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- Veteran character actress Alice Drummond was born May 21, 1928 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to Sarah Irene (née Alker), a secretary, and Arthur Ruyter, an auto mechanic. She graduated from Pembroke College (Brown University) in 1950. She is best remembered as the frightened librarian at the beginning of Ghostbusters (1984), Ray Finkle's eccentric mother in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), and Clara the quiet local in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Soupy Sales was born on 8 January 1926 in Franklinton, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Black Scorpion (2001), The Making of '...and God Spoke' (1993) and A Dirty Shame (2004). He was married to Trudy Carson and Barbara Fox. He died on 22 October 2009 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.- Roger Hill was born on 31 July 1949 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Warriors (1979), Once Upon a Classic (1976) and The Leatherstocking Tales (1984). He died on 20 February 2014 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Theresa Merritt was born on 24 September 1922 in Newport News, Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for Billy Madison (1995), The Wiz (1978) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). She was married to Benjamin Hines. She died on 12 June 1998 in The Bronx, New York, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Ralph Forbes had other ideas than the family wish for him to seek a career in law or the navy. He became interested in acting and began stage work in England. By 1917, he had come to the US to get his feet wet in the film medium with his first silent that year. But he returned to the UK to work in the early British film industry from 1921 to 1926. In the latter year, he joined fellow expatriate and A-list star Ronald Colman to play younger brother John in the first Hollywood rendering of Beau Geste (1926). Through the 1920s, he would work with some familiar names: Lon Chaney, Lillian Gish, Norma Shearer, and John Gilbert among many others in varied roles. His handsome features and bright blues eyes gave him an intense look that could well suit numerous young romantic gentleman characters.
A rich, full voice to boot made the sound transition a smooth one. The unevenness and muffled nature of early sound movies was apparent in his first effort Lilies of the Field (1929) which was an early American-based effort by Alexander Korda. In that year of 1930 Forbes' six films prophesied a busy decade to come. In 1931, he did a sequel to Beau Geste which took up the continuing adventures of youngest Geste brother John, Beau Ideal (1931). By 1933, Forbes was much in demand with five or six movie roles a year through most of the decade. He made the costume rounds: including, the first sound The Three Musketeers (1935), Mary of Scotland (1936), and the classic George Cukor Romeo and Juliet (1936) in which he played Juliet's suitor Paris. With all that "gesting" under his belt. it was perhaps not surprising to find Forbes in the sand dunes again for The Legion of Missing Men (1937), where he played the lead in a "gestique"-sort of script with a younger brother coming to join him in the Legion -- some good finale action. It is, therefore, perhaps a bit of a surprise that he did not play John in the more famous remake of Beau Geste (1939) with Gary Cooper. But Ray Milland got the nod that time. Interestingly, this William A. Wellman directed version is almost a carbon copy of the 1926 effort. After 1940, his work was sporadic to the end of the decade. But he did some early TV playhouse productions in 1950 before his untimely passing the next year.- Writer
- Actor
Father Daniel J. Berrigan, S.J. died at the age of 95 on April 30, 2016. Colman McCarthy, former columnist for the Washington Post, called Berrigan "a major figure in the radical left of the 1960s and 1970s," who died at a Jesuit residence at Fordham University in the Bronx. Known as a poet and non-violent activist, the priest led antiwar protests, was unable to be with "The Baltimore Four", but most famously spent two years in prison for acts of civil disobedience that became well known through his play and the film "The Trial of The Catonsville Nine." His brother Philip, also a priest (but who left active ministry), was one of the "Four" and "Nine" and died in 2002. Survivors include a sister and three brothers.
Former Washington Post columnist McCarthy described the Catonsville event: "In May 1968, Father Berrigan, his brother and fellow priest Philip Berrigan, and seven other activists entered a Selective Service office in Catonsville, Md. They gathered hundreds of draft files, lugged them outside and, with a recipe of kerosene and soap chips taken from a Green Berets handbook, burned them to ashes. The Catonsville Nine, as they became known, were arrested, and in a five-day trial in October 1968, they were found guilty of destruction of government property."
Father Berrigan may be best known in the film world for his cameo in the 1986 British drama The Mission, written by Robert Bolt, in which he spoke only one word, "No!" While he lived a "YES!" to God's will as he discerned it, that included a clear and definitive "No!" to violence and war.- Anthony Ribustello was an actor and politician. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dante Greco, Tony Soprano's driver on the HBO series, The Sopranos.
In April 2009, Ribustello ran for Bronx Borough President as the Republican candidate in a special election to replace incumbent Democrat Adolfo Carrion, who resigned to take a position in the Obama Administration. Ribustello received about 13 percent of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic borough, losing to Democratic Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr.
In addition to acting, Ribustello is also employed at the New York City Board of Elections. - Meg Mundy was born on 4 January 1915 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Fatal Attraction (1987), The Doctors (1963) and Ordinary People (1980). She was married to Konstantinos "Dino" Yannopoulos. She died on 12 January 2016 in The Bronx, New York, USA.
- Fotis Dulos was born on 6 August 1967 in Turkey. He was married to Jennifer Farber and Hilary Vanessa Aldama. He died on 30 January 2020 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
- Art Department
George Grenier was born in 1881 in Pennsylvania, USA. He is known for Fighting Blood (1916), The Honor System (1917) and Jack and the Beanstalk (1917). He died on 21 February 1942 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.- Rah Gzz was an actor, known for Rah Gzz x Assasin x Nesty Foxks: Real Factz (2021) and Yus Gz x Nesty Floxks x Assasin x Rah Gzz: BTB (2021). He died on 11 July 2021 in Bronx, New York, USA.
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Editor
Laslo Benedek was brought to Hollywood from Hungary--where he had been a writer, editor and photographer--by MGM, and his first few films were undistinguished programmers. His third, however, was quite a bit better: Death of a Salesman (1951), the screen version of Arthur Miller's classic play. Although trashed by critics at the time for, among other things, its "staginess" (Benedek said that he wanted to keep the work's theatricality intact), overlooked is the fact that Benedek drew out convincing, evocative performances from Kevin McCarthy, Cameron Mitchell, Fredric March and Mildred Dunnock.
Benedek's next film, however, is the one he'll be remembered for: The Wild One (1953). This granddaddy of all biker flicks is amusingly tame--some might even say lame--by today's standards, but it caused quite a commotion in its day (it was banned in England and was railed against by conservative religious and social pressure groups in the US as yet one more example of how Hollywood was "corrupting the youth of America"). The film is actually not all that much, being rather slow-going and the "bikers" coming across more like bratty teenagers than dangerous rampaging hoods, but it struck a chord with young people and parents alike--for different reasons, of course--and was far and away the most successful film of Benedek's career.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Howard 'Sandman' Sims was born on 24 January 1918 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA. He was an actor, known for Tap (1989), Harlem Nights (1989) and The Cotton Club (1984). He was married to Solange A. Sims. He died on 20 May 2003 in Bronx, New York, USA.- Ellen Holly is a retired Black American actress. She was best known for her part as Carla Benari Hall in "One Life to Live" which she played for more than 20 years but she she was more then a soap opera actress.
On Broadway, she showed her versatile acting talent in the various roles she played in "A Hand Is on the Gate", "Tiger Tiger Burning Bright", "Face of a Hero", "Taming of the Shrew", "Henry V", "Too Late the Phalarope", "MacBeth", "Funnyhouse of a Negro", "Camino Real", "The Cherry Orchard", and others. She appeared in a handful of films, starting with "Take a Giant Step".
Her autobiography was titled "One Life: An Autobiography of an African American Actress". - Vasiliki Maliaros was born on 16 October 1883 in Athens, Greece. She was an actress, known for The Exorcist (1973). She died on 9 February 1973 in The Bronx, New York, USA.
- Toshia Mori was born on 1 January 1912 in Kyoto, Japan. She was an actress, known for The Secrets of Wu Sin (1932), The Man Without a Face (1928) and Roar of the Dragon (1932). She was married to Allen Jung. She died on 26 November 1995 in The Bronx, New York, USA.
- Frank Vallelonga was an actor, known for Green Book (2018), The Birthday Cake (2021) and A Brilliant Disguise (1994). He died on 28 November 2022 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Additional Crew
- Actor
Long-time comic book artist, perhaps best known for his work at Marvel. At that company, Gene drew a revival of the Sub-Mariner in the mid-1960s; took over from artist Don Heck on Iron Man; took over from John Romita Sr. on Daredevil; spent time drawing Captain America; and launched a successful Marvel adaptation of Dracula. Fans appreciate his use of shadow for dramatic effect and his ability to draw romantic and action scenes. In the 1980s, he was successful on DC's Batman titles.- John Tyrrell entered show business at the age of 16 as half of the vaudeville dance team of Tyrrell and Mack. The act became very successful, and for the next ten years they played engagements all over the country and secured billing as featured players in the famous revue "George White's Scandals." As vaudeville began to wane, however, Tyrrell saw the handwriting on the wall and began studying acting, sensing that his future would be in motion pictures. He spent two years with a stock theater company in Connecticut perfecting his craft, then journeyed to Hollywood. He was soon placed under a long-term contract to Columbia Pictures, and appeared in many of the studio's prestige pictures in supporting parts. He was a staple in the studio's comedy shorts, and often appeared with such comics as El Brendel, Andy Clyde and The Three Stooges, specializing in playing con artists, swindlers and other shady types.
- Richard Waring was born on 27 May 1910 in Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Mr. Skeffington (1944), Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) and Studio One (1948). He was married to Florida Friebus. He died on 18 January 1993 in City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Actress
- Script and Continuity Department
Toni Morrison was born on 18 February 1931 in Lorain, Ohio, USA. She was a writer and actress, known for Beloved (1998), American Experience (1987) and Minstrel Man (1977). She was married to Harold Morrison. She died on 5 August 2019 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.- Joe Fleishaker was born on 25 November 1953 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006), Troma's Edge TV (2000) and Tales from the Crapper (2004). He died on 23 May 2016 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
- Writer
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Sandra Harmon was born on 20 June 1938 in Brooklyn, New York. She was a writer and producer, known for Priscilla (2023), Cos (1976) and Fast Friends (1979). She was married to Larry Harmon. She died on 13 December 2018 in Bronx, New York, USA.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Elizabeth Owens was born Irma Schneider in Brooklyn, NY. Her parents were Sophie Yadlovker/Jadlovkier Schneider, an immigrant from Vilna, Lithuania, and Benjamin J. Schneider, an immigrant from Vienna, Austria.
At age 16, Irma Schneider became an emancipated minor, moving to Manhattan to attend acting school at the Neighborhood Playhouse, the Actors' Studio and later at the New School. She acted under several stage names before choosing the name Elizabeth Owens. She performed with Walter Matthau, Elaine Stritch, Shelley Winters, Harry Belafonte and Marlon Brando during her early days in theater.
Owens married Gene Feist in 1957. In 1965 the couple founded the Roundabout Theater. They later had two daughters, Nicole Feist and Gena Feist.
Owens' Broadway debut was in 1956 with Leslie Stevens' "The Lovers". She also performed at the Kennedy Center.
Owens appeared in the national tours of "The Winslow Boy, "Driving Miss Daisy," "Me and My Girl" and "The Sound of Music" (with Marie Osmond), as well as films such as "The Bonfire of the Vanities", "Room 302" and "Mr. Deeds".
Upon her death in 2005, Owens was survived by her husband, Gene Feist, her two daughters and a grand-son.- Actress
- Composer
- Music Department
Well known for her high level of camp and her energetic performances, La Lupe was one of the Spanish-language world's greatest performers. Born in Cuba to a poor family, La Lupe began her life as a schoolteacher in Havana at her father's request. However music was in her blood, and against his wishes she entered a singing competition on the radio where she won first place. Later she joined the singing group "Trio Los Tropicales" and made many successful club debuts throughout Havana. When La Lupe went solo, her performances at Havana's La Red night club caused quite a stir, an impact that leaked slowly to the rest of the island. Overnight La Lupe had become a source if wonderment, controversy and a national celebrity.
Her first recordings, which included Spanish versions of Rock hits by Paul Anka and other American authors, as well as Cuban standards, made the hit parades of radio stations across the country. Her unique voice, combined with extravagant performance antics, made her a smash in the Cuban music scene. However, after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, La Lupe felt that she could no longer live in a country that did not accept her singing style, which was officially classified as anti-revolutionary. She left Cuba for Mexico in 1962, where she sought to relaunch her career, but was never accepted. Later she moved to New York, where she met fellow Cuban musician Mongo Santamaría. Both teamed up with to make the album make "Mongo Introduces La Lupe" in 1963. That album made her a star and later she joined the legendary musician Tito Puente to record four successful albums which confirmed and cemented her enormous popularity.
Voted the best singer by the Latin press in 1965 & 1966, La Lupe went on to become one of the top two divas of salsa music (the other was Celia Cruz). It was during these years that she recorded some of her greatest songs, especially those written by Puerto Rican composer C. Curet Alonso, such as "La Tirana" and "Puro Teatro". In the 1970's La Lupe saw her career decline somewhat. First she was banned from television from Puerto Rico after she tore her clothes off during an awards ceremony on national television. Next, her record label, Tico Records, was purchased by Fania Records, and company executives decided to focus their energies on the less controversial Celia Cruz. Although she had several hits during that decade, she slowly faded into obscurity. In the 1980's, La Lupe, retired from the industry, found herself destitute. Her husband's medical bills, her large donations to the African-based religion of "Santeria", and her personal problems often left her and her family homeless. She became paralyzed following a domestic accident and was healed in a Pentecostal church. After this, she converted to Pentecostalism and recorded Christian oriented material in the late 80s. She continued her faith activities by funding a ministry she named La Lupe in Christ which allowed her to preach to Pentecostal communities until her death in 1992.
La Lupe never saw the surge in her popularity after her death, especially after the legendary Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar chose her song, "Puro Teatro," to be the closing song of his Oscar nominated hit film, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". Fania re-released her recordings on their Tico labels during that decade, and many of her records went platinum throughout Spain and Latin America. Considered by many to be a combination of Bette Midler meets Judy Garland with a dash of Eartha Kitt, La Lupe's largest fan base is primarily the gay Latin community. Many drag performers imitate her and she is considered to be the Judy Garland of the Spanish-language world due to her torrid love affairs, heavy drug use, poor financial management and her bout with bipolar-ism. Doubtless, La Lupe is one of the most remarkable musical divas the world has ever known.