RIP Davy Jones

I was quite shocked this afternoon when I checked my Twitter feed on my phone and found both E! Online and Playbill tweeting stories about Davy Jones' death. Am I a bit too young to have missed the Monkees' mania? Yes. But the show is in syndication. My sister and I both discovered it at the same time. We loved to watch the episodes. I think my parents were amused that were liked a show they used to watch when they were younger (probably closer to my age then as I am the older child). And you can't deny he was cute.

And I still love the songs. Give me their version of "I'm a Believer" over the one that played in Shrek.

So farewell, Daydream Believer. You will be missed.

In Memoriam: Roy E. Disney

The Walt Disney Company announced today that Roy E. Disney passed away at the age of 79.

Disney was the son of Roy Disney and nephew to Walt. Roy sat on the board of the Walt Disney and was a prominent shareholder. In the late 1980s, he resigned from the board and led a movement to have Walt’s son-in-law, Ron Miller, replaced as head of the company. The movement was successful and Michael Eisner assumed control along side Frank Wells. Wells died in 1994 and Eisner continued to run the company as Disney experienced a re-emergence as an innovative movie maker.

As the 21st century dawned, many Disney fans grew disgusted at Eisner’s leadership as they watched the company take a dive. Disney, too, did not approve of the direction the company was taking. He once again resigned from the board and led another movement. Once again, he was successful as the board voted not to support Eisner. He resigned and Bob Iger assumed control of the Walt Disney Company.

Iger issued this statement regarding Disney’s death: "Roy's commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future.”

Disney was a great champion of his uncle’s ideals and Pixar’s chief creative officer, John Lasseter, offers a fitting ode in his statement:

"He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney's legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology.”

RIP

78 Days to Go: A Moment of Silence

Today's post will be short and won't actually deal with my upcoming Walt Disney World trip.

The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse, passed away. Allwine began voicing the famous mouse in 1977 and continued being the voice of Mickey for the next 32 years. He has been heard in the many movies and TV shows featuring Mickey in the past 3 decades as well as the Disney parks. He was the third man to give life to Mickey, following Jimmy MacDonald and the original Mickey Mouse--Walt Disney, himself.

Allwine is survived by five children as well as his wife, Russi Taylor. Taylor is the voice of Minnie Mouse. He was only 62 years old. It is unknown at this time who will succeed him as the voice of Mickey Mouse.

Condolences to Russi Taylor and Allwine's children, as well as the Disney family.

Condolences

I send my condolences out to the Redgrave/Richardson/Neeson families at this difficult and tragic time. Natasha Richardson was a great talent who I loved, particularly as Lindsay Lohan's mother in "The Parent Trap." I do regret I never got to see her perform on stage and her talent will sorely be missed. 

I pray this tragedy reminds us all the importance of helmets--they may not be the prettiest accessories out there, but they are true life savers. 

RIP

This has been one sad weekend for the entertainment world. Today, Isaac Hayes suddenly died. I enjoyed his voice, both speaking and singing. And who now doesn't have "Theme from Shaft" now stuck in their head?

And yesterday, comedian Bernie Mac died from complications due to pneumonia. I've had pneumonia many times over my 22 years on this earth and it's quite haunting to see it take someone. I didn't watch the "Bernic Mac Show" but I loved his performance as Bosley in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." He was a great follow-up to Bill Murray in the original.

The trails these men blazed in their respective fields will never be forgotten. And future generations will always be grateful to them.

I hate to remain a bit morbid, but they say death comes in threes. Who's next?