Heavy Metal Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, one of heavy metal’s foundational figures and legendary vocalist for Black Sabbath, died at 76 after a long period of declining health. Born John Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, he helped form Black Sabbath in 1968. Their pioneering sound on albums like “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,” and “Master of Reality” laid the groundwork for heavy metal, with Osbourne’s distinct, haunting vocals and theatrical performances defining the genre’s style and attitude.

Osbourne’s career was marked by both creative achievement and infamy. His split from Black Sabbath in 1979 led to a successful solo run, starting with “Blizzard of Ozz” in 1980, which generated enduring hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Osbourne continued to release charting albums, headline massive tours, and influence generations of musicians. He became as well-known for controversial antics, including the infamous bat-biting incident, as for his musical prowess.

Later in life, Osbourne pivoted to reality television as the centerpiece of “The Osbournes,” an early 2000s phenomenon that showcased his offstage life and introduced him to new audiences. Despite public health struggles, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne remained active as a performer and recording artist until late in life. His legacy is marked by his indelible influence on rock and metal, his resilience, and his willingness to speak candidly about his battles with addiction and illness.

 

80s Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Drowning Accident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died at 54 during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner drowned after being caught in a rip tide while swimming at Cocles Beach and could not be revived by rescuers.

Joining “The Cosby Show” at 14, Warner’s performance from 1984 to 1992 helped transform television’s portrayal of Black families. His nuanced depiction of a middle-class teenager earned him an Emmy nomination and broadened the landscape for Black actors on prime time TV.

Warner remained active beyond his breakout role, starring in “Malcolm & Eddie,” recurring on “Reed Between the Lines” and “The Resident,” and voicing a character in “The Magic School Bus.” He also directed multiple television episodes and championed diversity and inclusion in entertainment.

He is survived by his family, including his daughter. Warner’s work and advocacy leave an enduring influence on American television.

 

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, who became the face of professional wrestling and an enduring pop culture icon, died at age 71 following cardiac arrest. Rising in WWE’s (then WWF) early 1980s heyday, Hogan’s towering physique, handlebar mustache, and signature red-and-yellow attire became synonymous with the sport. His charisma and “Hulkamania” catchphrases helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream, culminating in headline appearances at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and subsequent years.

Hogan captured the WWE Championship six times, battled adversaries such as Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and later The Rock, and played pivotal roles both in the ring and as an ambassador for the industry. His 2005 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame acknowledged his influence on wrestling’s global reach.

Outside wrestling, Hogan crossed over into movies, television, and endorsements, starring in “Suburban Commando,” “Rocky III,” “Mr. Nanny,” and the VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best.” His later years brought legal and personal controversies, including high-profile lawsuits and scrutiny over private conduct, but he remained a defining presence in wrestling events and nostalgia circuits. Hogan’s impact extended beyond sport, shaping the marketing and spectacle-driven approach that now defines sports entertainment. He is survived by his family and by generations of wrestlers and fans who cite him as an inspiration and standard-bearer.

 

 

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa Die Under Suspicious Circumstances

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM home this week. Their bodies, along with their deceased dog, were discovered during a welfare check on Wednesday. While authorities initially stated no foul play was suspected, a search revealed suspicious details. 

Hackman's body was found in an entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom near a space heater. The unlocked door, scattered pills, and signs of decomposition have prompted a thorough investigation into the Hollywood legend’s death.

 

In Memoriam: Those Lost in the Final Weeks of 2023

Charlie Munger (1924-2023)

Chares “Charlie” Munger, the longtime vice president of Berkshire Hathaway and right-hand man to fellow investing legend Warren Buffett, died on November 28, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday. Born on January 1, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, he served as a weather forecaster in World War II. After the war, he received his law degree from Harvard, even though he never completed his undergraduate degree. He became a successful corporate lawyer before pivoting to becoming a businessman himself.

He met Buffett in 1959 at a dinner, becoming inseparable business partners and friends. Together, they grew Berkshire Hathaway, once a struggling textile manufacturer, into an corporate juggernaut, investing in myriad companies and posting outsized returns for decades.

Henry Kissinger (1923-2023)

Henry Kissinger, one of the central figures in 20th century American diplomacy, died November 29 at 100. Kissinger, who was born in Germany, came to the US in 1938, his family fleeing Nazi rule. His accounting studies interrupted by World War II, Kissinger served in the army. He later studied political science at Harvard, eventually earning his Ph.D. He became a noted foreign policy expert by the time Richard Nixon appointed him as National Security Adviser in 1969 and later as Secretary of State in 1973.

His diplomatic contributions include establishing relations with communist China and negotiating a peace with the North Vietnamese. His controversial actions include advocating for bombing Cambodia, support for Argentina’s military during the Dirty War, and support for the coup which led to Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in Chile.

Kissinger remained an influential voice on diplomacy in the decades after his public service, most recently making a surprise visit this year to China to speak with leader Xi Jinping amid growing tensions between the US and China.

 

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-2023)

Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, died December 1 at 93 following a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s, the same disease that afflicted her late husband, who died in 2009.

O’Connor, born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930, graduated from Stanford Law School, but found difficulty finding work following graduation. She eventually found work with the San Mateo County DA’s office and started her involvement in Republican politics. She and her husband later moved to Arizona, where she ran for state senate, rising up to majority leader. After her stint in the legislature, she became a judge.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed her as the first female Supreme Court, fulfilling a campaign promise. O’Connor became known as a conservative-leaning moderate, retiring in 2006. In retirement, she launched a project to teach kids about civics.

Norman Lear (1922-2023)

Norman Lear, television pioneer and political activist, died December 5 at 101. Lear was a prolific creator of television shows, with some of his best known including ‘All in the Family,’ ‘The Jeffersons,’ and ‘Good Times,’ often including commentary on social issues.

Lear was also noted for his activism, most notably founding the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way.

 

Iconic Actress Betty White Dies at 99

Betty White, who set the record for the longest television career in history, spanning eight decades, died Friday at the age of 99.

White, born on January 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Her first media appearance was a guest call to a radio show in 1930. She began modeling and acting after graduating high school, but she put her career on hold to serve in the American Women’s Voluntary Services during World War II.

After the war, she began appearing on television, where she would be a regular fixture for decades. Notably, in 1954, when The Betty White Show received criticism for the inclusion of black tap dance performer Arthur Duncan, White defended his appearance on the show and even expanded his role.

White was the last surviving main cast member of two notable shows, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. She was also the oldest main cast member of both shows, with all her younger castmates predeceasing her.

White would have celebrated her 100th birthday on January 17. A cinema event celebrating her birthday and documenting her career had been planned to mark the occasion; the filmmaker who created the documentary confirmed that it will still be shown in theaters on the 17th.