I never got into the entertainment version of wrastling. I remember studio wrestling with stars such as Bruno Sammartino (from Pittsburgh), Baba the Giant, Crusher Lisowski,Fritz Von Erick, Johnny Valentine, The Mongol, and many more. All fake for sure, and it was entertainment, but not as fake and not as much entertainment as today's stuff.

I'm just as big a fan of the old school "'rasslin'" as I am of the sports entertainment variant. The quality has definitely gone down over the years, but pro wrestling still has that magical quality for me. Sure, the match outcomes are predetermined, but that's neither here nor there. I watch it for the art. Any asshole can punch someone in the face. It takes a true pro to look like he's beating the crap out of someone when in fact he is doing all he can to protect his opponent. And believe me, when it's great, it's the greatest entertainment out there.

Dusty Rhodes was one of the all-time greats. His Texas bull rope match with "Superstar" Billy Graham is one of the greatest wrestling matches of all time.

I was into wrestling around 89-94 as a kid i enjoyed it very much..

Here's one that slipped through the cracks: Portuguese film director Manoel de Oliveira died April 2nd at age 106.

The Guardian obituary

Geoff was the only one who picked him.

Time for some major updates here!


Signor V.

I watch a lot of wrestling decades ago. People used to think that shit was real. Anyone ever get you in a hammer lock. I want to see you shake it off and be okay again

The only wrestler I ever met was Captain Lou at an orange Julious stand.

Remember Captain Lou best hold? That was fingers in the eyes. I used that hold myself many times.

Didn't realize that Rick Ducommun, the Canadian actor and comedian who was in Spaceballs and Groundhog Day, died on June 12th.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/movies...at-62.html?_r=0

Dick Van Patton of "Eight Is Enough" fame died at age 86 and composer James Horner died in a plane crash.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/23/entertainment/feat-dick-van-patten-dies-obit/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-horner-dead-titanic-composer-804365

Actor Patrick Macnee has died at age 93.



De Niro and I picked him. Also, I think XDCX was the only one to pick Dick Van Patten.

R.I.P.


Signor V.

I used to love to watch him on "The Avengers" when I was a kid. Diana Rigg is now in "Game of Thrones."

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/patrick-macnee-dead-1201528377/

I now have six picks for this year, the same as the whole of 2014. It's a funny old game this.

rest in peace to DVP,

I grew up in the tail end of the 3 networks era...so we all watched the same tv shows and felt a connection to the stars of those shows.It's always sad to read when one of them passes.

I think it may be time for Geoff to update the whole list.


Signor V.

Or he could give the editing option to SC? Or one of us as he doesn't seem to be on here much these days..

Theoretically, SC already can. As moderator/administrator, he does have the ability. But it is, ultimately, Geoff's call.


Signor V.

Got 'em, thanks, guys! Updated given the last 2 pages ... Did I miss any?

...and I'd be very happy to train SV in the handling of the updates if he wishes

I gotta get credit for Irving Kahn. He died back in February.

Thanks Geoff..

Comedian Jack Carter has died at age 93.



Variety obituary

R.I.P.


Signor V.

Oh yes, I remember him. He was a character actor in many films if I remember correctly. Wow, 93? RIP




TIS

I remember him. He used to be on Match Game.

Yep, that was him.

For a recent, uncensored, no-holds-barred interview with Jack Carter, check out these links:

Jack Carter - Part 1
Jack Carter - Part 2
Jack Carter - Part 3
Jack Carter - Part 4
Jack Carter - Part 5
Jack Carter - Part 6
Jack Carter - Part 7
Jack Carter - Part 8


Signor V.

Quick Jack Carter story. He was originally cast as Arthur Spooner in "The King of Queens" as Carrie's crazy father. They shot the pilot and everything. Then Jerry Seinfeld abruptly pulled the plug on his show, which was still in the top five at the time, if not number one, and Jerry Stiller suddenly became available.

They hired Stiller the second he became available and gave Carter his walking papers. They had to re-shoot the pilot over the summer of '98 to have it ready by September (most pilots are shot in March and April). True Hollywood story.

He was recently in a Showtime series called Shameless. He was perfect in the role of a cranky, dirty old foul mouthed guy who lived in an apartment above the bar he owned that the main characters would frequent.

Here is the reading of his will when his character passed away...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dvzann9uG4c

Absolutely true - Carter himself also mentioned the tale in the interview I cited above.


Signor V.

US actress Diana Douglas dies aged 92

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33400021

Michael Douglas has some incredible longevity genes on BOTH sides of his family. His Mom was 92, Kirk is almost 99.

An actuary would have to make the over/under on his lifespan at least 90. But then again, there's that old saying: Make plans, and God laughs. So who really knows?

Irish singer Val Doonican has died...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33363938

Whats got 200 legs and no teeth? The front row at his concert

Kenny "The Snake" Stabler, quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the 1970s.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13230192/ken-stabler-former-oakland-raiders-quarterback-dies

As a lifelong Steeler fan, this is a blow to the gut. The Steelers and Raiders knocked each other out of the playoffs 5 straight years in the mid-70's, and I think it's safe to say that each team left a lasting mark on the other.

Actor Omar Sharif has died at age 83.



I see nobody had him on their list, but Mikey_Sunset picked Ken Stabler.


R.I.P.


Signor V.

I really liked him especially in Lawrence of Arabia.

When I was much younger, girls told me that I looked like him. Not a bad comparison.