Samuel John "Sam" Bottoms (October 17, 1955 – December 16, 2008) was an American actor and producer.
He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Lance Johnson, a Navy Gunner's Mate stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola's 20th century opus, Apocalypse Now.
Bottoms earlier appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales.
At the age of 16 while watching the shooting of the film The Last Picture Show, which his older brother Timothy was starring in, Peter Bogdanovich decided to give him a screen test. Sam ended up getting the part of Billy in the movie.
Death of Sam Bottoms Sam Bottoms died of glioblastoma multiforme, a brain tumor. Sam Bottoms was 53 years old at the time of his death.
Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the third son of James "Bud" Bottoms (a sculptor and art teacher) and Betty (Chapman). He is the brother of actors Timothy Bottoms, Joseph Bottoms and Ben Bottoms.
The Last Picture Show - Sam Bottoms as Billy
Sam Bottom's Television & Filmography continues on next page
Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 - December 1, 2008) was an American character actor who made numerous appearances in television and movies beginning in the 1960s. He is probably best recognized for his roles as The Number Painter on the PBS children's show Sesame Street, and as the quirky English neighbor "Harry Bentley" on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons.
Death of Paul Benedict On December 1, 2008, Benedict was found dead at his home in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Paul Benedict was 70 years old at the time of his death.
Biography Benedict was born in Silver City, New Mexico, the son of Alma Marie (née Loring), a journalist, and Mitchell M. Benedict, a doctor.[1] He grew up in Massachusetts. As a young man, he suffered from acromegaly, a pituitary disorder that affects the extremities and face, which accounted for his slightly oversized jaw and nose.
As could be heard in his other film and TV roles, he had a slight English accent even when not in character as Bentley. Benedict played the director of the Richard III production in the 1977 movie The Goodbye Girl starring Richard Dreyfuss, in which Richard was to be portrayed in the play as a stereotypical gay man. He was in a short scene in the 1984 mockumentary film This is Spinal Tap, playing the awkward desk clerk who checks in the band. In the 1990 film The Freshman, he played the condescending NYU film school professor of Matthew Broderick's main character. He also made a memorable appearance as the incorrectly assumed title character in the 1996 film Waiting for Guffman, another mockumentary involving many of the same writers and actors.
Benedict also played the role of a slave trader in Dino De Laurentiis' Mandingo opposite James Mason and Perry King in 1975. Perhaps his best known movie role was of the reverend Lundquist in the 1972 Sydney Pollack film Jeremiah Johnson.
Irving Brecher (January 17, 1914, New York City - November 17, 2008, Los Angeles) enjoyed early success as a screenwriter for the Marx Brothers; he was the only writer to get sole credit on a Marx Brothers film including At the Circus in 1939 and Go West in 1940. He was also one of the numerous uncredited writers on the screenplay of 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Some of his other screenplays were Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), Ziegfeld Follies (1946) and Bye Bye Birdie (1963).
He wrote and directed Sail A Crooked Ship starring Ernie Kovacs and a young Robert Wagner. He received an Academy Award nomination in 1944 for his screenplay of Meet Me in St Louis. His memoir is scheduled for 2008 publication by Ben Yehuda Press
Death of Irving Brecher Irving Brecher died of age-related causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Irving Brecher was 94 years old at the time of his death.
Jimmy Carl Black (born James Inkanish, Jr., February 1, 1938 – November 1, 2008) was a drummer and vocalist for The Mothers of Invention.
Born in El Paso, Texas, he was of Cheyenne heritage. His trademark line was "Hi Boys and Girls, I'm Jimmy Carl Black, and I'm the Indian of the group." He has been credited on some Mothers albums as playing "drums, vocals, and poverty".
He appeared in the movie 200 Motels and sings the song Lonesome Cowboy Burt.
He worked as a guest vocalist with Muffin Men, a Frank Zappa tribute band based in Liverpool, England, and with Jon Larsen, on the surrealistic Strange News From Mars project, featuring several other Zappa alumni, such as Tommy Mars, Bruce Fowler, Arthur Barrow.
Black was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2008, and died on November 1st. A benefit will be held on 9 November 2008 at the Bridgehouse II in London.
Richard Blackwell (born Richard Sylvan Selzer) (August 29, 1922 - October 19, 2008) was a fashion critic, journalist, television and radio personality, artist, former child actor and former fashion designer, sometimes known just as Mr. Blackwell. He was the creator of the Ten Worst Dressed Women list, an annual awards presentation he unveiled in January of each year. He published the "Fabulous Fashion Independents" list and an annual Academy Awards fashion review, both of which receive somewhat less media attention. His longtime companion, former Beverly Hills hairdresser, Robert Spencer, managed him. He wrote two books, Mr. Blackwell: 30 Years of Fashion Fiascos and an autobiography, From Rags to Bitches.
Death of Richard Blackwell Blackwell died in Los Angeles on October 19, 2008, aged 86, of complications from an intestinal infection
Bernard J. "Bernie" Brillstein (April 26, 1931, in New York City, New York - August 7, 2008, in Los Angeles, California) was an American film and television producer and executive producer.
Death of Bernard Brillstein: On the evening of August 7, 2008, around 9:00pm, Brillstein died of chronic pulmonary heart disease at a Los Angeles hospital.[4] He is survived by his wife Carrie, daughter Leigh and Kate Brillstein, and three sons Michael Brillstein, David and Nick Koskoff.
Bernard Brillstein formed The Brillstein Company in 1969. There, he continued to manage stars and develop television programming. He produced such popular television hits as Hee Haw, The Muppet Show and Saturday Night Live.
Bernard Brillstein later became manager of SNL alums Gilda Radner , John Belushi and Lorne Michaels, as well as Jim Henson (of Muppets fame) and Paul Fusco (voice and operator of ALF). He produced such other television shows as Alf: The Animated Series, and Normal Life.
Bernard Brillstein has been responsible for such successes as The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, Dragnet, Ghostbusters II, Happy Gilmore and The Cable Guy.
Bernard Brillstein received the honor as recipient of a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, on April 18, 2001.
Brillstein Quote. "...you're no one in this business, unless someone wants you dead."
Teresa Brewer (May 7, 1931 – October 17, 2007) was an American pop and jazz singer who was one of the most popular female singers of the 1950s. Born Theresa Breuer in Toledo, Ohio, Brewer died of a neuromuscular disease at her home in New Rochelle, N.Y. at the age of 76
Death of Teresa Brewer Teresa Brewer died on October 17, 2007, at her home in New Rochelle, New York, of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative brain disease. Teresa Brewer was 76 at the time of his death.
Altogether, she recorded nearly 600 song titles. For her contribution to the recording industry, Teresa Brewer has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street.
In the 1980's and 1990's Teresa Brewer recorded a number of albums including tribute albums to Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Irving Berlin. She also recorded with such jazz greats as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bobby Hackett.
Joey Bishop (February 3, 1918 – October 17, 2007) was an American entertainer, perhaps best remembered as being a member of the "Rat Pack" with Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. He was the last survivor of that group of entertainers.
In 1941, Bishop married Sylvia Ruzga, who died in 1999. They had one son, Larry Bishop.
Bishop appeared on television as early as 1948 and was a frequent guest on television talk shows, game shows, and comedy shows. He is listed as #96 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of all time.
Bishop was the last living member of The Rat Pack and was also the longest-lived member.
Cause of Death Publicist and longtime friend, Warren Cowan, announced Bishop died of multiple causes at his home in Newport Beach, CA on October 17, 2007. Joey Bishop was 89 years old at the time of his death.
Tamara "Tammy" Faye Messner (March 7, 1942 – July 20, 2007) was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality. She was the former wife of televangelist, and later convicted felon, Jim Bakker, and she co-hosted with him on The PTL Club from 1976 to 1987. She was known for her tendency to wear heavy makeup, particularly mascara and false eyelashes, and her eyebrows were tattooed on. She was a participant in the 2004 season of the reality show, The Surreal Life.
Death
On July 20, 2007 at 4 AM,Tammy Faye Messner died following her 11-year battle with cancer. Tammy Faye Bakker was 65 years old at the time of her death. What had started as colon cancer, spread to her lungs. She died in her home, said her booking agent, Joe Spotts. A family service was held the morning of July 21 in the Messner family plot in Waldron, Kansas, where her ashes were interred. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Randy McCain, the gay pastor of Open Door Community Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. She had frequently spoken about her medical problems, saying she hoped to be an inspiration to others. "Don't let fear rule your life," she said. "Live one day at a time, and never be afraid." She had written on her web site in May that the doctors had stopped trying to treat the cancer. She died the day after the airing of her interview on Larry King Live on CNN. According to CNN.com, the family requested that King officially report the news on his show July 21
Christopher Michael Benoit (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler who wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Benoit ascended to the top of his profession, holding the World heavyweight championship in both WCW and WWE, becoming one of the most popular and respected competitors in professional wrestling in the process.
Chris Benoit's Death
On June 25, 2007, Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their Fayetteville, Georgia, home at around 2:30 p.m. EDT. Lieutenant Tommy Pope of the Fayette County, Georgia Sheriff's Department reported to ABC News that police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, leading to concerns. Pope also stated the police were not searching for any suspects outside of the house, as the instruments of death were located at the scene of the crime.
Detective Bo Turner of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department told television station WAGA-TV that the case was being treated as a murder-suicide. The station reported that investigators believe that Benoit murdered his wife and son over the weekend and hanged himself sometime on Monday.
Richard Bell (March 5, 1946 - June 15, 2007) was a Canadian musician. Known for his session and live performance work, he is perhaps best remembered as the pianist for Janis Joplin and her Full Tilt Boogie Band and was a keyboardist with The Band during the 1990s.
Death of Richard Bell
Bell died after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer, on June 15, 2007 in a Toronto hospital. Richard Bell was 61 years old at the time of his death.
Roscoe Lee Browne (May 2, 1925 – April 11, 2007) was an American Emmy Award-winning actor and director, known for his rich voice and dignified bearing.
His most memorable film roles include Alfred Hitchcock's Topaz, the title character in William Wyler's final film, The Liberation of L.B. Jones, and as the narrator in Babe.
Death
Browne died of cancer in Los Angeles on April 11, 2007, aged 81
Janet Blair (April 23, 1921 - February 19, 2007) was an American film and television actress.
Death of Janet Blair
Janet Blair died of complications from pneumonia, at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Janet Blair was aged 85 at the time of her death.
Born as Martha Jane Lafferty (she took her acting surname from Blair County, Pennsylvania) in Altoona, Pennsylvania, she began her acting career on film in 1942. She left films for many years after she was dropped by her studio, Columbia Pictures, and disliked the roles she was offered.
Instead, she took the lead role of Nellie Forbush in a production of the stage musical South Pacific, making more than 1,200 performances in three years. " never missed a performance", she noted proudly. During the tour, she also got married to second husband, producer-director Nick Mayo, and they became parents of Amanda and Andrew.
She made a rare dramatic appearance in the 1962 British horror film Night of the Eagle.
Her last performance was on television in a 1991 episode of Murder, She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury.
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006), commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business," was an American entertainer recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music. He was renowned for his shouting vocals, feverish dancing and unique rhythmic style.
James Brown's Cause of Death James Brown died from congestive heart failure. James Brown was 73 years at the time of his death.
Birth name: May 3, 1933 James Joseph Brown, Jr. Born: Barnwell, South Carolina, United States Origin: Augusta, Georgia Died: December 25, 2006 (aged 73) Atlanta, Georgia Genre: R&B, soul, funk, Rock and Roll Occupation: Singer, songwriter, dancer, bandleader, record producer Instruments: Vocal percussion, guitar, harmonica, bass, keyboards, drums and other percussion instruments Years active 1956 – 2006 Label: Federal, King, Try Me, Smash, People, Polydor, Scotti Bros.
Joseph Roland "Joe" Barbera (March 24, 1911 – December 18, 2006) was an animator, cartoon artist, storyboard artist, television director, television producer, and co-founder, together with William Hanna, of Hanna-Barbera. The studio produced popular cartoons such as The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Top Cat and Yogi Bear, as well as the musical film, Charlotte's Web.
Death of Joseph Barbera Joe Barbera died at the age of 95 of natural causes at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles on December 18, 2006, ending a seventy-year career in animation. His wife Sheila was at his side when he died.
Edward Rudolph Bradley, Jr. (June 22, 1941 – November 9, 2006) was an American journalist, best known for 26 years of award-winning work on the CBS News television magazine 60 Minutes. During his earlier career he also covered the fall of Saigon, was the first black television correspondent to cover the White House, and anchored his own news broadcast, "CBS Sunday Night with Ed Bradley." He was the recipient of multiple awards, including 19 Emmy Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Association of Black Journalists.
Death of Ed Bradley In the company of his longtime friend Jimmy Buffett, Bradley died on November 9, 2006 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan of complications from leukemia.He was sixty-five.
Red Buttons (February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was an American comedian and actor.
Death of Red Buttons Red Buttons died of vascular disease on July 13, 2006 at his home in the Century City area of Los Angeles. Red Buttons was 87 years old. Buttons had been ill for some time and was with family members when he passed away
Early life Red Buttons was born Aaron Chwatt on February 5, 1919 in New York City to Jewish immigrants. At sixteen years old, Buttons got a job as an entertaining bellhop at Ryan's Tavern in City Island, Bronx. The combination of his red hair and the shiny buttoned bellhop uniform inspired orchestra leader Charles "Dinty" Moore to call him Red Buttons, the name under which he would later perform.
Later that same summer, Buttons worked on the Borscht Belt; his straight man was Robert Alda. In 1939, Buttons started working for Minsky's Burlesque; in 1941, José Ferrer chose Buttons to appear in a Broadway show The Admiral Had a Wife. The show was a farce set in Pearl Harbor, and it was due to open on December 8, 1941. It never did, as it was deemed inappropriate after the Japanese attack. In later years Buttons would joke that the Japanese only attacked Pearl Harbor to keep him off Broadway.
Red Buttons' Biography & Filmography continues next page
Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (January 6, 1946 – July 7, 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. He is most remembered as a founding member of British progressive rock band Pink Floyd, providing major musical and stylistic direction in their early work, although he left the group in 1968 amidst speculations of mental illness exacerbated by heavy drug use.
Death of Syd Barrett Barrett died on Friday 7 July 2006 at his home in Cambridge. He died of pancreatic cancer, but this was usually reported as "complications from diabetes." The occupation on his death certificate was given as "retired musician."
According to a local Cambridge newspaper, Barrett left approximately £1.25 million to his two brothers and two sisters. This income was apparently largely acquired via royalties from Pink Floyd compilations and live recordings which featured songs he had written whilst with the band.
A tribute concert was held at the Barbican Centre, London on 10 May 2007 with Robyn Hitchcock, Captain Sensible, Damon Albarn, Chrissie Hynde, Kevin Ayers and his Pink Floyd bandmates performing (albeit not on stage at the same time for the last).
Les Brown, Sr. (March 14, 1912 – January 4, 2001) and the Band of Renown are a big band that began in the big band era of the late 1930s and now performs under the direction of his son Les Brown, Jr.
Death of Les Brown Les Brown's cause of death was not specified to public. Les Brown was 91 years old at the time of his death. Les Brown Sr. is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Biography "Les Brown and the Band of Renown" brought Doris Day into prominence with their recording of "Sentimental Journey" in 1945. The release of "Sentimental Journey" coincided with the end of WWII in Europe and was the homecoming theme for many veterans. They had nine other number-one hit songs, including "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."
Please share your memory, leave your comment below
Les Brown's biography & discography continues next page
Laurie Bird (September 26, 1953 – June 15, 1979) was an American actress and photographer. She appeared in just three films: Two-Lane Blacktop (1971), Cockfighter (1974), and a small role in Annie Hall (1977). Bird shot the cover photo for Art Garfunkel's Watermark album in 1978, and was the still photographer on Cockfighter.
Bird's mother died when she was three, and her father worked long hours, so she more or less raised herself. She was romantically involved with her Blacktop and Cockfighter director Monte Hellman, and later with Garfunkel for several years.
Bird committed suicide in Garfunkel's New York apartment.
Related Story: Charles H. Joffe (July 16, 1929 - July 9, 2008) wond Oscar for producing Annie Hall.
Share your memory on famous dead actors celebrities, Recently deceased celebrities. Singers, actors died recently. Hollywood Death and Cause of death. Share your memory, talk about your favorite dead Hollywood celebrities.
Teresa Brewer (May 7, 1931 – 
Joey Bishop (February 3, 1918 – 
Tamara "Tammy" Faye Messner (March 7, 1942 – 
Christopher Michael Benoit (May 21, 1967 – 
Roscoe Lee Browne (May 2, 1925 – 
Janet Blair (April 23, 1921 - 
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – 
Joseph Roland "Joe" Barbera (March 24, 1911 – 
Edward Rudolph Bradley, Jr. (June 22, 1941 – 
Red Buttons (February 5, 1919 – 
Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (January 6, 1946 – 
Les Brown, Sr. (March 14, 1912 – 
Laurie Bird (September 26, 1953 – 
Visitors' Comments
15 hours 12 min ago
17 hours 57 min ago
2 days 14 hours ago
2 days 16 hours ago
2 days 20 hours ago
2 days 20 hours ago
2 days 23 hours ago
3 days 15 hours ago
3 days 17 hours ago
3 days 18 hours ago