Veteran character actor Cliff Emmich—who had memorable roles in movies including Payday and Halloween II—has died of lung cancer at the age of 85. Born in Cincinnati but raised in Los Angeles, Emmich broke into show business with a bit part in 1969’s Gaily, Gaily and racked up dozens of credits on the big and small screen. Michael Landon reportedly wrote a part specially for him: a middle-aged dad whose daughter is ashamed that he is fat. “Fat guys usually get cast as bad guys,” he said in a 1978 interview. “I’ve been the heavy ‘heavy’ in Police Woman, Starsky and Hutch and Charlie’s Angels. This is my first chance to portray a nice man.”
Academy Award winner Irene Cara, best known for singing the theme songs for “Fame” and “Flashdance,” has died in her Florida home, according to a statement from her publicist made on behalf of the singer’s family. She was 63.
“This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news,” Judith Moose said in a tweet announcing the singer’s death. “Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans.”
Cara’s cause of death is unknown, according to Moose’s statement.
James Winburn, the stunt double for the Michael Myers character in the original 1978 Halloween, died Nov. 19 following an undisclosed illness, his manager confirmed to EW. He was 85.
While Nick Castle famously donned the slasher’s mask in the first film, Winburn assisted in some of the most perilous scenes, including when Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence) shoots Myers several times, causing him to fall off a balcony before disappearing.
Winburn did stunt work for over 70 films over the course of his career, including Escape From New York, TRON, The Night Stalker, Glory, Crossing the Line, and The Waterfront. He also acted in a number of shows and films, including Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen, Cagney & Lacey, Hunter, and Island of Witches.
Jason David Frank, an actor who starred as the green/white Power Ranger in the hit 1990s television series, has died. He was 49..
Walter Jones, who played the black ranger in ‘MMPR,’ tells TMZ … “He was an inspiration to so many people. His presence will be dearly missed. It’s so sad to lose another member of our Ranger family.”
He adds, “Jason was one of the biggest pranksters on the show. He had a wild sense of humor. We had our shares of ups and downs but I stayed consistent about being an ear if he needed one. My prayers go out to his family and all that will miss him.”
Actor Nicki Aycox, who played Meg Masters and the demon that possessed her in The CW’s Supernatural, has died at the age of 47.
Aycox’s sister-in-law announced the actor’s passing on social media, writing, “My beautiful, smart, fierce, incredibly talented, and loving sister-in-law, Nicki Aycox Raab, passed away yesterday with my brother, Matt Raab, by her side. Nicki and Matt had a wonderful life together in California. She was definitely a fighter and everyone who knew her loved her.”
Aycox died on Nov. 16, over a year after being diagnosed with leukemia.
Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor known for bringing Hagrid to life in the “Harry Potter” film franchise, has died, TheWrap has confirmed. He was 72.
Coltrane is perhaps best known for his role in all eight “Harry Potter” films as Rubeus Hagrid, spending a decade bringing the gentle giant to life on the big screen.
Coltrane also starred as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in the James Bond films “GoldenEye” and “The World Is Not Enough.” His filmography also includes “Nuns on the Run,” “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Mona Lisa.”
It is very interesting to consider that, while podcasts today have promoted this true crime fascination, it really could’ve began with Murder She Wrote back in the 20th century. It was cutting edge and must see TV. And I left an indelible mark on society and Pop culture
When I do read her, I see that she can be nasty, abrasive and vindictive. I see that she trumpets “exclusives” that are no such thing. She is a prolific name-caller, a practice that is beneath the dignity of such a talented writer. She is not snarky, the way Perez Hilton was before he got nice. She is frankly bilious.
Now she has passed away from the grip of this planet..
Nikki Finke dead.
Hollywood probably relieved ..
This is how the AP reported it:
Veteran journalist Nikki Finke, who founded the entertainment trade site Deadline and who in her heyday was an elbows-out columnist serving up juicy industry scoops and gossip skewering Hollywood’s elite, has died at age 68.
According to a family representative, Finke died Sunday morning in Boca Raton, Fla., after a prolonged illness.
Finke was revered and feared in the industry for exposing secrets, first through her L.A. Weekly column, Deadline Hollywood, which she eventually built into a website.
She founded Deadline Hollywood Daily in 2006 on a Friday and quickly began building her audience by live-blogging the 78th Academy Awards that Sunday. T
he site was largely a one-woman operation until 2009, when Penske Media Corp. acquired it and hired Finke as editor in chief..
Not that Hollywood elites are prone to vicious or dark thoughts, *wink wink,* but we are sure that many are breathing a collective sigh of relief ..
For as many times Nikki Finke gave us a juicy celeb tidbit, she probably took two to the grave with her..
At first she was said to be brain dead but still alive.. TMZ reported that she has succumbed to her injuries from a car crash a week ago.
There are more media outlets now beginning to report her demise..
The news was confirmed by a representative for her family to TMZ, who said in a statement: “We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”
NASCAR star Bobby East stabbed to death at a California gas station.
The attack unfolded at around 5:51pm on Wednesday afternoon when East was filling up his vehicle at the 76 gas station in Westminster, Orange County, police said.
Westminster police officers arrived on the scene to find the racing star lying on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest.
East was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries.
The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived.
