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, May 18, 2011
Randall L. Wreghitt
Theatrical producer -- via Playbill, Theatermania, Broadway World, and Broadwaydotcom. Responsible for so many great shows -- all of McDonagh, "Grey Gardens," "Metamorphoses," Kate Burton's "Hedda Gabbler," and hits by Ken Lonergan, Nicky Silver and Douglas Carter Beane.
Michael William Coplestone Dillon Onslow, 7th Earl of Onslow
Noble, member of the House of Lords, deejay, photographer, insurance agent, farmer and gadfly in the Socratic sense -- via Lancaster Online and the Associated Press. The gentleman described sounds quite like a free and whimsical spirit. Who wrote this? The lede is wonderful; the tone is pithy, and it's still clear, concise and compelling. One of the best obits I've read in a long time. The quote in paragraph Five is the same used in a different, much more comprehensive and equally entertaining eulogy in the Telegraph. Check out the third-to-last sentence in the AP story -- well played.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Barbara Stuart
Actress -- via barbarastuart.com. She worked extensively in film and television; she may dwell in the popular imagination as Bunny, the girlfriend of Sgt. Carter, in the U.S. TV series "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C." She had small but memorable parts in the film comedies "Airplane!" and "Bachelor Party" as well.
Edward Hardwicke
Actor -- via The Stage. The son of Sir Cedric Hardwicke, he was a delightful actor in his own right. He wil be best remembered as Dr. Watson to Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes in all but the first two series of memorable Granada TV treatment of Holmes' career.
Harmon Killebrew aka The Killer aka Hammerin' Harmon
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer -- via the New York Times. A more personal tribute from Hal Bodley on MLB.com. An incredible and incredibly powerful hitter for the Senators, who became the Twins when they moved to Minneapolis in 1961. His #3 is retired by the Twins. Also, a good and gentle man! One of my heroes.
Joseph Wershba
Journalist -- via the L.A. Times. Starting in radio in 1944, he worked on newspapers and in television, most notably with Edward R. Murrow on the expose of the machinations of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Bruce Ricker
Documentary filmmaker -- via artsjournal.com. He produced the great "Thelonius Monk: Straight, No Chaser," and directed films about Budd Boetticher, Johnny Mercer, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck.
Jim Dickson
Record producer and manager -- via allthatjazz.com. He produced the Dillards and Hamilton Camp, then began to manage the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Gram Parsons.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Terence Longdon
Actor -- via the Telegraph. Best remembered as Drusus in "Ben-Hur," he starred in a British TV series, "Garry Halliday."
John S. Carter
A & R exec, manager, producer and songwriter -- via Billboard. He wrote the lyrics for the Strawberry Alarm Clock's 1967 hit "Incense and Peppermints." (The band hated the lyrics, and a visiting friend, Greg Munford, actually sings them!)
Mary Murphy
Actress -- via the L.A. Times. Her biggest role was as the female lead in "The Wild One"; she also appeared in "The Desperate Hours," "The Mad Magician" and "Junior Bonner."
Jim Heise
MLB pitcher, school administrator and baseball coach -- via West Virginia Illustrated. He played eight games for the Senators in 1957; interestingly, his father pitched one game for the Cardinals in 1934.
Mel Queen
MLBer -- via the Washington Post. Interestingly, he learned three different positions in his playing career -- third baseman, outfielder and pitcher. He went on to serve as manager, exec and pitching coach, primarily for the Blue Jays. He is popularly considered to have revived the career of Roy Halladay; he also helped Hentgen, Stottlemyre and David Wells.
Jack Richardson
Music producer -- via the Canadian Press. Best known for his work with the Guess Who, he also produced records for Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Poco and Badfinger.
Vivian Myerson
Vivian Myerson and her husband Seymour display a brick and rock allegedly thrown through their window by an L.A.P.D. "surveillance" unit. (Courtesy LA Times) |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Michael Krsnich
Left fielder with the Milwaukee Braves and in Japanese baseball -- via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jack Morris, Bil Schenley and groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries.
Gerald Bordman
Theatre scholar and author -- via the Philadelphia Inquirer. His "American Musical Theater" and "The Oxford Companion to the American Theater" are classics.
Norma Zimmer aka Norma Larsen
Singer -- via the Washington Post. A long-time member of "The Lawrence Welk Show" cast, her squeaky-clean image and extensive Christian repertoire made her a favorite of my grandparents.
Ross Hagen aka Leland Lando Lilly
Actor, writer, director, producer -- via westernboothill.blogspot.com.
Friday, May 13, 2011
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