mysterous deaths of sitcom stars - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bb · 11-18-2001, 09:32 AM

Before they started charging money I used to go to TV Party.com . There is a story there about the death of Roger C. Carmel who starred in Desi Arnaz's Mothers in Law as well as played a part in Star Trek. Carmel died in 1986 of a crack cocaine overdose. He was with a male hooker at the time of his death.

Paul Lynde: I remember when he died in 1982.
I also remember hearing on radio at that time that he was inhaling some kind of drug while he too was with a male hooker- only he was actually having sex ( Carmel, TV Party didnt say if he was or not when he OD'd) only to die from a heart attack during sex.

Shriley Hemphill: How did she die? All I ever heard was "natural causes" and that
" she was found dead". That could mean anything!!

Rusty Hamer: The child actor shot himself
( I believe around the same time and Del Shannon ) but was he realling living in a trailer by himself working part time in a diner when this happened?

Most of us know the stories about Freddie Prinze, Peter Duel, and Buffy and their deaths- can you think of any other sitcom stars who made their "final exits" under rather strange circumstances?

Jimbo · 11-18-2001, 12:31 PM

One of the more bizarre stories I've heard involves an actor named Victor Kilian. He was a character actor who has turned up in dozens of TV shows and movies. His best know role was probably that of "Grandpa Larkin" on the mid-70s sitcom "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". In 1979, Victor Kilian was murdered by 3 men who were burglarizing his apartment. Now for the bizarre part: There are stories that his ghost is sometimes seen walking along the street in Hollywood where he lived, supposedly looking for his murderer.

DJM77 · 11-18-2001, 03:03 PM

Did they ever discover what caused the death of Lani O'Grady from Eight Is Enough? She was found dead in her home earlier this year. She was 46 years old. All I ever heard was that it was natural causes. I find that hard to believe since I have never heard of anyone dying of natural causes at such a young age.

dugferd · 11-18-2001, 03:36 PM

I think Lani O'grady had years of substance abuse, and it just took a toll. I think she was clean at the time of her death. It was because of what she had been through; you never know when the body will quit working after that. Thus the young age and natural causes.

Other strange deaths: Phil Hartmann, Bob Crane.

dawsongirl · 11-18-2001, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dugferd:
Other strange deaths: Bob Crane.

That's so true. It's been 23 years, and they still have no idea who killed him. They finally tried his best friend, John Carpenter, but he got off. I think he later died anyway.

JT · 11-18-2001, 04:54 PM

John Carpenter as in John Carpenter's Vampires or as in John Carpenter Millionaire Man?

11-18-2001, 09:32 AM	#1
bb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Location: Martinsburg, WV usa Posts: 276	mysterous deaths of sitcom stars Before they started charging money I used to go to TV Party.com . There is a story there about the death of Roger C. Carmel who starred in Desi Arnaz's Mothers in Law as well as played a part in Star Trek. Carmel died in 1986 of a crack cocaine overdose. He was with a male hooker at the time of his death. Paul Lynde: I remember when he died in 1982. I also remember hearing on radio at that time that he was inhaling some kind of drug while he too was with a male hooker- only he was actually having sex ( Carmel, TV Party didnt say if he was or not when he OD'd) only to die from a heart attack during sex. Shriley Hemphill: How did she die? All I ever heard was "natural causes" and that " she was found dead". That could mean anything!! Rusty Hamer: The child actor shot himself ( I believe around the same time and Del Shannon ) but was he realling living in a trailer by himself working part time in a diner when this happened? Most of us know the stories about Freddie Prinze, Peter Duel, and Buffy and their deaths- can you think of any other sitcom stars who made their "final exits" under rather strange circumstances?

11-18-2001, 12:31 PM	#2
Jimbo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: United States of America-One Nation UNDER GOD! Posts: 471	One of the more bizarre stories I've heard involves an actor named Victor Kilian. He was a character actor who has turned up in dozens of TV shows and movies. His best know role was probably that of "Grandpa Larkin" on the mid-70s sitcom "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". In 1979, Victor Kilian was murdered by 3 men who were burglarizing his apartment. Now for the bizarre part: There are stories that his ghost is sometimes seen walking along the street in Hollywood where he lived, supposedly looking for his murderer.

11-18-2001, 03:03 PM	#3
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	Did they ever discover what caused the death of Lani O'Grady from Eight Is Enough? She was found dead in her home earlier this year. She was 46 years old. All I ever heard was that it was natural causes. I find that hard to believe since I have never heard of anyone dying of natural causes at such a young age.

11-18-2001, 03:36 PM	#4
dugferd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 20, 2001 Location: Richmond VA USA Posts: 112	I think Lani O'grady had years of substance abuse, and it just took a toll. I think she was clean at the time of her death. It was because of what she had been through; you never know when the body will quit working after that. Thus the young age and natural causes. Other strange deaths: Phil Hartmann, Bob Crane.

11-18-2001, 04:54 PM	#6
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	John Carpenter as in John Carpenter's Vampires or as in John Carpenter Millionaire Man?