RIP Charles Cyphers

 

‘Halloween’ actor dies at 85

Mass Live

August 6, 2024

 

Charles Cyphers, best known for his role in the “Halloween” franchise,” died on Sunday, Aug. 4 from a brief illness in Tucson, Arizona, Variety reported. He was 85.

“Charles was a lovable and sensitive man,” Cyphers’ manager Chris Roe said in a statement to Variety.

“He always had the best stories, and you got a full performance while he told you,” it continued. “He was a close friend and client on many years who will be dearly missed.”

Born on July 28, 1939, in Niagara Falls, New York, Cyphers was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, the late actor’s IMDb biography states.

Cyphers also took drama classes at Los Angeles City College and got his Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts from Cal State at LA, Cyphers’ biography states.

His first feature film was “Truck Turner” in 1974, in which he played the character Drunk. Cypher first worked with Carpenter in the 1976 action film “Assault on Precinct 13,” in which he played Special Officer Starker.

After the original “Halloween,” Cyphers appeared in Carpenter’s 1980 horror film “The Fog” and 1981 film “Escape From New York.” Cyphers’ other film credits include “Coming Home” (1978), “The Onion Field” (1979), “Borderline” (1980), “Honkytonk Man” (1982) and “Major League” (1989).

Outside of film, Cyphers appeared in multiple television series including “Barnaby Jones,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Bionic Woman,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Roots,” “Wonder Woman,” “The Betty White Show,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Hill Street Blues, “ER,” “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher,” and more.

CYPHERS, Charles (Charles George Cyphers)

Born: 7/28/1939, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 8/4/2024, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.

 

Charles Cyphers’ western – actor:

Little House: Look Back to Yesterday (TV) – 1983 (Zack Taylor)

RIP Lily Y. Monteverde

 

Mother Lily Monteverde, Regal Entertainment matriarch and star-maker, dead at 85

Inquirer

By Hannah Mallorca

August 4, 2024

 

Lily Monteverde, founder of Regal Entertainment and known as one of the longstanding pillars of the Philippine entertainment industry, has died at 85, her son confirmed.

Fondly known as “Mother Lily” among entertainment circles, Monteverde’s death was confirmed by her son Goldwin Monteverde to GMA on Sunday, August 4. She would have turned 86 on the 19th of the month.

In a statement, Regal Entertainment said Mother Lily died at around 3:18 a.m. where she was “surrounded by her children and grandchildren in her final hours.”

“Throughout her years, she has not only been a mother to her children but also the ‘Mother’ to so many generations of Filipino filmmakers who have helped define what Philippine cinema is today. Even to her final years, Mother Lily has served as one of the cornerstones of the movie industry, providing opportunities to filmmakers — both creative and technical — to carve their names in our popular history,” Regal said.

The production company also described Mother Lily as a “true mother to artists and workers” beyond her work in the entertainment industry.

“The family is at peace now that their mother has not only found rest but has joined their Father Remy in that place called eternity — as they were together in life as they will remain together where there is no space or time,” Regal added.

Meanwhile, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Jose Javier Reyes took to his Facebook page to express his love for the departed film producer.

“So many of us lost our “Mother” today. Her family grieves. An industry mourns. Goodbye, Mother Lily. You gave so much to us … and we only have our love to bring you home to our Father,” he wrote.

Mother Lily’s death comes barely a week after the passing of her husband Leonardo “Father Remy” Monteverde last July 29. He was brought to his final resting place on August 3.

Born Lily Yu Chu, Mother Lily founded the film and television company Regal Entertainment in August 1962. She served as its president and CEO until her death. Meanwhile, her daughter Roselle is the COO and vice president of the company.

She has produced over 300 films throughout her career, and was one of the pillars behind the successful careers of Gabby Concepcion, Dina Bonnevie, Alma Moreno, Snooky Serna, Jimmy Melendez, Albert Martinez, William Martinez, and Maricel Soriano, among many others.

Mother Lily is the producer of several successful films including the “Mano Po” anthology, “Scorpio Nights,” “Blue Moon,” “Shake, Rattle, & Roll” series, and “My Monster Mom,” to name a few.

Among her many awards included the Ina ng Pelikulang Pilipino Award in 2017 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Mother Lily’s wake will be held at 38 Valencia Events Place from August 5 to 9. Her interment will take place on August 10 at The Heritage Park in Taguig.

MONTEVERDE, Lily Y. (Lily Yu Chu)

Born: 8/19/1938, Manila, Philippine Commonwealth

Died: 9/4/2025, Manila, Philippines

 

Lily Y. Monteverde’s westerns – executive producer:

Long Ranger and Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West – 1989

The Return of the Long Ranger & Tonton: How the West Was Wrong - 1992

RIP Enriqueta Linares

 

Enriqueta Linares, voice actress of 'Mazinger Z', 'Moana' and 'The Adventures of Tadeo Jones', dies

She voiced numerous radio programs and television series

Cronica

August 1, 2024

 

The voice actress and radio host Enriqueta Linares has died at the age of 90. This has been confirmed by RTVE Catalonia through its X account. She was characterized by having a voice that adjusted to a huge number of registers, a fact that allowed her to have a career full of successes, among which the Japanese animated series "Mazinger Z", the Disney film "Moiana", or the Spanish animation "The Adventures of Tadeo Jones" stand out.

In fact, her last appearance was in the Disney production, where she voiced the character of Grandma Tala. However, her time in Catalonia also left a very important mark.

The voice of Enriqueta Linares

She began in the world of voice-over at the Ràdio Jovintud academy, and continued her career at Radio Miramar, where she presented the spaces "Mujeres" and "Barcelona, te quiero". She made the leap to Radio Nacional de España, also in the Catalan capital, and in the world of dubbing, she gave voice to all kinds of icons.

On the international scene, beyond animation, she also had the opportunity to dub icons such as the leading actress of the series "Roots", Bette Davis.

LINARES, Enriqueta

Born: 1934, Barcelona, Barcelona, Cataluna, Spain

Died: 8/1/2024, Spain

 

Enriqueta Linares’ westerns – voice actress:

The Taste of Violence – 1960 [Spanish voice of a woman]

Ride the High Country – 1963 [Spanish voice of prostitute]

A Pistol for Ringo – 1965 [Spanish voice of Nieves Navarro]

$4.00 of Revenge – 1966 [Spanish voice of Dave’s wife]

Frontier Hellcat – 1966 [Spanish voice Dunja Rajter]

Nevada Smith – 1966 [Spanish voice of Isabel Boniface]

The Professionals – 1967 [Spanish voice of a woman]

The Texican – 1967 [Spanish voice of Marta May]

Guns for San Sebastian – 1968 [Spanish voice of Rosa Furman]

Twice a Judas – 1968 [Spanish voice of Linda Sini]

Boot Hill – 1969 [Spanish voice of circus girl]

A Minute to Pray a Second to Die – 1969 [Spanish voice of Rosa Palomar, Colby’s woman]

Thompson 1880 – 1969 [Spanish voice of Aiché Nana]

Stagecoach of the Condemned – 1970 [Spanish voice of Elena Pironti]

The Stranger’s Gundown – 1970 [Spanish voice of Emy Rossi Scott]

Today We Kill…Tomorrow We Die – 1970 [Spanish voice of Lina Franchi]

20 Paces to Death – 1970 [Spanish voice of Maria Pia Conte]

The Cheyenne Social Club – 1971 [Spanish voice of Jean Willes]

El Puro – 1971 [Spanish voice of Lisa Seagram]

Rio Lobo – 1971 [Spanish voice of hotel receptionist]

Roy Colt & Winchester Jack – 1971 [Spanish voice of Isa Miranda]

Wild Rovers – 1971 [Spanish voice of Bill Jackson’s wife, cantina girl]

Doc – 1972 [Spanish voice of Antonia Rey]

Joe Kid – 1972 [Spanish voice of Lynne Marta]

Man of the East – 1972 [Spanish voice of Magdalena]

Watch Out Gringo! Sabata Will Return – 1972 [Spanish voice of unknown actress]

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – 1973 [Spanish voice of Page Williams]

Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears – 1973 [Spanish voice of Conchita Airoldi]

The Magnificent 7 Ride – 1973 [Spanish voice of Carolyn Conwell]

Those Dirty Dogs – 1973 [Spanish voice of Gabriella Giorgelli]

Captain Apache – 1974 [Spanish voice of Elsa Zabalza]

Silverado – 1985 [Spanish voice of Linda Hunt]

Geronimo – 1989 [Spanish voice of doctor’s assistant]

RIP Joe Colligan

 

Butler Eagle

August 1, 2024

Joseph Patrick Colligan, 68, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Butler, passed away Tuesday morning, July 30, 2024, at St Joseph Providence Hospital in Burbank, Calif., from complications from colon cancer.

Born on June 24, 1956, in Butler Memorial Hospital to Margaret and James Colligan Sr., Joe was a devout Christian, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend to those he loved dearly.

Joe grew up in the Butler area, graduating from Butler High School in 1974. He so much wanted to attend his 50th class reunion this fall.

While growing up, Joe always dreamed of being on stage, he often kept his family and friends laughing at his original skits, jokes and imitations. In his high school years, he landed on the stages of Butler High School, where he shined in "Barefoot in the Park," "1776," as Charlie in "Flowers for Algernon" and Pellinore in "Camelot." Following high school he attended Clarion University, starring in numerous college theatrical productions and earning the National Championship Award for After Dinner Speaking. He loved stand-up comedy!

After graduation from Clarion University, he moved on to Los Angeles to begin his career in the entertainment business. For more than 40 years, Joe built a very respectable acting resume of roles on television, voice-over and film work. From the beginning of the 1980s, he was a principal actor in "Days of Lives" as Ethan, had a reoccurring role on "Trapper John, M.D.," and made guest appearances on "The Lottery," "Cheers," "Newhart," "The A-Team," "Alf," "Friends," "Give Me A Break," "Ally McBeal," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Strong Medicine," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Mad TV," "Walker, Texas Ranger," etc. He also starred in animated features, "Bernadette: The Princess of Lourdes," "Starchaser: The Legend of Orin," and the weekly animated series "Dino-Riders."

Joe also worked as a writer on the Emmy award-winning Betty White game show, "Just Men!" He worked alongside actors, Ray Liotta, George Peppard, Nell Carter and Calista Flockhart, and director, David E. Kelley. He was also a very successful commercial actor, appearing in hundreds of national commercials for Bud Light, Pepsi Cola, Pizza Hut, Seagram's and Dreyer's Ice Cream to name a few.

He received critical acclaim for his onstage work in Los Angeles for roles in "The Andersonville Trial," "The Fiery Furnace" and received the LA Critics Award for his role as Leslie Williams in "The Hostage."

He is survived by his mother, Margaret Colligan of East Brady; brothers, James Colligan Jr. of Butler, Bruce Colligan of Peoria, Ill., John Colligan of East Brady and Tim Colligan of Sligo; his longtime friends, Donna Collins, Randy Perry, Vicki Blum and John and Gail Walchesky; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by sister, Chris Gizienski; brother-in-law Henry Gizienski; and his father, James Colligan Sr.

Joe lived an exceptional life.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Butler.

COLLIGAN, Joe (Joseph Patrick Colligan)

Born: 6/24/1956, Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 7/30/2024, Burbank, California, U.S.A.

 

Joe Colligan’s westerns – actor:

Paradise (TV) – 1989 (Rencileer)

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) -1994 (J.C. Rooks)

RIP Randal Malone

 

Randal Malone Dies: President Of Southern California Motion Picture Council And ‘Singled Out’ Star Was 66 

DEADLINE

By Bruce Haring

July 31, 2024

 

Randal Malone, an actor and president of The Southern California Motion Picture Council, died July 28 of kidney disease at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 66.

His death was confirmed by H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a longtime friend and advisory board member of the SCMPC.

Malone played a “film star” on the 1990s MTV dating game show Singled Out and was in several low-budget films.

Born on May 29, 1958 in Kentucky, Malone toured with theater companies after graduating college, including stints on Broadway, before settling in Los Angeles in the late 1980s.

While being the caregiver for his ailing grandmother, Malone dedicated his time and resources to the Motion Picture and TV Fund and worked closely with the late “Mayor of Hollywood,” Johnny Grant, to secure stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Malone’s first film role was in Sunset After Dark, co-starring Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien and Anita Page. His breakout role came on MTV’s Singled Out, where he played several characters, with “Filmstar Randal Malone” a fan favorite. Malone also hosted segments for the Game Show Network.

Survivors include his mother, Shirley, brothers Donald and James, sister Allison, and his partner of 38 years, Michael Schwibs. A memorial service is being planned.

MALONE, Randal (Randal Johnson Malone)

Born: 5/29/1958, Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.A.

Died: 7/28/2024, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Randal Malone’s western – actor:

The Marshal of Windy Hollow – 1972 (young boy)

RIP Bobby Banas

 

Bobby Banas, Dancer in ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Mary Poppins,’ Dies at 90

Also an actor and choreographer, he famously did “The Nitty Gritty” on ‘The Judy Garland Show’ and was kissed by Marilyn Monroe in ‘Let's Make Love.’

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

July 30, 2024

 

Bobby Banas, the actor, dancer and choreographer who played Joyboy in West Side Story and worked in such other famed movie musicals as Bye Bye Birdie, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Mary Poppins, has died. He was 90.

Banas died Monday of pneumonia at an assisted living facility in Encino, his son, director and photographer Eden Tyler Banas, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Banas received newfound attention when a clip of him leading five others in a dance number to the song “The Nitty Gritty” on a 1964 episode of CBS’ The Judy Garland Show found its way on YouTube. It has since been viewed many millions of times.

Banas’ Joyboy was a member of the Jets in West Side Story (1959). Later, the performer was bowled over by a kiss from Marilyn Monroe in Let’s Make Love (1960), played a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins (1964) and danced in a nightclub with Ann-Margret in Made in Paris (1966).

Born in New York on Sept. 22, 1933, Robert Joseph Banas took ballroom dancing lessons when he was a teenager. He went on to partner with future West Side Story co-star Natalie Wood in the Michael Panaieff Children’s Ballet Company and attend the Hollywood Professional School and Hollywood High.

After working on the stage, he did “The Charleston” in his onscreen debut, Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952), then showed up in four 1956 movies: Carousel, The King and I and Bill Haley & His Comets’ Rock Around the Clock and Don’t Knock the Rock.

He performed for choreographer Jerome Robbins in 1954-55 on Broadway in Peter Pan and then in The King and I, and that certainly helped him get cast in West Side Story, directed by Robbins and Robert Wise.

Banas’ dancing résumé also included Damn Yankees (1958), The Girl Most Likely (1958), L’il Abner (1959), Babes in Toyland (1961), Ann-Margret’s Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Debbie Reynolds’ The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Elvis Presley’s Girl Happy (1965) and a 1966 episode of Get Smart.

As a choreographer, he worked on The Kraft Summer Music Hall, Malibu U., The Jonathan Winters Show, Mork & Mindy, Hart Like a Wheel (1983) and Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986).

In addition to his son, survivors include his daughter-in-law, Roxanne, and his grandson, Dylan.

BANAS, Bobby (Robert Joseph Banas)

Born: 9/22/1933, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 7/29/2024, Encino, California, U.S.A.

 

Bobby Banas’ westerns – choreographer, actor:

Annie Get Your Gun (TV) – 1957 (Indian dancer)

How The West Was Won – 1964 (dance hall dancer)

The Unsinkable Molly Brown – 1964 (dancer)

The Virginian (TV) – 1969 [choreographer]

RIP Erica Ash

 

Erica Ash Dies: ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ & ‘Real Husbands Of Hollywood’ Actor Was 46

DEADLINE

By Erik Pederson

July 29, 2024

 

Erica Ash, who starred on the Starz dramedy Survivor’s Remorse and the BET series Real Husbands of Hollywood and In Contempt and appeared in dozens of other films and TV shows including Mad TV, has died. She was 46.

Her family confirmed that Ash died after a long cancer battle but didn’t not provide other details. “Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor and genuine zest for life,” her family said in a statement. “Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

Born on September 19, 1977, in Florida, Ash broke out as a regular on the first two seasons of Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show in 2006-07 and then Fox’s Mad TV. Into the 2010s, she worked in films including Scary Movie V, Horror Noire, Sister Code, Kristy, two 2017 Christmas pics and the 2018 basketball comedy Uncle Drew, starring Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal and others.

Among her first big roles was recurring from 2013-16 on the parody series Real Husbands of Hollywood, which starred Kevin Hart, Duane Martin, Nick Cannon, JB Smoove, Nelly and others. During that time, Ash also starred in all four seasons of Survivor’s Remorse, opposite Jessie T. Usher, RonReaco Lee, Tichina Arnold and Mike Epps.

“Erica Ash had a booming laugh that filled the set of Survivor’s Remorse every day,” creator and showrunner Mike O’Malley told Deadline today. “It was a loud and generous laugh. The kind of loud and genuine laugh that made you turn your head to see what you were missing. The kind of laugh that signified life being lived to the fullest. Erica did. As M-Chuck, she was nominated for an NAACP Image award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2017. She deserved that accolade and many more. She loved being on a show, working as an actor, and crafting a character that she could call her own. She was fearless, hilarious, compelling. But most of all — she was a good person. A team player. A woman you loved being around. To work with her was to know what the good life could look like.”

She also did a three-episode guest arc in the 2016 first season of NBC’s Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta.

Ash’s next starring TV role was in legal drama In Contempt, which she toplined as talented and opinionated public defender Gwen Sullivan. It lasted one 10-episode season on BET. She then did a four-episode arc on The CW drama Legacies in 2019.

ASH, Erica (Erica Chantal Ash)

Born: 9/19/1977, Florida, U.S.A.

Died: 7/28/2024, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Erica Ash’s western – actress:

Outlaw Johnny Black – 2023 (Bessie Lee)