Notable Passings

...Singer-actor Giorgio Tozzi, who sang "Some Enchanted Evening" on the soundtrack of the film SOUTH PACIFIC (1958), has passed away at the age of 88.

Tozzi dubbed Rossano Brazzi's singing voice for the role of Emile de Becque and can also be heard on the excellent soundtrack album.

Tozzi played the role on stage himself many times, including in a revival opposite original Broadway star Mary Martin, and he can also be heard on the 1967 Lincoln Center cast album with Florence Henderson.

Tozzi spent two decades with the Metropolitan Opera. There's much more about his long career in the New York Times and Playbill.

...Actress Clarice Taylor, who played the mother of Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) on the beloved sitcom THE COSBY SHOW, has passed away at the age of 93.

Taylor received an Emmy nomination as Guest Performer for the memorable Season 2 episode "Happy Anniversary." The episode is available on Amazon Instant Video, and there's a YouTube clip of the delightful lip-synched musical number which ends the show here.

Update: ...Special effects artist and producer Harry Redmond Jr. has passed on at the age of 101.

Redmond had a long, fascinating career, working on special effects for many classics including KING KONG (1933), LOST HORIZON (1937), and THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947). He later worked as associate producer on a number of animal-themed films and TV shows, including DAKTARI (1966).

Redmond's wife, production designer and Disney Imagineer Dorothea Holt Redmond, passed away in March 2009.