RIP Ted Hartley

 Ted Hartley, Actor, Producer and Former Chairman of RKO Pictures, Dies at 100

Married to the late Dina Merrill, he appeared in 'High Plains Drifter' and on 'Peyton Place.'

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

November 14, 2025

 

Ted Hartley, an actor, two-time Tony-nominated producer and chairman and CEO of RKO Pictures, has died. He was 100.

A longtime resident of the Hamptons, Hartley died Oct. 10 in New York City, The East Hampton Star reported.

In 1991, he and his late wife, actress Dina Merrill, took control of what was left of the famed RKO when their company, Pavilion Communications, purchased 51 percent of the studio that released King Kong and Citizen Kane and once was owned by Howard Hughes.

He then produced several films, including a 1998 remake of Mighty Joe Young for Disney that starred Bill Paxton and Charlize Theron and a 2002 version of The Magnificent Ambersons for A&E.

Hartley was nominated for Tony Awards in 2007 and ’08 for producing the musical comedy Curtains, which played for 511 performances on Broadway, and a revival of Gypsy that featured Patti LuPone. His other stage credits include Never Gonna Dance and Doctor Zhivago.

In perhaps his most notable acting role, he portrayed hotelier Lewis Belding, married to Verna Bloom‘s character, in Clint Eastwood‘s High Plains Drifter (1973).

“I was self-conscious as an actor, but fortunately I was given parts where self-consciousness was part of the role, and I got away with it,” he once told The Star. “I wanted to be a member at The Actors Studio, and I just didn’t quite get there. Even though Lee Strasberg said wonderful things about me occasionally, I always had that feeling that he wanted me to be a little more authentic.” 

Hartley was born on Nov. 6, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised on a farm in Iowa. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, served as a White House aide under President Eisenhower and piloted jet fighters.

After his military career ended when he was injured in a carrier-landing accident in 1964, he attended Harvard Business School and worked for First Western Financial Corp. before getting fired.

He turned to acting and played Rev. Bedford on ABC’s Peyton Place during the primetime soap’s second season (1965-66), then had small roles on the big screen in Walk Don’t Run (1966), the Matt Helm flick Murderers’ Row (1966), Barefoot in the Park (1967) and Ice Station Zebra (1968).

In 1974, Hartley starred as Capt. McKeegan on ABC’s Chopper One, a drama about helicopter cops, but it was canceled after 13 episodes.

He also showed up on episodes of The F.B.I., Mannix, Ironside and Barnaby Jones and in such films as Matilda (1978), Caddyshack II (1998) and Laura Smiles (2005), which he produced as well.

He married Merrill soon after she and her second husband, actor Cliff Robertson, divorced in 1989.

The Star noted he was the longest-tenured member of the Metropolitan Club in Washington and a member of the New York Yacht Club, River Club, Chevy Chase Club and Bel-Air Country Club.

Survivors include his son, Philippe.

HARTLEY, Ted (Theodore Ringwalt Hartley)

Born: 11/6/2024, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.

Died: 10/10/2025, East Hampton, New York, U.S.A.

 

Ted Hartley’s westerns – actor:

High Plains Drifter – 1973 (Lewis Belding)

The Wild Wild West Revisited (TV) – 1979 (Tsar Nicholas of Russia)

RIP Eduardo Manzano

 

Farewell to “El Polivoz”: Eduardo Manzano, Legendary Mexican Comedian, Dies at 87

Merca 2.0

By Juan Antonio Miranda

12/5/2025

 

This Friday, December 5, Eduardo Manzano, better known as “El Polivoz,” passed away. He was one of the most iconic figures in Mexican comedy. His death marks the end of an era for the many generations who grew up with his humor, his characters, and his unmistakable comedic style.

Manzano, alongside Enrique Cuenca, became a defining figure of television comedy thanks to Los Polivoces, a program that transformed the way humor was created in Mexico and left a permanent mark on popular culture.

His talent for creating beloved characters, memorable situations, and a unique comedic identity established him as an icon whose influence remained strong for decades.

In addition to his success on television, Eduardo Manzano built a solid career in film, theater, and voice acting, staying active and close to his audience until his final years.

What did his son Lalo Manzano say after his passing?

Through social media, his son Lalo Manzano shared a deeply emotional message to say goodbye, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of affection during these difficult hours.

“With profound sorrow we say goodbye to my beloved dad, and we thank everyone who has respectfully expressed their messages of love,” he wrote, accompanying the farewell with words filled with admiration, love, and gratitude toward his father.

The death of Eduardo Manzano brings to a close the life of an indisputable pillar of national comedy, remembered for his talent, discipline, and warm personality.

His work in television, film, and theater remains a testament to an exceptional career that will continue living in the country’s collective memory.

MANZANO, Eduardo (Eduardo Manzano II)

Born: 7/18/1938, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 12/4/2025, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Eduardo Manzano’s western – actor:

Somo del otro Laredo – 1977 (Dynamite Manzano)

 

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dies: ‘Mortal Kombat, ‘Last Emperor’ & ‘Man In The High Castle’ Actor Was 75

DEADLINE

By Tom Tapp

December 4, 2025

 

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the prolific and instantly recognizable actor best known for his roles in the Mortal Kombat films, The Last Emperor, Memoirs of a Geisha and The Man in the High Castle, died Thursday in Santa Barbara. He was 75.

Tagawa died due to complications from a stroke early this morning surrounded by his children. His family confirmed the news to Deadline.

Tagawa is best known to a broad audience as the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung in the film, TV and video game iterations of the Mortal Kombat franchise. He began playing the character in New Line’s 1995 film adaptation and was also featured in the 1997 follow-up Mortal Kombat Annihilation. He reprised the role with guest appearances in the 2013 TV series Mortal Kombat: Legacy and one episode of Mortal Kombat X: Generations in 2015. In 2019, he voiced the character in the video game Mortal Kombat 11 and lent his physical likeness to the 2023 role-playing video game Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.

The first film grossed more than $100 million on a budget of around $20M.

“It was the perfect timing in that Mortal Kombat as a video game, at the time we did the film, was on number four or five and that the impact of the film certainly had to do with the build of the video games,” Tagawa said later.

He also credited director Paul W.S. Anderson.

“He was the first one in martial arts history to apply such music — really upbeat, driving metal music. You couldn’t sit still when you heard the music. And it matched the action so well.”

Tagawa had a key role in another film adaptation of a hit video game franchise, playing Heihachi Mishima, the evil corporate titan, in Tekken. That 1991 film did not fare was well as Mortal Combat at the box office.

Additionally, he lent his voice to the video games Soldier Boyz, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu and World of Warcraft: Legion.

Tagawa’s breakout film was Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar Best Picture-winning The Last Emperor in 1987. He was cast as Chang, the emperor’s driver, who plays a small but pivotal part in the story.

A string of notable roles followed in big-budget studio pictures, many of which involve the intersection of Asian and Western cultures. They include License to Kill, Rising Sun, Snow Falling on Cedars, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, Elektra, Memoirs of a Geisha and 47 Ronin. Many of these parts utilized the actor’s facility with martial arts.

“I was born in Tokyo and began training in Kendo when I was in junior high school,” recalled Tagawa in a 2010 interview. “Then when I was five we moved to Fort Bragg, NC; and that’s when I got my first real lesson in how to use the martial arts. Being Japanese and living in the south during the ’50s was pretty tough.”

At age 21, Tagawa focused on traditional Japanese karate at the University of Southern California. He soon moved back to Japan to study under Master Nakayama with the Japan Karate Association. He later created and taught his own system of Chun-Shin, which he called “a study of energy … completely without a physical fighting concept.”

Among the big-name directors he worked with were Philip Kaufman, Tim Burton, Michael Bay, Rob Marshall, Ivan Reitman and John Carpenter.

While many will recognize Tagawa from those A-list credits, others will doubtless have seen him in the more than 150 film, TV and video game projects in which he appeared. He got his start with an uncredited role in an 1986 box office flop that has become a cult classic: Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China. The next year his career really got going with, of course, The Last Emperor, but also guest spots on network shows MacGyver, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Miami Vice.

In 2015, Tagawa had his last major role as one of the lead characters in Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle. He played Nobusuke Tagomi, the Trade Minister of the Pacific States of America in a nation divided between Japanese and Nazi occupation after World War II. His character’s motivations and goals do not always seem to align with those of the leadership back in Tokyo.

The actor observed that there were parallels between his own life story and that of Tagomi.

“I identified so much with this character and so much of my life experience — having been born in Tokyo and then coming to America just after the war, 10 years after the war. I understood and grew up with the legacy of the war. So to be good, bad and ugly — being different — [is the same] as with my character Tagomi, who seems to be the only one running around talking about peace.”

Other notable TV appearances over his four-decade career include playing Lt. A.J. Shimamura on Nash Bridges, a major role as Captain Terry Harada on NBC’s Hawaii, six episodes as Satoshi Takeda on ABC’s Revenge, a six-episode arc on Netflix’s Lost in Space and, most recently, voicing The Swordmaker in Season 1 of Netflix’s animated Blue Eye Samurai.

Tagawa lived on the island of Kauai where he and his wife Sally raised their two children.

He is survived by three children, Calen, Brynne and Cana; and his two grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.

TAGAWA, Cary-Hiroyuki

Born: 9/27/1950, Tokyo, Japan

Died: 12/4/2025, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A

 

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa’s western – actor:

Walker, Texas Ranger – 2000 (Master Ko)

RIP Ted Egan

 

Vale Ted Egan: Australian Folk Legend & 'The Outback Song Man' Dies Aged 93

A true giant of the Australian music scene, Egan’s career was as vast as the outback he loved.

Countrytown

By Stephen Green

December 4, 2025

 

Australian folk music icon, author, and former Northern Territory Administrator Ted Egan has passed away at the age of 93. The legendary singer-songwriter died peacefully at his home in Alice Springs on the morning of December 4, surrounded by family.

In a statement confirming the news, his partner Nerys Evans and the Egan family expressed their deep loss.

“It is with sadness, but also great pride that Nerys Evans and the Egan family marks the passing of our beloved partner, Dad, grandfather, great grandfather and best mate Ted Egan,” the statement read.

“Ted passed peacefully at home this morning as was his wish. We shared Ted with Territorians, Australians and the wider world. He lived a big and very generous life, spanning 93 years.”

A true giant of the Australian music scene, Egan’s career was as vast as the outback he loved. He released 30 folk albums, starting with his debut in 1969, and penned 17 books. Beyond music, he was a familiar face on Australian television as a co-host of The Great Outdoors and creator of his own six-part series on Australia.

He cracked the ARIA Chart in 1973 with Willie The Whinging Pom, but was well known for many of his songs including Sayonara Nakamura, The Man from Humpty-Doo and The Drover's Boy.

Egan was also fiercely dedicated to social justice. He was a vocal advocate for Aboriginal land rights during the 1960s and 70s, a passion immortalised in his collaboration with former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu on the track Gurindji Blues.

His contributions to the industry were formally recognised in 1995 when he was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. He also held Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Golden Guitar Awards and the National Folk Festival.

Tributes have already begun flowing in from the country and folk community, with the Chief Minister of the NT confirming that Egan will be offered a state funeral.

Egan is survived by his partner Nerys, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

EGAN. Ted (Edward Joseph Egan)

Born: 7/6/1932 Poburg, Melbourne, Australia

Died: 12/4/2025, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

 

Ted Egan’s western – musician:

Australia - 2008

RIP Péter Kálloy Molnár

 

Péter Kálloy Molnár has died

After a short-term illness, Péter Kálloy Molnár, actor, director, writer and musician, died on Monday at the age of 55. 

Blikk

12/1/2025

 

The Alma Ensemble announced on its Facebook page that Péter Kálloy Molnár has passed away at the age of 55; The news was confirmed to our newspaper by several sources.

For a performance on 30 December, Péter Kálloy Molnár was originally supposed to be part of the cast of "This Pure Madness – Improvisational Activity", but the change was announced on Monday afternoon. The improvisation show presented at 6SZÍN will be staged with the participation of Tamás Szabó Kimmel, alongside Erika Náray, Nóra Parti, András Faragó Topy and Levente Harsányi.

The actor has been unable to perform for two weeks due to illness. The organizers of the improvisational game "As it rains, so it pops" reported on it in their Facebook post on November 13: "Unfortunately, Péter Kálloy Molnár has cancelled his performance tonight due to illness. He will be replaced by Viktor Szabó, an artist of the Jókai Theatre of Komárom, in As it rains, so in the thud."

He was an outstanding talent

Péter Kálloy Molnár was an outstandingly talented and versatile creator who was a key figure in Hungarian theatre and film life for decades. His artistic work, special voice, humour and sensitivity have made many roles and works lasting for generations, MTI wrote about the artist.

Péter Kálloy Molnár was born in 1970 in Mezőcsát, graduated from the drama department of the Ady Grammar School in Debrecen, and from 1991 he became a member of the company of the National Theatre. He graduated from the Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 1993 in the class of István Iglódi. Between 1993 and 1997 he was a member of the company of the Vígszínház, and since 1997 he has been a freelance artist.

The wide audience could get to know him, among other things, from his film roles and as a regular character in the television show Beugró, but he also regularly dubbed. He directed Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and his greatest theatrical success came with Shakespeare's All Abbreviations, which was performed more than 600 times in more than two decades.

He has released three solo albums. He has also appeared in international productions, such as Budapest, American Rhapsody or Shoemaker, Tailor, Spy.

Information on the details of the funeral will be provided later.

MOLAN, Péter Kálloy (Péter Kálloy Molnár)

Born: 6/6/1970, Mezõcsát, Hungary

Died: 12/1/2025, Budapest, Hungary

 

Péter Kálloy Molnár’s western – actor:

Day of the Outlaw – 1959 [Hungarian voice of unknown actor]

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid – 1971 [Hungarian voice of Bob Dylan]

Shootout – 1971 [Hungarian voice of Robert F. Lyons]

Call of the Wild – 1992 [Hungarian voice of Viton Metcalfe]

Smoke Signals – 1998 [Hungarian voice of Adam Beach]

Jack Bull – 1999 [Hungarian voice of unknown actor]

Buffalo Soldiers – 2001 [Hungarian voice of Michael Peña

800 Bullets – 2002 [Hungarian voice of Enrique Martínez]

Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure – 2008 [Hungarian voice of Ran Tan Plan]

Cold Mountain – 2003 [Hungarian voice of Philip Seymour Hoffman

Rango – 2011 [Hungarian voice of Señor Flan

American Primeval – 2025 [Hungarian voice of Joe Tippett]

No Hero Here – 2015

Killers of the Flower Moon – 2023 Hungarian voice of Pat Healy

RIP John McCarty

 

Facebook

By Bruce Hallenbeck

November 25, 2025

 

I've just been informed that my old and dear friend John McCarty has passed away. It seems very unreal to me, as I went to meet him for lunch last week and he called me at the restaurant to tell me he couldn't make it because he had fallen in his driveway. He had a neurological disorder which made him dizzy and caused him to fall a great deal, and a few days after that, his wife found him in their house at the bottom of the stairs. He had fallen and hit his head. He was taken to the hospital but passed away shortly after.

I don't know where to begin writing about John. He was, in many ways, a mentor to me. I first came across his name in an issue of the late, lamented CINEFANTASTIQUE Magazine, for which he had written an article about Val Lewton. The article mentioned that he lived not far from me, so I got in touch with him and, both being film buffs, we became fast friends. He was nine years older than me and he took me under his wing, as it were. My first experience of being on radio was thanks to him, when he and I went on WGY in Schenectady, New York to do film trivia shows.

Next, he directed me in two radio plays for WGY Mystery Theater - a local offshoot of CBS Mystery Theater - and in one of which I played Sherlock Holmes. At the age of 22, I must have been one of the youngest to play that role ever!

My first stage appearances were also with John; he and I appeared in Oscar Wilde's LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN. Around that time, I also had my first ride in a passenger jet - to London. We were both huge Hammer fans, and we knew we had to go there. We flew first class, on the same plane with David Frost and his girlfriend. When we got there, we had tickets to two plays, OTHERWISE ENGAGED with Alan Bates and Jacqueline Pearce, and PHAEDRA

BRITTANICA at the Old Vic, with Diana Rigg and Michael Gough. We went to Stonehenge as well. We also spent an afternoon with my pen pal, Hammer's great music composer James Bernard.  It was an amazing trip.

Later that same year, we went to the Famous Monsters Convention in New York, where we met an actor we both adored, Peter Cushing. Another unforgettable experience.

In later years, John became well known for his film-related books, beginning with SPLATTER MOVIES, a term he coined. He kept writing right on up to the end; his latest novel, MASQUERADE, was just published. I'm happy to say that my last words to him were about how much I enjoyed it. I think you will too.

McCARTY, John

Born: 1944, Albany, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 11/25/2025, East Greenbush, New York, U.S.A.

 

John McCarty’s westerns – director, writer, film editor:

Thrist: A Civil War Story – 2013

Dead Horse Trail – 2016

RIP Tony Benedict

 

News From Me

By Mark Evanier

11/29/2025

 

Tony Benedict, R.I.P.

Sad to hear of the passing of Tony Benedict, a great animation writer especially in the early days of Hanna-Barbera. Tony never talked much about his early life but we know that after he got out of the Marine Corps, he drove his 1948 Studebaker out to Hollywood to get into the animation business. He started at Disney in 1956 and worked as an in-betweener (assistant animator) on Sleeping Beauty and on some of the animation done for the Disneyland TV show. In 1959, he moved over to the U.P.A. cartoon studio and worked on several Mr. Magoo cartoons.

Then in 1959, he sold a script to Hanna-Barbera for a new show they had going on the air — The Flintstones. They brought him in on staff and he worked as a storyman and sketch artist on that show and pretty much everything they produced after that for several years including The Jetsons, Top Cat, Yakky Doodle, Magilla Gorilla, Secret Squirrel and many more. Later, he worked for other studios (including DePatie-Freleng) and produced and wrote several animated features.

He was just one of those guys who worked everywhere in town and was liked by everyone. Those of us who got to know him found him to be a talented and very clever gentleman. He'd been ill for some time and we think he was 88 years old. The animation community has lost a beloved figure indeed.

BENEDICT, Tony (Anthony Benedict)

Born: 1936, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Died: 11/29/2025, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Tony Benedict’s westerns –

Ricochet Rabbit & Droop Along (TV) – 1964-1966 (writer)

Posse Impossible (TV) – 1977 (writer)