Deaths: January 12
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Lisa Marie Presley was born on 1 February 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. She was a music artist and actress, known for Lisa Marie Presley: Idiot (2005), Michael Jackson: You Are Not Alone (1995) and Lisa Marie Presley: Dirty Laundry (2005). She was married to Michael Lockwood, Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and Danny Keough. She died on 12 January 2023 in West Hills, California, USA.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Aart Staartjes was born on 1 March 1938 in Nieuwendam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. He was an actor and director, known for De film van Ome Willem (1974), De Stratemakeropzeeshow (1972) and J.J. de Bom voorheen: 'De kindervriend' (1979). He was married to Hanna and Ansje. He died on 12 January 2020 in Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.- Agatha was born as "Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller" in 1890 to Frederick Alvah Miller and Clara Boehmer. Agatha was of American and British descent, her father being American and her mother British. Her father was a relatively affluent stockbroker. Agatha received home education from early childhood to when she turned 12-years-old in 1902. Her parents taught her how to read, write, perform arithmetic, and play music. Her father died in 1901. Agatha was sent to a girl's school in Torquay, Devon, where she studied from 1902 to 1905. She continued her education in Paris, France from 1905 to 1910. She then returned to her surviving family in England.
As a young adult, Agatha aspired to be a writer and produced a number of unpublished short stories and novels. She submitted them to various publishers and literary magazines, but they were all rejected. Several of these unpublished works were later revised into more successful ones. While still in this point of her life, Agatha sought advise from professional writer Eden Phillpotts (1862-1960). Meanwhile she was searching for a suitable husband and in 1913 accepted a marriage proposal from military officer and pilot-in-training Archibald "Archie" Christie. They married in late 1914. Her married name became "Agatha Christie" and she used it for most of her literary works, including ones created decades following the end of her first marriage.
During World War I, Archie Christie was send to fight in the war and Agatha joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment, a British voluntary unit providing field nursing services. She performed unpaid work as a volunteer nurse from 1914 to 1916. Then she was promoted to "apothecaries' assistant" (dispenser), a position which earned her a small salary until the end of the war. She ended her service in September, 1918.
Agatha wrote "The Mysterious Affair at Styles", her debut novel ,in 1916, but was unable to find a publisher for it until 1920. The novel introduced her famous character Hercule Poirot and his supporting characters Inspector Japp and Arthur Hastings. The novel is set in World War I and is one of the few of her works which are connected to a specific time period.
Following the end of World War I and their retirement from military life, Agatha and Archie Christie moved to London and settled into civilian life. Their only child Rosalind Margaret Clarissa Christie (1919-2004) was born early in the marriage. Agatha's debut novel was first published in 1920 and turned out to be a hit. It was soon followed by the successful novels "The Secret Adversary" (1922) and "Murder on the Links" (1923) and various short stories. Agatha soon became a celebrated writer.
In 1926, Archie Christie announced to Agatha that he had a mistress and that he wanted a divorce. Agatha took it hard and mysteriously disappeared for a period of 10 days. After an extensive manhunt and much publicity, she was found living under a false name in Yorkshire. She had assumed the last name of Archie's mistress and claimed to have no memory of how she ended up there. The doctors who attended to her determined that she had amnesia. Despite various theories by multiple sources, these 10 days are the most mysterious chapter in Agatha's life.
Agatha and Archie divorced in 1928, though she kept the last name Christie. She gained sole custody of her daughter Rosalind. In 1930, Agatha married her second (and last) husband Max Mallowan, a professional archaeologist. They would remain married until her death in 1976.Christie often used places that she was familiar with as settings for her novels and short stories. Her various travels with Max introduced her to locations of the Middle East, and provided inspiration for a number of novels.
In 1934, Agatha and Max settled in Winterbrook, Oxfordshire, which served as their main residence until their respective deaths. During World War II, she served in the pharmacy at the University College Hospital, where she gained additional training about substances used for poisoning cases. She incorporated such knowledge for realistic details in her stories.
She became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1956 and a Dame Commander of the same order in 1971. Her husband was knighted in 1968. They are among the relatively few couples where both members have been honored for their work. Agatha continued writing until 1974, though her health problems affected her writing style. Her memory was problematic for several years and she had trouble remembering the details of her own work, even while she was writing it. Recent researches on her medical condition suggest that she was suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. She died of natural causes in early 1976. - Soundtrack
Alejandro Sokol was born on 30 January 1960 in Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He died on 12 January 2009 in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.- Alexandra Bastedo was born on 9 March 1946 in Hove, East Sussex, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Casino Royale (1967), Batman Begins (2005) and The Champions (1968). She was married to Patrick Garland. She died on 12 January 2014 in West Sussex, England, UK.
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Alice Coltrane was born on 27 August 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She is known for God Said Give 'Em Drum Machines (2022), Stolen Moments.: Red Hot+Cool (1994) and Branford Marsalis Quartet: Coltrane's a Love Supreme (2003). She was married to John Coltrane. She died on 12 January 2007 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
For Amrish Puri, it was virtually the 'Summer of 42'. The actor's long simmering affair with acting found culmination when he reached his early 40s. And while his dream of playing the hero may have been thwarted, he went on to become the most loved villains of all time. He was also an artiste who redefined the dynamics for character actors. If he wowed the critics with his rough-edged portrayals in the art films of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, he won over the masala movie buffs with his louder-than-life histrionics. Puri with his reverberating baritone, piercing glance and dramatized dialogue delivery was a formidable figure against the hero. His costumes were all about prolific imagination and his one-liners ranging from, 'Mogambo khush hua' to 'Dong kabhi wrong nahin hota' are now part of cinema glossary. Puri even went ahead and worked in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, only to return and endorse the diversity that is Bollywood.
But behind the tough facade was a genteel person. "Upright and a true karma-yogi," as son and marine navigator Rajeev Puri describes him. "People from all walks of life loved him - even the police and the politicians." Rajeev adds, "A decade after his demise, some film or the other of his is constantly playing on channels - out of the 350 he did, 200 were hits!" And when people till date come up to him requesting for a photograph because he's the famed Mogambo's (Puri's character in Mr India) son, Rajeev realizes that Mogambo truly is larger than life, in fact beyond it.
Puri graduated from the BM College in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Puri was a leader of the RSS youth wing there and that explains why he remained a stickler for discipline and punctuality. In the '50s, he moved to Mumbai and found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). There he met my mother Urmila, a Konkani, and married her. His elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri were also actors. In fact, we lived with Madanji at Kings Circle for a few years before we shifted to our Santacruz home. Puri passion was acting. He worked during the day and in the evening did amateur theatre with Ebrahim Alkazi, Satyadev Dubey, Vijay Tendulkar and Girish Karnad among others. In fact, Satyadev Dubey and he began Hindi theatre in Mumbai with plays like Hayavadana and Yugati winning him much applause. He became well known as a stage character actor, which led to him doing ads and finally films in the early '70s.
Believe it or not, Amrish Puri wanted to become a Bollywood movie star, but failed a screen test in 1953. And what a failure it was! Mr. Puri, went on to become one of the most renowned and credible villains in the history of Indian cinema. His most memorable and often quoted role is the character of 'Mogambo' (with the catchphrase "Mogambo Khush Hua"). It is still remembered fondly from Mr. India (1987).
On the silver screen, the very first time we felt that times were changing was when dad went to Jaisalmer to shoot Reshma Aur Shera (1971). It was an Ajanta Arts film directed by Sunil Dutt. A lot of new actors were being featured - Raakhee, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranjeet. Puri brought home pictures of the shoot. Puri's son must have been around 12 then and was excited watching them.
Another film, which was to change his life was Girish Karnad's Kannada film Kaadu (1973) where he played the villainous village headman. Girish Karnad handed his Filmfare Best Director trophy to Amrish as a gesture of appreciation. He was then noticed by Shyam Benegal, who featured him in his films Manthan, Nishant and Bhumika through the '70s. He also became part of Govind Nihalani's critically acclaimed films Party, Vijeta, Aakrosh and Ardh Satya. Dad had a flair for roles that betrayed authority and rode the crest of new wave cinema with his earthiness.
In 1980, director Bapu roped in dad to play Duryodhana in Boney Kapoor's Hum Paanch. Soon other filmmakers started offering him villainous roles in commercial films too. After Feroz Khan's Qurbani (1980) there was no looking back.
One film that took him to the acme of his career was Mr India (1987). As the part menacing part comical Mogambo, he won fans across audiences. Mogambo was a favorite with kids because he was a comic-strip like character. At every function he attended, dad was asked to say the Mogambo dialogue. First Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975) and later dad as Mogambo gave villainy a new status. He went on to become the highest paid villain. Earlier character actors were paid paltry sums as compared to the hero.
Puri's career spanned three decades and around 300 films. Among these his favorites remained Koyla, Vidhaata, Pardes, Chachi 420, Ghatak, Ghayal, Damini, Meri Jung and Saza-E-Kala Pani.
Off camera, his children remember their father as someone who was larger than life, someone who was strict but never unreasonable. Someone who urged us to speak the truth. He urged us to follow the three Ps - patience, perseverance and persistence.
Puri was realistic and that's why he insisted that his children seek a secure profession. He once told his son, "See, acting is my first love. I've been polishing my act for years. It took me long to establish myself. There's no need for you to be awed by the profession. You needn't risk your future. You must complete your education." That's why, I joined the Merchant Navy in 1978. I sailed for 11 years. It used to be fun watching his films on the ship.
As an actor he had a great ability to switch on and off. He was not fond of smoking, drinking or parties. His idols were Dilip Kumar, Motilal, Balraj Sahni and Amitabh Bachchan. He worked with Raj Kumar, Dilip saab, Amitji... he was like a student in front of them and had absolutely no ego. Also, a lot of youngsters began their careers with him like Ajay Devgan in Phool Aur Kaante and Shah Rukh Khan in Deewana. He was easy to work with except that he had no patience with people who didn't respect time.
Puri was particular about having nutritious food. He was largely vegetarian but enjoyed fish. He practiced yoga and was an early riser. He was one of the first members of Talwalkars gym in Mumbai. Also, he preserved his vocal chords. He stayed away from fried stuff. He'd just have a piece of sev puri when we insisted. Once he happened to shave off his hair for a Rakesh Kumar film. He was told his personality looked better that way. The bald look appealed to Steven Spielberg, who then offered him Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, where he played Mola Ram. Puri realized that with a shaved head, he could try different get ups. He was well-versed with the art of make-up and wigs. He knew the concentration of hair that a hairpiece for a 50-year-old character or a 60-year-old character would require. He also spent time with the tailors - in fact, directors often asked him to work on his costumes. He'd pick his own ties, bows, shirts for a role. He enjoyed observing people as he drove in his car. He'd keenly watch the hawaldar, the fit of his shirt, how worn out his shoes were which helped him play one in Gardish.
Puri loved watches. He owned all the possible brands. He was intrigued by its technology and the way each piece was assembled. Each time he'd go abroad, he'd visit a showroom and call me up excitedly, "Tikoo (my pet name) I've bought such a handsome looking watch!" Another fascination he had was for Mercedez Benz cars. He'd keep buying the latest editions. His family maintained his 1983 model in showroom condition.
Known for frequently portraying menacing, sadistic villains, Puri received a huge fan mail of around 50 to 60 letters a day. Some fans would constantly sit on the footpath outside our home to catch a glimpse of him. Women also wrote to him. Many were crazy about him. But he was not a young actor. By the time he got recognition he was 45. My mom did feel possessive with all the attention being showered on him. But she understood. He was at an age where he knew what to absorb and what to keep away from. He was cautious. He did have shades of romance in his role opposite Farida Jalal in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. That subtle equation suited his age. His female co-stars liked him because he was protective about them. He'd check with the production guys whether they were comfortable or not. While he was being pampered, he wanted them to enjoy those facilities too. He was like a father figure to junior artistes too. He'd call up the producers who defaulted on their payments.
Once they were shooting at Amritsar railway station for Gadar - Ek Prem Katha. Huge crowds had gathered and there was so much noise that the shooting couldn't proceed. Sunny Deol wanted to leave. Dad took over and in his baritone said, "Allow us to do our work. I want pin drop silence!" There was a hush and the shooting resumed.
Shyam Benegal cast him in movies such as Nishant (1975), Bhumika (1977), and Manthan (1976). Yash Chopra cast him in Mashaal (1984), the same year that Steven Spielberg cast him in his best-known role outside of India, as Mola Ram in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). His elder brother is none other than Bollywood actor Madan Puri.
Guddu Dhanoa's Jaal The Trap for (2003) was shot in Himachal Pradesh. Unfortunately, Puri met with an accident there. He suffered serious injuries on his face and eye. He lost a lot of blood and consequently had to undergo blood transfusion. Something went wrong there because in the coming years, he developed a blood disorder (myelodysplastic syndrome). It began with weakness and reduced appetite. When he came to know about the fatality of his illness he was shaken. But he had an iron will. He wanted to project a strong side to the world. Puri knew that at age 72 there was little that he could repair and that he was ailing. Jo hona hai woh hoga - that was his stance.
Puri was keen to complete the projects on hand, even though he was in pain. His terminal illness was detected in September 2003 and by December 15, 2004, he had finished all his films - Kachchi Sadak, Mujhse Shaadi Kaoroge, Hulchul, Ksna and Aitraaz despite looking emaciated, pale, frail . He was at home for a brief period. But he didn't want to remain bedridden. When asked how he was feeling he'd just say, "Kal se behtar hoon." Then one day he had a fall at home and suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. He passed away in Mumbai on January 12, 2005 due to a brain hemorrhage
Puri had served as the President of Cine and TV Artistes Association for six years before his demise. As a mark of respect the industry remained shut for two days. The whole road from our house in Juhu to the electric crematorium at Shivaji Park was full with people. There were onlookers perched on trees and buildings.
As a tribute to him the Times Of India carried a piece, which was titled, "No guns only roses." People recall his famous dialogue in Pardes, "What's the bottom line?" Well, for me it would be never doing anything that would disappoint him.- Ann Prentiss was born on 27 November 1939 in San Antonio, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988), The Out of Towners (1970) and California Split (1974). She died on 12 January 2010 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Batton Lash was born on 29 October 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was a writer, known for Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995), Independents (2007) and 24 Hour Comic (2017). He was married to Jackie Estrada. He died on 12 January 2019 in New York, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Bella Emberg was born on 16 September 1937 in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK. She was an actress, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Doctor Who (2005) and Pompidou (2015). She died on 12 January 2018 in Isle of Wight, England, UK.- Betty Lou Gerson was born on 20 April 1914 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. She was an actress, known for One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Cinderella (1950) and Cats Don't Dance (1997). She was married to Louis Rocco Lauria and Joe Ainley. She died on 12 January 1999 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Bogdan Dragos Aureliu Marian Stanoevici is a Romanian film and theatre actor .He was born on January 22, 1958 in Bucuresti, Romania. He graduated from Institute of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography in 1982.In 1978, he plays first role in the movie Eu, tu si Ovidiu. Other notable roles in Cel ales (2015), Dying of the Light (2014) and Nemesis's secret (1987). Play on the stage of the theater ''Elisabeta'' in Bucharest.
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Director
British cinematographer Brian Tufano began his career at the BBC, working with such directors as Stephen Frears and Alan Parker. In 1992 he was assigned to the series Mr. Wroe's Virgins (1993) and worked with director Danny Boyle. Boyle took him along on his feature debut, Shallow Grave (1994), and continued to work with Tufano on such films as Trainspotting (1996) and A Life Less Ordinary (1997). In 2001 Tufano won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television.- Bridget Rowe was born on 16 March 1950 in Kent, England, UK. She was married to James Nolan. She died on 12 January 2021 in Farnborough, Greater London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Casting Director
Carlos Gandolfo was born on 27 March 1931 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was an actor and casting director, known for Una mujer (1975), El negoción (1959) and Una jaula no tiene secretos (1962). He was married to Dora Baret. He died on 12 January 2005 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.- Producer
- Actor
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Claude Berri was born on 1 July 1934 in Paris, France. He was a producer and actor, known for Jean de Florette (1986), Germinal (1993) and The Two of Us (1967). He was married to Sylvie Gautrelet and Anne-Marie Rassam. He died on 12 January 2009 in Paris, France.- Additional Crew
- Production Manager
- Producer
Derek M. Chavez was born on 3 June 1990 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. He was a production manager and producer, known for The Host (2013), Finch (2021) and Lone Survivor (2013). He was married to Kristen Chavez. He died on 12 January 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.- Engracia Galán was born on 9 October 1923 in Spain. She died on 12 January 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Etsuko Ichihara died in the early hours of 13.01.2019 at age 82 in Tokyo, Japan due to heart failure. She had outlived her husband and had no children. She had been ill and hospitalized, but discharged on the 30th of December allowing her to spend New Year's at home. She returned to another hospital on the fifth of January complaining of pain. She was able to speak until the seventh on which day her speech and consciousness began to slip. Previous to that she had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2016 and hospitalized. She was born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, which is next door to Tokyo on 24.01.1936. She attended Tokyo's Waseda University and studied literature. She would enter the entertainment industry in 1957 and had over one hundred credits to her name by the time of her demise. Ichihara joined the Tokyo-based Haiyuza theatre troupe - from which she only resigned in 1971 - and made her debut in Yukiguni in 1957. Her voice was heard in the well-known comic book-based animated serial Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi beginning in the 1970s. Over the years, she became a household name for her appearance in successive Kaseifu Wa Mita ('The Housemaid Witnessed It') series. She appeared in the bleak Black Rain in 1989 whose story revolved around the American war crime of bombing the civilians of Hiroshima. She won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress for this role. Her biggest film, however, was the pan-Asian hit Kimi No Na Wa to which she lent her voice in 2016. Her final film was the endearing and redemptive Shabondama. Her husband, director Shiomi, was also in the entertainment business and had died of pneumonia.
- Everett Astor Lee (August 31, 1916 - January 12, 2022) was an American conductor and violinist. He was the first African American to conduct a Broadway musical, the first to conduct an established symphony orchestra below the Mason-Dixon line, and the first to conduct a performance by a major American opera company.
- Writer
- Actress
- Music Department
Françoise Dorin was born on 23 January 1928 in Paris, France. She was a writer and actress, known for S.O.S. Operation Bikini (1967), Va voir maman, papa travaille (1978) and The Souvenir (2019). She was married to Jean Poiret and Michel Caste. She died on 12 January 2018 in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Versatile, diligent character actor Frank Marth was a familiar presence in just about every major American prime-time TV show of the 60's and 70's. The native New Yorker got his big break as a member of Jackie Gleason's stock company, perennially cast as uncredited background characters in Cavalcade of Stars (1949) and The Honeymooners (1955). According to series co-star Audrey Meadows he was "worth his weight in gold". Thereafter, granite-faced, sober-looking Marth became omnipresent on the small screen for more than two decades as tough cops, FBI agents and stern military brass. Amazingly, he was overlooked for the part of a KAOS operative in Get Smart (1965) (which would have been perfect casting !) but made up for it with Luger-wielding Count von Waffenschmidt and assorted SS officers in Hogan's Heroes (1965). He was also a favorite in anything sci-fi, whether as a sinister alien in The Invaders (1967) or as THRUSH agent Carl Voegler in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964). He appeared suitably taciturn as Colonel Brody, stymying dinosaur-hunting Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974). Perfectly cast yet again, he gave the medics a hard time as a hard-nosed tank commander in the M*A*S*H episode "Hey, Doc". He had other recurring uniformed roles in The Dirty Dozen (1988) and War and Remembrance (1988).
Marth was married to stage and screen actress Hope Holiday. - Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Gabo Manelli was an actor and composer, known for Kept and Dreamless (2005), Babasónicos: Puesto (2007) and Babasónicos: El loco (2001). He died on 12 January 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.- Actor
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Generally spoken of as Swedish theater's most legendary stage actor, Gösta Ekman enjoyed a prolific stage career during his short life, becoming the first real star of Swedish theater. His boyish good looks attracted both sexes, helping to create a massive cult following and elevating him to the status of a living legend. Combined with a beautiful voice and a powerful stage presence, Ekman was able to captivate his audiences.- Guillermo Nimo was born on 22 February 1922 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was an actor, known for Esa maldita costilla (1999), Botineras (2009) and Los Auténticos Decadentes: La guitarra (1995). He died on 12 January 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Beginning his film career as a screenwriter, Henri-Georges Clouzot switched over to directing and in 1943 had the distinction of having his film The Raven (1943) banned by both the German forces occupying France and the Free French forces fighting them, but for different reasons. He shot to international fame with The Wages of Fear (1953) and consolidated that success with Diabolique (1955), but continuous ill health caused large gaps in his output, and several projects had to be abandoned (though one, Hell (1994), was subsequently filmed by Claude Chabrol). His films are typically relentless suspense thrillers, similar to Alfred Hitchcock's but with far less light relief.- Writer
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Hugo Sofovich was born on 18 December 1939 in Argentina. He was a writer and director, known for El show de Barbieri y Pelele (1975), Operación Ja-Ja (1963) and Un toque diferente (1977). He died on 12 January 2003 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Editor
Ismael Lotz was born in 1975. He was a cinematographer and director, known for Emily or Oscar (2022), Who Is Alice (2017) and Fokking Short (2015). He died on 12 January 2022 in Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.- The epitome of opulent, grande dame pomposity, British character actress Isobel Elsom was born Isabelle Reed in Cambridge, England on March 16, 1893. She began on the stage in 1911 and went on to grace a number of silent and sound pictures in England, marrying and divorcing director Maurice Elvey in the interim.
Isobel made an elegant entry into British feature films as Lady Monkhurst in the drama Milestones (1916) and continued in leading roles with the silent films Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor (1918), Onward Christian Soldiers (1918), A Member of Tattersall's (1919), For Her Father's Sake (1921), Dick Turpin's Ride to York (1922), the title role in The Love Story of Aliette Brunton (1924), The Last Witness (1925) and Tragödie einer Ehe (1927). Her voice suitable for sound pictures, she continued her leading status with such early British talkies as The Other Woman (1931), Stranglehold (1931), The Crooked Lady (1932), The Thirteenth Candle (1933), and The Primrose Path (1934).
In the late 1920s, she made a transatlantic visit to the American stage, taking her first Broadway curtain all in "The Ghost Train" in 1926. She continued on the New York stage with such plays as "The Mulberry Bush" (1927), "People Don't Do Such Things" (1927), "The Silver Box" (1928), "The Behavior of Mrs. Crane" (1928) and "The Outsider" (1928).
Settling in America in the 1930s, Isobel achieved great character success in the role of retired actress Leonora Fiske in the play "Ladies in Retirement" (1940), which she also took to film (Ladies in Retirement (1941)) starring Ida Lupino). She would alternate between film and the Broadway stage for the next two decades. Broadway shows included "Hand in Glove" (1944), "The Innocents" (1950), "Romeo and Juliet" (as Lady Capulet) (1951), "The Climate in Eden" (1952), "The Burning Glass" (1954) and "The First Gentleman" (1957).
What the tiny-framed Elsom lacked in stature, she certainly made up for in pure chutzpah. The matronly actress remained in Hollywood and played a number of huffy blue-bloods in both comedies and drama for over two decades, including The War Against Mrs. Hadley (1942), You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Between Two Worlds (1944), Of Human Bondage (1946), The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), Ivy (1947), Smart Woman (1948), The Secret Garden (1949), Lust for Life (1956), The Miracle (1959) and The Second Time Around (1961). One standout blue-blooded role was as one of Charles Chaplin's intended victims in the black comedy Monsieur Verdoux (1947).
In later years, Isobel served as a frequent foil to Jerry Lewis in a few of his solo pictures (Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958), The Bellboy (1960), The Errand Boy (1961), Who's Minding the Store? (1963)). She ended her film career playing Mrs. Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (1964). Isabel remarried in 1942 and was the widow of actor Carl Harbord in 1958. The couple both met when they appeared in the film Eagle Squadron (1942). Isobel Elsom died at age 87 of heart failure at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California on January 12, 1981. She had no children. - Actor
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- Music Department
Jayalath Manoratne was born on 12 June 1948 in Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. He was an actor and writer, known for Kaha Ira Pamula (2003), Sisila Giniganee (1993) and Deweni Yuddhaya (2023). He was married to Tamara Jayanthi. He died on 12 January 2020 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Costume Designer
Jennifer Butler was born on 24 October 1963 in Panorama City, California, USA. She was a costume designer, known for Groundhog Day (1993), Firestarter (1984) and The Last of the Mohicans (1992). She was married to Bill Murray. She died on 12 January 2021 in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, USA.- Soundtrack
Joe Albany was born on 24 January 1924 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. He died on 12 January 1988 in New York City, New York, USA.- Actor
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John Alderman was a talented, prolific, and ubiquitous actor in numerous low-budget exploitation features who appeared in everything from 1960s softcore items to 1970s drive-in fare to 1980s hardcore porn throughout the course of his long and diverse career.
Alderman was born on June 12, 1934, in Syracuse, New York. His father was a prominent lawyer. Alderman attended Syracuse University as a theater major. He first began acting in both films and TV shows alike in the late 1950s, alternating between lead and co-starring roles. His most memorable parts include pathetic twitchy heroin addict Jimmy Devlin in the gloriously lurid The Hard Road (1973), antsy hoodlum Lattimer in This Is a Hijack (1973), a flunky for Shelley Winters in Jack Starrett's delightful blaxploitation blast Cleopatra Jones (1973), stuttering drug dealer Cockroach in The Black Godfather (1974), uptight all-girls school principal Dr. Baxter in the amusing Delinquent School Girls (1975) and coldly rational researcher Dr. Frank Rogers in the nifty sci-fi doomsday thriller The Alpha Incident (1978). Alderman appeared in four softcore movies for legendary schlockmeister David F. Friedman: Starlet! (1969), Thar She Blows! (1968), The Erotic Adventures of Zorro (1972) and Trader Hornee (1970). Although he primarily worked in maverick independent cinema productions, he nonetheless did manage to pop up in the occasional mainstream film like Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) and The Stunt Man (1980).
In the early 1980s Alderman acted in a handful of hardcore X-rated porno films for director Gary Graver, under the pseudonym Frank Hallowell. Among the TV shows Alderman appeared on are Hunter (1984), Dynasty (1981), The Fall Guy (1981), Starsky and Hutch (1975), Iron Horse (1966), 12 O'Clock High (1964), The Lieutenant (1963), Checkmate (1960), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958), Hawaiian Eye (1959), Wagon Train (1957) and Gunsmoke (1955). He directed the crime opus Lisa's Folly (1970) and co-wrote the script for the lowbrow comedy romp C.B. Hustlers (1976).
John Alderman died at age 52 of an apparent heart attack on January 12, 1987, in Hollywood, California.- John made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal, Bournemouth. After spending a year in various reps. including Hastings, Watford and Eastbourne, he was conscripted into the Devon Yeomanry during the war and served in Italy and Sicily, but contracted hepatitis. He then became a member of the Army Bureau For Current Affairs - Play Unit, touring England, France and Germany. He then spent many years in theatre, before branching out into films and starring alongside David Niven and John Mills. He has also appeared in many TV roles.
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John Stahl was the final executive in charge of Tiffany Pictures (located on the Talisman lot, later owned by Monogram Pictures), once a big fish in the pond of "Poverty Row", which in those days also included Columbia Pictures. With a B-movie history dating back to the silent era and after making 70 talkies, Tiffany imploded in 1932 in the midst of the deepening Depression and ended its days grinding out the "Chimp Comedies" series of shorts, in which chimps "lip-synched"--by means of having them chew bubble gum--to dubbed actors' voices scripted to corny plots. These simian shorts were popular as filler in second-run movie houses until the freakish novelty wore thin. A sad end to a studio once notable for a roster of stars that included Rex Lease, Ken Maynard, Conway Tearle, Bob Steele and Mae Murray.
Stahl moved over to MGM, producing and directing the notable flop Parnell (1937), widely considered the studio's worst effort to date. Despite this, he would continue in the business as a producer and director of some note until his death in 1950.- Jovita Luna was born on 11 June 1924 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was an actress, known for Joven, viuda y estanciera (1941), Diferente (1962) and Arriba el telón o el patio de la morocha (1951). She died on 12 January 2006 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Kazuo Sakurada was born on 26 September 1948 in Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan. He was an actor, known for World Class Championship Wrestling: Star Wars (1981), WCW Saturday Night (1985) and World Class Championship Wrestling (1972). He died on 12 January 2020 in Chiba, Chiba, Japan.
- Keith Jackson was born on 18 October 1928 in Roopville, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for The Fortune Cookie (1966), Coach (1989) and Munich 1972: Games of the XX Olympiad (1972). He was married to Gertrude Ann "Truri Ann" Johnson. He died on 12 January 2018 in Los Angeles, USA.
- Actor
- Art Department
- Script and Continuity Department
Keye Luke was born in Canton, China. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, and entered the film business as a commercial artist and a designer of movie posters. He was hired as a technical advisor on several Asian-themed films, and made his film debut in The Painted Veil (1934). It seemed that he appeared in almost every film that called for Chinese characters, usually in small parts but occasionally, as in The Good Earth (1937), in a meatier, more substantial role. In addition, he played Dr. Kildare's rival at the hospital in the Dr. Kildare series at MGM, but it was as Charlie Chan's #1 son in that series that Luke achieved his greatest recognition. In the 1970s a new generation was made aware of his talents by virtue of his recurring role in the TV series Kung Fu (1972).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Kinji Fukasaku was born on 3 July 1930 in Mito, Japan. He was a director and writer, known for Battle Royale (2000), Fall Guy (1982) and Crest of Betrayal (1994). He was married to Sanae Nakahara. He died on 12 January 2003 in Tokyo, Japan.- Leopoldo Galtieri was born on 15 July 1926 in Casero, Argentina. He was married to Lucía Gentile. He died on 13 January 2003 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Actress
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Liza Öhman was born on 24 December 1951 in Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden. She was an actress and composer, known for P & B (1983), Flugan comédie absurde (2003) and En gång på 60-talet (1985). She died on 12 January 2022 in Sweden.- Margaret Weston was born on 7 March 1926 in Gloucestershire, England, UK. She died on 9 January 2021.
- Additional Crew
- Producer
- Actor
Mark Urman was born on 24 November 1952 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and actor, known for Monster's Ball (2001), Death and the Maiden (1994) and Affliction (1997). He was married to Deborah Davis. He died on 12 January 2019 in Newark, New Jersey, USA.- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Maurice Gibb was born on 22 December 1949 in Douglas, Isle of Man, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for Saturday Night Fever (1977), Ready Player One (2018) and Virtuosity (1995). He was married to Yvonne Gibb and Lulu. He died on 12 January 2003 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA.- Meg Mundy was born on 4 January 1915 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Fatal Attraction (1987), The Doctors (1963) and Ordinary People (1980). She was married to Konstantinos "Dino" Yannopoulos. She died on 12 January 2016 in The Bronx, New York, USA.
- Mona Malm got her breakthrough at the Royal Dramatic Theater in 1957 as "Tintomara" in Almqvist's 'Drottningens juvelsmycke', directed by Alf Sjöberg. She played "Martha" in Edward Albee's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1985) and the title role in Hjalmar Bergman's 'Chefen fru Ingeborg' (1993). She appeared in such films as Fanny and Alexander (1982) (as Jarl Kulle's tolerant wife) and The Best Intentions (1992).
- Mónica Grey was born on 18 November 1941 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was an actress, known for Socios para la aventura (1958), Procesado 1040 (1958) and Santiago querido! (1965). She died on 12 January 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Norman Kerry was born on 16 June 1894 in Rochester, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Unknown (1927), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Irresistible Lover (1927). He was married to Kay English, Helen Mary Wells and Rosina Tripp. He died on 12 January 1956 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- As a child Paul Picerni had aspirations to become an attorney until he acted in an eighth-grade play and later learned that the school principal liked his performance and called him "a born actor". He next appeared in little theater productions, then (after World War II Air Force service) on the stage at Loyola University. Picerni was acting in a play in Hollywood when he was spotted by Solly V. Bianco, head of talent at Warner Brothers; brought to the studio, the young actor was given a role in Breakthrough (1950). This WWII actioner turned out to be aptly named, as it led to a Warners contract for Picerni and a long succession of roles at that studio. Best-known for his second-banana role on the TV classic The Untouchables (1959) with Robert Stack, Picerni is the father of eight and grandfather of ten.
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Randy Vanwarmer was born on 30 March 1955 in Indian Hills, Colorado, USA. He was a composer, known for Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000), Private Lessons (1981) and CHiPs (1977). He died on 12 January 2004 in Seattle, Washington, USA.- Roderick Hall was born on 7 November 1932 in Manila, Philippines. He was married to Jennifer Hirst and Christine Kurth . He died on 12 January 2022 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Producer
Roger Scruton was born on 27 February 1944 in Buslingthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, UK. He was a writer and producer, known for Why Beauty Matters (2009), Think of England (1991) and Dark Addiction (2024). He was married to Sophie Jeffreys and Danielle Laffitte. He died on 12 January 2020 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England, UK.- Actress
- Writer
- Music Department
Ronnie Spector is an American singer. Spector was the lead singer of the rock/pop vocal girl group The Ronettes, who had a string of hits during the early to mid-1960s such as "Be My Baby", "Baby, I Love You", and "The Best Part of Breakin' Up". Subsequently, Ronnie Spector launched her solo career and has since released five studio albums (Siren in 1980, Unfinished Business in 1987, Something's Gonna Happen in 2003, Last of the Rock Stars in 2006, English Heart in 2016) and one extended play (She Talks to Rainbows in 1999).
In 1986, Ronnie Spector experienced a career resurgence when she was featured on Eddie Money's Grammy nominated pop rock song "Take Me Home Tonight" which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. She has sung and collaborated with multiple other acts. In 2007, Ronnie and the Ronettes were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2018, Spector appeared in the music documentary; Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (2018), which is based on the late singer Amy Winehouse and her final studio album Back to Black (2006). The album was inspired by 60's girl groups Winehouse gathered inspiration from listening to, such as The Ronettes.- Russ Conway was born on 25 April 1913 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He was an actor, known for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Our Man Flint (1966) and Sea Hunt (1958). He was married to Muriel Idell Morrison. He died on 12 January 2009 in Laguna Hills, California, USA.
- Sal Pacino was born on 16 February 1922 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for No Rules (2005), I soldati (2002) and Younger and Younger (1993). He was married to Katherin Kovin-Pacino, Betsy Pacino, Estelle Pacino, Corrine Pacino and Rose Gerard Pacino. He died on 12 January 2005 in Covina, California, USA.
- Tim Lester was born on 15 June 1968 in Miami, Florida, USA. He died on 12 January 2021 in Milton, Georgia, USA.
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Tony Garnett was born on 3 April 1936 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK. He was a producer and actor, known for Kes (1969), Deep in the Heart (1983) and Prostitute (1980). He was married to Alexandra Ouroussoff and Topsy Jane. He died on 12 January 2020 in the UK.- Composer
- Soundtrack
Whitey Shafer was born on 24 October 1934 in Whitney, Texas, USA. He was a composer, known for Road House (1989), Power Rangers (2017) and Bumblebee (2018). He was married to Darlene, Tracy, ??? and Lyndia. He died on 12 January 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.- William Bogert was born on 25 January 1936 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for WarGames (1983), Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and A Perfect Murder (1998). He was married to Eren Ozker. He died on 12 January 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Actor
- Director
William Peter Blatty was born on 7 January 1928 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for The Exorcist (1973), The Exorcist III (1990) and The Ninth Configuration (1980). He was married to Julie Alicia Witbrodt, Linda Blatty, Elizabeth Gilman and Mary Margaret Rigard. He died on 12 January 2017 in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.