People News: Obituaries

TV personality Ken Ober dies at 52

Ken Ober, who hosted the 1980s MTV game show "Remote Control" and helped produce the shows "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," has died. He was 52.

Actor Dennis Cole dies at 69

Dennis Cole, chiseled blonde actor who appeared in dozens of TV shows throughout the '60s and '70s, died Nov. 15 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He was 69.

British actor Edward Woodward dies

Edward Woodward, who played the avenging detective in gritty CBS drama "The Equalizer," died at 79.

TV writer Ron Sproat dies at 77

Ron Sproat, who wrote hundreds of episodes of serial "Dark Shadows" in the 1960s, died of a heart attack in his Manhattan apartment on Nov. 6. He was 77.

Writer David Lloyd dies at 75

David Lloyd, a writer for classic TV comedies, died Tuesday of prostate cancer at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 75.

Paul Wendkos dies at 84

Paul Wendkos, who directed over 100 films and television shows during a 50-year career, including the 1959 surf movie "Gidget," has died. He was 84.

Theater chain chief Alvin M. Frank dies

Alvin M. Frank, chairman emeritus of Frank Theaters, died Nov. 7 in Florida after a long career leading the family business his father Samuel Frank initially founded after his own career with Warner Brothers tycoon Jack Warner.

Film historian Ken Wlaschin dies at 75

Ken Wlaschin, film programmer, historian and author who ran the London Film Festival and later the AFI Film Festival, died Nov. 10 at his home in Palm Springs after a short illness. He was 75.

Producer Marvin Minoff dies at 78

Marvin Minoff, a producer who worked with David Frost on the historic Richard Nixon TV interview specials and had a long partnership with Mike Farrell, has died. He was 78.

Sound editor George Simpson dies at 64

Sound editor and writer George E. Simpson died after a heart attack on Nov. 1. He was 64.

Producer Gaby Monet Jacoby dies

Documentary producer Gaby Monet Jacoby, responsible for HBO's "Autopsy" series, died Oct. 31 after a long illness. She was 78.

Comedy writer Sultan Pepper dies

Emmy-winning comedy writer Sultan Pepper, who launched her 17-year career on "The Ben Stiller Show," died unexpectedly Oct. 20 in Murrieta. She was 47.

Acting teacher Charles Conrad dies

Charles Conrad, a distinguished acting teacher, died from kidney failure on October 29 in Port Townsend, Wash. He was 84.

Comic-Con founder Sheldon Dorf dies

Sheldon Dorf, who founded the world famous Comic-Con International comic book convention, died Nov. 3 in San Diego of kidney failure. He was 76.

Actor Joe Maross dies at 86

Actor Joe Maross, whose career spanned four decades starting with early live TV, died Nov. 7. He was 86.

Paramount vet 'Gino' Campagnola dies

Sergio "Gino" Campagnola, who served for more than 50 years with Paramount Pictures, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 76.

Nick Counter dies at 69

Nick Counter died Friday at West Hills Hospital in Woodland Hills. He was 69.

Actor Carl Ballantine dies at 92

Actor and magician Carl Ballantine died Nov. 3 in Hollywood of natural causes Nov. 3. He was 92.

Motorcycle stuntman Ken Kerman dies

Actor and motorcycle stuntman Ken Kerman, who had numerous roles as cops, guards and coaches in films such as "The Naked Gun 2 1/2," died Sept. 9. Kerman drove off a cliff after suffering a heart attack while riding his motorcycle near Mena, Ark. He was 73.

Bill Shepard dies at 79

Casting director Bill Shepard, who cast films such as "Splash," "Spaceballs" and "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," died Sept. 20 of a heart attack in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 79.

Producer John Kenley dies at 103

Legit producer John Kenley, who spent more than seven decades in the theater operating Ohio theaters that Variety called "the largest network of theaters on the straw hat circuit," died Oct. 23 in Cleveland. He was 103.

Yoko Minamida dies at 76

Yoko Minamida, a major star in the 1950s and 1960s who later developed a thriving second career in TV, died in Tokyo on Oct. 21. She was 76. The cause of death was subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Professor August Coppola dies at 75

Nicolas Cage's father, literature professor August Coppola, died Tuesday after a heart attack. He was 75.

Director Linda Day dies at 71

TV director Linda Day, who paved the way for women in TV, helming episodes of shows including "Dallas" and "Archie Bunker's Place," died of cancer Oct. 23 in Georgetown, Texas. She was 71.

Actor Lou Jacobi dies at 95

Actor Lou Jacobi, who was known for comic roles and won praise in dramatic ones over a long career in the theater and movies, died Oct. 23 in Manhattan. He was 95.

Manager Dee Anthony dies

Dee Anthony, who began a 40-year music managing career representing neighborhood friend Jerry Vale in the 1950s and later worked for Tony Bennett, Peter Frampton and other popular artists, has died. He was 83.

Pie guy Sales dies at 83

Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century, has died. He was 83.

Thesp Collin Wilcox Paxton dies at 74

Collin Wilcox Paxton, who played the accuser in the 1962 classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," died Oct. 14 in Highlands, N.C. She was 74.

Talk show host Don Lane dies at 75

Don Lane, a pioneer of Oz's late-night chat show skein, has died in Sydney after a long battle with dementia. He was 75.

Actor Joseph Wiseman dies at 91

Joseph Wiseman, an actor who played the sinister scientist and title character of Dr. No in the first James Bond feature film, has died. He was 91.
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Spotlight


Patrick Swayze dies at 57

Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze, who had breakout roles in "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," died in Los Angeles on Monday after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.


Variety's Army Archerd dies at 87

Army Archerd
Showbiz has lost one of its defining voices, one who honed his craft in the bygone era of close-knit Hollywood and evolved through the many iterations of the industry.


Walter Cronkite dies at 92

Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite, the TV newsman who became known as "the most trusted man in America" during his 19 years as anchor of the "CBS Evening News," died today. He was 92.


Michael Jackson dies at 50

Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's death was much like his life -- a circus of rabid fans, family, opportunists and media members, who were in a frenzy Thursday trying to confirm yet another rumor about one of the strangest and most high-flying celebrity lives on record.


Farrah Fawcett dies at 62

Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett, the Texas-born actress and sex symbol who shot to fame as one of "Charlie's Angels" and later earned acclaim in serious roles, including in telepic "The Burning Bed," died Thursday of cancer at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. She was 62.




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