Chita Rivera
1933-2024
I never had the privilege to see Chita Rivera in person, but I certainly have saw her perform on The Tony Awards and later in many performances on YouTube. Although she'd been performing for years, I think my first real introduction was through the Original Broadway Recording of the 1990's musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Although loved the soundtracks for both the original, and cast headlined by Vanessa Williams, Chita was my first.
Gena Rowlands
1930-2024
I hate when tributes to actors who died only include their 'box office' hits, or movies current audiences would know. Yes, we loved Rowlands in Hope Floats and The Notebook, but she'd had so m any incredible performances. I think I first saw her in the 90's, when reading about the 1985 TV move, An Early Frost. It was an early film focused on AIDS, and so important given how popular television films were the 70's, 80's and 90's.
Maggie Smith
1934-2024
Yes, I like everyone I loved her in Downton Abby. I've also seen many of her great film roles. My introduction to the great Maggie Smith however, came from her turn as Wendy in 1991's Hook. The film was dreadful, but the brief opening scenes with Smith were magical, and began my love affair with the great damn.
Joe Flaherty
1941-2024
My father and older brother used to love SCTV. I was too young to appreciate it's brilliance in the 1980's, but when I got older, I understood. Thanks to Youtube, and some late night repeat airings in the 90's, I've since seen the incredible Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Jon Candy, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Martin Short and the late great Joe Flaherty in so many hilarious sketches. If you haven't gone down the SCTV rabbit hole on Youtube, you really should.
James Earl Jones
1931-2024
I was still in diapers when Star Wars was originally released, but jumped on the bandwagon as a little kid when my dad took me to Return of Jedi came out in 1983. I then devoured the trilogy when all three were released in a VHS box set. I did see them all on the big screen when they were re-released in the 1990's, and of course then the DVD releases later on. My favorite characters were Chewbacca and Darth Vader. I later learned a bit about the incredible actor behind the incredible voice and have been a James Earl Jones fan ever since.
Hinton Battle
1956-2024
I saw Miss Saigon on Broadway in the late 1990's. Although Lea Salonga was back playing Kim, but I missed seeing Hinton Battle as John. I did however grow to love Battle's turn as John on my CD from the show. His voice is so powerful, especially in Bui Doi.
Tony Lo Bianco
1936-2024
Ron Ely
1938-2024
Bob Newhart
1929-2024
I've known of course who Bob Newhart was all my life, but it was ironically just last year, that I started watching his sit-coms. I started with Newhart, and binged every episode in a few months. I love Bob's dry sense of humor, and how he let his co-stars shine. I'm now planning on watching his earlier turn in The Bob Newhart Show and am really looking forward to another Bob binge.
Louis Gossett Jr.
1936-2024
Drake Hogestyn
1953-2024
Renauld White
1944-2024
It was working on FH that led to my introduction to model and actor Renanld White. White was mostly known for his fashion layouts, and unlike most models today, showed very little skin. Yet, his good looks and skill in front of the camera led to campaigns with some of the industries biggest company's and designers. White was also the first black male model to grace the cover of GQ Magazine in 1979.
John Amos
1939-2024
I think I first saw actor John Amos was when watching Roots when I was in high school. I'd heard so much about the mini-series, I rented it one weekend on VHS. It was incredibly powerful, and a must see for anyone who has only read about the terror and history of slavery. Especially needed today, when so many are trying to erase history. I later loved Amos when I went through a Norman Lear phase a few years ago, binging Amos in Maude and Good Times.
Alan Rachins
1942-2024
Martin Mull
1943-2024
Not much to say about Martin Mull except that I loved him. No matter what movie he was in, or what television show he was on, or guesting on, it made it funnier, he made it better. Like many, I have soft spot for the movie Clue, a film that was blasted when it first opened, but has since become a cult favorite, finally getting the recognition it deserved.
Shannen Doherty
1971-2024
I was still in Jr. High when Beverly Hills 90210 first aired. I didn't really watch much to be honest, but certainly had the hots for Dylan, David, and especially Brandon. I was also more of an 'Andrea' guy than a Brenda or Kelly kind of guy. I did however, grow to respect actress Shannen Doherty. Watching her fight her cancer, especially the last few years of her life, was difficult, but also inspirational. I think I'd cave and hide, but Shannen remained strong, at least in public, an inspiration to so many.
Susan Backlinie
1946-2024
Jaws remains one of my favorite movies, maybe because of the connection the film has with my father. My father loved the movie, and saw it at the theatre several times when it first came out. A decade plus later in the eighties, he tried to share his passion with his kids. Unfortunately, I was a bit too young when he played us the new VHS version he'd recently purchased. After the few minutes, during the horrific death of Chrissy, (Susan Backlinie) I went screaming to my room, too frightened to finish watching. Chrissy, we barely knew ya! I did finish watching when I got older, and now watch again, every year or two, loving those early memories. I put together a themed piece on the site featuring all of the actors who played the Brody Boys HERE: & HERE:
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