James Gandolfini passed away today at the age of 51 from a suspected heart attack in Italy according to Variety. He started out on Broadway before transitioning to film and television. The latter form of media is what he known best for, as Tony Soprano on The Sopranos. It was the role of a lifetime and his legacy will love for many more because of that part.
He could’ve stopped acting when the show went to black, but he continued on. He was seen in Cinema Verite, Zero Dark Thirty and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone to name a few of post-Sopranos work. He also has a bunch of projects coming up including the movie Animal Rescue and he filmed the pilot for Criminal Justice. He also just signed on for CBS’s Taxi 22.
So today to keep his spirit that was as big as him alive, watch at least one of episode of The Sopranos or one of his movies like True Romance, Get Shorty or Surviving Christmas.
51 is way too young to die. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lin, their 8 month old daughter, Liliana Ruth, and a son, Michael, from a previous marriage.
Esther Williams passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 91 according to her stepson Lorenzo Lamas. She was a quadruple threat because she could sing, dance, act and swim! The last one made her one the biggest movie stars in the ’40s and the ’50s, thanks to movies like Bathing Beauty, Fiesta, Neptune’s Daughter and Jupiter’s Darling to name one a few.
Her swimming was as beautiful as she was, so today keep her mermaid spirit alive and watch one of her many movies and then go for a swim!
Legendary Jean Stapleton passed away yesterday at the age of 90 according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actress had several roles in her amazing career, but she is best known for playing the lovable Edith Bunker on All in the Family. In that role, she won everyone’s heart because she played it with so much love. It was impossible not adore her. And even though her character was naive and innocent, Stapelton was so much more. The way she played off of everyone especially Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker, that took smarts!
I wish I could find the interview with the late David Dukes talking about how the audience reacted when Edith hit him the face with a burning pan. I remember he said that they went so crazy with applauds, cheers and stomping for several minutes that they couldn’t use it. How many actors can say that garner that kind of reaction? Not many and that was just how special she was as Edith Bunker.
So today remember her and keep her spirit alive by watching at least one All in the Family episode.
Dr Joyce Brothers passed away today at the age of 85 in NYC according to AP. The psychologist became a star in 1955 when she became the first and only woman to win the top prize on the $64,000 Question game show. Shortly after the win, she was given a show in New York where she offered dating and relationship advice to the audience members. As time went on she started writing columns for magazines and newspapers giving people advice about a lot of things. While she was doing all of that she was also appearing on talk shows and game shows all over the place. But she wasn’t only doing those shows, she was also appearing on shows like Happy Days, Mama’s Family, ALF and Taxi to name a few. She did so much that she was given the nickname “the Mother of Media Psychology!”
So today honor her by watching one of her many appearances on TV or finding one of her columns and see what you can learn from her words of wisdom.
Jeanne Cooper passed away today at the age of 84 according to her son Corbin Bersen. She is best known for playing Katherine Chancellor on The Young and The Restless for almost 40 years. Before she found her home in Genoa City, she starred in several movies and TV shows in career that spanned 60 years.
So today honor the daytime legend by watching the soap she made the most popular one in the United States for as long as anyone can remember! Or buy her book Not Young, Still Restless and read about her extraordinary life.
Sony released this statement on her passing, “Jeanne Cooper was a legend in daytime and a beloved member of our Y&R family,†said Steve Mosko, president of Sony Pictures Television. “She touched the lives of millions, who watched her every day over the past 40 years. We send our sincerest condolences to her family as we also celebrate her wonderful life.â€
