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Actress Cindy Williams of “Laverne & Shirley” Passes Away at Age 75

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Actress Cindy Williams of "Laverne & Shirley" Passes Away at Age 75

Cindy Williams, one of America’s most recognizable stars in the 1970s and 1980s for her role as Shirley opposite Penny Marshall’s Laverne on the hit sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has died, according to her family.

Williams died on Wednesday at 75 in Los Angeles after a brief illness, according to her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, in a statement released through family spokeswoman Liza Cranis.

“The death of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has left us with insurmountable sadness that can never truly be expressed,” the statement said. “Knowing and loving her has been both a joy and a privilege for us. She was one of a kind, beautiful, and generous, with a brilliant sense of humor and a sparkling spirit that everyone adored.”

Williams appeared in George Cukor’s 1972 “Travels With My Aunt,” George Lucas’ 1973 “American Graffiti,” and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 “The Conversation” in a film career that preceded her full-time move to television.

But she was best known for “Laverne & Shirley,” a “Happy Days” spinoff that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1983 and was one of the most popular shows on television at the time.

On the show about a pair of blue-collar roommates who worked on the assembly line of a Milwaukee brewery in the 1950s and 1960s, Williams played the stern Shirley Feeney to Marshall’s more libertine Laverne DeFazio.

“They were well-liked characters,” Williams said to The Associated Press in 2002.

Feeney was naive and trusting, while DeFazio was quick-tempered and defensive. For plot inspiration, the actors looked to their own lives.

“At the start of each season, we’d make a list of what talents we had,” Marshall told the Associated Press in 2002. “We used Cindy’s ability to touch her tongue to her nose in the show. “I did some tap dancing.”

Williams told The Associated Press in 2013 that she and Marshall had “very different personalities” but that stories about the two clashing on set were “a bit overblown.”

With its self-empowering opening song, “Give us any chance, we’ll take it, read us any rule, we’ll break it,” the series was a rare network hit about working-class characters.

That scene would become as well-known as the show itself. Williams’ and Marshall’s chant of “schlemiel, schlimazel” as they skipped along became a cultural phenomenon and a source of nostalgia for many.

Penny Marshall died in 2018, along with his brother, Garry Marshall, who co-created the series.

On Tuesday, actress Rosario Dawson tweeted a video of the opening theme.

“Singing this song with so much love for both of you ladies,” Dawson wrote on Twitter. “These are absolute gems. Reunited once more… Cindy Williams, rest in peace.”

Lenny and Squiggy, Laverne and Shirley’s oddball hangers-on, were also played by Michael McKean and David Lander. Lander died in the year 2020.

McKean paid tribute to Cindy Williams on Twitter with a production memory.

“Season 1 Backstage: I’m offstage waiting for a cue. “The script was challenging, so we’re giving it our all, and the audience is having a great time,” McKean tweeted. “Cindy scoots past me to make her entrance and exclaims, ‘Show’s cookin’!’ Amen. Cindy, thank you.”

As the show’s ratings fell in the sixth season, the characters relocated from Milwaukee to Burbank, California, trading their brewery jobs for jobs at a department store.

Cindy Williams became pregnant in 1982 and requested that her working hours be reduced. She walked off the set when her demands were unmet and sued the production company. During the final season, she made only a few appearances.

Williams was born in 1947 as one of two sisters in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Van Nuys. Her family relocated to Dallas shortly after her birth, but she later returned to Los Angeles, where she pursued acting while attending Birmingham High School and majoring in theatre arts at LA City College.

Her television acting career began in 1969, with appearances on “Room 222,” “Nanny and the Professor,” and “Love, American Style.”

Her performance in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” would become a defining role for her. The film foreshadowed the subsequent nostalgia boom for the 1950s and early 1960s. The following year, “Happy Days,” starring her “American Graffiti” co-star Ron Howard, would be released. Before they had their show, the characters of Laverne and Shirley appeared on TV as dates for Henry Winkler’s Fonzie.

Lucas also considered her for the role of Princess Leia in “Star Wars,” which was eventually filled by Carrie Fisher.

Williams has appeared in dozens of TV shows over the last three decades, including “7th Heaven,” “8 Simple Rules,” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” She and Marshall appeared in a “Laverne & Shirley” tribute episode of the Nickelodeon show “Sam and Cat” in 2013.

Last year, Williams performed “Me, Myself, and Shirley,” a one-woman stage show filled with stories from her career, at a theatre in Palm Springs, California, near her home in Desert Hot Springs.

From 1982 to 2000, Williams married singer Bill Hudson of the Hudson Brothers. Hudson raised her two children. He previously married Goldie Hawn and is the father of actress Kate Hudson.

Geoff Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian made a surprise cameo on Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, which was met with loud boos at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. She was introduced by comedian Kevin Hart to deliver a toast to which the audience booed.

“Alright, alright, alright,” Kardashian responded, as the boos became more intense.

Hart exclaimed, “Whoa! Whoa!”

When the booing faded, Kardashian resumed her roast, focusing on Brady.

“I am actually here tonight for Tom. I wasn’t planning to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s a high possibility I will,” she laughed.

Kardashian made another joke, comparing Brady’s features to her stepfather, Caitlyn Jenner.

“I do know it would’ve never worked out,” Kardashian stated of a relationship with Brady. “The ex-athlete has high cheekbones and silky hair…” You remind me too much of my stepfather right now.”

A meme depicting “the evolution of Tom Brady” emerged on screen, depicting Brady’s physical transition into Jenner.

Kardashian went on, “Part of me believes you would trust me just to try on my clothing. I realize the move from the NFL must have been difficult, but I believe my stepfather is an excellent example for you.

She’s one of the world’s top athletes, and she proved that you can do anything in this next phase of your life. You can be a commentator, a far-right Republica, or a strong, confident lady.

Kardashian concluded her speech by referencing O.J. Simpson, stating, “Honestly, it’s painful for me to see people mock you. But I believe plenty of my family members have defended past football players.

Watch the footage of Kim Kardashian being booed.

 


Kim Kardashian is a reality TV personality, socialite, and businesswoman who catapulted to prominence with the release of her infamous sex tape with Ray J in 2007. She co-starred in the successful reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” with her family, which showed their opulent lifestyles and personal struggles.

Kim’s popularity increased, resulting in multiple endorsement deals, product lines, and media appearances. She’s a fashion and beauty trendsetter, having founded successful brands such as her shapewear company SKIMS and KKW Beauty. Despite criticism for her “famous for being famous” status, Kim’s astute business decisions and ability to remain relevant have elevated her to the rank of multi-millionaire and cultural icon.

Kim Kardashian’s romances and personal life, which include marriages to Damon Thomas, Kris Humphries, and Kanye West, have made headlines. Kim’s daring style and voluptuous physique have stirred discussions about body image and cultural appropriation. Love her or hate her, Kim has built an empire and is still one of the world’s most famous superstars.

Source: CTN

 

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

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AP News - VOR News Image

Ethan Hawke and his daughter, Maya Hawke, have a running joke about their Flannery O’Connor film.

“Wildcat,” directed by Ethan and starring Maya as O’Connor, was created with genuine authenticity. It’s a deeply creative look at the Southern Catholic novelist and short story writer behind “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” weaving in and out of her imagination and actual life.

Lupus claimed O’Connor’s life in 1964, when she was 39. She won the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. Though she is well-known for her language and sharp social satire, she has recently faced criticism for racism in her private correspondence and her depiction of race in her work. It was a difficult but potentially rewarding region. However, the Hawkes can’t help but giggle as they imagine pitching to a major studio or streamer.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

Here’s how things could go:

Maya: “We want to make a film about an unfortunate-looking woman with lupus.” She struggles with her beliefs and does not have any lovers.

Ethan: “She’s a really brilliant writer but she’s completely unsuccessful.”

Maya: “Also, her minor success has recently been utterly disregarded, and people are mostly concerned in deleting her from the canon these days. “What do you think?”

Jonathan: “Sounds like the makings of a commercial, hit movie!”

If it isn’t clear, “Wildcat” (in select theaters Friday) was produced independently. To flesh out the cast, both Hawkes relied largely on friends with whom they had previously collaborated. The large ensemble includes Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, to mention a few.

Maya had the concept for a movie about the day she decided to devote her life to acting. Despite having two successful actresses as parents, including mother Uma Thurman, she had hesitated due to her passion of reading. She was concerned that if she attended Juilliard, she would be forced to choose a decision. So, in a little act of defiance, Maya decided to audition not with a monologue from the theatrical canon, but with one she had revised from O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal” with her father during his breaks while filming “The Magnificent Seven.”

“If I showed them that I was really interested in literature, and if then they still wanted me, then it would probably be a place that would still allow me to explore language and writing and poetry the way that I wanted,” Maya said. “What a rebel.”

Ethan had also read O’Connor early on, at the suggestion of his mother, who encouraged him to read female authors in addition to Faulkner and Hemingway. They were both drawn to this prickly woman who wrote about faith without preaching, as well as about race and white Christian hypocrisy, in a way that few others had. She was also talented, self-deprecating, and suffering with the sickness that killed her father. At 24, she received her diagnosis and returned to Milledgeville, Georgia, to live with her mother (portrayed by Linney).

Ethan has little interest in biopics, particularly “in the age of Wikipedia.” However, upon deciding to direct and co-write the film, he was inspired by films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” and Jane Campion’s “An Angel At My Table.” They were about real people, Jake LaMotta and Janet Frame, but they did not require any prior knowledge of boxing or literature. They were only films about individuals.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“(‘Wildcat’) is a kind of treatise on imagination, reality and faith and how those three things intersect with each other,” he remarked. “I’m not attempting to teach a college course on Flannery. We used her life experience as a starting point for a conversation.

Before delving too deeply into the process, they addressed themselves difficult questions about filming a film about someone who has made racist remarks.

“It begged the question: Do we want to make a film about someone who said some hurtful words at some point? What would it say about us if we did? And how do you become a decent anti-racist? Ethan said. “One of the things I realized was that you can’t create a story about America, past or present, without mentioning America’s wounds, crimes, and sins. One academic put it beautifully: Flannery O’Connor is a racist in rehabilitation, much like our society.

Maya pondered if depiction was always a celebration or if it could be an observation. She hopes it’s the latter, which she describes as a politeness that is frequently provided to films about complicated guys but may be less so when it comes to female characters.

Something remarked by novelist James McBride when Ethan was writing on “The Good Lord Bird” remained with him as well.

“He used to say how important it was that you don’t paint racists with horns on their head because people don’t have horns and racism is real,” Ethan added.

After much research and deliberation, they decided not to back down from the topic or defend her.

“I’m interested in this woman, and I’m interested in all the truths of her life,” he added.

“Wildcat” also served as inspiration for Maya’s upcoming album, “Chaos Angel” (due out May 31). The title and title track are based on a scene she shared with Philip Ettinger in which O’Connor discusses wrestling with her guardian angel.

AP News – VOR News Image

Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“That idea really hit me in my gut,” Maya remarked. “We resist our better selves… As soon as we finished shooting the film, I went to make this album.”

Maya is now 25, the same age her father was when he finished “Before Sunrise” and was performing on stage in Chicago in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” They are close and like-minded, frequently finishing one other’s words. However, Hawke admits that he is little envious of Maya’s musical abilities.

“There’s a part of me that has joked my whole life that all I really am is a failed musician,” he remarked. “All art strives to be music. It’s the simplest emotional connection we may form with one another. So, to see her thrive in this art form? I’m a little jealous of her for that.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Lord of the Rings Actor Bernard Hill Dead at Age 79

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Hill Played Théoden, King of Rohan: Getty Images

Bernard Hill, who cried before leading his soldiers into war in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” died. Agent Lou Coulson said Hill, 79, died Sunday morning.

The second film of the series, 2002’s “The Two Towers,” starred Hill as Théoden, King of Rohan. He repeated the role in “Return of the King,” which won 11 Oscars, the following year.

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Hill’s character gives a battle cry on horseback to his overmatched forces, sending them crashing downhill toward the enemy and his own death.

“Arise, Théoden riders!” Hill yells. Shields will shatter, spears quake! Sword day, red day before sunrise! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for destruction and the end! Death! Death!

Bernard Hill played Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic,” one of the few historically accurate characters in the 1997 tragedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film won 11 Oscars.

Hill’s character secretly retreats to the wheelhouse as the ship sinks. He takes a last breath and clutches the wheel as water crashes through the glass as the cabin moans under the waves.

Bernard Hill became famous for playing Yosser Hughes in the 1982 British miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff,” about five unemployed men.

He received a 1983 BAFTA nomination for the part, and the show won for best drama series. His passing coincided with the second season of “The Responder,” on which he played Martin Freeman’s father.

Lindsay Salt, BBC Drama director, said Bernard Hill’s long career of memorable and outstanding roles was a tribute to his skill. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”

Biography

Bernard Hill was a seasoned English actor known for his powerful film, TV, and theatrical roles. He’s most recognized for playing King Théoden in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” series. Hill was a virtuoso at depicting a complex character’s emotional journey as the once-mighty monarch brought low by Saruman’s betrayal.

Hill has produced a remarkable range of work over five decades beyond his Tolkien role. He was riveting in “Titanic,” playing Captain Smith, and “Defiance,” about WWII Jewish resistance fighters.

He excels as a Napoleonic-era sailor in “Master and Commander” and a tough detective in “Merlin.”

Bernard Hill made an impression on TV with “Boys from the Blackstuff” and “Outcasts.” He has a loyal following and critical accolades for his ability to give every character depth and subtlety.

 

Source: The associated Press

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