Geoffrey Johnson , whose Johnson-Liff Casting was behind the roles for Cats, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s three longest-running shows, died Friday, Nov. 26. He was 91 and passed from respiratory failure at Henry J. Carter Hospital in New York. Johnson’s log career saw him appear on Broadway as an actor. He also worked with David Merrick as a stage manager and casting director and served as Noël Coward’s US representative. Born in New York City on June 23, 1930, and raised in Larchmont NY, he received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. From there, he worked as an actor, appearing in Saint Joan on Broadway in 1956, He was also the stage manager of several Broadway shows including Cactus Flower and I Do, I Do . His work as a stage manager led him to Noël Coward, with whom he worked on the Broadway production of Sail Away . The relationship continued after that, with Johnson serving …
Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton Artistic Director and Founder of Off-White, Dead at 41
Virgil Abloh , founder of Off-White and Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director, died on Sunday after a private battle with cancer. The acclaimed artist and fashion designer was 41 years old. A statement posted to Abloh’s Instagram account reads: “For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.” Abloh is survived by his wife, Shannon Abloh, and their two children, Lowe and Grey, as well as his parents Nee and Eunice and sister Edwina. “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,” LVMH Chief Executive Officer Bernard Arnault wrote in a statement. “The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all …
David Gulpilil Dies: ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’, ‘Crocodile Dundee’ & ‘Charlie’s Country’ Actor Was 68
David Gulpilil , the revered Indigenous Australian actor and dancer, known for his performances in films such as Rabbit-Proof Fence , Crocodile Dundee , The Tracker and Walkabout , has died aged 68 following a battle with cancer. Gulpilil’s death was confirmed Monday in a statement by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall. “It is with deep sadness that I share with the people of South Australia the passing of an iconic, once-in-a-generation artist who shaped the history of Australian film and Aboriginal representation on screen – David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu (AM),” he posted on social media. Gulpilil received mainstream recognition for his performances in blockbuster comedy Crocodile Dundee (1986) and Phillip Noyce’s drama Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), which garnered the actor his first best actor prize from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. He was also well known for 2002 feature The Tracker , in which he played the …