Celebs you may or may not know passed away.

The spotlight has dimmed and the curtain is down.  You see these people in the movies or on television and you want to know more about him or her.  Sometimes she is the woman who crops up as the stereotypical mother-in-law or he is the guy that plays the typical buffoon next-door-neighbor. What’s his name again?  When the “major” celebrities die, the media has it covered but the bit players may or may not get a line or two.

Bob Ross. Bob, Robert Ross most famous for his show, “The Joy of Painting” that featured his wet on wet oil painting technique, entranced millions of viewers with his calm, “sing song” way of speaking while he shared his painting techniques. His catch-phrases like, “happy little trees” and “beat the devil out of it” made him America’s favorite painter. He died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 52.

Ryan Dunn.  American reality star and personality was famous for his antics in the Jack Ass movie series and Viva La Barn crew. He is remembered by his family, friends and fans as their “go to” for unbelievable stunts. Friends gave him the nickname, Random Hero because he would do anything for a friend. He was born in 1977 and died in a Pennsylvania car crash in 2011.

John Ritter. may be best known for his role as Jack Tripper in the television series Three’s Company where he starred with Suzanne Somers. His boyish personality and comedic timing catapulted his career as one of the small screen’s most famous actors of the 1990’s. Later, he reinvented himself in a new series, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter where he collapsed on the set. After emergency heart surgery he died on September 11, 2003

Cory Monteith. Fox Network super star Cory Monteith sang and danced his way to musical fame in the series, Glee, but his drug addiction was more powerful than his stardom. In 2013, the 31 year old actor died from an overdose not long after leaving a substance abuse rehab facility.

Brittany Murphy. Brittany Murphy, actress and singer was best known for her role in the block buster Clueless. She landed roles in a variety of movies and on stage including Girl Interrupted, Party of Five and Boy Meets World. She was an accomplished singer, too. It was rumored that she had a cocaine and drug addiction that caused an apparent weight loss during her time as a Jordace jeans model. She died in 2009 at the young age of 27 due to complications of pneumonia although suspicion of her death could have been murder due to her being a witness in a case involving a police office. 

John Belushi. John Adam Belushi, comedian, actor, musician and famous for his energetic and no fear antics on the original cast of Saturday Night Live was beloved by all his friends and fans. Some of his most famous movies were Animal House and The Blues Brothers. Unfortunately, he worked as hard as he played and a drug overdose killed him on March 5, 1982

James Gandolfini. James Gandolfini, jr. was recognized as HBO’s series Soprano’s mob boss, Tony Soprano. He was the teddy bear charmer viewers loved to hate and brought this complicated character life for many seasons. He was also a stage actor and producer. He died in Rome, Italy on June 19, 2013 of a sudden heart attack.

Jackie Collins. Romance author, celebrity and sister of famous Hollywood actress, Joan Collins wrote 32 novels and all were on the New York Bestsellers list. Her witty, sexy style kept readers on the edge of their seats and their beds. Some of her most famous were The World of Married Men, The Stud, The Bitch Rock Star and others. She died at the age of 72 from breast cancer.

Yvonne Craig. flew her way to fame as Batgirl in the 1960’s Batman television series. She was a role model for women and paved the way for women superheroes. She frequently did her own stunts, unheard of at that time. She appeared in Star Trek, Kissin’ Cousins and It Happened at The World’s Fair. Her dying wish was that everyone celebrate her life instead of mourn her death. She died at the age of 78 in 2015.

Alex Rocco. He gave award winning performances in The Godfather classic as casino boss Moe Greene. But Alex Rocco, an Emmy winning actor was more famous for roles in Facts of Life, St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Get Shorty and more. He lent his voice to animated films too including A Bug’s Life, Family Guy and The Simpsons. He died in 2015.

Mabel Albertson. “Frank, I have a sick headache.”  Mabel Albertson portrayed a number of roles in movies and television over her many years in show biz, but her most notable TV appearances are known to baby boomers.  “Mrs. Phyllis Stephens” was Darrin’s mother– Samantha’s mother-in-law — on the 1960s television series Bewitched.    Mabel Albertson died in 1982 from complications brought on by Alzheimer ’s disease.

Bobby Buntrock. This child actor barely made it past 21 years old.  Bobby Buntrock was featured in a number of television shows in the 1960s but it was Hazel, (starring Shirley Booth), that kept the boy working steadily, in the role of Harold.  Buntrock died in a car accident in April of 1974. He is buried in keystone, South Dakota.

Garnett Silk. He was singing’ the reggae, mon.  Garnett Silk, also known as Garnet Damion Smith, introduced his reggae Rastafarian thing to the music scene in the early 1990s.   He died at age 28, in 1994, as he was trying to save his mother from a burning house in Mandeville, Jamaica.  Smith brought his smooth, “silk” to the United States shortly before he died.

Mary Treen. This familiar character actress made the rounds on many television shows and movies; mostly minor roles.  Mary Treen had one of those faces you know but cannot place and amongst her many film roles, you’ve seen her in a handful of Elvis Presley movies. The next time you watch it’s a Wonderful Life, be sure to check out the secretary of the Building and Loan.  Mary Treen died of cancer in 1989.

J. T. Walsh. Love to love the bad guy!   J. T.  Walsh played them all. Known as a character actor for movies, this guy was all over the Silver Screen in a variety of roles; A Few Good Men, Tequila Sunrise, Good Morning Vietnam, Slingblade , Tin Men, The Grifters — are a few, and only a few.  J. T.  Walsh died of a heart attack at only 54 years old, in 1998. We miss ya, J.T.

Carol Wayne. Typically notable for playing the dumb-bunny blonde roles on a handful of 1960s and 1970s sitcoms, Carol Wayne had been married and divorced 3 times but it was in January of 1985 when her body was found in a shallow bay along a Mexican beach; she’d taken a walk alone after arguing with her boyfriend.  The boyfriend was investigated but authorities ruled Wayne’s death as “accidental.”   Carol Wayne was 42.

 Michelle Thomas. A not-so-household name that television viewers may remember, Michelle Thomas appeared in a handful of shows but most notably as Justine Phillips (Theo Huxtable’s girlfriend on The Cosby Show) and Myra Monkhouse (Steve Urkel’s girlfriend on Family Matters).   In 1997, Thomas, diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, underwent surgery to remove a tumor.  A short time later, she landed a steady role in The Young and the Restless.  When another tumor appeared, Thomas went under the knife in October of 1998.  She died in December of that year at the age of 29.  Michelle Thomas was the daughter of Dennis Thomas, then a horn player in the R & B group Kool & the Gang.