Established director and TV producer who directed over 50 episodes of ”The X-Files” and episodes of “Supernatural” died on Sunday in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from lung cancer.
Kim Manners started in showbiz as a director and production manager for “Charlie’s Angels” in the 70’s. He later went on to work on series like “21 Jump Street,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Baywatch” and later went on to direct the “X-Files” for which he received four Emmy nods due to his work on the show.
“Kim had a blazing intensity that inspired everyone—writers, producers, actors and crew…as long as he’d been a director, he never lost his passion for his work. Every time he got a script, he gave it his all,” said Frank Spotnitz, writer and producer of “The X-Files,” on his blog.
Eric Kripke, writer and producer for “Supernatural,” released a statement saying, “”Everyone at Supernatural is walking around in a daze, shocked and absolutely devastated”.
Michael Crichton, author of “Jurassic Park” and other science fiction novels died of cancer at the age of 66 earlier this morning (November 5).
Crichton was known across the globe for his novel “Jurrasic Park” and its sequel, “The Lost World,” both of which were transformed into Hollywood blockbusters, directed by Steven Spielberg.
The author, who was also the creator of the medical drama “ER,” saw 12 of his novels make it to the silver screen.
“While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes,” read a statement from Crichton’s representative. “He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.”
Merl Saunders has died at the age of 74 due to complications linked to a stroke he suffered in the past, said his family.
Saunders’ family paid tribute to the musician on his website.
“Merl Saunders stood for music and love — his smile alone told you that,” the family said in a statement on the keyboardist’s website.
Saunders played with the Grateful Dead on their 1971 album, but garnered attention collaborating with Jerry Garcia, vocalist of the Grateful Dead, away from the group.
His collaborations with Garcia include the albums, Heavy Turbulence, Fire Up and Live at the Keystone. Years later the duo recorded Blues From the Rainforest.
“He was a special man, a beautiful companion, father, grandfather, and family patriarch, and the proof of that spirit is in the way you’ve reached out to us at his passing,” said the family on the website.
Saunders’ favourite instrument was the Hammond B3 organ. He became the first person to receive the lifetime activist award from a Florida environmental group.
A memorial service for Saunders will be held on Oct. 29 in San Francisco according to the family.
Mega Star George Clooney is mourning the loss of his beloved potbelly pet pig, Max.
The actor’s publicist, Stan Rosenfield, said Max, 19, died in Clooney’s Hollywood home peacefully of natural causes.
“Max, like any pet, became a member of the family,” Rosenfield said. “He was a big pig, as pigs go. I can’t tell you how much he weighed.”
Clooney wasn’t able to be with Max during his final hours as he was out of town promoting his new film, “The Good German.”
In an interview last February, Clooney told 60 Minutes the two shared the same bed.
“Usually, he sleeps on the foot of my bed, but he’s gotten so fat in the last year.”
Clooney and Max spent the last 18 years together and is reportedly Clooney’s longest relationship.
Hollywood director Robert Altman passed away Monday evening at the age of 81.
Altman’s career spanned an impressive half century, creating film classics such as Mash, Gosford Park, McCabe and Mrs. Miller and The Player.
Altman pursued many projects that other filmmakers didn’t want to take including the Korean War Comedy Mash which inspired the hit 1970s’ series.
He received an honourary award at the 2006 Oscars.
He died in a Los Angeles hospital but a spokesman for Altman’s production company didn’t disclose the cause of death.
Robert Altman is survived by his wife Kathryn and five children.
