The RIP Famous Person Thread

[jandajoy]

Avery brave lady R.I.P.Claire, knowing what my wife went through with the same.

Sorry to hear that. My sympathies.

She had a phone-in section where girls talked about their self-esteem and how their men suffered premature ejaculation.

A hard (or not) subject to deal with.

[Mr Lick]

^ My memories of Claire were her 'Oh darling!!, Luvvy!! approach to matters of a personal nature.

A woman with immense personality and feeling. I will remember her with fondness. May you RIP my luvvy!!

[Mr Lick]

Former Manchester City boss Malcolm Allison dies


Allison managed a total of 12 clubs both home and abroad in his career

Malcolm Allison, the coach who helped inspire Manchester City during their successful period in the late 1960s, has died at the age of 83. Allison arrived at City in 1965 as assistant manager to Joe Mercer.
City went on to win the second division championship in 1966, the League title in 1968, FA Cup in 1969 and European Cup-Winners Cup and League Cup in 1970.
Allison went on to manage 11 clubs home and abroad, leading Sporting Lisbon to the Portuguese League and Cup in 1982.

www.bbc.co.uk

[TizMe]

Nothing in the news media yet, but many folks on Twitter and colleague Nassim Taleb are reporting that the father of fractal geometry, Benoit Mandelbrot, is dead at age 85.

[patsycat]

Thanks,oldgit, a friend is buying me the book Internet for Dummies for Xmas.

[venturalaw]

Barbara Billingsley, 'Leave it to Beaver' Mom, Dead at 94

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 16th 2010 6:51PM
Filed under: Reality-FreeTV News

Barbara Billingsley, known to millions of TV fans as the pearls-wearing housewife June Cleaver on the classic sitcom 'Leave it to Beaver,' has passed away at the age of 94.

A family spokeswoman said Billingsley died of polymyalgia, a rheumatoid disease, at her home in Santa Monica, Calif.

In a statement, her TV son, Jerry Mathers, said, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and lifetime mentor Barbara Billingsley. She will live in the hearts of her fans as a wonderful actress and be remembered by her friends as a gracious lady."

"She will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, fans and most especially by me."

Even though Billingsley is probably best known as June, she actually had a long movie career before donning the apron. A ton of roles, actually, often in mysteries, comedies, and dramas, including 'Shadow on the Wall,' 'Trial Without Jury,' 'Dial 1119,' and a ton of uncredited roles in the late '40s and early '50s. And she was a regular on a couple of TV series before 'Beaver,' 'Professional Father' and 'The Brothers.'

Billingsley also made appearances on 'The Abbott and Costello Show,' 'The Long Wolf,' 'Schlitz Playhouse,' 'The Loretta Young Show,' 'The Danny Thomas Show,' 'Panic,' 'The F.B.I.,' 'Silver Spoons,' 'The Love Boat,' 'The New Mike Hammer,' 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose,' 'Murphy Brown,' 'Muppet Babies,' 'Empty Nest,' and many others. She even recreated the June Cleaver role for an episode of 'Roseanne.'

She also spoke jive:

In 1980, 'Airplane' introduced Billingsley to a whole new generation.

A few years after that, Billingsley returned to Mayfield with Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow for the reunion movie 'Still the Beaver.' That movie led to a new cable series about the Cleavers and their friends, 'The New Leave it to Beaver,' which lasted from 1983 to1989. In a cute bit of casting, she played Aunt Martha in the 1997 big-screen version of the sitcom (Janine Turner played June).

In 2007, the cast reunited on 'Good Morning America' for the show's 50th anniversary:

Billingsley is survived by two sons.

As I say almost every time that a classic TV or movie star passes away, a whole era is vanishing it's been a particularly bad few weeks for celebrities, as we've also seen the deaths of people like Stephen J. Cannell, Tony Curtis, Gloria Stuart, Harold Gould, and Kevin McCarthy.

Here's hoping that TV Land or Retro TV does a marathon of 'Leave it to Beaver' episodes soon. RIP Barbara. You had a long life.

Barbara Billingsley, 'Leave it to Beaver' Mom, Dead at 94

[jandajoy]

Nope, sorry, I've no idea who she is.

RIP any way.

[venturalaw]

She was the mother on the old U.S. sitcom Leave it to Beaver. She also appeared in a small part that was hilarious in the movie 'Airplane' where she acted as a translator for a black man speaking 'Jive'. Really a funny bit.
Those of us from the States that grew up in the 60s remember her well.

[chitown]

A TV mom died, and now a TV dad.....

'Happy Days' dad Tom Bosley dies at 83 - Entertainment - Celebrities - TODAYshow.com

'Happy Days' dad Tom Bosley dies at 83

Tom Bosley, whose long acting career was highlighted by his hugely popular role as the understanding father on television's nostalgic, top-rated 1970s comedy series "Happy Days," died Tuesday. He was 83.
Bosley died of heart failure at a hospital near his Palm Springs home. Bosley's agent, Sheryl Abrams, said he was also battling lung cancer.
TV Guide ranked Bosley's Happy Days character No. 9 on its list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" in 2004. The show debuted in 1974 and ran for 11 seasons.
"Tom's insight, talent, strength of character and comic timing made him a vital central figure in the 'Happy Days' experience. A great father and husband, and a wonderful artist, Tom led by example, and made us all laugh while he was doing it," said a statement from Ron Howard, who played Bosley's son, Richie Cunningham.
"My last conversations with Tom reflected the love of life and peace of mind that he always maintained throughout his full and rewarding life. I miss him already," Howard said.
"He was my husband for 11 years and the father of the company in many ways," said Marion Ross, who played Marion Cunningham on the show. "He was so smart he could fix the end of a joke or a scene on the spot. We made a perfect couple. I played picolo to his tuba."
After "Happy Days" ended, Bosley went on to a recurring role in "Murder, She Wrote" as Sheriff Amos Tupper. He also was the crime-solving priest in television's "The Father Dowling Mysteries," which ran from 1989 to 1991.

[Moonraker]

Tick...Tock

Is Margaret Thatcher Dead Yet?

[bobo746]

mr c got the big c. grew up watching that show.

[crippen]

Tick...Tock

Is Margaret Thatcher Dead Yet?

that will bring up the post count!!!

[daveboy]

Night Nurse singer Gregory Isaacs dies aged 59


Reggae star Gregory Isaacs has died at the age of 59 at his London home following a long illness, his manager has confirmed.
The Jamaican singer died on Monday morning surrounded by his family.
His 1982 album Night Nurse, recorded at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong studio, reached number 32 in the UK.

[Mr Lick]

29 October 2010 Last updated at 11:20 GMT


Scottish actor Gerard Kelly dies aged 51







Gerard Kelly was one of Scotland's best known comic actors
Actor Gerard Kelly has died at the age of 51 after suffering a brain aneurysm earlier this week.
Kelly died in intensive care on Thursday evening after collapsing at his home in London on Tuesday.
He came to fame in comedy City Lights and appeared in EastEnders and Brookside as well as other TV and film parts, most recently in Extras.
He also regularly starred in pantomime and was due to appear in The Rocky Horror Show in Glasgow next month.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote

Gerard will be deeply missed by his friends and family and indeed his huge fan base across his beloved Scotland and further afield”

End Quote Family statement

• In quotes: Gerard Kelly tributes

His family and closest friends were with him when he died at West Middlesex University Hospital. A spokesman said he had died peacefully after a sudden illness.
Kelly was born in Glasgow in 1959 and appeared in a string of television roles which included Juliet Bravo, Rab C Nesbitt, Scotch and Wry and Hamish Macbeth along with his villainous portrayal of Callum Finnegan in Brookside and hardman Jimmy in Eastenders.
Last year, he celebrated his 20th year in pantomime at Glasgow's Kings Theatre.
On the big screen, he played an angry priest in the Ken Loach film Ae Fond Kiss.
Kelly remains best known in Scotland for his starring role as hapless would-be author Willie Melvin in City Lights, but more recently he appeared in the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras as Bunny.
A statement issued by his family said: "Gerard will be deeply missed by his friends and family and indeed his huge fan base across his beloved Scotland and further afield.
"He was a private and gentle man and his family and friends would appreciate privacy during this sad and difficult time."
Kelly appeared alongside George Michael and Ricky Gervais in Extras
Comedian and actress Elaine C Smith said she "greatly admired" Kelly, who she had known for more than 25 years.
"He was a warm, kind, funny human being. We had lots of similar views on politics and the world," she said.
"One of my fondest memories is of me dressed as a fairy and Gerard as Wishy Washy as we stood discussing the situation in Palestine.
"We worked together on City Lights and in numerous pantos, and I remember being so impressed when I first saw him act in the award-winning drama Donal and Sally.
"Gerard starred in this drama about two teenagers with special needs falling in love and I knew then he had amazing talent.
"He will be sadly missed by so many people and my heart goes out to all his friends and family."
Actor and writer Andy Gray, who played Chancer in City Lights, said: "I was a friend and colleague of Gerard's for 30 years and we grew up in this business together.
"We were great friends and I will miss the fun we used to have. We shared great chats and many laughs over the years and I have lost someone who I greatly admired and respected.
"He will be very sadly missed."
A private service is to be held for family and closest friends and details of a memorial service are expected to be announced later.

[S Landreth]

Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson dead at 76


Reds fans were taken aback when Sparky Anderson showed up in Cincinnati for his first day as a big league manager, an unknown taking over baseball's first professional team.

Sparky who?

Really?

By the time he was done, this man with the shock of white hair and schoolboy nickname would produce a considerable list of achievements that featured three World Series titles - including crowns in each league - and a Hall of Fame entry on his resume.

Anderson, who directed the Big Red Machine to back-to-back championships and won another in Detroit, died Thursday from complications of dementia in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He was 76. A day earlier, his family said he'd been placed in hospice care.

Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.

rest of the story: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/04/1908668/hall-of-fame-manager-sparky-anderson.html

[Loy Toy]

Shit a lot of my good memories come flooding back upon hearing the names of Tom Bossley and Barbara Billingsley as they were a big part of my early life and teens.

RIP the both of you and thanks for the memories.

[Mr Lick]

26 November 2010 Last updated at 13:30 GMT




Turkey tycoon Bernard Matthews dies


Click to play


Click to play






Bernard Matthews began the business with 20 eggs and a second-hand incubator 60 years ago

Related stories

• The life of Bernard Matthews
• Turkey firm probes 'abuse' claim
• 159,000 turkeys in bird flu cull

Norfolk turkey tycoon Bernard Matthews has died at the age of 80, his company has confirmed.
He began his business more than 60 years ago - with 20 eggs and a second-hand incubator.
Mr Matthews, famous for his "bootiful" catchphrase, stepped down from the company's main board of directors in January on his 80th birthday.
Noel Bartram, group chief executive of Bernard Matthews Farms, said Mr Matthews died on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Bartram said: "I have personally known Bernard Matthews for well over 30 years, and on behalf of myself and my fellow colleagues, I wish to express our great sorrow and extend our thoughts and sympathies to the family.
"Rarely has any business been as synonymous with the hard work and values of one man.
"It was Bernard Matthews who grew and developed this company through his entrepreneurial spirit, and clear focus."
Humble beginnings
Mr Matthews was famous for playing the leading role in his company's adverts, which featured his mansion home.
Lord Sugar wrote on Twitter: "Shame about Bernard Matthews he was a great inspiration to people to show what can be achieved in life by hard work. National Treasure RIP."
The son of a mechanic, he was born in Brooke, Norfolk, in 1930 and left school at 16.
He began his rise to prominence in 1950 when he bought 20 turkey eggs and an incubator at a market in Acle.
By 1952 he was producing 3,000 turkey eggs at his home and moved into poultry farming full-time.
Three years later he bought Great Witchingham Hall, near Norwich - a derelict mansion with 36 acres of land which remains the headquarters of the Bernard Matthews Farms.
The company had suffered some difficult years recently which had included job cuts and an outbreak of bird flu.
When celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched a crusade to improve school dinners, it was Matthews' Turkey Twizzlers he wanted off plates first.
Charity work
Mr Bartram said: "In latter years he devoted himself to a host of charitable causes, often in an unsung manner."
These included the independent Caister Lifeboat and the Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth.
The Sportspark at the University of East Anglia site named its pool after Mr Matthews.
Assistant director of Sportspark Maria Rowe paid tribute and said: "He was a very generous benefactor when we were gathering funding to build the Sportspark.
"He supported us from the start and ensured these excellent sporting facilities were built in Norfolk.
"The Bernard Matthews Olympic pool was named after him in his honour and as a result his legacy will live on."
His death, on the fourth Thursday of November, coincided with US Thanksgiving, often referred to as "Turkey Day".
National Farmers' Union chief poultry adviser Rob Newbery said: "The Bernard Matthews story is an inspiration to any farmer, or entrepreneur.
"Bernard Matthews is a strong rural company, brand and employer, with roots firmly in farming. He created a legacy to be proud of.
Mr Bartram added: "Despite yesterday's very sad news the business will continue to thrive, as we honour his memory through our ongoing work and ensure that the business remains a great British institution, and a key part of the fabric of life in Norfolk and across East Anglia."

[The Cat]

Sky News - Leslie Nielsen, who starred in the Airplane! and Naked Gun film comedies, has died aged 84. His agent says Nielsen died on Sunday at a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was being treated for pneumonia.

[WilliamBlake]

Surely you can't be serious?

[keda]

and don't call me Shirley!

[kmart]

RIP Leslie Nielson. I loved this guy's films.

Leslie Nielsen, star of 'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun,' dead at 84 - CNN.com

[bobo746]

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

What kind of plane is it?
Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big Tylenol

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.

and on and on great movie.

[Thetyim]

[Gallowspole]

^ You beat me to it.

Nice beaver!

Thank you. I've just had it stuffed.

[cali kid]

Too bad, I loved this guy. The last one he did I think was superhero movie, funny stuff..