Final Farewells

Comedian & Everybody Loves Raymond actor Peter Boyle has died, he was 71-year-old.  Boyle died Tuesday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital after waging a fatal battle on myeloma & heart disease.

Peter spent nine years of his life playing the obnoxious father & husband Frank Barone on the hit TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.  Doris Roberts played opposite Boyle as his overbearing wife Marie Barone.  Roberts said of Peter’s death, “it’s like losing a spouse.”

“I’m going to miss my dear friend, so unlike the character he played on television.”

“He’s a brilliant actor, a gentleman, incredibly intelligent, wonderfully well read and a loving friend.”

Ray Romano, who’s comedy the TV series was based on, said he didn’t know a soul when he moved to Los Angeles to work on the show.

“Peter immediately took me under his wing and became my friend and mentor,” Romano said.

“He gave me great advice, he always made me laugh, and the way he connected with everyone around him amazed me.”

Peter Boyle is survived by his wife Loraine & daughters Lucy and Amy. Boyle celebrated his 71st birthday on October 18.

Peace be with his family.

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George Clooney’s pal of a pig died Friday & went to piggie heaven.  The 300-pound potbellied pig shared Clooney’s Hollywood Hills home, and sometimes his bed.  How nice for the ladies Clooney brings home….  Max the pig died while George was out of town promoting the new film, The Good German. 

“He just died, like an hour ago, Clooney stated.  George had Max since he was a piglet, 18 years ago.  He gained actual custody of Max after he broke up with shacked-up girlfriend, Kelly Preston.  

“He was as old a pig as the vets had ever seen. I was really surprised, because he’s been a big part of my life,” the Sexiest Man Alive went on to say.

“It has been a bad year for my pets,” Clooney revealed.

“I had a bulldog that died this year, too. It’s strange how animals become a big part of your family. They really become a big issue with you.”

When asked if Clooney would get another pig, the actor stated, “No.  I think Max covered all my pig needs.”

I love George Clooney, I mean, come on, who even has a pet potbellied pig?  Not many of us.  And I have to say, 18 years is a long time for a Hollywood relationship, or any kind of relationship for that matter!

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A true great died Monday night at a Los Angeles hospital.  81-year-old Robert Altman, the brains behind M*A*S*H & Short Cuts, died peacefully Monday of complications from cancer. 

The five-time Academy Award nominee & Lifetime Achievement Academy Award recipient, Altman had a passion for movies that could not be contained.  The Missouri-born director was a bomber pilot in World War II and studied engineering at college before applying for a job in industrial film.

When accepting his lifetime achievement award in early 2006, Altman stated, “No other filmmaker has gotten a better shake than I have. I’m very fortunate in my career. I’ve never had to direct a film I didn’t choose or develop. My love for filmmaking has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition.”

Altman’s last film was A Prairie Home Companion that featured a star-studded cast including, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, & Tommy Lee Jones.

Robert Altman is survived by his wife, Kathryn, sons Robert & Matthew, his daughter, Christine & two other sons from previous marriages, Michael & Stephen.

May you go in peace, Robert.  You done good.

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Trailblazing pioneer journalist Ed Bradley died of leukemia Thursday.  The forward-thinking 65-year-old correspondent had a long career working with CBS, reporting for the news agency since 1967. 

Bradley’s inquisitive nature, his trademark earring & his resiliant spirit all made the man a tremendous reporter and added vitality to news reporting once again.

“We have lost one of America’s best,” Dan Rather stated.

“As a compassionate, sensitive person, he was an example of all a conscientious and dedicated journalist can be.”  -but rarely are.

He will be sorely missed.  So long, Ed, you did good.

Bradley is survived by his artist wife Patricia Blanchet, whom he married in 2004. 

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On a sad day on November 1, Adrienne Shelly’s husband found her hanging from a shower rod in her Manhattan office; police & family assumed the indie actress’ death an unfortunate suicide.  Until, that is, 19-year-old construction worker Diego Pillco was arrested Monday in connection to death of Shelly. 

Reports are now coming in that Pillco allegedly punched the petite Shelly when she complained about the construction noise he was making.  The heavy punch to such a small woman, reports claim, instantly killed her.  Pillco has admitted to dragging her body upstairs to her West Village office and positioning her body so that it would make her death appear a suicide.   

Adrienne Shelly is best known for her roles in the films Trust, The Unbelievable Truth & Sleeping with Strangers.  Shelly is survived by her husband Andy Ostroy and her 3-year-old daughter Sophie.  What a sad, unnecessary loss.

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