A precious aspect of a historic tragedy passed into the ages with the death of Milvina Dean on Sunday. Ms. Dean, aged 97, was the last survivor of The Titanic sinking, though she was only an infant and had to rely on stories from her mother to inform her of her place in history. Ms. Dean said that she was virtually unknown until the wreck of the ship was found in 1985. Since then, she had been in demand at historic seminars and Titanic events. She escaped with her 2 year old brother, thanks to her mother's efforts. However, her 29 year old father perished in the disaster. Ms. Dean never saw the blockbuster 1997 film Titanic because it would have reminded her of her father's tragic fate. Ironically, when she ran into financial problems in the last days of her life, the stars of that film - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet- helped promote a fund which enabled her to pay some of her medical expenses. For more click here

Producer and film executive Mort Abrahams has died at age 93. Abrahams' impressive resume includes producing the hit TV series Route 66 as well as numerous episodes of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His big screen credits include Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, The Chairman, Doctor Doolittle and The American Film Theatre feature films. 

Cinema Retro reader Rory Monteith has provided the following exclusive statement which he obtained from Mr. Abrahams' daughter-in-law:

"Mort Abrahams, the retired TV and movie producer, who produced the
original "Planet of the Apes," (and, I think, two of the others) passed
away in his Studio City home on May 28, 2009. I know this because I am
his daughter-in-law, and his widow just telephoned me. He died early
this morning, with his daughter and his wife at his bedside. He had
been ill for some time, and his death was not unexpected.

As well--and more importantly, from my point of view--as being an
accomplished producer and later a mentor to younger talent when he was
at the American Film Institute, Mort was a warm, gentle, loving man. He
was patient and giving with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He would play countless card games with them, sometimes putting on
funny accents. He had an endless supply of amazing anecdotes about life
in the business. His wife, his daughter, and his son (my late husband)
had all heard these stories, but my daughter and I were always
enthralled. Above all, he had a sweetness to him, a vulnerability, that
was to me his defining trait. I shall miss him so much!

Mr. Abrahams' body is to be cremated, and there will be no public
memorial service, as per his wishes. He is survived by his wife and
daughter, son- and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son just over a
year ago."

Mickey Carroll, one of the beloved actors who played a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, has passed away at age 89. Carroll played multliple parts in the 1939 classic, for which he was paid $125 a week. He later bypassed a movie career in favor of radio performances and used his celebrity to raise funds for charity. He also ran a cemetery monument business until 1996. In 2007, Carroll - along with other surviving Munchkin actors- finally got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Dom DeLuise, the beloved comic actor of TV and feature films, has died at age 75. No details about cause of death have yet been released. DeLuise was a familiar face to moviegoers, generally playing second banana in many classic comedies. He was a favorite of Mel Brooks, who gave him prominent roles in Blazing Saddles, The Twelve Chairs, The History of the World: Part 1and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. DeLuise was also a close friend and co-star of Burt Reynolds. The two made both Cannonball Run films together and memorably starred in the dark comedy about death, The End in which DeLuise gave a hilarious performance as an escaped mental patient. In a rare starring role, DeLuise got to display both his comedic and dramatic skills in Fatso, a touching film directed by Anne Bancroft that centered on a man's lifelong battle with obesity. He also had a dramatic supporting role in Sidney Lumet's 1964 doomsday classic Fail Safe. DeLuise appeared in countless TV series over the decades, generally as a guest star. He was planning to reunite with Burt Reynolds for voice-over work on a new film. His three sons all followed him into the acting profession.  For a video compilation of DeLuise's best film roles click here