Christopher Durang, one of American’s most acclaimed and accomplished playwrights whose works like Beyond Therapy, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You and the Tony-winning Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike were as incisive as they were absurdly comic, died Tuesday night at his home in Pipersville, Pa., in Bucks County. He was 75.
His agent, Patrick Herold, confirmed that Durang died as a result complications of his 2016 diagnosis with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (Ppa), a form of Alzheimer’s disease that impedes the ability to process language. He remained out of the public spotlight since his condition was made public in 2022. In February, New York’s Dramatists Guild announced that the playwright would receive its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award on May 6, placing Durang on a prestigious roster alongside such past awardees as John Guare, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Miller.
Born Christopher Ferdinand Durang on January 2, 1949, Durang soared to...
His agent, Patrick Herold, confirmed that Durang died as a result complications of his 2016 diagnosis with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (Ppa), a form of Alzheimer’s disease that impedes the ability to process language. He remained out of the public spotlight since his condition was made public in 2022. In February, New York’s Dramatists Guild announced that the playwright would receive its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award on May 6, placing Durang on a prestigious roster alongside such past awardees as John Guare, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Miller.
Born Christopher Ferdinand Durang on January 2, 1949, Durang soared to...
- 4/3/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The great actor Robert Picardo, a frequent Joe Dante collaborator and long time Star Trek hologram, joins Josh and Joe to discuss movies that compel him to sit and watch all the way through any time they just happen to be on.
Also… Josh and Bob discuss the best cheesesteak joints in Philly.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Howling (1981)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film (1959)
Swing Time (1936)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Cabaret (1972)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
On The Waterfront (1954)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Innerspace (1987)
Ordinary People (1980)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976)
Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (1978)
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Jaws (1975)
The Wiz (1978)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Alien (1979)
Star Wars (1977)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
I Knew It Was You (2009)
Touch Of Evil (1958)
Citizen Kane (1941)
The Day The Earth Stood Still...
Also… Josh and Bob discuss the best cheesesteak joints in Philly.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Howling (1981)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film (1959)
Swing Time (1936)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Cabaret (1972)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
On The Waterfront (1954)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Innerspace (1987)
Ordinary People (1980)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976)
Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (1978)
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Jaws (1975)
The Wiz (1978)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Alien (1979)
Star Wars (1977)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
I Knew It Was You (2009)
Touch Of Evil (1958)
Citizen Kane (1941)
The Day The Earth Stood Still...
- 11/24/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Film, television, and stage actor Jerry Stiller died of natural causes, as according to his son Ben Stiller. He was 92.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben announced on Twitter. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
Stiller is known for his TV roles as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, and multiple films including, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three, John Waters’ Hairspray, his son’s Zoolander, and Richard Lester’s adaptation of Terrence McNally’s play, The Ritz, which Jerry also acted in on Broadway.
But he might be best remembered for being part of the comedy team Stiller & Meara, which he performed with his wife, Anne Meara. The pair met in 1953 at a New York casting call,...
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben announced on Twitter. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
Stiller is known for his TV roles as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, and multiple films including, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three, John Waters’ Hairspray, his son’s Zoolander, and Richard Lester’s adaptation of Terrence McNally’s play, The Ritz, which Jerry also acted in on Broadway.
But he might be best remembered for being part of the comedy team Stiller & Meara, which he performed with his wife, Anne Meara. The pair met in 1953 at a New York casting call,...
- 5/11/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Jerry Stiller, an actor and comedian and father to Ben Stiller, has died of natural causes. He was 92.
Ben Stiller confirmed his father’s death early Monday morning, writing on Twitter: “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
After a long career performing in comedy routines with his wife, Anne Meara, appearing on Broadway and guest-starring on TV series, Stiller became known for his role on “Seinfeld” as Frank Constanza, as Leah Remini’s father on “The King of Queens,” and as Zoolander’s manager in the comedy directed by Ben Stiller.
He appeared in 26 episodes of “Seinfeld” as Constanza, the father of George (Jason Alexander), from 1993-98, with Estelle Harris playing his wife, Estelle. Stiller...
Ben Stiller confirmed his father’s death early Monday morning, writing on Twitter: “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
After a long career performing in comedy routines with his wife, Anne Meara, appearing on Broadway and guest-starring on TV series, Stiller became known for his role on “Seinfeld” as Frank Constanza, as Leah Remini’s father on “The King of Queens,” and as Zoolander’s manager in the comedy directed by Ben Stiller.
He appeared in 26 episodes of “Seinfeld” as Constanza, the father of George (Jason Alexander), from 1993-98, with Estelle Harris playing his wife, Estelle. Stiller...
- 5/11/2020
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Actor Mark Blum, who appeared in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Crocodile Dundee” and the TV series “You,” has died due to complications from coronavirus. He was 69.
The Playwrights Horizons theater group and SAG-aftra executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed the news on Thursday.
It is with such deep sorrow that I’m writing to share the news that our friend and former board member Mark Blum has passed away as a result of complications from the coronavirus. Mark was a dedicated Screen Actors Guild and SAG-aftra board member serving from 2007-2013, pic.twitter.com/aA3yPfOwh7
— Rebecca Damon (@RebeccaDamonNYC) March 26, 2020
Blum, a New Jersey native who started acting during the 1970s, won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of Albert Innaurato’s “Gus and Al” during the 1988-89 season. He’s also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man...
The Playwrights Horizons theater group and SAG-aftra executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed the news on Thursday.
It is with such deep sorrow that I’m writing to share the news that our friend and former board member Mark Blum has passed away as a result of complications from the coronavirus. Mark was a dedicated Screen Actors Guild and SAG-aftra board member serving from 2007-2013, pic.twitter.com/aA3yPfOwh7
— Rebecca Damon (@RebeccaDamonNYC) March 26, 2020
Blum, a New Jersey native who started acting during the 1970s, won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of Albert Innaurato’s “Gus and Al” during the 1988-89 season. He’s also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man...
- 3/26/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Mark Blum, a veteran character actor who starred in the films “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Crocodile Dundee,” as well as the recent TV series “You,” has died due to complications from the coronavirus. He was 69.
The New York theater company Playwrights Horizons first announced the news, and SAG-aftra executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed that Blum passed away due to Covid-19. Representatives for Blum additionally confirmed the news to TheWrap.
As news of his death became public, his peers and friends in the entertainment industry, including his “Desperately Seeking Susan” costars Rosanna Arquette and Madonna, paid him tribute. Read more here.
Blum was also a fixture of the New York theater community, having won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of a play from Albert Innaurato, “Gus and Al.” He’s also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man” and more.
The New York theater company Playwrights Horizons first announced the news, and SAG-aftra executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed that Blum passed away due to Covid-19. Representatives for Blum additionally confirmed the news to TheWrap.
As news of his death became public, his peers and friends in the entertainment industry, including his “Desperately Seeking Susan” costars Rosanna Arquette and Madonna, paid him tribute. Read more here.
Blum was also a fixture of the New York theater community, having won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of a play from Albert Innaurato, “Gus and Al.” He’s also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man” and more.
- 3/26/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
BroadwayWorld has just learned that playwright Albert Innaurato passed away earlier this week in Philadelphia. He was 70 years old.
- 9/28/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
By Carlos de Abreu
hollywoodnews.com: The Producers Guild of America (PGA), announced today that Sean Penn will be honored with the 2011 Stanley Kramer Award. The award will be presented to Penn at the 22nd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 22nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Stanley Kramer Award was established in 2002 to honor a motion picture, producer or other individual, whose achievement or contribution illuminates provocative social issues in an accessible and elevating fashion. Kramer, considered within the film industry to have served as ‘Hollywood’s Conscience’ during his career as a film producer and director, created some of the most respected and successful works in the annals of American motion pictures. He was the master behind such classics as ‘The Caine Mutiny,’ ‘High Noon,’ ‘The Defiant Ones,’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’
Previous recipients of the Kramer award include...
hollywoodnews.com: The Producers Guild of America (PGA), announced today that Sean Penn will be honored with the 2011 Stanley Kramer Award. The award will be presented to Penn at the 22nd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 22nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Stanley Kramer Award was established in 2002 to honor a motion picture, producer or other individual, whose achievement or contribution illuminates provocative social issues in an accessible and elevating fashion. Kramer, considered within the film industry to have served as ‘Hollywood’s Conscience’ during his career as a film producer and director, created some of the most respected and successful works in the annals of American motion pictures. He was the master behind such classics as ‘The Caine Mutiny,’ ‘High Noon,’ ‘The Defiant Ones,’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’
Previous recipients of the Kramer award include...
- 1/6/2011
- by Carlos de Abreu
- Hollywoodnews.com
Mercedes Ruehl is returning to Broadway after a seven-year absence, starring in Manhattan Theatre Club's revival of Richard Greenberg's The American Plan, a 1990 play set in a 1960s Catskills resort. Ruehl plays Eva Adler, a highly intelligent German woman who's obsessively involved with her emotionally unstable daughter (Lily Rabe). Eva isn't easy to play, and that's why Ruehl likes her. The character is a far cry from Stevie, the stunned, enraged, belittled wife in Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, Ruehl's last show on Broadway. She's even further removed from the sweet, mentally limited Bella in Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers, for which Ruehl won a Tony Award. In playing Eva, Ruehl finds herself influenced by Irene Worth, who portrayed Bella's mother -- a figure not unlike Eva. "There are certain inflections, and the way I hold my mouth," she says in describing the similarities.
- 1/22/2009
- by Simi Horwitz
- backstage.com
Stan Zimmerman and James Berg have been brought on to write The Ivy Chronicles, a comedic drama that Jerry Weintraub is producing for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film is based on the best-seller by Karen Quinn. "Ivy" chronicles the story of a New York woman who loses her Wall Street job, her husband and her high-end apartment. She tries to forge a new life with her two daughters by establishing a kindergarten referral service for well-heeled Manhattanites vying to get their tots into the country's choice schools. Tracey Jackson wrote a previous draft.
Jessica Goodman is overseeing for the studio.
Weintraub, who recently was honored as producer of the year at ShoWest, has two releases set for summer: Ocean's Thirteen and Nancy Drew.
Zimmerman and Berg, whose credits include A Very Brady Sequel, have Beached set up at Fox 2000 for director Betty Thomas and The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, based on the popular 1947 film and subsequent late-'60s sitcom, also at Fox.
Zimmerman will make his stage directorial debut in the spring at Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre with a 30th anniversary revival of Albert Innaurato's play Gemini, with Peter Onorati, Stephanie Faracy and Mindy Sterling set to star.
The film is based on the best-seller by Karen Quinn. "Ivy" chronicles the story of a New York woman who loses her Wall Street job, her husband and her high-end apartment. She tries to forge a new life with her two daughters by establishing a kindergarten referral service for well-heeled Manhattanites vying to get their tots into the country's choice schools. Tracey Jackson wrote a previous draft.
Jessica Goodman is overseeing for the studio.
Weintraub, who recently was honored as producer of the year at ShoWest, has two releases set for summer: Ocean's Thirteen and Nancy Drew.
Zimmerman and Berg, whose credits include A Very Brady Sequel, have Beached set up at Fox 2000 for director Betty Thomas and The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, based on the popular 1947 film and subsequent late-'60s sitcom, also at Fox.
Zimmerman will make his stage directorial debut in the spring at Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre with a 30th anniversary revival of Albert Innaurato's play Gemini, with Peter Onorati, Stephanie Faracy and Mindy Sterling set to star.
- 4/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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