Tag Archives: Celebrity/musician deaths

Celebrity/musician deaths, WWE news

RIP: Jorge Gonzalez (aka Giant Gonzalez) 1966 – 2010

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Jorge Gonzalez  was a professional wrestler who got his start in WCW as El Gigante. He then worked for the WWE in 1993, under the name of Giant Gonzalez, which he wore a fake muscular costume and a big bushy beard as you see in the picture above. His only feud in the WWE was against the Undertaker. Jorge left the WWE in October of 1993 to pursue a career in New Japan Pro Wrestling from 1994-95. Before Jorge’s professional wrestling career, he got his start in playing basketball because of his tall appearance. He was forced to quit playing basketball because of a serious injury he had in 1986. He came this close to being signed to the NBA, but did not make it. This is how he became a professional wrestler instead.

Around 1995, Jorge had to quit all sports because of his health. In Oct. of 2009, he got paralyzed for life and was put on a wheelchair. The 7 foot 7 tall, Jorge Gonzalez, died due to complications of diabetes. It is not known if he was ever married, but he has been best friends with legendary wrestling manager, Harvey Whippleman, for many years. Jorge was 44 years old.

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Kevin McCarthy 1914 – 2010

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Veteran film actor, Kevin McCarthy, who became famous for playing the leading role in the original, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, movie in 1956, has died of natural causes over the weekend, he was 96. He wasn’t that big and popular of an actor, but he did became more well known with movies such as,”Innerspace”, and, “UHF”, which are his two most recognizable roles. He played the villain in both of those films. He also had roles in the first “Piranha” film, “The Howling”, “Twilight Zone: the Movie”, and many more.

To me, it was the films, “Innerspace” and “UHF” when I first discovered this guy. He really did play a good badguy in movies and he does a good job on getting people to hate this guy. I remember when I used to watch, “Innerspace” and “UHF” as a kid, I used to really hate him and used to think he was a big jerk in those movies. I know he’s not that kind of guy in real life, but man, imagine if he was that kind of person in real life. I don’t think you want to meet this guy in person, ha!

RIP Kev! He was a talented actor!

Edit to add: On another Kevin McCarthy note, that one scene in UHF when R.J. Fletcher was measuring things in the UHF station. Notice when Stanley comes out in the room, he looks at the TV. If you look closely at the TV during that scene, what movie is playing? Why, that’s none other than the original “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. It’s kind of funny when the young Kevin McCarthy is on screen, when the old one is in the same room. Ha! I never noticed that after all this time!

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Glenn Shadix 1952 – 2010

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Former, “Beetlejuice” star, known for his famous role of Otho, the big guy with the black suit and red tie, Glenn Shadix, has died. He died at his Birmingham, Alabama home when he fell off his wheelchair and hit his head in the kitchen. He died of blunt force trauma to the head. He was made famous because of the hit scene in “Beetlejuice”, where he sings and dances to Harry Belafonte’s song “Day-O” with the Deetz family. He was also openly gay.

He not only starred in “Beetlejuice”, he had a handful of other movie roles. He also had a role in Stallone’s “Demolition Man”, he was in Stephen King’s “Sleepwalkers”, he was in Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” and had a role in Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” remake. So yes, Glenn worked with Tim Burton more than once. I believe he was forced to retire from acting because of his health problems on a wheelchair.

RIP, Glenn, much respects to a talented and underrated actor.

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths, WWE news

RIP: Luna Vachon 1962 – 2010

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Yet another wrestler dies. This time it’s a female wrestler. Luna Vachon, real name: Gertrude Angelle Vachon, is a Canadian professional wrestler, who was known to have an amazing bodybuilder like physique. She performed in WWE from 1992 – 2000. Her entire life was revolved around wrestling. She was born with it and grew up on the wrestling inudstry. When she first appeared in WWE, she started performing as a manager for such wrestlers like Shawn Michaels and Goldust. Then the WWE allowed her to become a full time wrestler in the women’s division. Her most well known feuds against the Divas were against Sable and Jacqueline. In the year 2000, Luna was released from the WWE due to having a bad temper with other WWE employees backstage.

After her WWE release, she continued to wrestle for indie events and such. In 2004, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and became a born-again Christian. In August of 2010, her house burned down. Shortly after, she was found dead at her mother’s home where she was staying due to losing her home. She is survived by her two sons and has two granddaughters. Her cause of death is not known at this time, but don’t be quick to assume that she died of steroids or drugs. Remember, she had bipolar disorder, she had all kinds of personal problems, that it might be a possible suicide as well.

RIP Luna. I remember her back in the WWE days when she used to be around. She maybe freaky looking but that’s part of her wrestling character and gimmick. She was also a very talented wrestler and most female wrestlers don’t wrestle as good as she does. This is pretty sad news. Hopefully WWE will do a tribute for her this coming Monday on RAW. Luna Vachon was only 48 years old.

Kev

movies

RIP: Dennis Hopper 1936 – 2010

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Sorry for the delay. I’ve been busy this weekend. I was very sad to hear the passing of Dennis Hopper. One of the best actors of all time who sadly never won an Oscar when he should have…but at least he finally got the Hollywood Walk of Fame which is well deserved and he should have gotten it long ago. He’s a very talented actor and one of those actors that I respected. In his film career he played mostly villain type of characters, I think everyone knows that.

I think his best role that he has ever done was his role in “Blue Velvet”. I love the movie “Blue Velvet” so much. The movie is so dark and very intelligent. It’s a David Lynch film by the way. “Blue Velvet” maybe a very dark and intense film, but that’s what I love about it. It’s really good storytelling and Dennis Hopper’s acting in that movie really sent chills down my spine. If he were to win an Oscar for something, it would have been for this role in “Blue Velvet”. His acting in that film was so powerful. It is a special film and if any of you haven’t seen it, I’d suggest you check it out. I’m sure you can get it at any DVD store at $10.00 or under. I like his other movie roles, sure, “Speed”, “Easy Rider”, “True Romance”, etc. were pretty good stuff, but “Blue Velvet” is what I like the most.

Hollywood have lost another very important talent. Heath Ledger and Patrick Swayze maybe important guys, yes, but they weren’t in Dennis Hopper’s league. Dennis was a legend who wasn’t recognized by Hollywood much. It’s a shame how Dennis was taken so soon, cancer sucks. RIP, Dennis Hopper.

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Gary Coleman 1968 – 2010

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Former child star, Gary Coleman, who is most famous for his legendary role in the hit 80’s TV sitcom, Diffr’ent Strokes has passed away today. On May 26th earlier this week, the star was hospitalized at a hospital in Utah after falling and hitting his head. It was then announced he was suffering of intracranial hemorrhage, he fell into a coma. He never woke. His young wife, Shannon Price and her father were by his side at the time of his death.

Very sad news. Like him or not, the guy was a legend. RIP.

Watchoo talkin’ about?

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Paul Gray 1972 -2010

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Paul Gray, bassist for the nu-metal band, Slipknot was found dead in a Iowa motel room. His cause of death is not known at this time, but I’m willing to bet he died of what else? Drugs. If you read Paul Gray’s wikipedia, the guy has a really long history with heavy drug use which could probably explain why he died at such a young age. Pictured above is Paul masked and unmasked. Paul is mostly famous for his controversial alien like mask as you see in the picture above. Yes, most of the masks worn in Slipknot were controversial and crazy but Paul’s was most recognizable.

More on it here:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37323183/ns/today-entertainment/

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Ronnie James Dio 1942 – 2010

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Today is yet again, another sad day in the music industry. Just like Peter Steele, Ronnie James Dio’s death started off as a silly rumour which started as a twitter trend. Today RJD’s wife/manager announced the news is true on his official website. Ronnie James Dio is quite the talent, one of the best vocalists in the metal genre. In fact, he was the best. No metal singer could sing better than him. I grew up listening to his music with Black Sabbath, his solo band Dio, and Heaven & Hell. He was a very powerful singer with a unique voice. He is respected for his talent and for his love of performing on stage. RIP Dio. He maybe gone but never forgotten. In honor of his favorite hand signal, I’ll do it too….\m/.

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Frank Frazetta 1928 – 2010

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Frank Frazetta is a legendary comic book artist in the science fiction & fantasy genre. He is well known for doing art work for adults only. He has done art work for Conan The Barbarian, Vampirella, King Kong, and Tarzan. He has also done album covers for music artists such as Molly Hatchet and Yngwie Malmsteen. Frank Frazetta was 82.

More on it here:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ieBUPyNVCRUPTme2UyTGr9_5pNuQD9FK76E00

Kev

Celebrity/musician deaths

RIP: Peter Steele 1962 – 2010

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Today is a very sad day for the music industry, because it is official that Peter Steele, lead singer and bassist for the 90’s iconic metal band, Type O’ Negative has died of heart failure. When the reports first hit the internets this morning, it was at first looked at as a rumour. Now it is turning out to be true. When I was in high school, I used to listen to this band all the time. Used to buy their records. I don’t have their albums anymore, but I do have their greatest hits album, “The Least Worst Of”. They were known to bringing out a large number of radio hits that were constantly played on rock radio stations, with such hits as “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend”, “Black No. 1”, “Christian Woman” and many more. They were also known for covering Black Sabbath songs and covering Neil Young’s “Cinnamon’s Girl”. Peter Steele is seen as a very tall man, well built,  had long black hair and had a very deep singing voice. RIP to a great musician and songwriter. Definitely no chance of a Type O’ Negative reunion now. There cannot be a Type O’ without Peter. Hopefully the band doesn’t replace him with a different singer and continue on. Peter Steele was 48 years old.

Kev