Monday, May 23, 2011

Walter Soboleff

Tribal leader, minister and activist -- via Alaska Dispatch.

Dick Wimmer

Writer and educator -- via the L.A. Times. He holds the distinction of being the most-rejected published novelist in history. His first novel was rejected 162 times. Way to hang in there, Dick!

Jim Pyburn

Long-time assistant coach in college football, he played outfield for the Orioles for three seasons -- via the Daily Journal.

Dagmar E. Burbriski

"Community activist, commentator, columnist, radio host, gadfly and energetic proponent of civic engagement" -- via iberkshires.com. She must have been quite a character -- she inspired another remembrance here in the Berkshire Eagle.

Willard S. Boyle

Physicist and inventor -- via the L.A. Times. He co-created the charge-coupled device, the basis of all digital imaging.

Ron Bone

Artist -- via the Guardian.

Marian Pankowski

Writer, critic and translator -- via the Guardian.

Michael Ward

Photographer -- via the Guardian.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Donald Krim

President of Kino International -- via the New York Times. His taste and sense of the possible made Kino one of the primary sources of endangered and esoteric films. He worked with Wong Kar-Wai, Haneke and Gitai. He issued the definitive Keaton and Fairbanks restorations -- he saved "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," "The Last Laugh" and "Metropolis." Kino distributes Klimov's wrenching 1985 "Come and See," Tartovsky's "Stalker," the bewitching 1935 "She," "Fantomas." Thank you, sir!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Bill Hunter

Actor -- via ABC News. A sterling example of the Australian regular guy in film. "Muriel's Wedding," "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," "Gallipoli," "Strictly Ballroom," . . .

Friday, May 20, 2011

"Macho Man" Randy Savage aka Randall Mario Poffo

Professional wrestler, actor and spokesperson for Slim Jims -- via the L.A. Times.

Anton Hammerl

Photojournalist -- via the Atlantic. He was killed on April 5; those who witnessed his death were imprisoned by the Libyan government until two days ago.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Randall L. Wreghitt

Theatrical producer -- via Playbill, Theatermania, Broadway World, and Broadwaydotcom. Responsible for so many great shows -- all of McDonagh, "Grey Gardens," "Metamorphoses," Kate Burton's "Hedda Gabbler," and hits by Ken Lonergan, Nicky Silver and Douglas Carter Beane.

Michael William Coplestone Dillon Onslow, 7th Earl of Onslow

Noble, member of the House of Lords, deejay, photographer, insurance agent, farmer and gadfly in the Socratic sense -- via Lancaster Online and the Associated Press. The gentleman described sounds quite like a free and whimsical spirit. Who wrote this? The lede is wonderful; the tone is pithy, and it's still clear, concise and compelling. One of the best obits I've read in a long time. The quote in paragraph Five is the same used in a different, much more comprehensive and equally entertaining eulogy in the Telegraph. Check out the third-to-last sentence in the AP story -- well played.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Bill Skiles

Comedian -- via businessinsider.com. One half of the comedy team of Skiles and Henderson.

Barbara Stuart

Actress -- via barbarastuart.com. She worked extensively in film and television; she may dwell in the popular imagination as Bunny, the girlfriend of Sgt. Carter, in the U.S. TV series "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C." She had small but memorable parts in the film comedies "Airplane!" and "Bachelor Party" as well.

Edward Hardwicke

Actor -- via The Stage. The son of Sir Cedric Hardwicke, he was a delightful actor in his own right. He wil be best remembered as Dr. Watson to Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes in all but the first two series of memorable Granada TV treatment of Holmes' career.

Harmon Killebrew aka The Killer aka Hammerin' Harmon

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer -- via the New York Times. A more personal tribute from Hal Bodley on MLB.com. An incredible and incredibly powerful hitter for the Senators, who became the Twins when they moved to Minneapolis in 1961. His #3 is retired by the Twins. Also, a good and gentle man! One of my heroes.

George Bloomfield

Director, writer and teacher -- via voy.com. He helmed many episodes of "SCTV"!

Hilton Rosemarin

Set decorator -- via voy.com.

Kimberly Ann Delfin aka Popsicle


Dancer and actress -- via the Orange County Register.

Bob Flanigan

Vocalist and founding member of the Four Freshmen -- via the L.A. Times.

Kiyoshi Kodama

Actor and TV host -- via MSN Japan.

Pam Gems

Playwright -- via the Guardian.

Odell Brown

Jazz and R & B organist and songwriter -- via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

M-Bone aka Montae RayTalbert

Rapper -- via the L.A. Times.

Joseph Wershba

Journalist -- via the L.A. Times. Starting in radio in 1944, he worked on newspapers and in television, most notably with Edward R. Murrow on the expose of the machinations of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.