Author: John

Ali-Ollie Woodson (September 12, 1951 – May 30, 2010) was an American  R&B singer, songwriter, keyboardist  and occasional actor.

He is most notable for being lead singer of Motown act The Temptations from 1984 to 1986, and from 1988 to 1996. While in the group, he co-wrote, co-produced and sang lead on the 1984 Temptations single "Treat Her Like a Lady", which was a #2 hit on the U.S. R&B charts. His last Temptations album was 1995’s For Lovers Only.

Woodson, who wasn’t a member of The Temptations after 1996, toured with the band in Japan in 2002 when member Barrington "Bo" Henderson was unable to accompany the group due to visa problems

Death of Ali-Ollie Woodson
In late 2008, Woodson was diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized for several weeks.  Woodson died in southern California on May 30, 2010 after battling leukemia for nearly eighteen months.  Alie-Ollie Woodson was 58 years old at the time of his death

The Temptations "Treat her like a lady" 1988
Alie Ollie Woodson – lead singer

Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010) was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1955, and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Over the next ten years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films. He directed and starred in Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer of the film’s script.

Death of Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper died at his home in the coastal Los Angeles suburb of Venice at 8:15 a.m. surrounded by family and friends, from complications of prostate cancer

Related past blog posts on Dennis Hopper (hollywoodmemoir.com)

• Actor Dennis Hopper diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Terminally ill Dennis Hopper desperate to divorce wife before…
• 100 lb Dennis Hopper Scheduled to Receive a Star On Walk of Fame
• REPORT: Dennis Hopper rushed to New York hospital!

Mean Magazine Presents: The Art of Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper’s Filmography continues next page

Dennis Hopper Filmography

Features:

    * Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
    * I Died a Thousand Times (1955)
    * Giant (1956)
    * Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
    * The Story of Mankind (1957)
    * Sayonara (1957) (voice only)
    * From Hell to Texas (1958)
    * The Young Land (1959)
    * Key Witness (1960)
    * Night Tide (1961)
    * Tarzan and Jane Regained… Sort of (1964)
    * The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
    * Queen of Blood (1966)
    * The Trip (1967)
    * Cool Hand Luke (1967)
    * The Glory Stompers (1968)
    * Hang ‘Em High (1968)
    * Panic in the City (1968)
    * Easy Rider (1969) (Director)
    * True Grit (1969)
    * The Festival Game (1970) (documentary)
    * The American Dreamer (1971) (documentary)
    * The Last Movie (1971) (Director)
    * The Other Side of the Wind (1972) (unfinished)
    * Crush Proof (1972)
    * Kid Blue (1973)
    * Tracks (1976)
    * Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
    * The American Friend (1977)
    * The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1977)
    * Flesh Color (1978)
    * Last In, First Out (1978)
    * Apocalypse Now (1979)
    * Bloodbath (1979)
    * Out of the Blue (1980) (Director)
    * Reborn (1981)
    * King of the Mountain (1981)
    * Neil Young: Human Highway (1982)
    * Rumble Fish (1983)
    * The Osterman Weekend (1983)
    * White Star (1983)
    * The Dynamite Coffin Stunt (1983)
    * Jungle Warriors (1984)
    * The Inside Man (1984)
    * My Science Project (1985)
    * Riders of the Storm (1986)
    * The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
    * River’s Edge (1986)
    * Blue Velvet (1986)
    * Hoosiers (1986)
    * Running Out of Luck (1987)
    * Black Widow (1987)
    * Straight to Hell (1987)
    * O.C. and Stiggs (1987)
    * The Pick-up Artist (1987)
    * Blood Red (1989)
    * Chattahoochee (1989)
    * Flashback (1990)
    * Hollywood Mavericks (1990) (documentary)
    * Catchfire (1990) (Director)
    * Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990) (documentary)
    * Motion & Emotion (1990) (documentary)
    * Sunset Heat (1991)
    * Paris Trout (1991)
    * Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) (documentary)
    * Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991) (documentary)
    * The Indian Runner (1991)
    * Eye of the Storm (1991)
    * SnowwhiteRosered (1991) (documentary)
    * Red Rock West (1992)
    * The Revenge of the Dead Indians (1993)
    * Boiling Point (1993)
    * Super Mario Bros. (1993)
    * True Romance (1993)
    * Chasers (1994)
    * Speed (1994)
    * Search and Destroy (1995)
    * Waterworld (1995)
    * Cannes Man (1996)
    * Carried Away (1996)
    * Space Truckers (1996)
    * Basquiat (1996)
    * The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996)
    * Top of the World (1997)
    * The Good Life (1997)
    * The Blackout (1997)
    * Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) (documentary)
    * Road Ends (1997)
    * Black Dahlia (1998) (video game)
    * Michael Angel (1998)
    * Meet the Deedles (1998)
    * Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius (1999) (documentary) (narrator)
    * The Prophet’s Game (1999)
    * Lured Innocence (1999)
    * The Source (1999) (documentary)
    * EDtv (1999)
    * Straight Shooter (1999)
    * Jesus’ Son (1999)
    * The Venice Project (1999)
    * Bad City Blues (1999)
    * The Spreading Ground (2000)
    * Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
    * Luck of the Draw (2000)
    * Welcome to Hollywood (2000)
    * Held for Ransom (2000)
    * Ticker (2001)
    * Choke (2001)
    * Knockaround Guys (2001)
    * Jazz Seen: The Life and Times of William Claxton (2001) (documentary)
    * L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve (2001)
    * 1 Giant Leap (2002) (documentary)
    * I Don’t Know Jack (2002) (documentary)
    * Unspeakable (2002)
    * Leo (2002)
    * Venice: Lost and Found (2002) (documentary)
    * The Piano Player (2002)
    * Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) (documentary)
    * A Decade Under the Influence (2003) (documentary)
    * Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) (2003) (documentary)
    * The Night We Called It a Day (2003)
    * Legacy (2004)
    * The Keeper (2004)
    * Out of Season (2004)
    * Tell Them Who You Are (2004) (documentary)
    * Inside Deep Throat (2005) (documentary) (narrator)
    * House of 9 (2005)
    * Hoboken Hollow (2005)
    * Americano (2005)
    * Going Through Splat: The Life and Work of Stewart Stern (2005) (documentary)
    * Champion (2005) (documentary)
    * The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005)
    * Land of the Dead (2005)
    * Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005) (documentary)
    * Tainted Love (2006)
    * The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose (2006) (documentary)
    * Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi (2006) (documentary) (narrator)
    * 10th & Wolf (2006)
    * Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006) (documentary)
    * 3055 Jean Leon (2006) (documentary)
    * Memory (2006)
    * By the Ways: A Journey with William Eggleston (2007) (documentary)
    * Hell Ride (2008)
    * Sleepwalking (2008)
    * Bananaz (2008) (documentary)
    * Elegy (2008)
    * Générations 68 (2008) (documentary)
    * Swing Vote (2008)
    * Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) (documentary)
    * Palermo Shooting (2008)
    * Ferlinghetti: A City Light (2008) (documentary)
    * An American Carol (2008)
    * Shooting Palermo (2008) (documentary)
    * The Brothers Warner (2008) (documentary)
    * No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2008) (documentary)
    * Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George A. Romero (2008) (documentary)
    * The Last Film Festival (2009)
    * Forever (2009)
    * Deadly Creatures (2009) (video game)
    * Alpha and Omega (2010)

Short Subjects:

    * The Thirteen Most Beautiful Boys (1964)
    * Screen Test#1 (1965)
    * Screen Test#2 (1965)
    * Screen Test#3 (1966)
    * Screen Test#4 (1966)
    * Luke (1967)
    * A Hero of Our Time (1985)
    * New Scenes from America (2003)

Gary Wayne Coleman (February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010) was an American  actor, best known for his role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1986).

Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois. He was adopted by Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, and W.G. Coleman, a fork-lift operator.  He suffered from a congenital kidney disease caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (an autoimmune destruction and alteration of the kidney), which halted his growth at an early age, leading to a small stature (4 ft 8 in; 1.42 m). He underwent two kidney transplants, one in 1973 and one in 1984, and required daily dialysis.

Coleman was cast in the role of Arnold Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, portraying a child adopted by a wealthy widower. The show was broadcast from 1978 to 1986, and was a huge success.

Coleman became the most popular fixture of the show, enhanced by his character’s catchphrase "What’choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?" At the height of his fame on Diff’rent Strokes, he earned as much as $100,000 per episode.

Death of Gary Coleman
On May 26, 2010, Coleman was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, after falling and hitting his head and suffering an intracranial hemorrhage at his home outside of Salt Lake City, UT. He was announced to be in critical condition. By mid-morning on May 27, 2010, Coleman was conscious and lucid. By mid-afternoon on May 27, 2010, Coleman was unconscious and on life support. On May 28, 2010, it was announced that he was still unconscious and on life support. Coleman died in the afternoon of the same day.

Gary Coleman on Diff’rent Strokes

Arthur Gordon "Art" Linkletter (July 17, 1912 – May 26, 2010) was a Canadian  born radio and television personality and the former host of two long-running United States television shows: House Party, which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny, on NBC radio-TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on House Party and Kids Say the Darndest Things, which led to a successful series of books quoting children. A native of Canada, he became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.

Death of Art Linkletter
Art Linkletter died at his home in Bel Air.
Art Linkletter was 97 at the time of his death

 Art Linkletter KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Paul Dedrick Gray (April 8, 1972 – May 24, 2010), also known by his number #2, or "The Pig", was an American musician  best known as the bassist of the Grammy Award winning rock band Slipknot.

Death of Paul Gray
On May 24, 2010, The Des Moines Register reported that Gray had been found dead at a room in the Town Plaza hotel in Urbandale, Iowa. He is survived by his wife Brenna. He and his wife were expecting their first child at the time of his death.

On June 21, 2010, autopsy results were released that stated Gray had died of an accidental overdose of morphine  and fentanyl, and had also shown signs of "significant heart disease".

 Slipknot – Wait and Bleed – Live at London Arena
Paul Gray on Bass (left handed)

José Desiderio Rodriguez Lima (September 30, 1972 – May 23, 2010) was a Dominican right-handed pitcher who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Detroit Tigers (1994–1996, 2001–2002), Houston Astros (1997–2001), Kansas City Royals (2003, 2005), Los Angeles Dodgers (2004) and New York Mets (2006). His best year in the majors was 1999, when he won 21 games for the Astros and pitched in his only All-Star Game.

A flamboyant free spirit, he was best known for coining all his pitching appearances Lima Time. His overly animated displays of emotion on the mound made him a fan favorite, but also drew the ire of opposing teams. Due to his indulging in musical pursuits beyond baseball, he was once described by The New York Times sportswriter Ben Shpigel as "the national anthem-crooning, towel-waving merengue singer who moonlights as a right-handed pitcher."

Death Of Jose Lima
Jose Lima died at age 37 from a massive heart attack at Huntington Memorial Hospital on May 23, 2010. He had suffered from cardiac problems. His wife said he complained of excess gas while sleeping the night before but she thought he was just having a nightmare.

* Thank you 1metalfan for original post.

" Sad news for the Rock & metal world today. Ronnie James Dio has lost his battle with Cancer. It was reported that he passed away today. He will be sorely missed. "
– 1metalfan –

Ronald James Padavona
Born: July 10, 1942 Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
Died: May 16, 2010 (67) Houston, Texas, USA

Ronnie James Dio was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser Hear ‘n Aid. He was widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal,  renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil’s horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He was collaborating on a project with former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice, under the moniker Heaven & Hell, whose first and only studio album, The Devil You Know, was released on April 28, 2009.

Death of Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio died at 7:45 am (CDT) of stomach cancer.
Ronnie James Dio was 67 years old at the time of his death.

Statement from Official Fan Site:
"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Breaking News – more information coming… 

Lena Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010), was an American singer, actress and dancer.

Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood where she had small parts in numerous movies, and more substantial parts in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather . Due to the red scare and her progressive political views, Horne found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood.

Returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, Horne took part in the March on Washington, and continued to work as a performer, both in nightclubs as well as television, and releasing well received albums. In the early 1970s, her husband, son and father died within a period of twelve months. Horne announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway, and earned her numerous awards and accolades. Horne recorded sporadically following the show.

Death of Lena Horne
Lena Horne died at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Lena Horne was 92 years old at the time of her death

Lena Horne – Stormy Weather (1943)

Also, check out this video (youtube) 
Lena Horne on Cosby Show

Lena Horne on Rosie O’Donnell 1997

Tony Peluso (March 28, 1950 – June 5, 2010) was an American guitarist and record producer. He was lead guitarist for pop duo Carpenters from 1972 to 1983

Peluso is probably best known for his disc jockey impersonation that links the medley of oldies tracks on side 2 of the Carpenters album Now & Then, and his fuzz guitar solo on their song "Goodbye to Love".

The Carpenters
1972 – Please view video below

After Carpenters
Following the death of Karen Carpenter in 1983, Peluso moved on to record producing. He worked for the next decade at Motown Records where he recorded artists such as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, the Four Tops and Michael Jackson.

Peluso went on to produce and/or engineer for artists such as Kenny Loggins, Seals and Crofts, Apollonia Kotero, Player, Animotion, Stephanie Mills, The Fixx, Dave Koz and Boyz II Men.

In 1992, Peluso began working with Gustavo Santaolalla. They pioneered the Rock en Español genre. Peluso worked with Latin pop musicians such as Ricky Martin, Molotov and Cafe Tacuba. In 2005, Santaolalla and Peluso produced the soundtrack to Brokeback Mountain.

Death of Tony Peluso
Tony Peluso died from heart disease.
Tony Peluso was 60 years old at the time of his death.

 the carpenters – goodbye to love [history]

Lynn Rachel Redgrave (March 8, 1943 – May 2, 2010) was an English actress.

A member of the well-known British family of actors, Lynn Redgrave trained in London, before making her theatrical debut in 1962. By the mid-1960s she had appeared in several films, including Tom Jones (1963), and Georgy Girl (1966) which won her a New York Film Critics Award and nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Redgrave was born in London, England, the daughter of actors Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. Her sister is actress Vanessa Redgrave; her brother was actor and political activist Corin Redgrave. She was the aunt of actor Carlo Gabriel Nero and actresses Joely Richardson, Jemma Redgrave and Natasha Richardson.

Death of Lynn Redgrave
Lynn Redgrave died following her long seven-year battle with breast cancer.

Lynn Redgrave discussed her health problems associated with bulimia and breast cancer, the latter of which she was diagnosed with in December 2002. She had a mastectomy in January 2003, and chemotherapy.

The Muppet Show – Ending with Lynn Redgrave