Sacha Jenkins, the hip-hop journalist, filmmaker, and historian who co-founded the seminal Nineties magazine Ego Trip, died on Friday. He was 53. Rolling Stone has confirmed Jenkins’ death. Jenkins’ wife, Raquel Cepeda, toldThe Hollywood Reporter that the cause was complications from multiple system atrophy. Jenkins’ output was multifaceted and vast. …
Read More »George Wendt, Who Played the Ultimate Regular Norm on 'Cheers,' Dead at 76
George Wendt, the actor and comedian best known for playing Norm Peterson on the classic sitcom Cheers, died Tuesday, May 20. He was 76. A rep for Wendt confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. An exact cause of death was not given, though the rep said Wendt “died peacefully in …
Read More »Joe Don Baker, Rugged Character Actor From 'Walking Tall' and James Bond Films, Dead at 89
Joe Don Baker, the prolific character actor who appeared in Seventies classics like Walking Tall and Junior Bonner and a trio of James Bond movies, has died at the age of 89. The actor’s May 7 death was revealed in a Legacy.com obituary (via the Hollywood Reporter) that was posted …
Read More »Robert Benton, Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Behind 'Kramer vs. Kramer,' Dead at 92
Robert Benton, the beloved Oscar winner behind Kramer vs. Kramer and Bonnie and Clyde, died Sunday. The screenwriter and director’s longtime manager Marisa Forzano revealed the news to The New York Times on Tuesday. He was 92. Benton was a three-time Academy Award winner and seven-time nominee. His 1979 film, …
Read More »Johnny Rodriguez, Country Music's First Mexican American Star, Dead at 73
Johnny Rodriguez, the first country star of Mexican American descent known for such recordings as “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me)” and “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” died Friday after entering hospice care. He was 73. His daughter confirmed Rodriguez’s death in a social media post. “It is with …
Read More »Charley Scalies, 'The Wire' and 'The Sopranos' Actor, Dead at 84
Charley Scalies, who starred in the second season of The Wire and also appeared on The Sopranos, died May 1 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 84. Scalies died in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, his daughter Anne Marie Scalies confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. “Best …
Read More »Joe Louis Walker, Revered Electric Blues Musician, Dead at 75
Joe Louis Walker, the virtuoso guitarist and electric blues musician whose work captured the breadth of the genre, died late last month. He was 75. Walker’s family confirmed the musician’s death, adding that the cause was cardiac-related illness. He was surrounded by his wife of 16 years, Robin, and two …
Read More »Jill Sobule, Singer of History-Making 1995 Single 'I Kissed a Girl,' Dies in House Fire at 66
Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind songs “Supermodel” and “I Kissed a Girl,” has died at the age of 66. Her team announced that the musician had died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, early this morning. “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music …
Read More »Jiggly Caliente, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star, Dead at 44
Jiggly Caliente, the RuPaul’s Drag Race star who also appeared on the TV show Pose, has died at the age of 44. The performer’s family announced Caliente’s death Sunday on social media; while no cause of death was provided, her family revealed just days before her death that Caliente had …
Read More »David Thomas, Pere Ubu Singer, Dead at 71
David Thomas, lead singer of the avant-garage band Pere Ubu and the Cleveland proto-punk group Rocket From the Tombs, has died at the age of 71. Pere Ubu’s official Facebook announced Thomas’ death Thursday, adding that the singer died following a long illness; Thomas previously revealed that he was battling …
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