Edward Woodward, 79

If not for a minor British film, the average American might never have heard of Edward Woodward. And our Samhain celebration would likely be little more than a beer bash by a bonfire.

Woodward is probably most familiar to Americans as the star of the late-'80s TV series The Equalizer. But his immortality had been ensured already by his role as Sgt. Howie, a dour police inspector stationed on the Scottish coast, in the 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man.

The Wicker Man followed the usual path of independent "horror" films, starting out in small theaters and quickly reaching the drive-in circuit. But its appeal to the back-to-nature movement of the '70s and the ambiguity of its message (not to mention great music, scenery and acting) guaranteed it a place in cinematic history.

Woodward's performance played a large role in the film's brilliance. His character stood for all the things post-hippie America and Britain deplored: blind devotion to authority, organized religion, chastity, conformity. Woodward easily could have played Sgt. Howie as a parody. Instead he crafted a character of depth and humanity. The viewer feels bad for Howie as he hits one dead end after another while investigating a disappearance, and shares his frustration pitting wits against the cunning islanders. The measure of a good story is how well it can sustain believability, and Woodward raised that measure higher than anyone had reason to expect from an independent film.

Those who've been to our celebrations know The Wicker Man inspired a central part of what we do. So today, with Woodward's death at 79, we feel like we lost a member of the family, of the clan.

Edward Woodward, you should have outlived Nicolas Cage.