BCAlum2000

I dunno who the f*ck this guy is, but apparently his death is getting a lot of media attention in the States. Reverend Ike, a preacher who preached materialism, has died at the age of 74. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...0,2556008.story

You're absolutely right. As I have discussed with some posters earlier, breakthroughs in medical treatment have allowed individuals to live much longer than before. And in general, the life expectancy for individuals just continues to climb. Although Swayze deserves credit for showing strength and dignity in the face of this debilitating disease, there is no doubt that he's still very much alive today thanks to the experimental cyberknife procedure. I believe he's one of the very first individuals, if not the first American, to be receiving this treatment. So you reckon its back to picking old farts in the future? This is an interesting topic. I will say that at least by celebrity standards, I can see 90 years old being "the new 60." Even as recently as 10 years ago, you seldom see any celebrity still active after he/she reaches 80 years old. Nowadays, it's not uncommon for actors to be well in their mid to late 80s and even their 90s and still maintain an active career particularly in the entertainment business. Some examples include Eli Wallach, Kevin McCarthy, Ernest Borgnine, Christopher Lee, Betty White, Robert Byrd (politics), James Karen (actor), Cliff Robertson, Charles Durning, etc.

Frank McCourt, best-selling author of the memoir Angela's Ashes, has passed away at the age of 78. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/norther...and/8158451.stm

Ugh -- what's happening to her?!? I kinda liked her. It's sad to see her going down the path of Lindsay Lohan and Amy Winehouse, but I hope she can get her life back together. BCAlum, help me please, I knew her name but couldn't remember what film made her famous? Mischa was famous for starring in the hit TV series "The OC" on Fox Network. It's a rather vapid show about a bunch of spoiled teens in Orange County, California, USA.

Ugh -- what's happening to her?!? I kinda liked her. It's sad to see her going down the path of Lindsay Lohan and Amy Winehouse, but I hope she can get her life back together.

Check the source -- it's none other than The National Enquirer. The always reliable National Enquirer has constantly hyped up Patrick Swayze's imminent death. This is probably the fourth or fifth time that the Enquirer claims that Swayze is in his "brave last days" (or some variation of that, e.g. "he only has days to live"). It's gotten to the point where The Enquirer seems to have something against Swayze and is rooting for him to die. Don't believe it. He probably isn't doing that great, but considering that he's lasted some 18 months ever since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he deserves nothing but admiration and respect for battling this deadly disease for so long. He really is an inspiration and a true fighter.

No doubt. But Walt definitely deserves a honorable mention, or depending on who else dies this year, perhaps a runner up status for most significant death of 2009.

That's an interesting pick and one I haven't really thought much of. Then again, I was actually thnking the same thing for George Michael.

Like your argument, but a Pope isn't a one-off. Rather like the death of a monarch - unless there is a serious regime change (ie - scrapping the monarchy) then it is a case of "The Pope is dead - Long live the Pope" as there's always going to be a new one chosen in a few days. Plus in the case of JPII he'd been probably the most watched soon-to-be-dead-person since the Queen Mum (Gawd bless 'er) and certainly in his final few days, and for a couple of days around Nov/Dec the year previously whe he was ill, everyone was waiting for him to die. At the time I was working for a news gathering agency and I usually answered the phone with "is he dead yet then?" such was the anticipation. Michael Jackson was unique, a one-off. He is irreplacable; and for all the rumours about his health and the feeling that he wold never reach old age, his death still came as a shock and out of the blue. There hadn't been a death like this since Saint Diana. Therefore most significant death of 2009? Certainly. I'd argue it's the second most significant event of this decade in fact. Michael who? Kim Jong il could very well die this year. I'm sure there are more than a few folks who would argue that his death is more significant thant MJ's. Their argumetns would that Jong il was a powerful leader of a nation and is well known internationally. He has figured prominently into international politics. They would again say MJ is just "some entertainer." I still think MJ's death is more significant, even if Kim Jong il were to pass away this year.

Hopefully this guy won't last as long as Patrick Swayze.

if Ted Kennedy dies this year, many in the USA would probably argue his death is more significant in their US-centric world-view than MJ's simply b/c he's been such a prominent and influential US politician for decades who shaped the law and public policy in the USA. But they'd be morons, because, like him or not, Michael Jackson was truly world-famous. Ahhh...you have a very good point here. and for the record, I think MJ's death is much more significant than Ted Kennedy (if Ted were to pass away this year). MJ is a beloved worldwide icon; Ted Kennedy is respected amongst a limited audience of elite, highly educated Americans. Now here's another name to consider: Margaret Thatcher. I'm sure that if she were to die this year, you'd be very hard pressed not to consider her at least a contender for most significant death of 2009.

Brace yourselves, deathlisters, we're in for a few slow weeks. The Grim Reaper has taken the lives of many prominent celebrities, many of whom were fairly young. Death probably needs a breather right now so don't expect any significant celebrity deaths for a few weeks. That's how death usually works. Have a slow few weeks, then celebrities die in clusters (hence the concept of celebrities dying in threes). Anyway, I predict that Walter Cronkite will be next (based on what the family has stated). Then again, Liz Taylor and Jerry Lewis are both gravely ill but yet they managed to outlive many younger celebrities (MJ, Farrah, Steve McNair, etc.).

It's pretty amazing, and quite admirable, that Patrick has managed to outlive Ron Silver, Natasha Richardson, David Carradine, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Steve McNair. Patrick has really been quite the inspiration. Here's a latest photo of him: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009...ayze-wife-ranch hard to make out his face, but he appears to be hanging on. I've been following celebrity deaths for quite a bit and I can tell you that death itself does seem to have a pattern. Usually we will go weeks without a major significant death, then in the course of a week or so, a number of celebrities would just die. The last couple of weeks demonstrated this phenomenom with the deaths of MJ, Farrah, Ed McMahon, Billy Mays, Harve Presnell, Karl Malden, and Steve McNair. But the only major celebrity to die in the four weeks prior to that was David Carradine. There's truth behind the whole "rule of three" with celebrities dying (usually) in threes during a relatively short amount of time (each celebrity dying w/n a week of each other). Though in some instances, there could be just two celebrities dying at or around the same time or as many as five and six dying in the span of one to two weeks.

Michael Jackson's death is easily the most significant of 2009. Some might argue he's the most significant death of this decade. of course, the only other possibilities I could think of that (may) top MJ's death in terms of significance are Steve Jobs and Ted Kennedy. Steve Jobs practically transformed technology and the computer industry. Although he appears to be on the mend right now, if he were to suddenly fall ill and die this year, many computer geeks, nerds, and "highly educated" snobs would argue that Jobs's death is much more significant b/c his impact was much deeper while they will dismiss MJ as just "some entertainer." if Ted Kennedy dies this year, many would probably argue his death is more significant than MJ's simply b/c he's been such a prominent and influential politician for decades who shaped the law and public policy.

Former NFL QB Steve McNair has been found shot to death . http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=10643962 This is very tragic news. He was one of the most prominent football players in the last decade or so before his early retirement.

Karl Malden was one of Hollywood's great work horses. He had a tremendous film career and lived a helluva long life.

Yeah, celebrity death hoaxes are such a TEASE.

Another Hollywood related death to report... Character actor Harve Presnell has died at the age of 75. He's had supporting roles in tons of movies, including Fargo, Saving Private Ryan, and most recently, Evan Almighty. http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/fargo-ac...dead-at-75.html Obviously, his death was overshadowed by the far more well known actor Karl Malden who died the same day...

Honestly, I thought Walter Cronkite was dead until a couple years ago...

I've seen quite a bit of those myself. If you've read my previous postings (particularly on the media and celebrity illnesses and exploitation of our obsession with celebrity illnesses and death, yada, yada, yada), you should guess where I stand on this issue. But I have to say that when I read news on Jeff Goldblum's death, I actually thought it was hilarious. Luckily he's still alive and kickin'. Anyway, I've recently read rumors that the following celebrities died: Weird Al Yankovic apparently died of food poisoning. Probably was eating the same 12-year-old nuts as MJ had (even though I have nothing but respect for the guy, I still reserve the right to crack jokes). Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly died in a plane crash. Britney Spears apparently died, but that's b/c someone hacked into her twitter account (she's still alive, folks). Patrick Swayze has finally succumb to cancer. Probably won't be a rumor for long.

I believe Gloria Stuart is already on the list. I do have her on my deathpool for 09 though. I would add Walter Cronkite to the list (if he does not die this year). He's definitely a prime candidate based on what I've read. What about pop singer Sonique? Maybe add her too? I'm considering nominating her to be my "joker" on my 2010 list.

He's not exactly a celebrity on the level of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, or Michael Jackson. Hell, I never really heard of him. But he's quite popular in the States. He is a fairly notable television personality in America and has actually amassed a small following. I've seen his face numerous times but never really paid attention to his name. A tragic loss nonetheless, but one I honestly couldn't really care about. Honestly, I'm surprised by the amount of coverage in the States that's devoted to his death. Both CNN and Yahoo have frontpage stories about his passing (though it might be b/c of the circumstances of his death and the fact that he was fairly young when he died). Semi or quasi-celebrities who died fairly young tend to receive more extensive media coverage b/c of the fact that they died young. That's something I was saying in the Jacko thread. Mays was the same age as Jacko when he died. Is 50 young these days? We all know that people who die young receive greater tributes, and sometimes better fame (think musicians who died at 27). So is 50 the new 27? People were saying that Jacko's death is gonna top Elvis, and so on, and make him one of these legends who died a tragic death before their time... but was he really young? Young at heart, maybe, but young in age? It's this that I can't seem to fully comprehend so I'd like a second opinion. 50 years old is definitely "young" by today's standards. People are living a lot longer than ever thanks to advances in medicine, science, and geriatrics. No, 50 is not the new 27 though these days, being 50 is probably like being in your mid to late 30s. I personally know quite a few people in their early 50s who don't look a day over 35. Take a look at individuals like Betty White, Christopher Lee, Stan Lee, Leslie Nielsen, Eli Wallach, Ernest Borgnine, Clint Eastwood, et. al. All of them are in their 80s and 90s yet many of them continue to have vibrant careers. I remember stating in an earlier post that even 70 these days is not considered old. I was surprised by the plethora of comments regarding Dom DeLuise and Sydney Pollack's deaths and how they were taken from this earth "far too soon." Both Pollack and DeLuise were already in their mid 70s but I've read many comments stating they were "gone too soon." I do think that living to be in your mid to late 80s (especially if you're a celebrity) might possibly be the norm in a decade or so. And although MJ already reached his career peak in the late 80s and 90s and admittedly was really the shadow of his former glorious self in the last decade or so of his life, he was still a very notable public figure and continued to receive extensive media coverage (even if for the wrong reasons). And now, there was a lot of building of hype over his 50 concert comeback tour in London. Also, when Elvis Presley died, he was in his early 40s so he was not all that much younger than MJ. In my honest opinion, I think 50 years old is too young to pass away. Something I want to add is regarding Jade Goody. She was practically a nobody in the States, but when she became terminally ill w/ cancer, she received a lot of media coverage in the US. If Jade were older (or probably not as infamous in England), I'd doubt that the US media would even bat an eyelash at her. But b/c she was only 27 years old at the time of her cancer and passing (and already gained a lot of "fame" in the UK), the media was all over this story.

You really are a hypocritical little sh*t, aren't you? You've been spending most of the last 6 months going "come on, why isn't she dead" "hurry up & die" "my life is terrible because people don't die" etc etc. And now you're being all weepy weep. In fact I think I remember you saying that Fawcett's cancer was all bullshit anyway by the media. I agree your sentiments now, don't get me wrong, it's just the sheer hypocrisy of you I can't stand. Honestly, those comments were made b/c of my animosity towards Ryan O'Neal. I couldn't stand him more than anything else. I still felt that he exploited her to an extent. Maybe it's not true after all, but that's the vibe I felt from him. I do admit I regret some of those comments I said about Farrah earlier, but it was honestly more towards Ryan O'Neal than anything else.

He's not exactly a celebrity on the level of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, or Michael Jackson. Hell, I never really heard of him. But he's quite popular in the States. He is a fairly notable television personality in America and has actually amassed a small following. I've seen his face numerous times but never really paid attention to his name. A tragic loss nonetheless, but one I honestly couldn't really care about. Honestly, I'm surprised by the amount of coverage in the States that's devoted to his death. Both CNN and Yahoo have frontpage stories about his passing (though it might be b/c of the circumstances of his death and the fact that he was fairly young when he died). Semi or quasi-celebrities who died fairly young tend to receive more extensive media coverage b/c of the fact that they died young.

Throwing fuel to the fire here... Could MJ's death have been the result of drug overdose? There's speculation that the prescription drug "demerol" might have been the real cause of MJ's death. Or at the very least, it contributed significantly to his cardiac arrest.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/2...ead-post-mortem