Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Elisabeth Sladen

Actress -- via the BBC. Will remember her fondly in her role as one of the most memorable and durable of BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who's companions, the intrepid journalist Sarah Jane Smith.


Stanley "Doc" Glenn

Catcher in the Negro Leagues -- via the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Violet Cowden

Aviatrix -- via the L.A. Times. One of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, during World War II. Her amazing story is outlined in a documentary by two friends of mine -- Mark and Christy Bonn's "Wings of Silver: The Vi Cowden Story."

Michael Sarrazin

Actor -- via the L. A. Times.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Trevor Bannister

Comic actor -- via the Sun. He wil be best remembered for his role as Mr. Lucas in the British sitcom, "Are You Being Served?"

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Arthur Marx

Writer -- via deadline.com. His claim to fame might erroneously be seen as being the son of Groucho, but he was a talented and prolific writer, turning out books and writing for screen, radio and television.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Paul Kriwaczek

Historical writer and innovative television producer and director -- via the Guardian.

Lewis Binford

Archaeologist -- via The Hindu.

Lacy Gibson

Blues guitarist -- via Spinner.

Leslie Barringer

Street poet and former child actor -- via the Toronto Star.

Angela Scoular

Actress -- via the Telegraph.

Sachin Bhowmick

Screenwriter -- via Hindustan Times.

John Bottomley

Singer/songwriter -- via newswire.ca.

Ron Hickman

Designer and inventor -- via the Guardian. Two of his top creations are very different indeed -- the Lotus sports car and the Black & Decker Workmate!

Gerald A. Lawson

Video game pioneer -- via theroot.com. He invented the ROM game cartridge!

Peter Ruehl

Humor columnist -- via the Sydney Morning Herald.

Billy Bang aka William Vincent Walker

Jazz violinist and composer -- via NPR. One of the great exponents of free jazz.

Daniel Catan

Composer noted especially for his operas -- via the Bellingham Herald.

Adam Lusekelo

Journalist and humor columnist -- via ippmedia.

Murtaza Hassan aka Mastana

Comedic actor of stage and television -- via the Pakistan Times.

Don Merton

Conservationist -- via stuff.co.nz.

Stephen Watson

Poet -- via BOOK Southern Africa.

Donald Shanks

Bass-baritone -- via the Australian.

Pierre Gauvreau

Painter -- via Radio Canada.

Eddie Joost

Shortstop with the (Philadelphia) A's, Reds, Red Sox and the (Boston) Braves -- via philly.com. He was the oldest living player from a World Series-winning team, the 1940 Reds. He is mentioned in the famous, funny baseball jazz tune by Dave Frishberg, "Van Lingle Mungo."