Seriously.
I know people die...I'm not immune to that fact. They always say death comes in three's but death seems to be working overtime this year. We are not even two full months into 2014 and we have lost some people that have just left me reeling.
January 16th Ruth Robinson Duccini passed. She was one of the last living Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz
. (affiliate link) That movie is so much a part of my life, I can't even convey. It will be sad when the last one goes.
. (affiliate link) That movie is so much a part of my life, I can't even convey. It will be sad when the last one goes.
The same day we lost Russell David Johnson, or The Professor from Gilligan's Island
. (affiliate link) I used to watch reruns of that all the time as a kid and he was one of my faves. I liked how level headed he was amidst the chaos of the other characters.
. (affiliate link) I used to watch reruns of that all the time as a kid and he was one of my faves. I liked how level headed he was amidst the chaos of the other characters.
February 1st, we lost Maximilian Schell. The Mr knew him from The Black Hole but I didn't discover him until Deep Impact
. (affiliate link) The Mr and I love that movie (well, as much as you can any movie about the destruction of the world) but one of our favorite lines from it is one of Max's..."as a child, I once dropped you on your head."
. (affiliate link) The Mr and I love that movie (well, as much as you can any movie about the destruction of the world) but one of our favorite lines from it is one of Max's..."as a child, I once dropped you on your head."
The next day was of course one of the most tragic losses of modern times, when we lost Philip Seymour Hoffman. To us, he will always be Dusty from Twister
(affiliate link) and the night he passed, we watched it and I bawled. There was something about him. I still see pictures of him from time to time and will break down. You take talent for granted. You expect they'll always be there and it's so much more tragic when their death is preventable.
(affiliate link) and the night he passed, we watched it and I bawled. There was something about him. I still see pictures of him from time to time and will break down. You take talent for granted. You expect they'll always be there and it's so much more tragic when their death is preventable.
February 11th we lost a childhood icon of a simpler time, Shirley Temple
. (affiliate link) Obviously she was before my time but as a kid, I remember seeing an occasional movie or skit sandwiched between Abbott & Costello
and Laurel & Hardy
. (affiliate links) (They were also before my time but thank God for reruns so I could see these master craftsman of comedy.) We'll always remember 56 pin curls.
. (affiliate link) Obviously she was before my time but as a kid, I remember seeing an occasional movie or skit sandwiched between Abbott & Costello
and Laurel & Hardy
. (affiliate links) (They were also before my time but thank God for reruns so I could see these master craftsman of comedy.) We'll always remember 56 pin curls.
February 12th was when we lost Coach Calhoun from Grease
, Sid Caesar. (affiliate link) Many know him from "Your Show of Shows" but I'll always remember when the football team was ready to come back from the slaughter and ring that victory bell...like they always wanted to.
, Sid Caesar. (affiliate link) Many know him from "Your Show of Shows" but I'll always remember when the football team was ready to come back from the slaughter and ring that victory bell...like they always wanted to.
Bob Casale of Devo
passed on February 17th from heart failure. (affiliate link) He was only 61. His new wave legacy will live on and as many of the current generation know and excitedly acknowledge, 80's music rocks.
passed on February 17th from heart failure. (affiliate link) He was only 61. His new wave legacy will live on and as many of the current generation know and excitedly acknowledge, 80's music rocks.
Then of course there was yesterday.
What can you say about Harold Ramis? I mean hell, that man wrote, starred in, produced or directed classics that permeated my childhood. We watched Ghostbusters
(affiliate link) in his honor last night and his lines are some of the most comical but are delivered in such a dry way that many may miss them if they're not careful. From that classic to Stripes to Groundhog Day to Caddyshack to National Lampoon's Vacation...Harold was a genius. So many who have acted with him and for him have spoke of his generosity to make others look better and funnier. That's the sign of a person who puts the craft before ego. We need more people like Harold. Thank you Harold for sharing your amazing talent with us all.These people don't even cover all of the people who have passed but these are the ones that have affected me the most. I almost cringe to get deeper into the year to see who else we lose. This is a sad reminder to live every day. Tomorrow is not promised. Some of these people got to a ripe old age and some didn't. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today and start living life if you're sitting on the sidelines.
What celebrity death, recent or not, has affected you and why? (I still cry over John Ritter, my first celeb crush.)
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Harold Ramis was a huge loss. He was such a genius and some of my most beloved classic 80's movies were either written by, directed by, starred or included him in some way shape or form if not all of the above. This has been a very tough year so far in terms of losing beloved actors and I think it's enough already!
ReplyDeleteHe really was. I guess I didn't know he was that sick. You know that the next time we go to Chicago, we're paying our respects like we did with John Hughes. As with Hughes, viewing our favorite movies that were such a part of our lives and who we are seems to not be enough.
DeleteI couldn't watch Ghostbusters last night. I knew it would make sad. I need a few days before I have my memorial viewing. (Ghostbusters is the best movie EVER. . .I always have to say that when it's brought up, in case people don't know).
ReplyDeleteMr. Rogers' death hit me hard. I think that was the only time I openly cried at a celebrity death. He wasn't merely a celebrity, he was like a member of the family. I still get misty just thinking about it.
I thought it would make me sad too because of how much I cried watching Twister every time PSH came on the screen but I found myself laughing at Ramis more because while I remembered his lines as being funny, they were funnier when the focus was on him. Ghostbuster is a great movie and one of the ones that if it's on when we're flipping channels, we'll watch no matter how far in it is.
DeleteMr Rogers did feel like losing a grandpa or your favorite uncle.
There have been so many recently, but the one that made me cry is Philip Seymour Hoffman. I still cry when I see him or read an article. Harold Ramis' death makes me sad, but watching him will make me laugh every time.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think because he was so young and had so much more to give it makes it that much more devastating. He'd been sober for so long and it's so sad when someone relapses as hard as he did. He will be sorely missed.
DeleteCorey Haim and Heath Ledger were the two that hit me hardest I think. Both so young and talented. I had a childhood crush on "both Coreys" and I just was amazed by the diversity of talent that Heath Ledger portrayed.
ReplyDeleteHarold Raims is a serious loss to acting. I will be watching Ghostbusters this weekend I think.
Heath Ledger was pretty bad. I cried a few times over him just because it was so shocking to lose him so young. I don't know why Corey didn't surprise me too much but I'll be honest, I thought it'd be the other one first.
DeleteI think that any celeb (or anyone for that matter) that looses their life when it is preventable and they have small children affects me the most. To know that these children will most probably grow up and wonder why they couldn't be more to their parent to help with a "disease" makes me furious for those who are left behind to have to explain. I know this will probably make people angry, but I'm coming from the perspective of someone who lost a father to a "disease" when I was 20, and I still wonder why he couldn't do it for us.
ReplyDeleteBut on a somewhat lighter note, My kids were most upset about the professor dying from Gilligan's Island. We love watching those shows.
I'm so sorry for your loss and the thing is, there will never be an excuse good enough when you're the ones left behind. No matter how tough life gets, you feel like your love or the love for your kids or spouse should've been enough to live or quit for depending on the circumstance.
DeleteDon't forget the last of the Van Trapp kids and the last Titanic survivor have died in recent days, too. :( So much loss in such a short time. Truly sad.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I heard about the Von Trapp but I've never seen the Sound of Music or knew anything about them. I know they're in lots of people's hearts.
DeleteI was so upset when I heard about Harold Ramis last night. Being from Chicago, he was often the talk of the town and could be seen about locally often. I just watched the "behind the scenes" show about Vacation and he did such a great interview. He was so down to earth and nothing seemed to phase him. Another one that made me sad was when Mr. Hooper died from Sesame Street. Oh what I would have given to grow up on that block. =o)
ReplyDeleteI've heard he did big things for locals and gave of his time. The sweetest tributes I saw today were the firehouse that was Ghostbusters headquarters put out the Ghostbusters 2 sign they kept from the movie. Also a nice little memorial out front from fans included a Twinkie which made me laugh and cry. You know, I saw Luis on that movie we rented last week, A Case of You. I was like "what are you doing outside of Sesame Street!"
DeleteJohn Candy, Michael Jackson, and Heath Ledger have been the hardest for me. Phillip S. Hoffman still isn't real, I am in denial. I loved him in Twister.."We crave SUSTENANCE". ... John Candy...UGH. I miss that man!
ReplyDeleteI think you are the only other person to acknowledge PSH did Twister. I know people like to remember him for his high brow stuff but we quote him from Twister all the time. "FOOD...Fooooood!" "It's the extreeeeeme!" "The suck zone." He'll always be Dusty to us!
Delete