James Gavin

IMDB reports that character actor James Gavin died. Again, I'm at a loss to find confirmation. I have a murder trial coming up at the end of this month, so my time for extra research is limited. Any help would be appreciated.

UPDATE: Mr. Gavin's death has been confirmed. I've written a tribute to him at EInsiders.com.

Maurice Dunster

IMDB has reported that actor Maurice Dunster died on September 12. He was also Keifer Sutherland's long time assistant. I've been unable to confirm this one. Anybody out there lend a hand?

UPDATE: Mr. Dunster's death has been confirmed. I've written a tribute to him at EInsiders.com.

Roberta Collins Update

I spoke to a friend of Ms. Collins today and finally confirmed the details of her passing. This is what I posted at EInsiders today:

ROBERTA COLLINS Died Aug. 16, 2008

Life is tough. Grief can be overwhelming. Janis Joplin once said "On stage I make love to twenty five thousand people; and then I go home alone." Fame is fleeting. The love and adoration of fans may fill some void, but we are all alone at the end of the day. Sometimes it becomes more than we can bear. Roberta Collins lost her son Michael to suicide. While it is not known whether Roberta Collins' death was an accident or suicide, my sources state that she took too many pills the day she died. Ms. Collins sank into depression following the death of her son. She was married to actor Paul Harper (The Wild Bunch). On the last day of her life, Bobbie Collins lay in bed. Her husband checked on her in the morning and at lunch time. She refused any food. She was gone by 4 that afternoon.

Roberta Collins was a free spirit. She brought joy to others through her work and in her personal life. She was a believer in holistic healing and tried to help others through those beliefs. Most of us didn't know Roberta Collins. We remember her fondly from her many cult films from the 1970s. She was a contemporary of Rainbeaux Smith, Candice Rialson, Claudia Jennings. While I enjoyed Roberta Collins' work, Rainbeaux Smith was the girl for me (in a movie fantasy way I'm sure you understand.) Roberta Collins appeared in 30 films and TV shows during her career. She remains in the hearts of drive-in movie fans for a half-dozen cult classics she appeared in during the 1970s.

In 1971, Roberta Collins co-starred with Pam Grier in her first of three Women in Prison films: Jack Hill's "The Big Doll House." Who can forget their famous, muddy cat-fight! That same year, she re-teamed with Ms. Grier in the sequel "Women in Cages." Both films were US/Philippine co-productions. Ms. Collin's third Women in Prison film was Jonathan Demme's fun "Caged Heat." She co-starred with Barbara Steele, Erica Gavin, Juanita Brown and Rainbeaux Smith. The 1974 film is the best of the three films.

Her best known role is probably as Matilda the Hun in Roger Corman's gonzo cult-classic "Death Race 2000." She played a Nazi vixen paired up with Fred Grandy in the tale of a cross country race where the more people you kill, the more points you score. One of her most touching roles was as Clara, the doomed prostitute in Tobe Hooper's under-rated horror classic "Eaten Alive." She played one of those characters you know is going to end up in a very bad place, but you want her to make it. She doesn't. Another early drive-in classic from the 70s: "The Unholy Rollers." The Roller Derby movie belongs to its star, the late Claudia Jennings. Roberta Collins delivers the film's second best performance as a beautiful, but badass teammate.

Roberta Collins died some TV and made a few movies during the 1980s before leaving the film industry. Her TV credits include "Adam 12," "The Night Stalker," "BJ and the Bear" and Glenn Ford's great series "Cade's County." Ms. Collins would later work as one of the health care providers for Glenn Ford toward the end of his life. Ms. Collins other film credits include "Sweet Kill" with Tab Hunter, "Death Wish 2," "School Spirit" and the two "Hardbodies" movies.

It has taken some time to find and talk to my sources. Ironically news of Ms. Collins' passing surfaced on August 28, my daughter Christy's birthday. Tomorrow (Sept. 14) is the fourth anniversary of Christy's ATV accident. When Christy lay in a coma the doctors told me on several occasions that she wouldn't live through the night. I was blessed that I didn't lose my daughter. However the experience gave me some insight into what it would be like to lose a child. As bad as my experience was I know that it pales in comparison to what Bobbie Collins went through. I can't say what I would have done had Christy died. I hope I never have to find out the answer to that question. I just pray that Ms. Collins finds some peace from the pain she suffered due to the loss of her son Michael.

Roberta Collins Part 2

I'm hoping to have an obit posted at EI soon. I've made some headway in finding out some details concerning Ms. Collins. Yes, she has died. When? I'm not quite sure. So far, what I've found out adds up to a sad story of overwhelming grief. Stay tuned.

Marguerite Empey AKA Diana Webber

A number of Blogs and IMDB are reporting that nudist, Playboy playmate and model Diane Webber died last month. Ms. Webber was a Playboy centerfold twice in the 1950s. An underwater shot of her taken by Russ Meyer was the first photo in Playboy to show pubic hair. Ms. Webber appeared in the nudie film The Mermaids of Tiburon which has recently been released on DVD. I also remember her for a bit part in The Trial of Billy Jack. I can't find anything to support the claim that she has died. Any help would be appreciated.

UPDATE: This one didn't take long. My loyal reader James comes through again! How many is this James?

Anyway, Ms. Webber was a renowned Belly Dancing instructor. The following link to a Belly Dance Troupe website contains her obituary: http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm

Roberta Collins

The excellent blog Arbogast On Film has reported that actress Roberta Collins has died. Several other websites such as "Moon in the Gutter" and "AV Maniacs" also report that writer Jack Hill posted notice of his death on his MySpace page. While I can't find the notice on Mr. Hill's page, I have written him asking for confirmation. Ms. Collins is known to horror and exploitation fans for her roles in such films as "Eaten Alive," "Death Race 2000" and "The Big Doll House."

If anyone can help confirm Ms. Collin's passing I would greatly appreciate the help.

Update: I've sent Jack Hill several messages. They remain unanswered. The notice that was supposed to be on his MySpace page is no longer there. Does anyone know if Ms. Collins had a married name? Was Roberta Collins here real name. I just don't understand why the passing someone of her stature would not reported by a mainstream news service.

Daman Lanza

I received this e-mail on the 18th from EInsiders.com reader Judy. I haven't been able to confirm this yet.

I just found out from a reliable source that Daman Lanza the last surviving son of the legendary singer Mario Lanza. He died yesterday at the age of 55.

UPDATE: Loyal reader and research pro Cathy comes through again! Thanks so much Cathy!

Damon Lanza
LANZA, Damon Beloved son of Mario and Betty Lanza passed away August 16, 2008 at age 55. He is survived by his sister, Ellisa Lanza Bregman, his brother-in-law, Robert B. Bregman, his nephews, Tony and Nick Bregman, his uncle, Terry Robinson, and East Coast family members. He was loved and will be missed. A private family service and burial was held at Holy Cross Cemetery Wednesday, August 26, 2008.