praeceptrix

Joyce Gordon, apparently the first woman to wear glasses in a TV ad, has died at the age of 90. Her obituary is quite interesting. I'd probably recognize her voice, but had no idea how important and groundbreaking she was as a labor leader. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/arts/television/joyce-gordon-dead.html?algo=als2_desk_filter&fellback=false&imp_id=643219108&imp_id=483833483&action=click&module=editorsPicks&pgtype=Article&region=Footer

Original Supremes member Barbara Martin has died. She was 76. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51766812

Thanks! It was late and I had had a very long day, so I could not remember when I posted (& I doubt I would have known the designer's name without help). I do remember that the old map was almost Art Deco, all elegant lines, and quite functional, too. I have vague memories of an exhibit of different maps at the Transit Museum. I wonder if they will do something special to commemorate Mr. Hertz's passing? Time for another visit!

You may not know his name, but if you've taken the subway in NYC, you relied on his work! Michael Hertz, creator of the iconic NYC subway map (in use since 1979, I wish I could remember the one we had before it). has died. He was 87. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51648746

I don't always click on the links, but I am glad that I clicked on that one. She was strikingly beautiful, and I love the red and gold outfit she is wearing in the picture with her husband. Dementia is not pleasant for anyone involved. I hope her loved ones can treasure the good memories.

Country singer Lindsey Lagestee has died from injuries received in a car crash a week ago. She was 25. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/02/22/us/lindsey-lagestee-dixie-crush-death-trnd/index.html

More on Ms. Waligwa (the BBC is definitely providing better coverage than TMZ!): https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51528522

Damn. This one breaks my heart. Nikita Pearl Waligwa was absolutely delightful as Gloria (the protagonist's close friend) in The Queen of Katwe. She was probably only 10 when it was filmed, was diagnosed with a brain tumor the year it came out, got treatment in India thanks to director Mira Nair, was given the all clear in 2017... but another brain tumor has taken her at only 15. Just damn. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51521775

Tallahassee Florida is looking to fill a gap and has launched a 24/7 cable TV Black News Channel. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51449735 From the article: The first US national news channel to cater to African-American viewers has launched in Florida. The Black News Channel (BNC) will cover news "culturally specific to the African American community", said the new cable news network. The BNC said it planned to target the "image gap" in negative black stereotypes depicted in the media.

Thanks for posting that, MikaelaArsenault. That's a lovely obituary (& I think it's pretty cool that one of the pictures is Mr. Jordan with Kirk Douglas), written by someone who actually knew the man. He's definitely one of those "hey, it's that guy!" British actors, with a long and impressive career, who also sounds like a good person. I'm glad he didn't let his wife destroy her drawings when she was discouraged -- the obit has a link to some of her illustrations (from her obituary?) which are charming.

Opera star Mirella Freni has died. She was 84. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/arts/music/mirella-freni-dead.html?0p19G=3248

Kirk Douglas was 103. I suspect that the Oscars in memoriam has been prepared to add him for at least five years now. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if he had been included and only edited out at the last minute.

What a lovely story, Roamyn! I read some of her books when I was much younger, and recall liking them but not feeling the need to read absolutely everything she ever wrote (tastes change, c'est la vie). It's heartening to learn that she was a good person and willing to give advice and support to other writers. Too much of what I read on this site (pretty much my only exposure to popular culture these days) reveals ugly behavior, exposes talented and famous people as entitled assholes. It's sometimes hard to remember that not everyone is a jerk, so thanks for sharing your positive experience! (slightly off topic: In which fandoms do you write? Do you post on AO3? I'm always looking for good authors/stories. I don't see a private message feature, and clearly this is not the place to reply. If there's an appropriate thread, please reply there -- and point me to it.)

21 year old college soccer star Eric Birighitti has drowned. At least he was dead before the sharks are him. https://amp.tmz.com/2020/01/09/perth-soccer-player-eruic-birighitti-body-sharks-drowning/

Andrew Dunbar has died. He was in his 30s. What is going on with all of these young people dying?!? https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-game-of-thrones-actor-andrew-dunbar-dies-suddenly-home-20191228-z5cuqpahp5c7petybbrw5br45q-story.html

German tenor Peter Schreier has died. He was 84. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50920235

Model and disability rights activist Mama Cax has died. She was only 30. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50877959

I was vaguely interested in watching it, based on my friends liking it. Then I saw the original One Woman show (National Theatre Live at my local cinema). I laughed a little. I felt a little sympathy at first, but by the end I loathed the main character. Not sure how to do spoiler tags using my phone, so I won't say anything specific, just that I really, really wanted to scream at the character for her actions and the pain she caused. I get that she is damaged, but there are some things I can't forgive or excuse.

Violinist Marya Columbia has died. She was 63 and her lung cancer was probably caused by her playing for the first responders on September 11, 2001. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/nyregion/marya-columbia-dead.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_191106%3Fcampaign_id%3D2&instance_id=13528&segment_id=18554&user_id=1cfeb35d0f58f520db633e593aefe558&regi_id=214875701106&fbclid=IwAR0ZvXpirwlW-7UDRTiQ287zngMA5prG3UD0oiFCudpwywxTCLzkt1UGC-k

Julian Keane, BBC World Service presenter, has died at the too-young age of 57. I used to listen to the BBC World Service on NPR all of the time. He was an excellent presenter, with a lovely voice, click on the second link if you want to hear him. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50232957 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07sg43w

Photographer Jill Freedman has died. I think her photos are quite moving. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/arts/jill-freedman-dead.html?fbclid=IwAR1lRbmtRMIssgOvLxCahDE4E3Pcj2oMsay4wfeAtahache0e2F2sC4BO24

Thank you for this information. I know very little about Tyler Perry beyond the discussions on PTV which have convinced me that I would not like his movies (I'm not his or anyone's target audience, given my age and general lack of awareness of most popular culture). Still not interested in watching his movies, but I have a lot more respect for him now, thanks to you!

This has not been a good week for singers. Tenor Marcello Giordani has died at by 56 from a heart attack. https://operawire.com/obituary-marcello-giordani-passes-away-at-56/

Rob Garrison from the"Karate Kid" movies has died. He was 59. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/09/27/entertainment/robert-garrison-obit/index.html

Not sure if this belongs here, as it's behind the scenes and not on screen (Mods please delete if inappropriate): A costume designer was caught on video in a very public racist rant, now the LAPD is opening a hate crimes investigation and her fellow union members want her expelled from the union. I hope they succeed. https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/racist-rant-costume-designer-heather-patton-union-expulsion-1202176886/?fbclid=IwAR3jun9ABJXiyQtb1wFp-SrkNe-uG-jX7tOAxtFGQ2A23dYwbG-Mcod04hg