A classic TV darling... A 1960s singing legend...
An American military icon... A beloved sitcom star...
And Elvis Presley’s drummer. These are the stories of the lives we lost
in October 2021. Actress Cynthia Harris was best known for
her recurring role on “Mad About You,” playing the mother of Paul Reiser’s character.
She returned for the show’s 2019 reboot. She also starred in the 1978 TV miniseries
“Edward and Mrs. Simpson” and appeared on Broadway. Harris died October 3rd, at the
age of 87. Deon Estus was a musician and singer who played
bass for Wham and George Michael. His music can be heard on hit singles including “Careless
Whisper” and “Faith.” He also had a solo hit in 1989, “Heaven
Help Me,” on which George Michael sang backing vocals. Estus died October 11th, at the age
of 65. Drummer Ronnie Tutt performed and recorded
with some of the superstars of the 1960s and 70s. He was a founding member of Elvis Presley’s
TCB Band, and he toured with the Jerry Garcia Band.
He also played drums for Neil Diamond, the Carpenters, Johnny Cash, and many more. Tutt
died October 16th, of natural causes at the age of 83.
Lizzie Bravo was a Beatles fan who was in the right place at the right time to sing
backing vocals for one of their songs. She was waiting for autographs outside Abbey Road,
when the band needed a female voice on “Across the Universe.”
The version she recorded wasn’t included on “Let it Be,” but it was later released
on rarities and compilation albums. Bravo died October 4th, of heart complications at
the age of 70. Jerry Remy was a second baseman for the California
Angels and Boston Red Sox in the 1970s and ‘80s. He went on to a long career as a color
commentator for the Red Sox. In his many years with the team, Remy became
a fan favorite and a beloved local figure. He died October 30th, of lung cancer at the
age of 68. Ray Fosse was a Major League Baseball catcher
who helped the Oakland A’s to two World Series victories. He was notoriously injured
in the 1970 All-Star Game when Pete Rose collided with him at home plate.
In later years, he was a color commentator for the A’s. Fosse died October 13th, of
cancer at the age of 74. Chris Ayres was a voice actor best known for
his work on the “Dragon Ball” series. He was the voice of the villain Frieza in
English dubs of the anime favorite. Ayres also did voice work on anime including
“Gantz,” “Black Butler,” and “Fairy Tail.” He died October 18th, after long-term
health complications at the age of 56. Jack Angel was a voice actor whose voice could
be heard in dozens of beloved cartoons. On TV, he provided voices for shows including
“Super Friends,” “Transformers,” “The Smurfs,” and “Spider-Man.”
He also worked in movies, voicing characters in animated films such as “Aladdin,” “Spirited
Away,” “Monsters Inc.,” and many more. Angel died October 19th, at the age of 90.
Actor Granville Adams was best known for his role on HBO’s prison drama “Oz,” playing
inmate Zahir Arif. He also had a recurring role as Officer Jeff
Westby on “Homicide: Life on the Street.” Adams died October 10th, of cancer at the
age of 58. Juli Reding was an actress best known for
the 1960 horror film “Tormented.” She played a young woman who tragically dies and
comes back to haunt her ex-boyfriend. Reding was also known for TV appearances on
“The Big Valley” and “Sea Hunt.” She died September 16th, at the age of 85. Her
death was announced in October. Mort Sahl was a stand-up comedian whose fame
was at its height in the 1950s and ‘60s. In has act, he would chat with the audience
about current events—cutting edge stuff at the time.
Thanks for your patience. That’s what I say to my wife all the time. If you’ll just
hang on, this’ll pay off. Sahl’s work helped change the face of comedy
and influenced generations of comedians. He died October 26th, at the age of 94.
Alan Kalter was the announcer for “Late Show with David Letterman.” A part of the
show for 20 years, he was known for participating in funny sketches, like “Alan Kalter’s
Celebrity Interview.” He was also a commercial voiceover artist,
and he announced for game shows including “The $25,000 Pyramid.” Kalter died October
4th, at the age of 78. Gary Paulsen was an author known for books
including “Hatchet,” a classic tale of wilderness survival for young adults.
His many adventure stories inspired a love of reading in generations of reluctant readers.
Paulsen died suddenly October 13th, at the age of 82.
Actor James Michael Tyler was best known for his role in “Friends.” He played Gunther,
the barista at the coffee shop hangout, Central Perk.
My most memorable moment on the Central Perk set was probably the final scene that we shot
in Central Perk. Gunther, you know, expresses his unrequited love of 10 years. So at least
he finally got to say that he loved her. And it was really emotional, just the cast and
crew, everybody was crying. It was really unforgettable.
He made appearances on “Just Shoot Me” and “Scrubs,” as well as returning for
the 2021 “Friends” reunion special. Tyler died October 24th, of prostate cancer at the
age of 59. Joanna Cameron was an actress best known for
starring in “The Secrets of Isis,” a Saturday morning superhero show in the ‘70s.
Cameron also appeared in the detective show “Columbo” and in movies including “How
to Commit Marriage.” She died October 15th, of complications of a stroke at the age of
73. Shawn McLemore was a gospel singer who led
the group New Image. Their 1997 album “Wait on Him” was a popular success.
McLemore was also an actor, who appeared in the 1988 movie “Colors.” He died October
9th, after an illness at the age of 54. Rose Lee Maphis was a country singer and guitarist.
She and her husband, Joe Maphis, were known as “Mr. And Mrs. Country Music.”
In later years, she worked on costumes at Opryland and was a greeter at the Country
Music Hall of Fame. Maphis died October 26th, at the age of 98.
Eddie Robinson was the oldest living former Major League Baseball player. He helped the
Cleveland Indians to a World Series win in 1948.
He also played for the Yankees and the White Sox, and after his retirement, he was general
manager for the Texas Rangers. Robinson died October 4th, at the age of 100.
Ruthie Tompson was a Disney Legend and one of the last living links to the company’s
early days. She worked in animation on the first feature-length cartoon, “Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs.” She stayed with Disney for decades, and her
handiwork can be seen on animated films including “Dumbo,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The
Rescuers.” Tompson died October 10th, at the age of 111.
Emani 22 was a rising star of R&B, known for singles including “Feelings” and “Heartbreak
Hotel.” She collaborated with rapper Trippie Redd
on his mixtape “A Love Letter to You 3,” singing two songs. Emani 22 died October 11th,
after an accident at the age of 22. Jay Black was the lead singer for Jay and
the Americans, whose hits in the 1960s included “Come a Little Bit Closer” and “This
Magic Moment.” They were the opening band for the Beatles’
first U.S. concert. Black was known for his powerful, operatic voice, which was showcased
in the 1965 single, “Cara Mia.” He died October 22nd, of pneumonia at the
age of 82. Colin Powell was a four-star U.S. Army general
who oversaw Operation Desert Storm as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He was also National Security Advisor under President Ronald Reagan, and he became the
first Black Secretary of State when he was appointed to the position by President George
W. Bush. Powell was honored with the Presidential Medal
of Freedom by two different presidents. He died October 18th, of complications of COVID-19
at the age of 84. Actress Betty Lynn was best known for playing
Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend on “The Andy Griffith Show.” As Barney often
said, “Thelma Lou, you’re the cat’s.” She appeared in the 1986 TV movie “Return
to Mayberry,” in which Barney and Thelma Lou were married. She also had roles in such
TV shows as “My Three Sons” and “Matlock.” On the big screen, Lynn was in movies including
“June Bride” and “Cheaper by the Dozen.” She died October 16th, after a brief illness,
at the age of 95. Actor Peter Scolari was a star of 1980s TV
sitcoms, beginning when he starred alongside Tom Hanks in “Bosom Buddies.”
He went on to star in “Newhart” as yuppie TV producer Michael Harris. He also had notable
roles in the TV adaptation of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” as well as “Gotham”
and “Evil.” Scolari won an Emmy for his performance in
the HBO series “Girls.” He died October 22nd, of cancer at the age of 66.
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