Death Anniversary Thread

[Drewsky1211 4,762]

Tom Petty died on this day 5 years ago, aged 66.

In 1976, Petty formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which saw success in the late '70s and early '80s with songs such as "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee".

 

Petty also had a solo career, releasing his most successful song, "Free Fallin'", in 1989. The song featured and was co-written by ELO lead singer Jeff Lynne- who sung backing vocals, and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

Petty also had an acting career, appearing in several episodes of It's Garry Shandling's Show, as well as the 1997 Razzie Worst Picture winner The Postman. Petty's most well-known acting role, however, was as the voice of Lucky in King of the Hill starting in 2004. Initially introduced as a guest role, Lucky would eventually become part of the main cast after marrying Hank's niece Luanne.

 

Petty died of an accidental drug overdose two and a half weeks before his 67th birthday.

[time 8,628]

Its 34 years since the death of Sir Alec Issigonis, renowned motor car designer.

Born 1906 in Smyrna in the Ottoman empire, Issigonis' family were evacuated to Malta just before the Great Fire of Smyrna, near the end of the Greco-Turkish War; Issigonis' father dfied shortly after and he and his mother relocated to the UK, where he studied engineering.

 

While working for Humber, he began racing a self-modified Austin Seven, which led to him being employed by Austin. Moving to Morris he began working on designs for the Morris 10, but the war interrupted this work, but he continued designing, and worked on designs that would later become the Morris Minor. When BMC was formed by the merger of Austin & Morris, he moved to Alvis, however he was re-recruited back to BMC to work on 3 new designs, a large car, a mid-sized family car and a small town car. His work concentrated on the two larger cars until the Suez crisis necessitated the speedy introduction of the smaller, more economical, car. This car became the Mini, which remained in production  from 1959 until 2000, with over 5 million being built.

 

Issigonis was made a CBE in 1964 and knighted in 1969. He died aged 81, at his home in Birmingham.

[The Ashes Urn 1,358]

American advertising creative director William Bernbach died on this day 40 years ago, aged 71.

 

[Hell 1,334]

American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, rodeo performer, and baseball owner who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s Gene Autry died on this day 24 years ago, aged 91.

 

[The Unknown Man 587]

Actress Tamara Dobson died on this day 16 years ago, aged 59.

[Drewsky1211 4,762]

Denis Healey died on this day 7 years ago, aged 98.

Healey was elected to parliament in 1952, and in 1964, was appointed by PM Harold Wilson as the secretary of state of defense. Healey downsized the UK's military role outside of Europe, largely due to budget and committing to NATO. In 1974, Healey was appointed as the chancellor of the exchequer. When Wilson stepped down as prime minister in 1976, Healey ran in the election, placing fifth out of six candidates. Healey contested the second ballot, but still came in last on that one. Healey would retire in 1992.

 

Healy was also known for his large, bushy eyebrows- more prominent when he was younger (compared to the above picture c. late 2000s/early 2010s), and was lampooned on the original Spitting Image show.

 

From his debut in 2010, Healey appeared on every DeathList until his death.

[Gooseberry Crumble 5,347]

 

On this day in 1998 British American  actor and former Hollywood child star Roddy McDowall  died aged 70.

Born in England  his family  moved to the US in 1940 after the outbreak of World War two. He became a naturalised US citizen in 1949 aged 21. He served in a division if the US reserve army corps for 8 years from 1946.

In terms of acting  and british showbiz it seems he was destined to follow this path. He was a child model as a baby in the UK  and won an acting prize in school aged just 9.  Then a series of small film roles  followed in 1938 in british films  such as  Murder in the family -with Jessica Tandy,  George Formby comedy I see ice  and  a family drama called Scruffy. 

 

Roddys first Hollywood studio film was Man Hunt(1941) with Walter Pidgeon and Joan Bennett as the main stars.

Fox was the first studio to sign him  but they loaned him out to MGM to film  Lassie Come home in 1943 were he co-starred with eleven year old Elizabeth Taylor who became a lifelong friend.

 

In the 1950s  Roddy moved to New York and threw himself into many television guest acting  roles  as well as his love for appearing on stage in the theatre.Significant critical success in Broadway followed.

 

A return to Hollywood in the 1960s  and one of his more memorable roles  as ape Cornelius in hit Sci fi  film Planet of the apes resulted.

Roddy was regarded as  a true jobbing actor, not snobbish at all about working in the medium of television,  taking roles big or small in theatre, film and television  .

A huge figure in the Hollywood social scene, known for his passion for photography and video cameras at celebrity partys and when working on film sets  - effectively chronicling much of Hollywood and the  social scene during much of the golden age of tinseltown  

The laws however on the medium of photography and video cassettes  were ambiguous and at one point the FBI  raided his home seizing his video cassetes as part of an investigation into film piracy . No charges were ever filed.

 

Openly gay with his friends Roddy was once in a relationship with  actor Montgomery Clift.

 

Some  other films  he appeared in are Fright Night (1985),  Pretty maids all in a row(1971)  with Angie Dickinson and Rock Hudson,   Killer Shark - a B movie in 1950,   Cleopatra (1963), The Posideon Adventure (1972),  Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and  Circle of Iron (1978) -A film Bruce Lee was also set to star in but died before filming commenced.

 

 

 

 

 Roddy was said to be one of the most discrete people in Hollywood and a keeper of many confidences and secrets. 

There is a  rumour he wrote his memoirs on the condition they are not published  until 100 years after his death in order to avoid any of his friends or their immediate family getting hurt! Crazy if true but alas I won't digress!

 

 

 

 

 

[The Immortal 636]

7 hours ago, Drewsky1211 said:

Denis Healey died on this day 7 years ago, aged 98.

Healey was elected to parliament in 1952, and in 1964, was appointed by PM Harold Wilson as the secretary of state of defense. Healey downsized the UK's military role outside of Europe, largely due to budget and committing to NATO. In 1974, Healey was appointed as the chancellor of the exchequer. When Wilson stepped down as prime minister in 1976, Healey ran in the election, placing fifth out of six candidates. Healey contested the second ballot, but still came in last on that one. Healey would retire in 1992.

 

Healy was also known for his large, bushy eyebrows- more prominent when he was younger (compared to the above picture c. late 2000s/early 2010s), and was lampooned on the original Spitting Image show.

 

From his debut in 2010, Healey appeared on every DeathList until his death.

Denis Healey's death was responsible for me discovering the DeathList and getting interested into celebrity death predictions in the first place. The moment I saw the humorous titles given for the DeathList hits, I knew that I had to follow the DeathList in 2016. I've been following it ever since.

[time 8,628]

Its 22 years since the death of Benjamin Orr (Orzechowski), bassist and lead vocalist of The Cars.

Known locally as Benny 11 Letters, he joined local band The Grasshoppers, who released two single and were the house band on a local (later syndicated) TV show, before the band was dissolved owing to two members being drafted. Orr and Ocasek met in the late 60's and performed in a variety of guises until forming The Cars in 1976.

 

Orr sang lead vocals on some their biggest hits, including Just What I Needed & Drive until the brand broke up in 1988, after which he formed his own band ORR, and played in two other bands, Voices of Classic Rock and Big People.

 

In April 2000, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, though still continued to perform, his final performance with Big People, in Anchorage Alaska six days before he died, at home in Atlanta, aged 53.

[The Ashes Urn 1,358]

American menswear designer John Weitz died on this day 20 years ago, aged 79.

 

[Summer in Transylvania 2,193]

11 hours ago, Drewsky1211 said:

Denis Healey died on this day 7 years ago, aged 98.

Healey was elected to parliament in 1952, and in 1964, was appointed by PM Harold Wilson as the secretary of state of defense. Healey downsized the UK's military role outside of Europe, largely due to budget and committing to NATO. In 1974, Healey was appointed as the chancellor of the exchequer. When Wilson stepped down as prime minister in 1976, Healey ran in the election, placing fifth out of six candidates. Healey contested the second ballot, but still came in last on that one. Healey would retire in 1992.

 

Healy was also known for his large, bushy eyebrows- more prominent when he was younger (compared to the above picture c. late 2000s/early 2010s), and was lampooned on the original Spitting Image show.

 

From his debut in 2010, Healey appeared on every DeathList until his death.

Healey also went to the same school as Captain Tom, sharing a class with Freda Moore, Tom's older sister. They met on a few occasions, with Tom describing Healey's mother as "one of the nicest ladies you could ever meet". 

[Hell 1,334]

American actress, singer, dancer, and author Janet Leigh died on this day 18 years ago, aged 77.

 

 

English actor, comedian and writer Ronnie Barker died on this day 17 years ago, aged 76.

 

[Gooseberry Crumble 5,347]

 

On this day in  2019 Oscar nominated American actress and singer Diahann Carroll  died from breast cancer  aged 84.

 

Born in the Bronx New York , Diahann  did well academically  and went on to study sociology  at University.  She left before she graduated to pursue a career in showbusiness but promised her father if she wasn't successful  within two years she would return to University and complete her final year and graduate.

Already doing modelling work as a teenager,  her appetite  for showbiz  lead her to try her hand at entering television  contests as a short cut ladder to getting her big break  . In 1954 ,an impressive rendition of  Oscar Hammerstein/Jerome Kerns  song why was I born  on the tv  talent contest show Chance of a lifetime  hosted by Dennis James proved to be the breakthrough she needed.

Lucrative nightclub gigs and a debut supporting role in  Hollywood movie  Carmen Jones -starring alongside the likes of Dorothy Dandridge and DeathList alumni Harry Belafonte swiftly followed.

 A combination of  steady acting work in film, television and stage work followed  over the years  Whilst  never what could be called an A Lister  nevertheless  Carroll has a huge list of acting credits to her name  for over 4 decades.  Long term unemployment  was a stranger to her it seems.  

Oscar nominated for Claudine (1974) were she starred alongside   James Earl Jones,  other film credits include  crime drama The Split (1968),  musical Porgy and Bess (1959),  Samuel  L Jackson directed movie  Eve's Bayou (1997) and  Sister Sistee (1982) with Irene Cara. 

Diahanns television  credits were much more extensive,   The Ed Sullivan Show,  The Hollywood Palace, The Judy Garland Show, The Dick Cavett Show,

 police drama  Naked City(1962),  Peter Gunn(1960), Burkes Law,  The Love Boat, late 80s early 90s  sitcom A Different World, Greys anatomy,  numerous made for TV movies  and last but not least  the formidable half sister of Blake Carrington in Dynasty and The Colbys (1984-1987) were she clashed regularly and brilliantly  with Blakes ex wife Alexis played by her good friend  offscreen  Joan Collins .

 

In her personal life Carroll was married 4 times.

Firstly to record producer Monte Kay in 1956. They had one daughter together but the marriage barely lasted six years. 

  Secondly to Las Vegas  boutique owner Fred Glusman. The marriage lasted only four months with unconfirmed rumours he was physically abusive to her. The marriage however was a surprise to many in the media and was suspected to be an ill advised rebound relationship  after her nearly three year relationship  with British television presenter David Frost ended earlier that year.

Age 39 and her third marriage  was in 1975  to 24 year old managing editor of Jet magazine  Robert DeLeon. Sadly after less than 2 years of marriage Robert died in a car crash.

Diahanns fourth and final marriage was to american singer Vic Damone in 1987. They legally separated in 1991 after what she called a turbulent relationship. 

 

Random facts - From 1959  Diahann had a nine year affair with recently deceased  DeathList alumni Sidney Poitier  which resulted in contested tales of the relationship years later .Diahann claimed Sidney persuaded her to divorce her husband by promising he would leave his wife to be with her. He bottled it and never kept his part of the bargain  according to Diahann where as  Sidney, who did eventually divorce his first wife but not to be with Diahann,   says the arrangement broke down  because he wanted to live with Diahann  for six months before they married as he didn't  want to  be seen publicly jumping straight from one marriage to another.  

 

 

 

 

 

Also rumour has it when Joan Collins episode appearances  were planned to be cut down  in Dynasty  , partly because her appearance fee was high and the Network was being more cautious and cost saving especially as the shows ratings were well down and because  Joan felt her character was becoming repetitive and she wanted to partially step aside so the character wasn't burnt out, Diahann Carrolls  character  Dominique  Devereux was penciled in to return for the 1978 /1990 season to fill the superbitch void but alas it wasn't to be as the show was axed.

In her career especially the early years in theatre and television contests etc Diahann was considered  to a trailblazer as the first  African American  woman to be cast or achieve in some of her particular fields. 

[Drewsky1211 4,762]

Graham Chapman died on this day 33 years ago, aged 48.

One of the Pythons- Brian Cohen himself in Life of Brian and King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Besides that, Chapman was openly homosexual and a gay rights advocate, and took in a runaway child, becoming their legal guardian.

 

Chapman had problems with alcohol- he would miss cues during Monty Python performances and had fits of delirium when withdrawing. Chapman decided to stop due to the effects on his performance in Life of Brian, and remained sober until his death.

 

What Chapman did not stop, however, was smoking tobacco, which he started doing as a child. In 1988, during a dentist's check-up, a malignant tumor was found on one of his tonsils, with both being removed. Unfortunately, it had spread to his spine. John Cleese and Michael Palin visited him on his deathbed and were present when he died, but none of the Pythons showed up at his funeral in order to prevent a media frenzy (his family wished for privacy). They did, however, appear at the memorial service, and performed "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from the film- which would eventually become the most-played song at British funerals.

 

Chapman was cremated, and it was rumored that his ashes were either launched into space or scattered in the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales. An urn claiming to carry Chapman's ashes was also carried during subsequent Monty Python performances, and was accidentally spilled on-stage by Terry Gilliam in 1998.

[The Ashes Urn 1,358]

American actor and comedian Buddy Lester died on this day 20 years ago, aged 87.

 

[Hell 1,334]

American politician who served four terms as Governor of New York and the Democratic Party’s candidate for president in 1928 Al Smith died on this day 78 years ago, aged 70.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,762]

Byzantine emperor Justin II died on this day 1444 years ago, aged 58.

Justin became emperor in 565 following the death of his uncle, Justinian I (the Great). The empire was nearly bankrupt due to Justinian's policy of paying off enemies, so Justin ended the truce settled with the Avars to the north that was made in 558. The ending of payments to the Sassanian Persian Empire led to war in 572, in which their king, Khosrow I, captured the Byzantine fort of Dara.

 

Shortly after this, Justin began to go slightly mad. He reportedly "behaved like a wild animal", bit people near him (there is a rumor that he ATE two people) required to be wheeled around on a mobile throne, and wished for loud organ music to be played 24/7. By 574, Justin realized his insanity, and acceded his adoptive son Tiberius II as his regent. Justin would promote Tiberius to emperor nine days before his death.

[The Ashes Urn 1,358]

American actress and singer Laurie Anders died on this day 30 years ago, aged 70.

 

[Gooseberry Crumble 5,347]

On this day in 2011 Steve Jobs,  american businessman, Cofounder of Apple and their CEO,  died of pancreatic cancer  aged 56 .

A key figure in the development and evolution of personal computers and smartphones.

 

[Hell 1,334]

American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer Rodney Dangerfield died on this day 18 years ago, aged 82.

 

[time 8,628]

Its eight years since the death of Trinidadian actor, voice actor, dancer, choreographer, director etc etc. Geoffrey Holder, best known as Baron Samedi in Live & Let Die.

In addition to that role, he also appeared in Annie, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex..., Doctor Doolittle (the Rex Harrison one) and more as well as many TV roles, and narrator performances, even singing on a episode of the David Frost Show.

He won two Tony awards for The Wiz, for direction & costume design, and was the pitchman for 7 Up in the 70s & 80s, and became just as famous for his laugh as much as anything else.

He died aged 84, from complications of pneumonia.

[Drewsky1211 4,762]

Bette Davis died on this day 33 years ago, aged 81.

Davis started off on Broadway, and began acting in Hollywood films beginning in 1931. She was chosen for her film debut, Bad Sister, due to a cinematographer finding her eyes "lovely". From there, Davis would receive ten Oscar nominations for Best Actress, winning two with Dangerous and Jezebel. Davis would act until shortly before her death.

 

In 1981, Kim Carnes released the song "Bette Davis Eyes". The song stayed at the number 1 spot on the Billboard chart for nine weeks, and won the Record of the Year award. Upon hearing the song, Davis wrote Carnes and the songwriters, thanking them for "bringing her into modern times", stating that her grandson also enjoyed it. Davis would also send them roses after the song won several Grammy awards.

 

In 1983, Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the resulting surgery caused several strokes that left the left side of her face (and her left arm) paralyzed- but she persisted. The cancer returned in 1989, this time fatally.

 

Davis appeared on the inaugural DeathList 1987 at the number 27 spot... however, she made two posthumous appearances in 1992 and 1994. No idea how it took five years to notice she was dead (even in early Internet days).

[Gooseberry Crumble 5,347]

 

On this day in  2018 spanish operatic soprano  Montserrat Caballe  died aged 85.

Probably known to audiences outside Spain best for her powerful duet 'Barcelona ' with Freddie Mercury in 1987- a song recorded at the request of the  International Olympic Committee  with a view to it becoming the Official theme song of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 .

 

 

On this day three years ago in 2019, Ginger Baker,  British drummer and cofounder of rock band Cream  died aged 80.

  He had a reputation as rocks first superstar  drummer as a result of his unique pioneering style that blended jazz, with african rhythms and pioneered jazz fusion and eclecticly exotic world music in the 1960s and 70s.

[time 8,628]

Its 30 years since the death of British actor Denholm Elliott.

A former RADA student, RAF Officer and WWII POW, he had a 40+ year career, encompassing TV and film, winning BAFTAs for Trading Places, A Private Function and Defence of the Realm, gaining four other film nominations plus 2 for TV, as well as an Academy Award nomination for A Room With A View. 

 

He was married twice, briefly to Virginia McKenna then to Susan Robinson and was secretly bisexual; e died aged 70, from AIDS-related tuberculosis, five years after being diagnosed HIV-positive.

[The Ashes Urn 1,358]

American professional baseball player Johnny Vander Meer died on this day 25 years ago, aged 82.