Diana Rigg obit

Dame Diana Rigg: Avengers, Bond and Game of Thrones actress dies at 82

 

She was not on the list.

Actress Dame Diana Rigg, famous for roles including Emma Peel in TV series The Avengers and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 82.

Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, said she died of cancer, after being diagnosed in March.

"She spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession," she added.

Dame Diana also played the only woman who became Mrs James Bond.

She played Tracy in 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Her more recent roles included the Duchess of Buccleuch in ITV's Victoria and Mrs Pumphrey in Channel 5's new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.

Stirling went on to say: "My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. I will miss her beyond words."

Sir Tom Stoppard added: "For half her life Diana was the most beautiful woman in the room, but she was what used to be called a Trouper. She went to work with her sleeves rolled up and a smile for everyone. Her talent was luminous."
'She swept all before her'

Fellow playwright Sir David Hare said the actress had a "dazzling change of direction in middle age as a great classical actor".

He said: "When Emma Peel played Euripides' Medea, Albee's Martha and Brecht's Mother Courage she swept all before her."

Her four Tony Awards nominations resulted in a win for her searing portrayal in the leading role in the stage play Medea in 1994.

Writer and actor Mark Gatiss also paid tribute.

It was my great joy and privilege to have known Diana Rigg. From three slightly hysterical months at the Old Vic in ‘All About Mother’ to writing The Crimson Horror for Diana and her wonderful daughter Rachael. Flinty, fearless, fabulous. There will never be another. RIP pic.twitter.com/2EGc4MVx0S— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) September 10, 2020 


Director Jonathan Kent added that her "combination of force of personality, beauty, courage and sheer emotional power, made her a great classical actress - one of an astonishing generation of British stage performers".

He said: "Her dazzling wit and that inimitable voice made her an unforgettable leading figure in British theatre."

Her agent Simon Beresford said she "died at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time".

He added: "Dame Diana was force of nature who loved her work and her fellow actors."

Last year, Dame Diana spoke of her delight at her role in Game of Thrones, telling the BBC: "I love playing bad [characters]. They are so much more interesting than good.

"There are some actors who don't like to play bad; they like to be liked. I love to be disliked. Olenna had the best lines."

In 1990, Dame Diana won a best actress Bafta TV award for playing a difficult mother-in-law in Mother Love. She also won a Bafta special award in 2000 for The Avengers, shared with the series' other stars Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley and Linda Thorson.

Dame Diana was also nominated for nine primetime Emmy awards, winning for her role as Mrs Danvers in Rebecca in 1997.

Filmography 

Film 

Year , Title , Role , Notes  

1968 , A Midsummer Night's Dream , Helena ,  

1969 , Mini-Killers , , Short film  

The Assassination Bureau , Sonya Winter ,  

On Her Majesty's Secret Service , Teresa "Tracy" di Vicenzo ,  

1970 , Julius Caesar , Portia ,  

1971 , The Hospital , Barbara Drummond ,  

1973 , Theatre of Blood , Edwina Lionheart ,  

1977 , A Little Night Music , Countess Charlotte Mittelheim ,  

1981 , The Great Muppet Caper , Lady Holiday ,  

1982 , Evil Under the Sun , Arlena Marshall ,  

1986 , The Worst Witch , Miss Hardbroom ,  

1987 , Snow White , The Evil Queen ,  

1994 , A Good Man in Africa , Chloe Fanshawe ,  

1999 , Parting Shots , Lisa ,  

2005 , Heidi , Grandmamma ,  

2006 , The Painted Veil , Mother Superior ,  

2015 , The Honourable Rebel , Narrator ,  

2017 , Breathe , Lady Neville ,  

2021 , Last Night in Soho , Miss Collins , Post-production; Posthumous release; Final film role  

 

Television 

Year , Title , Role , Notes  

1959 , A Midsummer Night's Dream , Bit part , Television film  

1963 , The Sentimental Agent , Francy Wilde , Episode: "A Very Desirable Plot"  

1964 , Festival , Adriana , Episode: "The Comedy of Errors"  

Armchair Theatre , Anita Fender , Episode: "The Hothouse"  

1965 , ITV Play of the Week , Bianca , Episode: "Women Beware Women"  

1965–1968 , The Avengers , Emma Peel , Main role (51 episodes)  

1970 , ITV Saturday Night Theatre , Liz Jardine , Episode: "Married Alive"  

1973–1974 , Diana , Diana Smythe , Main role (15 episodes)  

1974 , Affairs of the Heart , Grace Gracedew , Episode: "Grace"  

1975 , In This House of Brede , Philippa , TV film  

The Morecambe & Wise Show , Nell Gwynne , Sketch in Christmas Show  

1977 , Three Piece Suite , Various , Regular role (6 episodes)  

1979 , Oresteia , Clytemnestra , TV miniseries  

1980 , The Marquise , Eloise , TV film  

1981 , Hedda Gabler , Hedda Gabler , TV film  

1982 , Play of the Month , Rita Allmers , Episode: Little Eyolf  

Witness for the Prosecution , Christine Vole , TV film  

1983 , King Lear , Regan , TV film  

1985 , Bleak House , Lady Honoria Dedlock , TV miniseries  

1986 , The Worst Witch , Miss Constance Hardbroom , TV film  

1987 , A Hazard of Hearts , Lady Harriet Vulcan , TV film  

1989 , The Play on One , Lydia , Episode: "Unexplained Laughter"  

Mother Love , Helena Vesey , TV miniseries 
British Academy Television Award for Best Actress 
Broadcast Press Guild Award for Best Actress  

1992 , Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris , Mme. Colbert , TV film  

1993 , Road to Avonlea , Lady Blackwell , Episode: "The Disappearance"  

Running Delilah , Judith , TV film  

Screen Two , Baroness Frieda von Stangel , Episode: "Genghis Cohn" 
Nominated – CableACE Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie  

1995 , Zoya , Evgenia , TV film  

The Haunting of Helen Walker , Mrs. Grose , TV film  

1996 , The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders , Mrs. Golightly , TV film  

Samson and Delilah , Mara , TV film  

1997 , Rebecca , Mrs. Danvers , TV miniseries 
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie  

1998 , The American , Madame de Bellegarde , TV film  

1998–2000 , The Mrs Bradley Mysteries , Mrs. Adela Bradley , Main role (5 episodes)  

2000 , In the Beginning , Mature Rebeccah , TV film  

2001 , Victoria & Albert , Baroness Lehzen , TV miniseries 
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie  

2003 , Murder in Mind , Jill Craig , Episode: "Suicide"  

Charles II: The Power and the Passion , Queen Henrietta Maria , TV miniseries  

2006 , Extras , Herself , Episode: "Daniel Radcliffe"  

2013–2017 , Game of Thrones , Olenna Tyrell , 18 episodes  
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018) 
Nominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series (2013, 2014)  

2013 , Doctor Who , Mrs. Winifred Gillyflower , Episode: "The Crimson Horror"  

2015; 2017 , Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero , Mayor Pink Panda (voice) , 3 episodes  

Detectorists , Veronica , 6 episodes  

2015 , You, Me and the Apocalypse , Sutton , 5 episodes  

Professor Branestawm Returns , Lady Pagwell , TV film  

2017 , Victoria , Duchess of Buccleuch , 9 episodes  

2019 , The Snail and the Whale , Narrator , Short television film  

2020 , All Creatures Great and Small , Mrs. Pumphrey , 2 episodes  

Black Narcissus , Mother Dorothea , Upcoming miniseries; Posthumous release; Final television role  

Theatre credits 

List of selected theatre credits 

Year , Title , Role , Notes  

1957 , The Caucasian Chalk Circle , Natella Abashwili , Theatre Royal, York Festival  

1964 , King Lear , Cordelia , Royal Shakespeare Company (European/US Tour)  

1966 , Twelfth Night , Viola , Royal Shakespeare Company  

1970 , Abelard and Heloise , Heloise , Wyndham's Theatre, London  

1971 , Abelard and Heloise , Heloise , Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York  

1972 , Macbeth , Lady Macbeth , Old Vic Theatre, London  

1972 , Jumpers , Dorothy Moore , Old Vic Theatre, London  

1973 , The Misanthrope , Célimène , Old Vic Theatre, London  

1974 , Pygmalion , Eliza Doolittle , Albery Theatre, London  

1975 , The Misanthrope , Célimène , St. James Theatre, New York  

1978 , Night and Day , Ruth Carson , Phoenix Theatre, London  

1982 , Colette , Colette , US national tour  

1983 , Heartbreak House , Lady Ariadne Utterword , Theatre Royal Haymarket, London  

1985 , Little Eyolf , Rita Allmers , Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London  

1985 , Antony and Cleopatra , Cleopatra , Chichester Festival Theatre, UK  

1986 , Wildfire , Bess , Theatre Royal, Bath & Phoenix Theatre, London  

1987 , Follies , Phyllis Rogers Stone , Shaftesbury Theatre, London  

1990 , Love Letters , Melissa , Stage Door Theatre, San Francisco  

1992 , Putting It Together , , Old Fire Station Theatre, Oxford  

1992 , Berlin Bertie , Rosa , Royal Court Theatre, London  

1992 , Medea , Medea , Almeida Theatre, London  

1993 , Medea , Medea , Wyndham's Theatre, London  

1994 , Medea , Medea , Longacre Theatre, New York  

1995 , Mother Courage and Her Children , Mother Courage , National Theatre, London  

1996 , Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf , Martha , Almeida Theatre, London  

1997 , Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf , Martha , Aldwych Theatre, London  

1998 , Phaedra , Phaedra , Almeida at the Albery Theatre, London & BAM in Brooklyn  

1998 , Britannicus , Agrippina , Almeida at the Albery Theatre, London & BAM in Brooklyn  

2001 , Humble Boy , Flora Humble , National Theatre, London  

2002 , The Hollow Crown , , International Tour: New Zealand, Australia, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK  

2004 , Suddenly, Last Summer , Violet Venable , Albery Theatre, London  

2006 , Honour , Honour , Wyndham's Theatre, London  

2007 , All About My Mother , Huma Rojo , Old Vic Theatre, London  

2008 , The Cherry Orchard , Ranyevskaya , Chichester Festival Theatre, UK  

2009 , Hay Fever , Judith Bliss , Chichester Festival Theatre, UK  

2011 , Pygmalion , Mrs. Higgins , Garrick Theatre, London  

2018 , My Fair Lady , Mrs. Higgins , Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York

 

 

 

 

Florence Pendleton obit

Florence Pendleton, Shadow Senator Who Fought For D.C. Statehood, Dies At 94

 

She was not on the list.

One of D.C.’s first senators and the first African American woman elected to the Senate, Florence Pendleton, has died at the age of 94.

Pendleton passed away peacefully at her home in Columbus, Georgia, on Thursday.

Pendleton was born to John Milton and Elease Brooks Howard in Columbus in 1926. She graduated from Howard University with a bachelors and a master’s degree and spent the next 55 years living in the District.

Alongside civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, in 1991, Pendleton was one among the first people elected to represent the District in Congress. But unlike Jackson, Pendleton would serve 17 years stretching into early 2007.

Tom Sherwood, a local political analyst and co-host of the Politics Hour on WAMU, said Pendleton emerged from a crowded field as the winning candidate and has been the only woman to hold the position since.

Sherwood said Pendleton made advocating for statehood her full-time job.

“The question does come, is the dream alive? I say, yes, the dream is alive,” Pendleton said in a 1993 speech at Howard University, “It’s alive because here in the District of Columbia, we are — after 30 years from that march in 1963 — struggling for dignity and respect, although we have paid everything that we’re supposed to do. We’re somewhat like a student who has answered all of the questions on the exam perfectly and is expected an A. We here in the District of Columbia have answered all of the questions, and we’re expecting statehood … And we’re going to get it.”

Before being elected in 1991, Pendleton was an administrator for DC Public Schools for more than 40 years.

“Ms. Pendleton was a well-liked, well-respected educator for decades here in local Washington,” Sherwood said. “She was always polite but fierce in her strongly held views about D.C. statehood.”

Executive Director of DC Vote Bo Shuff did not personally know Pendleton but said she and Jackson were the first glimpse at what Congressional representation in D.C. might look like.

“To have someone like her and Jesse Jackson serve as some of the first ones in each of those two Senate seats certainly sets the bars high for getting the work done to achieve statehood and then figuring out who our senators are going to be,” Shuff said.

Shadow senators and representatives continue to play a large role in petitioning and getting the word out about statehood. Although they do not have voting power in Congress, they function as spokespeople and advocates for statehood.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton,  D.C.’s current delegate in the House, said in a press release that the two were elected to their respective positions at the same time, and she considered Pendleton a friend.

“Our city will remember this year, the year the House passed our D.C. statehood bill, with gratitude for Senator Pendleton’s service to the District of Columbia,” Norton said.

Pendleton was an active member of her community. She was a member of the District of Columbia Retired Teachers Association, the Drifters Social Club, Challengers Bridge Club, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a chairperson on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, a chairperson on the Ward 5 Democratic Club, and secretary on the Bloomingdale Civic Association (she moved to the neighborhood in 1961).

She is survived by her sons, Oscar Pendleton, Jr. and Howard T. Pendleton, as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A homegoing celebration for Pendleton will be held on Wed. Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres Cemetery. Visitation begins Monday at 1 p.m., with Family Hour from 4 until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. People can also express their condolences online here.

Sid McCray obit

Sid McCray, Original Bad Brains Singer, Has Died

McCray is credited with introducing H.R. and the band to punk music 

He was not on the list.

Sid McCray, who was the original lead singer in iconic hardcore band Bad Brains, has died. The band confirmed the news on Facebook, and his family posted a GoFundMe seeking assistance for a memorial service. “R.I.P to the Don, my brother—sail on,” the band wrote.

Prior to McCray’s tenure in Bad Brains, he was friends with H.R. He’s credited in the H.R. oral history Finding Joseph I as the person who, in 1977, introduced the band to punk rock. Then a jazz fusion ensemble called Mind Power, he played the group records by the Sex Pistols and Ramones. (The Ramones song “Bad Brain” ultimately influenced the band’s name.) He was the band’s first singer, but he left before they made their first recordings.

“I sung with the band for a little while, but I fizzled out because I saw H.R. was a much better singer,” McCray said in the book. “It wasn’t a competition thing; I just thought he was a better singer, more theatrical.” He also explained that he didn’t gel with H.R.’s reggae influence at the time. “At that time, they saw Bob Marley [in concert] and I wasn’t ready to see Bob Marley. I still had some running and tearin’ things up to do, so we split ways.”

McCray reunited with Bad Brains in 2017 for his first performance with them in 39 years.

Alan Minter obit

British boxing legend and former world middleweight champion Alan Minter dies at the age of 69 after a lengthy battle with cancer

 

He was not on the list.

British boxing legend Alan Minter has died of cancer at the age of 69.

Minter was a former world middleweight champion after winning the the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine titles from Vito Antuofermo in March 1980 before being dethroned by Marvin Hagler later that same year.

The Crawley-born Boxer died on Wednesday following his lengthy battle with cancer. 

Minter who was born in 1951 and started boxing at a young age was called up to the 1972 Olympics which were held in Munich.

At the age of 21 he claimed a bronze medal and soon after turned professional.

Minter captured the British middleweight title in 1975 before then claiming the European belt two years later.

He would lose both belts before regaining them and was then deemed ready for a world title shot against then undisputed king Antuofermo. 

Minter won by controversial split decision, as British referee Roland Dakin awarded Minter 13 of the 15 rounds which caused a row with the Antuofermo camp.

It led to an immediate re-match at Wembley three months later but this time there was no arguments as Minter dominated the Italian-American, stopping him in the eighth round.

Minter's reign lasted three months before he was stopped by Hagler in three rounds due to a cut on the British boxer's face which led to a riot at Wembley Arena by angry fans of the British boxer.

There had been tension before the fight after Hagler's 1979 fight with Antuofermo ended in a draw and he was unhappy that he didn't get his rematch before Minter fought the Italian. 

Hagler then claimed credit for Minter's title win saying: 'Minter is only champion because he gained the benefit of the beating I gave to Antuofermo in Las Vegas.' 

Come the final bell at Wembley, beer bottles and cans rained down on the ring as Hagler's celebrations were cut short as his corner surrounded him to protect the new champion.

With the help of the police, Hagler and his corner were bundled out of the ring to safety under a further missile attack.

Later, as the car carrying Hagler exited the arena, someone heaved a brick and smashed the windshield ending what was a shameful night for British sports fans.

After the defeat by Hagler, Minter beat Ernie Singletary in London in 1981. But future losses to Mustafa Hamsho in Las Vegas and Tony Sibson in London saw him hang up his gloves for good.   

'Boom Boom' Minter called a halt to his career in 1981 with a 39-9 record. 

Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno led the tributes to Minter, writing on Twitter: 'Alan Minter RIP.

'Alan and I worked together many times a great boxer in his day I would ask people to look at the old footage of him fighting a great boxer a sad day for British Boxing RIP 'Boom Boom'.'

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton added: 'Just heard the very sad news that our boxing family has lost one of our own in former world champion Alan Minter.

'You'll always be a British boxing legend and a gentleman Alan. My love and very best wishes go out to Ross and the whole Minter family at this time.'

A statement from the BBBoC said: 'The stewards and staff of the British Boxing Board of Control are very saddened to hear of the passing of former world middleweight champion Alan Minter. Our sincerest condolences are sent to his family at this time.'

 

 

 

Stevie Lee obit

Stevie Lee Dies: ‘Jackass’ Star And Wrestler Was 54

He was not on the list.

Stevie Lee, a pro wrestler who went by the name “Puppet The Psycho Dwarf” and appeared in the film Jackass 3D and TV shows American Horror Story: Freak Show and Spike TV’s 2010 reality series Half-Pint Brawlers, died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday. He was 54.

Details of the death were not disclosed on the Go Fund Me page that announced his passing. Funds raised through the page will go to brother Jim Richardson for handling burial and funeral costs.

Lee, whose full name was Stevie Lee Richardson, began his on-camera pro wrestling career in 2002 on the pay-per-view series NWA: Total Nonstop Action. He would later go on to create the Half-Pint Brawlers organization, scoring the 2010 reality series Half-Pint Brawlers on Spike TV.

Appearing as himself in Johnny Knoxville’s 2010 feature Jackass 3D, Lee was cast as a Munchkin in Sam Raimi’s 2013 James Franco-fronted Oz The Great And Powerful. A year later he appeared in an episode of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story: Freak Show. He also appeared in The Babe.

“He was beloved by many and has many friends that were family, fans that adored him, but only his brother Jim left to take care of final arrangements,” according to the Go Fund Me page. “Puppet has put smiles across the world with his hardcore attitude and lifestyle. He is a legend in the art of Midget Wrestling. He needs our help to give him one last curtain call.”

 

Ronald Bell obit

Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell dead at 68

 

 He was not on the list.

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, the Kool & the Gang co-founder who co-wrote and produced many of the R&B/soul/funk/disco/jazz group’s hits — including “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Summer Madness,” “Open Sesame,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Joanna,” and “Fresh” — has died, according to a statement issued by his publicist, Sujata Murthy. Bell passed away Wednesday morning at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, at the age of 68. No cause of death was given at press time.

The self-taught musician, who also went by the name Khalis Bayyan, was born Nov. 1, 1951, in Youngstown, Ohio. His father, professional boxer Robert "Bobby" Bell, was friends with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk and exposed Ronald and his brother, Robert "Kool" Bell, to jazz music at an early age. In 1964, after a move to Jersey City, N.J., the Bell brothers and five of their Lincoln High School friends formed a band called the Jazziacs, which by 1969, after several name changes including the Soul Town Band, the New Dimensions, and Kool & the Flames, evolved into Kool & the Gang.

That year, the group signed to De-Lite Records, and in 1970 they released their self-titled, entirely instrumental debut album. Two live albums and two studio albums followed before they had their commercial breakthrough in 1973 with their fourth studio LP, Wild and Peaceful, which yielded the hits “Funky Stuff,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Hollywood Swinging,” the latter two cracking Billboard’s top 10 singles chart. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Kool & the Gang survived the disco backlash and enjoyed even more success with top 10 singles like “Too Hot,” “Ladies' Night,” “Joanna,” and the No. 1 smash and wedding-reception staple “Celebration.” Kool & the Gang racked up 14 top 40 singles in the U.S. between 1980 and 1986, a feat not even accomplished by Michael Jackson.

Later in the 2000s, Kool & the Gang branched out and crossed over in unexpected ways, collaborating with artists like Jamiroquai, Lisa Stansfield, and U.K. girl group Atomic Kitten on their 2001 album Gangland; playing Britain’s Glastonbury festival; and even touring with Van Halen. Over the course of their career, Kool & the Gang earned two Grammys, seven American Music Awards, a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; charted 25 top 10 R&B hits and nine top 10 pop hits; and sold 70 million albums worldwide. In 2018, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They also still hold the record as the most sampled band of all time, with their music featured on tracks by the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Cypress Hill, P. Diddy, the Killers, and many others.

In addition to his work with Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell also served as a producer and/or arranger for artists like the Fugees, Jimmy Cliff, House of Pain, Phillip Glass, and Rachid. At the time of his death, he was working on various collaborations, a solo project called the Kool Baby Brotha Band, and a series of animated shorts about his life called Kool TV. He is survived by his 10 children, his four siblings, and his wife, Tia Sinclair Bell.

 

Tony Tanner obit

Tony Tanner, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ Director, Dies at 88

Tony Tanner, an actor, director and choreographer who received a pair of Tony nominations for his work on the original Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, has died. He was 88.

 He was not on the list.

Tony Tanner, an actor, director and choreographer who received a pair of Tony nominations for his work on the original 1982 Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, has died. He was 88.

Tanner died Sept. 8 of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, his husband, Henry Selvitelle, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Tanner also directed a 1981 adaptation of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey starring Amanda Plummer, Valerie French and Keith Reddin that was nominated for the Tony for best revival. He directed and choreographed Something’s Afoot in 1976 and Prince of Central Park, starring Jo Ann Worley, in 1989 for Broadway as well.

Born in England, Tanner appeared on stage opposite Harold Pinter in The Birthday Party, then starred as Littlechap on the West End in Stop the World — I Want to Get Off and in the 1966 Warner Bros. adaptation.

He had come to the U.S. to replace Tommy Steele as the lead in the original 1965-66 Broadway production of Half a Sixpence, then toured with the musical comedy. He later appeared on the Great White Way in No Sex Please, We’re British and Sherlock Holmes.

Tanner returned to the U.K. in 2010 to portray Ballets Russes founder Sergei Diaghilev in the one-man show Charlatan.

On television, he starred as Puck alongside Benny Hill in an ITV production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1964 and as Burgess Meredith/Penguin in the 2003 CBS telefilm Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt.

 

He and Selvitelle were together for about 50 years

Actor

Blessing House (2008)

Blessing House

Video

2008

 

Exorcism (2003)

Exorcism

2.2

Dr. Lewis

2003

 

Adam West and Burt Ward in Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (2003)

Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt

6.5

TV Movie

Burgess Meredith

Penguin

2003

 

Cary Elwes in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

6.7

Villager

1993

 

Kristen Alderson, Kassie Wesley DePaiva, Erika Slezak, Trevor St. John, and John-Paul Lavoisier in One Life to Live (1968)

One Life to Live

6.9

TV Series

Dr. Ripley

1987

1 episode

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

6.2

TV Series

Mr. Ford

1969

1 episode

 

Turn-Up for Tony

TV Movie

Tony

1968

 

The Kraft Music Hall (1967)

The Kraft Music Hall

6.4

TV Series

Bob Cratchit

1967

1 episode

 

The Sandwich Man (1966)

The Sandwich Man

5.5

Ferry Man

1966

 

Stop the World: I Want to Get Off (1966)

Stop the World: I Want to Get Off

5.2

Little Chap

1966

 

Call It What You Like

TV Series

Various Roles

1965

6 episodes

 

The Pleasure Girls (1965)

The Pleasure Girls

5.8

Paddy

1965

 

A Home of Your Own (1964)

A Home of Your Own

6.7

Workman with radio

1964

 

The Human Jungle (1963)

The Human Jungle

7.9

TV Series

Stan

1964

1 episode

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.9

TV Series

Puck

Uncle Selwyn

Leffler

1958–1964

3 episodes

 

Bernard Goldman, Jeanne Moody, Joan Sims, Graham Stark, Tony Tanner, and Alan Baulch in Strictly for the Birds (1964)

Strictly for the Birds

4.6

Terry Blessing

1964

 

John Gregson in First Night (1963)

First Night

8.5

TV Series

Charlie

1963

1 episode

 

Moonstrike (1963)

Moonstrike

8.5

TV Series

Louis Francois de Mansert

1963

1 episode

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

7.8

TV Series

McWhirter

1963

1 episode

 

A Book with Chapters in It

TV Movie

Egbert

1961

 

No Hiding Place (1959)

No Hiding Place

7.7

TV Series

McCabe

1960

1 episode

 

Emergency-Ward 10 (1957)

Emergency-Ward 10

6.2

TV Series

Jimmy Conners

1960

1 episode

 

A Picture of Autumn

TV Movie

John

1957

 

I Capture the Castle

TV Movie

Stephen Colly

1954

 

Director

Something's Afoot (1982)

Something's Afoot

8.8

TV Movie

Director

1982

 

Writer

Turn-Up for Tony

TV Movie

story

1968

Ronald Harwood obit

Ronald Harwood, ‘The Pianist’ Screenwriter, Dies at 85

Ronald Harwood, the Oscar-winning British screenwriter of The Pianist and films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and The Dresser, has died. He was 85.  

He was not on the list.

Sir Ronald Harwood, the Oscar-winning British screenwriter of The Pianist and films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Dresser and Quartet, has died. He was 85.

His agent, Judy Daish, told the BBC that Harwood died Tuesday of natural causes.

Harwood wrote the script for Roman Polanski’s World War II drama The Pianist, which won him the 2003 Academy Award for adapted screenplay. He was nominated for the adapted screenplay Oscar on two other occasions, for 1983’s The Dresser and 2007’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Highly regarded in Hollywood for his film work, Harwood in his native Britain was known as one of the country’s most prominent dramatists as well as an author of several novels. “Films I do for the money,” Harwood told the Guardian in a 2016 interview. “It is very good money, no question about it. And we are overpaid — of course we are overpaid — but still, I don’t complain. But writing for the theater is the thing I’ve loved doing most, because it’s about language; relationships and language.”

Born Ronald Horwitz in South Africa in 1934, he came to the U.K. in the ’50s to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. (He anglicized his name while living in Britain.)

Harwood worked in theater for a number of years before moving into writing, and his first novel, All the Same Shadows, was published in 1961. His first screenplay was for 1962’s Private Potter; the film starred Tom Courtenay, with whom Harwood would collaborate on several other projects. On the stage, Harwood’s March Hares was first performed in 1964.

Harwood is perhaps best known for his play The Dresser, which debuted in London’s West End in 1980 and transferred to Broadway a year later. The story of an aging Shakespearean actor and his personal assistant, or dresser, and their complex relationship, it was based on Harwood’s experience as a dresser for the actor Sir Donald Wolfit.

The original production of The Dresser starred Courtenay as Norman and Freddie Jones as “Sir.” The Broadway version, which ran for 200 performances, saw Courtenay return alongside Paul Rogers. In 1983, The Dresser was adapted for the screen by Harwood, with the film starring Albert Finney and Courtenay. A critical hit, it was nominated for five Oscars: Courtenay and Finney for best actor, Harwood for adapted screenplay, Peter Yates for best director and the movie for best picture.

The Dresser also has been adapted for radio and most recently for television in 2015 by the BBC in a critically acclaimed production with Anthony Hopkins as “Sir” and Ian McKellan as Norman.

On the enduring popularity of The Dresser, Harwood told the Guardian: “I have no idea what its lasting appeal is, I really don’t. It was my first big success, of course, and I do love it and am very proud of it, but I am puzzled by its popularity. I am still proud of the relationships and feeling within the play, it is a play about emotion; it’s not a play about the brain, it’s about the heart. and that’s what I like.”

His other notable plays included the 1995 Nazi drama Taking Sides and Quartet, a 1999 comedy-drama about aging opera singers in a retirement home for musicians (both have been adapted into films). The 2012 adaptation of Quartet marked Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut and starred Courtenay, Maggie Smith, Gwyneth Jones, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly.

Though screenwriting was a secondary career, Harwood was nonetheless prolific. He wrote for Mike Figgis’ The Browing Version (1994), the Apartheid drama Cry, the Beloved Country (1995), Norman Jewison’s The Statement (2003), the Annette Bening-Jeremy Irons starrer Being Julia (2004), Polanski’s adaptation of Oliver Twist (2005), Mike Newell’s Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) and Baz Luhrmann’s big-budget spectacular Australia (2008).

Harwood received a number of international accolades and awards . The U.K. awarded him an O.B.E. in 1999 and a knighthood in 2010 for services to drama. The French government made him a chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1996 and he received numerous honorary doctorates.

Harwood’s wife, Natasha, died in 2013. He is survived by their children Antony, Deborah and Alexandra.

 

Writer

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Faraway Downs (2023)

Faraway Downs

7.0

TV Mini Series

screenplay by

2023

6 episodes

 

Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen in The Dresser (2015)

The Dresser

6.7

TV Movie

based on the play by

2015

 

Maggie Smith, Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly, and Tom Courtenay in Quartet (2012)

Quartet

6.8

based on the play by

screenplay by

2012

 

A Therapy (2012)

A Therapy

6.1

Short

screenplay

2012

 

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia (2008)

Australia

6.6

screenplay

2008

 

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)

Love in the Time of Cholera

6.4

screenplay

2007

 

Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

8.0

screenplay

2007

 

Oliver Twist (2005)

Oliver Twist

6.8

screenplay

2005

 

Jeremy Irons and Annette Bening in Being Julia (2004)

Being Julia

7.0

screenplay

2004

 

Michael Caine, Jeremy Northam, John Neville, and Tilda Swinton in The Statement (2003)

The Statement

6.2

screenplay

2003

 

TV teatar (1956)

TV teatar

7.5

TV Series

by

1997–2002

2 episodes

 

Majstor

TV Movie

Writer

2002

 

Television Theater (1953)

Television Theater

8.0

TV Series

play

drama

1997–2002

6 episodes

 

The Pianist (2002)

The Pianist

8.5

screenplay by

2002

 

Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)

Taking Sides

7.1

play

screenplay

2001

 

Za i przeciw

TV Movie

play

1997

 

Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)

Cry, the Beloved Country

6.8

screenplay

1995

 

The Browning Version (1994)

The Browning Version

7.2

Writer

1994

 

Marcello Mastroianni and Julie Andrews in A Fine Romance (1991)

A Fine Romance

4.9

Writer

1991

 

Dresser

TV Movie

play "The Dresser"

1990

 

Ian McKellen in Countdown to War (1989)

Countdown to War

6.6

TV Movie

play

1989

 

Breakthrough at Reykjavik

9.2

TV Movie

Writer

1987

 

Danny Glover and Alfre Woodard in Mandela (1987)

Mandela

6.5

TV Movie

Writer

1987

 

The Deliberate Death of a Polish Priest (1986)

The Deliberate Death of a Polish Priest

TV Movie

Writer

1986

 

The Doctor and the Devils (1985)

The Doctor and the Devils

6.1

Writer

1985

 

All the World's a Stage (1984)

All the World's a Stage

TV Mini Series

written by

playwright: 'The Dresser'

1984

11 episodes

 

The Dresser (1983)

The Dresser

7.5

based on a play by

screenplay by (uncredited)

1983

 

Een familie

TV Movie

Writer

1981

 

Tales of the Unexpected (1979)

Tales of the Unexpected

7.6

TV Series

dramatisation

adaptation

1979–1981

12 episodes

 

Evita Peron (1981)

Evita Peron

5.7

TV Movie

written by

1981

 

Read All About It

TV Series

questions: Quiz of the Week

1979

1 episode

 

Operation Daybreak (1975)

Operation Daybreak

7.0

screenplay by

1975

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

6.2

TV Series

writer

1972

1 episode

 

ITV Playhouse (1967)

ITV Playhouse

6.9

TV Series

writer

1972

1 episode

 

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

7.1

screenplay

1970

 

Susan George and Mark Lester in Sudden Terror (1970)

Sudden Terror

6.1

screenplay

1970

 

Marcello Mastroianni and Elaine Taylor in Diamonds for Breakfast (1968)

Diamonds for Breakfast

4.7

writer

1968

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.9

TV Series

writer

1966–1967

2 episodes

 

Arrivederci, Baby! (1966)

Arrivederci, Baby!

5.5

screen story by

1966

 

Wendy Hiller, John Stride, and Ted Willis in Knock on Any Door (1965)

Knock on Any Door

8.5

TV Series

writer

1965–1966

2 episodes

 

Anthony Quinn and James Coburn in A High Wind in Jamaica (1965)

A High Wind in Jamaica

6.5

screenplay

1965

 

Private Potter (1963)

Private Potter

5.9

written by

1963

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

7.8

TV Series

writer

play

1960–1963

4 episodes

 

The Barber of Stamford Hill (1963)

The Barber of Stamford Hill

6.9

TV play

1963

 

Playdate

7.4

TV Series

Writer

1961

1 episode

 

Actor

All the World's a Stage (1984)

All the World's a Stage

TV Mini Series

1984

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

7.8

TV Series

Sammy

Dave

1956–1961

3 episodes

 

The Small House at Allington

TV Series

Cradell

1960

3 episodes

 

Formula for Danger

TV Series

PC Gale

1960

4 episodes

 

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre

7.6

TV Series

Man

Captain Arago

1956–1959

2 episodes

 

The Rough and Ready Lot

TV Movie

Pablo

1959

 

Script and Continuity Department

Cromwell (1970)

Cromwell

7.0

script consultant

1970

Lou Brock obit

Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock: 1939-2020

 

 He was not on the list.

Hall of Famer Lou Brock, one of baseball’s signature leadoff hitters and base stealers who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960s, has died. He was 81.

Dick Zitzmann, Brock's longtime agent and friend, confirmed Brock's death on Sunday, but he said he couldn't provide any details. The Cardinals and Cubs also observed a moment of silence in the outfielder's memory before their game at Wrigley Field.

Brock lost a leg from diabetes in recent years and was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

“I think he led a life that will never be duplicated,” Zitzmann said.

The man later nicknamed the Running Redbird and the Base Burglar arrived to the Cards in June 1964, swapped from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Ernie Broglio in what became one of baseball’s most lopsided trades. Along with starter Bob Gibson and center fielder Curt Flood, Brock was an anchor for St. Louis as its combination of speed, defense and pitching made it a top team in the ’60s.

Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league stolen base record in 1977. He was an All-Star for six seasons and a National League (NL) stolen base leader for eight seasons. Brock led the NL in doubles and triples in 1968. He also led the NL in singles in 1972, and was the runner-up for the NL Most Valuable Player Award in 1974.

Brock stole 938 bases in his career, including 118 in 1974 — both of those were big league records until they were broken by Rickey Henderson.

Brock was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, to a family of sharecroppers. His family moved to Collinston, Louisiana, when he was two years old. While his family didn't have much money, he said that he never felt poor because, "If you don't have something, you don't miss it." Brock grew up as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the team that included Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella. Although he didn't play in organized baseball until he reached the 11th grade, he learned much about the sport from listening to Cardinals radio broadcaster Harry Caray describe the way major league hitters stood at the plate. After attending high school in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, he received academic assistance to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, but when a low grade in his first semester meant the possibility of losing his scholarship, he decided to try out for the school's baseball team in order to secure an athletic scholarship.

Brock hit for a .189 batting average in his first year of college baseball, but improved the following year to hit for a .500 average. Southern University won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' baseball championship during his junior year, and Brock was selected for the United States baseball team in the 1959 Pan American Games. When Brock decided to try for a professional baseball career, he traveled to St. Louis to try out for the Cardinals, but the scout who had recommended him was in Seattle to sign Ray Washburn. He then decided to try out for the Chicago Cubs, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1960. Assigned to play for the St. Cloud Rox, Brock won the 1961 Northern League batting championship with a .361 batting average.

Brock received numerous awards during his playing career. In January 1968 he was named the recipient of the Babe Ruth Award as the outstanding player in the 1967 World Series. Brock was honored with The Sporting News Player of the Year Award in 1974. In the wake of his record setting 118 stolen bases during the 1974 season, Brock was named the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in March 1975, for best exemplifying the game of baseball both on and off the field. In 1977 he was awarded the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award as the player who best exemplified Lou Gehrig's ability and character. In 1978, the National League announced that its annual stolen base leader would receive the Lou Brock Award, making Brock the first active player to have an award named after him.

In October 1979, Brock was named the National League's Comeback Player of the Year. In December 1979, he was named as the recipient of the Hutch Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson. Also on Sunday September 9, 1979, the St. Louis Cardinals retired Brock's jersey number 20, an honor that had previously been bestowed upon only three other Cardinals players; Stan Musial, Dizzy Dean and Bob Gibson. In 1983 he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. In 2014, the Cardinals announced Brock among 22 former players and personnel to be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum for the inaugural class of 2014. He was inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1985.

Brock's death came after Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver died Monday. Brock and Seaver faced each other 157 times, the most prolific matchup for both of them in their careers. Brock and his wife were both ordained ministers serving at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in St. Louis, and he was a director on the board of YTB International.

Bruce Williamson obit

The Temptations singer Bruce Williamson dead at 49 after coronavirus battle

He was not on the list.

Bruce Williamson, an accomplished R&B and soul vocalist who sang with The Temptations for years, has died at age 49, reportedly following a battle with coronavirus.

The veteran crooner sang lead vocals with the legendary ‘60s group that he joined in 2006. He remained a member of the iconic R&B and soul act until 2015.

His death was mourned Monday by his son, Bruce Williamson Jr., in a tribute on Facebook.

“There’s no words in the world that can express how I feel right now,” the post reads. “I love you Daddy, thank you for being awesome thank you for being loving thank you for being Who You Are I pray to God and we will meet again. I love you Daddy.”

Williamson died in Las Vegas on Sunday night at his home after fighting COVID-19, TMZ reported.

The Temptations rose to fame in the 1960s, long before Williamson joined, on the strength of hit songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” The group has carried on with a number of different lineups over the years, with founding member Otis Williams continuing to perform in the latest iteration of The Temptations.

Williamson was with The Temptations when the group released albums such as “Still Here” and “Back to the Front.”