Tag Archives: Obituary

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

mr-spock_73706_topAt 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:

Continue reading →

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.

Ray Bradbury passes away at the age of 91

Grand Master of SF Ray Bradbury passed away this morning in Los Angeles, at the age of 91. While Bradbury was best known for the frequently challenged and/or banned novel Fahrenheit 451, he was also known for being a prolific short story writer, with his story The Veldt being reading among many high school textbooks. In addition to Fahrenheit 451, the short story collection The Illustrated Man was adapted to an anthology film, and The Martian Chronicles was adapted to a television miniseries. Several stories where adapted to episodes of the radio series X Minus One and Dimension X, both of which can be found at Archive.org.

The staff of Bureau42.com would like to offer their condolences to Bradbury’s family. He will be missed.

Jean “Moebius” Giraud passes away

We’re a little late getting the article up on this, but Jean “Moebius” Giraud passed away today after a long illness at the age of 73. Moebius was well known for his detailed art style, which inspired (among other things) the mechanical designs for the Nostromo in Alien, as well as influencing artists in the US as well as Japan (including Katsuhiro Otomo, who would write the manga Akira, as well as write and direct the film adaptation). Continue reading →

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.”

Leslie Nielsen, Dead at Age 84

Few people can earn the title, “iconic” but Leslie Nielsen is absolutely one of those people.

Renowned for his spoof comedy roles, he actually started as a serious, dramatic actor in the 1950’s. Genre audiences knew him well for his role in the 1959 sci-fi classic, Forbidden Planet. But after his turn to comedy in 1980’s Airplane!, Nielsen became one of the world’s foremost deadpan actors. Not to mention his part in one of the most overused, but never unfunny, bits of dialogue.

Mr. Nielsen, you’ll be missed.

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.