For the second time this week, a significant artist falls to cancer at age 69. This time, it was Alan Rickman, costar in the Harry Potter franchise, the Metatron from Dogma, Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest, and classic villain Hans Gruber from the greatest Christmas movie ever made, Die Hard.
Category Archives: Obituary
David Bowie dead at 69.
The influential British musician and pop-icon fell to cancer. His music often contained SF themes and references, “Space Oddity” was performed by astronaut Chris Hadfield from the ISS, and Bowie himself played an alien in The Man Who Fell to Earth (and many times on stage, as Ziggy Stardust).
George Barris, R.I.P.
George Barris has died at the age of 89. The car designer created the Munsters Koach (sort of), The Car, and many others, but was most famous for the 1966 Batmobile. He remained active until his death, often appearing at conventions and car shows.
RIP Wes Craven, Master of Horror
One of the most influential people in horror is now gone. Director and writer Wes Craven died on August 30, 2015 from brain cancer.
The genesis of many a sleepless night, Craven was the man behind the original Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream series.
Rest in Peace, Wes.
No really, I mean that.
RIP James Horner, Composer
James Horner, one of the most prolific film composers died in a plane crash yesterday at the age of 61. His credits are too numerous to list here, but he has been a major fixture in genre films for decades. He scored two Star Trek films (II and III), was a frequent collaborator with James Cameron (Aliens, Titanic, Avatar), and scored many of the Don Bluth animated films (An American Tale, The Land Before Time, etc).
Horner was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won twice (both for Titanic, Best Score and Best Song). How influential is he? He was the 35th person added to the IMDB database back in the 90’s and his score for Titanic is the best selling orchestral film soundtrack of all time.
Some of James Horner’s work sampled below.
Sir Christopher Lee Passes Away at 94
The Hollywood Reporter, among other sites, is reporting that actor, WWII veteran, and musician Sir Christopher Lee has passed away at the age of 94.
It is, frankly, hard to tell what he’ll be best known for playing. Maybe it’ll be as Count Dracula in Hammer’s horror films. Maybe it’ll be as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Maybe it will be for his performance in the original The Wicker Man. No matter what particular roles he’ll be remembered for – he was one of film’s most iconic actors, and like other horror legends like Boris Karloff and Vincent Price, his work will stand the test of time long after his passing.
Grace Lee Whitney, R.I.P.
Grace Lee Whitney, best known for her role as Yeoman Rand in the original Star Trek series, died of natural causes on Friday, May 1 at her home in Coarsegold, California.
Terry Pratchett dead at 66
Sir Terry Pratchett died eight years after first being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The fantasy author is probably best-known for the Discworld novels.
RIP Leonard Nimoy, Sci-Fi Legend
At the age of 83, Leonard Nimoy has passed away from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
I am, frankly, bereft of words at this moment. And I think our readers here know who he was and what his accomplishments were. Please share your thoughts down below. I may have something more coherent later today.
Mr. Nimoy, you did live long and you did prosper. Thank you for everything you did for us fans.
You will be missed, but never forgotten.
Here’s his final message on Twitter:
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
H.R. Giger dead at 74
Renowned artist and creator of one of the most iconic science fiction monsters of all time, H.R. Giger has passed away at age 74.
The Swiss artist created horrific, biomechanical art for musicians and other media but came to global fame with his designs for 1979’s Alien for which he was awarded an Oscar.
I think we can all attribute at least one restless night of sleep to his creations.