What Blonde Funny Entertainer Died Recently
Louie Anderson, 68
Like many stand-up comics of his era, Anderson found his big break when he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in 1984. It led to him being one of the biggest comics in the decade.
He did stand-up comedy specials, made more late night talk show appearances, and landed roles in classics like 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and 1988's "Coming to America."
In 1995 he created and starred in the hit Fox animated series "Life with Louie." It led to two daytime Emmy award wins. From 1999-2002 he was the host of "Family Feud."
Then from 2016-2019 he found his highest acclaim playing the overbearing mother of a rodeo clown played by Zack Galifianakis in the FX series "Baskets." It led to Anderson winning a primetime Emmy for best supporting actor in the show's first season.
Anderson died on January 21. Before then the comic announced he was being hospitalized to treat blood cancer.
Peter Bogdanovich, 82
A critic-turned-filmmaker, Bogdanovich's nuanced filmmaking style led to him becoming a darling of 1970s filmmaking, which resulted in timeless movies like "The Last Picture Show" and "Paper Moon."
He also had an eye for talent, discovering then-model Cybill Shepherd for "The Last Picture Show," leading to her becoming a star (the two also became a couple).
Though Bogdanovich's later works would not be as successful — he also had to deal with the horrific death of his girlfriend in 1980, Playboy model Dorothy Stratten, when her estranged husband shot her — he was always a fixture in Hollywood.
With his horn-rimmed glasses and neckerchief, his persona was one of an era long gone but well respected.
Bogdanovich died on January 6. No cause was given.
Traci Braxton, 50
Braxton was known best for starring with her sisters Toni, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar in the reality series "Braxton Family Values" from 2011 to 2020 with their mother, Evelyn.
In 2014, Braxton released her debut solo album "Crash & Burn" in 2014, with the single "Last Call" reaching 16th on the US Adult R&B chart, according to Billboard. She released her second and final album, "On Earth," in 2018.
She died on March 12 from esophageal cancer, TMZ reported.
Julee Cruise, 65
Thanks to her dreamy vocals Julee Cruise became synonymous with director David Lynch's greatest work when she sang the the song "Falling," in which the instrumental version became the theme song of his landmark 1980 TV show "Twin Peaks."
Cruise also shows up on the series as a roadhouse singer. She and her music also appeared in Lynch's 1992 movie "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" and the director's 1990 theater production "Industrial Symphony No. 1."
Her other memorable songs include 1990's "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart" and 1999's "If I Survive." In the 1990s she was also a touring member of the band The B-52s.
Cruise died on June 9. Her husband, Edward Grinnan, said the cause was suicide. He said she had struggled with depression as well as lupus, according to The New York Times.
Gilbert Gottfried, 67
Gottfried became a pillar of stand-up for decades thanks to his harsh, grating voice while doing his routine.
That style led to him as the perfect voice for a Disney character. Voicing the character of sarcastic Iago the Parrot in Disney's 1992 animated classic "Aladdin" made him beloved to millions.
Through his career Gottfried had consistent work voicing characters for "SpongeBob Squarepants," "Family Guy," and also Aflac's famous duck mascot for the insurance company's commercials.
He was also a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" during the 1980-81 season.
Gottfried died of an unnamed illness, according to his family, on April 12.
Keith Grayson (aka, DJ Kay Slay), 55
A legend in hip-hop, DJ Kay Slay was responsible for highlighting many artists thanks to his mixtapes and being a host at New York City's famed rap station Hot 97.
It led to him getting notice at the major labels as he released albums "The Streetsweeper, Vol.1" in 2003 and "Vol.2" in 2004.
His last album, "The Soul Controller," was released in 2021.
Kay Slay died on April 17 after a four month battle with COVID, according to People.
Mike Hagerty, 67
With his everyman looks and comedic timing, Hagerty was a perfect character actor for comedies and dramas.
After coming out of Second City in the 1980s, Hagerty began getting work in Hollywood and caught his first big break playing the best friend of Kurt Russell in the 1987 comedy hit "Overboard," which also starred Goldie Hawn.
Hagerty worked steadily in movies and TVs for decades, showing up in everything from "Cheers" to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with his familiar mustache and Chicago accent.
He's most memorable for playing the building super on "Friends."
Hagerty died on April 29. The cause of death was an adverse reaction to an antibiotic, according to TMZ.
Philip Baker Hall, 90
A legendary character actor for decades, Philip Baker Hall's sad puppy dog look and gravely voice was unmistakable whether it was crafting one of the most memorable characters from "Seinfeld" or appearing in numerous films from Paul Thomas Anderson.
With over 100 credits to his name, Hall had been a scene stealer all the way back when he scored the lead in Robert Altman's "Secret Honor" in 1984 playing Richard Nixon.
After loads of TV appearances, Hall would gain notoriety when he starred in Anderson's debug feature in 1996, "Hard Eight." It led to him starring in Anderson's two big hits in the decades, "Boogie Nights" (1997) and "Magnolia" (1999).
Hall also starred in hits like "The Truman Show," "The Insider," and "Zodiac."
But he may forever be known for his memorable appearance on the hit TV show "Seinfeld" as a passionate library cop named Joe Bookman.
Hall died on June 12 at his home due to complications of emphysema, according to The New York Times.
Scott Hall (aka, Razor Ramon), 63
Known as Razor Ramon when he entered the WWE in the 1990s, Hall quickly became a memorable villain in professional wrestling thanks to his confident swagger (that was loosely based on Al Pacino's performance as Tony Montana in the movie "Scarface") and flicking a toothpick at his opponent.
Hall then raised his status when he and friend Kevin Nash suddenly jumped over to WWE's rival outfit WCW in 1996 and formed the New World Order (NWO) with Hulk Hogan.
It resulted in one of the most popular alliances in pro wrestling.
"I couldn't love a human being anymore than I do you," Nash said in an Instagram post to his friend.
Hall was taken off life support on March 15 following complications from a recent surgery, according to TMZ.
Estelle Harris, 93
Harris' career spanned decades in Hollywood, but she will be forever known for playing George Costanza's (played by Jason Alexander) overbearing mother on the hit TV show "Seinfeld."
Her high-pitched voice and comedic timing opposite Jerry Stiller, who played George's father Frank, was one of the many elements that made the show one of the best of all time.
Since then Harris' recognizable voice was found in the "Toy Story" franchise as she voiced Mrs. Potato Head.
Harris died on April 2 of natural causes.
Taylor Hawkins, 50
As the ferocious drummer of the Foo Fighters, Hawkins' stills gave the band its chart-topping rock sound.
And he also looked the part with his long blonde hair waiving up and down as he played in the background as frontman Dave Grohl sang and played his guitar.
After two years as the drummer for Alanis Morissette, Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997 and spent the rest of his life forging a career that made him one of the best drummers of his era.
Hawkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room on March 25 before the band was to perform at a festival in Bogota, Colombia. No cause of death has been given, but a tweet from the Attorney General of Colombia (via NBC News) indicates that in a preliminary toxicology test 10 substances were found in Hawkins' system, including opioids, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Paul Herman, 76
Though you probably don't recognize the name, you will certainly remember Herman's work if you're a fan of mobster movies and TV shows.
Herman was known best for playing one of Henry Hill's "Pittsburgh guys" in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas" (he was the one who said to Lorraine Bracco, "you want to see helicopters?"). He also starred as Peter "Beansie" Gaeta in "The Sopranos."
Always memorable in any role he played thanks to his fast talking and gap in his front teeth, the veteran character actor also starred in "The Color of Money," "Casino," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "The Irishman."
Herman died on March 29. No cause was given.
Howard Hesseman, 81
Hesseman was a fixture on TV from the 1970s to the 2010s.
He's most known for his Emmy-nominated character radio disc jokey "Dr. Johnny Fever" Caravella in the TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" from 1978 to 1982.
Hesseman also was the star on another hit show, "Head of the Class," the teacher of a group of academically gifted group of high school students, from 1986 to 1990.
Know for his sarcastic comedic talents, Hesseman also starred in movies like "Shampoo," "Doctor Detroit," "Clue," and "Flight of the Navigator."
Hesseman died on January 29 from complications of colon surgery.
William Hurt, 71
Thanks to an Oscar-winning performance in 1985's "Kiss of the Spider Woman" along with memorable performances in "The Big Chill," "Children of a Lesser God," and "Broadcast News" (the latter two earning him Oscar nominations), William Hurt was one of the biggest stars, and sex symbols, in the 1980s.
Thanks to his talents that could bring out tender performances or raging anger, Hurt always delivered memorable roles that left audiences entranced.
Later in his career Hurt moved away from leading man parts and became a top notch character actor starring in countless movies and TV shows.
He would score his final Oscar nomination for the David Cronenberg gangster thriller "A History of Violence" (a performance in which he only has around 10 minutes of screen time) and most recently played secretary of state Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel franchise.
Hurt died of natural causes on March 13, according to Variety.
Naomi Judd, 76
Naomi Judd along with her daughter Wynonna made up the legendary country music band The Judds, who landed 14 No. 1 songs over three decades.
Just recently The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and were planning an arena tour in the fall before Naomi's death.
The Judds' hit songs include "Mama He's Crazy" in 1984, "Why Not Me" in 1984, "Turn It Loose" in 1988, "Girls Night Out" in 1985, "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain" in 1986, "Grandpa" in 1986, and "Love Can Build a Bridge" in 1990.
The duo stopped the band in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis. Wynonna continued with a solo career.
Naomi is also the mother of actress Ashley Judd.
She died on April 30, according to her daughters, due to mental illness. Weeks later, Ashley revealed on "Good Morning America" that the cause of death was a self-inflicted firearm wound.
Sally Kellerman, 84
Kellerman earned an Oscar nomination for her memorable performance as Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in Robert Altman's 1970 satire "M*A*S*H*."
With her stunning looks and throaty voice, she stood out in any performance she gave.
Kellerman's other career highlights include Altman's 1992 movie "The Player," Rodney Dangerfield's 1986 comedy "Back to School," and countless guest spots on TV through the 1990s and 200s like "Evening Shade," "Murder, She Wrote," HBO's "Dream On," "The Naked Truth," "Touched by an Angel," "Diagnosis Murder," "Columbo," "Providence," "Beverly Hills, 90210," and "Maron."
Kellerman died on February 24. Her daughter Claire said she had been suffering from dementia for the past five years, according to Variety.
Ray Liotta, 67
Liotta's acting career spanned more than four decades delivering tough guys performances thanks to his sinister laugh and hard-to-miss New Jersey accent.
His breakout role was playing psycho Ray Sinclair opposite Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels in the 1986 cult classic "Something Wild," which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. But the actor would find stardom four years later when he played Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 1990 classic "Goodfellas."
As Hill, based on the real-life mobster who became an FBI informant in 1980, Liotta was a powerhouse on-screen, which was impressive seeing he performed flawlessly opposite two seasoned Hollywood actors, and Scorsese regulars, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
In an interview with Insider back in 2018, Liotta admitted the stardom of "Goodfellas" was so sudden and shocking he didn't know how to use it to elevate his career.
"I didn't have a publicist up until 'Goodfellas,'" he said. "I didn't know that was what you're supposed to do. Nobody was helping me. I had the agents, but back then I think I was with the wrong people at that time to get me to the next thing."
While navigating Hollywood Liotta continued to find work, often in tough-guy roles. He put his mark on titles like 1997's "Cop Land" and 2002's "Narc."
Most recently, Liotta had memorable roles in Noah Baumbach's 2019 drama "Marriage Story" and "The Many Saints of Newark" in 2021.
"Younger people, like 14-, 15-year-old kids, come up to me, and they'll say that they saw a movie of mine," Liotta told Insider back in 2018, adding that he's "very, very lucky" he did movies that "will live for a long time."
Meat Loaf, 74
Known for his best-selling album "Bat Out of Hell" and for acting in films including "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Fight Club," the performer was known for his larger-than-life performances.
His songs "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)," became global hits with the latter earning him a Grammy.
"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side," read a statement on his Facebook page. "Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours."
Meat Loaf died on January 20. No cause was given.
Robert Morse, 90
The Tony and Emmy-winning actor is known best for playing Bertram Cooper on the hit series "Mad Men."
The performance led to him earning five Emmy award nominations. But he was already an acclaimed character actor before landing that role.
He earned a Tony Award for starring in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in the original Broadway version of the show in 1961. He reprised his role for the 1967 film adaptation.
Morse won his second Tony Award for playing Truman Capote in the 1989 one-man play "Tru." The airing of the play for "American Playhouse" in 1992 led to him winning an Emmy.
Morse died on April 20, the cause of death was not disclosed.
Moses J. Moseley, 31
Moseley is best known for playing one of Michonne's zombies on "The Walking Dead."
He also starred in "Queen of the South," the "Watchmen" TV series, and "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."
Moseley's manager, Tabatha Minchew, told Insider that Moseley was found dead in Stockbridge, Georgia on January 26.
"Everyone is devastated and still trying to process this," Minchew said. "Moses was an amazing person and so talented. His family, friends and fans will all miss him deeply. He gone way to soon."
The cause of his death has not been released.
Sidney Poitier, 94
Poitier was a trailblazing actor who — along with a career filled with landmark acting, directing, and producing roles — was also a voice for civil rights in the 1960s and an ambassador for his beloved home country of the Bahamas.
He made history when he became the first Black actor to win the Oscar for best actor for his performance in 1963's "Lilies of the Field." He played a handyman who encounters a group of nuns who believe he was sent to them by God to build them a new chapel.
His powerful, naturalistic acting talents were also celebrated in classic movies like "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "In the Heat of the Night."
He was the Bahamian ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007. And from 2002 to 2007, he was the ambassador of the Bahamas to UNESCO.
President Barack Obama presented Poitier with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, the US's highest civilian honor.
Poitier died on January 7 at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was a combination of heart failure , Alzheimer's dementia, and prostate cancer.
Ivan Reitman, 75
Responsible for movies like "Meatballs," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters," "Twins," and "Kindergarten Cop," director Ivan Reitman spent his career making some of the most memorable comedies of all time.
And along with using his talents to make then-newcomers like Bill Murray and John Candy into comedy legends, Reitman also used his clout to produce some classics as well, including "Animal House," the original "Space Jam," Howard Stern's "Private Parts," "Road Trip," and "Old School."
Reitman's only Oscar nomination was for producing his son Jason's acclaimed drama "Up in the Air," which received a best picture nomination.
The two would team up again in 2021 when Reitman produced Jason's "Ghostbusters: Afterlife."
"Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life," children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement to the Associated Press. "We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always."
Reitman died on February 12, no cause was given.
Peter Robbins, 65
At the age of 9, Robbins landed the role that would give him eternal fame a when he was cast as the voice of Charlie Brown.
He voiced the iconic character for six "Peanuts" TV specials and one movie between 1963 and 1969. Highlights include staples in the franchise like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (1966).
Through the 1960s he also starred on "Rawhide," "The Donna Reed Show," "Blondie," "F Troop," and "Get Smart."
His final acting role was a 1972 episode of "My Three Sons."
Robbins died on January 18, his family told Fox 5 San Diego that the cause was suicide.
Bobby Rydell, 79
A teen idol in the late 1950s when Elvis Presley left the stage to join the Army, Rydell's clean-cut look and catchy pop songs like "Wild One" and cover of the Italian song "Volare" made him a chart-topper and a must-see for crowds who grew up to his music later in his life.
Rydell also had the matinee idol looks to star in the movies, with his most successful starring opposite Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, and Dick Van Dyke in the big screen adaptation of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie."
From the mid 1980s onward, Rydell toured the world with two other hit makers from his era, Frankie Avalon and Fabian, to make up the Golden Boys.
Rydell died on April 5 due to complications of pneumonia , The New York Times reported.
Bob Saget, 65
Saget, the stand-up comedian and actor, was best known for his role as Danny Tanner in the ABC sitcom "Full House" through the late 1980s to mid 1990s.
He also was known for being the host of "America's Funniest Home Videos" around the same time.
Despite a clean-cut image due to those roles, Saget also had a reputation for his adult-oriented stand-up routines, which were full of raunchy and explicit language.
But for millions, he will always be known as their "TV dad" thanks to his kind-hearted performance as Danny Tanner.
"I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby," actor John Stamos, who starred alongside Saget in "Full House" as Uncle Jesse, wrote on Twitter.
—John Stamos (@JohnStamos) January 10, 2022
Saget was found dead in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida on January 9. No cause was given, but a preliminary autopsy found "no evidence of drug use or foul play," Insider reported.
TMZ reported on February 9 that Saget died of a brain bleed after hitting his head.
"Authorities don't know what object he hit — possibly the headboard — but there was an obvious bruise on the back of his head," according to the site. "Authorities believe Bob did not know the severity of the injury and got under the covers and went to sleep. We're told he never woke up and died from a brain bleed."
Ronnie Spector, 78
As the voice behind classic songs like "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain," Ronnie Spector along with her all-girl group The Ronettes will be forever cherished.
After years being married to the producer of The Ronettes' hits in the 1960s, Phil Spector (who died last year), which Ronnie said led to years of abuse, she had a comeback in the late 1980s when she recorded a sample of "Be My Baby" for the Eddie Money hit "Take Me Home Tonight."
Spector died on January 12 following a battle with cancer.
John Edward Szeles (aka, The Amazing Johnathan), 63
A fixture on the Vegas strip and late night shows for decades, The Amazing Johnathan wowed audiences with his mix of comedy and dangerous magic tricks.
The self-described "Freddy Kreuger of comedy," his go-to bits included spiking his tongue and making it look like he has a dangling eyeball — and then sucking on it.
The Amazing Johnathan, whose real name was John Edward Szeles, died on February 22 following a long battle with heart disease .
André Leon Talley, 73
A fashion icon, Talley was Vogue's fashion news director from 1983 to 1987, its first African-American male creative director from 1988 to 1995, and then its editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.
The right-hand of the magazine's creative director and editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Talley's fashion and outspoken nature transcended fashion for a generation.
He wasn't just a creative equal to Wintour, but was also a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg and countless others.
Talley died on January 18. No cause was given.
Douglas Trumbull, 79
Trumbull became a legend in the visual effects space thanks to crafting the dazzling looks on movies like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Blade Runner" while never using any computer graphics.
Trumbull was nominated for three best visual effects Oscars over his career ("Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," and "Blade Runner").
He died on February 7 after a "major two-year battle with cancer, a brain tumor and a stroke," his daughter Amy announced on Facebook.
Gaspard Ulliel, 37
One of France's best-known actors, Ulliel found fame from his work in movies like "Paris, je t'aime," "A Very Long Engagement," "Hannibal Rising," and "It's Only The End Of The World." The latter of which he won the best actor award from France's famed César Awards in 2017.
Ulliel was also the face of Chanel for its mens fragrance Bleu de Chanel.
The actor was on the verge of superstardom as he stars in the anticipated Marvel series "Moon Knight."
Ulliel died soon after being hospitalized after injuring his head in a skiing accident near Grenoble on January 19, the actor's family told AFP.
Monica Vitti, 90
Vitti was a muse to legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni, starring in his early 1960s titles like "L'Avventura," "La Notte," and "L'Eclisse."
Her performance in L'Avventura wowed audiences and led to international fame.
Over her career she won five David di Donatello Awards for best actress, Italy's version of the Oscars, She also won a career Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 1995.
Vitti died on February 2 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, according to Italian media reports (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Fred Ward, 79
Simply put: Any movie that had Fred Ward involved was a better movie.
A respected character actor with his squinting eyes and tough guy swagger, Ward has been a scene stealer since all the way back in 1979 when he starred opposite Clint Eastwood as a group of inmates who break out of the most secured prison ever in "Escape from Alcatraz."
Since then he's starred in classics ("The Right Stuff," "Tremors," "The Player") and beloved B-movies ("Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins," "Miami Blues") always delivering fantastic performances.
Ward died on May 8, no cause was given.
Don Wilson, 88
Wilson was the cofounder of the instrumental rock band of The Ventures with Bob Bogle.
Wilson and Bogle formed a quartet band in Tacoma, Washington, and in the 1960s The Ventures helped popularize the electric guitar with the song "Walk, Don't Run" and the theme song to the hit series "Hawaii Five-O."
"Our dad was an amazing rhythm guitar player who touched people all over world with his band, The Ventures," son Tim Wilson said in a statement, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. "He will have his place in history forever and was much loved and appreciated. He will be missed."
Wilson died on January 22 of natural causes.
Keep reading
johnstonsheas1990.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.insider.com/celebrities-who-have-died-this-year-2022-1
0 Response to "What Blonde Funny Entertainer Died Recently"
Postar um comentário