Moviefone Editorial

Tag: celebrity death

  • Stage and Screen Actor Linda Lavin Dies Aged 87

    (L to R) Polly Holliday, Linda Lavin and Beth Howland in 'Alice'. Photo: Warner Bros. Television
    (L to R) Polly Holliday, Linda Lavin and Beth Howland in ‘Alice’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    Preview:

    • Actor Linda Lavin has died aged 87.
    • Lavin was best known for her role in TV’s ‘Alice.’
    • Her movie roles included ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’ and ‘The Intern.’

    Linda Lavin, the sitcom star and stage actor who was best known for her long-running role as the title character in ‘Alice,’ died Sunday from complications of lung cancer. She was 87.

    Lavin, who scored Tony and Emmy awards for her career, enjoyed a long and successful career both in theatre and on TV, while also finding time to appear in movies.

    Related Article: ‘Roots’ and ‘Good Times’ Actor John Amos Has Died Aged 84

    Linda Lavin: Early Life and Career

    (L to R) Buddy Rich and Linda Lavin in 1980's 'Linda in Wonderland'. Photo: CBS.
    (L to R) Buddy Rich and Linda Lavin in 1980’s ‘Linda in Wonderland’. Photo: CBS.

    Born in 1937, Linda Lavin grew up in Portland, Maine, and moved to New York City after graduating from the College of William and Mary. She sang in nightclubs and in ensembles of shows.

    Producer and director Hal Prince gave Lavin her first big break while directing the Broadway musical ‘It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman,’ which became a notorious flop but still helped to launch Lavin’s stage career.

    She went on to earn a Tony nomination in Neil Simon’s ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ in 1969 before winning 18 years later for another Simon play, ‘Broadway Bound.’

    While her Hollywood career would impact her availability for theatre work, she still continued to show up on stages including in ‘Gypsy,’ ‘The Diary of Anne Frank,’ and branched out into directing plays.

    Linda Lavin: TV and Movie Appearances

    (L to R) Jeniffer Lopez and Linda Lavin in 'The Back-Up Plan'. Photo: CBS Films.
    (L to R) Jeniffer Lopez and Linda Lavin in ‘The Back-Up Plan’. Photo: CBS Films.

    Lavin’s early TV work included episodes of ‘The Nurses,’ ‘Rhoda,’ ‘Harry O’ and ‘Kaz.’ She landed a recurring spot as Detective Janice Wentworth on ‘Barney Miller’ and appeared in the show’s first two seasons.

    That part saw her cast her on ‘Alice,’ a sitcom based on Ellen Burstyn’s Oscar-winning role in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 drama ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.’

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    Lavin played a widow and single mom who becomes a waitress in Phoenix in the series, which ran from 1976 to 1985. She received one Emmy nomination and won two Golden Globes.

    The show spawned “Kiss my grits” as a catchphrase and co-starred Polly Holliday as waitress Flo and Vic Tayback as the gruff owner and head chef of Mel’s Diner.

    (L to R) Polly Holliday, Vic Tayback, Linda Lavin and Beth Howland in 'Alice'. Photo: Warner Bros. Television
    (L to R) Polly Holliday, Vic Tayback, Linda Lavin and Beth Howland in ‘Alice’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television

    Outside of those roles, Lavin became a regular in guest star and recurring spots, showing up on series including ‘The Muppet Show,’ ‘Touched by an Angel,’ ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The O.C.,’ ‘The Good Wife,’ ‘Bones,’ ‘Mom,’ ‘9JKL,’ ‘Brockmire,’ ‘B Positive’ and ‘Elspeth.’

    Most recently, she had a supporting role on Netflix comedy drama ‘No Good Deed’ and had been at work filming new Hulu sitcom ‘Mid-Century Modern’ co-starring Matt Bomer and Nathan Lane. The show had been on a hiatus for the holidays and had completed filming seven of its 10 initial episodes.

    On the big screen, Lavin appeared in the likes of ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan,’ ‘I Want to Go Home,’ ‘The Back-Up Plan,’ ‘Wanderlust,’ ‘The Intern,’ ‘How to Be a Latin Lover’ and ‘Being the Ricardos.’

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    Linda Lavin: Tributes

    (L to R) Jeniffer Lopez, Linda Lavin and Tom Bosley in 'The Back-Up Plan'. Photo: CBS Films.
    (L to R) Jeniffer Lopez, Linda Lavin and Tom Bosley in ‘The Back-Up Plan’. Photo: CBS Films.

    Liz Feldman, who worked as a supervising producer on ‘9JKL’ and created ‘No Good Deed,’ paid particular tribute to her:

    “Getting to work with you once was an honor and a joy. I loved writing for you on ‘9JKL’ all those years ago. I just loved YOU. Being around you. In your magnetic orbit. That we got to collaborate again on ‘No Good Deed’ was simply a gift. You were, as always, incredibly gracious, totally hilarious and pitch perfect. Ready to play and full of life. Your warmth and kindness was unparalleled. I just loved you. We all did. Thank you for letting me into your stunning orbit. And for allowing me to spin with you for a while.”

    Aaron Kaplan, who similarly worked on ‘9JKL’ and hired Lavin as a recurring actor on another show, ‘Santa Clarita Diet,’ also recalled her talent:

    “ ‘Alice’ was one of the many sitcoms that made me fall in love with television; I was eight years old and watched every episode. Over three decades later, I had the great privilege to work with Linda on ‘9JKL’ and she was the just the most amazing partner — funny and talented and kind and generous. Linda Lavin was — and will always be — Hollywood royalty.”

    Finally, ‘Mid-Century Modern’ producers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and director and executive producer James Burrows released a joint statement:

    “Working with Linda was one of the highlights of our careers. She was a magnificent actress, singer, musician, and a heat seeking missile with a joke. But more significantly, she was a beautiful soul. Deep, joyful, generous and loving. She made our days better. The entire staff and crew will miss her beyond measure. We are better for having known her.”

    Lavin is survived by her third husband, Steve Bakunas.

    (L to R) Beth Howland, Linda Lavin, and Polly Holliday in 'Alice'. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
    (L to R) Beth Howland, Linda Lavin, and Polly Holliday in ‘Alice’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    List of Linda Lavin Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Linda Lavin Movies On Amazon

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  • Actor Teri Garr Dies Aged 79

    Teri Garr in 'One from the Heart'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Teri Garr in ‘One from the Heart’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Actor Teri Garr has died at the age of 79.
    • She’s best remembered for her performances in ‘Tootsie’ and ‘Young Frankenstein.’
    • Garr got her start as a background dancer for the likes of Elvis Presley.

    Teri Garr, whose bubbly charm made her memorable both on and off screen, has died. She was 79.

    Garr will forever be known for her roles in Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’ and the 1982 comedy ‘Tootsie.’

    Yet her career, and indeed her life, was much more varied than that, taking in background dancing and regular appearances on comedy variety shows.

    Related Article: ‘Roots’ and ‘Good Times’ Actor John Amos Has Died Aged 84

    Early life and Career

    Teri Garr in 'One from the Heart'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Teri Garr in ‘One from the Heart’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Garr was born in Ohio in 1944. Both her parents worked in show business: Her father was a vaudeville performer, while her mother was a Rockette who eventually worked in costume production (which would end up being helpful later in her daughter’s career.)

    The family, which also included her two older brothers, moved to New Jersey before settling in Los Angeles. Garr’s father died when she was 11.

    This is how Garr remembered her mother to the LA Times in 2008:

    “She put two kids through school. I have one brother who is a surgeon, there’s me, and my other brother builds boats. She was in wardrobe. She was a costumer at the studio. She would always say, ‘We’re still alive…’ ”

    Before she ever considered acting, Garr started training as a dancer, with an emphasis on ballet., and it would play a part in her performing career too.

    Still, she dropped out of college to move to New York to focus on acting, where she studied at the Actors Studio and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

    (L to R) Michael Keaton and Teri Garr in 'Mr. Mom'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Michael Keaton and Teri Garr in ‘Mr. Mom’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Her earliest projects allowed her to use her dancing skills. She appeared in six movies starring Elvis Presley, including 1964’s ‘Viva Las Vegas.’ She also appeared on TV variety shows as a dancer.

    But she tired of simply being part of chorus and began to pursue more acting work. After meeting Jack Nicholson in an acting class, she scored her first speaking role in The Monkees’ 1968 movie ‘Head,’ which he wrote.

    Her film career began to take off, and she won roles in the likes of ‘The Conversation’ in 1974 and, most memorably, in Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’ as Inga, Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant.

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    Garr’s mother was the wardrobe woman on the movie, but that didn’t automatically open the door for her –– the actor still had to audition, and after four rounds, she got the part.

    From there, she would enjoy a run of roles in big movies, including playing Richard Dreyfuss’ worried wife in ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and then scored an Oscar nomination for her work alongside Dustin Hoffman in 1982’s ‘Tootsie.’

    Among her other credits? ‘The Black Stallion’ and its 1983 sequel, ‘Witches’ Brew,’ ‘The Sting II,’ ‘After Hours,’ ‘Full Moon in Blue Water,’ ‘Waiting for the Light,’ ‘The Player,’ ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and ‘Dick.’

    TV Work

    (L to R) Lisa Kudrow and Teri Garr on 'Friends'. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
    (L to R) Lisa Kudrow and Teri Garr on ‘Friends’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    Garr’s notable TV work included her first major role, on the original ‘Star Trek’ series in the episode “Assignment: Earth.”

    She sang, danced and played various characters during the 1971–72 season of ‘The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,’ then had recurring roles on the two NBC shows: the short-lived Sally Field sitcom ‘The Girl With Something Extra’ and, as a ditzy policewoman, on the Dennis Weaver cop show ‘McCloud.’

    Garr hosted ‘Saturday Night Live‘ three times (in 1980, 1983 and 1985) and was a frequent visitor on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson‘. She also appeared often on David Letterman’s shows.

    The actor was also seen on ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ ‘The Odd Couple,’ ‘Maude’ and ‘Barnaby Jones.’ She made memorable appearances on ‘Friends,’ playing Phoebe’s estranged birth mother.

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    Illness and Family Life

    Teri Garr in 'One from the Heart'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Teri Garr in ‘One from the Heart’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    In the 1990s, Garr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and it impacted her career going forward, though she continued to work.

    This is how she described her condition in her memoir, “Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood” in 2006:

    “My body had a trick or two up its sleeve. A stumble here, a tingling finger there. I was trained as a dancer and knew better than to indulge the random aches and pains that visited now and then. Being a successful Hollywood actress may be challenging, but little did I know that the very body that had always been my calling card would betray me.”

    Garr married John O’Neil in 1993. Together they adopted daughter Molly, and the couple split in 1996.

    She’s survived by Molly and her granddaughter, Tyryn.

    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder and Teri Garr in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder and Teri Garr in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    List of Teri Garr Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Teri Garr Movies On Amazon

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  • Musician and Actor Kris Kristofferson Dies, Aged 88

    Kris Kristofferson in 'Convoy'. Photo: United Artists.
    Kris Kristofferson in ‘Convoy’. Photo: United Artists.

    Preview:

    • Musician and actor Kris Kristofferson has died at the age of 88.
    • In movie terms, he was best known for performances in films such as ‘A Star is Born’ and ‘Blade.’
    • Kristofferson’s music also appeared on many soundtracks.

    Kris Kristofferson, who forged a wildly successful and impactful career in country music but also made an impression on the world of cinema, died on Saturday at home in Maui, Hawaii. He was 88.

    Kristofferson was that rare artist whose career crossed between both music and movies successfully, and he had several memorable roles, including in the original ‘Blade’ trilogy, and 1976’s ‘A Star is Born.’

    Related Article: John Ashton Actor in ‘Beverly Hills’ Cop and More, Has Died Aged 76

    Kris Kristofferson: Early Life and Career

    (L to R) Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson in 'Semi-Tough'. Photo: United Artists.
    (L to R) Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson in ‘Semi-Tough’. Photo: United Artists.

    Kristofferson was born on June 2nd, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas. His father was a career Army Air Corps and Air Force officer, and his family moved frequently.

    He attended high school in San Mateo, Calif., where he proved both a strong student and a gifted athlete. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English from Pomona College and attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar.

    After initially failing in his creative pursuits (he unsuccessfully attempted to publish two novels), he joined the Army, married his childhood sweetheart, had a daughter, enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Germany as a helicopter pilot.

    After he was discharged, the Pentagon offered him a teaching position at West Point. It was a career-making honor, but Kristofferson decided to first stop in Nashville to see if he could sell songs he’d been working on with Army friends in a band he named the Losers.

    It took just two weeks to change his path once more, this time for good. “I fell in love with the whole life, of songwriters hanging out writing songs to each other,” he recalled. He turned down the West Point offer and moved to Nashville.

    It was a controversial decision for his family –– his mother, for one, disowned him.

    Kris Kristofferson: A Life in Music

    (L to R) Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand in 1976's 'A Star Is Born'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand in 1976’s ‘A Star Is Born’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    As a musician, he broke through as the author of such No. 1 country hits as “For the Good Times, ” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” His song “Me and Bobby McGee” became a posthumous No. 1 pop hit for his former girlfriend Janis Joplin in 1971.

    His first four albums for Monument Records, which showcased his unique singing style and, all reached the country top 10, and 1972’s “Jesus Was a Capricorn,” which contained his No. 1 country hit “Why Me,” topped the country LP chart.

    He won three Grammys: for best country song (“Help Me Make It Through the Night”) and a pair of duets with Rita Coolidge, to whom he was married from 1973-80. Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

    He retired from performing in 2020, at the age of 83.

    Kris Kristofferson: Movies

    (L to R) Kris Kristofferson and Isabelle Huppert in 'Heaven's Gate'. Photo: United Artists.
    (L to R) Kris Kristofferson and Isabelle Huppert in ‘Heaven’s Gate’. Photo: United Artists.

    The musician made his first mark on screen in Bill L. Norton’s 1972 movie ‘Cisco Pike,’ in which he played the titular character, an L.A. musician and drug dealer under the thumb of a corrupt narcotics cop (Gene Hackman) –– in keeping with his other career, the film also employed several Kristofferson songs on its soundtrack.

    His handsome features would land him a variety of work in romantic dramas, including ‘Blume in Love’ and Martin Scorsese’s ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’.

    In 1976, co-starring with Barbra Streisand, he won a Golden Globe Award as a dissolute rock star in the third version of “A Star is Born.”

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    Despite some bumps along the way –– including in the much-maligned ‘Heaven’s Gate’ –– Kristofferson enjoyed an eclectic film career both as a performer and on soundtracks.

    A sampling of his movie roles include ‘Convoy,’ ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ ‘Big Top Pee-Wee,’  ‘Lone Star,’ ‘U Turn,’ and the three original ‘Blade’ movies, where he was craggy, fatherly Whistler opposite Wesley Snipes’ titular vampire hunter.

    In 1984, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for ‘Songwriter’ alongside Willie Nelson, with whom he also co-starred in the music drama.

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    Kris Kristofferson: Tributes

    Kris Kristofferson in 2006's 'Kris Kristofferson: Live from Austin, TX'. Photo:
    Kris Kristofferson in 2006’s ‘Kris Kristofferson: Live from Austin, TX’. Photo:

    Kristofferson’s family took to social media to pay tribute:

    “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28th at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

    He was also remembered by Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum:

    “Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”

    Kristofferson leaves behind his third wife, Lisa; his eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and his seven grandchildren.

    (L to R) Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976's 'A Star Is Born'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976’s ‘A Star Is Born’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    List of Kris Kristofferson Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Kris Kristofferson Movies On Amazon

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  • Actor Gena Rowlands Dies, Aged 94

    Gena Rowlands in 'Gloria.' Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Gena Rowlands in ‘Gloria.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Gena Rowlands has died at the age of 94.
    • She became known for her work with her husband, John Cassavetes.
    • Younger audiences fell in love with her via 2004 weepie ‘The Notebook’.

    Gena Rowlands, an Oscar-nominated actor whose emotional and impactful performances won her Oscar nominations and Emmy Awards, has died. She was 94.

    Rowlands appeared on TV, stage and in movies, and became known for a variety of wonderful roles in an eclectic range of projects.

    Related Article: ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Oscar Winning Actor Alan Arkin Dies At The Age of 89

    Gena Rowlands: Early Life

    (L to R) Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands in 'A Woman Under the Influence.' Photo: Faces International Films.
    (L to R) Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands in ‘A Woman Under the Influence.’ Photo: Faces International Films.

    Gena Rowlands was born on June 19th, 1930, in Madison, Wisconsin to banker father Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands and actress mother Mary Allen Neal.

    Rowlands attended the University of Wisconsin and then opted to move to New York to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. There she met a fellow acting student, John Cassavetes and they married in 1954, which sparked a long professional career (more on that below) as well as a personal one. The pair were married until Cassavetes’ death in 1989.

    Gena Rowlands: TV work

    (L to R) Aidan Quinn and Gena Rowlands in 'An Early Frost'. Photo: NBC.
    (L to R) Aidan Quinn and Gena Rowlands in ‘An Early Frost’. Photo: NBC.

    Rowlands made her television debut in 1954 in ‘Middle of the Night’. That launched a long-running TV career that ran parallel with her movie work. She had a regular role on ‘Peyton Place‘ and earned the first of eight Emmy Award nominations for her poignant characterization of a mother facing the dual revelation that her son is a homosexual and that he is dying from AIDS in 1985’s ‘An Early Frost’.

    She scored her first Emmy win for ‘The Betty Ford Story’ playing the former first lady. She captured another best actress Emmy for ‘Face of a Stranger’ and a best supporting actress trophy for ‘Hysterical Blindness.’

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    Gena Rowlands: Notable Movie Roles

    (L to R) James Garner and Gena Rowlands in 'The Notebook'. Photo: New Line Cinema.
    (L to R) James Garner and Gena Rowlands in ‘The Notebook’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    Rowland’s first movie role was in the comedy ‘The High Cost of Loving’ in 1958. She had a bit part in Cassavetes’s ‘Shadows’ before appearing in the western ‘Lonely Are the Brave’.

    Although she worked with various directors over the next two decades, most of her films during that time were directed by Cassavetes. The duo had arguably their greatest success with ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ in in which she starred as a woman struggling to reintegrate with her family after having been hospitalized for a mental breakdown, and the mob drama ‘Gloria’ in 1980. Rowlands received Academy Award nominations for both roles.

    The couple’s other acclaimed collaborations included ‘Faces’, ‘Machine Gun McCain’, ‘Minnie and Moskowitz’, ‘Two-Minute Warning’, ‘Opening Night’, ‘Tempest’, and ‘Love Streams’, in which she played opposite her husband as his sister). Other films included ‘The Spiral Road’, Woody Allen’s ‘Another Woman’, ‘Something to Talk About’, ‘Hope Floats’, ‘The Skeleton Key‘, ‘Broken English’ and ‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’.

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    In more recent years, Rowlands won over a whole new audience playing an aging woman suffering from Alzheimer’s in the 2004 romantic drama ‘The Notebook’. In 2015, she received an honorary Academy Award.

    Rowlands is survived by her second husband, Robert, daughters Alexandra and Zoe, and filmmaker son Nick, who directed her in ‘The Notebook’.

    At the time of writing, Rowlands’ cause of death was not announced, but she had been battling Alzheimer’s, her condition confirmed by Nick back in June.

    Gena Rowlands in 'Gloria.' Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Gena Rowlands in ‘Gloria.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Gena Rowlands Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Gena Rowlands Movies On Amazon

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  • Comedy Icon Bob Newhart Dies Aged 94

    Bob Newhart and the cast of 'The Bob Newhart Show'.
    Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘The Bob Newhart Show’. Photo: CBS.

    Preview:

    • Comedian and actor Bob Newhart has died aged 94.
    • He starred in eponymous sitcoms and other shows, earning an Emmy and many nominations.
    • Judd Apatow and more paid tribute.

    A comedy institution and formative influence for many talented people has left us. Bob Newhart, who rose from comedy albums to TV superstardom, has died at the age of 94 following a brief illness.

    Newhart is remembered for his hangdog delivery and the ability to spin lines into comedy gold.

    Related Article: ‘Clue’ and ‘Arrested Development’ Actor Martin Mull Dies Aged 80

    Bob Newhart: Early Life and Career

    Barbara Rickles, Bob Newhart, Virginia Newhart and Don Rickles in director Judd Apatow's documentary 'Bob & Don: A Love Story.'
    (L to R) Barbara Rickles, Bob Newhart, Virginia Newhart and Don Rickles in director Judd Apatow’s documentary ‘Bob & Don: A Love Story.’

    Newhart was born in Chicago in September 1929. He attended Loyola University in the city, majoring in commerce and graduating in 1952, when he entered the Army. After ending his military service two years later, he entered Loyola’s law school but flunked out in 1956. He then worked a variety of odd jobs while performing in an Oak Park stock company.

    Yet comedy called to him: “I worked as an accountant for 2½ years, then worked as a copywriter,” he said in a 2001 interview for the Television Academy Foundation. “People had always been saying, ‘Gee, you’re funny. You think funny.’ So I just decided I was gonna give it a try and see what happened.”

    Here’s what happened, if not immediately: Newhart broke out in 1960 with a pair of No. 1 comedy albums –– despite never having done stand-up before. ‘The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’ spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard 200 and stayed on that chart for more than two years. ‘The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!’ arrived about 10 months later and also hit No. 1.

    Bob Newhart: TV legacy

    Bob Newhart and the cast of 'Newhart'.
    (Center) Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘Newhart’. Photo: CBS.

    While his first TV attempt, NBC comedy/variety show, ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ (based on his albums) only ran for a season, he would go on to dominate TV comedy for the better part of two decades. Newhart’s first sitcom, also titled ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ debuted on CBS in September 1972. It did well right from the start, finishing in the year-end three-network primetime Top 20 in each of its first three seasons, ultimately running to 1978.

    Newhart starred as Bob Hartley, a successful psychologist in Chicago whose deadpan delivery drove the series.

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    He’d also star in 1982’s ‘Newhart’, also for CBS. This time he played, Dick Loudon, a “how-to” book author who took over a long-closed colonial inn in Vermont. It ran for eight seasons and its series finale is still considered one of TV’s greatest episodes.

    Outside of his own shows, Newhart became known as a guest on a raft of series including ‘Murphy Brown’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘ER’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Hot in Cleveland’ and an Emmy-winning turn on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (he also appeared on that show’s spin-off, ‘Young Sheldon’).

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    Bob Newhart: Movie Work

    Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell in 'Elf'.
    (L to R) Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell in ‘Elf’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    The veteran performer appeared in a number of films including ‘In & Out’, ‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde’, ‘Horrible Bosses’, ‘First Family’ and ‘Catch-22’.

    Yet for a whole generation, he’ll be forever known as the kindly yet deadpan Papa Elf, who raises Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who ends up at the North Pole after crawling into Santa’s sack as an infant and, in his adult years, heads to New York in search of his actual father (James Caan), in 2003’s ‘Elf‘.

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    Bob Newhart: Tributes Pour In

    Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch in 'George & Leo'.
    (L to R) Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch in ‘George & Leo’. Photo: Paramount Television.

    As you might expect given Newhart’s long career and renowned good nature, fellow showbusiness types are lining up to pay tribute. Here are a few select statements.

    Judd Apatow took to social media to express his feelings:

    Comedian and former politician Al Franken has this to say:

    “Bob Newhart was a giant, a genius, and a great guy. I’ll always remember when he hosted ‘SNL‘ and did a stellar show. He was, as you might expect, a joy to work with. May his memory be a blessing.”

    Director Paul Feig recalled Newhart this way:

    “I had the honor of doing a guest role on Newhart & got to spend the week listening to the great Bob Newhart making us all laugh. A brilliant standup & comedic actor, he was truly one of a kind. His legacy will live on.”

    Newhart’s wife Ginny died last year. He is survived by his children, Robert Jr., Timothy, Courtney and Jennifer, and 10 grandchildren.

    Bob Newhart and the cast of 'Newhart'.
    Bob Newhart and the cast of ‘Newhart’. Photo: CBS.

    Bob Newhart Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Bob Newhart Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Chinatown’ Screenwriter Robert Towne Dies Aged 89

    Jack Nicholson in 'Chinatown'.
    Jack Nicholson in ‘Chinatown’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Writer and director Robert Towne died Monday at the age of 89.
    • He was most famous for writing ‘Chinatown’ and two of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies.
    • Towne also went uncredited for work on many other projects.

    Robert Towne, the scriptwriter for one of the most famous crime thrillers in history, ‘Chinatown’, died on Monday at his home aged 89.

    In addition to his many notable credits, he also helped with a variety of other movies and TV series without receiving any mention.

    Here’s what he told Creative Screenwriting about his career:

    “The only benefit your experience gives you is, when you’re stuck on the story point: ‘Well, hell, I got through it before, I guess I’ll get through it again.’ It’s that dumb faith in the fact of your own history. ‘I must be able to do this. I did it before’ But it’s just as hard every time.”

    Related Article: Donald Sutherland, Star of ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Klute’ and More Dies at 88

    Robert Towne: early Life and Career

    Julie Christie and Warren Beatty in 'Shampoo'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    (L to R) Julie Christie and Warren Beatty in ‘Shampoo’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Born Robert Bertram Schwartz in 1934, Towne grew up in the Los Angeles port town of San Pedro. His blue-collar upbringing would later infuse his work with a gritty realism.

    Yet despite his renown as a writer, Towne’s initial foray into Hollywood wasn’t behind the scenes, but in front of the camera. He landed roles in Roger Corman’s early films such as ‘The Last Woman on Earth’ (though even there, he also wrote the screenplay, showcasing his dual talents.)

    He also wrote on shows such as ‘The Outer Limits’, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and ‘The Lloyd Bridges Show’.

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    It was his association with Corman, however, that truly launched Towne’s writing career. Corman, known for nurturing young talent, provided Towne with a platform to hone his craft. While these early scripts leaned towards genre fare like sci-fi and horror, they displayed a sharp wit and a knack for dialogue that would become Towne’s signature.

    The late 1960s saw Towne emerge as a key figure in the New Hollywood movement. He penned the scripts for Hal Ashby’s acclaimed films ‘The Last Detail’ and ‘Shampoo’, earning Oscar nominations for both. These films explored the moral complexities of a changing America, showcasing Towne’s ability to blend humor and pathos.

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    Robert Towne and Chinatown

    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in 'Chinatown'.
    (L to R) Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in ‘Chinatown’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    It was his collaboration with Roman Polanski on ‘Chinatown’ (1974) that cemented Towne’s place in cinematic history. The movie, a scathing indictment of the times via an exploration of Los Angeles’ dark underbelly, won Towne an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film’s layered narrative and iconic characters, particularly Jake Gittes played by Jack Nicholson, continue to be studied and revered.

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    Robert Towne: Other Work

    Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'.
    Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Elsewhere, Towne scored praise for his work on the first ‘Mission: Impossible’ and, to a lesser degree, its immediate follow-up. His movie resume includes ‘Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes’, ‘The Firm’ and ‘Days of Thunder’.

    Towne’s career wasn’t without its stumbles. He directed several films throughout the 1980s and 1990s with mixed results including ‘Personal Best’, ‘Tequila Sunrise,’ ‘Without Limits,’ and a misguided attempt to follow up ‘Chinatown’ with 1990’s ‘The Two Jakes’, which Nicholson took over directing.

    Yet none of that takes away from Towne’s impact on American cinema. He leaves behind a body of work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

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    Billy Crudup in 'Without Limits'.
    Billy Crudup in ‘Without Limits’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Robert Towne Movies and TV Shows:

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  • ‘Shaft’ Actor Richard Roundtree is Dead At 81

    'Shaft's Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree.
    (L to R) ‘Shaft’s Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree.

    Preview

    • Actor Richard Roundtree, best remembered for playing detective John Shaft, has died.
    • Roundtree was 81 and had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.
    • Co-stars and those influenced by him have paid tribute to his memorable work.

    Actor Richard Roundtree, who will be forever linked to cult movie detective John Shaft from 1971’s ‘Shaft,’ has died. He was 81.

    Roundtree, a famous breast cancer survivor, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died surrounded by family at his bedside.

    His agency, and manager Patrick McMinn, released a statement about his death:

    “Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

    “Trailblazing” is as good a term as any for Roundtree, who portrayed the first Black private detective on screen. Yet while he’ll most closely be identified with his Blaxploitation career and particularly the iconic Shaft character, the actor enjoyed a long run of work on screens big and small.

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    Early life

    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971's 'Shaft.'
    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971’s ‘Shaft.’ Photo: MGM.

    Richard Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York, played football for Southern Illinois University and did some modeling before the acting bug bit.

    He was drawn to theater and joined New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company, then starred as Jack Johnson in ‘The Great White Hope’ off-Broadway before the role of John Shaft presented itself –– a lucky break secured after Sidney Poitier refused to screen test for the role, leading director Gordon Parks to cast Roundtree instead.

    The role of John Shaft, the “hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt” private detective, changed Roundtree’s life and the course of Hollywood by introducing him as an unapologetic protagonist and subterranean fighter of crime.

    He went on to play the role in the sequels ‘Shaft’s Big Score!’ and ‘Shaft in Africa’ as well as the short-lived 1973 ‘Shaft’ TV series.

    The actor’s many film credits include 1981’s ‘Inchon’, ‘City Heat‘ (1984) as well as ‘Se7en’, ‘George of the Jungle’, ‘Body of Influence’, ‘Amityville: A New Generation’, and ‘What Men Want’. He was last seen in Paul Weitz’s comedy ‘Moving On’.

    Related Article: Suzanne Somers of ‘Three’s Company’ and ‘Step By Step’ Dies At Age 76

    TV roles

    Leslie Uggams and Rochard Roundtree in 'Roots.'
    (L to R) Leslie Uggams and Richard Roundtree in ‘Roots.’ Photo: Warner Bros Television.

    On the small screen, Roundtree had one of his best opportunities in the breakthrough miniseries ‘Roots’, playing a handsome, well-groomed carriage driver with whom Kizzy (Leslie Uggams) falls in love until she sees that when the master (George Hamilton) calls, Roundtree grovels.

    Roundtree starred in the miniseries ‘AD’ and had a supporting role in the series ‘Outlaws’ (CBS, 1986-1987) as Ice McAdams. He was part of the cast of the short-lived multi-racial NBC daytime drama ‘Generations,’ playing a doctor forced to live in hiding for 15 years for a murder he did not commit. He also appeared in a number of sitcoms and other series, including ‘Being Mary Jane’.

    Tributes from co-stars

    'Shaft's Richard Roundtree.
    ‘Shaft’s Richard Roundtree.

    Roundtree reprised his most famous role in the 2000 John Singleton movie ‘Shaft’, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel.

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    Jackson took to Instagram to pay tribute:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CyzcJOspbAT/

     

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    Gabrielle Union, who worked with Roundtree in ‘Being Mary Jane’, tweeted her own tribute:

     

    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971's 'Shaft.'
    Richard Roundtree as John Shaft in 1971’s ‘Shaft.’ Photo: MGM.

    Richard Roundtree Movies:

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    To watch our exclusive interviews with Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher and Richard Roundtree about 2019’s ‘Shaft,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • Singer-Songwriter Jimmy Buffet Dies Aged 76

    Jimmy Buffet performing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2019 as seen in director Frank Marshall's documentary 'Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.'
    (Right) Jimmy Buffet performing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2019 as seen in director Frank Marshall’s documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Jimmy Buffett, a much-loved musician who made memorable appearances in movies (as well as providing iconic music to their soundtracks) has died at the age of 76.

    “Parrot Heads”, as his fans are known (coined after he saw big groups of them at his concerts dressed in tropical clothing and wearing toy parrots on their heads) are in mourning.

    Early life

    Born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, James William Buffett became best known for his unique musical blend of country, rock, and Caribbean influences. His songs were less a genre; more a way of life — a reminder to savor every moment, appreciate the simple pleasures, and embrace the spirit of adventure.

    Musical career

    Pitbull, Jimmy Buffet, director Frank Marshall, and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary 'Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.'
    (L to R) Director Frank Marshall, Jimmy Buffet, Pitbull and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    His musical journey began in the late 1960s, and over the decades, he produced wealth of hits that became anthems of escapism, including classics like ‘Margaritaville,’ ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise,’ and ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.’

    It is perhaps ‘Margaritaville,’ released on Feb. 14th, 1977, for which he will be best remembered. The song — from the album also titled ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ — spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 8. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historic significance.

    “There was no such place as Margaritaville,” Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach.”

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    Outside of his songs

    Beyond his music, Buffett was a renaissance man. He was an accomplished author, with bestsellers such as ‘Tales from Margaritaville’ and ‘A Pirate Looks at Fifty,’ based on his life experiences.

    His love for sailing led to the creation of the ‘Margaritaville’ brand, which expanded into restaurants, hotels, and a diverse range of lifestyle products.

    Buffet’s philanthropic endeavors were almost as notable as his musical efforts –– he became passionate about environmental issues, including the preservation of coastlines. He also helped small businesses threatened by closure, including a shrimp fishing company in North Carolina he chose as the primary supplier for his restaurants.

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    Buffett in movies

    ‘Margaritaville’ and other songs from his back catalogue have graced the soundtracks of countless movies. And Buffett himself is no stranger to the screen, cropping up in cameos as himself or as characters including ‘Hook’, ‘Cobb’, ‘Congo’, ‘Repo Man’, ‘Hoot’, and the ‘Billionaire Boys Club’.

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    He’s memorably spotted in ‘Jurassic World’, rescuing margaritas (of course) from a Margaritaville restaurant based in theme park when Pteranodons attack the patrons.

    ‘World’ director Colin Trevorrow paid fitting tribute to the moment on twitter:

    https://twitter.com/colintrevorrow/status/1697883707401453842

    He’s a big part of Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern’s 2022 documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story’ (and was an executive producer), about which you can read more below:

    Related Article: Director Frank Marshall Talks Documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story’

    Buffett’s family released an official statement on his passing:

    “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

    Jimmy Buffet died at age 76.
    Jimmy Buffet. Photo courtesy of Grammy.com.

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  • Musician and Composer Robbie Robertson Has Died

    Robbie Robertson in 'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,' a Magnolia Pictures release.
    Robbie Robertson in ‘Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,’ a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: © Don Dixon.

    Robbie Robertson, a founding guitarist of legendary musical group The Band who launched a successful solo career and worked closely as a composer on Martin Scorsese’s movies and more has died. He was 80.

    Early Life and music career

    The Band (left to right): Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson in 'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,' a Magnolia Pictures release.
    The Band (left to right): Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson in ‘Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,’ a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo © by Elliott Landy.

    Born Jaime Royal Robertson on July 5, 1943, in Toronto, he began playing guitar at age 10 and six years later joined up with Levon Helm in The Hawks. Robertson’s guitar style on songs such as ‘Who Do You Love’ helped birth in an era of classic bluesy rock and influenced countless musicians.

    Robertson got his break at age 16 with Ronnie Hawkins’ The Hawks, which eventually would feature many of his Band mates. He was Bob Dylan’s guitarist on the infamous mid-’60s ‘Going Electric’ tours and, as leader of The Band, collaborated on groundbreaking album ‘The Basement Tapes’, helping to invent the Americana genre.

    The Band hit it big with their debut album ‘Music from Big Pink’, which included classic track ‘The Weight’, which graces numerous movie soundtracks (in case the name doesn’t register, listen to this and you will recognize it immediately). In 1969, The Band played at Woodstock and became the first North American rock group to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

    They would go on to enjoy many more hit albums and singles, and when Robertson left the band in 1976 to pursue a solo career, the final concert was captured forever in iconic Martin Scorsese documentary ‘The Last Waltz’.

    Robbie Robertson in Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Waltz.'
    Robbie Robertson in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Last Waltz.’ Courtesy of United Artists.

    Related Article: Martin Scorsese Attached to ‘Gangs of New York’ TV Adaptation

    Robertson’s work in film

    (L to R) Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson at a screening of 'The Last Waltz' at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019.
    (L to R) Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson at a screening of ‘The Last Waltz’ at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019.

    In addition to his solo work, Robertson became a frequent collaborator with Scorsese, working on 14 movies together including ‘The Irishman’, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, ‘Gangs of New York’, ‘Casino’, ‘The King of Comedy’ and ‘Raging Bull’. His work as composer will also be heard in the director’s latest, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, due in theaters on October 20th.

    In addition to his work with Scorsese, he also contributed to the 1988 Bill Murray Christmas comedy ‘Scrooged’, recording a poppy, keyboard-heavy cover of The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” which he wrote originally for the album ‘Islands’.

    Martin Scorsese released the following statement about his friend and colleague:

    “Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work. I could always go to him as a confidante. A collaborator. An advisor. I tried to be the same for him. Long before we ever met, his music played a central role in my life — me and millions and millions of other people all over this world. The Band’s music, and Robbie’s own later solo music, seemed to come from the deepest place at the heart of this continent, its traditions and tragedies and joys. It goes without saying that he was a giant, that his effect on the art form was profound and lasting. There’s never enough time with anyone you love. And I loved Robbie.”

    Robbie Robertson and Bob Dylan in 'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,' a Magnolia Pictures release.
    (L to R) Robbie Robertson and Bob Dylan in ‘Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,’ a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: © Barry Feinstein.

    Here’s the note on Robertson’s death released by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, into which The Band were inducted in 1994:

    “The architect and primary songwriter of The Band, 1994 inductee Robbie Robertson changed the course of popular music in the late 1960s. Though born and raised in Canada, Robertson found poetry in America’s history and mythology, and with a fusion of blues, rock, folk, R&B and country, his compositions embodied the genre that came to be known as Americana. Such songs as ‘The Weight,’ ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,’ and ‘Up On Cripple Creek’ have become cultural monuments, thematically fusing the past with the present and leaving an immeasurable impact. Robertson’s razor-sharp guitar leads were a critical part of The Band’s sound, and after the group’s original lineup ended with the epic concert and film ‘The Last Waltz’, he went on to an acclaimed solo career and extensive work scoring films, including those of director Martin Scorsese.”

    Robertson is survived by his wife, Janet; his children, Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine; grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel and Seraphina.

    The Band in 'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,' a Magnolia Pictures release.
    The Band in ‘Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,’ a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: © David Gahr.
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  • Director William Friedkin Dies Age 87

    Director William Friedkin arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.
    Director William Friedkin arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007. Credit/Provider: Courtesy of AMPAS. Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.

    William Friedkin, the director best known for 1970s classics such as ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The French Connection’ has died. He was 87.

    Friedkin’s career was a complicated, confounding one, filled with movies that won acclaim, but also featuring long periods of box office flops.

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    Early Life and Career

    Presenter director William Friedkin, Robert Zemeckis, center, winner, Special Jury Award (A FIELD OF HONOR), at the 1975 (2nd) Student Academy Awards, and Academy president Walter Mirisch.
    (L to R) Presenter director William Friedkin, Robert Zemeckis, center, winner, Special Jury Award (A FIELD OF HONOR), at the 1975 (2nd) Student Academy Awards, and Academy president Walter Mirisch. Credit/Provider: Long Photography/©AMPAS. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    The future director was born in Chicago on Aug. 29, 1935, the only child of a former nurse whom he described as a “saint” and a father who hopped between jobs. The family was poor and at one point lived on welfare, though as Friedkin remembered, that was the case for many people in the local area.

    He attended Senn High School, where he was not much of a student but sought to develop his basketball skills to pro level. Since he never grew taller than six feet, however, he changed his career path to journalism.

    Applying to a local news station for work, he showed up at the wrong one for an interview, but it was the best thing that could have happened: he was hired by WGN, where he fell under the wing of writer and columnist, Fran Coughlin, who recognized his talent.

    Working his way up to floor manager and director, Friedkin then segued into documentaries with ‘The People vs. Paul Crump’ in 1962, about a death row inmate. It not only helped Crump win clemency but opened the door for a whole new career for Friedkin.

    Related Article: ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Oscar Winning Actor Alan Arkin Dies At The Age of 89

    Documentaries and Beyond

    Gene Hackman in 1971's 'The French Connection.'
    Gene Hackman in 1971’s ‘The French Connection.’ Photo courtesy of TCM.

    He soon earned a reputation as a fearless, even reckless filmmaker in the pursuit of clarity and good work. Seeking to win over the subject of one documentary, he agreed to let the man’s son shoot a cigarette out of his mouth from 50 paces; wishing to make a behind-the-scenes circus story come to life, he stepped into a cage with a lion tamer.

    TV work followed, including on ‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour’ and the small screen would prove to be a place that welcomed Friedkin back even as his cinema career became patchier –– he earned an Emmy nomination for a 1998 TV movie remake of ’12 Angry Men’, and he’d also direct operas.

    His movie career kicked off with the Sonny and Cher-starring ‘Good Times’ in 1967, flopped, but he followed that up with a wide range of genres and subjects, including ‘The Boys in the Band’, ‘The Night They Raided Minsky’s’ and ‘The Birthday Party’. While none of them saw much success, he had a chance meeting with producer Phil D’Antoni, which led to ‘The French Connection’ in 1971, the movie that truly announced Friedkin to the world. Starring Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey and Roy Scheider, the story of narcotics detectives taking huge risks to track down a drugs smuggling ring became famous for its success (it won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Friedkin) and infamous for the dangerous driving sequences that gave the movie some of its most memorable moments.

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    Here’s what Friedkin said about those in his memoir, ‘The Friedkin Connection’:

    “I have not, and would not again, risk the lives of others as we did. But the best moments of the chase came from this one long run with three cameras; pedestrians and cars dashed out of the way, warned only by the oncoming siren. I put people’s live at risk. I say this more out of shame than pride; no film is worth it. Why did I do it? I shared the cops’ obsession.”

    ‘The French Connection’ partly helped him become one of the leading lights of the 1970s, even as some of his other movies failed to connect at the box office. But not his iconic and incredibly influential adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s tome ‘The Exorcist’ in 1973. The story of a mother (Ellen Burstyn) recruiting the Church’s help to save her daughter (Linda Blair) from the clutches of demonic possession, it became one of the biggest box office hits of all time, it also won two Oscars.

    ‘Sorcerer’ came next, a personal favorite of the director, but another movie that struggled to find an audience (though it has since become a cult hit). 1980’s ‘Cruising’ proved to be controversial, but he continued on with films such as ‘To Live and Die on L.A.’, ‘Deal of the Century’, ‘Jade’, and ‘Rules of Engagement’.

    While he never enjoyed quite the same success as with ‘The Exorcist,’ he kept working through the 1980s,’90s and 2000s, putting out movies including ‘Bug’ and ‘Killer Joe’.

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    Friedkin on His Life and Work

    Jean Hersholt Award winner Sherry Lansing and director William Friedkin arrive at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.
    (L to R) Jean Hersholt Award winner Sherry Lansing and director William Friedkin arrive at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007. Credit/Provider: Courtesy of AMPAS. Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Married four times (to newscaster Kelly Lange and actors Lesley-Anne Down and Jeanne Moreau), he’s survived by his fourth wife, retired film executive and philanthropist Sherry Lansing, and their sons, Jack Friedkin and film editor Cedric Nairn-Smith.

    He has one final as director that will be shared with the world: ‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial’ was accepted into this year’s Venice Film Festival.

    Always the realist, Friedkin was open about his faults as he summed up his life to date in his memoir:

    “I’ve burned bridges and relationships to the point that I consider myself lucky to still be around. I never played by the rules, often to my own detriment. I’ve been rude, exercised bad judgment, squandered most of the gifts God gave me, and treated the love and friendship of others as I did Basquiat’s art and Prince’s music. When you are immune to the feelings of others, can you be a good father, a good husband, a good friend? Do I have regrets? You bet.”

    Regrets he may have, but his impact on cinema is undeniable.

    William Friedkin ‪winning the Oscar® for Directing.
    William Friedkin ‪winning the Oscar® for Directing. Photo courtesy of the Oscars YouTube page.
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