RIP Osiride Pevarello

December 15, 2016, 1:25 pm

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Osiride Pevarello: cinema actor and stuntman so loved in Ostia has died

Quotidana od ellitorale

12/15/2016

He first appeared in the world of cinema in 1949, with the film Il mulino del Po by Alberto Lattuada

He left a piece of himself in the Italian cinema, and a piece of Ostia for many.

Osiride Pevarello who died at 96 years was an Italian actor and stuntman, today he’s remember by many anecdotes related to his personality.

A descendant of a famous family of circus performers, Osiride was part of a large family, as many as 19 children.

In 1970 he appeared in "They Call Me Trinity", directed by Enzo Barboni.

He worked as an acrobat and stuntman, but also as an actor: its small bit parts and is known for his pairings with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill but also the films of Tinto Brass, his friend since the beginning of his career. With him he turned the last film in 1998 "Monella".

In the book Ostia set naturale by Giulio Mancini the places of movie magic on the Roman coast and its artistic events are recounted.

His funeral will be held in the Church of Santa Monica in Ostia, Saturday, December 17, at 11.00.

PEVARELLO, Osiride

Born: 7/26/1920, Montagnana, Veneto, Italy

Died: 12/15/2016, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Renzo Pevarello’s Westerrns – actor:

Buffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West – 1964 (saloon patron)

Adiós Gringo – 1965 (Ranchester cowboy)

Blood for a Silver Dollar – 1965

Two Sergeants of General Custer - 1965 (brawler)

Django Shoots First – 1966 (drunk)

The Hills Run Red – 1966

Sugar Colt – 1966 (saloon patron)

Thompson 1880 - 1966 (Augustine) [as Osiride Peverello]

Any Gun Can Play – 1967 (Montero henchman)

Bandidos – 1967 (saloon patron)

The Dirty Outlaws – 1967 (piano player)

Face to Face – 1967 (blacksmith of Willow Creek)

The Magnificent Texan – 1967 (Stark henchman)

Pecos Cleans Up - 1967

Professionals for a Massacre - 1967 (bandit in saloon)

Son of Django - 1967 (Bum)

2 RRRingos from Texas - 1967 (Sentenza Jane henchman)

Seven Pistols for a Massacre - 1967 (blacksmith)

The Two Faces of the Dollar - 1967 (bandit)

Up the MacGregors – 1967

Wanted – 1967 (hitman)

And for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars - 1968

Kill Them All and Come Back Alone - 1968 (soldier)

Man Who Cried for Revenge - 1968

A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die – 1968 (Fuzzy)

Odia il prossimo tuo – 1968 (bearded gang member)

Run, Man, Run – 1968 (blacksmith of Burton City)

Shoot, Gringo... Shoot! 1968 (Fuertas) [as Armando Garcia]

Shotgun – 1968 (Juan)

Vengeance is Mine – 1968

And God Said to Cain – 1970 (Pedro)

The 5-Man Army – 1969 (bearded singing Mexican)

The Forgotten Pistolero – 1969 (hitman)

God Will Forgive My Pistol - 1969 (Clanton henchman)

The Stranger’s Gundown – 1969 (Nick/Fuzzy)

Chapaqua's Gold – 1970 (Jose Cordero)

Roy Colt and Winchester Jack – 1970 (Reverend's henchman)

Shango – 1970 (bandit)

They Call Me Trinity – 1970 (Gioele)

The Twilight Avengers – 1970 (saloon brawler)

The Unholy Four – 1970 (Flaming Bill)

The Ballad of Ben and Charlie – 1971 (brawler)

His Name Was King – 1971 (Benson henchman)

Trinity is STILL My Name! – 1971 (hitman)

Il venditore di morte - 1971 (goldminer)

Alleluja & Sartana Are Sons... Sons of God - 1972

Jesse & Lester, Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity – 1972 (outlaw)

Life Is Tough, Eh Providence? - 1972 (James)

A Man Called Amen – 1972 (townsman)

Man of the East – 1972 (saloon patron)

Panhandle .38 1972 (Joe)

Trinity and Sartana Are Coming - 1972 (Mexican soldier)

Two Sons of Trinity - 1972 (Chun Chin Champa henchman)

The Executioner of God - 1973

The Man with the Golden Winchester - 1973 (soldier)

Shanghai Joe – 1973 (False Teeth)

The Three Musketeers of the West - 1973 (fire eater)

Those Dirty Dogs – 1973 (soldier)

Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket – 1975 (photographer)

The Return of Shanghai Joe - 1975 (hitman)

Buddy Goes West – 1981 (Trash)

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RIP Howard Bingham

December 15, 2016, 9:39 pm

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Howard Bingham, friend and photographer of Muhammad Ali, dies at 77

ESPN

December 15, 2016

Howard Bingham, a photographer who spenT a good portion of his life writing and taking photographs of his friend Muhammad Ali has died at the age of 77, Bingham's agent Harland Werner confirmed.

Bingham also worked as a contract photographer for Life and Sports Illustrated, with photo essays appearing in Look, Newsweek, Playboy and Ebony.

Bingham was born in Mississippi in 1939. He never formally trained as a photographer, instead he "learned on the job".

On assignment for a Los Angeles newspaper in 1962, Bingham met Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, and Bingham spent decades by Ali's side.

BINGHAM, Howard L.
Born: 5/29/1939, Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Died:12/15/2016, Culver City, California, U.S.A.

Howard Bingham’s westerns – still photographer:

Man and Boy – 1971
The Electric Horseman - 1979

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RIP Bob Shelton

December 16, 2016, 1:40 pm

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Old Tucson Studios founder Bob Shelton dies at 95

AZ Family.com

By Michael Cooper

December 16, 2016

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -

Bob Shelton, the founder of Old Tucson Studios and a fierce supporter of the film industry in southern Arizona, had died.

According to Old Tucson, Shelton died Thursday, Dec. 15, at the age of 95.

Shelton, originally from Kansas City, moved to Tucson in 1959 while looking for a place to start up an 'old west' tourist attraction.

He said he found what he was looking for when he saw the Old Tucson film set.

Shelton formed the Old Tucson Company, investing his own money into the property and operated the studio until 1985.

In 2015, Shelton was awarded the David J. Nivison Award for Excellence in Tourism by the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance.

"Bob Shelton was Tucson's movie man. During his 26 years at Old Tucson, he built up the annual visitation at the attraction to be second only to the Grand Canyon," said Tom Moulton, Director of Economic Development & Tourism at Pima County, in a recent release from Pima County. "He became friends with the Duke (John Wayne), Elizabeth Taylor, and many other actors, producers and directors and attracted movie-after-movie to Tucson."

When Gene Wilder died in August 2016, Tucson News Now reached out to Shelton to talk about Wilder filming Stir Crazy (1980) and The Frisco Kid (1979) in the area.

Shelton said the The Frisco Kid filming started around Nogales and moved to the Mescal location. Shelton said his interaction with Wilder at the time was limited. However, he explained he remembered seeing Wilder on set where he was friendly and the two would “exchange greetings on a daily basis.”

The following is a news release issued by Old Tucson announcing Shelton's passing:

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Robert Shelton on Dec. 15, 2016.

Bob was the founder of Old Tucson Studios and devoted to the preservation of our region’s western film legacy. He was just at Old Tucson Dec. 3rd to celebrate the second annual Bob Shelton Day.

From all of us at Old Tucson, present and past, we offer our prayers and blessings to Bob’s family.

If you visit the park this weekend, you will notice we’ve draped several areas in black and white bunting to honor, Bob, including the Bob Shelton Museum and other areas.

If you want to learn more, visit the museum, or ask one of our historians to share Bob wonderful storied past.

SHELTON, Bob (Robert Shelton)

Born: 1911, Kansas City,Missouri, U.S.A.

Died: 12/15/2016, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.

Bob Shelton’s westerns – actor:

Arizona Raiders - 1965 (Jim)

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1967 (Sid)

El Dorado – 1967

Return of the Gunfighter - 1967 (cowboy)

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RIP Peter Messaline

December 17, 2016, 6:48 am

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Toronto Star

December 17, 2016

Peter Messaline died peacefully in his sleep at Princess Margaret Hospital on December 8, 2016, Peter is survived by his wife, Miriam Newhouse; his sister, Wendy Coope (Brian); his sisters-in-law, Esther Rose Angel (Aubie) and Judy Miller (John); his eight nieces and nephews; and his nineteen great-nieces and nephews. Born in England, Peter was an actor, writer, teacher, researcher and mentor. His work took him touring to Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Australia. After moving to Canada, he worked across the country and into the United States. His acting work ranged from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the voice of the Daleks in "Dr. Who" and the voice of David Brewster in "Assassin's Creed: Syndicate". With his wife, Miriam, he co-wrote The Actor's Survival Kit and The Canadian Performers Tax Kit. As a researcher, his work helped to establish a provincial Adult Literacy Coordinator for Alberta. Over his professional career, he inspired and guided scores of young, hopeful actors. Throughout his private life his boundless intellectual curiosity, his wit, his generosity and thoughtfulness touched friends, family and colleagues. He will be sorely missed. If wished, memorial donations may be made to The AFC (formerly The Actors' Fund of Canada) at afchelps.ca.

MESSALINE, Peter (Peter Burrell)

Born: 4/9/1944, London, England, U.K.

Died: 12/8/2016, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Peter Messaline’s western – actor:

The Campbells (TV) – 1989 (Mr. Baines)

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RIP Mina Mittelman

December 17, 2016, 7:02 am

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Los Angeles Times

December 17, 2016

Mina Mittelman

February 18, 1931 - December 15, 2016 Born in Philadelphia to Louis and Anna Mittelman, joining brother Bert in the family, who moved to Los Angeles when she was a toddler. She graduated Fairfax High School and Chouinard Art Institute. Mina began her career at Western Costume Company, under the tutelage of Al Nichols, and worked with some of the most illustrious costume designers of the 1960s. She was a stickler for details, and was nominated twice for Costume Design and four times for costuming.

She was devoted dual cardholder of IATSE locals 705 and 892. She was married to noted cinematographer Chuck Short (1919-2002). She was an original, true to herself and others, and followed her childhood dream of designing for the movies. She is survived by Chuck's daughter Sandra, and the beautiful costumes she imagines which are still captured on film. The family would like to thank Keisha Hart, her caregiver, for the constant love and caring that she bestowed upon Mina during her last days. Mina also leaves dear friends Pat Welsh and Sue Crausman, with whom she shared a 71 year friendship. Services Sunday, December 18. At Mt. Sinai Cemetery at 10 a.m. Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills. 800.600.0076.

MITTELMAN, Mina

Born: 2/18/1931, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 12/15/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Mina Mittelman’s westerns – costume designer, costumer:

The Last Day (TV) – 1975 [costumer]

Barbary Coast (TV) – 1975-1976 [costumer]

Kenny Rogers as the Gambler: The Adventure Continues (TV) – 1983 [costume designer]

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RIP Howard G. Epstein

December 17, 2016, 6:01 pm

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RIP Howard Epstein

Funeral notice for Howard G. Epstein posted by Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills.

EPSTEIN, Howard G.

Born: 4/14/1917

Died: 7/24/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Howard Epstein’s westerns – film editor:

Oklahoma – 1955

Overland Trail (TV) – 1960

Riverboat (TV) – 1960 -1961

Tales of Wells Fargo (TV) – 1961

Whispering Smith (TV) – 1961

The Tall Man (TV) – 1962

The Virginian (TV) - 1970

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RIP David Saxon

December 17, 2016, 6:31 pm

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Funeral notice for David Saxon posted by Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills.

Spencer was born on June 23, 1927 and passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016.

Spencer was a resident of Los Angeles, California.

SAXON, David (Spencer David Saxon)

Born: 6/23/1927, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 7/5/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

David Saxon’s western – film editor:

The Chisholms (TV) – 1979

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RIP Zsa Zsa Gabor

December 18, 2016, 4:47 pm

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Hollywood Legend Zsa Zsa Gabor Dies at 99

Variety

By Tim Gray

December 18, 2016

Zsa Zsa Gabor, whose 60-year career of playing herself helped paved the way for today’s celebrity-obsessed culture, has died. She was 99.

Publicist Ed Lozzi confirmed to Variety that Gabor died Sunday in her Bel Air mansion. She had been on life support for the last five years, and according to TMZ, which first reported the news, she died of a heart attack.

While Gabor had multiple acting credits, her greatest performance was playing herself: She was famous for her accented English (calling everyone “darling,” which came out “dah-link”), eccentric name, offscreen antics (including a 1989 incident in which she slapped a Beverly Hills cop) and one-liners about her jewels, nine marriages and ex-husbands. Despite her glamorous image, her life, especially in later years, was marred by battles between her much-younger husband Frederic Prinz von Anhalt and her daughter.

The actress was frequently in the news in recent years as her health deteriorated. She broke her hip in July 2010 in a fall in her Bel-Air home after a 2002 car accident had left her wheelchair-bound and a massive stroke further hobbled her in 2005. Her leg was later amputated above the knee. Yet Gabor stubbornly clung to life.

Both of Gabor’s sisters predeceased her: Eva Gabor in 1995, Magda in 1997.

Gabor appeared in films including “Moulin Rouge,” 1953’s “Lili,” Orson Welles’ “Touch of Evil” and the 1958 camp classic “Queen of Outer Space.”

Born in Budapest, Zsa Zsa (born Sari) Gabor was crowned Miss Hungary in 1936 and followed her sister Eva to Hollywood. She got her foot in the showbiz door with MGM’s 1952 “Lovely to Look At” and got a bigger break that year with “Moulin Rouge,” directed by John Huston, who is said to have given the ingenue, who spoke heavily accented English and had almost no film experience, a difficult time during the shoot. Gabor’s English improved, but her Eastern European roots became part of her trademark.

On TV, she appeared on “The Red Skelton Hour,” “Playhouse 90” and “Matinee Theater.” She was featured in a 1960 TV adaptation of “Ninotchka” and guested on series including “Bonanza,” “Batman” (as the villainess Minerva) and “The Facts of Life.” She even appeared on the soap “As the World Turns” in 1981.

Her theater credits include “Forty Carats” on Broadway and a touring production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.”

Hollywood didn’t take her too seriously as an actress, maybe because she didn’t take herself too seriously. She seemed to have decided that there were few roles as interesting as her own persona. With her emphasis on showcasing her own glamour and sparking outrage, it’s no surprise that her showbiz work consisted mostly of playing herself in dozens of films and TV series.

Her rise to fame coincided with the spurt of talk shows that filled the airwaves during the early days of TV. The early ’50s created other talkshow and gameshow celebrities, but few parlayed that fame much beyond the 1950s. Gabor’s attitude —” I deserve attention not because of any talent, but just because of who I am” — was an early example of a phenomenon that has ballooned in the past decade, as tabloids put reality-TV figures on their covers and blogs cover them incessantly.

A third sister, Magda, and their mother, Jolie, also received attention from the media, but not as much as the other two. And while Eva Gabor eventually landed a role with which the public could identify her — as Lisa Douglas on the 1960s sitcom “Green Acres” — Zsa Zsa was simply “famous for being famous,” as someone quipped decades ago.

Many of Gabor’s most well-known ripostes came at her own expense and highlighted her predilection for marrying wealthy men. Some of the most notable were “I want a man who’s kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?”; “A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he’s finished”; “Getting divorced just because you don’t love a man is almost as silly as getting married just because you do”; and, after describing herself as a great housekeeper, she added, “Every time I divorce a man, I keep the house.”

She had a daughter, Francesca, during her 1942-46 marriage to hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, though Hilton reportedly believed Francesca was not his biological daughter, and the millionaire left her just $100,000 in his will. After spending much of her life contesting Hilton’s will, Francesca Hilton died destitute on Jan. 6, 2015. Gabor, meanwhile, was the great-great aunt of Paris Hilton.

Other husbands included actor George Sanders (1949-54) and Jack Ryan (1975-76), who is credited with designing the Barbie doll for Mattel. Her marriage to actor and attorney Felipe de Alba was annulled in 1983 after a single day because her marriage to Michael O’Hara, her divorce lawyer in her breakup with Ryan, had not been properly dissolved.

In 1986, at age 69, she married Prinz von Anhalt, some 30 years her junior. He was accused by her daughter of keeping her away from her mother, and it is doubtful Gabor knew of her daughter’s death.

Her 1989 run-in with a Beverly Hills police officer, whom she famously slapped during a traffic stop, was explored in 1991 documentary “The People vs. Zsa Zsa Gabor,” and mocked, frequently by a willing Gabor herself, in movies from “Naked Gun 2½” to “A Very Brady Sequel” and series including “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Gabor was also said to have indirectly lost millions to swindler Bernie Madoff.

GABOR, Zsa Zsa (Sari Gabor)

Born: 2/6/1917, Budapest, Austria-Hungary

Died: 12/18/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s westerns – actress:

F Troop (TV) – 1966 (Marika)

The Rounders (TV) – 1966 (Ilona Hobson)

Bonanza (TV) – 1967 (Madame Marova)

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RIP John Sutton

December 19, 2016, 7:29 am

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SUTTON JOHN BLAIR III

PittsburghPost-Gazette

December 18, 2016

John Blair Sutton III, born on April 14, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA to Mary Reed Sutton and John Blair Sutton, Jr., died December 5, 2016, in Oakley, Utah following a long and debilitating illness. He is survived by his three children, Sara Sutton Fell of Boulder, CO, Will Jennings Sutton of Missoula, MT and Kathryn Skye Sutton of Salt Lake City, UT; by four grandchildren, Harrison and Palmer Fell, and Cade and Kinley Sutton; his sister, Margot Sutton McConnel of Easton, MD; and many cousins, nieces and nephews; as well as his former wives, Christina Wood Jennings of Napa, CA and Nancy Musser Sutton of Midway, UT. John attended the Choate School, class of '66, in Wallingford, CT and graduated from Penn State in 1971 with a degree in Political Science. He began working in television and film at WQED and TPC in Pittsburgh, which led to a successful 20-year career in sound production in New York for a few years and then Los Angeles. John was also a producer of TV movies and of the soundtrack scores and albums for George A. Romero's classic films, "Creepshow" and "Day of the Dead". In 1999 he relocated to Park City, Utah where he owned and operated JB Mulligans and the club, Plan B, a music venue for the Sundance Film Festival. John was a proud parent, loyal friend, film lover, and a memorable, irreverent character, entertaining to all who knew him. He was a fun storyteller, a debater, a drummer, and a lover of the blues. A lifelong fly-fisherman and avid golfer, he maintained his membership at the Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier, PA. There are no plans for a service at this time. At a later date, family and friends will gather together to honor John and his creative spirit with memories, music, tears, and laughter. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org), an organization he supported for many years.

SUTTON, John (John Blair Sutton III)

Born: 4/14/1948, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 12/5/2016, Oakley, Utah, U.S.A.

John Sutton’s western – sound mixer:

Red River (TV) - 1988

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RIP Gordie Tapp

December 19, 2016, 11:05 am

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Canadian entertainer Gordie Tapp dead at 94

Host of CBC show County Hoedown, Tapp was iconic Canadian performer.

CBC News

December 19, 2016

Canadian entertainer and longtime CBC broadcaster Gordie Tapp died Sunday at 94.

He was living in Burlington, Ont., at the time of his death.

Born in 1922 in London, Ont., Tapp was once described as the "world's finest storyteller." His career took him from Guelph to Hamilton to Toronto and then to Nashville, Tenn.

He worked with the CBC for 13 years, hosting the show Country Hoedown.

Tapp lived in LaSalle retirement home in Burlington Ont., with his wife Helen, and was still performing up to weeks before he died.

His death was confirmed long time family friend Carol Thomas and by Smith Funeral Home in Burlington. No arrangements have been announced.

Gordie is survived by his wife Helen, and his three children, Jeoff, Kate and Joan.

TAPP, Gordie

Born: 6/4/1922, London, Ontario, Canada

Died: 12/18/2016, Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Gordie Tapp’s western – actor:

Wild Horse Hank – 1979 (Salty)

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RIP Gordon Hunt

December 20, 2016, 7:27 am

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News From Me

By Mark Evanier

December 20, 2016

Every actor, producer or writer who ever knew or worked with Gordon Hunt is tonight mourning the loss of a very good and gifted man. Gordon did many things but he was, first and foremost, a director. He directed hundreds of plays, mostly in and around Los Angeles, and for a long time was the Voice Director at Hanna-Barbera.

Before they hired Gordon, they'd had several Voice Directors who hadn't worked out and when there was no one in that job, the producers of the various shows would direct…with mixed results. Among other problems with the latter situation was that no one was in charge of scouting or auditioning new talent for the studio. When Gordon was brought in, he instantly brought order to chaos and new actors into Hanna-Barbera. He tapped into the local pool from improv groups and theatrical productions and now there's a long, long list of voice actors who owe Gordon for "discovering" them.

I remember him as a very patient man who understood performers, how to talk to them and what it takes to get the best from them. When I got my chance to voice direct, I drew on two sources to guide me in how it should be done. I had been in recording sessions with directors other than Gordon. I did nothing that they did. I had also been in recording sessions with Gordon. I did everything that he did..or at least, I tried to. I am not, I swear to you, exaggerating.

I watched him direct old pros like Mel Blanc and Daws Butler and strike just the perfect note of correcting them without disrespecting them. I watched him direct children and coax them into fine performances without scolding or making them feel bad when it took five takes to get a line right. (One of many things I learned from him: Once an actor is uncomfortable or feeling like they're screwing up, you're going to be there all night doing it over and over. So better to never make them feel that way.)

I watched him once directing an actor who was belligerent and hostile. It was not because of anything Gordon had done but the actor, who was upset about the "deal" for his services, kept snapping at Gordon, who'd had nothing to do with the negotiations. Gordon kept his cool and, when the angry actor began turning on other performers in the session, drew his fire and kept things as comfortable as they could be. The session finished on-time and the work was fine. What Gordon had done was to remain a Grown-Up at all times.

As I said, he directed a lot of local plays. I went to a lot of them and every one I saw was first rate. He was rightly proud of all of his work but he was proudest of his daughter, the popular actress Helen Hunt. And vice-versa. I said this a few paragraphs ago but it bears repeating: He was a very good and gifted man.

HUNT, Gordon (Gordon Edwynn Hunt)

Born: 4/26/1929, Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.A.

Died: 12/19/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Gordon Hunt’s westerns – director:

Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Loose (1983) [English voice director]

The Good, the Bad, and the Huckleberry Hound – 1988 [recording director]

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RIP Kevin O'Morrison

December 20, 2016, 6:42 pm

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Kevin O'Morrison, Actor in 'The Set-Up' and 'Sleepless in Seattle,' Dies at 100

Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

December 20, 2016

Kevin O'Morrison, a playwright and character actor who appeared in such films as The Set-Up and Sleepless in Seattle, has died. He was 100.

O'Morrison died Dec. 11 at a senior living facility in Lynnwood, Wash., his cousin Jim Davidson told The Hollywood Reporter.

O'Morrison played a prizefighter in the classic film noir boxing drama The Set-Up (1949), directed by Robert Wise and starring Robert Ryan, and was another pugilist in The Golden Gloves Story (1950). In Nora Ephron's Sleepless in Seattle (1993), he portrayed Meg Ryan's father, Cliff.

Occasionally billed as Kenny O'Morrison, he made his movie debut in Dear Ruth (1947), starring Joan Caulfield and William Holden, and then appeared in Ida Lupino's Never Fear (1949). Later, he had roles in Peter Yates' The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) opposite Robert Mitchum and in the George Roy Hill film Funny Farm (1988), starring Chevy Chase.

On television, O'Morrison played the title character on the 1950-51 series Charlie Wild, Private Detective and was on The United States Steel Hour, Philco Playhouse, Lonesome Dove and Law & Order.

A native of St. Louis, O'Morrison in 1938 had a walk-on in Orson Welles' innovative play Caesar, produced for Broadway by the director's Mercury Theater company. He also appeared on the stage in Winged Victory and The Rose Tattoo.

Among the plays he published or had produced were The Long War, A Party for Lovers, The Morgan Yard, Ladyhouse Blues and Dark Ages.

O'Morrison, who also wrote novels, was a founding member of the nonprofit organization PEN Washington, which worked to protect freedom of expression for writers everywhere, and served as an artist in residence at several colleges and universities.

In addition to his cousin, survivors include his wife Linda.

O’MORRISON, Kevin

Born: 5/25/1916, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

Died: 12/11/2016, Lynnwood, Washington, U.S.A.

Kevin O’Morrison’s westerns – actor:

Lonesome Dove (TV) – 1989 (doctor)

Lightning Jack – 1994 (old guy in alley)

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RIP Fran Jeffries

December 20, 2016, 6:49 pm

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Fran Jeffries, an Actress Who Performed a Sexy Samba in ‘The Pink Panther,’ Dies at 79

The New York Times

By William Grimes

December 20, 2016

Fran Jeffries, a lithe, silky-voiced singer and dancer who performed a showstopping samba in the 1963 film “The Pink Panther” and tantalized Tony Curtis with a seductive performance of the title song in “Sex and the Single Girl” a year later, died on Thursday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 79.

The cause was multiple myeloma, her granddaughter Zoë Sandler said on Tuesday.

Ms. Jeffries was well known on the cabaret and Las Vegas circuit as the singing partner of Dick Haymes, her husband, when the director Blake Edwards added a scene in “The Pink Panther” to showcase her talents.

Dressed in a black cat-suit and singing in Italian, she slithered her way around an Alpine ski chalet performing the Henry Mancini song “Meglio Stasera” (English title: “It Had Better Be Tonight”), as the bewitched cast looked on.

As the nightclub singer Gretchen in “Sex and the Single Girl,” she performed three numbers. Most memorable was her teasing rendition of the title song, aimed at Mr. Curtis, her boyfriend in the film. Delivering the message that women enjoy sex, too, she treated Mr. Curtis’s living room furniture as an erotic gymnasium, closing in on him as he struggled to read a book.

She was born Frances Ann Makris on May 18, 1937, in Mayfield, Calif., near Palo Alto. Her father, Stephen, was a Greek immigrant who moved the family to San Jose to open a restaurant when she was young. Her mother, the former Esther Gautier, was a homemaker.

In her early teens Frances won a local talent contest, the Del Courtney Amateur Hour, performing the Betty Grable song “What Did I Do?” She took home a Bulova watch and a sack of groceries.

After graduating from high school she began singing in San Francisco nightclubs as part of a trio. One night she found herself on the same bill with Mr. Haymes, a crooning balladeer in his 40s. They formed a duo, married and for the next several years enjoyed success in nightclubs, cabarets and Las Vegas casinos.

Ms. Jeffries’s first marriage, to the pianist Ed Blasco, had ended in divorce, as would her marriage to Mr. Haymes and to three subsequent husbands. In addition to Ms. Sandler, she is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Haymes-Roven, and another granddaughter.

After appearing in a bit part in the 1958 film “The Buccaneer,” Ms. Jeffries sang and danced her way through a brief film career. Her third husband, the director Richard Quine, cast her in two of his films, “Sex and the Single Girl” and, in a nonsinging role, “A Talent for Loving” in 1969. She played the femme fatale Aishah in the Elvis Presley movie “Harum Scarum” in 1965.

Ms. Jeffries recorded the albums “Fran Can Really Hang You Up the Most” (1960), “Fran Jeffries Sings of Sex and the Single Girl” (1964) and “This Is Fran Jeffries” (1966).

In the late 1960s and early ’70s she toured Europe with Sammy Davis Jr. and Southeast Asia with Bob Hope. She performed for decades in supper clubs and cabarets, and in 2000 recorded a set of ballads and standards, “All the Love.”

JEFFRIES, Fran (Frances Ann Makris)

Born5/18/1937, Mayfield, California, U.S.A.

Died: 12/15/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Fran Jeffries’ western – actress:

A Talent for Loving – 1969 (Maria)

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RIP Gil Parrondo

December 24, 2016, 2:23 pm

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Spanish artistic director Gil Parrondo dies, winner of two Oscars

The decorator of 'El Cid', 'Lawrence of Arabia' or 'Doctor Zhivago' dies at age 95

Manuel Gil Parrondo y Rico will always be remembered for his visceral passion for cinema. So much so that during the three years of the Civil War, which happened in Madrid, he continued to go to the halls as much as he could. The decorator (hated the expression art director), one of the greatest technicians that had given Spain the seventh art, has passed away Saturday in Madrid at 95 years, after a very long career in which he became the first Spaniard to win two Oscars: for “Patton” and “Nicholas and Alexandra”, both of Franklin J. Schaffner. Came to Hollywood, as a young man, which seemed to him "a far-off place, in another galaxy.

Finally, it was that galaxy who came to Spain for a while and embarke in his films, which earned him the awards mentioned and a third nomination for “Travels with My Aunt”, by George Cukor. But he also worked in some mythical titles in the history of cinema such as “Doctor Zhivago”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “55 Days at Peking”, “King of Kings”, “The Fall of the Roman Empire”, “Circus World”, “Spartacus”, “The Battle of Britain” and “El Cid”: his first steps were at the hand of the producer Samuel Bronston, the businessman who brought the super-productions to Spain, soon his quality made him the receiver of calls from those who shot in southern Europe.

"An Oscar is a good end to the race" - Gil Parrondo, the discreet man

Manuel Gil Parrondo - for his career his first name was removed studied painting and architecture at the Royal Academy of San Fernando, though his love of film led him in that direction. He started as an assistant decorator on the films of Florián Rey, one of the greats of the era, until finally debuting in 1951 as chief - responsible leadership team with artistic – “Day after Day”, by Antonio del Amo.

In the fifties he achieved his prestige with his work in films that open the doors of the American films that begin to arrive in Spain. Thus, in addition to those, “Alexander”, and The Pride and the Passion”, of Stanley Kramer. "The Oscar is a good end of the race, but do not forget that many wonderful actors or directors never got it," he said in 2000. "The one that made me happier was the first, because I was also the first Spanish to win it, and because the film is still around." By the way, he never picked up the statuette in person because he was always working.

Gil Parrondo, his talent transcends eras and generations of filmmakers: his name appears in “The Wind and the Lion”, John Milius, “Robin and Marian”, Richard Lester, “The Boys from Brazil”, again with Schaffner.

Special mention deserves for his collaboration with José Luis Garci, (they started together in winning the Oscar and won four Goyas and four nominations.

Elegant and slim, with prominent sideburns, after more than 200 films, television series and plays still remembered every detail, thanks to a legendary memory. And it was quite persuasive: he refused to move to Beverly Hills and moved the filming of El Cid United States Torrelobatón (Valladolid).

Tireless, he never retired: he was still active. "I choose the films for the date, not because of a script I like it better if the director is especially brilliant. Whenever I can participate in a movie I say yes."

In 2006 he even competed for chairing the Film Academy against Ángeles González-Sinde, and remembered those days that a good film decorator had to have "sense of color, architecture and, above all, the frame". With Gil Parrondo goes an artist and also the memory of a time when Peter O'Toole had bowls of vodka, an Almerian shepherd - accustomed to the shoots - was able to advise on goals or knew who had won the Oscar because his wife called a taxi at four in the morning after receiving a phone call from a friend of New York.

PARRONDO, Gil (Manuel Gil Parrondo y Rico Villademoros)

Born: 6/17/1921, Luarea, Asturias, Spain

Died: 12/24/2016, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Gil Parrondo’s westerns – production designer, art director, set decorator;

Savage Pampas – 1966 [set decorator]

The Valley of Gwangi – 1969 [art director]

Four Rode Out – 1970 [art director]

Rustlers’ Rhapsody – 1985 [production designer]

The Return of El Coyote – 1998 [production designer]

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RIP Frank Murray

December 25, 2016, 6:43 am

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Frank Murray, The Pogues Manager, Dies at 66

Billboard

By Colin Stutz

12/22/2016

The Pogues manager Frank Murray died on Thursday (Dec. 22) of a suspected heart attack. He was 66.

Murray began working with the legendary Celtic punk band in the mid-1980s after seeing them play at the Hope & Anchor in London at the urging of late guitarist Phil Chevron, who joined the band soon after. He had previously been the tour manager for Thin Lizzy, Elton John and The Specials.

"It does really feel like the end of something," The Pogues' tin whistle player and vocalist Spider Stacy told Billboard. "I'm very sorry to see him go. He was brilliant really. I loved him deeply."

Murray worked with The Pogues' until 1990, said Stacy, and is widely credited for helping put together the band's classic Christmas ballad "Fairytale of New York." As Stacy recalled, Murray had brought in The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight" and suggested they cover it. But the idea was met with disinterest, so he challenged singer Shane MacGowan to write a better holiday song -- and most would agree he did just that. Murray had also worked with the late Kirsty MacColl and helped bring her to record the duet.

Stacy described Murray as an "old school"'70s rocker as well as a "a total Dubliner," saying his Irish upbringing was essential to his relationship with The Pogues.

"Being Irish, he totally understood what the band was about and what it was really Shane was doing," said Stacy. "I think he really got the importance of the band in regard to Ireland and what Shane was doing with Irish music."

Murray had undergone heart surgery years ago, but when Stacy saw him in Austin, Texas, earlier this year he said he was in good health. As such, the news of his passing comes as a great surprise. Said Stacy, "Bang, there you go."

MURRAY, Frank

Born: 1950, Dublin, Ireland

Died: 12/22/2016, U.K.

Frank Murray’s western – actor:

Straight to Hell – 1986 (Biff McMahon)

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RIP Robert Tucker

December 25, 2016, 7:00 am

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Tony Nominee Robert Tucker Dies

The choreographer, and right-hand man to Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, has passed.

Playbill

By Ruthie Fierberg

December 24, 2016

Tony-nominated choreographer Robert Tucker died December 22.

Tucker began his career of dance at the age of five in his home state of Oregon. He left after high school to pursue a film career in California. He danced in movies and later moved to New York where he landed a job in One Touch of Venus with Mary Martin. He continued his work on Broadway and on television’s The Show of Shows.

Before his choreography days, Tucker started as a performer on Broadway in Porgy and Bess in 1942. He danced in such iconic shows as Call Me Madam, Of Thee I Sing, and Peter Pan starring Mary Martin, where he also served as the assistant to choreographer Jerome Robbins.

Tucker was Ballet Master to Robbin’s Ballet USA for several years. Bob Fosse began to take an interest in Tucker’s career. A long and prosperous partnership began that culminated in a collaboration on Hail the Conquering Hero. Tucker assisted Fosse in Les Noces for the Ballet Theatre.

The dancer made his Broadway choreographic debut as co-choreographer of Nöel Coward’s Sweet Potato in 1968. He went on to work on the dance arrangements and choreography of Lorelai, Gypsy (1974), Shenandoah—for which he earned his Tony nomination—A Musical Jubilee, Angel, The American Dance Machine, My Old Friends, and the 1989 revival of Shenandoah.

During his career, Tucker also assisted Robbins and Bob Fosse on Bells are Ringing and staged the London company production of the show; he assisted Robbins on Gypsy and the subsequent 1962 movie starring Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell; and worked with Fosse on Sweet Charity and New Girl in Town.

He is survived by his children Ian Tucker, Zan Charisse, and Nana Visitor, and eight grandchildren.

TUCKER, Robert

Born: 19??, Oregon, U.S.A.

Died: 12/22/2016, U.S.A.

Robert Tucker’s westerns – vocal supervisor, arranger:

Annie Get Your Gun – 1950 [vocal supervisor]

Stars in My Crown – 1950 [vocal arranger]

Rose Marie – 1954 [vocal supervisor]

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RIP Fernando Corredor

December 26, 2016, 11:38 am

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Fernando Corredor dies at age 79

Corredor was injured by a motorcycle last Monday in Bogota

El Tiempo

12/25/2016

The death of Fernando Corredor was known on the night of Saturday, December 24.

The actor was hit by a motorcycle in race 7 with street 70 of Bogota last Monday, in the accident Corredor suffered heavy blows in the head reason why it underwent to a surgery of skull. His daughter María Angelica Corredor confirmed the death of the actor.

Corredor, born in Medellín in 1937, was in force for over 50 years, in theater, film and television.

'Diomedes, the chief of the Junta'; 'Sin sienos si hay paraíso', 'Pasión de hawks', 'Oye bonita', 'La saga' and 'Tu voz stereo', among others, are some of the productions in which she participated.

A consummate reader and lover of the performing arts, Corridor said in several interviews that to have kept up in a medium as difficult as the television is due to his great experience.

With the death of Corredor, national television continues in mourning and is added to the death of Pepe Sánchez, one of the largest of Colombian audiovisual producers, this week.

CORREDOR, Fernando (Fernando Corredor Muñoz)

Born: 1937, Medellin, Colombia

Died: 12/24/2016, Bogota, Colombia

Fernando Corredor’s western – actor:

El Zorro, la espada y la rosa (TV) – 2007 (Judge Quintana)

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RIP George S. Irving

December 26, 2016, 11:52 am

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Tony Winner George S. Irving Dies at 94

Broadway World

By BWW News Desk

December 26, 2016

BroadwayWorld.com is sad to report the death of actor George S. Irving at 94 years old.

During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Irving was waving a beer mug in the chorus of a touring production of The Student Prince at the National Theatre in Washington. After that close brush with history, he went on to his Broadway debut in the original company of Oklahoma!

There followed a stint among the greatest generation, and when World War II closed he returned to the stage in Call Me Mister, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Tovarich, I Remember Mama, Me and Juliet, An Evening with Richard Nixon (Drama Desk Award), So Long, 174th Street, Irene (Tony Award), On Your Toes and Me and My Girl, among others. At the New York City Opera, he sang in Regina, Street Scene, The Ballad of Baby Doe and a German production of The Threepenny Opera. At Lucille Lortel's White Barn Theatre, he played in a two-person revue, Together at Last, with his late wife, Maria Karnilova, and a one-man show, An Evening with W.S. Gilbert.

In 2008 Irving recreated the three roles he originally played in the ill-fated 1976 Joseph Stein musical So Long, 174th Street, now reworked, revised, and with its original title Enter Laughing at Off-Broadway's York Theatre Company, and received rave reviews for his rendition of "The Butler's Song". On December 8, 2008, aged 86, Irving received the 17th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre.

Irving was married to actress Maria Karnilova from 1948 until her death in 2001. They had a son, Alexander of Oceanside, California, a daughter, Katherine Irving of South Salem, New York, and three grandchildren.

IRVING, George S. (George Irving Shelasky)

Born: 11/1/1922, Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Died: 12/26/2016, U.S.A.

George S. Irving’s western voice actor:

Go Go Gophers (TV) – 1966-1968 [English voice of Running Board, stagecoach driver, race

starter, lookout soldier, waiter, hotel manager, messenger, soldier, General Nuisance]

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RIP Sandra Giles

December 27, 2016, 2:51 pm

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Hollywood Film And TV Actress Sandra Giles Has Died At The Age Of 84

Highlight Hollywood

By Tommy Lightfoot Garrett

December 26, 2016

Hollywood icon Sandra Giles died peacefully Sunday night at home in the Hancock Park region of Los Angeles. She was 84. Born, Lelia Bernice Giles, in Hooker, Oklahoma on July 24, 1932, Sandra Giles began her career early on in Texas. Unwilling to hide her beauty, Sandra, instead, capitalized on it and won several distinguished beauty contests, including: Miss San Antonio and Miss Corpus Christi, before going on to conquer Hollywood.

In the 1950s and ’60, Sandra starred in several TV series such as: “Columbo”, “The Odd Couple”, and “Adam 12″. Also, during the 1960s she was a scene stealer in popular television shows such as, “Burke’s Law”, “Bachelor Father”, and the ever popular TV western series, “Rawhide”. In 1957, it was “The People’s Choice” TV series where she truly caught Hollywood’s attention, not only for her glamorous looks, but for her genuine talent as an actress. She was named “Miss 8-Ball” by the Los Angeles Press Club in December 1957. In October of 1957, her appearance on the “The Tom Duggan Television Show” was all the rage. The show was later cancelled because they claimed she was showing “more cleavage than clothing.” But that was typical Hollywood hype. Sandra Giles was a true lady.

Fans fell in love with Sandra Giles in 1970, as both the Harem Dancer and Dr. Greta Gault in “Land of the Giants”. She was often linked to some of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors.

Sandra Giles was smarter than anyone ever gave her credit for. She not only owned a restaurant in Studio City for many years, but had a lucrative career in the 1990s as a real estate agent.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Piller, wife of the late Michael Piller, and two grandchildren, Shawn Piller and Brent Piller.

No final memorial details were released by press time.

GILES, Sandra (Lelia Bernice Giles)

Born: 7/24/1932, Hooker, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Died: 12/25/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Sandra Giles’ westerns – actress:

A Lust to Kill – 1958 (Belle)

Rawhide (TV) – 1963 (Ellie)

Black Spurs – 1965 (Sadie’s girl)

Border Lust - 1967

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RIP Barbara Tarbuck

December 28, 2016, 12:05 pm

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Observer Reporter

December 28, 2016

Barbara Tarbuck, an actress who appeared regularly on the TV soap operas “Santa Barbara” and “General Hospital,” the latter as Lady Jane Jacks, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, according to multiple news sources, including Soap Opera Digest. She was 74.

More recently, in 2012 and 2013, Tarbuck played Mother Superior Claudia for five episodes on “American Horror Story: Asylum.” Other television credits include episodes of “The Golden Girls,” “Knots Landing,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Falcon Crest,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “The Practice.”

Her best-known role was as Lady Jane Jacks on 41 episodes of the daytime soap “General Hospital.”

Her acting credits weren’t limited to the small screen. She appeared in films including “Short Circuit” (1986), “The Death of the Incredible Hulk” (1990), “Walking Tall” (2004), and “Postcard From the Palace” (2014).

Tarbuck was born Jan. 15, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. She began performing as a young girl on a radio show titled “Storyland.” She received a master’s degree in theater from the University of Michigan and later trained on a Fulbright Scholarship at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Tarbuck also enjoyed teaching acting.

“Teaching and acting and directing all feed one another in me,” she wrote on her website. “I am as stimulated and questioned by the young people in my life as I am by new material or a famous director’s notes.

“On stage, before the camera, and in the classroom are the questions, demands, disappointments, delights that feed my soul.”

TARBUCK, Barbara (Barbara J. Tarbuck)

Born: 1/15/1942, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

Died:12/27/2016, Washington, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Barbara Tarbuck’s westerns – actress:

Little House on the Prairie (TV) – 1981 (Beth Tomkins)

Wilde Horses – 2013 (Becks)

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