Died Today

Died Today (August 23rd) – Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926)

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rudolphvalentino.jpgRudolph Valentino (1895–1926)

Born: May 6, 1895 in Castellaneta, Puglia, Italy
Died: August 23, 1926 (age 31) in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

A few months before Valentino’s death, a Chicago newspaper columnist attacked his masculinity in print, referring to him as a “pink powder puff”. A lawsuit was pending when Valentino was fatally stricken. One of his last questions to his doctor was, “Well, doctor, and do I now act like a ‘pink powder puff’?” His doctor reportedly replied, “No, sir. You have been very brave. Braver than most.”.

[after his divorce from Jean Acker] She said she was my soul mate, but she proved to be my check-mate!

Died Today (August 20th) – Elmore Leonard (1925–2013)

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elmoreleonard.jpgElmore Leonard (1925–2013)

Born: October 11, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Died: August 20, 2013 (age 87) in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, USA

Married to: Christine Kent (19 August 1993 – 20 August 2013) (his death)
Joan Shepard (15 September 1979 – 13 January 1993) (her death)
Beverly Claire Cline (30 July 1949 – 24 May 1977) (divorced) (5 children)

[his first rule of writing dialog] If it sounds written, it’s wrong.
[about the adaptation of his book “Get Shorty”] All the adaptations of my books all sucked. This one [Get Shorty (1995)] got it right for once.
If work was a good thing, the rich would have it all and not let you do it.

I think any writer is a fool if he doesn’t do it for money. There needs to be some kind of incentive in addition to the project. It all goes together. It’s fun to sit there and think of characters and get them into action, then be paid for it. I can’t believe it when writers tell me, “I don’t want to show my work to anybody”. Well, what are you doing it for?

[on film versions of his work] I don’t remember all the bad ones. I know “The Big Bounce” was bad, though, and they made it twice. It wasn’t bad enough the first time [The Big Bounce (1969)]. I don’t think anybody in the picture knew what they were doing. The second time they made it [The Big Bounce (2004)], they shot it in Hawaii. They would cut to surfers when they ran out of ideas.

Died Today (August 20th) – Phyllis Diller (1917–2012)

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phyllisdiller.jpgPhyllis Diller (1917–2012)

Born: July 17, 1917 in Lima, Ohio, USA

Died: August 20, 2012 (age 95) in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USA

A stand-up comic is judged by every line. Singers get applause at the end of their song no matter how bad they are.

It’s a good thing that beauty is only skin deep, or I’d be rotten to the core.

Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.

Aim high, and you won’t shoot your foot off.

My house used to be haunted, but the ghosts haven’t been back since the night I tried on all my wigs.

“Fang” is permanent in my act, of course. Don’t confuse him with my real husbands. They are temporary.

I bury a lot of my ironing in the backyard.

I still take the pill because I don’t want any more grandchildren.

Died Today (August 19th): Groucho Marx (1890–1977)

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grouchomarx.jpgGroucho Marx (1890–1977)

Born: October 2, 1890 in New York City, New York, USA
Died: August 19, 1977 (age 86) in Los Angeles, California, USA

[on resigning from the Friars Club] I do not care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members.

[when told that a swimming pool was off-limits to Jews] My son is half-Jewish; can he wade in up to his knees?

The CocoanutsThe Cocoanuts
1929
dir. Robert Florey
Joseph Santley
starring
The Marx Bros		 ANIMAL CRACKERSAnimal Crackers
1930
dir. by Victor Heerman
starring
The Marx Bros
MONKEY BUSINESSMonkey Business
1931
dir. by Norman Z. McLeod
starring
The Marx Bros		 HORSE FEATHERSHorse Feathers
1932
dir. by Victor Heerman
starring
The Marx Bros
Duck SoupDuck Soup
1933
dir. by Leo McCarey
starring
The Marx Bros		 AA Night at the Opera
1935
dir. by Sam Wood
starring
The Marx Bros
A DAY AT THE RACESA Day at the Races
1937
dir. Sam Wood
starring
The Marx Bros		 ROOM SERVICERoom Service
1938
dir. William A. Seiter
starring
The Marx Bros
ACTRESSTOP 100 ACTRESSES of all-time
See the list. Profiles for all		 ACTorTOP 100 ACTORS of all-time
See the list. Profiles for all
AT THE CIRCUSAt the Circus
1939
dir. Edward Buzzell
starring
The Marx Bros		 GO WESTGo West
1940
dir. Edward Buzzell
Starring
The Marx Bros
THE BIG STOREThe Big Store
1941
dir. Charles Reisner
starring
The Marx Brothers
A NIGHT IN CASABLANCAA Night in Casablanca
1946
dir. by Archie Mayo
starring
The Marx Brothers
The HeiressLove Happy
1949
dir. David Miller
starring
The Marx Brothers
Marilyn Monroe

 

Died Today (August 19th): Tony Scott (1944–2012)

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tonyscottTony Scott (1944–2012)

Born: June 21, 1944 in North Shields, Northumberland, England, UK
Died: August 19, 2012 (age 68) in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

I always get criticized for style over content, unlike Ridley’s films that go into the classic box right away. Mine sort of hover. Maybe with time people will start saying they should be classics, but I think I’m always perceived as reaching too hard for difference, and difference doesn’t categorize you as the ‘classic category’.

TOP CRUISETop Cruise
1986
dir. Scott
starring
Tom Cruise
Val Kilmer		 DAYS OF THUNDERDays of Thunder
1990
dir. Scott
starring
Tom Cruise
Robert Duvall
MAN ON FIREMan on Fire
2004
dir. Scott
Starring
Denzel Washington
Dakota Fanning		 THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123The Taking of Pelham 123
dir. Scott
Starring
Denzel Washington
John Travolta
movie posterTRUE ROMANCE
1993
dir. Tony Scott
Cast:
Christian Slater
Patricia Arquette		 MOVIE POSTERTHE FAN
1996
dir. Tony Scott
Stars:
Robert DeNiro
Wesley Snipes
UNSTOPPABLE
dir. Tony Scott
Stars:
Denzel Washington
Chris Pine		 MOVIE POSTERTHE HUNGER
1983
dir. by Tony Scott
Stars:
Catherine Deneuve
David Bowie		 MOVIE POSTERDEJA VU
2006
dir. Tony Scott
Stars:
Denzel Washington
Paula Patton

Died Today (August 18th) – Director John Sturges (The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven)

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johsturges.jpgJohn Sturges (1910–1992)

Born: January 3, 1910 in Oak Park, Illinois, USA
Died: August 18, 1992 (age 82) in San Luis Obispo, California, USA

When he met Akira Kurosawa, Kurosawa told him that he loved The Magnificent Seven (1960), which was a remake of Kurosawa’ Seven Samurai (1954). Sturges always maintained that this was the single proudest moment of his life.

Served with the US Army Signals Corps during World War II, but later transferred to the Air Force. Eventually edited/directed 37 training films and five documentaries. He served in Africa, Italy, Corsica and Britain.

 

Died Today (August 18th) – Don Pardo – SNL Announcer

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donpardo.jpgDon Pardo (1918–2014)

Born: February 22, 1918 in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA
Died: August 18, 2014 (age 96) in Tucson, Arizona, USA

Married to: Catherine (Kay) Lyons (1938 – 8 July 1995) (her death) (5 children)

[for his famous Saturday Night Live introduction, which is cried out at the end of the cold open skit] Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!

He became famous for “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”, which was cried out at the end of the opening skit, and then he followed up with announcing the show’s title, then names the cast members and musical guest(s) in a voice-over during the opening montage.

Died Today – Arthur Hiller – Love Story director. Former Academy President

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arthurhiller.jpgArthur Hiller, the former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the director of “Love Story,” died on Wednesday at the age of 92. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend Arthur Hiller,” current Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said. “I was a member of the Board during his presidency and fortunate enough to witness firsthand his dedication to the Academy and his lifelong passion for visual storytelling. Our condolences go out to his loved ones.”

THE LONELY GUY
1984
dir. Arthur Hiller
Starring:
Steve Martin
Charles Grodin		 MOVIE POSTERTHE BABE
1992
dir. Arthur HIller
Stars:
John Goodman
Kelly McGillis
MOVIE POSTERTHE IN-LAWS
1979
dir. Arthur Hiller
Starring:
Peter Falk
Alan Arkin
LOVE STORY
1970
dir. Arthur Hiller
Stars:
Ali MacGraw
Ryan O’Neal		 MOVIE POSTERTAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
1990
dir. Arthur Hiller
Stars:
James Belushi
Charles Grodin

 

Died Today (August 16th): Elvis Presley (1935–1977)

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elvispresley.jpgElvis Presley (1935–1977)

Born: January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA
Died: August 16, 1977 (age 42) in Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Married to:
Priscilla Presley (1 May 1967 – 9 October 1973) (divorced) (1 child)

[from a letter delivered to President Nixon’s office on December 21, 1970] Sir, I can and will be of any I service that I can to help the country out. I have no concern or motive other than helping the country out, so I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large, and I will help best by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal Credentials..I have done an in depth study of Drug Abuse and Brainwashing Techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing.

FUN IN ACAPULCO
1963
dir. Richard Thorpe
Starring:
Elvis Presley
Ursula Andress

 

Died Today (August 14th): Bruno Kirby

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brunokirby.jpgBruno Kirby (1949–2006)

Born: April 28, 1949 in New York City, New York, USA
Died: August 14, 2006 (age 57) in Los Angeles, California, USA

I’ve been very lucky. And in this business, you have to have a certain amount of timing and luck because I know, right now as we’re sitting here talking, there’s a guy driving a cab in New York City who can put me away.

MOVIE POSTERWHEN HARRY MET SALLY
1989
dir. Rob Reiner
Stars
Billy Crystal
Meg Ryan
This is Spinal Tap
1984
dir. Rob Reiner
Starring
Michael McKean
Christopher Guest
THE GODFATHER PART IIThe Godfather Part II
1974
dir. Francis Ford Coppola
Starring
Pacino
Robert De Niro		 MOVIE POSTERTHE BASKETBALL DIARIES
1995
dir. Scott Kalvert
Stars:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Lorraine Bracco