Last Call: Science Fiction and Horror - January 2008

Heath Ledger, 28. Star of numerous films including Terry Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm (2005) and as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight. January 22, 2008 of apparent overdose.

Maila Nurmi, 86. TV's Vampira in 1954. Appeared in several exploitation films, most notably in Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959). Portrayed by Lisa Marie in Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994) January 10, 2008.

Rev. Lynn Lemon, 90. One of the investors in Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) who, as portrayed in Burton's Ed Wood (1994) planned to use the profits - which did not materialize - to make films with a Christian theme. Played the preacher who conducted the service for the detective played by Tor Johnson. He serendipitously wound up in a similar role in the William Smith starrer Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973). In Burton's biopic, Lemon was played by G.D. Spradlin.

Joseph Shaw, 87. Actor, appeared in as the coroner in Cronenberg's The Brood (1979), also TV's syndicated Ray Bradbury Theater. Shaw also regularly performed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Of emphysema January 9, 2008.

Lew Spence, 87. Composer. His work was recorded by Frank Sinatra and others, also featured prominently in numerous film soundtracks. Of genre interest was musical director for TV's Space Patrol in the 1950's. January 9, 2008.

Christopher Bowman, 40. Child actor, later US Men's Single Championship figure skater. Had a number of acting credits. Stunt performer for The Lost Boys (1987) and Surf Nazis Must Die (1987). January 10, 2008.

Pete Candoli, 85. Trumpet standout who played with Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey, also appeared in movies, including the delightful Bell, Book and Candle (1958) with Kim Novak as a New York City witch who falls in love with normal guy Jimmy Stewart. Candoli is part of the band in the Zodiac Club. His trumpet was heard on Roger Corman's first scifi epic, Day the World Ended (1955). Of prostate cancer, January 11, 2008.

Viola Kates Stimpson, 101.  Roaring Twenties chorus girl turned teacher turned actress who appeared as a tourist in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). TV work included Max Headroom. January 14, 2008.

Jinzi Toiumi, 78. Screenwriter for classic anime series including TV's Speed Racer. January 7, 2008 of liver cancer.

Gordon Bellamy, 70. Animator whose work included Space Jam (1996), Quest for Camelot (1998), The Rescuers Down Under (1990), The Iron Giant (1999), as well as lots of TV work. January 29, 2008.

Lois Nettleton, 80. Noted actress with many movie and TV roles. Appeared in Twilight Zone and Night Gallery on TV. Of lung cancer, January 18, 2008.

Suzanne Pleshette, 70. Actress best known for her several regular TV show roles, notably for The Bob Newhart Show. Appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, notably in Hitchcock's classic The Birds (1963), also the horror film The Power (1968) co-starring George Hamilton and with Peter Ustinov in Blackbeard's Ghost (1968). Plus numerous TV appearances including One Step Beyond and The Invaders. Of respiratory failure January 19, 2008.

Kevin Stoney, 86. Appeared in Dr Who, Blake 7, Space: 1999, and other British films and TV series. January 20, 2008.

Christopher Allport, 60. Movie appearances include Dead and Buried (1981), Invaders from Mars (1986), and as the serial killer in Jack Frost (1996) and a sequel. Also TV appearances to include The X-Files, Quantum Leap, The Invisible Man, and 1985's Twilight Zone. In a California avalanche January 25, 2008.

Manuel Padilla, Jr., 51. Actor, best known for being the kid in TV's Tarzan with Ron Ely and in two Tarzan movies with John Wayne movie veteran Mike Henry. Also appeared in American Graffiti (1973) and other films. January 29, 2008.