Back to Dead PoolBelow are listed some of the celebrities who died during 1996.
Former Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou has died aged 77. Papandreou died of heart failure following his recent illness. He was Greece's first Socialist premier, leading his country for most of the 80's and regaining power in 93. In 1989 he was accused of embezzling $200 million but was cleared. He had an affair with an air-stewardess half his age, who he later married.
Bob Paisley has died aged 77. Paisley took over the management of Liverpool FC from Bill Shankley in 1974. He took an already successful team into their most rewarding period, winning 3 European titles. Paisley played, trained & coached for Liverpool before managing them. He won the Best Manager title 6 times.
Film Producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli OBE has died, aged 87. Broccoli is said to have passed away peacefully on Thursday. Broccoli produced 17 James Bond films, starting with Dr No in 1962. In addition to the Bond series, he produced over 30 films including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Cockleshell Heroes.
Former US Secretary of State Edmund Muskie has died of a heart attack aged 81. Muskie was a former Democratic Presidential nominee.
First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald has died, aged 79. Ms Fitzgerald is said to have died peacefullly at her Beverly Hills home after years of problems stemming from diabetes. Her first break came in 1934 when she entered a talent contest at Harlem's Apollo Theatre. The story is that originally she entered as a dancer but changed her mind and sang. She won. In the 50's and 60's she recorded many album dedicated to a single writer / team such as Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Irving Berlin and the Gershwins. Finally, she recorded 250 albums. Unlike many contemparies, she led her private life away from the cameras.
Evelyn Laye, Queen of pre-war musical comedy has died aged 95. 'Boo' Laye debuted at 17 and became a leading lady in the Gaiety Girls. Her appearence in The Merry Widow in 1923 led to rave reviews. Reportedly people queued 20 hours to see her in Madame Pompadour. In the States she won perhaps her greatest tributes for her role in Noel Coward's Bitter Sweet. Coward also wrote her signature tune "I'll be seeing you". This became King George VI's favourite and she was invited to the Palace. She became a friend of the Queen, now the Queen Mother. Reportedly the Queen Mother requested that Evelyn Laye be made a Dame of the British Empire in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours List. Yet unaccountably this did not happen.
Dancer and Actor Gene Kelly has died aged 83. Kelly made such an impressive lead in a 1940 Broadway production of Pal Joey that he was signed immediately to MGM. Kelly brought a new athletism to dance and revitalised the musical. His skills also included singing, choreography and direction. You can't compare his dance style to Astaire's but I believe he was a better singer and his comic timing/acting was much better. Memorable musicals of his I would pick out are Anchors Aweigh, On the Town and Brigadoon. Many people will say his best film was Singin' in the Rain but for me his best film was An American in Paris.
George Burns died 9th March aged 100. Born Nathan Birnbaum on January 20th 1896, Burns was still performing until very recently. He married Gracie Allen in 1926 and they performed together on stage, radio and films. She played the dizzy blonde and he, the long suffering husband. After Allen died in 1964 Burns disappeared from sight until his career was suddenly reborn aged 80. He starred in The Sunshine Boys and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Broadcaster Glyn Worsnip has died aged 56 following a long struggle with Cerebellar Ataxia. Worsnip had worked on "That's Life" for 8 years. As his illness progressed he made a brave decision to go public, heightening awareness of brain illnesses.
Killing Fields actor Haing Ngor, 45, has been murdered. Haing Ngor won an Oscar for his role in the 1984 film "The Killing Fields" becoming the first non-professional actor to win an Oscar since 1946. He was shot as he arrived at his LA home.
Actor Jon Pertwee has died, aged 76. Pertwee was on holiday in the States with wife Ingeborg and friends. He had a heart attack, dying in his sleep. His career lasted for 60 years. While he is best remembered for Doctor Who, he also appeared in many films, Worzel Gummidge and in The Navy Lark.
Oscar winning actor Martin Balsam was found dead in an Italian hotel room earlier this week. Balsam, 76, was a noted character player and appeared in On the Waterfront, 12 Angry Men and as the doomed PI in Psycho. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for A Thousand Clowns.
Max Factor has died of heart failure, aged 93. Yes, there really is (was) a Max Factor. He is credited with coining the words "Lipstick" and "Make-up". The Max Factor company is currently owned by Proctor & Gamble
M.A.S.H. star McLean Stevenson has died aged 66. Stevenson played Henry Blake and won a Golden Globe in 1973.
Lesotho's King, Moshoeshoe II has died in a car accident.
Bird and Animal impressionist Percy Edwards has died in his sleep, aged 88. Edwards could imitate over 600 species and was in great demand for film and television work. He was the hound in The Hound of the Baskervilles and provided the sound effects for Alien.
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Last revised: 10/10/1996