Every month we get hit with the deaths of celebrities from the entertainment and sports world. However in this month of July the number of well known celebrities went overboard. They say everything comes in threes, but in this month of July that was repeated over and over. In case you may have missed any of these passings, here are the people from entertainment, sports and public life who gave us many good memories, that we lost in the month of July.
- Sam Neill – The New Zealand actor, known for The Lord of the Rings and The Thing, died at age 78. His family described the loss as sudden and unexpected, noting he had been cancer-free until his passing.
- Bonnie Tyler, Welsh rock singer “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”. She was 75.
- Brenda Fricker – Oscar-winning actress, celebrated for My Left Foot and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, died at age 81. She was the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award.
- Phil Regan, MLB baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs), coach, scout, and manager. He was 89.
- Wally Funk, American aviation pioneer and oldest woman to travel in space. She was 87.
- Lindsey Graham, US Senator from South Carolina 2003-26; Died of an aortic dissection, he was 71.
- Mary Jo “MJ” Shannon – Mother of Kris Jenner and grandmother to the extended Jenner-Kardashian family, died at age 91. She was a prominent figure in the reality TV and Kardashian family world.
- Kaylee Hottle – Young actress from Godzilla vs. Kong and The Odyssey, known for portraying a deaf child, died at age 18 after a car crash in Maryland that led to cardiac arrest.
- Hal Williams, American actor Private Benjamin, 227, Sanford & Son. He was 91.
- Randolph Mantooth – Veteran actor from Emergency! and Police Academy, died at age 80.
- Freddy Cannon – Legendary rock and roll hit maker from the 60’s, “Palisades Park”, Tallahassee Lassie”, etc. He lost his battle with cancer. He was 89.
- Peter Lassally, German-American Holocaust survivor and television producer, The Tonight Show 1969-92; The Late Late Show 1995-99, 2005-14. He was 93.
- Joe Melson, American songwriter with Roy Orbison – “Only the Lonely”, “Crying”, “Running Scared”, “Blue Bayou” among other. He was 91.
- Louise Lasser, American actress best known for her lead role in “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, died of natural causes at her home. She was 87.
- Scott Bryce, actor played Craig Montgomery in “As the World Turns” lose battle with cancer. he was 68.
On the bright side we still have these stars and legends with us, still bringing us unforgettable musical moments…………Ringo Star 86, Paul McCartney 83, Mick Jagger 83, Paul Anka 84, Herb Alpert 90, Dionne Warwick 83, Smokey Robinson 85 and Willie Nelson 93 to name a few, plus these stars………
William Shatner, actor – Twoi time Emmy winner, Star Trek, The Practice, TJ Hooker, Boston Legal, space traveler. He is 95 years old.
Al Pacino, actor – Winner of an Oscar, Emmy. Tony, Golden Globe. He is 85 years old.
Eric Braeden, actor – Emmy winner, Rat Patrol, Titanic, Young and the Restless. He is 84 years old.
Rita Moreno, actress – Achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) status. She is 95 years old.
Johnny Gilbert, announcer – He is the long time “voice” of the Multi Emmy winning “Jeopardy!”. He is 98 years old
So goodbye July and hello to August. Let us hope and pray that this coming month isn’t overrun by the losses of celebrities we have all enjoyed and loved in our lives.
Life can be fleeting, so please enjoy each day that comes your way and make it the best day you can. To use my closing when I was a radio dee jay, “Remember that today is the tomorrow you dreamed about yesterday”.
Art Koch (91), National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
