Andrew Koenig - 1968-2010

Wanted to doff the cap today to some of the industry stalwarts and up-and-commers who have sadly passed over the last few days. Firstly, you may have heard in the news of the tragic passing of Andrew Keonig, who was the son of Star Trek’s Checkov, Walter Koenig. Andrew Koenig had a small role in the US sitcom Growing Pains, and also bit parts in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 21 Jump Street, and the animated Batman adventure, Dead End. His body was discovered 11 days after being reported missing by family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Walter Koenig and his family during this terrible time.

Rudy Larriva (3rd from right) - 1916-2010

Secondly, animation great Rudy Larriva (who, some may ask?) also left us this week. Rudy is known within the animation industry for his work on all-time classic animated shorts including many Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes, as well as Mr Magoo and Alvin & The Chipmunks, and the very hard to find Song Of The South for Disney, which has been kept in the vault for decades due to perceived racial overtones. We tip out cap in his direction.

Steffi Sidney (on right) - 1935-2010

We also pay tribute to the work of actress Steffi Sidney, who appeared alongside James Dean in the seminal teen-flick, Rebel Without A Cause. Sidney became a producer and publicist after her short stint at acting, although it’s for her portrayal of Mil that she’s best remembered.

Kathryn Grayson - 1922-2010

Lastly, we want to remember the career of Kathryn Grayson, who appeared in many musicals in Hollywood during the 40’s. Her film credits include Rio Rita, Ziegfield Follies, Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, and It Happened In Brooklyn, among others. Trained as an opera singer, after the decline of the MGM musicals she found her way into stage work, appearing in productions such as The Merry Widow, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Orpheus Of The Underworld, and Camelot, in which she replaced Julie Andrews as Queen Guinevere. Grayson was 88.

To all those who’ve left us this week, we pay our respects.

John McCallum (together with his wife) - 1918-2010

Skippy would be devastated right now. Producer of the 60’s Tv series Skippy The Bush Kangaraoo, John McCallum, has died at the age of 91.

McCallum had a long and distinguished career both in front of, and behind, the camera, appearing in numerous roles in film both here in Australia and in England. Among his film roles are appearances in Heritage (1935) and Held For Ransom (1938). However, it was his role as producer of the international TV success story, Skippy The Bush Kangaroo, between 1966 and 1968, that McCallum is most remembered.

In 1971, McCallum was made a Commander of the Order Of The British Empire, and in 1992, was made an Officer of the Order Of Australia.

Justin Mentell - 1982-2010

Always sad to hear of young talent leaving us too soon. Word into the office today of the death of Boston Legal and G-Force actor Justin Mentell in a car accident in Wisconsin, at the age of 27.

Mentell appeared in various stage productions such as Peter Pan, The Play’s The Thing, and Never The Sinner, before becoming involved in film and TV. He appeared in Boston Legal for a period in 2005-6, as well as feature films including Roll Bounce and Palo Alto, before his major break in G-Force, released last year.

Zelda Rubinstein - 1933-2010

Today we mourn the passing of Poltergeist and Picket Fences star Zelda Rubinstein. Rubinstein appeared in all three Poltergeist films in her role of Tangina Barrons, the original film gaining her a Saturn Award in 1982. Her many other film appearances include Sixteen Candles, Little Witches, Southland Tales and National Lampoons Last Resort. Her TV appearances were limited to mainly guest roles in various shows, however, it was her recurring role as Ginny in Picket Fences, and her narrative work on Scariest Places on Earth, for which is famously remembered.

Rubinstein died this morning of complications arising from previous illness involving lung and kidney failure. She was 76.

Just wanted to quickly mention the recent passing of two screen/stage legends, British born actress Jean Simmons, and All My Children stalwart James Mitchell, who both died on January 22nd.

Jean Simmons - 1929-2010

Jean Simmons, who I first remember seeing in a bit-part on an old Doctor Who episode, is perhaps best remembered for her appearance as Ophelia in Laurence Oliviers Hamlet, which earned her an Oscar nomination. During her subsequent film career she worked with cinematic luminaries such as David Lean, Stanley Kubrick, Otto Preminger, Spencer Tracy and Anthony Hopkins. Among her many films, she appeared in classics such as The Robe (1953), Guys & Dolls, Black Narcissus, Great Expectations, Heidi, Spartacus, and The Big Country. Simmons was 80.

James Mitchell - 1920-2010

James Mitchell was an actor/dancer, appearing in the daytime soap opera All My Children, as Palmer, between 1979 and 2009. His dance work included Broadway appearances in Oaklahoma, Paint Your Wagon, Carnival!, and The King and I. James Mitchell was 89.

Monica Maugham - 1933-2010

We felt it pertinent to quickly mention the recent passing of Aussie actress Monica Maughan, who most local audiences will recognise from her role oppoiste Mick Molloy in Crackerjack. Maughan also had roles in films such as Strange Bedfellows, and Blessed, the latter being her final film appearance. Predominantly known for her stage and musical roles, we acknowledge the passing of Monica on January 8th, from complications arising from cancer.

She was 76.

Dan O'Bannon - 1946-2009

Not quite sure how we missed this sad news last week (well, it was Christmas after all) but we felt it remiss of us not to mention the passing of Hollywood screenwriter Dan O’Bannon, the man responsible for giving us Ellen Ripley in Alien (and it’s sequels), as well as the Heavy Metal film and the screenplay for Total Recall.

O’Bannon came to Hollywoods attention after a brief stint working on the effects on Star Wars, as well as some pre-production work on a film version of Dune, which collapsed before filming began, before writing (with Ronald Shusett) Alien for 20th Century Fox. In ‘81, O’Bannon helped craft two segments in the animated feature Heavy Metal, a film based upon the successful adult-oriented graphic art publication, which has developed cult status over the years. O’Bannon continued to wrote throughout the 80’s, being involved in several lower-budget features including Lifeforce, The Return of the Living Dead and Invaders From Mars. During the 90’s he wrote screenplays for major feature films like Total Recall and Screamers (starring RoboCop leading man Peter Weller).

Dan O’Bannon died from Crohns Disease on December 17th. He was 63.