Comic Impressionist Steve Bridges Dies in LA

La (AP) Impressionist Steve Bridges, who used prosthetics and hair pieces in succeeding as presidents and laughs to produce a living, is discovered dead at his home, his manager mentioned Monday. He was 48.Bridges returned from China on Feb. 23 and complained to pals of "super jet lag," manager Randy Nolen mentioned.Bridges' maid found the comic dead about 9:30 a.m. Saturday within the La home, Nolen mentioned.It came out he died of natural causes, but an autopsy will probably be completed, mentioned Craig Harvey, chief of methods for your La County coroner's office.Bridges' George W. Rose rose bush impression made him an ordinary on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and acquired him a party invitation for the White-colored House in 2003.In 2006, Bridges grew to become part of Rose rose bush in the comic routine within the 2006 White-colored House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., as well as in a Ford's Theatre benefit.Nolen mentioned Rose rose bush referred to as Bridges' brother, Phillip, on Monday and offered condolences."Steve was not only a funny guy, but a form and decent individual. My sincere sympathies visit his parents, his siblings and siblings, and the entire family," Rose rose bush told The Connected Press through representative Freddy Ford."We'd a great 10-year run," Nolen mentioned. "He visited the White-colored House, the Oblong Office, along with with Barbra Streisand and will be a regular round the 'Tonight Show' for pretty much eight years."Bridges increased being Obama, Bill Clinton or Rose rose bush for his most widely used shows.The makeup and prosthetics useful for Rose rose bush and Clinton specified for by Kevin Haney, who won an Academy Award for aging Serta Aykroyd in "Driving Miss Daisy." Obama ended by Kazu Tsuji, who designed Jim Carrey's Grinch in "How a Grinch Stole Christmas."Mari Enyart was Bridges' makeup artist."Within the neck up, everything but his teeth was covered in the prosthetic little bit of some type,In . Nolen mentioned in regards to the impersonations of presidents. "It absolutely was as extensive, pretty much as good to ensure that as complicated as anything you would see in the movie.InchIt needed nearly four several hours to make use of the Obama makeup and nearly three several hours to accomplish Rose rose bush and Clinton. Close attention was paid out to age marks and freckles on his hands since they were so visible, especially if a skit have been shot.Bridges happen to be scheduled to accomplish three free shows on March 13, 14 and 15 for your Indian Wells Rotary Club to help raise money for college students who required it to college. Because of time that it needed to organize, he'd be described as a different leader each evening.Sometimes, Bridges would do shows without makeup that have been titled "Steve As Steve" and displayed his 200 voices from Bill O'Reilly to rush Limbaugh to Tom Brokaw and many types of presidents from Kennedy to Obama, Nolen mentioned.Born in Dallas, Bridges loved football and will be a large Cowboys fan."He was sincere, kind, soft-spoken, reserved and sincere. He loved sitting on stage. He will be a master at ad-libbing and improv comedy," Nolen mentioned.Bridges is managed to get by his parents, Thomas and Margaret Bridges, brothers and sisters Phillip and Jon, and sister Elizabeth Bridges.Something will most likely take place over the following day or two near to the family's Northern California home, getting a memorial intend to follow in La.Copyright laws and regulations 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Sue Manning March 6, 2012 George Rose rose bush (Left) and Steve Bridges PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari La (AP) Impressionist Steve Bridges, who used prosthetics and hair pieces in succeeding as presidents and laughs to make a living, is discovered dead at his home, his manager mentioned Monday. He was 48.Bridges returned from China on Feb. 23 and complained to pals of "super jet lag," manager Randy Nolen mentioned.Bridges' maid found the comic dead about 9:30 a.m. Saturday within the La home, Nolen mentioned.It came out he died of natural causes, but an autopsy will probably be completed, mentioned Craig Harvey, chief of methods for your La County coroner's office.Bridges' George W. Rose rose bush impression made him an ordinary on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and acquired him a party invitation for the White-colored House in 2003.In 2006, Bridges grew to become part of Rose rose bush in the comic routine within the 2006 White-colored House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., at a Ford's Theatre benefit.Nolen mentioned Rose rose bush referred to as Bridges' brother, Phillip, on Monday and offered condolences."Steve was not only a funny guy, but a form and decent individual. My sincere sympathies visit his parents, his siblings and siblings, and also the entire family," Rose rose bush told The Connected Press through representative Freddy Ford."We'd a great 10-year run," Nolen mentioned. "He visited the White-colored House, the Oblong Office, along with with Barbra Streisand and will be a regular round the 'Tonight Show' for pretty much eight years."Bridges increased being Obama, Bill Clinton or Rose rose bush for his most broadly used shows.The makeup and prosthetics useful for Rose rose bush and Clinton specified for by Kevin Haney, who won an Academy Award for aging Serta Aykroyd in "Driving Miss Daisy." Obama ended by Kazu Tsuji, who designed Jim Carrey's Grinch in "How a Grinch Stole Christmas."Mari Enyart was Bridges' makeup artist."Within the neck up, everything but his teeth was covered in the prosthetic little bit of some type,In . Nolen mentioned in regards to the impersonations of presidents. "It absolutely was as extensive, pretty much as good to ensure that as complicated as anything you would see in the movie.InchIt needed nearly four several hours to make use of the Obama makeup and nearly three several hours to accomplish Rose rose bush and Clinton. Close attention was paid out to age marks and freckles on his hands since they were so visible, especially if a skit have been shot.Bridges happen to be scheduled to accomplish three free shows on March 13, 14 and 15 for your Indian Wells Rotary Club to help raise money for college kids who required it to college. Because of time that it needed to organize, he'd be described as a different leader each evening.Sometimes, Bridges would do shows without makeup that have been titled "Steve As Steve" and displayed his 200 voices from Bill O'Reilly to rush Limbaugh to Tom Brokaw and many types of presidents from Kennedy to Obama, Nolen mentioned.Born in Dallas, Bridges loved football and will be a large Cowboys fan."He was sincere, kind, soft-spoken, reserved and sincere. He loved sitting on stage. He will be a master at ad-libbing and improv comedy," Nolen mentioned.Bridges is managed to get by his parents, Thomas and Margaret Bridges, brothers and sisters Phillip and Jon, and sister Elizabeth Bridges.Something will most likely take place over the following day or two near to the family's Northern California home, getting a memorial intend to follow in La.Copyright laws and regulations 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Happy Beginnings and 'Happy Endings' for Zachary Knighton

From being left at the altar to finding out he's one-sixteenth Navajo to becoming addicted to V-neck tees, Dave Rose has dealt with a lot during the past two seasons of ABC's comedy "Happy Endings." Although he sometimes seems like the straight man among zany characters, the actor who plays him, Zachary Knighton, has a different theory that he's a "mash-up" of every character on the show. "He does some dumb things like Alex, he can be controlling and manic like James," says the 33-year old Virginia native. "It makes sense in my own head," Here, Knighton discusses his theories on acting, rejection, and ensemble chemistry. Back Stage: How did you get into acting? Zachary Knighton: I got serious about it when I got accepted into a magnet high school for the performing arts. After high school, I went to VCU and got a BFA in theater. I got to do a bunch of stuff professionally throughout college. I actually got my SAG card in college. I got cast in a PBS movie of the week called "Sally Hemmings: An American Scandal" with Sam Neill as Thomas Jefferson. Virginia's a right to work state, so you don't have to get your SAG card, but I just decided to go for it so I could be prepared when I moved to NY. Oddly enough, going to school in Virginia instead of NY or L.A. helped me way more in getting my career started. Back Stage: Tell me about getting your first sitcom, "Life on a Stick." Knighton: I moved to NY after college and was doing theater and bartending for six years. I got flown out to test [for "Life on a Stick"] and ended up getting the lead role. It was a huge deal, but then I quickly got the taste of failure when it was promptly canceled. But that prepared me for the next eight pilot seasons.Back Stage: What was your experience on "FlashForward" like? Knighton: "FlashForward" was a dream come true. I had auditioned for David Goyer for "Blade: Trinity" and didn't get the part, but I guess he became a fan. I originally went in for John Cho's part in "FlashForward" because my character was supposed to be an old man. David Goyer actually changed the role so I could play [Dr. Bryce Varley], which was awesome. It was the first time I had anybody champion me. It was a great experience, and we all thought we were making something pretty special. Of course, it was really disappointing when it got canceled, but it's all part of Hollywood.Back Stage: And you probably couldn't have gotten the part in "Happy Endings" if "FlashForward" hadn't been canceled, right? Knighton: It was pretty wild. "FlashForward" was on the outs when I was approached with "Happy Endings." I literally got the script on a Friday, and on Saturday morning I met with David Caspe, Jamie Tarses, and the Russo brothers. I took the role on that Saturday and on Monday I was doing a table read. It all happened very fast but it was super exciting. I was the last one on board. Everybody had been cast for months. I shot the pilot in between shooting the last two episodes of "FlashForward."Back Stage: "Happy Endings" is such a great ensemble cast. Was the chemistry there right away at that table read? Knighton: We did have pretty good chemistry. We all liked each other right off the bat. Everybody's so funny and constantly improvising and having fun. The best thing about our set is it's a very safe place for us actors to play. Everyone is supportive and given a chance to shine, so that makes it a great place to work. I think it really reads on camera, when you see the show, that we all really do have a mutual respect and we have fun working with each other. Back Stage: Will you be filming anything over your hiatus? Knighton: I've been working pretty steadily since before "FlashForward," so I feel like I would like to take a little break over the summer. But I also know that in this business you shouldn't take a break, so we'll see. I've been personally working really hard since I finished college, 13 years now. At one point, I was in a place where it didn't feel like it was going to happen and I was feeling pretty down on myself. But I stuck to it, and now I have a hit comedy on my hands. You've got to keep plugging away at it. If you really believe in yourself, you can definitely make it happen.

Christian Bale jumps in 'Out of the Furnace'

BaleChristian Bale has finally found his follow-up to "The Dark Knight Rises," as he's in talks to star in Relativity Media's "Out of the Furnace," which is heating up with "Crazy Heart" helmer Scott Cooper writing and directing.Pic is one of the five projects Variety first reported Bale was circling, as Variety first reported August 24."Furnace" is based on Brad Ingelsby's story "The Low Dweller," and is envisioned as a gritty throwback to pics of the 1970's. Plot follows an ex-con bent on avenging the death of his younger brother as soon as he's released from prison.Cooper is targeting Viggo Mortensen to play the villain, while Casey Affleck, Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch and Channing Tatum are among the actors circling the part of Bale's brother. Robert Duvall, who is related to Cooper, has long been rumored to play the protag's uncle, who helps him on his quest for vengeance.It's no surprise that so many top actors have expressed interest in the project, considering its high pedigree; In addition to Relativity, producers include Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way and Ridley and Tony Scott's banner Scott Free, as well as Energy Entertainment.Relativity cautions that no deals are in place and that additional casting will depend on whether Bale signs on to the project. Thesp was offered the lead role last summer but it was unclear whether he'd be available, as he planned on doing two Terrence Malick films back-to-back. Current plan calls for Bale to shoot the first Malick film until the end of May and have him jump into "Furnace" sometime in June before filming the second Malick project in September. Bale is repped by WME. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

'Werewolves' prowls Germany, Japan

Japan's Shochiku and Germany's Senator allow us all Japanese and German rights correspondingly to Juan Martinez Moreno's "Lobos p arga" (Wager on Werewolves), produced by Spain's Telespan 2000 and Vaca Films.Vertice Sales began discussions within the American Film Market, where Spain's Vertice 360 started sales.The Senator deal was carried out the ecu Film Market, mentioned Vertice Sales controlling director Gonzalo Sagardia.A genre spoof starring Spain's Gorka Otxoa and Carlos Areces, "Werewolves" triggers a aspirant author who returns for the remote The the spanish language language village where he was produced searching for inspiration. The village, however, suffers a unique curse."Werewolves" world-preemed at October's Sitges Festival."It is really an adventure and fantasy picture with shocks, but concentrating on family audiences," Sagardia referred to."Werewolves" has furthermore been licensed to Indonesia and Malaysia via Visicom as well as the Middle East's Gulf Films."Werewolves" may also be near to closing the U.S. and East Europe getting a prominent pay TV outlet. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Kasulke: ).g. draws attention from peers.

Kasulke'The Off Hours'Role model: Ellen Kuras. "Once I saw what she did on 'Personal Velocity,' it absolutely was very liberating. It absolutely was shot on one gear together with exactly the same means I used to be using, nevertheless it made an appearance as though an authentic movie. She's a very holistic idea of just what a director of photography does. She produces very diverse projects, and he or she broke to the boys' club. She's certainly the hero.In . Camera and film preferred: "I like Super 8. I'd proceed and take Canon 1014 XL-S camera getting a roll of vintage Kodachrome. As speaking digital, I really like the Arri Alexa having a couple of vintage Baltar contacts. For everyday shooting, I like the Aaton XTR."Favorite tool: "A correctly-filled kitchen. Cooking is centering. It's social, rather than as self-centered as making movies. Making and talking about foods is an extremely good emotional and spiritual recharge within the finish from the shooting day."Representation: UTA's Erich Aguillon for features too for television and ads, Ryan TraceyBenjamin Kasulke's cinematography in "Safety Not Guaranteed" and "Your Sister's Sister" was seen by packed houses at Sundance this year, where "Safety" created alluring buzz.Nevertheless it was his d.p. concentrate on the micro-allotted "The Off Several hours," which acquired Kasulke an unbiased Spirit Award nomination for 2011, that caught the eye of two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt."Depending situated around the lowly Canon 5Dmk11, Kasulke balances the evening inside for the coming beginning getting an excellent control," Goldblatt notifies Variety. "His shots are pretty easy and eloquent, as well as the camera brings amazing performances to existence."Frequently inhabiting the nether world between day and evening," Goldblatt continues, "the 'ordinary' can be a character alone which is more captivating in comparison with a exotic locales of several other productions."Kasulke examined cinema at Ithaca College, did a stint just like a taxi driver and spent four years used in publish-production before becoming a busy schedule-to shooter for Seattle's modern dance films. His link with the area arts scene introduced towards the opportunity to shoot "Guy Maddin's Brand Upon your brain!InchBecause then he has put in his feature resume "My Easy Brilliance," "Humpday," "Keyhole," "The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye" and "The Lie."Kasulke is presently planning another project with Maddin that will involve shooting 100 short films in 100 days at various art museums around the globe.InchMan is reimagining 100 classic quiet films that have been lost using the development of appear," states Kasulke.Trailer: "The Off Several hours"Return to 10 Cinematographers to check out Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

ATO sees its 'Shadow Dancer'

ATO Pictures has acquired North American rights to ''Shadow Dancer,'' James Marsh's third film to premiere at Sundance. Story centers on a woman forced to betray loved ones to protect her son. Andrea Riseborough and Clive Owen star in the film by Marsh (''Project Nim,'' ''Man on Wire''). Gillian Anderson, Aidan Gillen and Domhnall Gleeson also star. Pic is based on the novel by Tom Bradby, who also penned the script. Sale was repped by CAA and ATO acquisitions head Sarah Lash. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Bryce Dallas Howard Welcomes Baby Girl!

First Published: January 22, 2012 3:31 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Bryce Dallas Howard show off her baby bump at a screening of When You Find Me at the Ray Kurtzman Theater at CAA in Los Angeles on November 21, 2011Its a girl for Bryce Dallas Howard! The actress and husband/actor Seth Gabel welcomed their first daughter this week, Bryces dad iconic moviemaker Ron Howard confirmed on Twitter on Saturday. Beatrice Jean Howard-Gabel Born Jan 19 2012 8lbs 6oz Bryce & Baby B are spectacular Daddy Seth & brother Theo are beaming ear to ear :-),: Ron posted. Bryce and Seths son, Theo, is 4. Following the news, several of Bryce and Rons Hollywood counterparts quickly offered their congratulations on Twitter. Ron, tell Bryce congratulations from our whole family. Ill be waiting to cast Beatrice in a few years! director M.Night Shyamalan who worked with Bryce in The Village and Lady in the Water Tweeted. please send Bryce my congrats and well wishes!!! & Congrats to you xo friend Jennifer Connelly posted. The actress who revealed her pregnancy back in May has spoken candidly about her battle with postpartum depression after giving birth to Theo. In a July 2010 installment of Gwyneth Paltrows GOOP newsletter, both Gwyneth and Bryce opened up about their bouts with postpartum depression. Bryce revealed that right after the birth of her son, she experienced a lack of emotion. Nothing, she wrote of her feelings at the time. I felt nothing. The actress whose recent credits include The Help, 50/50 and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse went on to reveal that she couldnt even bring herself to call her son by his name, noting, at that point I mysteriously referred to [Theo] as it, even though we had named him. I should have taken that as a sign. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Italo filmmaker Nanni Moretti to mind Cannes jury

MorettiItalian filmmaker Nanni Moretti continues to be drawn on to mind the jury only at that year's Cannes Film Festival. "The Festival desired to celebrate its 65th season having a European jury leader," stated Cannes delegate general Thierry Fremaux in announcing the choice. "High-spirited and marked by his modernity and intelligence, Nanni Moretti's films would be the version of best wishes in cinema in the last three decades.Inch The 2011 festival runs May 16-27. Moretti has presented six films in the festival and won the Palme d'Or for "The Son's Room" in 2001. Younger crowd required the director trophy for "Dear Diary" in 1994. He directed and behaved in last year's Papal comedy "Habemus Papam" within the competition. Festival chief Gilles Jacob stated he'd a premonition that Moretti would be a major estimate cinema in 1978 when his "Ecce Bombo" was joined into competition. "This is exactly what happened and i'm so gratified to possess had this lengthy and affectionate collaboration," he added. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Glam Slam: Golden Globes Beauties

First Published: January 17, 2012 1:41 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Michelle Williams at the Golden Globes, January 15, 2012There was so much action at the Globes as far as fashion, beauty and hair styles, I feel like I will be writing about it all for weeks to come! Today, we look at three red carpet beauties and how you can achieve their makeup looks. MICHELLE WILLIAMS WHO: CHANEL Celebrity Makeup Artist Angela Levin INSPIRATION: My inspiration was a gorgeous Golden Globe winner!! HOW TO: Angela started the makeup application with cleaning the skin with CHANEL Lotion Douceur Gentle Hydrating Toner using a sponge instead of cotton. She then applied a thin layer of CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift Intensive Lifting Concentrate on her face, Angels Makeup Collagen Treatment under her eyes, and placed CHANEL Sublimage La Creme Texture Supreme on her cheeks and neck. For this red carpet makeup look, Angela applied CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 in Beige-Pastel on the face and eye lids, as a base. On the eyes, she used the grey shadow shades from the CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Smoky Eyes to create a light smoky effect on the upper lid, then adding CHANEL Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Black Shimmer to the top lash. Angela then defined the brows with CHANEL Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Clair and added two coats of CHANEL Inimitable Mascara in Noir on the top and bottom lashes. On Michelles cheeks, she applied CHANEL Powder Blush in Rose Ecrin that gave a perfect flush, and completed the look with CHANEL Rouge Coco Hydrating Crme Lip Colour in Perle. JESSICA BIEL WHO: CHANEL Celebrity Makeup Artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua INSPIRATION: Jessicas coloring and her white gown. I wanted to keep it simple and bright in the corals and neutral tones. HOW TO: I started Jessicas look by applying CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 in Beige-Sable to her face, setting it with CHANEL Natural Finished Pressed Powder in Natural, and adding CHANEL Powder Blush in In Love to the cheeks for a healthy glow. I wanted to focus on popping the eyes with brown and taupe shades. I defined the eyes with the deep warm brown and taupe colors from the CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Prelude, and applied the shimmery gold/champagne shades as highlights on the lid. I then added CHANEL Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir on the top lashes and CHANEL Inimitable Intense Mascara in Brun on lower lashes for a more natural effect. And finished the look with the fresh-looking Rouge Coco Hydrating Crme Lip Colour in Paradis. Healthy beautiful skin and warm corals on the cheeks and lips keeps the look so fresh! NICOLE KIDMAN WHO: CHANEL Celebrity Makeup Artist Angela Levin (she was very busy!!!) INSPIRATION: I focused on the amazing color and details on her dress, to create this fresh, elegant look. HOW TO: To start the process, Angela primed Nicoles face with CHANEL Sublimage Essential Revitalizing Concentrate and CHANEL Hydra Beauty Hydration Protection Radiance Serum. To even out the skin tone, she applied a thin layer of Senna Barely Base in Light, and then a layer of CHANEL Vitalumiere Moisture-Rich Radiance Fluid Makeup SPF 15 in Ivoire. To play up Nicoles eyes, Angela used the taupe shade in the CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Lilium all over the lids, followed by the deep green shade to define the upper lash line. She lined under the lower lash line with Face Eyeshadow in Steel, and then the lashes were finished with CHANEL Inimitable Mascara in Noir. To complete the look, Angela used CHANEL Powder Blush in In Love on the cheeks and Laura Mercer Secret Brightening Powder on the cheek and brow bones. Lastly, she used CHANEL Rouge Coco Hydrating Crme Lip Colour in Superstition to achieve a neutral lip look. For more information, check out www.chanel.com. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Trank on your journey to 'Fantastic Four'

TrankIn a substantial symbol of confidence within the approaching supervillain pic "Chronicle," helmer Josh Trank has emerged since the leader to direct last century Fox's reboot of Marvel's "Fantastic Four" franchise.Trank has received several conferences in regards to the project, though his debut feature still 72 hours away, affiliates tell Variety that Fox is predicted to attend to find out how "Chronicle" opens over Super Bowl weekend before stretching the state offer. Nonetheless, Fox is towards the top of "Chronicle" and wish to keep Trank in operation while using studio, which has displayed confidence inside the pic, offering exclusive footage through the NFL's wild-card weekend following a pic's trailer created massive traffic online.Internally, studio professionals expect Trank to land the coveted helming gig.Michael Eco-friendly ("Eco-friendly Lantern") written the script despite the fact that Akiva Goldsman was set to produce through his Weed Road banner, he's forget about involved.Tim Story directed the initial two "Fantastic Four" movies, which made $620 million worldwide combined.last century Fox recently effectively restarted its "X-Males" franchise with "X-Males: Top Quality,In . which found James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender overpowering the roles of Professor X and Magneto from Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Furthermore with a follow-up to "X-Males Roots: Wolverine," the studio is developing a spin-taken off that film which will focus on Ryan Reynolds' character Deadpool, additionally to a different undertake "Daredevil," initially referred to by Film Clip.Although Marvel has and finances characteristics like "Iron Guy" and "Thor," Fox controls "Fantastic Four" in perpetuity -- as extended since it continues making the movies. Fox gets the same arrangement on Marvel Comics characteristics "X-Males," "Daredevil" and "Silver Surfer." Marvel can be a producer and financial participant using a certification agreement.Trank got his start writing and pointing several cases of Spike TV's miniseries "The Kill Point," and ongoing for everybody as editor and co-producer of Robert Siegel's acclaimed indie "Large Fan." Max Landis written "Chronicle," which follows three teens who gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery, but soon find their lives spinning uncontrollable simply because they embrace their deeper sides.Trank is repped by WME. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Ough Gervais on Coming back towards the Golden Globes: "What is the Worst That May Happen?"

Ough Gervais Is Ough Gervais concern about hosting the Golden Globes again? Not after this past year. "What is the worst that may happen?" Gervais told reporters Friday about his approaching third turn as emcee at HBO's winter TV previews. "I finish my career once per week, should you browse the press. I only do stuff that finish my career now. That's my fun. That's my extreme sport." Who'll he offend this season? Ough Gervais to host Golden Globes again Gervais, 50, received fire this past year for his offensive jokes that skewered Hugh Hefner, Charlie Sheen, the cast of Sex and also the City 2 and Scientologists, amongst others. The 3-time Golden Globe champion stated he thought he wasn't likely to host the show again, but told reporters Friday he transformed his mind after he began reading through articles saying he'd not be asked back. "Used to do it to bother them," he stated from the press. Much like this past year, Gervais does not appear to concern yourself with going too much or problem anybody within the room Sunday evening. "I believe that everybody required rid of it. I'm not sure anybody which was really annoyed this past year," he stated. "I'd rather they laugh than gasp, however i cherish the gasps together with the laughs." Ough Gervais does not think he went too much at Golden Globes His jokes may hit hard, however the Office creator noted they don't originate from a poor place. "My conscience never requires a day off," Gervais stated. "They are just gags. I am not attempting to hurt anyone's feelings... or undermine the moral fabric of America." When talking about his approaching Cinemax comedy, Life's Way Too Short, Gervais stated he's really a larger fan of happy being than most would imagine. "We are always along the side of good and goodness," Gervais stated. "It certainly is about humanity. It certainly is about doing the best factor. And never doing the best factor and becoming some kind of punishment down the road." Added Gervais: "Almost always there is expect the worst people on the planet.Inch The 69th Annual Golden Globe Honours air Sunday at 8/7c on NBC. Life's Way Too Short premieres on February. 19 on Cinemax.

Glam Slam: Globes Makeup Trends

First Published: January 11, 2012 2:51 PM EST Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Angelina Jolie attends the Inglourious Basterds Premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2009 in Cannes, FranceThe countdown is on for this Sundays star-studded Golden Globes. Yay cant wait to check out all the starsfrom their gowns to the hair and their makeup. On the red carpet, everyone wants to look new and relevant in todays hottest fashion and beauty trends with a glamorous twist, says celebrity makeup maven Sonia Kashuk, so a lot of what we are going to see this year will be a variation on this seasons biggest trends. Sonia shares her beauty forecast for the Globes and how you can achieve the look with her affordable makeup, which is available at Target. Lips will take center stage and with the retro trend in full swing, there will be a lot of rich bordeaux and deep bright reds (like Angelinas!) reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. Color and sparkle will be big this year with the focus on metallic and jewel tones. Of course there will be many starlets sporting the timeless look of a beautiful nude face as well. I love a cleaner, more natural face on the red carpet because it is fresh, modern and universally flattering. The first step to getting this look is creating flawless skin. Once your canvas is smooth and primed, cover imperfections and even out tone with a luminous foundation. I am a big believer that dewy radiance is always better than matte, flat skin. Use a highlighter, such as my Super Sheer Shimmering Highlighter, along the top of the cheekbones to catch the light and create a beautiful glow. There are two directions you can take with this look: a strong mouth with a soft eye or natural face with a delicate smokey eye. If you decide to focus on the mouth, keep the eye subtle by using a wash of shimmering color, such as any of the shades in my Eye Shadow Quad in Showstoppers, over lids, keeping application light and sheer. Flush out cheeks, applying blush to the apples in a circular motion, working your way back towards the hairline. Then choose a bright red or pink lip color to make the face popI personally love a matte red like my Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosey Nude. The trick with a bold lip color is to make sure it is not overly defined which will look dated. Avoid this by using your fingertips to blur the lip line. If you opt for the subtle smokey eye, use a coral-peach blush on the cheeks for some healthy color and apply a soft nude lip color, such as my Luxury Lip Color in Truffle. Next, turn your attention to the eye. Using shades of tan and taupe create a gradation of color over the lid, with the lightest tone at the center, medium hue in the crease, and darkest shade at the lash line for definition. Make sure everything is buffed and smudged you never want to see where one color ends or begins. While every celebrity will have their own customized look from head to toe, you can bet on one thing for them all to have in common is lashes! No red carpet face is complete without the extra drama of false eyelashes and no matter what aesthetic you are trying to achieve, throwing on a pair of lashes is sure to wow. For more info on Sonia, head to www.target.com and if you are in the Los Angeles area this weekend, you can meet Sonia and her team in person at free pop-up makeover events. On Saturday January 14, she will be at the Target in Thousand Oaks and at Target in Upland on Sunday January 15. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Disney Junior to Replace SoapNet in March

Disney Junior Disney Channel has confirmed a launch date for its new 24-hour preschool channel. Disney Junior will replace SoapNet on most cable and satellite systems at midnight on Friday, March 23. The new cable network, an offshoot of Disney Channel's Disney Junior block, will launch with the new animated series Doc McStuffins. That show, about a six-year-old girl who nurses her sick toys back to health, is one of several new programs that will make their debut on Disney Junior. Among the other new shows coming to the channel over the next year: Gaspard and Lisa, which centers on two puppies in a French neighborhood; Guess How Much I Love You, based on the book of the same name; Sofia the First, a TV movie and series about a princess; and Oki's Oasis, a western about a kitty cat sheriff, voiced by Mandy Moore. Disney Junior also plans a weekend movie night (dubbed the Magical World of Disney Junior) and will bring over its series of interstitials called A Poem Is... narrated by Laura Linney, Viola Davis, Jessica Alba, Owen Wilson and Liev Schreiber. Current series Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny will also run on Disney Junior. The channel joins an increasingly competitive preschool cable marketplace, where it will face off with Nick Jr., Sprout and Qubo, among others. Disney Junior is already available in 28 other territories outside of the U.S. In launching the channel, Disney says it's broadening the focus from kids age 2-5 to kids 2-7 - a demo it calls "preschool plus." The company has also brought on a "council of academic advisors" to guide the channel's curriculum. "This marks the beginning of a sea change in the 'preschool plus' television landscape," says Gary Marsh, president and CEO of Disney Channels Worldwide. "The response to our Disney Junior programming block has been extremely positive." A handful of viewers will still receive SoapNet after March 22, but only because a few cable and satellite deals with Disney are still being finalized. Once those deals are done, SoapNet will completely shut down. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Piranha 3DD won't get yourself a Uk cinema release

Not so great for fans of breasts, bums and bitey sea food, as Piranha 3d follow-up Piranha 3DD remains banned to Davey Jones' Locker, also called the straight-to-DVD aisle from the local Blockbusters.It seems the film's Uk entrepreneurs, Entertainment Films, aren't convinced with the merits of one other 3d phallus popping out at British audiences, and possess rather pencilled in the DVD release on 19 March 2012.Towards the minds, this seems an extremely bemusing move, particularly since the first film completed respectably laminator tl901 office in addition to won on the couple of from the grumpiest experts having its deliriously OTT sense of fun.What this implies in actual terms, is always that Uk audiences won't obtain the opportunity to take a look at Gary Busey and David Hasselhoff to experience a shoal of flesh-eating sea food in glorious 3d. Which, pals, can be a crying shame. However, our Stateside site visitors can seem to be comfortable understanding that Piranha 3DD remains searching for a united states theatrical release, with author Patrick Melton explaining the delay round the films expected Thanksgiving 2011 arrival."It increased being apparent very in the beginning our goals were not realistic because we needed sun, water 35mm 35mm slides, and bikini-clad coeds," states Melton, "three things not too prevalent within the united states . States through the several days from the month of the month of january and February.""Nevertheless, we ploughed on and take care of shooting in the finish of May. About recently, it absolutely was examined and acquired perfectly. Perfectly the studio gave us more earnings to enhance the Foreign exchange. Soon, it will likely be done and eager for just about any theatrical release. Because of the Springbreak vibe inside the film, spring was the apparent time to open it up up. So, this is actually the extended and missing it. Great. In movie theaters this spring. Assist you to then."

Notable Passings of 2011

Notable Passings of 2011 December 28, 2011 Gilbert Cates, 77, was an award-winning director and television and theater producer who oversaw 14 Academy Awards telecasts from 1990 to 2008. The Bronx, N.Y., native won an Emmy Award for the 1991 ceremony, hosted by Billy Crystal. Cates injected new energy into the show by recruiting hosts such as Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart. In addition to working on the Oscars, Cates served two terms as president of the Directors Guild of America, from 1983 to 1987. He was also the producing director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, as well as the founder of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and its dean from 1990 to 1998. Betty Garrett, 91, was best known for her recurring roles on the popular TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "Laverne & Shirley." But she first achieved fame as a musical comedy star, breaking through in the 1946 Broadway revue "Call Me Mister" and then starring in such classics of Hollywood's golden age as "On the Town," "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Neptune's Daughter," and "Words and Music." Her career stalled when her husband, Larry Parks, testified to the House Un-American Activities Committee that he had been a Communist, but the couple found work in summer stock. In her later years, Garrett had featured roles on Broadway in "Meet Me in St. Louis" and the 2001 revival of "Follies."The raspy-voiced Peter Falk, 83, will always be remembered for playing the title role on the NBC television series "Columbo." During the three and a half decades he portrayed the disheveled yet clever detective, Falk also starred in comedies and dramas on stage and screen. He won four Emmys for his performance on "Columbo" as well as one for "The Price of Tomatoes," a presentation of "The Dick Powell Theatre." He received Oscar nominations for "Murder, Inc." and "Pocketful of Miracles." His other film credits include John Cassavetes' "Husbands" and "A Woman Under the Influence," "Robin and the 7 Hoods," "The Great Race," "The Princess Bride," and Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire." Farley Granger, 85, gained fame as a handsome juvenile in two Alfred Hitchcock films, "Rope" and "Strangers on a Train." Though the roles, as well as his work in pictures like "The North Star," "They Live by Night," "Small Town Girl," and "Hans Christian Andersen," established him as a movie star by the 1950s, he chose to focus on television and stage roles for the rest of his career. He appeared with Eva Le Galliene's National Repertory Theatre and on Broadway in "Deathtrap" and other plays. In 1986, Granger won an Obie Award for his performance in Circle Repertory Company's premiere of "Talley & Son" by Lanford Wilson, who also passed away in 2011.Crusty character actor Harry Morgan, 96, built a career playing sidekicks and henchmen in more than 100 movies and is beloved by TV viewers for his performance as Col. Sherman Potter, the flinty, sharp-tongued commanding officer, on the long-running series "M*A*S*H" from 1975 until its finale in 1983. He replaced McLean Stevenson, who had quit the show, and in 1980 Morgan won an Emmy for his work. He had recurring roles on numerous other series, including "December Bride," "The Richard Boone Show," "Dragnet," and the sequel "After MASH." His many films include "The Ox-Bow Incident," "The Big Clock," "Madame Bovary," "High Noon," and "Inherit the Wind."Alice Playten, 63, a petite actor with a big voice, began as a child performer, appearing in the Broadway productions of "Oliver!" and "Gypsy." Barely out of her 20s, she made a sensation in the short-lived 1967 musical "Henry, Sweet Henry," stealing the show from star Don Ameche and earning a Tony nomination. She gained even wider recognition for a series of comical Alka-Seltzer commercials as a newlywed trying out exotic dishes on her indigestion-afflicted spouse. Playten also appeared on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly!," "George M!," "Rumors," and "Seussical" and won Obie Awards for her performances in "National Lampoon's Lemmings" and "First Lady Suite."One of the most distinguished playwrights of the latter half of the 20th century, Lanford Wilson, 73, depicted the lives of ordinary people with lyric realism and compassionate honesty. He's best known for his trilogy of plays about the Talley family, a Lebanon, Mo., clan journeying from belief in to disillusion with the American dream. The works"Fifth of July," "Talley's Folly," and "Tally & Son"were premiered by the Circle Repertory Company, the Off-Broadway theater Wilson co-founded. The first two transferred to Broadway, and "Talley's Folly" won the Pulitzer Prize. Wilson's other insightful works include "Lemon Sky," "Balm in Gilead," "The Hot l Baltimore," "Angels Fall," and "Book of Days." Considered by many the most beautiful woman in the world, Elizabeth Taylor, 79, survived eight marriages and a scandalous private life to emerge as a symbol of Hollywood glamour and a beloved activist for AIDS research and prevention. More than a stunning beauty and the object of gossip, she grew from a child star in "National Velvet" and "A Date With Judy" to a respected actor. Who could forget the wild yet innocent Angela in "A Place in the Sun," the frustrated and passionate Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," the conflicted Catherine in "Suddenly, Last Summer," or the vitriolic Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," for which she won her second Oscar. The first was for the melodramatic "Butterfield 8." Taylor appeared on Broadway in revivals of "The Little Foxes" and "Private Lives" as well as in many TV movies, but it's as a film goddess that she will be remembered.Sidney Lumet, 86, was a critically acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter. He made more than 40 films; many of them dealt with social issues and were set and shot in his hometown of New York City. He began as an Off-Broadway director, then moved into directing TV and in 1957 made his feature film debut with "12 Angry Men," for which he received his first of five Academy Award nominations. The others were for directing "Dog Day Afternoon," "Network," and "The Verdict" and for writing "Prince of the City." Though he didn't win any of them, Lumet received an honorary Oscar in 2005. One of the first directors to successfully transition from TV to film, he led the way for many others to make the switch. Sherwood Schwartz, 94, created two of the most popular sitcoms in television history, "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch." Though both series (for which he also penned the catchy theme songs) were dismissed by the critics, they achieved long life in syndication and are affectionately remembered by millions of viewers. Schwartz began his showbiz career writing jokes for Bob Hope's radio show and later made the transition to television, writing for "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "I Married Joan," and "The Red Skelton Show," for which he won an Emmy Award. Arthur Laurents, 93, had numerous successes on Broadway and in Hollywood, but his most enduring legacy will probably be his contributions to two classic musicals, "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." He wrote their books and directed hit revivals of each. He also directed the original production of the hit musical "La Cage aux Folles" and authored numerous plays, including "Home of the Brave," "A Clearing in the Woods," "The Time of the Cuckoo," "Invitation to a March," "The Enclave," "The Radical Mystique," and "Jolson Sings Again." Most of his later works debuted at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse, where he enjoyed a fruitful partnership with artistic director David Saint. Laurents' screenwriting credits include "Rope," "The Snake Pit," "Anastasia," "Bonjour Tristesse" (he also wrote the title song's lyric), "The Way We Were," and "The Turning Point."Other Notable Passings Ray Aghayan, 83, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated costume designer; worked on more than a dozen Academy Awards shows and was the life partner of costume designer Bob MackieTheoni V. Aldredge, 88, costume designer for hundreds of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including "A Chorus Line" received an Academy Award for her work on "The Great Gatsby" Tom Aldredge, 83, Emmy-winning character actor whose career spanned five decades on stage and screen; seen most recently on "Boardwalk Empire" husband of Theoni V. AldredgeJames Arness, 88, actor; best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running CBS series "Gunsmoke" considered a hallmark performer in TV's Western genrePhyllis Avery, 88, stage and television actor; starred in eight Broadway shows and played the wife of Ray Milland's character on the 1950s sitcom originally called "Meet Mr. McNutley"Frances Bay, 92, actor; had roles on more than 100 TV shows and in 50 films, including "Happy Gilmore," as the grandmother of Adam Sandler's title characterDoris Belack, 85, stage, television, and film actor; known for her roles as a soap opera producer in the movie "Tootsie" and as a judge on the TV show "Law & Order"Price Berkley, 92, founder, editor, and publisher of the weekly trade publication Theatrical IndexRoberts Blossom, 87, character actor; best known for portraying comic and sinister old men, including the next-door neighbor in the 1990 film "Home Alone"Wally Boag, 90, actor; played Pecos Bill, the Old West traveling salesman, in the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland for almost 30 yearsTommy Brent, 88, theater producer; best known for putting on summer musicals and plays at Rhode Island's Theatre by the Sea Patricia Breslin, 80, stage and screen actor; featured on numerous TV series, including "The Twilight Zone," as the wife of William Shatner's character in the episode "Nick of Time"Joseph Brooks, 73, screenwriter, producer, director, and songwriter who composed the Academy Awardwinning song "You Light Up My Life" for the film of the same nameAnne Brownstone, 87, stage, screen, and radio actor; starred in hundreds of radio shows opposite icons like Jimmy Stewart and also wrote and acted on early television shows such as "Dragnet"Michael Cacoyannis, 90, Greek theater director and filmmaker; best known for directing the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek" William Campbell, 87, film and television actor; guest-starred on two episodes of the original "Star Trek" series: "The Trouble With Tribbles" and "The Squire of Gothos" Annette Charles, 63, television and film actor; best known for her role as Cha Cha DiGregorio in the 1978 movie musical "Grease" Linda Christian, 87, Mexican film and television actor; notable for playing the first Bond girl, in the 1954 TV adaptation of "Casino Royale"Diane Cilento, 78, Australian stage and screen actor; earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the 1963 film "Tom Jones" Jeff Conaway, 60, film and television actor; appeared in the movie "Grease" as Kenickie and on the TV show "Taxi" as struggling actor BobbyJackie Cooper, 88, film and television actor; earned an Oscar nomination at the age of 9 for his role in 1931's "Skippy," the youngest nominee ever for best actor, and played Perry White in four "Superman" movies in the 1970s and '80sNorman Corwin, 101, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated screenwriter who was known in the 1930s and '40s as the "poet laureate of radio" for writing, producing, and directing acclaimed radio dramasJohn Cossette, 54, television and theater producer; executive-produced more than a dozen Grammy Awards telecasts and co-produced the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet"Sam Denoff, 83, Emmy-winning comedy writer; best known for working on TV's "The Dick Van Dyke Show"Marion Dougherty, 88, influential casting director who helped launched the careers of stars such as Anne Bancroft, Warren Beatty, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Bette Midler, Al Pacino, and Robert RedfordRyan Dunn, 34, star of the "Jackass" television series and films; also featured in the 2007 film "Blonde Ambition" and on the TV show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"Donya Feuer, 77, choreographer, theater director, and filmmaker who sometimes collaborated with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman Mary Fickett, 83, stage, film, and television actor; best known for her role as Ruth Martin on the daytime drama "All My Children"Bob Fraser, 66, television producer, writer, director, actor, and teacher; familiar to thousands of actors who have taken his workshops and studied his book and DVD series "An Actor Works"Dan Frazer, 90, film and television actor; best known for playing Capt. Frank McNeil on the television series "Kojak" adviser to New York's WorkShop Theater Company Leo Friedman, 92, renowned stage photographer during Broadway's glamour age who captured the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine HepburnDolores Fuller, 88, actor, songwriter, and muse of director Ed Wood Jr.; acted in three of his films, including "Glen or Glenda," and also wrote song lyrics heard in a number of Elvis Presley moviesPam Gems, 85, British playwright whose works include "Piaf" and "Stanley"Donald Grody, 83, actor and executive director of Actors' Equity Association from 1973 to 1980; led efforts to establish and fund permanent rent-subsidized housing for actors at NY's Manhattan Plaza Edward Hardwicke, 78, actor; best known for playing Dr. John Watson on three British "Sherlock Holmes" TV series, shown in America during the 1980s and '90sLeonard Harris, 81, arts and theater critic and actor; played Sen. Charles Palantine in Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver"Edward Hastings, 80, founding member of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater and its artistic director from 1986 to 1992; staged contemporary and classic plays in the U.S. and abroad Vclav Havel, 75, playwright and former Czech president who led the overthrow of a totalitarian regime in the Velvet Revolution; several of his plays were produced Off-Broadway and three"The Increased Difficulty of Concentration," "The Memorandum," and "Private View"won ObiesBill Hunter, 71, Australian film, television, and stage actor; appeared in more than 60 films, won two Australian Film Institute Awards, and provided the voice of the dentist in Pixar's "Finding Nemo" Sybil Jason, 83, child actor signed by Warner Bros. in the 1930s to rival Shirley Temple, but the two became friends Allan Jefferys, 88, entertainment editor and drama critic for WABC TV and radio in NY during the 1960sHal Kanter, 92, Emmy-winning comedy writer and producer whose work included the Oscar telecast; created the TV show "Julia," the first sitcom to star an African-American in the role of a professionalBob Kelly, 87, Broadway makeup artist and wig maker; worked on shows such as 1962's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and 2002's "Say Goodnight, Gracie" Paul Kent, 80, film, television, and stage character actor; co-founded L.A.'s Melrose Theatre, where he served as artistic director for many years Elliott Kozak, 80, television agent and Bob Hope's producer for more than 30 years; sold to NBC the Motown 25th-anniversary special that featured Michael Jackson's first televised "moonwalk"Michael Langham, 91, classical theater director, artistic director of Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and head of the Juilliard School's drama division; directed at London's Royal Shakespeare Company and Old Vic, working with then-rising stars Peter O'Toole and Judi DenchJerry Leiber, 78, lyricist who worked with Mike Stoller to create such hits as Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" the 1995 Broadway musical "Smokey Joe's Caf" is based on their songs Len Lesser, 88, film and television character actor; best known for playing Uncle Leo on the TV show "Seinfeld" Judy Lewis, 76, actor; penned a memoir about her life as the illegitimate daughter of Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Loretta YoungPhyllis Love, 85, stage and screen actor; originated the role of Rosa Delle Rose in Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" on Broadway Lou Maletta, 74, the founder of the Gay Cable Network in 1982Arthur Marx, 89, television and film screenwriter, playwright, and best-selling author; son of Groucho MarxAnna Massey, 73, British television and film actor; featured in Alfred Hitchcock's 1972 film "Frenzy" and often appeared in British costume dramasChristopher Mayer, 57, film and television actor; starred on "The Dukes of Hazzard" in its 198283 season and appeared on the daytime drama "Santa Barbara"Bill McKinney, 80, film and television character actor; played a mountain man in the 1972 film "Deliverance" and appeared in seven Clint Eastwood films Sue Mengers, 79, Hollywood agent who represented such stars as Barbra Streisand, Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, Cher, Bob Fosse, and Gene Hackman; seen as a trailblazer for women in behind-the-scenes roles in entertainmentMarian Mercer, 75, stage and television actor; earned a Tony Award in 1969 for her performance in the Broadway musical "Promises, Promises"Sidney Michaels, 83, Tony-nominated playwright; had great success on Broadway in the 1960s with productions of "Tchin-Tchin," "Dylan," and "Ben Franklin in Paris"David Mitchell, 79, Broadway set designer; won Tony Awards for "Annie" and "Barnum" Charles Napier, 75, character actor; recognized for his tough-guy roles in films such as "The Blues Brothers" and "Rambo: First Blood, Part II"John Neville, 86, British-born Canadian actor-director and artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 1980s; starred on the TV series "The First Churchills"A.C. Nielsen Jr., 92, expanded his father's Nielsen Company into its current role as an international market research firm, most associated with television ratingsSam Norkin, 94, theater caricaturist and former president of the Drama Desk; captured more than 70 years of stage performancesShirley Carroll O'Connor, 93, publicist and first female press agent for the Clyde BeattyCole Bros. and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses; famously lost eight elephants on Hollywood BoulevardPatrice O'Neal, 41, standup comedian; known for his unfiltered honesty and for addressing topics such as race and his struggle with diabetesRoland Petit, 87, French film and ballet choreographer and head of the Paris Opera; choreographed for Rudolf Nureyev Madelyn Pugh Davis, 90, television writer; best known for her work on "I Love Lucy"Francesco Quinn, 48, film and television actor; appeared in the movie "Platoon" and was the son of actor Anthony QuinnBeverly Randolph, 59, Broadway stage manager for more than 30 years; managed or supervised more than 20 Broadway productions Cliff Robertson, 88, film and television actor; won an Oscar for his title performance in the 1968 film "Charly" and played Uncle Ben in the 2002 film "Spider-Man" and its two sequelsRal Ruiz, 70, Chilean director who made more than 100 filmsSol Saks, 100, screenwriter; best known for writing the pilot of the television show "Bewitched"Michael Sarrazin, 70, Canadian film and television actor; gained fame starring opposite Jane Fonda in the 1969 film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?"Hubert J. "Hub" Schlafly Jr., 91, television engineer who helped invent the teleprompterJohn Scoullar, 61, composer, lyricist, playwright, and performer; was in the original stage production of "King of Hearts"Gene Shefrin, 90, Hollywood publicist who represented Dick Clark, Guy Lombardo, and Don RicklesElisabeth Sladen, 65, British actor; best known for her role as Sarah Jane on the TV show "Doctor Who" and its spinoff "The Sarah Jane Adventures"Karl Slover, 93, Czech actor who played the lead trumpeter in the Munchkins band in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz"Bubba Smith, 66, football player and actor; played Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movies and appeared on the TV shows "Charlie's Angels," "Good Times," and "Half Nelson"G.D. Spradlin, 90, veteran character actor; best known for playing authority figures in films such as "The Godfather: Part II" and "Apocalypse Now"Helen Stenborg, 86, character actor; won an Obie Award for "Talley & Son" and, with husband Barnard Hughes, the 2000 Drama Desk Award for lifetime achievementLeonard Stern, 88, Emmy-winning writer, producer, and director; his career included "The Honeymooners," "Get Smart," and "McMillan & Wife"Tony Stevens, 63, dancer, director, and choreographer; danced in such Broadway shows as "The Boy Friend" and "Irene" directed and/or choreographed "Perfectly Frank," "Wind in the Willows," and "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" helped organize the workshops that provided the basis for "A Chorus Line"Elaine Stewart, 81, sultry Hollywood actor; promoted as a "dark-haired Marilyn Monroe" in such 1950s films as "The Bad and the Beautiful," "The Adventures of Hajji Baba," and "The Tattered Dress" Ellen Stewart, 91, founder, artistic director, and producer of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, one of the most prominent Off-Off-Broadway theater companies. Leonard Stone, 87, character actor; known for such films as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Soylent Green" and the TV shows "General Hospital," "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossible," "Barney Miller," and "L.A. Law"Alan Sues, 85, zany comic actor and one of the stars of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" also appeared on "The Twilight Zone" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" Betty Taylor, 91, actor; played Sluefoot Sue at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue for three decades Clarice Taylor, 93, actor; best known for playing the grandmother on "The Cosby Show" also an original member of the Negro Ensemble Company, appeared in "The Wiz" on Broadway, and won an Obie for her one-woman play about comedian Moms Mabley Giorgio Tozzi, 88, distinguished Metropolitan Opera bass; nominated for a Tony Award for the 1979 revival of "The Most Happy Fella" and provided vocals for the film version of "South Pacific" Margaret Tyzack, 79, British character actor; won a Tony Award for "Lettice and Lovage" and starred on the British TV series "The Forsyte Saga," "The First Churchills," and "I, Claudius"Theadora Van Runkle, 82, costume designer; received three Oscar nominations, started a fashion trend with her designs for 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," and won the Costume Designers Guild's lifetime achievement awardThanasis Vengos, 83, Greek comedy actor; appeared in more than 120 films Yvette Vickers, 82, actor, pinup model, and singer; appeared in the 1958 cult film "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman"Jane White, 88, actor and singer; made her reputation in Shakespearean and Greek classical roles but was best known for her comic performance as the wicked queen in the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" Andy Whitfield, 39, Welsh actor; starred as the title character on the television series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"Vesta Williams, 53, singer and actor; had a recurring role on the TV show "Sister, Sister" as the best friend of Jacke Harry's characterDoric Wilson, 72, playwright, director, producer, critic, gay-rights activist, and an influential figure in the early Off-Off-Broadway movementRandall L. Wreghitt, 55, Tony-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway producer; his credits included "Grey Gardens," "Little Women," "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," and "Golda's Balcony"Dana Wynter, 79, film and television actor; best known for her role in the 1956 film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" also starred in "The List of Adrian Messenger," "On the Double," and "Airport" Norma Zimmer, 87, actor and singer; best known as the Champagne Lady on "The Lawrence Welk Show" and as a member of the Girl Friends Quartet; sang with stars such as Frank Sinatra and Dean MartinCompiled by Frank Nestor, with additional reporting by David Sheward Notable Passings of 2011 December 28, 2011 Gilbert Cates, 77, was an award-winning director and television and theater producer who oversaw 14 Academy Awards telecasts from 1990 to 2008. The Bronx, N.Y., native won an Emmy Award for the 1991 ceremony, hosted by Billy Crystal. Cates injected new energy into the show by recruiting hosts such as Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, and Jon Stewart. In addition to working on the Oscars, Cates served two terms as president of the Directors Guild of America, from 1983 to 1987. He was also the producing director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, as well as the founder of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and its dean from 1990 to 1998. Betty Garrett, 91, was best known for her recurring roles on the popular TV sitcoms "All in the Family" and "Laverne & Shirley." But she first achieved fame as a musical comedy star, breaking through in the 1946 Broadway revue "Call Me Mister" and then starring in such classics of Hollywood's golden age as "On the Town," "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Neptune's Daughter," and "Words and Music." Her career stalled when her husband, Larry Parks, testified to the House Un-American Activities Committee that he had been a Communist, but the couple found work in summer stock. In her later years, Garrett had featured roles on Broadway in "Meet Me in St. Louis" and the 2001 revival of "Follies."The raspy-voiced Peter Falk, 83, will always be remembered for playing the title role on the NBC television series "Columbo." During the three and a half decades he portrayed the disheveled yet clever detective, Falk also starred in comedies and dramas on stage and screen. He won four Emmys for his performance on "Columbo" as well as one for "The Price of Tomatoes," a presentation of "The Dick Powell Theatre." He received Oscar nominations for "Murder, Inc." and "Pocketful of Miracles." His other film credits include John Cassavetes' "Husbands" and "A Woman Under the Influence," "Robin and the 7 Hoods," "The Great Race," "The Princess Bride," and Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire." Farley Granger, 85, gained fame as a handsome juvenile in two Alfred Hitchcock films, "Rope" and "Strangers on a Train." Though the roles, as well as his work in pictures like "The North Star," "They Live by Night," "Small Town Girl," and "Hans Christian Andersen," established him as a movie star by the 1950s, he chose to focus on television and stage roles for the rest of his career. He appeared with Eva Le Galliene's National Repertory Theatre and on Broadway in "Deathtrap" and other plays. In 1986, Granger won an Obie Award for his performance in Circle Repertory Company's premiere of "Talley & Son" by Lanford Wilson, who also passed away in 2011.Crusty character actor Harry Morgan, 96, built a career playing sidekicks and henchmen in more than 100 movies and is beloved by TV viewers for his performance as Col. Sherman Potter, the flinty, sharp-tongued commanding officer, on the long-running series "M*A*S*H" from 1975 until its finale in 1983. He replaced McLean Stevenson, who had quit the show, and in 1980 Morgan won an Emmy for his work. He had recurring roles on numerous other series, including "December Bride," "The Richard Boone Show," "Dragnet," and the sequel "After MASH." His many films include "The Ox-Bow Incident," "The Big Clock," "Madame Bovary," "High Noon," and "Inherit the Wind."Alice Playten, 63, a petite actor with a big voice, began as a child performer, appearing in the Broadway productions of "Oliver!" and "Gypsy." Barely out of her 20s, she made a sensation in the short-lived 1967 musical "Henry, Sweet Henry," stealing the show from star Don Ameche and earning a Tony nomination. She gained even wider recognition for a series of comical Alka-Seltzer commercials as a newlywed trying out exotic dishes on her indigestion-afflicted spouse. Playten also appeared on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly!," "George M!," "Rumors," and "Seussical" and won Obie Awards for her performances in "National Lampoon's Lemmings" and "First Lady Suite."One of the most distinguished playwrights of the latter half of the 20th century, Lanford Wilson, 73, depicted the lives of ordinary people with lyric realism and compassionate honesty. He's best known for his trilogy of plays about the Talley family, a Lebanon, Mo., clan journeying from belief in to disillusion with the American dream. The works"Fifth of July," "Talley's Folly," and "Tally & Son"were premiered by the Circle Repertory Company, the Off-Broadway theater Wilson co-founded. The first two transferred to Broadway, and "Talley's Folly" won the Pulitzer Prize. Wilson's other insightful works include "Lemon Sky," "Balm in Gilead," "The Hot l Baltimore," "Angels Fall," and "Book of Days." Considered by many the most beautiful woman in the world, Elizabeth Taylor, 79, survived eight marriages and a scandalous private life to emerge as a symbol of Hollywood glamour and a beloved activist for AIDS research and prevention. More than a stunning beauty and the object of gossip, she grew from a child star in "National Velvet" and "A Date With Judy" to a respected actor. Who could forget the wild yet innocent Angela in "A Place in the Sun," the frustrated and passionate Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," the conflicted Catherine in "Suddenly, Last Summer," or the vitriolic Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," for which she won her second Oscar. The first was for the melodramatic "Butterfield 8." Taylor appeared on Broadway in revivals of "The Little Foxes" and "Private Lives" as well as in many TV movies, but it's as a film goddess that she will be remembered.Sidney Lumet, 86, was a critically acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter. He made more than 40 films; many of them dealt with social issues and were set and shot in his hometown of NY City. He began as an Off-Broadway director, then moved into directing TV and in 1957 made his feature film debut with "12 Angry Men," for which he received his first of five Academy Award nominations. The others were for directing "Dog Day Afternoon," "Network," and "The Verdict" and for writing "Prince of the City." Though he didn't win any of them, Lumet received an honorary Oscar in 2005. One of the first directors to successfully transition from TV to film, he led the way for many others to make the switch. Sherwood Schwartz, 94, created two of the most popular sitcoms in television history, "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch." Though both series (for which he also penned the catchy theme songs) were dismissed by the critics, they achieved long life in syndication and are affectionately remembered by millions of viewers. Schwartz began his showbiz career writing jokes for Bob Hope's radio show and later made the transition to television, writing for "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "I Married Joan," and "The Red Skelton Show," for which he won an Emmy Award. Arthur Laurents, 93, had numerous successes on Broadway and in Hollywood, but his most enduring legacy will probably be his contributions to two classic musicals, "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." He wrote their books and directed hit revivals of each. He also directed the original production of the hit musical "La Cage aux Folles" and authored numerous plays, including "Home of the Brave," "A Clearing in the Woods," "The Time of the Cuckoo," "Invitation to a March," "The Enclave," "The Radical Mystique," and "Jolson Sings Again." Most of his later works debuted at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse, where he enjoyed a fruitful partnership with artistic director David Saint. Laurents' screenwriting credits include "Rope," "The Snake Pit," "Anastasia," "Bonjour Tristesse" (he also wrote the title song's lyric), "The Way We Were," and "The Turning Point."Other Notable Passings Ray Aghayan, 83, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated costume designer; worked on more than a dozen Academy Awards shows and was the life partner of costume designer Bob MackieTheoni V. Aldredge, 88, costume designer for hundreds of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including "A Chorus Line" received an Academy Award for her work on "The Great Gatsby" Tom Aldredge, 83, Emmy-winning character actor whose career spanned five decades on stage and screen; seen most recently on "Boardwalk Empire" husband of Theoni V. AldredgeJames Arness, 88, actor; best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running CBS series "Gunsmoke" considered a hallmark performer in TV's Western genrePhyllis Avery, 88, stage and television actor; starred in eight Broadway shows and played the wife of Ray Milland's character on the 1950s sitcom originally called "Meet Mr. McNutley"Frances Bay, 92, actor; had roles on more than 100 TV shows and in 50 films, including "Happy Gilmore," as the grandmother of Adam Sandler's title characterDoris Belack, 85, stage, television, and film actor; known for her roles as a soap opera producer in the movie "Tootsie" and as a judge on the TV show "Law & Order"Price Berkley, 92, founder, editor, and publisher of the weekly trade publication Theatrical IndexRoberts Blossom, 87, character actor; best known for portraying comic and sinister old men, including the next-door neighbor in the 1990 film "Home Alone"Wally Boag, 90, actor; played Pecos Bill, the Old West traveling salesman, in the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland for almost 30 yearsTommy Brent, 88, theater producer; best known for putting on summer musicals and plays at Rhode Island's Theatre by the Sea Patricia Breslin, 80, stage and screen actor; featured on numerous TV series, including "The Twilight Zone," as the wife of William Shatner's character in the episode "Nick of Time"Joseph Brooks, 73, screenwriter, producer, director, and songwriter who composed the Academy Awardwinning song "You Light Up My Life" for the film of the same nameAnne Brownstone, 87, stage, screen, and radio actor; starred in hundreds of radio shows opposite icons like Jimmy Stewart and also wrote and acted on early television shows such as "Dragnet"Michael Cacoyannis, 90, Greek theater director and filmmaker; best known for directing the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek" William Campbell, 87, film and television actor; guest-starred on two episodes of the original "Star Trek" series: "The Trouble With Tribbles" and "The Squire of Gothos" Annette Charles, 63, television and film actor; best known for her role as Cha Cha DiGregorio in the 1978 movie musical "Grease" Linda Christian, 87, Mexican film and television actor; notable for playing the first Bond girl, in the 1954 TV adaptation of "Casino Royale"Diane Cilento, 78, Australian stage and screen actor; earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the 1963 film "Tom Jones" Jeff Conaway, 60, film and television actor; appeared in the movie "Grease" as Kenickie and on the TV show "Taxi" as struggling actor BobbyJackie Cooper, 88, film and television actor; earned an Oscar nomination at the age of 9 for his role in 1931's "Skippy," the youngest nominee ever for best actor, and played Perry White in four "Superman" movies in the 1970s and '80sNorman Corwin, 101, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated screenwriter who was known in the 1930s and '40s as the "poet laureate of radio" for writing, producing, and directing acclaimed radio dramasJohn Cossette, 54, television and theater producer; executive-produced more than a dozen Grammy Awards telecasts and co-produced the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet"Sam Denoff, 83, Emmy-winning comedy writer; best known for working on TV's "The Dick Van Dyke Show"Marion Dougherty, 88, influential casting director who helped launched the careers of stars such as Anne Bancroft, Warren Beatty, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Bette Midler, Al Pacino, and Robert RedfordRyan Dunn, 34, star of the "Jackass" television series and films; also featured in the 2007 film "Blonde Ambition" and on the TV show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"Donya Feuer, 77, choreographer, theater director, and filmmaker who sometimes collaborated with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman Mary Fickett, 83, stage, film, and television actor; best known for her role as Ruth Martin on the daytime drama "All My Children"Bob Fraser, 66, television producer, writer, director, actor, and teacher; familiar to thousands of actors who have taken his workshops and studied his book and DVD series "An Actor Works"Dan Frazer, 90, film and television actor; best known for playing Capt. Frank McNeil on the television series "Kojak" adviser to NY's WorkShop Theater Company Leo Friedman, 92, renowned stage photographer during Broadway's glamour age who captured the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine HepburnDolores Fuller, 88, actor, songwriter, and muse of director Ed Wood Jr.; acted in three of his films, including "Glen or Glenda," and also wrote song lyrics heard in a number of Elvis Presley moviesPam Gems, 85, British playwright whose works include "Piaf" and "Stanley"Donald Grody, 83, actor and executive director of Actors' Equity Association from 1973 to 1980; led efforts to establish and fund permanent rent-subsidized housing for actors at NY's Manhattan Plaza Edward Hardwicke, 78, actor; best known for playing Dr. John Watson on three British "Sherlock Holmes" TV series, shown in America during the 1980s and '90sLeonard Harris, 81, arts and theater critic and actor; played Sen. Charles Palantine in Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver"Edward Hastings, 80, founding member of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater and its artistic director from 1986 to 1992; staged contemporary and classic plays in the U.S. and abroad Vclav Havel, 75, playwright and former Czech president who led the overthrow of a totalitarian regime in the Velvet Revolution; several of his plays were produced Off-Broadway and three"The Increased Difficulty of Concentration," "The Memorandum," and "Private View"won ObiesBill Hunter, 71, Australian film, television, and stage actor; appeared in more than 60 films, won two Australian Film Institute Awards, and provided the voice of the dentist in Pixar's "Finding Nemo" Sybil Jason, 83, child actor signed by Warner Bros. in the 1930s to rival Shirley Temple, but the two became friends Allan Jefferys, 88, entertainment editor and drama critic for WABC TV and radio in NY during the 1960sHal Kanter, 92, Emmy-winning comedy writer and producer whose work included the Oscar telecast; created the TV show "Julia," the first sitcom to star an African-American in the role of a professionalBob Kelly, 87, Broadway makeup artist and wig maker; worked on shows such as 1962's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and 2002's "Say Goodnight, Gracie" Paul Kent, 80, film, television, and stage character actor; co-founded L.A.'s Melrose Theatre, where he served as artistic director for many years Elliott Kozak, 80, television agent and Bob Hope's producer for more than 30 years; sold to NBC the Motown 25th-anniversary special that featured Michael Jackson's first televised "moonwalk"Michael Langham, 91, classical theater director, artistic director of Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and head of the Juilliard School's drama division; directed at London's Royal Shakespeare Company and Old Vic, working with then-rising stars Peter O'Toole and Judi DenchJerry Leiber, 78, lyricist who worked with Mike Stoller to create such hits as Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" the 1995 Broadway musical "Smokey Joe's Caf" is based on their songs Len Lesser, 88, film and television character actor; best known for playing Uncle Leo on the TV show "Seinfeld" Judy Lewis, 76, actor; penned a memoir about her life as the illegitimate daughter of Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Loretta YoungPhyllis Love, 85, stage and screen actor; originated the role of Rosa Delle Rose in Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" on Broadway Lou Maletta, 74, the founder of the Gay Cable Network in 1982Arthur Marx, 89, television and film screenwriter, playwright, and best-selling author; son of Groucho MarxAnna Massey, 73, British television and film actor; featured in Alfred Hitchcock's 1972 film "Frenzy" and often appeared in British costume dramasChristopher Mayer, 57, film and television actor; starred on "The Dukes of Hazzard" in its 198283 season and appeared on the daytime drama "Santa Barbara"Bill McKinney, 80, film and television character actor; played a mountain man in the 1972 film "Deliverance" and appeared in seven Clint Eastwood films Sue Mengers, 79, Hollywood agent who represented such stars as Barbra Streisand, Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, Cher, Bob Fosse, and Gene Hackman; seen as a trailblazer for women in behind-the-scenes roles in entertainmentMarian Mercer, 75, stage and television actor; earned a Tony Award in 1969 for her performance in the Broadway musical "Promises, Promises"Sidney Michaels, 83, Tony-nominated playwright; had great success on Broadway in the 1960s with productions of "Tchin-Tchin," "Dylan," and "Ben Franklin in Paris"David Mitchell, 79, Broadway set designer; won Tony Awards for "Annie" and "Barnum" Charles Napier, 75, character actor; recognized for his tough-guy roles in films such as "The Blues Brothers" and "Rambo: First Blood, Part II"John Neville, 86, British-born Canadian actor-director and artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 1980s; starred on the TV series "The First Churchills"A.C. Nielsen Jr., 92, expanded his father's Nielsen Company into its current role as an international market research firm, most associated with television ratingsSam Norkin, 94, theater caricaturist and former president of the Drama Desk; captured more than 70 years of stage performancesShirley Carroll O'Connor, 93, publicist and first female press agent for the Clyde BeattyCole Bros. and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses; famously lost eight elephants on Hollywood BoulevardPatrice O'Neal, 41, standup comedian; known for his unfiltered honesty and for addressing topics such as race and his struggle with diabetesRoland Petit, 87, French film and ballet choreographer and head of the Paris Opera; choreographed for Rudolf Nureyev Madelyn Pugh Davis, 90, television writer; best known for her work on "I Love Lucy"Francesco Quinn, 48, film and television actor; appeared in the movie "Platoon" and was the son of actor Anthony QuinnBeverly Randolph, 59, Broadway stage manager for more than 30 years; managed or supervised more than 20 Broadway productions Cliff Robertson, 88, film and television actor; won an Oscar for his title performance in the 1968 film "Charly" and played Uncle Ben in the 2002 film "Spider-Man" and its two sequelsRal Ruiz, 70, Chilean director who made more than 100 filmsSol Saks, 100, screenwriter; best known for writing the pilot of the television show "Bewitched"Michael Sarrazin, 70, Canadian film and television actor; gained fame starring opposite Jane Fonda in the 1969 film "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?"Hubert J. "Hub" Schlafly Jr., 91, television engineer who helped invent the teleprompterJohn Scoullar, 61, composer, lyricist, playwright, and performer; was in the original stage production of "King of Hearts"Gene Shefrin, 90, Hollywood publicist who represented Dick Clark, Guy Lombardo, and Don RicklesElisabeth Sladen, 65, British actor; best known for her role as Sarah Jane on the TV show "Doctor Who" and its spinoff "The Sarah Jane Adventures"Karl Slover, 93, Czech actor who played the lead trumpeter in the Munchkins band in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz"Bubba Smith, 66, football player and actor; played Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movies and appeared on the TV shows "Charlie's Angels," "Good Times," and "Half Nelson"G.D. Spradlin, 90, veteran character actor; best known for playing authority figures in films such as "The Godfather: Part II" and "Apocalypse Now"Helen Stenborg, 86, character actor; won an Obie Award for "Talley & Son" and, with husband Barnard Hughes, the 2000 Drama Desk Award for lifetime achievementLeonard Stern, 88, Emmy-winning writer, producer, and director; his career included "The Honeymooners," "Get Smart," and "McMillan & Wife"Tony Stevens, 63, dancer, director, and choreographer; danced in such Broadway shows as "The Boy Friend" and "Irene" directed and/or choreographed "Perfectly Frank," "Wind in the Willows," and "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life" helped organize the workshops that provided the basis for "A Chorus Line"Elaine Stewart, 81, sultry Hollywood actor; promoted as a "dark-haired Marilyn Monroe" in such 1950s films as "The Bad and the Beautiful," "The Adventures of Hajji Baba," and "The Tattered Dress" Ellen Stewart, 91, founder, artistic director, and producer of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, one of the most prominent Off-Off-Broadway theater companies. Leonard Stone, 87, character actor; known for such films as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Soylent Green" and the TV shows "General Hospital," "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossible," "Barney Miller," and "L.A. Law"Alan Sues, 85, zany comic actor and one of the stars of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" also appeared on "The Twilight Zone" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" Betty Taylor, 91, actor; played Sluefoot Sue at Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue for three decades Clarice Taylor, 93, actor; best known for playing the grandmother on "The Cosby Show" also an original member of the Negro Ensemble Company, appeared in "The Wiz" on Broadway, and won an Obie for her one-woman play about comedian Moms Mabley Giorgio Tozzi, 88, distinguished Metropolitan Opera bass; nominated for a Tony Award for the 1979 revival of "The Most Happy Fella" and provided vocals for the film version of "South Pacific" Margaret Tyzack, 79, British character actor; won a Tony Award for "Lettice and Lovage" and starred on the British TV series "The Forsyte Saga," "The First Churchills," and "I, Claudius"Theadora Van Runkle, 82, costume designer; received three Oscar nominations, started a fashion trend with her designs for 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," and won the Costume Designers Guild's lifetime achievement awardThanasis Vengos, 83, Greek comedy actor; appeared in more than 120 films Yvette Vickers, 82, actor, pinup model, and singer; appeared in the 1958 cult film "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman"Jane White, 88, actor and singer; made her reputation in Shakespearean and Greek classical roles but was best known for her comic performance as the wicked queen in the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" Andy Whitfield, 39, Welsh actor; starred as the title character on the television series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"Vesta Williams, 53, singer and actor; had a recurring role on the TV show "Sister, Sister" as the best friend of Jacke Harry's characterDoric Wilson, 72, playwright, director, producer, critic, gay-rights activist, and an influential figure in the early Off-Off-Broadway movementRandall L. Wreghitt, 55, Tony-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway producer; his credits included "Grey Gardens," "Little Women," "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," and "Golda's Balcony"Dana Wynter, 79, film and television actor; best known for her role in the 1956 film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" also starred in "The List of Adrian Messenger," "On the Double," and "Airport" Norma Zimmer, 87, actor and singer; best known as the Champagne Lady on "The Lawrence Welk Show" and as a member of the Girl Friends Quartet; sang with stars such as Frank Sinatra and Dean MartinCompiled by Frank Nestor, with additional reporting by David Sheward

VIDEO: 'Smash' Preview Supplies a Backstage Think about the NBC Drama

New NBC Entertainment topper Robert Greenblatt faces his first large test just like a broadcast network programmer when NBC's "Smash" premieres Feb. 6.Featuring former "The The American Idol Show ShowInch contestant Katharine McPhee leading an ensemble cast inside the story from the building of the Broadway play, the fourth-place network goes all-to advertise the series, delivering a seven-minute extended sneak try looking in the series.Inside the clip, McPhee and co-stars Debra Playing, Megan Hilty, Jack Davenport and Anjelica Huston (among others) are grew to become part of having a "dream team" of author-producers Neil Meron, Craig Zadan and Steven Spielberg simply because they discuss the concept for your series.I've had this idea for several years," Spielberg states. "I'm really considering what continues backstage. In movies, I realize precisely how to create an account and the way to create a production but also for me it's a complete mystery how they have it completed in theater."Watch the extended preview below. The Hollywood Reporter

SAG Awards Nominations: The Complete List

NY - Just like home improvement retailer Lowe's, travel Web site Kayak has also withdrawn commercials from TLC's All-American Muslim, the NY Times reported.our editor recommendsJon Stewart Skewers TLC, Lowe's Over 'American Muslim' BoycottLowe's Pulls Ads from TLC Show 'All-American Muslim' The paper said that at least these two advertisers have dropped ads on the reality TV show on the Discovery Communications network since activist group Florida Family Association condemned the series. However, the Times highlighted that others cited by the association as having pulled ads are disputing such claims, including Bank of America, Sears and Campbell Soup. Overall, the organization has said that 65 companies have stopped advertising on the show. Bank of America was only scheduled to run an ad spot in one episode of All-American Muslim, a spokesman told the Times. "We had a schedule all along," he said, "and it was set to expire when it did." "We didn't pull" commercials from All-American Muslim, a spokesman for Campbell Soup said. Other commercials "could run in subsequent episodes," even though the company didn't specifically request to be on the show, but - as is common - bought ad time on TLC in the 7-11pm time slot, he added. "We certainly support diversity and inclusion," the spokesman told the Times, "And we market to everybody here in the United States, including Dearborn, Michigan." A Sears spokesman also told the paper that his company's ad spots on All-American Muslim were "part of a general media buy that was not specific to any particular programming" and that the company hasn't pulled ads due to concerns about the show. Lowe's has been the focus of much debate about All-American Muslim and whether companies should advertise on it or not. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Discovery Communications TLC All-American Muslim

Lisa D'Amour's 'Detroit' Now Going-Broadway

NY (AP) Playwright Lisa D'Amour will have to wait somewhat longer on her behalf Broadway debut.The off-Broadway company Playwrights Horizons mentioned Monday it'll produce D'Amour's "Detroit" next fall. The offbeat work was prone to land this fall on Broadway."Detroit" is occur a suburb of the city and concentrates on a couple of who invite their new neighbors over for just about any barbecue only to progressively find their friendship veering uncontrollable.The play aided make D'Amour a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist. It had its world premiere a year ago at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company starring Laurie Metcalf.No casting remains introduced for your Playwrights Horizons run.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. NY (AP) Playwright Lisa D'Amour will have to wait longer on her behalf Broadway debut.The off-Broadway company Playwrights Horizons mentioned Monday it'll produce D'Amour's "Detroit" next fall. The offbeat work was prone to land this fall on Broadway."Detroit" is occur a suburb of the city and concentrates on a couple of who invite their new neighbors over for just about any barbecue only to progressively find their friendship veering uncontrollable.The play aided make D'Amour a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist. It had its world premiere a year ago at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company starring Laurie Metcalf.No casting remains introduced for your Playwrights Horizons run.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Station Buy Give CBS Duopoly In NY Market

CBS Television Stations stated today it has inked an offer to get independent NY station WLNY-TV, giving CBS two stations within the nation’s biggest media market. Once the deal qualifies, it'll mark the tenth duopoly in 10 U.S. metropolitan areas for CBS, joining La, Philadelphia, Dallas, Bay Area, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Sacramento and Pittsburgh. The combined talents of CBS 2 and WLNY-TV can give us a good platform for serving the whole NY area,” CBS Tv Producers leader Peter Dunn stated within the release announcing the offer. “Our plans for that station include adding people and assets to fuel a substantial growth of local news programming well past the nightly half-hour that presently airs.” WLNY is shipped within the NY-Nj-Connecticut tri-condition area as well as on New York, where an broadened news bureau is anticipated. The station produced $3.8M in revenue this past year, a small amount within the huge market, based on research firm BIA/Kelsey. But Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker calls the agreement “a wise, tuck-in acquisition which should provide some significant upside possibilities” for CBS.Duopolies typically generate more profit than stand-alone stations, she states, and WLNY provides extensive room to develop — particularly if CBS causes it to be a person in local news.

Forging forward

Mikros Image done the three dimensional conversion of Tarsem Singh's 'Immortals'Paris-based visual effects and publish-production company Mikros Image is growing, both because its cake toppers would like it to, and since they think it needs to."We're right into a more global business now, where we face a changing industry. So there's lots of restructuring happening,Inch states controlling director Gilles Gaillard.The organization, that has a yearly revenue of 32 million ($43.two million), includes a firm base in France, where it handles around 40 films annually in addition to advertising -- which adds 65% of their revenue -- and television work.However it has additionally setup subsidiaries in Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada, and it has established close ties with companies within the U.S. and Europe.One of many projects the organization is associated with are Michael Haneke's "Amour" the following pic from "A Prophet" helmer Jacques Audiard, "Not Gout p rouille et d'os" and "The Congress," one half live-action, half animation sci-fi pic from Ari Folman, the director of "Waltz With Bashir."Gaillard states the long term prospects for that vfx industry are great, as interest in entertainment product and advertising keeps growing.InchThe important thing factor is business models -- looking for methods for financing this creativeness," he states. "We're on your journey to consolidation, which our industry needs."To handle price of bigger projects effectively, he states, the sector must rationalize right into a less quantity of groups. "We believe there's one where you will find core companies -- like ours -- and close ties (with more compact shops), to ensure that you will find the full advantage of the city for the gamers involved," he states.In France, the vfx and publish-production sector has achieved positive results in the tax incentive for foreign production, along with the support deliver to domestic film and television production. The organization may then complement by using the tax incentives offered in Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada, and that's why it setup subsidiaries in individuals nations.Its pact with Eight VFX in Santa Monica helps generate biz from Hollywood, and enables Mikros Image to profit from Eight VFX's local understanding."If we are coping with American films, the connection needs to be with the visual effects administrators, that is sometimes more complicated to deal with. So this is exactly why we've been joining up with Eight VFX, because we required to have somebody who had been more acquainted with their method of handling things," he states.Mikros Image lately done the three dimensional conversion of Tarsem Singh's "Immortals."FRENCH VFX & ANIMATION:Mooning over Melies Universal benefit in Mac Gruff accord Forging forward Contact Leo Barraclough at leo.barraclough@variety.com