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Rest In Peace Zelda Rubinstein
Hey, guys. Quint here with some bad news. Legendary character actress Zelda Rubinstein passed away. You’ll know her from her work in movies like TEEN WITCH, ANGUISH, SIXTEEN CANDLES and, most likely, from her tour de force in POLTERGEIST.
This hits me pretty close to home. Not only did I grow up with Zelda’s movies, but over the last three years I’ve gotten to know her and her partner, David, personally.
It all started when I interviewed her for Poltergeist’s DVD back in 2007. It was a phoner and instantly her voice sent me back to my childhood. I found her to be very sweet and very frank. Read the interview, with audio clips to see her talk about Tobe Hooper’s issues and just how much input Spielberg had on the movie.
She was sweet and nice and all that, but what really caught me off guard was her flirtatious nature.
Count me doubly shocked when she called me out of the blue a week later in the first of what would be a nearly weekly occurrence.
We’d talk about everything, her life, her pilot boyfriend (who is very cool), her sexual history (no joke), her political opinions and just general bullshitting.
After hours of phone calls I ended up visiting her at her home in Silverlake and I found her to be exactly the person I expected from the phone calls. Sweet, caring, opinionated, frank and occasionally vulgar… that’s Zelda in a nutshell.
Three weeks ago people were already running their obituary, so I called and talked to David who said it was bad, but not as bad as they were saying. I left word with him to give her my best, but I don’t know if she ever recovered enough to hear it.
The last time I talked with her I was planning this trip I’m on now, which begins at Sundance, then continues on to LA and we were planning on seeing each other on that trip. She was still full of verve and vigor, saying she was recovering from some surgeries and would be back to 100% soon.
Zelda was fond of saying she was the last of her kind, that they had been able to cure her particular form of dwarfism and there would never be another like her. She’s right. There won’t be another Zelda Rubinstein and I feel blessed to have had the last few years to get to know her as a complicated, hilarious and good-natured person.
I’ll miss you, Little Z.
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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RIP sweet lady.
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"There is no death. It is only a transition to a different sphere of consciousness." Man, I grew up listening to her strange but utterly unique voice, and those choice quotes will reverberate in my head for the rest of my life. Thank you Zelda!
"I'm going in after her." -
Jan 27, 2010 7:38:35 PM CST
They should have made a series back then based on her character
by angry mike
Sort of like an X Files. Now that would have been interesting. But I guess being the early 80's, it was a pipe dream. Now if it was made today....
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That was actually one of the sweetest tributes to an actress I've ever read on AICN, good job Quint... now I'm off to read that interview. And it's off topic, but, Quint, has anyone ever told you that you look a lot more like Hooper than Quint? That last pic made me see it.
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And I wasn't aware she was named after a nintendo game. Oh well, more experience points and gold to ABE VIGODA!
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Zelda Rubenstein - Super Awesome
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Nice piece Quint. Thanks for linking to the interview, I somehow missed it when you first published it. Great stuff about Tobe H.
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RIP to both.
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Legend......ary
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And she gets no thread as far as a I can tell. Many people don't know who Jean Simmons is, and believe I am trying to say Gene Simmons(like from KISS). Jean Simmons was enchantingly beautiful in the original Stanley Kubrik film Spartacus. She was breathtaking in that film, totally holds the film together at an emotional level. People should know her too. Zelda was great though, and RIP to all the great actors and actresses that have been passing away lately.
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She seemed cool as hell. Definitely a staple of my childhood. Rest In Paradise.
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...............of everlasting life!
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Sorry to hear she was struggling, even sorrier to hear she's passed. Death is so damn stupid.
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Man are you guys inconsistent on these obits. Jean Simmons? Pernell Roberts? I guess you can't mark all of them, but come on...
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that when you die there is a wonderful light. As bright as the sun but it doesn't hurt to look into it. All the answers to all the questions you want to know are inside that light. And when you walk to it... you become a part of it forever.Rest In Peace.Really touching eulogy Quint. I remember that interview you did. You guys had a wonderful chemistry. Glad that it continued.
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rip to a great actress
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First Dominique Dunne. Then the old guy who played Kane. Then Heather O'Rourke. Now, twenty years later Zelda Rubinstein! I predict Steven Speilberg, Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams will also die in the next twenty to thirty years! But not Tobe Hooper, cause everyone knows Speilberg told Tobe to go home after the first day and directed it himself.
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RIP.
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She will definitely be missed.
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I remember her most from a Tales from the Crypt episode where I thinq a radio psych was trying to help her wild (I forgot if she was wild, crazy, etc, its been a while) *daughter* that the radio psych thought was realy Zelda in disguise. I remember cuz a caller called in about her daughter's masturbation and it was the first time I heard that word hahah. Anyway, God bles ya Zelda!
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Is I thinq on e! True hollywood story they said it was cheaper to use real human skeletons (at least on 1 fliq, don't know bout the whole series) and the cast didn't know until later on they were handling real human remains.
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Quint, just read your "Poltergeist" interview with Ms. Rubenstein. Great stuff. Did the Alamo "Anguish" screening ever happen? I've never seen that film, but I'm going to seek it out now. RIP Zelda
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I grew up with her iconic voice as well. I was saddened to see the news but I did not have a personal relationship like you did. That was a very moving and well done tribute. Thank you.
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The movie still creeps me out to this day and she was part of it. A wonderful actress who left us some great work. RIP.
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Jan 27, 2010 9:03:39 PM CST
Pernell Roberts was the last surviving cast member of Bonanza.
by orionsangels
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God bless you, Zelda.
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Lovely, Quint. I'm sorry for your's - and all her fan's - loss.
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She had an awesome screen presence and she seemed to be even more dynamic in real life. RIP Zelda.
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My deepest condolences. It is a sad loss, but I think she would have found your words very fitting and respectful.-Cheers
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Sorry couldn't resist
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Poltergeist scared me shitless when I was a little kid. Ms. Rubinstein was wonderful in it and made a lasting impression. She will be missed.
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to old friends.
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RIP, Zelda.
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didn't get one)
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Very nice write-up, Quint. Touching and heartfelt. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. She was definitely a genre icon and had the most recognizable voice in the medium. From your article, it sounds like she was a real blast to know in person. Consider yourself lucky, brother.
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Jan 27, 2010 10:27:20 PM CST
If even One person brings up Abe Vigoda, I'll Go INSANE!
by watch_the_birdie
Everytime an Obituary shows up on this website, some fucking retard always says that Abe Vigoda is laughing because he's still alive. Will someone put a bullet in the old geyser's head and get it over with?
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
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Will pull me through.
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That photo is just too sweet. What a gal.
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Teen Witch was my favorite of her works.
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Obesity and bad facial hair?
What? I'm just saying... -
And RIP Ms. Rubinstein. You were truly singular.
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Who directed Poltergeist? Spielberg or Hooper?
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Beautiful.
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Paranormal Activity and Zelda Rubinstein is about 1 million times better than Oren Peli. Too bad he will never appreciate her.
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Someone had to say it
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Can anyone expand on this? What form she had, the treatments people undergo, the cost, etc? Just curious.
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and Zelda looks like a mini Harry Knowles minus the red hair and beard. RIP sweetie!!
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RIPpin' ...
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That's my little sister's favorite movie. Even girls born after 1988 are obsessed with the movie which came out and bombed at the b.o. in '89. A re-make without LEGENDARY ZELDA? No way.
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Judging the unmistakable style of Spielberg's, it was him who directed most, if not entire movie. Check trivia for the movie at IMDB. Tobe Hooper was probably an incompetent dope. Exhibit A & B: Life Force and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. TX Chainsaw Massacre 1 was frighteningly great, but Tobe's fame is extinguished with consequently shitty movies.
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Rest in peace Zelda, you'll be missed.
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classy lady.
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maybe in 2 where the mom looks out the peep-hole and can't see her.
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She was good on that, until they decided to kill her character off in a sucky way for stupid reasons. She will be missed.
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maybe in 2 where the mom looks out the peep-hole and can't see her.
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butt-cock.
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For such a beautiful tribute. My heart goes out to you my brother. RIP and God bless Zelda Rubinstein. Thank you Zelda for all the great memories. You are truly a legend!
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Jan 28, 2010 2:19:45 AM CST
RE: Pernell Roberts was the last surviving cast member of Bonanz
by droogie alex
Not true. He was the last of the Cartrights. David Canary (who replaced hims a non-family member) is still on ALL MY CHILDREN every day.
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Bummer! Rest in peace "Edith'.
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I'd say something snarky
But I'm afraid she'd haunt me
But my heart does go out to her family and friends
And I thank her for her work in film
Rest Well -
in Poltergeist, she was robbed of an Oscar nom at least. As said above, an amazing and scene-stealing tour de force. Rest in Peace, she's living forever in the silver screen.
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That'd be the tiny kind, right?
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RIP Zelda
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She sounded like a nice lady, my condolences to her family and friends - including Quint. Nice photo at the end.
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Frankly, I was quite annoyed at AICn for letting the passing of this talented and beautiful actress go unmentioned. I read about her passing in Monday's The Miami Herald. That evening I watched my DVD of 'Spartacus.' Harry, Quint, et.al., you really dropped the ball on this one! In closing, let me add my condolences re Zelda Rubinstein and Pernell Roberts.
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The person is dead. Wait, let me guess, you all say "passed" instead of "dead," right? And let's make the "obit" about ourselves, while we're at it?
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if ever there was one that will forever resonate in my mind it was her in poltergeist.she brought something truely special to that role.may she rest in peace
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Sorry, love me some Zelda Rubenstein. It's a shame she wasn't the anchor for all the other poltergeist movies.
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at the top of the steps always gets me. Way to go Zelda.
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They should have kept her on for the whole run. I think she was on for the first season, and that was all.
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According to CSI (yeah, it's tv so I'll take it with a grain of salt) there were basically two kinds. One you look like an average person like Meredith the actress. The other distorts facial features more so. Was there a third kind, and she had it?
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got screwed. At least we got one for Zelda.
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Sorry she's gone.
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Rest in Peace, Zelda.
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rest in peace you old floozy
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Great actress and sounds like a she was a fun human, and now a fun spirit. BTW: Is that Quint or a thinner Quilerrmo Torro (horrible spelling, but you know who I mean).
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Jan 28, 2010 12:28:38 PM CST
so now which foundation will be getting my PBS donations?
by glenn_the_tool
ohhhh, silly me. i thought this ad was about Helena Rubinstein. carry on.
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Her and then JD Salinger...
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now, cue thelordofhell.
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into the light. R.I.P.
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Quint, that was a great farewell to a great lady, thanks for sharing your history with her. What ever happened on that recent DVD/Bluray release? They didn't throw anything on the disc except some lame documentaries about ghost hunters. I was looking forward to your interview on it and any historical things they would be throwing on there. What happened?
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filled with snow as he wrote this. RIP Ms. Rubinstein.
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Jan 28, 2010 2:37:55 PM CST
Salinger had a copy of "The Catcher in the Rye" on him when he d
by backrivercatfish
Maybe he assassinated himself?
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Thank you.
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Nicely done.
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God bless her, she was trying to keep it together when Molly Ringwold's sister is all whacked out on painkillers. "Should be a hell of a honeymoon, eh Padre?"
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... thanks for the memories, Zelda.
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Loved her in Poltergiest and she was perfect in Scariest Places
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The two of you butt-nuggets make a strong case against freedom of speech. The simple fact I'm responding to your comments probably gives you knob-gobbling, live-with-your-moms, old-milk-smelling troglydites a pathetic excuse for what you whimsically refer to as a hard-on. Leave it to one or two true shit-for-brains to piss all over the thread dedicated to the rememberance of a sweet old lady. They say if you don't want to see it, then don't look... well, if you don't need to say it then keep your stupid fucking mouths shut. Am I mistaken, or isn't this supposed to be the site for true film fans, not the swingset on your playground where you look over your sholder before telling jokes in hopes the bigger kids don't hear you making fun of them. "People" like the two of you are pathetic. Quit hogging up bandwidth and go hand-job each other to an Uwe Boll movie.
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Oh come on, it's the first thing you thought of too!At least I'm pretending to be all broken up like it makes 2 shits worth of difference to me that she's dead.Just sayin'.
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My ex-wifes's father was an actor (did a lot of TV and some movies) and he was in some play showcase at a tiny theater in LA. There were for people in the audience - me, my (then) wife, and Ms. Rubinstein accompanied by a very tall, dark man. It was very cool She was a terrific actress.
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