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, February 29, 2016
George Kennedy
Oscar-winning actor; the quintessential supporting actor -- via The Wrap. Good old George Kennedy! He was in everything. He started off, after 16 years in the military, on the "Sgt. Bilko" TV show. He was the last one to yell, "I am Spartacus!" near the end of that movie. He did tons of TV, and did a bang-up job in films such as "Lonely Are the Brave," "Charade," "The Flight of the Phoenix," "The Dirty Dozen," "Cool Hand Luke" (Oscar), "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," the "Airport" films, and the "Naked Gun" films.
My favorite George Kennedy movie is, of course "Airport" (1970), in which he plays the gruff yet lovable Joe Patroni, chief mechanic for TWA (yes, children, it used to exist) and putative hero. "I'll be back in time if I have to pull that plane out with my teeth!"
