Legendary Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor, dies at 79

Legendary Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor, whose acting and dancing style heavily influenced modern-day Indian film stars, died on Sunday aged 79.

"Shammi Kapoor ji passed away this morning at 5:15 am," Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Twitter, using the Hindi honorific, saying Kapoor brought had "flamboyance and joie de vivre" to the screen.

Nikhil Gangavane, a family friend who headed the official Shammi Kapoor fan club, said the actor was admitted to the private Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai earlier this week.

"He was on a ventilator for three or four days. He was having some chest infection, which he had had for the last one or two years. He died of renal failure this morning," Gangavane told AFP.

"He had been undergoing dialysis for the last six or seven years but developed complications."

Kapoor's dance performances in romantic hits like Tumsa Nahin Dekha" (You're One of a Kind, 1957), "Dil Deke Dekho" (Give Your Heart and See, 1959) and "Junglee" (Wild, 1961) earned him comparisons with US singer Elvis Presley.

Key to his success was his avid interest in music. Kapoor personally selected the songs he would dance and mime to, mindful that they needed to fit his exuberant on-screen style.

In doing so, he and singers like Mohammed Rafi provided some of the industry's most popular and memorable tunes.

In later years, as he withdrew from acting and direction, Kapoor became a champion of the Internet and was the founder-chairman of the Internet Users Community of India, maintaining a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

His own web site www.junglee.org.in profiled his famous family, the Kapoors, who have dominated Hindi-language cinema virtually since its inception.

He described himself on his Twitter account profile as a "Renaissance man, retired actor, computer buff". (AFP)

Warrant singer Jani Lane found dead, aged 47

Warrant singer Jani Lane has died at the age of 47.
Lane was found dead in a Comfort Inn hotel room in Woodland Hills, CA on Thursday, an LAPD officer confirmed to The AP.

The police spokesperson said that a cause of death has not yet been determined.Lane is survived by two daughters from two prior marriages.

Fellow heavy metal singer Bret Michaels reacted to Lane's death by tweeting: "We'd like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Jani Lane regarding their loss. Respectfully, Bret and all at MEGI."

Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash described Lane's passing as a "shame", while Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx wrote on Twitter: "I just heard the sad news about Jani Lane. So hard to swallow when people have kids. RIP."

Lane fronted Warrant on-and-off for more than 25 years, scoring five US Top 40 singles including the 1989 hit 'Heaven'.

In July 2010, Lane was sentenced to jail time for a DUI conviction.

Bubba Smith dies, aged 66

Charles 'Bubba' Smith has been found dead in his Los Angeles home at the age of 66.

The former NFL defensive lineman and Police Academy actor was found by his caretaker on Wednesday afternoon, reports The Los Angeles Times.

While a cause of death was not apparent, Smith is believed to have died of natural causes.

No signs of foul play were detected and an autopsy is due to be performed later this week, according to the LA County Coroner's Office.

Smith's long career in professional football included stints with the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers.

He later went on to pursue a career in film and TV, with roles in Family Matters, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Half Nelson and the first six Police Academy films.

Barbie doll creator dead

The creator of the Barbie doll and Hot Wheels miniature cars, Elliot Handler, died here this week after dedicating most of his life to his toymaking company Mattel, the daily Los Angeles Times said. He was 95.

Handler died at home Thursday from heart failure, the newspaper cited his daughter Barbara Segal as saying.

In 1945 Handler founded the Mattel company, together with his wife Ruth and his partner Harold Mattson, to make gifts and toys, among which they developed the iconic Barbie and later her boyfriend Ken, both dolls named after the Handler kids.

Ruth Mosko, later Handler, worked as a secretary at Paramount Studios and became the driving force behind Mattel's business and sales.

Born April 19, 1916 in Illinois and raised in Colorado, he studied industrial design and was one of the pioneers in using the power of television to sell products to the kiddie market.

Mattel's first sales success was a plastic Uke-a-Doodle ukelele, followed by a toy gun promoted on TV programmes like "The Mickey Mouse Club".

In 1959 the Handlers developed Barbie and in 1969 Hot Wheels, two of the company's emblematic products which continue to make profits in the millions.

The couple left Mattel in the 1970s following a series of accusations related to the bad financial practices.

Ruth Handler died in 2002 and was known as "Barbie's mom".

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at the age of 27.

The Grammy Award-winning singer died at her North London home this afternoon, just days after appearing onstage with her 15-year-old goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.

Metropolitan Police have released a statement, confirming: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

"On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

London Ambulance Service said that it sent two vehicles to the flat after receiving an emergency call at 3.54pm, but Winehouse was unresponsive and could not be revived.

Raj Kohli of the Metropolitan Police formally confirmed tonight that the deceased woman was Winehouse, and added that she was pronounced dead at the scene.

He also said that enquiries into the circumstances of her death are continuing and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

"I am aware of reports suggesting that this death is the result of a suspect drugs overdose," Kohli told members of the press. "But I would like to re-emphasise that no post mortem examination has yet taken place and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death.

"I would urge the media to avoid speculation that may cause further stress to Ms Winehouse's family at this diffcult time. The death of any person is a sad time for friends family, particularly somebody in the case of Amy Winehouse [who is] very well-known nationally and internationally. My sympathy extends not just to her immediate family, but to millions of fans across the world."

An autopsy is reportedly scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Winehouse's record label Universal described her as "a gifted musician, artist and performer", and added: "Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans."

Chris Goodman, Winehouse's spokesman, also released a statement, saying: "Everyone who is involved with Amy is shocked and devastated. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. The family will issue a statement when ready."

Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim for her 2003 debut album Frank and its 2006 follow-up Back To Black, Winehouse also became notorious for her continued struggle with drink and drug addictions and her repeated admissions to rehab.

She most recently sought treatment in May, which forced the delay of a planned third studio album.

She later cancelled her European tour after being booed offstage at a show in Belgrade, her last public performance. Witnesses at the doomed date claimed that she was intoxicated and did not want to play.

Winehouse was allegedly told by doctors in May that she would die if she refused to give up alcohol. She was said to have passed out after three separate drinking sessions in July. Credit : Digital Spy

Painter Lucian Freud dies, aged 88

Lucian Freud has died at the age of 88.

The realist painter, one of Britain's most popular and highly celebrated artists, died at his London home after an illness.

Freud was the grandson of the psycho-analyst Sigmund Freud. He was born in Berlin in 1922, and moved to Britain with his family at the age of 10 in 1933.

New York dealer William Acquavella announced the news of his death, and described him as "one of the great painters of the 20th Century".

"In company he was exciting, humble, warm and witty," he added. "He lived to paint and painted until the day he died, far removed from the noise of the art world."

Tate gallery director Nicholas Serota said: "The vitality of [Freud's] nudes, the intensity of the still life paintings and the presence of his portraits of family and friends guarantee Lucian Freud a unique place in the pantheon of late 20th Century art.

"His early paintings redefined British art and his later works stand comparison with the great figurative painters of any period."

Freud's works have been highly sought after in recent years, including a painting of an overweight nude woman sleeping on a sofa, which was sold in 2008 for $33.6m (£20.6m).

Angela Scoular died after drinking drain cleaner

Angela Scoular - a former 'James Bond' film actress and wife of the comic actor Leslie Phillips - died last April after drinking a corrosive cleaning liquid and pouring it over herself, Westminster Coroner's Court has heard.

The 65-year-old actress, who had been suffering from bowel cancer, drank the liquid after battling with alcoholism, manic depression and worries over debts, reports the BBC.Scoular, who played Buttercup in the 1966 spoof 'Casino Royale' and Ruby Bartlett in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' in 1969, lived in Maida Vale, west London.

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox recorded a verdict that she killed herself 'while the balance of her mind was disturbed'.Scoular's death was not suicide, the coroner ruled.

The court heard Scoular suffered non-survivable 40 percent burns to her throat, body and dietary tract.The cause of death was ingestion of a corrosive substance and multiple fractures, said Wilcox.The coroner heard the actress died two hours after drinking the liquid, containing 91 percent sulphuric acid, and pouring it over her body.

The inquest was told Scoular had been diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and was given the all clear after treatment and surgery.But months before her death she began to fear the return of the disease.Scoular, who had battled alcoholism for years, used to drink between 150 and 210 units of alcohol a week.

Weeks before her death she was arrested for drink-driving while on bail after crashing her car in Wales.At the time she was on medication for bipolar disorder, the coroner heard.Phillips, 87, was too ill to attend the hearing but said in a statement read to the court that their life together was happy.

'The only exception was her alcoholism. But she was a kind, generous person who would help me with my work and I would help with hers,' he said.Scoular had made at least one previous attempt to kill herself in 1992 when she cut her wrists with a knife.

Sylvester Stallone's father Frank Sr dies, aged 91

Sylvester Stallone's father Frank Sr has died at the age of 91.

Frank Sr passed away in Wellington, Florida earlier this week after a battle with prostate cancer, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The Italian-born Stallone family patriarch, who made his living by opening several hair salons, married former Celebrity Big Brother star Jackie in 1945.

Jackie and Frank Sr became parents to Sylvester and 'Far From Over' singer Frank Jr. Their troubled marriage lasted 12 years.

Frank Sr released his first novel Stewart Lane, the tale of a couple who attempt to renovate a dilapidated country house, at the age of 90 in 2010.

The Stallone family have yet to comment on Frank's passing.

Frank is survived by his five children and wife Kathleen.

Sylvester has lent his voice to the comedy Zookeeper, which is now playing in US cinemas and opens in the UK on July 29.

'Home Alone' actor Roberts Blossom dies, aged 87

Roberts Blossom has died at the age of 87.

The actor passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles on Friday.

Blossom played a number of supporting roles in various Hollywood films including The Great Gatsby, Escape from Alcatraz and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

He is perhaps best known for playing Old Man Marley in 1990's Home Alone alongside Macaulay Culkin.

Blossom retired from acting in the late 1990s to focus on his poetry work.

He was married twice, and is survived by daughter Debbie and son Michael.

Lyricist Khawaja Pervaiz is no more

Seasoned Lyricist Khawaja Pervaiz, the creator of more than 15,000 ever-green songs in Urdu as well Punjabi languages, passed away after protracted illness at the Mayo Hospital here on Monday.

The lyricist par-excellence, 78, was a chronic diabetic and suffered from asthmatic complication. He was admitted to the Mayo hospital last week with the symptoms of low- sugar where he breath his last this morning.

Khawaja Ghulam Mohyuddin (pen-name Pervaiz), born in 1932 in Amritsar (Indian Punjab), migrated to Lahore (Pakistan) in 1947 and settled in Gawalmandi.

By virtue of his poetic genius, Khawaja Pervaiz was ranked among the top lyricists of the Pakistani film industry who created thousands of filmi songs, ghazals,national and war songs as well as poems.

During his illustrious film career, spanning over 45 years, he created memorable songs for Urdu and Punjabi films which endeared to the music lovers for ever.

His best remembered songs are: 'Jub koi Pyar Sai Bulai Ga/ Tum Ko Aik Shakhs Yaad Aiy Ga', 'Kisay Da Yaar Na Wichray','Tum Hee Mehboob Mairay', and one of the best Punjab ever-greens 'Mahi Aavey Gaa Main Phulain Therti Sajawan gi.'

Madam Noor Jehan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan,Ghulam Ali, Masood Rana and other great vocalists sang his songs.

Khawaja Pervaiz was laid to rest in the Miani Sahib graveyard in the presence of political, film, tv, stage figures as well as admirers.

The renowned lyricist is survived by two wives and six children. (APP)

Famous artist MF Hussain passes away

LONDON: Renowned Indian painter Maqbool Fida Hussain passed away in the early hours of today in London at the age of 95.

According to reports, he died at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. He had been suffering from age-related ailments for some time and had been in hospital for the last two days. He was being treated for fluid in the lungs and breathing difficulties.

His sons and daughter were with him when the end came, the sources said.

Hussain had been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London since 2006 after coming under attack from fundamentalists at home for his paintings of Hindu deities. Early last year, Qatar conferred its nationality on him.

'Gunsmoke' actor James Arness dies at 88

LOS ANGELES: James Arness, the towering actor who played rugged lawman Matt Dillon in long-running US television series "Gunsmoke," died Friday at the age of 88, his family said.

One of US television's most enduring stars during the show's 20-year run from 1955-75, he returned in a number of "Gunsmoke" TV movies in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Like John Wayne on the silver screen, the two meter (6 foot 7 inch) tall actor was an imposing presence on the small screen, and was nominated for Emmy awards three times during the series' early years.

The show won praise for bringing psychologically complex characters into the TV format. "Matt is very human and has all the failings and drives common to anyone who is trying to do a difficult job the best he knows how," Arness said.

Born in Minnesota, Arness was chosen when producers were looking for an actor to play Dodge City Marshal Dillon on television, after "Gunsmoke" had been a hit radio show for years.

He was already a well-known film actor, including in the sci-fi classics "The Thing From Another World" in 1951 and "Them!" in 1954, and was initially reluctant to give up his fledgling movie career.

But Wayne urged him to take the role, and provided an on-camera introduction in which he praised the new TV Western series for being honest, adult and realistic.

"I knew there was only one man to play in it, James Arness," Wayne told viewers. "He's a young fella and may be new to some of you. But I've worked with him, and I predict he'll be a big star."

Arness died on natural causes in his home in Los Angeles, said family spokesperson Ginny Fazer. (AFP)

'Poetry Man' singer Phoebe Snow dies, aged 58

Singer Phoebe Snow has died at age 58 after suffering complications from a 2010 brain haemorrhage.

The musician, who was best known for the 1975 hit 'Poetry Man', passed away this morning in Edison, NJ, her rep Rick Miramontez confirmed to The AP.

Achieving her most notable success in the 1970s, Snow collaborated with many of the era's most popular musicians, including Paul Simon and Jackson Browne.

She was also a frequent musical guest in the early years of Saturday Night Live, appearing on the programme's second-ever telecast, and later returning with friend Linda Ronstadt to duet on 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)' in 1979.

Snow gave birth to disabled daughter Valerie in 1975, and largely shunned the spotlight in order to care for the child. Valerie died in 2007 at 31 years old.

In recent years, the 'Gone at Last' musician was plagued with a series of health problems, including suffering both a stroke and congestive heart failure.

She was reportedly working on her first new studio LP in eight years at the time of her death.

Her long-time manager Sue Cameron described Snow's passing as "incalculable", adding: "Phoebe was one of the brightest, funniest and most talented singer-songwriters of all time and, more importantly, a magnificent mother to her late brain-damaged daughter, Valerie, for 31 years. Phoebe felt that was her greatest accomplishment."

Pakistan’s pride Moin Akhtar passes away

KARACHI: Moin Akhtar, the legendary artist of television, stage and film passed away here on Friday at the age of 61.

Moin Akhtar was under treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for a heart disease, Geo News reported.

Moin Akhtar was a television, film and stage actor, as well as a comedian, impersonator, and a host. He was also a play writer, singer, film director and a producer.

A highly dynamic and versatile performer from Karachi, Moin Akhtar made his debut appearance on PTV on 6 September 1966, in a variety show telecast on the occasion of the first defense day of Pakistan. Since then, he had performed numerous roles in TV plays/shows and later teamed up with Anwar Maqsood and Bushra Ansari to get an overwhelming public applause.

Whether on the stage or on the screen, Moin Akhtar was one of the most sought after actors in Pakistani entertainment industry. His apparent attempts to avoid vulgar in his humor has rendered him a favorite amongst family audiences.

He is an inspiration for the generations to come and is one of the few that stands out so distinguishably. Akhtar was fluent in several languages, including English, Bengali, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujarati and others, while in the Urdu-speaking world, he is beloved for providing humor for people of all ages, and with an etiquette that remains unmatched.

He has a following not only in Pakistan but on the other side of the border, India, too due to the stage shows, Bakra Qiston Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai with Umer Sharif. It would not be wrong to say that his ardent fans are spread all around the globe.

Moin Akhtar rose to the national spotlight and gathered critical acclaim for his performance in the drama Rosy /Rozy, in which he played the role of a female TV artist. Rozy was an Urdu adaptation of Hollywood movie Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman.

Moreover, in a talk-show namely Loose Talk, which began in 2005 on a private television channel, he has appeared as a different disguised guest who is interviewed by Anwar Maqsood, the writer and the host of the program. Loose Talk ended after over 400 episodes, each seen with Moin disguised as a different personality.

Actor Farley Granger dies, aged 85

Strangers on a Train actor Farley Granger has died in New York City at age 85, it has been confirmed.

The star died at his Manhattan home of natural causes on Sunday, a spokesperson for the New York medical examiner's office told The AP.

Over the course of his seven-decade career, Granger worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in world cinema including Alfred Hitchcock on the thriller Rope and Luchino Visconti on 1954's Senso.

The San Jose, CA native suffered a difficult childhood after his family lost their home following the 1929 stock market crash and later turned to acting to escape relative poverty.

After making his film debut in the 1943 war epic The North Star, Granger appeared in a string of memorable films including They Live By Night, Edge of Doom and The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing.

He would later land a starring role in TV soap opera One Life To Live as resident doctor Will Vernon, which earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination.

Working steadily through the 1970s, Granger slowed his screen appearances in the 1980s and made his last film appearance in the comedy The Next Big Thing in 2001.

Granger received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in honour of his extensive work in television.

Elizabeth Taylor dies, aged 79

Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.

The actress died of congestive heart failure in the early hours of this morning.

Taylor's publicist Sally Morrison said in a statement: "She was surrounded by her children - Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton."

Her son Michael added: "My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour and love.

"Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world."

He continued: "Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished.

"We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for mum having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

Taylor had been admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles in January for her heart condition. Her condition was reported to have been improving last month.

The actress won the Academy Award for 'Best Actress' in 1960 for BUtterfield 8 and again in 1966 for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

She starred opposite Richard Burton in 1963 movie Cleopatra and the pair developed a relationship on set and married in 1964. She was married eight times in total, including a second time to Burton in 1975.

Taylor is survived by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Actor Bob Christo dies, aged 70

Bob Christo has died after a short illness, aged 70.

The veteran star, who gained fame playing negative roles in Hindi cinema during the eighties and nineties, suffered heart failure on Sunday, the Times of India reports.

"He was hospitalised after a massive heart attack on Saturday afternoon. He passed away today (Sunday)," said family friend and business partner Khaleem Pasha.

The Australian-born actor, who appeared in over 200 productions, made his Hindi film debut in Abdullah.

Alongside Helen, Fearless Nadia and Katrina Kaif, Christo is one of the few non-Indian actors to have achieved significant success in Bollywood.

Christo is reported to have been working on his autobiography, which had been scheduled for release in June, at the time of his death.

Director Gary Winick dies, aged 49

Filmmaker Gary Winick has died at the age of 49.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Bride Wars and Letters To Juliet director passed away after suffering from brain cancer.

"He was suffering from brain cancer for quite some time, and it ultimately metastasised throughout his body," explained his manager Rosalie Swedlin.

Swedlin, who said that a memorial service for Winick was being planned, added: "What's remarkable is that after his first surgery, he was able to direct Letters To Juliet. It was a battle that we thought he had won, and ultimately they just didn't get it all."

Winick produced 19 independent films after founding production company InDigEnt in 1999.
His other films as a director include 13 Going on 30, Tadpole and Sweet Nothing.

'Narnia' producer Moore dies, aged 39

Perry Moore has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 39.

The Chronicles of Narnia producer was found unconscious by his partner Hunter Hill on Thursday from an apparent overdose of the prescription drug OxyContin and was later pronounced dead on the scene, reports the New York Daily News.

Moore's father Bill told the publication: "We're in shock. He was in a great, great mood [when we spoke the night before]. No-one was expecting this.

"He's been able to reach out and touch a lot of people. He was set to do some mighty good things. Parents are not meant to bury their children."

Authorities have not confirmed the cause of death.

Veteran TV, film actor Khayyam Sarhadi dies

LAHORE – Veteran actor Khayyam Sarhadi died of cardiac arrest during picturisation of a TV play here in the City on Thursday. He was 63. His funeral prayers offered at his residence here after Juma prayers. He started his career from theatre and later joined Pakistan Radio but he got fame from number of TV plays like Waris, Anokha Ladla and Man Chale Ka Soda. The actor also performed in three movies including Dakoo and Bobby but he left the film industry. The actor is survived by two widows and three daughters.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed grief and sorrow over his sad demise.

In his condolence message, the premier conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.

The PM lauded the invaluable contributions of late Khayyam Sarhadi in the field of performing art, saying that his services will be long remembered.