ESPN’s Stuart Scott inspired those battling cancer – CNN.com

(CNN)If you don’t know who Stuart Scott was, those who do will likely point you to one particular speech to share why his death reverberates so strongly across the country.

Scott, a veteran anchor on ESPN, died Sunday after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 49.

He built a career as a sports anchor, but his eloquent observations on his battle with cancer, and the encouragement and motivation to others fighting the disease, made him a role model.

“When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer,” Scott said in the July speech at the ESPY Awards. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.”

It is a line that anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer can take comfort in, and one being repeated much on Sunday, following Scott’s death.

via ESPN’s Stuart Scott inspired those battling cancer – CNN.com.

Donna Douglas, ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Elly May, dead – CNN.com

(CNN) — Donna Douglas, who played voluptuous tomboy daughter Elly May Clampett on the 1960s TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies,” has died. She was 81.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, TV station WAFB, a CNN affiliate, reported that Douglas died Friday morning. Douglas lived in Zachary, Louisiana.

Her assistant, Jeffrey Dalrymple, confirmed her passing to CNN.

Douglas spent nine years as Elly May, one of the main characters of the hugely popular “Beverly Hillbillies.” The series concerned a poor Ozark family who stumbled upon an oil fortune and then moved to the Southern California bastion of wealth, where their rural ways often clashed with the local swells — particularly Margaret Drysdale, the wife of the man who ran the bank where the Clampetts kept their money.

via Donna Douglas, ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Elly May, dead – CNN.com.

‘Big Bang Theory’ actress Carol Ann Susi dies at 62 – CNN.com

CNN — Actress Carol Ann Susi, whose brash Brooklyn accent reverberated on the hit television series “The Big Bang Theory,” has died after a battle with cancer.She was 62.In addition to her role in “The Big Bang Theory,” Susi appeared in shows such as “Cheers,” “Mad About You” and “Seinfeld.”Susi played the mother of Simon Helberg’s character, Howard Wolowitz, in the CBS comedy.Though she never appeared on camera and was largely unseen, she routinely hollered Howard’s name, making her overbearing, husky voice a big part of the show.”The Big Bang Theory family has lost a beloved member today,” the show’s executive producers said in a statement following her death Tuesday.”Unseen by viewers, the Mrs. Wolowitz character became a bit of a mystery throughout the show’s eight seasons. What was not a mystery, however, was Carol Ann’s immense talent and comedic timing, which were on display during each unforgettable appearance.”

via ‘Big Bang Theory’ actress Carol Ann Susi dies at 62 – CNN.com.

Sugarhill Gang rapper Big Bank Hank dead at 57 – CNN.com

CNN — A member of the Sugarhill Gang, whose pioneering hit “Rapper’s Delight” brought hip hop to mainstream audiences 35 years ago, died Tuesday of complications from cancer.”Big Bank Hank,” whose real name was Henry Jackson, died early Tuesday in Englewood, New Jersey, according to David Mallie, who manages the two surviving Sugarhill Gang members. The New York native was 57.A beefy, boisterous presence onstage, Hank handled vocals in the early to middle portion of “Rapper’s Delight,” which despite its extended length — one version was more than 14 minutes long — became the first rap song to reach the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard charts.Jackson traded rhymes with bandmates “Wonder Mike” Wright and Guy “Master Gee” O’Brien and spoke some of the song’s catchiest lines, including “Ho-tel, mo-tel, Holiday Inn/If your girl starts acting up, then you take her friend.”

via Sugarhill Gang rapper Big Bank Hank dead at 57 – CNN.com.

S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A founder, dies – CNN.com

 

CNN — S. Truett Cathy, who grew his boneless chicken sandwich business from one store in Georgia to the Chick-fil-A chain — a $5 billion company with more than 1,800 locations — died early Monday morning.He was 93. He had been ailing for some time.”He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones,” Chick-fil-A said in a statement posted on its website.Deeply religious, Cathy made the decision when he opened his first store in Hapeville, Georgia, that it would stay closed on Sundays.Sixty-eight years later, that policy still stands at all Chick-fil-A stores.Dreaming up the sandwichCathy first dreamed up his concept for a chicken sandwich after a poultry distributor wondered if there was a way to use leftover chicken from meals prepared for plane passengers.

via S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A founder, dies – CNN.com.

Don Pardo, voice of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ dead at 96 – CNN.com

CNN — Don Pardo, the announcer whose baritone voice introduced “Saturday Night Live” hosts on NBC for decades, has died at age 96, the network announced.In a tweet, “NBC Nightly News” described Pardo as legendary.Though best known as the voice of the weekly sketch comedy program, Pardo previously had a role in a very serious story. “As the NBC staff announcer on Nov. 22, 1963, he was among the first to tell the nation about the assassination attempt on President John F. Kennedy,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.Mourning the loss Tuesday, NBC’s Al Roker described Pardo on Twitter as “a classic.”Seth Myers, who spent years on “SNL” before

via Don Pardo, voice of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ dead at 96 – CNN.com.

Former Sen. Jim Jeffords dies – CNN.com

CNN — Jim Jeffords, who shifted the balance of power in the Senate when he bolted from the Republican Party in 2001, died on Monday.The former Vermont lawmaker had been in declining health and died at a military retirement center in Washington, according to a one-time aide, Diane Derby.He was 80.Jeffords was a veteran member of the House before moving to the Senate in 1989, where he was one of the most liberal Republicans. Jeffords embraced issues like education and the environment.Years later, many in the party believed he single-handedly sank a sweeping tax cut package proposed by then-President George W. Bush, forcing the White House to negotiate a smaller deal with Democrats.Political tensions boiled over and Jeffords became an independent in 2001 and caucused with Democrats.

via Former Sen. Jim Jeffords dies – CNN.com.

Skateboard legend Jay Adams dies of heart attack – CNN.com

CNN — Former Z-Boys skater Jay Adams died Thursday after a heart attack while vacationing in Mexico with his wife. He was 53.Adams was enjoying an “endless summer surf vacation,” and was set to return to the United States in a couple of days, said Susan Ferris, manager and friend to the Skateboarding Hall of Fame legend. Adams had never experienced any heart issues. Despite previous legal hardships related to substance abuse, Ferris emphasized that Adams was completely sober and had been for a while. “We are honestly shocked.”Fellow Z-Boys member and director of “Dogtown and Z-Boys” Stacy Peralta took to Instagram to mourn Adams, who was commonly known as “The Original Seed.” “I just received the terribly sad news that Jay Adams passed away last night due to a massive heart attack, send your love,” the post read, alongside a picture of a young Adams.

via Skateboard legend Jay Adams dies of heart attack – CNN.com.

‘Star Trek’s’ Arlene Martel, Spock’s fiancee, dies – CNN.com

Los Angeles CNN — Actress Arlene Martel, who “Star Trek” fans know as Spock’s bride-to-be, died in a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday of complications from a heart attack, her son said. Martel was 78.Martel’s ethnic ambiguity earned her the nickname “The Chameleon” among Hollywood casting directors in the 1960s, son Jod Kaftan told CNN.It gained her diverse roles, including as a Russian spy on “The Monkees” and “I Dream of Jeannie,” a French Underground operative in “Hogan’s Heroes,” a Native American woman in a “Gunsmoke” episode and as a Vulcan on “Star Trek.”

via ‘Star Trek’s’ Arlene Martel, Spock’s fiancee, dies – CNN.com.

Charles Keating, ‘Another World’ actor, dies at 72 – CNN.com

CNN — Charles Keating, best known for his role as villain Carl Hutchins on the NBC soap opera “Another World,” has died, his son said Tuesday.The 72-year-old actor had been fighting lung cancer for several years and died Friday, Sean Keating said.The London native began his career on the stage, appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Charles Keating turned his attention toward television, first in the United Kingdom, then in the United States.Charles Keating was best known for his role as villain Carl Hutchins on the NBC soap opera “Another World.”He enjoyed stints as reformed criminal Hutchins on “Another World” — from 1983 to 1985 and from 1991 to 1998 and the final episode in 1999. His work earned him a Daytime Emmy win for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1996.Keating also appeared on soaps “As the World Turns,” “All My Children” and “Port Charles” and prime time shows including “Sex and the City,” “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Miami Vice.”

via Charles Keating, ‘Another World’ actor, dies at 72 – CNN.com.