Passings

Jesse Jackson was there in the vast throng gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park on the night that Barack Obama was elected US president in November 2008. He had tears streaming down his face, and why not? Growing up in deeply segregated South Carolina in the 1940s, the illegitimate son of a teenage mother, he could never have dreamt that he would one day see a black American winning the highest office in the land; or that he would have been the man who, as much as anyone else, had blazed the trail for Obama’s victory.

Robert Duvall, the steely-eyed actor whose performances in the first two Godfather films, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, Lonesome Dove and The Apostle made him one of the finest actors of any generation, has died. He was 95.

Catherine O’Hara — famous for her work in “Schitt’s Creek,” “Home Alone,” and “Best In Show” — is dead … TMZ has learned.

The legendary Hollywood actress died Friday, two sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ. The cause of death is unclear.

Scott Adams, a cartoonist, author, an independent-minded pundit and podcaster, has died at the age of 68 after a rather public battle against prostate cancer. The host of Real Coffee with Scott Adams, the creator of the legendary comic strip Dilbert, and the author of numerous books, had continued with his livestreaming routine, seven days a week throughout his treatments for the disease up until yesterday. In the process, he treated his audience like close family during his cancer journey.

This sucks. Thanks for the laughs.

Lovely. @fancypants_s https://t.co/GfJzTST4HO

— Patti Jo (@TheSupeHero) January 13, 2026

Bob Weir, a guitarist and songwriter who was a founding member of the Grateful Dead, which rose from jug band origins to become the kings of psychedelic rock, selling millions of records and inspiring a small nation of loyal fans, has died. He was 78.

His family announced the death in a statement on Saturday, saying that Mr. Weir had “succumbed to underlying lung issues” after receiving a cancer diagnosis in July. The statement did not say when or where he died.

The first non-European Pope in more than 1,000 years, the Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, a soul legend and one of the world’s most famous designers – here are some of the well-known faces no longer with us.

Brigitte Bardot, the French actress turned political activist, has died at the age of 91.

The international sex symbol achieved fame with her film And God Created Woman, going on to embody the archetypal “sex kitten” role, before retiring from the screen and becoming an animal rights advocate.

In a statement, her foundation said: “The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation.”

LONDON — Chris Rea, the singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at 74, his family said Monday.

Rea died in the hospital following a short illness, according to a statement from his family to Britain’s Press Association news agency.

Driving Home for Christmas has been a perennial submission to Reader Fave Christmas Carols and always welcomed.

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist with Booker T and the MGs, has died at the age of 84.

The musician, who played on and co-wrote Otis Redding’s Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay and Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour, died on Wednesday in Nashville, the Associated Press reported, citing a source who was informed by Cropper’s family.

Sarah Beckstrom, one of the West Virginia National Guard members shot in a cowardly ambush by an Afghan refugee, has died.

President Trump announced the passing of the 20-year-old during a Thanksgiving evening address.

“She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us. She’s looking down at us right now,” Trump said.

Dick Cheney, a giant of Republican politics who was considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history, has died, his family announced early Tuesday. He was 84.

h/t Mauser and PA Cat

Diane Keaton, who won an Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of the titular quirky woman in Annie Hall and portrayed the outsider Kay Adams-Corleone in the three Godfather films, has died. She was 79.

Her death in California was reported by People magazine. Further details were not immediately available.

Our longtime reader Dave Sanderson has passed away.

You may recall he was hospitalized last month due to a wonky heart.

Dave was an active friend to this blog, contributing not just his comments but numerous story tips over the years.

I consider Dave a friend even though we never met in real life.

I will miss his sense of humour, his insight and Dave just being Dave.

Over the years a number of friends of this blog have passed away.

I remind myself that we are blessed by such constant friends as Dave.

His obit may be viewed here, thanks to JF for bringing it to my attention.

Godspeed DS.

BCF

Renowned anthropologist and conservationist Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91.

The Jane Goodall Institute took to social media Wednesday to announce that the legendary British scientist, best known for her lifelong study of chimpanzees, died of natural causes during a visit to California.