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.

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]

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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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]

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]

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. 

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]

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, Dennis Farina

Dennis Farina Passes Away
Dennis Farina, the dapper, mustachioed cop-turned-actor best known for his tough-as-nails work in such TV series as "Law & Order," "Crime Story," and "Miami Vice," has died. He was 69.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great actor and a wonderful man," said his publicist, Lori De Waal, in a statement Monday. "Dennis Farina was always warmhearted and professional, with a great sense of humor and passion for his profession. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues." [read more after the jump]

Farewell, Jim Kelly

Actor Jim Kelly, who played a glib American martial artist in “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee, has died. He was 67. Marilyn Dishman, Kelly’s ex-wife, said he died Saturday of cancer at his home in California.

Sporting an Afro hairstyle and sideburns, Kelly made a splash with his one-liners and fight scenes in the 1973 martial arts classic. His later films included “Three the Hard Way,” ”Black Belt Jones” and “Black Samurai.”

source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer

Farewell, Richard Matheson

Author Richard Matheson, who was 87, has died at home. His family announced his passing in a protected Facebook post; the news was shared by publisher Tor/Forge.

Matheson's imaginative stories were enticing to Hollywood. His book "I Am Legend" was made into a film, not just once but three separate times. 2007's "I Am Legend," starring Will Smith, was preceded by "The Omega Man" with Charlton Heston in 1971 and "The Last Man on Earth" in 1964 with Vincent Price.[read the rest of the article after the jump]

Farewell, Lau Kar-leung

Legendary Hong Kong Actor and Director Lau Kar-leung (the director of landmark Kung Fu films "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin," starring "Kill Bill"’s Gordon Liu, and "Drunken Master II" with Jackie Chan) passed away after a two-decade battle with cancer.

Martial artist, action choreographer and film director Lau Kar-leung died on Tuesday morning following a two-decade battle with cancer. He was 76. [article continued after the jump]

Farewell, Eddie Romero

A National Artist Passes Away
National Artist for Film Eddie Romero passed away at 9 p.m. Tuesday May 28, 2013, according to son and fellow director Joey Romero. Eddie was 88. He directed such acclaimed films as “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon,” “Aguila,” “Banta ng Kahapon,” "Noli Me Tangere" and “Kamakalawa.”

In a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the young Romero said that the veteran director “fell into a coma. The doctor told us that he has a blood clot in the right side of the brain,” said the younger Romero.He had been in and out of the hospital for the past few weeks. He was first confined from May 18 to 19 and returned to the hospital on May 23 because of “health complications.”

“He died peacefully,” said the younger Romero. “Last time we talked, he said he wanted to go home.”
His son said the family were planning to hold the wake at Arlington Memorial Chapels on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

source: INQUIRER

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.