TheFW » Celebrity Deaths

Roger Ebert Dies at 70 – Watch His Best TV Clips

TheFW Staff — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:18:03 +0000

It is with a heavy heart and our thumbs way, way down that we report that film critic Roger Ebert has passed away at the age of 70 after a long public battle with cancer. To say Ebert was the world’s most influential film critic is an understatement. As a longtime writer for the Chicago [...]

Etch A Sketch Inventor Dies at Age 86

Donald Deane — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:33:22 +0000

Andre Cassagnes, the man responsible for inventing the venerable Etch A Sketch, a toy that inspired countless children ever since it was introduced in 1960, has died at age 86 in France. According to the Ohio Art Co., the toy’s manufacturer, Cassagnes died in a Paris suburb on Jan. 16 due to undisclosed causes. “Etch [...]

Remember Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch With His Best Pop Culture Moments

Emerald Catron — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:35:26 +0000

Ed Koch, who was mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989, died today from congestive heart failure. He was 88 years old. Older New York residents might remember him as the mayor whose terms were plagued by the crack and AIDS epidemics of the ’80s, as well as police brutality and corruption. Younger [...]

Remembering Huell Howser, California TV Legend

Emerald Catron — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:30:57 +0000

For those outside the state of California, Huell Howser, who passed away late Sunday night, might be something of a mystery. There's a chance you saw him on 'Tracy Takes On ... Hollywood,' or heard his voice on an episode of 'The Simpsons.' Southern Californians, however, are surely familiar with his self-produced travelogues of the state, which aired on KCET in Los Angeles, in all their incarnations -- 'California's Gold,' 'Visiting ... with Huell Howser' and 'California's Water,' to name a few.

Rest in Peace, Monty, Queen Elizabeth's Corgi

Emerald Catron — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:03:50 +0000

Queen Elizabeth's beloved corgi Monty passed away of old age.

He was 13 years old, which is like 91 in people years. You might remember Monty from a James Bond-themed sketch in this year's Olympics. He's also one of the dogs that put the smack down on P

RIP Neil Armstrong — Fellow Astronauts Mourn His Death

Emerald Catron — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:25:02 +0000

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, passed away this weekend from complications caused by recent heart surgery. He was 82 years old.

Jerry Nelson, the Man Behind the 'Sesame Street' Count, Has Passed

Emerald Catron — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:18:32 +0000

It's a sad day for lovers of 'Sesame Street' everywhere -- Jerry Nelson, the puppeteer who gave Count von Count his voice passed away Thursday of unspecified causes at the age of 78.

Phyllis Diller Dead at 95 – Watch Her Funniest Videos

Emerald Catron — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:55:20 +0000

Phyllis Diller, the comedy legend and "Homely Friendmaker," passed away in her home at the age of 95 after a period of declining health. You can read her full bio over at ScreenCrush, and we've put together a slew of her funniest videos for your enjoyment below. With everything from stand-up to 'Scooby Doo' under her belt, Phyllis truly left a one-of-a-kind mark on pop culture. (You might also remember her as Peter's randy mom on 'Family Guy.') RIP, Phyllis!

'Top Gun' Director Tony Scott Dead from Apparent Suicide

Donald Deane — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:54:25 +0000

Director Tony Scott, best known for the mega-hits ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Beverly Hills Cop 2′ and ‘Days of Thunder,’ died from an apparent suicide on Sunday when he jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, CA. According to a Los Angeles County coroner spokesman, Scott, 68, jumped from the bridge around 12:30pm. Several people [...]

'Welcome Back, Kotter' Star Ron Palillo Dead at 63

Jeremy Taylor — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:31:27 +0000

Ron Palillo, who played sweathog Arnold Horshack on ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ has died at 63. He was found by his longtime partner early Tuesday morning in their Palm Beach, FL home, victim of an apparent heart attack. Palillo got his start as a Shakespearean actor, but his first and most-lasting movie or TV credit was [...]

Sherman Hemsley, TV's George Jefferson, Dies at 74

Jeremy Taylor — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 21:51:10 +0000

Sherman Hemsley, a television fixture of the ’70s and ’80s, has died at his home in El Paso, Texas at age 74. His passing is being attributed to “natural causes.” Hemsley, who was born in Philadelphia and had a theater background, got his big break in 1973 when he joined the cast of the hit [...]

'Encyclopedia Brown' Author Donald J. Sobol Dies at 87

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:29:23 +0000

Donald J. Sobol, the author of the extremely popular boy-detective book series ‘Encyclopedia Brown,’ died last week of natural causes. He was 87. If you were born after 1960, you’ve likely read at least one of the almost 30-book strong franchise, which follows the mystery-solving adventures of the 10-year-old Brown and his tomboy sidekick Sally Kimball. While ‘Encyclopedia [...]

Ernest Borgnine, Oscar-Winning Actor, Dead at 95

Nick Romano — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 23:25:58 +0000

Ernest Borgnine, the iconic movie and television actor, passed away on Sunday. His spokesman Harry Flynn told The Associated Press that Borgnine died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center surrounded by his family. Many will remember him for his iconic role of Marty Piletti in the 1955 film ‘Marty,’ which not only won over the nation’s heart [...]

TV Legend Andy Griffith Dies at 86

Donald Deane — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:16:46 +0000

Iconic television actor Andy Griffith, best known for ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and ‘Matlock,’ died today in North Carolina. He was 86-years-old. In 1960, Griffith found success as widower sherrif Andy Taylor on ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ The show, which ran from 1960-1968, also starred a young Ron Howard as son Opie and comedian Don [...]

Legendary Screenwriter Nora Ephron Dead at 71

Donald Deane — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:08:12 +0000

Filmmaker and author Nora Ephron, who penned such iconic comedies as ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ died Tuesday night at New York Presbyterian after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She was 71-years-old. Ephron is known for creating smart, funny female characters and romantic comedies that didn’t pander to the audience. As [...]

Rodney King Dead at 47

Dan Seitz — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:46:19 +0000

Rodney King, the man videotaped being beaten by LAPD officers in 1991, has died today. He was 47. King was found at the bottom of his pool early Sunday morning, according to TMZ. CPR was attempted, but no further details of the incident have been released. King entered the public consciousness due to a videotape [...]

Bob Welch Dies – Watch the Former Fleetwood Mac Member's Best Videos

Nick Nadel — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:08:38 +0000

Aficionados of smooth, ’70s AM Gold soft rock are saddened today by news of the passing of former Fleetwood Mac member and ‘Sentimental Lady’ singer Bob Welch. The cause of death has been ruled a suicide from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974, Welch sang and played guitar [...]

Legendary Author Ray Bradbury Dead at 91

Donald Deane — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:24:01 +0000

Legendary author Ray Bradbury, who wrote such seminal classics as ‘The Martian Chronicles’ and ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes,’ passed away Tuesday night in his Los Angeles home at the age of 91. In a statement to io9.com, the author’s grandson, Danny Karapetian, said, His legacy lives on in his monumental body of books, film, [...]

5 Hilariously Awkward Richard Dawson Kissing Videos

Hannah Gutenplan — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:26:25 +0000

Richard Dawson, famous for hosting the game show 'Family Feud,' died at 79 years old on June 2nd in Los Angeles. He was known, for better or for worse, as the host who kissed ladies on the show. Though Dawson claimed that kissing all women was important to fight discrimination, most of the attempts just looked really creepy. Take a look at some classic clips of Dawson's famous move below.

Remembering Kathryn 'McCluskey' Joosten and Her Final Moment on 'Desperate Housewives'

Nick Romano — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:00:42 +0000

‘Desperate Housewives’ star Kathryn Joosten passed away at 72 this Saturday in her Los Angeles home. “Kathryn passed away this morning after a valiant fight against her cancer,” said Joosten’s rep Nadine Jolson. “Her family was with her. Funeral arrangements are pending. This is a terrible loss, and she fought as hard as she could.” [...]

'Family Feud' Host Richard Dawson Dies – Relive Some of His Funniest Moments

Nick Romano — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 16:00:36 +0000

Richard Dawson, the beloved ‘Family Feud’ host from the ’70s, died Saturday from complications with cancer. He was 79 years old. In a statement published on his Facebook page, Dawson’s son Gary wrote, “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to [...]

Dick Beals, the Voice of Gumby and Speedy Alka-Seltzer, Dies at 85

Nick Romano — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 13:00:02 +0000

Dick Beals, the ’50s-era child star who voiced the animated characters of Gumby and Speedy Alka-Seltzer, died Tuesday at his nursing home in Vista, CA at the age of 85. Beals suffered from a glandular condition, which both stunted his growth and maintained his high-pitched voice even throughout his adult years. But what some might [...]

Bee Gees' Robin Gibb Dead at 62 – Relive His Best Moments

Justin Beck — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:20:50 +0000

If you’re a baby boomer who remembers the disco era of the 1970s, then perhaps the passing of Bee Gees member Robin Gibb at age 62 is more significant for you than most. His long battle with liver and colon cancer was well documented by the media, but even after his so-called “spectacular recovery,” a [...]

Twitter Users Think 'Double Dare' Host Marc Summers Died, Not Donna Summer

Nick Nadel — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:28:49 +0000

If you read the news yesterday, you'll know that disco diva Donna Summer sadly passed away at the age of 63 after a battle of cancer. And, like many folks these days, you probably tweeted your condolences. However, as is often the case these days, many Twitter users were a bit confused over which celebrity is actually in the news.

Disco Diva Donna Summer Dead at 63 – Watch Her Best Videos

Kathy Landin — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:15:01 +0000

We saw her work hard for the money, she wanted hot stuff, she was a bad girl and we loved her for it. Donna Summer, the reigning Queen of Disco, has passed away after a battle with cancer. She succumbed to the disease at her home in Key West, FL at the age of 63.

Mitchell Guist of 'Swamp People' Dies at 47

Jeremy Taylor — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:45:33 +0000

Mitchell Guist, who starred on the History Channel reality show ‘Swamp People,’ passed away on Monday while loading a boat on Louisiana’s Belle River. According to reports, Guist suffered a seizure and fell down. It is unclear if trauma from the fall killed him, or if his death was a result of a medical condition. “We are extremely [...]

Hairstylist, Entrepreneur and Fashion Legend Vidal Sassoon Dies at 84

Kathy Landin — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:38:13 +0000

This morning, legendary hairstylist Vidal Sassoon passed away in his home at the age of 84, according to a Los Angeles police department spokesperson. The renowned salon kingpin died of “apparent natural causes.” At 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, police were called to Sassoon’s home in Bel Air. “When officers arrived, there were family members at [...]

Stephen Colbert Pays Tribute to Maurice Sendak on 'Live With Kelly'

Jeremy Taylor — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:05:50 +0000

One of the last media appearances legendary author and illustrator Maurice Sendak did was a two-part interview with faux-talk show host Stephen Colbert.

During their discussion, Colbert read Sendak some of a children's book he was working on. "The sad thing is, I liked it," Sendak had admitted, in his delightfully curmudgeonly way.

'Where the Wild Things Are' Author Maurice Sendak Dies at 83

Danny Gallagher — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:44:35 +0000

One of the most acclaimed and beloved children's authors of the 20th century has passed away.

The New York Times broke the news that author Maurice Sendak, creator of such classic books as 'In the Night Kitchen' and 'Where the Wild Things Are,' died early Tuesday morning from complications from a recent stroke. He was 83.

Remember 'MCA' Adam Yauch With the Best Beastie Boys Videos

Jeremy Taylor — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:20:53 +0000

The music world is in a state of shock and sadness with passing of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch from what are believed to be complications from parotid gland cancer. Yauch, who was better known by his stage name MCA, was 47-years-old. It was Yauch who founded the Beastie Boys — which was initially a hardcore punk [...]