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1-22 of 22
- Born Alexander Viespi, Jr. in Floral Park, New York in 1933, handsome, often mustachioed Alex Cord was stricken with polio at the age of 12. Confined to a hospital and iron lung for a long time, he overcame the illness after being sent to a Wyoming ranch for therapy. He soon regained his dream and determination of becoming a jockey or professional horseman.
A high school dropout at the age of sixteen, he grew up to be too tall to be a jockey so he joined the rodeo circuit and earned a living riding bulls and bareback horses. During another extended hospital stay, this time suffering major injuries after being thrown by a bull at a rodeo in New York City's Madison Square Garden, he reevaluated his life's direction and decided to finish his high school education by way of night school. A voracious reader during his long convalescence, he later studied and received his degree in literature at New York University.
Prodded by an interest in acting, Alex received dramatic training at the Actors Studio and began his professional career in summer stock (The Compass Players in St. Louis, Missouri) and at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut where he played "Laertes" in a production of "Hamlet". A British producer saw his promise and invited him to London where he co-starred in four plays ("Play With a Tiger", "The Rose Tattoo", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Umbrella"). He was nominated for the "Best Actor Award" by the London Critics' Circle for the first-mentioned play.
He sought a Hollywood "in" and found one via his equestrian skills in the early 1960s. Steady work came to him on such established western TV series as Laramie (1959) and Branded (1965) and that extended itself into acting roles on crime action series (Route 66 (1960) and Naked City (1958)). Gaining a foothold in feature films within a relatively short time, he starred or co-starred in more than 30 feature films, including Get Off My Back (1965), Stagecoach (1966), Stiletto (1969) and The Brotherhood (1968).
After his film career declined in the late 1970s he turned to action adventure overseas with the "spaghetti western" A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die (1967) [A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die] and the British war drama The Last Grenade (1970) with Stanley Baker and Richard Attenborough. Around that time as well, he played the murderer opposite Sam Jaffe's old man in Edgar Allan Poe's dramatic short, The Tell-Tale Heart (1971). It was TV, however, that provided more career stability. Cord has more than 300 credits, including roles in Hotel (1983), Fantasy Island (1977), Simon & Simon (1981), Jake and the Fatman (1987), Mission: Impossible (1966), Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) and Murder, She Wrote (1984). He situated himself in a number of series, notably Airwolf (1984), in which he co-starred with Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine as the mysterious white-suited, eye-patched, cane-using "Michael Archangel".
Later commercial interest was drawn from his title role in Grayeagle (1977), a remake of the John Wayne film, The Searchers (1956), in which he played the Indian kidnapper of Ben Johnson's daughter. Lana Wood, sister of star Natalie Wood (who appeared in the original), also co-starred in this film. Alex can still be seen from time to time in low-budget films and the occasional television appearance, but other interests took up his time. His last film role was in the dismissible thriller Fire from Below (2009) in support of Kevin Sorbo.
Alex's love for horses extended itself into work for numerous charities and benefits. He was a regular competitor in the Ben Johnson Pro-Celebrity Rodeos that raised money for children's charities, and he is one of the founders of the Chukkers for Charity Celebrity Polo Team which has raised more than $3 million for worthy causes. He chairs "Ahead with Horses", an organization that provides therapeutic riding programs for the physically and emotionally challenged. Alex also turned to writing, thus far publishing several novels including A Feather in the Rain (2005), Days of the Harbinger (2013), The Man Who Would Be God (2014 and High Moon (2016). He has also sold three screenplays.
The actor's three marriages all ended in divorce. His second wife was British-born actress Joanna Pettet and third, Susannah, was a horse trainer. He had three children -- Toni Aluisa, Wayne and Damien Zachary. His son by Pettet, Damien, died tragically in 1995 of a heroin overdose at the age of 26. - Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Patricia Alma Hitchcock was the only child of Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville. Her upbringing was 'English' and strict. Two years of boarding school from the age of eight was followed by relocation to the U.S. a year later when Hitch was contracted by David O. Selznick to direct Rebecca (1940). Keen to join the acting fraternity, Pat appeared on stage by the early 40s. In 1944, she played the titular role in the short-lived Broadway play Violet at the Belasco Theater. Though she would have liked to go on to a college education, her father instead packed her off to London when she was 18 to study at RADA (among her classmates were Lionel Jeffries and Dorothy Tutin). She made several appearances on the London stage, followed by an inauspicious screen debut in 1949. In 1950, she had a small role in her father's thriller Stage Fright (1950) (as 'Chubby Bannister') which set the tone for her future roles, usually as the dowdy friend or sister of the heroine (Strangers on a Train (1951), Psycho (1960)). She was also featured in ten episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955), whenever (in her own words) "they needed a maid with an English accent". In a 1984 Washington Post interview she bemoaned the fact that her father had not believed in nepotism, so that more work would have come her way. In 1951, Pat got married and -- barely a decade later -- decided to forsake show business to raise a family. Her father did not object. In 2003, Pat published a book of reminiscences and anecdotes (co-authored by film writer Laurent Bouzereau), entitled Alma Hitchcock: the Woman Behind the Man, asserting that "My mother had much more to do with the films than she has ever been given credit for - he depended on her for everything, absolutely everything".- Actor
- Soundtrack
One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1975). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.- Transportation Department
- Additional Crew
Debi Jonatanson is known for The Lighthouse (2019), Polaroid (2019) and Cloudburst (2011). She died on 9 August 2021 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.- Patrick J. Waggaman was born on 5 December 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Pastor Jim and Mary Sue Colerick: Rappin' for Jesus (2013). He died on 9 August 2021 in El Paso, Texas, USA.
- Bob Jenkins was born on 4 September 1947 in Richmond, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), ESPN Speedworld (1979) and Kart Racer (2003). He was married to Pamela Benton. He died on 9 August 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
- Don Barshay was born on 30 June 1941 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for The Return of Ironside (1993) and McLean and Company (1970). He died on 9 August 2021 in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
- Art Department
Wendell A. Bud Hill II was born on 28 June 1962 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He is known for Natural Born Killers (1994), Mississippi Burning (1988) and Casino (1995). He died on 9 August 2021 in Texas, USA.- Walter Yetnikoff was born on 11 August 1933 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer, known for Ruthless People (1986), Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016) and Bad 25 (2012). He was married to Lynda Kady, June May Horowitz and Cynthia Slamar. He died on 9 August 2021 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
- Tatyana Zhukova-Kirtbaya was born on 24 October 1939 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She was an actress, known for Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980), Metro (2013) and Chernobyl: Zone of Exclusion (2014). She was married to Stas Savich and Igor Kirtbaya. She died on 9 August 2021 in Moscow, Russia.
- Joey Ambrose was the saxophone player for Bill Haley and the Comets in 1954 and 1955, most notably playing on the famous recording, "Rock Around the Clock." He quit the Comets in late 1955 to form The Jodimars along with fellow Comets Dick "Richards" Bocelli and Marshall Lytle. After the Jodimars broke up, he became a pit boss at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. In 1987 he rejoined The Comets and as of late 1999 continues to perform and record with the band. He is also a popular session musician.
- Sunni Welles was an actress, known for Quincy M.E. (1976), Lift (2004) and Vanity Fair Confidential (2015). She died on 9 August 2021 in Downey, California, USA.
- Saranya Sasi was born in 1986 in India. She was an actress, known for Chacko Randaman (2006) and Thalappavu (2008). She died on 9 August 2021 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
- Yuexian Yu was an actress and director, known for Yáng guang xià de shào nián zhi wo de wú sè shì jiè (2020), Xi you ji Hou zhuan (2000) and Zhong ai wu yan (2017). She was married to Zhang Xuesong. She died on 9 August 2021 in Alashan League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
- Production Manager
Grzegorz Denys was born on 11 March 1946 in Lódz, Lódzkie, Poland. Grzegorz was a production manager, known for Jej powrót (1975), Dziewce z ciortem (1976) and A Slide to the Sky (1985). Grzegorz died on 9 August 2021 in Poland.- Siti Sarah Raisudin was an actress, known for Man sewel datang kl (2012). She was married to Shuib Sepah. She died on 9 August 2021 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Eduardo Baldani was born in 1946 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was an actor, known for Eversmile New Jersey (1989), La condena de Gabriel Doyle (1998) and Basta de mujeres (1977). He died on 9 August 2021 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- András Sugár was born on 7 May 1933 in Budapest, Hungary. He died on 9 August 2021 in Budapest, Hungary.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Novica Negovanovic was born on 30 November 1945 in Adrani near Kraljevo, Serbia, Yugoslavia. He was an actor and composer, known for Selo gori, a baba se ceslja (2007), 60 najlepsih narodnih pesama (2017) and Zeleni kabare (1982). He died on 9 August 2021 in Krusevac, Serbia.- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Chucky Thompson was born on 12 July 1968 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for The Wackness (2008), Bulletproof (1996) and Notorious (2009). He died on 9 August 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Ken Zuraida was an actress, known for Gundala (2019), Motif (2019) and Folklore (2018). She was married to W.S. Rendra. She died on 9 August 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Neal Craig was born on 21 April 1948 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He died on 9 August 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.