RIP Mino Giarda

 

Maestro #27

By Didier Thunus

December 2024

 

Mino Giarda who was born in Venice, Italy on August 2, 1928. He an assistant to Carlo Lizzani on movies such as “Mussolini ultimo atto” (1974) – even co-director of “Storie di vita e malavita” (1975) according to IMDb – or to Damiano Damiani for “La moglie più bella” (1971) and many other directors, Mino Giarda finally directed his own movie in 1976, called “Per amore”. He turned to Ennio Morricone for writing the beautiful score of this love story between a pianist and a young girl, and to Luis Bacalov to play piano pieces by Chopin. But right after that, he stopped his career completely, at the age of 48. He died in Rome on March 20tha at the age of 95. He was an assistant director on two Spaghetti westerns: “A Fistful of Songs” and “For a Few Dollars Less” both in 1966.

GIARDA, Mino

Born: 8/2/1928, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Died: 3/20/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Mino Giarda’s westerns – assistant director:

A Fistful of Songs – 1966

For a Few Dollars Less - 1966

RIP Wayne Northrop

 

Actor Wayne Northrop

Dead at 77 ...

'Days of Our Lives,' 'Dynasty' Star

TMZ

12/1/2024

 

Wayne Northrop -- a longtime television actor who appeared in over 1000 episodes of the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The star's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, tells us ... Northrop passed away at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home -- an assisted living facility for those in the film industry.

Northrop was diagnosed with Alzheimer's six years ago ... hence the need for assisted living care.

Wayne's wife, Lynn Herring Northrop, released a statement as well ... saying he took his final breath in the arms of family -- and thanking The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking great care of him in the last few years of his life.

Northrop broke into the film industry in the late 1970s ... starting out by appearing in bit roles on shows like "Baretta" and "The Waltons."

He got his big break in 1981 when he got a recurring role in the show "Dynasty" ... appearing in the pilot as Michael Culhane, chauffer to oil baron John Forsythe's Blake Carrington. He played the role in 35 episodes of the show.

Wayne's career-defining role though was in the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" ... in which he played two characters -- Dr. Alex North and Roman Brady.

He's credited for 1,036 episodes of the show ... appearing in shows from 1981 to 2006.

Other credits include ... "Port Charles," "The Young Riders," "L.A. Law," "Hotel," and "Cold Case."

Wayne married Lynn in 1981 ... and, the two purchased a working cattle ranch in California. Northop was always passionate about wildlife and conservation.

He is survived by Lynn and their two sons, Hank and Grady. Wayne was 77.

RIP

NORTHROP, Wayne (Wayne Alan Northrop)

Born: 4/12/1947, Sumner, Washington, U.S.A.

Died: 11/29/2024, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.A.

 

Wayne Northrop’s western – actor:

The Young Riders (TV) – 1989 (Ludy Bryan)

RIP Joyce Taylor

 Forever Missed 

Joyce Taylor Hinnant, 1937–2024 (87)

Fort Collins, Colorado

 

Born Joyce Crowder, actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood as Joyce Taylor, and singer as Joyce Bradley. Taylor sang in amateur shows at age 10 and turned professional at age 15, signing with Mercury Records (billed as Joyce Bradley). When she was 16, she was singing at Chez Paree nightclub in Chicago and other similar venues.[3]

She was under contract to Howard Hughes-owned RKO Pictures in the 1950s, but he only allowed her to act in one movie (a small part in Beyond a Reasonable Doubt in 1956).[4] When her seven-year contract ended, she became a regular on the science-fiction adventure TV series Men into Space (1959–1960)[5] as well as acted in many other TV shows and several feature films

The records show she remarried, in 1972, to Richard Perry Hinnant (b. 1943). Her first marriage certificate indicates she was born in 1937, not 1932 as stated on IMDb. Both of them show up as living in Fort Collins, Colorado as of 2021. She goes by the name of Joyce Taylor Hinnant

TAYLOR, Joyce (Joyce Bernice Crowder)

Born: 9/14/1937, Taylorville, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 1/?/2024, Ft. Collins, Colorado, U.S.A.

 

Joyce Taylor’s westerns – actress:

Lawman (TV) – 1959 (Dora Mahan Steed)

The Rough Riders (TV) – 1959 (Jenny Kirby)

Shotgun Slade (TV) – 1959 (Val Preston)

Bat Masterson (TV) – 1960 (Jane Taylor)

Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) – 1960, 1962 (Rachel Whitman, Ann King)

Whispering Smith (TV) – 1961 (Edie Romack)

Bonanza – (TV) – 1962 (Morvath Terry)

Wagon Train (TV) – 1962 (Ruth Creech)

RIP Barbara Bestar

 

Instagram

By Douglas Ely

August 19, 2024

 

My mom died today. Many of you knew her as Barbara with Kelly, as she was a casting director for a few decades. Some may remember her as an actress who had maybe the best stage name ever: Barbara Bestar (her given name). Her married name was Barbara Ely. But I knew her as Mom. An end of an era.

Barbara Bestar- Born March 23, 1930. Died August 19, 2024.

BESTAR, Barbara

Born: 3/23/1930, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 8/19/2024, Tarzana, California, U.S.A.

 

Barbara Bestar’s westerns – actress:

Navajo Trail Riders – 1949 (Judy Clark)

The Adventures of Kit Carson (TV) 1953 1954 (Janice Bryant, Sally, Cora Langley)

Man With the Steel Whip – 1954 (Nancy Cooper)

Death Valley Days (TV) 1954, 1958, 1959 (Ellen Clayton, Kathleen O’Dell, Ginny Cluett)

The Adventures of Champion (TV) – 1955 (Letty Kenyon)

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (TV) – 1955, 1957, 1961 (Christine Trask, Lucy King, Mrs. Jane Hardin)

26 Men (TV) – 1958, 1959 (Jenny Mathews, Virginia Blane, Gina Thorpe)

Lawman (TV) – 1959 (Beth Harvey)

Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) – 1959 (Sarah Young)

RIP Silvia Pinal

 

Silvia Pinal, the final diva from the golden days of Mexican cinema, has passed away at 94

The entertainment industry loses a cinematic legend, marking the end of a glorious era in film.

HOLA!

By Monica Tirado

November 28, 2024

 

Silvia Pinal, one of the greatest actresses in film and television, passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of 94, her eldest daughter, Sylvia Pasquel confirmed on social media. According to reports from various Mexican media outlets, it was revealed that the artist died in Mexico City surrounded by her loved ones. Her three children, Sylvia Pasquel, Alejandra Guzmán, and Luis Enrique Guzmán, along with other family members, including her granddaughters and great-granddaughters, were by her side.

Silvia Pinal's Final Days

The legendary Mexican actress was at a medical center in the south of Mexico City due to a urinary tract infection. She was admitted on November 22nd in an emergency situation. As the days went by, her health deteriorated; however, on November 27th, it was reported that she had shown improvement and could soon leave the hospital. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and by the 28th, she was in intensive care, facing severe difficulties. Her son, Luis Enrique Guzmán, stated that his mother was "in the process of departing."

The tragic passing of the actress was then confirmed by TelevisaUnivision. Pinal had been battling various complications for several years. In December of 2022, she had been hospitalized due to a severe case of influenza, and between February and March of this year, she required hospitalization for sores.

She is survived by her children Sylvia Pasquel, Alejandra Guzmán, and Luis Enrique Guzmán, as well as her granddaughters Stephanie, Frida Sofía, Giordana, Schersa, and her great-granddaughters Michelle Salas and Camila Valero.

Silvia Pinal's Early Years

Born on September 12, 1931, in Guaymas, Sonora, Silvia Pinal Hidalgo displayed a keen interest in the entertainment industry from a young age. After spending her early years in Sonora, she and her mother, María Luisa Hidalgo, moved to Mexico City. Despite her aspirations to make a mark in the field, her father encouraged her to pursue a different path, leading the young Silvia to study typing.

While balancing her studies and working as a secretary, Silvia Pinal sought opportunities in the entertainment world, taking singing and acting classes. At the Mexican Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), she studied under multiple renowned figures of the time, including writer Carlos Pellicer, playwright Salvador Novo, and author Xavier Villaurrutia.

She made her debut in a beauty pageant, earning the title of Student Princess of Mexico. Additionally, she participated in radio comedies on XEQ and began taking on various roles in theatrical productions in the early 1950s, appearing in works such as Los caprichos de Goya and Un sueño de cristal.

Silvia Pinal's Journey in Cinema

In 1948, Pinal had the opportunity to appear in her first film, El pecado de Laura, where she had a supporting role. This was followed by other films, including Mujer de medianoche (1949), El portero (1950), and El rey del barrio (1950). Gradually, she started landing co-starring roles in movies like Azahares para tu boda (1950) and Cuando los hijos pecan (1952).

In 1953, she received her first award—a Silver Ariel for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Un rincón cerca del cielo (1952). After this recognition, Pinal secured her first leading roles in cinema, but it was in 1954 with the film Un extraño en la escalera, co-starring Arturo de Córdoba, that she gained widespread fame.

In 1956, she collaborated with Pedro Infante in El Inocente, one of the most iconic and beloved films of her career, forming an unmatched duo. That same year, she won a Silver Ariel for Best Actress for her role in Locura pasional, written and directed by Tulio Demicheli. The following year, Silvia Pinal earned her second Ariel for Best Actress for La dulce enemiga.

Silvia Pinal: The Great Muse of Luis Buñuel

Silvia Pinal also worked in Europe with prominent directors such as José María Forqué and Fernando Fernán Gómez. One of her most notable collaborations with foreign directors was in Viridiana (1961), a film directed by Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel. This film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 1964, she also worked with Buñuel on El ángel exterminador. This film received worldwide acclaim and is listed among 'The 1000 Best Movies' by the New York Times in 2005. Her final project with Buñuel was Simón del desierto in 1965.

Silvia Pinal: Her Work on Television

In television, she starred in soap operas such as Los caudillos and Mañana es primavera, and in the late 1980s, she created and produced Mujer: casos de la vida real, which depicted cases and issues affecting Mexican society at that time. This program aired for 21 years until it concluded in 2007. She produced the Mexican version of Mame, a musical comedy. In 1988, she acquired Cine Estadio, which she refurbished and transformed into Teatro Silvia Pinal.

In the 2000s, she appeared in soap operas and series such as Fuego en la sangre, Mujeres asesinas, Soy tu dueña, Mi marido tiene familia, and its sequel. In 2008, she won the Ariel de Oro for her outstanding career and collected four Diosas de Plata awards.

Between 2021 and 2022, she filmed the short film El escandaloso encanto de los egos rotos, her final film which was directed by Jaime Urquiza.

Silvia Pinal's Work in Politics

In the political arena, the actress held significant positions, serving as the First Lady of Tlaxcala from 1981 to 1987. In 1991, she joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and was elected as a federal deputy. She later became a senator for the same party, serving from 1997 to 2000.

Silvia Pinal’s Married Life

Regarding her personal life, she was married four times. Her first marriage was to Rafael Blanquells from 1947 to 1952, and from this union, their first child, Sylvia Pasquel, was born. Her second marriage was to businessman and film producer Gustavo Alatriste, with whom she had Viridiana Alatriste, who tragically died in a car accident in 1982 at the age of 19. Her third marriage was to singer Enrique Guzmán, who was 11 years her junior. They were together for nine years and had two children, Alejandra Guzmán and Luis Enrique Guzmán, before divorcing in 1976.

Her fourth and final marriage was to politician and Governor of Tlaxcala, Tulio Hernández Gómez. They were married for 13 years until their divorce in 1995.

PINAL, Silvia (Silvia Pinal Hidalgo)

Born: 9/12/1931, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico

Died: 11/28/2024, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Silvia Pinal’s westerns – actress:

El puño del amo – 1958 (Soldead)

Guns for San Sebastian – 1968 (Felicia)

Bang bang al hoyo – 1971 (widow)

RIP Claudia Isaac

 

Claudio Isaac, filmmaker and writer, dies at 67

24 Horas

Ny Demian Garcia

November 27, 2024

 

On the afternoon of this Wednesday, November 27, the death of filmmaker and writer Claudio Isaac (Mexico City, 1957-Ibidem, 2024) at the age of 67 was reported.

"With deep sorrow we communicate the death of our beloved author Claudio Isaac," wrote the Tedium Vitae Publishing House through its Facebook account in a brief and heartfelt statement.

"We are honored to have published part of his work, which with his sensitivity and humanity touched so many lives. We join in the grief of his family and friends. His artistic legacy will remain among us," added the publishing house of the Mexican painter.

It might interest you: Barry Keoghan will give life to Ringo Starr in Beatles films

Claudio Isaac, an artist's life

According to the records, he was a self-taught artist in all the disciplines he practiced. He made his acting debut as a young pupil of Arturo Ripstein in Tiempo de morir (1965), only to later become an assistant director for the same filmmaker in Foxtrot (1975).

Although a year later, in 1976, he premiered his debut film, it was not until the first half of the 1980s that the passions that haunted him until his death began to come together clearly: literature, documentation, and cinema. He then directed, in this order, Algo sobre Jaime Sabines (1980), Guadalupe amor, un caso mitológico (1981) and Octavio Paz, El lenguaje de los árboles (1983).

By the second half of the nineties, after having intimately drawn the life of the myth Pedro Infante, he constructed in his own way unique portraits of Abel Quezada, José Luis Cuevas and the Guatemalan short story writer Augusto Monterroso.

This seemed to be the foundation of a career as a documentary filmmaker, in which he built dozens of profiles of living writers. Sometime later he hosted programs for TVUNAM and Canal 22 and wrote for cultural magazines and newspapers such as Letras Libres, La tempestad, Nexos, Este País, El Financiero and El Universal.

Finally, those who accompanied his journey during his last years say that he devoted himself entirely to painting. From writing, directing and continuing to make films, all the legacy he left while he was alive remains.

ISAAC, Claudio (Claudio Isaac Rueda)

Born: 4/15/1957, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 11/27/2024, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Claudio Isaac’s western – actor:

Time to Die – 1966 (Claudio Sampedro)

RIP Scott L. Schwartz

 

Wrestler turned actor Scott L. Schwartz dead at 65

Slam

By Greg Oliver

November 27, 2024

 

Scott L. Schwartz, who has died at the age of 65, liked to bill himself as “Hollywood’s Ultimate Bad Guy” — though that was decidedly all promo material that he learned from his pro wrestling days.

Instead, tributes are flowing in for a truly nice guy.

Long-time friend and fellow actor Rick Zahn shared the news on Facebook on November 26:

Today the world lost a good man. The acting community lost a terrific actor. The law enforcement community in Los Angeles lost a good ambassador and community spokesperson. The breast cancer community lost a staunch supporter. A woman lost a devoted husband. And I lost a dear friend, Scott Schwartz.

At 6’10”, Scott was one of the rare few I looked up to. But it wasn’t just because he was actually taller. It was because of his heart. He lived life with passion. And he adored his wife, Misty.

Scott has battled ill health these past couple of years. But with Misty at his side, Scott peacefully transitioned. The suffering is over.

Please join me in extending sincere condolences to Misty and Scott’s family. This one hurts. And while Thursday is going to be tougher this time, I am still grateful that this big-hearted lug touched my life. Thanks, Scott, for giving me one more reason to understand the meaning of HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Schwartz, born March 16, 1959, in Philadelphia, he attended George Washington High School, where he played football and baseball, and, would tower over others on skates while playing hockey — after all, he grew into a 6-foot-10, 300-pound giant. He would often credit “kugel and matzo ball soup” for his growth, while acknowledging his Jewish roots. After graduating high school in 1977, he attended Temple University, but then switched it all up, and sought out Killer Kowalski to train as a professional wrestler.

He debuted in 1979 as Giant David.

Kowalski ran shows around the northeast, including many of his trainees such as Kevin Hughes, Jeff Costa, Tony Ulysses, Chris Grant, Jethro Chambers, Mike Madison, Dan Petty, and Richard Byrne.

Wrestling helped Schwartz travel, including trips to Europe and South Africa.

“For the pro wrestling and acting community. I just saw that former wrestler Scott Schwartz who wrestled as The Giant David many years ago has passed,” posted former referee Sal Corrente to Facebook. “Scott has been an actor in LA for about 30 years. I would run in to him out there at events from time to time. He was an all around [good] guy a Gentleman Giant. We were on shows for Mark Tendler together back in the day. Absolutely a guy gone way too soon. He always seemed to have a big booming smile that went along with his giant size.”

The character Schwartz portrayed changed through time, and he became “The Israeli Commando” Joshua Ben-Gurion.

While wrestling on TV in California, he caught the eye of a Hollywood agent.

Acting, as he told SlamWrestling.net’s Dave Hillhouse in this lengthy 2006 interview — Scott L. Schwartz: ‘That guy’ onscreen — was something he fell into. Schwartz had planned to always be a pro wrestler.

After finding representation, Schwartz really never stopped working as an actor or stuntman, and only reluctantly stopped wrestling a few years into his new career.

The “L” stands for Leslie, but he used it professionally to differentiate himself from actor Scott Schwartz, who was in A Christmas Story, and another adult film star. He did attend a Michael Shurtleff workshop to improve his acting.

For all the mainstream movie appearances, like Fun With Dick And Jane, Ocean’s Twelve, Spider-Man, Flintstones 2-Rock Vegas and Rocky and Bullwinkle, there were appearances in industrial videos for companies such as Grease Monkey and Exxon, and even print ads, like Micro Computers. You can see Schwartz — he was hard to miss — in music videos too, like Ozzy Osbourne’s “Coming Home” and Heart’s “What About Love”.

Oh, there was TV too. He was an Orion guard on Star Trek: Enterprise and Alpha Hirogen on Star Trek: Voyager, a demon on Charmed, and returned for multiple episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel, Nash Bridges, and The Tick. One-offs, like popping up for a skit on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno only helped his career.

He was a lead in the 2009 movie Lost in the Woods with Michael Madsen.

He wrote, directed and produced the 2010 movie Changing Hands, starring Eddie Jemison, David ‘Shark’ Fralick and Erika Eleniak; he made sure to find a role for his good friend and acting/wrestling mentor Jack “Wildman” Armstrong.

SCHWARTZ, Scott L. (Scott Leslie Schwartz)

Born: 3/16/1959 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 11/16/2024, U.S.A.

 

Scott L. Schwartz’s western – actor:

Savate – 1995 (Bruno the Horrible)