The Rest In Peace & Remembrance Thread

Longtime NBC newsman Irving R. Levine dies at 86
Mar 27, 3:19 PM (ET)

MIAMI (AP) - Irving R. Levine, the bow-tied NBC newsman who explained the fine points of economics to millions of viewers for nearly a quarter century, has died. He was 86.

Levine died Friday of prostate cancer complications in Washington, D.C., announced his son, Daniel Rome Levine (pronounced luh-VEEN').

Known for his dry, measured delivery and trademark bow ties, Levine was a presence at NBC since 1950 when he began covering the Korean War until his retirement in 1995.

He had become the network's full-time economics correspondent in 1971 and in the last five years of his tenure also did weekly commentaries on CNBC. He also appeared on "Meet the Press" more than 100 times over the years.

Full story at Iwon/AP News.


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'Dr. Zhivago' composer Maurice Jarre dies at 84
Mar 30, 8:25 AM (ET)

PARIS (AP) - A French Musicians guild says Oscar-winning film composer Maurice Jarre has died at the age of 84.

Jarre is best known for writing the haunting song "Lara's Theme" from the film "Doctor Zhivago."

SACEM head Bernard Miyet cites Jarre's family Monday as saying the composer died in his California villa.

Jarre penned dozens of scores for some of Hollywood's most prominent directors.

He won Oscars for his music for "Doctor Zhivago,""Lawrence of Arabia," and "Passage to India," and was nominated for an additional six Academy Awards.

Jarre was born in 1924 in Lyon, France, and studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris before starting his career composing scores for theatrical productions. He has lived in the U.S. for decades.

 

Andy Hallett, 33, who starred as Lorne ("the Host") on the TV series Angel, died of heart failure last night at age 33, according to his agent. The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital after a five-year battle with heart disease.

Hallett, born in from the Cape Cod village of Osterville, Mass., appeared on more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, between 2000 and 2004. The accomplished actor was also a musician and sang two songs ("Lady Marmalade" and "It's Not Easy Being Green") on the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack, released in 2005.

More details to come shortly…

This was from et online: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/wat...89_angel_star_andy_hallett_dies_of_heart.html

RIP Andy. You were awesome.

 

Grand Ole Opry Announcer Hal Durham Dead at 77

Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer Hal Durham has died at age 77. The McMinnville, Tenn. native was with the legendary country music program for 32 years, beginning his stint as the voice of the Opry in 1964. He also served as general manager from 1978 - 1993 and as program director of the Opry's radio home, WSM.

While overseeing operations at the Grand Ole Opry, Durham was credited with giving it a modernized facelift. He allowed full drum sets on the Opry stage for the first time and lessened the attendance requirements of its members, allowing artists with packed tour dates to become members without having to perform on the Opry several times per month. That opened the doors for Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire and Ricky Skaggs to all become Opry members during Durham's time in office.

Durham died at his home in Florida over the weekend. The cause of death has not yet been announced.

http://www.theboot.com/2009/03/30/g...and-ole-opry-announcer-hal-durham-dead-at-77/

 

'Angel' actor dies at 33 of heart disease
The Associated Press, March 31, 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An agent for 33-year-old singer and actor Andy Hallett says the former cast member from the vampire TV series "Angel" has died of congestive heart disease.

Hallett's agent Pat Brady says Hallett died Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after having problems breathing. Brady says he has battled the heart condition for the past five years.

Hallett was a fan favorite on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" spinoff as Lorne, a green-skinned good guy demon who runs a karaoke club and can read a person's aura when they sing.

The show ran five seasons on the WB network and ended in 2004.

Hallett, an only child, is survived by his father Dave Hallett and mother Lori Hallett.

 

Angels pitcher Adenhart, 22, killed in car crash
FOXSports.com, 25 minutes ago


Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident early Thursday morning, just hours after throwing six shutout innings, according to multiple media reports.

Adenhart, 22, was killed when someone driving a minivan blew through a red light, causing the Mitsubishi that Adenhart was riding in to hit a light pole, TMZ reported. Three people were killed in the crash, including Adenhart.

Cops say the driver of the minivan fled the scene, but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run. The suspect is currently being treated for injuries in a local hospital.

One of the other people killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization, according to several reports.

© 2009 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Dungeons & Dragons co-creator dies at 61
Role-playing game known for odd dice became quintessential geek pastime

MINNEAPOLIS - Dave Arneson, one of the co-creators of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy game and a pioneer of role-playing entertainment, died after a two-year battle with cancer, his family said Thursday. He was 61.

Arneson's daughter, Malia Weinhagen, said her father died peacefully Tuesday in hospice care in St. Paul.

Arneson and Gary Gygax developed Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 using medieval characters and mythical creatures. The game known for its oddly shaped dice became a hit, particularly among teenage boys. It eventually was turned into video games, books and movies. Gygax died in March 2008.

 

Adult film star Marilyn Chambers dies at 56
Apr 13, 2:54 PM (ET)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A friend of adult film star Marilyn Chambers says the actress has been found dead at her home in northern Los Angeles County.
Peggy McGinn says the 56-year-old Chambers was found by her 17-year-old daughter Sunday night and the cause of death has not been determined.

Chambers starred in the 1972 film "Behind the Green Door," which was more widely distributed and attracted a more mainstream audience than the usual adult fare.

Chambers, whose given name was Marilyn Briggs, was once a model for Ivory Snow. She was among the first porn superstars when the stag films of the 1940s through 1960s gave way to the more polished sex films of the 1970s.

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Harry Kalas Dead at 73

Hall of Fame Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas died today after collapsing in the press box at Nationals Park in Washington. Kalas, the voice of the Phillies since 1971, was 73. A cause of death was not announced. Kalas called the final out of last year's World Series victory by the Phillies on CBS Radio Talk WPHT-A/Philadelphia, the team's flagship, and was inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame as the Ford C. Frick Award winner in 2002.

Kalas joined the Phillies after broadcasting Houston Astros games in 1965-70; he was also the voice of NFL Films since 1975 and broadcast NFL games for Westwood One for many years. He started calling minor league Hawaii Islander games while in the army. His distinctive voice and delivery put him among sportscasting's elite, and his longtime pairing with the late Richie "Whitey" Ashburn on Phillies broadccasts became a Philadelphia institution. After Ashburn's passing in 1997, Kalas was paired with Chris Wheeler, Larry Andersen, and Gary "Sarge" Matthews on the Phillies broadcasts.

Kalas' son Todd is part of the Tampa Bay Rays broadcast team.

"We lost our voice today," Phillies President David Montgomery told reporters. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."

The Phillies' game against the Nationals today is being played as scheduled, but the team's visit to the White House, scheduled for Tuesday, has been canceled.

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Former All-Star Mark ‘the Bird’ Fidrych dies at 54

By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer
AP - Apr 14, 4:03 am EDT

BOSTON (AP)—Whether he was dominating hitters or hauling asphalt, Mark Fidrych had fun.

The colorful pitcher talked to baseballs, smoothed the mound with his hands and high-fived teammates in the middle of the diamond. He had one terrific season in 1976, and after injuries curtailed his career—just five years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers—he lived on his farm in Northborough, Mass., where he enjoyed driving his truck and using it for building projects.

On Monday, Fidrych was found dead beneath a 10-wheel dump truck by Joseph Amorello, a friend and owner of a road construction company who sometimes hired Fidrych. He was 54.

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said Fidrych was found at about 2:30 p.m. Monday in his home town about 35 miles west of Boston, the victim of an apparent accident. He appeared to have been working on the truck, Early said. His office declined to release further details.

 

'Golden Girls' star Bea Arthur Dies At 86
April 25 54 seconds ago (ET)

LOS ANGELES (AP)- Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" and who won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame," died Saturday. She was 86.

Arthur died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said. She had cancer, Watt said, declining to give further details.

"She was a brilliant and witty woman," said Watt, who was Arthur's personal assistant for six years. "Bea will always have a special place in my heart."

Arthur first appeared in the landmark comedy series "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's loudly outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley. She proved a perfect foil for blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), and their blistering exchanges were so entertaining that producer Norman Lear fashioned Arthur's own series.

In a 2008 interview with The Associated Press, Arthur said she was lucky to be discovered by TV after a long stage career, recalling with bemusement CBS executives asking about the new "girl."

"I was already 50 years old. I had done so much off-Broadway, on Broadway, but they said, 'Who is that girl? Let's give her her own series,'" Arthur said.

"Maude" scored with television viewers immediately on its CBS debut in September 1972, and Arthur won an Emmy Award for the role in 1977.

The comedy flowed from Maude's efforts to cast off the traditional restraints that women faced, but the series often had a serious base. Her husband Walter (Bill Macy) became an alcoholic, and she underwent an abortion, which drew a torrent of viewer protests. Maude became a standard bearer for the growing feminist movement in America.

The ratings of "Maude" in the early years approached those of its parent, "All in the Family," but by 1977 the audience started to dwindle. A major format change was planned, but in early 1978 Arthur announced she was quitting the show.

"It's been absolutely glorious; I've loved every minute of it," she said. "But it's been six years, and I think it's time to leave."

"Golden Girls" (1985-1992) was another groundbreaking comedy, finding surprising success in a television market increasingly skewed toward a younger, product-buying audience.

The series concerned three retirees — Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan — and the mother of Arthur's character, Estelle Getty, who lived together in a Miami apartment. In contrast to the violent "Miami Vice," the comedy was nicknamed "Miami Nice."

As Dorothy Zbornak, Arthur seemed as caustic and domineering as Maude. She was unconcerned about the similarity of the two roles. "Look — I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line," she told an interviewer. "What can I do about it? I can't stay home waiting for something different. I think it's a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting."

The interplay among the four women and their relations with men fueled the comedy, and the show amassed a big audience and 10 Emmys, including two as best comedy series and individual awards for each of the stars.

In 1992, Arthur announced she was leaving "Golden Girls." The three other stars returned in "The Golden Palace," but it lasted only one season.

Arthur was born Bernice Frankel in New York City in 1922. When she was 11, her family moved to Cambridge, Md., where her father opened a clothing store. At 12 she had grown to full height, and she dreamed of being a petite blond movie star like June Allyson. There was one advantage of being tall and deep-voiced: She was chosen for the male roles in school plays.

Bernice — she hated the name and adopted her mother's nickname of Bea — overcame shyness about her size by winning over her classmates with wisecracks. She was elected the wittiest girl in her class. After two years at a junior college in Virginia, she earned a degree as a medical lab technician, but she "loathed" doing lab work at a hospital.

Acting held more appeal, and she enrolled in a drama course at the New School of Social Research in New York City. To support herself, she sang in a night spot that required her to push drinks on customers.

During this time she had a brief marriage that provided her stage name of Beatrice Arthur. In 1950, she married again, to Broadway actor and future Tony-winning director Gene Saks.

After a few years in off-Broadway and stock company plays and television dramas, Arthur's career gathered momentum with her role as Lucy Brown in the 1955 production of "The Threepenny Opera."

In 2008, when Arthur was inducted in the TV Academy Hall of Fame, Arthur pointed to the role as the highlight of her long career.

"A lot of that had to do with the fact that I felt, 'Ah, yes, I belong here,'" Arthur said.

More plays and musicals followed, and she also sang in nightclubs and played small roles in TV comedy shows.

Then, in 1964, Harold Prince cast her as Yente the Matchmaker in the original company of "Fiddler on the Roof."

Arthur's biggest Broadway triumph came in 1966 as Vera Charles, Angela Lansbury's acerbic friend in the musical "Mame," directed by Saks. Richard Watts of the New York Post called her performance "a portrait in acid of a savagely witty, cynical and serpent-tongued woman."

She won the Tony as best supporting actress and repeated the role in the unsuccessful film version that also was directed by Saks, starring Lucille Ball as Mame. Arthur would play a variation of Vera Charles in "Maude" and "The Golden Girls."

In 1983, Arthur attempted another series, "Amanda's," an Americanized version of John Cleese's hilarious "Fawlty Towers." She was cast as owner of a small seaside hotel with a staff of eccentrics. It lasted a mere nine episodes.

Between series, Arthur remained active in films and theater. Among the movies: "That Kind of Woman" (1959), "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970), Mel Brooks' "The History of the World: Part I" (1981), "For Better or Worse" (1995).

The plays included Woody Allen 's "The Floating Light Bulb" and "The Bermuda Avenue Triangle," written by and costarring Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna. During 2001 and 2002 she toured the country in a one-woman show of songs and stories, "... And Then There's Bea."

Arthur and Saks divorced in 1978 after 28 years. They had two sons, Matthew and Daniel. In his long career, Saks won Tonys for "I Love My Wife," "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues." One of his Tony nominations was for "Mame."

In 1999, Arthur told an interviewer of the three influences in her career: "Sid Caesar taught me the outrageous; (method acting guru) Lee Strasberg taught me what I call reality; and ('Threepenny Opera' star) Lotte Lenya, whom I adored, taught me economy."

In recent years, Arthur made guest appearances on shows including "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Malcolm in the Middle." She was chairwoman of the Art Attack Foundation, a non-profit performing arts scholarship organization.

Arthur is survived by her sons and two granddaughters. No funeral services are planned.

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Associated Press writer Bob Thomas contributed to this report.

 

Dom DeLuise, actor, comedian and chef, dies

LOS ANGELES - Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. He was 75.

DeLuise died Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told KTLA-TV and radio station KNX on Tuesday. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. Calls to his agent were not immediately returned.

The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, also carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes.

As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing characters for numerous cartoon shows.

Writer-director-actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World Part I" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' "Star Wars" parody, "Spaceballs."

The actor also appeared frequently in films opposite his friend Burt Reynolds. Among them, "The End," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," 'Smokey and the Bandit II," "The Cannonball Run", and "Cannonball Run II".

 

One of last "Wizard of Oz" Munchkins dies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Mickey Carroll, one of the last surviving diminutive "Munchkins" in the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz," died of natural causes on Thursday in Missouri at age 89, a newspaper reported.

Carroll, who stopped growing at a young age, was an entertainer early in life and befriended actress Judy Garland, leading to a role alongside her in classic "The Wizard of Oz," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

He was a violin-playing Munchkin "Town Crier" in the movie, dressed in purple with a yellow flower in his vest. There were dozens of Munchkins in all.

In 2007, Carroll and a few other surviving Munchkins attended a ceremony to dedicate a Munchkin star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Born to Italian immigrants in 1919, Carroll's given name was Michael Finocchiaro, the Post-Dispatch reported. He died at a caretaker's home in Crestwood, Missouri, and he lived in the state nearly his entire life, the newspaper said.

 

I was sad about DomDeLuise, he was so funny and every movie he was in I'd always crack up.. He'd been in poor health for some time, but 75, a long life.. sincere regards & sympathy to his family and may he RIP~

 

From TV Guide online:

Stanley Tucci's Wife of 14 Years Dies After Cancer Battle
May 7, 2009 03:24 PM ET
by Adam Bryant

Kate Tucci, the wife of Emmy-winning actor Stanley Tucci, has died after battling cancer.

Married for 14 years, the couple had three children together. Kate died last week, and a wake was held for her over the weekend.

"My wife was an extraordinary person who showed us all what great strength is," Tucci told the New york Post.

Tucci, a star of stage and screen, won an Emmy for his guest-starring role on USA's Monk in 2007and played Dr. Kevin Moretti on ER's 14th season. He was nominated for a Best Actor Tony for the 2002 revival of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Tucci has also appeared in such films as The Devil Wears Prada, Big Night, The Terminal, and Maid in Manhattan. Later this year, he will play husband to Julia Child (Prada co-star Meryl Streep) in Julie and Julia and will appear in Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lovely Bones.