Thursday, March 02, 2017

BILL PAXTON


I'm still in shock at BILL PAXTON'S unexpected passing last week. A great talent and, from what I hear, an even greater human being. 

For those who have conversed with me more than 10 minutes, you know 'ALIENS' is my favorite movie, and my fandom is strong to say the least. Paxton's performance as HUDSON was iconic, impactful and influential. Over the years, he remained one of my favorite actors and his passing is a huge, sorrowful loss. 

I never had the honor of meeting Mr Paxton, but I did have one fun, super-brief encounter. While at work in 2010, I received a text from my buddy, Dylan, who was then-working at a local comic book store. Bill Paxton had just walked in and was shopping. 
Check out our text exchange:


Awesome.... and embarrassing, haha.

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Here are some of my favorite Bill Paxton roles:

U-571

EDGE OF TOMORROW

A SIMPLE PLAN

APOLLO 13

FRAILITY

TWISTER

NAVY SEALS

NEAR DARK

TOMBSTONE

PREDATOR 2

THE TERMINATOR

BIG LOVE

TRUE LIES

WEIRD SCIENCE

ALIENS

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BILL PAXTON 
1955 - 2017


* Bill Paxton: The first (of now-two) people to have been killed on screen by an ALIEN, PREDATOR and TERMINATOR.

5 comments:

Mike_D said...

Is the second one Lance Henrikson? Jeannette Goldman can only claim 2....

Jim said...

You are correct.

However, we must begrudgingly acknowledge 'AVP' to do so.

Also, technically speaking, Ripley "kills" (deactivates) him in 'Alien3' (glorified toaster).

BartWilkus said...

Man, this one hit me hard too. Aliens, Weird Science and Near Dark are all time favs. I even have this poster on my wall:

http://www.filmposters.com/images/posters/15921.jpg

Now, I will feel a bit sad every time I look at it. 61 is way too young!

R.I.P. Bill!

Unknown said...

A fantastic talent, a solid actor who was always enjoyable to watch. i'd put the Last Supper in my top 5 of his movies.

David said...

I haven't regularly visited your quality blog in years, Jim, but when I read the sad news of Bill Paxton's death, you sprang immediately to mind.

Thanks for sharing your passion for Aliens - your enthusiasm is contagious and it's become one of my favourites. "Hudson" is a great character - he and Vasquez are what shout "Aliens" to me when I think of it - and I'll remember that probably as long as I remember anything about movies.

(I watched The Edge Of Tomorrow on amazon not long ago, and it was a delightful surprise to find him front and centre giving Tom Cruise grief! Quality film.)