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Post by billswoman on Mar 25, 2010 15:01:04 GMT -5
The idea of mortality just hits one on the head to think, la-dee-dah, Culp just went out for a walk in his neighborhood and before he had gone 1/4 mile, a massive heart attack killed him. I so wish he was still alive. ;-( Mona Mona, where did you read about the 1/4 mile and massive heart attack? All I've read is he fell and cracked his head.
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Post by MelMac on Mar 25, 2010 15:34:13 GMT -5
I know I'm not Mona, but I can help. In the stories they're mentioning that his son was told that he had a heart attack, but they're not sure about it: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36024853/ns/entertainment-television/I've read too they're doing an autopsy to figure out the exact cause, because it could be so many things. The only one they've pretty much ruled out is foul play. I've been very happy too that there have been very few if any idiots posting on newsvine (none) or other messageboards ugly comments about Culp. Shows that people do respect talent - for once. You should see some of the ones I've read over Graves (for his Ouever character - and wrongly associating him to his character) and the like. (BTW, I wanted to give Culp fans a head's up - there is a tribute on YouTube where someone accidentally put in Robert Conrad of "The Wild Wild West," probably thinking either that was Culp or it was a shot of him in "Trackdown." I've alerted him to the error (as it's a huge error and Conrad is alive - so we don't want to accidentally shock him), but haven't had a response if the fellow has made the change. It's a nice tribute otherwise.)
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Team Blue
Agent
"Business" attire... .45 semi automatic, aviators, three piece suit....
Posts: 118
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Post by Team Blue on Mar 25, 2010 19:53:27 GMT -5
After what's already been a hellacious week for me, this didn't help things any yesterday. I was absolutely stunned by the news. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I cried. I only "discovered" the wonderfulness of Mr. Culp just two short years ago. I still have so much catching up to do. I still can't believe he's gone. Dammit all...
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Post by Ms Boku on Mar 25, 2010 20:01:33 GMT -5
Don't take this wrong or anything but I have very mixed feelings as I share my birth with his death. It's just so sad. I am glad I met him and that I saw how he and Katt felt about each other. He was great and will be missed very much.
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Post by prometheus74 on Mar 25, 2010 22:17:00 GMT -5
This is a very sad day. But I'm also very thankful for all the entertainment that Mr. Culp has provided us over the years, with an extensive TV body of work that spans 50 years, from 1960 to 2010.
He will be forever fondly remembered by his many fans around the world. And we will always have his many TV roles to cherish on DVD and in reruns.
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Post by mmderdekea on Mar 26, 2010 9:59:42 GMT -5
Hello, Billswoman,
I'm not trying to be too clinical and show a lack of compassion. I think everyone on this list knows how affected I am by Culp's death. However, medically, I'm pretty sure he had a sudden massive heart attack (generally including ventricular fibrillation), which kills people almost right away. He then fell to the ground and in doing so, hit his head. Of course, the poor jogger would come up on him, seeing no doubt a nasty head gash and bleeding, causing instant alarm. That's the usual "scenario", and why he was pronounced dead pretty soon after reaching the hospital. That type of heart attack happened to my dad's best friend many years ago, and also occurred in my aunt's father.
There is no reason to fall to the ground otherwise, on a nice, sunny day, on a clear and smooth sidewalk. Culp was not clumsy!
(Dr) Mona
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Post by Ms Boku on Mar 26, 2010 10:30:46 GMT -5
Well, they will be doing the autopsy today so...
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Post by Maxwell - F.B.I. on Mar 26, 2010 10:58:09 GMT -5
I'll be very curious to know what they find out.
I know it sounds weird, but I'd feel better if it was a heart attack that took out the great Robert Culp than just a simple slip and fall... (not like it matters in the long run, but I hope you see my point).
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Post by MelMac on Mar 26, 2010 11:09:14 GMT -5
I'll be very curious to know what they find out. I know it sounds weird, but I'd feel better if it was a heart attack that took out the great Robert Culp than just a simple slip and fall... (not like it matters in the long run, but I hope you see my point). Same here, but I do know of people who were his age who sadly die of a fall like that. George Burns' health drastically deteriorated after a fall I think just before or after his 100th birthday and he died a few months after it. It's also like Desmond Llewelyn, or "Q" in the Bond movies through one or two of Brosnan's era. He died in a car crash at age 85, and he was also in very good health. It's much more comforting to know that if someone dies, it's because it was something that seems logical than just bizarre or no reason. I've personally thought he might have had an aneurysm, a blood clot from the fall or also a heart attack, but whatever it was it was quick and severe enough that they weren't able to save him.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Mar 26, 2010 12:16:05 GMT -5
At least they don't suspect foul play. That's a good thing. Can you imagine if someone had caused him to fall?
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Post by mmderdekea on Apr 11, 2010 9:19:53 GMT -5
Robert Culp Memorial Service:
Oy, what a crazy day for me!
I flew out from Phoenix at 10:15 am, but almost didn't get on the plane as they had oversold it and could not guarantee me a seat. Let me say that I made THAT outcome UNacceptable, and Thank G-d I did get on, minutes before take-off. Unfortunately I flew into LAX and should have flown into Burbank--it cost me $75 each way on taxis to/from the Egyptian Theatre--OUCH!
The theatre was filled up pretty most. Here are the people I saw: 1. Well, guess what--we wound up sitting in a great row near the front and who sat only two rows behind me?? William Katt, Connie Selleca, Dennis Madalone, and I think Connie's teenage daughter. Whee! When I saw that amazing coincidence, of course, I had to turn around and talk to them, tell Katt I had met him in Tempe--he asked me my name--and tell them what fans I was. I told them I had watched three episodes of TGAH last night (Friday night), which Connie really sweetly reacted to. Connie didn't speak much but they were SO nice, and really allowed me my rambling gushing. I mean, TWO ROWS behind me in a fairly large auditorium! Fantastic!
2. Captain Bellybuster was there! Even though older, it was obvious it was that character. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to talk to him.
It was very nicely arranged. Someone would speak, and then they showed progressive clips of Culp's career. The main speakers were his son Joseph, who has the closest facial features to Culp and Jason, who has Culp's voice. We also heard from: his grand-daughter, daughter Samantha, grandson, son Joshua, a very close family friend, his manager Hillard Elkins, William Katt (more on that in a moment), Dennis Madalone (more in a second), the writer/director of "The Almost Guys". Cannell was sick with the flu so couldn't come. We saw Cosby do a talk about Culp at the beginning of a 3/27 comedy show, but I found it very unsatisfactory. Only his daughter Rachel didn't speak.
Will Katt talked about his time with Culp, of course, on the show. He started off by saying that indeed they did not like each other at first and wondered why Cannell had put them together. Culp found Katt inexperienced, egotistical and a know it all; Katt found Culp to be a cudmudgeon, obstinate and too interested perhaps in stealing the show and calling it "Bill Maxwell....and Ralph". However, the director of the pilot had a good wit and humor, and with Connie dropping jokes, too, they got along okay--Katt doesn't think the show would have lasted at all without the director bringing them together. But, then Katt said they did become friends, and admitted he considered Culp a mentor to him. All very sweet!
Dennis Madalone mentioned he had never spent ANY time with Culp and then Katt asked him to drive him down to the San Diego convention--off the cuff Dennis said, Sure, and then realized he'd be alone with Culp in the car for three hours. He was nervous about that! He picked up Culp and nothing was said for 10 minutes then Culp asked how he got into show business. Madalone mentioned he was a pole vaulter in high school and that broke the ice immediately, as Culp was too. In fact, Culp was an INCREDIBLE pole vaulter and oddly, both Dennis and Culp had jumped to the same height. "But," Dennis added, "Culp did it with a BAMBOO pole and I did it with the best modern technology fiberglass one." They chatted endlessly the whole time and then even met a few times more and enjoyed each others' company. Culp apparently loved this restaurant "The Silver Spoon" in Los Angeles and even had his own "table" there. Many folks mentioned meeting him there for food and chatting.
We saw clips of Culp in Trackdown; guest starring on other 1960 Westerns/Outer Limits; "I Spy", of course; B&C&T&A; his documentary Operation Breadbasket, which is coming out soon on DVD; Hannie Caulder; Columbo; TGAH; Everyone Loves Raymond; The Almost Guys; and his son Joseph's independent film "Hunger".
There were great stories about him by family members, very interesting discussing his complicated character, passionate about his Art, and also sentimental. Many folks got emotional during their talks, as did some of us in the audience as well.
Unfortunately, it was still going on (though I think ending) at 4:15 p.m. when I had to hop in my taxi and drive back to the airport. The latest flight out I could get was at 6:20. So I missed the very end== the last thing I had watched were nice shots of Culp in many family photos with babies, wives, kids, grand-kids.
All in all I was in LA only around 5 hours, but for all the costs it indeed was worth it.
Mona
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Apr 11, 2010 17:30:03 GMT -5
Thank you for the recap, Mona. It sounds like you had a great day for such a sad event. Did you tell Connie that I loved her?
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Post by mmderdekea on Apr 11, 2010 19:52:04 GMT -5
No, I didn't! Her hair is still very Elvira-like--straight, long and very black. But, she was very sweet. I didn't get a chance to chat to her one on one--too bad. I thought it was great that Katt realized how valuable Culp was and used him as an acting mentor. I suppose we could discuss/debate/argue if Culp DID actually steal the show from Katt. But, let's not and keep the peace. Mona
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Apr 11, 2010 20:19:40 GMT -5
Mona, we just can't trust you to go anywhere can we? Can't even tell Connie that I love her. Geez.
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Post by mmderdekea on Apr 12, 2010 10:44:47 GMT -5
Well, you seem to be the only one who cares anyway, HD. More folks are commenting on Dixie Carter's death and Jesse Goins recent work than Culp's Memorial. I find that very sad on a TGAH list, and it explains again why the Culp folk have left.
Mona
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Post by Maxwell - F.B.I. on Apr 16, 2010 11:54:48 GMT -5
Mona: Just saw your INCREDIBLE story! So cool you were actually able to BE THERE. Good for you! And thanks so much for your post about your experience at the memorial service!
Also, I think this has already been mentioned, but...
UPDATE:
Per Wikipedia:
Although initial police reports indicated that Culp died from striking his head when he fell, it was later determined that he collapsed and died due to a massive heart attack. The only injury from the fall was a minor cut on his head.
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Post by culpkatt on Apr 19, 2010 18:03:39 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your personal experience of RC's memorial, Mona. It was fascinating to read and I'm thankful someone in our group was able to be there firsthand. I wish I was as spontaneous as you are.
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