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RIP Rex Reason

Reason

Walnut, Calif.–Handsome leading man Rex Reason died at his home here Nov. 19 of bladder cancer. He was 86.

Of course, he played Cal Meecham in the movie “This Island Earth,” riffed in MST3K: THE MOVIE.

And, in 1996, at MST3K’s CONVENTIOCON EXPOFEST-A-RAMA 2: ELECTRIC BUGALOO in Minneapolis, he took part in a celebrity panel that also included Kim Cattrall and Russell Johnson.

The Hollywood Reporter has an obit.

Thanks to Paul for the heads up. And thanks to PrezGar for noticing the obit.

22 Replies to “RIP Rex Reason”

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  1. JohnnyRyde says:

    I remember seeing a story somewhere that he called Best Brains because he thought they might be able to locate some film he’d been in but couldn’t find on VHS. Mike said they could help, but only if he said, “Rrrruth!” first. Which he did and then Mike gave whatever help he could.

       17 likes

  2. Jason says:

    JohnnyRyde:
    I remember seeing a story somewhere that he called Best Brains because he thought they might be able to locate some film he’d been in but couldn’t find on VHS.Mike said they could help, but only if he said, “Rrrruth!” first.Which he did and then Mike gave whatever help he could.

    I don’t care if that story is actually true; it’s true in my heart.

       19 likes

  3. Aw. The classic likable lug.

       7 likes

  4. JeremyR says:

    Aw, he (and his brother) had such a great voice.

       8 likes

  5. JCC says:

    RRROOOOTH! *subterranean rumble*

    R.I.P.

       6 likes

  6. Cherokee Jacka$$ says:

    Got to see him at the ’96 convention and he came across as a really nice guy. Deepest sympathies to his family

       8 likes

  7. Cherokee Jacka$$ says:

    Did some research and examiner.com posts a link to his FB page where an associate by the name of Kent Karemaker states he passed away Thursday night

       0 likes

  8. Pete says:

    RIP Rex. May your voice bellow in the heavens.

       5 likes

  9. Lisa H. says:

    I’m gonna curl up in his sock drawer and sleep for days.

       20 likes

  10. Jake says:

    We salute you, Rex Readon… one of the good ones! :)

       7 likes

  11. Smoothie of Great Power says:

    Cal’s gone to a better place now: A place where he’ll never run out of things to break.

       7 likes

  12. Happenstance says:

    Rex and Rhodes (of King Kong Escapes, who passed away just after Christmas last year) were both pretty incredible presences.

    Rest in peace, gentlemen, and say “hi” to poor dumb Exeter for us.

       5 likes

  13. Kenny says:

    It always sucks when a familiar face of our youth fades away. In my book he was a legend long before he got the classic MST3K treatment. God speed to you Mr Reason, you magnificent bastard.

       5 likes

  14. Dave RawBeanz says:

    rip Rex old buddy, stay outta the tubes.

       4 likes

  15. jaybird3rd says:

    How sad. RIP Rex Reason. Wikipedia now lists a date of death, but so far, IMDb has not.

    In the mid-2000s, Reason recorded an audio book and radio dramatization of the original “This Island Earth” novel to commemmorate the film’s 50th anniversary, but unfortunately, neither were released due to rights issues. IMDb user Dejael, who reportedly worked with Reason on the project (and, judging from his posts on IMDb’s “This Island Earth” discussion board, really knows and likes the film), wrote the following in 2005:

    Rex has already recorded both an unabridged audiobook of the original 1952 SF novel by Raymond F. Jones, NOT the Universal movie script; and a full Orson Welles-style radio drama version of Jones’ novel with sound effects, music and other performers in the various parts was in the works when he got the bad news that the copyright permission was suspended by the Raymond F. Jones family estate trust. Rex has assured me he will go ahead and finish it anyway so that whenever the copyright permission is restored to him, he or his family estate trust will release it. Rex’s fine basso profundo baritone bass voice still sounds like it did back in his Hollywood days, and he has been on a healthy diet and exercise program to keep himself fit, and his voice sounding youthful and relaxed, like any other film actor worth their salt.

    (Click my name for a direct link.)

    I for one would love to enjoy Reason’s work on this project, and I sincerely hope it can be released someday.

       8 likes

  16. ck says:

    As far as I’m concerned he can fly that souped up jet in the afterlife (at government expense) all he wants to. (Just watch out Cal, if the plane turns green-could be the devil playing with you).

       3 likes

  17. Lex Logic says:

    I’ve used this handle on my Disqus account for years as a homage to good ol’ Rex. Sad to hear that he’s passed on.

       2 likes

  18. Prime Minister Jm. J Bullock says:

    For more classic Rex, check out The Creature Walks Among Us. It co-stars Jeff Morrow!

       3 likes

  19. jaybird3rd says:

    Thanks, #20! That article links to a good interview with Reason from 2010 (click my name for a direct link). He truly comes across as a decent man who left Hollywood for all the right reasons and enjoyed a happy and fulfilling life afterward.

       2 likes

  20. BIG61AL says:

    Rex has returned to the stars. RIP.

       2 likes

Comments are closed.