Thursday, May 20, 2010

Dennis Groves


South Africa's top herpetologist -- via the Pretoria News

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

John Shepherd-Barron


The man who invented the ATM -- via MSNBC

David Durston


Film writer and director best remembered for cult shocker "I Drink Your Blood" -- via the Hollywood Reporter

Don Engdahl


Enterprising journalist -- via the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Yvonne Loriod


Brilliant pianist
championed contemporary composers -- via the Guardian

Bobbejaan Schoepen aka Modest Schoepen


 Belgian performer did it all -- comedy, music, acting -- he even had his own amusement park! Via Wikipedia.

Mike Doyle


Special-effects wizard made movie magic -- via the Miami Herald

Monday, May 17, 2010

Sunday, May 16, 2010

John Davis Chandler


Actor specialized in playing killers and psychos -- via the West Virginia Gazette

Ronnie James Dio


Heavy-metal master -- via the  New York Times

Saturday, May 15, 2010

David Randolph, aka David Rosenberg


Choral master led the best "Messiah"s in New York for decades -- via the New York Times

Friday, May 14, 2010

Rosa Rio


This talented organist began playing for silent movies at the age of nine -- in 1911! When the sound era arrived in 1927, she made the transition to network radio, working there for 22 years on such shows as "The Shadow," "Front Page Farrell" and Bob and Ray. Then she moved to TV, working in programs such as the Today Show, as well as numerous soap operas. In the end, she went back to her beginnings, accompanying silent film both live and for video release. WOW! The definition of an entertainment survivor! She was 107 years old.

UPDATE: Here's the New York Times obituary, which contains more information, including the fact that she accompanied Mary Martin when that performer successfully auditioned for Cole Porter . . . and a very funny anecdote about live radio, a studio audience and undressing . . .

Phyllis Douglas aka Phyllis Hodges Boyce


Erstwhile actress played little Bonnie Blue Butler in "Gone With the Wind" and grew up to play roles in camp classics such as the original "Star Trek," "Batman" . . . and "Atlantis, the Lost Continent"! Via the Palm Springs Desert Sun