Monday, May 9, 2011

Thanasis Veggos

Comic actor and director -- via Athens News.

Osama's obit: the backstage story from the Times

Via Steve Miller at obituaryforum.blogspot.com, and Lauren Kirchner at the Columbia Journalism Review. Kirchner interviewed NYT obit writer Kate Zernike about the mechanics of producing an updated obituary on a controversial and despised figure at the last minute on a Sunday night.

'Last post' is blogger's farewell

Derek K. Miller, blogger, pens his own obituary. It's very moving and well-done.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Thomas Sidney Downing

General-store owner and a nice guy -- via the Anniston Star. Kudos to writer Laura Camper for the wonderfully well-written piece!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Claude Stanley Choules

Last combat veteran of World War II -- via MSNBC. His experience made him a pacifist.

Marian Mercer

Actress in a splendid variety of roles -- via the New York Times. A wry comedian, she specialized in sassy, energetic and arch roles. She won a Tony for her work in the original production of "Promises, Promises." She did improv, Shakespeare, Williams, TV commercials, all with impeccable, crisp professionalism.

Jackie Cooper aka John Cooper Jr.

Actor, director and producer in film and television -- via TMZ. Best known as a child actor in part of the Our Gang series, and in a string of films with Wallace Beery ("The Champ," "Treasure Island"). On growing up, he worked on TV and eventually began producing and packaging shows. Later, he directed many TV episodes. He had one last memorable series of outings as editor Perry White in the original Superman feature film series.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Yvette Vickers aka Yvette Vedder

Actress -- via the L.A. Times. Her period of stardom included an early spread in Playboy, and roles in cheesy sci-fi classics "The Attack of the 50-Foot Woman" and "Attack of the Giant Leeches."