Farewell to Legends

It's been a little upsetting to say the least this week, hearing of the passing of the wonderful Tony Curtis (he will always be Danny Wilde in The Persuaders for me) a true legend if ever there was one.  A very very fine actor and still sparkling with the joy of life throughout all of his glorious 85 years.  A couple of years back he was seen on UK TV screens in interviews with that great big cowboy hat on, sometimes seen sitting by the presenters in his wheelchair, but sometimes not.  He was not only one of the greatest actors ever to come out of the Hollywood System but he was also a fantastic artist.  He was delightfully funny and flirtatious and he will be very sorely missed.  They just don't make them like that anymore.

And farewell also to one of the greatest TV (and film) writers ever - Stephen J. Cannell at age 65.  It seems far too young to be taken but it is true, he passed away on 30 September after battling cancer.  As with the wonderful Mr Curtis - we won't see his like again.  He came from an era when TV was at it's finest, writing for so many shows it is impossible to name them all but here's some you may know:- Ironside, The A-Team, Rockford Files, Baretta, Greatest American Hero and Hardcastle & McCormack to name a few.  Most recently I'd seen him as himself in the US Comedy/Drama 'Castle' where he played a writer friend of the main character, often seen round the card table playing poker 'with the guys.'  Another sad loss to the industry and at far too young an age.

RIP gentlemen, you leave behind wonderful legacies and we are all the better for them.


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