American actor and cultural icon
The Tribeca film festival marks 50 years since Taxi Driver’s release. Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster and Paul Schrader gather to reflect on the film’s loneliness and its relevance to today’s digital isolation. Schrader calls the screenplay “like a razor blade,” while Foster notes the antihero’s enduring pull and the film’s shock of its time.
Dame Penelope Keith has died after a battle with cancer. Her career spans stage, The Good Life and To the Manor Born, with a lasting impact on British comedy. Tributes praise her comic genius and decades of work in theatre, television and charity.
Obituary confirms Michael Byrne has died on 20 June 2026. A veteran British actor with a long film and stage career, Byrne played Ernst Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Ted Page in Coronation Street, among other roles. His career spanned theatre work with the National Theatre and major screen performances.
A roundup compiles notable birthdays from this week across Independent, AP News and other outlets, highlighting a cast of performers aged from 36 to 82 as of mid-July 2026.
The Emmy nominations are announced with The Pitt leading in acting categories, Hacks attaining strong comedy nominations, and Widow’s Bay and Pluribus among Apple TV的新 entrants. Several long-running shows miss main drama categories; Stranger Things and Euphoria are notably absent from top drama slots. Nominations include both established hits and new Apple TV titles.
Actor Sam Neill has died at 78. His career spanned five decades, from early NZ breakthroughs to Hollywood fame in Jurassic Park and acclaimed arthouse films such as The Piano. He will be remembered for his warmth, versatility and enduring presence across cinema and television.
Sam Neill has died in Sydney at 78. His family has described the death as "sudden and unexpected" and his longtime agent has said Neill passed from pneumonia after having beaten a rare lymphoma with CAR‑T therapy; the agent added Neill had filmed four projects due for release and the family has asked for privacy and donations to causes he supported.
A wave of public disclosures reveals that Parkinson’s disease has touched several well-known figures, affecting mobility, mental health and public appearances. The reports emphasize treatment options, the human impact of the condition, and ongoing efforts to manage daily life.
The Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been announced for Christmas Day release on S4C, featuring a cast of Welsh actors and produced with Lucasfilm and Disney. The project marks a milestone for Welsh-language media, aligning with Wales' cultural sectors and 50th-anniversary celebrations.
James Sheridan has scrapped plans for a Yellowstone spin-off called 6666, saying he would never fictionalise the active Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. The move follows his purchase of the ranch and a shift in his Paramount deal, with the wider Yellowstone universe continuing with existing shows and other spin-offs.
The Television Academy has held two nights of Creative Arts Emmys, with Rob Reiner posthumously winning for The Bear, as Widow’s Bay, The Pitt and Pluribus claim multiple trophies ahead of the main ceremony. The Pitt leads drama nominations with 25, while Widow’s Bay and Hacks headline comedy wins.