People often refer to the perceived tendency of celebrities to die in threes, in quick succession. But for some reason, we’re more inclined to remember those who died in pairs on the same day (or close enough to the same day that they establish that same sort of bond). Maybe it’s because we’re tempted to find some sort of divine logic to their coupling in death, or because sometimes it seems like someone up there has a sense of humor about the timing. Let’s remember and speculate …
Bernie Mac & Isaac Hayes (Aug. 9/10, 2008) They’d just been working together on Soul Men. Let’s hope departing wasn’t part of their promotional agreements for the film.
Ingmar Bergman & Michelangelo Antonioni (July 30, 2007) Think they’re a natural pairing? This one was strictly coincidence — each would rather have watched Batman Forever than hang out together.
Johnny Cash & John Ritter (Sept. 11/12, 2003) We have to wonder if John’s father, famed cowboy singer Tex Ritter, didn’t ask his son to bring the Man in Black up with him on his way out.
John Lee Hooker & Carroll O’Connor (June 21, 2001) If Carroll went in character as Archie Bunker, wouldn’t that have been a discussion you would have liked to have heard?
Federico Fellini & River Phoenix (Oct. 31, 1993) Perhaps Phoenix wanted Fellini to direct a video for his band, and the revered Italian director just wasn’t having it.
Sammy Davis Jr. & Jim Henson (May 16, 1990) Maybe the heavens were clamoring for “The Candy Man” to be sung by Kermit, but we were all sad to see these two go.
Yul Brynner & Orson Welles (Oct. 10, 1985) Rumor has it that God wanted Welles to direct a new production of King Lear. He wanted a bald guy, but Patrick Stewart was too busy making a name for himself, so …
Other Celebrities We’ve Lost in 2008
Roy Scheider (b. 1932) (actor)
Best known for his role as the police chief in Jaws (1975), as well as for his Oscar-nominated turns in The French Connection (1971) and All That Jazz (1979), Scheider displayed a sense of authority in his roles thanks to his athletic physique and strong voice. His other notable roles included Dustin Hoffman’s CIA-officer brother in Marathon Man (1976), a helicopter pilot in Blue Thunder (1983) and a scientist in 2010 (1984).
Barry Morse (b. 1918) (actor)
Morse became an everlasting part of pop culture with his role as persistent detective Lt. Philip Gerard in the classic TV series The Fugitive (1963-67). But over his six decades of acting he also played more than 3,000 roles on stage, screen and even radio.
Heath Ledger (b. 1979) (actor)
The Aussie hunk was not content to stick with teen comedies the likes of 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), which helped make his name familiar to audiences. He wanted more challenging roles, which ranged from playing Mel Gibson’s ill-fated son in The Patriot (2000); to a medieval peasant in A Knight’s Tale (2001); to a racist’s tragic son in Monster’s Ball (2001); to an infamous lothario in Casanova (2005); to his Oscar-nominated role as conflicted cowboy Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain (2005); to his final completed acting role — a psychotic performance for the ages as Batman’s nemesis The Joker in last summer’s The Dark Knight.
Suzanne Pleshette (b. 1937) (actress)
Famous for her role as Emily Hartley in the classic sitcom The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78), for which she was nominated for two Emmys (and reprised in the legendary final episode of Newhart in 1990), the husky-voiced Pleshette was also an accomplished big-screen actress, most memorably in Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963).
Brad Renfro (b. 1982) (actor)
The troubled Renfro made his film debut in 1994’s The Client, with other notable roles including Sleepers (1996), Apt Pupil (1998) and Ghost World (2001).
Vampira (Maila Nurmi) (b. 1921) (actress)
“Unpleasant dreams, darlings.” Performing under the name “Vampira” and wearing a famous, sexy ghoulish outfit, Nurmi hosted one of the first local horror-movie shows, The Vampira Show, which ran from 1954-55 in Los Angeles. Vampira also appeared, as a different character, in the infamous Ed Wood cult classic Plan 9 From Outer Space in 1959.
Richard Widmark (b. 1914) (actor)
An Oscar nominee for playing one of the coldest killers in screen history in 1947’s Kiss of Death, Widmark was typecast as a villain for a while, but later achieved fame as a lead U.S. prosecutor against the Nazis in the classic Judgment at Nuremberg in 1961.
Arthur C. Clarke (b. 1917) (author/screenwriter)
The acclaimed sci-fi writer made his mark on movie history by adapting his short story “The Sentinel” into the screenplay for the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
Dick Martin (b. 1922) (comedian/actor/producer/director)
The Emmy-winning cohost of the influential sketch comedy series Laugh-In (1968-73), Martin also made numerous guest appearances on shows from the ’70s to the ’90s, and also had success directing for television, most notably on The Bob Newhart Show (1977-78).
Sydney Pollack (b. 1934) (producer/director/actor)
Getting his directing start in television in the 1960s, Pollack began hitting his stride as a film director in the late ’60s, earning his first Oscar nomination for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), then working with Robert Redford on Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way We Were (1973) and Three Days of the Condor (1975). Two of his most famous and critically acclaimed works came in the early ’80s, with Tootsie (1982, Oscar nominee) and Out of Africa (1985, Oscar winner). After somewhat uneventful work in the ’90s, Pollack came back in full force with Michael Clayton (2007), for which he received an Oscar nomination this year as producer. Not giving up his acting roots, Pollack has also had roles in many films, including memorable turns in Tootsie and Eyes Wide Shut (1999), as well as on television, including guest appearances on Will & Grace.
Harvey Korman (b. 1927) (actor)
Noted comedic actor Korman is famed for his classic, multiple-Emmy-winning work on The Carol Burnett Show (1967-78), and his hilarious performance as slimy villain Hedley Lamarr in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974). His other television highlights include working as the voice of The Great Gazoo on The Flintstones (1965-66), and — more infamously — in various roles on The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). Korman also re-teamed with Brooks for High Anxiety (1977), History of the World: Part 1 (1981) and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), before focusing on voice-overs in various animated TV projects.
Yves Saint Laurent (b. 1936) (designer)
One of the great fashion designers, the pioneering Saint Laurent is often credited with making prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) popular, and was also the first designer to use black models in his runway shows. His talent was seen early by designer Christian Dior, and at age 21 Saint Laurent became head designer for House of Dior. With the creation of his famous Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women in 1966, Saint Laurent is often seen as empowering women by giving them the option to wear clothing more traditionally worn by men.
Bo Diddley (b. 1928) (musician)
One of the pioneers who helped give rock ‘n’ roll its sound, the influential Diddley’s unique beat can be found in not only his own work — in classic songs such as “Bo Diddley,” “Who Do You Love,” “Mona” and “Say Man” — but also as the inspiration for other artists, from Elvis Presley to The Clash.
Jim McKay (b. 1921) (sports journalist)
“The thrill of victory … the agony of defeat …” Jim McKay’s legendary opening to ABC’s Wide World of Sports (1961-98), which he hosted for nearly 40 years, was enough to solidify his place in sports — and pop — culture, but he also became a familiar face in households during Olympic years. He helped cover 12 Olympic Games for ABC, including his superlative coverage of the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games, during which he spent 14 hours on air without a break, finally revealing the tragic result in a heartbreaking broadcast: “They’re all gone.”
Tim Russert (b. 1950) (journalist)
As the longest-serving moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press (17 years), Russert became a familiar fixture on Sunday morning television. He also served as NBC News’ senior vice president, was the network’s Washington bureau chief, and hosted his own show on CNBC and MSNBC.
Stan Winston (b. 1946) (special effects supervisor/makeup artist)
Although garnering an Oscar nomination for 1981’s Heartbeeps, effects whiz Winston really made a name for himself with his brilliant and gruesome effects and makeup for 1982’s The Thing. From then on, he only became more well-known for notable work on The Terminator (1984) and its 1991 sequel (the latter winning him two Oscars); Aliens (1986, his first Oscar win); Predator (1987, Oscar nomination); Edward Scissorhands (1990, Oscar nomination); and Jurassic Park (1993, Oscar win).
Cyd Charisse (b. 1921) (dancer/actress)
A famed dancer in her own right, Charisse is also remembered for dancing on the big screen with two other dancing legends. She first teamed with Fred Astaire in Ziegfeld Follies (1946), then later in The Band Wagon (1953) and Silk Stockings (1957). Her work with Gene Kelly includes roles in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Brigadoon (1954) and It’s Always Fair Weather (1955).
George Carlin (b. 1937) (comedian/actor/author)
This iconic comedian is famous for his “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” his performance as the “hippie-dippie weatherman” on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, his series of books, and as the first host of Saturday Night Live. He also had a run of 14 successful HBO standup specials from 1977 through 2008 (which gained him several Emmy nominations), and his own short-lived sitcom, The George Carlin Show, in 1994. A few notable film roles include appearances in Car Wash (1976), and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and its sequel. Carlin was second only to Richard Pryor on Comedy Central’s 2004 list of 100 greatest standup comedians.
Estelle Getty (b. 1923) (actress)
We can forgive Getty’s Golden Raspberry Award for her role in the comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), in which she played Sylvester Stallone’s mother. She more than made up for it with her numerous Emmy nominations, and one win, for her most famous role as wisecracking Sophia on The Golden Girls (1985-92).
Bernie Mac (b. 1957) (actor/comedian)
One of The Original Kings of Comedy, Mac made a large leap from the standup comedy stage to the screen, most notably on television, during his Emmy-nominated stint on The Bernie Mac Show (2001-06). His big-screen roles began with small parts in films such as Friday (1995) before moving on to larger roles in hits like Ocean’s Eleven (2001), eventually moving on to starring roles in Mr. 3000 (2004) and Guess Who (2005). At the time of his death, he had just completed the film Soul Men with Isaac Hayes, who passed away the day after Mac.
Isaac Hayes (b. 1942) (musician/actor)
Best known for his Oscar-nominated score to 1971’s Shaft, as well as its legendary, Oscar-winning theme song, Hayes was also a strong creative force at Stax Records and in songwriting for others, including cowriting the Sam and Dave hit “Soul Man.” As an actor, he made numerous guest appearances on television, and most notably became the voice of Chef on South Park, but was infamously released from his contract after fallout following the show’s satire of Scientology, to which Hayes was an adherent.
Bernie Brillstein (b. 1931) (producer)
Working in talent management throughout the 1960s, Brillstein eventually formed his own company in 1969. He continued managing stars, and was also instrumental in bringing several notable TV shows to air, including Hee Haw (1969), The Muppet Show (1976), Saturday Night Live (1975) and ALF (1986). In the early ’90s he and Brad Grey formed Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, which was behind hit TV series like The Larry Sanders Show (1992) and The Sopranos (1999). Brillstein also executive produced films for the big screen, including The Blues Brothers (1980) and Ghostbusters (1984).
Anthony Minghella (b. 1954) (director/screenwriter)
Minghella’s 1990 film Truly Madly Deeply began the radio and TV scriptwriter’s famous foray into feature films. In 1997, he won the Best Director Oscar for The English Patient, and he received an Oscar nomination for his 1999 screenplay adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, a film he also directed. He also notably wrote and directed 2003’s Civil War drama Cold Mountain, and was an executive producer of last year’s Michael Clayton.
Bill Melendez (b. 1916) (animator/voice actor)
Animator Melendez learned from the best with early stints at Disney and Warner Bros., working on everything from Fantasia (1940) to various Looney Tunes shorts. After founding his own company, though, he went on to his most famous work — the creation of the classic Peanuts cartoons, beginning with A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965, which won him an Emmy. On top of that, he provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock!
Paul Newman (b. 1925) (actor/director)
The legendary blue-eyed Hollywood icon was not only an actor, but also a man of many interests and causes, ranging from his humanitarian work, to his entrepreneurial creation of the Newman’s Own brand, to his enthusiasm for auto racing. But it’s for his acting that he is best known, receiving Oscar nominations for roles in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Hustler (1961), Hud (1963), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Absence of Malice (1981), The Verdict (1982), Nobody’s Fool (1994) and Road to Perdition (2002), winning his only one for The Color of Money (1986). His other notable film roles include those in Exodus (1960), Harper (1966) and Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain (1966); teamings with fellow Hollywood hunk Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973); the hilarious hockey comedy Slap Shot (1977); and a voice role in Pixar’s Cars (2006).
Neal Hefti (b. 1922) (composer)
While his more “respectable” work came during the Big Band era as a composer and arranger for the likes of Woody Herman and Count Basie, Hefti will likely be best remembered for creating two of the most memorable theme songs in TV history: Batman (1966-68) and The Odd Couple (1970-75, also the original film version in 1968).
Edie Adams (b. 1927) (singer/actress)
An Emmy nominee for her performances on her husband Ernie Kovacs’ self-titled comedy show in the 1950s, Adams also received nominations for her own series, Here’s Edie, in 1963. A noted Broadway actress, she also starred in feature films, most notably The Apartment (1960) and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).
Rudy Ray Moore (b. 1927) (comedian/musician/actor)
AKA “Dolemite,” the very unique Moore began his career as a stand-up comic, with risque material the likes of his contemporaries Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dolemite — the prototype of the classic “pimp” — in a series of films in the ’70s, including Dolemite (1975) and The Human Tornado (1976).
Tony Hillerman (b. 1925) (author)
This writer of detective novels may be best known for his Navajo Tribal Police mysteries, some of which — including Skinwalkers and A Thief of Time — were made into films and adaptations on PBS’ Mystery! Series.
Mr. Blackwell (b. 1922) (fashion critic)
Richard Blackwell, a former fashion designer, began his infamous Ten Worst Dressed Women list in 1960, and each January has caused many a celebrity to her hands wondering if they will appear on it.
Michael Crichton (b. 1942) (author/screenwriter/director)
The hugely best-selling author of mostly sci-fi thrillers, began his career as a medical doctor, which explains how he was able to create such a compelling medical drama as ER (1994-2009). Crichton’s works have been adapted into successful films, the biggest one being Jurassic Park (1993). Other adaptations have included The Andromeda Strain (1971 film and 2008 miniseries); Rising Sun (1993); Disclosure (1994); Congo (1995); The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997); and The 13th Warrior (1999). As a screenwriter who co-wrote the tornado thriller Twister (1996), and he directed the films Westworld (1973) and The First Great Train Robbery (1979).