The RIP Famous Person Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Tangerine Dream's Edgar Froese dies at 70
Edgar Froese, founder of the German electronic rock group Tangerine Dream, has died
By AP
2:44PM GMT 24 Jan 2015



Edgar Froese, who founded the influential German electronic rock group Tangerine Dream in 1967, has died at 70.
The band said Froese died unexpectedly from the effects of a pulmonary embolism in Vienna on Tuesday.
Froese was born June 6, 1944, in the East Prussian town of Tilsit, now the Russian city of Sovetsk.

He was the only constant member of Tangerine Dream, which released more than 100 albums. They also recorded a number of soundtracks, including the music for Tom Cruise's film Risky Business and the video game Grand Theft Auto V.
The band's synth-driven sound, which has similarities to that of Pink Floyd, is credited with influencing the later emergence of trance, ambient and electronica. John Peel named their 1973 record Atem as his album of the year

According to his fellow band members, Froese believed that "there is no death, there is just a change of our cosmic address".

[can123]

Demis Roussos

Demis Roussos - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[helge]

Brother had a couple of singles with Demis

Brings back memories

Great voice

[harrybarracuda]

Inventor of laser dies at age 99
Charles Townes won Nobel Prize in physics in 1964

UPDATED 9:03 PM EST Jan 27, 2015



BERKLEY, Calif. —Charles Hard Townes, the inventor of the laser, died Tuesday.

Townes, 99, was in failing health and died on his way to a hospital, according to the University of California Berkley.

Townes was born in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated from Furman University.

Townes came up with the idea for the laser in 1951. The idea eventually led to the first laser, now commonly used in medicine, communication, entertainment and science.

Townes received a Nobel Prize in physics and the Templeton Prize for contributions to the understanding of religion.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Hildreth Townes, whom he married in 1941; daughters Holly Townes, Linda Rosenwein, Ellen Townes-Anderson and Carla Kessler; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

[harrybarracuda]

Carl Djerassi, developer of birth control pill, dies at 91



American chemist Carl Djerassi, one of the main developers of the birth control pill, has died at the age of 91 in San Francisco. He synthesized a female hormone that became the basis for oral contraceptives.

The chemist Carl Djerassi was known for synthesizing progesterone, a female hormone in 1951 that is involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, a development that formed the basis for oral contraceptives for women.
On the basis of this scientific achievement, he helped develop the birth control pill in cooperation with the Boston pharmacologists Gregory Pincus and John Rock.
Djerassi also contributed to synthesizing the steroid hormone cortisone, paving the way for new kinds of medical treatment for various diseases.
Carl Djerassi was born in Vienna in 1923. He was the son of a Jewish Austrian-Bulgarian couple, both doctors. Because of his Jewish origin he was forced to flee Austria when it was annexed by Adolf Hitler in 1938. Djerassi left for Bulgaria and then moved to the US, where he became an internationally renowned scientist and eventually professor emeritus at Stanford University.
Later in life, he also published poems, short stories, novels and plays. His first play, "An Immaculate Misconception" (1998), was translated into 12 languages and staged in the UK, the US, Germany, Austria, Japan and other countries.
As a famous art collector, Djerassi owned one of the most impressive collections of paintings by Paul Klee and gave about half of them to the Albertina museum in Vienna.
He died in San Francisco on Friday at the age of 91, according to a museum spokeswoman.

Carl Djerassi, developer of birth control pill, dies at 91 | News | DW.DE | 31.01.2015

[harrybarracuda]

Miss Marple actress Geraldine McEwan dies aged 82
By Nicola Harley6:09PM GMT 31 Jan 2015

Actress Geraldine McEwan, known for playing Agatha Christie sleuth Miss Marple on television, has died aged 82, her family said.



McEwan starred in the role of Agatha Christie's spinster consultant detective Jane Marple in 12 films aired on ITV.
The Bafta award winner had a long and successful career in theatre, television and films which saw her work with the likes of Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Williams.
Her son Greg and daughter Claudia said in a statement: "Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30.
"Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well."

She starred along side Laurence Olivier in numerous stage plays, including Love for Love, The Entertainer, The Dance of Death, and A Flea in Her Ear. Geraldine originated the female role in Joe Orton's Loot.
Her film work includes The Dance of Death with Laurence Olivier, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Alan Rickman, Henry V and Love's Labour's Lost, both with Kenneth Branagh, Vanity Fair, and The Magdalene Sisters.
In 2004, McEwan was chosen as the new Agatha Christie sleuth, Jane Marple and filmed twelve two hour mysteries before retiring from the role in 2008.
She said at the time: "Of course, it is terribly disappointing to have to pass the baton on, but it has been a marvellous experience to inhabit this role for the last few years, and I am sure that my successor, whomever she may be, will thoroughly enjoy her time with the production team - and with the extraordinarily talented group of writers and actors that they come up with for each series.
"It's been an absolute pleasure to work on Miss Marple since 2003, and I leave with fond memories."
McEwan was born in Old Windsor, England and made her theatre debut at the age of 14 at the Theatre Royal in Windsor.
By the age of 18 she was starring in London's West End in several long-running popular productions.
During the 1950's she acted with the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961.
In 1976 she had the distinction of being nominated for an Olivier Award in two separate categories.
She won the BAFTA Best Actress Award in 1991 for her performance as the Mother in Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and in 1995 she won the Evening Standard Best Actress Award for her performance of Lady Wishfort in The Way of the World.

[harrybarracuda]

One for our convict chums:

5:28pm February 5, 2015
Actor Norman Yemm dies at 82



Norman Yemm, one of the most recognisable faces on Australian TV in the seventies and eighties, has died.

Yemm, who appeared on police dramas Division 4, Matlock Police and Blue Heelers, as well as Prisoner, A Country Practice and Neighbours, was 82.

Former The Sullivans star Lorraine Bayly, who worked alongside Yemm on the 1970s drama, said he was a delight to work with.

"It's a sad, sad thing," Bayly told Fairfax radio.

"He was such a lovely, lovely man and such a good actor.

"You could just rely on him totally."

The Sullivans was a hugely successful show on the Nine Network.

"The Nine Network was saddened to hear of the passing today of Norman Yemm who was an important part of the early years of drama at Nine, in particular with the iconic series The Sullivans," Nine said in a statement.

"We send our condolences to his family and friends at this time."

The Seven Network paid tribute to Yemm, who apeared on the channel's successful police series Homicide.

"Norman Yemm was a much loved member of the original Homicide cast," a Seven spokeswoman said.

"Norman was an understated person, who gave his best to each and every performance, which is why audiences loved his work.

"We held Norman in the highest regard and send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends."

Yemm's most notable shows on Network Ten were on Number 96, Prisoner and Neighbours.

"Norman Yemm was a great Australian actor, appearing in many iconic television series across all networks and bringing his enormous talent to myriad roles," a Ten spokesman said.

"He will be sorely missed by many Australians."

© AAP 2015


Read more at Actor Norman Yemm dies at 82 - 9news.com.au


Sounds like he had an interesting life:

Norman Yemm played football for Port Melbourne, became one of the principal baritones for the Australian Opera Company and then went on to become a household name on television series such as Homicide and The Sullivans.

[palexxxx]

Another one for us Aussies, and I'm surprised this hasn't been post already is Colleen McCulllough.

Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died in hospital on Norfolk Island, aged 77.
The popular writer was most well known for her sweeping family drama, The Thorn Birds, set on a remote sheep station in outback Australia.
The book, which sold 30 million copies worldwide, was sold for a then-record $1.9 million and a miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck became one of the most watched of all time.
But The Thorn Birds was just one of the many books McCullough wrote in a career spanning four decades.
Her first novel, Tim, written in 1974, tells the story of the relationship between an older woman and a younger, developmentally impaired man.
It too was dramatised and became one of actor Mel Gibson's first films.


Colleen McCullough: Internationally acclaimed Australian Thorn Birds author dies aged 77 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[harrybarracuda]

Another one for us Aussies, and I'm surprised this hasn't been post already is Colleen McCulllough.

Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died in hospital on Norfolk Island, aged 77.
The popular writer was most well known for her sweeping family drama, The Thorn Birds, set on a remote sheep station in outback Australia.
The book, which sold 30 million copies worldwide, was sold for a then-record $1.9 million and a miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck became one of the most watched of all time.
But The Thorn Birds was just one of the many books McCullough wrote in a career spanning four decades.
Her first novel, Tim, written in 1974, tells the story of the relationship between an older woman and a younger, developmentally impaired man.
It too was dramatised and became one of actor Mel Gibson's first films.


Colleen McCullough: Internationally acclaimed Australian Thorn Birds author dies aged 77 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Because if you feel the need to post that you are gayer than Richard Chamberlain.

[palexxxx]

Another one for us Aussies, and I'm surprised this hasn't been post already is Colleen McCulllough.

Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died in hospital on Norfolk Island, aged 77.
The popular writer was most well known for her sweeping family drama, The Thorn Birds, set on a remote sheep station in outback Australia.
The book, which sold 30 million copies worldwide, was sold for a then-record $1.9 million and a miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck became one of the most watched of all time.
But The Thorn Birds was just one of the many books McCullough wrote in a career spanning four decades.
Her first novel, Tim, written in 1974, tells the story of the relationship between an older woman and a younger, developmentally impaired man.
It too was dramatised and became one of actor Mel Gibson's first films.


Colleen McCullough: Internationally acclaimed Australian Thorn Birds author dies aged 77 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Because if you feel the need to post that you are gayer than Richard Chamberlain.

So, it's gay posting about the death of an author of a book that sold 30,000,000 copies, but it's ok to post about the death of

a Miss Marple actor,
a British soapie actor,
a British sitcom actor
or a tv producer who invented instant replay.


No disrespect intended to any of the above.

[can123]

You were perfectly in order to report her death, Paleface. "The Thornbirds" was an extremely popular series all over the world and Harry Barracuda is acting like a complete twit in opposing that posting.

Richard Chamberlain's sexuality is of no consequence to intelligent human beings who acknowledge his abilities as an actor.

[thaimeme]

You were perfectly in order to report her death, Paleface. "The Thornbirds" was an extremely popular series all over the world and Harry Barracuda is acting like a complete twit in opposing that posting.

Richard Chamberlain's sexuality is of no consequence to intelligent human beings who acknowledge his abilities as an actor.

Unfortunately, there are those whom consider what someone is before considering who they are....

[harrybarracuda]

Another one for us Aussies, and I'm surprised this hasn't been post already is Colleen McCulllough.

Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died in hospital on Norfolk Island, aged 77.
The popular writer was most well known for her sweeping family drama, The Thorn Birds, set on a remote sheep station in outback Australia.
The book, which sold 30 million copies worldwide, was sold for a then-record $1.9 million and a miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck became one of the most watched of all time.
But The Thorn Birds was just one of the many books McCullough wrote in a career spanning four decades.
Her first novel, Tim, written in 1974, tells the story of the relationship between an older woman and a younger, developmentally impaired man.
It too was dramatised and became one of actor Mel Gibson's first films.


Colleen McCullough: Internationally acclaimed Australian Thorn Birds author dies aged 77 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Because if you feel the need to post that you are gayer than Richard Chamberlain.

So, it's gay posting about the death of an author of a book that sold 30,000,000 copies, but it's ok to post about the death of

a Miss Marple actor,
a British soapie actor,
a British sitcom actor
or a tv producer who invented instant replay.


No disrespect intended to any of the above.

fuck did you not see the smiley old boy?

[palexxxx]

^ Nope, I'm afraid I didn't see the original one. But the slightly larger one is visible enough. Use that one in future please.

[harrybarracuda]

Japanese designer behind iconic soy sauce bottle dies at 85
Kyodo
Posted at 02/09/2015 11:22 AM | Updated as of 02/09/2015 11:30 AM





Industrial designer Kenji Ekuan, who crafted a soy sauce dispenser now ubiquitous in Japan and around the world, is seen in a file photo. Photo by Kyodo
TOKYO - Industrial designer Kenji Ekuan, who crafted a soy sauce dispenser now ubiquitous in Japan and around the world, died of a heart rhythm disorder at a Tokyo hospital early Sunday morning, his office said Monday. He was 85.

Ekuan in 1957 founded GK Industrial Design Associates, which later became GK Design Group, and in 1961 designed a soy sauce dispenser for Kikkoman Corp. that found enduring success worldwide.

The Tokyo native was also behind the distinctive shape of the "Komachi" high-speed trains running on the Akita Shinkansen Line, and the Narita Express connecting Narita airport with Tokyo. He also designed motorcycles for Yamaha Motor Co.

Ekuan worked on several expositions, serving as co-general producer for the World Design Exposition 1989 held in Nagoya.

In 1979 Ekuan was awarded the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design's Colin King Grand Prix. The Japanese government honored him with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in 2000.

[panama hat]

Another one for us Aussies, and I'm surprised this hasn't been post already is Colleen McCulllough.

Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died in hospital on Norfolk Island, aged 77.
The popular writer was most well known for her sweeping family drama, The Thorn Birds, set on a remote sheep station in outback Australia.
The book, which sold 30 million copies worldwide, was sold for a then-record $1.9 million and a miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Barbara Stanwyck became one of the most watched of all time.
But The Thorn Birds was just one of the many books McCullough wrote in a career spanning four decades.
Her first novel, Tim, written in 1974, tells the story of the relationship between an older woman and a younger, developmentally impaired man.
It too was dramatised and became one of actor Mel Gibson's first films.


Colleen McCullough: Internationally acclaimed Australian Thorn Birds author dies aged 77 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Excellent writer, had to read 'Tim' at school

[harrybarracuda]

Got to be a big Hollywood one coming, last year we had a little flurry just before the Oscars.

[Necron99]

The last survivor of the USS Arizona died today, made it to his 100th birthday.

[peaches]

Got to be a big Hollywood one coming, last year we had a little flurry just before the Oscars.

harrynostradamus.

[harrybarracuda]

The last survivor of the USS Arizona died today, made it to his 100th birthday.

The oldest survivor, and the last surviving officer. There are eight left.

[Davis Knowlton]

^Huh?

[misskit]

Survivor of USS Arizona From Pearl Harbor Attack Dies at 100

The oldest living crew member of the battleship USS Arizona to have survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor has died in Northern California at the age of 100.

Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Langdell died Feb. 4 at a nursing home in Yuba City, according to his son, Ted Langdell. A tally maintained by the USS Arizona Reunion Association, for which Langdell had served as president, identified him as not only the oldest Arizona survivor, but the last surviving officer from the naval ship that lost 1,177 men — nearly four-fifths of its crew — when it was bombed on Dec. 7, 1941.

Langdell was an ensign on an assignment that had him sleeping on a military base adjacent to the ship in Honolulu on the morning Pearl Harbor was attacked. He spent the following hours and days trying to rescue shipmates from the burning water, preparing for another possible air assault and leading the survivors tasked with removing the remains of the dead from the partially sunken ship, his son said.

"I felt absolutely helpless as I watched the attack," Langdell told The Associated Press on the 56th anniversary of the attack that drew the United States into World War II. "If I had been aboard, I would have been killed in that No. 2 (gun) turret. That was the one that blew up. It was my luck to be assigned off the ship that day."

The New Hampshire native spent another four years in the Navy before going to work as an auctioneer, a furniture manufacturer's representative and eventually the long-time owner of a Yuba City furniture store.

Ted Langdell said his father did not talk about Pearl Harbor during his childhood and returned there for the first time since the war in 1976, when his older son was in the Navy. After that, Langdell took comfort in meeting with fellow survivors and pride in always wearing a USS Arizona hat.

"It drew attention not just to him, but gave him the chance to tell stories," the son said. "Anyone in the service has stories to tell if you make the effort to listen and to really hear and try to understand what they are saying."

Per his wishes, Langdell's ashes will be put aboard the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, mostly likely on Dec. 7.

The reunion association says there are now eight remaining survivors.

Survivor of USS Arizona From Pearl Harbor Attack Dies at 100 - ABC News

[harrybarracuda]

^Huh?

The oldest of nine survivors, and the only surviving officer.

[Davis Knowlton]

^ and ^^. Got it.

[BaitongBoy]

Got to be a big Hollywood one coming, last year we had a little flurry just before the Oscars.

Who do you think might be "in the running?"...