Michael Rademacher
1953 - 2003
Michael Rademacher
1953 - 2003
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1953
DIED
2003
Michael Rademacher Obituary
Rademacher was born in Germany on April 21, 1953. His family, which included his younger sister, Terry, immigrated to Sydney, Australia when Rademacher was ten. An honor student in high school, he also excelled in soccer, swimming and track. He began modeling for extra money while still in high school. During his attendance at business college, he was signed by one of the top modeling firms in Sydney, Scene Models. He put his ideas for a career in business on hold when he was hired for a fashion shoot in Paris. He settled in Europe and, at a top fee of $10,000 a day, appeared in hundreds of fashion shows and magazines and was seen in commercials and on dozens of magazine covers. Eventually even Hollywood beckoned, when producer Cubby Broccoli screen-tested him for James Bond in the mid-1980s after spotting Rademacher in a soap commercial on French television. He did not win the role but was invited to stay in Los Angeles and pursue a career as an actor. Overall, however, the blond, blue-eyed, 6'3" Rademacher found working in the United States difficult because he was confused with the popular Fabio Lanzoni, who had made his mark posing for romance novel covers. "Other than the hairstyle," Rademacher was quoted as saying, "I don't see it."
In 1995, Rademacher moved to Los Angeles, where he began producing fashion videos. Shortly thereafter, he and several partners formed Michael Rademacher Productions which produced in-house videos initially but later moved on to documentary, then television programming and films for mainly European and Australian audiences. The company has, at various times, had offices in Prague, Berlin, Sydney and London.
His wife, Maria, a former European opera singer and now journalist, a son, Bryan Clarke, his parents, Margrette and Uwe Rademacher, his sister Terry Rademacher Coombs and family, and many cousins and friends survive Rademacher.
A memorial service was held at St. Stephen's Uniting Church in Sydney on May 28. There was music and tributes from friends and family. The following appeared in the memorial program:
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousands winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
(author unknown)
A portion of his estate has been set aside as the Michael Rademacher Charitable Trust and will disperse funds to causes close to the hearts of Rademacher and his wife, Maria.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ludger Dorfert
September 29, 2003
I waited a very long time to write in this book. I was sad, I was helping Maria with many things and I want what I write to mean something.
I recently spoke with a reporter about Michael. I told a story about him. He used to call me up all of the time and just as has been written here, he never paid attention to time zones. He would wake me up. Then he would say, I'm sorry, did I wake you, I did not know what time it was. Always the same over the years.
At the end of his life, Michael had a voice system in his computer which he hated and would not use. He said the voice made him sound like an old British man. So he used email and when he did call, he would tap into the phone. That was really just for a joke.
I was in Germany right before he died and the telephone rang. I picked it up. All I heard on the telephone was a tapping. I said Michael? He tapped. Even at the end, he made me laugh. I did not know how close the end was. I miss him each day. We all miss him and need him with us.
Michael Iezzi
September 15, 2003
My deepest sympathy to the family of Michael. My thoughts and prayers are with Michael and his family.
Joanne Knoble
September 15, 2003
I wanted to offer my deepest condolences to you at this time, and also encouragement from Revelation 21:3&4
With Deepest Sympathy,
J. Knoble
The Wilsons
September 9, 2003
The Rademachers were our neighbors - they had the house right next door. They weren't up here a lot but when they were, we always spent time together. Always good laughter and conversation. We are grieved to learn that handsome, charming Michael is no longer among us. But we are very certain that he is now home.
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Tracy Moran
September 4, 2003
I miss Michael very much. I send Maria and his family my love. Cruel and unfair things happen in this life. We don't know why.
Reinhard Zarniko and family
September 2, 2003
Michael and Maria visited our family last in 1998. We knew Maria when she sang opera in our country. We like to work on our English but we spoke German with them. He was a fine and good person and we are sorry to learn of his passing.
B-n-T
August 29, 2003
I did not know Michael, nor do I know Maria, at all. I arrived at this site at Maria's ATC invitation. I leave it all the better for having read the beautiful messages here. They leave the bystander with a strong sense of a robust man, living life to the fullest; and using well all of the gifts he was given, to make a living; make community; and make his corner of the world a much better place. I am truly sorry that his family and friends had to lose the joy of his being there much too early. Godspeed to all.
Arthur Hornsby
August 26, 2003
Michael had everything - intelligence, looks, money, a career, a great wife and son. It is a shock to all who knew him how little time he had on this earth.
Michael was a delight to work with. I think this has been stated but it deserves to be restated: he has left a void that can never be filled.
Genese Lefkowitz
August 26, 2003
Dear Maria,
I did not know you or your husband personally, but from these pages I see you were both surrounded by beauty, on the inside as well as out. I pray your memories and your loved ones can comfort you at this time, and I hope we all find a love like you and your husband shared. We at ATC are there for you. You'll be in my prayers. Romans 8:28
Jared Horner
August 25, 2003
I used to tease Michael about how all the women wanted him. So every time we went anywhere and a good looking woman was in view, he would say, do you see that woman over there? She wants me. Then he would continue with his conversation as if he hadn't said anything.
I will really miss him.
Terry Rademacher Coombs
August 22, 2003
Grieve not...nor speak of me with tears...but laugh and talk of me...as though I were beside you I loved you so...'twas Heaven here with you.
Michael wanted people to feel that way.
Michael Beczkowiak
August 21, 2003
My favorite Michael story: we went to a restaurant during a shoot and we were dressed casually (and Michael had the phone stuck to his ear). Jackets were required in this restaurant. You can imagine giving Michael any old jacket due to his height. Here he was, a former fashion model, wearing a jacket where the sleeves ended right below his elbow. We couldn't stop laughing.
Brian Sweeney
August 20, 2003
When I first went to work for Michael and Maria, I was dazzled. That lasted all of two minutes, after which I realized I was working for real human beings. But Michael used that dazzle to make business deals and it never failed him. I was made a producer very quickly. That means getting up at 4 a.m. and going out on shoots and dealing with problems. But I loved it and I still do. Along the way I became an editor and script writer. That's just the way it is.
My memories of Michael consist of him talking on the phone so much that it seemed like it was attached to his ear. When he was out of the country, you never knew when you would hear from him. My phone often rang at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. "Oh, I'm sorry, I lost track of the time difference. did I wake you?" My answer was always, "No, I had to get up and answer the phone." After he started having throat problems, he turned to the computer. I'd wake up to 40 e-mails plus an instant message while I was trying to read them.
I wouldn't trade one second of any of it. I miss Michael every day. Getting up and reading my e-mail will never be the same. And who wants to sleep through the night. I'd rather get a phone call from Michael.
David Carson
August 19, 2003
A few years ago, Michael and Maria were in NYC during Thanksgiving, so Barry and I invited them to join the crowd at our home for dinner. Michael couldn't speak that day; he was undergoing treatment, and had to be on total vocal rest. Barry was cooking up a storm, so I was assigned "host" duties -- which basically meant pouring wine for guests, passing appetizers, and keeping everyone occupied until the meal was complete. I poured a glass of red for Michael, one for myself, and got distracted filling orders. About 10 minutes later, I finally took a drink, and the wine was perfectly awful. I let out an expletive that would be edited from this page, and Michael laughed out loud. He had tasted his and had been discretely holding his glass until he could think of a way to dispose of it without offending me, and he was greatly relieved to know I thought it was just as bad as he did. We dumped the bottle, and moved on. That wonderful laugh was the only sound we heard from him all day, but I'll never forget it.
Rory Denegral
August 19, 2003
Michael and I had a running gag. We would mention someone and say, "alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well."
I would like to say about Michael: "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
And to dear Maria, going through so much right now, I leave you with this: "There's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all."
Tesse Fox
August 19, 2003
My sincerest condolences. May God bless you and your family.
Hope Marks
August 19, 2003
I always detested either meeting Michael in a restaurant or entering one with him. The first time, we had a meeting at the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel. He walked in and everyone stopped talking. That was my first experience. It went from there. If I went into one with him, I always imagined everyone asking what I was doing with him. Maria and I once commisserated about it. She felt her whole existence consisted of people asking what he was doing with her. She was wrong. No one ever asked that. They were a beautiful couple because he knew how beautiful she is. Everybody always knew except her. It's a funny thing about models. They understand true, actual beauty better than most. I don't think I will ever believe Michael is gone.
Diana Saks Lane
August 19, 2003
The last time I saw you...was the last time I saw you. I didn't know. I was there during so many critical times. I wish I had been there with you at the end.
Brian Sweeney
August 19, 2003
When I came to work for Michael and Maria, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Before I knew it, I was a producer. I was there during Maimed by Naomi when she was selling screen names. The company has come a long way since then. It will never be the same without you. To paraphrase "The Way We Were", I will remember the laughter. "Mr. Brian" "Herr Brian" "Lord Brian"
Ray Sepe
August 19, 2003
Last night I drank a toast to you, diet Coke of course. I thought about when you and Maria stayed with us, and about the summer you were involved with the theater. Princess Diana, Queen of Hearts, the CD, Vampires, Roman. The command Beauty and the Beast performance. L'infants des Paradis. The benefit concert Maria and I did. Munich Opera. The countless tapes that arrived from the states.
These things are in my heart.
Raimondo
Lois
August 19, 2003
The chatterati at ATC are thinking of you.
K
August 19, 2003
My sentiments are with you all.
May Michael rest in peace.
Rodney(ra) Anderson
August 18, 2003
My sincerest sympathy on the passing of Michael. We all miss you at Talkinbroadway and hope to see you back and more often soon.
TragedyComedy555
August 18, 2003
Chandler - May you and your family find comfort in the memories of Michael. My prayers are with you.
"It is not length of life, but depth of life." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
James Marino
August 18, 2003
This is a sad passing for all of the entertainment industry. If we all gave back to the industry the way that Michael did, the world would be a better place.
"...and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night" (R+J, Act 3, Scene 2)
- James Marino
Trutti Gasparinetti
August 18, 2003
I loved the Fabio mention. Michael and I were at the airport with my brother many years ago and many people approached Michael for an autograph and asked to have their picture taken with him. He signed all the autographs with his own name and posed for all the pictures. What did those people think when they arrived home and took a look at the autograph? He always assumed they thought he was Fabio. I think he was so handsome, people thought he had to be "someone". He was, too.
Trutti (Diva) Gasparinetti
Lee Ann Holly
August 18, 2003
Thought and prayers are with you at this time. Have been thinking of you frequently
Lee Ann(and Mary Ann) Holly in Ohio
Christopher Mann
August 18, 2003
I brought Michael a project several years ago. He was very helpful in getting me hooked up with the right people to see it to fruition. I am very proud to have known him. Chris Mann
Georgiana Paris
August 18, 2003
Devastated is an inadequate word to describe the loss of you and what has been going on with your dear wife. Heaven has a brand new, gorgeous angel. Georgiana Paris
Robert & Jennifer
August 18, 2003
I still remember the wonderful time we shared at the HOLA fundraiser. We managed to laugh even though you couldn't talk. You and Maria seemed to have everything then. Who could guess that someone as wonderful as you would be here for such a short time. We still display your beautiful wedding gift prominently in our home and think of you each time we look at it. From Robert & Jennifer
Jennifer Walsh Gill
August 18, 2003
What great photos! Happier days. Maria, you will have them again. Just hold tough.
I remember what little Bryan said: "Goodbye, my daddy. Have a nice sleep, my daddy."
Have a nice sleep, Michael. Jenn and Dave
Saundra Rademacher
August 18, 2003
My beautiful cousin and I didn't have nearly enough time together.
The memorial service, featuring Maria's gorgeous voice and sentiments, was a wonderful tribute.
Thank you for being my cousin, Michael. Love, "little" Saundra
Robert Troyan
August 18, 2003
I first met Michael in Paris in the early '70s. We used to run into each other at agencies where we were showing our books. Then we worked on runway shows together. Somewhere along the line we became friends. I never achieved in my short, take the money and run career that he did. I eventually returned to London and went into business but we stayed in touch. This was before the Internet.
Over the years I saw Michael and later his lovely wife Maria occasionally. It was always a good time.
Now that he's gone I regret that we didn't spend more time together, that I took his presence in my life for granted.
It's so important to treasure our friends and to thank God for them every day. Michael's death has jolted me into realizing that. I never got a chance to say goodbye.
Robert Troyan, a friend of many years
Rose
August 18, 2003
When you were born, you were crying and
everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die,
you're the one who is smiling and
everyone around you is crying.
You did that, in every way. Rosie
Vanessa
August 18, 2003
Right now I can't smile at all the happy memories of being upstate with you and Maria. Someday the laughter will be there, I know. For today, your passing has left a terrible void. Michael I don't know what we will do without you. Love, Vanessa
Sandor Wilke
August 18, 2003
My beloved friend, I can't believe you're gone and all that has happened since. We surely miss you and have to believe all of this is for a reason we can't begin to know yet. We are all doing best for you, I hope you realize that. Love from Scott
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