Tom Noonan Merges With The Infinite

Tom Noonan is one of the best actors I ever saw in a movie.  I've never gotten over his performance in What Happened Was...   

He was never a leading man, but every time he showed up, you were getting something new and unexpected.  Truly brilliant, even in stuff like RoboCop 2, or giving soul to Frankenstein's monster in Monster Squad.  And, really the perfect version of Dolarhyde in Manhunter.  

Over the years he retreated from big pictures and that's how we got What Happened Was...   We got other appearances here and there - he came in to one episode of Louie and blew the doors off.  But his days of playing types in big budget pictures was over.

But, man.  What a performer.  

Jesse Jackson Merges With The Infinite

Back in an era when the news media was functional, I was well aware of Jesse Jackson, his history and some of what he stood for.  From a young age, I understood Jackson was a young man who had worked alongside Dr. King, and who was carrying that mission forward.  As he would run for President every cycle, I was aware of the need for him as a voice to speak to issues impacting underrepresented Americans - running knowing his chances were next to zero, but including his messages in the hope of seeing those ideas shape the platform of the Democratic party.

Jackson was an unapologetic voice for rights and for those not represented by mainstream politics.  He could be challenging to the status quo, even antagonistic, speaking plainly about uncomfortable issues like race, socio-economics and the engines that benefitted from a more egalitarian society.  

While figures like John Lewis would follow political paths into office and effect change in those halls of power, Jesse Jackson remained involved via activism and media appearances.  He also led peace delegations and was seemingly omnipresent on the national/ international stage for much of the 1980's and into the 1990's.  

Sometimes controversial, Jackson's vision for how to get to that better world sometimes seemed myopic, but he did have understandable goals.  He certainly had his moments deserving public scrutiny, but it's also hard not to see folks with their own agenda amplifying any blunder he might have had.

During my last years of school, I saw Jackson speak on campus (on the steps of Main) at the University of Texas at Austin, I believe during the Hopwood Decision era. It was kind of amazing to see him in person leading thousands of people.

Jackson remained active well into the 2010's, but was no longer who the press ran to for soundbites.  His legacy of activism and work as a voice for Civil Rights has already inspired generations.  

Robert Duvall Has Merged With The Infinite

Actor Robert Duvall has passed.  He was 95.  

Gen-X and older have a place in their hearts and minds for Duvall who starred in *something* we loved along the way, and was key to why we loved it.  He has 146 credits listed on IMDB as an actor, 14 as a producer and 5 as a director.  

Like most folks my age, it was his turn as Tom Hagen in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.  But swiftly after, it was Apocalypse Now, Colors, The Natural, THX-1138, MASH and countless others.  

Duvall has a weightiness to his performances, a believability that served him well in parts like Tom Hagen, but also sold the absurd (see Lt. Col. Kilgore) as real.  Truly one of the greats of his generation - and part of why we were so lucky to get that cast and crew on The Godfather to begin with.  

I admit, there are large parts of his filmography I've never seen - I read Lonesome Dove instead of watching it, for example.  But that's going to happen with someone with so many credits, almost all of which people will say were solid.

He'd obviously slowed down, but he still has one more credit as in post-production even now.  

Here's to one of the greats.  

Catherine O'Hara Merges With The Infinite

I don't know what it says about me that of the famous people whose passing I regularly note, this is maybe the third that genuinely upset me.  Like, tears, and whatnot.  

Doesn't everyone love Catherine O'Hara?

Part of that SCTV crew who went on to do some of the most meaningful work in media of the last fifty years, O'Hara has been everywhere, from Home Alone to Beetlejuice to, most recently, The Studio, to her masterful, beautiful turn as Moira Rose in eighty episodes of Schitt's Creek.  And, of course, all of her roles in the ensemble of Christopher Guest's movies, like A Mighty Wind and Waiting for Guffman.  

Absolutely one of my favorite performers, I am shocked and saddened that she's gone.

Anyway, the other two were David Bowie and Stan Lee.  

Sal Buscema Merges With the Infinite

Sal Buscema was just one of those names I learned to recognize as one of the greats when I got into comics.  

The truth is, artists come, and artists go.  Most don't last.  Comics is a tough business.  And Sal had the extra challenge of being the sibling of one of the most prolific, beloved artists in comics, John Buscema.  But he became as well known and made his own mark - becoming one of the most beloved artists at the House of Ideas and doing some work for DC.

Honestly, I kind of think Sal Buscema's style bridges the gap between the classic Marvel style and Marvel's more modern look as it passed through the 70's to the 90's.  

Sal passed last week at the age of 89.  

TCM Remembers 2025

prepare to get weepy.

This is the first time in a while I've been surprised by so many names as they went by - I simply didn't hear or read that they had merged with the infinite.  As you know, we'll post sometimes if we learn of someone's passing.  Not always, but it's a feature.

I simply did not know about any of the following, and I feel like I should have, or would have back in Twitter's golden age:

• Connie Francis
• Jules Feiffer
• Joe Don Baker
• James Mitchum
• Lalo Schifrin
• Peter Jason
• Robert McGinnis (this one shocks me that I didn't know)
• Jeannot Szwarc
• Peter Greene

To all of these, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Joe Ely Merges With The Infinite

Legendary Texas Musician Joe Ely has passed.  He was 78.

More here.

Ely was part of the Flatlanders and continued to perform up until very recently.  I saw him with my Cousin Sue and family a few years back at the Saxon Pub.  Ian McClagen was just sitting at the bar.  

Not too much longer after that, I was paying to park at a lot off Colorado with a bunch of people from out of town (I remember one dude was from Belgium), and there was Joe Ely at the kiosk, paying to park.  He heard me freaking out and saying "That's Joe Ely!  That's Joe Ely!" which was a fact I assume he knew.

Ely was a crucial figure in Texas music for decades, and a Texas legend.  He'll be missed.

Rob Reiner Merges With The Infinite

I hate this.  I hate writing this.  

No one deserves to die the way Rob Reiner and his wife Michele passed.  

Most of the time, I'm able to write a simple "they were beloved, and will be missed, here's why this site is memorializing them", but today, on this one, the cruelty of what happened is a bit overwhelming.

We all know Rob Reiner, and kind of wish we had met him.  He seemed absolutely aces, and he made so damn many good movies.  Hell, he'd be a legend just for his few scenes as an actor just in The Wolf of Wall Street, but as a director and producer, he put out some of our favorite movies.  

May the Reiner's family know what the work Rob Reiner did meant a lot to so very many people, and that Rob and Michele will be mourned.

Udo Kier Merges With The Infinite

Udo Kier, an actor who has been in a ridiculous number of movies, has passed.

Kier was in some of Andy Warhol's films, Suspiria, and a handful of Lars Van Trier movies.  But also appeared in comedies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,  TV classics like V.I.P. and no shortage of German films.

Actor Diane Ladd Merges With The Infinite

I first came across Diane Ladd - at least saying "I know that actress is named Diane Ladd" - when I rented Wild at Heart in high school.  And that is one hell of an introduction to any actor.

Over the years, of course she's shown up in all sorts of things I've seen.  World's Fastest Indian, figuring out she's in Christmas Vacation, Something Wicked This Way Comes, etc...  She also is the mother of Laura Dern, with whom she appeared in several movies in addition to Wild at Heart.  

Here's to remembering Ms. Ladd and sharing condolences with her family.

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney Merges With The Infinite

Huh.  Dick Cheney died.

June Lockhart Merges With The Infinite

June Lockhart, born during the silent era of film and when Calvin Coolidge was president of the US, and who had her first credit in 1938 (the same year Superman debuted and Orson Welles freaked people out with a radio show) has passed at 100.

What's crazy is that Lockhart was in a *ton* of big movies in smaller roles right out of the gate.  I'll be watching, say, Meet Me in St. Louis, and there goes Lockhart, who has such a particular look (twinkly eyes and a huge smile never hurt anyone in Hollywood), you know it's her.

So, she was working with Judy Garland, Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, Red Skelton, Lana Turner...  I mean...  She saw some stuff.  

Lockhart is most famous to folks of my generation and the prior generation as Ruth Martin, the matriarch of the second family featured in the popular Lassie program (the first kid was Jeff Miller, the second was Timmy Martin).  Or, they know her as Maureen Robinson, the matriarch of that space-faring family in Lost in Space.  

Lockhart's last appearance was in the 2016 film The Remake, but she had done voicework for the Netflix Lost In Space reboot.  The last thing I saw her in was a recent viewing of Holiday in Handcuffs from 2007, but which I watched in 2022.  

Here's to Ms. Lockhart, and a heck of a career and life.

Drew Struzan Merges With The Infinite

 

Artist Drew Struzan, who painted the iconic posters for a wide, wide range of favorite movies during my lifetime, has passed.

I include the poster for Big Trouble in Little China above as, if Jamie would tolerate it, we'd most certainly have it up in the house.  Not only does it feature tremendous likenesses of Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall, reason enough to have such a poster, it really captures the spirit of the film, full of action, supernatural nonsense, and two dopes caught in the middle.

Diane Keaton Merges With The Infinite

Diane Keaton has passed at the age of 79.

I think for a lot of folks, across a few generations, this one is going to hit hard.  Keaton as an actress played some of the most important roles of the 20th century with her titular role in Annie Hall and in Allen's Manhattan.  And, of course, she's Kay Adams/ Corleone in three Godfather films.  

She was in innumerable other films, of course.  Father of the Bride, Something's Gotta Give, First Wives Club, Baby Boom.  She carved out a place for a sort of intellectual, independent, often quirky woman as a character on screen, but also in real life.  She was also a producer and director, from time to time.  And generally beloved by film aficionados from the 1970's to the current era.

It is odd... I was just thinking this week that I hadn't heard anything about Diane Keaton in a while, but hadn't been concerned, exactly.  I'd just observed I hadn't seen her name attached to anything in a bit. 

Condolences to her family and loved ones.  She'll be very missed.

Dr. Jane Goodall Merges With The Infinite

Dr. Jane Goodall, scientist, primatologist and conservationist, has passed.

In 1960, Jane Goodall was not even a trained scientist when she was first sent for education and employed by the famed primatologist Louis Leakey to observe chimpanzees in the wild.  Goodall would spend years in the Gombe Preserve.

Goodall's research informed much of what is now common knowledge regarding chimpanzees, from their social bonds and communication to their use of tools and quick study.  She also observed and described the intelligent hunting and sharing behaviors of chimpanzees, previously unknown.  

For the last few decades, Goodall has crisscrossed the globe sharing her good reputation, wit and incredible mind in order to further the causes of conservation - especially for great apes.  

If you ever get a chance, watch an interview with Goodall.  A truly remarkable human.

Claudia Cardinale Merges With The Infinite

Actress Claudia Cardinale has passed at the age of 87.

Cardinale, who hailed from Italy, appeared in a handful of American films.  She's most famous for 8 1/2 and one of my personal favorite films, Once Upon a Time In The West, where she plays Jill - a deeply complicated woman arriving on the frontier just as industrialization arrives on the front porch.

Here's one of my favorite sequences in cinema, featuring Cardinale (with an American voiceover, because Sergio Leone).

Robert Redford Merges WIth The Infinite

Robert Redford, actor, producer, director, activist and all-around okay guy, has passed.

I'll say it:  I've never seen Redford deliver anything but a great performance, and I'm not sure I've ever genuinely disliked anything he's been in.  Of course, I've only seen a fraction of his filmography, but I'll stand by the idea.

In an industry full of people trying to dumb things down, Redford exploded during the 1960's and 70's where he took on challenging roles in complicated films, whether we're talking something like a clockwork political thriller like Three Days of the Condor or the exploration of the myth of the west in Jeremiah Johnson.  But his list of classic roles is as long as your arm.  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  The Sting.  The Great Gatsby.  The Natural.  Etc... et al.  Heck, he played one of the best villains in a Marvel film.  Who knew?

He'd go on to direct critically acclaimed films, including Quiz Show (which is still stunningly good).  

Far from just a handsome actor to slot into parts, Redford carved out his own world within Hollywood, using his box office draw to get attention for numerous causes.  He helped found Sundance as a film festival and market for independent film (when that meant something) and he supported efforts to save Barton Springs here in Austin, Texas - where he swam as a kid.

Flat out, this site thinks Redford is cool AF, and salutes the man.  He'll be missed.

Terence Stamp Merges With The Infinite

Actor Terence Stamp has passed at the age of 87.

This site obviously was aware of Stamp first and foremost from the first two 1970's Superman films wherein he played General Zod, Superman's foe and the would-be conqueror of first Krypton and then Earth.

He was, of course, accomplished and popular In England well before those films.  With smoldering good looks and a natural talent, he was in with a wave of British talent that crossed over the pond and back again over the decades.  

If you want to see a phenomenal movie, check out The Limey.  But he was in everything, from comedies like Bowfinger and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to to actioners like Young Guns.  

Raise a glass, and, for today, it's okay to kneel for Zod.

I'm very sorry to see him go, but he left a rich legacy.  

Cindyana Santangelo Merges With the Infinite

Actor, model and 90's cult icon Cindyana Santangelo passed earlier this year, but I just found out about it via user Flabbergast.

She never reached Hollywood levels of fame in a direct way, but made appearances on television shows and in small parts in movies.  Her relevance here at The Signal Watch is that Santangelo is the subject of what is perennially and by far my most popular post on this site, "Whatever Happened to the Girl in the Stop Sign Shorts?"

We sought her out as the dancer and lip-syncher in the video for Young MC's "Bust a Move" and learned she was also the voice and face at the start of Jane's Addiction's single "Stop".  

Santangelo passed at her Malibu home in March at the age of 58.

In whatever odd parasocial way I was aware of Santangelo, I am very sorry to hear she's passed.  If my site's numbers are any indication, she certainly had her fans, and I hope she knew that.

  

Jim Lovell Merges With The Infinite

Astronaut and honest-to-God-American Hero Jim Lovell has passed.  He was 97.

Lovell was a Naval Aviator who joined NASA after the Mercury missions.  He was part of Gemini 7 and 12, but most famously was key on Apollo 8, which first circumnavigated the moon - and Apollo 13, which was the famous disaster in space which became this solar system's most amazing story of survival.

Back in 2009, I saw Mr. Lovell on a panel with Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders  at the LBJ Library discussing the Apollo 8 Mission.  It was awe inspiring.