Sam Neill - ©Theda Bara

The name I am highlighting in this post is that of New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known worldwide for playing paleontologist “Alan Grant” in the “Jurassic Park” saga. He passed away on July 13, 2026, at the age of 78, in Sydney, Australia. His death was announced by his family and occurred suddenly; he had been battling lymphoma, which was diagnosed in 2022.

Sam Neill auditioned for the role of “James Bond” in 1986 but turned down the opportunity. His agent had pressured him to audition, but he declined out of fear of being typecast and rejected by fans of the “007” franchise.

Major awards were not a part of Sam Neill's career; although he acted in many films, his leading roles seem to have gone unnoticed by film critics.

Sam Neill never received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite his extensive career, the actor preferred a private life.

Nigel John Dermot Neill, better known as Sam Neill, was born on September 14, 1947, in Omagh, Northern Ireland (UK), and passed away (as previously mentioned) on July 13, 2026, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia.

Sam Neill was married twice. His first marriage was to New Zealand actress Lisa Harrow (1943-), with whom he lived from 1981 to 1989. He divorced her to marry the renowned Japanese makeup artist and stylist Noriko Watanabe (1965-) in the same year he separated. They remained together until their divorce in 2017. The actor had four children and eight grandchildren. His eldest son, Andrew Neill (1969-), had been given up for adoption and reunited with his parents after 25 years. He also had Tim Neill (1983-) with Lisa Harrow and Elena Neill (1991-) with Noriko Watanabe, in addition to raising Maiko Spencer (1982-), his stepdaughter from his marriage to Noriko.

Henry Fonda - ©Theda Bara

The name I want to highlight in this post is that of the American actor Henry Fonda. He is the patriarch of a family of actors, including his children: Jane Seymour Fonda (1937-) and Peter Henry Fonda (1940-2019), and his granddaughter, Bridget Jane Fonda (1964-).

Henry Fonda was one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1982 for “On Golden Pond” (1981), in the role of “Norman Thayer Jr.”, and had already received an honorary Oscar in 1980. He also won the BAFTA for Best Foreign Actor in 1958 and two Golden Globe Awards: the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1980 and the Best Actor Award in 1982.

Henry Fonda has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1601 Vine Street, in the Film category.

Henry Jaynes Fonda was born on May 16, 1905, in Grand Island, Nebraska, United States, and died on August 12, 1982, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 77.

Henry Fonda married five times throughout his life. His wives were American actress Margaret Brooke Sullavan (1909-1960), from 1931 to 1933; Canadian socialite Frances Ford Seymour Fonda (1908-1950), from 1936 to 1950, after whom he was widowed; American socialite Susan Blanchard Jacobson (1928-), from 1950 to 1956; and Italian baroness Afdera Franchetti (1931-2025), from 1957 to 1961; and the American actress Shirlee Adams (1920-2007), from 1965 to 1982. He had three children: Jane and Peter (with Frances) and Amy Fishman (1953-), adopted with Susan.

Haiku: Rebellious River - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

A rebellious river
A brave young man submerges
Sound of water, fear, commotion, and relief.

Sissy Spacek - ©Theda Bara

The name I want to highlight in this post is Sissy Spacek, an American actress and singer. She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1981, at the 53rd Academy Awards, for her performance as singer “Loretta Lynn”, in the film “The Miner’s Daughter” (1980).

Sissy Spacek also won three Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical in 1981 and 1987; and Best Actress in a Drama Film in 2002.

In 2011, Sissy Spacek was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard, across from the El Capitan Theatre.

Mary Elizabeth Spacek was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1949, in Quitman, Texas, United States, and is 76 years old.

Sissy Spacek is a rarity in the art world, having been married only once, to renowned art director and set designer Jack Fisk (1945-). The couple has been together for over 50 years. Wedding date: April 12, 1974. Sissy and Jack have two American daughters: art director and set designer Madison Fisk (1988-) and Elizabeth Schuyler Fisk (1982-), who, like her mother, is also an actress and singer.

Haiku: 4th of July [2026] - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

 Fireworks in the sky
Colors shine in the darkness
Summer party in America!