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.

Peter Mamakos

Someone posted a death notice for character actor Peter Mamakos on a message board I frequent. The posting was taken from another message board I can't find. Supposedly Mr. Mamakos died in July at age 89. I've yet to find any confirmation. Mr. Mamakos is pictured on the left in this photo.

Richard Angarola

I was informed today that veteran character actor Richard Angarola died of a heart attack on July 7th. I'm looking for some confirmation. Mr. Angarola appeared in numerous films including "Papillon," "Jeremiah Johnson," "The Undefeated," "The Master Gunfighter," "Hang 'em High" and "Sweet Charity." I thousand thanks to the first one who can send me a news source to confirm this.

UPDATE: I spoke with Mr. Angarola's daughter today and she confirmed his passing. I've posted a tribute to him in my July column at EInsiders.com.

Beverly Michaels

BUMP: Still need some help on this one!

Several Film Noir websites and IMDB state that actress Beverly Michaels passed away of a stroke last summer in Phoenix Arizona. I've not been able to find any further confirmation concerning the actual date. She was the wife of Oscar-winner Russell Rouse and the mother of Oscar winner Christopher Rouse. Ms. Michaels was best known as the femme fatale in "Pickup."

Filmography
Actress
Women Without Men
Blonde Bait
Cheyenne
Betrayed Women
Wicked Woman
Pickup
East Side, West Side

Live Animals trailer

My buddies, director Jeremy Benson and producer/composer Mark Williams are just about finished with post production their 5th feature film. "Live Animals" deals with the white slave traffic. It stars John Still from Craig Brewer's Hustle & Flow and The Poor & Hungry. I've watched these guys grow as filmmakers over the past six years. The fact that my scenes in Live Animals ended up on the cutting room floor is proof that Jeremy has matured as a director! This is by far the best work by Jeremy and Mark. I predict that you will be seeing this title soon at either the theater or video store.

CLICK HERE to view the trailer for Live Animals.

Jeremy's 4th film was the 2005 horror film Shutter which also starred John Still as a homicidal redneck. The movie opened some doors for Jeremy with a couple of producers. If you look close toward the end of the trailer you can see me get my head cut off with a shovel!!!

CLICK HERE to view the trailer for Jeremy Benson's 4th feature, Shutter.

Click Here to read an archived review of Shutter at Entertainment Insiders.

As long as I'm passing out the love to my friend, here are a couple of more links to give you an idea of a guy you will be hearing from very soon.


Jeremy and Mark's third feature film, The Smallest Oceans was an intense drama about fatherhood. This movie marked the beginning of Jeremy leap from amateur movie maker to a real director. The movie won Honorable Mention as Best Feature Film at the 2005 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.

Click Here to read Jonathan Hickman's review of The Smallest Oceans at Entertainment Insiders.

I met Jeremy in 2001 when he and Mark rented a local theater to show their first movie Friday's Menu. The comedy showed a lot of promise. It has its share of flaws but there are some great moments of comedy in the film.

Click Here to read my archived review of Friday's Menu from Entertainment Insiders, and Click Here to read my 2001 interview with Jeremy.

Just so you don't think this is a fluff piece of me kissing my friends's ass, Jeremy's second film Nothing But Flowers is a total piece of crap which I refused to review. It does however contain a topless lap-dance scene by Peaches.