RIP Addison Powell (DS' Dr. Eric Lang)

[Charles_Ellis]

I just found out the news via the Dark Shadows Journal website.  This is a link to a detailed obit in his Vermont residence:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=146572298

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Sorry to hear of his passing. Having seen him in many of the credits that are mentioned in the obit, Powell was a much better actor than many DS fans give him credit for being (I still say much of his broad performance as Dr. Lang was most probably dictated by the directors). But did the obit really have to go where it did concerning DS?  

But at any rate, thanks for the link, Charles.

[michaelhacketttodd]

As a very impressionable 11-year-old, Addison Powell's performance as Dr. Eric Lang will always be fondly remembered as one of the best Dark Shadows had to offer.  It really bothered me when his character ended and it was always my hope that Dr. Lang would somehow return to the show.  Just like Michael Maitland, the character ended much too soon.  I had always wanted to write to Addison, but didn't know his address.  It was uplifting to read of his many accomplishments throughout his life.  My heart goes out to his entire family during this painful time.  Michael Comella

[Annie]

Hi Charles  so sorry to hear the sad news .  He will be missed.
 What  a great actor.    Rest  In Peace  .
                    Love  Anne

[David]

I remember going to see the Robert Redford/Faye Dunaway thriller Three Days of the Condor (1975). I'd no idea AP was in it until he showed up onscreen--he was a superbly scary villain.
Yes, he was a good actor.

[joe integlia]

i have a brief interview with him on my youtube page. go to
www.youtube.com/jayteevideo
and look for MANHATTAN SHADOWS

[Annie]

Hi  Joe  thanks for sharing the link it was great to see,
                   Love   Anne

[Gothick]

Thanks for the link.  I had no idea he was still alive.

In Stuart Little's classic book on Off-Broadway from the early 1970s, Powell's performances opposite Anne Meacham are highlighted as great moments in mid 20th century theatre history.  It was reading this that gave me an insight into Powell's significance as an actor.

I thought the short reference to DS in the obit was pretty much par for the course, given how people in the media tend to portray the series.  And frankly, I would prefer "camp classic" over "low budget soap opera."

Fascinating to learn that he was from Belmont, Mass.  And Thayer was from Medford.  Wonder who else in the cast came from Mass.

G.

[B.Collins]

1stly i had no idea the man was still alive either. while i'm thrilled he lived such a long & i assume a good life. he was one of the best actors DS had to offer. i wish they had used him more. i realize his voice was used on other characters but that's pretty much it. also i've always thought Dr. Lang was killed just to damn soon.

kinda reminds me of "Dennis Patrick" his time on DS i mean. he was SUCH a great actor that when he played Jason McGuire you really believed he was that character. the slime that he is. the character, NOT the actor. & same goes for when he played "Paul Stoddard"  i think they should have used him more often as well. i would have loved to see him play various roles on the show more often than he ended up playing. maybe have him play another good guy who i dunno LIVES for change. anyways, as for A.Powell R.I.P.  he will be missed by many.

thanxs for the link by the way.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I thought the short reference to DS in the obit was pretty much par for the course, given how people in the media tend to portray the series.  And frankly, I would prefer "camp classic" over "low budget soap opera."

True (at least the "classic" part), though I wish they wouldn't have characterized the DS fans who wrote Powell as "slightly obsessed." I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that they included the word "slightly" - but an obit isn't actually the place to have gotten into anything like that. Obits are meant to exclusively focus on the deceased and to celebrate their lives and deeds - not to go off on tangents. But then, today's writers, and I guess even today's obit writers, don't always stick to the journalistic tenets of their predecessors, now do they?    Mention DS, of course. Mention letters from DS fans, possibly - though some would say no. But characterize the people who wrote the letters, not called for in an obit.

[Uncle Roger]

Addison attended at least one festival back in the late 1980's

[joe integlia]

as far as i can remember, the only convention he attended was the 1st MANHATTAN SHADOWS convention. i have a vague memory of him being scheduled to attend a festival but he was a no show. however, i could be wrong about that.

[Taeylor Collins]

Godspeed Addison. I really enjoyed Dr. Lang and wish he had stayed longer.  He struggled with his lines a bit and was part of one the biggest bloopers on tape but he was a good actor.

[PennyDreadful]

I just saw this and am very sorry to hear of his passing. 

[Joeytrom]

In 1980, Addison Powell and David Selby were in a movie (Doctor Franken) together in a story similar to the Adam storyline in which the Powell character makes a body come to life.