April 14, 1930 – January 16, 2018

It has taken a few days for me to write down my thoughts about Bradford Dillman's passing. It has been difficult for me to find the correct words to express what I wanted to say, and what I needed to say. I will start by saying he was a good actor. Indeed, he was an extraordinary actor--never once giving a bad or uninteresting performance. He seemed to take absolute delight in his work, and it always showed.

17 March 1925 – 2 December 2015

Gabriele Ferzetti, the man who single-handedly got high school me to watch '60s Italian cinema.

(I actually have a distinct memory of sitting and waiting for my driver's ed class to start, while screen-shoting Le Amiche on my laptop.)

James Garner has died at the age of 86.

Soon the many articles and obituaries and remembrances will be coming. They will use words like effortless, charming, and beloved. Certainly, James Garner projected an aura of effortlessness. He was also probably the most charming person to ever exist. And clearly beloved.

However, he was also so much more, and that is why his loss to the film and television world is so--real.

I wasn't able to post a proper tribute in August when Eydie Gormé died because of all the wildness with school starting, but I really wanted to do something to remember her special kind of brilliance.

She was exhilarating: beautiful, talented, hilarious, and wonderful.

2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013

"Well, it was pitch dark and there he was. Tall, blue eyes, slim, quite good-looking."

-Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million

There is nothing to say about Peter O'Toole that hasn't already been said. And, that's because he really was everything. An wildly brilliant, fascinating, and charismatic actor and man--he always had all the attention.

1 July 1939 – 8 August 2013

I mostly love Karen Black from completely random things that no one else cares about, but she was always absurdly great. She had the most fascinating face and the most brilliantly charismatic presence. One simply could not look away when she was on screen.

Rest in peace.

December 4, 1921 – April 2013

Deanna Durbin was one the most special, talented, beautiful, joyful actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. That is her legacy. She intentionally ended her short career at its height, because she didn't need the career. She was a wonderful actress and singer and person.

She is the definition of multifaceted; there are so many things that could be written about her.

Yet, I have no words.

October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013

I'm finding real difficulty writing this post. I have so many things I want to say about the brilliance of Annette and why she is so important to me, but I just don't have the words.

For me, Annette is the essence of a feeling, an emotion, of a time in my life.

August 28, 1930 - February 3, 2012.

Ben Gazzara was a brilliant actor -- on the stage, in film, on television. He brought his Gazzaraness to everything.

He's one of my favorite actors to watch because he was so striking and unique. It's impossible to forget one of his performances. He could be doing the most lazy acting job in the stupidest movie, and STILL be utterly fascinating. He just WAS fascinating.

September 9, 1923 – September 10, 2011

Cliff Robertson was just an awesome person. I can't think of a single performance I haven't enjoyed. There was just something about that made you wish he was your friend. Maybe it was that sneaky, little smile or that completely inimitable voice?

He was perfect for light, fluffy '60s comedies.... but he was an even better serious actor.

I mean, he was the guy who played the famous Newman and Brando and Lemmon roles -- before they played them.

September 16, 1927 - June 23, 2011

I don't even know what to say right now. Peter Falk is not only one of my favorite actors ever, but also one of my favorite PEOPLE ever.

Peter Falk was always brilliant. In movies, he could play Jack Lemmon's evil, dim-witted assistant Max (The Great Race); he could play a brutal violent man (Murder Inc.); he could play a singing Guy Gisborne (Robin and the 7 Hoods); he could play a convincing psychiatrist (Pressure Point); he was widely regarded for his art house films with John Cassavetes. These are just a few of his many awesome film performances.

July 1, 1925 - March 27, 2011

This is truly sad news. :'(

I've always liked Farley Granger. He was such an interesting actor. He could play wild, and he could play REALLY wild, and he could also play completely normal "heroes."

Two of my favorite roles of his are The Girl on the Red Velvet Swing, where he is seriously terrible, and Strangers On a Train, where he is the all-American tennis star.

June 21, 1921 – February 28, 2011

Jane Russell was a very special lady. Gorgeous, hilarious, talented, a brilliant actor-- she could do anything. Jane Russell was always the outspoken one; she had beliefs, ideas, thoughts...and she said them. I love watching her in movies. I don't think anyone could help but love her. She's not in any way a forgettable actress, or person.

September 16, 1930 - January 2, 2011

Anne Francis was such a wonderful actress and person. And although she lived a full and long life-- her death has still come as a shock. Honey West was never supposed to die.

How can I put into words the extreme coolness, awesomeness, and groundbreaking nature of Anne Francis?!

February 15th, 1914 - September 11th, 2010

Kevin McCarthy was such an amazing actor. Instantly recognizable, I'm convinced he appeared in every [cool] TV show ever created. And he was ALWAYS brilliant. He was also a very hardworking actor; his film and television credits begin in 1944 and don't end 'till 2010!

He will be missed.

Kathryn Grayson.

I remember watching her in Kiss Me Kate when I was four.

I remember braving the depressingness of Show Boat just to see her.

I remember searching her name in my library's database so I could order as many of her films as possible. The Desert Song, Lovely To Look At, The Toast of New Orleans, Anchors Aweigh, Two Sisters From Boston, 'Till The Clouds Roll By, Andy Hardy's Private Secretary...I loved her in them all.

She was a hero of mine.

I am currently curled up on the couch eating Redvines licorice and watching Guys and Dolls.

The news that Jean Simmons had died hit me rather hard. I adore Jean. I think she is gorgeous and a brilliant actress. But, she means so much more than that to me. She was one of those rare actresses that I actually connected to, that I felt like I knew. For instance, I love Rita Hayworth but, I don't feel like I know her. Jean to me was like Ingy, Audrey, and Carole are to me.

In fact, I loved her before I even knew who she was.