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.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Dolores Wilson
A Met soprano for many years -- via the New York Times. She originated the role of Baby Doe in Moore's opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe," at the Central City Opera House in Central City, Colorado on July 7, 1956.
Norman Wisdom
Comedian, singer and comic actor -- via the BBC. Now a cult figure, he was the most profitable comic of his day, a favorite of Chaplin's as well. He played coy, clumsy characters who fell in love and sang. Oddly, he is an object of worship in Albania, where good old dictator Enver Hoxha, for some reason (perhaps his wholesome tunefulness) named him as the only Western actor whose films were shown in that country.
Philippa Foot
Philosopher specializing in questions of morals and ethics -- via The Edge of the American West. She conceived the noted "trolley problem."
Andy Albeck
Producer and studio head -- via ABC News. He greenlighted "Raging Bull," and unfrotunately "Heaven's Gate" as well. He has a bit part as a movie producer in Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories."
Harry Flavel
Eccentric and recluse -- via the Daily Astorian. He and his family's brushes with the law were documented in a New Yoker article by Calvin Trillin -- "First Family of Astoria."
Maury Allen
Sportswriter -- via the New York Times. He wrote 38 books, most on the subject of baseball.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Junko Ikeuchi
Actress -- via Tokyograph. Lovers of camp will remember her as a leading player in Japan's "Super Giant/Starman" series, which were cut up, dubbed and run on American TV in the mid-'60s as the film series "Attack from Space," "Atomic Rulers of the World," "Invaders from Space" and "Evil Brain from Outer Space." Surrealistic bliss!
Martin Ljung
Swedish comedian and actor -- via Radio Sweden's Facebook page. Here's him doing a "Viking" routine: don't know what he's saying, but he's killin' the crowd!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Stephen J. Cannell
Prolific and successful writer and producer for television -- via E! Online. He created some great series -- "The Rockford Files," "The Greatest American Hero," "Wiseguy," "The A-Team," "The Commish," Silk Stalkings" -- and about 30 others.
Mickey Freeman aka Irving Freeman
Comedian and actor -- via a paid announcement from the Friars Club in the New York Times. He'll be remembered for his role as Private Zimmerman in "You'll Never Get Rich/Sgt. Bilko/The Phil Silvers Show."
Neil Alan Smith
Dishwasher -- via the St. Petersburg Times. A rude Web comment by a reader who stated that a 48-year-old dishwasher was "better off dead" provoked this obituary; one about an ordinary guy who did his job and behaved decently toward others.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Joe Mantell
Actor in film and television -- via The Wrap. Oscar-nominated for his supporting role in "Marty." As Walsh, he spoke the final, immortal line, "Forget it, Jake -- it's Chinatown" in "Chinatown."
Buddy Morrow
Trombonist and bandleader -- via the Independent. His 1952 recording of "Night Train" is arguably the last hit of the Big Band era.
Tony Curtis aka Bernard Schwartz
Actor -- via the New York Times. A "pretty boy" who could act, Curtis was an action hero, a comic leading man, and a strong supporting player. His best films: "Some Like It Hot," "Spartacus," "The Defiant Ones," "The Sweet Smell of Success." A guilty pleasure? "The Persuaders," an improbable but enjoyable private-investigator series that lasted for a year on British TV.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Greg Giraldo
Standup comic -- via TMZ. Here's an utterly honest discussion he had with a writer at Psychology Today about failure and self-loathing -- the fuel of the comedian.
Robert Trachinger
TV pioneer invented the slo-mo replay, the hand-held TV camera, the underwater TV camera and more, revolutionizing sports coverage on ABC. He worked in early, live TV and earned Emmys for his documentaries and Olympics coverage. Later if life, he taught and mentored many.
Ed Wiley Jr.
Saxophonist was a key player in the transitional era from R & B to rock 'n' roll -- via the Charlotte Observer
Arthur Penn
Stage, television and film director -- via the New York Times. He was part of the live-television drama era; hit the trifecta with his TV, stage and film versions of "The Miracle Worker." He also directed Nichols and May on Broadway, and staged the original productions of "Toys in the Attic," "Wait Until Dark" and "Sly Fox." He spearheaded New American Cinema with "Bonnie and Clyde." He made more films, many still severely underestimated -- "Mickey One," "The Chase," "Alice's Restaurant," "Little Big Man" and the breaktaking "Night Moves" among them.
Here's Part One of a fascinating six-part interview with him on his life and work:
Here's Part One of a fascinating six-part interview with him on his life and work:
Pierre Guffroy
Production designer for such classic films as "Black Orpheus," "Alphaville," "The Bride Wore Black," "That Obscure Object of Desire" and "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" -- via Le Matin
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Van Snowden
Puppeteer of film and television -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He played H.R. Pufnstuf and many other Krofft characters, as well as Chucky in the "Child's Play" movies, the Crypt Keeper in "Tales from the Crypt" and was the lead puppeteer on "Pee-Wee's Playhouse."
Art Gilmore
Voice actor, actor, narrator and announcer -- via Variety. From the early days of radio, through hundreds of film trailers, into the television era, his distinctive voice resounds. Here's his opening of "Highway Patrol":
Arthur E. Holch Jr.
Director, producer and writer of TV documentaries -- via Legacy.com and GreenwichTime.com
Sally Menke
Film editor, best known for her work with director Quentin Tarentino -- via the L.A. Times
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