Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Actor -- via Variety. AKA Louis Robert Gendre. The epitome of the dashing Frenchman on film and television, Jourdan actually had quite a good range as a performer. His film debut was derailed by World War II; he fought in the Resistance. He began as a juvenile lead, most notably in "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "Gigi"; he specialized in villains later in films such as "Octopussy" and "Swamp Thing."
Volunteer security guard -- via the Daily Forward. Thanks to his presence, the murder of 80 people celebrating a bat mitzvah by a lone terrorist was prevented.
Disc jockey, voice actor, and much much more -- via TV Line. AKA Gary Altman. One of the original "goofball" DJs of the 1960s, Owens was also the voice of Space Ghost, wrote and performed thousands of commercials and humorous bits, and created comedy albums, wrote books, and on and on. He could play it straight, but more often his profoundly resonant baritone was in the deadpan service of merriment and hijinks. Thanks, Gary!
Journalist and writer -- via the New York Times. A great writer on media, who also penned an honest and riveting memoir, "The Night of the Gun," not least about his addictions. A damned shame. He was too young.
Heroine of the Resistance, and social worker -- via the Telegraph. Awarded the Croix de Guerre, her life calls out for a film of it, don't you think? She fought the Nazis and won. Later in life, she calmly disposed of a letter bomb that came to her home. Her memoir is titled, "Granny Was a Spy."
Composer -- via the New York Classical Review. Best known for his operatic version of "Mourning Becomes Electra," the 1998 revision of which is beginning to enter the repertoire.
Filmmaker; founder of NFL films -- via the Washington Post. A champion swimmer, he was selected for the 1936 Olympic team but refused to participate due to them taking place in Hitler's Germany. After stints as an actor and a salesman, he picked up a 16mm camera and convinced the NFL to let him chronicle its activities. The hyperbolic, slow-motion sagas he crafted out of the footage are now regarded as innovative and iconic.