES - 1977 [TV Movie]; SWITCH - 1978; THE INCREDIBLE HULK - 1981; QUINCY M.E. - 1983; AIRWOLF - 1984 [Her final acting role; Retired from acting and resided in Toluca Lake, California.]. Ms. Albright appeared on a few Game Shows as a panelist and some Variety Shows as a singer. Lola Albright died of natural causes and was 92 years-old.) - 03/23/17
DARLENE CATES (Actress: Ms. Cates will always be remembered as the extremely obese mother of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in the one-of-a-kind film WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE - 1993, her first acting assignment in what would be a short career [DiCaprio said: “Darlene was the best acting mom I ever had the privilege of working alongside. Her endearing personality and incredible talent will live on in the memories of those who knew her, and those who loved her work.”]. Author and screenwriter Peter Hedges saw a tape of Darlene on a segment of SALLY JESSE RAPHAEL [1985] entitled, "Too Heavy to Leave Their House." On the show she spoke of her self-imposed imprisonment. Hedges, writer of WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE [1993] offered her the role of the morbidly obese mother in the film, which she accepted. Her other credits included: PICKET FENCES - 1994 [TV Series]; TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - 1996 [TV Series]; WOLF GIRL - 2001 [TV Movie' a.k.a. BLOOD MOON]; MOTHER - 2014 [Short]; BILLBOARD - 2017 [Theatrical Film; In Post-Production at the time of her death]. Ms. Cates lost 244 pounds in 2012 bringing her weight from 575 pounds to 331 pounds. She passed away peacefully in her sleep and was 69 years-old.) - 03/27/17
PHILLIP KO (Hong Kong Actor/Director: I knew Phillip Ko [born "Phillip Ko Fei"] for the pastiche [cut and paste] films he Directed and Starred in for Producer Joseph Lai and his IFC Production outfit in the 80's & early-90's. You will find many of his films on this site. Before he started doing those films, he was a frequent actor in so many Hong Kong martial arts films that I could hardly keep up with them [Which is why I am only listing the ones given English titles. Multiply that by four and you have his amazing output.]. He was also very well known and loved in his home country. As soon as I heard the name, I was pleading inside that it wasn't the Phillip Ko I loved so much, but it turned out not to be the case. His credits as an actor included [all are Theatrical Films or VHS Tapes that were released in the U.S.]:  THE ANONYMOUS HEROES - 1971; THE DEADLY DUO - 1971; THE WATER MARGIN - 1972; THE RENDEVOUS OF WARRIORS - 1973; ENTER THE DRAGON - 1973 [What Hong Kong martial artist wasn't in this film?]; BLOOD REVENGE - 1974; DRAGON SQUAD - 1974; DYNAMITE BROTHERS - 1974; SHAOLIN VENGEANCE - 1974; THE BLACK DRAGON REVENGES THE DEATH OF BRUCE LEE - 1975; SUPER DRAGON - 1976; 7 MAN ARMY - 1976; THE KILLER METEORS - 1976; THE BEST OF SHAOLIN KUNG FU - 1976; FIGHTING OF SHAOLIN MONKS - 1976; BROKEN HOUSE - 1976; THE CRIMINAL - 1977; SHAOLIN BROTHERS - 1977; EIGHT MASTERS - 1977; SECRET RIVALS 2 - 1977; THE INVINCIBLE WARRIORS - 1977; FIST OF FURY II - 1977; THE FOUR SHAOLIN CHALLENGERS - 1977; RETURN OF THE CHINESE BOXER - 1977; BANDITS, PROSTITUTES AND SILVER - 1977; FIVE KUNG FU DAREDEVIL HEROES - 1977; ALONG COMES A TIGER - 1977; MANHUNT - 1978; FLYING MASTERS OF KUNG FU - 1978; DRAGON ON FIRE - 1978; FURY OF THE SHAOLIN MASTER - 1978; THE SOULS OF THE SWORD - 1978; DRAGON OF THE SWORDS MAN - 1978; THE LAWMAN - 1979; THE DRAGON, THE HERO - 1979; NINJA MASSACRE - 1979; DEATH DUEL OF KUNG FU - 1979; 2 WONDROUS TIGERS - 1979; THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MASTER - 1979; IRON DRAGON STRIKES BACK - 1979; DUEL OF THE SEVEN TIGER - 1979; THE CHALLENGER - 1979; SHAOLIN TOUGH KID - 1979; GOOSE BOXER - 1979; RIVALS OF THE SILVER FOX - 1979; THE FISTS, THE KICKS AND THE EVIL - 1979; FURY OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE - 1979; TIGER OVER WALL - 1980; MASTER KILLERS - 1980; ANY WHICH WAY YOU PUNCH - 1980; TWO FOR THE ROAD - 1980; DREADNAUGHT - 1981; SHAOLIN HERO - 1982; DRAGON BLOOD - 1982; CLAN FEUDS - 1982; BROTHERS FROM THE WALLED CITY - 1982; STUDENT AND BAR GIRL - 1982; THE FEARLESS JACKAL - 1982; MISSION THUNDERBOLT - 1983 [One of those cut-and-paste films you have to see to believe]; SHAOLIN INTRUDERS - 1983; THE PIER - 1983 [also Director]; THE EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER - 1984 [Unbelievable martial arts action film]; LIGHTNING FISTS OF SHAOLIN - 1984; POLICE POOL OF BLOOD - 1984; SEX BEYOND THE GRAVE - 1984 [also Sound Effects Editor]; RETURN OF THE BASTARD SWORDSMAN - 1984; YELLOW SKIN - 1985; CITY NINJA - 1985; THE MASTER STRIKES BACK - 1985; THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS - 1985; MAGNUM THUNDERBOLT - 1985; HEART OF A DRAGON - 1985; NINJA TERMINATOR - 1985; NINJA HOLOCAUST - 1985; MY MIND, YOUR BODY - 1985; MAJESTIC THUNDERBOLT - 1985; PROJECT NINJA DAREDEVILS - 1986; SHANGHAI EXPRESS - 1986; MAGIC CRYSTAL - 1986; TOUGH NINJA THE SHADOW WARRIOR - 1986; HIGH SKY MISSION - 1987 [also Director]; EASTERN CONDORS - 1987; RED HEAT CONSPIRACY - 1988 [also Director]; DRAGONS FOREVER - 1988; TIGER ON BEAT - 1988; IN THE BLOOD - 1988; ON THE RUN - 1988; BLOODY BROTHERHOOD - 1989; MAGNIFICENT 7 KUNG-FU KIDS - 1989; JUST HEROES - 1989; FATAL TERMINATION - 1990 [also Executive Producer]; BORN TO FIGHT - 1990; A KILLER'S ROMANCE - 1990 [also Director & Writer]; EASTERN HEROES - 1991 [also Director & Producer]; SON OF THE DRAGON - 1992; KILLER FLOWER - 1992; BATTLE IN HELL - 1992; LETHAL PANTHER 3 - 1993; ULTIMATE REVENGE - 1995; THE VENGEANCE - 1995; ANGEL ON FIRE - 1995 [also Director & Writer]; THE ADVENTURERS - 1995; THE SUSPECT - 1998; LETHAL COMBAT - 1999 [also Director, Writer & Producer]; HITMAN'S CALL - 1999 [also Director]; INTERNET MIRAGE - 1999 [also Director]; BLOOD ON THE BULLET - 2000; THE STORY OF FREEMAN - 2001; PAYMENT IN BLOOD - 2001 [also Director & Writer]; SHADOW MASK - 2001 [also Producer]; THE NUGGET - 2002; EXODUS: TALES FRON THE ENCHANTED KINGDON - 2005 [also Director]; ANG PANDAY - 2009 [also Director; His final acting and directing credits.]. Phillip Ko also directed the following films: THE BRAVE PLATOON - 1987; ANGEL'S BLOOD MISSION - 1987; THE EXTREME PROJECT - 1988; PLATOON WARRIORS - 1988 [one of his best films]; L.A. CONNECTION - 1988; AMERICAN FORCE 2: THE UNTOUCHABLE GLORY - 1988; HUNTING EXPRESS - 1988; LETHAL PANTHER 2 - 1992 [also Editor]; BAD BLOOD - 1996 [TV Movie]; DESPERATE HOURS - 1997 [TV Movie]; NIGHTMARE HONEYMOON - 1997 [TV Movie]; XTREME WARRIORS - 2001; HUO XIAN SHENG SI LIAN - 2002; SUPER NOYPI - 2006. He was also Stunt Coordinator/Fight Director on over 25 films [mainly the films he appeared in]; Produced THE MASK OF VENGEANCE - 1980 and NINJA KUNG FU EMPEROR - 1981; and was Action Sequence Designer on CHALLENGE OF THE NINJA - 1986; THE ULTIMATE NINJA - 1986; NINJA DESTROYER - 1986; and DIAMOND NINJA FORCE - 1988, which were all cut-and-paste films for Joseph Lai. Phillip Ko died of undisclosed causes and was just 67 years-old.) - 03/30/17
RADLEY METZGER (Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Radly Metzger was an expert director of erotic [sometimes pornographic] films from the 1960's to the 1980's. He was a master with camera setups, getting many of his unknown actors to act like you or I would in the same situation and, of course, show plenty of nudity. He used the pseudonyms "Henry Paris" and "Jake Barnes" on some of his films and his adult films in the 70's were considered some of the best of the decade. A lot of critics and viewers alike considered his output art films because he was not as prolific as most porn directors and usually only made one film a year, putting plenty of care into his films. His credits as a Director included [all are theatrical films]: GUERILLA GIRL - 1953 [Production Assistant only]; ...AND GOD CREATED WOMEN - 1956 [Dubbing Synchronization Editor only]; THE TWILIGHT GIRLS - 1957 [Director of New Footage for 1959 American Release]; MADEMOISELLE STRIP-TEASE - 1957 [Director of English Version]; GANGSTER STORY - 1959 [Editor only]; SOFT SKIN ON BLACK SILK - 1959 [Director of New Footage for 1963 American Release]; THE WARPED ONES - 1960 [Presenter only]; DARK ODYSSEY - 1961 [also Producer, Writer & Editor]; THE FOURTH SEX - 1962 [Director of New Footage for 1963 American Release]; THE EROTIC TOUCH OF HOT SKIN - 1964 [Directed the adult inserts only]; DICTIONARY OF SEX - 1964; THE FLESH EATERS - 1964 [Editor & Sound Recordist only; Still one of my favorite horror films of all time.]; SEXUS - 1965 [Director of New Footage for 1965 American Release]; THE DIRTY GIRLS - 1965 [also Producer & Editor]; THE BEACH GIRLS AND THE MONSTER - 1965 [Editor only; simply awful horror film directed by actor Jon Hall]; THE ALLEY CATS - 1966 [also Producer]; CARMEN, BABY - 1967 [also Producer]; THERESE AND ISABELLE - 1968 [also Producer]; CAMILLE 2000 - 1969 [also Producer]; THE LICKERISH QUARTET - 1970 [also Producer & Writer]; MOTHER - 1973 [also Actor]; SCORE - 1974; THE PRIVATE AFTERNOONS OF PAMELA MANN - 1974 [also Writer]; NAKED CAME THE STRANGER - 1975 [also Writer]; THE IMAGE - 1975 [also Writer]; THE OPENING OF MISTY BEETHOVEN - 1976 [also Writer & Editor; Winner of three awards from The Adult Film Association of America® for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing]; BARBARA BROADCAST - 1977 [also Writer]; MARASCHINO CHERRY - 1978 [also Writer]; THE CAT AND THE CANARY - 1978 [also Writer; His only non-erotic film as a director. It was Rated PG in the United States.]; THE TALE OF TIFFANY LUST - 1979 [also Producer & Writer]; WORLD OF HENRY PARIS - 1981; THE PRINCESS AND THE CALL GIRL - 1984 [also Writer; His last directorial effort]; THE FANTASIES OF MISS JONES - 1986 [Writer only]; DRIVE-IN FOLLIES - 1989 [Producer & Narrator only]; BARBARA BROADCAST TOO! - 2003 [MFHV; Based on characters created by Metzger only]; MISTY BEETHOVEN THE MUSICAL! - 2004 [MFHV; Based on characters created by Metzger only]. Radley Metzger made a name for himself by importing foreign erotic films, like I, A WOMAN [1965], which gave him the impetus to start directing bolder erotic films than he was making up till then and people began to notice that these weren't the usual nudie cutie quickies. These were real films [made in Europe] that looked expensive without spending a lot of money. Metzger co founded Audubon Films with Ava Leighton because, in his own words: "Ordinarily a producer sees possibly 10% of what his pictures bring in, because the income has to be cut into so many small pieces. In my case I didn't have to realize as much on my pictures because I saw 100% of what was coming in, and I didn't have an enormous bureaucratic structure to support." Radley Metzger passed away from unknown causes and was 88 years-old.) - 03/31/17
BOBBY HARWELL (Actor: Fairly obscure actor [my favorite kind], who started out doing bit parts on both TV Shows and Theatrical Films. His roles began to get bigger, but most of what he did was not in the mainstream [except for a few films and TV Series] and he was actually good. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MIAMI VICE - 1984 [TV Series]; THE MEAN SEASON - 1985; CALENDAR GIRL, COP, KILLER? THE BAMBI BEMBENEK STORY - 1992 [TV Movie]; THE SCOUT - 1994; PICKET FENCES - 1994 [TV Series]; EAST MEETS WEST - 1995; SQUANDERERS - 1996; PROFILER - 1997 [TV Series]; PORT CHARLES - 1997 [TV Series]; BROKEN VESSELS - 1998; WINCHELL - 1998 [TV Movie]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 2000 [TV Series]; JUST SHOOT ME! - 2001 [TV Series]; HUMAN NATURE - 2001; A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - 2001; THE GREATEST INTERGALACTIC HERO - 2001 [Short]; MY SISTER'S KEEPER - 2002 [TV Movie]; HIP! EDGY! QUIRKY! - 2002; STEALING HARVARD - 2002; WHILE SUPPLIES LAST - 2002; LEHI'S WIFE - 2002 [SHORT]; THE WICKSBORO INCIDENT - 2003 [MFHV; also Executive Producer; One of my favorite "Found Footage" films and readers of this site know how much I despise these kinds of films. Everyone should see this film at least once, if just to see how Found Footage films can be done right.]; CARTER'S WISH - 2003 [Short]; THE LOOKING GLASS - 2003 [also Executive Producer; made by the same team that made WICKSBORO]; EXTREME DATING - 2005 [His final acting role]; DESTINATION MARS - 2006 [MFHV; Made in 2002, but not released until 2006]. At the age of 78 he wrote "Flawed", his first novel, which describes the frivolity of Hollywood commingled with incest, murder and betrayal. Bobby Harwell died of undisclosed causes and was 85 years-old.] - 04/01/17
DON RICKLES (Actor/Comedian: Let me start this obituary off the right way. Don Rickles, "Mr. Warmth", was a legend, not just in his own mind, you hockey puck, but to millions of other people who enjoyed his special brand of insult comedy. Without Don Rickles, there would be no Andrew Dice Clay, Eddie Murphy, Louis C.K. or any other comedians who used insults to get laughs. But Don never used foul language, especially in early evening concerts because of the children that would be present. He was a class act who was also a humanitarian. Not only was he an original comic with his own special brand of comedy, he was also a wonderful actor, who had his own TV series and appeared in movies that people who read this site know and love [And I'm not talking about all those A.I.P beach movies he was in. His death in INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992 was one for the books!]. Rickles was a man who refused to retire and did comedy concerts in Las Vegas and all over the world, as well as appearing on late night talk shows. Whenever I heard he was going to be a guest, I would make sure to stay up and watch it, because you never knew what he was going to say and after his time was up, you needed a tissue to wipe away the tears of laughter. Even in his older years, he still had it [even if he did walk a little slower] and he would always make me laugh until I cried. His death is a big loss to the entertainment community. You knew he would pass away at any moment because he needed a kidney transplant, but was considered too old for consideration, even though he was a special person you wished would live forever. His credits as an actor included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: STAGE 7 - 1955; CAVALCADE OF AMERICA - 1955-1956; FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1956; CHEVRON HALL OF STARS - 1956 [3 episodes]; M SQUAD - 1957; RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP - 1958 [TF; his film debut]; THE THIN MAN - 1959; THE RABBIT TRAP - 1959 [TF]; THE RAT RACE - 1960 [TF]; THE DUPONT SHOW WITH JUNE ALLYSON - 1959-1960 [4 episodes]; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["Mr. Dingle, The Strong" - 1961]; WAGON TRAIN - 1961; HENNESSEY - 1961; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1962; X-THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES - 1963 [TF; The first time I noticed Rickles was a good dramatic actor. I was only 7 years-old, but I already knew him as a comedian. Seeing him act dramatically was a fabulous moment for me.]; MUSCLE BEACH PARTY - 1964 [TF]; BIKINI BEACH - 1964 [TF]; THE ADDAMS FAMILY - 1964; THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - 1964; PAJAMA PARTY - 1964 [TF]; BURKE'S LAW - 1963-1965 [3 episodes]; THE MUNSTERS - 1965; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1965; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1965; THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - 1965; BEACH BLANKET BINGO - 1965 [TF]; KIBBEE HATES FITCH - 1965 [TV Movie]; RUSSIAN ROULETTE - 1965 [TV Movie]; F TROOP - 1965; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1966; MURDER AT N.B.C. - 1966 [TV Movie]; GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - 1966; THE LUCY SHOW - 1967; ENTER LAUGHING - 1967 [TF]; I SPY - 1967; I DREAM OF JEANNIE - 1967; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1966-1967; THE MONEY JUNGLE - 1967 [TF]; GET SMART - 1968-1969 [3 episodes]; THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW - 1969; WHERE IT'S AT - 1969 [TF]; PAT PAULSEN's HALF A COMEDY HOUR - 1970; KELLY'S HEROES - 1970 [TF; another film he was excellent in]; THE LOVE MACHINE - 1971 [TF; Uncredited Announcer]; THE DON RICKLES SHOW - 1972 [Rickles' first unsuccessful TV Series]; THE NEW BILL COSBY SHOW - 1972; ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN - 1969-1973 [4 episodes]; THE BOB HOPE SHOW - 1973; SANFORD AND SON - 1974 [A lot of people thought he hated black people because of some of his insult comedy, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Many of his comedian and regular friends were black. Redd Foxx was one of them.]; THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT - 1974 [TF; Uncredited]; RICKLES - 1975 [TV Movie; Plays himself]; DON ADAMS' SCREEN TEST - 1975; MEDICAL CENTER - 1976; CPO SHARKEY - 1976-1978 [Rickles' only successful sitcom with 37 episodes. The funniest bit happened off-stage though. The day before, Rickles was guest hosting THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JOHNNY CARSON and he accidentally broke Johnny's favorite cigarette box. The next day, live and on-air, Carson found out what Rickles had done an he and a camera crew walked next door to the stage where CPO SHARKEY was being filmed. The look on Rickles face was priceless. It was a classic bit of 70's TV as Carson made Rickles promise to fix the cigarette box. It was the first time I ever saw Rickles speechless.]; FOR THE LOVE OF IT - 1982 [TV Movie]; ARCHIE BUNKER'S PLACE - 1982; GIMME A BREAK! - 1983; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1984 [Host]; GEORGE BURNS COMEDY WEEK - 1985; NEWHART - 1989; KEATON'S COP - 1990 [TF]; TALES FROM THE CRYPT - ["The Ventriloquist's Dummy" - 1990]; HUNTER - 1991; INNOCENT BLOOD - 1992 [TF; One of the most original vampire films ever made. Equal parts funny and scary, with the late Robert Loggia acting up a storm as a vampire gangster and Rickles as his lawyer, who he turns into a vampire, but ends up in a hospital, where he meets his grisly fate. Directed by John Landis and never given the attention it deserved; Nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award® for Best Supporting Actor]; DADDY DEAREST - 1993 [Another failed TV Series; 13 episodes]; CASINO - 1995 [TF]; TOY STORY - 1995 [TF; Rickles broke into entertaining children by voicing Mr. Potato Head in the series of TOY STORY films and shorts]; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1997; THE SINGLE GUY - 1997; REDUX RIDING HOOD - 1997 [Short; Voice only]; MURPHY BROWN - 1998; THE MAGIC SWORD: QUEST FOR CAMELOT - 1998 [TF; Voice only]; DIRTY WORK - 1998 [TF]; DENNIS THE MENACE STRIKES AGAIN - 1998 [MFHV]; TOY STORY 2 - 1999 [TF; Voice only]; THE BERNIE MAC SHOW - 2002; THE WOOL CAP - 2004 [TV Movie]; THE ARISTOCRATS - 2005 [Documentary about the world's most disgusting joke; Funny as hell.]; THE CATCH - 2005 [TV Movie]; MR. WARMTH: THE DON RICKLES PROJECT - 2007 [Documentary; Essential viewing if you are a Don Rickles fan; Emmy Award® winner for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]; THE UNIT - 2007; TOY STORY MIDWAY MANIA! - 2008 [Short; Voice only]; TOY STORY 3 - 2010 [TF; Voice only. This sequel was a real tear-jerker.]; TOY STORY TOONS: HAWAIIAN VACATION - 2011 [Short; Voice only]; TOY STORY TOONS: SMALL FRY - 2011 [Short; Voice only]; ZOOKEEPER - 2011 [TF; Voice only]; HOT IN CLEVELAND - 2011; TOY STORY TOONS: PARTYSAURUS REX - 2012 [Short; Voice only]; TOY STORY OF TERROR - 2013 [TV Short; Voice only]; TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT - 2014 [TV Short; Voice only.]; GRANDFATHERED - 2015; TONY BENNETT CELEBRATES 90: THE BEST IS YET TO COME - 2016 [Documentary; His last acting credit.]. He was just about to work on TOY STORY 4, to be released in 2019, when he passed away. I hope they retire the character of Mr. Potato Head, because there is only one Don Rickles and I will picket Pixar if they replace him. Mr. Rickles also provided the voice of Mr. Potato Head on all the TOY STORY Video Games because he thought the children should hear the same voice they heard in the movies and the shorts. He also did most of the DEAN MARTIN ROASTS... specials and appeared in nearly every daytime and nighttime talk and variety show there was [Johnny Carson just loved him, appearing 79 times as a guest or a guest host; David Letterman had him on for over 30 times and he and Jimmy Kimmel were good friends. Kimmel devoted his whole 13-minute opening monologue that night telling hilarious Rickles stories and then getting emotional. You could see Kimmel was emotionally upset through the entire 13 minutes.]; he even had his own variety show, THE DON RICKLES SHOW from 1968 to 1969. Like I said in the beginning of this obituary, Don Rickles was a legend and had many famous friends, including Frank Sinatra. His favorite thing to say about Sinatra was: "When you enter a room, you have to kiss his ring. I don't mind, but he has it in his back pocket." Here's my favorite Don Rickles/Frank Sinatra story: One night Rickles/Sinatra and a few other people were seated at an expensive restaurant with pure white decor, including the walls. It was apparent Sinatra was not in a good mood and when the waiter put a bottle of ketchup on the table, Sinatra picks it up and throws it against the wall, the bottle shattering and splattering ketchup all over all the white decor. Rickles says, "Hey Frank, can you pass the ketchup?" and everyone, including Sinatra, laughed their asses off. That was the kind of man Don Rickles was. Those who have been insulted by Rickles never took it personally because it was always taken with a huge dose of humor [and they wore it as a huge badge of honor]. He obtained a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2000 at 6834 Hollywood Blvd. This is a sad day for comedy. Hell, it is just a sad day. Rest in Peace Mr. Rickles and don't forget to give God a few good zingers. Don Rickles passed away due to kidney failure with his dear wife Barbara next to him and was 90 years-old. I miss him already. Somebody ought to write a book about Rickles' hilarious comebacks to situations he was involved in. I would even pay good money for a DVD full of Rickles' talk show appearances.) - 04/06/17
TIM PIGOTT-SMITH (Actor: Tim Pigott-Smith was just as comfortable doing American TV and Theatrical Films, as he was doing the same thing in his home country of the United Kingdom. He was one of those actors whose face you instantly recognized, but could never remember his name. Unfortunately, that is not the case now. Mr. Pigott-Smith's credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: BOSWELL'S LIFE OF JOHNSON - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE REGIMENT - 1972; ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA - 1974 [TV Movie]; NORTH & SOUTH - 1975 [TV mini-series]; THE GLITTERING PRIZES - 1976 [TV mini-series]; ACES HIGH - 1976 [TF]; DOCTOR WHO - 1971-1976 [6 episodes]; JOSEPH ANDREWS - 1977 [TF]; WINGS - 1977; A CHOICE OF EVILS - 1977 [TV Movie]; EUSTACE AND HILDA - 1977; THE LOST BOYS - 1978 [TV mini-series]; MEASURE FOR MEASURE - 1978 [TV Movie]; DANGER UXB - 1979; NO, MAMA, NO - 1979 [TV Movie]; HENRY IV, PART 1 - 1979 [TV Movie]; BBC2 PLAYHOUSE - 1979-1980; THE DAY CHRIST DIED - 1980 [TV Movie]; SWEET WILLIAM - 1980 [TF]; 'TIS A PITY SHE'S A WHORE - 1980 [TV Movie]; HANNAH - 1980 [4 episodes]; RICHARD'S THINGS - 1980 [TF]; CLASH OF THE TITANS - 1981 [TF]; VICTORY - 1980 [TF]; WINSTON CHURCHILL: THE WILDERNESS YEARS - 1981 [TV mini-series; 8 episodes]; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - 1982 [TV Movie]; FAME IS THE SPUR - 1982 [TV mini-series; 8 episodes]; I REMEMBER NELSON - 1982 [4 episodes]; STORYBOARD - 1983; STRUGGLE - 1983-1984 [6 episodes]; THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN - 1984 [TV mini-series; 13 episodes; BAFTA Award® winner for Best Actor]; DEAD MAN'S FOLLY - 1986 [TV Movie]; A STATE OF EMERGENCY - 1986 [TF]; THE CHALLENGE - 1986 [TV mini-series]; BEHIND THE BLEEP - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE RACE FOR THE DOUBLE HELIX - 1987 [TV Movie]; FORTY MINUTES - 1987 [TV Series Documentary, Played a Reporter in the episode titled "The Case Of Sherlock Holmes"]; DAVID MACAULAY: PYRAMID - 1989 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE CHIEF - 1990-1993 [14 episodes]; SCREEN ONE - 1993; THE REMAINS OF THE DAY - 1993 [TF; The film was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture.]; GHOSTS - 1995; 1914 - 1918 - 1996 [TV mini-series; 4 episodes]; THE MAJOR YEARS - 1999; KAVANAGH QC - 2001; DR. TERRIBLE'S HOUSE OF HORRIBLE - 2001; CHRISTINE KEELER SEX BOMB - 2001 [TV Documentary; Narrator only]; SAFE CONDUCT - 2002 [TF]; BLOODY SUNDAY - 2002 [Fantasporto Directors' Week Award® winner for Best Actor];; HANRATTY THE WHOLE TRUTH - 2002 [TV Documentary; Narrator only]; THE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES - 2002; INNOCENTS - 2002 [TV Movie]; MI-5 - 2002; THE FOUR FEATHERS - 2002 [TF]; GANGS OF NEW YORK - 2002 [TF; The film was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture.]; JOHNNY ENGLISH - 3003 [TF]; THE DAY BRITAIN STOPPED - 2003 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THE VICE - 2001-2003 [8 episodes]; EROICA - 2003 [TV Movie]; POMPEII: THE LAST DAY - 2003 [TV Movie]; THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SAMUEL PEPYS - 2003 [TV Movie]; ALEXANDER - 2004 [TF]; NORTH & SOUTH - 2004 [TV mini-series; A continuation of the 1975 mini-series where Pigott-Smith plays the father of the character he portrayed in the original mini-series; 4 episodes]; CONFLICT - 2005 [Short]; V FOR VENDETTA - 2005 [TF]; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT - 2006; NORMAL FOR NORFOLK - 2006 [Short]; FLYBOYS - 2006 [TF]; THE LAST FLIGHT TO KUWAIT - 2007 [TV Movie]; HOLBY BLUE - 2007 [TV Series Regular; 8 episodes]; MIDSOMER MURDERS - 2008; QUANTUM OF SOLACE - 2008 [TF]; SERIAL KILLERS - 2006-2009 [Narrator only; 15 episodes]; TOP OF THE COPS - 2009;  ON EXPENSES - 2010 [TV Movie]; ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 2010 [TF]; FOYLE'S WAR - 2010; MONEY - 2010 [TV mini-series]; THE LITTLE HOUSE - 2010; MY PIECE OF THE PIE - 2011; THE SUSPICION OF MR. WHICHER: THE MURDER AT ROAD HILL HOUSE - 2011 [TV Movie]; THE HOUR - 2011 [4 episodes]; THE FALL OF SINGAPORE: THE GREAT BETRAYAL - 2012 [TV Documentary; Narrator only]; HOLLOW CROWNS - 2012 [TV Movie]; STRIKE BACK - 2012 [Cable TV Series]; DOWNTOWN ABBEY - 2012; DOOMSDAY - 2013 [TV Documentary mini-series; Narrator only for 3 episodes]; MIRANDA - 2013; SILENT WITNESS - 2013; WODEHOUSE IN EXILE - 2013 [TV Movie]; THE SUSPICIONS OF MR. WHICHER: THE MURDER IN ANGEL LANE - 2013 [TV Movie]; RED 2 - 2013 [TF]; THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY - 2013 [TV mini-series]; THE BETCHLEY CIRCLE - 2014; 37 DAYS - 2014 [TV miniseries; 3 episodes]; HOUDINI - 2014 [TV mini-series]; THE SUSPICIONS OF MR. WHICHER: BEYOND THE PALE - 2014 [TV Movie]; JUPITER ASCENDING - 2015 [TF]; RORY BREMNER'S ELECTION REPORT - 2015 [TV Movie]; INSPECTOR LEWIS - 2015; WHISKY GALORE - 2016 [TF]; DECLINE AND FALL - 2017 [TV mini-series]; KING CHARLES III - 2017 [TV Movie]; VICTORIA AND ABDUL - 2017 [TF]; THE LITTLE VAMPIRE 3D - 2017 [TF; Voice only]; 6 DAYS - ???? [In Post-Production at the time of his death. Release date not known]. Tim Pigott-Smith also did dozens of documentaries because of his distinctive voice and was a well-regarded Stage actor [He was nominated for a Tony Award® for his lead performance in "King Charles III", which was turned into a TV Movie just before his death] . He was awarded the OBE [Officer of the Order of the British Empire] in the 2017 Queen's New Years Honours List [just a month before his death] for his services to Drama. Tim Pigott-Smith passed away of undisclosed causes and was 70 years-old.) - 04/07/17
PETER HANSEN (Actor: Best known to most people as lawyer "Lee Baldwin" on the soap opera GENERAL HOSPITAL, Mr. Hansen [born Peter Franklin Hansen] had a wide and varied acting career since the 1950's, appearing in some 50's sci-fi and horror films and doing a large amount of TV Series. Mr. Hansen's credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: BRANDED - 1950 [TF; his first film was with Alan Ladd!]; THE GOLDBERGS - 1950 [TF]; THE LAST OUTPOST - 1951 [TF]; PASSAGE WEST - 1951 [TF]; DARLING HOW COULD YOU! - 1951 [TF]; WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE - 1951 [TF; a sci-fi film that still holds up today]; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1952 [TF]; SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR - 1952 [TF]; THE SAVAGE - 1952 [TF]; CAVALCADE OF STARS - 1954; THE LONE WOLF - 1954; PRISONER OF WAR - 1954 [TF]; SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE - 1954; BRIGADOON - 1954 [TF]; THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1954; YOUR FAVORITE STORY - 1954; LADY IN THE WINGS - 1954 [TV Movie]; SPACE PATROL - 1954; DRUM BEAT - 1954 [TF]; THE VIOLENT MEN - 1955; PUBLIC DEFENDER - 1954-1955 [3 episodes]; A BULLET FOR JOEY - 1955 [TF]; TOP OF THE WORLD - 1955 [TF]; STAGE 7 - 1955; THE LONE RANGER - 1954-1955 [5 episodes]; THE KING'S THIEF - 1955 [TF]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1955; HELL ON FRISCO BAY - 1955 [TF]; DIANE - 1956 [TF]; CLIMAX! - 1956 [Nearly every actor in the 50's has done this series]; THE PROUD AND THE PROFANE - 1956 [TF]; TELEPHONE TIME - 1956; A CRY IN THE NIGHT - 1956 [TF]; THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - 1956 [TF]; 5 STEPS TO DANGER - 1956 [TF]; THREE VIOLENT PEOPLE - 1956 [TF]; THE GRAY GHOST - 1957; DR. CHRISTIAN - 1957; SCIENCE FICTION THEATRE - 1955-1957 [6 episodes]; ZANE GREY THEATER - 1957; NAVY LOG - 1957; BROKEN ARROW - 1956-1957 [3 episodes]; FLIGHT - 1958; THE DEEP SIX - 1958 [TF]; RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE - 1957-1958; THE ADVENTURES OF JIM BOWIE - 1956-1958 [6 episodes]; THE RESTLESS GUN - 1958; PERRY MASON - 1958; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1956-1958; HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE - 1958; TOMBSTONE TERRITORY - 1958; MATINEE THEATRE - 1956-1958 [6 episodes]; MIKE HAMMER - 1958; SUSPICION - 1958; MAN WITHOUT A GUN - 1958; THE SILENT SERVICE - 1957-1958 [3 episodes]; SEA HUNT - 1958 [3 episodes]; PANIC! - 1958; FRONTIER DOCTOR - 1958; BAT MASTERSON - 1959; GOODYEAR THEATRE - 1959; MEN INTO SPACE - 1959; MAVERICK - 1961; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1961; POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES - 1961 [TF]; FOLLOW THE SUN - 1962; MCKEEVER & THE COLONEL - 1962; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1963; THE NEW LORETTA YOUNG SHOW - 1963; BEN JERROD - 1963; THE LIEUTENANT - 1964; DR. KILDARE - 1964; PETTICOAT JUNCTION - 1964; GOMER PYLE: USMC - 1964 [4 episodes]; APACHE RIFLES - 1964 [TF]; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["The Brain Of Colonel Barham" - 1965]; LASSIE - 1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; MR. NOVAK - 1965; HARLOW - 1965 [TF]; THIS IS THE LIFE - 1967; ALEXANDER THE GREAT - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE F.B.I. - 1965-1968; POLICE WOMAN - 1976; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1965-1976 [Unknown amount of episodes; he would return the following year and be on the soap opera to 1986; Nominated for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 1974]; HOW THE WEST WAS WON - 1976-1978 [7 episodes]; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE - 1983 [TF]; A CUT ABOVE - 1985 [TF]; THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 1985; MAGNUM, P.I. - 1985; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1977-1986 [Unknown amount of episodes; he would return to the soap opera in 1990; Emmy Award® winner in 1979 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series]; CAGNEY & LACEY - 1986; STARMAN - 1987; CHEERS - 1988; L.A. LAW - 1988; SIMON & SIMON - 1985-1988 [3 episodes]; CROWING PAINS - 1989; THE WAR OF THE ROSES - 1989 [TF]; IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD - 1990 [TV Movie]; BAR GIRLS - 1990 [TV Movie]; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1990 [Unknown amount of episodes; he would return in 1992 and spend the next 12 years playing Lee Baldwin]; MATLOCK - 1991; DADDY - 1991 [TV Movie]; COACH - 1992; DRAGON FLY - 2002 [TF]; ONE OF THE OLDEST CON GAMES - 2004 [Short]; PORT CHARLES - 1997-2004 [a GENERAL HOSPITAL spinoff, where Hansen would play Lee Baldwin from time to time];  GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1992-2004 [Hansen's final trip of playing Lee Baldwin. He retired from acting in 2004; Although he retired from acting, he did appear at the off-screen GENERAL HOSPITAL 50th Anniversary party in 2013 along with former on-screen wife Susan Brown.]. Hansen also served as spokesman for Plymouth automobiles on variety shows hosted by Lawrence Welk, Steve Allen and Garry Moore and was a news anchor at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles in 1961. Peter Hansen died of natural causes and was 95 years-old.) - 04/09/17
MICHAEL BALLHAUS (Cinematographer: The German-born Ballhaus will always be praised by me for photographing one film: BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 1992, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The use of shadows and movement in this film was something I never experienced before and even though the film itself was kind of boring [it was one of his very few movies not to get nominated for some type of reward], the photography was the real star here. He was cinematographer on dozens of German films and TV Movies [even Directing Acting and writing some of them] before he became famous in the United States, where he worked with some of the bigs. I am leaving his German credits out, but his American or British credits as a cinematographer included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise stated]: RUBY'S DREAM - 1982; BABY IT'S YOU - 1983; RECKLESS - 1984; OLD ENOUGH - 1984; HEARTBREAKERS - 1984; DEATH OF A SALESMAN - 1985 [TV Movie]; AFTER HOURS - 1985; UNDER THE CHERRY MOON - 1986 [It is unsubstantiated that he also directed this uncredited]; THE COLOR OF MONEY - 1986; THE GLASS MANAGERIE - 1987; BROADCAST NEWS - 1987 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Cinematography]; THE HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET - 1988; THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST - 1988; DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - 1988; WORKING GIRL - 1989; THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS - 1989 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Cinematography]; GOODFELLAS - 1990; POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE - 1990; GUILTY BY SUSPICION - 1991; WHAT ABOUT BOB? - 1991; THE MAMBO KINGS - 1992; BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 1992; THE AGE OF INNOCENCE - 1993; I'LL DO ANYTHING - 1994; QUIZ SHOW - 1994; OUTBREAK - 1995; SLEEPERS - 1996; AIR FORCE ONE - 1997; PRIMARY COLORS - 1998; WILD WILD WEST - 1999; THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR - 1999 [Executive Producer only]; WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? - 2000; THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE - 2000; GONE UNDERGROUND - 2001 [Short]; GANGS OF NEW YORK - 2002 [Academy Award® nomination for Best Cinematography]; UPTOWN GIRLS - 2003; SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE - 2003; THE DEPARTED - 2005; 3096 DAYS - 2013 [His last credit as a Cinematographer]. Ballhaus also shot Madonna's music videos for her songs "Papa Don't Preach" and "True Blue". Ballhaus continued working in Germany while he was working in the United States and was a well-regarded director of photography in both countries and was a favorite of Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He once told Variety this about Fassbinder: "It helped a lot because he was not an easy director. He was very hard on me and he was very pushy. He always cracked the whip to be fast and not to spend too much time. So I learned to be fast and still tried to be good. That was a big help later when I started shooting in the States. It was also a big help because he was so temperamental that from then on I knew I could handle every director in the world." Michael Ballhaus passed away of undisclosed causes and was 81 years-old.) - 04/12/17
CHARLIE MURPHY (Comedian/Actor: Charlie was not only the older brother of Eddie Murphy [They were both tight and Eddie insisted that Charlie have some bits parts on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE when Eddie was a regular], he was a natural funny guy in his own right. Some of his skits on CHAPPELLE'S SHOW almost made me piss my pants from laughing so hard. He was so young and so talented. It is hard to believe he is gone and I am having a hard time accepting it, but he is gone, leaving a legacy of side-splitting work behind him. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: BEVERLY HILLS COP II - 1987 [TF; Assistant To The Producers only]; SONNY SPOON - 1988; HARLEM NIGHTS - 1989 [TF]; MO' BETTER BLUES - 1990 [TF]; THE KID WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS - 1990 [TV Movie]; JUNGLE FEVER - 1991 [TF]; CB4 - 1993 [TF]; MARTIN - 1995; VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN - 1995 [TF; Screenwriter only]; MURDER WAS THE CASE: THE MOVIE - 1995 [Video Short]; THE POMPATUS OF LOVE - 1995 [TF]; THE PLAYERS CLUB - 1998 [TF]; UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - 1999 [TF]; PAPER SOLDIERS - 2002 [TF; also Screenwriter]; DEATH OF A DYNASTY - 2003 [TF]; CHAPPELLE'S SHOW - 2003-2004 [Charlie would have had many more funny skits if Dave Chappelle didn't walk away from this hit series {His fake feud with Rick James was a thing of genius and can't be told properly with words. You have to see it. YouTube may carry it.} and head off to Africa, without telling studio executives; also Uncredited Writer; When Charlie sang the song "Fuck It", I nearly laughed until I had a heart attack. Charlie acted as Host of the series from 2004 to 2006 just in case Chappelle returned. He didn't.]; ONE ON ONE - 2004; LOVESICK - 2005 [TF]; KING'S RANSOM - 2005 [TF]; ROLL BOUNCE - 2005 [TF; This is my favorite Charlie Murphy film performance]; THUGABOO: SNEAKER MADNESS - 2006 [TV Movie; Voice only]; NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 2006 [TF]; THUGABOO: A MIRACLE ON D-ROC's STREET - 2006 [TV Movie; Voice only]; THREE DAYS TO VEGAS - 2007 [TF]; NATURAL BORN KOMICS - 2007 [DTV]; MATTIE FRESNO AND THE HOLOFLUX UNIVERSE - 2007 [TF]; NORBIT - 2007 [TF; Acted with brother Eddie as the Voice of Floyd The Dog; Also Screenplay & Story]; UNIVERSAL REMOTE - 2007 [TF]; UNEARTHED - 2007 [TF; His only pure horror film]; THE PERFECT HOLIDAY - 2007 [TF]; TWISTED FORTUNE - 2007 [TF]; BAR STARZ - 2008 [TF]; THE HUSTLE - 2008 [TF]; FRANKENHOOD - 2009 [TF; Comedy Horror film with one of Charlie's biggest film roles]; NITE TALES: THE SERIES - 2009 [One of the worst horror anthology TV Series ever made]; 1000 WAYS TO DIE - 2010 [TV Comical Documentary Series]; FREAKNIK: THE MUSICAL - 2010 [TV Movie; Voice only]; OUR FAMILY WEDDING - 2010 [TF]; LOTTERY TICKET - 2010 [TF]; THE BOONDOCKS - 2005-2010 [10 episodes; Voice only]; CHARLIE MURPHY: I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE - 2010 [Video Documentary; also Screenwriter]; ARE WE THERE YET? - 2010-2011 [5 episodes]; THE COOKOUT 2 - 2011 [TV Movie] MOVING DAY - 2012 [TF]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 2013; THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW - 2013; A SATURDAY IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE - 2013 [Short]; CHARLIE MURPHY'S LAW - 2014; BLACK DYNAMITE - 2012-2014 [Voice only]; LOVE THAT GIRL! - 2014; BLACK JESUS - 2014-2015 [TV Series Star; 21 episodes]; TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES - 2016 [Voice only]; MEET THE BLACKS - 2016 [TF]; THE COMEDY GET DOWN - 2017; POWER - 2017 [Pay Cable TV Series; 4 episodes; His final acting role]. Charlie appeared in many Documentaries and comedy skit shows, as well as voice a few Video Games. In 1986 he wrote a screenplay titled "The Peddler" and sold it to Paramount for $150,000. As of today, the film remains unmade. Here's Charlie's story on the Rick James sketch: "I knew it was something [special] when we took it over to my baby brother [Eddie Murphy's] house. I was like, "Check out this Rick James sketch." And we watched it and he was silent throughout the whole sketch, so I thought it was horrible. Soon as it stopped playing, he just said one word: "Genius." And then busted out laughing like, "Play that shit again!"" The day Charlie died, he sent all his fans a final Tweet that would make the strongest man cry. Charlie Murphy passed away from complications of Leukemia and was just 57 years-old.) - 04/12/17
TOSHIO MATSUMOTO (Japanese Underground Director: Even though the majority or Mr. Matsumoto's films were Shorts, the subject of them were always controversial. He started his career doing documentary shorts and graduated to fictional avant-garde shorts and feature films. Many consider him a minor genius. His directorial credits included [all are Shorts unless otherwise stated]: BICYCLE IN DREAM - 1955 [Documentary Short; also Writer]; 300 TON TRAILER - 1959 [Documentary Short]; HARU O YOBUKORA - 1959 [Documentary Short]; THE CATCH - 1961 [Theatrical Film; Writer only]; WATASHI WA NYLON - 1962 [Documentary Short]; THE WEAVERS OF NISHIJIN - 1962 [Documentary Short]; THE SONG OF STONE - 1963 [Documentary Short]; MOTHERS - 1967 [Documentary Short]; SUHADA BI NO TAME NO 12 SHO - 1967; FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES - 1969 [Theatrical Film; also Writer; notorious at the time for its visuals of homesexual life]; FOR MY CRUSHED RIGHT EYE - 1969; ECSTASIS - 1969 [Also Producer, Editor & Cinematographer]; METASTASIS - 1971 [also Editor]; DEMONS - 1971 [Theatrical Film; His first feature-length horror film; also Writer]; EXPANSION-KAKUCHOU - 1972; MONA LISA - 1973; THE WAR OF THE 16 YEAR OLDS - 1973 [Theatrical Film; also Writer]; ANDY WARHOL: RE-REPRODUCTION - 1974; FLY - 1974; EVERYTHING VISIBLE IS EMPTY - 1975; ATMAN - 1975 [also Editor]; ENIGMA-NAZO - 1978; WHITE HOLE - 1979; KI=BREATHING - 1980; CONNECTION - 1981; SHIFT - 1982; RELATION - 1982; WAVE - 1984; SWAY: YURAGI - 1985 [Also Cinematographer]; ENGRAM - 1987 [also Actor]; DOGRA MAGRA - 1988 [Theatrical Film; A horror film that is his most accessible as a Director, but also his last film; Also Writer]. A Documentary was made about him, UNDER THE SKIN, in 2002. Matsumoto had published several photo and art books and was a a professor and dean of the Faculty of Arts at the Kyoto University of Art and Design. Matsumoto was also President of the Japan Society of Image Arts and Sciences. Toshio Matsumoto died of undisclosed causes and was 85 years-old.) - 04/12/17
CLIFTON JAMES (Actor: Clifton James claimed immortality as "Sheriff J.W. Pepper" in two James Bond films with Roger Moore. Some (including myself), think he stole the first movie, which is why they brought him back for the second film [and gave him more to do]. Clifton was the ultimate character actor, with a body and face born to play redneck Southern sheriffs, detectives, officers of the law, crooked businessmen and corrupt politicians, but he also did very many other roles in TV and in Theatrical films. Frankly, I thought he passed away a long time ago, but he was very much alive: His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Films]: THE STRANGE ONE - 1957 [TF]; THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1957; KRAFT THEATRE - 1958; DECOY - 1958; ARMCHAIR THEATRE - 1958; THE LAST MILE - 1959 [TF]; NAKED CITY - 1959-1960 [3 episodes]; BRENNER - 1961; CAIN'S HUNDRED - 1961; SOMETHING WILD - 1961 [TF]; EXPERIMENT IN TERROR - 1962 [TF]; DAVID AND LISA - 1962 [TF]; ROUTE 66 - 1963; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963; BLACK LIKE ME - 1964 [TF]; INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER - 1964 [TF]; SLATTERY'S PEOPLE - 1965; THE CHASE - 1966 [TF]; THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE - 1966; MOGUL- 1966; THE VIRGINIAN - 1966; THE HAPPENING - 1967 [TF]; THE CAPER OF THE GOLDEN BULLS - 1967 [TF]; COOL HAND LUKE - 1967 [TF; The first time Mr. James got my attention]; CIMARRON STRIP - 1967; WILL PENNY - 1967 [TF; One great Western]; MANNIX - 1968; IRONSIDE - 1969; THE REIVERS - 1969 [TF]; ...tick...tick...tick... - 1970 [TF]; WUSA - 1970 [TF]; GUNSMOKE - 1958-1970 [5 episodes]; BONANZA - 1968-1971; THE BISCUIT EATER - 1972 [TF]; PARTICULAR MEN - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE NEW CENTURIONS - 1972 [TF; Great ensemble piece]; KID BLUE - 1973 [TF]; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973 [TF; Roger Moore's first outing as James Bond and many think Clifton James as Sheriff J.W. Pepper stole the show]; THE WEREWOLF OF WASHINGTON - 1973 [TF]; THE ICEMAN COMETH - 1973 [TF]; THE LAST DETAIL - 1973 [TF]; THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN - 1973 [TF]; BANK SHOT - 1074 [TF]; BUSTER AND BILLIE - 1974 [TF]; JUGGERNAUGHT - 1974 [TF]; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1974 [TF; James returns as Sheriff J.W. Pepper, and actually helps James Bond in this film]; RANCHO DELUXE - 1975 [TF]; RUNAWAY BARGE - 1975 [TV Movie]; FRIENDLY PERSUASION - 1975 [TV Movie]; THE DEADLY TOWER - 1975 [TV Movie; one of the most tense TV Movies of the 70's]; FROM HONG KONG WITH LOVE - 1975 [TF]; CITY OF ANGELS - 1976; CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS - 1976 [TV mini-series]; SILVER STREAK - 1976 [TF]; THE NOVEMBER PLAN - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE BAD NEWS BEARS IN BREAKING TRAINING - 1977; SUPERTRAIN - 1979; HART TO HART - 1979; UNDERCOVER WITH THE KKK - 1979 [TV Movie]; YOUNG MAVERICK - 1979; CABO BLANCO - 1980 [TF]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1980; THE CONTENDER - 1980 [TV mini-series]; GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES - 1980 [TV Movie; A two-part movie that was better than most Theatrical Films]; QUINCY M.E. - 1980; SUPERMAN II - 1980 [TF]; ANOTHER WORLD - 1980 [Daytime soap opera; unknown amount of episodes]; TEXAS - 1981 [Daytime soap opera spun off from ANOTHER WORLD to compete with the then extremely popular nighttime drama DALLAS, which James would eventually appear on. Mr. James appeared in 38 episodes in 1981. The series lasted from 1980 to 1982.]; LEWIS & CLARKE - 1981-1982 [TV Series Regular; 13 episodes]; THE FALL GUY - 1982; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1979-1982; THE A-TEAM - 1983; TALK TO ME - 1984 [TF]; KIDCO - 1984 [TF]; HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN - 1984; STIFFS - 1985 [TF]; WHERE OF THE CHILDREN? - 1986 [TF]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1987 [TF]; WHOOPS APOCALYPSE - 1988 [TF]; EIGHT MEN OUT - 1988 [TF]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1988; WALTER & CARLO IN AMERICA - 1989 [TF]; SHE-DEVIL - 1989]; DALLAS - 1990 [4 episodes]; NIGHT COURT - 1990; THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES - 1990 [TF]; MONSTERS - 1991; GABRIEL'S FIRE - 1991; CAROLINA SKELETONS - 1991 [TV Movie]; THE VERNON JOHNS STORY - 1994 [TV Movie]; LONE STAR - 1996 [TF]; ALL MY CHILDREN - 1996 [Daytime soap opera; played "Kris Kringle" for one episode]; THE SUMMER OF BEN TYLER - 1996 [TV Movie]; INTERSTATE 84 - 2000 [TF]; SUNSHINE STATE - 2002 [TF]; THE HOWLIN' WOLF STORY - 2003 [Documentary]; SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT - 2006 [TF; Alternate version of the 1982 film which was assembled and released in 2006. I believe it is the better of the two versions.]; RAISING FLAGG - 2006 [TF; his last acting role]. A film he was supposed to star in, OLD SOLDIERS, was in the Pre-Production stage in 2017. Mr. James also appeared on the Daytime Soap Opera THE SECRET STORM between 1955 and 1975, but the year[s] and amount of episodes are not known. All we know is he played a character named "Wes Glenway". He fought for five years on the front lines of the South Pacific, earning two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his service during World War II. Before he became a TV and Movie actor, he appeared on stage in “The Time of Your Life” and would go on to perform in several Broadway shows, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “All The Way Home.” Clifton James passed away due to complications of Diabetes and was 95 years-old.) - 04/15/17
J.C. SPINK (Producer: Spink was a Producer of some popular Theatrical Movies and TV Series for a relatively short period of time before passing away at a young age. His Producing credits included [Theatrical Films produced with partner Chris Bender unless otherwise noted]: BLACK PEOPLE HATE ME AND THEY HATE MY GLASSES - 2000 [Short]; CATS & DOGS - 2001; OUTSIDE - 2002; THE RING - 2002; CHEATS - 2002; THE DUFF CHALLENGE - 2003 [TV Movie]; BLIND HORIZON - 2003; THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT - 2004; GLENN TILBROOK: ONE FOR THE ROAD - 2004 [Documentary]; THE RING TWO - 2005; CON - 2005 [TV Series]; MONSTER-IN-LAW - 2005; A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE - 2005; RED EYE - 2005; JUST FRIENDS - 2005; THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2 - 2006; FULL OF IT - 2007; INSANITARIUM - 2008 [DTV]; PRIVATE VALENTINE: BLONDE AND DANGEROUS - 2008; KILL THEORY - 2009; THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 3: REVELATIONS - 2009; KYLE XY - 2006-2009 [TV Series; 42 episodes]; THE HANGOVER - 2009; THE HOLE - 2009; LEAP YEAR - 2010; I AM NUMBER FOUR - 2011; ARTHUR - 2011; THE HANGOVER PART II - 2011; THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE - 2013; THE HANGOVER PART III - 2013; WE'RE THE MILLERS - 2013; ZOMBEAVERS - 2014; THE GOLDBERGS - 2014-2015 [TV Series; Actor only]; CURVE - 2015; RIDE ALONG 2 - 2016; SAVE ME FROM THE SOUND OF THE SIREN - 2016 [Short]; CRIMINAL - 2016; RINGS - 2017 [His last Producing credit]. J.C. Spink died of an accidental drug overdose due to “multiple drug intoxication” [it's on the coroner's report]  and was just 44 years-old.) - 04/18/17
DICK CONTINO (Actor/Musician: Dick Contino was a hip-swiveling accordionist who was a regular on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW and appeared in a handful of films and TV Series. His success was interrupted when Contino was drafted during the Korean War. Contino, at the time earning a reported $4,000 per week, fled from pre-induction barracks at Fort Ord, due to extreme and unpublicized phobias and neuroses. He was labeled a "draft dodger" and jailed for several months before serving in the United States armed forces and being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and receiving a Presidential Pardon. The resultant scandal dealt Contino's career a serious blow, but he continued performing, including acting. His credits included [Theatrical Film unless otherwise noted]: THE SPIKE JONES SHOW - 1954 [TV Series]; THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR - 1954 [TV Series]; THE EASTER SEALS TELEPARADE OF STARS - 1955 [TV Special]; TEXACO STAR THEATRE - 1950-1955 [TV Series]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1956 [TV Series]; DADDY-'O' - 1958 [Probably his best-known film; the first film to be scored by John Williams]; THE BEAT GENERATION - 1959; GIRLS TOWN - 1959; THE BIG NIGHT - 1960; THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - 1950-1967 [TV Series; 48 episodes]; I WAS A TEENAGE BEATNICK - 2005; BEHIND THE BELLOWS: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE ACCORDION - 2009 [Documentary]; NIGHT CLUB - 2011 [His final acting role]. He also appeared as a guest on some variety shows like THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY SHOW - 1956; THE TONY BENNETT SHOW - 1956; THE RAY ANTHONY SHOW - 1957; THE JACK PAAR SHOW - 1958-1959 [6 episodes]; THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW - 1962; THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW - 1967; and THE WOODY WOODBURY SHOW - 1968, to play his accordion. He was considered the hippest accordianist of his generation, the Elvis Presley of the accordion. He also released several dozen accordion-based albums. Dick Contino passed away of natural causes and was 87 years-old.) - 04/19/17
ERIN MORAN (Actress: It comes as quite a shock when the youngest member of HAPPY DAYS [portraying Joanie Cunningham] passes away before I did. A lot of people think Ms. Moran'a acting debut came on that show, but she had been acting since the mid-1960's, first doing TV commercials and then getting bit parts in films and making guest appearances on TV Series. She was also one of the stars of one of Producer Roger Corman's most memorable sci-fi films of the 1980's. Why someone this young dies before her time is a question I quit asking myself, but at least we have her body of work to remember her by. Ms. Moran's credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: WHO'S MINDING THE MINT? - 1967 [TF]; HOW SWEET IT IS! - 1968 [TF]; STANLEY VS. THE SYSTEM - 1968 [TV Movie]; DAKTARI - 1968-1969 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 15 episodes]; DEATH VALLEY DAYS - 1969; 80 STEPS TO JONAH - 1969 [TF]; THE HAPPY ENDING - 1969 [TF]; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1970; MY THREE SONS - 1970; WATERMELON MAN - 1970 [TF]; FAMILY AFFAIR - 1970-1971 [3 episodes]; O'HARA, U.S. TREASURY - 1971; THE SMITH FAMILY - 1971; BEARCATS! - 1971; GUNSMOKE - 1971; THE DON RICKLES SHOW - 1972; THE F.B.I. - 1970-1973 [3 episodes]; LISA, BRIGHT AND DARK - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE WALTONS - 1975; THE MAGIC PONY - 1977 [TF; Voice only]; GREATEST HEROES OF THE BIBLE - 1979; GALAXY OF TERROR - 1981 [TF; One of the best films Producer Roger Corman ever made]; TWIRL - 1981 [TV Movie]; JOANIE LOVES CHACHI - 1982-1983 [A failed spin-off of HAPPY DAYS; Some successful spinoffs included LAVERNE & SHIRLEY and MORK AND MINDY; 17 episodes; Even though the series was a flop, she still won a Young Artist Award® for Best Young Actress in a New Television Series]; HOTEL - 1983; HAPPY DAYS - 1974-1984 [239 episodes]; GLITTER - 1984; THE LOVE BOAT - 1980-1985 [6 episodes]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1986; DEAR GOD - 1996 [TF]; DESPERATION BOULEVARD - 1998 [TF]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1998; GOOD VS. EVIL - 1999; DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR - 2003 [TF]; HAPPY DAYS: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION - 2005 [TV Movie Documentary]; THE SINGING BEE - 2007; BROKEN PROMISE - 2008 [TF]; MOTHER GOOSE PARADE - 2008 [TV Movie Documentary]; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 2009; NOT ANOTHER B MOVIE - 2010 [TF; her final acting role]. Like many people [especially former child stars], Erin Moran fell on hard times and in 2010 her house was foreclosed upon and she was evicted. As you can see by her credits, her acting roles pretty much dried up once HAPPY DAYS ended. A shameful thing that happens to many young stars. Erin Moran passed away due to unknown causes [Henry Winkler's Tweet made it sound like a suicide and various other sources say it was a heroin overdose in her Indiana trailer park home, but I'll wait for the coroner's report. The Coroner's Report stated that Erin Moran died of Stage 4 Cancer and she probably didn't know she had it.] and was just 56 years-old.) - 04/22/17
DON GORDON (Actor: One of the best character actors [Real Name: Donald Walter Guadagno] of our generation has passed away. Any Baby Boomer would instantly recognize him for all the movies and TV Series he had done in the 60's, 70's & 80's. He was also good friends with Steve McQueen, who made sure he was cast for roles in his films if there were any. He was the kind of actor who automatically improved anything he appeared in. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH - 1949 [TF]; HALLS OF MONTEZUMA - 1951 [TF]; LET'S GO NAVY! - 1951 [TF]; FORCE OF ARMS - 1951 [TF]; IT'S A BIG COUNTRY: AN AMERICAM ANTHOLOGY - 1951; SPACE PATROL - 1951; GIRLS IN THE NIGHT - 1953 [TF]; THE FORD TELEVISION THEATRE - 1953; LAW AND ORDER - 1953 [TF]; THE PHILCO-GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE - 1953; THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS - 1953 [TF]; MISTER PEEPERS - 1953; THE BEST OF BROADWAY - 1955; REVOLT AT FORT LARAMIE - 1956 [TF]; THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY - 1956 [TF]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1956; FRONTIER - 1956; THE KAISER ALUMINUM HOUR - 1956; STUDIO ONE IN HOLLYWOOD - 1956-1957; CLIMAX! - 1957 [Every star alive during the 50's has had a role on this TV Series]; NAVY LOG - 1957; THE WALTER WINCHELL FILE - 1958; MAN WITHOUT A GUN - 1958; SUGARFOOT - 1958; TRACKDOWN - 1958; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1959; THE ROUGH RIDERS - 1959; THE MILLIONAIRE - 1959; COLT .45 - 1959; CRY TOUGH - 1959 [TF]; BORDER PATROL - 1959; JOHNNY STACCATO - 1959; U.S. MARSHAL - 1959; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959; MR. LUCKY - 1959; MAN WITH A CAMERA - 1960; WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE - 1959-1960 [The TV Series in which Gordon and Steve McQueen became friends]; HAWAIIAN EYE - 1959-1960; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958-1960; THE DEPUTY - 1960; THE BLUE ANGELS - 1960-1961 [TV Series Regular; 33 episodes]; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1961; THE DEFENDERS - 1962 [Emmy Award® nomination for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role]; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961-1963 [4 episodes]; EMPIRE - 1963; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; THE LLOYD BRIDGES SHOW - 1963; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1963; CHANNING - 1963; THE TWILIGHT ZONE - ["The Four Of Us Are Dying" - 1960; "The Self-Improvement Of Salvadore Ross" - 1964]; THE OUTER LIMITS - ["The Invisibles" - 1964; "Second Chance" - 1964]; THE GAME WITH GLASS PIECES - 1964 [TV Movie]; THE FUGITIVE - 1964; INSIGHT - 1960-1965 [3 episodes]; MEMORANDUM FOR A SPY - 1965 [TV Movie]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1965; COMBAT! - 1965; THE LOLLIPOP COVER - 1965 [TF; also Writer]; PEYTON PLACE - 1966 [5 episodes]; SHANE - 1966; VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966; THE WILD WILD WEST - 1967; THE INVADERS - 1967; READY AND WILLING - 1967 [TV Movie]; OF MICE AND MEN - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE FELONY SQUAD - 1968; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1968; BULLITT - 1968 [TF]; THE GAMBLERS - 1970 [TF]; WUSA - 1970 [TF]; CANNON FOR CORDOBA - 1970 [TF]; THE LAST MOVIE - 1971 [TF]; MONTE NASH - 1971; Z.P.G. ZERO POPULATION GROWTH - 1972 [TF]; FUZZ - 1972 [TF]; SLAUGHTER - 1972 [TF]; SEARCH - 1973; THE MACK - 1973 [TF]; THE RETURN OF CHARLIE CHAN - 1973 [TF]; TOMA - 1973; PAPILLON - 1973 [TF]; BANACEK - 1974; THE ROOKIES - 1974; THE F.B.I. - 1967-1974 [6 episodes]; THE MAGICIAN - 1974; MANNIX - 1974; THE EDUCATION OF SONNY CARSON - 1974 [TF]; COLUMBO - 1974; THE TOWERING INFERNO - 1974 [TF]; CANNON - 1971-1975; MATT HELM - 1975; THE BIONIC WOMAN - 1976; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975-1976; STREET KILLING - 1976 [TV Movie]; CHARLIE'S ANGELS - 1976; DELVECCHIO - 1976; SWITCH - 1975-1976; BARNABY JONES - 1976; SPENCER'S PILOTS - 1976; STARSKY AND HUTCH - 1977; LUCAN - 1977-1978 [Failed TV Series Regular; 10 episodes]; SPARROW - 1978 [TV Movie]; VEGA$ - 1979; PARIS - 1980; THE CONTENDER - 1980 [TV mini-series]; OUT OF THE BLUE - 1980 [TF]; HART TO HART - 1980; THE FINAL CONFLICT - 1981 [TF; The final chapter in THE OMEN trilogy. Gordon portrays Damien's right hand man whose wife is made to kill their own baby with a hot iron]; STRIKE FORCE - 1982; THE BEAST WITHIN - 1982 [TF; one of the 80's most unusual horror films]; MATT HOUSTON - 1982; THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR - 1983; CONFESSIONS OF A MARRIED MAN - 1983 [TV Movie]; THE DUKES OF HAZZARD - 1983; THE LOVE BOAT - 1983; AUTOMAN - 1983; T.J. HOOKER - 1983-1984; SIMON & SIMON - 1982-1984; COVER UP - 1984; KNIGHT RIDER - 1982-1985; AIRWOLF - 1986; REMINGTON STEELE - 1985-1986 [3 episodes]; MACGYVER - 1987; LETHAL WEAPON - 1987; OHARA - 1987; CODE NAME VENGEANCE - 1987 [TF]; SKIN DEEP - 1989 [TF]; THE EXORCIST III - 1990 [TF; one of the scariest one-second jump scare in the history of films; it will stay with you forever once you have seen it]; THE BORROWER - 1991 [TF; A damn weird horror film about an alien who has to use human heads to stay alive]; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1993; LEGION - 2016 [TF; his final acting role]. When legends like Don Gordon passes away, it make you appreciate that they left behind a huge body of work to enjoy. It also make you think harder and deeper about your own mortality. Don Gordon passed away of natural causes and was 90 years-old.) - 04/24/17
JONATHAN DEMME (Director/Producer/Writer: My God, make it stop! We are losing too many good people in 2017. I know death is the final part of life, but many of these people are leaving us much to soon. Jonathan Demme was one of those people; an Academy Award® winning director for SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991, who got his start being a jack-of-all-trades for Roger Corman in the early 1970's [when Demme became famous, he always put cameos of Corman into his films]. Corman finally gave him a chance to direct and he never looked back. His films were popular and three of the stars of his many films won Academy Awards® for their performances [including Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster]. Jonathan Demme's credits as a director included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: SUDDEN TERROR - 1970 [Music Coordinator only]; ANGELS HARD AS THEY COME - 1971 [Producer & Writer only]; VON RICHTHOFEN AND BROWN - 1971 [Publicist only]; RIO TIGRE - 1972 [Story & Screenplay only]; THE HOT BOX - 1972 [Writer, Producer & Second Unit Director only]; FLY ME - 1973 [Second Unit Director only]; NAUGHTY WIVES - 1973 [Director of opening Sequence only]; BLACK MAMA WHITE MAMA - 1973 [Story only]; CAGED HEAT - 1974 [also Writer]; CRAZY MAMA - 1975; FIGHTING MAD - 1976 [also Wrier]; HANDLE WITH CARE - 1977; THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN - 1977 [Actor only]; COLUMBO - 1978 [TV Series]; ROGER CORMAN: HOLLYWOOD'S WILD ANGEL - 1978 [Documentary; Appears as himself]; LAST EMBRACE - 1979 [also Bit Actor];; MELVIN AND HOWARD - 1980 [I simply love this off-the-wall film; Academy Award® to Mary Steenburgen for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Bo Goldman for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1980 [TV Series; Director & Writer of segment "Gidgette Goes to Hell" only]; WHO AM I THIS TIME? - 1982 [TV Movie]; ALIVE FROM OFF CENTER - 1984 [TV Series]; SWING SHIFT - 1984 [Christine Lahti was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role]; STOP MAKING SENSE - 1984 [A Talking Heads Semi-Documentary; also Writer & Re-Recording Mixer]; INTO THE NIGHT - 1985 [Bit Actor only]; SURVIVAL GUIDE - 1985 [TV Movie]; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - 1985-1986 [ Director of short films "Say No: Part 1" - 1985 and "Say No: Part 2" - 1986]; SOMETHING WILD - 1986 [also Producer; A great piece of filmmaking]; SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA - 1987; TRYING TIMES - 1987 [TV Series]; HAITI DREAMS OF DEMOCRACY - 1987 [TV Documentary; also Producer & Writer]; MARRIED TO THE MOB - 1988 [another great film; Dean Stockwell was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]; FAMOUS ALL OVER TOWN - 1988; RED HOT AND BLUE - 1990 [Pay TV Movie]; MIAMI BLUES - 1990 [Producer only]; WOMEN AND MEN 2: IN LOVE THERE ARE NO RULES - 1991 [Pay TV Movie; Producer only] THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991 [A game changer when mixing thrillers with horror themes; one of the first time that the Academy paid attention to horror. Won five Academy Awards: Jonathan Demme for Best Director; Anthony Hopkins for Best Actor; Jodie Foster for Best Actress; Ted Tally for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published and for Best Picture]; COUSIN BOBBY - 1992 [Documentary]; AMOS & ANDREW - 1993 [Executive Producer only]; HOUSEHOLD SAINTS - 1993 [Executive Producer & Presenter only]; PHILADELPHIA - 1993 [Academy Award® for Tom Hanks as Best Actor and Bruce Springsteen for Best Original Song {"The Streets Of Philadelphia"}]; ROY COHN/JACK SMITH - 1994 [Producer only]; MURDER INCORPORATED - 1995 [MFHV]; DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS - 1995 [Executive Producer only]; COURAGE AND PAIN - 1996 [Documentary; Producer only]; THAT THING YOU DO! - 1996 [Producer & Bit Actor only]; MANDELA - 1996 [Documentary; Producer only]; INTO THE ROPES - 1996 [Producer only]; SUBWAYSTORIES: TALES FROM THE UNDERGROUND - 1997 [Pay TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; ULEE'S GOLD - 1997 [Presenter only]; STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK - 1998 [Documentary]; BELOVED - 1998 [also Producer]; THE UTTMOST - 1998 [Documentary; Producer only]; SHADRACH - 1998 [Executive Producer only]; OZ - 2000 [Pay TV Series; Bit Actor only]; THE OPPORTUNISTS - 2000 [Executive Producer only]; MAANGAMIZI: THE ANCIENT ONE - 2001 [Executive Producer only]; ADAPTATION - 2002 [Producer only]; THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE - 2002 [also Writer]; THE AGRONOMIST - 2003 [Documentary; also Producer & Cinematographer]; BEAH: A BLACK WOMAN SPEAKS - 2003 [Documentary; Producer only]; THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE - 2004 [also Producer]; THE GOODBYE KISS - 2006 [Presenter only]; GOING TO PIECES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SLASHER FILM - 2006 [Documentary; Appears as himself]; NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD - 2006 [Documentary; also Producer & Camera Operator]; JIMMY CARTER MAN FROM PLAINS - 2007 [Documentary; also Producer, Camera Operator & Writer]; RACHEL GETTING MARRIED - 2008 [also Producer; Anne Hathaway was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role]; CRUDE INDEPENDENCE - 2009 [Documentary; Executive Producer only]; NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW - 2009 [Documentary; also Producer]; I'M CAROLYN PARKER - 2011 [Documentary; also Producer & Cinematographer]; NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS - 2011 [Documentary; also Producer]; ENLIGHTENED - 2011 [Pay TV Series]; CORMAN'S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL - 2011 [Documentary; Appears as himself. A must for Roger Corman fans]; PABLO - 2012 [Actor only]; A GIFTED MAN - 2011-2012 [TV Series; Directed the Pilot & Executive Produced 6 episodes]; KENNY CHESNEY: UNSTAGED - 2012 [Documentary]; GIMME THE LOOT - 2012 [Presenter only]; ENZO AVITABILE MISIC LIFE - 2012 [Documentary; also Producer]; I'M CAROLYN PARKER: THE GOOD, THE MAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - 2012 [TV Documentary; also Producer]; A MASTER BUILDER - 2013; EVERETT RUESS WILDERNESS SONG - 2013 [Documentary; Producer only];  LINE OF SIGHT - 2014 [TV Movie; also Executive Producer]; THE KILLING - 2013-2014 [TV Series]; SONG ONE - 2014 [Producer only]; BROTHERS OF THE BLACK LIST - 2014 [Documentary; Presenter only]; ANOTHER TELEPATHIC THING - 2015; RICKI AND THE FLASH - 2015; DEEP TIME - 2015 [Documentary; Executive Producer only]; THE CENTER - 2015 [Executive Producer only]; THE NEW YORKER PRESENTS - 2016 [TV Series Documentary; Directed the Pilot]; JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE + THE TENNESSEE KIDS - 2016 [Documentary]; SHOTS FIRED - 2017 [TV Series; his last credit, He died on the day his episode was to be shown so the creators put an “In Memoriam” card on the episode.]. Jonathan Demme also directed Music Videos for such singers and bands as; The Talking Heads ["Once In A Lifetime"; "Stop Making Sense"]; UB40 & Chrissie Hynde ["I Got You Babe"]; New Order ["The Perfect Kiss"; a lot of Demme's films contain New Order songs]; Bruce Springsteen ["Streets Of Philadelphia"; "Murder Incorporated"; "If I Should Fall Behind"]; Artists Against Apartheid ["Sun City"]; and too many Neil Young songs to list. He was the Uncle of late director Ted Demme [BLOW - 2001] and put late character actor Charles Napier, as well as Ted Levine and Tracey Walter, in nearly all his non-documentaries. As you can see by his filmography, he loved making documentaries just as much as he loved making fictional films. Jonathan Demme died of esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease and was 73 years-old.) - 04/26/17
DALIAH LAVI (Actress: This beautiful Palestine born actress [Real Name: Daliah Lewinbuk; "Lavi" means "lioness" in Hebrew] appeared in many foreign films before finally catching the eye of Hollywood and appearing in several well-known films. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise stated]: THE PEOPLE OF HEMSO - 1955; BLAZING SAND - 1960; CANDIDE - 1960; VIOLENT SUMMER - 1961; NO TIME FOR ECSTACY - 1961; THE RETURN OF DR. MABUSE - 1961; THREE FACES OF SIN - 1961; THE GAME OF TRUTH - 1961; TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN - 1962 [Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Most Promising Newcomer - Female]; BLACK-WHITE-RED FOUR POSTER - 1962; THE DEMON - 1963; THE WHIP AND THE BODY - 1963 [Directed by Mario Bava]; AND SO TO BED - 1963; OLD SHATTERHAND - 1964; CYRANO AGAINST D'ARTAGNAN - 1964; THEY'RE TOO MUCH - 1965; LORD JIM - 1965; LA CELESTINA P... R... - 1965; SHOTS IN 3/4 TIME - 1965; TEN LITTLE INDIANS - 1965; THE SILENCERS - 1966; THE SPY WITH A COLD NOSE - 1966; CASINO ROYALE - 1967; THOSE FANTASTIC FLYING FOOLS - 1967; NOBODY RUNS FOREVER - 1968; SOME GIRLS DO - 1969; SCHWARZER PETER - 1970 [TV Series]; CATLOW - 1971; SEZ LES - 1972; HALLO PETER - 1975 [TV Series]. Ms. Lavi abandoned films and TV during the 70's for a singing career [She was extremely popular in Germany in the 70's] and then did TV in Germany in the 90's: MRS. HOWARD UND DER HEIRATSSCHWINDLER - 1991 [TV Movie]; MUSIK LIEGT IN DER LUFT - 1995 [TV Series]; MOUTH TO MOUTH - 1995 [Archive footage of her in CASINO ROYALE]; DUELL ZU DRITT - 1997 [TV Series; Her final acting role]. After several years of singing and appearing on German television, she retired to Asheville, North Carolina, with her fourth husband, businessman Charles Gans. Daliah Lavi passed away of undisclosed causes and was 74 years-old.) - 05/04/17
EDWIN SHERIN (Director/Producer: Edwin Sherin was an vital heartbeat for LAW & ORDER, Executive Producing 163 episodes and directing and directing 36 episodes of the original, as well as episodes of the spinoffs. But he started out much sooner than that. Edwin Sherin Directing credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical films]: VALDEZ IS COMING - 1971 [TF]; MY OLD MAN'S PLACE - 1971 [TF; very underrated. Pick up the Code Red DVD.]; KING LEAR - 1974 [TV Movie]; HILL STREET BLUES - 1986; MOONLIGHTING - 1986; LENA: MY 100 CHILDREN - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE FATHER CLEMENTS STORY - 1987 [TV Movie]; TOUR OF DUTY  - 1989 [3 episodes]; SETTLE THE SCORE - 1989 [TV Movie] DAUGHTER OF THE STREET - 1990 [TV Movie]; DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. - 1990; L.A. LAW - 1990 [3 episodes]; A MARRIAGE: GEORGIA O'KEEFFE AND ALFRED STIEGLITZ - 1991 [TV Movie]; SOUTH BEACH - 1993; HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET - 1996-1999 [3 episodes]; LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - 2000; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - 2002; LAW & ORDER - 1991-2005 36 episodes; Executive Producer for 163 episodes between 1993 to 2000; Emmy Award® winner in 1997 for Outstanding Drama Series {7 other nominations between 1993 to 2000}; Also won a PGA Award® in 1997 for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television]; MEDIUM - 2006; THE BLACK DONNELLYS - 2007 [His last directorial effort]. He was also Creative Consultant and Graphic Designer for the TV series ART IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY - 2001-2009; Wrote the Theatrical Film ACROSS THE RIVER - 1965; and Acted in OMNIBUS - 1957; BRENNER - 1959; THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES - 1963; EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE - 1963 and portrayed a Chief Justice in a 2000 episode of LAW & ORDER titled "Vaya Con Dios". He won the Directors Guild Of America's [DGA] Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award® in 2002 and the DGA Honorary Life Member Award® in 2012 [Both are highly prestigious awards]. Mr. Sherin was also a well-regarded Stage director and he was nominated for Broadway's 1974 Tony Award® as Best Director [Dramatic] for "Find Your Way Home." He also served three terms as national vice president of the Director's Guild of America, from 1997-2003. His curreent wife was the excellent actress Jane Alexander [BRUBAKER - 1980], with whom he was married March 29, 1975 until the time of his death. Her appearances on a cross-episode arc of LAW & ORDER and LAW & ORDER: SVU [2000] were some of the most brutally honest episodes of the shows, where she played a matriarch, named "Regina Mulroney", of a clan like the Kennedy's. Edwin Sherin passed away of undisclosed causes and was 87 yers-old.) - 05/04/17
QUINN O'HARA (Actress: Scottish-born bombshell (Real Name: Alice Jones), who made a splash in the 1960's with her beautiful looks [She was named the first Miss Scotland] and better-than-average acting. Her credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Films and she did some that will be forever sketched in our mind]: DRAGNET - 1956; THE ERRAND BOY - 1961 [TF; She did a few bit parts in Jerry Lewis Films]; GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - 1962; I'M DICKENS, HE'S FENSTER - 1962; THE REAL MCCOYS - 1962-1963; THE CARETAKERS - 1963 [TF]; THE LIVELY ONES - 1963 [3 episodes]; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1963; WHO'S MINDING THE STORE - 1963 [TF]; CHANNING - 1964; THE RED SKELTON HOUR - 1964; THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES - 1964; THE PATSY - 1964 [TF]; GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM - 1964 [TF]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964; THE ROGUES - 1964; THE TYCOONS - 1965; BURKE'S LAW - 1964-1965 [4 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1965; THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. - 1965; MY THREE SONS - 1964-1965; A SWINGIN' SUMMER - 1965 [TF]; PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS - 1966; BOB HOPE PRESENTS CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1964-1966; THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI - 1966 [TF; Probably her best film]; THE SAINT - 1966; IN THE YEAR 2889 - 1966 [TV Movie; One of director Larry Buchannan's ultra cheap knock-offs of American International Pictures]; THE FAR OUT WEST - 1967 [TF; Uses archive footage of Ms. O'Hara from PISTOLS 'N' PETTICOATS]; DRAGNET 1967 - 1968; PRELUDE - 1968 [Short]; CRY OF THE BANSHEE - 1970 [TF; Does not get the attention it deserves]; RUBIA'S JUNGLE - 1970 [TF]; THE TROUBLE WITH WOMEN - 1970 [TV Movie]; TO ROME WITH LOVE - 1971; DAN AUGUST - 1971; THE SMITH FAMILY - 1971; IRONSIDE - 1971; UFO - 1971; FOURSOME - 1971 [TF]; THE TEACHER - 1974 [TF]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975; ONE DAY AT A TIME - 1977-1978; CHiPS - 1979; FANTASY ISLAND - 1980; QUINCY M.E. - 1981; VEGA$ - 1981; THE FALL GUY - 1985; T.J. HOOKER - 1986; TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. - 1978-1986 [7 episodes]; B.L. STRYKER - 1989; DALLAS - 1986-1991 [7 episodes]; MATLOCK - 1989-1993; ACAPULCO H.E.A.T. - 1994; DIAGNOSIS MURDER - 1996; BAYWATCH - 1989-1996; NYPD BLUE - 1998; LAS VEGAS - 2005 [Her final acting role]. During her career, she dated singer Fabian, actors Lee Majors and Dennis Cole and Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace Sandy Koufax. After one disasterous marriage, she finally found love with a man named Bill Kirk and married him in 1986 and stayed married to him until her passing. After Quinn O'Hara retired from acting, she was a nurse working with senior citizens and became an American Citizen in 1992. Quinn O'Hara passed away from "multiple medical issues" and was 76 years old.) - 05/05/17
CURT LOWENS (Actor: Allenstein, East Prussia, Germany-born Curt Lowens (Real Name: Kurt Löwenstein) escaped the Holocaust [and rescued about 150 Jewish children in the process] to eventually become a well-known actor, especially to women who watched afternoon soap operas, since he was a regular on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the late-80's to the early-90's as "Claude Donnet". But he was so much more than a soap opera actor [not that it isn't a tough job], as he had appeared in TV Series and Theatrical Films since the end of the 1950's [in an unusual twist, some of his roles were that of WW II German military personnel and KGB agents]. His credits included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1959; TWO WOMEN - 1961 [TF]; FRANCIS OF ASSISI - 1961 [TF]; WEREWOLF IN A GIRL'S DORMITORY - 1961 [TF; A horror film that played endlessly on TV in the 60's & 70's]; BARABBAS - 1961 [TF]; THE FOUR DAYS OF NAPLES - 1962 [TF]; IMPERIAL VENUS - 1962 [TF]; THE VERONA TRIAL - 1963 [TF]; COMBAT! - 1966; BLUE LIGHT - 1966; TORN CURTAIN - 1966 [TF; worked with Alfred Hitchcock!]; JERICHO - 1966; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966 [3 episodes]; I SPY - 1966; TARZAN - 1966; HOGAN'S HEROES - 1967; TOBRUK - 1967 [TF]; T.H.E. CAT - 1967; COUNTERPOINT - 1967 [TF]; GARRISON'S GORILLAS - 1967-1968 [3 episodes]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1968; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1966-1969 [3 episodes]; THE F.B.I. - 1966-1969 [4 episodes]; THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA - 1969 [TF]; IT TAKES A THIEF - 1969; THE AQUARIANS - 1970 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1970; THE MEPHISTO WALTZ - 1971 [TF; terribly underrated]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1971-1972; FIREBALL FORWARD - 1972 [TV Movie]; MANNIX - 1973; TRADER HORN - 1973 [TF]; MURDER AND THE COMPUTER - 1973 [TV Movie]; HAWKINS - 1973; INCIDENT AT VICHY - 1973 [TV Movie]; THE MAGICIAN - 1974; M*A*S*H - 1974; BRONK - 1975; MATT HELM - 1975; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1975; CANNON - 1973-1975; THE HINDENBURG - 1975 [TF]; THE SWISS CONSPIRACY - 1976 [TF]; FRANCIS GARY POWERS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE U-2 SPY INCIDENT - 1976 [TV Movie]; SERPICO - 1976; MAN FROM ATLANTIS - 1977; THE CABOT CONNECTION - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT - 1977 [TF]; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1974-1977; THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN - 1974-1977 [4 episodes]; WONDER WOMAN - 1976-1977 [3 episodes]; THE FRENCH ATLANTIC AFFAIR - 1979 [TV mini-series]; BARNABY JONES - 1975-1979; BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - 1979; MISSILE X: THE NEUTRON BOMB INCIDENT - 1979 [TF]; THE NIGHT RIDER - 1979 [TV Movie]; A MAN CALLED SLOANE - 1979; GALACTICA 1980 - 1980; THE SECRET WAR OF JACKIE'S GIRLS - 1980 [TV Movie]; EVITA PERON - 1981 [TV Movie]; VEGA$ - 1981; HELP WANTED: MALE - 1982 [TV Movie]; HART TO HART - 1982; THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - 1982; FIREFOX - 1982 [TF]; ROMANCE THEATRE - 1982 [5 episodes]; THE ENTITY - 1982 [TF; His biggest role in one of the most unusual paranormal films]; THE DEVLIN CONNECTION - 1982 [TV Movie]; REMINGTON STEELE - 1982; BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE - 1982; THURSDAY's CHILD - 1983 [TV Movie]; WHO WILL LOVE MY CHILD? - 1983 [TV Movie]; TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY - 1983; V - 1983; TO BE OR NOT TO BE - 1983 [TF; worked with Mel Brooks!]; HARDCASTLE AND MCCORMICK - 1984; SCARECROW AND MRS. KING - 1984; DYNASTY - 1981-1985; KNIGHT RIDER - 1985; WALLENBERG: A HERO'S STORY - 1985 [TV Movie]; THE A-TEAM - 1986; ST. ELSEWHERE - 1986; DAS BLINDE GLUCK - 1986 [German TV Movie]; NEWHART - 1986; SHELL GAME - 1987; MACGYVER - 1987; PRIVATE WAR - 1988 [TF]; DEADLY INTENT - 1988 [MFHV]; NIGHT CHILDREN - 1989 [TF]; ALIEN NATION - 1989; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1989; MONSTERS - 1989; NIGHT COURT - 1989; GENERAL HOSPITAL - 1989-? [Unknown amount of episodes]; RESCUE FORCE - 1990 [MFHV]; THE FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES - 1990; MATLOCK - 1991; THE LAST TO GO - 1991 [TV Movie]; PAID TO KILL - 1991 [TF]; A MIDNIGHT CLEAR - 1992 [TF; profoundly emotional]; MANDROID - 1993 [MFHV]; NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD - 1993 [TF]; INVISIBLE: THE CHRONICLES OF BENJAMIN KNIGHT - 1993 [MFHV; sequel to MANDROID]; BABYLON 5 - 1994; AURORA: OPERATION INTERCEPT - 1995 [TF]; THE EMISSARY: A BIBLICAL EPIC - 1997 [TF; played Judas]; RIVER MADE TO DROWN IN - 1997 [TF]; SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, INC. - 1998; HOUDINI - 1998 [TV Movie]; RESCUE 77 - 1999; CRUSADE - 1999; ER - 2004; COLD CASE - 2004; THE CUTTER - 2005 [TF; appears alongside Chuck Norris!]; RAY OF SUNSHINE - 2006 [TF]; HELLSING ULTIMATE - 2006 [Voice only]; MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA - 2008 [TF]; ANGELS & DEMONS - 2009 [TF]; FLASHFORWARD - 2009; SUPER NINJAS - 2011; SHE WANTS ME - 2012 [TF]; LEGIT - 2013 [His last acting role]. He also did voices for the MEDAL OF HONOR video games. Curt Lowens passed away of undisclosed causes and was 91 years-old.) - 05/08/17
MICHAEL PARKS (Actor: I swear my heart stopped when I heard the news. Michael Parks [Real Name: Harry Samuel Parks] is no longer with us. Mr. Parks has been one of my Top 10 actors ever since I was young and went to the movies. He has done much TV, many Hollywood A-Films and many Independent Z-Films and in each role he always gave his all, making every title he was in so much better, sometimes better than it should be. He was one of the premiere actors of any generation and now I have to accept that he is no longer with us. One can understand why Quentin Tarantino used him in a lot of his films [and frequently called him "The world's greatest living actor."]. It is with a very sad heart that I list his credits [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film and, believe me, he had some memorable roles]: ZANE GREY THEATER - 1960-1961; THE UNTOUCHABLES - 1961; THE ASPHALT JUNGLE - 1961; THE LAW AND MR. JONES - 1961; THE DETECTIVES - 1961 [3 episodes]; STRAIGHTAWAY - 1961; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1961-1962; THE REAL MCCOYS - 1962; BUS STOP - 1962; GUN SMOKE - 1962; TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS - 1962; STONEY BURKE - 1962; SAM BENEDICT - 1962; THE GALLANT MEN - 1962; PERRY MASON - 1963; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1963; BEN CASEY - 1963; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963; THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - 1963; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1963; ARREST AND TRIAL - 1963; WAGON TRAIN - 1963-1964; CHANNING - 1963-1964; ROUTE 66 - 1964; BUS RILEY'S BACK IN TOWN - 1965 [TF; Played the titled character]; A TIME FOR KILLING - 1965 [TV Movie]; WILD SEED - 1965 [TF]; THE IDOL - 1966 [TF]; THE BIBLE: IN THE BEGINNING - 1966 [TF; Portrayed Adam]; THE HAPPENING - 1967 [TF]; STRANGER ON THE RUN - 1967 [TV Movie]; A HATFUL OF RAIN - 1968 [TV Movie]; THE YOUNG LAWYERS - 1969; THEN CAME BRONSON - 1969-1970 [TV Series Regular; TV Series definitely influenced by EASY RIDER {1969} and Parks' own life story, where Michael Parks played Jim Bronson, a motorcycle-riding stranger who tries to right wrongs while facing prejudices. The theme song "Long Lonesome Highway" was sung by Parks and became a Top 40 hit in 1970. This series broke Michael Park's career wide open, even though it only lasted a season and he wanted to take a couple of years off.]; OWEN MARSHALL, COUNSELLOR AT LAW - 1973; MEDICAL CENTER - 1973; BETWEEN FRIENDS - 1973 [TF]; CAN ELLEN BE SAVED? - 1974 [TV Movie]; IRONSIDE - 1974; THE STORY OF PRETTY BOY FLOYD - 1974 [TV Movie]; MOVIN' ON - 1974; MCCLOUD - 1974; GET CHRISTIE LOVE! - 1975; POLICE STORY - 1975; BARETTA - 1975; BRONK - 1975; THE ROOKIES - 1975; THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO - 1975; THE WEREWOLF OF WOODSTOCK - 1975 [Late Night TV Movie; One of the worst shot-on-video films of the 70's]; DISTANT EARLY WARNING - 1975 [Late Night TV Movie]; ELLERY QUEEN - 1976; THE LAST HARD MAN - 1976 [TF; very violent Western]; ROYCE - 1976 [TV Movie]; PERILOUS VOYAGE - 1976 [TV Movie]; THE SAVAGE BEES - 1976 [TV Movie]; MURDER AT THE WORLD SERIES - 1977 [TV Movie]; SIDEWINDER 1 - 1977 [TF]; LOVE AND THE MIDNIGHT AUTO SUPPLY - 1977 [TF]; ESCAPE FROM BOGEN COUNTY - 1977 [TV Movie]; THE PRIVATE FILES OF J. EDGAR HOOVER - 1977 [TF; portrayed Robert F. Kennedy; a very good film with Broderick Crawford as J. Edgar.]; NIGHT CRIES - 1978 [TV Movie]; POLICE WOMAN - 1975-1978; HUNTERS OF THE REEF - 1978 [TV Movie]; FLYING HIGH - 1978; RAINBOW - 1978 [TV Movie]; BREAKTHROUGH - 1979 [TF]; FAST FRIENDS - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE EVICTORS - 1979 [TF; a favorite mystery film]; FANTASY ISLAND - 1979; SHIRLEY - 1979; ffolkes - 1980 [TF]; REWARD - 1980 [TV Movie]; TURNOVER SMITH - 1980 [TV Movie]; HARD COUNTRY - 1981 [TF]; DIAL M FOR MURDER - 1981 [TV Movie]; SAVANNAH SMILES - 1982 [TF]; THE RIVERMAN - 1983 [TV mini-series]; CHASE - 1985 [TV Movie]; FRENCH QUARTER UNDERCOVER - 1985 [TF; A film with quite a troubled history, To read my review of it, click on the title.]; CLUB LIFE - 1986 [TF]; SPIKER - 1986 [TF]; THE RETURN OF JOSEY WALES - 1986 [TF; Parkes subbed for Clint Eastwood as Josey Wales and he also Directed the film]; THE COLBYS - 1987 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 12 episodes]; STAMP OF A KILLER - 1987 [TV Movie]; THE EQUALIZER - 1986-1988; ARIZONA HEAT - 1988 [TF]; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1989; WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1989; BILLY THE KID - 1989 [TV Movie]; NIGHTMARE BEACH - 1989 [TF; Horror film also known as WELCOME TO SPRING BREAK]; PRIME SUSPECT - 1989 [TF]; THE CHINA LAKE MURDERS - 1990 [TV Movie; One of Mr. Parks finest TV Movies]; CAGED FURY - 1990 [also Associate Producer]; TWIN PEAKS - 1990-1991 [5 episodes; Passed away 11 days before David Lynch's reboot of the series on Showtime]; SHADES OF L.A. - 1991; THE HITMAN - 1991 [TF; Unfairly panned by the critics, this is one of Chuck Norris' best actioners [Charles Bronson was set to star, but Cannon Films had a better relationship with Norris], but Parks has some of the best lines here opposite Norris as his crooked cop partner "Ronny 'Del' Delaney". Examples: "It so cold right now, my dick looks like a stack of buttons" or "I'm so goddamn horny I could fuck mud."; The last film to be distributed theatrically by The Cannon Group.]; STORYVILLE - 1992 [TF]; OVER THE LINE - 1992 [TF]; SEAQUEST 2032 - 1993; DEATH WISH V: THE FACE OF DEATH - 1994 [TF; Parks finally works with Charles Bronson]; STRANGER BY NIGHT - 1994 [MFHV]; SORCERESS - 1995 [TF];  HART TO HART: SECRETS OF THE HART - 1995 [TV Movie]; FROM DUSK TILL DAWN - 1996 [TF; An instant classic]; NIAGARA, NIAGARA - 1997 [TF]; DECEIVER - 1997 [TF]; JULIAN PO - 1997 [TF]; THE PLAYER - 1997 [TV Movie]; WICKED - 1998 [TF]; WALKER, TEXAS RANGER - 1996-1999; FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3: THE HANGMAN'S DAUGHTER - 1999 [MFHV; Played real-life Ambrose Bierce {Google Him}]; BULLFIGHTER - 2000 [TF]; BIG BAD LOVE - 2002 [TF]; 13 MOONS - 2002 [TF]; KILL BILL: VOL 1 - 2003 [TF]; THE LIBRARIANS - 2003 [TF]; KILL BILL: VOL. 2 - 2004 [TF]; MIRACLE AT SAGE CREEK - 2005 [TF]; THE LISTENING - 2006 [TF]; ONE NIGHT WITH YOU - 2006 [TF]; THE DEAD ONE - 2007 [TF]; PLANET TERROR and DEATH PROOF - 2007 [TFs; Both films played as part of the theatrical double feature GRINDHOUSE or as extended versions alone on Home Video. PLANET TERROR, which gets my vote of the better film over Tarantino's DEATH PROOF, had a marvelous performance between Parks and Michael Biehn. He played the same character in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and both films in KILL BILL: VOL 1 & 2.]; FIGHTING WORDS - 2007 [TF]; THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD - 2007 [TF]; THREE PRIESTS - 2008 [TF]; MAIDENHEAD - 2008 [TF]; NOBLE THINGS - 2008 [TF]; SATISFACTION - 2009 [Short]; SMOKIN' ACES 2: ASSASSINS' BALL - 2010 [DTV]; STREET POET - 2010 [TF]; RED STATE - 2011 [TF; Parks' role as a gay-hating priest sends chills down your spine. First horror film by Kevin Smith; Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival Award® winner for Best Actor; Fangoria Chainsaw Award® winner for Best Supporting Actor]; KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR - 2011 [TF; inserts parts that were cut from both films and the long black & white fight scene is now in color. One can see how the MPAA would have given the film an NC-17 Rating if the fight scene was in color]; ARGO - 2012 [TF; Hollywood Film Award® winner for Ensemble Of The Year that he shared with 19 other actors]; DJANGO UNCHAINED - 2012; WE ARE WHAT WE ARE - 2013 [TF; unbelievably good horror film]; TUSK - 2014 [TF; Kevin Smith's second horror film that would take more than a couple of sentences to describe. Just see it!; Fright Meter Award® winner for Best Supporting Actor]; TO NO END: TWISTED KNIVES - 2015 [Short]; BLOOD FATHER - 2016 [TF; Mel Gibson's return to the big screen]; GREATER - 2016; OTHER FISH - 2016 [Short]; THE QUEEN OF HOLLYWOOD BLVD. - 2017 [In Post-Production at the time of his death. His final acting role.]. Michael Parks also recorded a half-dozen country/blues/jazz albums in the late '60s and early '70s. Michael Parks passed away of undisclosed causes and was 77 years-old.) - 05/10/17
POWERS BOOTHE (Actor: Just what in the HELL is going on here?!?! Powers Boothe was a favorite of mine since seeing him in the two-part TV Movie GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES - 1980, where he gave an ultra-believable Emmy Award® winning portrayal of the Reverand Jim Jones. He sent shivers down my spine. Now he is gone, too? At a much too young age? I am speechless that the man who gave all the teen ratpack lessons in RED DAWN - 1984 on how to act believably is gone, but the sad fact is that he is. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]; THE GOODBYE GIRL - 1977; CRUISING - 1980; SKAG - 1980 [TV Series; 6 episodes]; THE PLUTONIUM INCIDENT - 1980 [TV Movie; GUYANA TRAGEDY: THE STORY OF JIM JONES - 1980 [TV Movie and one of the best ever made; deservedly won an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special; During the 1980 actor's boycott, he was one of the few nominees to attend the Emmy Awards ceremony, and the only winner to accept his award in person.]; A CRY FOR LOVE - 1980 [TV Movie]; THE COLD EYE [MY DARLING, BE CAREFUL] - 1980; SOUTHERN COMFORT - 1981 [A gripping thriller set in the Louisiana Bayou]; A BREED APART - 1984; RED DAWN - 1984; THE EMERALD FOREST - 1985; PHILIP MARLOWE, PRIVATE EYE - 1983-1986 [Pay TV Series; 11 episodes; Boothe played the titled character]; EXTREME PREJUDICE - 1987 [a modern-day THE WILD BUNCH and incredibly violent]; INTO THE HOMELAND - 1987 [TV Movie]; SAPPHIRE MAN - 1988 [Short]; VOYAGER: THE GRAND TOUR - 1990 [Short]; A FAMILY OF SPIES - 1990 [TV mini-series]; STALINGRAD - 1990; BY DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT - 1990 [Pay TV Movie]; RAPID FIRE - 1992 [His chemistry with the late Brandon Lee was highly apparent; a great action film]; WILD CARD - 1992 [TV Movie]; ANGELS OF DEATH - 1993; MARKED FOR MURDER - 1993 [TV Movie]; TOMBSTONE - 1993; WEB OF DECEPTION - 1994 [TV Movie]; BLUE SKY - 1994; MUTANT SPECIES - 1994 [Boothe has gone on record as saying his role in this sci-fi/horror film was his favorite]; SUDDEN DEATH - 1995 [Boothe was a perfect foil for Jean-Claude Van Damme]; NIXON - 1995; DALVA - 1996 [TV Movie]; TRUE WOMEN - 1997 [TV Movie]; CON AIR - 1997 [unconfirmed]; U TURN - 1997; THE SPREE - 1998 [TV Movie]; JOAN OF ARC - 1999 [TV mini-series]; A CRIME OF PASSION - 1999 [TV Movie]; MEN OF HONOR - 2000; ATTILA - 2001 [TV mini-series]; FRAILTY - 2001 [What a wonderful film, directed by the late Bill Paxton]; SECOND NATURE - 2003 [TV Movie]; JUSTICE LEAGUE - 2002-2003 [TV Series; Voice only; 4 episodes]; SIN CITY - 2005 [First film of it's kind to use CGI in all the backgrounds]; JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED - 2005-2006 [TV Series; Voice only; 5 episodes]; SUPERMAN: BRANIAC ATTACKS - 2006 [DTV; Voice of Lex Luthor]; DEADWOOD - 2004-2006 [Pay TV Series; 34 episodes; It makes me sad that Boothe will no longer be part of the DEADWOOD movie that clears up all the loose ends]; 24 - 2007 [TV Series; 14 episodes]; THE FINAL SEASON - 2007 [TV Movie]; MOUTH OF CADDO - 2008 [Short; Narrator]; EDISON & LEO - 2008 [Voice only]; 24: REDEMPTION - 2008 [TV Movie]; BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE - 2009 [TV Series; Voice only]; MACGRUBER - 2010 [I don't care what anyone thinks, I laughed a lot during this film]; BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN - 2011 [TV Series; Voice only]; TATTOO - 2011 [Short]; SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY INCORPORATED - 2011 [TV Series; Voice only]; THE LOONEY TUNES SHOW - 2011 [TV Series; Voice only]; THE AVENGERS - 2012; HATFIELDS & MCCOYS - 2012 [TV mini-series; simply great mini-series]; GUNS, GIRLS AND GAMBLING - 2012; STRAIGHT A'S - 2013; NASHVILLE - 2012-2014 [TV Series; 26 episodes]; SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR - 2014 [Reprises the role he played in SIN CITY]; TO APPOMATTOX - 2015 [TV mini-series]; MOONBEAM CITY - 2015 [TV Series; Voice only]; AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - 2015-2016 [TV Series; 11 episodes; His final acting role]. Powers Boothe also supplied voices for video games such as: AREA 51 - 2005; TUROK - 2008; BEN 10 ULTIMATE ALIEN: COSMIC DESTRUCTION - 2010; and HITMAN: ABSOLUTION - 2012. He also did some nighttime talk shows and appeared in mini-documentaries as extras on DVDs and Blu-Rays of the films he appeared in. He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas in March 2009. Boothe started his acting career in the theater, starring in various Shakespearean productions including “Henry IV.” He made his Broadway debut in the late 1970s in “Lone Star & Pvt. Wars”.  Powers Boothe died in his sleep of natural causes and was only 68 years-old. How can you die of natural causes at such a young age?) - 05/14/17
BRAD GREY (Producer: During the early-80's and beyond, it was hard to watch a TV Series and many theatrical films without seeing "Brillstein-Grey Productions". His partner was Bernie Brillstein and they produced and were nominated for so many awards (he won two Emmy Awards® when Brillstein was no longer too well to remain partners) for their work on TV and Film. They were known for the quality of their work and gave us hundreds of hours of great TV to watch, not to mention many films worth seeing more than once. Brad Grey's credits as Producer or Executive Producer included [TV Series unless marked with a TF for Theatrical Film]: GARRY SHANDLING: ALONE IN LAS VEGAS - 1984 [Pay TV Special]; THE GARRY SHANDLING SHOW: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - 1986 [Pay TV Special]; MR. MILLER GOES TO WASHINGTON STARRING DENNIS MILLER - 1988 [Pay TV Special]; THE BOYS - 1988; THE 13TH ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS SPECIAL - 1989 [Pay TV Special]; BOB SAGET: IN THE DREAM STATE - 1990 [Pay TV Special]; OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS - 1990 [TF]; NORMAL LIFE - 1990; IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW - 1986-1990 [71 episodes]; DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! - 1990 [TV Movie]; DENNIS MILLER: BLACK AND WHITE - 1990 [Pay TV Special]; GOOD SPORTS - 1991; THE 15TH ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS SPECIAL - 1992 [Pay TV Special]; THE PLEASE WATCH THE JON LOVITZ SPECIAL - 1992 [Pay TV Special]; THE CELLULOID CLOSET - 1995 [TF; Documentary]; DANA CARVEY: CRITICS' CHOICE - 1995 [Pay TV Special]; MR. SHOW WITH BOB AND DAVID: FANTASTIC NEWNESS - 1996 [Pay TV Special]; HAPPY GILMORE - 1996 [TF]; THE DANA CARVEY SHOW - 1996; THE CABLE GUY - 1996 [TF]; BULLETPROOF - 1996 [TF; If I were forced at gunpoint to say what my favorite Adam Sandler film is, this would be the one.]; FOR HOPE - 1996 [TV Movie]; THE JEFF FOXWORTHY SHOW - 1995-1997 [17 episodes]; C-16: FBI - 1997 [3 episodes]; THE NAKED TRUTH - 1995-1997 [7 episodes]; MR. SHOW WITH BOB AND DAVID - 1995-1997 [16 episodes]; MR. SHOW AND THE INCREDIBLE, FANTASTICAL NEWS REPORT - 1998 [Pay TV Special]; THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS - 1998 [TF]; THE WEDDING SINGER - 1998 [TF]; ALRIGHT ALREADY - 1997-1998 [21 episodes]; THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW - 1992-1998 [89 episodes]; DIRTY WORK - 1998 [TF]; APPLEWOOD 911 - 1998 [TV Movie]; NEWSRADIO - 1995-1999 [97 episodes]; WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? - 2000 [TF]; SCREWED - 2000 [TF]; SCARY MOVIE - 2000 [TF]; SAMMY - 2000; THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW - 1996-2002 [122 episodes]; IN MEMORIAM: NEW YORK CITY - 2002 [TV Movie Documentary]; POLITICALLY INCORRECT - 1996-2002 [79 episodes]; PASADENA - 2001-2002 [13 episodes]; CITY BY THE SEA - 2002 [TF]; FATHER LEFTY - 2002 [TV Movie]; TITLETOWN - 2003 [TV Movie]; MY BIG FAT GREEK LIFE - 2003; VIEW FROM THE TOP - 2003 [TF]; THE LYON'S DEN - 2003; MARRIED TO THE KELLYS - 2003; JUST SHOOT ME! - 1997-2003 [142 episodes]; THREE SISTERS: SEARCHING FOR A CURE - 2004 [TV Movie Documentary]; EAST OF NORMAL, WEST OF WEIRD - 2005 [TV Movie]; JAKE IN PROGRESS - 2005; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 2005 [TF]; CRACKING UP - 2004-2006; THE DEPARTED - 2006 [TF; Winner of 4 Academy Awards®]; RUNNING WITH SCISSORS - 2006 [TF]; THE SOPRANOS - 1999-2007 [Pay TV Series and one of the best ever made; 86 episodes; Grey and the rest of the Production Team {Bernie Brillstein was not involved; he passed away in 2008 of chronic heart disease} won Emmy Awards® in 2004 & 2007 for Outstanding Drama Series and were nominated in the same category in 1999 to 2003 and 2005 & 2006. If you could only have your name on one series, this is the one I would pick. Here is Grey's take on THE SOPRANOS: "Whether it was on the HBO side, or the talent side, or the representatives, like everything else, there were negotiations full of testosterone. Because were were talking about The Mob, people started to actually believe they were in the Mob."]; SHOOTOUT - 2007; THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD - 2007 [TF]; JAMES GANDOLFINI: TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND - 2013 [TV Special Documentary]; REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER - 2006-2017 [Pay TV Series; 54 episodes; Nominated 11 times for an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Variety Talk Series; Brad Grey's last credit]. Mr Grey was also co-responsible for the story that would eventually become the extreme horror film THE BURNING - 1981 and was also the film's Production Consultant. He was a co-founder of the production company, "Plan B Entertainment" with partners Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. Grey was also Chairman and Chief Executive at Paramount Pictures until a couple of months before passing away, replacing Sherry Lansing in 2005. Brad Grey died of complications due to cancer and was just 59 years-old.) - 05/14/17
OLEG VIDOV (Actor: Russian-American actor who has appeared in some blockbuster American films [He defected to the U.S. in 1985], lots of Russian films which have rarely been seen in the U.S. and some American TV Series as well. His Credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: MY FRIEND, KOLKA! - 1961; END OF DAYS - 1962; ESLI TY PRAV - 1963; WALKING THE STREETS OF MOSCOW - 1964; AN EASY LIFE - 1964; AN ORDINARY MIRACLE - 1964; I AM TWENTY - 1965; THE BLIZZARD - 1965; THE TALE OF TSAR SALTAN - 1967; HAGBARD AND SIGNE - 1967; DO NOT MENTION THE CAUSE OF DEATH - 1968; IMA LJUBAVI, NEMA LJUBAVA - 1968; THE BATTLE ON THE RIVER NERVETA - 1969; MISSION IN KABUL - 1970; WATERLOO - 1970; GENTLEMEN OF FORTUNE - 1971; THE LION'S GRAVE - 1971; THE HEADLESS RIDER - 1972; TECUMSEH - 1972; LUTZOWER - 1972; THE TRAIN STOPS FOR 2 MINUTES - 1972 [TV Movie]; ADVENTURES OF MOWGLI - 1973 [Voice only]; RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING - 1973; MOSCOW, MY LOVE - 1974; MISERY - 1975; RUDIN - 1976; TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS - 1977 [TV Movie]; ARTYOM - 1978 [TV Movie]; THE BAT - 1979 [TV Movie]; MARTA THE PIOUS WOMAN - 1980 [TV Movie]; OPERATION SILBERFUCHS - 1983; KRIK TISHINY - 1983; DEMIDOVS - 1984; U ZATVORU - 1985; THE SECRET OF THE BLACK DRAGON - 1985 [TV mini-series]; ORKESTAR JEDNA MLADOSTI - 1985; CRVENA BARAKA - 1985 [TV Movie]; VUK KARADZIC - 1987 [TV Series]; RED HEAT - 1988 [His first American Film was with Arnold Schwarzenegger!]; WILD ORCHID - 1989 [Very underrated film]; THE LEGEND OF THE EMERALD FOREST - 1989 [Short; also Director]; THREE DAYS IN AUGUST - 1992; PRISONER OF TIME - 1994; LOVE AFFAIR - 1995; THE IMMORTALS - 1995 [I just love this film!]; POLICE STORY 4: FIRST STRIKE - 1996; 2090 - 1996; STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD - 1981-1998 [TV Series; Voice only for 3 episodes; Director of one episode in 1998; Executive Producer of 9 episodes]; WISHMASTER 2: EVIL NEVER DIES - 1999 [MFHV]; A CHRISTMAS TREE AND A WEDDING - 2000; THIRTEEN DAYS - 2000; MONKEY LOVE - 2002; THE WEST WING - 2005 [TV Series]; ALIAS - 2005-2006 [TV Series]; SAY IT IN RUSSIAN - 2007; PLAYER 5150 - 2008; CRIMINAL MINDS - 2011 [TV Series]; DER FISCH - 2011 [Short]; HOLLYWOOD SEAGULL - 2013; 6 DAYS DARK - 2014; TANGO CHANGES EVERYTHING - 2014 [Short; His last acting role]. Mr. Vidov also Produced the animated short POSLEDNIY LEPESTOK - 1977; ANIMATED CLASSIC SHOWCASE - 1993; ANIMATED SOVIET PROPAGANDA - 1997 [Video Documentary; also Narrator]; THE ADVENTURES OF CHEBURASHKA AND FRIENDS - 2007; and TARKOVSKY: TIME WITHIN TIME - 2015 [Documentary; also appeared as himself]. He was also President of Films By Jove, worldwide distributors of the Soyuzmultfilm animation library. In 2007 he and his wife sold the library to a Russian oligarch. Oleg appeared in 50 films since 1961, mostly in starring roles. He was a sex symbol of his generation in Russia [He was known as "The Robert Redford Of Soviet Cinema".], and many of his films are still played on Russian television today. Oleg Vidov passed away of cancer in California and was 73 years-old.) - 05/15/17
DINA MERRILL (Actress: Dina Merrill never had to act because her worth was nearly $5 billion, since she was the daughter of financier E.F. Hutton, the founder of the Wall Street firm, and heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post of the Post cereal fortune. But she wanted to act and turned into a damn fine actress [She was also a huge philanthropist who helped many causes]. Most of her roles weren't that far from her real real life, playing heiresses, rich widows and sophisticated ladies, but she was damn good at it. Her credits included [Theatrical Films unless marked with a TS for TV Series]: FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE - 1955 [TS]; PLAYWRIGHTS '56 - 1956 [TS]; THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - 1956 [TS]; DESK SET - 1957; CLIMAX! - 1958 [TS]; PLAYHOUSE 90 - 1958 [TS]; A NICE LITTLE BANK THAT SHOULD BE ROBBED - 1958; DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP - 1959; SUNDAY SHOWCASE - 1959 [TS]; OPERATION PETTICOAT - 1959; CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - 1959; WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE - 1960 [TS]; THE DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH - 1959-1960 [TS]; BUtterfield 8 - 1960 [Correctly Spelled]; THE SUNDOWNERS - 1960; HONG KONG - 1961 [TS]; THE YOUNG SAVAGES - 1961; TWENTY PLUS TWO - 1961; THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR - 1961 [TS]; THE DISPOSSESSED - 1961 [TV Movie]; THE INVESTIGATORS - 1961 [TS]; CHECKMATE - 1962 [TS]; DR. KILDARE - 1962 [TS]; THE NEW BREED - 1962 [TS]; KRAFT MYSTERY THEATER - 1962 [TS]; THE DICK POWELL THEATRE - 1962 [TS]; THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR - 1962 [TS]; THE EXPENDABLES - 1962 [TV Movie]; THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER - 1963 [TS]; THE ELEVENTH HOUR - 1963 [TS]; BURKE'S LAW - 1963 [TS]; RAWHIDE - 1964 [TS]; MICKEY - 1964 [TS]; KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATRE - 1964 [TS]; THE ROGUES - 1964-1965 [TS]; I'LL TAKE SWEDEN - 1965; BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE - 1963-1965 [TS]; DANIEL BOONE - 1965 [TS]; 12 O'CLOCK HIGH - 1966 [TS]; DAKTARI - 1966 [TS]; BONANZA - 1966 [TS]; THE TRAP OF SOLID GOLD - 1967 [TV Movie]; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - 1967 [TS]; BATMAN - 1968 [TS; played "Calamity Jan" along with then-husband Cliff Robertson]; THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT - 1968 [TV Movie]; SEVEN IN DARKNESS - 1969 [TV Movie]; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - 1969 [TS]; THE LONELY PROFESSION - 1969 [TV Movie]; THE WALKING MAJOR - 1970; THE NAME OF THE GAME - 1969-1970 [TS]; THE VIRGINIAN - 1971 [TS]; MEDICAL CENTER - 1971 [TS]; THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS - 1971 [TS]; MR. AND MRS. BO JO JONES - 1971 [TV Movie]; THE F.B.I. - 1965-1972 [TS]; FAMILY FLIGHT - 1972 [TV Movie]; THE LETTERS - 1973 [TV Movie]; NIGHT GALLERY - ["Hatred Unto Death" - 1973]; RUNNING WILD - 1973; CANNON - 1973 [TS]; MARCUS WELBY, M.D. - 1973 [TS]; THE ODD COUPLE - 1974 [TS]; THROW OUT THE ANCHOR! - 1974; THE MEAL - 1975; ELLERY QUEEN - 1975 [TS]; SWITCH - 1975 [TS]; KINGSTON: CONFIDENTIAL - 1976 [TS]; HAWAII FIVE-O - 1976 [TS]; QUINCY M.E. - 1976 [TS]; THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES - 1977 [TS]; THE GREATEST - 1977; A WEDDING - 1978; ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATIONS - 1979 [TV mini-series]; THE TENTH MONTH - 1979 [TV Movie]; THE LOVE BOAT - 1979 [TS]; JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - 1980; MATT AND JENNY - 1980 [TS]; THE BRASS RING - 1983 [TV Movie]; ANNA TO THE INFINITE POWER - 1983; TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - 1984 [TS]; HOT PURSUIT - 1984 [TS Regular; 12 episodes]; THE ALAN KING SHOW - 1986 [TV Special]; HOTEL - 1984-1986 [TS; 3 episodes]; TWISTED - 1986; CADDYSHACK II - 1988; TURN BACK THE CLOCK - 1989 [TV Movie]; FEAR - 1990; TRUE COLORS - 1991; MURDER, SHE WROTE - 1990-1992 [TS]; THE PLAYER - 1992; NOT IN MY FAMILY - 1993 [TV Movie]; SUTURE - 1993 (Overlooked thriller]; OPEN SEASON - 1995; THE NANNY - 1995 [TS]; THE POINT OF BETRAYAL - 1995; MILK & MONEY - 1996 [also Executive Producer]; ROSEANNE - 1996 [TS]; SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE - 1997 [TV Movie]; VENGEANCE UNLIMITED - 1998 [TS]; A CHANCE OF SNOW - 1998 [TV Movie]; MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1998; THE OTHER SISTER - 1999; MEETING GENEVIEVE - 2000 [Short]; 100 CENTRE STREET - 2001 [TS]; THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS - 2002 [TV Movie]; THE GLOW - 2002 [TV Movie]; SHADE - 2003; TANNER ON TANNER - 2004 [Pay TS]; BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT - 2009 [Her final acting role]. Ms. Merrill also was a panelist on a lot of game shows and did many morning and late night talk shows. Ms. Merrill spent her winters growing up at Mar-A-Lago, the largest and most elaborate estate in Palm Beach, Florida. As of this writing, Mar-a-Lago is owned by Donald J. Trump, who runs the estate as a private club and residence. Trump rescued the estate from condemnation in 1985 and painstakingly restored it to its former glory. He charges a $200,000 yearly fee to become a member. When one of her children was diagnosed with diabetes, she became one of the founders of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which is dedicated to diabetic research. She was also a director of Project Orbis, a flying ophthalmological hospital which teaches advanced eye care and performs surgical techniques around the world. In April of 2005, she received a lifetime achievement award from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts®.  Dina Merrill died from Lewy body dementia and was 93 years-old.) - 05/22/17
SIR ROGER MOORE (Actor: OK, that does it. This is the worst month of May since the day I was born. A lot of people know Roger Moore as the third James Bond [not counting all the ones in CASINO ROYALE - 1967] and the most humorous Bond [he was quite the jokester in real life], but he was a long-standing actor way before James Bond films even started. His good looks, smooth, velvety English voice and excellent acting had him achieve many things in his life in films and on TV. His credits included [Theatrical Films unless otherwise noted]: VACATION FROM MARRIAGE - 1945; CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA - 1945; SHOWTIME - 1946; PICCADILLY INCIDENT - 1946; THE GOVERNESS - 1949 [TV Movie]; A HOUSE IN THE SQUARE - 1949 [TV Movie]; PAPER ORCHID - 1949; THE GAY LADY - 1949; THE INTERRUPTED JOURNEY - 1949; DRAWING-ROOM DETECTIVE - 1950 [TV Movie]; ONE WILD OAT - 1951; HONEYMOON DEFERRED - 1951; JULIUS CAESAR - 1953 [TV Movie]; BLACK CHIFFON - 1953 [TV Movie]; ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS - 1953 [TV Series]; THE CLAY OF KINGS - 1953 [TV Movie]; THE MOTOROLA TELEVISION HOUR - 1954 [TV Series]; THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS - 1954; INTERRUPTED MELODY - 1955; THE KING'S THIEF - 1955; DIANE - 1956; FORD STAR JUBILEE - 1956 [TV Series]; GOODYEAR PLAYHOUSE - 1956 [TV Series]; ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION - 1957 [TV Series]; LUX VIDEO THEATRE - 1957 [TV Series]; MATINEE THEATRE - 1957 [TV Series; 3 episodes]; IVANHOE - 1958-1959 [TV Series Regular; 39 episodes]; THE THIRD MAN - 1959 [TV Series]; ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS - 1959 [TV Series]; THE MIRACLE - 1959; THE ALASKANS - 1959-1960 [TV Series Regular; 37 episodes]; THE SINS OF RACHAEL CADE - 1961; GOLD OF THE SEVEN SAINTS - 1961; 77 SUNSET STRIP - 1959-1961 [TV Series]; MAVERICK - 1959-1961 [TV Series Semi-Regular; 16 episodes]; THE ROARING 20'S - 1961 [TV Series]; ROMULUS AND THE SABINES - 1961; NO MAN'S LAND - 1962; THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN - 1965 [TV Series]; THE FICTION-MAKERS - 1968 [Theatrical Film of stitched-together SAINT episodes; also uncredited Co-Producer]; VENDETTA FOR THE SAINT - 1969  [Theatrical Film of stitched-together SAINT episodes]; THE SAINT - 1962-1969 [TV Series Regular; 118 episodes; the role that got him the James Bond films; also Director of 9 episodes and Co-Producer of one episode in 1969]; CROSSPLOT - 1969 [also uncredited Co-Producer]; THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF - 1970 [Intellectual and literate supernatural thriller]; THE PERSUADERS! - 1971-1972 [TV Series Regular; 24 episodes; Director of 2 episodes and Co-Producer of one episode in 1971]; LIVE AND LET DIE - 1973 [His first film as James Bond]; A TOUCH OF CLASS - 1973 [Executive Producer only]; NIGHT WATCH - 1973 [Executive Producer only]; GOLD - 1974 [exciting actioner]; MISSION: MONTE CARLO - 1974 [Movie of stitched-together episodes of THE PERSUADERS!]; LONDON CONSPIRACY - 1974 [Movie of stitched-together episodes of THE PERSUADERS!]; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1974 [His second film as James Bond; Stars with the late Sir Christopher Lee]; BACHARACH 74 - 1974 [TV Movie]; THAT LUCKY TOUCH - 1975; THE SWITCH - 1976 [Movie of stitched-together episodes of THE PERSUADERS!]; HUGO THE HIPPO - 1975 [Executive Producer only]; STREET PEOPLE - 1976 [a very good thriller]; SHOUT AT THE DEVIL - 1976 [another great action film]; SHERLOCK HOLMES IN NEW YORK - 1976 [TV Movie; portrayed Sherlock Holmes]; THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1977 [His third turn as James Bond]; RETURN OF THE SAINT - 1978 [TV Series; Producer only]; THE WILD GEESE - 1978 [one of the best actioners of the 70's]; ESCAPE TO ATHENA - 1979; MOONRAKER - 1979 [Moore's fourth film as James Bond]; THE SAINT AND THE BRAVE GOOSE - 1979 [Producer only]; ffolkes - 1980 [Moore as a cat-loving, woman-hating master agent was the exact opposite of James Bond and this film does it perfectly. The scene where he thinks he is rubbing down a soaking wet man in his clothes to warm him up, only to find out he was rubbing down a woman, is a classic.]; THE SEA WOLVES - 1980; SUNDAY LOVERS - 1980; THE CANNONBALL RUN - 1981; FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - 1981 [Moore's fifth time as James Bond]; OCTOPUSSY - 1983 [His sixth turn as James Bond]; CURSE OF THE PINK PANTHER - 1983; THE NAKED FACE - 1984; A VIEW TO A KILL - 1985 [Moore's seventh, and final, turn as James Bond]; THE MAGIC SNOWMAN - 1987 [voice only]; THE SAINT IN MANHATTAN - 1987 [TV Movie; uncredited Co-Producer only]; FIRE, ICE & DYNAMITE - 1990; BULLSEYE! - 1990;