"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" Composer William Olvis Dies at 56 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 05-10-2014, 03:38 AM

"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" Composer William Olvis Dies at 56
5/9/14
by Mike Barnes

William Patrick Olvis, who composed the sweeping theme for the popular CBS Western drama "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", died May 6th of throat cancer at his home in Malibu. He was 56.

Olvis contributed music to 116 episodes of the Jane Seymour-starring drama, which aired for six seasons from 1993-98.

Olvis also composed the theme for "Gabriel’s Fire", the short-lived 1990-91 ABC series that starred James Earl Jones.

From 1989-93, he composed music for 31 episodes of the ABC family drama "Life Goes On", the first TV series to feature a major character (played by Chris Burke) with Down syndrome.

Olvis, whose father, William Edward Olvis, was an actor and renowned opera singer, also served as a composer on the films Kill Me Again (1989), 29th Street (1991), Red Rock West (1993), Separate Lives (1995) and Steal Big Steal Little (1995).

Film critic Roger Ebert described his score for Red Rock West, which starred Nicolas Cage and Dennis Hopper, as “textured” and one that enhanced the tone of the “diabolical movie that exists sneakily between a Western and a thriller, between a film noir and a black comedy.”

He began his professional career in 1988 composing the score for the ABC telefilm Evil in Clear River.

Survivors include his brother Steve, sisters Yvette and Natasha and ex-wife Cathleen Young, who was his music agent and partner and announced his death.

A memorial service will be private.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...r-quinn-702930

05-10-2014, 03:38 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,995	"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" Composer William Olvis Dies at 56 *"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" Composer William Olvis Dies at 56* 5/9/14 by Mike Barnes William Patrick Olvis, who composed the sweeping theme for the popular CBS Western drama "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", died May 6th of throat cancer at his home in Malibu. He was 56. Olvis contributed music to 116 episodes of the Jane Seymour-starring drama, which aired for six seasons from 1993-98. Olvis also composed the theme for "Gabriel’s Fire", the short-lived 1990-91 ABC series that starred James Earl Jones. From 1989-93, he composed music for 31 episodes of the ABC family drama "Life Goes On", the first TV series to feature a major character (played by Chris Burke) with Down syndrome. Olvis, whose father, William Edward Olvis, was an actor and renowned opera singer, also served as a composer on the films Kill Me Again (1989), 29th Street (1991), Red Rock West (1993), Separate Lives (1995) and Steal Big Steal Little (1995). Film critic Roger Ebert described his score for Red Rock West, which starred Nicolas Cage and Dennis Hopper, as “textured” and one that enhanced the tone of the “diabolical movie that exists sneakily between a Western and a thriller, between a film noir and a black comedy.” He began his professional career in 1988 composing the score for the ABC telefilm Evil in Clear River. Survivors include his brother Steve, sisters Yvette and Natasha and ex-wife Cathleen Young, who was his music agent and partner and announced his death. A memorial service will be private. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...r-quinn-702930 Attached Images