Category: RIP

RIP: Nicky Katt

It was announced today that Nicky Katt died on April 8, 2025.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Katt was 54.

Nicky Katt began his career as a child actor.  As an adult Mr. Katt worked in both television and feature films.  It’s interesting that Nicky Katt’s best known television role was as a teacher on Boston Public, but in films he often played a heavy.  Mr. Katt was equally adept as a leading man or character actor.

Some of the television projects that feature Nicky Katt include: CHiPs; Fantasy Island; Father Murphy (2 episodes); Code Red; Herbie the Love Bug (5 episodes); Voyagers; Trapper John, M.D.; Quincy, M.E.; V (2 episodes); The Get Along Gang (7 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Facts of Life; Lifestories; Dear John (2 episodes); Uncle Buck; Love & War; Knight Ride 2010; Double Rush; Friends; Kindred: The Embraced; Astoria; Boston Public (49 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); King of the Hill (3 episodes); Monk; Love Monkey; law & Order and Casual.

Some of Nicky Katt’s feature film appearances include: Underground Aces; Gremlins; The ‘Burbs; Sister Act; Dazed and Confused; The Cure; Strange Days; A Time to Kill; SubUrbia; Batman & Robin; One True Thing; The Limey; Boiler Room; Rules of Engagement; Way of the Gun; Waking Life; Insomnia; Secondhand Lions; School of Rock; Sin City; World Trade Center; Snow Angels; Planet Terror; Death Proof; The Brave One; The Dark Knight and Behind the Candelabra.

My favorite Nicky Katt role is in Way of the Gun. I enjoyed him in Boston Public and in so many films.  Some favorites include Boiler Room, Sin City and the Grindhouse double feature Planet Terror and Death Proof.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Nicky Katt’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Ted Kotcheff

Ted Kotcheff died on April 11, 2025, just three days after his 94th birthday.

Ted Kotcheff graduated from University College, University of Toronto, with a degree in English Literature.  When he was just 24, he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  He was the youngest director there.  Mr. Kotcheff directed Tiara Tahiti, his first feature film in 1962.  Although best known as a director, Ted Kotcheff branched out and did occasional writing, acting and producing.

Some of the television projects that feature Ted Kotcheff’s direction include: On Camera; Hour of Mystery; I’ll Have You to Remember; BBC Sunday Night Play (2 episodes); ITV Television Playhouse; Espionage; First Night (2 episodes); Drama 61-67; Armchair Theater (28 episodes); The Human Voice; ABC Stage 67 (2 episodes); The Desperate Hours; ITV Playhouse; Lights Out; Play for Today (2 episodes); Performance; Red Shoe Diaries (2 episodes); Borrowed Hearts; Buddy Faro; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (7 episodes).

Some of Ted Kotcheff’s feature films include: Tiara Tahiti; Life at the Top; Of Mice and Men; Wake in Fright; The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz; Fun with Dick and Jane; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; North Dallas Forty; First Blood; Uncommon Valor; Weekend at Bernie’s and Folks!.

My favorite Ted Kotcheff film is First Blood.  I had been a fan of David Morrell’s novel since it came out in paperback.  Sylvester Stallone was (and is) my favorite actor.  Ted Kotcheff at the helm made one of my all-time favorite films.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Ted Kotcheff’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Robert McGinnis

It has been announced the Robert McGinnis died on March 10, 2025.  Mr. McGinnis was 99.

As a teenager, Robert McGinnis worked as an apprentice at Walt Disney Studios.  During World War II, Mr. McGinnis served in the Merchant Marines.

Robert McGinnis was an artist whose work appeared on over 1200 book covers, over 40 film posters as well as magazine and record album covers.

Mr. McGinnis is perhaps best known for the posters and art that he created for James Bond movies.  Robert McGinnis created the art for Thunderball; You Only Live Twice; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; Diamonds Are Forever; Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun.  Others films Mr. McGinnis created posters for include Breakfast at Tiffany’s; How to Steal a Million; The Odd Couple; Barbarella; Duck You Sucker!; Sleeper and Gator.

In 1958, Robert McGinnis began creating covers for Dell Publishing.  Although probably best known for his work on Gold Medal paperback crime/noir novels, Mr. McGinnis’ art could be found on covers for books in genres such as Detective, Mystery, Gothic, Historical Fiction as well as Romance and Fantasy.  In 2004, Robert McGinnis began doing covers for Hard Case Crime. Mr. McGinnis’ art could also be found in magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, McCall’s and Guideposts.

Some of the album covers featuring Robert McGinnis art include Casino Royale (Soundtrack); Barbarella (Soundtrack); Tommy Steele – Half A Sixpence (Soundtrack); On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Soundtrack); Sweet Charity (Soundtrack); Cotton Comes to Harlem (Soundtrack); Diamonds are Forever (Soundtrack); Come Back Charleston Blue (Soundtrack); Ennio Morricone – Giù La Testa; The Optimists Orchestra (Soundtrack); Live and Let Die (Soundtrack); The Man with the Golden Gun (Soundtrack); Bingo Long and Traveling All Stars and Motor Kings (Soundtrack); Gator (Soundtrack); Semi-Tough (Soundtrack); The Jigsaw Seen – Songs Mama Used To Sing; The Day of the Dolphin (Soundtrack) and Scorpio (Soundtrack).

In 1985, Robert McGinnis was named Romantic Artist of the Year by the Romantic Times magazine.  In 1993, Mr. McGinnis was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

Robert McGinnis was one of my favorite artists.  His pulp covers are classics.  Of course the same could be said for his movie posters, magazine illustrations and well, just about anything he created.  I think it’s time to revisit my Art of Robert McGinnis book and search out Robert McGinnis: Painting the Last Rose of Summer the documentary of his life and art by Paul Jilbert.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and fans of Robert McGinnis.

RIP: Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer died on April 1, 2025. The cause of death was pneumonia.  Mr. Kilmer was 65.

Val Kilmer graduated from Chatsworth High School.  He then became (up to that point) the youngest person accepted into the Juilliard School’s Drama Division.

Val Kilmer would go on to become a star of stage, television and feature films.

Some of the television projects that feature Val Kilmer include: ABC Afterschool Specials; The Murders in the Rue Morgue; The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains; Billy the Kid; Entourage; Numb3rs; Comanche Moon (3 episodes); XIII: The Conspiracy (3 episodes); Knight Rider (reboot – 18 episodes); Life’s Too Short; Ghost Girls (2 episodes); The Spoils of Babylon (4 episodes) and Psych.

Some of the feature films that Val Kilmer appeared in include: Top Secret!; Real Genius; Top Gun; Willow; Kill Me Again; The Doors; Thunderheart; True Romance; Tombstone; Batman Forever; Heat; The Island of Dr. Moreau; The Ghost and the Darkness; The Saint; The Prince of Egypt; Joe the King; Pollock; Red Planet; The Salton Sea; Wonderland; The Missing; Spartan; Mindhunters; Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; Deja Vu; Felon; Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans; Bloodworth; Kill the Irishman; Standing Up; Cinema Twain and Top Gun: Maverick.

Naming my favorite Val Kilmer role is easy.  I think Mr. Kilmer turned in one of the all-time greatest acting performances with his portrayal of Doc Holiday in Tombstone.  It is a shame that Val Kilmer didn’t win an Academy Award for that performance, and a disgrace he wasn’t even nominated.  Other Val Kilmer films that I recommend are Top Secret! (Sadly it took a long time for me to give it a go.  Don’t make the same mistake.  It is funny,), Top Gun (10 minutes of screen time and it made him a star), Willow, True Romance, Heat (a classic!), The Salton Sea (very underrated), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Top Gun: Maverick.

Val Kilmer was an actor’s actor.  Mr. Kilmer’s health cut his career short and he left us far too soon, but what a legacy he created while he was here.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Val Kilmer’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Richard Chamberlain

Ricahard Chamberlain died on March 29, 2025, just two days short of his 91st birthday.  The cause of death was complications from a stroke.

Mr. Chamberlain graduated from Beverly Hills High School.  He then attended Pomona College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and painting.  Richard Chamberlain was drafted and served two years in the army.  He attained the rank of sergeant before his discharge.

In 1959, Ricard Chamberlain co-founded Company of Angels, a LA-based theater group.  Mr. Chamberlain also began to get acting roles on television.  Richard Chamberlain’s breakout role came in 1961 when he was cast in the starring role on Dr. Kildare.  For the rest of his career Richard Chamberlain alternated between television, the stage and feature films.

Some of the television projects that feature Richard Chamberlain include: Alfred Hitchcock Presents; Rescue 8; Bourbon Street Beat; Gunsmoke; Mr. Lucky; Thriller; Riverboat; The Deputy; Whispering Smith; Dr. Kildare (191 episodes); The Red Skelton Hour; The Portrait of a Lady (6 episodes); Petulia; Hold On: It’s the Dave Clark Five; The Woman I Love; The Lady’s Not for Burning; The Count of Monte-Cristo; The Christmas Messenger; The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella; The Man in the Iron Mask; The Last Wave; Great Performances; The Good Doctor; Centennial (12 episodes); Shogun (movie); Shogun (5 episodes); The Thorn Birds (4 episodes); Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story; The Miracle; Dream West (3 episodes); Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Bourne Identity (4 episodes); Island Son (19 episodes); Night of the Hunter; The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years; Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (2 episodes); Touched by an Angel; The Drew Carey Show (2 episodes); Will & Grace; Hustle; Blackbeard (3 episodes); Nip & Tuck; Desperate Housewives; Brothers & Sisters (5 episodes); Thundercats; Leverage (2 episodes); Justice League: Gods and Monsters (video) and Twin Peaks.

Some of the feature films that Richard Chamberlain appeared in include: A Thunder of Drums; Twilight of Honor; The Eleventh Hour; Julius Caesar; The Music Lovers; The Three Musketeers; The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge; The Towering Inferno; The Swarm; King Solomon’s Mines; Alan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold;  The Return of the Musketeers; Bird of Prey; We Are the Hartmans and Finding Julia.

Although I was too little to watch Dr. Kildare, I do remember the popularity of the show with mothers in the neighborhood (including mine). My favorite Richard Chamberlain performance is in Shogun.  

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Chamberlain’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Bruce Glover

Bruce Glover died on March 12, 2025of natural causes.  Mr. Glover was 92.

Mr. Glover is best known for his role in Diamonds Are Forever.  He played Mr. Wint, a professional assassin who attempted to kill James Bond.   The role of Mr. Windt was just one of the over 100 credits on Bruce Glover’s resume for a career that lasted over 60 years!

Some of the television projects that feature Bruce Glover include: The Verdict is Yours; Car 54, Where Are You?; The DuPont Show of the Week; Route 66 (2 episodes); The Doctors and the Nurses; 12 O’Clock High; Perry Mason; My Favorite Martian; Hawk; The Danny Thomas Hour; Rat Patrol; Run for Your Life; The Good Guys (3 episodes); The Big Valley; The Guns of Will Sonnett (2 episodes); The Outsider; The Over-the-Hill Gang; Adam-12; Paris 7000; Bonanza; Mission Impossible (2 episodes); Mod Squad (2 episodes); Yuma; The Psychiatrist; Bearcats; The Partners; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); This Is The West That Was; The Blue Knight (3 episodes); S.W.A.T. (2 episodes); Harry O; Kojak; Switch (2 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes); The Six Million Dollar Man (4 episodes); Barney Miller; Battlestar Galactica; Police Story (2 episodes); Big Shamus, Little Shamus; CHiPs (3 episodes); Vega$; The Magical World of Disney; B.J. and the Bear (2 episodes); Hart to Hart; No Soup, Radio (2 episodes); Benson; The Dukes of Hazard; TJ Hooker; The Facts of Life; The A-Team; Santa Barbara; Murder, She Wrote; 

Some of the feature films that Bruce Glover appeared in include: Never Steal Anything Small; Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster; The Thomas Crown Affair; CC and Company; Bless the Beasts and the Children; Diamonds are Forever; Walking Tall; One Little Indian; Chinatown; Hard Times; Part Two: Walking Tall; Final Chapter: Walking Tall; Big Bad Mama II; Ghost World and Scammerhead.

It’s hard to say where I first saw Bruce Glover perform because he appeared in so many shows I watched as a kid.  If I had to bet it was probably Car 54, Where Are You? or Route 66.  I do know that I began to recognize Mr. Glover when he’d show up.  I also knew that his appearance often meant trouble for the series or movie’s star… which was fun for the audience.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bruce Glover’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: George Foreman

It was announced that George Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.  No cause of death was given.  George Foreman was a boxer, preacher and business man.

George Foreman was just 19 years old with 20 amateur fights when he represented the United States in the 1968 Olympics.  In four Olympic bouts, only one went the distance.  George Foreman won the Heavyweight Olympic Gold Medal.

The following year, George Foreman turned pro.  Mr. Foreman was 37 – 0, with 34 knockouts when he fought Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight title.  Mr. Frazier was 29 – 0 with 25 knockouts.  George Foreman won the title with a technical knockout in the second round.  (Joe Frazier suffered six knockdowns in two rounds before the ref stopped the fight.)

George Foreman defended his title against José Roman (KO, round 1) and Ken Norton (TKO, round 2) before taking on Muhammad Ali in the fight known as The Rumble in the Jungle.  Ali, using a strategy he later called “Rope-a-Dope” leaned back on the unusually loose ropes with his guard up and let Foreman wail away.  Ali took some heavy shots but was able to weather the storm.  In the eighth round, with Foreman arm weary, Ali came off the ropes and with his own flurry of punches ended the fight.  Ali had won the Championship.

George Foreman fought some exhibition bouts and five more sanctioned fights earning wins over Ron Lyle (KO, round 5), Joe Frazier (TKO, round 5); Scott LeDoux (TKO, round 3); John Denis (TKO, round 4) and Pedro Agosto (TKO, round 4).  Mr. Foreman then lost a unanimous 12 round decision to Jimmy Young.

In his dressing room after the fight, George Foreman became ill and felt as if he was dying.  At this point, Mr. Foreman wasn’t religious, but felt as if God was telling him to change his ways.  Although he didn’t retire, he stopped fighting and became an ordained minister.  He preached on street corners before becoming the minister of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston.  Mr. Foreman also opened a youth center.

Then in 1987, at the age of 38, George Foreman announced a boxing comeback.  He said the money would be used to help his youth center.  Although very heavy and out of shape, George Foreman won the comeback fight by KO in four rounds.  Big George (as he came to be known) won four more fights (1 by KO and 3 by TKO) before the year was out.  In 1988, he had nine fights (!) winning all by KO or TKO.  In 1989, George went undefeated with five wins.

Despite his age, George was piling up wins and getting closer to another title fight.  He also had endeared himself to the public.  Before his comeback, George Foreman acted much like Sonny Liston (a fighter he admired for his tough no-nonsense persona).  Now George was outgoing, happy and modest.  He began to do advertisements.  George Foreman worked out a deal to be spokesman and allow his name to be used on the George Foreman Grill which became a national best-seller.  Mr. Foreman earned more from sales of the grill than he did as a professional boxer!

After going undefeated in five (all by TKO or KO) fights in 1990 the title fight was getting closer.  In 1991, Big George lost a unanimous decision to Evander Holyfield.  Mr. Foreman won three more fights and then finally got another shot at the title.

On June 7, 1993, at the age of 44, George Foreman won a unanimous decision over Tommy Morrison to win the WBO Heavyweight title.  Then in November, Mr. Foreman defeated Michael Moorer by KO in the 10th to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.  He defended his titles four more times.  He lost by decision to Shannon Briggs in 1997.  George Foreman was nearly 49 years old!

I was always a fan of George Foreman, especially after his comeback.  In his first fights I was in awe of his strength and power.  I loved that he won a Gold medal for the U.S. in the 1968 Olympics.  For his comeback, I enjoyed the transformation for Liston-like personality to someone that seemed to enjoy life and inspire others.  George Foreman was one of a kind.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to George Foreman’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Wings Hauser

Wings Hauser born General Dwight Hauser died on March 15, 2025of natural causes.  Mr. Hauser was 77.

Wings was born in Hollywood, California.  His father, Dwight Hauser was a director and producer.  His brother, Eric Hauser, is also an actor.  Wings got the nickname Wings while playing high school football and it stuck.  Although Wings Hauser made his film debut with a small role in First to Fight in 1967, instead of acting he pursued a singing career.

In 1975, RCA released the album Your Love Keeps Me Off the Streets with Wings Hauser using the stage name Wings Livinryte.  The album wasn’t a success, but the same year Wings scored a role on Cannon.  He was credited as Wings Livinryte.  It soon became clear that Wings would have more success acting.  Mr. Hauser would branch out into screenwriting and directing as well.

Some of the television projects that feature Wings Hauser include: Cannon; The Young and the Restless (15 episodes); Movin’ On; Baretta; Emergency; Aspen; Magnum PI; The Fall Guy; Ghost Dancing; Jessie; Hunter; Hardcastle and McCormick; MacGruder and Loud; Airwolf; The Long Hot Summer (2 episodes); The A-Team (2 episodes); Dark Horse; The Last Precinct (8 episodes); The Highway Man; Perry Mason: The  Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel; Freddy’s Nightmares; Hardball; China Beach (4 episodes); Lightning Force (13 episodes); The Young Riders; Space Rangers; Roseanne (5 episodes); Route 66; Walker Texas Ranger; Marker; High Tide; Kung Fu: The Legend Continues; JAG; Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes); Beverly Hills 90210 (6 episodes); Arli$$ (2 episodes); Kingpin (4 episodes); CSI: Miami; Third Watch; Eyes; House; Monk; Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery; Cold Case; Bones; Saving Grace; The Mentalist; Criminal Minds; The Defenders; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Hawaii Five-0; Rizzoli & Isles and Castle.

Some of the feature films that Wings Hauser appeared in include: First to Fight; Who’ll Stop the Rain; Vice Squad; Hear No Evil; Mutant; A Soldier’s Story; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Tough Guys Don’t Dance; Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time; Tales from the Hood; Original Gangstas; Life Among the Cannibals; The Insider; The Blue Lizard; The Stone Angel and Eve N’ God: This Female is Not Yet Rated (TM).

I probably first saw Wings Hauser in Baretta.  Whatever the role was, it wasn’t long before I began to recognize Wings Hauser because he appeared in so many programs and movies that I watched.  A profile of Wings Hauser in Entertainment Weekly once called him “the biggest star you’ve never heard of”.  Thing of it was, movie and television fans not only knew of him, they appreciated seeing him listed in the credits.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Wing Hauser’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Gene Hackman

It was announced that Gene Hackman was found dead today.  No time or cause of death has been given.  Although no foul play was no suspected, an investigation is on-going.  Mr. Hackman was 95.

At the age of ten, Gene Hackman knew that he wanted to be an actor.  At sixteen he lied about his age and enlisted in the Marines.  After Mr. Hackman finished his enlistment he studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois.  Gene Hackman left for California before graduating.  He joined the Pasadena Playhouse where he became friends with Dustin Hoffman.  Mr. Hackman moved to New York where at different times he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman or Robert Duvall.

Gene Hackman began to get small television roles.  During this time Mr. Hackman also appeared in several off-Broadway plays.  In 1963, he got his first Broadway role.  This opened the door to roles in feature films.  Mr. Hackman continued to work on Broadway, television guest spots and small film roles.  Gene Hackman’s breakout role came when he co-starred in Bonnie and Clyde.  This earned him his first (of five) Oscar nominations.  For the rest of his career Gene Hackman appeared in television and feature films.

Gene Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two…

  • 1968 Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Bonnie and Clyde
  • 1971 Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for I Never Sang for My Father
  • 1972 Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The French Connection
  • 1989 Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Mississippi Burning
  • 1993 Winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Unforgiven

Some of the television projects that feature Gene Hackman include: Tallahassee 7000; The United States Steel Hour (8 episodes); Naked City; The Defenders (2 episodes); Route 66; Ride with Terror; East Side/West Side; Brenner (3 episodes); The Trials of O’Brien; Hawk; The FBI; The Invaders; Iron Horse; CBS Playhouse; I Spy; and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (2 episodes).

Some of the feature films that Gene Hackman appeared in include: Mad Dog Coll; Lilith; Hawaii; A Covenant with Death; Bonnie and Clyde; The Split; Downhill Racer; Marooned; I Never Sang for My Father; The French Connection; Cisco Pike; Prime Cut; The Poseidon Adventure; Scarecrow; The Conversation; Young Frankenstein; Night Moves; Bite the Bullet; French Connection II; Lucky Lady; The Domino Principle; A Bridge Too Far; Superman; Superman II; Reds; Under Fire; Uncommon Valor; Target; Power; Hoosiers; Superman IV: The Quest for Peace; No Way Out; Bat*21; Mississippi Burning; The Package; Postcards from the Edge; Narrow Margin; Unforgiven; The Firm; Geronimo: An American Legend; Wyatt Earp; The Quick and the Dead; Crimson Tide; Get Shorty; The Birdcage; Extreme Measures; The Chamber; Absolute Power; Twilight; Antz; Enemy of the State; Under Suspicion; The Replacements; The Mexican; Heist; The Royal Tenenbaums; Behind Enemy Lines; Runaway Jury and Welcome to Mooseport.

I probably first saw Gene Hackman in Route 66 or The Invaders.  The first movie I remember seeing Mr. Hackman was in The Poseidon Adventure.  I loved him in that role!  It’s hard to pick a favorite Gene Hackman role because he was so good in so many films.  Some of favorites include Poseidon Adventure; Mississippi Burning; Unforgiven; The Quick and the Dead; Crimson Tide and Get Shorty.  What an amazing career Mr. Hackman had.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Gene Hackman’s family, friends and fans.

RIP Peter Jason

Peter Jason died on Thursday, February 20, 2025.  The cause of death was cancer.  Mr. Jason was 80.

Peter Jason caught the acting bug when he was cast in the lead for his senior high school play.  He attending Orange Coast College where he continued to study acting.  A role in the tv movie A Bell for Adano was his first professional credit.  Following that roles on television and feature films led to over 265 credits on his acting resume.

Some of the television projects that feature Peter Jason include: A Bell for Adano; The F.B.I.; Cimarron Strip (2 episodes); Judd for the Defense; Here Come the Brides; Daniel Boone; Land of the Giants; Hawaii 5-0; Kung Fu; Gunsmoke (3 episodes); One Day at a Time (2 episodes); Starsky and Hutch (2 episodes); BJ and the Bear; The Incredible Hulk; Hart to Hart (2 episodes); Filthy Rich; Silver Spoons; The Blue and the Gray; Cagney and Lacey; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; For Love and Honor; Mister Roberts; Cover Up; Riptide; Izzy & Moe; Amazing Stories; Remington Steele (2 episodes); The Golden Girls; Scarecrow and Mrs. King; The Betty Ford Story; The New Mike Hammer; Hard Knocks (2 episodes); Billionaire Boys Club; Webster (2 episodes); Knots Landing; Quantum Leap; Perfect Strangers; A Different World; Batman: The Animated Series; Dear John; Roseanne; Married with Children; Body Bags; Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman; Coach; Murder She Wrote (2 episodes); Kung Fu: The Legend Continues; Pinky and the Brain; Murder One; Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer (6 episodes); Mike Hammer: Private Eye (26 episodes); The New Batman Adventures (2 episodes); Batman Beyond: The Movie; Nash Bridges (3 episodes); Arli$$; Men in Black: The Series; Batman Beyond (2 episodes); Titus (2 episodes); Jag; Providence; The New Woody Woodpecker Show (4 episodes); Mister Sterling; Jackie Chan Adventures; Carnivale; Patients; Deadwood (26 episodes); Desperate Housewives (2 episodes); Dirty Sexy Money; Mad Men; Castle; Mending Fences; Raising the Bar; Cold Case; Justified; Chuck; The Fuzz; Funny or Die Presents (3 episodes); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Arrested Development (4 episodes); Scorpion; Longmire; NCIS (2 episodes); Deadwood: The Movie and Baskets (5 episodes).

Some of the feature films that Peter Jason appeared in include: Rio Lobo; The Driver; The Long Riders; Mommy Dearest; Some Kind of Hero; 48 Hrs.; Streets of Fire; The Karate Kid; Dreamscape; Oxford Blues; Brewster’s Millions;  Heartbreak Ridge; Prince of Darkness; Red Heat; Alien Nation; They Live; Johnny Handsome; The Hunt for Red October; Arachnophobia; Marked for Death; In the Mouth of Madness; Village of the Damned; Congo; Mortal Combat; Wild Bill; Escape for LA; The Glimmer Man; Dante’s Peak; Ghosts of Mars; Undisputed; Seabiscuit; Richard III; Queen City; Hail Caesar; Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and The Downside of Bliss.

I probably first saw Peter Jason in Here Come the Brides.  Of course it could have been Daniel Boone; Land of the Giants; Hawaii 5-0; Kung Fu or Gunsmoke.  Peter Jason was getting work in so many shows I regularly watched it’s hard to say for sure.  Mr. Jason appeared in so many television shows and movies that I loved.  He was so prolific because he was so good.  Directors knew that Mr. Jason brought something special even in the smallest performances.  What a career Peter Jason had.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Jason’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: James Carlos Blake

It was announced that James Carlos Blake died on January 11, 2025.  Mr. Blake was 81.  The cause of death was pneumonia.

Although Mr. Blake wrote off and on from his teens, it wasn’t until the 1980s that he began to write seriously for publication.  At that point James Carlos Blake began to get his short stories published in literary journals.  In 1995, his first novel, THE PISTOLEER saw print. It was a finalist for that year’s Best Novel of the West award from the Western Writers of America.

James Carlos Blake would go on to write 13 more novels and gain worldwide recognition (and awards) for his fiction.

I’ve been a James Carlos Blake fan for years.  His books are always entertaining.  If you’re a fan of crime fiction, then by all means seek them out.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Carlos Blake’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: David Lynch

It was announced that David Lynch died today, at the age of 78.  Mr. Lynch had announced last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema.

After graduating high school, David Lynch decided to study painting.  He studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C., the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  It was at the Pennsylvania Academy where Mr. Lynch made his first short film.  The film was well received and led Mr. Lynch to create other shorts.

A grant from the American Film Institute financed Mr. Lynch’s short, The Grandmother.  David Lynch then moved to LA to begin studying filmmaking at the AFI Conservatory.  While there Mr. Lynch received a $10,000 grant from the AFI to create Eraserhead.  David Lynch raised the additional money required to complete filming through a loan from his father and money he saved by delivering The Wall Street Journal.  After the success of Eraserhead, Mr. Lynch went on to direct Elephant Man.  At that point, Mr. Lynch was well on his way to a long career as a director, writer and producer.  In addition to his television and feature film directing, Mr. Lynch as continued to create shorts, music videos, write and occasionally act.

David Lynch was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Director, once for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and won an Honorary Academy Award

  • 1981 Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for The Elephant Man, Shared with: Christopher De Vore · Eric Bergren
  • 1981 Nominee – Best Director for The Elephant Man
  • 1987 Nominee – Best Director for Blue Velvet
  • 2002 Nominee – Best Director for Mulholland Drive

Television projects that feature David Lynch include: Twin Peaks (6 episodes); On the Air; Hotel Room (2 episodes) and Muholland Drive (2001).

Feature films that David Lynch directed in include: Eraserhead; The Elephant Man; Dune; Blue Velvet; Twin Peaks; Wild at Heart; Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me; Lost Highway; The Straight Story; Mulholland Drive (1999) and Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces.

I first heard of David Lynch with his movie Eraserhead.  My favorite David Lynch film is The Elephant Man.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to David Lynch’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Art Evans

Art Evans died on Saturday, December 21, 2024.  The cause of death was complications from diabetes.  Mr. Evans was 82.

Art Evans began his career as a stage actor.  His first screen appearance was in 1972.  Mr. Evans had an uncredited role in the early Brian DePalma film, Sisters.  In 1975, Art Evans received his first credited role in the television movie The Orphan and the Dude.  For the next forty plus years Mr. Evans appeared in movie and television roles.

Television projects that feature Art Evans include: The Orphan and the Dude; Chico and the Man; Police Woman; Minstrel Man; Roosevelt and Truman; King (3 episodes); Some Kind of Miracle; The Cracker Factory; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; MASH; Skag; The Boy Who Drank Too Much; World War III; The Fall Guy; The Seduction of Gena; Hill Street Blues (3 episodes); American Playhouse; Long Time Gone; Nine to Five (12 episodes); 227; In the Heat of the Night; Doogie Houser MD; Midnight Caller; A Different World (2 episodes); Mad About You (2 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; Roc; Family Matters; Dream On; Walker, Texas Ranger; LA Heat; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction; After All; City of Angels; The X-Files; Monk; Everybody Hates Chris; Lincoln Heights (2 episodes); The Sarah Silverman Program; Pretend Time (2 episodes); Last Man Standing; Beauty and the Baller (3 episodes); A House Divided (3 episodes); Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Proud Family Louder and Louder (2 episodes).

Feature films that Art Evans appeared in include: Sisters; Claudine; Death Wish; Amazing Grace; Leadbelly; Fun with Dick and Jane; The In-Laws; The Main Event; The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again; Christine; A Soldier’s Story; Tough Turf; Into the Night; Fright Night; Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling; Ruthless People; Native Son; White of the Eye; The Mighty Quinn; Adventures in Babysitting; Die Hard II; Revenge of the Nerds; Trespass; CB4; Tales from the Hood; The Story of Us; Interstate 60; Young Cesar; Shades of Ray and Church.

I probably first saw Art Evans in Death Wish.  I know by the time he appeared in Die Hard 2, I recognized him from his many guest appearances on television and movies.  My favorite Art Evans roles are the parts he played in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story.  Of course I always liked his performances in everything I ever saw him in.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Art Evans’ family, friends and fans.

RIP: Earl Holliman

It was announced that Earl Holliman died today, at the age of 96.

When Earl Holliman was a teenager he saved his money from his jobs as a theater usher, paperboy and magician’s assistant.  He then went to Hollywood.  He lasted a week before his money ran out and he returned to his home in Louisiana.

His adoptive mother had remarried after her first husband died.  Earl didn’t get along with his new stepfather.  World War II was underway.  Earl lied about his age and went into the Navy.  A year into his enlistment, the Navy discovered Earl’s true age and he was sent home.  Earl finished his high school education, graduated with honors and was his senior class president.

Now old enough to enlist, Earl reupped with the Navy.  While in the Navy, Mr. Holliman was cast in the lead of several Norfolk Navy productions.  After leaving the navy, Mr. Holliman moved to California.  He studied acting and graduated from UCLA.

Mr. Holliman bluffed his way onto the Paramount lot.  Over time he made some connections and got his first part. After that Earl Holliman continued to work in feature films, television and stage roles until he retired.

Television projects that feature Earl Holliman include: Matinee Theater; Kraft Theater (2 episodes); Studio One; Playhouse 90 (2 episodes); Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse; The Twilight Zone (1st episode); Hotel de Paree (32 episodes); The Dick Powell Theater; Westinghouse Presents: The Dispossessed; Bus Stop; Alcoa Premiere; General Electric Theater; Checkmate; Wide Country (28 episodes); The Great Adventure; Bonanza; 12 O’Clock High; Dr. Kildare; The Virginian; Slattery’s People; The Fugitive; Custer; Judd for the Defense; Insight; Marcus Welby MD; Smoke; The Tribe; Ironside; Cannon; Alias Smith & Jones (2 episodes); The Rookies; Gunsmoke (3 episodes); Medical Center (2 episodes); The Magical World of Disney (4 episodes); The FBI (4 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco; The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War; Doberman Patrol; Cry Panic; Police Story; Police Woman (90 episodes); The Solitary Man; CHiPs (2 episodes); Country Gold; The Thorn Birds (3 episodes); Hotel; American Harvest; Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge; Empty Nest; PSI Luv U (13 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show; In the Heat of the Night; Delta (17 episodes); Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes); Captain Planet and the Planeteers; Caroline in the City (3 episodes); Nightman (24 episodes) and Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Feature films that Earl Holliman appeared in include: Destination Gobi; Scared Stiff; East of Sumatra; Broken Lance; The Bridges at Toko-Ri; The Big Combo; I Died A Thousand Times; Forbidden Planet; Giant; The Rainmaker; The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Trooper Hook; Don’t Go Near the Water; Hot Spell; The Trap; The Last Train from Gun Hill; Visit to a Small Planet; Summer and Smoke; The Sons of Katie Elder; Anzio; Sharky’s Machine and The Perfect Tenant.

Earl Holliman starred in the first episode of the first season of The Twilight Zone.  Talk about an impressive first credit.  When I think of Earl Holliman the first role that comes to mind is Sgt. (and later Lt.) Bill Crowley on Police Woman. Then his part in Forbidden Planet.  As an adult I’ve loved seeing Earl Holliman in noirs such as The Big Combo and I Died a Thousand Times.  Whatever he was in, Mr. Holliman made it better.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Earl Holliman’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Tony Todd

It was announced that Tony Todd died on on November 6, 2024, at the age of 69.  No cause of death was listed.

After high school graduation Tony Todd attended the University of Connecticut, the Eugene O’Neill National Actors Theatre Institute, and the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island.  Mr. Todd acted on Broadway, television and in feature films.

Television projects that feature Tony Todd include: Simon & Simon; Werewolf; 21 Jump Street; Kate & Allie; Night Court; MacGyver; Matlock; Cop Rock; Father Dowling Mysteries; Jake and the Fatman (3 episodes); Star Trek: The Next Generation (3 episodes); Law and Order; The X-Files; Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2 episodes); Murder She Wrote; New York Undercover; Beverly Hills 90210; NYPD Blue; Xena: Warrior Princess; Star Trek: Voyager; Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (2 episodes); Babylon 5: A Call to Arms; Angel; UC: Undercover; Smallville; Crossing Jordan; Andromeda; Charmed; Boston Public (2 episodes); CSI: Miami; The District (2 episodes); Criminal Minds; Stargate SG-1 (3 episodes); Boston Legal; Without a Trace; 24 Redemption; 24 (7 episodes); Batman: The Brave and the Bold; Psyche; Splatter (8 episodes); The Event (2 episodes); Chuck (10 episodes); Hawaii 5-0; Holliston (2 episodes); Transformers Prime (8 episodes); Young Justice (2 episodes); The Young and the Restless (14 episodes); Dead of Summer (5 episodes); Be Cool Scooby-Doo! (2 episodes); The Orville; Scream: The TV Series (3 episodes); Masters of the Universe: Revelation (3 episodes); Dota: Dragon’s Blood (17 episodes); The Flash (16 episodes); Masters of the Universe: Revolution and Winnie Taylor’s 4th & Inches (8 episodes).

Feature films that Tony Todd appeared in include: Sleepwalk; Platoon; 84 Charing Cross Road; Colors; Bird; Lean on Me; Night of the Living Dead; Candyman; The Crow; Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh; The Rock; Candyman: Day of the Dead; Final Destination; Final Destination 2; Final Destination 3; The Man from Earth; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; Final Destination 5; Army of the Damned; Zombies; Candy Corn and All Gone Wrong. 

I probably first saw Tony Todd in Platoon.  Talk about an impressive first credit.  When I think of Tony Todd, the first film that comes to mind is the remake of Night of the Living Dead.  Then I quickly remember that Mr. Todd was also in The Rock, Boston Public, Boston Legal, 24, Candyman and so many other shows and movies that I enjoy.  What a career!

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Tony Todd’s family, friends and fans.