End Credits #109: Cinema's 2023 Lost Treasures Alan Arkin, William Friedkin, Rose Gregorio, Robert Klane, David McCallum, Burt Young, Piper Laurie, Tom Wilkinson

These are some of Cinema's sad departures of 2023 taken from my personal notes soon after the events took place:

Academy Award winning actor Alan Arkin has died at age 89.

He never ceased to captivate and amaze an audience no matter the size or type of the part he played. This is represented by an outstanding resume of everlasting work including The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966, Academy Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role), Wait Until Dark (1967), The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968, Academy Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, pictured), Popi (1969), Catch-22 (1970), Little Murders (1971, also Director), Freebie and the Bean (1974), The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), Fire Sale (1977, also Director), The In-Laws (1979), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Havana (1990), The Rocketeer (1991), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Mother Night (1996), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Gattaca (1997), Little Miss Sunshine (2006, Academy Award Winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role), Firewall (2006), and Argo (2012, Academy Award Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role). Arkin was also a Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actor in 1963’s 'Enter Laughing' and a Tony Award nominee for Best Director for 1973’s 'The Sunshine Boys'. TV viewers will undoubtedly remember him for his Emmy Award Nominated performance in The Kominsky Method (2018 - 2019). Alan Arkin (March 26, 1934 - June 29, 2023) R.I.P.

Acclaimed filmmaker William Friedkin has died at age 87.

As a director, as well as a film enthusiast in general, his energy and passion for filmmaking, was in ample evidence. Every time he spoke on the subject, and there were many, no matter one of his own films or someone else’s, Friedkin was totally captivating. His alluring contributions to the art form include The Boys in the Band (1970), The French Connection (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Conversation with Fritz Lang (1975), Sorcerer (1977), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Rampage (1987), Blue Chips (1994), Jade (1995), 12 Angry Men (1997, TV Movie), Rules of Engagement (2000), The Hunted (2003), Bug (2006), Killer Joe (2011), The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023). William Friedkin (August 29, 1935 - August 7, 2023) R.I.P.

The ultra-sincere and talented actress Rose Gregorio has died at age 97.

Her dedicated performances helped enliven films such as The Swimmer (1968, pictured), Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971, directed by her husband Ulu Grosbard), Desperate Characters (1971), Eyes of Laura Mars (1978), True Confessions (1981, a stunning performance directed by Ulu Grosbard), Five Corners (1987), City of Hope (1991), The Deep End of the Ocean (1999, also directed by Ulu Grosbard), Maze (2000) and Good Time (2017). Rose Gregorio (October 17, 1925 - August 17, 2023) R.I.P.

The wildly creative screenwriter Robert Klane has died at age 81.

He was best known for his provocative and darkly comedic screenplays for Where’s Poppa? (1970, based on his novel), Fire Sale (1977, based on his novel), Thank God It’s Friday (1978, along with writer Armyan Bernstein, also directed), Unfaithfully Yours (1984, along with writers Valerie Curtain and Barry Levinson based on a screenplay by Preston Sturges), The Man with One Red Shoe (1985, along with writers Francis Verber and Yves Robert), National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985, along with writer John Hughes), Weekend at Bernie’s (1989), Folks! (1992), and Weekend at Bernie’s II (1992, also director). In addition, Klane wrote 6 episodes for the hit T.V. series M*A*S*H (1972 - 1975). Robert Klane (October 17, 1941 - August 29, 2023) R.I.P.

The gifted Scottish actor David McCallum has died at age 90.

The talented thespian has lent his stalwart presence to an impressive host of recognisable classic films including Hell Drivers (1957), Robbery Under Arms (1957), Violent Playground (1958), A Night to Remember (1958), Billy Budd (1962), Freud (1962), The Great Escape (1963), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), The Spy with My Face (1965, reprising his famous TV role as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. series), and Mosquito Squadron (1969). He’s also lent us his memorable characterisations to various TV series including The Outer Limits (1963 - 1964), Profiles in Courage (1964, as John Adams), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964 - 1968, in 105 episodes), JAG (2003), and most recently NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service (2003 - 2023, as Donald Mallard in a staggering 457 episodes). David McCallum (September 19, 1933 – September 25, 2023) R.I.P.

The highly distinctive and charismatic character actor Burt Young has died at age 83.

Born in New York and of Italian descent, Burt Young trained under Lee Strasberg at the Actor's Studio. He helped create some strikingly colourful characters in films such as The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Across 110th Street, Cinderella Liberty (the first of many with James Caan), Chinatown (as Curly who "can't eat the blinds"), The Gambler, The Killer Elite (for director Sam Peckinpah), Rocky (as Paulie and in all of its sequels), Twilight's Last Gleaming, Once Upon a Time in America, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Back to School, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Mickey Blue Eyes, and so many more. He also gave an exceptional guest performance in the TV series The Sopranos as Robert "Bobby" Baccalieri, Sr. in the episode entitled "Another Toothpick." Burt Young (April 30, 1940 – October 8, 2023) R.I.P.

Award winning actress Piper Laurie has died at age 91.

Her fiery performances lent magnetic realism to numerous films such as The Mississippi Gambler (1953), Dawn at Socorro (1954), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1955), Kelly and Me (1956), Until They Sail (1957), The Hustler (1961, Academy Award Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, pictured), Carrie (1971, Academy Award Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Ruby (1977), Tim (1979), Return to Oz (1985), Children of a Lesser God (1986, Academy Award Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Appointment with Death (1988), Storyville (1992), Rich in Love (1992), Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993), The Grass Harp (1995), The Crossing Guard (1995), The Faculty (1998), Eulogy (2004), Hesher (2010), and Bad Blood (2012). She also appeared in many popular TV series such as Playhouse 90 (1957-1958), The Thorn Birds (1983), Twin Peaks (27 episodes, 1989-1991), and Frasier (1994-1999). Piper Laurie (January 22, 1932 – October 14, 2023) R.I.P.

The amazing British character actor Tom Wilkinson has died at age 75.

He lent his strong persuasiveness to such films as Wetherby (1985), Sylvia (1985), Paper Mask (1990), In the Name of the Father (1993), Priest (1994), Sense and Sensibility (1995), The Full Monty (1997), Wilde (1997), Oscar and Lucinda (1997), The Governess (1998), Rush Hour (1998), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Ride with the Devil (1999), The Patriot (2000), In the Bedroom (2001), The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Stage Beauty (2004), Batman Begins (2005), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), Seperate Lies (2005), Dedication (2007), Cassandra’s Dream (2007), Michael Clayton (2007, pictured), Valkyrie (2008), Duplicity (2009), The Ghost (2010), The Debt (2010), The Conspirator (2010), Burke and Hare (2010), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Selma (2014), Snowden (2016), Denial (2016), This Beautiful Fantastic (2016), The Catcher Was a Spy (2018), The Happy Prince (2018), Burden (2018), and SAS: Red Notice (2021). Tom Wilkinson (February 5, 1948 – December 30, 2023) R.I.P.