Dead Celebs - 2003

[Villano]

Hercules has died.

Gordon Mitchell

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (AP) — Bodybuilder and actor Gordon
Mitchell, who appeared in more than 200 B-movies during his
40-year career, died Saturday of a heart attack. He was 80.

Mitchell acted mostly in cheaply made "sword and sandal" films such
as 1961's "The Giant of Metropolis." Mitchell, whose given name is
Charles Pendleton, was born in Denver and raised in Inglewood.

He developed his physique at "Muscle Beach" in the 1950s, where he
was spotted by entertainer Mae West. Mitchell joined West's all-male
chorus line and the exposure earned him small parts in major films
such as 1956's "The Ten Commandments."

He starred in "Atlas Against the Cyclops" and went on to portray
mythic or literary giants including Pluto, Goliath and Ali Baba in the
"sword and sandal" films, which were shot in Italy or Spain and
featured little dialogue so they could be easily dubbed. Mitchell lived
in Italy from 1961 to 1989.

 

[tetsujin28]

Don't forget Althea Gibson, one of the most important black athletes ever. And Elia "Big Fat Backstabbing Traitor" Kazan.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Now Rerun is gone... this has been a bad year to be famous.

 

[Villano]

The world of wrestling lost two stars. First, Stu Hart, father of Bret and Owen Hart and trainer of Chris Benoit passed away. He hasn't set foot in the ring in years (I think he was in his 80s or 90s), but he left a great legacy.

Also, Hawk of the Road Warriors (aka Legion Of Doom) died. He was one of the big '80s stars and tag partner of Animal. IIRC, they even had a comic book during the '90s when it seemed every other wrestler had one (Undertaker, Stone Cold, Kevin Nash, Chyna). He was only in his mid-forties. Lots of wrestlers dying before they hit 50.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Add singer/songwriter Elliott Smith to the list of the recently departed. Full story here.

 

[WizarDru]

add another...

Veteran character actor, Jack Elam, died yesterday too. He was 84.

 

[Villano]

I haven't seen the news myself to confirm it, but my mom just told me that Rod Roddy, the announcer on The Price Is Right passed away. He's been struggling with cancer for a while now and the show was using a replacement, Burton, more and more lately.

It's a shame. I liked the guy.

 

[mojo1701]

I haven't seen the news myself to confirm it, but my mom just told me that Rod Roddy, the announcer on The Price Is Right passed away. He's been struggling with cancer for a while now and the show was using a replacement, Burton, more and more lately.

It's a shame. I liked the guy.

Rod Roddy, come on down...

 

[Mark]

Another legend has died...

Irv Kupcinet -

Short Bio - http://www.library.northwestern.edu/archives/exhibits/alumni/kupcinet.html

His Column - http://www.suntimes.com/index/kup.html

 

[Villano]

Also, on the wrestling front, the Wrestling Observer reported:

Mike Lockwood, better known as Crash Holly and more recently, Mad Mikey, was found dead this afternoon at Steven Richards' home in Florida. He was 34.

We have no other details on the death at this time other than a report that he may have choked on his vomit.

People don't seem too surprised by this since Crash apparently was fired from WWE in part due to his "excessive lifestyle", i.e. drug use.

Another dead wrestler under 40.