Exactly two years have passed since the death of cherished comedian and TV host Paul O'Grady, who died quietly at home on March 28, 2023, aged 67. Recently, his grieving spouse Andre Portasio has released a "poignant" video allegedly filmed just 20 minutes before O'Grady's death, revealing the star was "enjoying cannabis" when he passed away in his armchair.
O'Grady initially rose to fame in the 1980s London gay community with his drag character Lily Savage, before launching his hit TV program "Paul O'Grady Show" on UK television in 2004. He was renowned for his affection for canines and served as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats charity.
Paul O'Grady's final video taken 20 minutes before his death ... (Source: www.gbnews.com)
The touching final video posted by Portasio on Instagram shows O'Grady with two of his five dogs, discussing his 2021 publication "Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang." The caption on O'Grady's Instagram account read: "This touching clip captures him as the genuinely kind person he was, sincerely thanking everyone for backing his book, which he recorded for an awards event he couldn't attend. It's remarkable how our minds protect us from grief during shocking times."
When O'Grady initially died, his husband informed fans: "With deep sorrow, I announce that Paul died unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. His loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all who enjoyed his humor, wit, and compassion will deeply miss him. I know he would want me to thank you for all the love shown to him throughout the years."
Paul O'Grady's widower admitted presenter died 'smoking a ... (Source: www.ladbible.com)
Reports indicated the Liverpool-born entertainer died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, a heart electrical system disorder. In a later discussion with The Sun, the Brazilian ex-professional ballet dancer confirmed Paul spent his final moments "enjoying cannabis."
"We had a very typical day, simply watching television at home, when Paul mentioned wanting to make a 'cup of tea,' our secret phrase for rolling cannabis. Paul went to prepare tea, returned, lit it and started smoking - that became our final time together, our last shared activity. He died right there in his chair," he explained.
Gene Hackman and pianist wife Betsy Arakawa found dead at home with their dog
Award-winning actor Gene Hackman has passed away at 95 years of age. County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told the Santa Fe New Mexican that authorities discovered Hackman and his spouse, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, lifeless on Wednesday afternoon in their residence located in the Santa Fe Summit area northeast of the city.
The police statement read: "We can verify that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead Wednesday." The Press Association verified an "ongoing investigation" into the deaths is taking place. Sheriff Mendoza noted no apparent signs suggested foul play. He neither revealed a death cause nor indicated when the pair might have died.
Hackman had made his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since the 1980s and tied the knot with Arakawa, 63, in 1991, following their meeting at her workplace, a local gym. Few details exist about Arakawa's subsequent musical career, though Hackman in 2014 commended her "steady, detailed read-throughs" of the western novels he authored later in life.
Gene Hackman's Life in Photos (Source: people.com)
Law enforcement officers reached the couple's residence in a secured community named Old Sunset Trail on Wednesday afternoon to examine the deaths of two senior citizens and a dog. Whether deputies responded to death notifications or were performing a wellness check remained unclear. The officers located the remains of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s, according to Mendoza's initial report.
"I can only state that we are conducting a basic death inquiry, awaiting search warrant authorization," the sheriff explained Wednesday evening, before his department had conclusively identified the individuals. "I wish to reassure the community and local residents that no immediate threat exists," he added.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's office further stated: "We do not suspect foul play contributed to their deaths; however, the precise death cause remains undetermined at this point."
Francis Ford Coppola ranked among the earliest to honor Hackman, sharing an image of them during the filming of 1974's The Conversation on Instagram. "Losing a great artist always brings both grief and appreciation: Gene Hackman a remarkable actor, motivating and brilliant in his performances," Coppola stated. "I grieve his passing, and honor his life and influence."
Edgar Wright described Hackman as "the greatest" on X, while George Takai referred to him as "one of the true masters of cinema."
He added: "Gene Hackman had the ability to portray any individual, making viewers sense a complete life story behind each character. He could transform into anyone or nobody, a dominant figure or a regular person. This skill showed his immense acting power. People will miss him, but his performances will endure forever."
Hackman maintained a 40-year cinema career, with appearances in The French Connection, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums, before ending his acting work in 2004. His fame came somewhat delayed, finding recognition in his 30s and later becoming a symbol of the anti-hero image typical in 1970s Hollywood films.
R.I.P.: Gene Hackman has passed away at age 95 (Source: www.joblo.com)
Born in 1930, he enlisted in the marines during the late 1940s and began pursuing acting studies in the late 1950s. Hackman developed a friendship with Dustin Hoffman at the Pasadena Playhouse where fellow students labeled both as "the least likely to succeed." After accumulating several small roles on television and stage, Hackman first appeared on film alongside Warren Beatty in the 1964 emotional drama Lilith.
Three years afterward, Hackman created his first notable impression with another performance next to Beatty. His portrayal of Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde earned him his first Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Though George Kennedy won for Cool Hand Luke, the recognition led Hackman to his first starring role in 1970's I Never Sang For My Father with Melvyn Douglas.
Yet Hackman found difficulty with the father-son relationship drama. "I undervalued the project and approached it too casually," Hackman explained in a 2002 Guardian interview. "Then Melvyn Douglas approached me saying, 'Gene, you'll never achieve your goals with your current behavior' - he wasn't referring to my acting but my professional conduct. He showed me not to use my doubts as justification for avoiding proper effort."
This guidance helped shape a performance that secured Hackman his second Oscar nomination. The next year he starred in William Friedkin's action thriller The French Connection and rose to A-list status due to the film's commercial success. Hackman received his first Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle.
"Movie production has always contained risks — both physical and emotional — but I prefer to view that film as one highlight in an uneven career of successes and failures," Hackman remarked in a 2021 interview.
Hackman achieved additional success throughout the 70s with parts in The Poseidon Adventure and A Bridge Too Far, while also demonstrating comedy skills through praised performances in Young Frankenstein and Superman, portraying the superhero's adversary Lex Luthor in the latter.
My favourite Cannes winner: The Conversation | My favourite ... (Source: www.theguardian.com)
His most exceptional contributions from that era appeared in movies that attracted small audiences: Arthur Penn's detective noir Night Moves, Jerry Schatzberg's travel film Scarecrow, and Coppola's conspiracy thriller The Conversation, which won the Palme d'Or. During this same timeframe, he declined parts in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
In the 1980s, Hackman reprised his role as Lex Luthor in Superman continuations while also featuring in Reds, Hoosiers, and No Way Out. He earned another Academy Award nomination for Mississippi Burning before claiming his second Oscar in 1992 for his performance in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven. This decade also included his appearances in The Firm, Crimson Tide, and The Birdcage.
Hackman began his alternative profession as a historical fiction writer with his initial publication Wake of the Perdido Star, followed by four additional books, with the latest released in 2011. His subsequent film performances featured celebrated humorous roles in Heartbreakers and The Royal Tenenbaums plus suspense films like Heist and Runaway Jury. The 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport marked his final screen appearance.
In 2008, he announced his departure from acting. "The decisive factor was a cardiac evaluation I underwent in New York," Hackman explained to Empire magazine regarding his retirement. "The physician informed me my heart condition was not suitable for exposure to any strain."
All About Gene Hackman's Late Wife, Classical Pianist Betsy ... (Source: people.com)
Following his acting career, Hackman provided voiceover for two documentaries: The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima in 2016 and We, the Marines in 2017. He also collaborated on three historical fiction novels with Daniel Lenihan before creating two independent works, with his latest titled Pursuit, a crime mystery.
Photographers captured him and Arakawa most recently during a restaurant outing in Santa Fe last year. Both individuals looked healthy and content.
In a 2009 discussion with Empire magazine, Hackman remarked, "I focus on my health. I have few anxieties. I experience the typical concern about mortality. You know, I suppose everyone contemplates that, particularly at an advanced age. I want to ensure my spouse and my relatives receive proper care. Beyond that, I maintain few worries."
When questioned in a 2011 interview about how he would characterize his existence, he answered: "'He attempted.' I consider that quite accurate."
Seth Rogen has only stopped smoking weed for 3 days in past 14 years due to seriously dark reason
As nearly everyone knows, Seth Rogen genuinely adores cannabis. He has consumed marijuana joints daily since his early twenties, stating that it renders life "more comfortable, more palatable and easier to process." Few dispute this logic. However, Singapore authorities apparently do - Rogen disclosed that a brief visit to this nation forced him to abandon his daily routine for approximately 72 hours. This represents significant news for someone who typically allows nothing to separate him from his cannabis - not even his substantial responsibilities writing, directing, executive producing and starring in his new AppleTV+ show "The Studio."
Seth Rogen says he stopped smoking weed for three days for a ... (Source: www.unilad.com)
He recently informed LADbible Group that he maintains a "little stoned all the time" state, a practice he has followed for twenty years - making those three cannabis-free days distinctly memorable.
During a conversation on "The Howard Stern Show," he revealed Singapore stands as the single location where he could not enjoy cannabis.
Explaining his reluctance to take chances during his 2011 journey to the Southeast Asian nation, Rogen stated: "They will literally f***king kill you if you smoke weed in that country. They put a little thing in your passport when you arrive, that says: 'If we find drugs on you, we will execute you'."
Singapore enforces extremely strict drug regulations, which include cannabis, as consumption remains prohibited both recreationally and medically. Possession or use carries possible penalties of ten years in jail, substantial financial penalties, and potentially caning. Individuals caught moving, bringing in or shipping out cannabis may face capital punishment.
This explains Rogen's caution, though he admitted occasionally traveling with cannabis items accidentally. The "Pineapple Express" actor added: "I can't tell you how many times I've flown places and then got there and opened a pocket or something and be like, 'Oh sh*t, there's a f***king roach in my pocket!' So that was a scary walk through the airport in Singapore."
Seth Rogen says he stopped smoking weed for three days for a ... (Source: www.unilad.com)
Stern noted that execution threats serve as an effective deterrent against drug use, to which Rogen responded: "Getting killed is a good deterrent. If you ever have a drug problem, go to Singapore."
When questioned about experiencing "withdrawals" during his cannabis-free period, the actor said he managed well, mentioning he had other legal recreational options available. "I was okay," Rogen confirmed.
"There's plenty of other things to get f**ked up. Luckily you can just drink yourself into oblivion in Singapore. They don't give a sht about that!"
Rogen noted that Singapore offers numerous alternative intoxication options. He mentioned alcohol consumption as a perfectly acceptable substitute, pointing out that Singaporean authorities show no concern about people drinking excessively in their country.
The actor's rare cannabis break stands out as an unusual interruption in his otherwise consistent marijuana usage pattern. While he willingly paused his habit to comply with Singapore's severe drug laws, he clearly found other legal ways to enjoy himself during his visit.
Seth Rogen knows he can handle weed better than most (Source: www.yahoo.com)
This singular exception to Rogen's cannabis routine highlights the extreme contrast between Singapore's strict drug enforcement and the actor's typical lifestyle. Despite his strong preference for marijuana, Rogen demonstrated his ability to temporarily adapt when faced with truly serious consequences, choosing personal safety over his usual habits during his three-day stay in the country.
The New York Times that her father died from pneumonia on April 1. The star gained celebrity status appearing with Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. Kilmer later portrayed Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever_and earned praise for his performance as musician Jim Morrison in the 1991 movie The Doors. His last acting appearance was a brief role in the 2022 sequel, where AI helped deliver his lines due to voice damage from a 2014 tracheotomy performed to treat throat cancer.
Batman and Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies aged 65 - News - UNILAD (Source: www.unilad.com)
"That was quite emotional," Top Gun_ star Tom Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023 about the scene. "I've known Val for many years, and when he returned to play that character... he's such a strong actor that he became that character again instantly."
Kilmer received a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014, sharing his health journey in his 2020 autobiography, I'm Your Huckleberry, and Amazon Prime documentary Val. He underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a tracheostomy that harmed his vocal cords.
"I sound much worse than I feel," Kilmer explained in the documentary. "I cannot speak without closing this hole (in his throat). You must choose between breathing or eating. It's a challenge that is very apparent to anyone who sees me."
Actor Josh Brolin shared: "You were a clever, difficult, courageous, extremely creative firecracker. Few like you remain. I hope to join you in heaven when my time comes. Until then, wonderful memories, fond thoughts."
Val Kilmer, 'Top Gun' and 'Batman Forever' star, dead at 65 ... (Source: www.wwbl.com)
