R.I.P. CELEBRITY DEATHS 2020(NON WRESTLERS)

[jimsteel]

The French fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died aged 98.

On Tuesday, the French Academy of Fine Arts confirmed that the legendary fashion figure died at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, which is just outside of Paris.

Cardin was renowned for his futuristic vision, with some of his most famous creations including an interpretation of a spacesuit, commissioned by Nasa in 1969, and geometric dresses made from silver foil and vinyl.

His space-age designs were largely credited for shaping the major fashion trends of the 1960s and 1970s.

However, he was also famed for his business methods and he licensed his name to be used on a range of affordable products, from ballpoint pens to perfume.

[throwingtoasters]

‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Dawn Wells dies, COVID-19 cited


chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment-and-culture/2020/12/30/22206865/gilligans-island-dawn-wells-dies-covid-19-cited

Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island,” died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. She was 82.

LOS ANGELES — Dawn Wells, who played the wholesome Mary Ann among a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. She was 82.

Wells died peacefully at a living facility in Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll said.

“There is so much more to Dawn Wells” than the “Gilligan’s Island” character that brought her fame, Boll said in a statement.

Besides TV, film and stage acting credits, her other real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker, Boll said.

Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells represented her state in the 1959 Miss America pageant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. Her early TV roles came on shows including “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick” and “Bonanza.”

Then came “Gilligan’s Island,” a goofy, good-natured show that became an unlikely but indelible part of popular culture.

[TTX]

RIP Dawn. Ginger and Mary Ann will always be remembered.

[on_the_edge]

Ginger is the last one standing.

[jimsteel]

'Breakin' Star Shabba-Doo Adolfo Quiñones Dead at 65

Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quiñones, the famous breakdancer and star of the 1984 movie, "Breakin'," has died.

Shabba-Doo's family announced his sudden passing in L.A. Wednesday, only a day after he had posted an image of himself in bed, saying he was feeling sluggish but had tested negative for COVID-19.

So far, no cause of death has been announced. Law enforcement sources tell us it appears a roommate found Shabba unconscious Wednesday night, and there were no signs of foul play.

[jimsteel]

Joanna Cole, Author of Beloved "The Magic School Bus" Series, Dies at 75

Joanna Cole, the author of the beloved The Magic School Bus book series which made science fun for generations of kids, died this week of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 75. Through her books, Cole aimed to make science fun for kids as they followed the adventures of a group of schoolchildren taking field trips on their 'magic school bus' everywhere from outer space to the inside the human body — all led by their exuberant, red-haired teacher Ms. Frizzle. In the decades since the first book was published, The Magic School Bus has grown to include a variety of books, an animated TV show, a series of science kits; and, this year, plans for a live-action movie adaptation. "Joanna Cole had the perfect touch for blending science and story," Scholastic chairman and CEO Dick Robinson said when announcing her death on July 15. "Joanna's books, packed with equal parts humor and information, made science both easy to understand and fun for the hundreds of millions of children around the world."
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1944, Cole grew up with a deep curiosity about science. Her teachers further fostered that interest, including her memorable fifth-grade teacher who Cole said was very much like Ms. Frizzle in spirit. "She loved her subject," she recalled in an interview. "Every week she had a child do an experiment in front of the room and I wanted to be that child every week." Her favorite book was Bugs, Insects, and Such, a gift from an aunt who noticed how much Cole enjoyed watching insects in the backyard. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the City College of New York and became a librarian at a Brooklyn elementary school, but before long, she was writing books for children as well as lending them. Her first book, Cockroaches, was published in 1971. She chose the subject because she had observed that no children's books had been written about roaches and, as she told her publisher, "I had ample time to study the creature in my low-budget New York apartment!"

[jimsteel]

R.I.P. Rudy Salas, founder of "Together" group Tierra at 72

[jimsteel]

R.I.P. DAWN WELLS

[jimsteel]

Edward Irastorza, Hellboy and Blade 2 Visual Effects Producer, Dies At 52

Visual effects consultant, supervisor, and producer Edward Irastorza, best known for working alongside director Guillermo del Toro on multiple projects, has passed away. Irastorza was 52 and passed on Monday, December 21. News of his death was confirmed through his Facebook account where his brother posted the news. “It is with great sadness that I need to let you know that my brother Edward has passed away," the post reads. "Even though he had been very sick for just over a year we were not expecting him to go when he did. He was looking forward to Christmas as Erik was going to be with us. Unfortunately he didn’t make it.”

“We would like to ask for a favor. As you, his friends, reflect on your memories of my brother could you write down some of your stories with him and send them to me?," Irastorza’s sister wrote on FaceBook. "We would love to hear them and put together a keepsake for his son. It’s okay if they are not G rated. Thank you all for being his friend he really wanted to get back to work and be with all of you again. Now he is with the friends that went before him and my dad.”

[Vegas]

Dec 30, 2020 18:10:21 GMT -5 jimsteel said:

R.I.P. DAWN WELLS

The passing of Dawn Wells made the front page of the LVRJ this morning due to her strong ties to Nevada.

She was born in Reno, her father was part owner of the Thunderbird casino in Las Vegas, and she won Miss Nevada in 1959 which propelled her TV career which started with episodes of 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Bonanza before the 43 season run of Gilligan's Island from 1964-1967.

I also found out this morning that there is a trailhead named after Dawn Wells in this (Clark) county and I think I have walked on it before.