Hits & Misses - page 44

Brad Bufanda –
Actor, gym rat, man on the street.
May 4, 1983 – November 1, 2017.
Aged 34 years.

Most recognized for: When “Veronica Mars” was cancelled in 2007, fans of the teen mystery series lost their proverbial sh!t. Desperate for more, they took to Kickstarter and managed to crowdfund production of a Veronica Mars movie. Unfortunately for our boy Brad, his character on the show, Felix Toombs, didn’t make into the script… which might have been partly to blame for why he tossed himself off a high-rise in LA.

Keith Wilder –
Singer, musician, disco daddy.
December 20, 1951 – October 29, 2017.
Aged 65 years.

Most recognized for: With his brother Johnnie, he co-founded the band Heatwave… who gave us the tune “Boogie Nights” in 1976.  After a slew of unrelated stabbings created some line-up changes, Heatwave split… but Keith was hellbent on putting the band back together. So he rounded up some scabs and limped it along as sole original member for a few more decades… which was totally unnecessary.

Jack Bannon –
Actor, star child, Travolta-in-law.
June 14, 1940 – October 25, 2017.
Aged 77 years.

Most recognized for: Jack played editor Art Donovan for the 5 season run of “Lou Grant,” yet another Mary Tyler Moore show spin-off.  He also had recurring roles on several other programs throughout the 80’s, including primetime dope operas like “Falcon Crest,” and “Knots Landing.”

Antoine “Fats” Domino –
Musician, piano prodigy, fat man.
February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017.
Aged 89 years.

Most recognized for: A New Orleans bandleader gave ol’ Antoine the nickname “Fats” not because of his girth… but because he reminded him of 2 other popular jazz pianists: Fats Waller and Fats Pichon. The chubbiness was just a bonus.  His N’awlins twist on classic rhythm & blues yielded 35 top 40 singles, including the hit “Blueberry Hill.”

Selected by: J. Vaughn

Robert Guillaume –
Actor, Emmy winner, TV Jeeves.
November 30, 1927 – October 24, 2017.
Aged 89 years.

Most recognized for: Robert played sass-mouthed butler Benson DuBois on the quirky sitcom “Soap” and its longer-lived spin-off “Benson.” He also was cast as the voice of shaman primate Rafiki in the Lion King films… which must have been a difficult casting call to make. “Hello, Mr. Guillaume? Hi, this is So-and-So from Disney. Yeah. We need someone to be the voice of an old baboon. You down, bro?”

Scott Putesky A.K.A. Daisy Berkowitz –
Musician, producer, spooky kid.
April 28, 1968 – October 22, 2017.
Aged 49 years.

Most recognized for: Mr. Putesky met fellow reject Brian Warner at a Florida club in 1989. A few years later, their band Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids shortened its name to just Marilyn Manson to better suit Brian’s ego. Creative differences precipitated Scott’s departure from the band… just as colon cancer precipitated his departure from the planet.

Selected by: Der Kommissar and The Kim Reaper

Brent Briscoe –
Actor, writer, Billy Bob hang-around.
May 21, 1961 – October 18, 2017.
Aged 56 years.

Most recognized for: He’s had small parts in a handful of big movies… usually showing up next to Billy Bob Thornton for some reason.  An early role as Scooter, the dim-witted mower mechanic in “Sling Blade,” marked the beginning of his motion picture career.  Mr. Briscoe also landed some TV gigs, with regular appearances in shows such as “Parks & Recreation,” “Hell on Wheels,” and the recent Showtime version of “Twin Peaks.”

Gordon “Gord” Downie –
Musician, philanthropist, Canuck.
February 6, 1964 – October 17, 2017.
Aged 53 years.

Most recognized for: Mr. Downie was the lead singer for The Tragically Hip, a band that was more tragically Canadian than hip.  While a late 90’s SNL appearance marked the peak of his fame in the US, he had Bono-esque celebrity status in the Great White North. After receiving a brain cancer diagnosis in 2016, ol’ Gord decided to make one last tour with the band and then had to take off, eh.

Selected by: Der Kommissar, B. Hollander, M. Gettys, K. Laws

John Dunsworth –
Actor, Canadian, killjoy.
April 12, 1946 – October 16, 2017.
Aged 71 years.

Most recognized for: John’s scene-stealing character on Trailer Park Boys proved that some Canadian television is actually worth watching. As Mr. Lahey, the falling-down-drunk trailer park manager, John nailed the part every time… despite being a person who rarely touched the stuff. Off the set, he crusaded against placement of video poker games in bars. Sorry, John… but if you don’t want to play the game, don’t go to the fukken bar.

Connie Hawkins –
NBA’er, Globetrotter, Paul Simon’s bitch.
July 17, 1942 – October 6, 2017.
Aged 75 years.

Most recognized for: Known as “the Hawk” on his NYC b-ball home turf, his tenure as an Iowa Hawkeye was cut short by a ridiculous NCAA point shaving scandal. He later successfully sued the NBA for the right to play, finishing his pro career with the Atlanta Hawks.  He also appeared on the 2nd ever episode of SNL in a skit that pitted him against Paul Simon in a schoolyard 1-on-1 match… where Simon won.  Wanna see it? You’ll have to Hulu that sh!t.

Jimmy Beaumont –
Singer, songwriter, Skyliner.
October 21, 1940 – October 7, 2017.
Aged 76 years.

Most recognized for: Jimmy was the lead singer for 50’s doo-wop group The Skyliners and co-writer their hit “Since I Don’t Have You,” which has been covered by everyone from Barbara Streisand to Guns N’ Roses. The original lineup disbanded in 1963, but Jimmy limped it along for another 50+ years utilizing a revolving door of personnel.

Yelberton Abraham “Y.A.” Tittle –
NFL Quarterback, Texan, Bald Eagle.
October 24, 1926 – October 8, 2017.
Aged 90 years.

Most recognized for: Y.A. was a 7 time pro bowler and led the league in passing touchdowns in 3 seasons, once throwing 7 in a single game. He was also part of the 49ers’ “Million Dollar Backfield,” the only full backfield in NFL history with every member in the Hall of Fame. It’s just too bad that the 49ers ain’t sh!t no more.

Selected by: The Kim Reaper