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Remembering the Famous Faces We Lost in September 2018

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Liftable, a brand of The Western Journal, tributes the celebrities and famous faces who died in September of 2018. May they rest in peace.

Susan Brown

The long-running soap opera “General Hospital” lost a beloved former cast member on Sept. 1. Susan Brown, who played Dr. Gail Brown for more than two decades, passed away at the age of 86. Brown was also known for her roles on “Port Charles,” “As the World Turns,” and “Return to Peyton Place.” She earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1979 for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role on “General Hospital.”

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Randy Weston performs at The Jazz Foundation of America Presents the 14th Annual 'A Great Night in Harlem' Gala Concert to Benefit Their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund Saving Jazz, Blues and R&B
Randy Weston performs at The Jazz Foundation of America Presents the 14th Annual ‘A Great Night in Harlem’ Gala Concert to Benefit Their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund Saving Jazz, Blues and R & B One Musician at a Time at The Apollo Theater on October 22, 2015 in New York City. (Theo Wargo / Getty Images for The Jazz Foundation of America)

Randy Weston

A revered jazz pianist and composer, Randy Weston passed away on Sept. 2, 2018, at the age of 92. According to historian Robin D.G. Kelley, Weston was “responsible fusing modern jazz and African music, giving birth to an entirely new musical genre.” His career spanned over six decades, earning him multiple Grammy award nominations and an election into DownBeat’s hall of fame.



Bill Daily

Major Healey from the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” died on Sept. 4 at the age of 91. Bill Daily also had roles on “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Alf.” Barbara Eden, who starred as Jeannie, posted a touching tribute of her co-star after learning the news of his passing. “Our favorite zany astronaut, Bill Daily has passed,” she wrote. “Billy was wonderful to work with. He was a funny, sweet man that kept us all on our toes. I’m so thankful to have known and worked with that rascal. Until we meet again Billy, xo.”

uthor Christopher Kennedy Lawford
Author Christopher Kennedy Lawford arrives for the Annual Brent Shapiro Foundation For Alcohol And Drug Prevention Summer Spectacular at a Private Residence on September 9, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. (Greg Doherty / Getty Images)

Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Author and actor Christopher Kennedy Lawford passed away on Sept. 4 at the age of 63. Lawford, who became a well-known advocate for sobriety and recovery, died of a heart attack. Lawford was the son of Patricia Kennedy and Peter Lawford. Patricia was the sister of John, Robert, and Ted Kennedy. Peter was a member of Frank Sinatra’s “Rat Pack.”

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Actor Burt Reynolds attends the screening of “The Bandit” during the 2016 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (Mike Windle / Getty Images for SXSW)

Burt Reynolds

Oscar-nominated actor Burt Reynolds passed away with his family by his side on Sept. 6. The “Smokey and the Bandit” star was 82 years of age. Reynolds was also known for his roles in “Boogie Nights,” “Deliverance,” and “The Longest Yard.” Back in March of 2018, Reynolds appeared on the Today Show. In an interview with Hoda Kotb, he referred to Sally Field as the “one that got away.” Adding in an interview with Access, “It was one of the great regrets of my life. I had never had a great love affair like that.”

Miss USA, Chelsi Smith is crowned the Miss Universe.
Miss USA, Chelsi Smith is crowned the Miss Universe 95 at the Windhoek Country Club 13 May in Namibia during a live telecast. (Philip Littleton / AFP / Getty Images)

Chelsi Smith

The former Miss USA and Miss Universe 1995 winner died on Sept. 8 at the age of 45 after suffering from liver cancer for over a year. The Texas native “set the bar for intelligent and enlightened women around the world,” her family wrote in a statement after her passing. Smith was the first and only woman from Texas to win both Miss USA and Miss Universe. She was also the first American woman to claim the Miss Universe title in 15 years when she was crowned in 1995.

Marin Mazzie during the Broadway Opening Night Performance Curtain Call for ''Bullets Over Broadway'."
Marin Mazzie during the Broadway Opening Night Performance Curtain Call for ”Bullets Over Broadway'” at the St. James Theatre on April 10, 2014, in New York City. (Walter McBride / Getty Images)

Marin Mazzie

Three-time Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie died Sept. 13, 2018, after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. The sought-after Broadway actress was 57 years old. She earned her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her breakout role as Clara in “Passion” in 1994. The show itself won Best Musical.

Mac Miller performs on the Camp Stage during day 1.
Mac Miller performs on the Camp Stage during day one of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2017 at Exposition Park on October 28, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Rich Fury / Getty Images)

Mac Miller

The well-known rapper and ex-boyfriend of singer Ariana Grande was known as Mac Miller and died of an apparent overdose on Sept. 7. The 26-year-old had been open about his ongoing battle with substance abuse, according to Variety. Malcolm McCormick, his given name at birth, was set to embark on his U.S. tour on Oct. 27.



Peter Donat

Well-known for his recurring role as agent Fox Mulder’s father on “The X-Files,” Peter Donat passed away Sept. 10 at the age of 90. Donat was the nephew of Oscar-Winning Actor Robert Donat, whose films inspired him to pursue acting, according to The New York Times. Donat guest-starred on multiple television series during his career, including “Hawaii Five-0,” “Dallas,” and “Murder She Wrote.” He also appeared in the films “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II.”

Actor Frank Parker during the Hollywood premier of "Days of Our Lives" serial murder mystery episodes.
Actor Frank Parker during the Hollywood premiere of “Days of Our Lives” serial murder mystery episodes at the Arclight’s Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

Frank Parker

Best known for his role as Shawn Brady on “Days of our Lives,” Frank Parker died on Sept. 16 at the age of 79. He passed away due to complications with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Parker began his career in the ’60s and appeared in television shows such as “Gomer Pyle: USMC” and “Lost in Space” in the ’70s. He spent 25 years playing Brady on “Days of our Lives” and also appeared on “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless.”



Felton Pruett

Musician Felton Pruett died on Sept. 19, 2018, at the age of 89. Pruett played steel guitar with country legend Hank Williams on the Louisiana Hayride radio show. Pruett also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years. In 1991, Pruett told the Shreveport Times Williams accidentally broke his nose while the two were wrestling in a car. Pruett also had a fear of flying, only stepping on a plane once to attend Williams funeral in 1953.

Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames receives a silver stick from Clay Riddell.
Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames receives a silver stick from Clay Riddell, a member of the owners group, to commemorate his 300th win before playing the Vancouver Canucks in first period NHL action on February 11, 2012 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Mike Ridewood / Getty Images)

Clay Riddell

Co-owner of the NHL’s Calgary Flames and billionaire oilman Clay Riddell passed away at the age of 81 on Sept. 22. Riddell’s fortune was $1.2 billion in Forbes’ ranking of the world’s wealthiest people. After his passing, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement, “Clay’s passion and commitment to his city and beloved Flames will be deeply missed.”

Paul John Vasquez

The 48-year-old actor from “Sons of Anarchy” died on Sept. 24, 2018, according to TMZ, of an apparent heart attack while at his father’s house. Vasquez also appeared in a plethora of minor roles including “NYPD Blue” and “CSI: NY.” His rep said in a statement to Fox News, “Our hearts are heavy. He was a kind, creative and loving man. He will be missed.”



Marty Balin

Co-founder of the rock band Jefferson Airplane, Marty Balin, passed away on Sept. 27 at the age of 76. A statement from his wife, Susan, was posted on the musician’s Facebook page sharing the news of his passing. “Marty and I shared the deepest of love—he often called it Nirvana—and it was. But really, we were all touched by his love. His presence will be within my entire being forever.” Balin was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and a platinum and gold solo artist. Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 “Surrealistic Pillow” album was named one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. Balin was also a contributor to several major hits with Jefferson Starship.

Holger Klotzbach, Joe Masteroff and Lutz Deisinger attend the opening night of new stage show 'Cabaret.'
Holger Klotzbach, Joe Masteroff and Lutz Deisinger attend the opening night of new stage show “Cabaret” at Bar Jeder Vernunft on October 23, 2004, in Berlin, Germany. (Tom Maelsa / Getty Images)

Joe Masteroff

The Tony Award-winning writer of “Cabaret” died on Friday, Sept. 29 at the age of 98. Masteroff was also known for writing the book for “She Loves Me.” The story was adapted into the films “The Shop Around the Corner” with James Stewart and later “You’ve Got Mail” with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. “Cabaret,” which first debuted in 1966, was originally called “Welcome to Berlin” but was changed based on Masteroff’s suggestion. The show won a Tony for best musical in 1967. In a 2015 interview with the Associated Press, Masteroff said, “I’ve had a limited career, but it’s been OK.” He passes away being regarded as “one of the 20th century’s masters of the Great American Musical.”

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Keeley is a former contributor to The Western Journal.
Keeley is a former contributor to The Western Journal.




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