Farewells of 2022

Hello Friends,

I finally finished my annual tribute to the stars we lost in 2022. It took a bit longer than I expected, as I started this in December, and here it is March! But I wanted to be sure it was as complete as possible, and I believe it is.

After a while working on this, I felt I almost got to know all of these wonderful people personally. Some I had never heard of, and some died tragically (murder, car accidents, Covid, suicide) and way too young. Sadly there were also an unusually high number of passings in the Star Trek Family, some iconic and all beloved. But I hope the joy they brought the world will live on. Bless them on their journeys from life to life.

Unfortunately, there have been several notable passings already this year that I am aware of, but I am already beginning the 2023 farewells as I write this, and you will see them next January. (I’m only two months late with this!)

Let me know what you think, and feel free to include any of your favorite memories of these remarkable people. You can see all their names and accomplishments in the keys below.

Love and Blessings, Therese

  • ATHLETICS
  • 1. Maury Wills, 89, Base-Stealing Shortstop for the Dodgers
  • 2. Lusia Harris, 66,  First Woman Drafted by NBA  
  • 3. Pelé, 82, Charismatic Master of the “Beautiful Game”
  • 4. Jeremy Giambi, 47, Former MLB Player, portrayed in Moneyball.            
  • 5.  Bill Russell, 88, Boston Celtics Legend and the NBA’s Ultimate Winner          
  • 6. Brad William Henke, 56, Super Bowl Winner, Orange Is the New Black, Lost
  • 7. Scott Hall, 63, Notorious Bad Guy of Pro Wrestling
  • 8. Bobby East, 37, Former NASCAR Driver (stabbed)
  • 9. Jeff Gladney, 25, Arizona Cardinals Cornerback, (Car Accident)
  • 10. Dwayne Haskins, 24, Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback, (Struck by Car)  
  • 11. Franco Harris, 72, Steelers Hall of Fame Running Back ‘Immaculate Reception’  
  • 12.  Len Dawson, 87, Hall of Fame Chiefs Quarterback ‘Inside the NFL,’   
  • 13. Tony “Goose” Siragusa 55, “Super Bowl Champion and Actor in The Sopranos 
  • 14. Vin Scully, 94, Treasured Voice of the Dodgers 
  • ENTERTAINERS AND NEWSMAKERS
  • 15. Robert Clary, 96, Corporal LeBeau on Hogan’s Heroes 
  • 16. Gail Halvorsen, 101, Cold War ‘Candy Bomber’
  • 17. Sonya Eddy, 55, General Hospital. Come Away Home
  • 18.  Georgia Holt, 96, Actress, Singer and Cher’s Mother,               
  • 19.  Robbie Coltrane, 72 Comic Performer, Hagrid in ‘Harry Potter’
  • 20.  Angela Lansbury, 96 Manchurian Candidate, Sweeney Todd, Murder She Wrote  
  • 21. Pat Carroll, 95, Cinderella, With Six you get Eggroll, The Little Mermaid,
  • 22.  Jules Bass, 87, Producer, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman  
  • 23. Ivan Reitman, 75, Animal House’ Producer  and ‘Ghostbusters’ Director
  • 24. Kevin Conroy 66, Longtime Voice of Batman,
  • 25. Steve Schapiro, 87, Acclaimed Photojournalist,
  • 26. Douglas Kirkland, 88, Famed Photographer of Hollywood Luminaries
  • 27. Patrick Demarchelier, 78, Fashion Photographer who took Princess Diana’s last portraits.
  • 28. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, Retired Leader of the Roman Catholic Church
  • 29. Brenda Deiss, 60, Breakout star of Red Rocket
  • 30.  Queen Elizabeth II, 96.  Britain’s Longest Reigning Monarch, Mother of King Charles III
  • 31. Dale Chritchlow 92, Napoleon Dynamite
  • 32. Gallagher, 76, Comic Known for Smashing Watermelons
  • 33. Busi Lurayi, (Mid 30s)How to Ruin Christmas’
  • 34. Adam Wade, 87, Singer, Actor Musical Chairs, Kiss Me Goodbye, Claudine
  • 35. Larry Storch, 99, Corporal Randolph Agarn on F Troop,
  • 36. Robyn Griggs, 49 ‘Another World’
  • 37.  Irene Papas, 93, The Guns of Navarone, Zorba the Greek, The Moonspinners, Z.
  • 38. Ann Turner Cook, 95, The Original Gerber Baby
  • 39. James R. Olson, 91 Andromeda Strain, Rachel, Rachel
  • 40. Lindsey Pearlman, 43, General Hospital’
  • 41. P.J. O’Rourke, 74, Irreverent Author and Commentator
  • 42. Michael Callan, 86, Actor in Broadway’s West Side Story and ‘Cat Ballou
  • 43. Mary Alice, 85, Fences, Sparkle, The Matrix Revolutions,  
  • 44.  Kenneth Tsang, 86, ‘Rush Hour 2,’
  • 45. Denise Dowse, 64.Beverly Hills, 90210, Insecure
  • 46.  Paul Herman, 76, The Sopranos,Entourage’ and ‘The Irishman,
  • 47. Frank Vallelonga Jr.,60, Green Book, All In
  • 48  Ray Liotta, 67, GoodFellas, ’Field of Dreams, Cocaine Bear
  • 49. Leslie Phillips,98,  Debonair British Actor of ‘Carry On,’ Potter’ Films
  • 50. Clu Gulager, 93, ‘The Virginian,The Last Picture Show’
  • 51. Robert Cormier 33, Heartland, Slasher
  • 52. Michael Kopsa, 66, X-Files, Stargate SG-1
  • 53. Tony Sirico, 79 ‘ The Sopranos’
  • 54. Joan Hotchkis, 95, ‘The Odd Couple’, ‘Ode to Billie Joe,’ 
  • 55. Stuart Margolin, 82, The Rockford Files, M*A*S*H
  • 56. Joe E. Tata, 85, Beverly Hills, 90210,A Clockwork Blue
  • 57.  Roseanna Christiansen, 71. Dallas,’ Sybil Luddington, Matlock
  • 58. Tony Dow, 77, Wally Cleaver on  Leave It to Beaver, Kentucky Fried Movie
  • 59.  Pat Rosson, 69, The Andy Griffith Show’, ‘The Young Marrieds’
  • 60. Bob Rafelson, 89, Director of ‘Five Easy Pieces. Producer of The Monkees,
  • 61. Rae Allen, 95,The Sopranos’ ‘Damn Yankees,
  • 62. Scoey Mitchell, 92. Comedian, Star of TV’s ‘Barefoot in the Park,’
  • 63. Vivienne Westwood, 81, British Fashion Designer and Punk Style Icon
  • 64. Andre Leon Talley, 73. Former Editor-at-Large of Vogue, guest on Finding Your Roots (Covid -19)
  • 65. Thierry Mugler, 73 Avant-Garde French Fashion Designer,
  • 66. Austin Stoker, 92 Assault on Precinct 13. Horror High, Abby
  • 67.  Ivana Trump, 73, First Wife of Former President
  • 68.  Cherry Valentine (George Ward) 28, Beloved Drag Performer RuPaul’s Drag Stove (Suicide) 
  • 69.  Henry Silva, 95, The Manchurian Candidate, Green Gardens, Ocean Eleven
  • 70. Charles Siebert, 84, Trapper John, M.D,
  • 71.  Helen Slayton-Hughes, 92. Parks and Recreation
  • 72. Julie Powell, 49, Food Writer, Blogger Known for ‘Julie & Julia,’
  • 73. Mickey Rooney Jr. 77, Musician, Actor,
  • 74. Liz Sheridan 93, Jerry’s Mom on ‘Seinfeld,’ ALF, American Dad
  • 75. Jossara Jinaro, 48.  ‘ER, Passions’. ‘East Los High’  
  • 76. Brad Johnson, 62Always, ‘Rough Riders, Left Behind (Covid -19)
  • 77. John Steiner, 81, Caligula, Shock, Waves of Lust, (Car Accident)
  • 78. Jak Knight, 28, Stand-Up Comedian, Writer & Actor, Black-ish, Big Mouth (suicide)  
  • 79. Nicki Aycox, 47, Supernatural’, Jeepers Creepers, The Girl on the Train.
  • 80. Ralph Ahn, 95, New Girl,‘Gilmore Girls, The Shield, Brother of actor Phillip Ahn
  • 81. Eileen Ryan, 94, The Twilight Zone, and Mother of Sean Penn,
  • 82. Ned Eisenberg, 65,  Attorney Roger Kressler on ‘Law & Order: SVU’  
  • 83. Ron Masak, 86, “King of CommercialsMurder, She Wrote,  
  • 84. Tom Urich, 87,   Kate & Allie, Beverly Hills 90210, Older Brother of Robert Urich
  • 85. Jack Ging, 90,The A-Team, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Eleventh Hour
  • 86. Breck Denny, 34, Actor, Writer and Groundlings Performer
  • 87. Yvette Mimieux, 80  Where the Boys Are, Light in the Piazza 
  • 88. Nino Cerruti, 91, Italian Menswear Innovator
  • 89 Bernard Cribbins, 93, British Children’s TV Icon and ‘Doctor Who’  
  • 90. Faye Marlowe, 95,  ‘Hangover Square,’ The Spider
  • 91. Carol Speed, 76, Actress in ‘The Mack, Black Samson’ and ‘Abby,’  
  • 92. Max Julien, 88, The Mack, Psyche Out, Getting Straight,The Black Klansman
  • 93.  Drew Griffin,60,  CNN Investigative Correspondent, Dies at 60
  • 94. Marnie Schulenburg,37, As the World Turns’ One Life to Live,’37
  • 95. Alan Ladd Jr.,84,Star Wars’ Savior and Oscar Winner for ‘Braveheart,
  • 96. Susan Tolsky, 79 Here Come the Brides’, ‘Madame’s Place.
  • 97. ‘Lenny Von Dohlen, 64, Billy Galvin, Twin Peaks’
  • 98. Linda Lawson 86, Night Tide,’ 99.  Philip Baker Hall, 90, ‘Seinfeld,
  • 100. L.Q. Jones, 94 Wild Bunch’, Member of ‘Peckinpah’s Posse’
  • 101. Ioane “John” King, 49, Actor on Starz’s ‘Spartacus,
  • 102. Mark Miller, ’97, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ Star,‘Walk in the Clouds’ Screenwriter
  • 103. Bo Hopkins, 84‘Wild Bunch’, ‘American Graffiti’
  • 104. June Preston, 93, Child Actor turned Celebrated Opera Singer,
  • 105. Jered Barclay,91, Screen and Stage Veteran
  • 106. John Aylward,75, ER’, The West Wing,’ Mad Men
  • 107 Jerry Ver Dorn, 72, ‘Guiding Light’, ‘One Life to Live,
  • 108. Sara Shane, 94, Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure, The King and Four Queens,
  • 109.  June Blair, 90,The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,’
  • 110. Clarence Gilyard 66, ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,
  • 111. Douglas McGrath 64,  Tony and Oscar Nominee, Screenwriter and Actor
  • 112. Rio Hackford, 51, ‘Treme, Swingers’ and New Orleans Club Owner
  • 113. Bob Elkins 89, ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,’
  • 114. Monica Vitti,90,  Italian Film Icon,
  • 115. Dwayne Hickman, 87.The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,’
  • 116. Anne Heche, 53,  Donnie Brasco,13 Minutes, If These Walls Could Talk (Car Accident)
  • 117. Vachik Mangassarian, 78, The Book of Daniel, Agents of S.H.I.E.LD.
  • 118. John Zderko, 60,Criminal Minds’‘The Mentalist,’
  • 119. Bernard Shaw, 82 CNN’s First Chief News Anchor,
  •  120. David McCullough, 89. Pulitzer-Winning Historian, 121. JoeTurkel, 94, ‘The Shining,’
  • 122.  Wolfgang Petersen, 81, German Commander of ‘Das Boot,’
  • 123. Sidney Poitier, 94, In the Heat of the Night, To Sir With Love, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
  • 124. Virginia Patton, 97, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Double Life, Janie
  • 125.  Jeanine Ann Roose, 84   Young Violet in It’s a Wonderful Life
  • 126. Mickey Kuhn, 90,  ‘Gone With the Wind, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
  • 127. Billy Watson, 98 Child Actor in ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’
  • 128. Sharyn Moffett,85, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House , The Body Snatchers,
  • 129. Farrah Forke, 54,Wings,’ Kates’s Addiction, Disclosure
  • 130. Bruce MacVittie, 65,  American Buffalo, Law and Order’
  • 131. Gilbert Gottfried,67 Acerbic Comedian with unforgettable grating voice.  Aladdin, the AFLAC duck.
  • 132. Matt Gogin ,40,The New Guy’ ‘Made for Each Other,’ (Pneumonia)
  • 133Ronan Vibert 58,  ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, ‘The Borgias’134. Frank Pesce, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Films,
  • 135. Robert Mosley, 83,  Magnum P.I.
  • 136. Lawrence Dane. 84  Bride of Chucky, Scanners
  • 137. Sacheen Littlefeather, (Maria Cruz) 75, Actress and Activist.
  • 138. Margaret Keane, 94, Painter and Subject of Tim Burton’s ‘Big Eyes,’
  • 139. Dennis Waterman, 74, ‘The Sweeney’, ‘Minder’
  • 140. Donald May, 92, Adam Drake on ‘The Edge of Night,’
  • 141. Kathryn Kates, 73, Many Saints of Newark’, ‘Seinfeld,’
  • 142. Jason David Frank, 49, ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ (suicide)
  • 143. Moses J. Moseley, 31,The Walking Dead, (Gunshot wound)
  • 144. Conrad Janis, 94, Trombonist, ‘Mork & Mindy
  • 145. Peter Robbins, 65, Voice of Charlie Brown in the 1960s, Blondie, (suicide)
  • 146. Quentin Oliver Lee, 34, Broadway Actor, The Phantom of the Opera
  • 147. Howard Hesseman, 81,  Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati  
  • 148. Todd Gitlin, 78, Author, Sociologist, The Sixties, Years of Hope, Days of Rage (Covid -19)
  • 149.  Shirley Ann Watts, 84, Widow of Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones
  • 150. Jethro Lazenby, 30 Model and Son of Nick Cave,
  • 151.  Todd Whiting, 45, NBC Universal Digital Content Veteran (Covid -19)
  • 152. Bob LuPone, 46, Search for Tomorrow, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Doors
  • 153.  Brent Renaud, 50, Documentary maker and Journalist, assassinated in Ukraine
  • 154. Madeleine Albright, 84 First Female U.S. Secretary of State
  • 155. Peter Bogdanovich, 82, Oscar-Nominated Director ,The Last Picture Show, What’s Up Doc?,
  • 156. Bob Saget, 65, Sometimes dirty Comic , ‘Full House’, America’s Funniest Home Videos
  • 157. Carleton Carpenter, 95, ‘Two Weeks With Love, Father of the Bride, Summer Stock
  • 158. Hardy Krueger 93, The Defector, Paper Tiger, Hatari
  • 159. Gloria McMillan, 88,Our Miss Brooks,’ Centennial, Perfect Strangers
  • 160. Jimmy Lydon , 98,  ‘Life With Father, The First Hundred Years, Hot Rod
  • 161. Diane McBain, 81, ‘Surfside 6’, ‘Spinout,’
  • 162. Catherine Spaak, 77, Actress and Singer, Cat o’Nine Tails,  If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium,
  • 163. Joanna Barnes, 87, Actress in ‘The Parent Trap’ ,‘Auntie Mame,’ Spartacus
  • 164. James Caan, 82, The Godfather, Rollerball , Misery, Father of  Scott Caan
  • 165. Kathy Lamkin, 74 No Country for Old Men,’
  • 166. Venetia Stevenson 84, “The Most Photogenic Girl in the World” Sugarfoot, 77 Sunset Strip
  • 167. Johnny Brown, 84 Comedian, Singer and Actor, Laugh-In, Good Times
  • 168. Joan Copeland, 99 Law and Order, Roseland
  • 169. William Hurt, 71 Kiss of the Spider Woman’ ‘Broadcast News ,Body Double
  • 170. Cheslie Kryst, 30, Attorney, ‘Extra’ Correspondent and Former Miss USA, (suicide)
  • 171. Veronica Carlson, 77, The Horror of Frankenstein, Black Easter
  • 172. Barbara Walters, 93,  The Today Show, ABC Nightly News The Barbara Walters Specials
  • 173. Rebecca Balding, 73 Soap’ Charmed,’
  • 174. Peter Bowles, 85, ‘To the Manor Born,
  • 175.  Joyce Ostin, 64 Photographer,
  • 176. Barrie Youngfellow, 75 ‘It’s a Living,
  • 177. Jim Hartz, 82  NBC News Veteran and ‘Today’ Co-Host
  • 178. Bill Plante, 84 White House Correspondent for CBS News,
  • 179. Louie Anderson, 68 Iconic Stand-Up Comic, Life with Louie, Baskets’
  • 180. Emilio Delgado,81  “Luis” of ‘Sesame Street’ Actor and Musician.
  • 181. Bob McGrath, 90 Original, Smiling, Longtime Resident of ‘Sesame Street,’
  • 182. Taurean Blacque, 82, ‘Hill Street Blues,’ Sanford and Son, The Bob Newhart Show.
  • 183. Teddy Ray, 32, Comedian, ‘Pause With Sam Jay, Messyness’ (Drowned)
  • 184. Robert Morse, 90,How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Mad Men
  • 185.  Maureen Arthur, 88How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,
  • 186. Tim Considine,81 My Three Sons’ ,‘Spin and Marty,
  • 187. Mark Shields, 88 Political Commentator and Columnist
  • 188. Raymond Briggs, 88 Beloved Author and Illustrator of ‘The Snowman
  • MUSICIANS
  • 189. Loretta Lynn, 90 First Lady of Country Music, Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Pill, One’s on the Way
  • 190. Pharoah Sanders, 81 Legendary Jazz Saxophonist, Karma, Love will Find a Way
  • 191. Julee Cruise, 65, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Scream (suicide)
  • 192. Dallas Good, 48, Guitarist of The Saddles
  • 193. Ric Parnell, 70This Is Spinal Tap’ Drummer
  • 194. Mimi Parker, 55 Vocalist and Drummer of Low,
  • 195. Alec John Such, 70 Former Bon Jovi Bassist,
  • 196. Taylor Hawkins, 50, Foo Fighters Drummer
  • 197.  Dino Danelli, 78 Co-Founder and Drummer of The Rascals
  • 198. John Hartman Dies, 72, Drummer for Doobie Brothers
  • 199. Cormac Roth, 25, Musician and Son of Tim Roth.
  • 200. Alan White, 72, Longtime Drumer of Yes.
  • 201. Anita Pointer, 74 Founding Member of R&B Group Pointer Sisters
  • 202. William Hart, 77 Delfonics Lead Singer and Songwriter
  • 203. Bobby  Rydell, 79 Pop Singer and ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ Actor
  • 204. Syl Johnson, 85 Chicago Soul and Blues Artist,
  • 205. Maxi Jazz, 65 Lead Singer for British Band Faithless
  • 206. Meat Loaf, 74 ‘Bat Out of Hell’ Singer, Actor
  • 207. Jeff Cook 73 Alabama Co-Founder
  • 208. Jim Seals, 80 Half of ’70s Group Seals and Crofts
  • 209. Alex DePue 49, Violinist, The DePue Brothers, (Car Accident)
  • 210. Jesse Powell, 51 R&B Singer You
  • 211. Irene Cara, 63, Oscar-Winning Singer and Actress, Fame, What a Feeling
  • 212. Vangelis, 79 Oscar-Winning Composer on ‘Chariots of Fire,
  • 213. Mable John, 91 First Female Solo Artist Signed by Motown,  
  • 214. Mickey Gilley, 86 Country Singer Helped Inspire ‘Urban Cowboy,’
  • 215. Wilko Johnson, 75 Dr. Feelgood Musician and ‘Game of Thrones’ Actor,
  • 216. Gary Brooker, 76 Frontman of  Procol Harum Whiter Shade of Pale
  • 217. Takeoff, 28, Rapper, Open it Up, (Victim of Houston Shooting)
  • 218.  Stephen “tWitch” Boss, 40 Freestyle Hip Hop Dancer, co-executive producer of Ellen DeGeneres Show (suicide)
  • 219. Patrick Haggerty, 78 Lavender Country
  • 220. Jerry Lee Lewis, 87 Piano-Bashing Pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll,
  • 221. Marilyn Bergman, 93 Oscar-Winning Lyricist
  • 222.  Calvin Simon, 79 Parliament-Funkadelic Co-Founder             
  • 223. Lata Mangeshkar, 92 Singer Known as the “Nightingale of India”
  • 224. Donny Gerrard, 75 Wildflower” Singer  
  • 225. Tom Parker, 33 The Wanted Singer, Dies at After Battling Brain Cancer
  • 226. DJ Kay Slay 55,  Pioneering Rapper, (COVID-19)
  • 227. Joni James, 91 Popular Songstress of the 1950s
  • 228. Barbara Morrison, 72 Legendary L.A. Jazz and Blues Singer
  • 229. Betty Davis, 77 Boundary-Smashing Funk Singer
  • 230. Shonka Dukureh, 44 ‘Elvis’ Actress and Singer
  • 231. Mark Lanegan, 57, Screaming Trees Frontman,
  • 232. Michael Lang, 77, Woodstock Organizer
  • 233. Willie Spence 33, American Idol Contestant, (Car Accident)
  • 234. Ralph Emery, 88, Legendary Country Music Broadcaster, The Grand Old Opry
  • 235. Aaron Carter, 34, Singer and brother Nick Carter, 2 Good 2 B True,  (Accidental drowning)
  • 236. Andy Fletcher, 60, Depeche Mode Co-Founder.  
  • 237. Trouble, 34, Atlanta Rapper, (assassinated)
  • 238.  PnB Rock (Rakim Hasheem Allen) 30, Rapper, Fleek, Selfish, Issues,  (assassinated by robber)
  • 239. Thom Bell, 79, Philadelphia Soul Icon, Arranger and Producer, (Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick)
  • 240. Coolio, 59 Iconic West Coast Rapper “Gangsta’s Paradise,”
  • 241.  Sidu Moose Wala, 28, Rapper , So High, (assassinated) 
  • 242. Diego Verdaguer, 70, Famed Argentine Singer and Musician (Covid 19)
  • 243. Judith Durham, 79, Lead Singer of The Seekers, Icon, Another You
  • 244.  Christine McVie 79 Singer/Songwriter for Fleetwood Mac, Songbird
  • 245. Naomi Judd, 76, Half of superstar duo The Judds, Singer/Songwriter Why Not Me? (suicide)
  • 246. Traci Braxton, 50 Sister of Toni Braxton, Last Call, What About Love?
  • 247. Maria Ewing, 71, Opera Singer, Mother to Rebecca Hall
  • 248. Ronnie Spector, 78, Leader of The Ronettes and ’60s Icon Be My Baby, Walking in the Rain
  • 249. Olivia Newton-John, 73, Singer & actress, Let me Be There, If Not for You, Magic , Grease
  • THE STAR TREK FAMILY
  • 250. Sally Kellerman,84,  ‘M*A*S*H,’ Star Trek-Where No Man Has Gone Before
  • 251. Laurel Goodwin,79,   Star Trek – The Cage,  Girls, Girls, Girls
  • 252. David Birney, 83,Bridget Loves Bernie’ ‘St. Elsewhere, Star Trek TNG
  • 253. Kenneth Welsh,80 ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘Twin Peaks, Star Trek Discovery
  • 254. Pamela Kosh, 93, Days of Our Lives, Star Trek TNG
  • 255. Melvin Nimoy, 92, Beloved big brother of Leonard Nimoy.
  • 256. Marvin J. Chomsky, 92, ‘Director, Star Trek (Day of the Dove, And the Children Shall Lead, All Our Yesterdays) Roots.
  • 257.  Douglas Trumbull, 79,   Visual Effects Maestro on ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’  Star Trek The Motion Picture.
  • 258. Mitchell Ryan, 88,  Star Trek TNG, ‘Lethal Weapon’‘Dharma & Greg,’
  • 259. Robert Brown,95, ‘Here Come the Brides’ Star Trek (Lazarus in The Alternative Factor)
  • 260. Andrew Prine, 86, Chisum’, Wide Country, V, Star Trek TNG, and DS9
  • 261. Tim McCormack, 74,  Star Trek TNG (Ensign Bennet) Dynasty, Miami Vice
  • 262. Wayne Grace, 82, Star Trek TNG, DS9,Enterprise,
  • 263. Paul Sorvino, 83, Goodfellas, That Championship Season, ‘Star Trek TNG, Father of Mira Sorvino
  • 264.  Walter Soo Hoo 90,  Star Trek, (Where No Man Has Gone Before, The Omega Glory),The Wild Wild West,
  • 265.  Judy Levitt, 83, Star Trek IV, VI and Generations,  Babylon 5, Walter Koenig’s Beloved Wife.
  • 266. Gregory Jein, 76,Star Trek’ Model Maker and Two-Time Oscar Nominee,
  • 267. Jack Kehler, 75, Actor in ‘The Big Lebowski, The Man in the High Castle,Star Trek DS9, Babylon 5
  •  268. David Warner, 80, Time Bandits, 80  Iconic Villian, Star Trek V,VI and TNG, Titanic, TRON’ Time After Time,’
  • 269.  Maggie Thrett, 76Star Trek’ (Ruth Bonaventure in Mudd’s Women) ‘Three in the Attic’
  • 270. William Knight, 88, Ensign Moody, (the singing guy) Star Trek –The Naked Time
  • 271. Estelle Harris, 93, Mrs. Costanza on ‘Seinfeld, ’Toy Story ,Star Trek Voyager.
  • 272. Gary Bullock, 80,  Star Trek – Enterprise and Voyager
  • 273. Louise Fletcher, 88, DS9’s Kai Winn Adami, Oscar winner as Nurse Ratched in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,
  • 274. Gregory Itzin, 74, ’24, Star Trek’s DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise
  • 275. John Aniston, 89, Days of Our Lives, ’Star Trek Voyager, and Father of Jennifer Aniston.
  • 276. Mike Hagerty, 67,Friends’, ‘Somebody Somewhere,’ Star Trek TNG
  • 277. Lev Mailer , 88,  Actor, Director, Coach, Star Trek, (Return of the Archons, Patterns of Force) Mission:Impossible,
  • 278.  Kirk Bailey, 59, Star Trek Voyager, Salute Your Shorts
  • 279. Leslie Jordan, 68, Will & Grace, Call Me Kat, Deep Space 9, (Car Accident) 
  • 280. Michael Braveheart , 71, Star Trek The Next Generation, (Crewman Martnez)
  • 281. Kathryn Hayes, 87, As the World Turns, Star Trek’s “Gem” in The Empath 
  • 282 Valora Norland , 81, Actress, Photographer, Daras on Star Trek (Patterns of Force)
  • 283. Nichelle Nichols, 89, Singer, Dancer, Beloved Lt. Uhura of Star Trek, and NASA recruiter.
  • 284. Kirstie Alley, 71, The Original Savik of Star Trek IICheers, Veronica’s Closet
  • 285. Danny Goldring,76, Star Trek DS9, Voyager, Enterprise (seen here holding all of his characters!)
  • 286. Marva Hicks, 66, Broadway’s ‘Lion King’  ST Voyager
  • 287. Mary Mara, 61, ER’,‘ Law & Order’ Star Trek Enterprise
  • 288. Marsha Hunt,104, Revered Actress who fought HUAC, Pride and Prejudice, The Human Comedy, Star Trek TNG,
  • 289. Nehemiah Persoff, 102, Wonderful character actor, ‘Some Like It Hot,On the Waterfront’Yentl,’ and Star Trek TNG

Just when you thought you were finished…

Hi All!

For the past two months I’ve been working on my traditional, annual Memorial Collage for celebrities and newsmakers. I usually post this in January, but sadly, there were so many passing’s of notables that it’s taken a lot longer than usual. (The Musician page alone has way too many!)

Anyway, I worked all day yesterday on the final portion of the collage and I THOUGHT I saved it. Well, this morning it’s nowhere to be found and I have to start all over again on that part! (Waaaah!!)

Here’s hoping I’ll have the whole thing up within a week. You’ll see it here as soon as it’s finished, with name keys and all.

For now, here’s only a small portion.

Take care today and make every day count! Love you all – Therese

Merry Christmas and Thank You!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying this Holiday Season, and that you’ll have a very Happy Christmas and New Year!!

Looks like Harry Mudd has his own version!

I would also like to take a moment to thank all of you, my readers and especially those who subscribe! That means a lot to me! I’m always delighted to see any new subscribers and I’m glad you enjoy it. I created this blog 11 years ago!! And although I hardly ‘trend’ and have never become ‘viral’ I always like hearing from you in comments and hope to hear may more in the future.

I’d be delighted for any donations (see button above or here) to help run this site! I have yet to receive any donations but hope springs eternal!

So This Happened…

Recently I wanted to write a post leading up to today, Star Trek Day (September 8th) but the other week, my husband, I, and both of our young adult sons all got Covid within four days of each other. Thankfully, we are all well and recovered now. Please get your vaccines and boosters, it will make the ailment SO MUCH easier to deal with and I have no doubt it saved us from much worse.

So today (September 8th) I was all set to write a post to celebrate Star Trek Day when I heard the sad news that Queen Elizabeth has passed at 96. She had a long, amazing and truly dedicated life to the people of Great Britain, and will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to Her family and the nation that loved her.

I will be posting articles on both of these events soon, and I thank you for your patience. In the meantime, you can check the post for Star Trek Day that I posted 2 years ago here, and you can see the collage I made for Queen Elizabeth’s 70th Anniversary Jubilee earlier this year here.

See you here soon, for now, sending hugs, Therese xo

Seeing Star Trek:The Motion Picture in a New Light

The other night I had a moment to watch a little TV, and thought I’d find a movie. Paramount+ had a list of movies leaving at the end of August, and among them was Star Trek: The Motion Picture. I hadn’t seen it in so long I figured it was a good time.

After years of easily dismissing it I was surprised and delighted to realize that I not only did I like this movie, but LOVED it! Quite a difference from my initial viewing 43(!) years ago.

In December of 1979, I was among the hundreds locally who came out to see it on its first night. Comparing what I saw that premiere night, and what I just watched the other night were of two different people in two realities. How the first Star Trek movie would be reacted to was somehow very personal to me. When I came out of the theater that night, I was happily saying to people in line “It’s great!”. But inside I was not too pleased, an opinion that regrettably stayed with me all these years, to the point of never wanting to see it again.

You see, through my then 18-year old’s eyes, this movie was going to be my redemption, my “I told you so!” to all the people who mocked me for my Trek devotion the whole past decade. But my concern about how non-Trekkies would take it was almost central to my enjoyment of the film. Seeing that attitude now, I admit with slight embarrassment that I was WAY too concerned with physical elements of the movie, than the actual plot. Kind of like not seeing the forest for the trees. My ‘trees’ here were things like:

  1. The Klingons are bumpy!!
  2. Oh, God, is everyone going to like it?
  3. That’s a bad wig, Spock!
  4. Oh, God, the actors look so old!
  5. Why are those uniforms so bland and awful? Where has all the color gone?
  6. Why is the dialogue so soft while the music and sound effects are SO LOUD?
  7. Why is the intro to the Enterprise taking s-o-o-o-o lo-o-o-o-o-ng?
  8. Why is Spock so wooden?
  9. Why did Ilia have to be bald?
  10. Are Ilia and Decker going to take over the Enterprise?
  11. What’s up with Scotty’s mustache?

My 61 year old brain can answer all that now …

  1. The Klingons are what Gene wanted them to be.
  2. Maybe not at the moment, but in time it will age better.
  3. Yes, he needed a better long hair wig, but that’s a minor point.
  4. Wow, they all look so YOUNG here!!
  5. Well, the uniforms were what they were. very 70’s. Fortunately they were all recycled into a better look in the sequels.
  6. This was mostly the fault of the poor audio equipment at the theater I watched it at. I remember many people calling out “Turn it up!!”
  7. The Enterprise intro is a big ‘Welcome back you beautiful ship’ presentation. Still a tad longer than it needed to be, but I get it. That’s what fast forward is for; the same for the long slide into V’Ger’s realm.
  8. He did seem unnaturally stiff before his space walk, but I understand now that Spock’s search for total logic was turning him inward.
  9. After years of seeing new aliens, Ilia’s lack of hair really was no big deal, (and dear Persis was so gorgeous).
  10. Of Course Not!!
  11. It’s the 70’s, man!

I was too ‘stressed’ with these ‘pressing’ concerns to appreciate the beauty of a story I had been waiting for10 years to culminate into reality! Seeing it now, although I still think it needed better editing to move it along more quickly, I appreciate it so much more. My impressions follow.

First of all, this was a beautifully remastered director’s cut of the piece. As your eyes delve into a field of stars, it begins with the graceful and sad, yet soaring overture of Ilia’s Theme by Jerry Goldsmith. Ilia’s theme grew a whole new meaning for me since I had last watched this movie, It really stresses a deep longing, the almost unbearable yearning to find something more that must be out there.

I felt compassion for Ilia this time too instead of seeing her as an ‘other’ or just sexy window dressing. Ilia is tragic because she is swept into the vortex of V’ger before she barely serves on the Enterprise. The small blinks of her real self that flicker from the shell of her V’ger persona are almost heartbreaking. “Deck-Er!” she voices in familiarity as she touches his face. So close yet so far.

Spock too is torn. Feeling a call from V-Ger, he is drawn back to the Enterprise. He cannot focus solely on his devotion to total logic. As he has failed the Ko-li-nahr to rid himself of emotion, so he is now determined to figure out the mystery of V-Ger, even at the risk of his own life to save his fellow crew members. This is a theme that carries through to the sad conclusion of The Wrath of Kahn. After his harrowing space walk into V’Ger, Spock rediscovers and embraces his humanity. The small chuckle he gives recovering in sickbay brings us back to the Spock we knew was still there.

At it’s core, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is very much true to the formula of the original series; set in outer space, but finding ourselves through personal conflict. It is not heavy on action, but it has suspense, which is always favorable, to me at least.

Technically, it was a marvel at the time, and a joy to see the Enterprise stream into warp drive with it’s strobe-rainbow effect. The new Enterprise was beautiful sleek upgrade to the original. Remember this was still a model-driven special effect department, and CGI was still in its infancy. The Klingon ship was ruggedly detailed and far more 3-D than ever before. Spock’s voyage into V’Ger and the steep stair set surrounding V’ger were remarkable, although I was concerned that these ‘ancient’ actors at the time would trip and fall!

Costume-wise were hits and misses. The variety of duty uniforms still didn’t make much sense to me. The beige/gold, pale blue/gray palate was probably considered quite futuristic at the time, al though they still had more of a 70’s Space 1999 vibe at the time. But their blandness made the actors blend in more with the cooler tones of the New Enterprise. Thankfully, Khan brought back more color and a less leisure suit look back to the series* and Star Trek: TNG brought back the classic gold/blue/red department shades. Also, the laughable, sporty, short sleeved uniforms here were so terribly preppy before preppy became a thing in the early 80’s. What, were these the Sunday leisure uniforms? They still make me laugh, and for heaven’s sake, grown men should never wear Penguin Suits and Onesies! (TMI! TMI!)

Thank heaven we had two glorious and elegant costume moments — Spock’s first entry on the bridge in a luxurious black cape and stove-pipe trousers, and Ilia’s white mini-robe with salmon pink stand up collar.

All I can say now , is that if you haven’t seen it in a long time, you might just enjoy it as much as i did. It is still a LOT better than Shatner’s ego-fest of Star Trek V!

And now All 6 Original STAR TREK Films Beam Down on 4K Blu-ray in September, Plus TMP Director’s Edition & Special Longer Version • TrekCore.com

*The reason for the red and black uniforms of STII was budgetary — the ST:TMP uniforms had to be recycled and the only colors they could be dyed were deep red and black!

Those Aren’t (exactly) Thistles…

So my friend Bill, an avid Trekker since the 70’s with me, took this beautiful picture of Burdock Thistle in his yard. Now, I’ve seen lots of Milk Thistles in my area, but not this variety. Anyway, Bill took a great shot and graciously let me use it here:

Bill’s picture.

And me, being me, couldn’t resist turning into something silly! After all, it did have a somewhat alien appearance! So here’s my abomination — I think McCoy would say: “That’s not a thistle, Jim!” 😉

I’m such a doofus.