In Passing… John Hughes (1950-2009)

 

Director, producer, and writer John Hughes passed away on August 6, 2009. Hughes was known for successful 80’s teen comedies such as “Pretty In Pink,” “Sixteen Candles,” “Weird Science,” and “The Breakfast Club,” as well as “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Home Alone.” Born in Lansing, Michigan he spent time shooting small films in Northbrook, IL. In 1970 he took a job as an ad copywriter in Chicago. Continuing to write he sent in a story called “Vacation ‘58” which became the basis for “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” His breakout film was “Sixteen Candles,” which won praise and followed by “Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science,” and “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off.” Not wanting to be “the teen comedy guy,” he directed “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Home Alone.” His last was “Curly Sue,” in 1991. Since then he dropped off the Hollywood radar, movie back to Chicago and eventually going into farming. Using the pen name Edmond Dantes (think “Count of Monte Cristo”) he wrote the screenplays for “Maid in Manhattan” and “Drillbit Taylor.” He died from a heart attack at the age of 59.

 

Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.

 

Check out his IMDB page at:

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/

In Passing… David Carradine (1936-2009)

 

Actor, musician, producer, and director David Carradine was found dead in his Bangkok hotel room. His father was actor John Carradine and his half-brothers were Keith and Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen. David Carradine has been acting in television and film since 1963 when he was on “Armstrong Circle Theatre.” His first film role was as Cal Dodge in “Taggart” (1964). In 1972 he took the role of Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series “Kung Fu” (1972-1975) which is the role he’s most identified with. His other film work includes “Death Race 2000,” the “Kill Bill” movies and most recently “Crank 2.” He has worked with such directors as Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, and Quentin Tarantino. Aside from acting he was a musician having recorded 60 tracks in multiple genres and sung in several films. He was 72 years of age.

It’s still early for details but as of this writing the story is that Carradine committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room.

Thought and prayers to his family and friends.

For more information, check out his IMDB page at:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001016/

Or visit webpage at:
http://david-carradine.com/

In Passing… Dom DeLuise (1933-2009)

 

Actor, producer, director, comedian, and author Dom Deluise passed away yesterday, May 4, 2009. DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1933. He first appeared as Tinker the Toymaker in “Tinker’s Workshop” (1954) and had a small part as Sgt. Collins in the nuclear thriller “Fail-Safe” (1964). He would later be in such TV series as “The Munsters,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Dean Martin Summer Show,” and would even host his own by the end of the decade. His TV and film career quickly ballooned and he would become friends with Mel Brooks who would put him in “Blazing Saddles,” “History of the World, Part One,” “Silent Movie,” “Spaceballs,” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” Burt Reynolds and him became best friends and were together in “Cannonball Run 1 & 2,” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” He did voice work for other notable films such as “An American Tale,” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” In 1965 he married Carol Arthur and had three kids: Peter, Michael and David. The DeLuise Family has acted together in such TV series as “SeaQuest DSV,” “Happy,” and “3^rd Rock From the Sun.” Dom DeLuise also released two Italian cookbooks, “Eat This!” and “Eat This Too!” as well as some children’s books. His star on the Walk of Fame is at 1777 Vine Street. Dom DeLuise was 75 years of age at the time of his passing.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

For more information, check out his IMDB page at:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001123/

In Passing…: Sydney Pollack (1934-2008)

 

 

Sydney Pollack passed away from cancer yesterday at the age of 73 in Pacific Palisades, California. Pollack is best known as being a Director and Producer, most notably for the films “Michael Clayton,” “Tootsie,” “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?,” “Jeremiah Johnson,” and “Out of Africa,” for which he won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. He has garnered 18 additional awards for his films, as well as 26 nominations.

 

Pollack directed 21 films, produced 47, and acted in 23 as well as having had additional experience in the world of television. For more information, check out his IMDB page at:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001628/

Best wishes to the Pollack family.

 

-Chas