Notable Passings

Taking time out to remember a number of actors who have recently passed on:

...Universal Pictures singing star Gloria Jean has died at the age of 92.

Gloria Jean was something of a backup to the studio's biggest star, Deanna Durbin, initially able to perform younger roles as Durbin grew out of child stardom and became a young lady. A charming performer in her own right, Gloria Jean appeared in a number of films with Donald O'Connor, as well as IF I HAD MY WAY (1940) with Bing Crosby and NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK (1941) with W.C. Fields.

I thought she was absolutely lovely in DESTINY (1944), which was originally part of the anthology film FLESH AND FANTASY (1943) before being edited into a stand-alone film. She's seen above in DESTINY with Alan Curtis.

...Lydia Clarke Heston, the widow of Charlton Heston, has died at 95. She is survived by her children Fraser and Holly, as well as grandchildren.

Clarke was reviewed here in THE ATOMIC CITY (1952). In 2010 I was fortunate to watch THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (2010) in her presence at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

...Actor Robert Dix has died at 83. Dix, the son of Richard Dix -- a favorite actor of this blogger -- appeared in small roles at MGM throughout the '50s and was reviewed here in a lead role in the minor but enjoyable 20th Century-Fox film, AIR PATROL (1962). He appeared onscreen until the early '70s.

Richard Dix died in 1949, when Robert was a teenager, and Robert also lost his twin brother, Richard Jr., a few years later in an accident. His stepfather, Walter Van De Kamp, was a major player in the Southern California restaurant scene, founding Lawry's The Prime Rib and Tam O'Shanter restaurants. Robert Dix wrote a memoir about himself and his father, OUT OF HOLLYWOOD: TWO GENERATIONS OF ACTORS.

...Television stalwart Bill Daily has passed away at 91. As a kid I suspect I saw every episode of his two best-known series, I DREAM OF JEANNIE (1965-70) and THE BOB NEWHART SHOW (1972-78).

...Christopher Lawford, who appeared on ALL MY CHILDREN and GENERAL HOSPITAL, has passed away at 63. The son of Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, he overcame substance addiction and was also known as an advocate for sobriety.

...Character actor Fredd Wayne has died at 93. He was known for his frequent portrayals of Benjamin Franklin, including in a memorable episode of BEWITCHED. He also appeared in a couple of episodes of my favorite series, MAVERICK, in the late '50s. Terry wrote a nice tribute to Wayne at A Shroud of Thoughts.

...GENERAL HOSPITAL actress Susan Brown has died at 86.

Brown, seen above with costar Peter Hansen, was a Daytime Emmy nominee as Best Supporting Actress in 1979 for her role as Gail Baldwin. Her costar Hansen won the Emmy the same year; he passed on last year at the age of 95.

...As was previously noted here, Burt Reynolds has died at 82. He was a big name when I was growing up, though the only films I actually recall watching him in were HOOPER (1978) and THE CANNONBALL RUN (1981).

Thanks to all for the memories!