2022 Geeky In Memoriam

2022 Geeky In Memoriam

I do a page every year for “Geeky Goodbyes”, noting the reported deaths of celebrities who have what I refer to as geeky (science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror) credits. I do this “seed catalog” style listing for two main reasons: to pay tribute to those who sometimes don’t get much mainstream coverage; and to show that the vast majority of actors have credits in these categories. It used to be that geeky works were looked down upon, seen as not being as legitimate as mainstream works. That’s no longer the case at the box office or in home viewership, but it can still be a challenge in awards, particularly in acting.

In this year’s page

2022 Geeky Good-byes

I list 329 at time of writing (last year was 321 total: about one a day is average). I say at time of writing because we will unfortunately, and undoubtedly, hear about more people who died in 2022 as time passes. If someone is not currently on the pop culture radar, especially if their work was not broadly known at the time, it can be weeks or even months before we hear about it. I rely on

IMDb

which has a robust search capability and which I find to be largely reliable.

If you want a full picture, see my page. While I do list some “universes” and decades at the top of it, I don’t cover every show: use “search in page” to look for specific shows.

In this post, I’ll do more than just list their credits. I’ll highlight some people and tell you a bit more about their careers. I’ll also point out some affected universes and do a quick look at the decades. That’s not to diminish anyone else on my page: we geeks have always been inclusive in a way different from the mainstream (although some other fandoms also do this, too). I’ve jokingly suggested that someone who was in one Star Trek: The Original Series episode as a member of the crew who had no lines and just walked down the hallway could be making con (convention) appearances for the rest of their lives.

Let’s start out with the decades: this year, the earliest geek-friendly credits are in the 1940s (6 people), more than 70 years ago. Last year, there were two in the 1930s. In 2020, there had been on in the 1920s.

Universes (a “universe” is the full spectrum of interrelated works: it could be movies, TV shows, books, comics, and more. They may share settings, characters, and in some cases, may just be stated as being officially related to another work, such as a series set in a different location with new characters, but that we are told is set in the “xyz” universe).

Star Trek: with the original series having been on more than half a century ago, and all the series, movies, and more there have been since (and continuing to today), and how the format has meant many guest stars, it should be no surprise that Star Trek is one of the hardest hit this year (and unless the series proliferation slows down, that will unfortunately likely continue): I count 27. Among the standouts for me:

Nichelle Nichols: an icon, one of the original bridge crew. In animated form (voiced by Nichols), Uhura was the first Earth woman to command a starship in Star Trek…the Enterprise!. She appeared in the movies, videogames, and works outside of Star Trek. She was also very involved with NASA, helping recruit a more diverse team
Louise Fletcher, who palyed Kai Winn, did 14 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Sally Kellerman played Dr. Elizabeth Dehner in the important early episode, Where No Man Has Gone Before, of the original series
Kirstie Alley played Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Douglas Trumbull: the legendary special effects artist worked on Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Laurel Goodwin played Yeoman Colt in the initial pilot, The Cage
Maggie Thrett played Ruth in the Mudd’s Women episode of ST: TOS
Kathryn Hays: played Gem n the ST:TOS episode, The Empath
Nehemiah Persoff played Toff in the The Most Toys episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
David Birney played Letant in the Tears of the Prophets episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Harold Livingston shared a Hugo nomination for Best Dramatic Presentation for his script for Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Robert Brown played Lazarus in the The Alternative Factor episode of Star Trek: The Original Series
Kenneth Welsh played Senna Tal in two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery
Mary Mara played Sphere-Builder Presage in three episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise
Gregory Itzin played roles on Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise
David Warner was in Star Trek V & VI with the original cast (and reprised his role from VI Chancellor Gorkon, in the Str Trek: Klingon Academy videogame), and appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Paul Sorvino was in the Homeward episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Tony Dow directed the Field of Fire episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Marsha Hunt played Anne Jameson in the Too Short a Season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Marva Hicks played T’Pel in 3 episodes of Star Trek: Voyager
Leslie JOrdan played Kol in the False Profits episode of Star Trek: Voyager
Andrew Pine appeared on both The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine
John Aniston was the Quarren Ambassador in the Workforce two-parter of Voyager
Brad William Henke was Uncle Frank in 2009’s Star Trek
Legendary sculptor Richard Miller worked on Star Trek IV & VI, Star Trek: Generations, and Star Trek: First Conact

Doctor Who: similar to Star Trek, Doctor Who has a long history and a format that allows for many guest stars. Even the Doctor and the companions have rotated in a way that doesn’t happen on most shows. I count 13 Doctor Who losses in 2022. Among the standouts:

Henry Lincoln was one of the writers of Classic Who, writing The Abominable Snowman six-parter (1967), and the Dominators five-parter
Chris Boucher wrote 3 arcs: The Face of Evil, The Robots of Death, and the Image of the Fendahl
Lynda Baron appeared both in the recurring role of Captain Wrack in Classic Who, and Val in the Closing Time episode in New Who 2011
David Warner was on screen as Professor Grisenko in the Cold War episoe of New Who, & voiced Lord Azlok on Doctor Who: Dreamland for 6 episodes
Bernard Cribbins was in the Horror of Glam Rock episode, and played Wilfred Mott in ten episodes of New Who
Jane Sherwin played Lady Jennifer Buckingham in the six–parter The War Games arc of Classic Who in 1969
Stewart Bevan played Clifford Jones in the The Green Death six-parter in 1973
June Brown played Eleanor in the 4-parter Time Warrior in Classic Who
Ronan Vibert played Professor Skinner in two episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures
Mona Hammond played Rita-Anne in New Who’s Rise of the Cybermen episode
Tony Dow was a visual effects producer for Doctor Who: The Movie in 1996
Bill Turnbull appeared essentially as himself in the The Wedding of River Song episode of New Who
Leslie Phillips played Doctor Robert Knox

Sesame Street: debuting in 1969 & having had over 2,500 episodes with many guest stars, it has been a robust part of our pop culture for decades. 2022 saw the loss of two of its main castmembers, with over 400 episodes each (and appearances in associated media).

Emilio Delgado played Luis and was on the show from 1971-2022
Bob McGrath played Bob and was on the show from 1969-2017
Gilbert Gottfried appeared in 1 episode
Everett Peck was an animator for The Worm Winter Games

Marvel: many people today may think of it as just the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but the first Marvel movie was 1944’s Captain America serial, and there were several movies before 2008’s Iron Man. That, and how it has crossed over into many media (especially animated series & videogames) means that every year for the foreseeable future will, unfortunately, have significant losses. Among those in 2022:

Gaspard Ulliel played Midnight Man on Moon Knight (6 episodes in 2022)
David Warner voiced Herbert Landon/The Red Skull in thirteen episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series
William Hurt played General Thunderbolt Ross in The Incredible Hulk, and as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross in several movies
Nichelle Nichols voiced Miriam in Spider-Man: The Animated Series (2 episodes)
Ron Goulart wrote Captain America and The Incredible Hulk novels
Vachik Mangassarian appeared in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
Jay Binder was the Casting Director for The Trial of the Incredible Hulk TV movie (1989)
Albert Pyun directed the pre-MCU Captain America (1990)
Gaspard Ulliel
Mike Pasciullo was a Senior VP at Marvel, with credits for Brand Manager/marketing/publicist/commununications on a number of 2010 and later works
Kathryn Kates was Kitty in Masterclass: Marvel CGI Acting
Billy Kametz voiced a variety of characters, including Phil Coulson and Dum-Dum Dugan in Marvels Avengers Academy, and Deadpool in the Deadpool: King of Monsters episode of Marvel’s Long Story Short
Neal Adams was a comics artist, writer, editor, and publisher who worked on The X-Men
Fred Ward appeared in an episode of The Incredible Hulk (1979)
L.Q. Jones both appeared in an episode of The Incredible Hulk (1979) and wrote an episode
Gene LeBell played a referee in two episodes of The Incredible Hulk (1978 & 1981)
Austin Stoker appeared in an episode of The Incredible Hulk
Micheal Kapsa voiced Lavin Skee in Planet Hulk
Legendary sculptor Richard Miller worked on Hulk
Glen Trotiner was an Assistant Director on Captain America: The First Avenger

DC: similar to Marvel, DC has had many productions in different media. In the case of DC, that includes Old Time Radio. Some of those with DC involvement who died in 2022

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman in 85 episodes of Batman: The Animated series, and many times later
Larry Storch voiced The Joer on The Batman/Superman Hour, and on Scooby-Doo
Michael Jackson voiced Alfred Pennywrth in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Oscar-winner David Brenner was an editor on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League
Henry Silva voiced Bane on Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Superman: The Animated Series
Gilbert Gottfried voiced Mr. Mxyzptlk in Superman: The Animated Series, Lego Batman 3, and Lego DC Super-Villains
Neal Adams was a comics artist, writer, editor and publisher who worked on Batman, The Brave and the Bold, Deadman, Detective Comics, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow
Tim Sale was a comics artist (penciler/inker) on Batman: The Long Halloween; Batman: Dark Victory; and Superman for All Seasons
Alan Grant was a comics writer who worke on Batman
David Warner voiced Ra’s Al Ghul on Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and on Batman Beyond
Pat Carroll voiced Queen Hippolyta in an episode of the Ruby-Spears Superman series
Nichelle Nichols voice Thorn Khepera in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series
David Lea was Michael Keaton’s stunt touble in Batman, and did stunts on Batman Forever, and Batman and Robin
Gene LeBell was a Cossack in The Ogg Couple episode of Batman ’66
Joe E. Tata appeared in the 1967 Batgirl, 5 episodes of Batman ’66, and an episode of Wonder Woman
Bo Brundin appeared in 2 episodes of Wonder Wman
Coolio played a banker in Batman & Robin
Diane McBain was in 3 episodes of Batman ’66
Nehemiah Persoff was in an episode of Wonder Woman
James Olson was in an episode of Wonder Woman
George Perez was a comics penciler and inker who worked on Wonder Woman, The New Teen Titans, and Crisis on Infinite Earths
Ron Masak appeared in an episode of Wonder Woman
Andrew Prine appeared in an episode of Wonder Woman
Stuart Margolin was in two episodes of Wonder Woman

GF5 (Geek Factor 5: icon)

Douglas Trumbull left an indelible mark on the history of special effects, including work on 2001: A Space Odyssey; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; and Blade Runner. He also directed Silent Running and Brainstorm, among others. In addition to being in the Visual Effects Society Hall of Fame, he won two Oscars and was nominated for three more, He won Saturn awards as both director (Brainstorm) and for special effects (Star Trek: The Motion Picture). His other recognition includes two Hugo nominations, and one BAFTA nomination
Ivan Reitman directed (and produced) Ghostbusters, and directed Ghostbusters II, Junior, Twins, and Evolution. His producing credits include Space Jam and Mummies Alive. His recognition includes Oscar, Emmy, Hugo, and BAFTA nominations
Veronica Carlson was one of the main Hammer players during their horror classic horror reimagining in the 1960s starring opposite Christopher Lee in Dracula Has Risen from the Graave, and in Franenstein Must be Destroyed and The Horror of Frankenstein (1970). In 2019, she apeared in HOuse of the Gorgon with Martine Beswick and Caroline Munro. She was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror awards Monster Kid Hall of Fame in 2018
Oscar-winning producer Alan Ladd Jr.’s works include some of the most popular (even with mainstream audiences) geek-friendly movies, as well as fan favorites. Among them are Young Frankenstein, Blade Runner, The Omen, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Phantom of the Paradise, Alien, The Meteor Man, Spaceballs, Willow, Damnation Alley, and Star Wars: Episode V – The Epire Strikes Back
Emili Delgado was a major part of many people’s childhoods as Luis on Sesame Street
Akira Takarada was undeniably overshadowed by his kaiju co-stars (he played Hideto Ogata in the 1st Godzilla movie & reprised the role twice more), but stayed prominent in geek-friendly parts over a 65 year career. In addition to movies with Mothra and Ebirah, he voiced Disney’s Jafar in three Kingdom Hearts games
Gilbert Gottfried brought his distinctive voice to Iago in Disney’s Aladdin universe, not just in the original movies, but many times afterwards. He was the voice of Superman’s foe, Mr. Mxyzptlk a number of times. His other universes include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Lego Batman, Superboy, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Fairly OddParents A Series of Unfortunate Events…
James Bama was an artist, known for his iconic Doc Savage covers for the Bantam paperback reissues, and box art for the Universal Monsters model kits
Neal Adams was a legendary comics artist/writer/editor/publisher known for Batman, Deadman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, all for DC, and the X-Men at Marvel
George Perez was a comics writer and pinciler known for Crisis on Inifinite Earths, The Avengers, Wonder Woman, The New Teen Titans…
Colin Cantwell was a designer, especially of spaceships. He’s particularly known for Star Wars’ the Death Star, landspeeders, and X-Wing Fighters, and alo worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey, and TV’s 1979 Buck Rogers series
David Warner had an amazing 228 credits over a 58 year career onscreen (and as a voice artist). He played significant roles in a broad range of geek-friendly universes, and stand-alones, including; The Omen; Time After Time; Time Bandits; Tron; The Man with Two Brains; Frankenstein; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and VI: The Undiscoverd Country; Star Trek: The Next Generaton Twin Peaks; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Lois & Clark; Babylon 5; Batman: The Animated Series; Gargoyles; Freakazoid!; Spider-Man: The Animated Series; Wing Commander; Doctor Who: Dreamland; Penny Dreadful; Mary Poppins Returns…
Peter Straub won numerous literary awards, including being named a World Horror Convention Grandmaster, for his horror work. The first movie adapted from his work was The Haunting of Julia, which was followed by Ghost Story in 1981, and The Talisman (from a book he co-wrote with Stephen King)
Jules Bass, producer (especially with partner Arthur Rankin Jr.) and director, worked in traditional animation, but is most associated with Rankin-Bass stop motion holiday specials, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Year without a Santa Claus. He also did animated works based on The Hobbit and The Return of the King, as well as Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn
Kevin Conroy first voice Batman in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, and continued to do so through works scheduled to be released in 2023, amounting to 100s of appearances as The Dark Knight
Bob McGrath played Bob on 460 (1969-2017) episodes of Sesame Street and in associated works. His gentle voice, including in singing, left a lasting impression
Nichelle Nichols: “Hailing frequencies closed…”

While I’ve memorialized some particular names in this post, we thank everyone for their contributions to geek-friendly works. I want to also thank everyone who supported them in their art: that’s never an easy path, and having other people who make it easier is infinitely valuable.

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