2019 In Memoriam: Jan – Feb

As another year draws to a close we bid heartfelt farewells to those we have loved and lost. I, as you no doubt have too, have suffered some personal losses this year, but the purpose of this post is to remember and say goodbye to those from the world of Sport, of Show Business, or who spent some part of their life in a spotlight. Many of you reading this are likely reaching an age where the people you looked up to in your younger years, whether they be actors, musicians, writers, athletes, or experts in their discipline, are nearing the end or have drawn their last breath. It sucks, but never forget what they achieved and what they meant to you. This list is by no means complete and merely represents those who meant something to me and that I know have died in these past twelve months.

Michel Legrand (24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019)

Legrand was primarily a composer of movie and TV scores, but may be most readily remembered for some of his hit songs – including the Oscar winning Windows Of Your Mind. His songwriting work netted him five further Oscar nominations while his Musical Scores garnered an additional five Oscar nominations, including 2 more wins for Yentl and Summer Of ’42.

Gene Okerlund (December 19, 1942 – January 2, 2019)

‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund was every bit as iconic a part of the WWF throughout the 1980s as Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, and The Ultimate Warrior were. The straight man in the midst of the surrounding macho insanity, Gene always has a poker-faced quip in his pocket and continued that success in a mid-nineties stint with WCW. In recent years he became a WWE Hall Of Famer and worked behind the scenes on many of their Network programming.

Andrew G Vajna (1 August 1944 – 20 January 2019)

In terms of Producers, Vajna was an underrated heavyweight and his name also seemed to be attached to many of my most favourite movies growing up. Cynically left out of the Academy Memoriam, he helped create and release many classics including the Rambo series, Total Recall, Tombstone, The Changling, Die Hard With A Vengeance.

Dick Miller (December 25, 1928 – January 30, 2019)

Dick Miller was another one of those faces who consistently popped up in the movies and TV I adored in my youth. With a career starting in the mid 1950s, he has appeared in Gremlins, The Terminator, The Dirty Dozen, New York New York, The Howling, InnerSpace, Pulp Fiction, and over twenty Roger Corman movies.

Clive Swift (9 February 1936 – 1 February 2019)

Known most widely as Rrrrichad (Richard), the long suffering husband of Hyacinth Bucket in the ever so English sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, Swift had appeared on stage and screen since the 1960s he also appeared in successes including A Passage To India, Frenzy, and Excalibur.

Albert Finney (9 May 1936 – 7 February 2019)

One of the great English actors of stage and screen, Finney never picked up an Oscar despite receiving five nominations. His most notable performances include Tom Jones, Scrooge, Murder On The Orient Express, and Erin Brockovich as well as memorable appearances in Skyfall, Wolfen, Big Fish, and The Gathering Storm.

Gordon Banks (30 December 1937 – 12 February 2019)

Frequently named England’s finest goalkeeper, and one of the greatest of all time, Banks played over 70 times for England, winning the World Cup once. At League level he played mainly for Stoke and Leicester, becoming the six time winner of FIFA’s Goalkeeper Of The Year.

Carmen Argenziano (October 27, 1943 – February 10, 2019)

While never a household name, Carmen has featured in many notable movies and series, typically in a tough guy supporting role, but it wasn’t until his recurring performances in SG1 that he cemented his status as a respected cult performer. During his career he appeared in Melrose Place, The Godfather 2, Don Juan De Marco, and Angels & Demons.

Jan Michael Vincent (July 15, 1944 – February 10, 2019)

Sadly, there was to be no triumphant ending to another of Hollywood’s tragic tales. Vincent was frequently said to be the next big thing in his early days at the tail end of the 1960s but in spite of a string of hits both cult and legitimate, his reliance on alcohol saw a promising career fall to the wayside. Most loved for his portrayal of Stringfellow Hawk in Airwolf, Vincent also appeared in The Mechanic, Big Wednesday, The Winds Of War, and Going Home.

Bruno Ganz (22 March 1941 – 16 February 2019)

While he has certainly been immortalized in memes thanks to his wonderful turn as Adolf Hitler in Downfall, Ganz had been performing for more than fifty years on stage and screen as one of Europe’s most respected actors. He will be remembered for performances in films including Nosferatu The Vampyre, Wings Of Desire, and The House That Jack Built.

Stanley Donen (April 13, 1924 – February 21, 2019)

Donen may not be a household name but he has been responsible for many of Cinema’s most iconic moments. While I am in now way a fan of Musicals, Donen is one of a handful of figures to truly revolutionize the genre, making the movies more than mere stage adaptations. He is remembered for directing On The Town, Singin In The Rain, Funny Face, and Charade.

Andre Previn KBE (April 6, 1929 – February 28, 2019)

Previn was one of the most successful composers in the early sound days of Hollywood, before embarking on both off screen and small screen adventures. He picked up four Academy Awards on his travels, along with ten Grammy Awards before receiving a Knighthood. Some of his most notable work includes My Fair Lady, Gigi, and Bad Day At Black Rock.

Aron Tager (June 30, 1934 – February 28, 2019)

Long time readers of everything I write will no doubt be familiar with Aron Tager – appearing as he did in Are You Afraid Of The Dark. It only seems fitting that we mention his passing. Tager was a renowned voice performer beyond his appearances in front of the camera and also carved his own career as an artist and poet. He will be remembered for Donkey Kong Country, Universal Soldier Series, and Richard Scarry.

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of any of the people mentioned above or anyone else who passed away Jan-Feb 2019.

 

2017 – In Memoriam

We’re here, at the end of another year. 2016 was reportedly ‘one of the worst years ever’ – by December’s end, everyone was depressed by all the Trump, by all the Brexit, by all the everything. It was a year where people from many generations felt their childhoods slip away for ever, felt pieces of themselves die as successful heroes passed out of life and into whatever comes next. 2017 has been no joke either, with more Trump, more Brexit, and more everything seemingly tightening the noose. The Grim Reaper’s scythe has once again swung with abandon, claiming many of the lives who have had a wide spreadh impact on various aspects of culture. Make no mistake – War, Disease, Famine have all claimed the usual millions of souls as they are wont to do, and those are battles we should be working together to overcome, but that is not the purpose of this post.

I haven’t been paying much attention to my Shrine posts recently, so I decided to do a yearly wrap up instead of the deaths which affected me in some way, on a personal level. Naturally that means that we’ll mostly be covering famous people here. I don’t mean this to sound as if I’m putting the famous on a pedestal, as if their lives mean more than some random mother or son who may have died this year – I firmly believe that every life is as valuable as the next. Yet here I am. In the end it comes down to who I ‘know’ or recognise.

Don’t be annoyed or disheartened if some celebrity who meant a lot to you and who died this year isn’t on the list – as I said, these are the people who meant something to me. By all means, add those who meant something to you in the comments. In the end, this is merely a place for you to give a few words, thoughts, thanks, or memories for those who have fallen.

William Peter Blatty – 7th January 1928 – 13th January 2017

Thanks for giving me, and countless others, many nights of unsettled sleep with The Exorcist.

Miguel Ferrer – February 7, 1955 – January 19, 2017

Thank you for being a perminent fixture in some of my most watched and loved entertainment of all time. You may be the only actor who has starred in both one of my favourite movies ever (Robocop), one of my favourite mini-series ever (The Stand), and one of my favourite TV shows ever (Twin Peaks). 

John Hurt – 22 January 1940 – 25 January 2017

Thank you for your willingness to ignore and balk at traditional acting conventions by appearing in cult works, low budget films, and Television, along with the more accepted critical fodder – for Alien, for Spaceballs, for The Elephant Man, for Hellboy, and many more.

Richard Hatch – May 21, 1945 – February 7, 2017

Thanks for being the original Apollo in Battlestar Gallactica – I’m not as familiar with your other work, but for that I’ll always remember you.

Bill Paxton – May 17, 1955 – February 25, 2017

Thanks for being a true movie legend and for appearing in many of my personal favourite films – The Terminator, Aliens, Near Dark, Commando, Tombstone, True Lies, Frailty, and bringing a truly unique energy and life to them.

Chuck Berry – October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017

One of the forefathers or modern blues, rock, and by extension, metal, thanks for bringing many decades of wonderful music to the world.

Clifton James – May 29, 1920 – April 15, 2017

Thanks for bringing me many laughs in my younger days, especially in the Bond movies, and also for sterling work in a few of my other favourites.

Jonathan Demme – February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017

One of the few filmmakers to make a critically respected and award winning horror movie in The Silence Of The Lambs, thanks for breaking those boundaries.

Michael Parks – April 24, 1940 – May 9, 2017

Even though he had been acting regularly since the late 50s, Parks became better known in later decades thanks to his work with Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino – thanks for many terrific performances in many terrific films.

Powers Boothe – June 1, 1948 – May 14, 2017

A character actor with great action pedigree, thanks for appearing in some of my favourites such as Tombstone, Extreme Prejudice, Sin City.

Chris Cornell – July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017

Although Soundgarden were my fourth favourite out of Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, Cornell was nevertheless a driving force in rock and grunge with unmistakable vocals which have been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember.

Nicky Hayden – July 30, 1981 – May 22, 2017

My dad rides motorbikes. My brother rides a motorbike. Many of my uncles and cousins are bikers. I have dabbled. I live on the same street as the family of my countries most famous motorcyclists and our kids are friends. We all watch motorcycling – none of that F1 shite. Any time any biker dies it’s a tragedy, and Nicky was a particularly heavy loss.

Sir Roger George Moore, KBE (14 October 1927 – 23 May 2017)

I was a Bond fan before I really understood what films were, and Moore was my era. It is typically the Moore films I return to most for their lighter approach and tendency towards action and humour. Moore will always be Bond for me, and while he didn’t have the most varied career outside of that role, he still popped up in many other films and shows and was renowned for being a decent human being.

Adam West (September 19, 1928 – June 9, 2017)

The original Batman… well I’ve heard varying reports on what he was like in real life, but I’m mainly here to focus on their work and what it meant to me – I was never a huge fan of the original campy series, but I still watched it every now and then when I was young. Thanks for being a mainstay on TV and for your great voice work on many shows.

John G Avildson – (December 21, 1935 – June 16, 2017)

Thanks for making some of my favourite films in the Rocky and Karate Kid series as well as a few other notable movies.

Martin Landau – (June 20, 1928 – July 15, 2017)

Thanks for appearing in some of my favourite movies and shows ever, from North By Northwest and The Twilight Zone to Ed Wood and The X Files, and of course for bringing your daughter Juliet into the world.

George A Romero – February 4, 1940 – July 16, 2017

There have been fewer bigger influences on my love of horror, and on the wider horror world than George A Romero, the man who essentially invented the modern zombie genre – thanks for that, thanks for your movies, and thanks for never compromising for The Man.

Sean Hughes – 10 November 1965 – 16 October 2017

Sean, aside from Coronation Street I don’t think I ever saw any of your non- Buzzcocks work. I’m not a huge stand-up comedy fan, but you always made me laugh on Buzzcocks. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of any people we lost in 2017 in the comments below.

Audrey Hepburn 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993

There are few more illustrious stars in the history of Cinema than Audrey Hepburn, an actress known around the world for her talent and grace as much as for her charitable work. Involved with the Dutch Resistance during WWII when The Netherlands was occupied, the violence and evils she saw had a profound impact on her life and led her on a humanitarian path. Using her ballet training she picked up dancing credits in The West End after the year, which eventually led to minor roles in British films, though it wasn’t long before she won larger roles in Britain, Broadway, and finally Hollywood. Hepburn is one of a select few people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Bafta, Oscar, and Tony awards as well as picking up multiple further nominations, and until her death she continued to perform sporadically and gain critical acclaim, while also spending time on the charities and causes she held dear.

RIP

Feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Audrey Hepburn in the comments section below.

John Candy – October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994

Like any child of the 80s or 90s, John Candy was a big part of growing up and someone who always managed to make me laugh and leave a mark on movies. He was one of those performers who manages to make us question if he actually is dead – it still seems strange to me that he has been gone for so long given that his work still seems so fresh and timeless. Starting out on TV and movies in the early 70s, it wasn’t until his work with Canada’s Second City TV group, featuring a host of future stars, that he gained recognition. From there he went on to star in a host of shows and movies that defined comedy in the 70s and 80s before his untimely death, as well as appearing in several dramatic roles. Whether it be part of an ensemble in Stripes, The Blues Brothers, Spaceballs, or a leading role in Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains, And Automobiles, or Armed And Dangerous, Candy always had a wink and a smile, and an immense talent.

RIP

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of John Candy in the comments section below

Donald Henry Pleasence, OBE 5 October 1919 – 2 February 1995)

Donald Pleasence began his acting career on stage before WWII, before joining the RAF and being shot down and taken into a POW camp. Continuing his Theatre work for the rest of his life, as well as appearing in several notable Television Shows in the UK and US, it is nevertheless his movie career which he is most remembered for. Appearing in many classic films over a wide array of genres, I, like many others, recall him most fondly in The Halloween Series, in You Only Live Twice, and in The Great Escape. Pleasance was also an author, and provided spoken voice work to books and most infamously, the terrifying UK Advert The Spirit Of Dark And Lonely Water.

RIP

Feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Donald Pleasence in the comments below.

Jack Nance (December 21, 1943 – December 30, 1996)

It’s easy to say that Nance had a tragic life and had much more to give, but in his 53 years he appeared in many successful and groundbreaking TV shows and movies, his performances never less than memorable, and he crafted a number of iconic, cult characters. As a big Twin Peaks fan, Nance made an impression as Pete Martell, one of the few true good guys in the series, but he will also be remembered for his roles in Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Colors.

RIP

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of Nance in the comments.

James Maitland “Jimmy” Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997)

One of the most beloved actors of all time, Jimmy Stewart starred in some of the most popular movies of the 20th Century and many which continue to be re-watched and discovered today. Known for his gentle, calm demeanour which made him an icon in the eyes of friends, family, and fellow performers, he also had an incredible military career spanning almost thirty years and seeing him involved in both WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The recipient of multiple military medals, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General while maintaining a Hollywood career which saw him earn an Oscar win and multiple nominations, as well as a Lifetime Achievement award. An acting pioneer which saw the likes of Marlon Brando imitating his style, his performances spanned seven decades and covered voice work, thrillers, comedies, dramas, and his own TV show. He is fondly remembered for films including Vertigo, It’s A Wonderful Life,  The Philadelphia Story, Mr Smith Goes To Washington, and How The West Was Won. One assumes it was an honour to have known and/or worked with him, and one hopes that Hollywood can produce a few more like him in the future.

RIP

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of Stewart in the comments section.

Philip Edward “Phil” Hartman (September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998)

Phil Hartman is remembered by many as the voice of many, having spent decades entertaining audiences through his biting, accurate impersonations and his recognizable voice acting work in countless hit movies and series. Hartman had a long and varied career, starting out by designing album artwork in the seventies before becoming a performing comedian and writer, and eventually creating the character Pee Wee Herman (alongside Paul Reubens). For years Hartman was an integral part of Saturday Night Live where he wrote scripts, improvised scenes, and unleashed a torrent of impressions which saw him land a recurring spot on The Simpsons – you may remember him from characters such as Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure, and that guy in the background who said something funny that one time.

Hartman’s legacy lives on, as re-runs of the many shows he worked on continue to delight new fans, and as comedians and actors around the world look to his work for guidance, inspiration, and laughs.

RIP

Feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Hartman below.

Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn (12 September 1914 – 19 December 1999)

Desmond Llewelyn had an extraordinary life, deserving of any biopic or biography – born in a Welsh Mining family and eventually breaking into acting before joining the Army during WWII where he was captured and held as a POW for five years. Most will know him for his iconic performances as Q in the James Bond series, appearing in 17 films in the series from 1963 to 1999. Outside of his work as Q, Llewelyn appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Lavender Hill Mob, and Follyfoot. All Bond fans love Llewelyn for his memorable performances and recognise him as an integral part of the series history and importance, and his passing has left a hole which may never be filled.

RIP

Feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Llewelyn in the comments section below.

Catherine E. Coulson – (October 22, 1943 – September 28, 2015)

Last year Twin Peaks fans rejoiced when, after 25 years, it was announced that the show would be coming back for a new series featuring the same cast, writers, directors from the original show. Catherine Coulson was one of those confirmed to be returning, her character The Log Lady one of the most beloved and enigmatic on the show. This week however, Coulson passed away after a battle with Cancer. Coulson had been a mainstay in the works of David Lynch, starting out assisting in Eraserhead and marrying it’s star Jack Nance. Coulson appeared in stage work with her local Shakespeare Company and although her screen resume is small, it certainly had an impact on me and millions of others.

RIP

Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of Coulson in the comments below.