Dead Celebrity Alert

Wednesday, October 22, 2003 — Constance Clear, the Texan psychotherapist and UFO abduction researcher, died in her sleep early yesterday morning from injuries from a serious motorcycle accident nearly a month ago. She had lost control of her motorcycle on a curve, according to published reports, and no foul play was suspected.

She was known for her book “Reaching For Reality: Seven Incredible True Stories of Alien Abduction” published in 1999 by Consciousness Now, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, about “seven survivors of alien abduction (who) share their first-hand accounts so others will know (that) you are not alone.”

Clear had a Masters of Arts degree in psychology from Trinity University and a Masters of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, and was in private practice since 1976 working with individuals, couples and families. For 15 years she facilitated a support group for bereaved people.

It was with this extensive background, knowledge and experience that she stumbled upon the UFO phenomenon 11 years ago while watching a TV program and became active in the field as a helper. … Read full obituary

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — Rod Roddy, the flashy-dressed announcer on “The Price Is Right” whose booming, jovial voice invited lucky audience members to “Come on down!” for nearly 20 years, died Monday. He was believed to have been 66.

Roddy, who suffered from colon and breast cancer, died at Century City Hospital, according to his longtime agent, Don Pitts. He had been hospitalized for two months. …

Roddy had been ill for more than two years but continued to work as much as possible and for as long as he could, said Bob Barker, host of “The Price Is Right.” Roddy had been with the game show for 17 years. …

Roddy’s announcing stints included “Love Connection” (1981-1985) and “Press Your Luck” (1983-1986), but “The Price Is Right” earned him his greatest fame. …

Roddy, who taped his last show about two months ago, had colon cancer surgery on September 11, 2001, and his left breast removed last March.

The diseases appeared under control following chemotherapy but flared up again, Pitts said. The two cancers, which Roddy had said were unconnected, prompted him to become a spokesman for early detection. … Read full obituary

Elliott Smith has died at age 34, according to an obituary posted late Tuesday on Sweet Adeline, Smith’s official website. Rumors had been circulating on the Internet yesterday afternoon about Smith’s apparent suicide; by early evening, the overwhelming traffic from well-wishers and fans was crashing Sweet Adeline’s discussion board. A handful of posts indicated that representatives from Smith’s label, Dreamworks, were attempting to contact Charlie Ramirez, the webmaster for Sweet Adeline. …

Kill Rock Stars, who released Smith’s 1995 self-titled solo album and 1997’s Either/Or, changed their website’s splash page to a pensive photo of Smith this afternoon in silent tribute to the beloved songwriter. …

Smith had been working on his sixth studio album, From A Basement On The Hill, since late 2001. At various points, the self-recorded album was being shopped to indie labels and later, tentatively scheduled as a double-disc offering on Dreamworks’ 2003 schedule. … Read full obituary

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The daughter of late country music singer June Carter Cash was found dead in a parked bus along with a Nashville bluegrass fiddle player, authorities said.

Officials said Saturday that carbon monoxide from six propane or kerosene heaters on the bus may have killed the two and that an autopsy was planned.

Ted Denny, spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, said Saturday that the deaths were “suspicious.” He said emergency medical workers found drug paraphernalia, including needles and pipes, on the bus near the bodies.

Investigators identified the victims as Rosie Nix Adams, the 45-year-old stepdaughter of late singing legend Johnny Cash; and Jimmy Campbell, 40, a bluegrass fiddle player who performed and recorded in Nashville for more than a decade. …

Rosie Nix Adams’ mother died in May, and her stepfather, Johnny Cash, died last month. … Read full story

Related:
June Carter Cash
Johnny Cash

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Actor Fred Berry, best known as “Rerun” on the 1970s TV show “What’s Happening!!”, has died, his business manager said Wednesday. He was 52.

Arlene Thornton said the actor died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. She did not have any details on the cause of death. The Associated Press reported that Berry died of natural causes. The AP said the county coroner was investigating, but that Berry’s friends said he had been ill because of a recent stroke.

Berry played the jolly and rotund Freddie “Rerun” Stubbs on the sitcom, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. He was also part of the cast of “What’s Happening Now!”, an updated version of the show that aired in syndication from 1985 to 1988.

More recently, Berry played himself in this summer’s movie “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” and on an April episode of the NBC sitcom “Scrubs,” according to IMDb.com. … Read full obituary

Obit to come.

SAN MARINO, Calif. — Only 2 pounds at birth, Bill Shoemaker grew into a 95-pound horse racing giant. Known as “The Shoe” throughout his Hall of Fame career, the 4-foot-11 jockey was the perfect fit for great horses. His fame reached every corner of the racing world and beyond, making him one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.Shoemaker died in his sleep Sunday at his suburban home near Santa Anita racetrack, according to longtime friend and trainer Paddy Gallagher. He was 72.

Gallagher, an assistant during Shoemaker’s training career that ended in 1997, said doctors told him Shoemaker died of natural causes. Shoemaker, who won the Kentucky Derby four times, had been a quadriplegic since 1991. … Read full obituary