Margaret Menegoz obit

Margaret Menegoz, ‘Amour,’ ‘The White Ribbon’ Producer, Dies at 83

The German-French producer led iconic company Les Films du Losange for close to 50 years.

She was not on the list. 

Margaret Menegoz, the head of French production company Les Films du Losange, who produced the movies of Michael Hanke, Wim Wenders and Éric Rohmer, among others, has died. She was 83.

The company issued a statement confirming that Menegoz died in Montpellier on August 7. They cited her “love of films and work, and her loyalty to her filmmakers that have become the hallmarks of Les Films du Losange,” describing Menegoz as “open-minded towards Europe and the international scene, which she particularly cherished.”

Menegoz led Les Films du Losange for close to 50 years, taking over at the company in 1973. She produced more than 60 films, including Haneke’s Amour, The White Ribbon and Cache, Wenders’ 1977 feature The American Friend, Volker Schlöndorff’s Swann in Love (1984), Agnieszka Holland’s Europa Europa (1990), Rohmer’s A Tale of Springtime (1990) and A Tale of Winter (1992), among many others.

Amour received 5 Oscar nominations in 2013, including a nomination for Menegoz for best feature. It won for best international feature. The White Ribbon picked up two Oscar nominations.

The German and French film producer was born in Hungary in 1941 but was expelled from the country along with her family, which was of German origin, in the wake of the 1945 Siege of Budapest. She grew up in Germany. Menegoz joined Les Films du Losange in 1975, the company founded by Rohmer and Barbet Schroeder in 1962. She was originally hired as an assistant on Rohmer’s 1976 German-language film Marquise Of O, starring Edith Clever and Bruno Ganz. With Schroeder busy prepping his 1975 feature Mistress, Menegoz came in to manage the company and stayed.

In her long tenure at Les Films du Losange, Menegoz would work with a generation of influential European auteurs, from Wenders, Rohmer and Haneke, Andrzej Wajda, Lars Von Trier, Margarethe von Trotta, Christian Petzold and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. She began her collaboration with Austrian director Haneke on his 2001 feature The Piano Teacher, and produced all of his following German- and French-language features including Amour, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and Isabelle Huppert; and, most recently, Happy End, also featuring Huppert.

Menegoz launched a theatrical distribution label for Les Films du Losange in 1986, and an international sales division in the early 90s. In 2021, she organized the sale of the company to Alexis Dantec and Charles Gillibert, ensuring the storied firm would continue.

Menegoz was also a tireless promoter of French cinema and headed up cinema export body Unifrance as president, taking over after the sudden death of predecessor and friend Daniel Toscan du Plantier at the Berlin Film Festival in 2003. She remained until 2009.

“Margaret did not work internationally, she embodied it,” current Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner, who started her career in international sales at Les Films du Losange, wrote in a statement. “Her productions will speak for her, for her way of thinking and loving the world. She was an example for many young women. I was one of them; Margaret taught me everything in this world of cinema that knows no boundaries and invites us to think outside the box. Thank you Margaret, we will miss you terribly.”

Jon McBride obit

Astronaut Jon McBride, early NASA space shuttle pilot, dies at 80

He was not on the list.

Former NASA astronaut Jon McBride, who was the pilot on the first mission to launch seven people into space, has died at the age of 80. 

McBride's death on Wednesday (Aug. 7) was confirmed by NASA after the agency heard from his family.

"Jon McBride dedicated himself to the nation we love. His leadership during one of the early space shuttle missions — as the pilot for the first crew of seven — expanded our possibilities in the stars. He was my friend, and we will miss him," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a social media post.

A member of the "TFNG" ("Thirty-Five New Guys"), NASA's first group of space shuttle astronauts selected in 1978, McBride's first and only flight into space was as pilot of the space shuttle Challenger's sixth flight into space on Oct. 5, 1984.

"We lifted off, started accelerating, and it was just — wow," said McBride in a NASA oral history interview in 2012. "Simulators are good, but this is just something else, and you get up to 3Gs [three times the force of gravity] and then it's a whole different place in your life. Not that I hadn't had 3Gs before; I'd [just] never had them through my chest for three minutes."

McBride's six crewmates included STS-41G commander Bob Crippen, who three years earlier had been pilot on the first flight of the space shuttle program; mission specialists Kathy Sullivan, Sally Ride and David Leestma; and payload specialists Paul Scully-Power and Marc Garneau.

The eight-day mission was the first to fly two women (including Ride, who on a previous Challenger flight had become the first American woman in space). It was also the first to see a U.S. woman perform a spacewalk (Sullivan) and the first flights of Australian (Scully-Power) and Canadian (Garneau) crew members.

McBride and his crewmates deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), which recorded the energy emitted by the Sun and how much bounced off Earth's atmosphere into space, and operated Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B), which collected radar images our planet from several different angles.

McBride and his crew's activities were documented using a large-format 70mm camera and featured in the 1985 IMAX documentary "The Dream is Alive."

On Oct. 13, 1984, Crippen and McBride brought Challenger back to Earth, landing the space shuttle for only the second time at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"I'm not trying to diminish the entry and the landing, but if you can fly airplanes on and off of aircraft carriers and do all the things that we do and you follow the procedures, flying the space shuttle is pretty easy after a few thousand hours of practice in it and simulators and the shuttle training airplanes," said McBride. "Golly, it was nice to be back on Earth and have a perfect landing and rollout on time and everybody's happy. We did all of our mission objectives. But flying the space shuttle is probably one of the easier airplanes I've ever flown."

As one of the five first-time fliers on the mission, McBride logged 8 days, 5 hours, 23 minutes and 33 seconds in space while traveling 3.3 million miles (5.3 million kilometers) during 133 trips around the planet. He was the 156th person to fly into space and 149th to orbit Earth according to the Association of Space Explorers' Registry of Space Travelers.

Jon Andrew McBride was born on Aug. 14, 1943 in Charleston, West Virginia, but considered Beckley to be his hometown. He attended West Virginia University from 1960 to 1964 and received a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1971.

In 1965, McBride reported to Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida for naval aviation training and, after earning his wings, was assigned as a naval aviator to Fighter Squadron 101 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. He was later assigned to Fighter Squadrons 41, 11 and 103, and flew 64 combat missions while deployed to Southeast Asia.

McBride then attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, prior to reporting as a maintenance officer and Sidewinder project officer to Air Test and Development Squadron Four at Point Mugu, California. It was while serving in this position that McBride was selected by NASA for its astronaut corps.

"Six o'clock in the morning exactly, which would have been eight o'clock in Houston, I heard the phone ringing," said McBride. "I was barely awake when I picked up the phone."

The phone call was from George Abbey, then NASA's director of flight operations, informing McBride he had been chosen.

"Wow! I was awake now. I felt like I levitated about three feet off the bed," McBride recalled.

As of 1979, McBride had flown more than 40 different types of military and civilian aircraft and piloted the Navy "Spirit of '76" bicentennial-painted F-4J "Phantom in various air shows from 1976 to 1978. He logged more than 8,800 hours flying time, including 4,700 hours in jet aircraft.

Prior to his own spaceflight, McBride was the lead chase pilot for STS-1, the first flight of the space shuttle Columbia, in 1981.

"It was high overhead, 40,000 feet [12,200 meters], when John and Bob came out of orbit and made that first landing at Edwards, and we were joined up with them about 30,000 feet [9,150 m] or so. We were there primarily — they called us safety chase, but I think the best thing that came out of the whole rendezvous and fly-down was that we got some good photography," said McBride. "Our primary job was to scan the shuttle as it came out of orbit, because we'd never done it before, and if there's hydraulic leaks or missing parts of their control system, we could tell them. I don't know how much good it would have done, what they would have done, but, fortunately, there was no problem."

McBride also worked on certifying flight software in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, as well as served as capcom (capsule communicator) in Mission Control for STS-5, STS-6 and STS-7. He also managed the Flight Data File (FDF) and helped develop orbital rendezvous procedures.

After landing on STS-41G, McBride was named commander of STS-61E, leading a crew of six on a planned nine-day flight aboard Columbia. The astronomy-dedicated mission was targeted for launch on March 6, 1986, but was canceled in the wake of the loss of space shuttle Challenger and its STS-51L crew in January of that year. (The mission's ASTRO-1 payload was later flown on STS-35 in 1990.)

In July 1987, McBride was transferred to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to serve as Assistant Administrator for Congressional Relations. He held this position, overseeing NASA's communications with Congress, through March 1989, when he retired from NASA and the Navy (the latter with the rank of captain).

McBride was president and chief executive officer of Flying Eagle Corporation in Lewisburg, West Virginia and an executive associate for R.L. Bliss & Associates, Inc. in Charleston, before entering the race for Governor of West Virginia in 1996. He lost the Republican nomination to Cecil Underwood.

In 2005, McBride joined the management at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, overseeing the daily "Astronaut Encounter" and "Dine With an Astronaut" educational programs. McBride also advised on the landing sequence for the complex's $60 million "Shuttle Launch Experience" ride. He retired in 2020.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Captain Jon McBride, an American hero and veteran NASA astronaut," read a statement from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. "Jon inspired countless guests, crewmembers and people during his time working at the visitor complex and throughout his career."

For his service to the nation's space program, McBride was awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal and was bestowed with three honorary doctorates from West Virginia University (1985), the University of Charleston (1987) and West Virginia Institute of Technology (1987).

On Sept. 23, 2011, the NASA Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V) in Fairmont, West Virginia named a NASA software laboratory the "Jon McBride Software Testing and Research Laboratory," or JSTAR. The lab supports end to end testing on mission flight software.

McBride was married to the former Brenda Lou Stewart in 1966 and they had three children. He and Brenda divorced in 1986. McBride then married the former Sharon Lynn White in 1988. He is preceded in death by his eldest son, Richard McBride; one of his eight grandchildren, Ryan; and one his STS-41G crewmate Sally Ride.

Londie Favors obit

Londie Favors Dies: ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta: Porsha’s Family Matters’ Star Was 34

 

She was not on the list.

Yolanda “Londie” Favors, who appeared on Bravo‘s The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Porsha’s Family Matters, has died. She was 34.

RHOA star Porsha Williams mourned the death of her baby cousin on August 7, sharing her thoughts on a social media post.

“Londie – you were our best friend, our sister, our aunt, our cousin, and so much more. Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, and you are loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure,” Williams shared in an Instagram post.

Williams continued, “The impact and value you provided all of us during your time here was tremendous, but we know that your spirit will always be with us every day guiding us through this difficult time and what’s still to come. For that, we’re eternally grateful. Love you always Dear Baby Cousin.”

Favors was one of the stars of RHOA spinoff Porsha’s Family Matters, which premiered on Bravo in 2021. The one-season show followed Williams and her extended family in Atlanta.

RHOA alum Cynthia Bailey replied to Williams’ post, writing, “Wow. heart broken. just saw her at your event a couple weeks ago. gave me the biggest hug. she was always so kind, sweet and full of love. she will be missed by all. sending my heartfelt & deepest condolences to the family. i am so sorry for your loss.”

Phaedra Parks also replied to Williams’ post and said, “My sincerest condolences to you and your family. There is an old adage “only the good die young” and Londie was better than good she was great! May God be pleased with her works and may peace, understanding and unspeakable joy be yours always.”

Kandi Burruss said, “She was a beautiful person! I’m sorry for your loss.”

Following Favors’s death, the Hosea Williams family issued a statement:

“It is with profound sadness that we announce our beloved family member, Yolanda E. Favors, passed away unexpectedly on August 7, 2024. Regarded as “Londie” to those close to her, she was the granddaughter of Rev. Hosea L. Williams and Juanita Terry Williams and the daughter of Yolanda Willams-Favors and Calvin Leonard Favors. Yolanda, who was 34, was known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to her family and community.  Her steady and persistent pursuit of joy and beauty was inspiring, allowing her to bring a triumphant and radiant energy everywhere she went. She worked passionately as a Creative Director, Event Planner and Interior Designer, positively impacting the lives of many with her strategic creativity, eye for beauty, dedication, and spirit.

Her company, Elizabeth Lacenia Designs, curated uniquely artistic designs featured on series such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and in recent years, ELD’s Christmas designs developed a dedicated following and were featured in US Weekly, Celebrity Insider, BravoTV Online, Celebrity Insider, People Magazine, and more. Yolanda also donated her immense talent to help organize events for Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

Yolanda’s passing is deeply felt by all who knew her and leaves a void that cannot be filled. She is survived by her loving family, including her mother Yolanda Williams Favors; her sister Aisha Favors; her paternal grandmother Jacqueline “Mimi” Favors, her aunts Elisabeth Omilami, Dr. Barbara Williams Emerson, Andria “Lisa” Williams, Diane Williams; her uncle Andre Williams; her cousins Weusi and Jamila Emerson, Awodele and Tara Omilami, Hosea and Rhonda Williams III, Juanita Williams Ramey, Porsha Williams, Brenton and Amanda Williams, Lauren Williams, Evelyn Williams, and Andre Williams and their children. Yolanda also had countless forever friends from her time at the University of Georgia and her work family from Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless who will forever cherish the memories they shared with her.

During this difficult time, we kindly ask for your thoughts and prayers. The family appreciates your respect for our privacy as we navigate through this heartbreaking moment.

Thank you for your understanding and support.”

Buddy Davis obit

My Dear Friend, Buddy Davis, Is Now Home with the Lord

 

He was not on the list.

by Ken Ham on August 7, 2024

Featured in Ken Ham Blog

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

After three years of dealing with serious medical issues, my dear and closest friend, Buddy Davis, has gone home to be with the Lord and Savior he so faithfully served.

I’d heard about Buddy over the years while living in Australia because we’d had a few articles in our magazine featuring this guy from America who sculpted dinosaurs and believed what the Bible taught about history. But I didn’t meet him until one of our early Answers in Genesis conferences that took place in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1994.

Buddy had brought his dinosaurs to the conference and displayed them on the stage. We met, and he invited me and the other two founders, Mark Looy and Mike Zovath, back to his and Kay’s log cabin where he showed us more of his dinosaurs. I shared with Buddy that we had a burden for a creation museum and couldn’t figure out how to start it, but at that meeting, I saw the dinosaurs as the key to making that museum a reality, and Buddy and Kay said they’d love to see that.

Meeting Buddy and seeing his world-class dinosaur sculptures really opened our eyes and got us excited about what we could do at the Creation Museum.

That meeting at Buddy’s log cabin was really a turning point in regard to the building of what is now the Creation Museum. You see, dinosaurs have always fascinated people, especially children, but they are almost always a teaching tool for evolution and millions of years. Meeting Buddy and seeing his world-class dinosaur sculptures really opened our eyes and got us excited about what we could do at the Creation Museum.

While at his cabin, I saw Buddy’s guitar hanging on the wall and asked him to play. He’d given up music after pursuing a career in country music and not “making it,” but I finally convinced him to play, and he sang the song, “He Makes Dreams Out of Nothing.” After hearing the song, I told him that I wanted him to sing that song when we opened the Creation Museum—and 13 years later, in 2007, he sang that song during our grand opening.

After the opening of the museum, Buddy became even more involved with the ministry. He composed many songs based on my talks, including one on godly men inspired by my family and parenting talk, one on six days based on my “relevance of Genesis” talk, one on the truth of only one race pulling from my “One Race, One Blood” presentation, a song about the 7 C’s of History drawn from our museum exhibits, and even a funny song about cats after I spoke about how much I dislike cats! But his signature song—kids just love this song—is “Billions of Dead Things,” a song about the fossils that were laid down during Noah’s flood. Families and kids love both his songs and Buddy himself—he was so “homely” (the Aussie way of saying comfortable or “down-to-earth”), kind, and friendly.

It is really sad to see him leave this earth, but he’s left an incredible legacy, and it will go on and on.

But Buddy was more than “just” a major inspiration for the Creation Museum with his dinosaurs, a talented singer-songwriter, or a ministry partner—Buddy became one of the closest friends I’ve ever had. He and I were like brothers. I’m not as close to most people as I was to Buddy. It is really sad to see him leave this earth, but he’s left an incredible legacy, and it will go on and on.

As just two examples, his legacy will continue to impact children who watch his Amazing Adventures programs and his homey Out and About show on Answers TV. In all his programs, he shares biblical truth and the gospel, and I know that will continue to impact children. But his musical legacy will also continue. Our resident artists, TrueSong, are taking the words and music from many of his original songs, changing them to a slightly different style, and will be performing them during their daily concerts.

Over the years, Buddy and I traveled the world giving our Dinosaurs, Genesis, and the Gospel program (later renamed Dinosaurs and More, which you can find on Answers TV) to children and families. During this one-and-a-half-hour program, I would do biblical worldview and creation teaching, and Buddy would sing songs, perform a few illusions, and we’d banter back and forth, joke around, and poke fun at each other. Kids loved it.

Well, the last time we gave that program was in the Answers Center at the Ark Encounter just a few weeks before the stroke that began his health issues three years ago. After we finished the program and he was preparing to leave, Buddy turned to me and said something like,

Ken, I just want to tell you: I can’t say enough, how much being part of this ministry has meant to me. I can’t explain enough how much this ministry has done for me; it’s been so phenomenal for me to be involved with it. It’s been my life. I just can’t thank you enough for what this has meant to me.

As he said that, I had this sinking feeling that it almost sounded like a goodbye. I just wonder if the Lord prompted him to say that because not long after that, he had a stroke and could no longer speak or communicate. It was as if the Lord had said, “Your time of active ministry has ended but it will continue on through Answers in Genesis and the legacy you’ve left.”

Yes, there comes a time when we finish this work on earth and God calls each of us home. This doesn’t make sense from an earthly perspective—I just think of how much more ministry Buddy and I could have done together—but God is in control, and Buddy had fulfilled the mission God called him to. And now he is worshipping the Lord in a totally healed body. What a comfort that truth is!

I want to leave you with an audio recording from Buddy’s and my final program together. It’s the prayer he prayed to close out the program, inviting all the children who had not yet trusted Christ as their Savior to place their faith in Jesus. This prayer really shows Buddy’s heart for the Lord and for people.

Please remember Buddy’s dear and incredibly devoted wife, Kay, in your prayers. Many of you have never met Kay, but she’s the unseen partner behind everything Buddy did. His legacy is her legacy too, a legacy of faithfulness left by a couple who loved and served Jesus (and each other) together to the very end.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Connie Chiume obit

Veteran actress Connie Chiume dies in Joburg hospital

The veteran actress died at Garden City Hospital, her family said on Tuesday

 

She was not on the list.

Actress Connie Chiume has died.

A statement shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday revealed the veteran actress died at Garden City Hospital.

"The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume. The family asks for privacy during this difficult period. The family will communicate futher details."

Tributes to the late star have flooded social media timelines since the report.

"Rest Ma' and thank you for everything. Sending healing energies and prayers to you Thando and the family" Andile Ncube wrote.

She was known for her film roles in Black Panther, Black Is King and Blessers. On television, she appeared in Yizo Yizo 2, Zone 14, Rhythm City, and Gomora.

Chiume was born in Welkom, South Africa. Her father Wright Tadeyo Chiume (d. 1983) was from Usisya, Nkhata Bay, Malawi and her mother MaNdlovu (d. 2020) hailed from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her cousin, Ephraim Mganda Chiume is a Malawian politician.

Chiume spent her early childhood in Welkom. She completed her matric in the Eastern Cape and went on to graduate with a degree in teaching in 1976. After few years of teaching, she quit to travel and moved to Greece.

Chiume began her acting career with roles in Porgy and Bess, Ipi Ntombi, and Little Shop of Horrors. Upon returning to South Africa, she was cast as Thembi in the 1989 series Inkom' Edla Yodwa and then the 1990 film Warriors from Hell. In 2000, she won the award for Best Actress in a Drama Series at the South African Film and Television Awards.

In 2006, she starred in the stage productions of You Strike The Woman and You Strike The Rock. From 2007 to 2015, Chiume gained prominence through her role as Stella Moloi in the SABC1 drama series Zone 14, which earned her another SAFTA. She also received the Award for the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama during the 3rd SAFTA. In 2015, she appeared in the soap opera Rhythm City as Mamokete Khuse.

Chiume was married from 1985 to 2004. She was a mother of four, with two sons and two daughters.

Connie Chiume died at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg on 6 August 2024, at the age of 72.

 

Filmography

Film

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1990            Warriors from Hell            Marita 

1994    The Air Up There            Mrs Urudu  

1999    Chikin Biznis ... The Whole Story!            Thoko 

2000    I Dreamed of Africa            Wanjiku         

2004    In My Country            Virginia Tabata 

2013    Fanie Fourie's Lobola            Zinzi    

2015    Lerato            Pastor            Short film

2018    Black Panther Mining Tribe Elder      

2019    Losing Lerato  Gogo on Bus 

2019            Blessers           Ma-Lerato 

2020    What Did You Dream?            Koko            Short film

2020    Black Is King Herself

2020            Seriously Single            Dineo's Mom    

2022    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever            Zawavari         

 

Television

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1989    Inkom' Edla Yodwa            Thembi

1994    The Line      Rosie            Television film

1997    A Woman of Color            Government Official            Television film

1998            Tierärztin Christine III: Abenteuer in Südafrika            —            Television film; directed

2004            Mazinyo Dot Q            Ma Mavuso           

2007–2015            Zone 14        Stella Moloi  

2015    Rhythm City            Mamokete Khuse        

2017    Thula's Vine            Nothando       

2020    Queen Sono    Nana Rakau 

2020            Gomora            Mam'Sonto Molefe     

2020            Choices

Ron Bain obit

'Naked Video' actor and director Ron Bain dies aged 79

 

He was not on the list.

Tributes have been paid to the actor and director Ron Bain, who has died at the age of 79.

His career spanned stage and screen for more than 50 years and he was involved with some of the most successful TV comedy shows to come out of Scotland.

He was closely associated with the late actor Rikki Fulton. The two first appeared on stage together in an acclaimed productin of the Moliere play The Miser in 1971.

He went on to act with and direct Fulton in his TV sketch show Scotch and Wry and its spin-offs featuring the character Reverend IM Jolly.

Ron Bain was born in Grangemouth and trained at the then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).

He made his television debut alongside the actor Roddy McMillan in the gritty BBC Scotland drama The View from Daniel Pike in 1971.

His long career as a character actor included appearances in Play of the Month in 1975 as well as The XYY Men, Taggart and The Tales of Para Handy.

He was perhaps best known from his appearances in a series of 1980s comedies which came out of BBC Scotland's Comedy Unit.

These included A Kick of the 80s, Laugh I Almost Paid My Licence Fee, City Lights, Naked Radio and its successor Naked Video.

The latter launched the career of actor Gregor Fisher and the two also worked on the programmes Rab C Nesbitt and Snoddy.

Bain moved behind the camera during this period, working as a producer and director on a wide range of comedy and drama programmes including The Bill, River City and the Karen Dunbar Show.

He continued to work in theatre too, appearing onstage and encouraging other actors into the business.

Posting on X, the actor Colin McCredie wrote: "A dear friend for over 40 years. A brilliant actor & director. We’ll miss you Ron Bain".

The actress Gerda Stevenson wrote on Facebook: "Very sad to hear of the death of Ron Bain - a terrific actor. So clever and funny.

"I loved working with him in the Scottish Theatre Company way back in the '80s, the precursor to the National Theatre of Scotland.

"Ron was brilliant, fearless and utterly charismatic in the title role, a wonderfully comedic and intelligent performance. A joy to work with."

The actor and singer Tom Urie wrote: "Such sad news that Ron Bain has left us.

"Ron directed the first two series of The Karen Dunbar Show, and was responsible for directing all those classic Almost Angelic sketches.

"A unique, funny and kind man."

Luke McCullough, head of corporate affairs at BBC Scotland, said:

“We’re saddened to hear about the death of Ron Bain. He was an important part of much-loved BBC Scotland comedies including Naked Video, Laugh? I nearly Paid My Licence Fee and Rab C Nesbitt.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and all who worked with him across his career.”

 

Filmography

As actor (Television)

The View from Daniel Pike (1 episode, 1971)

Adam Smith (4 episodes, 1972)

Weir of Hermiston (1 episode, 1973)

BBC Play of the Month (1 episode, 1975)

ITV Playhouse (1 episode, 1977)

The XYY Man (1 episode, 1977)

The Standard (1 episode, 1978)

Tycoon (1 episode, 1978)

Kids (1 episode, 1979)

Play for Today (1 episode, 1980)

Juliet Bravo (1 episode, 1980)

Strangers (1 episode, 1980)

Boswell for the Defence (1981)

A Kick Up the Eighties (1981)

Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee (1984)

Taggart (1 episode, 1985)

Naked Video (1986–1987)

The Tales of Para Handy (1 episode, 1994)

Rab C. Nesbitt (3 episodes, 1991–1998)

As actor (film)

Experience Preferred... But Not Essential (1982)

As director (TV)

City Lights (1986)

I, Lovett (1989)

Rab C. Nesbitt (1990)

Tis' the Season to be Jolly (1993)

Jolly a Man for All Seasons (1994)

Jolly: A Life (1995)

Pulp Video (1995)

The Tales of Para Handy (3 episodes, 1994–1995)

Bad Boys (1 episode, 1996)

It's a Jolly Life (1999)

Rikki Fulton: The Time of his Life (1999)

Brotherly Love (6 episodes, 2000)

The Bill (4 episodes, 2001–2002)

Snoddy (2002)

Only an Excuse? (2003)

The Karen Dunbar Show (2003)

River City (1 episode, 2008)

As director (Video)

Scotch & Wry 4: Rikki Fulton Prince of Pochlers (1992)

Francie & Josie: The Farewell Performance (1996)

The Best of Rikki Fulton: Rikki Fulton's Scotch & Wry Hogmanay 1996 (1997)

Rikki Fulton's Rev. IM Jolly & Friends (2004)

Jay Kanter obit

Jay Kanter Dies: Film Producer & Agent To Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe Was 97

 

He was not on the list.

Jay Ira Kanter, veteran film producer and agent to a long list of Hollywood luminaries including Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, among others has died. He was 97.

Kanter died peacefully and surrounded by his family in his Beverly Hills home on the morning of August 6.

The agent and executive got his start in the business after his stint in the US Navy, which he joined during World War II. Kanter applied for a job at MCA and rose up quickly through the ranks. He was mentored by Lew Wasserman.

At age 22, Kanter sought an offer for a young actor named Marlon Brando. Brando then traveled to Los Angeles via train, and Kanter picked him up at the station. Upon arrival, the two became fast lifelong friends, with Brando becoming Jay’s longtime client.

Kanter went on to represent stars such as Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, Warren Beatty, and Ronald Reagan.

When MCA bought Universal Pictures, Kanter relocated to London with his family to oversee production for the European studio. The studio later shut down its European operations, and Kanter formed a production company with Elliott Kastner and Alan Ladd, Jr. (Laddie).

Ladd returned to Los Angeles for a high-ranking production executive job at 20th Century Fox and invited Kanter to join him. This began a filmmaking partnership with Laddie that included leadership of 20th Century Fox, The Ladd Co., and MGM/UA.

Credits of the films he worked on include classics and Academy Award winners such as Chariots of Fire, Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Alien, Thelma and Louise, Julia, Blade Runner, Body Heat, Norma Rae, Turning Point, The Right Stuff, Star 80 and the Police Academy franchise. With longtime friend and collaborator Mel Brooks, he worked on such Brooks classics as Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, Spaceballs, and Life Stinks.

Kanter was born on December 12, 1926, in Chicago, IL, to parents Muriel and Harry Kanter. He was married three times, the first to actress Roberta Haynes for less than a year, followed by a marriage to Judy Balaban, the daughter of former President and honorary Chairman of Paramount Pictures Barney Balaban.

Kanter was later married to his wife of 49 years, Kit Bennett Kanter with whom he shared his life until her death in 2014. During his life, he also lost a daughter, Victoria Kanter Colombetti

He is survived by his children Dustin (and Debra) Bernard, Tom Bernard, Cydney Bernard, Amy Kanter (and Bob Thiele), Adam (and Brooke) Kanter and Michael (and Erica) Kanter along with his grandchildren Jason (and Andie) Colombetti, Matthew Colombetti, Owen Thiele (Jared Ellner), Sophie Bernard, Charlie Foster, Hannah Kanter, Kit Foster, Cleo Kanter, Grayson Kanter and Ryan Kanter.

Private services will be held on Friday, August 9th, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Motion Picture Television Fund or the Jules Stein Eye Institute.

 

Producer

Meghan Sunder in Olympians (2020)

Olympians

Short

executive producer

2020

 

Big Truck and Sister Clare (1974)

Big Truck and Sister Clare

6.3

co-producer

1974

 

Fear Is the Key (1972)

Fear Is the Key

6.3

producer

1972

 

Death Line (1972)

Death Line

5.9

executive producer (uncredited)

1972

 

Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, and Susannah York in X, Y & Zee (1972)

X, Y & Zee

5.8

producer

1972

 

Marlon Brando in The Nightcomers (1971)

The Nightcomers

5.8

executive producer (uncredited)

1971

 

Richard Burton in Villain (1971)

Villain

6.5

producer

1971

 

When Eight Bells Toll (1971)

When Eight Bells Toll

6.0

producer (uncredited)

1971

 

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969)

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

6.3

executive producer (uncredited)

1969

Jim Kearney obit

Chiefs mourn the passing of Super Bowl IV champion Jim Kearney

 

He was not on the list.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost a member of their Super Bowl IV roster this week when legendary safety Jim Kearney passed away on Tuesday, August 6 at the age of 81.

Kearney was originally selected by the Detroit Lions with the 151st pick of the 1965 NFL draft after he excelled as a collegian at Prairie View A&M. He was born in Wharton, Texas.

He played in Detroit for two seasons before joining the Chiefs in 1967, where he helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl victory in 1969 before finishing his career with the New Orleans Saints.

In his playing days, Kearney was a well-known ball hawk in Kansas City’s secondary, and led the league in both interceptions for touchdowns and yards on interception returns in 1972.

The Chiefs posted a heartfelt remembrance of Kearney on Twitter, sending thoughts and prayers to his family.

After retiring from the league in 1976, Kearney moved back to the Kansas City area, coaching little league football and teaching science at Washington High School.

Career history

Detroit Lions (1965–1966)

Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1975)

New Orleans Saints (1976)

Career highlights and awards

Super Bowl champion (IV)

Career NFL statistics

Games played:            142

Interceptions:            23

Fumble recoveries:            9

Billy Bean obit

Baseball trailblazer Billy Bean, who dedicated life to inclusion, dies at 60

 

He was not on the list.

Major League Baseball is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Billy Bean, the league’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, passed away at his home on Tuesday after an 11-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Bean, who was diagnosed last September, was 60 years old.

“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn our dear friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others. He made Baseball a better institution, both on and off the field, by the power of his example, his empathy, his communication skills, his deep relationships inside and outside our sport, and his commitment to doing the right thing. We are forever grateful for the enduring impact that Billy made on the game he loved, and we will never forget him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Billy’s husband, Greg Baker, and their entire family.”

A native of Santa Ana, California, Bean was the only living openly gay Major League player (current or former), having come out in 1999. Detroit’s fourth-round Draft pick in 1986, Bean played for the Tigers, Dodgers and Padres from 1987-1995, logging a total of 519 plate appearances in 272 career games.

His decision to retire at the age of 31 wasn’t easy, but he decided that living as a closeted baseball player was untenable, and he believed that neither he nor the game was ready for an openly gay player. It wasn’t until 1999, more than three years after his final game, that Bean came out, becoming only the second player ever to do so. (Glenn Burke, who retired in 1979 and came out in 1982, died in 1995.)

Bean became a national story, with media outlets including the New York Times, CNN and ABC covering his tale. In 2003, Bean published his memoir, “Going the Other Way,” which became a national bestseller.

"Nowadays, there's so much more information," Bean said in 2018. "Self-identification happens a lot earlier, and open-hearted families and parents teach their children about everything in the world. It allows for an earlier evolution. I was living in a very stone-age space."

Bean joined the Office of the Commissioner in July 2014, hired by then-Commissioner Bud Selig as MLB’s first-ever Ambassador for Inclusion. As a senior advisor to Manfred, Bean’s role focused on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives.

“As society progressed, Billy brought that as a figurehead to Major League Baseball and institutions that never had a position like that, or a role like that, or even acknowledged it,” said Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, who played 18 years in the big leagues and has been a close friend to Bean, dating back to their time as Padres teammates in the 1990s.

“It’s a sad day, definitely, for what he’s done in the game," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "His leadership is going to be missed in the role. Brad Ausmus is a good friend of mine, and I know Brad sent him a note today. ... For baseball, we lost an ambassador and a really, really great man.”

MLB promoted Bean to Vice President and Special Assistant to the Commissioner in March 2017, adding anti-bullying efforts to his plate. Five years later, Bean was promoted to Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers (1987–1989), Los Angeles Dodgers (1989), and San Diego Padres (1993–1995), as well as the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 1992.

He enrolled at Loyola Marymount University on an athletic scholarship to play college baseball for the Loyola Marymount Lions. After his junior year, the New York Yankees selected Bean in the 24th round of the 1985 MLB Draft. Though the Yankees offered Bean a $55,000 signing bonus, Bean followed through with his promise to return to Loyola Marymount for his senior year. Bean appeared with the Lions in the 1986 College World Series.

The Detroit Tigers selected Bean in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. He signed with the Tigers for $12,500. Bean made his major league debut for the Tigers on April 25, 1987 and tied the major league record of 4 hits in his debut game. He had a total of 6 bases with two doubles and won over the fans in Tiger Stadium that were chanting his name in the later inning at bats. He spent most of the 1988 season in the minor leagues, where he led the Toledo Mud Hens in batting average; among his teammates in Toledo was the similarly named Billy Beane. Bean played in 10 games for the Tigers after he was promoted back to the major leagues in August 1988. He played in nine games for the Tigers in the 1989 season. On July 17, 1989, the Tigers traded Bean to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor leaguers Steve Green and Domingo Michel. He batted .197 for the Dodgers in 51 games, and was demoted to the minor leagues.

Patti Yasutake obit

Patti Yasutake, Actress on ‘Star Trek Generations’ and ‘Beef,’ Dies at 70

A veteran of the East West Players theater company, she also starred in the film and TV versions of ‘Gung Ho.’ 

She was not on the list.

Patti Yasutake, who portrayed Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on Star Trek Generations and a pair of franchise movies and Fumi Nakai, the widowed mother of Joseph Lee’s sculptor, on Beef, has died. She was 70.

Yasutake died Monday at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center after a long battle with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma, her longtime manager, Kyle Fritz, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Patti was my first client when I began over 30 years ago,” he said in a statement. “We enjoyed every day we got to work together, and I will miss her spirit talent and tenacity but most of all her friendship.”

The Los Angeles native also played a relocated Japanese wife earnestly trying to Americanize in the Ron Howard-directed Gung Ho (1986) and on its ABC series adaptation that lasted just nine episodes in 1986-87.

She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her turn in The Wash (1988), and her big-screen résumé included Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) as well.

Yasutake played Starfleet officer Nurse Ogawa on 16 episodes of the syndicated Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1990-94 and reprised the role for Star Trek Generations (1994) and Star Trek: First Contact (1996).

Last year, she appeared on seven episodes of the Netflix sensation Beef as the fierce mother of George Nakai and mother-in-law of Ali Wong’s Amy Lau.

Born on Sept. 6, 1953, Yasutake was raised in Gardena and Inglewood. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater and then began her career with the theater company East West Players, where she worked with the Oscar-nominated actor Mako — later her co-star in The Wash — for six years.

As a theater director, Yasutake developed and staged world premieres for East West Players (Doughball), for the Richmond Shepherd Theater (The Single Man) and for the Ensemble Studio Theater (Father, I Must Have Rice), and she remounted Tea for the Odyssey Theatre.

She also directed workshop presentations at the Mark Taper Forum, Arizona Theater Company, Los Angeles Theater Center and Geffen Playhouse.

Survivors include her siblings, Linda and Steven.

A memorial will be held at East West Players. Donations in her memory can be made to the theater company.

Actress

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

8.9

Video Game

Akane Kishida (English version, voice)

2024

 

Steven Yeun and Ali Wong in Beef (2023)

Beef

8.0

TV Series

Fumi Nakai

2023

7 episodes

 

Snoop Dogg, Chase Masterson, Tim Russ, and Garrett Wang in Unbelievable!!!!! (2020)

Unbelievable!!!!!

3.1

Dr. Beverly Krasher

2020

 

Notorious (2016)

Notorious

6.6

TV Series

Judge Wong (uncredited)

2016

1 episode

 

Troian Bellisario, Sasha Pieterse, Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, and Shay Mitchell in Pretty Little Liars (2010)

Pretty Little Liars

7.4

TV Series

Clerk

2016

1 episode

 

NCIS: Los Angeles (2009)

NCIS: Los Angeles

6.8

TV Series

NTSB Chief Howard

2013

1 episode

 

BioShock Infinite (2013)

BioShock Infinite

9.1

Video Game

May Lin (voice)

2013

 

Kyra Sedgwick, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Robert Gossett, J.K. Simmons, Jon Tenney, and Corey Reynolds in The Closer (2005)

The Closer

7.8

TV Series

Cathy Tao

Kathy Tao

2008–2011

3 episodes

 

Eileen Davidson, Bryton James, Joshua Morrow, Gina Tognoni, Justin Hartley, Melissa Claire Egan, and Peter Bergman in The Young and the Restless (1973)

The Young and the Restless

5.3

TV Series

Judge Wilkerson

2011

1 episode

 

Dad's Home (2010)

Dad's Home

5.9

TV Movie

Mrs. Hong

2010

 

Joseph Fiennes, Courtney B. Vance, John Cho, and Zachary Knighton in Flashforward (2009)

Flashforward

7.6

TV Series

Mia Kondo

2009

1 episode

 

Eliza Dushku and Gabriel Mann in The Coverup (2008)

The Coverup

5.4

Dr. Naomi Hewitt

2008

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Barbara Takahashi - 2007

2007

1 episode

 

The Unit (2006)

The Unit

8.1

TV Series

Judge Hatter

2006

1 episode

 

Just Legal (2005)

Just Legal

7.2

TV Series

Judge Nina Tonai

2005–2006

2 episodes

 

Candice Bergen, William Shatner, and James Spader in Boston Legal (2004)

Boston Legal

8.5

TV Series

Dr. Claire Simon (uncredited)

2006

1 episode

 

David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel in Bones (2005)

Bones

7.8

TV Series

Judge A. Lang (uncredited)

2005

1 episode

 

James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, and Chandra Wilson in Grey's Anatomy (2005)

Grey's Anatomy

7.6

TV Series

Elaine Verma

2005

1 episode

 

Emilio Estevez, Charles S. Dutton, George Hamilton, and Snoop Dogg in The L.A. Riot Spectacular (2005)

The L.A. Riot Spectacular

5.0

2005

 

Jill Hennessy in Crossing Jordan (2001)

Crossing Jordan

7.0

TV Series

Mrs. Mika Yamamoto

2004

1 episode

 

Natasha Henstridge, Kristen Miller, and Natashia Williams in She Spies (2002)

She Spies

6.0

TV Series

Min-Yung

2004

1 episode

 

George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Kito

2003

1 episode

 

Star Trek: Armada II (2001)

Star Trek: Armada II

8.1

Video Game

(voice)

2001

 

Judging Amy (1999)

Judging Amy

7.0

TV Series

Delivery Room Doctor

2000

1 episode

 

Incognito (1999)

Incognito

7.1

TV Movie

1999

 

Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Kirsten Dunst, and Denise Richards in Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

Drop Dead Gorgeous

6.7

Mrs. Howard

1999

 

Crystal Bernard and Doug Savant in A Face to Kill for (1999)

A Face to Kill for

5.7

TV Movie

D.A. Rowland

1999

 

Parker Posey, Toni Collette, Lisa Kudrow, and Alanna Ubach in Clockwatchers (1997)

Clockwatchers

6.6

Theater Woman (uncredited)

1997

 

Dana Ashbrook, Nia Peeples, Clifton Collins Jr., Kellie Martin, Tina Lifford, and Matt Roth in Crisis Center (1997)

Crisis Center

5.8

TV Series

1997

1 episode

 

Annie Potts in Dangerous Minds (1996)

Dangerous Minds

6.3

TV Series

Jacqueline Demmler

1996

1 episode

 

Alice Krige, Brent Spiner, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Star Trek: First Contact

7.6

Nurse Ogawa

1996

 

Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, Kim Coles, and John Henton in Living Single (1993)

Living Single

7.7

TV Series

Oki

1996

1 episode

 

The Road to Galveston (1996)

The Road to Galveston

7.2

TV Movie

Nurse Dickerson

1996

 

Murder One (1995)

Murder One

8.2

TV Series

Reporter #2 (as Patty Yasutake)

1995

1 episode

 

Lori Loughlin in Abandoned and Deceived (1995)

Abandoned and Deceived

6.2

TV Movie

1995

 

Corbin Bernsen and Donna Mills in Dangerous Intentions (1995)

Dangerous Intentions

6.2

TV Movie

Lois

1995

 

William Shatner and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Star Trek: Generations

6.6

Nurse Ogawa

1994

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa

Doctor Alyssa Ogawa

1990–1994

16 episodes

 

Hallmark: Enterprise-D

Video

Alyssa Ogawa

1993

 

Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Baker, and Forest Whitaker in Lush Life (1993)

Lush Life

6.7

TV Movie

Doctor

1993

 

Charles Bronson and Dana Delany in Donato and Daughter (1993)

Donato and Daughter

5.7

TV Movie

Dr. Stewart

1993

 

Laura Linney and Joanne Woodward in Blind Spot (1993)

Blind Spot

5.9

TV Movie

Dr. Charbonneau

1993

 

Rhythm & Blues (1992)

Rhythm & Blues

6.0

TV Series

Wendy

1992

1 episode

 

Picket Fences (1992)

Picket Fences

7.8

TV Series

Nurse

1992

1 episode

 

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

4.4

TV Newscaster

1992

 

Fatal Friendship (1991)

Fatal Friendship

5.4

TV Movie

Ling Landrum

1991

 

Scott Plank in Sons and Daughters (1991)

Sons and Daughters

7.7

TV Series

Lillian Park

1991

2 episodes

 

Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991)

Without Warning: The James Brady Story

6.3

TV Movie

Therapist

1991

 

Candice Bergen in Murphy Brown (1988)

Murphy Brown

6.9

TV Series

Secretary #41

1991

1 episode

 

Tales from the Crypt (1989)

Tales from the Crypt

8.0

TV Series

Newscaster #2

1989

1 episode

 

Mr. Belvedere (1985)

Mr. Belvedere

6.5

TV Series

Tami

1987–1989

2 episodes

 

Mako and Nobu McCarthy in The Wash (1988)

The Wash

6.8

Marsha

1988

 

CBS Summer Playhouse (1987)

CBS Summer Playhouse

6.4

TV Series

Shirley Kajimoto

1988

1 episode

 

Mary Page Keller and Matthew Laurance in Duet (1987)

Duet

7.2

TV Series

Miss Shimokawa

1988

1 episode

 

Take Five (1987)

Take Five

4.7

TV Series

1987

1 episode

 

Scott Bakula and Gedde Watanabe in Gung Ho (1986)

Gung Ho

6.0

TV Series

Umeki Kazuhiro

1986–1987

9 episodes

 

Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

7.0

TV Series

Field Reporter

Teldar Employee

1985–1986

2 episodes

 

Michael Keaton, George Wendt, Rodney Kageyama, and Gedde Watanabe in Gung Ho (1986)

Gung Ho

6.3

Umeki Kazihiro (as Patti Yasuiake)

1986

 

Hail to the Chief (1985)

Hail to the Chief

7.2

TV Series

Sportswriter #3

1985

1 episode

 

Tales of Meeting and Parting

Short

1985

 

Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Constance McCashin, John Pleshette, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing (1979)

Knots Landing

6.9

TV Series

Nurse

1985

1 episode

 

T.J. Hooker (1982)

T.J. Hooker

6.1

TV Series

Suzie

1985

1 episode

Maurice Williams obit

Legendary “Stay” singer Maurice Williams dies at 86

 

He was not on the list.

(August 6, 2024) We are sad today to report the passing of an all-time great singer, the legendary Maurice Williams, known for the timeless classic “Stay.” The news was posted on social media by Williams’ friend Ron Henderson, Jr.

Maurice Williams is a name synonymous with early rhythm and blues. Born on April 26, 1938, in Lancaster, South Carolina, Williams discovered his passion for music at a young age, leading to the formation of his first group, the Royal Charms, during his teenage years. This group would later evolve into Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, marking the beginning of a storied career. Williams wrote the song “Little Darlin,” which became a hit for The Diamonds, but was only the beginning of Williams’ impact on the charts.

In 1960, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs released the single “Stay,” a doo-wop classic that captivated audiences with its catchy melody and concise, under-two-minute runtime. “Stay” soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming one of the shortest songs ever to achieve such a feat. Its enduring appeal saw it covered by numerous artists, including the Four Seasons and Jackson Browne, giving it new life in several decades.

Williams’ ability to blend relatable lyrics with infectious rhythms was showcased in subsequent releases, though none of them reach the pinnacle of “Stay.”

Maurice Williams’ contributions to music were recognized with inductions into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, affirming his status as a pioneer of rhythm and blues. With a career that spans over six decades, Maurice Williams remains a celebrated figure, whose timeless tunes continue to resonate with generations of music lovers.