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2 days ago
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Joanne Gilbert, ‘The Great Man' and ‘High Cost of Loving' Actress, Dies at 92
Joanne Gilbert, the actress and singer who performed in the hottest nightclubs of her era and appeared alongside José Ferrer in the films The Great Man and The High Cost of Loving, died April 16 in Los Angeles. She was 92. Her father was Ray Gilbert, who won an Oscar for writing the lyrics to 'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' from Disney's Song of the South (1946). More from The Hollywood Reporter Renée Victor, Voice of Abuelita in 'Coco,' Dies at 86 Devin Harjes, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Daredevil' and 'Gotham' Actor, Dies at 41 Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: "A Supremely Talented Actor" After signing a seven-year contract with Paramount in 1952, Gilbert was 'introduced' to filmgoers in the splashy George Marshall-directed Western musical Red Garters (1954), starring Rosemary Clooney, Guy Mitchell, Jack Carson and Gene Barry. In the Universal drama The Great Man (1956), Gilbert portrayed the secretary of Ferrer's Joe Harris, a character loosely based on TV-radio host Arthur Godfrey. And in the MGM comedy The High Cost of Loving (1958), she was a friend of the couple played by Ferrer and, making her movie debut, Gena Rowlands. Ferrer directed both films as well. Born in Chicago on July 17, 1932, Joanne Beverly Gilbert and her family came to Hollywood in 1939. Her dad worked for producer Earl Carroll before he joined the Disney songwriting staff, and he went on to write lyrics for such notable songs as 'Casey at the Bat' and the Andy Williams classic 'And Roses and Roses.' After pursuing a career as a fashion model in New York City, Joanne Gilbert attracted attention as a singer at a famed Hollywood hotstop — her dad helped her with her act — leading to her deal at Paramount. 'The Mocambo had one week that wasn't filled, so they decided to let me make my nightclub debut with them,' she said in 1953. 'I was rehearsing with the orchestra when Mr. Morrison, the owner of the nightclub, said he didn't like my costume. 'I was wearing black sequin slacks and a white blouse because it was easy to dance in. But a few hours before I was to go on, they took the scissors and whacked my trousers until they became very short shorts. … it was something different and caused quite a bit of comment.' After making her film debut in Houdini (1953), she sang 'This is Greater Than I Thought' in Red Garters, where her Sheila Winthrop gets involved with a Mexican bandit played by Barry. Three years later, she reunited with Clooney as a guest on the singer's syndicated variety show. Her résumé included the features Good Morning, Miss Dove (1955) and Ride Out for Revenge (1957) and guest spots on The Ford Television Theatre, Bronco, Perry Mason, Follow the Sun, The Outer Limits and Ben Casey. She also headlined at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York and on stages in Las Vegas. Gilbert was married to TV writer and future Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold from June 1955 until their divorce in August 1956 and to producer and TV-production company executive Edward L. Rissien from 1958 until their 1964 divorce. Her father was married to Silk Stockings and Pajama Game star Janis Paige from 1962 until his 1976 death. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
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2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jason Constantine, Lionsgate Co-President, Dies at 55
Respected Lionsgate executive Jason Constantine has died at age 55 after a long battle with cancer, the studio announced Thursday. The executive was a fixture on the festival circuit and a major player in the acquisitions space for years. He started his career more than 25 years ago at Trimark Pictures, the predecessor company of Lionsgate, where he served as director of acquisitions and rose through the ranks to become co-president of the Lionsgate motion picture group. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'John Wick' Boss Chad Stahelski Gets Candid About Franchise: "My Process Is F***ed" Steven Flynn, Former Gramercy Pictures and Focus Features Marketing Executive, Dies at 70 Joanne Gilbert, 'The Great Man' and 'High Cost of Loving' Actress, Dies at 92 He was an early champion of Saw and pushed for the studio to acquire the project after viewing the short film from then-unknown director James Wan and writer-star Leigh Whannell. The franchise has grossed more than $1 billion at the box office, as has the John Wick series, which came under Constantine's tenure. He also worked on The Expendables franchise; best picture winner Crash; Lee Daniels' Oscar-winning Precious, nominated for five Academy Awards and winner of two Oscars; and Rian Johnson's Knives Out, which was a sleeper hit at the box office. 'With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry. His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises,' Lionsgate said in a statement. 'His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring. We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family.' Constantine was a native of California, earning his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.F.A in film production from Loyola Marymount University. He was a movie buff, known for an encyclopedic knowledge of facts and figures about films. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, mourners consider a donation to fund the brain cancer research of his neurosurgeons, Dr. Michael Lim at Stanford and Dr. Tim Cloughesy and Dr. Robert Chong at UCLA. He is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his sons, Lucas, Nicholas and Xander. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
