Los Angeles Morgue Files: September 2020

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Paramount Studios Producer A.C. Lyles 2013 Westwood Village Cemetery

Andrew Craddock "A. C." Lyles Jr. (May 17, 1918 – September 27, 2013) was an American film producer for Paramount Pictures, who is best known for producing a variety of westerns in the 1950s and 1960s.[1][2]

Career

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Lyles began working for Paramount studios after high school. He began as an office boy, worked in the publicity department of Pine-Thomas Productions the second feature unit of Paramount,[3] and eventually became assistant to the producer on The Mountain, released in 1954.

His first role as full producer was on Short Cut to Hell, released in 1957 that was a remake of This Gun for Hire and directed by James Cagney. He also produced nine episodes of the television show Rawhide.

In an interview with Alex Simon and Donald Keith, Lyles recalled he was approached by Paramount to do a Western when they realized they had none on their schedule of releases. When Law of the Lawless did well at the box office, Paramount asked him how many more he could do a year. Lyles replied "five" and he was given the go ahead to produce more second features for the studio.[4] Lyles filled his cast with many older, experienced actors who were his friends.

Lyles continued to produce a variety of low budget traditional westerns for Paramount in the 1960s, as well as other movies in other genres like the Korean War film The Young and the Brave, the detective drama Rogues Gallery in 1968, and the science-fiction film Night of the Lepus, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, that featured the American Southwest menaced by giant mutant rabbits.[5]

On March 3, 1988, Lyles was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6840 Hollywood Blvd.

Lyles' last work was as consulting producer on the HBO television series Deadwood, created by David Milch.

Personal

Lyles married actress Martha Vickers in 1948, but the couple divorced the following year.

He married Martha French in 1955.

On September 27, 2013, Lyles died at his Los Angeles home. He was 95 and survived by his wife. They had no children.[6]

A.C. Lyles is interred at Westwood Village Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

References

1. McLellan, Dennis. "Longtime Paramount Studios producer A.C. Lyles dies at 95". latimes.com.
2. "A.C. Lyles". Internet Movie Database. A
3. p.114 Joyner, C. Courtney A.C. Lyles Interview in The Westerners: Interviews With Actors, Directors, Writers and Producers McFarland, October 14, 2009
4. Simon, Alex and Keefe, Terry A C Lyles Interview The Hollywood Interview
5. By, K. H. (1972, Oct 24). Persuasive power makes a movie producer. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current File)
6. "VETERAN HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER A.C. LYLES DIES". AP.

A.C. Lyles and Mickey Rooney

Saturday, September 26, 2020

"Jesus Christ Superstar" Actor Barry Dennen 2017 Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Barry Dennen (February 22, 1938 – September 26, 2017) was an American actor, singer, voice actor, and writer. He played Pontius Pilate on the original recording and later in the film of Jesus Christ Superstar.[1]

Life and career

Dennen was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1938. In New York City from 1960 to 1963, he had a relationship with Barbra Streisand. They lived together for a year, during which time he helped her develop the nightclub act that began her successful career as a singer and actress.[2]

He moved to London for 15 years and in 1968 landed the starring role of the master of ceremonies in the London version of Cabaret. In 1970, he played Pontius Pilate on the album of Jesus Christ Superstar, and he played the same role in the Broadway production (1971). In the same year, he played Mendel in Norman Jewison's film of Fiddler on the Roof. According to Dennen's website, he suggested to Jewison that he direct a film version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Jewison did so, and Dennen played Pilate again (1973).

Dennen also played a variety of small parts on American television shows including: Batman, Galtar and the Golden Lance, Tales from the Darkside, and Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, and films, such as Madhouse (1974), Brannigan (1975), The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), The Shining (1980), Ragtime (1981), Trading Places (1983), Superman III (1983), Twin Sitters (1994), and Titanic (1997). He also played auto dealer Irwin Lapsey in Shock Treatment (1981), the sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In 1982, Dennen played the role of Buddy in the TV adaptation of Beau Geste.

Dennen also ventured into voice acting. He portrayed the Chamberlain SkekSil in The Dark Crystal (1982) as well as Tulku in The Shadow (1994). He also did voice work on cartoons such as DuckTales, Batman: The Animated Series, The Pirates of Dark Water, Animaniacs, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He also did voices for many video games, including Fatman in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Master Li in Jade Empire, Police Chief Bogen in Grim Fandango, Mimir in the video game Too Human, Dean Domino in Fallout: New Vegas expansion "Dead Money," The Dark One in The Mark of Kri, the Kangxi Emperor in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties, Benedict Burgess Batteric III in Infinity Blade III, Chaos Knight, Phantom Lancer, and Rubick in Dota 2, and the venerable Odo and meister Glimmerheim in Dungeon Siege III.

In 1984 Dennen wrote the lyrics for a children's musical revue, Wanna Play?!, which was produced in Kansas City and later produced on television twice. The show, written with writer Linda Bergman and composer Jeff Rizzo, is licensed by Samuel French. He wrote the screenplay for an episode of Amazing Stories titled "The Secret Cinema" (1985) and cowrote an episode of The Comic Strip Presents... titled "Demonella" (1993). His autobiographical book, My Life With Barbra: A Love Story (1997), deals with their relationship and with his gradual realization that he was gay.[3]

Death

In June 2017, Dennen suffered a fall in his Burbank home and required hospital care. He never fully recovered and died on September 26. His brother is Lyle Dennen.[4][5]

Barry Dennen is interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes

1970 The Juggler of Notre Dame The Juggler

1971 Fiddler on the Roof Mendel

1973 Jesus Christ Superstar Pontius Pilate

1974 Madhouse Gerry Blount

1975 Brannigan Julian

1976 The Monster Squad Mr. Mephisto

1977 The Kentucky Fried Movie Claude LaMont Segment "High Adventure"

1978 Rabbit Test Mad Bomber

1980 The Shining Watson

1981 Shock Treatment Irwin Lapsey

1981 Ragtime Stage Manager

1982 The Dark Crystal Chamberlain / Podling Voice[6]

1983 Trading Places Demitri

1983 Superman III Dr. McClean

1984 Memed, My Hawk Hikmet

1984 Not for Publication

1991 Liquid Dreams The Major

1994 Clifford Terry the Pterodactyl

1994 The Shadow Tulku Voice, Uncredited

1994 Twin Sitters Thomas

1997 Titanic Praying Man

2003 Manhood Singing Groom

2014 Heavenly Sword Flying Fox / Prophet Takashi Voice[6]

2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Defense Advisor Voice, Direct-to-video[6]

2016 Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival Heaven's Denizen Uncredited

Television

Year Title Role Notes Source

1968 Batman Fred 2 Episodes

1987 Tales from the Darkside Aldo the Puppeteer Ep. "No Strings"

1992 Batman: The Animated Series Shadow Agent (voice) Ep. "Off Balance" [6]

1993 Animaniacs Czar (voice) Ep. "Pavlov's Mice"

1999 Batman Beyond Captain (voice) Ep. "Disappearing Inque" [6]

2006 The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Gepetto, Blubbery Joe, Salesperson (voice) 2 Episodes

2006 Avatar: The Last Airbender General Sung, Additional Voices 2 Episodes [6]

2010 The Dalton's Jack Dalton, Peabody (voice) Ep. "Cowed" [6]

2012 Star Wars: The Clone Wars King Ramsis Dendup, Citizen, Rebel (voice) 3 Episodes

2013 Mad Shifu, Gatored Community Announcer Ep. "POblivion/Umbrellamentary"

2013 Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload Mandarin (voice) [6]

Video games

Year Title Role Notes Source

1995 Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom Melek

1998 Grim Fandango Chief Bogen, 1st Thunder Boy, Blue Casket's Waiter [6]

1999 Star Trek: Hidden Evil Adm. Ratok

2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Fatman English Dub [6]

2002 Star Trek: Bridge Commander Gul Oden, Captain Terrik

2002 The Mark of Kri The Dark One [6]

2003 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Vizier [6]

2005 Jade Empire Master Li

2005 Fantastic Four Mole Man

2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Crime Scene Tech, George Bennett, Frederick Grant, others

2007 Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth Additional Voices

2008 Too Human Mimir

2009 Dragon Age: Origins Uldred, Rogek, Senior Enchanter Torrin

2010 Fallout: New Vegas Dean Domino Dead Money DLC [6]

2011 White Knight Chronicles II Lorias [6]

2011 Dungeon Siege III The Venerable Odo, Mayor Moritz Grimmelhaus, Additional Voices

2012 Darksiders II The Chancellor, Eternal Throne Guard 2, Human Soul 2 [6]

2013 Dota 2 Chaos Knight, Phantom Lancer, Rubick [7]

2013 Infinity Blade III Benedict Burgess Batteric III

2014 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Poltae Headman English Dub

2014 Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Additional Voices [6]

2015 Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Commandant English Dub [6]

2016 World of Warcraft: Legion

References

1. Donald P. McClarey. "Screen Pilates: Barry Dennen." The American Catholic. Retrieved 13 November 2016.

2. William J. Mann (16 December 2012). "The Gays Behind Barbra (And Nearly Every Other Gay Icon)." Huffington Post. Retrieved 13 November 2016.

3. Dennen, Barry (1997), My Life with Barbra: A Love Story, Prometheus Books, ISBN 1-57392-160-2

4. Ramos, Dino-Ray; Gerard, Jeremy (September 26, 2017). "Barry Dennen Dies: 'Jesus Christ Superstar's Pilate And Barbra Streisand Mentor Was 79." Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 27, 2017.

5. Geier, Thom (September 26, 2017). "Barry Dennen, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Actor and Barbra Streisand Ex, Dies at 79." thewrap.com. Retrieved September 27, 2017.

6. "Behind the Voice Actors – Barry Dennen." Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 17, 2019.

7. Valve (2013-07-09). Dota 2 (PC). Valve.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

L.A. Philharmonic & Studio Violinist Jimmy Getzoff 2015 Hillside Cemetery

Obituary published in Los Angeles Times on Sep. 22, 2015

Jimmy Getzoff (December 3, 1921 - September 20, 2015) passed away peacefully in his home in Marina del Rey. Jimmy was a child prodigy, giving his first concert at the age of 6. At the age of 18 he became the youngest member of the L.A. Philharmonic. He continued his symphonic work as concertmaster of the Glendale Symphony under Carmen Dragon for 25 years. The bulk of his work, however, was working commercially in Hollywood. He worked as violinist or concertmaster at all of the major motion picture studios. He has been concertmaster for Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streiand, the Carpenters, David Gates, and Neil Diamond, among many others. He worked with top Hollywood arranger/conductors including Nelson Riddle, Van Alexander, Billy May, Tom Newman, Steve Dorff, Don Costa, Ralph Carmichael, and Marty Paitch. Jimmy Getzoff was a major figure in the Hollywood musical community, highly respected and well liked by his colleagues. He set a goal to experience all the musical challenges that Hollywood had to offer and he can say he did it all. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Paula Getzoff of 44 years, his daughter and husband Janice and Jeffrey Rakoff, his grandchildren David and Lea Rakoff, and Anne and David Kressel, nieces and nephews, wonderful caregivers and many friends. Services will be held on Thursday, September 24th at Hillside Memorial Cemetery at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.

JIMMY GETZOFF METACRITIC BIOGRAPHY

Metacritic Biography: James Getzoff

Brilliant Hollywood violinist, James Getzoff, known to his fans and colleagues as "Jimmy," is a veteran member of one of the world's most distinguished groups of musical artists – the concertmasters and violin soloists of the Hollywood Studios. This very small circle of virtuoso violinists are the equal of our great concert artists, but choose a world of relative anonymity in exchange for the tremendous variety of musical experiences that Hollywood offers.

Like many virtuosos, Jimmy was a child prodigy. He did not come from a musical family, but when he was four years old a neighbor's violin playing fascinated him. On a whim, the neighbor suggested that Jimmy try it out. Miraculously, he was able to produce quite a credible tone and play a melody. Soon, the family discovered he had perfect pitch and figured that music might be his future. He took lessons and by age seven was presented in recital. Jimmy played in various amateur orchestras and entered a contest to win the opportunity of studying with the famous Los Angeles Philharmonic Violinist and teacher Bonislaw Gimpel. At age 18, he became the youngest member ever to win a position with the Philharmonic.

Jimmy was on his way to what promised to be a big career in the classical music world; however, having been born and raised in Los Angeles, he was fascinated by the wider world of music in films, radio, television, and recordings. He set a goal to become one of the legendary Hollywood concertmasters. His first opportunity came when a Capitol Records producer heard him play at a symphony concert and recommended him for a record date. Recording work requires both flexibility and nerves of steel. He proved himself and quickly got into the group of "First Call" players who are in constant demand.

Carmen Dragon

Jimmy continued his symphonic work as concertmaster of the Glendale Symphony under Carmen Dragon for 25 years, appearing as soloist in many concerts at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center. With symphony and recording orchestras, he has played under conductors Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokowski, Leonard Bernstein, Eric Leinsdorf, Sir Thomas Beecham and Zubin Mehta. He recorded the nine Beethoven symphonies under Bruno Walter and The Firebird under Igor Stravinsky.

The bulk of his work, however, was in the highly demanding and exacting commercial world of Hollywood. He was under contract with Paramount Pictures for ten years. Jimmy also worked as violinist or concertmaster on major motion pictures at Universal, MGM and 20th Century Fox as well as many independent studios working with such picture scoring giants as Franz Waxman, Bernard Hermann, Alfred Newman, Victor Young, Maurice Jarre, David Raksin, Miklos Rosza, Lalo Schifrin, Dimitri Tiomkin, Jerry Goldsmith, and Johnny Green.

In the recording world he has been concertmaster for Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, the Carpenters, Bing Crosby, David Gates, and Neil Diamond among many others. He has worked with the top Hollywood arranger/conductors including Percy Faith, Nelson Riddle, Van Alexander, Billy May, Frank De Vol, David Rose, Don Costa, Gordon Jenkins, Jeff Alexander, Ralph Carmichael, Nick Perito, and Marty Paich.

Although the public has heard Jimmy's violin countless times, his work has been behind the scenes with the exception of 1959 and 1961 when he was concertmaster of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra on television and was featured on a popular recording of violin solos from the show. He later was concertmaster for many television specials including Dean Martin, Carol Burnett and the Carpenters. He enjoyed the excitement of live television as well as making recordings in the days when the star vocalist would be right in the studio working with the orchestra.

Jimmy's violinist hero is Jascha Heifetz. Heifetz heard Jimmy play when he was 16 years old and wrote a very complimentary letter. Many years later at a dinner gathering Heifetz asked, "Do you still practice?" Jimmy laughed, "I have to. I have a mother who still thinks I play better than you do." His choice to opt for variety in music has been a fulfilling one. He says, "I prefer classical music when I am listening just for enjoyment (his favorite composer is Brahms), but I also enjoy people like Streisand and Linda Ronstadt. What I deal with is music. Anything that is enjoyable doesn't need categories or labels – it's all good and important."

Jimmy's avocation is boating. He has been the owner of a 36 ft. Uniflight boat named Symphony at Sea. He often practiced the violin onboard, "That way, Symphony at Sea means something really special." Jimmy lives with his wife of 40 years, Paula, near the beach in Southern California. James Getzoff has become a major figure in the Hollywood musical community, highly respected and well liked by his colleagues. When still a teenager, he set a goal to experience all the musical challenges that Hollywood had to offer and now looking back he can say that he Did It All.