Last year I wrote my own blog on whom I would bring back from the dead in 2008. This year Laurie and I are putting together our own list on who we would bring back in 2009. There are the names that might jump out at us – Ted Kennedy, Michael Jackson, Walter Cronkite, Naomi Sims and Farrah Fawcett but there were many who gave much and received a lot less attention. Every list I looked at seemed to have a lot more men than women and I was struck at how many of the women lived to ripe old ages. After this blog I am buying stock in Botox. (Psst…Laurie’s comments are bold faced)
Gertrude Baines – the oldest women for part of 2009 died at the age of 115 years and 158 days. What made you stick around for so long and was it worth it? Are we doing any better now then when you were a little girl? Does having all this tech crap make the world a kinder place or would have a kiss on the cheek make it all better?
Why on earth would you bring this poor lady back? She already did her time – almost 116 years! How about Brittany Murphy? She left us way too soon with so much potential. And Jett Travolta…you were so loved and brought so much joy to your family in your short life.
Bea Arthur – you made being tall with a husky voice sexy on a woman. Your presence on the screen demanded our attention and you handled some tough topics like abortion and the legalization of pot on your ground breaking show “Maude.” “God will get you for that” was a fave expression of hers and I think God’s got this outspoken feminist and both are laughing their butts off while watching reruns of the Golden Girls.
Natasha Richardson, you made sexy and talented elegant. A truly classy lady with an incredible career – your Broadway appearances were magic.
Soupy Sales – When I started to read Frank McCourt’s (1930- 2009) book Angela’s Ashes, I thought it had nothing on my own childhood. But I had Soupy Sales, Pooky, Black Fang and White Tooth and they all made my childhood more bearable. Plus getting hit in the face with a cream pie was purely an act of genius.
Dom DeLuise – What couldn’t you do? Actor, comedian (together you and Burt Reynolds were hysterical), film director, television producer, chef and author. No matter what you did, you lived life with roaring gusto.
Ron Silver – Actor and activist I think I started to chase after short men with great minds because of you.
Karl Malden – I’m not sure you made me start chasing men with bulbous noses but I have loved you since “Streets of San Francisco.”
Norman Ernest Borlaug – an Agronmist? A what? This recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize won for working to eliminate hunger in the world. Another sexy guy.
A what?
Mary Travers – the Mary in Peter, Paul and Mary. Why didn’t we are listen more to the words of the songs you chose to sing? I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters. All over this land.
Les Paul – you and your electrified guitar shaped the future of rock and roll. And you played your wonderful music until the day you died.
Jean Claude – when I saw her red hair I decided to never mess with red hair again. She and her husband Cristo made art that made you think. Remember the 7500 saffron gates that graced Central park in 2005? I believe that color came from the same dye she used on her hair. Art makes you think.
Dominick Dunne – I’m sure you are thrilled to finally be reunited with your murdered daughter but I am going to miss your droll delivery and your constant fight for justice.
Patrick Swayze – I am entitled to some guilty pleasures and watching Patrick dance in “Dirty Dancing” was and is one of them. Even though he portrayed Orry Main in North vs. South, I found it in my heart to forgive him for fighting for the wrong side.
Henry Gibson – thanks for the laughs. May the flowers and poems be plentiful wherever you are!
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Here’s my list of notables:
Ricardo Montalban – Fantasy Island – extreme grace and kindness
Louie Bellson – drummer with Duke Ellington band, one of my favorites
Paul Harvey – news boradcaster in the radio days – loved his voice
“England” Dan Seals – duo sang I’d Really Love To See You Tonight
Ed McMahon – Johnny Carson’s sidekick and funny
Michael Jackson – King of Pop. I wish he could come back without his demons
Gale Storm – My Little Margie. Loved the way she could gurgle a ggrrr in her throat.
Enice Kennedy Shriver – special olympics. wonderful cause
Les Paul – Renown guitarist. I knew him and his wife Coleen.
Soupy Sales – Children’s show in the 60s. Watched him everyday after school.
Unfortunately, Michael Jackson’s demons still walk the earth, with the exception of Evan Chandler, who committed suicide three months after Michael’s death.
Definitely Patrick Swayze…and Walter Cronkite. I know Walter didn’t “do” the news any more, but just having him in the world made me feel better. Whether it was true or not, I felt safe with him as our 6pm news anchor.
Oh yes Patrick Swayze, when he did Dirty Dancing just so we could look at him.
I feel the same way. Walter Cronkite was here, and all was right with the world. Sigh.
Michael Jackson – World’s greatest entertainer; “the love survives and we will rock forever on”
Blossom Dearie – Beloved New York chanteuse; “I’m in love with my attorney, Bernie”
Horton Foote – Screenwriter
John Updike – Author
Marilyn French – Author
Soupy Sales – I’m sorry I broke my promise to you
Patrick Swayze – Did anyone not like Patrick?
John Hughes – Screenwriter
Bud Schulburg – Screenwriter
E. Lynn Harris – Groundbreaking novelist and good friend
Blake Snyder – screenwriter, author, and my beloved screenwriting guru
Far too many more, all gone too soon.
R.I.P.
Don’t forget Farah Facet!!!!I loved this coragous woman! R I P
Without a doubt the most perfect man ever to live – Paul Newman.
When my school friends were loving teen idols, like Davide Cassidy and Donny Osmond, I was hanging up huge pictures of Paul on every wall (and ceiling) of my room.