Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tom Bosley
Actor -- via TMZ. He will be best remembered as sitcom dad Howard Cunningham on "Happy Days." He got his start in theater, however, winning a Tony Award for his portrayal of Fiorello La Guardia in the now-obscure Bock/Harnick musical "Fiorello!" He did lots of TV, and after "Happy Days" ended, he portrayed continuing characters in "Murder, She Wrote" and "Father Dowling Mysteries." He narrated "That's Hollywood," a syndicated series on American film. He was a pitchman for many products on TV commercials as well.
Here's the beginning of a long interview with him:
Here's the beginning of a long interview with him:
Monday, October 18, 2010
Johnny Sheffield
Actor -- via the Bellingham Herald, which picked it up from the L.A. Times, although the Times hasn't posted it yet. He got his break as "Boy" in the original Tarzan series, appearing in eight of the films:
And later moved to Monogram for a one-dozen series of Bomba the Jungle Boy movies.
He later went into real estate.
And later moved to Monogram for a one-dozen series of Bomba the Jungle Boy movies.
He later went into real estate.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Dennis Taylor
Nashville session and stage saxophonist, and author of instructional texts -- via the Tennessean.
Fred Schuman aka Freddy 'Sez'
Legendary Yankees fan -- via the New York Daily News. Ate with him before the 2001 Division Series Game 5 against the A's, when Giambi forgot to slide. A crazy, cantankerous coot, and a great great fan. Here's a New York Times tribute to him.
Gregory Hart
Homeless man who got his wish, to live in a home of his own, for the last three years of his life -- via the Washington Post
Elizabeth "Missy" Barlow
Botanist and artist was granddaughter of pioneers, and lived in much the same primitive way -- via the Seattle Times
Eugene C. "Chip" West, Jr.
Businessman who specialized in tales and history of Wheeling, West Virginia -- via the Wheeling News-Register
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Janet MacLachlan
Actress in film and television -- via the Los Angeles Times. Here is a wonderful and well-deserved tribute to her from the folks at Bright Lights Film Journal:
Anne Schaddele Norris and Birger Juell
Couple who died together had memorable life together -- via Colleen Mastony at the Chicago Tribune.
John T. Williams
Carver whose death at hands of Seattle police sprks controversy -- via the Seattle Times.
Gloria Wasserman aka South Street Annie
Fixture of Fulton Fish Market and her fragmented life -- a great piece by Dan Barry in the New York Times.
Belva Plain
This incredibly popular writer completed more than 20 novels -- via the Star-Ledger. She started when she was 63. She wrote everything in longhand.
Yannis Dalianidis
Greek director of popular films of the 60's; later success with sitcoms -- via protothemo.gr.
Carly Henley
Promising singer/songwriter -- via King5.com. This 20-year-old University of Washington student took her own life.
Barbara Billingsley aka Barbara Lillian Combes
Actress -- via ABC-TV. She will be forever remembered as Mrs. Cleaver in "Leave It to Beaver"; she became the iconic Baby Boom mom. She was the modern Hestia, goddess of the hearth. In pearls and high heels, she served and supported in her suburban kingdom -- sexless, secure and compliant. An aseptic ideal.
Her work in "Airplane!" proved she had a great sense of humor as well.
Her work in "Airplane!" proved she had a great sense of humor as well.
Friday, October 15, 2010
John Alberhasky Sr
Ran John's Grocery in Iowa City -- via the Iowa City Press-Citizen. In business since 1948, it's the last independently-owned grocery in the city.
Simon MacCorkindale
Actor, director and producer -- via the Daily Mail. Unfortunately, he will be best remembered in America as the star of NBC's short-lived "Manimal."
Selma Al-Radi
Dr. Al-Radi (left) receives the Aga Khan Award in Architecture in 2007.
Archaeologist who restored the fabulous Amiriya Madrasa in Rada, Yemen (pictures below). Margalit Fox's obituary in the New York Times is exemplary. Thursday, October 14, 2010
General Norman Johnson
Lead singer for the Chairmen of the Board - via The News of Today. Their big 1970 hit? "Give Me Just a Little More Time."
Mary Malcolm
A prominent early BBC TV presenter -- via the Guardian. Interestingly, her mother was the illegitimate daughter of Edward VII and Lillie Langtry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)