RIP Bill Hayes

 

Bill Hayes, Daytime TV Legend and Longtime ‘Days of Our Lives’ Star, Dies at 98

Soap Central

By Dan J Kroll

January 12, 2024

 

“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of ‘Days of our Lives,'” executive producer Ken Corday says

Bill Hayes, a legend of daytime TV and longtime star of “Days of Our Lives,” died Friday at age 98.

One of the longest-running characters on the beloved soap opera, Hayes starred as Doug Williams since 1970 and continued playing him as the foundation of the Williams-Horton family throughout his life for over 50 years and 2,000 episodes, the last of which aired December 2023.

In 2018, Hayes and his costar and wife Susan Seaforth-Hayes were presented Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Daytime Emmy Awards for their decades-spanning work on the program.

“I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of ‘Days of our Lives,’” executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement, provided to TheWrap. “Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”

Born in 1925 in Harvey, Illinois, Hayes trained as a fighter pilot during World War II, after which he attended Depauw University where he studied English and Music. He went into entertainment during the early 1950s performing as a singer, including on a popular rendition of “the Ballad of Davy Crockett.”

In the 1960s he transitioned to an acting career, landing his most notable role in 1970 on “Days of Our Lives.”

Doug Williams was introduced as a lounge singer and con artist named Brent who changes his name before moving to Salem in hopes of conning a widow out of her inheritance, before settling down and falling in love. Notably, Doug Williams is the father of Hope Williams, who was involved in “Days” blockbuster romantic plotline with Bo Brady in the 1980s.

He played the role from 1970-1984, then returned to “Days” in 1986, leaving again in 1987. But he returned in 1999 and continued to play Doug Williams on a recurring basis until his death.

Hayes was married twice. First to Mary Hobbs from 1947 to 1969, having 5 children together. In 1974 he married fellow “Days” star Susan Seaforth — now known as Susan Seaforth Hayes — who played Julie, Doug’s eventual wife. The couple remained together until Hayes died just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

HAYES, Bill (William Foster Hayes Jr.)

Born: 6/5/1925, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 1/12/2024, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Bill Hayes western – singer:

High Noon – 1952

Ballad of Davy Crockett – 1955

The Legend of Wyatt Earp – 1955

Great Pioneers of the West – 1956

The White Buffalo - 1956

Westward Ho the Wagons – 1957

 

RIP April Ferry

 

April Ferry, Costume Designer on ‘Maverick,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Rome,’ Dies at 91

 

Variety

By Diego Ramos Bechara

January 12, 2024

 

Oscar-nominated costume designer April Ferry died Thursday, according to the Costume Designers Guild. She was 91.

Throughout her more than five-decade career, Ferry was a costume designer for over 50 projects, with credits in both film and television, netting an Oscar nomination for 1994’s “Maverick” and working on “Game of Thrones” and “Rome.”

She frequently worked with directors for multiple projects, collaborating with John Maybury on “The Edge of Love,” “Rome,” Jonathan Mostow on “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” “U-571,” John Hughes on “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “She’s Having a Baby” and Richard Kelly on “Southland Tales” and “Donnie Darko.”

Ferry’s first TV project, “Rome,” a 2005 historical drama set at the height of the Roman Empire, earned her an Emmy win. She’d describe the gig as “the job of a lifetime” before later taking over for Michele Clapton in costume designing Season 6 of “Game of Thrones.”

Ferry’s costume designing would often venture into the science fiction genre, with recent film credits including “Jurassic World,” “Elysium” and 2014’s “RoboCop.”

Ferry garnered many accolades throughout her career, including an Emmy nomination for “My Name is Bill W.” A longtime member of the Executive Board of the Costume Designer’s Guild, Ferry was honored with the CDG’s Career Achievement Award.

When asked once by the Guardian what she sacrificed for her art, she said, “A regular life. I spent a lot of my time on location. But it has meant I’ve traveled all over the world – I wouldn’t exactly call it a sacrifice.”

Ferry was born on Oct. 31, 1932, and raised in North Carolina. She fell in love with costume design as a dancer on Broadway. After 17 years as a costume supervisor, she began working with Ret Turner and Bob Mackie on “The Sonny & Cher Show” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.” She’d then go on to collaborate with costume designer Robert Fletcher, starting with films including “The Big Chill.” Their friendship and collaboration spanned many decades and projects until his death in 2021.

Ferry is survived by her grandchildren and children, Steve, David and Katy.

FERRY, April (April Cecilia Gaskins)

Born: 10/31/1932, Beaufort County, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Died: 1/11/2024, Venice, California, U.S.A.

April Ferry's western - costume designer:

Maverick - 1994

 

RIP Walmir Amaral

 

The Phantom

January 11, 2024 

The Passing Of Brazilian Artist Walmir Amaral

 

Walmir Amaral de Oliveira (also known as Walmir Amaral), Brazilian comic cover artist and story creator, best know for his work on Fantasma comic books in Brazil, sadly passed away on the 10th of January, 2024.

Crediting for illustrating the covers of in excess of 150 Phantom comic books and writing around 25 Phantom stories, Walmir Amaral is a well know artist/creator especially to fans of the Phantom in Brazil. His extensive work on the Phantom for great publishing houses such as RGE (Rio Gráfica Editora) and Saber will remain in the memories of fans for many years to come.

Born on the 2nd of December 1939 in Méier, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Italian and Portuguese parents, Walmir Amaral had a passion for art from a very early age. He self taught himself to draw, using art as a way to escape taunts from others for looking like a German in a post WW2 era.

Walmir Amaral gave an in-depth interview with Heitor Pitombo in 2007, published in Crash Magazine No.3, a publication by Ediga Escala in Brazil. He gives a very candid and honest interview, discussing his work with various publishing houses and comic book characters, including the Phantom (or Fantasma as he’s known in Brazil). Translated from Portuguese to English (using Google Translate), the interview is titled ‘Walmir Amaral – Artist And Author From The Golden Age Of Comics In Brazil‘.

AMARAL, Walmir (Walmir Amaral de Oliveira)

Born: 12/2/1939, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Died: 1/10/2024, Brazil

 

Walmir Amaral’s western – comic book artist:

Cavalerio Negro - 1952

Zorro – 1973-1975

The Cisco Kid -1974

Lucky Luke - 1974

RIP Tracy Hurley Martin

 

Tracy Hurley Martin, Co-Founder of Morbid Anatomy Museum and Former Publicist for Prince, George Michael and Depeche Mode, Dies at 53

Variety

By Jem Aswad

January 10, 2024

 

Tracy Hurley Martin — co-founder and CEO of the Morbid Anatomy Museum, comedy booking agent, film producer and publicist for Prince, George Michael, Depeche Mode, the Cure and others — has died following a two-year battle with cancer, her brother in law Michael Pagnotta confirmed to Variety. She was 53.

She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Depeche Mode/ Yaz/ Erasure cofounder Vince Clarke (pictured above with her in 2016); a son, Oscar; a niece, Isabelle Pagnotta; and her identical twin sister, author and screenwriter Tonya Hurley. 

Clarke’s Erasure bandmate Andy Bell posted a tribute to Martin on social media: “There are no words. My heart, my soul, and all of my love goes to Vincent and Oscar, Tonya, Michael and Isabelle and all of Tracy’s family and friends. May God bless our precious Tracy.”

Hurley-Martin also represented “Goosebumps” and the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen brand, and several films she produced were screened at the Tribeca and Edinborough film festivals. Hurley Sisters Productions recently optioned the film rights to Mark Dery’s Edward Gorey biography, as well as the assisted-suicide story of Phillip and Becky Benight.

The twins had moved to New York to become musicians and instead ended up working at the publicity firm founded by Tonya’s future husband, Michael Pagnotta. Hurley-Martin’s unusual museum — filled with “Victorian taxidermy, illustrations of medical pathologies and preserved insects, among other cultish curiosities,” according to a New York Times article —was located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. from 2014 through 2016. It stemmed from her family’s background operating funeral homes.

“We find joy in the macabre,” Hurley-Martin said of herself and her sister, adding of their relationship with a laugh, “I feel like we’re so intertwined, I don’t know who I am on my own.”

MARTIN, Tracy Hurley

Born: 9/20/1970, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 1/10/2024, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.

 

Tracy Hurley Martin’s western – music supervisor:

Bullfighter - 2000

RIP Gianfranco Reverberi

 

Farewell to Gian Franco Reverberi, musician of the Genoese School

He was also a writer and producer. Together with Jannacci, Tomelleri, De Luca, Tenco and Celentano, it formed one of the first Italian rock and roll bands. He was 89 years old

 

La Regione

January 8, 2024

Gian Franco Reverberi, composer and musician, exponent of the Genoese School and brother of Gian Piero, also a musician, died at the age of 89 in Genoa. The news was given by Mario Lavezzi.

Born in Genoa, Reverberi studied piano, but was passionate about the accordion and the vibraphone, given to him by his father, became his main instrument. During his military service in Fano, he formed a quartet with other comrades including Piero Ciampi. He then founded a jazz trio with Giorgio Gaber (guitar) and Giorgio Buratti (double bass), performing in Milanese cellars. At the same time, together with Gaber, Enzo Jannacci, Paolo Tomelleri, Nando De Luca and Luigi Tenco, he formed one of the first Italian rock and roll bands, with Adriano Celentano as singer. After completing his military service, he joined the orchestra on board the ship Olimpia as a vibraphonist. He then returned to Milan and with Jannacci, Tomelleri, De Luca and Tenco, to form I Cavalieri.

Reverberi's aspiration, however, was to compose and, thanks also to Mogol's good offices, he was initially hired at the music editions Radio Record Ricordi and later at the 'Discography'. At the age of 23 he became deputy artistic director of the house, then he was artistic director of the CGD record company with his friend Franco Crepax, appointed director. From an idea of Gino Paoli a new experience of independent producers was born. The first artist produced by the Paoli/Reverberi couple was Lucio Dalla, 'sent' to Sanremo with a song signed Reverberi/ Bardotti: 'Pafff... boom!' As a manager, arranger, composer, musician and conductor, he toured all over the world, also accompanying Luigi Tenco, Lucio Dalla and Nicola Di Bari.

In addition to composing songs, Reverberi wrote film scores. A song from one of these, composed for the film 'Django Prepare a Coffin!', with Terence Hill, in 2006 it was revived by the American Gnarls Barkley for their single 'Crazy'. It is worth mentioning his collaboration with Giorgio Calabrese in the writing of some songs in the Genoese language, interpreted and made known by both Natalino Otto and Bruno Lauzi. 1,456 pieces of music are deposited in his name.

REVERBERI, Gianfranco (Gianfranco Giacomo Reverberi)

Born: 11/12/1934, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Died: 1/8/2024, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

 

Gianfranco Reverberi’s western – composer:

Django Prepare a Coffin (aka Viva Django!) – 1967

 

infobae

By Adriana Castillo

January 6, 2024

The national art scene is in mourning. This Saturday, January 6, the renowned Mexican singer-songwriter Amparo Rubín died at the age of 68, as announced by entertainment journalist Carlos Quirarte during the broadcast of 'Venga la Alegría Fin de Semana'.

So far the causes of death are unknown, however, as soon as the news broke, several Mexican personalities took to their social networks to say goodbye to the renowned Puebla artist with memories and express their condolences to her family.

"Today Amparo Rubín comes forward, a singer-songwriter who is fundamental to the emotional history of many, for me, a dear friend, dear, dearest. His talent 'runs, flies and accelerates to the sky'. With no 'Danger' of being forgotten, this is just a 'Waiting Compass'. Thank you for all your music," tweeted Patricia Reyes Espindola.

"I am saddened to learn that my beloved Amparo Rubín, a wonderful composer, has passed away. She was the one who made the music and the main theme of the telenovela 'Abandonada'. Light on your way to the house of the Lord. Rest in Peace!" tweeted Maria Sorté.

The Rubín family has not commented on the matter, only releasing a statement on social networks about the funeral services. Thanks to this, it is known that the singer-songwriter from Puebla will be held this January 6 at the J. García López funeral home located at Av. San Jerónimo No. 140, colonia San Ángel, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City, at noon.

Amparo Rubín composed her first song at the age of 11

María Amparo Rubín Tagle, better known in the national artistic milieu as Amparo Rubín, was born on March 24, 1955 in Puebla. He showed his interest in music since he was very young, because at the age of 11 he composed his first song that years later would be performed by none other than Lupita D'Alessio.

The artist studied the first semesters of the Communication degree in Puebla, but as fate would have it, she switched to Spanish Literature and attended several workshops in Literature and Philosophy. In time, he learned to play the guitar.

RUBIN, Amparo (María Amparo Rubín Tagle)

Born: 3/24/1955, Puebla, Zaragoza, Mexico

Died: 1/6/2024, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Amparo Rubin’s western – composer:

Kino - 1993

RIP David Soul

 

David Soul: Starsky & Hutch actor dies aged 80

BBC

By Charlotte Gallagher

January 5, 2024

 

Actor David Soul, best known for his role in the television series Starsky & Hutch, has died at the age of 80.

His wife, Helen Snell said he died on Thursday "after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.

"He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend," she said.

"His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

The US-born actor was best known for his role as Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the classic crime-solving series Starsky & Hutch.

He starred opposite Paul Michael Glaser in the series, which ran from 1975 to 1979.

He and Glaser reprised their roles in the 2004 remake Starsky & Hutch, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch.

Soul was also known for his roles in Here Come The Brides, Magnum Force and The Yellow Rose.

The actor and singer, who was married five times, was arrested in the 1980s for attacking his then wife, Patti Carnel Sherman, who wasseven months pregnant at the time.

Soul later spoke of his regret and visited prisons to talk to inmates about domestic violence.

Before he found fame as an actor, Soul started his professional career as a folk singer, warming up audiences for stars like Frank Zappa, the Byrds, and the Lovin' Spoonful.

He picked up an interest in music as a teenager in Mexico, where his father was a professor at a college for young diplomats.

There, he was befriended by a group of radical students who gave him a guitar and taught him the indigenous songs of Mexico.

Upon his return to the US, he found some success playing those songs around Minneapolis - but it was only when he donned a mask and hid his face that his career really took off.

As "The Covered Man", he was signed by the William Morris Agency and appeared on the TV talk show circuit, including multiple appearances on the highly-rated Merv Griffin show.

But when he decided to lose the mask and reveal himself, bookings dwindled and he turned to acting instead.

Later, after the success of Starsky & Hutch, he returned to music, putting out four albums of soft rock ballads in the late 1970s.

They produced two UK number one singles, Silver Lady and Don't Give Up On Us, snapped up by adoring fans of his TV persona.

A New York Times review of his first post-fame concert in 1977 described "camera‐wielding teenage girls charging the stage" amidst "the flicker of hundreds of exploding flashcubes and a continual squealing".

The fervour ended after his spell in jail and rehab, after which he only recorded one further album - 1997's self-released Leave a Light On.

SOUL, David (David Richard Solberg)

Born: 8.28.1943, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 1/4/2024, London, England, U.K.

 

David Soul’s westerns – actor:

Here Come the Brides (TV) – 1968-1970 (Joshua Bolt)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1975 (Ike Hoskett)

The Yellow Rose (TV) – 1983-1984 (Roy Champion)

The Young Riders (TV) – 1990 (Jeremy Styles)