Anna Meara, a veteran actress of more than six decades and the mother of star Ben Stiller, died on Saturday of undisclosed causes. She as 85 years old. Also the wife of Jerry Stiller, Meara comprised one half of the Stiller & Meara comedy team, appearing on such variety programs as The Ed Sullivan Show. She and her husband were among the first graduates of the Second City comedy troupe and also teamed up for appearances on Rhoda, The Stiller and Meara Show and King of Queens. Meara earned a Writers Guild Award for co-writing the 1983 TV-movie The Other Woman. “Anne’s memory lives on,” reads a statement issued by her family, “in the hearts of daughter Amy, son Ben, her grandchildren, her extended family and friends, and the millions she entertained as an actress, writer and comedienne.” View Slideshow: Celebrities We Lost in 2015
Halle Berry, Paula Patton, Christina Milian, Brandy Spotted In Hollywood The Academy are just around the corner and a handful of fabulous familiar faces are on hand in Hollyweird making their rounds for the pre-Oscar festivities. Among those spotted out and about so far were veteran actress Halle Berry, who attended the United 4 Humanity event…. …songstress-turned-reality star Christina Milian who walked the Ok! Magazine Pre-Oscar party red carpet with her sisters…. …and actress Paula Patton, who has been laying relatively low since finalizing her divorce from Robin Thicke, but stepped out to attend a pre-oscar gala honoring “Empire” director Lee Daniels. All of the ladies kept it cute, but you know we have to ask, who looked more bangin? Check out more pics from the various pre-Oscar events to see who else was seen on the scene below. SplashNews
Marcia Strassman, a veteran actress best known for roles on M*A*S*H and Welcome Back, Kotter, died today after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. She was 66 years old. Curb Your Enthusiasm director Bob Weide confirmed Strassman’s passing on Twitter, writing: “So sad that a sweet friend, kind person & wonderful actress Marcia Strassman lost her brave battle with cancer today.” Best known for her lead roles in the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter and the comedy film Honey I Shrunk the Kids (along with its sequel, Honey I Blew Up the Kids), Strassman also served on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild. “She was the funniest, smartest person I ever met,” said Julie Strassman of her sister. “And talented. She knew everything. Now I won’t be able to call her and ask her questions. Strassman was born New York City, and grew up in New Jersey. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 18 years old. “Wanted U2 No,a Funny,Talented Friend Died.Not 4U 2feel sorry 4me,but she died alone, &Energy from U is powerful &Sends (love) ‘Marsha (sic) Strassman,” Tweeted Cher in response to the sad news. Celebrities We Lost in 2014 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014). He will forever be missed!
Hema Malini, who will turn 66 Thursday, will spend her birthday with her family in Mumbai. After several hectic travel schedules, veteran actress and politician Hema Malini, who turned 66 Thursday, is happy to spend a “quiet” birthday in Mumbai with her elder daughter Esha and son-in-law Bharat Takhtani. She says she looks back at her journey with “affection”. “I was supposed to be in my constituency Mathura. But it#39;s impossible for me to travel right now. So this birthday is being spent wi
I know most of you probably weren’t expecting to come on the site today and see your dad’s celebrity crush, but I wasn’t expecting to see Marg Helgenberger bust out this much cleavage at the premiere party for her new show Intelligence . I mean, she’s looking twice as good as her co-star Meghan Ory , who’s practically half Marg’s age. But that’s what you get with a veteran actress: they know what it takes to sell something. Now go call your dad and tell him you just found a new show you can watch together. » view all 19 photos Photos: WENN.com
Shirley Mitchell, believed to be the last surviving cast member of the hit show I Love Lucy, passed away this week, according to reports. She was 94. Mitchell died of heart failure on Monday, her sister-in-law Nancy Olson said. The veteran actress (above, right) portrayed Lucy’s good friend Marion Strong in the iconic CBS comedy show during the 1953-1954 season. She was known for her distinctive, cackling laugh. The Ohio native later appeared in Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Beverly Hillbillies , among other movie and television roles. She was married to famed composer Jay Livingston until his 2001 death. Mitchell joined I Love Lucy in 1953. In “Lucy Tells the Truth,” Marion gets frank opinions about her hat and her laugh in the girls’ weekly bridge game. Lucy has bet Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance) $100 that she can go 24 hours without telling a lie.) The Marion character, which was originated by Margie Liszt in the second season, is also noteworthy for setting Lucy and Ricky up on their first date. R.I.P.
Eileen Brennan, an acclaimed, veteran actress and Oscar nominee for her role in 1980’s Private Benjamin , has died , according to reports. She was 80. Brennan passed away last Sunday at her Burbank, California, home after a battle with bladder cancer, her management company confirmed. “Our family is so grateful for the outpouring of love and respect for Eileen,” her family said in a statement. “She was funny and caring and truly one of a kind.” “Her strength and love will never be forgotten. She will be greatly missed by all of us.” Brennan was known for character roles as sassy, brassy women, the kind with a sandpaper surface but a light, pure heart. Brennan appeared in classics like The Sting, The Last Picture Show and Clue . She reprised her role as Captain Doreen Lewis in the television adaptation of Private Benjamin and won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work. Her career shifted more towards TV, guest-appearing in hits like ER, Murder, She Wrote, 7th Heaven and Will & Grace , in recent years.
Jean Stapleton, a veteran actress best known for her role as Edith Bunker on All in the Family , passed away today. She was 90 years old. The beloved star’s loved ones confirm that Stapleton died of natural causes. The actress appeared opposite Carroll O’Connor (as Archie Bunker) on the iconic sitcom, earning three Emmy Awards in the process. Stapleton’s last major role was in the 1998 comedy You’ve Got Mail , where she portrayed a co-worker of Meg Ryan’s character. She is survived by her son, John, and daughter, Pamela.
Amanda Plummer has signed on for a role in Catching Fire . The veteran actress and former Golden Globe Award nominee will star in The Hunger Games sequel as Wiress, an eccentric Tribute who becomes an important fellow player/friend to Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss. A Broadway star, Plummer is likely best known to film fans for her role as “Honey Bunny” in Pulp Fiction . While Catching Fire fans continue to await movie news on who will play Finnick , other characters are being snatched up. Aside from Wiress, we know that Jena Malone will portray Johanna Mason and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a go for Plutarch Heavensbee. Catching Fire will be released on November 22, 2013, while two-part final installment of Mockingjay will be hit theaters in 2014 and 2015.