Are you sure that's not Billy Batts?

R.I.P. Emile Griffith. One of my favorite fighters (a GREAT boxer from the '60s), I saw him fight at the Garden a few times and he was always a pleasure to watch. I remember watching (on television) his last bout against Benny Paret (in which Paret later died after being knocked out). Griffith was never the same after that.

He died here on Long Island earlier today. He was 75.

They did an ESPN documentary on Griffith about 7 or 8 years ago called "Ring of Fire." It's fantastic. Towards the end Emile visits Paret's grave at Saint Raymonds. I was there filing paperwork in the office when they filmed that sequence.

Not necessary! I got it, thanks...

Hey Geoff. How are you? AND, how is your mom doing?




TIS

Everyone's hanging in there, TIS, thanks!

Glad to hear it Geoff! Take care



TIS

J.J. Cale took the train to musicians' heaven.

A great welterweight. I saw the first of the three Griffith-Paret fights. Griffith won that one and did a complete flip in the ring. I think there was some issue in the final fight where Paret was making disparaging comments to Griffith who was gay (no exactly acceptable in those days) and Griffith literally killed him in that fight. As I recall the problem was with the ref who should have called the fight when Paret was literally out on his feet and being pummelled. Griffith was never the same fighter after that bout.

Actress, Eileen Brennan passed away at 80 from bladder cancer. I remember her mostly from Private Benjamin

TIS

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57596206/eileen-brennan-dead-at-80/

The role I associate her with is from "The Sting".

One of my favorite ballplayers, George Scott, a power hitting first baseman with the Boston Red Sox and some other clubs in the '60s and '70s died on Sunday. He was only 69. R.I.P. Boomer

Actress Karen Black, who played Jack Nickolson's girlfriend in "Five Easy Pieces" died today. She was 74.

Her portrayal of a woman attacked by a voodoo doll scared the crap out of me (in "Trilogy of Terror" made in the mid '70s). She also appeared in "Easy Rider". R.I.P.

Oh sure, I remember her from Five Easy Pieces and I loved her in the Trilogy of Terror. I'll never forget the last scene of the voodoo doll story. Totally creepy. They did a remake I saw fairly recently (don't remember the year it was made) and it wasn't bad, but not as good as the original.

Sorry to hear of her passing


TIS

Karen Black died RIP. Most famous for her roles in Five Easy Pieces and Nashville.

Probably mostly us old timers will remember Eydie Gorme. She passed away at age 84.

I remember her and her husband Steve Lawrence were quite popular on many variety shows back in the 60s & 70s. RIP


TIS

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/r-p-eydie-gorme-002615457.html

The Atlantic City Press had a small article on her. She was the 1st performer at Resorts International in A.C. when it opened for gambling in 1978.

RIP Lisa Robin Kelly who played Laurie on That 70's Show. She was 43.

She had alot of problems over the years with drugs and alcohol. She died at a rehab clinic but the cause of death hasn't been determined yet.

I heard about her death. I was never a viewer of 70's Show so can't say I know who she is. Too bad tho. Sounds like she had real problems.


TIS

I loved That 70s Show. So sorry to hear about her death.

RIP novelist and screenwriter Elmore Leonard. He died 3 weeks after having a stroke. He was 87.

Dick Van Dyke, 87, cheated death yesterday when he was pulled from his burning car moments before it became engulfed in flames.

A great loss. He was a brilliant writer.

Then he went home and tripped over the ottoman.

I'm guessing that Buddy and Sally are both dead.

I just heard about the Dick Van Dyke story this morning. He is so funny. He said to the reporter, "is anyone in the market for a used Jaguar?" He looks great for 87 no?

Anyway, glad he's ok. I used to love the "Dick Van Dyke Show."




TIS

He looks very good, and I too loved the Dick Van Dyke Show. I heard he was on his way to the dentist when the incident happened.

I heard he was on his way to the dentist when the incident happened.
[/quote]

Jerry Helper?

A tremendous loss. Many people here know that he was my favorite novelist of all time .

RIP Elmore, and thanks for Chili Palmer, Raylan Givens, Jack Foley, Stick, Harry Arno, and too many other great characters to mention.

Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young has died aged 29 after suicide.
There was no official cause of death, but Young's manager confirmed Monday that the Famous Jett Jackson actor 'tragically took his own life.'

My daughter and I used to watch Jett Jackson together all the time. So sad.