Lemmy Kilmister on the set of “Tromeo & Juliet” / Joe Fleishaker on the set of “The Toxic Avenger Part 3”
Annus Horribilis is a Latin phrase meaning “horrible year”, which sums up the tremendous outcry on social media these past few weeks... 2016 SUCKED!!! Lloyd Kaufman and The Troma Team suffered major losses during the last 366 days (it was a leap year — an extra day of agony), keeping in line with the celebrity death trend that currently plagues the entertainment industry. Annus Horribilis, indeed.
Today, December 28th, marks the one year anniversary of Lemmy Kilmister’s passing. Lemmy made appearances in classic Troma productions such as Tromeo & Juliet, Terror Firmer, and Citizen Toxie. Most recently, Lemmy portrayed the U.S. president in Troma’s two-part event film, Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 1 & 2.
Lemmy’s final movie role as President of the United States in Troma’s upcoming release “Return to Return to Nuke ‘Em High aka Vol. 2”
Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment and Creator of The Toxic Avenger, had this to say: “Lemmy has put his reputation on the line over and over again for the cause of independent art. He was a man who never asked for any money for his appearances, only for a bottle of Jack Daniels or Maker’s Mark, and two Tromettes to talk to during the long and boring hours waiting on set to shoot. He is one of the coolest guys in the world, and how cool is it for The Troma Team to be supported by a guy who doesn’t need anything from Troma, that’s for sure.”
Lemmy with Lloyd Kaufman
Lemmy first appeared on a Troma movie soundtrack with Motörhead’s “Sacrifice” for Tromeo and Juliet. In 2010, Lemmy and company provided a song for Mr. Bricks: A Heavy Metal Murder Musical with the rocker “Outlaw”. Lemmy’s final appearance on a Troma soundtrack will be in the upcoming Troma release Return to Return to Nuke ‘Em High aka Vol. 2, which features “Shoot Out All of Your Lights”, a track off Motörhead’s final album.
The Troma Team misses Lemmy. We recall his quote from a radio interview in 1999, shortly after shooting Terror Firmer. When asked what it was like to be immortalized in film, Lemmy replied: “Immortalized is one thing, Troma is another. I don’t know if they’re going to last.”
Our video tribute to Lemmy Kilmister:
We also lost Troma’s biggest action superstar in May of this year, legendary character actor Joe Fleishaker. Joe was a cult movie icon who appeared in every Troma production for almost 30 years, starting with Troma’s War in 1988. Movie-goers loved Joe because he was a great performer and had amazing comedic timing. He was the centerpiece for some of Troma’s most famous scenes. Highlights include Terror Firmer and Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.
“Tales from the Crapper” behind the scenes photo, featuring Joe Fleishaker
Here are some heartfelt words that Lloyd Kaufman shared when his friend Fleishaker passed away:
“Flags are flying half mast in Tromaville today. Toxie and The Troma Team weep! Joe F was not just a (very big) part of the Troma family for over 30 years, but was a beloved member of the Kaufman family. My wife loved him and my children were mentored by his wisdom and humor from the time they were babies. Joe played many roles in our movies, ranging from action star in Troma's WAR and Toxic Avenger 2-4, to Romantic star in TERROR FIRMER and Tromeo and Juliet, to Jared the subway sandwich guy in POULTRYGEIST, to a surprise featured role in RETURN TO RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH aka Vol2--to even portraying my camera shy partner Michael Herz when the media called, or when LK and MH needed to introduce DVDs such as TALES FROM THE CRAPPER with DEBBIE ROCHON. Joe loved his Tromaville. Whether he was getting ground up in an escalator or exploding with the most dire case of diarrhea in movie history, Joe reveled in Troma movies! He usually re-wrote his lines and made them much better. He was a great man!!!! Gabe Friedman, editor of many Fleishaker scenes, reminds us that Joe's middle name, by the way, was Isaac. His initials are JIF, just like Joe's favorite peanut butter, which he used in his action super hero role in CITIZEN TOXIE. Joe was a legendary Troma personality, a great actor, and a great friend. RIP Joe. Troma will never be the same without you. Ave atque Vale, Joe!”
Our video tribute to Joe Fleishaker:
Farewell Lemmy and Joe. You were invaluable members of The Troma Team and you will forever be missed.
Lloyd Kaufman and Troma Entertainment send their deepest condolences to all the families, friends, and fans who lost someone important to them in 2016. Here’s hoping for a brighter, and more bearable, 2017.
Written by John Brennan @badtechno
About Lloyd Kaufman Lloyd Kaufman is co-founder, with Yale friend Michael Herz, of the 42-year-old legendary Troma Entertainment, which is arguably the longest running independent movie studio in North America. He directed many of their feature films, including the world famous ‘The Toxic Avenger’, ‘Class of Nuke ‘Em High’, ‘Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD’, ‘Tromeo & Juliet’, and ‘Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead’. Kaufman has written six books on filmmaking and has presented his “Make Your Own Damn Movie” master classes globally from Oxford University to Singapore. His latest film, ‘Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 1’, produced in association with STARZ, premiered in The Contenders series at New York’s Museum of Modern Art along with movies by the Coen Brothers, Martin Scorsese, and Woody Allen. Kaufman is currently editing ‘Return to Return to Nuke ‘Em High Vol. 2’ and preparing ‘The Toxic Avenger Part 5: Grime & Punishment’ ‘The Tempest’. In 2008, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ was turned into a musical by Joe DiePietro and David Bryant of Bon Jovi, which ran in NYC for a year and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Musical is currently available for licensing through Music Theatre International (MTI). To thank Troma fans for over 40 years of support, Kaufman and Michael Herz offer over 250 free feature length movies, cartoons, and new daily content on The Troma Movies YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Tromamovies