RIP Fiore De Rienzo

 

fanpage.it

By Gennaro Marco Duello

January 28, 2025

 

Fiore De Rienzo, the historic face of "Who has seen it?" and father of Libero, the actor struck down by drugs in 2021, has died

The news given by the family on social media. The funeral in the Irpinian village of Paternopoli, where the family was originally from

Fiore De Rienzo, journalist, assistant director and father of the actor Libero, who died at the age of 44 in 2021 in dramatic circumstances, died in Rome today, January 28, 2025. De Rienzo, in particular, had been a correspondent for the Rai 3 broadcast "Who saw it?" for years. The news was given on social media by his brother Gigi: "Unfortunately, our brother Fiore De Rienzo passed away today. Tomorrow from 1 to 5 p.m. it will be possible to say goodbye to him at the funeral home of the Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The funeral will be held in Paternopoli on Thursday, January 30 at 3 p.m. at the sanctuary of Maria Santissima della Consolazione."

Many messages of condolence were posted commenting on the announcement of the death; in short, the news went around the web. Fiore De Rienzo had been very tried by the disappearance of his son, due, as emerged from the autopsy, to a cardiocirculatory arrest following the intake of drugs. Although he had lived in Rome for many years, the journalist, who had collaborated with "Who has seen it?" since the first episode, in 1989, had remained deeply attached to his hometown, Paternopoli, in the Avellino area. Libero, his mother who died prematurely and other family members are also buried there.

De RIENZO, Fiore

Born: 1959, Italy

Died: 1/28/2025, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Fiore De Rienzo’s western – actor:

Arrapaho - 1984

RIP Alma Rosa Aguirre

 

Golden Age Actress Alma Rosa Aguirre Passes Away At 95

A celebrated star from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, Aguirre leaves behind a rich legacy of film and family.

The Pinnacle

By Evrim Ağacı

January 25, 2025

 

Alma Rosa Aguirre, a prominent actress from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, has passed away at the age of 95. Her death on January 27, 2025, was confirmed by various sources, including journalist Ana María Alvarado, who shared the news through her social media account.

Aguirre died peacefully at Casa del Actor, the retirement home where she spent her final years due to health complications she faced as she aged. She remained surrounded by close friends and fellow artists up until her last moments. The Asociación Nacional de Actores (ANDA) released a statement expressing their condolences, saying: "We deeply regret the passing of our companion Alma Rosa Aguirre, member of our union. Our condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Rest in peace."

Born on February 19, 1929, in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Aguirre began her acting career at the age of 16 after winning a beauty contest, which led to her first role in the film "El Sexo Fuerte". Over her career, she starred in more than 30 films, including classics like "Nosotras las sirvientas" and "El Pecado de Ser Mujer". Aguirre's ability to transition from melodrama to comedy made her one of the South's most beloved actresses.

Throughout the years, Aguirre's fame continued to rise, cemented by her unforgettable performances alongside other legends of the era. She worked with stars like Mario Moreno and Luis Aguilar, and her on-screen magnetism continued to captivate audiences. Together with her sister Elsa, also a significant figure of the period, Alma Rosa enjoyed remarkable success, both during and after their time on the big screen. "We had such wonderful experiences making movies together," Elsa Aguirre proudly stated, reflecting on their shared career.

Despite her flourishing career, Alma Rosa Aguirre made the unexpected decision to retire during the height of her fame. At just 30 years old, she chose to step away from the clamor of the industry to focus on her family, having briefly married and had one daughter, Emma Isela. This period of withdrawal lasted more than ten years, but the allure of cinema proved irresistible. Aguirre returned to the film industry with her appearance in the 1971 movie "Santa Fe", and her last role was in the film "Volver, volver" released in 1973.

Her legacy lives on through the films she left behind, which continue to be celebrated by fans and critics alike. She was known for her extraordinary performances and ability to imbue her characters with depth and nuance. "She was not only our friend but part of our history," said one of her contemporaries, who emphasized her importance to the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.

At the time of her death, Aguirre had been residing at Casa del Actor since 2018, where she found solace and comfort. It served as both her home and refuge amid health struggles, allowing her to live with dignity and be attended to by caring staff. Her daughter and sister visited frequently, ensuring she was supported and not alone.

Reflecting on her life, Aguirre once remarked, "I’ve lived so many beautiful things... for me being in cinema was like a dream, and I retired young. Everything was so quick, and you go through life, aging, but I feel good..." This sentiment captures her enduring spirit and appreciation for the life she led both on and off the screen.

Alma Rosa Aguirre will be remembered not only for her contributions to Mexican cinema but also for her grace and warmth, leaving behind a legacy cherished by her family and the larger cinematic community. The news of her passing marks the closing of another chapter from the rich history of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, echoing with memories of her impactful performances.

AGUIRRE, Alma Rosa (Alma Rosa Aguirre Juárez)

Born: 2/19/1929, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico

Died: 1/27/2025, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Alma Rosa Aguirre’s westerns – actress

El siete Machos – 1951 (Rosario)

El fronterizo – 1952 (Virgnia)

Al diablo los mujeres – 1955 (Rosita)

Los diablos del terror – 1959 (Ana Teresa Pacheco)

RIP Jan Shepard

 

Jan Shepard, Actress in ‘King Creole’ and a Wagonful of TV Westerns, Dies at 96

Amanda Blake's former roommate also appeared in ‘Attack of the Giant Leeches’ and in an admired film about mental illness, ‘Third of a Man.’

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

January 27, 2025

 

Jan Shepard, who guest-starred on Rawhide, The Virginian, Gunsmoke and two dozen other TV Westerns and played opposite Elvis Presley in movies eight years apart, has died. She was 96.

Shepard died Jan. 17 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank of pneumonia brought on by respiratory failure, her son, Hollywood prop master, Brandon Boyle, told The Hollywood Reporter. “She was a good one and will be dearly missed,” he said.

Shepard portrayed Mimi, the sister of Presley’s Danny Fisher, in the Michael Curtiz-directed King Creole (1958) and the wife of Danny Kohana (James Shigeta), who partners with Presley’s Rick Richards in a helicopter business, in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966).

“The first time, I found him to be just the cutest kid around, a big teddy bear, a lot of fun,” she said in an interview for Boyd Magers and Michael G. Fitzgerald’s 1999 book, Westerns Women. But on their next movie, “He’d come back from the service and had changed. He had a lot of bodyguards around him.”

Her big-screen résumé also included the cult B-movie Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959), directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and produced by brothers Gene and Roger Corman for American International Pictures.

In 1954, the delightful Shepard appeared in her first TV Western, the syndicated anthology series Death Valley Days, and followed by getting dusty on The Adventures of Kit Carson, The Lone Ranger, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Rawhide, Tombstone Territory, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bat Masterson, Gunsmoke (four episodes), Laramie, Lawman, The Virginian (five episodes) and The High Chaparral, among others.

Josephine Angela Sorbello was born on March 19, 1928, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. At Quakertown High School, she acted in plays and was a cheerleader, drum majorette and valedictorian.

She came to Los Angeles in 1949 and joined a theater group, the Ben Bard Players, and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Meanwhile, she also worked as a secretary at an I. Magnin department store in order to pay the $25 in rent for the Hollywood Boulevard apartment she shared with future Gunsmoke star Amanda Blake, she recalled in a 2019 interview with Alan K. Rode.

Shepard made her onscreen debut on a 1952 episode of Fireside Theater and was soon being booked on shows including I Married Joan, Big Town, Private Secretary, Waterfront, Public Defender and The Loretta Young Show.

She played a nurse on the 1957 syndicated series Dr. Christian, starring Macdonald Carey, and was a regular on a pair of ’60s soap operas: CBS’ The Clear Horizon, which was set at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and revolved around astronauts and their families, and the ABC legal drama Day in Court.

She got her part in King Creole, which she called “the break of her life,” with the help of her good friend, Dolores Hart, who played Presley’s love interest in the movie.

Presley gave her a pair of 10-cent earrings as a joke while they worked on the Paramount film, then presented her with a huge stuffed tiger and a movie camera when Hart threw a surprise birthday party for her.

“Dolores said the next day she ran into Elvis and she said, ‘I was so surprised that you came,’” Shepard remembered. “He said [with a laugh], ‘I had to come, she’s my sister. I wouldn’t miss her birthday party.’

“I ran into him in the studio. He said to me, ‘I hear Elvis was at your birthday party.’ ‘Yeah, he was.’ He said, ‘You know, he never goes anywhere, people go to him, he never goes to other people’s homes.’”

When Hart quit Hollywood to become a nun, Shepard and Maria Cooper, Gary Cooper’s daughter, became her godmothers.

In 1962, she starred with James Drury and Simon Oakland in Third of a Man, an acclaimed film about mental illness.

Shepard also appeared on four episodes of Perry Mason and on such other series as Highway Patrol, Mannix, Land of the Giants, Then Came Bronson and, in 1973 for her last onscreen credit, The Rookies.

Her husband was Wyatt Earp actor Dirk London (real name Ray Boyle). They first met at Ben Bard in 1951 and were married from 1954 — when they worked together on her Death Valley Days episode — until his death at age 98 in January 2022.

Survivors include Brandon, who did prop work on such shows as Murder, She Wrote and The Newsroom (when he was a toddler, his mom wouldn’t allow him to be in the Presley movie G.I. Blues because the writers would have wanted him to bawl); daughter-in-law Jenn; grandchildren Riley and Hayley; and nephew Andrew, his wife, Danielle, and their daughter, Olivia.

SHEPARD, Jan (Josephine Angela Sorbello)

Born: 3/19/1928, Quakertown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 1/17/2025, Burbank, California, U.S.A.

 

Jan Shepard’s western films – actress:

The Adventures of Kit Carson (TV) – 1954

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1954 (Elly)

The Lone Ranger (TV) – 1955

Tales of the Texas Rangers (TV) – 1955 (Ruth Foster)

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (TV) – 1956 (Mamie Perkins)

Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (TV) – 1956 (Lou Anne Constantine)

Circus Boy (TV) – 1957 (Estelle)

The Gray Ghost (TV) – 1957 (Melinda)

The Californians (TV) – 1958 (Susanna Temple)

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (TV) – 1959 (Ella Clarkson)

Rawhide (TV) – 1959, 1960, 1961 (Ann Powell, Clara Lacey, Mary)

Trackdown (TV) – 1959 (Emily)

Wichita Town (TV) – 1959 (Clara Bennett)

Tombstone Territory (TV) – 1960 (Cheri Deger)

U.S. Marshal (TV) – 1960 (Betty Morgan)

Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV) – 1960 (Lillith Preston)

Bat Masterson (TV) – 1961 (Jody Reese)

Gunslinger (TV) – 1961 (Constance Cameron Jenks)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1961, 1964, 1967 Tassie, Tilda, Marge, Edna Farron)

Laramie (TV) – 1961-1962 (Karen Jackson, Lila Stevens, Cindy)

Stagecoach West (TV) – 1961 (Emily Prince)

Lawman (TV) – 1962 (Madelyn Chase)

The Virginian (TV) – 1965, 1966 (Sergeant Cohane, Connie Burns, Jessica Boyer, Laura Cooper)

Bonanza (TV) – 1966 (Sally)

A Man Called Shenandoah (TV) – 1966 (Ann Winters)

The High Chaparral (TV) – 1967, 1968 (Mavis, Megan Hallock)

The Road West (TV) – 1967 (Ellen Brewster)

Western Trails (TV) – 2017 (Marge)

RIP Marcel Mann

 

Beloved Comedian Marcel Mann Dies By Suicide At 37

The Pinnacle Gazette

By Evrim Ağaci

January 25, 2025

 

The German comic's struggles and impact resonate deeply following his tragic passing.

A shocking tragedy has struck the German comedy scene with the announcement of comedian Marcel Mann's death at just 37 years old. His family and friends shared the heartbreaking news on January 21, 2025, confirming he had died by suicide.

According to his loved ones, posted on both his official website and his Instagram profile, "On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, our beloved friend Marcel Mann ended his life autonomously. We are speechless and infinitely sad, but also grateful for every second we could spend with this wonderful person." The message went on to request respect for their privacy during this challenging time and urged fans to give Mann's family and closest friends enough space to mourn their loss.

Marcel Mann, who was openly gay, was well-known not only as a comedian but also as a voice actor. Emerging from Schorndorf, Baden-Württemberg, he had become one of the prominent figures on German television, with notable appearances on shows like "NightWash" and "Quatsch Comedy Club." Mann's rise to fame started to take off around 2014 when he gained attention for his stand-up performances.

Tragically, his recent life had been filled with personal struggles, particularly following the loss of his beloved dog, Pübbi. After desperately searching for his dog when she went missing last October, he received the devastating news two weeks later when Pübbi was found deceased. Mann's grief was palpable as he shared his heartbreak on social media, saying, "Forgive me for not being able to protect you. I hope I could at least give you the best time of your life during our short time together. I will never forget the kindness of those who supported me during this time."

Mann was planning to go on tour later this year with his new show titled "Die ungeschälte Wahrheit," starting February 7, with performances scheduled for major cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Leipzig, and Dresden. His career had blossomed with over 200 voice acting roles, including dubbing for actors like Ross Lynch and Dylan Sprayberry.

The announcement of his death has sent shockwaves through the public and the comedy community, raising awareness about mental health issues. Suicides are difficult topics to navigate, and the media often struggles with how to approach them responsibly. Although coverage of suicide is ordinarily avoided, the circumstances surrounding Mann's very public life led to the decision to share his story.

Alongside the celebration of his life and legacy, many are left contemplating the tragic burden carried by public figures and the unspoken pressures they face. The personal struggles, like those Mann experienced, can often remain hidden behind the bright lights of their careers.

Mann's family urged the public to allow them the space they need to navigate this heartbreaking loss. At this time, the focus is on remembering his contributions to comedy and celebrating his life, alongside the sorrow for his passing.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please seek help. The German telephone support service offers anonymous and free assistance 24 hours a day. You can reach out by calling 0800/111 0 111 or 0800/111 0 222. Help is available; no one needs to face their struggles alone.

MANN, Marcel

Born: 1/13/1987, Schorndorf, Baen-Wurtenberg, Germany

Died: 1/21/2025, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

 

Marcel Mann’s western – voice actor:

Morris & the Cow – 1916 [voice of Ill Mill]

RIP Giorgio Favretto

 

Il Mondo dei Doppiatori

January 24, 2025

 

Italian actor, voice actor, dubbing director and Italian dialogue writer Giorgio Favretto, who was active in theater, cinema and television since the mid-sixties died in Anguillara Sabazia, Rome, Lazio, Italy on January 23. He was 83. Born in Rijeka, Primorsko-Goranska County, Croatia on December 5, 1941, he graduated in 1964 from the National Academy of Dramatic Art "Silvio D'Amico" in Rome. On television, he played the role of Maximilien in the 1966 television drama ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. The bulk of his career was in voice acting and dubbing as a director, dialogue writer and voice dubber. Giorgio dubbed several actors including among others, Lee Majors, Mitchell Ryan, Luis Guzmán, Raoul Hernandez and David Clennon. He was the Italian voice of Raimond Harmstorf in 1987’s Euro-western “Thunder Warrior II” and the sequel “Thunder Warrior II” where he dubbed Horst Schön.

FAVRETTO, Giorgio

Born: 12/5/1941, Rijeka, Primorsko-Goranska County, Croatia

Died: 1/23/2025, Anguillara Sabazia, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Giorgio Favretto’s westerns – voice adubber:

Rin Tin Tin (TV) – Italian voice of James Brown on the Italian video release]

Thunder Warrior II – 1987 [Italian voice of Riamond Harmstorf]

Thunder Warrior III – 1988 [Italian voice of Horst Schön]

RIP Barry Goldberg

 

Musician who appeared at one of rock’s most famous concerts dies at 83

Barry Goldberg died on Jan. 22 

Mercury News

By Jim Harrington

January 23, 2025

 

Acclaimed blues-rock musician Barry Goldberg, who was part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band when it backed Bob Dylan during his legendary electric outing at the otherwise-acoustic Newport Folk Festival in 1965, died on Jan. 22.

He was 83.

Goldberg, who also performed/recorded with Steve Miller, Muddy Waters, Leonard Cohen, Stephen Stills and many other famed musicians, “died in hospice care after a 10-year struggle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” according publicist Bob Merlis. “Gail Goldberg, his wife of 53 years, and son Aram were at this bedside.”

The tremendous blues-rock keyboardist, who was also a bandleader, songwriter and producer, was born on Christmas Day of 1942 and grew up in Chicago, where he’d nurture his love of music and quickly rise through the ranks of Windy City keyboardists. As the story goes, Goldberg was still a teenager when he shared the stage with such Chicago blues legends as Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and Howlin’ Wolf.

Goldberg was also still a high schooler when he’d meet and befriend ace guitarist Mike Bloomfield and the two aspiring artists soon made names for themselves on the Chicago blues scene. They’d eventually join the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, which would help shock the folk music world — and a goodly part of the rest of the globe — when they backed Bob Dylan when he went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

hat electric moment, which is now widely considered to be one of the most famous/infamous performances in popular music history, is prominently featured in the Oscar-nominated Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.”

Goldberg would go on to co-produce albums/songs for Percy Sledge, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, the Textones and even Dylan himself. An accomplished songwriter, Goldberg wrote songs that were later recorded by Rod Stewart, Gladys Knight, Joe Cocker, Steve Miller, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Gram Parsons, B. J. Thomas and others.

Despite his many different roles in the music business over the decades, Goldberg remained, first and foremost, a Chicago bluesman. As such, he was the ideal choice to help lead the Chicago Blues Reunion, a group that also featured Sam Lay, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel, Corky Siegel, Tracy Nelson, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Vivino, Marcy Levy and other artists over the years.

In lieu of flowers, Goldberg’s family is asking that donation be made in the acclaimed musician’s name to The Bear League via savebears.org.

GOLDBERG, Barry (Barry Joseph Goldberg)

Born: 12/25/1942, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 1/22/2025, Clarksburg, Maryland, U.S.A.

 

Barry Goldberg’s western – composer:

Powwow Highway - 1998

RIP Jack De Mave

 

Eve’s Obits

1/22/2025

 

Actor Jack De Mave, 92, died on Jan. 17, according to David Davis (who runs the Mary Tyler Moore Facebook page—not to be confused with the MTM producer of the same name). The tall, Arrow Collar-handsome De Mave played Forest Ranger Bob Erickson in the 1968-70 reboot of Lassie, but is best known to Baby Boomers as Rhoda’s date, “Mr. and Mrs. Armond Lynton,” on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (he turned up in a later episode, sans his “lovely wife Nancy”). From 1962 through 2008, De Mave appeared in such TV series as Surfside 6, Wagon Train, F Troop, The Fugitive, The Doris Day Show, Adam-12, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Days of Our Lives. The Jersey City native was the son of a famed boxer (Jack, Sr.), and appeared onstage in Picnic, Mr. Roberts, with Lunt and Fontanne in The Visit, and with Lee Radziwill in The Philadelphia Story. Off-Broadway, he was seen in The Sound of Music, Applause, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, Richard the Second and Macbeth. De Mave’s own lovely wife, assistant director Camille De Mave, died in 2013.

De MAVE, Jack (John Francois DeMave)

Born: 12/6/1935, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Died: 1/17/2025, Macon, Georgia, U.S.A.

RIP Nicholas Eadie

 

Aussie TV and theatre legend Nicholas Eadie dead at 67

Nicholas Eadie – who appeared in multiple major Aussie shows and once starred alongside Nicole Kidman – has passed away.

News.com.au

By Bronte Coy

January 23, 2025

 

Veteran Australian actor Nicholas Eadie has died at the age of 67.

Eadie, who was known for his work on multiple shows, including Cop Shop and Underbelly, died in Sydney on Wednesday, his friend and fellow actor Will Conyers confirmed in a social media post.

“Vale, Nicholas Eadie, 1958 – 2025,” he wrote.

“I send my deepest sympathy to all those that were touched by this very special artist and human being.”

No cause of death has yet been given. His body was found at his home, according to the Daily Mail.

Eadie graduated from the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in Sydney in 1980, and his final acting role was in the 2011 TV movie, Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away.

Many of Eadie’s industry colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute to him following the news of his passing.

Actor Rhys Muldoon, who worked with Eadie a “number of times” wrote that he was “shocked” at the news, describing him as “a great actor” and “one of life’s best scallywags”.

Toby Schmitz, who appeared in Underbelly alongside Eadie, also paid tribute to him on X.

“Bon voyage Nicholas Eadie. An actor thrumming with savvy truth, dangerous wit; a thrilling artist,” he posted.

Theatre manager Les Solomon spoke of his devastation at the loss of the “magnificent” Eadie, describing him as “one of Australia’s finest actors”.

“One of my most enduring memories is of his thrilling, heart-breaking performances. Vale Nicholas,” theatre director Robert Jarman wrote.

Eadie’s career began shortly after his graduation from acting school. He landed the role of Constable Sam Phillips on Channel Seven’s Cop Shop, and stayed on the series for two years.

Across the following decades, he appeared in many well-known Australian film and television productions, including A Country Practice, Return to Snowy River and Halifax FP.

Eadie was also a successful theatre actor, starring in A Midsummer Nights Dream and The Taming of the Shrew, among many others.

EADIE, Nicholas

Born: 1958, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Died: 1/22/2025, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

 

Nicholas Eadie’s westerns – actor:

Return to Snowy River – 1988 (Alistair Patton)

Frontier (TV)- 1997

RIP Leila Hayes

 

AUSTRALIAN SCREEN LEGEND LEILA HAYES PASSES AT 85

National World

By Tom Morton

1/20/2025

 

Leila Marion Hayes, one of Australia's most beloved television personalities and Penguin Award-winning actress, has passed away at the age of 85. Known for her iconic portrayal of Beryl Palmer in "Sons and Daughters," Hayes leaves behind a rich legacy spanning television, radio, theatre, and education.

Following an extended period of health challenges, Hayes passed peacefully at Northern Beaches Hospital. In her final days, she celebrated her birthday surrounded by family and was lovingly attended by her only daughter Melissa throughout her last week.

Rising to prominence in Australian entertainment, Hayes first captured audiences as a talented singer on The Don Lane Show and the Bert Newton Show, becoming a regular presence in national telethons, particularly Melbourne's Channel 7 Good Friday Appeal.

Her versatile career expanded into dramatic acting, where she achieved critical acclaim for her performances in numerous landmark Australian productions including "Power without Glory," "The Sullivans," "Cop Shop," "Twenty Good Years," and "Prisoner."

Hayes' most renowned role though was her portrayal of Melbourne mother Beryl Palmer in "Sons and Daughters," which earned her the prestigious Penguin Award and garnered international recognition. This success led to a memorable tour of Belgium in 1988, where she performed before hundreds of thousands of fans and shared the stage with her daughter in a touching duet of “The Rose”.

Following her television success, Hayes reinvented herself as a radio personality, hosting "New Day Australia with Leila Hayes" on Radio 2UE, which became the highest-rating midnight to dawn program. Her insightful features were frequently rebroadcast throughout 2UE's daily programming.

Hayes dedicated her later years to nurturing new talent through the Leila Hayes Drama Studio, first in Melbourne and later in Sydney, where she mentored thousands of aspiring performers. Her commitment to community service included running voluntary drama programs for both youth and senior citizens through the Ryde Council, earning her Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellow award and a Premier Award for Service to the Community.

Born in Dimboola, Victoria, Hayes maintained a special connection to her hometown throughout her career, notably starring in the inaugural theatrical production of Jack Hibbard's "Dimboola" alongside fellow personalities Denise Drysdale and Maurie Fields. Years later, in a moment that merged art with life, Hayes performed in a Sydney recreation of the same production alongside her daughter and Tom Richards.

In her final years, Hayes found joy away from the public eye, spending time with her grandsons, Lucian and Liam, and pursuing her creative passion through writing, publishing a children's book titled "Streak," inspired by her walks at Balmoral Beach near her Sydney home and proudly dedicated to her grandsons.

Hayes is survived by her daughter Melissa, son-in-law Erik, and grandsons Lucian and Liam.

HAYES, Leila

Born: 2/12/1942, Dimboola, Victoria, Australia

Died: 1/20/2025, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, Australia

 

Leila Hayes’ western – actress:

Cash and Company – 1975 (Lola)

RIP Klaus Schichan

 

Karl May Festival: Mourning for actor and stuntman Klaus Schichan

Lübecker Nachrichten

By Norbert Rochna

1/17/2025

 

His profession included daring stunts in movies, TV series and at the Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg. Klaus Schichan has died at the age of 84. The stuntman lived right behind the open-air stage on Kalkberg and was part of the ensemble for decades.

Bad Segeberg. As a stuntman, Klaus Schichan has probably died thousands of deaths in films, on TV and on stage. Now his life has really come to an end. According to information from our editorial team, Schichan died in November at the age of 84 in Bad Segeberg, where he had lived for more than 40 years.

For years he had a short commute from his house in Oberbergstrasse on Kalkberg. He was part of the Karl May Plays ensemble 17 times between 1968 and 1996.

Schichan was the originator of the spectacular villain's death

There, in 1968, the Berlin native was responsible for the villain's first - at the time spectacular - stage death. In the play "In the Gorges of the Balkans" he fell from a suspension bridge during a fight with Kara Ben Nemsi.

Director Wulf Leisner had initially planned to have the villain's death be hidden. But not Klaus Schichan: "If there's a bridge there, I can jump off it too!" he later said in an interview. That was typical of Schichan. When he did something, he did it properly and with full commitment.

During the successful era of director Klaus-Hagen Latwesen in the 1980s, Schichan was part of the regular crew. Schichan played a key role in making the plays during this time and afterwards significantly more action-packed and entertaining.

Schichan was known for his clear words - even off the stage, which reflected his Berlin origins. His direct manner did not always make him friends. He took a break during the four Pierre Brice years at Kalkberg and did not rejoin the team until 1992.

The stuntman taught himself the craft

Klaus Schichan never saw himself as an actor, "performer" is the word he used for himself. He had not learned his stunt craft either but taught himself the finer points of the profession.

What can be done today with computers and lots of technology had to happen "in real life" back then. A car accident was authentic, hospital stays and injuries were occupational hazards. The 1960s TV classics "Stahlnetz", "Cliff Dexter" and "Die Gentleman bitten zur Kasse" are part of his filmography, as are episodes of "Tatort". The stuntman also worked for Hark Bohm and the US director Richard Brooks.

SCHICHAN, Klaus 

Born: 6/27/1940, Berlin, Berlin Germany

Died: 11/?/12024, Segeberger, Schleswig-Holstein Germany

Klaus Schichan's westerns - actor, stuntman:

Der Ölprinz (TV) – 1970 (Baumgarten)

Old Surehand (TV) -1975 (White Feather)

Winnetou I (TV) – 1976 (Bao)

Winnetou II (TV) – 1976 (Bao)

Der schwarze Mustang (TV) – 1977 (Ade, White Feather)

Old Firehand (TV) - 1979 (White Feather)

The Treasure of Silver Lake (TV) – 1981 (Captain Howens/Donner)

RIP Robert Verrall

 

Canadian animator and National Film Board pioneer Robert Verrall dies at 97

The Canadian Press

By Alex Nino Gheciu

January 17, 2025

 

Canadian animator and director Robert Verrall has died at the age of 97.

The National Film Board of Canada says the Oscar-nominated filmmaker died Friday in Montreal.

The Toronto-born Verrall was considered a pioneer at the NFB, having worked at the agency for more than 40 years after being hired by acclaimed Canadian animator Norman McLaren in 1945.

Verrall held several high-ranking positions at the NFB, from director of English production to executive producer of special projects, and helped establish Studio D, the agency's renowned women's filmmaking unit.

His legacy includes multiple Oscar nominations and more than 50 films in which he served as either director or producer, including Ryan Larkin's Oscar-nominated 1968 short "Walking," Barrie Nelson's 1974 comedy "Propaganda Message" and his own 1968 science-based film "Cosmic Zoom."

Verrall's son David followed in his footsteps, establishing himself as a producer in the animation industry and joining the NFB in the '70s.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2024.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version misstated the day of death. Verrall died Friday.

VERRALL, Robert

Born: 1/13/1928, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Died: 1/17/2025, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

 

Robert Verrall’s western – producer, animator:

The Great Toy Robbery - 1963

RIP Christian Juttner

 

Christian Juttner Dies: The Former Child Star Was 60 

Forbes

By Marc Berman

January 16, 2025

 

Christian Juttner, who at age seven debuted on television in an episode of the detective drama Ironside in 1971, died November 29 of natural causes at his home in Yucca Valley, California. He was 60.

Born May 20, 1964, in Pomona, California, Juttner’s resume included guest spots in a roster of TV series including Bewitched, Emergecy!, The Rookies, S.W.A.T., Medical Center, The Bionic Woman and Wonder Woman, and a pair of ABC Afterschool Specials.

At age 14, Juttner appeared in the films Return From Witch Mountain, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and the Irwin Allen-directed disaster film The Swarm. Next were guest roles in episodes of Lou Grant, Trapper John, M.D. and Alice. And his final on-screen role was in the daytime drama General Hospital in 1981.

After retiring from acting, Juttner lived in the island of Saint Croix, where he worked in his father's glassworks business, and later moved to Yucca Valley, where he worked in construction and opened a glassworks business of his own.

Survivors include his mother; his ex-wife, Ann; daughters Aidan and Ryan; son Lucas; and his sister Shelley.

JUTTNER, Christian (Christian John Juttner)

Born: 5/20/1964, Pomona, California, U.S.A.

Died: 11/29/2024, Van Nuys, California, U.S.A.

 

Christian Juttner’s westerns – actor:

Return of the Big Cat – 1974 (Leroy McClaren)

RIP David Lynch

 

David Lynch Dies: ‘Twin Peaks’, ‘Blue Velvet’, ‘Elephant Man’ & ‘Eraserhead’ Visionary Was 78

DEADLINE

By Erik Pedersen, Anthony D'Alessandro

January 16, 2025

 

One of Hollywood’s worst weeks in just got worse. David Lynch, the four-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, Wild at Heart, The Elephant Man and others who also created the Showtime drama Twin Peaks, has died. He was 78.

His family posted the news on social media.

Lynch had been diagnosed with emphysema. Sources told Deadline that he was forced to relocate from his house due to the Sunset Fire and then took a turn for the worse. In an interview with Sight & Sound magazine last year, Lynch revealed that due to Covid fears and his emphysema diagnosis, he could no longer could leave the house, which meant if he directed again, it would be remote. He then followed up the interview with a post on social that he “will never retire” despite his physical challenges.

“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the family’s post reads. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

An eccentric, visionary outsider, he earned Oscar noms for writing and directing 1980’s The Elephant Man and for directing Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet. In 2000, he received an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. He also took the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Wild at Heart in 1990 and was nominated for the prize three other times. He won Best Director at the fest for Mulholland Drive in 2001.

Born on January 20, 1946, in Missoula, Montana, Lynch began his career making short films in the late 1960s. His first feature film was the influential and ever-quirky Eraserhead (1977), which he wrote and directed and went on to be a midnight-movie cult classic. That led to his breakout success with The Elephant Man, starring John Hurt as the friendly and smart but disfigured title character in Victorian England and Anthony Hopkins as the doctor who tries to treat him. When chased down by a gang of street toughs, Hurt’s John Merrick memorably cries: “I’m not an animal! I’m a human being — a man!”

Lynch’s career took off during the 1980s. He followed up the success of Elephant Man with Dune, the 1984 take of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel that failed to light up the box office, and the 1986 noir psychological thriller Blue Velvet, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern.

Perhaps his masterstroke arrived in 1989.

He created, directed co-wrote Twin Peaks, a bizarre sort of detective series/soap opera/sci-fi mystery-adventure and occasional outright Twilight Zone-like horror. Set in the fiction Pacific Northwest town that gives the series its title, Twin Peaks began with one of the most disturbing and oddly mesmerizing opening scenes in TV history: the beachside discovery of the plastic-wrapped corpse. The town’s popular young high schooler Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) had been murdered, her bluish corpse still oddly beautiful.

The discovery would bring the quirky FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), a brilliant oddball sleuth given to praising coffee, pie and, eventually, the off-putting town he adopted as his own. Along the way, Cooper uncovered many mysteries in Twin Peaks, a good number of them involving the supernatural. Along the way, “Who killed Laura Palmer?” became a national obsession.

The series lasted for two seasons and ended when Cooper finally discovered Laura’s otherworldly killer. A 2017 revival series called Twin Peaks: The Return reunited many of the original cast and characters, and under Lynch’s care became even more bizarre than the original series: The Return‘s final scene remains a standout among TV’s all-time most chilling moments. The so-called third season received widespread critical acclaim.

Lynch’s feature writing and/or directing credits also includes Lost Highway (1997), The Straight Story (1999) and Inland Empire (2006).

LYNCH, David (David Keith Lynch)

Born: 1/20/1946, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.

Died: 1/16/2025, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

David Lynch’s westerns – art department, actor:

In Pursuit of Treasure – 1972 [art department]

Lucky – 2017 (Howard)

RIP Leslie Charleson

 

Leslie Charleson, Longest-Tenured General Hospital Cast Member, Dies at 79 

The actress played Monica Quartermaine on the series from 1977 until her death

People

By Victoria Edel

January 12, 2025

 

Leslie Charleson has died at the age of 79.

The actress was best known as Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera General Hospital, a role she began playing in 1977, making her the cast member who was on the show the longest. She was a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee.

General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini announced Charleson's death on the show's official Instagram page on Sunday, Jan. 12. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," he began.

"Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew," he continued. "I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set."

Valentini concluded his message: "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time."

Charleson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1945. Her sister Kate, who died in 1996, also became an actress. Charleson acted as a child and in high school, and studied theater at Bennett College in upstate New York.

In 1964, she was cast on the NBC soap A Flame in the Wind. Then she joined ​​As the World Turns in 1966, before moving to CBS’s Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. She stayed with that series until 1970.

After leaving the show, she made guest appearances on series like Marcus Welby, M.D., Happy Days (as a love interest for Ron Howard's Richie Cunningham), The Streets of San Francisco, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, McMillan & Wife and The Rockford Files. She also starred in the 1971 made-for-TV horror film Revenge!.

In 1977, she was brought onto General Hospital as the series’ ratings were floundering, replacing Patsy Rahn, who had debuted as Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine) a year earlier. Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her.

“I only signed on for two years, and I don’t know what happened,” she told Digital Journal in 2019. “Back then, there weren’t a lot of good female roles that had that. It was an amazing time, and it was strong material to act.”

“She’s interesting, dedicated in all areas,” Charleson told Soap Opera Digest in 1981. “Her dedication in her social life can be a bit over the top, but it’s true. When she loves, it’s passionately. She puts her effort into it, sometimes at the expense of others.”

And at the time, the actress was happy with her character's growth. “I’m delighted with the progress she’s made, her sense of humor," she said. "As an actress I enjoy Monica because she can wear any hat, go any place, do any thing.” Of her character’s reputation, she added, “When you’re all good, you’re boring. And nobody is just ‘good,’ unless she’s a saint.”

Monica’s most impactful relationship on the show was with fellow doctor Alan Quartermaine, played by the late Stuart Damon. The Quartermaine family joined the show the same year Charleson did, ultimately giving Monica deep ties to the show.

But Monica's relationship with Alan was often volatile. In the '80s, she often slapped Alan in the face. “We’d do real slaps,” Charleson told PEOPLE in 2023 for the show’s 60th anniversary. “Stuart was always afraid I’d take his eye out. I would fake a slap in dress rehearsal, but when we went to tape it, all that went out the window!”

Monica was often in the middle of love triangles and even accidentally had an affair with her nephew. But not all of Monica’s storylines emphasized over-the-top drama. In 1994, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Monica’s battle with breast cancer was just so incredibly fulfilling,” Charleson told FBJ Fit in 2020. “Dealing with a real-life issue that afflicts so many women and their families and being able to show the struggle and issues they face, was something I am so proud of. It was exhausting and incredibly difficult work, but the response to the storyline was truly humbling.”

Charleson began to appear on General Hospital on a recurring status beginning in 2010 and made less frequent appearances in the last years of her life.

Once she joined the GH cast, Charleson rarely made TV appearances outside it. But she starred in the 1993 TV movie Woman on the Ledge and made guest appearances on Diagnosis: Murder and Dharma & Greg. She played herself in a 2004 episode of Friends, where she faced Joey (who was also a soap star) on a game show.

Charleson was married once, to Bill Demms, from 1988 to 1991.

Looking back at her GH tenure, she told Soap Opera Digest in 2001, “I really do love this job. Look at it this way — what better job can you do than get up in the morning, roll out of bed, throw something on and then have someone take care of how you look and how you dress and what you say? How much more grateful could you possibly be? Not bad, not bad at all."

CHARLESON, Leslie (Leslie Ann Charleson)

Born: 2/22/1945, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.

Died: 1/12/2025, Los Angele, California, U.S.A.

 

Leslie Charleson’s westerns – actress:

The Wild Wild West (TV) – 1968 (Dooley Sloan)

Kung Fu (TV) – 1975 (Amy Starbuck)

RIP Phyllis Dalton

 

Phyllis Dalton, Oscar-Winning Costume Designer for ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ Dies at 99

Dalton designed Peter O’Toole’s famous white robes as T.E. Lawrence and Cary Elwes’ swashbuckling pirate outfit in “The Princess Bride”

 

THE WRAP

By Adam Chitwood

January 12, 2025

 

Phyllis Dalton, the two-time Oscar-winning costume designer behind classics like “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Doctor Zhivago” and “The Princess Bride,” has died at the age of 99, according to The Telegraph.

Dalton’s two Oscar wins came nearly a quarter century apart, first for her work on David Lean’s 1965 historical epic “Doctor Zhivago,” and then again for Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” in which the actor-director famously performs the Bard’s iconic St. Crispin’s Day speech.

Ironically, “Henry V” also served as the start of Dalton’s career. A native of Chiswick and a graduate of Ealing Art College, the British designer got her start in film as a wardrobe assistant on Lawrence Olivier’s adaptation of “Henry V” back in 1944. After nearly a decade of learning the trade, Dalton got her first costume designer credit on “Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue” starring Richard Todd and Glynis Johns in 1953. Her early work also included designing an 18th century naval outfit for Robert Stack in one of his most famous lead roles in “John Paul Jones.”

Perhaps Dalton’s greatest contribution to cinematic history is her work on Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia,” in which she designed Peter O’Toole’s iconic white robes as T.E. Lawrence. Dalton drew her inspiration for the outfit, as well as for those worn by Alec Guinness and the rest of the film’s cast, from Eric Kennington’s pastel illustrations for Lawrence’s autobiography “Seven Pillars of Wisdom,” as well as from historical photographs at the Imperial War Museum in London.

After working on “Arabia” and “Zhivago” with Lean, Dalton earned another nomination for her work on Carol Reed’s Best Picture-winning “Oliver!,” which was easier to design for with the descriptive language of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” but came with a demanding schedule in which hundreds of performers needed to be costumed at the same time on shoot days.

“Although we made it all at Shepperton [Studios], it was like doing two films in one,” Dalton said in a 2000 interview with the British Entertainment History Project. “We had all the sort of dramatic stuff on the stages and then anything that the dancers were doing was on probably the outdoor set, or something else. So there was an awful lot of, wardrobe here, stage there, the outdoor stage there, walking up and down all day.”

Dalton then crafted the fantasy costumes for Rob Reiner’s beloved 1987 film “The Princess Bride,” including the iconic threads worn by Cary Elwes’ swashbuckling pirate and Princess Buttercup’s unforgettable fire swamp dress.

Dalton retired in 1993.

DALTON, Phyllis (Phyllis Margaret Dalton)

Born: 10/11/2025, London, England, U.K.

Died: 1/9/2025

 

Phyllis Dalton’s western – costume designer:

Eagle’s Wing -1979

RIP Don Chaput

 

Legacy Remembers

January 6, 2025

 

Donald Chaput, a long-time resident of Altadena, California passed away on December 11, 2024 at the age of 90. He was a noted mining historian whose research incorporated various histories of Great Lakes region, the Philippines, and the American Southwest. He was prolific author of over 15 books and dozens of contributions to periodicals and journals, such as the Smithsonian Handbook of North American Indians.

Born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Don was one of 10 siblings and had a large variety of jobs during snowy winters as he was growing up. He joined the Marines for two years and was stationed in Korea, coordinating prisoner transfers in the latter part of the war. In 1958 he achieved a Master's Degree in Social Sciences from Michigan State University, where he met the love of his life, Toni. They were married in 1960 and started their family with two sons, Ben and Ed.

During the 1960's Don taught Junior High Social Studies, English and Geography, and was employed in 1966 by the Michigan Historical Commission, where he became Research Director and Chief Editor. During this period, he focused on his young family, his career, and his many relatives in the Michigan region. In 1969 he wrote his first book on his home town, Hubbell – A Copper Country Village, followed by his second book The Cliff Mine, in 1971, which was a few miles from Hubbell. These books started a lifelong passion in mining research which was featured in great detail in his subsequent books.

In 1972 He was offered a job as Senior History Curator at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles where he was in charge of the military history vault and continued his research on mining and the history of the southwest. Don moved his family to Altadena, California, under the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains, which provided the backdrop for the remainder of his life. While in Altadena he and his wife Toni developed many new friendships, spent much of their time playing bridge and music, and took up bowling and other hobbies while raising their two sons. By the 1980's Don and Toni were able to travel together on mining research trips. Don kept up with his writing and was frequently involved with Museum events and gave numerous speeches and presentations on many topics throughout the decade. At this point in his career he had developed a large group of research collaborators and was contributing many articles to publications.

In the early 1990's Don had retired and still continued his travels with Toni, expanding to many different countries. During this period, his writing began to focus on characters surrounding the Earp Brothers, and he wrote books on Virgil Earp, Nellie Cashman, "Buckskin Frank" Leslie and Dr. Goodfellow. Many large family gatherings were held at Don's home in Altadena, and he & Toni added birding as one of their favorite hobbies. In the 2000's the family gatherings grew larger with grandchildren and friends and Don continued working on his research and writing and gave periodic presentations on topics of interest from his research. As Curator Emeritus with the Museum of Natural History he continued to work with the institution for 15 years after his retirement.

In 2018 Don & Toni moved to an Assisted Living Facility, within view of the San Gabriel Mountains and Don was able to help care for Toni as her health declined. At this juncture, Don had assumed he was done with his writing, but got a second wind with a new collaboration effort, and released two final books - The Earp's Invade Southern California, and Tombstone, Arizona Mystique - in the final years of his life. These books were very well received and he left us on a high note with his writing legacy. Don spent much time in his waning years updating the next generation of his family with genealogy information and archival photos that he assembled in pamphlets.

He leaves behind his son Ben and his wife Rebecca of Torrance and son Edward and his wife Theresa of Duarte, grandchildren Bryce, Aurora, Nikko & Paolo and five great grandchildren. He was cremated at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, and a ceremony with family members was held in the cemetery rose garden.

CHAPUT, Don (Donald Charles Chaput)

Born: 12/19//1933, Hubbell, Michigan, U.S.A.

Died: 12/11/2024, Altadena, California, U.S.A.

 

Don Chaput’s westerns – books

 

French Canadian contribution to winning the American West: biographical notes - 1985

Virgil Earp: Western Peace Officer - 1994

The Earp Papers: In a Brother’s Image – 1994

Nellie Cashman and the North American Mining Frontier - 1995

Dr. Goodfellow: Physician to the Gunfighters, Scholar, & Bonvivant – 1996

Buckskin Frank Leslie Vol. 1 & Vol. 2- 1999

The Odyssey of Burt Alvord: Lawman, Train Robber, Fugitive - 2000

Cochise County Stalwarts: A Who’s Who of the Territorial Years (co) - 2000

Nellie Cashman and the North American Mining Frontier - 2010

The Earps Invade Southern California: Bootlegging Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the Old Soldiers' Home (co) – 2020

Tombstone, Arizona Mystique (co) - 2023

RIP Sue Steele

 

Commercial Producers Association of South Africa

December 30, 2024

 

The CPA is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely and tragic death of Sue Steele on 26 December 2024.

Sue was an integral part of the commercial production industry in which she was an innovator and trendsetter over a period of more than 40 years. Sue was one of South Africa’s most talented and recognised costume designers, art directors and production designers and worked alongside many of our great directors and production companies to produce outstanding work in both commercials and long form.

In addition, Sue was a mentor to many in the art department’s younger generations and embraced this role with enthusiasm and generosity.  She was the quintessential strong, independent and professional woman who was able to accomplish whatever she set her mind to.

Sue was a cherished mentor and friend to many and she leaves behind an enduring legacy.  We send our sincere condolences to Sue’s sons Callum and Ross - of whom she was immensely proud - and to her family, many devoted friends and colleagues.

Our industry is poorer for this huge loss.  May her dear soul rest in peace

STEELE, Sue

Born: 19??, South Africa

Died: 12/26/2024, Balgowani, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

 

Sue Steele’s western – costume designer:

Guns of Honor (TV) – 1994 [costume designer]

RIP Roger Pratt

 

‘Brazil’, ‘Batman’ cinematographer Roger Pratt dies aged 77

Screen Daily

By John Hazelton

January 6. 2025

 

Oscar-nominated British cinematographer Roger Pratt has died, aged 77.

The British Society of Cinematographers, of which Pratt had been a member since 1986, confirmed the death and said Pratt had been suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in Leicester in 1947, Pratt attended the London Film School in the late sixties and got his first credit as camera assistant on director Mike Leigh’s 1971 film Bleak Moments. He would later serve as cinematographer on Leigh’s 1983 TV film Meantime and 1988 feature High Hopes.

Working as clapper loader on Monty Python And The Holy Grail in 1975 began Pratt’s relationship with Terry Gilliam, for whom he would go on to shoot Brazil, The Fisher King and 12 Monkeys.

Pratt also served as director of photography on four films for Sir Richard Attenborough – Shadowlands, In Love And War, Grey Owl and Closing The Ring – and two – Mona Lisa and The End Of The Affair – for Neil Jordan.

His other credits include Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman, Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid and Snow White And The Huntsman.

In 2000, Pratt was nominated for the cinematography Oscar for his work on The End Of The Affair. He also got a Bafta nomination for the film and a second nomination a year later for Chocolat.

PRATT, Roger (Roger James Edward Pratt)

Born: 2/27/1947, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, U.K.

Died: 12/?/2024