Death
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dies at 57
Patrick Swayze personified a particular kind of masculine grace both on and
off screen, from his roles in films like "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" to the
way he carried himself in his long fight with pancreatic cancer.
Swayze died from the illness on Monday in Los Angeles, his publicist said. He
was 57. "Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side
after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," Annett
Wolf said in a statement Monday evening. She declined to give details. Fans
of the actor were saddened to learn in March 2008 that Swayze was suffering
from an especially deadly form of cancer. He continued working despite the
diagnosis, putting together a memoir with his wife and shooting "The Beast,"
an A&E drama series for which he had already made the pilot. Swayze said he
chose not to use painkillers while making "The Beast" because they would have
taken the edge off his performance. The show drew a respectable 1.3 million
viewers when the 13 episodes ran this year, but A&E said it reluctantly
decided not to renew it for a second season. When he first went public with
the illness, some reports gave him only weeks to live, but his doctor said
his situation was "considerably more optimistic" than that. Swayze
acknowledged that time might be running out given the grim nature of the
disease. "I'd say five years is pretty wishful thinking," Swayze told ABC's
Barbara Walters in early 2009. "Two years seems likely if you're going to
believe statistics. I want to last until they find a cure, which means I'd
better get a fire under it." And that's exactly what he did. In February,
Swayze wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post titled, "I'm Battling
Cancer. How About Some Help, Congress?" in which he urged senators and
representatives to vote for the maximum funding for the National Institutes
of Health to fight cancer as part of the economic stimulus package. He also
appeared in the September 2008 live television event "Stand Up to Cancer,"
where he pleaded: "I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and
healthy life, a life not lived in the shadow of cancer, but in the light. ...
I dream that the word `cure' will no longer be followed by the words `is
impossible.'" Celebrities and fans inspired by Swayze's struggle poured out
their condolences, including C. Thomas Howell, who costarred with Swayze in
"The Outsiders," "Grandview U.S.A." and "Red Dawn." "I have always had a
special place in my heart for Patrick," he said. "While I was fortunate
enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that
forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day." Others used
Twitter to express their sadness, and "Dirty Dancing" was a top trending
topic Monday night, trailed by other Swayze films. Demi Moore, who played
Swayze's fiancee in "Ghost," wrote: "Patrick you are loved by so many and
your light will forever shine in all of our lives." Moore's husband, Ashton
Kutcher, tweeted: "RIP P Swayze" and linked to a YouTube clip of the actor
poking fun at himself in a classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch, in which he
played a wannabe Chippendales dancer alongside the corpulent — and
frighteningly shirtless — Chris Farley. Larry King wrote: "Patrick
Swayze was a wonderful actor & a terrific guy. He put his heart in
everything. He was an extraordinary fighter in his battle w Cancer." King
added that he'd do a tribute to Swayze on his CNN program Tuesday night. A
three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze became a star with his performance as
the misunderstood bad boy Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing." As the son of a
choreographer who began his career in musical theater, he seemed a natural to
play the role. A coming-of-age romance starring Jennifer Grey as an
idealistic young woman on vacation with her family and Swayze as the
Catskills resort's sexy (and much older) dance instructor, the film made use
of both his grace on his feet and his muscular physique. It became an
international phenomenon in the summer of 1987, spawning albums, an
Oscar-winning hit song in "(I've Had) the Time of My Life," stage productions
and a sequel, 2004's "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," in which he made a
cameo. Swayze performed and co-wrote a song on the soundtrack, the ballad
"She's Like the Wind," inspired by his wife, Lisa Niemi. The film also gave
him the chance to utter the now-classic line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."
Swayze followed up with the 1989 action flick "Road House," in which he
played a bouncer at a rowdy bar. But it was his performance in 1990's "Ghost"
that showed his vulnerable, sensitive side. He starred as a murdered man
trying to communicate with his fiancee, with great frustration and longing,
through a psychic played by Whoopi Goldberg. "Ghost" provided yet another
indelible musical moment: Swayze and Moore sensually molding pottery together
to the strains of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." It also earned
a best-picture nomination and a supporting-actress Oscar for Goldberg, who
said she wouldn't have won if it weren't for Swayze. "When I won my Academy
Award, the only person I really thanked was Patrick," Goldberg said in March
2008 on the ABC daytime talk show "The View." Swayze himself earned three
Golden Globe nominations, for "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost" and 1995's "To Wong
Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," which allowed him to toy with his
masculine image. The role called for him to play a drag queen on a
cross-country road trip alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo. His
heartthrob status almost kept him from being considered for the role of Vida
Boheme. "I couldn't get seen on it because everyone viewed me as terminally
heterosexually masculine-macho," he told The Associated Press then. But he
transformed himself so completely that when his screen test was sent to
Steven Spielberg, whose Amblin pictures produced "To Wong Foo," the director
didn't recognize him. Among his earlier films, Swayze was part of the
star-studded lineup in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 adaptation of S.E.
Hinton's novel "The Outsiders," alongside Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon,
Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez and Diane Lane. Other '80s films included "Red
Dawn," "Grandview U.S.A." and "Youngblood," once more with Lowe, as Canadian
hockey teammates. In the '90s, he made such eclectic films as "Point Break"
(1991) in which he played the leader of a band of bank-robbing surfers, and
the family Western "Tall Tale" (1995) in which he starred as Pecos Bill. He
appeared on the cover of People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991,
but his career tapered off toward the end of the 1990s, when he went to rehab
for alcohol abuse. In 2001, he appeared in the cult favorite "Donnie Darko,"
and in 2003 he returned to the New York stage with "Chicago"; 2006 found him
in the musical "Guys and Dolls" in London. Swayze was born in 1952 in
Houston, the son of Jesse Swayze and choreographer Patsy Swayze, whose films
include "Urban Cowboy." He played football but also was drawn to dance and
theater, performing with the Feld, Joffrey and Harkness Ballets and appearing
on Broadway as Danny Zuko in "Grease." He turned to acting in 1978 after a
series of injuries. Within a couple years of moving to Los Angeles, he made
his debut in the roller-disco movie "Skatetown, U.S.A." The eclectic cast
included Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Maureen McCormack and Billy Barty.
Off-screen, he was an avid conservationist who was moved by his time in
Africa to shine a light on "man's greed and absolute unwillingness to operate
according to Mother Nature's laws," he told the AP in 2004. Swayze was
married since 1975 to Niemi, a fellow dancer who took lessons with his
mother; they met when he was 19 and she was 15. A licensed pilot, Niemi would
fly her husband from Los Angeles to Northern California for treatment at
Stanford University Medical Center.
Ex-Miss Argentina Dies After Butt-Implant Surgery
A former Miss Argentina died Sunday after elective surgery on her butt went
terribly wrong. According to several international reports, 37-year-old
Solange Magnano suffered a pulmonary embolism after going under the knife
Wednesday at a Buenos Aires medical center for a gluteoplasty – a procedure
which normally involves placing implants in the buttocks to improve their
outline. Solange -- a wife and mother of 7-year-old twins -- suffered a
pulmonary embolism the day after her surgery when liquid injected into her
buttocks "went to her lungs and brain." Authorities say the cause of death is
still under investigation. Solange won the crown back in 1994 -- and had
since created her own modeling agency.
Report: Brittany Murphy Dead at 32
Brittany Murphy [1] died early this morning after she went into full cardiac
arrest and could not be revived, multiple sources tell TMZ. She was 32. A 911
call was made at 8:00 AM from a home in Los Angeles that is listed as
belonging to her husband, Simon Monjack, the Los Angeles City Fire Department
tells TMZ. We're told Murphy was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where
she was pronounced dead on arrival. Murphy starred in such films as
"Clueless," "8 Mile," and "Don't Say a Word."
[1] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/11002/brittany-murphy
Tearful Goodbye To Brittany Murphy At Funeral
Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy was laid to rest Thursday with a small,
private gathering of close friends and family recalling her acts of
generosity and the joy she brought into their lives.
As RadarOnline.com exclusively reported the service was held at the Church of
the Hills at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Mourners gathered outside the
church from 2.45 pm onward, many visibly displaying their pain. One woman was
seen crying onto the shoulder of actor, and close Brittany friend, Eric
Balfour. It was a day of heartbreak and tears as mourners still struggled
with the shock of the sudden passing of the 32-year-old, who collapsed at
home last Sunday and was pronounced dead hours later at Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center. Approximately 25 mourners attended the private service and burial.
The service was co-denominational, with a rabbi and a pastor present.
Brittany's close friends and family celebrated a life that, as one person
said, "brought sunshine" into their lives and "made them fly". Starting with
the Chet Atkins song My Funny Valentine and ending with Brittany's own
rendition of Charlie Chaplin's Smile the service highlighted personal moments
of those attending as well as the career of the beautiful actress. Her
husband Simon Monjack remembered how Brittany's favorite phrase was "thank
you" and said, "She was always grateful for everything. She'd always want you
to celebrate your life" Another speaker recalled how Brittany once made a
young male cancer victim's wish come true by granting him a dinner date. When
the young boy said his friends wouldn't believe him she called the friends on
his cell phone to prove it. ‘Amazing Grace’ was sung and the traditional
Jewish mourning prayer of Kaddish was recited. After the service the burial
took place in the Bright Eternity section of the memorial park. It began at
5:30 pm. The pall bearers included Eric Balfour and his sister Tori. On the
back of Brittany's memory folder were some of her favorite quotes, including
words from Janis Joplin, the story The Little Prince, the poet Wordsworth and
Charlie Chaplin. The family announced that a bigger memorial would be held
next year. An official cause of death is still pending the result of
toxicology and other tests. Brittany's husband Simon Monjack spoke to
RadarOnline.com on Wednesday and said he hadn't slept since Sunday. Sounding
dazed and devastated, Monjack said he appreciated the good wishes from
everyone but he is clearly still struggling to understand how his young wife
was taken from the world so suddenly.
No Funeral Yet for Casey Johnson
Despite widespread reports—not to mention our own expectations—Casey
Johnson was not laid to rest today at her family's burial plot in New Jersey,
a source close to the Johnsons tells E! News. But that didn't stop Tila
Tequila from trying to make the story about her. "I don't want to talk about
the funeral," Tequila tells us. "I wasn't allowed to go and I am so upset. I
can't sleep and I am on suicide watch." While Tequila may be the only one on
suicide watch, she wasn't the only one not invited to the service, which is
shaping up to be a private affair possibly now taking place tomorrow. Several
of the heiress' Hollywood pals, including Paris Hilton and former gal-pal
Courtenay Semel, didn't make the guest list. Tequila, nominally Johnson's
fiancée, also addressed the theory brought up on Johnson's 911 call that the
socialite may have taken her own life.
Survivor: Palau Contestant Jennifer Lyon Dies at 37
Jennifer Lyon, who placed fourth on Survivor: Palau in 2005, died at her home
in Oregon Tuesday night. She was 37. The reality TV star was first diagnosed
with stage-three breast cancer a few months after she wrapped Survivor, and
opted for a modified, radical bilateral mastectomy, followed by courses of
chemotherapy and tamoxifen, a drug used to prevent recurrence. "In the summer
of 2004, I felt something in my right breast that didn't feel normal," Lyon
told PEOPLE magazine in October 2005. "I thought it was probably scar tissue
related to my breast implants. So I let it go – for a long time." Being on
the CBS competition boosted her spirits and provided an inner strength to
battle her disease. "Survivor taught me there's an end in sight," she told
PEOPLE. "As hard as it is, it will be over, and you have to appreciate every
day." Survivor host Jeff Probst said that "near the end" He and Lyon spoke
"about the idea that death is such a hard subject and so many of us simply
don’t know what is appropriate to say, so we end up saying the wrong thing
for all the right reasons." "If I learned anything from Jenn it is this:
Don’t be afraid to ask someone how they are truly feeling about dying,"
Probst says. "Don’t shy away from the scary parts of death. They need
someone to talk to about what is going on inside their head. Most
importantly, encourage them to let go of the expectations of others and give
them permission to do what is right for them, even if it means letting go"
Her Survivor cast-mates remember her as kind and courageous. "She is the
model of grace, and has been so brave," fellow contestant Ian Rosenberger
told PEOPLE at the Survivor 10th anniversary party on Jan. 9. Despite her
illness, Lyons hosted many fundraisers for breast cancer research. Most
recently, she opened a Christmas tree lot with proceeds designated to her
cause.
Fawcett estate sues producer over alleged misdeeds
Court filings show Farrah Fawcett [1]'s estate has sued a producer over his
alleged actions before her death. The lawsuit claims Craig J. Nevius
exploited Fawcett and revealed privileged information about the actress to
the media. The suit also claims Nevius turned in an unworkable first cut of a
documentary on Fawcett's fight with cancer. The lawsuit states NBC, which
aired the documentary "Farrah's Story," had to rework the footage with help
from Fawcett's longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal. Nevius' attorney, Miles
Feldman, says the allegations lack merit and are an attempt to intimidate his
client. Nevius sued O'Neal and others over "Farrah's Story" last year. The
case is still pending. The lawsuit was first reported by celebrity Web site
TMZ.com. Fawcett died in Los Angeles on June 25.
[1] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/7032/farrah-fawcett
Longtime Film Star Jean Simmons Dead at 80
Jean Simmons [1], whose film career spanned from 1944 to 2008, died Friday
after battling lung cancer. She was 80.
Originally from London, Simmons [2] shared the screen with many of
Hollywood's leading men, including Gregory Peck [3], Spencer Tracy [4], Kirk
Douglas [5] and Laurence Olivier [6]. The actress played Ophelia opposite
Olivier in his 1948 adaptation of Hamlet and she famously starred alongside
Marlon Brando [7] in the 1955 musical Guys and Dolls, for which she won a
Golden Globe. Simmons [8]' work in Hamlet earned her an Academy Award
nomination for best supporting actress. She received a second Oscar
nomination (for a best-actress) for 1969's The Happy Ending. Simmons [9]'
other film work included The Robe [10], The Actress and Spartacus.
Beyond the big screen, Simmons [11] starred in the Stephen Sondheim musical A
Little Night Music, with which she toured across the country and also brought
the production to London. Later in her career, she appeared on TV shows such
as Murder, She Wrote and Star Trek: The Next Generation following her
Emmy-winning turn in the 1983 TV miniseries The Thorn Birds. She had recently
voiced the grandmother character in Howl's Moving Castle. Simmons [12]
married Stewart Granger [13] in 1950 and they had a daughter in 1956. After
divorcing in 1960, she married director Richard Brooks [14] the same year.
They also had a daughter before divorcing in 1977. In 1987, Brooks [15] told
People magazine, "Every man I would meet would say to me, 'I have always
loved your wife,'" who was considered one of the great screen beauties of her
generation. Simmons [16] is survived by her daughters, Tracy Granger and Kate
Brooks.
[1] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[2] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[3] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/5502/gregory-peck
[4] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/16588/spencer-tracy
[5] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/3700/kirk-douglas
[6] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18476/laurence-olivier
[7] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/7448/marlon-brando
[8] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[9] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[10] http://www.shoofeetv.com/program/112442/robe
[11] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[12] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
[13] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/16894/stewart-granger
[14] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/12822/richard-brooks
[15] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/12822/richard-brooks
[16] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/18832/jean-simmons
'Johnny Depp is dead': Yet another horrible Internet hoax
The internet world is abuzz with multiple tabloid reports and blogs that
famed Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp [1] has died in a tragic car crash in
France. But, it turns out now that the story is nothing but a yet another
horrible Internet hoax. The ‘Johnny Depp died’ story is a repeated
Internet hoax since it last happened in 2004. Death rumors News of Depp’s
untimely death circulated around the internet quickly thanks to Twitter, with
the web hoaxers creating a fake CNN Web page with pictures of various wrecked
vehicles. The story titled “Johnny Depp dies after fatal car crash,” on a
fake CNN site claims that a tourist was driving along the highway when he saw
a car wreck alongside the road. It was a surprise that the article mentioned
that the body pulled out of the car was that of the former actor, Johnny
Depp. It was added that the police suspects that alcohol was the main cause.
It took no time for Depp fans to take to the Twitter to express their grief
over the so called sudden and untimely death of the superstar. They tweeted
"RIP Johnny Depp" right into a Twitter trending topic. Death report is just a
hoax But the rep for Depp, Robin Baum, flatly denied the actor’s death
reports, saying People's ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ is still alive, and was not
involved in an accident of any kind. “He isn’t dead,” Baum confirmed to
E! News. “He’s fine.” An Associated Content writer Ryan Christopher
DeVault also branded these rumours as “false.” “As far as we know,
Johnny Depp is doing just fine, and has not been in any type of car crash. At
this time we feel it is pretty safe to say that Johnny Depp is doing fine
right now, and probably getting ready to get back into character for Pirates
of the Caribbean 4,” he wrote, according to a blog post on Times Live.
Death reports are indeed just a hoax, as the fake CNN article is dated March
2004. Moreover, the article is not from CNN but from a website named
angelfire. The hoaxers seemingly just copied the logo of CNN to make the
article look more real. More on Depp Johny Depp is an American actor and
musician known for his offbeat and eccentric characters like Jack Sparrow in
the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in
Las Vegas, and Sam in Benny & Joon. Born on June 9, 1963, Depp rose to
prominence with a lead role in the television series ‘21 Jump Street’ and
never looked back. Depp’s most recent roles include 1930s gangster John
Dillinger in ‘Public Enemies’ and the murderous London barber ‘Sweeney
Todd’. Depp will be next seen as Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's adaptation of
‘Alice in Wonderland’ which will hit the screens in March 2010. The sexy
star is a committed father of two and his longtime companion is French singer
Vanessa Paradis.
[1] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/3946/johnny-depp
US actor James Mitchell dead at 89
US actor James Mitchell [1], who became widely known for his role as Palmer
Cortlandt on the long-running ABC show "All My Children [2]," has died at the
age 89, The Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
The newspaper said Mitchell [3] had died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center in Los Angeles of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by
pneumonia. Mitchell [4] joined "All My Children [5]" in 1979, playing a
self-made millionaire who loves his family. His final appearance was earlier
this month for the show's 40th anniversary episode, the report said. He was
nominated for seven Daytime Emmy Awards for his role in the soap opera.
Mitchell [6] was born on February 29, 1920, in Sacramento, California, The
Times said. In the course of his career, he had leading roles in such
Broadway musicals as "Bloomer Girl," "Billion Dollar Baby," "Brigadoon" and
"Paint Your Wagon."
[1] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/31438/james-mitchell
[2] http://www.shoofeetv.com/program/68248/all-my-children
[3] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/31438/james-mitchell
[4] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/31438/james-mitchell
[5] http://www.shoofeetv.com/program/68248/all-my-children
[6] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/31438/james-mitchell
William Shatner Mourns Death of Costar Justin Mentell
William Shatner [1] paid tribute Tuesday to Boston Legal costar Justin
Mentell, who was killed in an car accident in rural Wisconsin. "I'm deeply
saddened to hear about Justin Mentell," Shatner wrote on Twitter. "There's no
telling how far up the ladder he may have climbed. My sympathies to his
family." Mentell, 27, who played attorney Garrett Wells on the ABC show from
2005 to 2006, was found dead Monday near his crashed Jeep, the Associated
Press reports. His car had gone down a steep embankment near Blanchardville,
Wis., and hit two trees.
[1] http://www.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/1864/william-shatner
Kate Moss Devastated over Alexander McQueen's Death
Shock waves rippled through the fashion world Thursday when news broke that
British fashion designer Alexander McQueen had died at age 40. Among his
closest friends was supermodel Kate Moss whose rep issued a statement
Thursday expressing her grief and sending condolences to his family. "Kate is
shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her
thoughts are with his family at this sad time. We would also ask that Kate's
privacy is respected." Other stars, from Kim Kardashian to Dita Von Teese,
immediately took to Twitter to post tributes to the late-designer, born Lee
Alexander McQueen, who died from apparent suicide.
Star Trek actor's son found dead
The actor son of Star Trek veteran Walter Koenig [1] has been found dead in a
wood in Vancouver, police have said.
Koenig [2] said his 41-year-old son Andrew, who suffered from depression,
"took his own life". Police spokeswoman Jana McGuinness said she did not
believe anyone else had been involved, adding that a coroner had now taken
over the investigation. Andrew was best known for his recurring role as
'Boner' on US sitcom Growing Pains, between 1985-1989. His parents reported
him missing when he failed to return home to Los Angeles after visiting
friends in Vancouver earlier this month. 'Talk to somebody' On Thursday, his
body was discovered in Vancouver's 1,000-acre Stanley Park, where Koenig
liked to walk and was last seen.
Walter
, who played Lieutenant Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series, said
his son was "obviously in a lot of pain" to have taken his own life. In a
statement he said that Andrew had given away his belongings and had not been
taking his medication. He urged others suffering from depression to seek
help. "If you are one of those people who can't handle it any more, know
people are out there who really care before you make that final decision,"
Koenig [3], 71, said. "Talk to somebody."
[1] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/34726/walter-koenig
[2] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/34726/walter-koenig
[3] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/34726/walter-koenig
Andrew Koenig Hanged Himself in Vancouver Park
Growing Pains star Andrew Koenig committed suicide by hanging himself from a
tree in Vancouver's Stanley Park, a source "close to the investigation" tells
E! News. As previously reported, the 41-year-old actor's body was found late
Thursday "in a densely wooded area...unseen from the path" by a search party
made up of "family and friends." His father, Walter Koenig conceded in a
press conference that "my son took his own life." The insider tells E! News
that Koenig's body was found hanging from a tree in the secluded area.
"Andrew didn't want to be found," the source notes. "No parent should have to
deal with anytime like this," Walter Koenig told Us in an interview earlier
this week. The actor had been missing since Feb. 16. Walter Koenig described
his son as "a good human being who has "an awful lot left to contribute in
this world." In a press conference following the confirmation of his son's
death, the grieving father urged people to be vigilant about the signs of
depression in loved ones. "Don't ignore it; don't rationalize it...extend a
hand." Walter and his wife Judith asked fans to honor their son's memory by
donating to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or the U.S. Campaign for
Burma.
Marie Osmond's Son Commits Suicide
Marie Osmond's son Michael Blosil committed suicide by jumping from his L.A.
apartment building around 9pm Friday night. Entertainment Tonight confirmed
the sad news through Osmond family members, including Marie's brother Donny.
"Please pray for my sister and her family," Donny said. Update: a rep for
Marie Osmond released the following statement to UsMagazine.com Saturday
afternoon:"My family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic
loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during
this difficult time." In his late teens, Michael was one of eight children,
and reportedly suffered "severe depression" throughout his life. The troubled
young man left a despondent note explaining his decision to take his own
life, ET reports. He entered a rehab facility at age 16 in 2007. Marie and
Donny Osmond's Las Vegas show was canceled for Saturday night.
Marie Osmond in 'disbelief' over son's suicide
Although Marie Osmond knew her son had problems, she had visited him often in
Los Angeles, where he attended school at the Fashion Institute of Design and
Merchandising, and thought he was doing better, a friend tells PEOPLE. "When
she heard about the tragedy, she was a mess. She was in disbelief," says the
friend. Michael, 18, took his own life on Friday night in Los Angeles. The
Osmond family has gathered in Las Vegas, where Donny and Marie's show is on
hold indefinitely, to mourn together. "They're doing the best they can," the
friend says. "They're all together. She's taking care of her family. They're
all trying to explain that certain [bad] things happen while they grieve at
the same time. They're trying to understand and make sense of it."
Corey Haim Dead At 38
Canadian actor Corey Haim has died in California after allegedly suffering a
drug overdose.
The 38-year-old /Lost Boys/ star was reportedly discovered unresponsive at
his home in Oakwood in the early hours of Wednesday morning by his distraught
mother. He was taken to St. Joseph's hospital in Burbank, where he was
pronounced dead. He is believed to have passed away between the hours of 4
and 4:40 a.m.
Sergeant Frank Albarren, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police
Department, tells MSNBC.com, "It was an apparent overdose. Unknown what type
of medication."
Haim, who had a long history of drug problems, found incredible fame in the
1980s with films like /Lucas/, /License to Drive/ and /The Lost Boys/; which
co-starred Corey Feldman [1].
[1] http://new.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/29058/corey-feldman
'Mission: Impossible' Star Graves Dead
TV and movie veteran Peter Graves [1] has died. He was 83.
The star of the /Mission: Impossible/ TV series and /Airplane [2]!/ movies
was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Sunday, just days before his 84th
birthday. It is thought he died from a heart attack.
Born in 1926, Graves [3] -- brother of character actor James Arness --
enjoyed a career in Hollywood spanning 60 years, which included playing Jim
Phelps in /Mission: Impossible/ between 1967-1973.
He went on to become a cult comedy figure through his role as Captain Oveur
in spoofs /Airplane!/ and /Airplane II: The Seque [4]l/. He later starred on
TV show /Biography/ for over a decade, winning an Emmy for his hosting duties
on the series.
Graves was honored last year with the 2,391st star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ojai Film Festival.
He is survived by wife Joan, their three daughters, Kelly, Claudia and
Amanda, and six grandchildren.
[1] http://new.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/27810/peter-graves
[2] http://http://new.shoofeetv.com/program/122280/airplane-ii-sequel
[3] http://new.shoofeetv.com/celebrity/27810/peter-graves
[4] http://new.shoofeetv.com/program/122280/airplane-ii-sequel
Corey Haim Death Investigation: 20 Doctors Subpoenaed
The L.A. County Coroner's office confirms that they have subpoenaed the
medical records from 20 doctors as they continue their probe into the death
of *Corey Haim*.
According to the coroner's office, he had obtained drugs using prescriptions
written under the names of the 20 doctors whose records they've subpoenaed.
The late actor is linked to an investigation into a prescription drug ring,
as an unauthorized prescription in Haim's name was found during an
investigation into fraudulent prescription pads, according to California's
Attorney General.
Haim's death certificate lists "deferred" as the cause of death. The coroner
is currently awaiting toxicology results to determine if drugs were a factor
in his untimely passing.
Dynasty actor John Forsythe dies aged 92
John Forsythe [1], the former Dynasty star and voice of Charlie in the
Charlie's Angels TV series and films, has died. The actor, who was 92, died
on Thursday in Santa Ynez, California, from complications of pneumonia after
a year-long battle with cancer. Forsythe [2] played Blake Carrington in the
popular US soap from 1981-9, alongside British actress Joan Collins [3]. In
an career that began in the 1940s, he also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's The
Trouble With Harry and Topaz. It was for his depiction of an oil tycoon in
producer Aaron Spelling's Dynasty that Forsythe was best known. The role in
the soap won him two Golden Globes for best actor and he picked up three Emmy
nominations. Collins [4] said: "He was one of the last of the true gentlemen
of the acting profession. "I enjoyed our nine years of feuding, fussing and
fighting as the Carringtons." Dynasty co-star Heather Locklear added Forsythe
[5] was a "gifted actor who knew the true meaning of being gracious and
kind". Forsythe [6] was also well-known for a role in which he never showed
his face - Charlie in the TV show Charlie's Angels (1976-81), which was also
produced by Aaron Spelling. He reprised the role in the two feature film
follow-ups. Forsythe's disembodied voice was usually heard over the phone as
he gave the "Angels" their next mission. Angels star Cheryl Ladd said: "I'm
mourning with the rest of the world for the talented, gorgeous, funny,
intelligent John Forsythe [7]." In a statement, his family said: "Thankfully,
he died as he lived his life... with dignity and grace, after a year-long
struggle with cancer." Born in New Jersey, Forsythe served with the US Army
Air Corps during World War II and then worked as an announcer for the
Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. His acting career began in New York in the
1940s where he took on stage roles and was among the first members of Lee
Strasburg's influential Actors Studio group. His other film roles included
The Captive City and Escape from Fort Bravo and between 1957 and 1962 he
played a Hollywood lawyer caring for a teenage niece in TV comedy Bachelor
Father. A keen environmentalist, Forsythe narrated the World of Survival
series in the 1970s and was a spokesperson for the World Wildlife Fund.
[1] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/32528/john-forsythe
[2] http://http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/32528/john-forsythe
[3] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/13240/joan-collins
[4] http://http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/13240/joan-collins
[5] http://http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/32528/john-forsythe
[6] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/32528/john-forsythe
[7] http://shoofeetv.com/celebrity/32528/john-forsythe
