R.I.P. CELEBRITY DEATHS 2019(NON WRESTLERS)

[jimsteel]

Caroll Spinney, Big Bird’s Alter Ego on ‘Sesame Street,’ Is Dead at 85

Besides the sweet-natured giant yellow bird, he also played the misanthropic bellyacher Oscar the Grouch

Sometimes he stood 8 feet 2 inches tall. Sometimes he lived in a garbage can. He often cited numbers and letters of the alphabet, and for nearly a half century on “Sesame Street” he was Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, opening magic doors for children on the secrets of growing up and the gentle arts of friendship.

His name was Caroll Spinney — not that many people would know it — and he was the comfortably anonymous whole-body puppeteer who, since the 1969 inception of the public television show that has nurtured untold millions of children, had portrayed the sweet-natured, canary-yellow giant bird and the misanthropic, furry-green bellyacher in the trash can outside 123 Sesame Street.

Mr. Spinney, who also performed his characters in live concerts around the world and at the White House many times and was featured in films, documentaries and record albums, died on Sunday at his home in Woodstock, Conn. He was 85.

[TTX]

So sad. RIP Caroll. You were a major part of Sesame Street for so long. Didn't know till years later he did both Big Bird and Oscar. Interestingly, Oscar was originally colored orange and Big Bird had a different look and personality in the early years of the show as well.

[jimsteel]

Benson,' 'Star Trek' actor René Auberjonois dies at 79

he cause of death was metastatic lung cancer, his son said.
Auberjonois was known for his myriad television roles on shows like "Benson," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Boston Legal." But he acted in theater and film, notably as Army chaplain Father John Mulcahy in Robert Altman's 1970 "MASH."

Born in New York on June 1, 1940, Auberjonois won a Tony Award in 1970 for his role in "Coco," a Broadway musical about Coco Chanel designer that starred Katharine Hepburn. He was nominated in 1975, 1985 and 1990 for his roles in "The Good Doctor," "Big River" and "City of Angels," respectively.

He was nominated for an Emmy twice. The first nomination was in 1984 as outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as Clayton Endicott III, the hardworking yet pompous governor's chief of staff he portrayed for seven seasons on "Benson."
He was nominated again in 2001 as outstanding guest actor in a drama series for an appearance as a judge in "The Practice." He appeared in "Boston Legal," a spinoff of "The Practice," for five seasons between 2004 and 2008.

[Vegas]

RIP to Caroll Spinney. When I lived in Seattle we found a kitten in the trash at a grocery store. Someone threw him away but we gave him a home (he lived for 14 years) and we named him Oscar because we found him in the trash.

[TTX]

Man two major people I enjoyed as a kid have passed. RIP.

[jimsteel]

grim reaper hits Star Trek again



Star Trek: The Next Generation Star Marina Sirtis' Husband Michael Lamper Dead at 61

Usually when a star from Star Trek: The Next Generation tweets it is usually for some fun fact or a bit of promotion. But, Marina Sirtis came to the social media platform with some sad news. Her husband Michael Lamper has passed away at the age of 61. Lamper was both a guitarist and an Acamarian Gatherer on an episode of The Next Generation in the third season. This development is quite shocking and sad for fans who enjoyed both her work as Deanna Troi on The Next Generation and her husband’s appearance in an episode as well. Everyone has a favorite episode and “The Vengeance Factor” is probably it for someone out there.

The actress wrote on Twitter, “I’m going to be gone for a while. My beloved husband passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. For those of you waiting for a shout out on Cameo, please forgive me I don’t feel up to i. I’ll let you know when the service is back on.”

Back in 1992, Lamper married Sirtis with Bret Spiner and Michael Dorn as groomsmen. They met after one of the actress’ personal friends introduced Lamper. He played alongside a number of accomplished musicians like Tommy Shaw from Stix, Quiet Riot and Los Lobos.

[jimsteel]

Pete Frates, Face Of Ice Bucket Challenge, Dead At 34 After Battle With ALS

During the social media phenomenon, people were challenged to dump a bucket of ice water over their head, donate to the cause and ask friends to do the same.

The Frates family vowed to continue the Ice Bucket Challenge every August until there is a cure.

The campaign reached worldwide levels with professional athletes, politicians and celebrities participating and donating.

“I cannot thank all who have participated thus far enough. Your enthusiasm and creativity have propelled our little-known disease to the forefront of the global stage,” Frates said in 2014.

In July 2016, funded by Ice Bucket Challenge donations, an international team of doctors was able to isolate a gene variation that is present in many ALS patients.

“Global collaboration among scientists, which was really made possible by ALS Ice Bucket Challenge donations, led to this important discovery,” said University of Massachusetts Medical School Dr. John Landers.

In December 2014, Frates was named one of Sports Illustrated’s “Inspirations of the Year.”

Frates was also given the NCAA Inspiration Award in December 2016. Because he was unable to travel to Nashville to receive the award, NCAA president Dr. Mark Emmert and members of the Boston College baseball team arrived Frates’ house to present him with the award.

“He inspires us every day,” BC baseball captain Bobby Skogsbergh said after Frates was presented the Inspiration Award. “Talk about Jesuit mission at Boston College, it’s men and women for others, I can’t think of anybody who embodies that more than Pete Frates.”

Frates was an outfielder for Boston College’s baseball team from 2004 to 2007. He started 107 games for the Eagles and remained heavily involved with the program following graduation.

Boston College retired his number 3 during an ALS awareness game in May 2016. His father John said at the time that his son is “forever linked” to Boston College. In June 2019, Boston College also announced it is naming a new baseball and softball training facility the Pete Frates Center.

St. John’s Prep also retired Frates’ number in football, hockey and baseball. He graduated from the school in 2003.

[jimsteel]

Barbara Orbison, Roy’s Widow, Dead at 60
Music publisher passed away on anniversary of husband’s death

Barbara Orbison, Roy Orbison‘s widow, died yesterday of pancreatic cancer. She was 60. Her death came on the 23rd anniversary of her husband’s death; singer Roy Orbison was 52 when he died of a sudden heart attack in 1988.

In addition to overseeing Orbison’s catalog and several reissues of his music since his death, Barbara Orbison was the head of Still Working Music, a Nashville music publisher that was awarded BMI’s Song of the Year in 2010 for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”

In an interview earlier this year to mark the release of The Monument Singles Collection, a multi-disc package of the original mono mixes of Orbison’s most successful period, Barbara Orbison said that her husband was a compulsive moviegoer and that his best quality was his power of observation. “He saw,” she said. “In fact, his close friends would have told you he probably should have been a director.”

German-born Barbara Wellhoener Jacobs first met Orbison in 1968; she was 17 and he was 32. It was two years after the tragic death of Orbison’s first wife, Claudette, in a motorcycle accident. Barbara Orbison is survived by her sons Wesley, Roy Kelton, Jr. and Alexander and will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

[jimsteel]

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson dead at 61

Singer Marie Fredriksson died Monday after a 17-year battle with cancer, her management company has confirmed.

The 61-year-old was a successful solo artist in her native Sweden before joining with Per Gessle to form Roxette, the act that went on to achieve global fame.
The duo's breakout single was "The Look," reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989.
Another single, "It Must Have Been Love," became a smash hit after featuring in the soundtrack of the 1990 romantic comedy "Pretty Woman," starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle of Roxette perform on stage at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party in London on November 11, 1990.
Roxette toured extensively, with Fredriksson gaining recognition as a talented live performer.
In 2002 she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, from which she recovered following aggressive treatment.

By 2009, Roxette were performing again, and even made several more albums.
But by 2016 doctors had advised Fredriksson to stop touring in order to prioritize her health.

[jimsteel]

Philip McKeon, a Child Star on the Sitcom Alice, Dies at Age 55

Philip McKeon, the former child actor best known for his role on the CBS sitcom "Alice," died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. He was 55.
McKeon died in Texas after a long illness, family spokesman Jeff Ballard said in a news release.

He was most recognizable as Tommy Hyatt, the son of the titular character on "Alice," played by Linda Lavin. The show, which ran from 1976 to 1985, followed Alice, an aspiring singer who worked as a waitress at a diner in Phoenix



The "Alice" cast from left to right: Polly Holliday, Vic Tayback, Philip McKeon, Linda Lavin and Beth Howland.
McKeon also worked at the Los Angeles radio station KFWB News 98 for 10 years, Ballard said. He later moved to Wimberly, Texas, to be closer to family and for the last several years hosted his own radio show, Ballard said.

"We are all beyond heartbroken and devastated over Phil's passing," the spokesman said. "His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and loyalty will be remembered by all who crossed his path in life."