Thursday, November 4, 2010

George Lee "Sparky" Anderson

Hall of Fame baseball manager -- via the Associated Press. What can I say? I cried a little when I heard this. He was a genius:
Here's his bio from the Baseball Hall of Fame website: "Known for his jovial disposition, George 'Sparky' Anderson was the first manager in history to win World Series championships in both the American and National Leagues. His career totals include 2,194 victories, the third most in Major League history, two Manager of the Year Awards, five league pennants and three World Series crowns. His heavy use of the bullpen staff earned him the nickname 'Captain Hook,' but this practice has now become the standard for Major League Baseball."
He was not only a brilliant leader, he had a great attitude about people and life, and taught me much about the game I love and inspired me when things got me down. Here's a link to his Hall of Fame induction speech -- read it, it says it all. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here's a very important quote from it for you:

" . . . what my father said, when I was 11 years old. My father never got past the third grade, but there ain’t a guy that ever went to Harvard smart as my Daddy. My Daddy said this. He said, 'I’m gonna give you a gift, it’s the greatest gift to take all the way through your life. And if you live with this gift, everything will work perfect,' and he said, 'Son, I’m gonna give you a gift that will never cost a dime, and that gift is this, if every day of your life, and every person you meet, you will just be nice to that person, and treat that person like they are someone.'”

God bless you, Sparky.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Bernard Musson

Actor - via next.liberation.fr. He was ever-present in so many significant French and Hollywood films: "Gigi," "Lola Montes," "Forbidden Games," and several works with Bunuel -- "Diary of a Chambermaid," "Belle de Jour," "The Phantom of Liberty," "That Obscure Object of Desire."

David/Sonia Burgess

Immigration lawyer who specialized in assisting asylum seekers -- via the Guardian. He was also transgendered; this may have motivated his murderer. UPDATE: A special Jan. 9 report from the Guardian on this person's extraordinary life --

Dec. 12, 2011 -- Sad update. It turns out that Sonia was killed by a mentally ill client she was trying to help. Here are details from the Telegraph -- 

John E. Sekula aka JJ Righteous

Metal guitarist -- via Gun Shy Assassin.

Arthur Bernard Lewis

TV writer and producer -- via ultimatedallas.com.

Robert Ellenstein

Actor in film and television, and prominent regional theatre director -- via the L.A. Times.

John Waterlow

Professor of pathophysiology and nutrition -- via the Telegraph. His efforts helped to save thousands of children's lives.

Clyde King

Pitcher for the Dodgers and Reds, manager for the Braves and the Giants, and long-time exec with the Yankees -- via Yahoo News.

Jerry (Jerrold) Bock

Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer for musicals -- via Broadway World. He will be best remembered for writing the music for "Fiddler on the Roof," but "Fiorello!," "The Apple Tree" and "Mr. Wonderful" were hits as well. His collaboration with Sheldon Harnick was prolific, and to date has not been examined and celebrated as it should. Plus, he wrote one of my favorite up-tempo ballads, "Too Close for Comfort."

For some reason, I performed in more Bock and Harnick shows than any others. I certainly enjoyed singing his great songs. Thank you, Mr. Bock!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Nance Movsesian

Theatre publicist -- via boston.com.

Nick Bell

College football player -- via al.com.

Andy Irons

Professional, world-champion surfer -- via ESPN. Update, 11/30: a controversial story in Outside magazine suggests that his death was drug-related. Like many of us, he may have had his problems with addiction; however, there are a few too many "maybe"s in this article to satisfy me. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Monica Johnson

Comic writer for film and TV, and novelist -- via Deadline.com. She will be best remembered for her numerous brilliant collaborations with Albert Brooks -- "Real Life," "Lost in America," "Modern Romance" and more.

Shannon Tavarez

Actress -- via Broadway World. She was appearing as Young Nala in "The Lion King" when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She was 11 years old.

Harry "PopPop" Cooper

Internet celebrity and relationship adviser -- via the L.A. Times. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara.

Joe Puryear

Alpinist, writer and photographer -- via CBS News. He died from a 1,500-foot fall on Tibetan mountain Labuche Kang.

Takargo - Summit from Joe Puryear on Vimeo.

Monday, November 1, 2010

G. William Oakley

Theatrical impresario -- via the Denver Post. He founded the Heritage Square Opera House in Golden, known for its comedic "mellerdrammers."

Charlie O'Donnell

Announcer -- via the Orange County Register.

Anne McDonald

Author and disability-rights activist -- via The Age.com. Her story is amazing. Born with cerebral palsy, she was diagnosed with retardation, confined to an institution, and starved and abused. She established communication with therapist Rosemary Crossley, then had to sue her family and the state to escape her confines. Her book about her struggle, "Annie's Coming Out," is very difficult to find, unfortunately.

Michael F. "Mick" Galloway

Actor on stage and in film and TV -- via Legacy.com.

Chris Gulker

Gifted photographer, electronic publishing expert and pioneer blogger -- via InMenlo.com.

Jack Brokensha

Vibraphonist -- via the Detroit Free Press.

Ina Clare

British actress -- via Digital Spy. Best known for her role as flower vendor Ina Foot in "EastEnders." (Not to be confused with American stage and early Sound Era film actress Ina Claire.)

Artie Wilson

Baseball player for the Negro Leagues, Pacific Coast League and the majors (New York Giants) -- via MinorLeagueBaseball.com. He was the last player to hit .400 or over in a season for a professional team (the Birmingham Black Barons, in 1948). He mentored a promising young player named -- Willie Mays!

Gene Arlan "Suds" "Pops" Fodge

Former MLB pitcher for the Cubs -- via Bill Schenley, groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and Legacy.com.

Wanda Tyler Jackson

Civil-rights activist, teacher and bookstore owner -- via the Denver Post.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

George Hickenlooper

Filmmaker -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He was in Denver to attend the International Film Festival there, promoting his new film "Casino Jack." He is best known for his documentary "Hearts of Darkness."

Friday, October 29, 2010

Liang Congjie

Environmental pioneer, historian and teacher -- via the New York Times. He founded China's first legally recognized environmental organization.

George Cain aka George Maurice Hopkins

Writer -- via the New York Times.

Gerard Kelly

Actor in TV, film, radio and stage -- via the STV News.

James Wall

Mr. Baxter on "Captain Kangaroo" -- via the New York Daily News. Though he will be best remembered for this role, he was an award-winning stage manager for CBS for decades as well. Here's the beginning of a multi-part interview with him:

Karlo Sakandelidze

Actor on stage and in film -- via interpressnews.ge.

Helen Escobedo

Sculptor -- via the Guardian.