Persons of Note Who Have Passed Away

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Rest in peace, Optimus Prime

Peter Cullen, a man many Transformers fans have come to love as the voice of Optimus Prime, the Autobots’ fearless leader, has died at the age of 85.

The news of Cullen’s passing was broken by TMZ. According to the publication, Cullen died on August 26. His cause of death is currently unknown, but his family provided a statement about the legendary voice actor:

“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family—and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide. His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty, and always remember, ‘be strong enough to be gentle.'”

In addition to voicing Optimus Prime in Hasbro’s original animated series and Michael Bay’s live-action films, Cullen provided his talents to many other characters and series. Key among them is Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, KARR in Knight Rider, and Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. He even voiced Mario in Nintendo’s Donkey Kong series in the 1980s, according to TMZ.

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Remembering former WCAX sports anchor Shawna Lidsky

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Shawna Lidsky, a longtime sports anchor who later founded the Vermont Brownie Company, died Friday morning after battling cancer for more than five years.

Lidsky was fresh-faced and feisty the minute she walked through the doors at WCAX in 1998. She quickly became a top sports reporter in the region, earning an Edward R. Murrow Award and Associated Press awards for her features and sportscasts.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/re ... 6f55&ei=14

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“The Players Club ”Star“ ”Samuel Monroe Jr. Dies at 52 After Previously Being Hospitalized for Meningitis

Samuel Monroe Jr. has died after previously being hospitalized for meningitis.

His wife Shawna Stewart shared the news in a Facebook post, stating that he died on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Providence Saint Joseph Burbank Hospital in California. However, TMZ reported that they received conflicting information from a representative at the hospital, who said he had been discharged alive.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/players-club- ... 43541.html

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Mike Lee Jr. Death Obituary: Former Harlem Globetrotter Reportedly Dies After Car Accident

The basketball community is mourning the reported death of Mike “Lights Out” Lee Jr., a former Harlem Globetrotter and Dakota Wesleyan University basketball player whose passing was reported on August 27, 2026.

Lee was known for his basketball ability and his time with the Harlem Globetrotters, where he played under the nickname “Lights Out.” His death has prompted an outpouring of sadness among people connected to his basketball career, including former teammates, coaches, friends and fans.

https://forever-remembered.name.ng/mike ... -accident/

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Judge Jackie Glass dead: 'Swift Justice' host was 70

Judge Jackie Glass, the former Clark County judge who hosted the syndicated court show Swift Justice, has died. She was 70.

Glass died on Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, TMZ reported after Glass’ daughter Rachel Wolfson posted a tribute to her late mother on social media.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ju ... ocialshare

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Normandy veteran who lied about age to enlist dies

A World War Two veteran who fought in the Normandy campaign after lying about his age has died aged 101, a charity has said.

Born in London in 1925, Donald Turrell was just 17 when he enlisted, having forged a letter from his parents to say he was 18.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/no ... bd95a1d60e

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Marty Nadler dead: Comic & Garry Marshall collaborator on sitcoms & films was 80

Marty Nadler, a comic and TV writer-producer who worked with Garry Marshall on the smash sitcoms Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley and many of his movies, died August 26 in Margate, FL. He was 80.

His son Charlie Nadler told Deadline through a rep that his father died of complications from myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ma ... 1c463&ei=5

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God really needs to work on his aim.

Victor Miller, the screenwriter behind the horror classic “Friday the 13th,” died on Monday in Alameda, Calif. He was 86.

Miller’s death was confirmed to Variety by his son, Ian.

Released in 1980, “Friday the 13th” is widely considered a seminal installment in the horror canon. It widely popularized the summer camp setting and themes surrounding teenage debauchery, which to this day remain essential tropes of the slasher genre. In a recent interview with a “Friday the 13th” fan site, Miller said the inspiration behind the iconic film came from, at first, an attempt to follow in the footsteps of John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” which debuted two years prior.

Miller was born in New Orleans, La., in 1940. He is survived by his wife, Tina Thurston Miller, and his two sons, Ian and Josh.

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Longtime NFL assistant coach Kippy Brown dead at 71

The NFL community has learned that longtime assistant coach Kippy Brown has died. He was 71.

Brown started his coaching career at Memphis State in 1978. He then had stints at Louisville and Tennessee before becoming the running backs coach for the New York Jets in 1990. That turned out to be the start of a long chapter in the NFL.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/footba ... 7b00&ei=66

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Former Lions, Broncos CB Alphonso Smith Jr. dead at 40

The NFL world is in morning on Wednesday evening, following a tragic report from TMZ Sports. Former NFL defensive back Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at age 40.

Smith, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second-round of the 2009 NFL Draft before being traded to the Denver Broncos, was found dead on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/fo ... ocialshare

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Cassandra Wilson dead: Grammy-winning jazz musician was 70

Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer, has died. She was 70.

Wilson’s longtime manager Robert Torre shared with WBGO that Wilson died early Wednesday morning in Jackson, Mississippi. A cause of death was not given.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ca ... ocialshare

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Gloria Steinem has passed away.

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became one of the most visible symbols and potent voices of the U.S. women’s movement and a fierce advocate for feminist causes for over six decades, has died. She was 92.

With her trademark streaked hair parted down the middle and large aviator glasses, Steinem, a co-founder of Ms. Magazine, was a hugely recognizable presence wherever she went. And she went everywhere: Much of her life as an advocate was spent on the road, speaking at college campuses and community centers, at rallies and marches.

Steinem, who had been in declining health, died Wednesday at her home in New York City, according to a post on her social media page. She had recently completed a memoir, to be released this fall.

“Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard,” the post said. “Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves.”

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Disgraced Thick of It actor Chris Langham dies aged 77

Convicted paedophile and actor Chris Langham has died at the age of 77 following a cancer diagnosis.

Langham, best known for his role in Thick of It, had been living with pancreatic cancer behind the scenes before his death.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment ... ocialshare

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Prominent Mexican Industrialist and Former Senator Omar Raymundo Gómez Flores Passes Away at 74

Omar Raymundo Gómez Flores, one of Jalisco’s most influential business figures, industrial magnates, and a former federal legislator, has died at the age of 74.

His passing was confirmed on Wednesday by state officials and business associations, drawing widespread tributes from political leaders, economic circles, and civic organizations across Mexico.

https://europeans24.com/2026/09/omar-ra ... way-at-74/

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Former Broncos WR Arthur Marshall dies at 57 after battling cancer

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Arthur Marshall has died after battling stomach cancer, according to Georgia's WFXG. Marshall was 57 years old.

Marshall was born and raised in Hephzibah, Georgia. After playing college football with the Georgia Bulldogs, Marshall signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 1992 NFL draft. He spent the first two years of his NFL career in Denver as a receiver and returner.

https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/story/ ... 612415007/

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Memphis Wrestling Legend “Superstar” Bill Dundee Dies Aged 82

Memphis wrestling legend “Superstar” Bill Dundee has died at the age of 82.

His son, Jamie Dundee, announced the sad news on Facebook, revealing that his father passed away during the early hours of September 6.

https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/new ... s-Aged-82/

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Andy 'The Butcher' Williams Dead At 48

Andy Williams -- a professional AEW wrestler known as "The Butcher," died Saturday after experiencing a medical emergency during a tag team match in Pennsylvania, according to authorities.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office tells TMZ ... Williams passed away Friday night following his health crisis at Mr. Small's Theater in Millvale, PA.The Butcher and his partner, The Blade, were battling TME during the Enjoy Wrestling event, leading to its prompt cancellation.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/09/06/andy-williams-dead/

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Barry Melrose, former player, coach and ESPN analyst, dies

Barry Melrose, the former NHL player and coach who was a beloved, longtime hockey analyst for ESPN, died Wednesday, his wife, Cindy, told ESPN's Steve Levy.

He was 70.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ba ... ocialshare

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Pronovost, 4-time Stanley Cup winner with Canadiens, dies at 90

MONTREAL -- Andre Pronovost probably wondered what the big deal was about winning the Stanley Cup.

Pronovost, who died Tuesday at age 90, was a member of four Montreal Canadiens championship teams during his first four seasons in the NHL, from 1956-57 through 1959-60.

https://www.nhl.com/news/andre-pronovost-dies-at-90

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Tributes pour in for WLKY reporter Mark Vanderhoff

It's hard for us here at WLKY to say goodbye to our longtime friend and colleague Mark Vanderhoff.

It's clear by the tributes pouring in that during his career, he made an impact well beyond the walls of the news station.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/tr ... ngNewsSerp

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Influencer Madalina Apostol dies a month after celebrating 40th birthday

Madalina Apostol, a Romanian content creator, has died. She was 40.

The influencer’s boyfriend, Nick Radoi, shared the news of her death in a Facebook post on Sept. 13, indicating that she died by suicide after experiencing mental health struggles.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment ... ocialshare

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The psychedelic pop artist Peter Max has died at 88, his son says

NEW YORK (AP) — Peter Max, whose colorful, psychedelic pop art expressed the optimism of the “flower power” movement of the 1960s and graced everything from postage stamps to a cruise ship, has died at 88, his son said in a written statement Wednesday.

Max died on Monday, the statement said. No cause was given, but he had been suffering from advanced dementia.

https://apnews.com/article/peter-max-ob ... dium=share

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Randy Pedersen, Hall of Fame Player and Broadcasting Legend, Dies at 64

Randy Pedersen, among the most important professional bowling figures of the past 40 years, died Wednesday, Sept. 16. He was 64 years old.

“Randy was supremely talented in everything he did. Bowling, golf, comedy, broadcasting, anything. He was a force, a giant in sports and on TV,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “He was our friend, our partner. Randy was our voice. He was my brother. I spoke with so many people today who loved him. There will never be another Randy Pedersen. Please hug the people you love.”

https://www.pba.com/2026/september/rand ... nd-dies-64

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Seahawks legend, two-time All-Pro Fredd Young passes away at 64

The Seattle Seahawks have announced the passing of former linebacker, four-time Pro Bowl selection, and special teams standout Fredd Young.

Drafted in the third round out of New Mexico State by the Seahawks in 1984, Young was a Pro Bowler in each of his first four seasons, as well as being named an All-Pro twice—first for his special teams as a rookie, then in 1987 as a middle linebacker.

https://www.fieldgulls.com/seattle-seah ... y-nfl-news

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Bob Mackie’s Final Curtain: Remembering The Designer Who Made Stars Shine Brighter

So, have you heard the news? The one and only Bob Mackie has left us, and I'm still trying to process it. I mean, who's going to make the stars shine brighter now?

The man was a legend in the fashion world, and his designs were always the talk of the town. I'm talking Oscar gowns, Grammy performances, and red carpet events - you name it, Bob Mackie was the one behind the magic. His creations were like nothing you've ever seen before

https://feaforall.com/shows/article/bob ... -brighter/