Death Anniversary Thread

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

John DeLorean died on this day 18 years ago, aged 80.

- After working for the Packard Motor Company and General Motors, DeLorean founded his own company in 1975. The cars that he produced were known for their gull-wing door gimmick.

- In 1982, DeLorean was arrested in a sting operation, in which the informant called him to suggest the deal; DeLorean used the entrapment defense and was found not guilty. His company, however, was already in a dire financial situation, and went out of business in 1983.

- In 1985, his DeLorean DMC-12 car was featured as the car Doc Brown turns into a time machine in Back to the Future, and he sent director Robert Zemeckis and producer Bob Gale a letter thanking them for immortalizing his car.

- DeLorean would declare bankruptcy in 1999, and had to sell his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey- future president Donald Trump bought it and converted it into one of his golf clubs.

- DeLorean's gravestone features an engraving of his most-famous car:

[John "요한" Sulu 419]

On this day 1 year ago American actor and game show panelist Scoey Mitchell, who starred in the movie "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling", passed away at the age of 92.

[time 8,606]

It's 22 years since prolific British actor Norman Mitchell died.

Another of those faces that popped in just about everything in a 50-year career, encompassing comedy (Dad's Army, Are You Being Served, Come Back Mrs. Noah and lots more) drama (Sherlock Holmes, Softly, Softly, Z Cars., Wodehouse Playhouse amongst others) and children's TV (including Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge) as well as over 60 films (comedies including five Carry Ons, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, the musicals Oliver! & Half-a-Sixpence, several TV spin-offs and dramas). He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

 

He died aged 82, one month after his son, actor Christopher Mitchell.

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On this day 24 years ago in 1999,  American professional weightlifter  , Joseph DePietro, who won an Olympic gold at the 1948 London Olympics,  died aged 84.

[Hell 1,334]

American guitarist Randy Rhoads died on this day 41 years ago, aged 25.

 

 

English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host Arthur C. Clarke died on this day 15 years ago, aged 90.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

King Henry IV of England died on this day 610 years ago, aged 45.

- A member of the Lancaster branch of the Plantagenets, Henry was also known as "Henry Bolingbroke" after his birthplace, (the now-destroyed) Bolingbroke Castle.

- Henry had an amicable relationship with his cousin Richard II when they were kids, which lasted into their early adulthood- Richard even made Henry the Duke of Hereford following the Lords Appellant rebellion in 1388, which he partook in against Richard.

- Henry and Richard's relationship would finally sour once Richard exiled Henry in 1398, after he got into a duel with the Duke of Norfolk (Thomas de Mowbray). Following the death of Henry's father John of Gaunt the following year, Richard cancelled the documents that granted Henry his inherited land and made it so Henry had to ask him for it.

- Following this, Henry returned to England while Richard was in Ireland, and would seize the throne from him (who was imprisoned and died not long after).

- Henry's reign was plagued with rebellions, which included the Welsh Revolt that began in 1400, the Percy Rebellion of 1402, and a rebellion in 1413 where an impostor Richard II (who some believed was still alive) led an insurrection.

- Henry had a chronic skin disease (possibly leprosy), and was known to have been in grave condition multiple times throughout his reign (a definite bedblocker for fifteenth-century deadpoolers), believed to have been from epileptic seizures or heart disease.

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On this day 93 years ago  in 1930, American cyclist Arthur F Andrews,  died aged 53.He won an Olympic silver and Bronze medal in track cycling events at the 1904 Olympics  held in St Louis Missouri. 

 

 

On this day 3 years ago in 2020, American country and western singer  Kenny Rogers  died aged 81.

[Hell 1,334]

Soviet professional footballer regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the sport Lev Yashin died on this day 33 years ago, aged 60.

 

 

American investment banker who served as chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Corporation David Rockefeller died on this day 6 years ago, aged 101.

 

[Sir Creep 7,070]

Geologist/palaeontologist Amadeus Grabau died 77 years ago (76).

When it came to fossils, ‘the Grabau hands grab all they can’.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

Pocahontas died on this day 406 years ago, aged 21.

- Pocahontas had many names- she was born as Amonute, but this was changed to Matoaka. Pocahontas itself was a nickname given to her that means "little troublemaker" or "playful one" in the Algonquian language.

- She likely did not save John Smith's life from her father- Smith did not mention her being there when he was captured, and stated that they were introduced sometime in 1608. Historians now believe that Smith decided to exaggerate his capture to improve his reputation (by 1616, he and the London Company were on unfavorable terms).

- Pocahontas would often visit Jamestown, bringing food and equipment to Smith and playing with the children of the colony. She stopped going after a gunpowder explosion injured Smith and was told that he died (albeit she learned he was still alive when brought to England).

- During the first Anglo-Powhatan War, the colonists formed an alliance with the Patawomeck tribe against the Powhatan. Its leader, Japazaws, tricked Pocahontas into boarding the ship of captain Samuel Argall, where she was held for a ransom of weapons and a prisoner exchange.

- Pocahontas would remain a prisoner for a year, with the local minister Alexander Whitaker converted her to Christianity and gave her English lessons (she knew some English before she was captured). It was during this time she was baptized and took the name "(Lady) Rebecca".

- It was also during her capture that she married John Rolfe. They had one son named Thomas, and they are distant ancestors of US First Lady Edith Wilson and astronomer Percival Lowell. The wedding led to a truce between the colonists and the Powhatan.

- Pocahontas and her English family, as well as eleven converted Powhatans, went to England in 1616 to stimulate interest in the colony (and the outdated idea of the "tamed savage"). This was when the idea of her being a princess emerged- the English recognized the Powhatan tribe as an empire.

- Pocahontas, John, and Thomas would attempt to return to Virginia in March of 1617- sadly, Pocahontas never returned to her home, as she died (possibly from dysentery, smallpox, or tuberculosis) while their boat was still in England. Her son Thomas also became gravely ill, but recovered. Her exact date of death remains unknown (as her original grave was destroyed by a fire), but her funeral happened on March 21 (and is often considered the day she died as well).

- The Disney movie about her from 1995 is extraordinarily inaccurate- there were obviously no talking trees, and she had no romantic interest in Smith (she was 11 and Smith was 27- yikes).

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On this day 8 years ago in 2015,  British singer songwriter  Jackie Trent,  best known for cowriting songs for Petula Clark and the themetune to Australian TV soap Neighbours,  died aged 74 in  Menorca Spain. 

At one point she was married to songwriter Tony Hatch who she cowrote  the Neighbours  theme song with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this day 29 years ago in 1994, American actor  Dack Rambo died of AIDS aged  52.

He is best known for playing Jack Ewing, the long lost handsome cousin  of the Ewings in US primetime soap  Dallas in the 1980s.  

[Hell 1,334]

English Anglican minister, railway enthusiast, and children’s author Wilbert Awdry died on this day 26 years ago, aged 85.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

Severus Alexander died on this day 1788 years ago, aged 26.

- Alexander's full name was "Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander".

- Alexander became emperor at the age of 13 following the assassination of his cousin Elagabalus; he was the youngest Roman emperor until Gordian III (who was a few months younger at accession) became emperor in 238. Due to his young age, he often sought out advice on how to rule from his mother.

- Alexander was open to the idea of freedom of religion during his reign. He allowed a synagogue to be built in Rome, and gifted the rabbi a scroll taken by emperor Titus received following the fall of Jerusalem in 70. Alexander would also be tutored about Christianity during his later reign.

- In 233, Alexander led an invasion against the newly-formed Sasanian Empire- he retook Mesopotamia from them, but had to retreat due to disease, inept soldiers, and extreme cold.

- After Germanic barbarians invaded in 234, Alexander paid them to stop- this decision ruined his reputation, and he and his mother would be assassinated by his own generals, who deemed Maximinus Thrax a more worthy ruler. His assassination is seen as the catalyst of Rome's Crisis of the Third Century (which lasted until the ascension of Diocletian in 284).

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On this day 7 years ago in 2016, American film  actress Rita Gam , died aged 88.

 

Her film credits include Shoot out(1971), Klute, Saadia, Hannibal (1959), Mohawk and  Night People  (1954).

 

Rita was good friends with Hollywood legend Grace Kelly and was one of her bridesmaids at her wedding to Prince Rainier.

[Sly Ronnie 884]

On 20/03/2023 at 03:45, Drewsky1211 said:

King Henry IV of England died on this day 610 years ago, aged 45.

- A member of the Lancaster branch of the Plantagenets, Henry was also known as "Henry Bolingbroke" after his birthplace, (the now-destroyed) Bolingbroke Castle.

- Henry had an amicable relationship with his cousin Richard II when they were kids, which lasted into their early adulthood- Richard even made Henry the Duke of Hereford following the Lords Appellant rebellion in 1388, which he partook in against Richard.

- Henry and Richard's relationship would finally sour once Richard exiled Henry in 1398, after he got into a duel with the Duke of Norfolk (Thomas de Mowbray). Following the death of Henry's father John of Gaunt the following year, Richard cancelled the documents that granted Henry his inherited land and made it so Henry had to ask him for it.

- Following this, Henry returned to England while Richard was in Ireland, and would seize the throne from him (who was imprisoned and died not long after).

- Henry's reign was plagued with rebellions, which included the Welsh Revolt that began in 1400, the Percy Rebellion of 1402, and a rebellion in 1413 where an impostor Richard II (who some believed was still alive) led an insurrection.

- Henry had a chronic skin disease (possibly leprosy), and was known to have been in grave condition multiple times throughout his reign (a definite bedblocker for fifteenth-century deadpoolers), believed to have been from epileptic seizures or heart disease.

 

So what happened to him in Part 2?

[Hell 1,334]

American theatre and film producer, best known for his 1956 production of Around the World in 80 Days, which won an Academy Award for Best Picture Mike Todd died on this day 65 years ago, aged 48.

 

 

American animator and cartoonist who was the creator of Tom and Jerry as well as the voice actor for the two title characters William Hanna died on this day 22 years ago, aged 90.

 

[The Unknown Man 584]

Rob Ford, former mayor of Toronto, died on this day seven years ago, aged 46.

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

Peter Lorre died on this day 59 years ago, aged 59.

- Lorre was born as Laszlo Lowenstein in what is now Slovakia.

- Lorre's breakout role was in the 1931 film M, where he played the serial killer Hans Beckert.

- Lorre was Jewish, and had to flee Germany when the Nazis came to power, first going to Paris and then to London, where he would learn English. It was during his time in London that Alfred Hitchcock cast him as the villain in The Man Who Knew Too Much.

- Lorre settled in California in 1935 to star in Hollywood movies (he became a naturalized citizen in 1941). One film he planned to star in was a 1937 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Quasimodo, but it was cancelled before production began.

 - Lorre was the first person to portray a James Bond villain- Le Chiffre in a 1954 TV adaptation of Casino Royale.

- Lorre's final role was as Morgan Heywood in Jerry Lewis' The Patsy.

- Lorre had chronic gallbladder disease, and became addicted to the morphine prescribed to him, which he never fully recovered from.

- After Lorre's death from a stroke, Vincent Price gave the eulogy at his funeral.

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On this day 2 years ago in 2021, Oscar nominated american actor George Segal died aged 87.

Noted for being particularly apt at playing a good range of  roles in both dramatic and comedic films , Georges film credits Include  Ship of fools, The Mirror has two faces(1996) alongside Barbra Streisand and Lauren Bacall,  No way to treat a lady, Thelast married couple in America, Funny with Dick and Jane (1977), The Owl and the Pussycat , King Rat and legendary film Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? - for which he was nominated for an Oscar  and of course his costars were Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

[Hell 1,334]

British-American actress Elizabeth Taylor died on this day 12 years ago, aged 79.

 

 

Singaporean lawyer, politican and statesman who served as the inaugural Prime Minister of Singapore between 1959 and 1990, and Secretary-General of the People’s Action Party between 1954 to 1992 Lee Kuan Yew died on this day 8 years ago, aged 91.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

Mary of Teck died on this day 70 years ago, aged 85.

- Mary went by her second name- her first was Victoria. She was also nicknamed "May", which she also often went by.

- Mary was born in the exact same room as Queen Victoria in Kensington Palace.

- Mary was engaged to Prince Albert, the son of Edward VII, in 1891- he died six weeks after the engagement from the flu. She and Albert's younger brother George (V) fell in love while grieving.

- During her time as the Princess of Wales, she and her husband would often tour British colonies and Commonwealth nations. Among the most-frequented place on these tours was Egypt.

- Mary disapproved of her son Edward VIII's relationship with Wallis Simpson, outright refusing to meet her.

- Mary was involved in a serious car crash in 1939, where it flipped over- she, however, came out of it with only minor injuries.

- Mary died ten weeks before her granddaughter Elizabeth II's coronation.

 

[justonecornetto 951]

Johann Cruyff, one of the greatest players of all time, who won the Ballon d'Or 3 times and was player of the tournament in the 1974 World Cup, died on this day 7 years ago aged 68

[Hell 1,334]

French novelist, poet, and playwright Jules Verne died on this day 118 years ago, aged 77.

 

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On this day 5 years ago in 2018, Swiss singer Lys Assia , who  has the distinction of having won the first Eurovision  Song contest back in 1956 with the song refrain,  died aged 94.

 

 

[Drewsky1211 4,748]

Beverly Cleary died on this day 2 years ago, aged 104.

- Cleary initially struggled with reading in elementary, and admitted to finding it boring at one point. It wasn't until she read The Dutch Twins that she changed her mind, and by middle school, her teachers recommended that she become a children's book author (based on her essays).

- In 1950, she published her first children's novel, Henry Huggins. She would later create the spinoff Beezus and Ramona in 1955, and the Ralph S. Mouse series of books in 1965 with The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Her books have sold over 90 million copies worldwide, and are often read by elementary teachers in American schools.

- Cleary was given the National Medal of Arts in 2003- the highest award that the US government gives to authors, artists, entertainers, and art patrons.

- Cleary became a centenarian in 2016, and died less than three weeks before her 105th birthday.