Last Call: Science Fiction and Horror - March 2008

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, 90. Science fiction author, Oscar-nominated with Stanley Kubrick for screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). The novel "2010: Odyssey Two" was filmed as 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984). Clarke cameoed in 2010 sitting on a park bench in front of the White House. Although many of his books, including the highly-regarded "Childhood's End," were optioned for movies and scripts commissioned, no other Clarke stories have yet been filmed. Rendezvous with Rama is, however, in production. There have been a few teleplays that have aired including "The Star." The story about explorers investigating a civilization destroyed by a nova that was the Star of Bethlehem aired on CBS's 1985 "Twilight Zone" TV remake. Clarke was a commentator on Apollo 11 moon landing coverage, appeared in documentaries and TV shows, and won countless science fiction awards. Of respiratory problems stemming from post-polio syndrome, March 19, 2008.

Richard Widmark, 93. Oscar-nominated actor. His wide-ranging roles from villain to Viking to soldier included genre work in Hammer's To the Devil a Daughter (1976), and The Swarm (1978). From complications following a fall, March 24, 2008.

Jeff Hyde, 52. Special effects technician. Genre work included Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness (1992) and Evil Dead II (1987), as well as Darkman (1990). Of cancer, March 5, 2008.

Taichiro Hirokawa, 68. Japanese voice actor for Space Battleship Yamato film franchise including Yamato 2520 (1994) and dubbed English-speaking actors for Japanese release, such as Roger Moore, Tony Curtis, and Robert Redford. Of cancer, March 3, 2008.

Leonard Rosenman, 83. Composer for more than 100 movies and TV shows, recipient of two Oscars as well as Emmy awards. Genre work included Oscar-nominated work for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), as well as scores for Countdown (1968), Beneath the Planetof the Apes (1970), Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), Fantastic Voyage (1966), RoboCop 2 (1990), Prophecy (1979), and The Car (1977). Of heart attack March 4, 2008.

Alex Sharp, 86. Stuntman, TV and film actor, writer. Stunt work included Bedazzled (2000), Planet of the Apes (1968), Battle for thePlanet of the Apes (1973) and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), and The Sword and the Sorceror (1982). Of heart and stroke-related illness Mar. 6, 2008

Carol Barnes, 63. British ITV news anchor who appeared as herself in Shaun of the Dead (2004).. Of a stroke, March 8, 2008.

George Justin, 91. Producer, other executive positions. Genre work included Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) as production manager and The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)as production supervisor. Died Mar. 9, 2008

Dave Stevens, 52. Artist-creator of the graphic novel favorite, "The Rocketeer," co-produced the live action Disney film The Rocketeer (1991) starring Jennifer Connelly and Bill Campbell. Also storyboarded Radiers of the Lost Ark (1981) and Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983). Of leukemia, March 10, 2008.

Akemi Negishi, 73. Veteran actress appeared in four Kurosawa films. Genre work included Half Human with John Carradine, King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) and Snake Woman's Curse (1968). Of ovarian cancer, March 11, 2008.

Brian Wilde, 80. British actor whose genre credits include Hammer's To the Devil a Daughter (1976) with Richard Widmark, Corridors of Blood (1958),and Night of the Demon (1957). Died March 20, 2008.

Tony Church, 77. Shakespearean actor. Genre work includes the role of Turold in Krull (1983) and TV's "The Invisible Man" (1959). March 25, 2008 in London.

Karl Lewis Miller, 66. Animal trainer whose genre work included the Nicole Kidman Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake, The Invasion (2007), House of 1000 Corpses (2003), Cujo (1983), Cat's Eye (1985), Dracula's Dog (1978), and The Amityville Horror (1979). Also acted. Died March 27, 2008

Robert Warnes Leach, 93. Wrote for television shows including the 1959 William Lundigan-starrer "Men Into Space". Also a victim's rights activist. Died March 30, 2008.

Jules Dassin, 96. Director and writer. Film productions include the genre comedy classic The Canterville Ghost (1944) and the 20-minute Joseph Schildkraut short, The Tell Tale Heart (1941). Of the flu, March. 31, 2008 in Athens, Greece.