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1-21 of 21
- Actor
- Producer
- Music Department
Legendary actor Christopher Plummer, perhaps Canada's greatest thespian, delivered outstanding performances as Sherlock Holmes in Murder by Decree (1979), the chilling villain in The Silent Partner (1978), the iconoclastic Mike Wallace in The Insider (1999), the empathetic psychiatrist in A Beautiful Mind (2001), the kindly and clever mystery writer in Knives Out (2019), and as Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station (2009). It was this last role that finally brought him recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, when he was nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role, one of three Academy Award nominations he received in the 2010s, along with All the Money in the World (2017) (as J. Paul Getty) and Beginners (2010); he won for the latter role. He will also likely always be remembered as Captain Von Trapp in the atomic bomb-strength blockbuster The Sound of Music (1965), a film he publicly despised until softening his stance in his autobiography "In Spite of Me" (2008).
Christopher Plummer was born Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer on December 13, 1929 in Toronto, Ontario. He was the only child of Isabella Mary (Abbott), a secretary to the Dean of Sciences at McGill University, and John Orme Plummer, who sold securities and stocks. Christopher was a great-grandson of John Abbott, who was Canada's third Prime Minister (from 1891 to 1892), and a great-great-great-grandson of Presbyterian clergyman John Bethune. He had Scottish, English, Anglo-Irish, and Cornish ancestry. Plummer was raised in Senneville, Quebec, near Montreal, at his maternal grandparents' home.
Aside from the youngest member of the Barrymore siblings (which counted Oscar-winners Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore in their number), Plummer was the premier Shakespearean actor to come out of North America in the 20th century. He was particularly memorable as Hamlet, Iago and Lear, though his Macbeth opposite Glenda Jackson was -- and this was no surprise to him due to the famous curse attached to the "Scottish Play" -- a failure.
Like another great stage actor, Richard Burton, early in his career Plummer failed to connect with the screen in a way that would make him a star. Dynamic on stage, he didn't succeed as a younger leading man in films. Perhaps if he had been born earlier, and acted in the studio system of Hollywood's golden age, he could have been carefully groomed for stardom. As it was, he shared the English stage actors' disdain -- and he was equally at home in London as he was on the boards of Broadway or on-stage in his native Canada -- for the movies, which did not help him in that medium, as he has confessed. As he aged, Plummer excelled at character roles. He was always a good villain, this man who garnered kudos playing Lucifer on Broadway in Archibald Macleish's Pulitzer Prize-winning "J.B.".
Plummer won two Emmy Awards out of seven nominations stretching 46 years from 1959 and 2011, and one Genie Award in six nominations from 1980 to 2009. For his stage work, Plummer has racked up two Tony Awards on six nominations, the first in 1974 as Best Actor (Musical) for the title role in "Cyrano" and the second in 1997, as Best Actor (Play), in "Barrymore". Surprisingly, he did not win (though he was nominated) for his masterful 2004 performance of "King Lear", which he originated at the Stratford Festival in Ontario and brought down to Broadway for a sold-out run. His other Tony nominations show the wide range of his talent, from a 1959 nod for the Elia Kazan-directed production of Macleish's "J.B." to recognition in 1994 for Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land", with a 1982 Best Actor (Play) nomination for his "Iago" in William Shakespeare's "Othello".
Until the 2009 Academy Awards were announced, it could be said about Plummer that he was the finest actor of the post-World War II period to fail to get an Academy Award. In that, he was following in the footsteps of the late great John Barrymore, whom Plummer so memorably portrayed on Broadway in a one-man show that brought him his second Tony Award. In 2010, Plummer finally got an Oscar nod for his portrayal of another legend, Lev Tolstoy in The Last Station (2009). Two years later, the first paragraph of his obituary was written when the 82-year-old Plummer became the oldest person in Academy history to win an Oscar. He won for playing a senior citizen who comes out as gay after the death of his wife in the movie Beginners (2010). As he clutched his statuette, the debonaire thespian addressed it thus: "You're only two years older than me darling, where have you been all of my life?"
Plummer then told the audience that at birth, "I was already rehearsing my Academy acceptance speech, but it was so long ago mercifully for you I've forgotten it." The Academy Award was a long time in coming and richly deserved.
Plummer gave many other fine portrayals on film, particularly as he grew older and settled down into a comfortable marriage with his third wife Elaine. He continued to be an in-demand character actor in prestigious motion pictures. If he were English rather than Canadian, he would have been knighted. (In 1968, he was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor and one which required the approval of the sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II.) If he lived in the company town of Los Angeles rather than in Connecticut, he likely would have several more Oscar nominations before winning his first for "The Last Station".
As it is, as attested to in his witty and well-written autobiography, Plummer was amply rewarded in life. In 1970, Plummer - then a self-confessed 43-year-old "bottle baby" - married his third wife Elaine Taylor, a dancer, who helped wean him off his dependency on alcohol. They lived happily with their dogs on a 30-acre estate in Weston, Connecticut. He thanked her from the stage during the 2012 Oscar telecast, quipping that she "deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for coming to my rescue every day of my life." Although he spent the majority of his time in the United States, he remained a Canadian citizen. He died in his Weston, Connecticut home on February 5, 2021 at age 91.
His daughter, with actress Tammy Grimes, is actress Amanda Plummer.- Zitto Kazann was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he studied at the Otto Krause University.
From adolescence on he played professional basketball in the national league while at the same time performing in theatrical productions in Buenos Aires.
The theater soon became his paramount muse and he relocated to New York to pursue his promise.
After studying on scholarship with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in addition to Uta Hagan and Stella Adler, Zitto found his home was the theater. He is presently attending the Master class with Milton Katselas in Los Angeles.
Zitto's credits include Broadway with Ingrid Bergman until film and TV lured him to Los Angeles where he appeared as a regular in two series. He never lost the love of theater, however, and appeared in numerous productions where he received two drama-logue awards, a Los Angeles Critics Award and a resounding review in the L.A. Times.
Zitto's exuberant and vigorous outlook toward acting has him constantly on the prowl for challenging and exciting new projects, so stay tuned. - Alan Scott was born on 13 October 1922 in Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), Lola (1961) and Aux frontières du possible (1971). He died on 5 February 2021 in Guilford, Connecticut, USA.
- Ezzat El Alaili was born on 15 September 1934 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Kuwait Connection (1973), Zaier el-fager (1975) and Al-Tareek Ela Eilat (1993). He died on 5 February 2021 in 6th of October, Egypt.
- Actor
- Producer
Leon Spinks was born on 11 July 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Untitled Leon Spinks Project, Risen (2010) and Facing Ali (2009). He was married to Brenda Glur, Betty Wilson and Nova Bush. He died on 5 February 2021 in Henderson, Nevada, USA.- Tatyana Ivanenko was born on 31 December 1941 in Moscow, USSR. She was an actress, known for Vnimaniye, tsunami! (1969), Vremya, vperyod! (1965) and Vperedi den' (1971). She died on 5 February 2021 in Moscow, Russia.
- Born Bruce Reed, Butch Reed was an African-American football player, professional wrestler and rodeo cowboy. He played for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. He was trained by wrestler Ronnie Etchison. He wrestled for various NWA territories, WWE, WCW, Mid-South Wrestling, the USWA (Memphis), the Global Wrestling Federation (Dallas) and many independents. Among his achievements, he was a 3x Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion, a former NWA World Tag Team Champion with Ron Simmons as Doom (they were also the first-ever WCW World Tag Team Champions), a former USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion and a former WLW (Harley Race's World Legion Wrestling promotion in Missouri) Heavyweight Champion. The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes (Michael Seitz) and Jimmy 'Jam' Garvin) defeated Doom for the WCW World Tag Team Titles at WCW Wrestle War (1991), breaking up the team forever and turning Simmons Face (good guy). Simmons defeated Reed at WCW SuperBrawl I (1991), with Reed disappearing for over a year. He returned in 1992, aligned with Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) and The Barbarian (Sione Vailahi). At Clash of the Champions XX: 20th Anniversary (1992), Reed and The Barbarian defeated Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham. Shortly after this, WCW boss "Cowboy" Bill Watts fired Reed for missing one flight, and Reed never worked for a major promotion again. He spent years in the independents, along with a stint as a rodeo cowboy, and finally retired in 2013. He died on February 5, 2021 after having suffered two heart attacks a few days earlier.
While working for NWA Central States in 1986, Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish) defeated Reed and manager Slick (Ken Johnson) in a Loser-Leaves-Town match, which was merely a formality, since Reed and Slick were all set to go to WWE. WWE dyed Reed's hair blond and named him "The Natural." He won his PPV debut over "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware (James Ware) at WrestleMania III (1987), and was in the main event of Survivor Series (1987) (André René Roussimoff/King Kong Bundy/The One Man Gang (George Gray)/Reed/"Ravishing" Rick Rude defeated Hulk Hogan/"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff/"Magnificent" Don Muraco/Ken Patera/Bam Bam Bigelow, with Andre as the sole survivor). Randy Savage defeated Reed in the first round of the WWF World Heavyweight Title Tournament at WrestleMania IV (1988), which was Reed's third, and last, WWE PPV match. He later said that he left because of racial discrimination.
Originally denied the story that he was supposed to have defeated Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Richard Blood) for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title, but that the plans were changed due to his missing shows (which he claimed was due to burnout), leading to The Honky Tonk Man (Wayne Farris) getting the belt instead. In 2018, he confirmed that he lost the opportunity due to missing shows. Wikipedia calls the story that Reed was supposed to have won the title "a persistent myth." - Jean Bayless was born in 1931 in Hackney, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Saturday-Night Revue (1950), Scotland Yard Inspector (1952) and Highland Fling (1957). She was married to David Johnson. She died on 5 February 2021 in Birmingham, England, UK.
- Örs Siklósi was born on 4 September 1991 in Budapest, Hungary. He was an actor, known for Zsaruvér és csigavér 2: Több tonna kámfor (2002), AWS - Viszlat Nyar (2017) and The Eurovision Song Contest (2018). He died on 5 February 2021 in Hungary.
- Actress
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Alex Damiano was born on 27 October 1987 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She was an actress and cinematographer, known for My Name Is 'A' by Anonymous (2012), Cold Creepy Feeling (2010) and Shane Ryan's Faces of Snuff (2016). She died on 5 February 2021 in the USA.- Ernell Manabat was born on September 4th, 1972 to Ernie and Lourdes Manabat in St. Paul, Minnesota. Upon only living there for 10 months the family packed up and headed out west to Las Vegas, NV.
Ernell was first introduced to live performance at the tender age of 5yrs old but it wasn't acting, it was singing. He performed at various local events including the International Food Festival which was held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in addition to various community events held at local parks. His dad at the time was working as a maitre'd in the Silver Star Lounge at the Silverbird Hotel & Casino where Ernell gave a one night only performance at the age of 7yrs old with his then band Aria Sage.
It wasn't until his sophmore year in high school, where he attended Bishop Gorman High, that Ernell became involved in acting by taking Theatre Classes. And it was that year he landed a lead role in the fall production "I Saved a Winter Just For You." From that day on he became bitten by the proverbial "acting bug." Ernell has since gone on to act in T.V. commercials as well as film and television. - Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Actor
Born in Belfast on the 18th of December 1943, Mervyn developed a keen interest in drama from a young age. He studied English Literature and Drama at Leeds University. He then taught English and Drama at Huddersfield College, later becoming Head of Drama at Garforth Comprehensive School. He also worked at York University Television Service and finally at Leeds Polytechnic Television Service. It was during this time that Mervyn starred in the 1970 MGM Film No Blade of Grass (1970), under the acting name Mervyn Patrick. In 1972, Mervyn joined Yorkshire Television as a floor manager and would subsequently work his way up the ranks to become a director in 1980 on the documentary On the Road (1980).
Soon after this, Mervyn began directing Emmerdale Farm (1972), a show that he worked on until the mid-1990s, directing 140 episodes. Throughout his career he has directed all of the UK's major soap opera's including EastEnders (1985) (48 episodes), Coronation Street (1960) (125 episodes), Brookside (1982) (45 episodes) and Family Affairs (1997) (40 episodes) In 2001, Mervyn received a BAFTA Nomination for his directing work on Byker Grove (1989).
In recent years, Mervyn has combined directing with teaching, giving him the opportunity to give something back after over 3 decades of work in the profession. He has a new drama, Tanner (2007) and a documentary _'Dad's Army' & Beyond: The Frank Williams Story (2008) (TV)_ in post-production, due for release in 2008.- Director
- Cinematographer
Edward R. Feil was born on 6 May 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Edward R. was a director and cinematographer, known for Step a Little Higher (1968) and The Inner World of Aphasia (1968). Edward R. was married to Naomi Feil. Edward R. died on 5 February 2021 in Springfield, Oregon, USA.- Additional Crew
- Actress
Born Isabella Calò in Mantua, she was forced to change her family name of Jewish origins to Bellini because of the racial laws. After winning a national contest for singers she entered EIAR, where she was active both as a solo singer and as a member of the "Trio Primavera" with Thea Prandi and Wilma Mangini. During and shortly after the war, Bellini devoted herself exclusively to the theater, working on stage with popular artists such as Totò, Renato Rascel, Walter Chiari and Umberto Spadaro. In 1948 she began working on radio as a presenter and entertainer. In 1954 she hosted the popular radio show "Il motivo in maschera" together with Mike Bongiorno and Lelio Luttazzi, and in the same year she debuted as a television presenter in "Italia. Nati per la musica". Bellini later gradually thinned out her appearances on media, focusing on dubbing.- Ruth Dayan was born on 6 March 1917 in Haifa, Palestine (now Haifa, Israel). She was married to Moshe Dayan. She died on 5 February 2021 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Vern De Paul was born on 11 May 1937. He was an actor, known for Raging Bull (1980) and The Last Fight (1983). He died on 5 February 2021.
- Hershel Shanks was born on 8 March 1930 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Judith Weil. He died on 5 February 2021 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Alan Scott was born on 13 October 1922 in Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA. He was a composer, known for Thundering Jets (1958), Candid Camera (1960) and Candid Camera (1948). He died on 5 February 2021 in Branford, Connecticut, USA.- Robert Steuer was born on 18 November 1934 in New Orleans. He was a producer, known for The Most Dangerous Woman Alive (1988), Dinner Rush (2000) and A Gun, a Car, a Blonde (1997). He died on 5 February 2021 in Tarzana, California, USA.
- Charlie Krueger was born on 28 January 1937 in Caldwell, Texas, USA. He was married to Kristin Adler. He died on 5 February 2021 in Clayton, California, USA.
- Brayden Smith was born on 6 September 1996 in Henderson, Nevada, USA. He died on 5 February 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.