In Memoriam: Entertainment Industry Celebrity Deaths

[HalcyonDays]

1) I had no idea he was that old.

2) I had no idea he suffered from brain cancer.

 

Me neither on both counts. Wow. RIP dude.

[Bastet]

I really enjoyed Wes Craven's films.

 

I find Scream utterly fantastic, a horror film that spoofs the genre while simultaneously being a good example of the genre. 

 

My best friend and I used to scare her little brother by singing the Nightmare on Elm Street nursery rhyme outside his bedroom.  "One, two, Freddy's coming for you ..."

[BW Manilowe]

Wes Craven was also a writer (maybe also "graduating" to producer & director) on The Partridge Family, back in the day.

Also... "Self-Help Guru" & Author Dr. Wayne Dyer died, at age 75. Supposedly he'd been diagnosed with Leukemia awhile back, but nothing was stated in his obit as his cause of death.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2015/08/30/wayne-dyer-obituary/71435806/

And...

Former Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel Died at Age 95.

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-84321926/

Edited August 31, 2015 by BW Manilowe

[Spartan Girl]

Wes Craven gave us some of the best horror movies ever. This is so sad, for all the reasons already listed.

[Inquisitionist]

If there's a Heaven-and I believe there is- I can imagine the conversations that Dr. Sacks would have with Robin Williams, who played him so beautifully in Awakenings.

 

Dr. Sacks was an honorary director of the US Freedom From Religion Foundation.  In 2013, he wrote:

 

I have no belief in (or desire for) any post-mortem existence, other than in the memories of friends and the hope that some of my books may still ‘speak’ to people after my death.

[DollEyes]

I was talking about my  beliefs, but if Dr. Sacks didn't believe in organized religion, I won't hold it against him.

 

  Truly sad news about Wes Craven.  A true Hollywood/horror icon.

[Popples]

Kyle Jean-Baptiste died at 21. He was the youngest and first black Jean Valjean.

 

[Mindymoo]

That is seriously the most beautiful rendition of "Bring Him Home" I've ever heard. I love that song, and I sang it to my great grandmother the night she died. Wow, what a voice. RIP, Kyle Jean-Baptiste. This is so sad. He was one amazingly talented young man.

[turnitwayup]

RIP Wes Craven

 

[DollEyes]

This week's episode of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series and the Season Finale of Scream dedicated their episodes to Wes Craven.

[JBC344]

He really sounds like a lovely man.  RIP

[mariah23]

Dean Jones has died.

 

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/dean-jones-the-love-bug-star-dies-at-84-1201584259/

[Ohwell]

Dean Jones, "The Love Bug."  RIP

[Snowprince]

Dean Jones has died.

 

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/dean-jones-the-love-bug-star-dies-at-84-1201584259/

RIP Ensign O'Toole.........*Hand Salute*

[BW Manilowe]

The Man Who Made LL Bean A Household Name Dies at Age 80.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/man-who-built-l-l-bean-outdoors-powerhouse-dies-n421016?cid=sm_tw&hootPostID=1ee19adb0fabed6ebb92c34fabdd2959

[roamyn]

Jean Darling, a Silent Era actress as a child, and former 'Our Gang' actress, has died at 93.

[Inquisitionist]

Variety is reporting that Martin Milner, of Adam-12, has passed away.  He was 83.

[Ohwell]

Variety is reporting that Martin Milner, of Adam-12, has passed away.  He was 83.

I never watched Adam-12 but I loved him and George Maharis in Route 66.  RIP, Mr. Milner. 

[Snowprince]

Mr Milner and Adam-12 were a major inspiration for me to put the badge on myself. Rest peacefully sir.

 

"One Adam Twelve, End of Watch"

[Tunia]

Judy Carne of "Sock it to me" fame has died at age 76.

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/judy-carne-%e2%80%98laugh-in%e2%80%99s%e2%80%99-%e2%80%98sock-it-to-me%e2%80%99-girl-dies-at-76/ar-AAe34Nt

 

She was a cutie, but had lifelong struggles.  RIP Judy.

Edited September 7, 2015 by Tunia

[Ohwell]

I remember the "Sock it to me" girl.  She was a dancing cutie in her bikini.  RIP

[Blergh]

Actually, I'm a bit surprised Miss Carne lived as long as she did as it seemed almost certain that she'd die young from her addictions or her physical traumas.  Well, she was an excellent comedienne and it's too bad that she didn't have much of a career after "Laugh In".

[Snowprince]

First saw Judy with Peter Duel in Love on a Rooftop. RIP luv, you had a tortured life.

Edited September 8, 2015 by Snowprince

[shapeshifter]

Nice NY Times obit for Milner: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/arts/television/martin-milner-dies-at-83-actor-made-his-name-on-route-66.html

[Moose135]

Way back when I was just a little Moose, Adam-12 was the first TV show I remember becoming a favorite, and Pete Malloy was my favorite character, maybe because he got to drive that cool Plymouth patrol car. I may have to break out the DVDs tonight. Rest in Peace, Martin Milner.

[Bastet]

I know I'm stretching "celebrity" a bit with this one, but for NPR listeners he's as famous as any other guest, given hundreds of interviews over the years ... pollster extraordinaire, and Pew Research Center founding director, Andrew Kohut has died.

[BW Manilowe]

Dennis Greene, Founding Member of Sha Na Na, Dead at 66.

http://variety.com/2015/music/obituaries-people-news/dennis-greene-dead-sha-na-na-dies-1201590284/p

[mariah23]

Child Star and one of the last surviving silent film actors Dick Moore has died at age 89.

[BW Manilowe]

Las Vegas' "Rock 'N' Roll Chef", Kerry Simon, Dead at Age 60 from Muscular System Atrophy (MSA).

http://m.reviewjournal.com/life/food-and-dining/chef-kerry-simon-dies-age-60

[BW Manilowe]

NBA Legend Moses Malone Dead at Age 60.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/09/13/moses-malone-dies-age-60/72201802/

[Ohwell]

I'm gutted.  RIP Moses Malone. 

 

FO FO FO!

[slensam]

I'm gutted.  RIP Moses Malone. 

 

FO FO FO!

He came pretty close too. FO FI FO!

[Ohwell]

For Moses...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1YXN0Z6_n8

[MyAimIsTrue]

I've never been much of an NBA fan but I'm very sad over the passing of Moses Malone.  RIP, big guy.

[BW Manilowe]

REO Speedwagon Guitarist Gary Richrath Dead at Age 65.

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/14/reo-speedwagon-gary-richrath-guitarist-dies?hootPostID=47d3a3cbe6f80212a256d30429cdbd41

[Gudzilla]

REO Speedwagon Guitarist Gary Richrath Dead at Age 65.

One of my favorite guitar players. ;(

[BetterButter]

Stuntwoman May Boss Dies: Doubled For Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth & Others

[BW Manilowe]

Author Jackie Collins, Sister of Dynasty Star Joan Collins, Dies of Breast Cancer at Age 77.

http://www.people.com/people/mobile/article/0,,20953862,00.html?xid=socialflow_twitter_peoplemag

[Vixenstud]

JUST read about Jackie Collins, damn!  What a secret to keep for 6 1/2 years!

 

While I read about 90% of her books, I always went back to her Lucky Santangelo novels....Lucky was a beautiful, kick-ass woman who lived her life like a man with no regrets, she was my favorite fictional character ever.

 

RIP and condolences to the Collins family.

 

(Rumages through closet to re-read Chances from the beginning, tears in eyes)

Edited September 20, 2015 by Vixenstud

[merylinkid]

RIP Jackie Collins.   Her books were Hollywood potboilers but they were fun to read.  

[roamyn]

I loved the 'Lucky' books!

I'm sorry to hear if her struggles for so long. At least she's in peace.

[DollEyes]

 A true loss. Jackie Collins was one of my favorite authors and Lucky Santangelo is my favorite Collins character. Lucky was a badass bitch in the best way. She protected her family/friends and unleashed Hell on her enemies. Jackie Collins' books define "guilty pleasure": something you shouldn't want, but you love it anyway.

 

RIP to a great writer and a great lady.

[SmithW6079]

Novelist Jackie Collins, sister of Joan, has died.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34305950

[giovannif7]

RIP playwright Jack Larson, best known as Jimmy Olsen from 50s TV series The Adventures Of Superman

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/arts/television/jack-larson-a-playwright-better-known-as-jimmy-olsen-in-superman-dies-at-87.html?_r=0

[Spartan Girl]

Wasn't he on an episode of SVU a few years ago? Sad. RIP.

[Inquisitionist]

RIP playwright Jack Larson, best known as Jimmy Olsen from 50s TV series The Adventures Of Superman

 

Tidbits from the NY TImes obit: 

• He had a romantic relationship with dreamy actor Montgomery Cliff.
• He started writing plays in high school.
• He dropped out of HS, convinced that his bowling talent would lead to a professional sports career.
• After his agent told him Superman had no sponsor and was unlikely to see the light of day, he agreed to film 26 episodes.
• His partner of 35 years, actor/writer/director James Bridges, was Oscar-nominated for writing The China Syndrome and The Paper Chase.
• He swore off fan events after a 1988 incident in Cincinnati in which Sharpie-wielding autograph seekers permanently stained a white linen suit he had had made in Italy.
• His house in Brentwood was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

 

Any you thought he was just Jimmy Olsen.  ;-)

[kassa]

Funny, I haven't watched his version of Superman in probably 40 years, and I only vaguely remember what he looked like, but damned if I can't remember EXACTLY how he sounded!

[Princess Sparkle]

Wasn't he on an episode of SVU a few years ago? Sad. RIP.

He was, but it was a really bad episode, so it's probably best for his legacy that we forget it happened.

[St. Claire]

I was kind of surprised not to see Marcia Strassman on the Emmy memorial last night, as well as Yvonne Craig being missing. Some of the omissions I can understand a bit better because they could be considered more film-related as opposed to TV, but to not have Mrs. Kotter/Nurse Baker  and Batgirl in the death montage seemed wrong to me.

Edited September 21, 2015 by St. Claire

[MaryMitch]

Aw.... Yogi Berra, dead at 90

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/24/sports/baseball/yogi-berra-dies-at-90-yankees-baseball-catcher.html