RSSBarbara Billingsley of “Leave It To Beaver” Fames Passes Away at Age 94
Barbara Billingsley, the actress best known for her role as June Cleaver on ‘Leave It to Beaver’ passed away Saturday at the age of 94. She was America’s mom in the 1950′s and her acting carrer spanned decades and numerous diverse endeavors as seen by her role in ‘Airplane’ when she played the Jive Lady.
The actress won a new legion of fans in a brief, but memorable, scene in the 1980 send-up movie “Airplane.”
“Oh, stewardess. I speak jive,” Billingsley said in her role — much different from her June Cleaver persona — as an elderly passenger comforting an ill man on the flight. She, the sick man and his seat companion engaged in street-slang banter.
Sadly, the 50′s role model mom passed away on Saurday at her home following a long illness of rheumatoid disorder polymyalgia.
The actress passed away at 2 a.m. (5 a.m. ET) Saturday at her home in Santa Monica, California, after a long illness, spokeswoman Judy Twersky said. A private memorial is being planned.
Actor Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver, called Billingsley a lifetime mentor.
“Barbara was a patient advisor and teacher. She helped me along this challenging journey through life by showing me the importance of manners, and respect for others,” Mathers said in a statement. “She will be missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me.”
Video Hat Tip: Left Coast Rebel
We say goodbye to a classy woman, God Bless June Cleaver, rest in Peace.
NY Yankees Long Time Owner George Steinbrenner Suffers Massive Heart Attack (Update: The Boss Dies at age 80)
It is being reported that long time New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has suffered a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner just turned 80 on July 4th. Steinbrenner, the Bronx Bombers owner of the New York Yankees since 1973 has won 11 pennants and seven World Series titles.
We say goodbye to George Steinbrenner, Rest in Peace
Reports from New York indicate Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has suffered a massive heart attack.
Reports by WABC, the sister station of WPVI, indicate George Steinbrenner was rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital, and his condition is not known.
Sadly, just the other day the long time voice, iconic PA announcer Bob Sheppard of the Yankees passed away.
We wish George well!
UPDATE I: Oh my, sad news to report in the word of baseball … George Steinbrenner, The Boss, has passed away at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack. The Ohio born executive known as “The Boss” leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Joan Zieg, and their four children Hank, Hal, Jessica and Jennifer.
Steinbrenner died around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in Tampa, the source said.
Steinbrenner, who celebrated his 80th birthday on July 4, has been the owner of the Yankees since 1973
West Virgina Senator Robert Byrd Has Passed Away at the Age of 92
Robert Byrd (D-WV), the longest longest serving member of Congress in history, has passed away at the age of 92 at 3 a.m. Monday at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA. Most remarkable, Robert Byrd never lost an election and served 51 years in the US Senate. It was just yesterday that we learned that Byrd’s condition had taken a turn for the worse and that he was in serious condition.
Robert Byrd: 1917 – 2010, Rest in Peace
Starting in 1958, Mr. Byrd was elected to the Senate an unprecedented nine times. He wrote a four-volume history of the body, was majority leader twice and chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee, controlling the nation’s purse strings, and yet the positions of influence he held did not convey the astonishing arc of his life.
A child of the West Virginia coal fields, Mr. Byrd rose from the grinding poverty that has plagued his state since before the Great Depression, overcame an early and ugly association with the Ku Klux Klan, worked his way through night school and by force of will, determination and iron discipline made himself a person of authority and influence in Washington.
This is hardly the time or place for a political commentary on Robert Byrd, that will be done in a later post. Today, we say goodbye to a US Senator that certainly did bring home the bacon to the Mountaineer state … Robert Byrd, dead at the age of 92. Rest in Peace.
Posted June 28, 2010 by Scared Monkeys Deceased, Obituary, Pork, Robert Byrd (D-WV), Senate | 8 comments |
Former NBA Basketball Player & Humanitarian Manute Bol Dies at the Age of 47
A hero and a role model …
What a tragic loss to a sports athlete who totally understood how his fame could help others and was a true role model, not to children who admired basketball, but to a nation …
In Memoriam – Manute Bol
October 16, 1963 – June 19, 2010
Rest in Peace
Manute Bol at was a 7 foot 7 inch was the tallest player ever to play in the NBA. His shock blocking ability made him a menace on the court; however, for the Dinka tribesman it was his humanitarian work off the hard wood that he will forever be remembered for. Sadly, Manute Bol died today at the age of 47 from kidney failure and a a skin disease, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Bol spent 10 years in the NBA and dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts to help his homeland Sudan. Bol was a towering figure on the court, but nothing compared to the towering presence he was to the Sudanese people.
Manute Bol is survived by 10 children, including four with his second wife, Ajok, of Olathe, KS. May he rest in peace and God bless this man who got it and made a difference to so many in such a short period of time.
Manute Bol more than a basketball hero, a real hero who made a difference and was a role model
“Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” Prichard said. “Manute, we’ll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss.”
Bol played in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, averaging 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for his career. He led the league in blocks in 1985-86 with Washington (5.0 per game) and in 1988-89 with Golden State (4.3 a game).
Check out Manute Bol as he has his own block party. I remember watching this highlight
back in the day and simply just being amazed
Manute Bol founded Sudan Sunrise, a group based in Lenexa, KS, that promotes reconciliation in Sudan. Manute Bol, dead at the young age of 47 and a hero to so many. Unlike so many in sports, Manute Bol was a true hero and role model.
In a 2001 interview with The Times in Khartoum, Bol said he dreamed of going back to Turalei and his roots. “I would have a big, big farm,” he said. “Then we have no worries about money. If you have the cows, you have the money.”
Bol returned to Sudan regularly during his playing days and once he retired, he became more politically active there. He went there late last year to check on the school construction, then stayed on to campaign for a candidate in the region’s presidential election that was held in late April, said Mr. Prichard, who had traveled there with Bol in November. During his extended visit, Bol became ill and was briefly hospitalized in Nairobi, Mr. Prichard said.
“He really felt that his country needed him,” Mr. Prichard said. “He really died for his country. He wanted to do everything he could to see southern Sudan make it through this election in the best possible way.”
Posted June 19, 2010 by Scared Monkeys Deceased, heroes, Obituary, Sports, VIDEO - You Tube Video, World | 3 comments |
Another Golden Girl has Passed Away … Rue McClanahan Dead at the Age of 76
Rue McClanahan, another one of the “Golden Girls” has passed away at the age of 76 from a massive stroke. She was best know to all for playing Blanche Devereaux on the 80′s sitcom, The Golden Girls. Rue McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke earlier this year after recovering from bypass surgery. She passed away with her family at her side … rest in peace Blanche Devereaux.
Born in Healdton, Okla., Rue lived in six towns by the time she was 8. Her father was a road builder who moved from one project to another. She found solace in acting (“the only thing I ever wanted to do”) and after four years at the University of Tulsa moved to New York, where she worked as a part-time file clerk while trying to find jobs in the theater.
Her first job was off Broadway, in 1957, and she finally hit Broadway in 1969. TV work came from soap operas, until she made it on CBS’s Maude, starring Beatrice Arthur, starting in 1972. She played Maude’s best friend Vivian.
But it was Golden Girls that put her on the map and led to fame, fortune – and several husbands. In all, she had six, including actor Morrow Wilson, whom she wed in 1997 and who survives her, as does a son, Mark Bish, from her first marriage.
Sadly we have lost Golden Girl’s Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty
No Sheeple Here says it best … “Thank you for being a Blanche”.
Rest in Peace and God bless.
Actor Dennis Hopper Dead at Age 74 from Prostate Cancer
The Easy Rider has passed away …
Rest in Peace
An American acting icon has passed away … Dennis Hopper has died at the age of 74 from his decade long battle with prostate cancer. Dennis Hopper stared in such movies as “Rebel without a Cause, Easy Rider, Blue Velvet, Hoosiers, Speed and the list goes on and on. Hopper passed away at 9 am Saturday surrounded by family in his Los Angeles, California home.
Actor Dennis Hopper, whose 50-year film career spanned such classics as “Rebel Without a Cause,” “Easy Rider,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Blue Velvet” died Saturday following a battle with prostate cancer, Reuters reported. He was 74.
Hopper died from complications related to the cancer at his home in Venice, Calif., at 8:15am PT and had friends and family by his side, friend Alex Hitz told Reuters.
The unconventional, enigmatic Hopper played villains, counterculture heroes and even a young Napoleon Bonaparte with equal aplomb.
I guess Dennis Hopper’s estranged wife can now feel like the heel she is. Guess he was sick after all, what do you think?
Easy Rider has met the end of the road. What an acting loss this is. Hopper has his demons; however, as an actor he was simply brilliant. Sadly, cancer has taken another.
A longtime resident of Venice who also was known as a photographer, artist and collector of modern art, Hopper died at his home of complications from prostate cancer, said Alex Hitz, a friend of the family.
A frail-looking Hopper, whose battle with prostate cancer was revealed in October, was able to attend a ceremony for the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in late March.
They certainly do not make them like Dennis Hopper any more … Rest in Peace.
Diff’rent Strokes Actor Gary Coleman Dies at Age 42
Whatcha talking ’bout Willis? … Sadly Gary Coleman has passed away.
Gary Coleman: 1968 – 2010
Gary Coleman, the actor who will forever be known as Arnold on the sitcom hit Diff’rent Strokes as died at the age of 42. According to reports Coleman died of an intracranial hemorrhage. He had been hospitalized since May 26 in Provo, Utah. Coleman passed away at 12:05 pm at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, where he had been in a coma.
Rest in Peace Gary Coleman
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Coleman had slipped into a coma and was on life support after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage.
He was pulled of life support Friday morning and later passed away. His wife Shannon Price and her father were at the hospital Friday.
The Illinois native’s death marks the end of a long, sad road for the diminutive Diff’rent Strokes star, who struggled professionally and financially as his fame and fortune diminished since the show went off the air in 1986.
For myself, Gary Coleman will always be know for his role on Diff’rent Strokes when he skyrocketed to fame at the age of 11. Diff’rent Strokes was one of the best sitcoms ever. However, sadly he was never able to really get his life in order following that childhood fame. Even worse is when we look at the other two child actors from Diff’rent Strokes, Todd Bridges (Willis) has been in trouble with the law and Dana Plato (Kimberly) passed away in 1999 committing suicide. As much as Coleman’s childhood stardom was a success, his adult life collapsed into a tabloid calamity.
However, even though Gary Coleman tried to escape the stereotype of the Arnold Jackson character, he never couls. Honestly, he should be remembered for that care free, hilariously funny child, not the disaray his life took him in later years. God bless.
Gary Coleman: The Personal Side.
REST IN PEACE GARY COLEMAN
Actress Lynn Redgrave Dead at the Age of 67
Actress Lynn Redgrave has passed away Sunday night at the age of 67 at her home in Connecticut surrounded by her family. Redgrave had been battling breast cancer for the past seven years.
Her publicist Rick Miramontez, speaking on behalf of her children, said Redgrave died peacefully Sunday night at her home in Connecticut. Children Ben, Pema and Annabel were with her.
“Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven year journey with breast cancer,” they said in a statement Monday. “She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time.”
Lynn Redgrave, a member of the famed Redgrave acting dynasty noted for her roles in “Georgy Girl” and “Gods and Monsters,” has died.
Actor John Forsythe Dies at 92 … The Voice of Charlie Goes Silent
Actor John Forsythe, the man best known as the voice of Charlie from the hit 1970′s TV series Charlie’s Angles and Blake Carrington from the 1980′s prime time TV soap opera Dynasty has passed away at the age of 92.
John Forsythe (1918-2010)
He was born John Lincoln Freund on Jan. 29, 1918, in Penn’s Grove, NJ. John Forsythe died late Thursday at his home in Santa Ynez from complications of pneumonia after a year long battle with cancer. In a career that began in the 1940′s … he will be missed, rest in peace.
Peter Graves, Star of Mission Impossible Dies at Age 83
Peter Graves, best known for his role as Jim Phelps on the TV series ‘Mission: Impossible’ has died at the age of 83. According to reports he died of a heart attack at his home in Pacific Palisades, CA. He is survived by his wife, Joan Graves, and three daughters, Amanda Lee Graves, Claudia King Graves and Kelly Jean Graves.
Peter Graves: 1926 – 2010, Rest in Peace
Mr. Graves played his most famous television character from 1967 to 1973 in “Mission: Impossible,” reprising it from 1988 to 1990. He was Jim Phelps, the leader of the Impossible Missions Force, a super-secret government organization that conducted dangerous undercover assignments (which he always chose to accept). After the tape summarizing the objective self-destructed, the team would use not violence, but elaborate con games to trap the villains. In his role, Mr. Graves was a model of cool, deadpan efficiency.
In 1997, Mr. Graves was the subject of his own “Biography” presentation, “Peter Graves: Mission Accomplished.” In 2002, Mr. Graves was interviewed for a special about the documentary series, “Biography: 15 Years and Counting.”
Of course many remember Peter Graves for his role in the spoof movie Airplane, that was a farce of the Airport movies. Also for his numerous movies, his documentary series, “Biography: 15 Years and Counting” and his most recent Geico commercials. Graves had one of the best voices in the business. He will be missed.
It was a testament to Mr. Graves’s earnest, unhammy ability to make fun of himself that after decades of playing square he-men and straitlaced authority figures, he was perhaps best known to younger audiences for a deadpan line in “Airplane!” (“Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?”) and one from a memorable Geico car insurance commercial (“I was one lucky woman”).
E on line has further information on the life of Peter Graves.
Born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, he served in the U.S. Air Force in 1944-45, studied drama at the University of Minnesota, and then followed his older brother, Gunsmoke star James Arness, to Hollywood.
How as a kid I could not wait until ‘Mission: Impossible’ would come in. Rest in Peace Jim Phelps … This tape will self destruct in 5 seconds. Gog Bless.
