The RIP Famous Person Thread

[Humbert]

^Very scary illness. My son, at age 23, discovered lumps in his armpits and the initial prognosis was non-hodgkins lymphoma but after testing he was diagnosed with lupus. That was a huge relief.

[peterpan]

AP
LEGEND: Andy Whitfield as the ancient warrior Sparctacus in the New Zealand-filmed series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.



BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WARRIOR: Andy Whitfield, star of the NZ-filmed series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died aged 37.

Friends and family have paid tribute to former Spartacus star Andy Whitfield, who died on Sunday after a battle with cancer.
Whitfield's manager Sam Maydew said the 37-year-old actor died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sydney, Australia.
Whitfield's wife Vashti in a statement called her husband a "beautiful young warrior" who died on a "sunny Sydney morning" in the "arms of his loving wife".
Whitfield - who was born in Wales and lived in Australia - was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the title hero in New Zealand-filmed series Spartacus, a hit original series that made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.
Whitfield was preparing for the second season when he was diagnosed 18 months ago.
New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless, who co-starred with Whitfield, said he had left an "indelible mark on all of us in the Spartacus family".
"He was a gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, a gifted photographer, engineer (no really!) and a brilliant actor," Lawless wrote on her website.
"Andy's incandescent film presence made men want to be him and women want to marry him."
"How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives."

Spartacus director and producer Michael Hurst said production was stopped at all the show's studios this morning and cast and crew were told of Whitfield's death together.
"We took a little time to digest things and then carried on," Hurst said.
"The best tribute we can give to Andy is to go on and make a terrific show."
Hurst said although he was well aware of Whitefield's illness, the news was still sudden.
"But we're a strong family. We all loved Andy and he gave us his blessing. So we're getting on with it."
Spartacus: Blood and Sand creator and executive producer Steven DeKnight expressed his sadness at the announcement of Whitfield's passing via Twitter.
"No words to express the depth of such a loss. You will be deeply missed, my brother," McKnight said.
The Starz network also released a statement through the show's Facebook site.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield. We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life.
"Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and fans."
In January the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.



sorry, hadn't seen Humberts earlier post

[DrAndy]

but after testing he was diagnosed with lupus. That was a huge relief.

I suppose that was better than dying of cancer but it must still have been a nasty shock

[Mr Lick]

All My Children star Mary Fickett dies



Mary Fickett, an original cast member on US soap opera All My Children, has died at her Virginia home after a period of ill health, aged 83.

The actress played nurse Ruth Martin in the show's first episode in January 1970 and last appeared in 2000.

She made history in 1973 when she became the first performer to receive an Emmy for work on daytime television.

The soap will dedicate an episode to the actress on 21 September, two days before the entire series ends.

Fickett had two spells on the series, which is set in the fictional Pennsylvania town of Pine Valley, first from 1970 to 1995 and then again from 1998 to 2000.

She won her Emmy after her character's son was sent to Vietnam and she became a vocal critic of the war - a storyline that troubled TV executives at the time.

Over the years, viewers also saw Ruth experience an abusive first husband and a rape at the hands of her adopted son's biological father.

In Fickett's last episode, her character and on-screen husband, Dr Joe Martin, retired to Florida after years of melodrama.

[Mr Lick]

Pop art pioneer Richard Hamilton dies at the age of 89





British artist Richard Hamilton, regarded as a pioneer in the field of Pop art, has died at the age of 89 following a short illness.

The London-born artist's best known work was a 1956 collage featuring a body builder and a tin of ham, which earned him the title "Father of Pop".

The Gagosian Gallery, which announced his death, said the art world had "lost one of its leading lights".

He was working on a major retrospective just days before he died.

The exhibition is due to be seen in London, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Madrid next year.

Larry Gagosian, who owns several galleries around the world, said: "This is a very sad day for all of us and our thoughts are with Richard's family, particularly his wife Rita and son Rod."

Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota said Hamilton died as he "would have wished", working on his art.

In an interview with the BBC last year, Hamilton said: "I've always done exactly I wanted to do and I've always had the good fortune to do that."



Richard Hamilton had a major exhibition in London last year

[Mr Lick]

Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain dies aged 80





Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Grand National winner Red Rum, has died aged 80 after suffering from cancer.
McCain guided "Rummy" to three victories and two second places in a five-year period during the 1970s.

He was nicknamed 'Mister Aintree' for his record at the Merseyside track, and won a fourth National with Amberleigh House in 2004.

In 2006, McCain handed the reins to son Donald who won the Grand National with Ballabriggs this year.



Portrait of Red Rum

[harrybarracuda]

Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain dies aged 80





Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Grand National winner Red Rum, has died aged 80 after suffering from cancer.
McCain guided "Rummy" to three victories and two second places in a five-year period during the 1970s.

He was nicknamed 'Mister Aintree' for his record at the Merseyside track, and won a fourth National with Amberleigh House in 2004.

In 2006, McCain handed the reins to son Donald who won the Grand National with Ballabriggs this year.



Portrait of Red Rum

What a bloke, I'm sure he'll be looking forward to reunited with the little feller. He really created a gem:

Red Rum was bred at Rossenarra stud in Kells, County Kilkenny, Ireland, by Martyn McEnery. Bred to win one-mile races, he won his National titles over the longest distance, four miles and four furlongs. "Rummy" started off in life running in cheap races as a sprinter and dead-heated in a five-furlong flat race at Aintree Racecourse. In his early career he was once ridden by Lester Piggott. After being passed from training yard to training yard, he found his footing when Liverpool car dealer Ginger McCain bought him for his client Noel le Mare and famously trained the horse on the sands at Southport.

McCain, who also won the Grand National in 2004 with Amberleigh House, thirty-one years after his first victory with Red Rum, reportedly took Red Rum for a therapeutic swim in the sea off Southport before his first National appearances to help treat the horse's pedalostitis, a debilitating, incurable bone disease in his foot.

[Mr Lick]

Dolores Hope leans over to talk with her husband, entertainer Bob Hope, as they ride in a car as Grand Marshals for a parade in his honor in Toluca Lake in this May 30, 1998 file photo. Dolores Hope died on September 19 at age 102.



7th August 1939: American comic and film actor Bob Hope (1903 - 2003) and his wife Dolores arrive at London's Waterloo Station on the Normandie boat train.

[Mr Lick]

R&B Singer Vesta Williams Dies


Best known for the hits "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Congratulations," Williams, 53, was found dead on Thursday in an El Segundo, California, hotel room. A cause of death has not been determined

[harrybarracuda]

Dad's Army Writer David Croft Dies Aged 89



David Croft, who wrote hit British sitcoms including Dad's Army and Are You Being
Served? has died aged 89.

David Croft wrote some of Britain's best-loved nostalgia-based sitcoms

His agent Tim Hancock said he died at his holiday home in Portugal.
Among his other hit shows were 'Allo 'Allo, It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Hi-De-Hi!

[Mr Lick]

I suspect that he will be well remembered by the public Harry. Some fine comedy series to be involved with

His marriage of 61 years produced 7 children. A busy man indeed.

RIP, 89 is a good innings sir, well played.

[Amina]

Dolores Hope leans over to talk with her husband, entertainer Bob Hope, as they ride in a car as Grand Marshals for a parade in his honor in Toluca Lake in this May 30, 1998 file photo. Dolores Hope died on September 19 at age 102.



7th August 1939: American comic and film actor Bob Hope (1903 - 2003) and his wife Dolores arrive at London's Waterloo Station on the Normandie boat train.

RIP Dolores Hope - We will always remember you and Bob very fondly.
Amina

[Mr Lick]

Implantable pacemaker inventor Wilson Greatbatch dies





The man who invented the first successful implantable cardiac pacemaker, Wilson Greatbatch, has died in Buffalo, New York, aged 92.

His pacemaker was first implanted in humans in 1960 and keeps the heart beating in a regular rhythm.

Now, hundreds of thousands of people receive pacemakers every year.

Greatbatch's cause of death is not known. But Larry Maciariello, his son-in-law, told reporters his health had been "intermittent".

He held more than 150 patents.

The first successful implant of a pacemaker took place at the Buffalo Veterans' Affairs Hospital. The 77-year-old patient lived for 18 months after the device was implanted.

In 2010, Greatbatch marked the 50th anniversary of the medical device.

His company Greatbatch Ltd - formerly Wilson Greatbatch Ltd - was founded in 1970 and manufactures batteries for the implantable pacemaker.

Inventing was Greatbatch's lifelong passion. In 1998 he was admitted to the National Inventors' Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio.

In 1983, the implantable pacemaker was named one of the 10 great engineering contributions to society in the part 50 years, by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

[daveboy]

Former England bowler Graham Dilley has died aged 52 after a short illness.
The former Kent and Worcestershire paceman played 41 Test matches and 36 one-day internationals.
His best moment came in 1981, when he helped England complete a memorable win in the third Ashes Test.
"Few will forget his contribution during the historic Ashes win at Headingley in 1981," said David Collier, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

[TizMe]

Steve Jobs dies; obituary; Apple's co-founder transformed computers, culture - latimes.com

Steve Jobs dies.

Steven P. Jobs, the charismatic technology pioneer who co-founded Apple Inc. and transformed one industry after another, from computers and smartphones to music and movies, has died. He was 56.

Apple's home page today: http://www.apple.com

[jamiejambos]

I check in the hope it is Margaret Thatcher. Looks as though the Grim Reaper is closing in.

get your post prepared . . . may not have to wait too much longer.

Lady Thatcher to be honoured with State funeral
Margaret Thatcher is to be given the ultimate accolade of a State funeral when she reaches the end of her days – the first British Prime Minister since Winston Churchill to be afforded such an honour.
The Queen and Gordon Brown are both in discussions with Lady Thatcher’s private office concerning the arrangements. This does not reflect any concern over Lady Thatcher’s health, but simply the prudent long-term planning necessary for any event involving the Queen.
It has not yet been decided whether the 82-year-old former Conservative leader will lie in state in Westminster Hall. To date the only Prime Minister in the 20th and 21st centuries to be given this honour was Churchill.
There were four non-Royal State funerals in the 19th century – Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston and Gladstone.

Maybe we will be lucky enough if her son Mark drives the Hearse accompanied by his sister Carol.

[taxexile]

Bert Jansch, guitar wizard, dies aged 67

Bert Jansch, the folk musician who helped found Pentangle and who inspired a generation of musicians, has died of cancer.








Bert Jansch, once of Pentangle, and one of Britain's most influential guitarists, has died at the age of 67





By Martin Chilton, Digital Culture Editor

1:06PM BST 05 Oct 2011



28 Comments







Bert Jansch, one of the most influential British musicians of modern times, has died at the age of 67 after a long battle with lung cancer. He spent his last days in a Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, London.


His complex, revolutionary and beautiful acoustic guitar-playing influenced countless musicians including Johnny Marr, who said: "He completely re-invented guitar playing and set a standard that is still unequalled today."


Spokesman Mick Houghton said Jansch died early Wednesday morning after being in hospital for seven weeks. He was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago. His final performance was at a reunion of Pentangle at London's Royal Festival Hall on 1st August, following solo performances earlier this year when he opened for Canadian singer Neil Young.


Houghton said today: "I don't know anyone who had less of a sense of celebrity. He was always very self-effacing and critical adulation was completely irrelevant to him."



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Born Herbert Jansch on 3 November 1943 in Glasgow - to a family originally from Hamburg - he is survived by his wife Loren. Jansch, a key figure in the folk revival in Britain in the 1960s. Between 1967 and 1973, he was part of Pentangle. He received two Lifetime Achievement Awards at the BBC Folk Awards and in all he released 23 solo albums, the last of which, The Black Swan (2006), featured collaborations with Beth Orton and Devendra Banhart and contributions from his son Adam Jansch.

Young, with whom Jansch toured last year, said: "As much of a great guitar player as Jimi [Hendrix] was, Bert Jansch is the same thing for acoustic guitar . . . and my favourite."

Jansch once said that his debut album, called Bert Jansch, in 1965 was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape using "four borrowed guitars" because he didn't own his own guitar.

Jimmy Page said: "At one point, I was absolutely obsessed with Bert Jansch. When I first heard that first LP of his in 1965, I couldn’t believe it. It was so far ahead of what everyone else was doing. No one in America could touch that."



Former Smiths guitarists Johnny Marr said: “He completely re-invented guitar playing and set a standard that is still unequalled today - without Bert Jansch, rock music as it developed in the 1960s and 1970s would have been very different. You hear him in Nick Drake, Pete Townshend, Donovan, The Beatles, Jimmy Page and Neil Young. There are people playing guitar who don’t even realise they’ve been influenced by him one step removed."

Jansch was as proud of his songwriting skills as his guitar playing prowess, saying once: "I think I come under the singer/songwriter badge. I've always written songs right from the very beginning. Because of my style of playing people tend of me more of a guitar player than a singer sometimes. I'd always had an interest in guitar from about seven years old. But I first actually had lessons when I was about fifteen in Scotland, in Edinburgh. There was a folk club there and a girl called Jill Doyle taught me the guitar, who happened to be Davey Graham's sister. Davey Graham is one of my heroes and always has been. Fantastic guitar player. And he's had a strong influence on me all the way through."

He had a roaming spirit and lived in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, America and Wales at various stages of his life. After moving to London in the 1960s, he helped form Pentangle, the acoustic supergroup with John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox. Pentangle split in 1973 but retained a loyal following and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, playing two songs – the first time the original band had played together in 35 years. A full UK tour for Pentangle followed in 2008, which was a triumphant reunion.

Scottish folk star Dick Gaughan said: “He revolutionised the guitar. I don’t think anybody has ever been revered as much as he is."

[harrybarracuda]

A legend for The Blues Brothers....

"Don't you say a fucking word....."

NAPIER DIES AT 75








Thursday October 6,2011


Have your say(0)

Veteran actor CHARLES NAPIER has died at the age of 75.


The Blues Brothers star passed away on Wednesday (05Oct11) at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, California.
His death came 24 hours after he was found collapsed at his home and transferred to the medical facility, where he was put on life support in the intensive care unit, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
His cause of death was not known as WENN went to press.
Napier began his career in the U.S. army before moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s to work as a substitute teacher. He reportedly became friends with Hollywood star Jack Nicholson, who helped him find work as an actor.
He enjoyed roles in TV hits such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, Kojak and The Rockford Files, before finding fame as Tucker McElroy in 1980 movie The Blues Brothers with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Napier's other movie credits include Philadelphia, Silence of the Lambs, Rambo: First Blood Part II, The Cable Guy and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

[Mr Lick]

Australian actress Diane Cilento dies aged 78



Oscar-nominated Australian actress Diane Cilento, who was once married to Sean Connery, has died aged 78.

The star, who passed away at the Cairns Base Hospital, close by her Queensland home, rose to fame in the early 1960s opposite stars such as Charlton Heston.

She was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for her role as Molly in the 1963 movie Tom Jones.

Close friend and playwright Michael Gow paid tribute to the star, calling her "a performer to the end".

"She kept us all hugely entertained until the day before yesterday, when she just couldn't manage anymore and we took her to hospital."

No cause of death was given.

Cilento married Connery in 1962, and the couple divorced in 1973. The couple's only son, Jason Connery, went on to star in TV series Robin of Sherwood in the mid-1980s.

[Mr Lick]

Chief Inspector Wexford star George Baker dies aged 80





Actor George Baker, who starred as Chief Inspector Wexford in TV's The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, has died.

The 80-year-old, from West Lavington, Wiltshire, died of pneumonia on Friday having recently suffered a stroke, one of his daughters, Ellie Baker, said.

Although Wexford was probably his most famous role, Baker's repertoire included comedy, drama, soap operas and science fiction over six decades.

He appeared in The Dam Busters and the TV series I, Claudius.

Baker was married three times and leaves five daughters and a number of grandchildren.

Ellie Baker said of her father: "He absolutely loved Wexford and he loved being Wexford... and he loved the whole thing. It was a joy to him."

His third wife, who died earlier this year, was Louie Ramsey, who played his wife Dora in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

As well as acting, Baker was also a talented writer for radio and television and a cookery author. His award-winning play, The Fatal Spring, was shown on BBC Two in 1980.

He was born in Bulgaria in 1931, where his English father was working as a diplomat.



One of Baker's last roles was in the TV spy series Spooks in 2005

When World War II broke out, his Irish mother took him to England, and after a brief spell at public school he became an actor in repertory while still in his teens.

In the 1950s he toured with the Old Vic, and made the first of 30 films, which included The Spy Who Loved Me, The Ship That Died of Shame and The 39 Steps.

He formed his own theatre company and toured the country, acting in and directing plays.

Baker became a familiar face on television, appearing in Minder and Bergerac, before, in 1987, he was cast as the steady, kindly Chief Inspector Wexford in ITV's adaptation of the Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

The show, which lasted for 13 years, drew huge audiences on Sunday evenings.
Baker was awarded an MBE in 2007 for his fundraising activities for his local youth club in West Lavington.

[bobo746]

Australian sporting great Dick Thornett dies

Dick Thornett, part of a select breed of sportsmen to have represented Australia in three sports, died on Wednesday morning aged 71.
The youngest of three brothers in one of Australia's greatest sporting families, Thornett was labelled a "truly inspirational sporting star" by Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr.
He was one of only five Australians to have represented their country in three sports - having been in the water polo team at the 1960 Rome Olympics before turning his hand to rugby union beside brother John.
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After a short yet very successful career in the 15-man game, Dick made the switch to rugby league in 1963, where he joined other brother Ken at Parramatta.
Thornett played for the Eels until the early 1970's and represented NSW on 13 occasions while playing in 11 Tests for Australia.
Carr paid tribute to Thornett and his great influence on the game.
"Dick was a masterful sportsman and this was clearly evident in his ability to adapt and excel at any sport that he chose to embrace," Carr said.
"From a sporting family unlike any other, Dick was lucky enough to have played with both of his brothers at the elite level in two different sports and this is something that he was very proud of."
His death comes just a week before he and his brothers were due to be honoured at a tribute dinner at the SCG

[bobo746]

KEITH HOLMAN DIES AGED 86

Wests Tigers today acknowledges the outstanding Rugby League career of the late Keith Holman who died last night in Sutherland Hospital, aged 86.
Holman played 200 games for the Magpies between 1948 and 1961. This included two Grand Final appearances in 1958 and 1961.
Nicknamed ‘Yappy’, Holman was considered one of Rugby League’s greatest halfbacks, representing Australia in 35 Tests between 1950 and 1958.
Born in Ballarat, Holman trialled for a contract with South Sydney and Manly before heading to Dubbo where he befriended former Wests five-eighth Eric Bennett.
With Bennett’s help, he landed a contract with the Magpies in 1948 and quickly rose through the ranks. It was only a further two years before he’d represent Australia for the first time.
After an outstanding playing career, Holman also enjoyed success in both refereeing and coaching. He refereed in the 1971 Grand Final between St George and Souths as well as two Test Matches between Australia and New Zealand in 1972. He also was in charge of 155 first-grade matches from 1965-1974.
He later went on to coach his beloved Western Suburbs to the Amco Cup title in 1977 and was awarded an MBE in the same year.
Holman is the only man in the history of the game to play and referee in a separate Grand Final and Test Match.
In 2004, Western Suburbs Magpies and Wests Tigers named him as halfback in their “Teams of the Century”.
Wests Tigers Chairman Mike Bailey said that Holman was a true legend of the game.
“Keith was an inspiration to me, the Magpies Club and the Rugby League Community as a whole.
“I got to know Keith when I was growing up. I lived around the corner from him in Sefton and he was one of nature’s true gentlemen. He’d always offer to give me a lift to school and was just a great all-round guy.
“It was a privilege knowing him. He was a real Rugby League hero who will be sadly missed by everyone.”
Keith Holman is survived by his wife Hazel and his three children Christine, Susan and Neale. Keith and Hazel celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last week.
Funeral details will be announced in due course once they are confirmed.
Keith Holman 11 September 1925 to 11 October 2011
Please note: All Rugby League records suggest that Keith’s birth date is 11/9/27. However further investigations from family have discovered that his birth date was actually 11/9/25.

[LooseBowels]

^ ^^

Sounds like 2 real contributors who helped make Rugby League the great game it is today

[Loy Toy]

I never saw Holman play but have distant memories of watching the Thornett brothers.

Great Aussie sportsmen RIP.

[Mr Lick]

Coronation Street actress Betty Driver dies, aged 91



Coronation Street actress Betty Driver has died at the age of 91, a spokesman says.

Driver joined the ITV soap in 1969 as barmaid Betty Turpin - later Williams.

She was employed on a three-month contract but stayed for 42 years. "I thought, why not," Driver recalled. "It'll make a break for a while."

She had already been in showbusiness for more than 40 years, touring the UK as a singer by the age of 12. Driver was appointed an MBE in 1999.

Driver had originally auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden in 1964 but was later persuaded to come out of retirement to audition for the role of Betty. She appeared in more than 2,800 episodes.

In January 2011 she told the BBC she would never retire. "I just love working and I will never retire - ever - they'll have to shoot me to get rid of me," she said. "I just love people, you see, and I love the cast."

ITV said Driver "died peacefully in hospital" early on Saturday morning. She had been in hospital for six weeks.

"She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her," the spokesman said.



'Our Betty' R.I.P. luv