In Passing

Mary Kay Bergman.

In Memory Of Mary Kay Bergman. A cloud has eclipsed the world of animation since the passing of beloved voice-over actress, Mary Kay Bergman. A prolific artist, she has provided the voice for Daphne Blake in two Scooby-Doo direct-to-video flicks; Batgirl/Barbara Gordon in Batman: Subzero; and all but one of the female voices on Comedy Central's South Park. She is also been the "official" voice of Disney's Snow White since 1989. Mrs. Bergman had recently received an Annie Award nomination for her work in the South Park feature. Many questions surrounding the details of her passing surfaced after fans logged onto her Web site which only read, "In Memoriam. Mary Kay Bergman. (1961-1999)." After speaking with Mrs. Bergman's attorney, Robert Harrison, Animation World Network was sad to report that Mrs. Bergman's official cause of death had been ruled a suicide. Mrs. Bergman took her own life on Thursday, November 11, 1999 in her West Los Angeles home. She is survived by her mother, Patricia McGowen and husband Dino Andrade. "She was a 'larger-than-life' character, funny, outgoing, loving, friendly to a fault, beloved, admired and respected by all, and with a talent that will remain unparalleled," reflected her husband. "[Her work for South Park] led to this gentle creature getting to live out her life's dream of stepping out of a limo and walking the 'premiere night' red carpet of Mann's Chinese Theatre dressed as a princess -- unfortunately, she was also a victim of mental illness," Andrade explained. Her illness was a secret which Mrs. Bergman hid from everyone including her family and friends. "She was haunted by demons, irrational fears, and unfathomable pain," said Andrade and he added -- "If you are in pain, fear, depression or despair, you must seek help. If this plea can reach just one person, and help them to see the light in the darkness then I will know that Mary Kay's death was not a waste but a sacrifice so that another might live." If one wishes to honor Mrs. Bergman's memory please send donations to -- The Mary Kay Bergman Memorial Fund c/o The Suicide Prevention Center, 4760 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230. Please make checks payable to Suicide Prevention Center -- In memory of Mary Kay Bergman.

Alexander Zhukosky.

Hedgehog In The Fog DP Dies. Alexander Zhukosky, long time cinematographer with Russian director Yuri Norstein, passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 1999 in Moscow after a heart attack. He was 66 years-old. Since 1981 Zhukosky and Norstein have been working on the epic production Overcoat. How Zhukosky's death will affect the film's completion is still unknown. The team only completed two films together -- Hedgehog In The Fog and Heron And Crane -- however Norstein credits Zhukosky as a great influence on the over-all "look and feel" of his film Tale Of Tales on which Zhukosky worked in the pre-production stages. Norstein said of his friend and partner, "He humanized the space around him. He was unique and even the most jealous professional did not bear him jealousy, because how is it possible to be jealous of the sky?" Some of Zhukosky's other animation cinematography credits include -- Crocodile Genady, Shapocliak, and 38 Parrots. He is survived by his wife, Larissa Zinevich, and two daughters.