Category: RIP

James B. Sikking died Saturday due to complications from dementia.  Mr. Sikking was 90.

James B. Sikking was best known for his role as Howard Hunter, the leader of the S.W.A.T. squad on Hill Street Blues.  For this portrayal he was nominated for one Primetime Emmy Award:

• 1984 nominee Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Hill Street Blues

After graduating high school Mr. Sikking served in Korea in the U.S. Army.  He graduated from the University of California.  With 159 credits on his acting resume, James B. Sikking worked in both television and feature films throughout his career.

Television projects that feature James B. Sikking include: Assignment: Underwater; Perry Mason; General Hospital; Combat! (2 episodes); Rawhide; The Outer Limits (2 episodes); The Loner; O.K. Crackerby!; The Long, Hot Summer; The Virginian; Honey West; My Favorite Martian; My Mother, the Car; The Fugitive (3 episodes); 12 O’Clock High; Run for Your Life; Sail to Glory; The Invaders; Gomer Pyle; Bonanza (2 episodes); Adam-12; The Survivors; Here Come the Brides (2 episodes); The Young Lawyers; Love American Style; Hogan’s Heroes (3 episodes); The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; The Immortal; The Name of the Game; Night Gallery (2 episodes); Cade’s County; Ironside; Longstreet; Mission Impossible (2 episodes); Man on a String; The Bob Newhart Show; Banyon; The Doris Day Show (3 episodes); M*A*S*H*; The Streets of San Francisco; Mod Squad (3 episodes); Search; The Rookies (2 episodes); Mannix (2 episodes); Room 222 (2 episodes); The Six Million Dollar Man: The Solid Gold Kidnapping; Columbo; The F.B.I. (11 episodes); Cannon (2 episodes); Ellery Queen; Rich Man – Poor Man – Book II (2 episodes); Police Story; Little House on the Prairie; Delvecchio (3 episodes); Eight is Enough; The Feather and Father Gang (2 episodes); Man from Atlantis; Rafferty; Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy; Kill Me if You Can; The Last Hurrah; Starsky and Hutch; The Bionic Woman; The Incredible Hulk; The Rockford Files (2 episodes); Lucan; A Woman Called Moses (2 episodes); Hawaii 5-0 (2 episodes); Charlie’s Angels (2 episodes); The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; The Jesse Owens Story; L.A. Law; Hill Street Blues (144 episodes); Who’s the Boss; Brotherhood of the Rose; Hunter (3 episodes); Around the World in 80 Days (3 episodes); Doogie Houser, M.D. (97 episodes); In Pursuit of Honor; The Ring; Brooklyn South (20 episodes); Invasion America (13 episodes); Batman Beyond (2 episodes); Rocket Power (2 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); Curb Your Enthusiasm (2 episodes) and The Closer.

Feature films that feature James B. Sikking include: Five Guns West; The Strangler; Von Ryan’s Express; In Like Flint; Point Blank; Charro; Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting; Escape from the Planet of the Apes; The Magnificent Seven Ride; The New Centurions; The Terminal Man; Capricorn One; The Electric Horseman; Ordinary People; Outland; The Star Chamber; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; Narrow Margin and The Pelican Brief; 

It’s hard to pin down the first time I saw James B. Sikking acting.  That’s because he was in so many television shows I watched as a kid.  Looking at his resume he was in so many great shows and movies (and I didn’t list them all).  My favorite performance was his role on Hill Street Blues.  He also had a small but impactful role in Point Blank that quickly comes to mind when Mr. Sikking’s name is mentioned.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to James B. Sikking’s family, friends and fans.

Shelley Duvall died peacefully at her home today.  Ms. Duvall’s cause of death was complications from diabetes.  Shelley Duvall was 75.

Ms. Duvall was a writer, actress and producer.  She was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards:

• 1988 Outstanding Children’s Program for Tall Tales & Legends (shared with Bridget Terry, Fred Fuchs)
• 1992 Outstanding Animated Program (Programming One Hour or Less) for Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories (shared with: Art Leonardi, Carol Davies)

After graduating high school in 1967, Shelley Duvall attended South Texas Junior College. Her major was  nutrition and diet therapy.  A chance meeting with Robert Altman at a party led to him casting her in Brewster McCloud, a film he was shooting on location in Texas.  Altman was so awed by Shelley Duvall’s acting that he cast her in his next three films.  Robert Altman wasn’t the only one impressed.  Ms. Duvall continued to act in feature films and television until she retired in 2002.  Then last year she was coaxed out retirement to appear in The Forest Hills.

Television projects that feature Shelley Duvall include: Cannon; Love American Style; Baretta; Saturday Night Live; The Paul Simon Special; Twilight Theater; Faerie Tale Theater (3 episodes); The Twilight Zone; Tall Tales & Legends; Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme; The Ray Bradbury Theater; L.A. Law; Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Frasier.

Feature films that feature Shelley Duvall include: Brewster McCloud; McCabe & Mrs. Miller; Thieves Like Us; Nashville; Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson; Annie Hall; 3 Women; The Shinning; Popeye; Time Bandits; Roxanne; Suburban Commando; The Portrait of a Lady and The Forest Hills.

The first time I saw Shelley Duvall was in The Shinning.  As perfect as Ms. Duvall was for that role, I think there was another part that she was even better suited to play.  That was as Olive Oyl in Popeye which is my favorite Shelley Duvall performance.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Shelley Duvall’s family, friends and fans.

Bill Cobbs died Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  Mr. Cobbs was 90.

After high school, Bill Cobbs served eight years in the Air Force.  Upon his discharge, he returned to his hometown of Cleveland.  There Mr. Cobbs took jobs as a salesman.  He also began acting at the African American Performing Arts Center and Karamu House Theatre in Cleveland.  He had found his calling.

At the age of 36, Bill Cobbs moved to New York to pursue a career in acting.  Mr. Cobbs first acting roles were in street theater, small theater productions and ultimately the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway.  Bill Cobbs first feature film appearance was in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.  For the remainder of his career, Mr. Cobbs took roles on television and feature films.

Television appearances of Bill Cobbs include: First Ladies Diary: Rachel Jackson; Good Times; Baby, I’m Back; The Member of the Wedding; Rage of Angels; The Equalizer; One Life to Live; Sesame Street (2 episodes); Kate & Allie (2 episodes); Spenser for Hire; L.A. Law; The Slap Maxwell Story (20 episodes); Homeroom (13 episodes); Designing Women; Married People; Decoration Day; True Colors; Carolina Skeletons; I’ll Fly Away (13 episodes); Coach; I’ll Fly Away: Then and Now; Empty Nest; Northern Exposure; Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long; The Watcher; Divas; ER; Walker, Texas Ranger; The Wayans Bros; Always Outnumbered; The Wild Thornberrys; For Your Love (2 episodes); The Gregory Hines Show (21 episodes); The Outer Limits (2 episodes); The Sopranos; The Practice; The Others (13 episodes); For All Time; The Michael Richards Show (9 episodes); The Fighting Fitzgeralds; Touched By An Angel; Rugrats; Six Feet Under; Philly; The West Wing; My Wife and Kids (2 episodes); N.Y.P.D. Blue (2 episodes); 10-8: Officers On Duty; JAG (4 episodes); Soul Food; The Drew Carey Show (9 episodes); Star Trek: Enterprise; Yes, Dear (2 episodes); October Road; Army Wives; One Tree Hill; C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation; The Glades; Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior; Harry’s Law; Go On (10 episodes); Back in the Game; Rake (4 episodes); Hand of God (2 episodes); Greenleaf (4 episodes); Dino Dana (6 episodes); Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Incandescent Love.

Feature film appearances of Bill Cobbs include: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three; Greased Lightning; A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich; The Hitter; Trading Places; Silkwood; The Brother From Another Planet; The Cotton Club; The Color of Money; Streets of Gold; Suspect; Dominic & Eugene; Bird; The January Man; New Jack City; The Hard Way; The People Under the Stairs; The Bodyguard; Demolition Man; Fatal Instinct; The Hudsucker Proxy; Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead; Fluke; That Thing That You Do; Ghosts of Mississippi; Air Bud; Hope Floats; I Still Know What You Did Last Summer; Random Hearts; Sunshine State; Enough; A Mighty Wind; Special Ed; Night at the Museum; The Muppets; Oz the Great and Powerful; Of Mind and Music and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

Bill Cobbs had a career where many folks might not have known his name, but knew when he appeared onscreen, the show just got better.  I don’t remember when I first saw Mr. Cobbs act.  It may have been in that episode of Good Times.  I do know that when I think of Bill Cobbs, the first thing that comes to mind is his performance in Demolition Man. Looking at Bill Cobbs’ partial resume above, it becomes clear how talented he was.  If there was a Hall of Fame for character actors, Bill Cobb would be a shoe-in.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bill Cobb’s family, friends and fans.

Donald Sutherland died today after a long illness.  Mr. Sutherland was 88.

Mr. Sutherland was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.  He wasn’t a healthy child and suffered from rheumatic fever, hepatitis, and polio.  After graduating from high school, Donald Sutherland attended Victoria University, where he graduated with a double major in engineering and drama.  Mr. Sutherland then decided to pursue a career as an actor so he attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Donald Sutherland began to get small roles on British television shows and films.  After the success of The Dirty Dozen, and the positive reviews he received, Mr. Sutherland left England for Hollywood.  He never looked back.  For the rest of his career Donald Sutherland appeared in feature films and television roles.

Over the course of his career Donald Sutherland was nominated for…

• Nine Golden Globe Awards, winning two (1995’s Citizen X for Best Supporting Actor – Television; 2002’s Path to War for Best Supporting Actor – Television)
• Two Primetime Emmy Awards winning one (1995’s Citizen X for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie)

Donald Sutherland also won an Honorary Academy Award in 2017.

Television appearances of Donald Sutherland include: Studio 4; Suspense; The Odd Man; The Sentimental Agent; Hamlet at Elsinore; ITV Play of the Week (3 episodes); A Farewell to Arms; Court Martial; Theater 625; Gideon C.I.D.; The Saint (2 episodes); The Avengers; Man in a Suitcase (2 episodes); The Champions; The Name of the Game; Bethune; The Winter of Our Discontent; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All; Citizen X; The Simpsons; Uprising; Path to War; Salem’s Lot (2 episodes); Frankenstein (2 episodes); Human Trafficking ( 4 episodes); Commander in Chief (19 episodes); Dirty Sexy Money (23 episodes); The Pillars of Earth (8 episodes); Moby Dick (2 episodes); Treasure Island (2 episodes); Crossing Lines (34 episodes); Ice (6 episodes); Trust (9 episodes); The Undoing (6 episodes); Swimming with Sharks (6 episodes) and Lawman Bass Reeves (8 episodes).

Feature film appearances of Donald Sutherland include: The World Ten Times Over; The Castle of the Living Dead; Dr. Terror’s House of Horror; Die! Die! My Darling!; The Bedford Incident; The Dirty Dozen; The Split; M*A*S*H; Start the Revolution Without Me; Kelly’s Heroes; Johnny Got His Gun; Klute; Don’t Look Now; Alien Thunder; S*P*Y*S; The Day of the Locust; Casanova; The Eagle Has Landed; The Kentucky Fried Movie; National Lampoon’s Animal House; The Great Train Robbery; Invasion of the Body Snatchers; Murder by Decree; Ordinary People; Eye of the Needle; Max Dugan Returns; Heaven Help Us; Lock Up; A Dry White Season; Backdraft; JFK; Six Degrees of Separation; Disclosure; Outbreak; A Time to Kill; Fallen; Without Limits; Virus; Instinct; Space Cowboys; The Art of War; The Italian Job; Cold Mountain; Pride & Prejudice; The Mechanic; The Hunger Games; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I; Forsaken; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and Mr. Harrigan’s Phone.

I first saw Donald Sutherland in The Dirty Dozen. After that, I remember Mr. Sutherland showing up as an off-kilter character in M*A*S*H, Kelly’s Heroes and Animal House. When I think of Mr. Sutherland, the first image that comes to mind is the final shot in Invasion of the Body Snatchers.  My favorite Donald Sutherland roles are in JFK and Lock Up (he brought gravitas to the film).  My favorite movie that Donald Sutherland starred in is Eye of the Needle.  Of course he was awesome in so many movies and television series that I wouldn’t argue if you suggested other Donald Sutherland roles.  What a career.  What a talent.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Donald Sutherland’s family, friends and fans.

Tony Lo Bianco, award-winning actor of stage and screen, died June 11, 2024. Mr. Lo Bianco was 87.

Tony Lo Bianco graduated from William E. Grady CTE High School.  He then attended the Dramatic Workshop, where he studied acting and theater production.  In 1963, Tony Lo Bianco founded the Triangle Theater where he served as the artistic director for six years.

In 1963, Mr. Lo Bianco made his first television appearance in an episode of The Doctors.  In 1964, he performed as an understudy on the Broadway play Incident at Vichy.  In 1965, Tony Lo Bianco appeared in the Broadway production of Tartuffe.  Mr. Lo Bianco followed that with a starring role in The Royal Hunt of the Sun on Broadway.  Tony Lo Bianco’s film debut came in 1965 in The Sex Perils of Paulette.

For the rest of his career Tony Lo Bianco would appear on stage, television and in feature films. In 1975, Mr. Lo Bianco won an OBIE (Off Broadway Theater) Award in the category Distinguished Performance by an Actor for Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh.  In 1983, he was nominated for a Tony Award and won the Outstanding Actor in a Play Award for the Outer Critics Circle for his performance in A View from a Bridge.  In 1985, he won a New York Emmy for Outstanding Individual Crafts for his performance in Hizzoner!

Television appearances of Tony Lo Bianco include: The Doctors; Get Smart; Hawk; NYPD (2 episodes); Hidden Faces; Love of Life; Madigan; The Story of Jacob and Joseph; The Streets of San Francisco; Jesus of Nazareth (4 episodes); Police Story (6 episodes); Magee and the Lady; Champions: A Love Story; A Last Cry for Help; Marciano; Marco Polo (2 episodes); Another Woman’s Child; The Paper Chase; Hizzoner!; The Twilight Zone (1985); Welcome Home Bobby; Blood Ties; Police Story: The Freeway Killings; Night Heat; The Ann Jillian Story; CBS Summer Playhouse; Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen; Fredrick Forsythe Presents; Palace Guard (8 episodes); Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes); The Maharaja’s Daughter (4 episodes); Homicide: Life on the Street (3 episodes); Tyson; F/X: The Series; Rocky Marciano; Walker, Texas Ranger; Law & Order (3 episodes); Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Somewhere in Queens.

Feature film appearances of Tony Lo Bianco include: The Sex Perils of Paulette; The Honeymoon Killers; The French Connection; Serpico; The Seven Ups; FIST; Bloodbrothers; City Heat; City of Hope; Boiling Point; Nixon; The Juror; Mafia!; The Day the Ponies Came Back; Friends and Family and Kill the Irishman.

I don’t remember the first time I saw Tony Lo Bianco.  I do remember it seemed he came from nowhere and was holding his own with big name stars: Hackman in The French Connection, Pacino in Serpico, Roy Schneider in The Seven Ups, Sly Stallone in FIST, Eastwood and Reynold in City Heat.  My favorite role is probably his performance as Babe Milano in FIST.  I need to revisit Bloodbrothers.  I remember really liking that film (that had Richard Gere, Paul Sorvino and Tony Lo Bianco as its stars).  It’s evidence of Mr. Lo Bianco’s  talent that he could move from stage to television to feature films with ease.

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

Louis Gossett Jr.,  the award-winning actor of stage and screen, died today.  No cause of death was given. Mr. Gossett was 87.

Louis Gossett Jr. made his stage debut on Broadway in Take a Giant Step.  He was just 17 (and had no formal acting training). Mr. Gossett would go on to appear on Broadway in The Desk Set and A Raisin in the Sun.  He also appeared in several other theater productions both on Broadway and other locations.  Mr. Gossett made his television debut in 1957, in The Big Story.   His feature film debut came in 1961, in A Raisin in the Sun (adapted from the Broadway play).

For the rest of his career Louis Gossett Jr. would appear on stage, television and in feature films.

In 1977, Mr. Gossett won a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series for his role in Roots.

Mr. Gossett won an Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1983 for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman.  He was the first African-American to win the award.  That same year Mr. Gossett won the Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture for his part in An Officer and a Gentleman.

Television appearances of Louis Gossett Jr. include: The Big Story (2 episodes); Cowboy in Africa (2 episodes); The Invaders; Daktari; The Bill Cosby Show; The Young Rebels (15 episodes); The Partridge Family; Bonanza; Longstreet; The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; Alias Smith and Jones; The Rookies; The Mod Squad (3 episodes); Love American Style; Owen Marshall – Counselor at Law; McCloud; Lucas Tanner; Petrocelli (2 episodes); Harry O; Good Times (2 episodes); The Jeffersons; The Six Million Dollar Man; Police Story (2 episodes); Little House on the Prairie; Roots (3 episodes); The Rockford Files (2 episodes); Backstairs at the White House (4 episodes); The Lazarus Syndrome (5 episodes); The Powers of Matthew Star (22 episodes); Sadat (2 episodes); Roots: The Gift; Straight Up (2 episodes); The Josephine Baker Story; Captain Planet (3 episodes); Return to Lonesome Dove (3 episodes); Picket Fences; Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice; Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder; Touched by an Angel; Early Edition; Ellen; Resurrection Blvd. (2 episodes); The Dead Zone; Half & Half (2 episodes); Stargate SG-1 (5 episodes); Family Guy; The Batman (3 episodes); ER; Psych; Boardwalk Empire; The Book of Negroes (2 episodes); Extant (4 episodes); Hap & Leonard (5 episodes); Hawaii 5-0; Watchmen (7 episodes) and Kingdom Business (2 episodes).

Feature film appearances of Louis Gossett Jr. include: A Raisin in the Sun; Skin Game; Travels with My Aunt; The Laughing Policeman; The Deep; The Choirboys; An Officer and a Gentleman; Jaws 3-D; Enemy Mine; Iron Eagle; Firewalker; The Principal; Iron Eagle II; The Punisher; Toy Soldiers; Aces: Iron Eagle III; Diggstown; Iron Eagle on the Attack and The Color Purple.

The first time I saw Louis Gossett Jr. on screen was probably in The Invaders or The Young Rebels.  I regularly watched those shows so it is likely I saw him there first.  But boy, he sure did appear in many other shows I watched as often as possible.  My favorite performance by Louis Gossett Jr. is easily in An Officer and a Gentleman.  He was perfect.  Of course any time you saw Louis Gossett Jr.’s name in the credits, you knew the role would be better because of him.  It’s evidence of his talent that he could move from stage to television to feature films or drama to comedy with ease.  Also the length of his career points to a very talented individual.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Louis Gossett Jr.’s family, friends and fans.

M. Emmet Walsh, born Michael Emmet Walsh,  the great character actor, died yesterday from cardiac arrest.  He was 88.

Although Mr. Walsh graduated from Clarkson University with a B.A. in Business Administration, his career path led him to acting.  With well over 200 roles on his resume, E. Emmet Walsh alternated between television and feature films throughout his over 55 year career.

Television appearances of M. Emmet Walsh include: The Doctors; Arnie; Julia (2 episodes); All in the Family; The Jimmy Stewart Show; Ironside; Bonanza; The Don Rickles Show; Nichols (5 episodes); The Bob Newhart Show; The Sandy Duncan Show (11 episodes); McMillian & Wife; The Rockford Files; Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic; The Waltons; Baretta (2 episodes); Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (2 episodes); Starsky and Hutch (2 episodes); James at 16; East of Eden; Little House on the Prairie; AfterMASH; The Twilight Zone; The Deliberate Stranger; The Magical World of Disney; Amazing Stories; The Abduction of Kari Swanson; Brotherhood of the Rose; Unsub (8 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; The Civil War (9 episodes); The Flash (2 episodes); Home Improvement (2 episodes); The Outer Limits; The X-Files; NYPD Blue; Ed; Big Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot (26 episodes); Frasier; What’s New Scooby Doo?; Til Death; Damages (3 episodes); Pound Puppies (46 episodes); Empire; Adventure Time (4 episodes); Sneaky Pete (7 episodes) and The Righteous Gemstones (2 episodes).

Feature film appearances of M. Emmet Walsh include: Midnight Cowboy; Alice’s Restaurant; Little Big Man; Cold Turkey; Escape from the Planet of the Apes; What’s Up Doc?; Kid Blue; Serpico; The Gambler; At Long Last Love; The Prisoner of Second Avenue; Bound for Glory; Nickelodeon; Slap Shot; Airport ’77; Straight Time; The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh; The Jerk; Brubaker; Raise the Titanic; Ordinary People;  Back Roads; Reds; Canary Row; Blade Runner; Silkwood; Blood Simple; The Pope of Greenwich Village; Missing in Action; Fletch; The Best of Times; Wildcats; Critters; Back to School; Raising Arizona; Harry and the Hendersons; The Milagro Beanfield War; Sunset; Clean and Sober; Red Scorpion; The Mighty Quinn; Narrow Margin; White Sands; Free Willy 2; Albino Alligator; Romeo + Juliet; My Best Friend’s Wedding; Twilight; Wild, Wild West; The Iron Giant; Random Hearts; Snow Dogs; Christmas with the Kranks and Knives Out.

Just look at the career M. Emmet Walsh had.  And I didn’t list everything he did. It would be hard to find any actor who worked on more great television shows and feature films.  Or one who worked with so many of the best actors/actresses and directors.

I don’t know when I first saw M. Emmet Walsh act.  It may have been in All in the Family or Nichols or.. well, you get the idea.  My favorite M. Emmet Walsh role is also hard to nail down… because he had so many.  If I had to pick just one, it would be the sleazy Private Eye, Loren Visser in Blood Simple. But truth be told, any role that Mr. Walsh took on became something special.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to M. Emmet Walsh’s family, friends and fans.