Norman S. Powell, the veteran Hollywood producer, director and network executive known for his award-winning documentary “Brothers at War,” has died. He was 86.
Powell’s career in television and film spanned six decades and included work on “24,” “The Big Valley,” “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Bob Crane Show.” He was the son of Hollywood Golden Age stars Joan Blondell and Dick Powell.
At the time of his death, Powell was writing a memoir and working on a sequel to his Iraq War-set documentary “Brothers at War” with partner Jake Rademacher and executive producers Gary Sinise and Phil Gurin.
After graduating from the Lawrenceville School and Cornell University, Powell started his career working on Westerns like “Wanted Dead or Alive” with Steve McQueen, “Gunsmoke” with James Arness and “The Rifleman” with Chuck Connors.
Powell earned Emmy nominations for producing Season 2 of “24” and “Washington: Behind Closed Doors,...
Powell’s career in television and film spanned six decades and included work on “24,” “The Big Valley,” “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Bob Crane Show.” He was the son of Hollywood Golden Age stars Joan Blondell and Dick Powell.
At the time of his death, Powell was writing a memoir and working on a sequel to his Iraq War-set documentary “Brothers at War” with partner Jake Rademacher and executive producers Gary Sinise and Phil Gurin.
After graduating from the Lawrenceville School and Cornell University, Powell started his career working on Westerns like “Wanted Dead or Alive” with Steve McQueen, “Gunsmoke” with James Arness and “The Rifleman” with Chuck Connors.
Powell earned Emmy nominations for producing Season 2 of “24” and “Washington: Behind Closed Doors,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Knopf, the prolific screenwriter behind Emperor of the North, 20 Million Miles to Earth and a host of TV Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, has died. He was 91.
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, a family member told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he won a Writers ...
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, a family member told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he won a Writers ...
- 2/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Burt Reynolds, one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men during the ’70s and early ’80s in such films as “Deliverance,” “Smokey and the Bandit, “The Longest Yard” and “Semi-Tough,” has died. His rep confirmed that he died Thursday in Jupiter, Fla. He was 82.
He later earned an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ode to skin flicks, “Boogie Nights.” He had been set to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Hollywood.”
Reynolds’ appeal lay in his post-modern macho posture undercut by a wry self-awareness, which he used to good effect in comedies as well as action films. For a period during the ’70s he was the nation’s top box office draw. But after one too many bad movies, his popularity waned. He returned to television, where he’d gotten his start, mostly in Westerns, and produced his own sitcom, “Evening Shade,” which brought him an Emmy.
He later earned an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ode to skin flicks, “Boogie Nights.” He had been set to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Hollywood.”
Reynolds’ appeal lay in his post-modern macho posture undercut by a wry self-awareness, which he used to good effect in comedies as well as action films. For a period during the ’70s he was the nation’s top box office draw. But after one too many bad movies, his popularity waned. He returned to television, where he’d gotten his start, mostly in Westerns, and produced his own sitcom, “Evening Shade,” which brought him an Emmy.
- 9/6/2018
- by Richard Natale
- Variety Film + TV
Rance Howard died Nov. 25 at the age of 89. In a statement posted on Twitter, his son, director Ron Howard, announced his father’s death: “Clint & I have been blessed to be Rance Howard’s sons. Today he passed at 89,” Ron, 63, tweeted, referring to his brother Clint Howard, who is also an actor. “He stood especially tall 4 his ability to balance ambition w/great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad.” In the days following his passing, brothers Ron and Clint reflected on their father’s life in an obituary,...
- 12/1/2017
- by People Staff
- PEOPLE.com
Rest in Peace, Michael Parks.
The veteran actor died at 77, director Kevin Smith confirmed on Instagram on Wednesday.
Watch: Cuba Gooding Sr. Dies at 72
Smith, who worked with Parks on films like Tusk and Red State, wrote a touching tribute to the actor on social media.
"I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known," Smith shared. "I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie For Parks, I loved his acting so much. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set."
Related: ‘Rob & Big’ Star Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin Dies at 45
Parks was perhaps best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films like Kill Bill, and Django Unchained, but broke into the industry in the early '60s with...
The veteran actor died at 77, director Kevin Smith confirmed on Instagram on Wednesday.
Watch: Cuba Gooding Sr. Dies at 72
Smith, who worked with Parks on films like Tusk and Red State, wrote a touching tribute to the actor on social media.
"I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known," Smith shared. "I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie For Parks, I loved his acting so much. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set."
Related: ‘Rob & Big’ Star Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin Dies at 45
Parks was perhaps best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films like Kill Bill, and Django Unchained, but broke into the industry in the early '60s with...
- 5/10/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Michael Parks, longtime Hollywood mainstay and beloved character actor and singer, has passed away at the age of 77. The news was announced by filmmaker Kevin Smith, who took to his Instagram to share that “the best actor I’ve ever known” and his “cinematic muse,” had died. No cause of death was named.
Smith directed Parks in both his “Tusk” and “Red State,” having relished the longtime actor’s career since first seeing him in Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk Till Dawn.” Though Parks’ career stretched back to 1960, when he made his screen debut on TV’s “Zane Grey Theater,” in recent years, the supporting standout had enjoyed a revival at the hands of both Quentin Tarantino (who Smith deemed Parks’ “biggest fan”) and Smith, who continued to craft roles for the singular actor.
I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. Michael was, and will likely forever remain,...
Smith directed Parks in both his “Tusk” and “Red State,” having relished the longtime actor’s career since first seeing him in Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk Till Dawn.” Though Parks’ career stretched back to 1960, when he made his screen debut on TV’s “Zane Grey Theater,” in recent years, the supporting standout had enjoyed a revival at the hands of both Quentin Tarantino (who Smith deemed Parks’ “biggest fan”) and Smith, who continued to craft roles for the singular actor.
I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. Michael was, and will likely forever remain,...
- 5/10/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Hong Sang-soo's Right Now, Wrong Then.The lineup for the 2015 festival has been revealed, including new films by Hong Sang-soo, Andrzej Zulawski, Chantal Akerman, Athina Rachel Tsangari, and others, alongside retrospectives and tributes dedicated to Sam Peckinpah, Michael Cimino, Bulle Ogier, and much more.Piazza GRANDERicki and the Flash (Jonathan Demme, USA)La belle saison (Catherine Corsini, France)Le dernier passage (Pascal Magontier, France)Der staat gegen Fritz Bauer (Lars Kraume, Germany)Southpaw (Antoine Fuqua, USA)Trainwreck (Judd Apatow, USA)Jack (Elisabeth Scharang, Austria)Floride (Philippe Le Guay, France)The Deer Hunter (Michael Cimino, UK/USA)Erlkönig (Georges Schwizgebel, Switzerland)Guibord s'en va-t-en guerre (Philippe Falardeau, Canada)Bombay Velvet (Anurag Kashyap, India)Pastorale cilentana (Mario Martone, Italy)La vanite (Lionel Baier, Switzerland/France)The Laundryman (Lee Chung, Taiwan)Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, USA) I pugni ni tasca (Marco Bellocchio, Italy)Heliopolis (Sérgio Machado, Brazil)Amnesia (Barbet Schroeder,...
- 7/20/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Daytime-tv grand dame Jeanne Cooper, who played The Young and the Restless‘ Katherine, passed away on Wednesday morning after being hospitalized, off and on since April, for an undisclosed illness.
Cooper’s elder son, actor Corbin Bernsen, shared the sad news on Twitter, saying, “She was in peace and without fear. You all have been incredible in your love. In her name, share it today with others.”
Mom passed this morning. She was in peace and without fear. U all have been incredible in your love. In her name share it 2 day with others.—
Corbin Bernsen (@corbinbernsen) May 08, 2013
Bernsen just...
Cooper’s elder son, actor Corbin Bernsen, shared the sad news on Twitter, saying, “She was in peace and without fear. You all have been incredible in your love. In her name, share it today with others.”
Mom passed this morning. She was in peace and without fear. U all have been incredible in your love. In her name share it 2 day with others.—
Corbin Bernsen (@corbinbernsen) May 08, 2013
Bernsen just...
- 5/8/2013
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Curiously, with all the bold, ambitious, fresh talent storming into Hollywood in the 1960s/1970s – directors who’d cut their teeth in TV like Sidney Lumet and John Frankenheimer; imports like Roman Polanski and Peter Yates; the first wave of film school “film brats” like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese — one of the most popular genres during the period was one of Old Hollywood’s most traditional: the Western. But the Western often wrought at the hands of that new generation of moviemakers was rarely traditional.
During the Old Hollywood era, Westerns typically had been B-caliber productions, most of them favoring gunfights and barroom brawls over dramatic substance, and nearly all adhering to Western tropes which ran back to the pre-cinema days of dime novelist Ned Buntline. With the 1960s, however, the genre began to change; or, more accurately, expand, twist, and even invert.
To be sure, there would...
During the Old Hollywood era, Westerns typically had been B-caliber productions, most of them favoring gunfights and barroom brawls over dramatic substance, and nearly all adhering to Western tropes which ran back to the pre-cinema days of dime novelist Ned Buntline. With the 1960s, however, the genre began to change; or, more accurately, expand, twist, and even invert.
To be sure, there would...
- 1/4/2013
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
The handsome actor best known for playing son Robbie Douglas on My Three Sons has died. Also a composer and musician, Don Grady (far right) was 68 years old and had been battling cancer.
A native of San Diego, Grady was cast as a young Mouseketeer on the classic kids' afternoon show, The Mickey Mouse Club. After that, he appeared on several TV shows of the day like Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, and The Eleventh Hour.
He was then cast as the middle brother, Robbie Douglas, on My Three Sons. Movie star Fred MacMurray played his dad with Stanley Livingston and Tim Considine (another Mickey Mouse Club vet) playing his younger and older brothers respectively. I Love Lucy's William Frawley rounded out the cast as maternal grandfather "Bub" O'Casey.
When Considine left the sitcom,...
A native of San Diego, Grady was cast as a young Mouseketeer on the classic kids' afternoon show, The Mickey Mouse Club. After that, he appeared on several TV shows of the day like Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, and The Eleventh Hour.
He was then cast as the middle brother, Robbie Douglas, on My Three Sons. Movie star Fred MacMurray played his dad with Stanley Livingston and Tim Considine (another Mickey Mouse Club vet) playing his younger and older brothers respectively. I Love Lucy's William Frawley rounded out the cast as maternal grandfather "Bub" O'Casey.
When Considine left the sitcom,...
- 6/28/2012
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
[1] The TV Western is definitely back in style, with several projects in various stages of development at different networks. And it seems audiences are into it as well -- Hell on Wheels just gave AMC it's second-biggest debut ever, just behind last year's premiere of The Walking Dead. For its part, CBS has just hatched a plan to reboot the '50s series The Rifleman, which was originally created by a young Sam Peckinpah. Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus is set to direct. More details after the jump. Like the first Rifleman, the reboot will revolve around Civil War hero Lucas McCain, who has a talent for sharpshooting and a dark, troubled past. He moves to the uncharted territory of New Mexico in order to raise his son Mark, where he teams up with the local sheriff to protect his new hometown. Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) and Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry...
- 11/9/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
CBS has closed deals for The Rifleman, a drama project based on the 1958 Western series about a 1880s widower with a rapid-fire Winchester rifle living on a ranch with his son. Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) and Patrick Lussier will write and Chris Columbus is set to direct the reboot, which, like the original, centers on Civil war hero, Lucas McCain, an unparalleled sharpshooter with a haunted past, who moves to the uncharted New Mexico territory to raise his son Mark. There, he joins forces with the Sheriff to protect his new town and become its unofficial guardian. CBS TV Studios and Carol Mendelsohn Prods. are producing. The original series, whose pilot aired on CBS as part of Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater before the series had a five-season run on ABC, was created by Sam Peckinpah and starred Chuck Connors as McCain. It was produced by Jules V. Levy,...
- 11/9/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
After the success of yesterday's Christopher Walken musings, I thought it would be nice to send some love to an actor who could really use it these days -- Dennis Hopper. He's battling a serious case of prostate cancer, and a messy divorce that has led to rumors that his wife was trying to kill him. On the plus side, he finally received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame last week, the culmination of almost 200 roles on film and television -- a lot to sift through to figure out a favorite.
In his first feature role, he played a goon in James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause, followed just a year later by a bigger role alongside the young icon -- Jordan Benedict III in Giant. After a decade of short gigs on everything from Zane Grey Theater to The Twilight Zone and Cool Hand Luke, his labor...
In his first feature role, he played a goon in James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause, followed just a year later by a bigger role alongside the young icon -- Jordan Benedict III in Giant. After a decade of short gigs on everything from Zane Grey Theater to The Twilight Zone and Cool Hand Luke, his labor...
- 4/1/2010
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
By Lee Pfeiffer
One of the most impressive film books I've received in the last few years is author C. Courtney Joyner's The Westerners: Interviews with Actors, Directors, Writers and Producers. As with most books from McFarland Publishing, its worth doesn't lie in its modest production values, but rather, in the wealth of historical content. Joyner has amassed a large archive of interviews he has conducted over the years with the creators of many memorable Westerns. As many of these folks have since passed away, the volume becomes even more precious as a research tool. Joyner's interviews include:
Glenn FordWarren OatesVirginia MayoAndrew V. McLaglenHarry Carey JrJulie AdamsA.C. LylesBurt KennedyEd FaulknerAldo SambrellJack ElamAndrew J. FenadyElmore LeonardThe fact is that many of these people were quite available to discuss their lives and careers but few journalists sought them out. Joyner shares the same mission as those of us at...
One of the most impressive film books I've received in the last few years is author C. Courtney Joyner's The Westerners: Interviews with Actors, Directors, Writers and Producers. As with most books from McFarland Publishing, its worth doesn't lie in its modest production values, but rather, in the wealth of historical content. Joyner has amassed a large archive of interviews he has conducted over the years with the creators of many memorable Westerns. As many of these folks have since passed away, the volume becomes even more precious as a research tool. Joyner's interviews include:
Glenn FordWarren OatesVirginia MayoAndrew V. McLaglenHarry Carey JrJulie AdamsA.C. LylesBurt KennedyEd FaulknerAldo SambrellJack ElamAndrew J. FenadyElmore LeonardThe fact is that many of these people were quite available to discuss their lives and careers but few journalists sought them out. Joyner shares the same mission as those of us at...
- 12/15/2009
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
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