RIP John Wheeler

 

John Wheeler, Actor, Singer Known for ‘Star Trek’ and an Iconic McDonald’s Commercial, Dies at 95

He also appeared in five Broadway musicals, recurred on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ and played William Frawley in a TV movie.

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

February 24, 2026

 

John Wheeler, the well-known character actor who appeared in five Broadway musicals, guest-starred as Tellarites politician Ambassador Gav on Star Trek and performed in an unforgettable McDonald’s commercial, has died. He was 95.

Wheeler died Feb. 6 at his home in Claremont, California, his daughter, Johanna Wheeler, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Wheeler also recurred on CBS’ The Dukes of Hazzard in 1982 as Mr. Rhuebottom, owner of a general store in Hazzard County, and he played William Frawley alongside Frances Fisher as Lucille Ball, Maurice Benard as Desi Arnaz and Robin Pearson Rose as Vivian Vance on the 1991 CBS telefilm Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter.

Unrecognizable under heavy latex makeup, Wheeler made his onscreen debut when he portrayed Gav and tussled with Mark Lenard’s Sarek, a Vulcan, on the second-season Star Trek installment “Journey to Babel,” which premiered in November 1967 and ranks 42nd on THR’s list of the show’s best episodes.

In the show-stopping 1971 choreographed musical commercial “Grab a Bucket and Mop,” Wheeler appears in a white shirt and tie as a McDonald’s manager, and he shows off his strong tenor voice alongside John Amos, Robert Ridgely and others.

Johnnie Lee Wheeler Jr. was born on June 20, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas. His father worked for the railroad, and his mother, Ann, was a homemaker. He attended TCU and the University of the Pacific, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Music, and served for a couple years in the U.S. Army.

Wheeler sang with the New York City Opera in New York, and that got him to the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, where he performed in the Comden-Green musical Wonderful Town. He later was a member of two folk groups led by conductor Robert DeCormier: the Grammy-winning Belafonte Singers, who backed up Harry Belafonte and sang on their own albums, and the DeCormier Singers.

He first made it to Broadway in 1961 in the musical comedy The Happiest Girl in the World, starring Janice Rule and based on tales of Greek mythology, and he followed with turns in four other musicals: 1962’s Kean, 1964’s Café Crown and I Had a Ball and 1966’s Sweet Charity, playing Herman, the dance hall proprietor.

He landed an uncredited part in Elvis Presley’s Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) and portrayed a dancer in Bob Fosse’s 1969 movie adaptation of Sweet Charity that starred Shirley MacLaine (Stubby Kaye played Herman in the movie).

Wheeler’s big-screen résumé included Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969), Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971), Mame (1974), Newman’s Law (1974), Big Bad Mama (1974), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), The North Avenue Irregulars (1979), The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979) and Apollo 13 (1995).

He also showed up on four episodes of The Odd Couple and Green Acres and three of The Brady Bunch, with other appearances coming on Then Came Bronson, Mannix, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Here’s Lucy, Happy Days, The Waltons, The Rockford Files, Rhoda, Dallas, Night Court, The Golden Girls and ER, among other shows.

And he was a great Santa Claus, playing him on a 1997 episode of Step by Step and in telefilms that aired in 1996, 2004 and 2005.

In addition to his daughter, survivors include his sons, Christopher and Timothy, and his grandson, Brandon. He was married to Helen Wheeler from 1959 until her death in 2013.

WHEELER, John (Johnnie Lee Wheeler Jr.)

Born: 6/20/1930, Corsicana, Texas, U.S.A.

Died: 2/6/2026, Claremont, California, U.S.A.

 

John Wheeler’s westerns – actor:

Bonanza (TV) – 1968 (bartender, Hill)

Death Valley Days (TV) - 1968 (John Burk)

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys – 1969 (Bumper)

The Silent Gun – 1969 (townsman)

Tell Them Willy Boy is Here – 1969 (Newman)

Support Your Local Gunfighter – 1971 (croupier)

Honky Tonk (TV) – 1974 (bank manager)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1975 (waiter)

Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (TV) – 1978 (telegrapher)

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again – 1979 (conductor)

The Wild Wild West Revisited (TV) – 1979 (Henry)

RIP James Burrows

 

James Burrows Dies: Legendary TV Comedy Director & ‘Cheers’ Co-Creator Was 85

DEADLINE

By Nellie Andreeva

June 19, 2026

 

Television has lost one its biggest comedy names — James Burrows, the most decorated multi-camera director in the history of the medium, passed away in his sleep this morning, June 19, after a brief illness. The 11-time Emmy winner was 85.

His 50+-year career will remain unmatched — both in longevity and influence as he played a crucial role in some of television’s biggest hits, including Cheers, which he also co-created, Taxi, Friends, Frasier, Will & Grace, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.

“Jimmy was the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium,” Burrows’ longtime agent Rick Rosen said. “He directed the most iconic, defining shows of generations. Always a gentleman, it was an absolute honor to represent him.”

Burrows ran a small theater in San Diego before switching to TV directing. He began his career with The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1974 and directed a slew of episodes of comedy shows such as The Bob Newhart Show and Laverne & Shirley early on.

He went on set the tone and help assemble the casts for some of the biggest sitcoms of the last five decades by directing the pilots for Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly, Two Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory and The Neighborhood.

Burrows directed 246 episodes of Will & Grace, 236 episode of Cheers, 75 episodes of Taxi, 49 episodes of Mike & Molly, 36 episodes of Frasier, 21 episode of Caroline In the City and 15 episodes of Friends. Burrows served as executive producer on Cheers, Will & Grace and Mike & Molly, among many others.

“Jimmy Burrows was the man behind the curtain,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement. “He knew how to make us laugh, what buttons to push and was the absolute master of getting the most out of every joke. His loss to the television comedy world is immeasurable. Every time you have a smile on your face watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Will & Grace, Friends and countless others, think of Jimmy and know he made all our lives funnier.”

The prolific director never slowed down. In 2015, Burrows marked his 1,000th episode as a director. He worked on both the Will & Grace and Frasier recent revivals and also executive produced and directed all 10 episodes of Will & Grace creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan’s 2025 Hulu comedy series Mid-Century Modern, which landed him his 28th Emmy directing nomination at age 84 last year and 47th overall.

Over his career, Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards, including five for directing and five for Outstanding Comedy Series (Cheers, Will & Grace). He also executive produced two Live in Front of a Studio Audience ABC specials, which recreated Norman Lear’s All in the Family and Good Times in 2019, and The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes in 2021, earning his final Emmy for the former in 2020. In 2006, Burrows was inducted into Television Academy’s Hall of Fame.

In what is believed to be his last public appearance, Burrows spoke at the November 2025 memorial of his agent of 50 years, Bob Broder. While he looked frail at the time, the director brought the house down with his signature wit and comedic timing.

In a poignant end to his career, Burrows most recently recurred on the third season of HBO’s Comeback this year, reuniting with Friends star Lisa Kudrow. Playing a fictional version of himself, Burrows directed the pilot for the first multi-camera sitcom written by AI before quitting the production with the message — AI can never deliver the emotion and tension needed to make great television.

BURROWS, James (James Edward Burrows)

Born: 10/30/1940, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 6/19/2026, Manhattan, New Yotk, U.S.A.

 

James Burrows’ western – director:

Best of the West (TV) - 1981

RIP Bobby Prince

 

Legacy

 

Robert Caskin "Bobby" Prince III, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, veteran, attorney, musician, composer, and friend, passed peacefully into Heaven's Musical Gates on June 16, 2026. Born March 12, 1945, in Madison, Indiana, Bobby was the eldest son of the late LTC Robert C. Prince, Jr. and Dorothy Humber Prince. As the son of an Army officer, his childhood included family moves to Birmingham, Alabama, before settling in Athens, Georgia, where he was raised and where the seeds of a remarkable life in music were first planted. Bobby graduated from Athens High School and attended the University of Georgia. During his youth and early adulthood, he performed with many talented musicians and bands throughout the Athens music community, including the area's original "Jesters," along with his gifted beloved brother, David Prince. Music remained a constant thread throughout his life and was shared with family, lifelong friends, and fellow musicians. Bobby served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. Following his military service, he pursued careers in counseling and law before ultimately becoming one of the pioneering composers and sound designers in the video game industry.

His innovative work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players around the world. Through his compositions and sound design for landmark titles including Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, and Duke Nukem 3D, Bobby helped establish video game music as a respected art form. In 2006, the Video Game Industry honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2026, the soundtrack to the original Doom was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, ensuring that his groundbreaking work would remain part of America's cultural heritage for generations to come.

In 2005, Bobby began a wonderful new chapter when he met and married his soulmate, Connie Freeman Prince. Together they made their home in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where they shared twenty-one years filled with enduring love, music, creativity, faith, laughter, and devotion. One of their most treasured memories began with Bobby's unforgettable marriage proposal at Dollywood. After arranging for a giant message to be displayed on the passing Dollywood Express Train, he surprised Connie by appearing with a song and a proposal on one knee—a moment that perfectly reflected his creativity, romance, and joyful spirit. As creative partners, Bobby and Connie wrote songs and stories, produced musical recordings and videos, performed together, and brought inspiration and joy to many through their shared gifts.

Those closest to Bobby knew him not only for his extraordinary accomplishments but for his kindness, humor, humility, generosity, creativity, and deep love of family. Whether composing music, telling stories, playing guitar, sharing laughter, or offering encouragement, he approached life with gratitude and an open heart.

Bobby is survived by his devoted wife, Connie Freeman Prince; his sons, Robert Caskin Prince IV and Andrew (Cristy) Prince; his cherished granddaughter, Anabel Prince; his sister, Patricia Clark; his sister-in-law, Woodie Prince; nieces Ellen Moore, Lori (Kelvim) Escobar, Molly (John) Seawright, and Tiffany Thomas; nephews Mark (Christine) Moore, Neil Moore, David (Elizabeth) Prince II and Gabriel Prince; great-nieces Kaylin Prince, Caroline Prince, and Julia Moore; great nephews Trenton (Cassie) Epps, Frankie Moore, and Nathaniel Moore; Jackson and Davis Prince, and many more beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, LTC Robert C. Prince, Jr. and Dorothy Humber Prince, and by his beloved brother, David Prince, and brother-in-law, Bob Clark. Bobby was also deeply loved and adored by Connie's family, who embraced him as their own, and by a large circle of extended family members and cherished friends whose lives were forever enriched by his friendship, music, humor, and love.

Connie and the family wish to express their deepest gratitude to the countless "Earth Angels" at Dollywood and Beyond, whose prayers, kindness, encouragement, and loving care surrounded Bobby throughout his illness. Special thanks are extended to the physicians, nurses, therapists, caregivers, and staff of the VA, UT Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Covenant Health, Enhabit Home Health, and Amedisys Hospice, whose compassion, skill, and devotion brought comfort, dignity, and support throughout his final journey.

While many throughout the world will remember Bobby for the music and soundscapes that helped define a generation of gaming, those who knew and loved him personally will remember something even greater: a man of talent, integrity, humility, faith, laughter, and love whose greatest joy was sharing his wit and wisdom with family and friends.

PRINCE, Bobby (Robert Caskin Prince III)

Born: 3/12/1945, Madison, Indiana, U.S.A.

Died: 6/16/2026, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, U.S.A.

 

Bobby Prince’s westerns – composer:

Zorro (video game) – 1995

RIP David Sheiner

 

David Sheiner Obituary

Los Angeles Times

June 14, 2026

 

Character Actor (and Character) David S. Sheiner, 98, took his final bow on June 5th, 2026. You can take The Boy out of The Bronx, but you can't take The Bronx out of The Boy. He was Athletic, Acerbic, Pugnacious, Fiercely Loyal.

Lee Strasberg trained, he left Broadway to come West in the '60s. He gave more than 90 performances in movies and television, from "James the Elder" in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" to "Roy" the poker playing accountant in "The Odd Couple" movie.

In between, he played potentates, spies, doctors, lawyers, lawmen, and even an Ape-the guy you knew from somewhere.

His most cherished role didn't need The Method-that of Family Man. From his heart he was a father, father-in-law, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. Most importantly, he was a doting and Pride-filled champion of his Granddaughter.

In his last days, his concerned kids asked him if he was comfortable. "I Make a Living," he replied.

Anyone who wishes may donate to the MPTF in his memory.

SHEINER, David (Saul David Sheiner)

Born: 1/13/2028, The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 6/5/2026, California, U.S.A.

 

David Sheiner’s westerns – actor:

A Man Called Shenandoah (TV) - 1965 (Marshal Murray)

The Big Valley (TV) – 1966-1967 (Captain Jonathan Rizely, Gabe Simmons, Phil Archer)

Iron Horse (TV) – 1966-1967 (Carson, Frontiersman, Preacher Brady)

Scalplock (TV) – 1966 (frontiersman)

‘Dundee and the Culhane (TV) – 1967 (Nick)

A Man Called Gannon (TV) – 1968 (Sheriff Polaski)

The Virginian (TV) - 1970 (Cully)

Bonanza (TV) - 1971 (Sam Fancher)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1971 (Preacher Jones)

How the West Was Won (TV) - 1979 (Wilson)

The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (TV) – 1987 (Luis)

RIP William Smithers

 

William Smithers, Actor in ‘Dallas’ and ‘Papillon,’ Dies at 98

The veteran character actor, who played the ruthless oilman Jeremy Wendell on the CBS primetime soap, gave nemesis J.R. Ewing all he could handle.

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

June 16, 2026

 

William Smithers, the veteran character actor who as the ruthless oilman Jeremy Wendell gave nemesis J.R. Ewing all he could handle on the CBS primetime soap Dallas, has died. He was 98.

Smithers’ death was reported by the Santa Barbara Independent. He lived in Santa Barbara.

Smithers, who specialized in playing heavies during his career, also guest-starred as Capt. R.M. Merik, a onetime Federation officer now presiding over Roman gladiators, on the original Star Trek episode “Bread and Circuses,” which premiered in March 1968.

A member of The Actors Studio, the Virginia native got his start on the stage, and he and Olivia de Havilland made their Broadway debuts together in a 1951 production of Romeo and Juliet.

On the big screen, Smithers portrayed a principled infantry officer in Robert Aldrich’s Attack (1956) in his first movie, then appeared as a police captain in Ivan Dixon’s Trouble Man (1972), as a spy in Michael Winner’s Scorpio (1973) and as the unbending Warden Barrot in Franklin J. Schaffner’s Papillon (1973).

“The rule here is total silence,” Barrot tells Steve McQueen’s imprisoned character in Papillon. “We make no pretense of rehabilitation here. We’re not priests, we’re processors. A meat-packer processes live animals into edible ones. We process dangerous men into harmless ones. This we accomplish by breaking you. Breaking you physically, spiritually and here [pointing to his head]. Strange things happen to the head here. Put all hope out of your mind and masturbate as little as possible. It drains the strength.”

Perhaps as a tribute, the warden played by André Gregory in the 1993 Sylvester Stallone-Wesley Snipes film Demolition Man is named William Smithers.

Smithers had portrayed Peyton Mill owner David Schuster from 1965-66 on TV’s first primetime soap, ABC’s Peyton Place, before he landed on Dallas in 1981 in its fourth season as the steely Wendell, chairman of WestStar Oil.

Wendell would make the cutthroat Ewing (Larry Hagman) look like a choirboy in comparison during his 50-episode stint through 1989.

Working with Hagman “was always a challenge because [their characters] were always competitors because of the scripts,” he said. “Larry was a strong actor. I feel like I had to be at the top of my game when I was working with him. It was very stimulating.”

In 1976, when Smithers was starring on the short-lived CBS drama Executive Suite, he sued MGM. In the highly publicized case, he claimed the studio had violated his contract, which said that, with three named exceptions, no other castmember could receive more money or better billing than he did.

He indicated an MGM exec threatened to blacklist him in Hollywood should he follow through on the suit, but the actor pressed on. A jury and then the California Supreme Court found in his favor — “we won it big,” he said — and Smithers vs. MGM is now taught in entertainment law courses.

Marion Wilkinson Smithers Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 10, 1927. His father was an electrician who moved the family in 1936 to Elizabeth, New Jersey. At Alexander Hamilton Junior High School, he appeared in a play with future House of Wax star Phyllis Kirk.

After 14 months in the U.S. Navy, Smithers attended Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and then Catholic University in Washington before moving to New York in 1950 to pursue an acting career. To pay the bills, he worked as an usher at the Alvin Theatre on Broadway, where Henry Fonda was starring in Mr. Roberts.

For his Broadway bow, Smithers dyed his hair red and received a Theater World award for his turn as Tybalt opposite de Havilland in Romeo and Juliet, then was accepted into The Actors Studio. (A few years earlier, the actress had defeated Warner Bros. in a landmark Hollywood suit regarding her seven-year contract.)

Smithers also appeared on Broadway in the 1950s in Legend of Lovers with Richard Burton, in End as a Man with Ben Gazzara, in The Square Root of Wonderful with Anne Baxter and in The Shadow of a Gunman with Bruce Dern and received an Obie Award in 1957 for playing Treplev in an off-Broadway production of Chekhov’s The Seagull.

In 1960, Smithers spent a summer with the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, and had what he called ” an intense — and illicit love affair” with actress Barbara Barrie. Three years later, he worked alongside Charles Boyer in London and on Broadway in Man and Boy.

He moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1965 when he was hired on Peyton Place.

Smithers said he was “paid very little” on Dallas and left the series in a dispute over money. “My agent was convinced that they would come to the figure that we asked for,” he said, “but they didn’t. So that ended the whole thing.”

He appeared on lots of TV shows, with guest spots on The Defenders, Combat!, It Takes a Thief, Mission: Impossible, The F.B.I., Mannix, The Mod Squad, Ironside, The Name of the Game, Barnaby Jones, Cannon, Sledge Hammer! and Walker, Texas Ranger, among many others.

SMITHERS, William (Marion Wilkinson Smithers Jr.)

Born: 7/10/1927, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Died:  5/26/2026, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.

 

William Smithers’s westerns – actor:

The Road West (TV) 1966 (Sam Gaskins)

Shane (TV) – 1966 (Del Packard)

Cade’s County (TV) - 1972 (William Courtney)

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) -1994 (Milo Crane)

RIP Christian Bujeau

 

Death at the age of 81 of Christian Bujeau, dentist of the Visitors and famous fencing master of Kaamelott

Allocine

By Thomas Imbert

June 15, 2026

 

French actor Christian Bujeau, known in the cinema for the role of the dentist in "The Visitors" and the fencing master in "Kaamelott", died on Monday, June 15 at the age of 81.

Famous among the general public for having played Valérie Lemercier's hilarious dentist husband in The Visitors and the master-at-arms with impeccable hygiene and flowery language who trained King Arthur in the series Kaamelott, the French actor Christian Bujeau died on Monday, June 15 at the age of 81.

A complete player

Born in Charron in 1944, Christian Bujeau learned the acting trade by training at the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique. A complete actor and eclectic artist, he spent his long career between theatre, television and cinema, also officiating as a stuntman, theatre director and drama teacher at the Jean Périmony school.

In the cinema, it was when he landed one of the main roles in Jean-Marie Poiré’s Visitors, in 1993, that he became known to the general public, playing the dentist Jean-Pierre Goulard, husband of Valérie Lemercier and a catastrophic witness to the escapades of Godefroy and Jacquouille (a role that Didier Bourdon and Fabrice Lucchini had almost played).

On the big screen, he has also been seen in films such as The Truth If I Lie! 2, Alibi.com and The Return of the Hero.

The Weapons Master of Kaamelott

On the television side, even if he has participated in many famous series (such as Joséphine, ange gardien, Caméra Café, or Hero Corp), he is known in particular for his role as the fencing master, Arthur's ruthless and hilarious trainer in the series Kaamelott, which offered him many mythical lines.

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BUJEAU, Chsristian

Born: 10/14/1944, Charron, Charente-Maritime, France

Died: 6/15/2026, Paris, Île-de-France, France

 

Christian Bujeau’s westerns – actor:

Bitumes – 1986

Fucking Dead (TV) – 2016 (Asa)

RIP Linda Porto

 

Mexican Film Bulletin

By David Wilt

Spring 2026

 

Actor Linda Porto died on 29 April 2026 in Mexico City; she was 94 years of age. Herminia Guitrón y Porto was born in February 1932, and began acting in the 1950s; her younger sister Maty Huitrón was also in the entertainment industry as a performer. Porto worked in films, television, and in live venues – her last appearance was in the TV series “Mujer, casos de la vida real” in the late 1990s. Her film credits include Cada quien su vida, El jinete de la muerte, and El sinaloense.

PORTO, Linda (Herminia Guitrón y Porto)

Born: 2/5/1932, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 4/29/2026, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Linda Porto’s westerns – actress:

El caballo del diablo – 1975 (Macaria)

RIP Ana Luisa Peluffo

 

Ana Luisa Peluffo, actress of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, dies at 96

Actress Ana Luisa Peluffo, one of the most emblematic figures of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, died at the age of 96, leaving a legacy of more than seven decades on the big screen.

Quien

March 4, 2026

 

On Wednesday, the death of Ana Luisa Peluffo, a Mexican actress in the Golden Cinema and soap operas, was announced.

The family of the actress confirmed the news through a statement, in which they reported that the actress died in peace, on her ranch in the state of Jalisco, accompanied by her loved ones.

Ana Luisa Peluffo, actress of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, dies

In a statement, the family of the actress confirmed the death: “She died in peace, at her ranch her ranch in Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, accompanied by her loved ones,” they mention.

In the letter it was indicated that during her last days, the actress Ana Luisa Peluffo lived with serenity surrounded by care and closeness to her son.

“We deeply appreciate the affection of all the people who, over the years, appreciated her career and enjoyed her work and company and we applied for respect and understanding at this time. Her memory will remain alive in those who knew her and valued her presence and artistic legacy.”

They also mentioned that the funeral services will be carried out in an intimate and private way, to fulfill the last wish of the artist: "During her last years she lived with serenity, surrounded by care and close to her son. The funeral services will be carried out in an intimate and private manner, in accordance with their will “reads the message

The career of Ana Luisa Peluffo

Ana Luisa Peluffo, whose full name was Ana Luisa de Jesús Quintana Paz Peluffo, was born on October 9, 1929 in Querétaro, Mexico. She began her career in 1948 with a small role in Tarzan and the Mermaids, directed by Robert Florey and starring Johnny Weissmuller in his latest performance as Tarzan. Shee later participated in films such as La venosa (1949) and Orchids for my wife (1954).

Throughout her career she intervened in more than 160 films. She shared a screen with emblematic figures of Mexican cinema such as Germán Valdés, Manuel Valdés, Pedro Infante and María Félix. In later decades she worked with Andrés García and Sergio Goyri in productions such as Pedro Navaja (1984). Her versatility allowed her to excel in drama, comedy and the so-called film cinema in the 1970s.

On television she also left a mark with 17 soap operas, including El sin de Oyuki (1988), Marimar (1994), María Isabel (1997), Dreamers (1998), Carita de Angel (2000) and Contra viento y tida (2005). She also appeared in series such as Mujeres Assassinas (2010) and El Mariachi (2014), the latter her most recent work on screen.

PELUFFO, Ana Luisa (Ana Luisa de Jesús Quintana Paz-Peluffo)

Born: 10/9/1929, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

Died: 3/4/2026, Tepatitlánde Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico

 

Ana Luisa Peluffo’s western – actress:

El último pistolero – 1969 (Clarence Gaynor)

La venganza de un matón – 1980

El Cain del bajio – 1981

quel famoso Remington – 1992 (Coneja)

Por un vestido de novia - 1983

 Dos pistoleros violentos – 1985

RIP Hector Alterio

 

In Memoriam: Legendary Argentine Actor Héctor Alterio 

Cinema Tropical

December 13, 2025

 

Héctor Alterio, one of the most essential actors in the history of Argentine cinema and theater, died today at the age of 96 in Madrid, Spain, where he lived and worked for decades after going into exile in the 1970s. He had a prolific and celebrated career and was one of the most revered figures in Argentine cinema, theater, and television.

He worked with numerous prestigious filmmakers, including Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, Manuel Antín, Sergio Renán, Carlos Saura, Luis Puenzo, Marcelo Piñeyro, María Luisa Bemberg, and Juan José Campanella, and acted in four of the first five Argentine films ever nominated for the Academy Awards, including the Oscar-winning The Official Story / La historia oficial and Son of the Bride / El hijo de la novia.

Born Héctor Benjamín Alterio Onorato on September 21, 1929, in Buenos Aires to Italian parents, he emerged as a defining presence of Argentine cinema, forging a body of work that bridged classical theater, New Argentine Cinema, and exile-era filmmaking. His acting debut came in the 1948 play Cómo suicidarse en primavera (“How to Commit Suicide in Spring”). After completing drama school, he founded the Nuevo Teatro company in 1950, where he remained active until 1968, playing a key role in transforming Argentina’s theater scene during the 1960s.

His feature film debut came in 1965 with Alfredo Mathé's Every Sun Is Bitter / Todo sol es amargo, and he went on to work in numerous films, including Don Segundo Sombra (1969) by Manuel Antín, The Knight of the Sword / El Santo de la Espada (1970) by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, Rebellion in Patagonia / La Patagonia rebelde (1974) by Héctor Olivera—which won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival—and The Truce / La tregua (1974) by Sergio Renán, which became the first Argentine film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

As Argentina descended into political terror, Alterio became one of the many artists forced into exile following threats. He settled in Spain in 1975, a rupture that reshaped his artistic trajectory but never diluted his identity. From exile, Alterio built a formidable second career, becoming a cornerstone of Spanish cinema and theater while continuing to work with filmmakers committed to memory, resistance, and historical reckoning.

In Spain, he played Anselmo in Carlos Saura’s landmark 1976 psychological drama Cría Cuervos, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and was selected as the Spanish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 49th Academy Awards. The following year, he acted in To an Unknown God / A un dios desconocido by Jaime Chávarri and Elías Querejeta, earning the Best Actor Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Other Spanish film credits include Pascual Duarte (1976) by Ricardo Franco, Asignatura pendiente (1977) by José Luis Garci, and The Nest / El nido (1980) by Jaime de Armiñán, which was nominated for an Academy Award.

With the return of democracy to Argentina in the 1980s, Alterio worked in films produced in both countries and in co-productions. In 1984, he starred as Adolfo O’Gorman in Bemberg’s Oscar-nominated Camila, considered one of the best Argentine films of all time.

The following year, Alterio starred as Roberto Ibáñez in Puenzo’s historical political drama The Official Story, also starring Norma Aleandro. The film tells the story of a high school history teacher who enjoys a comfortable life with her husband, a businessman connected to the military, and their adopted daughter. When Alicia starts questioning the origins of her child, she comes to fear that her daughter may have been taken from parents who were abducted or killed during the government’s violent repression of leftist activists. The Official Story made history as the first Latin American film to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

He remained active in numerous film, theater, and television productions, collaborating with Argentine filmmaker Marcelo Piñeyro on the music biopic Wild Tango / Tango feroz (1993), the drama road movie Wild Horses / Caballos salvajes (1995), the crime thriller Ashes of Paradise / Cenizas del paraíso (1997) and the queer thriller Burnt Money / Plata quemada (2000).

In 2001, he reunited with Norma Aleandro in Juan José Campanella’s heartwarming dramedy Son of the Bride, also starring Ricardo Darín, which received an Oscar nomination. The film follows a middle-aged restaurateur navigating a midlife crisis while fulfilling his aging father’s wish to remarry his mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, in the church wedding she always dreamed of.

In 2004, Alterio received the Honorary Goya Award presented by the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain. He is survived by his children, actors Malena and Ernesto Alterio, with whom he formed a rare intergenerational bridge between Latin American and Spanish cinema.

ALTERIO, Hector (Héctor Benjamín Alterio Onorato)

Born: 9/21/1929, Chacarita, Buenos Aires, Argentia

Died: 12/13/2025, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

 

Hector Alterio’s westerns – actor:

Don Segundo Sombra – 1969 (gaucho in black)

Rebellion in Patagonian - 1974 (Commander Zavala)

The Last Train – 2002 (El Profesot)

RIP Eduardo Manzano

 

Eduardo Manzano, iconic Mexican actor and comedian, dies at 8 

USA Today

By Edward Segarra

December 5, 2025

 

Mexican actor and comedian Eduardo Manzano, best known for "El Show de los Polivoces," died at age 87 on December 4, 2025. His son Lalo announced the death on social media, noting the lack of a disclosed cause. Manzano was celebrated for his decades‑long career in film, television and comedy, including his recent role on "Una Familia de Diez."

Eduardo Manzano, the Mexican actor and comedian best known for his role on "El Show de los Polivoces," has died. He was 87.

Manzano died on Thursday, Dec. 4, Manzano's son, Lalo Manzano, shared in an emotional social media post on Friday. A cause of death was not given.

"Today, the stage of life has lowered the curtain," Lalo Manzano wrote in a lengthy tribute, in Spanish. "My father, a comedian loved by thousands and a human being admired by everyone who knew him, has departed this world. He was an extraordinary, kind and intelligent man with a heart as big as his talent."

Representatives for Manzano and Lalo Manzano were not available for comment at the time of publication.

One of the stars of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, Manzano appeared in a number of TV series and films throughout the 1960s alongside his comedic partner-in-crime, fellow Mexican actor-comedian Enrique Cuenca. The duo, known as Los Polivoces, nabbed supporting roles in the feature films "Agarrando Parejo" and "Tres Mil Kilómetros de Amor" and starred in 1969's "El Aviso Inoportuno."

Manzano and Cuenca solidified their comedy legacy with "El Show de los Polivoces," a sketch comedy series that showcased the pair's hilarious vocal impersonations through celebrity parodies and zany original characters. The show ran for four seasons from 1971-1975.

"Behind every joke was a tireless worker. Behind every applause was a human being who deeply loved what he did," Lalo Manzano wrote. "And behind every smile, there was always a father who taught us to laugh, including in the most difficult moments."

Manzano's most recent role was a recurring gig on the family sitcom "Una Familia de Diez," playing Don Arnoldo López for over 130 episodes from 2007-2022.

"With deep sorrow we bid farewell to my beautiful daddy, and we thank all who have respectfully joined in with their love. 🙏🏻❤️✨," Lalo Manzano wrote.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa dies: 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Pearl Harbor' actor was 75

Stars remember 'comedy master' Eduardo Manzano

Several stars took to the comments section of Lalo Manzano's tribute to mourn Manzano's death.

"You don't know how I feel, my dear Lalo," actor Luis Felipe Tovar wrote. "I send you a very strong hug and wish with all my heart that your daddy is already enjoying the bliss of having accomplished his mission. RIP. The great among the greats."

"God has him in his glory, master of comedy 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 ❤️ ❤️," TV host Mario Bezares commented.

Joan Templeman dies: Wife of Virgin businessman Richard Branson was 80

"I'm so sorry, Lalo. Your dad will always live in our hearts," actress and TV host Mariazel wrote.

"A master of comedy, a great friend, an outstanding guy. Lalo, Ariel and family, I accompany you in your grief," comedian JoJo Jorge Falcon wrote. "He left a huge legacy, no other like him. Rest in peace 🕊️"

MANZANO, Eduardo (Eduardo Manzano II)

Born: 7/18/1938, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 12/4/2025, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico

 

Eduardo Manzano’s westerns – actor:

Somo del otro Laredo – 1977 (Dinamita Mazano)

RIP Erna Martha Bauman

 

3 Mexican Actors Die: From a Miss Universe Representative to The Rose of Guadalupe

ANDI confirmed the departure of actress and former beauty queen, Erna Martha Bauman Krauze, who is cataloged as one of the unforgettable faces of Mexican fantasy cinema

N+ Newsroom

November 21, 2025

 

Mourning in film and television in Mexico the death of three endearing actors and actresses, the deaths of two actors who participated in the Rose of Guadalupe, The Lord of the Skies, and of an actress who was even a beauty queen and participated in Miss Universe, were confirmed this Friday, November 21, 2025.

The first of these deaths was reported by the National Association of Interpreters (ANDI) when confirming the departure of actress and former beauty queen, Erna Martha Bauman Krauze, who is cataloged as one of the unforgettable faces of Mexican fantasy cinema, and who died at the age of 86.

Who was Erna Martha Bauman Krauze the beauty queen?

Actress Erna Martha Bauman Krauze dedicated herself in her last years of life to piano lessons.

Erna Martha Bauman Krauze was born on July 6, 1938, in Mexico City, she became a public figure from a very young age, when in 1956 she obtained the title of Miss Mexico and represented the country in Miss Universe, where she managed to advance to the semifinals. Her beauty led her to professional modeling and, later, to cinema.

Her film debut occurred at the end of the fifties, starting a career that consolidated her as one of the most emblematic actresses of Mexican horror cinema.

During the sixties she participated in productions that are currently cult, such as "The Bloody Vampire", "The Invasion of the Vampires" and "The World of the Vampires", where she played some of the most iconic vampires on the Mexican screen. Although terror marked a large part of his career.

She had a filmography that combined national and international productions, including the American film Vampire Hookers (1978).

BAUMAN, Erna Martha

Born: 7/6/1938, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Died: 11/20/2025, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Erna Martha Bauman’s western – actress:

Los siete proscritos – 1969 (Mary Garrison)

RIP Corrado Solari

 

Corrado Solari, the historic face of Elisa di Rivombrosa loved by the general public, has died: the cause of the actor's death

Corrado Solari, historic actor of Italian cinema, has passed away at the age of 79. From Elisa di Rivombrosa to cult films, she was famous for her antagonist roles.

Magazine

By Melania Fiata

June 10, 2025

 

Italian cinema loses one of its most unmistakable faces. Corrado Solari died at the age of 79, and he was the actor that the public learned to hate on screen and that his colleagues did not stop admiring in life. A thoroughbred character actor, trained in the theater, he has gone through years and years of Italian entertainment playing antagonists, cynical officials and other characters thanks to which he has left his mark, as in the historic fiction Elisa di Rivombrosa. Yet, off the set, he was anything but: a cultured gentleman, passionate about literature and art, very far from any form of protagonism.

Farewell to Corrado Solari, the causes of death

The villain par excellence of Italian cinema and television has left us: Corrado Solari, an actor with a severe face, a sharp gaze, and a stage presence capable of making even the most marginal character unforgettable, has passed away at the age of 79. The causes of death have not yet been disclosed. With a career spanning over fifty years and a solid theatrical training, he has played numerous complex characters, often antagonists, criminals and authoritarian figures and with a strong expressive intensity. In his private life, however, he was known as a cultured, kind person and deeply passionate about art and literature.

Corrado Solari, an extraordinary career: the face that great directors could not forget

Throughout his career he has worked with some of the most important Italian directors, including Sergio Leone in Giù la testa, Elio Petri in La classe operaia va in paradiso, Damiano Damiani and Marco Bellocchio. He was also one of the symbolic faces of the Italian detective story, participating in films such as Roma a mano armata and La banda del trucido. In the 2000s he achieved new television popularity thanks to Elisa di Rivombrosa and, more recently, he appeared in the series Vita da Carlo by Carlo Verdone. Just in the famous fiction of Canale 5, with Puccini and Preziosi, despite his 'perfidious' role, he was much appreciated by the public. For those who don't know, he was the one who carried out the orders of 'very bad' Luca Ward.

His last film performance was in the film Nel tepore del ballo by Pupi Avati, alongside Massimo Ghini, Isabella Ferrari, Raoul Bova, Giuliana De Sio and others. With his death, the world of entertainment loses an interpreter of great talent and professionalism: a man with a gloomy appearance on the set but with a good, honest and kind soul in everyday life. Especially for this, we are sure that he will always be remembered.

SOLARI, Corrado

Born: 7/21/1948, Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Died: 6/9 /2026, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Corrado Solari’s western – actor:

Duck You Sucker – 1971 (Sebastian)

 

RIP Oliver Lee

 

Singer Oliver Tree, 32, killed in helicopter crash in Brazil

New York Post

By Ronny Reyes

June 14, 2026

 

Singer Oliver Tree died in a helicopter crash Sunday when two choppers collided in Rio de Janeiro, killing all six occupants, officials said.

The “Life Goes On” singer, 32, was in the middle of a tour in Brazil when he boarded a helicopter in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro, CNN reported.

The chopper Tree was on then slammed into another over an electric car lot, setting at least 20 cars ablaze in the deadly collision.

Harrowing images of the aftermath show the helicopters completely mangled on the ground, surrounded by crushed and burnt cars in the lot.

The other victims include passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

Officials say the cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Tree — who’s also known for his distinctive hairstyle, a bowl-cut mullet hybrid — was in South America as part of his “The World’s First World Tour,” which was meant to span across 30 countries and hit all seven continents.

He had wrapped up his Brazilian show in São Paulo last week and was set to travel to Portugal for a show in Lisbon on July 13.

The “Miss You” singer, who has more than 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, was born in Santa Cruz, California, and made his start in the music world at age 17 when he worked with big names like Skrillex and Zeds Dead.

Tree released his independent album, “Splitting Branches,” in 2013, with the artist stepping away from the scene afterward to study music technology.

He returned to the scene in 2020 with his first studio album, “Ugly is Beautiful,” which featured his platinum hit “Life Goes on.”

By 2024, he was nominated for the International Song Brit award alongside Robin Schulz for their hit song “Miss You.”

He went on to release “Cowboy Tears,” “Alone in a Crowd,” and his April 2026 album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly.”

Along with his music career, Tree is also known for breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter on Earth in 2020, with the machine measuring more than 13 feet tall and 10 feet long.

TREE, Oliver (Oliver Tree Nickell)

Born: 6/29/1933, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A.

Died: 6/14/2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Oliver Tree’s western – singer:

Oliver Tree: Cowboys Don't Cry – 2022

RIP Ronnie Schell

 

Ronnie Schell, ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ and ‘That Girl’ Actor, Dies at 94

Variety

By Matt Minton

June 12, 2026

 

Ronnie Schell, the versatile actor known for his comedic work in “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and “That Girl,” died Friday in Los Angeles of natural causes, his publicist confirmed to Variety. He was 94.

Known for his work in film, TV and on stage as a comedian, the San Francisco native amassed over 140 credits over the course of his decades-spanning career.

He is perhaps best remembered for his run of ’60s shows, from starring in 92 episodes of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” as Duke Slater to three episodes of “That Girl” alongside Marlo Thomas. During that time period, he made appearances on “The Patty Duke Show” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” He co-starred with Goldie Hawn on “Good Morning World.”

Schell’s career as a performer started after auditioning for San Francisco’s Purple Onion nightclub while he was still a senior at San Francisco State University. He also enlisted in the Air Force.

Beyond his on-screen work, which included roles in “Fatal Instinct,” “The Devil and Max Devlin” and “The Revenge of the Red Baron,” Schell was known as a voice performer for “Cat from Outer Space,” “Jetsons,” “Rover Dangerfield,” “Battle of the Planets” and “Goober and the Ghost Chasers.” Additionally, he was credited as a dialogue coach on 1984’s “All of Me,” directed by Carl Reiner.

His most recent appearances included the TV shows “See Ya” and “Kaplan’s Korner.” He also starred in the musical comedy “Don’t Leave it All to Your Children!”

Schell is survived by his wife Janet, sons Gregory and Christian and a granddaughter, Chiara.

SCHELL, Ronnie (Ronald Ralph Schell)

Born: 12/23/1932, Richmond, California, U.S.A.

Died: 6/12/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Ronnie Schell’s western – actor:

 The Cowboy Killer – 2026 (Trucker Harry)

 

RIP Pauls Butkēvičs

 

Latvian actor Pauls Butkēvičs passes away

Latvian Public Service Media

6/12/2026

 

Latvian actor Pauls Butkēvičs, who played approximately 150 roles during his film career, has died at the age of 85, announced Marta Bite, the chairwoman of the board of the Latvian Cinematographers' Union, citing information from the actor's relatives.

Butkēvičs was born in 1940. After graduating from Riga Secondary School No. 11 in 1959, he studied at the Riga Polytechnic Institute (now Riga Technical University) and worked at the "VEF" electrical factory. At the same time, he was actively involved in artistic life at the Dailes Theatre, where he mastered the basics of acting together with several later famous stage artists. He also studied at the Law, History and Philosophy Faculties of the University of Latvia.

Butkēvičs began his career in film in 1963 with a role in the film "Nedziedātā dziesma". A few years later, he got his first leading role in Ada Neretniece's film "Hipokrāta zvērests", and starred in director Rolands Kalniņš' films "Akmens un šķēmbas" and "Elpojiet dziļi".

He went on to star in numerous films and TV series and worked in Russia, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and India.

In 2016, Butkēvičs was awarded the Fourth Class of the Cross of Recognition for his long-standing and significant contribution to Latvian culture and cinema.

Our condolences to his friends and family.

BUTKEVICS, Pauls (Paul Paulovitch Butkevich)

Born: 8/8/1940, Riga, Latvia, U.S.S.R.

Died: 6/12/2026, Latvia

 

Pauls Butkēvičs – western – actor:

Alaska Kid (TV) – 1993 (Clark)

RIP Margaret Kerry

 

Margaret Kerry, the Inspiration for Disney’s Tinker Bell, Has Passed Away at 97

The Dis

By Chloé Ferreira

June 12, 2026

 

The Disney community is mourning the loss of Margaret Kerry, the actress and dancer whose performances helped bring Disney’s iconic Tinker Bell to life in the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan. Kerry passed away yesterday, on June 11, 2026, at the age of 97 following a battle with lung cancer.

For Disney fans, Kerry will forever be associated with Tinker Bell. While she did not provide the character’s voice, her live-action reference performances were used by Disney animators as they crafted the beloved pixie audiences have adored for generations. Her expressive movements, charm, and personality became an important part of creating one of Disney’s most recognizable characters.

Beyond her connection to Disney, Kerry enjoyed a lengthy career spanning film, television, radio, and voice acting. Throughout the decades, she appeared in productions such as The Andy Griffith Show, The Lone Ranger, and numerous animated projects. She also remained a familiar face at Disney and fan events, where she often shared stories from Hollywood’s Golden Age and her experiences working with Walt Disney Studios.

In 2016, Kerry published her autobiography, Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life, offering fans a closer look at her career through personal stories, photographs, and memories from throughout her life.

Margaret Kerry leaves behind a lasting legacy that extends far beyond a single role. Through her work, she helped create a character that continues to inspire generations of Disney fans around the world. Every flutter of pixie dust and every appearance by Tinker Bell serves as a reminder of the talent and heart she brought to Disney history.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Margaret Kerry’s family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary career.

KERRY, Margaret (Margaret McCarty)

Born: 5/11/1929, Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 6/11/2026, · Wilmington North Carolina, U.S.A.

 

Margaret Jerry’s western – actress:

The Lone Ranger (TV) - 1950 (Jane Carter)

RIP Armando Norte

 

Chicano animator and science fiction visionary Armando Norte dies at 72

CALO News

By Robb Hernández

6/10/2026

 

Legendary Chicano artist Armando Norte passed away on June 4, 2026, after a long illness at the age of 72. Born and raised in East Los Angeles on June 12, 1953, Norte attended Montebello High School and pursued art training at East L.A. College and California State University Los Angeles (CSULA). Later, he secured a job at Filmation Associates where he worked as an illustrator for several animated children’s shows of the 1980s, including “He-Man: Masters of the Universe,” “She-Ra: Princess of Power” and “The Real Ghostbusters,”among others.

Norte’s artistic voice was gregarious, extraordinary and startling like the aftereffects of a flash in his words.  More than his accomplishments in commercial media, Norte was part of a formative generation of Mexican American artists from Southern California who trailblazed an experimental vocabulary amid the tumult of post-1960s civil rights activism.

By instigating L.A. publics through intermedia artworks that provoked and disturbed, Norte found camaraderie among different art organizations germane to the expressive fabric of East L.A. In the early 1980s, he was a recognizable figure in Self Help Graphics’ earliest forays in Day of the Dead activities. His eye-catching looks and trendy ensembles innovated the cultural tradition with New Wave sensibilities and modernizing attitudes in costuming and make-up. His creative designs remolded cultural archetypes in ways that drew attention from the Los Angeles Times and attracted photographers Laura Aguilar, Harry Gamboa, Jr. and Ricardo Valverde, who respectively documented Norte and his family in acclaimed artworks like “At Home with the Nortes” (1990), “Blessed Bag Bombers” (1982), and “Armando y Consuelo: Two Alienz Muertos” (1983/1991).

More than dress, Norte was equally adept at printmaking and explored the medium in the historic Self Help Graphics’ Experimental Screenprint Ateliér in 1983 where his piece, ‘Savagery and Technology,” conjoined Mesoamerican ritual with a hardwired East L.A. His capacity to suffuse past, present, and future in his post-apocalyptic visualizations focused much of his work throughout the decade, which culminated in a retrospective show entitled “Barrio 2100,” organized by Consuelo Flores and featured historic and new work by Norte and sons, Alain and Gian, at Avenue 50 Studio on Fig in 2025. Norte’s screen prints have been collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas Austin, and the University of California Santa Barbara Special Research Collections. 

Over the years, Norte’s penchant for Chicano futurist aesthetics found partnerships with a host of other artistic innovators, among them Diane Gamboa, Nic Greene, Gronk, Willie Herrón and Marisela Norte, along with the space age rock band, Zolar X. His artistic practice in the early 80s can be seen in the speculatively fantastic and spectacularly odd theatrics in performance art actions of various art organizations and collectives.

One of his signature contributions innovated paper dress silhouettes for Day of the Dead celebrations choosing to supplant tradition with armored garments, plated extraterrestrials and machinic homeboys with kitschy charm akin to Elsa Schiaparelli couture. His expertise in science fiction idioms forged interdisciplinary outlets and exploratory platforms in ways that redefined the terms of Chicano art, preferring to focus on the rubble of artistic address and distress.

Though Norte would eventually step away from performance-based collaborations, his countercultural language of punk angst, urban pessimism and B-movie sensibilities endured in sketchbooks and paintings.

Later in life, Norte aligned himself with a rogues’ gallery where his unapologetic defense of monsters and counterfactual questions about life (and death) in East L.A. allowed for a fantastical place giving the divine, demeaned and alienated their due. More than his historic contributions to Chicano art and performance aesthetics, Norte might also be known for his personal touches quietly embellishing the borders and corners of paper goods with immaculate ghouls or adorning himself in handmade steampunk trimmings further solidifying his place among a pantheon of the city’s science fiction originals, along with his peers Forrest Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, Octavia Butler and Ray Harryhausen.

He is survived by his sister Marisela Norte; son Alain Flores Norte, daughter-in-law Aimée Suen, and their child Iyari Huitzili Suen Norte; son Gian Flores Norte, daughter-in-law Omega Norte and their sons Benjamin Ezekiel Norte and Titus Alexius Pedro Norte. He is preceded in death by his father Armando Norte, Sr. and his mother Eloisa Melendez Norte. The family asks that donations be made in his name to Self Help Graphics.

NORTE, Armando

Born: 6/12/1953, East Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 6/4/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Armando Borte’s westerns – animator:

Brave Starr (TV) -1987-1988

Brave Starr: The Legend - 1988

RIP Dennis Rush

 

Dennis Rush, Child Actor in ‘Man of a Thousand Faces’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ Dies at 74

He played Lon Chaney Jr. in the James Cagney classic and Howie, one of Opie’s friends, on the beloved CBS sitcom.

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

May 10, 2026

 

Dennis Rush, who played Lon Chaney Jr. as a youngster opposite James Cagney in Man of a Thousand Faces and one of Opie’s pals alongside Ron Howard on The Andy Griffith Show, has died. He was 74.

Rush, who was diagnosed with leukemia last month, lived in the San Diego area and died Saturday on the way to the hospital, actor-musician Keith Thibodeaux told The Hollywood Reporter. (Thibodeaux played Johnny Paul Jason, another of Opie’s friends, on The Andy Griffith Show, though he’s best known as Little Ricky from I Love Lucy.)

Rush also showed up from 1960-62 on seven episodes of Wagon Train — John Ford directed him in one — and from 1962-63 on three installments of Laramie. Both were Westerns from Revue Studios and NBC.

The freckle-faced Rush made his onscreen acting debut as Creighton Chaney, age 4, in Universal-International’s Man of a Thousand Faces (1957), starring Cagney as silent film star Lon Chaney (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera).

As Creighton grows up, Rush is succeeded by Rickie Sorensen, Robert Lyden and finally Roger Smith, who at the end will embark on his own career as an actor (and a starring turn in The Wolf Man!) using the stage name Lon Chaney Jr.

The youngster appeared as Howie Pruitt on CBS’ The Andy Griffith Show over three seasons from 1963-65. “I got to be in eight episodes over about a 2 1/2-year period,” he said in 2022. “It was just the best of the best.”

On the 1964 episode “Barney’s Physical,” Rush ad-libbed a line during rehearsal about Don Knotts’ character “hanging himself in the closet” — he had blanked on what was in the script — and it made it onto the show.

Dennis Eugene Rush was born in Philadelphia on June 10, 1951. When he was 1, his father, Jack, brought the family to Los Angeles and got a job as a film archivist at Universal.

“If you were good, you got to go to the studio and have lunch with dad, it was kind of a big deal,” he recalled last year at the Mayberry-I Love Lucy Festival in Granville, Tennessee.

While they were sitting at the lunch counter, “a man taps my dad on the shoulder and says, ‘I’m looking for a little boy to play my son, I’m making a movie called Man of a Thousand Faces’ … That gentleman was James Cagney.’”

When his father explained that Dennis wasn’t an actor and had to go to school, Cagney replied, “Trust me.” Rush’s screen test involved riding a tricycle around a Christmas tree, and he would spend six months on the movie.

Dorothy Malone portrayed his mom and Jim Backus his uncle, and Rush managed to get emotional in a scene in which Creighton is told by his dad that he’s going to be placed in an orphanage.

Cagney said, “‘You know, this has all been make-believe,” Rush remembered in a 1989 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “But you know how much fun Christmas can be and being with your folks and all that? Well, this little boy is never going to see his mom or his dad again. No more Christmases. No more good food.’

“He kept that up for a walk around the soundstage and had me in tears. We went right in and did the scene in five minutes. Whenever I had to cry from then on, I remembered that.”

He said he and Cagney exchanged Christmas cards every year before the Oscar winner died in March 1986.

Rush also worked on the films No Name on the Bullet (1959) and Follow Me, Boys! (1966) and on episodes of The Millionaire, Checkmate, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, The Lucy Show, Gunsmoke, My Favorite Martian, My Living Doll and The Magical World of Disney.

“Every month or so you would do a number of things and then six months would go by and you wouldn’t do anything,” he said. “Then you’d get a call and go on an interview and you might be with 20 kids or you might be with 200 kids [vying for the same job].”

After he outgrew his child roles, Rush joined the U.S. Marines, and when he finished his stint, he learned that his parents had spent all the money he earned as an actor (he said he made as much as $500 a week).

He graduated from Notre Dame High School and then San Diego State in 1977, had a career in the hotel and restaurant business and was a frequent and popular guest at the Mayberry Lucy fest (he was there last month) and at the Mayberry Days celebration held each year in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Says a post on the Mayberry Days website: “Dennis was an absolute joy to be around and one of the sweetest men you could ever meet. It was always a pleasure to welcome him to Mayberry Days, where he shared smiles, stories, hugs and kindness with fans from all over the world.”

Survivors include his siblings, Sally, Monica, Patrick and Megan. Another brother, Jack, died in February.

RUSH, Dennis (Dennis Eugene Rush)

Born: 6/10/1951, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A

Died: 5/10/2026, San Diego, California, U.S.A.

 

Dennis Rish’s westerns – actor:

No Name on the Bullett – 1959 (Billy Chaffee)

The Deputy (TV) - 1959 (Timmy Jackson)

Wagon Train (TV) – 1960-1962 (Davy Adams, David Ivers)

Frontier Circus (TV) - 1962 (boy)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1962 (kid)

Laramie (TV) – 1962-1963 (boy, Teddy)

RIP Anthony Guidera

 

Anthony Guidera, Actor Who Had a Memorable Kiss in ‘Species,’ Dies at 65

A onetime model based in Paris, he also appeared in ‘The Rock,’ ‘Armageddon,’ ‘The Postman’ and ‘The Annihilation of Fish.’

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

June 9, 2026

 

Anthony Guidera, an actor and model who played pilots for Michael Bay in The Rock and Armageddon and shared a memorable kiss with Natasha Henstridge in Species, has died. He was 65.

Guidera died Saturday in a Los Angeles-area hospital, his wife, Valarie, told TMZ. He was taken off life support after he had suffered a heart issue at their home on May 11, she said.

The hunky Guidera also appeared in Scott Winant’s ’Til There Was You (1997) and Kevin Costner’s The Postman (1997) and portrayed a gun seller in Charles Burnett’s The Annihilation of Fish (1999).

And on television, he showed up on everything from Renegade, Baywatch, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Red Shoe Diaries and Hope & Gloria to Nash Bridges, Acapulco H.E.A.T., Angel, ER and, on a 2005 episode for his last credit, L.A. Dicks.

In the sci-fi horror film Species (1995), directed by Roger Donaldson, Guidera’s character doesn’t know Henstridge’s Sil is an alien/human hybrid organism when he forces her to kiss him — to disastrous results.

The moment was recognized as the year’s best kiss at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards.

“This kiss between alien man-eater Natasha Henstridge and Anthony Guidera in Species is scary-good — emphasis on the scary,” Michelle Darrisaw wrote in a post for Oprah Daily. “It’s not every day that puckering up results in an exploding head.”

Born in San Francisco on Oct. 18, 1960, Guidera moved to Paris and traveled around the world for about a decade while making commercials and modeling under the name James Guidera.

He performed in plays in Paris, studied with Robert Lewis at The Actors Studio in New York and landed his first onscreen role as a bodyguard in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III (1990), working on that film for five months.

GUIDERA, Anthony

Born: 10/18/1960, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Died: 6/6/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Anthony Guidera’s westerns – actor:

Precious Find – 1996 (jumper)

RIP William Hasley

 

William Hasley, Screenwriter Who Co-Wrote Book With Caitlyn Jenner, Dies on Hollywood Hiking Trail

Variety

By Pat Saperstein

June 9, 2026

 

William Hasley, a writer who worked on TV series including “The Smurfs” and co-wrote an inspirational book with Caitlyn Jenner, has been identified as the hiker who was found dead on Hollywood’s popular Runyon Canyon trail on Saturday evening. He was 78.

Hasley was previously married to “The Bold and the Beautiful” actress Robin Riker. His death comes just two weeks after a man in his 40s died of cardiac arrest on the same trail.

The Los Angeles Fire Department told the Daily Mail, “LAFD Air Operations lowered rescuers to the patient, and medical treatment was administered.” Officials then pronounced Hasley dead at the scene.

Born in Pittsburgh, Hasley graduated Marshall U., where he played football and ran cross-country, according to his official bio. He started out in animation, writing for Hanna-Barbera and Filmation shows “The Smurfs” and “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.”

Always a sports fan, he worked with NBC-TV on the special “Star Salute to the U.S. Olympic Team,” where he met Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner commissioned Halsey to write the motivational book “Finding the Champion Within” for Simon & Schuster. He went on to ghostwrite other motivational books including “Passion, Profit & Power” and “The Slight Edge.” He also wrote “Chasing the Wind, The Autobiography of Steve Fossett,” and was a producer on two TV specials about the mysterious aviator.

He worked on developing the pilot “Borderline Heroes,” which was sold to ABC and wrote the half hour comedy pilot “Steeltown” for Castle Rock Entertainment and developed the pilot “Brooklyn District.”

Hasley went on to work with Oliver Stone and Gerald Green as a writer on “Defiance” and wrote episodes of “The Young Riders” and “Swift Justice.”

He also taught writing at UCLA and participated in numerous charitable events. 

HASLEY, William

Born: 7/?/1947, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 6/7/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

William Hasley’s westerns – writer:

The Young Riders (TV) - 1990