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Tag: actor death

  • Philip Seymour Hoffman Reported Dead

    The Wall Street Journal is reporting that actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment.

    Philip Seymour Hoffman was born in the Rochester, New York in July 23, 1967. He attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In 1989, he graduated with a B.F.A. degree in Drama.

    His turn as Truman Capote in the 2005 movie, “Capote” earned him many accolades as well as the Academy Award for Best Actor. In actuality, Hoffman was a versatile actor known for his roles in movies such as The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), and Doubt (2008), opposite Meryl Streep. Some may even remember his turn as the slightly loopy and bizarre Dustin Davis in Twister (1996) . He had recently joined the all-star cast of the highly acclaimed “Hunger Games” series, playing the role of the character Plutarch Heavensbee.

    In addition, Hoffman was due to follow up his directorial debut with “Ezekiel Moss“, which was to star Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. What will become of the project in the wake of Hoffman’s sudden death is unknown at this time.

    The matter is disturbing, because Hoffman, age 46, had been the victim of a recent death hoax. This is when individuals for whatever reason get on social media sites such as Twitter and claim that a celebrity has been killed or suddenly dies. Because of this, many remain skeptical.

    A similar sort of reaction occurred last year when Paul Walker’s sudden death was announced. There are frequent celebrity death hoaxes and sometimes it takes a while for the matter to sink in. Especially when the news is communicated largely via Twitter.

    However, the Wall Street Journal is a respected news source and so it makes the matter seem particularly legitimate.

    Reports are saying that he was just found a short while ago. He was reportedly found with a needle in his arm and heroin nearby. It is at present being treated as an accidental overdose.

    As the word spreads, many are reacting with disbelief, shock, and sadness.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Farooq Sheikh, Bollywood Actor Dies at 65

    On Saturday, the Bollywood film industry lost one of their most successful actors.

    Farooq Sheikh, an Indian actor and TV presenter, suffered from a heart attack on Friday while visiting his family in Dubai.

    According to Global News, Sheikh’s career began in the 1973 film Garm Hawa, “about the 1947 partition of the subcontinent at the end of British rule. His performance earned him a key role in director Satyajit Ray’s The Chess Players, about the decadence of India’s feudal classes.”

    He was highly known for connecting to ordinary people by dressing ordinary himself. Sheikh also was a social advocate and philanthropist within the community.

    “This is an aspect of his life that I have hardly seen in any other individual. It is not just a loss to the film industry, but for the entire nation,” said congress leader Meem Afzal.

    Sheikh’s legendary films and TV appearances went on into the early 2000s. After a six-year break from the big screen, he returned in 2008 and continued acting until his death.

    In the past, he has contributed to New Indian Cinema, working with other popular Indian directors.  However his greatest achievement came in 2010 when he won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lahore.

    “Farooq Sheikh was a versatile actor whose performances were sterling and scintillating. In his untimely death we have lost another jewel,” said Manish Tewari, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, in a DNA India report.

    Famous Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan went to Twitter to send his sympathies for the remarkable actor.

     

    Sheikh leaves behind his wife and three children.

  • Tom Laughlin, Star Of “Billy Jack,” Dies At Age 82

    Another silver screen legend has passed away. Tom Laughlin, the star of the groundbreaking film Billy Jack, has died. The well-known actor died Thursday at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California.

    His daughter, Teresa Laughlin said that the cause of death was due to complications from pneumonia. He was 82 when he died.

    Tom Laughlin’s hit film Billy Jack was released in 1971 after a long struggle to get the film made on a low budget, and went on to become a big hit. He wrote, directed, and produced the film, in addition to starring in the title role, in a way that was not done at the time.

    His wife was also a part of his film-making process, and he created Billy Jack with his wife and collaborator, Delores Taylor.

    The film told the story of an ex-Green Beret who defends a progressive school against the racists of a conservative Western community. It became a hit for those involved in the counterculture. It became a favorite for those in the anti-war movement due to its message, and the character of Billy Jack was half-white, half Native American, and a Vietnam veteran who had come to hate war.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqXvqaBw_iA

    While Billy Jack was his most famous film, Tom Laughlin also appeared in The Big Sleep, The Delinquents, South Pacific, and several others. Billy Jack also spawned several sequels including Billy Jack Goes To Washington, a remake of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.

    In addition to being a filmmaker, like his Billy Jack character, he was an opponent of nuclear energy, and a longtime advocate for Native Americans. He also formed a bond with Marlon Brando, a fellow actor-activist.

    Hollywood also lost another legendary actor over the weekend, when the news was announced today of the death of Peter O’Toole, an actor most known for Lawrence Of Arabia.

    Laughlin was in his mid-30’s when he created the film. It initially flopped at the box office, but has become an inspiration for independent filmmakers in the way Tom Laughlin was able to get it made. Recently, he had written books, and had attempted to make another Billy Jack movie.

    While he attempted and failed to make another film in relation to Billy Jack, there would be the interest, but then something would always happen. His daughter talked about the situation, and stated “One of the prime reasons that he couldn’t get a deal was his failing health and, I think, his inability to come to terms with that. In his mind’s eye, he remained Billy Jack.”

    Tom Laughlin will always be remembered for his role in Billy Jack, and will be missed by all who loved his classic film, and as a member of Hollywood.

    Image via Youtube