2007

DENNY DOHERTY-was the other “papa” in the 1960’s folk rock group The Mamas & The Papas. He sang on all their biggest hits and was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also well known in Canada for the children’s show THEODORE TUGBOAT. He died Jan. 19th at age 66.

LARKIN FORD (aka WILL WEST)-was a character actor who was the last surviving member of the cast of jurors in the original TV production of 12 ANGRY MEN. He appeared in other TV shows and had a small role in Larry Cohen’s Q. He died Jan. 13th at age 87.

WALTER CHO TAT-WAH-was a legend in Hong Kong cinema. Besides being an assistant director Tat-Wah acted in over 400 movies! (his last was in 1996) He died Jan 13th in England at age 92.

RON CAREY-actor well known for his portrayal of the cocky, short police officer Levitt on TV’s BARNEY MILLER. from 1976-1982. Carey was also in the movies HIGH ANXIETY, THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART I (both by Mel Brooks), THE OUT OF TOWNERS, DYNAMITE CHICKEN, FATSO and others. He died Jan. 16th of a stroke at age 72.

CHARLES KNOX ROBINSON-was an actor/playwright who appeared in many TV shows and movies including THE SINGING NUN, THE SAND PEBBLES, A TIME TO SING, THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN and DEATH WISH 4:THE CRACKDOWN. He died July 22 at age 74.

BRIAN EATWELL-was a production designer who’s work included THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES and PHIBES RISES AGAIN, Nicolas Roeg’s WALKABOUT and THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, Richard Lester’s THE THREE and FOUR MUSKETEERS, THE ONION FIELD and THE LAST REMAKE OF BEAU GESTE (directed by Marty Feldman). He also acted in the 1983 movie AMERICAN DREAMERS. He died Jan. 20th at age 67.

THOMAS LOIZEAUX-was the cinematographer who shot john Waters’ notorious DESPERATE LIVING and later was second unit director on such Hollywood productions as SYRIANA, WEDDING CRASHERS, LADDER 49, GODS & GENERALS, SOMETHING THE LORD MADE and GUARDING TESS. He also filmed the recent “Yellow Book” commercial featuring David Carridine. He died Jan. 20th, age 61.

TUDOR GATES-was a playwright and TV & movie screenwriter. His TV work included episodes of THE AVENGERS, THE SAINT and THE SWEENEY. He co-wrote Roger Vadim’s BARBARELLA and the Hammer vampire film THE VAMPIRE LOVERS. He died Jan. 24th, age 76.

MARSHALL ROGERS-was a comic book artist best known for his work for DC drawing Batman in “Detective Comics” and The Sandman. At Marvel he drew The Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange. He left comics in the ‘90’s to work on video game designs but later return to do work for both companies. He died March 24th at age 57. Cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

HERMAN STEIN-was a composer who as a member of the Univeral Pictures Music staff contributed music to around 200 films but is best known for his scores to many of the most famous horror and science fiction films of the 1950’s. They include IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, THIS ISLAND EARTH, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, THE MOLE PEOPLE, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN and TARANTULA. In the 1930’s and ‘40’s he composed for Jazz orchestras including Count Basie. His other movies included CITY BENEATH THE SEA, ABBOTT & COSTELLO GO TO MARS, SIGN OF THE PAGAN,ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET THE KEYSTONE KOPS, MAN IN THE SHADOW and THE THING THAT WOULDN’T DIE. He also composed music for TV shows and commercials. He died March 15th at age 91.

ARNOLD SKAALAND-was a former professional wrestler who worked as a manager/promoter for The WWF for many years. Known as “The Golden Boy” in his grappling days Skaaland acted as manager to champion Bruno Sammartino during both his title reigns. He later served the same capacity for champion Bob Backlund which provided his most infamous moment when he “threw in the towel” as challenger The Iron Sheik had him in the “camel clutch”. With this action he ended Backlund long run as champion. Skaaland also served as referee for a memorable match in Japan between Fred Blassie and Rikidozan. For being a good Vince McMahon toady Skaaland was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994.

RICHARD JENI- was a stand-up comic, originally from Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, NY, who starred in the short lived sit-com PLATYPUS MAN. He appeared numerous times on “The Tonight Show” and had his own specials on ShowTime and HBO. His website has gone dark and the story is still developing. More information will be made available when we hear it. He committed suicide on March 10th.

BETTY HUTTON-was an actress and singer who starred in many popular Hollywood musicals including ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. In 1952 she walked out of her Paramount contract in a despute. She worked in nightclubs and on the stage and had a short lived TV show after that. In the 1970’s a reporter found her cooking and cleaning for a rectory in Rhode Island. She later made a comeback starring on Broadway in the musical ANNIE. .She died March 11 at age 86.

GARETH HUNT-was a British actor best known to American audiences for his for his roles in TV’s THE NEW AVENGERS (with Patrick Macnee & Joanna Lumley) and UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS. He was also in BLOODBATH AT THE HOUSE OF DEATH (with Vincent Price), FIERCE CREATURES and others. He died of cancer on at age 65 on March 14th.

ARNOLD DRAKE-was best known as a comic book writer who co-created DOOM PATROL and DEADMAN for DC comics. He created THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY at Marvel. Others comics he worked on included THE X-MEN, LITTLE LULU and one featuring Jerry Lewis! Some also created him with writing the first “graphic novel” “It Rhymes With Lust” in 1950. He also wrote the screenplays for the movies 50,000 BC, THE FLESH EATERS and WHO KILLED TEDDY BEAR?. He died March 12th at the age of 83.

BRAD DELP-was the lead singer for Boston who’s hits included “More Than A Feeling”, “Peace of Mind” and “Long Time”. He committed suicide on March *th at the age of 55.

ERNIE LADD-was a professional wrestler and former football player. Originally drafted by the now defunct AFL San Diego team out of Grambling College “The Big Cat” played with four NFL teams. When his knees failed him he turned to pro-wrestling. He wrested for the WWF, NWA and many independent promotions including the upstart IWA in the late ‘70’s. His interviews were priceless! He died at age 55 of colon cancer.

JOHN INMAN-was an actor best known to American audiences for playing the gender challenged “Mr.Humphries” on the BBC’s ARE YOU BEING SERVED?. He died of Hepatitis A on March 8th. He was 72.

ANDY SIDARIS-was a movie director best know for his nudity action movies like SAVAGE BEACH, FIT TO KILL and BULLETS BOMBS AND BABES. He also directed many episodes of ABC’s THE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS. In 1969 he won a Emmy for directing the 1969 Olympics. Working in TV, he directed episodes of KOJAK and THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES. He died March 7th of throat cancer. He was 76.

BAD NEWS ALLEN COAGE-was a former Olympic competitor, the first American to ever win a medal in judo (he won the Bronze) better known to pro wrestling fans as Bad News Allen and Bad News Brown. He also was the first wrestler to use the moniker “Ultimate Warrior”. He died suddenly on at age 63.

BOBBY ROSTENGARDEN-was a Jazz drummer who played with Duke Ellington, Igor Stravinsky, Arlo Guthrie and Dick Hyman. He was one of the original drummers on THE TONIGHT SHOW and later led the band on the short lived late night DICK CAVETT SHOW (where he once accompanied Jimi Hendrix). Rosengarden, originally from Illinois, died on Feb. 27th of kidney failure. He was 82. His son Neil is a composer and trumpet player.