Today we are going to focus on those we have lost in the past year. While I was preparing this blog we lost two more famous people-Jerry Orbach and Reggie White. Reggie played pro football and was also an ordained minister. No cause yet that I’ve heard, but it looks related to his sleep apnea. Jerry Orbach was was a Broadway star, but yet many of us younger people knew him as Det. Lenny Briscoe on Law and Order or Baby’s dad on Dirty Dancing. Here are few more we’ve lost this year:
Ronald Reagan, 93, was an actor, governor, and president. He survived an assassination attempt, the Iran-Contra affair, and the Cold War but through it all he remained untouchable. “The Teflon President” was truly a well-given moniker.
Ray Charles, 73, was truly a musical innovator. Blending pop, blues, R&B, and soul into his own sound that became simply “The Sound.” He released such standards as “Georgia,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “God Bless American,” and the Country and Western album. Charles did it his way, and we all got to sing along with him. Tony Randall, 84, was, to many Americans, Felix Unger on The Odd Couple. He was also in several Rock Hudson-Doris Day movies. Marlon Brando, 80, was to many film critics and fans the actor of this past century. He uttered the words”I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” in the Godfather, starring in On the Waterfront, and refused his Oscar by sending a Native American in his place. A true original.
Jack Paar, 85, was the Tonight Show host before Jay and Johnny. He walked off the air in 1960 for 25 days after the censors cut part of his dialogue. If I remember right, the night he return he started out, “As I was saying before I was interrupted.” Christopher Reeve, 52, was Superman, both in person and on screen. After being paralyzed in an equestrian accident in 1995, Reeve set about campaigning for spinal cord research and stem cell research.
Yasir Arrafat, 75, rather a statesmen for Palestinian people or a terrorist, Arrafat set off strong reactions. After waging guerilla war on the Israelis, he agreed in 1993 to work toward peace with Israel.
Estee Lauder, 97, went from mixing up beauty in her stable to a multi-billion dollar corporation. Rodney Dangerfield, 82, may have complained about getting no respect. We’ll never forget the bug-eyed comic with the cigar and the greatest schtick of all time. Janet Leigh, 77, was killed by Alfred Hitchcock in Psycho, now we’re all afraid to shower. She married Tony Curtis and they had a daughter, Jaime Lee Curtis. Bob Keeshan, 76, or as most of us know him, Captain Kangeroo. Who could forget that mustache? Julia Child, 91, with her high-pitched voice brought French-cuising to public TV. Anyone with a helium balloon could imitate her voice, but Julia was the first of so many TV cooks.
Mattie Stepanek, 13, was a poet, spokesman, and endured Muscular Dystrophy. He put a young face on a disease many of us don’t think twice about. Jeff Smith, 65, was the Frugal Gourmet cook on PBS for years. Gordon Cooper, 77, was the youngest member of the Mercury Seven astronauts. His life was on the big screen in The Right Stuff (played by Dennis Quaid). Alistair Cooke, 95, was a journalist, especially for the BBC and his Letters from America. But Cooke was known to many as this host of Masterpiece Theatre. Isabel Sanford, 86, was know as Weezie in The Jeffersons. Rick James, 56, was a funk musician known for his superhit Superfreak. With the long beaded braids and outlandish outfits, James was one of a kind.
Skeeter Davis, 72, was a country singer who took The End of the World to the top of the charts. A Grand Ole Opry star for decades. Jan Berry, 62, was half of the surf duo Jan and Dean. Everyone now: Little old lady from Pasedena! Arthur Hailey,84, was the author of Hotel and Airport. Thanks, Mr. Hailey, for disaster movies. Noble Willingham, 72, was a versatile actor known mostly for his work in Walker, Texas Ranger (he was the bar owner).
Paul Winfield, 62, was an Oscar Nominated stage and screen star. Recently he had shown up on several TV shows in guest spots. Robert Pastorelli, 49, was the screwball housepainter on Murphy Brown. Fay Wright, 96, was the damsel in distress in King Kong. Frank Thomas, 92, was one of Disney’s top artists. Animated Lady and her beau eating spaghetti in the Italian restaurant. Jerry Scroggins, 93, was the original singer of The Ballad of Jed Clampett.
Margie Schott, 75, the owner of the Cincinnati Reds from 84-99. Loud, crass, socially conscientious and yet in your face. And who could forget the dogs? Tug McGraw, 53, was the pitcher for the 73 Mets who coined the phrase, “You gotta believe.” Pat Tillman, 27, gave up a lucrative NFL career for the Arizona Cardinals for the Army. Was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire. John Henry Williams, 35, was the son of Ted, and minor-league baseball player in his own right.
Al Dorvin, 81, was a concert announcer that worked with Elvis. “Elvis has left the building.”
And most importantly, our American servicemen and women who have died in service to their country. Current figures are roughly 1328 in Iraq and 154 in Afghanistan or 1482 deaths. Although we are a culture devoted to celebrities, these deaths should mean more and hurt more than any celebrity. Take a moment to thank God for our freedoms, our real hero’s, and the hurting military and military families. May healing come in the New Year.
I’ll be back next year-have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.
