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The sci-fi/fantasy genre has hit an all-time high with numerous new movies and shows. Epic sagas like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones have proven that viewers want to see more. Which sci-fi/fantasy series from the 1980s are due for a revival?

There are many 80s classics that have, or are currently, being reworked for the modern age, including a live-action He-Man and the Masters of the Universe movie, a Highlander reboot, a Predator sequel, and more. But that's just scratching the surface:

Knight Rider

David Hasselhoff brought Michael Knight, an undercover detective, to life in the NBC series Knight Rider. The series aired on the network from 1982 to 1986 and was an innovative story at that time. Knight was given a new identity after being shot and nearly killed in the line of duty, thanks to billionaire Wilton Knight, founder of the Foundation...

New Girl's Hannah Simone has given fans a look at what could have been in a series of photos that showcase her superhero costume in the planned reboot of The Greatest American Hero. The Greatest American Hero was a superhero comedy series that aired on ABC from 1981 to 1983 and starred William Katt as the titular character, a school teacher given a super suit by an alien race that he must learn how to use in trial by error due to having lost the instruction manual. In 2017, plans for a reboot of The Greatest American Hero were announced with Hannah Simone, hot off New Girl concluding its run, set to star. Sadly, the network passed on the pilot.

Now, nearly eight years later, Simone took to Instagram to show fans the super suit for The Greatest American Hero. In contrast to the original costume, which was a onesie spandex look...

In January of 1972, ABC first aired the made for television movie The Night Stalker. It was based on Jeff Rice’s unpublished novel The Kolchak Papers, which was adapted for tv by Richard Matheson. In The Night Stalker, newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak is investigating a series of murders in Las Vegas in which women are discovered dead and drained of blood, strange puncture marks evident on their necks. Kolchak eventually discovers that the killer is a vampire.

At the time, The Night Stalker was the highest rated television movie of all time, and Matheson won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar award for Best TV Feature or Miniseries Teleplay. A sequel tv movie called The Night Strangler aired in 1973, followed by the series Kolchak: The Night Stalker, which aired on ABC from 1974 – 1975. In the series, Kolchak investigated cases of a paranormal/supernatural nature, involving werewolves, aliens and even Jack the Ripper.

William Katt took a telekinetic date to the prom in Carrie, moved into a hellish home with a mind of its own in House, and flew into a billboard and lived to tell the tale in The Greatest American Hero. In an acting career spanning six decades, there's no doubt that William Katt has played memorable characters on both the stage and screen, but for his latest role, he's breathing new life into an iconic character by narrating the audiobook release of Jeff Rice's Kolchak: The Night Stalker novel, a seminal piece of initially unpublished fiction that became the basis for The Night Stalker, a made-for-tv movie starring Darren McGavin that thrilled and chilled enough viewers in 1972 to convince ABC to conjure up another TV film, The Night Strangler, before eventually leading to the short-lived yet beloved Kolchak: The Night Stalker TV series that ran from 1974–75.

Following resourceful reporter...

The must-watch made-for-tv movies, the cult ’70s series, and the endearing performances by Darren McGavin as he investigated all manner of paranormal predicaments: anything and everything that had to do with Kolchak: The Night Stalker all started with Jeff Rice's unpublished novel, which is being resurrected on February 11th by James Aquilone's Monstrous Books, who have teamed up with Blackstone Audio to release an audiobook version that will be narrated by legendary actor William Katt!

Read on for additional details on the Kolchak: The Night Stalker audiobook (including Katt's excitement to step into the world of Kolchak), and to learn more this new release of Rice's novel, read our previous Q&a with James Aquilone and visit Monstrous Books' official website!

In 1972 Kolchak: The Night Stalker transfixed audiences. The movie became the highest-rated TV movie in U.S. history and spawned the cult TV series starring Darren McGavin.

Image Source: Amazon Back in 1981, superheroes weren’t dominating television like they are today. Surprisingly, there was only one live-action superhero show on the air—The Greatest American Hero. This series didn’t just stand out because it was alone in its lane; it earned its place with a blend of humor, heart, and a quirky twist on the superhero formula that set it apart. The show gleefully leaned into its lighthearted tone, playfully riffing on the classic superhero tales while riding the wave of the Superman movies success. While it never became a ratings juggernaut, it found another way to embed itself into pop culture. Its theme song, Believe It or Not, became an unexpected musical hit, soaring onto the pop charts and capturing the feel-good spirit of the show. At its core, the story centered on Ralph Hinkley, a regular, somewhat hapless school teacher who finds himself thrust...

In addition to the nine years of constant synthesized slap bass, one of the most memorable musical moments from Seinfeld was, of course, George’s answering machine message. Who can forget how he gratingly croons, “Believe it or not, George isn’t at home, please leave a message at the beep…”

Younger fans may not be aware that this particular earworm wasn’t an original composition for the show; the melody belongs to the theme song for the ‘80s superhero series The Greatest American Hero. Of course, the original lyrics weren’t about George Costanza’s inability to answer his phone.

It was composed by Mike Post (with lyrics by Stephen Geyer), the same guy who gave us old school theme song bangers like “Magnum P.I.” and “Theme From L.A. Law.” While people rarely tend to listen to theme songs outside of their TV watching time, “Theme from The Greatest American Hero...

This year gifts us the 40th anniversary of the major motion picture “Streets of Fire.” In 1984, Walter Hill’s ambitious “rock & roll fable” sported a killer soundtrack and an all-star cast, how could it possibly have failed? Oh, right, it was released against both “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (the summer of 1984 was stacked). And that aforementioned all-star cast? Including Diane Lane, Willem Dafoe, Rick Moranis, Bill Paxton, and Amy Madigan? None of them were famous yet.

But, over the past 40 years, Hill’s “Streets of Fire” has developed quite a robust following. (In 1984, its biggest cultural footprint was probably the song “I Can Dream About You,” performed by fictional group The Sorels in the film and Dan Hartman in reality, which peaked at number six on Billboard’s Hot 100 and got extensive play on MTV.)

The plot? Well, describing...

Tony Mordente, who made his mark on Broadway as a dancer and choreographer, played the hot-headed Jet named Action in the 1961 film West Side Story and later segued into a long and busy career as a director of such TV series as Family Ties, Walker Texas Ranger and 7th Heaven, died June 11 in Henderson, Nevada, following a brief illness. He was 88.

His death was announced by his family, including daughter Lisa, whom he shared with his first wife, the late Chita Rivera.

Born December 3, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, Mordente began dancing at the age of 13, and trained at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts and American Ballet Theater School, which led to the launch of his Broadway career as Lonesome Polecat in 1956’s Lil’ Abner.

Related: Michael Callan Dies: ‘Cat Ballou’ Star, Riff In Original ‘West Side Story’ On Broadway Was 86

Tony Mordente in 2005

His next stage...

Terrence Beasor, a veteran character and voice-over actor best known for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, The Gods Must Be Crazy and recurring roles on The Middle and Raising Hope, has died. He was 89.

A rep said Beasor died May 28 at his home in Santa Monica with his wife of 55-plus years, actress Muriel Minot, by his side.

Beasor appeared on dozens of TV shows during his 40-year career, including The Incredible Hulk, The Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Hardcastle and McCormick, Hill Street Blues, Cheers, L.A. Law, Dynasty, Hunter, Knot’s Landing, Simon & Simon, Police Squad!, Chicago Hope, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Scandal, Angie Tribeca, The Grinder, Hot In Cleveland, Scrubs, Gilmore Girls, The District, Suddenly Susan, Days of Our Lives and Murder, She Wrote.

He also did voice work on several Star Trek series and video games and offscreen announcing on movies and TV shows including Jaws: The Revenge,...

Detective Murtaugh sees a mysterious man pull out a weapon in the middle of a police station. He heroically jumps into action to protect, serve, and tackle. But it turns out it is just good ol’ Mel Gibson, who overpowers and flips this 50-year-old character, played by a 40-year-old actor, Danny Glover. Humiliated and hurt, Danny Glover spits out an iconic line that has come to define his career and become a meme, “I’m too old for this shit.” Danny Glover was too old for this shit three decades ago… but he has kept on grinding, making motion pictures ever since. But maybe Danny Glover is too old for this shit… if that “shit” is good movies. Oh, I kid! I kid!

Glover may not have any Oscars, but he did get a late start in his movie career, having broken out in his 40s. So, what has Danny Glover,...

Andre Roussimoff, popularly known as Andre the Giant was regarded as ‘the Eighth Wonder of the World’ due to his great size. Although he is mostly known for his contributions to the wrestling world since the World Wide Wrestling Foundation (Wwwf) promoter Vincent McMahon booked him as a ‘special attraction’, he famously played the character of a giant named Fezzik in the 1987 movie The Princess Bride.

Recently, The Princess Bride actress Robin Wright shed some light on her relationship with Andre the Giant, and the incident she recounted from her days on the movie’s set could not be more heartwarming.

Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride

Robin Wright on How Andre the Giant Helped Her During the Filming of The Princess Bride

After making his USA acting debut in a two-part episode of the 1976 TV series The Six Million Dollar Man, French wrestler Andre the Giant...

Rod Holcomb, an Emmy-winning TV director of “ER,” “Lost” and other series, died Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 80.

Holcomb was best known for directing both the pilot and the series finale of “ER,” winning an Emmy for that farewell episode in 2009. He was nominated four four Primetime Emmys over his career, and also nominated for three DGA awards — winning one in 1995 for the “ER” pilot. Holcomb directed 21 pilots over his career, with the remarkable track record of 15 going to series.

“Every good director will elevate the material on the page. His job is to elevate it visually, to give it the weight of an art form,” Holcomb told Variety in 2011. “In a way, it’s easier to determine with a show that you know very well as a viewer, and if you know the contours and the voice of the show, then you can more easily answer some key questions.

Rod Holcomb, an Emmy-winning ER director who also helmed Battlestar Galactica, The Six Million Dollar Man, China Beach and dozens of other shows and was a longtime Directors Guild negotiating committee menber, has died. He was 80.

The DGA said Holcomb died Wednesday in Los Angeles after a long illness.

“The DGA deeply mourns the passing of Rod Holcomb — a visionary director whose impact on television direction and the creative rights of television directors cannot be overstated,” DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. “Rod’s influence as a pilot director on shows like China Beach and ER among many others, resonated deeply with directors and audiences alike, leaving a cultural imprint. His pioneering use of Steadicam and other techniques brought a more cinematic style to television, helping establish a visual aesthetic that continues today.”

Holcomb helmed hundreds of TV episodes during his 40-year career, scoring four career Emmy...

Harry Johnson, an actor who appeared on dozens of shows throughout his 40-year career, including Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Law & Order, has died. He was 81.

Johnson died Tuesday, his rep Jonathan Erickson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

“It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Atb Talent client Harry Johnson,” Atb Talent Agency shared in a statement. “With a career spanning over 40 years, Harry was a true talent and cherished member of the community. His impact on the entertainment industry will be remembered and celebrated. Our hearts go out to his friends and family, including Christiane, his wife of 15 years and stepchildren, Oliver and Penelope. May his memory be a blessing to all.”

Born on Dec. 27, 1942, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Johnson began his acting career in 1978, when he appeared in the pilot episode of Battlestar Galactica,...

Harry Johnson, an actor with scores of credits spanning 40 years that ranged from the original Battlestar Galactica to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, several Dick Wolf series and the famous “Harry & Louise” commercials, died January 2 of in Los Angeles after a long illness. He was 81.

His wife, Christiane, confirmed his passing to Deadline.

Born on December 27, 1942, in Plainfield, NJ, he often credited as Chip Johnson in the 1970s and ’80s and was among the last contract players for Universal Studios. Johnson began his screen career with the multi-part pilot episode of Battlestar Galactica in 1978 and went on to guest-star on dozens of TV series including M*A*S*H, Quincy M.E., The Incredible Hulk, Simon & Simon, The Greatest American Hero, Highway to Heaven, The A-Team, L.A. Law, Dynasty, Who’s the Boss?, Thirtysomething, Melrose Place, Party of Five, Roswell, Resurrection Blvd., Judging Amy, Days of Our Lives and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

He was...

The Greatest American Hero became a cult classic when it was first released in 1981. The dramedy covered the adventures of a schoolteacher gifted with a super-powered suit by aliens, who loses the instruction manual and can't quite figure out how it works. A smart reboot of The Greatest American Hero could be a great tonic for superhero fatigue.

For the superhero genre, 2023 can't end quickly enough. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opened to poor reviews and anemic box office, joining the likes of Shazam: Fury of the Gods and The Flash as the Dceu comes to an ignominious end. The Marvel Cinematic Universe fared only slightly better. While Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 did well, both Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels floundered, leaving the current king of the pop-culture cage in decidedly dire straits. Superhero fatigue is undeniable at this point, and while the MCU...

Elizabeth Hoffman, best known for starring in NBC‘s Sisters in the ’90s (pictured above), died at the age of 97. The veteran actress passed away on August 21 in her home in Malibu, according to her son Chris (via The Hollywood Reporter). Hoffman was born on February 8, 1926, and started out in theater before her first onscreen role came via Little House of the Prairie; she appeared in three episodes of the series from 1980 to 1981. She also appeared in the film Fear No Evil in 1981. In the years following her episodes of Little House on the Prairie, Hoffman appeared on shows such as The Greatest American Hero, The Winds of War, The A-Team, Blue Thunder, and Hunter. Her other TV roles included L.A. Law, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Matlock, and thirtysomething, leading up to the aforementioned NBC series. Hoffman played Eleanor Roosevelt in two miniseries, The Winds of War in 1983 and War and Remembrance,...

Elizabeth Hoffman, who portrayed Beatrice Reed Ventnor, the mother of the daughters played by Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips during the entire six-season run of the NBC drama Sisters, has died. She was 97.

Hoffman died Aug. 21 of natural causes at her home in Malibu, her son Chris told The Hollywood Reporter.

Hoffman stood out as Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1983 and 1988-89 Herman Wouk miniseries The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, directed by Dan Curtis and starring Robert Mitchum.

She also portrayed Meryl Streep’s mom in Curtis Hanson’s The River Wild (1994) and the elderly Ruth, the mother-in-law of Linda Hamilton’s character who lives in a cabin at the base of the volcano, in Roger Donaldson’s Dante’s Peak (1997).

Hoffman’s depressed Bea sets Sisters in motion when her four daughters reunite to care for her after she turns to alcohol to deal...

It’s not often that a movie which made less than $5 million at the box office will still be talked about four decades later, but Eddie and the Cruisers fits the bill. Despite the fact that it was a box office disaster, the film spawned a hit soundtrack, had a pair of hit singles, and became a cult hit through cable airings and home video. When the film was being shot, Michael Paré was a young actor working on The Greatest American Hero, and Eddie and the Cruisers was his big screen debut. Speaking at a fan event, Paré said he was as shocked as anybody else when the film started to take on a whole new life. (Click on the media bar below to hear Michael Paré) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Michael_PAre_Eddie_and_the_crusiers_.mp3

Eddie and the Cruisers is available on DVD, Blu-Ray,...

‘Elsbeth’ Flies To France

Paramount Global Content Distribution has licensed the highly anticipated CBS Studios series “Elsbeth” to TF1 in France.

Starring Emmy Award winner Carrie Preston, “Elsbeth” is based on the popular character of Elsbeth Tascioni, the astute but unconventional attorney featured in “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight.” “The series has been highly sought after in the French territory and this agreement will provide TF1 viewers exclusive access to the series in the market,” Paramount Global Content Distribution said.

The new series finds Elsbeth in New York City tackling a new investigative role and working alongside the NYPD after leaving her successful legal career in Chicago.

“TF1 is delighted to welcome this new series, driven by the talent of the amazing Carrie Preston,” said Sophie Leveaux, Tfi’s artistic director of acquisitions and international drama development, noting that the “Good Wife” universe was adored by audiences. “‘Elsbeth...

Football legend Dick Butkus, who played for the Chicago Bears, has passed away at the age of 80. He had a distinguished career, participating in eight Pro Bowls and being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and NFL Hall of Fame. Butkus had a successful acting career, appearing in TV shows and movies such as Brian's Song, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Wonder Woman. Butkus had a long-lasting marriage with his high school sweetheart, Helen, and they had three children together. Their love story began while they were still in high school and continued throughout their lives.

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus has died. The legendary sports star and actor passed away in his sleep, according to a statement provided by his family. Unlike many other athletes who have the privilege to go pro, Butkus enjoyed the luxury of playing in his home state of Illinois during...

Stars: Emile Hirsch, Jake Manley, Alexandria DeBerry, John Cusack, Andrew Stevens, William Katt, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow | Written by Brian Skiba, Ben Fiore, Dawn Bursteen | Directed by Brian Skiba

It took about ten minutes for me to realize that Pursuit was going to be an epic shitshow. That’s how long it takes to get to the first shootout. Between the overuse of slow motion, blood that looks like red paint and a pile of cash that explodes into the air for no apparent reason it’s more laughable than funny.

As it turns out Rick Calloway has just shot up an undercover police operation. Why? Because the same dealers the police were targeting apparently were involved in the disappearance of his wife. So, being an expert hacker he disabled the police cameras and went in shooting. After a chase through Little Rock pretending to be the Big Apple in which...

Eileen Saki, who appeared in several iconic late-’70s television shows and for years played the owner of Rose’s Bar on “M*A*S*H,” has died, her rep confirmed Tuesday. She was 79.

Saki, who was born and raised in Japan, “passed away peacefully in Los Angeles yesterday, May 1,” her rep Camilla Pines told TheWrap on Tuesday. Pines said Saki, who survived a lung cancer diagnosis in 2004, had recently “got a second chance at auditioning and working in the industry that she loved so much,” even shooting a couple of big commercial projects before her January diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

“She was often recognized by face or even just voice by people who knew they knew her ‘from somewhere’ – and loved talking to young actors about the journey,” Pines said.

On “M*A*S*H,” Saki played Rosie, the back-talking proprietor of the 4077’s favorite after-work haunt, which was based on a real Korean War-time bar in Seoul.

Eileen Saki, who portrayed Rosie, the sassy boss of the popular watering hole that hosted Hawkeye Pierce, Hot Lips Houlihan and others from the 4077th on the legendary series M*A*S*H, has died. She was 79.

Saki died Monday in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, her rep, Camilla Fluxman Pines, told The Hollywood Reporter.

The delightful Saki appeared as the owner of Rose’s Bar — which actually existed in Seoul during the Korean War — on eight episodes of the CBS series from 1976 until its 1981 conclusion. (Frances Fong had played Rosie a couple of times in 1976-77.)

Earlier, Saki had portrayed the head madam of a brothel impressed by Cpl. Klinger’s (Jamie Farr) wardrobe on the show’s fifth-season premiere episode, “Bug Out,” which aired in September 1976.

She also showed up on other TV series including Good Times, CHiPs, The Greatest American Hero, Gimme a Break!...

Actress Eileen Saki has sadly passed away. TMZ reports that Saki, who's well known to M*A*S*H fans for her role as Rosie the bar owner, died in L.A. on Monday after a battle with cancer. She was 79 years old.

Rosie, the character who owned Rosie's Bar, was portrayed by three actresses, first in one episode by Shizuko Hoshi and then in two episodes by Frances Fong. Saki would play the character in eight episodes after taking over the role, becoming the one most closely associated with the character. The character's final appearance was in the tenth season episode "Snap Judgment." Additionally, before taking on the role of Rosie, Saki had also appeared in a season 5 episode as a different character, playing the head Madam of a group of prostitutes.

Saki can also be remembered for her notable role in the 1984 fantasy rom-com Splash. Directed by Ron Howard,...

In this day and age of increasing prices and tightening budgets, the word “free” tends to make our ears prick up in a positive way. Sling Freestream, the free ad-supported arm of Sling TV, has just announced nine new channels to its already broad line-up.

Watch Now $0 / month sling.com

Sling Freestream already has something for everyone, but has added new channels focused on movies, natural disasters, survival, true crime, home renovation, an iconic 1980s TV show, anime, and more.

Check out the new shows launching on Sling Freestream this month:

Hipstr: Dive into a wide array of genres, ranging from groundbreaking documentaries to uproarious comedies, all the way to unique indies and beloved classics.

Real Disaster Channel: Real Disaster Channel offers all the electrifying disaster and survival stories you desire, creating an adrenaline-pumping experience that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

Crime & Justice: Immerse yourself in...

Exclusive: Golden Globe and 2x Emmy nominee Alfred Molina (Spider-Man: No Way Home) has joined the indie dramedy When We Get There, marking the feature debut of writer-director Ryan Patrick Welsh. 2x Emmy nom Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers franchise) and William Katt (The Greatest American Hero) are also set, with newcomers Chris Heeder, Jamie Lien and Alek Kristopher rounding out the cast.

Co-directed by Justin Giddings, When We Get There tells the story of brothers Cal (Heeder) and Ty (Kristopher), who embark on a cross-country trek to meet the father they’ve never known, and the only family they have left. Along with Cal’s long-term girlfriend Ellie (Lien) and a new guitar named Stevie, the trio are forced to navigate uncertain futures on a 2000-mile journey in a car on its last leg. Along the way they discover what, and who, it’s worth showing up for.

Molina portrays...

The Greatest American Hero is a show that’s much beloved by folks of a certain generation. If you grew up in the seventies or eighties, the theme song is instantly iconic. In fact, the track “Believe it or Not” by Joey Scarbury actually made it all the way to the number 2 spot on the Billboard Charts. It was actually a bigger hit than the show itself, which only ran for two and a half seasons before being cancelled with five unaired episodes in early 1983. Yet, it remains part of the pop culture, with talk of rebooting it every now and then.

A reboot would definitely make sense given how obsessed people are with superheroes, with the red and black suit the hero wears iconic in its own way. The show starred cult horror icon William Katt (House) as Ralph Hanley, a teacher who’s endowed with superhuman abilities by aliens,...

As 2022 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 2022. These talented individuals will always be remembered for their impact on the world of film and television.

In Memory Of…

Peter Bogdanovich

When Peter Bogdanovich was twelve-years-old, he began keeping a record of every film he saw, even including reviews, a practice he kept up for decades, seeing as many as four hundred films a year. This sparked a love of movies and he was intent on becoming a director. Bogdanovich caught his break when he happened to strike up a conversation with Roger Corman at a screening, who quickly offered him a job.

Click here to read the full article.

Terrence O’Hara, who directed 85 episodes of the CBS dramas NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles from 2003 until this year, died Dec. 5 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a five-year battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 76.

A former actor who studied at the American Film Institute, O’Hara was a director for more than 30 years, also working on such other shows as The Blacklist, Smallville, Nikita, Lie to Me, Rosewood, Heroes, The Unit, Legends, Dollhouse, Grimm, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Jag, Angel, Magic City, The X-Files, Dark Angel, Touched by an Angel and Pacific Blue.

His 56th and final NCIS episode, “Birds of a Feather” — the show’s 19th-season finale — aired May 23; the last of his 29 NCIS: Los Angeles assignments, “Bonafides,” aired in March. He also helmed four episodes of NCIS: New Orleans in 2014-16.

“One...

Terrence O’Hara, a television director known for his work on shows like NCIS, Smallville and Angel, has died. He was 76.

In an Instagram post, O’Hara’s daughter Maddie confirmed the death of her father was Monday, December 5 due to cancer.

“I never thought I’d be writing those words— it’s surreal. I’ve always imagined him walking me down the aisle, watching his grandkids grow up, and getting old at the lake with my mom. But cancers a bitch, and his life was cut too short,” she shared. “He’s been quietly battling for the past 5 years, this whole time, directing, working, fighting, and smiling through it. He was famous for his infectious laugh, his noisy ass sneeze, his wild sailor mouth on set, his incredible, thoughtful, creative, and brilliant mind…I could go on.”

Related: Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery

Maddie said that the loss...

Click here to read the full article.

Jack Ging, the familiar character actor who recurred on such series as Tales of Wells Fargo, Mannix, Riptide and The A-Team and appeared in three films opposite Clint Eastwood, has died. He was 90.

Ging died Friday of natural causes at his home in La Quinta, California, his wife, Apache Ging, told The Hollywood Reporter.

In rare starring turns, Ging played the love interest of Diane Baker’s character in a remake of Tess of the Storm Country (1960), a soldier and reluctant hero in the waning days of the Korean War in the drama Sniper’s Ridge (1961) and a clinical psychiatrist on the 1962-64 NBC medical series The Eleventh Hour.

Alongside Eastwood, Ging portrayed a marshal in Hang ‘Em High (1968), a doctor in Play Misty for Me (1971) and Morgan Allen, the mine owner (and lover of Marianna Hill’s character), in High Plains Drifter...

While producer Stephen J. Cannell’s TV shows were entertaining on their own, the experience of watching was often enhanced by the shows’ theme songs, back in an era when theme songs were commonplace. For many of his shows, Cannell — like several other producers, including Dick Wolf, Steven Bochco and Donald Bellisario — turned to composer Mike Post for their themes. The work Post did for Cannell’s shows accounted for two of his three Top 10 pop hits: the theme from The Rockford Files and The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not). Though Cannell passed away in 2010, we enjoyed speaking to him several times, and he once described the process of working with Post on those theme songs. (Click on the media bar below to hear Stephen J. Cannell) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Stephen-_J._Cannell_Mike_Post_Music_.mp3

The Greatest American Hero and The Rockford Files...

“Phineas and Ferb” co-creator Dan Povenmire was absent-mindedly doodling on a scrap of paper during a meeting when he realized he had sketched his way into his next TV show: It was a hamster, in a superhero outfit.

“It just came from my subconscious somewhere,” he told Variety. “I liked it and I set it aside and took a picture of it. I brought it home, and then I pitched a bunch of ideas for a show for it to my daughter when I was tucking her in one night. I was able to come up with a whole bunch of ideas for it right away.”

Povenmire had just wrapped Disney+’s “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe,” and was ready to pitch something new. So while on vacation, he created the pilot that would become his latest series, “Hamster and Gretel,” which premieres Friday on Disney Channel (9:35 p.

Exclusive: Original Star Trek character T’Pring is making a return in Strange New Worlds. We’ve confirmed Gia Sandhu (The Mysterious Benedict Society) will be reprising the role in the upcoming new series, premiering tomorrow, May 5, on the streaming service. She can be seen briefly in the trailer, which you can watch below.

Sandhu’s T’Pring is Spock’s very alluring and intelligent fiancée; the two have been bonded since childhood. Though T’Pring often wishes Spock would return to Vulcan and settle down, she understands his sense of duty, having her own career that she is passionate about: helping to rehabilitate criminals and bring them back towards the teachings of Vulcan logic. T’Pring tries to be lovingly patient with Spock while he comes to terms with the human side of his nature, hoping that her support will ultimately bring them closer.

T’Pring was last seen...

Rae Allen, the Tony-winning stage and screen veteran known for her role as nosy reporter Gloria Thorpe in “Damn Yankees” and as Quintina Blundetto on “The Sopranos,” died Wednesday, her rep Kyle Fritz confirmed to Variety. She was 95.

Born in Brooklyn as Rae Julia Theresa Abruzzo, Allen began her career on the stage after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1947. Her first Broadway credit was in 1948, as an ensemble member in the George Abbott directed and written “Where’s Charley?” Over the next few years, Rae would continue to appear in Abbott’s various musicals, including “Call Me Madam” in 1950 and “The Pajama Game” in 1954, where she played the small role of Poopsie, a union activist at the factory the show is set in.

A year later, Rae reunited with Abbott and the composers and lyricists of “The Pajama Game,” Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, for “Damn Yankees.

Rae Allen, the Tony Award-winning actress known for roles in Damn Yankees, A League of Their Own and The Sopranos, died early Wednesday morning peacefully in her sleep. She was 95.

Allen was described by many who knew her as “a force of nature” and she had a career to match.

Born Rae Julia Theresa Abruzzo in Brooklyn, NY, she got her start in Broadway theater

productions after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1947.

Allen earned her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play as the nosy reporter Gloria in Damn Yankees in 1955. She was nominated again for Traveler Without Luggage in 1967, and won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little in 1971.

Allen moved into television and film in 1958, recreating her stage role in the film

adaptation of Damn Yankees. Her song, “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal,...

Frank Pesce, a character actor who appeared in the first two “Beverly Hills Cop” movies, “Top Gun,” “Midnight Run” and “Miami Vice,” died on Feb. 6 due to dementia complications. He was 75.

Born in 1946 in New York City, Pesce’s circle of friends included Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza and Robert Forster, among others. Known for his big smile and colorful personality, Pesce first appeared on screen in 1976 as a guest star on “Police Story.” Throughout his career, he appeared on other series such as “Kojak,” “Knight Rider,” “Blue Thunder,” “The Greatest American Hero,” “Matlock,” “Who’s the Boss?” and “The Master.”

Pesce landed small roles in Stallone films “Rocky” and “Paradise Alley,” as well as Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer’s smash hits “Flashdance” and “Top Gun.”

In a statement to Variety, Pesce’s girlfriend Tammy Scher said, “I met Frank at a very low point in my life. He always said...

Frank Pesce, a colorful character actor whose dozens of credits range from Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun and Midnight Run to Miami Vice, Matlock and Kojak, has died. He was 75.

His girlfriend Tammy Scher told Deadline that Pesce died February 6 in Burbank of dementia complications.

Born on December 8, 1946, in New York City, Pesce put the “character” in character actor. A longtime close friend of Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, the late Robert Forster and many other industry players, he was known for his big smile, big stories and bigger personality.

“They make movies about guys like me,” he always said. That quote — more about it below — will be written on his epitaph, Scher said.

Pesce began his screen career in the mid-1970s, guesting on such series as Police Story and Kojak and playing bit roles in the early Stallone films Rocky and Paradise Alley. He went on to work in...

WillI ABC continue to develop a live-action TV series reboot of "The Greatest American Hero" (1981) starring Hannah Simone ("New Girl") as an 'empowered' woman, who is given an alien powered supersuit, or will they opt for a ‘ woke’ interpretation of the main character ?

"...'Meera' loves tequila and karaoke, spending her life searching and failing to find meaning...

"...much to the chagrin of her family, until she becomes entrusted with a super suit to protect the planet..."

"The Greatest American Hero" aired for three seasons (1981-1983) on ABC, created by writer/producer Stephen J. Cannell, starring William Katt ("Carrie") as teacher 'Ralph Hinkley', Robert Culp as FBI agent 'Bill Maxwell' and Connie Sellecca ("The Wild Stallion") as lawyer 'Pam Davidson'.'

The series chronicled the adventures of 'Ralph' after a gaggle of aliens give him a red and black suit that grants him superhuman abilities.

Unfortunately for Ralph, who hates wearing the suit,...

Superhero shows may be omnipresent on television now, but that wasn’t the case in 1981. Believe it or not, The Greatest American Hero was the only live-action superhero show airing at the time! The show, a campy, tongue-in-cheek homage that capitalized on the success of the first two Superman films, never became a Top 10 […]

The post How William Katt Incredibly Became ‘The Greatest American Hero’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

Exclusive: Gia Sandhu (The Mysterious Benedict Society) has signed on to executive produce and star in Alterations, the first feature from writer-director Sean Wainsteim.

In the film, a woman and a non-verbal girl serving as live-in caregivers are invited to stay in a house where their every desire is fulfilled, as long as they mend mysterious clothing for fairytale creatures.

Sandhu will play Leila, the woman traveling with rebellious 12-year-old Nadia and a suitcase of her belongings, who is desperate for a safe place to call home. When she finds a situation that seems too good to be true, she’s willing to ignore some… odd occurrences and make the best of things. As she starts to uncover her role in a larger narrative, Leila is forced to balance her time with Nadia with explorations into her own power, creativity and ability to change.

Rosemary Dunsmore, John Stocker and Shazdeh Kapadia...

Veteran actress Markie Post of Night Court fame has passed away. Along with her breakout role in Night Court as Christine Sullivan, Post was also known for her roles in the TV shows The Fall Guy and Hearts Afire. Nearly four years ago, the actress was diagnosed with cancer, and she lost her battle with the disease on Saturday. Her passing was confirmed by her manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky. Post was 70 years old.

"But for us, our pride is in who she was in addition to acting; a person who made elaborate cakes for friends, sewed curtains for first apartments and showed us how to be kind, loving and forgiving in an often harsh world," Post's family said in a statement.

Born on Nov. 4, 1950, Post got her start in show business by working on various game shows like Split Second, Double Dare, and Card Sharks. She made her television acting...

Markie Post, the veteran television actress who starred on sitcoms like Night Court and Scrubs, has died at the age of 70.

Post’s manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, confirmed her death to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that the actress died following a battle with cancer.

Post was best known for her lengthy run on Night Court, joining the cast full-time as the lawyer Christine Sullivan prior to the series’ third season; Post appeared in nearly 160 episodes of the show, which ran from 1984 to 1990.

Post’s Night Court co-star John Larroquette tweeted Sunday,...

Markie Post, an actress best known for playing a public defender on the 1980s sitcom “Night Court,” died Saturday at age 70.

Post succumbed to a nearly four-year battle with cancer, her manager Ellen Lubin Sanitsky told Deadline. Sanitsky did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

In addition to her work in “Night Court,” which ran for nine seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1992, she also had memorable roles as a bail bondsman in the Lee Majors action series “The Fall Guy” in the early ’80s and in the 1992-95 comedy “Hearts Afire” about a conservative senator’s aide (John Ritter), who marries a liberal political reporter (Post).

Later, she had recurring guest roles in series like “The District” and as the mother of Sarah Chalke’s doctor character on “Scrubs.”

Post’s film credits include playing Cameron Diaz’s mother in the hit 1998 Farrelly Brothers comedy “There’s Something About Mary...

Frank Lupo, the TV writer-producer who was a frequent collaborator with Stephen J. Cannell in the 1980s on such high-octane dramas as “The A-Team,” “Hunter” and “Wiseguy,” has died. He was 66.

Lupo died Feb. 18 at his home in Florida, according to his sister, Linda Joy Sullivan.

Lupo’s work in TV took off in the late 1970s when he wrote for such series as “Battlestar Galactica,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “B.J. and the Bear” and “The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.”

Lupo worked on the Universal Television lot in the same era as Cannell, the prolific showrunner behind “The Rockford Files” and “Baretta.” Lupo wrote several episodes of Cannell’s ABC dramedy “The Greatest American Hero.”

Lupo and Cannell then co-created “The A-Team,” the action-drama with touches of comedy that became a massive hit for NBC in 1983. Cannell, who died in 2010, famously took the bold step of launching his own independent production banner on the back of “A-Team.

Frank Lupo, the partner of Stephen J. Cannell on many popular 1980s action shows, died Feb. 17 at his home in Florida, according to his sister and social media. He was 66-years-old and no cause of death was given.

Lupo was part of the creative engine that served up the crime drama television shows The A-Team, Hunter, and Wiseguy. He was also a writer and executive producer on the first season of CBS’ Walker, Texas Ranger.

Born in New York City, Lupo met Cannell at Universal Television in Los Angeles. He began as a writer, penning episodes of ABC’s Battlestar Galactica and NBC’s B.J. and the Bear before joining forces with Cannell in 1981 on the ABC series The Greatest American Hero.

Lupo and Cannell went on to create NBC’s The A-Team in 1983, NBC’s Hunter in 1984, NBC’s Riptide, which began in 1984, and CBS’ Wiseguy in 1987.

They...

The team behind The Conners is preparing another family comedy for ABC.

The Disney-owned network has handed a pilot order to Bucktown, a family comedy from Emily Wilson, co-exec producer of the Roseanne spinoff.

Wilson (left), who has also worked on The Kids Are Alright, The Muppets and Cougar Town, is writing and exec producing the multi-camera comedy, which is exec produced by The Conners pair Tom Werner and Sara Gilbert.

Deadline understands that the project has been in the works in various stages for about five years.

The show follows Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes...

The ABC comedy-drama The Greatest American Hero hit the four-decade mark in 2021. Though it was only on the network's primetime schedule for three seasons, the show remains a fond memory for its fans. Additionally, it has continually remained as a regular internet topic due to the never-ending rumors of a reunion or remake.

Related: NBC's 10 Greatest Sitcoms, According To IMDb

The series didn't have a lot of characters in its ensemble. Still, they are recalled and sometimes ranked. Fans do this by the number of times they appeared and their general characteristics. It's something that continues in the 21st century.