Friday, November 17, 2023

"The Swimmer" Actress Janet Landgard 1947-2023 Memorial Video

Janet Alice Landgard (December 2, 1947 – November 6, 2023) was an American actress and model.

Janet Alice Landgard was born in Pasadena, California on December 2, 1947.

When Landgard was 14, her grandmother suggested modeling to her, She was seen in commercials on television and on magazine covers. She attended Pasadena High School, but after she obtained a role on The Donna Reed Show she was educated at the studio.

Landgard starred with Burt Lancaster in the 1968 film The Swimmer written by Eleanor Perry and directed by Frank Perry. Landgard was also a regular on the 1960s television series The Donna Reed Show. She also starred in 1970's Land Raiders with Telly Savalas and the 1974 film Moonchild with Victor Buono.

Landgard was interviewed for the behind-the-scenes documentary directed by Chris Innis, The Story of the Swimmer, which was featured on the 2014 Grindhouse Releasing/Box Office Spectaculars Blu-ray/DVD restoration of The Swimmer.

Landgard died of brain cancer on November 6, 2023, at the age of 75.

-- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Landgard










Monday, November 13, 2023

"Shaft" Actor Richard Roundtree 1942-2023 Memorial Video - Short Version

Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor and model, who was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel, as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974). He was also known for his work in several TV series, including Roots and Generations.

Considered as "the first Black action hero," Roundtree was credited with having an impact on the rise of African American leading actors in Hollywood projects, thanks to his successful performances in the blaxploitation genre. His portrayal of Shaft as a bold, confident, and charismatic figure influenced cinematic depictions of Black men and Black masculinity, a contrast to Black men in films prior to Shaft having often been portrayed as mild-mannered or servile.

Richard Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81.

-- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Roundtree










Sunday, November 12, 2023

"Shaft" Actor Richard Roundtree 1942-2023 Memorial Video - Extended Cut

Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor and model, who was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel, as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974). He was also known for his work in several TV series, including Roots and Generations.

Considered as "the first Black action hero," Roundtree was credited with having an impact on the rise of African American leading actors in Hollywood projects, thanks to his successful performances in the blaxploitation genre. His portrayal of Shaft as a bold, confident, and charismatic figure influenced cinematic depictions of Black men and Black masculinity, a contrast to Black men in films prior to Shaft having often been portrayed as mild-mannered or servile.

Richard Roundtree died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles on October 24, 2023, at the age of 81.

-- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Roundtree












Sunday, November 5, 2023

"Skirts Ahoy!" Actress Joan Evans 1934-2023 Memorial Video

Joan Evans (born Joan Katherine Eunson; July 18, 1934 – October 21, 2023) was an American film actress known for Roseanna McCoy, Our Very Own, Edge of Doom, On the Loose, and Skirts Ahoy! with Esther Williams. She co-starred with Audie Murphy in the movie, Column South. 

Evans was named after actress Joan Crawford, her godmother. She was married to Kirby Weatherly in August 1952.

In the 1950s, Evans wrote articles for Photoplay magazine. Evans retired from acting in 1961. Beginning in May 1966, she was editor of Hollywood Studio Magazine, using her married name, Joan Evans Weatherly. Evans became an educator, and in the 1970s, she was the director of Carden Academy in Van Nuys, California

On October 21, 2023, Joan Evans died in Henderson, Nevada. She was 89, and was survived by her two children and a grandson.

-- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Evans_(actress)












Thursday, November 2, 2023

"Three's Company" Actress Suzanne Somers 1946-2023 Memorial Video

Suzanne Marie Somers (née Mahoney; October 16, 1946 – October 15, 2023) was an American actress, author, and businesswoman in the health and wellness industry. She played the television roles of Chrissy Snow on Three's Company (1977–1981), Sheriff Hildy Graner in She's the Sheriff, and Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step (1991–1998).

Suzanne Somers wrote more than 25 books, including two autobiographies, four diet books, and a book of poetry. She was also well known for advertising the ThighMaster, an exercise device.

Suzanne Somers died at her home in Palm Springs, California, on October 15, 2023, one day before her 77th birthday. Her breast cancer had returned earlier in the year. Her funeral was held three days later, with her interment at Desert Memorial Park.

-- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Somers














Wednesday, November 1, 2023

"Friends" Actor Matthew Perry 1969-2023 Memorial Video - Extended Cut

Matthew Langford Perry (August 19, 1969 – October 28, 2023) was an American and Canadian actor. He starred as Chandler Bing on the NBC television sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004. Perry also appeared on Ally McBeal (2002) and received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his performances in The West Wing (2003) and The Ron Clark Story (2006). He gained a leading role in the NBC series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip which aired from 2006 to 2007. Perry also became known for his leading film roles in Fools Rush In (1997), Almost Heroes (1998), Three to Tango (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Serving Sara (2002), The Whole Ten Yards (2005), and 17 Again (2009). Perry was co-creator, co-writer, executive producer, and star of the ABC sitcom Mr. Sunshine, which ran from February to April 2011. In August 2012, he starred as sportscaster Ryan King on the NBC sitcom Go On. Perry co-developed and starred in a revival of the CBS sitcom The Odd Couple portraying Oscar Madison from 2015 to 2017. He had recurring roles in the legal dramas The Good Wife (2012–2013), and The Good Fight (2017). He portrayed Ted Kennedy in The Kennedys: After Camelot (2017) and appeared as himself in Friends: The Reunion (2021). Perry suffered from severe addictions to drugs and alcohol. Through his recovery, he became an advocate for rehabilitation and spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. In 2013, he received the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In 2022 he released his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. On October 28, 2023, Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and was later pronounced dead at the age of 54. On October 30, Perry's Friends costars issued a joint statement: "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world." -- Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry