A kind hearted and noble soul...and a champion of human rights. A life dedicated to the service of mankind.
May he rest in peace.
Pope Francis (1936 - 2025)
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,316MI6 Agent
edited April 2025
Although I am not a Catholic or sympathetic to the papacy in any way I think that Pope Francis was certainly one of the better popes in the history of the bishops of Rome. He had a more humble, less grandiose style that was refreshing. The fact that in his will he wished to be buried outside of the Vatican (the first time a pope hasn't been buried there in over a hundred years) says a lot about the sort of man he was and the simple and more humble image he wanted to put across as the head of the Catholic Church. That approach really helped to reach across the religious divide. Let us hope that his successor can continue in the same vein...
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Very sad, but given recent events not entirely unexpected, to hear of the Pope Francis's passing. His tolerance will be his legacy, let's hope it lasts longer than his term in office.
And speaking of tolerant Catholics, I read that the singer Clodagh Rodgers has died. Lovely legs and a great voice. Sorry that should be the other way around.
Sad to read that Joe Don Baker has passed away aged 89. Starred as ally Jack Wade in two Bond movies and the villain in TLD, and a host of others including Charley Varrick, Cape Fear and Guns of the Magnificent Seven.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,316MI6 Agent
That's sad news. I always liked Joe Don Baker. I feel that Brad Whitaker is an underrated villain who deserved more screen time and development. Jack Wade was fun too, in his own way. He always seemed like a nice, jolly sort of man in interviews.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
RIP Joe Don Baker. I agree with @Silhouette Man that his character in TLD isn't developed enough. ["Butchers," says Pushkin - "Surgeons," replies Whittaker with a parade-ground snap to his tongue - one of my fav dialogue exchanges in Bond movies]. I don't care for Wade, but Baker was a decent enough actor to make his turn memorable. Also rather good in TVs Edge of Darkness.
George Wendt who played beer-loving Norm in legendary sitcom Cheers has died, aged 76. I'd have thought he'd be older but maybe it wasn't that long ago. Fond memories of watching that show in various motels and hotel rooms as I traversed the States via Greyhound bus in 89, though I was already familiar with it via Channel 4 on British TV. Wendt was almost the first to go wasn't he, aside from Kirstie Alley (Rebecca) who had a relatively troubled life, while the 'Coach' actor who died in 85 was actually in his early 60s when he went but looked older.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,873Chief of Staff
edited May 2025
RIP George Wendt…he was great in Cheers and was Macaulay Culkin’s dad in Michael Jackson’s Bad video 🍸
YNWA 97
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,316MI6 Agent
edited May 2025
Sad to hear of the death of George Wendt. Against the grain, I actually liked him in his Columbo guest star role. Funny, I was also thinking of his memorable turn as the Dad in Michael Jackson's Black or White video.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Loretta Swift, best known for her role as Margeret "hot lips" Houlihan in MASH, died today. Much like George Wendt she she gave us a beloved character in a beloved classic TV show. Thank you very much for bringing more joy to the world!
Oh, no. That's very sad news. I was just looking over his work recently as I was researching something on him. I watched The Dogs of War and The Fourth Protocol at the weekend. I read a good few of his novels as a teenager and am a fan of his work. With The Day of the Jackal he launched the docu-thriller, a new subgenre all of its own. Thanks for all the great stories, Mr Forsyth.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,316MI6 Agent
edited June 2025
And of course Edward Fox and Michael Lonsdale starred in The Day of the Jackal. Frederick Forsyth was also once asked to write a James Bond continuation novel but he sadly declined.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Yes, he worked for them when he was a war correspondent with the BBC I believe. It's detailed in his memoir The Outsider (2015). There are a lot of crossovers between those in the Press and British Intelligence. That would include Ian Fleming too of course.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Comments
Easter is a good day to die for a Pope I guess. My impression is that he genually cared for the poor.
A kind hearted and noble soul...and a champion of human rights. A life dedicated to the service of mankind.
May he rest in peace.
Pope Francis (1936 - 2025)
Although I am not a Catholic or sympathetic to the papacy in any way I think that Pope Francis was certainly one of the better popes in the history of the bishops of Rome. He had a more humble, less grandiose style that was refreshing. The fact that in his will he wished to be buried outside of the Vatican (the first time a pope hasn't been buried there in over a hundred years) says a lot about the sort of man he was and the simple and more humble image he wanted to put across as the head of the Catholic Church. That approach really helped to reach across the religious divide. Let us hope that his successor can continue in the same vein...
Very sad, but given recent events not entirely unexpected, to hear of the Pope Francis's passing. His tolerance will be his legacy, let's hope it lasts longer than his term in office.
And speaking of tolerant Catholics, I read that the singer Clodagh Rodgers has died. Lovely legs and a great voice. Sorry that should be the other way around.
Sad to read that Joe Don Baker has passed away aged 89. Starred as ally Jack Wade in two Bond movies and the villain in TLD, and a host of others including Charley Varrick, Cape Fear and Guns of the Magnificent Seven.
That's sad news. I always liked Joe Don Baker. I feel that Brad Whitaker is an underrated villain who deserved more screen time and development. Jack Wade was fun too, in his own way. He always seemed like a nice, jolly sort of man in interviews.
Sad to lose another of the Bond Alumni. Always seemed a genuine chap. RIP.
RIP, Joe Don Baker. Three movies, two different characters - that's better than most.
Kinda a bummer they didn't move forward with Jack Wade after TLD. He could have fit into the Michael Madsen role in DAD pretty easily.
Ah, I always liked Joe Don Baker--but 89 is a pretty good age. RIP.
RIP Joe Don Baker. I agree with @Silhouette Man that his character in TLD isn't developed enough. ["Butchers," says Pushkin - "Surgeons," replies Whittaker with a parade-ground snap to his tongue - one of my fav dialogue exchanges in Bond movies]. I don't care for Wade, but Baker was a decent enough actor to make his turn memorable. Also rather good in TVs Edge of Darkness.
Sad to hear this, RIP Joe Don Baker.
I’d no idea of Joe Don Baker’s passing…RIP 🍸
George Wendt who played beer-loving Norm in legendary sitcom Cheers has died, aged 76. I'd have thought he'd be older but maybe it wasn't that long ago. Fond memories of watching that show in various motels and hotel rooms as I traversed the States via Greyhound bus in 89, though I was already familiar with it via Channel 4 on British TV. Wendt was almost the first to go wasn't he, aside from Kirstie Alley (Rebecca) who had a relatively troubled life, while the 'Coach' actor who died in 85 was actually in his early 60s when he went but looked older.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/20/george-wendt-dead-cheers-norm
Roger Moore 1927-2017
RIP George Wendt…he was great in Cheers and was Macaulay Culkin’s dad in Michael Jackson’s Bad video 🍸
Sad to hear of the death of George Wendt. Against the grain, I actually liked him in his Columbo guest star role. Funny, I was also thinking of his memorable turn as the Dad in Michael Jackson's Black or White video.
Something fun for your enjoyment:
Also, probably my favorite Norm moment:
Loretta Swift, best known for her role as Margeret "hot lips" Houlihan in MASH, died today. Much like George Wendt she she gave us a beloved character in a beloved classic TV show. Thank you very much for bringing more joy to the world!
RIP Frederick Forsyth, author of "The Day Of The Jackal" and many other bestsellers, at 86.
Oh, no. That's very sad news. I was just looking over his work recently as I was researching something on him. I watched The Dogs of War and The Fourth Protocol at the weekend. I read a good few of his novels as a teenager and am a fan of his work. With The Day of the Jackal he launched the docu-thriller, a new subgenre all of its own. Thanks for all the great stories, Mr Forsyth.
Yes, thanks for all the good books, mr Forsythe. There is even a James Bond link: in The Forth Protocol a pre-007 Pierce Brosnan plays a Soviet spy.
Not to mention
And of course Edward Fox and Michael Lonsdale starred in The Day of the Jackal. Frederick Forsyth was also once asked to write a James Bond continuation novel but he sadly declined.
There are rumours that Forsythe was in the MI6 ....
Yes, he worked for them when he was a war correspondent with the BBC I believe. It's detailed in his memoir The Outsider (2015). There are a lot of crossovers between those in the Press and British Intelligence. That would include Ian Fleming too of course.
According to an interview he gave he once slept with a female Stasi agent who was assigned to be his shadow.
The things he had to endure for his country...
RIP Frederick Forsythe