RIP Michael Blodgett
By Dennis Dermody
Was sad to hear to the passing of Michael Blodgett, who was so memorable in Russ Meyer’s 1970 cult masterpiece Beyond the Valley of the Dolls as L.A. studmuffin Lance Rocke. As rock promoter “Z-Man” Barzell (John La Zar) describes Lance: “Greek God and part-time actor. See how he performs. His is a special talent. The golden hair...the bedroom eyes...the firm young body. These are the tools of which he plies his trade. All are available for a price.” Blodgett, who also acted in such movies as The Velvet Vampire (1971) and alongside Kirk Douglas in There Was a Crooked Man (1970). He was also a novelist (Captain Blood, The White Raven) and wrote screenplays (with Dennis Shryack) such as Rent-A-Cop (1987) and Turner & Hooch (1989). But he’ll always be burned into my brain as the cocky, sexy, Lance Rocke getting beheaded in Beyond The Valley of the Dolls.
Your Comment
Posted at 1:59 on Nov 28, 2007
if that photo is of the one who passed, he wasn't zman in the movie. he was the gigolo...
(Z-Man was John La Zar, the one who passed was Michael Blodgett who played Lance Rocke...
Dennis Dermody)
Posted at 4:51 on Dec 02, 2007
I remember him of the long eyelashes, he was from the Michael Sarrazin school of pretty.
Posted at 10:00 on Apr 08, 2008
I am from Minnesota as is Mike, I know his Uncle and met him for lunch about 10yrs, ago. I also lived in LA with his girlfriend at the time and several other roomates. We lived at 1234 North Laurel, right off Santa Monica Blvd. (I believe) It has been so long. I am 67. I have some funny photos of those times. Barb was his girlfriend at the time. Oh for Memories. I was sorry to hear of his passing and have in memory his autograph book of Captain Blood. He could have gone alot farther in the field, but he had to many demons and could not fight the situation. He was so good looking in a different way. Regards and God Bless Mike.. Shirley..
Posted at 4:44 on Apr 09, 2008
Michael was a dear friend and someone I always referred to as one of the "stars" of my life. Its true, he was prettier than any woman I have ever met, but, he was also a caring and generous friend. He was there during difficult periods of my life and was always kind and thoughtful. He came to visit me a few years ago in Northern California and it was wonderful to see him. I'm happy that he is finally at peace. I know all his dreams did not come true but he lived an exciting and interesting life. Rest in love and peace Michael...and I'll see you when I get there.
Posted at 10:51 on May 02, 2008
It was sad to hear of Mikes's passing. Knew him over the the years in the L.A. communtiy. Mike had many struggles and dissapointments over the decades but I thought he had finially found his happiness when I ran into him and his fiancee late last summer. He will be missed. Goodbye, brother.
Posted at 8:48 on Jun 03, 2008
Before I knew anyone else as a friend in L.A. Ca. in 1976, I met Mike Blodgett, who later became a dear friend. I knew him when he was engaged to Lanetta Walgreen. I actually met him through an Atty. Joel H. Fries, who is also passed away. Mike mentored me and was instrumental in helping me obtain my SAG card. He was very influential in my life and inspired me to write my first book. Mike introduced me to a lot of people in the "Biz" I was with him during his writing of Hero And The Terror as well Captain Blood. He was quite talented and driven during those days...in spite of the ominous challenges he faced his creativity was relentless and his focus undaunting. We were never really very close yet we remained very good friends.
I lost touch when I returned to Cle. Oh. (after a failed marriage of 11 years) and have since remarried.
Regards to the family and all those who knew Michael Blodgett best...God Bless!
Paris F. Robinson
Posted at 9:48 on Sep 27, 2008
I read Captain Blood in 1989 and rate it as the most memorable novel I've ever read and I've read a lot. I lent it to several friends (one lent it to his father!) and all rated it highly. Unfortunately, the last person I lent it to moved from here in San Diego to New Hampshire about five years ago. I've asked him twice to check his basement storage but the novel hasn't shown up yet. I want to read it again.
So today I Googled it and got tons of hits of the Sabatini classic of the same name. Then I went to the Library of Congress online and found it instantly remembering the name Michael Blodgett. Then I found this site and saw the sad news of his passing. Reading the comments compelled me to write this message. I guess it proves just how powerful good, creative can be. To think that such a violent, perverse protagonist, Captain Blood, could command such empathy from readers is a tribute to a particularly gifted writer. If anyone reading this post hasn't read Captain Blood, find it, buy it at any price and read it.
Posted at 11:34 on Nov 11, 2008
Hi Everyone,
MY DAD WOULD BE SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM ALL YOU.
Thank you for your kind comments and I would love to hear more stories. If anyone would like to get in touch, my email is LucetteBlodgett@gmail.com.
themichaelblodgett.com will be up and running soon
Warmly,
Lucy
Posted at 11:24 on Nov 29, 2008
It's been a year since my dear friend Blodge has passed. Old enough to be my own father Mike was an inspiration and passed down to me wisdom and a desire to be a better father, husband, and all around better person. Like many people who knew Mike my experiences may have been similar in the sense that it was a whirlwind but too short lived almost a feeling of robbed for the time I knew him. Introduced to him by a very special person I hit it off with Mike almost immediately. The fact that Mike asked me to be his best man at his wedding set the foundation for what I believed to be the cornerstone of a life long friendship. I shared many memories of Mike and loved the fact that he adored my two boys. Mike passionately tried to make me learn from his past, both the positive and the negative. I understand why Mike came into my life, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why he's gone. I respect him tremendously and miss him dearly, and just like Mike I can go on for hours possibly days talking about him. Mike has left me with many things, but one thing in particular his passion for life is what I hold closest to my heart.
Posted at 7:16 on Dec 03, 2008
It is heartening to know that, although Michael has been gone for more than two years, his friends still post thoughtful, compassionate messages about him. I hung around with Mike (as we knew him) in high school and beyond. We were very close at that time, but our paths crossed only occasionally after he took up the acting challenge and left Minnesota for California. When I last saw him in Minneapolis, we took a jog around one of the local lakes and he offered me an intro to his agent, if I ever finished my screenplay. That's just like Mike. Ever gracious, always thoughtful. I loved the guy. I miss his presence.
Posted at 6:40 on Oct 07, 2009
Dad is in my heart every day...his spirit, a true light, a true wonder and a power that struggled through this world... He celebrated life and loved his kids, all three, very much! His personality had so many angles and his passion for joy was off the charts! His intelligence was beautiful and his fears were also beautiful, he was sensitive and thoughtful and fragile and he will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him...he also loved a good laugh and adored smart people...smart was always having a sense of good humor, that was "the best revenge"... It is wonderful to hear people sharing about my Father...he would be so moved to see such recognition and I am sure he would find it healing...I know I do! A very special embrace must be taking place in Heaven... for he is now there!
Heather Blodgett
Posted at 2:23 on Oct 08, 2009
Hey Mike...now you are looking down and probably laughing your butt off. Nice to know you touched peoples lives in a good way as an artist. Tell Jesus i said hi by the way!
Clark
Posted at 4:21 on Apr 26, 2010
Heather, so sad to hear of your fathers death. I knew both your parents back in the old days and had run into him again towards the end of his life...it is sorrowful to see you validating youself in a forumlike this. Your father loved YOU VERY MUCH! That awful + petty wife after your mother was always pushing her daughter as the chosen one and trying to push you out of the way. Sad to see that continued. SO small minded and jealous what a drag how she cut him off from all of us!Insecurities will ruin a person in life! Your father was a special man and touched all who knew him, never forget that and all the goodness he left you with. Hope you are well and do not lose faith..what goes around comes around..thats the way of the world!