Taun Posted December 26, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Gerry Anderson, 'Thunderbirds' Creator, Dies at 83 By By CASSANDRA VINOGRAD Associated Press LONDON December 26, 2012 (AP) Gerry Anderson, puppetry pioneer and British creator of the sci-fi hit "Thunderbirds" TV show, has died. He was 83. Anderson's son Jamie said his father died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at a nursing home near Oxfordshire, England, after being diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago. His condition had worsened dramatically over the past six months, his son said. Anderson's television career launched in the 1950s. Once "Thunderbirds" aired in the 1960s, "Thunderbirds are go!" became a catchphrase for generations. It also introduced the use of "supermarionation" — a puppetry technique using thin wires to control marionettes — and made sci-fi mainstream, according to Jamie Anderson. "He forever changed the direction of sci-fi entertainment," Jamie told the Associated Press. "Lots of animation and films that have been made in the past 20 or 30 years have been inspired by the work that he did." more at: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/gerry-anderson-thunderbirds-creator-died-18067598 I was/am a fan of his 1969 series "UFO", and as a kid his "Thunderbirds"... Sad news but I'm glad he is now no longer suffering... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urisk Posted December 26, 2012 #2 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Sad news. How many generations did he entertain with the magic of his puppetry? Amazing man. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Commander Travis Posted December 26, 2012 #3 Share Posted December 26, 2012 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted December 26, 2012 #4 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Another piece of my childhood disappears. Like Taun, I was a UFO fan, and later Space 1999. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonecrusher Posted December 26, 2012 #5 Share Posted December 26, 2012 A very sad loss to the entertainment industry. His shows catered to kids and adults alike. I'll admit I was quite taken to Space 1999. You don't get many sci-fi spectaculars like that and I thank him for it. That show and him are one of a kind. May he rest in puppeteers heaven. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schizoidwoman Posted December 27, 2012 #6 Share Posted December 27, 2012 A sad loss; we saw him give a talk on his career a few years ago and he was a really interesting fellow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oppono Astos Posted December 30, 2012 #7 Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) How many childhoods were influenced and inspired by Gerry's shows; my TV early memories are from Fireball XL5. December was a sad month for Anderson fans: SFX cameraman Harry Oakes, actress Dolores Mantez, and then Gerry himself. Edited December 30, 2012 by Oppono Astos 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urisk Posted January 1, 2013 #8 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I've not so fond memories of being absolutely petrified of Terrahawks in the mid 80s, but I worshipped such gems as Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Space Precinct! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted January 11, 2013 #9 Share Posted January 11, 2013 (edited) Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson's funeral held http://www.bbc.co.uk...ngland-20969525 Some of those video clips brought back a few memories! In pictures - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20990742 Edited January 11, 2013 by Still Waters Additional source link added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted January 15, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted January 15, 2013 How many childhoods were influenced and inspired by Gerry's shows; my TV early memories are from Fireball XL5. December was a sad month for Anderson fans: SFX cameraman Harry Oakes, actress Dolores Mantez, and then Gerry himself. I didn't know about Dolores' passing... I am absolutely devestated... I had such a crush on her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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