Notable Showbiz Deaths of 2024

Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon was born in Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine, France, to Édith (Arnold) and Fabien Delon. His father was of French and Corsican Italian descent, and his mother was of French and German ancestry. His parents divorced early on, and Delon had a stormy childhood, being frequently expelled from school.

In 1953/1954 he served with the French Marines in Indochina. In the mid-'50s he worked at various odd jobs including waiter, salesman and porter in Les Halles market. He decided to try an acting career and in 1957 made his film debut in Yves Allégret's Quand la femme s'en mêle (1957). He declined an offer of a contract from producer David O. Selznick, and in 1960 he received international recognition for his role in Luchino Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers (1960). In 1961 he appeared on the stage in "'Tis a Pity She's a Whore", directed by Visconti, in Paris. In 1964 he formed his own production company, Delbeau Productions, and he produced a short film directed by Guy Gilles. In 1968 he found himself involved in murder, drug and sex scandal that indirectly implicated major politicians and show-business personalities, but he was eventually cleared of all charges. In the late 1960s he formed another company. Adel Film, and the next year he began producing features. In 1981 he directed his first film, To Kill a Cop (1981).

Delon was a sensation early in his career; he came to embody the young, energetic, often morally corrupted man. With his breathtaking good looks he was also destined to play tender lovers and romantic heroes, and he was a French embodiment of the type created in America by James Dean. His first outstanding success came with the role of the parasite Tom Ripley in 'Rene Clement''s sun-drenched thriller Purple Noon (1960). Delon presented a psychological portrait of a murderous young cynic who attempts to take on the identity of his victim. A totally different role was offered to him by Visconti in Rocco and His Brothers (1960). In this film Delon plays the devoted Rocco, who accepts the greatest sacrifices to save his shiftless brother Simon.

After several other films in Italy, Delon returned to the criminal genre with Jean Gabin in Any Number Can Win (1963). This work, a classic example of the genre, was distinguished not only by a soundly worked-out screenplay, but also by the careful production and the excellent performances of both Delon and Gabin. It was only in the late 1960s that the sleek and lethal Delon came to epitomize the calm, psychopathic hoodlum, staring into the camera like a cat assessing a mouse. His tough, ruthless side was first used to real effect by Jean-Pierre Melville in Le Samouraï (1967). In 1970 he had a huge success in the bloodstained Borsalino (1970)--which he also produced--playing a small-time gangster in the 1930s who, with Jean-Paul Belmondo, becomes king of the Marseilles underworld. Delon later won critical acclaim for his roles, against type, in Joseph Losey's Mr. Klein (1976) in which he played (brilliantly) the icily sinister title role, and the art-movie Swann in Love (1984). He has an older son Anthony Delon (who has also acted in a number of movies) from his first marriage to Nathalie Delon, and has a young son and daughter, Alain-Fabien and Anouchka with Rosalie.

Mickey Cottrell was born on 4 November 1944 in Springfield, Illinois, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for My Own Private Idaho (1991), Volcano (1997) and Ed Wood (1994). He died on 1 January 2024 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.

American film historian and documentary writer-producer; frequent on-camera commentator and occasional bit-part actor. Author of the books 'Hollywood Gothic', the definitive chronicle of Bram Stoker's Dracula in its journey from page to stage to screen; 'The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror'; 'Screams of Reason: Mad Science and Modern Culture'; 'V Is for Vampire' and many others. With Elias Savada, co-author of 'Dark Carnival: The Secret World of Tod Browning'. Documentary projects include The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale (1999), a behind-the-scenes chronicle of the Academy Award-winning biopic 'Gods And Monsters', and 11 DVD documentaries for Universal Studio Home Video's classic horror and science fiction films. He resided in Los Angeles.

René Verzier was born in 1934 in Casablanca, French Morocco [now Morocco]. He was a cinematographer, known for Toby McTeague (1985), The Morning Man (1986) and The Vindicator (1986). He died on 1 January 2024 in Granby, Quebec, Canada.

Peter Berkos was born on 15 August 1922 in Cicero, Illinois, USA. He is known for Slap Shot (1977), Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Into the Night (1985). He was married to Sally Ann Berkos. He died on 2 January 2024 in Rancho Bernardo, California, USA.

Chris Karrer was born on 20 January 1947 in Kempten, Bavaria, Germany. He was an actor, known for Wunden und Narben (1981), Anatahan, Anatahan (1969) and Beat-Club (1965). He died on 2 January 2024 in Bavaria, Germany.

Bridget Dobson was born on 1 September 1938 in Thiensville, Wisconsin. She was a writer and producer, known for Santa Barbara (1984), Guiding Light (1952) and General Hospital (1963). She was married to Jerome Dobson. She died on 3 January 2024 in Georgia, USA.

Ayla Algan was born on 29 October 1937 in Istanbul, Turkey. She was an actress and assistant director, known for O da Beni Seviyor (2001), Harem Suare (1999) and Son Söz Benim (1970). She was married to Beklan Algan. She died on 4 January 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Georgina Hale was an accomplished stage actress who made many memorable forays in cinema, most notably in the films of Ken Russell, especially her performance as Alma Mahler, in a wonderful and visually rich biopic on composer Mahler (1974) which she won a BAFTA (British Academy Award) for. Two other standout performances were in Russell's notorious The Devils (1971) and the Twiggy musical "The Boyfriend" in which she played Fay, camping it up, in a backstage lesbian sub plot. She made in-joke cameos in two further Russell films: Lisztomania (1975) and Valentino (1977). Unfortunately, roles dwindled after her BAFTA win, for some reason, and she made some bad movie choices such as The World Is Full of Married Men (1979) (the film version of Jackie Collins's novel of the same name) and McVicar (1980), as well as the occasional stunner such as Butley (1974), written by playwright Simon Gray.

She appeared in many of Gray's stage plays (many were filmed for British television with her in starring roles) and she continued to work in British theatre. She made many guest appearances in UK television series including: Upstairs, Downstairs (1971), The Protectors (1972), Lady Killers (1980), Minder (1979), Boon (1986), One Foot in the Grave (1990), Murder Most Horrid (1991), The Vicar of Dibley (1994), three episodes of Doctor Who (1963) and many many others. She starred in two television series: Budgie (1971) (a successful series in the 1970s) and, in the early 1990s, a cult children's series based around a witch-like figure called "T. Bag".

Most recently, she had appeared in a comic role in Preaching to the Perverted (1997) in which her character pointed out that sometimes one has to debase one's self to further one's career. This film didn't much further her career (at age 55, she did a Sharon Stone under-table leg trick) but it added to her growing reputation as one of the UK's favorite cult actresses. She died in 2024, aged 80.

Glynis Johns was the daughter of actor Mervyn Johns. Best known for her light comedy roles and often playful flirtation, Glynis was born in South Africa while her parents were on tour there (her mother was a concert pianist) but was always proud of her Welsh roots and took delight in playing the female lead (opposite Richard Burton) in the classic Under Milk Wood (1971). She was probably best known for her role as the suffragette mother in Mary Poppins (1964) although she is probably best loved for her fishy roles in Miranda (1948) and Mad About Men (1954). She had earlier showed she could take on the serious roles as well as in Frieda (1947). Most recently seen (at the time of writing) in Superstar (1999). Johns died in 2024, aged 100, having never received the damehood she had richly deserved for decades. Predeceased by her only son, she was survived by a grandson,Thomas Forwood, and three great-grandchildren.

German actor Christian Oliver worked in the entertainment industry for more than 15 years, with, among others, Steven Soderbergh in The Good German; with Brian Singer and Tom Cruise in Valkyrie; and with the Wachowski sisters in Speed Racer. He also starred in Europe's Number One action series Alarm for Cobra 11 (RTL) for two years and had numerous other TV appearances in the US and Germany.

David Soul achieved pop icon status as handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed Detective Kenneth Hutchinson on the cult "buddy cop" TV series Starsky and Hutch (1975), Soul also had a very successful singing career recording several albums, with worldwide number one hit singles including "Silver Lady" & "Don't Give Up on Us Baby".

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, David Soul is the son of a minister who was at one time serving as the religious affairs advisor to the U.S. High Commission in Berlin. At 24 years of age, young Soul joined a North Dakota musical revue, was noticed by a keen-eyed talent scout, and signed to a studio contract. He went on to study acting with the Irene Daly School of The Actors Company, and with the Columbia Workshop in Hollywood. He first appeared on TV in small roles in shows including I Dream of Jeannie (1965), Flipper (1964) and All in the Family (1971). Regular TV work kept coming in for Soul including making masked appearances on The Merv Griffin Show (1962), as the popular singer known only as "The Covered Man."

In 1973, Soul was fortunate enough to be cast as one of the corrupt motorcycle cops in the Clint Eastwood thriller Magnum Force (1973), where his talents came to the attention of several TV execs who were looking for someone to play one of the lead roles in the upcoming Starsky and Hutch (1975) TV series. After four seasons, the show came to an end, yet Soul's talents were still in demand. He quickly went on to appear as the meek writer turned terrified vampire hunter Ben Mears in the chilling television mini-series Salem's Lot (1979), and then as Jake in the interesting television movie Homeward Bound (1980).

Several undemanding movies and TV series appearances followed for Soul. However in 1988 he scored rave reviews for his portrayal of real life, cold-blooded cop killer Michael Lee Platt in In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders (1988). It was considered highly controversial for its intense level of violence in a made for TV production.

David Soul remained very busy throughout the 1990s and beyond, in both film and on stage productions. He has toured internationally in several theater productions, including playing the narrator in the critically-acclaimed production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, plus a successful UK tour performing in Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Fans of the original TV series were glad to see Soul back with Paul Michael Glaser doing a cameo appearance in the big-budget movie version of Starsky & Hutch (2004).

Throughout his life, Soul has continually championed social causes often utilizing his own funds to raise awareness on issues including the impact of the Vietnam War, the shutdowns in the US steel industry, animal welfare, world hunger and HIV education. Soul has for several years made his home in the United Kingdom, where he has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, on several British TV shows and has become a keen soccer fan supporting English club, Arsenal FC.

Tracy Tormé was born on 12 April 1959 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Fire in the Sky (1993), I Am Legend (2007) and Sliders (1995). He was married to Jennifer Marie Tormé and Robin Tormé. He died on 4 January 2024 in Escondido, California, USA.

Brian McConnachie was born on 23 December 1942 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for Caddyshack (1980), Celebrity (1998) and Strange Brew (1983). He was married to Ann Crilly. He died on 5 January 2024 in Venice, Florida, USA.

Pat McNamara was born on 22 July 1933 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Instinct (1999). He died on 5 January 2024 in Santa Monica, California, USA.

Del Palmer was born on 3 November 1952 in Greenwich, London, England. He was an actor, known for Kate Bush: Experiment IV (1986), Kate Bush Live at Hammersmith Odeon (1981) and Queens of British Pop (2009). He died on 5 January 2024 in the United Kingdom.

Tony Clarkin was born on 24 November 1946 in Birmingham, England. He was an actor, known for Magnum: Just Like an Arrow (1985), Magnum: When the World Comes Down (1986) and Magnum: Midnight (You Won't Be Sleeping) (1986). He died on 7 January 2024.

Guy Bonnet was born in 1945 in Avignon, Vaucluse, France. He was a composer and executive. He died on 8 January 2024 in Montpellier, France.

Adan Canto is a Mexican-American actor and director. He left home at the age of 16 to pursue a career as a musician. Canto wrote for and produced several songs for film and television while living in Mexico City. He began acting in a handful of commercials in Mexico City and was soon cast in a television series called Estado de Gracia. Canto eventually turned to the stage after being cast as a lead for the adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's All About My Mother.

In 2013, Canto made his debut in American television, playing the role of Paul Torres on the Fox drama series, The Following. In 2015 Canto played real life politician Rodrigo Lara Bonia in Netflix drama series Narcos. In 2016, he was cast in the ABC political drama series, Designated Survivor, playing White House Chief of Staff Aaron Shore opposite Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, and Maggie Q. Canto wrote and directed his first short film Before Tomorrow in 2014. His short film The Shot earned several festival awards for Best Narrative Short Film in 2020.

Ventura Pons was born on 25 July 1945 in Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. He was a director and producer, known for Anita no perd el tren (2001), To Die (or Not) (2000) and What's It All About (1995). He died on 8 January 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

Gianfranco Reverberi was born on 12 December 1934 in Genoa, Liguria, Italy. He was a composer, known for Kick-Ass (2010), Boyhood (2014) and The Big Short (2015). He died on 8 January 2024 in Genoa, Liguria, Italy.

Rashid Khan was born on 1 July 1968 in Sahaswan, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India. Rashid was a composer, known for My Name Is Khan (2010), Omkara (2006) and Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008). Rashid was married to Soma Khan. Rashid died on 9 January 2024 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

James Kottak was born on 26 December 1962 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Kingdom Come: Do You Like It (1989), Warrant: Family Picnic (1995) and Kingdom Come: Get It On (1988). He was married to Athena Bass. He died on 9 January 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Sadao Miyamoto was born on 16 May 1937. He was a director, known for Astro Boy (1963), Gatchaman The Movie (1978) and Gatchaman (1972). He died on 9 January 2024.

Karl Wesson was born on 30 September 1945 in Tempe, Arizona, USA. He was a casting director and actor, known for Southland Tales (2006), Thelma & Louise (1991) and Van Helsing (2004). He was married to Brenda. He died on 9 January 2024 in Salem, Utah, USA.