Erik Wunder obit

Erik Wunder (Cobalt, Man's Gin) has reportedly passed away

 

He was not on the list.

We’re very shocked and saddened to hear reports that Cobalt and Man’s Gin leader Erik Wunder has passed away. Blake Judd of Nachtmystium and Ken Sorceron of Abigail Williams are among those who shared the terrible news.

Judd posted a pair of tributes to Wunder on Instagram. “I’m absolutely devastated,” he wrote in the first. “Erik Wunder, rest easy brother. I am so grateful for our times together. We experienced the most amazing European tour I did out of all of them together….you rode in our bus, your alliance with Charlie Fell that became an incredible COBALT album in ‘Slow Forever’ (that I was given the opportunity to release a tape version of in 2017)….I never in a million years thought I’d not ever get to see you again. Rest easy, brother. This one’s gonna sting for a long time….”

“More photos of my amazing 2010 tour experience with our dearly departed friend, Erik Wunder,” the second post reads. “Erik was playing drums for legendary SWANS female vocalist Jarboe on her 2010 tour where she and Nachtmystium did a co-headlining run. We played all over the UK, Inferno and Roadburn Festivals in Norway and Holland, and did a slew of unforgettable eastern European shows in places like Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. To this day, my only time ever getting to visit and perform in such far away places I’d never in a million years thought my life would take me to.”

“Erik rode in our bus for a majority of this tour,” the post continues. “The formation of the Charlie Fell-fronted era of COBALT was formulated from this. What a difference spending a couple weeks living with a group of people you had never travelled with like that previously can do. Threw in the color version of our last ever picture together at the Richmond VA Cobalt gig too.”

Ken Sorceron wrote, “I got the sad news that Erik Wunder passed yesterday. He had a tragic last chapter but he was a good dude and a great songwriter. I was a fan of Cobalt and got to play guitar live for the band on their last tour back in 2017. My heart goes out to all of his friends that knew him well.”

Read an interview with Erik from 2012 on Invisible Oranges. Erik himself also interviewed Unsane for BV that same year. The last Cobalt album, Slow Forever, was our #2 album of 2016. Rest in peace to one of the greats.

Robert Charles Hunter obit

Robert Charles Hunter, Former PepsiCo CEO and Diane Ladd’s Husband, Dies at 77

He and the three-time Oscar-nominated actress married in 1999 and launched a production company together.

 He was not on the list.

Robert Charles Hunter, former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems, author and the third husband of three-time Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, has died. He was 77.

Charles died Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas, while visiting his children, his family announced.

Hunter worked at PepsiCo (home of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell & KFC restaurants) for 23 years, serving as CEO for 11 of those.

He and Ladd co-founded Ojai-based Exxcell Entertainment in 1999 — they were married in February of that year — to produce films. Later, he played Detective Hutchinson in David Lynch’s 2006 thriller Inland Empire, which featured Ladd and her daughter, Oscar-winning actress Laura Dern.

Born in Germany on April 2, 1948, Hunter also wrote the 2008 novel Curious Journey: Origins and a 2011 follow-up, Curious Journey: Energy, which “tapped into his intellect and curiosity about the world,” his family said.

“Robert always loved Texas,” they added. “The wide skies, the bold spirit and the warmth of Fort Worth were part of his soul. Returning home brought him peace and joy — a feeling he often described as ‘like coming back to the rhythm of my heart.’”

Hunter and Ladd first met in Sedona, Arizona. She wrote in her 2023 memoir that he was there for self-introspection as he had been divorced two years at the time and had retired at age 50.

In addition to his wife and stepdaughter, survivors include his children, Brandon, Amy and Emily, and his 10 grandchildren.

Ladd, 89, earned her Academy Award nominations for her turns in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991).

She was also married to two-time Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Dern from 1960-69 and to businessman William Shea Jr. from 1973-76.

Ron Silverman obit

 

Ron Silverman, ‘Brubaker’ Producer and Former Variety Critic, Dies at 92

He was not on the list.

Ron Silverman, producer of films including “Brubaker” and former dean at the American Film Institute, died in July in Medford, Oregon. He was 92.

After working as a reporter on the Arizona Republic, Silverman joined Daily Variety, reviewing films with the tagline “Ron” starting in 1957. Silverman began his career in production with Red Lion Films, a 20th Century Fox independent company led by Mark Robson, working his way up into television at Leslie Steven’s Daystar Productions and Warner Bros. TV.

Silverman had several credits as a TV writer, working on two episodes of the “Wild Wild West” series. For 18 years, Silverman collaborated with Ted Mann, the Minneapolis exhibitor who purchased the National General chain. During his years working alongside Mann, Silverman worked as a producer on projects such as “Brubaker,” “Buster and Billie,” “Lifeguard,” and “Krull.”

Silverman joined the faculty of the American Film Institute in 1981, working as a guide for the first-year fellows in their classes and on film production sets throughout Los Angeles. After serving as the Dean of Studies for three years, Silverman and his wife moved to Ashland, Ore. and then to nearby Medford, where he resided before his death.

In addition to his work in film and television, Silverman led on a number of non-profit boards including Southern Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Rogue Valley Symphony, and Medford’s performing arts center, the Craterian Theater.

Silverman is survived by his two children, Kathy Leininger and Mark Silverman, three stepchildren, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the Myra & Ron Silverman Teen Musical Theater Fund at the Craterian Theater.

 

Writer

Robert Conrad and Ross Martin in The Wild Wild West (1965)

The Wild Wild West

8.1

TV Series

storywritten by

1967

2 episodes

 

Actor

Linda Fiorentino and Matthew Modine in Vision Quest (1985)

Vision Quest

6.7

Salesman

1985

 

Producer

Shoot to Kill (1988)

Shoot to Kill

6.8

producer (produced by)

1988

 

The Last Innocent Man (1987)

The Last Innocent Man

6.3

TV Movie

producer

1987

 

Krull (1983)

Krull

6.1

producer (produced by)

1983

 

Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)

Brubaker

7.1

producer

1980

 

Lifeguard (1976)

Lifeguard

6.6

producer

1976

 

Jan-Michael Vincent and Joan Goodfellow in Buster and Billie (1974)

Buster and Billie

6.9

producer

1974

 

Brooke Adams, Brian Corcoran, Joel Davison, and Burl Ives in O.K. Crackerby! (1965)

O.K. Crackerby!

7.0

TV Series

associate producer

1965–1966

11 episodes

 

Stoney Burke (1962)

Stoney Burke

7.7

TV Series

associate producer

1963

3 episodes

 

Thanks

Jameson Baltes, Nolan Irwin, Travis Martin, and Heather Ramsey in Nonnie & Alex (1995)

Nonnie & Alex

6.0

Short

thanks

1995

 

Self

Journey to Krull (1983)

Journey to Krull

6.3

Video

Self

1983

Robert Wilson obit

 

Robert Wilson, theatre director and visual artist, dies aged 83

Acclaimed playwright, director and artist was known for his opera Einstein on the Beach and many A-list collaborations

He was not on the list.

Robert Wilson, renowned theatre director, playwright and artist, has died at the age of 83.

His death was confirmed by the Watermill Center, an arts hub Wilson founded in Water Mill, New York. He died peacefully after “a brief but acute illness”.

Wilson’s career in theatre started in the late 1960s when he started the performance art group the Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds in New York, named after a teacher who helped him with a stammer. He went on to create the four-act opera Einstein on the Beach with Philip Glass in the mid-1970s.

After the show toured Europe, Wilson wanted to put it on in New York and decided that the Metropolitan Opera House would be the best venue but they said no so he rented it himself. “It cost $90,000, a lot of money,” he said to the Guardian in 2012. “It sold out, so we put on a second performance. It was a crazy mixture of people who turned up, traditional opera-goers and people who had never been before. Even so, we ended up in debt, but those performances really established us both.”

His credits also included silent operas such as Deafman Glance and the 12-hour The Life and Times of Joseph Stalin.

He directed the work of others including William Shakespeare’s King Lear and The Tempest and Anton Chekhov’s Swansong. Most recently he directed Ubu in Palma de Mallorca and Isabelle Huppert in Mary Said What She Said in London.

“Theatre is about one thing,” he said in 2019. “And if it’s not about one thing – it’s too complicated.”

As a visual artist, Wilson has created sculptures, designs for furniture and drawings. In 1993, he was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale for his sculptural work.

“I don’t think I’m very good at explaining my work,” he said in 2022 when he returned for the 57th Venice Biennale. “But it is something you experience.”

Recognition of his talents also included a Drama Desk award in 1971 for direction, a Pulitzer prize nomination for drama in 1986 and an Olivier award for best opera in 2013.

His many big-name collaborators included Tom Waits, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Martin McDonagh, Allen Ginsberg, Laurie Anderson, Tilda Swinton, Jim Jarmusch and Lady Gaga.

Wilson also worked with Gaga during her Artpop era, designing the set for her 2013 MTV music video awards performance and using her in an exhibition at the Louvre. “The concentration, the power she has, it’s total,” he said of Gaga to the Guardian in 2016.

Wilson is survived by his sister Suzanne and his niece Lori and memorials will be announced soon. “His works have touched, inspired and influenced generations of artists and audiences since the 1960s,” a statement from the Watermill Center reads.

Flaco Jiminez obit

Flaco Jiminez: Six-time Grammy Award-winning singer dies aged 86 after ‘facing a medical hurdle’

 

He was not on the list.

Six-time Grammy Award-winning singer, Flaco Jiminez, has died aged 86 after ‘facing a medical hurdle’.

The music star died surrounded by his family on July 31. Jimenez, who hailed from San Antonio, was known for his Tex Mex and Tejano music.

His death comes just months after being hospitalized over a "medical hurdle." “It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father," his family said.

They said he will be "missed immensely." Jimenez's son, Arturo, said his father's last words were "I'm tired," as reported by The San Antonio Express News.

He had celebrated his 86th birthday in March - two months after being admitted to hospital. In January, his family said that he was on the road to recovery.

Jimenez faced health challenges over the past decade. In 2014, he had major back operation and the following year, he underwent emergency surgery for a broken hip following a fall at his home.

Doctors put a new joint in Jimenez's hip after he broke it in two places. The fall happened just a day after he had finished recording a new album with his brother.

Jimenez was known as "Flaco" because of his skinny appearance and his music career spanned decades. During his career, he picked up six Grammy Awards. And, he released more than two dozen albums.

He is known for having played norteño and tejano. Jiménez was a solo performer and session musician, as well as a member of the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven.

David Wilson Barnes obit

David Wilson Barnes dead: Sex and the City star dies aged 52 as tributes pour in

The Sex and the City star had enjoyed a long career on stage and screen

 

He was not on the list.

Actor David Wilson Barnes, who played one of Miranda Hobbs' love interests on Sex and the City, has died at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer. Although he died on July 30, the news has only just been made public. It was confirmed on Facebook by the UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance Alumni Group. "It is with great sadness that I tell you that UC San Diego theatre alumnus, David Wilson Barnes, died on July 30, 2025. He lived a great life, loved by his fellow Triton, Monica, and was successful in theatre and film, but cancer took him from us. It was a privilege to have known him," they wrote.

Friends were quick to pay tribute upon reading the news. "Oh. I’m so sorry to see this news. Though it’s been years since college, I still remember the warmth and kindness they both shared. Sending love and strength to Monica and their family," one penned in the comments.

"Heartbreaking news. My love to Monica and all their family and friends," another added. A third chimed in: "So sorry Monica ... I and others will miss him greatly,"

"I am so sad to read this news. So so tragic. Rest well sweet David. Sending so much love to Monica." a fourth wrote.

Meanwhile, on X, Contemptible Entertainment simply posted his picture with the caption: "Legend (and friend). #davidwilsonbarnes #RIP #neillabute."

David was born in San Diego and met his wife, Monica Bill Barnes, at college at UC San Diego. He enjoyed an almost three-decade career on stage and screen.

David played Andrew, a Love interest for Miranda Hobbs, played by Cythia Nixon, in Sex and the City in 2003.

He also had TV roles in  Law & Order, 30 Rock, A Gifted Man, The Good Wife and Blue Bloods.

More recently, he appeared opposite Jessica Chastain in George and Tammy and also appeared in episodes of The Gilded Age.

On the big screen, he appeared in Capote, The Bourne Legacy and Bridge of Spies, to name just a few.

Actor

Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, Missy Peregrym, John Boyd, and Zeeko Zaki in FBI (2018)

FBI

7.1

TV Series

CIA Officer Peter Bradford

2022–2024

2 episodes

 

Kyle Maddox and Caitlin Olivia Carter in Mr. Thompson, You Found the Wrong Girl! (2024)

Mr. Thompson, You Found the Wrong Girl!

6.5

TV Mini Series

Assistant

2024

 

Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Morgan Spector, Carrie Coon, and Denée Benton in The Gilded Age (2022)

The Gilded Age

8.1

TV Series

Norman Tate

2023

2 episodes

 

Claire Danes, Dennis Quaid, CCH Pounder, Timothy Olyphant, Adia, Zazie Beetz, and Jharrel Jerome in Full Circle (2023)

Full Circle

6.3

TV Mini Series

Agent Roan Jessup

2023

3 episodes

 

Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain in George & Tammy (2022)

George & Tammy

7.5

TV Series

Billy Sherrill

2022–2023

6 episodes

 

Marvel's Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show (2022)

Marvel's Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show

7.8

Podcast Series

Mr. SmytheDanMr Smythe ...

2022

4 episodes

 

All, Alone (2021)

All, Alone

Tom

2021

 

Jhon Jatenjor in Jhon Jatenjor's Interviews (2021)

Jhon Jatenjor's Interviews

6.9

TV Series

Celebrity Guest

2021

1 episode

 

A Journal for Jordan (2021)

A Journal for Jordan

6.0

Schaefer

2021

 

Michael Weatherly and Darrin Hickok in The Necklace (2016)

Bull

7.1

TV Series

David Sherman

2021

1 episode

 

Joel Edgerton, William Jackson Harper, Aaron Pierre, and Thuso Mbedu in The Underground Railroad (2021)

The Underground Railroad

7.4

TV Mini Series

Jamison

2021

2 episodes

 

Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, Donnie Wahlberg, and Will Estes in Blue Bloods (2010)

Blue Bloods

7.7

TV Series

Dr. Alex DawsonPolice PsychiatristDoc

2013–2021

4 episodes

 

Matthew Rhys in Perry Mason (2020)

Perry Mason

7.6

TV Series

Elder Brown

2020

7 episodes

 

The Blacklist (2013)

The Blacklist

7.9

TV Series

Spalding Stark

2019

2 episodes

 

Jason Liebrecht, Lenny Barszap, James Rodriguez, Fred Daniel, David Wilson Barnes, Elizabeth Maxwell, Jeremi Mattern, Jeannie Carter-Cruz, Aaron Brown, and Steve McCord in Hot Tub (2019)

Hot Tub

Short

Kevin

2019

 

Pierce Brosnan in The Son (2017)

The Son

7.5

TV Series

Phineas McCullough

2017–2019

20 episodes

 

Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams in Fosse/Verdon (2019)

Fosse/Verdon

7.9

TV Mini Series

Joseph Verdon

2019

1 episode

 

Téa Leoni in Madam Secretary (2014)

Madam Secretary

7.8

TV Series

Gary Martin

2019

1 episode

 

Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell in Trial by Fire (2018)

Trial by Fire

7.1

Reaves

2018

 

Halt and Catch Fire (2014)

Halt and Catch Fire

8.4

TV Series

Dale Butler

2014–2017

3 episodes

 

Famke Janssen, Edi Gathegi, and Ryan Eggold in The Blacklist: Redemption (2017)

The Blacklist: Redemption

7.0

TV Series

Phil Marienthal

2017

1 episode

 

Jessica Chastain in Miss Sloane (2016)

Miss Sloane

7.5

Daniel Posner

2016

 

Anson Mount in Hell on Wheels (2011)

Hell on Wheels

8.3

TV Series

Martin DelaneyMartin DeLaney

2014–2016

16 episodes

 

Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies (2015)

Bridge of Spies

7.6

Mr. Michener

2015

 

Alesandra Assante, David Wilson Barnes, Jessica Rothe, Mimi Gianopulos, Hannah Murray, Chris Riggi, Scott Evans, and Jack Falahee in Lily & Kat (2015)

Lily & Kat

4.6

Ben

2015

 

James Franco, Felicity Jones, and Jonah Hill in True Story (2015)

True Story

6.3

Corey Douglas

2015

 

Jack Amiel, Michael Angarano, Michael Begler, David Fierro, Eric Johnson, Clive Owen, Molly Price, Reg Rogers, Perry Yung, Juliet Rylance, Eve Hewson, Zuzanna Szadkowski, André Holland, Maya Kazan, Leila Jean Davis, Melissa O'Donnell, Ying Ying Li, and Morgan Assante in The Knick (2014)

The Knick

8.4

TV Series

Addiction Doctor

2014

1 episode

 

Laura Linney in The Big C (2010)

The Big C

8.1

TV Series

Wesley

2013

1 episode

 

Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in Elementary (2012)

Elementary

7.9

TV Series

Cooper

2013

1 episode

 

Louis C.K. in Louie (2010)

Louie

8.5

TV Series

Charlie

2012

1 episode

 

Jeremy Renner in The Bourne Legacy (2012)

The Bourne Legacy

6.6

Drone Spec

2012

 

Patrick Wilson in A Gifted Man (2011)

A Gifted Man

7.0

TV Series

Paul Mathis

2012

1 episode

 

Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Jack McBrayer in 30 Rock (2006)

30 Rock

8.3

TV Series

Thomas

2011

1 episode

 

Rob Wiethoff in Red Dead Redemption (2010)

Red Dead Redemption

9.4

Video Game

Archer Fordham (voice)

2010

 

You Don't Know Jack (2010)

You Don't Know Jack

7.5

TV Movie

David Gorcyca

2010

 

Seducing Charlie Barker (2010)

Seducing Charlie Barker

6.3

Lewis

2010

 

Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Mehcad Brooks, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Attorney GilmanMr. QuinlannEvan Hicks

2003–2010

3 episodes

 

Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin, Chris Cooper, Emilie de Ravin, and Robert Pattinson in Remember Me (2010)

Remember Me

7.1

Business Associate

2010

 

Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Affleck, Maria Bello, and Chris Cooper in The Company Men (2010)

The Company Men

6.7

Thayer

2010

 

Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife (2009)

The Good Wife

8.3

TV Series

Dillon Loomis

2010

1 episode

 

The Eastmans

5.6

TV Movie

Dr. James Eastman

2009

 

How to Seduce Difficult Women (2009)

How to Seduce Difficult Women

4.4

Doug

2009

 

Taking Woodstock (2009)

Taking Woodstock

6.7

News Reporter

2009

 

Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Eric Bogosian, Julianne Nicholson, and Chris Noth in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

7.6

TV Series

ShepAbe McVee

2004–2007

2 episodes

 

As the World Turns (1956)

As the World Turns

6.3

TV Series

Captain Myerson

2007

2 episodes

 

Susan Lucci, Debbi Morgan, Rebecca Budig, Cameron Mathison, and Darnell Williams in All My Children (1970)

All My Children

6.8

TV Series

Peter

2007

4 episodes

 

Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

8.1

TV Series

Agent Hellerman

2006

1 episode

 

Eric Balfour, Jordan Bridges, Stephanie March, Anson Mount, J. August Richards, and Milena Govich in Conviction (2006)

Conviction

7.0

TV Series

Thomas Searl

2006

2 episodes

 

Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote (2005)

Capote

7.3

Grayson

2005

 

Hooray for Mr. Touchdown

7.3

Lemmo Stats

2004

 

Ann Dowd in Extreme Mom (2004)

Extreme Mom

6.7

Short

Christopher

2004

 

Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon in Sex and the City (1998)

Sex and the City

7.4

TV Series

Andrew

2003

1 episode

 

Ozark Savage (1999)

Ozark Savage

5.4

Lens Ozark

19

Tommy Brooks obit

'Great boxing man' 

Tommy Brooks dead at 71: Boxing trainer who coached Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield passes away after cancer fight

He also trained a British heavyweight

 He was not on the list.

LEGENDARY boxing trainer Tommy Brooks has died aged 71 after a fight with cancer.

Brooks was a national amateur champion in America before turning professional in 1977.

He only had a brief boxing career, winning his first seven bouts before losing three on the spin to retire and focus on training fighters.

Brooks shot to recognition as a coach first with Evander Holyfield.

But after Mike Tyson was twice beaten by Holyfield, he also turned to Brooks during his comeback trail.

And Brooks coached Tyson up until his 2002 loss to Lennox Lewis - parting ways afterwards.

Brooks also coached Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko as well as 2008 British Olympic bronze medalist David Price.

But in retirement, the American cornerman fell ill in a battle with cancer and has sadly lost his brave fight.

Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella paid tribute, posting: "Got more bad news a little while ago.

"It was just confirmed by his family that esteemed boxing trainer Tommy Brooks died tonight, after having fought a very aggressive cancer.

"Too young. Great boxing man and even better person, he was just a solid dude.

"Shared many memorable nights with Tommy and his wife, Donna Duva, during the glory days of Main Events.

"My love and prayers to Donna and all their fam."

Among the boxers/boxing world champions who have trained under Brooks at some point of their career are:

 

Evander Holyfield

Mike Tyson

Michael Grant

Larry Donald

Vitali Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko

Vassiliy Jirov

Mike McCallum

Johnny Bumphus

Meldrick Taylor

Charles Murray

Freddie Pendleton

Rocky Lockridge

Junior Jones

Shaun George

Yuri Foreman

Tony Jeffries

David Price

Nicholas Clapp obit

Nicholas Clapp, Documentarian and Author Known as a “Modern-Day Indiana Jones,” Dies at 89

He worked on Oscar-nominated projects for the National Geographic Society and led an expedition to find the lost city of Ubar. 

He was not on the list.

Nicholas Clapp, a documentarian, author and amateur archaeologist who studied, filmed and wrote about the deserts of the world as a “modern-day Indiana Jones,” has died. He was 89.

Clapp lived in Anza Borrego State Park in Borrego Springs, California, and died Wednesday after a stroke, his daughter Cristina Clapp told The Hollywood Reporter. He had been out hiking the day before.

Clapp started out at the National Geographic Society in the 1960s and was a producer and production manager, respectively, on two Oscar-nominated documentaries released in 1973 and 1975: the Leslie Nielsen-narrated Journey to the Outer Limits, which revolved around a climb of the Santa Rosa Peak in the Peruvian Andes, and the E.G. Marshall-narrated The Incredible Machine, a “journey” inside the human body.

Clapp served as an editor in 1968 on the ABC series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and produced and directed 1971’s The Great Mojave Desert, a one-hour special for National Geographic and CBS. He went on to win more than 70 awards for his documentary work.

In a quest that began in the early 1980s, Clapp led expeditions to Arabia with a team that included space scientists and geologists to search for the lost, gold-filled city of Ubar that, according to the Koran, sunk into the desert as a result of God’s wrath upon its sinful people.

His team would spend four years digging before locating Ubar in what is now Oman, and that made for a 1996 PBS documentary and a 1998 book, The Road to Ubar: Finding the Atlantis of the Sands.

As an amateur archaeologist, “You can do things the professionals can’t,” Clapp told the Los Angeles Times in 1998. “There are no reputations at stake, no colleagues looking over your shoulder. That freed me to perhaps do things others wouldn’t do.” The piece described him as “a modern-day Indiana Jones.”

Clapp was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 1, 1936. His grandfather Daniel was a miner who would perish in an underground accident, and his great uncle George owned a minstrel show that toured Western mining camps.

Clapp lived with the Zapotecs of southern Mexico, an experience that earned him a scholarship to Brown University. After graduation, he came to Los Angeles in 1958 and earned his master’s degree in cinema from USC.

His first job out of film school was as an assistant editor on Get Smart, which his daughter said was “the one non-educational show” she and her sister, Jennifer, were allowed to watch as kids.

In 1967, Clapp edited National Geographic specials about Alaska and birds and directed another one called The Haunted West in 1973. He also produced specials about the Mojave Desert in 1971, the Sahara in 1973, big cats in 1974, the history of British naval operations in 1975 and animals who are “hated” in 1976.

His other books included 2001’s Sheba: Through the Desert in Search of the Legendary Queen; 2007’s Who Killed Chester Pray?: A Death Valley Mystery; 2012’s Gold and Silver in the Mojave: Images of a Lost Frontier; 2015’s Virginia City: To Dance With the Devil and Old Magic: Lives of the Desert Shamans; 2017’s Bodie: Good Times & Bad; and 2019’s The Outlaw’s Violin.

Clapp also worked for Disney, producer David Wolper, director Mel Stuart and the White House during his career. More recently, he fought to preserve deserts in California.

In addition to his daughters, survivors include his wife of 18 years, Bonnie. His first wife, Kay, accompanied him on location for National Geographic projects and to the Oman expedition.

 

Director

The Road to Ubar

Director

1996

 

David Ogden Stiers, Stacy Keach, Neil Ross, Jay O. Sanders, Craig Sechler, J.T. Turner, and David Pogue in Nova (1974)

Nova

8.7

TV Series

Director

1996

1 episode

 

National Geographic Specials (1965)

National Geographic Specials

8.5

TV Series

Director

1971–1973

2 episodes

 

Writer

David Ogden Stiers, Stacy Keach, Neil Ross, Jay O. Sanders, Craig Sechler, J.T. Turner, and David Pogue in Nova (1974)

Nova

8.7

TV Series

Writer

1996

1 episode

 

Los Angeles History Project (1988)

Los Angeles History Project

TV Series

Writer

1988

1 episode

 

National Geographic Specials (1965)

National Geographic Specials

8.5

TV Series

story

1971

1 episode

 

Producer

David Ogden Stiers, Stacy Keach, Neil Ross, Jay O. Sanders, Craig Sechler, J.T. Turner, and David Pogue in Nova (1974)

Nova

8.7

TV Series

executive producer

1996

1 episode

 

Los Angeles History Project (1988)

Los Angeles History Project

TV Series

producer

1988

1 episode

 

Lee Curreri, Lori Singer, Erica Gimpel, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

producer

1983

1 episode

 

National Geographic Specials (1965)

National Geographic Specials

8.5

TV Series

executive producerproducer

1971–1976

6 episodes

 

Journey to the Outer Limits (1973)

Journey to the Outer Limits

6.9

producer

1973

 

Editor

To the Ends of the Earth (1983)

To the Ends of the Earth

8.0

Editor

1983

 

Bass on Titles (1982)

Bass on Titles

6.7

Short

Editor

1982

 

Notes on the Popular Arts (1978)

Notes on the Popular Arts

6.0

Short

Editor

1978

 

The Natural History of Our World: The Time of Man

TV Movie

Editor

1969

 

The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau (1966)

The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau

8.5

TV Series

Editor

1968

2 episodes

 

Adolf Hitler in The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1968)

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

7.9

TV Movie

Editor

1968

 

National Geographic Specials (1965)

National Geographic Specials

8.5

TV Series

Editor

1967

2 episodes

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Hollywood

9.0

TV Movie

Editor

1967

 

Destination Safety

TV Movie

Editor

1966

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House

TV Movie

Editor

1966

 

The Thin Blue Line (1966)

The Thin Blue Line

6.4

TV Movie

Editor

1966

 

Let My People Go (1965)

Let My People Go

6.9

TV Movie

film editor

1965

 

Time-Life Specials: The March of Time (1965)

Time-Life Specials: The March of Time

7.0

TV Series

Editor

1965–1966

 

Barry Brown in The Teenage Revolution (1965)

The Teenage Revolution

7.8

TV Movie

Editor

1965

 

Korea: The 38th Parallel

TV Movie

Editor

1965

 

Race for the Moon (1965)

Race for the Moon

7.2

TV Movie

Editor

1965

 

Japan: A New Dawn Over Asia - Japan in the 20th Century

TV Movie

Editor

1965

 

The Making of the President 1960 (1963)

The Making of the President 1960

7.8

Editor

1963

 

Story of... (1962)

Story of...

TV Series

Editor

1962

1 episode

 

Production Manager

National Geographic Specials (1965)

National Geographic Specials

8.5

TV Series

production manager

1974–1976

5 episodes

 

The Incredible Machine (1975)

The Incredible Machine

7.1

executive in charge of production

1975

 

Journey to the Outer Limits (1973)

Journey to the Outer Limits

6.9

production manager

1973

 

Editorial Department

Story of a Rodeo Cowboy (1963)

Story of a Rodeo Cowboy

6.6

Short

associate editor

1963

 

George Nigh obit

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor, legislator and veteran, dead at age 98

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor and state legislator, died Wednesday, according to family and friends. 

He was not on the list.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor and state legislator, died Wednesday morning, according to family and friends.

Nigh died at home surrounded by his family. He was 98. The body of the former governor will lie in state on the fourth-floor rotunda at the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.

Former governor Brad Henry described the beloved Oklahoman as a “dear friend” and “mentor.”

“If I compiled a list of the top five people who had the greatest impact and influence on my life, George Nigh, along with my parents, would be on it,” Henry said. “George was a long-time dear friend, a mentor, and a true public servant. He was a great man, but, perhaps more importantly, he was a really good guy. Few, if any, have had as significant of an impact on our state for as long as George did.”

Former governor Frank Keating also spoke of Nigh’s importance to the state.

“George Nigh captured his age. He loved Oklahoma. Totally. He loved his family. Totally. The “state of his State was great.” He believed. He was a man of love, humility, and goodness. We loved him for who he was and what he was. We shall miss him terribly,” Keating said.

Born in McAlester in 1927, Nigh was one of five children and worked in his parent’s grocery store as a child. When asked by a teacher at age 14 what he wanted to be in life, Nigh reportedly responded, “I wanna be governor!”

After graduating from McAlester High School in 1945, Nigh went on to serve in the Navy as a “plane handler” on the pilot-training ship USS Ranger until he was discharged in 1946. He then studied at East Central State College in Ada, graduating with a teaching degree, according to Nigh biographer, Bob Burke.

While at the university, Nigh campaigned for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Not owning a car, Nigh reportedly hitchhiked from Ada to McAlester every weekend to campaign.

At only 22, Nigh won the election, and was the youngest member of the Oklahoma legislature.

In 1958, Nigh was elected as lieutenant governor. Only 31 at the time, he was the youngest to be elected to the position.

Nigh left office in 1963, the year he met Donna Mashburn, who he would later marry.

Three years later, Nigh was re-elected as Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor.

He decided to run for governor in 1978 as former governor David Boren had chosen to run for a U.S. Senate seat. Both Nigh and Boren won their elections, with Nigh taking on the role 5 days early in 1979 as Boren left to assume his seat in the U.S. Senate.

In 1982, Nigh was re-elected governor, the first at the time to have ever been re-elected for a second full term. He also carried all 77 counties, the first candidate to do so.

“As Governor, George greatly increased the number of minorities on state boards and commissions and as head of state agencies. He made history by appointing Alma Wilson and Yvonne Kauger as the first women justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court,” Burke said about Nigh. “He also championed an effort to consolidate the hundreds of state boards and commissions and created a mini-cabinet system to increase communication among agency heads. He elevated programs and salaries in public schools, higher education, and vocational-technical schools, and was the catalyst for establishing the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City as one of the top 10 in the nation.”

Nigh went on to serve as president of the University of Central Oklahoma from 1992 to 1997.

“Throughout the decades of service, Donna was always at George’s side. His eyes always twinkled when he genuinely proclaimed that she was the greatest thing that ever happened to him in his life. George assisted Donna in establishing and maintaining the Donna Nigh Foundation to provide services to Oklahoma’s developmentally disabled,” Burke said.

Nigh is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna; daughter, Georgeann Duty, and husband Steve; his sister, Mary Cargill; granddaughters Macy and Ayla; grandsons, Chase, Berry, and Gray Mashburn.

The family will announce a public memorial service later.

A number of former Oklahoma leaders issued statements about their memories of Nigh after the news of his death. Read their full statements below.

Gov. Kevin Stitt

I’m saddened to hear of the loss of a true Oklahoma statesman and public servant. George Nigh guided Oklahoma through difficult times and led with kindness and humility. Sarah and I are praying for his wife Donna and their family and friends as they remember and honor a life well lived.

Former Gov. Mary Fallin

Governor George Nigh was a remarkable man who deeply loved Oklahoma and its people. His long and distinguished service set a standard for public leadership grounded in integrity, bipartisanship, and humility. He was a very devoted and gifted speaker who inspired many generations with his words, energy, and optimism. He devoted his life not just to governing, but to elevating our state’s spirit—whether through promoting Oklahoma tourism, supporting education, or simply being a good neighbor. He was the kind of statesman every generation hopes for. Oklahoma is better because he walked among us and we will miss him.

Former Gov. David Walters

I can say without exaggeration that a great man has left this life…a great, great man. He believed in public service and devoted his life to it as a legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and served as Governor longer than any other. But the elected positions paled to who he was, a devout Oklahoman, always encouraging others to work together for the common good. He avoided partisanship and discouraged negative campaigning. He believed and preached that public service is a noble profession and that politics in a democracy was necessary to have public service. He loved Donna and all his family. He stayed in touch with hundreds of friends with frequent calls and continued to speak to thousands, delivering his last speech to a packed house of 950 people in Tulsa on June 28 after being checked out of the Mercy Hospital ICU on June 26 for pneumonia. Every time I went to see him in the ICU he would raise up and ask me how many tickets had been sold! He was so happy to receive the first ever Albert Nigh Award for a lifetime of public service and after he was seated, he still led the crowd in a raucous singing of Oklahoma!, which he personally as a young legislator got adopted as our state song.

He and Donna were so happy to celebrate his 98th birthday with a few friends and family. George pioneered the line that he updated annually by saying, “no one wants to be 98 unless you are 97!”. He was always graciously thanking others for helping him when it was him who lifted up all around him.

He seemed to be working his bucket list for the last few months. He wanted to attend the Oklahoma City Memorial Commemoration on April 19 in person to visit with his old friend President Bill Clinton. After his speech, the President immediately spotted George and gave him a great hug. I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and without hesitation he said he wanted to speak to the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City! And so, on June 17, Governor Frank Keating (George wanted it Bipartisan!) had a “fireside chat” with George about his life and public service before 250 Rotarians. He delivered a beautiful message of gratitude and encouraged the nation to find a way to come together.

I will miss his wonderful stories that at the age of 98 he would sprinkle with precise names, dates, and places that was simply astounding. Most of all I will miss his wisdom, his graciousness, and his loving companionship. I can hear the celestial angels tuning up their trumpets to get the notes of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! just right for George and he will remind them, as he did all his audiences, that the name of the song is always followed by an exclamation point. Rest in Peace George Nigh!!

Chancellor of Higher Education Emeritus and former House Speaker Glen D. Johnson

George devoted his 98 years of life to public service. As a classroom teacher, military veteran, state representative, Lieutenant Governor and Oklahoma's first 2 term Governor, George consistently provided strong leadership and extraordinary public service to the citizens of McAlester, Pittsburg County, the State of Oklahoma, and the United States of America. As the legislative author of our state's official song, OKLAHOMA!", George lived his life in a way that made all of us very proud to be Oklahomans. He was and always will be " Oklahoma's Ambassador of Goodwill" and one of our most beloved and cherished citizens. On a personal note, I have lost one of my best friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Donna, his daughter Georgeann and his family during this very difficult time.

Retired Oklahoma Supreme Justice Yvonne Kauger

George changed my life by appointing me to the Supreme Court and making Oklahoma one of the first states to have two women on the state’s highest court. Had George not made that bold move, the Oklahoma Justice Center, one of the most beautiful buildings in this part of the country, might not have happened. The Sovereignty Symposium, the nationally known gathering of Native American law experts, might not have been born. He never lost his ability to be funny and witty. He remembered all the stories and was the most entertaining speaker I’ve ever heard. I once asked him if it was really his idea to appoint me or was it Donna’s, and he said he was taking credit for it. But I know that Donna had a lot to do with it. I sent him flowers every year after I was appointed on March 14 to thank him for giving me that honor. He never failed to write me a note and to tell me how proud he was of me. That meant the world to me.

Retired Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven Taylor

I have known George Nigh since I was a junior at McAlester High School and he was the Lieutenant Governor. He has mentored me and been one of my best friends ever since. He launched my 33 year judicial career by appointing me to the District Court in 1984. We have been very close friends and McAlester is our common bond. We continued to stay in touch in his later years with very frequent phone calls and text messages and occasional lunches and we always celebrated his birthday.

George was a champion for every young person who aspired to the high calling of a life in public service. His passion was to get things done in a bipartisan way. There were no Republican projects or Democrat projects. There were just projects that were good for Oklahoma.

His entire life was dedicated to public service in Oklahoma. He was a great governor, and he was one of my best friends. I will miss him very much. May his memory be a blessing.

Dr. Bob Blackburn, former director, Oklahoma Historical Society

Governor Nigh has been Oklahoma’s #1 cheerleader my entire life. Whether speaking at High School Commencements or at Girls State for more than 50 years, his love of young people and our state inspired generations of yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s leaders. Peace to Donna, Georgeanne, and his family. Rest well, good and faithful public servant.” - Former Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins

“Governor Nigh was not just a friend but also a mentor who taught me the importance of public service, inclusive leadership, and the power of positive energy when searching for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. I will miss his stories, his insights into human nature, and his love of Oklahoma.

Nigh’s biographer, Bob Burke, Good Guys Wear White Hats, published by the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 2000

The word “integrity” symbolizes George’s lifetime of public service. Even though some disagreed with his policies, no one questioned his integrity. He owed no one but the people of Oklahoma. His administrations were never tainted by scandal.

He had so many firsts in Oklahoma. When elected in 1950, he was the youngest member of the legislature at 22. He was the youngest lieutenant governor ever. He was the first governor to be reelected and the only gubernatorial candidate to carry all 77 counties. He was the only person to serve four terms as governor, although two were for nine and five days. He was the oldest person ever hired as a university president.

George was one of the most sought-after speakers in the state. He wrote key words of his speech on his hand. He spoke at a commencement for 75 consecutive years. He was the modern Will Rogers for his beloved state.

Nigh was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on June 9, 1927, and was the son of Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. He had four siblings and worked at a grocery store as a child before graduating from McAlester High School in 1945. He joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served on the USS Ranger before leaving the navy to attend college in 1946. He graduated from Eastern Oklahoma State College with an associate's in liberal arts in 1948 and East Central University with a teaching degree in 1950. While a student at East central University in 1950, he ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives and won.

He was the brother of William Nigh, an Oklahoma representative.

Alon Abutbul obit

Leading Israeli actor Alon Abutbul dies aged 60

 He was not on the list.

Israeli actor Alon Abutbul, 60, died today, medics say.

Abutbul’s body was found lifeless on the Habonim Beach in northern Israel. Medics summoned to the scene were unable to revive him, says the Magen David Adom rescue service.

MDA says he apparently collapsed after coming out of the water.

Abutbul was a popular mainstay of the Israeli film and television industry for more than four decades, winning several major awards.

He also acted in a number of US and international productions, including a roles in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” and in the 2012 Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Filmography

Year     Title     Role     Notes

1980    Morning Star (Kohav Hashahar)                   

1983    Hapnimiyah                

1985    Bar 51 Aranjuez         

1986    Shtei Etzbaot Mi'Tzidon         Georgie          

Every Time We Say Goodbye Joseph (as Alan Abovtboul)

Malkat hakitah                       

Kol Abuvatai              

Battle of the Chairmanship                

1987    Photo Roman             

1988    Rambo III        Nissem            (as Alon Abutbul)

A Place by the Sea                 

1989    Streets of yesterday     Amin Khalidi 

Ehad Mishelanu                     

1991    Killing Streets Abdel 

1992    Roked Al hahof                      

1993    Deadly Heroes Patrick

Ha- Versha                 

1995    LeyLasede       Nethanel         

Ha-Kochav hakachol  Mulli   

1996    Marco Polo: The Missing Chapter      Aris    

Ha-Khetzi HaSheni     Avi      

1997    Itha L'Netza               

Campaign                   

1998    Gentila Shoshana        

1999    Love at Second Sight             

2001    Mars Turkey    Reuven Shechter        

A Five Minutes Walk             

The Order        Avram 

2003    Nina's Tragedies          Avinoam         

2005    Munich            Israeli soldier with Zamir        (as Alon Aboutbul)

2006    The Belly Dancer        Goldy 

2007    Beaufort          Brig. Gen. Kimchi      

Noodle Izzy Sason      

Rack Lavim Ratzim hofshi                

2008    7 Days Itamar Obayon           

Out of the Blue           Shabtai           

Body of Lies   Al-Saleem      

2011    Fringe  Dr. Armand Silva       

2012    The Dark Knight Rises           Dr. Leonid Pavel         (as Alon Moni Aboutboul)

The Dealers     Sagi    

2013    A Place in Heaven      Bambi  (as Alon Moni Aboutboul)

She is Coming Home  Zeev   

2014    Is That You?    Ronnie

2015    Septembers of Shiraz  Mohsen          

Harmonia        Abraham        

2016    London Has Fallen      Aamir Barkawi           (as Alon Moni Aboutboul)

Boyka: Undisputed     Zourab

2017    Snowfall          Avi       (as Alon Moni Aboutboul)

2018    Beirut  Roni Niv         (as Alon Moni Aboutboul)

Noble Savage  Yom Tov        

2021    Lansky Yoram Alroy  

2022    MK Ultra         Townsend       

2024    FBI: International