Tuesday, January 31, 2012

R.I.P. Damien Bona (1955 - 2012) author of "Inside Oscar"


This will probably be one of my more personal blogposts thus far. Damien Bona, co-author of Inside Oscar, a book widely hailed as one of the most definitive behind-the-scenes showbiz books on the Academy Awards, died a couple of days ago after suffering cardiac arrest. He was only 57. Why is this personal? Because I happen to have come to know him on-line through a message board posts and e-mail exchanges for almost 13 years. I have known him online almost as long as I've been using the internet. In addition to being an expert (and very vocal critic) of the Academy Awards, he was also a very intelligent, very passionate film enthusiast who has done more than his share of shaping my film education and film tastes through his sharp, witty sometimes biting and caustic film critiques and his very enthusiastic recommendations. He also has, on occasion, read some stuff that I've written (scripts, articles, etc.) and gave me very encouraging words and helpful feedback. I did not always agree with him (he hates PIXAR and Martin Scorsese, for the most part) but I respected him very highly. Even in message board posts and e-mails, he seems to have also been a kind, generous man who was loyal to his friends and family and with a deep love of film. I will miss him. 

9 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

R.I.P.......

Outcast said...

That's sucky news mate, I've never read the book but it sounds a good one. Rest in peace Damien.

Anonymous said...

RIP.

Mark said...

RIP. It sounds like he was a pretty cool guy, and he was a friend to you.

Geojour said...

Sorry to hear about that - seems like a cool guy...

Anonymous said...

Sad news. :(

Thomas Duder, Author of the Things said...

A moment of respectful silence given from Bellingham, WA.

May he find what he's lookin' for.

Shockgrubz said...

I'm sorry for your loss. It's great to hear of someone you saw as a legend thought well of your own work. That's more than a lot of other writers can say.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's pretty cool to know someone like him.