Veteran actress Diane McBain, who appeared in classic television series such as Surfside 6 and Adam West‘s Batman, has died. She was 81. McBain’s death was confirmed by her close friend Michael Gregg Michaud, who co-authored her 2014 memoir Famous Enough. “My heart is heavy. My dear friend, and creative partner, actress Diane McBain, passed away peacefully today [December 21] at the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills. She lost her bravely fought battle against liver cancer,” Michaud revealed on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Gregg Michaud (@michaelgreggmichaud) Born on May 18, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, McBain moved to Hollywood at a young age and was spotted by a Warner Bros talent scout and added to the studio’s roster of contract performers. At the age of 17, she made her TV acting debut in two episodes of the western series Maverick; she also made appearances in the likes of 77 Sunset Strip,...
- 12/22/2022
- TV Insider
Diane McBain, whose quick rise to fame as a young Warner Bros. contract player in the early 1960s soon had her starring in the ABC series Surfside 6 and co-starring opposite Elvis Presley in 1966’s Spinout, died of liver cancer today at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. She was 81.
Her death was announced by her friend Michael Gregg Michaud. McBain and Michaud co-authored her 2014 memoir Famous Enough.
“It is with great sadness that I report actress Diane McBain lost her battle with liver cancer and passed away on December 21, 2022,” Michaud wrote on social media.
Discovered by a talent scout while working as model, McBain signed a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers Studios on her 18th birthday in 1959, according to Michaud. That same year she made her TV debut in an episode of ABC’s Maverick starring James Garner.
The following year she appeared in...
Her death was announced by her friend Michael Gregg Michaud. McBain and Michaud co-authored her 2014 memoir Famous Enough.
“It is with great sadness that I report actress Diane McBain lost her battle with liver cancer and passed away on December 21, 2022,” Michaud wrote on social media.
Discovered by a talent scout while working as model, McBain signed a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers Studios on her 18th birthday in 1959, according to Michaud. That same year she made her TV debut in an episode of ABC’s Maverick starring James Garner.
The following year she appeared in...
- 12/21/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Diane McBain, whose career playing spoiled rich girls included turns as the yacht owner Daphne Dutton on the ABC crime show Surfside 6 and an author stalking Elvis Presley in Spinout, has died. She was 81.
McBain died Wednesday morning at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills after a battle with liver cancer, her friend and writing partner, Michael Gregg Michaud, told The Hollywood Reporter.
McBain also guest-starred on four episodes of ABC’s Batman, first as a hat shop assistant who’s in cahoots with David Wayne’s Mad Hatter in 1966 and then as stamp company proprietor Pinky Pinkston — she wore only pink and had a pink dog — on the memorable 1967 installment that featured The Green Hornet (Van Williams) and Kato (Bruce Lee).
In her first film, McBain appeared with Richard Burton in Vincent Sherman’s Ice Storm (1960), then...
Diane McBain, whose career playing spoiled rich girls included turns as the yacht owner Daphne Dutton on the ABC crime show Surfside 6 and an author stalking Elvis Presley in Spinout, has died. She was 81.
McBain died Wednesday morning at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills after a battle with liver cancer, her friend and writing partner, Michael Gregg Michaud, told The Hollywood Reporter.
McBain also guest-starred on four episodes of ABC’s Batman, first as a hat shop assistant who’s in cahoots with David Wayne’s Mad Hatter in 1966 and then as stamp company proprietor Pinky Pinkston — she wore only pink and had a pink dog — on the memorable 1967 installment that featured The Green Hornet (Van Williams) and Kato (Bruce Lee).
In her first film, McBain appeared with Richard Burton in Vincent Sherman’s Ice Storm (1960), then...
- 12/21/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Behind the scenes on the Sal set with James Franco and Val Lauren
No one has a career quite like James Franco. There are his big screen star turns in films like Milk, Howl or 127 Hours, but he’s just as likely to pop up on television in everything from The Mindy Project to General Hospital. Then there’s his own writing and directing projects such as Interior. Leather Bar. Franco always manages to compel us and keep us interested in what he’s up to, including his latest project.
He may have directed the film Sal a few years ago but it’s only been his busy schedule that has kept it from reaching theaters (and VOD) until now. The film, written by Stacey Miller, chronicles the final day in the life of Sal Mineo, the twice-Academy Award-nominated actor (for Rebel Without A Cause and Exodus) who came out in the 1960s and,...
No one has a career quite like James Franco. There are his big screen star turns in films like Milk, Howl or 127 Hours, but he’s just as likely to pop up on television in everything from The Mindy Project to General Hospital. Then there’s his own writing and directing projects such as Interior. Leather Bar. Franco always manages to compel us and keep us interested in what he’s up to, including his latest project.
He may have directed the film Sal a few years ago but it’s only been his busy schedule that has kept it from reaching theaters (and VOD) until now. The film, written by Stacey Miller, chronicles the final day in the life of Sal Mineo, the twice-Academy Award-nominated actor (for Rebel Without A Cause and Exodus) who came out in the 1960s and,...
- 11/1/2013
- by Jim Halterman
- The Backlot
After taking a film to Sundance, and more recently premiering Palo Alto at Telluride and Child of God at Venice, the ever-busy James Franco shows no signs of slowing down. Later this year, he'll be seen facing off against Jason Statham in the thriller Homefront, and now audiences will see another dramatic turn by the actor this fall. However, in this case, the film Sal was completed and premiered at the Venice Film Festival back in 2011, and Tribeca Film is bringing it to VOD and limited theaters. Franco directs the film following Sal Mineo, supporting star of Rebel Without a Cause, on the last day of his life, 20 years after his stardom. It's fitting that Franco made this film after playing James Dean in a TV movie years ago. Watch! Here's the first trailer for James Franco's Sal from Tribeca Film, via Vulture: James Franco directs Sal, written by...
- 9/30/2013
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Filed under: TV News, Celebrities and Gossip
Alan Sues, a regular on 'Laugh-In,' has died. He was 85.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Sues died Thurs., Dec. 1 at night while watching TV.
"He had been in failing health the last couple of years, but it was nothing you could put your finger on; just old age," Michael Gregg Michaud, a longtime friend, told the La Times. "Mentally, he was funny and 'on' as usual. He was a delightfully funny man, with a wonderful career that spanned six decades."
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Alan Sues, a regular on 'Laugh-In,' has died. He was 85.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Sues died Thurs., Dec. 1 at night while watching TV.
"He had been in failing health the last couple of years, but it was nothing you could put your finger on; just old age," Michael Gregg Michaud, a longtime friend, told the La Times. "Mentally, he was funny and 'on' as usual. He was a delightfully funny man, with a wonderful career that spanned six decades."
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- 12/5/2011
- by Chris Harnick
- Aol TV.
Comedy actor Alan Sues has passed away at the age of 85.
The entertainer died on Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement posted on his website.
Sues shot to fame as part of American TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In which aired from 1968 to 1972, and he became well known for playing eccentric characters.
His longtime friend Michael Gregg Michaud says, "He had been in failing health the last couple of years, but it was nothing you could put your finger on; just old age. Mentally, he was funny and 'on' as usual. He was a delightfully funny man, with a wonderful career that spanned six decades."...
The entertainer died on Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement posted on his website.
Sues shot to fame as part of American TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In which aired from 1968 to 1972, and he became well known for playing eccentric characters.
His longtime friend Michael Gregg Michaud says, "He had been in failing health the last couple of years, but it was nothing you could put your finger on; just old age. Mentally, he was funny and 'on' as usual. He was a delightfully funny man, with a wonderful career that spanned six decades."...
- 12/5/2011
- WENN
Los Angeles — Alan Sues, who brought his flamboyant and over-the-top comic persona to the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" in the 1960s and 1970s, has died, a close friend said Sunday night.
Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press.
"He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.
Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.
A native Californian who moved to New York in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.
But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.
They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal,...
Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press.
"He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.
Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.
A native Californian who moved to New York in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.
But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.
They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal,...
- 12/5/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Director: James Franco Writers: James Franco, Vince Jolivette, Stacey Miller, Michael Gregg Michaud (book) Starring: Val Lauren, Jim Parrack, James Franco, Vince Jolivette, Stacey Miller I have not read it yet, but I bet Dave Wilson's review of Sal is much more informative than mine. I plan on more of a drunkenly loose diatribe of why James Franco's bio-pic of Sal Mineo (Val Lauren) -- the teen idol and star of Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus -- is so damn important. Sure, Sal is destined to suffer the same cultish fate of most films about gay protagonists (Howl being an all too perfect example), but I think it deserves much, much more than that because Sal is a beautiful, sexually ambiguous portrait of a gay film star's final day of existence. Making a film that takes place within the rigid confines of the final day of its...
- 11/1/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
James Franco’s Sal is a slow-paced, indie piece that requires a certain artistic mindset to appreciate. While lead actor Val Lauren shines brightly in what is often a very quiet role, Franco’s directing style takes some getting used to. Filmed almost entirely in extreme close-ups, Sal examines the last day of one-time teen idol Sal Mineo’s life in 1976.
Loosely based on Michael Gregg Michaud’s biography, the film captures a glimpse at Mineo’s life through the happenings of just one day: his last. He eagerly plans his future which includes an upcoming play he rehearses for and promotes . There’s a glimpse at his relationship with his lover Courtney, and his friends. His financial struggles, his addictions and his active lifestyle. All leading up to his unfortunate, seemingly random murder and the culprit’s arrest.
While the film does have its fair share of shortcomings, it...
Loosely based on Michael Gregg Michaud’s biography, the film captures a glimpse at Mineo’s life through the happenings of just one day: his last. He eagerly plans his future which includes an upcoming play he rehearses for and promotes . There’s a glimpse at his relationship with his lover Courtney, and his friends. His financial struggles, his addictions and his active lifestyle. All leading up to his unfortunate, seemingly random murder and the culprit’s arrest.
While the film does have its fair share of shortcomings, it...
- 10/25/2011
- Cinelinx
[1] We reported a few months ago that James Franco had optioned Michael Gregg Michaud's biography of Rebel Without a Cause star Sal Mineo, with the intention of writing and directing (but not acting in) a biopic about the actor. Now it looks like he's found his star. Val Lauren has been cast as the lead in the film, which is currently going by the title Sal. Michaud's book Sal Mineo: A Biography deals with Mineo's rise to fame, his conflicted sexuality, and his tragic murder at the age of 37. Lauren expressed his excitement about the role to The Hollywood Reporter: Sal Mineo himself was an extraordinary and super complex guy... People know him for Rebel Without a Cause, but he was technically the first actor who came out of the closet. He was very brave. Lauren's past credits include Dallas 362, The Salton Sea, and the short film Help,...
- 5/11/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Val Lauren is set to star in the film Sal, directed by James Franco. The Hollywood Reporter reports the actor will star in the biographical film based on the life of Sal Mineo.
James Franco will direct the film largely from Michael Gregg Michaud's book "Sal Mineo: A Biography."
Sal focuses on the actor's life in Hollywood and his struggles and triumphs as one of the first openly gay actors. He is best known for starring opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause.
Interestingly, Lauren appeared in a 2001 television movie called James Dean, which starred none other than Franco himself. ...
James Franco will direct the film largely from Michael Gregg Michaud's book "Sal Mineo: A Biography."
Sal focuses on the actor's life in Hollywood and his struggles and triumphs as one of the first openly gay actors. He is best known for starring opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause.
Interestingly, Lauren appeared in a 2001 television movie called James Dean, which starred none other than Franco himself. ...
- 5/11/2011
- by alyssa@mediavine.com (Alyssa Caverley)
- Reel Movie News
Filed under: Movie News
Sal Mineo is finally going to get his due.
Last year James Franco optioned the rights to Michael Gregg Michaud's 'Sal Mineo: A Biography,' and he's now moving ahead with the production -- tentatively titled 'Sal' -- having adapted the script and, now, having picked an actor to play the lead: Val Lauren. Lauren's credits include the 2003 indie film 'Dallas 362' and 'Help', a short film he wrote, directed and produced.
The film tells the story of the sensitive actor best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford opposite James Dean in 'Rebel Without a Cause.' Mineo was nominated for an Oscar for that 1955 film and for his role in 'Exodus' in 1960. He was murdered in West Hollywood in 1976 at the age of 37.
Continue Reading...
Sal Mineo is finally going to get his due.
Last year James Franco optioned the rights to Michael Gregg Michaud's 'Sal Mineo: A Biography,' and he's now moving ahead with the production -- tentatively titled 'Sal' -- having adapted the script and, now, having picked an actor to play the lead: Val Lauren. Lauren's credits include the 2003 indie film 'Dallas 362' and 'Help', a short film he wrote, directed and produced.
The film tells the story of the sensitive actor best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford opposite James Dean in 'Rebel Without a Cause.' Mineo was nominated for an Oscar for that 1955 film and for his role in 'Exodus' in 1960. He was murdered in West Hollywood in 1976 at the age of 37.
Continue Reading...
- 5/11/2011
- by Harley W. Lond
- Moviefone
Val Lauren ("Dallas 362") has joined the cast of "Sal", a biopic of enigmatic young actor Sal Mineo which James Franco will direct says The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on Michael Gregg Michaud's biography, Mineo rose to fame for his Oscar-nominated supporting actor role in James Dean's most famous work "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955. He was usually typecast as a troubled teen and later a deranged criminal, but garnered praise for his performances (and a second Oscar nomination for "Exodus").
He was also gay and was thought to be the first actor to have come out of the closet. At the age of 37, Mineo was stabbed to death in the alley behind his apartment building by a thief and pizza deliveryman who had committed numerous robberies in the area
Franco adapted the script and will produce through his Rabbit Bandini company, though will not appear in the film...
Based on Michael Gregg Michaud's biography, Mineo rose to fame for his Oscar-nominated supporting actor role in James Dean's most famous work "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955. He was usually typecast as a troubled teen and later a deranged criminal, but garnered praise for his performances (and a second Oscar nomination for "Exodus").
He was also gay and was thought to be the first actor to have come out of the closet. At the age of 37, Mineo was stabbed to death in the alley behind his apartment building by a thief and pizza deliveryman who had committed numerous robberies in the area
Franco adapted the script and will produce through his Rabbit Bandini company, though will not appear in the film...
- 5/11/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Let’s forget that terrible Oscar night for a moment, and have some serious chat about the upcoming James Franco project. This time – the directorial one. It’s actually Sal Mineo biopic, which Franco will direct from his own script that is based on a biography of “the enigmatic” actor Sal Mineo by Michael Gregg Michaud. [...] James Franco Will Direct Val Lauren As Sal Mineo is a post from: www.FilmoFilia.com...
- 5/11/2011
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
James Franco played his look-alike James Dean in Mark Rydell‘s 2001 TV biopic and now he is taking on another related project. Though, he won’t be starring in the film and it won’t be focused on James Dean. Instead, he will direct a biopic on one of Dean’s most memorable costars, Sal Mineo, who starred in Rebel Without a Cause with the famous actor. THR now lets us know who will play Mineo.
Val Lauren has taken on the role. The relatively unknown actor will appear on the Hawaii Five-0 season finale and has also been seen in Dallas 362 and his short film Help, which he is turning into a feature. The Mineo biopic will be based on Sal Mineo: A Biography by Michael Gregg Michaud and adapted by Franco himself. Like Dean, Mineo’s life was also ended early, being murdered at 37. The gay actor...
Val Lauren has taken on the role. The relatively unknown actor will appear on the Hawaii Five-0 season finale and has also been seen in Dallas 362 and his short film Help, which he is turning into a feature. The Mineo biopic will be based on Sal Mineo: A Biography by Michael Gregg Michaud and adapted by Franco himself. Like Dean, Mineo’s life was also ended early, being murdered at 37. The gay actor...
- 5/11/2011
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Val Lauren James Franco has cast Val Lauren in Sal, Franco's planned biopic of two-time Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Sal Mineo, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Based on Michael Gregg Michaud's Sal Mineo: A Biography, Sal should begin filming in the Los Angeles area in early summer. Franco's production company Rabbit Bandini is behind the project. Among Lauren's credits are supporting roles in Christian McIntire's Landspeed (2002) and Johnny Lin's Queen of Hearts (2009). He also had guest roles in several television series, including Hawaii Five-0 and Monk. Sal Mineo is best known for his doe-eyed teenager infatuated with James Dean in Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and for playing the young Jewish man who becomes a radical (he had been raped by Nazis) in Otto Preminger's Exodus (1960). (Groucho Marx, for one, was impressed with Mineo's performance.) Sal Mineo was 37 years old when he was...
- 5/11/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Val Lauren has been cast as Sal Mineo in James Franco's upcoming biopic tentatively titled Sal. The film tells the story of the enigmatic actor best known for his appearance opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. The project is being produced by Franco under his Rabbit Bandini banner. Filming is slated to star early this summer in Los Angeles. It has been adapted for the screen by Franco from a recently released biography of Mineo by Michael Gregg Michaud. Lauren starred in the indie Dallas 362 and the short film Help, which he wrote, directed and produced. Franco will not be starring in the film like has been speculated.
Mineo (who was gay) broke ground for his portrayal of a homosexual character named John "Plato" Crawford in Rebel. He was murdered in Hollywood at the age of 37 after being nominated for two supporting actor Oscar's for his roles in Rebel and Exodus.
Mineo (who was gay) broke ground for his portrayal of a homosexual character named John "Plato" Crawford in Rebel. He was murdered in Hollywood at the age of 37 after being nominated for two supporting actor Oscar's for his roles in Rebel and Exodus.
- 5/11/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Val Lauren has taken the leading role in James Franco's Sal , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . The film, to be directed by the 127 Hours star, is based on Michael Gregg Michaud's "Sal Mineo: A Biography" and details the life of the former Hollywood star. Best known for appearing opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause , Mineo was also one of the first openly gay actors in Hollywood. Lauren, who has appeared in a variety of film and television projects, was actually featured (though not as Mineo) in an uncredited role in 2001's television movie "James Dean," starring Franco in the lead.
- 5/10/2011
- Comingsoon.net
My friend Matthew, who wrote the book Boy Culture (which his blog is named after), recently interviewed the late Sal Mineo's boyfriend Courtney Burr, who is an acting teacher, in connection with a newish book on one of the most important Young Hollywood stars of the 1950s and 60s. The book in question was written by Michael Gregg Michaud. Burr had previously declined requests to help with other Mineo related books because he felt they were just after the sensationalistic aspects of the actor's legend (his sex life or his murder in the 70s -- famously none of the legendary trio from Rebel Without a Cause lived long enough to die of natural causes).
It's a lengthy interview for those of you who are interested in Sal Mineo or the difficulties for "exotic" actors or queer actors in showbiz history. The bit where Burr talks about Sal's career choices...
It's a lengthy interview for those of you who are interested in Sal Mineo or the difficulties for "exotic" actors or queer actors in showbiz history. The bit where Burr talks about Sal's career choices...
- 5/2/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Haworth as Sally Bowles in the Broadway production of Cabaret
By Tom Lisanti
Over the past year, a number of 60s personalities have died, but the one that has most saddened me is Jill Haworth who died in her sleep earlier this week. She was one of my most favorite interviews, as she graciously invited me into her home in 1999. She was just so saucy and honest, holding nothing back. What makes it even sadder for me is that I am reading the new entertaining Sal Mineo bio by Michael Gregg Machaud and Jill is quoted extensively throughout as she had a long romance with the actor.
Petite blonde Jill Haworth made three movies while under personal contract to Otto Preminger--Exodus (where she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Female Newcomer), The Cardinal, In Harm's Way--before going freelance. After starring in the British horror movie It!
- 1/8/2011
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
James Franco continued to be the most active actor working after earning praise as poet Allen Ginsberg in "Howl" and "127 Hours," about injured rock climber Aaron Ralston. According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” Franco optioned the new Sal Mineo biograohy for his company Rabbit Bandini with plans to write and direct the project. Author and photographer Michael Gregg Michaud interviewed past actors like Dennis Hopper to detail Mineo’s rise to fame in films like “Rebel Without a Cause” opposite Natalie Wood and James Dean and “Exodus” as well as his conflicted sexuality and 1976 death after being stabbed by a pizza deliveryman in West Hollywood.
- 12/9/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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