A beloved weatherman... A legendary filmmaker...
A musical star... A genius of drama...
And a one-of-a-kind comedian. These are the stories of the lives we lost
in September 2021. Actor Art Metrano was best known for playing
police boss Ernie Mauser in two of the “Police Academy” movies.
He was also a stand-up comedian who was often seen on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show performing
his comic magic act. Metrano died September 8th, of natural causes at the age of 84.
Singer Sarah Dash was a founding member of the R&B-funk group Labelle, known for their
1974 smash hit, “Lady Marmalade.” Their danceable music was influential on the development
of disco. Dash also had a solo career, with hits including
“Sinner Man” and “Lucky Tonight.” She died September 20th, at the age of 76.
Percussionist Roberto Roena was a legend of salsa music. He performed with bands including
El Gran Combo and Fania All Stars. Known for his bongo skills, he was also a
charismatic bandleader who delighted audiences with his dancing. Roena died September 23rd,
of a heart attack at the age of 81. NFL player David Patten won three Super Bowls
with the New England Patriots in the early 2000s. He had the distinction of catching
quarterback Tom Brady’s first touchdown pass in the postseason.
He also played for the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and New Orleans Saints. Patten died
September 2nd, after a motorcycle accident, at the age of 47.
NFL Hall of Famer Mick Tinglehoff was a center with the Minnesota Vikings in the 1960s and
‘70s. He went to four Super Bowls with the team.
He was a six-time Pro Bowler whose number 53 was retired by the Vikings. Tingelhoff
died September 11th, of Parkinson's disease with dementia at the age of 81.
Actor and screenwriter Ben Best co-created the HBO comedy series “Eastbound & Down”
along with Danny McBride. He also starred as bartender Clegg.
He co-wrote and starred in “The Foot Fist Way,” and he appeared in “Superbad”
and other movies. Best died September 12th, at the age of 46.
Pro wrestler Daffney Unger was known as the Scream Queen when she competed in World Championship
Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Fans loved Unger’s goth look, inspired by
DC Comics character Harley Quinn, and her piercing battle cry. Born Shannon Spruill,
she died September 1st, at the age of 46. Actor Al Harrington starred on “Hawaii Five-O"
as Detective Ben Kokua. He returned to the show’s 21st century reboot in a recurring
role. Harrington was a beloved entertainer at home
in Waikiki. He died September 21st, of a stroke at the age of 85.
Actor Anthony “A.J.” Johnson was best known for an unforgettable role in the movie
“Friday,” playing the petty thief Ezal with hilariously quotable lines.
He also appeared in movies including “House Party” and “I Got the Hookup” and on
TV shows such as “Martin.” Johnson died September 6th, at the age of 55.
Actor Willie Garson starred in “Sex and the City” as the popular supporting character
Stanford Blatch, one of Carrie Bradford’s close friends.
At the heart of it it’s just basically a human story about love. About people loving
each other. Whether it’s friends, family, a lover, a husband, a date, you know, whatever.
It’s just so… everyone, whether they have it or are looking for it. That speaks to everyone
on the planet. He also had notable roles in TV shows including
“White Collar,” “Hawaii Five-0,” and “NYPD Blue.” Garson died September 21st,
of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. Reality TV star Gregg Leakes was featured
on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” as the husband of one of the show’s stars, NeNe
Leakes. He connected with the show’s fans as he
shared his ongoing fight with colon cancer. Leakes died of the disease, September 1st,
at the age of 66. Singer Sarah Harding was a member of Girls
Aloud. The British girl group had hit songs in the U.K. including “The Promise” and
“Sound of the Underground.” Where the bassline jumps in the backstreet
light, the beat goes around and around. It’s the sound of the under, sound of the
underground. Harding was also a model, actress, and reality
TV star who won “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2017. She died September 5th, of breast
cancer, at the age of 39. Actor Don Collier was best known for his roles
in TV Westerns. He played Deputy Will Foreman on “Outlaws” and ranch foreman Sam Butler
on “The High Chaparral.” Collier also appeared in movies such as “The
War Wagon” and “Tombstone,” and he played the Gum Fighter in commercials for Hubba Bubba
bubble gum. He died September 13th, of lung cancer at the age of 92.
Actor Michael Tylo was best known for playing Quint Chamberlain in the soap opera “Guiding
Light.” He also appeared in “The Young and the Restless” and “General Hospital.”
Outside of soaps he played Zorro’s nemesis for two seasons of the 1990s version of the
adventure show. Tylo died September 28, at the age of 73.
Filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles kickstarted a revolution in Black filmmaking and independent
cinema with his influential 1971 movie, “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.”
Mario: There was no independent filmmaking when he started. Right pop?
Melvin: That’s right. Mario: But to be here now with him in a film where
I play him and he got to see it and kick me in my badass if he didn’t like it, unparalleled.
Van Peebles inspired later filmmaking greats including Spike Lee and John Singleton. He
was also a novelist, playwright, composer, and recording artist.
Van Peebles died September 21st, at the age of 89.
Actor Michael Constantine starred in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” as Gus Portokalos,
Toula’s father. He made audiences smile with his love for Windex as a cure for any
ailment. He also starred on TV in “Room 222” in
the ‘60s and ‘70s, playing Principal Seymour Kaufman. Constantine died August 31st, of
natural causes, at the age of 94. His death was announced in September.
Actor Michael K. Williams starred on “The Wire” as stickup artist Omar Little. His
performance was critically acclaimed, and his character was a fan favorite.
I made a decision very early on in my career that the two things I will go for when I’m
asked to do a role, is I will look for the truth and I will tell that truth with as much
compassion and empathy as I can. Williams also had notable roles on TV shows
including “Boardwalk Empire,” “Lovecraft Country,” and “When They See Us.” He
received several Emmy nominations. Williams died September 6th, of an accidental
overdose at the age of 54. Actor Tommy Kirk starred in the classic live-action
Disney film, “Old Yeller.” The story of a boy and his dog is beloved by generations.
Kirk starred in other Disney films as well, including “The Shaggy Dog,” “Swiss Family
Robinson,” and “The Absent-Minded Professor.” He was later named a Disney Legend.
Kirk died September 28th, at the age of 79. Actor Tim Donnelly starred as firefighter
Chet Kelly on the 1970s TV drama “Emergency.” He was also known for roles on “Hawaii Five-O,”
“Adam-12,” and other TV shows, as well as movies. Donnelly died in September of complications
from surgery at the age of 77. Actress Jane Powell starred in movie musicals
during Hollywood’s golden age. She was best known for her lead role in “Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers.” Her other musicals included “Royal Wedding,”
and she later had a recurring TV role on “Growing Pains.” Powell died September 16th, at the
age of 92. TV personality Willard Scott was the longtime
weatherman on “The Today Show.” He kept it light with his humorous costumes
and antics, and he delighted fans with his birthday greetings to people turning 100 or
more. He was also the first actor to portray Ronald
McDonald for McDonald’s. Scott died September 4th, after a brief illness, at the age of
87. Comedian and actor Norm Macdonald was best
known for his years on “Saturday Night Live.” He anchored Weekend Update – or, as he called
it, “The Fake News.” Macdonald’s impressions of celebrities including
Burt Reynolds, Bob Dole, and Quentin Tarantino were a highlight of his time on SNL. He also
starred in movies including “Dirty Work” and in the sitcom “Norm.”
He was beloved for his deadpan comedy, whether he was in a scripted role or doing standup.
Macdonald died September 14th, of leukemia, at the age of 61.
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