Olivia Newton-John lost her battle with breast cancer today according to her husband. “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).
“Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”
Newton-John was basically an unknown actress and singer at the start of 1978, but by the end of the year, everyone knew her name and fell in love with her thanks to a little musical called Grease. She captured our hearts as Sandy, and we have remained hopelessly devoted to her ever since.
Along the way, she told us to get Physical, and we did. Granted, not in the way the video intended. She also sang about Magic, Twist of Fate, and Xanadu.
The latter might not have been a highlight of her career, but the movie was what it was. And she made it special. The beloved actress made everything she did special.
Back in 1992, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. She successfully beat it and remained in remission for 25 years. It seems like she beat it again. But then, five years later, it returned, and it was stage 4. She tried several holistic treatments that helped. But sadly, it finally won.
There are three ways we can honor her today. We can watch her movies and TV appearances, listen to her music, and by donating to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation, which offers natural ways to fight breast cancer.
Lenny Von Dohlen passed on Tuesday at the age of 63. His sister, Catherine, wrote on Facebook, “The world lost a magnificent man on July 5. Brother Len was passionate about everything and everyone. He was always leading; whether it be riveting conversation, an artistic creation or a trip to new places. He loved a good laugh. He continues on his spiritual journey. Living life full in his memory.💕”
Von Dohlen acted nonstop from 1981 until his death. He is best known for his work in the movie Electric Dreams, about a man whose computer becomes obsessed with him and ruins his life. He is also known for playing Harold Smith, the agoraphobic, in Twin Peaks.
Today let’s honor the late actor by watching him in one of his great roles. I will be rewatching Electric Dreams again on Tubi to keep his carbon footprint alive.
James Caan passed away yesterday at the age of 82. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” his rep wrote. “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Caan is the type of actor where everyone is going to have a favorite movie of his, but it is not necessarily going to be the same as everyone one else’s.
I am sure most will say that his best role was as Sonny in The Godfather. However, there are a lot of men who are going to tell you that they cried when he died in Brian’s Song. Then there are the people who will say they cringed during that scene in Misery. We all know the one. And finally, there will be the ones who laughed with him in Elf.
While those are our favorite roles of his, I am sure he would’ve said his greatest role was being a father to his five children.
Caan’s career spanned all genres, and he nailed them all. So, today pick your favorite part of his and watch him in it. I will be crying as I watch Brian’s Song again.
Ray Liotta passed away in his sleep today at the age of 67. According to Deadline, he was in the Dominican Republic filming the movie Dangerous Waters at the time of his death. Foul play is not suspected.
Liotta’s break-out role came in 1989 when he played Shoeless Jackson in Field of Dreams. Then in 1990, he because a household name due to a movie called Goodfellas. From that moment on, he continued to star in movies and TV shows on both the big and small screen. Productions like Article 99, Hannibal, Blow, Wild Hogs, Muppets Most Wanted, The Rat Pack, and Shades of Blue. Those are just a few of the many memorable parts he had throughout his career.
Liotta was getting ready to play a husband again to his fiancee, Jacy Nittolo. The couple got engaged in 2020. The actor is also survived by his daughter, Karsen Liotta, from his marriage to Michelle Grace.
Today let’s remember Liotta by watching him do what he did best, entertaining us. I will start by rewatching.
The actor spent nearly 50 years entertaining us and had a resume consisting of comedies, dramas, horror, romantic comedies, and so much more.
He is known for his work in The Right Stuff, Swing Shift, Henry & June, Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult, Tremors, Tremors 2, Joe Dirt, and Sweet Home Alabama, to name a few.
However, my favorite movie of his is Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He plays a tough NYC cop who is trained by a Korean martial artist to be a killing machine. Normally, I am not into movies like this, but he was so lovable in it that you couldn’t but to love the film.
So today, let’s honor him by watching Remo Williams or one of his many other roles. Let’s show him we will always love him.
