Nov 16 2009 Edward Woodward Dies at 79
Edward Woodward, the British thespian not at all related to the Watergate scandal, died today at 79. The actor is probably best known for his role as sergeant Neil Howie in The Wicker Man (it turns out there was a Wicker Man before Nic Cage's), though some may remember him for his Golden Globe-winning part in The Equalizer, from the the British spy series Callan, or, more recently, for his part in Hot Fuzz.
Director Edgar Wright has written a fine memorial here. Burn a woven twig effigy in the Woodward name tonight.
Oct 23 2009 Soupy Sales Dies at 83
Black Fang and White Fang are grunting in sorrow today. Soupy Sales, the '60s kids' show icon who would go on to appear on nearly all of those '70s semi-celebrity game shows you see on Game Show Network, died yesterday in a Bronx hospital. He was 83.
Though his shows were off the air long before I was born, I still somehow have fond, vague memories of his puppet friends and the innumerable pies he took to the face. Were reruns aired at some point in the '80s, or was I an amnesiac child time traveler? Either way, let's do "The Mouse" in his honor:
Oct 14 2009 O Captain! My Captain! Lou Albano Dies at 76
Tie a black rubber band around your beards, friends. "Captain" Lou Albano, professional wrestler, manager, actor, and, with Cyndi Lauper, occasional gas station owner/father, died today at 76.
In tribute to this rotund great, let's take a moment to "do the Mario":
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Sep 17 2009 Henry Gibson Dies at 73
The Glitterati Grim Reaper has claimed another victim. 73-year-old actor Henry Gibson died in his home Monday following a short battle with cancer.
Gibson is best known for his work on the late '60s series Laugh-In, on which he famously delivered weekly poems. Later generations would come to know him as Haven Hamilton in Nashville, a Nazi in Blues Brothers, a priest in Wedding Crashers, and a rich, gay barfly in Magnolia who reminds us, "It's a dangerous thing to confuse children with angels." (It's true, I think.)
How about we enjoy how good he is in that scene now?
Sep 15 2009 Patrick Swayze Dies at 57
I'm sure by now you've all heard about the recent unpleasantness: Patrick Swayze has succumbed to pancreatic cancer. The latest to join the cavalcade of dead celebrities; this has been truly an exciting year for the death pools.
Actor, dancer, singer, martial artist, Swayze made it all seem effortless. He was a beacon for what a man could and should be.
To commemorate the loss of this icon, this no-longer-living legend, here's a scene from what is debatably his greatest masterwork, Road House:
Jul 24 2009 Beloved Burger Chef/Production Manager/Executioner Dies at 84
It's a sad day for anyone aware of the slimy, green consequences of uttering the phrase "I don't know." Les Lye, the actor and broadcaster best known for playing virtually all of the buffoonish, seemingly-drunk adult characters on the Canada-based Nickelodeon classic You Can't Do That on Television, died Tuesday at 84. From CTV:
Born in Toronto, Lye came to Ottawa after graduating from Lorne Greene's Academy of Radio Arts in 1948.He joined CFRA Radio, where he served listeners for more than a decade. It was at CFRA, that he worked with Rich Little and they collaborated on a comedy album, 'My Fellow Canadians' - a spoof of the Diefenbaker years.
In 1961, he joined CJOH-TV as a freelance writer and performer. It was here, that he forged a long-lasting partnership with Bill Luxton. Together, they created the popular 'Willy & Floyd,' which ran for more than 20 years. Such personalities as Alanis Morissette, Klea Scott, Bruno Gerussi and Margaret Trudeau would drop by for surprise guest appearances.
Opportunity knocked when producers of 'You Can't Do That on Television' were looking for a versatile actor to play the many adult "foils" for the kids. Lye answered the call and instantly became a household name around the world.
I'll never again be able to make a smart alecky comment about the poor quality of a hamburger without wondering if, somehow, somewhere, he heard that.
Clips from his YCDTOT tenure under the cut.
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Jul 20 2009 Walter Cronkite Dies at 92
Walter Crokite, the only person I'll ever trust to tell me anything, died in his Manhattan home Friday after succumbing to cerebral vascular disease. He was 92. From his longtime employer, CBS News:
Cronkite was the face of the "CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 1981, when stories ranged from the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to racial and anti-war riots, Watergate and the Iranian hostage crisis.It was Cronkite who read the bulletins coming from Dallas when Kennedy was shot Nov. 22, 1963, interrupting a live CBS-TV broadcast of the soap opera "As the World Turns."
Cronkite was the broadcaster to whom the title "anchorman" was first applied, and he came so identified in that role that eventually his own name became the term for the job in other languages. (Swedish anchors are known as Kronkiters; In Holland, they are Cronkiters.)
And that's, unfortunately, the way it is.
Jun 25 2009 Michael Jackson Dies at 50
As I'm sure you've seen all over your websites and your Facebooks and your Twitters already, Michael Jackson, America's strange Princess Di, has died of cardiac arrest at age 50. I'll assume you know who Michael Jackson is and why this is really crazy to hear, so let's get on with celebrating his scarce film and television appearances with some clips:
Jun 25 2009 Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62
Farrah Fawcett, one of the 20th century's most recognized-as-being-a-babe babes, died today at 62 after a battle with cancer.
Rising to prominence as Jill Munroe on Charlie's Angels, the actress's immense, iconic popularity would lead to millions of women emulating her hairstyle and countless teenage boys hanging her poster in their bedrooms--often in the prominent, coveted spot on the door below the miniature basketball hoop. Though Fawcett was later able to dispel some of her just-a-hot-babe image and earn critical favor for more dramatic roles, her notoriously strange appearance on a 1997 Late Show episode would sadly overshadow much of her accolades.
Her memory will live on in her work and in the countless Charlie's Angel-pose emulation photos taken by drunk high school girls.
Full obituary in the L.A. Times.
Jun 23 2009 Ed McMahon Dies at 86
Announcer, sidekick, Star Searcher, deliverer of novelty-sized checks, and television legend Ed McMahon died early this morning at the age of 86. The longtime Tonight Show fixture, who recently ran into hard times that resulted in home foreclosure and an unfortunate Cash4Gold commercial, had reportedly been fighting bone cancer and other health issues in recent months.
MSNBC's video tribute is on The Superficial, and the L.A. Times has a nice write-up about his important role in sidekickery.
May his spirit live on in Andy Richter. Sort of like Highlander.
Jun 4 2009 David Carradine Found Dead at 72
Various sources are reporting that actor David Carradine, most famous for his roles as Caine in the various Kung Fu series, Frankenstein in Death Race 2000, Yellow Book Ad Guru, and more recently, the eponymous target in Kill Bill, has been found dead in a Bangkok hotel room.
Details are still coming in, but thus far the cause sounds like something between suicide and a botched magic trick, with BBC News explaining, "the 72-year-old was found by a hotel maid sitting in a wardrobe with a rope around his neck and body"
He is survived by a wife and four children; sympathies go out to them.
(And thanks to everyone who sent the sad news in.)
May 21 2009 The Angels' Song Just Got More Falsetto
Sad news today as Wayne Allwine, the high-pitched voice of Mickey Mouse for the last 30 years, has reportedly died from diabetes complications. Appropriately, he is survived by Minnie Mouse. Seriously:
Vocal artist Wayne Allwine, 62, passed away of complications from diabetes on Monday, with his wife Russi Taylor - the voice of Minnie Mouse - at his bedside.Allwine joined Disney in 1966 as a mail room attendant and went on to work in the sound effects department.
In 1977, he became the third man to provide a voice for the company's iconic cartoon character, after Walt Disney and Jimmy MacDonald.
His falsetto will live on at Disney theme parks around the world, as well as in films such as 1983's Mickey's Christmas Carol and 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Roy E. Disney, the director emeritus for The Walt Disney Co., has paid tribute to Allwine, insisting he not only gave Mickey Mouse a voice but "a heart and soul as well."
Now who's going to do the voice in all the modern, nonexistent Mickey Mouse cartoons?
(Thanks, Jen.)
Voice Of Mickey Mouse Dies [WENN]
May 5 2009 Dom DeLuise Dead at 75
Dom DeLuise, actor, comedian, and frequent Win, Lose or Draw contestant, has died at 75:
Dom DeLuise, the mirthful, moon-faced comic actor who was a regular on Dean Martin's television variety show in the 1970s and provided frequent comedic support in movies starring Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, has died. He was 75.DeLuise died in Santa Monica in his sleep Monday night surrounded by family after a long illness, his son, Michael, told KTLA.
"He was a naturally funny man," film critic Leonard Maltin told The Times today. "He didn't need a script to be funny, but smart people like Mel Brooks knew how to give him just the right setting and showcase."
Full obituary on the LA Times; clips of some of my favorite DeLuise roles under the cut.
Jan 15 2009 Ricardo Montalban Dies at 88
What a particularly sad week to be a science fiction geek. First the death of The Prisoner, now Ricardo Montalban (thanks for tipping, Niki):
Ricardo Montalban, the suave leading man who was one of the first Mexican-born actors to make it big in Hollywood and who was best known for his roles as Mr. Roarke on ABC's "Fantasy Island" and the villainous Khan of the "Star Trek" franchise, died Wednesday. He was 88.Mr. Montalban died Wednesday morning at his Los Angeles home of complications related to old age, said his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith.
I shall avenge you. (Like you promised Joachim in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.)
Suave actor Ricardo Montalban dies [SF Gate]
Jan 14 2009 Number Six Dies in LA
No, not the babe from Battlestar Galactica. Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning creator and star of the British cult favorite The Prisoner has died at 80. From the Associated Press (thanks, Paul):
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Patrick McGoohan, an Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80.McGoohan died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said Wednesday.
McGoohan won two Emmys for his work on the Peter Falk detective drama "Columbo," and more recently appeared as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film "Braveheart."
But he was best known as the title character Number Six in "The Prisoner," a surreal 1960s British series in which a former spy is held captive in a small village and constantly tries to escape.
If you never got into The Prisoner, this is a good excuse to start watching the sci-fi spy series. You'll realize you've missed a lot of references on old episodes of The Simpsons.
Dec 19 2008 Majel Barrettt-Roddenberry Passes Away at 76
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, known as "the first lady of Star Trek", passed away yesterday after a battle with Leukemia. From TrekMovie:
Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community. Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene’s partner, but also his creative muse. Roddenberry helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death. Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.
To whoever is diligently working on a YouTube tribute in which Picard repeatedly asks for the computer to no reply, then it dissolves to Roddenberry's face with "RIP" under it: I know your heart is in the right place, but give it a few days, OK?
Nov 5 2008 Sad News: Michael Crichton Dies at 66
Michael Crichton, screenwriter, director, producer, and bestselling author, whose novels were the basis for the films The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Congo, and many others, has died at 66. From the BBC (thanks, Doogs):
Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park, has died aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said."He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched," his family said in a statement.
Crichton is survived by wife Sherri and daughter Taylor.
The family's statement paid tribute to a "devoted husband, loving father and generous friend".
It added: "Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand."
We will forever be indebted to him for revealing the dangers of cloning dinosaurs for our amusement, no matter how awesome it would be.
Sep 29 2008 Paul Newman Dies at 83 (1925 - 2008)
I know this is a bit belated at this point, but I couldn't go without mentioning the death of acting legend Paul Newman:
Paul Newman, one of the last of the great 20th-century movie stars, died Friday at his home in Westport, Conn. He was 83.The cause was cancer, said Jeff Sanderson of Chasen & Company, Mr. Newman’s publicists.
He acted in more than 65 movies over more than 50 years, drawing on a physical grace, unassuming intelligence and good humor that made it all seem effortless.
Yet he was also an ambitious, intellectual actor and a passionate student of his craft, and he achieved what most of his peers find impossible: remaining a major star into a craggy, charismatic old age even as he redefined himself as more than Hollywood star. He raced cars, opened summer camps for ailing children and became a nonprofit entrepreneur with a line of foods that put his picture on supermarket shelves around the world.
The New York Times obituary says it all much better than I could, since I'm incapable of being earnest, and I don't write for the New York Times, so I'll just leave it at that. Tonight I'll be pouring out a little balsamic vinaigrette in memory of one of the greats.
Sep 4 2008 'Peanuts' Animator Bill Melendez Dies
Oh, man. Bill Melendez, the animator responsible for turning the world of Peanuts into a living, breathing thing I continue to watch on every applicable holiday, died Tuesday at the age of 91. From THR:
Melendez, the only animator permitted by Charles M. Schulz to work with the Peanuts characters, earned eight Emmy Awards, 17 Emmy nominations, one Oscar nomination and two Peabody Awards. He began his career at Disney and Warner Bros., working on classic characters at those studios, and spent more than 70 years in the entertainment industry.
Here's the Charlie Brown Christmas scene where everyone dances to "Linus & Lucy", because you know you want it:
Sep 2 2008 Figurative King of Voiceovers Dies
Don Lafontaine, the voiceover guy who was as famous as a voiceover guy can reasonably be, died this weekend following complications from a collapsed lung. From CBS:
LaFontaine, known as the "King of Voiceovers" and famous for the line "in a world..." in movie trailers, died Monday at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to several broadcast reports and his agent.That agent, Vanessa Gilbert, told "Entertainment Tonight" he passed away following complications from a collapsed lung. The official cause of death hasn't been released.
So now who's going to tell us what we're "in a world" of now? Our hearts? Yes. Our hearts.
