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RIP Kim Manners

Published at:  Jan 27, 2009 4:23:23 AM CST

I am – Hercules.



Kim Manners, a prolific director and producer whose long showbiz career stretches from 1971’s “Valdez is Coming” to “Charlie’s Angels,” “Automan,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.,” “MANTIS,” and “Harsh Realm,” passed away Sunday night following a battle with cancer.

His last directorial effort was “Metamorphosis,” the Oct. 9 episode of “Supernatural.”

Manners directed 53 hours of “The X-Files,” including the 2002 two-hour series finale, “The Truth.”

Hailing from a showbiz family, Manners got his start as a second assistant director on the big-screen Burt Lancaster western “Valdez is Coming,” produced by his father Sam.

Joining “Charlie’s Angels” in 1977 as an assistant director and production manager, he eventually directed 11 episodes of that series, starting with 1979’s “Angels Remembered.”

His episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” was season one’s “When The Bough Breaks,” about impotent extraterrestrials who kidnap the Enterprise’s children.

“Supernatural” mastermind Eric Kripke issued this statement:

Everyone at 'Supernatural' is walking around in a daze, shocked and absolutely devastated. Kim was a brilliant director; more than that, he was a mentor and friend. He was one of the patriarchs of the family, and we miss him desperately. He gave so much to 'Supernatural,' and everything we do on the show, now and forever, is in memory of him.


Among those surviving Manners is sister and longtime assistant director Tana Manners (“Deadly Whispers”). A brother, Kelly Manners, was a producer on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” and currently serves as a producer on the upcoming Fox series “Dollhouse.”



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    Readers Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:14:12 PM CST

    FIRST!

    by zandunga

    Eat that, bizznatches!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:14:24 PM CST

    Rest In Peace

    by xandar1977

    You will be missed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:15:10 PM CST

    Yeah, Zadunga...

    by xandar1977

    This isn't the kind of thread to yell First on. Sorry man.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:16:26 PM CST

    This is remarkably upsetting.

    by johnny smith

    His work was terrific, and by all accounts he was one of the great joys on the Supernatural set. He will be missed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:17:08 PM CST

    Cancer claims another victim....

    by playkins

    My most sincere sympathies to his family.

    The growing cancer rate should not be overlooked. Something is happening.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:18:08 PM CST

    Aw man....

    by willyer hero

    Rest in peace.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:20:50 PM CST

    Damn, Manners made some of my favorite X-Files episodes

    by nasty in the pasty

    Along with Rob Bowman, he was one of the series' MVP directors. A shame...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:27:27 PM CST

    finally got your SUPERNATURAL talkback, whiners

    by zom-bot.com

    and at this cost! look what you have done!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:28:13 PM CST

    Family Remains was great

    by lsleelee

    Manners was one of the few who could make you forget that Warner Bros spends $11.95 and a pack of gum per episode to make Supernatural.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:30:25 PM CST

    an interview with Manners from the X-Files days

    by badmrwonka

    for old times' sake...everyone that ever worked with him had nothing but great things to say about his professionalism and his talent. this interview captures his absolute LOVE of directing and producing that he possessed. any time someone just loves their craft, and brings so much to the art form, it's that much sadder to see them go. rest in peace Mr. Manners, and read this great interview/article from the DGA monthly back in the day.
    http://tinyurl.com/bycv8p

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:33:33 PM CST

    I don't know about you guys....

    by therobcat

    But, I'm getting pretty sick of Cancer. can we maybe do something about that? That was bitter sarcasm. Not the funny kind.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:35:37 PM CST

    This guy directed the best XFILES eps...RIP

    by fuckmichaelbay

    another one bites the dust

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:47:42 PM CST

    Of course, I swap DVRs for ONE week...

    by themark

    ...and miss ONE episode of Supernatural...the one he happened to shoot last. I'm sure i've seen his work on TNG and what have you...but another sad loss of someone in the industry.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:48:29 PM CST

    I was about to say the same thing, zom bot.com

    by cotton mcknight

    Oh well. Hercules has his opinions, to paraphrase Obama, he's the boss. Frankly i'm surprised he hasnt put up a countdown clock for that Joss Whedon show. Onto more important matters, I enjoyed many, many hours of programming that was directed by Mr. Manners. Godspeed, sir.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 10:54:34 PM CST

    Ah geez...

    by paul t. ryan

    Such a shame. RIP.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:03:25 PM CST

    One of you stop bitching about movies and cure cancer now.

    by dogsoup

    I know too much to ask. RIP Kim Manners

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:11:15 PM CST

    awesome episode..

    by smithys.bark

    family remains was one of my fave ep's so far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:22:53 PM CST

    Holy shit, Zandunga...

    by disneyfanatic

    That was by far the funniest first post ever. Perhaps the only reason I think it's funny is because I am an outright asshole who enjoys dark humor.

    My condolences to the family... but that was damn funny.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:32:48 PM CST

    X-Files . . .

    by aboriginal

    Everyone involved with that show rocked. Damn shame.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:36:46 PM CST

    "Masters"

    by raknade

    Way to concentrate while writing an obituary, Herc

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:38:16 PM CST

    Zandunga, you're such a fucking tool

    by mefrog

    RIP... sci-fi has lost a great asset.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:42:54 PM CST

    What a Guy

    by amrcanpoet

    Been reading my Complete XF book (just released) full of interviews, and all cast/crew say that Manners was a very emotional, caring person. You can see that in the eps he directed.

    On the flip-side, guy apparently had a mouth like a sailor. The foul-mouthed detective in "Jose Chung's From Outerspace" was modeled after him (even called "Dt. Manners).

    Herc, fix the "Masters" type-o. You post 3 items a day, get it right. This is an obituary, for god's sake.

    RIP.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:47:20 PM CST

    Fuck

    by bob of the shire

    Being a huge X-File nut, this hits me pretty hard. The man will be missed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:56:29 PM CST

    RIP - Sorry to hear it

    by astronaut_chowder

    Great guy, great family.

    BTW Herc, Kelly Manners is a guy. You might wanna correct that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 26, 2009 11:59:55 PM CST

    Spelled the his name wrong

    by 9000rpm

    It's Manners NOT Masters

    Masters directed 53 hours of “The X-Files,” including the 2002 two-hour series finale, “The Truth.”

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 12:00:48 AM CST

    Damn shame.

    by raymar

    Too young.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 12:07:19 AM CST

    First

    by deanbarry

    to tell Zandunga you are fuck hole.
    RIP Kim. Was just watching your behind the scenes interview on the Supernatural Season 3 set. Bummed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 12:14:21 AM CST

    Another one of those people who bring us interesting TV is gone.

    by lordenigma

    Godspeed sir. Godspeed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 2:12:54 AM CST

    Zandunga and Disneyfanatic

    by cineninja

    What kind of clueless retard(s) are you?
    You contribute nothing. The only one here more genetically defective then Zandunga is Disneyfanatic.
    You assholes think its funny to shock but all it says about you is that you are unimpressive away from the keyboard and shock is the ONLY impression you make. Youre what we call combat ineffective.
    Im sure the closest Disneyfanatic has been to a relationship is sniffing a fish from the fridge while jacking off to Little Mermaid.
    Zandunga...too clueless to even get the fact that their clueless.
    RIP, Mr Manners. your contributions will be missed :(

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 3:07:54 AM CST

    The closest cineninja has ever gotten...

    by disneyfanatic

    ... to an apostrophe was the colon key for his cute little sad faces. :( Awwww... booo hooo...

    And why lump me in with him? I didn't say it was a GOOD thing what he did... I just said that it was the only "First" comment that has ever made me laugh, partially because it was in such bad taste that it had to be humorous.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 3:39:22 AM CST

    Peace, brother.

    by dingbatty

  • Jan 27, 2009 3:59:21 AM CST

    Thanks for all those memorable TV-moments

    by lostbat

    Your magic will be missed... R.I.P


    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 4:00:02 AM CST

    P.S. : lets ignore these Talkback retards....

    by lostbat

  • Jan 27, 2009 4:10:31 AM CST

    If anyone wants to memorialise the guy...

    by judderman

    They should watch "Jose Chung's "From Outer Space"". There is a character (Detective Manners) modeled after him, who swears continuously. Interesting that the Star Trek ep he directed was the one with Deep Throat in it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 4:25:52 AM CST

    RIP

    by dc films

    I hope he's out there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 5:47:25 AM CST

    What an unpleasant surprise

    by geekgasm

    and what a talented guy. Based on all the X-Files press he did, he seemed like quite a character.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 5:50:05 AM CST

    I always thought it was cool that a chick

    by indycollector

    was involved with so much good television. I guess I was wrong.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 6:09:07 AM CST

    Death is stupid, that's right Death, I called you stupid

    by soylentmean

    This guy helped make The X-Files great and he's a big reason I was so impressed with Supernatural. He brought credibility to a show that originally aired on the WB that was seemingly advertised and directed toward teenage girls. Instead, Supernatural is pretty damn badass (and surprisingly misogynistic). I'd like to think Kim Manners had something to do with that.

    R.I.P. Mr. Manners

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 6:39:39 AM CST

    Here's Wishing You A Peaceful Journey

    by media messiah

    Although I did not know of your impact in the industry, I am certain that I have seen, and been inspired by your voluminous work. Have a peaceful journey...and may God welcome you into His embrace.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 7:49:49 AM CST

    fuck you cancer.

    by ironic_name

  • Jan 27, 2009 8:12:11 AM CST

    Thanks BadMrWonka

    by ninjarap

    That article was awesome and said a lot about his varied talents and impact.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 8:36:52 AM CST

    RIP

    by veritasses

  • Jan 27, 2009 9:05:51 AM CST

    The Truth IS Out There

    by dr gregory house

    Unfortunately, a cure for cancer is NOT! RIP.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 9:29:37 AM CST

    Valdez is coming

    by killianx

    If you havent seen it Watch it Now!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 10:13:56 AM CST

    Zadunga is pure scum

    by optimus122

    My condolences to the Manner family...the Zadunga's can suck dick for all I care..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 11:04:07 AM CST

    RIP

    by nivekj

    Some of my favorite shows and some of my favorite TV movies were directed by this man. If the site can let us know where to leave condolences to family and friends, that would be nice. Thanks, and sorry to hear sad news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 11:18:42 AM CST

    back when X-Files was on

    by oisin5199

    I used to think Kim Manners was a woman. But damn, this guy contributed quite a lot to genre television. RIP. Oh, and trolls on obituary talkbacks are the lowest of the low.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 12:51:18 PM CST

    A great talent

    by nudeandaroused

    A very talented director. Some of teh best X-files episodes. Also just heard of the passing of John Updike.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 1:29:25 PM CST

    John Updike gone as well...

    by r_number6

    Headline just came up on MSN. Death, take a holiday already!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 3:06:34 PM CST

    My grandfather died of cancer...

    by andyny29

    when I was one. So I never got to meet a man who served in world war one and two. He was the patriarch of my family and his death still reverberates in my family to this day. I wish someone would find a cure for cancer already

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 3:30:19 PM CST

    awww thats too bad

    by bouncy x

    X-Files is the first show that got me so involved that i ended up knowing all those behind the scenes people. so its almost personal but not really if that makes sense. but yeah thats definately sad. but his work lives on in reruns forever so thats a nice little nod.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 6:54:24 PM CST

    RIP Kim Manners

    by subtlety

    The guy really helped shape the feel and tone of the X-files, as well as directing some of the best episodes. He was one of the first directors to play around with humor in the show, for one thing. And the cinematic direction on that show certainly influenced television production in general to a huge extent. He will be missed

    Reply to Talkback

  • This sucks and all you losers can talk about is the X-Files. Supernatural is a whole lot better than X-Files ever was. I just hope that can get another great director like Kim to keep this wonderful series going.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 8:35:04 PM CST

    very sad and strange...

    by gutsspill

    to hear about Kim's passing was not only a shock, but a saddening.

    I just bought the new complete making of book, and I was reading it bascially all night on January 25th, and to have been reading about him and his work the second he died, it's strange.

    rest in peace, Kim.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 27, 2009 9:52:17 PM CST

    RIP Mr. Kim Manners

    by thegrayghost

    Thank you for everything you've contributed to the X-Files and Supernatural. I have had very fond memories watching both series. I love them both!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 28, 2009 12:11:57 AM CST

    Who?

    by jedihillis

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