A Farewell to the Late Great Christopher Lee

The great Christopher Lee passed away recently. The screen legend famous for roles in Hammer Horror films, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars passed away after suffering heart and respiratory problems. Lee died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on 7 June 2015, shortly after celebrating his 93rd birthday there. His wife delayed the public announcement until 11 June, in order to break the news to their family. He was 93. Now, it's time to look back at the career of the legendary performer. [hit the jump to continue]

Mike Nichols Rests at the Age of 83

Very sad news this week in the world of cinema. Legendary director (behind movies like "The Graduate", "The Birdcage", "Closer", among several others) Mike Nichols has died at the age of 83. Several sources report that Nichols died of a cardiac arrest. The writer-director’s work spanned several decades of movies, television, and Broadway. In the mid 1960s, his feature directing debut "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" revolutionized mature themes and highly relevant topics in cinema. His second film "The Graduate" was a film that transitioned Old Hollywood into New Hollywood. And ever since then, his various works had been great thought-provoking masterpieces. His diversity earned him awards in various fields. He won 8 Tony awards, he won Emmys for "Angels in America" and "Wit", and a Best Director Oscar for "The Graduate". Nichols and fellow University of Chicago student Elaine May became skilled improvisers and the duo’s act eventually resulted in three best-selling comedy albums, one of which won a Grammy.  Although his filmography ended with 2007′s Charlie Wilson’s War, he continued to direct for the stage, and his recent productions included 2012′s Death of a Salesman starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Andrew Garfield, and Betrayal starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz. He is survived by his wife, ABC News Anchor Diane Sawyer, as well as three children and four grandchildren. The legendary Mike Nichols will live with us through his various masterpieces forever.

Legendary Actor Robin Williams died at 63

Legendary American actor Robin Williams, known for his unforgettable roles in movies such as Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, Fisher King, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, numerous many others, had died in an apparent suicide (suicide due to asphyxia). His publicist said he had been "battling severe depression". In the past he had talked, and even joked, about his struggles with alcohol and drugs. [hit the jump to continue]

Bob Hoskins passes away

Actor Bob Hoskins has passed away at the age of 71.  According to his agent (via Empire), Hoskins died of pneumonia in hospital on Tuesday. He had retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Hoskins had over 100 acting credits to his name, and his final on-screen performance was playing “Muir” in Snow White and the Huntsman. Hoskins career contained a diverse and rich collection of roles.  After starring in various TV series, Hoskins breakthrough role came in the 1980 crime drama The Long Good Friday. 

From there, he took on a diverse array of characters including turns in Brazil, The Cotton Club, Nixon, and Hook.  He actually ended up playing Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee not only in Hook but again in the unrelated Peter Pan adaptation, the TV miniseries Neverland. [Hit the jump to continue]

Farewell, Tom Clancy

Author Tom Clancy Passes Away at Age 66
Author Tom Clancy has passed away at the age of 66, after a brief illness. The popular writer wrote such bestselling espionage books as The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears, all of which were adapted into highly-successful movies which feature these series' main protagonist Jack Ryan (which were previously portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Ben Affleck, and Harrison Ford). This January 2014 we'll be expecting the release of the relaunch/reboot of the film series with a brand new Jack Ryan series with "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit", directed by Kenneth Branagh, and with Chris Pine portraying the title character (the film is released in the US December 25, 2013, but since it will conflict with the MMFF, the release of this movie is automatically moved to January 2014). [hit the jump to continue]

Farewell, Behn Cervantes

Legendary Artist Behn Cervantes dies at 74
Stage actor and director Behn Cervantes has passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2013. He was 74. Cervantes died at 10:15 a.m. due to pneumonia with diabetes complications, his eldest sister, Lengleng, told ABS-CBN News. Relatives, friends and supporters may not be able to pay their last respects to Cervantes as the stage actor-director does not want any wake to be held. "Behn wanted no wake," Cervantes' brother, Tony, said in a text message to ABS-CBNnews.com. Cervantes would have been 75 years old this August 26.
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Farewell Dolphy Quizon

Dolphy is dead at 83
source: ABS-CBN

Dolphy, dubbed the country’s “King of Comedy,”whose body of work on stage, movies and television mirrors the history of Philippine entertainment, died on Tuesday night. He was 83.

With his lean physique and humble demeanor, Dolphy’s memorable characters, notably as the down-on-his-luck family man John Puruntong in the long-running sitcom “John and Marsha,” effectively captured the travails of the common Filipino who is able to find humor even in the direst situations.

Dolphy died after a five-year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to his long-time partner, actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.
"We would like to inform the public that Mr. Rodolfo 'Dolphy' Quizon, passed away today, at 8:34 p.m. due to multiple organ failure, secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure," the Makati Medical Center said in a statement.

"We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon and his dearly beloved family and friends. To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences," the hospital said.