Hits & Misses - page 48

Tobe Hooper –
Director, screenwriter, power tools enthusiast.
January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017.
Aged 74 years.

Most recognized for: He wrote, produced, and directed the horror classic “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”  Although credited for directing “Poltergeist,” that’s not exactly accurate.  Writer & producer Steven Spielberg placed straw man Hooper in the director’s chair to dodge studio contracts and a looming directors strike… so he could quietly helm the project himself.  So what does this mean?  Poor Tobe is nothing more than a one hit wonder.

Jay Thomas –
Actor, radio show host, meatball assassin.
July 12, 1948 – August 24, 2017.
Aged 69 years.

Most recognized for: Jay’s rise to celebrity came with the role of Eddie LaBec, Carla’s husband on “Cheers.” While still a castmember, he groused to his radio audience about having to kiss Rhea Pearlman. Rhea heard it, threw a fit, and Jay’s character was never to be seen on Cheers again… killed off by a freak Zamboni accident.

Jerry Lewis –
Actor, comedian, telethon man.
March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017.
Aged 91 years.

Most recognized for: Marlboros & Jerry Lewis… the two US exports that the French just can’t get enough of. While revered as a misunderstood genius in France, most Americans saw him as a goofy, slapstick joker who only managed to get serious over Labor Day weekend to collect money for crippled children. Noble, but annoying…. especially if you didn’t have cable in the days of only 4 TV channels.

Selected by: M. Poweleit, H. Selle, B. Vihndal, B. Beazly

Sir Colin Meads –
Pro rugby star, coach, human pinetree.
June 3, 1936 – August 20, 2017.
Aged 81 years.

Most recognized for: When considering what the name ‘Babe Ruth’ means to America’s national pastime, ‘Sir Colin Meads’ is held in comparable reverence when it comes to rugby. Named “Player of the Century” in 1999, he was once the star of New Zealand’s national team “The All Blacks.” Sorry… were you expecting a racial sex joke? Shame on you.

Selected by: Der Kommissar

Bea Wain –
Singer, DJ, chick from the Bronx.
April 30, 1917 – August 19, 2017.
Aged 100 years.

Most recognized for: She was the first artist to record “Over the Rainbow,” but MGM blocked its release until the world could hear Judy Garland sing it first. In the 70’s, she became a renowned Florida radio show host… where she spun platters of the old sh!t… much to the enjoyment of all the blue-haired snow birds.

Dick Gregory –
Comedian, author, Comedy Central star.
October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017.
Aged 84 years.

Most recognized for: Discovered by Hugh Hefner, he made his bones as a stand-up comedian. His shtick: humorous observations about racial & sexual inequality… which he parlayed into a career of political activism. He got nearly 50K votes as a presidential write-in candidate in ’68, made Nixon’s enemies list, spurred investigations into the assasinations of MLK & JFK, and – most importantly – appeared in an episode of “Reno 911!” Man, what a great show.

Sonny Burgess –
Musician, singer, rockin’ billy.
May 28, 1929 – August 18, 2017.
Aged 88 years.

Most recognized for: As a Sun Records labelmate of Elvis & Johnny Cash, he made a big splash in the boogie-woogie, rockabilly genre in the 50’s. Although US chart success wasn’t in the cards for him, he pulled a Hasselhoff… and mysteriously found musical fame in Europe.

Bruce Forsyth –
Actor, comedian, poser.
February 22, 1928 – August 18th, 2017.
Aged 89 years.

Most recognized for: Guinness listed him as the man with the longest career in television entertainment. In 75 years of TV, stage, & screen appearances, most know him best as the pointy-chinned host of several corny British game shows. He also hosted The Muppet Show once… which totally trumps decades of BBC produced garbage.

Selected by: M. Poweleit

Sonny Landham –
Actor, porn star, wannabe politician.
February 11, 1941 – August 17, 2017.
Aged 76 years.

Most recognized for: In both “48 hrs.” and “Predator,” he nailed the niche role of the unhinged injun named Billy who goes out shirtless & brandishing a knife. 20 years later, he tried to be the 3rd Predator alum to be elected Governor… until a genocidal rant against the “camel dung shovelers” on a political talk radio show eradicated his campaign funding.

Joseph Bologna –
Actor, writer, New York tough guy.
December 30, 1934 – August 13, 2017.
Aged 82 years.

Most recognized for: Joey B’s star seemed to shine its brightest in the mid 80’s with big roles in “Blame It On Rio,” “The Woman in Red,” and “Transylvania 6-5000.” But for those of you that didn’t grow up with cable movie channels, you may remember him as Adam Sandler’s lawyer/father in “Big Daddy.”  So he had some clout in tinseltown, but he also had the sh!t that killed Swayze.

Bryan Murray –
NHL coach, manager, puck head.
December 5, 1942 – August 12, 2017.
Aged 74 years.

Most recognized for: Held in high regard within the pro hockey community, Mr. Murray is unofficially ranked as one of the top 10 coaches/GMs of all time. In his 35 year career with the NHL, he worked with 5 different teams and picked up a few coaching awards along the way. He liked a fast & aggressive game… unfortunately, so did his colon cancer.

Yisrael Kristal –
World record holder, confectioner, Jew.
September 15, 1903 – August 11, 2017.
Aged 113 years.

Most recognized for: Until yesterday, Guinness certified him as the oldest man alive. After surviving the holocaust, he moved from Poland to Israel to open a candy shop. One of his signature sweets: miniature liquor bottles made of chocolate. Nice, right? So now that ol’ Yizzus is gone, the Guinness title has been passed on to some grizzled Spaniard.