Page 104 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Observer Showbiz James Gandolfini September 18, 1961 - June 19, 2013
● James Gandolfini ■ Hollywood is in shock after well-liked character actor James Gandolfini, best known as Tony Soprano in the hit TV series The Sopranos, died of a heart attack on Wednesday, June 19, aged only 51. Born in Westwood, New Jersey, on September 18, 1961, Mr Gandolfini would become interested in acting when he saw Robert DeNiro in the 1973 gangster classic Mean Streets. Making his film debut in the 1987 horror/comedy Shock! Shock! Shock! as an orderly, Mr Gandolfini would appear in a bit-part in Tony Scott's high-octane action film The Last Boy Scout (1991) (****), followed by small parts in Sidney Lumet's uneven murder/thriller A Stranger Among Us (known here as Close To Eden) (1992) (**½), starring Melanie Griffith, and Money For Nothing (1993) (**½), starring John Cusack. Mr Gandolfini certainly attracted attention as Virgil the hitman in the Tarantino-scripted cult hit True Romance (1993) (****½), also directed by Tony Scott, and he made the absolute most of his limited screen time. After a small supporting turn in Anthony Minghella's Mr Wonderful (1993) (**½), Mr Gandolfini delivered excellent performances in Angie (1994) (****) opposite Geena Davis, Terminal Velocity (1994) (***½), an under-rated action/comedy with Charlie Sheen, and Crimson Tide (1995) (****), starring Gene Hackman and directed by Tony Scott. Strong roles came this charismatic actor's way in Get Shorty (1995) (**½), Night Falls On Manhattan (1996) (****), She's So Lovely (1997) (****), 12 Angry Men (1997 TV remake), Perdita Durango (1997) (****), Fallen (1998) (****), A Civil Action (1998) (***), 8MM (1999) (***½), The Mexican (2001) (*), The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) (****), The Last Castle (2001) (**), In The Loop (2009) (***½), The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) (***), Welcome To The Rileys (2010) (***½), ● Turn To Page 106
r Observbei z Show
Wednesday, June 26 ■ Singer Marcie Jones is 68. She was born in Melbourne in 1945. Opera singer June Bronhill was born as June Gough in Broken Hill in 1929. She died aged 75 in 2005. Actor Steve Bisley was born in Newcastle, NSW, in 1950 (63). US singer Chris Isaak is 57 (1956).
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Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria
DEATH OF RADIO MAN JOHN BRIGHT
■ Former Melbourne radio man John Bright (real name: John Breit) has died in Queensland. Former colleague Ralphe Rickman said: “A virtual recluse for many years in Queensland, he will be fondly remembered as a member of the Melbourne radio scene way back, as a popular broadcaster on 3AW, 3KZ and 3AK over a period of about 25 years from the late 1950s on.” Tributes poured in from radio industry people. Veteran of 3UZ and 3DB, John Vertigan said: “Indeed sad news ... we worked together on 3UL in the 1950s.” Mike Menner, formerly of 3KZ: “Sad news, a great guy, filled in for him a few times with my few years at 3KZ.” Alex Hehr, General Manager of Golden Days Radio 95.7FM, said: “Very sad indeed. I loved John on both AW and later KZ.” Fran Duncanson, formerly of 3TT, said: “John was certainly a big force in radio. RIP John, and prayers and thoughts go to his family.” Judith Anne Dix said: “Sad. l remember my parents listening to John on 3AW during the mid 60s, l never met him though as l didn't commence employment at 3AW till December 1976 when l was 17.” Listener Chris Nelson said: “Sad, I used to love listening to ‘John Bright on the Brighter’ when I was a kid with a crystal set.” Another listener Gigi Hellmuth said: “Very sad. He was a good friend to both my mother and me Rest in Peace, John “(His passing is) about 10 days short of his birthday, June 30, and also near the anniversay of his mother's passing a long time ago.” Craig Huggins, now morning announcer at Gold 104.3, recalled that John Bright was a mentor at 3AK where ‘Huggy’ did work experience.
LIVED FINAL YEARS AS RECLUSE IN QUEENSLAND
Radio Briefs ■ Clive Robertson is the stand-in host for the evening program for two weeks at 3AW’s ssister station in Sydney, 2UE, while Murray Wilton takes midyear leave. ■ K-Rock Geelong has collected 1500 blankets for charity as part of the Blanket Geelong campaign. ■ Tensions are running high at 3AW where the Australia Overnight pair Andrew McLaren and Mark Petkovic have increasing program direction imposed on their national show. This includes running repeats of interviews from the previous day heard on sister stations in Sydney and Brisbane.
Kate’s first radio gig
● John Bright, pictured in 1969, at 3KZ the station’s morning program, and also assume the role as As■ Mix 101.1 FM has signed sistant Music Director. Jess has previously been at Jess Capolupo to take over Star 104.5 on the NSW Central Coast, Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast, and ZZZFM.
Jess joins Mix
■ Melbourne singer Kate Ceberano hosted her first radio shift last Sunday on Smooth 91.5. Kate has been Curator of the Adelaide Festival which ran until last Sunday (June 23). Kate has just released a ne single, Magnet, which is receiving high-rotation air-time on the station.
Air waves
● Jess Capolupo
■ The original Melbourne community radio station 3CR (855AM) is holding a radiothon over two weeks. ■ Magic 1278 is holding its Christmas In July luncheon for 40 listeners next month at the Dingley International Hotel. ■ 4BC-4BH Brisbane is advertising for a General Manager.
● Kate Ceberano Melbourne
Observer
On This Day Thursday, June 27
Friday, June 28
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
■ Military leader Sir John Monash was born in 1865. He died aged 66 in 1931. AFL footballer and former coach Paul Roos was born in Melbourne in 1963 (50). He is the hot tip for the Demons position. Actor Tobey Maguire was born in Santa Monica in 1975 (38). Singer Eve Von Bibra is 47 (1966).
■ Writer-producer-actor Mel Brooks is 87 (1926). He was born in New York. English actor John Inman was born in Lancashire, England, in 1935. He died aged 71 in 2007 Basketball player Michelle Timms was born in Melbourne in 1945 (48).
■ Artist Ken Done was born in Sydney in 1940 (73). TV presenter Mike Willesee was born in Perth in 1941 (72). He is currently appearing on the Sunday Night program. Aussie Rules identity John Northey is 70 (1943). Rugby player and media presenter Peter Fitzsimons was born in NSW in 1961 (52).
■ US jazz drummer Buddy Rich was born in New York in 1917. He died aged 69 in 1987. Record producer Tony Hatch was born in The UK in 1939 (75). Singer Glenn Shorrock is 69 (1944). Prominent 3AW talkback caller Gigi Hellmuth celebrates her birthday today.
■ English actress Olivia de Havilland was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1916 (97). Singer John Farnham was born in Dagenham, England, in 1949 (62). Diana, Princess of Wales, was born in 1964. Died in 1997. Actress Pamela Anderson is 46. She is married to Scots comedian Billy Connolly.
■ Comedy writer Larry David was born in New York in 1947 (66). Actor Grant Dodwell was born in Sydney in 1952 (61). US fashion model Jerry Hall was born in Texas in 1956 (57). Australian swimmer Daniel Kowalski was born in Singapore in 1975 (38).
Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates. Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au