"Weird Al" Yankovic's parents die of smoke inhalation - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 04-10-2004, 09:08 PM

Smoke inhalation may have killed comedian's parents

By Pat Sherman
The San Diego Union-Tribune

FALLBROOK, CA – An elderly couple – the parents of entertainer Weird Al Yankovic – were found dead in their rural one-story ranch house yesterday [Friday, April 9], possibly of smoke inhalation.

Family members initially found Nick and Mary Yankovic, 85 and 81, respectively, about 1 p.m. inside their home at 226 Foxfire Lane. The couple, married for 54 years, were the parents of Alfred Matthew Yankovic, known for his stage persona, Weird Al, and his musical parodies.

The entertainer, their only child, was scheduled to start a tour in Wisconsin yesterday. He and his agent could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The inside of the Foxfire Lane house was charred and there apparently had been a fire in the fireplace, said sheriff's Sgt. Conrad Grayson, with the bomb and arson unit. The couple appeared to have died of smoke inhalation, Grayson said.

Firefighters and sheriff's deputies were called on a report of smoke in the house. North County Fire paramedics said Nick Yankovic was in a chair in the living room and Mary Yankovic was on the floor in the bathroom.

The couple were well known in the neighborhood. Nick Yankovic was scrupulous about his daily walks. Mary Yankovic sometimes worked in her yard, but Alzheimer's disease kept her indoors most of the time, neighbors said.

Some of the many fan sites devoted to Weird Al Yankovic tell the story of his start in music. He credits his parents for inspiring him with the gift of an accordion at age 7. As a teenager, he wrote a song about his parents's car, "Belvedere Cruisin'."

The couple appeared in their son's videos and movies and on the Saturday morning television program "The Weird Al Show," which was canceled in 1998 after a year.

Nick Yankovic was awarded two Purple Hearts for his service in World War II, where he administered morphine and medicine to wounded soldiers, said Mary Yankovic's sisters, Dorothy Gatej and Lena Fuller.

The sisters live with their brother, Joe Vivald, in a home behind the Yankovics' house. They all have lived in the rural neighborhood for 30 years.

"They're not fancy people, just good people, religious," Fuller said. Neighbors said the couple would be missed.

"They were great people," said Noah Buehman, who lives with his parents across the street from the Yankovics.

"They were really nice. They were always looking out for us. If they saw our dog outside, they wouldn't call the pound," Noah said.

He recalled meeting Weird Al.

Noah's father, John Buehman, said Al Yankovic put his parents in his productions, sending a limousine to take them to the set. To them, he was always Alfred, never Weird Al, he said.

"It was obvious where Alfred got his sense of humor, from his dad," John Buehman said. "He was very proud of his son."

Every day around 6 a.m., Nick Yankovic would set off on his daily walk. He became interested in a construction project up the road, the Buehmans said, and the workers gave him his own yellow construction vest.

"Nick would get up and say, 'What a beautiful day. It's great to be alive,' " John Buehman said.

"And I'd always say, 'Nick, you're going to be alive for a long time.' "

Al Yankovic was born in Lynwood and grew up in Los Angeles. A high school valedictorian, he earned a degree in architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It was there that the singing accordionist quietly launched his musical career in 1979 with "My Bologna," a musical parody of the hit song "My Sharona" by The Knack.

His subsequent hits included his satirical version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," which he retooled as a food-happy ditty called "Eat It," and Madonna's "Like a Virgin," which in his hands became "Like a Surgeon."

Weird Al has won three Grammy Awards, the most recent in February for "Poodle Hat," Best Comedy Album.

AtlantaBravesFan29 · 04-10-2004, 09:58 PM

Man,that's sad. I know what Al is feeling right now losing both of his parents like that.

Ewan's My Man · 04-11-2004, 12:15 AM

that's sad, i really like Wierd Al, I feel awful for him.

Hollow · 04-11-2004, 01:07 AM

omg.. i've been a fan of his for years, that's so sad.

Cactus Jack · 04-11-2004, 08:34 AM

Thats evry sad

Weird Al's like my parody idol, thats so sad

musicradio77 · 04-11-2004, 08:49 AM

That was sad. Weird Al's parents are dying of smoke inhalation.

I love Weird Al's music doing spoofs from 80's songs.

Rhiannon · 04-11-2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
that's sad, i really like Wierd Al, I feel awful for him.

ditto. It must be really hard on him.

robyrob · 04-11-2004, 03:27 PM

this story is soo sad

Kazza · 04-11-2004, 05:33 PM

That is very awful! Weird AL is such a talented guy

Tuesday Weld · 04-11-2004, 05:46 PM

I just read about that. How terrible.

David · 04-11-2004, 06:51 PM

Aw I like Weird Al, but thats really sad

Just shows you more of the effects of smoking.

Dutabi84 · 04-11-2004, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
Aw I like Weird Al, but thats really sad Just shows you more of the effects of smoking.

Inhaling smoke..they weren't actually smoking.

Kazza · 04-11-2004, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
Aw I like Weird Al, but thats really sad Just shows you more of the effects of smoking.

AKA · 04-11-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
Aw I like Weird Al, but thats really sad Just shows you more of the effects of smoking.

Yes, they both died as a result of smoking... AT THE SAME TIME.

What actually happened is that they had a fire going in the fireplace, but the flew was closed. As a result, the smoke slowly filled the house and it suffocated them.

SBTB Geek · 04-12-2004, 11:37 PM

This is terrible, I wish Al and his family the best.

04-10-2004, 09:08 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	"Weird Al" Yankovic's parents die of smoke inhalation Smoke inhalation may have killed comedian's parents By Pat Sherman The San Diego Union-Tribune FALLBROOK, CA – An elderly couple – the parents of entertainer Weird Al Yankovic – were found dead in their rural one-story ranch house yesterday [Friday, April 9], possibly of smoke inhalation. Family members initially found Nick and Mary Yankovic, 85 and 81, respectively, about 1 p.m. inside their home at 226 Foxfire Lane. The couple, married for 54 years, were the parents of Alfred Matthew Yankovic, known for his stage persona, Weird Al, and his musical parodies. The entertainer, their only child, was scheduled to start a tour in Wisconsin yesterday. He and his agent could not be reached for comment yesterday. The inside of the Foxfire Lane house was charred and there apparently had been a fire in the fireplace, said sheriff's Sgt. Conrad Grayson, with the bomb and arson unit. The couple appeared to have died of smoke inhalation, Grayson said. Firefighters and sheriff's deputies were called on a report of smoke in the house. North County Fire paramedics said Nick Yankovic was in a chair in the living room and Mary Yankovic was on the floor in the bathroom. The couple were well known in the neighborhood. Nick Yankovic was scrupulous about his daily walks. Mary Yankovic sometimes worked in her yard, but Alzheimer's disease kept her indoors most of the time, neighbors said. Some of the many fan sites devoted to Weird Al Yankovic tell the story of his start in music. He credits his parents for inspiring him with the gift of an accordion at age 7. As a teenager, he wrote a song about his parents's car, "Belvedere Cruisin'." The couple appeared in their son's videos and movies and on the Saturday morning television program "The Weird Al Show," which was canceled in 1998 after a year. Nick Yankovic was awarded two Purple Hearts for his service in World War II, where he administered morphine and medicine to wounded soldiers, said Mary Yankovic's sisters, Dorothy Gatej and Lena Fuller. The sisters live with their brother, Joe Vivald, in a home behind the Yankovics' house. They all have lived in the rural neighborhood for 30 years. "They're not fancy people, just good people, religious," Fuller said. Neighbors said the couple would be missed. "They were great people," said Noah Buehman, who lives with his parents across the street from the Yankovics. "They were really nice. They were always looking out for us. If they saw our dog outside, they wouldn't call the pound," Noah said. He recalled meeting Weird Al. Noah's father, John Buehman, said Al Yankovic put his parents in his productions, sending a limousine to take them to the set. To them, he was always Alfred, never Weird Al, he said. "It was obvious where Alfred got his sense of humor, from his dad," John Buehman said. "He was very proud of his son." Every day around 6 a.m., Nick Yankovic would set off on his daily walk. He became interested in a construction project up the road, the Buehmans said, and the workers gave him his own yellow construction vest. "Nick would get up and say, 'What a beautiful day. It's great to be alive,' " John Buehman said. "And I'd always say, 'Nick, you're going to be alive for a long time.' " Al Yankovic was born in Lynwood and grew up in Los Angeles. A high school valedictorian, he earned a degree in architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It was there that the singing accordionist quietly launched his musical career in 1979 with "My Bologna," a musical parody of the hit song "My Sharona" by The Knack. His subsequent hits included his satirical version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," which he retooled as a food-happy ditty called "Eat It," and Madonna's "Like a Virgin," which in his hands became "Like a Surgeon." Weird Al has won three Grammy Awards, the most recent in February for "Poodle Hat," Best Comedy Album.

04-11-2004, 12:15 AM	#3
Ewan's My Man I'll Cover You Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 29, 2001 Location: Beneath the opera house... Posts: 5,682	that's sad, i really like Wierd Al, I feel awful for him.
	__________________ Don't you ever wanna be somebody to envy Don't you wanna be footloose and free? Well, you could be the life of the party If you were more- Like me! All you have to do is jump over the moon Moo with me!

04-11-2004, 08:34 AM	#5
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	Thats evry sad Weird Al's like my parody idol, thats so sad
	__________________ Id Love to help you Tracy, but I cant have sex with a black guy, Id lose my endorsement deal with NASCAR-Jenna Maroney,30 Rock April 17,2009 9:02 PM : 100,000th post!

04-11-2004, 08:49 AM	#6
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	That was sad. Weird Al's parents are dying of smoke inhalation. I love Weird Al's music doing spoofs from 80's songs.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

04-11-2004, 03:27 PM	#8
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,176	this story is soo sad
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

04-10-2004, 09:58 PM	#2
AtlantaBravesFan29 Atlanta Braves Fan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2002 Location: Pleasanton,TX--40 Miles South Of San Antonio Posts: 1,859	Man,that's sad. I know what Al is feeling right now losing both of his parents like that.

04-11-2004, 01:07 AM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	omg.. i've been a fan of his for years, that's so sad.

04-11-2004, 05:33 PM	#9
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	That is very awful! Weird AL is such a talented guy

04-11-2004, 05:46 PM	#10
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	I just read about that. How terrible.
	__________________ Cindy Formerly musicrocksmyworld, ElvisDustyfan and vintagetvgirl. After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager." - William S. Burroughs

04-11-2004, 06:51 PM	#11
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	Aw I like Weird Al, but thats really sad Just shows you more of the effects of smoking.
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

04-12-2004, 11:37 PM	#15
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	This is terrible, I wish Al and his family the best.