The massive achievement that is HBO's 'The Wire' is such that even supporting players left a lasting impression on pop culture. Robert Chew, who played Prop Joe, had one of the juiciest roles (in a show chocked full of them) as a pragmatic drug lord known for his negotiating skills. Sadly, Chew passed away last night at the age of 52.
Like his co-star Gary Coleman before him, Conrad Bain, one of TV's most beloved icons, has sadly passed on. The long-time star of legendary TV sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes' is reported to have died this week of unknown causes at the age of 89. No details of Bain's death have been released to the public as of yet.
Stuntman turned director David R. Ellis has passed away at the age of 60. He was prepping his next movie when he died suddenly of unknown causes. Though Ellis would never be considered an auteur, his no-nonsense approach and eye for good schlock made him one of the best B-movie directors in the business.
Charles Durning, one of the great character actors of the modern era, has passed away at the age of 89 from natural causes. If the name doesn't ring a bell, his work should as he's been a reliable supporting player in cinema and television for decades.
Jack Klugman, best known to audiences as grumpy sports writer Oscar Madison on 'The Odd Couple' and as Dr. R. Quincy M.E. has died at the age of 90.
Larry Hagman, best known for his roles as Air Force Captain Anthony Nelson on 'I Dream of Jeannie' and as J.R. Ewing on the long running late night soap 'Dallas,' has passed away at the age of 81.
Few cinematographers have name recognition. You have to be cinematically literate to recognize names like Gregg Toland, James Wong Howe, Gordon Willis, and Robert Richardson, but knowing they shot a movie usually means that at least the visuals won't be drab. Among these greats is Harris Savides, who died today at 55.
Alex Karras, former NFL player, star of the television series 'Webster' and Mongo in the Mel Brooks classic 'Blazing Saddles' has passed away at the age of 77.
Very sad news to report this morning, particularly sad for fans of FX's motorcycle drama 'Sons of Anarchy,' as we've just learned that one-time series star Johnny Lewis has died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. The actor was known to play Kip "Half-Sack" eps on the first two seasons of the hit biker series, before requesting to be released from his contract, which 'Sons of Anarchy' creator Kurt Sutter obliged by killing off the character.
Andy Williams, the man who famously lent his voice to the Oscar-winning song "Moon River" from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with bladder cancer.
Williams first made his cancer public knowledge in November 2011 when he made the announcement on stage at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. But he assured fans that he wanted to fight it and that he didn't consider the diagnosis a "death sentence."
