And More 2005

BOB DENVER-Sept. 2-(70)-was of course Gilligan , the dim witted second mate on GIILIGAN’S ISLAND and beatnik Maynard G. Kreds on DOBIE GILLIS. He co-starred in several other TV shows, DUSTY’S TRAIL, THE GOOD GUYS and THE FAR OUT SPACE NUTS. He reprised his “little buddy role” on Two “Gilligan” cartoons shows and 3 made for TV reunions (all the original cast participated except for Tina Louise). Other movies appearances include TAKE HER SHE’S MINE, WHO’S MINDING THE MINT?, DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELLING SALES WOMAN?, SCAMPS, HIGH SCHOOL USA and BACK TO THE BEACH. He had cancer.

HERBERT J. WRIGHT-Aug. 24-(59)-was a TV and movie writer/producer/director. He directed the movies SUPERTANKER, BIG COUNTRY, MARS AND BEYOND and episodes of the TV series WAR OF THE WORLDS. He worked on other TV series in various capacities including MCCLOUD, NIGHT GALLERY, HUNTER, SPACE RANGERS and STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION (he created “The Ferengi”).

RONN DAYTON-Aug. 27-(72)-was an actor who had roles in ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS, BIKINI BEACH, PYJAMA PARTY, BEACH BLANKET BINGO, HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI, DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE, THUNDER ALLEY and HELLES BELLES.

CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN-Sept. 11-(81)-legendary singer/guitarist whose 50 year career combined blues, jazz and country music. His hits included “Okie Dokey Stomp” and “Ain’t That Dandy”. He won a Grammy in 1982. He recorded albums with Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Riatt and Roy Clark but dissed most of his blues contemporaries like BB King and Albert Collins. Tragically, he died at his brother’s house because Hurricane Katrina had destroyed his.

ROBERT WISE-Sept. 15-(91)-Award winning director of CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE, THE BODY SNATCHER, BORN TO KILL, BLOOD ON THE MOON, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, I WANT TO LIVE!, WEST SIDE STORY, THE HAUNTING, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE SAND PEBBLES, THE ANDROMEDIA STRAIN, STAR TREK:THE MOTION PICTURE and many more. He also produced many of his movies. Before directing his first film he was an editor cutting many films including the 1939 version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, CITIZEN KANE and THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS. His last film was the musical ROOFTOPS in 1989. Originally from Indiana, he died in LA of heart failure.

SID LUFT-Sept. 16-(89)-was a producer/showman whose second wife was Judy Garland. He produced her “comeback film” A STAR IS BORN and their daughter is singer Lorna Luft (who later wrote a tell all book about her parents that became a TV movie). He had been previously married to actress Lynn Bari. His widow is Camille Keaton (star of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE).

JOHN BROMFIELD-Sept.19-(83)-Actor known to TV audiences in the late ‘50’s for two Westerns he starred in: SHERIFF OF COCHISE and US MARSHALL. He retired to in the early ‘60’s to become a commercial fisherman. Movies include SORRY WRONG NUMBER, RING OF FEAR, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, MAN-FISH, and CURUCU-BEAST OF THE AMAZON. He died of kidney failure.

MALCOM XERXES-Sept. 13-(40)-was an English born, Canada based TV stuntman (LA FEMME NIKITA, RELIC HUNTER) and sometime actor (WHEN THE BULLET HIT THE BONE, H20). A suicide.

CONSTANCE MOORE-Sept. 16-(85)-was an actress in films of the late ‘30’s & ‘40’s. She co-atarred with Buster Crabbe in BUCK ROGERS and was WC Fields’ daughter in YOU CAN’T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN. She also appeared in CHARLIE McCARTHY-DETECTIVE and THE 13TH LETTER. She retired after doing two early ‘60’s TV shows WINDOW ON MAIN STREET and THE YOUNG MARRIEDS.

WILLIE HUTCH-Sept. 21-(59)-was a singer/songwriter/record producer for Motown who wrote The Jackson 5 hits “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “I’ll Be There”. He also worked with The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Cause of death was not disclosed.

SADAMASA ARIKAWA-Sept. 23-(80)-created SFX for many Japanese Sci-Fi films including GODZILLA, THE MYSTERIANS, THE H-MAN, BARAN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE, THE HUMAN VAPOR, DAGORA, GHIDRAH-THE 3 HEADED MONSTER, KING KONG ESCAPES, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, YOG-MONSTER FROM SPACE, GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, RODAN, GORATH, ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE and many more. He also produced an ULTRAMAN show in the 1970’s.