Hwang Jang-Lee obit

In Memoriam: Hwang Jang-Lee (1944-2026)

 

He was not on the list.

Actor and martial arts star Hwang Jang-Lee reportedly passed away at the age of 81 at now Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. News of Hwang’s death was announced on Thursday by Alessandro Jinyong Kim, Hwang’s PR representative.

Hwang was born in 1944 to Korean parents on December 21 at Aomori Prefecture on Honshu Island in Japan, and began martial arts at the age of 14, and held a ninth dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation. He began showcasing his craft in film by the 70s, more notably under the stewardship of producer Ng See Yuen, launching him into a career of Hong Kong stardom for the next twenty years opposite the likes of  Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Cynthia Rothrock, Michelle Yeoh, and many more.

“Hwang Jang Lee, who left a significant mark on the history of martial arts films beyond Korea,” said Kim in a statement. “His unparalleled kicks and intense performances, shown in numerous works including the films ‘The Takeover’ and ‘The Executioner,’ will remain forever in the memories of world martial arts enthusiasts and martial artists.”

Kim added in part that the late Korean film star “was not just a film actor; he dedicated his life to promoting the excellence of Korean taekwondo to the world and promoting the exchange and development of Eastern and Western martial arts culture. We will remember the legacy of the legendary martial arts film that defined an era and the pride of Korean martial arts for a long time.”

Hwang was best known for portraying some of the best and most formidable films in Hong Kong cinema history including the Ng See-Yuen-produced Drunken Master and Snake In The Eagle Shadow opposite Jackie Chan. Other select credits include Magnificent Warriors and No Retreat No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder for which he also trained actor and bodybuilder Matthias Hues for his role as the villain, as well as Where’s Officer Tuba, The Invincible Armour, and Game Of Death II.

Our condolences go out to Hwang’s friends and family.

Filmography

Movies

Year     Title     Role     Notes

1974    Secret Envoy              

Black Leopard Tortured Hero

Korean Connection     Kazio (Yamamoto's Guard)   

Korean Connection 2             

Left Foot of Wrath                 

1975    Viper               Venomous Snake

Year of the Dragon      Hero's Father / Final Challenge Fighter          Kill the Shogun

Invitation From Hell              

Fury of the Sun                      

Death Game    Paeng Mar Kow          Mortal Battle

Jailhouse                     

Secret Rivals   Silver Fox      

1976    Secret Agent    Drunkard Student       

Bruce Lee's Secret       Jin Yong Ji      

Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave                     

Shaolin Wooden Men             Brief Appearance

Black Dragon River                The Martialmates

1977    Secret Rivals 2            Chin Hu (Gold Fox)   

Invincible Armour       Minister Cheng          

Heroes of Shaolin       Tien Lung-Chong       Heroes of the Wild

Snuff Bottle Connection         General Shantung (Magistrate)          

The Instant Kung Fu Man       Yi Lang          

1978    Great Martial Arts Teacher                

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow  Master Shang Kuan Yin         

Drunken Master          "Thunderleg" Yen Tieh Hsin (Thunderfoot)  

1979    The Fearless Duo        Ghost Leg Killer         Fearless Master Fighter

Dance of the Drunk Mantis     Rubber Legs   

Hell's Wind Staff         Lu Shan Tu     The Dragon and the Tiger Kids

36 Deadly Styles         Cheung Sze (First Brother)    

Dragon's Claws           Ling Ko Fung

The Eagle's Killer       Ghost Hand Lo Hsin  

Demon Strike  Chai Chau-Tien (Lord)           Death Duel of Silver Fox

1980    Lackey and the Lady Tiger     Sek Ba

Game of Death II        Chin Ku         

Two Fists Against the Law     Master Tai      

Tiger Over Wall          Chu    

Young Hero     Leader of Japanese Invaders  

Two Heroes                 Sangwoong

The Ring of Death      Russian Fighter          

Buddha Assassinator   Prince Yi        

Challenge of the Tiger Comrade Yang

Eagle vs. Silver Fox    Sa Sung (Silver Fox)  

Martial Monks of Shaolin Temple      Kurt Wong, Chief of Wudong School Champ vs. Champ

1981    Hitman in the Hand of Buddha           Wong Chin      Director, Producer

The Phantom Thief     (as Jeong-ri Hwang)  

Buddhist Fist & Tiger Claws              Half Piece of Map

Return of the Deadly Blade    Kam (Invincible Golden Rings)         Guest Star (Brief Appearance)

Hard Bastard               Raging Rivals

1982    Blood Child     Wong Hung     Five Fingers of Steel

Ninja Strikes Back      Wang Fei        

Ninja in the Dragon's Den      Wizard Kung Fu Master         

Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger    Tiger So         

Kid from Kwang Tung            Luo Yihu        

Secret Executioners                

Masters of Tiger Crane           Silver Fox / Keum-wung (Villain)     

Eagle Claw vs. Butterfly Palm            Sing Kun's Master      

1983    Five Pattern Dragon Claw      Kam Fu           Thunderfist

Duel of Ultimate Weapons      Dong Wan / Ki-ryong

Ghosts Galore Japanese Magician     

Canton Viper   Kal Ma-ryong  Director

Angry Young Man      Master Kang  

1984    Shaolin: The Blood Mission   Dan Bang / General Yuen Fong         

1985    Ninja Terminator         Tiger    Uninvited Guest (Footage)

1986    The First Vampire in China    Ghost of March          

The Innocent Interloper           Paleface          

Where's Officer Tuba  Extortion Gang Member (Blackmailer)         

Millionaire's Express  Yukio Fushiki 

Future Hunters            Silverfox         

1987    Iron Angels     Boss Chang Lung       Fighting Madam

Magnificent Warriors  General Toga's Henchman (Collaborator)       Dynamite Fighters

No Retreat, No Surrender 2    Ty       

1988    Bed Companion          Lee Chiu Sin  

1989    Darkside of Chinatown           Sheung Siu Tung's Hitman     

Live Hard        Chief Inspector Terry Chiu    

1991    Street Soldiers Tok     

1994    Emperor of the Underworld    Yoo, Deok-pal Director

1996    Boss    Seong Cheon  

Director

Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981)

Canton Viper (1983)

Not Again! (1990)

Emperor of the Underworld (1994)

Documentaries

Art of High Impact Kicking (1982)

The Good Bad Boy (2014)

Television series

Shaolin Temple (Taiwanese TV series) (1984)

Mighty Weapon (1985)

The Return of Iljimae (2009)

Pierre `Peb' Bellocq obit

Beloved Cartoonist Pierre `Peb' Bellocq Passes Away at 99

 

He was not on the list.

Pierre E. Bellocq, best known to his fans and readers of the Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form as Peb, passed away early Thursday morning at the Princeton, New Jersey Medical Center after a brief illness, just 13 days shy of his 100th birthday.

Bellocq was born in Bedenac, France on November 25, 1926. His father, Hilaire, was a steeplechase jockey; his grandfather was a trainer and his great-grandfather was a breeder. But Peb's gift was cartooning and he dabbled in drawing as a young child before taking it up as a profession in 1945.

Even under Nazi rule, racing continued around Paris, and Bellocq documented it both with his sketchbook and his camera. Nearly 80 years later, he shared a photograph he had taken during the occupation at Maisons-Laffitte racecourse showing his brother Louis, a leading jockey at the time, returning after a race with two uniformed German officers standing among the French crowd in the background. Peb remarked that despite the madness of the war and the presence of occupying forces, local racing fans still came out to put their burdens aside for a few hours and try to pick a winner.

With Peb's acclaim growing in France, he caught the attention of Laurel Race Course owner John D. Shapiro, who commissioned him to create logos, program covers and artwork for the inaugural Washington D.C. International in 1954. He arrived there on a cargo plane along with the international horses taking part in the race, finding bales of hay to rest on during the flight.

He was hired by the Morning Telegraph, the sister paper of the Daily Racing Form, in 1955 and his first cartoon for his new employer coincided with the opening day of Jamaica Racetrack. The Form and the Philadelphia Inquirer were both owned by Walter Annenberg at the time and Bellocq also took up the task of drawing political cartoons for the Inquirer. When Annenberg sold the Inquirer to Knight Ridder in the early seventies, the paper's new owners insisted that he choose between horse racing and politics. He chose horse racing.

What made Peb so unique and so popular was his ability to capture in a charming way the personalities of the horses and what might be going through their minds. On the morning after the ill-fated match race between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure, he showed a saddened Foolish Pleasure wearing a Ruffian pin. He had said that one of his favorites was the front-page cartoon for the 2004 Belmont Stakes, where he linked Philadelphia legend Smarty Jones to Philadelphia legend Rocky Balboa. He drew 50 caricatures of Riva Ridge and Secretariat that explored their relationship on almost human terms.

He also captured the personalities of the people he sketched. Bob Baffert looked confident and just a little bit cooler than everyone else. Jack Van Berg was rough and gruff. Julie Krone was an imp.

“It's almost some kind of mystical thing to grasp the inner character of a person,” he said. “It's hard to explain. Naturally, you want to study the person and try to find out what motivates the person and what their character is and translate that into life. Some people are easy to draw. Some are not.”

Outside of his cartoons, he was commissioned to paint massive murals that captured the history and culture of racing. His most famous mural was the one that hung inside the clubhouse at Belmont Park. Another public mural, named The “Canvas of Stars,” was commissioned by horse owner Marlene Brody for her Gallagher's Steak House in New York City, depicting famous people of sport, politics and entertainment who enjoyed the famous restaurant over the years.

He released several books compiling his caricatures and equine humor, including Peb's Equine Comedy (1957), Peb 71 (1971), Peb at Keeneland (1986), Forty Years of Peb (1995), and Peb: The Art of Humor (2004).

Along the way, the awards kept rolling in. In 1980, he won a Special Eclipse Award for Outstanding Contributions to Racing. He received The Jockey Club Medal—a rare, non-annual distinction recognizing exceptional contributions to Thoroughbred racing and breeding—in 2016. In 2020, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor. He was even recognized in France, 28 years after he left, receiving the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 1983. Awarded by the French government, the honor recognized his artistic contributions as part of France's premier cultural honors.

Peb also founded and then became the president of the Amateur Riders' Club of America, an organization that put together races for amateur jockeys who rode for the love of the sport and not for purse money.

Concluding a 53-year run at the Daily Racing Form in 2008, Peb he stayed active artistically. Soon thereafter, he became a regular contributor to the Thoroughbred Daily News. After he drew his last cartoon for the TDN, his son Remi followed in his father's footsteps with witty cartoons that also have an uncanny knack for capturing the true personalities of those he is drawing.

In 2005, at the age of 79, he was still undertaking major works of art, painting a mural at Churchill Downs. He later updated his mural at Belmont Park, painted a trainers' mural at Churchill, and was commissioned for another major work at Del Mar. Those murals serve as examples of his work available for public visitation.

“There will always only be one Peb and that's just not in the racing industry, but in cartooning in general,” Remi said. “People forget he was a hell of a political cartoonist also. The work he leaves behind, I'll let it speak for itself. I think that if I was trying to whittle it down, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, that really applies in this case. It was not just his incredible ability to do caricatures, which I don't even pretend to try to do. A lot of other really great cartoonists would say was that he really was phenomenal. He brought a sense of humor to the sport which really needs.

“He's irreplaceable,” Remi continued. “You can copy him, but you can't replace him. I can carry on the tradition and can only hope in my own way to fill that gap.”

In 2023, Peb and Remi joined the TDN Writers' Room Podcast. In the podcast, Peb explained how it all began for him.

“I always tried to copy from the newspapers,” he said. “When I was a kid, I was copying cartoons and it was my ambition to draw. I made albums of caricatures of politicians. I have albums full of those things. I had a great passion for that.”

“Working with Peb was undoubtedly my biggest professional honor,” said TDN publisher Sue Finley. “He had a huge impact on my decision to enter a career in racing. When I was a teenager, the New York Racing Association gave away a book of his Equine Comedy cartoons, and they drew me into that vivid world that he created. I decided it was a world I wanted to be a part of.”

Bellocq is survived by sons Remi; Pierre Bellocq Jr.; Denis; a daughter; Brigitte Toth, his wife Marie-Denise; and his stepdaughter Elisabeth; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lise; and his first wife, Denise.

Services are yet to be determined.

Young L obit

 

The Pack's Young L Has Reportedly Died

Too Short announced the news on social media, followed by tributes from the likes of Mistah F.A.B., DJ Ill Will, and more.

He was not on the list.

Key Takeaways

Too Short announced Young L's reported death on Instagram, praising The Pack producer's cultural impact and writing: "I never heard a Young L beat that didn’t SLAP."

Mistah F.A.B., Andrew Barber and DJ Ill Will shared tributes; Too Short's posts gave no cause or date of death, or Young L's age.

Born Lloyd Omadhebo, Young L helped define The Pack’s hyphy-meets-electronic sound, produced their 2006 breakout "Vans" and co-founded streetwear brand Pink Dolphin.

Young L, the Berkeley producer responsible for The Pack's signature sound, has reportedly died.

On Thursday, Too Short took to Instagram to reveal that L had passed away. "Rest in peace Nephew," he wrote alongside an old photograph of the producer. "You & The Pack influenced so many artists it’s impossible to measure the impact that you had on the culture. If you know you know. R.I.P. Young Lloyd."

Before tagging the other members of The Pack, he added: "I never heard a Young L beat that didn’t SLAP."

Too Short then followed his post up with a second one, with the image caption: "R.I.P. YOUNG L." The posts did not give a cause of death, a date of death or his age.

Other tributes have poured in. Mistah F.A.B. also posted to Instagram, writing: "Didn’t wana believe and don't wana believe it… YOUNG LEGEND, the master mind, the Architect, the creator it wouldn’t be no DOPE ERA CLOTHING IF I didn’t see him drawing up and cooking @pinkdolphinclothing ideas at moms house in EL CERRITO … THE PACK THE TRENDSETTERS AND SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WAS BABY BRO..

He continued: "I answered the last night calls (not all) but majority I sent them twos and fews because When I was living in l.a I could go to PINK DOLPHIN AND GRAB WHATEVER I WANTED!!! Stayed sending me beats and cooking up fire, pulling up and putting people on game … I pray it’s a hoax but if this is our reality I LOVE YOU LIL BRO .. I love all yall @lilunowolfpack @lilbisgod and KEITH aka STUNNA!!! Young L LIVE FOREVER BERKELEY GOAT!!!!!!!

Andrew Barber of Fake Shore Drive called Young L "Such a talented artist / producer," and DJ Ill Will remembered him on Facebook.

Born Lloyd Omadhebo, Young L was The Pack's primary producer, mixing hyphy with electronic influences. He was a founding member of the group, which formed in Berkeley in 2005 with Lil B, Lil Uno and Stunnaman.

It started on skateboards. Young L and Stunnaman bonded in sixth grade before linking up with Lil B and Lil Uno, and the crew made its music at Young L's house.

The breakout came in 2006 with "Vans," off Wolfpack Muzik, Vol. 2. Too Short heard the record on the radio and signed The Pack to his Up All Nite imprint through Jive. Young L produced the group's Skateboards 2 Scrapers EP that December, which included a "Vans" remix with Mistah F.A.B. and Too $hort. He was also a co-founder of the clothing brand Pink Dolphin.

Dick Hoak obit

Former Steelers running back and running backs coach Dick Hoak dies at 86

 He was not on the list.

Former Steelers player and coach Dick Hoak has died, the team announced on Wednesday morning.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Hoak, a legendary member of the Pittsburgh Steelers family," said team president Art Rooney II in a statement. "Dick was part of the foundation of this organization, and played an instrumental role in shaping the Steelers as both a player and coach during his 45 years with the team."

The Jeannette, Pennsylvania native spent 10 seasons as a running back with the Steelers between 1961 and 1970.

"From his days as a standout student-athlete at Jeannette High School, to his successful collegiate career at Penn State University, and his remarkable career as both a player and coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick Hoak represented the very best of Jeannette," the Jeannette City School District posted to Facebook.

In 1968, he was named to the Pro Bowl, when he recorded three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, but gained 858 yards for 4.9 yards per attempt, the highest of his career.

Hoak retired after the 1970 season and, at the time, was the number two all-time rusher in Steelers history. As of the 2025 season, Hoak still sits eighth all-time in rushing yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Following his career as a player, he joined the Steelers' front office and coaching staff as the running backs coach in 1972, a position he held all the way until 2007.

During his time as running backs coach, the Steelers rushed for more than 30,000 yards and led the league in rushing yards three times. He would coach greats such as Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis.

He was also the only coach to work under both Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoak family during this difficult time," Rooney's statement concluded. "He will always be remembered as a valued member of the Steelers family."

Following the 1970 season, Hoak announced his retirement. At the time, he was second on the franchise's all-time rushing list with 3,965 yards. He also finished with 25 touchdowns.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Hoak, a legendary member of the Pittsburgh Steelers family," said Steelers President Art Rooney II in a statement. "Dick was part of the foundation of this organization and played an instrumental role in shaping the Steelers as both a player and coach during his 45 years with the team.

"Dick represented everything the Steelers stand for with his toughness, loyalty, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the team. First as a player, then as a coach, Dick's contributions to this organization spanned generations.

"He was respected and admired by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. His legacy includes coaching some of the all-time great Steelers, including Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis, and Willie Parker.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoak family during this difficult time. He will always be remembered as a valued member of the Steelers family."

Hoak attended Penn State University, where he played varsity football for the Nittany Lions from 1958 to 1961. As a sophomore he played halfback and safety, and continued as a running back as a junior. He was playing quarterback, as well as safety, by his senior year. As a junior in 1959, Penn State won the first Liberty Bowl (7–0 over Alabama). Penn State was again in the 1960 Liberty Bowl, winning 41–12 over Oregon. Hoak was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) passing for two touchdowns, running for two touchdowns, and intercepting two passes.

As a senior in 1960, he was voted the Nittany Lion's MVP by his teammates and by the Penn State Quarterback Club. Over his three-year career he had 767 rushing yards and 251 receiving yards, scored eight touchdowns, and had a 55.8% pass completion rate. He graduated in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in social studies. He roomed with Jim Ragano his freshman year at Penn State.

Hoak was 86 years old.

 

Career information

High school     Jeannette

College            Penn State

NFL draft        1961: 7th round, 90th overall pick

Career history

Playing

Pittsburgh Steelers (1961–1970)

Coaching

Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–2006)

Running backs coach

Awards and highlights

5× Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL)

Pro Bowl (1968)

Pittsburgh Steelers Legends team

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor

Career NFL statistics

Rushing yards 3,965

Rushing average          3.5

Receptions       146

Receiving yards          1,452

Total touchdowns        33

Tom O'Brien obit

Tom O'Brien: Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey dies aged 39

Two-time Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Tom O'Brien has passed away at the age of 39 following a lengthy battle with cancer; As a rider, O'Brien notched five Grade One successes before retiring in 2023.

 He was not on the list.

Multiple Grade One-winning jockey Tom O’Brien has died at the age of 39.

O'Brien, who retired from the saddle in April 2023, rose to prominence with trainers Peter Bowen and Philip Hobbs and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006/07 with over 100 winners in that campaign.

The first of five Grade One successes came aboard Souffleur for Bowen in the 2007 Challow Novices' Hurdle, while later in his career O'Brien would strike up a memorable partnership with Hobbs' fan favourite Thyme Hill, landing the 2021 Liverpool Hurdle and 2022 Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

O'Brien also rode Dream Alliance to his against-all-odds victory in the 2009 Welsh Grand National, a story which would inspire a Hollywood film called Dream Horse.

Reflecting on O'Brien's life, Philip Hobbs said: "He came to our yard from Ireland having not ridden in a race, but it soon became obvious he was pretty talented and he was with us from the start of his career until the end.

"He was in the shadow of Richard Johnson for a long time being second jockey and then became first jockey after Richard retired, which went well. His biggest win was Thyme Hill in the Grade One at Aintree and he was always very reliable and a very good bloke.

"There's lots of good memories and there were lots of winners and I'd kept in touch with Tom since his retirement as he only lived half an hour away - he was only in our yard about three weeks ago.

"It's very sad, particularly for his wife Hayley and two young children."

Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Johnson White - now co-trainer with Philip Hobbs, said: "You couldn't get a harder working, nicer family man. I messaged Richard Johnson this morning and he sent a message back saying 'life is so cruel' and realistically you can't say any more than that. He leaves a lovely wife Hayley, two wonderful boys and a loving family that were there with him until the end."

Writing on Instagram, weighing room colleague Harry Cobden posted: "Gutted to hear the news about Tom. He was a great friend and a brilliant jockey. He will be hugely missed by everyone who knew him. Thoughts are with Hayley, Archie and Toby, and all his family and friends."

British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Chief Executive Brant Dunshea paid tribute, saying: "Tom was held in the highest esteem and meant so much to so many people across our sport, who benefitted from his kindness and loyal friendship.

"He touched countless lives on both sides of the Irish Sea, bringing joy to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and watching what he did best, on and off the racecourse.

"He will be hugely missed and his loss is immensely difficult to process. The racing family is distraught, but I know how we will all rally round to provide each other with support, comfort and to remember Tom as we knew him best: a brilliant jockey, a valued colleague, a loyal friend and above all a loving husband and devoted father."

Trainer Christian Williams posted on X: "Kind, talented, humble and a true gentleman. Tom was a joy to be around and a privilege to have in the saddle. A friend to so many and of course, always smiling. Our thoughts and prayers are with Hayley, Archie, Toby, their families and many, many friends."

Writing on X, Sky Sports Racing broadcaster Mike Cattermole said: "Really saddened to hear about the passing of Tom O'Brien at 39. Obviously an excellent jockey but just a lovely guy, so gentle and humble. Thinking about all those who were close to him. Life is such a lottery."

Dan Hicks obit

Dan Hicks, longtime NBC sportscaster, dies at 64

 

He was not on the list.

Longtime sportscaster Dan Hicks has died at the age of 64, it was announced by his wife, Hannah Storm.

According to the family, Hicks had been dealing with an "acute illness."

"Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness," Storm said in a statement. "He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.

"Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought the energy, the laughter and the people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.

"Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. There are simply no words to express how much he will be missed."

Hicks had been one of the regular faces on NBC's coverage of the PGA Tour, Notre Dame football and the Olympics since joining the network in 1992. He also was a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC from 1992 to 1998, as well as its NBA coverage in the 1990s.

"Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person," NBC Sports' Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon said in a statement. "In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.

"From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame Football, numerous other high-profile events and especially as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan's blend of knowledge style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades. But far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence. Our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley."

Some of the most memorable moments in U.S. Olympic swimming and PGA Tour history were called by Hicks.

Along with broadcasting partner Rowdy Gaines, Hicks was on the mic for the unforgettable comeback by the U.S. men's swimming team in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympics.

Two months before that call in Beijing, Hicks was the soundtrack to an epic U.S. Open battle between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, which was highlighted by Woods sinking a 12-foot putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff.

"We are devastated by the sudden loss of Dan Hicks. For more than 25 years leading NBC golf coverage, Dan's voice filled our living rooms with his steady narration of countless golf broadcasts, calling some of the game's biggest moments," the PGA Tour said in a statement. "The sound of his voice is woven into our memories of the game, and the warmth he brought to the broadcast was matched only by the kindness he showed those around him. Our hearts are with Dan's family, his wife Hannah, and friends, and with our family at NBC Sports. On behalf of everyone at the PGA Tour, we share their sorrow as we mourn someone who meant so much to this game."

Hicks worked 16 Olympics and won a Sports Emmy as part of NBC's coverage of the 2024 Games from Paris.

Regina Torné obit

Regina Torné, Aunt Gloria from 'El Chavo del Ocho', has died

Regina Torné died at the age of 82. Learn her story.

 She was not on the list.

The news of Regina Torné 's death brought back Mama Elena , the stern mother from Like Water for Chocolate , and the characters that the actress portrayed for years in Mexican television and film .

Torné was born on 21 July 1944 in Villahermosa, Tabasco; she was the daughter of Pedro Salvador Incháustegui Rueda and Pilar Anaya, and had an older sister. Although born on Mexican soil, she was raised in the United States, where her parents had sent her for her academic education. She did not return to Mexico until she was eighteen, having received a scholarship to study theatrical acting; by that time, she had already completed university-level studies and was fluent in three languages: English, French, and Italian.

 

Torné died at her home in Mexico City on 11 November 2026, aged 82.

 

Actress

Un día cualquiera (2016)

Un día cualquiera

6.7

TV Series

Fanny (60 years old)

2016

1 episode

 

Gonzalo Vega in Hasta Decir Corte (2014)

Hasta Decir Corte

Short

Susana (voice)

2014

 

Daniel Elbittar and Melissa Barrera in Siempre tuya Acapulco (2014)

Siempre tuya Acapulco

7.4

TV Series

Soraya Patiño

2014

1 episode

 

Edith González and Mauricio Islas in Cielo Rojo (2011)

Cielo Rojo

7.1

TV Series

Loreto Encinas

2011

1 episode

 

Mauricio Islas and Ivonne Montero in Fierce Angel (2010)

Fierce Angel

7.7

TV Series

Doña Prudencia Gutiérrez vda de Alcázar

2010

173 episodes

 

Helena's Cry (2009)

Helena's Cry

Video

Isabel

2009

 

Nikté (2009)

Nikté

5.8

Diosa LunaMeztli (voice)

2009

 

Roberto Leyva, Luciana Silveira, Lisset, Daniela Wong, and Gala Montes in The Nanny (2007)

The Nanny

4.0

TV Series

Miss Emilia

2007

1 episode

 

Lo que callamos las mujeres (2001)

Lo que callamos las mujeres

5.1

TV Series

Doña Cruz

2001–2007

2 episodes

 

Sergio Basañez and Margarita Gralia in Love in Custody (2005)

Love in Custody

7.0

TV Series

Mercedes Bustamante de Achaval-Urien (2005)

2005

27 episodes

 

Leonardo García Vale and Mariana Torres in Belinda (2004)

Belinda

4.4

TV Series

Eloísa Fuenmayor

2004

1 episode

 

Por tí (2002)

Por tí

8.0

TV Series

Francisca Orozco

2002

134 episodes

 

Like in the Movies (2001)

Like in the Movies

7.6

TV Series

Romualda

2001

1 episode

 

Vanessa Acosta, Víctor González, Betty Monroe, Héctor Soberón, and Vanessa Villela in El amor no es como lo pintan (2000)

El amor no es como lo pintan

6.0

TV Series

Engracia Valdés de Galán (2000)

2000–2001

 

Sergio Basañez and Silvia Navarro in Catalina y Sebastián (1999)

Catalina y Sebastián

7.5

TV Series

Antonieta

1999

120 episodes

 

Christian Bach in La chacala (1997)

La chacala

7.9

TV Series

Consuelo Almada

1997

23 episodes

 

Javier Díaz Dueñas, Mayra Rojas, and Karen Sentíes in Rivales por accidente (1997)

Rivales por accidente

2.7

TV Series

Carolina de Mauleón

1997

1 episode

 

Simple mortal (1996)

Simple mortal

Doctora

1996

 

Yolanda Andrade, Diana Bracho, and Helena Rojo in Retrato de familia (1995)

Retrato de familia

8.5

TV Series

Miriam de Acuña

1995–1996

90 episodes

 

Caminos cruzados (1994)

Caminos cruzados

5.9

TV Series

Katy

1994–1995

 

Flavio César and Natalia Esperón in Agujetas de color de rosa (1994)

Agujetas de color de rosa

5.9

TV Series

Mercedes Bosch

1994

1 episode

 

Clarisa (1993)

Clarisa

7.5

TV Series

Doña Beatriz de Bracho Sanabria

1993

3 episodes

 

Tu puedes, si quieres

Short

1992

 

Lumi Cavazos and Marco Leonardi in Like Water for Chocolate (1991)

Like Water for Chocolate

7.1

Mamá Elena

1991

 

Óscar Cadena in Camara infraganti (1988)

Camara infraganti

5.9

TV Series

1988

 

Rosalia

TV Series

Aurora

1978

 

Roberto Gómez Bolaños in El Chavo (1972)

El Chavo

8.7

TV Series

GlóriaGloria

1973–1978

3 episodes

 

Capulina Chisme Caliente (1977)

Capulina Chisme Caliente

5.2

Morena (villana)

1977

 

Tiempo y destiempo (1976)

Tiempo y destiempo

Marina

1976

 

Viento salvaje (1974)

Viento salvaje

5.0

Verónica

1974

 

Los hijos de Satanás (1972)

Los hijos de Satanás

6.2

Yara

1972

 

Al fin a solas (1969)

Al fin a solas

5.6

Rita

1969

 

Madame Death (1969)

Madame Death

4.9

Marlene

1969

 

Blue Demon y las invasoras (1969)

Blue Demon y las invasoras

5.6

Narda

1969

 

Mujeres de medianoche (1969)

Mujeres de medianoche

4.8

Mabel

1969

 

Las infieles (1969)

Las infieles

1969

 

Diabolical Pact (1969)

Diabolical Pact

4.7

DiNora Jekyll

1969

 

Las luchadoras vs el robot asesino (1969)

Las luchadoras vs el robot asesino

5.0

Gaby Reyna

1969

 

Lana Turner, George Chakiris, Karin Mossberg, and Regina Torné in The Big Cube (1968)

The Big Cube

4.3

Queen Bee (as Regina Torne)

1968

 

El as de oros (1968)

El as de oros

6.5

Regina Arvide

1968

 

Los asesinos (1968)

Los asesinos

5.6

Angela Nelson

1968

 

The Chinese Room (1968)

The Chinese Room

4.9

Sidonia Campos

1968

 

Bajo el imperio del hampa (1968)

Bajo el imperio del hampa

1968

 

Infernal Angels (1968)

Infernal Angels

6.6

Kadena

1968

 

Bill Cosby and Robert Culp in I Spy (1965)

I Spy

7.2

TV Series

Elena

1968

1 episode

 

Marco Antonio Campos, Miguel Córcega, Gaspar Henaine, Gilda Mirós, and Regina Torné in Dos pintores pintorescos (1967)

Dos pintores pintorescos

5.8

Diana

1967

 

El asesino se embarca (1967)

El asesino se embarca

5.5

Paula

1967

 

Pistoleros de la frontera (1967)

Pistoleros de la frontera

6.4

Rosario

1967

 

Julio Alemán, Jacqueline Andere, María Duval, Gilda Mirós, Chucho Salinas, and Regina Torné in Rocambole contra las mujeres arpías (1967)

Rocambole contra las mujeres arpías

5.3

Amanda Valdés

1967

 

¡Adios cuñado! (1967)

¡Adios cuñado!

5.9

Rita Sandoval

1967

 

Jinetes de la llanura (1966)

Jinetes de la llanura

6.5

Rosario

1966

 

The Ship of Monsters (1960)

'El rata'

6.2

1966

 

El temerario (1966)

El temerario

6.1

Irene

1966

 

Elsa Aguirre in Solo de noche vienes (1966)

Solo de noche vienes

7.1

Carmen

1966

 

Nosotros los jóvenes (1966)

Nosotros los jóvenes

6.8

Carmen

1966

 

Despedida de soltera (1966)

Despedida de soltera

7.2

Pilar

1966

 

Director

Tu puedes, si quieres

Short

Director

1992

 

Self

Ana Martín in Memoria del cine mexicano (1993)

Memoria del cine mexicano

Self

1993

 

F.A. Dry obit

Former TCU football coach F.A. Dry, a noted passing game innovator, has died at 95

Coach led Tulsa to four straight conference championships in 1970s before taking over in Fort Worth.

 

He was not on the list.

Former TCU football coach F.A. Dry died in Fort Worth on Wednesday at age 95, according to his family.

Before his tenure with the Horned Frogs, Dry was an assistant for the Houston Oilers and an assistant coach, head coach and athletic director at Tulsa.

Dry is credited as an architect of Tulsa’s potent, and at the time, cutting-edge passing offense while an assistant from 1961-65. After a stint with the Oilers, he returned to Tulsa as athletic director in 1971.

He added the title of head coach of the Golden Hurricanes midway through the 1972 season and guided the team to a 31–18–1 overall record and Missouri Valley Conference championships in each of his four full seasons at the helm (1973-76).

“Coach Dry helped build a proud tradition of Tulsa Football, and it is an honor to carry that tradition forward,” said current Tulsa coach Tre Lamb in a statement Wednesday. “Winning four consecutive conference championships speaks to his leadership and the commitment of the players and coaches around him. His accomplishments remain an important part of our program’s history, and our entire football family extends its deepest condolences to the Dry family.”

Dry’s tenure in Fort Worth from 1977 to 1982 wasn’t nearly as successful. The Horned Frogs, who had posted a 2-31 mark in the three seasons prior to Dry's appointment, were 12-51-3 in those five seasons. Dry later served as a member of Baylor's staff.

 

Playing career

1950–1952      Oklahoma A&M

Position           Center

Coaching career (HC unless noted)

1966–1970      Houston Oilers (assistant)

1972–1976      Tulsa

1977–1982      TCU

1984–1992      Baylor (assistant)

Administrative career (AD unless noted)

1971–1976      Tulsa

Head coaching record

Overall            43–69–4

Bowls  0–1

Accomplishments and honors

Championships

4 MVC (1973–1976)

Michael John Roberts obit

Michael John Roberts, Animator and ‘BoJack Horseman’ and ‘TripTank’ Director, Dies at 48

The Toronto native also created the buddy comedy ‘Dallas and Robo’ and helmed episodes of ‘F Is for Family,’ ‘Final Space’ and ‘Strange Planet.’ 

He was not on the list.

Michael John Roberts, the Canadian director, producer and animator with credits including TripTank, BoJack Horseman and Dallas & Robo, has died. He was 48.

Roberts died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday surrounded by his family after a brief battle with glioblastoma.

Roberts, who specialized in animated comedy for adults, helmed 2017 episodes of Netflix’s F Is for Family, starring Bill Burr, and served as the supervising director on the first season of the TBS animated comedy-drama Final Space in 2018.

And in 2023, he directed all 10 episodes of the 2023 Apple TV series Strange Planet, co-created by Dan Harmon.

Roberts co-created and directed all 28 installments of the Comedy Central sketch comedy TripTank, which ran for two seasons (2014-16) and featured voice work from the likes of Bob Odenkirk, Curtis Armstrong, Larry David, Niecy Nash, Zach Galifianakis, Kumail Nanjiani and Wayne Brady.

In 2015, he found time to direct title sequences and episodes of Netflix’s acclaimed BoJack Horseman, starring Will Arnett and Aaron Paul.

Roberts also created the eight-episode buddy comedy Dallas & Robo, which starred John Cena and Kat Dennings and premiered on YouTube Red in 2018. Always partial to science fiction, he called it “Smokey and the Bandit in space.”

TripTank, BoJack Horseman, Dallas & Robo and Final Space all emanated from the animation studio and production company ShadowMachine.

Roberts was born on Dec. 20, 1977, and raised in Toronto; his mother, Wendy, was a doctor and his father, Teddy, a mechanic.

“I always wanted to be a comic book artist growing up,” he said in a 2021 interview. “But somewhere in there I found out that they did the lightning bolts on the DeLorean in Back to the Future by hand and decided that was the job for me!”

He studied animation at Sheridan College in Ontario and worked in Toronto, New York and London before settling in the late 1990s in Los Angeles, where he worked on shows including Angela Anaconda, The Hoobs and Tales of Rat Fink.

In 2012, he won the Juno Award for video of the year for creating and directing a six-minute animated Western-style short film titled Rumbleseat that featured the Canadian band The Sadies.

Along the way, he also did commercials for Honda, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, ABC and Pulse Electric Scooters.

Roberts also worked for Mattel Television and most recently was the executive producer and creative producer on the company’s Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Attack of the T-Rex and executive producer on Masters of the Universe: Tales From Eternia for Mattel and Netflix. He also directed the pilot for the animated special Backyard Sports and directed season one of MrBeast Lab and was a writer and consulting producer on season two.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, actress Bree Williamson; their teenage son, McGreggor; his sister, Jane; niece, Gwen and nephew, Vaughan. He was also close with his cousin Hrothgar, whom he saw as a brother, and his wife, Emily, and their children, Evie and Lili.

McGreggor “was a source of immense pride,” his wife wrote in a remembrance of her husband. “Michael wanted nothing but the best for him and saw in the young man he was becoming, possibilities greater than he could ever have imagined for himself. He was already deeply proud of the life his son was building and eager for all that lay ahead of him.”

Asked last year what advice he would give to newcomers, Roberts replied: “Make the thing you want to make. Because everyone in this business wants you to have already done it. So if you’re a writer, you have to have a script. If you’re a film director, you have to have a short film. If you’re an animator, you’ve got to have a cartoon … be a personality that can’t get ignored.

“It’s a small group of people who put all the pieces together. So that should be really encouraging. If you can muster the energy, you’ll get there. Because the line’s shorter than you think.”

 

Animation Department

Clone High (2023)

Clone High

6.2

TV Series

main title director

2023–2024

20 episodes

 

Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman (2014)

BoJack Horseman

8.8

TV Series

director: main title

2014–2020

76 episodes

 

Greatest Party Story Ever (2016)

Greatest Party Story Ever

7.9

TV Series

art and animation

2016

1 episode

 

TripTank (2014)

TripTank

6.5

TV Series

art and animationtitle designsanimation ...

2014–2016

21 episodes

 

Rumbleseat (2011)

Rumbleseat

7.5

Short

animator

2011

 

Jasmine Ellis, Edward Glen, Bryn McAuley, Al Mukadam, Sue Rose, Ruby Smith-Merovitz, Matthew Di Girolamo, Ruby Gillett, Cailin Munroe, and Chloe Weir in Angela Anaconda (1999)

Angela Anaconda

4.6

TV Series

animator (as Michael Roberts)

1999–2001

4 episodes

 

The Hoobs (2001)

The Hoobs

6.0

TV Series

animator (2001-2002)

2001–2003

 

Director

Olivia Sgambelluri, Aidan Reimer, David Rizzo, and Jonah Hundert in Masters of the Universe: Tales from Eternia (2026)

Masters of the Universe: Tales from Eternia

6.7

TV Series

Director

2026

 

Backyard Sports: The Animated Special (2026)

Backyard Sports: The Animated Special

8.6

TV Special

Director

2026

 

MrBeast Lab (2025)

MrBeast Lab

4.4

TV Series

Director

2025

1 episode

 

Mello's Funk (2024)

Mello's Funk

Short

Director

2024

 

Strange Planet (2023)

Strange Planet

6.4

TV Series

supervising directorDirector

2023

10 episodes

 

Conan O'Brien, Fred Armisen, Keith David, Tom Kenny, Tika Sumpter, Steven Yeun, Ron Funches, Ashly Burch, and Olan Rogers in Final Space (2018)

Final Space

8.2

TV Series

supervising directordirected byDirector

2018

10 episodes

 

Laura Dern, Sam Rockwell, Bill Burr, Mo Collins, Jamie Denbo, Debi Derryberry, Trevor Devall, Al Ducharme, Kevin P. Farley, David Koechner, Justin Long, Kevin Michael Richardson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Eileen Fogarty, Haley Reinhart, and Aly Ward Azevedo in F Is for Family (2015)

F Is for Family

8.0

TV Series

Director

2017

4 episodes

 

Greatest Party Story Ever (2016)

Greatest Party Story Ever

7.9

TV Series

Director (segment "Reverse Catfish")

2016

1 episode

 

TripTank (2014)

TripTank

6.5

TV Series

Director

2014–2016

23 episodes

 

Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman (2014)

BoJack Horseman

8.8

TV Series

Director

2015

2 episodes

 

Milana Vayntrub and Ben Schwartz in Airship Dracula (2012)

Airship Dracula

6.5

TV Movie

Director

2012

 

The Sadies: Rumbleseat (2011)

The Sadies: Rumbleseat

Music Video

Director

2011

 

Rumbleseat (2011)

Rumbleseat

7.5

Short

Director

2011

 

Producer

MrBeast Lab (2025)

MrBeast Lab

4.4

TV Series

consulting producer

2026

1 episode

 

Hot Wheels Let's Race: Attack of the T-Rex (2026)

Hot Wheels Let's Race: Attack of the T-Rex

6.4

TV Special

executive producer

2026

 

Hot Wheels Let's Race (2024)

Hot Wheels Let's Race

5.8

TV Series

creative producer

2024–2025

19 episodes

 

Dallas & Robo (2018)

Dallas & Robo

6.5

TV Series

executive producer

2018

8 episodes

 

TripTank (2014)

TripTank

6.5

TV Series

co-producer

2015–2016

20 episodes

 

Rumbleseat (2011)

Rumbleseat

7.5

Short

producer

2011

 

Writer

MrBeast Lab (2025)

MrBeast Lab

4.4

TV Series

Writerwriter

2025–2026

7 episodes

 

Dallas & Robo (2018)

Dallas & Robo

6.5

TV Series

developed bycreated bywritten by ...

2018

8 episodes

 

TripTank (2014)

TripTank

6.5

TV Series

creatorcreated by (segment "Animal Hitman: Rabbit / Tortoise / Mascot")

2014–2016

9 episodes

 

Rumbleseat (2011)

Rumbleseat

7.5

Short

writer

2011

 

Art Department

Mello's Funk (2024)

Mello's Funk

Short

storyboard artist

2024

 

Strange Planet (2023)

Strange Planet

6.4

TV Series

storyboard artist

2023

1 episode

 

TripTank (2014)

TripTank

6.5

TV Series

designer: interstitial segments

2014

1 episode

 

Visual Effects

Yvette Nicole Brown, J.B. Smoove, Gerald 'Slink' Johnson, Jay Pharoah, and Marsai Martin in Good Times (2024)

Good Times

4.3

TV Series

compositing supervisor

2024

10 episodes

 

Doc Zone (2006)

Doc Zone

7.5

TV Series

additional vfx & opening title

2015

1 episode

 

Tales of the Rat Fink (2006)

Tales of the Rat Fink

6.6

visual effects

2006

 

Additional Crew

Tales of the Rat Fink (2006)

Tales of the Rat Fink

6.6

additional dialogueon-line assemblertitles

2006

 

Actor

MrBeast Lab (2025)

MrBeast Lab

4.4

TV Series

Banana (voice)

2025

6 episodes

 

Editor

Milana Vayntrub and Ben Schwartz in Airship Dracula (2012)

Airship Dracula

6.5

TV Movie

Editor

2012

 

Art Director

Tales of the Rat Fink (2006)

Tales of the Rat Fink

6.6

Art Director

2006

 

Self

Shai Korman, Lily Korman, and Becky Korman in Friday Night Movie (2017)

Friday Night Movie

Podcast Series

Self

2018–2022

8 episodes