One of the most iconic movie scenes of all time is the terrifying opening of Steven Spielberg’s horror classic Jaws, wherein a young female swimmer is ruthlessly devoured by the film’s killer shark during a solo night swim. That swimmer was Susan Backlinie, forever immortalized on the silver screen as the ill-fated Chrissie Watkins in one of the greatest movies ever made.
We are saddened to learn that Susan Backlinie has passed away at the age of 77.
An actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie appeared in a handful of movies in the wake of her unforgettable big screen debut in Jaws, including The Grizzly & the Treasure (1975), Two-Minute Warning (1976), A Stranger in My Forest (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), 1941 (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Catalina C-Club (1982). She also appeared in episodes of “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy,” in addition to working as a stunt performer for the 1979 movie...
We are saddened to learn that Susan Backlinie has passed away at the age of 77.
An actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie appeared in a handful of movies in the wake of her unforgettable big screen debut in Jaws, including The Grizzly & the Treasure (1975), Two-Minute Warning (1976), A Stranger in My Forest (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), 1941 (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Catalina C-Club (1982). She also appeared in episodes of “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy,” in addition to working as a stunt performer for the 1979 movie...
- 5/13/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” has died. She was 77.
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. The former actor and stuntwoman was one of the company’s clients.
Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Backlinie specialized in swimming work as a stunt performer.
Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth. However, no one warned Backlinie when she would be pulled underwater in order to get a genuine reaction from her.
Variety‘s “Jaws” review said of the shark attack sequences:...
- 5/12/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Nicholas Meyer's 1982 film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is all about growing older. Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) is rounding middle age and has to start wearing glasses. He also has to face the fact that he fathered a child many years ago, while also facing a foe he abandoned on a distant planet and forgot about. Kirk's youthful days of recklessness are catching up to him.
Meanwhile, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is on the cusp of retirement and has found a protégé he intends to train as his replacement. This is the young lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley), a half-Vulcan, half-Romulan officer who is as baffled by humanity as Spock was in his early Enterprise days. Saavik is also confident and even a little arrogant, qualities she will start to outgrow by the film's conclusion.
Prior to "Star Trek II," Alley had only appeared in an uncredited role in the sci-fi sitcom "Quark,...
Meanwhile, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is on the cusp of retirement and has found a protégé he intends to train as his replacement. This is the young lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley), a half-Vulcan, half-Romulan officer who is as baffled by humanity as Spock was in his early Enterprise days. Saavik is also confident and even a little arrogant, qualities she will start to outgrow by the film's conclusion.
Prior to "Star Trek II," Alley had only appeared in an uncredited role in the sci-fi sitcom "Quark,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Kirstie Alley, probably still best known for her work on legendary sitcom Cheers, but who enjoyed a varied career on TV and in movies, has died. She was 71.
Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951, and moved to Los Angeles in 1980, starting a career as an interior designer. But she had already also started acting, with small roles on shows such as Quark , Masquerade and The Love Boat.
She had a lot of success on TV, but none more so than after joining Cheers in 1987, after Shelley Long left the show, scoring many Emmy nominations and winning in 1991. She would win a second Emmy for 1994 TV movie David's Mother.
Other big shows included Veronica's Closet and the self-referential comedy Fat Actress, which mirrored her real-life struggles with weight.
More recently, she appeared on Scream Queens opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, who paid tribute on Instagram.
On the big screen,...
Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951, and moved to Los Angeles in 1980, starting a career as an interior designer. But she had already also started acting, with small roles on shows such as Quark , Masquerade and The Love Boat.
She had a lot of success on TV, but none more so than after joining Cheers in 1987, after Shelley Long left the show, scoring many Emmy nominations and winning in 1991. She would win a second Emmy for 1994 TV movie David's Mother.
Other big shows included Veronica's Closet and the self-referential comedy Fat Actress, which mirrored her real-life struggles with weight.
More recently, she appeared on Scream Queens opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, who paid tribute on Instagram.
On the big screen,...
- 12/6/2022
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
The central joke of "Star Trek: Lower Decks" is that a career in Starfleet, however dazzling on the page, is still full of petty, garbage jobs that no one necessarily wants. In the fifth episode of season 3 of "Lower Decks" -- called "Reflections" -- Ensigns Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Mariner (Tawny Newsome) are tasked with working a Starfleet recruitment booth at a futuristic jobs bazaar. Standing under a 10'-by-10' sunshade emblazoned with Starfleet logos, Boimler and Mariner have to make desperate, impassioned pitches to casual passersby that Starfleet is the bee's knees. They have the bad luck of being stationed right next to a vaguely criminal -- and ultra-cool -- adventuring archeologist booth.
The idea that Starfleet would need a military recruitment booth at a jobs fair is simultaneously logical and a little sad. Surely Starfleet would want to get the word out about what kind of lifestyle they offer,...
The idea that Starfleet would need a military recruitment booth at a jobs fair is simultaneously logical and a little sad. Surely Starfleet would want to get the word out about what kind of lifestyle they offer,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Conrad Janis, a prolific character actor of TV, film and stage who had already become immediately recognizable even before landing his signature role opposite Robin Williams and Pam Dawber in the hit ’70s sitcom Mork & Mindy, died March 1 in Los Angeles. He was 94.
His death was confirmed by business manager Dean A. Avedon to The New York Times.
A son of the noted New York art collectors and gallerists Sidney and Harriet Janis, Janis, who along with his brother took over the family business, the Sidney Janis Gallery, later in life, was also a successful and lifelong jazz trombonist who even at the height of his Mork & Mindy success performed regularly with his group, the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band.
Born on February 11, 1928, in Manhattan, Janis launched his acting career in the mid-1940s, appearing in what would be the first of 12 Broadway shows, 1945’s Dark of the Moon and,...
His death was confirmed by business manager Dean A. Avedon to The New York Times.
A son of the noted New York art collectors and gallerists Sidney and Harriet Janis, Janis, who along with his brother took over the family business, the Sidney Janis Gallery, later in life, was also a successful and lifelong jazz trombonist who even at the height of his Mork & Mindy success performed regularly with his group, the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band.
Born on February 11, 1928, in Manhattan, Janis launched his acting career in the mid-1940s, appearing in what would be the first of 12 Broadway shows, 1945’s Dark of the Moon and,...
- 3/9/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Mace Neufeld, the producer whose star-driven action films were blockbusters, died overnight in his sleep at his home in Beverly Hills, his family told Deadline. He was 93.
Neufeld’s hit films included The Omen and its sequels, The Equalizer pics and several adaptations of Tom Clancy-penned Jack Ryan thrillers including Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears and The Hunt for Red October. He was Emmy-nominated for East of Eden and exec produced the Prime Video series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Kasinski.
A family friend told Deadline that Neufeld was working on a third Equalizer pic and another Tom Clancy series for Prime Video at the time of his death.
Neufeld was at his zenith in the ’90s when, with partner Bob Rehme, he formed Neufeld/Rehme and produced a string of hit films such as Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Beverly Hills Cop III.
Neufeld’s hit films included The Omen and its sequels, The Equalizer pics and several adaptations of Tom Clancy-penned Jack Ryan thrillers including Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears and The Hunt for Red October. He was Emmy-nominated for East of Eden and exec produced the Prime Video series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Kasinski.
A family friend told Deadline that Neufeld was working on a third Equalizer pic and another Tom Clancy series for Prime Video at the time of his death.
Neufeld was at his zenith in the ’90s when, with partner Bob Rehme, he formed Neufeld/Rehme and produced a string of hit films such as Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Beverly Hills Cop III.
- 1/21/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Longtime producer Mace Neufeld died Friday in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 93.
A representative for Mace Neufeld Productions said he died peacefully in his sleep.
Born in New York City, Neufeld started in the business as a songwriter and then a talent agent, managing comedy and music talents including Don Knotts, Don Adams, Randy Newman and Neil Diamond. Before entering entertainment, he pursued photography, winning an award for his photo of a returning WWII veteran.
He moved into producing for television in the 1970s, overseeing shows such as “The Captain and Tennille” variety show, “The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.” and “Quark.” He was nominated for a primetime Emmy for the TV movie “East of Eden” in 1981.
His first feature film credit came on hit horror film “The Omen” in 1976, and he produced its sequels as well. Neufeld had a long association with author Tom Clancy, starting with...
A representative for Mace Neufeld Productions said he died peacefully in his sleep.
Born in New York City, Neufeld started in the business as a songwriter and then a talent agent, managing comedy and music talents including Don Knotts, Don Adams, Randy Newman and Neil Diamond. Before entering entertainment, he pursued photography, winning an award for his photo of a returning WWII veteran.
He moved into producing for television in the 1970s, overseeing shows such as “The Captain and Tennille” variety show, “The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.” and “Quark.” He was nominated for a primetime Emmy for the TV movie “East of Eden” in 1981.
His first feature film credit came on hit horror film “The Omen” in 1976, and he produced its sequels as well. Neufeld had a long association with author Tom Clancy, starting with...
- 1/21/2022
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Perry Botkin Jr., the prolific film and TV composer, arranger and producer known for his themes to Happy Days, Mork and Mindy and The Young and the Restless — a tune forever associated with famed Olympic gymnast Nadia Comăneci — has died. He was 87.
Botkin died Monday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, his publicist announced. No cause of death was provided.
His career spanned four decades and also included work for such other TV programs as Laverne and Shirley, Adam’s Rib, The Smothers Brothers Show and Quark.
Botkin’s iconic theme for the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless was retitled “Nadia’s ...
Botkin died Monday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, his publicist announced. No cause of death was provided.
His career spanned four decades and also included work for such other TV programs as Laverne and Shirley, Adam’s Rib, The Smothers Brothers Show and Quark.
Botkin’s iconic theme for the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless was retitled “Nadia’s ...
- 1/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Perry Botkin Jr., the prolific film and TV composer, arranger and producer known for his themes to Happy Days, Mork and Mindy and The Young and the Restless — a tune forever associated with famed Olympic gymnast Nadia Comăneci — has died. He was 87.
Botkin died Monday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, his publicist announced. No cause of death was provided.
His career spanned four decades and also included work for such other TV programs as Laverne and Shirley, Adam’s Rib, The Smothers Brothers Show and Quark.
Botkin’s iconic theme for the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless was retitled “Nadia’s ...
Botkin died Monday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, his publicist announced. No cause of death was provided.
His career spanned four decades and also included work for such other TV programs as Laverne and Shirley, Adam’s Rib, The Smothers Brothers Show and Quark.
Botkin’s iconic theme for the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless was retitled “Nadia’s ...
- 1/23/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Buck Henry, a writer who with Mel Brooks created TV’s Get Smart and a frequent host during Saturday Night Live‘s early years, died on Wednesday from a heart attack. He was 89.
Henry’s early writing credits included TV’s The Garry Moore Show and This Was the Week That Was, before he and Brooks created 1965’s Get Smart, a five-season, Emmy-winning spy spoof starring Don Adams in the title role.
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Henry’s early writing credits included TV’s The Garry Moore Show and This Was the Week That Was, before he and Brooks created 1965’s Get Smart, a five-season, Emmy-winning spy spoof starring Don Adams in the title role.
More from TVLineEddie Murphy's SNL Hits an 11-Year Audience High With DVR Playback, Best Since Sarah Palin's 2008 Visit2019's Biggest TV Controversies: SNL's Mis-Hire, Rookie Exit, Constance Wu Rues Renewal,...
- 1/9/2020
- TVLine.com
The fact that the new Fox series “The Orville” is an hour-long “space adventure,” not a half-hour sitcom, has proven to be a major surprise for fans of creator Seth MacFarlane.
It makes sense, given that he’s best known for the hundreds of episodes of animated comedy he’s produced since the launch of “Family Guy” in 1999. In addition, there’s much of the show’s marketing: Looking back at the original trailer presented during the Fox upfronts, from the music choices and the punchline-heavy editing to the tagline “the universe has a crew loose,” it’s easy to see why people still seem to think the series is a half-hour comedy.
Of course, as viewers now know, “The Orville” is twice the length and nowhere near as funny as expected. Instead, the freshman drama aims to create a new spin on classic science fiction series like “Star Trek” — and not that successfully.
It makes sense, given that he’s best known for the hundreds of episodes of animated comedy he’s produced since the launch of “Family Guy” in 1999. In addition, there’s much of the show’s marketing: Looking back at the original trailer presented during the Fox upfronts, from the music choices and the punchline-heavy editing to the tagline “the universe has a crew loose,” it’s easy to see why people still seem to think the series is a half-hour comedy.
Of course, as viewers now know, “The Orville” is twice the length and nowhere near as funny as expected. Instead, the freshman drama aims to create a new spin on classic science fiction series like “Star Trek” — and not that successfully.
- 9/14/2017
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
Pasadena - Forget the AFI Top 10 list of Best TV shows. Why should care about TV since they are the American Film Institute? This is kind like the American Diabetic Prevention Society’s Top 10 Favorite Sugary Candy Bars list. Or Bravo’s Top 10 Hunting Shows. Or Madd’s Best 10 Drinks to Mess You Up. Or Charlie Sheen’s Top 10 Things You Can Do Without Involving Hookers and Blow. If they care about TV that much, shouldn’t they be the Aftvi? But they are a pack of List Whores over at AFI with their 100 Years a 100 Stupid Lists press releases.
Why does critic or critic group have to tell you the Best or Worst of the Year? Party Favors is proud to announce the Meh Awards for the 10 TV shows that didn’t work for me in 2010. They weren’t the most pathetic things on TV, but made me lose interest in watching them.
Why does critic or critic group have to tell you the Best or Worst of the Year? Party Favors is proud to announce the Meh Awards for the 10 TV shows that didn’t work for me in 2010. They weren’t the most pathetic things on TV, but made me lose interest in watching them.
- 12/24/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
Character actor Richard Devon was a familiar face in films and television from the early 1950s. He was often cast as desperados and gangsters in western and crime films. He was also noted for his roles in a handful of Roger Corman cult classics in the 1950s. Devon was featured as Satan in the supernatural tale of past lives, The Undead (1957), with Pamela Duncan and Allison Hayes. He was King Stark of the Grimolts in the campy The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957), with Abby Dalton and Susan Cabot, and was the alien possessed Dr. Pol Van Ponder in the sci-fi feature War of the Satellites (1958) with Cabot and Dick Miller.
Devon worked his way through drama school in Los Angeles, performing chores in lieu of paying tuition. He also worked in early local television, and played a recurring...
Devon worked his way through drama school in Los Angeles, performing chores in lieu of paying tuition. He also worked in early local television, and played a recurring...
- 3/24/2010
- by Jesse
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Here are highlights from this weekend’s television viewing.
The Star Trek: The Next Generation cast visits the Family Guy Universe Sunday night! If you missed its premiere months ago, don’t miss this repeat! It’s animated!
Friday 5/29
Note: Ghost Whisperer is pre-empted. It woulda been a rerun anyhow.
7:30 p.m. (all times Est) Cartoon Network Star Wars: The Clone Wars Decoded
Rerun! “Defenders of the Peace.” George Takei guest voices.
8:30 p.m. Cartoon Network Batman: Brave & The Bold
Rerun! “Legends of the Bat Mite.” The irrepressible Bat Mite has a few tales to tell.
11:35 p.m. CBS The Late Show With David Letterman
Rerun! Robin Williams guests. There’s a good possibility, if memory serves, that he will say funny things.
12:05 a.m. ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live
Rerun! Hugh Jackman & John Cho guest! They talk about Star Trek &Wolverine. Or vice versa.
Saturday 5/30
9 p.
The Star Trek: The Next Generation cast visits the Family Guy Universe Sunday night! If you missed its premiere months ago, don’t miss this repeat! It’s animated!
Friday 5/29
Note: Ghost Whisperer is pre-empted. It woulda been a rerun anyhow.
7:30 p.m. (all times Est) Cartoon Network Star Wars: The Clone Wars Decoded
Rerun! “Defenders of the Peace.” George Takei guest voices.
8:30 p.m. Cartoon Network Batman: Brave & The Bold
Rerun! “Legends of the Bat Mite.” The irrepressible Bat Mite has a few tales to tell.
11:35 p.m. CBS The Late Show With David Letterman
Rerun! Robin Williams guests. There’s a good possibility, if memory serves, that he will say funny things.
12:05 a.m. ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live
Rerun! Hugh Jackman & John Cho guest! They talk about Star Trek &Wolverine. Or vice versa.
Saturday 5/30
9 p.
- 5/29/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (DAVID McDONNELL)
- Starlog
In 1965, Buck Henry and Mel Brooks exploited the success and ubiquity of James Bond and the Pink Panther movies with the classic spoof Get Smart! Twelve years later, Henry—now flying solo—took notice of a massive boom in science fiction and created 1977's Quark, a Get Smart-style spoof that sets its satirical phasers on another outsized pulp genre which had already veered close to self-parody. Henry wasn't as successful this time around, and the show was cancelled after a mere eight episodes. Gone but not forgotten, Henry's romp piggybacked on the popularity of the science-fiction perennials it spoofed (three of the show's episodes are direct parodies of Star Trek, while a fourth spoofs Star Wars) to a small but loyal cult following. Consequently, hardcore Trekkies will probably get a lot more out of Quark's spaced-out shenanigans than people who regularly get laid. Richard Benjamin took a break from playing.
- 10/15/2008
- by Nathan Rabin
- avclub.com
In 1965, Buck Henry and Mel Brooks exploited the success and ubiquity of James Bond and the Pink Panther movies with the classic spoof Get Smart! Twelve years later, Henry—now flying solo—took notice of a massive boom in science fiction and created 1977's Quark, a Get Smart-style spoof that sets its satirical phasers on another outsized pulp genre which had already veered close to self-parody. Henry wasn't as successful this time around, and the show was cancelled after a mere eight episodes. Gone but not forgotten, Henry's romp piggybacked on the popularity of the science-fiction perennials it spoofed (three of the show's episodes are direct parodies of Star Trek, while a fourth spoofs Star Wars) to a small but loyal cult following. Consequently, hardcore Trekkies will probably get a lot more out of Quark's spaced-out shenanigans than people who regularly get laid. Richard Benjamin took a break from playing.
- 10/15/2008
- by Nathan Rabin
- avclub.com
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