Conchata Ferrell passed away yesterday at the age of 77 due to complications from a heart attack according to ABC News.
The actress is best known for playing the wise-cracking maid Berta on Two and a Half Men. However, her career started way before that. She made her TV debut in 1974 and never stopped.
She was seen on such iconic shows and movies like Maude, Network, Good Times, E/R, Edward Scissorhands, LA Law, Mr. Deeds, and Krampus, to name a very few.
No matter what role she played, whether she was the maid or the boss, she always stood out due to her big personality.
Today, let’s keep her huge spirit alive by watching one of her many memorable roles. I know I will be doing just that.
Eddie Van Halen lost his battle with throat cancer today at the age of 65. His son, Wolfgang, broke the news on Twitter. “I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.
“My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.
“I love you so much, Pop.”
Eddie was known as a Guitar Gd for the strumming he did with the band he founded. Van Halen got their start in 1972, but they would not release their debut album until 1978. While the band had some commercial success with their first five albums, their sixth album launched them into superstardom. 1984, garnered them several hits including Jump, Panama, and Hot for Teacher.
After the global success of that album, they lost their lead singer, David Lee Roth, and gained a new one with Sammy Hagar. Crazy, right? So crazy, they named their first album together 5150. That CD and singer gave them a few more hits with Why Can’t This Be Love and Dreams.
Eventually, they lost Hagar and reunited with Roth. They had a few reunion tours, with Eddie’s only son Wolfgang playing bass, but have not toured in a while.
Along with Van Halen, he had several guitar solos with other artists. You can hear his magic fingers on Michael Jackson’s Beat It. After listening to Van Halen’s 1978 instrumental song Eruption, you can understand why people wanted to riff with him.
Van Halen has been dealing with cancer on and off since 2000.
Today, let’s rock out to Van Halen and keep Eddie’s vivacious spirit alive.
Helen Reddy passed away today at the age of 78 in Los Angeles. Her children told the Associated Press, “She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman.” The statement continued, “Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”
Her voice, that since 1972, has empowered women to declare I Am Woman hear me roar. In 2012, she told the AP that song is a big reason why she stepped away from her limelight even though she was still making hits. “That was one of the reasons that I stopped singing, was when I was shown a modern American history high-school textbook, and a whole chapter on feminism and my name and my lyrics (were) in the book.” Then she added, “And I thought, `Well, I’m part of history now. And how do I top that? I can’t top that.′ So, it was an easy withdrawal.”
That was not her only song. She entered the charts a year earlier with her version of I Don’t Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar. She continued climbing the charts with Delta Dawn, You and Me Against the World, and Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady.
Not only did she sing, but she acted on Broadway and in movies like Airport ’75 and Pete’s Dragon along with guest-starring on Family Guy.
Today, as woman’s rights are being threatened because of an empty seat in the Supreme Court, we need to sing to those conservatives, I Am Woman, and let them know that we are in numbers too big to ignore!
Chadwick Boseman passed away today at the age of 43 from a four-year battle with colon cancer. The statement reads, “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.
“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.
“He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.
“The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Boseman might have only been 43, but what an acting career he had in just 17 years. He played Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, and of course Black Panter.
Let’s make it Wakanda Forever, and watch one of his many iconic roles to honor him.
Regis Philbin passed away yesterday at the age of 88. His family told People, “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday.
“His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him – for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.”
We spent 28 and a half years waking up with him on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and then with Kelly Ripa. No one could do an interview like he did. He was like that uncle you looked forward to seeing at Thanksgiving, but you got to see him every day. He made morning television appointment viewing with his great sense of humor.
That was his day job, but his night job was the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He was supportive and sarcastic in the same breath. It is one of the many reasons why we loved him.
Today, let’s honor the man who holds the Guiness Book of World Record for the most hours on US television by watching some of the 16,746.50 hours he spent in front of the camera. This way it will be like he is still with us.
