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2000-2009 In Memoriam

This week, Everything Action provides a look back on the past decade in action movies. First up, we pay tribute to the action stars and legends who left us this decade.

Sir Alec Guinness (1914-2000)
Famed actor most notable for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

Rod Steiger (1925-2002)
In the later parts of his career, played Captain Decker in Tim Burton’s “Mars Attacks!” and a one-episode role on “The Simpsons” as Captain Tenille.

James Coburn (1928-2002)
Grizzled actor who had a bit role in Arnold’s “Eraser”, “Payback”, “Maverick” and a voice role in “Monsters, Inc.”

Charles Bronson (1921-2003)
Most famous for starring in the “Death Wish” series, along with the great war movies “The Magnificent Seven”, “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Great Escape”.

Johnathan Brandis (1976-2003)
A young life cut short. Starred opposite action legend Chuck Norris in 1992’s “Sidekicks”. Also co-starred on the TV series “SeaQuest DSV”.

Fay Wray (1907-2004)
Classic Hollywood actress who played the damsel in distress in 1933’s “King Kong”.

Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)
The original movie Superman who helped bring comic book movies to the forefront in the late 1970’s. Paralyzed in a horse riding accident, but succumbed to complications.

Marlon Brando (1924-2004)
Coulda been a contender in “On The Waterfront”, then later jumped started his career in “The Godfather” and “Apocolypse Now”. Later starred alongside Ed Norton and DeNiro in “The Score”.

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
Before he became president, Reagan was a movie star in the 50’s.

Pat Morita (1932-2005)
Famed Japanese actor. As Mr. Miyagi, helped Daniel-san defeat the evil Cobra Kai in “The Karate Kid”.

James Doohan (1925-2005)
The original Scotty from the original “Star Trek”.

Edward Bunker (1933-2005)
Played Mr. Blue in Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs”.

Jack Palance (1919-2006)
Most recently was famous for playing the grizzled cowboy Curly in the “City Slickers” movies. Played in various Westerns and action films in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Mako (1933-2006)
Played the Wizard Akiro in the “Conan” movies. Later voiced Splinter in the TMNT series of TV shows and live-action movies.

Paul Newman (1926-2008)
Oscar-winning actor and philanthropist, noted for “Cool Hand Luke”, “The Hustler” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” amongst a slew of other movies.

Isaac Hayes (1942-2008)
Soul singer also famous for voicing Chef on “South Park”. Later starred in “Reindeer Games” and Steven Seagal’s direct-to-video “Kill Switch” in one of his last roles.

George Carlin (1937-2008)
Legendary stand-up comedian who’s famous movie roles was Rufus in the “Bill & Ted” series.

Charlton Heston (1923-2008)
Hardened actor famous for his roles “Planet of the Apes”, “Ben-Hur” and “The Ten Commandments”. Later starred opposite Arnold in 1994’s “True Lies”.

Roy Scheider (1932-2008)
Famous for his roles in the critically acclaimed “The French Connection” and the blockbuster “Jaws”. Also later starred in the TV show “SeaQuest DSV”.

Heath Ledger (1979-2008)
Young up-and-coming actor who won a posthumous Oscar for his spine-tingling role as the Joker in 2008’s “The Dark Knight”. Also starred in “The Patriot”, “A Knight’s Tale” and “Brokeback Mountain”.

“Captain” Lou Albano (1933-2009)
Legendary wrestler who guested on “Miami Vice” and played a live-action Mario on “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show”.

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)
Famed action and drama star who starred in “Dirty Dancing”, as cooler Dalton in the kick-ass “Road House” and surfer-robber Bodhi in “Point Break”.

David Carradine (1936-2009)
Famous Kung-Fu legend who later starred as Bill in the “Kill Bill” movies and as an elderly gang leader in “Crank: High Voltage”.

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