I realize that 99% of you won't know this name, but it was a sad one for me to hear. Actress and filmmaker Lina Romay, who made over 100 films (mostly under prolific cult director and common-law husband Jess Franco) passed away on the 15th from cancer. She was only 57. Yes, we're talking euro-trash cinema, but she was distinctive and captivating ( Read more... )

Kim Jong Il, the dictator who used fear and isolation to maintain power in North Korea and his nuclear weapons to menace his neighbors and threaten the U.S., has died, North Korean state television reported early Monday. Mr. Kim, who was 69 or 70 years old, according to varying accounts, died during a train ride on Saturday, a weeping television ( Read more... )

Harry Morgan, the prolific character actor best known for playing the acerbic but kindly Colonel Potter in the long-running television series “M*A*S*H,” died Wednesday morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 96. His son Charles confirmed his death, saying Mr. Morgan had been treated for pneumonia recently.

Man, I still watch M*A*S*H, and he's ( Read more... )

Andy Rooney died Friday night in New York of complications from a recent surgery. He was 92, and gave his final essay just a month ago.

Your voice and style made you an icon and left a mark on the world, sir.

GWAR Guitarist Cory Smoot (Flattus Maximus) was found dead while on their tour bus today, as the band prepared for a border crossing. No word yet on the cause of death, which makes this all the more shocking.

Whatever happened, Cory, we miss you.

Frances Bay, the sweet, gentle housewife who became a successful actress in middle age, appearing in more than 50 motion pictures and 100 television shows, has died. She was 92.

John Wood, the Tony Award-winning British stage actor known for his agile interpretations of playwrights from Shakespeare to Stoppard, died in England on Saturday. He died in his sleep. He was 81.

Former NFL star and "Police Academy" movie actor Bubba Smith was found dead Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, according to police and coroner's office officials. He was 66, and the cause of death is presently unknown, though police say there are no signs of foul play.

Damn, I liked him. Rest easy, Bubba.

Clarence Clemons, "the Big Man" of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Saturday of complications of a recent stroke. He was 69. The saxophone player fell ill at his Florida home last Sunday and later underwent two brain surgeries. It seemed he was improving, but then, well, didn't.

Damn.

Love wrestling or hate it, you can not have grown up when I did and not know The Macho Man. A legend on the wrestling circuit and a larger-than-life guy, he was just too damn fun. Yes, he gained more than a little cheese factor when he became the spokesman for Slim Jims but, come on, he was a pro wrestler. It was all about the performance, and ( Read more... )