Free Republic

R.I.P., GEORGE By Burt Prelutsky George Kennedy died recently. It ended a friendship that had lasted nearly half a century. I first heard from Kennedy in 1967when, in my role as movie critic for Los Angeles magazine, I predicted he would win an Oscar for his performance as Dragline in “Cool Hand Luke.” He wrote me a thank-you letter. I, in turn, invited him to my housewarming. Much to my surprise, he showed up with his wife, but stayed only briefly because they had already committed to another party. As a housewarming gift, he brought me the LP of Lalo...

LOS ANGELES – George Kennedy, the hulking, tough-guy character actor who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a savage chain-gang convict in the 1960s classic "Cool Hand Luke," has died. His grandson Cory Schenkel says Kennedy died on Sunday morning of old age in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. He had undergone emergency triple bypass surgery in 2002. That same year, he and his late wife moved to Idaho to be closer to their daughter and her family, though he still was involved in occasional film projects. His biggest acting achievement came in "Cool Hand Luke," a 1967...

George Kennedy, star of "Cool Hand Luke" and the 'Naked Gun' movies, has died at the age of 91 ... TMZ has learned. George's grandson Cory Schenkel says Kennedy died Sunday morning at 4:30 AM in Boise, ID. He says his grandfather had been in failing health ever since his wife Joan died a little over a year ago. George had been under hospice care for the past month. Kennedy won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1968 for "Cool Hand Luke." He also starred in all 3 of the 'Naked Gun' flicks, "Airport 1975," "Earthquake" and many many more....