VIEWS FROM A BROAD

Legendary Actor James Garner Dead at 86

He had a good long life....Rest in Peace.

Actor James Garner, whose genial charm and sly humor made him a Hollywood fixture for more than 50 years, has died at 86.

The Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press reported his death, citing Los Angeles Police.

Tall and handsome, Garner had the leading-man looks that led to roles in big-screen dramas ranging from 1958's Darby's Rangers to 1963's The Great Escape. But his flair for light comedy earned him several starring film roles, and extended to the small screen as well, with series hits Maverick and The Rockford Files.

"I'm a Spencer Tracy-type actor," Garner once said. "His idea was to be on time, know your words, hit your marks and tell the truth. Most every actor tries to make it something it isn't [or] looks for the easy way out. I don't think acting is that difficult if you can put yourself aside and do what the writer wrote."

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Breaking News: Broadway Legend Elaine Stritch Dies at 89

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed that Broadway legend Elaine Stritch died this morning, at home in Birmingham, MI. The star was 89 years old.

Stritch made her professional stage debut in 1944 and her Broadway debut in the comedy Loco in 1946. Notable Broadway credits include her Tony Award nominated roles in the original production of William Inge's 1955 play Bus Stop, Noël Coward's 1961 musical Sail Away, Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical Company, which includes her performance of the song "The Ladies Who Lunch", the 1996 revival of the Edward Albee play A Delicate Balanceand her 2001 Tony Award winning one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty.

 

 

GENIUS CASTING! Christopher Walken to Play Captain Hook in NBC's 'Peter Pan'

OK NBC... I WILL be watching this.. Walken as Captain HOOK?  Ya can't go wrong!

 

Oscar winner Christopher Walken will star as Captain Hook in NBC's follow-up to The Sound of Music, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt is expected to make the announcement during his session Sunday at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. The casting reunites Walken with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron after his starring role in the producers' film adaptation of Hairspray.

  

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Ann B. Davis, Alice On 'The Brady Bunch,' Dies At 88

Comic actress Ann B. Davis, who played the devoted housekeeper Alice on the television sitcom "The Brady Bunch" and won two Emmy awards as the forever-single secretary Schultzy on "The Bob Cummings Show," died on Sunday at age 88, CNN reported.

Davis fell and hit her head on Saturday morning, CNN reported, citing a close friend of Davis, Bishop William Frey.

She suffered a subdural hematoma and never regained consciousness, Frey told CNN.

Davis' character helped keep a large, blended family functioning on "The Brady Bunch" by offering advice and wisecracks to busy parents and frantic kids, or simply by making meatloaf for eight. She was known for her light blue housekeeper's uniform with a white apron.

Behind the scenes, Davis provided a model of acting professionalism to the show's six child actors, who on occasion were driven more by hormones and mischief than reason.

The "Brady Bunch" was among the first U.S. television shows to focus on a non-traditional family. Robert Reed's character, architect Mike Brady, was a widowed father of three boys. Florence Henderson's character Carol Brady was a single mother - the show was vague as to why - who had three daughters. They get married in the first episode in September 1969.

Comedian DAVID BRENNER dead. A VERY FUNNY MAN

Just heard the terrible news, David Brenner has just passed. He was one of the funniest guys ever! He was in coma and died from Cancer.