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Passages:
2016 Strikes Again!
BREAKING NEWS: Legendary entertainer Debbie Reynolds died Wednesday, one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, passed away. Reynolds was making funeral arrangements for her daughter when she suffered a stroke that was likely caused by the grief of the moment. Her death on Wednesday means that someone of note has died every single day this week.
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The year 2016 has proven to be absolutely relentless with yet another set of back-to-back passages within the entertainment community. Following the death of Zsa Zsa Gabor late last week, many believed high-profile passages had finally come to an end for the year. However, 2016 had a different idea.
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In rapid succession and, after the OK WASSUP! Top 2016 Stories of the Year list was published, the year has claimed 3 more high-profile lives. Oh, 2016, please just go away already!
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GEORGE MICHAEL
1963 ~ 2016
Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, R&B/pop singer George Michael was the first of 3 recent passages, after passing away in his sleep on Sunday of an apparent heart attack.
Best known as the frontman for the singing duo WHAM!, Michael created an impressive body of work as a solo artist during the 80’s and 90’s with such hits as “Faith,” “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Careless Whisper,” and “Father Figure.” Michael sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with his debut solo album “Faith” selling more than 20 million copies worldwide. Michael achieved 7 #1 singles in the UK and 8 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. In fact, he ranks among the best-selling British acts of all time and by Billboard magazine as the 40th-most successful artist ever!
After coming out as gay several years ago, Michael became an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser.
Heartfelt tributes from friends poured in over the past few days.
“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog,” wrote former bandmate Andrew Ridgeley of WHAM!
“I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend – the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist,” said Elton John.
“I am thinking of @GeorgeMichael’s family, friends and fans right now. He was so loved and I hope he knew it because the sadness today is beyond words. Devastating. What a beautiful voice he had and his music will live on as a testament to his talent,” added Boy George.
George Michael was 53.
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RICKY HARRIS
1962 ~ 2016
Best known for his recurring character of “Malvo” on the popular sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, comedian Ricky Harris was the 2nd of 3 recent entertainment passages. He died of a heart attack on Monday at the age of 54.
Ricky Harris played his first movie roles in Poetic Justice in 1993 and Murder Was the Case in 1994. He also had minor roles in Michael Mann’s 1995 crime film Heat and Mikael Salomon’s 1998 action movie Hard Rain. He was the voice of “DJ EZ Dicc,” “TaaDow,” and “Saul-T-Nutz” in various skits featured on albums by famed rapper, Snoop Dogg. He also portrayed the role of “Javon ‘JW’ Willis” on the situation comedy Moesha.
In addition to many successful years as a stand-up comic and multiple features in the ‘90s on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Harris lent his voice to various characters in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Harris was the son of a preacher and grew up in Long Beach singing in a church choir with childhood friend Snoop Dogg.
“C u when I get there like we used to do in church on the east side,” Snoop Dogg tweeted. “My favorite comic passed today. He was as good as it gets!” added comedian DL Hughley.
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CARRIE FISHER
1956 ~ 2016
Born the daughter of Hollywood “royalty” Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, actress, writer, and producer Carrie Fisher passed away on Tuesday, after suffering a massive heart attack over the weekend while on a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles. She spent the last several days in Intensive Care and never regained consciousness.
Best known as “Princess Leia” in the iconic Star Wars film series, Fisher also starred in the films Shampoo (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The ‘Burbs (1989), and When Harry Met Sally… (1989). However, acting wasn’t her only creative passion. Fisher’s semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge became a huge best-seller and was later turned into a successful film. She also wrote in her recent memoirs of a secret love affair she once had with actor Harrison Ford.
After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her mid-20’s, Fisher suffered for many years with alcoholism, drug addiction, and anxiety. She spent her later years speaking publicly about her experiences with mental health and addiction.
In a statement, Harrison Ford said: “Carrie was one-of-a-kind…brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely … My thoughts are with her daughter Billie, her mother Debbie, her brother Todd, and her many friends. We will all miss her.”
Director George Lucas said, “Carrie and I have been friends most of our adult lives. She was extremely smart; a talented actress, writer, and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved. In Star Wars she was our great and powerful princess – feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think. My heart and prayers are with Billie, Debbie, and all Carrie’s family, friends and fans. She will be missed by all.”
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Very classy for you to do this DJ. Watching all the videos took me down memory lane especially on George Michael. Yeah 2016 we are done with you.