Deaths So Far (and it's just July)

[IceWizard]

Celebrated director Marty Callner died March 17, a representative confirmed. He was 78.
Finding a home at HBO early in his career, Callner is known for pioneering the modern
stand-up comedy format working with Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal in their early years
and produced music specials for several high-profile musical artist including Gladys Knight
and Diana Ross.Callner was behind the popular program "Hard Knocks," and directed
music videos for big names like Cher and Aerosmith








Richard Chamberlain, the TV heartthrob who starred as "Dr. Kildare" and in popular miniseries
such as "The Thorn Birds" and "Shōgun," died March 29 after suffering complications from a
stroke. He died two days short of his 91st birthday. The three-time Golden Globe winner,
a U.S Army veteran who served in Korea, was dubbed “the king of the miniseries” for his
influential roles in the “The Thorn Birds" and "Shōgun," and received four Emmy nominations.
He also enjoyed a robust stage career, starring as Captain von Trapp in
"The Sound of Music" on Broadway.








Former "Little House on the Prairie" star Patty Maloney died March 31, a rep for the actress confirmed.
She was 89.Maloney was a fixture on Variety shows like "Donny and Marie" and "Bay City Rollers"
in the 1970s and '80s. "Patty was the ultimate performer, a triple threat performing on Broadway"
and with "her own one-woman show," her rep Jeffrey Loseff said in the statement.








Johnny Tillotson, the crooner behind 1960s hits like "Poetry in Motion," died April 1, according to
a post on Facebook from his wife Nancy."Johnny will be missed every single day for the rest of my life,"
she wrote. "He was simply the best." Tillotson, himself a teen idol, also found secondary popularity
as major stars opted to cover his original tracks. "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin," one of his most
famous songs, was performed by both Dean Martin and Elvis Presley.









“Top Gun” star Val Kilmer, whose leading roles included both Batman and Jim Morrison of The Doors,
died April 1 at 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed his death to The New York Times and
The Associated Press. He had previously battled throat cancer and died from pneumonia.
The handsome star of the ‘80s and ‘90s, who was also known for starring in “Willow” and “Heat,”
lost his voice to a tracheotomy but reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite
Tom Cruise in 2022’s blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.”








Mel Novak, who showed off his dark side as villains in the action films "Black Belt Jones,"
"Game of Death" and "An Eye for an Eye," died April 9 at age 90, the actor's daughter
Nikol Conant confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ. Novak died of natural causes
at a hospice facility in Granada Hills, California, Conant told the outlets.Novak appeared in
1981's "An Eye for an Eye" as Tony Montoya in a star-studded cast that featured Chuck Norris,
Christopher Lee and Richard Roundtree.







Canadian Bulgarian director Ted Kotcheff, best known for his work on the '80s classics
"Weekend at Bernie's" and "First Blood," died April 10 at age 94, the filmmaker's family
confirmed to The Globe and Mail and The Canadian Press. Kotcheff died of heart failure,
his daughter Kate Kotcheff told The Canadian Press."First Blood," which starred
Sylvester Stallone as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo, spawned a sprawling media
franchise that included four sequels, an animated TV series and a comic book series.










Les Binks, the drummer responsible for Judas Priest’s beats in the late-'70s, has died at 73,
the band announced on social media April 15. A funeral notice for Binks lists his passing at a
London hospital, with some reports adding his death occurred March 15.Judas Priest wrote
in an Instagram post: "We are deeply saddened about the passing of Les and send our love
to his family, friends and fans. The acclaimed drumming he provided was first class – demonstrating
his unique techniques, flair, style and precision.
Thank you, Les – your acclaim will live on …"








TV and radio host Wink Martindale, best known for helming the game shows "Gambit"
and "Tic-Tac-Dough," died April 15 at age 91, according to The Hollywood Reporter and
the Los Angeles Times. The former disc jockey, born Winston Conrad Martindale, died in
Rancho Mirage, California, while surrounded by his family. A cause of death was not given.
After hosting the musical game shows "What's This Song?" and "Words and Music" for NBC,
Martindale became a household name when he was chosen by CBS to head its
blackjack-themed series "Gambit" in 1972. He hosted the show's original run through
1976 and later emceed a Las Vegas spinoff on NBC from 1980-1981.









Actress and former child star Sophie Nyweide, best known for her roles in the films "Mammoth"
and "An Invisible Sign," died on April 14 at age 24, according to an obituary published on
Legacy.com April 17. Nyweide's mother, actress Shelly Gibson, confirmed her daughter's death
to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ in articles published April 22. A cause of death was not disclosed.
"Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain," Nyweide's obituary stated. "May we all
learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better."








Actress Lar Park Lincoln died April 22 at the age of 63, Lincoln's company Actors Audition Studios
confirmed on Facebook. The TV star's death came after having previously battled breast cancer,
according to The Hollywood Reporter, though a cause of death was not confirmed.
Lincoln is arguably most recognized for her recurring role as Linda Fairgate on the soap opera
"Knots Landing," which aired between 1979 and 1993. She is also known for her portrayal of
telekinetic Tina Shepard in 1988's "Friday the 13th: The New Blood."










Comedian and singer Lulu Roman, best known for her appearances on the country music variety show
"Hee Haw," died "unexpectedly" on April 23 at age 78, according to a press release.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
On "Hee Haw," which debuted in 1969, Roman charmed audiences with her comedic timing,
infectious laughter and powerful singing voice. Outside the show, Roman also enjoyed a successful
career as a gospel singer, winning several Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.





To Be Continued