Apr 7 2008 Charlton Heston Dead at 84
Since he's been in a few notable movies--Ben-Hur, the Bible one, Wayne's World 2--I thought it only right that I mention the death of actor Charlton Heston. The Oscar-winning actor passed away Saturday night in his Beverly Hills home after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Though in recent years he came to be known more as a gun nut than a respected actor, there is no doubting his enormous contribution to cinema history. For example, that scene in Wayne's World 2 where Wayne breaks character to demand a better actor in the small part, and effin' Charlton Heston comes in to fill the role!
The LA Times has written a thorough remembrance of his work in films, TV, and theater that's worth reading. Or, below the cut, you can just watch that scene from Wayne's World 2 instead.
Apr 1 2008 Director Jules Dassin Dies
Jules Dassin, the 96-year-old director of the award-winning Never on Sunday and the classic heist flick Rififi, died Monday following a short illness. As a memorial, I suggest watching Night and the City, starring the also-recently-deceased Richard Widmark. It will really make you think, man, it's too bad those two guys died, even though they lived into their 90s and were no longer making films anyway.
Thanks for sharing the sad news, Ted, you downer.
Director Jules Dassin Dies [WENN]
Mar 26 2008 Actor Richard Widmark Dies at 93
Over 60 years after he shoved a defenseless lady in a wheelchair down some stairs, actor Richard Widmark died Monday. The Pickup on South Street star, nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Kiss of Death, was 93. Details of the death are still scarce (I presume his being a nonagenarian played a role), but more on his life and roles can be found here.
Feb 11 2008 Actor Roy Scheider Dies at 75
Roy Scheider, the actor known for his work in Jaws, A French Connection, All That Jazz, and, of course, SeaQuest DSV, died Sunday afternoon. His wife reports he had been suffering from multiple myeloma for years, and died from complications from a staph infection.
In tribute, I'd like to post his superlative-filled IMDB mini-biography, as written by user firehouse44. I found this a couple years ago, and it quickly becomes apparent that Scheider himself must be firehouse44. It's great.
Lean, angular-faced and authoritatively spoken lead / supporting actor Roy Scheider obviously never heard the old actor's axiom about "never appearing with kids or animals" lest they overshadow your performance. Breaking that rule did him no harm, though, as he achieved pop cult status by finding, fighting and blowing up a 25-foot-long Great White shark (nicknamed "Bruce") in the mega-hit Jaws (1975) and then electrocuting an even bigger Great White in the vastly inferior Jaws 2 (1978).
And there's more!
Oct 31 2007 Robert Goulet and His Mustache Die at 73
After hearing Robert Goulet died yesterday of pulmonary fibrosis, it's hard to know what to say of someone my generation probably knows best through a mocking (yet hilarious) caricature on SNL. Am I still allowed to laugh as I watch Will Ferrell, mustached and bespectacled, sing a Goulet version of "The Thong Song"? Is it funny or tragic that, as doctors inserted breathing tubes, the baritone crooner said, "Just watch my vocal cords"? I would definitely think it was funny a couple days ago, but now I'm not so sure.
These are questions to ponder as you prepare your hilarious Zombie Goulet costume tonight.
Continue Reading " Robert Goulet and His Mustache Die at 73 "
Aug 13 2007 Merv Griffin Dies, TMZ Mourns
Merv Griffin, renowned talk show host and creator of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, has died of prostate cancer at the age of 82. The always-respectful organization TMZ, best known for capturing starlets' vaginas as they exit vehicles, was quick to create the touching eulogy above. Of course, now that that they've wasted this idea they'll have to use the moving image of a skeleton splayed across the big wheel if Pat Sajak dies.
1925-2007 [TMZ]
Jul 31 2007 Tom Snyder Dies at 71
In further depressing news since yesterday's death of Ingmar Bergman, it's been announced that television personality Tom Snyder died Sunday in his San Francisco home due to complications with leukemia. Though as an adolescent I referred to him as "the guy with the eyebrows" that cued me when it was time to switch to Conan, I had since learned to appreciate the uniquely conversational interview style he used on Tomorrow and The Late Late Show. Smoking cigarettes in extreme close-up will never be done so well again.
Jul 30 2007 Ingmar Bergman Dies at 89
One of cinema's most legendary and innovative directors, Ingmar Bergman, died peacefully today at 89, leading many witty film intellects to observe that he finally lost his chess game with death. Nominated for nine Oscars between 1960 and 1984, he stood as one of Sweden's most famous and valued figures alongside Björn Borg, Ikea, and their small gummy fish. Sadly, with his death he takes along the possibility of his long-rumored sequel to an '80s summer camp hit, Swedish Meatballs.
Jul 25 2007 RIP, 'Lives of Others' Dude
Ulrich Muhe, star of The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen), is dead of stomach cancer today at the age of 54. It's a bummer, because I thought he gave one of the best performances in one of the best movies of last year.
On the plus side, at least he went out on top - starring in an Oscar-winning, bona-fide hit. Poor Raul Julia, his last film was Street Fighter. They even dedicated it to him. What a crappy epitaph. Let this be a lesson to you, Cuba Gooding.
Jun 12 2007 Mr. Wizard Dead at 89
Mr. Wizard survived hundreds of dangerous vinegar/baking soda concoctions.
Don Herbert, the former children's TV science host better known as Mr. Wizard, died this morning after a long battle with an evil, more powerful wizard.
Just kidding! As usual, it was cancer that beat science once again. It's really a sad loss for the kid's science television show community, which will now have to hand over leadership to the slightly more obnoxious Bill Nye or the vastly more obnoxious Beakman.
May 29 2007 CNR Joins the Great Big Match Game in the Sky
Television's greatest game show participant, Charles Nelson Reilly, died Friday due to complications from pneumonia. Though he played many roles during his 76 years, he is probably best known for his many appearances on game shows in the '70s and '80s. Aside from possibly Speed Racer, no one has worn an ascot so proudly or often, and his antics are all that keep Match Game on GSN to this day. CNR was truly a legend in the industry.*
*The giant glasses industry.
