Jerry Stovall obit

Jerry Stovall, former LSU head coach and Heisman Trophy runner-up, dies at 85

 

He was not on the list.

Legendary LSU figure Jerry Stovall passed away on Monday. Stovall not only played for the Tigers but he also took control of the program for four years. He grew up in the state of Louisiana and became an important piece of LSU history during his life.

“LSU has confirmed that former Heisman Trophy runner-up Jerry Stovall, who later became the school’s head coach for four years, died Monday,” Will Weathers of LouisianaSports.net said via X. “The native of West Monroe was 85.”

Stovall spent three seasons in Baton Rouge as a player at the running back position. He first saw the field in 1960, being deemed the replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon. From a rushing standpoint, 1961 was Stovall’s best year, going for 405 yards and three touchdowns.

But LSU will remember him for finishing as an All-American in 1962 and finishing second for the Heisman Trophy. In 10 games played, Stovall rushed for 368 yards. LSU used him through the air as well, adding 213 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker wound up winning the Heisman Trophy. Stovall received the most second-place votes, just passing Minnesota offensive lineman Bob Bell.

Flash forward two decades, and Stovall was LSU’s head coach. Originally, his coaching career got started as an assistant under Charles McClendon. Going into the 1980 season, Stovall remained on staff after the Tigers hired Bo Rein. However, Rein suddenly died in an airplane during a recruiting visit.

LSU kept Stovall as the head coach for four seasons, getting a mixed bag of results. His best finish came in 1982, when the Tigers finished with an 8-3-1 record. Wins over top-10 opponents included Alabama, Florida, and Florida State. At one point, the AP poll had them ranked as high as No. 6 in the country.

Unfortunately, the season did end on a sour note. LSU earned a bid to the Orange Bowl, where the No. 3-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers were waiting. Tom Osborne’s team earned the win and finished the year with a 12-1 record. However, the Huskers did not win the national championship.

Following the 1983 season, Stovall was let go from his position as LSU head coach. He never got back into coaching but was the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs athletic director beginning in 1990, all the way until 1994.

Stovall was the second overall pick in the first round of the 1963 NFL draft, selected by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also the third overall pick of the 1963 American Football League draft. The Cardinals converted him to full-time defensive back. He was regarded as one of the top rookies in the league in 1963. During his nine seasons with St. Louis, Stovall had 18 interceptions in 97 games, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1966, 1967, and 1969 seasons.

After his NFL career, Stovall became a college football assistant coach. He eventually returned to LSU, as an assistant for head coach Charlie McClendon. Stovall became LSU's head coach as an emergency hire after new head coach Bo Rein died when his plane depressurized and disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean.

In Stovall's four years with the Tigers (1980–1983), LSU finished 7–4, 3–7–1, 8–3–1, and 4–7. Only one of Stovall's teams appeared in the final AP Poll: the 1982 team. That team finished the season ranked No. 11 after it beat No. 4 Florida, No. 8 Alabama, and No. 7 Florida State and earned a spot in the Orange Bowl, where LSU lost, 21–20, to a No. 3 Nebraska team led by Tom Osborne. As a result of his performance in 1982, Stovall was named the national coach of the year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, as well as the SEC Coach of the Year.

In 1983, Stovall's success of 1982 came unraveled. The Tigers went 0–6 in the SEC, including a 45–26 loss at home to Mississippi State, leaving Stovall 0–4 for his career against the Bulldogs.

Stovall had a 2–2 record against Tulane. To date, the Tigers have only lost to Tulane on two other occasions since 1948, both under McClendon. After the Tigers had secured the Orange Bowl berth in 1982, they suffered their only home loss to Tulane since 1948. The Tigers have won 18 in a row in the series since but has only played the Green Wave six times since 1994, typically winning by comfortable margins.

Stovall's dismissal by athletic director Bob Brodhead was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors on December 2, 1983.

Naomi Ritz obit

Naomi Ritz, Costume Designer and Widow of Harry Ritz of the Ritz Brothers, Dies at 87

The daughter of a vaudevillian, she was married to the youngest member of the wacky comedy team for two decades. 

She was not on the list.

Naomi Ritz, an artist, costume designer and widow of comedian Harry Ritz of the Ritz Brothers, has died. She was 87.

Good friends with Frank Sinatra, Ritz died Aug. 31 at her home in Pinyon Crest, California, her daughter Janna Ritz Taninbaum announced.

Naomi and Harry married at their Beverly Hills home on Nov. 21, 1965 (she was his fourth wife), and she traveled with her husband, made costumes for him and humorously described herself as his valet. They spent lots of time during the early years of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and were together until his death in March 1986 at age 78.

The youngest and last surviving member of the Ritz Brothers, Harry, with his brothers Al and Jimmy — their real last name was Joachim — made up a zany comedy team whose celebrated career stretched more than 50 years, from vaudeville and Broadway and Fox and Universal films to nightclubs, television and Vegas.

Sid Caesar once called Harry “the funniest man of his time,” and in a 1985 interview, Mel Brooks said: “In my mind, the word ‘genius’ should be reserved for one person — Harry Ritz.”

Naomi Leon was born in Hollywood on May 31, 1939. Her father, Freddie, was a bandleader during World War II with roots in vaudeville, and her mother, Zare, was an independent businesswoman. Her folks eventually operated a prop warehouse that served the film industry.

She grew up in Vegas in the early 1950s and came of age among the hotels, theaters, nightclubs, performers and musicians in town. She first met Harry through her dad, who knew him through their vaudeville-era circles.

For about 30 years, she made her home in Pinyon Crest, a mountain retreat near Palm Desert that was built by Sinatra in 1970 as a private escape for family and friends. He dubbed her home “Villa Maggio” as a tribute to Pvt. Angelo Maggio, the character he portrayed in his Oscar-winning turn in From Here to Eternity (1953).

Ritz studied art and art restoration in Santa Monica and was a designer, collector and animal lover who rescued, cared for or found homes for more than 60 dogs.

“Naomi was funny, charming, strong-willed, wonderfully particular and, at times, challenging,” her daughter said. “Mention an old Hollywood movie, however, and everything could change. She knew the films, the actors and the stories and could play the game of ‘who was in what’ endlessly — and usually win.

“She leaves behind an eye for beauty, a fascination with the past, a house full of stories and collections, an enduring love of animals and a wonderfully individual way of seeing the world.”

Donations in her memory can be made to Bet Tzedek Legal Services or WISE & Healthy Aging, supporting their work to protect older, vulnerable adults from abuse, exploitation and injustice.

Victor Miller obit

Victor Miller Dies: ‘Friday The 13th’ Screenwriter Was 86

 

He was not on the list.

Victor Miller, the screenwriter behind Friday the 13th, has died. He was 86.

Miller’s son Ian confirmed his father had died on Monday, August 31, but didn’t reveal the cause of death.

“Yesterday my father, Victor Miller, went to his final reward,” read the Instagram post in honor of the screenwriter. “He was almost always the smartest, funniest person in whatever room he was in. He inspired in me, and many others, a love of photography, music, and storytelling.”

The post continued, “He is survived by his wife, two sons, and his grandson. He had a helluva run and will be missed dearly.”

Ian said that a celebration of Miller’s life will be held in November, “on Friday the 13th, of course.”

Miller wrote the screenplay for the 1980 film directed by Sean S. Cunningham that would go on to spawn multiple sequels. Before the horror film, Miller co-wrote the family comedy Manny’s Orphans (1978) with Steve Miner, which Cunningham also directed. In 1978, worked with Cunningham, writing the sports comedy Here Come the Tigers under the pseudonym Arch McCoy.

The screenwriter would work with Cunningham once again after Friday the 13th on the thriller A Stranger Is Watching (1982). Other film credits include Getting In (1994), Jury Duty (1995), Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017), The Once and Future Smash (2022), and the short film Sweet Revenge (2025), among others.

Miller also wrote for television, becoming an Associate Head Writer on the daytime drama One Life to Live from 1982 to 1984. In 1984, he joined All My Children in the same role and later did the same with Guiding Light, Another World, and General Hospital. He won several Daytime Emmys for his work on All My Children in 1985, 1988, and 1998.

Miller’s legacy will live on in Crystal Lake, which is the A24 series based on the Friday the 13th franchise and a prequel to the film Miller wrote. The series will premiere on Peacock on October 15.

Writer

Friday the 13th

characters

Pre-production

 

Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog (2026)

Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog

Video

based on characters created by

2026

 

Conor Scott in A Day in the Life of Jason Voorhees (2025)

A Day in the Life of Jason Voorhees

Short

based on characters created by

2025

 

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 4 (2025)

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 4

Short

characters

2025

 

Neon Fear (2024)

Neon Fear

5.0

Short

based on a Friday the 13th created by

2024

 

MultiVersus (2024)

MultiVersus

6.1

Video Game

character: Jason Voorhees

2024

 

Vincent Guastaferro, Thom Mathews, Anna Campbell, Bryan Forrest, Vincente DiSanti, and Drew Leighty in Never Hike Alone 2 (2023)

Never Hike Alone 2

7.0

Video

based on Friday the 13th

2023

 

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 3 (2023)

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 3

8.1

Short

characters

2023

 

Midnight Bloodshed (2023)

Midnight Bloodshed

5.8

characters

2023

 

Kiara Cruz, Xavier Collazo, Cecilia Merlo, Malik Williams, and Brandon Collazo in Pages of the Cult (2022)

Pages of the Cult

5.0

TV Series

based on characters created by

2022

2 episodes

 

Death Battle (2010)

Death Battle

7.5

TV Series

Jason Voorhees created by

2022

1 episode

 

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 2 (2022)

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 2

6.4

Short

characters

2022

 

Friday the 13th Across the Lake (2022)

Friday the 13th Across the Lake

Video

based on character created by

2022

 

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil (2022)

Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil

6.6

Short

characters

2022

 

Jason Unleashed: A Friday the 13th Fan Film (2022)

Jason Unleashed: A Friday the 13th Fan Film

5.2

Video

based on a characters created by

2022

 

Lavonte Morton, Izzy Bartscher, Ethan Spickler, and Taja Kartio in The Fall of Camp Blood (2022)

The Fall of Camp Blood

5.6

characters created by

2022

 

The Curse of Camp Blood (2021)

The Curse of Camp Blood

Short

characters

2021

 

Never Hike Alone: The Ghost Cut - A 'Friday the 13th' Fan Film Anthology (2020)

Never Hike Alone: The Ghost Cut - A 'Friday the 13th' Fan Film Anthology

7.2

Video

characters

2020

 

Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017)

Rock, Paper, Scissors

4.1

written by

2017

 

Vincente DiSanti and Drew Leighty in Never Hike Alone (2017)

Never Hike Alone

6.8

characters

2017

 

Harry Manfredini, Sean S. Cunningham, Randy Greenback, Kane Hodder, Thom Mathews, Victor Miller, Tom McLoughlin, Tom Savini, Kristina Klebe, Jennifer Ann Burton, Cristina Valenzuela, Joe Zieja, Ronnie Hobbs, Queen Noveen, and Wes Keltner in Friday the 13th: The Game (2017)

Friday the 13th: The Game

7.3

Video Game

based on the characters of

2017

 

Jason Xmas (2014)

Jason Xmas

6.5

TV Mini Series

based on a character created by

2014–2017

9 episodes

 

Friday the 13th: Wanted Legend (2015)

Friday the 13th: Wanted Legend

4.6

Short

characters

2015

 

Friday the 13th: The Revenge (2014)

Friday the 13th: The Revenge

5.3

Video

based on a character created by

2014

 

A Return to Crystal Lake (2013)

A Return to Crystal Lake

Short

based on characters created by (credit only)

2013

 

Horror Movie: The Movie (2012)

Horror Movie: The Movie

5.5

Short

characters

2012

 

An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 4 (2012)

An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 4

8.5

Short

characters

2012

 

John Stewart and Yuna Commault in An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 3 (2012)

An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 3

7.9

Short

characters

2012

 

Friday the 13th: Return of Jason (2011)

Friday the 13th: Return of Jason

6.9

Short

characters

2011

 

Adrian Garry, John McCarthy, and John Stewart in An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 2 (2011)

An Unfortunate Friday the 13th Part 2

7.6

Short

characters

2011

 

John Stewart and Yuna Commault in An Unfortunate Friday the 13th (2009)

An Unfortunate Friday the 13th

7.6

Short

characters

2009

 

Derek Mears in Friday the 13th (2009)

Friday the 13th

5.5

based on characters created by

2009

 

Friday the 13th: Mother's Day (2007)

Friday the 13th: Mother's Day

5.1

Video

based on characters created by

2007

 

Susan Lucci, Debbi Morgan, Rebecca Budig, Cameron Mathison, and Darnell Williams in All My Children (1970)

All My Children

6.8

TV Series

associate head writerWriterbreakdown writer ...

1985–2006

200 episodes

 

Friday the 13th: Jason Conquers Germany (2005)

Friday the 13th: Jason Conquers Germany

5.1

based on characters created by

2005

 

Tony Lee and E.H. Jenkins in Michael Vs. Jason (2004)

Michael Vs. Jason

5.1

Short

characters

2004

 

Timothy Whitfield in The Cold Heart of Crystal Lake (2003)

The Cold Heart of Crystal Lake

5.8

Short

characters

2003

 

Jason vs. Leatherface (2003)

Jason vs. Leatherface

6.3

Short

characters

2003

 

Robert Englund and Ken Kirzinger in Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Freddy vs. Jason

5.8

characters

2003

 

Finola Hughes, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Genie Francis, Laura Wright, Donnell Turner, Tanisha Harper, Josh Kelly, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, and Tabyana Ali in General Hospital (1963)

General Hospital

6.7

TV Series

written bywriterscript writer

2001–2002

5 episodes

 

Lexa Doig and Kane Hodder in Jason X (2001)

Jason X

4.5

based on characters created by

2001

 

Guiding Light (1952)

Guiding Light

6.6

TV Series

Writerwriterbreakdown writer ...

1986–1997

137 episodes

 

Another World (1964)

Another World

7.1

TV Series

writerassociate head writerbreakdown writer ...

1990–1995

255 episodes

 

Rob Hedden and Kane Hodder in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

4.5

based on character created by

1989

 

Friday the 13th: The New Blood (1988)

Friday the 13th: The New Blood

5.2

characters (uncredited)

1988

 

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

6.0

characters (uncredited)

1986

 

One Life to Live (1968)

One Life to Live

6.9

TV Series

Writerwriter

1983–1986

10 episodes

 

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning

4.8

characters (uncredited)

1985

 

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

6.0

based upon characters created by

1984

 

Richard Brooker, Frank Mancuso Jr., and Steve Miner in Friday the 13th: Part 3 (1982)

Friday the 13th: Part 3

5.6

based upon characters created by

1982

 

A Stranger Is Watching (1982)

A Stranger Is Watching

5.4

screenplay

1982

 

Friday the 13th: Part 2 (1981)

Friday the 13th: Part 2

6.1

based on characters created by

1981

 

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th

6.4

written by

1980

 

Manny's Orphans (1978)

Manny's Orphans

6.4

writer

1978

 

Here Come the Tigers (1978)

Here Come the Tigers

3.9

writer (as Arch McCoy)

1978

 

Carlos Estrada in The Black Pearl (1977)

The Black Pearl

6.3

Writer

1977

 

Actor

Campers Well

Mitch

Pre-production

 

Michael St. Michaels, Bill Weeden, Michael J. Epstein, and Sophia Cacciola in The Once and Future Smash (2022)

The Once and Future Smash

6.9

Victor Miller

2022

 

Victor Miller in Mother's Milk (2018)

Mother's Milk

Short

Victor

2018

 

Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017)

Rock, Paper, Scissors

4.1

Man in Overalls (uncredited)

2017

 

Unwelcome (2014)

Unwelcome

Short

Uncle Ghastly

2014

 

Deliverance from Evil (2012)

Deliverance from Evil

2.6

2012

 

Katie Mackey in #Touch (2012)

#Touch

Video

Officer #1

2012

 

Dream Weaver Chronicles Vol 3

Short

RIchard

2011

 

Dream Weaver Chronicles Volume 1 (2011)

Dream Weaver Chronicles Volume 1

Party Goer

2011

 

A Likely Story (2011)

A Likely Story

Short

JuryAudience

2011

 

Manny's Orphans (1978)

Manny's Orphans

6.4

Vice Principal

1978

 

Producer

Crystal Lake

executive producer

CompletedTV Series

2026

 

Warning Signs

executive producer

Production Unknown

 

Friday the 13th

co-producer

Pre-production

 

Sweet Revenge (2025)

Sweet Revenge

5.7

Short

executive producer

2025

 

Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017)

Rock, Paper, Scissors

4.1

produced by

2017

 

Close Encounter of Mahjong (2011)

Close Encounter of Mahjong

7.1

executive producer

2011

 

Thanks

Friday the 13th Resurgence

Video

dedicated to

2023

 

Something Wicked This Way Comes (2018)

Something Wicked This Way Comes

thanks

2018

 

The Monster Project (2017)

The Monster Project

4.5

special thanks

2017

 

Kayne Geurtzen and Senne Harbers in Dylan vs. Jason: Evil Clashes (2017)

Dylan vs. Jason: Evil Clashes

7.1

Short

very special thanks

2017

 

Nobody Gets Out Alive (2012)

Nobody Gets Out Alive

3.2

thanks

2012

 

Monica DiNatale in Voorhees (Born on a Friday) (2011)

Voorhees (Born on a Friday)

6.5

Short

special thanks

2011

 

Voltage

6.3

Short

special thanks

2011

 

Betsy Palmer in A Friday the 13th Reunion (2009)

A Friday the 13th Reunion

7.2

Video

special thanks

2009

 

Ari Lehman in Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th (2009)

Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th

7.1

Video

special thanks

2009

 

The Nightmare Ends on Halloween (2004)

The Nightmare Ends on Halloween

5.8

Short

special thanks

2004

 

Self

Whispers from the Shadows

Self - Host

Development UnknownTV Series

3 episodes

 

Slasher Scotty (2017)

Slasher Scotty

7.6

TV Series

Self

2018

1 episode

 

Something Wicked This Way Comes (2018)

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Self

2018

 

Genre Summit (2016)

Genre Summit

TV Series

Self (2016)

2016

 

Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (2013)

Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th

8.4

Video

Self - Writer

2013

 

Midnight Matinee Psycho (2013)

Midnight Matinee Psycho

3.6

Video

Self

2013

 

GenreTainment

Podcast Series

Self

2012

1 episode

 

Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions (2009)

Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions

7.6

Video

Self

2009

 

His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009)

His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th

6.9

TV Movie

Self - Screenwriter - Part 1

2009

 

Betsy Palmer in A Friday the 13th Reunion (2009)

A Friday the 13th Reunion

7.2

Video

Self

2009

 

Ari Lehman in Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th (2009)

Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th

7.1

Video

Self

2009

 

Betsy Palmer in Return to Crystal Lake: Making 'Friday the 13th' (2003)

Return to Crystal Lake: Making 'Friday the 13th'

6.7

Video

Self

2003

 

Archive Footage

Minty Comedic Arts (2015)

Minty Comedic Arts

8.6

TV Series

SelfSelf (archive footage, archive footage)

2021–2025

2 episodes

 

The Movies That Made Us (2019)

The Movies That Made Us

7.6

TV Series

Self - Screenwriter (archive footage)

2021

1 episode

 

Wiffi Smith obit

Remembering LPGA Tour Champion Margaret Wiffi Smith

 

She was not on the list.

Eight-time LPGA Tour winner Margaret “Wiffi” Smith, one of the most accomplished amateurs in history, has passed away.

Born in Redwood City, California, Smith began her golf journey in Mexico at age 11 after moving there with her mother following her parents’ divorce. It was also there that her nickname originated. According to a family story, the nickname stems from the Anglicization of a word used by a Mexican “witch doctor” who predicted that Smith’s mother was pregnant, a prediction that proved true. While her mother’s pregnancy may have been predicted, no one could have imagined just how far the game of golf would take Smith.

By age 16, Smith was already making a name for herself on the course. She won the Women’s Championship of Mexico in 1952 before returning to the United States, where she earned victories at the 1954 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, the 1955 North and South Women’s Amateur, and the 1956 Trans-Mississippi Amateur. Smith then made her way to Europe, winning the 1956 British and French Women’s Amateur championships. She also represented Team USA in the 1956 Curtis Cup. Despite her team’s loss, Smith made waves around the golf world with her record-setting 9-and-8 singles victory. That result remains the largest winning margin in any 18-hole match in Curtis Cup history.

Smith turned professional in 1957 and won twice on the LPGA Tour that year at the Dallas Open and the United Voluntary Services Open. Known as one of the longest hitters on tour, all eight of her victories came within a span of just four years, capped off by three wins in 1960. Tragically, Smith retired following the 1960 season due to wrist pain stemming from a motor bike accident in 1959 in which she was thrown over the handlebars.

Although her playing career had come to an end, Smith continued to pursue her passion for golf as an LPGA teaching professional. She spent the following decades working with some of the country’s top amateurs and professionals.

Smith’s colorful personality never wavered, making her a favorite among fellow Tour players, students, and others throughout the golf industry. For example, she was known on the LPGA circuit as the player who traveled across the country in a mobile home equipped with a piano.

Smith will be remembered as one of the game’s greatest advocates and most memorable figures. As a player, she wowed fans and peers alike. Golf legend Peggy Kirk Bell called Smith’s swing one of the greatest of all time. As a person, she showed what it meant to follow one’s dreams and live passionately, no matter the circumstances.

C.W. Morgan obit

'Scream' actor C.W. Morgan, who played Billy Loomis's father, dies aged 72

C.W. Morgan dead: 'Scream' star dies in Los Angeles 

He was not on the list.

C.W. Morgan, the actor who played Billy Loomis’s father in the original Scream, has died aged 72, with news of his death emerging more than five weeks after he passed away.

Medical examiner records seen by TMZ show Morgan died on 30 August in Los Angeles County, with the story breaking on 8 October.

His cause and manner of death are unclear, although the records indicate he died in a bathroom.

No further details about the circumstances have been made public.

Morgan’s daughter has since paid tribute on social media, writing: “Losing you has left the biggest hole in my heart.”

She said she would carry on the Mulholland drives and Starbucks outings they shared, described herself as grateful and lucky to have had him as her dad, and joked that life would never be the same without the poorly timed jokes she inherited from him.

Morgan is best remembered as Hank Loomis in the 1996 horror hit.

Hank was a prominent lawyer and the ex-husband of Billy’s mother, Nancy, and his secret affair with Maureen Prescott, the mother of heroine Sidney Prescott, tore the Loomis family apart and sent Billy into a murderous rage.

His biggest scene came when police were questioning Billy and Hank arrived to vouch for his son.

Morgan also appeared in a flashback in Scream 3, which followed in 2000.

His part was a supporting one, but it tied directly to the family backstory behind Billy’s actions.

Fans have shared messages of sympathy online since the news emerged, with some expressing sadness at yet another loss for the horror community.

 

Actor

Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Nash Bridges (1996)

Nash Bridges

6.8

TV Series

Coleman Spencer (as CW Morgan)

2000

1 episode

 

Neve Campbell, Parker Posey, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, and Deon Richmond in Scream 3 (2000)

Scream 3

5.7

Mr. Loomis

2000

 

The Last Express (1997)

The Last Express

8.7

Video Game

Robert Cath (voice)

1997

 

Eddie Murphy in Metro (1997)

Metro

5.6

Jail Laundry Room Guard

1997

 

Drew Barrymore in Scream (1996)

Scream

7.4

Hank Loomis

1996

 

Æon Flux (1991)

Æon Flux

7.8

TV Series

Bargeld (voice)

1995

1 episode

 

The Last of His Tribe (1992)

The Last of His Tribe

6.8

TV Movie

Rudy

1992

 

Midnight Caller (1988)

Midnight Caller

7.7

TV Series

Man (Al Haynie)Al Haynie

1991

2 episodes

Raffaele Annecchino obit

Raffaele Annecchino Dies: Former Viacom & Paramount International Boss Was 55

 

He was not on the list.

Raffaele Annecchino, the former international chief at Paramount and its predecessor Viacom, has died aged 55 from acute meningitis.

The Italian executive, known for his negotiating skills and business acumen, passed away suddenly over the weekend while in the Balearic Islands, according to his personal office.

The former President and CEO of Paramount International, Networks, Streaming and Studio, was a key figure in the rollouts of BET, MTV and Nickelodeon, and oversaw networks such as 5 in the UK and Ten in Australia. He is credited playing a major part in Paramount+’s international rollout, as well aiding the helping grow European SVoD SkyShowtime and free streamer Pluto TV. He was also on the boards Viacom 18 in India and SBS Media in South Korea.

In total, Annecchino spent more than 25 years at Paramount/Viacom. He had originally joined the Madrid office in a commercial role and rose through the ranks. Further back, he worked at Warner Bros. Discovery predecessor Turner Broadcasting System for the likes of Cartoon Network and CNN.

After leaving Paramount in 2022, he founded his own global media consultancy, Blue Ocean Media Partners, which he ran as President and CEO, with offices in Madrid and Dubai. Just this year, he joined Mediapro Middle East to provide strategic advice and support.

“Raffaele Annecchino was much more than a boss to me,” wrote Blue Ocean partner Joana Carrion Boulos on LinkedIn. “He was one of those rare people who knew how to lead without making you feel that you were being led. He trusted the people he worked with, gave them space, listened to their ideas and, above all, made them feel valued.”

“Such sad news,” wrote former Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish, who worked closely with Annecchino for years, on social media. Raffa was a force of nature. Taken way too young. He will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.”

Further tributes came from the likes of former Paramount exec Michael Armstrong, JioHotstar’s Amit Malhotra and Michelle Alberti.

Paul LeDuc obit

Paul LeDuc Passes Away At 89

Paul LeDuc, one half of the LeDuc brothers and a former wrestler and promoter, has passed away at the age of 29.

 

He was not on the list.

Paul LeDuc, one half of the LeDuc brothers and a former wrestler and promoter, has passed away at the age of 89.

LeDuc would have a successful tag team career that began in 1957, alongside Jos LeDuc who was his wrestling brother, but a close friend in real life, capturing tag team championships in Grand Prix Wrestling, NWA Florida and more. LeDuc would feature in a wrestling wedding in Montreal in 1971 as well as owning his own promotion, The FLQ, which was founded in 2000 and remains open to this day.

On August 30th, it would be announced that Paul LeDuc had passed away at the age of 89 that morning, and is survived by his sons, Carl and Yan, as well as his daughter, Kim.

Sad news in the wrestling world.

Former wrestler and promoter Paul Leduc, one half of the famous Leduc Brothers, passed away this morning at the age of 89.

During his career, Leduc captured tag team championships in Grand Prix Wrestling, NWA Florida and NWA International. He also famously married in the ring in Montreal in 1971 and competed against the Vachon Brothers in front of the largest crowd ever recorded for a wrestling event in Quebec City.

In 2000, he founded his own promotion, the FLQ, which remained active for more than two decades.

My deepest sympathies go out to his sons, Carl and Yan, his daughter, Kim, and all his loved ones.

LeDuc’s last recorded match would take place in 2008, and was most prominent during his tag team run with Jos LeDuc from 1968 to 1974.

Anthony Mundine obit

‘Broken’: Anthony Mundine reacts to father and boxing great Tony Mundine’s death

 He was not on the list.

Australian boxing great Tony Mundine has died, aged 75.

The boxer, who is also the father of professional boxer and rugby league player Anthony Mundine, died at the weekend, sources close to the family have confirmed.

Mundine was the only Australian boxer to compete professionally across four weight divisions and held four different Australian titles.

On Sunday night, Anthony Mundine said he was “broken” in an Instagram post.

“Dad I love you man my Allah bless your soul. I’m on my way home to say goodbye one last time til we meet again... there’s only one Tony Mundine.”

In 2024, Anthony Mundine described his father as his “biggest inspiration” in and out of the ring.

“You’ve shown me what it means to be a man of strength and integrity, and for that, I’m forever grateful. I wouldn’t be who I am without your sacrifices, your wisdom, and your unwavering support,” he wrote at the time.

Tony Mundine retired from professional boxing in 1984 and became a member of the Order of Australia in 1986 for services to sport, particularly boxing and Aboriginal youth.

A Bundjalung man from Baryulgil, just north of the NSW town of Grafton, Mundine moved to Sydney in the mid-1960s with the hope of becoming a first grade footballer.

He played with the Redfern All Blacks and it was while doing some off-season training at a local boxing gym his talent was discovered.

Mundine had his first fight in Sydney in 1969 - competing in 96 bouts in a career that spanned till 1984 that also saw him travel the world and challenge unsuccessfully once for the World Middleweight belt in 1974.

Upon his retirement from boxing, Mundine was heavily involved in a gym in the neighbourhood known as The Block in Redfern, on the corner of Eveleigh and Vine Streets.

The gym had been set up inside an old shoe factory that had been acquired by the Aboriginal Housing Company and Mundine’s work had a positive impact on young Aboriginal people as the venue became a popular place for the community to spend time.

Frankie Miller obit

Country Music Star Frankie Miller Dead At 95

 

He was not on the list.

Sexton) Country Music entertainer Frankie Miller passed away at his home of natural causes on August 29 at the age of 95.

"Frankie had just completed work and released his biography, "The Blackland Farmer: Life Among Country Music Legends," written by Greg Wilson," shares Tracy Pitcox, President of Heart of Texas Records. "He remained active in the industry and continued to enjoy making music into his 90s. He even was a special guest and performed with his long-time friend Willie Nelson a few years ago at the Luck Reunion."

Miller, a native of Victoria, Texas, was born on December 17, 1930. He organized his first band, "The Drifting Texans," and began making regular visits to his local radio station, KNAL, in his teen years. He also did some guest spots at KLEE Houston, where he met Hank Locklin, who helped him get a contract with Gilt Edge Records, a subsidiary of Four Star.

Miller released five singles from a session made in 1951, and then military service halted his musical career for two years. Frankie served with distinction in the Korean conflict, receiving the Bronze Star and attaining the rank of sergeant.

Back from the war, Miller renewed his career by signing with Columbia Records. Between July 1954 and November 1955, he cut a dozen numbers in Jim Beck's Dallas studio, including "Hey Where Ya Goin?" and "It's No Big Thing." Miller continued to appear on the Cowtown Hoedown on Fort Worth radio and played shows in Texas, recording one single each for the Cowtown Hoedown and Manco record labels.

In 1959, Frankie Miller signed with Starday Records and released his first recording, "Blackland Farmer," backed by "True Blue." The song became one of Starday's biggest sellers, first appearing on the country charts in April 1959 and climbing into the Top 5. "Blackland Farmer" returned to the charts in 1961, reaching the Top 20 and also crossing over to the pop charts. The song went on to become Miller's signature recording and was later recorded by Sleepy LaBeef, who took it into the country Top 70 in 1971, and Elizabeth Cook, who included it on her 2010 album Welder. Miller said he wrote "Blackland Farmer" about an uncle, and the song would remain the recording most closely associated with his career.

A second Starday single, "Family Man", also made the Top 10. Two other releases, "Baby Rocked Her Dolly" reached the Top 15 in 1960 and "A Little South of Memphis" achieved Top 40 status in 1964. Over a period of seven years, Miller recorded nearly 50 songs released on Starday.

Cashbox Magazine selected him as "Most Promising Country Artist" in 1960, and for a time he appeared as a regular on the Louisiana Hayride and guested on both the Grand Ole Opry and the Ozark Jubilee. During the time, Miller toured with several artists that would become country music icons, including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Patsy Cline, Ernest Tubb, Buck Owens, Lefty Frizzell and Willie Nelson."

By 1965, Miller had cut a pair of singles for United Artists, but decided to return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In 1968, Stop Records released his last major single with "Pain" and "I Put The Blue In Her Eyes."

As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by Webb Pierce, Jessie Colter, Pat Boone, Faron Young, Dwight Yoakam, and Wink Martindale. Frankie returned to the music business in the 1990s and started touring primarily throughout Texas but enjoyed great success overseas, including headlining the Rhythm Riot in England in November of 2003 and a very successful trip to Sweden in 2015, at the age of 85.

Frankie signed with Heart of Texas Records based in Brady, Texas, in 2005. "The Family Man" was released in 2006. The album contained a couple of rerecorded gems from Miller, including "Blackland Farmer," "Pain," and "Family Man," and newer material in the hardcore country style. It was followed by "Back When Gas Was 60 Cents A Gallon" in 2012 and his final full-length album "A Friend Remembered: My Tribute To George Jones" in 2020.

Survivors include his daughters Sandi Wilson and Lori Chaney, their husbands Greg Wilson and William Chaney, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

"The first major tour I worked following my move to Nashville in 1959 was across western Canada with several other new country artists...among them Frankie Miller. He had a hit record with "Blackland Farmer," and I had just come out with "Ninety-Nine Years." Most of the fans had no idea who either of us was, but we formed a friendship back then that has lasted to this day. He's been one of my favorite artists and favorite people for a long, long time." - Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson

"I had the good fortune to be signed as a songwriter to a company that published Frankie Miller's catalog when I was still in my 20s. We used to have these parties and play all the old vinyl. Every single time, it was a special point in the night when the needle got dropped on "Blackland Farmer," usually followed by "Baby Rocked Her Dolly". Frankie was truly a singular voice. I'm so glad I was introduced to his work." - Elizabeth Cook

Gene Bertoncini obit

Fingerstyle Jazz Guitarist Gene Bertoncini Dies At Age 89

 

He was not on the list.

Jazz Guitar Today pays tribute to a truly great guitarist, Gene Bertoncini. RIP

Guitar great Gene Bertoncini died in New York City on August 29, 2026.  He was born in New York City in 1937.  Gene started on the guitar at age seven and, by age sixteen, was occasionally appearing on television.  His first guitar teacher was the great Johnny Smith.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Architectural Engineering.  Later, while studying with another guitar great, Chuck Wayne, Chuck had Gene listen to classical guitarist Julian Bream; Gene fell in love with the sound of fingerstyle nylon-string guitar and devoted his life and musical approach to performing jazz on the nylon string.

Gene was an early member of the Tonight Show Band when it was broadcast from New York, and he has performed with literally a Who’s Who of great jazz artists. When one hears Gene perform, the logic of his “Architectural Mind” is tastefully reflected in his playing.

Jazz Guitar Today pays tribute to a truly great guitarist, Gene Bertoncini. RIP

Guitar great Gene Bertoncini died in New York City on August 29, 2026.  He was born in New York City in 1937.  Gene started on the guitar at age seven and, by age sixteen, was occasionally appearing on television.  His first guitar teacher was the great Johnny Smith.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Architectural Engineering.  Later, while studying with another guitar great, Chuck Wayne, Chuck had Gene listen to classical guitarist Julian Bream; Gene fell in love with the sound of fingerstyle nylon-string guitar and devoted his life and musical approach to performing jazz on the nylon string.

Gene was an early member of the Tonight Show Band when it was broadcast from New York, and he has performed with literally a Who’s Who of great jazz artists. When one hears Gene perform, the logic of his “Architectural Mind” is tastefully reflected in his playing.

I have interviewed Gene a couple of times in his Upper East Side apartment. One memorable time we also included a call to Johnny Smith on speakerphone.  What a treat it was to be part of a conversation with these guitar giants and long-time friends.  Over the years, Gene’s name has come up in several of my guitar interviews.  Here is what some of those guitar players told me about Gene’s playing:

Steve Abshire  (They recorded together)

Gene’s harmonic concepts are nothing short of awesome.  Of all the nylon string guitar players, no one gets the colors out of their guitar as Gene does.  I have recorded with Gene twice, and he is a great guy.  He is the nicest New Yorker I have met.  One was a tribute to Charlie Byrd and the second was with a vocalist in the area.  The second recording was especially fun.

I once was listening to Gene at the Smithsonian Jazz Café, and Gene was so good.  I was sitting there relaxed and mellow and just enjoying the moment, and Gene rudely awakened me by saying in the microphone, “My guitar is so lonely. Steve, would you come up on stage and play with me?” (laughter)

Jazz Guitar Today pays tribute to a truly great guitarist, Gene Bertoncini. RIP

Guitar great Gene Bertoncini died in New York City on August 29, 2026.  He was born in New York City in 1937.  Gene started on the guitar at age seven and, by age sixteen, was occasionally appearing on television.  His first guitar teacher was the great Johnny Smith.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Architectural Engineering.  Later, while studying with another guitar great, Chuck Wayne, Chuck had Gene listen to classical guitarist Julian Bream; Gene fell in love with the sound of fingerstyle nylon-string guitar and devoted his life and musical approach to performing jazz on the nylon string.

Gene was an early member of the Tonight Show Band when it was broadcast from New York, and he has performed with literally a Who’s Who of great jazz artists. When one hears Gene perform, the logic of his “Architectural Mind” is tastefully reflected in his playing.

I have interviewed Gene a couple of times in his Upper East Side apartment. One memorable time we also included a call to Johnny Smith on speakerphone.  What a treat it was to be part of a conversation with these guitar giants and long-time friends.  Over the years, Gene’s name has come up in several of my guitar interviews.  Here is what some of those guitar players told me about Gene’s playing:

Steve Abshire  (They recorded together)

Gene’s harmonic concepts are nothing short of awesome.  Of all the nylon string guitar players, no one gets the colors out of their guitar as Gene does.  I have recorded with Gene twice, and he is a great guy.  He is the nicest New Yorker I have met.  One was a tribute to Charlie Byrd and the second was with a vocalist in the area.  The second recording was especially fun.

I once was listening to Gene at the Smithsonian Jazz Café, and Gene was so good.  I was sitting there relaxed and mellow and just enjoying the moment, and Gene rudely awakened me by saying in the microphone, “My guitar is so lonely. Steve, would you come up on stage and play with me?” (laughter)

Roni Ben-Hur (They recorded together in 2008)

We work together quite a bit.  He mastered pick playing then switched to fingerstyle.  In Brazil, he is referred to as the Segovia of jazz guitar.  You watch him play and wonder, “What is he doing?”  He is such a master.  When we did the album Smile, it was such a wonderful process. He is such a master at how he puts his music together. He capitalizes on how classical composers wrote for the guitar.  He writes music and figures out how to play that music on the guitar.

Peter Bernstein They recorded together in 1999)

Gene was my first teacher.  Gene was teaching at Eastman.  He was so encouraging and helpful.  I am so amazed at his playing, his chords, his sound.  He is a huge influence on me.  His chord voicings are really unique.  He sort of takes what Jim Hall does and adds this classical guitar thing to it. When he plays, he sounds like he is caressing the guitar, not pounding it out.

John Pisano

Gene has been to the Guitar Night quite a few times and always stays at my house.  He studied with Chuck Wayne as well.  He is unique in how he creates space in his music.  He uses such inimitable voicings.  He has the most creative rendition of “Body and Soul.”

Kenny Poole (They recorded together in 1998)

You know that Gene has a degree in architecture. It comes out in his playing.  His chord structure is almost architectural.  I sometimes wonder what kind of buildings he would design?  Out of his mind come chord voicings that are so fresh and original.  This guy is really deep.

He appreciates my playing for different reasons.  He was in town, and that night I got off my gig early, so I stopped in to hear him.  He invited me up, and we did two sets together that night. Afterward, he came to me and said that we need to record an album together, which we did a few years later.  Listen to what he is doing there.  (pause) He is so good at playing the melody on the bottom and putting these great chord voicings above it.  

Rick Stone

It has a nice vibe to it.  Gene’s solo guitar albums have some of the most wonderful arrangements.  I love how he does things differently.  Like he would sometimes put the melody on the bottom and the chords on top. I am very conservative in my solo guitar playing.  But Gene’s arrangements are very well thought through.  When you hear him play a tune another time his solo arrangement sounds similar like he works out specific arrangements. They are always great arrangements

Wayne Martin obit

MSU Mourns the Passing and Celebrates The Life of Eagle Legend Wayne Martin

 

He was not on the list.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at First Christian Church, 24 E. Hickman St., Winchester. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with Pastor Jerry Johns officiating. Burial will follow in Winchester Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church, 24 East Hickman Street, Winchester, KY 40391 and/or Morehead State University Athletics, c/o MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 628, Morehead, KY 40351, Morehead, KY 40351.

MOREHEAD, Kentucky — Former Morehead State men's basketball head coach Wayne Martin passed away on Aug. 29 at the age of 79.

A native of Winchester, Ky., Martin earned his bachelor's degree from Morehead State in 1968 and earned his Master's Degree from MSU in 1972.

He returned to his alma mater to lead the men's basketball program from 1978-87 where he guided the Eagles to Ohio Valley Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 1982-83 and 1983-84. He earned OVC Coach of the Year twice (1981-82, 1983-84). Martin was inducted into the Morehead State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.

He coached three NBA draft picks, including the 1986-87 OVC Player of the Year Bob McCann. Martin helped mentor 12 All-OVC award winners. Seven members of Morehead State's 1,000 career point club were coached by Martin.

Martin's team won 130 games, which at the time ranked third among all men's basketball coaches in program history (now ranks fourth). His tenure was highlighted by the 1985-86 team which finished 25-6 and set the then-program record for wins in a season. That team won an NCAA Tournament game against North Carolina A&T.

His coaching foray also included serving as head coach and athletic director at Pikeville College (now University of Pikeville). He led the PC teams to three national tournament appearances. He worked as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts and began his career as the head coach and a business teacher at Pikeville High School.

In 1990, Martin moved into broadcasting, beginning his management career at WYMT-TV in Hazard, where he served successively as general sales manager and general manager. In 1993, he moved to sister station WKYT-TV in Lexington as vice president and general sales manager before being named president and general manager later that year. He served in that role for nearly two decades.

He rose through the corporate ranks of Gray Media, serving as regional vice president and president of Gray Kentucky Television Inc., which operates WKYT, WYMT, and WBKO in Bowling Green. Martin also served as president of WVLT in Knoxville, Tennessee, before retiring in 2012.

He received the MSU College of Business & Technology Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. In 2025, the MSU Board of Regents presented Martin with the university's Founders Award for University Service.

Cementing his legacy, Morehead State broke ground in 2026 on Martin Hall, a new campus residence hall named in his honor, set to open in spring 2027. The university also established a new scholarship endowment in Martin's name, which has already raised more than $100,000 in support.

His commitment to the University continued through decades of service on the Morehead State University Board of Regents. Martin served three separate terms on the Board and held the position of vice chair from 2016 to 2020.

Martin's impact on Morehead State Athletics also extends to the next generation, as his son, Matthew, has served as the Eagles' head men's golf coach since 2014-15.

Wayne Martin's legacy reaches far beyond the wins, championships and accolades. It lives on in the players he mentored, the university he served, the community he impacted and, now, in a building that will carry his name for generations to come. For Morehead State, Wayne Martin was more than a coach and alumnus, he was an Eagle whose lasting impact will never be forgotten.

Information regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as it becomes available.

David Fair obit

David Fair of Half Japanese Has Died

 

He was not on the list.

David Fair, one half of the legendary indie rock outfit Half Japanese has died.

Along with his brother Jad, the two formed Half Japanese in the mid-seventies. Considered to be one of the greatest underground bands of all time, the Half Japanese journey began with the 1977 EP Calling All Girls and from there they went on to release classic albums like 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, Sing No Evil and Music To Strip By.

Along with Godley & Creme’s 1977 effort Consequences and Carla Bley’s Escalator Over The Hill (1971) Half Japanese are only one of a handful of artists to release a triple album as their debut. Low-fi, experimental and idiosyncratic, the music of Half Japanese eludes the cultural timeline and due to its DIY approach, remains fresh, vital and dynamic.

Over the course of their career, Half Japanese played with everyone from Nirvana to Neutral Milk Hotel. Fair released a series of records with his brother as well as a series of solo albums.

A filmmaker, an actor and an accomplished and renowned visual artist whose medium was both paper cuttings and sketches, the Michigan-born Fair’s artistic endeavors were the subject of Skizz Cyzyk’s 2015 documentary David Fair Is The King.

Producer and friend Don Fleming wrote of Fair’s passing on social media: “David Fair of 1/2 Japanese and Coo Coo Rockin’ Time died yesterday. His daughter Harper toasted him with a root beer float, and he passed soon after, peacefully. He had been getting treatments for cancer over the last couple of years. The sweetest guy, with a great sense of humor. He was a pure artist and musician, all from the heart. Goodbye David.”