RIP Bob Barker

Bob Barker legendary game show host of the 'Price is Right' dead at 99

New York Post

By Erin Keller

August 26, 2023

 

Bob Barker, the charismatic, longtime host of “The Price is Right” and an outspoken animal rights activist, has died. He was 99.

Barker died at his home Saturday morning in Los Angeles. His rep confirmed his passing to TMZ. The game show legend died of natural causes.

“I think that it would be nice if people remembered me as a guy who loved all living things and did as much as he could to make ours a better world for animals — and also did quite a few television shows,” Barker said in 2007 when asked how he’d like to be remembered.

Barker was a 19-time Daytime Emmy award-winner: 14 for Outstanding Game Show Host for “The Price Is Right” and four “Outstanding Game Show” awards as the show’s executive producer.

He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1995 Daytime Emmys. Barker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976.

He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2008.

Born Robert William Barker in Darrington, Washington, on Dec. 12, 1923, Barker spent most of his childhood on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota. He was a member of the Sioux tribe.

“I’ve always bragged about being part Indian, because they are a people to be proud of. And the Sioux were the greatest warriors of them all,” Barker said in 1962.

“They’ve been called the greatest light cavalry in the history of man. And I have never been on a horse without falling off.”

Barker attended Drury University on a basketball scholarship until he left to join the Navy Reserve in 1943 during World War II to train as a fighter pilot but never served on active duty.

Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, in 1945. The couple never had any children. Gideon died in 1981.

Also in 1945, Barker returned to Drury to earn his degree in economics.

Barker got his first media job at KTTS-FM Radio in Springfield, Mississippi, during college. He then became a news editor and announced at WWPG 1340 AM in Palm Beach, Florida, before moving to California to advance in his broadcasting career.

He hosted his own radio show in Burbank, “The Bob Barker Show,” for six years, and was hosting a radio show in Los Angeles when he was tapped to replace host Jack Bailey on the gameshow “Truth or Consequences.”

Barker hosted the game show “Truth or Consequences” from 1956 to 1975, and in 1972, was asked to host CBS’ revival of “The Price is Right.”

He did so for more than three decades as his final episode aired on June 15, 2007.

The then-83-year-old Barker officially passed his hosting duties along to comedian Drew Carey.

“I knew I could never be Bob, and I wasn’t going to try to be Bob,” Carey told said in 2007. “We went out to lunch, and his advice was ‘Don’t try to copy me. Just make it your own show.”

“I’m often asked what I loved most about my years with ‘Price,’ and the first thing that pops to mind is … the money, of course,” Barker told People in 2007.

“All kidding aside, there was much to love. I had the pleasure of working with a dedicated and talented cast and crew for 35 great years,” he continued.

“Particularly close to my heart was the ability our vast popularity gave me to remind our entire audience daily about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets,” Barker said of his famous sign-off, which he said at the end of every episode starting in 1982.

In 1994, the former “Price” model Dian Parkinson sued Barker for a reported $8 million for alleged sexual harassment following an unlawful termination.

She claimed she was forced to have oral sex with Barker in his dressing room “about twice a week” for three-and-a-half years, and feared she’d be fired if she refused.

Barker countered that she’d initiated “a little hanky-panky” and copped to having a consensual relationship with Parkinson for a year and a half. A judge dismissed the wrongful termination charge in the suit but let the sexual harassment charge stand. Then, in 1995, Parkinson dropped the whole shebang, citing medical stress related to the lawsuit (a bleeding ulcer) and her inability to afford a costly legal battle.

A year later, fellow “Barker Beauty” Holly Hallstrom claimed in a lawsuit that she was fired from the show because she refused to give false information to the media regarding Parkinson’s suit as Barker allegedly wanted her to do.

Barker countersued for slander and the case was settled out of court.

In 1996, Barker made a fan-favorite cameo in “Happy Gilmore” where he beat up Adam Sandler’s character.

Barker claimed that a stunt double was hired for the fight, but he asked to do his own stunts.

“I did ‘Price’ until 2007 and I didn’t do one show that the audience didn’t want to talk about ‘Happy Gilmore,'” Barker said in a 2013 interview with “CBS Mornings.”

“They’d say ‘Could you really whip at him? Could you beat him up in real life?’ I’d say, ‘Are you kidding? Adam Sandler couldn’t whip Regis Philbin.’ They’d laugh, they loved that.”

Barker released his memoir “Priceless Memories” in April 2009, which he co-wrote with former Los Angeles Times book review editor Digby Diehl.

Barker had several health scares throughout his long life.

In September 1999, he had emergency surgery to fix a life-threatening blocked artery on the left side of his neck.

Barker had numerous bouts of skin cancer throughout his life due to frequent tanning.

In 2015, he suffered a fall outside of his LA home and hurt his left knee. Barker was taken to a hospital and got stitches in the forehead.

He suffered a less serious fall again in June 2017.

Barker was rushed to the hospital in October and November 2018 for severe back pain.

BARKER, Bob (Robert William Barker)

Born: 12/12/2023, Darrington, Washington, U.S.A.

Died: 8/26/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Bob Braker’s westerns – actor:

Bonanza (TV) – 1960 (Mort)

Overlanders (TV) – 1979 (‘The Piper’)

RIP Bobby Osborne

 

Bobby Osborne, 91, Mandolinist Who Flouted Bluegrass Convention, Dies

The band he led with his brother broke new ground with an unusually broad repertoire, unorthodox instrumentation and untraditional vocal harmonies.

New York Times

By Bill Friskics-Warren

June 27, 2023

 

The band he led with his brother broke new ground with an unusually broad repertoire, unorthodox instrumentation and untraditional vocal harmonies.

Bobby Osborne, the singer and mandolin player who joined with his younger brother, Sonny, to lead one of the most groundbreaking bands in the history of bluegrass, died on Tuesday in Gallatin, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville. He was 91.

His death, at a hospital, was confirmed by Dan Rogers, the vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry.

Formed in 1953, the Osborne Brothers, perhaps best known for their 1967 recording of “Rocky Top,” habitually flouted bluegrass convention during their first two decades. They were the first bluegrass group of national renown to incorporate drums, electric bass, pedal steel guitar and even, on records, string sections. They were also the first to record with twin banjos, as well as the first to amplify their instruments with electric pickups.

Employing a wider repertoire than the Appalachian wellspring from which most of their peers drew, the Osbornes embraced country, pop and rock material associated with the likes of Ernest Tubb, Randy Newman and the Everly Brothers.

“We caught lots of flack from the die-hard bluegrass fans,” Mr. Osborne said of the group’s relationship with bluegrass purists in a 2011 interview with the online publication Mandolin Café.

Perhaps nothing the Osbornes did rankled the bluegrass orthodoxy more than the three-part vocal harmonies they patented on their 1958 recording of the lovelorn ballad “Once More.”

At the time, bluegrass arrangements typically featured one voice singing the melody, with a tenor and a baritone supplying harmonies above and below it. By contrast, the Osbornes positioned Bobby’s voice, singing the melody, above the two other voices. The result was the bright, euphonious blend that became the group’s trademark.

Mr. Osborne told NPR in 2017 that the group discovered this sound while rehearsing “Once More” as they drove home from a show one night. “We knew then,” he said, “that we caught onto something that we had never heard before.”

“So we got the guitar out of the trunk and found out what key we was in,” he continued. “We sang that song all the way home so we would not forget that type of harmony.”

The trio that perfected this new approach consisted of Mr. Osborne, his bold, high-pitched lead the focal point; his brother, Sonny, on baritone; and the singer and guitarist Red Allen on another part beneath them both, adding a third layer of harmony.

A formative member during the group’s early years, Mr. Allen had previously appeared on the Osbornes’ popular 1956 recording of “Ruby, Are You Mad?,” an unbridled two-banjo romp written by the old-time country singer Cousin Emmy, a.k.a. Cynthia May Carver.

To the surprise of some people, the Osbornes were vindicated over the next decade and a half for steadfastly breaking with tradition. Among other accomplishments, they were named vocal group of the year by the Country Music Association in 1971. They were also one of the few bluegrass bands to place records on the country singles chart consistently.

Along the way they built a bridge between first-generation bluegrass royalty like Bill Monroe and the duo of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and intrepid latter-day inheritors like New Grass Revival and Alison Krauss.

Foremost among the Osbornes’ 18 charting singles was “Rocky Top,” an unabashed celebration of mountain culture that reached the country Top 40. Written by the husband-and-wife team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, who also wrote hits like “Tennessee Hound Dog” for the Osbornes and even bigger hits for the Everly Brothers, “Rocky Top” was adopted as one of Tennessee’s official state songs and as the fight song for the University of Tennessee football team, the Volunteers.

Robert Van Osborne Jr. was born on Dec. 7, 1931, in Thousandsticks, an unincorporated Appalachian enclave near Hyden, Ky., where he and his brother grew up. Their parents, Robert and Daisy (Dixon) Osborne, were schoolteachers; Robert Sr. supplemented their teaching income by moonlighting in his parents’ general store.

Young Bobby took up the electric guitar as a teenager after the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he also began playing in local country bands and working as a cabdriver.

The Osborne brothers started their own band after Bobby completed two years of service with the Marines in Korea, where he was wounded in combat and earned the Purple Heart. He and Sonny had previously worked for bluegrass luminaries — Bobby with Jimmy Martin and the Stanley Brothers, his brother with Mr. Monroe.

In 1956, the Osbornes joined the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, W.Va. Four years later, they became one of the first bluegrass bands to perform on a college campus, appearing at Antioch College in Ohio. They subsequently took their music to universities and clubs in the Northeast and performed at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.

In 1963, the brothers signed with the Nashville division of Decca Records, which was then run by the pre-eminent music producer Owen Bradley. In 1964, they became members of the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Osbornes recorded extensively for Decca (which later became MCA Records) before they parted with the label in 1974, disillusioned that their initial success at country radio did not extend into the 1970s.

A return to a more time-honored approach to bluegrass revitalized their career, which over the next 30 years found them consolidating their place alongside pioneers of the genre like Mr. Monroe and the Stanleys. They were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 1994.

Sonny Osborne retired from performing in 2005, after suffering a shoulder injury, and died in 2021. Bobby, who had undergone quintuple bypass heart surgery, formed a new group, Rocky Top X-Press, with his son, Bobby Jr. (known as Boj), and continued to perform and record.

Besides Bobby Jr., Mr. Osborne is survived by his wife, Karen Osborne; two other sons, Wynn and Robby; a daughter, Tina Osborne; a sister, Louise Williams; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He lived in Portland, Tenn., another suburb of Nashville.

Much has been made of the innovations in production, arrangements and repertoire that the Osbornes introduced to bluegrass. Less, however, has been said of how Mr. Osborne, whose syncopated, lyrical playing was inspired by the jazz-derived solos of old-time fiddlers, broke new ground as a mandolinist.

Speaking to the website Bluegrass Situation in 2017, he explained: “Since I always liked fiddle tunes, and the mandolin is tuned like a fiddle — and I was good with a flat pick from guitar — I got completely wrapped up playing fiddle tunes with the mandolin.”

OSBORNE, Bobby (Robert Van Osborne Jr.)

Born: 12/7/1931, Thousandsticks, Kentucky, U.S.A.

Died: 6/27/2023, Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S.A.

 

Bobby Osborne’s western – actor, musician:

The Drifter (TV) - 1965

RIP Terry Funk

 

Terry Funk Dead, WWE Hall Of Famer & Hardcore Wrestling Legend Dies At Age 79

Wrestling Inc

By Colby Applegate

August 23, 2023

 

WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk has died at the age of 79. Ric Flair shared the news of Funk's death on X/Twitter; Funk's friend Mick Foley also shared a tribute on the platform. Terry Funk was predeceased by his wife Vicki and leaves behind two daughters Stacy and Brandee.

Terry and his brother Dory Jr. followed in their father's footsteps by entering his promotion Western States Sports in the 1960s. Terry went on to spend 12 years in Championship Wrestling from Florida and defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship during that time. He reigned for over a year until Harley Race defeated him.

The Funk brothers also spent several years working with All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the midst of that, Terry debuted in WWF in 1985. He challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship and eventually teamed with Hoss Funk to beat The Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana at WrestleMania II. Funk also worked in WCW before making his way to ECW where he had iconic matches against the likes of Sabu, Shane Douglas, Raven, Stevie Richards, and The Sandman while becoming a two-time ECW Champion.

During his second WWF run, Funk portrayed Chainsaw Charlie in a tag team with Cactus Jack. At WrestleMania 14, the duo were able to beat The New Age Outlaws to win the WWE World Tag Team Championship for a day. Following that, Funk and Foley split to set up a No Holds Barred Falls Count Anywhere Match that Foley won.

The remainder of Funk's career was highlighted by more time in AJPW, MLW, TNA, and other indie promotions until his retirement match in 2017. He received his WWE Hall of Fame induction alongside Dory Jr. in 2009 and then went on to induct Foley in 2013. In 2021, Funk was diagnosed with dementia.

This is a developing story; it will be updated as more information becomes available.

FUNK, Terry (Terrence Dee Funk)

Born: 6/30/1944, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.A.

Died: 8/23/2023, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.

 

Terry Funk’s westerns – actor:

Wildside (TV) 1985

Timestalkers (TV) 1987

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (TV) 1993

RIP Hersha Parady

 

Hersha Parady Obituary – Remembering the Legacy of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Actress Alice Garvey

HEADLINE Hunter Headquarters

August 24, 2023

 

The world of entertainment mourns the loss of Hersha Parady, the gifted actress renowned for her portrayal of Alice Garvey in the beloved television series ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ With a heavy heart, we reflect on Hersha’s impactful contributions to both the silver screen and the hearts of countless viewers.

Fond Farewell to a Remarkable Talent:

Hersha Parady, who breathed life into the character of Alice Garvey in the cherished series ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ bid her final goodbye on August 23, 2023, at the age of 78. As news of her passing reaches her fans, the world pauses to honor the legacy she leaves behind.

Remembering Alice Garvey:

In the realm of television, characters become more than just scripted personas; they become companions in our daily lives. Hersha Parady’s portrayal of Alice Garvey resonated deeply with audiences, etching her name into the annals of television history. With her passing, we remember the warmth and authenticity she infused into her role, bringing joy to countless households.

A Tribute to Resilience:

In the spotlight, actors shine bright, but their real-life journeys often showcase their extraordinary resilience. Jonathan Parady, Hersha Parady’s son, recently disclosed the courageous battle his mother fought against a meningioma brain tumor. In July 2023, he initiated a GoFundMe campaign to rally support for her valiant struggle. Despite her own challenges, Hersha continued to inspire those around her with her unwavering spirit.

The Heartfelt Words of a Co-Star:

Alice Garvey’s character from ‘Little House on the Prairie’ left an indelible mark on viewers, and her fellow cast members felt the impact deeply. Alison Arngrim, Hersha Parady’s co-star, shared heart-wrenching news that resonated with fans and colleagues alike.

As we remember Hersha Parady, let us cherish the memories she gifted us through her performances. Her dedication to her craft, her strength in the face of adversity, and the joy she brought to our screens will forever remain in our hearts.

PARADY, Hersha

Born: 5/25/1945, Berea, Ohio, U.S.A.

Died: 8/23/2023, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A.

 

Hersha Parady’s westerns – actress:

Bearcats! (TV) – 1971 (Carrie)

The Quest (TV) – 1976 (Martha)

Little House on the Prairie (TV) – 1976-1980 (Alice Garvey)

RIP David Jacobs

 

R.I.P. David Jacobs, Dallas and Knots Landing creator

The architect of one of TV's most enduring shows, David Jacobs was 86

AV Club

By Matt Schimkowitz

8/22/2023

 

David Jacobs, the two-time Emmy nominee who forever changed television with the late-night soap operas Dallas and Knots Landing, has died. Per Deadline and confirmed by his son Aaron Jacobs, he died of complications from Alzheimer’s on August 20 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. Jacobs was 86.

Jacobs is best known for creating Dallas, the seismic primetime soap that ran for 14 seasons and over 350 episodes between 1978 and 1991. The show was among history’s longest-running live-action primetime dramas, behind the likes of Gunsmoke, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order, Bonanza, and Gray’s Anatomy. However, it’s probably most remembered for its season three finale, “A House Divided,” which posed a question seemingly every TV owner wanted answered: Who shot J.R.?

Among the most parodied, referenced, and discussed TV phenomenons in history, “Who Shot J.R.?” exploded out of the television and onto magazine covers, T-shirts, and into water cooler conversation in America and abroad. The question lingered until episode four of the fourth season when more than 83 million people in the U.S. (a 76% share of viewership that night) and 350 million people worldwide watched the mystery’s conclusion in “Who Done It?” By then, the show had become so ubiquitous that a session of the Turkish parliament reportedly adjourned early so legislators could tune in.

Though TNT would take another stab at Dallas in 2012, reuniting some of the original cast, including Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, and Linda Gray, it would last only three seasons. It was canceled in 2014. Still, the original show’s legacy and impact can be felt throughout the modern TV landscape, from the enduring popularity of Twin Peaks to the success of Yellowstone.

Jacobs also found success with a Dallas spin-off called Knots Landing. Running for 14 seasons, the series was another sprawling, decade-spanning primetime soap that ran from 1979 to 1993. He would continue to create, produce, and shepherd new shows, lending his expertise to Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman and Homefront, which earned him two Emmy nominations.

Jacobs was born on August 12, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland. He described his father as “an interesting character,” was a “bookie, a billiards champion, a crooner, a songwriter, and my mother took him away from all that.” He married his first wife in 1963 when he began working as a writer, freelancing magazine articles, writing children’s books, and authoring a biography of Charlie Chaplin.

JACOBS, David

Born: 8/12/1939, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Died: 8/20/2023, Burbank, California, U.S.A.

 

David Jacobs western – creator, executive producer, producer:

Paradise – 1988-1990

RIP Randall A. Reinstedt

 

Dignity Memorial

 

Randall Arthur Reinstedt

FEBRUARY 23, 1935 – JULY 27, 2023

The Paul Mortuary

 

Randall Arthur Reinstedt, age 88, of Pacific Grove, California passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

A celebration of life for Randall will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thepaulmortuary.com for the Reinstedt family.

REINSTEDT, Randall A. (Randall Arthur Reinstedt)

Born: 2/23/1935, Monterey, California, U.S.A.

Died: 7/27/2023, Pacific Grover, California, U.S.A.

 

Randall A. Reinstedt’s books author:

Gold in the Santa Lucias - 1973

Ghosts, Bandits and Legends of Old Monterey . . . Carmel, and Surrounding Areas 1974, revised edition, 1995.

Ghostly Tales and Mysterious Happenings of Old Monterey - 1977.

One-Eyed Charley: The California Whip - 1990.

Tales and Treasures of California's Missions - 1992.

Tales and Treasures of the California Gold Rush - 1994.

Lean John, California's Horseback Hero - 1996.

Tales and Treasures of California's Ranchos - 1998.

RIP Dan Green

 

Longtime Marvel X-Men Artist Dan Green Passes Away

Dan Green, longtime Marvel artist best known for his long run working with John Romita Jr. and Marc Silvestri on Uncanny X-Men, has passed away

CBR

By Brian Cronin

August 22, 2023

 

Dan Green, longtime Marvel comic book artist, best known for his long run on Uncanny X-Men with John Romita Jr. and Marc Silvestri, has passed away following a long illness.

Green broke into comics at DC in the early 1970s, penciling back-up stories in Tarzan #213-215. He worked on a series of backups for DC throughout 1972-73. Green was initially a penciler, but as Green noted in a 2004 interview, "I've always been a slow penciler, which is why I started taking work as an inker/finisher." The legendary artist, Jim Starlin, has been writing and penciling Captain Marvel for Marvel, and the company kept giving him different inkers on the book (this ultimately led to Starlin quitting the book), and Green made his Marvel debut as one of Starlin's inkers on Captain Marvel #28 and then #31-32.

As a former penciler, Green was quite adept at the art of "finishing." In comic books, inkers deal with either full pencils or breakdowns. In the case of breakdowns, the inker is doing a lot of the penciling work, as well, rather than "just" inking the finished pencils. Green finished off Sal Buscema's breakdowns in Defenders #14 in 1974.

A big break for Green as an inker occurred in 1977 when he took over as the regular inker on Iron Fist with #14 (the introduction of the villain known as Sabretooth), working with penciler John Byrne. He finished that run with Byrne, and then moved with Byrne to Power Man, when Iron Fist joined that book as it became Power Man and Iron Fist. Green then worked with penciler Herb Trimpe on Godzilla at the end of that series' run at Marvel in 1979. At the same time, Green then joined the Avengers working with Byrne again.

Byrne has repeatedly cited Green as one of his all-time favorite inkers of his work.

Around this same time, Green began working on Doctor Strange alongside Gene Colan. Green had a particular affinity for Doctor Strange, and after inking Colan for a year, Green briefly penciled and inked the book himself (it was a bi-monthly book at the time, so he was able to hit the schedule).

Green became the regular Avengers inker, as well, during this period, working with Carmine Infantino, Colan and Bob Hall. In 1984, John Romita Jr. had taken over as the new artist on Uncanny X-Men. Bob Wiacek had been doing the book with Dave Cockrum and Paul Smith, but did not stay on the title. Green did finishes on the book from Uncanny X-Men #179-200, and then returned for a handful of Romita Jr's last few issues on the series, including the iconic Uncanny X-Men #207...

During his break on the book, Green showed off his painting skills by painting the graphic novel, Doctor Strange: Shamballa, with writer J.M. DeMatteis...

When Romita Jr. left the book to launch Marvel's New Universe series of books with Star Brand, Green remained on Uncanny X-Men inking the new regular artist, Marc Silvestri (Green also inked the artists who filled in on the book during Silvestri's run, including Rick Leonardi and Jim Lee's very first X-Men work).

Overall, Green was the main finisher/inker on Uncanny X-Men, Marvel's best-selling title, for six years, leaving the book only when Silvestri left the book to take over art duties on Wolverine (Green went with Silvestri on to Wolverine).

Green remained on the book for Silvestri's entire run from Wolverine #31-57. Silvestri then left Marvel to co-found Image Comics.

Romita Jr. returned to Uncanny X-Men in 1993, and Green returned with him, as "just" his inker now. They remained on the book for the next 20 issues or so, starting with Uncanny X-Men #300 (the pair also drew Uncanny X-Men #200, as well)...

After Romita Jr. lost his Uncanny X-Men gig to Joe Madureira, Green moved over to Wolverine, inking Adam Kubert (and remaining on the book when Anthony Winn took over as penciler from Kubert).

Green had runs on Spectacular Spider-Man working over Luke Ross' pencils with Al Milgrom. He also inked Ron Garney for the first time on Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (while re-pairing with his old Uncanny X-Men collaborator, Rick Leonardi, on Rampaging Hulk). Green moved to the relaunched Hulk ongoing series in 1999 with Garney. (amusingly, a book written by Green's old Avengers art partner, John Byrne).

After over 25 years of regular Marvel work, Green moved back to DC at the turn of the 21st Century, working on titles like Deadman, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Rose and Thorn and a reunion with Ron Garney on a run on JLA in 2004. Green was a regular inker for DC throughout the first decade of the 2000s, and when the New 52 hit in 2011, Green continued to move around the various DC titles, inking Animal Man #1, Supergirl #1, and issues of All-Star Western, Wonder Woman and Legion of Super-Heroes. Green was still getting sporadic DC inking assignments as recently as 2018.

J.M. DeMatteis summed up Green well on social media, writing, "Dan Green wasn't just one of our best inkers, he was a wonderful illustrator—as evidenced by his extraordinary work on INTO SHAMBALLA. He was also an old friend. A great loss, a great sadness, for all who knew him."

CBR offers our condolences to Green's friends and family on his loss.

 

GREEN, Dan (Daniel Green)

Born: 11/26/1952, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

Died: 8/22/2023,

Dan Green – comicbook artist:

Tomahawk Vol. 3 issues 7,8,9 - 1972

All Star Western 2012

RIP Steve Lambert

 

The Action Elite

By Kent Church

August 19, 2023

 

It hurts to write this article, but legendary stuntman and martial artist Steven Lambert has passed away aged 69.

If you’ve ever seen any action film from the 80’s and 90’s, you would have seen Lambert’s work. He was a notable villain in 1994’s Timecop, where he had a memorable rooftop showdown with Van Damme and he was a vicious serial killer in the James Woods film Cop.

Mr. Lambert was a renowned martial artist and stunt performer who had won multiple awards for his outstanding work in both fields. He was also a published writer who released a biography a short time ago about his childhood in New York to his time in Hollywood as a performer and highly-respected stunt coordinator.

His film work consists of such bonafide classics as Revenge of the Ninja, American Ninja, Cop, Remo: The Adventure Begins, Relentless II, John Carpenter’s Vampires, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Total Recall and dozens of other blockbusters.

My introduction to his enormous screen presence was when he portrayed serial killer Bobby Franco in the vastly underrated 1988 thriller Cop. Mr. Lambert was extremely menacing as the villain and his performance stayed with me long after the film was over.

Over the years, thanks to social media, I got the chance to correspond with him. It’s not often that your childhood heroes end up being as cool and awesome as you hope, and Mr. Lambert was more than brilliant. He took time to answer questions and always dished out great anecdotes about his work. Such a gentlemen. And a tragic loss to the world.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Bless you, Steven. Thank you for all the joy you brought. RIP.

LAMBERT, Steve (Steven Hal Lambert)

Born: 10/8/1954, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 8/?/2023,

 

Steve Lambert’s westerns – stuntman, actor:

Lone Wolf McQuade – 1983 [stunts]

Ground Zero Texas – 194 (robber)

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) – 1997 (tough)

RIP Harold Hyman

 

Harold Hyman Obituary

 

Houston Chronicle

August 13, 2023

 

Harold M. Hyman

07/24/1924 - 08/06/2023

Harold M. Hyman died on August 6, 2023, at age 99. He lived a long and rich life, filled with love for the family he raised, for the university and college students he taught, and for the country he studied and served.

Harold was born on July 24, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Beatrice and Abraham Hyman. He grew up in the Depression, the youngest of four children. He left school at 15 and, after a series of odd jobs, left home at 17 to join the Marine Corps. (He was not exactly precise about his age when he enlisted). He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and he served in the Pacific theatre during the war. He was always proud of his time in the Marines, although he did not talk much about what he saw until late in his life. During his service, he took correspondence courses and received his high school diploma by mail delivered to somewhere in the Pacific.

During a shore leave in Los Angeles, California, Harold and a fellow Marine were invited to a USO dance. Harold did not want to go; his friend persuaded him. At the dance, both men met the women they married. Harold met Ferne Handelsman, a warm and studious young woman. On the way home, Harold left a camera in the taxi, and called Ferne for assistance in retrieving it. They continued to meet in the home of Lillian Handelsman and her husband, William, who spent the war cooking meals for Jewish servicemen who fetched up in their city. Ferne and Harold married when the war ended. Lillian and William Handelsman were delighted; they loved Harold dearly, and he them. Harold and Ferne's marriage lasted 65 years, until Ferne's death in 2011.

The GI Bill let Harold get a bachelor's degree at the University of California at Los Angeles. The combination of his war experience and his courses ignited a passion to study; he wanted to know why. He went to Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in history. His dissertation won the highest prize in the field and was published, the first of twelve books and many articles he would publish during his long academic career. His area of focus was the Civil War and Reconstruction; his greatest heroes were Abraham Lincoln and his Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. He believed that they saved this nation, and he was grateful.

The newly minted Professor Harold Hyman began his teaching career at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He remembered the time he and Ferne spent there with great fondness, in part because their first child was born there. His love of teaching took him and his growing family back to UCLA, then to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, then to Rice University, with numerous visiting stints around the country, including at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Arizona State.

Harold's longest academic home was at Rice University. He spent 35 years in the history department, which he chaired and where he held the William P. Hobby Professor of History Chair. Harold taught undergraduates and graduate students and published throughout his years at Rice. As a teacher, he was demanding and sometimes feared, but he did not expect more of his students than he did of himself.

Harold's academic immersion in the Civil War and Reconstruction led to his and Ferne's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1965, he and other American Historians joined the march from Selma to Montgomery, led by Dr. Martin Luther King. He never forgot it.

During their time at Rice, Ferne served as the Chief Reference Librarian at the Fondren Library. Ferne and Harold went to campus together every day; met for lunch in the Cohen House every day; and at the end of the day, hand in hand, went back home.

As much as Harold loved his work and his country, he loved his family more. He and Ferne never ran out of conversation. They were fiercely proud of their three children and their success in their chosen careers of law, teaching, and medicine. Harold adored and was equally proud of his nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His love for them all sustained him when Ferne died twelve years ago.

Harold and Ferne spent the last decade of their lives together at the Brookwood Community, where their oldest granddaughter lives and where they served as the resident grandma and grandpa. Harold presided over reading groups that he tailored to each audience, and he greeted every citizen by name.

Harold spent his last year in Austin, Texas, close to one of his daughters and her husband, two of his grandsons and, most important, two of his great grandchildren. Two weeks before he died, the extended family gathered to celebrate his 99th birthday and watch him happily lose chess games to his 7 year old great grandson. We are all grateful that we had that time together.

Harold is survived by his children, Judge Lee Rosenthal and her husband, Gary; Ann Root and her husband, Dr. Jim Root; and Dr. Bill Hyman and his wife, Sherry. He also leaves his grandchildren, Rebecca, Hannah, Rachel, and Jessica Rosenthal, Joshua and Brittany Root, Eric Root, Andrea and Jose Peña, Sarah Hyman, Daniel Hyman, Dr. Jay Dew and Sara Leader and Carrie and Sean Brannon; his great grandchildren, Claire and Harrison Root, Madelyn and Violet Peña, and Will and Kate Brannon; his nieces, Frankie Gottlieb and her husband, Ed, their children Adam and Lucie, and Wendy Wintrob and her partner, Dave Wolman. Harold is survived as well by his books and his students.

The family extends its gratitude to the nurses at the Brookwood Community and the staff at the Belmont Village, who cared for him with kindness and dedication.

A memorial service at the Brookwood Community is planned for the future. Donations in Harold's memory may be made to the Brookwood Community, 1752 Farm to Market Road, Brookshire, Texas, 77423.

HYMAN, Harold (Harold Melvyn Hyman)

Born: 7/24/1924, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 8/6/2023, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

 

Harold Hyman’s westerns – author:

The assault on Indian tribalism: The General allotment law (Dawes act) of 1887 – 1975

Oleander Odyssey: The Kempners of Galveston, Texas, 1854-1980s (Volume 6) – 1990

Women in the West the Woman - 1991

RIP Jürgen Kluckert

 

Jürgen Kluckert is dead: the voice of Benjamin Blümchen

The voice actor died at the age of 79. During his lifetime, he lent his voice to many iconic characters.

Rolling Stone

8/17/2023

 

The German voice actor Jürgen Kluckert is dead. He passed away on Wednesday (16 August) at the age of 79. The news was initially reported by "serial junkies" who refer to information from industry insiders. So far, there has been no confirmation from the family.

Kluckert was born in Poland and has been in the industry since the 70s. Kluckert lent his voice to many iconic characters, including the radio play hero Benjamin Blümchen since 1994 and Mr. Krabs from the series "SpongeBob SquarePants". Hollywood actors such as Chuck Norris, Danny Glover and Morgan Freeman have also often spoken of him in German. Kluckert's voice can also be heard in video games like "League of Legends" and anime like "Dragon Ball."

Voice actress Julia Bautz said goodbye to her colleague online: "Today I am thinking of a voice from my childhood, his warm manner, his warmth and his wonderful family. Have a good trip, take care of yourself up there and thank you for Benjamin Blümchen, Mr. Krabs and just endless childhood.

Kluckert is survived by three sons, Sebastian, Fabian and Tobias, who also work as voice actors.

KLUCKERT, Jürgen

Born: 12/29/1943, Groß Nossin, Provinz Pommern, Poland

Died:  8/16/2023, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

 

Jürgen Kluckert’s westerns – voice dubber:

Adventures of Mark Twain – 1944 – [German voice of Alan Hale]

The Lone Ranger (TV) [1949-1957 [German voice of William Tannen, Ross Elliott]

Fury (TV) [1955-1960 [German voice of Paul Picerni, David Kasday]

Gunsmoke (TV) 1955-1975 [German voice of Ken Swofford, Tom Simcox, Arthur Hunnicut, Ross Hagen, Ramon Bieri]

Sergeant Preston (TV) 1955-1957 [German voice of Gregg Palmer, Dennis Moore, Don Kent, Larry Hudson, Lane Chandler]

Zorro (TV) 1957-1959 [German voice of Hanry Calvin,

Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV) 1958-1961 [German voice of John Dehner]

Bonanza (TV) 1959-1973 [German voice of Jeff de Benning, Jack Warden, Lee Patterson, Arch Johnson, Lane Bradford, Steve Cochran, John Archer]

The High Chaparral (TV) 1967-1971 [German voice of John Pickard]

Lancer (TV) 1968-1970 [German voice of Buck Young, Roy Jenson]

Full House for the Devil - 1969 [German voice of Paolo Gozlino]

Hey Amigo! A Toast to Your Death -1970 [German voice of Marco Zuanelli]

Osceola – 1971 [German voice of Milan Beli

The Long Ride of Revenge – 1972 [German voice of Wirt]

Apaches – 1973 [German voice of Boubacar Touré]

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid – 1973 [German voice of Gene Evans]

Jessi’s Girls – 1975 [German voice of Ben Frank]

Brett Maverick (TV) – 1981-1982 [German voice of Keith Walker, Tom Rosqui, Gary Pagett, Ed Nelson, Ross Hagen, Tony Burton]

Time Bandits (TV) 1981 [German voice of Jack Purvis]

Wild Horses (TV) 1985 [German voice of Kenny Rogers]

Blood Red – 1989 [German voice of Giancarlo Giannini]

El Diablo (TV) 1990 [German voice of Miguel Sandoval]

Lucky Luke (TV) 1991 [German voice of Steven G. Tyler]

Last of the Mohicans – 1992 [German voice of Russell Means]

Return to Lonesome Dove (TV) 1993 [German voice of Dennis Haysbert]

Tombstone – 1993 [German voice of Billy Bob Thornton]

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) 1993-2001 [German voice of Chuck Norris]

Lightning Jack – 1994 [German voice of Sanford Gibbons]

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf – 1994 [German voice of Matthew Cowles]

Wyatt Earp – 1994 [German voice of Randle Mell]

Forest Warrior – 1996 [German voice of Chuck Norris]

Pathfinder – 1996 [German voice of Stacy Keach]

Buffalo Soldiers – Army Go Home – 2002 [German voice of Dean Stockwell]

800 Bullets – 2002 [German voice for Sancho Gracia]

Deadwood (TV) 2004-2004 [German voice of Jeffrey Jones]

Into the West (TV) – 2005 [German voice of Clayton Rohner]

Walker, Texas Ranger – 2005 [German voice of Chuck Norris]

Bandidas – 2006 [German voice of Humberto Elizondo]

Seraphim Falls – 2006 [German voice of Xander Berkeley]

Blood Rayne 2 – Deliverance – 2007 [German voice of John Novak]

Longmire (TV) 2012-2015 [German voice of Graham Greene, W. Earl Brown]

Diablo – 2015 [German voice of Danny Glover]

Yellowstone (TV) 2018 [German voice of Boots Southerland]

Deadwood – 2019 [German voice of Jeffrey Jones]

RIP Tom Jones

 

Broadway Lyricist and Librettist Tom Jones Has Passed Away

Jones was best known for the musicals The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, and I Do, I Do.

Broadway World

By Blair Ingethorn

August 12, 2023

 

Tom Jones, best known for his work as the librettist and lyricist of The Fantasticks, which ran for 42 years off-Broadway, as well as other Broadway musicals including 110 in the Shade, and I Do, I Do!, has passed away. He was 95.

With Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones wrote The Fantasticks for a summer theater at Barnard College. After its Off-Broadway opening in May 1960, it went on to become the longest-running production in the history of the American stage and one of the most frequently produced musicals in the world. Their first Broadway show, 110 in the Shade, was revived on Broadway in a new production starring Audra McDonald. I Do! I Do!, their two-character musical starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston, was a success on Broadway and is frequently produced around the country and the world. (One production, in Minneapolis, played for 22 continuous years with the same two actors in the leading roles.)

For several years Jones and Schmidt worked privately at their theater workshop, concentrating on small-scale musicals in new and often untried forms. The most notable of these efforts were Celebration, which moved to Broadway, and Philemon, which won an Outer Critics Circle Award. They contributed incidental music and lyrics to the Off Broadway play Colette starring Zoe Caldwell, then later did a full-scale musical version under the title Colette Collage. The Show Goes On, a musical revue featuring their theater songs and starring Jones and Schmidt, was presented at the York Theater, and Mirette, their musical based on the award-winning children's book, was premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut.

In addition to an Obie Award and the 1992 Special Tony Award for The Fantasticks, Jones and Schmidt were inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre, and on May 3, 1999 their stars were added to the Off-Broadway Walk of Fame outside the Lucille Lortel Theater.

On December 4, 2017 the York Theatre Company honored the musical theatre writing team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in a "Fantastick" gala concert and award ceremony directed by Richard Jay-Alexander with music direction by Andrew Gerle. The 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre was presented to the legendary team at the event held at the Asia Society, where they performed together for the last time before Schmidt's death in 2018.

JONES, Tom

Born: 2/17/1928, Littlefield, Texas, U.S.A.

Died: 8/11/2023, Sharon, Connecticut, U.S.A.

 

Tom Jones’ western – writer:

A Texas Romance 1909 - 1964

RIP Robbie Robertson

 

The Band’s Robbie Robertson Dies at 80

The guitarist was best known for his work with the Band, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorsese, and Ronnie Hawkins

Pitchfork

By Allison Hussey

August 9, 2023

 

Robbie Robertson, best known for his work as a member of the Band, died today in Los Angeles surrounded by family, according to his manager. “In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support the building of their new cultural center.” He was 80.

Robertson grew up in Toronto. He learned music from his mother’s side of the family, who were Mohawk and lived on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. As a teenager, he met the lively Ronnie Hawkins and his group the Hawks on the bar band circuit around Toronto. Robertson took up with the group as a guitarist alongside Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson.

After Robertson and his other colleagues split from Hawkins, Bob Dylan recruited the group to be his backing band in 1965—including at his famed “gone electric” set at the Newport Folk Festival that year. The Band followed Dylan to Woodstock, New York, where they holed up in the house that lent the title to their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink, recorded what became The Basement Tapes, and picked up their name. Over the course of the next decade, Robertson and the Band developed a sound that blended the barroom rock of their Hawks days with the American folk-music revival.

The Band had hits with “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” Music from Big Pink, 1969’s The Band, and 1970’s Stage Fright were critical and commercial hits, with Robertson taking the bulk of the songwriting credit and thus getting a larger share of the group’s money. Helm was consistently vocal in his claim that the majority of their songs had been written collaboratively and that Robertson’s publishing share was unfair. In the 2020 documentary Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band, Robertson—one of two living members of the band upon its release—claimed that the others had not contributed due to their drug use.

As the group grew exhausted of their time together with 1973’s Moondog Matinee and 1975’s Northern Lights – Southern Cross, the Band eventually decided to call it quits. Their final performance on Thanksgiving in 1976 was documented by Martin Scorsese in The Last Waltz, which was released in 1978 and is widely considered an all-time classic music documentary.

Robertson continued to work with the other members of the Band on side projects, occasionally joining them in the studio. Though the Band reunited in other iterations in the 1980s and 1990s Robertson did not participate. Before his death in 2012, drummer Levon Helm maintained that Robertson’s actions contributed to Richard Manuel’s death by suicide in 1986 and the substance abuse that contributed to Rick Danko’s death in 1999.

He maintained an active solo career through the same period, releasing his self-titled debut in 1986 and following it with Storyville in 1991. He made guest appearances on records by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ringo Starr, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Neil Diamond, and several others.

Robertson maintained a long-term relationship with Scorsese after The Last Waltz, contributing to films like Raging Bull, Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman, and several others. In 2020, Scorsese produced Once Were Brothers, a documentary about the Band based mostly on Robertson’s accounts. Robertson’s final album was 2019’s Sinematic. Scorsese’s new movie Killers of the Flower Moon, due this year, was scored by Robertson.

ROBERTSON, Robbie (Jamie Royal Robertson)

Born: 7/5/1943, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Died: 8/9/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Robbie Robertson’s westerns – composer, writer, narrator, himself:

The Native Americans (TV) 1994 [composer]

Dakota Exile – 1996 [narrator]

Skins – 2002 [writer]

Reel Injun – 2009 [himself]

Native America – 2018 [narrator]

Killers of the Flower Moon – 2023 [composer]

RIP Robert Swan

 

Robert Swan, 'The Babe' and 'The Untouchables' Actor, Dead at 78

Swan also appeared in 'Natural Born Killers,' 'Hoosiers' and 'Who's That Girl'

People

By David Chiu

August 9, 2023

 

Actor Robert Swan, whose credits include such films as Hoosiers, Rudy, The Untouchables and The Babe, has died at 78.

Swan died Wednesday of liver cancer at his home in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, Betty Hoeffner, a friend of Swan's, confirmed to PEOPLE and multiple outlets.

Born in Chicago, Swan began his career by acting locally in theater and also appeared on Broadway in The Freedom of the City in 1974.

His first film role was in the 1980 movie Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. He continued to work in film and TV, appearing in The Twilight Zone, Spenser for Hire, Doctor Detroit, Who’s That Girl, The Equalizer and Olivier Stone's violent classic Natural Born Killers.

Among the high-profile movies that Swan appeared was 1986’s Hoosiers, in which he played Rollin Butcher, an assistant to Hickory High School basketball coach Norman Dale (played by Gene Hackman). In 1987’s The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma, Swan played a Canadian Mountie. For 1992’s The Babe, starring John Goodman in the title role, Swan portrayed Babe Ruth’s father, George Herman Ruth Sr.

Hoeffner wrote in her Facebook post that an event will be held at an undetermined date to honor Swan, with a reading of his screenplay by Hill Street Blues actor Daniel J. Travanti as Johnson.

“He was a great friend," Hoeffner, who says she knew Swan since 2006, tells PEOPLE. "Loved animals, was extremely creative, an opera singer, produced operas. He could do anything and everything, and he helped people out all the time."

"His biggest passion was being a screenwriter," she continued. "I talked to him yesterday as he knew he was going to be passing soon. I said, 'When you go on the other side Bob, please find me some angels. They’re gonna help me get your screenplay turned into a film.' And he gave me a thumbs up. Once you met him, you would never forget him."

Swan is survived by his wife, two brothers, a sister-in-law, and three nephews, per The Hollywood Reporter.

SWAN, Robert

Born: 10/20/1944, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 8/9/2023, Rolling Prairie, Indiana, U.S.A.

 

Robert Swan’s western – actor:

Wildside (TV) – 1985 (Hayes)

RIP Nobel Vega

 Nobel Vega, TV entertainer in Puerto Rico, famous for his character 'Uncle Nobel' dies

Tampa Hoy

By Gerardo Cierra

August 7, 2023

 

TV personality Nobel Vega, who for decades brightened generations in Puerto Rico with children's shows with his character "Tío Nobel," died Monday morning at the age of 92, according to actor Emanuel Soltero on Facebook.

"With sorrow in the soul I say goodbye for now to my great friend Nobel Vega the Uncle of many the Uncle of those who grew up with healthy programming on PR Television the great Uncle Nobel," said Soltero, better known as "Shabum", in his social media post. "Thank you for teaching us that we can all be the co-pilots of our lives, thank you for supporting us in our development and for being part of our childhood. Personally, thank you for being my mentor and friend. Thank you for always welcoming me into your home with your dear wife Nadine. I will miss our lunches in Miami. Rest in Peace dear Uncle Nobel... your magical friend SHABUM!"

Soltero and Vega shared for years in the children's program "Tío Nobel".

According to El Nuevo Día, Vega had suffered a stroke in Miami in January 2015.

Vega, born in Cuba, lived with his family in Miami, Florida. He was about to turn 93 on Aug. 21.

During the seventies and eighties, Tío Nobel was a beloved character who, dressed as a ship captain, animated the afternoons of WKAQ-TV Telemundo in Puerto Rico.

Vega became an actor in his native Cuba where he participated in several films before leaving the island after the Cuban revolution, Primera Hora explained in 2016.

Upon his arrival in Puerto Rico, Vega starred in "Bozo, El Payaso," before Telemundo called him to star in its 20-year on-air show.

His innovative concept was that there were no losers in his program. There were winners and "near winners."

VEGA, Nobel

Born: 8/21/1931, Cuba

Died: 8/7/2023, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

 

Nobel Vega’s western – actor:

La Justicia de Los Villalobos – 1961 (Machito)

RIP Robert Schmidt

 

Arthur Schmidt, Oscar-Winning Film Editor of ‘Forrest Gump,’ ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ Dies at 86

Variety

By Jaden Thompson

August 7, 2023

 

Arthur “Artie” R. Schmidt, who won Oscars for editing Robert Zemeckis films “Forrest Gump” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” died Saturday at his home in Santa Barbara. He was 86.

Schmidt and Zemeckis were longtime collaborators, having worked on a total of ten films together, including “Forrest Gump” (1994), the “Back to the Future” trilogy (1985-1990), “Cast Away” (2000), and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988). Other prominent films Schmidt worked on include “Jaws 2” (1978), “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980), for which he was Oscar-nommed; “The Last of the Mohicans” (1992), “Death Becomes Her” (1992), “Addams Family Values” (1993) and “Contact” (1997). He was also brought on to help with “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003) in the midst of its production.

Additionally, Schmidt collaborated with director Mike Nichols on three films: “The Fortune” (1975) “The Birdcage” (1996), and “Primary Colors” (1998). He also took on the challenge of editing a film that combines both animation and live-action: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

Schmidt was born in Los Angeles on June 17, 1937. His father, Arthur P. Schmidt, was also a lauded film editor, having worked on classic films like “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), “Sabrina” (1954) and “Some Like it Hot” (1959). Following his father’s death at the age of 52, Paramount offered Schmidt an apprenticeship in 1965, and it was then that he began to carry on the family legacy of editing. Early films he assisted with were “Little Big Man” (1970) and “Marathon Man” (1976), under acclaimed editors Dede Allen and Jim Clark, respectively. Over the course of his career, he worked with both film and digital, adapting from one medium to the other as technology shifted.

In 2009, Zemeckis presented Schmidt with the American Cinema Editors Career Achievement Award.

Schmidt is survived by his wife Susan Craig Schmidt, his brothers Fr. Ron Schmidt and Greg Schmidt, and four nieces and four nephews, many of whom continue the family legacy of working in the film industry.

SCHMIDT, Arthur (Arthur Robert Schmidt)

Born: 6/17/1937, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 8/5/2023, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.

 

Arthur Schmidt’s westerns – film editor:

Macho Callahan – 1970

Back to the Future Part III – 1990

The Last of the Mohicans - 1992

RIP William Friedkin

 

William Friedkin, ‘The Exorcist’ Director, Dies at 87

Variety

By Carmel Dagan

August 7, 2023

 

Director William Friedkin, best known for his Oscar-winning “The French Connection” and blockbuster “The Exorcist,” died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 87.

His death was confirmed by Chapman University dean Stephen Galloway, a friend of Friedkin’s wife Sherry Lansing.

His final film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” starring Kiefer Sutherland, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Along with Peter Bogdanovich, Francis Ford Coppola and Hal Ashby, Friedkin rose to A-list status in the 1970s, part of a new generation of vibrant, risk-taking filmmakers. Combining his experience in television, particularly in documentary film, with a cutting-edge style of editing, Friedkin brought a great deal of energy to the horror and police thriller genres in which he specialized.

“The French Connection” was an incredibly fast-paced and morally ambiguous tale, shot in documentary style and containing one of cinema’s most justifiably famous car chase sequences. “Connection” won several Oscars including best picture, director and actor (Gene Hackman) and became a touchstone for the police genre in films and television for years to come.

After the critical glory of “The French Connection” came 1973’s “The Exorcist,” which grossed an astounding $500 million worldwide and, along with “The Godfather,” initiated the blockbuster era in motion pictures. Adapted from William Peter Blatty’s novel about the demonic possession of a young girl, “The Exorcist” was a heavily stylized thriller, as influential on the horror genre as “Connection” had been with cop thrillers. It brought him a second Oscar nomination as best director.

After his success with notable 1970s films, Friedkin made the superior thriller “To Live and Die in L.A.” When he married studio head Sherry Lansing in 1991, he again began directing films on a regular basis.

Friedkin started in the mailroom of the Chicago TV station WGN, where he quickly rose to directing television shows and documentaries. He said he directed about 2,000 TV shows during those early years, including 1962 documentary “The People vs. Paul Crump,” about the rehabilitation of a man on death row. It won him a Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco Film Festival and led him to a job leading the documentary division at WBKB and, subsequently, to a gig directing documentaries for producer David L. Wolper.

In the mid-’60s, he left documentaries behind, hoping to break into feature filmmaking. He directed an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” before he got his break when producer Steve Broidy hired him to direct the pop music story “Good Times,” starring Sonny and Cher, in 1967.

Its cutting-edge style, like that of the films of contemporary Richard Lester, gave the movie some flash. On the strength of that movie Friedkin was hired for “The Night They Raided Minsky’s,” a nostalgic piece centered on the world of burlesque that Friedkin imbued with a fresh, modern look via the camerawork and editing. He segued into two rather stagebound vehicles, an adaptation of Harold Pinter’s “The Birthday Party” and Matt Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band.”

Neither was a portent of what was to come in 1971 when he directed “The French Connection,” and 1973’s heavily stylized horror film “The Exorcist” was yet another departure for Friedkin.

But “The Exorcist” proved to be his last box office bonanza. He did not direct another movie until 1977’s “Sorcerer,” a challenging remake of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s “The Wages of Fear.” It went well over budget and disappointed at the time, though it has since become appreciated. He followed those with thriller “The Brink’s Job,” the controversial “Cruising” and the 1983 comedy “Deal of the Century.”

During the early 1980s, Friedkin and Blatty partnered on an “Exorcist III” project, but Friedkin exited over creative differences.

In 1985, he demonstrated his ability as an interesting stylistic director with “To Live and Die in L.A.,” a handsome, well-received thriller that was only a moderate financial success.

Except for “Rampage” in 1987, Friedkin was spending most of his time working in television on series such as “Tales From the Crypt,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Space Quest” and “C.A.T. Squad.” In 2000 he directed the moderately successful military drama “Rules of Engagement.”

In between he directed a remake of “Twelve Angry Men” for cable that was well received, as well as the documentary “Howard Hawks: American Artist.” A re-release of “The Exorcist” with supplementary footage grossed $40 million in the U.S.

During the 2000s, Friedkin took to the bigscreen with 2003 thriller “The Hunted,” starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro, and 2007 horror movie “Bug,” starring Ashley Judd and Harry Connick Jr., with Tracy Letts’ adapting his own stage play, which Friedkin had seen in 2004.

In 2011 he finished “Killer Joe,” which Letts adapted from his own play, with Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch in the lead. The controversial crime pic had a limited release in the U.S. in 2012. The film, estimated to have been budgeted at $11 million, grossed only $4 million worldwide. Friedkin also directed two episodes of “CSI.”

Born in Chicago, Friedkin attended Senn High School, where he was not much of a student but sought to develop his basketball prowess to pro level. Since he never grew taller than six feet, however, he changed his career path to journalism.

The director who had spent years working in the documentary form himself appeared in many documentaries over the years about films and filmmakers including 2003’s “A Decade Under the Influence” and “Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master.”

He was married to newscaster Kelly Lange and actors Lesley-Anne Down and Jeanne Moreau. He is survived by fourth wife Lansing and two sons.

FRIEDKIN, William (William David Friedkin)

Born: 8/29/1935, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 8/7/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

William Firedkin’s western – director:

Good Times – 1967

RIP Sharon Farrell

 

Sharon Farrell, 'It's Alive,' 'Night of the Comet' Actress, Dead at 82

EXTRa

August 04, 2023 

Sharon Farrell, a glamorous contract player who had a prolific TV career and made big impressions in several features, died in May at 82, her sister confirms on Facebook.

 

Farrell's death at L.A. Downtown Medical Center, which was not widely reported at the time, came after spending time in care facilities.

Farrell, born December 24, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, was a dancer first, working at the American Ballet Theatre in the 1950s.

In 1959, she made her film debut in "Kiss Her Goodbye," a low-budget psychological thriller that also featured Elaine Stritch.

Other early films included "40 Pounds of Trouble" (1962) with Tony Curtis and Suzanne Pleshette; "The Spy with My Face," a 1965 movie spun off from the TV hit "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; the noir films "A Lovely Way to Die" (1968) with Kirk Douglas and "Marlowe" (1969) with James Garner; "The Reivers" (1969) opposite Steve McQueen, with whom she famously had an affair; and the Jacqueline Susann scorcher "The Love Machine" (1971).

Farrell enjoyed meatier — and more plentiful — roles on TV, including as a regular on "Saints and Sinners" (1962) and a widely admired episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1965) called "Final Performance" with a deeply unsettling ending.

Much later, she was a popular addition to "The Young and the Restless," appearing on more than 80 episodes (1991-1997).

In 1970, Farrell suffered brain damage after giving birth to her only son, former actor Chance Boyer. She hid the devastating effects of her illness and continued working, including her appearances in the films for which she is most remembered — the gruesome "It's Alive" (1974); the Chuck Norris/David Carradine favorite "Lone Wolf McQuade" (1983); and the beloved '80s comedies "Night of the Comet" (1984) and "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987).

Farrell was a flirtatious storyteller who published her memoir "'Hollywood Princess' from Sioux City Iowa" in 2013.

She largely retired from acting after the '90s, returning for two episodes of the series "Broken at Love" (2013-2014), and appearing at numerous autograph shows.

Farrell was married and divorced (including one annulment) five times, including an early marriage to actor Andrew Prine, who died last year.

She is survived by her son.

FARRELL, Sharon (Sharon Forsmoe)

Born: 12/24/1940, Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.A.

Died: 5/15/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Sharon Farrell’s westerns – actress:

Wagon Train (TV) – 1962, 1964 (Pearlie Garnet, Judy Wilson)

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1963 (Cora Franklin)

Empire (TV) – 1963 (Lisa Barry)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1963, 1964 (Annie, Belle, Lottie)

Rawhide (TV) – 1965 (Billie Lou)

The Iron Horse (TV) – 1967 (Carrie)

The Virginian (TV) – 1967 (Mavis)

The Wild Wild West (TV) 1968 (Cloris Colton)

The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang (TV) – 1979 (Flo Quick)

Lone Wolf McQuade – 1983 (Mollie McQuade)

 

RIP David Albert Pierce

 

David Albert Pierce Dies: Entertainment Attorney Was 56

DEADLINE

By Greg Evans

August 3, 2023

 

David Albert Pierce, an entertainment attorney who founded Pierce Law Group, LLP, in Beverly Hills in 1996 and over the course of his career represented clients from Milton Berle and The Comedy Store to such films as the 2012 Oscar-winning film The Artist, died July 29 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 56.

His death was announced by his family. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Born in Lewiston, NY, Pierce graduated from University of Binghamton and earned his law degree at Cornell Law School. His name is listed on-screen in many films, including The Hunger Games, Cabin Fever and this year’s Theater Camp.

In addition to his practice, Pierce taught an annual course on the business of running a motion picture production company at UCLA Extension since 1998, serving as an adjunct professor at Elon University and Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television, and served as a guest lecturer at St. Petersburg University in Russia. He regularly gave lectures at film festivals and other seminars throughout the United States and the world, including the Slamdance Film Festival, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and in the Dominican Republic.

Pierce served as the Chair of the Entertainment Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association , and as a Board member of the Friars Club in Beverly Hills. He was a regular columnist for MovieMaker Magazine.

He is survived by wife Eliane Vieira Gomes Pierce, sisters Jamie Albright and Alyse Brovitzand, brother Jeffrey Pierce, their spouses and other extended family.

PIERCE, David Albert

Born: 7/6/1967, Lewiston, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 7/29/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

David Albert Pierce’s western – production counsel:

Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink - 2014

RIP Mark Margolis

 

Mark Margolis, ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ Star, Dies at 83

Variety

By Ethan Shanfeld

August 4, 2023

 

Mark Margolis, who portrayed the menacing, bell-ringing Hector Salamanca in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” died Thursday at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. He was 83.

His son, Morgan Margolis, announced the news.

As the former drug kingpin who continues to hover over the Albuquerque meth trade from his nursing home, Margolis left an unforgettable mark on the Vince Gilligan television universe with barely any dialogue. In 2012, he was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in “Breaking Bad.”

He returned as Hector “Tío” Salamanca for five seasons in the Bob Odenkirk-led prequel series “Better Call Saul,” where he infused a rich backstory into the character.

Born in 1939 in Philadelphia, Margolis moved to New York at a young age to pursue acting. With an early interest in theater, he landed roles in productions such as “Infidel Caesar” on Broadway. He would go on to appear in more than 50 Off-Broadway plays, including “Uncle Sam” and “The Golem.”

His breakout film role was in Brian De Palma’s mob classic “Scarface,” in which Margolis played the villain and bodyguard Alberto, aka The Shadow. A longtime collaborator of Darren Aronofsky, Margolis also appeared in “Noah,” “Black Swan,” “The Wrestler” and “Pi.” He boasts over 70 film credits across five decades.

Outside of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” Margolis had recurring roles in television series including “The Equalizer,” “Oz,” “Kings” and “American Horror Story: Asylum,” and guest starred on “Californication,” “Gotham,” “Crossing Jordan” and “The Affair.”

Margolis’ manager Robert Kolker said in a statement, “He was one of a kind. We won’t see his likes again. He was a treasured client and a lifelong friend. I was lucky to know him.”

Thomas Schnauz, a writer and producer on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” wrote on Twitter, “Incredibly sad news. Mark made me laugh every time we were together on set. I was lucky to have his character Tío walk and talk and teach his nephews a lesson in my very first [episode] of ‘Breaking Bad.’ My love to his family and many, many friends.”

MARGOLIS, Mark

Born: 11/26/1939, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 8/3/2023, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

 

Mark Margolis’ westerns – actor:

The Avenging – 1982 (Pedro Quintana)

Squanto: A Warriors Tale – 1994 (Captain Hunt)

Valley of the Bones – 2017 (El Papa)