Obituaries for 2023

[Gefn]

I would put The Exorcist at number two behind Alien. Alien creeped me out more. The Shining didn't translate well from book to screen, but reading the book kept the bedroom light on.

Alien didn't scare me until the thing came out of John Hurt's stomach

[Polly Ticks]

Alien didn't scare me until the thing came out of John Hurt's stomach

What an odd twist the Obituaries thread has taken.   

[GtHawk]

What an odd twist the Obituaries thread has taken.   

Ah, Spaceballs, leave it to Mel Brooks to make something scary funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otJ2rXMuLno

[Kamaji]

Carmen Xtravaganza, ‘Paris is Burning’ star and NYC ballroom icon, dead at 62

By Erin Keller
August 7, 2023

Carmen Xtravaganza, an NYC ballroom icon who was featured in the 1990 documentary “Paris is Burning,” has died. She was 62.

The House of Xtravaganza — which emerged from New York’s underground ballroom scene and for which Carmen held the position of house mother at various times — announced the news of her death Friday in an Instagram statement.

“Throughout the 1980s, Carmen reigned on the runways as one of the House of Xtravaganza’s ‘impossible beauties.’ Her presence and talent left an indelible mark on the House Ballroom scene,” the statement read.

A cause of death was not shared, but according to a 2022 GoFundMe page, Carmen had been battling Stage 4 lung cancer.

Born in Andalusia, Spain, on April 9, 1961, Carmen moved to the US by the age of 16 and underwent sex reassignment surgery at 18.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/07/carmen-xtravaganza-paris-is-burning-star-dead-at-62/

[DB]

I saw The Exorcist and Alien in the theater when they were first released. Both were shocking. I guess I was prepared for The Exorcist because Alien shocked me more.

The director's cut of The Exorcist is even better.

[sneakypete]

The director's cut of The Exorcist is even better.

@DB

I was fine with  Alien,but it would have taken a gun in my back to get me to go see The Exorcist,or any similar movie. Not even sure the gun in my back would work. I might try  to  take from  you and shoot you for even trying to perpetuate an outrage like that on me.

It ain't like I don't already  have  enough  trouble sleeping.

[Kamaji]

Rodriguez, musician and ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ star, dead at 81

By Alexandra Klausner
August 9, 2023

Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, the Detroit, Michigan, singer-songwriter whose unusual rise to fame was documented in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” has died. He was 81.

The musician’s death was confirmed on his website Wednesday. His cause and location of death has not been revealed.

“It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away earlier today,” read the statement on his website.

“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to his daughters — Sandra, Eva and Regan — and to all his family. Rodriguez was 81 years old. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace,” the statement continued.

The Bob Dylan-inspired crooner, better known as Rodriguez, struggled to sell copies of his first two records “Cold Fact” and “Coming From Reality” in the 1970s and he supported himself by working on a Chrysler assembly line.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/09/rodriguez-singer-in-searching-for-sugar-man-dead-at-81/

[Gefn]

Robbie Robertson, Leader of The Band, Dies at 80

Guitarist-songwriter-singer Robbie Robertson, who led the Canadian-American group the Band to rock prominence in the 1970s and worked extensively with Bob Dylan and Martin Scorsese, has died. He was 80.

According to an announcement from his management, Robertson died Wednesday in Los Angeles after a long illness.

In a statement, Robertson’s manager of 34 years, Jared Levine, said “Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’ In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support the building of their new cultural center.”

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/robbie-robertson-dead-the-band-1235692172/

[Gefn]

it's been a bad year for musicians
 

[sneakypete]

Robbie Robertson, Leader of The Band, Dies at 80




https://variety.com/2023/music/news/robbie-robertson-dead-the-band-1235692172/

@Gefn

I really like the fact that his ex-wife and her husband were invited to the funeral,and obviously felt welcome or they would't have gone. Shows class.

[berdie]

Robbie Robertson, Leader of The Band, Dies at 80




https://variety.com/2023/music/news/robbie-robertson-dead-the-band-1235692172/

I liked The Band and hate this news.

[Fishrrman]

"Robbie Robertson, Leader of The Band, Dies at 80"

The Band was about the only "band" I liked. Sad to see another one gone.

Robbie's passing leaves Garth Hudson as the only surviving member of The [original] Band. And Garth was also the oldest member, born in 1937 (Robbie was the youngest).

But Garth was somewhat more "conservative" than the other 4 members -- perhaps that has contributed to his longevity.

[Kamaji]

Johnny Hardwick, voice of Dale Gribble on ‘King of the Hill,’ dead at 64

By Jack Hobbs
August 10, 2023

Actor Johnny Hardwick, who was best known as the voice of Dale Gribble on “King of the Hill,” died Tuesday at the age of 64.

Hardwick was found in his Texas home by law enforcement officers after they were called to perform a welfare check on the voice actor, reports TMZ.

According to the outlet, Hardwick was pronounced dead at the scene though police have yet to issue an official cause of death.

However, police did report that they do not suspect any foul play.

The Post reached out to Hardwick’s reps for comment.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/10/king-of-the-hill-star-johnny-hardwick-dead-at-64/

[catfish1957]

Johnny Hardwick, voice of Dale Gribble on ‘King of the Hill,’ dead at 64

By Jack Hobbs
August 10, 2023

Actor Johnny Hardwick, who was best known as the voice of Dale Gribble on “King of the Hill,” died Tuesday at the age of 64.

Hardwick was found in his Texas home by law enforcement officers after they were called to perform a welfare check on the voice actor, reports TMZ.

According to the outlet, Hardwick was pronounced dead at the scene though police have yet to issue an official cause of death.

However, police did report that they do not suspect any foul play.

The Post reached out to Hardwick’s reps for comment.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/10/king-of-the-hill-star-johnny-hardwick-dead-at-64/

RIP Rusty Shackleford.

[berdie]

He was the funniest character on KOFH...partly because of his voice.

[Gefn]

Rest in Peace Dale.


I own all 12 seasons of King of the Hill. You gave me a lot of pleasure, Sir

[Gefn]

off topic, quite disturbing they had to do the welfare check on him.....

[Cyber Liberty]

off topic, quite disturbing they had to do the welfare check on him.....

He was all alone!

[jmyrlefuller]

The guy who did the Cha-Cha Slide dies at 58

Legally known as William Perry Jr. (no relation to the Bears football legend, though both had ties to the city of Chicago) and professionally as "DJ Casper" and "Mr. C The Slide Man," his line-dance track the Cha-Cha Slide—a record that explicitly explains every step to its dancers, making it ideal for novices—has become a staple at school dances and wedding receptions for the past 20 years.

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/dj-casper-cha-cha-slide-dies/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZv62ShoStY

[sneakypete]

Cancer doesn't discriminate or pick favorites.

Any of us can get hit with it at any time.

[Kamaji]

Former NFL player, Cal great Sean Dawkins dead at 52

By David Russell   
August 11, 2023

Wide receiver Sean Dawkins, who spent nine seasons in the NFL after a standout collegiate career at Cal, died at 52.

No cause of death has been announced.

“Rest in peace, Sean Dawkins,” Colts owner Jim Irsay posted on X, formally known as Twitter. “I am shocked and saddened. My prayers and condolences to Sean’s family.”

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/11/nfl-player-cal-football-star-sean-dawkins-dead-at-52/

[Kamaji]

Shelley Smith, supermodel-turned-actor known for ‘The Associates’ and game shows, dead at 70

By Patrick Reilly
August 12, 2023

Shelley Smith, a supermodel-turned-actor known for her role alongside Martin Short in the sitcom “The Associates,” has died at the age of 70.

Smith died on Aug. 8 at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital after going into a coma caused by cardiac arrest, her husband Michael Maguire confirmed in a Facebook video.

“Shelley lived an incredible life! We are all heartbroken, but we are also so fortunate to have been touched by this beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and incredible soul,” an emotional Maguire said as he held back tears.

“Life is so short. Make every second count and fill every second with love.”

Smith was born Oct. 25, 1952, in Princeton, New Jersey, and graduated from Connecticut College.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2023/08/12/shelley-smith-supermodel-turned-actor-dead-at-70/

[mountaineer]

James Larkin dies at 74.

Why Kamala Harris Won't Be Asked About the Suicide of a Newspaperman She Persecuted
When it comes to conflicts with people engaged in unpopular or disfavored speech, too many journalists side with the feds.
Matt Welch | 8.9.2023 8:03 AM

The sitting vice president, shortly before moving to Washington, D.C., successfully scapegoated through heavily publicized if legally unsuccessful pimping prosecutions a career newspaperman who last week shot himself to death at age 74 rather than sit through yet another prostitution-facilitation trial that he insisted to his dying days was an attack on free speech.

Yet the chances of Kamala Harris being asked this week—or any week—about the late James Larkin, or her starring role in the demonization of his and Michael Lacey's online classified advertising company Backpage as "the world's top online brothel," are vanishingly small. That's because people have a natural revulsion toward anything associated—however falsely—with child prostitution or sex trafficking, true. But it also stems from something far less excusable: When it comes to conflicts between the feds and those from the professionally unpopular corners of the free speech industry, journalists have been increasingly taking the side of The Man. ...

Far too often, journalists reserve their free speech defenses for people they actually like. And man, did they not like Jim Larkin and Mike Lacey. ...Reason magazine

[jmyrlefuller]

Thomas C. Jones, Broadway lyricist, dies at 95

Jones's biggest success was The Fantasticks, a musical that ran off-Broadway for a record 42 years, and he also had success with the two-hander I Do! I Do! Both musicals produced memorable show tunes, including "Try to Remember" from the former, and "My Cup Runneth Over" from the latter.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/tom-jones-creator-of-the-fantasticks-dies-at-95

"Try to Remember" as performed by one of its original actors, Jerry Orbach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uGlL0xafP8

[jmyrlefuller]

Legendary hockey announcer Rick Jeanneret dies at 81

https://www.wivb.com/news/rick-jeanneret-legendary-sabres-broadcaster-dies-at-81/

51 years with the Buffalo Sabres, and never once got to call a Stanley Cup victory. @DCPatriot @verga

As Rick himself would say... roll the highlight film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUSLwxbcBMk