In memory of John Paul Leon

We just heard that one of the great illustrators and comic book artists, John Paul Leon, passed away at the tragically young age of 49, on May 1, 2021. Here's a gallery of his art, in memory.

Artist Steve Lightle has passed away

Artist Steve Lightle, who was instrumental in modernizing the Flash and the Legion of Superheroes during the late 1980s, as well as reintroducing the Doom Patrol to comics readers around that same time, has passed away at the age of 61.

Here's a little of his art, in memory.

Tanya Roberts passes away at 65

Tanya Roberts, a model who turned to acting in the late 1970s, is perhaps best remembered for her role as Donna's mother on "That '70s Show" and for playing opposite Roger Moore's James Bond in "A View to a Kill" (1985). However, her beauty and talent were also on prominent display as one of Charlie's Angel's during that series final season in 1981; as Kiri in Don Coscarelli's fantasy film "The Beastmaster" (1984); as the title character and star in "Sheena: Queen of the Jungle" (1984), an underappreciated jungle action/adventure film; and as a hapless traveler in the equally underappreciated "Tourist Trap" (1979) from B-movie master Charles Band. Her first starring film role was in the proto-slasher film "Forced Entry" (1976). 

Born in 1955, Tanya Roberts appeared in more than 40 different television series and movies between 1974 and 2005 when she retired from acting. She collapsed while walking near her home on Christmas Eve of 2020.

On January 3, 2020, the common-law husband and other representatives of Roberts announced that she had passed away. Then, about midday on Jan 4, the husband and reps said, "Whoops... never mind. She's not quite dead. Our bad."

How it's possible to declare someone dead before the body isn't even a body yet (while claiming you were there in the "final moments", we can't say. But that's what happened. Maybe we're looking at a Monte Python routine made reality?

Roberts did eventually pass away later on January 4, but it was more than 24 hours after those who were eager to announce her passing initially did so.

Daria Nicolodi dead at 70

Italian actress and writer Daria Nicolodi, perhaps best known for her starring role in "Deep Red" (1975)

 and as the writer of "Susperia" (1977), passed away in Rome on November 26, 2020.  She was the mother of actress Asia Argento, and the life-partner of director Dario Argento.

Here are a few photos in her memory.

Firearms Friday with Diana Rigg

This is Dame Diana Rigg's second appearance on Firearms Friday... because who doesn't love Diana Rigg? It was originally planned for November 6, 2020, but she sadly passed away last week, on September 10, at the age of 82. In saddened observance of her death, we're posting it early (with some obvious revisions).

Dame Diana, whose busy stage, film, and television career spanned eight decades, worked up until the very end of her life. Her final screen appearances are in the film "Last Night in Soho" and the television mini-series "Black Narcissus", both tentatively slated for release in 2021.

If current plans hold, we'll be watching and reviewing the first half of Rigg's famous turn as Emma Peel on the "The Avengers" during the first half of 2021. Be sure to stop by!

Olivia de Havilland dead at 104

Two-time Oscar-winner and all-around cinematic legend Olivia de Havilland passed away on July 26, 2020. Here's a gallery of portraits in her memory.

John Saxon has passed away

One of film and television's great character actors, John Saxon, passed away on July 25, 2020. He was 88 years old.

Born in 1935, Saxon began his career in 1954, spending his first decade or so playing hunky, romantic characters, but by the early 1960s, he had transitioned into the character roles that would make him the cold-hearted man-of-action or stern-faced villain that movie goers would love to hate.

Saxon appeared in some 200 movies and television series, including milestone films like "Enter the Dragon" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street", and, one of my all-time favorites, "The Girl Who Knew Too Much". His final film, "Bring Me the Head of Lance Hendricksen"--a comedy in which he appears along side other great character actors and B-movie stalwarts lampooning themselves, their public images, and the film business--is currently in post-production and slated for release in 2021.

In memory of Jim Holloway

Artist Jim Holloway passed away on June 28, 2020. He drew some fabulous illustrations for RPGs during the 1980s and 1990s, full of action and humor. Here is a gallery of drawings for such diverse games as "Chill", "Dungeons & Dragons", "Paranoia", and "Star Frontiers", in his memory and honor.