RIP Michael Forest

 

Michael Forest, Actor in Roger Corman Movies and ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 97

He starred in ‘Beast From Haunted Cave,’ ‘Ski Troop Attack’ and ‘Atlas’ for the B-movie maven but also did lots of Shakespeare on the stage and films overseas.

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

October 16, 2026

 

Michael Forest, the strapping actor who starred in Beast From Haunted Cave and other B-pictures for Roger Corman and made memorable guest-star appearances on classic episodes of The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Star Trek, has died. He was 97.

Forest was living in a facility for seniors in Sparks, Nevada, and died Wednesday, his friend James A. Brown announced.

A native of North Dakota, Forest also made more than 20 movies in Spain, France and England — among them 100 Rifles (1969), starring Jim Brown and Raquel Welch — and was a very busy voice actor who was fluent in Italian, dubbing more than 500 films while living in Rome from 1968-78.

Six-foot-3 and 215 pounds in his prime, Forest had recently moved to Los Angeles when he met Corman in an acting class and was hired to play the whip-cracking barbarian Zarko in The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957), starring Richard Devon, Abby Dalton and Jonathan Haze.

That led him to snowy Deadwood, South Dakota, and a turn as local guide Gil Jackson in the horror heist movie Beast From Haunted Cave (1959), produced by Roger’s brother, Gene Corman, and featuring Chris Robinson as the monster. (Monte Hellman, who lived in the same apartment building as Forest at the time, made his feature directing debut on the film.)

One day after finishing work on Beast From Haunted Cave, Forest was back at it, starring as an American soldier in the Roger Corman-directed war flick Ski Troop Attack (1960). And after that, he quickly headed to Athens to portray the title hero in Atlas (1960), with Corman seeking to horn in on the popular Hercules pictures that starred Steve Reeves.

Forest played one of the three motorcycle-riding brothers from another planet (Lee Kinsolving and Tom Gilleran were the others) sent to wipe out humans on Earth on the Twilight Zone episode “Black Leather Jackets,” which starred Shelley Fabares and premiered on Jan. 22, 1964.

Nine days later, he was on CBS again on The Dick Van Dyke Show as a former love interest of Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) who’s now a priest — getting set up with Rose Marie’s Sally Rogers was great for a few laughs — on the episode “The Life and Love of Joe Coogan.”

And on the second-season Star Trek episode “Who Mourns for Adonais?” that first aired in September 1967, Forest portrayed the Greek god Apollo who demands that the crew of the Starship Enterprise worship him as he falls for Lt. Carolyn Palamas (fellow guest star Leslie Parrish).

In 2013, he returned as Apollo on the fan-produced series Star Trek Continues to work alongside his late wife, Diana Hale, as Athena.

Gerald Michael Charlebois was born on April 17, 1929, in Harvey, North Dakota. He moved with his family as a youngster to Seattle and said he decided to pursue acting — instead of boxing — after seeing a friend perform at the Seattle Rep Playhouse.

After he attended the University of Washington and San Jose State, he moved to L.A. in 1955, appeared on an episode of Highway Patrol and started acting for the Players Ring theater company in West Hollywood. He first met Roger Corman in an acting class that both were taking with noted teacher Jeff Corey.

“One day he said to me, ‘Look, Mike, do you want to do this picture [Viking Women]?’” Forest recalled in an interview for Tom Weaver’s 2001 book, I Was a Monster Movie Maker. “‘It’d be nothing more than kind of a glorified stuntman, but if you want to do it, fine.’ I said, ‘Sure.’”

He spent five weeks in South Dakota on Beast From Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack and told Weaver he was paid $2,500. “I got $500 a week,” he said. “I think at that time, minimum weekly was $350 and I got $500 — I held out for big bucks!”

Also in 1960, he recurred as the French Canadian rogue Pierre Duran alongside Roger Moore on the Warner Bros./ABC adventure series The Alaskans.

He wound up under contract at Warners — and later Universal — and worked on everything from Zorro, Bat Masterson, Maverick, Bonanza, Have Gun — Will Travel, Lawman, The Rifleman, Death Valley Days and Wagon Train to Dr. Kildare, Gomer Pyle: USMC, The Outer Limits, Perry Mason, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Gunsmoke, Combat!, Gilligan’s Island and Get Smart through the end of the 1960s.

Meanwhile, Forest was doing lots of Shakespeare, playing Othello three times and appearing as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew at the Old Globe in San Diego. (He landed his Star Trek gig after someone at the theater recommended him.)

Back from Europe, he lived in New York while playing Nick Andropoulos, owner of the Greek restaurant The Plakka, on the CBS soap As the World Turns from 1980-82.

Later, Forest portrayed the wealthy older millionaire who has a fatal heart attack after an intense sadomasochistic encounter with Madonna’s Rebecca Carlson in Body of Evidence (1993) and was a pilot in the Tom Hanks-starring Cast Away (2000).

He and Hale were married for 52 years until her death in 2022.

“I look back, and it certainly hasn’t been what you might call a distinguished career, but on the other hand, it hasn’t been bad,” he once said. “Some of the things that I’ve done, I take a great deal of pride in. But, like all actors, you do work in material and situations that are not what you want, and you try to make it the best you can. Acting has its ups and its downs.”

FOREST, Michael (Gerald Michael Charlebois)

Born: 4/17/1929, Harvey, North Dakota, U.S.A.

Died: 10/14/2026, Sparks, Nevada U.S.A.

 

Michael Forest’s westerns – actor:

Death Valley Days (TV) 1953-1959 (Coyote Jim, Larry)

Cheyenne (TV) – 1956-1961 (Capt. Robert Holman, Lariat Sanga, Leader)

Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend – 1957 (Slade)

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (TV) -1957-1958 (Big Bear, Brave, Broken Claw)

Tombstone Territory (TV) - 1957 (Floyd Rank)

Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (TV) - 1958 (Strong Eagle)

Have Gun - Will Travel (TV) - 1958 (Peter Keystone)

Zorro (TV) – 1958 (Anastacio)

Bat Masterson (TV) – 1959-1960 (Les Wilkins, Noah Gannon)

Bonanza (TV) – 1959-1967 (Frank Shirmer, Wabuska, Young Wolf)

Bronco (TV) - 1959 (Jacques Perrault)

Lawman (TV) - 1959 (Chief Little Wolf)

Maverick (TV) – 1959-1961 (Bob Tallhorse, Jean Paul St. Cloud)

The Rifleman (TV) - 1959 (Chaqua)

The Texan (TV) - 1959 (Deputy Lacy)

26 Men (TV) - 1959 (Jodine Hardie, The Champ)

Yancy Derringer (TV) - 1959 (Pierre)

Zane Grey Theater (TV) – 1959 (Joe Sampson)

The Alaskans (TV) - 1960 (Pierre Duran, Shaman)

Valley of the Redwoods – 1960 (Dave Harris)

The Westerner (TV) - 1960 (Troy)

The Tall Man (TV) - 1961 (Ledall)

Wagon Train (TV) – 1961-1962 (Dallas, Julio)

Frontier Circus (TV) - 1962 (Roy Clatter)

Laramie (TV) – 1962-1963 (Cobey, Dev Bardeen, Lew Catlin)

Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) - 1962 (Duke Tolliver)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1963-1965 (Bob Sullins, Chance, Ray Pate)

The Virginian (TV) – 1964-1966 (Cavalry Lieutenant, George MacGregor, Hugh Stager)

The Glory Guys -1965 (Fred Cushman)

Rawhide (TV) - 1965 (Yuma)

Branded (TV) - 1966 (Newt Woolery)

Little Rita of the West – 1967 [English voice of Kirk Morris]

Daniel Boone (TV) – 1967 (Long Feather, Canuda)

Mosby's Marauders – 1967 (General J.E.B. Stuart)

Laredo (TV) - 1967 (Miguel)

The Wrath of God – 1968 (Pitt)

Here Come the Brides (TV) - 1969 (Gallagher, Mike Donegan)

100 Rifles – 1969 (Humara)

The Silent Gun – 1969 (Trace Evans)

Compañeros – 1970 [additional English voices]

The Last Rebel – 1970 (pool hustler) [as Mike Forest]

Requiem for a Bounty Hunter – 1971 (Ryan/John Burton/Nick Barton)

The Grand Duel – 1972 [additional English voices]

Massacre at Fort Holman – 1972 [English voice of James Coburn]

Now They Call Him Sacramento – 1972 (Sacramento/Amen)

Cotter – 1973 (Tony Amaral)

Border Shootout – 1990 (Earl Beaudry)

The Scarlet Worm – 2011 (Judge Hanchett)

RIP Sanjulian

 

Comic Book Clique

10/15/2026

 

Manuel Pérez Clemente, known professionally as Sanjulián, has passed away at 85. The Spanish illustrator died on October 14, with the news confirmed by documentary filmmaker and longtime friend David García Sariñena, citing the artist’s family.

For generations of readers, Sanjulián’s paintings helped define the look of horror and fantasy on the comic-book newsstand. His work for Warren Publishing’s Vampirella, Creepy, and Eerie brought a striking painterly sophistication to stories filled with monsters, vampires, and the macabre.

His talent extended far beyond horror magazines. Sanjulián illustrated fantasy novels, including Conan the Barbarian stories, and created film-related artwork connected to major franchises such as Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. His paintings earned admiration from filmmakers including George Lucas and Peter Jackson.

What made Sanjulián’s art so memorable was his command of atmosphere. His use of light, shadow, color, and classical composition gave his subjects a sense of grandeur, even when depicting the darkest corners of fantasy. His covers could make a reader stop and stare before they had even opened the magazine.

Sanjulián belonged to a remarkable generation of illustrators whose work helped shape how horror, fantasy, and science fiction were imagined by readers around the world. His influence lives on in the artists who continue to draw inspiration from his paintings.

A true master has left us, but the worlds he brought to life will endure.

Rest in peace, Sanjulián.

SANJULIAN (Manuel Pérez-Sanjulian Clemente)

Born: 6/24/1941, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Died: 10/14/2026, Sitges, Catalonia, Spain

 

Sanjulian’s western – art department:

Stop Over in Hell - 2016

 

RIP Dieter Jäger

DEFA

10/13/2026

The DEFA newsletter has announced the death of director, cameraman and actor Dieter Jäger who died on September 1^st. He was 88. Born in Mückenburg, Poland on February 7, 1938, Jäger directed the film “Not Just an Adventure” in 1960. In 1967, he served as a member of the camera and lighting department for the film “Lady Venus and Her Devil”. In 1978, Dieter Jäger played the role of Ferdl in an episode of the television series ‘Dangerous Manhunt’. In 1983, he served as a member of the camera and lighting department for the television series ‘Märkische Chronicle’. In 1994, Dieter Jäger portrayed a photographer and also worked as a still photographer for the film “Farewell to Agnes”. From 1999 to 2002, he worked as a camera assistant for the television series ‘Heartbeat - The Medical Team North’. Additionally, Dieter was long active in the camera department, serving in roles such as camera assistant, still photographer, and camera operator for numerous film and television productions from the 1960s to the early 2000s. He appeared in some 15 films from 1970 to 2003.

JAGER, Dieter

Born: 2/7/1938, Mückenburg, Poland

Died: 9/1/2026, Germany

 

Dieter Jäger’s western – actor:

The Long Ride from School – 1982 (an innocent)

RIP Waltraut Kramm

 

Waltraut Kramm the actress and dubber Waltraut Kramm died in Potsdam at the age of 94: she leaves behind a rich life’s work.

Tagesspiegel

By Klaus Bustrin

8/17/2026

 

Waltraut Kramm began her career as a voice actress at the Rundfunk (state broadcaster) for the children's program Kunterbunt. She completed her acting training from 1948 to 1950 at the DEFA Acting School.

As a theater actress, she worked at the Hans Otto Theater in Potsdam; there she was a permanent member of the ensemble until 1958.

From 1958, she worked as a freelance actress for theater, film, radio, and radio drama.

She also appeared in numerous radio series, including the crime series Blaulicht, Polizeiruf 110 (as Frau Schr110er in the episode Der Kreuzworträtselfall in 1988) and Der Staatsanwalt hat das Wort.

After World War II, Kramm resumed her work as a voice actress for the state broadcaster; she spoke the role of "Kleinen Pfennig" in the children's radio series Aus dem Butzemannhaus.

Kramm also worked as a voice actress for radio plays. She, along with Genia Lapuhs, played the title role as the Queen in the fairy tale radio play Schneewittchen in 1963; in the same year, she took on the role of Rosenrot in the fairy tale radio play Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot. In the literary radio play Huckleberry Finn, she played the role of Mary Jane Wilks, one of the attractive daughters of the wealthy Peter Wilks.

Waltraut Kramm also worked as a voice actress in several fairy tale films. In the classic fairy tale film "Three Nuts for Cinderella," she played the role of the landlady and cook Rosi; her voice in the GDR dubbing was provided by the Czechoslovak actress Míla Myslíková.

Waltraut Kramm was married to the long-time head director of the Hans-Otto Theater, Dieter Schindelhauer.

She died in July 2026 after a short illness in a hospital in Potsdam.

In eternal memory

KRAMM, Waltraut

Born: 12/14/1931, Berlin, Germany

Died: 7/28/2026, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

 

Waltraut Kramm’s western – actress:

White Wolves – 1969 (mother)

 

RIP Konrad Wille

 DEFA

10/13/2026

According to the DEFA newsletter sound man Konrad Walle died on February 27^th. He was 94. Born in German on August 19, 193, Konrad worked in the sound department on 87 films and television programs between 1959 and 1998. He worked in various capacities in the DEFA sound department such as a sound engineer and sound mixer

WALLE, Konrad

Born: 8/19/1931, Germany

Died: 2/27/2026, Germany

 

Konrad Walle’s westerns – sound department:

Prairie Scout in Mexico (TV) - 1988

RIP RJ Mitte Dies

 

RJ Mitte Dies: ‘Breaking Bad’ Actor Was 34

DEADLINE

By Patrick Hipes

October 12, 2026

 

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his reps said.

Mitte, whose Breaking Bad character Walter Jr also had CP, would build a platform on disability awareness and inclusion due to the popularity of the series, which ran from 2008-13 and garnered 58 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning 16 including two for Outstanding Drama Series.

Mitte was part of the cast that won the then-SAG Awards’ Ensemble in a Drama Series trophy in 2014, having been nominated in the category the previous two years.

The breakout role led to parts in movie and TV series. He starred in the 2021 drama Triumph, playing a high school senior who tries at extreme cost to be a wrestler despite having cerebral palsy. He also starred opposite Dove Cameron in 2024’s Love Me Dead and opposite Finn Wittrock in 2025’s Westhampton.

His most recent credit, per IMDb, was starring opposite Lin Yin in the indie pic Talking to Strangers.

On the small screen, his credits included Switched at Birth, Now Apocalypse and The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!). He also voiced a role in HCBS Final Rule: The Animated Series, a series of shorts designed to highlight changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Community Based Services for people with intellectual disabilities in California.

Born on August 21, 1992, in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitte also was know for his philanthropy. He served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s as well as president of The Mitte Foundation, which supports philanthropic efforts and community initiatives.

The reps asked for the family’s privacy at this time. Information on survivors or a memorial service was not immediately available.

MITTE, RJ (Roy Frank Mitte III)

Born: 8/21/1992, Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A.

Died: 10/12/2026, Brownsville, Texas, U.S.A.

 

RJ Mitte’s westerns – actor:

Vegas (TV) – 2012 (Russ Auster)

Forgotten Outlaw – 2026 (Bub Meeks)

RIP Nihat Ziyalan

 

Yeşilçam's master actor, poet Nihat Ziyalan passed away

Medyascope

October 12, 2026

 

Poet and writer Nihat Ziyalan, one of the legendary names of Yeşilçam, died at the age of 90 in Sydney, Australia.

Who is Nihat Ziyalan?

Nihat Ziyalan, born on February 26, 1936 in Adana, is a poet, writer and theater and film actor. Ziyalan, who is known for the films he starred in in Turkish cinema, especially during the Yeşilçam period, turned to cinema with the encouragement of his childhood friend Yılmaz Güney. After acting at Adana City Theater and Ankara Art Theater, he moved to Yeşilçam and starred in many films.

Ziyalan, who started his literary life with his poems on the art page of the newspaper Bugün published in Adana, later published in magazines such as Yeditepe, Dost, Pazar Postası and Papirüs. Ziyalan, whose poems are influenced by the Second New movement, wrote stories and novels as well as poetry.

Ziyalan's poetry books include One of the Sullen Faces (1963), Pigeon Flight (1980), Poems from Australia (1985), Dear Poetry (2007) and Tomurcuk Sevda (2009). His novels Güneşle Damgalı (2000) and Menekşeli Konak (2004) and short story books Short Pants Sevda (2001) and Severim Mondayleri (2005) were also published.

Ziyalan, who immigrated to Australia in 1980, continued his life in Sydney. In 2009, 1. He was awarded the Çukurova Award. He is the father of poet, writer and physician Mustafa Ziyalan.

ZIYALAN, Nihat

Born: 2/26/1936, Adana, Turkey

Died: 10/11/2026, Sydney, New South Wales Australia

 

Nihat Ziyalan’s westerns – actor:

Zagor – 1970 (Rodrigo)

Kan ve Kin – 1973