Animated Views Celebrity Obituary Thread

[Dacey]

Despite early reports suggesting otherwise, it looks like a full investigation is being done now:

https://deadline.com/2025/02/gene-hackm ... 236303855/

They have apparently been dead for weeks. No evidence of gas leak.

Just horrible!

[Ben]

They are reporting "days" here, or not much more than a week or two, but, yes, just very strange and sad.

[Dacey]

Cause of deaths revealed (fair warning it’s quite disturbing):

https://deadline.com/2025/03/gene-hackm ... 236314245/

[Ben]

I’ve had several text conversations going on all evening about this. So very, very sad and tragic. At least it’s not anything bizarre or untoward as was initially suggested after the carbon monoxide suspicions, and both died "naturally", as unfortunate and awfully as it sounds.

We ran Narrow Margin last night for our movie night — not the first film you think of for Gene Hackman, but a top-notch thriller that he is great in, as always. This was on our list as I’m doing a run of remakes and this was due to be shown in the next few weeks, so we pulled it back as a tribute (we'd done Superman and Unforgiven recently already).

Hackman was one of those actors who one would seek a film out for, knowing that he would always elevate it to being worthy of your time. His self-imposed retirement, for now obvious reasons, meant that he won’t be quite as missed as much as a still-working actor, but that this is just such a sad end, and he has such a huge body of work that is still relevant and shown, means that he will be remembered for years to come.

Sincerely, Mr Hackman, and to your wife too, I dearly hope you can both now rest in peace, with thanks for a lifetime of fantastic performances. RIP.

[Randall]

The positive thing is that he died at home, perhaps even unaware of the passing of his wife. His last few days are certainly sad to consider, but he had a long and productive life, with a legacy that will last a long time.

[ShyViolet]

Drew Struzan dies at 78.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 236400361/

[Randall]

I had heard he had dementia and was in poor health. Still, this is sad news.

I met Struzan a few years ago, and had him sign ET and Back to the Future posters for me. It felt precious then, and even more so now. What an immense talent.

[Ben]

Drew signed every poster!

Very, very sad at this news, hence why we posted it to the front page. I’m glad to have several Drew posters hanging in our home cinema foyer at the moment, including his Muppet Caper one that remains my forum avatar (left).

Thank-you, Mr Struzan…an exceptional and exceptionally unique talent. He has been missed already the last few years, and will be, but the paintings he created will remain iconic and probably the best ever examples of movie poster art, and however much they are imitated, they will remain the only ones infused with his singular vision and technique.

Truly one of a kind. RIP.

[Dacey]

There are no words (WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT!):

https://people.com/rob-reiner-wife-mich ... s-11868856

Just crushing.

[Ben]

No words to describe what has happened, or no words to describe what horse**** Resident Chump posted about it? What a moron. Sorry, but I am so angry at that. No need to kick dead people. Despicably poor excuse for a human being.

As for the news, I am truly numbed. We were already going to be showing Harry Met Sally for our New Year movie night, with the Taps to come in January, but now they will be tinged with this insane comprehension of what has happened. So sad, so shocking.

And I just read his book, which is fun and humble, and so still have his voice in my head. Now, in it he jokes about "the end" and how his epitaph will be "He was Meathead", which he had accepted, but this was assuming he would last a lot longer. When someone like this dies, they either have an accident or an illness or just of old age. Yeah, 80 was on the horizon, but there were years left. Tarp II only just came out (and was funny!), he was still making movies.

This one, unlike the "natural" way someone like this may pass, just feels like the universal balance has just been upended. This one shouldn’t have happened. It’s an anomaly in the space-time continuum. It doesn't make sense. It’s a hideous, tragic and confusing event, and for anyone to try and make points about it or make it about himself is just sad, sick and stupid. But no surprise there. I’m having to hold my tongue because my language at the TV has been very blue today. Absolutely none of this is right in any way, shape or form.

RIP Rob and Michele. Your films and photographs brought joy, laughter and just a bit of needed tension at the right points. And they still were. This whole situation can only be summed up in a two word review. And those that know what that is will know what that is.

For my love of your work, the people you knew, and how you have sadly gone, please do RIP.

[Randall]

That vile man only proved Reiner was right about him. Points well taken, but I will not waste more digital ink on that despicable human being. Let's talk about Rob and Michele.

Such tragic news. From what I am reading, the son returned to the home recently, but had been fighting with his dad the night before the murders. By opening up their home to the prodigal son, they lost their lives. Such a rotten, terrible outcome. One can't imagine the state of the son for that to happen. Patricide/matricide is so hard to fathom. And stabbing deaths are said to be personal ones, borne of intense anger or hatred... but your own parents? And does he think he is any better off now, hated by family and the general public, and up on murder charges? So stupid.

Rob was such a well-loved, talented man. The "mayor of Hollywood" gave us so many wonderful, diverse films, in so many genres. And though he was 70 (edit: 78), there was still gas in the tank. Such a rotten loss.

[Ben]

Well, almost 80, but yes. Spinal Tarp II showed there was a lot left there. This is still such devastating news.

[Randall]

And now Gil Gerard, at 82. Dang. He really was great as Buck Rogers. I met him a few years ago, and he seemed like a pretty good guy. RIP.

[Randall]

And now sci-fi collector supreme Bob Burns! Now him, I only wish I could have met and visited with! He was truly one of us, if we could only have all the cool stuff he did. He really kept the flames of fandom burning, and helped to celebrate the films we love. RIP.

[Ben]

Oh no! For both Gil and Bob.

Ah, Bob, why d'ya have to leave us?? What a guy, what a legacy, what a collection!

RIP, both. "Biddibiddibiddi!"