'ALF' Child Star Benji Gregory Dies at 46

Very sad and unexpected. I was obsessed with ALF reruns for a hot minute when I was maybe 11 or 12, and to this day, I can't hear that theme song without feeling a little pang of memory. It's so heartbreaking to see that child stars are still not okay.

@DRW50

I guess I have to rewatch my Criterion of 3 Women tonight.

Woah, that’s a big one. I’m so glad she was able to regain a ton of her dignity in the last couple of years.

Shelley was so good in 3 Women. Altman brought out the best in her.
 

A career retrospective:

 

Edited July 11, 20241 yr by Faulkner

@Vee Thanks for letting me know. 

@FaulknerThree Women is my favorite movie of hers, and one of my favorite movies in general. I loved Shelley's work in it as you see her initially as what seems to be a quirky, hip character, only to slowly see just how hollow she is. 

I knew of Shelley from Faerie Tale Theatre and other vague childhood memories, but it was through her Altman movies that I began to appreciate her. Another was Nashville, where she played one of the movie's most agonizing characters - the face of naive and detached youth contrasted with Keenan Wynn's heartbreaking loss. And her combination of dizziness and steel as Olive Oyl - the ideal casting choice. 

I also loved her supporting role in Roxanne as Steve Martin's foster sister. 

Watching her is always a riveting experience. She embodies what it means to watch films - that pulse and unique joy. 

I have never liked Dr. Phil, but what he did to her was one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen in media. I am so glad she got to reclaim something of her own voice in the last few years, even in her tragic circumstances. She still had that sweet smile and that hint of being from another world. I hope wherever that world is, she's happy.

Dr Ruth Westheimer has died.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ruth-westheimer-obituary-1.7262991

 

Richard Simmons has died.

https://nypost.com/2024/07/13/us-news/richard-simmons-legendary-fitness-guru-dead-at-76/

Just now, Xanthe said:

Richard Simmons has died.

https://nypost.com/2024/07/13/us-news/richard-simmons-legendary-fitness-guru-dead-at-76/

Oh my God, NO! NOOOO! My heart sank. NOOOOO. I can't imagine a world without Richard! 

He posted on twitter just 5 hours ago!!! Oh MY GOD.. NOOOO. There is this little crazy part of me that wants to believe this is one of the FAKE HE DIED moments... I remember years ago they reported he died and it was a hoax.

I CAN'T believe this. This is like when Joan Rivers died... I CAN'T believe a world without this person existing on it. 

Wow.

Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons both passed away today.

I'm hard pressed to think of two people who got more air time helping people in the 1980s and 1990s than these two icons.

Truly and end of an era type day.

Thoughts with their family and friends today. pic.twitter.com/RbQzkKZHv3

— Patrick Scott Patterson (@OriginalPSP) July 13, 2024

R.I.P. Richard and Ruth. 😔

I still have several of his Sweatin' to the Oldies tapes. I had his Deal A Meal cards back in the 80s. I remember seeing him first on GH doing classes at the disco, before he built an empire. I think he must have the distinction in soaps of being the only one who appeared regularly as himself within the framework of a fictional soap setting and storylines.

 

Sad to hear about Richard Simmons.

Dr. Ruth too.

Oh man, Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons too?! There was a snippet about Simmons working on a project based on his life. Pieces of an era chipping away. 

Michael Kape just posted that Richard Simmons was starting a new play on Broadway in 1 week!!