The Rest In Peace & Remembrance Thread #2

StarTrek.com is saddened to report the passing of Lou Scheimer, co-founder of animation house Filmation, which produced Star Trek: The Animated Series, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Archie Show, Ghostbusters and many other beloved Saturday morning cartoons. As a producer, Scheimer won a Daytime Emmy, in the Best Children’s Program category, for the Star Trek animated series, and he’d even provided a couple of voices for the show. Scheimer, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, died on October 17, two days shy of his 85th birthday.

Scheimer is survived by his wife Mary Ann and two children from a previous marriage. StarTrek.com extends our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
 
Hal Needham Dead; Legendary Stuntman and Director Was 82
Variety Film Reporter Dave McNary


Hal Needham, longtime stuntman and director of “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Cannonball Run” for Burt Reynolds, died Friday in Los Angeles after a short battle with cancer, his manager confirmed. He was 82.

At one time the highest paid stuntman in the world, he was said to have broken 56 bones, broken his back twice, punctured a lung and knocked out a few teeth while working on 4500 TV episodes and 310 feature films. His work was admired by generations of filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino.

Needham, a native of Tennessee, broke into show business as a stunt double for Richard Boone on the series “Have Gun, Will Travel.” Among the hundreds of films on which he did stunts were “Stagecoach,” “How the West Was Won,” “The Bridge at Remagen,” “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” and “Little Big Man.”

He became friends with Reynolds, who offered Needham the opportunity to direct “Smokey and the Bandit,” for which Needham had written the screenplay. Needham also directed “Hooper,” “Stroker Ace,”"Street Luge” and “Rad.”

Needham received a Governors Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences last year, where he was introduced by Tarantino, who said, “I have ripped off a lot of shots from you, and today I say, ‘Thank you very much.’” At the tribute, Needham called himself “the luckiest man alive and lucky to be alive.”

He developed numerous camera and production innovations, and won a Scientific and Engineering Oscar in 1987 for the design and development of the Shotmaker Elite camera car and crane. Among his other inventions were the air ram, air bag, car cannon turnover, nitrogen ratchet, jerk-off ratchet and rocket power.
 
Actress Marcia Wallace Dead at 70

Marcia Wallace, the Bob Newhart Show vet who also voiced The Simpsons‘ school marm Mrs. Krabappel, has died. She was 70 years old.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean confirmed the actress’ death to several media outlets on Saturday. Wallace’s friend Cathryn Michon told our sister site Deadline that Wallace, who had battled breast cancer in the past, died from complications of the disease.

“I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace,” Jean said in a statement. “She was beloved by all at The Simpsons and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character.”

Jean added that Mrs. Krabappel is not the character the series is planning to kill off later this season.

Wallace, who had won an Emmy for voicing the cynical Springfield teacher in a 1992 episode of the Fox animated drama. Early in her career, she was known for playing The Bob Newhart Show‘s receptionist Carol.

Her long career includes appearances on Murphy Brown, Full House, 7th Heaven and The Young and the Restless.
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Susan
 
Lou Reed, Velvet Underground Leader and Rock Pioneer, Dead at 71

Lou Reed, a massively influential songwriter and guitarist who helped shape nearly fifty years of rock music, died today. The cause of his death has not yet been released, but Reed underwent a liver transplant in May.

With the Velvet Underground in the late Sixties, Reed fused street-level urgency with elements of European avant-garde music, marrying beauty and noise, while bringing a whole new lyrical honesty to rock & roll poetry. As a restlessly inventive solo artist, from the Seventies into the 2010s, he was chameleonic, thorny and unpredictable, challenging his fans at every turn. Glam, punk and alternative rock are all unthinkable without his revelatory example. "One chord is fine," he once said, alluding to his bare-bones guitar style. "Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz."

Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed was born in Brooklyn, in 1942. A fan of doo-wop and early rock & roll (he movingly inducted Dion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989), Reed also took formative inspiration during his studies at Syracuse University with the poet Delmore Schwartz. After college, he worked a staff songwriter for the novelty label Pickwick Records (where he had a minor hit in 1964 with a dance-song parody called "The Ostrich"). In the mid-Sixties, Reed befriended Welsh musician John Cale, a classically trained violist who had performed with groundbreaking minimalist composer La Monte Young. Reed and Cale formed a band called the Primitives, then changed their name to the Warlocks. After meeting guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker, they became the Velvet Underground. With a stark sound and ominous look, the band caught the attention of Andy Warhol, who incorporated the Velvets into his Exploding Plastic Inevitable. "Andy would show his movies on us," Reed said. "We wore black so you could see the movie. But we were all wearing black anyway."

"Produced" by Warhol and met with total commercial indifference when it was released in early 1967, VU’s debut The Velvet Underground & Nico stands as a landmark on par with the Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Bob Dylan's Blonde On Blonde. Reed's matter-of-fact descriptions of New York’s bohemian demimonde, rife with allusions to drugs and S&M, pushed beyond even the Rolling Stones’ darkest moments, while the heavy doses of distortion and noise for it’s own sake revolutionized rock guitar. The band’s three subsequent albums – 1968’s even more corrosive sounding White Light/White Heat, 1969’s fragile, folk-toned The Velvet Underground and 1970’s Loaded, which despite being recorded while he was leaving the group, contained two Reed-standards “Rock & Roll” and “Sweet Jane,” were similarly ignored. But they’d be embraced by future generations, cementing the Velvet Underground’s status as the most influential American rock band of all time.

After splitting with the Velvets in 1970, Reed traveled to England and, in characteristically paradoxical fashion, recorded a solo debut backed by members of the progressive-rock band Yes. But it was his next album, 1972’s Transformer, produced by Reed-disciple David Bowie, that pushed him beyond cult status into genuine rock stardom. “Walk On the Wild Side,” a loving yet unsentimental evocation of Warhol’s Factory scene, became a radio hit (despite its allusions to oral sex) and “Satellite of Love” was covered by U2 and others. Reed spent the Seventies defying expectations almost as a kind of sport. 1973’s Berlin was brutal literary bombast while 1974’s Sally Can’t Dance had soul horns and flashy guitar. In 1975 he released Metal Machine Music, a seething all-noise experiment his label RCA marketed as a avant-garde classic music, while 1978’s banter-heavy live album Take No Prisoners was a kind of comedy record in which Reed went on wild tangents and savaged rock critics by name (“Lou sure is adept at figuring out new ways to shit on people,” one of those critics, Robert Christgau, wrote at the time). Explaining his less-than-accommodating career trajectory, Reed told journalist Lester Bangs, “my bullshit it worth more than other people’s diamonds.”

Reed’s ambiguous sexual persona and excessive drug use throughout the Seventies was the stuff of underground rock myth. But in the Eighties, he began to mellow. He married Sylvia Morales and opened a window into his new married life on 1982’s excellent The Blue Mask, his best work since Transformer. His 1984 album New Sensations took a more commercial turn and 1989’s New York ended the decade with a set of funny, politically cutting songs that received universal critical praise. In 1991, he collaborated with Cale on Songs For Drella, a tribute to Warhol. Three years later, the Velvet Underground reunited for a series of successful European gigs.

Reed and Morales divorced in the early Nineties. Within a few years, Reed began a relationship with musician-performing artist Laurie Anderson. The two became an inseparable New York fixture, collaborating and performing live together, while also engaging in civic and environmental activism. They were married in 2008.

Reed continued to follow his own idiosyncratic artistic impulses throughout the ‘00s. The once-decadent rocker became an avid student of T-ai Chi, even bringing his instructor onstage during concerts in 2003. In 2005 he released a double-CD called The Raven, based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe. In 2007, he released an ambient album titled Hudson River Wind Meditations. Reed returned to mainstream rock with 2011’s Lulu, a collaboration with Metallica.

“All through this, I’ve always thought that if you thought of all of it as a book then you have the Great American Novel, every record as a chapter,” he told Rolling Stone in 1987. “They’re all in chronological order. You take the whole thing, stack it and listen to it in order, there’s my Great American Novel.”
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Susan
 
Sister of Garth Brooks Dies in Oklahoma
Betsy Smittle played bass in Garth’s band.
Tammy Ragusa | Published: Nov 04, 2013

Country Weekly extends its deepest sympathies to Garth Brooks and his family on the passing of his older sister, Betsy Smittle.

According to Oklahoma's News 9, Betsy was 60 years old when she died on Saturday, Nov. 2. In addition to playing bass guitar in her superstar brother's band, she released her own solo album, Rough Around the Edges, in 1994. She was also a gay rights advocate and participated in gay pride events around Oklahoma.

No cause of death has been released and funeral arrangements are currently pending.
 
Veteran film, TV, stage actor Al Ruscio dies
Nov 16, 6:55 PM (ET)


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Veteran character actor Al Ruscio, who appeared in countless film, television and stage productions across half a century, has died at age 89, said his longtime manager, Judy Fox.

Ruscio, who died Nov. 12 at his Encino, Calif., home following declining health, appeared in such films as the "Godfather, Part III" and "Guilty By Suspicion," and on some of the most memorable TV shows of all time, from "Sea Hunt" to "Seinfeld." His stage credits include "A Hatful of Rain" and "A View From the Bridge."

In addition, Ruscio taught college acting classes, wrote a drama text called "So Therefore...A Practical Guide for Actors" and served on the board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild.

Ruscio is survived by his wife, actress Kate Williamson, four children and five grandchildren.
 
Famous Psychic Sylvia Browne Dies at 77
By Mike Krumboltz
Yahoo TV


Internationally known psychic Sylvia Browne passed away at the age of 77 on Wednesday morning in San Jose, Calif., TMZ reports. Her death was also announced on her official Facebook page.

Browne's ability as a psychic and spiritual guide was sometimes called into question. Over the course of her career, Browne attempted to assist in numerous law enforcement investigations, often with questionable results.

Her ability to predict political elections was somewhat dicey. She predicted Bill Bradley would win the presidency in 2000 and claimed that President Obama would not be reelected in 2012.

Earlier this year, Browne's psychic abilities were further questioned after the kidnapped Amanda Berry was found alive in the home of Ariel Castro. Several years prior, Browne had told Berry's mother that her daughter was dead.

While Browne's track record as a psychic was mixed, her believers remained numerous. On Facebook, as news of her death became public, thousands posted comments expressing their sense of loss. Beth Schooley-Garlock wrote, "She has moved to be a spirit guide. God bless you Silvia, you have help many and will greatly be missed." Mary Conklin, another fan, posted, "She has always been a part of my life and given me a lot of good advise [sic]. God will watch over her now." Melody Wasylciw wrote, "I know she is in a very wonderful place. She has helped me through so much loss and grief. That being said, I am very saddened and will miss her tremendously.”

Browne appeared on numerous television shows during her career, including "Unsolved Mysteries," the Montel Williams program, and "Larry King Live." She was married four times and leaves behind a husband, two sons, three grandchildren, and a sister, according to her Facebook page.

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Walt Disney's daughter dies, aged 79
AFP
November 20, 2013 5:49 AM


Los Angeles (AFP) - Philanthropist Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney, died Tuesday at the age of 79 near San Francisco, the US entertainment giant announced.

Flags at Disney theme parks and the Disney studio lot in Burbank, outside Los Angeles, will be flown at half-mast in her honor, it said, praising her "grace and generosity and tireless work to preserve her father's legacy.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Diane Disney Miller and our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time," said Robert Iger, president of the Walt Disney Company.

"As the beloved daughter of Walt Disney and one of his inspirations for creating Disneyland, she holds a special place in the history of The Walt Disney Company and in the hearts of fans everywhere."

According to the LA Times, Disney Miller died in her house in Napa.

Born in Los Angeles the elder daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney, she married Ron Miller, who was chief executive of the Walt Disney Company from 1980-1984.

She was a renowned philanthropist and crucial in creating the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the home of the LA Philharmonic, donating $50 million to launch the project and staunchly defending the vision of architect Frank Gehry.

"She will be remembered and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her," said the current Disney chief.

Walt Disney died in December 1966, aged 65.
 
Jane Kean, Honeymooners Actress, Dead at 90
Us Weekly

The honeymoon is over. Jane Kean, who played Trixie on the 1960s revival of The Honeymooners, has died, the Los Angeles Times reports. She was 90 years old.

Kean passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, the paper notes. The cause of death, per the Times, was complications from a recent fall.

Born April 10, 1923, in Hartford, Conn., Kean had several starring roles on Broadway in the 1950s. She also performed with her sister, Betty Kean, on The Ed Sullivan Show and appeared in various stage productions with Honeymooners star Jackie Gleason.

In 1966, she joined Gleason for a revival of The Honeymooners, which started as a sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show and then ran for one season from 1955 to 1956. Kean played Trixie, the wife of Ralph Kramden's neighbor Ed Norton (played by Art Carney).

More recently, in the early 1990s, the actress wrote and performed a two-woman musical, We, with Barbara Perry at a theater in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Kean was married twice in her life, to Richard Linkroum and to Joe Hecht. She is survived by her niece, Deidre Wolpert, and Wolpert's husband and two children, as well as a stepson, Joseph Hecht Jr., and his son.
 
Paul Walker, 'Fast & Furious' Star, Dead in Car Crash at 40

Paul Walker, the edgy action hero with all-American good looks who became an international star with "The Fast & the Furious" movie franchise, has died in a fiery car collision in Southern California. He was 40 years old.

The sad news was confirmed Saturday night by Walker's camp via the actor's official Twitter account.

It's with a heavy heart that we must confirm Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident...MORE: http://t.co/9hDuJMH99M - #TeamPW

— Paul Walker (@RealPaulWalker) December 1, 2013
According to the statement put out by Walker's team and also posted on Facebook, the actor was "attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend's car.

"We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," the statement continued. "Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences."

The identity of the second victim, a male, has not been released by authorities; but numerous reports have identified the driver as Roger Rodas, the owner of Walker's auto-racing team, Always Evolving.

“Him and his buddy, his brother in arms at heart, just decided to joyride, take a spin," Antonio Holmes, an onlooker at the event who identified himself as a friend of Walker's, told the local Santa Clarita Valley Signal newspaper. "Something we all do. We're all car enthusiasts. ... We’re all here driving, enjoying each other, and God must’ve needed help."

According to witnesses, the red Porsche Carrera GT carrying Walker and his friend lost control and slammed into a tree and then a light pole. Walker, an unapologetic car lover, had been participating in the "Winter Drive" for Reach Out Worldwide, a toy drive and car meet charity event for disadvantaged children. Walker was also involved in humanitarian efforts in Chile and Haiti after the devastating earthquakes in both countries.

"Speed was a factor in the solo vehicle collision," the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a updated statement late Saturday.

Earlier, the sheriff's department and county coroner confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles, around 3:30 p.m. PT.

"When they arrived, deputies found the vehicle engulfed in flames. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded, extinguished the fire and subsequently located two victims inside the vehicle," Sheriff's Deputy Kim Manatt said in a statement. "The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the collision is under investigation."

The tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed heartthrob was a California native, hailing from the L.A. suburb of Glendale. He began appearing in TV commercials when he was just a toddler. He guest starred on shows like "Highway to Heaven" and "Charles in Charge" as a teen, and scored his first leading role in 1998's "Meet the Deedles." This lead to higher profile roles in features like "Pleasantville," "Varsity Blues," and "She's All That" in the late '90s before cementing his status as a leading man in 2001's "The Fast and the Furious."

Walker starred in all but the third installment of the "Fast & Furious" movies, including the seventh chapter which is still in production and scheduled for release next summer. He also received critical acclaim for his performances in 2006's "Running Scared" and in Clint Eastwood's WWII drama, "Flags of Our Fathers." His next film, "Hours," about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is scheduled to open on Dec. 13.

"Fast" running mate Vin Diesel posted an image of him and Walker on Instagram with the caption: "Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace.

In a brief statement, Universal, the studio behind the "Fast" franchise, also mourned one of its top stars: "All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans. We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."

Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.
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'Curb Appeal' co-host dies in San Francisco crash
Dec 3, 4:55 PM (ET)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A co-host of the HGTV show "Curb Appeal" has been killed in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco.

The San Francisco medical examiner identified 38-year-old Bill Beckwith as the victim of a crash near the city's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood Monday night. He was riding a motorcycle that was struck by a car.

Beckwith was one of the three hosts of "Curb Appeal," which features home renovations. He was a carpenter and general contractor who grew up on a farm in Maine and owned his own Bay Area construction business.

HGTV says in a statement that his creativity, adventurous spirit and general love of life will be missed.

Police say Beckwith suffered head trauma and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The 30-year-old driver of the car that struck him is cooperating with the investigation.
 
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