BRING OUT YER’ DEAD!

(If you don’t get the title, then don’t pick Graham Chapman)

THE MUSICIANS

Buddy Holly (1936-1959)-Aside from making horn rimmed glasses cool, this pioneer of rock and roll died too young in a plane crash at the age of 22.

Brian Jones-(1943-1969)-Founder of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones put the ad in the paper that started it all.  He died in a swimming pool “accident” and the rest is history.

Janis Joplin (1943-1970)-What a voice!

Mama Cass (Cass Elliot)-(1943-1974)-Although rumors said she died choking on a ham sandwich, this talented woman’s legacy will always be her ensemble performance with the Mamas and the Papas.

Keith Moon-(1947-1978) Original drummer of The Who; once banned from the Holiday Inn after driving his car into the swimming pool.

Bob Marley (Robert Nesta)-(1945-1981)- A rastafarian whose classic songs like I Shot the Sherriff moved reggae music from the islands to the mainstream.

Sammy Davis, Jr.(1925-1990)-Almost literally born in a trunk, Sammy Davis, Jr. was tap dancing at the age of 4.  A member of the “Rat Pack”, his face showed his many bouts with life. 

THE ACTRESSES

Jean Harlow (1911-1937)-This Kansas City blonde bombshell died at the tender age of 26.

Carole Lombard (1908-1942)-This 1930’s actress is probably best remembered as the woman who broke Clark Gable’s heart when she died in a plane crash in 1942.

Joan Crawford (Lucille Le Sueur)-(1908?-1977) Best known as a tough talking, broad shouldered dame, Joan Crawford will also always be remembered for the unflattering portrayal as an abusive mother in the B flick Mommy Dearest.

Bette Davis-(1908-1989)-This tough talking dame took on a studio and won.  There was even more fireworks when Bette met Joan in the cult classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

Lucille Ball (1911-1989)-This “redhead” was dubbed “Queen of the B’s” until she found happiness in one of TV’s earliest sitcoms.

Myrna Loy (1905-1993)-This sophisticated actress of The Thin Man movies, Myrna Loy gained an even greater reputation by fighting McCarthyism in the 1940s.

THE DIRECTORS

Akira Kurosawa-(1910-1998)-Counting Star Wars’ George Lucas as one of his biggest fans, Kurosawa’s films have influenced more than a few Hollywood films.

Stanley Kubrick-(1928-1999)-From Dr. Strangelove to The Shining, Stanley Kubrick could make you laugh, he could make you hide under your movie seat.

THE ANIMATORS

Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989)-Creator of Astroboy, his Kimba the White Lion may have been “borrowed” by Disney for their Lion King.  Although little known in this country (except by anime fans) in Japan Tezuka is known as "manga no kamisama," or "God of Comics."

Mel Blanc (1908-1989)-Bbbbbb, that’s all folks! (see comment below for further information)

Chuck Jones(1912-2002)-Spend too much time watching the Cartoon Network?  Then you should already know who Chuck Jones is. 

THE COMEDIANS

Buster Keaton (1895-1966)- Born in Kansas, this silent film star performed all of his own stunts and made you laugh at the same time. 

Harold Lloyd (1893-1971)-One of the best silent film stars you never heard of, Harold Lloyd continued to do his own stunts even after losing two fingers in an explosion during a publicity photo shoot.

 Freddie Prinze-(1954-1977) Father of Freddie Prinze, Jr., Freddie Prinze broke down barriers for Latinos with his comedy and award winning television show Chico and the Man.

Graham Chapman-(1941-1989)-Trained as a physician, Graham Chapman was one sixth of the brilliant comedy team known as Monty Python.

John Belushi-(1949-1982)One half of The Blues Brothers, John Belushi seems to have begun the Saturday Night Live curse of living hard and dying young.

Gilda Radner (1946-1989)- Another victim of the curse, Gilda’s SNL characters Roseanne Roseannadanna,  Babwa Wawa and Lisa Loopner are today’s classics. If she doesn’t make you laugh, then you have no sense of humor.

Chris Farley (1964-1997)-This comedy star, like his predeceasor John Belushi, suffered from the SNL curse.

Phil Hartman-(1948-1998)-The most recent victim to the SNL curse, Phil Hartman was a comedian of extraordinary talent.  Unfortunatly his tragic death will probably always overshadow his too short career.

FATHER AND SON TRAGEDY

 Bruce Lee (1940-1973)-This rising star died under mysterious circumstances, like his son, just as his career was beginning.

 Brandon Lee (1965-1993)- Brandon Lee said in an interview shortly before his death, "When you have a built-in comma after your name, it makes you sensitive."  Known as the son of Bruce Lee, even his mysterious death has linked him to his father.

THE ATHLETES

Mickey Mantle-(1931-1995)-If you don’t know who Mickey Mantle is, you obviously are not a baseball fan!  "I was born and bred to be a big league baseball player," Mickey (his real first name) was even named after a baseball player.

 Florence Griffith Joyner (1959-1998)FloJo was as famous for her remarkable fingernails as she was for her running.

Joe Dimaggio-(1914-1999)Probably as famous for his short-term marriage to Marilyn Monroe as his baseball career, the “Yankee Clipper” was one of the best hitters to ever live.

Walter Payton-(1954-1999)- One of the strongest and most talented men in football, Walter Payton could bench-press 390 pounds, leg-press more than 700 pounds, throw a football 60 yards, punt it 70 yards, kick 45-yard field goals, and walk the width of the field on his hands.

  Derrick Thomas (1967-2000)-Derrick doing what Derrick did best…

Ted Williams (1918-2002)-One of the greatest hitters to ever live, he will unfortunately probably be best remembered for the fight over his body by his relatives and the tasteless “freeze dried” jokes that followed.

PEOPLE OF SCIENCE

Virgil “Gus” Grissom (1926-1967)-The second man in space, Gus Grissom never enjoyed the celebrity of other astronauts.  He died a tragic death in the accident of Apollo 1.

Dian Fossey (1932-1985)-This 6 foot, 1 inch zooligist spent her life studying the gorillas in Africa.  Always controversial and aggressive in her opinions, Fossey was found murdered in her cabin in Rwanda.

Dr. Benjamin Spock (1903-1998)-This “baby doctor” influenced an entire generation of parents.  He was also jailed for his strong beliefs.

Dr. Robert C(oleman). Atkins (1930-2003)-This weight loss guru has revolutionized the way that Americans eat.  The term “eat beef” has become a way of life for many thanks to his diet.  Although he suffered a heart attack before his death, Atkins died in 2003 due to injuries sustained in a fall.

AUTHORS

Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) (1904-1991)-I like green eggs and ham.  Don’t you?

Veronica Guerin (1959-1996)-This Irish writer was gunned down in her car because of her controversial newspaper articles on the drug trafficking in Ireland.  Her death led to marches in the streets.

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)-His children’s poetry used humor and sarcasm rather than sappy sweetness.  Silverstein was a versitile man who did everything from draw cartoons for Playboy to write the Johnny Cash classic “A Boy Named Sue”.

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