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In memoriam

Chicago’s beloved architect Helmut Jahn has died

By Reel Chicago May 11, 2021

AIA Chicago's Lifetime Achievement Award winner Helmut Jahn, a prominent German modernist/postmodernist architect who designed an Illinois state government building (James R. T...

In memoriam

Michael Apted prolific director, producer, writer has died

By Reel Chicago Jan 12, 2021

Michael Apted, producer, writer and actor, and one of the most prolific film directors of his generation has died at age 79. Born in 1941 in Aylesbury, England, Apted had an...

In memoriam

Dirk Wales author/founder of Rainbow Productions dies

Dec 8, 2020

Dirk Wales 1931 - 2020 In true dramatic fashion, on November 27th Dirk Wales moved on to his next great adventure. He was 89 years young. Dirk was born in New York c...

In memoriam

Bill Murray’s brother, Caddyshack inspiration has died

By Barbara Roche Nov 25, 2020

Ed Murray, Bill Murray's oldest brother and the inspiration for the film Caddyshack has died. Ed, the oldest of the Murray boys, was born in Evanston, Illinois, to Luci...

In memoriam

Chicago P.D., The Chi, Director & Producer dies

By Reel Chicago Nov 1, 2020

David Rodriguez, a director and producer for series such as TNT's Animal Kingdom, Showtime's The Chi and Starz's Power, has died. He was 50. Rodriguez died on Oct. 29 from c...

In memoriam

WLS news legend Joel Daly passes away at 86

By Reel Chicago Oct 22, 2020

2020 has taken so many legends from us. Reel Chicago is sad to report that iconic newsman Joel Daly, who spent nearly 40 years at ABC affiliate WLS, died today at around 5:30 ...

In memoriam

Chicago Bears’ legend Gale Sayers dies at 77

By Reel Chicago Sep 23, 2020

Gale “Kansas Comet” Sayers, Legendary Chicago Bears running back who’s book the 1971 movie Brian’s Song was based on, died today. He was 77. His death was announced ...

In memoriam

Chicago film community mourns loss of Andrew Biesen

By Katharin Mraz Sep 15, 2020

It is always difficult to hear of a fellow filmmaker passing, especially someone as wonderful and influential as Andrew Beisen. Those who knew him best say that Andrew was tale...

In memoriam

Jim Mahoney founder of Film & Tape Works passes at 71

By Reel Chicago Jul 29, 2020

James A. Mahoney, the founder of Film & Tape Works and dear friend of many in the Chicago film community, has died at age 71. Film and Tape Works at 237 E. Ontario, was...

In memoriam

Chicago broadcasting icon Hugh Downs passes at 99

By Reel Chicago Jul 7, 2020

He was a pioneer of broadcasting whose career would span a century. On July first, we lost 99-year-old TV News legend Hugh Downs. Downs passed away peacefully at his home in Sc...

In memoriam

Memories of director Joel Schumacher who has died at 80

By Barbara Roche Jun 23, 2020

Acclaimed Hollywood director Joel Shumacher who hit the big time after directing a string of successful movies including Flatliners (1990), The Lost Boys (1987) and St. El...

In memoriam

Dick Johnson, Chicago TV news anchor passes at 66

By Reel Chicago Jun 10, 2020

Dick Johnson, longtime Chicago morning news co-anchor and reporter for NBC owned television station WMAQ-TV in Chicago, has passed away. He was 66 years old...

In memoriam

Remembering John Prine 10.10.46 – 04.07.20

By Morgan Enos Apr 26, 2020

(Editor's Note: Maywood, Illinois' John Prine died on April 7 in Nashville, Tenn. Music journalist Morgan Enos, who has bylines in Billboard, TIDAL and Vinyl Me wrote this piec...

In memoriam

Former SNL writer, Second City vet McCarthy passes at 61

By Katharin Mraz Apr 11, 2020

Chicago has lost a beloved writer, actor, comedian, teacher, husband and father. Former SNL writer, Michael Clayton McCarthy, who was also an active member of The Second City, ...

In memoriam

Second City Stage Manager Craig Taylor passes at 63

By Reel Chicago Mar 31, 2020

“I guess I learned how to take the lights out at the right moment. You just have to always be looking for the right end.” –Craig Taylor Not all of Second City's s...

In memoriam

Media Archives pays tribute to Director Stuart Gordon

By Dan Erdman Mar 26, 2020

Stuart Gordon has died. In most of the obituaries you will read, he will be largely (and justifiably) remembered for his film work. He came out of the gate with a classic i...

In memoriam

In memory of Bennett Grossman

Feb 7, 2020

Bennett Grossman, a prominent member of Chicago's video production community, passed away on Friday, January 17th from complications related to cancer. He was 73. The native Ch...

In memoriam

In Memory of Melanie Kapoor

By Daniel Patton Nov 26, 2019

Melanie Kapoor passed away on Monday night due to complications from a sudden illness. She was 49 years old. The tragedy leaves Chicago’s advertising, film, and hospitality i...

In memoriam

‘Wild Kingdom’ creator Don Meier, 1915-2019

By Daniel Patton Jul 22, 2019

TV pioneer turned millions of family rooms into theaters of untamed nature every Sunday night for decades Legendary Chicago filmmaker Donald Meier died peacefully of...

In memoriam

Milos Stehlik, 1949-2019

By Reel Chicago Jul 8, 2019

Windy City film legend founded Facets Chicago, “a temple of great cinema” Chicago film legend Milos Stehlik passed at his home in Lincoln Park on Saturday, July...