Tag Archives: Celebrity Deaths

Richard Widmark Dead at 93

It was announced today that actor Richard Widmark died in his home Monday after a long illness. In the statement issued by his wife Susan Blanchard, she said, “it was a big shock, but he was 93.” Widmark started his show biz career in radio drama and theater before moving to the big screen. And when he moved, boy, did he move. His film debut was as the cold hearted killer Tommy Udo, who pushed an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs to her death in 1947’s Kiss of Death.. For that role, Widmark received an … Continue reading →

Christian Brando Dies

I had blogged last week that Christian Brando, the eldest child of well-known actor Marlon Brando, was ill and in the hospital. Christian died last Saturday at the age of 49 due to complications from the pneumonia. A heavy smoker and drinker, Christian had reportedly been ill recently with liver and lung problems. I didn’t know it at the time I blogged, but Christian’s ex-wife Deborah told the National Enquirer that Christian was admitted to the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital because he was “indigent” and had gone through what little money Marlon left him when he died. She was also angry, … Continue reading →

Gone Before 30

As the world still tries to recover from Heath Ledger’s untimely death, some are remembering others who died young. ABC News did a segment on stars that died before they reached age 30. I have already blogged about many of the people on the list. Some died because of violence such as the Notorious B.I.G and Tupac Shakur. Some took their own lives like Kurt Cobain. Still others succumbed to drug use like Brad Renfro, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and River Phoenix. When I first heard of Heath’s death, I immediately thought of River. Talented yet troubled, both gave us … Continue reading →

Brad Renfro Dead at 25

In the past, I have talked about the troubled lives of some child stars such as Danny Bonaduce, Dana Plato, and Jackie Earle Haley. Some recover to do well, like Haley, and some go on to pay the ultimate price, like actor Brad Renfro. Brad was found dead in his home yesterday at the young age of 25. The cause of death is not known, but an autopsy is being conducted today. What is known is that Brad fell into that pit of alcohol and drugs that many child stars fall into when they try to move from cute kid … Continue reading →

In Memoriam – Part 3

More celebrities and notables who died in 2007: Tammy Faye Bakker Messner – July 20 Tammy Faye was able to overcome the PTL scandal to become a loved talk show host, author, and reality television star. Tom Snyder – July 29 Tom practically invented the late night talk show genre with his popular “The Tomorrow Show.” He died at age 71 of leukemia. Merv Griffin – July 6 A television producer and entrepreneur, Merv’s career spanned over 60 years and included such hit game shows as “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” Brooke Astor – August 13 Brooke was a New … Continue reading →

In Memoriam – 2007 – Part 1

As with all years, this year, we lost many celebrities and notables. Some lived to ripe old ages and some seemed to have left this old Earth far too soon. Here some of those we lost this year: Yvonne De Carlo – January 8 She was in “The Ten Commandments” but most people remember her as Lily Muster from the TV show, “The Munsters.” Art Buchwald – January 17 The columnist and political satirist died at the age of 81. He had stopped dialysis in late February, but lived almost a year after his kidneys began working again. Denny Doherty … Continue reading →

Dan Fogelberg – 1951-2007

Singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg died today at the age of 56. He died three years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. His web site said, “He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side. His strength, dignity, and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him.” Dan was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1951. He came from a musical family – his father was a high school band director and his mother was a pianist. In fact, his … Continue reading →

Country Music News: Hank Thompson Dies, Roseanne Cash Has Brain Surgery

Country music lost another legend this week so soon after losing Porter Wagoner. Singer and bandleader Hank Thompson died late Tuesday of lung cancer at his home in Keller, TX. He was 82. His last show was in Waco, TX on October 8th. Texas Governor Rick Perry and Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy officially named that day “Hank Thompson Day.” Thompson death came quickly as it was just days ago that he cancelled his remaining tour dates and announced he was retiring from the music business. Thompson had twenty-nine Top 10 hits starting in 1948 and stretching all the way through … Continue reading →

Luciano Pavarotti Dies

He was arguably the most famous opera singer in the world for more than 35 years… and now, as actress Whoopi Goldberg announced this morning on ABC’s “The View,” God’s choir of angels just gained an amazing tenor. For those of you who missed the news: Luciano Pavarotti, the great Italian tenor who helped popularize opera in the 20th century, has died. He was 71. The singer had been battling pancreatic cancer since last year and last night (early morning in Italy) he finally succumbed to the insidious disease at his home in Modena. According to Pavarotti’s manager, the Maestro … Continue reading →

Forever 27: The Others

So we know that Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain all died tragically at the age of 27. But there are more members of the infamous club who never reached the superstardom of the ones I have already mentioned. Here is a list of the other musicians who died at the age of 27: Louis Chauvin Chauvin was a ragtime musician who died in 1908 of syphilis. Jesse Belvin Belvin was an R&B singer/songwriter who died in a car accident in 1960. His biggest hit was “Goodnight My Love,” which reached #7 on … Continue reading →