RIP

[Kobi]

Tony-nominated actress Anne Jackson died April 12, according to The New York Times. She was 90.

Jackson was the widow of actor Eli Wallach, with whom she often worked on and off Broadway. The pair met while acting in a production of Tennessee Williams’ "This Property Is Condemned," going on to appear in 13 Broadway shows together. They married in 1948.

Together, they won Obie awards in 1963 for an off-Broadway double bill of "The Typists" and "The Tiger." Other productions in which they worked together included "The Glass Menagerie," "Luv," and "The Diary of Anne Frank."

But Jackson also excelled on her own, earning a Tony nomination in 1956 for her performance in Paddy Chayefsky's "Middle of the Night." Other notable stage credits include Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke," George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man," and Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers."

Though Jackson was known best for her stage work, she also appeared on television and in movies. She was a star of "How To Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life" and "Lovers and Other Strangers," and in "The Shining," she played a doctor in an early scene. She made appearances on television shows including "Gunsmoke," "Highway to Heaven," "ER," and "Reading Rainbow."

Born Sept. 3, 1925, in Millvale, Pennsylvania, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jackson later wrote of her turbulent childhood in her 1979 memoir, "Early Stages." She found an early talent for drama in the impressions she would do of famous actors she saw at the movies. She honed this skill as a student of the Actors Studio, where she would later teach.

Wallach preceded Jackson in death, in 2014.

http://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity...kson-1925-2016

[Gemme]

Doris Roberts is dead at 90.

Doris Roberts, the beloved mom from "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Doris passed away Sunday in L.A.

She won 5 Emmy awards, 4 of them for 'Raymond.' She's also starred in tons of other TV shows and movies, like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Grandma's Boy."

She's survived by her son, Michael Cannata Jr., who she had with her first husband. Doris' second husband, William Goyen, died in 1983.

Doris was 90 years old.

We last saw her about a month ago where we frequently got her -- going to the movies at the ArcLight in Hollywood. Doris said she wasn't feeling great, but she was as witty as ever.


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/18/doris-...#ixzz46E92ngtE

[Kobi]

I will always remember Doris Roberts from her award winning role on St Elsewhere in the episode Cora and Arnie with James Coco.



And, I loved her as Mildred the secretary in Remington Steele.

Amazing actress.

[A. Spectre]

Joanie "Chyna" Laurer, WWE star dead at 45.


Joanie Laurer, the former WWE star known as Chyna, died Wednesday night at the age of 45.

The news was confirmed by Laurer's manager and a statement posted on her official Twitter account, which read: "oday we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her."

Laurer's body was found at a home in Redondo Beach, California. A cause of death is not known, though police are reportedly treating the case as a possible overdose.

Famous to a generation of wrestling fans for her run during WWE's "Attitude Era," Laurer redefined the possibilities for female performers as Chyna, a strong, silent enforcer billed as "The Ninth Wonder of the World." Thanks to her imposing physical presence, she quickly rose through wrestling's indie ranks, and by 1997 had achieved fame ­­– first as a bodyguard for Triple H, then as a member of the iconic D-Generation X stable. It was with DX that Chyna showed she could hang with the boys in more ways than one, a trend that would define her time in WWE. She was the first female to ever enter the Royal Rumble match and qualify for the King of the Ring tournament, and in 1999, was the first woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.

http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/n...at-45-20160421

[CyberStud]

Prince has died aged 57 at his estate in Minnesota, just days after he was rushed to hospital from his private plane with flu.

Paramedics were called out to the music icon's Paisley Park estate at 9.43am and Carver County Sheriff's Department confirmed that there had been a fatality.

A forensics team and a medical examiner are at the scene.

Prince - full name Prince Rogers Nelson.

[kittygrrl]

Taken too young

[TheHinduPose]

bbc.co.uk
Victoria Wood dies aged 62 after cancer battle - BBC News
Media captionVictoria Wood inspired a new generation of female comics in a hugely successful career on television and on stage.

Comedian, singer and writer Victoria Wood has died after "a short but brave" battle with cancer aged 62.

Her publicist said the star "died peacefully at her north London home with family" on Wednesday.

Wood's long-time comedy partner Julie Walters said she was "too heart sore to comment - the loss of her is incalculable".

Wood found fame in the 1980s and was best known for her BBC sketch Acorn Antiques and comedy Dinnerladies.

She won five Baftas including two for her one-off ITV drama Housewife, 49.
Julie Walters and Victoria Wood Image copyright PA
Image caption Julie Walters collaborated with Victoria Wood throughout her career

Wood got her first break on the TV talent show New Faces in 1974, while still a student at Birmingham University.

She established herself as a comedy star with her hit show Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV and went on to create the popular BBC comedies Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies, featuring her long-time collaborator Julie Walters.

The pair became friends in the 1970s and first worked together on TV in 1981 on the comedy sketch show Wood and Walters.

Acorn Antiques also spawned a musical, which Wood wrote and was directed by Trevor Nunn in 2005.
'Inspiration to women'

Entertainer Michael Ball, who was a friend of Wood's and worked with her on the musical That Day We Sang, told the BBC she was a "trailblazer" for other female comedians.

The Radio 2 DJ said: "She gave inspiration to other women because she wasn't having to be sexy and rude, although she was all of those things. She was just brilliant.

"She made it seem to other women, you can do this. You just need to look at the various social media feeds to see the people she's influenced."
Media captionMichael Ball: Victoria Wood was "the most loyal and lovely friend you could ever wish for"

Ball said Wood, who he had "idolised" before working with, was "very private" and had not wanted people to know how ill she was.

"To then work with her and become friends and to become so close was a privilege," he added.

Fellow comedians have also been paying tribute, including Jennifer Saunders, who tweeted: "Can't believe Vic has gone. She was truly an inspiration and had so much left to to give and we won't see it. She was so funny."

Sir Lenny Henry said: "I am devastated - this is very, very sad news. Victoria will be sorely missed. Always funny, she worked incredibly hard. A killer stand-up and a fantastic songwriter. My condolences to all her family."
'Comedy icon'

Catherine Tate said: "The news is devastating. It's so shocking and sad. We have lost an incredible talent who was a huge influence and inspiration to so many - a true game changer."

Jenny Eclair tweeted: "All of us women in comedy owe a huge debt of gratitude to Victoria - she paved the way."

John Cleese tweeted: "Shocked by news of Victoria Wood. I worked with her last year and was reminded of just what a superlative performer she was. Only 62!"

Jack Dee tweeted: "I feel privileged to have known and worked with the great Victoria Wood. Unique and truly brilliant."

Ricky Gervais said: "RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year."

Sarah Millican also tweeted her sadness: "So incredibly sad to hear that Victoria Wood has died. A true comedy icon."
Dinnerladies cast Maxine Peake as Twinkle, Anne Reid as Jean, Victoria Wood as Bren, Thelma Barlow as Dolly and Shobna Gulati as Anita
Image caption The Dinnerladies cast included Maxine Peake as Twinkle, Anne Reid as Jean, Victoria Wood as Bren, Thelma Barlow as Dolly and Shobna Gulati as Anita - Julie Walters played Bren's mother
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Analysis

BBC entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba

Victoria Wood will be remembered for her talent and her outstanding versatility.

Her keen observational style meant she was able to create memorable characters, routines and songs in the world of comedy and beyond - she applied the same skills to her Bafta-winning drama Housewife, 49.

Audiences related to her wit and warmth, and particularly her ability to find the humour in the most ordinary situations.

Most of all they recognised she was one of the most gifted entertainment figures of her generation. Comedian, writer, singer, actor. She could do it all.
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Wood appeared on BBC One's That's Life! in 1976, which brought her into millions of homes on a frequent basis.

The show's presenter and Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen was also among those who paid tribute.

"I think she is one of our greatest comic writers and performers, but she could also deal with serious issues as well, and she's a huge loss," Dame Esther said.

"She did a one-woman show for Childline where I felt hugely privileged to interview her and she told the story of her life with such wit. She just held us all enchanted for a whole evening."

Harry Potter author JK Rowling retweeted a link to a video of Wood performing one of her comedy songs, Reincarnation Song, saying: "Watch and weep. 62 is far too young. RIP Victoria Wood."
Victoria Wood and her children Henry and Grace Image copyright PA
Image caption Victoria Wood took her children Henry and Grace to Buckingham Palace when she received her CBE in 2008

BBC director general Tony Hall said: "Victoria Wood was a woman with a stunning array of talents - a comedian, singer, songwriter, actress and director. People identified with her warmth and great charm.

"She brought people from all walks of life together and made them laugh and cry. She will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with her friends and family."

British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute, saying: "Victoria Wood was a national treasure loved by millions. My thoughts are with her family."

Wood also broke records with her stand-up tours, where her live comedy was interspersed with original comedy songs performed at the piano, and won her British Comedy Awards in 1990 and 2001.

She performed a record-breaking 15 nights at the Royal Albert Hall in 1993 as part of a six-month tour of the country - something her brother Chris was very proud of.

"The best thing for me was when she played the Albert Hall," he told the BBC. "I was very used to seeing her do her stand up in smaller halls and theatres but for her to be able to come on stage on her own and entertain, control and use an audience of 15,000 was absolutely superb.

"She had a great struggle early on and had to work hard for years to break through. It was her single-minded drive to succeed in the business that pulled her through."
Paul Hollywood, Victoria Wood, Mary Berry
Image caption Victoria won The Great Comic Relief Bake Off in 2015 with her Two Soups cake based on her famous sketch

Wood did a lot of charity work and visited Ethiopia in 1990 and Zimbabwe in 1998 for Comic Relief.

She also won the Great Comic Relief Bake Off in 2015.

The star also made documentaries including Victoria's Empire about the British Empire and Victoria Wood's Big Fat Documentary about the diet industry.

She was awarded an OBE in 1997 and awarded a CBE in 2008.

Wood married magician Geoffrey Durham, known as the Great Soprendo, in 1980 - and divorced in 2002.

She is survived by her two children, Grace and Henry.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

The Purple One has passed . . . I had to pull over in my car to cry. The world has been robbed of a good, wonderful person, as well as a supremely talented musician. The world is a poorer place. I will miss you and your work so much . . ."This is what it sounds like when doves cry . . ."

[ferret]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

The Purple One has passed . . . I had to pull over in my car to cry. The world has been robbed of a good, wonderful person, as well as a supremely talented musician. The world is a poorer place. I will miss you and your work so much . . ."This is what it sounds like when doves cry . . ."

It's a sad day here in Minnesota today...

[~ocean]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

The Purple One has passed . . . I had to pull over in my car to cry. The world has been robbed of a good, wonderful person, as well as a supremely talented musician. The world is a poorer place. I will miss you and your work so much . . ."This is what it sounds like when doves cry . . ."

what is also sad about his death is that he recently couldn't finish a concert due to bad health ~ there is more to his death. Maybe a doctor's lack of judgement ? something is wrong somewhere . RIP PRINCE

[jools66]

This is a real shock.
I loved Prince, and his music.
His numerous styles of music.
His passion for his art.
He was the most amazing artist I saw live.
Thank you Prince for sharing your gift with us.

[jools66]

What a very sad loss.
Loved her shows, loved her comic rhymes on the piano.
She was just brilliant.
Dinner ladies, absolute killer writing.
Will miss her, a national treasure.

[*Anya*]

I think I am beginning to know what it was like when movie stars and contemporaries of my parents started to die and they would feel sad about it.

When it was stars or singers, I would always think to myself, "You didn't even know them, what's the deal?".

I think that is the arrogance of youth.

Now, each time someone passes that I can mark a memory or moment in time, it makes me feel so nostalgic.

I have become my parents!

Prince's passing reminds me of so many great, fun, times in the 80's. I can remember 1999 on my cassette, popping it in my VW bug and singing it at the top of my lungs.

I am so sad!

[A. Spectre]

The New Yorker cover, next week

[MysticOceansFL]

May it rain purple in haven for him forever in peace. :-(

[cricket26]

[JDeere]

I can't believe Prince is gone, as well as Chyna!

Patty Duke so far has hurt my heart the most, she was a huge advocate for bi polar disorder. She brought the disease to the forefront for my parents, to understand what is wrong with me.

[candy_coated_bitch]

So sad about Prince. Too many legends are being taken from us too young. He was too young. What a shock.

[Kobi]

William Schallert, an amazingly busy “everyman” character actor for nearly seven decades who had trouble on television with Tribbles, Dobie Gillis and those identical two-of-a-kind cousins played by Patty Duke, has died. He was 93.

Schallert, who has nearly 400 credits on IMDb stretching from 1947 to 2014, died Sunday at his home in Pacific Palisades, his son Edwin said.

Schallert in 2004 made the list of TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Dads (he placed No. 39) for playing the constantly bedeviled Martin Lane — the warm-hearted father of reckless teenager Patty Lane (Duke) and the uncle of her level-headed twin cousin Cathy (also Duke) — on The Patty Duke Show, which aired from 1963-66 on ABC.

On CBS’ hip sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which ran from 1959-63, Schallert recurred as Leander Pomfritt, an English teacher often flummoxed by two students in particular: Dobie (Dwayne Hickman) and his beatnik buddy Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver). (Herbert Anderson was the first choice for the role of Pomfritt, but he chose to play the dad on Dennis the Menace.)

But for all his work — Schallert also played small-town Mississippi mayor Webb Schubert in the Oscar-winning best picture In the Heat of the Night (1967) — the actor often said that the character for which he was most recognized was Federation Undersecretary of Agricultural Affairs Nilz Baris. He’s the guy who discovered the batch of furry grain-devouring aliens in “The Trouble With Tribbles,” the classic December 1967 episode of NBC’s Star Trek.

The genial Los Angeles native starred in 1956 in the very first installment of the famed live CBS anthology series Playhouse 90, directed by John Frankenheimer, and played Admiral Hargrade, the brittle founder of CONTROL, on Get Smart; the librarian Mr. Bloomgarden on Leave It to Beaver; the fathers of Wendie Malick on Dream On and a grown-up Gidget (Caryn Richman) on The New Gidget; Agent Frank Harper on The Wild, Wild West (stepping in for Ross Martin, sidelined after a heart attack); and Mayor Norris on True Blood.

Oh, and later he was the voice of Milton the Toaster, the long-running spokesman in commercials for Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts.

Schallert served as SAG president from 1979-81, and during his tenure (which saw the actors go on strike for 94 days, with pay TV an issue for the first time), he founded the Committee for Performers With Disabilities. (Duke was SAG president after her TV dad was.)

In 1993, Schallert received the Ralph Morgan Award for service to the guild.

Roles in other science-fiction films like Them! (1954), Gog (1954) and The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) followed, as did work in Red Badge of Courage (1951), Singin’ in the Rain (1952) — though his scene was left on the cutting room floor — The High and the Mighty (1954), Written on the Wind (1956), Roger Corman’s Gunslinger (1956), Friendly Persuasion (1956) and Pillow Talk (1959).

The dependable Schallert played Walter Matthau's mild-mannered deputy (his favorite role) in the Kirk Douglas starrer Lonely Are the Brave (1962), a down-and-out ex-racer opposite Elvis Presley in Speedway (1968), a professor in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and a sheriff in Charley Varrick (1973) with his pal, Walter Matthau.

Later, he appeared in The Jerk (1979), and director Joe Dante cast him in such films as Gremlins (1984), Innerspace (1987) and Matinee (1993).

Schallert was poised to be a leading man when he signed on to play a cartoonist whose creation comes to life in ABC’s Philbert, a pilot created by famed animator Friz Freleng. But the show never made it on the air.

Schallert was a guest star on such TV series as The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Father Knows Best, The Twilight Zone, Peter Gunn, Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Maude, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Desperate Housewives and How I Met Your Mother.

And he had recurring roles on Philip Marlowe, The Waltons, Norman Lear’s The Nancy Walker Show, The Nancy Drew Mysteries (as the lawyer father of the amateur sleuth played by Pamela Sue Martin), The Duck Factory (as Jim Carrey’s dad) and The Torkelsons as an elderly boarder who lives on Martin Lane (get it?).

He performed in numerous miniseries, including 1979’s Blind Ambition (as Richard Nixon adviser Herbert Kalmbach), 1986’s North and South, Book II (as Robert E. Lee), 1988-89’s War and Remembrance, 2008’s Recount and 2011’s Bag of Bones, recruited by Stephen King.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ty-duke-732312

[Kobi]

Morley Safer, a CBS television correspondent who brought the horrors of the Vietnam War into the living rooms of America in the 1960s and was a mainstay of the network’s newsmagazine “60 Minutes” for almost five decades, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 84.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/19/bu...dies.html?_r=0