Cancer

Bea Arthur Passes Away at 86

April 26, 2009 By Crista Webster 3 Comments

It is with a heavy heart that we here at Hollywood Dame announce the passing of beloved funny-woman Bea Arthur. Bea passed away Saturday morning at her home is Los Angeles surrounded by her family. She was 86.

If you spend a lot of time here at Hollywood Dame (and you should), then you have no doubt read on my bio page that Bea Arthur is one of my favorite celebrities. She was a comedic genius and one hell of a lady.

Bea’s career as an actress began off Broadway in the 1950’s. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when she earned a guest spot as Edith Bunker’s liberal cousin on the show ‘All in the Family’ that Bea’s television presence became known. She was offered her own show ‘Maude’, which was a spin-off of ‘All in the Family’.

‘Maude’ was a popular show and even earned Bea an Emmy Award in 1977. The show was a comedy, but pushed the envelope with serious and controversial storylines such as Maude’s decision to have an abortion and her husband Walter’s alcoholism.

In the 1980’s Bea joined fellow funny-ladies Rue MacClanahan, Betty White, and the late Estelle Getty on the beloved show ‘The Golden Girls.’ She played substitute teacher, and constantly harassed daughter of Sofia, Dorothy Zbornak. I still remember waiting every Saturday night for “the girls” to come on. It was my favorite show and Bea was by far my favorite character. I still watch ‘The Golden Girls’ religiously today and, though I have seen every episode a dozen or more times, I still manage to laugh at every joke.

When asked once how she felt about being type-cast into roles Bea replied:

“Look — I’m 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can’t stay home waiting for something different. I think it’s a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting.”

That’s why I heart Bea Arthur. She knew who she was and never once attempted to change for anyone.

Jerry Herman, who worked as the composer for Arthur’s Tony Award winning performance in the musical, ‘Mame’, had this to say about Bea via the Associated Press:

“There was no one else like Bea. She would make us laugh during `Mame’ rehearsals with a look or with a word. She didn’t need dialogue. I don’t know if I can say that about any other person I ever worked with.”

That’s simple Jerry: you can’t. No one can. The world is a little less funny today.

[Keep Clicking Thumbnails for a Larger Image]

Images Via: IMBD, Wenn

Filed Under: Celebrity Health, Celebrity Loss, Real News, Television Tagged With: 86, All in the Family, Bea Arthur, Cancer, Comedic, Comedy, Dead, Dies, Dorothy Zbornak, Emmy Award, Jerry Herman, Legend, Los Angeles, Mame, Maude, passes away, The Golden Girls, tony award

Farrah Fawcett is Dying ?!!?

April 4, 2009 By Cara Harrington Leave a Comment

Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed kids. Farrah Fawcett is said to be on her death bed.

The “Charlie’s Angels” starlet has been battling anal cancer for nearly 3 years. Radar is reporting that things aren’t looking good for Farrah as she is back in the hospital once again. According to the source close to her, she has been there for days and is currently surrounded by her family and friends.

“Long-time love Ryan O’Neal has been by Farrah’s bedside, as has troubled son Redmond, who bolted from rehab earlier this week.”

Fawcett is not expected to live much longer. She is currently unconscious and unresponsive.

Our hearts and hopes go out to Farrah and her loved ones.

[Keep Clicking Thumbnails for a Larger Image]

Image Via: Globe, Wenn

Filed Under: Celebrity Loss Tagged With: anal cancer, Cancer, Charlies angels, Dead, Death, Dying, Farrah Fawcett dead, Farrah Fawcett Dying, ill, passed away, Sick

Izzie-Gate Continues on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

March 28, 2009 By Cara Harrington Leave a Comment

The never ending slew of rumors surrounding the characters of Izzie Stevens and George O’Malley continues.

Katherine Heigl is off the show one day and back the next. Today she is back despite the uncertainty of her character’s fate. Even Heigl claims she doesn’t know if Izzie lives or dies from stage 4 cancer. However, it seems she might have realized her behavior will cost her. She doesn’t have a plethora of silver screen options. She currently has on 2 other projects aside from Grey’s. So perhaps she has had a change of heart…

Via Yahoo:

“I was assuming that [my character's days were numbered] at one point and I got a lot of shrugged shoulders and shakes of the head, so I don’t know if that’s a yes or a no. No one will tell me and I don’t know how this is going to go. I don’t know if I live or die. I don’t know how Izzie fares.”

“I’m there” if Izzie remains part of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Heigl said. She called the set “one of my favorite places to be” and said her colleagues are also friends.”

Scads of stories and co-stars blabbing about the departure of both Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight have taken precedent over the show. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has turned from one the better shows on tv that combined 60% doctor drama and 40% comedic entertainment. It has now become 95% bitchy divas and 5% gloom and doom.

Can the show be saved? Some changes would have to occur.

1. Return of “The Nazi” and her backbone. Miranda has suddenly become a weepy squishy character who we can no longer depend on.

2. Get rid of Derek and his God complex. McDreamy has become McWeiner-Diva. Seriously… “I need you to play God Derek!” What a load of corny crap. Dr. Shepard has grown a Kanye West sized ego. Let’s dial down from being the Jesus of surgery.

3. Where is the fun factor? There are some potentials with McSteamy and Little Grey. When she broke his “bone” I was elated with the return of that gumption the show once boasted.

4. For the love of good tv… kill off Izzie. Pull the plug on this self centered Mariah Carey of tv.

Filed Under: Grey's Anatomy, Television Tagged With: Cancer, characters, died, George O'Malley, Grey's Anatomy, Izzie Stevens, Katherine Heigl, killed off, McDreamy, McSteamy, T.R. Knight, TV

Ed McMahon Dying!?!

February 27, 2009 By Cara Harrington 5 Comments

Our hearts, as little and cold as they may be, are going out to Ed McMahon. The former front man for Publishers Clearing House and Johnny Carson’s sidekick has fallen very ill. He is combating bone cancer, pneumonia and other undisclosed medical issues.

Ed is 85 years old and according to TMZ is currently fighting for his life. He has been in the hospital for over a month and is currently in intensive care.

“We’ve just learned Ed is in the ICU and his condition is “extremely serious.” As one person close to him put it — “It’s not great, to say the least.”

Let’s hope for the best for McMahon.

Image Via: Reuters

Filed Under: Celebrity Health Tagged With: Cancer, Dying, Ed McMahon, Hospital, icu, ill, serious condition, Sick pnemonia

Marcia Cross’s Husband Diagnosed With Cancer

January 20, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

“Desperate Housewives” star Marcia Cross’s husband, Tom Mahoney, has been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. While details are scarce, Marcia’s rep Heidi Slan has said, “He is currently under treatment and is responding very well.” Of their relationship, Cross has credited her own happiness due to her husbands love and support.

Via People:

“I think that beauty comes from being happy and connected to the people we love, and his love makes me feel beautiful.”

The actress, 46, and her stockbroker husband, 50, began dating in early 2005. They happy couple were married in June 2006 and are the parents of 23-month-old fraternal twin daughters, Eden and Savannah. Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Mahoney and Cross families. We hope for a full recovery for Tom.