Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the last
week of July and the beginning of August, 2023.
Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary, or publish an obituary in any newspaper in
America, and beyond. Actress Inga Swenson died July 23, 2023, in
Los Angeles. She died of natural causes at the age of 90.
She starred on the ‘80s sitcom “Benson” as Gretchen Kraus, the cook in the governor’s
mansion. Swenson is also being remembered as a Tony
Award-nominated Broadway star for her performances in “110 in the Shade” and “Baker Street.”
Actor Angus Cloud died July 31, 2023, at his family’s home in Oakland, California, at
the age of 25. He starred in the hit HBO series “Euphoria,”
playing drug dealer Fezco. Cloud is being remembered as a natural actor
who came to “Euphoria” with no acting experience – he was discovered while working
in a restaurant. A note to remember: Sometimes, personal information
such as someone's cause of death is not announced immediately, or publicly at all, by their
family or the authorities. Every family has a right to their privacy.
Politician Sheila Oliver died August 1, 2023, in Trenton, New Jersey, at the age of 71.
She had been the lieutenant governor of New Jersey since 2018. At the time of her death,
she was serving as interim governor while Governor Phil Murphy was out of the country.
Oliver is being remembered as a trailblazer who became the first Black woman elected to
statewide office in New Jersey when she was elected to the State Assembly in 2003.
Actress Lelia Goldoni died July 22, 2023, at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood,
New Jersey, at the age of 86. She starred in John Cassavetes’ groundbreaking
1959 independent film “Shadows.” Goldoni is also being remembered for such
movies as “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
Tailor and fashion designer Edward Sexton died July 23, 2023, after a short illness
at the age of 80. He was a cofounder of Nutters of Savile Row,
known for his influential bespoke menswear. Sexton is being remembered for helping shape
the look of British rock and roll in the 1960s and ’70s, dressing musicians like the Beatles,
Mick Jagger, and Elton John. Actress and journalist Betty Ann Bruno died
July 30, 2023, in Sonoma, California, at the age of 91.
As a child actress, she played a munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz” – she was one
of the last surviving actors from the classic film.
Bruno is also being remembered as a San Francisco-area journalist who reported on such memorable
stories as the Oakland Hills firestorm that took lives and destroyed many properties – including
her own home. Music fan Robert Matonis died July 27, 2023,
at his mother’s home in St. Peters, Missouri. He died of Bulbar-onset ALS at the age of
70. He was better known as “Beatle Bob” in
his hometown of St. Louis, and with live music fans everywhere, as he danced wildly at concerts
for decades. Matonis is being remembered for attending
concerts every single day for more than 25 years – more than 9400 concerts in all.
Singer and songwriter Biff Rose died July 25, 2023, at his home in Madison, Wisconsin,
at the age of 85. Among his best-known songs is “Fill Your
Heart,” which was covered by David Bowie and Tiny Tim.
Rose is also being remembered for songs like “Molly” and “What’s Gnawing at Me,”
covered by John Denver and Pat Boone. Actor Marc Gilpin died July 29, 2023, in Dallas.
He died after fighting glioblastoma at the age of 56.
He was a child star in “Jaws 2,” playing the son of Roy Scheider’s Police Chief Brody.
Gilpin is also being remembered for appearances on TV shows like “CHiPs,” “Fantasy Island,”
and “Silver Spoons.” Pro wrestler Adrian Street died July 24, 2023,
at a hospital in Cwmbran, Wales. He died of sepsis at the age of 82.
He was known for his “Exotic” Adrian Street persona, a glam rock-inspired heel who kissed
his opponents and put makeup on them while they were incapacitated.
Street is also being remembered for the funny songs he recorded in character.
TV host Carol Duvall died July 31, 2023, at a senior living facility in Traverse City,
Michigan, at the age of 97. She hosted “The Carol Duvall Show” on
HGTV and the DIY Network for 15 years, sharing crafting tips and tutorials.
Duvall is being remembered for encouraging her viewers to try a wide variety of arts
and crafts. Phil Whitfield died July 26, 2023, at his
home in Texas at the age of 62. He was a security guard for the Dallas Cowboys
who was so beloved by fans that the team made him their Stadium Art Ambassador.
Whitfield is being remembered for his enthusiastic, informative tours of the stadium’s extensive
art collection. World War II veteran Vincent Speranza died
August 2, 2023, at the age of 98. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II
and became a paratrooper, fighting in the siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge.
In Bastogne, he brought beer to a wounded comrade in his helmet when it was the only
beverage he could find – and the only thing he could find to carry it in. The story became
legend and even inspired a local brewery to create a beer in his honor.
Speranza is being remembered as a history teacher who often participated in events commemorating
war anniversaries, making his last parachute jump at the age of 98.
Actor and comedian Paul Reubens died July 30, 2023, of cancer at the age of 70.
He was best known as his character Pee-wee Herman, starring on TV in “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”
and in the movies “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.”
Reubens is also being remembered for his appearances in movies like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
and “Blow” as well as such TV shows as “Murphy Brown,” “Pushing Daisies,”
and “What We Do in the Shadows.” In addition to featuring current deaths in
the news, Legacy.com also honors the lives and legacies of notable people who died in
the past. Here are some of this week’s anniversaries. One year ago this week, actress Nichelle Nichols
died at the age of 89. Her role as Lieutenant Uhura on the original “Star Trek” series
was groundbreaking for Black women on TV. Eight years ago this week, singer Lynn Anderson
died at the age of 67. Her 1970 song “Rose Garden” was a smash hit, topping the country
music charts and crossing over to mainstream fame.
Eight years ago this week, professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper died at the age of
61. He is often called wrestling’s all-time greatest heel.
Twelve years ago this week, actor and football player Bubba Smith died at the age of 66.
After a successful NFL career with the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers,
he went on to star in the “Police Academy” movies.
Twenty-five years ago this week, puppeteer and actress Shari Lewis died at the age of
65. She entertained generations of children with her puppets, including Lamb Chop and
Charlie Horse. Forty years ago this week, actor David Niven
died at the age of 73. He played James Bond in the 1967 version of “Casino Royale”
and won an Academy Award for “Separate Tables.” Forty-nine years ago this week, singer Cass
Elliot died at the age of 32. She became known as Mama Cass as a member of the Mamas and
the Papas, and her solo career included hits like “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and
“Make Your Own Kind of Music.” Rapper Coolio was born 60 years ago this week.
He died in 2022 at the age of 59. He was known for such songs as his Grammy-winning hit,
“Gangsta’s Paradise.” Actor and comedian Dom DeLuise was born 90
years ago this week. He died in 2009 at the age of 75. His many movies included “The
Cannonball Run” and “Blazing Saddles.” Record executive Ahmet Ertegun was born 100
years ago this week. He died in 2006 at the age of 83. As a co-founder of both Atlantic
Records and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he had a substantial influence on rock and
roll and R&B. Every week in the United States, flags are
lowered to half-staff to honor the lives of Americans whose communities are mourning their
loss. Here are the most recent half-staff memorial flag honors.
Flags in Arkansas have been lowered to honor the memory of state treasurer Mark Lowery.
Flags in California have been lowered to honor the memory of Recruit Alejandro Martinez of
the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Flags in South Carolina have been lowered
to honor the memory of Lieutenant Michael Charles Wood, Jr. of the Newberry Police Department,
who died in the line of duty. Flags in Tennessee have been lowered to honor
the memory of Macon County Sheriff’s Office sergeant William Cherry, who died in the line
of duty. You can read more about the lives of the people
featured in this video on Legacy.com. At Legacy.com, ANY family can publish an obituary
in honor of a loved one’s memory, online and in local newspapers everywhere. Just visit
Legacy.com and select your local community. You can also follow Legacy.com on Facebook
and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to stay up to date on national news deaths.