Cemetery with crosses - legends lost but remembered: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:40, 23 April 2024

This page is our personal hall of faml'e. A reminder to us all that even though considered a B-genre, Spaghetti Westerns were full of great characters, played by great people. Many have passed away, and while we are young growing up re-watching all these classics, many more will probably leave us. May they be remembered. What follows, is a work-in-progress, a growing list of legends who have passed away...

Sorted by last name: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

FRESH GRAVES

LAUFER, Josef - 8/11/1939, Sables d'Ollone, Vendée, France - 4/20/2024, Prague, Czech Republic

Czechoslovakian actor and singer Josef Laufer died in Prauge of cardiac arrect after four years in an induced coma following heart valve surgery in March 2020. Laufer was born Don José José Francisco Pérez Rodriguez de Montagnes de Laufer on August 11 1939, in Sables d'Ollone, Vendée, France to a father of Jewish origin and native Spaniards. His parents met in Spain during the Civil War, where Dr. Maximilián Laufer worked as an interbrigadist in the lazareth. During his military service he began acting and directing amateur theater. After returning from the war, he made guest appearances at the ABC Theater and prepared for exams at the theater faculty, where he was recruited. In addition to acting, he also sang and recorded several records. Laufer appeared as the sheriff in the 1969 Czech TV movie ‘Starosta má starosti’.

CANTAFORA, Antonio - 2/2/1944, Crotone, Calabria, Italy - 4/20/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Italian actor Antonio Cantafora died in Rome on April 20th. He was 80. Born on February 2, 1944, in Crotone, Calabria, Italy he studied acting with the renowned Alessandro Fersen and made his debut on the big screen in 1967, but it was in the 1970s that he reached the peak of his fame, thanks to his uncanny resemblance to actor Terence Hill. As Michael Coby. He was paired with Paul L. Smith, he embodied the role of the "handsome" in a series of films inspired by the duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. But his career has not been limited to leading roles. Cantafora was also a character actor, working with some of the most important directors of Italian cinema, including Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada, Mauro Bolognini. Films such as Lattuada's "The Cicada", Fellini's "Interview" and Carlo Vanzina's "A Spasso nel Tempo" are testament to his versatility and talent for bringing a wide range of characters to life. Cantafora was also a prolific artist, with a passion for painting that he developed over the years. He has created hundreds of works of art, which have achieved success not only in Italy, but also abroad. Cantafora appeared in ten Spaghetti westerns: “The Dirty Outlaws” in 1967 as Bill Flannigan; “Joe Dakota” in 1967 as Tab; “And God Said to Cain” in 1969 as Dick Acombar; “Black Killer” in 1971 as Ramon O’Hara, “Shoot Joe, and Shoot Again” in 1971 as Jack’s henchman; “A Bounty Hunter for Trinity” in 1972 as a town council member; “Carambola” in 1973 as Coby/Toby/Trinity [as Michael Coby]; “The Crazy Adventures of Len and Coby” in 1974 as Toby [as Michael Coby]; “We Are No Angels” in 1975 as Angel) [as Michael Coby] and “Buck and the Magic Bracelet” in 1997 as Sergeant O'Connor.

BROWNE, Robin (Michael Robin Graham Browne) - 11/24/1941, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, U.K. - 3/28/2024, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.

British cinematographer Robin Browne passed away at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on March 28, 2024. He was born Michael Robin Graham Browne in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England on November 24, 1941. , was a cinematographer specializing in aerial photography and special effects. His father was Bernard Browne, a director of photography who worked with Alexander Korda at Denham studios. A few of the films he worked on were: “Battle of Britain” (1969); “Catch 22” (1970); t”A Bridge Too Far” (1977); “Krull” (1983); “A Passage to India” (1984); “The Jewel of the Nile” (1985); “King Kong Lives” (1986); “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988). Browne worked as a model unit director and cameraman on the 1986 Euro-western “Sky Bandits”.

DUX, Eckart (Eckart Hermann Dux) - 12/19/1926, Berlin, Germany - 4/9/2024, Sassenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany

Veteran German actor and voice dubber Eckart Dux died in Sassenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany on April 9th he was 97. Born Eckart Herman Dux in Berlin on December 19, 1926. Dux completed his training as an actor with Else Bongers in Berlin and made his stage debut in 1948 at the city's Renaissance Theatre. He then had numerous roles on the Berlin stage and in theatres in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. He also had many roles as a character actor in film and television. From 1949, he became the longest active German-speaking voice actor, dubbing Hollywood films into German. In the 1950s and 1960s he was regularly the German voice of Audie Murphy. He also dubbed Anthony Perkins in many roles including Psycho, Steve Martin, Fred Astaire, George Peppard (in the action series The A-Team) and Jerry Stiller. He has also worked as an actor and narrator on radio and audio books. Dux was married to the actress Gisela Peltzer in the 1950s, and then later to the editor Marlies Dux [1945- ] in 1970. Dux’s work in Euro-westerns consisted of appearing as Jimmy in the 1964 TV western film ‘Prairie Saloon’ and he was the German voice of Mark Damon in “Ringo’s Golden Pistol” and Phillippe Leroy in “Yankee” both in 1966. Brad Harris in “Rattler Kid” 1967, George Hilton in 1968’s “The Ruthless Four”, Christian Duroc, J. P. Compain the 1969 TV mini-series “The Leatherstocking Tales”. He was Dean Reeds voice in “Adios, Sabata” and the voice of Lucky Luke in both the animated “Lucky Luke: Ballad of the Daltons” in 1978 and “Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Run” in 1983 and as Sam Hawkens in 2009’s “WinneToons - Die Legende vom Schatz im Silbersee”.

CRUZ, Ernesto Gómez - 11/7/1933, Veracruz, Verazcruz, Mexico - 4/6/2024, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

Veteran Mexican actor Ernesto Gómez Cruz died from complications of Alzheimer’s in Mexico City on April 6th. He was 90. Gómez Cruz was born in Veracruz, Mexico, on November 7, 1933. His first professional job was as a photographer; Later, through a friend, he was introduced to dramatic arts. Thus, he moved to the Aztec capital where he studied acting at the National Institute of Fine Arts. Although he had musical interests, he discarded them because he considered that he did not have enough preparation. He made his film debut in 1967 with the film “Los caifanes”, where his performance as El Azteca which earned him the national Silver Goddess Award. Subsequently, he would obtain other awards and recognitions such as the Ariel. Ernesto’s only Euro-western was as the witch in 2006’s “Bandidas” with Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek.

INANOGLU, Türker - 5/18/1936, Safranbolu, Turkey - 4/2/2024, Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish producer, director, and writer Türker İnanoğlu died in Istanbul, Turkey on April 2nd he was 87. İnanoğlu became interested in the cinema when he was a student at the Istanbul Academy of Applied Fine Arts in 1957. After working as an assistant to directors Ömer Lütfi Akat and Nişan Hançer in eleven movies, he directed his first feature Senden Ayrı Yaşayamam in 1960. After directing nine movies he founded his own film company Erler Film in 1960, which is today the oldest film production company in Turkey still in business. Since then, he produced 126 black-and-white and color films, among them 21 co-productions with Greece, Italy and Iran. He executed also the productions of American, Japanese, French and German filmmakers’ documentary films shot in Turkey. He directed 82 movies. He produced only Spaghetti western “Cowboy Kid” in 1973 directed by Guido Zurli in which his son was İlker starred.

WEPPER, Fritz - 8/17/1941, Munich, Bavaria, Germany - 3/25/2024, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

German actor Fritz Wepper died in Munich, Germany on March 25, 2024. He was 82. He started his acting career in a production of Peter Pan at the age of eleven. He got his first important film role in Tischlein deck dich, a film adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairytale The Wishing Table. Fritz is best known for his role as Inspector Harry Klein in the long-running crime series ‘Derrick’ (1974–1998). Wepper is also remembered for his roles in the films “Cabaret” (1972) and “The Bridge” (1959) and as Mayor Wöller in the TV series ‘Um Himmels Willen’ (2002–2021). Wepper appeared in one Euro-western as Tampico in the 1963 television production of “Ein Sheriff für den Sarg”.

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 === FRESH GRAVES ===
-*'''de BERNAL, Farnesio''' - 11/20/1936, Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico - 4/7/2023, Mexico
+*'''LAUFER, Josef''' - 8/11/1939, Sables d'Ollone, Vendée, France - 4/20/2024, Prague, Czech Republic
-Veteran Mexican theater and film actor Farnese de Bernal died in Mexico on April 7, 2023 at the age of 96. He was born in Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico on November 20, 1926 and began his entertainment career as was a choreographer, actor and dancer. He appeared with Angelina Jolie in the film “Original Sin” (2001) but the theater was his passion. "There are actors who succeed and already, they do the same character, the same character, there are people who get into theater, acting not because they love acting, but they want to be famous, rich, admired. Not because they want to dedicate themselves to the theater, they succeed, but I say. It would not give me satisfaction for reasons other than the talent, the love you have for your career," he said. Farnesio appeared in one Euro-western as the monk in 1979’s “Eagle’s Wing” with Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston and Harvey Keitel.
+Czechoslovakian actor and singer Josef Laufer died in Prauge of cardiac arrect after four years in an induced coma following heart valve surgery in March 2020. Laufer was born Don José José Francisco Pérez Rodriguez de Montagnes de Laufer on August 11 1939, in Sables d'Ollone, Vendée, France to a father of Jewish origin and native Spaniards. His parents met in Spain during the Civil War, where Dr. Maximilián Laufer worked as an interbrigadist in the lazareth. During his military service he began acting and directing amateur theater. After returning from the war, he made guest appearances at the ABC Theater and prepared for exams at the theater faculty, where he was recruited. In addition to acting, he also sang and recorded several records. Laufer appeared as the sheriff in the 1969 Czech TV movie ‘Starosta má starosti’.
-*'''GARCIA, Andres''' - 5/24/1941, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - 4/4/2023, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
+*'''CANTAFORA, Antonio''' - 2/2/1944, Crotone, Calabria, Italy - 4/20/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy
-Famed Latin actor Andres Garcia known for his Mexican telenovela roles, died in Acapulco, Mexico on April 4, 2023. He was 81. García was a naturalized Mexican and was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on May 24, 1941. He became a household name after starring in the film adaptation of the comic series Chanoc. García would go on and have many acting credits in film titles like La noche del halcón, Las tres magnificas, Minifaldas con espuelas and El cinico. Garcia had been ill for some time and died of hepatic cirrhosis, which is severe scarring of the liver. He appeared in one Euro-western as Pancho in 1979’s “Garden of Venus” starring Chuck Connors, John Ireland and Jorge Rivero.
+Italian actor Antonio Cantafora died in Rome on April 20th. He was 80. Born on February 2, 1944, in Crotone, Calabria, Italy he studied acting with the renowned Alessandro Fersen and made his debut on the big screen in 1967, but it was in the 1970s that he reached the peak of his fame, thanks to his uncanny resemblance to actor Terence Hill. As Michael Coby. He was paired with Paul L. Smith, he embodied the role of the "handsome" in a series of films inspired by the duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. But his career has not been limited to leading roles. Cantafora was also a character actor, working with some of the most important directors of Italian cinema, including Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada, Mauro Bolognini. Films such as Lattuada's "The Cicada", Fellini's "Interview" and Carlo Vanzina's "A Spasso nel Tempo" are testament to his versatility and talent for bringing a wide range of characters to life. Cantafora was also a prolific artist, with a passion for painting that he developed over the years. He has created hundreds of works of art, which have achieved success not only in Italy, but also abroad. Cantafora appeared in ten Spaghetti westerns: “The Dirty Outlaws” in 1967 as Bill Flannigan; “Joe Dakota” in 1967 as Tab; “And God Said to Cain” in 1969 as Dick Acombar; “Black Killer” in 1971 as Ramon O’Hara, “Shoot Joe, and Shoot Again” in 1971 as Jack’s henchman; “A Bounty Hunter for Trinity” in 1972 as a town council member; “Carambola” in 1973 as Coby/Toby/Trinity [as Michael Coby]; “The Crazy Adventures of Len and Coby” in 1974 as Toby [as Michael Coby]; “We Are No Angels” in 1975 as Angel) [as Michael Coby] and “Buck and the Magic Bracelet” in 1997 as Sergeant O'Connor.
-*'''CANTARELLA, Alfio''' - 7/19/1941, Biancavilla, Catania, Italy - 3/30/2023, Villafranca di Verona, Veneto, Italy
+*''' BROWNE, Robin (Michael Robin Graham Browne)''' - 11/24/1941, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, U.K. - 3/28/2024, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.
-Former drummer for Equip 84 died in Villafranca di Verona, Veneto, Italy on March 30, 2023. He was 81. Born in Biancavilla, Catania, Italy on July 19, 1941. As a boy Alfio Cantarella moved to Milan and in 1960 joined the ‘Marino’s’. The group, after merging with Francesco Guccini and Victor Sogliani’s Snakers, later became ‘I Gatti’. From the union of some elements of this complex and another Modena group, ‘Le Tigri’, a new formation was born in 1963 that Victor Sogliani, Maurizio Vandelli, Franco Ceccarelli and Alfio Cantarella decided to call themselves ‘Equipe 84’. The group debuted with the 45 rpm “Canarino va”, the anthem of the Modena football team and, after signing his first recording contract, made their debut on the Vedette label with two 45 rpm singles (“Papà e mammà” and “Now You Can Return”) in 1964. The year later, in addition to releasing five 45s, Equipe 84 released the eponymous debut album and in 1966 participated in the Sanremo Festival with “Un giorno tu mi cercherai”, which has on the back “L’antisociale”, written by Francesco Guccini. After the group’s first real success with “Io ho in mente te” and the album of the same name, followed by the album “Stereoequipe”, in 1970 Alfio Cantarella was found in possession of drugs and, due to the arrest, was forced to suspend his activities with the group. Once these problems had been resolved, in 1973 Cantarella returned fully to the line-up, which in the same year released the album “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. Equip appeared and performed in the 1966 film “A Fistful of Songs” performing ‘Io ho in mente yu’ (I Have You in Mind).
+British cinematographer Robin Browne passed away at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on March 28, 2024. He was born Michael Robin Graham Browne in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England on November 24, 1941. , was a cinematographer specializing in aerial photography and special effects. His father was Bernard Browne, a director of photography who worked with Alexander Korda at Denham studios. A few of the films he worked on were: “Battle of Britain” (1969); “Catch 22” (1970); t”A Bridge Too Far” (1977); “Krull” (1983); “A Passage to India” (1984); “The Jewel of the Nile” (1985); “King Kong Lives” (1986); “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988). Browne worked as a model unit director and cameraman on the 1986 Euro-western “Sky Bandits”.
-*'''MINA, Gianni''' - 5/17/1938, Turin, Piedmont, Italy - 3/27/2023, Rome, Lazio, Italy
+*''' DUX, Eckart (Eckart Hermann Dux)''' - 12/19/1926, Berlin, Germany - 4/9/2024, Sassenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
-Italian journalist, documentary film director Gianni Minà died in Rome from a heart attack on March 27, 2023. He was 84. Born in Turin on May 17, 1938, Mina was one of Italy’s most respected journalists who began his career in 1959 at the sports newspaper Tuttosport, where he was also director between 1996 and 1998. In 1960 Minà made his debut at Rai as a sports reporter for the Olympic Games in Rome. Five years later was his baptism in the renowned sports program Sprint, directed by Maurizio Barendson. At that time, his reports began to be very recognized. The same goes for his documentaries and feature films that marked an era on Italian TV at the time. Gianni wrote and directed “Il ritorno di Zapata” in 1994 and “Once Upon a Time There was Cinema: Sergio Leone and His Films” in 2014.
+Veteran German actor and voice dubber Eckart Dux died in Sassenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany on April 9th he was 97. Born Eckart Herman Dux in Berlin on December 19, 1926. Dux completed his training as an actor with Else Bongers in Berlin and made his stage debut in 1948 at the city's Renaissance Theatre. He then had numerous roles on the Berlin stage and in theatres in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. He also had many roles as a character actor in film and television. From 1949, he became the longest active German-speaking voice actor, dubbing Hollywood films into German. In the 1950s and 1960s he was regularly the German voice of Audie Murphy. He also dubbed Anthony Perkins in many roles including Psycho, Steve Martin, Fred Astaire, George Peppard (in the action series The A-Team) and Jerry Stiller. He has also worked as an actor and narrator on radio and audio books. Dux was married to the actress Gisela Peltzer in the 1950s, and then later to the editor Marlies Dux [1945- ] in 1970. Dux’s work in Euro-westerns consisted of appearing as Jimmy in the 1964 TV western film ‘Prairie Saloon’ and he was the German voice of Mark Damon in “Ringo’s Golden Pistol” and Phillippe Leroy in “Yankee” both in 1966. Brad Harris in “Rattler Kid” 1967, George Hilton in 1968’s “The Ruthless Four”, Christian Duroc, J. P. Compain the 1969 TV mini-series “The Leatherstocking Tales”. He was Dean Reeds voice in “Adios, Sabata” and the voice of Lucky Luke in both the animated “Lucky Luke: Ballad of the Daltons” in 1978 and “Lucky Luke: The Daltons on the Run” in 1983 and as Sam Hawkens in 2009’s “WinneToons - Die Legende vom Schatz im Silbersee”.
-*'''GAME, Marion''' - 7/31/1938, Casablanca, French Protectorate in Morocco - 3/23/2023, Paris, Île-de-France, France
+*'''CRUZ, Ernesto Gómez''' - 11/7/1933, Veracruz, Verazcruz, Mexico - 4/6/2024, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico
-French theater, film, TV and voice actress died in Paris on March 23, 2023. She was 84. Born in Casablanca on July 31, 1938, she was known for her TV role of Huguette in the series ‘Scènes de Ménage’. She had begun her career in the theater in the 1960s, where she had quickly established herself as a talented actress. Over the years, she explored different facets of the artistic world, moving into television and film with success. Throughout her career, she has worked with great directors and actors, and has thus marked the history of French entertainment. Game was known to Euro-western fans as a voice actress and was heard in two Lucky Luke films and TV series: “Lucky Luke and the Escape from Grumble Gulch” 1983 [various voices] and ‘Lucky Luke’ (TV) 1983-1984 [French voice of Arabella Films, Madam Van Buren].
+Veteran Mexican actor Ernesto Gómez Cruz died from complications of Alzheimer’s in Mexico City on April 6th. He was 90. Gómez Cruz was born in Veracruz, Mexico, on November 7, 1933. His first professional job was as a photographer; Later, through a friend, he was introduced to dramatic arts. Thus, he moved to the Aztec capital where he studied acting at the National Institute of Fine Arts. Although he had musical interests, he discarded them because he considered that he did not have enough preparation. He made his film debut in 1967 with the film “Los caifanes”, where his performance as El Azteca which earned him the national Silver Goddess Award. Subsequently, he would obtain other awards and recognitions such as the Ariel. Ernesto’s only Euro-western was as the witch in 2006’s “Bandidas” with Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek.
-*'''SILVA, Maria''' - 8/16/1941, Palencia, Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain - 3/17/2023, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
+*'''INANOGLU, Türker''' - 5/18/1936, Safranbolu, Turkey - 4/2/2024, Istanbul, Turkey
-It was announced by friend of Spanish actress Maria Silva passed away on March 17, 2023. No official obituary has been posted but there has been references to her passing on Facebook.
+Turkish producer, director, and writer Türker İnanoğlu died in Istanbul, Turkey on April 2nd he was 87. İnanoğlu became interested in the cinema when he was a student at the Istanbul Academy of Applied Fine Arts in 1957. After working as an assistant to directors Ömer Lütfi Akat and Nişan Hançer in eleven movies, he directed his first feature Senden Ayrı Yaşayamam in 1960. After directing nine movies he founded his own film company Erler Film in 1960, which is today the oldest film production company in Turkey still in business. Since then, he produced 126 black-and-white and color films, among them 21 co-productions with Greece, Italy and Iran. He executed also the productions of American, Japanese, French and German filmmakers’ documentary films shot in Turkey. He directed 82 movies. He produced only Spaghetti western “Cowboy Kid” in 1973 directed by Guido Zurli in which his son was İlker starred.
-Born on August 16,1941, Palencia, Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain, Silva began her career in 1959 with “Una gran señora” (April in Portugal) playing the role of a model. Her career continued on for 74 more films and television appearances finishing in the 1991-1992 TV series ‘Taller mecánico’ in the role of Consuelo. Born María Jesús Marín Rodríguez on August 16, 1941 in Palencia, Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain she was married to director, writer, cinematographer José Grañena [1933- ].
-Silva appeared in ten Spaghetti westerns: “Shadow of Zorro” 1962 (Irene); “The Terrible Sheriff” 1962 (Clementine); “Zorro the Avenger” 1962 (Irene) [as Mary Silvers]; “Shoot to Kill” 1963 (Mary Thompson); “Cavalry Charge”1964 (Valerie Jackson) [as Mary Silvers]; “Kill the Wicked!” 1967 (Shelley); “I Do Not Forgive... I Kill!” 1968 (Isabel Alvarez) [as Mary Silva];
+*'''WEPPER, Fritz''' - 8/17/1941, Munich, Bavaria, Germany - 3/25/2024, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
-“Santana Kills Them All” 1970 (María Anderson); “The Black Wolf” 1980 (Marquesa); “Revenge of the Black Wolf” 1981 (Marquesa).
+German actor Fritz Wepper died in Munich, Germany on March 25, 2024. He was 82. He started his acting career in a production of Peter Pan at the age of eleven. He got his first important film role in Tischlein deck dich, a film adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairytale The Wishing Table. Fritz is best known for his role as Inspector Harry Klein in the long-running crime series ‘Derrick’ (1974–1998). Wepper is also remembered for his roles in the films “Cabaret” (1972) and “The Bridge” (1959) and as Mayor Wöller in the TV series ‘Um Himmels Willen’ (2002–2021). Wepper appeared in one Euro-western as Tampico in the 1963 television production of “Ein Sheriff für den Sarg”.
-*'''JELLINEK, Uwe''' - 12/25/1953, East Berlin, East Germany - 3/17/2023, Germany
-German actor and voice dubber Uwe Jellinek died on March 17, 2023, in Germany he was 69. Born in East Berlin on December 25, 1953, Jellinek began his film career in East Germany beginning in 1980 and made 36 films and TV appearances until 2018. He was most well known as a film dubber and voice actor who was known for the ‘Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog’ television series. As well as that, he was the German voice actor for Baraqiel from ‘HighSchool DxD Born’ and Tom Dupain from ‘Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.’ His lone Euro-western was as Private Harper in 1982’s “The Scout” starring Gojko Mitic. He was also the German voice of Randy Roybal in one episode of Terence Hill’s 1991 TV series ‘Lucky Luke’ as Barbiere and was most recently heard in the new 2023 ‘Django’ TV series as the German voice of Adam Astill in the role of Bobby McGee.
-*'''BLUDAU, Jochen''' - 7/2/1941, Krefeld-Hüls, North Rhine-Westfalen Germany - 3/9/2023, Elspe, Sauerland, Germany
-German producer, director, playwright, writer and actor Jochen Bludau died in Elspe, Sauerland, Germany on March 9, 2023. He was 82. Bludau was the heart and soul of the Elspe Karl May Festival and played many roles on stage and behind the curtains, He wrote all the plays from the Karl May novels, appeared as Winnetou for many years and then switched to playing villains. He was instrumental in getting Pierre Brice to play the stage character of his film character of Winnetou. Bludau was also a co-producer on the 1993 Euro-western "Texas - Doc Snyder hält die Welt" in Atem. In the summer of 2013, Jochen Bludau was presented with the aforementioned "Scharlih", the honorary award of the Karl May Archive, which until then had mainly only been awarded to participants in the Karl May films. This showed the special status that the festival maker from the Sauerland enjoyed in the scene and will probably always enjoy.
-*'''TOPOL (Chaim Topol)''' - 9/9/1935, Tel Aviv, Palestine - 3/9/2023, Tel Aviv, Israel
-Oscar-nominated actor, an Israel Prize laureate, gained global recognition for his role as the grumbling ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ milkman, Chaim Topol, died on March 9, 2023, at the age of 87 in Tel Aviv after a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Topol was a prolific actor with a wide range of credits including one Euro-western 1969’s “A Talent for Loving” (aka “Gun Craz”) starring Richard Widmark and Cesar Romero where he played a Mexican bandit.