In Memoriam: Entertainment Industry Celebrity Deaths

[Quof]

That earthquake like sensation you are feeling is the heart of every Canadian woman age 30-50 breaking.  :  (

[LilWharveyGal]

I was never much of an Anne fan but I did get to meet Mr. Crombie after a performance of The Drowsy Chaperone and he was incredibly kind and gracious.  This is very sad.  

[merylinkid]

So sad.   Gilbert Blythe was the best husband in the world.   

 

Of course, I just realized how old Meghan Fellows is.    Now I feel old.

[satrunrose]

I didn't cry for Leonard Nemoy, but I'm crying now. One of my first tv loves (along with Fred Penner - don't judge). RIP Mr Crombie. Gone way too soon. 

 

Now we'll never get a do-over for that craptastic last movie. (Last two movies if you count the prequel which I refused to watch). 

[Ohwell]

Too bad about Johnny Kemp.  I don't remember anything he did other than "Just Got Paid" but that was a jam back then.  He seemed like such a happy little dude in that video, rocking that jheri curl.  RIP.

[magicdog]

A bit late but I just found out Lynn Borden, former Miss Arizona (1957) and actress best known for being "Barbara Baxter" on Hazel passed away last month at age 77. 

 

According to IMDB, her last credit was a 2006 episode of CSI NY. 

[RedKoolAide]

I'm crushed about Jonathan Crombie. I remember first seeing Anne of Green Gables when it aired on PBS. Loved it. Jonathan had incredible chemistry with Megan Follows. He was the perfect Gilbert Blythe.

RIP Jonathan...

[Misslindsey]

No not Gilbert Blythe. I am crushed about Jonathan Crombie. Now I feel the need for an Anne of Green Gables marathon.

[BW Manilowe]

Former (according to the linked obit) actor Ben Powers, age 64. He was best-known for portraying Keith Anderson in the 6th (& Final) Season of Good Times.

Keith was a rookie NFL player who married Thelma Evans (daughter of the late James Evans & Florida Evans; sister of JJ & Michael Evans), then suffered what appeared to be a career-ending leg/knee injury--involving an accidental trip & fall, & possibly Thelma's brother, JJ--on the way back up the aisle after the couple was pronounced married (& apparently before his rookie NFL regular season even started).

Even though the character was written as being a signed NFL rookie (so he, theoretically, should've had at least some of his NFL salary coming in, every once in awhile, right?), after the injury he was portrayed as having the same financial problems as his new in-laws for most of the remainder of the season, until they aired the 6th Season/Series Finale when the lives of all of the core characters from that season took a decided upswing.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-powers-dead-good-times-789946?utm_source=twitter

[jah1986]

I just can't handle all this death today. I open up a website to find out about Ben Powers and I was really sad but then looked over and saw the news about Jonathan Crombie and am devastated. I was just so pleased to see him working on The Good Wife and now this. And I come here to find out about Johnny Kemp, that was my song back in the day.  Just too much all at once.

[Vixenstud]

Johnny Kemp did another hit song I liked, from the movie Stomp...Birthday Suit.  That was the jam.

 

Damn, damn, DAMN!  About Ben Powers though. 

[FormerMod-a1]

'Everybody Loves Raymond' Star Sawyer Sweeten Dies of Suspected Suicide at 19

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/everybody-loves-raymond-star-sawyer-791143?utm_source=twitter

 

Adding this here too.  How very sad.  And so young.

[AntiBeeSpray]

Adding this here too.  How very sad.  And so young.

 

Definitely :(.

 

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Inquisitionist]

My stomach is turning.  I can't imagine how Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton must be feeling right now, having worked with Sawyer and his brother from the time they were 16 months old.  Ugh.

[Ambrosefolly]

I can't imagine how is identical twin brother is feeling. While no doubt the entire family (and former colleagues )feel a part of them is lost, to become a twinless twin at such a young age.... and he will see him everyday when he looks into a mirror.

[Spartan Girl]

Jesus, that's just awful.  I had no idea that they were all siblings.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Adding this here too.  How very sad.  And so young.

 

I was shocked when I heard the news this morning. The news just reminded me of another talented actor who killed himself many years ago, also at a young age: Jonathan Brandeis. I think he was best known for his role in The Neverending Story I think? I remember him from the television shows he appeared in, Murder, She Wrote, Texas Ranger.

 

Just heartbreaking.

[satrunrose]

It's been a tough week for 80s kids in Canada. First Jonathan Crombie, then Lois Lilenstein of Sharon, Lois and Bram died this week at 78. Sharon, Lois and Bram and The Elephant show were such massive parts of my preschool years. While not as tragic as Mr Crombie, this is a sad one too. Skinnamarink Lois and RIP.

[random chance]

The news just reminded me of another talented actor who killed himself many years ago, also at a young age: Jonathan Brandeis.

I looked up his IMDB when I was watching Seaquest on Netflix and I was so horrified to learn that he killed himself that I had to set the series aside for awhile. I finished watching it eventually but I could never undo that filter of "this poor guy is going to kill himself."

[BW Manilowe]

Actress & Game Show Panelist Jayne Meadows Dies at 95

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jayne-meadows-dead-actress-game-791814?utm_source=twitter

[Ohwell]

Wow.  I remember her.

[Snowprince]

Rest peacefully Jayne. I hope your reunion with your husband Steve Allen brings you as much happiness now as it did when you were still both with us in this life.

[legaleagle53]

The youngest member of the Partridge Family has died at the young age of 52.

 

http://perezhilton.com/2015-04-28-partridge-family-star-dies-suzanne-crough-tracy-partridge#.VT_GryFVhBc

 

Dammit, people of my youth!  Stop dying on me!

[merylinkid]

52 is far too young.   But dman, I must have been really young when I watched this show because she is older than I am.   

 

I remember watching an episode on Hulu where Ruben Kincaid temporily retired and they had a new manager.   He screwed up the hotel room and got them one room for the whole family instead of a suite.   Tracy takes out her toy lawn mower to play.   Mom is on the phone with Ruben complaining and she says "Tracy is in the closet mowing the carpet."   It just struck me as so funny.   And not that way.    Just a little girl playing where she could.

[Inquisitionist]

No cause of death yet for Ms. Crough of The Patridge Family, but one report I saw said it was "sudden."

[BW Manilowe]

http://www.tvguide.com/news/suzanne-crough-dies-partridge-family/

This link from TVGuide refers to Suzanne Crough's death as sudden.

[MyAimIsTrue]

I'm two years younger than Suzanne Crough and was a huge Partridge Family fan (David Cassidy was my first crush.)  Being that we were close in age I found myself wanting to be Tracy Partridge and even started writing my name as Tracy on my school work.  Hearing of her passing is sad, very sad. 

[Snowprince]

"Ah Louie Louie, Oh no, hey, we gotta go........."

 

Jack Ely, lead singer of The Kingsmen, has died. The cause of death at this time is only listed as "a long term illness". He was 71

 

http://www.8newsnow.com/story/28923200/jack-ely-louie-louie-singer-dies-at-71

Edited April 29, 2015 by Snowprince

[Rick Kitchen]

I saw an interview with Danny Bonaduce where he said that Suzanne Clough's daughter is getting married soon and he was very sad that she won't be at her daughter's wedding.

[BW Manilowe]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/05/01/ben-e-king-dies-76-stand-by-me/26694079/

Stand by Me Singer, Ben E. King, Dies at 76

[AntiBeeSpray]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/05/01/ben-e-king-dies-76-stand-by-me/26694079/

Stand by Me Singer, Ben E. King, Dies at 76

 

Just heard about his passing on Twitter :(. RIP sir, you'll be missed.

[BW Manilowe]

Grace Lee Whitney, Yeoman Janice Rand in the original Star Trek series (& some of the movies with the original cast), dead at age 85.

http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/grace-lee-whitney-yeoman-rand-original-star-trek-dies-n353001

[BetterButter]

Dances With Wolves writer Michael Blake dies

[BW Manilowe]

Ellen Albertini Dow, the Rapping Granny in The Wedding Singer, Dies at Age 101.

http://www.people.com/article/ellen-albertini-dow-rapping-granny-wedding-singer-dies

[Bastet]

I remember her from that film, plus Sister Act and some TV shows (Golden Girls and Seinfeld spring immediately to mind).  Wow; she didn't land an on-screen role until her 70s, and worked as recently as two years ago.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Bastet

[MyAimIsTrue]

Errol Brown, lead singer of the 70's band Hot Chocolate, has died.  I absolutely loved this man's voice and when I got home from work yesterday I pulled out my beat up vinyl copy of "Every 1's A Winner" and wished I could play it.

[Ohwell]

I was vacationing in Jamaica when "You Sexy Thing" blew up and I heard it everywhere I went.  I just remember the dancing and the rum and the resulting hangovers. :)  I've still got the vinyl and I will play it tonight, dancing with a rum & coke in my hand.

 

RIP Mr. Brown.

[BW Manilowe]

Joanne Carson, Second Wife of Johnny, Dead at 84.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joanne-carson-dead-second-wife-794643?utm_source=twitter

[BW Manilowe]

Elizabeth Wilson, Character Actress in 9 to 5 & The Graduate, Dies at 94.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/elizabeth-wilson-dead-character-actress-794706?utm_source=twitter

[Bastet]

No, not Roz!  9 to 5 is one of my favorite films, and Wilson was so enjoyable both in the movie and in the special features for the 25th anniversary DVD. 

 

She was a great character actor, and someone others always seemed to enjoy working with.

[Kromm]

{Jaw dropping...}

 

The King (well, the OTHER King) is Gone.

 

89 is a long life.  But man I'd hoped B.B. would live forever.  And in a way he probably will.

[Rick Kitchen]

Dammit.

[cynicat]

BB King.  The thrill is truly gone and we have lost a great talent.

 

 

 

[AntiBeeSpray]

BB King.  The thrill is truly gone and we have lost a great talent.

 

 

Yep :(. RIP Mr. King. You'll be missed.

 

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Kromm]

Rolling Stone: 10 Legendary Acts That Wouldn't Exist Without B.B. King

[Ohwell]

I hope they bury Lucille with him.  RIP Mr. King. 

[Darian]

I was lucky enough to see B. B. King perform when he'd just turned 75 (and lucky to see Buddy Guy on the same bill). He was amazing. Such a loss.  

[BabyVegas]

BB King was probably my first exposure to the blues and turned me into a lifelong blues fan. Rest in peace, Mr. King.

[Rick Kitchen]

Former Miami Dolphins place kicker Garo Yepremian has died at the age of 70.

[Bastet]

If ever there was a personality equipped to live with being known almost exclusively for a high-profile mistake, it was his.