Tag Archives: obituary

The Associated Press reports: Walter Cole, better known as the iconic drag queen who performed for decades as Darcelle XV and a fearless advocate for Portland’s LGBTQ+ community, has died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon. He was 92. Darcelle, who died Thursday, was crowned the world’s oldest working drag performer in 2016 by the Guinness Book of World Records …

Yahoo Entertainment reports: Tom Sizemore, who often played tough guy roles in a career dating back to the ’80s and who, in real life, struggled with addiction and a string of legal issues, died Friday, almost two weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm, as the result of a stroke. He had been hospitalized in critical condition and remained in a …

The Associated Press reports: Tony Earl, a Democrat who served one term as Wisconsin’s governor in the 1980s and later bemoaned the increasing partisanship in politics, has died. He was 86. Earl, a champion of gay rights and a staunch environmentalist, died on Thursday “peacefully surrounded by family,” his daughter Julia Earl texted The Associated Press. Earl had been hospitalized …

The Forward reports: Richard Belzer, the stand-up comedian who left an indelible mark on television in the character of Det. John Munch, a tough and versatile Jewish cop, has died at the age of 78. His death was first reported on social media by his friend, the actor Laraine Newman, of Saturday Night Live fame. In the 1970s, Belzer served …

The Guardian reports: Burt Bacharach, the songwriter and performer who turned easy listening into high art, has died aged 94. A representative for Bacharach that the singer died at home in Los Angeles of natural causes. In all, he scored 73 Top 40 hits in the US and 52 in the UK. Together, he and lyricist Hal David created a …

The Hollywood Reporter reports: Cindy Williams, the energetic actress who appeared in a pair of Oscar best picture nominees before starring as the idealistic Shirley Feeney on the beloved ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, has died. She was 75. Williams died in Los Angeles on Wednesday after a brief illness, her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, said in a statement …

Variety reports: Lisa Loring, who played the young Wednesday Addams on “The Addams Family” from 1964 to 1966 and also appeared in “As the World Turns,” died Saturday of a stroke, her daughter Vanessa Foumberg confirmed. She was 64. “She went peacefully with both her daughters holding her hands,” Foumberg said. A friend, Laurie Jacobson, reported her death on Facebook, …

The Guardian reports: Jeff Beck, the celebrated guitarist who played with the Yardbirds and led the Jeff Beck Group, has died aged 78, his representative has confirmed. Beck died on Tuesday after “suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis”, the representative confirmed. “His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss,” they added. Often described as one of the greatest guitarists …

The Guardian reports: Anita Pointer, one of the Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters whose string of pop, country and R&B hits in the 1970s and 80s included I’m So Excited, Jump (For My Love) and Fire, has died of cancer aged 74, her publicist said. Pointer was surrounded by family at her Beverly Hills home when she died on Saturday, publicist Roger …

ABC News reports: Barbara Walters, the trailblazing television news broadcaster and longtime ABC News anchor and correspondent who shattered the glass ceiling and became a dominant force in an industry once dominated by men, died Friday. She was 93. Walters joined ABC News in 1976, becoming the first female anchor on an evening news program. Three years later, she became …

The New York Times reports: Pelé, one of soccer’s greatest players and a transformative figure in 20th-century sports who achieved a level of global celebrity few athletes have known, died on Thursday in São Paulo. He was 82. A national hero in his native Brazil, Pelé was beloved around the world — by the very poor, among whom he was …

Pitchfork reports: Terry Hall, the lead singer of the legendary ska band the Specials and former member of Fun Boy Three and the Colourfield, has died, his bandmates in the Specials have confirmed. They broke the news on social media, writing, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, …

CNN reports: Drew Griffin, CNN’s award-winning Senior Investigative Correspondent, known for getting even the cagiest of interview subjects to engage in a story, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer, his family said. He was 60. A gifted storyteller, Griffin had a well-earned reputation for holding powerful people and institutions accountable. Griffin worked on hundreds of stories and multiple …

CBS News reports: Actress Kirstie Alley, known for her breakout role in the sitcom “Cheers,” has died after a recent battle with cancer. She was 71. In 1991, Alley received an Emmy Award and Golden Globe for her role as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers.” In the years after “Cheers,” Alley earned more nods for her role in the sitcom “Veronica’s …

The Associated Press reports: Bob McGrath, an actor, musician and children’s author widely known for his portrayal of one of the first regular characters on the children’s show “Sesame Street” has died at the age of 90. Sesame Workshop tweeted Sunday evening that it “mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over …

Phoenix’s NBC affiliate reports: Former Congressman and Arizona State Senator Jim Kolbe has passed away at the age of 80. Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset Sunday, December 4, in honor of Kolbe, who died Saturday. Kolbe was a political pioneer, serving as the first openly gay Republican in the U.S. …

The Guardian reports: Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie has died at the age of 79, her family has said. A statement on Facebook said: “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness.” The British-American …

The Washington Post reports: Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) died Monday, just weeks after winning reelection to Congress, his office announced. He was 61. McEachin had represented Virginia’s 4th District, which stretches from Richmond to the North Carolina line, since 2017. Before that, he had served nine years as a state senator and eight as a delegate. McEachin had publicly …

ABC News reports: Irene Cara, the Oscar-winning singer of the title tracks to “Fame” and “Flashdance,” has died at age 63, her publicist announced late Friday. Cara died in her Florida home of an undisclosed cause. Cara was trained in music, dance and acting as a child and appeared on stage and on television, including appearances on PBS and on …

TMZ reports: Comedian Gallagher, famously known for smashing watermelons as part of his legendary act, has died … his longtime manager tells TMZ. Gallagher died while under hospice care in the Palm Springs area early Friday morning, TMZ has learned. His manager tells TMZ Gallagher died of massive organ failure. He had been in ill health for a while, suffering …