Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Danny Klega
Actor -- via the Los Angeles Daily News. AK Dusan Klega. Best remembered as Ivan the Cosmonaut in an episode of the TV sitcom "Gilligan's Island."
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Mario Sereni
Baritone -- via Slipped Disc. Had a 27-year career at the Met; best known for his performance as Germont in the famous "Libson Traviata" with Callas and Kraus, March 27, 1958.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Eddie Hardin
Singer and keyboardist -- via Ultimate Classic Rock. Replaced Steve Winwood when he left the Spencer Davis Group.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Peg Lynch
Comedy pioneer on radio and TV; creator and star of the highly regarded "Ethel and Albert"/"The Couple Next Door" program -- via Facebook. An unsung comedy genius who created the 15-minute, five-days-a-week domestic comedy that lasted nationally from 1944 to 1960. One of the first women to write and star in her own series, eventually churning out around 11,000 scripts. Intelligent and low-key humor akin to Paul Rhymer's well-loved "Vic and Sade."
Mildred Joanne Smith
Actress -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Known for her single film credit as Cora, wife of Sidney Poitiier's wife in his film debut, "No Way Out" in 1950.
Carmino Ravosa
Composer, lyricist, singer, pianist, producer, director, and musical historian -- via the White Plains Daily Voice. A beloved writer of songs for kids, his particular style sticks in my head for the years he spent on "Captain Kangaroo."
Friday, July 24, 2015
Rinaldo "Rugger" Ardzoia
Former MLB player -- via the Chronicle. On April 30, 1947, he pitched 2 innings for the Yankees in a loss to the Browns.
Van Alexander
Bandleader, arranger, and composer --via Variety. AKA Alexander Van Vliet Feldman. His arrangement of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" was a big hit for Chick Webb, and the first for Ella Fitzgerald.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Nova Pilbeam
Actress -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Best remembered as the kidnapped daughter in Hitchcook's original version of "The Man Who Knew Too much" (1934).
Ray Jessel
Comedy writer and cabaret performer -- via Variety. Had a late hit with "What She's Got (The Penis Song)". An old-time belter, not politically correct; a filthy Irving Berlin. Some have objected to his transgender topic (the song's narrator has a girlfriend with one), but the music video seems to make clear that's it's all in good fun, and that, hey, maybe it's not such a bad thing after all!)
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