Influential author of The Sirens of Titan, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Cat’s Cradle dead at 84.
Black Christmas Director Dead
On a sad note, Canadian director Bob Clark and his 22-year-old son Ariel died in a car crash in California early Wednesday morning, according to imdb.com’s daily Movie/TV News column.
Clark directed a few genre films familiar to Club Jade movie fans, including 1974’s Black Christmas (recently remade), the Sherlock Holmes/Jack the Ripper pastiche Murder By Decree, and the low-budget zombie movie Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things. His most famous films include A Christmas Story, Porky’s, and Turk 182. He was 67.
So Long, Mrs. Munster…and thanks for the cheese
It was probably the first time many of us were ever exposed to “horror” when we tuned in to The Munsters.
And now we have learned that Mrs. Munster, Yvonne DeCarlo, has died at the age of 84.
Rest in peace, Lily!
In the News
Ian McDiarmid won a Tony Award yesterday for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
In less positive news, Tim Hildebrandt has passed away. Along with his twin brother Greg, he created some of the most iconic Star Wars art.
“The universe is God’s self-portrait.”
Science fiction author Octavia E. Butler passed away at her home in Seattle yesterday. Her first novel in seven years, Fledgling, was published last fall. (via Eldritchhobbit and Neil Gaiman)
RIP Phil Brown
From TFN comes the news that Phil Brown, who played Uncle Owen in A New Hope, has passed away.
Starwars.com: Phil Brown Remembered
Massive and maniacal
How Stuff Works tackles another object from the galaxy far, far away – The Death Star. (via Metafilter.)
For a more realistic interpretation behind the scenes, check out PC World’s interview with ILM’s Brian Gernand.
Why the ROTS DVD will show up as “Charlotte” on your computer. Thanks to the DVD, rumors are also flying about a digital Yoda replacing the puppet in TPM.
And finally, TFN is reporting that John Hollis, who played Lobot in ESB, passed away last month.
RIP Porkins
William Hootkins, who played Porkins in A New Hope, passed away on Sunday from pancreatic cancer. (via TFN.)
Taps for Admiral Ozzel
British actor Michael Sheard, best known to Star Wars fans as Admiral Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back, has passed away of cancer at the age of 65. He also played Adolf Hitler in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and a U-Boat Captain in Raiders of the Lost Ark. His best-known role in the U.K. was as Mr. Bronson in the 80’s TV program Grange Hill.
Club Jade raises a Mustafar Meltdown in his memory.
Katie Johnson: 1998-2005
Katie Johnson, daughter of 501st founder Albin Johnson, passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. She was 7 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
The Johnson family is accepting donations for funeral costs and the Make-a-Wish foundation at ForKatie.org