Bill Panzer passes away

[John Mosby]

I've just received the news that Bill Panzer has died in Los Angeles. The information comes direct from Carmel Macpherson and has been confirmed by David Abramowitz and Adrian Paul.

There will be further information available in the next few hours and Adrian will posting a statement on his official website: www.adrianpaul.net very shortly.

Moderators, if you could 'sticky' this at the top of the forum for the time being, myself or Carmel will update as soon as we can.

John.
__________________

[Threepwud]

This is really sad news.

Hope it was peaceful...

[John Mosby]

Carmel has asked me to post this to the Forum:

This morning my phone rang and it was David Abramowitz. I could tell from
his voice that something was very wrong. He was very upset and told me
something that I never expected to hear - that Bill Panzer was dead. All
the usual questions poured out - how, when...was he sure?

Bill died in the typically theatrical way that I would have expected of him.
He had decided to go ice skating - at 62! He was a man who lived by his own
rules and where in the rule book did it say that 62 year olds shouldn't ice
skate. Unfortunately he fell- heavily - and hit his head. Whilst he
seemed to recover, the damage had been done and the result was a brain
haemorrhage from which he failed to recover.

Bill was one of those people who was larger than life and we will be the
poorer for the loss of his energy and his love of the Highlander franchise
and fandom. No matter how busy he was he always made time for me whenever I
was in town - and that wasn't about me. It was about Bill respecting and
acknowledging, through me, the fan base that has been so loyal to the vision
than Bill and Peter turned into Highlander.

I would always be shepherded into the enormous Borders style office and
plonked on the couch while he enthusiastically showed me a snippet of
whatever his latest idea was. In Bucharest during the filming of EndGame I
had the very great pleasure of spending many hours with him as we travelled
out to the set of EndGame, discussing love, life and the whole darn thing.
He was a very erudite and cultured man with a wicked wit. I always joked
with him that he was the Great Gatsby. I even sent him some F Scott
Fitzgerald to read on plane trips. Together we tripped through the huge
abandoned building that had been Kel's loft as he showed me the various
sets. On the actual Glenfinnan village set he cautioned me to be quiet and
lie low....only to then witness me do a dramatic fall face first into the
slimy mud that made up Glenfinnan village....and then laugh at me all the
way back into Bucharest as I sat in the Mercedes with mud and straw all over
me....

He was always thinking of some new approach for Highlander. Yes, he knew
that as fans we didn't always like his choices - and he always listened.
He was delighted to be able to come to HLWW7 in Leeds. I sent him and David
and Peter Wingfield all off like a troupe of excited schoolchildren to see
the London production of Billy Elliott and of course now I am even more
thankful that these three got to spend that time together. David has been a
close friend of Bill's for over 17 years. He had lunch with him last week
and could only talk of how full of life Bill was and how, despite their
volatile relationship, how much he cared for him personally and what a
vacuum Bill's passing will leave. I used to liken the Adrian, Bill, David
relationship to the Jagger:Richards one. You just can't have that much
passion and drive and creativity without sparks flying...

He arrived in Leeds in typical Bill fashion - on the train, black beret
nattily perched on his silver hair...coat flowing out behind him....old
fashioned leather satchel crammed full of papers and books. He could only
stay in Leeds for a few hours on the Saturday but was determined to come and
keep faith with the fans. Our last few emails were me telling him how he
needed to improve The Source (!) and sending him selected constructive
advisings from fans. What touched him was that the fans cared that deeply.

As fans we may not always have liked his creative choices - but as fans we
are privileged indeed because the man who brought Highlander to the screen
for us had a passion and a drive and an entrepreneurial spirit that just
wouldn't take no for an answer. He respected fans and was deeply thankful
for our loyalty and determination to never let Highlander die.
At the end of every Convention, Bill always raised a glass and said, in
tribute to fans: "Without all of you there would be none of us..." - and
even when he wasn't at a Convention, Peter or David or Adrian would repeat
Bill's tribute.

So Bill, thank you for the richness of the Highlander universe, and the many
friendships that have been forged as a result of our collective shared love
of Highlander. Fans have gone to places they would never have travelled to;
supported each other through the trials, tribulations and joys of everyday
life, discussed the ethically perplexing questions that Connor's and
Duncan's existence brought to center-stage. Lives have been lived in
different ways because of your vision. It is fitting that we now toast you
and your passing. We wish for you what Adrian has so aptly wished you: "May
the winds be with you."

I am going to miss you very much.

Carmel Macpherson
President
Highlander WorldWide

[Nefertiri3]

Oh no, this is such sad, sad, news!
What a terrible tragedy.

Highlander has lost one of it's beloved people. My deepest condolences go out to Bill Panzer's family, friends & everyone who knew him & loved him.

R.I.P. Mr. Panzer

[John Mosby]

Adrian has posted a further comment at his site.

http://www.adrianpaul.net/tributetobillpanzer.html

[Galeon 7]

I saw that. I liked Adrian's ending.

RIP Bill.

[scorpion]

Thanks for everything Bill, you will be Missed. R.I.P.

[John Mosby]

To add to the other voices this morning...

The relationship I had with Bill Panzer was interesting, polite but cautious on both our parts. Though I didn't always like or agree some of the directions in which he and partner Peter Davis took the Highlander franchise, one does need to remember at a time like this that without Bill there probably wouldn't have been a franchise at all. It takes guts, determination, sheer bravado and not inconsiderable money to stand a chance of surviving in Hollywood and Bill gave all of those in abundance.

Though he will be best remembered for Highlander, he was a man who worked in Hollywood for decades and worked with some iconic names like Sam Peckinpah. One can only imagine those two not disimilar characters sharing whiskey, cigars and arguing about anything and everything. Their experience of working together was said to be volatile. Good ones usually are.

I last saw him at HLWW7 in Leeds, just missing him at the station where I was due to meet him off the train, due to an error in timing. He was gracious about the mistake and when I forewarned him there might be some hard but fair questions from the audience about The Source he simply shrugged and said that was fine. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Though he could 'spin' with the best of them, there were several times over the years that he took personal time off to talk to me. Yes, he would always want to exentuate the postive and promote his ideas, but neither did he bristle at the harder questions I put to him - even if he somehow managed to avoid direct controversy. He was aware that Highlander fans didn't always agree with his decisions, but that such decisions were often made as part of an industry machine that didn't just need creativity but pragmatism and compromise to exist at all.

Like the comments made previously, I raise a glass to Bill - not so much for the direction the Highlander franchise ultimately took which can (and is) debated frequently here - but in the knowledge that the franchise he built the later stages of his life around has brought me experiences and opportunities, love and friendships that have endured for over a decade and will probably do so for many, many more to come.

[hatter76]

Ive said some pretty mean and nasty things about Bill Panzer, I always based it on alot of his choices for Hihghlander, I guess I as well as a few other People took him for granted, But I agree His Enthusiasm to find redemption for mistakes that were made and to bring Long Life and Dignity to HIGHLANDER is Remarkable,and an achievement.

Bill I know Ive been an Asshole, But Thankyou for not Giving up.

[MathPiglet]

Very sad. When you spend so much time with immortality, it is hard to accept that someone you know, even through television is indeed mortal.

Rest in Peace Bill.

[Aleander]

My name is Alexander, and I have been, to date, and now forever, I believe, Bill Panzer's greatest "critic".

I'll be honest, I didn't like, a lot of times, the decisions Panzer and Davis had taken for the franchise. Most of them were of questionable quality, and challenged my faith as a fan. But in any ways, Bill Panzer kept, at all costs, the Highlander franchise alive.

I must admit, I didn't expect this. I thought this was some cruel joke or something. But then, its always a shock when someone passes suddenly, without any sign of it. But thats the death of someone you talk about, you hear and read about, bounds to make you feel.

I must confess, although I didn't like his decisions for Highlander, at large, people might think I was resentful to him, hateful. In truth, I was a fan, a biased fan, who looked at his favorite franchise and cared for it as much if not less than Panzer. I want to, apologize to the family and dear friends of William N. Panzer, for any bad language I have put out for all this time, and to assure them, that without Panzer, for better or for worse, there wouldn't have Highlander, at least not as we know it....

Rest in peace, William N. Panzer....

[blackjack]

Very sad--I didn't rip the man like some others here but i'll say those that did...did it out of the passion for a creation that he may have had the most to bring to a reality. So in a way that was a tribute to him. God bless.

[Zillini]

What a shock! This is so sad. 62 is far too young.

Thank you Mr. Panzer for all your years of dedication and hard work. You have given us a wonderful gift of Highlander and I will be forever grateful.

[tst0ne]

RIP and thank you, sir.

[~mj~]

That is sad news..RIP Bill...

[swordblade1]

Bill you will be missed by everyone, RIP

[Coolwater]

Well said, John.

Panzer was very patient with us.

[scorpion]

I was lucky enough to meet Bill at the HLWW7 convention in Leeds, he happily posed for photographs and signed autographs as well as answering any questions that the fans had, if it was one on one whilst wandering around the armouries or whilst on stage - Bill was frank, honest and approachable - thankyou for bringing us a franchise that we all love with every fibre of our being, see you on the other side!

Chris



Quent, DK, Elle-Nora and Myself with the father of everything 'Highlander'.

[Aleander]

As I said, I very much disliked his decisions for HL - but I will always be grateful that he and Davis had brought us the original Highlander film. One of the most influential movies of my life.

So thank you, Bill for that.

[elle-nora']

I had the very rare pleasure of meeting Bill Panzer in Leeds and while others flocked to scurry around the actors, a few of us took the time to meet and greet him. On several occasions he and I spoke about Highlander and about possibilities for where it might go next.

He was a perfect gentleman and rather surprised that he was warmly greeted by some of us and he graciously answered question after question with a smile and soft words.

I did not always agree with his creative choices... but that can be said of many others in the business. His was the vision that drove Highlander and kept it alive when it should have died out over twenty years ago.

My condolences to his family and friends. I will treasure always the memory of our talks and his signature. He was surprised that I asked for it... as he wasn't in the autograph line, feeling that the actors should be the ones who should be front and center and get all of the attention.

~elle

[jj9126]

Not much I can say that others haven't. Sincerest condolences to Bill and his family, 62 is way too young in this day and age.

[Irish Highlander]

RIP Bill and thank you.

[Ilfirin]

Wow, not exactly the brighest news to start your day with. RIP, Mr. Panzer, and thank you for your efforts in keeping the franchise alive, even if I didn't agree with all of your decisions.

[OldSouls]

I remember several different talks I had with Bill Panzer at different conventions. The first was at Syndicon in Baltimore when he apologized to me for donating a personal piece of Highlander artwork I'd sent for him to sign to a charity auction instead of returning it to me. He made up for it by arranging for me to get some Highlander merchandise that was only available if you purchased one of the swords. I didn't want the swords...just the goodies that came with them.

Each convention after that he and I were both at he helped me get extra Highlander autograph's on my PEACE t-shirt always forgetting to sign it himself as he was called away to conduct Highlander business. He was always trying to talk me into donating it for a Highlander charity auction. There are over 40 autographs on it right now. He got the last laugh...now I'll never get his siggy on my shirt because he's passed on. Luckily, I do have his autograph on a few other items.

Bill Panzer and I never completely agreed on the direction he was taking with Highlander. I always chided him about not having enough strong female mortals or immortals in the series or films. He always insisted the main audience was male. I had to remind him that much of tha fanbase was diverse...from toddlers to grandparents with an equal balance of male/female fans. Just look at most audiences at the conventions and you could see how many women were fans. From the leaks about The Source about Anna's character...at least she isn't portrayed as a helpless female...so it seems Bill was listening to the fans afterall.

I thank him for his determination to keep Highlander and the world of Immortals alive for over 20 years. The magic that was created wasn't as much on film or television but in inspiring fans across the world to look at their lives and to ask question of themselves. The life lessons in each episode caused us to try and improve ourselves and our communities and now we see the world as our neighborhood. We find we have common beliefs with other people across the world. We've made friendships that will last decades. That is the true legacy of Bill Panzer and Highlander. Thank you.

And yes Elle... I'll add Bill to the Immortal cards in my deck.

[~mj~]

Very nicely put CG...

[Stones]

Adios dude.

[Darth Paul]

Originally Posted by Aleander The Great Saiyan

My name is Alexander, and I have been, to date, and now forever, I believe, Bill Panzer's greatest "critic".

I'll be honest, I didn't like, a lot of times, the decisions Panzer and Davis had taken for the franchise. Most of them were of questionable quality, and challenged my faith as a fan. But in any ways, Bill Panzer kept, at all costs, the Highlander franchise alive.

I must admit, I didn't expect this. I thought this was some cruel joke or something. But then, its always a shock when someone passes suddenly, without any sign of it. But thats the death of someone you talk about, you hear and read about, bounds to make you feel.

I must confess, although I didn't like his decisions for Highlander, at large, people might think I was resentful to him, hateful. In truth, I was a fan, a biased fan, who looked at his favorite franchise and cared for it as much if not less than Panzer. I want to, apologize to the family and dear friends of William N. Panzer, for any bad language I have put out for all this time, and to assure them, that without Panzer, for better or for worse, there wouldn't have Highlander, at least not as we know it....

Rest in peace, William N. Panzer....

I couldn't have said it better. I criticized. I satired. But I always knew we wouldn't have Highlander to poke fun at without Panzer and his team. This is truly sad.

[maitaichiapet]

It was the very first convention I had ever attended in my life...The Highlander Celebration in Anaheim, California.
And it was Friday night during the opening ceremonies, that I watched and listened to a man in a kilt.

I thought to myself, 'What a proud, handsome man,' checking out his Highland finery as he stood there on the stage, 'and what a creative man to give us the Highlander Universe!' That was 9 years ago, on April 10, 1998.

The following night at the Jim Byrnes concert with Roger Daltrey, the fans of Highlander gathered, dancing and singing along (softly) as these two performed for us. Roger was singing, "Stand By You," and I looked over at Peter Davis and decided to "thank" him...
Mr. Davis was quite shy and soft spoken, and I remember him saying that he was the one who preferred to be in the background, while Bill (pointing over to Mr. Panzer, was the one who was "out front."
So I then summoned up more of my courage, and went over to talk briefly to Bill Panzer...I thanked him for all things Highlander, and he seemed to almost "blush" when I told him he looked fabulous in his Kilt! I found Mr. Panzer a man with a vision who was genuinely gracious.

My heart goes out to all of Bill Panzer's family and friends:
(this is a photo I took of Bill Panzer on Friday night, April 10, 1998)

[Banzai88]

Like, well, most here I've been critical of some of the choices made for where the franchise went, but at the same time I've always been thankful to Mr. Panzer (and the others) for the existence of the franchise at all.

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends and my deepest gratitude to Mr. Panzer for all the time and energy he put in to "Highlander."

[Zephyr]

What tragic news. RIP Mr. Panzer.