12/1/07

In Memoriam: Tom McBride (World AIDS Day Posting)

Tom McBride, played "Mark", the wheelchair bound camp counselor in Friday they 13th 2. Fans will recall how he was killed via a machete to the head, he and his wheelchair bouncing down the steps of his cabin during a lightning storm.

Sadly, in the real world, McBride actually met his end in September of 1995 due to AIDS complications. He was 43 years old.

After Friday the 13th 2, McBride appeared in several other films as well as television. He was also a "Marlboro Man" and appeared in cowboy drag on many billboards across the country.

Perhaps McBride's greatest role was as himself in the documentary, Life and Death on the A-List, where filmmaker,Jay Corcoran, follows McBride for about two years, slowly showing his degeneration from the disease that was killing him. This is a powerful and difficult film to watch, but something everyone should see.

Take a break from the trashy horror that we all love so much and take a look at something much more terrifying than anything an ax wielding, mask wearing maniac might cause and spare a thought for Tom and the millions of others who passed on from AIDS.


5 comments:

The Divine Ms. Jimmi said...

I remember his character. Wow, I had no idea he died of AIDS.

Pax Romano said...

Jimmi,

From what I have read, McBride is only the fourth person from the glut of F13 films to have passed away.

The actor who played "Crazy Ralph" in 1 and 2, the guy who played the helpful truck driver in 1, and the actress who died from the hatchet in the head in part 1

In any case, you should seek out the film I mentioned, it is quite a powerful piece.

Gizmo said...

Can anybody PLEASE tell me where to get a copy of Life and Death on the A-List? Ive been looking for awhile and cannot find this movie anywhere.

Thank you!

Blair_K said...

Sally Anne Golden,Sandy, the waitress from part 1, died as well.

Kelly said...

I have a copy, shoot me an email ruttroraggy@gmail.com