Michael Ansara, Star Trek Actor, Dies 91

Hollywood Walk of Fame

MichaelMichael Ansara and actress Barbara Eden was married between 1958–1974 and had one son together, actor Matthew Ansara, who died on June 25, 2001, of a heroin overdose.

Michael George Ansara (April 15, 1922 – July 31, 2013) was a Syrian-born American stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the American television series Broken Arrow, Kane in the 1979–1981 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Commander Kang on three different Star Trek television series, Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart on the NBC series, Law of the Plainsman, and providing the voice for Mr. Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series and several of its spin-offs.

Michael Ansara was inducted to the Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960 with 1 star.

Michael Ansara cause of death

Ansara died after a long illness at his home in Calabasas on July 31, 2013.

 “Broken Arrow”, starring Michael Ansara as “Cochise”.

Ossie Schectman, who scored first points in NBA history, dies 94

Oscar Benjamin “Ossie” Schectman (March 30, 1919 – July 30, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. He is credited with having scored the very first basket in the National Basketball Association (NBA), at that time the Basketball Association of America.

On November 1, 1946, in the first ever game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), Schectman made the opening basket for the New York Knicks against the Toronto Huskies at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. The Knicks won the game 68–66. In 1949, the BAA became the National Basketball Association (NBA); thus, Schectman’s basket is considered the first in NBA history.

In 1946–47 (his only year in the NBA), Schectman played in 54 games for the Knicks and was third in the league with 2.0 assists per game.

Ossie Schectman cause of death

Ossie Schectman died at age 94 in Delray Beach, Florida.

Eileen Brennan, actress, ‘Last Picture Show’, ‘Private Benjamin’, dies 80

emmy winnergrammy winner

Eileen Brennan (September 3, 1932 – July 28, 2013) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Brennan is best known for her role as Doreen Lewis in Private Benjamin for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She reprised the role in the TV adaptation and won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for her performance. She received Emmy nominations for her guest starring roles on Newhart, Thirtysomething, Taxi and Will & Grace.

Eileen Brennan cause of death

Eileen Brennan received excellent reviews as brothel madam “Billie” in George Roy Hill’s Oscar-winning 1973 film The Sting as the confidante of con man Henry Gondorf (Paul Newman).

Brennan died at her home in Burbank, California on July 28, 2013, of bladder cancer.  Brennan was a breast cancer survivor.

Partial Filmography (years active 1960–2011)

Divorce American Style, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, The Last Picture Show, All in the Family, The Sting, Kojak, Private Benjamin, Taxi, The Love Boat, Magnum P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Home Improvement, Tales from the Crypt, Walker, Texas Ranger, ER, 7th Heaven, Nash Bridges, Mad About You, Touched by an Angel, Will & Grace, Lizzie McGuire, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

JJ Cale, Musician and Songwriter, Dies 74

2007 grammy

John Weldon Cale (December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013), known as JJ Cale or J.J. Cale, was a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and musician. Cale was one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound, a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz influences. Cale’s personal style has often been described as “laid back”.

Songs written by Cale that have been covered by other musicians include “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton, “Clyde” by Waylon Jennings, “Call Me the Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Ride Me High” and “Travelin’ Light” by Widespread Panic.

In 1974 Captain Beefheart covered the song “Same Old Blues” on his album Bluejeans & Moonbeams.

In 2007, the Cale and Clapton team won a Grammy for their collaboration on The Road to Escondido.

J.J. Cale cause of death

J.J. Cale died on July 26, 2013, at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, after a heart attack. J.J. Cale was 74 years old at the time of his death.

JJ Cale, Eric Clapton (After Midnight & Call me the Breeze)

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Call Me the Breeze (live ’75)

Dennis Farina, ‘Law and Order’ actor, dies 69

Dennis Farina (February 29, 1944 – July 22, 2013) was an American actor of film and television and former Chicago police officer. He was a character actor, often typecast as a mobster or police officer. His most known film roles are those of mobster Jimmy Serrano in the comedy Midnight Run and Ray “Bones” Barboni in Get Shorty. He starred on television as Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order. His latest TV role was in HBO’s Luck, which premiered on January 29, 2012.

Dennis Farina cause of death

Farina died on July 22, 2013 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona after suffering a blood clot in his lung.  Dennis Farina was 69 years old at the time of  his death.

Crime Story – Mike Torello (Dennis Farina) says, “It’s dead!”

Cory Monteith, ‘Glee’ star, dies 31

Cory Allan Michael Monteith (May 11, 1982 – July 13, 2013) was a Canadian actor and singer, known for his role as Finn Hudson on the Fox television series Glee from 2009 until his death in 2013.

In an interview with Parade magazine in 2011, he discussed his history of substance abuse, and in April 2013 he again sought treatment for addiction.

Cory Monteith cause of death

On July 13, 2013, at the age of 31, Monteith was found dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. He had been scheduled to check out earlier that day, but when he failed to do so, hotel staff entered his room and discovered his body. Although the Vancouver Police Department said the cause and manner of death were not immediately apparent, foul play was ruled out. An autopsy is scheduled for July 15.

I’ll Stand By You – Cory Monteith as Finn

Amar G. Bose, creator of Bose speakers, dies 83

Amar Gopal Bose (November 2, 1929  – July 12, 2013) was an American academic and entrepreneur. An electrical engineer and sound engineer, he was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for over 45 years. He was also the founder and chairman of Bose Corporation. In 2011, he donated a majority of the company to MIT in the form of non-voting shares to sustain and advance MIT’s education and research mission.

In 2007 he was listed in Forbes 400 as the 271st richest man in the world, with a net worth of $1.8 billion. In 2009, he was no longer on the billionaire list, and returned to the list in 2011, with a net worth of $1.0 billion.

Amar G. Bose cause of death

Bose died on July 12, 2013 at the age of 83.

Wreslers who died

I grew up watching WWF wrestling. Now they are WWE.

  • Chyna – (April 17-20, 2016), Died 45
  • Rowdy Roddy Piper – (April 17, 1954 – July 31, 2015), Died 61.
  • James Hellwig, WWE Legend, Ultimate Warrior (June 16, 1959 – April 8, 2014, Died 54
  • Matt Osborne, Doink The Clown (July 27, 1957 – June 28, 2013) WWE star, died 55
  • Paul Bearer (April 10, 1954 – March 5, 2013). manager of The Undertaker, Kane, Mick Foley and Vader.
  • ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage (November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011) WWF Wrester, Dies 58
  • Paul Perschmann – “Playboy” Buddy Rose – (born ? – died April 28, 2009) died 56
  • Gary Hart (January 24, 1942 – March 16, 2008), On-screen manager, Died 66.
  • Fabulous Moolah (July 22, 1923 – November 2, 2007), died 84
    Cause of death: Complications from surgery
  • The Missing Link (February 28, 1939 – August 16, 2007) Died 68
    Real Name: Byron James John “Dewey” Robertson
    Cause of Death: cancer
  • Crush (January 31, 1963 – August 13, 2007) Died 43
    Real Name: Brian Keith Adams
    Cause of death: Prescription medications overdose
  • Chris Benoit (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) Died 43
    Cause of death: Suicide by Hanging
  • Sensational Sherri (February 8, 1958 – June 15, 2007) Died 49
    Real Name: Sherri Russell
    Cause of death: accidental overdose
  • Bad News Brown (October 22, 1943 – March 6, 2007) Died 63
    Real Name: Allen James Coage
    Cause of death: Heart Attack
  • Bam Bam Bigelow (September 1, 1961 – January 19, 2007) Died 45
    Real Name: Scott Charles Bigelow
    Cause of death: Drugs, Heart Problem, Diabetes
  • Johnny Grunge of Public Enemy (July 10, 1966 – February 16, 2006) Died 39
    Real Name: Michael “Mike” Durham
    Cause of death: sleep apnea complications
  • Eddie Guerrero (October 9, 1967 – November 13, 2005) Died 38
    Other Ring Name: Latino Heat
    Real Name: Eduardo “Eddie” Gory Guerrero Llanes
    Cause of death: Enlarged Heart due to drug use
  • Big Bossman (May 2, 1963 – September 22, 2004) Died 41
    Real Name: Raymond W. Traylor, Jr.
    Cause of death: heart attack
  • Hercules (May 7, 1957 – March 6, 2004) Died 46
    Real Name: Raymond Fernandez
    Cause of death: heart disease
  • Jack Tunney (1935 – January 24, 2004) Died 69
    On-screen WWF President during Hulkamania
    Cause of death: Heart Attack (unconfirmed)
  • Crash Holly (August 25, 1971 – November 6, 2003) Died 32
    Real Name: Michael John Lockwood
    Other Ring Name: The Green Ghost
    Cause of death: choked on his own vomit (Drug Overdose)
  • Hawk of Road Warrior (September 12, 1958 – October 19, 2003) Died 45
    Real Name: Michael James Hegstrand
    Cause of death: heart attack
  • Stu Hart (May 3, 1915 – October 16, 2003) Died 88
    Wrestler, trainer, promoter. Father of Bret and Owen Hart.
    Real Name: Stewart Edward “Stu” Hart
    Cause of death: Sufferef pneumonia, diabetes, arthritis, then died of a stroke.
  • Miss Elizabeth (November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003) Died 42
    Real Name: Elizabeth Ann Hulette
    Cause of death: combination of alcohol and drugs
  • Mr. Perfect (March 28, 1958 – February 10, 2003) Died 44
    Real Name: Curtis Michael “Curt” Hennig
    Other Ring Name: Curt Hennig
    Cause of death: acute cocaine intoxication / combination of steroids and painkillers
  • “Flyboy” Rocco Rock of The Public Enemy (September 1, 1953 – September 21, 2002) Died 49
    Real Name: Theodore James Petty
    Cause of death: heart attack
  • The British Bulldog (November 27, 1962 – May 18, 2002) Died 39
    Real Name: David Boy Smith
    Cause of death: heart attack (steroid, human-growth hormones)
  • Yokozuna (October 2, 1966 – October 23, 2000) Died 34
    Real Name: Rodney Agatupu Anoa’i
    Cause of death: fluid in his lungs (reported heart attack/heart failure)
  • Gorilla Monsoon (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), Died 62
    Real Name: Robert James “Gino” Marella
    Cause of death: heart failure from diabetes
  • Owen Hart (May 7, 1965 – May 23, 1999) Died 34
    Real Name: Owen James Hart
    Other Ring Name: The Blue Blazer
    Cause of death: 50 foot fall from ceiling to ring
  • “Ravishing” Rick Rude (December 7, 1958 – April 20, 1999) Died 40
    Real Name: Richard Erwin Rood
    Cause of death: overdose of “mixed medications (including Steroid)
  • The Junkyard Dog (December 13, 1952 – June 2, 1998) Died 45
    Real Name: Sylvester Ritter
    Cause of death: single-car accident (fell asleep the the wheel)
  • André the Giant (May 19, 1946 – January 27, 1993) Died 46
    Real Name: André René Roussimoff
    Cause of death: congestive heart failure
  • Vince McMahon, Sr. (July 6, 1914 –May 24, 1984) Died 69
    Founder of WWF, Father of Vince McMhahon
    Real Name: Vincent James McMahon
    Cause of death: Cancer

###

Bernie Nolan, singer, ‘The Nolans’, dies 52

Bernadette Therese “Bernie” Nolan (October 17, 1960 – July 4, 2013) was an Irish actress, singer and television personality, formerly lead vocalist of The Nolans. Bernie Nolan was the second youngest of siblings Anne, Brian, Denise, Maureen, Tommy, Linda and Coleen Nolan. She was raised in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Bernie Nolan cause of death

Nolan died from cancer in her sleep, at her home in Surrey on 4 July 2013, aged 52.

It was revealed on 23 April 2010 that Nolan was suffering from breast cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes. In October 2010, she stated that she was cancer-free after having undergone chemotherapy and a mastectomy, and was taking herceptin. In February 2012, she announced that she was no longer taking cancer treatment drugs, and was completely free of cancer. At the end of October 2012, Bernie announced that the cancer had returned and was incurable. It had metastasised to her brain, lungs, liver and bones.  Anne and Linda Nolan suffered from the disease in 2000 and 2006 respectively; both recovered.

The Nolans are an Anglo-Irish girl group consisting of a group of sisters. The group, best known for their song “I’m in the Mood for Dancing”, gained prominence as guest performers on numerous television shows in the United Kingdom. The majority of their charted singles and albums occurred in the early 1980s, but they continued to be active until 2005 and were particularly successful in Japan. The sisters have pursued varying solo careers in acting, music and television presenting. In 2009, The Nolans reformed for a one-off concert tour in Ireland and in the UK, spawning an album and DVD.

The Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing

Chuck Foley, Co-Creator of the Game Twister, Dies 82

Charles “Chuck” Foley (September 6, 1930 – July 1, 2013) was the co-inventor of the game Twister, with Neil W. Rabens.

Foley received only 2.5% royalties for three years from Milton Bradley, which amounted to about $27,000. The game became a sensation after Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor played it on The Tonight Show in 1966. Hasbro took over the manufacturing of the game.

Chuck Foley cause of death

Foley died July 1, 2013 at the Golden Living Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 82 and is survived by six sons and three daughters and grandchildren, as well as two brothers and two sisters.