Amalgamated Zen

Sad Year for Hollywood

While Hollywood seems to lose a number of celebrities each year, it's the names that tend to surprise us most. Timeless names that you hope never pass on. Others are so young, you can barely believe what you're hearing. This year has been no different. As of today, 12 people whose names have been a force within their life time have passed on this year. Names such as Ricardo Montalban, Natasha Richardson, Marilyn Chambers, Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, KoKo Taylor, Ward Costello, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and finally Billy Mays; the last seven passing just this month alone. Now obviously this list could go on, but these are the names that truly stand out. These people were champions in their craft and now their names will live on in our memories.

Ricardo Monatalban Passes

Famed Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, best known for his role as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, passed away Wednesday at the age of 88. The actor died at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes. Younger generations who never saw Fantasy Island would recognize Montalban as the villain Vincent Ludwig in Leslie Nielsen's film "The Naked Gun". Montalban, who started acting in 1942 often used to state in interviews that there were five stages to being Ricardo Montalban...

1 Who is Ricardo Montalbán?
2 Get me Ricardo Montalbán.
3 Get me a Ricardo Montalbán type.
4 Get me a young Ricardo Montalbán.
5 Who is Ricardo Montalbán?

It is a loss for those who never knew or will never know Ricardo Montalban. For those of us that did, he will be missed.

Classic Icon Dies

Classic Pin-up Icon Bettie Page passed away Thursday after slipping into a coma following a heart attack. She was a legend in her time and she will live on forever in our hearts.

"In a world..." without Don LaFontaine

Best known as the "Voice-over guy" from movie trailers, and most predominately known for the phrase "In a world where...." Don LaFontaine passed away Monday of complications from a lung-related illness. While the industry now uses others to imitate LaFontaine's work... none will ever quite be as well remembered as Don.

A Farewell to Bernie Mac

The Perfect Joker

With the newest Batman movie "The Dark Knight" opening up in a few weeks, people have been lavishing praises on deceased actor Heath Ledger for his performance as The Joker - even going as far to say it was better than Jack Nicholson's portrayal. And that says a lot.

Heath CAN Act... Joker for Oscar nods.

Comedy Legend Passes Away

Reuters New Service reports that comedy legend George Carlin passed away last night of apparent heart failure. He was 71. From his most famous routine, "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television"  which, led to his arrest in 1972, to his later work in Kevin Smith films, Carlin became a counter culture hero who never took himself too seriously. 

He was the first host of Saturday Night Live in October 1975, won 4 Grammy's, recorded 22 comedy albums, headlined 14 HBO specials and took a hit in the mouth for a ride in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.

He was a funny, angry, and insightful man and he will be missed.