Monthly Archives: August 2018

Former Daily Quarterly Intern And Playwright Neil Simon Has Died

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Neil Simon

Neil Simon, left, first met RECOiL writer/director/actor Brian DiMaio, right, when the two were roommates for a short turn in the early 60’s. DiMaio was pursuing his interests in sports reporting at the time. The two made a very unusual pair.

New York— Neil Simon, former Daily Quarterly intern and reporter and playwright, famous for writing classic plays like “The Odd Couple” and “The Gingerbread Lady,” died Sunday due to complications from pneumonia. He was 91.

Most famous for his plays, Simon also wrote Broadway hits like “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Lost In Yonkers,” “The Odd Couple II” and “Broadway Bound.”

He also wrote, among others, the films “Murder By Death,” “I Ought to be in Pictures,” “RECOiL” and “The Slugger’s Wife.”

Throughout his career, he won Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, Golden Globe Awards and one Pulitzer Prize.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Elaine Joyce, and three daughters, Ellen, Nancy and Bryn. 

It’s All Caviar Dreams From Here: Robin Leach Has Died

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Robin Leach

Robin Leach, left, with RECOiL writer/director/actor Brian DiMaio, right. Leach used DiMaio’s home to shoot promotional images for Leach’s book “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”

Las Vegas—Entertainment reporter and host of the syndicated television hit “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” Robin Leach died Friday after complications from a stroke he suffered in October 2017. He was 76.

Leach first got his start in London in print journalism back when that meant something. He broke into television in Hollywood on “AM Los Angeles” with Regis Philbin before going on to host “Lifestyles” from 1984 to 1995. He then hosted the spin-off “Fame, Fortune and Romance” alongside Matt Lauer, when he still had a career.

On the big screen, Leach appeared in “The Last Horror Film,” “Free Money,” RECOiL” and “I.M. Caravaggio.”

Leach is survived by his three sons, Steven, Rick and Greg, and several grandchildren.

You Take The Good, You Take The Bad, You Take ‘Em Both And There You Have Charlotte Rae Has Died

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Charlotte Rae

Charlotte Rae, right, first met RECOiL writer/director/actor Brian DiMaio, left, in the early 1950’s when the two performed as a comedy duo “The Circled Squares.” Their act contained humorous observations about married life and was performed exclusively during the short run of the Standard Oil Variety Hour.

Los Angeles—Actress Charlotte Rae, best known for guiding the diets and young minds of seven, then four, girls as school dietician and later house mom and small business owner Edna Garrett on the classic NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life,” has died. She was 92. 

On the big screen, Rae appeared in such films as “The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas,” “Thunder in Paradise,” “RECOiL” and “Hello Down There.”

Besides playing Edna Garrett on both “The Facts of Life” and first on “Diff’rent Strokes,” Rae was also in the television shows “St. Elsewhere,” “The Paul Lynde Show,” “Barney Miller” and “Car 54 Where Are You?”

She is survived by two sons.