Tag Archives: “Airwolf”

Actor And Helicopter Pilot Jan-Michael Vincent Dead At 73

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Jan-Michael Vincent
Jan-Michael Vincent, left, on the set of Vigilante Force with RECOiL writer/director/actor Brian DiMaio, right. DiMaio was originally called on to play the role of cynical Vietnam War veteran Aaron Arnold. Despite waiting months for DiMaio to grow the hair and beard for the role, the part was eventually recast with actor Kris Kristofferson after a contract dispute.

Asheville, NC- Actor Jan-Michael Vincent, former star of “Airwolf,” died on February 10th due to bradycardia. His death was made public last Friday. He was 73.

Besides his most famous TV role as String Fellow Hawke on “Airwolf” from 1984-1986, he also appeared in such TV shows as “Bonanza,” “Dragnet” and “Lassie.”

On the big screen, Vincent appeared in such films as “Hooper,” “Last Plane Out,” “RECOiL” and “Beyond the Call of Duty.”

He is survived by his third wife, Patricia Anne Christ, and his daughter from his first marriage, Amber Vincent.

Joaquin Phoenix To Star In Film Version Of “Airwolf”

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Airwolf: The Movie

One can’t help but wonder how long the studio sat on this film before giving it a green light. The male cast is looking a little long in the tooth.

Los Angeles—Paramount Pictures confirmed at a press conference yesterday that they will begin filming in Vancouver and Georgia next month on a film adaptation of the 1980s helicopter action drama, “Airwolf.”

Joaquin Phoenix has been cast as the lead, Stringfellow Hawke. Dennis Franz will star as Hawke’s co-pilot/father-figure/sidekick Dominic Santini.

The series, created by TV icon Donald P. Bellisario, ran on both CBS and the USA Network between 1984 and 1987. Bellisario,who officially retired from Hollywood in 2007 after clashing with “NCIS” star Mark Harmon, will reportedly have no involvement with the film.

Hawke’s love interest, Caitlin O’Shannessy, will be played by Disney star/singer Olivia Holt.

Barry Van Dyke will reprise his role in the television series and portray Saint John Hawke, Stringellow’s long-lost, kidnapped brother.

Denzel Washington has been signed to play Archangel Coldsmith-Briggs, an agent with “The Firm” who recruits Hawke to steal back the futuristic helicopter after its unstable creator steals it and uses it to commit acts of terror against the United States.

Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, most famous for writing on “LOST,” have been tapped to pen the script, with Christopher McQuarrie reportedly in talks to direct.

“While it is true that no current executive at ‘Paramount’ was alive when the TV show aired, most of the creative team has watched episodes online,” a rep with the production company said. “And they weren’t bad, to be quite honest. It was pretty good. And we are confident that with the right script, and a good amount of CGI, we can bring the story into the 21st century and to a whole new audience. We’re very excited. Truly.”

Phoenix also took to the podium to discuss the announcement, but said nothing during the 14 minutes he took questions from the media, before slowly walking off the stage and eating a banana. Holt said on Twitter that she was “super, crazy, MEGA excited to be in this movie! I LUVED (sic) watching AIR WoLF (sic) when I was little! SO Exited!! (sic). XOXO <3” Continue reading →

“We Often Just Go Off on An Adventure And See Where Our Hearts Lead Us!” A TDQ Q&A With Actress Sondra Currie

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Sondra Currie

You guys might not know this but here at The Daily Quarterly we consider ourselves a bit of a loner. A one-man wolf pack. But when we interviewed Sondra Currie we knew she was one of our own. And our wolf pack grew by one.

This week’s TDQ Q&A is with actress Sondra Currie. Sondra spoke to us about working on our favorite TV show of all time, “Magnum, PI,” as well as how the entertainment industry has changed over her career and her latest project, “Ganymede Pan.” Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A with actress Sondra Currie:

The Daily Quarterly: Who were your favorite actresses growing up?

Sondra Currie: Katharine Hepburn & Marilyn Monroe. Now, it’s Helen Mirren, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.

TDQ: What made you want to be in show business?

SC: It was in my DNA. My mom, Marie Harmon, was an actress.  It was the only thing I knew.

TDQ: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

SC: Study, study, study, and always look forward.  There’s a pearl in everything and I never, ever waste my time.

TDQ: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?

SC: Well, I think the worst was when an agent tried to convince me that I had to be “nice” to a producer to get a specific part. Terrible advice to give any young actress. And this agent also said, “I can’t handle you unless I really know you.” I think he was sued somewhere down the line. I do believe we have the power to just say “get your grubby paws off me.”

TDQ: Who are your influences?

SC: The Dahli Lama, Nelson Mandela, Marianne Williamson, Geraldine Page, Julie Harris and Angelina Jolie. Also, again Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave. There are a lot of them. I like mentors who, when faced with an obstacle, go around it or over it and stand tall. My Dad used to say to me, “You stand up, Currie. Dust yourself off and let them watch your smoke!”

TDQ: You played Zach Galifinakis’ mom in “The Hangover” trilogy. How did your work on that series compare to other movies you’ve made?

SC: Well it was heaven, to be able to be with “a family” for that length of time. And then it was so successful. I’m bribing all the Goddesses that, eventually, we have a Hangover Part 4! I always have a great time when I’m working. That’s what I love to do. It can be on film or in a play or in class at The Actors Studio.

TDQ: You’ve also worked on such classic TV shows as “Magnum, PI,” “Airwolf” and “Tales of the Gold Monkey,” three of our all-time favorites. How has the industry evolved since you acted on those shows, and, more importantly, did you get to fly in any of the aircraft in those awesome shows?

SC: No, I never got to fly. I’m so happy I got to be around and experience the camaraderie of those days. It was so much more personal and people were always lending a hand.

Sondra Currie

Sondra Currie may look like the matriarch next door but she can still play a space general in Ganymede Pan.

TDQ: Tell us about your upcoming pilot, “Ganymede Pan.”

SC: The universe is in grave danger! There are only five habitable colonies left and there’s a psychotropic substance that can mutate into any thing the “Golden Children” want. So, it depends on who controls them, of course. I play General Tai and I can be very lethal. I’m 2nd in charge and so far, you’re really not sure if I’m good or bad. “Ganymede Pan” is a renegade special forces pilot who I kidnap and bring him back into my force. It’s possible they have had a relationship but I have the upper hand for now. We have some fun aliens and other great bad guys! Continue reading →

Oscar-Winning Helicopter Pilot Ernest Borgnine Dies At 95

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Ernest Borgnine

Fresh off his role in 1990’s action flick “Laser Mission” Ernest Borgnine, right, was cast in RECOiL to play the part of a seasoned helicopter co-pilot along side actor/camera man Glen Vitale, left, who played the role of hot-shot cop Eddie Simmons. Unfortunately the character Eddie was killed in the early minutes of the film and his later scenes with Borgnine had to be removed as they presented major continuity problems for the editors.

Los Angeles—Actor Ernest Borgnine, who won an Academy Award for the 1955 film, “Marty,” died Sunday. He was 95.

He started his career on the stage in the play “State of the Union” in 1947. He landed his first Broadway role two years later in “Harvey.” He transitioned into film and got his first film role in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity.”

Besides winning an Oscar for “Marty,” Borgnine also appeared in such films as “The Poseidon Adventure,” “Escape From New York,” “RECOiL” and “The Dirty Dozen.”

Borgnine found even more success starring on ABC in the sitcom “McHale’s Navy” from 1962 to 1966. He returned to television in the 1980s playing helicopter pilot Dominic Santini in “Airwolf.” He also voiced the retired superhero character Mermaidman on “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
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