70s horror star Robert Quarry, best known to fans for his two Count Yorga films, passed away on February 20th.
After being groomed by A.I.P. as the next big horror star, Quarry suffered numerous career and personal setbacks. He was in later years befriended by Fred Olen Ray and several other old fans and given something of a comeback in low budget films and the horror convention circut. He spent his last few months in the Actor's Home (now scheduled to be shut down) under the care of a group of devoted fans.
http://www.fangoriaonline.com/home/news/15-rip/1448-rip-robert-quarry.html (http://www.fangoriaonline.com/home/news/15-rip/1448-rip-robert-quarry.html)
I vividly remember seeing Quarry in COUNT YORGA - VAMPIRE, THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA, Dr. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, and MADHOUSE back in the early 70s at our local theater. Quarry made a huge impression on me. I'm proud to say last year I sent a note of encouragement and a small donation to Quarry when he lost his apartment and all his belongings and was forced to move into the actor's home.
(http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr154/Raffine/CountYorga.jpg)
R.I.P. Mr. Quarry. I think another great role of his worth mentioning is that of Manson-like Khorda in DEATHMASTER. He also showed up in AGENT FOR H.A.R.M. and the "Buck Rogers" episode "Return of the Fighting 69th".
:bluesad: :(___( :bluesad:
RIP, Robert... You were surely an amazing man, a serious actor, and one of the greatest vampires put to screen...
It's a shame he was so overlooked in life, I'll certainly miss him...
IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175030/bio (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175030/bio), brilliant.
TT_TT ;_;
I liked ROBERT QUARRY, particularly as YORGA. So long, Robert.
I have fond memories of seeing DR.PHIBES RISES AGAIN at the Strand as a kid. I had always hoped for a third YORGA film...alas...it never happened. :bluesad: He had a hard road....and was a trooper. Thanks for many good memories.