Appreciation: The Ditziest Greaser
Dody Goodman specialized in comedy. As anyone who saw her muck up Principal McGee’s class schedules in Grease probably surmised.
Goodman’s career dated back to Broadway in the 1940s. For all her creditsnotably, she was an Emmy-nominated performer on Jack Paar’s Tonight Show, and a Fernwood, Ohio, elder in the 1970s cult sitcom Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanGoodman was arguably best known for one word: Grease.
Goodman played Blanche, the scattered front-office assistant, to Eve Arden’s iron-willed Rydell High ruler in the popular 1978 movie musical. The mismatched pair returned for the less-popular 1982 sequel, Grease 2. Arden died in 1990. Goodman kept on, even taking a whirl in the Broadway revival of Grease! in the 1990s.
She was 93 when she died last Sunday at a hospital in New Jersey. Fortunately, Blanche’s smudges are indelible.
Other recently noted passings:
- Kermit Love, 91, was the costume designer from the world of ballet who made Big Bird a big, yellow bird, literally. He also helped create the Sesame Street costumes for Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster.
- Howard Brandy, 79, was a “strong-jawed” publicist, as Variety put it, who was known to cartoon fans, even if they didn’t know it, as the model for the strong-jawed Dudley Do-Right.
- William Vince, 44, produced Capote, and per Canada.com, was the first person thanked in star Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Oscar-night acceptance speech. Recently, Vince worked on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the star-crossed Terry Gilliam fantasy that will go down as Heath Ledger’s final film.
Colin Farrell Lands in LA For Oscars
Colin Farrell Lands in LA For Oscars
It’s arguably the biggest weekend for actors and actresses all over the world - Oscar weekend. And Colin Farrell was spotted de-boarding his plane at LAX airport yesterday, in town for all the festivities.
The “Phone Booth” actor was wearing an odd combination of a wide-necked, flowing long-sleeved shirt with a tight-fitting vest and some distressed jeans and a fedora covering up his ponytail.
And soon he’ll be filling in for the late, great Heath Ledger in an unfinished film called “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,” along with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.
Farrell told press, “It makes me feel uncomfortable to think about it too much and to get into it really here but it’s an incredibly painful honor to have, you know, and an honor I wish wasn’t bestowed but an honor none-the-less.”
He added, “It’s about getting Heath’s work out there, get his work out there, he’s too good for any of his work not to be seen, you know, and I’m really keen and looking forward to doing it and just doing the best job I can do.”
Colin Farrell: Covering for Heath Ledger
Colin Farrell: Covering for Heath Ledger
When Heath Ledger passed away this past January 22nd, he left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans. And he also left a movie role unfinished. The film’s director has subsequently recruited Colin Farell as one of the fill-ins for the late actor in the upcoming flick “Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”
Farell arrived in Vancouver, Canada on Tuesday to begin filming the new movie, a task for which he had mixed feelings about signing on. Back in February he told press, “It makes me feel uncomfortable to think about it too much and get into it really here but it’s an incredibly painful honor to have, you know, and an honor I wish I wasn’t bestowed but an honor nonetheless.”
Yesterday, on a break in filming, the “Phonebooth” stud and a pal, English model Lily Cole took to the tourist attractions of the beautiful Canadian town, stopping at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Lily was spotted with a bag full of toys, while Colin seemed less-than-impressed with the paparazzi attention they were attracting.
Along with Farrell, Jude Law and Johnny Depp have also signed on to help finish “Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” in Ledger’s tragic absence.
Jude Law Fills in for Heath Ledger
Jude Law Fills in for Heath Ledger
Talk about stepping into some big shoes - yesterday Jude Law arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia to begin work on the film “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,” a role left unfinished by Heath Ledger.
The English heartthrob looked calm and casual in a v-neck shirt, leather jacket, and a pair of distressed denim jeans. But it sounds like he’ll have his work cut out for him.
When Ledger tragically died, he was in the middle of filming “Imaninarium,” leaving his part to be finished by the likes of Law, along with Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell.
And when he’s done in Vancouver, Jude will be busy as the new global face for Christian Dior’s new men’s fragrance. But don’t get too excited, ladies… his ads won’t be used in US or UK markets.