Obituaries for 2016

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What Happens in Vegas I consider the Hollywood area too not only fun. So I post this sticky here for 2016. I see other forums have them. Should have started this years ago. 

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Natalie Cole Dead at 65


http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/01/natalie-cole-dead/

Natalie Cole -- one of the great voices in decades -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Cole, whose hits include "This Will Be" and "Unforgettable" which she performed as a virtual duet with dad Nat King Cole -- died from congestive heart failure, although we're told the underlying medical issues were complications from a kidney transplant and Hepatitis C.

Natalie had been very sick recently, cancelling several tour dates in late December including a New Year's Eve concert at Disney Hall in L.A. She also cancelled an upcoming February concert due to illness.

Natalie struggled with substance abuse and was plagued with health problems, suffering from liver disease in 2008. She also underwent chemo for Hepatitis C.

Natalie, who was married 3 times and has a son, was 65.

She died in a Los Angeles hospital.

RIP

 

[apples]

Wayne Rogers, Trapper John on 'M.A.S.H.,' dies at 82

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/12/31/wayne-rogers-dies/78160172/

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Wayne Rogers, whose Trapper John McIntyre on "M.A.S.H." was among the most beloved characters on one of the most popular shows of all time, died Thursday.

The actor was surrounded by family when he died in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia at age 82, his publicist and longtime friend Rona Menashe told The Associated Press.

As army surgeon Trapper John on "M.A.S.H.," Rogers swapped wisecracks with partner in martinis and mischief Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda.

The two doctors blew off steam between surgeries pulling pranks, romancing nurses and tormenting their tent-mate Frank Burns, always with an endless supply of booze and one-liners.

In one typical crack, Trapper answers a question with "How should I know? I dropped out of school to become a doctor."

Rogers was on the show for just the first three of its 11 seasons on CBS, but his run, and his character, are especially revered by show devotees.

An Alabama native and Princeton graduate, Rogers had parts on many short-lived shows before "M.A.S.H.," specializing in westerns like "Law of the Plainsman" and "Stagecoach West."

In the years after MASH he returned to TV regularly, with a recurring role in the early 1990s on "Murder, She Wrote."

He moved beyond acting to see serious success later in life as a money manager and investor. In 1988 and 1990 he appeared as an expert witness before the House Judiciary Committee to speak in favor of maintaining the Glass-Steagall banking laws of the 1930s.

[apples]

Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood dies at 81

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/bee-gees-manager-robert-stigwood-dies-81

LONDON (AP) ? Robert Stigwood, the impresario who managed the Bee Gees and produced 1970s blockbusters "Grease" and "Saturday Night Fever," has died. He was 81.

Stigwood's office said he died Monday. The cause of death was not announced.

Born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1934, Stigwood moved to Britain in the 1950s and soon became an astute player in Britain's embryonic rock music industry.

In the 1960s he managed rock super group Cream and its guitarist Eric Clapton before signing brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb, collectively known as the Bee Gees, whose melodic folk-rock achieved late-'60s success before a career slump.

Stigwood moved into theater ? bringing Broadway hit "Hair" to the London stage ? and film, producing cinema versions of Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and The Who's rock opera "Tommy."

He also produced the 1977 dancefloor drama "Saturday Night Fever," with a soundtrack that brought the Bee Gees mega-stardom that reached a pitch as high as Barry Gibb's signature falsetto.

That film and the Stigwood-produced "Grease," released in 1978, also made John Travolta into one of the decade's biggest stars.

"Robert changed the world and only for the better and he was certainly important to my career. His legacy lives on and he will forever be remembered," said Travolta, in a statement released by his publicist.

[jafo2010]

Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 following a battle with cancer.

His son director Duncan Jones confirmed the news and a statement was released on his official social media accounts.

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35278872

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Rock star David Bowie dead of cancer at age 69

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/01/11/rock-star-david-bowie-dead-cancer-at-age-6/?intcmp=hpbt4

David Bowie, a rock and roll icon who sustained a chart-topping career for five decades with hits including "Fame", "Heroes" and "Let's Dance", has died at the age of 69.

Rep Steve Martin said in a statement that the "Ashes to Ashes" singer was surrounded by his family when he died Sunday after an 18-month battle against cancer.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief," Martin's statement concluded. No further details were provided.

The singer's son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, issued a confirming statement of his own on Twitter.

    Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m

    ? Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016

Tributes poured in on social media from, among others, British Prime Minister David Cameron and comedian Ricky Gervais, who hosted Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards show in Los Angeles.

    I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.

    ? David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 11, 2016

    I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.

    ? Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016

Bowie died two days after the release of "Blackstar", his 29th album, which had been timed to coincide with his birthday. The singer had kept a low profile in recent years after reportedly suffering a heart attack in the 2000s, and it had not been widely known that he was struggling with cancer.

Long before alter egos and wild outfits became commonplace in pop, Bowie set the music world on its ear with the release of the 1972 album, "The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders from Mars," which introduced one of music's most famous personas. Ziggy Stardust was a concept album that imagined a genre-bending rock star from outer space trying to make his way in the music world. The persona -- the red-headed, eyeliner wearing Stardust -- would become an enduring part of his legacy, and a touchstone for the way entertainers packaged themselves for years to come.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35278872

Fame one of my fav songs he did.

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The daughter who made David Bowie yearn to live: How birth of Lexi put singer's workaholic tendencies 'into perspective' and gave him the will to stay healthy after his first heart attack

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3394835/The-daughter-David-Bowie-yearn-live.html

Bowie's last photo shoot: Cancer-stricken star poses for the final time in promotional pictures released just two days before his death

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3395374/David-Bowie-poses-time-Star-beams-final-photo-shoot-promotional-shots-Blackstar-album.html

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Alan Rickman, star of stage and 'Harry Potter,' dead at 69

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/01/14/alan-rickman-star-stage-and-harry-potter-dead-at-6/

British actor Alan Rickman, a classically-trained stage star and sensual screen villain in the "Harry Potter" saga and other films, has died. He was 69.

Rickman's family said Thursday that the actor had died after a battle with cancer.

Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was often cast as the bad guy; with his rich, languid voice he could invest evil with wicked, irresistible relish.

His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Christopher Hampton's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."

Film roles included the psychopathic villain Hans Gruber in "Die Hard" in 1988; a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990's "Truly Madly Deeply"; the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" in 1991; and a wayward husband in 2003 romantic comedy "Love Actually."

[jafo2010]

2nd celebrity in a week to die of cancer at age 69.  Him and Bowie must drink the same water.

[apples]

Celine Dion's husband Rene Angelil dies at 73 after long battle with cancer

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3400068/Celine-Dion-s-husband-Rene-Angelil-dies-73.html

Celine Dion's husband Rene Angelil has died at 73.

A statement released on the singer's Facebook page on Thursday read: 'It is with deep sadness that we announce that Ren? Ang?lil, aged 73, died this morning at her residence in Las Vegas after a long and courageous fight against cancer.

'The family wishes to live the mourning in privacy. Other information you will be provided in the next few days.'

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Actor Dan Haggerty Has Died at 74
    By JONAH LUSTIG and VANESSA WILKINS
Jan 15, 2016, 11:02 AM ET
ABC News



Dan Haggerty, who fans know as Grizzly Adams, died early Friday morning at the age of 74, ABC News has confirmed with the actor's manager Terry Bomar.

Haggerty starred as Grizzly Adams in the 1974 film "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams" and the subsequent TV series of the same name, which ran from 1977 to 1978.

The actor, who was originally from Wisconsin, then went on to appear in several films and TV shows, including "Charlie's Angels" in 1981 and "The Love Boat" in 1983.

Some of Haggerty's most recent projects included an appearance in "Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan" and "Dead in 5 Heartbeats," both released in 2013.

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Broadway, "Ghostbusters" actor David Margulies dies at 78

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-margulies-veteran-stage-and-screen-actor-dies-at-78/

NEW YORK -- David Margulies, a veteran actor of the stage and screen, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and numerous film roles including the mayor in "Ghostbusters," has died. He was 78.

Margulies died in New York on Monday, his agent Mary Harden said Tuesday. No cause of death was immediately available, she said.

The Brooklyn-born Margulies made his Broadway debut in the 1973 revival of "The Iceman Cometh." He performed on Broadway a dozen more times, including as Roy Cohn in "Angels in America."

He played the mayor of New York in 1984's "Ghostbusters," as well as its 1989 sequel. Most recently, he had roles in J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" and John Turturro's "Fading Gigolo." His numerous TV stints included playing Tony Soprano's lawyer, Neil Mink, on "The Sopranos."

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Robert Banks Stewart (1931 - 2016)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/898bf104-e312-43e0-bb80-7a71d9fdb109

Aside from writing two Fourth Doctor adventures ? Terror of the Zygons and The Seeds of Doom ? he co-created the well-remembered Shoestring (1979?80) starring Trevor Eve as a detective on the edge, and created the enormously popular Jersey-based cop show, Bergerac (1981?89). He also scripted episodes of the most iconic series of the 60s and 70s including Danger Man, The Avengers, Callan and The Sweeney and served as a producer on huge hits such as Hannay, The Darling Buds of May and Lovejoy.

But Doctor Who fans will remember Robert for his two fantastic stories from the 70s. The first, Terror of the Zygons, introduced the shapeshifting Zygons, a popular foe who returned in the 50th anniversary special and more recently, in a series 9 two-parter.

His second adventure, The Seeds of Doom, is a cracking six-parter full of wit, energy, terrific dialogue and superb characters. The alien menace of the story ? the Krynoids ? only made a single television appearance but they remain one of the best-loved monsters from the show?s early years.

Robert Banks Stewart (1931 - 2016)

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Glenn Frey, The Eagles, dead at 67

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Frey

"On January 18, 2016, Frey died of complications from intestinal surgery at a hospital in New York City, New York at the age of 67."

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/glenn-frey-mn0000657041/biography

Huge talent, as writer, performer, etc. Career spans over 40 years, including backup band for Linda Ronstadt, then Eagles, etc.