Columbo Actor Peter Falk Dead at 83 - Just One More Thing...

I grew up watching Lieutenant Columbo.

I remember getting frustrated at how long it would take him to actually bust the bad guy even though he knew who it was from the very beginning.

With his dirty old raincoat, beat up old car, floppy eared dog, and wife that we never got to meet - Lt. Columbo always knew how to outsmart the crooks.

And here is a little bit of trivia – during the entire Columbo series the viewer was never told what his first name was, and it remains a mystery to this day.

His Shtick was to ask very basic, and sometimes annoying questions, and just as he was walking toward the door to leave he would stop, turn, and say, “Just one more thing…”

And it was always THAT question that got the criminal busted.

But it was entertaining, and little did I know that Peter Falk and Columbo would become an American Icon.



Falk died yesterday at the age of 83 from complications from dementia at his home in Beverly Hills.

Friends say Falk was involved in a bad car accident in 2008 and suffered a bad head injury and was never the same man.

But Falk did much much more than just play Lt. Columbo.

His career started back in 1957 and by the time he retired had been in over 100 movies and TV shows.

Some of the greats included Murder, Inc., The Untouchables, The Twilight Zone, Murder by Death, The Cheap Detective, The Princess Bride, and others.

Peter Falk was one of the greats - and I expect to see his dirty old raincoat in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum next time I’m in Washington D.C.

Hey, don’t laugh – they have the same “Fonzie” lunchbox there that I had when I was in school.

Feel old yet?

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Photo - “Jackass" Star Ryan Dunn Killed in Fatal Car Crash

Anybody who has ever watched the television show “Jackass” knew who Ryan Dunn was.

Last night, the 34 year old was killed in a fatal car crash near West Goshen Township in Pennsylvania.

News reports say Dunn, and another passenger, were killed around 3:30 am Monday morning. His death was confirmed by Bam Margera's mother according to TMZ.

Dunn’s 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 apparently lost control and smashed into a guard rail before ending up in the woods and bursting into flames.

Friends say Ryan was drinking at a local bar before getting behind the wheel and downed at least 3 beers and 3 shots of hard liquor before leaving.

Related: Jackass Steve-O Arrested in Canada

Dunn’s costars Bam Margera, Johnny Knoxville, and Steve-O are aware of the accident and have started to send condolences either by twitter or through their representatives.

Johnny Knoxville tweeted,

“Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn. My heart goes out to his family and his beloved Angie. RIP Ryan , I love you buddy.”

Jason “Weeman” Acuna

“RYAN DUNN-- a super awesome memory was at the J RODY walston & the business show!!! I MISS YOU BUD!! You were always a happy kick-ass dude!!

And film critic Rodger Ebert has already stirred up the pot by tweeting,

“Friends don't let jackasses drink and drive."

Dunn had posted a picture on twitter earlier in the evening showing him drinking with friends.

MTV has also responded by saying,

“We're deeply saddened by the passing of a member of the MTV family, Ryan Dunn. Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Watch “Jackass” Ryan Dunn Best Stunts


RIP and God Speed Ryan, and watch out for those toy cars and condemns!

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CNBC Anchor Mark Haines Has Died – He was 65

Mark Haines, host of CNBC’s “Squawk Box” has died.

Anybody who ever watched CNBC knew who Mark Haines was. He frequently argued with not only the guests, but also his fellow colleagues.

Haines had been around for a long time and was one of the founding anchors when the network started 20 years ago when it was called FNN – Financial News Network.

In fact, it was a first of a kind and no other network existed that covered strictly the financial sector.

Haines hosted CNBC’s morning show “Squawk Box”.

Mark died unexpectedly at his home last night, the financial news network said.

CNBC President Mark Hoffman said,

"With his searing wit, profound insight and piercing interview style, he was a constant and trusted presence in business news for more than 20 years. From the dot-com bubble to the tragic events of 9/11 to the depths of the financial crisis, Mark was always the unflappable pro. Mark loved CNBC and we loved him back. He will be deeply missed."

Watch Mark Haines and Barney Frank Spar on Air


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Macho Man Randy Savage Dead at 58

Professional wrestling fans are in shock today.

One of the greatest heroes of the sport has died.

TMZ is reporting that Macho Man Randy Savage was killed in a car accident around 9:30 this morning in Seminole Florida.

FHP says Savage was travelling in his vehicle when he had a heart attack, swerved across the center median, and crashed head on into a tree.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital near Tampa.

Cops say alcohol was not an issue and that Randy’s wife was also in the car and suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Both were wearing their seat belts.

Macho Man Randy Savage wrestled for the WWF from 1985-1994 and the WCW from 1994-1999 and was known for his flamboyant costumes and feuds with fellow wrestlers Ric Flair and Jake "The Snake" Roberts.


In real life, Randy was known to be feuding with fellow WWF wrestler Hulk Hogan, and had just recently started speaking to the Hogan whose real name is Terry Bollea.

After learning of his death Hogan tweeted,

"I'm completely devastated, after over 10 years of not talking with Randy, we've finally started to talk and communicate. He had so much life in his eyes & in his spirit, I just pray that he's happy and in a better place and we miss him. We miss him a lot. I feel horrible about the ten years of having no communication. This was a tough one I just pray that Randy's happy and in a better place and we miss him”.

Savage was the celebrity spokesman for Slim Jim snack foods during the 1990’s, and was cast in the 2002 film Spider-Man as the wrestler Bonesaw McGraw.

He also made appearances on several TV shows including The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Nikki, Walker Texas Ranger, Mad About You, and Baywatch.

God speed Macho Man.



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President Obama Announces Osama Bin Laden is Dead

President Obama broke into all national broadcasting networks Sunday night to announce some very big news.

Obama told the country that Osama Bin Ladin is dead and the USA has the body.

CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other networks are all confirming the report.

It is expected that the terrorist threat level will be raised over the short term in case there is any backlash from radicals.

The White House and military troops around the world have been moved to security level “Bravo” force protection – one of the highest levels available.

Washington is also reporting that the death was caused by “United States” military assets.

Obama says “Actionable military intelligence” was used.

Bin Laden was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad Pakistan and other family members were also killed.

The State Department said it will be releasing an official death photo soon.

Developing.......

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Iconic Actress Elizabeth Taylor Dead at 79

Sad news today out of Hollywood, the iconic Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.

Taylor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she has been recovering from various ailments for the last three weeks.

A rep for the actress said:

“She was surrounded by her children, Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton." Elizabeth died peacefully from congestive heart failure, a condition with which she had struggled with for many years. Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home. Sadly, this was not to be."

Taylor was best known for her famous roles like "Cleopatra" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", and won an Academy Award for best actress twice for her roles in "Butterfield 8" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?".

Taylor, who was married eight times, twice to actor Richard Burton, is survived by 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A private funeral is being arranged at her plot next to her parents at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles along with some other famous friends like Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Truman Capote, Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin and Walter Matthau.

Actor Gary Coleman Has Died

UPDATE: Friday 5/28/2010

Gary Coleman has died. His wife Shanon made the decision to end life support and Gary died at 12:05 pm.

A representative issued the following statement:

"Thanks to everyone for their well wishing and support during this tragic time. Now that Gary has passed, we know he will be missed because of all the love and support shown in the past couple of days. Gary is now at peace and his memory will be kept in the hearts of those who were entertained by him throughout the years."

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Actor Gary Coleman, who starred on the hit series "Different Strokes", has been hospitalized in Provo Utah.

News reports indicate that Coleman, 42, was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery after suffering a fall.

Little more is known about the circumstances or his prognosis.

Coleman was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and his brother-in-law told reporters the actor was in critical condition.

UPDATE: Friday 5/28/2010 - The family reports that Coleman is unconscious and on life support after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage.
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Brittany Murphy's Husband Simon Monjack Found Dead

Sad news in Hollywood today as we learn that Brittany Murphy's husband Simon Monjack was found dead in the same house Brittany died in five months ago.

Monjack was pronounced dead after 911 was called Sunday evening around nine-thirty p.m.

Firefighters responding to a call from a woman found the 39-year-old Monjack dead at his Hollywood Hills home. Monjack and Murphy had shared their home with Murphy's mother, Sharon.

While a cause of death has not been given, officials say it appears to be from natural causes.

An investigation has been started.

Six months ago Monjack's wife, Brittany Murphy, died of pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency, anemia and multiple drug intoxication.

The couple had been married since 2007.
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