Notable Showbiz Deaths of 2020
Dedicated to the memory of
DAVE MCNARY
November 5, 1951 – December 19, 2020
This is a list of those notable entertainment figures who passed away in 2020. They are in order of date of death, except for the first entry, which will be the highest-profile death to date. To see the most recent additions first, select "Date Added" in the Sort by drop-down box; to view the list in reverse chronological order, toggle the "Ascending/Descending order" button next to the drop-down box.
This is a list of those notable entertainment figures who passed away in 2020. They are in order of date of death, except for the first entry, which will be the highest-profile death to date. To see the most recent additions first, select "Date Added" in the Sort by drop-down box; to view the list in reverse chronological order, toggle the "Ascending/Descending order" button next to the drop-down box.
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- Actor
- Producer
- Director
The tall, handsome and muscular Scottish actor Sean Connery is best known as the original actor to portray James Bond in the hugely successful movie franchise, starring in seven films between 1962 and 1983. Some believed that such a career-defining role might leave him unable to escape it, but he proved the doubters wrong, becoming one of the most notable film actors of his generation, with a host of great movies to his name. This arguably culminated in his greatest acclaim in 1988, when Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as an Irish cop in The Untouchables (1987), stealing the thunder from the movie's principal star Kevin Costner. Connery was polled as "The Greatest Living Scot" and "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure". In 1989, he was proclaimed "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, and in 1999, at age 69, he was proclaimed "Sexiest Man of the Century."
Thomas "Sean" Connery was born on August 25, 1930 in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. His mother, Euphemia Maclean, was a cleaning lady, and his father, Joseph Connery, was a factory worker and truck driver. He also had a, Neil Connery, a plasterer in Edinburgh, who was eight years younger. Before going into acting, Sean had many different jobs, such as a milkman, lorry driver, a laborer, artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, coffin polisher and bodybuilder. He also joined the Royal Navy, but was later discharged because of medical problems. At the age of 23, he had a choice between becoming a professional soccer player or an actor, and even though he showed much promise in the sport, he chose acting and said it was one of his more intelligent decisions.
No Road Back (1957) was Sean's first major movie role, and it was followed by several made-for-TV movies such as Anna Christie (1957), Macbeth (1961) and Anna Karenina (1961) as well as guest appearances on TV series, and also films such as Hell Drivers (1957), Another Time, Another Place (1958), Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959) and The Frightened City (1961). In 1962 he appeared in The Longest Day (1962) with a host of other stars.
His big breakthrough came in 1962 when he landed the role of secret agent James Bond in Dr. No (1962). He played James Bond in six more films: From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
After and during the success of the Bond films, he maintained a successful career as an actor and has appeared in films, including Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Wind and the Lion (1975), Time Bandits (1981), Highlander (1986), The Name of the Rose (1986), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Rising Sun (1993), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
Sean married actress Diane Cilento in 1962 and they had Sean's only child, Jason Connery, born on January 11, 1963. The couple announced their separation in February 1971 and filed for divorce 2½ years later. Sean then dated Jill St. John, Lana Wood, Magda Konopka and Carole Mallory. In 1975 he married Micheline Roquebrune and they stayed married, despite Sean's well-documented love affair with Lynsey de Paul in the late '80s. Sean had three stepchildren through his marriage to Micheline, who was one year his senior. He is also a grandfather. His son, Jason and Jason's ex-wife, actress Mia Sara had a son, Dashiell Connery, in 1997.
Sean Connery died at the age of 90 on October 31, 2020, in Nassau, the Bahamas, where he resided for many years.August 25, 1930 – October 31, 2020
Scottish actor - James Bond (1962-1967, 1971, 1983), 'Marnie' (1964), 'The Man Who Would Be King' (1975), 'The Untouchables' (1987), 'The Rock' (1996)
The first actor to play James Bond in film, assuming the role in six official films - 'Dr. No' (1962), 'From Russia with Love' (1963), 'Goldfinger' (1964), 'Thunderball' (1965), 'You Only Live Twice' (1967) and 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) - and finally in 1983's 'Never Say Never Again' (1983)
Academy Award winner - Best Actor in a Supporting Role, 1987 ('The Untouchables')
American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, 2006
BAFTA Film Award winner - Best Actor, 1987 ('The Name of the Rose')
BAFTA Film Award nominee - Best Actor in a Supporting Role, 1987 ('The Untouchables') and 1989 ('Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'); Best Actor, 1990 ('The Hunt for Red October')
BAFTA Academy Fellowship recipient, 1998
David di Donatello Special Award recipient, 1977 (For his contributions as actor)
German Film Award winner - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, 1986 ('The Name of the Rose')
Golden Globe winner - Henrietta Award for Male World Film Favorite, 1972; Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, 1988 ('The Untouchables') and 1990 ('Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade')
Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient, 1996
Kennedy Center Honors recipient, 1999
Tony Award winner - Best Play, 1998 ('Art')
Appointed Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, 1987
Appointed title of Knight Bachelor, 2000- Actress
- Soundtrack
Veronika Fitz was born on 28 March 1936 in Dießen am Ammersee, Germany. She was an actress, known for Die Hausmeisterin (1987), Königlich Bayerisches Amtsgericht (1969) and Im Tal des Schweigens (2004). She was married to Willy Anders. She died on 2 January 2020 in Bad Aibling, Bavaria, Germany.March 28, 1936 – January 2, 2020
German actress - 'The Spessart Inn' (1958), 'Die Hausmeisterin' (1987-92), 'Forsthaus Falkenau' (2007-13)
Adolf-Grimme-Preis winner - Series/Miniseries, 1990 ('Die Hausmeisterin')- Writer
- Soundtrack
Shozo Uehara was born on 6 February 1937 in Okinawa-ken, Okinawa, Japan. He was a writer, known for Return of Ultraman (1971), Secret Squadron Gorenger (1975) and Zaido: The Space Sheriff (2007). He died on 2 January 2020 in Japan.February 6, 1937 – January 2, 2020
Japanese TV scriptwriter - 'Ultra Series' (1966-98), 'UFO Robot Grendizer' (1975-77), 'Kamen Rider Black' (1987–88)- Actor
- Soundtrack
British light leading man, on stage from 1951 and in films from 1953. Having initially aspired to be a dancer, Beeny joined the Ballet Rambert company in London at the age of eight but later switched to acting and eventually graduated from RADA in 1959. By then he had already achieved a measure of popularity on TV as a 12-year old juvenile in the original British soap opera The Grove Family (1954). He ultimately became best known as the smart-alecky footman and chauffeur Edward in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971). During a seven year hiatus from acting between 1963 and 1970, Beeny worked in the building industry. He resumed his career on the small screen in Softly Softly: Task Force (1969) and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971). He then replaced Reg Varney as the foreman Tony in the relaunch of The Rag Trade (1975), played a birdbrained undertaker in the funeral sitcom In Loving Memory (1969) and was latterly seen as an inept debt collector in Last of the Summer Wine (1973). His appearances on the big screen have been infrequent. His second wife was the singer Diana Kirkwood.July 7, 1941 – January 3, 2020
English actor - 'In Loving Memory' (1969-86), 'Upstairs, Downstairs' (1971-75), 'Last of the Summer Wines' (2001-10)- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
The youngest of five children, Robert Clinton Blanche was born to Mary Edith Blanche (Heavner) and Richard Keith Blanche on March 30, 1962 in Pomona, California, but spent most of his life in Oregon. He joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild) in 1995 and served as Portland SAG Branch President for many years pre-merger and Portland SAG-AFTRA Local President from 2017-19. In addition to his work locally, he served as Vice Chair of the National SAG Indie Committee from 2007-08. Since 1996, he served as member or alternate of the TV/Theatrical, Low Budget and Agency committees.March 30, 1962 – January 3, 2020
American actor - 'What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?' (2004), 'Leverage' (2009-11), 'Grimm' (2012-17)- Director
- Script and Continuity Department
- Writer
Élisabeth Rappeneau was born on 19 January 1940 in Auxerre, Yonne, France. She was a director and writer, known for Fréquence meurtre (1988), J'ai peur d'oublier (2011) and Le sauvage (1975). She died on 2 January 2020 in Paris, France.d. January 3, 2020
French script supervisor (1962's 'Le Doulos'), screenwriter (1975's 'Le Sauvage' a.k.a. 'Lovers Like Us') and director (1988's 'Frequent Death')- Károly Gesztesi was born on 16 April 1963 in Budapest, Hungary. He was an actor, known for A titkos hely (2003), Valami Amerika (2002) and Hungarian Vagabond (2004). He was married to Claudia Liptai, Zsuzsa Csarnóy and Nikoletta Karel. He died on 4 January 2020 in Budapest, Hungary.April 16, 1963 – January 4, 2020
Hungarian actor - ''The District!' (2004), 'Just Sex and Nothing Else' (2005), 'Children of Glory' (2006) - Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jerome Guardino was born on 27 August 1923 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Columbo (1971), Dream No Evil (1970) and Car 54, Where Are You? (1961). He was married to Marguerite R. and Fran Malis. He died on 4 January 2020.August 27, 1923 – January 4, 2020
American actor - 'Octaman' (1971), 'Garden of the Dead' (1972), 'Dead Men Don't Die' (1990)- He was born in the USA while his Australian parents were in Boston at the time. He has two sisters and a brother and his father is a doctor for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He was raised on a farm near (Benalla, North East Victoria) He left school early and moved to Queensland, shearing sheep and breaking horses, before heading overseas. He applied to National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) graduating in 1996. His theatre work includes the plays The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the Bell Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest.
He has a son, Ariel, (1989), from a relationship with actress Rachael Maza.August 3, 1968 – January 4, 2020
American-born Australian actor - 'SeaChange' (1998-2000), 'The Dish' (2000), 'The Book of Revelation' (2006)
Australian Film Institute Award nominee - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Series, 1998 ('SeaChange'); Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama, 2002 ('Heroes' Mountain'); Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama, 2002 ('Young Lions') - Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Actor
- Producer
Starting in the film industry as a child actor, Whorf first appeared in the film On Our Merry Way (1948) in 1946 with an all-star cast including Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Paulette Goddard, Fred MacMurray and Burgess Meredith. Summer Stock in New England at Marblehead, Ma. and Westport, Ct. punctuated his summers while attending Stanford University where he majored in Theatre Arts and Fine Arts. In 1953 Mr. Whorf was an apprentice at the Country Playhouse, Marblehead, Massachusetts. This was followed a few years later with a season at the Westport Country Playhouse. A theatre his father had played many years earlier. After a tour in the Army, he returned to film making, appearing in over fifty television shows and six feature films including a feature role in PT 109 (1963), the story of John Kennedy's experience in the South Pacific during the Second World War. In 1961 he appeared with his father, Richard Whorf, in a pre-Broadway show "One for the Dame". At this time, it was only the second time in recent Broadway history that father and son played father and son on stage. The show "closed out of town" due to financial problems after playing Ford's Theatre in Baltimore and at the Copley Theatre in Boston. In 1964 he wrote, produced and directed a short subject "Another Way Home" which received "Honorable Mention" at the Cork Ireland Film Festival. Mr. Whorf spent two seasons in repertory theatre at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado. Of the sixteen plays in which he appeared, he received accolades for "Dark at the Top of the Stairs", "Five Finger Exercise" and "Little Mary Sunshine". In 1958 he became a member of the Director's Guild of America. As a first assistant director with director Larry Peerce, Mr Whorf worked on the Emmy Award winning mini-series "Woman Named Jackie, A" (1991)(mini)_ filmed entirely in the Richmond Virginia area. Other credits include the wacky "Caddyshack" and as Unit Manager on The Right Stuff (1983). Mr. Whorf continues to work actively in the film industry in a multitude of capacities from Director to Unit Manager and Assistant Director. He has written three feature scripts; "Deadly Intent" has been optioned by a production company. In 1980, Mr. Whorf recognized the impact computers were to have on the film industry. He formed a software company with Rob Alger, Alnitak Computing Company, and created the first film production software package, "AD/80".July 24, 1934 – January 4, 2020
American actor ('PT 109'), director ('Spenser: For Hire'), producer ('The Brady Bunch'), production manager ('The Right Stuff') and assistant director for TV ('Batman') and film ('Caddyshack')- Additional Crew
Gerry Lewis was born in April 1928 in Battersea, London, England, UK. Gerry was married to Sheridan Lewis. Gerry died on 5 January 2020 in London, England, UK.April 1928 – January 5, 2020
British marketing executive and publicist - 'Alfie' (1966), 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968), 'The Godfather' (1972), 'Jaws' (1975), 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982), 'Schindler's List' (1993)- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Harry Hains was born on 4 December 1992 in Melbourne, Australia. He was an actor and producer, known for Lulu (2018), Groupies (2018) and American Horror Story (2011). He died on 7 January 2020 in Los Angeles, California, USA.December 4, 1992 – January 7, 2020
Australian model and actor - 'American Horror Story' (2015), 'The Surface' (2015), 'Chase' (2019)- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Silvio Horta was born on 14 August 1974 in Miami, Florida, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Ugly Betty (2006), Urban Legend (1998) and The Chronicle (2001). He died on 7 January 2020 in Miami, Florida, USA.August 14, 1974 – January 7, 2020
American writer (1998's 'Urban Legend'), producer and TV series creator ('Jake 2.0,' 2003-04; 'Ugly Betty,' 2006-10)
Emmy nominee - Outstanding Comedy Series, 2007 ('Ugly Betty')- Actor
- Composer
- Writer
Neil Peart was one of the most universally respected rock drummers, and was best known for his nearly superhuman, pyrotechnic drum playing, and for providing intellectual lyrics for his band's songs. Neil served as both drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush since 1974, joining bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. (Rush's lineup remained unchanged since Neil's arrival in 1974.) Rush is the most successful Canadian music group in history, and is the third most prolific seller of consecutive (American) Gold and Platinum Records and videos, behind only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Beginning on August 10, 1997, immediately following Rush's "Test For Echo" tour, Neil endured concurrent, seemingly unendurable tragedies when his daughter (and only child) died in a car accident, and then his wife died from cancer 10 months later. This put Rush on indefinite hiatus for the first time, and prompted Neil to write "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road", his second book. In September 2000, Neil married Los Angeles photographer Carrie Nuttall. They had a daughter, Oliva, in 2009.
Neil rejoined Rush in the studio for 2002's "Vapor Trails," their 17th studio album, which was met with high praise and considered a stellar "comeback" both for Peart and the band. A highly successful 2002 tour brought about the band's long-awaited return to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tour ended with Rush's first-ever shows in Brazil, where they played to 125,000 fans in three nights. The final performance of the 2002 tour was captured on DVD as Rush in Rio (2003), which was certified double-platinum within weeks of its release.
After the Vapor Trails album and tour, Neil's writing became more personal. His subsequent live performances, including his trademark percussion solos which showcased his superlative adroitness as a drummer, were regarded as his best to date. His final tour with Rush was 2015's R40 tour, which marked forty years since Neil joined the band. At the end of the tour, Neil announced he was retiring due to arthritis and tendinitis.
Not long after his retirement, Neil was diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought it privately for three and a half years, keeping it secret until he passed from it on January 7, 2020.September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020
Drummer and lyricist - Rush (1974-2018)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 2013- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Derek Bailey was born on 18 June 1934 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. He was a director and producer, known for Dancer (1985), Ballerina (1987) and The South Bank Show (1978). He was married to Gill Cormode and Patricia Hall. He died on 10 December 2019 in London, England, UK.June 18, 1934 – January 8, 2020
Irish producer/director - 'Aquarius' (1973-77), 'The South Bank Show' (1978-87), 'The Mysteries' (1985-86)
BAFTA Award nominee - Best Specialised Programme, 1977 ('Aquarius')
Emmy Award nominee - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cultural Programming, 1994 ('Great Performances: Dance in America' - "Billboards")- Actor
- Soundtrack
Edd Byrnes was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger on July 30, 1932 in New York City, the son of Mary (Byrne) and Augustus "Gus" Breitenberger. Edd shared an impoverished and unhappy childhood with brother Vincent and sister Jo-Ann. Their mother worked hard at various jobs to keep the family together because her alcoholic husband was often absent from the scene.
When Edd was fifteen, his father was found dead in a basement. Edd then dropped his surname (Breitenberger) in favor of "Byrnes", based on the name of his maternal grandfather, Edward Byrne, a New York City fireman. He found escape from family problems at the movies and at the gym, where he developed an athletic body. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free "physique" photos of him. According to his 1996 autobiography, "Kookie No More", this led to a few years of "hustling" older, well-to-do men, despite the fact that Edd was heterosexual. One of these men acted as Edd's mentor, introducing him to fashion and culture and encouraging his hopes for an acting career.
After doing some summer-stock work and a few bit parts on TV, Edd drove to California in 1955, arriving in Los Angeles on the day James Dean died in a car crash. He managed to get a few minor parts in films and then won a role in a new TV series, 77 Sunset Strip (1958), which premiered in September 1958. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and Roger Smith starred as private eyes but Edd, playing a hip-talking parking-lot attendant named "Kookie", won the most attention. Viewers quoted his dialog, ("Baby, you're the ginchiest!"), and young males imitated the way he wielded his ever-present comb. His fan mail soon reached an astonishing 15,000 letters a week and his single with Connie Stevens, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", became a top-5 hit. Edd chafed, however, at the restrictions in his Warner Brothers contract, which forced him to turn down roles in Ocean's Eleven (1960), North to Alaska (1960) and Rio Bravo (1959).
He walked off the "77 Sunset Strip" set and in the ensuing months began to drink heavily and visit a psychiatrist, who administered drugs to him. His contract dispute was eventually settled, though not much to his advantage, and when he returned to "77 Sunset Strip" his role was upgraded from "sidekick" to "partner" and he wore a suit and tie. Audience reaction was not good, ratings dropped, and the show was canceled. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in PT 109 (1963) because President John F. Kennedy didn't want to be played by "Kookie". A few more movies and TV appearances followed, but his career had passed its peak before he turned 30.
In 1962, he married long-time girlfriend Asa Maynor. Their son, Logan, was born on September 13, 1965. Edd and Asa's marriage ended in divorce in 1971, partially due to his substance abuse. In 1982, he succeeded in going "clean and sober" but never remarried. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020, aged 87, in Santa Monica, California.July 30, 1933 – January 8, 2020
American actor - '77 Sunset Strip' (1958-63), 'Yellowstone Kelly' (1959), 'Grease' (1978)- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Prolific, multi-talented comedy writer, story editor, actor and director. His father was an Air Force general (Paul Steinberg Zuckerman) turned stockbroker and his mother was silent screen star Ruth Taylor, formerly a member of Mack Sennett's bathing beauties. Buck Henry's first fling with comedy was as a contributor to the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern magazine (known as 'Jacko') while he was still at college. His fellow writers there included such luminaries as Dr. Seuss, novelist Budd Schulberg and the playwright Frank D. Gilroy. Henry attended Harvard Military Academy for a short time before developing an interest in acting which led to a few small roles on Broadway. His budding career was interrupted by military service during the Korean War. In 1961, Henry joined a small improvisational off-Broadway theatre troupe called The Premise for a year before moving to Hollywood. He was to find his greatest popularity in the 60s as one of the principal hosts of Saturday Night Live (1975), writer for The Garry Moore Show (1958) and co-creator/writer (with Mel Brooks) of Get Smart (1965), for which he won an Emmy in 1967. Prior to that, he had already achieved a certain amount of notoriety as co-perpetrator (with Alan Abel) of a hoax which had Henry masquerading as G. Clifford Prout, Jr., president of the bogus Society for Indecency to Naked Animals, making public appearances on network television and other media, demanding that all zoos and wildlife parks be closed until all animals were "properly dressed". At one time he tried to put huge boxer shorts on a baby elephant at San Francisco Zoo. The hoax was eventually exposed after Henry was spotted as an actor by a fellow CBS employee during a Walter Cronkite interview.
One of a new wave of satirists (others including Woody Allen and Alan Arkin) Henry brought an edgier, smarter, more anarchic and at times abrasive style to his writing. Some of his quotable one-liners (in particular for Get Smart) are - and will continue to be - idiomatic. While he was original, clever and invariably funny, not all of Henry's endeavours panned out. Two of his TV parodies proved to be conspicuous failures: Captain Nice (1967) (a send-up of Batman) and Quark (1977) (a Star Trek parody about interstellar garbage collectors). On the plus side, Henry was Oscar-nominated twice: the first time for his screenplay of The Graduate (1967), the second for co-directing (with star Warren Beatty ) the re-make of Heaven Can Wait (1978). Following The Graduate, a New York Times reviewer described him as a cross between Jack Lemmon and Wally Cox , "a terrifying practical joker and a compulsive reader of 200 periodicals a month". He was much in demand as a guest on talk shows (including Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Dick Cavett) and appeared as a self-deprecating actor in most of the films he wrote: as a hotel desk clerk in The Graduate, the cynical Colonel Korn in Catch-22 (1970), a lunatic in Candy (1968), a priest and a TV anchorman in First Family (1980), and so on. In Milos Forman's Taking Off (1971) he also had a rare co-starring role as a father looking for his runaway daughter. Buck Henry passed away at the age of 89 in Los Angeles on January 8 2020.December 9, 1930 – January 8, 2020
American writer (1967's 'The Graduate'), actor (1976's 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'), comedian ('Saturday Night Live,' 1976-80), director (1978's 'Heaven Can Wait') and TV series creator ('Get Smart')
Oscar nominee - Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, 1968 ('The Graduate'); Best Director, 1979 ('Heaven Can Wait')
Emmy winner - Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, 1967 ('Get Smart')
Emmy nominee - Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment, 1965 ('That Was the Week That Was'); Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, 1966 ('Get Smart')
BAFTA winner - Best Screenplay, 1969 ('The Graduate')- Writer
- Music Department
- Composer
Lan O'Kun was born on 13 January 1932 in Manhattan, New York, USA. He was a writer and composer, known for Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992), Insight (1960) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). He was married to Barbara Hurwitz. He died on 9 January 2020 in Malibu, California, USA.January 13, 1932 – January 9, 2020
American TV writer and producer - 'Insight' (1970-82), 'The Love Boat' (1978-86), 'Lamb Chop's Play-Along' (1993-97)
Daytime Emmy Award winner - Outstanding Achievement in Religious Programming, 1983 ('Insight'); Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series, 1993 ('Lamb Chop's Play-Along')
Daytime Emmy Award nominee - Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series, 1994, 1995 and 1996 ('Lamb Chop's Play-Along')- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ivan Passer was one of the key authors of the "new wave" of Czech cinema, a group of young people who forged an energetic and transgressive film movement in the 1960s, breaking away from the precepts of hard socialist realism. Passer was not only the author of the scenarios of his own films, but he also worked on the scripts of the first four motion pictures made by his countryman, friend and colleague Milos Forman: "Konkurs" (1963), "Black Petr" ( 1964), "Loves of a Blonde" (1965) and "The Firemen's Ball" (1967).
Passer was born in Prague, the son of Marianna (Mandelíková) and Alois Passer. He was the grandson of a silent movie screenwriter. Ivan's parents were persecuted by the Nazis for their Jewish heritage. Ivan was a rebel boy, sent to a boarding school where he became friends with Milos. Together they went to study cinema at the FAMU film school in Prague, but young Ivan was eventually expelled from the academy. By then he had acquired skills in movie-making, some experience and had key friends, such as cinematographer Miroslav Ondricek. With Forman and other friends, they made their first movies.
In 1965 Passer made a remarkable first feature, the beautiful "Intimate Lighting", a film of impressionist inspiration that immediately established his name as a promising new director. But the social pressures and political unrest in Czechoslovakia, which culminated in 1968 with the Soviet invasion, led him into exile the following year. However, in the United States he did not achieve the notoriety of Forman, who received the best proposals, while he rejected offers that did not convince him: for example, he refused to make "Yentl" for a number of reasons, including his conviction that Barbra Streisand was too old and famous for the role, in opposition to other key performers as Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving. Likewise, he refused to make films with elements of violence, which he always opposed. During World War II he had been directly exposed to violence, and he believed that it was dangerous to represent it in films: violence, he said, affects "some people who are not able to realize the difference between reality and fantasy."
However, he made some worthy movies, such as his American debut "Born to Win" (1971), a complex portrait of a heroin-addict hairdresser; his satire on civil surveillance, "Law and Disorder" (1974); the comedy about money-laundering bankers "Silver Bears" (1977), and the cult film "Cutter's Way" (1981), in which a war veteran investigates a crime, despite he only has one eye, one arm and one leg. For television he directed the biopic "Stalin" in 1992.
Passer taught film at the University of Southern California, and lectured students in foreign film academies. He died in Reno, Nevada, on January 9, 2020.July 10, 1933 – January 9, 2020
Czech screenwriter (1965's 'Loves of a Blonde') and director (1965's 'Intimate Lighting'; 1981's 'Cutter's Way')
National Society of Film Critics Award winner - Special Award, 1970 ('Intimate Lighting'); Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award, 1972
Daytime Emmy nominee - Outstanding Directing in a Children's Special, 2001 ('The Wishing Tree')
Recipient of Czech Lion Artistic Achievement Award, 2007- Brice Armstrong was a small-time Texas actor who grew up in the city of Dallas. He didn't get his big breakthrough until he became a voice actor for Funimation when they first started on their own English version for Dragon Ball Z & Dragon Ball. For one decade Brice has provided voice work for several Funimation anime and most of the Dragon Ball video games. He became best known to anime fans as the English voice of Captain Ginyu & Tim Marcoh. Which were the most popular characters he had voiced throughout his career. Sometime in 2009, Brice retired from acting.January 3, 1936 – January 10, 2020
American voice actor - 'Dragon Ball Z' (1999-2005), 'Dragon Ball' (2001-03), 'Fullmetal Alchemist' (2005-06) - Neda Arneric was born on 15 July 1953 in Knjazevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Stand Up Straight, Delfina (1977), Aloa: Festivity of the Whores (1988) and Shaft in Africa (1973). She was married to Milorad Mesterovic, Dejan Karaklajic and Rade Markovic. She died on 10 January 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia.July 15, 1953 – January 10, 2020
Serbian actress - 'Shaft in Africa' (1973), 'Who's Singin' Over There?' (1980), 'Wheels' (1998) - Producer
- Director
- Editor
Alex Beaton was born in Westchester, NY. By the age of 30 he was in L.A. and working in the film industry. He worked his way up to become a successful producer/director for T.V. shows, including "Kung Fu" and "The Greatest American Hero" from 1973-2003. He is now retired and enjoys spending time with family.May 18, 1933 – January 10, 2020
American television producer - 'Kung Fu' (1972-75), 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' (1976-78), 'Wiseguy' (1987-90)
Primetime Emmy Award nominee - Outstanding Drama Series, 1989 ('Wiseguy')- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Michael Greene was born on 4 November 1933 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), *batteries not included (1987) and Lord of the Flies (1990). He was married to Patricia Donovan. He died on 10 January 2020 in Haiku, Hawaii, USA.November 4, 1933 - January 10, 2020
American actor - 'Lost in America' (1985), 'To Live and Die in L.A.' (1985), 'Less Than Zero' (1987), 'Moon over Parador' (1988), 'Lord of the Flies' (1990)- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ángel Goded was born on 19 October 1947 in Mexico. He was a cinematographer, known for Frida (1983), Love Lies (1989) and El tres de copas (1986). He died on 11 January 2020 in Mexico.d. January 11, 2020
Mexican cinematographer - 'Frida Still Life' (1983), 'Los Motivos de Luz' (1985), 'The Realm of Fortune' (1986)
Ariel Award winner - Best Cinematography, 1985 ('Frida Still Life') and 1989 ('Love Lies')
Ariel Award nominee - Best Cinematography, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Casting Director
Stan Kirsch was an American actor and acting coach from New York City. He appeared in television commercials as a child. His most notable acting role was that of young immortal Richie Ryan in the fantasy television series "Highlander: The Series" (1992-1998). His character was introduced as a student and surrogate son for the protagonist Duncan MacLeod (played by Adrian Paul). Richie remained as one of the series' main characters until his death in the finale of the 5th season. Kirsch also depicted an alternate-reality version of Richie in the two-part finale of the 6th season.
In 1972, he appeared in television commercials for Campbell's soup. He would continue to appear in commercials during his early career. He decided to pursue an acting career. His earliest credited role in television was a guest star role in the short-lived western series "Riders in the Sky" (1991). In 1992, Kirsch made a few appearances in the soap opera "General Hospital" (1992-).
Kirsch had his first recurring role as Richie Ryan "Highlander: The Series" . Richie was initially depicted as an orphaned thief, who became a surrogate son for the centuries-old immortal Duncan MacLeod. He was a wisecracking teenager, who felt bewildered when surrounded by immortals with lifelong obsessions and hidden agendas. By the 2nd season, Richie realized that he was also immortal. He started becoming a more cynical character, with lethal conflicts of his own. He also displayed a ruthless streak. The screenwriters eventually decided to write him out. In his final regular episode, the demon Ahriman manipulates Duncan into killing Richie. The event shatters Duncan's self-confidence. Richie's episode turned out to be one the most controversial episodes in the series, as Richie was a fan-favorite character.
In 1995, Kirsch had a memorable guest-star role in the sitcom "Friends" (1994-2004). He played Ethan, the new boyfriend of regular character Monica Geller (played by Courteney Cox). Monica has been told that Ethan is a college student, and she is initially thrilled to date a younger man. Until Ethan confesses that he is a high school student and still underage. Monica breaks up with him in disgust.
Kirsch played two different roles in the legal drama television series "JAG" (1995-2005). He first appeared as a young ensign in 1996, and then as a lieutenant in 2001. He appeared frequently as a guest in other series of this period, such as "Love Boat: The Next Wave" and "Family Law".
Kirsch had a rare role in a theatrical film, when playing deputy sheriff Stuart Dempsey in the horror film "Shallow Ground" (2004). In the film, local police officers arrest an adolescent boy who is covered in blood. The boy becomes the main suspects in several unsolved disappearances in the area. The boy somehow has access to the memories of the dead, and Stuart and several other characters are revealed to have skeletons in their closet. The film debuted at the "Dead by Dawn Edinburgh Horror Film Festival".
Kirsch's acting roles became fewer in the late 2000s, but he had a change in his career path. In 2008, he founded the acting studio "Stan Kirsch Studios.". He primarily worked as an acting coach for the rest of his life. He reportedly had many students, and he was regarded as very good at his job.
Kirsch committed suicide by hanging on January 11, 2020, at the age of 51. The causes for his suicide were unknown. He was survived by his wife and business partner Kristyn Green. The official "Highlander" Facebook page posted an obituary for him, and the press reported grieving reactions by Kirsch's former students. Despite a rather brief career, Kirsch is fondly remembered for his acting roles.July 15, 1968 – January 11, 2020
American actor ('Highlander: The Series' from (1992-1998; 'Friends' in 1995) and acting coach ('Grimm' from 2011-2013)