John Howard Davies, 72, a wistful child actor of British movie dramas, memorable as the title orphan of “Oliver Twist,” died Monday of cancer in Blewbury, England.
Davies, the son of a film critic and screenwriter, was 8 when a family friend, director David Lean, hired the boy to star in his 1948 version of “Oliver Twist.”
Davies later joined BBC Television’s production team. In 1969, he produced and directed several of the early episodes of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” In 1975, Davies and John Cleese collaborated on “Fawlty Towers,” a farce set at an English hotel that is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished comedies ever made.
Frank Potenza, 77, a former New York City police officer who turned to comedy as “Uncle Frank” on his nephew Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, died early Tuesday. Potenza had served as a police officer for two decades and as a private security guard before Kimmel asked him to join his fledgling show in 2003.
On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the uniformed Potenza was paired in comedy bits with Guillermo Rodriguez, a parking lot security guard for the show. Potenza and his former wife, Conchetta “Chippy” Potenza, were also sent by Kimmel on comic “adventures” such as working on a dairy farm and learning self-defense.
Jerry Leiber, 78, who wrote lyrics for such hits as “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock,” died Monday, his publicist said.
With Leiber as lyricist and partner Mike Stoller as composer, the team channeled their blues and jazz backgrounds into pop songs performed by such artists as Elvis Presley, the Coasters and Ben E. King.
Their breakout hit was blues great Big Mama Thornton’s 1953 rendition of “Hound Dog.” Presley’s version hit No. 1 in 1956.
Their songwriting took a more serious turn in 1969 with Peggy Lee’s hit “Is That All There Is?” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Denver Post wire services
