Hollywood Memoir

Charlie O’Donnell (August 12, 1932 – October 31, 2010) was an American television announcer best known for his work on Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune and other game shows
O’Donnell may be best known as the announcer for Wheel of Fortune. He filled this role from 1975 to 1980, acted as a substitute for his successor, Jack Clark, and returned to the show permanently several months after Clark’s death in 1988, and continued with the show until his death in 2010. M.G. Kelly briefly served as announcer between Clark and O’Donnell.

Among the game show companies O’Donnell had worked for as a primary announcer were Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions (1973-1977), Merv Griffin Enterprises/Sony Pictures Television (1975-80 and 1989-2010), Barry & Enright Productions (1981-86), and Barris Industries (1986-89). He has also announced game shows for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions (Card Sharks, Trivia Trap, Family Feud, To Tell the Truth); Bob Stewart Productions, and for Hill-Eubanks Group’s All Star Secrets and The Guinness Game. He and John Harlan filled in for Rod Roddy on different occasions on Press Your Luck.

Death of Charlie O’Donnell
Charlie O’Donnell in his sleep from heart failure, at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.  Charlie O’Donnell was 78 years old at the time of his death

George Hickenlooper (May 25, 1963 – October 29, 2010) was an American narrative and documentary filmmaker.

His first feature-length documentary, Hearts of Darkness, explored the making of Apocalypse Now. It won several awards, including the National Board of Review award for "Best Documentary", an American Cinema Editors award for "Best Edited Documentary", two Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards for "Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Directing" and "Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Picture Editing", and the International Documentary Association award. Hickenlooper himself won an Emmy for direction.

George Hickenlooper’s cousin, John Hickenlooper, is the mayor of Denver, Colorado and who made a cameo appearance as a fictional senator in Hickenlooper’s 2010 film Casino Jack.

In addition to his films, Hickenlooper authored a 1991 book, Reel Conversations.

Death of George Hickenlooper
Hickenlooper died in his sleep on October 29, 2010. He apparently died of natural causes; foul play is not suspected. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, son Charles, a younger brother, and his mother and father.  George Hickenlooper was 47 years old at the time of his death

James Gordon MacArthur (December 8, 1937 – October 28, 2010) was an American actor known for the role of Danny "Danno" Williams, the reliable second-in-command of the fictional Hawaiian State Police squad Hawaii Five-O.

Hawaii Five-O ran for twelve years—eleven with MacArthur.

After leaving Hawaii Five-O, McArthur guest-starred on such TV shows as Murder, She Wrote, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Vega$, as well as in the mini series Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story and The Night the Bridge Fell Down, and in the 1998 TV movie Stormchasers: Revenge of the Twister, with Kelly McGillis.

Death of James MacArthur
James MacArthur died of natural causes.
James MacArthur was 72 years old at the time of his death.

James MacArthur’s Filmography:
From 1955 to 1998 James MacArthur appeared on 50-60 titles. (imdb)

Personal Info:
Height: 5′ 8" (1.73 m)

The Young Stranger (1957) Trailer – Introducing James MacArthur

Jimmy Wall (Born ? – October 27, 2010) was a regular on Captain Kangaroo from 1968 until 1978. Playing the kindly "Mr. Baxter," he added a sense of calm to the show when all others around him may have been caught up in the silliness. He also starred with the Captain and Mr. Greenjeans in a serialized production entitled "The Missing Paint Mystery" (shown on the program from December, 1969 until 1977; with the exception of 1976) in which the trio travels to Curaçao (a Caribbean island) to confront the playfully evil villain, Garumph (played by Cosmo Allegretti). Wall also worked as a stage manager for CBS on Captain Kangaroo and other CBS broadcasts, including 60 Minutes. Wall continued to work as a CBS stage manager, and on September 1, 2008, was honored for working on his 41st year of the "US Open" tennis tournament. Sportscasters Dick Enberg and John McEnroe commented that Wall still has a strong backhand tennis shot.  

Death of Jimmy Wall
Jimmy Wall died October 27, 2010 after a short illness.
Jimmy Wall was 92 years old at the time of his death

James Wall on diversifying "Captain Kangaroo" 

Denise Borino-Quinn (January 6, 1964 – October 27, 2010) was a television actress who had a recurring role as Ginny Sacramoni, the overweight wife of New York mob boss Johnny Sack in the television series The Sopranos.

She was born in Roseland, New Jersey. She attended the same high school West Essex High School, the same school at Sopranos creator David Chase although nearly 30 years apart.

With no acting experience she attended the casting call in Harrison, New Jersey in 2000 because to support a friend because she said that thought it would be fun to watch the crowds. She was picked from 14,000 actresses. She had been a legal assistant in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Death of Denise Borino-Quinn
Denise Borino-Quinn married Chris Quinn, Jr., in 2005. He died in March 2010.
Denise Borino-Quinn died seven months later from liver cancer.
She was 46 years old at the time of her death.

Paul the Octopus (January 2008 – October 26, 2010) was a common octopus living in a tank at a Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, despite originally being from Weymouth in England. Paul became internationally famous for correctly predicting the winner of Germany’s seven matches at the 2010 World Cup, as well as the final. He died on 26 October 2010.

Death of Paul the Octopus
On 26 October 2010 Paul died in his sleep due to natural causes, as reported by Stefan Porwoll, manager of the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany. His remains will be cremated, but the decision on his final resting place and funeral is yet to be finalized.

It was expected that Paul would die before the UEFA Euro 2012, as common octopuses live on average no more than two years.

Gregory Isaacs (July 15, 1951 – October 25, 2010) was a Jamaican reggae musician, described as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae".

More than 500 Gregory Isaacs albums have been released during his career, many being compilations.

Death of Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs died of lung cancer at his home in London.
Gregory Isaacs was 59 years old at the time of his death

Gregory Isaacs-Material man

Lisa S. Blount (July 1, 1957 – October 25, 2010) was an American film and television actress and Oscar-winning producer.

She is most likely remembered for her film role as Lynette Pomeroy, the cynical, insecure best friend to Paula Pokrifki, played by Debra Winger, in An Officer and a Gentleman. Another memorable role was that of Jim Profit’s outrageous stepmother Bobbi Stakowski in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed Fox TV series Profit.

She starred in Prince of Darkness as the love interest to Jameson Parker, who would play a more important role in the story as it progressed. She also appeared during season two (1986) of Moonlighting in the episode, "Sleep Talkin’ Guy", as the beautiful prostitute, Toby, who helped David Addison crack cases.

Blount later became a producer and, along with her husband Ray McKinnon, won the Academy Award for best live action short film for the 2001 film, The Accountant. That film also credits her as wardrobe mistress. Blount produced and acted in the film Chrystal, starring Billy Bob Thornton.

Death of Lisa Blount
She was found dead in her Little Rock, Arkansas home by her mother on October 27, 2010. The coroner told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Blount appeared to have died on October 25. No foul play is suspected.

Alexander "Alex" Anderson, Jr. (September 5, 1920 – October 22, 2010) was an American cartoonist who created the characters of Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Bullwinkle, and Dudley Do-Right, as well as the more obscure Crusader Rabbit. He was not directly involved in The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show however, because he did not want to move from San Francisco to Los Angeles with business partner and childhood friend Jay Ward. Ward recruited others in Los Angeles, and Anderson functioned only in a consulting role, thereby missing out on most of the credit for his creations.

Death of Alex Anderson
Alex Anderson died due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease at a nursing home in Carmel, California.  Alex Anderson was 90 years old at the time of his death

Rocky and Bullwinkle Opening Theme

Kim Novak, best known for her role in “Vertigo”, was diagnosed with breast cancer, her manager, Sue Cameron, reports.

“It was caught early by a routine yearly mammogram and (she) is undergoing treatment. All her doctors say she is in fantastic physical shape and should recover very well”, Cameron says.