Thursday, March 21, 2013

George Francis "Shadow" Morton

Songwriter and producer -- via the New York Times. He also started the Shangri-Las, and produced JAnis Ian, Vanilla Fudge, and the New York Dolls. His big hits: "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)" and "Leader of the Pack."






W. Watts "Buck" Biggers

Writer, novelist, and TV animation writer, director, producer; the creator of Underdog, as well as "King Leonardo and his Short Subjects," Tennessee Tuxedo, Commander McBragg, Klondike Kat, and Tooter the Turtle -- via the New York Times.












John Ammonds

TV producer and director -- via the Guardian.

Ann Betz Walko

Poet and playwright -- via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Irving Goldberg

Amtrak trip narrator: docent -- via the Sacramento Bee.


Rise Stevens aka Rise Steenberg

The leading mezzo of her day; one of the ultimate Carmens -- via the New York Times.







Manuel Rojas

Restaurateur -- via the L.A. Times. Creator of the delicious and enormous Manuel's Special and Hollenbeck burritos!

Bill Frueh

Social worker -- via the Times Union.


Ronald Dworkin

Philosopher of law -- via the Guardian.

Bob Godfrey

The godfather of British animation -- via the Telegraph.

Joan Tyers

Community activist and peace campaigner -- via the Guardian.


Harry Reems aka Herbert Streicher

Former porn star -- via the New York Times. Not really into celebrating that part of his life; in fact, he got sober and turned his life around.


Tim Hampton

Film producer -- via the Hollywood Reporter.

Michael Rhodes

Baritone and vocal coach -- via the Ottowa Citizen.

Helen Kutsher

Hotelier -- via the Wall Street Journal.

Fran Warren aka Frances Wolfe

Singer and actress -- via the Christian Science Monitor.




Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Gerry Hambling

Great film editor -- via the Guardian. Among his creations: "Midnight Express," "Fame," "Birdy," "Mississippi Burning," "The Commitments," "In the Name of the Father," and "the Boxer."

Trevor Grills

Singer -- via the Guardian.



Kevin Gray

Actor -- via Theatermaina.

Rick Huxley

Bassist with the Dave Clark Five -- via the Telegraph.





Richard Artschwager

Painter and sculptor -- via the New York Times.

Jason Molina

Singer and songwriter -- via the New Yorker.





Lisa Lynch

Writer -- via the Guardian.

Seymour Rosen

Manager of both the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Orchestras, and artistic director of Carnegie Hall -- via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Henry Bromell

TV producer -- via the L.A. Times.


Robert Relyea

Film producer -- via the L.A. Times. He assistant-directed on a bunch of classics: "Oklahoma!", "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape," "West Side Story." He produced "Bullitt," "The Reivers," and "Le Mans."


Monday, March 18, 2013

Zhuang Zedong

Table tennis champion -- via the New York Times.

Emilio Gonzalez

A guy looking for a job -- via the New York Daily News.

Chris Brinker

Film producer -- via the Hollywood Reporter.

Kru Yodtong Senanan

Martial arts master -- via combat-asia.com.

Niki Marangou

Writer -- via the Cyprus Mail.

Bobby Smith

Lead singer for the Spinners -- via soultracks.com.





Frank Thornton aka Frank Thornton Ball

Actor -- via the Guardian. A gifted and versatile comic actor who will be best remembered for his long-running role as Captain Peacock in the BBC sticom "Are You Being Served?". He also appeared in many classical roles, as well as films such as "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "The Bed-Sitting Room," Lester's "Three Musketeers," and "Gosford Park."




Egil Hovland

Composer -- via aftenposten.no.



Krsto Papic

Screenwriter and film director -- via vecernji.hr.

Gail Lynn Frazer aka Margaret Frazer

Writer -- via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.


Alden Mason

Artist -- via the Seattle Times.



Oscar Feltsman

Composer -- via Pravda.



Sunday, March 17, 2013