Drewsky1211

Abe Vigoda died on this day 7 years ago, aged 94. Vigoda starred as Sal Tessio (the capo who betrays the Corleones) in The Godfather, and then as Phil Fish on Barney Miller. Fish's popularity on the show caused a spinoff- Fish- to be created, running from 1977 to 1978. Vigoda was also known for erroneous reports of his death. The first of these came from a 1982 issue of People magazine, and in response he took a photograph of himself in a coffin holding the publication. Another occurred in 1987 on a New Jersey news station, with the reporter retracting their claim the next day. In 2001, a website was launched whose only purpose was to tell people his status- when he did die in 2016, they put X's over their picture of Abe (the same one at the top). Vigoda starred in a 2010 Super Bowl ad with Betty White for Snickers. Vigoda appeared on the DeathList three times- 2007, 2014, and 2016. Also his obit picture is missing- here's a copy of it from the Internet Archive.

Bob Uecker is 89.

46 Nena – 99 Red Balloons 45 George Michael — Careless Whisper +3 39 Madonna – Into The Groove 34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 31 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax 27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover 27 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 27 Midge Ure – If I Was 26 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) +1 22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes 21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 21 Duran Duran – The Reflex 21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you 19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone 19 Wham – Freedom 19 Wham - Wake me up before you go go 18 Foreigner – I want to know what love is -3 17 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 18 Wham – I`m your man 15 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer 12 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe  11 Paul Hardcastle – 19 9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love 7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street 5 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you 4 Sister Sledge – Frankie -3

John Hurt died on this day 6 years ago, aged 77. Hurt started off on television, with his career culminating in the late 1970s with TV films such as The Naked Civil Servant and I, Claudius earning him acclaim. In 1978, he starred in Midnight Express, for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In 1979, Hurt was cast as the astronaut Gilbert Kane, the first of the Xenomorph's victims. He would parodically reprise this role in Mel Brooks' Spaceballs in 1987. In 1980, Hurt would star as Joseph Merrick in the biographical film The Elephant Man, earning him another Oscar nomination. He starred as Winston Smith in the 1984 adaptation of 1984. Hurt also did voice work, such as Snitter in The Plague Dogs, The Horned King in The Black Cauldron (below), and Mr. Mole in Don Bluth's Thumbelina. In the 2000s, he was known for his role as Mr. Ollivander in the Harry Potter movies, and High Chancellor Adam Sutler in V for Vendetta (Winston's actor ended up playing Big Brother). Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, and died three days after his 77th birthday.

Alicia Keys is 42.

For the Best Animated Features this year: A teenager transforms into a '70s singer whenever she feels a strong emotion- Turning Rod. Puss and Kitty Softpaws fight over dinner- Puss in Boots: The Last Fish. A couple discover a talking seashell covered in farm tools- Marcel the Shell with Hoes On. A monster hunter and an orphan find one such creature in a bowl- The Pea Beast. The story of Pinocchio is reimagined with Boris Johnson (or Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, or any of their cabinet members) as the lead- Guillermo Del Tory's Pinocchio.

36 George Michael – Careless Whisper +3 35 Nena – 99 Red Balloons +1 31 Madonna – Into The Groove 28 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer 26 Midge Ure – If I Was 23 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax 23 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) 21 Duran Duran – The Reflex 21 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover 21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you 21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is 20 Wham – I`m your man 19 Paul Hardcastle – 19 -4 19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone 18 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes 18 Sister Sledge – Frankie 18 Paul McCartney - Pipes of Peace 18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 17 Wham – Freedom 17 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well 16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go 15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe -2 15 Jennifer Rush – The power of love 13 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you 11 Lionel Richie – Hello 9 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street Following @BuffaloPhil's example.

"this cucumber is being swallowed whole"

Rebecca Latimer Felton died on this day 93 years ago, aged 94. Latimer was the first female US Senator. In September of 1922, incumbent Georgia senator Thomas Watson died, and governor Thomas Hardwick appointed her as a lame duck- this was done to sway the new female voting demographic in his favor, as Latimer had been a notable suffragette. Felton was only in office for one day before her successor (Walter George) was sworn in. Despite this achievement, and her involvement in the feminist movement, Latimer was horrifyingly racist- and the last politician in Congress to have owned slaves. In 1898, she gave a speech supporting the lynching of Black men- in 1899, a man named Sam Hose was lynched, and Latimer felt no sympathy. She was also against giving African-Americans voting rights, calling Black people seeking equal treatment "half-civilized gorillas." Felton was interviewed on film less than a year before she died.

Matthew Lillard is 53. Best known for portraying Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo movies, and becoming his official voice in 2009 following Casey Kasem's retirement.

24 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you 23 George Michael – Careless Whisper +3 21 Nena – 99 red balloons +1 20 Paul McCartney – Pipes of peace 20 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax 20 Lionel Richie – Hello 20 Duran Duran – The Reflex 20 Wham – Wake me up before you go go 20 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes 20 Stevie Wonder – I just called to say I love you 20 Wham – Freedom 20 Chaka Khan – I feel for you 20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 20 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 20 Foreigner – I want to know what love is 20 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well 20 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) 20 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover 20 Phyllis Nelson – Move closer 20 Crowd – You´ll never walk alone 20 Sister Sledge – Frankie 20 Eurythmics – There must be an angel (playing with my heart) 20 Madonna – Into the groove 20 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe 20 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street 20 Midge Ure – If I was 20 Jennifer Rush – The power of love 20 Feargal Sharkey – A good heart 20 Wham – I´m your man 20 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone 19 USA for Africa – We are the world -1 15 Band Aid – Do they know it´s Christmas? -5 14 Paul Hardcastle – 19

66 Kraftwerk – The Model / Computer Love 55 Madness – House of Fun +1 44 Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the heart 28 The Jam – Town called Malice / Precious -2 28 Men at Work – Down Under +3 23 The Police — Every breath you take 9 Irene Cara — Fame -4

Larry King died on this day 2 years ago, aged 87. King was born as Lawrence Zeiger- he changed his name when his first broadcast manager claimed his last name was "too difficult to remember". His first celebrity interview was with Bobby Darin. King began to host The Larry King Show beginning in 1978, which was broadcast over the radio until 1994. His television series- what he was best known for- ran from 1985 to 2010, and it was CNN's most-viewed show. Among the highlights of its over 6000 episodes include a debate between Al Gore and Ross Perot over NAFTA, interviewing Vladimir Putin in 2000, and Tammy Faye Messner appearing on his show the day before she died. In the 2000s, King would often become a guest voice in films and shows, usually as himself: Besides the clip provided, other instances include Ghostbusters, episodes of Arthur, Gravity Falls, and The Simpsons, and in a case where he didn't cameo as himself, Doris the Ugly Stepsister in Shrek 2. King had a history of bad health. He had a major heart attack in 1987 that required a quintuple bypass surgery, likely due to decades of excessive smoking. In 2017, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, with the tumor being successfully removed. King was put on the 2019 DeathList, and during that year, he suffered a stroke that left him comatose. King died from sepsis related to a COVID infection.

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is 72.

66 Kraftwerk – The Model / Computer Love 62 Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the heart 56 Madness – House of Fun 36 The Jam – Town called Malice 29 Men at Work – Down Under 22 The Police – Every breath you take 15 David Bowie – Let's Dance +4 10 Irene Cara – Fame -3 7 Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? -3

Lyndon B. Johnson died on this day 50 years ago, aged 64. LBJ's presidency (as many here know) was known for its involvement in the Vietnam War, and the full swing of the civil rights movement. Here's some fast facts about him. - His wife and daughters were also known by the initials "LBJ"- Lady Bird, Lynda Bird, and Luci Baines. - Johnson was known for his love of beagles, whom he would hold by the ears. Two of them were simply named "Him" and "Her". - Johnson would invite people into his bathroom to talk with him while he pooped. - He nicknamed his penis "Jumbo". That is all I am willing to discuss on that particular subject. - He came from a family of politicians. His father Samuel served in the Texas House of Representatives between 1905 and 1909, and 1918 to 1923, and his maternal grandfather Joseph Baines also served in it from 1903 to 1905- his son-in-law took his seat. - Johnson was unable to attend Winston Churchill's funeral due to influenza. When someone suggested that he send his recently-inaugurated VP Hubert Humphrey instead, he replied "Hubert who?". He sent Chief Justice Earl Warren instead, and there was indeed media criticism. - Johnson was a close friend of Walter Cronkite, and recorded his final interview with him ten days before his death. Cronkite was the first to break the news of his death, which was relayed by his press secretary Tom Johnson. - LBJ died on the day that Roe v. Wade was decided, overshadowing that piece of news. - LBJ's death meant that Richard Nixon was the only living American president at the time- Harry S. Truman died less than a month before Johnson.

Piper Laurie is 91.

61 Kraftwerk – The Model / Computer Love 60 Bonnie Tyler — Total Eclipse of the heart 44 Madness – House of Fun +1 42 The Jam — Town called Malice 30 Men at Work – Down Under 26 The Police – Every breath you take 24 Culture Club – Do you really want to hurt me? 22 Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? 19 David Bowie – Let's Dance +3 12 Irene Cara — Fame -2 9 Flying Pickets – Only You -4

George Orwell died on this day 73 years ago, aged 46. Orwell's real name was Eric Blair. His first work, published in 1933, was Down and Out in Paris and London, an exposé on poverty in Paris and London after he had visited the cities. His first novel was 1934's Burmese Days, showing his negative views on colonialism and imperialism. Animal Farm was published in 1945, and is well-known to be an allegory of the history of the Soviet Union. It was adapted into an animated film in 1954 that was funded by the CIA, who changed the ending to show the oppressed animals overthrowing the pigs. Nineteen Eighty-Four, his most famous work, was his final novel, released in 1949. (incidentally, I recently bought the graphic novel version of the book) Orwell himself was a proponent of democratic socialism- which would probably anger the "literally 1984" crowd. When the actual 1984 did roll around, Apple made this now-iconic ad (I'm bringing this up because popular deadpool pick David Graham is Big Brother in this commercial). Now back to Orwell- his last words were "at 50, everyone has the face he deserves". He died of a burst lung artery four years too early.

Jerry Trainor, known best for his role as Spencer in iCarly, is 46.

57 Kraftwerk – The Model / Computer Love 52 Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart -1 47 Madness – House of Fun +1 37 Men at Work – Down Under 34 The Jam — Town called Malice 26 Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? 26 The Police – Every breath you take 25 Flying Pickets – Only You 24 David Bowie – Let's Dance +3 24 Culture Club – Do you really want to hurt me? 23 Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance 14 KC & the Sunshine Band – Give It Up -5 14 Irene Cara — Fame

Johnny Weissmuller died on this day 39 years ago, aged 79. Weissmuller was a swimming ace, and earned gold medals in both the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Weissmuller would then become an actor, and began to star as Tarzan beginning in 1932. For this role, Weissmuller produced this now-iconic yell: This sound effect was played three times when his casket was lowered into his grave- at his request. Weissmuller was also typecast into similar roles, such as the Jungle Jim movies between 1948 and 1955.

Tom Baker is 89. Highly likely he's going to be on the list within the next five years.

53 Kraftwerk – The Model / Computer Love 50 Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart -2 49 Madness – House of fun +1 44 Men at Work – Down Under 44 The Jam – Town called Malice 40 Eddy Grant – I Don't Wanna Dance 30 KC & the Sunshine Band – Give it up 30 Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? 25 Culture Club – Do you really want to hurt me? 24 David Bowie – Let's Dance +3 22 Flying Pickets – Only You 21 The Police – Every breath you take 16 Irene Cara — Fame 15 Spandau Ballet – True -4

Carl Perkins died on this day 25 years ago, aged 65. In 1955, Perkins wrote "Blue Suede Shoes" after seeing a dancer get angry at his date for getting his shoes dirty, and released it in January of 1956. Elvis Presley's more-recognized cover was made later in the year. Perkins was considered a rockabilly pioneer, and a member of the Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis were the other three). Perkins's career was revived in the '80s, and he worked with musicians such as the three remaining Beatles, The Judds, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, and Bono. His final album, Go Cat Go!, was released in 1996. Perkins nearly died in a car crash in 1956, where his car hit a pickup truck and he suffered from fractured vertebrae, and was unconscious for a day.