Naomi Judd, of Grammy-winning duo The Judds, dies at 76

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Naomi Judd, whose family harmonies with daughter Wynonna turned them into the Grammy-winning country stars The Judds, has died. She was 76. Her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, announced her death on Saturday in a statement provided to The Associated Press.

Source: Naomi Judd, of Grammy-winning duo The Judds, dies at 76

Sally Kellerman, M*A*S*H’s original ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan, dies aged 84 | Movies | The Guardian

Actor who worked in film and TV for more than six decades, and was a regular in Robert Altman’s other films, had originally planned to be a singer

Sally Kellerman, the Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor who played Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in director Robert Altman’s 1970 film M*A*S*H, has died. Kellerman died of heart failure at her home Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, her manager and publicist Alan Eichler said. She was 84.

Kellerman had a career of more than 60 years in film and television. She was a regular in Altman’s films, appearing in 1970’s Brewster McCloud, 1992’s The Player and 1994’s Prêt-à-Porter – but she would always be best known for playing Major Houlihan, a strait-laced, by-the-book army nurse who is tormented by rowdy doctors during the Korean war in the comedy M*A*S*H.

In the film’s key scene – and a peak moment of misogyny – a tent where Houlihan is showering is pulled open and she is exposed to an audience of cheering men. “This isn’t a hospital, this is an insane asylum!” she screams at her commanding officer. She carries on a torrid affair with the equally uptight Major Frank Burns, played by Robert Duvall, demanding that he kiss her “hot lips” in a moment secretly broadcast over the camp’s public address speakers, earning her the nickname.

Source: Sally Kellerman, MAS*H’s original ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan, dies aged 84 | Movies | The Guardian

Bob Beckel, former co-host of Fox News’ ‘The Five,’ dead at 73

FNC star Sean Hannity announced Beckel’s death during his nightly primetime show on Monday

Bob Beckel, the longtime Democratic operative whose appearances on Fox News Channel included a stint as host of “The Five,” has died. He was 73 years old.

FNC star Sean Hannity announced Beckel’s death during his nightly primetime show on Monday.

“We miss him already,” Hannity said of his former FNC colleague, whom he called a “dear friend.”

Source: Bob Beckel, former co-host of Fox News’ ‘The Five,’ dead at 73

Howard Hesseman, Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81

The two-time Emmy nominee and improv veteran also played teacher Charlie Moore on ‘Head of the Class.’

Hesseman died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles of complications from colon surgery he first had last summer, his wife, actress and acting teacher Caroline Ducrocq, told The Hollywood Reporter.

A member of the San Francisco improv group The Committee and a real-life DJ back in the 1960s, Hesseman also was known for his stint as out-of-work actor turned history teacher Charlie Moore on the ABC comedy Head of the Class. (He quit that show after four seasons to aim for a movie career.)

Source: Howard Hesseman, Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81

Meat Loaf, rocker and ‘Bat Out of Hell’ singer, dies at 74

Meat Loaf, the singer and actor whose “Bat Out of Hell” album became one of the best-selling ever, has died at the age of 74.

Meat Loaf, the singer and actor whose debut album “Bat Out of Hell” in 1977 became one of the best-selling of all time, has died at the age of 74.

“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side,” a post published on the star’s official Facebook page early Friday said. The cause of death was unclear.

Born Marvin Lee Aday, the rock musician‘s career spanned six decades across the music and film industries. He was beloved by fans and soared to unlikely rock stardom with theatrical, dark-hearted anthems and an iconic long-haired look.

Source: Meat Loaf, rocker and ‘Bat Out of Hell’ singer, dies at 74

Bob Saget gave moving final tribute to Betty White before his own tragic death at 65.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes about an “unresponsive man in a hotel room.” The man was identified as Robert Saget and pronounced dead on the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use, the sheriff’s office said.

Bob Saget said goodbye to Betty White in a heartfelt post,  just days before his own tragic death.

His cause of death has not been released. He is remembered for ‘Full House.’

He was 65 years old.

Source: Bob Saget gave moving final tribute to Betty White before his own…

Sidney Poitier was inspiration to Pittsburgh’s Black actors, playwrights

Sidney Poitier’s groundbreaking work as a film actor and director is being hailed by prominent figures in Pittsburgh’s rich arts and entertainment community as the inspiration for their careers as actors, directors and playwrights.

Poitier, the first Black actor to win an Oscar for his performance as a handyman in 1963’s “Lilies of the Field,” died Friday at 94.

Before Poitier came along, Black characters usually were portrayed in movies in unflattering and stereotypical ways. Poitier broke that mold by articulating intelligence, intensity and defiance on screen, said Pittsburgh actor, director and playwright Monteze Freeland.

“I think specifically for me as a Black male actor, I think he was part of that blueprint that we still follow today. I think he was a lot of people’s North Star in a sense where he, of course, was a trailblazer,” said Freeland. “He knocked down barriers, he started trends. I think he is credited for the contemporary Black expression of acting that has served us throughout the years.”

Mark Clayton Southers, founder and producing artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, remembers the profound impact Poitier made on him when he first saw him on screen.

“It’s like the impact (Barack) Obama has on Black kids today. They see him and know that one day they could be president. Well, when we saw Sidney Poitier on film in ‘Lillies of the Field’ and ‘Blackboard Jungle,’ he was our hero,” Southers said.

“It was amazing to see him work his craft and be so articulate. At that time, it was us against the world. It was unheard of just to get our stories told at that time. He was a renegade, and it was always refreshing to see him play these different roles. It was exciting to see this handsome Black man on screen.”

Source: Sidney Poitier was inspiration to Pittsburgh’s Black actors, playwrights

Betty White dies at 99: Legendary actress passes away

White is said to have passed away at her home on Friday morning

  • Betty White, an early pioneer in television comedy and star of The Golden Girls has died at the age of 99 – after an 80-year-long career in Hollywood 
  • White holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Longest TV Career for an Entertainer’ after she started working in television in 1939 
  • Without any formal training, White starred alongside disc-jockey Al Jarvis in one of TV’s earliest variety shows filmed in LA called, ‘Hollywood on Television’ 
  • She was preceded in death by her third husband, Allen Ludden and survived by three stepchildren. White had no children of her own 
  • She is the recipient of eight Emmy Awards (21 nominations), three Screen Actors Guild Awards and a 1985 Television Hall of Fame inductee 
  • She credited ‘vodka, french fries and hot dogs’ for her longevity and said her ‘obsessive addiction to crossword puzzles’ kept her mind sharp 

Source: Betty White dies at 99: Legendary actress passes away

‘He was football’: John Madden, former NFL Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

“There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

Source: ‘He was football’: John Madden, former NFL Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

Michael Nesmith, Monkees Singer-Songwriter, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone

Monkees singer and guitarist Michael Nesmith, a pop visionary who penned many of the group’s most enduring songs before laying the groundwork for country rock with the First National Band in the early Seventies, died Friday from natural causes. He was 78.

“With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” his family said in a statement. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”

Nesmith was known as the Monkee in the green wool hat with the thick Texas drawl, and the writer of songs like “Mary, Mary,” “Circle Sky,” “Listen to the Band,” and “The Girl I Knew Somewhere.” But he raged behind the scenes that the group didn’t have creative control of its albums, and in 1967 led the successful rebellion against record producer Don Kirshner. The group would subsequently release Headquarters and other albums created largely on its own.

Source: Michael Nesmith, Monkees Singer-Songwriter, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone

Bob Dole, WWII veteran and three-time presidential candidate, dead at 98.

Bob Dole, a decorated veteran who overcame near fatal wounds in World War II to become a respected Senator and three-time Republican presidential candidate, died on Sunday.

He was 98.

“It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years. More information coming soon,” the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced on Twitter.

Dole, who was born in Russell, Kansas, on July 22, 1923, left public service after his loss to Bill Clinton in November 1996 but remained active, appearing on television, serving on several boards and councils, practicing law and supporting Republican candidates.

 

Source: Bob Dole, WWII veteran and three-time presidential candidate, dead at…

Dean Stockwell Dies: ‘Quantum Leap’ Star Was 85

Former ‘Quantum Leap’ star Dean Stockwell, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor, died November 7 at age 85.

Former Quantum Leap star Dean Stockwell, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor whose career on stage, in film and TV spanned more than 70 years, died in the early morning of November 7. He died peacefully at home of natural causes, a rep for the family confirmed to Deadline. He was 85.

Stockwell was born in 1936 in North Hollywood. By the time he was 7, he was on Broadway, launching a career as a child actor. He appeared in Anchors Aweigh with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly; Kim with Errol Flynn; Gentleman’s Agreement, which landed him a Golden Globe Awardand, most notably, in the controversial 1948 movie The Boy with the Green Hair.

Source: Dean Stockwell Dies: ‘Quantum Leap’ Star Was 85

Peter Scolari Dead: ‘Bosom Buddies’, ‘Newhart’, ‘Girls’ Actor Was 66 – Deadline

Peter Scolari, the prolific television and stage actor who found instant fame and a lifelong friendship with Tom Hanks when the two co-starred in the hit 1980 TV comedy Bosom Buddies, died early Friday morning following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 66.

His death was announced by Ellen Lubin Sanitsky at Wright Entertainment.

Scolari’s 43-year show business career included such highlights as his Emmy-nominated series regular role of producer Michael Harris on Bob Newhart’s 1984-90 comedy Newhart, an Emmy-winning recurring role as the father of Lena Dunham’s character on HBO’s Girls, and, most recently, his role as Bishop Thomas Marx on the CBS supernatural drama Evil.

A partial roster of other TV credits include Fosse/Verdon, Madoff, The Good Fight, Murphy Brown, The West Wing, ER, Gotham, Law & Order: SVU, Ally McBeal, From the Earth to the Moon and Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, to name a relative few. Film credits include The Polar Express and a cameo appearance as a TV host in the 1996 comedy-drama That Thing You Do!, directed by and starring his old friend and co-star Tom Hanks.

Source: Peter Scolari Dead: ‘Bosom Buddies’, ‘Newhart’, ‘Girls’ Actor Was 66 – Deadline

Willard Scott, weatherman on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, dies at 87 | TribLIVE.com

NEW YORK — Willard Scott, the beloved weatherman who charmed viewers of NBC’s “Today” show with his self-deprecating humor and cheerful personality, has died. He was 87.

His successor on the morning news show, Al Roker, announced that Scott died peacefully Saturday morning surrounded by family. An NBC Universal spokeswoman confirmed the news. No further details were released.

“He was truly my second dad and am where I am today because of his generous spirit,” Roker wrote on Instagram. “Willard was a man of his times, the ultimate broadcaster. There will never be anyone quite like him.”

 

Scott began his 65-year career at NBC as an entry-level page at an affiliate station in Washington, D.C., and rose to become the weather forecaster on the network’s flagship morning show for more than three decades. His trademark was giving on-air congratulations to viewers who turned 100 years old.

Source: Willard Scott, weatherman on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, dies at 87 | TribLIVE.com

Markie Post Dead: ‘Night Court’ Actress Was 70 – Deadline

Markie Post, the actress known for turns in Night CourtThe Fall GuyHearts Afire and more, died on Saturday, following a three year, ten month battle with cancer. She was 70.

Post’s manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, confirmed her passing to Deadline.

Born on November 4, 1950 in Palo Alto, California, Post got her start in entertainment by working behind the scenes on game shows, including Split Second, earning an associate producer credit on Alex Trebek’s Double Dare, and appearing before the camera as a card dealer on NBC’s Card Sharks.

Her first acting credits came in 1979, with appearances on episodes of CHiPsBarnaby JonesThe Incredible HulkThe Lazarus SyndromeBuck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Hart to Hart.

She’d later appear in series such as The Love Boat, CheersFantasy Island and The A-Team, before landing the role of bail bondswoman Terri Michaels in ABC’s The Fall Guy. She appeared in 65 episodes of that action drama between 1982 and 1985.

Source: Markie Post Dead: ‘Night Court’ Actress Was 70 – Deadline

Mike Enzi: Former Wyoming senator dies at 77 after bicycle accident – CNNPolitics

Former US Sen. Mike Enzi has died following a serious bicycle accident last week, according to a statement posted on his official Twitter account. He was 77.

“His family expresses their deep appreciation for all of the prayers, support and concern. They now ask for privacy and continued prayers during this difficult time,” the statement said.
The former longtime Republican lawmaker from Wyoming had suffered “serious injuries” while riding a bicycle Friday evening near his home in Gillette, Wyoming, according to an earlier statement from his family. He had been flown to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado, for treatment. Details on the accident were not immediately provided.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1966 and earning his MBA from Denver University two years later, Enzi owned and operated family shoe stores before entering state politics, according to his congressional bio. His public service journey began with a seven-year run as mayor of Gillette before serving in both the Wyoming House of Representatives and the state Senate.
His work in the state Legislature proved to be a political launching pad, and in 1996, he was elected to the US Senate, where he spent more than two decades working to advance Republican causes. Though he kept a relatively low profile, Enzi earned a reputation as a reliably conservative lawmaker who rarely drifted from his party.
Enzi’s low-key approach to governance proved to have a unique staying power with Wyoming voters, who consistently rewarded him with wide reelection margins.

Source: Mike Enzi: Former Wyoming senator dies at 77 after bicycle accident – CNNPolitics

Jackie Mason, 93, Dies; Turned Kvetching Into Comedy Gold – The New York Times

He kept the borscht belt style of comedy alive long after the Catskills resorts had closed and eventually brought it, triumphantly, to Broadway.

Credit…Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Source: Jackie Mason, 93, Dies; Turned Kvetching Into Comedy Gold – The New York Times

Johnstown woman who organized help for restaurants amid pandemic has died of COVID | WJAC

Residents in Johnstown gathered to celebrate the life of Johnstown native Monique Knudson Tuesday evening. The Stone Bridge was lit up pink in her honor. She founded the Greater Johnstown Restaurants and Businesses Facebook page to help local businesses during the pandemic. According to those that know her, Monique lost her own battle to COVID at age 44 Thursday.

Source: Johnstown woman who organized help for restaurants amid pandemic has died of COVID | WJAC

Antivirus pioneer John McAfee found dead in Spanish prison

MADRID (AP) — John McAfee, the creator of McAfee antivirus software, was found dead in his jail cell near Barcelona in an apparent suicide Wednesday, hours after a Spanish court approved his extradition to the United States to face tax charges punishable by decades in prison, authorities said.

The eccentric cryptocurrency promoter and tax opponent whose history of legal troubles spanned from Tennessee to Central America to the Caribbean was discovered at the Brians 2 penitentiary in northeastern Spain. Security personnel tried to revive him, but the jail’s medical team finally certified his death, a statement from the regional Catalan government said.

“A judicial delegation has arrived to investigate the causes of death,” it said, adding that “everything points to death by suicide.”

The statement didn’t identify McAfee by name but said the dead man was a 75-year-old U.S. citizen awaiting extradition to his country. A Catalan government official familiar with the case who was not authorized to be named in media reports confirmed to The Associated Press that it was McAfee.

Spain’s National Court on Monday ruled in favor of extraditing McAfee, 75, who had argued in a hearing earlier this month that the charges against him by prosecutors in Tennessee were politically motivated and that he would spend the rest of his life in prison if returned to the U.S.

The court’s ruling was made public on Wednesday and was open for appeal, with any final extradition order also needing to get approval from the Spanish Cabinet.

McAfee was arrested last October at Barcelona’s international airport and had been in jail since then awaiting the outcome of extradition proceedings. The arrest followed charges the same month in Tennessee for evading taxes after failing to report income from promoting cryptocurrencies while he did consulting work, made speaking engagements and sold the rights to his life story for a documentary. The criminal charges carried a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

Source: Antivirus pioneer John McAfee found dead in Spanish prison

B.J. Thomas Dead: Grammy-Winning Country Artist Was 78 – Variety

B.J. Thomas, the Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning country singer behind hits like “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” has died. He was 78.

Representatives confirmed that Thomas died today at his home in Arlington, Texas on May 29 due to complications from stage four lung cancer. He first announced the diagnosis in March.

“I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you,” he said in a statement at the time.

Over his career, Thomas won five Grammys, sold 70 million albums worldwide and has eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles. Among his hits were “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” Thomas’ hit single “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, won the best original song award at the Academy Awards as part of the classic Paul Newman and Robert Redford film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Sales soared to over 2 million copies and has continued to find its place in beloved movies, such as “Forrest Gump” and “Spider-Man 2.”

Source: B.J. Thomas Dead: Grammy-Winning Country Artist Was 78 – Variety

Gavin MacLeod Dead: ‘Love Boat,’ ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Star Was 90 – Variety

Gavin MacLeod, a sitcom veteran who played seaman “Happy” Haines on “McHale’s Navy,” Murray on “Mary Tyler Moore” and the very different, vaguely patrician Captain Stubing on “The Love Boat,” has died. He was 90.

MacLeod’s nephew, Mark See, confirmed his death to Variety. MacLeod died in the early morning on May 29. No cause of death was given, but MacLeod’s health had declined in recent months.

MacLeod played a relatively minor character on ABC hit “McHale’s Navy,” starring Ernest Borgnine, but as newswriter Murray Slaughter, he was certainly one of the stars of “Mary Tyler Moore,” appearing in every one of the classic comedy’s 168 episodes during its 1970-77 run on CBS.

Source: Gavin MacLeod Dead: ‘Love Boat,’ ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Star Was 90 – Variety

John Davis: True Milli Vanilli singer dies from Covid aged 66 – BBC News

John Davis sang on the group’s hit album Girl You Know It’s True, but was not originally credited.

Singer John Davis, one of the true vocal talents behind notorious pop duo Milli Vanilli, has died from coronavirus at the age of 66.

Davis sang on the group’s hit 1989 album Girl You Know It’s True.

Fronted by Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus, the group sold more than 30 million singles, but were stripped of a Grammy Award after it emerged they lip-synced on hits they had never recorded.

Paying tribute, Davis’s daughter Jasmin asked for one “last round of applause”.

Source: John Davis: True Milli Vanilli singer dies from Covid aged 66 – BBC News

Walter Mondale, former Vice President and Senator, dies at 93

Walter Mondale passed away in Minneapolis Monday at the age of 93, his family says.

The Minnesotan’s long career in politics was highlighted by serving as Jimmy Carter’s Vice President. He also served as Minnesota’s Attorney General, U.S. Senator and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

Source: Walter Mondale, former Vice President and Senator, dies at 93

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