Remembering the Famous Faces We Lost in September 2018
Liftable, a brand of The Western Journal, tributes the celebrities and famous faces who died in September of 2018. May they rest in peace.
Sad to say one of my best friends and costars Susan Brown passed away today she played Gail Baldwin @GeneralHospital my mother R.I.P. Susan I will miss all our laughs . pic.twitter.com/TtM9Ohomq1
— Kin (@kinshriner) August 31, 2018
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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
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
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.”
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.
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.”
‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor Paul John Vasquez dead at 48 https://t.co/m6naFnfMWj pic.twitter.com/R2pLt7Y9Te
— Page Six (@PageSix) September 26, 2018
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.
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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