Three veteran actors of television and film, known for shows such as Hill Street Blues, Hawaii Five-0, and Emergency!, have sadly passed away in recent days. Basil Hoffman, a prolific character actor who had more than 100 roles across film and TV, died on September 17, according to his manager Brad Lemack. He was 83. Hoffman was perhaps best known for his recurring role as Ed Greenglass on the NBC police procedural Hill Street Blues and Principal Dingleman on the CBS sitcom Square Pegs. He also had roles in Santa Barbara, Courage, New Hampshire, Seinfeld, The Waltons, Murder, She Wrote, The West Wing, and many more. Al Harrington, the Samoan-American actor most known for his portrayal of Detective Ben Kokua on the original Hawaii Five-0, passed away on September 21 following a stroke earlier in the month. He was 85. Harrington, who was one of the last surviving cast members from the original series, also...
- 9/24/2021
- TV Insider
Basil Hoffman, whose long career in film and television is best remembered for his portrayal of Ed Greenglass on Hill Street Blues, died Sept. 17. No details on where or cause of death were given by his manager, Brad Lemack.
Hoffman appeared in more than 200 roles in TV and films. The veteran character actor was a recurring player in several series, including Hill Street Blues, Santa Barbara, Square Pegs and Courage, New Hampshire.
Born in Houston, Hoffman graduated Tulane University with an economics degree, then headed to New York. He studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and scored several commercials and bit parts before heading to Hollywood.
His acting resume includes roles in the Academy Award-winning films Ordinary People and The Artist, as well as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Hail Caesar!, All the President’s Men, Comes a Horseman, The Milagro Beanfield War and Down With Love,...
Hoffman appeared in more than 200 roles in TV and films. The veteran character actor was a recurring player in several series, including Hill Street Blues, Santa Barbara, Square Pegs and Courage, New Hampshire.
Born in Houston, Hoffman graduated Tulane University with an economics degree, then headed to New York. He studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and scored several commercials and bit parts before heading to Hollywood.
His acting resume includes roles in the Academy Award-winning films Ordinary People and The Artist, as well as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Hail Caesar!, All the President’s Men, Comes a Horseman, The Milagro Beanfield War and Down With Love,...
- 9/23/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Character actor Basil Hoffman, who had more than 100 roles in television shows and movies, died Sept. 17, according to his manager Brad Lemack. He was 83.
He had recurring roles on several series, playing Ed Greenglass on “Hill Street Blues,” Joshua Friendly on “Santa Barbara,” Principal Dingleman on “Square Pegs,” and Simeon Trapp in “Courage, New Hampshire.”
Hoffman was born and raised in Houston, and started his acting career after graduating Tulane U. with a degree in economics. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, then began working in commercials and small roles before moving to Hollywood.
He appeared in Academy Award-winning films “Ordinary People” and “The Artist,” and had small roles in films including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Hail Caesar!,” “All the President’s Men,” “Comes a Horseman,” “The Milagro Beanfield War” and “Down With Love.” His other film roles included “My Favorite Year,” “The Electric Horseman,...
He had recurring roles on several series, playing Ed Greenglass on “Hill Street Blues,” Joshua Friendly on “Santa Barbara,” Principal Dingleman on “Square Pegs,” and Simeon Trapp in “Courage, New Hampshire.”
Hoffman was born and raised in Houston, and started his acting career after graduating Tulane U. with a degree in economics. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, then began working in commercials and small roles before moving to Hollywood.
He appeared in Academy Award-winning films “Ordinary People” and “The Artist,” and had small roles in films including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Hail Caesar!,” “All the President’s Men,” “Comes a Horseman,” “The Milagro Beanfield War” and “Down With Love.” His other film roles included “My Favorite Year,” “The Electric Horseman,...
- 9/23/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Basil Hoffman, who starred in the Academy Award-winning films The Artist and Ordinary People, has died. He was 83.
Hoffman died Friday, his longtime friend and personal manager Brad Lemack announced.
He had more than 200 acting credits across film, television and stage. He appeared as Sloan in Ordinary People (1980) and as an auctioneer in The Artist (2011). Both dramas won best picture at the Oscars. Hoffman also had roles in the films My Favorite Year (1982), The Last Word (2017), All the President’s Men (1976) and Rio, I Love You (2014). Some of his television credits include recurring roles on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and ...
Hoffman died Friday, his longtime friend and personal manager Brad Lemack announced.
He had more than 200 acting credits across film, television and stage. He appeared as Sloan in Ordinary People (1980) and as an auctioneer in The Artist (2011). Both dramas won best picture at the Oscars. Hoffman also had roles in the films My Favorite Year (1982), The Last Word (2017), All the President’s Men (1976) and Rio, I Love You (2014). Some of his television credits include recurring roles on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and ...
- 9/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Basil Hoffman, who starred in the Academy Award-winning films The Artist and Ordinary People, has died. He was 83.
Hoffman died Friday, his longtime friend and personal manager Brad Lemack announced.
He had more than 200 acting credits across film, television and stage. He appeared as Sloan in Ordinary People (1980) and as an auctioneer in The Artist (2011). Both dramas won best picture at the Oscars. Hoffman also had roles in the films My Favorite Year (1982), The Last Word (2017), All the President’s Men (1976) and Rio, I Love You (2014). Some of his television credits include recurring roles on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and ...
Hoffman died Friday, his longtime friend and personal manager Brad Lemack announced.
He had more than 200 acting credits across film, television and stage. He appeared as Sloan in Ordinary People (1980) and as an auctioneer in The Artist (2011). Both dramas won best picture at the Oscars. Hoffman also had roles in the films My Favorite Year (1982), The Last Word (2017), All the President’s Men (1976) and Rio, I Love You (2014). Some of his television credits include recurring roles on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and ...
- 9/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
“Nostalgia, Swashbuckling, And Laughter”
By Raymond Benson
Mel Brooks served as executive producer on this thoroughly delightful picture released in 1982 and directed by actor/director Richard Benjamin. It feels like a Brooks movie (but perhaps not as zany). In fact, My Favorite Year, which was written by Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo, from Palumbo’s story, is loosely inspired by Brooks’ days as a writer on Sid Caesar’s early television comedy/variety programs, Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour, in the 1950s.
The year is 1954, New York City, and Benjy Stone (Mark Linn-Baker) is a young comedy writer on “Comedy Cavalcade,” which stars the demanding and difficult-to-work-for King Kaiser (Joseph Bologna). The studio is lucky to snare a guest appearance on the show by the once hugely popular but now fading swashbuckling movie star, Alan Swann (Peter O’Toole). Swann is a notorious alcoholic,...
“Nostalgia, Swashbuckling, And Laughter”
By Raymond Benson
Mel Brooks served as executive producer on this thoroughly delightful picture released in 1982 and directed by actor/director Richard Benjamin. It feels like a Brooks movie (but perhaps not as zany). In fact, My Favorite Year, which was written by Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo, from Palumbo’s story, is loosely inspired by Brooks’ days as a writer on Sid Caesar’s early television comedy/variety programs, Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour, in the 1950s.
The year is 1954, New York City, and Benjy Stone (Mark Linn-Baker) is a young comedy writer on “Comedy Cavalcade,” which stars the demanding and difficult-to-work-for King Kaiser (Joseph Bologna). The studio is lucky to snare a guest appearance on the show by the once hugely popular but now fading swashbuckling movie star, Alan Swann (Peter O’Toole). Swann is a notorious alcoholic,...
- 5/25/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
My Favorite Year
Blu ray
Warner Archive
1982/ 1.85:1 / 92 min.
Starring Peter O’Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Joe Bologna
Directed by Richard Benjamin
Nat King Cole’s shimmering version of Stardust, Rockefeller Plaza surrounded by wide-brimmed hats and two-toned Buicks – the first three minutes of My Favorite Year invoke the past with such ease that Proust might applaud.
Sentimental as they are, the sights and sounds of 1954 foreshadow something more significant in the zeitgeist – the era when television was on the rise and Hollywood’s star system was headed in the opposite direction.
Richard Benjamin’s 1982 comedy opens with the camera gliding by the sleek deco marquee of Radio City Music Hall where Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was the summer showcase – on Broadway the Rivoli was flogging the “right at you” thrills of House of Wax. One film in CinemaScope and four track stereo, the other in 3-D – each designed to lure...
Blu ray
Warner Archive
1982/ 1.85:1 / 92 min.
Starring Peter O’Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Joe Bologna
Directed by Richard Benjamin
Nat King Cole’s shimmering version of Stardust, Rockefeller Plaza surrounded by wide-brimmed hats and two-toned Buicks – the first three minutes of My Favorite Year invoke the past with such ease that Proust might applaud.
Sentimental as they are, the sights and sounds of 1954 foreshadow something more significant in the zeitgeist – the era when television was on the rise and Hollywood’s star system was headed in the opposite direction.
Richard Benjamin’s 1982 comedy opens with the camera gliding by the sleek deco marquee of Radio City Music Hall where Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was the summer showcase – on Broadway the Rivoli was flogging the “right at you” thrills of House of Wax. One film in CinemaScope and four track stereo, the other in 3-D – each designed to lure...
- 10/1/2019
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
The lobby bar at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica, California, during the week of the American Film Market is not for the faint of heart. Imagine the Mos Eisley bar scene from “Star Wars.” Replace the aliens and black marketeers with producers and distributors. Cantina creatures and the willowy gauze of Jedi robes? Think more Rite Aid sunglasses and Nordstrom Rack knock-offs. Those hushed conversations were not about planetary uprisings. They were about projected residuals. And, amidst this sea of cacophony sat not Yoda … no. Serenely holding court was actor Basil Hoffman. Impeccably dressed and coifed, Basil’s presence was an energy,...
- 11/22/2016
- by Richard Stellar
- The Wrap
Rio, I Love You is the third in the “Cities of Love” series begun with “Paris, Je T’Aime” (“Paris, I Love You”), which bring together famous directors and stars to create a series of little romantic stories around one city. The city getting the love-letter this time is Rio, home of the upcoming Olympics. However, despite its impressive list of directors, there is little to impress in “Rio, I Love You.”
Rio, I Love You boasts a more impressive line up of directors that the last one, “New York, I Love You,” but nonetheless continues the series decline in quality from the first one. Directors include Paolo Sorrentino (“Youth”), Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”), and Sang-Soo Im (“The Housemaid”), among others, but none of them shine in this mixed-up film. Rather than having the stories start and end clearly, as in the first two films, several stories make false...
Rio, I Love You boasts a more impressive line up of directors that the last one, “New York, I Love You,” but nonetheless continues the series decline in quality from the first one. Directors include Paolo Sorrentino (“Youth”), Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”), and Sang-Soo Im (“The Housemaid”), among others, but none of them shine in this mixed-up film. Rather than having the stories start and end clearly, as in the first two films, several stories make false...
- 4/15/2016
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Watch a new film clip from the 3 Geezers comedy on J.K. Simmons and Randy Couture. Michelle Schumacher directs the Gravitas Ventures comedy which opens on May 22nd, 2013 and also includes Basil Hoffman, Lou Beatty Jr., Anthony Cummings, Tim Allen, Mike O’Malley, Kevin Pollak, Scott Caan, Sam Raimi, Breckin Meyer and Fernanda Romero. Follow actor J Kimball (Simmons of Juno, Spider-man, Up In The Air) as he researches what it's like to be old for a role in an upcoming movie. When he meets the residents at The Coconuts Convalescent Home, he quickly discovers that his perceptions of the elderly may be off from reality. After being on the wrong end of some pranks, J enlists the help of his Hollywood friends (Allen, Caan, Meyer, Couture, Pollak) to turn the tides. Mayhem ensues.
- 5/15/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
ComingSoon.net has your exclusive first look at a new clip from the comedy 3 Geezers! featuring Randy Couture. You can watch it in the player below. The May 22 release also stars J.K. Simmons, Basil Hoffman, Lou Beatty Jr., Anthony Cummings, Tim Allen, Mike O'Malley, Kevin Pollak, Scott Caan, Sam Raimi, Breckin Meyer and Fernanda Romero. Follow actor J Kimball as he researches what it's like to be old for a role in an upcoming movie. When he meets the residents at The Coconuts Convalescent Home, he quickly discovers that his perceptions of the elderly may be off from reality. After being on the wrong end of some pranks, J enlists the help of his Hollywood friends (Tim Allen, Scott Caan, Breckin Meyer, Randy Couture, Kevin Pollak) to turn the tides. Mayhem ensues.
- 5/8/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Gravitas Ventures has sent along a new 3 Geezers! clip where Kevin Pollack channels Christopher Walken int he comedy which opens in limited areas on May 22nd, 2013. It's hysterical! Gotta love Walken. Randle Schumacher, Eric Radzan and Michelle Schumacher wrote, with names like J.K. Simmons, Basil Hoffman, Lou Beatty Jr., Anthony Cummings with Tim Allen, Mike O’Malley, Scott Caan, Randy Couture, Sam Raimi, Breckin Meyer and Fernanda Romero also forming the cast. Follow actor J Kimball (J.K. Simmons of Juno, Spider-man, Up In The Air) as he researches what it's like to be old for a role in an upcoming movie. When he meets the residents at The Coconuts Convalescent Home, he quickly discovers that his perceptions of the elderly may be off from reality. After being on the wrong end of some pranks, J enlists the help of his Hollywood friends (Tim Allen, Scott Caan, Breckin Meyer, Randy Couture,...
- 5/2/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Watch the trailer for 3 Geezers!, starring J.K. Simmons, Basil Hoffman, Lou Beatty Jr., Anthony Cummings with Tim Allen, Mike O’Malley, Kevin Pollak, Scott Caan, Randy Couture, Sam Raimi, Breckin Meyer and Fernanda Romero. Gravitas Ventures distributes the comedy which opens on May 22nd. Michelle Schumacher directs from the script by Randle Schumacher, Eric Radzan and Anthony Cummings. Follow J Kimball (J.K. Simmons of Juno, Spider-man, Up In The Air) as he researches what it's like to be old for a role in an upcoming movie. When he meets the residents at The Coconuts Convalescent Home, he quickly discovers that his perceptions of the elderly may be off from reality. After being on the wrong end of some pranks, J enlists the help of his Hollywood friends (Tim Allen, Scott Caan, Breckin Meyer, Randy Couture, Kevin Pollak) to turn the tides. Mayhem ensues.
- 4/25/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Booboo Stewart is saying farewell to the Twilight franchise - and its devoted fanbase of Twihards - after appearing as heartthrob werewolf Seth Clearwater in three of the hit films.
You can see his last performance with the hunky wolfpack, alongside Taylor Lautner, in concluding chapter The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, now in cinemas.
So what's next for the actor and his fans? Among Booboo's upcoming projects is Lee Chambers' action thriller The Pineville Heist, in which he is set to play the lead.
Chambers wrote the award-winning screenplay with Todd Gordon and then decided to turn it into a novel first. The big-screen adaptation is in the funding stages and set to shoot in Canada in 2013.
Lee and Booboo held a book signing for The Pineville Heist at Book'Em Mysteries in Pasadena, California, on November 18, and some pictures from the event are included here.
In addition,...
You can see his last performance with the hunky wolfpack, alongside Taylor Lautner, in concluding chapter The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, now in cinemas.
So what's next for the actor and his fans? Among Booboo's upcoming projects is Lee Chambers' action thriller The Pineville Heist, in which he is set to play the lead.
Chambers wrote the award-winning screenplay with Todd Gordon and then decided to turn it into a novel first. The big-screen adaptation is in the funding stages and set to shoot in Canada in 2013.
Lee and Booboo held a book signing for The Pineville Heist at Book'Em Mysteries in Pasadena, California, on November 18, and some pictures from the event are included here.
In addition,...
- 11/22/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Update, 12:45 Pm: The Screen Actors Guild issued a response saying, in part: “We believe that this suit is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend all claims in court. We are confident that our actions are appropriate and consistent with the law and our own rules of procedure.” Full statement posted below. Breaking… Exclusive 11 Am: (Click here for .pdf of lawsuit) A number of Screen Actors Guild members filed a lawsuit today asking the court for a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop SAG from calling for a vote on the proposed SAG-aftra merger. The suit claims that the SAG Board has breached its fiduciary duties to conduct an actuarial impact study detailing the effects of the proposed merger on SAG membership pension and health benefits. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California. The members filing suit are: Martin Sheen, Edward Asner,...
- 2/22/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline TV
Update, 12:45 Pm: The Screen Actors Guild issued a response saying, in part: “We believe that this suit is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend all claims in court. We are confident that our actions are appropriate and consistent with the law and our own rules of procedure.” Full statement posted below. Breaking… Exclusive 11 Am: (Click here for .pdf of lawsuit) A number of Screen Actors Guild members filed a lawsuit today asking the court for a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop SAG from calling for a vote on the proposed SAG-aftra merger. The suit claims that the SAG Board has breached its fiduciary duties to conduct an actuarial impact study detailing the effects of the proposed merger on SAG membership pension and health benefits. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California. The members filing suit are: Martin Sheen, Edward Asner,...
- 2/22/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
Smells Like Screen Spirit & The Weinstein Company invite you to RSVP for passes to our special advance screening on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 7:00 Pm in Austin TX. Synopsis: In 1929, actor George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a bona fide matinee idol with many adoring fans. While working on his latest film, George finds himself falling in love with an ingenue named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) and, what's more, it seems Peppy feels the same way. But George is reluctant to cheat on his wife with the beautiful young actress. The growing popularity of sound in movies further separates the potential lovers, as George's career begins to fade while Peppy's star rises. Golden Globes - Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) Golden Globes - Best Actor (Comedy or Musical) - Jean Dujardin Golden Globes - Best Supporting Actress - Bernice Bejo Golden Globes - Best Director - Michael Hazavicius Golden Globes - Best...
- 12/20/2011
- by Dave Campbell
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Everyone flirts differently. That's the first thing you need to know if you choose the action "to flirt," whether in an audition scene or a performance. Consider the ways different actors flirt, says Los Angeles acting coach Scott Sedita, one of my go-to people for commonsense advice about acting.George Clooney has a confident, ironic flirt, with a glint in the eye. Kim Cattrall's flirt is sexually charged. Justin Long's is shy; Michael Cera's is awkward and self-effacing, like Woody Allen's. Angelina Jolie's is seductive. You can flirt coyly, teasingly, comically, innocently, any which way. I've noticed that some people appear to be flirting simply by lowering their voice and speaking in hushed, confiding tones.Ultimately, though, you must flirt in your own personal, honest way within the circumstances of the script and with the qualities of the character you're playing. Hopefully, what comes out...
- 11/12/2010
- backstage.com
The following is a list of Los Angeles-area stage and film acting schools, teachers, and coaches organized by category and alphabetically.Each of the entries contains the following information, if applicable: name of teacher or school; address; phone and fax numbers; email address and/or website; average number of students per class; whether beginning, intermediate, or advanced students are taught; whether auditing is permitted; whether a work/study program is offered. Descriptions of the class, school, or coaching are provided by the instructor of institution and edited by Back Stage.Schools of teacher who have been omitted may contact, in writing, Listing, c/o Back Stage, 5055 Wilshire Blvd., 6th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036, so that we may include you in our next list. Acting Technique/Scene StudyAARON McPherson STUDIOWest Hollywood, CA aaron@aaronmcphersonstudio.comwww.aaronmcphersonstudio.com310-918-5335Class size varies, 12 max. for auditioning class, 40 max. for scene study; day...
- 6/18/2010
- backstage.com
The following is a list of Los Angeles-area stage and film acting schools, teachers, and acoaches organized by category and alphabetically.Each of the entries contains the following information, if applicable: name of teacher or school; address; phone and fax numbers; email address and/or website; average number of students per class; whether beginning, intermediate, or advanced students are taught; whether auditing is permitted; whether classes are ongoing or by sessions; any special emphasis used in classes or coaching; whether a work/study program is offered. Descriptions of the class, schoool, or coaching are provided by the instructor or institutions and edited by Back Stage.Schools or teachers who have been omitted may contact, in writing, Listings, c/o Back Stage, 5055 Wilshire Blvd., 6th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90036, so that we may include you in our next list.Acting Technique/Scene StudyAARON McPherson STUDIOWest Hollywood, CA aaron@aaronmcphersonstudio.comwww.aaronmcphersonstudio.
- 3/25/2010
- backstage.com
Recently, casting director Amanda Mackey told Back Stage that the key to casting the leads in "The Men Who Stare at Goats" was finding actors who could age believably, since the film spans several decades. Of course, such opportunities are few and far between; mostly you'll be cast close to your own age.But there is much to be learned from playing characters older than yourself when the chance arises. Also, once you are in fact older, there's much to value in your newfound understanding of how to play certain roles. To hear older actors' perspectives on aging and how it affects their craft, I made a few calls. This column will talk about how men face the issue. We'll have a companion column about women in February.Lear at 60Austin Pendleton played King Lear nine years ago, when he was 60, and he says now he'd love to revisit it.
- 1/29/2010
- backstage.com
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