O Death
2008 is shaping up to be the bloodiest year in recent memory and no, I'm not talking about the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. How about someone looking into who is killing so many of our celebrities?
We're only three weeks in and here who's already gone.
"Suzanne Pleshette, the beautiful, husky-voiced film and theater star best known for her role as Bob Newhart's sardonic wife on television's long-running "The Bob Newhart Show," has died, said her attorney Robert Finkelstein. She was 70."
"Bobby Fischer, the reclusive American chess master who became a Cold War icon when he dethroned the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky as world champion in 1972, has died. He was 64."
"Maila Nurmi, who became synonymous with her character Vampira, the television hostess who presented horror movies in the 1950s has died at 86."
"Brad Renfro, the troubled young actor whose film career began at age 12 with "The Client," has died. He was 25."
"Christopher Bowman, the former U.S. figure skating champion dubbed "Bowman the Showman" for his flair on the ice, died Thursday. He was 40."
"Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88."
"Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant, best-known for unveiling stars on Tinseltown's 'Walk of Fame,' has died aged 84, city officials said Thursday."
"Allan Melvin, a character actor best known for playing Sam the Butcher on "The Brady Bunch," has died. He was 84."
"Singer John Stewart, who came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the Kingston Trio, but was best known for writing the Monkees' enduring hit "Daydream Believer," died Saturday. He was 68."
You sometimes hear celebrities die in threes - how about tens, the way we're going? Do you, like me, wonder who's next? One site, Deathlist.com makes predictions at the start of each year as to who is most likely to go next but I am not that impressed by the breadth of their selections.
They seem to be just playing the age odds by picking mostly celebrities in their eighties (Charlton Heston, Fidel Castro, Fats Domino) and nineties (Karl Malden, Eli Wallach, Kirk Douglas).
I'd like to see some daring out of....er....into the box strategy with some picks like Keanu Reeves (43), Dane Cook (35), or best of all, Hallie Eisenberg (15), who used to be that ugly annoying kid in all the Pepsi commercials.
For a relatively young celebrity, Britney seems to be a high risk candidate. Who wants to bet she'll make it three score and ten?
Posted by: brother john | January 22, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Bean,
How can you not be blogging about the single greatest day of your life? I needed to know all the things you expected to happen this morning as you walked into the courthouse. Would there be a 'quickening' (ala Highlander)? Would the deputies at the metal detector sense your destiny and allow you to pass unimpeded, like a Jedi using his Jedi mind tricks?
I expect a full report tomorrow.
Posted by: Mike | January 22, 2008 at 06:22 AM
I had no idea that Sam the Butcher was still alive. My day will pass with less joy.
Posted by: steven | January 22, 2008 at 07:15 AM
I'm old enough to remember when Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison all died in relatively short order . . . could 2008 be another banner year?
Posted by: Diane | January 22, 2008 at 07:20 AM
My money's on Hallie Joel Osmond, he already flipped his Saturn after spleefing to much rye.
Posted by: bruin | January 22, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I had no idea Haley Joel was one of the Osmonds. ;)
I agree with Brother John (for once) - Britney is a good candidate for death this year.
Posted by: EditThis | January 22, 2008 at 11:53 AM
An now its Heath Ledger....
You may have something here Bean...
Posted by: Mike | January 22, 2008 at 01:50 PM
THANKS BEAN!! Heath Ledger is found dead and I FULLY BLAME YOU!! Celebrity grim reaper Bean.
Posted by: Chrissy | January 22, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Oh my god bean.... heath ledger died. this year is shaping up to be an aweful one. no one had their money on him.
Posted by: Nicole | January 22, 2008 at 01:54 PM
As of today you can add Heath Ledger to the list
Posted by: Raul | January 22, 2008 at 01:57 PM
sadly you can add heath ledger to your list
Posted by: patricia rodriguez | January 22, 2008 at 02:02 PM
OMG! You killed Heath Ledger!
Posted by: DeAnna | January 22, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Well, Bean, it's not Keanu, but ....
"TMZ has learned that 2006 Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has died in NY.
He was found dead in his bed in one of his residences in Soho by his housekeeper at 3:35 PM ET today. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime.
The 28-year-old actor has a two year old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams -- they separated in September, 2007. He plays the Joker in the upcoming Batman film, "The Dark Knight."
MSNBC is reporting that the actor was found, surrounded by pills."
Posted by: 1/8th Mile Mom | January 22, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Wow. Heath Ledger is dead.
How's that for unexpected?
Sad. :(
Posted by: Justin | January 22, 2008 at 02:05 PM
It's so odd that you would make this particular blog entry today. It's even more odd that your blog would load right as I heard the news of Heath Ledger's untimely death.
Man, it's a deathly year.
Posted by: Jackie | January 22, 2008 at 02:06 PM
HEATH LEDGER!!!
Posted by: Darin | January 22, 2008 at 02:08 PM
i was reading this and giggling at your predictions (dane cook)... then I went to CNN and there was breaking news about Heath Ledger.
scary stuff....
Posted by: cathy g | January 22, 2008 at 02:10 PM
and now Heath Ledger. Nice going Bean!
Posted by: Fred G. | January 22, 2008 at 02:11 PM
And now Heath Ledger!!! Now that one was a suprise!
Posted by: Billy | January 22, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Add Heath Ledger to the departed list . . .
Posted by: Diane | January 22, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Did anyone have Heath Ledger?
Yikes.
Posted by: Rose | January 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
But I bet no one had Heath Ledger in their pool. Odd coincidence. Or is it???
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Damn it bean! You killed Heath Ledger! You post this entry and what happens? He dies! Damn you Bean!
Posted by: ed wood | January 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Weird - as soon as I read today's post I clicked on to CNN.com and saw that Heath Ledger died. Very sad.
What a year so far!
Posted by: andrea | January 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Wow, Bean, did you curse Heath Ledger with this post?? Only 28 years old. Stunning.
Posted by: mike | January 22, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Whodda thunk Heath "Speecy Spicey" Ledger before Brit Brit?
So do we get an update on Godzilla and jury duty?
Posted by: ARSENAL MF'ers! | January 22, 2008 at 02:22 PM
PERFECT TIMING BEAN, Keith Ledger has just been found dead in his New York apartment. I guess there's not going to be any more specey spicy sauage... :(
Posted by: Dick | January 22, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Looks like you'll have to include Heath Ledger to your list.
Posted by: Tollula | January 22, 2008 at 02:25 PM
you missed Heath Ledger!!! 28yrs old...NYC, possible drug overdose!!
"Way to go Spicy Sausage"
Posted by: liz | January 22, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Bean,
You are the anti-christ...on the day you post of early celeb death in 2008, Heath Ledger goes and crocks on us. Whata Quitter!
Posted by: Fader | January 22, 2008 at 02:30 PM
uuummmmmmmm... add another one Bean.... Heath Ledger.... must of been the big spicy sausage
Posted by: korina | January 22, 2008 at 02:31 PM
This just in add Heath Osmond..er Ledger to your list.
Posted by: bruin | January 22, 2008 at 02:33 PM
I blame Bean.
The new Joker is dead. Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment today.
Posted by: Greg Lynch | January 22, 2008 at 02:35 PM
OMG and now Heath Ledger is dead???? So sad!
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Damn you Bean! I read your 'death blog' 2 hours ago, and now Heath Ledger is dead!
Posted by: Anita | January 22, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Wow ... you ... weren't joking. What timing, Bean.
Posted by: jes | January 22, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I have a hunch Heath Ledger may not make it through the year...
Posted by: Chad | January 22, 2008 at 02:45 PM
did anyone have Heath today? SO sad...
Posted by: Cathy | January 22, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Dude,
Heath Ledger is dead. No one wins. Totally unexpected.
Posted by: Nick | January 22, 2008 at 02:53 PM
And now Heath Ledger. Sad. Wow.
Posted by: Frank Murphy | January 22, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Don't forget to add Heath Ledger to your disturbing disturbing list.
Posted by: baddboy | January 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
and yet no one picked heath ledger. bean you had better not show this blog to the rest of the morning show, they're likely to blame you! ;)
Posted by: stephanie | January 22, 2008 at 03:02 PM
another one bites the dust, R.I.P. Heath Ledger. he was 28.
Posted by: joe berber | January 22, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Wow Bean.........
Spooky coincidence for your subject today.....or as I have long suspected you are more in touch with the universe than the rest of us.....
Posted by: Stacy | January 22, 2008 at 03:07 PM
You got your wish -- Heath Ledger died today.
Posted by: Suz | January 22, 2008 at 03:11 PM
shoot..........should have said Heath Ledger. wouldn't have guessed it.
Posted by: Amy Souza | January 22, 2008 at 03:12 PM
OMG, Bean, did you use your psychic powers to guess that Heath Ledger would die the same day you posted this???
Posted by: Dead Pool Gal | January 22, 2008 at 03:17 PM
This is way to creapy. After reading this I then see on Yahoo Heath Ledger is dead. Time to stop with the drugs people.
Posted by: Matt | January 22, 2008 at 03:20 PM
......add Heath Ledger to the list. Sooo sad.
Posted by: Gloria | January 22, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Dude, you are nuts, but I love it! Does Jeff Convey? (the dude from Taxi) count as a celebrity? If so, he has got to be circling the drain. In the category of "I wish they would die" I vote for BritneyParisLindsay, et al.
Posted by: Frankie5Angels | January 22, 2008 at 03:26 PM