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1-9 of 9
- Actor
- Producer
- Music Department
The Grandfather & Great Custodian of Indian Motion Pictures!
Ashok Kumar was one of India's most famous actors for over half a century, from before independence to the cusp of the new millennia!
As a young assistant to Bengali film-maker Himanshu Rai, he got his start in acting by accident when he volunteered to substitute for the lead actor, Jeevan Naya (1936), who fell ill before production on the film Achhut Kanya (1936) was to start. Kumar was terrified of acting in the first place, especially opposite lead actress Devika Rani, known as 'the dragon lady' for her smoking, drinking, cursing and legendary hot temper. After finishing shooting, Kumar continued with overseeing the process of the film with editing, mixing and processing. His unexpected acclaim to his role had him in demand for more acting roles, which he pursued in a few more 'Bombay Talkies' with Devika Rani.
His breakthrough performance was in Kismet (1943) which ran for three years in Bombay and Calcutta and was one of the first Hindi language mega-hits of India and gained him national fame through his charismatic performances and his talented singing. From then onwards, Kumar became a sought-after actor who appeared in over 200 Hindi and a few other Indian language films, playing romantic leads or threatening villains and making Rs.300-400 a month during the 1940s and 1950s.
Although his roles gradually decreased to supporting and minor parts as he got older and suffered more ill health, his popularity in India never diminished and he was often in demand for cameos and live convention appearances. From the 1990s to his death, he lived in a comfortable retirement in Bombay with a slew of Indian films to show for his work.- Robert Crosson was born on 23 February 1929 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Cavalcade of America (1952), Mike's Murder (1984) and Rescue 8 (1958). He died on 10 December 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Stunts
John Francis was born on 10 July 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for Strange Days (1995), Get Smart (1965) and Mannix (1967). He died on 10 December 2001 in Willits, California, USA.- Jim Hughes was born on 13 May 1918. He was an actor, known for Att angöra en brygga (1965), P & B (1983) and Jim & Piraterna Blom (1987). He died on 10 December 2001.
- Gefion Helmke was born on 10 October 1909 in Berlin, Germany. She was an actress, known for Group Portrait with a Lady (1977), Unsere kleine Stadt (1954) and Mrs. Cheneys Ende (1957). She died on 10 December 2001 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Herb Eden was born on 11 November 1929 in Miami, Florida, USA. He was an actor, known for Get Smart (1965), Bummer (1973) and Gemini Affair (1975). He was married to Shirley I. Peabody. He died on 10 December 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Henk Rigters was born on 6 October 1915 in Den Helder, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. He was an actor and director, known for Ciske the Rat (1984), Improvisatie (1961) and Zo'n rustige straat (1961). He was married to Femke Boersma. He died on 10 December 2001.- Kyle Thatcher was born on 16 December 1947 in Port Huron, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Blind Fury (1989) and Jinxed! (1982). He died on 10 December 2001 in Agua Dulce, California, USA.
- Nekohachi Edoya was born on 1 October 1921 in Tochigi, Japan. He was an actor, known for Ultraman Taro (1973), Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series (1966) and Kengô tai gôketsu: Homare no kessen (1956). He died on 10 December 2001.