In Memory of Peter Cullen (1941-2026)

Peter Cullen (1941-2026)

It is a sad day for us Transformers fans. The legendary voice actor Peter Cullen, perhaps best known as the voice of Optimus Prime in the long-running "Transformers" franchise and Eeyore in "Winnie the Pooh," has died. He was 85 years old.

The actor was born in Montreal, Canada, on July 28, 1941. He was among the first graduates of the National Theatre School of Canada and began his television and radio career in the late 1960s. Over the next decade, Cullen appeared as a performer and announcer on programmes such as "The Buddies," "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour," and "The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show." In the late 1970s, he transitioned to voice acting in Saturday morning cartoons such as "Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo," "Spider-Man," "Snorks," "Heathcliff," "Alvin and the Chipmunks," "Voltron: Defender of the Universe," and many more. In 1984, Cullen auditioned for Optimus Prime, the benevolent leader of the Autobots, in the Hasbro animated series "The Transformers."

When asked how he prepared to play Optimus Prime, Cullen said he drew inspiration from his older brother, Larry, a highly decorated U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam. In addition to voicing Optimus, he also voiced Ironhide, the Autobots' weapon specialist, whom he modelled on the classic Hollywood Western actor Chill Wills. Unbeknownst to the actor, young fans loved the character. He only found out when the studio shockingly killed off Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated feature "The Transformers: The Movie," because it hadn't forwarded any of his fan mail. Surprised by the overwhelming public rejection of Optimus Prime's death, the producers soon gave in to fans' requests and revived the heroic robot. Since then, Cullen has continued to play the role, including in Michael Bay's live-action film series, which began in 2007.

In 1988, he began voicing the droopy donkey Eeyore in the Disney animated series "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." He kept the role in numerous Disney productions until his death. Throughout the 1990s, Cullen continued working in animation, voicing Monterey Jack in "Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers" and countless other roles across a variety of animated series. He stayed busy in the years that followed, thanks to his performances as Optimus Prime and Eeyore across television, film, and video games. Cullen most recently joined the cast of the Emmy-nominated adult animated series "Invincible" in Season 2, playing Thaedus. Frank Welker, who voiced Megatron, guest-starred in Season 2 as Thaedus' adversary, Emperor Argill, referencing the rivalry between their Transformers characters. The two had remained close friends until the end of his days.

Cullen also provided the vocal effects for King Kong in the 1976 film, the Predator in the 1987 movie "Predator," KARR in the TV series "Knight Rider," and a mogwai in "Gremlins."

Farewell, Peter Cullen; you will always be our one and only Optimus Prime. Until then, till all are one.

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In Memory of Tim Curry (1946-2026)

Tim Curry (1946-2026)

Tim Curry, the notable English actor whose portrayal of the flamboyant Dr Frank-N-Furter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is perhaps his most famous role, has passed away. He was 80 years old. Curry was also renowned for his other iconic roles, including Wadsworth in "Clue" and Pennywise in the "It" television miniseries. He was a versatile character actor who typically played arrogant Brits, cunning villains, and comical sidekicks.

He was born in Grappenhall, England, on April 19, 1946. After earning a degree from the University of Birmingham, Curry's professional acting career began with a role in the original London production of the groundbreaking rock musical "Hair" in 1968. In 1973, fellow cast member Richard O'Brien invited Curry to audition for his new musical, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and cast him as the effeminate, cross-dressing scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter. While the production was a resounding success in London and Los Angeles, it failed to make an impact on Broadway. Fortunately, Curry reprised his role in the 1975 movie adaptation, which, although not an instant hit, became a midnight cult classic.

After "Rocky Horror," Curry appeared in several films, including "Annie," "Clue," "Legend," "The Hunt for Red October," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," "The Three Musketeers," "The Shadow," "Muppet Treasure Island," "Charlie's Angels," and "Scary Movie 2." He also played the demonic clown Pennywise in the 1990 TV miniseries "It," based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, for which he wore full-face clown makeup. Curry was also a prolific voice actor, supplying his distinctive voice to characters in animated feature films, such as the villain Hexxus in "FernGully: The Last Rainforest," and in animated television series, such as Nigel Thornberry in Nickelodeon's "The Wild Thornberrys."

Curry's life would forever change in 2012 when he suffered a stroke during a routine massage. The resultant extensive brain surgery left him paralysed on the left side and unable to walk. Fortunately, he regained his speech and continued his career as a voice actor in numerous projects. 

We've lost a legend, but we will never forget his memorable performances.

Here are a few highlights of his greatest cinematic roles.

What was your favourite Tim Curry role?

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In Memory of Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

The country music legend, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died. She was 80. I'm not a huge fan of country music; from what I hear, she was also a talented actress.

While Dolly had a long and successful career in music, with such memorable songs as "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Islands in the Stream" (with Kenny Rogers), and "I Will Always Love You" (later covered by Whitney Houston for her 1992 movie "The Bodyguard"), her acting career was shorter than her time spent performing country music. She began her film career in 1980 starring in the iconic movie "9 to 5" opposite Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. On set, she spontaneously wrote its iconic theme, producing the memorable rhythm by scraping her nails together. Her theme song became Dolly's first No. 1 single on the Hot 100.

Her other movies include "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" opposite Burt Reynolds, "Rhinestone" opposite Sylvester Stallone, "Steel Magnolias," and "Joyful Noise."

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In Memory of Hayden Panettiere (1989-2026)

Hayden Panettiere (1989-2026)

The former child star/actress Hayden Panettiere is dead. She was 36 years old. Hayden was best known for her roles in the TV series "Heroes" and "Nashville," as well as films such as "Remember the Titans," "I Love You, Beth Cooper," "Scream 4," and "Scream VI." She enjoyed a three-decade-long career in the entertainment industry, but heartbreak and tragedy marred her personal life.

Her modelling career began at a very early age, when she appeared in commercials. Later, in 1994, she landed her first major acting role as Sarah Roberts in the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live." In 1998, she made her big-screen debut as Dot in Pixar's animated movie "A Bug's Life."

Panettiere was 11 years old when she played Sheryl Yoast opposite Hollywood legend Denzel Washington in the 2000 Disney sports drama "Remember the Titans." In the years that followed, she appeared in numerous family and teen movies, including "Raising Helen," "Tiger Cruise," "Racing Stripes," "The Ice Princess," and "Bring It On: All or Nothing." These mid-2000s films marked a significant turning point in her career, shifting from childhood stardom to establishing herself as a leading actress.

At 17, Panettiere rocketed to international fame as the impervious cheerleader Claire Bennet in the popular NBC series "Heroes." The show was hugely popular and ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2010. She also played Juliette Barnes, a troubled country musician, in the musical drama series "Nashville," which ran for six seasons and earned her two Golden Globe nominations. In addition to her fame in "Heroes" and "Nashville," she also played Kirby Reed in "Scream 4" and "Scream VI."

Another young actress who was taken too soon. My condolences go out to her family and friends.

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In Memory of Kaylee Hottle (2007-2026)

Kaylee Hottle (2007-2026)

The deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, whom many will remember for her starring role in two Godzilla movies, has died in a horrific car crash. She was 18. Her father posted a video statement on Facebook in which he confirmed the details of her death using American Sign Language (ASL).

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Kaylee was raised in Austin, Texas, where she studied at the Texas School for the Deaf. She began her acting career at the age of nine. Hottle's first acting role was in a Glide commercial, a video messaging app well-known within the hearing-impaired community. In 2021, Kaylee made her big-screen debut as the young orphan Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong." She reprised her role in the 2024 sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." Other notable roles of hers include Joon in a 2021 episode of "Magnum P.I."

The deaf community will miss her.

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In Memory of Brenda Fricker (1945-2026)

Brenda Fricker (1945-2026)

The Irish actress Brenda Fricker, known for playing the homeless bird lady in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," has died. She was 81 years old.

Hailing from Dublin, Fricker launched her acting career in television and stage productions in the 1960s and 1970s, including Ireland's first soap opera, "Tolka Row," and the ITV soap opera "Coronation Street." 

She appeared in the first episode of the long-running BBC medical drama "Casualty" in 1986. Fricker remained a regular cast member until 1990 and continued to make guest appearances in subsequent years. In 1990, Fricker won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Daniel Day-Lewis's on-screen mother in "My Left Foot," becoming the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award.

Two years later, Fricker was cast in another memorable role: the homeless bird woman who befriends Macaulay Culkin's Kevin in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." She also appeared in "So I Married an Axe Murderer," "Angels in the Outfield," "A Time to Kill," and "Veronica Guerin."

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In Memory of Sam Neill (1947-2026)

Sam Neill (1947-2026)

New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his roles in "Dead Calm," "The Piano," and "Jurassic Park," has died. He was 78 years old. News of his death was announced in a statement published on Neill's Instagram account.

Born in the Northern Irish town of Omagh in 1947, he immigrated to the South Island of New Zealand with his family at age 7 and settled in Christchurch. Neill appeared in several television movies and shorts for New Zealand television in the 1970s before gaining recognition for his lead role in the internationally acclaimed 1977 homegrown action thriller "Sleeping Dogs." He then relocated to Australia, securing another internationally acclaimed role in the 1979 film "My Brilliant Career," opposite Judy Davis. However, he did not arrive on the international cinema scene until 1981, when he played Damien Thorn in the satanic blockbuster "Omen III: The Final Conflict." During the 1980s, Neill appeared in countless Australian movies, including "Attack Force Z" with Mel Gibson, "Evil Angels" with Meryl Streep, and "Dead Calm" with Nicole Kidman.

In 1993, Neill propelled himself into the public eye with his two portrayals of New Zealand settler Alisdair Stewart in Jane Campion's Oscar-winning film "The Piano" and Dr Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster "Jurassic Park." He reprised the role of Alan Grant twice: in 2001's "Jurassic Park III" and 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion." Over the next three decades, Neill proved his immense versatility, excelling in both the sci-fi horror of 1997's "Event Horizon" and the dry humour of the 2000 comedy-drama "The Dish."

Among the other films that Neill starred in during his long career are "The Hunt for Red October," "The Jungle Book," "In the Mouth of Madness," "The Horse Whisperer," "Bicentennial Man," "Dirty Deeds," "Daybreakers," "The Hunter," "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," and "Peter Rabbit." Neill has also worked on various TV series and miniseries outside of cinema, including "Merlin," "Peaky Blinders," and "The Tudors." Neill has received numerous honours throughout his lengthy film career. In June 2022, he was knighted and appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

After being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in 2023, Neill revealed that he had undergone chemotherapy in private for a year. In April 2026, he posted an update saying that he had recently undergone a new form of immunotherapy. He added that subsequent scans indicated that no trace of cancer could be found in his body. Neill's final film appearance is expected to be in "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova," which is currently in post-production and due for release in 2027.

My condolences go to his family and friends.

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In Memory of Daveigh Chase (1990-2026)

Daveigh Chase (1990-2026)

Actress Daveigh Chase, best known for her role in "The Ring" and for voicing Lilo in "Lilo & Stitch," has died. She was 35. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, set up a GoFundMe page, stating that Chase succumbed to meningitis and several serious blood infections while in the hospital for several weeks. It is tragic to lose a former child actress who could have become a talented actress if she had lived longer.

The young actress first appeared on TV as an 8-year-old in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She broke out into film, starring as Jake Gyllenhaal's dancing sister in "Donnie Darko." In 2002, Chase received widespread recognition by voicing Lilo Pelekai, the young Hawaiian protagonist in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch." She won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting for her role in the animated feature and went on to reprise her role in several spinoffs, including "Stitch! The Movie," "Leroy & Stitch," and the Disney Channel series, "Lilo & Stitch: The Series."

That same year, she played the murderous ghost Samara Morgan in "The Ring," for which her haunting performance earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. She also voiced the lead character, Chihiro Ogino, in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's popular anime film "Spirited Away." In 2016, she made her final acting appearance in the video game "Let It Die."

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In Memory of Marcia Lucas (1945-2026)

Marcia Lucas (1945-2026)

Marcia Lucas, the Oscar-winning film editor of "Star Wars" and George Lucas's former wife, passed away on May 27th, 2026. She was 80 years old. While George may have created the beloved movie franchise, many regard Marcia, who played a key role in saving Star Wars, as the unsung hero. Without her editing, the film might have been doomed from the outset and faded into obscurity. She is the true heart of the franchise.

Marcia Lou Griffin was born in Modesto, California, on October 4th, 1945. She worked as a film librarian apprentice before becoming a film editor. While working for Verna Fields, a renowned film editor, she met George Lucas, a University of Southern California film student hired as an assistant film editor. The couple married in 1969. Before serving as assistant editor on her then-husband's first directorial feature film, "THX 1138," Lucas assisted in the same role on Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rain People" and Haskell Wexler's "Medium Cool." Subsequently, she became the film editor on George Lucas's follow-up feature, "American Graffiti." The film was a box-office success and earned Lucas an Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing. She then collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on three consecutive movies, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Taxi Driver," and "New York, New York," after which George enlisted her to help edit his 1977 space opera "Star Wars."

George brought Marcia, along with Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch, in to rework the film after he expressed dissatisfaction with John Jympson's rough cut. Her editing turned the Battle of Yavin/Death Star attack into the iconic scene Star Wars fans have enjoyed for generations. In a 2021 article, SFGate described Marcia Lucas as the "secret weapon" of "Star Wars." For their work, Lucas, Hirsch, and Chew won an Oscar for Best Film Editing in 1978.

Marcia later edited the final Star Wars movie, "Return of the Jedi," alongside Sean Barton and Dwayne Dunham. However, her marriage to George was already over. She then left the film industry to spend more time with her family. Nevertheless, she remained involved in the Star Wars universe, particularly by criticising the prequel and sequel trilogies.

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In Memory of James Tolkan (1931-2026)

James Tolkan (1931-2026)

James Tolkan, a character actor renowned for playing stern authority figures, most notably in "Back to the Future" and "Top Gun," passed away. He was 94.

The actor was born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan. He joined the United States Navy and fought in the brutal Korean War. Because of a heart condition, Tolkan received a medical discharge from the Navy. He then trained to become an actor and graduated with a BA in Drama from the University of Iowa. According to an obituary on the "Back to the Future" website, Tolkan took a bus to New York with just $75. He found work on the docks and enrolled in classes with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg to study acting. Tolkan launched his acting career in 1960 with an episode of the television series "The Naked City." In 1966, while working as an understudy for Robert Duvall, he replaced Duvall as the villain Harry Roat in the original Broadway production of "Wait Until Dark," opposite Lee Remick.

Tolkan took on a dual role as Napoleon and his doppelgänger in Woody Allen's movie "Love and Death" and also appeared in the original Broadway cast of "Glengarry Glen Ross." In 1983, he left New York to pursue a career in California and Canada, accepting a small role as an FBI agent in "WarGames."

In 1985, Tolkan shot to fame for playing the slacker-hating vice principal Strickland in "Back to the Future" and its 1989 sequel. In addition to playing the character in the first two, Tolkan also played Strickland's grandfather in "Back to the Future Part III." The following year, he played Tom Cruise's commanding officer, Stinger, in the iconic film "Top Gun." Tolkan maintained an active presence in films and on television until 2011.

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In Memory of Chuck Norris (1940-2026)

Chuck Norris (1940-2026)

Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris has died. He was 86. Norris was a legend in action movies and best known for his roles in "Way of the Dragon," "Missing in Action," and "The Delta Force."

Chuck Norris was born in Oklahoma on March 19, 1940. He joined the Air Force in 1958 and then moved to a US air base in South Korea. During his time there, he studied the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. In 1968, Norris left the military and began competing, achieving considerable success. He won several titles, including the World Professional Middleweight Karate Championship in 1968.

In 1964, while attending a demonstration event in California, Norris met future action star and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee. The two men became friends and acquired a celebrity clientele of Hollywood stars eager to learn from them. For his directing debut, "The Way of the Dragon," Lee cast Norris as his on-screen rival, and the film concludes with their 10-minute final fight. Released in 1972, the film was a tremendous success. Following Lee's death in 1973, Norris remained active in the film industry, securing a leading role in the 1977 trucker action comedy, "Trucker! Trucker!" Its financial success paved the way for Norris's subsequent career in low- to moderate-budget action movies. While these films did not receive significant critical acclaim, they consistently met expectations and helped to establish a loyal fan base for Norris.

Norris's box-office appeal caught Hollywood's attention after early movies such as the martial-arts-heavy thrillers "A Force of One," "The Octagon," and "An Eye for an Eye." Notably, his 1983 thriller "Lone Wolf McQuade," in which Norris plays a Texas Ranger who takes on an arms dealer, proved pivotal in helping him to reach a broader audience. He also appeared in "Missing in Action" (which spawned a trilogy) and "Invasion USA." In 1985, Norris achieved another milestone with "Code of Silence," winning mostly positive reviews for the first time. A year later, he starred in perhaps his most famous action film: "The Delta Force," opposite Lee Marvin, in which Norris played a special forces operative.

In the 1990s, Norris regularly appeared in action movies, many of which were directed by his brother, Aaron. However, he undoubtedly enjoyed his greatest success with the TV series, "Walker, Texas Ranger," inspired by the film "Lone Wolf McQuade." It premiered in 1993 and ran for 8 years, ending in 2001. It featured Norris as the titular law-enforcement officer, who relied on martial arts more often than not. The popular internet meme "Chuck Norris facts" was inspired by it.

In the 2000s, Norris's film appearances became increasingly sporadic. However, he did share the screen with other action-movie legends, including Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Stallone's "The Expendables 2."

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Winners of the 98th Academy Awards

 

Now, here are the winners of the 98th Academy Awards.

The big winner is One Battle After Another, which took home six Oscars, including Best Picture. I'm surprised it wasn't Marty Supreme that received the award.

In line with predictions, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix's record-breaking K-Pop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

Best Film Editing

One Battle After Another - Andy Jurgensen

Best Costume Design

Frankenstein - Kate Hawley

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein - Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cilona Furey

Best Cinematography

Sinners - Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Best Production Design

Frankenstein - Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Best Sound

F1 - Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo and Juan Peralta

Best Original Song

"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters - Music and Lyrics by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath

Best Original Score

Sinners - Ludwig Goransson

Best Casting

One Battle After Another - Cassandra Kulukundis

Best Animated Short Film

The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

Best Live Action Short Film (Tied)

The Singers - Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt

Two People Exchanging Saliva - Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata

Best Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms - Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Best Documentary Feature Film

Mr Nobody Against Putin - David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin, Helle Faber and Alžběta Karásková

Best International Feature Film

Sentimental Value (Norway) in Norwegian and English - Directed by Joachim Trier

Best Animated Feature Film

KPop Demon Hunters - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong

Best Adapted Screenplay

One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson; based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

Best Original Screenplay

Sinners - Ryan Coogler

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Madigan - Weapons as Gladys

Best Supporting Actor

Sean Penn - One Battle After Another as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley - Hamnet as Agnes Shakespeare

Best Actor

Michael B. Jordan - Sinners as Elijah "Smoke" Moore/Elias "Stack" Moore

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another

Best Picture

One Battle After Another - Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers

Honorary Awards

Debbie Allen

Tom Cruise

Wynn Thomas

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Dolly Parton

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In Memory of Robert Duvall (1931-2026)

 

Robert Duvall (1931-2026)

The legendary actor Robert Duvall has passed away. He was 95. Robert is best known for his iconic roles in films such as the first two "Godfather" movies, "The Conversation," "Network," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Natural," spanning a seven-decade career. His wife, Luciana, confirmed the news of his death on his Facebook account. In a poignant message, she spoke of him not only as an Oscar-winning actor and director, but also as her "beloved husband" and dearest friend. Duvall died with dignity and grace, surrounded by love and comfort in his final moments, just as he had lived his life.

A native of San Diego, Duvall was raised in Annapolis, Maryland. His acting career began at Principia College and continued at New York's renowned Neighbourhood Playhouse, where he trained with fellow up-and-coming actors Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, and Gene Hackman. During that time, Duvall earned a living by doing odd jobs around New York, sharing a room with Hoffman and Hackman. He performed in several Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and "A View from the Bridge," and guest-starred on several popular TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone."

He burst onto the screen in 1962, playing Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." His reputation grew with additional small roles in "Bullitt" and "True Grit," and it wasn't until he played the egotistical Frank Burns in "M*A*S*H," a character often mocked by Donald Sutherland's Hawkeye and Elliot Gould's Trapper, that he gained wider recognition. After appearing in Francis Ford Coppola's feminist road movie "The Rain People," Duvall further established his connection with the new wave of Hollywood filmmakers by taking the lead role in George Lucas's 1971 directorial debut, the dystopian science fiction feature "THX 1138." Cinematic immortality beckoned when he played the calmly collected Corleone family attorney, Tom Hagen, in "The Godfather," earning him his first Oscar nomination. He subsequently returned to the role in Coppola's well-received sequel, "The Godfather: Part II." However, years later, he did not return for the third "Godfather" film because Robert couldn't reach an agreement with Paramount Pictures over his salary.

In 1979, Duvall took on the role initially intended for Gene Hackman as Lt. Col Kilgore, a surly, larger-than-life surfing enthusiast, in Coppola's epic Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now," immortalising the line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," delivered under the brim of a black Stetson cavalry hat. Duvall's career continued to flourish as he appeared in a variety of notable films, including the Second World War thriller "The Eagle Has Landed," the newsroom satire "Network," and the sports drama "The Natural." He established himself as a director in 1983 with the semi-improvised drama "Angelo My Love," which tells the story of a Romany street kid in New York.

In 1984, Robert won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as a former country music singer in the critically acclaimed 1983 film "Tender Mercies." He also played a grizzled Los Angeles Police Department veteran in "Colors" opposite Sean Penn. Duvall maintained a steady workload throughout the 1990s, with high-profile appearances in films such as "Days of Thunder," "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Paper," "Falling Down," "Phenomenon," and "Deep Impact." In 1998, he earned his sixth Oscar nomination for his role as a corporate lawyer opposite John Travolta in the drama "A Civil Action." During the same decade, Duvall also embarked on one of his pet projects: the layered drama "The Apostle," which he directed, wrote, and self-financed for $5 million. His performance as a passionate preacher seeking spiritual redemption in the Louisiana bayous earned him critical acclaim and a third Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

In recent years, Duvall's filmography has grown to include roles as gruff cops, wise mentors, and stoic figures in films such as "Gone in 60 Seconds," "John Q," "Secondhand Lions," "Open Range," "We Own the Night," and "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges. He offered memorable performances as the Confederate general Robert E. Lee in "Gods and Generals," a bearded hermit in the post-Depression drama "Get Low," an ageing family patriarch alongside Robert Downey Jr. in "The Judge," and a bigoted political mastermind in Steve McQueen's "Widows." For his role in "The Judge," Duvall received yet another Oscar nomination. He also directed two more films: "Assassination Tango" and "Wild Horses."

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In Memory of Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

The actress Catherine O'Hara has died. She was 71. The Emmy Award-winning, Canadian-born actress is best known for playing Kevin's mother in the first two "Home Alone" movies and Moira Rose in the TV series "Schitt's Creek."

O'Hara began her comedic career in The Second City in Toronto in the 1970s, where she helped create the Canadian sketch show "SCTV" with John Candy, Dave Thomas, and Rick Moranis. After NBC picked up the show for broadcast in the United States, it was renamed "SCTV Network '90." In 1982, O'Hara won her first Emmy for Outstanding Writing on the episode "Moral Majority Show."

She first appeared on the big screen in the 1980s romantic comedy "Nothing Personal," starring alongside Donald Sutherland. In 1985, she received international attention for her role in Martin Scorsese's black comedy "After Hours," thereby establishing herself as a multifaceted performer. In 1988, O'Hara played Delia Deetz in Tim Burton's horror-comedy film "Beetlejuice," reprising the role in the 2024 sequel. She met her first husband, production designer Bo Welch, on the set of the original. The pair married in 1992. O'Hara famously played the careless mother of Macaulay Culkin's character in the hugely successful 1990 comedy "Home Alone," before reprising her role in the sequel.

In 1996, she appeared in Christopher Guest's improvised mockumentary "Waiting for Guffman" alongside the rest of the cast. Her co-stars included Guest, Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, and Parker Posey. The film received critical acclaim and gained a cult following. Later, she teamed up with Guest and the rest of the cast for several follow-up movies, including "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration."

O'Hara has also lent her voice to numerous animated films, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Chicken Little," "Over the Hedge," "Monster House," "Frankenweenie," and most recently, "The Wild Robot." She had roles in several TV shows, including "The Larry Sanders Show," "Committed," "Six Feet Under," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Glenn Martin, DDS," "30 Rock," and "Modern Family," on the small screen. O'Hara even starred as the eccentric former TV star Moira Rosa in the sitcom "Schitt's Creek," which premiered in 2015. It lasted for six seasons and secured her a second Emmy in 2020.

She earned an Emmy nomination for her role in "The Last of Us," which was one of her recent television appearances. She also appeared in the Netflix TV series "A Series of Unfortunate Events." O'Hara had recently starred in the critically acclaimed comedy series "The Studio," alongside Seth Rogen. Her performance earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

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98th Academy Awards

Broadcast Date: 16th March 2026 - Australia

Hello everyone. The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 are finally here! Conan O'Brien will host this year's ceremony. Leading up the categories this year is the horror movie Sinners.

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

F1 - Ryan Tudhope, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier and Keith Dawson

Jurassic World Rebirth - David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Cain and Neil Corbould

The Lost Bus - Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen and Brandon K. McLaughlin

Sinners - Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter and Donnie Dean

Best Film Editing

F1 - Stephen Mirrione

Marty Supreme - Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie

One Battle After Another - Andy Jurgensen

Sentimental Value - Olivier Bugge Coutte

Sinners - Michael P. Shawver

Best Costume Design

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Deborah L. Scott

Frankenstein - Kate Hawley

Hamnet - Malgosia Turzanska

Marty Supreme - Miyako Bellizzi

Sinners - Ruth E. Carter

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein - Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cilona Furey

Kokuho - Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu

Sinners - Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry

The Smashing Machine - Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein

The Ugly Stepsister - Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg

Best Cinematography

Frankenstein - Dan Laustsen

Marty Supreme - Darius Khondji

One Battle After Another - Michael Bauman

Sinners - Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Train Dreams - Adolpho Veloso

Best Production Design

Frankenstein - Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Hamnet - Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton

Marty Supreme - Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis

One Battle After Another - Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino

Sinners - Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagne

Best Sound

F1 - Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo and Juan Peralta

Frankenstein - Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke and Brad Zoern

One Battle After Another - Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio and Tony Villafor

Sinners - Chris Weckler, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor and Steve Boeddeker

Sirat - Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas and Yasmina Praderas

Best Original Song

"Dear Me" from Diane Warren: Relentless - Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren

"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters - Music and Lyrics by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath

"I Lied to You" from Sinners - Music and Lyrics by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson

"Sweet Dreams of Joy" from Viva Verdi! - Music and Lyrics by Nicholas Pike

"Train Dreams" from Train Dreams - Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyrics by Nick Cave

Best Original Score

Bugonia - Jerskin Fendrix

Frankenstein - Alexandre Desplat

Hamnet - Max Richter

One Battle After Another - Jonny Greenwood

Sinners - Ludwig Goransson

Best Casting

Hamnet - Nina Gold

Marty Supreme - Jennifer Venditti

One Battle After Another - Cassandra Kulukundis

The Secret Agent - Gabriel Domignues

Sinners - Francine Maisler  

Best Animated Short Film

Butterfly - Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens

Forevergreen - Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears

The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

Retirement Plan - John Kelly and Andrew Freedman

The Three Sisters - Konstantin Bronzit

Best Live Action Short Film

Butcher's Stain - Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron Caspi

A Friend of Dorothy - Lee Knight and James Dean

Jane Austen's Period Drama - Julia Aks and Steve Pinder

The Singers - Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt

Two People Exchanging Saliva - Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata

Best Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms - Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud - Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo

Children No More: "Were and Are Gone" - Hilla Medalia and Shelia Nevins

The Devil Is Busy - Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir

Perfectly a Strangeness - Alison McAlpine

Best Documentary Feature Film

The Alabama Solution - Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman

Come and See Me in the Good Light - Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro and Stef Willen

Cutting Through Rocks - Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni

Mr Nobody Against Putin - Nominees to be determined

The Perfect Neighbor - Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu and Sam Bisbee

Best International Feature Film

The Secret Agent (Brazil) in Portuguese and German - Directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho

It Was Just an Accident (France) in Persian and Azerbaijani - Directed by Jafar Panahi

Sentimental Value (Norway) in Norwegian and English - Directed by Joachim Trier

Sirat (Spain) in Spanish, French and Arabic - Directed by Oliver Laxe

The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia) in Arabic - Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania

Best Animated Feature Film

Arco - Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman

Elio - Madeline Sharafin, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm

KPop Demon Hunters - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong

Little Amelie or the Character of Rain - Mailys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon

Zootopia 2 - Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino

Best Adapted Screenplay

Bugonia - Will Tracy; based on the film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan

Frankenstein - Guillermo del Toro; based on the novel by Mary Shelley

Hamnet - Chloe Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell; based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell

One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson, based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

Train Dreams - Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar; based on the novella by Dennis Johnson

Best Original Screenplay

Blue Moon - Robert Kaplow

It Was Just an Accident - Jafar Panahi in collaboration with Shadmehr Rastin, Nader Saivar and Mendu Mahmoudian

Marty Supreme - Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie

Sentimental Value - Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier

Sinners - Ryan Coogler

Best Supporting Actress

Elle Fanning - Sentimental Value as Rachel Kemp

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - Sentimental Value as Agnes Borg Pettersen

Amy Madigan - Weapons as Gladys

Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners as Annie

Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another as Perfidia Beverly Hilla

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio del Toro - One Battle After Another as Sensei Sergio St. Carlos

Jacob Elordi - Frankenstein as The Creature

Delroy Sindo - Sinners as Delta Slim

Sean Penn - One Battle After Another as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw

Stellan Skarsgard - Sentimental Value as Gustav Borg

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley - Hamnet as Agnes Shakespeare

Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You as Linda

Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue as Claire Sardina

Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value as Nora Borg

Emma Stone - Bugonia as Michelle Fuller

Best Actor

Timothée Chalamet - Marty Supreme as Marty Mauser

Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another as Bob Ferguson

Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon as Lorenz Hart

Michael B. Jordan - Sinners as Elijah "Smoke" Moore/Elias "Stack" Moore

Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent as Armando Solimoes/Marcelo Alves/Fernando Solimoes

Best Director

Chloe Zhao - Hamnet

Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme

Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another

Joachim Trier - Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler - Sinners

Best Picture

Bugonia - Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone and Lars Knudsen, producers

F1 - Chad Oman, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, producers

Frankenstein - Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber, producers

Hamnet - Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, producers

Marty Supreme - Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Anthony Katagas and Timothée Chalamet, producers

One Battle After Another - Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers

The Secret Agent - Emilie Lesclaux, producer

Sentimental Value - Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, producers

Sinners - Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler, producers

Train Dreams - Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer and Michael Heimler, producers

Honorary Awards

Debbie Allen

Tom Cruise

Wynn Thomas

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Dolly Parton

Make sure you let me know who the winners are.

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In Memory of Rob Reiner (1947-2025)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rob Reiner (1947-2025)

Rob Reiner, a famous director and actor who first gained recognition in "All in the Family" and went on to direct such classic films as "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men," apparently died alongside his wife in their home. He was 78. Their cause of death was apparent homicide, as they received multiple stab wounds.

Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1947, Reiner is the son of the legendary comic actor Carl Reiner and singer Estelle Rebost. In the 1960s, he began his acting career, appearing in minor roles on television shows such as "Batman," "That Girl," "The Beverly Hillbillies," and "The Partridge Family." In 1971, Reiner landed his first notable role as the countercultural Michael "Meathead" Stivic in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family," which ran for nine seasons. He received two of the five Emmy nominations for his performance and five further Golden Globe nominations for the same role.

In 1984, Reiner transitioned from television acting to film directing with the renowned mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," which satirised the excesses of the wildly popular heavy metal scene at the time. He built on his success with a string of hits, including "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men," the latter of which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Reiner's box-office success began to wane in the late 1990s as the writer-director turned to more topical subject matter, such as "Ghosts of Mississippi," which dealt with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and "LBJ," which covered the presidential career of Lyndon Johnson. More recently, he directed "Shock and Awe," a film about the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He also directed subsequent movies, including "The American President," "The Bucket List," and his final film, the 2025 sequel "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues." Reiner also continued to take on minor roles in films such as "Sleepless in Seattle," in which he played Tom Hanks' friend, as well as in "Postcards from the Edge," "The First Wives Club," and "The Wolf of Wall Street." He often played himself in comedies, such as "30 Rock," "The Simpsons," "Hannah Montana," "The Larry Sanders Show," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Reiner also co-founded the production company Castle Rock Entertainment, which is responsible for hit films and television shows, including "Seinfeld," "City Slickers," "In the Line of Fire," "Malice," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Lone Star," and "Miss Congeniality."

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In Memory of Diane Ladd (1935-2025)

Diane Ladd (1935-2025)

The legendary actress Diane Ladd has died. She was 89 years old. Her daughter, actress Laura Dern, confirmed her death on Monday, just three months after she lost her husband of 26 years. She appeared in more than 200 films and television programmes, including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild At Heart," and "Rambling Rose." The latter two films featured Ladd's daughter, Dern, in a starring role.

Throughout their careers, the pair frequently collaborated, often playing mother and daughter on screen. Most recently, they appeared together in Mike White's highly acclaimed TV series "Enlightened," which ran for two seasons from 2011 to 2013 and earned a strong cult following.

In the 1950s, Ladd began her acting career on television, appearing in shows such as "Perry Mason," "The Fugitive," "Gunsmoke," and "The Big Valley." In 1974, she starred in Roman Polanski's crime drama "Chinatown," opposite Jack Nicholson. That same year, she co-starred with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese's celebrated comedy-drama "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." Her performance earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Later, she starred in the TV spin-off "Alice."

In the eighties, she appeared in "Black Widow" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." A decade later, she received another Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in "Wild At Heart." Another nomination for her role in "Rambling Rose" arrived the following year. In the 1990s, she appeared in the comedy "Cemetery Club," which reunited her with Ellen Burstyn. She also starred in the political comedy "Primary Colors" opposite John Travolta, and in Alexander Payne's "Citizen Ruth." Over the course of the decade, she also received Emmy nominations for her work on "Touched by an Angel, "Grace Under Fire," and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

Ladd continued to appear in films, including the comedy-drama "Daddy and Them", David Lynch's "Inland Empire," "28 Days" opposite Sandra Bullock, "The World's Fastest Indian" with Anthony Hopkins, and "Joy" with Jennifer Lawrence. She later appeared in TV shows, such as "Ray Donovan" and "Young Sheldon."

Ladd was married three times. One of her husbands was actor Bruce Dern, with whom she had two daughters, including Laura and another, who tragically drowned in a swimming pool at 18 months old. Their marriage lasted for 9 years. Ladd was also the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams.

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In Memory of Robert Redford (1936-2025)

Robert Redford (1936-2025)

The legendary actor Robert Redford has died. He was 89 years old. He is most famous for his roles in films such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "All the President's Men," and "The Sting." One of the most iconic movie stars of the 1970s, Redford bridged the gap between the Hollywood new wave and the mainstream film industry with ease. Over the ensuing decades, he also became an Oscar-winning director and producer. He also spearheaded the development of American independent cinema by co-founding the Sundance Film Festival, whose platform showcased films such as "Reservoir Dogs," "The Blair Witch Project," "Donnie Darko," "Fruitvale Station," and "Coda."

Born in 1936 as Charles Robert Redford, he grew up in Los Angeles, California. After being expelled from the University of Colorado, he enrolled on an acting course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Following a series of minor roles in television, theatre, and film, he began to gain recognition in the early 1960s. In 1962, he earned an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Voice of Charlie Pont," after which he secured a lead role in the original 1963 Broadway production of Neil Simon's renowned play "Barefoot in the Park." Redford's big break came in 1965, when he played a bisexual film star opposite Natalie Wood in "Inside Daisy Clover." For this performance, he received a Golden Globe nomination.

Fame came to Redford after a period of successes in Hollywood, including "The Chase" and the screen adaptation of "Barefoot in the Park." His career reached new heights with "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," the hugely popular 1969 outlaw western in which he starred alongside Paul Newman and Katherine Ross. It received seven Oscar nominations, though not for the actors. In the 1970s, he appeared in such films as "The Way We Were" with Barbara Streisand, "The Sting" again with Paul Newman, "Three Days of the Condor," "All the President's Men," and "The Electric Horseman."

Following an extended hiatus from acting in the late 1970s, Redford launched his directing career with the ensemble drama "Ordinary People," based on Judith Guest's novel. It performed well at the box office, winning four Oscars in 1981, including Best Picture and Best Director for Redford. It remained the only recognition he never received for his acting. In the 1980s and 1990s, he continued to enjoy success as an actor, though perhaps with less groundbreaking impact than he had in the 1970s. He appeared in "The Natural" and "Out of Africa" before resuming his directorial career with "The Milagro Beanfield War" and "A River Runs Through It," both of which tackle rural America in different ways.

A year later, he reached a turning point of sorts with the erotic thriller "Indecent Proposal," a pure Hollywood venture in which his character, a businessman, offers a million dollars to sleep with Demi Moore's character. It reinstated Redford's status as a commercial presence. In the 1990s, he directed two films: "Quiz Show" and "The Horse Whisperer," for which he also starred.

During this period, the Sundance Film Festival, co-founded by Redford's production company in 1978 as the Utah/US Film Festival and renamed after Redford's Sundance Institute in 1984, emerged as a prominent showcase for American independent cinema. The festival promoted the work of renowned filmmakers such as Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Kevin Smith. Its impact increased further in subsequent decades, establishing itself as a platform for promoting movies and helping them to achieve commercial success and awards recognition. Notable films showcased include "500 Days of Summer," "Napoleon Dynamite," "Whiplash," "Fruitvale Station," and "Coda."

While "Lions for Lambs," his 2007 film about the Afghan War, was a failure, "All Is Lost," his 2013 survival-at-sea drama, was a notable improvement. In this film, he delivered an exceptional solo performance. In 2014, Redford joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Alexander Pierce in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." He played the same role in a cameo appearance in "Avengers: Endgame" in 2009. Redford cut back on his directorial work in the mid-2010s, relinquishing his role as steward of the Sundance Film Festival and confirming his retirement from acting. His last significant role was in the David Lowery-directed 2018 crime drama "The Old Man & The Gun."

Throughout his lifetime, Redford received numerous accolades, including an Honorary Oscar in 2002.

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In Memory of Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

The renowned British actor Terence Stamp has passed away at the age of 87. He was best known for his roles as General Zod in the first two "Superman" films and Bernadette in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

Born on 22 July 1938 in Stepney, East London, to a working-class family, Stamp initially attended a grammar school before embarking on a career in advertising. After winning a scholarship to study at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, he secured his first film role in "Billy Budd" in 1962. He later received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer for the movie. Stamp subsequently starred in "The Collector," "Modesty Blaise," and "Far From the Madding Crowd," emerging as one of the most prominent icons of 1960s London. He had romantic relationships with supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actresses Brigitte Bardot and Julie Christie, the latter of whom was his co-star in "Far From the Madding Crowd."

In 1978, after being out of work for eight years, Terence Stamp jumped at the opportunity to play the malevolent Kryptonian General Zod in Richard Donner's "Superman" and its sequel, "Superman II." Stamp's portrayal of Zod was not his only appearance in a DC Comics production. Decades later, he lent his voice to Jor-El in the 2000s TV series "Smallville."

Stamp appeared in several mainstream films during the 1980s, including "Wall Street," "Young Guns," "Legal Eagles," and "Alien Nation." He shared the screen with John Hurt and Tim Roth (in his debut) in director Stephen Frears' 1984 crime film, "The Hit."

In 1994, he impressed critics and audiences alike with his groundbreaking portrayal of trans woman and drag queen Bernadette Bassenger opposite Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce in the Australian road comedy "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," which earned him Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. In 1999, he played Supreme Chancellor Valorum in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," which he later described as a "dull experience." That same year, he also appeared in the comedy "Bowfinger" alongside Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. He also starred in Steven Soderbergh's crime thriller "The Limey," playing an English criminal who comes to the US to uncover the truth behind his daughter's death. For this role, he earned more recognition.

After appearing in "The Phantom Menace" and "The Limey," Stamp made further film appearances in "Red Planet," "The Haunted Mansion," and "Elektra," in which he played the blind sensei Sticks alongside Jennifer Garner as the eponymous Marvel Comics assassin.

In recent years, he appeared in films such as "Wanted," "Get Smart," "Yes Man," "Valkyrie," "Big Eyes," "The Adjustment Bureau," and "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children." His last film role was in the 2021 psychological thriller "Last Night in Soho," directed by Edgar Wright. In addition to appearing on television and the stage, Stamp also lent his voice to video games, including "Halo 3" and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion."

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