Susan Buckner, renowned for her portrayal of cheerleader Patty Simcox in the iconic movie Grease, has died at the age of 72.
Melissa Berthier, a spokesperson for the family, confirmed that Buckner passed away peacefully on May 2, surrounded by loved ones.
The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Buckner’s daughter, Samantha Mansfield, shared with People magazine, “The light she brought into every room will be missed forever. She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend.”
Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1952, Buckner initially gained attention as a beauty pageant queen, winning the title of Miss Washington in 1971 and placing in the top ten at the Miss America pageant in 1972.
Her journey into entertainment commenced with appearances on popular variety shows like The Dean Martin Show and The Mac Davis Show.
Susan Buckner starred alongside John Travolta in Grease
In 1977, Buckner landed the role of Patty Simcox in Grease,...
Melissa Berthier, a spokesperson for the family, confirmed that Buckner passed away peacefully on May 2, surrounded by loved ones.
The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Buckner’s daughter, Samantha Mansfield, shared with People magazine, “The light she brought into every room will be missed forever. She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend.”
Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1952, Buckner initially gained attention as a beauty pageant queen, winning the title of Miss Washington in 1971 and placing in the top ten at the Miss America pageant in 1972.
Her journey into entertainment commenced with appearances on popular variety shows like The Dean Martin Show and The Mac Davis Show.
Susan Buckner starred alongside John Travolta in Grease
In 1977, Buckner landed the role of Patty Simcox in Grease,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Frank Yemi
- Monsters and Critics
Susan Buckner, an American actor best known for her role as Patty Simcox in the 1978 musical “Grease,” died May 2. She was 72. Her death was confirmed by her publicist.
At the age of 25, Buckner was cast in the role of the Rydell High cheerleader, joining a cast that included John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As Simcox, Buckner played a solider of school spirit, with an iconic cheer cemented into fans’ minds: “Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell! Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”
Buckner continued working as an actor with guest credits across several television shows, including “The Love Boat,” “B.J and the Bear” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” She co-starred in the ABC series “When the Whistle Blows.” Among other notable feature credits, Buckner appeared in Wes Craven’s 1981 horror film “Deadly Blessing” opposite Sharon Stone, as...
At the age of 25, Buckner was cast in the role of the Rydell High cheerleader, joining a cast that included John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As Simcox, Buckner played a solider of school spirit, with an iconic cheer cemented into fans’ minds: “Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell! Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”
Buckner continued working as an actor with guest credits across several television shows, including “The Love Boat,” “B.J and the Bear” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” She co-starred in the ABC series “When the Whistle Blows.” Among other notable feature credits, Buckner appeared in Wes Craven’s 1981 horror film “Deadly Blessing” opposite Sharon Stone, as...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Buckner, best known to moviegoers as Grease‘s bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Miami on May 2.
Her death was announced by family.
Buckner’s Grease character was the Rydell High cheerleading pal of Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy. The 1978 film also starred John Travolta and Stockard Channing.
Born on January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and represented the state in the Miss America pageant the following year. Soon after, she became one of The Dean Martin Show’s Golddiggers dancers, and that led her to become part of the all-girl group Fantasy and the musical duo Buckner and Pratt.
She also appeared on such variety shows as The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher and, as a dancer and synchronized swimmer, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
In 1977, she landed her signature role of perky Patty Simcox, Grease‘s embodiment of pep and school spirit.
Her death was announced by family.
Buckner’s Grease character was the Rydell High cheerleading pal of Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy. The 1978 film also starred John Travolta and Stockard Channing.
Born on January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and represented the state in the Miss America pageant the following year. Soon after, she became one of The Dean Martin Show’s Golddiggers dancers, and that led her to become part of the all-girl group Fantasy and the musical duo Buckner and Pratt.
She also appeared on such variety shows as The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher and, as a dancer and synchronized swimmer, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
In 1977, she landed her signature role of perky Patty Simcox, Grease‘s embodiment of pep and school spirit.
- 5/7/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Young and the Restless family is mourning the loss of Marla Adams, who died at 85.
Marla played Dina Abbott Mergeron on and off on Y&r for over 37 years.
Josh Griffith, Y&r’s executive producer, shared a statement with People magazine to honor Marla after news of her death broke.
“On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&r,” read the statement.
The actress had an incredible career before she joined the soap opera world, though.
Today, those who knew and loved Marla are mourning the loss – as are the fans who adored her.
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The Young and the Restless...
Marla played Dina Abbott Mergeron on and off on Y&r for over 37 years.
Josh Griffith, Y&r’s executive producer, shared a statement with People magazine to honor Marla after news of her death broke.
“On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&r,” read the statement.
The actress had an incredible career before she joined the soap opera world, though.
Today, those who knew and loved Marla are mourning the loss – as are the fans who adored her.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Young and the Restless (@youngandrestlesscbs)
The Young and the Restless...
- 4/27/2024
- by Rachelle Lewis
- Monsters and Critics
Marla Adams, who played Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” for 37 years, died Thursday in Los Angeles, Matt Kane, director of media and talent for “The Young and the Restless” announced. She was 85.
Adams began her career in the daytime drama genre in 1968 on “The Secret Storm.” She played Belle Clemens on the show until 1974, and would go on to join “The Young and the Restless” in 1982. She would be cast as the Abbott family matriarch Dina Abbott Mergeron, who came to Genoa City to reconnect with her estranged family. She was the onscreen mother to the Abbott siblings, Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
She would appear in “Y&r” on and off throughout the following years, returning full time in 2017. It would be revealed that her character was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and in 2021, Adams won a...
Adams began her career in the daytime drama genre in 1968 on “The Secret Storm.” She played Belle Clemens on the show until 1974, and would go on to join “The Young and the Restless” in 1982. She would be cast as the Abbott family matriarch Dina Abbott Mergeron, who came to Genoa City to reconnect with her estranged family. She was the onscreen mother to the Abbott siblings, Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
She would appear in “Y&r” on and off throughout the following years, returning full time in 2017. It would be revealed that her character was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and in 2021, Adams won a...
- 4/26/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy-winning actress Marla Adams, who played Dina on The Young and the Restless for more than three decades, has died at the age of 85, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Beginning her career on Broadway and in films like Splendor in the Grass, Adams played villain Belle Clemens on the CBS daytime soap The Secret Storm before joining the cast of The Young and the Restless in 1983. She originated the role of Dina Abbott Mergeron, a cosmetics mogul whose arrival in Genoa City upended the lives of her ex-husband John Abbott and their children.
More from TVLineSurvivor: Jeff Probst Announces Season...
Beginning her career on Broadway and in films like Splendor in the Grass, Adams played villain Belle Clemens on the CBS daytime soap The Secret Storm before joining the cast of The Young and the Restless in 1983. She originated the role of Dina Abbott Mergeron, a cosmetics mogul whose arrival in Genoa City upended the lives of her ex-husband John Abbott and their children.
More from TVLineSurvivor: Jeff Probst Announces Season...
- 4/26/2024
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
The Young and the Restless (Y&r) news reveals that there is sad information to share about a legendary show alum. Marla Adams (Dina Abbott Mergeron) has passed away at the age of 85. Adams debuted on the number one rated daytime drama in 1982.
Adams returned to Y&r in 2017 and she won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2020, the same year that her character succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Adams’ prime-time credits include Sisters, Time of Your Life, The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, and The Love Boat.
The Young and the Restless News: A Daytime Veteran Has Passed
Adams was born on August 28, 1938, in Ocean City, New Jersey. As a young woman she won the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May beauty pageants and was the runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant.
Adams has the honor of being Miss...
Adams returned to Y&r in 2017 and she won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2020, the same year that her character succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Adams’ prime-time credits include Sisters, Time of Your Life, The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, and The Love Boat.
The Young and the Restless News: A Daytime Veteran Has Passed
Adams was born on August 28, 1938, in Ocean City, New Jersey. As a young woman she won the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May beauty pageants and was the runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant.
Adams has the honor of being Miss...
- 4/26/2024
- by Tanya Clark
- Celebrating The Soaps
Marla Adams, best known for her 37 years in the role of Dina Abbott Mergeron on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, died Thursday in Los Angeles. She was 85 and the cause of death was not disclosed.
Born in Ocean City, NJ, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants. She also finished as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant and was the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding.
A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. She also starred as June in the 1961 feature film Splendor in the Grass.
Adams starred as Belle Clemens on The Secret Storm from 1968-74 and joined...
Born in Ocean City, NJ, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants. She also finished as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant and was the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding.
A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. She also starred as June in the 1961 feature film Splendor in the Grass.
Adams starred as Belle Clemens on The Secret Storm from 1968-74 and joined...
- 4/26/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Marla Adams, the Emmy-winning soap opera veteran who starred as the scheming Dina Abbott Mergeron during parts of five decades on The Young and the Restless, has died. She was 85.
Adams died Thursday in Los Angeles, Matt Kane, director of media and talent for Y&r, announced.
When she was just starting out, Adams appeared in 1958 alongside Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne on Broadway in The Visit and portrayed June, the high school best friend of Natalie Wood’s Deanie, in Elia Kazan’s Splendor in the Grass (1961).
Her first prominent role on a daytime drama came on CBS’ The Secret Storm, where she played bad girl Belle Clemens from 1968 until the show’s 1974 demise. “I was the bitch of daytime,” she said in a 2016 interview. “I played a good bitch.”
Adams joined Y&r in 1982 but left when her three-year contract was up. She returned to Genoa City for brief...
Adams died Thursday in Los Angeles, Matt Kane, director of media and talent for Y&r, announced.
When she was just starting out, Adams appeared in 1958 alongside Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne on Broadway in The Visit and portrayed June, the high school best friend of Natalie Wood’s Deanie, in Elia Kazan’s Splendor in the Grass (1961).
Her first prominent role on a daytime drama came on CBS’ The Secret Storm, where she played bad girl Belle Clemens from 1968 until the show’s 1974 demise. “I was the bitch of daytime,” she said in a 2016 interview. “I played a good bitch.”
Adams joined Y&r in 1982 but left when her three-year contract was up. She returned to Genoa City for brief...
- 4/26/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What is Tori Spelling’s shocking 2024 net worth amid her divorce and financial issues? She recently commented on her finances being the reason she was not a Real Housewife on Bravo. So, how much money does she have and is she underestimating herself? Keep reading for more details.
Tori Spelling’s Shocking 2024 Net Worth
Growing up, Tori Spelling lived a lavish life. Her father was famed writer and producer Aaron Spelling. He was known for shows such as The Mod Squad, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Melrose Place. Luckily, Tori was cast in some of her father’s shows, most notably 90210 but after she used a fake name so there would be no nepotism. She still had to prove herself as more than Aaron Spelling’s daughter. Sadly, he passed away in 2006 but left the majority of his estate to his wife, Candy Spelling.
Tori Spelling-YouTube
His two children,...
Tori Spelling’s Shocking 2024 Net Worth
Growing up, Tori Spelling lived a lavish life. Her father was famed writer and producer Aaron Spelling. He was known for shows such as The Mod Squad, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Melrose Place. Luckily, Tori was cast in some of her father’s shows, most notably 90210 but after she used a fake name so there would be no nepotism. She still had to prove herself as more than Aaron Spelling’s daughter. Sadly, he passed away in 2006 but left the majority of his estate to his wife, Candy Spelling.
Tori Spelling-YouTube
His two children,...
- 4/21/2024
- by Amanda Lauren
- TV Shows Ace
"The Love Boat" holds a fascinating place in pop culture history. While most of the shows with reruns playing in heavy rotation today were in some way groundbreaking upon their initial release, "The Love Boat" is a novelty the likes of which modern TV rarely – if ever – tries to emulate. An anthology-like rom-com set aboard a cruise ship, "The Love Boat" featured a revolving door of guest stars and little connective tissue to speak of aside from the cast playing the crew aboard the ship.
The deeply '70s series earned high ratings for much of its run, yet was considered pretty silly even at the time of its release. John J. O'Connor called it a "dreadful porridge of a conception" in The New York Times, while the Orlando Sentinel's Noel Holston said it needed "sharper writing, better casting, more original situations, an end to the indefatigable laugh track or,...
The deeply '70s series earned high ratings for much of its run, yet was considered pretty silly even at the time of its release. John J. O'Connor called it a "dreadful porridge of a conception" in The New York Times, while the Orlando Sentinel's Noel Holston said it needed "sharper writing, better casting, more original situations, an end to the indefatigable laugh track or,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Musical episodes of TV shows weren’t invented by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, nor by Xena: Warrior Princess either. But it was Xena that came up with a way of doing musical episodes that was incredibly effective, and Buffy that perfected it, producing a musical that has been a touchstone for TV ever since.
Some TV shows are designed to be a musical every week, of course, from Glee to Schmigadoon! to Flight of the Conchords. But there is also a fairly long-standing tradition of non-musical shows including musical episodes from time to time.
It might seem like having characters who do not normally sing randomly burst into song would be restricted to science fiction and fantasy, in which an invented reason can be provided for the singing, but plenty of non-sci fi and fantasy shows have done musicals either by making the whole thing take place inside someone’s...
Some TV shows are designed to be a musical every week, of course, from Glee to Schmigadoon! to Flight of the Conchords. But there is also a fairly long-standing tradition of non-musical shows including musical episodes from time to time.
It might seem like having characters who do not normally sing randomly burst into song would be restricted to science fiction and fantasy, in which an invented reason can be provided for the singing, but plenty of non-sci fi and fantasy shows have done musicals either by making the whole thing take place inside someone’s...
- 4/8/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Reader, you have been lied to! Film history is littered with unfairly maligned classics, whether critics were too eager to review the making of rather than the finished product, or they suffered from underwhelming ad campaigns or general disinterest. Let’s revise our takes on some of these films from the wrongheaded to the correct opinion.
Earlier this year, the Criterion Channel launched a series devoted to films that have won Golden Raspberry Awards, or “Razzies,” prizes ostensibly created to recognize the worst that cinema has to offer. The idea of streaming’s most respected curator of film art showcasing a selection of Razzie winners was one whose time was long overdue, given the Razzies’ astonishingly reliable tendency to be on the wrong side of history; the list of nominations from any given year is typically more useful as a guide for suggested viewing than as an indication of what to avoid.
Earlier this year, the Criterion Channel launched a series devoted to films that have won Golden Raspberry Awards, or “Razzies,” prizes ostensibly created to recognize the worst that cinema has to offer. The idea of streaming’s most respected curator of film art showcasing a selection of Razzie winners was one whose time was long overdue, given the Razzies’ astonishingly reliable tendency to be on the wrong side of history; the list of nominations from any given year is typically more useful as a guide for suggested viewing than as an indication of what to avoid.
- 4/4/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Barbara Rush has sadly passed away at the age of 97.
The Golden Globe award-winning actress died on Sunday evening (March 31), her daughter, Fox News correspondent Claudia Cowan confirmed in a statement.
“My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition,” Claudia shared with Fox News. “It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family.”
Barbara won the Golden Globe award for most promising newcomer in 1954 for her role in the sci-fi movie It Came From Outer Space. Throughout her career, she has starred alongside leading men like Dean Martin, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and more.
She has been a star of stage, film and television,...
The Golden Globe award-winning actress died on Sunday evening (March 31), her daughter, Fox News correspondent Claudia Cowan confirmed in a statement.
“My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition,” Claudia shared with Fox News. “It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family.”
Barbara won the Golden Globe award for most promising newcomer in 1954 for her role in the sci-fi movie It Came From Outer Space. Throughout her career, she has starred alongside leading men like Dean Martin, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and more.
She has been a star of stage, film and television,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Barbra Rush, the prolific actress best known for roles in 1953’s It Came From Outer Space and long runs on Peyton Place and All My Children, has died. Her daughter confirmed Rush’s passing to Fox News on Sunday. She was 97.
Rush had a near 60-year career. In the ’50s and ’60s, she worked on the big screen with Paul Newman (three times), Kirk Douglas, Rock Hudson, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Richard Burton. In addition to pulpier fare like Prince of Pirates and Taza, Son of Cochise, Rush did a trio of films with Douglas Sirk — The First Legion, Magnificent Obsession and Captain Lightfoot — and Bigger Than Life with Nicholas Ray.
By the late 1960s, Rush had segued mostly to TV, appearing in mainstays of the period such as Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, Marcus Welby, M.D., McCloud, Maude, Ironside and Mannix.
Rush appeared in...
Rush had a near 60-year career. In the ’50s and ’60s, she worked on the big screen with Paul Newman (three times), Kirk Douglas, Rock Hudson, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Richard Burton. In addition to pulpier fare like Prince of Pirates and Taza, Son of Cochise, Rush did a trio of films with Douglas Sirk — The First Legion, Magnificent Obsession and Captain Lightfoot — and Bigger Than Life with Nicholas Ray.
By the late 1960s, Rush had segued mostly to TV, appearing in mainstays of the period such as Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, Marcus Welby, M.D., McCloud, Maude, Ironside and Mannix.
Rush appeared in...
- 4/1/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched Season 11, Episode 4 of “The Masked Singer,” “TV Theme Night,” which aired March 27 on Fox.
“Extra” host Billy Bush won’t get an extra shot at “The Masked Singer.” The entertainment newsmagazine anchor and one-time morning drive radio host was the next celebrity to be unmasked on Wednesday’s “TV Theme Night” edition of “The Masked Singer.”
“I’m not a great singer,” Bush said. “If you can’t make it with the lips, make it with the hips. If you’ve never done something that’s a little on the scary side — and this is scary — say yes!”
For Bush, none of the panelists got it right. Robin Thicke guessed Anderson Cooper. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg picked Seth Meyers. Ken Jeong picked Ryan Seacrest. New panelist Rita Ora said it was Andy Cohen.
Lizard (for the second week in a row...
“Extra” host Billy Bush won’t get an extra shot at “The Masked Singer.” The entertainment newsmagazine anchor and one-time morning drive radio host was the next celebrity to be unmasked on Wednesday’s “TV Theme Night” edition of “The Masked Singer.”
“I’m not a great singer,” Bush said. “If you can’t make it with the lips, make it with the hips. If you’ve never done something that’s a little on the scary side — and this is scary — say yes!”
For Bush, none of the panelists got it right. Robin Thicke guessed Anderson Cooper. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg picked Seth Meyers. Ken Jeong picked Ryan Seacrest. New panelist Rita Ora said it was Andy Cohen.
Lizard (for the second week in a row...
- 3/28/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ryan Murphy is quickly expanding his footprint on ABC. The network has given a straight-to-series order to his Doctor Odyssey, with Joshua Jackson set to play the lead and executive produce. The drama, targeted for a fall launch, hails from 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television.
As is the case with any Ryan Murphy series, no details about the premise are being revealed. As the title suggests, Doctor Odyssey is believed to be a medical procedural. According to sources, it is set on a cruise ship. That was the setting for this season’s disaster-themed opener of Murphy’s procedural 9-1-1 in its debut on ABC, and it also harkens back to TV classic The Love Boat.
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Jackson is said to be playing the title character whose charms help him get what he wants.
As is the case with any Ryan Murphy series, no details about the premise are being revealed. As the title suggests, Doctor Odyssey is believed to be a medical procedural. According to sources, it is set on a cruise ship. That was the setting for this season’s disaster-themed opener of Murphy’s procedural 9-1-1 in its debut on ABC, and it also harkens back to TV classic The Love Boat.
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Jackson is said to be playing the title character whose charms help him get what he wants.
- 3/20/2024
- by Rosy Cordero and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The premise of the 1977 sitcom "Three's Company" -- adapted from the 1973 British series "Man About the House" -- would likely never fly in 2024. Roommates Janet (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy (Suzanne Somers) require a third roommate to pay rent in their expensive Santa Monica apartment. They stumble across Jack Tripper (John Ritter), an aspiring culinary student whom they get along with. It so happens, though, that the building's landlord, Mr. Roper (Normal Fell), is ultra-conservative and refuses to let unmarried men and women share his apartments. To get around this contrived contingency, Janet and Chrissy tell Mr. Roper that Jack is gay. This satisfies the landlord but opens Jack up to homophobic jibes.
Fell eventually left the series and was replaced by the high-strung Mr. Furley, played by Don Knotts. Mr. Furley, it seems, required the charade to continue. Somers also left the show in its last two seasons and was...
Fell eventually left the series and was replaced by the high-strung Mr. Furley, played by Don Knotts. Mr. Furley, it seems, required the charade to continue. Somers also left the show in its last two seasons and was...
- 3/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Ben Lanzarone, the composer, arranger, musical director and pianist who wrote music for such shows as Dynasty, Happy Days, Mr. Belvedere and The Tracey Ullman Show, has died. He was 85.
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
- 2/19/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Composer Ben Lanzarone, whose work was featured in television shows such as “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty,” died of lung cancer in Los Angeles on Feb. 16. He was 85.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
- 2/19/2024
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Lanzarone, whose music graced many hit television shows, died Friday in his sleep while battling lung cancer. He was 85 and his death was confirmed by his wife of more than 45 years, actress Ilene Graff.
Lanzarone was honored with the ASCAP’s Most-Performed Underscore Award in 1986. His compositions were used in many iconic TV shows from the ’70s,’80s & ’90s, including The Love Boat, Happy Days, Dynasty, Mork and Mindy, and Laverne and Shirley, among others.
Lanzarone and Graff met on the set of Grease, where he worked on the music video for Summer Nights. They later worked together on Mr. Belvedere, where Ilene played Marsha Cameron Owens for 118 episodes.
He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Nikka. No information on memorial plans was available.
Lanzarone was honored with the ASCAP’s Most-Performed Underscore Award in 1986. His compositions were used in many iconic TV shows from the ’70s,’80s & ’90s, including The Love Boat, Happy Days, Dynasty, Mork and Mindy, and Laverne and Shirley, among others.
Lanzarone and Graff met on the set of Grease, where he worked on the music video for Summer Nights. They later worked together on Mr. Belvedere, where Ilene played Marsha Cameron Owens for 118 episodes.
He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Nikka. No information on memorial plans was available.
- 2/18/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 33 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
- 2/13/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
“Love, exciting and new. . . Love, life’s sweetest reward. . .” From 1977 to 1987, “The Love Boat” offered a new adventure each week, with couples finding romance aboard the cruise ship. The decade-long success of this series indicates the thirst audiences have for love stories. It was during this time that “will-they-or-won’t they” couples became a popular concept, leading to some of the most popular onscreen pairings of all time. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we look back at some of the couples who have heated up our screens over the last few decades.
In the 1980s, a detective series called “Remington Steele” introduced us to the mysterious “Mr. Steele” and his partner Laura Holt. With its blend of humor, mystery and drama, as well as witty banter between the two leads, this series not only made a star out of Pierce Brosnan, but also popularized the mixing of genres and...
In the 1980s, a detective series called “Remington Steele” introduced us to the mysterious “Mr. Steele” and his partner Laura Holt. With its blend of humor, mystery and drama, as well as witty banter between the two leads, this series not only made a star out of Pierce Brosnan, but also popularized the mixing of genres and...
- 2/13/2024
- by Susan Pennington, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
A new cruise inspired by the iconic 1970s sitcom “The Love Boat” will hit water this summer.
This will be the second “Love Boat”-themed cruise from Princess Cruises, the same company featured in the original show, following the success of their inaugural themed cruise in 2022. During the seven-day trip — taking place from Aug. 31 – Sept. 7 2024 — fans of the popular show can sail along with Doc, Gopher, Isaac and Vicki Stubing as they cruise roundtrip from New York to Canada and New England aboard Enchanted Princess.
“Love Boat” cast members confirmed to be in attendance include Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher), and Ted Lange (Isaac). Ezra Freeman, the bartender from the recent CBS reality series “The Real Love Boat” will also join the cast, along with other surprise guests to be announced.
A new cruise inspired by the iconic 1970s sitcom “The Love Boat” will hit water this summer.
This will be the second “Love Boat”-themed cruise from Princess Cruises, the same company featured in the original show, following the success of their inaugural themed cruise in 2022. During the seven-day trip — taking place from Aug. 31 – Sept. 7 2024 — fans of the popular show can sail along with Doc, Gopher, Isaac and Vicki Stubing as they cruise roundtrip from New York to Canada and New England aboard Enchanted Princess.
“Love Boat” cast members confirmed to be in attendance include Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher), and Ted Lange (Isaac). Ezra Freeman, the bartender from the recent CBS reality series “The Real Love Boat” will also join the cast, along with other surprise guests to be announced.
- 2/7/2024
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Classic TV lovers yearning romantic programming this Valentine’s Day should check out MeTV! TV Insider is exclusively unveiling the network’s plans for “Love Me,” a marathon of love-themed classic TV show episodes to celebrate the holiday, airing on Sunday, February 11. The lineup includes episodes of The Brady Bunch, Leave It to Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, Gilligan’s Island, The Love Boat, Mama’s Family, and The Beverly Hillbillies, for a six-and-a-half-hour event. Check out the full “Love Me” marathon schedule for Sunday, February 11 on MeTV below. Plus, check out the promo above. 12:00 pm: The Brady Bunch “The Undergraduate” — Greg makes an “F” on a math test, and Mike and Carol discover it’s because he has a crush on somebody named “Linda.” They set out to find out who she is, completely unaware that “Linda” is his math teacher. 12:30 pm: The Brady Bunch “Love and the Older...
- 1/25/2024
- TV Insider
Action-paced, international intrigue ensues when a Swiss bank president hires an American investigator to ferret out a group of blackmailers who have been terrorizing his clients in The Swiss Conspiracy, available 20th February 2024 in a special collector’s edition on Blu-ray and DVD from Film Masters.
Scanned in 4K from original 35mm archival elements, The Swiss Conspiracy has never seen a high-quality release to date. Film Masters has enlisted colorist and restoration expert Marc Wielage to painstakingly bring back vibrant and original colors that have not been seen since this film made its original debut in 1976.
Shot entirely in and around Zurich, The Swiss Conspiracy, based on the hit novel by Michael Stanley, was directed by Jack Arnold, best known for B horror/cult movie classics such as The Incredible Shrinking Man, Tarantula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, It Came from Outer Space and The Tattered Dress. One of the...
Scanned in 4K from original 35mm archival elements, The Swiss Conspiracy has never seen a high-quality release to date. Film Masters has enlisted colorist and restoration expert Marc Wielage to painstakingly bring back vibrant and original colors that have not been seen since this film made its original debut in 1976.
Shot entirely in and around Zurich, The Swiss Conspiracy, based on the hit novel by Michael Stanley, was directed by Jack Arnold, best known for B horror/cult movie classics such as The Incredible Shrinking Man, Tarantula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, It Came from Outer Space and The Tattered Dress. One of the...
- 1/19/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Cindy Morgan, best known for her roles in the 80s films Caddyshack and Tron, died on Dec. 30. She was 69.
The actress died of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told The Hollywood Reporter Saturday.
Born Cynthia Ann Cichorski on Sept. 29, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Morgan was the first in her family to attend college, attending Northern Illinois University to study communications. After working in local news and radio for some time, she eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1978.
The following year, she appeared in commercials for Irish Spring, becoming known as the Irish Spring girl. During that time, she was also attending acting classes and workshops.
She scored her first film role in the 1979 movie Up Yours. The following year, she took on the role of Lacey Underall in the sports-comedy Caddyshack, starring alongside Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray,...
The actress died of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told The Hollywood Reporter Saturday.
Born Cynthia Ann Cichorski on Sept. 29, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Morgan was the first in her family to attend college, attending Northern Illinois University to study communications. After working in local news and radio for some time, she eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1978.
The following year, she appeared in commercials for Irish Spring, becoming known as the Irish Spring girl. During that time, she was also attending acting classes and workshops.
She scored her first film role in the 1979 movie Up Yours. The following year, she took on the role of Lacey Underall in the sports-comedy Caddyshack, starring alongside Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray,...
- 1/7/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cindy Morgan, the actress best known for her roles in Tron and Caddyshack, has sadly passed away.
TMZ confirmed the news of her passing with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and shared additional details about the sad news.
Keep reading to find out more…
The outlet reported that Cindy was found by authorities in her home after her roommate called the police on December 30. She reached out after knocking on the actress’ bedroom door and getting no answer.
Cindy was last seen alive on December 19, and it is not immediately clear when she died.
Reps for the sheriff’s office confirmed that her death was related to “natural causes.” It does not appear that any foul play was involved.
The actress has additional credits over the years, appearing on shows such as The Love Boat and Falcon Crest. She will be missed.
Our thoughts go out to everyone...
TMZ confirmed the news of her passing with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and shared additional details about the sad news.
Keep reading to find out more…
The outlet reported that Cindy was found by authorities in her home after her roommate called the police on December 30. She reached out after knocking on the actress’ bedroom door and getting no answer.
Cindy was last seen alive on December 19, and it is not immediately clear when she died.
Reps for the sheriff’s office confirmed that her death was related to “natural causes.” It does not appear that any foul play was involved.
The actress has additional credits over the years, appearing on shows such as The Love Boat and Falcon Crest. She will be missed.
Our thoughts go out to everyone...
- 1/7/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Cindy Morgan, the actor best known for playing Lacey Underall in “Caddyshack” and Lora/Yori in Disney’s original “Tron” film, has died. She was 69.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office in Florida confirmed the news to the Los Angeles Times, saying Morgan died of natural causes. Officials were not able to specify when she died.
Morgan gained notoriety for her performance as blonde bombshell Lacey in the 1980 sports comedy “Caddyshack,” starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield.
“‘Caddyshack’ was my first film and I’ll say that the end product was so completely different, it was originally about the caddies,” Morgan said in a 2012 interview. “So at first, I had nothing to lose to audition. It was fun. All I did was focus on making the person sweat. Look ’em in the eye, do that thing many women know how to do.”
After guesting on such series as “The Love Boat,...
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office in Florida confirmed the news to the Los Angeles Times, saying Morgan died of natural causes. Officials were not able to specify when she died.
Morgan gained notoriety for her performance as blonde bombshell Lacey in the 1980 sports comedy “Caddyshack,” starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield.
“‘Caddyshack’ was my first film and I’ll say that the end product was so completely different, it was originally about the caddies,” Morgan said in a 2012 interview. “So at first, I had nothing to lose to audition. It was fun. All I did was focus on making the person sweat. Look ’em in the eye, do that thing many women know how to do.”
After guesting on such series as “The Love Boat,...
- 1/7/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Cindy Morgan, who memorably played a temptress in the 1980 film Caddyshack, has died in Florida, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. No cause or location was given.
Morgan playws Lacey Underall in Caddyshack opposite Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield. She was the county club owner’s niece whose electric allure captured every male’s attention.
Her film resume includes Tron and Galaxis, Silent Fury, and Up Yours, among other movies.
Her TV appearances included The Love Boat, Chips, The Fall Guy, Falcon Crest, Matlock and more.
In total, she had 37 acting credits.
No details on survivors or memorials was immediately available.
Morgan playws Lacey Underall in Caddyshack opposite Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield. She was the county club owner’s niece whose electric allure captured every male’s attention.
Her film resume includes Tron and Galaxis, Silent Fury, and Up Yours, among other movies.
Her TV appearances included The Love Boat, Chips, The Fall Guy, Falcon Crest, Matlock and more.
In total, she had 37 acting credits.
No details on survivors or memorials was immediately available.
- 1/6/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Shecky Greene, the legendary stand-up comedian who spent decades as one of the biggest acts in Las Vegas, has died at the age of 97.
Greene’s widow Marie Musso Greene, his wife of 41 years, confirmed the comic’s death Sunday to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, noting that he died at natural causes early December 31 at his home in Las Vegas.
Born Fred Greenfield in Chicago in 1926, Greene was already an established comedian from the Borscht Belt and beyond when he was recruited to become one of the first comics to...
Greene’s widow Marie Musso Greene, his wife of 41 years, confirmed the comic’s death Sunday to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, noting that he died at natural causes early December 31 at his home in Las Vegas.
Born Fred Greenfield in Chicago in 1926, Greene was already an established comedian from the Borscht Belt and beyond when he was recruited to become one of the first comics to...
- 12/31/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Shecky Greene, the legendary standup comedian known for his long tenure as a Las Vegas headliner and for working with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, died Dec. 31 at his home in the city. He was 97.
Greene’s wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, confirmed his death to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Greene was a regular on the TV talk show and guest star circuit in his 1960s and ’70s heyday, when he often sported a comb-over haircut and wide-lapel suits. Earlier in his career, he came to represent the epitome of the Rat Pack-adjacent comedian in a tux, delivering lightly risque or edgy anecdotal stories and zingers on stage.
Greene was known for his many appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and for working as the opening act for Sinatra in Miami and Presley in Las Vegas. During the 1962-63 season, he played a recurring character on the...
Greene’s wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, confirmed his death to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Greene was a regular on the TV talk show and guest star circuit in his 1960s and ’70s heyday, when he often sported a comb-over haircut and wide-lapel suits. Earlier in his career, he came to represent the epitome of the Rat Pack-adjacent comedian in a tux, delivering lightly risque or edgy anecdotal stories and zingers on stage.
Greene was known for his many appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and for working as the opening act for Sinatra in Miami and Presley in Las Vegas. During the 1962-63 season, he played a recurring character on the...
- 12/31/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Shecky Greene has sadly passed away.
The Las Vegas headliner and stand-up comedian passed away on Sunday (December 31) at the age of 97.
He died at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, his wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Along with his Vegas shows, he was also a frequent guest and even occasional guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Keep reading to find out more…
In addition, he starred as Pvt. Braddock on the first season of Combat!, as well as movies like Tony Rome, The Love Machine, Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood, History of the World: Part One and Splash.
He was a fixture on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, as well as The Love Boat, Laverne & Shirley, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Roseanne and as Paul Reiser’s great-uncle on Mad About You.
The Las Vegas headliner and stand-up comedian passed away on Sunday (December 31) at the age of 97.
He died at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, his wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Along with his Vegas shows, he was also a frequent guest and even occasional guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Keep reading to find out more…
In addition, he starred as Pvt. Braddock on the first season of Combat!, as well as movies like Tony Rome, The Love Machine, Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood, History of the World: Part One and Splash.
He was a fixture on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, as well as The Love Boat, Laverne & Shirley, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Roseanne and as Paul Reiser’s great-uncle on Mad About You.
- 12/31/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Tom Smothers, who with his brother Dick performed as the Smothers Brothers comedy team, passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, following a recent battle with cancer. He was 86.
Dick Smothers said in a statement that Tom was at home with his family at the time of his death.
More from TVLineBobby Rivers, TV Personality and Food Network Alum, Dead at 70Lee Sun-kyun, of Parasite and TV's My Mister and Dr. Brain, Dead at 48Kamar de los Reyes, One Life to Live Actor, Dead at 56
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,...
Dick Smothers said in a statement that Tom was at home with his family at the time of his death.
More from TVLineBobby Rivers, TV Personality and Food Network Alum, Dead at 70Lee Sun-kyun, of Parasite and TV's My Mister and Dr. Brain, Dead at 48Kamar de los Reyes, One Life to Live Actor, Dead at 56
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,...
- 12/27/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Selma Archerd, who appeared in more than two dozen episodes of Melrose Place, has died at age 98. A resident of Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood, Archerd peacefully passed away on December 14, according to a Legacy.com obituary published by the Los Angeles Times. Archerd’s screen career lasted more than a quarter-century, starting with a role as “2nd P.T.A. Lady” in a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch, her IMDb filmography shows. She also guest-starred on the TV shows Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Marcus Welby, M.D., Hotel, Knots Landing, Cagney & Lacey, The Love Boat, and Roseanne. She played Nurse Amy across 25 episodes of Melrose Place, recurring on the Fox primetime soap between 1995 and 1999. On the big screen, Archerd took small roles in Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Scrooged, and Lethal Weapon 3. She also played a neighbor in 1995’s The Brady Bunch Movie, marking a full-circle moment for her career.
- 12/24/2023
- TV Insider
Selma Archerd, an actress who was well known in Hollywood as the vivacious wife of longtime Variety columnist Army Archerd, has died. She was 98.
Selma Archerd died Dec. 14 in Los Angeles, according to a Legacy.com posting on the Los Angeles Times’ website.
Selma Archerd was seen as a hostage in 1988’s “Die Hard” and had a recurring role as Nurse Amy in Fox’s 1990s soap “Melrose Place.” She logged numerous cameos and bit parts from the 1970s through the 1990s on movies and TV shows ranging from “The Brady Bunch” to “Serpico” to “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 3.” Other notable films in which she appeared include: “Fun with Dick and Jane,” “Americathon,” “Can’t Stop the Music,” “Mommie Dearest” and “Scrooged.” TV appearances also include: “Charmed,” “Roseanne,” “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill,” “The Love Boat,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Knot’s Landing,” “Hotel” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.”
Selma...
Selma Archerd died Dec. 14 in Los Angeles, according to a Legacy.com posting on the Los Angeles Times’ website.
Selma Archerd was seen as a hostage in 1988’s “Die Hard” and had a recurring role as Nurse Amy in Fox’s 1990s soap “Melrose Place.” She logged numerous cameos and bit parts from the 1970s through the 1990s on movies and TV shows ranging from “The Brady Bunch” to “Serpico” to “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 3.” Other notable films in which she appeared include: “Fun with Dick and Jane,” “Americathon,” “Can’t Stop the Music,” “Mommie Dearest” and “Scrooged.” TV appearances also include: “Charmed,” “Roseanne,” “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill,” “The Love Boat,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Knot’s Landing,” “Hotel” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.”
Selma...
- 12/23/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Selma Archerd, the widow of longtime Variety columnist Army Archerd who recurred as a nurse on Melrose Place and appeared in the first Die Hard and in two Lethal Weapon movies, died Dec. 14, her family announced. She was 98.
Archerd played Mrs. Claus in Richard Donner’s Scrooged (1988), and she also showed up on the big screen in Arthur Hiller’s W.C. Fields and Me (1975), Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976), Fun With Dick and Jane (1977), Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York (1977), Mommie Dearest (1981) and Indecent Proposal (1993).
She has 51 credits listed on IMDb. The first one was for a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch, and she would also work on the 1988 reunion telefilm A Very Brady Christmas and in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995).
Archerd, who lived in Westwood, portrayed Nurse Amy on 25 episodes of Fox’s Melrose Place from 1995-99 and was on other series produced by Aaron Spelling,...
Archerd played Mrs. Claus in Richard Donner’s Scrooged (1988), and she also showed up on the big screen in Arthur Hiller’s W.C. Fields and Me (1975), Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976), Fun With Dick and Jane (1977), Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York (1977), Mommie Dearest (1981) and Indecent Proposal (1993).
She has 51 credits listed on IMDb. The first one was for a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch, and she would also work on the 1988 reunion telefilm A Very Brady Christmas and in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995).
Archerd, who lived in Westwood, portrayed Nurse Amy on 25 episodes of Fox’s Melrose Place from 1995-99 and was on other series produced by Aaron Spelling,...
- 12/23/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dick Van Dyke is a Hollywood legend. But he’s not the only entertainer in the family. The Mary Poppins star – who turned 98 on Dec. 13, 2023 – has four kids and multiple grandchildren. Several followed in their dad and granddad’s footsteps with careers both on and behind the screen.
Christian Van Dyke Actor Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Triola, son Chris Van Dyke, and his wife | Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Dick Van Dyke married his first wife Margie Willet in 1948 on an episode of the radio show Bride and Groom. Their first child, Christian, was born in 1950. In 1962, Christian appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show as a kid named Frankie. But Christian didn’t catch the acting bug. Rather than pursuing a career in Hollywood, he went to law school. He moved to Oregon, where he served as a district attorney and worked...
Christian Van Dyke Actor Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Triola, son Chris Van Dyke, and his wife | Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Dick Van Dyke married his first wife Margie Willet in 1948 on an episode of the radio show Bride and Groom. Their first child, Christian, was born in 1950. In 1962, Christian appeared in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show as a kid named Frankie. But Christian didn’t catch the acting bug. Rather than pursuing a career in Hollywood, he went to law school. He moved to Oregon, where he served as a district attorney and worked...
- 12/21/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Love Boat was a show that felt like it could only come from the 1970s. With its endless list of guest stars, drawn from a pool of career TV actors and semi-retired movie stars, the anthology series was as comfortable to most people as it was kitschy. Of course, there was also the show’s regular cast — the ship’s crew — who served to tie all of the stories together, along with a few subplots of their own. The ship’s genial Captain Stubing was, of course, played by the late Gavin MacLeod, and Jill Whelan co-starred as the captain’s daughter. Years ago, we spoke to MacLeod and Whelan, who told us why they thought the show lasted as long as it did — through nine seasons and a series of reunion films. https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Love-Boat1.mp3
The Love Boat is currently streaming on Paramount+.
The Love Boat is currently streaming on Paramount+.
- 12/15/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The premise of Glen A. Larson's 1978 sci-fi series "Battlestar Galactica" was high-concept and complex. It took place far from Earth, at the end of humanity's millennium-long war with a species of robots called the Cylons. The Cylons themselves were built by a long-extinct race of humanoid reptiles, and they seem poised to offer the same fate to humankind. Feeling that the writing was on the wall, a human named Count Baltar (John Colicos) betrayed humanity and sided with the Cylons, putting the robots hot on the trail of the Battlestar Galactica, a massive starship carrying most of the galaxy's last-known humans. Their goal is to find a long-lost "thirteenth tribe," a human colony that was said to have settled on a distant planet called Earth.
The assumption for viewers was that "Battlestar Galactica" was set in the distant future, but at the end of the 24th episode of its only season,...
The assumption for viewers was that "Battlestar Galactica" was set in the distant future, but at the end of the 24th episode of its only season,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays with some of their favorite TV characters? MeTV is making it easy this year with its “A Very Merry MeTV” programming lineup, which includes a selection of very special Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed episodes of classic shows such as The Waltons, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith, and more.
The celebration begins on Sunday, Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 25. Check out some of the highlights below, as well as the full schedule.
‘The Waltons’ Thanksgiving episode airs Nov. 22 and 23 A Verry Merry MeTV | MeTV
Celebrate Thanksgiving with one of TV’s most famous fictional families. In 1973, The Waltons aired its only Thanksgiving special, a two-part episode titled “The Thanksgiving Story.” The season 2 episode focuses on John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas), who suffers a life-threatening head injury that puts his plans for college at risk. Meanwhile, his sister Mary Ellen (Judy Norton) auditions for the Thanksgiving play,...
The celebration begins on Sunday, Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 25. Check out some of the highlights below, as well as the full schedule.
‘The Waltons’ Thanksgiving episode airs Nov. 22 and 23 A Verry Merry MeTV | MeTV
Celebrate Thanksgiving with one of TV’s most famous fictional families. In 1973, The Waltons aired its only Thanksgiving special, a two-part episode titled “The Thanksgiving Story.” The season 2 episode focuses on John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas), who suffers a life-threatening head injury that puts his plans for college at risk. Meanwhile, his sister Mary Ellen (Judy Norton) auditions for the Thanksgiving play,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Jamie Lee Curtis episode of the Wtf Happened to This Horror Celebrity? video series (formerly known as Where in the Horror Are They Now) was Written and Narrated by Jessica Dwyer and Edited by Jaime Vasquez. It was Produced by John Fallon and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
The final girl. The antithesis of every horror movie villain. The final girl typically has a few traits that has become the standard for horror films over the last few decades. She needs to have a sense of innocence, be intelligent, and have a girl next door vibe that makes her the dream girl for a lot peeps. But most of all she’s a survivor who manages to outwit and outlast a supernatural evil (usually) that has been terrorizing her friends and neighbors and puts a stop to it. The blueprint for the final girl really was minted by an...
The final girl. The antithesis of every horror movie villain. The final girl typically has a few traits that has become the standard for horror films over the last few decades. She needs to have a sense of innocence, be intelligent, and have a girl next door vibe that makes her the dream girl for a lot peeps. But most of all she’s a survivor who manages to outwit and outlast a supernatural evil (usually) that has been terrorizing her friends and neighbors and puts a stop to it. The blueprint for the final girl really was minted by an...
- 11/8/2023
- by Jessica Dwyer
- JoBlo.com
My Rep and Me is a new recurring Culture Shift feature in which talent who share a unique background with their representative (be it agent, manager, lawyer or publicist) sit down to discuss the special alchemy and business advantages of that special connection, in order to underscore the importance and benefits of diverse representation.
Author Abigail Hing Wen’s 2019 best-selling YA novel Loveboat, Taipei, which was recently adapted as the Paramount+ film Love in Taipei, is inspired by her own summer experience as a college student on the Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour to the Republic of China (colloquially known as Loveboat), a birthright-type rite of passage for many offspring of Taiwanese expats. The third book in the series, Loveboat Forever, will be published Nov. 7 via HarperCollins. In this inaugural installment of My Rep and Me, Wen and her publicist, The Lede Company’s Emmy Chang – who...
Author Abigail Hing Wen’s 2019 best-selling YA novel Loveboat, Taipei, which was recently adapted as the Paramount+ film Love in Taipei, is inspired by her own summer experience as a college student on the Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour to the Republic of China (colloquially known as Loveboat), a birthright-type rite of passage for many offspring of Taiwanese expats. The third book in the series, Loveboat Forever, will be published Nov. 7 via HarperCollins. In this inaugural installment of My Rep and Me, Wen and her publicist, The Lede Company’s Emmy Chang – who...
- 10/27/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Richard Roundtree, known for his role as Shaft in the series of films, died at the age of 81. The actor has left a legacy in both film and television for generations to come.
Roundtree made his debut in film as John Shaft in Shaft about a private detective who is hired by a mobster to help rescue his daughter who was kidnapped by Italian mobsters. The actor would go on to reprise his role of Shaft in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973). A reboot of Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson was released in 2000 with Roundtree appearing as “Uncle” Shaft. Roundtree also played the role in the short-lived CBS series.
Other films in which Roundtree appeared in include Embassy (1972), Earthquake (1974), Man Friday (1975), Diamonds (1975), Escape to Athena (1979), City Heat (1984), George of the Jungle (1997), What Men Want (2019) and The Haunting of the Mary Celeste (2020), just to name a few.
Roundtree made his debut in film as John Shaft in Shaft about a private detective who is hired by a mobster to help rescue his daughter who was kidnapped by Italian mobsters. The actor would go on to reprise his role of Shaft in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973). A reboot of Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson was released in 2000 with Roundtree appearing as “Uncle” Shaft. Roundtree also played the role in the short-lived CBS series.
Other films in which Roundtree appeared in include Embassy (1972), Earthquake (1974), Man Friday (1975), Diamonds (1975), Escape to Athena (1979), City Heat (1984), George of the Jungle (1997), What Men Want (2019) and The Haunting of the Mary Celeste (2020), just to name a few.
- 10/25/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Richard Roundtree, who became known as “the first Black action hero” for his portrayal of detective John Shaft in five films, has died at the age of 81 following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn said in his statement confirming the actor’s death. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Shaft followed the exploits of African American detective John Shaft. While the original screenplay called for Shaft to be white, director Gordon Parks opted to cast Roundtree, then just 28 years old, to play the titular character. The first Shaft film was released in 1971 on a budget of just $500,000. It went on to earn $12 million at the box office, and four sequel films followed.
Beyond its commercial success, Shaft is credited for being one of the...
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn said in his statement confirming the actor’s death. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Shaft followed the exploits of African American detective John Shaft. While the original screenplay called for Shaft to be white, director Gordon Parks opted to cast Roundtree, then just 28 years old, to play the titular character. The first Shaft film was released in 1971 on a budget of just $500,000. It went on to earn $12 million at the box office, and four sequel films followed.
Beyond its commercial success, Shaft is credited for being one of the...
- 10/25/2023
- by Alex Young and Carys Anderson
- Consequence - Film News
Richard Roundtree, an icon of Blaxploitation film who starred as detective John Shaft in Gordon Parks’ 1971 action thriller, died Tuesday afternoon after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.
His death was confirmed by Patrick McMinn, his manager since 1987.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” McMinn said in his statement. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Roundtree was a leading man from the very start of his lifetime in screen acting. After beginning his career in modeling, he secured “Shaft” at the age of 28, marking his feature debut. The MGM release earned $12 million in ticket sales off of a $500,000 production budget, helping to save the studio from bankruptcy. A breakthrough hit, “Shaft” set the tone for a prolific decade of Blaxploitation filmmaking and demonstrated Hollywood’s historical failure to consider Black talent...
His death was confirmed by Patrick McMinn, his manager since 1987.
“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film,” McMinn said in his statement. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
Roundtree was a leading man from the very start of his lifetime in screen acting. After beginning his career in modeling, he secured “Shaft” at the age of 28, marking his feature debut. The MGM release earned $12 million in ticket sales off of a $500,000 production budget, helping to save the studio from bankruptcy. A breakthrough hit, “Shaft” set the tone for a prolific decade of Blaxploitation filmmaking and demonstrated Hollywood’s historical failure to consider Black talent...
- 10/25/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
The cast of Friends used collective bargaining to level out their salaries. As an ensemble cast, they wanted to be treated as equals as their wages grew from $22K per episode to $1M. Each cast member of Friends earned around $90 million in base salary alone from the show before the addition of any backend bonuses and ongoing royalties from syndication, racking each actor up an impressive net worth. For 10 seasons, the Friends cast was considered the gold standard of sitcom television, but where do they stand financially today? Here is the net worth of the Friends cast ranked from richest to poorest.
Jennifer Aniston heads the pack with $320M Jennifer Aniston in a 1996 cast photo for ‘Friends’ | Getty Images
Of all the Friends cast members, Jennifer Aniston (who played Rachel Green) has amassed the greatest wealth since the series ended in 2004. She is the frontrunner of the sextuplet actors who...
Jennifer Aniston heads the pack with $320M Jennifer Aniston in a 1996 cast photo for ‘Friends’ | Getty Images
Of all the Friends cast members, Jennifer Aniston (who played Rachel Green) has amassed the greatest wealth since the series ended in 2004. She is the frontrunner of the sextuplet actors who...
- 10/23/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If you love the classics and holiday programming, you won’t want to miss this year’s “A Very Merry MeTV” celebration, and TV Insider can exclusively reveal the schedule. The classic television network embraces the warmth of holiday nostalgia with its annual event, featuring Thanksgiving and holiday-themed episodes from beloved yesteryear TV shows, TV movies, animated treasures, holiday specials, and more. The lineup of over 100 programs begins on Sunday, November 19 at 12/11c and runs through Christmas Day. Check out the full 2023 MeTV holiday season schedule below for “A Very Merry MeTV.” (All times Et/Pt) Sunday, November 19 12:00 p.m. The Brady Bunch, “The Un-Underground Movie” 2:00 p.m. The Beverly Hillbillies, “Turkey Day” 2:30 p.m. The Beverly Hillbillies, “The Thanksgiving Spirit” 3:30 p.m. Gilligan’s Island, “Little Island, Big Gun” 4:00 p.m. Mama’s Family, “An Ill Wind” 5:00 p.m. The ...
- 10/16/2023
- TV Insider
Patrick Duffy is paying tribute to his former Step By Step costar Suzanne Somers following the news of her death on Sunday.
“As with everyone who knew her, I was stunned yesterday by the news that my dear and deep friend Suzanne had passed,” began Duffy in a statement to People. “For that brief moment it was unbelievable. But indeed she has passed. She beautifully passed through my life on this leg of her endless journey. My task now is to remain on the roadside as she continues on.”
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“As with everyone who knew her, I was stunned yesterday by the news that my dear and deep friend Suzanne had passed,” began Duffy in a statement to People. “For that brief moment it was unbelievable. But indeed she has passed. She beautifully passed through my life on this leg of her endless journey. My task now is to remain on the roadside as she continues on.”
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- 10/16/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Suzanne Somers, best known for her TV work in Three’s Company and Step by Step, died Sunday following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 76.
“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Oct. 15,” Somers’ publicist confirmed Sunday. “She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years.
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“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan,...
“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Oct. 15,” Somers’ publicist confirmed Sunday. “She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years.
More from TVLineJoanna Merlin, Law & Order: Svu Judge, Dead at 92Patrick Duffy Mourns His Step by Step Wife Suzanne Somers: 'You Made Quite a Ripple, My Friend'Piper Laurie, 3-Time Oscar Nominee and Twin Peaks Alum, Dead at 91
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan,...
- 10/15/2023
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
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