Aug 30 Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of Soviet Union and ‘perestroika’ reform efforts, dies at 91 By Larisa Epatko As leader of the Soviet Union in the 1980s, Gorbachev introduced a policy of greater transparency of government institutions and freedom of information. Continue reading
Aug 08 Grammy-winning superstar Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy in ‘Grease,’ dies at 73 By Hillel Italie, Associated Press Newton-John, a longtime resident of Australia whose sales topped 100 million records, also won countless hearts as everyone's favorite Sandy in the blockbuster film version of "Grease."… Continue reading
Jul 31 Nichelle Nichols, actress of ‘Star Trek’ fame, dies at 89 By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press Her role in the 1966-69 series as Lt. Uhura earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with the series’ rabid fans, known as Trekkers and Trekkies. It also earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes that had limited Black women to… Continue reading
Jul 31 Bill Russell, NBA great who anchored Celtics dynasty, dies at 88 By Jimmy Golen, Associated Press A Hall of Famer, five-time Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star, Russell in 1980 was voted the greatest player in the NBA history by basketball writers. He remains the sport’s most prolific winner and an archetype of selflessness who won… Continue reading
Jul 27 Tony Dow, big brother Wally on ‘Leave it to Beaver,’ dies By Andrew Dalton, Associated Press As Wally Cleaver on the beloved sitcom that ran on CBS and ABC from 1957 to 1963, Dow helped create the popular and lasting image of the 20th century American teenager. Continue reading
Jul 25 ‘Goodfellas,’ ‘Law & Order’ actor Paul Sorvino dies at 83 By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press In his over 50 years in the entertainment business, Sorvino was a mainstay in films and television, playing an Italian American communist in Warren Beatty's "Reds," Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone's "Nixon" and mob boss Eddie Valentine in "The Rocketeer."… Continue reading
Jul 14 Ivana Trump, first wife of former President Donald Trump, has died By Jill Colvin, Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press The Trumps were a publicity power couple in New York in the 1980s and 1990s before their equally public, and messy, divorce after Donald Trump met his next wife, Marla Maples. Continue reading
Jul 09 Actor Tony Sirico, of ‘Sopranos’ fame, dies at 79 By Lynn Elber, Associated Press Sirico died at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said his manager, Bob McGowen. There was no immediate information on the cause of death. Continue reading
Jul 07 James Caan, Oscar nominated actor for ‘The Godfather,’ dies at 82 By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press James Caan, the curly-haired tough guy known to movie fans as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone of "The Godfather" and to television audiences as the dying football player in the classic weeper "Brian's Song" and the casino boss in "Las Vegas,"… Continue reading
Jun 21 Mark Shields, a voice of political civility across decades, dies at 85 By Erica R. Hendry, Travis Daub For 30 years, PBS viewers tuned into the NewsHour on Friday nights to hear what Shields had to say about the most pressing political issues of the week. Mark brought a lifetime of Washington experience to the conversation, drawing upon… Continue reading