All articles tagged with #obituaries
Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneering DJ/producer who helped shape hip-hop and founded the Universal Zulu Nation, died at 68 from complications of cancer; his legacy remains controversial due to multiple sexual-abuse allegations and a civil case, though he denied the accusations and was not criminally charged.
Melissa Jones, who starred for Baylor from 2007 to 2011 and helped the Bears reach the 2010 Final Four and win a 2011 Big 12 championship, died at 36 in Colorado; the cause of death wasn’t disclosed, and she was remembered as the energetic, leading force and 'glue' of the program.
Mary Beth Hurt, a versatile stage and screen actress known for Tony-nominated Broadway roles and parts in The World According to Garp and Interiors, died March 28 at 79.
Scott F. Reid, a Santa Barbara artist and founder of Scott F. Reid and Associates Design Office, died March 15, 2026 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in 1945 in Santa Monica, he studied at Art Center and UCSB, built a 30+ year design practice serving the city and MTD, and was deeply involved in the community through Transition House and Meals on Wheels. He is survived by three sons—Seth Reid, Matt Reid and Sean Kerr—and five grandchildren, with his life centered on art, family and service. A celebration of his life was planned for April 3 at the Sunrise Urn Garden, Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Mary Beth Hurt, the Tony-nominated actress known for The Age of Innocence and Six Degrees of Separation, died at 79 after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2015; born in 1946 in Iowa, she rose from Off-Broadway to three Tony nominations and appeared in films such as Interiors, The World According to Garp, and Autumn in New York. She was married to William Hurt and later Paul Schrader, leaving daughter Molly Schrader and son Sam.
Los Angeles-based comedian, writer and actor Alex Duong, known for a multi-episode arc on Blue Bloods and credits including Dexter, Everybody Hates Chris, 90210 and Pretty Little Liars, died at 42 after battling alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer. He underwent surgery to remove a malignant growth that blocked blood flow to his optic nerve and caused vision loss, and had been preparing a 41-state tour pre-diagnosis. A GoFundMe supported his family as he faced treatment; he is survived by his wife Christina and daughter Everest, with a celebration of life to be announced.
Mary Beth Hurt, a Tony-nominated American actress known for Interiors, The World According to Garp, and Chilly Scenes of Winter, has died at 79 in Jersey City after an Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2015. A prolific Broadway performer with 15 credits and multiple Tony nominations, she remained a respected supporting presence in film and theater, working with director Paul Schrader (her husband) and appearing in a range of notable projects. She is survived by her husband and two children, Molly and Sam.
Barry Caldwell, a veteran animator and director behind Animaniacs (1993–1998) and Osmosis Jones (2001), died at 68. A School of Visual Arts alum, Caldwell worked for Warner Bros., Disney, and DreamWorks, earning acclaim from peers like Paul Dini for his talent, humor, and generosity.
James Tolkan, the veteran actor known for playing Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future and Tom “Stinger” Jardian in Top Gun, and a original Broadway cast member of Glengarry Glen Ross, died at 94 in Saranac Lake, NY; his passing was announced as peaceful and the cause wasn’t disclosed, capping a 55-year career across film, TV and stage.
Daniel Moody, son of WWE manager Paul Bearer (William Moody) and a former indie wrestler known as DJ Pringle, died at 39 after a major health crisis following a November procedure. A GoFundMe notes Moody’s family is seeking funds for funeral costs and mentions he leaves behind a daughter named Danielle.
Chip Taylor, the songwriter behind 'Wild Thing' and 'Angel of the Morning' and Angelina Jolie’s uncle, died at 86 after a long music career that included writing for Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, NY, he was Jon Voight’s brother and released numerous albums while founding Train Wreck Records; he is survived by two children and five grandchildren, with donations requested to the Metropolitan Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.
Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress known for Lenny and as Miss Eve Teschmacher in the Superman films, died at 82 at her Beverly Hills home after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, announced by friend Stacey Souther; her career also included Slaughterhouse-Five and other notable screen and TV work.
Valerie Perrine, the Oscar-nominated actress famed for Lenny and as Eve Teschmacher in the Superman films, died at 82 at her Beverly Hills home after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in 2015. Her career spanned Las Vegas showgirl roots to film and TV roles, including The Last American Hero, The Electric Horseman, and Can’t Stop the Music, and she remained a beloved figure in Hollywood until her death.
J. Michael Bishop, a microbiologist who shared the 1989 Nobel Prize for discoveries on cancer-causing genes known as oncogenes, died at 90 in San Francisco; he later served as chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco.
Carrie Anne Fleming, a Canadian actress best known for her recurring roles on iZombie and Supernatural, died at 51 in Sidney, British Columbia, from complications related to breast cancer. With a three-decade career in TV and film, her credits include Smallville, The L Word, The 4400, unREAL, Supergirl, Good Luck Chuck, Married Life, That Burning Feeling and Rememory, and she was active in BC theater. She is survived by her daughter Madalyn Rose.