2004 goes on...

DOROTHY HART-(82)-was a supporting actress in several films in the late ‘40’s & ‘50’s. She was Jane in TARZAN’S SAVAGE FURY in 1952 (Lex Barker was Tarzan). She also appeared in GUNFIGHTERS, THE NAKED CITY, I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI and others. A former model from Cleveland, Ohio she later worked for The United Nations. She died July 11th of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

JIMMIE SKAGGS-(59)-character actor of TV and films, best known for his roles in the original PUPPETMASTER and GHOST TOWN. He had roles in LETHAL WEAPON, DRAGNET, PINK CADILLAC, CAGE, OBLIVION, CUTTHROAT ISLAND, GANG RELATED, OBLIVION 2, HOLLOW MAN and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. He died July 6th of lung cancer.

VIRGINIA GREY-(87)-began her career as a child actress as Eva in the 1927 version of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. She was in many movies in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s including ANOTHER THIN MAN, THE BIG STORE (with The Marx Bros.), TARZAN’S NEW YORK ADVENTURE, HOUSE OF HORRORS (with Rondo Hatton), SWAMP FIRE (with Johnny Weissmulller & Buster Crabbe), Cecil B. DeMille’s UNCONQUERED, WHO KILLED DOC ROBBIN?, JUNGLE JIM, UNKNOWN ISLAND, MEXICAN HAYRIDE (with Abbott & Costello), TARGET:EARTH, THE ROSE TATTOO, ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS, Sam Fuller’s THE NAKED KISS, AIRPORT and many others. She also appeared on many TV programs. She died July 31st of heart failure.

YUMIO WATANABE-(74)-Japanese actor in many films including LONE WOLF & CUB, THE STREETFIGHTER, BULLET TRAIN,TOKYO DEEP THROAT and others. He died Aug. 4th.

PETER WOODTHORPE-(72)-English actor of films and TV, he was the voice of “Gollum” in Ralph Bashki’s animated version of THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Other roles included EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE SKULL, THE BLUE MAX, THE MIRROR CRACK’D, THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE. He was also a regular on the TV show INSPECTOR MORSE for several seasons. He died Aug. 12.

HUGH MANNING-(83)-was an English film actor who also appeared a number of times on THE AVENGERS TV show. Some of his movies include THE DAMBUSTERS, OUR MAN IN HAVANA, QUARTERMASTER & THE PIT, THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD and THE ELEPHANT MAN. He died Aug. 18th, one day shy of his 84th birthday.

DONALD PETRIE, SR.-(83)-8 time Emmy winning TV director originally from Canada who started his career on early TV’s STUDIO ONE. Other shows include WAY OUT!, GREAT GHOST TALES, THE DEFENDERS, EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE, IRONSIDE, MARCUS WELBY MD and others. Some of his movies include THE SPY WITH THE COLD NOSE, THE IDOL, HEC RAMSEY, THE NEPTUNE FACTOR, SYBIL, THE BETSY, FORT APACHE THE BRONX, SIX PACK, ROCKET GIBRALTAR, COCOON: THE RETURN and many others. Both his sons became directors. He died Aug. 23rd of cancer.

DAVID MYERS- (90)-was the cinematographer on THX-1138, George Lucas’ first movie. He also shot WOODSTOCK, Joe Cocker’s MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN, ELVIS ON TOUR, Neil Young’s JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST, RUST NEVER SLEEPS and HUMAN HIGHWAY, WATTSAX, THE MYSTERIOUS MONSTERS and others.

SUZANNE FARMER-was an actress who made numerous appearances in films in the 1930's (many uncredited). She may be familiar to horror fans as she co-starred in THE DEVIL BAT (1941) with Bela Lugosi. She was also in three classic 3 Stooges shorts: DISORDER IN THE COURT, YES, WE HAVE NO BONANZA and WHAT'S THE MATADOR?. Long since retired, she was the widow of actor Sidney Blackmer and was in the news in the 1980's when she fought being evicted from an apartment complex that Donald Trump wanted to buy. She died Aug. 27 of pneumonia.

SUSAN PERETZ-(59)-was an actress and acting coach. Some of her movies appearances included DOG DOG AFTERNOON, MELVIN & HOWARD, HONKY TONK MAN, SWING SHIFT, OH GOD,YOU DEVIL, POLTERGEIST 2, RETRIBUTION and LOOSE CANNONS. She died Aug. 27 of breast cancer.

WILLIAM PIERSON (78)-played "Marko The Mailman" in both the stage version and movie STALAG 17. He was a regular on the TV sit-com THREE'S COMPANY and also appeared in FUN WITH DICK & JANE and CORVETTE SUMMER. He died Aug. 27 of natural causes.

MICHAEL MILGROM-was a property master on many films and also appeared in some films including TWILIGHT ZONE:THE MOVIE, HEART LIKE A WHEEL, PROJECT X and THE POSTMAN. He was art director on the low budget SPECTRE OF EDGAR ALLEN POE.

CATLIN CLARKE-(52)-actress best known for her role in the sword & scorcery film DRAGONSLAYER. Some of her other films include CROCIDILE DUNDEE, PENN & TELLER GET KILLED, THE BIG PICTURE, JOE THE KING and NEVER AGAIN. She also appeared on TV. She died Sept. 9 of cancer.

KENNETH BUTTREY-(59)-was a session drummer who played with Dylan (JOHH WESLEY HARDIN), Neil Young (TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT), Jimmy Buffet (the song MARGERITTAVILLE) and many others. He also played in the bands "Area Code 615" and "Barefoot Jerry". He died Sept. 12 of cancer.

BRUCE PALMER-(58)-founding member of the Canadian rock band "Buffalo Springfield" with Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay in 1966.He played on their first two albums but due to a drug bust and problems with US imigration he quit the band and was replaced by Jim Messina (the band broke up soon after though). He released one solo album "The Cycle Is Complete" which also featured the recently deceased Rick James. He later played in some of Young's non-Crazy Horse bands including "Trans". He died Oct. 4 of a heart attack.

JANET LEIGH-(77)-American actress who will always be remembered best for her performence as the doomed Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO. Her shower death scene is one of the most famous scenes in film history. She co-starred with Frank Sinatra in the original version of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (directed by John Frankenhiemer) and was Charlton Heston's wife in Orson Welles' TOUCH OF EVIL. She appeared in several films with her third husband Tony Curtis including HOUDINI, THE VIKINGS and THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH. Other movies include Anthony Mann's THE NAKED SPUR, Jack Webb's PETE KELLY'S BLUES, BYE BYE BIRDIE, HARPER, NIGHT OF THE LEPUS, John Carpenter's THE FOG (with daughter Jamie Lee Curtis) and HALLOWEEN H20 (also with Curtis).

RODNEY DANGERFIELD-(83)-self depreciating stand-up comic known for his signature line "I don't get no respect". Although he made his first TV appearance in 1948 (on Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town") and made 70 appearances on "The Tonight Show" his career didn't take off until 1975 when he appeared several times on "Saturday Night Live". He was in Harry Hurwitz's seldon seen THE PROJECTIONIST in 1971 but later starred in the bigger budgeted mainstream films CADDYSHACK, EASY MONEY, BACK TO SCHOOL, the animated ROVER DANGERFIELD, LADYBUGS and MEET WALLY SPARKS. He was also featured in Oliver Stone's NATURAL BORN KILLERS as the father of Juliette Lewis' character (I've read his character was originally suppose to be played by Lawrence Tierney who was fired before filming started...). Dangerfield who's real name was Jack Cohen and was from Babylon, NY died Oct. 5 after open heart surgery.

RUSS MEYER-(82)-Trendsetting director/cinematographer who made the first "nudie" film to gross over a million dollars (the 3-D lensed THE IMMORTAL MR. TEAS in 1959). He went on to make many unique "adult" features, usually featuring cartoonish violence and volupuous woman. They include: LORNA, FANNY HILL, MUDHONEY, FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!, CABIN LAW CABIN, VIXEN!, BALCKSNAKE, SUPERVIXENS, UP, BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE SUPER VIXENS and two major studio releases: BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and THE SEVEN MINUTES. He also started the film WHO KILLED BAMBI? starring The Sex Pistols but filming ceased after one day. It later evolved into THE GREAT ROCK AND ROLL SWINDLE. He died Sept. 18 of pneumonia.

JACQUES LEVY-(69)-from NYC, directed both the stage and film versions of the controversial OH! CALCUTTA. He also collaborated on songs with Bob Dylan (he was also assistant director on Dylan's RENALDO & CLARA), Roger McGuinn and others. He died Sept. 30 of cancer.

JULIUS HARRIS-Oct. 17-(81)-African-American actor in more than 70 films & TV programs. He was the villain “Tee Hee” in LIVE AND LET DIE. Other film appearances include BLACK CAESER, SUPERFLY, KING KONG (1976 version), FRIDAY FOSTER, SHAFT’S BIG SCORE, LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR, CRIMEWAVE, DARKMAN, MANIAC COP 3 and SHRUNKEN HEADS. On TV he was seen in RICH MAN,POOR MAN, THE BLUE AND THE GREY and many TV shows.

SHEILA KEITH-Oct. 14-(84)-English actress (born in Scotland) known for her memorable appearances in several horror films directed by Pete Walker: FRIGHTMARE, HOUSE OF WHIPCORD, HOUSE OF LONG SHADOWS, HOUSE OF MORTAL SIN (better known as THE CONFESSIONAL). She began her career on the London stage.

GIL MELLE-Oct. 28-(73)-Jazz baritone sax player and songwriter who composed the scores for many films including THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, KILLDOZER, THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE, EMBRYO, THE SENTINEL, STARSHIP INVASIONS and many others. He also wrote the themes to the TV shows NIGHT GALLERY, COLUMBO and THE NIGHT STALKER. Besides leading his own band, Melle was a painter and designed album covers for other jazz artists including Miles Davis & Sonny Rollins.

PEGGY RYAN-Oct.30-(80)-was an actress and dancer who was Donald O’Connor’s dancing partner in at least 12 movies in the 1940’s. She made her last movie in 1953 but seen frequently on the TV series HAWAII 5-0 from 1968-76 as Steve McGarrett’s secretary.

TERRY KNIGHT—Nov. 1-(61)-was the manager of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD in the 1970’s. He also produced their early hit albums. A dispute later led to the band dropping him. In the ‘60’s he lead the group “Terry And The Pack” (Leslie West was the guitar player). He was stabbed to death in Temple, Texas.

RUSTY ALLEN-Nov. 1-(60)-was the star of HG Lewis’ nudist film DAUGHTER OF THE SUN in 1962. She also starred in the 1965 exploitation movie THE SEXPERTS. She acted with Elvis in GIRL HAPPY and had a small role in the western BLACK SPURS.

MAE MADISON-Nov. 1-(89)-was an early talkies actress who made most of her film appearances in the 1930’s. They include several Busby Berkley musicals, SMART MONEY, THE MAD GENIUS with John Barrymore (and Boris Karloff), THE BIG STAMPEDE and SO BIG!.

ED KEMMER-Nov. 11 (may have died earlier)-(83)-was the star of the early sci-fi TV show SPACE PATROL (he starred in the radio version too). He starred in two favorite low budget ‘50’s sci-fi movies, Bert I. Gordon’s EARTH VS. THE SPIDER and Richard Cunha’s GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN. He also appeared in 7 soap operas and many TV programs. Serving in WW2, his plane was shot down on D-Day and he was interred in the POW camp that was the basis for the film THE GREAT ESCAPE (Kemmer did escape once but was recaptured). He was awarded several metal including two battle stars and a Purple Heart.