Keith Wilder Dead At Age 65 Keith Wilder, the lead singer of 70’s funk band Heatwave, passed away on Sunday . He was 65 years old. While no specific cause of death has been disclosed, Wilder’s cousin and bandmate Billy Jones told Dayton.com that he had been suffering from health problems and died peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his mother Lucille, his wife, Linda, three brothers and four children. Wilder’s voice is likely most recognizable from Heatwave’s 1977 ballad “Always and Forever.” Rest in peace, Keith. Getty
The entertainment world has lost an icon. On Wednesday afternoon, at the age of 80, Mary Tyler Moore died after being admitted a week earlier to a hospital in Connecticut. The legendary actress had battled Diabetes for many years and faced severe health problems, including kidney and heart failure, starting in 2014. In light of this tragic news, a number of celebrities have expressed their sadness and sent their condolences via social meda. Here is a look at what they've had to say: 1. Marlee Matlin TV Icon and groundbreaker #MaryTylerMoore has passed. She broke through our TV screens and showed that a powerful woman can be funny. RIP. 2. Andy Cohen RIP beautiful, upbeat, shining, glorious, wonderful, iconic Mary Tyler Moore. 3. Larry King #MaryTylerMoore was a dear friend and a truly great person. A fighter. Rest in peace, MTM. 4. Harry Connick Jr. i never met mary tyler moore, but i loved her from afar – for her talent and, most importantly, for the trails she blazed for women. 5. George Takei She turned the world on with her smile. RIP, Mary Tyler Moore. You were a role model in so many ways. 6. Josh Gad That shift in the Earth you just felt? That crater that is left behind? That is the legacy of the incomparable #marytylermoore RIP 2 an icon. View Slideshow
Iconic fashion designer Oscar De La Renta has passed away at the age of 82. Over the course of his more than 50 year career, De La Renta designed clothing for some of the world’s most famous women. Most recently, he designed Amal Alamuddin’s wedding dress . Born in 1932 in the Dominican Republic, De La Renta first made a name for himself in the US by designing dresses for Jacqueline Kennedy. In the decades that followed, first ladies Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush frequently wore designs by De La Renta. De La Renta was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, but appeared to be in good health in recent months. The news of De La Renta’s death broke just minutes ago, but the most famous names in the world of fashion are already expressing their grief and condolences on social media. Appearing at this year’s CFDA awards, De La Renta spoke of his recent health problems, saying, “Yes, I had cancer. Right now I am totally clean. The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die.” “We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is that you appreciate every single day of life.” De La Renta leaves behind a wife, a son, and several step-children. Celebrities We Lost in 2014 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014). He will forever be missed!
Ed Koch, the feisty former Mayor of New York City who served three terms in City Hall, passed away early this morning. He was 88. Spokesman George Arzt confirmed the sad news and said a funeral will take place Monday at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan. Koch left office in 1990 after helping save the city from fiscal ruin. He was known for his bold, straightforward responses to nearly every question, including why he ended up as a life-long bachelor: “My answer to questions on this subject is simply, ‘F— off.’ There have to be some private matters left.” An outspoken supporter of gay rights and known for his strong Jewish faith, Koch worked as a political pundit; movie/food critic; and even as a judge on The People’s Court after he retired. He also played himself on Saturday Night Live and in films such as The First Wives Club . But health problems also plagued Koch for many years. He was hospitalized twice in 2012, first for anemia in September and then for a respiratory infection in December. He returned on two occasions last month with fluid buildup in his lungs. Seven years ago, on his own tombstone, Koch wrote an epitaph that reads: “He was fiercely proud of his Jewish faith. He fiercely defended the City of New York, and he fiercely loved its people. Above all, he loved his country, the United States of America, in whose armed forces he served in World War II.”
New information has come out regarding the death of Michael Clarke Duncan . Sources tell TMZ the 54-year old actor never fully recovered from the heart attack he suffered on July 13, as his brain went without oxygen for five full minutes during that episode, prior to fiancee Omarosa Manigault restarting his heart via CPR. From there, Duncan faced a number of health problems, ranging from issues with his kidneys… to his pancreas… to high blood pressure. Each time one area was fixed, the insider says, another difficulty would arise. A devastated Omarosa, who had planned to marry the actor in January, is making funeral arrangements as we type. Our thoughts go out to her and Duncan’s loved ones. [Photo: WENN.com]
Singer, who suffers from kidney stones, was rushed to the ER on Thursday morning. By Gil Kaufman Phillip Phillips on American Idol Photo: FOX There’s no doubt that the atmosphere on “American Idol” is pressure cooker. But when you add pre-existing health problems into the mix it can get even more difficult for the finalists to make it to the stage twice a week. According to TMZ, one of the leading contenders on this year’s show, acoustic strummer Phillip Phillips, was rushed to a medical facility on Thursday morning for emergency treatment. Sources said Phillips, who suffers from kidney stones, was complaining of intense pain in his abdomen, but it is unclear what ailed him. TMZ claimed that someone close to Phillips suspected it could be gallstones. Phillips’s dad later reportedly told TMZ that his son has had 5 different procedures to remove kidney stones — including one in January — and that his boy is determined to stay in the competition, putting off any procedure for now. The Dave Matthews-esque footstomper was safely put through on Thursday night, when amiable Jeremy Rosado was sent home. If Phillips does stick it out, he wouldn’t be the first “Idol” favorite to battle illness on the show. Back in 2010, eventual runner-up Crystal Bowersox rebounded from a hospital stay and thoughts of throwing in the towel, with one of that season’s highlights. Bowersox, a diabetic, was told that she would be eliminated from the show if she didn’t not make it to that week’s performance. A spokesperson for “Idol” could not be reached for comment at press time on Phillips’ condition. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Top 13 Contestants
When I was approached with the opportunity to interview actor, Brian White ( Stomp The Yard, Fighting ), I said, “sure.” He is starring along-side Michelle Williams in a new DVD entitled, “What My Husband Doesn’t Know.” “Interesting title”, I thought. It is about a woman who isn’t getting the attention she desires and needs from her husband who is a wealthy man invested more in his finances than his wife. Long story short, White’s sexy exterior is summoned to fix a leak in Williams’ home, but the leak turns out to be a metaphor for her broken marriage which he fixes with his pipe laying skills [wink,wink]. Watch the trailer, here ! Given the fact that Brian’s co-star is a black woman and he is a black man with a black mother, I find the conversation we had was slightly accurate yet odd. White has had trouble with his words before (See here) , but after our discussion on maintaining a healthy relationship and the essentials to a successful marriage, things went left and I concluded that he has something – maybe not “hate” – but something… a gripe perhaps, not only with black women, but the black race. What is your insight on the Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry beef? Why do you think people hate Tyler Perry so much? Because Tyler holds a mirror up to people. Stereotypes are not stereotypes today. The most popular character [ in, Why Did I Get Marred? ], and it’s not the one that Tyler picked as the most popular, is Tasha! You have Janet Jackson and Jill Scott; my point is Jill Scott and Janet are huge music stars with huge fan bases, Tasha became the most popular because her character is portrayed the most like “Love & Hip Hop” the most like, “Desperate Housewives of Atlanta,” [we think he means “Housewives Of Atlanta] you might as well switch it around and pop in Nene [Leaks]. [Tasha Smith] is brilliant, she’s nothing like the character, she’s just portraying what she sees in society, magnified.[sic] And people get mad and say that’s not us. Yes it is , turn on “Love & Hip Hop” and turn on “Desperate Housewives Of Atlanta” those are “reality shows.” You can’t call something reality then get mad when it shows up in the movies as reality but that’s what we’re doing. That’s where the cycle continues. They don’t do that in Africa, they don’t do that in France; they don’t connect with that message. What’s interesting is we, here, in America connect with that message and get upset at it. That’s what Tyler sees. If you look at Spike, what is his most successful movie ever? successful defined by how much money it made versus how much it cost to make. “Inside Man” and the stars were Clive Owens, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Denzel Washington and Jodi Foster… Four huge actors, two white, one known–Denzel and then another amazing British actor people don’t know here. That is not the type of film that Spike necessarily wants to focus on, right? So what makes money isn’t what Spike makes, so it’s upsetting and frustrating–I would assume. But, what Tyler makes, does make money…$500 million worth of money. [sic] Do you think Tyler Perry only depicts black people in a negative light? There are a lot of black people who fit into the stereotype but there are a lot of black people who don’t. You can’t call it a stereotype if it’s the majority. The most prevalent image in “urban society” right now is women like Nene [Leaks]. If there’s a fight that breaks out on “Love & Hip Hop” those people are one every blog, the cover of every magazine the next week. It’s not Taraji or Gabrielle, it’s whoever just got into a fist fight. Tyler’s not stereotyping, he’s holding up a mirror and people are mad at him because people don’t want to look at that image in that way. [sic] When we use the term here in America, and say “black movies,” that has no reference for the rest of the world. Look at “Luther,” Idris just won a Golden Globe for “Luther,” that is NOT a black show, it’s a British show. British don’t see color they see quality. People who watch BBC don’t go, ‘oo’ there’s that black show, nah. Most African Americans were not even aware of Luther because it’s not a stereotypically urban themed show. Once we in America start focusing on quality first and telling human stories that connect with everybody that might want to watch it, the problems will solve themselves.[sic] Do you believe that the stereotypes we see on TV are prevalent in the race or just portrayed on TV? Is it really the majority of black women that act like Nene? I have five sisters and two moms, none of them are like that! To me, I can say I’m offended if they want to represent that and don’t want to represent my mom, but my mom represents Phylicia Rashād and has been represented on TV all my life. I can’t say that. I don’t watch “Real Housewives,” I’ve never seen an episode of “Love & Hop Hop” I’m not supporting it, I’m not giving it ratings. I’m not making the stereotype exist on TV. You’ve watched it, you’ve added to why it’s on TV.[sic] If you look at Hip Hop, the rappers and their girlfriends, their reality shows look just like “Love & Hip Hop” and “Housewives,” some of them are even on those shows… so we’re taking the line between what’s real and what’s on TV and its all blurred but it looks exactly the same as what’s in Tyler’s movies . That’s not what I see when I go on Rowland Martins show or having this conversation with you, we are not the majority . Look at the statistics in education, only our community not all blacks African Americans we perform the worst along with Mexicans . The rest of the blacks in the world are like second and third. There’s no correlation with race, it’s our culture. Will Smith never made anything that wasn’t for everybody. He played a homosexual man with an all-white cast of Oscar winners that branded him as quality, that’s why people follow him…no other reason. [sic] Look at all British actors, they take all the roles. When we see David Oyelowo, from Red Tails , he stands on the stage and speaks in his normal voice, he looks like he just came out of Oxford and everybody else looks like they just came out the club . Nate Parker and Tristan are very educated…[continued in audio] Tyler Perry’s “Good Deeds” [TRAILER] Is Brian, spot on just a turn off? Monica Bloodies Co-Star Brian White For “Until It’s Gone” Video [PHOTOS] Brian White Marries Non-Black Woman; Goes Off On Haters Via Twitter
Comedian Tracy Morgan has fired back after his sister Asia told the NY Daily News that he was mistreating their mother. Morgan, who recently made news for collapsing at the Sundance Film festival, refuses to give his mother money to save her house from foreclosure. In an exclusive statement to ABCNews Morgan said that his sister’s comments are unfounded because they barely speak. “I am saddened that these untrue stories about me have people questioning my commitment to my family,” he said in a statement to ABCNews.com. “For reasons that are between us, I have not seen my mother in 11 years and outside of a random call here and there have had little to no contact with my sister.” Morgan’s mother Alicia Warden claims that Morgan made an offer of $2000 through his assistant, but she refused the money. She owes five times that amount. [READ MORE HERE ] RELATED POSTS: Tracy Morgan Blames Lex Luthor For Health Problems [VIDEO] Tracy Morgan Rushed To Hospital After Collapsing Ol’ Dirty Bastard Movie In The Works, Tracy Morgan Or Eddie Griffin To Star
This is so sad. The L.A. coroner has confirmed that legendary Don Cornelius is dead. According to TMZ reports : Don Cornelius — who famously created “Soul Train” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning … and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide. We’re told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us … Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted. We’re told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. “Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006. Officials have notified Don’s family. Cornelius was 75. During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.” Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated. The divorce was granted in 2010. Sources close to Don tell us … the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery. This is a horrible start to Black History Month. More On Bossip! Which One Would You Wife? The Ladies Of “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Another Day, Another Reality Show: The “Mistresses Of Atlanta” Want To Be On TV Too! Check Out The Full Cast Of Hoes Ladies Inside True Or False??? Did Wiz Khalifa Make Amber Rose Get A Face Tattoo So He Knows It’s Real??? Hoes Struggling To Be Housewives: You Won’t BELIEVE Who Kimmy Cakes Has Her Eyes On And Got Rejected
Steve Wozniak says his fellow Apple co-founder Steve Jobs needs to relax. In the wake of Jobs stepping down as CEO of the company they both founded, the Woz said, “Steve needs now to just have some ‘Steve time’ … He deserves it.” Why? Not just because of his physical health problems, but mentally. “[Jobs] really has had to sacrifice a lot to run Apple … I mean, just your time, everybody wants you day and night, that’s what I mean by sacrifices.” “He has given his all. It takes so much out of anyone to be under just constant pressure and demands like that,” Wozniak said of his fellow mogul. As to the future of Apple, Wozniak is optimistic: “Remember, [Jobs] was surrounded by great, great people at Apple … those people are still there.” It’s true. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, who will take over as Apple CEO, has effectively run the company since Jobs’ medical leave in January. Short story: The iPad 3 and iPhone 5 are gonna be so awesome. [Photo: WENN.com]
