Ach. Some deaths are more personal than others. Such is the nature of existence. Yes, I think each of us should take a moment to reflect over the loss of any man, but those reflections tend to run more deeply with the talented folk we follow through life. In a moment, life changes; and we're left with trying to find a bit of comfort by collectively remembering where we've been before speeding on into tomorrow.
Word reached me via social media that the great Felix Silla passed this morning, bringing an end to a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Though the lion's share of the actor's fans were likely fans of his work on the late 1970's early 1980's SciFi/Fantasy series Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, a quick glance of his IMDB.com profile shows that there are other properties worth a second look if you're interested in celebrating a life in film. In fact, Felix's earlier gig was as the kinda/sorta lovable (but harry) Cousin Itt aboard 1960's The Addams Family ... and that property definitely still endures in fandom today.
He also found employment aboard 1968's seminal Science Fiction classic Planet Of The Apes, appearing in makeup as an ape child. Then, there was work in one of the -- ahem -- kinda/sorta bizarre programs of my youth, H.R. Pufnstuf. In the guise of 'Lucifer,' Silla did uncredited work for Glen Larson's Battlestar Galactica. He even got the chance to play in that galaxy far, far away when George Lucas cast him as an Ewok for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi.
A few years back, I remember an episode of the program Toy Hunter in which Silla contracted Jordan Hembrough to track down an elusive action figure of Twiki the Robot (from Buck Rogers) so that he could add it to his own personal collection. It was a brief appearance, but it underscored just how much these roles meant to the man ... and I'm glad he was able late in life to put another toy on his shelf at home.
May he rest in peace. Prayers to any and all who knew him.
-- EZ