Lung Cancer Kills Dustin Diamond at Age 44

Sadly, Dustin Diamond, best known as Screech on Saved By The Bell, didn’t beat cancer. He passed away on Monday morning 2/1/2021 due to complications from stage 4 lung cancer.

We had hoped he would pull through, despite pondering where might have gotten sick (see: Dustin Diamond Wonders If He Got Cancer from Moldy Hotels).

Dustin’s team says they’re aware his name is not necessarily the most reputable due to his history of mishaps, but they want the public to understand “he was not intentionally malevolent.” His team adds that he went through a great deal of turmoil in his life, but he was always “a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make others laugh.”

Dustin Diamond Dead at 44 After Battle with Stage 4 Lung Cancer

It’s too bad that Peacock’s reunion of Saved By The Bell could not have included at least a cameo role for Screech. He was in every other version of the TV series.

When they have these reunions and reboots all the more reason why it’s important to include everybody that they can. We never know just how long we’re going to live. Diamond was only 44 years old and, regardless any of his transgressions, he was way too young to pass on.

At least Diamond will be able to see and hear Eddie Van Halen’s eruption live in the afterlife. RIP.

Now The Man With Suspenders Can Interview The Afterlife, Larry King Dead at 87

No official cause of death has been announced, but Larry King, entered the hospital in December with COVID, so perhaps it’s related to this miserable pandemic. He also was diagnosed with lung cancer, so there’s that.

Whatever caused his death, he’s gone now, after giving over 30,000 interviews and spending 60+ years in media, 25+ on CNN alone.

King left CNN in 2011, a move he expected would amount to retirement. But he kept working until his death, hosting “Larry King Now,” a program that aired on Ora TV, Hulu and RT America. King, it seemed, just never wanted the interview to end. “I just love what I do,” he said, “I love asking questions, I love doing the interviews.”

Larry King, legendary talk show host, dies – CNN

King worked almost literally to the end, doing what he loved best: interviewing others.

After the OJ Simpson verdict, who did he call? Larry King

He has plenty of candidates to interview wherever he roams with those springy suspenders now.

Larry King discusses his most memorable guests

What was your favorite Larry King interview?

RIP Larry King.

John le Carré Dead At 89

It’s been years since I’ve seen an adaptation of a John le Carre novel, but he’s a celebrated spy novel writer and, sadly, he is gone from this life. The bolding in the quote below is mine.

His real name was David John Moore Cornwell and le Carre was his pen name — but a celebrated name indeed.

His books include The Looking Glass War (1965), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974), Smiley’s People (1979), The Little Drummer Girl (1983), The Night Manager (1993), The Tailor of Panama (1996), The Constant Gardener (2001), A Most Wanted Man (2008) and Our Kind of Traitor (2010), all of which have been adapted for film or television.

John le Carré – Wikipedia

I remember Alec Guinness’ performance as George Smiley the one of the adapted TV series, but haven’t seen it for years. I suspect we’ll see a resurgence in interest for le Carre’s work. Miniseries are fairly commonplace on streaming channels, so who knows.

RIP.

Darth Vader David Prowse Dies At 85

The actors who starred in the original Star Wars movie continue to pass on to the great space beyond. Most recent, this past weekend, was the man inside Darth Vader’s black suit, David Prowse.

Prowse died on Saturday at age 85 after suffering from an illness. Though James Earl Jones voiced the famous villain in “Star Wars,” Prowse was the physical actor who portrayed Darth Vader. In a post on StarWars.com, creator George Lucas wrote a touching tribute to Prowse. “David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character,”

George Lucas, Mark Hamill and More Pay Tribute to David Prowse – Variety

For those keeping track, even loosely so, the actor who played Chewbacca, Peter Mahew is gone, Obi Wan Kenobi, Sir Alec Guinness, was the first I believe (Peter Cushing, actually, see comments) to pass on. Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia has also is gone. Who else from the iconic first movie have traveled beyond this plane of existence?

R.I.P David Prowse.

The Afterlife Just Picked Up An Amazing Guitarist: Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65

Sad rock and roll news, and not related to pandemic.

We could say it’s not related to movies and TV either, but I think there’s a Van Halen soundtrack for some movie coming someday in the future (hint, hint). Maybe it’s not been released yet, but it deserves to be someday (we can dream, anyway!). I know Van Halen did a song for the movie Twister, but I’m talking something like Motley Crue’s The Dirt or Rocketman.

A mighty axeman has fallen: Edward Van Halen will be playing his licks in the afterlife, and I bet those solos will be scorching.

The announcement was made by his son, Wolfgang.

“I can’t believe I’m having to write this,” the statement said, “but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.”

Eddie Van Halen Dies At 65 : NPR

Many condolences to the Van Halen family. I know Sammy Hagar kept trying to get the band back together for one final run, but it didn’t happen. I think Eddie was sicker than anybody was letting on.

Eddie had been laying low and we asked a year ago about his sickness: Is Eddie Sick? Don’t Want to “Hear About It Later” Van Halen Deserves An “Unchained” Music Movie “Right Now” This wasn’t meant as some personal invasion of privacy type post, I think he’s a public enough figure that a lot of fans cared about his well being. Let us know how he’s doing. I get some people just don’t want to tell you when they are sick. Too bad, because a lot of people could have sent their love and well wishes.

Van Halen will always be the party band of the 80s. These guys just knew how to play fun rock and roll. Great band that had a ton of great songs. Consider myself fortunate to have seen them on their tour with Wolf on bass. They rocked Seattle that night.

Eddie is rumored to have recorded a ton of music in his 5150 studio. Would love if they release some of that, perhaps as a soundtrack to a biopic about the band.

RIP Eddie Van Halen.

Most Liked Tweet Ever – 7.1+ million likes – is Chadwick Boseman Death Announcement

Da 5 Bloods ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some (most?) of you have heard by now about actor Chadwick Boseman’s death from cancer at the very young age of 43. You may not have heard that the Twitter tweet announcing his death has set a record number of likes.

At press time Saturday afternoon, the tweet from Boseman’s account had 5.6 million likes. The previous record-holder was a tweet from former president Barack Obama, which currently has 4.3 million likes.

Chadwick Boseman Tweet Announcing His Death Most Liked Ever

What makes Boseman’s youthful passing stand out even more is his dedication to his craft up until his death, In between treatments for his condition, he kept working.

Something good happening on Twitter? Yes. You can like it and add to the 7.1 million and counting Twitter love below.

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

Click the heart icon to join the love

See Boseman’s filmography and/or if you’re a Netflix subscriber, check out Da Bloods. He also starred in Black Panther, the Avengers films (Infinity War, Civil War, Endgame), Draft Day, 42 and more.

Rest in peace, Mr. Boseman.