RIP 2012 ("Sammelthread")

[StS]

RIP Actor Ben Gazzara, Dead at 81
Source: New York Times , Edward Douglas, February 3, 2012

The New York Times is reporting that legendary actor Ben Gazzara lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City earlier today. He was 81 years old.

The New York-based, classically-trained actor, born Biagio Anthony Gazzara, is best known for his work with the late John Cassavetes, a pioneer in independent filmmaking with pioneering films like The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) and Opening Night (1977). He followed those pivotal films by working with other prominent directors, such as Peter Bogdanovich (Saint Jack, They All Laughed), David Mamet (The Spanish Prisoner), Spike Lee (Summer of Sam) and Lars von Trier (Dogville).

Although Gazzara never received an Oscar nomination for his film work, he received four Emmy nominations before winning one in 2003 for his supporting role in HBO's "Hysterical Blindness" opposite his earlier co-star (and Cassavetes' widow) Gena Rowlands. Having been a regular presence on screen since the early '50s, Gazzara continued to work in his later years with his most recent appearance being in the thriller 13.

[StS]

Zalman King ("9 1/2 Wochen"/"Wilde Orchidee") haben ebenfalls den Kampf gegen den Krebs verloren...

Some sad news has come in: Producer, director, and screenwriter Zalman King, age 69, died this morning at his Santa Monica, California, home following a six-year battle with cancer.

While best known for his erotically-charged projects like 9 1/2 Weeks, "Red Shoe Diaries," and Wild Orchid, King did dip his toes into the horror genre on more than one occasion.

He got his start as an actor in the 60's and 70's (this writer being a big fan of his back in those days) but gained the most notoriety for writing, producing, and directing the aforementioned titles. His genre-related performances included appearances on the small screen in "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" back in 1964 and "The Munsters" in 1965 as well as the feature films Saint Francis, Galaxy of Terror, Blue Sunshine, and Trip with the Teacher.

In his later career King focused on documentaries about musicians, directing films about country singers Willie Nelson and Dale Watson and musician Toledo Diamond. He also directed music videos for rap groups, typically free of charge. "He loved to support artists everywhere he went," his son-in-law, Allison Burnett, said.

Actor Charlie Sheen, a longtime friend of King's, posted the following on his Facebook page today: "The world lost a brilliant and noble soul today. My dear friend of 40 years, Zalman King, just lost his battle with cancer. Fought like a recon Marine til the bitter end. Say a prayer for his amazing wife Pat and their lovely daughters. Safe travels my friend."

King is survived by his wife, Patricia Louisianna Knop, and their two daughters, screenwriter Chloe King and designer and painter Gillian Lefkovitz.

(Dread Central)

[StS]

We’ve just heard the sad news that SANCTUM producer Andrew Wight has died in a helicopter crash off the coast of New South Wales in Australia. The filmmaker perished with BAFTA and Emmy award winner Mike deGruy in the accident whilst they were apparently scouting locations for a new project. Wight was just 51 years old and deGruy 60.

Wight was worked on a variety of projects for James Cameron including the 3D underwater film GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS in 2003 before going on to write and produce SANCTUM last year, a film that was executive-produced by Cameron. SANCTUM was based on Wight’s own experience revolving around his near-death incident in an underwater cave. It went on to take $100 million at the box-office.

Mike deGruy was an award-winning cinematographer, workign on such projects as DEEP BLUE and many other TV wildlife documentaries. He tweeted four days before the crash; “Been in Australia 2 weeks, one to go then off to PNG. Love this place – especially Sydney on Australia Day.”

They were apparently due to work on an upcoming project together said to be a documentary about Papua, New Guinea.

Imdb.com/thehollywoodnews.com

[dÆmonicus]

"Die Pop-Welt trauert: Whitney Houston, 48, ist in einem Hotelzimmer in Beverly Hills tot aufgefunden worden - einen Tag vor den Grammy Awards, dem wichtigsten Preis der Musikszene. Sie wurde mit Hits wie "I Will Always Love You" zum Superstar - doch zuletzt kämpfte sie mit Drogenproblemen."

http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,814745,00.html

[The Punisher]

Schlagzeuger Tonmi Lillman (Lordi, Sinergy, To/Die/For, Ajattara) gestorben

Traurige Nachrichten aus Finnland. Lordi haben jüngst den Tod ihres aktuellen Drummers Otus bekanntgegeben. Der Schlagzeuger war seit 2010 Teil der Band und ist im Alter von 38 Jahren aus bislang noch ungeklärter Ursache verstorben. Er hieß mit bürgerlichen Namen Tonmi Lillman und spielte in der Vergangenheit u.a. auch schon bei solch renommierten Bands wie Sinergy, To/Die/For, Ajattara oder Kylähullut. R.I.P., Tonmi!



Quelle: Zillo.de

[StS]

Rest in Peace: Lina Romay

Fans of Jess Franco and exploitation cinema today are mourning the tragic loss of one of the biggest stars in her industry and sub-genre, the all too young Lina Romay.

As reported by Video Watchblog, the news emerged today from Spain, where actor Antonio Mayans formally announced Romay's death last week, on February 15th at the age of 57 due to a lost bout with cancer.

One look at here IMDB page and you'll see that Lina amassed quite a body of work to go along with her quite beautiful body. Dubbed Franco's muse, Romay, burst onto the genre scene with 1972's The Erotic Rights of Frankenstein and is best known for films such as Female Vampire, The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff, The Mystery of the Red Castle, Erotic Kill, and many, many more. In the Eighties Romay moved from the front of the screen to behind-the-camera as a director of a dozen different films.

We here at Dread Central would like to take this time to offer Lina's many friends, family, and constituents our sincerest of condolences. Heaven just got a whole lot hotter. Thanks for the memories, darling. Rest easy.

[StS]

R.I.P. James Isaac 1960 - 2012

The world of horror has lost another director.  This morning, news is spreading that James Isaac has passed away at the age of 51.

Writer Todd Farmer took to Facebook/Twitter last night to write: "RIP Jimmy Issac. A wonderful man, husband and father. I never tear up. I thought."  Farmer and Isaac collaborated on 2001's Jason X.

Isaac was apparently fighting some form of blood cancer; he was taken from us too soon.

Isaac's directing career began with The Horror Show in 1989 after working in special FX.

He went on to helm Jason X, Skinwalkers and Pig Hunt. During his FX career, he worked on Return of the Jedi, Gremlins, The Fly and House II.

(Shocktillyoudrop)