RIP thread

[Rick Danger]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39, according to representatives and family.

Whitfield died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press.

"On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Andy Whitfield — who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 — was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in "Spartacus," a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film.

The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.

Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer.

While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," that aired earlier this year with only a brief voiceover from the actor.

But in January after Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in 'Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life."

Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows "Packed to the Rafters" and "McLeod's Daughters."

[rockernut]

British pop-art pioneer Richard Hamilton has left us today at the age of 89, a true visionary and groundbreaker, RIP Great Man!

[JBB3]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

Only show I watched on TV. I was hoping he would recover.

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by JBB3

Only show I watched on TV. I was hoping he would recover.

I was puzzled by the "prequel". I didn't know that Mr. Whitfield was ill.

I am truly saddened by his passing, and not just because he cannot reprise his role. And I will be haunted by his wife's beautiful words for the rest of my life...............

May God grant his rest.

[JBB3]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

I was puzzled by the "prequel".

That is when I found out he was sick. I enjoyed GOTA but Andy Whitfield made the show and its not going to be the same without him. I bought the entire first season when it was first put out on DVD last year.

[keefriff]

Canadian born actress Frances Bay has passed away at the age of 92. Mrs Bay was born in Manville, Alberta and started her professional career working for the CBC during WWII. She went on to make her first movie appearence in the 1978 comedy Foul Play. She is probably best remembered for her roles in David Lynch vehicles. She played the Aunt in Blue Velvet, the madam in Wild At Heart and Mrs. Tremond on Twin Peaks. She also played Happy Gilmores' grandmother and Arthur (the Fonz) Fonzarellis' grandma on Happy Days. She made a few appearences on Seinfeld as well playing Mabel Choate, the owner of a marble rye that Jerry just had to have. RIP Frances Bay.

[melvin]

R.E.M (1980-2011)

Thank you for the music ...

[Rick Danger]

BALTIMORE -- Orlando "Zeus" Brown, the 360-pound tackle who in 1999 was accidentally hit in the eye with a penalty flag and missed three seasons because of the damage it caused, was found dead at his Baltimore home. He was 40.

Firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor, fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said. He said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. The cause of death wasn't known.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said firefighters called police, routine procedure in such cases. He said there were no signs of trauma or suspicious activity.

Brown, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, played 10 NFL seasons -- four with the Cleveland Browns (1993-95 and 1999) and six with the Baltimore Ravens (1996-98 and 2003-05). He started 119 of his 129 games.

Brown will be remembered for the game between Cleveland and Jacksonville a dozen years ago when the massive tackle was struck in the right eye by a weighted penalty flag thrown by official Jeff Triplette. Brown stormed on the field and pushed Triplette, drawing a suspension.

Brown, whose father was blind from glaucoma, said concern for his eyesight caused him to confront Triplette. Brown was hospitalized for six days with bleeding behind the eye. He sued the NFL for $200 million, settling the lawsuit for $25 million.

He missed the next three seasons because of the injury, returning to football and the Ravens for the 2003 season. The Ravens learned of Brown's death during practice.

"Everybody knew what he meant to this organization," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We're forever grateful for what he did for the present team. We can't express enough sorrow for his loss."

Ravens director of player development Harry Swayne, Brown's former teammate and fellow tackle, called Brown "a big old puppy dog with a little bit of a bark."

"He had a lot of friends around the league," he added. "He was one of the best guys. It's a tough loss."

Browns tackle Tony Pashos played three seasons in Baltimore with Brown.

"He was a really good teammate," Pashos said. "I came in under him as a backup. Even when Zeus wasn't on the team he came around and supported us. He loved us. He loved football. He could never walk away. Man, I can't believe it."

"I remember the attitude he brought to the building to the room," he added. "He tried hard. He told the young guys throughout practice to try hard and work on technique but then when it comes to games, it's about taking the other guy's will. And he was the apex of that. He did do that."

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said Brown will always be one of his favorites.

"He brought such passion and physicality to practices and games," Billick said in a statement released by the Ravens. "There is no way to quantify his heart, his actual love to play football. The game was so important to him."

New England coach Bill Belichick, too, was shocked by the death of Brown, whom he signed and coached for three years with Cleveland.

"Orlando improved as a player as much as anyone I have ever seen, as he went from being a defensive lineman at South Carolina State to becoming one of the game's top offensive tackles, when he sustained his unfortunate eye injury," Belichick said in a statement. "Orlando was a true throwback player who loved football and was as tough as they come."

Brown was a frequent visitor to the Ravens' practices, tutoring young linemen Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood.

"He took time out of his busy schedule over the last couple of months to work with me to help me grow as a player," Harewood said. "To have a player and man of his stature do that for a young player like myself says all you need to know about him."

Brown was born in Washington and played in college at Central State in Ohio and South Carolina State.

He was divorced and is survived by three sons.



Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

[sweatyhat]

Had a part in making numerous British sitcoms during the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15072847
Shame.

[blueballsdc]

Arch West, the inventor of Doritos, passed away last week at the age of 97.

I give you these two tributes:

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating...you_for_fo.php
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...H0K_story.html