One great masters of genre fiction has passed away today. It’s difficult to put into words just how influential and powerful a voice she was in the genre.
Tag Archives: Obituary
The Queen of Voice Acting, June Foray, Has Passed Away
Leaving behind a massive filmography, June Foray has died just weeks short of her 100th birthday. Foray is best known for her work as Granny and Witch Hazel on “Looney Tunes” and as Rocky and Natasha on “Rocky & Bullwinkle.” Her spanned decades and genres and included:
- Various Characters (and the voice of Betty in the pilot) on The Flintstones
- Lucifer in Walt Disney’s Cinderella
- Magica De Spell on DuckTales
- Granny Gummi on Gummi Bears
- Grandmother Fa on Mulan
- Talky Tina on The Twilight Zone (The Living Doll)
- Jokey Smurf on The Smurfs
- Aunt May on Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends
A tireless advocate for animation, she helped establish the Annie Awards as well as getting the Academy Awards to add the Full-Length Animated Feature award in 2007. Her autobiography, “Did You Grow Up with Me?” was published 2009.
RIP Richard Hatch, BSG’s Original Apollo
Richard Hatch, the man who originated the role of Apollo on the 1978 version of Battlestar Galactica, has passed away at age 71. He joined the cast of the 2003 reboot as terrorist/political leader Tom Zarek.
He was no stranger to genre film (particularly the B-grade variety) and had appeared in the legally questionable Prelude to Axnar (and was set to appear in the full version, had that gone through).
In addition to acting, Hatch wrote a number of novels set in BSG universe. In 1999 he attempted his own reboot of the show that made him famous, producing a trailer for Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming.
He is survived by his son, Paul.
May the Force Be With You, Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds
Because 2016 just hadn’t crushed us enough…
Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy and the recent sequel, The Force Awakens, has passed away. She suffered a heart attack on December 23, while on a flight from London to Los Angeles. She was 60 years old.
In addition to acting, Fisher was a prolific Hollywood writer, known for her sharp wit and quick tongue. She was touring the nation, promoting her new book, The Princess Diarist, which was made up of her journal entries during the filming of Star Wars.
She was open about her struggles with her weight during Star Wars and her later addictions with drugs and alcohol. Her book (and screenplay) Postcards from the Edge, are a semi-autobiographical look into her life.
Fisher’s take on Leia created a whole new archetype of a tough woman in Science Fiction. Not quite the damsel in distress, she was a strong leader that gave a generation of geek women someone to look up to (and geek men to admire).
She is now one with the Force, but we will never forget her.
[Update] Sadly, a day after Fisher’s death, her mother, Hollywood legend, Debbie Reynolds has also passed away. She suffered a stroke while at her son Todd Fisher’s home while planning Carrie’s funeral. She was 84 years old.
Reynolds was a fixture of Hollywood musicals in the 50’s and 60’s and starred alongside Gene Kelley in the classic Singin’ in the Rain. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Molly Brown in the film version of the musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fisher family.
Firefly’s Shepard, Ron Glass, Heads Out Into The Black
Because 2016 hasn’t sucked enough, we lose the man the represented the soul of the Serenity. No details yet, but Ron Glass, famous for a variety of TV roles, including seven years on Barney Miller, has passed away at the age of 71.
As Shepard Book, a wandering preacher, Glass brought dignity to an undignified crew. He would reprise the role in the film sequel, where he uttered one of the most poignant lines of the series, “I don’t care what you believe. Just believe it.”
Joss Whedon took to Twitter with this:
He got there with grace, humor & enormous heart. He was, among so many other things, my Shepherd. Raise, appropriately, a glass. Rest, Ron. pic.twitter.com/yzPly7TmgE
— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 26, 2016
RIP, Mr. Glass.
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.
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.