Obituaries

M. Emmet Walsh, who excelled when playing characters that brought a delightfully menacing presence to films such as Blade Runner and Blood Simple, has died at the age of 88. His longtime manager Sandy Joseph confirmed his death, and said he died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday in St. Albans, Vermont, per AP. While Walsh would go on to play numerous supportive roles throughout his career, he took on a rare leading role as private detective Loren Visser in then-unknowns Joel and Ethan Coens’ 1984 film Blood…

By Andrew Dalton | Associated Press LOS ANGELES — M. Emmet Walsh, the character actor who brought his unmistakable face and unsettling presence to films including “Blood Simple” and “Blade Runner,” has died at age 88, his manager said Wednesday. Walsh died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at a hospital in St. Albans, Vermont, his longtime manager Sandy Joseph said. The ham-faced, heavyset Walsh often played good old boys with bad intentions, as he did in one of his rare leading roles as a crooked Texas private detective in…

Akira Toriyama, the Japanese manga artist who created the incredibly popular Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump series, has died. He was 68. Toriyama died March 1 from an acute subdural hematoma, the official Dragon Ball website revealed on Friday and that his funeral was already held by close relatives. “He has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years,” a statement on…

Steve Lawrence, the charismatic Grammy- and Emmy-winning crooner who delighted audiences for decades in nightclubs, on concert stages and in film and television appearances, died Thursday. He was 88.  Lawrence died in Los Angeles of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, publicist Susan DuBow announced. He partnered with the late Eydie Gormé, his wife of 55 years, Steve Lawrence, the charismatic Grammy- and Emmy-winning crooner who delighted audiences for decades in nightclubs, on concert stages and in film and…

Debra Byrd, who had a long and varied career in music, mostly behind the scenes, died on Tuesday, March 5, in Los Angeles. She was 72. No cause of death was given. Highlights of her career include a top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100; singing behind such stars as Barry Manilow, Bob Dylan and Mary J. Blige; and a long run as a vocal coach on such talent shows as American Idol and The Voice. Byrd’s career is a reminder that someone can achieve sustained success in the music business even if they…

Jim Beard, a Grammy-winning keyboardist, composer and member of Steely Dan since 2008, died Saturday in a New York hospital of complications from a sudden illness, a publicist announced. He was 63. Beard had been touring with Donald Fagen’s Steely Dan on the Eagles’ current “Long Goodbye” tour; his final performance was Jan. 20 in Phoenix. Beard worked alongside such jazz legends as Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin and recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, The Brecker…

Mark Dodson, the voice actor known for his work in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Gremlins, died on Saturday. He was 64. Dodson passed away in Evansville, IL, his representative told The Hollywood Reporter. Stellar Appearances, Dodson’s talent agency, first announced his death via a statement on social media on Sunday. “Mark worked on dozens of movies, video games, commercials and advertisements adding his unique voice and sound to each character and script he touched,” the statement reads,…

Nina Avramides, who worked for Jimmy Buffett in management roles for more than four decades, died Feb. 17 at her home in Marina del Rey after a battle with dementia, a publicist announced. She was 82. Avramides and Howard Kaufman teamed with James Guercio to manage Chicago before they joined Irving Azoff’s Front Line Management in the 1970s under the company moniker HK Management. For the next 40-plus years, she handled day-to-day management of Buffett’s career while also providing guidance to…

McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, a musician and son of actor Gary Sinise, died on Jan. 5 following a battle with a rare spinal cancer called Chordoma. He was 33. The CSI: NY actor shared the news of his son’s death on his Instagram and his foundation’s website Tuesday, where he wrote a heartfelt tribute. “The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” Gary wrote. “He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. Like any family experiencing such a…

Lynda Gravátt, the Harlem-born actress who starred on New York stages in such productions as 45 Seconds From Broadway, Doubt, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Old Settler and Intimate Apparel, has died. She was 76. Gravátt died Friday at a hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, her son David Gravátt told The Hollywood Reporter. A founding member of Robert Alexander’s Living Stage at the famed Washington-based Arena Stage company, Gravátt received a 1999 Theatre World trophy for her performance as 1940s…