Latest news with #Hercules:TheLegendaryJourneys


Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Beloved NZ star of Xenaverse dies on birthday
Beloved New Zealand actress Marise Wipani has died on her 61st birthday. She is treasured for her roles in the television universe that encompasses Xena: Warrior Princess, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She was also a popular presenter on NZ television, and worked on movies including the 1985 adventure comedy, Came a Hot Friday. 'Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends,' a statement shared on her Facebook page said. It said Wipani 'just wanted to say' her final goodbye with a nod to Driving Miss Daisy. 'I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Goodbye, good luck, good God!' she said. Tributes began to flow online for the 'eternal Queen Kanae from Xena: Warrior Princess.' 'A fierce performer, a presence of wisdom and spirit. Her voice echoes in the woods. Her legacy lives in every warrior,' one fan said on X. New Zealand-Australian actor and singer Jay Laga'aia, who worked with Wipani on the 1991 drama series Soldier Soldier, was shocked to hear of Wipani's passing. 'I saw this and quickly checked that it wasn't some kind of sick joke. Sister, I am devastated to hear this news,' he wrote underneath the statement shared on her Facebook. 'You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well, my sister, love you always.' Another man, who described Wipani as 'the one that got away', also paid tribute to the star. 'You are one of the strongest people I've known, and you did things your way. A huge loss to the world, I love you and always have.'


7NEWS
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Beloved NZ actress Marise Wipani, known for Xenaverse roles, dies on her 61st birthday
Beloved New Zealand actress Marise Wipani has died on her 61st birthday. She is treasured for her roles in the television universe that encompasses Xena: Warrior Princess, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She was also a popular presenter on NZ television, and worked on movies including the 1985 adventure comedy, Came a Hot Friday. 'Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends,' a statement shared on her Facebook page said. It said Wipani 'just wanted to say' her final goodbye with a nod to Driving Miss Daisy. 'I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Goodbye, good luck, good God!' she said. Tributes began to flow online for the 'eternal Queen Kanae from Xena: Warrior Princess.' 'A fierce performer, a presence of wisdom and spirit. Her voice echoes in the woods. Her legacy lives in every warrior,' one fan said on X. New Zealand-Australian actor and singer Jay Laga'aia, who worked with Wipani on the 1991 drama series Soldier Soldier, was shocked to hear of Wipani's passing. 'I saw this and quickly checked that it wasn't some kind of sick joke. Sister, I am devastated to hear this news,' he wrote underneath the statement shared on her Facebook. 'You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well, my sister, love you always.' Another man, who described Wipani as 'the one that got away', also paid tribute to the star. 'You are one of the strongest people I've known, and you did things your way. A huge loss to the world, I love you and always have.'


Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Soldier Soldier star Marise Wipani dies on her 61st birthday
Marise Wipani, who starred in the 90s drama Soldier Soldier and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, has died. The actress died on Friday, which was her 61st birthday, it has been confirmed. 'Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends,' a post on her Facebook page read. 'She just wanted to say….I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy.' Her cause of death has not been revealed. As well as Soldier Soldier, which ran for 82 episodes from 1991 to 1997, the TV star was known for her appearances in Shortland Street, Xena: Warrior Princess, Street Legal, and Rude Awakenings. In addition to TV, she appeared in several movies, including Came a Hot Friday (1985), Mark II (1986), Grievous Bodily Harm (1988), Bonjour Timothy (1995), and Channelling Baby (1999). More Trending Wipani was also a runner-up in the Miss New Zealand contest in the 80s, having been scouted at a photography studio and invited to join. Then, in 1987, she became one of the first presenters of the live televised draw for Lotto New Zealand. In her later years, after retreating from larger roles, she appeared in smaller-scale productions. She also had an ordinary job in a café in the 2010s and was 'living modestly'. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. View More » MORE: Martin Scorsese admits one of his most iconic 90s films 'has no plot' MORE: Inside Oasis' setlist after iconic song is heard in rehearsals MORE: All the stars in the Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 cast including TV legends
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Roberto Orci, Writer-Producer of ‘Star Trek' and ‘Transformers,' Dies at 51
Roberto 'Bob' Gaston Orci, best known for writing the 'Transformers' and 'Star Trek' movies, died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a battle with kidney disease. He was 51. A prolific writer, Orci was also known for his work on 'Hawaii Five-0.' 'He was a visionary storyteller with a boundless heart and a beautiful soul,' Orci's brother, J.R. Orci said. 'But beyond his creative talents, he was a compassionate friend who would put his life on hold to help a stranger and find room in his home for the most overlooked pup at the shelter.' Orci was known for his long collaboration with Alex Kurtzman, whom he met when they were in their teens at Crossroads, a private school in Santa Monica. They began their their writing collaboration with the 1995 series 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.' In 2008, they teamed up with J.J. Abrams for the Fox sci-fi series 'Fringe,' continuing to collaborate on Abrams' 'Star Trek' feature films. They also created 'Sleepy Hollow' with Phillip Iscove in 2013. It ran for four seasons. Along with Peter Lenkov, they also rebooted the 1960s classic 'Hawaii Five-0,' in 2010 which had a 10-season run on CBS. Orci and Kurtzman's first film project was Michael Bay's 2005 thriller 'The Island,' which led to them becoming involved in the 'Transformers' film franchise. They teamed up again on the 2008 thriller 'Eagle Eye,' with Orci receiving his first producer credit. Without Kurtzman, Orci created the 2014 television series 'Matador' for the El Rey Network, but it was cancelled at the end of the first season. He and Kurtzman were both EPs on CBS' 'Scorpion' and 'Limitless.' In 2017, Orci was given the 'Visionary Impact Award' by the National Hispanic Media Coalition for 'making outstanding contributions to the positive portrayals of Latinos in film and TV.' With Kurtzman and Abrams, Orci received Hugo Award and WGA nominations for 'Fringe.' He also shared a Daytime Emmy Award with Kurtzman and other writers in 2012 for the animated series 'Transformers Prime.' His screenplay with Kurtzman for Abrams' first 'Star Trek' feature also received a WGA nomination in 2010. The post Roberto Orci, Writer-Producer of 'Star Trek' and 'Transformers,' Dies at 51 appeared first on TheWrap.