The RIP Thread

[Frothy Afterbirth]

Wilford Brimley, star of ‘The Natural,’ ‘Cocoon’ and Quaker Oats ads, dead at age 85
The Associated Press 2 hrs ago


AP Photo/Evan Agostini


LOS ANGELES — Wilford Brimley, who worked his way up from stunt performer to star of film such as “Cocoon” and “The Natural,” has died. He was 85.

Brimley's manager Lynda Bensky said the actor died Saturday morning in a Utah hospital. He was on dialysis and had several medical ailments, she said.

The mustached Brimley was a familiar face for a number of roles, often playing gruff characters like his grizzled baseball manager in "The Natural."

Brimley's best-known work was in "Cocoon," in which he was part of a group of seniors who discover an alien pod that rejuvenates them. The 1985 Ron Howard film won two Oscars, including a supporting actor honor for Don Ameche.

Brimley also starred in "Cocoon: The Return," a 1988 sequel.

For years he was pitchman for Quaker Oats and in recent years appeared in a series of diabetes spots that turned him at one point into a social media sensation.

"Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust," Bensky said in a statement. "He said what he meant and he meant what he said. He had a tough exterior and a tender heart. I'm sad that I will no longer get to hear my friend's wonderful stories. He was one of a kind."

Though never nominated for an Oscar or Emmy Award, Brimley amassed an impressive list of credits. In 1993's John Grisham adaptation "The Firm," Brimley starred opposite Tom Cruise as a tough-nosed investigator who deployed ruthless tactics to keep his law firm's secrets safe.

A Utah native, Brimley's Hollywood career started in the late 1960s as a stuntman, where he forged a friendship with Robert Duvall. Duvall's encouragement led Brimley to seek more prominent acting roles and his career took off after his appearance in 1979's "The China Syndrome," according to a biography prepared by Turner Classic Movies.

Brimley had a recurring role as a blacksmith on "The Waltons" and the 1980s prime-time series "Our House."

In recent years, Brimley's pitchwork for Liberty Mutual had turned him into an internet sensation for his drawn out pronunciation of diabetes as "diabeetus." He owned the pronunciation in a tweet that drew hundreds of thousands of likes earlier this year.

Brimley is survived by is wife Beverly and three sons.

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[Frothy Afterbirth]

US wrestler James 'Kamala' Harris dies aged 70, WWE confirms.
BBC August 10, 2020



Tributes have been paid to US wrestler James "Kamala" Harris, who has died at the age of 70.

He was described as a "great character" and a "tremendously nice man" after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced his death on Sunday.

The 6ft 7in star was best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) era, in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.

He fought Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Andre the Giant among others.

Later in life he suffered with severe health problems and had his left leg amputated in 2011 due to diabetes.

Kamala's character, the "Ugandan Giant", appeared in war paint and a mask and carried a spear; a depiction which was criticised by some fans as racially insensitive.

But Harris said he enjoyed the role and being an entertainer. In 2012, he recalled how his mentor Jerry Lawler invented the Kamala character.

"He put the paint and stuff on me and they put the little skirt on me," Harris said. "I like doing that kind of stuff."

In his era, Harris was a popular opponent for The Undertaker. The two men battled at the 1992 Survivor Series in a "casket match", with the Undertaker coming out on top in front of 18,000 fans at the Richfied Colisseum in Ohio.
'Worked the gimmick'

"God bless Kamala, he always put on a show for the fans. Good big man who worked the gimmick better than most. It breaks my heart," tweeted fellow former wrestler The Iron Sheik.

"Sorry to hear a legend has passed," added former wrestler and commentator Taz.

Another former wrestling star, Jerry "The King" Lawler paid tribute by posting a picture of Harris in action.

Harris hailed from Mississippi and began wrestling in 1978, under the ring name "Sugar Bear."

In 2004, he made a surprise return to the re-branded WWE.

"Such a great character," posted wrestling journalist Sean Ross. "Memorable and influential. May he rest in peace."

Harris is not to be confused with California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris, who is to currently in the running to be Joe Biden's pick for vice-president in November's election.

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[Frothy Afterbirth]

Chariots of Fire actor Ben Cross dies aged 72
BBC 19 August 2020


Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Actor Ben Cross, who was best known for playing athlete Harold Abrahams in the film Chariots of Fire, has died at the age of 72.

His other roles included the leads in HBO's first ever mini-series, The Far Pavilions, in 1984, and the 1991 horror series Dark Shadows.

His representatives said he died "suddenly" following a short illness.

His daughter Lauren wrote on Facebook that she was "utterly heartbroken" that her "darling father" had passed away.

She said he had been "sick for a while" but there had been a "rapid decline over the past week".

His representatives said he had just finishing shooting horror film The Devil's Light and later this year will appear in a leading role in the romantic drama film Last Letter From Your Lover.

He was born Harry Bernard Cross in London to a working-class Catholic family.

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (Rada), he moved from the stage to screen and took a minor role in the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far, which starred Sir Sean Connery and Sir Michael Caine.

He became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the same year, before gaining wider acclaim as Billy Flynn - the lawyer representing murderer Roxie Hart - in a 1978 version of the stage musical Chicago.

It was a performance that was widely believed to have earned him his role in 1981's Chariots Of Fire, which went on to win four Oscars including best picture.

Cross played Jewish runner Harold Abrahams in the film, which was based on the true story of two British men racing for Olympic gold in 1924.

BBC religion editor Martin Bashir said Cross's portrayal of Abrahams had "captured the burden of being an outsider".

After Chariots of Fire, Cross was cast as a British officer in 19th Century colonial India in The Far Pavilions, which was described by The New York Times as "the most expensive, ambitious production ever risked by a pay cable service".

He later appeared as Malagant in the 1995 film First Knight and Sarek in the 2009 Star Trek reboot.

Cross also played Adolf Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess in the 2006 BBC production Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial.

James Bond star Colin Salmon, who worked on The Devil's Light alongside Cross, tweeted: "It was good working with him, seeing his twinkle & his craft.

"He wrote songs for the Sinatra of Bulgaria, had so many stories & spoke in Bulgarian and German on set. Go Well Ben RIP."

US television and film director Todd Holland also shared a tribute, saying he had met Cross early in his own career.

"We shot a screen test at Pinewood Studios. I went to his home for dinner with his family," he said.

"Ben Cross was a lovely man and talented actor. That movie never got made. But... what a classy guy."

Cross, who died in Vienna, Austria, had two children, Lauren and Theo.

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[MrGoutHimself]

RIP Chadwick Boseman, star of Black Panther. Colon cancer at the age of 43.

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[Frothy Afterbirth]

Man that sucks. 43 is way too young.

[qcmalebox]

[Frothy Afterbirth]

Diana Rigg Remembered: Hollywood Pays Homage to ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘James Bond,’ ‘Avengers’ Star
By Naman Ramachandran
Variety



The entertainment world is paying tribute to multifaceted actor Diana Rigg, who died Thursday at her home in England at the age of 82.

Rigg’s appeal transcended generations, ranging from playing the stylish Emma Peel in iconic 1960’s series “The Avengers”; Contessa Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo, the only woman to lead James Bond to the altar, in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”; to Lady Holiday in “The Great Muppet Caper”; Mrs Danvers in “Rebecca”; through to discovering a new legion of fans while portraying Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones.”

“Dame Diana Rigg. She always raised the bar with her incredible talent, intelligence and wit. An absolute joy and honor to work with. May her soul Rest In Peace,” posted Rigg’s “Game of Thrones” co-star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Another “Game of Thrones” actor John Bradley, who played Samwell Tarly on the show, tweeted: “Diana Rigg was just wonderful. But you all knew that already. Everybody did. Very sad news. #dianarigg”

Liam Cunningham, a “Thrones” alumnus who played Sir Davos Seaworth, posted: “Rest in peace. A remarkable wonderful and enormously talented human being.”

Meanwhile, the official “Game of Thrones” Twitter account posted, “Be a dragon. The realm will always remember Diana Rigg.”

George Lazenby, who played Bond to Rigg’s Tracy, posted a picture of the pair together on Instagram, and wrote: “I’m so sad to hear of the death of Diana Rigg. She undoubtedly raised my acting game when we made On Her Majesty’s Secret Service together in 1968-9.

“I remember the press conference at the Dorchester in London, knowing she was going to play my wife. We had fun together on the set of the movie in Switzerland and Portugal. Her depth of experience really helped me. We were good friends on set. Much was made of our supposed differences but that was the Press looking for a news story. I was sorry to have lost my wife in the film at the end. The death of Contessa Teresa di Vincenzo Draco created a memorable cinema moment over 50 years ago. As my new bride, Tracy Bond, I wept for her loss. Now, upon hearing of Dame Diana’s death, I weep again. My deepest condolences for her family. Love George xx”

Edgar Wright, who directed Rigg in what would be her final film, “Last Night in Soho,” that is due in 2021, posted: “What to say about Diana Rigg? I could talk about her incredible career, but for now I’ll just say as a lifelong fan, it was beyond a thrill to work with her on her final film. She exceeded all my highest expectations, so blazingly talented, fiery & funny. Miss you already Dame D.”

“Sherlock” actor and writer Mark Gatiss tweeted: “It was my great joy and privilege to have known Diana Rigg. From three slightly hysterical months at the Old Vic in ‘All About Mother’ to writing The Crimson Horror for Diana and her wonderful daughter Rachael. Flinty, fearless, fabulous. There will never be another. RIP”

“Extras” co-creator Stephen Merchant posted: “RIP Dame Diana Rigg. Great actress and good sport – lest we forget, she let Daniel Radcliffe flick a condom on her head in Extras.”

CBS presenter Anthony Mason wrote: “One of the most memorable moments in my career – spending an afternoon with Dame Diana Rigg at @MetMuseum in 2018. As Emma Peel in The Avengers in the mid 60s, she was my first great crush.
Farewell, Mrs. Peel.”

Golden Globe nominated “China Beach” actor Dana Delaney tweeted: “For a girl in the 1960’s, Diana Rigg was the embodiment of power and allure. To see her on stage in Medea 30 years later was sheer terror. And the icing was Game of Thrones. She outplayed them all. A great grand actor.”

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[qcmalebox]

With Helen Mirrin









She was doing fetish before there was a term for it. Bless her.

[The Godfather]

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Nice!

[Frothy Afterbirth]

Eddie Van Halen, Guitar Hero, Dies At 65
October 6, 2020 3:44 PM ET
Stephen Thompson


Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Eddie Van Halen, the guitarist and songwriter who helped give the radio-rock band Van Halen its name and sound, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 65.

His death was announced by his son, Wolf Van Halen, on Twitter.

"I can't believe I'm having to write this," the statement said, "but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift."

In a band known for its instability — due in part to a rotating cast of lead singers that most notably includes David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar — Eddie Van Halen and his brother, Alex, remained constants, appearing on 12 studio albums that reached across five decades and sold tens of millions of copies.

No matter the singer, Eddie Van Halen's high-flying guitar sound — heavy on tapping, with both hands on the neck of the instrument — was deeply influential, but also hard to imitate. He grew up obsessed with Eric Clapton, only to himself become a lodestar for generations of guitarists.

In 1972, with Alex on drums, Eddie Van Halen formed the band that would become Van Halen. By 1974, it had the lineup that would make it one of the biggest groups in rock history: the two Dutch-born brothers, plus bassist Michael Anthony and singer David Lee Roth. From there, Eddie Van Halen stood at the center of an era-spanning — but unmistakably volatile — rock-and-roll juggernaut.

Throughout the late 1970s and early '80s, Van Halen became increasingly successful. Early hits such as 1979's "Dance the Night Away" eventually gave way to the bestselling 1984 — the band's sixth album — which spawned the chart-topping "Jump," as well as flamboyant hits like "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher." Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard albums chart, 1984 was held back only by Michael Jackson's Thriller, whose iconic "Beat It" just happened to feature a guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen.

But 1984's success only intensified tensions between the Van Halen brothers and David Lee Roth, who left the band in 1985 for a solo career that capitalized on his cheerful, outsize persona. The remaining members of Van Halen regrouped around former Montrose frontman Sammy Hagar, who helped the group top the charts with its next four albums: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991) and Balance (1995).

From there, the band's output slowed. Hagar left Van Halen in 1996, citing creative differences, which led Roth to rejoin briefly — only to give way to former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone, whose one album with Van Halen (1998's Van Halen III) was a critical and commercial disappointment. Hagar and Roth both rejoined the group at various points since, with the latter presiding over Van Halen's final album, 2012's A Different Kind of Truth.

Long known for his reclusiveness, Eddie Van Halen battled an assortment of health issues in recent decades, including hip-replacement surgery in 1999, a bout with tongue cancer in the early 2000s, a history of drug and alcohol abuse that led him to enter a rehabilitation facility in 2007 and surgery for diverticulitis in 2012.

Though the guitarist often had contentious relationships with bandmates — particularly Roth and Hagar, each of whom criticized him heavily in books and interviews — Eddie Van Halen remained extremely close with family. In addition to a lifelong working relationship with his brother, Alex, he tirelessly championed his son, Wolf, who joined Van Halen as bassist after the departure of Michael Anthony in 2006.

Van Halen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

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