Which Celebrity Death Hit You The Hardest? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmoopie · 06-26-2009, 06:31 AM

In light of the recent losses of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, I want to pose this question.

Which celebrity deaths (any of them-long ago or recent) hit you the hardest? Either ones that you weren't expecting at all or the death of someone that you were a big fan of.

I guess the most shocking death for me was John Ritter. I heard that on the news during my lunch break and was still reeling from it several hours later.

The worst for me personally, though was probably Stanley Kammel, who was Dr. Charles Kroger on Monk. I'll never forget this. I was at a coffee shop in my office building one morning and I happened to look up at their LCD screen that has news items. I saw the headline "Monk Psych dies... cast and crew deeply saddened". At first I seriously thought it was a promo for Monk and Psych since they were in-between seasons. Then when I saw the last part, I realized that it must have been Stanley. Unfortunately, I found out about this around 7:45am, and I don't have access to the Internet at work (or anywhere near there for that matter). So I had to wait until after 11, when I went to lunch. I called my husband at work and asked him to look up what had happened for me. He told me that Stanley had died of a heart attack. It took me a REALLY long time to get over this (at least two months), and the funny thing was that I never cried over it. I never met the man, but I used to post religiously on the USA Network board on the Monk section. Stanley used to post on there as well. They had a thread where members could post questions for the actors and then the actors would go through and answer them. I was extremely touched when Stanley chose my question to answer. I really wish I could have met him, because he seemed like a wonderful man. It was like losing a friend. I don't know if this is coincidence or not, but I haven't watched Monk in ages. I hated the first episode of last season, because there was barely a mention of him. I was VERY upset over that, even though the cast did a promo commercial for heart disease in his honor. I thought they should have done a whole show in his memory or something; even spotlight Dr. Kroger since he only had a leading role in one episode. Incidentally that is one of my all-time favorite episodes.

Sorry I got carried away there! Another shocking death is when I found out that George Carlin died. My husband and I were in Vegas and we were checking out the buffet in one of the strip hotels. They had a flat screen TV on the wall and I saw Jerry Seinfeld being interviewed by Larry King. I immediately raced over to see what he was talking about and was shocked when I found out that the show was about George Carlin's passing. I felt really bad for my husband because he loved George Carlin. He talks about him a lot and tells me about all the Carlin albums he used to have. He even said that it was nice of Jerry Seinfeld to agree to go on Larry's show and talk about Carlin. I agree.

Andrea

tanquant · 06-26-2009, 07:29 AM

For me it was John Ritter and Bernie Mac and Michael Jackson

I was shocked to hear about all but took John"s death the hardest. I cried all day and stayed glued to the television

Farrah Faucet, Micheal Jackson and Ed McMahon

Zoneboy · 06-26-2009, 08:14 AM

John Lennon

dakert · 06-26-2009, 02:35 PM

Freddie Prinze
Elvis Presley

Marvo301 · 06-26-2009, 06:00 PM

Princess Diana

70s show watcher · 06-26-2009, 06:05 PM

john belushi chris farley and john ritter

McGillicuddy · 06-26-2009, 06:40 PM

Elizabeth Montgomery (Untimely)

John Ritter (Untimely & totally unexpected)

Lucille Ball (unexpected)

John Lennon (the murder!)

After thinking about it both Princess Diana and JFK Jr. probably affected me most because they were the result of tragic accidents, in addition to being untimely and unexpected!

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 06-26-2009, 06:50 PM

John Ritter. I felt like I had lost a friend I had had for years, and I was only 14. It killed me and I couldn't stop thinking about it and how terrible it was and how young he was, and his family and young daughter. I was honestly very depressed because of it, but I didn't really start crying until I saw a special on him. It took a couple of years for it to really sink in. It still angers me that he had to die so young and isn't around anymore.

Mr. Television · 06-26-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

John Ritter. I felt like I had lost a friend I had had for years, and I was only 14. It killed me and I couldn't stop thinking about it and how terrible it was and how young he was, and his family and young daughter. I was honestly very depressed because of it, but I didn't really start crying until I saw a special on him. It took a couple of years for it to really sink in. It still angers me that he had to die so young and isn't around anymore.

That happened to me too Ashlee. I never really cried much over a celebrity. I've gotten real sad before but not crying so much that I couldn't stop. I was like that when I watched John's tribute on TV Land that week. He really did feel like an old friend. Whenever I was down, he just cheered me up. It was so unfair that he died so young.

tv star collector · 06-26-2009, 07:19 PM

There are so many in my lifetime, but thirty who stand out are:

1959: George Reeves (The Adventures of Superman; 45)
1963: President John F. Kennedy (46)
1966: Walt Disney (65)
1969: Boris Karloff (82)
1972: Dan Blocker (Bonanza; 43)
1975: Larry Fine (73) and Moe Howard (78) of The Three Stooges
1977: Elvis Presley (42), Groucho Marx (86), and Bing Crosby (73)
1979: John Wayne (72)
1980: John Lennon (40)
1986: Paul Frees (voice of Boris Badenov, Ludwig von Drake, etc.; 66)
1987: Jackie Gleason (71) and Lorne Greene (72)
1988: Daws Butler (voice of Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, etc.; 71)
1989: Lucille Ball (77) and Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny, etc. ; 81)
1991: Michael Landon (54)
1993: Fred Gwynne (66) and Bill Bixby (59)
1996: George Burns (100)
1998: Roy Rogers (86) and Buffalo Bob Smith (Howdy Doody; 80)
2001: Dale Evans (88) and George Harrison (58)
2003: Bob Hope (100) and Johnny Cash (71)
2005: Paul Winchell (82) and Don Adams (82)

Yooch · 06-26-2009, 07:30 PM

In no particular order: Fred Gwynne, Benny (Kid) Parett a boxer who died from a coma due to a KO when I was in Junior High, President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, John Ritter, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Landon, Pope John Paul I, Pope John XXIII

catlover79 · 06-26-2009, 08:14 PM

John Ritter and Farrah Fawcett.

Nighthawk76 · 06-26-2009, 08:17 PM

Deforest Kelley (1999)
George Harrison (2001)
Maurice Gibb (2003)
James Doohan (2005)
Paul Newman (2008)

catlover79 · 06-26-2009, 08:21 PM

Oh my gosh, how could I have forgotten about Maurice?? I was shocked - then I cried and cried. I still miss Mo.

Zoneboy · 06-26-2009, 08:21 PM

A few more:

Thurman Munson
Conway Twitty
Waylon Jennings
Johnny Cash
Tammy Wynette
John Ritter
Owen Hart
Dale Earnhardt
Don Knotts
Princess Diana

06-26-2009, 06:31 AM	#1
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Which Celebrity Death Hit You The Hardest? In light of the recent losses of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, I want to pose this question. Which celebrity deaths (any of them-long ago or recent) hit you the hardest? Either ones that you weren't expecting at all or the death of someone that you were a big fan of. I guess the most shocking death for me was John Ritter. I heard that on the news during my lunch break and was still reeling from it several hours later. The worst for me personally, though was probably Stanley Kammel, who was Dr. Charles Kroger on Monk. I'll never forget this. I was at a coffee shop in my office building one morning and I happened to look up at their LCD screen that has news items. I saw the headline "Monk Psych dies... cast and crew deeply saddened". At first I seriously thought it was a promo for Monk and Psych since they were in-between seasons. Then when I saw the last part, I realized that it must have been Stanley. Unfortunately, I found out about this around 7:45am, and I don't have access to the Internet at work (or anywhere near there for that matter). So I had to wait until after 11, when I went to lunch. I called my husband at work and asked him to look up what had happened for me. He told me that Stanley had died of a heart attack. It took me a REALLY long time to get over this (at least two months), and the funny thing was that I never cried over it. I never met the man, but I used to post religiously on the USA Network board on the Monk section. Stanley used to post on there as well. They had a thread where members could post questions for the actors and then the actors would go through and answer them. I was extremely touched when Stanley chose my question to answer. I really wish I could have met him, because he seemed like a wonderful man. It was like losing a friend. I don't know if this is coincidence or not, but I haven't watched Monk in ages. I hated the first episode of last season, because there was barely a mention of him. I was VERY upset over that, even though the cast did a promo commercial for heart disease in his honor. I thought they should have done a whole show in his memory or something; even spotlight Dr. Kroger since he only had a leading role in one episode. Incidentally that is one of my all-time favorite episodes. Sorry I got carried away there! Another shocking death is when I found out that George Carlin died. My husband and I were in Vegas and we were checking out the buffet in one of the strip hotels. They had a flat screen TV on the wall and I saw Jerry Seinfeld being interviewed by Larry King. I immediately raced over to see what he was talking about and was shocked when I found out that the show was about George Carlin's passing. I felt really bad for my husband because he loved George Carlin. He talks about him a lot and tells me about all the Carlin albums he used to have. He even said that it was nice of Jerry Seinfeld to agree to go on Larry's show and talk about Carlin. I agree. Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-26-2009, 07:29 AM	#2
tanquant Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Posts: 864	For me it was John Ritter and Bernie Mac and Michael Jackson I was shocked to hear about all but took John"s death the hardest. I cried all day and stayed glued to the television Farrah Faucet, Micheal Jackson and Ed McMahon
	Last edited by tanquant; 06-28-2009 at 01:23 PM.

06-26-2009, 08:14 AM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,539	John Lennon
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

06-26-2009, 06:00 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,465	Princess Diana
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-26-2009, 06:40 PM	#7
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Elizabeth Montgomery (Untimely) John Ritter (Untimely & totally unexpected) Lucille Ball (unexpected) John Lennon (the murder!) After thinking about it both Princess Diana and JFK Jr. probably affected me most because they were the result of tragic accidents, in addition to being untimely and unexpected!
	Last edited by McGillicuddy; 06-28-2009 at 03:27 PM.

06-26-2009, 02:35 PM	#4
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Freddie Prinze Elvis Presley

06-26-2009, 06:05 PM	#6
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	john belushi chris farley and john ritter

06-26-2009, 06:50 PM	#8
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	John Ritter. I felt like I had lost a friend I had had for years, and I was only 14. It killed me and I couldn't stop thinking about it and how terrible it was and how young he was, and his family and young daughter. I was honestly very depressed because of it, but I didn't really start crying until I saw a special on him. It took a couple of years for it to really sink in. It still angers me that he had to die so young and isn't around anymore.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

06-26-2009, 07:19 PM	#10
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	There are so many in my lifetime, but thirty who stand out are: 1959: George Reeves (The Adventures of Superman; 45) 1963: President John F. Kennedy (46) 1966: Walt Disney (65) 1969: Boris Karloff (82) 1972: Dan Blocker (Bonanza; 43) 1975: Larry Fine (73) and Moe Howard (78) of The Three Stooges 1977: Elvis Presley (42), Groucho Marx (86), and Bing Crosby (73) 1979: John Wayne (72) 1980: John Lennon (40) 1986: Paul Frees (voice of Boris Badenov, Ludwig von Drake, etc.; 66) 1987: Jackie Gleason (71) and Lorne Greene (72) 1988: Daws Butler (voice of Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, etc.; 71) 1989: Lucille Ball (77) and Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny, etc. ; 81) 1991: Michael Landon (54) 1993: Fred Gwynne (66) and Bill Bixby (59) 1996: George Burns (100) 1998: Roy Rogers (86) and Buffalo Bob Smith (Howdy Doody; 80) 2001: Dale Evans (88) and George Harrison (58) 2003: Bob Hope (100) and Johnny Cash (71) 2005: Paul Winchell (82) and Don Adams (82)

06-26-2009, 07:30 PM	#11
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	In no particular order: Fred Gwynne, Benny (Kid) Parett a boxer who died from a coma due to a KO when I was in Junior High, President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, John Ritter, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Landon, Pope John Paul I, Pope John XXIII
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

06-26-2009, 08:14 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,396	John Ritter and Farrah Fawcett.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-26-2009, 08:17 PM	#13
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Deforest Kelley (1999) George Harrison (2001) Maurice Gibb (2003) James Doohan (2005) Paul Newman (2008)

06-26-2009, 08:21 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,396	Oh my gosh, how could I have forgotten about Maurice?? I was shocked - then I cried and cried. I still miss Mo.