Patrick McGoohan Dies aged 80

[Meds]

It is with incredibly sad news that i report that the great Patrick McGoohan died on Tuesday aged 80. I'm a huge Pat fan and loved The Prisoner, Danger Man, Brand and Hell Drivers.
Today is a very sad day.

Here is a recent report of his death.

'Prisoner' actor Patrick McGoohan dies in LA

By ANDREW DALTON –

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80.

McGoohan died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said.

McGoohan won two Emmys for his work on the Peter Falk detective drama "Columbo," and more recently appeared as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film "Braveheart."

But he was most famous as the character known only as Number Six in "The Prisoner," a sci-fi tinged 1960s British series in which a former spy is held captive in a small enclave known only as The Village, where a mysterious authority named Number One constantly prevents his escape.

McGoohan came up with the concept and wrote and directed several episodes of the show, which has kept a devoted following in the United States and Europe for four decades.

Born in New York on March 19, 1928, McGoohan was raised in England and Ireland, where his family moved shortly after his birth. He had a busy stage career before moving to television, and won a London Drama Critics Award for playing the title role in the Henrik Ibsen play "Brand."

He married stage actress Joan Drummond in 1951. The oldest of their three daughters, Catherine, is also an actress.

His first foray into TV was in 1964 in the series "Danger Man," a more straightforward spy show that initially lasted just one season but was later brought back for three more when its popularity — and McGoohan's — exploded in reruns.

Weary of playing the show's lead John Drake, McGoohan pitched to producers the surreal and cerebral "The Prisoner" to give himself a challenge.

The series ran just one season and 17 episodes in 1967, but its cultural impact remains.

He voiced his Number Six character in an episode of "The Simpsons" in 2000. The show is being remade as a series for AMC that premieres later this year.

"His creation of 'The Prisoner' made an indelible mark on the sci-fi, fantasy and political thriller genres, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time," AMC said in a statement Wednesday. "AMC hopes to honor his legacy in our re-imagining of 'The Prisoner.'"

Later came smaller roles in film and television. McGoohan won Emmys for guest spots on "Columbo" 16 years apart, in 1974 and 1990.

He also appeared as a warden in the 1979 Clint Eastwood film "Escape from Alcatraz" and as a judge in the 1996 John Grisham courtroom drama "A Time To Kill."

His last major role was in "Braveheart," in what The Associated Press called a "standout" performance as the brutal king who battles Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace, played by Gibson.

In his review of the film for the Los Angeles Times critic Peter Rainer said "McGoohan is in possession of perhaps the most villainous enunciation in the history of acting."

McGoohan is survived by his wife and three daughters.

[Rico]

Sad news and a brilliant actor.  I rank "The Prisoner" as one of my all-time favorite series.  Rest in peace Patrick.

[Poodyglitz]

He was one of the people who revolutionized television. There was Gene Roddenberry, Rod Serling and Patrick Mc Goohan. "The Prisoner" remains one of my top favorite TV shows, along with "Star Trek". I remember as a kid on Friday nights watching both shows, back to back, prime time on NBC. "The Prisoner" made such a bold statement concerning the loss of individuality in a technological society. The lyrics to its "prequel", "Secret Agent" ("Danger Man" in Great Britain), summed up the show very nicely: "They've given you a number and taken away your name".

In certain ways, "The Prisoner"  was vastly superior to "Star Trek". However, they both share the distinction of advancing the state of storytelling on television. Patrick Mc Goohan deserves much respect in that it was under his guidance that "The Prisoner" was the type and style of show that it was.

It was such a savvy show. From the lead character's name (Number Six — numeralogical symbol of the soul) to his weekly fight against being broken down by Number Two (the colloquial symbol for what eminates from the bowels [this was just a joke]), "The Prisoner" sought to portend a not-too-distant reality. Patrick Mc Goohan was a visionary with the guts to present his vision in a very unique way.

[Meds]

Nice Darmok, very nice. :)

[Poodyglitz]

Thanks. Check out the NPR piece on him:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99355656

On another note, congratulations to us all on this historic day. During the Inaugural Address, the words, "we", "our" and "us" really stood out. Now, once the euphoria wears off, let's make sure that we remain patient over the next four years. Healing is not going to happen all at once.

[Meds]

Think we need a Prisoner Podcast Rico ;-)

[Rico]

Think we need a Prisoner Podcast Rico ;-)

It's on my list!

[Poodyglitz]

Think we need a Prisoner Podcast Rico ;-)

It's on my list!

Sweeeeeeeeet!