Category: RIP

RIP: Christine McVie

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Christine McVie, the singer-songwriter, died today at the age of 79.  No cause of death was given.

Christine McVie began to study music at the age of 11.  She actually went to college with the thought of becoming an art teacher.  While in college she began performing professionally and her career path changed.  Christine McVie recorded two albums with a band called Chicken Shack and a solo album before joining Fleetwood Mac.  While with the band, they recorded 14 albums, 4 of which went to #1 on the US charts. When Fleetwood Mac released their Greatest Hits, she wrote or co-wrote eight of the sixteen songs on the album!  Ms. McVie also released four solo albums over the course of her career.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Christine McVie’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Clarence Gilyard

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Clarence Gilyard died yesterday after a long illness at the age of 66.  Although best known as an actor, Clarence Gilyard was also an athlete, director and University Professor.  After high school Clarence Gilyard received a scholarship to play tennis.  He also played football in college.  He attended Sterling college before transferring to California State University where he majored in acting and received a bachelor’s degree.

In 1979, Mr. Gilyard moved to Los Angeles to find work.  In 1981, Clarence Gilyard appeared in two episodes of Diff’rent Strokes.  Mr. Gilyard’s big break came the following year with a co-starring role on the final season of CHiPs.  Clarence Gilyard’s career continued with roles on television and in feature films.

Television appearances include: Diff’rent Strokes, CHiPs (20 episodes), The Duck Factory (13 episodes), Riptide, Simon & Simon, The Facts of Life, Matlock (85 episodes), Walker, Texas Ranger (196 episodes),Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion and Walker Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire.

Feature film appearances include: Top Gun, The Karate Kid Part II, Die Hard and The Beast.

Clarence Gilyard was also an associate professor in the College of Fine Arts – Department of Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

When I think of Clarence Gilyard I think of his performance in Die Hard.  He was young, cocky and came off as the brightest person in the movie.  Mr. Gilyard’s long runs on CHiPs, Matlock and Walker, Texas Ranger are evidence of his professionalism and ability as an actor.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Clarence Gilyard’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Albert Pyun

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Albert Pyun died yesterday at the age of 69.  Mr. Pyun had been in failing health for some time dealing with multiple sclerosis and dementia for the last few years.  Albert Pyun was a writer, director and producer of low-budget genre films.

Mr. Pyun’s first film The Sword and the Sorcerer was a surprise hit.  Made for just $4 million, The Sword and the Sorcerer made back it’s investment during the first week of release.  It would go on to gross nearly $37 million.  The success of The Sword and the Sorcerer set the pattern for most of Albert Pyun’s career.  He would write/co-write and direct low-budget films which gave him creative control to tell the stories he wanted to tell.

Some of Mr. Pyun’s best known films include: The Sword and the Sorcerer, Cyborg, Captain America (1990), Bloodmatch, Nemesis, Mean Guns and Road to Hell.

Some of the actors that appeared in Albert Pyun films include: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Christopher Lambert, Tom Sizemore, Dennis Hopper, Steven Seagal, Steven Bauer Natasha Henstridge, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, Lance Henriksen, Robert Patrick, Ice-T, Michael Paré, Brion James and Tim Thomerson.

My favorite Albert Pyun film is Cyborg starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.  It contains a cool fight scene in the rain that always comes to mind first when I think of that movie.  I still need to see Mr. Pyun’s Road to Hell starring Michael Paré and Deborah Van Valkenburgh in an un-official spin-off of Streets of Fire.  I applaud Albert Pyun finding his niche in Hollywood.  He was able to make the films he wanted the way he wanted.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Albert Pyun’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Irene Cara

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Irene Cara passed away yesterday at the age of 63.  No cause of death was given.

Irene Cara was an actress, singer and song writer.  Although her performance in Fame made her a household name, Ms. Cara had been a performer since she was a little girl.  When she was three years old she was one of five finalists for the “Little Miss America” pageant.  She studied music and dance.  While still a child she performed on The Original Amateur Hour, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and became a regular on PBS’ The Electric Company.

Irene Cara would go on to appear on stage in Broadway productions (and some off-Broadway plays as well).  She became a regular cast member of Love of Life.  This was followed by starring roles in the feature films  Aaron Loves Angela and Sparkle.  Television called and Irene Cara made guest appearances on Kojak and What’s Happening!!.  Next came roles in Roots: The Next Generation and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.

Irene Cara became an international superstar with her role in Fame.  Ms. Cara was originally cast as a dancer, but her role was re-written once producers heard her voice.  Irene Cara sang the title song, Fame as well as the movie’s other single, Out Here on My Own.  In addition to the singles and soundtrack selling in the millions, both songs were nominated for an Academy Award.  Irene Cara became one of the few singers to perform more than one song at an Oscar ceremony.

Based on her performance in Fame, Iren Cara received Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.  She also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical. She was crowned Billboard’s Top New Single Artist, Cashbox Magazine’s Most Promising Female Vocalist and Top Female Vocalist.  When a Fame television show was announced, Irene Cara was offered the opportunity to reprise her role, but declined.

In 1983, she co-wrote (with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey) and sang the title song for the movie Flashdance.  “Flashdance… What a Feeling” would go on to become another multi-million seller as well as winner of  the Academy Award for Best Song.  For her performance Irene Cara won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, the 1984 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and American Music Awards for Best R&B Female Artist and Best Pop Single of the Year.

Irene Cara would continue singing and acting for the rest of her career.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Iren Cara’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Robert Clary

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Robert Clary, the actor best known as Corporal LeBeau on the popular television series, Hogan’s Heroes, has died.  Mr. Clary was 96.

Born in Paris, France, Robert Clary began singing professionally at the age of twelve!  When the Nazis invaded France, Robert Clary along with twelve other family members were sent to a concentration camp.  Mr. Clary was the only one to survive.

After the war, Robert Clary continued his singing career.  Some of his recordings were popular both in France and the U.S.  In 1949, Mr. Clary came to the United States.  He started getting roles on television and Broadway.

In 1965, Robert Clary began appearing on Hogan’s Heroes in the role that made him famous.  The series ran from 1965 – 1971.  In 1972, Mr. Clary was cast in a role on Days of Our Lives that lasted until 1987.  In 1990, he joined The Bold and the Beautiful in a part that lasted 43 episodes.

Other notable Robert  Clary appearances were in the feature film, The Hindenburg, as well as television guest spots on The High Chaparral, Love American Style. Fantasy Island and The Munsters Today,

Robert Clary always seemed to have a joy about him that made you smile.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Clary’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Anthony “Rumble” Johnson

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Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passed away yesterday at the age of 38.  His cause of death was organ failure from a form of cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

In 2004, Anthony Johnson won the 174 pound National Junior College Athletic Association championship.  He then transitioned into martial arts.  Mr. Johnson had a 4-0 record when he accepted a UFC fight on just a few days notice.  Johnson won the bout with a 13 second KO.  Anthony Johnson would go on to post a 23 – 6 record, with one Fight of the Night bonus, two Knockout of the Night bonuses and five Performance of the Night bonuses.  When Anthony Johnson fought, fans were assured of an exciting bout.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Anthony Johnson’s family, fans and friends.

RIP: Leslie Jordan

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Leslie Jordan, the actor, singer, writer and internet sensation, died this morning, the result of a car wreck.  Mr. Jordan’s car hit the side of a building.  Preliminary results indicate that a medical episode may have led to the crash.  Mr. Jordan was 67.

Leslie Jordan moved to Los Angeles in 1982.  Standing just 4’11”, speaking with a strong Southern drawl, and openly gay, Leslie Jordan was a memorable character.  Although he struggled for a few years, in 1986, Leslie Jordan got his first television role on The Fall Guy.   After that ice-breaking role, Mr. Jordan continued to act on television, in feature films, on the stage and he even branched out into writing and singing!

Some of Leslie Jordan television appearances include: The Fall Guy; Night Court; Murphy Brown; Newhart; The People Next Door (10 episodes); Pee-Wee’s Playhouse;  Top of the Heap (6 episodes); Perfect Strangers; Reasonable Doubts (16 episodes); Bodies of Evidence (16 episodes); Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; Hearts Afire (27 episodes); Coach; Star Trek: Voyager; Wings; The Pretender; Dharma & Greg; Ellen; Maximum Bob; Nash Bridges; Alley McBeal; Boston Public (5 episodes); Monk; Reba; Boston Legal (6 episodes); Hidden Palms (5 episodes); Sordid Lives: The Series (10 episodes); 12 Miles of Bad Road (6 episodes); Desperate Housewives; Supernatural; Con Man (6 episodes); American Horror Story (10 episodes); Will & Grace (17 episodes); Fantasy Island and Call Me Kat (36 episodes).

Some of Leslie Jordan’s feature film appearances include: Moving; Hero; Jason Goes to Hell; Sordid Lives; The Help; Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel; The United States vs Billie Holiday and Until We Meet Again.

In addition to being an accomplished stage actor; Leslie Jordan was also a playwright.  Some of his plays and stage shows include:  Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel; Like a Dog on Linoleum; Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far and My Trip Down the Pink Carpet.

Leslie Jordan was also a singer.  His gospel album Company’s Comin’ was released in 2021.  Mr. Jordan was also a hit on Instagram with 5.9 followers at the time of his death.

Leslie Jordan was probably best known for his recurring role on Will & Grace.  Until his popularity reached the level where he was a well known actor/comedian; Mr. Jordan would appear on the screen and you’d instantly recognize “that funny guy”!  I never saw Leslie Jordan in a role where I didn’t appreciate his performance.  He was especially funny in his many Instagram posts.  He was the kind of Hollywood celebrity that appeared genuine.  I’m going to miss seeing him pop up in new roles, but I am thankful for his many, many performances that will be around forever.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leslie Jordan’s family, friends and fans.

Jim Ivey: A Celebration of Life!

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Jim Ivey died on July 13, 2022, at the age of 97.  Jim led an amazing life which you can read about here.  On October 9, 2022, 25 of Jim’s friends came together to celebrate him.

The photos above are of the front and back covers of a booklet that Charlie Moffitt put together.  It contained photos, drawings and remembrances of Jim by many of his friends.  Thanks to Charlie for putting the booklet together and also Mike Kott & Sue Cornwell who paid for the printing costs so that everyone got a copy.

Our celebration was at an Outback Steakhouse. Twenty-five of Jim’s friends attended. John Beatty wanted to, but his mother passed away two days prior.  I printed a sheet of Jim Ivey caricatures for everyone.  Jim liked to say if 100 artists drew the same person, the drawings would all be different, yet each would capture an aspect of the person.  It reminded me that Jim had friendships with each of us, but like the caricatures, the relationships were all slightly different.

It was great seeing so many of Jim’s friends who were also friends with each other because of Jim.  We shared a meal, and many wonderful memories.  There was a lot of laughter and we kept things low key – just as Jim would have wanted.

Mike Kott shares a Jim Ivey story!

Charlie shows Frank the proper way to hold a baby.

Everyone ignoring the waitress when the bill comes.

Cliff prepares to strangle Doralya.

The All-American Boy (we might have to revisit that nickname) tells the story of Jim Ivey’s slow motion fall during a poker game.

Bill and Rob recreating the Keep on Truckin’ pose.

Rob found Joy’s homemade cookies… so did everyone else!  Yummy!

Joy shares an art book that Jim gave her.

Cliff’s smile means something is up.

Wild Bill Black and me… it looks like my hair had a stroke.

When Jim was approaching his mid-80s, he sent me a letter that contained the full page below.  Jim came up with advice for himself  since he was over 80. I always thought it contained great advice for any age, so I made a copy for everyone attending.

Jim will be missed, but never forgotten.

RIP: Ted White

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Alex Bayouth who was known professionally as Ted White, stuntman and actor, died yesterday at the age of 96.  Mr. Bayouth enlisted in the marines when he was 17 and served at Iwo Jima!  He played football at the University of Oklahoma and was also a Golden Gloves boxer.  Because of his size and athletic ability, Mr. Bayouth decided to pursue a career as a stuntman/actor.

Mr. Bayouth was known professionally as Ted White.  As an actor/stuntman, Mr. White amassed over 150 credits performing on television and in feature films.  Clark Gable, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Richard Boone and Fess Parker are just five of the stars for who Ted White served as a stunt double.

Some of  Ted White’s television appearances include: Maverick (actor); Cimarron City (actor/stunts); Perry Mason (actor); Wagon Train (actor); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (actor/stunts); The Andy Griffith Show (actor); Bonanza (actor); Mannix (actor); Mission: Impossible (actor); Daniel Boone (actor/stunts 15 episodes); Marcus Welby (actor); Kojak (actor/stunts);  Kung Fu (actor); Kolchak: The Night Stalker (actor); The Streets of San Francisco (stunts); The Six Million Dollar Man (actor); Police Story (actor); The Rockford Files (actor); Matt Houston (actor/stunts); Spenser for Hire (stunts);  The Fall Guy (actor); Magnum PI (actor) and The X-Files (actor).

Some of  Ted White’s feature films include: Sands of Iwo Jima (actor); Creature from the Black Lagoon (stunts); Giant (stunts); The Naked and the Dead (stunts); Rio Bravo (actor/stunts); The Horse Soldiers (stunts); The Alamo (actor/stunts); The Misfits (stunts); Cat Ballou (stunts); The Cincinnati Kid (stunts); Point Blank (actor/stunts); Will Penny (stunts); Planet of the Apes (stunts); They Call Me Mister Tibbs (stunts); Prime Cut (stunts); Soylent Green (stunts); Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (actor/stunts); Rollerball (stunts); King Kong (stunts); Tron (actor); 1941 (stunts); Bronco Billy (stunts); Used Cars (stunts); Escape from New York (stunts); Against All Odds (actor); Romancing the Stone (actor); Ruthless People (stunts); Death Wish 4 (stunts); Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (actor); Road House (stunts); Starman (actor); Silverado (actor); 2 Fast 2 Furious (stunts) and Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift (stunts).

What an amazing career Ted White had.  As I compiled the list of some of his television and movie credits, I was truly shocked at how many of my favorite tv shows and movies he appeared in.  Although Ted White is most famous for playing Jason in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, it was not one of his favorite roles.  In fact, he turned down the change to return in the sequels.  Interestingly enough, many fans feel that Ted White was the best at playing Jason.

The role that first came to mind for me was when he played an escaped convict who returned to Mayberry to get even with the law officer that put him away — Barney Fife.  It’s one of my favorite Andy Griffith Show episodes. Ted White was a legitimate tough guy — a marine, a college football player, a boxer and a stunt man.  Coupled with his talent for acting, he put together a career to make any actor proud.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ted White’s family, friends and fans.

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RIP: Michael Callan

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Michael Callan died on Monday. October 10, 2022, from pneumonia complications.  He was 86.  Michael Callan began his career as a singer/dancer.  In 1954, he performed in The Boy Friend.  In 1955, he was cast in Catch a Star.  Michael Callan’s big break came when he was cast as Riff in West Side Story.  This brought him to the attention of Hollywood.

In 1959, Michael Callan earned a role in They Came to Cordura and he never looked back.  For the rest of his career, which spanned nearly 50 years, Michael Callan alternated between feature films and television roles.

Some of Michael Callan’s television appearances include: Dr. Kildare; Hazel; 12 O’Clock High; Occasional Wife (30 episodes); That Girl; The Name of the Game; The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Ironside; Marcus Welby, MD; The FBI (4 episodes); Love American Style (8 episodes); McMillan & Wife; Police Story (4 episodes); Barnaby Jones; Medical Center; SWAT: Quincy; The Bionic Woman; The Love Boat; Vegas; Charlie’s Angels; Simon & Simon; Fantasy Island (5 episodes); The Fall Guy; E/R; TJ Hooker; One Life to Live; Knight Rider; Superboy (6 episodes) and Murder She Wrote (5 epiodes).

Some of Michael Callan’s feature films include: They Came to Cordura; Gidget Goes Hawaiian; Mysterious Island; The Interns; The New Interns; Cat Ballou; The Magnificent Seven Ride!; Chained Heat and Swamp Thing.

I first saw Michael Callan in Mysterious Island when I was a kid.  I loved that movie. (Still do!)  It was cool to see Michael Callan pop up on almost every popular television show in the 70s and 80s.  What’s impressive is to see the number of series where he was asked back multiple times.  That’s definitely a sign of a talented professional.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Callan’s family, friends and fans.

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RIP: Angela Lansbury

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Angela Lansbury, star of stage and screen died on October 11, 2022.  She was 96.  Angela Lansbury was born in London.  Her father was a politician (who died when Angela was nine) and her mother was an actress.

Angela Lansbury became interested in performing while in high school.  Upon graduation she attended  the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art.  When Germany began bombing England in World War II, her family moved to the United States.  Ms. Lansbury continued her education at the Feagin School of Dramatic Art in New York City.

When her mother got a part in a theater group, the family moved to Canada. That’s where Angela Lansbury got her first professional performing job.  She was just 16 years old when she began performing professionally as a nightclub singer at the Samovar Club in Montreal.  She lied about her age to get the job.  When Angela’s mother decided to try to get into American motion pictures, the family moved to Hollywood.  It was there, through her mother that Angela met John Van Druten who had just completed a script called Gaslight.  Van Druten thought Angela would be perfect as the opportunistic maid.  He helped get Angela the role.  This led to a seven year contract with MGM.  Angela Lansbury was just 17.

Angela Lansbury would go on to have a career that spanned over 70 years.  She would appear on stage, television and feature films.   Her accolades include six Tony Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award. eighteen Primetime Emmy Awards, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Honorary Award, six Golden Globe Awards, three Academy Awards, and a Grammy Award.

Some of Angela Lansbury’s television appearances include:  Four Star Playhouse; Celebrity Playhouse; Studio 57; Climax; Playhouse 90; The Man from UNCLE; Magnum PI; Newhart; Murder She Wrote (264 episodes); Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest (TV Movie); Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For (TV Movie); Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man (TV Movie); Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (TV Movie); Law & Order: Trial by Jury; Law & and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Feature film appearances include: Gaslight; National Velvet; The Three Musketeers, Samson and Delilah, The Court Jester; The Long Hot Summer; Blue Hawaii; The Manchurian Candidate; The Greatest Story Ever Told; Bedknobs and Broomsticks; Death on the Nile and Mary Poppins Returns,

I first took notice of Angela Lansbury when I saw The Court Jester as a kid.  Another favorite role was when she Lawrence Harvey’s mother in The Manchurian Candidate.  She was just three years older than him!  Angela Lansbury’s talent knew know bounds.  She could sing as well as act in a career that lasted longer than most people live!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela Lansburry’s family, friends and fans.

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RIP: Austin Stoker

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Austin Stoker died on October 7, 2022 from renal failure.  It was his 92nd birthday.

Austin Stoker was an actor who appeared on stage, television and in feature films.  He began his career in the 1954 Broadway production of Truman Capote’s House of Flowers.  Mr. Stoker’s first television role came in 1969 on Mod Squad.  In 1973, Austin Stoker appeared in Battle for the Planet of the Apes.  For the remainder of his career, Mr. Stoker alternated between television and feature film roles.

Some of his television appearances include: Mod Squad; Love American Style; McCloud; Kojak; The Rookies; Police Story; S.W.A.T; Return to the Planet of the Apes (13 episodes); The Six Million Dollar Man; Roots; The Incredible Hulk; Lou Grant; Airwolf; Trapper John; Falcon Crest and The Bold and the Beautiful (8 episodes).

Feature film appearances include: Battle for the Planet of the Apes; Airport ’75; Sheba, Baby; Assault on Precinct 13 and 3 from Hell.

My favorite Austin Stoker appearance was in John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13.  He was perfect as Ethan Bishop, the officer assigned to oversee a deserted police station that comes under an attack by a street gang.  Mr. Stoker had a career that spanned over 50 years with nearly 60 credits on his resume.  I always enjoyed his performances.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Austin Stoker’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Louise Fletcher

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Louise Fletcher died yesterday at the age of 88.  No cause of death was given.

Ms. Fletcher is best known for her Best Actress Academy Award wining role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  That role also won her Best Actress BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards.  Louise Fletcher began her career in television.  She would go on alternate between television and feature films throughout her career.

Some Louise Fletcher television appearances include: Bat Masterson; Yancy Derringer; Maverick; The Untouchables; Wagon Train; Perry Mason; Medical Center; The Twilight Zone (1988); In the Heat of the Night; Tales from the Crypt; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; ER and Heroes.

Louise Fletcher feature film appearances include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Exorcist II: The Heretic; The Cheap Detective; The Lady in Red; Strange Invaders; Brainstorm; Firestarter and Invaders from Mars.

Louise Fletcher became a household name because of her role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  It took a strong screen presence to match Jack Nicholson and she more than held her own.  With over 135 credits on her resume and her nearly 60 years in show business she was much more than Nurse Ratched.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Louise Fletcher’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Henry Silva

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Henry Silva died on September 14, 2022.  Mr. Silva was 95.

Henry Silva accumulated over 140 acting credits during his long career.  He alternated between television and feature films roles throughout his career.  Mr. Silva was at his best when the character he played was at his worst.  Henry Silva was often cast as a villain.  He excelled in playing hit men, criminals and mobsters.

Some of Henry Silva’s television appearances include: Alfred Hitchcock Presents; Thriller; The Untouchables; Dr. Kildare; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; The Outer Limits; Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea; Wagon Train; Daniel Boone; Tarzan; Laredo; Cimarron Strip; The High Chaparral; I Spy; Mission Impossible; Hawaii Five-O; Night Gallery; Bearcats; The Streets of San Francisco; The F.B.I.; Batman: The Animated Series; The New Batman Adventures and Superman: The Animated Series.

Mr, Silva’s feature films include: The Tall T; A Hatful of Rain; The Bravados; Ocean’s Eleven;  Cinderfella; The Manchurian Candidate; Johnny Cool; Never a Dull Moment; Love and Bullets; Alligator; Sharky’s Machine; Cannonball Run II; Code of Silence; Above the Law; Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Ocean’s Eleven (2001).

Henry Silva had a face you’d never forget.  The villains he played were tough and self-assured.   Any hero Henry Silva went against was in for a tough time.  Mr. Silva is perhaps best known for his role in The Manchurian Candidate (where he has a fantastic martial arts battle with Frank Sinatra — and this was 1962!).  My favorite Henry Silva appearance is in Sharky’s Machine. He played a creepy, coked up, nearly unstoppable hitman.  Henry Silva made a career playing bad guys and that was a good thing for audiences.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Henry Silva’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Gary Nelson

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It was just announced today that Gary Nelson died of natural causes on May 25, 2022, at the age of 87.  Mr. Nelson was a television and feature film director who had a career that spanned 65 years!  Gary Nelson began his career as a second assistant director in 1955.

Gary Nelson directed many episodes of popular television shows including: Have Gun Will Travel; The Andy Griffith Show; Gunsmoke; It’s About Time; F Troup; Gilligan’s Island; Gomer Pyle; Get Smart; The Ghost and Mrs. Muir; Love American Style; Kojak; Police Story and The Magical World of Disney.

Television movies directed by Mr. Nelson include: To Kill a Cop; Murder Me, Murder You; More Than Murder; Get Smart, Again!; Revolver; The Return of Ironside and Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert, to name a few.

Gary Nelson also directed five feature films:  Molly and Lawless John; Santee; The Black Hole; Jimmy the Kid and Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold.

What a long and distinguished career!  Gary Nelson is probably best known as the director of The Black Hole.  I love the range that he displayed as director, moving from situation comedies to one hour dramas and films of both genres with ease.  Gary Nelson was also the original director of Sly Stallone’s Nighthawks.  The IMDb lists him as an uncredited director, so I wonder if any scenes he shot made the final film.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary Nelson’s family, friends and fans.