Peter Falk died Thursday night, June 23, 2011, at the age of 83. While best-known as disheveled 1970s detective Columbo (which had later spin-offs), fans of fantasy and SF remember him as the grandfather/narrator in The Princess Bride, and as the crazy missionary in the 2002 tv adaptation of The Lost World.
Category Archives: Obituary
RIP Elisabeth Sladen – 1948-2011
The BBC has confirmed that Elisabeth Sladen, who was well known for having played Sarah Jane Smith in the original Doctor Who series and the recent revival, as well as the spinoff series Sarah Jane Adventures, has passed away at the age of 63. Though the official cause of death has not been released, she had been being treated for cancer. She leaves behind her husband, Brian Miller and a daughter.
We, the staff of Bureau42.com, would like to offer our condolences to Mr. Miller and his daughter. Mrs. Sladen was an extremely talented actress, and she will be missed by the legions of Doctor Who fans.
Actor Michael Gough Dies at Age 94
After a long and very active career, Michael Gough has passed away.
This crowd probably knows him best as Alfred Pennyworth from the Tim Burton era Batman films. Don’t hold that against him, he was probably the single best part of the films, bringing dignity and a little humor to the role.
Gough would go on to star in other Burton productions, including Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, and last year’s Alice in Wonderland.
In 1979 he won a Tony Award for Best Actor (Feature Role – Play) for “Bedroom Farce.” He was nominated again for the same category in 1988 for his role in “Breaking the Code.”
Roy Disney, Dead at 79
Various outlets are reporting it: Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, has passed away from Stomach Cancer. Roy worked for his Uncle and Father’s company as an editor, screenwriter, and producer in the 1950’s and went on to be head of Disney Animation during a period that brought the company back from near extinction with films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.
He’s also known for several battles within the company. As a major shareholder, he deposed two company Presidents and fought to keep the company’s quality from dropping to, what he thought, were unacceptable levels.