News

Bruce French, a veteran of the stage and prolific character actor who worked with David E. Kelley and appeared in NBC’s aughts soap Passions across the entirety of its nine-season run, died Feb. 7 at the age of 79.

He died in Los Angeles of complications from Alzheimer’s (with which he was diagnosed around four years ago), longtime Days of Our Lives actress and French’s wife of 34 years, Eileen Barnett, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“The world is a dimmer place today, missing this amazing light that has gone out,” French’s niece, Claire French, wrote on Facebook. “We will miss Uncle Bruce tremendously, but are confident that he is joyously reunited with his beloved mom and in the seat he told my dad to save him...

Ronnie Yeskel, the Emmy-nominated casting director who worked on the Quentin Tarantino films Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction and shows including L.A. Law and Curb Your Enthusiasm, has died. She was 76.

Yeskel died Jan. 4 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills after a long battle with cancer. The news was announced by casting director and AMPAS governor Richard Hicks, her former business partner.

Yeskel cast Kieran Culkin in his first lead role in Igby Goes Down (2002), and her film résumé also included Renny Harlin’s The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Booty Call (1997), Bean (1997), Permanent Midnight (1998), Forest Whitaker’s Hope Floats (1998), Ken Loach’s Bread and Roses (2000), Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000), Waking the Dead (2000) and The Sessions (2012).

She cast seasons five, six and seven of NBC’s L.A. Law (1990-93) and the first three seasons (2000-02) of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, among many other shows. She...

Donald Petrie has signed on to direct “The Last Resort,” a Philippines-set romantic comedy written by Karen McCullah, the scribe behind such romcom gems as “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde.”

Petrie, who directed the Lemmon-Mathau comedy “Grumpy Old Men” and is an Emmy nominee for his work on “L.A. Law,” is responsible for a number of classic romantic comedies himself, having directed

“Miss Congeniality,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “Mystic Pizza.”

The veteran filmmaker’s other credits include “Richie Rich,” “The Associate,” “My Favorite Martian,” “My Life in Ruins” and the television show “The Kominski Method,” among others.

McCullah, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in the U.S., has also written films including “She’s the Man,” “Ella Enchanted,” “The Ugly Truth” and “The House Bunny.”

“The Last Resort” follows a hotel executive who is sent to scout a...

As 2024 comes to a close, we here at JoBlo.com would like to take a moment to pay tribute to some of the people who sadly passed away this year. Our deepest respect goes out to everyone in the industry we have lost, and our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of those who died in 2024. These talented individuals will always be remembered for their impact on the world of film and television.

In Memory Of…

David Soul

David Soul died on January 4th at the age of 80. The actor was best known for playing Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on Starsky & Hutch alongside Paul Michael Glaser.

Although Starsky & Hutch would become one of the most iconic shows of the ’70s, Soul and Glaser had no clue it would become as successful as it did. “We didn’t have a clue it was going to be so successful.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for the mid-season finale of Elsbeth.

The fall finale of Elsbeth, titled "Toil and Trouble," offers a comedic glimpse into the workings of Hollywood. Season 2, episode 8 "throws Elsbeth into the world of television after the showrunner of a police procedural is murdered in his office." Given that the series focuses on the why more so than the who, it doesn't take long for the attorney-turned-consultant to realize that the show's lead actress, Regina Coburn, is guilty. In typical Elsbeth fashion, the investigation makes for an extremely entertaining hour of TV, even with the killer revealed before the title card.

The meta installment ends on a major cliffhanger when Judge Crawford officially declares war against Carrie Preston's character. He unseals court documents that name her as one of the lawyers involved in the controversial Van Ness case. Elsbeth comes clean to Wagner, and, in a heartfelt moment,...

Diane Delano, the busy character actor who portrayed Officer Barbara Semanski on CBS’ Northern Exposure and the mean science teacher Bobbi Glass on The WB’s Popular, has died. She was 67.

Delano died Friday of cancer in her home in Sherman Oaks, her friend Stepfanie Kramer announced.

“She was big and bold and brought her sharp wit and perfect comic timing to every role,” Kramer said. “Her earthy and raucous presence enabled her to always own the room. She was one of a kind.”

As Rhonda Vasek, Delano had a romantic liaison with Douglas Brackman Jr. (Alan Rachins) in 1987 on the second season of NBC’s L.A. Law, and she guest-starred on such other shows as Falcon Crest, Cop Rock, Step by Step, Third Rock From the Sun, ER, Monk, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, The Bridge, 2 Broke Girls and PEN15.

Delano recurred as Officer Semanski on 12 episodes over...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, episode 9, "Fissure Quest"

Academy Award-nominated actress Alfre Woodard portrayed Lily Sloane in Star Trek: First Contact. Following Star Trek Generations, First Contact was the first big screen adventure devoted completely to the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Director Jonathan Frakes' hit film follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-e as they travel back in time to prevent the Borg from rewriting history. Upon arriving in 2063, the Enterprise crew encounters Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell), the creator of warp drive, on the eve of his historic flight that led to humanity's First Contact with the Vulcans.

While Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) work with Zefram Cochrane on Earth, Captain Picard and the rest of the crew fight off Borg drones aboard the Enterprise. The Borg manage to capture Lt.

Mark Withers, a television actor known for portraying Ted Dinard in the original “Dynasty” series, died Nov. 22. He was 77.

Mark Withers’ death was confirmed by his daughter, Jessie Withers. The cause was pancreatic cancer.

His daughter remembered him fondly, writing: “He confronted his illness with the same strength and dignity he brought to his craft, creating a legacy of warmth, humor, and dedication, along with his remarkable ability to make every role unforgettable. Mark’s enduring talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends, and fans alike.”

In addition to his role as Steven’s boyfriend Ted in “Dynasty,” Withers had guest appearances on “Wonder Woman,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Hart to Hart,” “Remington Steele,” “Dallas,” “L.A. Law,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Matlock,” “Kaz,” “The King of Queens” and “Frasier.”

In recent years, he continued his television career with roles in “True Blood,...

Days of our Lives (Dool) news shows that there is sad news to report, actor Wayne Northrop has died at the age of 77. He played Roman Brady on the Peacock sudser, appearing in over 1,036 episodes of the show from 1981 to 2006.

The actor’s publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told TMZ that Northrop Northrup died on Friday, November 29 at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home, which is an assisted living facility for veterans of the film industry.

Days of Our Lives can be Streamed on Peacock

Northrop was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago and needed full time care which necessitated his stay at the facility.

Northrup was married to Lynn Herring Northrop who plays Lucy Coe on ABC’s General Hospital. She issued a statement noting that the daytime star “was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago” and “took his final breath in the arms of family.

Wayne Northrop has sadly passed away.

The actor, known for roles in shows like Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, died at the age of 77 on Friday (November 29), his publicist confirmed to Deadline.

“Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s 6 years ago,” Lynn Herring Northrop, his wife and General Hospital actor, said in a statement provided to the outlet.

Keep reading to find out more…

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family. We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking such great care of him. Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.”

Wayne is perhaps best known as Roman Brady, Deidre Hall’s on-screen husband,...

Wayne Northrop, the actor known for roles on Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, has died. He was 77.

Northrop died Friday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, publicist Cynthia Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago.

“He took his last breath in the arms of his family,” Northrop’s wife and fellow soap star, Lynn Herring Northrop, said in a statement. “We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, the Motion Picture and Television Home, for taking such great care of him. Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.”

Northrop appeared on more than 1,000 episodes of Days of Our Lives, first as...

William Sutter may not have been the biggest villain on Suits, but his random death in the show's final season still came as a shock. Airing from 2011-2019, Suits saw a massive surge in popularity when it began streaming on Netflix in 2023. A big reason for that is because in an age of short streaming shows, audiences are craving a high-quality yet traditional TV experience. Suits offers a digestible series full of clearcut protagonists and antagonists, as Harvey Specter and Mike Ross regularly face off against rival law firms and attorneys from their past with an axe to grind.

While he's not one of Suits' most famous celebrity cameos, veteran actor Alan Rosenberg certainly added to the series' gripping drama as William Sutter. Rosenberg notably played Thomas the Apostle in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), though he is perhaps best known for lawyer Eli Levinson on both Civil Wars and L.A. Law.

It was the “love of the book” that brought the powerhouse duo of producer J.J. Abrams and showrunner David E. Kelley together for Apple TV+’s reimagining of Scott Turow’s bestselling legal thriller “Presumed Innocent.”

They’d vowed to team up for years, but it took Covid for the stars — and their schedules — to finally align to allow them to put their shared creative talents together. Given health restrictions, studios were looking for projects that could be produced in contained circumstances, so courtroom dramas were a natural place to hunt for ideas. Abrams asked Kelley if there was any book that he’d be interested in adapting, “and the first one that came to mind was ‘Presumed Innocent’,” Kelley tells Gold Derby in our exclusive video interview. As luck would have it. Abrams’ production company had secured the rights years earlier. Watch the video interview above.

See‘Presumed Innocent...

It’s ironic that a show about a woman trying to get revenge for her daughter’s opioid overdose death is so addicting, but here we are.

Kathy Bates’ Matlock is one of the 2024 season’s most popular new shows, and with good reason. People love her undercover mission, raw talent, and the twists in every episode.

If you love this show, there are a number of other legal series you have to check out, going all the way back to the late 1980s.

The Original Matlock (1986 – 1995) (NBC/Screenshot)

The original Matlock is very different from Kathy Bates’ version, but if you haven’t seen the ’80s version in a while, you’ll probably enjoy it more now that you can compare it with our Matlock.

Andy Griffith’s Matlock could arguably be seen as a reboot of Perry Mason, or at least based on it. Like the legendary Raymond Burr character,...

Alan Rachins has sadly died.

The actor, best known for his work on L.A. Law and Dharma & Greg, died Saturday (November 2), his wife Joanna Frank confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Keep reading to find out more…

The actor passed away at the age of 82 in his sleep of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Alan was known for playing attorney Douglas Brackman Jr. for all eight of the L.A. Law seasons from 1986 to 1994, then reprised the role in 2002’s made-for-tv L.A. Law: The Movie. He earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 1988 Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

He also famously portrayed Larry, the father of Jenna Elfman’s Dharma, on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg, which ran for five seasons from 1997 to 2002.

He also appeared on Dallas, The Golden Girls, Diagnosis Murder, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman...

Alan Rachins, an actor known for his work on the series “L.A. Law” and “Dharma & Greg,” died early Saturday morning. He was 82.

Rachins died in his sleep of heart failure, his manager Mark Teitelbaum confirmed to Variety.

Rachins played lawyer Douglas Brackman Jr. on NBC’s “L.A. Law” for its entire eight-season run from 1986 to 1984, as well as in the 2002 made-for-tv film, “L.A. Law: The Movie.” He received nominations for a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe in 1988 for his performance as Douglas.

“In the pilot episode, there was nothing of the more flamboyant or bizarre side of Douglas; he was going to be the hard-line office manager, the penny pincher,” Rachins said in a 1990 interview with The New York Times. “It was kind of limited, and I didn’t know where it was going. But quickly it developed a lot more color and flamboyance.”

After “L.A. Law,” Rachins portrayed Larry Finkelstein,...

Alan Rachins, who played lawyer Douglas Brackman for 13 seasons on “L.A. Law” and Jenna Elfman’s father Larry Finklestein on “Dharma & Greg,” died Saturday of heart failure. He was 82 years old.

Rachins’ manager, Mark Teitelbaum, shared the news of his death with TheWrap.

The actor’s additional credits include “Stargate Sg-1,” “Showgirls,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” While he was well known for his television and film roles, Rachins began his career on Broadway in 1967 in “After the Rain.” He worked in theatrical productions for years until the 1970s and returned to the stage in a two-person play after five seasons on “Dharma & Greg.”

In a 2003 interview with New Jersey Stage he admitted the shift was a big step for him. “Well, this is big in the sense that this is the other extreme because we are on the stage at all times. We’ve got a lot to do.

Alan Rachins was born on October 3, 1942 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and passed away on November 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The American actor is dead at age 82 from heart failure, according to our sister site The Hollywood Reporter. May his memory be a blessing.

Rachins had over 75 acting credits to his name, including on the TV shows “L.A. Law” (1986-94) as Douglas Brackman, “Dharma and Greg” (1997-2002) as Larry Finkelstein, and “Stargate Sg-1” (1997) as Colonel Kennedy, and in the movie “Showgirls” (1995) as Tony Moss.

SEECelebrity Deaths 2024: In Memoriam Gallery

The actor received awards nominations at the Emmys and Golden Globes for his role on “L.A. Law,” losing to Larry Drake (“L.A. Law”) and Rutger Hauer (“Escape from Sobibor”), respectively. He took on the character of managing partner Douglas Brackman Jr. for all eight seasons between 1986 and 1994, plus in the 2002 TV movie reunion, for a total of 172 episodes.

Younger audiences may...

Alan Rachins, the actor known for his roles on L.A. Law and Dharma & Greg, has died. He was 82.

The Golden Globe and Emmy nominee died early Saturday morning after experiencing heart failure in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, his wife Joanna Frank told The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to his performance as Douglas Brackman on the NBC series L.A. Law, which ran from 1986 to 1994 and earned him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Rachins was known for playing Dharma’s (Jenna Elfman) hippy father Larry on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg, which ran for five seasons from 1997 to 2002.

Rachins also appeared in such films as Thunder Run (1986), North (1994) and Showgirls (1995), as well as shows like The Golden Girls, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Stargate Sg-1 and Rizzoli & Isles.

Born Oct. 3, 1942 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Rachins moved to New York to study acting, where he...

Ron Ely, best known for his starring role as Tarzan in the 1960s NBC television series Tarzan, has died, his daughter Kirsten confirmed to TMZ, telling the outlet her father passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on September 29. He was 86.

His daughter shared an emotional tribute to her father on Instagram.

“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” Kirsten wrote.

“My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him.

“I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honor that has been.

Ron Ely, the hunky and handsome Texas native who portrayed the Lord of the Jungle on the first Tarzan series for television, has died, his daughter Kirsten told Fox News Digital. He was 86.

He died Sept. 29 at the home of one of his daughters near Santa Barbara, The New York Times reported.

Ely also hosted the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981, stepping in for longtime emcee Bert Parks, and presided over a syndicated game show called Face the Music around that time.

The 6-foot-4, blue-eyed Ely had appeared opposite Clint Walker in The Night of the Grizzly and with Ursula Andress in Once Before I Die in films released in 1966 when he was hired to don the loincloth in a new NBC series executive produced by Sy Weintraub.

Ely was offered the Tarzan gig after former NFL linebacker Mike Henry, who had played the Edgar Rice Burroughs creation in three ’60s films,...

Nicholas Pryor, whose nearly seven-decade acting career included hundreds of episodes of soap operas, playing Tom Cruise’s dad in Risky Business and Kathleen Robertson’s dad on Beverly Hills, 90210, died October 7. He was 89.

Fellow actor Jon Lindstrom announced the news on social media, saying in part: “Nick was an Actor’s actor, and an exceptional friend. … He was a mentor, a sounding board, a trusted confidant, and even a father-figure beyond, yes, playing my own father on #Gh and #PortCharles.” See his full post below.

Pryor racked up nearly 175 screen credits and half-dozen more on Broadway. After getting his screen start guesting on such 1950s and early ’60s TV series as Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Doctors, he played Tom Baxter in more than 75 episodes of the NBC daytime drama Another World. That led to a starring role on The Nurses, a 1965-67 continuation of CBS’ The Nurses, which...

Nicholas Pryor, the busy character actor who portrayed Tom Cruise’s father in Risky Business and Kathleen Robertson’s dad on Beverly Hills, 90210 during a career that spanned seven decades, has died. He was 89.

Pryor died Monday of cancer at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, his wife, actress Christine Belford, told The Hollywood Reporter.

In a note to be delivered to THR after his death, he wrote: “Nicholas Pryor was enormously grateful to have been, for nearly 70 years, a working actor.”

From 1997-2002, Pryor played the former spy Victor Collins on the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles, culminating a long career in daytime soap operas that included stints on The Secret Storm, The Edge of Night, Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, All My Children and Another World.

Pryor recurred on Fox’s Beverly Hills, 90210 as A. Milton Arnold, the chancellor of California University and father of Robertson’s Claire Arnold,...

Once again, it was a Body & Soul kind of day on the Tuesday, October 8 episode of Days of Our Lives. Kate, Abe, and Leo prepared to send Hattie’s character, Charlemagne Delacroix, down the elevator shaft while Alex and Stephanie got hot and heavy in a hospital room. These scenes channeled classic and current TV juggernauts to help further the Bs drama.

TV Channeling L.A. Law

Hattie (Deidre Hall) diva’d herself into a corner. All of her maneuverings to get Bonnie (Judi Evans) kicked to the curb backfired against her. Ultimately, she ended up being the one to diva herself out of a job.

And so there they were at the hospital, ready to film Hattie’s death scene, which involved a blatant nod to classic TV history. Leo (Greg Rikaart) even said as much. Apparently, the show had to explain itself right before Hattie was supposed to...

After a few acclaimed TV shows have ended their run, their stories have continued in the form of a TV movie. Considering the popularity of some TV shows, a sequel series or film makes sense as audiences are eager for more content regarding their favorite characters. Most of the time, sequel films aren't entirely necessary and are put out with the simple purpose of fulfilling fans' needs. In the case of Mr. Monk's Last Case, the character returned to TV screens, streaming on Peacock, as current events inspired an exploration as to how the detective with multiple phobias would live during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, some sequel films were made to wrap up open-ended storylines. Films inspired by Breaking Bad and Alf answered some lingering questions regarding Jesse Pinkman and Alf's fate. Though they're not always needed, these TV films based on TV shows are still largely...

The very first Emmy Award for Best Drama Series was presented to ABC’s “Pulitzer Prize Playhouse” in 1951. It is one of 40-plus programs that have been honored as television’s top dramatic series. Scroll through our photo gallery below of every winner for Best Drama Series in Emmy history.

Five shows — “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” “The West Wing,” “Mad Men” and “Game of Thrones” — hold the record for most wins in this category with four each. “Hill Street Blues,” “The West Wing” and “Mad Men” all accomplished that feat in consecutive years. HBO’s “Game of Thrones” is also the most-winningest scripted primetime series in Emmy history at 59 trophies. Originally published August 2018.

Did you know that Chris Pine's dad, actor Robert Pine, played a super-tiny role on "The Office" as the father of John Krasinski's Jim Halpert? You probably didn't — but on a recent podcast, stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey discussed the elder Pine's time on their set.

In the 109th episode of "Office Ladies" — a recap podcast about the hit NBC mockumentary sitcom — Fischer and Kinsey tackled the first half of season 6's "Niagara," which centers around the wedding of Jim and Pam (Fischer). "This is where we are going to meet Jim's parents for the first time," Fischer says as the two discuss the scene featuring the couple's rehearsal dinner. "We have Betsy Halpert, played by Perry Smith, and Gerald Halpert, played by Robert Pine, who is the father of actor Chris Pine."

"People were so excited," Kinsey said, and Fischer agreed: "We were a little bit excited.

TV dramas have come a long way since the days of Playhouse 90, Hallmark Hall of Fame and Net Playhouse – all of which won Emmys for best drama in the 1960s. Even the category’s name has evolved since then, from Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama to Outstanding Dramatic Series or Outstanding Series-Drama and the current Outstanding Drama Series.

Click through a gallery of the shows that have taken home to marquee Emmy Award since 1960 – from the elegance of The Defenders and the period tech of Mission: Impossible through cop shows including Police Story, Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue; medical shows Marcus Welby, M.D. and ER, the legal offices of L.A. Law and The Practice; such quirky fare as Picket Fences, Northern Exposure and Ally McBeal; and into the antihero tales of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad – and many more.

Along the way you’ll...

Hollywood is in mourning today as the iconic actor, James Earl Jones has passed away at the age of 93.

The actor with the most recognisable baritone rumbling voice had a career that spanned over 60 years. Making his debut on Broadway in 1958 at the Cort Theatre — renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022, Jones went on to become best known for his role as Darth Vader in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise. He also reprised his voice role of King Mufasa in Disney’s animated feature ‘The Lion King.’ Most recently, he revisited his role 2021’s ‘Coming 2 America.’ Reprising his role as King Jaffe Joffer from the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy ‘Coming to America.’

Also in news – Pinch of salt time – ‘The Goonies’ sequel finally greenlit?

Throughout his long list of 80 film credits, Jones’ notable movies include as a B-52 bombardier in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 Cold War satire ‘Dr. Strangelove’ in which...

James Earl Jones, the prolific film, TV and theater actor whose resonant, unmistakable baritone was most widely known as the voice of “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, died Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y., his rep confirmed to Variety. He was 93.

After overcoming a profound stutter as a child, Jones established himself as one of the pioneering Black actors of his generation, amassing a bountiful and versatile career spanning over 60 years, from his debut on Broadway in 1958 at the Cort Theatre — renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022 — to his most recent performance in 2021’s “Coming 2 America.” For that film, Jones reprised his role as King Jaffe Joffer from the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America” — one of several roles, along with Darth Vader, that Jones revisited, including the voice of King Mufasa in Disney’s animated feature “The Lion King” in 1994, the 1998 direct-to-video sequel and the 2019 remake,...

David E. Kelley, the acclaimed writer and producer behind such hits as “The Practice,” “Big Little Lies” and “Ally McBeal,” will be awarded the 2024 International Emmy Founders Award. The black tie gala will take place on Nov. 25 in New York City.

Kelly’s first major hit happened in 1986 when he served as a writer on “L.A. Law.” Since then he’s created beloved series such as “Picket Fences,” “Chicago Hope,” “Ally McBeal,” “The Practice,” “Boston Public,” “Boston Legal,” “Big Little Lies,” “The Undoing,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “Big Sky,” “The Lincoln Lawyer” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.”

“Every generation has a favorite David E. Kelley show and that’s because David Kelley has been turning out television hits since ‘L.A. Law’ 40 years ago. He crafts memorable television for viewers across the globe,” International Academy President and CEO Bruce L. Paisner said in a statement. “We look forward to recognizing his tremendous talent with the Founders Award.

Warner Bros. Television’s ER revival look-alike has sparked a lawsuit from the estate of Michael Crichton, holder of the rights to the medical drama created by the prolific writer of technological thrillers who spawned various Hollywood blockbusters.

Crichton’s estate, in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses Warners and a trio ER alums of repackaging plans for a series reboot as The Pitt after they couldn’t secure the rights due to a dispute over a credit acknowledging the writer as the creator of the show. It alleges a “pattern of conduct” by the studio designed to circumvent Crichton’s rights to franchises he spawned, including Westworld.

Earlier this year, Max issued a 15-episode, straight-to-series order for The Pitt, which stars Noah Wyle and comes from ER duo John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill — all of whom are named in the complaint. It described...

The first-ever “Star Wars” movie, “A New Hope,” won six Academy Awards in 1978 including Best Editing and Best Original Score while George Lucas was nominated for Best Director. The biggest accomplishment, however, is arguably that Alec Guinness reaped a Best Supporting Actor citation for his turn as Obi-Wan Kenobi. That is the sole acting nomination “Star Wars” movies have earned at the Oscars.

The movies, in total, have won seven Oscars from a total of 37 nominations, but it is only Guinness who has been recognized for his acting across a total of 11 live-action “Star Wars” flicks, which includes all nine films in the main Skywalker Saga plus the spin-off films “Rogue One” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” However, plenty of the franchise’s cast have landed nominations for other projects at other major awards groups.

Given that it’s Emmys season, we’re going to focus on the Emmys.

Based on the merits of its first two seasons, Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show” was nominated for three of the four regular drama series acting Emmys, with its lone elusive category having been the supporting female one. Now, following its submission of seven featured ladies on the initial 2024 Emmy ballot, it has simultaneously scored a whopping four Best Drama Supporting Actress mentions, joining only three other series that have done the same or better.

The supporting actresses representing “The Morning Show” on this year’s final Emmy ballot are Nicole Beharie, Greta Lee, Karen Pittman, and Holland Taylor. Only Pittman has been part of the cast since the show’s inception, as Lee and Taylor first appeared in season two and Beharie was just added ahead of season three. All are Emmy newcomers except Taylor, whose eight earlier nominations led to a single win in this category for “The Practice...

By the time 1999 rolled around, David E. Kelley had already more than proven his bonafides as a megaproducer and an Emmy dynamo nearly without peer. He had already won five statuettes as a producer for Best Drama Series – three for “L.A. Law” and two more for “Picket Fences” (1993 and ’94) – as well as another pair for writing Emmys for “L.A. Law” (’90 and ’91). Oh, and there was also a 1998 Best Drama win for “The Practice,” giving him six trophies for top series and eight Emmys overall. Not too shabby. In fact, his run of winning Best Drama five times in six years had never happened. The closest anyone came was Kelley’s mentor Steven Bochco’s run of four straight for “Hill Street Blues” in the early 1980s.

And still, even with all of that, the best was yet to come for Kelley.

In ’99, the producer was coming off his “Practice” win...

In 2022, Marcia Gay Harden received her third career Emmy nomination for appearing in a second season episode of “The Morning Show.” Since her first bid had come 15 years earlier for her work on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” she qualified for entry into the club of Best Drama Guest Actress nominees for multiple series. Scroll through our photo gallery to learn who else is in this exclusive group.

Of the 28 women on this list, nine took the gold for at least one of their nominated performances. The one who triumphed most recently was Cherry Jones, whose consecutive victories for “The Handmaid’s Tale” (2019) and “Succession” (2020) made her the category’s fourth two-show winner, after Shirley Knight (“Thirtysomething”; “NYPD Blue”), Alfre Woodard (“L.A. Law”; “The Practice”), and Amanda Plummer (“The Outer Limits”; “Law & Order: Svu”).

Although the Best Drama Guest Actress award has only been bestowed on an annual basis...

Actress Shelley Duvall, best remembered for her work in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, has died. She was 75.

As Duvall’s life partner, Dan Gilroy, told The Hollywood Reporter, she passed away in her sleep of complications from diabetes.

More from TVLineALF Star Benji Gregory Dead at 46Pat Colbert, Who Played Dora Mae on Dallas, Dead at 77Doug Sheehan, Knots Landing and General Hospital Actor, Dead at 75

“My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free,” Gilroy said in a statement to THR. “Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

Throughout her career, Duvall...

If the 1950s and '60s were the golden age of the television sitcom, the 1970s were its in-the-pocket prime. And when risk-averse TV execs saw the astronomical ratings of hit sitcoms like "All in the Family," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "M*A*S*H," they exploited this ratings-rich phenomenon by diving into the same-but-different world of spinoffs.

Norman Lear's "All in the Family" was the '70s spinoff king with seven total offshoots, but James L. Brooks and Allan Burns' "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" proved plenty durable by spawning "Rhoda," "Phyllis," and "Lou Grant." Of these, "Rhoda" was by far the biggest hit. Valerie Harper's four seasons as Mary Richards' lovably vivacious neighbor more than confirmed she could carry a series of her own. So, Brooks and Allan sent Rhoda back to her hometown of New York City, where she immediately found love (her...

Bill Cobbs, a prolific film and TV actor with memorable performances in Night At The Museum, Brother From Another Planet, Oz The Great And Powerful, The Sopranos and dozens of others, died surrounded by family Tuesday, June 25, of natural causes at his home in Inland Empire, California. He was 90.

His death was announced by family members on Facebook, and confirmed to Deadline by his publicist Chuck I. Jones.

“We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs,” wrote brother Thomas G. Cobbs. “On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California. A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones. As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time.”

Said Jones, “Bill...

Sad news to report today as it has been confirmed that legendary character actor Bill Cobbs has died at the age of 90. The actor’s publicist, Chuck I. Jones, told TMZ that Cobbs passed away at his home in Riverside. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Cobbs leaves behind an incredible body of work, with memorable roles in movies such as The Hudsucker Proxy, The Bodyguard, That Thing You Do!, Ghosts of Mississippi, Night at the Museum, and so much more.

After serving for eight years in the U.S. Air Force, Cobbs sold cars and worked for Ibm before he decided to give acting a try. After appearing in various theater productions, he made his feature film debut in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. “I came back home to see my mom and dad, and all our friends and neighbors went to see the movie, and everyone was waiting for my appearance,...

"Wkrp in Cincinnati" may not be easy to find on streaming these days, but it's still a highlight in sitcom history. The show about a failing radio station run by a groovy and eccentric team was a hit in the '70s, garnering 10 Emmy nominations and the coveted Humanitas Prize before signing off after four seasons. Unfortunately, the show's heavy emphasis on popular music has made it a rare quantity today: according to MTV, the show didn't make it to DVD until 2007 in part because it was tricky to secure the rights to all of the songs featured in its original run. It's currently only available digitally if you buy it on Apple TV, and versions of the show available today are still reportedly missing some songs, with stock music added in their place.

Still, the ultra-'70s show is worth seeking out for comedy fans and music fans alike,...

Hiram Kasten, a comedian well-known across the New York comedy club circuit and in shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died. He was 71.

Kasten died in his home in Batavia, New York, after seven years of fighting several illnesses, including prostate cancer and Crohn’s disease, an obituary in his local paper The Batavian reported.

Kasten was a regular comedian at New York’s Comic Strip, where he met then-mc Jerry Seinfeld and the two eventually became friends.

He also made regular appearances at Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, The Comedy Cellar and Caroline’s throughout the 1970s and 1980s. At Dangerfield’s, he ran his own show on Sunday nights for many years.

In the late 1980s, Kasten moved to Los Angeles and eventually appeared in shows such as Mad About You, Everybody Loves Raymond, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 7th Heaven,...

Hiram Kasten, a comedian/actor who was part of the New York comedy club scene in the 1970s and 1980s, had a long relationship with Jerry Seinfeld and appeared on Seinfeld, died today at his home in Batavia, NY. He was 71.

He endured seven years of fighting through multiple illnesses including prostate cancer, according to his wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum. He died hours after their 38th wedding anniversary.

Born Hiram Z. Kastenbaum in the Bronx, N.Y., Kasten dreamed of becoming an actor. After a few years of bouncing around the theater scene, he decided he would try his hand at stand-up comedy.

He set his sights on The Comic Strip, where the Mc was Jerry Seinfeld, who passed Hiram on his first audition. He soon became a regular at the club. The two struck up a friendship that lasted for 45 years. It was also where Hiram met his soon-to-be lifelong friends,...

Ray Wise portrayed Liko in Tng & Arturis in Voyager, showcasing his range in the Star Trek franchise. Wise's memorable role in Twin Peaks as Leland Palmer is just one example of his extensive acting career. Numerous actors from Twin Peaks, such as Carel Struycken and Michael J. Anderson, have also appeared in Star Trek episodes.

Twin Peaks actor Ray Wise portrayed two different characters in the Star Trek franchise. Wise's first Star Trek appearance came in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 4, "Who Watches the Watchers," in which he plays Liko, a member of a Vulcan-like species being observed by the United Federation of Planets. In Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episode 26, "Hope and Fear," Wise portrayed Arturis, a member of an unnamed species designated Species 116. Ray Wise is most known for his role in Twin Peaks and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Leland Palmer, the father...

On Monday, May 27, Live with Kelly and Mark welcomes actor Harry Hamlin, comedian J.B. Smoove, and travel expert Scott Keyes to the show. Harry Hamlin, known for his roles in Clash of the Titans and L.A. Law, will be discussing his culinary skills and his show In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin. Hamlin, a […]

Live with Kelly and Mark: Harry Hamlin, J.B. Smoove, Scott Keyes...

Neon has done a great job of promoting the upcoming horror film Longlegs while also keeping the story’s secrets concealed. Although multiple teaser trailers and posters have made their way online, we still don’t know a whole lot about this movie, beyond the fact that it’s scheduled to reach theatres on July 12th. But if you want to know exactly how much we do know about it, just keep scrolling down, because we have compiled a list of Everything We Know About Longlegs.

Director

Longlegs, which is said to be “in the vein of classic Hollywood psychological thrillers”, is the latest genre project from director Osgood Perkins – who, yes, is the son of actor Anthony Perkins, best remembered for his performance as Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock classic Psycho. The younger Perkins has been building a solid career of his own, though, with his previous directorial...

A Man in Full features a star-studded cast led by Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane, portraying the life of an Atlanta billionaire facing bankruptcy. Created by David E. Kelley, the series follows Charlie Croker as he navigates financial troubles and challenges from the head of a major bank. With Oscar-winning Regina King directing three episodes, A Man in Full offers a gripping tale of success, betrayal, and redemption on Netflix.

The Netflix limited series A Man in Full has a robust and star-studded ensemble cast. Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Tom Wolfe, the author of classic books such as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968) and The Right Stuff (1979), A Man in Full follows an Atlanta billionaire named Charlie Croker. Charlie has lived the majority of his life as a lavish real estate mogul and an important figurehead of success in Atlanta, which becomes complicated when Harry Zale,...

Photo credit: “Shutterstock.AI” Baseball has always held a special place in cinema – from the heartfelt dramas of The Pride of the Yankees and Field of Dreams to the hilarious antics of The Bad News Bears and The Sandlot. Among these classics stands Major League, a beloved 1980s sports comedy packed with unforgettable characters and humor. Instead of a team destined to lose, let’s imagine this Major League focuses on an underdog squad assembled from misfits and overlooked veterans. Think players who never got their big break, those written off by other teams, but ready to prove they’ve still got what it takes. Now, with a chance to shine on the Cleveland Indians, this unlikely group surprises everyone…maybe even themselves. This enduring film still delights audiences with its sharp wit and memorable quotes. During a panel at GalaxyCon Columbus 2022, star Corbin Bernsen reflected on reading the script for the first time.

Jean-Paul Vignon, the romantic French vocalist and actor who impressed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic during an eight-decade career, died March 22 of liver cancer in Beverly Hills, his family announced. He was 89.

Performing a repertoire of contemporary pop and American standards, Vignon debuted in the U.S. in 1963 at the famed New York supper club The Blue Angel, where he opened for stand-up comic Woody Allen.

Ed Sullivan would soon showcase him on his Sunday night CBS variety show in eight appearances — including one in which he sang a duet with young Liza Minnelli — and he became a regular guest on Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin’s programs.

Signed to Columbia Records, Vignon released his first U.S. album, Because I Love You, in 1964. Three years later, he had a supporting role opposite William Holden and Cliff Robertson in the World War II film The Devil’s Brigade.

In...

The 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel "It" may be best known for Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise, who made an entire generation seriously terrified of clowns, but it would be nothing without the heart and soul of the Loser's Club. In the 1950s, a group of misfit kids growing up in Derry, Maine are brought together, partially because they don't belong anywhere else, but also because they happen to be targeted by the malevolent force that haunts their town, stealing and murdering its local children. Together, they have to face off against Pennywise to stop the killing once and for all. That's what they think, anyway. But despite defeating Pennywise as children, they're forced to return to Derry as adults and once again confront the terrors of their youth.

As a result of this, "It" has an interesting casting dilemma of finding not only seven...