Dean Stockwell passed away on Sunday from natural causes at the age of 85, according to KABC’s George Pennacchio.
Stockwell started acting in 1945 and didn’t stop until 2015. However, his greatest roles came later in life, both on TV and in the movies.
In 1989, he landed the role of Al in Quantum Leap. It is the role he is most known and loved for. Also, around that time, he starred in Blue Velvet and Married to the Mob, the latter earning him an Oscar nomination.
No matter what he was in, he stood out. So today, let’s remember him as the amazing actor he was in one of his many projects.
He is survived by two children Austin and Sophia Stockwell.
James Michael Tyler passed away today at the age of 59 from prostate cancer, according to KABC’s George Pennacchio.
Tyler is best known for playing Gunther, the manager of Central Perk, who was in love with Rachel on Friends. He started out as a background player and became a series regular for the show’s run. The decision was an easy one because he won our hearts so easily.
Back in June, the actor revealed that he had prostate cancer that spread throughout his body, and he did not have much time left. But he wanted to make an impact with the time he had left. So he asked every man to go to their doctors and get their PSA levels checked. Prostate cancer is highly curable if it is caught early. Sadly for Tyler, it was not caught early.
So today, let’s raise a coffee mug to him and watch him serve up the laughs to his Friends.
Peter Scolari passed away today at the age of 66 after a 2-year battle with cancer, according to KABC’s George Pennacchio.
The actor was best known for playing Henry Desmond/Hildegarde Desmond on Bosom Buddies in the early ’80s. While that is how that decade started, it ended with him starring Newhart.
He continued to act up this year. He had starring roles in Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Girls, and most recently in Evil.
Some of the things that made him so remarkable were his comedic timing and physical comedy. Together, he and Tom Hanks played so well off of each other that we are still talking about their sitcom 40 years later. Even though it only lasted two seasons.
Today, let’s remember and laugh with him. It is something that is very easy to do.
Scolari is survived by his fourth wife, Tracy Shayne, and four children Nicholas, Joseph, Keaton, and Cali.
Willie Garson passed away today at the age of 57 from cancer, according to his adopted son.
“I love you so much, papa. Rest In Peace and I’m so glad you got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I’m so proud of you. I will always love you, but I think it’s time for you to go on an adventure of your own,” Nathen Garson wrote. “You’ll always be with me. Love you more than you will ever know and I’m glad you can be at peace now. You always were the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known. I’m glad you shared your love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it ❤️😘”
As proud of his career as he was, he was most proud of his son. You can tell in what Nathen wrote; the feeling was mutual.
While they shared an unbreakable bond, so did we with Garson. He had a 35-year career that included him playing Lee Harvey Oswald twice in the same year on the big and small screen. However, he did not become a household name until 1998, when he was cast as Carrie’s GBF on Sex and the City. He played Stanford up until just weeks before his death.
Another role he was known for was as the lovable scammer Mozzie on White Collar. His comedic timing was what the drama needed.
No matter what he did through his nonstop career, he always stole the show. You couldn’t help but to love him. So, today, let’s honor him by watching the thing he loved second most, and that is acting.
Norm Macdonald passed away today at the age of 61 after a nearly 10-year battle with cancer. His longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra told Deadline that he wanted to keep his diagnosis private from everyone, including friends and family.
“He was most proud of his comedy,” Hoekstra said. “He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly.”
Macdonald was best known for anchoring Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live from 1993-1998. During that segment, he would constantly stab O.J. Simpson with his jokes. The network didn’t laugh, so it was reported they fired him over it.
It worked out OK for him because he starred in several movies and TV shows. He even has his own, which was named after him.
His deadpan humor and ability to tell a joke like no one else made him an icon and a legend. So today, let’s honor him by laughing at one of many his really long jokes that are worth listening to all the way to the end for the punchline.
