Author: John

Isao Takahata (October 29, 1935 – April 5, 2018) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and producer. Takahata was the co-founder of Studio Ghibli along with long-time collaborative partner Hayao Miyazaki. Takahata earned critical international acclaim for his work as a director of anime films, which included the war-themed Grave of the Fireflies, the drama Only Yesterday, the ecological adventure Pom Poko, and the comedy My Neighbors the Yamadas. Takahata’s last film was The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Animated Feature Film at the 87th Academy Awards.

Isao Takahata cause of death

Takahata had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and died on April 5, 2018, at a hospital in Tokyo at the age of 82.

Cecil Percival Taylor (March 25, 1929 – April 5, 2018) was an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as having been one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and intricate polyrhythms. His piano technique has been likened to percussion, for example described as “eighty-eight tuned drums” (referring to the number of keys on a standard piano). He has also been described as “like Art Tatum with contemporary-classical leanings”.

Taylor moved to Fort Greene, Brooklyn, in 1983. He died at his Brooklyn residence on April 5, 2018, at the age of 89. Cause of death is not known.

Susan Florence Anspach (November 23, 1942 – April 2, 2018) was an American stage, film and television actress, who was best known for her roles in films during the 1970s such as Five Easy Pieces (1970), Play It Again, Sam (1972), Blume in Love (1973), and during the 1980s such as Montenegro.

Anspach died of heart disease on April 2, 2018, aged 75, in Los Angeles, California.

Stéphane Audran (born Colette Suzanne Dacheville; 8 November 1932 – 27 March 2018) was a French film and television actress, known for her performances in award-winning movies such as The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) and Babette’s Feast (1987) and in critically acclaimed films like The Big Red One (1980) and Violette Nozière (1978).

Stéphane Audran Death

Her son Thomas told the AFP news agency that his mother had died early on 27 March 2018, following a long illness, saying: “She had been in hospital for 10 days and she had returned home. She died peacefully at around 2 am.”

Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy (20 February 1927 – 10 March 2018) was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Givenchy in 1952. He was famous for having designed much of the personal and professional wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn and clothing for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970. His partner was Philippe Venet.

Givenchy cause of death

Hubert de Givenchy died in his sleep at the Renaissance chateau near Paris on Saturday 10 March 2018.  He was 91.  He died in his sleep and cause of death is unknown.

Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Rock and Roll Music” (1957) and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958), Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive. Writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism, and developing a music style that included guitar solos and showmanship, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music.

Chuck Berry Cause of Death

Police in St. Charles County, Missouri, were called to Berry’s house on March 18, 2017, where he was found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, aged 90.