For me, the only part of the Oscars worth watching every year is their tribute video, highlighting those in the movie industry that passed away in the previous year. It always puts a lump in my throat and often surprises me due to the passing of people I hadn’t heard about. And with the actors who were popular decades ago, it gives me a sense of melancholy nostalgia.
TCM (Turner Classic Movies) has put together their version of a tribute video which you can watch below, and it gave me the same feelings I just mentioned (I wasn’t aware they do one every year). It’s a beautiful video and very classy. They did miss a couple of people which I mention below.
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I would suggest you watch the video before moving on to the list of names below it. It includes actors, directors, composers, screenwriters, animators, etc. A wide cross-section of the many facets of Hollywood film production, and those who make movies possible.
They’re all sad of course, but there are a few of particular note to me. Notable in their passing are such greats as Richard Widmark, Charlton Heston, Roy Scheider, Sydney Pollack and Paul Newman. Also striking a chord for me are Edie Adams, Stan Winston, Van Johnson, Robert J. Anderson (he played young George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life), Harvey Korman, Michael Chrichton and Suzanne Pleshette.
Here’s the complete list of those who passed away in 2008 and are shown in the video:
Abby Mann
Anita Page
Anthony Minghella
Arthur C. Clarke
Ben Chapman (he played the title role in The Creature from the Black Lagoon)
Bernie Mac
Brad Renfro
Breno Mello
Charles H. Joffe
Charlton Heston
Cyd Charisse
Delmar Watson
Dick Martin
Dino Risi
Dody Goodman
Don LaFontaine (voiceover king)
Edie Adams
Estelle Reiner
Eva Dahlbeck
Evelyn Keyes
Forrest J. Ackerman
Fred Crane
George Carlin
Guillaume Depardieu
Harvey Korman
Hazel Court
Heath Ledger
Irving Brecher
Isaac Hayes
Jean Delannoy
Jerry Reed
John Michael Hayes
John Phillip Law
Joseph Pevney
Joy Page (the young and recently wedded woman in Casablanca)
Jules Dassin
Julie Ege
June Travis
Ken Ogata
Kon Ichikawa
Leonard Rosenman
Lois Nettleton
Malvin Wald
Marpessa Dawn
Mel Ferrer
Michael Chrichton
Michael Kidd
Michael Pate
Nina Foch
Ollie Johnston
Paul Benedict
Paul Newman
Paul Scofield
Perry Lopez
Richard Widmark
Robert Arthur
Robert Do Qui
Robert J. Anderson
Roy Scheider
Stan Winston
Suzanne Pleshette
Sydney Pollack
Vampira
Van Johnson
These folks also died this year but were not in the video above:
Bettie Page
Eartha Kitt
Estelle Getty
Jim McKay
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry
Roberta Collins
Tim Russert
And I suppose this would be a good place to send out condolences to John Travolta and his family over the death of his son, Jett… money and fame it seems, cannot protect one from tragedy.
Hat Tip: /Film
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42 Comments
Don S. Davis (Major General George Hammond) is missing in this sad list, too.
WHAT??? How did I not hear about this? I didn’t even know Mr. Davis died! Wow, that sucks, I have every season of Stargate SG1 on DVD and have seen through the entire series at least 3 times, the older seasons probably up to 5 times. I love that show, and Gen. Hammond was my favorite SGC leader!! Oh wow, that really sucks. But he wasn’t really a big time hollywood actor. I think the biggest movie I remember him being in is A League of Their Own, and he didn’t have a huge role in it either. But he had a huge part in Stargate…
Bettie Page will be greatly missed. She has been a great icon for many folks including Dita Von Tease.
who sings this haunting song in the memorial tribute to a stellar group of individuals who have passed this past year.My mother passed only a couple of weeks ago and was a huge fan of Paul newman. She resembled Suzanne Pleshette as well.Love to all that are no longer with us
I realize Kelly Preston is not a ‘big name’ actress, but I can’t even imagine how doubly crappy it feels that everyone is telling John and “his family” how sorry they are about Jett and not many outlets are even recognizing the other half of this family’s grief. For shame!
Harold Pinter?
Don S. Davis? Of Twin Peaks and Stargate fame…
Yah, someone mentioned this a few posts back. I’m surprised I didn’t hear about this. I guess it’s because I didn’t follow Atlantis and he was still alive at the end of SG-1’s run, which I kept up with, own every season… That guy seemed so cool… no more Hammond of Texas… :’(
Post above by Lavendergreen said that Delmar Watson wasn’t listed on the tribute, but he was; I only mention that, Lavendergreen, in case it was still bothering you. The tribute makes me sad for all those we have lost, and it’s too bad that not all were listed who perhaps should have been listed, but I appreciate the effort and the tasteful remembrance.
It was such shock to one week, go oh no on reading of George Carlin’s passing. I was driving passed the Orleans just days before and realized we’d just missed him. I turned to my mom and said next time he’s in town we’ve got to go, then like two days later he’s gone. Then only like a week later I’m hit with the news of Don S Davis passing. The man was a genuine sweetie, had the pleasure of meeting him on several occassions and a big cuddly teddy bear of a man. They did a wonderful tribute to him at last years Gatecon a Stargate Convention in Vancouver.
I’ll also miss Kim Chan, he was such a riot at a con in Toronto in 98. Thanks to him I can’t attend an auction without bidding “Two Dollah!”
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