Jezebel: Deaths

Legendary Singer Etta James Dead At 73

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:17:00 EST

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in 1938, the singer who was nicknamed Miss Peaches crossed genres, from blues and rhythm and blues to rock and roll, soul, gospel and jazz. James's singnature song, "At Last," was released in 1961, but is still a romantic favorite — President Barack Obama danced to it with his wife Michelle at the inauguration ball. In 1962, James released "Something's Got a Hold on Me," the opening line of which ("Oh sometimes… I get a good feeling, yeah…") is currently in a chart-topping dance track by Avicii. James's time with Chess records was the subject of the 2008 film Cadillac Records, in which Beyoncé played the singer. James struggled with heroin addiction in the '70s, but bounced back in the late '80s and '90s, recording jazz and R&B albums. She won six Grammys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall Of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In April 2009, James made her final television appearance performing "At Last" on Dancing with the Stars; in December of last year, she was declared terminally ill. We lost an epic talent today, but these songs live on. More »

Tarzan's Chimp Friend Dies At 80

Anna North — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:35:00 EST

Cheetah, a chimp who is believed to have played Tarzan's sidekick in the 1930s movies, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 80. In response to his death, Mia Farrow, daughter of actress Maureen O'Sullivan, tweeted, "My mom, Tarzan's Jane, referred to Cheetah-the-chimp as 'that bastard' –- saying he bit her at every opportunity." In the clip above he looks affectionate — but we bet a bite was just around the corner. More »

Woman Injects Hot Beef Fat into Face, Dies

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:01:03 EDT

A Chicago-area woman has died after injecting hot beef fat into her face. Surprisingly, the hot beef injections aren't what killed her; a bacterial colon infection did. More »

"Meet The Mets" Songwriter Ruth Roberts Dies At 84

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:20:00 EDT

The tune Ruth Roberts wrote was chosen as the New York Mets' official song in late 1961, after defeating 18 other competitors. More »

Alice Ward, Played By Melissa Leo In The Fighter, Dies At 79

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:04:00 EDT

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Alice Ward, described as a "tough-talking mother of nine," died yesterday after being taken off of life support. Ward and her sons, retired welterweight champion Micky Ward and his trainer half-brother Dicky Eklund, inspired the award-winning film The Fighter, starring Melissa Leo, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. At the Critics Choice awards, Bale noted that in January, Ward had died — stopped breathing due to cardiac arrest — for 30 minutes, but came back to life. "That is one tough cookie," Bale declared. It seems Alice Ward was a fighter until the end: More »

R.I.P. Shifra Lerer

Sadie Stein — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:18:00 EDT

Jack LaLanne Dead At 96

Jessica Coen — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:22:00 EST

The exercise pioneer was one of the first advocates of women's fitness and, in particular, women's weightlifting. His Jack LaLanne Show ran for three decades and targeted housewives, teaching them how to work out and cook healthy meals. More »

Mother Of Deceased Anorexic Model Takes Her Own Life

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:31:00 EST

Marie Caro, mother of the late "ambassador for anorexia," Isabelle Caro (pictured at left), has killed herself. More »

RIP Teena Marie

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:52:00 EST

The singer was found dead yesterday at the age of 54. Known as the "Ivory Queen of Soul," she was one of the very few white artists to sign with Motown records. Additional track below. More »

Director Blake Edwards Dies At 88

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:42:00 EST

Blake Edwards, who directed many films including Breakfast At Tiffany's, The Pink Panther, and Victor/Victoria, died yesterday at 88, due to complications of pneumonia. His wife, Julie Andrews, and other family members were by his side. More »

Elizabeth Edwards Mastered Grace, Maintained Dignity

Sadie Stein — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:07:00 EST

In the end, Elizabeth Edwards was about grace. More »

Actress Jill Clayburgh Dies At 66

Lauri Apple — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:10:00 EDT

After fighting chronic lymphocytic leukemia for more than 21 years, two-time Oscar nominee Jill Clayburgh has died. Her final film, the upcoming Bridesmaids, hits theaters in 2011, but it's her work during the 1970s that made her so legendary. More »

Missing Chef Found...In Freezer. After Two Years.

Sadie Stein — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:56:00 EDT

The body of an acclaimed French chef missing since 2008 was discovered in the freezer of a Lyon apartment after his ex-girlfriend revealed that "something unfortunate" had happened to Jean-Francois Poinard, 71, on a drunken night out. She's in custody. More »

Oscar Winner Patricia Neal Dies At 84

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:21:00 EDT

Patricia Neal, who won an Oscar for the 1963 film Hud, died yesterday of lung cancer at age 84. Her family says she faced her fatal illness with, "indomitable grace, good humor, and a great deal of her self-described stubbornness." More »

R.I.P. Bolero Queen Olga Guillot

Sadie Stein — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:22:00 EDT

Olga Guillot, the Cuban singer known as the "queen of the bolero," has died at 86 in Miami Beach. Here, watch her weave a spell with "Miénteme." More »

R.I.P. Jimmy Dean, King Of Linked Breakfast Meats

Sadie Stein — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:40:00 EDT

Jimmy Dean, sausage baron, country music legend, television host and actor, has died at 81. Says his widow Donna, "He was amazing...He had a lot of talents." [CBS] More »

Prima Ballerina Dies At Age 102

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:20:00 EDT

Moscow's Bolshoi theater has announced the death of prima ballerina Marina Semyonova. Semyonova made her debut in the 1920s at the Kirov ballet. "All Russian ballet is in mourning," said the theater director. [AFP, image via Wiki] More »

Gary Coleman Dead At 42

Jessica Coen — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:55:00 EDT

After suffering a brain hemorrhage and slipping into a coma two days ago, the Diff'rent Strokes star was removed from life support this morning. His wife was with him when he passed away. [Radar] More »

Stormy Weather: Remembering The Music Of Lena Horne

Sadie Stein — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:30:00 EDT

While Lena Horne deserves as many written tributes as her death will inspire, let's take a moment to watch - and listen - to her amazing charisma in action: More »

Remembering Lynn Redgrave

Sadie Stein — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:20:22 EDT

Lynn Redgrave passed away today at the age of 67, after a long and public battle with breast cancer. Her death marks the end of a long, varied and illustrious career. More »

R.I.P. June Havoc

Sadie Stein — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EDT

Fellow musical-lovers will mourn the passing of vaudeville and screen actress June Havoc, immortalized as the iconic child-star "Baby June" in the classic 1959 musical Gypsy. She was believed to be 97. [NYT, Image via NYT ] More »

Funeral For A Furry Friend

Katy Kelleher — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EDT

Hikers found the last known wild wolverine in Michigan dead over the weekend. Wildlife officials still don't know how a solitary, 28-pound female ended up living alone in the Wolverine State. [CBS, Times Herald] More »

R.I.P. Susan Morgan

Sadie Stein — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:20:00 EST

Susan Morgan, who under the pen names Zoe Barnes and Sue Dyson wrote numerous bestsellers, has died at 52. It has been ruled a suicide. Morgan had, apparently, been suffering from ill-health and depression. [Daily Mail, Image via Daily Mail] More »

With Love And Squalor: An Appreciation Of J.D. Salinger

Sadie Stein — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST

Last night, like probably half the reading world, I re-read Catcher in the Rye. It was my old school edition, the burgundy paperback with yellow writing we all had, filled with earnest 12-year-old annotations: More »

R.I.P. Margery Beddow

Sadie Stein — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST

Margery Beddow, an acclaimed dancer, director and choreographer, has died at 72. Her career included a stint with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo; the movie Doubt; and writing the book Bob Fosse's Broadway. [Variety, Image via MargeryBeddow.com] More »

R.I.P. Jennifer Jones

Sadie Stein — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST

Jennifer Jones, the popular film star who won an Oscar for her leading role in The Song of Bernadette, has died at 90. [USA Today] More »

R.I.P. Collin Wilcox

Sadie Stein — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:40:00 EDT

Collin Wilcox, an accomplished actress perhaps best known for playing Mayella Ewell, the woman who falsely accuses Tom Robinson of rape in To Kill A Mockingbird, has died at 74. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Irving Penn

Sadie Stein — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Irving Penn, one of the most famous and influential fashion photographers of all time, has died at 92. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Richard Merkin

Sadie Stein — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Richard Merkin, artist, illustrator and "professional dandy," has died at 70. Eulogized Tom Wolfe, "He was the greatest of that breed, the Artist Dandy...Like Dali, he had one of the few remaining Great Mustaches in the art world." [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Sylvia Schur

Sadie Stein — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EDT

Sylvia Schur, a food consultant and editor who, in addition to creating recipes and cookbooks, developed Clamato and Cran-Apple juice, has died at the age of 92. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Kathryn Kennedy

Sadie Stein — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EDT

Kathryn Kennedy, a pioneering California winemaker famed for her cabernet sauvignon, has died at 82. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Sheila Lukins

Sadie Stein — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EDT

Sheila Lukins, the entrepreneur, cook and author whose Silver Palate store and cookbook played a crucial role in the American food revolution of the 1980s, has died at 66. The cause was brain cancer. [NYT, Parade] More »

R.I.P. Karla Kuskin

Sadie Stein — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Karla Kuskin, the author of more than 50 books for children, including many books of verse and the classic The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, has died at 77. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Hildegard Behrens

Sadie Stein — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:40:00 EDT

Hildegard Behrens, a dramatic sopranao famed for her interpretation of Wagner, has died at 72. The cause of death was apparently aneurism. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Ruth Ford

Sadie Stein — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EDT

Ruth Ford, an actress who became famous for the salons she held in her Dakota apartment, has died at 98. "My life has been too exciting, too wonderful, to let anything else, and that includes acting, to come first." [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Carleen Hutchins

Sadie Stein — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EDT

Carleen Hutchins, a violin designer and builder famed for crafting the innovative "new violin family," has died at 98. [NYT] More »

Mutual Appreciation

Sadie Stein — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:20:00 EDT

Today we want to salute two people: Harry F. Klemfuss, the man behind National Secretaries Week, who has died at 88, and Priscilla Duffield, 91, Robert Oppenheimer's secretary and "right hand." A friend calls her "the perfect secretary." [NYT, UPI] More »

R.I.P. Merce Cunningham

Sadie Stein — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:20:00 EDT

Merce Cunningham, the legendary dancer and choreographer, has died at 90. Considered one of the most important figures of 20th Century dance, Cunningham was the recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the MacArthur Fellowship. [NYT, YouTube] More »

R.I.P. Brenda Joyce

Sadie Stein — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EDT

Brenda Joyce, an actress of the 1940s best known for playing Jane in five "Tarzan" movies, has died at 92. Post-Hollywood, Joyce worked with immigrants, helping them to find jobs and homes. [NYT] More »

R.I.P. Judi Ann Mason

Sadie Stein — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Judi Ann Mason, a playwright and screenwriter, has died at 54. Mason started writing professionally at only 19 and, on shows like A Different World and Sanford, was one of the first female African-American sitcom writers. [NYT] More »