Barbara Chilcott obit

Theatre actress and 'real national treasure' Barbara Chilcott dead at 99

 

She was not on the list.

Chilcott was a fixture of Toronto's Crest Theatre, frequent player at Stratford Festival.

Stage actress Barbara Chilcott, a driving force in Canada's theatre scene for more than half a century, has died.

Carol Davis-Manol said Chilcott, her first cousin once removed, died at her home in Toronto of age-related natural causes on New Year's Day. She was 99.

A fixture of the Crest Theatre in Toronto and frequent player at the Stratford Festival in its early years, Chilcott moved between Canada and England during a prolific career on the stage, said William Scoular, a former colleague and acclaimed director.

"She was a pioneer — a real national treasure who forged a path for lots of female actors to come after her," he said.

Chilcott began her career in 1943 as a member of the Canadian Auxiliary Services Entertainment Unit during the Second World War and toured England and Europe entertaining troops. After the war ended, she stayed in England and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London before making her West End debut in 1949.

"Barbara was determined to be an actress, so she set out for London because, at the time, there was no professional theatre [in Canada] and she was the first Canadian to star on the West End," said Scoular.

She returned to Canada in 1950 and performed on CBC Radio before joining her brothers Murray Davis and Donald Davis in their summer theatre company, Straw Hat Players.

Her brothers also founded the Crest Theatre in 1953, for which she played Viola in Twelfth Night, Antigone in Antigone, and Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra.

"Everybody who was anybody acted at the Crest Theatre," Scoular explained.

He said she then spent several years going back and forth between England and Canada, acting on stage, on television and in film in both countries. In 1963 she founded the Crest Hour Company to tour plays to schools.

Scoular, who directed Chilcott's final performance at the age of 89, said she was a modest performer but, during her career, rubbed elbows with many of the major players in the arts and entertainment scene, including J.B. Priestley, the Beatles, the guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Sean Connery.

He also said she was instrumental in convincing British director Tyrone Guthrie, who helped establish the first Stratford Festival in 1953, to come to Canada.

"Barbara had a great laugh and a wicked sense of humour, and though she was a massively private person, she loved being part of a [theatre] company more than anything," said Scoular. "The show was more real for her than anything else in the world and I think the last years, when she wasn't in a show, life was quite dull for her."

Chilcott survived her husband Harry Somers, a renowned Canadian composer who passed away in 1999. She had no children.

"She was the kind of actress who didn't need to be told what to do, she just knew how to do it. She could say more with a raised eyebrow than most actresses could with an entire speech," Scoular said.

Actress (26 credits)

 1996 Big Deal, So What (Short)

 1996 No Contest II

Mrs. Holman

 1993 M. Butterfly

Critic at Garden Party

 1992 Beyond Reality (TV Series)

Mrs. Claman

- Woman of His Dreams (1992) ... Mrs. Claman

 1988 The Twilight Zone (TV Series)

Mrs. Milligan

- The Curious Case of Edgar Witherspoon (1988) ... Mrs. Milligan

 1981 The Great Detective (TV Series)

Mrs. Anstey

- A Question of Loyalties (1981) ... Mrs. Anstey

 1975 Lies My Father Told Me

Mrs. Tannenbaum

 1972 Norman Corwin Presents (TV Series)

- Crown of Rages (1972)

 1969 McQueen (TV Series)

- You'll Never Be Lonely (1969)

 1966 The Trap

Trader's Wife

 1966 Seaway (TV Series)

Woman

- Ghost Ship (1966) ... Woman

 1962-1965 Festival (TV Series)

Rosabel Fleming / Greta / Anna / ...

- Two Terrible Women (1965)

- Venus Observed (1963) ... Rosabel Fleming

- Break-Up (1962) ... Greta

- The Gambler (1962) ... Anna

- The Queen and the Rebels (1962) ... Argia

 1962 Playdate (TV Series)

Lady

- The Pinedus Affair (1962) ... Lady

 1960 Danger Man (TV Series)

Mai Khano

- Deadline (1960) ... Mai Khano

 1960 Stop Me Before I Kill!

Baroness de la Vailion

 1957-1960 ITV Play of the Week (TV Series)

Cassandra / Mildred Tynan / Elizabeth Proctor / ...

- Tiger at the Gates (1960) ... Cassandra

- Ladies of the Corridor (1960) ... Mildred Tynan

- The Crucible (1959) ... Elizabeth Proctor

- How Charles Bravo Died (1958)

- The Wooden Dish (1957) ... Clara

Show all 6 episodes

 1960 Suspense (TV Series)

Lisa Trawley

- Collision! (1960) ... Lisa Trawley

 1958-1959 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series)

Alison Grey / Liesa Bergmann / Sister Joanna

- A Card from Alison (1959) ... Alison Grey

- Close Quarters (1958) ... Liesa Bergmann

- The Cradle Song (1958) ... Sister Joanna

 1959 Shoestring Theatre (TV Series)

Addie Garth

- The Trial of Addie Garth: The Hunger (1959) ... Addie Garth

- The Trial of Addie Garth: The Ghosts (1959) ... Addie Garth

- The Trial of Addie Garth: Ordeal (1959) ... Addie Garth

 1959 The Unforeseen (TV Series)

- The Mechanical Man (1959)

 1954-1959 Encounter (TV Series)

Velma Lewis / Lisa Bergmann / Margaret Briscoe

- Mr. Rizzi's Return (1959)

- The Silent Kingdom (1959) ... Velma Lewis

- Double Hazard (1956) ... Lisa Bergmann

- Three Lives Has Margaret (1956) ... Margaret Briscoe

- The Grass Harp (1954)

 1958 The Invisible Man (TV Series)

Maria

- Behind the Mask (1958) ... Maria

 1958 Armchair Theatre (TV Series)

Martirio

- The House of Bernarda Alba (1958) ... Martirio

 1955-1958 Folio (TV Series)

Madge Donnythorpe / Emilia (segment 'Othello')

- Corinth House (1958) ... Madge Donnythorpe

- The Public Prosecutor (1956)

- Hedda Gabler (1955)

- Betrayal (1955) ... Emilia (segment 'Othello')

 1957 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series)

Regina Gordon

- Counsellor at Law (1957) ... Regina Gordon

 1956 Christmas in the Market Place (TV Movie)

Maria

 

Max Julien obit

Goldie from 'The Mack' Max Julien Dead at 88

 

He was not on the list.

Max Julien -- famous for his leading role in the blaxploitation film 'The Mack' -- has died.

The actor/writer/producer passed away on Jan. 1, due to undisclosed circumstances -- this according to his PR team ... who says his wife discovered him early him Saturday morning.

In a statement, they say in part ... "During Julien's decades-long career, he was known for being bold, honest and straightforward. He would live and speak his own truth both professionally and privately. He was thought of as a rare 'man among men'."

Comic book writer and film producer David F. Walker broke the news about Julien's death in a social media post, honoring his friend.

He wrote, "I met Max back in 1996. He was a great human being, and we had so many amazing conversations. He was brilliant and hilarious and charismatic... R.I.P" DFW's caption accompanied an artistic rendering of Julien in his prime, depicting a classic scene from 'TM.'

No cause of death was revealed.

While he's got handful of acting credits, Julien will be most remembered for playing Goldie in the '73 cult classic film -- in which he portrays an ambitious up-and-coming pimp in Oakland, who faces off with corrupt cops and a drug kingpin upon being released from prison.

Along the way, he builds his roster of women with his sidekick, Slim ... who, funny enough, is played by a then-young Richard Pryor, well before he blew up as a big time actor. RP, of course, was already well established as a comedian at this point.

Several different lines and scenes from 'The Mack' have made their way into popular culture -- especially in hip-hop, with multiple rappers sampling snippets of the film into their songs. Some of those MCs who paid tribute -- Too Short, Snoop Dogg, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jadakiss, MC Ren, Kriss Kross and Big K.R.I.T. ... just to name a few.

Some other notable movies and shows Julien has starred in ... "The Black Klansman," "Psych-Out," "Uptight," "Mod Squad," "Getting Straight," "How to Be Player," among others. He also helped create the 'Cleopatra Jones franchise -- another blaxploitation saga.

Julien is survived by his wife, Arabella. He was 88, despite what his public birthday is listed as online. We've been assured ... Max was born in 1933.

He began his career on the stage on New York City's Off-Broadway circuit including roles in Joseph Papp's Shakespeare-In-The-Park. Moving westward to Hollywood, he landed co-starring roles with Jack Nicholson in Psych-Out and Candice Bergen in Columbia's box-office hit film Getting Straight. While spending time in Rome, Italy, he wrote and directed a documentary called Trestevre, then wrote the screenplay for, and subsequently co-produced, Warner Brothers's blaxploitation classic Cleopatra Jones, which starred actress Tamara Dobson in the title role as a narcotics agent who was as skilled in martial arts as she was with firearms. Julien refused to participate in the sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold, which led to his being credited instead with the film's story and script both being "based on characters created by Max Julien".

RIP

Filmography

 

    The Black Klansman (1966) - Raymond

    Psych-Out (1968) - Elwood

    The Savage Seven (1968) - Grey Wolf

    Up Tight! (1968) - Johnny Wells

    The Mod Squad (TV) - Jack Dawson (1968) 1 episode

    The Bold Ones: The Protectors (TV) - Coley Walker (1969) pilot episode "Deadlock"

    CBS Playhouse (TV) - Joe Barnes (1969) 1 episode

    Getting Straight (1970) - Ellis

    The Name of the Game (TV) - Mjoma (1970) 1 episode

    The Mack (1973) - Goldie

    Cleopatra Jones (1973) Screenwriter

    Thomasine & Bushrod (1974) - Bushrod

    Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997) - Uncle Fred

    Restore (2001) - Coach Barnes

    One on One (TV) - Goldie (2005) 1 episode

 

Wayne Little obit

Remembering Wayne Little of The Blackwood Brothers

 

He was not on the list.

Shady Valley. Tennessee

Arnold Wayne Little Jr., of Shady Valley, Tennessee went home to be with his Lord on January 1st, 2022. He passed away after a heroic battle with Covid 19. Wayne was born November 10th, 1961, in Elizabethton. He was most recently a member of First Church of God of Elizabethton. He is preceded in death by his parents: Arnold Wayne Little Sr. and Betty Mae Kyker-Little. Survivors include his beloved wife of 43 years, Gina Pierce Little, a son and daughter-in-law Micah Little and Gwen, a son and daughter-in-law Maison Little and Kelly, and three grandchildren. He leaves behind two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ted Weaver and Janet, and Randy Hardin and Darlene, as well as sister-in-law, Amy Carrier, and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne was a professional singer of Gospel music most recently serving as the legendary tenor for the world-famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet with whom he sang for over twenty years. However, over the span of his career he also lent his voice to the following groups: The Brotherhood Quartet, The Crystal River Boys, and New Millennium. Wayne was honored by being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. During his thirty-year career, Wayne shared the gospel through song and testimony all over the world, throughout our great country which he cherished, and even at The Pentagon honoring those lost on 9/11. His angelic tenor voice was considered by most to be the best in the industry.

It would be an understatement to say that Wayne was also a hard-working man. He was known for being tireless in his energetic pursuit of one project after the next. There was nothing Wayne could not do and no challenge too big for him. Most recently, he completed the build of a beautiful new family home. His talents were too many to list.

Above all, Wayne was best known as a true family man. His love for his family and their love for him was fierce, complete, and unconditional. He was a remarkable provider, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a powerful force for the Kingdom of God that he served well sharing God’s grace with everyone he encountered. He lived well, loved deeply, and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, inspiration, hope, and faith. Everyone who knew him was blessed by him. He is desperately missed and irreplaceable—truly one of a kind. We are grateful that his voice sings on, and his mission continues even after he has gone home.

A graveside service will be held at Shady Valley Memorial Gardens on Wednesday January 5th, 2022 at 3pm.