Peter Bogdanovich, the director who scored three classics in a row with the '70s hits The Last Picture Show, What's Up, Doc? and Paper Moon, died shortly after midnight on Thursday, January 6, of natural causes. He was 82. His daughter Antonia confirmed his passing, saying he died at his L.A. home. Born July 30,…
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Thank You for Being a Friend, Betty White: Icon Dies @ 99
It's been a terrible year for so many reasons, and now we have another sad milestone — TV icon Betty White has died at 99, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. TMZ reported the heartbreaking news that White died at her home in Brentwood. Variety reportsWhite is believed to have died Thursday evening. White's agent and friend…
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A Basket of Kisses from Not-So-‘Bad Seed’ Patty McCormack
On Sunday, I was so excited to attend a screening of The Bad Seed (1956) at NYC's Film Forum. It's always a pleasure to watch this startlingly modern film wrapped in a startlingly '50s melodrama — it prefigured Psycho (1960) — but the bonus was a rare personal appearance by the film's Oscar-nominated star Patty…
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Eddie Mekka, ‘Laverne & Shirley’s’ Carmine, Dies @ 69
Just 69 years old, Eddie Mekka — most famous as Laverne & Shirley's resident belter Carmina The Big Ragu Ragusa — died at his Newhall, California, home on November 27. No cause was given. A friend announced, "R.I.P. Big Ragu: It is with deep regret that we share with you the passing of our beloved Eddie…
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Arlene Dahl, Movie Star & Beauty Expert, Dies @ 96
One of Hollywood's most glamorous redheads, Arlene Dahl, died Monday, November 29, in NYC. She was 96. Also an enterprising beauty expert and glamorous presence at red-carpet events for decades, she was the mother of Falcon Crest star Lorenzo Lamas, 63, with fellow actor Fernando Lamas (1915-1982). On Facebook, Lamas wrote, "Mom passed away this…
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Dean Stockwell, 70-Year Hollywood Vet, Star of ‘Quantum Leap,’ Dies @ 85
Scene-stealing actor Dean Stockwell, an Emmy and Oscar nominee who had one of Hollywood's longest careers — 70 years — died Sunday in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, ExtraTV reports. He was 85, and his death was attributed to natural causes. A child star of the 1940s, which had made him one of the few…
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Joan Rivers Biopic OFF, Happy B’Day to ‘Electric Company,’ RIP Mort Sahl & More
Links from the past, with relevance today: VARIETY: The Comeback Girl, a proposed movie about the life of Joan Rivers to have starred Kathryn Hahn, will not proceed. Unfortunately, Rivers's life rights had not been purchased in advance, and rather than come out as an unauthorized project, producers have decided to move on. RANDY REPORT:…
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Peter Scolari of ‘Bosom Buddies,’ ‘Girls’ Dies @ 66
So sad to report the death of Peter Scolari after a two-year cancer battle. He was 66. Scolari was born on September 12, 1955, in New Rochelle, New York. As a young actor, he made his film debut in 1978's Take Off, and his TV debut a year later on the Donna Pescow-Robert Hays series…
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‘Old Yeller’ Star Tommy Kirk Dies @ 79
So sad to read that Tommy Kirk, the winsome star of Disney's phenomenally popular — and deeply sad — family film Old Yeller (1957), has died. He was 79. ExtraTV reports the retired actor was found dead at home in Las Vegas yesterday, September 28, by a friend. There is no cause yet, but no reason to…
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The Power of Rita Moreno, Mayim Bialik Hates Musicals, Madonna Celebrates in NYC & More
Links to the past, with relevance today: VARIETY: Rita Moreno, 89, fronts Variety's Power of Women special issue. Hilarious: Following her Oscar, Moreno was one of the few to land Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards, a coveted distinction known as an EGOT. And those are just the populist prizes. She’s also received the Presidential Medal…
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