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Hi again, This is The Departed 2020, a History Roundtable column commemorating the departure of notable figures who left this life in 2020. As always, please tailor the discussions to the obituary and aspects of the person's life. And as always, acknowledgment to Golem, who started the original thread many years ago here at The Rant.
I see that shock jock and known racist Don Imus is dead...
Back around the late 1960's or early 70's I remember occasionally hearing the Imus in the Morning show on Top Forty radio, but that's because, aside from my favorite progressive rock FM station in Bethesda, MD, the only other choices were even worse.
And then suddenly some upstart weirdo arrived at WWDC-FM...aka "DC101"...a guy by the last name of Stern.
My favorite prog-rock FM station, WHFS...abruptly went off the air about a year later, about a year before I moved away from Washington forever.
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Sue Lyon, the actress that played Lolita in the Nabokov/Kubrick production of the same name has died at age 73, after a long bout of ill health. Unfortunately, due to motion picture standards of the time, Kubrick acknowledged that he couldn't portray her erotic relationship to Humbert to match the book. Also she was 14 and looked like 18, versus the book's 12 year old nymphet.
I read the book before I ever saw the movie, and from the film you wouldn't think Humbert was a pedophile at all, which pretty much destroyed the plot. Especially with Elvis going for 14 year old Priscilla and Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 12 year old cousin.
Buck Henry died Wednesday of a heart attack in a Los Angeles hospital, according to reports. He was 89. Among his many screenwriting, movie and TV acting credits:
screenwriting “The Graduate” (1967) screenwriting “The Owl and the Pussycat” (1970) screenwriting “What’s Up Doc?” (1972) co-directing “Heaven Can Wait” (1978) screenwriting the original “Get Smart” the straight-man to Belushi’s samurai in several early SNL skits
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David Letterman: Do you have any hobbies? Buck Henry: I have hobbies. DL: Do you have any pets? BH: I'm not allowed to have pets. DL: Why? BH: Because of my hobbies.
Neil Peart, the virtuoso drummer and lyricist for Rush, died Tuesday, January 7th, in Santa Monica, California, at age 67, according to Elliot Mintz, a family spokesperson. The cause was brain cancer, which Peart had been quietly battling for three-and-a-half years.
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An American professional basketball player.[3] He played his entire 20-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive team, and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time
John Andretti was a member of one of the most famous families in racing.
He was the son of racer Aldo Andretti, twin brother of Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti. John Andretti was also the older brother of driver Adam Andretti, and first cousin to Michael and Jeff Andretti.
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It's depressing how many relatively young people die. The longer you life the more you notice it. We just heard my nephew has some sort of Stage 3 lung cancer. He's in his 30's.
It's depressing how many relatively young people die. The longer you life the more you notice it. We just heard my nephew has some sort of Stage 3 lung cancer. He's in his 30's.
Not that I was pining away for either of them, but the two biggest "old flames" from my past are now both dead. Diane, my very first serious "live-in" girlfriend, dead at age 51 from a massive cerebral hemorrhage in 2011, and my first wife Linda, dead at age 67 from a drug overdose in 2017.
I guess I really wasn't surprised about Linda, she never was able to put her demons behind her, and passed under rather horrible circumstances, and I am lucky in that regard. But Diane at fifty-one, that was a shocker.
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It's depressing how many relatively young people die. The longer you life the more you notice it. We just heard my nephew has some sort of Stage 3 lung cancer. He's in his 30's.
Not that I was pining away for either of them, but the two biggest "old flames" from my past are now both dead. Diane, my very first serious "live-in" girlfriend, dead at age 51 from a massive cerebral hemorrhage in 2011, and my first wife Linda, dead at age 67 from a drug overdose in 2017.
I guess I really wasn't surprised about Linda, she never was able to put her demons behind her, and passed under rather horrible circumstances, and I am lucky in that regard. But Diane at fifty-one, that was a shocker.
My best friend died a couple of years ago at age 49 from a heart attack.
It's always a bit of a blow when people your own age or younger die. Makes you see your own mortality.
I will say they have a very special place in Hell all ready for Rush, if there is a Hell. Even though there are plenty of whores in Miami where he lives, Rush was caught taking somebody else's prescription bottle of Viagra when he went on vacation to Puerto Rico (sans wife or GF). Why would he want to go to such a poor place for sex? At that time, Puerto Rico was the only place of Earth an American could legally have sex with a fourteen girl.
Or maybe he just likes Hispanic women. It's not like they have any of those in Miami.
The famed actor and producer earned critical acclaim for his role in the 1960 classic, "Spartacus." In "Spartacus," Kirk gave onscreen credit to blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Kirk's move started the dissolution of the infamous blacklisting policies that had begun nearly a decade prior.
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You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete. R. Buckminster Fuller
Orson Bean, the witty actor and comedian, was hit and killed by a car in Los Angeles, authorities said. He was 91.
Besides being a fixture in entertainment since he was 16, he actually experienced both extremes of the political zeitgeist: He was blacklisted in the 50's because he had a communist girlfriend. Later he became related to a leading right-wing commentator, Andrew Breitbart, when his daughter, Susannah, married him.
WTF was a 91 year old doing wandering the streets of LA? Sound to me like that place cray! At least he wasn't hit by a helicopter full of rich people in a hurry.
WTF was a 91 year old doing wandering the streets of LA? Sound to me like that place cray! At least he wasn't hit by a helicopter full of rich people in a hurry.
Orson Bean at ninety appeared on the KTLA TV5 Weekend Morning News with his 66 year old wife in tow. Orson looked and sounded like a person in his late sixties, probably because of the love potion he gets from his young wife. You know, Dick Van Dyke is something like 94 years old and he has more stamina than I have at sixty-two. The man can still do a full Broadway dance routine without even breaking a sweat.
It might be that Uncle Hollywood Squares just got hit by a couple of idiots doing seventy in a 25 zone while texting. Eventually the details will filter in.
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WTF was a 91 year old doing wandering the streets of LA? Sound to me like that place cray! At least he wasn't hit by a helicopter full of rich people in a hurry.
WTF was a 91 year old doing wandering the streets of LA? Sound to me like that place cray! At least he wasn't hit by a helicopter full of rich people in a hurry.
It wasn't exactly like he was wandering around downtown, he was walking in Venice. Normally that's interesting and exciting but seldom fatal. But yes, Venice Blvd is the busiest street in Venice, but normally once you've gotten that far west, the traffic isn't quite frantic. And the crosswalks are all well equipped. The part of Venice Blvd that's actually IN Venice itself is maybe a mile and a half long tops, then you hit the Pacific Ocean.
The old gang days of Venice are a distant memory, as the old gang bangers either couldn't swing the taxes or chose to take a payoff and pocket some profit on their holdings. Because no matter how dismal, old gang houses were selling high six figures a long time ago, back around 2004.
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The loquacious host was both exalted and lampooned for his hyperbole and over-the-top enthusiasm. He welcomed actors, filmmakers and writers on his long-running Bravo series to pull back the curtain on tricks of the trade, presenting professional questions to members of Hollywood’s elite.
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Every gambler knows That the secret to survivin' Is knowin' what to throw away And knowin' what to keep 'Cause every hand's a winner And every hand's a loser And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep And when he finished speakin' He turned back toward the window Crushed out his cigarette And faded off to sleep And somewhere in the darkness The gambler he broke even But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete. R. Buckminster Fuller
Kenny Rogers passed away last night. Eaglesfans know that Kenny was instrumental to Don Henley's early career and possibly the formation of the Eagles. From CBS Morning News.
"In 1968 the band (Don Henley's Shiloh) had a chance encounter with a young singer named Kenny Rogers: "We were in a clothing store in Dallas, Texas on McKinney Avenue, it was called the Electric Rocking Horse. We were buying bell bottom pants and Nehru jackets and stuff." Rogers was present, "because there was a really beautiful girl working there."
Rogers agreed to produce the band's debut album (the eponymous "Shiloh") in Los Angeles. That's where Henley would meet Glenn Frey, who was recording on the same label. Together, Frey and Henley would go off and join the backing band for Linda Ronstadt.
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Prine just passed. RIP John Prine. Your music will play at my memorial, that's written in stone and my girls won't let me down. God he was a great story teller.
EDIT: News of John Prine's passing MIGHT be premature, his social media has no news yet. If he does pass, I will remove this EDIT.
This hurts so much. Prine informed my life on everything from being sweet to girls, to anti-war messages, to respecting our old folks. Tears are coming, he gave us so much and he'd been through such hard trials. He did not deserve this.
Last edited by Jeffery J. Haas; 03/30/2003:44 PM. Reason: possible premature obit
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"I have recovered from Covid-19. We are humbled by the outpouring of love for me and John and our precious family. He is stabile. Please continue to send your amazing Love and prayers. Sing his songs. Stay home and wash hands. John loves you. I love you" 8:59 AM · Mar 30, 2020
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And tonight the news says that Adam Schlesinger has died of COVID19 complications. Schlesinger first gained fame for writing the witty and comedic tune "Stacey's Mom" but went on to write "That Thing You Do" for Tom Hanks' hit film by the same name.
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This really hurts: Ellis Marsalis, Patriarch Of New Orleans' Most Famous Musical Family, Has Died. Complications of COVID-19. I had the privilege of hearing him, an off-chance experience, when a friend and I stopped in at Preservation Hall. Ellis came in, unannounced, and played a set. It was transcendent. It remains one of my favorite serendipitous moments of my life.
New Orleans is the city of serendipitous musical encounters. Like watching Marsha Ball play the Rock N Bowl from right in front of her keyboard one night with my friends.
NPR's "Fresh Air" had a fantastic tribute to Prine this afternoon. It was a re-run of an interview from 2018 I think. They played a lot of his music too. Really enjoyed it.
What if the Hokey-Pokey REALLY IS what it's all about? God Hates Me
NPR's "Fresh Air" had a fantastic tribute to Prine this afternoon. It was a re-run of an interview from 2018 I think. They played a lot of his music too. Really enjoyed it.
The local NPR out here did one the other day too. A little hard to take but I had to listen. In the end I was glad they did it.
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I noticed Broadway star Nick Cordero died. He suffered horribly with Covid-19, had to have dialysis, had a leg amputated from blood clots. Last I heard is he needed a double lung transplant, his lungs were so damaged. They told his wife to say goodbye a couple weeks ago. This shows you how long modern medicine can keep you alive, when they should just let you go.
American politician and civil rights leader. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020 and the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation.
An American media personality, actor, and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s.Sometimes called "the hardest working man in show business", Philbin holds the Guinness World Record for the most hours on U.S. television. His trademarks included his excited manner, his New York accent, his wit, and his irreverent ad-libs.
Joseph Costa, ICU doctor at Mercy Medical Center, dies of the corona virus he worked to help others overcome. He was the chief of the critical care division at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
Costa “dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients,” Mercy officials wrote in a statement.
“When the global pandemic came down upon us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines — deeply committed to serving our patients and our City during this time of great need,” officials said in the statement. “His memory will live on as an example to us all.”
Congratulations Covid-19 party-goers, you've killed another hero worth a thousand of you.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 576 healthcare workers have died from complications caused by COVID-19 — a figure that is likely low due to incomplete data.
Valery Giscard d’Estaing, the former president of France, has died of coronavirus-related complications. He was 94. A conservative descended from royalty, nonetheless he referred to himself as "a conservative who likes change".
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His presidential victory brought a fresher, more socially liberal and modernising figure to the Élysée Palace after the stuffy postwar authoritarianism of General Charles de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou. Giscard arrived at the tail end of the “Trente Glorieuses” – the 30 golden years of postwar economic prosperity in France – and swept out some of the dust: reducing the voting age to 18; introducing divorce by common consent and the legalisation of abortion; overseeing the creation of France’s high-speed TGV rail network and promoting nuclear power as a pillar of French independence.
Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R) from Louisiana became the first elected member of Congress to die from Covid-19. He was 41.
House Speaker Pelosi said: “Congressman-elect Letlow was a ninth-generation Louisianan who fought passionately for his point of view and dedicated his life to public service. As the House grieves Congressman-elect Letlow’s passing, our sorrow is compounded by the grief of so many other families who have also suffered lives cut short by this terrible virus. May it be a comfort to Luke’s wife Julia and their children Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.”
Overheard in the House hallway: "Maybe we should put on these masks?"
Dawn Wells died from Covid-19. Her show business career started with being crowned Miss Nevada of 1959, gained pop icon status as Maryanne in the series Gilligan's Island, and played in over 60 television series, movies, and on Broadway. She was the only Gilligan's Island player to ever get residual payments from reruns, because she was married to an agent at the time of signing. She was 82.
Hank AAron: He actually started very young in The Negro Leagues. He took an ungodly amount of abuse for beating White players records. He didn't want to move from Milwaukee to Atlanta when his major league team moved, but he talked it over with MLK. Dr. King told him he was as important to their cause as all the civil rights activists, so he made the move.
Hank Aaron was one of my boyhood idols along with Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews and a few more. Atlanta during the time the Braves were in Milwaukee was a AA farm club of the Braves. The Atlanta Crackers. I used to listen to their games on the radio. No baseball on TV until Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese's game of the week.
Hank was much admired and he will be missed.
It's high past time that we start electing Americans to congress and the presidency who put America first instead of their political party. For way too long we have been electing Republicans and Democrats who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats.
This multitalented group has shown remarkable brilliance in the epic 3 word master-uh-piece! I bet there are some cunning lyricists out there too! In honor of Christopher Plummer's life and purformance in Sound of Music I think we should collectively compose the lyrics of song to memorialize his life and screen persona of a strong Anti-Nazi Patriotic Hero!
I will start it up with a thematic line, and you budding lyricists can chime in with a line or two that tickles your fancy! I will also provide a template to tickle those greying matter neurons! Enjoy, TAT
How do you solve a problem like Mar-jor-ie?
Its not likely we will beat Randy Rainbow to the punch as he has already written "problem like Korea"!
Too late!
She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee Her dress has got a tear She waltzes on her way to Mass And whistles on the stair And underneath her wimple She has curlers in her hair I even heard her singing in the abbey
She's always late for chapel But her penitence is real She's always late for everything Except for every meal I hate to have to say it But I very firmly feel Maria's not an asset to the abbey
I'd like to say a word in her behalf Maria... makes me...laugh
How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you find a word that means Maria? A flibbertigibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her Many a thing she ought to understand But how do you make her stay And listen to all you say How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
When I'm with her I'm confused Out of focus and bemused And I never know exactly where I am Unpredictable as weather She's as flighty as a feather She's a darling! She's a demon! She's a lamb!
She'd out pester any pest Drive a hornet from its nest She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle! She is wild! She's a riddle! She's a child! She's a headache! She's an angel! She's a girl!
How do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you find a word that means Maria? A flibbertigibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her Many a thing she ought to understand But how do you make her stay And listen to all you say How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria? How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
Last edited by TatumAH; 02/06/2111:37 PM.
There's nothing wrong with thinking Except that it's lonesome work sevil regit
G. Gordon Liddy died today of non-Covid illness at age 90. He was the main architect of the Watergate Break-in and a number of other illegal schemes in the Nixon Whitehouse. So in some ways he's responsible for Nixon's resignation facing impeachment.
Washington, D.C., June 8, 2025 -- Americans for Tax Reform head Grover Norquist reportedly drowned in his bathtub Thursday in a freak accident that some witnesses describe as "an unfortunate confluence of mutually destructive events".
Grover Norquist, who despite a striking physical resemblance is reportedly unrelated to the classic Muppet of the same given name, was found alive by a local citizens' order patrol but expired before he could receive proper medical attention.
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"While he was washing off the chicken residue in the tub, we think Norquist got dizzy from some body oil he was using, which turned out to be seriously toxic when it reacted with the arsenic in the water supply. His automatic weapon, which he had with him in the bath, went off and blasted huge holes in the walls, severing several major pipe connections and filling the tub with water and sewage. One pipe also pinned him down in the tub. We think he managed to pull the plug, but his big toe must have got stuck right away. Those things are murder. Any idiot knows you've got to get out and back a couple of feet away before you yank the chain.
"By the time we got there, the whole place was flooded and Norquist was up to his forehead in water and sewage. We saw he was still blowing little bubbles, though, and considering the size of his bankroll figured we might as well try to save his flabby ass.
"He was still alive when we got him down to the truck. We couldn't move for a while because those left-behind fifth-graders in the 14th Street After-School A-TAK Irregulars pinned us down with rocket launchers on a lunch money raid. Then we had to take him to four different HMOs before anyone would accept his insurance card. You know how long it takes to get around now that all the roads are just giant pools of mud? He'd stopped breathing by that time, maybe five hours later. Not that they could have done much at the HMO anyway, since the power was out again. Too bad none of us ever got any training in CPR."
Last edited by TatumAH; 04/30/2104:46 PM.
There's nothing wrong with thinking Except that it's lonesome work sevil regit
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