Thor Arngrim, Broadway Actor/Celebrity Manager/Theatre Founder, Passes Away At Age 81

Thor Arngrim born Wilfred James Bannin (aka Thor Arngrim) on November 25, 1928 in Regina, Saskatchewan died at 9:15pm on December 16, 2009 in Vancouver, BC of complications due to Parkinson's

Thor Arngrim was a retired and respected personal manager (Seymour, Heller & Associates - later Arngrim & Petersen Mngmt), who handled the careers of noted personalities such as Liberace, Susan Anton, Peter Jurasik, Michael Ontkean, Debbie Reynolds as well as that of his son Stefan Arngrim (Barry Lockridge in Land of the Giants) and daughter Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson in Little House on the Prairie). He was married to famed voice over legend Norma Macmillian (voice of Casper and Gumby, among many others) until her death in 2001. He founded the famous Totem Theatre of Vancouver, Canada in 1951. As a performer, Thorn Arngrim was best known for roles in the original Broadway production of "Tamburlaine the Great" (1956) directed by Tyronne Guthrie and in the Tony Award winning Broadway production of "Luther" (1963 - 1964), staring Albert Finney produced by David Merrick.

He is survived by his daughter Alison Arngrim and his son Stefan Arngrim and a multitude of beloved friends ... A "Celebration of his life" is being be planned for January 2010. Donations in Thor's memory can be made to AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA.org), where he volunteered for many years, or PAL Vancouver (Performing Arts Lodge) where he lived, (www.palvancouver.org/) or the Parkinson Society of British Columbia (www.parkinson.bc.ca/).