Events in Film & TV
Come and Get It
Dec 5 Apple Records releases the single "Come and Get It" by the band Badfinger; track was written and produced by Paul McCartney for the dark comedy film "The Magic Christian" starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr
The Magic Christian
Dec 12 Comedy film "The Magic Christian", starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr premieres in London, England
TV Show Appearance
Dec 14 Jackson Five make their 1st appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
Hello Dolly
Dec 16 Film adaptation of "Hello Dolly" starring Barbra Streisand premieres; wins 3 Academy Awards
- Dec 18 "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", 6th James Bond Film starring George Lazenby and Diana Rigg, premieres in London
Music Premiere
Dec 18 André Previn and Alan Jay Lerner's musical "Coco", inspired by the life of Coco Chanel, and starring Katharine Hepburn, opens at Mark Hellinger Theatre, NYC; runs for 329 performances, wins 2 Tony Awards
TV Show Appearance
Dec 21 Diana Ross' final TV appearance as a Supreme on "The Ed Sullivan Show", performing “Someday We’ll Be Together", after which Sullivan announced her upcoming departure from the group
Film & TV History
Dec 28 Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" premieres in NYC
Birthdays in Film & TV
- Dec 5 Morgan J. Freeman, American film director (Hurricane Streets), born in Long Beach, California
- Dec 7 Patrice O'Neal, American stand-up comedian, born in Boston (d. 2011)
- Dec 8 Steve Van Wormer, American actor, born in Flint, Michigan
- Dec 9 Allison Smith, American actress (Jennie-Cagney & Lacey; Kate & Allie), born in The Bronx, New York
- Dec 9 Sebastian Spence, Canadian actor, born in St. John's, Canada
- Dec 13 Tony Curran, Scottish actor (Gladiator, Underworld: Evolution), born in Glasgow, Scotland
- Dec 15 Ralph Ineson, English actor (Harry Potter films), born in Leeds, England
- Dec 15 Rohini, Indian actress, screenwriter and director (Stri), born in Thummapala, India
- Dec 19 Kristen "Kristy" Swanson, American actress (Knots Landing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), born in Mission Viejo, California
Richard Hammond (53 years old)
Dec 19 English motoring journalist and TV presenter (Top Gear; The Grand Tour, Brainiac; Science Abuse), born in Solihull, West Midlands, England
- Dec 19 Villano IV, Mexican professional wrestler
- Dec 21 Julie Delpy, French-American actress (Before Sunrise; before Sunset; Before Midnight), singer-songwriter, and director born in Paris, France
- Dec 23 Martha Byrne, American actress (Lily-As the World Turns), born in Ridgewood, New Jersey
- Dec 27 Chyna [Joanie Laurer], American professional wrestler and reality TV star, born in Rochester, New York (d. 2016)
- Dec 29 Jennifer Ehle, American actress, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Dec 30 Dave England, American television personality
Deaths in Film & TV
- Dec 3 Mathias Wieman, German actor (The Blue Light, Fear), dies at 67
- Dec 3 Ruth White, American actress (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase), dies of cancer at 55
- Dec 7 Eric Portman, actor (Naked Edge), dies from heart ailment at 66
- Dec 7 Hugh Williams, British dramatist, actor and writer (Wuthering Heights, Bank Holiday), dies after surgery at 65
- Dec 13 Spencer Williams, American director, writer and actor (The Amos 'n' Andy Show), dies at 76
- Dec 22 Ilse Steppat, actress (Invisible Terror), dies at 52
- Dec 23 Donald Foster, American actor (Hazel, Lord Love A Duck), dies after long illness at 80
- Dec 28 Henry Oscar, English stage and film actor (Saint in London), dies at 78
- Dec 31 Salvatore Baccaloni, Italian operatic bass buffo singer (Metropolitan Opera, 1940-62), and actor (Merry Andrew; Rock-a-Bye Baby), dies at 69
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