Celebrity Death - Bitten and Bound

Dr. Joyce Brothers Dead at 85

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May 142013

Dr. Joyce Brothers died at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey on May 13, 2013 due to respiratory failure. She was 85.

Brothers has been credited with inspiring Dr. Phil McGraw, who called himself “a very big fan of hers.”

Dr. Phil tweeted last night, “Dr. Joyce Brothers was a pioneer in the field of mental health. She will be missed.”

The popular psychologist was a television personality and columnist, who wrote a daily newspaper advice column from 1960-2013 that was in publications throughout the U.S.

She gained fame in late 1955 by winning ‘The $64,000 Question’ television game show after correctly answered a series of questions about boxing.

Brothers became a popular game show celebrity guest, appearing on ‘Match Game,’ ‘What’s My Line?, and ‘Hollywood Squares.’

‘Happy Days’ actor Henry Winkler tweeted, “Dr. Brothers had game … No matter where she appeared. REST!”

She is survived by her sister Elaine Goldsmith, her daughter Lisa Brothers Arbisser, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Photo: WENN

The Young and the Restless Star Jeanne Cooper Dead

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May 082013

Famed soap opera actress Jeanne Cooper, who played Katherine Chancellor on “The Young and the Restless,” has died at the age of 84.

Cooper’s son, “L.A. Law” actor Corbin Bernsen, posted the news on Twitter and Facebook that his mother passed away this morning. He had been keeping fans updated on her condition after she fell ill with an infection earlier this year.

From Corbin Bernsen’s Facebook fan page:

“Wasn’t sure how I would have to say these words so I opt for simplicity at least to begin…

My mother passed away this morning just a short time ago, peaceful with my sister by her side, in her sleep. I was going to visit this afternoon, thought I had time. Reminder to self – time is a precious thing. I too am at peace however. I said my goodbyes several times over during the last few weeks. I’ll go one last time now for a gentle kiss a final farewell for this lifetime. She has been a blaze her entire life, that beacon, that boxer I spoke of earlier. She went the full twelve rounds and by unanimous decision… won! And while her light finally gave into the wind that gives flight to all our journeys, there will always be a glimmer left behind by what she stood for. I will speak about that more in coming days, months I suppose. I will certainly dedicate what remains of my life to continue her purpose of honesty, equality, humility, empathy and love. So many of you have said your prayers for her and right now, today, I can say the best way to honor her is to inhabit your lives with those things she stood for. I would ask that closer friends respectfully give us some time to find our family’s path in this transition, and please limit calls, emails and the rest for a couple of days. As always, your outpouring of love here on this page, is not only welcomed to continue but truly appreciated and comforting. I asked my sister what time she passed exactly, and she told me (not to important for public record) but I was working out and just happened to pick out a song for my final moments on the treadmill – “Everlasting Light” by the Black Keys. Oh what a wonder it all is… what a magnificence!”

Cooper played Katherine Chancellor on the CBS soap for four decades. She was nominated for 10 Daytime Emmys. She won lead actress in 2008.

photo: Nikki Nelson/WENN

Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49

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May 032013

Jeff Hanneman, a founding member and guitarist of the thrash metal band Slayer, died yesterday after suffering liver failure.

Hanneman, 49, died at a Los Angeles hospital with his wife at his bedside. His rep Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald indicated the ravages of a spider bite in 2011 may have been a contributing factor in his untimely death.

Slayer announced his passing yesterday on their Facebook and Twitter pages:

Hanneman and guitarist Kerry King formed Slayer in 1981 after they met at an audition for another band and decided to go out on their own.

Their breakthrough came five years later with the release of the landmark album Reign in Blood. They went on to become one of the ‘Big Four’ thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeath and Anthrax, selling nearly 30 million albums.

Jeff Hanneman was influenced by punk music growing up, and played a large role in writing and contributing lyrics on each one of Slayers albums, including the songs, ‘Raining Blood,’ ‘War Blood,’ and ‘Seasons in the Abyss.’

The guitarist stopped touring in early 2011 after he contracted a spider bite that subsequently triggered the debilitating skin disorder necrotizing fasciitis, causing the degradation of deep layers of skin and tissue.

He is survived by his wife Kathy, a sister Kathy and brothers Michael and Larry.

Photo Credit: WENN

Kris Kross Rapper Chris Kelly Dead at 34

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May 022013

Chris Kelly, one half of the popular 90′s rap duo Kris Kross, died yesterday in Georgia at the age of 34.

FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Kelly was found unconscious in his Atlanta home Wednesday and was transported to the Atlanta Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. EST.

The cause of death remains open but a Fulton County police spokesman said, “It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose.”

“Mac Daddy” Kelly and his rap partner Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their 1992 song ‘Jump,’ where it remained for eight weeks.

Kelly and Smith, famous for wearing their clothes backward, were discovered in an Atlanta shopping mall in 1990 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupre, who was 19 at the time.

With ‘Jump’ remaining popular throughout 1992, they hooked up with Michael Jackson for a stint on his Dangerous World Tour.

The group split after their third album to pursue solo careers but they reunited in February 2013 for the So So Def’s 20th Anniversary concert.

We’ve included a video featuring their hit ‘Jump’ below … enjoy!

Photo Credit: WENN, Twitter

George Jones Dead at 81

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Apr 262013

Country legend George Jones died today in Nashville at the age of 81.

A Grand Ole Opry member since 1956, he had been hospitalized since April 18, 2013, at Vanderbilt University Hospital with a fever and irregular blood pressure.

His six decade career began in 1954 and was overshadowed at times by his alcoholism and cocaine addiction. He picked up the nickname “No-Show Jones” because he missed so many performances.

During the height of his popularity, fellow artist Waylon Jennings wrote about Jones in his song ‘It’s Alright.’

He penned, “George might show up flyin’ high, if George shows up at all … But he may be, unconsciously, the greatest of them all … From the Beatles and me in Nashville, to the billies and the Rolling Stones … If we all sounded like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones … And it’s alright.”

The Country Western Hall of Fame inductee, circa 1992, recorded 14 #1 country hits including ‘White Lightning,’ ‘I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,’ and ‘Yesterday’s Wine.’

Jones was married twice to fellow Nashville great Tammy Wynette, in 1969 and 1975. Their daughter Georgette Jones followed in the famous footsteps of her parents as a country singer — who has performed on stage with her famous father.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy Sepulvado, who resides in Franklin, Tennessee, and three children from two previous unions in 1950 and 1954.

Check out a George and Georgette duet of ‘You and Me and Time’ below:

Photo: WENN

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