Eunice Kennedy Shriver dies
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dances with his mother-in-law Eunice Kennedy Shriver after giving his acceptance speech. (AP photo)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is dead at age 88. She is the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, the mother of Maria Shriver and the mother-in-law of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
She is best known for creating the Special Olympics, which allows people with disabilities to compete in athletic events.
The full Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.com. Click here to view/sign the guestbook.
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
President John F. Kennedy’s sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who carried on the family’s public service tradition by founding the Special Olympics and championing the rights of the mentally disabled, died Tuesday morning, her family said in a statement. She was 88.
Shriver had suffered a series of strokes in recent years and died at 2 a.m. at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. The hospital is near the Kennedy family compound, where her sole surviving brother, Sen. Edward Kennedy, has been battling a brain tumor.
As celebrity, social worker and activist, Shriver was credited with transforming America’s view of the mentally disabled from institutionalized patients to friends, neighbors and athletes. Her efforts were inspired in part by the struggles of her mentally disabled sister, Rosemary.
Peter Collier, author of “The Kennedys, an American Drama,” called Eunice Shriver the “moral force” of the Kennedy family.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is shown swimming with children in a pool at the day camp for mentally challenged children in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. (AP photo)
Shriver was also the sister of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, the wife of 1972 vice presidential candidate and former Peace Corps director R. Sargent Shriver, and the mother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. With Eunice Shriver’s death, Jean Kennedy Smith becomes the last surviving Kennedy daughter.
A 1960 Chicago Tribune profile of the women in then-candidate JFK’s family said Shriver was “generally credited with being the most intellectual and politically minded of all the Kennedy women.”
When her brother was in the White House, she pressed for efforts to help troubled young people and the mentally disabled. And in 1968, she started what would become the world’s largest athletic competition for mentally disabled children and adults. Now, more than 1 million athletes in more than 160 countries participate in Special Olympics meets each year.
“When the full judgment on the Kennedy legacy is made – including JFK’s Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress, Robert Kennedy’s passion for civil rights and Ted Kennedy’s efforts on health care, work place reform and refugees – the changes wrought by Eunice Shriver may well be seen as the most consequential,” Harrison Rainie, author of “Growing Up Kennedy,” wrote in U.S. News & World Report in 1993.
Click here to view/sign the guestbook.
Sargent Shriver and his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. (AP photo)
Cocaine contributed to Billy Mays’ death
The medical examiner determined the cause of death of television commercial pitchman Billy Mays.
The autopsy report indicates 50-year-old Mays, died June 27 from a heart attack, and cocaine use was contributing factor, according to the Associated Press.
The prescription drugs tramadol, hydrocodone and oxycodone were also found in his system. He was taking those drugs for his hip pain.
Film director John Hughes dies from heart attack
Legendary film director John Hughes died Thursday from a heart attack at age 59.
He directed “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Uncle Buck,” “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2.”
The Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.com.
A spokeswoman for John Hughes says the director of 1980s coming-of-age films like “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club” has died in Manhattan.
Michelle Bega says the 59-year-old Hughes died of a heart attack during a morning walk. He was in Manhattan to visit family.
He made a teen star of Molly Ringwald with 1984′s “Sixteen Candles” about a girl’s nightmarish birthday on the eve of her sister’s wedding.
Ringwald also starred in “The Breakfast Club,” about a group of high school misfits during Saturday detention, and “Pretty in Pink.”
Hughes also directed “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and wrote “Home Alone.” He lived in Illinois and set many of his films in the Chicago area.
Walter Cronkite dies at age 92
The legendary broadcaster Walter Cronkite has passed away at age 92. Cronkite, who was known as the most trusted man in America, died at his home in Manhattan.
He suffered from cerebral vascular disease. The full Associated Press story is posted below.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Walter Cronkite, the premier TV anchorman of the networks’ golden age who reported a tumultuous time with reassuring authority and came to be called “the most trusted man in America,” died Friday. He was 92.
Cronkite’s longtime chief of staff, Marlene Adler, said Cronkite died at 7:42 p.m. at his Manhattan home surrounded by family. She said the cause of death was cerebral vascular disease.
Adler said, “I have to go now” before breaking down into what sounded like a sob. She said she had no further comment.
Cronkite was the face of the “CBS Evening News” from 1962 to 1981, when stories ranged from the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to racial and anti-war riots, Watergate and the Iranian hostage crisis.
It was Cronkite who read the bulletins coming from Dallas when Kennedy was shot Nov. 22, 1963, interrupting a live CBS-TV broadcast of the soap opera “As the World Turns.”
Cronkite was the broadcaster to whom the title “anchorman” was first applied, and he came so identified in that role that eventually his own name became the term for the job in other languages (Swedish anchors are known as Kronkiters; in Holland, they are Cronkiters).
“He was a great broadcaster and a gentleman whose experience, honesty, professionalism and style defined the role of anchor and commentator,” CBS Corp. chief executive Leslie Moonves said in a statement.
His 1968 editorial declaring the United States was “mired in stalemate” in Vietnam was seen by some as a turning point in U.S. opinion of the war. He also helped broker the 1977 invitation that took Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem, the breakthrough to Egypt‘s peace treaty with Israel.
He followed the 1960s space race with open fascination, anchoring marathon broadcasts of major flights from the first suborbital shot to the first moon landing, exclaiming, “Look at those pictures, wow!” as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon’s surface in 1969. In 1998, for CNN, he went back to Cape Canaveral to cover John Glenn‘s return to space after 36 years.
“It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or indeed America without Walter Cronkite,” CBS News president Sean McManus said in a statement. “More than just the best and most trusted anchor in history, he guided America through our crises, tragedies and also our victories and greatest moments.”
He had been scheduled to speak last January for the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., but ill health prevented his appearance.
My childhood memories of Michael Jackson
When I first heard Michael Jackson died, I didn’t believe it. I immediately assumed it was a publicity stunt.
Michael was known for being over-the-top. Throughout his lengthy career, he has pulled many publicity stunts to gain attention, like when he pretended to be in love with Brooke Shields. I won’t even discuss that publicity stunt marriage to Lisa Marie Presley.
So, surely his hospitalization was a publicity stunt to attract attention to his upcoming concert tour in London right?
For several hours, I refused to believe the news reports that said he died. It wasn’t until I saw a newscast that showed hospital workers carrying his body to a van. When I saw him wrapped in that white sheet, I knew it was true. The King of Pop is officially dead.
Sadness and grievance overcame me for the rest of the night thinking about Michael’s death. 
Why should I feel so sad about someone that I’ve never actually met before? I hear fans say Michael Jackson was a major part of their childhood. He was in their homes everyday, and they truly feel like they’ve lost a family member.
I know this might sound cliché, but it’s the truth. Michael was a major part of my childhood. Therefore, a part of my childhood died June 25 with the passing of Michael.
And a part of my childhood is now buried in that coffin.
My first memory of Michael was when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I remember watching the “Thriller” video at my aunt’s house. I watched it about 10 times in a row because I was mesmerized by the dance steps in the video, and I wanted to learn it.
When I saw footage of him performing “Billie Jean” at the Motown anniversary special and doing the Moonwalk, my eyes were in awe. I had never seen anyone dance like that before.
For the next decade, I tried to duplicate Michael’s performances. I would put on my socks and slide across the slippery kitchen floor trying to perform the moonwalk. I was never successful though.
I also did the spin and tried to stand on my toes like he does.
Throughout Michael’s career, I owned every album that he released during the 1980s and 1990s.
I used to stay glued to the television whenever I found out he was releasing a new music video.
Throughout my childhood, Michael was always in my home. Music was a major part of my family’s everyday activities.
When we were playing video games, music was always playing in the background. When we were playing basketball or hop scotch, we always had music playing in the background.
If we were walking up the street, we always had headphones on listening to music. Most of the time, it was Michael Jackson songs we were listening to.
My family would also frequently get together in the living room and have a dance off to Michael Jackson songs. Every time his music videos were played, we would gather around the television and watch without blinking.
When we were in the car, his music was always in our cassette player. There wasn’t a day that went by when Michael was not in my home in some form when I was growing up.
I always stood in front of television, along with my siblings, emulating the dance steps that Michael was doing in all of his music videos.
I idolized Michael Jackson during my childhood. I had the trademark white glove and the red jacket. I even tried to put a Jheri Curl on my hair. (which didn’t work).
I also use to imitate his “crotch-grabbing” dance which used to get me in trouble with my parents.
When Michael became the celebrity spokesperson for Pepsi, I started drinking Pepsi. To this day, Pepsi is still my favorite beverage.
Michael donated money and participated in charitable activities that raised money to try to cure world hunger. So, then I decided to participate in charity fundraisers too.
Michael went on a date with Madonna to the Oscars in 1991. Therefore, I started wanting to date Madonna too.
Michael hung out with his chimpanzee named Bubbles, so I wanted a chimpanzee too. (Of course my mom wasn’t having that).
His music and performances have forever changed the music industry. When Michael emerged as a solo artist, he forced other musicians to step up their game.
If performers wanted to stay relevant in the music industry, they could no longer just stand behind a microphone and sing. They had to be like Michael and display the intricate dance moves and the flashy innovative videos.
If you watch Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ginuwine, Ne-Yo or Chris Brown on stage, they perform the same dance moves that Michael performed during the 1980s and 1990s.
He gave new meaning to the words “music videos.” No one can ever do it like Michael.
Sadly, as his lifestyle and music turned into a bizarre circus show during the late 1990s, I stopped purchasing Michael’s new music, and I stopped following his career.
I did, however, continue to listen to his old songs and try to imitate his old dances. Two years ago, my sister, my cousin and I went to a karaoke place, and we sang “Thriller” in front of an audience.
We did the “Thriller” dance too and received a standing ovation afterward. (Yep, we still got it).
Athough the King of Pop is no longer here, you can still see his influence everytime you watch any modern music video or attend an elaborate high-energy stage concert by any performer. Michael is the originator of that.
By Tim Henley
Michael Jackson’s ghost caught on tape at Neverland?
While filming inside of the late Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, crews from CNN caught an image of what appears to be a ghost of someone walking in the background. No joke.
Take a look at the CNN video clip posted below. You can see the ghostly figure 19 seconds into the film.
I’m certain that really is Michael’s ghost. As much as he loved Neverland, there’s no way he would ever leave that place–even in death.
Jermaine Jackson’s interview with Matt Lauer
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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TV pitchman Billy Mays died
Television pitchman Billy Mays was found dead in his home Sunday morning in Tampa, Florida.
Police said there were no signs of foul play and no signs of a break-in. Mays was well known as the commercial pitchman for various cleaning products including OxiClean and Orange Glo.
Mays was 50 years old.
Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays died in the same week. I guess it’s not a good time to be celebrity.
Click here to read the Associated Press story about Mays.
Ed McMahon died at age 86
Television personality Ed McMahon has died at age 86 at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Most people will always remember McMahon as Johnny Carson’s sidekick on the “The Tonight Show” from 1962 to 1992.
However, I will always remember McMahon as the host of the talent show “Star Search” from 1983 to 1995, which I watched every week with my family. The show was a precursor to “American Idol.”
“Star Search” helped launch the careers of several celebrities including Christina Aguilera, Drew Carey, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, Martin Lawrence, Dennis Miller, Rosie O’Donnell, Alanis Morissette, LeAnn Rimes, Ray Romono, Adam Sandler, Justin Timberlake and Usher.
McMahon was hospitalized in February with pnemonia and bone cancer.
Tim Henley
Golden Girls actress dies
Golden Girls actress Bea Arthur died Saturday from cancer at age 86.
The actress died at her home in Los Angeles.
Arthur is the second Golden Girls actress to pass away during the past year. In July, Estelle Getty died after a battle with Dementia.
Arthur portrayed Dorothy on the Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992.
Prior to that, she played on the 1970s sitcom “Maude.” She will be missed.
Tim Henley
Macaulay Culkin’s sister was impaired by alcohol when she died
A coroner said Macaulay Culkin’s sister Dakota Culkin was “more than likely impaired due to alcohol, according to People magazine.
Traces of alcohol was found in her system, but it’s not known what her blood alcohol level was.
Dakota Culkin, 29, was killed in December when she stepped out in front of a vehicle in Los Angeles.
The 29-year-old stepped out in front a car in Los Angeles, and the driver hit her.
She was rushed to the hospital with head injuries, and she later died.
The coroner also said the Culkin family told authorities she was attending a therapy program for alcohol addiction.
John Travolta’s teenage son died
John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s 16-year-old son died in Nassau Bahamas today during a family vacation.
Jett Travolta suffered from a seizure and hit his head on the bathtub in a hotel room, according to Reuters.
He was pronounced dead on the scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Travolta family.
R.I.P.
Starsky and Hutch actor Bernie Hamilton died
Starsky and Hutch actor Bernie Hamilton died this week from a cardiac arrest. He was 80 years old.
Hamilton played the police captain on “Starsky and Hutch” during the 1970s. Hamilton also played in the films “Carmen Jones,” “The Young One” and “The Jackie Robinson Story.”
R.I.P.
Actress Eartha Kitt died
Legendary actress/singer/sex symbol Eartha Kitt died from colon cancer on Christmas day at the age of 81.
Kitt’s career spanned more than 55 years. She became famous when she portrayed Catwoman during the “Batman” tv series in the 1960s which helped break down racial barriers.
She continued to appear in movies, television and films throughout her career along with recording music.
Her songs include “Santa Baby” and “Someone To Watch Over Me.” Eartha will be missed. A photo tribute is below.
Time Henley
James Bond actress was found murdered
Former James Bond actress Celine Cawley was found dead in her home in Ireland this week. According to the U.K. Daily Mail, police said an intruder broke into her home and killed her.
Her husband discovered her body after he came home from walking their dogs. The husband said he saw a masked intruder running from the home.
Cawley was 46 years old. She appeared in the 1985 James Bond film “A View To Kill.”
Celebrity briefs (Dec. 11)
– Taylor Hanson from the group Hanson and his wife Natalie had a new 8-pound son named Viggo Moriah.
– Actress Kate Walsh and her husband Alex Young have filed for divorce after 15 months of marriage.
– 1950s model Bettie Page died after suffering from a heart attack. She was 85 years old.
– In 2009, Paula Abdul will have an MTV reality show titled “Rah! Paula Abdul’s Cheerleading Bowl.”
– Actress Lauren London’s character on “90210″ will become bisexual beginning on the Jan. 6 episode.
– Sam Talbot, a contestant on Top Chef married girlfriend Paola Guerrero in New York City.
Macaulay Culkin’s sister killed
“Home Alone” actor Macaulay Culkin’s sister Dakota was killed after she was hit by a car this week.
The 29-year-old stepped out in front a car in Los Angeles, and the driver hit her. She was rushed to the hospital with head injuries, and she later died.
Police said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and there will be no criminal investigation.
Rapper MC Breed died
Rapper MC Breed passed away during the weekend. The 36-year-old rapper was found dead at a friend’s house Nov. 22
The cause of MC Breed’s death hasn’t been determined, but two months ago he was hospitalized after his kidney collapsed.
MC Breed put out 13 albums during his career. His notable songs were “Gotta Get Mine” featuring Tupac and “Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin.
RIP
Author Michael Crichton died from cancer
Author Michael Crichton has died from a battle with cancer. Crichton was most famous for writing the books ”Jurassic Park” ”Congo,” “Sphere” and “The Lost World” which were turned into movies.
His family released a statement that said, “Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.”
They also said, “He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world.”
Crichton was 66 years old… RIP.
A Def Jam record executive commits suicide
Shakir Stewart, executive vice president of Def Jam Records, committed suicide during the weekend. Police said his body was found in his bathroom at his home near Atlanta. Police believe that he shot himself.
His fiance Michelle Rivers released a statement that said, “We would like to thank Shakir’s friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time. It has helped us to cope with our overwhelming grief and sadness. It is difficult to express or explain in words what led to the tragic occurrence on Saturday. Over the past several weeks, Shakir’s behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was … a wonderful father, partner, son and friend.”
It seemed like this man had everything going for him. He was engaged to be married, he was a father, and he has been a successful music executive for most of his life.
Throughout his career, he was responsible for signing Beyonce, Ciara, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.
I’m not sure what pushed him man over the edge, and we’ll probably never find out, but it looks like he had a lot to live for. He was 34-years-old…..RIP.
Tim Henley
A public memorial service for Jennifer Hudson’s family
A public memorial service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today (Nov. 2) in Chicago for Jennifer Hudson’s three relatives who were killed last week.
The public can attend and mourn the deaths of Jennifer’s mother, brother and nephew who were gunned down.
Jennifer’s brother-in-law in police custody, but no charges have been filed.
It’s bad enough to lose one relative in homicide, but losing three is unbearable. My thoughts go out to her and the other members of the Hudson family.
Tim Henley
Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew found dead
Oscar winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson’s mother was shot and killed Friday, and police said they found the missing body of her 7-year-old nephew.
Authorities discovered her mother and brother’s dead bodies in a Chicago home Oct. 24.
Authorities have taken into custody a man named William Balfour. At time of the killings, Balfour was on parole for attempted murder and hijacking a vehicle.
The body of the 7-year-old was found in an SUV.
Hip Hop producer commits suicide
Music producer Johnny Jackson has committed suicide while he was in jail.
Jackson, also known as Johnny J, was in the Los Angeles County jail for a DUI arrest, and officials said he committed suicide by jumping off of a tier in the jail, according to TMZ.
Johnny J produced hit songs for the late Tupac Shakur including “All Eyez On Me” and one of my favorite rap songs “How Do You Want It.”
Johnny J was 39 years old, and his musical beats will be missed.
(Producer Johnny J, left, along with the late Tupac Shakur)
Actor Paul Newman dies
Legendary actor Paul Newman has passed away from his struggle with cancer.
Newman, 83, died at his home in Connecticut with his close friends and relatives nearby, according to the Associated Press.
He was nominated for an Oscar 10 ten times, and in 1986, He won the Oscar for his role in “The Color of Money.”
He appeared in numerous films during his long career including “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Exodus,” “The Verdict,” “Road to Perdition” and “Message in a Bottle.”
RIP
Paul Newman with Elizabeth Taylor in 1958 during a scene from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”
Dave Matthews Band member dies
LeRoi Moore saxophone player for Dave Mathews Band died Aug . 19 from injuries he sustained in car wreck that occurred on June 30.
Although I’ve never been a huge fan of Dave Mathews Band, I don’t wish death upon anyone–especially a musician. I hope his family can find peace eventually.
RIP
