On this day, 20 May, in 1936, the actor Anthony Zerbe was born. And he’s still alive. So happy 90th birthday, Anthony!
It’s also James Stewart’s birthday, but I didn’t choose him because I really don’t like him. I like many films he’s in But he makes them worse. He very nearly destroys The Philadelphia Story. Really: I don’t understand how he was ever a star. He was a very annoying guy!
Younger people probably know Zerbe as the least annoying Councillor in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. But he’s a character actor and that means he’s been in a bunch of different things.
He had notable performances in Rooster Cogburn, Who’ll Stop the Rain, and The Dead Zone. But I know him best in the part of Matthias in The Omega Man.
He lost the sight in one of his eyes due to an incident during the filming of this last film. It is unfortunate. But it made him look really cool.
The thing I most like about Anthony Zerbe is that he’s always interesting. Second is that he’s always likable, even when he plays bad guys.
I’m glad he’s still around and still working. Let’s watch The Omega Man.
Other 20 May Anniversaries
Filmmakers:
- David Hedison (1927-2019): Actor best known for the title role in The Fly.
- Timothy Olyphant (1968-): Actor known mostly for Deadwood.
Films:
- The Curse of Frankenstein (1957): The first of the Hammer Frankenstein series.
- Invasion of the Star Creatures (1962): Hot space alien babes try to conquor the world in this Jonathan Haze-scripted cheapie.
- Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone (1983): Space bounty-hunters rescue hotties from mutants.
- Willow (1988): Fantasy road picture.
- Witchcraft II: The Temptress (1990): Continuation of the first film.
- The Psychic (1992): Psychic vs serial killer who is also his romantic rival.
- Mosquito (1995): Gunner Hansen and others try to survive giant mosquitoes.
- Dr Jekyll & Mistress Hyde (2003): Gender swap on the classic.
- Vampire Vixens (2003): Vampire and nerd team up.
- Black Ops (2008): Rescue mission goes wrong.
- Godzilla (1998): The usual but with Matthew Broderick.
- Danny Johnson Saves the World (2015): Christopher R Mihm made one for the kids!
Anthony Zerbe via Get Great TV under Fair Use.