Dede Allen - 1923-2010

Wanted to quickly mention the passing of a Hollywood legend, editor Dede Allen, who died over the weekend after suferring a stroke.

Allen was responsible for editing some of the industry’s most enduring classics, including The Hustler (with Paul Newman), Bonnie & Clyde, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, The Breakfast Club, The Addams Family and Wonder Boys. Allen was nominated for an Oscar three times, for her work on Dog Day Afternoon, Reds, and Wonder Boys.

Dede Allen was 86.

Robert Culp - 1930-2010

Wanted to pass on the news today of the passing of one of televisions true legends, Robert Culp. Culp was best known for roles in shows including The Greatest American Hero, I Spy, and even Everybody Loves Raymond. Culps work spanned over 50 years, and included a few films along the way: Hannie Caulder, Hickey & Boggs, Sunday In New York, and even a bit-role in The Pelcian Brief exposed him to modern audiences.

Robert Culp was 79.

Fess Parker - 1924-2010

The man who played Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett for Disney during the 60′s has passed away. Fess Parker, who starred in numerous films and TV serials for the Disney company, died today from natural causes. Aside from his appearances in the Boone/Crockett productions, his other main claim to fame was a starrng role in perennial favourite Old Yeller. Among his film roles were appearances in Them!, The Great Locomotive Chase, and Hell Is For Heroes.

Fess Parker was 85.

Peter Graves - 1926-2010

“Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it….”

These famous words accompanied the key mission sequence in the long running TV show Mission: Impossible. Sad news today as we learn of the passing of Peter Graves, stalwart of that show, and star of numerous films from the 40′s to today. Graves is best known as Jim Phelps, the mission giver in Mission Impossible, a role filled in the film version by Jon Voight.

Among his many film roles, Graves appeared in both serious drama, comedy and action: his film include Stalag 17, The Night Of The Hunter, Beginning Of The End, Airplane, Airplane II: The Sequel, Addams Family Values and in 2002, Looney Tunes: Back In Action, as well as Men In Black II.

Peter Graves was 83.

Corey Haim - 1971-2010

80′s teen heart-throb Corey Haim, star of films such as The Lost Boys, Watchers, and License to Drive, has died today after a suspected drug overdose. Haim was known as one half of “the two Coreys”, with fellow child-star Corey Feldman often appearing in film and TV appearances together.

Corey Haim came to Hollywood stardom via Canadian TV series The Edison Twins, before a couple of bit-parts in film came his way. His first major role in film was opposite Gary Busey in Silver Bullet. His breakthrough role came in 1985, in the critically acclaimed film Lucas, before he capitalised on his success in Richard Donner’s The Lost Boys, the seminal vampire flick of the 80′s.

He starred in License To Drive, alongside similarly named teen star Corey Feldman, as well as the horror flick Watchers. The two Coreys also appeared in Dream A Little Dream.

Haim began the long descent into drug abuse as his fame grew, which resulted in roles of less quality and acclaim. During the 90′s and 00′s, he appeared in numerous direct-to-video projects, never reaching the mid-80′s level of stardom. His planned comeback during the early 2000′s came to a halt today as he collapsed at home.  He was taken to hospital, where he passed away; initial reports indicate a possible prescription drug overdose.

Corey Haim was 38.

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.

Brittany Murphy - 1977-2009

Awful news out of Hollywood today folks, that has prompted me to get online and quickly mention it. Brittany Murphy, young star of films like Just Married, 8 Mile, Happy Feet, Sidewalks of New York and Sin City, has died today aged only 32.

Murphy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and landed her first acting job aged just 14, in the TV show Drexells Class. She went on to appear in several popular TV shows, such as Frasier and Blossom, before landing her first full feature role opposite Alica Silverstone in Clueless. Her star continued to rise as she appeared alongside Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted, and Michael Douglas in Don’t Say A Word. She appeared with Drew Barrymore in Riding In Cars With Boys, Eminem in 8 Mile, and voiced one of the key characters in Happy Feet. She also starred in more indie fare with Sidewalks of New York for director Edward Burns.

However, it was perhaps her appearance with Ashton Kutcher in Just Married that propelled her to true fame and fortune, and gave her her first real taste of being a leading actress, in a major Hollywood flick. Disappointment came with the underwhelming flick  Little Black Book, opposite Holly Hunter and Kathy Bates, before rebounding in 2005′s Sin City.

In 2007, Murphy married screenwriter Simon Monjack, with whom she remained until her death. Brittany Murphy died as a result of a cardiac arrest, on December 20th, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.

Jennifer Jones - 1919-2009

Today we want to make a quick mention of the passing of Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Jones, who has left us aged 90. Jones appeared in numerous films throughout the 40′s and 50′s, including her Oscar winning turn in 1943′s The Song Of Bernadette. Other notable appearances include Duel In The Sun (in which she was again nominated for an Oscar), Love Letters (nominated again), We Were Strangers, Carrie (1954), Love is A Many Splendoured Thing (nominated yet again for Oscar) and A Farewell to Arms. Her final film appearance was in The Towering Inferno, where she danced with Fred Astaire, before plummetting to her doom in a malfunctioning elevator.

Born Phylis Lee Isley, Jones came to prominance via David O Selznick’s office in New York, where she had been signed to a seven year contract. Her first major film role came in The Song of Bernadette, which earned her an Oscar over Ingrid Bergman that year. Jones married three times, first to Robert Walker, who eventually died of a drug related overdose after a mental breakdown. Jones’ second marriage was to her long-time producer Selznick, and she remained with him until his death in 1966. Adding to this tragedy, the daughter from this union, Mary, committed suicide whilst Jones was visiting her sick mother. Jones’ third husband Norton Simon, a mulit-millionaire industrialist, died in 1993.

In her later years she led a reclusive life, and died at home from natural causes on December 17th.

Roy E Disney - 1930-2009

Very sad news out of Hollywood today, with the passing of Walt Disney’s nephew, Roy E Disney, at the age of 79. Roy Disney’s control of the Disney Corporation was littered with successes, however, it was histete-a-tete with two company executives that saw his profile rise over the years. His public battle (with fellow former-board member Stanley Gold) to oust maligned CEO Michael Eisner during the early 2000′s, ending in 2005 with Eisners resignation from Disney, was perhaps his greatest crusade.

Roy Disney was partially responsible for bringing Pixar back into the Disney fold after ousting Eisner in 2005, and remained a Director Emeritus upon his reinstatement in the same year. His legacy at the company his uncle began was one of consistent focus on quality over quantity, of ensuring the memory Walt had for his business remained on family friendly quality.

Roy E Disney died yesterday from complications of stomach cancer, which he had been battling for several years. He was 79.