The Los Angeles Times reported this morning that Elizabeth Taylor, “the glamorous queen of American movie stardom, whose achievements as an actress were often overshadowed by her rapturous looks and real-life dramas,” died today of congestive heart failure. She was 79.

And I also just read in the Seattle Times that veteran Seattle thespian Mark Chamberlin, a regular at ACT and Seattle Rep who recently finished a standout turn as Odysseus in Taproot Theatre’s The Odyssey, died Tuesday after a weekend bicycle accident. He was 55.

Taylor will have reams of paper dedicated to her today (rightly so, icon that she was), but I also hope Chamberlin receives a worthy tribute. I saw the Phinney Ridge resident on stage three times in the last few months, and he was the highlight of each production. A versatile performer, he brought levity to Scrooge in ACT’s A Christmas Carol and gravitas to a raunchy tale about a young man losing his virginity in Ian Bell’s Seattle Confidential. Chamberlin could do it all. He was scheduled to appear in New Century Theatre Company’s upcoming play O Lovely Glowworm (as the Goat). No word yet on how NCTC will respond; opening night is April 17.

It’s a sad day for the local stage and silver screen. Deserves a moment of Southern comfort.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Part 2 by Bijoubebe