Tag Archives: obit

Wanda Young, a member of the legendary Motown girl group the Marvelettes and lead singer on their hits like “I’ll Keep Holding On” and “Don’t Mess With Bill,” has died at the age of 78. uDiscoverMusic first reported that Young, who also performed under the name Wanda Rogers, had died. …

Biz Markie, the pioneering rapper, producer, and beatboxer whose jovial goofiness, boundless, off-kilter creativity and innovative music made him a singular presence in both hip-hop and pop culture at large, died Friday at the age of 57. “It is with profound sadness that we announce, this evening, with his wife …

Dawn Wells, the actress who portrayed Mary Ann on the beloved Sixties sitcom Gilligan’s Island, has died at the age of 82. Wells’ publicist confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that the actress died from complications related to Covid-19. A former beauty queen — she represented Nevada in the 1960 Miss …

Alex Trebek, television’s consummate quizmaster and the host of Jeopardy! for 35 years, died Sunday morning at the age of 80 following a lengthy battle with cancer. “Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” the show …

Lee Kerslake, the longtime drummer for the metal band Uriah Heep who also played on Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo albums, died Saturday at the age of 73 following a long battle with prostate cancer. Kerslake’s former Uriah Heep bandmate Ken Hensley confirmed the drummer’s death in a statement (via …

Joel Schumacher, the director, screenwriter and costume designer with a wide-ranging filmography that includes St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, several John Grisham movies and two Nineties Batman films, died Monday after a year-long battle with cancer, Variety reports. He was 80. Schumacher’s publicist confirmed the filmmaker’s death, though did …

Paul L. Vasquez, the burly but big-hearted nature lover who became an internet sensation in 2010 after posting his awe-struck reaction to a double rainbow, died Saturday in Central California, The Modesto Bee reports. A cause of death has yet to be announced, although in recent weeks Vasquez had been …

Tony Allen, the pioneering drummer who helped define Afrobeat during his tenure with Fela Kuti, died Thursday evening. He was 79. Allen’s manager, Eric Trosser, confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone, adding that Allen was taken to Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris, where he died of abdominal aortic …

Irrfan Khan, the Bollywood star who also starred in films like Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi, died Wednesday at the age of 53. No cause of death was revealed, but the actor was recently admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to a colon infection, his reps said. …

Sue Lyon, the actress who played the title role in Stanley Kubrick’s controversial 1962 film Lolita, has died at the age of 73. Lyon’s friend Phil Syracopoulos confirmed the actress’ death to the New York Times, noting that she died in Los Angeles Thursday following a period of declining health. …