RIP - Eva Marie Saint

 

Eva Marie Saint, the oldest surviving actor from Hollywood's Golden Age, passed away today, October 6, 2026 at age 102.

She appeared in 84 movies and TV series from 1947 to 2019, and is perhaps best remembered for her roles in "On the Waterfront" (1954) and "North by Northwest" (1959).

 

She is one of the few actresses with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

   

RIP - Shelley Fabares

Actress and singer Shelley Fabares passed away on August 22, 2026, at age 82.

Fabares came to prominence starring in the Donna Reed Show (1958-66). She also had a #1 hit "Johnny Angel" in 1962. 

 

Among her many movies were three with Elvis Presley (1965-67), "Hold On!" co-starring with Herman's Hermits (1966), and "Brian's Song" (1971). 

 

She later starred in the TV series "Coach" (1989-97).  

Obituary     

     

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RIP - Bernie Parent

Bernie Parent, the great Flyers' goalie from the 1970s, passed away on September 21, 2025 at age 80.

I was a Philly-area kid in the 1960s and 70s, and although the Flyers were born in 1967, I didn't follow them until their first Stanley Cup season. I was working a summer job in a factory, and we would spend our half-hour lunch break playing floor hockey in the warehouse. (Both years, actually.) 

 

Years later, my 2 sons became interested in roller hockey. The younger one was also into collecting hockey cards, and at one card show (when he was about 10) he got to meet Bernie Parent. He informed Parent that he was also a goalie, to which Bernie then fist-bumped my son with his huge Stanley Cup ring. It was a moment to remember (for both of us)!

RIP - Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, the founder and chief songwriter and producer for the Beach Boys, passed away on June 11, 2025, nine days before his 83rd birthday.

What can I say about him that isn't already known? 

 

He last appeared in the May 2024 documentary film "The Beach Boys". In addition to his Beach Boys work, he also released 12 solo albums between 1988 and 2021. 

 

I was fortunate enough to attend the Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary show in 2012, with my wife and adult son who are also huge Beach Boys fans. We had seen them two other times over the years. 

 

Only recently did I learn that the 1966 song "Caroline, No" was a Brian Wilson solo release and not a Beach Boys' record.

  

RIP - Jay North

Jeepers! Jay North, the 1960s' Dennis the Menace, passed away on Sunday April 6, 2025 at age 73.

"Dennis the Menace" ran for four seasons (1959-63) then entered reruns. 

 

From the late-1960s onward he appeared in a few dozen TV shows and movies, mostly voice acting in animated series. 

 

Later, he and Paul Peterson (of the Donna Reed Show) counseled former child stars during their transition to adulthood.  

 

USA Today obituary