Larry Haines died at 89

This 1986 file photo, originally supplied by NBC, shows Larry Haines in a posed studio shot promoting his starring role on NBC's "Search for Tomorrow" television soap opera.


Haines died died July 17, 2008 at a Delray Beach, Fla. hospital. He was 89.



Larry Haines, a two-time Daytime Emmy winner for his 35-year role on the soap opera "Search for Tomorrow,".

The actor played Stu Bergman on "Search for Tomorrow" for almost the show's entire run from 1951 to 1986, missing only the first two months.

Stu was the neighbor and best friend of Joanne Gardner Barron, later Joanne Tourneur, the character at the center of most of the show's plot lines over the years. She was played by Mary Stuart for the entire 35 years.

The soap opera, which was first on CBS, later on NBC, was the longest-running daytime drama in television when its last episode aired in December 1986.


Haines credited the longtime appeal of the show to "basically believable characters that people kind of took to."

He won Daytime Emmys for his role in 1976 and 1981 and in 1985 was given an award for his longevity on the series.

He also appeared for shorter periods on "Another World" and "Loving."

He was generally billed as A. Larry Haines in his Broadway appearances. He was twice nominated for Tonys, for "Promises, Promises," the 1968 musical version of the film "The Apartment," and "Generation," a 1965 play starring Henry Fonda.

He also was in the 1962 Broadway comedy "A Thousand Clowns," as the brother of free-spirited Jason Robards; in "Twigs," a 1971 program of four one-act plays starring Sada Thompson; and in the 1978 "Tribute," which starred Jack Lemmon.

He appeared as a card player in the 1968 film version of "The Odd Couple," and made guest appearances on the TV series "Maude" and "Kojak," among others.

He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Aug. 3, 1918. Early in his career, he was an actor on radio series, including the popular horror series "Inner Sanctum," which opened with the sound of a creaking door.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude Haines; his second wife, Jean Pearlman Haines; and his daughter, Debora.

Greg Burson died at 59

Greg Burson died on July 22, 2008 at the age of 59. The cause of death is being given as complications due to diabetes and arteriosclerosis but obviously, drinking had a lot to do with it.


Greg Burson was given the responsibility of voicing Bugs in 1995's Carrotblanca, a well-received 8-minute Looney Tunes cartoon originally shown in cinemas alongside The Amazing Panda Adventure (US) and The Pebble and the Penguin (non-US); it has since been released on video packaged with older Looney Tunes cartoons and was even included in the special edition DVD release of Casablanca, of which it is both a parody and an homage. Burson next voiced Bugs in the 1996 short From Hare to Eternity; the film is notable for being dedicated to the memory of the then-just deceased Friz Freleng, and for being the final Looney Tunes cartoon that Chuck Jones directed. Greg Burson also provided Bugs' voice in The Bugs and Daffy Show, which ran on Cartoon Network from 1996 to 1999.

He also voiced Yogi Bear and many other characters in Hanna-Barbera-related shows.


[edit] Legal Issues
Greg Burson was later arrested by detectives after barricading himself inside his Los Angeles home for six hours. He screamed a stream of nonsensical words at cops who were alerted to his home after two women rang them claiming he was holding his roommate against her will. Armed Special Weapons And Tactics teams joined the stand-off which eventually ended when a seemingly inebriated Greg Burson surrendered following hours of negotiations. Cops later discovered a collection of guns in his home. One officer says "He was so drunk we couldn't tell if he was trying to do one of his voices or was just slurring his words." Officer Rudy Villarreal has confirmed all three women involved in the incident lived with Burson. Neither women were harmed in this incident


CREDITS
Film Appearances
Voices of Nemo's father, Flap, Bullwinkle, Boris, and Dudley, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, Hemdale Releasing, 1990
Voice of moving man, Tom and Jerry: The Movie (animated), Miramax,1993
Voice of Mr. DNA, Jurassic Park (also known as JP), MCA/Universal, 1993
Voices of Buggs Bunny, Pepe Le Pew as Louie, and Foghorn Leghorn as radiodispatcher, Carrotblanca (animated), Warner Bros., 1995
Voices of Bugs Bunny, From Hare to Eternity (animated), Warner Bros., 1996
Voice of the animated Mr. Quincy Magoo, Mr. Magoo, Buena Vista, 1997
Voice, Bugs Bunny's Funky Monkeys (animated), 1997
Also voices of Huckeberry Hound, Peter Perfect, and Snagglepuss, Cartoon Survivor; voices of Elmer and Foghorn for the film Space Jam; and voices of Bugs Bunny as Jim Hawkins and Pepe Le Pew as Squire Trelawney, Treasure Island: A Looney Tunes Movie.
Television Appearances
Series
Voice of Elmer Fudd, a recurring role, Tiny Toon Adventures (animated; also known as Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures), 1990-1991
Voice of Bugs Bunny, The Bugs n' Daffy Show (animated), The WB, 1996
Also voice of George Wilson, The All-New Dennis the Menace, CBS; voice of Professor Edwin I. Relevant, Channel Umptee--3, The WB; and voices of Yogi and Boo-Boo, Yogi & Co. (animated). Episodic
Voice of Mad Dog, "Shadow of the Bat: Parts 1 & 2," Batman: The Animated Series, Fox, 1993
Voices of Corbin and Sanderson, "Race against Danger," The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (animated), Cartoon Network and syndicated, 1996
Voice of Quick Draw McGraw, "Jack and the Clenches," Samurai Jack(animated), Cartoon Network, 2000
Also voices of judge and first otter, "SqOtters," an episode of The Angry Beavers (animated); voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fuddfor various episodes of Animaniacs (animated); voice of Barry the Baboon, Catdog (animated); voice of Attila, Mother Goose and Grimm(animated), CBS; voices of Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pepe Le Pew, and Cupid for various episodes of Tiny Toon Adventures (animated; also known as Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures); voice, Tomand Jerry Kids Show (animated), Fox; voices of Huckleberry Hound, QuickDraw McGraw, Snagglepuss, and Yogi Bear, Wake, Rattle & Roll (animated), syndicated; and voice of Yogi Bear, Yo! Yogi (animated), NBC.
Specials
Voice, Hanna-Barbera's 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration, TNT, 1989
Voice of Porky, It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special, 1992
Voices of Yogi Bear, squirrel baby, and squirrel boy, A Day in the Life of Ranger Smith (animated), Cartoon Network, 1999
Other
Voice of Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo in Arabian Nights (animated movie;also known as Arabian Nights and Scooby Doo's Arabian Nights),syndicated, 1994
Also provided voices for the animated programs Droopy Master Detective; Fantastic Max; Garfield and Friends; Smurfs; SuperFriends; Taz-Mania; and 2 Stupid Dogs.
Television Work
Additional voices, I Yabba-Dabba Do! (animated movie), ABC, 1993
Additional voices for Jonny Quest (animated) and The Twisted Adventures of Felix the Cat (animated; also known as The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat), CBS.
RECORDINGS
Video Games
Voice, Star Wars: Episode I--The Gungan Frontier, Lucas Learning,1999
Voices of Boss Nass, guard door, first injured soldier, Jabba's porter, and shop owner, Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace, LucasArts Entertainment, 1999
Voices of Sergeant Blast, Rufus Ruffcut, Peter Perfect, and Red Max, Wacky Races, Infogrames, 2000
Voices of Boss Nass and Peck, Star Wars: Episode I--Jedi Power Battles, LucasArts Entertainment, 2000

Pervis Jackson, 70, American R&B bass singer of The Spinners

Iam very sad to inform that Pervis Jackson (far right in the picture) has died of cancer at age 70 at
Pervis Jackson is an American R&B singer, noted as the bass singer for The Spinners , and is one of the group's original members. He is perhaps best known for his line of "12:45" from the group's Billboard Top 10 smash, "They Just Can't Stop It (Games People Play)". As of 2008, Jackson was still singing with The Spinners. 08-18-2008 Pervis Jackson, a member of "The Spinners," died from cancer at Sinai Grace hospital this morning.


Throughout the years, they have acquired twelve (12) gold records with their hits climbing to the top of both Pop and R&B charts and they are one of the few groups who can boast of four (4) lead singers. Members include, Frank Washington, Bobbie Smith, Henry Fambrough. Pervis Jackson and Harold "Spike" Bonhart.

Gene Upshaw died he was 63

Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.

Upshaw died Wednesday night at his home near California's Lake Tahoe of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed only last Sunday, the NFL Players Association said Thursday. His wife, Terri, and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel were by his side.

Frequently listed as one of the most powerful men in U.S. sports, Upshaw was drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1967 out of Texas A&I -- hardly a football factory. He was an NAIA All-American at center, tackle and end, but was switched to left guard by the Raiders.

That's where he stayed through a magnificent career that included 10 conference championship games as well as the Super Bowl victories.

His playing career was summed up Thursday by his close friend Art Shell, who played next to him on Oakland's offensive line, and in 1989 became the first black coach of the modern era when he took over the Raiders.

"Gene was a true pioneer as one of the few African-American leaders of a major union," Shell said. "He was the equal of owners in negotiations and made the league a better place for all players. Playing alongside of Gene was an honor and a privilege. He was a pillar of strength and leadership for our great Raider teams."

Highlights of Gene Upshaw's numerous contributions to pro football for four-plus decades:


• Executive director of NFLPA since June 1983

• Took part in all negotiations leading up to CBA in 1977, '82 and '93 (and extensions in '96, '98, '02 and '06)

• Raiders' first pick in 1967 draft (17th overall; '67 was first combined AFL-NFL draft)

• Played 15 seasons with Raiders (1967-81)

• 7-time Pro Bowl selection

• 5-time First Team All-Pro

• Won 2 Super Bowls

• Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987

• Started 207 straight regular-season games from 1967 to '81

• Played 307 preseason, regular season, and postseason games

• Only player ever to start on championship teams in both the AFL and NFL

• NAIA All-America honors at Texas A&I
Though the news devastated Upshaw, he was wide

Killer Kowalski, Wrestler, Dies at 81

Walter (Killer) Kowalski, one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars and most hated villains when wrestlers offered a nightly menu of mayhem in the early years of television, died Saturday in Everett, Mass. He was 81.

Kowalski’s death was announced by his wife, Theresa, who said he had been hospitalized since a heart attack in early August.

At 6 feet 7 inches and 275 pounds or so, Kowalski was a formidable figure who delighted in applying his claw hold, a thumb squeeze to an opponent’s solar plexus, when he was not leaping from the top strand of the ropes and descending on his foe’s chest.


Emerging as a featured performer in the early 1950s, he became a TV celebrity with wrestlers like Antonino Rocca, Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, Haystacks Calhoun and Nature Boy Buddy Rogers.

Kowalski wrestled on the pro circuits for some 30 years and appeared in more than 6,000 matches, by his count. Early in his career, he called himself Tarzan Kowalski. But, as he often related it, one particular match, at Montreal in the early 1950s, literally made his name.

“I was leaping off the rope, and Yukon Eric, who had a cauliflower ear, moved at the last second,” Kowalski told The Chicago Tribune in 1989. “I thought I missed, but all of a sudden, something went rolling across the ring. It was his ear.”

Yukon Eric was taken to a hospital, and the promoter asked Kowalski to visit him and apologize for severing his ear. Reporters were listening to their chat from a corridor.

“There was this 6-foot-5, 280-pound guy, his head wrapped like a mummy, dwarfing his bed,” Kowalski said. “I looked at him and grinned. He grinned back. I laughed, and he laughed back. Then I laughed harder and left.

“The next day the headlines read, ‘Kowalski Visits Yukon in the Hospital and Laughs.’ And when I climbed into the ring that night, the crowd called out, ‘You animal, you killer.’ And the name stuck.”

Kowalski came to incur the wrath of the fans. As he told Esquire magazine in 2007: “Someone once threw a pig’s ear at me. A woman once came up to me after a match and said, ‘I’m glad you didn’t get hurt.’ Then she stabbed me in the back with a knife. After a while, I got police escorts to and from the ring.”

Walter Kowalski, his legal name, was born in Windsor, Ontario. His parents, Anthony and Marie Spulnik, had emigrated from Poland. He hoped to become an electrical engineer, but while he was working out at a Y.M.C.A., someone who was evidently impressed by his physique suggested he become a wrestler. He made his pro debut in the late 1940s.

He eventually tussled with all the famous names of wrestling, and in his later years he teamed with Big John Studd as a tag team called the Executioners.

“He was a hell of an attraction,” Thesz told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1998. “He had a great body back then. He was not a sophisticated wrestler, but every promoter wanted him because he made a lot of money.”

Kowalski retired in 1977 and founded Killer Kowalski’s School of Professional Wrestling in Malden, Mass. His protégés included the wrestlers Triple H and Chyna. He sold the school in 2003, and it is now in North Andover, Mass.

Kowalski married in 2006, his first marriage. In addition to his wife, of Malden, he was survived by a brother, Stanley Spulnik.

Beyond the ring, Kowalski displayed a gentle and even aesthetic side. He became a vegetarian in the mid-1950s, pursued charitable work for children with special needs and delighted in photographing fellow wrestlers. His work was sometimes displayed at galleries.

“I wanted to take action pictures,” he told The New York Times shortly after retiring. “But I went up to the ring, the fans screamed at me and threw garbage at me. It was detrimental to my health. So all I took were posed pictures. I sign my photographs Walter Kowalski. I used to be a villain, but now I’m a good guy. I kiss old women and pat babies. I’ve gone from Killer Kowalski to a pussycat.”

Don LaFontaine Dies

Don LaFontaine, the "Voiceover King", died Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 68

He is most famous for the line, “In a world…”.

He recorded almost 5,000 movie trailers and nearly 350,000 commercials, programs, files, and other presentations.

The "King of Voiceovers" died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre from complications that resulted from a collapsed lung, reports the CBC. LaFontaine was originally admitted for a blood clot in the lung.

Over the past 25 years, LaFontaine cemented his position as the "King of Voiceovers."
Aside from being the preeminent voice in the movie trailer industry, Don also worked as the voice of Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, as well as for CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network. By conservative estimates, he voiced hundreds of thousands of television and radio spots, including commercials for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke, and many other corporate sponsors.


He is survived by his wife, actress Nita Whitaker, and three children, Christine, Skye and Elyse.

Jerry Reed died he was 71

Jerry Reed Hubbard died he was 71. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on 20 March, 1937. He was the second child born to Robert Spencer Hubbard and Cynthia Hubbard. Jerry's birth strained an already troubled marriage, and four months later the couple separated. For the next seven years Jerry and his sister Patricia where shuttled between Georgia orphanages and foster homes. They finally returned home in 1944 when their mother married Hubert Howard, another mill worker.

Jerry Reed 1937-2008
Music provided a welcome diversion for the family. He was exposed to gospel music via his religious background, and a natural aptitude for singing gave him a yearning to become a musician at a very early age. Encouraged by her son's continuing passion for music, Cyntia Howard saved seven dollars to buy a no-name second-hand guitar from a neighbor. Using a nickel as a flat pick, she taught the nine-year-old his first chords.
By the time he entered Atlanta's O'Keefe High School, Reed was already writing and singing novelty songs. After completing his second year, Reed left school to work in an Atlanta cotton mill. He spent his free time honing his performing skills in local honky tonks. Jerry also developed skills as an entertainer, often stopping a show with his imitations of popular country artists.
In 1954 an Atlanta policeman introduced the youth to Bill Lowery, who helmed a popular live country music show Saturday mornings over WGST radio. Reed joined Lowery at WGST, working part-time as a disc jockey. At night he performed with a band Lowery managed, Kenny Lee and the Western Playboys.
On November 16, 1954, Reed performed at a gala country show in Atlanta honoring Faron Young, who had just been discharged from the Army. Capitol Records' country music chief Ken Nelson was there to celebrate the occasion, and Lowery encouraged him consider signing the young singer. Reed's first Capitol session was held in Nashville's Castle Studios on October 17, 1955, and Nelson recruited his front-line Nashville musicians to back him. Reed wrapped up his Capitol contract in May 1958. If Nelson had any intention of keeping him on Capitol, Reed ended any future association by joining the United States Army.
In 1961 Jerry Reed moved to Nashville and landed a Columbia contract, but his success proved only marginally better there than at Capitol. While Jerry didn't exactly sell a lot of his own records, he did develop as a writer. Johnny Cash did well with his "A thing called love" and Porter Wagoner took Reed's "Misery loves company" to #1 in 1962. Jerry also spent a lot of time as a studio musician and backing picker with various touring country artists. He now began sending demos of his guitar instrumentals to Chet Atkins at RCA Victor. Chet Atkins signed him to RCA Victor and started producing his albums.
In 1967, Reed notched his first chart hit with "Guitar Man," which Elvis Presley soon covered. After releasing the 1970 crossover hit "Amos Moses," Reed teamed with Atkins for the duet LP "Me & Jerry". During the 1970 television season, he was a regular on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and in 1971 he issued his biggest hit, the chart-topper "When You're Hot, You're Hot".
In the mid-1970s, Reed's recording career began to take a back seat to his acting aspirations. In 1974, he co-starred with his close friend Burt Reynolds in the film "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings". While he continued to record throughout the decade, his greatest visibility was as a motion picture star, almost always in tandem with headliner Reynolds; after 1976's "Gator," Reed appeared in 1978's "High Ballin" and 1979's "Hot Stuff". He also co-starred in all three of the Smokey and the Bandit films; the first, which premiered in 1977, landed Reed a Number 2 hit with the soundtrack's "East Bound and Down."
In 1982, Reed's career as a singles artist was revitalized by the chart-topping hit "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)," followed by "The Bird," which peaked at Number 2. His last chart hit, "I'm a Slave," appeared in 1983. After the 1986 LP "Lookin' at You" Reed focused on touring until 1992, when he and Atkins reunited for the album "Sneakin' Around" before he again returned to the road.
In 1998 he formed the group "Old Dogs" together with country superstars Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, and Bobby Bare. They recorded one album entitled "Old Dogs". In early 2008 he recorded his last album, "The Gallant Few," which was produced to raise funds for wounded veterans.
Jerry Reed passed away August 31, 2008.