Robert Machray, Harvey Laidman, Nicholas Eadie, and Garth Hudson Dies

Two actors, a director and a musician pass away in early 2025.

These men had comedic roles in shows like Parks and Recreation and Cheers, voiced video games, directed The Waltons, 7th Heaven, Matlock, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, were in TV series like Cop Shop, Vietnam, and movies including The Man from Snowy River II, and played piano, organ, accordion, and saxophone for The Band.

Robert Machray

Robert Machray Ward, born on May 4, 1945, in San Diego, California, was an American actor renowned for his extensive work in theater, television, and film. He studied anthropology at Yale University and attended the University of Southern California. Machray’s stage career encompassed significant roles at various Shakespeare festivals and with esteemed companies such as the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, Hartford Stage, and Playwrights Horizons.

Movies/TV/Video Games

  • Parks and Recreation (2009)
  • Kitchen Confidential (2005)
  • Criminal Minds (2005)
  • Girlfriends (2000)
  • Wolf Tracer’s Dinosaur Island (2004) (voice)
  • Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III – Rebel Strike (2003) Video Game (voice)
  • Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe in Santa (2002) TV Movie (voice)
  • The Master of Disguise (2002)
  • Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II – Rogue Leader (2001) Video Game (voice)
  • That’s My Bush! (2001)
  • Titus (2000)
  • Thanks (1999) 3 episodes
  • A Time to Remember (1998)
  • The Drew Carey Show (1995)
  • Profiler (1996)
  • Townies (1996)
  • Suddenly Susan (1996)
  • The Dark Eye (1995) Video Game (voice)
  • Maybe This Time (1995)
  • Sister, Sister (1994)
  • Limboland (1994)
  • Love & War (1992)
  • Roseanne (1988)
  • Cheers (1982) 4 episodes
  • Disney Aladdin: Iago Returns (1992) (voice)
  • Christmas in Connecticut (1992)
  • Down Home (1990)
  • Life Goes On (1989)
  • Cutting Class (1989)
  • The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana (1982)
  • Three’s Company (1976)
  • Operation Petticoat (1977)
  • Panic in Echo Park (1977)

He made his television debut in 1977 with the film “Panic in Echo Park” and subsequently appeared in the sitcom “Operation Petticoat.” Throughout his career, Machray guest-starred in numerous television programs, including “Cheers,” where he portrayed Fire Marshal Dobbins in a recurring role,

as well as “Roseanne,” “Life Goes On,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Suddenly Susan,” “Profiler,” and “Three’s Company.” His film appearances included roles in “Cutting Class” as Mr. Conklin and “The Master of Disguise.” In 1983, he was cast in a summer stage production of “My Fair Lady.” Machray retired in 2011, with his final appearance in the satirical television mockumentary sitcom “Parks and Recreation.”

He lived in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, with his husband, Luigi Camperchioli. On Sunday, January 12, 2025, Machray passed away at his home due to complications from dementia and two strokes, at the age of 79.

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Harvey Laidman

Harvey S. Laidman, born on February 22, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, was an American television director whose career spanned several decades. He developed an early interest in theater, spending three summers with the Kenley Players1 in Warren, Ohio. Initially studying electrical engineering at Kent State University,

he later transferred to the University of Southern California, earning a degree in cinema in 1964. Laidman began his career as an assistant director and unit production manager on series like “The High Chaparral” and “Bonanza.” He made his directorial debut on “The Waltons” in 1975 and went on to direct episodes of numerous television programs,

including “Magnum, P.I.,” “Matlock,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Quantum Leap,” “Knight Rider,” and “Hawaii Five-O.” In 2011, he transitioned into education, teaching directing at California State University, Northridge, until 2024. Laidman was inducted into the Shaker Heights Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

Second Unit or Assistant Director

  • The Waltons (1973–1975) 21 episodes
  • The Runaways (1975) Production Manager
  • Showdown (1973)
  • Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)
  • The Six Million Dollar Man (1973)
  • Hernandez (1973)
  • The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969) 6 episodes
  • That Certain Summer (1972)
  • Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)
  • Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
  • Shoot Out (1971)
  • Red Sky at Morning (1971)
  • Airport (1970)

Director

  • 7th Heaven (1996) 16 episodes
  • JAG (1995) 2 episodes
  • Safe Harbor (1999) 2 episodes
  • Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998)
  • Rescue 77 (1999)
  • Savannah (1996)
  • Silk Stalkings (1991) 3 episodes
  • Matlock (1986) 33 episodes
  • Quantum Leap (1989) 1 episode
  • Jake and the Fatman (1987) 4 episodes
  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983) 10 episodes
  • Magnum, P.I. (1980) 4 episodes
  • Knight Rider (1982) 6 episodes
  • Airwolf (1984) 4 episodes
  • Street Hawk (1985) 3 episodes
  • Wildside (1985) 3 episodes
  • The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984)
  • The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) 3 episodes
  • For Love and Honor (1983)
  • Tucker’s Witch (1982) 2 episodes
  • Falcon Crest (1981) 2 episodes
  • Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982) 2 episodes
  • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982)
  • Knots Landing (1979) 4 episodes
  • Chicago Story (1982) 2 episodes
  • ABC Weekend Specials (1977) 3 episodes
  • Today’s F.B.I. 2 episodes
  • The Waltons (1972) 11 episodes
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979)
  • Chicago Story (1981)
  • Walking Tall (1981)
  • Lou Grant (1977) 2 episodes
  • Eischied (1979) 3 episodes
  • California Fever (1979)
  • The Lazarus Syndrome (1979) 2 episodes
  • Quincy, M.E. (1976) 2 episodes
  • Flatbush (1979)
  • CHiPs (1977) 2 episodes
  • Kaz (1978) 4 episodes
  • Eight Is Enough (1977) 4 episodes
  • The Paper Chase (1973)
  • Steel Cowboy (1978)
  • The Incredible Hulk (1977) 1 episode
  • Kojak (1973)
  • Hunter (1976)
  • Hawaii Five-O (1968) 2 episodes
  • Family (1976) 2 episodes
  • The Fitzpatricks (1977) 3 episodes
  • Kingston: Confidential (1976)
  • Most Wanted (1976)
  • The Blue Knight (1975) 2 episodes
  • This Is the Life (1975)

He passed away from cancer on Friday, January 3, 2025, in Simi Valley, California, at the age of 82, and is survived by his wife, Susan Confeld, and their son, Daniel.

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Nicholas Eadie

Nicholas Eadie, born in 1958 in Sydney, Australia, was a distinguished actor known for his extensive work in television, film, and theatre. The son of actor and Australian Broadcasting Commission radio announcer Mervyn Eadie, Nicholas attended Waverley College from 1968 to 1976, briefly studied Arts at the University of New England in 1977, and graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1980.

He began his television career with the role of Constable Sam Phillips in “Cop Shop” (1981–1982) and gained further recognition in “The Henderson Kids” (1985). Eadie’s portrayal in the miniseries “Vietnam” (1987), alongside Nicole Kidman, earned him the Australian Film Institute’s Best Actor in a Miniseries award. His film credits include “The Man from Snowy River II” (1988), where he played a wealthy suitor.

Film

  • 1983 Undercover
  • 1986 Run Chrissie Run!
  • 1986 Jenny Kissed Me
  • 1988 The Man from Snowy River II
  • 1989 Celia
  • 1990 Prisoners of the Sun
  • 1990 Aya
  • 1995 Dad and Dave: On Our Selection
  • 2000 Savage Honeymoon
  • 2005 Still Life
  • 2005 Jewboy

TV

  • 1981–1982 Cop Shop 138 episodes
  • 1984 Kindred Spirits
  • 1984 Special Squad
  • 1985 The Henderson Kids 24 episodes
  • 1985 The Lancaster Miller Affair 3 episodes
  • 1987 Frontier 3 episodes
  • 1987 Vietnam 10 episodes
  • 1988 Australians 2 episodes
  • 1988 Fragments of War: The Story of Damien Parer
  • 1989; 1996 G.P. 2 episodes
  • 1990 Yellowthread Street
  • 1992 Tracks of Glory 2 episodes
  • 1992 Embassy
  • 1993 A Country Practice 2 episodes
  • 1994 Over the Hill
  • 1994 Halifax f.p.: Words Without Music
  • 1996 Medivac 15 episodes
  • 1997 Frontier
  • 1997 Adrenalin
  • 1998 A Difficult Woman 3 episodes
  • 2000 The Lost World
  • 2000 Halifax f.p.: A Hate Worse Than Death
  • 2000 BeastMaster
  • 2006 The Society Murders
  • 2011 Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away

In theatre, Eadie worked with major Australian companies, performing in productions such as “The Glass Menagerie,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In his later years, after health challenges, he transitioned to working as an Uber driver, expressing contentment in this role.

Nicholas Eadie passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in Sydney at the age of 66. His death was announced by fellow actor Will Conyers, though specific details were not disclosed. He is survived by his family and is remembered for his significant contributions to Australian performing arts.

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Garth Hudson

Garth Hudson, born Eric Garth Hudson on August 2, 1937, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, was a renowned multi-instrumentalist best known as the keyboardist and saxophonist for The Band. Raised in London, Ontario, he received extensive musical training, mastering the piano, organ, accordion, and saxophone. In the early 1960s, Hudson joined Ronnie Hawkins’ backing group, the Hawks, which later evolved into The Band after parting ways with Hawkins.

The Band gained prominence through collaborations with Bob Dylan and released influential albums such as “Music from Big Pink” (1968) and “The Band” (1969), featuring classics like “The Weight” and “I Shall Be Released.”

Hudson’s innovative use of the Lowrey organ and his ability to blend various musical genres contributed significantly to the group’s distinctive sound. Throughout his career, he collaborated with numerous artists, including Leonard Cohen and Emmylou Harris, and released solo projects like “The Sea to the North” (2001). Hudson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Band in 1994

and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2008. In 2019, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian music. Garth Hudson passed away in his sleep at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the age of 87.

He is survived by his wife, Maud Hudson, and is remembered as a pioneering musician whose work left an indelible mark on the landscape of rock and roll.

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Foolnotes
  1. The Kenley Players was a renowned summer stock theater company founded by producer John Kenley, operating primarily in Ohio from the 1950s through the 1990s. Known for bringing Broadway-caliber productions to regional audiences, the company staged performances in cities such as Warren, Dayton, and Columbus, featuring a mix of seasoned stars and up-and-coming talent. Many notable performers, including William Shatner, Burt Reynolds, and Betty White, graced its stages, contributing to its reputation as a premier destination for summer theater. Kenley’s productions were known for their high production values and played a significant role in sustaining interest in live theater outside of Broadway. ↩︎
Further Reading
Sources

Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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