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.
Writer, playwright, and journalist -- via the New York Times. A specialist on the life and work of Eugene O'Neill; wrote the most authoritative works on the subjects. Her work with her husband Arthur on 1987's "O'Neill" is a model of research and analysis.
Actor -- via the New York Times. An underestiamted talent who triumphed on stage, in film, and beyond. His remarkable creation of a one-man telling of the Gospel of St, Mark was riveting. He played the Fool against Scofield's Lear; n film, he is best known as the investigator in Hitchcock's "Frenay."
Comedian, activist and actor -- via the Washington Post. AKA The World's Foremost Authority. An epic life story -- his mother put him and his siblings in an orphanage when teir father deserted her. He rose the rails, worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, boxed. An extreme leftist, he got his big break as a writer and performer in the landmark union musical review Pins and Needles, which ran on Broadway from 1937 to 1940. He worked nightclubs, burlesque, streetccorners. He was blacklisted in the 1950s. He worked in radio, TV, and film; he was a master of what used to be called the "doubletalk" act (Sid Caesar and Danny Kaye were also noted for it; Reggie Watts does it today). His anarchic sendups of intellect, propriety, stuffiness, hypocrisy, and the general madness of life were needed.
Musician, composer, and producer -- via Boing Boing. Produced Lou Rawls, Cannonball Adderly, and many more; released many innovative solo albums. Originally a drummer, many of his tracks were alter sampled by hip-hop artists.
Former MLB pitcher -- via legacy.com. In his major league debut against the Astros on July 21, 1998, he pitched an amazing four-hit, complete-game shutout.
Music producer -- via All Access. Helepd create the great "Bring the Family" album from John Hiatt, and worked with Blind Boys of Alabama, Peter Rowan, and many more.
