Tag Archives: obituary

Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played the groundbreaking role of Nyota Uhura on the original Star Trek series, has died at the age of 89. Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson announced his mother’s death Sunday on her official website, writing that she died Saturday night from natural causes. “I regret to …

Paul Sorvino, the celebrated character actor who could play mob kingpins, cops, presidential cabinet members, and even do Shakespeare, died Monday, July 25, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 83. Sorvino’s wife, Dee Dee, confirmed his death, saying Sorvino died of natural causes. “Our hearts are broken, there will …

Bob Rafelson, the Oscar-nominated maverick filmmaker who directed Seventies classics like Five Easy Pieces and The King of Marvin Gardens in addition to co-creating The Monkees, has died at the age of 89. Both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported that Rafelson died of natural causes Saturday at his home …

Shonka Dukureh, a singer and actress who recently portrayed blues legend Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, has died at age 44. The Charlotte, North Carolina native was found dead in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, July 21, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The police …

David Dalton, an earlyRolling Stone writer who profiled the likes of Janis Joplin, Charles Manson and Little Richard before going on to pen biographies of some of pop culture’s most towering figures, died Monday in New York City at the age of 80. According to his son, Toby Dalton, the …

William “Poogie” Hart, the lead singer and songwriter for the celebrated Philadelphia soul outfit the Delfonics, has died. He was 77. Hart’s son, Hadi, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone, saying the singer died from complications during surgery on Thursday, July 14. “His music touched millions, continues to touch millions,” …

Paul Ryder, the founding bassist of the “Madchester” band Happy Mondays, died at the age of 58. Paul’s brother Shaun Ryder, the group’s lead singer, announced the bassist’s death Friday on social media. No cause of death was provided. “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened …

Following the passing of Tony Sirico on Friday at the age of 79, stars of The Sopranos honored their fellow cast member in a series of touching personal remembrances that captured the actor’s unique and infectious personality. “Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and …

Actor Tony Sirico, best known for his portrayal of the wise-cracking Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri on The Sopranos, has died at the age of 79. “It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico …

Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of theJapanese manga series Yu-Gi-Oh, which spawned a trading card and video game empire, died at the age of 60. The Japan Times reports that Takahashi’s body was found floating Wednesday morning while wearing snorkeling gear off the coast of Nago, a popular vacation destination, in …