Tag: passing

Posted on

Legendary Fashion Editor André Leon Talley Dies At 73

Andre Leon Talley passes away at the age of 73 (image via Instagram)

André Leon Talley, described as a “fashion industry force,” has died at 73. The trailblazing creative genius was the rare Black editor at the top of an industry that was primarily white and infamous for being elitist. Continue reading “Legendary Fashion Editor André Leon Talley Dies At 73”

Posted on

Karla Burns, Olivier/Drama Desk Award Winner, Passes Away At 66

Karla Burns (image via Facebook)

Karla Burns (image via Facebook)
Karla Burns (image via Facebook)
Forty years ago this week I was performing in my first professional theater gig in Show Boat at Lyric Theater in Oklahoma City. At 17, I’m pretty sure i was the youngest in the resident ensemble. For new readers, before I became a journalist I spent nearly 40 years working in the theater on Broadway and across the country in shows like Hello, Dolly!, Chicago, A Chorus Line and more. While most of those first weeks are a blur in my now-formerly blond head, I’ve never forgotten the joyful, effervescent Karla Burns who brought the role of Queenie to life as a musical force of nature. She tucked that experience under her arm, went to NYC and booked the role of Queenie in a national touring company of Show Boat in 1982. In 1983, the show landed on Broadway and Karla was honored with a Tony Award nomination for her richly layered performance.

And in 1991, she became the first (!!!) Black woman to win an Olivier Award for her Queenie in the West End production of Show Boat. Over the years, I would run into Karla and she always remembered me, always laughed with me, always had that big, gorgeous smile. This morning I saw in the New York Times she passed away at the age of 66 on June 4. The memory of her joyful, larger-than-life talent makes me smile as I can hear her voice and her laugh in my head even now.

I think it says something that an artist I worked with 40 years ago continues to live in a warm, wonderful, and happy corner of my mind. It’s important to add that Karla appeared in many, many fantastic roles over the years. She was not a ‘one-hit wonder.’ But the NY Times tells it much better than I. Rest in glory Karla Burns. ❤

Posted on

A Prince Called Bear

Our youngest dachshund Bear

Our youngest dachshund Bear
Our little prince Bear when he was a pup
It was one year ago today that 16-year-old baby Bear, the youngest of our dachshund dynasty passed away. As he was born last of the three puppies (in Michael’s hands), we always thought of him as our little prince. But in his last seven months, being the lone dog of the house, he flourished and grew confident as the alpha of the house. Even on his last day, when the vets came into the house to assist with his crossing the rainbow bridge, he stood up and barked ferociously defending us from what he perceived as a threat. Our prince had become a knight. I couldn’t let the day go by without acknowledging how much we miss him, his dad and mom – Bruno and Sabrina, and siblings Tyler and Bandit. Since their passing, we have blessed with the amazing wonder beagle Snoopy. And now, mom and pup chihuahuas Scarlett and Brody. Please know I’m not sad – but happy that Bear and his brood happened to us. Boundless joy that stretched over two decades. Here’s one of my favorite videos of the Bear. #DogsRule https://www.instagram.com/p/CPOuBqNDJhU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I took this photo of Bear looking out the front door just days before his passing
Michael with Bear
Me with baby Bear getting some water during the puppy days
The dogs help Michael take a break from work
Me with all five doxies
Bruno being daddy with the puppies as Sabrina looks on

Posted on

Adult Performer Alex Riley Dead At 22

Alex Riley dead at 22
Alex Riley dead at 22
Alex Riley (image via Instagram)

Award-winning adult entertainment performer Alex Riley has reportedly died at the age of 22.

Riley was honored with the Best Newcomer trophy at the 2020 GayVN Awards as well as a Best Newcomer nomination at the 2020 Str8UpGayPorn Awards.

He worked exclusively for Helix Studios since 2019, but prior to that had appeared in scenes for NextDoor, FraternityX, Men and more.

No cause of death has been shared publicly.

His longtime boyfriend, Jacob Hansen, shared the news on Twitter this morning writing, “To all of Alex’s friends and fans…on Monday I got a phone call from Alex’s best friend that Alex passed away early Sunday Morning. Rest in peace babe you will always be part of me no matter where my life takes me.”

A statement released by Helix Studios read, “We are heartbroken over the loss of Alex Riley, one of the most vibrant and talented young performers we’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Please respect his family’s privacy during this devastatingly difficult time. We love you, rest in peace Alex.”

Riley’s last social media post was a tweet on May 7 where he extolled his love for his brother and mom.

“I just talked to my brother on the phone, I’ll do anything in the WORLD for him,” wrote the 22-year-old. “Whether I can or not, I’m doing it. Damn…y’all have brothers? I love mine more than I could literally love anyone besides my mom. Hell.”

Rest in peace Alex Riley.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJclvTwHTRg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEHycCn4WK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B80DN1THNe-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B7m85MaHNX-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Posted on

Olympia Dukakis, Oscar Winner For ‘Moonstruck,’ Dies At 89

Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis dies at the age of 89

Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis dies at the age of 89
Olympia Dukakis (image via Twitter)
Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, known for playing world-weary and wise characters, has passed away at the age of 89. After decades of stage work on the East Coast, Dukakis shot to stardom playing Cher’s mother in the film adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s Moonstruck in 1987. The following year she took home the Oscar and Golden Globe honors for Best Supporting Actress in a Film. More from the New York Times:

She played a catty Southern widow in the mostly female ensemble cast of “Steel Magnolias” (1989); the mother of Kirstie Alley’s character in the three “Look Who’s Talking” movies (1989-93); the pot-growing transgender San Francisco landlord Anna Madrigal, from 1993 to 2019, in the four television mini-series made from Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” stories; and Frank Sinatra’s mother, Dolly, in the 1992 television movie “Sinatra.”

Despite the awards and her other screen successes, Ms. Dukakis never gave up theater work. In 2011 she starred in an Off Broadway production of Tennessee Williams’s “The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore.”

Charles Isherwood, reviewing her performance in The Times, called her “macabre, hilarious and weirdly touching,” with a “bullying bravado that commands attention.” The next year she played Prospero (Prospera, actually) in “The Tempest” for Shakespeare & Company in Massachusetts.

Rest in peace Olympia Dukakis.

Posted on

GLAAD Media Awards: GLEE Stars To Reunite In Tribute To Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez in GLEE (image via Fox)
The cast of iconic series GLEE will reunite for a special tribute to the legacy of the late Naya Rivera’s character Santana Lopez. Jacob Artist, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Vanessa Lengies, Jane Lynch, Kevin McHale, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Alex Newell, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, and Jenna Ushkowitz will come together during the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards to honor the 10th anniversary of Santana’s coming out on the show. And that’s not all – the cast will be joined by global superstar Demi Lovato, who played Santana’s girlfriend on GLEE, to introduce the special tribute. Tune in for the premiere on April 8th at 8:00 P.M. on YouTube, or stream on Hulu starting at 10:00 P.M. Remembering just a little bit of the fabulous Ms. Rivera as Santana in GLEE.

(via press release)