We will miss them: Green Dragon's obits - Part VII

Even as a young woman in Canada, I loved to read about former US Rep Pat Schroeder's "rapier wit and antics". According to NPR just now, she wants her ashes made into a doorstop, so she could continue open doors after death, as she did in life:

Former Rep. Pat Schroeder, a pioneer for women's rights, dies at 82
The Associated Press | March 14, 2023

Former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, a pioneer for women's and family rights in Congress, died Monday night. She was 82...

Schroeder took on the powerful elite with her rapier wit and antics for 24 years, shaking up stodgy government institutions by forcing them to acknowledge that women had a role in government.

Her unorthodox methods cost her important committee posts, but Schroeder said she wasn't willing to join what she called "the good old boys' club" just to score political points. Unafraid of embarrassing her congressional colleagues in public, she became an icon for the feminist movement.

Schroeder was elected to Congress in Colorado in 1972 and became one of its most influential Democrats as she won easy reelection 11 times from her safe district in Denver. Despite her seniority, she was never appointed to head a committee.

Schroeder helped forge several Democratic majorities before deciding in 1997 it was time to leave. Her parting shot in 1998 was a book titled 24 Years of Housework ... and the Place is Still a Mess. My Life in Politics, which chronicled her frustration with male domination and the slow pace of change in federal institutions...

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/14/1163292453/former-rep-pat-schroeder-a-pioneer-for...

John James
John Jakes

>2 cindydavid4: Aww. :o( I think I read most of that series of his about the revolution back in the 70s.

>2 cindydavid4: here's a nice write-up that isn't behind a paywall:

https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/john-jakes-1932-2023-north-and-sout...

Actor Lance Reddick passing is quite a shock. Was only 60.

TMZ link

Omg nooooooooo! I love Lance. Ever since Fringe when I kept Telling him to eat a sandwich. So tragic. He was so much fun to watch.

Actor Paul Grant, who starred in Star Wars and Harry Potter, has died aged 56.

SF writer Eric Brown has died aged 62

Gordon Moore, founder of Intel, aged 94. Without him, would there have been PCs to run an Internet on which to find a LibraryThing in which to find a Green Dragon?

yes. Just paper-based. Or steam-driven *sigh*

>9 hfglen: There would be, someone else would have made the processors. The RISC vs CISC debate may have swung in another direction though.

Rachel Pollack died aged 77

Al Jaffee, best known for his work in Mad magazine.

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/10/1169162240/mad-magazine-cartoonist-al-jaffee-obit...

>13 rastaphrog: he had a good long run. Is he the last of the mostly original gang?

>13 rastaphrog: I grew up with Mad. What an amazing life he had.

>15 clamairy: so did I,he was my gateway to far side, doonesbury, Monty Python and s o much great comedy. He lived a very long and full life; may his name be for a blessing

Dame Edna is gone.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/apr/22/barry-humphries-dies-australian-...

>17 clamairy: Not so. Dame Edna and her alter ego Barry Humphries have become immortal.

Bazza was clearly "one of us". According to Wikipedia,

A key event took place when he was nine – his mother gave all his books to The Salvation Army, cheerfully explaining: "But you've read them, Barry".

Humphries responded by becoming a voracious reader, a collector of rare books, a painter, a theatre fan and a surrealist. Dressing up in a black cloak, black homburg and mascaraed eyes, he invented his first sustained character, "Dr Aaron Azimuth", agent provocateur, dandy and Dadaist.

Shared as a gift. No paywall.
Harry Belafonte, 96, Dies; Barrier-Breaking Singer, Actor and Activist https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/music/harry-belafonte-dead.html?unlocked...

>19 clamairy: thank you for that. I was exposed to Belafonte's music from my early years. My grandmother was a huge fan.

>19 clamairy: Grew up listening to one of his albums. Such a great thing when Beetlejuice introduced him to a younger generation. I kinda didn't know he was still alive though!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/books/rabbi-harold-s-kushner-dead.html

Rabbi Harold S Kushner has died, author of when bad things happen to good people and many other books. At the time I had been mourning the death of my father, and was having a hard time of it. My rabbi suggested I read it. It opened up an understanding of death, of gods role, of the way of the world and a way to live that I still follow. Im sure Im not the only one whose lives he touched with this book. He led a long and full life, May his Name be for a Blessing Baruch Dayan HaEmet

Just heard on the radio that Gordon Lightfoot has died. His was the most Canadian folk music.

>23 NorthernStar: This one is a heartbreaker. I just listened to a few of my old favorites including 'If You Could Read My Mind' and 'Song for a Winter's Night.'

>24 clamairy: those are some of my favourites too. Also Canadian Railroad Trilogy, and so many others.

Well poop. Sundown, Gordon, Sundown.

>23 NorthernStar: That is sad news. I first became aware of him hearing 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald' back when, and a lot of his other songs on Canadian radio.

>26 Bookmarque: Well said.

>23 NorthernStar: Sad indeed. Another piece of my early adulthood gone.

Early Morning Rain, For Loving Me, Did she mention my name. I frequently mix him up with folgerberg, who I didn't realized had passed in 2007.

Martin Amis, author of 16 novels, aged 73. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65660768

>30 hfglen: I've wondered for a while how Wikipedia chooses the notables whose deaths appear under "recent deaths" on the front page. Right now the most recent ones are a cricketer, a British-Indian billionaire, an American pastor and an American professional poker player. Amis, whose death occurred on the same day as that of the cricketer, isn't there. The only one I've ever heard of is the cricketer, not that that means much. But I've noticed before that the deaths of significant literary or cultural figures don't appear to register. It's far from clear to me why "Gloria Molina, 74, American politician, member of the California State Assembly (1982–1987) and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (1991–2014)" rates a mention and say "Helmut Berger, 78, Austrian actor (Ludwig, The Damned, The Godfather Part III)" doesn't. Now let's be clear here: I'm not suggesting any US bias or any particular agenda. But there must be criteria, and I don't know what they are.

ETA finally in there, only a week late.

RIP Tina Turner

Well poo. She seemed invincible and forever young.

:o(

I could listen to her sing proud mary forever.

Actor Ray Stevenson (soon to be seen in the Ahsoka TV series). Most notable other performances include Volstagg in the Thor trilogy and Titus Pullo in Rome. Passed just 4 days prior to his 59th birthday.

>36 AHS-Wolfy: Very sad. That's too young. (Anything under 90 is too young.)

Treat Williams is gone.
(Shared as a gift, so no paywall.)
https://wapo.st/3P5PyqP

>38 clamairy: Another sad, senseless death most likely caused by someone not paying attention.

Well that's tragic. Having ridden motorcycles for years, but well before our ultra-distracted, cell-phone addicted, drivers, I can attest that most of them don't see you and you have to drive like they are out to kill you. Not you in general, but you in particular. Like they are hitmen with a contract on you. These days I'd be too scared to ride in populated areas. Sucks because it's really fun.

Oh boy...
He certainly didn't write anything that was happy, but I loved his writing style.
Cormac McCarthy, Novelist of a Darker America, Is Dead at 89
Shared is a gift, no paywall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/books/cormac-mccarthy-dead.html?unlocked_arti...

An author I've never had enough bravery to try, but he was a powerhouse.

Julie Garwood

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2023/06/julie-garwood-1944-2023/

I'm sad... very sad.

>42 Bookmarque: Not even The Road? I still need to read the third book in his Border Trilogy, Cities of the Plain.

>43 skittles: I am not familiar with her writing, but I am sorry you are so sad. :o(

Nope, never read anything. I thought about the road, but the stream of consciousness put me off. It does my head in.

I tried to read him but just didn't work for me. Lived a long good life sounds like

Getting to be a very sad week as John Romita has also left us at the age of 93.

BBC News link

Daniel Ellsberg https://www.npr.org/2023/06/16/1162158609/daniel-ellsberg-obituary-pentagon-pape...

He's been missing since January, but it's finally been confirmed that Julian Sands is gone. The only thing I remember seeing him in is A Room with a View, which I adored.

Warlock!

Martin Luther King's last remaining sibling Christine King Farris, passed away today at 95. She wrote My Brother Martin, a children's biography.

Canadian sex educator Sue Johanson, author of Talk Sex and host of various radio programs like "The Sunday Night Sex Show" has died at 93.

Alan Arkin passed away a few days ago at the age of 89. I loved him in the movie The In-Laws. "Serpentine!!!" But he had some serious dramatic acting chops as well.

little miss sunshine and argo were recent faves but loved The Inlaws and thr russians are coming.Lived a long good life

>55 cindydavid4: Yes, long and productive. I forgot he was in The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming.

I barely remember it, watched it with my parents probably age 9. Didn't realize he was in it till recently.

Tony Bennett, at the age of 96. He did pretty well for someone who lived life very much to the full. I discovered Tony Bennett seriously only after he started recording and touring with k d lang. k d did a concert at the Leeuwin Estate winery in Western Australia in 2003, and I went to it with a lady of whom, at the time, I was briefly enamoured (this was after my second wife died, but before I met Mrs H). Great show, and there was mention of a forthcoming tour and CD with Tony Bennett. The tour took quite some time to get to Australia, long enough that by the time it did I had met Mrs H, and we went to see Bennett & lang at the Sydney Opera House. Another great show, and they worked really well together.

>58 haydninvienna: A legend. I never realized until I heard it on the news that he'd changed his last name. Even my nephew listens to him, along with his more current music.

Randy Meisner, of both Poco and The Eagles, passed yesterday, July 26.

Sinead O'Connor passed on Wednesday aged 56.

>61 Peace2: So tragic. Such a talented but very troubled lady.

>61 Peace2: A sad two days. Thanks for posting that. Tragic.

>60 Karlstar: I didn't see your post yesterday. This upset me greatly when I read it in the news. :(

>64 clamairy: It isn't who most people think of when they think of the Eagles, but his vocals are some of my favorites.

>65 Karlstar: Yes, mine too. I never did get to see them, live. I did see Glen Frey by himself, and Don Henley with Joe Walsh, which was almost as good.

Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman, dead at age 70
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/07/31/paul-reubens...

>67 gilroy: too young.

I used to watch Pee Wee's Playhouse with my kids. It was amusing.

Jimmy Buffett is gone. He was only 76. :o(

Gone to that cheeseburger in paradise.

In Margaritaville permanently now. Surprising and sad. Volcano was one of my favorite LPs.

If I liked margarita’s, I’d toast with one to him today. Sad news. :(

I hadn't looked at this thread in ages and only did so this morning because of seeing the Jimmy Buffett announcement. Scanning it now, I am really struck by how much creative talent we've lost in 2023.

>73 jillmwo: I'm not sure if it's just been a very bad year, or if it's because I'm aging and so I am much more familiar with (and attached to) the people who are passing.

oh no not jimmy!!!! oh man of all the ones weve lost over the last few years, this hurts the most. Saw him a couple of times when he rolled into the desert in Phx, and once in San Diego, great shows all.

we could have lost him a long time before. apparently his plane, with his wife and two daughters, was shot down by Jamaica police thinking it was smuggling drugs. (they did apologize, but really?)Thank goodness he had so many more years left. got his music streaming now, may be listening to it for the next day or so . He lived a long good life. May his name be for a blessing

>75 cindydavid4: I don't think it was shot down, but it was shot 'at.' Bono and a couple of other celebrities were on board at the time. But he did crash his plane once when he was in it by himself and swam to shore.

>76 clamairy: yeah, that came from an article that didn't tell the whole story. still, pretty harrowing. Bono's wife and daughters ( not jimmys) were on board as well

Steve Harwell, Former Smash Mouth Lead Singer, is dead at 56. I only became a fan of their music because of the movie Shrek.

I'm imagining beaches worldwide with people toasting with their margaritas. Unfortunately, I live in the midwest, so mine will be had on the patio this evening.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/smash-mouth-singer-steve-harwell-dead-at-age...
Just came to post with >78 clamairy: but was beaten to it.

I loved their music from the beginning.

Now it's an eclectic music mix day. Buffett and Smashmouth...

>78 clamairy: Wow. I heard them a lot in the post-Shrek days.

Gary Wright passed on Sept. 4. Not extremely prolific but you most likely have heard 'Dream Weaver' or 'Love is Alive' at some point.

Well poop. David McCallum died. Ducky!

oh I had such a crush on him when he was in Man from UNCLE. I remember he was in the great escape, not when it opened but didn't see it untill much later. a life well lived May his name be for a blessing

>83 Bookmarque: Sad news indeed.

Ilya was an early hearthrob. So much cooler than Napoleon Solo.

Denny Laine passed. They credit him with being in both Moody Blues and Wings, though he had many other projects over the years.

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1217488160/denny-laine-co-founder-of-the-moody-bl...

Norman Lear, died today at 101. Groundbreaking television.

>88 theretiredlibrarian: I know he was 101, but this made me very sad.

A bit of news I heard on the radio today was that he was working as late as last week.

Author David Drake has passed away https://www.tor.com/2023/12/11/military-science-fiction-author-david-drake-passe...

Oh and Ryan O'Neal died earlier this month. I know he'd been acting a long time before his role as Tempe's dad on Bones. Loved ya Max.

>91 Narilka: Oh no, that's sad. I've read a decent number of his books and I know there are some I still need to catch up on.

Shecky Greene

remember watching him with my parents back in the day. Oh did we laugh! hadnt heard about him since then

>94 cindydavid4: did you know he had a race horse named after him? It ran in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, the one Secretariat won on his way to the Triple Crown.

http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/shecky-greene.html

did not know that but what a perfect name for a horse!

>96 cindydavid4: yep, and he was a champion sprinter. He couldn't compete with the classic mile and a quarter types, though.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/arts/music/peter-schickele-dead.html?campaign... schickle

PDQ Bach! loved his work

Chita Rivera passed today. What a legend.

https://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2024/02/rip-christopher-priest.html?spref=tw

Christopher Priest has sadly left us.

>99 theretiredlibrarian: really.I never saw her on broadway but have seen her in action on videos. In fact the New York Times has a link to nine videos of her acts, Didnt realize she was the first Velma on Chicago, whichI still love. Also didnt realize she was passed over for the role of Anita in filmed version West Side Story.

I tried another Priest novel, but couldn't get into it. Can't remember which one it was, but I have read The Prestige several times and love it. Quite different from the movie which was good in its own way.

Today's paper reports that Dr Zuleikha Mayat died at the age of 97 yesterday. Her cookbook Indian Delights has been an essential part of every S.A. Indian bride's trousseau since "before the Rinderpest", and is widely popular among others as well. I cook from the family copy almost whenever I think I can get away with it -- "The Girls" claim allergy to chilies, onions and garlic.

>103 hfglen: I don't cook much Indian cuisine. I will see if this cookbook is available online. How can one live without onions and garlic? (I will admit I need to take BeaNo in order to eat anything with a large amount of them.)

Amazon took me to a book with the same cover, but listed a different author. It is not available as an ebook, and the hard cover is $65.

Carl Weathers passed Friday: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/carl-weathers-apollo-creed-rocky-mandalo...

Yeah, I heard bout Carl. Bummer. He was fun to watch. I especially liked him in Predator.

>106 Bookmarque: It was nice to see him in a different sort of role in The Mandalorian, though I didn't think the role was actually very well written.

>107 Karlstar: I was very happy to see him in that show!

>106 Bookmarque: My brother and my son reenact that scene where Arnold and Carl meet in the movie Predator every time they see each other.

>106 Bookmarque: >108 clamairy: Now I need to re-watch Predator.

Me too. DVD player awaits.

Seiji Ozawa, classical music conductor, died on 6 February. Haruki Murakami, who was a friend, wrote a book called Absolutely on Music, which is basically a series of conversations with Ozawa.

>111 haydninvienna: Oh that is sad news.

I see that SF writer and translator Brian M. Stableford has died. He was 75.

Richard Lewis has passed. Shared as a gift, so no paywall.
Washington Post Link:
https://wapo.st/48ue9Mc

Dave Myers (best known to UK residents as one half of The Hairy Bikers) has died. Was only 66. Had been suffering from cancer but not confirmed as yet that this was cause of death.

Vernor Vinge passed yesterday. https://file770.com/vernor-vinge-1944-2024/

He is one of the few authors that I've met in person, he signed a book for me at the Library of Congress book fair in 2012. I've always enjoyed his books, going back to the days when I first read excerpts in Analog magazine.

>116 Karlstar: Oh that is sad. I loved A fire upon the deep.

>117 Sakerfalcon: I just put that on hold at the local library. I've never read anything by Vernon Vinge.

>118 fuzzi: We had a group read of it here a few years ago. The link to the discussion is probably on the book page if you feel like adding your reactions!

>119 Sakerfalcon: thanks! I'll avoid it until I read the book.

>119 Sakerfalcon: I missed out on this read. I have added the book to my TBR.

Frans de Waal has passed. I own a copy of Our Inner Ape, but somehow I haven't managed to read it.

>116 Karlstar: I just saw this announcement. I never met him, but frequently spent time explaining to industry colleagues his work w/r/t virtual reality and the Technological Singularity (https://edoras.sdsu.edu/~vinge/misc/singularity.html). I got an excited text from one woman thanking me for explaining to her in advance what Vinge was noted for when he spoke at an American Library Association event in 2011. And yes, True Names was a good read!

Another piece by Vinge that folks here may find interesting:
https://www.nature.com/articles/440411a (Not firewalled!)

>122 jillmwo: Thank you for both, I have not read True Names nor seen that article before.

John Barth has passed away. I think I may have read some short stories of his in college, but no novels. I have requested The Sot-Weed Factor from OverDrive so I may remedy that situation.

Shared as a gift, no paywall.

John Barth, Writer Who Pushed Storytelling’s Limits, Dies at 93 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/books/john-barth-dead.html?unlocked_article_c...

Peter Higgs, who shared a Nobel prize for predicting the existence of the particle that came to be called the Higgs boson, died on 8 April.

Sad to hear of the death of C. J. Sansom, author of the Shardlake historical mystery series. Just 2 days before a TV mini-series based on the books is set to air.

BBC link

Oh well that's poop. I read pretty much all of them, but had no idea of the show. Probably can't watch it since I don't have too many streaming options.

>126 AHS-Wolfy: Oh no! I read the first couple of those, and they're very well written and well researched, if a tad dark.

>127 Bookmarque: It looks like the series will be on Disney+, so I will actually be able to watch it. Now I just have to remember to.

Definitely leaves me out.

>126 AHS-Wolfy: and >128 clamairy:. The Matthew Shardlake books were good! My husband thoroughly enjoyed them and kept up with the series. I am sorry that we've lost the author.

It's always been just a matter of time unfortunately. In 2012, Sansom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable bone-marrow cancer, and began to receive chemotherapy. His writing slowed dramatically due to his treatment.

Another writer gone - Paul Auster died a couple of days ago. Always meant to read something of his, but never did.

one of my favorite books from a few years ago was the book of illusion

Saxophonist David Sanborn

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/entertainment/david-sanborn-death/index.html

>135 rastaphrog: just saw this. This one makes me sad. I’ll have to listen to some of his music this weekend.

Dabney Coleman died a day or two ago. Loved him in Tootsie.

>137 Bookmarque: He has a long very productive career. I stopped watching Boardwalk Empire before he joined, but I was happy to read he had a successful stint as part of that cast.

I never watched it so can't say, but he was fun in a Darin McGavin sort of way - versatile and relatable even when he was in a weird role.

Caleb Carr, author of "The Alienist" and other great books, dies at 68.

gifted link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/24/books/caleb-carr-dead.html?unlocked_article_c...

>140 skittles: I was just coming in to share this. Very sad news. I only read his two biggest bestsellers, The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness, but I thought he was an amazingly gifted writer.

>140 skittles: I had no idea The Alienist was based on a book. I had not heard about this author before, I don't think.

BBC Radio 3 tells me that Robert B Sherman, who wrote the music for Disney films such as Mary Poppins, died the other day.

And another important musician now lives only in memory. Today's BBC news is that Françoise Hardy is, alas, no more.

Actor Donald Sutherland has passed. From the BBC (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9rrvdq3g9zo )

Canadian indigenous artist Alex Janvier. I've always loved his work. To see a beautiful example, google "iron foot place"

Shelley Duvall
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/11/entertainment/shelley-duvall-death/index.html

>147 tardis: I like his frieze at the Muttart conservatory

Dr. Ruth, 96
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/13/us/ruth-westheimer-death/index.html

Richard Simmons, 76
https://apnews.com/article/fitness-guru-richard-simmons-obituary-db369da9e7f54f1...

Shannon Doherty, 53
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/14/entertainment/shannen-doherty-death/index.html

bob newhart he lived a long life of making the world laugh. he will be missed

>151 cindydavid4: I am very sad about this, but he had a good run!

Well poop, John Mayall is dead. I should dig out one of the many albums I have kicking around...

Francine Pascal died Sunday at age 92. She was the creator of the "Sweet Valley High" books. I never read them, but they were very popular with my patrons when I was a children's librarian in the 1990s.

Shared as a gift, so no paywall.
James Earl Jones, Actor Whose Voice Could Menace or Melt, Dies at 93 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/obituaries/james-earl-jones-dead.html?unlocke...

>155 clamairy: Very sad, he was a great actor.

Herbie Flowers, bass player who was a prolific session musician (including for Lou Reed) and a member of a number of bands, including Blue Mink, T-Rex and Sky (with John Williams and Rick Wakeman). I remember him best from Sky, which I saw live a couple of times.

:o(
We've lost Maggie Smith.

Shared as a gift. I know... it will still be inaccessible for some of you.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/09/27/maggie-smith-actress-dies-d...

Here's one that should be free.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/27/maggie-smith-oscar-winning-star-of-...

Oh no!, what a legend actually im sad that Ill never see her in another role, but smile remembering her roles her talents A long and brilliant life. May she be for a blessing

First thought In every single interview, talk show, book she was a very kind person and other actors adored Cant say that for all performers/artists

Oh wow, this one right in the childhood.

Mother Superior from Sister Act
McGonagal from Harry Potter
Downton Abbey
Hook

>158 clamairy: What a wonderful career she had. One of my favorite roles she had were in the two "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" movies. I may not have that title right, it seems too short.

>161 MrsLee: I haven't seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Judging by the preview, I must remedy that oversight soon.

>161 MrsLee: >162 ScoLgo: I don't think she ever appeared in anything that could be characterized as a bad movie. She knew how to pick a script. I think, at this point, I've seen just about every movie in which she appeared. (Never got to see her perform in anything live.)

>161 MrsLee: & >162 ScoLgo: That movie was a lot of fun!

I agree with Jill that I don't think I ever saw her in something where she didn't shine, and as a result she made the rest of the movie wonderful.

>158 clamairy: Oh, this is a great loss...

I watched A Room with a View last night. I forgot that Judi Dench, Denholm Elliott were in it as well. Denholm has been gone a while. Julian Sands was also in it, and he passed just last year during that hiking incident.

Maggie Smith has a movie on Netflix right now, too. It’s with Kathy Bates and a couple of others I can’t think of right now. Might be her last role. It was a good movie as well. It’s called The Miracle Cub.

>167 catzteach: Thank you!

Word is that singer Kris Kristofferson has passed. https://apnews.com/article/kris-kristofferson-dead-47becf20fecd41aba66840af2e127...

>169 jillmwo: You are quick, I just saw that news. I didn't think he was that old.

>169 jillmwo: & >170 Karlstar: When I was reading his obituary in the New York Times I learned that not only was he a Rhodes Scholar, he was also a helicopter pilot.

Terri Garr has passed. This should be a free link: https://wapo.st/4e94k9l

Paywall, but that's a bummer. She was fun.

>173 Bookmarque: Darn paywall. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Garr

I've always been a fan of Mr. Mom.

One from the golden age of the Hollywood musicals, Mitzi Gaynor passed away earlier this month. Most probably remembered for her role in South Pacific. She was 93.

AP News link

Missed this one the other day: Jeri Taylor, writer and producer of some modern Star Trek:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jeri-taylor-star-trek-writer-234757072.html

>172 Karlstar: Very sad. She was not that old.

>175 AHS-Wolfy: That is the only movie I remember seeing her in. Apparently she was the only main character in that film who sang her own songs.

>176 gilroy: Nooo! I missed this news completely. I always remember seeing her name in the credits.

Greg Hildebrandt, artist for fantasy books, movies and more:

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/pop-culture-artist-extraordinaire-greg-hildebran...

I always enjoyed his Tolkien and Shannara related art.

Some may recall this image by the Hildebrandt brothers, it was included in some versions of The Sword of Shannara.

>179 Karlstar: I remember the two blonde guys in front of the trees.

>180 jillmwo: Durin (strange name choice for an elf) and Dayel, the two elf princes along on the quest.

>178 Karlstar: When I was a teenager I had the brothers' LOTR calendar several years in a row. I really wish I had saved them.

>182 clamairy: I did too and I kept a couple of them for years, I eventually purged them in one of the moves.

Quincy Jones - Major record producer
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/04/entertainment/quincy-jones-obit/index.html

Tony Todd - Actor
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rlvl5r41jo

I just saw the news that author Holly Lisle has passed.

https://hollylisle.com/about-holly/

Dorothy Allison has passed. I read her depressing (and eye-opening) book Bastard Out of Carolina, which was a award-winning bestseller.

Shared as a gift, so no paywall.

https://wapo.st/3Z2m9T5

Notable British actor Timothy West has passed. Probably most famous for playing Bradley Hardacre in Brass but has an extensive IMDB resume.

BBC News link

Tony Todd was so recognizable in person if not in name. Riveting to watch.

Bruce Degen, who illustrated the Magic School Bus series passed this week.

Ella Jenkins, children's musician. As a young children's librarian back in the 1980s, I used her records in story time. She also made appearances on Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers. She was known as "The First Lady of Children's Folk Songs". She was 100 years old.

Alice Brock, only really known to the world because she was THE Alice of Arlo Guthries song "Alice's Resturant", at age 83.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/22/alice-brock-alices-restaurant-dies

wow great obit. Just feels right that she would pass close to Thanksgiving. Sounds like a great lady. May her name be for blessing

Hearing of her death reminded me of another death that occurred at an appropriate time. Zacherley, who was heavily involved with the horror genre passed away right before Halloween in 2016.

There should be no paywall.
Barbara Taylor Bradford, Best-Selling Romance Novelist, Dies at 91 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/25/books/barbara-taylor-bradford-dead.html?unloc...

I read A Woman of Substance back in the '80s. And while I found it enjoyable enough, I never read anything else of hers.

Peter Yarrow has passed.

https://apnews.com/article/peter-yarrow-dies-paul-mary-767c223e40c243199b0d0875e...

I grew up listening to them quite a bit as several of my older siblings were in a folk group.

I suppose this one is well known by now, but President Jimmy Carter passed.

Tom Robbins has passed away. I have yet to read anything he's written, but I do have a copy of Still Life with Woodpecker sitting here somewhere. I tried to find a news link that didn't have a paywall, or force you to create an account to read it.

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/09/author-tom-robbins-la-conner-resident-...

Michelle Trachtenberg of Buffy and Gossip Girl Fame. Age 39. :(
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/buffy-gossip-girl-actress-michelle-trachtenbe...

im going to x this thread before any more posts

Gene Hackman and his wife, ages 95 and 63 respectively
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/27/entertainment/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-death/in...

Him being dead I can understand, but her and the dog? Something not right about that.

>200 gilroy: Very sad.

>201 Bookmarque: Carbon monoxide poisoning is my guess.

>200 gilroy: That's sad. How the heck was he 95? How time flies.

>203 Karlstar: I confess that was one of my first reactions to this sad event: first, just the event itself and second, wait - he was really 95?

I'm seeing a few headlines popping up about speculative causes. No foul play, it seems.

Ugh. Some unpleasant details emerging. :o( Looks like >201 Bookmarque: was right to get suspicious.

Oh wow-so many great roles:young frankenstien , bird cage, supermans, a bridge too far, reds, hoosiers, mississipi is burning, but there are many I havent seen.

Was surprised to read about this play on Broadway "Death and the Maiden" "Mr. Hackman returned to the stage in 1992, opposite Glenn Close and Richard Dreyfuss in Mike Nichols’s production of “Death and the Maiden,"Ariel Dorfman’s play about a Latin American woman (Ms. Close)" um didnt realize Close was Hispanic. Were there no other Hispanics actors that could have played that part? Not his fault but just sayin, 1992 wasnt that long ago

regardless he was a wonderfull actor and he lived a good long live and very sad he has gone

Interesting interview with Hackman and Douglas Hoffman

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/12/movies/film-the-50-year-hoffman-hackman-histo...

"HACKMAN -- But only because I was older, you know? In a play called ''The Curious Miss Caraway.''

HOFFMAN -- And guess who starred in it?

HACKMAN -- Zasu Pitts, a woman from the silent film era.

HOFFMAN -- And one day, he says to me, ''You have to come onstage with me during the daytime. You're not going to believe this.'' Written on the back of the couches and the stuffed chairs and everything were ----

HACKMAN -- Zasu Pitts's lines.

HOFFMAN -- She'd flit over to a certain chair for a certain line . . . (He gets up and demonstrates, as if reading.)

HACKMAN -- She was about 75, 80 years old.

HOFFMAN -- Of course, we understand that at our age. Brando has it down pat: he wears a hearing aid that you can't see, and a woman by the name of Caroline, who's off the set, feeds him his lines. Each one. Matthew Broderick told me he didn't know this when he did ''The Freshman'' with Brando. He told me that on his first day, he was sitting in his dorm on the edge of his bed, and Brando was on the other bed, and they were facing each other, and he was so intimidated -- Marlon Brando! So they started the take, and he's talking, and Brando answers, and then he talks some more, and Brando answers, and the camera's rolling, and Brando keeps looking at Matthew, and suddenly, he says: ''Caroline? Caroline! Are you eating a tuna fish sandwich right now? Caroline? Because I can't understand what you're saying! Stop eating that tuna fish sandwich!''

>207 cindydavid4: Aww, great anecdote! Thanks for posting this.

We've lost Richard Chamberlain. :o(
I loved him in Shōgun and The Thornbirds.

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/richard-chamberlain-dead-dies-shogun-thorn-bird...

I thought he did a wonderful job as Edmund Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. It was a thoroughly enjoyable mini-series. Cut an awful lot of the story out, admittedly, but still managed the gist. And Chamberlain had that right mix as the Count of romance and danger. *sigh*

He was also rather fun in The Slipper and the Rose.

>209 clamairy: and >210 jillmwo: and he was also fun to watch in The Three Musketeers movie from the 1970s.

Well poop. Val Kilmer died. He'd been through a lot, but pneumonia got him. He seemed like a decent sort and he was fun to watch back in the day.

>212 Bookmarque: I just read this! He was only 65. :( A fine actor.

>212 Bookmarque: & >213 terriks: I guess he was a big smoker back in the day. That's how we ended up with the throat cancer that took away much of his speaking voice. Very sad. I really loved his portrayal of Jim Morrison.

oh one my faves;"top secret" was pure genius with him

“I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career. “And I am blessed.”.

So young,dang. May his name be for a blessing

https://apnews.com/article/val-kilmer-actor-dead-pneumonia-7e8f27b1ec80f2940f7a7...

>212 Bookmarque: That's sad, too young.

>215 cindydavid4: I saw Top Secret years ago and loved it. I never seem to run into anyone else who has even heard of it.

I also loved him in Willow, and Top Gun, and...

>217 NorthernStar: I only knew it from my DH who never saw a movie he didnt like. Told me I had to see this, and oh we were in stiches

And Val was superb in Tombstone, where he stole the spotlight from Kurt Russell and a stellar cast. "I'm your huckleberry!"

One from Down Under: Kerry Greenwood, creator of Phryne Fisher and Corinna Chapman, died on 25 March 2025.

I love the Phryne Fisher series, both the books and the tv show.

Jay North, "Dennis the Mennis", passed. I only remember the show from reruns.

>220 haydninvienna:. Oh, dear. I am sorry to hear this. I have a certain fondness for Phryne.

>221 theretiredlibrarian: - I never even knew there was a TV show of Dennis the Menace. My parents had a collection of the comic strip in paperback.

Nicky Katt, character actor, age 54.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/nicky-katt-boston-public-dazed-2007...

Jean Marsh, actress from Upstairs Downstairs, and many other shows, including Willow, and has died at 90 years old.

Well poop about Nicky Katt. Every time I'd see his name in the opening credits after the Boston Public run, I'd yell out Nicky Katt at the TV. Just liked seeing him.

I'm about to blow my GD credit completely.

I've mentioned the website Smart Bitches Trashy Books before, Just now I opened it to see what was new and saw a story.that Robert McGinniss had left us on 10 March, at the age of 99. No, I had no idea either, but he was a prolific cover designer (why SBTB was interested) and designer of film posters, including the poster for Roger Vadim's awful* 1968 film Barbarella. In fact, this poster:



Apparently he also designed the iconic poster of Audrey Hepburn for Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I saw Barbarella and 2001: A Space Odyssey at about the same time. Guess which one stands uo better today?

*Awful? Yes, I suppose so. But the memory of sitting in a movie theatre in Brisbane watching a nude Jane Fonda** emerging from a spacesuit, covered only by the floating letters of the main title ... ah, to be eighteen again.

** I have just discovered that Jane Fonda is now 87, and she still manages to be beautiful.

>227 haydninvienna: She is lovely, and still sharp! I saw the edited for TV version of this as a kid. It did not have the same impact on me as it did on you, but I seem to recall my brothers being very interested. :o)

>225 NorthernStar: I loved her as Rose in Upstairs, Downstairs.

I'll have to grab a link for this later as I'm at work right now.

Wink Martindale, game show host and much more, age 91

>230 gilroy: wow, what a life!

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/wink-martindale-iconic-game-show-host-dead...

We've lost Pope Francis. I greatly admired this man.

It is sad, but he hasn't been well in a while. He was a great force for change.

>233 Karlstar: Yes. I have high hopes that the next pontiff will be of the same theological bent.

>233 Karlstar: >234 clamairy: Agreed. He was a breath of fresh air. I wish his tenure could have lasted longer.

>235 terriks: Such a shame. I really liked him.

very sad to hear, Hopefully is replacemnt shares his views.

>237 cindydavid4: Please remember this is not the place for politics. :)

>238 MrsLee: oh I forgot where I was I am sorry will edit

Best Selling Author Alexandra Fröhlich

Author Jane Gardam

Ruth Buzzi, comedian probably most famous for Laugh-In

>242 theretiredlibrarian: This one makes me very sad. I was following her on social media for a stretch. Not sure it was actually her posting after a while, but it was funny stuff.

>242 theretiredlibrarian: Oh, I knew her from the Muppet Show. Sad news.

oh what a talent! didnt realize how much work she did earlier than Laugh in.
she had my dad in stiches every week

>241 Sakerfalcon: I think Ive read everyone of her books but shes most famous for old filth gosh it seems my favorite artists and dying left to right, but their work will live on

I loved Ruth Buzzi. I knew her best from Sesame Street.

Evidently, Ruth Buzzi had a semi-regular role on That Girl with Marlo Thomas in the 60s. I don't remember her in it though.

The W. Post obituary title: "George Wendt, TV staple as Norm from ‘Cheers,’ dies at 76".

No more milkbone underwear. Sigh.

>249 Karlstar: Very sad. I have to add that 76 does not seem that old to me.

Peter Morwood died suddenly on May 9th.

https://dduane.tumblr.com/post/783067867808776192/peter-morwood

>251 clamairy: It isn't at all.

Unless you are a Muller’s Giant Sunda Rat, a Labord’s Chameleon, or a Dwarf Pygmy Goby. If a Dwarf Pigmy Goby hasn't written Beethoven's 10th Symphony by the time they are a month old, they may as well give up.

Author Peter David has passed away. Those fans who read Star Trek novels like Imzadi or who followed his work at Marvel Comics back in the 90s may recognize the name. Peter did one of the readings at my wedding and his daughters played with my sons on some of the weekend get togethers. He and his first wife, Myra, threw fabulous fun New Years Parties. Peter was enormously generous in many ways and with his passing, I feel a little older today.

>255 jillmwo: I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost a friend.

>255 jillmwo: Sorry you lost a friend. Imzadi was one of the first Star Trek books I read. I really enjoyed it.

>255 jillmwo: Sorry to hear of the passing of your friend.

>255 jillmwo: I am so sorry for your loss.

>255 jillmwo: I'm sorry for your loss. I know nothing about the man except that he was your friend, but that's enough reason to regret his passing.

>255 jillmwo: my husband is familiar with his work. He has touched many lives, and he will be long remembered. I hope that is some comfort

My thanks to all of you >256 clamairy:, >257 catzteach: >258 Karlstar: >259 Alexandra_book_life: >260 haydninvienna: >261 cindydavid4: Thank you all. I didn't mean to turn this into a personal thing, but I am grateful to you all for the kindness.

>262 jillmwo: Do not fret. You obviously needed some emotional support. I'm adding Imzadi to my wishlist, BTW.

Loretta Swit, most famous for her role in MASH, passed today.

>264 Karlstar: I saw that. Very sad. Who is left from the M*A*S*H cast now, besides Alan Alda?

>265 clamairy: More than I thought. Gary Burghoff (I would have guessed that one right), Jamie Farr and Mike Farrell are still alive.

>266 Karlstar: Oh, that's awesome.

>264 Karlstar: I did not hear this until now. Very sorry for the loss to her family and numerous fans, including me. She was terrific.

>262 jillmwo: So sorry for the loss of your friend. How cool it must have been to have him do a reading at your wedding! Condolences. 🙏

Sly of Sly and the Family Stone at age 82

https://www.tmz.com/2025/06/09/music-legend-sly-stone-dead-82/?adid=social-fb&am...

>269 rastaphrog: I just read this myself. I grew up listening to their music. "Hot Fun In the Summertime" is one of my favorite pieces of music, ever.

And there are so many more.

A real musical talent. 💔

>269 rastaphrog: & 270 Loved them so much back in the 70s. I hope it was a peaceful passing.

Frederick Forsyth - thriller writer, fighter pilot, journalist and spy died yesterday at the age of 86.

BBC News link

>272 AHS-Wolfy: I don't think I ever read anything of his, but I certainly remember seeing his books around the house when I was younger.

>273 clamairy: THe Day of the Jackal is probably his most famous work.

Brian Wilson, lead singer and founder of the Beach Boys has passed.

If you haven't seen the movie Love and Mercy, it is a great movie, though a tough one.

>275 Karlstar: Beat me to it:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/brian-wilson-beach-boys-co-16544780...

>275 Karlstar: I grew up listening to them! Fun music.

That time in 1983 when the Secretary of the Interior banned the Beach Boys from playing on the National Mall (from the Smithsonian Magazine): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/secretary-interior-once-banned-rock-ba...

oh god Watt was horri le and had no business handling the nations interior I recall that reagon replaced him due to pressure from many groups (may not be right about thsy
)

Edited

>275 Karlstar: I'm gutted over this. He was a musical genius, writing Pet Sounds when he was only 22 years old. I had the great fortune to hear that whole album played live in Atlanta, with Brian Wilson onstage, about a decade ago while he was still trying to play out a little bit. It’s like a symphony wrapped up in pop lyrics with a red bow around it.

Paul McCartney once said that the Beatles viewed Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys as their main competitors, back in the day - and after listening to Pet Sounds they had to write something to draw attention from it. McCartney said Sgt. Pepper would not have been written without the existence of Pet Sounds. Isn't that amazing?

I guess I'm geeky about it. But songs like Good Vibrations and so many more are embedded in my brain cells. I mourn the passing of Brian Wilson. 💔 There's no replacement for him.

>280 terriks: I didn't know much about Pet Sounds until I saw the movie Love and Mercy, which is partly just about Brian Wilson and his mental health struggles, but also largely about the making of that album and how much innovation happened. It is sad to lose another music genius.

>281 Karlstar: Yes, it's sad. I've been heartened by all the musicians he influenced who have told their stories about him. :)

Rats. My first celebrity crush...
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bobby-sherman-death-teen-idol-cancer-...

>283 clamairy: So many women of my acquaintance for whom he was a significant first celebrity crush! There are an awful lot of lyrics bouncing around in my head at this moment! "Easy come, Easy go" and "Little Woman" and Seattle!

Well I'm surprised he lasted this long - Ozzy died today, only two weeks after a reunion and farewell concert with the other members of Black Sabbath and a host of other bands and musicians he played with in his solo career. He was a big presence in forming my musical taste and I'll miss that voice. No details yet, but could be complications stemming from Parkinson's.

>285 Bookmarque: Very sad. The tribute show was great and even better that it was all for research.

>285 Bookmarque: I was shocked when I saw the breaking news alert. I thought he was going to be like Keith Richards and just keep going...
:o(

Sir Roger Norrington, one of the major figures in the move to authentic performance of earlier music, has died: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-22/sir-roger-norrington-obituary-conductor-e....

Hulk Hogan of wrestling fame

https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/national/hulk-hogan-reportedly-dead-at-71

Chuck Mangione, jazz musician

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/chuck-mangione-dies-jazz-icon-feels-so-good...

Damn, entertainers are dropping like flies

woah!!!!youre not kidding

Tom Lehrer is now poisoning pigeons in the park in the sky: https://variety.com/2025/music/obituaries-people-news/tom-lehrer-dead-satirist-t...

>292 Maddz: I love Tom Lehrer's satirical songs, and a surprising number of them are still scarily relevant.

>292 Maddz: I honestly didn't think he was still alive.

I see from Written in Stone that there's a book of his songs with illustrations by Ronald Searle. How did I not know of this?

I think I can still sing along to many of his songs. I had a roommate once who loved to sing the one about poisoning pigeons in the park!

>295 haydninvienna: I own a copy of that book! It's great :)

Tom Lehrer was a true genius. His songs are so smart and extremely catchy!

Another musician: Cleo Laine

>293 tardis: indeed. got turned on by his songs in college and memorized most of them. (our HS chem teacher taught us the element song and gave us extra credit if we could sing in) Lehrer sang about dark themes, but made them utterly hilarious. I hope a newer generation finds discovers them and love them as much as I did

and someone mentioned the number of muscians dying; this is getting crazy.

Somehow I missed Martin Cruz Smith dying on the 11th. Have read all the Arkady Renko books because he’s a great character.

>300 Bookmarque: I did not see this in the news at all, so it must have happened when there was something else hogging the headlines.

Loni Anderson, Actress from WKRP in Cincinnati has died at 79
https://abc7.com/post/loni-anderson-popular-1980s-actor-hit-tv-series-wkrp-cinci...

>302 gilroy: I just saw another mention of this! I do remember this show. Not sure this actress did a whole lot afterwards but she created a memorable character.

>302 gilroy: Such a funny show.

Kelley, Actress on Walking Dead and 9-1-1, age 33 !?
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/kelley-mack-9-1-1-225325943.html

>305 gilroy: Oh no.
:o(
So young.

Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13, has died, aged 97

>307 AHS-Wolfy: I loved his book Lost Moon.* What a long amazing life he had.

*They changed the title of this after the movie Apollo 13 was released. I like the original title better.

>307 AHS-Wolfy: Being honest, I thought he'd already passed.

>309 Karlstar: If you had asked me if he was still alive I would have guessed no.

>310 clamairy: One of the morning DJ's in Poughkeepsie used to do a 'Dead or Alive?' segment once a week, it was surprisingly difficult.

Bobby Whitlock, musician, age 77
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/70s-rock-icon-dead-following-195313...

Terence Stamp, age 87

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39d41g7nmlo

No obituary yet, but Harry Turtledove, best known for his alternate-history fiction novels, passed yesterday.

I had just heard that he was still writing and I was looking forward to catching up on some of his new stuff.

>314 Karlstar: Oh, that's upsetting. He was such a nice man in person and wrote such fascinating books. Guns of the South was a great read!!

>315 jillmwo: Seems to be a mistake by Wikipedia and the AI's. The date of his passing has been removed from
wikipedia.

You've met him in person? Lucky you! LT says I've read 31 of his novels.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, aged 82

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Quinn_Yarbro
https://file770.com/pixel-scroll-9-2-25-or-to-be-a-scroll/ scroll to item #6

>317 Maddz: Oh no. I read False Dawn for a Sci-Fi course in college.
:o(

Rick Davies, who founded the British rock band Supertramp with Roger Hodgson in 1969, died Sept. 6, 2025, at age 81, after a long illness, at his Long Island (N.Y.) home.

>319 Karlstar: :o( Loved these guys in the 70s and early 80s.

I'm not seeing him listed.
Graham Greene, Actor, age 73
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/06/graham-greene-obituary

>320 clamairy: Me too, I think theirs was the first concert I went to.

a former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton found dead at his home yesterday. He was just 46.

>323 AHS-Wolfy: Much too young.

>321 gilroy: Rarely/never mentioned in obituaries, Graham Greene was crucial linchpin in emceeing PBS documentary on the French and Indian War, issued on its 250th anniversary:

The War that Made America, Part 1 A Country Between (57:49, PBS TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VcSY5Plxjk

The War that Made America, Part 2 Unlikely Allies (57:49, PBS TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCdMBvt5Ljo

The War That Made America, Part 3 Turning the Tide (57:49, PBS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jo_1NpiXSs

The War that Made America, Part 4 Unintended Consequences (57:16, PBS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYcjM0rGuV0

Shared as a gift, so no pay wall. Robert Redford has passed.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/movies/robert-redford-dead.html?unlocked_arti...

>326 clamairy: Free here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c07p8yle7pet

My Mom will be sad.

robert redford https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/movies/robert-redford-dead.html

>326 clamairy: Thank you. I liked so much of his work. A sad passing.

I remember seeing him in The Candidate back in college when it was shown on campus. And I also remember when one friend just went absolutely bonkers for him in the movie The Way We Were. And you can't leave out All the President's Men with him and Dustin Hoffman.

There was a bit of a Sting when I heard this news

>333 AHS-Wolfy: Terrible pun... But he probably would have appreciated that.

The first thing I saw him in was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and I think I was only 10, but I fell in love.

>333 AHS-Wolfy: Good one, you're a Natural.