Thursday, October 29, 2026
FAREWELL, PATRICK STEWART
To the world--to the glorious cosmos!--you were (and will remain) Captain Jon Luc Picard.
In the Star Trek universe, you ushered forth a next generation of wonderment, with television and streaming series, theatrical features, as well as appearing in William Shatner's uplifting documentary, The Captains.
Your sophisticated style seasoned additional productions, as well, including Moby Dick (1998), Dune (1984), Lifeforce, Excalibur, The Kid Who Would Be King, Christmas Eve, A Christmas Carol (1999), The Canterville Ghost (1996), Hamlet (2009), Macbeth (2010), Antony and Cleopatra, The Lion in Winter (2003), I Claudius (1976), Animal Farm (1999), Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage, The Doctor and the Devils, The Anatomist, The Madness, Masterminds, Green Room, The Emoji Movie, The Pagemaster, Conspiracy Theory, Safe House, Wild Geese II, Code Name: Emerald, Gunmen, The Sheep Detectives, Death Train, Coda, Ted, Dad Savage, Blunt Talk, Little Roy Fauntelroy (1980), Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Jeffery, Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire, Dragon Rider, Fall of Eagles, Hedda, The Gathering Storm, Pope John Paul II, A Question of Faith, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), Lady Jane, North and South, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), The Prince of Egypt, Bambi II, The Plague Dogs, Chicken Little and, as the omniscient Professor Xavier in the X-Men and Avengers franchises.
You also made the episodic rounds, with appearances on Frasier, Omnibus, Coronation Street, 2nd House, Joby, Churchill's People, Hennessey, Maybury, Drama, Story Parade, The English Programme, Theatre 625, BBC 2 Play for the Day, Play of the Week, and the BBC Television Shakespeare.
You were an inspiration to so many. I know you were to me: a reminder how to keep cool and sharp in the face of adversity. Such an influence goes a long way, Mr. Stewart, and the same can be said of your illustrious career: the fruits of which will continue to dangle for endless nibbles ... always ripe, forever sweet.
GOODBYE, PETER MEDAK
As a director, you conquered genre upon genre, contributing to both the big and small screens.
Some say your crowning achievement is the chilling, George C. Scott endeavor, The Changeling. Others say it's the satirical The Ruling Class with Peter O'Toole.
In truth, it's rather hard to choose a favorite with so many quality productions under your belt: Romeo Is Bleeding, Ghost in the Noonday Sun, Hunchback (of Notre Dame), David Copperfield (2000), The Babysitter (1980), The Feast of All Saints, The Krays, Species II, Zorro the Gay Blade, Beverly Hills Cop III, The Men's Club, The Odd Job, The Rocking Horse Winner, Personal Demons, Let Him Have It, Pontiac Moon, Negatives, Sex and Lies in Sin City, Falls Road, Dating Game Killer, Mistress of Paradise, Cry for the Strangers, A Day in the Death of Joe Figg, The Third Girl From the Left, The Ghost of Peter Sellers and The Gun, the Cake and the Butterfly.
You episodic, television sojourns are gems, as well: Space: 1999, Tales from the Crypt, Hannibal, Masters of Horror, The Twilight Zone (1985), Kindred: The Embrace, Faerie Tale Theatre, Carnivale, Agatha Christie's Marple, Return of the Saint, Hart to Hart, South Beach, The Professionals, The Persuaders!, The Guardian, Chicago Hope, St. Elsewhere, House, Hand of God, 7th Heaven, In Justice, Court Martial, The Assets, The Wire, Cold Case, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Homicide: Life on the Street and Breaking Bad.
Other directors may have received more recognition for their talent, but to those in the know, you not only held your own in the field, you exceeded the competition a hundredfold. Indeed, you did it all, Mr. Medak, and did it well, ensuring that your place in cinema history is not only respected, it's eternal.👼
R.I.P. ELKE SOMMER
In the annals of the macabre, you struck gold with Mario Bava's terrifying trio, Lisa and the Devil, its refurbished, companion piece, House of Exorcism and the ghastly Baron Blood. You also appeared in chiller, The Astral Factor (aka The Astral Fiend), and had several real-life, ghost encounters, which have since become the stuff of eerie, Hollywood legend.
In addition, you became a powerful pressence in Dounce violence, The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz, A Shot in the Dark, Deadlier Than the Male, The Wrecking Crew, Stage Fright (1960), The Money Trap (1964), Ten Little Indians (1974), The Net (1975), The Prisoner of Zenda (1979), Among Vultures, Percy's Progress, Meet Him and Die, Probe, The Prize, The Oscar, And Then There Were None, The Venetian Affair, The Swiss Conspiracy, Trip to Vienna, The Peking Medallion (aka The Corrupt Ones), The Treasure Seekers, Don't Bother to Knock, The Double McGuffin, Exit Sunset Boulevard, The Man in Pyjamas, Stunt Seven, The Death Ship, Death Stone, Hotel of Dead Guests, Four Kinds of Love, Lily in Love, Life is Too Long, The Art of Love, Severed Ties, The Victors, Peter the Great, Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna, Inside the Third Reich, Himmelscheim, The Emperor's New Groove, Carry On Behind, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses.
On television, you were a stellar staple on The Gong Song and had memorable stints on The Six Million Dollar Man, Adventures Beyond Belief, St. Elsewhere, Counterstrike, Destiny Ridge, Jenny's War, The Muppet Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
You were one of the cinema's stand-out, exotic beauties, Ms. Sommer, who quickened many a heart (above all, my own), but more than that, you emoted with depth and sincerity: a special, one-of-a-kind lady who'll remain embedded in the fondest regions of our ever-adoring hearts.💖
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
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