RIP Julien Poulin

 Julien Poulin, Quebec comedian and Elvis Gratton star, dead at 78

Quebecers, including elected officials, honoured his memory

CBC News

January 5, 2025

 

Quebec actor Julien Poulin, renowned for playing the role of Elvis Gratton, has died on Saturday in hospital. He was 78.

His family did not wish to disclose the cause of his death. His agent Eugénie Gaillard confirmed the news Sunday to Radio-Canada.

Born in Montreal in 1946, Julien Poulin began his artistic career in the theatre before making his film debut in 1973 in the films Tu brûles... Tu brûles... by Jean-Guy Noël and Réjeanne Padovani by Denys Arcand.

He is known for his extensive filmography, including 15 février 1839, Camion and Miraculum.

His collaboration with the pre-eminent Quebec film director Pierre Falardeau, however, changed the course of his career. In 1980, the actor co-directed the short film Speak White with Falardeau.

Above all, audiences remember him as Bob Gratton, a garage mechanic with the ambition of becoming an Elvis Presley look-alike. His alter-ego was named Elvis Gratton.

With Falardeau, the comedian created a role that was featured in multiple cult movies and a television series.

The Gratton character is both a reflection of the ills of Quebec society and a biting critique of relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada, and even the rest of the world.

In 1981, the two friends released their first short film, Elvis Gratton. Two more followed: Les vacances d'Elvis Gratton (1983) and Pas encore Elvis Gratton (1985).

From these three compiled works, a feature film was created that would go on to become a classic of Quebec comedy: Elvis Gratton : le King des kings.

Some may also remember Poulin for his role as the doorman Gaétan Langlois, also known as Vieux, in the Radio-Canada series Minuit, le soir, broadcast in the late 2000s. In 2007, this performance earned him the Gémeaux Award for best male supporting role in a drama series.

In 2013, the Montrealer received a Jutra Award, which was not his first, for best actor for his lead role in Rafaël Ouellet's film Camion.

He has starred in a hundred or so films, having recently appeared in the films Arsenault et Fils and Paul à Québec.

'A giant of activism for Quebec independence,' says Parti Québécois leader

In a news statement published on Sunday, Poulin's agency said he "left an important imprint on Quebec culture in many ways."

Premier François Legault said in a post on X published that Poulin was a "great Quebec actor."

"I remember, of course, his Elvis Gratton role well, but also his exceptional performance in Minuit, le soir," Legault wrote. "My condolences to his family and loved ones."

The Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also offered his condolences to the family of the late comedian on X.

"Today, Quebec loses a giant of its culture and a giant of activism for Quebec independence," he wrote.

St-Pierre Plamondon added that his interpretation of Elvis Gratton made people "laugh and realize our greatest collective shortcomings at the same time."

Ruba Ghazal, the co-spokesperson for Québec Solidaire, also said Elvis Gratton made her laugh when she was younger.

"It was only later that I understood the charge behind this intelligent and deeply political social criticism," Ghazal wrote on X.

POULIN, Julien

Born: 4/20/1946, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Died: 1/4/2025, Canada

 

Julien Poulin’s westerns – actor:

The Campbells (TV) 1985-1989 (Gabrielle Leger)

True North (TV) 2016-2019 (Francois Xavier Laloge)

RIP Gwen Van Dam

 Gwen Van Dam Dies: Veteran Character Actress Was 96

DEADLINE

By Natalie Oganesyan

January 5, 2025

 

Gwen Van Dam, a veteran character actress of seven decades whose 140 credits spanned television, film and the Los Angeles stage, died Dec. 19 at her home in West LA. She was 96.

Per previous reporting attributed to her son Dirk Smillie, the cause of death was a recurrence of cancer.

Throughout her long-tenured career, Van Dam appeared in 1978’s Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis, 1994’s Star Trek Generations with Patrick Stewart, the romantic war drama Coming Home featuring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight and the Sidney Poitier-helmed Gene Wilder pic Stir Crazy.

Among her television credits are illustrious series like Days of Our Lives, Gilmore Girls, Knots Landing, ER, Moonlighting, The Brady Bunch, Maude, Owen Marshall, New Girl, Modern Family and Criminal Minds.

On the music video side of things, she appeared in visual works for U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Panic! At the Disco and heavy metal band Mastodon.

Van Dam performed until her death. Most recently, she appeared in two episodes of the Apple TV+ series Interior Chinatown. In 2018, she appeared in the first five episodes of Amazon’s Homecoming, the thriller starring Julia Roberts and Janelle Monáe. Earlier, she was in Netflix’s Grace and Frankie.

The actress was also prolific on stage, appearing in productions at 14 different theater companies in the City of Angels, including the Mark Taper Forum, Globe Theater, LAAT and the Norris Theater. She received the Road Theatre’s Best Supporting Actress award for her role in The Ballad Hunter and the Group Rep’s Best Actor Award for Happy End.

In a 2011 LA Stage Times profile, “Gwen Van Dam Takes A Trip,” a reviewer noted that, in the lead role of Carrie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful, “Gwen Van Dam has big shoes to fill – Geraldine Page (the film) and Lillian Gish (the play). Ms. Van Dam chooses rightly to make her own path and use her own assets and experiences. She brings a sweetness and vulnerability to the role. You will love … traveling this important journey with her.”

Born Gwendolyn Greta Van Dam in San Francisco, she discovered her love of acting in college, graduating with a B.A. from San Jose State University in 1950. She left home for New York after writing a letter to Broadway and West End performer Gertrude Lawrence for advice on landing roles in New York, who suggested she contact her husband, producer Richard Aldrich; he cast her in a touring show, The Guardsman, where she met her future husband Bill Smillie, then the show’s property manager.

She clinched early roles in TV series and summer stock theater in the Northeast and studied with acting teacher Mira Rostova at the Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio in New York. At this point, she was offered a screen test for the forthcoming production of From Here to Eternity (the 1953 romantic war drama film) and a 7-year acting contract with Columbia Pictures. Fellow student Montgomery Clift (who ironically ended up starring in the aforementioned film) cautioned Van Dam against the deal: “Are you sure you want to move to Hollywood? It could destroy you.” She later admitted it was the worst mistake of her career.

Among her New York friends in the 1960s was the artist Joseph Cornell, whose surrealist shadow boxes landed him one-man shows at museums like the Guggenheim. Cornell produced a shadow box for Van Dam, “An Owl for Gwendolyn,” and went on to produce a short, experimental film featuring Van Dam and her sister Jeanie.

Every New Year’s Day, Van Dam and her husband (also a veteran actor, who died in 2003) hosted an annual holiday party at their home, drawing a lively mix of industry friends, including Len Lesser (Seinfield‘s Uncle Leo), Marvin Kaplan (who once worked with Charlie Chaplin) and Tina Louise (Ginger on Gilligan’s Island).

Van Dam is survived by her daughter, Claudia Tumas; son Dirk Smillie; and grandchildren Lorelei, Amanda and Crystal. A service will be held in early February in Hollywood.

Van DAM, Gwen (Gwendolyn Greta Van Dam)

Born: 11/5/2028, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Died: 12/19/2024, West Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Gwen Van Dam’s western – actress:

Bloody Trail - 1972

RIP Emilio Echevarría

 

Emilio Echeverría, "El Chivo" from "Amores Perros", dies at the age of 80

The actor cemented a prolific career in the cinema of our country

El Universal

By Marianna Lebrija Clavel

1/4/2025

 

The Mexican Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMACC) confirmed, through a message of condolences, the death of Mexican actor Emilio Echeverría, who lost his life at the age of 80, and who will be remembered for his prolific career in national cinema, with characters such as "El Chivo" from "Amores Perros" and Miguel Iturbirde in "Y tu mamá también".

In the academy's publication, its official X account celebrated the talent of the actor, who throughout his career, was nominated for three Ariel awards, for his performance in film productions of the magnitude of "Dying in the Gulf" (1990) by director Alejandro Pelayo, "A Monster with a Thousand Heads" (2016) by Rodrigo Plá and "The Chosen One" (2018) by Antonio Chavarias.

And although Echeverría became known for his ease in giving life to characters of very different kinds, in reality, academically he was trained in the career of accounting, from which he graduated from the UNAM and which he practiced for many years in the administrative area of Televisa, until he joined the theater acting group "Circo, maroma and theater".

One of the first to react to his death is the screenwriter of "Amores perros", filmmaker Guillermo Arriaga, who describes Don Emilio as an admirable man and a great human being.

"Painful news for those of us who loved and admired him, Emilio Echeverría has died, a tremendous actor and best human being, a dear friend, I had the privilege of collaborating with him in several productions, a great," he wrote through his X account.

Although his career as an actor began in 1976, when he was 32 years old, it was with his role as "El Chivo", in 2001, in the film "Amores Perros" by Alejandro González Iñarritú that Echeverría earned the recognition of the public, due to his endearing performance as a former guerrilla who, in a street situation, subsists, carrying out work of an illicit nature.

"El Chivo" shows that despite abandoning his wife and daughter for trying to defend the ideals in which he believes, he is a man in solidarity with the pack of dogs that accompany him in exile, as well as when he saves "El Negro", the dog of Gael García Bernal's character, from being abandoned in the middle of the car accident that argues the choral narrative of the film.

In the seventies he made his debut in the theater and in the eighties in the cinema, with the 1986 short film "Desde el cristal con que se mira", by director María del Carmen de Lara.

Another of the performances with which he achieved worldwide projection was "Babel" (2006), also directed by Iñarritú, in which he played Emilio; his last participation on the small screen was in the film "Jacarandas" (2017), where he gave life to Ramiro.

ECHEVARRIA, Emilio (Emilio Antonio Echevarría Noriega)

Born: 7/3 1944, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 1/4/2025, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Emilio Echevarría’s westerns – actor:

The Alamo – 2004 (Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana)

Three Rabbits – 2025 (Hector)

RIP Wayne Osmond

 

The Osmonds Singer Wayne Osmond — Brother of Donny and Marie — Dies at 73 

Osmond, who was an original member of the Osmonds singing group, died after experiencing a stroke in Salt Lake City

People

By Daniela Avila

January 2, 2025

 

Wayne Osmond, who was an original member of the Osmonds singing group, has died. He was 73.

On Thursday, Jan. 2, Wayne's brothers Donny, Merrill and Jay confirmed the news in social media posts, revealing that he died on Jan. 1 in Salt Lake City after suffering a stroke.

"My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed," Donny, 67, wrote on Instagram. "Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone."

"I’m sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother," Donny added. "Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity."

The "I'll Make a Man Out of You" singer concluded his post by writing, "I love you, Wayne. Your brother forever."

Meanwhile, Merrill wrote on Facebook that he immediately drove to the hospital when he heard of his brother's stroke to say goodbye. He then went on to praise his brother, calling him a "saint."

"I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met," Merrill, 71, wrote, adding that his death was a "sad moment."

"My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God," he concluded. "I will miss him tremendously. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of heavenly father‘s greatest sons. Until I see him again, know that he was loved."

In his own Facebook tribute, Jay called his late brother "a true legend."

"My heart is deeply saddened for the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love there is great grief as we part during our earthly journey," Jay, 69, wrote. "Throughout my life I have always felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings. He was my roommate and my confidant over the decades.”

A rep for Wayne did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Wayne, who was the fourth of nine kids, sang in a barbershop quartet with his older brother Alan and younger brothers Merrill and Jay. They first formed in 1958 for their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Ogden, Utah.

In 1961, the Osmond brothers were discovered singing at Disneyland and went on to become regulars on The Andy Williams Show. Brothers Donny and Jimmy eventually joined, as well as sister Marie. In 1971, the group reached the height of their fame after the release of "One Bad Apple." The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 100.

Shortly after, the band went their separate ways. Jimmy pursued a solo career, while Donny and Marie, 65, began singing as a duo.

Wayne married Kathlyn White, a former pageant queen, in 1974. They welcomed five children together.

Over the years, Wayne experienced a series of issues with his health. In 1997, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost nearly all of his hearing as a result of the treatment. Then, in 2012, he had a stroke that left him unable to play guitar.

Wayne opened up about his health in an interview with Coping With Cancer magazine in 2004 and said that illness made him appreciate life even more.

“The greatest part of all this is that I’ve become even closer with my sweetheart, Kathy,” Wayne said about his wife. “She’s an absolute angel. I’m a very, very blessed man. That’s what I am. … I’ve been enlightened. And now I look back at it and I think to myself, I’m glad that I got cancer. Isn’t that something? It really opened up my eyes. It made me realize that life really is important. And I’m only 52 years old — I hope I can go another 52!”

OSMOND, Wayne (Melvin Wayne Osmond)

Born: 8/28/1951, Ogden, Utah, U.S.A.

Died: 1/1/2025, Slt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.

 

Wayne Osmond’s western – actor:

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV) – 1963 (Leviticus Kissel)

RIP Nora Orlandi

 

Farewell to Nora Orlandi, she was 91 years old

Spettakolo

by Marco Pagliettini

January 1, 2025

 

Nora Orlandi passed away at the age of 91. Born in Voghera on June 28, 1933, she approached music at a very young age and in 1952 she founded the Quartetto 2+2. It was the embryonic idea of what would later become his trademark: the famous vocal choir I 4 + 4 di Nora Orlandi, founded in the early sixties and whose activity lasted for over twenty years. The choir also included, among others, Marco Ferradini, Santino Rocchetti and Silvia Annichiarico.

Pianist, singer and composer, Nora Orlandi has also had her own solo career and has been the composer of numerous soundtracks. Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino also used her own music, in “Kill Bill 2”, already present in the soundtrack of the film “Mrs. Wardh's Strange Vice”.

After the dissolution of the choir, Nora Orlandi devoted herself mainly to teaching. As a singing teacher she also participated in the second edition of the talent show ‘Amici di Maria De Filippi’.

ORLANDI, Nora (Nora Matilde-Rosa Orlandi)

Born: 6/28/1933, Voghera, Lombardy, Italy

Died: 1/1/2025, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Nora Orlandi’s westerns – composer, singer:

Death at Owell Rock – 1966 (co)

Fort Yuma Gold* - 1966 (co) [sings: “Don’t Cry Cowboy”]

Gunman Called Nebraska - 1966

Johnny Yuma – 1966

A Golden Sheriff – 1966 [as Jan Cristiane]

Savage Gringo – 1966 [sings: “Cuando se muere el sol”]

Death at Owell Rock - 1967

$10,000 for a Massacre – 1967

Vengeance is Mine – 1967 [sings “Captain Brown”]

One More to Hell – 1968 [sings: “Forgive and Not Forget”]

Blindman – 1971 [singer]

These Damned Pounds of Gold - 1971

Man of the East* - 1972 [sings: “Jesus Come to My Heart” with 4x4 chorus]

On the Third Day Arrived the Crow - 1972

The Prey of Vultures - 1972

$10,000 for a Massacre – 1972

RIP George Folsey Jr.

 

George Folsey Jr., Editor and Producer on John Landis Movies, Dies at 84

Variety

by Andrés Buenahora

December 31, 2024

 

George Folsey Jr., the veteran film editor behind classic films such as “Coming to America” and “Animal House,” died Dec. 29. He was 84.

Variety learned the news from Folsey Jr.’s son Ryan Folsey, who is also an editor. Folsey Jr. was the son of cinematographer George J. Folsey.

Folsey Jr. collaborated frequently with director John Landis. Over the course of his five-decade career, he went on to edit or co-edit a total of six of Landis’s films which included “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers” and “Coming to America.”

Furthermore, Folsey Jr. worked with the “Burke and Hare” filmmaker as a second unit director on “Trading Places,” “Into the Night” and “Three Amigos.”

Some of his other editing credits include the “Michael Jackson: Thriller” music video, “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Clarity,” “Wolf Mountain,” “Just Swipe,” “Summer Rain,” “Despair,” “Freeloaders,” “Chain of Command” and “My Sister.”

In addition to his work as an editor, Folsey Jr. also served as a producer on a number of films. Among his producing credits are “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “Coming to America,” “Grumpier Old Men,” “Michael Jackson: Number Ones,” “Wendy Liebman: Taller on TV,” “Spies Like Us,” “Into The Night,” “Twilight Zone: The Movie” and “Glass Houses.” His credits as an executive producer include “Clue,” “The Thing Called Love,” “Greedy,” “Death Link” and “Reboot Camp.”

Folsey Jr. also earned a 1984 ACE nomination for his work on the Documentary Special “The Making of ‘Thriller'” centered around Michael Jackson. He also provided DVD commentary for the 2005 film “Hostel.”

He was acquitted in a 1980s manslaughter case pertaining to the deaths of actor Vic Morrow as well as two children involved in a helicopter accident on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie.” Folsey Jr. attended St. Paul the Apostle, Loyola High School and Pomona college. He was an avid golfer and wine aficionado.

He is survived by his wife Belinda Folsey, daughter Erin Plasse and son Ryan Folsey.  He also has 3 granddaughters Lucia Folsey, Chloe Plasse and Hazel Plasse.

FOLSEY Jr, George

Born: 1/17/1939, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 12/29/2024, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

George Folsey Jr.’s westerns – film editor, producer:

Sourdough – 1981 [film editor]

Three Amigos – 1984 [producer]