The well known Swedish-born character actor Max von Sydow has died at the age 90 during March. While venerated by art house cinema-goers for his appearances in several Igmar Bergman-directed films such as The Seventh Seal (1957), in which he famously played chess against Death, he also gained popularity in more mainstream vehicles such as the comic-strip sci-fi movie Flash Gordon (1980). He later noted that he enjoyed playing the evil emperor “Ming the Merciless” in that.
Von Sydow actually appeared in over 100 films often finding himself cast as malevolent types, even if they were not always totally dark-hearted. For example, was particularly fine as the cold-blooded hired assassin in the Sidney Pollack directed CIA thriller Three Days of the Condor (1975) in which he was charged with hunting down Robert Redford’s accidentally involved character.
Max von Sydow in Three Days of the Condor (1975). Courtesy: Dino De Laurentiis Productions
However, von Sydow could play “good guys” too. He portrayed Jesus Christ in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and was the Catholic priest title role in the supernatural The Exorcist (1973). He was also the heartbroken but vengeful father in Bergman’s medieval-set The Virgin Spring (1960).
He had a similar part in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) although he was sadly underused in that film. In fact, Max von Sydow’s obvious talent and on-screen presence resulted in him still being in high demand and he worked nearly up to his death.
Max von Sydow’s family announced his death “with a broken heart and infinite sadness” and there will be many friends and fans who will agree with this sentiment. We give our condolences to them and our salute to him.
Comedian and actor Roy Hudd
We would also like to make a tribute to British radio comedian and TV actor Roy Hudd who has passed away at the age of 83 after a long career in show business. Originally making his name in TV comedy during the 1960s, Hudd, become more famous for his popular News Huddlines comedy show on the BBC Radio 2 which he presented with the late June Whitefield et al, until it was unceremoniously cut by the BBC in 2001 after 26 years service.
While the gap-toothed Hudd had some minor acting roles in films, he was more famous for his TV work, later appearing in the long running soap opera Coronation Street, and even as bizarrely memorable army sergeants or sergeant-majors in a series of 1970s TV commercials for Lyons Quick Brew Tea.
A fan of British musical hall theatre, he played one of his heroes, Bud Flanagan, in Underneath the Arches on stage in London, winning awards for his performance. To add to his repertoire Hudd also wrote several joke and amusing anecdote books. We give our salute to Roy Hudd and our condolences to his family and friends.
Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden
Al Worden sitting in the cockpit of a NASA T-38 supersonic training jet. Courtesy: NASA
US Air Force Colonel and Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden has passed away at the age of 88. As his comrades David Scott and Jim Irwin walked on the Moon in 1971, Worden briefly became the most isolated human ever. Worden made three spacewalks on the way back from the Moon to retrieve film capsules from the Apollo service module. Worden later became a scientist at NASA’s Ames field centre. We give our salute to him and our condolences to his family and friends.
Far-seeing physicist Freeman Dyson
We make a belated salute to physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson who passed away in February. He originally made his mark with his work on quantum electro-dynamics, soon becoming a Professor of Physics at Cornell.
Dyson later became famous for theorising various space technologies including the Project Orion’s use of nuclear-bomb powered transportation needed for long range human transportation, and for his “Dyson-sphere” concept which he proposed could help store the Sun’s output. In later years Dyson achieved some scientific notoriety for questioning the severity of global warming’s effects.
For all his work, we salute Freeman Dyson and give our condolences to his family and friends.
Actor Stuart Whitman
Actor Stuart Whitman has passed away at the age of 92. His rugged good looks led to major roles during the 1960s as he appeared in the D-Day war classic, The Longest Day (1962) and in Ken Annikin’sThose Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965) about a early aviation air race. He also starred in westerns including with John Wayne in The Comancheros (1961) and in the well regarded 1967 TV series Cimarron Strip.
Stuart Whitman in The Longest Day (1962). Courtesy: Wikipedia
Whitman received plaudits for a more serious roles including getting an Oscar nomination in his role as a reformed would-be child molester in The Mark (1961).
Whitman was not just an actor, his sideline as a real estate developer was very successful. His latter acting career continued albeit in a waned condition from 1970 onwards as he took small roles in various films and television series until he retired in 2000. We give our salute to him and our condolences to his family and friends.
Chef Michel Roux
Just a short note to thank the recently departed French chef Michel Roux Sr who passed away at the age of 78 for saving the UK’s reputation and showing us how to cook. His son Michel Roux Jr carries on his good work. Michel Roux Sr arrived in London with his brother Albert in London opening their eventual three Michelin star winning restaurant Le Gavroche in 1967, helping to inspire British chefs in the UK. In doing so, he helped put paid to the old joke which used to go:
