In Memoriam 2020
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- He was born in the USA while his Australian parents were in Boston at the time. He has two sisters and a brother and his father is a doctor for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He was raised on a farm near (Benalla, North East Victoria) He left school early and moved to Queensland, shearing sheep and breaking horses, before heading overseas. He applied to National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) graduating in 1996. His theatre work includes the plays The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the Bell Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest.
He has a son, Ariel, (1989), from a relationship with actress Rachael Maza. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Veronika Fitz was born on 28 March 1936 in Dießen am Ammersee, Germany. She was an actress, known for Die Hausmeisterin (1987), Königlich Bayerisches Amtsgericht (1969) and Im Tal des Schweigens (2004). She was married to Willy Anders. She died on 2 January 2020 in Bad Aibling, Bavaria, Germany.
Veronika Fitz stand sowohl auf der Theaterbühne als auch vor der Kamera. Dort allerdings hauptsächlich fürs Fernsehen. Gelegentlich auch fürs Kino. Dort, in ihrer allerersten Rolle 1956 in „Die Geierwally“ (mit Barbara Rütting). Danach war sie auch in „Hotel Allotria“, „Egon, der Frauenheld“, „Wenn Ludwig ins Manöver zieht“, „Der nächste Herr, dieselbe Dame“ und „Mensch, ärgere dich nicht“ zu sehen. Und natürlich in dem Komödien-Klassiker „Das Wirtshaus im Spessart“.
Ihre erste Serien Hauptrolle spielte Veronika Fitz 1979, neben Walter Sedelmayr in „Der Millionenbauer“. Einen größeren Bekanntheitsgrad erlangte sie durch ihre eigene Serie „Die Hausmeisterin“, welche von 1987 bis 1992 gezeigt wurde. Eine weitere war dann in „Ein Bayer auf Rügen“ (mit Wolfgang Fierek), sowie in „Tierarzt Dr. Engel“ (wieder mit Fierek), die Reihe „Im Tal des Schweigens“ und in 96 Folgen von „Forsthaus Falkenau“ als Hardy Krüger Jr. Den Part des Försters übernahm. Bei „Frauenarzt Dr. Markus Merthin“ hatte Veronika Fitz dann in 16 Folgen eine wiederkehrende Rolle.
„Funkstreife Isar 12“, „Kommissar Freytag“, „Alarm in den Bergen“, „Salto mortale“, „Königlich Bayerisches Amtsgericht“, „Der Kommissar“, „Jörg Prada berichtet“, „Der Alte“, „Unsere schönsten Jahre“ „Polizeiinspektion 1“, „Derrick“, „Der Bulle von Tölz“, „SOKO 5113“ und „Tatort“ sind ein paar der Serien, in denen sie zu Gast war.
Ihr Vater war der Bühnenautor Hans Fitz. Ihre Brüder die Schauspieler Walter und Gerd Fitz. Die Kabarettistin Lisa Fitz ist ihre Nichte und Schauspieler Michael Fitz ist ihr Neffe.
Veronika Fitz starb am 2.1.2020 im Alter von 83 Jahren.- Director
- Script and Continuity Department
- Writer
Élisabeth Rappeneau was born on 19 January 1940 in Auxerre, Yonne, France. She was a director and writer, known for Fréquence meurtre (1988), J'ai peur d'oublier (2011) and Le sauvage (1975). She died on 2 January 2020 in Paris, France.- Actor
- Soundtrack
British light leading man, on stage from 1951 and in films from 1953. Having initially aspired to be a dancer, Beeny joined the Ballet Rambert company in London at the age of eight but later switched to acting and eventually graduated from RADA in 1959. By then he had already achieved a measure of popularity on TV as a 12-year old juvenile in the original British soap opera The Grove Family (1954). He ultimately became best known as the smart-alecky footman and chauffeur Edward in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971). During a seven year hiatus from acting between 1963 and 1970, Beeny worked in the building industry. He resumed his career on the small screen in Softly Softly: Task Force (1969) and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971). He then replaced Reg Varney as the foreman Tony in the relaunch of The Rag Trade (1975), played a birdbrained undertaker in the funeral sitcom In Loving Memory (1969) and was latterly seen as an inept debt collector in Last of the Summer Wine (1973). His appearances on the big screen have been infrequent. His second wife was the singer Diana Kirkwood.Schon lange bevor er International bekannt wurde, war Christopher Beeny in England kein Unbekannter. Zunächst in einer Handvoll Kinofilme wie "Meineid" (1953), "Besiegter Hass" (1953) oder "Child's Play" (1954). Und dann kam das Fernsehen. Zunächst in 125 Folgen der Drama Serie "The Grove Family" und der aus 7 Folgen bestehenden Krimi Serie "Outbreak of Murder". Und dann kam "Das Haus am Eaton Place" wo er 46 Folgen lang, als Edward, einer der Bediensteten des Bellamy Haushaltes zu sehen war. Seine Figur wurde im Laufe der Serie dann auch "befördert". Nach dem "Eaton Place" folgten für Christopher Beeny dann mehrere, mal kürzer, mal länger laufende Serien. "Miss Jones and Son", "The Rag Trade", "In Loving Memory" und die Comedy Serie "Last of the Sumer Wine".
Zwischenzeitlich gab er auch Gastspiele. Die Serien die es davon auch ins deutsche TV gebracht haben waren "Die Rivalen von Sherlock Holmes" (1971) und "Die Füchse" ("The Sweeney"/1975 mit John Thaw und Dennis Waterman).
Christopher Beeny starb am 3.1.2020 im Alter von 78 Jahren.- Károly Gesztesi was born on 16 April 1963 in Budapest, Hungary. He was an actor, known for A titkos hely (2003), Valami Amerika (2002) and Hungarian Vagabond (2004). He was married to Claudia Liptai, Zsuzsa Csarnóy and Nikoletta Karel. He died on 4 January 2020 in Budapest, Hungary.
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
The youngest of five children, Robert Clinton Blanche was born to Mary Edith Blanche (Heavner) and Richard Keith Blanche on March 30, 1962 in Pomona, California, but spent most of his life in Oregon. He joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild) in 1995 and served as Portland SAG Branch President for many years pre-merger and Portland SAG-AFTRA Local President from 2017-19. In addition to his work locally, he served as Vice Chair of the National SAG Indie Committee from 2007-08. Since 1996, he served as member or alternate of the TV/Theatrical, Low Budget and Agency committees.- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Silvio Horta was born on 14 August 1974 in Miami, Florida, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Ugly Betty (2006), Urban Legend (1998) and The Chronicle (2001). He died on 7 January 2020 in Miami, Florida, USA.- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Prolific, multi-talented comedy writer, story editor, actor and director. His father was an Air Force general (Paul Steinberg Zuckerman) turned stockbroker and his mother was silent screen star Ruth Taylor, formerly a member of Mack Sennett's bathing beauties. Buck Henry's first fling with comedy was as a contributor to the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern magazine (known as 'Jacko') while he was still at college. His fellow writers there included such luminaries as Dr. Seuss, novelist Budd Schulberg and the playwright Frank D. Gilroy. Henry attended Harvard Military Academy for a short time before developing an interest in acting which led to a few small roles on Broadway. His budding career was interrupted by military service during the Korean War. In 1961, Henry joined a small improvisational off-Broadway theatre troupe called The Premise for a year before moving to Hollywood. He was to find his greatest popularity in the 60s as one of the principal hosts of Saturday Night Live (1975), writer for The Garry Moore Show (1958) and co-creator/writer (with Mel Brooks) of Get Smart (1965), for which he won an Emmy in 1967. Prior to that, he had already achieved a certain amount of notoriety as co-perpetrator (with Alan Abel) of a hoax which had Henry masquerading as G. Clifford Prout, Jr., president of the bogus Society for Indecency to Naked Animals, making public appearances on network television and other media, demanding that all zoos and wildlife parks be closed until all animals were "properly dressed". At one time he tried to put huge boxer shorts on a baby elephant at San Francisco Zoo. The hoax was eventually exposed after Henry was spotted as an actor by a fellow CBS employee during a Walter Cronkite interview.
One of a new wave of satirists (others including Woody Allen and Alan Arkin) Henry brought an edgier, smarter, more anarchic and at times abrasive style to his writing. Some of his quotable one-liners (in particular for Get Smart) are - and will continue to be - idiomatic. While he was original, clever and invariably funny, not all of Henry's endeavours panned out. Two of his TV parodies proved to be conspicuous failures: Captain Nice (1967) (a send-up of Batman) and Quark (1977) (a Star Trek parody about interstellar garbage collectors). On the plus side, Henry was Oscar-nominated twice: the first time for his screenplay of The Graduate (1967), the second for co-directing (with star Warren Beatty ) the re-make of Heaven Can Wait (1978). Following The Graduate, a New York Times reviewer described him as a cross between Jack Lemmon and Wally Cox , "a terrifying practical joker and a compulsive reader of 200 periodicals a month". He was much in demand as a guest on talk shows (including Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Dick Cavett) and appeared as a self-deprecating actor in most of the films he wrote: as a hotel desk clerk in The Graduate, the cynical Colonel Korn in Catch-22 (1970), a lunatic in Candy (1968), a priest and a TV anchorman in First Family (1980), and so on. In Milos Forman's Taking Off (1971) he also had a rare co-starring role as a father looking for his runaway daughter. Buck Henry passed away at the age of 89 in Los Angeles on January 8 2020.Buck Henry war Drehbuchautor und Schauspieler. Er schrieb die Drehbücher zu ein drei der absoluten Kino Klassiker. „Die Reifeprüfung“, „Catch-22“ und „Is' was Doc?“. Sein erstes Kino Drehbuch war 1964 für „Der Störenfried“. Desweiteren noch für „Candy“, „Die Eule und das Kätzchen“, „Der Tag des Delphins“, „ Ene mene Mu und Präsident bist du“, „Protocol - Alles tanzt nach meiner Pfeife“, oder „Stadt, land, Kuß“. Etwas „aus der Reihe“ ist sein Drehbuch für den Thriller „To Die For“ mit Nicole Kidman.
Seine ersten TV-Drehbücher schrieb Buck Henry für die Variety Show „“The Garry Moore Show“.
Buck Henrys berühmteste Schöpfung (zusammen mit Mel Brooks) ist allerdings niemand anders als Maxwell Smart, Geheimagent 86 aus der Kult Comedy Serie „Mini-Max oder die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Maxwell Smart „ („Get Smart“).
Zwischendurch war er auch immer wieder mal vor der Kamera zu sehen. So auch in ein paar der Filme für die er die Bücher schrieb. Aber auch in „Der Mann, der vom Himmel fiel“, „Der Himmel soll warten“, „Gloria, die Gangsterbraut“, „Eating Raoul“, „Aria“, „ Even Cowgirls Get the Blues“ und „Ein verrücktes Paar“ (mit Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau).
Auch Serien besuchte Buck Henry. „Murphy Brown“, „Geschichten aus der Gruft“, „Will & Grace“, „30 Rock“ und „Law & Order: Special Victims Unit“. Und in „Falcon Crest“ (ohnehin ein „Sammelplatz“ für bekannte Namen) war er in 3 Folgen als Foster Glenn zu sehen.
Seine Synchronsprecher waren u.a.: Eckart Dux, Friedrich Georg Beckhaus, Karl-Ulrich Meves, Jürgen Thormann, Tom Deiniger, Franz Rudnik, Hasso Zorn, Norbert Gastell, Norbert Gescher und Reinhard Glemnitz
Buck Henry starb am 8.1.2020 im Alter von 89 Jahren.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Edd Byrnes was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger on July 30, 1932 in New York City, the son of Mary (Byrne) and Augustus "Gus" Breitenberger. Edd shared an impoverished and unhappy childhood with brother Vincent and sister Jo-Ann. Their mother worked hard at various jobs to keep the family together because her alcoholic husband was often absent from the scene.
When Edd was fifteen, his father was found dead in a basement. Edd then dropped his surname (Breitenberger) in favor of "Byrnes", based on the name of his maternal grandfather, Edward Byrne, a New York City fireman. He found escape from family problems at the movies and at the gym, where he developed an athletic body. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free "physique" photos of him. According to his 1996 autobiography, "Kookie No More", this led to a few years of "hustling" older, well-to-do men, despite the fact that Edd was heterosexual. One of these men acted as Edd's mentor, introducing him to fashion and culture and encouraging his hopes for an acting career.
After doing some summer-stock work and a few bit parts on TV, Edd drove to California in 1955, arriving in Los Angeles on the day James Dean died in a car crash. He managed to get a few minor parts in films and then won a role in a new TV series, 77 Sunset Strip (1958), which premiered in September 1958. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and Roger Smith starred as private eyes but Edd, playing a hip-talking parking-lot attendant named "Kookie", won the most attention. Viewers quoted his dialog, ("Baby, you're the ginchiest!"), and young males imitated the way he wielded his ever-present comb. His fan mail soon reached an astonishing 15,000 letters a week and his single with Connie Stevens, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", became a top-5 hit. Edd chafed, however, at the restrictions in his Warner Brothers contract, which forced him to turn down roles in Ocean's Eleven (1960), North to Alaska (1960) and Rio Bravo (1959).
He walked off the "77 Sunset Strip" set and in the ensuing months began to drink heavily and visit a psychiatrist, who administered drugs to him. His contract dispute was eventually settled, though not much to his advantage, and when he returned to "77 Sunset Strip" his role was upgraded from "sidekick" to "partner" and he wore a suit and tie. Audience reaction was not good, ratings dropped, and the show was canceled. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in PT 109 (1963) because President John F. Kennedy didn't want to be played by "Kookie". A few more movies and TV appearances followed, but his career had passed its peak before he turned 30.
In 1962, he married long-time girlfriend Asa Maynor. Their son, Logan, was born on September 13, 1965. Edd and Asa's marriage ended in divorce in 1971, partially due to his substance abuse. In 1982, he succeeded in going "clean and sober" but never remarried. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020, aged 87, in Santa Monica, California.Seine Karriere begann Mitte der 50er Jahre zunächst in einer Handvoll Serien Gastrollen, bevor er in größeren und kleineren Rollen auf die große Leinwand kam. Unterschiedliche Filme wie „Mannstoll und gefährlich“, "Von Panzern überrollt", "Die Liebe der Marjorie Morningstar", "Mit 17 beginnt das Leben", "Die Augenzeugin", "Geheimkommando", "Die Satansbrut des Colonel Blake", „Ein Stoßgebet für drei Kanonen“, „Wenn die Gänsehaut erstarrt“ oder „Die Wilde von Beverly Hills“. Von all diesen (und ein paar mehr) Filmen, ist „Grease“ allerdings, mit ziemlicher Sicherheit, der Beste.
1958 folgte dann, im Fernsehen, die Rolle, die ihm zum Teenager-Idol machen sollte. Für die Krimi Serie „77 Sunset Strip“ wurde er zu Gerald „Kookie“ Kookson, III. Er spielte die Rolle in ca. 142 Folgen.
Beim deutschen TV-Zuschauer wurde „Kookie“ noch zusätzlich dadurch populär, weil Hans Clarin ihm seine unverwechselbare Stimme gab. Seine zweite Hauptrolle hatte er in der kurzlebigen Serie „$weepstake$“, einer Mischung aus „Der Millionär“ und „Love Boat“/“Fantasy Island“. Edd Byrnes war der „Gastgeber“
Zwischen den Filmen und „Sunset Strip“ (und natürlich danach) war er immer wieder als Gast dabei. In „Surfside 6“ und „Hawaiian Eye“ in seiner Paraderolle als Kookie. Ansonsten sah man Edd Byrnes bei „Maverick“, „Burkes Gesetz“ (dem 60er Original und der 90er Neuauflage), „Die Leute von der Shilo Ranch“, „Dr. Marcus Welby““Make-up und Pistolen“, „The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries“, „ChiPs“, „Drei Engel für Charlie“, „Vega$“, „Fantasy Island“ (sogar 4 Mal), „Quincy“, „Simon & Simon“ und „Mord ist ihr Hobby“. In je einer Folge von „Eine schrecklich nette Familie“ und „Auf schlimmer und ewig“ spielte er sich selbst.
Edd Byrnes starb am 8.1.2020 im Alter von 87 Jahren.- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ivan Passer was one of the key authors of the "new wave" of Czech cinema, a group of young people who forged an energetic and transgressive film movement in the 1960s, breaking away from the precepts of hard socialist realism. Passer was not only the author of the scenarios of his own films, but he also worked on the scripts of the first four motion pictures made by his countryman, friend and colleague Milos Forman: "Konkurs" (1963), "Black Petr" ( 1964), "Loves of a Blonde" (1965) and "The Firemen's Ball" (1967).
Passer was born in Prague, the son of Marianna (Mandelíková) and Alois Passer. He was the grandson of a silent movie screenwriter. Ivan's parents were persecuted by the Nazis for their Jewish heritage. Ivan was a rebel boy, sent to a boarding school where he became friends with Milos. Together they went to study cinema at the FAMU film school in Prague, but young Ivan was eventually expelled from the academy. By then he had acquired skills in movie-making, some experience and had key friends, such as cinematographer Miroslav Ondricek. With Forman and other friends, they made their first movies.
In 1965 Passer made a remarkable first feature, the beautiful "Intimate Lighting", a film of impressionist inspiration that immediately established his name as a promising new director. But the social pressures and political unrest in Czechoslovakia, which culminated in 1968 with the Soviet invasion, led him into exile the following year. However, in the United States he did not achieve the notoriety of Forman, who received the best proposals, while he rejected offers that did not convince him: for example, he refused to make "Yentl" for a number of reasons, including his conviction that Barbra Streisand was too old and famous for the role, in opposition to other key performers as Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving. Likewise, he refused to make films with elements of violence, which he always opposed. During World War II he had been directly exposed to violence, and he believed that it was dangerous to represent it in films: violence, he said, affects "some people who are not able to realize the difference between reality and fantasy."
However, he made some worthy movies, such as his American debut "Born to Win" (1971), a complex portrait of a heroin-addict hairdresser; his satire on civil surveillance, "Law and Disorder" (1974); the comedy about money-laundering bankers "Silver Bears" (1977), and the cult film "Cutter's Way" (1981), in which a war veteran investigates a crime, despite he only has one eye, one arm and one leg. For television he directed the biopic "Stalin" in 1992.
Passer taught film at the University of Southern California, and lectured students in foreign film academies. He died in Reno, Nevada, on January 9, 2020.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Casting Director
Stan Kirsch was an American actor and acting coach from New York City. He appeared in television commercials as a child. His most notable acting role was that of young immortal Richie Ryan in the fantasy television series "Highlander: The Series" (1992-1998). His character was introduced as a student and surrogate son for the protagonist Duncan MacLeod (played by Adrian Paul). Richie remained as one of the series' main characters until his death in the finale of the 5th season. Kirsch also depicted an alternate-reality version of Richie in the two-part finale of the 6th season.
In 1972, he appeared in television commercials for Campbell's soup. He would continue to appear in commercials during his early career. He decided to pursue an acting career. His earliest credited role in television was a guest star role in the short-lived western series "Riders in the Sky" (1991). In 1992, Kirsch made a few appearances in the soap opera "General Hospital" (1992-).
Kirsch had his first recurring role as Richie Ryan "Highlander: The Series" . Richie was initially depicted as an orphaned thief, who became a surrogate son for the centuries-old immortal Duncan MacLeod. He was a wisecracking teenager, who felt bewildered when surrounded by immortals with lifelong obsessions and hidden agendas. By the 2nd season, Richie realized that he was also immortal. He started becoming a more cynical character, with lethal conflicts of his own. He also displayed a ruthless streak. The screenwriters eventually decided to write him out. In his final regular episode, the demon Ahriman manipulates Duncan into killing Richie. The event shatters Duncan's self-confidence. Richie's episode turned out to be one the most controversial episodes in the series, as Richie was a fan-favorite character.
In 1995, Kirsch had a memorable guest-star role in the sitcom "Friends" (1994-2004). He played Ethan, the new boyfriend of regular character Monica Geller (played by Courteney Cox). Monica has been told that Ethan is a college student, and she is initially thrilled to date a younger man. Until Ethan confesses that he is a high school student and still underage. Monica breaks up with him in disgust.
Kirsch played two different roles in the legal drama television series "JAG" (1995-2005). He first appeared as a young ensign in 1996, and then as a lieutenant in 2001. He appeared frequently as a guest in other series of this period, such as "Love Boat: The Next Wave" and "Family Law".
Kirsch had a rare role in a theatrical film, when playing deputy sheriff Stuart Dempsey in the horror film "Shallow Ground" (2004). In the film, local police officers arrest an adolescent boy who is covered in blood. The boy becomes the main suspects in several unsolved disappearances in the area. The boy somehow has access to the memories of the dead, and Stuart and several other characters are revealed to have skeletons in their closet. The film debuted at the "Dead by Dawn Edinburgh Horror Film Festival".
Kirsch's acting roles became fewer in the late 2000s, but he had a change in his career path. In 2008, he founded the acting studio "Stan Kirsch Studios.". He primarily worked as an acting coach for the rest of his life. He reportedly had many students, and he was regarded as very good at his job.
Kirsch committed suicide by hanging on January 11, 2020, at the age of 51. The causes for his suicide were unknown. He was survived by his wife and business partner Kristyn Green. The official "Highlander" Facebook page posted an obituary for him, and the press reported grieving reactions by Kirsch's former students. Despite a rather brief career, Kirsch is fondly remembered for his acting roles.Die Rolle, mit der er richtig bekannt wurde, war die des Richie Ryan in „Highlander – Die Serie“. Richie war der beste Freund von Hauptfigur Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul), dem Highlander. Im laufe der Serie wurde Richie selber zu einem „Unsterblichen“.
Bevor er allerdings zu „Highlander“ stieß, hatte er, für kurze Zeit, eine Rolle in der Kult-Daily Soap „General Hospital“ sowie in der kurzlebigen Serie „Riders in the Sky“.
Stan Kirsch drehte ein paar TV-Filme („Countdown: Der Himmel brennt", „Späte Reue“) und Kinofilme („The Flunky“, „Shallow Ground“ & „Deep Rescue“). Sonst gab es nur noch eine Handvoll Gast Auftritte in den Serien „Alles total normal“, „Friends“, „Love Boat – Auf zu neuen Ufern“, „X-Factor: Das Unfassbare, „Frauenpower“ („Family Law“), „First Monday“ (mit James Garner & Joe Mantegna) und in zwei Folgen von „ J.A.G. - Im Auftrag der Ehre“.
Im Jahre 2008 gründete er die Schauspielschule „Stan Kirsch Studios“. Studiert haben dort u.a. David Giuntoli (Nick Burkhardt in „Grimm“), Christine Ko (Jessie Nomura in „Hawaii Five-O“) oder Alison Rich („The Goldbergs“).
Stan Kirsch starb am 11.1.2020 im Alter von 51 Jahren.- Rocky Johnson was born on 24 August 1944 in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), Spectrum Wrestling (1977) and Wrestling at the Chase (1959). He was married to Ata Johnson, Una Sparks and Sheila. He died on 15 January 2020 in Lutz, Florida, USA.Seine Karriere, vor der Kamera, begann um 1992. Zuvor hatte er, nach seiner Schauspielausbildung, Theater gespielt. Meistens waren es dann, bis Ende der 90er Jahre, kleiner Rollen in TV-Filmen und Serienfolgen. Teilweise wurde er dann in den Stabs Angaben auch „nur“ mit einem Beruf angegeben (Wirt, Taxifahrer).
Eine erste, größere und wiederkehrende Rolle hatte er, neben Uschi Glas, in der Serie „Sylvia - Eine Klasse für sich“. Von 1999 bis 2003 gehörte er zur Besetzung vom „Forsthaus Falkenau“. Und dann kam die Rolle, die in so richtig bekannt und beliebt machte. Die des Hauptkommissars Korbinian Hofer in „Die Rosenheim-Cops“. Eine Rolle, die er seit 2002 verkörperte. Wobei Joseph Hannesschläger dort, wie auch ein Teil seiner Kollegen, seit einigen Jahren bereits regelmäßig Pausen einlegte & ein anderer Ermittler als Vertretung kam. Halt wie im richtigen Leben. Auch wenn das bei manchen Fans nicht gut ankam.
Ansonsten konnte man ihn als Gast bei „Ein Bayer auf Rügen“, „Der Bulle von Tölz“, „Der Fahnder“, „Sophie: Schlauer als die Polizei“, „Polizeiruf 110“, „Julia - Eine ungewöhnliche Frau“ oder „SOKO München“ sehen.
Mini-Rollen gab es für ihn auch in einer Handvoll Kinofilme wie „Die Distel“ „Looosers!“, „Nur über meine Leiche“, „Bandits“ (mit u.a. Katja Riemann) oder „ Der Schuh des Manitu“.
Einer seiner Schauspiellehrer war übrigens sein „Rosenheim-Chef“ Achtziger Alexander Duda.
Seinen letzten Auftritt als Kommissar Hofer zeigt das ZDF am Dienstag den 28.1. um 19.30 Uhr in der Folge „Der Bart muß weg“
Joseph Hannesschläger starb am 20.1.2020 im Alter von 57 Jahren. - Neda Arneric was born on 15 July 1953 in Knjazevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Stand Up Straight, Delfina (1977), Aloa: Festivity of the Whores (1988) and Shaft in Africa (1973). She was married to Milorad Mesterovic, Dejan Karaklajic and Rade Markovic. She died on 10 January 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Hermosillo was one of the most successful Mexican directors. Born in Aguascalientes, a small city in central Mexico, Hermosillo's films dissected the hypocrisy of Mexican middle class and "torn the curtain" behind which many perversities are hidden. He became an important figure in Mexican contemporary cinema, and was known for treating themes of sexual diversity from a personal approach. One of the few openly gay Mexican directors, Hermosillo found great success with Doña Herlinda y su hijo (1985), a comedy about a mother of a gay doctor who manipulates her son, his male lover and his fiancée to fulfill her desire of becoming a grandmother. Homosexual themes in Hermosillo's films can be found in Matinee, El Cumpleaños del Perro, and Las apariencias engañan (1978). Hermosillo was also an explorer of film language. La Tarea is one of the most complex exercises in film style in recent years (the film consists of one long shot, from the POV of a camcorder). Hermosillo's films presented a fresh look at Mexican society. A strong advocate of digital cinema, he made ten feature films in this format.- Actor
- Composer
- Writer
Neil Peart was one of the most universally respected rock drummers, and was best known for his nearly superhuman, pyrotechnic drum playing, and for providing intellectual lyrics for his band's songs. Neil served as both drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush since 1974, joining bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. (Rush's lineup remained unchanged since Neil's arrival in 1974.) Rush is the most successful Canadian music group in history, and is the third most prolific seller of consecutive (American) Gold and Platinum Records and videos, behind only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Beginning on August 10, 1997, immediately following Rush's "Test For Echo" tour, Neil endured concurrent, seemingly unendurable tragedies when his daughter (and only child) died in a car accident, and then his wife died from cancer 10 months later. This put Rush on indefinite hiatus for the first time, and prompted Neil to write "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road", his second book. In September 2000, Neil married Los Angeles photographer Carrie Nuttall. They had a daughter, Oliva, in 2009.
Neil rejoined Rush in the studio for 2002's "Vapor Trails," their 17th studio album, which was met with high praise and considered a stellar "comeback" both for Peart and the band. A highly successful 2002 tour brought about the band's long-awaited return to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tour ended with Rush's first-ever shows in Brazil, where they played to 125,000 fans in three nights. The final performance of the 2002 tour was captured on DVD as Rush in Rio (2003), which was certified double-platinum within weeks of its release.
After the Vapor Trails album and tour, Neil's writing became more personal. His subsequent live performances, including his trademark percussion solos which showcased his superlative adroitness as a drummer, were regarded as his best to date. His final tour with Rush was 2015's R40 tour, which marked forty years since Neil joined the band. At the end of the tour, Neil announced he was retiring due to arthritis and tendinitis.
Not long after his retirement, Neil was diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought it privately for three and a half years, keeping it secret until he passed from it on January 7, 2020.- Christopher Tolkien is the third son of the author J. R. R. Tolkien, and the editor of much of his father's posthumously published work. He drew the original maps for his father's The Lord of the Rings, which he signed C. J. R. T.
After his father's death, Christopher Tolkien, whom his father had once called his "chief critic and collaborator", embarked on organizing his father's unpublished writings, some of them written on odd scraps of paper a half-century earlier. He worked on the manuscripts and was able to produce an edition of The Silmarillion for publication in 1977.
The Silmarillion was followed by Unfinished Tales in 1980 and The History of Middle-earth in twelve volumes between 1983 and 1996.
In 2007 he published The Children of Húrin, another history that J.R.R. Tolkien didn't complete during his lifetime. - Matthias Scheuring was born on 27 October 1957 in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was an actor, known for Anhedonia (2016), Alles was recht ist (2008) and Tatort (1970). He died on 12 January 2020 in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany.
- Additional Crew
- Camera and Electrical Department
Manfred Friebe is known for Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus! (2004), Kaya Yanar & Paul Panzer - Stars bei der Arbeit (2011) and Joko gegen Klaas - Das Duell um die Welt (2012). Manfred died on 15 January 2020.- Ferdinand Schmidt-Modrow was born on 30 April 1985 in Aichach, Bavaria, West Germany. He was an actor, known for The Wave (2008), Storm of Love (2005) and Die Rosenheim-Cops (2002). He died on 15 January 2020 in Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany.
- Actor
- Producer
London-born character actor Derek Fowlds came to the fore on television as 'Mr. Derek', straight man to the children's puppet Basil Brush (succeeding Rodney Bewes in that capacity), then as private secretary and political advisor Bernard Woolley, diligently keeping the reins on obtuse British Cabinet Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) in Yes Minister (1980), and, finally, as retired police sergeant -- turned pub proprietor -- Oscar Blaketon during the entire 18-year run of Heartbeat (1992). Having done his national service in the RAF, Fowlds based the Blaketon character on a drill instructor, commenting "I just cut my hair shorter, slicked it back and shouted a lot and Oscar was born."
In his youth, Fowlds aspired to becoming a footballer. He first tried acting in school plays as a bit of a lark. "Just for kicks" he later decided to pursue the profession more seriously, trained at RADA and debuted on stage in a 1961 production of "The Miracle Worker" at London's Wyndham Theatre. Thereafter, he popped up in the occasional motion picture but was considerably more prolific on the small screen where he regularly alternated between comedy and drama. Early on, he played the lead in his own short-lived detective series, Take a Pair of Private Eyes (1966). His autobiography "A Part Worth Playing" was released in 2015.Derek Fowlds war Theater und TV-Schauspieler, der ab und zu auch mal auf der Kinoleinwand in Nebenrollen dabei war. So z.B. in „Auf zur Navy“, „Doktor in Nöten“, „Manche mögen's geheim“, „Östlich vom Sudan“ und, die wohl zwei am bekanntesten „Hotel Paradiso“ (Mit Alec Guinness & Gina Lollobridgida) und Hammers „Frankenstein schuf ein Weib“. Nicht zu vergessen „Turm der lebenden Leichen“ (1972).
Deutsche Fernsehzuschauer kennen Derek Folwds am ehesten noch aus den Comedy Serien „Yes, Minister“ und der Fortsetzung „Yes, Premierminister“.
Von 1992 bis 2009 spielte er den Sergeant Oscar Balketon in der britischen Drama-Serie „Heartbeat“ (in knapp 342 Folgen).
Zwar hatte er in zahlreichen Serien Gastrollen, aber von denen waren bei uns, nur recht wenige zu sehen. Darunter „Thriller“, „Der Aufpasser“ und „Van der Valk“, sowie die Mini-Serie „Edward VII:“ Eine weitere Hauptrolle hatte er in dem 3-Teiler „Die Puppe“ von Francis Durbridge.
Derek Fowlds starb am 17.1.2020 im Alter von 82 Jahren.- Christoph Quest was born on 8 October 1940 in Berlin, Germany. He was an actor, known for Es wäre gut, daß ein Mensch würde umbracht für das Volk (1991), Boat Trip (2002) and Die Geschwister Oppermann (1983). He was married to Frauke and Doris . He died on 18 January 2020 in Berlin, Germany.Neben seinen Auftritten vor der Kamera stand Christoph Quest immer wieder regelmäßig sowohl auf der Theater- als auch auf der Opernbühne.
Seien erste Kinorolle spielte 1964 in dem Film „Wälsungenblut“ (u.a. mit Gerd Baltus). 1974 sah man ihn dann in „Ein ganz perfektes Ehepaar“ (witzigerweise wieder mit Baltus). Dann spielte er noch in „1+1=3“, „Sonntagskinder“ und in „Boat Trip“ mit Cuba Gooding Jr. & Roger Moore.
Neben Rollen in diversen Mini-Serien („König Richard der III“, „Über Deutschland“, „Goya“, „Die Geschwister Oppermann“ oder „Väter und Söhne – Eine deutsche Tragödie“) hatte Christoph Quest allerdings auch einige Serien Hauptrollen. Eine der Ersten war 1984 „Matt in 13 Zügen“ (u.a mit Gudrun Landgrebe, Matthieu Carrière & Peer Augustinski). Von 1993 bis 1998 gehörte er zur „Stadtklinik“, von 1999 bis 2001 als Professor Doktor Wagner zu „Herzschlag – Das Ärzteteam Nord“ und schließlich war er Kriminaloberrat Heinrich Haupt in „SK Kölsch“ (1999 bis 2006).
Gastspiele gab er u.a. bei „Hamburg Transit“, „Die grüne Brigade“, „Balko“, „Hallo, Onkel Doc“, „Park Hotel Stern“, „Der König“, „Rosa Roth“, „Tatort“, „Löwenzahn“ oder bei „Alarm für Cobra 11“
Christoph Quest starb am 18.1.2020 im Alter von 79 Jahren. - Joseph Hannesschläger was born on 2 June 1962 in Munich, Bavaria, West Germany. He was an actor, known for Die Rosenheim-Cops (2002), Forsthaus Falkenau (1989) and Sinan Toprak ist der Unbestechliche (2001). He was married to Bettina Geyer. He died on 20 January 2020 in Munich, Germany.Seine Karriere, vor der Kamera, begann um 1992. Zuvor hatte er, nach seiner Schauspielausbildung, Theater gespielt. Meistens waren es dann, bis Ende der 90er Jahre, kleiner Rollen in TV-Filmen und Serienfolgen. Teilweise wurde er dann in den Stabs Angaben auch „nur“ mit einem Beruf angegeben (Wirt, Taxifahrer).
Eine erste, größere und wiederkehrende Rolle hatte er, neben Uschi Glas, in der Serie „Sylvia - Eine Klasse für sich“. Von 1999 bis 2003 gehörte er zur Besetzung vom „Forsthaus Falkenau“. Und dann kam die Rolle, die in so richtig bekannt und beliebt machte. Die des Hauptkommissars Korbinian Hofer in „Die Rosenheim-Cops“. Eine Rolle, die er seit 2002 verkörperte. Wobei Joseph Hannesschläger dort, wie auch ein Teil seiner Kollegen, seit einigen Jahren bereits regelmäßig Pausen einlegte & ein anderer Ermittler als Vertretung kam. Halt wie im richtigen Leben. Auch wenn das bei manchen Fans nicht gut ankam.
Ansonsten konnte man ihn als Gast bei „Ein Bayer auf Rügen“, „Der Bulle von Tölz“, „Der Fahnder“, „Sophie: Schlauer als die Polizei“, „Polizeiruf 110“, „Julia - Eine ungewöhnliche Frau“ oder „SOKO München“ sehen.
Mini-Rollen gab es für ihn auch in einer Handvoll Kinofilme wie „Die Distel“ „Looosers!“, „Nur über meine Leiche“, „Bandits“ (mit u.a. Katja Riemann) oder „ Der Schuh des Manitu“.
Einer seiner Schauspiellehrer war übrigens sein „Rosenheim-Chef“ Achtziger Alexander Duda.
Seinen letzten Auftritt als Kommissar Hofer zeigt das ZDF am Dienstag den 28.1. um 19.30 Uhr in der Folge „Der Bart muß weg“
Joseph Hannesschläger starb am 20.1.2020 im Alter von 57 Jahren. - Wolfgang Freundorfer was born on 17 June 1947 in Munich, Germany. He was an actor, known for Storm of Love (2005), Tatort (1970) and Kanal fatal (1986). He died on 15 January 2020 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Director
- Cinematographer
- Writer
Sigurd Tesche was born on 24 April 1940 in Haan, Germany. He was a director and cinematographer, known for Wild Skagerrak (2016), Fertile Floods: Croatia's Wetlands (2018) and Wilde Schweiz (2017). He was married to Marlene. He died on 12 January 2020 in Leichlingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.- Sabine Deitmer was born on 21 October 1947 in Jena, Thuringia, Germany. She was a writer, known for Kalte Küsse (1997) and Neonnächte - Der U-Bahn-Schlitzer (2000). She died on 11 January 2020 in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Writer
Urs Egger was born on 9 March 1953 in Bern, Kanton Bern, Switzerland. He was a director and assistant director, known for Child on the Open Road (1992), Shillings from Heaven (2018) and The Living Daylights (1987). He died on 18 January 2020 in Berlin, Germany.- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Harry Hains was born on 4 December 1992 in Melbourne, Australia. He was an actor and producer, known for Lulu (2018), Groupies (2018) and American Horror Story (2011). He died on 7 January 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actress
- Script and Continuity Department
Lyudmila Kasyanova was born on 10 December 1936 in Yessentuki, Stavropol Krai, Russia, USSR. She was an actress, known for Don Kikhot (1957), Solange Leben in mir ist (1965) and Trotz alledem! (1972). She died on 2 January 2020 in Prague, Czech Republic.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Tony Garnett was born on 3 April 1936 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK. He was a producer and actor, known for Kes (1969), Deep in the Heart (1983) and Prostitute (1980). He was married to Alexandra Ouroussoff and Topsy Jane. He died on 12 January 2020 in the UK.- Elizabeth Wurtzel was born on 31 July 1967 in New York City, New York, USA. She was a writer, known for Prozac Nation (2001), When the Brass Band Plays (2020) and Intimate Portrait (1990). She was married to James Freed Jr.. She died on 7 January 2020 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
- Actress
- Writer
Mónica Echeverría was born on 2 September 1920 in Santiago, Chile. She was an actress and writer, known for The Penal Colony (1970), Little White Dove (1992) and Days in the Country (2004). She was married to Fernando Castillo Velasco. She died on 3 January 2020 in Santiago de Chile, Chile.- Jan Tesarz was born on 4 August 1935 in Czechowice-Dziedzice, Slaskie, Poland. He was an actor, known for Hart's War (2002), Bokser (1967) and A Short Film About Killing (1988). He died on 3 January 2020 in Torun, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Chanh Tin Nguyen was born on 29 November 1952 in Bac Lieu, Vietnam Country, French Indochine. He was an actor and writer, known for Hiep Si Guoc Vong (2013), Ngôi Nhà Bí Ân (2007) and Suôi Oan Hôn (2007). He was married to Bich Tram . He died on 4 January 2020 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.- Writer
- Music Department
- Composer
Lan O'Kun was born on 13 January 1932 in Manhattan, New York, USA. He was a writer and composer, known for Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992), Insight (1960) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). He was married to Barbara Hurwitz. He died on 9 January 2020 in Malibu, California, USA.- Norma Michaels was born on 13 March 1924 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Easy A (2010), You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) and Wedding Crashers (2005). She died on 11 January 2020 in Palm Springs, California, USA.
- Mildred Trares was born on 1 December 1931 in Madison, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Berkeley Square (1959), Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1964) and Pygmalion (1963). She was married to George Schaefer. She died on 9 January 2020 in the USA.
- William Bogert was born on 25 January 1936 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for WarGames (1983), Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and A Perfect Murder (1998). He was married to Eren Ozker. He died on 12 January 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Terry Jones was born in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, the son of Dilys Louisa (Newnes), a homemaker, and Alick George Parry Jones, a bank clerk. His older brother is production designer Nigel Jones. His grandparents were involved in the entertainment business, having managed the local Amateur Operatic Society and staged Gilbert and Sullivan concerts. Jones studied at St. Edmund Hall College, Oxford University, read English but graduated with a degree in History. He was variously captain of boxing, captain of the Rugby Team and School Captain. At about this time, he befriended Michael Palin. Both performed comedy together as part of the Oxford Revue. In 1965, he again partnered Palin in The Late Show (1966) and worked in the dual capacity of writer/actor on Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967) with Palin, Eric Idle and David Jason. Another noteworthy television credit was Complete and Utter History of Britain (1969) (again with Palin) in which fun was poked at famous historical personae, Jones essaying Oliver Cromwell, Sir Walter Raleigh and Henry VIII (among others).
Needless to say that Jones found his greatest success as a founding member of the anarchic and irreverent Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969), along with Palin, Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam. Jones not only provided much of the written comic input, but also portrayed many of the classic characters: the implausibly obese Mr. Creosote in The Meaning of Life (1983) (who explodes after one more little wafer), the inept Detective Superintendent Harry "Snapper" Organs in the Piranha Brothers sketch (a take on the Kray Twins), the tobacconist in the Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook sketch and numerous assorted shrill-voiced, slovenly 'rat-bag women' (Mrs. Equator comes to mind).
The Pythons were unconventional, controversial, certainly groundbreaking and invariably inspired, at their best in their unrelenting satirical attacks on established British institutions, ruling hierarchies and the class structure. Jones later said "The thing is we never thought Python was a success when it was actually happening, it was only with the benefit of hindsight". In addition to writing and acting, Jones also co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) (with Terry Gilliam) and took solo directing credit for Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life. Post-Python, he rejoined Palin as co-writer for some of the very best episodes of Ripping Yarns (1976), including Whinfrey's Last Case, Tompkinson's Schooldays, Murder at Moorstone Manor, The Curse of the Claw and The Testing of Eric Oldthwaite. Jones later scripted Labyrinth (1986) from a story by Jim Henson and Dennis Lee and wrote, as well as directed, Erik the Viking (1989) and Absolutely Anything (2015), a science fiction comedy with Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale.
On a more serious note, Jones sidelined as a newspaper columnist and was an outspoken social and political commentator (a staunch critic of the Iraq War). His lifelong fascination with medieval and ancient history (and Geoffrey Chaucer in particular) led to presenting a series of television documentaries (Medieval Lives (2004) and Barbarians (2006))) as well as publishing several well researched, if sometimes controversial, books including Chaucer's Knight: The Portrait of a Medieval Mercenary and Who Murdered Chaucer?: A Medieval Mystery.
Jones died at the age of 77 on 21 January 2020 from complications of dementia, at his home in Highgate, North London.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jô Shishido or Joe Shishido a.k.a. Joe The Ace (esu no Jô) owing to his role in 1961's Fast-Draw Guy entered acting following an audition for the Nikkatsu Studio and being one of the few to be picked and offered a contract via its New Face contest. Having signed with Nikkatsu in 1954 he began acting in drama films before drifting into yakuza sub-genre of action and crime films and ultimately finding fame through Nikkatsu director's Seijun Suzuki in Branded To Kill. This recognition was slow in developing, however, as upon its initial release reaction was mute and box office success was limited, which eventually lead to Suzuki's firing from the studio. Shishido worked further in television and for other studios and has over 160 films to his name. Wanting a more distinct look Shishido underwent cheek augmentation surgery resulting in a look described as being akin to a chipmunk. Shishido died at his Setagaya, Tokyo home at age 86 in January 2020.- Brice Armstrong was a small-time Texas actor who grew up in the city of Dallas. He didn't get his big breakthrough until he became a voice actor for Funimation when they first started on their own English version for Dragon Ball Z & Dragon Ball. For one decade Brice has provided voice work for several Funimation anime and most of the Dragon Ball video games. He became best known to anime fans as the English voice of Captain Ginyu & Tim Marcoh. Which were the most popular characters he had voiced throughout his career. Sometime in 2009, Brice retired from acting.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
John Karlen was born on 28 May 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Cagney & Lacey (1981), Dark Shadows (1966) and House of Dark Shadows (1970). He was married to Betty Karlen. He died on 22 January 2020 in Burbank, California, USA.- Podcaster
- Actor
- Production Department
Sonny Grosso was a New York City police officer when his experiences with his partner Eddie Egan during the early 60s became the basis of the film The French Connection (1971). Grosso had a bit part in the film while Egan had a more substantial role. Grosso later appeared in two more feature films, _Report to the Commissioner (1974)_ and Cruising (1980).- Jack Kehoe was born on 21 November 1934 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Serpico (1973), The Sting (1973) and Midnight Run (1988). He died on 14 January 2020 in Hollywood Hills, California, USA.
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. Bryant also led the NBA in scoring twice, and ranks fourth in league all-time regular season and postseason scoring. He was posthumously voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Born in Philadelphia and partly raised in Italy, Bryant was recognized as the top American high-school basketball player while at Lower Merion. The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, he declared for the 1996 NBA draft and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick; he was then traded to the Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned a reputation as a high-flyer by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, and was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud with teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the pair led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.
In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexual assault;with the alleged victim being a 19 year old hotel employee. Criminal charges were later dropped after the accuser failed to testify, and a lawsuit was settled out of court, with Bryant issuing a public apology and admitting to a sexual encounter while maintaining the interaction was consensual. The accusation briefly tarnished Bryant's reputation, resulting in the loss of several of his endorsement contracts.
After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded and Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers. He led the NBA in scoring in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. On January 22, 2006, he scored a career-high 81 points; the second most points scored in a single NBA game, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. Bryant led the team to consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, both times being named NBA Finals MVP. He continued to be among the top players in the league through the 2012-13 season, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon at age 34. His next two seasons were cut short by injuries to his knee and shoulder, respectively. Citing physical decline, Bryant retired after the 2015-16 season. In 2017, the Lakers retired both his #8 and #24 jerseys, making him the only player in NBA history to have multiple jerseys retired by the same franchise.
The all-time leading scorer in Lakers history, Bryant was the first guard in NBA history to play 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the second most all time, and he has the most consecutive appearances as a starter. Bryant's four NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards are tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history. He gave himself the nickname "Black Mamba" in the mid-2000s, and the epithet became widely adopted by the general public. He won gold medals on the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams. In 2018, he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for the film Dear Basketball (2017).
Bryant died, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in 2020. A number of tributes and memorials were subsequently issued, including renaming the All-Star MVP Award in his honor.
He was. 5× NBA champion (2000-2002, 2009, 2010); 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010); NBA Most Valuable Player (2008); 18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-2016); 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011); 11× All-NBA First Team (2002-2004, 2006-2013); 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2001); 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005); 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006-2011); 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2012)- Producer
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Born in Columbus, Ohio as Carolyn Louise Kramer to Warren A. and Ann (nee Caldwell) Kramer, when she was 18 months old her mother died unexpectedly. She was raised by her grandparents, Frank and Louise (nee Orton) Caldwell of Columbus.
She attended the Ohio State University Laboratory School in Columbus and was graduated from MacDuffie School in Springfield, Massachusetts. As a freshman at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, she met Rod Serling, a returning World War II veteran attending the college. They wed two years later, on July 31, 1948, and graduated in 1950 before moving to Cincinnati, where Rod worked for a local radio station.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Michou was born on 18 June 1931 in Amiens, France. He was an actor, known for Happy New Year (1973), Molière pour rire et pour pleurer (1973) and La vie rêvée de Vincent Scotto (1973). He died on 26 January 2020 in Saint-Mandé, Val-de-Marne, France.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Nicholas Parsons was without doubt one of the UK's most popular and beloved television and radio personalities, and very few can claim to have had such a long entertainment career. The son of a doctor, he was raised in Lincolnshire until the age of eight, when the family moved to London. He was educated at St. Paul's School, London. He trained as an engineer but really wanted to become an actor and decided to pursue his dream. He performed in weekly repertory in Bromley for two years, playing a wide range of parts. His particular talent for comedy and impersonations made him a natural in cabaret and he became the resident comedian at the Windmill Theatre. Much work in radio followed.
Parsons acted in several British films during the 1950s and 1960s, including dramas such as The Third Key (1956) and Eyewitness (1956) and comedies such as Doctor in Love (1960) and Carry on Regardless (1961). On television he worked with Eric Barker and most notably on The Arthur Haynes Show (1956) as Haynes' straight man. In 1967 he became presenter of "Just a Minute", a comedy panel show on BBC Radio 4 which also featured regular appearances by Kenneth Williams over the next 20 years. Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, Parsons hosted the hugely popular ITV game show Sale of the Century (1971).
In 1989, having become so closely associated with comedy and light entertainment, Parsons surprised many when he returned to a dramatic role. He brought great depth and sensitivity to his portrayal of Reverend Wainwright, a tormented clergyman whose faith is tested to the limit by the horrors of the Second World War and the resurrection of a Viking curse in The Curse of Fenric: Part One (1989). It was one of the most unusual and complex characterizations ever created for the Doctor Who (1963) series, and Parsons later described this guest appearance as "one of the most treasured memories".
Parsons celebrated his 90th birthday in 2013 and he was joined at the party by stars including Esther Rantzen, Paul Merton and Gyles Brandreth. A performer of remarkable longevity, he was still taking his one-man show to the Edinburgh Fringe.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Monique van Vooren was born on 25 March 1927 in Brussels, Belgium. She was an actress, known for Wall Street (1987), Ça va barder (1955) and Flesh for Frankenstein (1973). She was married to Curt H Pfenniger. She died on 25 January 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.- Writer
- Producer
Harriet Frank Jr. was born on 2 March 1923 in Portland, Oregon, USA. She was a writer and producer, known for Hud (1963), The Cowboys (1972) and Norma Rae (1979). She was married to Irving Ravetch. She died on 28 January 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Appeared on the Andy Griffith show after Don Knotts departed. He played a bumbling deputy in the tradition of Barney Fife. After his partnership with George Carlin ended, he teamed with Avery Schreiber after meeting at Chicago's Second City comedy club. Jack appeared on Saturday Night Live In 1977 and turned to writing In in the 1980's.- Marj Dusay was born on 20 February 1936 in Hays, Kansas, USA. She was an actress, known for All My Children (1970), Guiding Light (1952) and Star Trek (1966). She was married to Thomas Allen Perine Jr. and John Murray Dusay. She died on 28 January 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.Im Kino war Marj Dusay eher seltener unterwegs. Und wenn, dann waren es eher Nebenrollen in Filmen wie „Einmal Millionär sein“ (mit Elvis Presley), „Adieu, geliebter November“, „Nacht ohne Zeugen“ (mit George Peppard) oder, und das ist der Bekannteste ihrer Filme, in „ MacArthur - Held des Pazifik“ wo sie die Ehefrau, des von Gregory Peck gespielten MacArthur spielte.
Im Fernsehen war Marj Dusay ein oft gesehenes Gesicht. Hauptsächlich in Gastrollen. Die wohl bekannteste: Kara in der „Raumschiff Enterprise“ Classic Folge „Spocks Gehirn“ Im Übrigen eine der „berühmt-berüchtigsten“ Folgen der Kult-Serie). Eine ihrer ersten Gastrollen spielte sie in einer Folge von „Mini-Max oder die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Maxwell Smart“. Von Mitte der 60er bis Anfang der 90er war sie u.a. bei „Der Marshal von Cimarron“, „Verrückter Wilder Westen“, „Hawaii Fünf-Null“, „Ein Käfig voller Helden“, „Ein Sheriff in New York“, „Männerwirtschaft“, „Cannon“, „Mannix“, „Die Straßen von San Francisco“, „Die sieben Millionen Dollar Frau“, „Quincy“, „Galactica 1980“, „Hart aber herzlich“, „Dallas“, „Ein Grieche erobert Chicago“, „Der Prinz von Bel-Air“ und natürlich „Mord ist ihr Hobby“.
Ab 1983 wurde sie zum Daily Soap Opera Star. Zunächst für „Capitol“ als sie, als Nachfolgerin von Caroline Jones & Marla Adams die Rolle der Myrna Clegg übernahm. Dann kamen „California-Clan“ (als Pamela Capwell Conrad), „All my Children“ (als Vanessa Bennett Cortland) und, zu guter Letzt, als Alexandra Spaulding in „Springfield Story“.
Ihre Synchronsprecherinnen waren u.a. Heidi Treutler, Brigitte Grothum, Alexandra Lange, Karin Lieneweg, Ingrid Capelle, Dagmar Berghoff, Hildegard Krekel, Ursula Hayer, Almut Eggert, Gisela Fritsch und Eva Pflug.
Marj Dusay starb am 28.1.2020 im Alter von 83 Jahren. - Robert Harper was born on 19 May 1951 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Creepshow (1982), Once Upon a Time in America (1984) and The War of the Roses (1989). He was married to Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff and Lisa Pelikan. He died on 23 January 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.Robert Harpers Schaffen vor der Kinokamera war recht Übersichtlich. Aber mit Filmen wie u.a. „Meine liebe Rabenmutter“, Die unheimlich verrückte Geisterstunde“, „Gesucht: Tot oder lebendig“, „Der Rosenkrieg“, „Eiskalte Leidenschaft“, Woody Allens „Harry ausser sich“ und „The Insider“ sowie als Sharkey in Sergio Leones „Es war einmal in Amerika“ sind etliche Klassiker dabei.
1988 spielte er dann die zweite Hauptrolle (neben Tim Reid) in der Sitcom „Frank's Place“. Seine erste Serien Hauptrolle. In 13, von 22, Folgen der Drama Serie „Philly“ spielte er den Richter Irwin Hawes. Neben Gastrollen in u.a. „Remington Steele“, „Dallas“, „Newhart“, „Stingray“, „Unter der Sonne Kaliforniens“, „Matlock“, „Roseanne“, „Jake und McCabe“, „Der Polizeichef“ und „Mord ist ihr Hobby“ oder „Im Kampf gegen die Mafia“, stand Robert Harper auch für ein paar TV-Filme vor der Kamera. „ Jack Dempsey - Ein Mann wird zur Legende“, „Kung Fu – Die Rückkehr“ (einem Sequel zur Kult-Serie), „Die Spur des Bösen“, „ Blutige Hände - Dazu bestimmt zu morden“ und „ Roboto - Die Menschmaschine“, sowie einige andere, sind ein paar der „klangvollen“ Titel. 1989 spielte er in „Midnight Cop“ den Dr. Jack Brittington. „Midnight Cop“ war übrigens der gefloppte TV-Film mit Rick Springfield und John Kapelos, aus dem später dann doch noch die Kult-Serie „Nick Knight - Der Vampircop“ wurde.
Mit Tom Deininger, Volker Brandt, Bernd Rumpf, Norbert Gescher und Frank-Otto Schenk hat er auch ein paar bekannte deutsche Sprecher.
Robert Harper starb am 23.1.2020 im Alter von 68 Jahren. - Producer
- Writer
- Executive
Fred Silverman was born in 1937, and quickly grew up into the television business. After starting out in the mail-room of ABC-TV in the late 1950s, he rose to director of program development at WGN-TV, Chicago in the early '60s. One day, he abandoned his car during a snowstorm and boarded a plane for New York, where he gained a position as head of Daytime Programming at CBS-TV. In 1970, he became the programming head of CBS, where he programmed such hits as The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970), All in the Family (1971), M*A*S*H (1972), The Jeffersons (1975), Kojak (1973) and The Sonny and Cher Show (1976). In 1975, he left for ABC-TV, where he worked closely with Michael Eisner and Brandon Tartikoff. He developed such new hits as Laverne & Shirley (1976), The Love Boat (1977), Donny and Marie (1975) and Soap (1977). By the end of the 1977-8 season, ABC was number one, Daytime and Nigttime. In 1978, he joined NBC as President and CEO. His presence helped stem the audience erosion of the prior 5 years with new programs such as Diff'rent Strokes (1978), Real People (1979) and Hill Street Blues (1981). During his tenure, he made program commitments that led to St. Elsewhere (1982) and Cheers (1982), promoted Brandon Tartikoff to President of Entertainment and laid the groundwork for NBC's turnaround in the 80s. Management changes at parent RCA led to Silverman's departure in June, 1981 and his replacement by Grant Tinker. Silverman formed "The Fred Silverman Company" and became an independent producer. Among his successes were "Perry Mason Movies", Matlock (1986), In the Heat of the Night (1988), Jake and the Fatman (1987) and Diagnosis Murder (1993). Silverman remains in the independent production business and also does program consulting.Fred Silverman war Produzent und, im Laufe der Jahre, einer DER Führungskräfte bei den, damals 3 großen US TV-Sendern CBS, ABC und NBC. Er „segnete“ u.a. Serien Klassiker wie „Scooby-Doo“, „All in the Family“ (& die dazugehörigen Spin-offs wie „Maude“ und „Die Jeffersons“), „Die Waltons“, „Roots“, „Shogun“, „M*A*S*H“, „Mary Tyler Moore“ , „Die sieben-Millionen Dollar Frau“, „Drei Engel für Charlie“, „Love Boat“, „Fantasy Island“, „Soap“ oder „Polizeirevier Hill Street“ ab. Ohneihn und sein Auge für einen Möglichen Hit, wäre die Serienwelt um etliche Klassiker ärmer.
Im Jahre 1981 gründete Fred Silverman die „Fred Silverman Company“ und produzierte dann sellber Serien. Zunächst den Flop „Supertrain“ (1979) und die, ebenfalls kurzlebigen Zeichentrick Serien „Fleischklops & Spaghetti“ und „The Mighty Orbots“. 1985 dann die Wende. Fred Silverman holte Raymond Burr in seiner Paraderolle als Anwalt Perry Mason auf den Bildschirm zurück. Als Produzent des TV-Films „Perry Mason kehrt zurück“ war er verantwortlich für sämtliche folgenden Filme bis 1994, dem letzten „McKenzie und der Tod eines Showstars“. Die letzten vier waren, wegen des Todes von Burr, mit Paul Sorvino als Anwalt Caruso bzw. Hal Holbrook als Anwalt McKenzie gedreht worden. Sie bekamen aber, weil Barbara Hale & Wiliam R. Moses in ihren Rollen dabei waren, im US-Original "A Perry Mason Mystery" als Obertitel. In den Jahren dazwischen produzierte Fred Silverman mit „Ein gesegnetes Team“ („The Father Dowling Mysteries“), „Jake und McCabe – Durch dick und dünn“, „Matlock“, „In der Hitze der Nacht“ und „Diagnose: Mord“ weitere Klassiker des Krimi-Genres. Bei „Diagnose: Mord“ auch die vor, bzw. nach Ende der Serie gedrehten TV-Flime.
Die bereits genannten Zeichentrickserie „Fleischklops & Spaghetti“ wurde von ihm erfunden. Ebenso wie „Pandamonium“.
Fred Silverman starb am 30.1.2020 im Alter von 82 Jahren.- Writer
- Actress
- Producer
In 2002 Mary Higgins Clark published her memoir "Kitchen Privileges". The book describes her upbringing, first marriage and how she became such a famous author. Meanwhile 36 movies have been made that are based on Mary Higgins Clark's thrillers. For a while Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter published their own magazine.- Robert Sampson was born on 10 May 1933 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Re-Animator (1985), The Dark Side of the Moon (1990) and Robot Jox (1989). He was married to Maryanne Gackle. He died on 18 January 2020 in Santa Barbara, California, USA.Größere und kleinere Nebenrollen brachten Robert Samspon immerhin 148 Einträge in seiner IMDb Filmographie. Würden mehrfache Auftritte in einer Serie zusätzlich zählen, kämen noch ein paar hinzu.
Mitte der 50er Jahre hatte er erste Mini-Rollen in u.a. „The Bamboo Prison“ oder in „The Peacemaker“ und 1960 in „Fremde, wenn wir uns begegnen“ und in „Young Jesse James“. 1961 dann, in „Im Taumel der Sinne“ bekam er nicht nur eine Nennung im Vor- bzw. Abspann, sondern auch endlich einen Rollen Namen. Immer wieder bekam er, im Laufe der Jahre Kinorollen. „The Broken Land“, „Insel der Gewalt“, „Rache aus dem Knast“, „Was nützt dem toten Hund ein Beefsteak“ und „Ein Zombie hing am Glockenseil“ sowie ein paar weitere B-Filme aus den 80er Jahren sind da zu nennen. „Re-Animator“ ist von ihnen noch der Bekannteste.
Schaut man sich alte, bzw. ältere Serien an: Robert Sampson hat man dort garantiert schon mal als Gast gesehen. Eine wiederkehrende Hauptrolle hatte er allerdings auch. In „Bridget und Bernie“ („Bridget Loves Bernie“) eine Comedy Serie von 1972 mit Meredith Baxter (Birney) und ihrem damaligen Ehemann David Birney.
„Der zweite Mann“ („The Deputy“/1959), „Steve Canyon“, „Alfred Hitchcock präsentiert“, „Frontier Circus“, „Die Leute von der Shilo Ranch“, „Bonanza“, „Die Seaview – In geheimer Mission“, „Raumschiff Enterprise“ (Folge „Krieg der Computer“ als Sar 6), „Rauchende Colts“, „Owen Marshall, Rechtsanwalt“, „ChiPs“, „Polizeirevier Hill Street“, „Dallas bis hin zu „Hotel“, „Agentin mit Herz“ dem „A-Team“ und „Profiler“. Er war dabei.
Außerdem war Robert Sampson Turk Tobias, der erste Sheriff von Tuscanny Valley, in 8 Folgen der ersten Staffel der Kult Seifenoper „Falcon Crest“.
1998 sprach er in dem Video Spiel „Rainbow Six“ die Figur des John Brightling.
Zu seinen bekanntesten Deutschen Sprechern gehören u.a. Holger Hagen, Eric Vaessen, Harry Wüstenhagen, Klaus Kindler und Gerd Holtenau.
Robert Sampson starb am 18.1.2020 im Alter von 86 Jahren. - Lucy Jarvis was born on 24 June 1917 in New York City, New York, USA. She was a producer and actress, known for The Peking Ballet: First Spectacular from China (1972), The Kremlin (1963) and Christopher Discovers America (1969). She was married to Serge Jarvis. She died on 26 January 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Stand-in and bit player Alan Harris was born on May 28, 1938 in Enfield, Middlesex, London, England. Harris worked as a male model before going on to embark on a career in both films and television as an extra and stand-in. Alan not only appeared in several Star Wars movies in uncredited minor roles, but also was the stand-in for Anthony Daniels on both Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) as well as had the Boba Fett costume made around him and was Harrison Ford's body double frozen in carbonite for Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Harris died at age 81 on January 25, 2020 in England.Alan Harris gehörte zu den unzähligen Schauspielern, die im Film, oder in Serien, weder im Vorspann noch im Abspann namentlich genannt wurden. So finden sich in seiner Filmographie etliche Klassiker. Neben ein paar Filmen der britischen "Carry On" Reihe ("Ist ja irre - Der Schiffskoch ist seekrank", "Das total verrückte Irrenhaus", "Heinrichs Bettgeschichten oder Wie der Knoblauch nach England kam", "Die total verrückte Oberschwester" und "Ein total verrückter Urlaub") konnte man ihn u.a. in "Geheimaktion Crossbow", "Die Gräfin von Hongkong", "Das dreckige Dutzend", "Uhrwerk Orange", "Hitler - Die letzten Zehn Tage", "Die Schlacht in den Wolken", "Das tödliche Dreieck", "Shining" oder "Flash Gordon" sehen.
In "Superman - Der Film" war er "der Mann auf dem Dach des Daily Planet". In "Krieg der Sterne" war er "Leias Rebellen Eskorte" und in "Das Imperium schlägt zurück" spielte er seine "berühmteste" Rolle - den Kopfgeldjäger Bossk. (Und einen Sicherheitsbeamten auf Bespin).
In der britischen Kult- SF-Serie "Mondbasis Alpha 1" verkörperte er einen sogenannten "Main Mission Operative" in mehreren Folgen. Bei "Mit Schirm, Charme und Melone", "Die Spezialisten", "UFO", "Ein Fall für Scotland Yard" und "Doctor Who" sowie in "Der Aufpasser" (seine letzte Rolle) war er in Mini-Rollen zu Gast. Seine letzten Leinwand Auftritte hatte er 1987 in "Eat the Rich" und in Timothy Daltons erstem James Bond Film "Der Hauch des Todes". Alan harris war einer der Mitarbeiter von Q. Und zwar "der Mann der den Ghetto Blaster abfeuert".
Im Übrigen war er wohl Double für Anthony Daniels in "Imperium" und "Rückkehr der Jedi-Ritter, Harrison Fords Body-Double für das Carbonit gefrieren und angeblich wurde um ihn herum das Kostüm für Boba Fett angefertigt.
Alan Harris starb am 31.1.2020 im Alter von 81 Jahren.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Gene Reynolds might have fulfilled a youthful ambition and become a baseball player. However, his father's business failed and the family relocated from their erstwhile home in Detroit to Los Angeles in 1934.
Eugene Reynolds Blumenthal was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Maude Evelyn (Schwab), a model, and Frank Eugene Blumenthal. After his childhood move to Hollywood, he started in the film industry as an extra in Our Gang comedies while studying drama at the Pasadena Playhouse. At the age of fourteen he was contracted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to play juvenile roles in classic features like Captains Courageous (1937) and Boys Town (1938). He often played the main star of the picture at a younger age in flashback. In 1940, Gene began a four year stint in the navy. Upon his discharge, he moved to New York to find work in the new medium of television. Another sojourn in Hollywood resulted in being featured in Paramount's The Country Girl (1954) and then cast in a mere bit part in The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954). By this time, Gene had become somewhat dissatisfied with the lack of impetus in his acting career. Scouting at the studios for other opportunities (at one time making ends meet by selling suits at a men's fashion store in Beverly Hills) he managed to finagle a job in casting and then landed a directing assignment secured by his friend Jackie Cooper on his TV sitcom Hennesey (1959). Henceforth, Gene was to work exclusively behind the scenes. In 1957, he helped launch the popular western series Tales of Wells Fargo (1957) as co-creator (with Frank Gruber and James Brooks), as well as occasional writer and director. He spent most of the sixties as director of episodic television. At decade's end, he was signed by 20th Century Fox and went on to produce and direct the pilot for The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1968).
Arguably more than anyone else, Gene Reynolds was the guy behind the success story of M*A*S*H (1972). Having been assigned the job of producing and directing the pilot episode, Gene first went to England to 'headhunt' comedy writer Larry Gelbart. He signed on Burt Metcalfe (at the time casting director at Universal) as associate producer and was then chiefly responsible for casting Alan Alda for the role of Hawkeye, McLean Stevenson as Colonel Blake and Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger. Until 1977, Gene worked as executive producer (and frequent director) on M*A*S*H before moving on to -- in his own words -- "face a new challenge" as co-creator and executive producer of the acclaimed drama series Lou Grant (1977). He won six Primetime Emmy Awards (1970 for Room 222 (1969), 1974 , 1975 and 1976 for M*A*S*H , 1979 and 1980 for Lou Grant). In addition, he collected a Writer's Guild of America Award for M*A*S*H in 1981 as well as four Director's Guild of America Awards, respectively in 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1993. He also served as President of the Director's Guild from 1993 to 1997.
Gene Reynolds died in Burbank, California, on February 3 2020 at the venerable age of 96.Gene Reynolds war Schauspieler, Produzent und Regisseur. Der Verlauf von Gene Reynolds Karriere ist nicht unbedingt ungewöhnlich, aber, in dieser Art, nicht unbedingt alltäglich. So stand er bereits Mitte der 1930er Jahre,im Alter von 12 vor der Kamera. Eben diese Nebenrollen in Kinofilmen ließen ihn, vor den Augen der Kinogänger, erwachsen werden. Längst nicht alle Filme aus dieser Zeit, schafften es auf deutsche Leinwände oder Fernsehschirme. „Thunder Trail“, „Chicago“ (mit Tyrone Power), „Of Human Hearts“, “Love Finds Andy Hardy“, „The Spirit of Culver“, „The Flying Irishman“, „Der große Edison“, „Tödlicher Sturm“, „Land der Gotlosen“ und der Klassiker „Teufelskerle“ (1938) mit Spencer Tracy und Mickey Rooney sind ein paar der Streifen. Die 50er Jahre bescherten ihm dann noch ein einige Serien Gastrollen.(„Lone Ranger“, „Polizeibericht“, „Inspektor Garrett“, „Public Defender“, „I Love Lucy“, „Highway Patrol“, „Navy Log“ und in diversen Anthologie Serien.
Der deutsche TV-Zuschauer kennt den Namen Gene Reynolds aus dem Vor- bzw. Abspann eher vom lesen. Also als Produzent oder Regisseur.
Bereits 1960 führte er eine seiner ersten Regiearbeiten. Für „Alfred Hitchcock präsentiert“. Im Laufe der Jahre folgten unterschiedliche Serien wie „Josh“, „77 Sunset Strip“, „Katy“ („The Farmers daughter“), „Meine drei Söhne“ (satte 74 Folgen), „Die Munsters“, „Lou Grant“, „Ein Käfig voller Helden“ oder „M*A*S*H“. Gerade bei letzteren Beiden, liest man seinen Namen, danke der häufigen Wiederholungen, auch heute noch.
Als Produzent fungierte er ab den 70er Jahren u.a. bei „Room 222“, „Anna und der König“, „Blossom“ (wen auch nur bei ein paar Folgen) sowie bei knapp 120 Folgen von „M*A*S*H“ und 114 von „Lou Grant“.
Die Serien „Wells Fargo“, „Roll Out“, „Karen“ und „Lou Grant“ sind seine Schöpfung. Und auch für „M*A*S*H“ schrieb er einige Drehbücher.
Gene Reynolds starb am 3.2.2020 im Alter von 96 Jahren.- Kyôko Aoyama was born on 23 November 1935 in Tokyo, Japan. She was an actress, known for I Live in Fear (1955), Rônin ichiba - Asayake tengu (1960) and The First Kiss (1955). She was married to Akira Kobayashi. She died in 2020.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Busy American supporting actor of Italian parentage who was a familiar face on the small screen during the golden years of television. Balduzzi chose his career path while serving in the U.S. Navy. After studying at the Goodman Theatre School of Drama in Chicago he moved to New York and began to act in off-Broadway plays. To make ends meet, he also held a job at Toots Shor's iconic restaurant in Manhattan, a famous meeting place for Hollywood celebrities. A fortuitous encounter with the casting director of The Jackie Gleason Show (1952) led to several gigs on the show from 1957, Balduzzi playing a variety of minor characters, from waiters to elevator operators. It took another seven years and a move to Los Angeles for the actor to secure regular work. From 1964, he was served best by being cast in sitcoms -- helping to enliven, among others, I Dream of Jeannie (1965), Gidget (1965), Bewitched (1964), That Girl (1966) and Barney Miller (1975) --, often as police officers, salesmen or in friendly servile parts. Infrequent offerings in motion pictures included a private soldier in the war picture Kelly's Heroes (1970) (filmed in Yugoslavia), a party guest in Pete 'n' Tillie (1974) and a prisoner in Michael Keaton's zany Johnny Dangerously (1984). Until his retirement from the screen in 1990, Balduzzi supplemented his income by working a variety of other jobs, including as hotel clerks and bellhops (roles he often essayed on TV), short order cooks, as a dance instructor and acting teacher.- Writer
- Actor
Charles Alverson was born on 13 October 1935 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for Jabberwocky (1977) and The Ninja Mission (1984). He was married to Zivana. He died on 19 January 2020 in Parage, Vojvodina, Serbia.- Actress
- Editor
- Additional Crew
Sophie Moyse was born on 20 February 1961 in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. She was an actress and editor, known for The Unsewing Machine (1986), Litan (1982) and Kill the Referee (1984). She died on 21 January 2020 in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France.- Elisabeth Schnell was born on 22 January 1930 in Zürich, Switzerland. She was an actress, known for Uli der Knecht (1954), Oberstadtgass (1956) and Polizist Wäckerli in Gefahr (1967). She died on 1 February 2020 in Lauenen, Bern, Switzerland.
- Director
- Writer
- Actor
José Luis Cuerda was born on 18 February 1947 in Albacete, Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He was a director and writer, known for Los girasoles ciegos (2008), Butterfly (1999) and The Others (2001). He died on 4 February 2020 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain.- Nadia Lutfi was born Poula Mohamed Shafiq in 1937 in Cairo to an Egyptian father and a Polish mother. Her father was an accountant. Acting started as a hobby, when she was 10 years old she participated in a play at her school and did very well.
Her first roles in Egyptian cinema were in Soultan (1958) and Cairo Station (1958), both the same year. The latter brought filmmaker Youssef Chahine to international attention and acclaim when it was a competitor at the Berlin Film Festival. Her career progressed and she appeared in El saman wal karif (1967) (based on the book by Nobel-winning author Naguib Mahfouz). She closed out the 1960s in Abi foq al-Shagara (1969) opposite Abdel Halim Hafez as a night club dancer who beds a much younger man.
She married three times, first time before she was 20 years old. She had one child, a son, Ahmad. - Producer
- Actor
- Production Manager
Gianni Minervini was born on 26 October 1928 in Naples, Campania, Italy. He was a producer and actor, known for Where's Picone? (1984), Turné (1990) and Fuori stagione (1980). He died on 4 February 2020 in Rome, Italy.- American actress and performer Dyanne Thorne began her career in show business as a band vocalist and New York stage actress. Before breaking onto the silver screen, she was popular as a comedic sketch artist/talking foil. Comedy albums, with Allen & Rossi, Vaughn Meader and Loman & Barkley earned her appearances on many T.V variety shows such as "The Tonight Show", "Red Skelton", "Steve Allen", "Merv Griffin", and with Tim Conway at Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
Filmed in New York City, Dyanne Thorne's first major film role was in Norman C. Chaitin's Encounter (1965), which was also an early screen credit for Robert De Niro. Moving to Hollywood to appear on T.V.'s Star Trek (1966), and star as yet another villainess in Crown International's thriller Point of Terror (1971), opened the door to several more movie roles.
In 1975, Dyanne married composer, conductor, musician and actor Howard Maurer. She and husband Howard starred in five films together throughout the years. The duo also co-produced and starred in several Las Vegas Strip showroom productions over a span of three decades and their careers took them around the world. Both Dyanne and Howard returned to the screen in 2013 after a 25 year absence to star together in indie horror films House of Forbidden Secrets (2013) and House of the Witchdoctor (2013).
As an actress, Dyanne Thorne was best known for her characterisation of the heinous international dominatrix, soldier of fortune, Ilsa. After her debut as Ilsa in Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS (1975), she reprised the role in sequels Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976), Ilsa the Tigress of Siberia (1977) and unofficial entry Ilsa, the Wicked Warden (1977) by director Jesús Franco. Her performance as Ilsa turned the series into a cult favourite amongst horror and exploitation fans, with Ilsa the Tigress of Siberia (1977) earning a special screening at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival 2018. Following her film career, Dyanne, alongside husband Howard, served as a church ordained, non-denominational minister In Las Vegas. The husband and wife team created "A Scenic Outdoor Wedding" as an alternative to commercial chapel weddings, with couples travelling from across the globe to be married by "Ilsa". - Composer
- Director
- Producer
Ivan Kral was born in 1948 in Prague, Czechoslovakia to a musician mother and journalist father.
The award-winning composer, filmmaker and musician knew his calling early. By the age of five, when he wrote his first song, he could sing, play guitar, piano and violin. At 16, he reached Czechoslovakia's Top 10 Hit Parade with Pierot, his own composition recorded with his band, Saze.
Ivan's family fled to New York just ahead of the Soviet Union closure of the Czech border in 1968. They settled in New York City, where his father, Dr. Karel Kral, was already a translator at the United Nations. While at the UN, Dr. Kral earned Czech government wrath over his criticism of the expected Soviet invasion.
Ivan, then 18 years old, adapted to his new country less readily than his older brother Pavel, 23. He stayed in the family's apartment on 81st Street, struggling to learn English - with the help of Daffy Duck cartoons - and hoping to return to Czechoslovakia and his rock 'n' roll celebrity.
Eventually, he attended Geneseo College in upstate New York, earning a degree in French literature. He paid for his education with a series of menial jobs, most notably working the midnight shift at Birds Eye Foods, where he donned a hazmat suit before jumping into 9-foot tall steel containers to remove leftover CoolWhip.
It was all a prelude to his life as a proto-punk, singer-songwriter and film chronicler of a musical era that still resounds today. Ivan wore eyeliner and satin onstage during the early 70s glitter glam rock phase. In 1974, he played guitar with Debbie Harry in Blondie. In 1975, he joined the seminal Patti Smith Group transforming them from poetry to rock and roll. The band recorded numerous tunes written by Kral with Smith, including debut album Horses, Radio Ethiopia, Easter and Wave.Rock journalist Dave Thompson quotes Patti: "Ivan fit in perfectly, because all of us were slightly offbeat, and felt somehow alienated from the mainstream of society, and of course, Ivan being a true alien fit in well with us. The greatest thing he had to struggle with, as we toured around the country and various parts of the world, was being stateless. Ivan was a part of what we were as a group."
Ivan and Mick Ronson, from Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, collaborated, though the band never materialized. He joined Iggy Pop at Rockfield Studios in Wales and remained his collaborator on two albums and four tours. Frequently, he filmed his musician friends in 8mm and 16mm. CBGBs and Max's Kansas City footage selections were edited with no wave filmmaker Amos Poe, resulting in The Blank Generation film -- hailed as the historical document of the punk revolution - featuring the Ramones, Talking Heads, New York Dolls, Television, Patti Smith Group, Wayne County, Heartbreakers and more.
He shared the occasional New York stage with Bruce Springsteen, John Cale from The Velvet Underground, Noel Redding from Jimi Hendrix, Ronnie Spector and Chris Spedding. His collaboration with Babys singer, John Waite, resulted in many songs, including the hit, Every Step of the Way. His new band, Eastern Bloc, produced one album, but disbanded after Polygram folded.
In 1982, Ivan composed the music score for the Barry Levinson film, "Diner". He wrote scores for underground films like Subway Riders, Unmade Beds and The Foreigner.
He stopped touring and moved to Seattle until his return to Prague in 1992. During this time, his music was recorded by many, including David Bowie, U2, Simple Minds, and France's Telephone. Ivan now secured status as an independent writer and record producer.
From CBGB's to the mailroom of ABKCo's Beatles, where his duties included driving John Lennon and Yoko Ono's psychedelic Rolls Royce and watching underground films over dinner with Allen Klein. Ivan was in bands that shared billing with Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Kiss, Journey and Tom Petty.
A living national treasure in today's Czech Republic, he has 10 solo albums on Universal and BMG. He's a prolific writer and producer of major Czech talent. Ivan has been a guest at Prague Castle, and former President Vaclav Havel has attended his concerts.
Ivan's awards include Czech Grammys for his 1994 solo album, Nostalgia. He was awarded Grammys for Rock Producer of the Year in 1995 and 1998. Nominations include the Oscar-equivalent Cesky Lev for his 2001 Cabriolet film score. He and Patti Smith's song, Dancing Barefoot, entered #323 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1995, Mojo Magazine ranked Horses the 10th Greatest Album of All Time.
In 2007, he performed his own tribute song, Wasn't It Great, at the Bowery Ballroom memorial for the late CBGB founder, Hilly Kristal.
He continues to work globally from his Ann Arbor, Michigan home studio. In 2009, Ivan was songwriter/vocalist/musician for the soundtrack of the Japanese animated TV show, Yozakura Quartet 3.- Producer
- Writer
- Actress
Jane Milmore was born on 25 March 1955 in Laramie, Wyoming, USA. She was a producer and writer, known for Daddy Dearest (1993), Anything But Love (1989) and The Hughleys (1998). She was married to Richard Vaczy. She died on 4 February 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Cleft-chinned, steely-eyed and virile star of international cinema who rose from being "the ragman's son" (the name of his best-selling 1988 autobiography) to become a bona fide superstar, Kirk Douglas, also known as Issur Danielovitch Demsky, was born on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York. His parents, Bryna (Sanglel) and Herschel Danielovitch, were Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, Mahilyow Voblast (now in Belarus). Although growing up in a poor ghetto, Douglas was a fine student and a keen athlete and wrestled competitively during his time at St. Lawrence University. Professional wrestling helped pay for his studies as did working on the side as a waiter and a bellboy. However, he soon identified an acting scholarship as a way out of his meager existence, and was sufficiently talented to gain entry into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his Broadway debut in "Spring Again" before his career was interrupted by World War II. He joining the United States Navy in 1941, and then after the end of hostilities in 1945, returned to the theater and some radio work. On the insistence of ex-classmate Lauren Bacall, movie producer Hal B. Wallis screen-tested Douglas and cast him in the lead role in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946). His performance received rave reviews and further work quickly followed, including an appearance in the low-key drama I Walk Alone (1947), the first time he worked alongside fellow future screen legend Burt Lancaster. Such was the strong chemistry between the two that they appeared in seven films together, including the dynamic western Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), the John Frankenheimer political thriller Seven Days in May (1964) and their final pairing in the gangster comedy Tough Guys (1986). Douglas once said about his good friend: "I've finally gotten away from Burt Lancaster. My luck has changed for the better. I've got nice-looking girls in my films now."
After appearing in "I Walk Alone," Douglas scored his first Oscar nomination playing the untrustworthy and opportunistic boxer Midge Kelly in the gripping Champion (1949). The quality of his work continued to garner the attention of critics and he was again nominated for Oscars for his role as a film producer in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) and as tortured painter Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life (1956), both directed by Vincente Minnelli. In 1955, Douglas launched his own production company, Bryna Productions, the company behind two pivotal film roles in his career. The first was as French army officer Col. Dax in director Stanley Kubrick's brilliant anti-war epic Paths of Glory (1957). Douglas reunited with Kubrick for yet another epic, the magnificent Spartacus (1960). The film also marked a key turning point in the life of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy "Red Scare" hysteria in the 1950s. At Douglas' insistence, Trumbo was given on-screen credit for his contributions, which began the dissolution of the infamous blacklisting policies begun almost a decade previously that had destroyed so many careers and lives.
Douglas remained busy throughout the 1960s, starring in many films. He played a rebellious modern-day cowboy in Lonely Are the Brave (1962), acted alongside John Wayne in the World War II story In Harm's Way (1965), again with The Duke in a drama about the Israeli fight for independence, Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), and once more with Wayne in the tongue-in-cheek western The War Wagon (1967). Additionally in 1963, he starred in an onstage production of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but despite his keen interest, no Hollywood studio could be convinced to bring the story to the screen. However, the rights remained with the Douglas clan, and Kirk's talented son Michael Douglas finally filmed the tale in 1975, starring Jack Nicholson. Into the 1970s, Douglas wasn't as busy as previous years; however, he starred in some unusual vehicles, including alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the loopy western comedy The Villain (1979), then with Farrah Fawcett in the sci-fi thriller Saturn 3 (1980) and then he traveled to Australia for the horse opera/drama The Man from Snowy River (1982).
Unknown to many, Kirk has long been involved in humanitarian causes and has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the US State Department since 1963. His efforts were rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981), and with the Jefferson Award (1983). Furthermore, the French honored him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. More recognition followed for his work with the American Cinema Award (1987), the German Golden Kamera Award (1987), The National Board of Reviews Career Achievement Award (1989), an honorary Academy Award (1995), Recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) and the UCLA Medal of Honor (2002). Despite a helicopter crash and a stroke suffered in the 1990s, he remained active and continued to appear in front of the camera. Until his passing on February 5 2020 at the age of 103, he and Olivia de Havilland were the last surviving major stars from the Golden Years of Hollywood.Der Mann - Die Legende, möchte man fast sagen.
Seine erste Rolle spielte Kirk Douglas 1947 in "Die seltsame Liebe der Martha Ivers". Und steht schon sofort auf Platz vier der Besetzungsliste. Und so ging es weiter. Platz 6 dürfte, zumindest am Anfang, das Mindeste gewesen sein. Egal ob in "Ein Brief an drei Frauen", "Zwischen Frauen und Seilen", "Den Hals in der Schlinge", "Ein Akt der Liebe", "20.0000 Meilen unter dem Meer", "Der letzte Zug von Gun Hill" oder in der Western-Komödie "Kaktus Jack" (eine Quasi Real Version der Coyote/Road Runner Trickfilme).
Kirk Douglas war aber auch noch Spartacus, Odysseus, Doc Holliday und Vincent Van Gogh und stand mit Burt Lancaster in 7 Filmen vor der Kamera. Zuletzt 1986 in "Archie und Harry - Sie können's nicht lassen."
Fast untergehen tut, das Kirk Douglas auch gelegentlich im Fernsehehen zu Gast war. Ein paar TV-Film ("Dr. Jekyll und Mr. Hyde", hier die Titelrolle, "Andersons Rache", "Unternehmen Entebbe" und noch eine Handvoll andere) und die Mini-Serie "Die Bankiers" (1976) mit u.a. Christopher Plummer, Timothy Bottoms, Anne Baxter, Robert Loggia und Joan Collins nach dem Roman von "Airport"-Autor Arthur Hailey.
1966 freute sich Lucy Ball ihn in ihrer Serie "Hoppla, Lucy" zu begrüßen, 1991 veredelte er die "Geschichten aus der Gruft", 2000 "Ein Hauch von Himmel" und 1996 hieß es für ihn bei den "Simpsons" einen Sprechauftritt zu haben.
Zweimal führte er auch Regie. In "Scalawag" und in "Männer des Gesetzes".
Eine wunderschöne Anekdote, passend zur kommenden Oscar-Verleihung.
2011, Kirk Douglas sollte, nach seinem Schlaganfall, den Oscar für die beste Nebendarstellerin überreichen. Die damaligen Oscar-Moderatoren Anne Hathaway & James Franco standen an der Seite der Bühne. Der alte Haudegen kommt auf die Bühne, sieht Anne Hathaway, schaut ein paar Mal hin und sagt: "Wo warst du eigentlich, als ich noch Filme gemacht habe?"
Sein Sohn ist Schauspieler Michael Douglas
Seine Synchronsprecher waren u.a.: Arnold Marquis, Wolfgang Kieling, Heinz Drache, René Deltgen, Carl Raddatz, Siegfried Schürenberg, Gert Günther Hoffmann, Horst Niendorf, Erik Schumann und Klaus Kindler
Kirk Douglas starb am 5.2.2020 im Alter von 103 Jahren.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Kurt Stadel is a German voice impersonator. His talent has been discovered by Dutch show master Rudi Carrell, during a tour of his band The Four Kings. He imitated 14 different artists in 5 minutes. In 1970, Stadel appeared in Musik, Musik - da wackelt die Penne (1970) and in Wenn die tollen Tanten kommen (1970).
Several international known singers including: Karel Gott, Louis Armstrong, Rex Gildo, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza, Freddie Mercury, Peter Hofmann, John Miles, Elvis Presley, Adriano Celentano, Chris Andrews, Udo Jürgens, Sandie Shaw, Roy Black and Lale Andersen had been imitated by him.- Writer
- Producer
- Actor
F.X. Feeney was born on 1 September 1953 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Big Brass Ring (1999), Masters of Disaster and Harris Kubrick. He died on 5 February 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
- Producer
Doug Knapp is a graduate of University Southern California school of Cinematic Arts (1972). Member of International Cinematograpers Guild, ICG Local 600 (1977 - 2011) as Camera Operator and Director of Photography on hundreds of television shows and feature films. Doug has been filming since the early 70s, including over 500 episodes for television, most notably the Star Trek and Murphy Brown series, and 15 feature films including, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Frankenweenie, The Green Hornet, Coming to America and Beetlejuice. He has worked along side some of film's most revered directors such as John Landis, Tim Burton and John Carpenter.
Knapp was Consultant and Director of Photography for Cinerama in 2011, working as Co-DP with John Hora,ASC on the first film to be shot in the original Cinerama process in over 50 years. "In The Picture" featured Debbie Reynolds and premiered at the Cinerama Film Festival held at the Arclight Dome theater Sept 29th 2012.
He was member of the board of Governors of the Society of Camera Opertors (SOC), Publications Manager for The Camera Operator Magazine for 24 years. Recipient of the Presidents Award CAMMY (1994).
As member of Board of Directors for VES - Visual Effects Society, Knapp worked on the nominating committee in many categories for "Best Of in Visual Effects" since 2004, part of a global organization of over 3,000 members world wide.
Knapp is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Science (ATAS), serving on Cinematography Pier Group. He served on the nominating committee for the EMMY Awards in Cinematography each year.
He was Instructor for Camera, West Los Angeles College, 2012 for 8 years. WLAC offers their Hollywood CPR program to students desiring entry level employment in the professional Motion Picture and Television Industry.- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Orson Bean, the American actor, television personality and author, was born Dallas Frederick Burrows on July 22, 1928 in Burlington, Vermont to George Frederick Burrows, a policeman who later went on to become the chief of campus police at Harvard University, and the former Marion Ainsworth Pollard. He was of Irish, Scottish, and English descent. Through the latter, the newborn Dallas Burrows was a first cousin, twice removed, to Calvin Coolidge, who was President of the United States at the time of his birth. The young Dallas, an amateur magician with a taste for the limelight, graduated from Boston's prestigious Latin School in 1946. Too young to see military service during World War II, the future Orson Bean did a hitch in the U.S. Army (1946-47) in occupied Japan.
After the war, he launched himself onto the nightclub circuit with his new moniker, the "Orson" borrowed from reigning enfant terrible Orson Welles. His comedy act premiered at New York City's Blue Angel nightclub, and the momentum from his act launched him into the orbit of the legitimate theater. He made his Broadway debut on April 30, 1954 in Stalag 17 (1953) producer Richard Condon's only Broadway production as a playwright, "Men of Distinction", along with Robert Preston and Martin Ritt. The play flopped and ran only four appearances.
The following year was to prove kinder: he hosted a summer-replacement television series produced at the Blue Angel, and won a Theatre World Award for his work in the 1954 music revue "John Murray Anderson's Almanac", which co-starred Harry Belafonte, Polly Bergen, Hermione Gingold and Carleton Carpenter. It was a hit that ran for 229 performances. He followed this up with an even bigger hit, the leading role in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter". Next up was a succès d'estime as the leading man in Herman Wouk's comic play "Nature's Way", which co-starred Bea Arthur, Sorrell Booke and Godfrey Cambridge. Though the play lasted but 67 performances, Orson Bean had established himself on the Broadway stage.
He enjoyed his greatest personal success on Broadway in the 1961-62 season, in the Betty Comden and Adolph Green musical "Subways are for Sleeping", which was directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd and featured music by Jule Styne. Bean received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (his co-star Phyllis Newman won a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical). The following season, he was in a bigger hit, the comedy "Never Too Late", which would go on to play for 1,007 performances. After appearing in the flop comedy "I Was Dancing" in November 1964, Bean made his last Broadway appearance in the musical "Illya Darling" in 1967 with Melina Mercouri, directed by fellow blacklister Jules Dassin; it played 320 performances. He also toured in the Neil Simon-Burt Bacharach musical "Promises, Promises".
Bean made an impression as the Army psychiatrist in Otto Preminger's Anatomy of a Murder (1959). But it was as a television personality that he made his biggest inroads into the popular consciousness, as well as the popular culture. He appeared in numerous quiz and talk shows, becoming a familiar face in homes as a regular panelist on To Tell the Truth (1956). He also appeared on Norman Lear's cult favorite Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976) and its sequel, Forever Fernwood (1977), as "Reverend Brim", and as store owner "Loren Bray" on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993). Much of his role as 105-year-old "Dr. Lester" in the cult film Being John Malkovich (1999) wound up the cutting room floor, but audiences and critics welcomed back his familiar presence.- Actor
- Director
Kevin Conway was born on 29 May 1942 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Gettysburg (1993), Thirteen Days (2000) and Invincible (2006). He was married to Mila Burnette. He died on 5 February 2020 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.- Actor
- Art Director
Volker Spengler was born on 16 February 1939 in Bremen, Germany. He was an actor and art director, known for Satan's Brew (1976), Chinese Roulette (1976) and In a Year with 13 Moons (1978). He died on 8 February 2020 in Berlin, Germany.- Delphine Forest was born on 28 August 1966 in Paris, France. She was an actress, known for The Betrothed (1989), Boris Godounov (1989) and Europa Europa (1990). She died on 31 January 2020 in Paris, France.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Robert Conrad was a graduate of Northwestern University, spending his first few years out of school supporting himself and his family by driving a milk truck and singing in a Chicago cabaret. Conrad befriended up-and-coming actor Nick Adams during this period, and it was Adams who helped Conrad get his first Hollywood work in 1957. A few movie bit parts later, Conrad was signed for a comparative pittance by Warner Bros. studios, and in 1959 was cast as detective Tom Lopaka on the weekly adventure series Hawaiian Eye. Upon the 1963 cancellation of this series, Conrad made a handful of Spanish and American films and toured with a nightclub act in Australia and Mexico City. Cast as frontier secret agent James West in The Wild Wild West (1965) in 1965, Conrad brought home $5000 a week during the series' first season and enjoyed increasing remunerations as West remained on the air until 1969. There are those who insist that Wild Wild West would have been colorless without the co-starring presence of Ross Martin, an opinion with which Conrad has always agreed. The actor's bid to star in a 1970 series based on the venerable Nick Carter pulp stories got no further than a pilot episode, while the Jack Webb-produced 1971 Robert Conrad series The D.A. was canceled after 13 episodes. When Roy Scheider pulled out of the 1972 adventure weekly Assignment: Vienna, Conrad stepped in--and was out, along with the rest of Assignment: Vienna, by June of 1973. Conrad had better luck with 1976's Baa Baa Black Sheep, aka Black Sheep Squadron, a popular series based on the World War II exploits of Major "Pappy" Boyington. Cast as a nurse on this series was Conrad's daughter Nancy, setting a precedent for nepotism that the actor practiced as late as his tenth TV series, 1989's Jesse Hawkes, wherein Conrad co-starred with his sons Christian and Shane.
Though few of his series have survived past season one, Conrad has enjoyed success as a commercial spokesman and in the role of G. Gordon Liddy (whom the actor admired) in the 1982 TV movie Will: The Autobiography of G. Gordon Liddy (1982). As can be gathered from the Liddy assignment, Conrad's politics veered towards conservatism; in 1981, he and Charlton Heston were instrumental in toppling Ed Asner and his liberal contingent from power in the Screen Actors Guild.
As virile and athletic as ever in the 1990s, Robert Conrad continued to appear in action roles both on TV and in films; he also maintained strong ties with his hometown of Chicago, and could be counted on to show up at a moment's notice as a guest on the various all-night programs of Chicago radio personality Eddie Schwartz.- Johnny Lee Davenport was born on 24 July 1950 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Fugitive (1993), U.S. Marshals (1998) and Ted (2012). He died on 2 February 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Tall, graceful, supremely accomplished American actress, singer, dancer and choreographer Paula Kelly was born in Jacksonville, Florida, one of three daughters, to Ruth and Lehman Kelly. The family moved to Harlem in New York when she was six years old. Unlike her siblings, she had strong musical inclinations which were recognised early on by her father (himself a jazz musician), who enrolled her in the Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art. Paula excelled as a star pupil. This opened doors to an audition at the prestigious Juilliard School and led to a four-year scholarship. Having trained under the academy's first director of dance, Martha Hill, she graduated in 1964 and that same year made her debut on Broadway. During much of the 1960s, specialising in modern dance, she performed with such luminaries as Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey and went on tour as a dancer with Harry Belafonte.
The inevitable breakthrough to popular success came when she was cast as Helene (taxi dancer at the Fandango Ballroom) in London's West End production of "Sweet Charity" (1967), directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. Paula ended up winning the London Variety Award for Best Supporting Actress. The play itself enjoyed a healthy run but was ultimately eclipsed by the motion picture Sweet Charity (1969), for which Paula was able to recreate her stage role. Now firmly established on the screen, she went on to sing and dance in a number of musical television specials and/or variety shows headlining Gene Kelly (with whom she performed a duet), Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, Richard Pryor and former Sweet Charity co-star Sammy Davis Jr.. She also appeared as Tiger Lily, teaming up with Danny Kaye and Mia Farrow for the BBC production of Peter Pan (1976), as well as taking on the dual role of co-choreographer. In 1971, she starred in a Los Angeles stage production of the all-singing, all-dancing musical revue "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope", for which she won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.
Since the popularity of musicals had waned by the early 1970s, Paula had little choice but to take on straight dramatic acting roles. On several occasions she provided the female interest in a series of fashionable, sassy, tough blaxploitation films, playing cool, happening chicks opposite action men like Robert Hooks, Paul Winfield and Thalmus Rasulala (and often rising above the routine dramatic material afforded her). She was Leggy Peggy in the cult comedy Uptown Saturday Night (1974) with Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor and had featured roles in the sci-fi classics The Andromeda Strain (1971) and Soylent Green (1973). She also appeared in many television guest spots, with notable recurring roles in The Streets of San Francisco (1972), Police Woman (1974) and the sitcom Night Court (1984), for which she received the first of two Emmy Award nominations. She retired from acting in 1999. Her husband was the British film and television director Don Chaffey, who predeceased her in 1990.
Paula Kelly died of heart failure on February 9, 2020 at age 77.- Producer
- Production Manager
- Additional Crew
Grazia Volpi was born on 29 March 1941 in Pontedera, Tuscany, Italy. She was a producer and production manager, known for Caesar Must Die (2012), Elective Affinities (1996) and Fiorile (1993). She was married to Roberto Perpignani. She died on 7 February 2020 in Viareggio, Tuscany, Italy.- Raphaël Coleman was born on 30 September 1994 in Wandsworth, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Nanny McPhee (2005), The Fourth Kind (2009) and It's Alive (2009). He died on 6 February 2020 in England, UK.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
The son of a regimental sergeant major, Albert Patrick Jordan grew up in London where he debuted on stage in a 1946 Old Vic production of "Richard II" at the New Theatre. The ensemble cast comprised actors Harry Andrews, Rosalind Atkinson and Alec Guinness. The same group of players went on to perform in other Shakespearean plays, including "Coriolanus" and "The Taming of the Shrew". Jordan began on screen in a TV adaptation of The Browning Version (1949), reprising his stage role from earlier that year. Most of his celluloid assignments in the 50s and 60s consisted of small or uncredited parts. His distinctively stern features and no-nonsense authoritarian bearing led to being invariably typecast as police officers or soldiers. A trademark scar on his right cheek added extra credence to his characters, more than a few of whom did not survive to the final reel. He appeared several times in No Hiding Place (1959), Dixon of Dock Green (1955) and Crossroads (1964) and had featured roles in the war films The Heroes of Telemark (1965), Play Dirty (1969) and Too Late the Hero (1970). Through his friend Alec Guiness, he managed to secure a role in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) as an Imperial Officer, aide to Grand Moff Tarkin (played by Peter Cushing ). He unwisely opted to take a one-off fee for his part, rather than a tiny share of the royalties -- much to his later regret.
Jordan retired in 1995 and died at the age of 96 in January 2020. His wife was Margery Gill (1925-2008), an acclaimed illustrator of children's books.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Ron McLarty was born on 26 April 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. He was an actor, known for The Postman (1997), St. Vincent (2014) and Cop Rock (1990). He was married to Kate Skinner and Diane Dorothy Tesitor. He died on 8 February 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Producer
Joseph Vilsmaier was born on 24 January 1939 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. He was a cinematographer and director, known for Stalingrad (1993), The Harmonists (1997) and Brother of Sleep (1995). He was married to Dana Vávrová and Hanna Vilsmaier. He died on 11 February 2020 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Ann E. Todd was born Ann Todd Phillips on August 26, 1931, in Denver, Colorado. Both of her parents had extensive careers in music; her father, Burrill Phillips, was an accomplished composer and pianist. Ann also had one brother, Stephen, who was born in 1937 (and died in 1986). Ann was adopted and raised by her maternal grandparents; her official adopted name was Ann Todd Mayfield. Her grandparents took her to the movies often and hoped that she would one day become a child star like Shirley Temple (incidentally, she would have a small role as Temple's little sister in The Blue Bird (1940)). Ann's grandparents eventually prodded her into a career in film, and although she was not particularly interested in acting -- her childhood ambition was to be a pilot -- she excelled at it and became one of the most popular child stars of the 1930s and '40s. In the early 1940s, she added E to her professional name to avoid being mistaken for British actress Ann Todd (nevertheless, the two were and are frequently confused). Despite her success -- she appeared in some 27 films between 1939 and 1951 -- Ann quit acting in the 1950s. She married Robert Basart on January 29, 1951 in Berkely, California. In 1959, she was reunited with her parents, and following in her parents' footsteps, she pursued a career in music. Ann received a master's degree in music history from the University of California at Berkeley (UCB). She taught music history in San Francisco for three years and then served as the music librarian for UCB for 21 years. During this time, Ann also founded a publishing company, Fallen Leaf Press, and had two children, a daughter and a son. Her husband Robert died on February 7, 1993 in Berkely. As of this writing (2008), Ann is retired and living in northern California.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Rafael Romero Marchent was born on 3 May 1926 in Madrid, Spain. He was a director and actor, known for Disco rojo (1973), Santo vs. Doctor Death (1973) and Revenge of the Black Wolf (1981). He was married to Maruja Tamayo. He died on 13 February 2020 in Madrid, Spain.- Actress
Lynn Cohen was born on 10 August 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. She was an actress, known for Munich (2005), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) and The Cobbler (2014). She was married to Ronald Theodore Cohen and Gilbert Laman Frazen. She died on 14 February 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.- Lecile Harris was born on 6 November 1936 in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for Final Chapter: Walking Tall (1977), The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (1986) and The Bob Braun Show (1967). He was married to Ethel Elizabeth Bledsoe. He died on 13 February 2020 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
- Production Designer
- Art Department
- Visual Effects
Charles Wood is known for Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Doctor Strange (2016).- Writer
- Producer
- Director
A.E. Hotchner was born on 28 June 1917 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Fifth Column (1960), Playhouse 90 (1956) and Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963). He was married to Virginia Kiser, Ursula Robbins and Geraldine Mavor. He died on 15 February 2020 in Westport, Connecticut, USA.- Writer
- Producer
- Director
Lila Garrett was born on November 21, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, USA as Lila F Glass. She was a writer and producer, known for The ABC Afternoon Playbreak , Get Smart (1965) and The Other Woman (1983). She was married to Don Garrett and David Rayfiel. She died on February 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. Lila Garrett was a former resident of the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA.- Stunts
- Actress
- Producer
Cheryl Wheeler Duncan was born on 18 August 1960 in Pensacola, Florida, USA. She was an actress and producer, known for They Live (1988), Demolition Man (1993) and Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992). She was married to Robert Lindsey Duncan, Shane Dixon and Robert Reed Sanders. She died on 12 February 2020 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA.- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Lyle Mays was born on 27 November 1953 in Wausaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He was a composer, known for Training Day (2001), Wild (2014) and The Falcon and the Snowman (1985). He died on 10 February 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Kellye Nakahara was born on 16 January 1948 in Oahu, Hawaii, USA. She was an actress, known for Clue (1985), M*A*S*H (1972) and Doctor Dolittle (1998). She was married to David Wallett. She died on 16 February 2020 in Pasadena, California, USA.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Flavio Bucci was born on 25 May 1947 in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. He was an actor, known for Suspiria (1977), Ligabue (1977) and Property Is No Longer a Theft (1973). He was married to Micaela Pignatelli. He died on 18 February 2020 in Passoscuro, Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Ron Haddrick was born on 9 April 1929 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. He was an actor, known for Quigley Down Under (1990), Shirley Thompson Versus the Aliens (1972) and Water Rats (1996). He died on 11 February 2020 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Mirella Freni was born on 27 February 1935 in Modena, Italy. She was an actress, known for Fatal Attraction (1987), Copycat (1995) and Awakenings (1990). She was married to Nicolai Ghiaurov and Leone Magiera. She died on 9 February 2020 in Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Yoshisada Sakaguchi was born on 2 October 1939 in Tokyo, Japan. He was an actor, known for Lupin the 3rd (2014), Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999) and Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen (2015). He died on 13 February 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.- Actress
- Music Department
- Executive
Ja'Net DuBois was a multi-talented and diverse performer. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York and began her career on Broadway. She has appeared in various plays, including "Golden Boy" with Sammy Davis Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr., and "A Raisin in the Sun". She moved onto TV roles, receiving a Peabody Award for a 1969 CBS children's movie J.T. (1969). She then appeared in a daytime serial, Love of Life (1951); she is the first African American actress to have a regular serial role.
She was best known for her role as the sexy, confident, gossipy "Willona Woods" on Good Times (1974). She composed and sang the theme song, "Movin' On Up", for another Norman Lear series, The Jeffersons (1975). She appeared in many films, including the blaxploitation parody, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), as a tough and loving mother. She also did voice-over work, for which she received two Emmys.
She co-founded the "Pan African Film & Arts Festival", which showcases global films about people of African descent and fine arts. She is a community activist whose DuBois Care Foundation's mission is to empower youth by supporting after-school programs. She was also a painter who regularly exhibited her work. She released a CD in 2008, "Hidden Treasures", which includes the well-known TV theme song, "Movin' On Up".