KEN EVERT Died Apr. 1, 2008
Austin actor Ken Evert died of cancer at age 56. Mr. Evert played Grandpa in the gonzo 1986 sequel "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2." While his character was "the best killer of them all" Mr. Evert was known to horror fan convention guests as a very friendly and gentle person. He will be missed by all who knew or met him.
MAURY WINETROBE Died Apr. 1, 2008
Oscar and Eddie-nominated film editor Maury Winetrobe died at age 85. Mr. Winetrobe was nominated for an Oscar and Eddie awards for "Funny Girl." Mr. Winetrobe edited a number of memorable films. He started his career as a music editor. His musical editing credits include Richard Brook's classic Western "The Professionals" and "Ship of Fools." Mr. Winetrobe's film editing credits include "Vision Quest," the Neil Diamond version of "The Jazz Singer," "The Black Marble," "The Frisco Kid," "Ice Castles," "The Choirboys," "Twilight's Last Gleaming," "From Noon Till Three," "The Gumball Rally," "Funny Lady," "Born Innocent," the Lucille Ball version of "Mame," "Lost Horizon," "Getting Straight," "Cactus Flower" and "The Wrecking Crew." Mr. Winetrobe served his country in the US Navy during WWII.
FLOYD SIMMONS Died Apr. 1, 2008
Actor and Olympic medalist Floyd 'Chunk' Simmons died just shy of his 85th birthday. Mr. Simmons won Bronze Medals in the Decathlon at the Helsinki and London Olympics. Mr. Simmons appeared in nearly 20 films and TV shows. His credits include "Twice-Told Tales," "Party Girl," "South Pacific," "The Deadly Mantis," "Rock, Pretty Baby," "Written on the Wind," "Away All Boats" and "Francis in the Haunted House." Mr. Simmons was a decorated soldier who served his country in the US Army during WWII.
SHERRY BRITTON Died Apr. 1, 2008
Burlesque queen Sherry Britton died at age 89. Ms. Britton headlined as a stripper at Minsky's Theater on Broadway. FDR made her an honorary Brigadier General for entertaining the troops during WWII. Showed the boys one of the things they were fighting for! Ms. Britton wrote, produced and starred in the documentary "The Best of Burlesque." She also appeared through archived footage in the HBO documentary "Pretty Things."
MONICA SEILITZ Died Apr. 2, 2008
Swedish actress Monica Seilitz died of breast cancer at age 65. Ms. Seilitz began her film career playing a corpse in Ingmar Bergman's horror film "Hour of the Wolf." She leant her vocal talents to the "Pettson and Findus" animated films. Other credits include "Fanny Hill," "Blushing Charlie" and "The American Dream."
GUY MCELWAINE Died Apr. 2, 2008
Studio exec Guy McElwaine died of pancreatic cancer at age 71. Mr. McElwaine began his career as a talent agent representing such people as Warren Beatty and Steven Spielberg. Mr. McElwaine was the president of Morgan Creek Productions for the past six years. He previously served as CEO at Columbia. Mr. McElwaine was the executive producer of numerous films including the upcoming "Ace Venture Jr.," "Georgia Rule," "Exorcist: The Beginning" and "The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys."
WAYNE 'FROSTY FREEZE' FROST Died Apr. 3, 2008
Hip-Hop and Break Dancing pioneer Wayne 'Frosty Freeze' Frost died at age 44. Mr. Frost was part of the Rock Steady Crew who started the break-dancing crew. Frosty Freeze invented the dance move known as the suicide. He also pioneered many other moves including the headspin. He played the character Frosty Freeze in the movie "Flashdance." Mr. Frost appeared as himself in "Style Wars," "Wild Style" and "5 Sides of a Coin." He often went to public schools and gave classes in the art form he helped perfect. Prayers of comfort for his family and friends.
JOHNNY BYRNE Died Apr. 3, 2008
Irish-born writer Johnny Byrne died at age 72. Mr. Byrne was known to sci-fi fans for his work on the TV series "Space 1999" and "Dr. Who." He was also script editor during the first year of "Space 1999." In 1999 Mr. Byrne wrote the short film "Message from Moonbase Alpha," which was his final look back at the TV series "Space 1999." Mr. Byrne also served as story consultant and wrote many episodes of the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small."
JAREN MILLARD Died Apr. 5, 2008
Makeup artist Jaren Millard drown in a hot tub in Palm Springs. His exacxt age was not given. Mr. Millard's credits include "Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her," "Nell" and "Trial: The Price of Passion."
CHARLTON HESTON Died Apr. 5, 2008
Oscar-winning actor, political activist and American Icon Charlton Heston died at age 84. In 2002 Mr. Heston revealed to the world through an emotional video that he had been diagnosed with symptoms consistence to those of Alzheimer's disease. The cause of death was not revealed. Charlton Heston won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the title role in William Wyler's classic tale of the Christ "Ben-Hur." His best known performance was as Moses in Cecil B. Demille's 1956 film "The Ten Commandments." In 1978 the Academy honored Mr. Heston with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. His widow is actress Lydia Clarke. They were married in 1944! Mr. Heston was the father of director Fraser Clarke Heston and adoptive father of Holly Heston Rocell.
Charlton Heston appeared in or lent his vocal talents to nearly 300 films, documentary films, TV shows and specials. He studied theater at Northwestern in Evanston Illinois before serving his country in the US Army-Air corps during WWII. Mr. Heston made his Broadway debut in a 1947 revival of "Antony and Cleopatra." He enjoyed success on the stage and won the 1950 Theater World Award for that year's production of "Design for a Stained Glass Window." Charlton Heston began his film and TV career in the 1950s.
Charlton Heston made several TV appearances and starred in the 1950 indie version of "Julius Caesar" directed by fellow Northwestern alum David Bradley. This was the first of three film performances by Mr. Heston as Marc Antony. In 1950 Charlton Heston made is studio feature film debut starring in the minor Film Noir thriller "Dark City." Next up was Cecil B. Demille's overrated circus epic "The Greatest Show On Earth." Heston lead an all-star cast in what is arguably the worst Best Picture Oscar winner of all time. Still, Heston cut a heroic figure on film. Charlton Heston played US President Andrew Jackson in two films during the 1950s. The first was the 1953 romancer "The President's Lady" opposite Susan Hayward. Next was in the 1958 war film "The Buccaneer."
Two films from the 1950s defined Charlton Heston's screen persona. He became to go-to-guy for historical figures following Cecil B. Demille's epic "The Ten Commandments."
While Heston's epics of the 1950s are his best known films, one shouldn't overlook his work in several other great movies of the 1950s. Heston starred in Orson Welles' classic "Touch of Evil." The film remains one of the best and most influential Film Noir thrillers of all time. Sure, the film's power comes more from the director than from Mr. Heston's performance, but Heston is still one of the elements that makes the movie work. Mr. Heston showed his darker side in the great man-against-nature thriller "The Naked Jungle." Also of note from the 1950s is the mystery/adventure film "The Wreck of the Mary Deare" which paired Mr. Heston with Gary Cooper in one of Mr. Cooper's final films.
Charlton Heston remained one of the biggest A-List actors during the 1960s. His film's from that decade are for the most part epic in scope. His final two films of the 1960s were smaller character studies. He began the decade with "El Cid" opposite Sophia Loren. The romanticized historical epic dealt with the war to drive North African Moor invaders from Spain in 1060. "Diamond Head," "55 Days at Peking," "Khartoum" and "The War Lord" followed. Heston in heroic roles in epic films. Of all the epics of the 1960s none was better than "The Agony and the Ecstasy." Heston was wonderful as the artist Michelangelo struggling to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
In 1965 Charlton Heston was cast in a Western film to be directed by veteran TV director Sam Peckinpah. Mr. Heston admired Peckinpah's 1961 film "Ride the High Country." Heston took the title role in "Major Dundee." The story of the making of "Major Dundee" is legendary in Hollywood. The film was originally budgeted at $4.5 million dollars. Just prior to the beginning of shooting, Peckinpah was informed that Columbia had scrapped the Roadshow idea along with $1.5 million dollars of the budget. Peckinpah was told to pare down the script from an epic to just another action-filled Western. Peckinpah decided he was going to make the epic anyway. Trouble soon developed as the production went over budget. There were ego clashes as Charlton Heston threatened to run Sam Peckinpah through with a saber! The producers got nervous and tried to fire Peckinpah. Despite their differences Heston made a noble gesture and offered to give back his salary if Peckinpah stayed on board and that the film's missing scenes would be completed. The studio agreed, kept Heston's salary but did not allow Peckinpah to finish shooting the promised scenes! Heston once again showed that he could portray the dark side of human nature as the ambitious Dundee.
That dark side helped make the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes" a classic of American cinema. At a time when the real NASA astronauts were idolized around the world as true heroes, Charlton Heston played an American astronaut filled with cynicism and hate. He hated his world so much that he was willing to go on a space trip that would take him away from his time for ever. It was a bold move. It also fit the era as more and more Americans were becoming cynical of Vietnam and life in general. In real life Heston was a vocal oppenent of the Vietnam War. Political assassinations of the nation's best men were the rule, not the exception. "Planet of the Apes" fed on that cynicism. The sci-fi classic spawned a series of feature film sequels, a TV series and a remake in 2001. Charlton Heston appeared in the first sequel "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" as well as the dismal Tim Burton remake in 2001.
Charlton Heston's final two films of the 1960s are among his best. "Will Penny" is a grand character study of an aging cowboy. The old-school Western turns up now and again on the late show. It is a wonderful film that was over-looked at the time. Charlton Heston followed "Will Penny" with "Number One." From the old West to the world of the NFL during the 1960s, "Number One" tells the tale of a NFL quarterback on the downside of his career. Heston's Cat Catlan is a long way from Moses. These two films showcase Heston's talents by keeping the focus small.
The 1970s was a transitional time for Charlton Heston's career. This was the last decade in which he was a name-above-the-title leading man. His film output from the 70s was a mix one-dimensional epic heroes, character studies, smaller supporting roles and a few gems mixed in among the bunch.
Heston started the 70s reprising his role as Taylor in the best of the "Apes" sequels "Beneath the Planet of the Apes." Next he returned to the role of Marc Antony 1970 all-star version of "Julius Caesar." He rounded out 1970 with the epic "The Hawaiians." One of my guilty pleasures is Heston's 1971 sci-fi film "The Omega Man." This was the second film version of Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend." While the film looks somewhat dated now, Heston is still cool as ever as Dr. Robert Neville, the last man on earth. In 1972 Charlton Heston wrote, directed and starred in "Antony and Cleopatra." His third turn at playing Marc Antony was not well received by critics and withdrawn from circulation. Charlton Heston's return to sci-fi in 1973's "Soylent Green" resulted in a classic of the genre. Heston played a homicide cop who was coming too close to the secret of the title material. Edward G. Robinson co-starred with Heston in his final and beautiful film performance. Heston's 1976 Western "The Last Hard Men" features one of his best performances of the decade.
The 1970s was the decade of the disaster film…of Sensurround. The movies were big. They needed big stars to balance out the big effects. Charlton Heston was the go-to guy for many of these films. Heston could be seen saving the world, or at least the day in such films as "Skyjacked," "Airport 1975," "Earthquake," "Midway," "Two-Minute Warning" and "Gray Lady Down." Only the WWII historical drama "Midway" gave Mr. Heston much to do from a dramatic POV. He played a Naval officer in conflict with his son (Edward Albert) over the son's love of a Japanese American girl.
Charlton Heston stepped from the foreground to play nice supporting roles in three costume pictures from the 1970s. His performance as Cardinal Richelieu in Richard Lester's "The Three Musketeers" and "The Four Musketeers" is a wonderful portrait of absolute power and absolute corruption. The two movies were originally shot as one long epic, but the producers released them as two separate films. Heston and other cast members sued the producers and won over being paid salaries for just one film. Charlton Heston also made a cameo appearance as Henry VIII in director Richard Fleischer's "Crossed Swords."
The 1980s saw Charlton Heston move from the film to TV. He began the decade with three forgettable feature films: "The Mountain Men," "The Mother Lode" and the horror film "The Awakening." Like Hammer's sexy 1971 film "Blood From the Mummy's Tomb," "The Awakening" was based on Bram Stoker's book "Jewel of the 7 Stars." "The Mother Lode" was co-directed by father and son Charlton and Fraser Heston. Charlton Heston was best known to 1980s TV fans as Jason Colby in the TV series "Dynasty" and its spin-off "The Colbys." Mr. Heston returned to directing with the 1988 TV version of "A Man For All Seasons." Heston played Sir Thomas More opposite John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave. My personal Heston favorite from the 1980s was the TV miniseries "Chiefs." The Emmy-nominated series dealt with three generations of police chiefs in a small southern town dealing with a serial killer who kills through the decades. Great TV.
Charlton Heston began the 1990s with a father/son project. Charlton Heston's son Fraser directed the 1990 TV version of "Treasure Island" while Charlton Heston starred Long John Silver to Christian Bale's Jim Hawkins. Son Fraser Heston would direct his father in two more movies during the 1990s. In 1991 Fraser directed his father as Sherlock Holmes in the TV movie "The Crucifer of Blood." In 1996 father and son reteamed for the feature film "Alaska." Charlton Heston played lead roles in the Alan Smithee stinker "Solar Crisis" and the great made for TV movie "Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232."
Otherwise Mr. Heston's work in the 1990s consisted of a number of memorable cameo appearances. Charlton Heston added spice with memorable cameos in the tough Western "Tombstone," "True Lies," Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday," "Wayne's World 2," John Carpenter's "In the Mouth of Madness" and Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet."
In 2002 Charlton Heston announced to the world that he had Alzheimer's disease. His film work during his last decade was limited. He appeared in the Warren Beatty comedy "Town & Country" and the action film "The Order." Mr. Heston's final film appearance was as the evil Dr. Josef Mengele in "My Father, Rua Alguem 5555."
Charlton Heston was active in civil rights during his lifetime. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fought to end racism in America. He was present in Washington D.C. when Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. As president of the NRA from
Film historian and Omaha Film Event director Bruce Crawford shared his memories of working with Charlton Heston
I had the great pleasure to have worked with Mr.Heston on my public radio documentary "Ben Hur: The Epic Film Scores of Miklos Rozsa." Mr.Heston was gracious and eloquent as always. His insights and anecdotes on the music was a great contribution to the success of the program. He corresponded with me several times over the years and was always very supportive of my work. Also when I appeared in the DVD of "Ben-Hur" in the documentary, "The Epic That Changed Cinema," it was a great honor indeed to be included along with Mr.Heston in that program. I want to close by showing how humble and decent a man he was. In his letter to me, after receiving a tape copy of the radio documentary he worked on with me, he wrote:
Dear Bruce,Thanks for the copy of your Miklos Rozsa documentary, I am glad to have it and pleased to have been asked to contribute to it, I wish you well with it as with all else.
Cordially, Chuck.
Imagine Mr.Heston thanking me for being in the documentary?! The reverse was true, having him grace our program was our good luck indeed. RIP
ALEX GRASSHOFF Died Apr. 5, 2008
Oscar-winning and then Oscar-losing director/producer Alex Grasshoff died of complications following bypass surgery at age 79. Mr. Grasshoff and Robert Cohn won the Best Documentary: Feature Film Oscar in 1969 for their 1968 film "The Young Americans." Days after winning the Oscar, the Academy stripped the producers of their award because the film had been shown at a sneak preview before the eligibility period for the 1968 competition. Mr. Grasshoff was nominated for three Best Documentary Feature Oscars. His other two nominations were for "The Really Big Family" and "Journey to the Outer Limits." In addition to his documentary work, Mr. Grasshoff also directed several feature films and numerous TV shows. His other credits include "The Jailbreakers," "The Last Dinosaur," "The Rookies," "The Rockford Files" and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker."
JACK ROE Died Apr. 6, 2008
Assistant director and producer Jack Roe died of heart failure at age 77. Mr. Roe was the executive producer of the horror movie "Dr. Giggles." He was an associate producer on the Oscar-winning Jodie Foster film "The Accused." Jack Roe was assistant director on numerous films. His many AD credits include "Max Dugan Returns," "Making Love," the original version of "The In-Laws," "California Suite," the brutal Dustin Hoffman crime film "Straight Time," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Turning Point," "Silver Streak," "The Last Hard Men," "The Bad News Bears," Arthur Penn's tough "Night Moves," "Funny Lady," "Cleopatra Jones," the excellent Made for TV WWII movie "Fireball Forward," "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "Monte Walsh," "Paint Your Wagon" and "Funny Girl." Mr. Roe served his country in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
JACQUES BERTHIER Died Apr. 6, 2008
French actor Jacques Bertier died at age 92. Mr. Berthier appeared in over 60 films and TV shows during his career. His credits include the Terrence Young version of "Mayerling," The 1954 French version of "Rasputin" and "The Master of Ballantrae" with Errol Flynn.
YASUNORI KAWAUCHI Died Apr. 6, 2008
Japanese writer and lyricist Yasunori Kawauchi died of lung cancer at age 88. Mr. Kawauchi created Japan's first live-action TV superhero "Moonlight Mask." The 1958 TV series spawned several feature films. In 1972 Mr. Kawauchi created the super hero "Rainbowman."
STANLEY KAMEL Died Apr. 8, 2008
Character actor Stanley Kamel died of a heart attack at age 65. Mr. Kamel appeared in over 110 films and TV shows during his career. Mr. Kamel played psychiatrist Charles Kroger in the current hit TV series "Monk." Mr. Kamel was also known for his memorable badguy roles on "Melrose Place," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Murder One." Mr. Kamel's many film and TV credits include "Domino," "The West Wing," "General Hospital," as Death in HBO's "Six Feet Under," "NYPD Blue," "7th Heaven," "ER," "Murder She Wrote," "Diagnosis Murder," "Honor Thy Father and Mother: The True Story of the Menendez Murders," "MacGyver," "L.A. Law," "Cagney & Lacey," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Hill Street Blues," "Star 80," "Barney Miller," "Making Love," "The Incredible Hulk," "Corvette Summer," "Kojak," "Get Christie Love!," "The Rookies," "Mannix" and "Mission: Impossible."
ISA THOMAS Died Apr. 8, 2008
Actress Isa Thomas died of a heart attack at age 75. Ms. Thomas appeared on Broadway in "Waiting in the Wings," "Any Given Day" and "Lost in Yonkers." Her film and TV credits include "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Under Hellgate Bridge" and "The Great Wallendas."
JACQUELINE VOLTAIRE Died Apr. 8, 2008
Actress Jacqueline Voltaire died of cancer at age 59. Ms. Voltaire was born in England, but settled in Mexico where she enjoyed great success as an actress. Ms. Voltaire was an internationally known model and ballerina during the 1960s. She appeared in nearly 60 films and TV shows during her career. Her credits include Alexanjdro Jodorowski's cult classic "The Holy Mountain," David Lynch's "Dune," "McCloud," "Vanessa," "The Arrival" and "Sweating Bullets." In 2005 the Mexican Film Journalists awarded Ms. Voltaire the Silver Goddess Award as Best Supporting Actress for the film "Rabbit on the Moon."
SEAMAN JACOBS Died Apr. 8, 2008
Writer Seaman Jacobs died of heart failure at age 96. Mr. Jacobs was honored with a WGA award and an Emmy nomination for his work. He won the WGA and was nominated for an Emmy for the 1978 TV special "The George Burns One-Man Show." Mr. Jacobs also wrote the script for George Burns film "Oh, God! Book II." Mr. Jacobs many TV and films credits include the Elvis movie "It Happened at the World's Fair," "Maude," "The Jeffersons," "My Three Sons," "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Love Boat."
JOHN BRADFORD GOODMAN Died Apr. 9, 2008
Writer John Bradford Goodman died at age 36. Mr. Goodman was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Mr. Goodman overcame his disability to become a film producer, scriptwriter and poker player. Mr. Goodman produced and directed the indie film "Angels of Light." He wrote episodes for the TV series "Malcolm in the Middle." Thanks for your inspirational fight. Prayers of comfort for his family and friends.
NINA SCHULMAN Died Apr. 10, 2008
Emmy-winning film editor and producer Nina Schulman died of Metastatic breast cancer. Her age was not given. Ms. Schulman edited D.A. Pennebaker's classic 1968 Rockumentary "Monterey Pop." Ms. Schulman shared an Emmy award with Li-Shin Yu for an episode of the TV documentary series "New York: A Documentary Film." She also edited Bill Plympton's animated short "Drawing Lesson #2." Ms. Schulman was sound editor on "F.T.A.," "Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser" and Elia Kazan's "The Visitors." Ms. Schulman produced the 1973 horror movie/political satire "The Werewolf of Washington."
LLOYD LAMBLE Death announced Apr. 10, 2008
Australian born actor Lloyd Lamble died at age 94. Mr. Lamble appeared in over 100 films and TV shows during his lengthy career. Blacklisted in Australian, Mr. Lamble moved to the UK in 1950. His many credits include "And Now the Screaming Starts!," "No Sex Please: We're British," "Z Cars," "Softly Softly," "Journey to the Unknown," "The Prisoner," "The Avengers," "Dixon of Dock Green," "Term of Trial," Fred Zinnemann's "The Sundowners," "The Trials of Oscar Wilde," "The Giant Behemoth," "Dunkirk," Jacques Torneur's "Curse of the Demon," "Dangerous Youth," "Quatermass 2," Hitchcock's second version of "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "The Man Who Never Was."
ANDY KNIGHT Died Apr. 10, 2008
Annie and BAFTA nominated animator and director Andy Knight died of a stroke at age 46. Mr. Knight was nominated for an Annie Award for directing "Beauty and the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas." Mr. Knight received two BAFTA nominations for "Ned's Newt" and "Plumber." Mr. Knight's other credits include "Tank Girl," several of the "Asterix" films, "All Dogs Go to Heaven 2" and the TV series "Inspector Gadget."
RICHARD SASSO Died Apr. 10, 2008
Chicago actor Richard Sasso died at age 77. Mr. Sasso was known on the Chicago theater scene. He appeared in the films and TV shows "The Hudsucker Proxy," "The Untouchables," "Men Don't Leave," "The Marva Collins Story" and "T.R. Baskin."
SALLY BULLOCH Died Apr. 10, 2008
Former child actress and hotel manager Sally Bulloch died of a heart attack at age 59. Ms. Bulloch appeared in the 1961"The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's" and as an adult in "Alfie Darling." Ms. Bulloch ran the Athenauem Hotel on London for nearly 30 years. She was the sister of actor Jeremy Bulloch. Mr. Bulloch portrayed badguy Boba Fett in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
WILLOUGHBY GODDARD Died Apr. 11, 2008
British character actor Willoughby Goddard died at age 81. Mr. Goddard enjoyed success on stage, screen and TV. He was best know in the UK for playing the villainous Gessler on the TV series "The Adventures of William Tell." Mr. Goddard began his stage career in the 940s. He appeared in over 70 films and TV shows during his career. Mr. Goddard played Mr. Bumble in the 1963/64 Broadway production of "Oliver!" Mr. Goddard's many film and TV credits include Chris Columbus' "Young Sherlock Holmes," "The Black Adder," "Joseph Andrews," "Space: 1999," "Gawain and the Green Knight," "The Onedin Line," "The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder," "The Avengers," "The Saint" the 1968 version of "The Charge of the Light Brigade," "The Wrong Box," "Oliver Twist" and "The Green Man."
RAY ELDER Died Apr. 11, 2008
Actor Ray Elder died at age 61. Mr. Elder appeared in local Knoxville productions as well as in the feature film "October Sky." Mr. Elder served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
PATRICIA ZIEGFELD STEPHENSON Died Apr. 11, 2008
Patricia Ziegfeld Stephenson died at age 91. Ms. Stephenson was the daughter of legendary Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld and "Wizard of Oz" actress Billie Burke. She was technical advisor on the documentary "Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women." She appeared in the documentary "Ziegfeld on Film" as well as in an episode of the documentary series "Broadway: The American Musical." Ms. Stephenson's autobiography is titled "The Ziegfelds' Girl: Confessions of an Abnormally Happy Childhood."
DIETER EPPLER Died Apr. 12, 2008
German actor Dieter Eppler died at age 81. Mr. Eppler appeared in nearly 100 films and TV shows during his career. He was also a prolific radio drama director. Mr. Eppler appeared in the first adult film I ever snuck into: "Without a Stitch." I don't remember a thing about the movie because I was so scared I was going to get caught by the cops inside the Capri Art theater. His credits include the coming of age tale "Deep End," "The Last Roman" with Laurence Harvey and Orson Welles, "The Torture Chamber of Dr,. Sadism" with Christopher Lee, "Lana: Queen of the Amazons" as well as a number of Edgar Wallace films.
LORI SCHUBELER Died Apr. 13, 2008
Actress Lori Schubeler was shot and killed as she worked as a waitress in Callicoon, New York. Ms. Schubeler was 41. She worked in regional theater. Ms. Schubeler appeared in the 1993 film version of "Lost in Yonkers." Prayers of comfort for her family and friends.
MARK SPEIGHT Death Discovered Apr. 13, 2008
The body of British TV host Mark Speight was found hanging in a London train station. Mr. Speight had been charged and released in January the death of his girlfriend Natasha Collins. It is not certain when the 42-year-old Mr. Speight committed suicide as his body hung in the train station for several days before it was discovered. He had gone missing shortly after the April 2nd coroner's report was released concerning Ms. Collins' death. Mr. Speight was the host of the popular children's TV show "SMart!" Prayers of comfort for his family and friends.
DAVID GILBERT Died Apr. 13, 2008
Writer and voice actor David Gilbert died of heart failure at age 73. Mr. Gilbert wrote and narrated the documentary "The Godfather Family: A Look Inside." He also wrote the Hip Hop movie "Beat Street." Ms. Gilbert leant his vocal talents to several notable films including "JFK, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "All the President's Men."
MADELINE LEE GILFORD Died Apr. 14, 2008
Actress Madeline Lee Gilford died at age 84. She was the widow of Cracker Jacks' actor Jack Gilford. Mr. & Mrs. Gilford were blacklisted after being named in front of the HUAC committee by Jerome Robbins. Ms. Gilford appeared in such films and TV shows as "Uncertainty," "The Savages," "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," "Mad About You," "Law & Order," "Cocoon: The Return," "Lianna," "Fear on Trial" and "Save the Tiger." Ms. Gilford will appear in the upcoming "Sex and the City" movie.
OLLIE JOHNSON Died Apr. 14, 2008
Walt Disney called them his Nine Old Men. In the 1930s Walt Disney built his animation department around the talents of these men. While the 1920s New York Yankees had Ruth and Gehrig, Disney had his own stellar lineup or artists. For nearly five decades the Nine Old Men kept Walt Disney Studios in the forefront of the animation field. The Nine Old Men were only in their 30s and 40s when they began with Disney. Far from Old, but talented like no other group of animators around.
They were John Lounsbery (died 1976), Les Clark(died 1979), Wolfgang Reitherman (died 1985), Milt Kahl (died 1987), Eric Larsen (died 1988), Marc Davis (died 20000), Ward Kimball (died 2002), Frank Thomas (died 2004) and Ollie Johnson.
Ollie Johnson, the last of Disney's Nine Old Men died at age 95. Ollie Johnson and future fellow 'Old Man' Frank Thomas became friends in college attending Stanford. They joined Disney within a year of each other: Frank in 1934 and Ollie in 1935. The two men co-authored the classic book on animation "The Illusion of Life."
During his 43-year career with Disney, Ollie Johnson helped create some of the most magical moments in film history. He worked on both short films and features. Ollie Johnson worked as an assistant Animator on Disney's first feature length film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." During the 1930s Ollie Johnson worked on nine Disney shorts including "Two-Gun Mickey" and "The Brave Little Tailor."
In 1940, Mr. Johnson was an animator on "Pinocchio." That same year he was the animation supervisor for the Pastoral Symphony segment of "Fantasia." Ollie Johnson was the animation supervisor of one of Disney's most beloved characters: Thumper in "Bambi." He was the directing animator on the wrongly maligned "Song of the South" in 1946. Other notable credits from the 1940s include "The Three Caballeros," "Victory Through Air Power" and "Peter and the Wolf." His last project for the 1940s was the double feature "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad." The film was composed of two short films: "The Wind and the Willows" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Ollie and Frank Thomas collaborated on creating the gawky character Ichabod Crane.
The 1950s were a very busy time for Ollie Johnson. He was directing animator on the feature films "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland," "Peter Pan," "Lady and the Tramp" and "Sleeping Beauty." Some of the characters he created include Mr. Smee in "Peter Pan" and the ugly step-sisters in "Cinderella." Ollie Johnson also worked as an animator on the short classics "Ben and Me" and "Little Toot."
Mr. Johnson animated the mother dog character Perdita in the 1961 feature "One Hundred and One Dalmatians." He was directing animator on 1963's "The Sword and the Stone." Ollie Johnson next worked as an animator on the Oscar-winner "Mary Poppins." He was directing animator on "The Jungle Book" and animated the characters of Mowgli and Baloo. Walt Disney died during the production of the Oscar-winning short "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day." This was Mr. Johnson's final credit for the 1960s.
Before he retired in 1978, Mr. Johnson continued to forge ahead working on Disney's classic features of the 1970s. He was directing animator on "The Aristocats," "Robin Hood" and "The Rescuers." Mr. Johnson created the character of Prince John for "Robin Hood." Though he retired in 1978, Mr. Johnson came back as supervising animator for the 1981 film "The Fox and the Hound." It was his final Disney animation credit.
Ollie Johnson made vocal cameos in the animated films "The Iron Giant" and "The Incredibles." In 1995, Frank Thomas' son Theodore produced and directed the wonderful documentary film "Frank and Ollie." The film is a document to the long professional collaboration between the two old friends. It is well-worth looking for if you are a fan of Disney animation.
Ollie Johnson was married to Disney Ink and Paint artist Marie Worthy. They married in 1943. Mrs. Johnson died in 2005. Mr. Johnson was honored by his fellow animators with the Winsor McCay Award in 1980. President George W. Bush presented Mr. Johnson with the National Medal of Arts in 2005.
JUNE TRAVIS Died Apr. 14, 2008
Former actress June Travis died at age 93. Ms. Travis appeared in over 30 films during the 1930s. She retired from acting after her marriage in 1940. Ms. Travis appeared in such films as "Jailbreak," "The Case of the Black Cat," "Ceiling Zero," "The Gladiator" and "Love is in the Air." Ms. Travis came out of retirement twice. First to appear in Bette Davis' "The Star" and finally in the 1965 drive-in flick "Monster a Go-Go."
HAZEL COURT Died Apr. 15, 2008
Scream queen Hazel Court died of a heart attack at age 82. The British actress was the object of desire for myself and millions of other baby boomer horror movie fans. Ms. Court appeared in over 80 feature films, TV shows and documentaries during her life. Hazel Court was the widow of director Don Taylor. She had previously been married to actor Dermot Walsh.
Hazel Court became a scream queen of the first magnitude in the 1957 Hammer horror film "The Curse of Frankenstein." Ms. Court played Elizabeth opposite Peter Cushing's Baron Frankenstein. She was menaced by the Creature played by Christopher Lee. This was the first and among the best of the gothic horror films made by Hammer. In 1959 Ms. Court reteamed with actor Christopher Lee and director Terence Fisher for Hammer's "The Man Who Could Cheat Death." In 1961 Ms. Court starred opposite Kieron Moore in "Dr. Blood's Coffin." Though the film doesn't stand up to her Hammer films, Ms. Court delivered a fine performance.
Hazel Court had played horror movie heroines in her British films. American director/producer Roger Corman would cement Ms. Court's status as a scream queen by casting her in three of his Edgar Allan Poe films. Hazel Court starred opposite Ray Milland in "The Premature Burial." This was a mediocre entry in the Poe series. Next came "The Raven." "The Raven" is a mixed bag for horror movie fans. It is a horror comedy that starred Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and a young Jack Nicholson. Ms. Court is great fun in a bad girl role. Roger Corman's masterpiece "The Masque of the Red Death" was the director's best film. It also gave Ms. Court the best role of her career. Ms. Court's orgasmic dream sequence with the devil drew the ire of censors in England.
Hazel Court's many film and TV credits include "Devil Girl From Mars," "Playhouse 90," "Thriller," The Twilight Zone," "Bonanza," "Rawhide," "The Wild Wild West," "Mission Impossible," "Mannix" and "McMillan & Wife." Ms. Court made her final screen appearance in a cameo in "Damien 3: The Final Conflict." The "Omen" sequel was directed by her second husband Don Taylor. The pair met when Mr. Taylor directed Ms. Court in a 1958 episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Mr. Taylor also directed Ms. Court in a 1960 episode of "Alcoa Theater" in which he also acted. Ms. Court made five films and a TV series with her first husband Dermot Walsh. Their credits include "Ghost Ship" and "A Woman of Mystery." Ms. Court's autobiography "Hazel Court-Horror Queen" is set to be released this summer from Tomahawk Press.
MICHAEL KEENE Died Apr. 15, 2008
Former actor Mike Keene died at age 98. Mr. Keene made his film debut the Film Noir classic "Kiss of Death." His second film was Alfred Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man." Mr. Keene acted in film and on TV throughout the 1950s and 60s. He also worked on Broadway appearing in several productions including Mae West's "Diamond Lil." Mr. Keene's TV credits include "Sea Hunt," "Flipper," "Men In Space," "Bonanza," "Wagon Train" and "Highway Patrol."
BENOIT LAMY Died Apr. 15, 2008
Belgian director Benoit Lamy died at age 62. Mr. Lamy's 1973 film "Home Sweet Home" was nominated for two awards at the Moscow film festival. Mr. Lamy was an assistant director on Pier Paolo Pasolini's 1967 film "Oedipus Rex."
TACEY ROBBINS Died Apr. 15, 2008
Singer and businesswoman Tacey Robbins (real name Joan Diane Mahoney) died of mesothelioma at age 69. One month before her death Ms. Robbins won a $20,000,000 lawsuit against Georgia Pacific for asbestos exposure. Tacey Robbins worked as singe for nearly three decades. Exploitation director Al Adamson cast her in as the lead character of his 1965 B-Movie "Psycho A Go-Go." The jewel heist movie was re-edited into a horror movie with new scenes including John Carradine. The second incarnation of the movie was the 1972 stinker "Blood of Ghastly Horror." Typical Al Adamson schlock.
GENEVIEVE WINDING Died Apr. 15, 2008
Award-winning French film editor Genevieve Winding died at age 80. Ms. Winding was nominated for five Cesar awards, winning once for the 1975 "Bestial Quartet." She began her career as an assistant editor on the classic Oscar winner "Black Orpheus." Ms. Winding's many credits include "Indochine," "24 Hours in the Life of a Woman" and "The Little Theater of Jean Renoir."
JOE FEENEY Died Apr. 16, 2008
Tenor Joe Feeney died of emphysema at age 76. Mr. Feeney was a regular on "The Lawrence Welk Show" for 25 years! Mr. Feeney died of emphysema even though he never smoked cigarettes!
INGA LYTTLE Died Apr. 16, 2008
Actress and acting coach Inga Lyttle died in New York City. Her age was not given. Ms. LYttle was the widow of theatrical manager Joseph Lyttle. She acted under the stage name Karen Leslie. Her credits include "The Toy," "Death Play" and "The Tomcat."
DALTON SANDIFER Died Apr. 16, 2008
After my parent's divorce, my little sister and I would spend Friday nights with our father. One thing I remember from that time was watching Saturday morning cartoons at my dad's apartment. This was in the days before cable when us poor kids had to wait for Saturday to see cartoons. Our favorite show from back in 1968 was "The Wacky Racers." My sister Joanne and I loved Dick Dastardly and his dog Mutley. It has been a while since I've thought of those days. What brought the memory back was reading of the death of Dalton Sandifer. Mr Sandifer wrote for a number of animated TV shows including "The Wacky Racers." I guess it is too late for me to thanks him for the smiles and laughs he gave during a troubled period of my childhood.
ROBERT BEST Died Apr. 16, 2008
AD and Emmy-nominated video editor Robert Best died at age 71. Mr. Best was AD on the Sid and Marty Kroft shows "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" and "Land of the Lost." Mr. Best was nominated for an Emmy for editing "WKRP in Cincinnati." Other editing credits include "Facts of Life," "One Day at a Time," "The Jeffersons" and "Seinfeld."
NICOLETTE GOULET Died Apr. 17, 2008
Actress and singer Nicolette Goulet died of breast cancer at age 52. Ms. Goulet was the daughter of Robert Goulet. She appeared in several soap operas including "The Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," "Search for Tomorrow" and "Ryan's Hope."
DANNY FERERICI Died Apr. 17, 2008
Musician Danny Federici died of melanoma at age 58. Mr. Federici was the keyboardist for and co-founder of the E Street Band. Mr. Federici invited Bruce Springsteen to join the band. Danny Fedrici appeared with the E Street Band in numerous documentaries and concert films. Mr. Federici also appeared as an accordion player in the horror movie "You'd Better Watch Out."
JOY PAGE Died Apr. 18, 2008
Actress Joy Page died of complications from a stroke and pneumonia at age 83. Ms. Page was the step-daughter of studio chief Jack L. Warner. Ms. Page was one of the last surviving cast members of the Hollywood classic "Casablanca." Ms. Page made her screen debut in "Casablanca" playing the Bulgarian refugee Annina Brandel. Her character is about to sleep with Claude Rains character Captain Renault to obtain exit visas after her husband loses all their money gambling. Humphrey Bogart's romantic Rick Blaine arranges for her to win the needed money at his casino saving her from debasing herself for freedom. Ms. Page's other credits include "Kismet," "The Bullfighter and the Lady" and "Fighter Attack." Ms. Page was once married to actor turned studio exec William Orr. She was the mother of producer/director Gregory Orr.
KAY LINAKER Died Apr. 18, 2008
Actress turned writer Kay Linaker died at age 94. Though she appeared in nearly 50 films during the 1930s and 40s, Ms. Linaker is best know for co-writing the script for the 1958 monster movie "The Blob." The film made a star out of young actor Steve McQueen. Ms. Linaker appeared on Broadway and in film. She appeared in five "Charlie Chan" mysteries. Ms. Linakers other acting credits include "Young Mr. Lincoln," "Green Hell," "Drums Along the Mohawk," "Kitty Foyle," "Orchestra Wives" and "Laura." Her Broadway credits include "Every Man for Himself" and "Yesterday's Orchids."
LOU SALVADOR JR. Died Apr. 19, 2008
Philippine actor Lou Salvador Jr. died of lung cancer at age 66. Mr. Salvador appeared in over 25 films between 1957 and 1977. He was known as the James Dean of the Philippines. (Does that make James Dean the Lou Salvador Jr. of America?) His final film was the award-winning horror film "The Rites of May." Mr. Salvador retired from acting and settled in Las Vegas.
LARRY HERTZOG Died Apr. 19, 2007
Producer/writer Larry Hertzog died of cancer at age 56. Mr. Hertzog created and produced the underappreciated TV series "Nowhere Man." Other producer credits include "Painkiller Jane," "SeaQuest DSV," "Hardcastle and McCormick" and "Stingray." Mr. Hertzog wrote for numerous TV shows including "Hunter," "Hart to Hart" and "Walker, Texas Ranger."
BEBE BARRON Died Apr. 20, 2008
Composer Bebe Barron died at age 81. She and her first husband Louis Barron composed the electronic score for the 1956 sci-fi classic "Forbidden Planet." The score was the first use of electronic music in a studio feature film. The Barron's were refused 'Composer' credits by the union and are listed in the film as 'composer of electronic tonalities.' Ms. Barron's husband died in 1989. The Barron's collaborated with actress Florence Marly on Ms. Marly's strange sci-fi short "Space Boy." Ms. Barron's second husband was screenwriter Leonard Neubauer.
PHYLLIS ALEXION Died Apr. 20, 2008
Actress Phyllis Alexion died at age 85. Ms. Alexion worked in film, TV and on stage. Her credits include "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector," "Superboy" and "Illegally Yours."
AL WILSON Died Apr. 21, 2008
R&B singer Al Wilson died of kidney failure at age 68. Mr. Wilson was best known for his Number 1 smooth hit romantic ballad "Show and Tell." He performed on such TV shows as "Rock Concert," "Soul Train" and "Dinah!." Mr. Wilson appeared as himself in the documentary film "My Music: Funky Soul Superstars."
PAUL DAVIS Died Apr. 22, 2008
Singer Paul Davis died of a heart attack one day after his 60th birthday. Mr. Davis scored a number of hits during the 1970s and 80s with his soft rock ballads. Songs such as "I Go Crazy," "Sweet Life," "Cool Nights" and "65 Love Affair" kept Mr. Davis in the TOP 40. The beauty of his music has stood the test of time. Mr. Davis' songs can be heard on the soundtracks of such films as "The Karate Kid," "About Last Night…," "Texasville" and "24 Hour Party People."
STEPHAN MILLER Died Apr. 22, 2008
Animal trainer Stephan Miller was killed while working with a grizzly bear. The 39-year-old animal trainer was killed by a 7-year-old grizzly named Rocky. The bear wrestles Will Ferrell's character in the recent film "Semi Pro." Mr. Miller worked for his cousin Randy Miller who owns the Predators in Action wild animal training center. Stephan Miller's film and TV credits include "The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story," "The Postman," "The Island of Dr. Moreau" "The World's Most Dangerous Animals III." Mr. Miller acted as a prospector in HBO's acclaimed series "Deadwood." Mr. Miller was the founder of Gunslinger Media, the publisher of the horror magazine "Girls and Corpses" and founder of the Internet site "The Underground Movie Network." Prayers of comfort for his family and friends.
ALEX ALDEN Died Apr. 22, 2008
Inventor Alex Alden died at age 79. Mr. Alden worked for 20th Century Fox as an engineer. He was part of the team that developed Cinemascope. Mr. Alden also held other patents relating to movie production. Mr. Alden served his country in the US Navy during WWII.
JEAN-DANIEL CADINOT Died Apr. 23, 2008
French director Jean-Daniel Cadinot died of a heart attack at age 64. Mr. Cadinot wrote and directed over 60 Gay adult films during his 30 year career. He won several Best Director awards at various adult film awards ceremonies.
DAVID ATKINS Died Apr. 23, 2008
British character actor David Atkins died of a heart attack at age 67. Mr. Atkins was best known for playing the pub owner in the TV series "Men Behaving Badly." The series ran in the UK from 1992 until 1995. Mr. Atkins appeared in over 50 films and TV shows. His many credits include a bit part in the horror film "Hellraiser," "Prick Up Your Ears," Linsay Anderson's "Britannia Hospital," "Lovejoy," "Jeeves and Wooster," "Personal Services," "Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil" and "The Sweeney."
TRISTAM CARY Died Apr. 24, 2008
Composer Tristam Cary died at age 82. He was considered the father of electronic music in Great Britain. Mr. Cary was the co-founder of EMS studio and co-inventor of the VCS3 synthesizer. Mr. Cary's film credits include "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb," "Quatermass and the Pit," "Doctor Who," "The Prince and the Pauper: The Pauper King," "Town on Trial," "Time Without Pity" and the original version of "The Ladykillers."
KENNETH KEITH KALLENBACH Died Apr. 24, 2008
Kenneth Keith Kallenbach, one of Howard Stern's radio and TV show regulars died of pneumonia at age 39. Mr. Kallenbach died in jail where he was facing charges of attempted child abduction. Mr. Kallenbach suffered from cystic fibrosis. His mother claims that improper treatment by jail officials lead to him contracting pneumonia. Besides his work "The Howard Stern Show" Mr. Kallenbach appeared in such films and TV shows as "Jerry Mcguire," "Girl, Interrupted" and "Sex and the City."
THOMAS SHAW Died Apr. 24, 2008
AD and production manager Thomas Shaw died at age 87. Mr. Shaw's AD credits include such notable films as William Peter Blatty's amazing "The Ninth Configuration," John Huston's "Wise Blood," Richard Brooks' "Bite the Bullet," "Electra Glide in Blue," "Scarecrow," "$," "Paint Your Wagon," "In Cold Blood," "The Professionals," "Father Goose," "The Night of the Iguana," "The List of Adrian Messenger," "Lonely Are the Brave," "The Misfits," "Elmer Gantry," "Separate Tables" and "Drums Across the River." His production manger credits include "Man Trouble," "Fat Man and Little Boy," "The Dead," "Under the Volcano," "Convoy" and "The Domino Principle."
LAWSON DEMING Died Apr. 24, 2008
TV horror movie host Lawson Deming died of congestive heart failure one day after his 94th birthday. Mr. Dawson was known to TV fans in Ohio and Michigan as Sir. Graves Ghastley. He hosted the "Sir Graves Ghastley Presents" show for 16 years. I never saw his work. In Memphis our creature feature (Fantastic Features) host was Fred Davis AKA Sivad, Your Monster of Ceremonies. (His tribute appears in my March 2005 column.)The point is, millions of kids growing up in the 1960s and 70s were usually introduced to the joys of monster movies by some imaginative TV host. Thanks for the humor, chills and memories.
YOSSI HAREL Died Apr. 26, 2008
Yossi Harel died of heart failure at age 90. Mr. Harel was commander of the ship 'Exodus' which was used in 1947 to bring Jewish refugees from Europe to the future nation of Israel. Paul Newman's character Ari Ben-Canaan in Otto PReminger's 1960 film "Exodus" was based on Mr. Harel's real life exploits.
DOUGLAS HAYWARD Died Apr. 26, 2008
British costume designer and tailor to the stars Douglas Hayward died at age 73. Mr. Hayward designed the suits worn by Michael Caine in the original version of "The Italian Job." Mr. Hayward's other film credits include "One More Time," "Salt and Pepper," "Boom!," "The Spy with a Cold Nose" and "Modesty Blaise."
HENRY BRANT Died Apr. 26, 2008
Pulitzer Prize winning musician Henry Brant died at age 94. Mr. Brant was best known for his acoustic spatial music. He composed over 100 works in the genre which involved the precise positioning of musicians throughout the performance hall as well as on the stage itself. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his 2001 composition "Ice Field." Mr. Brant's film credits include "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Carny," "The Devil's Brigade," "Cheyenne Autumn" and the 1963 version of "Cleopatra."
STANLEY DUDELSON Died Apr. 26, 2008
Producer Stanley Dudelson died of lung disease at age 83. Mr. Dudelson was the executive producer of the first two "A Nightmare on Elm Street" movies. He worked in film distribution for a number of companies including RKO, New Line and United Artists. Mr. Dudelson's other production credits include "Museum of the Dead," "Chick Street Fighter," "Horror 101," and "Morella."
NINO CANDIDO Died Apr. 26, 2008
Property master and actor Nino Candido died at age 65. Mr. Candido was a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local #44. His prop master credits include "My Name Is Earl," "New Nightmare," "Timescape," "Bull Durham," "The A-Team" and Michael Ritchie's wonderful "Smile." Mr. Candido's acting credits include "The Tony Randall Show," "The Mod Squad," "The Andersonville Trial," "The Time Tunnel," "Honey West," "Hud" and "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet."
PETER MAMAKOS Died Apr. 27, 2008
Veteran character actor Peter Mamakos died at age 89. Mr. Mamakos appeared in over 160 films and TV shows during a career that spanned six decades. The Greek-American actor's feature film credits include "The Man with Bogart's Face," "The Other Side of Midnight," "For Pete's Sake," "Justine," "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter," "Ship of Fools," "The Ten Commandments," "The Searchers," "The Conqueror," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "City Beneath the Sea," the Stewart Granger version of "The Prisoner of Zenda," "Tarzan's Savage Fury," "Viva Zapata!," "The People Against O'Hara," "Kim," and "Tarzan and the Slave Girl." Mr. Mamakos was a frequent guest actor on many TV series. His many, many TV credits include "T.J. Hooker," "Fantasy Island," "Kojak," "Mission: Impossible," "The Streets of San Francisco," "Night Gallery," "The Mod Squad," "Mannix," "Land of the Giants," "Ironside," "Get Smart," "Batman," "Perry Mason," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Wagon Train," "Peter Gunn," "Rawhide," "The Untouchables," "Route 66," "Maverick," "The Three Musketeers" "Gunsmoke," "Adventures of Superman," "Climax!," "The Cisco Kid," "The Lone Ranger" and "Space Patrol."
ONI FAIDA LAMPLEY Died Apr. 28, 2008
Actress and award-winning playwright Oni Faida Lampley lost her battle to breast cancer at age 48. Ms. Lampley appeared on Broadway as well as in film and on TV. She wrote the play "Tough Titty" which dealt with surviving breast cancer. Ms. Lampley won numerous awards for her writing. Ms. Lampley's acting credits include John Sayles' "Lone Star," "NYPD Blue" and "Oz." Prayers of comfort for her family and friends.
JACK HANRAHAN Died Apr. 28, 2008
Emmy-winning writer Jack Hanrahan died of heart disease at age 75. Mr. Hanrahan won two Emmy awards for his work on "Rowen & Martin's Laugh-In" and "Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas." Among his many other credits are "Marcus Welby MD," "Little House on the Prairie," "The Waltons" and "Police Story."
JULIE EGE Died Apr. 29, 2008
Norwegian actress Julie Ege died of cancer at age 64. Ms. Ege was one of the final scream queens to emerge from Hammer films. The former Miss Norway starred in the final film in Hammer's prehistoric trilogy: "Creatures the World Forgot." While "One Million B.C." and "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" gave us babes and great stop-motion animation dinosaurs, "Creatures the Earth Forgot" gave us only babes (unless you count a giant rubber snake). The beautiful Julie Ege played the object of lust of the film's rival cavemen. The lack of dinosaurs animated by Ray Harryhausen or Jim Danforth made the film less memorable than the earlier films in the cycle. Not that Julie Ege wasn't worth watching! I thought her beauty (not acting ability) surpassed all other Hammer Scream Queens including Ingrid Pitt (but that is just my own personal taste). Julie Ege became a pin-up queen following the film's release. Ms. Ege was the only thing the film had going for it. Julie Ege also starred opposite Peter Cushing in Hammer's final vampire movie "The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires." Her reign as a Hammer scream queen was short-lived as the studio went belly up not long after "The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires." Ms. Ege was one of Blofeld's bad girls in the underrated James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." She got the part after being spotted in a 1967 pictorial in the British version of "Penthouse." Other credits include "Every Home Should Have One," "Robbery," "The Final Programme" and "Mutations." Ms. Ege retired from acting and became a nurse in Oslo. She beat breast cancer in the 1980s. Sadly she lost her 5-year-battle with lung cancer. Gone, but still alive in the pin-up dreams of her many fans.
LEWIS CROFT Died Apr. 29, 2008
Actor Lewis Croft died at age 89. Mr. Croft played one of the Munchkins in the classic film "The Wizard of Oz." There are only eight surviving actors who played Munchkins in the 1939 classic. Mr. Croft appeared in the documentary "We're Off to See the Munchkins." Mr. Croft worked as a singer and a businessman during the remainder of his life.
ALAN PAPPE Died Apr. 30, 2008
Studio photographer Alan Pappe died in Austin Texas. His age was not given. Mr. Pappe took the photograph of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John which was used on the movie poster for "Grease." His shot of Liza Minnelli from "Cabaret" was used on the covers of both "Time" and "Newsweek." Mr. Pappe also shot photographs for the music industry. His film credits include John Sayles' "Lone Star" and Stephen Soderbergh's "Underneath." Mr. Pappe played a photographer in the Joe Namath/Ann-Margret flick "C.C. and Company."
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