Jonathan Demme Passes at 73

Legendary filmmaker Jonathan Demme has died at the age of 73. Per IndieWire, the Oscar-winning director passed away from esophageal cancer and complications from heart disease, for which he was originally treated in 2010 and suffered a recurrence in 2015. He is survived by his wife, the artist Joanne Howard, and their three children.

Dick Israel Passes Away

Veteran actor Dick Israel passed away Tuesday night, actress Vivian Velez said. [hit the jump to continue]

Hollywood Actor Anton Yelchin Dies at 27

Truly shocking and terrible news today. Anton Yelchin, best known for playing Chekov in the Star Trek films, has died in a car accident at the age of 27. [hit the jump to continue]

Farewell to Max Laurel, Philippine Cinema's Zuma

The actor best-known for bringing Zuma to life has passed away. Actor Max Laurel, passed away last Saturday due to cardiac arrest. He was 71. [hit the jump to continue]

Farewell Francis Xavier Pasion

A very sad news for the Pinoy Cinema Community this week. Independent film and television drama director Francis Xavier E. Pasion was found dead in his home in Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City last March 6, 2016. His lifeless body was found by the parents inside the bathroom of Pasion's house. Initial findings by the PNP-Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) showed that Pasion died due to heart attack. The director also reportedly, suffered chest pains. [hit the jump to continue]

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.

Richard Attenborough passes away at 90

Oscar-winning British film director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90. He died at lunchtime on Sunday, his son told BBC News. In 2008, Lord Attenborough suffered a stroke that resulted in a coma lasting several days. He had been in a wheelchair following a fall at his home.

Attenborough was one of Britain's leading actors, before becoming a highly successful director. In an impressive career that spanned six decades, he appeared in films including Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and Jurassic Park. He also directed A Bridge Too Far, and Cry Freedom, about the death of South African anti-apartheid campaigner Steven Biko. His later films as director included Chaplin, starring Robert Downey Jr, and Shadowlands, an adaptation of the stage play treating the relationship between Narnia author CS Lewis and Joy Gresham. In 1993, Queen Elizabeth II awarded a life peerage to the British filmmaker. He was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Richard Attenborough was an icon who will be remembered.

Lauren Bacall passes away at 89

Another sad tragedy in the cinema world has hit us this week. US film and stage actress Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89. According to reports, she died after suffering a major stroke at home in New York last August 12, 2014.

She first emerged as a leading lady in the Humphrey Bogart film To Have and Have Not (1944) and continued on in the film noir genre, with appearances in Bogart movies The Big Sleep (1946), Dark Passage (1947), and Key Largo (1948), as well as comedic roles in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Marilyn Monroe and Designing Woman (1957) with Gregory Peck. Bacall worked on Broadway in musicals, earning Tony Awards for Applause in 1970 and Woman of the Year in 1981. Her performance in the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
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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]

H.R. Giger passes away at 74

Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger who designed the monster and revolutionary sci-fi sets for the film "Alien" has died on Monday May 12, 2014, in Zurich from injuries he obtained after suffering a fall, an employee of the H.R. Giger Museum said, confirming reports in Swiss media.. He was 74. [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]

James Rebhorn passes at 65

Character actor James Rebhorn has died at the age of 65.  Rebhorn was best known as a character actor who had roles in over 100 films and TV series including Independence Day, Scent of a Woman, The Game, and Meet the Parents.  He could always be counted on to play an arrogant, patriarchal figure, and a memorable one at that.

Most cinephiles probably know his name, but if you went up to the average person today and told them that James Rebhorn had died, they would probably respond, “Who’s that?”  Personally, he was the first “Hey, it’s that guy!” actor whose name I wanted to know because I kept recognizing him in movies.  And I’m sure if you pointed out that Rebhorn was the sniveling advisor from Independence Day or the guy who kept saying “Jesus, Focker!” in Meet the Parents, an average person could recall the face.  If you read this article, I hope you remember his name, because his presence in movies and TV shows will be missed. 

source: Collider

Roldan Aquino passed away at 65

Veteran character actor Roldan Aquino passed away last Tuesday (March 11). His daughter Patricia posted on her Facebook account a photo of his father with the caption, “Goodbye papa tapos na ang paghihirap mo, makakasama mo na si God mahal na mahal kita.” Roldan underwent an operation on January 20, 2014 after suffering a stroke. Roldan was 65.

Roldan has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies since he joined show business in 1965—most notably in late filmmaker Celso Ad. Castillo’s movies: “Burlesk Queen” (1977), “Pikoy Goes to Malaysia” (1988) and “Lihim ni Madonna” (1997). He had been best known in action movies in playing various unforgettable roles, from villains to police chiefs. He last appeared in the TV show “Wagas” and movie “The Fighting Chefs” last year. [hit the jump to continue]

Harold Ramis Passes Away at Age 69

Director, writer, and actor Harold Ramis, best known for his role as Egon Spengler in the Ghostbuster movies, has died at the age of 69.  In the landscape of film comedies, Ramis will be remembered as one of the giants.  He was the first head writer on Second City Television (SCTV) and then went on to pen classic films Animal House and Ghostbusters.  He also wrote and directed the equally beloved Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Groundhog Day (in a world where the Oscars make sense, he won an award for Best Original Screenplay for Groundhog Day).  As an actor, he’ll probably be best remembered as the deadpan Dr. Egon Spengler.  But these are just some of the snapshots of a career that touched many lives and inspired some of today’s biggest comedy directors including Judd Apatow, Jay Roach, and Peter Farrelly.  There’s no way to undersell Ramis’ overall importance to the history of mainstream American comedies. [hit the jump to continue]

Roy Alvarez Passes Away

Another great Filipino actor has died. Roy Alvarez (whose real name was Leandro Delantar Alvarez) passed away Tuesday February 11, 2014, his death was caused by cardiac arrest. Alvarez was 63.

Roy Alvarez is one of the Philippines' greatest character actors, having appeared in various movies and television appearances spanning from the 70's till recently. Not only was he a great actor, he was also a director and scriptwriter for film, television and theater in the Philippines. He is also a lecturer and speaker on Consciousness Development, Inner and Outer Ecology, Healing Mother Earth and Zero Waste Management. He is also a supernatural enthusiast.

Alvarez has appeared in many prominent Filipino movies, such as "Rizal in Dapitan", "Cordora", "Working Girls", and the American TV Mini-Series "A Dangerous Life" alongside Gary Busey and Johnny Delgado. 

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead

Oscar-winning American actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has been found dead in New York. The 46-year-old was found in his Manhattan apartment. The New York police department says that he may have died from a suspected drugs overdose. Hoffman was always a fascinating screen presence.  In particular, the actor was Paul Thomas Anderson‘s greatest collaborator, from Hard Eight to Boogie Nights to Magnolia to Punch-Drunk Love to, most recently, The Master.  Hoffman recently took on a role in the Hunger Games series, which is currently filming the final chapter, Mockingjay – Part 2.  Hoffman was also set to star in the Showtime series Happyish.[hit the jump to continue]

Peter O’Toole passes away at 81

Farewell to The Lawrence of Arabia
Irish-born stage and screen actor Peter O’Toole, who became an international star in the title role of David Lean’s Oscar-winning epic “Lawrence of Arabia,” died on Saturday at age 81. He was being treated at London's Wellington hospital after a long illness, his agent added.

“His family are very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time,” his daughter Katherine O’Toole said in a statement on Sunday. “Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.” [hit the jump to continue]

Actor Paul Walker dies of Car Accident

Shocking and tragic news to end November; Actor Paul Walker has died in a car accident Saturday afternoon (US time, November 30, 2013). He was 40. Walker was a passenger in a friend's 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and both were attending a charity event for his organization, Reach Out Worldwide, in the community of Valencia in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Hollywood. The website for the charity said the Saturday event was intended to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
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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]