Monday, November 1, 2010

G. William Oakley

Theatrical impresario -- via the Denver Post. He founded the Heritage Square Opera House in Golden, known for its comedic "mellerdrammers."

Charlie O'Donnell

Announcer -- via the Orange County Register.

Anne McDonald

Author and disability-rights activist -- via The Age.com. Her story is amazing. Born with cerebral palsy, she was diagnosed with retardation, confined to an institution, and starved and abused. She established communication with therapist Rosemary Crossley, then had to sue her family and the state to escape her confines. Her book about her struggle, "Annie's Coming Out," is very difficult to find, unfortunately.

Michael F. "Mick" Galloway

Actor on stage and in film and TV -- via Legacy.com.

Chris Gulker

Gifted photographer, electronic publishing expert and pioneer blogger -- via InMenlo.com.

Jack Brokensha

Vibraphonist -- via the Detroit Free Press.

Ina Clare

British actress -- via Digital Spy. Best known for her role as flower vendor Ina Foot in "EastEnders." (Not to be confused with American stage and early Sound Era film actress Ina Claire.)

Artie Wilson

Baseball player for the Negro Leagues, Pacific Coast League and the majors (New York Giants) -- via MinorLeagueBaseball.com. He was the last player to hit .400 or over in a season for a professional team (the Birmingham Black Barons, in 1948). He mentored a promising young player named -- Willie Mays!

Gene Arlan "Suds" "Pops" Fodge

Former MLB pitcher for the Cubs -- via Bill Schenley, groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and Legacy.com.

Wanda Tyler Jackson

Civil-rights activist, teacher and bookstore owner -- via the Denver Post.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

George Hickenlooper

Filmmaker -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He was in Denver to attend the International Film Festival there, promoting his new film "Casino Jack." He is best known for his documentary "Hearts of Darkness."

Friday, October 29, 2010

Liang Congjie

Environmental pioneer, historian and teacher -- via the New York Times. He founded China's first legally recognized environmental organization.

George Cain aka George Maurice Hopkins

Writer -- via the New York Times.

Gerard Kelly

Actor in TV, film, radio and stage -- via the STV News.

James Wall

Mr. Baxter on "Captain Kangaroo" -- via the New York Daily News. Though he will be best remembered for this role, he was an award-winning stage manager for CBS for decades as well. Here's the beginning of a multi-part interview with him:

Karlo Sakandelidze

Actor on stage and in film -- via interpressnews.ge.

Helen Escobedo

Sculptor -- via the Guardian.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

James MacArthur

Actor -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He worked extensively on stage, on radio, in TV and film; he will be indelibly identified with his role on "Hawaii Five-O" as Lt. Danny Williams, aka "Danno," as in the famous tag line, "Book 'em, Danno."

Billy Ruane

Volatile icon of the Boston music scene -- via the Boston Globe.

Yertward Mazmanian aka "Eight-finger Eddie"

Hippie who popularized Goa -- via the Pioneer.

John Crawford aka Cleve Richardson

Film and television actor -- via the L.A. Times. This ubiquitous character actor can be seen in films such as "The Big Heat," "Exodus," "The Poseidon Adventure," "The Towering Inferno" and "Night Moves." His TV appearances include shows like "The Lone Ranger," "Hopalong Cassidy," "Commando Cody," "Wagon Train," "The Twilight Zone," "The Fugitive," "Star Trek," "Lost in Space," "Hogan's Heroes," "Gunsmoke," Mission: Impossible," "The Waltons," "Dynasty" -- it's a laundry list of TV history. What a life!

Richard T. Gill

An extraordinary person -- a Harvard economist and a Metropolitan Opera singer -- via the New York Times.

Frank Jarvis

Film actor -- via the Guardian.

Michael Naughton

Fundraiser for theatre and children's education -- via the Guardian.

Walter Payton

Jazz bassist -- via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He was a great part of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the New Orleans musical community.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Lisa Blount

Actress and Oscar-winning producer - via the L.A. Times

Rudolph "Rudy" Rufer

Shortstop for the New York Giants and long-time baseball scout -- via Bill Schenley and groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries.

Mbah Maridjan aka Mas Penewu Suraksohargo

The spiritual gatekeeper of Mount Merapi -- via the Jakarta Globe. He died in prayer, attempting to mediate the wrath of the Indonesian volcano.

S. Neil Fujita

Graphic designer par excellence -- via the New York Times. He created some of the most memorable designs of the 20th century, including the cover for Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood" and Dave Brubeck's album "Take Five."

Fernando Ruelas

Co-founder of Duke's So. Cal, the oldest continuous lowrider car club -- via the L.A. Times.

Lloyd Gross

TV director who worked on news shows, live events and game shows -- via Legacy.com and the Stamford Advocate.

Honor Frost

Pioneer of underwater archaeology -- via the Guardian.

Sylvia Sleigh

Artist -- via the New York Times.

James Phelps

Gospel singer -- via ABC News.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Linda Hargrove

Songwriter, musician and singer -- via The Tennessean.

Hans Arnold

Artist and illustrator -- via sve.se.

Bill Shannon

Official scorer for the Yankees and Mets -- via the Star-Ledger. He was a darn good writer as well, and a sign of the respect he commanded is evident in this piece in the Boston Globe.

Alvin Lawson

Literature professor who had a remarkable explanation for the phenomenon of "alien abduction" reports -- via the Telegraph.

Harout Yeretzian

Bookstore owner and cultural doyen -- via the Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Elijah "Lucky" Miller

Former Negro Leagues batboy and millworker -- via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.