Robert Guillaume passed away today at the age of 89 due to complications from prostate cancer according to The NY Times.
The actor was best known for playing the lovable, wise talking, witty Benson who went from being a Butler on Soap to working in the Governor’s office on its spinoff named after his character. While that was the ’70s and the ’80s, in the late ’90s he was the wise, caring boss of Sports Night. Midway through production of that show, he suffered a mild stroke. He did not let that stop him, after a few weeks of rehab he returned and they wrote it into the comedy. For kids, he will always be known as the voice of Rafiki in The Lion King.
Whether he was doing comedy, drama or singing, he was always as big as his boisterous, beautiful voice.
As a kid, I grew up with him as Benson on both shows. Throughout the decades, I have fallen in love with that character time and time again when I find both shows on television in syndication. Even though those shows are over 30 years old, they still feel new. He gave us a timeless character that people can adore for generations to come.
Today, let’s honor him by watching one of his many iconic roles. As I still ponder if he became Governor on Benson, something that was never resolved because the show was cancelled before we found out. Something I am sure James Noble, who passed away, are discussing up in heaven right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJj6GwfCWu8
Tom Petty passed away today at the age of just 66 after suffering cardiac arrest this morning according to his family.
The singer was known for unique sound and iconic voice. His songs like I Won’t Back Down, Free Fallin’, Runnin’ Down A Dream and American Woman became our anthems. Then there was the music video he did for Don’t Come Around Here No More, that is still just as groundbreaking today as it was when it came out 32 years ago.
Music was as much a part of his life as his music is to us. So much so, he was still touring up until last week. He spent the summer celebrating 40 years in the music industry both with the Tom Petty and the Heartbreaks, Traveling Wilburys and as a solo act. If there is a way to go out as a musician, I would say that is pretty close to perfect.
Today, honor him by belting out one of his tunes, so he can hear our voices up in heaven as he is be welcomed through the pearly gates and being greeted by Roy Orbinson and George Harrison who will handle him with care.
Hugh Hefner passed away from natural causes yesterday at the age of 91. What a life he lead. Men wanted to be him and women wanted to be with him.
He created a magazine called Playboy that taught women that they could be beautiful naked. It could be artistic and not just for men to ogle at. It also helped create the sexual revolution in the ’60s. It made us less uptight about sex and we needed it. The feeling of sexual freedom was always there, he just help to expose it for what is. Something so natural and amazing.
And like I said, he lead an amazing life! Let’s honor him today by taking a beautiful photo of ourselves naked and loving our bodies like he did. Or reading a Playboy magazine…for the articles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWhFmCRdoU
Jerry Lewis passed away today at the age of 91 in Las Vegas according to Las Vegas Review Journal.
He will forever be known as the King of Comedy because no one brought humor to the big screen like him in movies like The Nutty Professor, The Bellboy, Cinderfella and so many more. While he made us laugh until we cried, he also made us cry when he hosted the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for the MDA for 44 years. Now without him, Labor Day will never be the same.
For 10 years, his partner was Dean Martin. He was the serious guy to Lewis’ clown. They were pair made in cinematic heaven and now, thanks to them reuniting in 1976 after a nasty breakup, they are in entertaining everyone up there with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. While not a member of the Rat Pack, they still all go hand in hand together.
Today, keep his comedic genius alive by rewatching or discovering one of his many hilarious movies. There has never been a comedian like him and there will never be one like him again.
On a personal note, I am so glad that I got to see him host one of his telethons live when I just moved to Los Angeles. When I was a kid, I would look forward to Labor Day just to watch it all night long. I never made it through a whole one, but I enjoyed every minute I got to see. There was something so magical about watching all these legends come on and share the screen with him on live television. He was a true master and we are better for the 91 years he had on this Earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAgdo7OWyEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko-JfUxSNL4&list=PLGQU_AXeNqETxM9FyI-IjZoq0OIeWuyXN
Joe Bolonga passed away yesterday at the age of 82 from a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer according to Variety.
The actor is best known for his big screen roles in My Favorite Year, Woman of the Year, Blame It on Rio, The Woman in Red, Transylvania 6-5000, It Had to Be You and Ice Age: The Meltdown. I remember him for his small screen roles in Rags to Riches and the Married…with Children spinoff Top of the Heap.
Although his biggest role was husband to Renee Taylor. The two worked together on several projects since 1971 when they co-starred and wrote Love and Other Strangers together. Their 52-year marriage was one that was so special, it is hard to imagine one without the other.
Today honor their love and his life by watching one of their many projects together! It our way of letting her know, she has our love through this difficult time by celebrating their love!
