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2023 Review: Entertainers in memoriam

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2023 Review: Entertainers in memoriam



The world said farewell to some iconic performers in 2023.

Here are some of the people from the entertainment industry we lost who made us laugh, sing, and create moments over the years.

BOB GOOD OUTLINES VISION TO PROMOTE ‘CONSERVATIVE CONSCIENCE’ AS NEW FREEDOM CAUCUS LEADER

Matthew Perry arrives at the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Party on Nov. 17, 2022, at the West Hollywood Edition in West Hollywood, California.

(Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

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MATTHEW PERRY

News of 54-year-old Friends actor Matthew Perry’s death shocked the world when he was found unresponsive in his hot tub and was pronounced dead in October. Fans and cast mates poured their tributes and favorite memories of the funny man who played the famous pop culture character of Chandler Bing.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the Friends cast said.

012218 Suzanne Somers likes Trump pic
Suzanne Somers said she’s happy about President Trump. She said it’s “very rare” for someone in Hollywood to compliment Trump. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jordan Strauss


SUZANNE SOMERS

Actress Suzanne Somers, best known for her role in Three’s Company, died in October at the age of 76. The actress and author of 24 books had spent decades advocating on the issues of beauty, aging, weight loss, fitness, and health amid her numerous battles with cancer. She was one of the first women to wage war in Hollywood over equal pay, and in her later years, she revealed her conservative politics. Remembrances from former President Donald Trump, comedian Adam Carolla, and others praised Somers in their tributes to the star.

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Jimmy Buffett in 2019

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

JIMMY BUFFETT

Americans paid tribute to the legendary “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett after his death in early September from Merkel cell skin cancer, an aggressive form of skin cancer. President Joe Biden called him “a poet of paradise” and “an American music icon.”

Buffett will be remembered for his unique music and his billion-dollar “Margaritaville” business enterprise that included casinos, resorts, three retirement communities, and a cruise line.

Steve Harwell
Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth is seen at KAABOO 2017 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in San Diego, Calif.

(Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)


STEVE HARWELL

Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died at age 56 after liver failure and being placed in hospice care. He retired from the band in October 2021 due to his health troubles, including Wernicke encephalopathy and cardiomyopathy. The Smash Mouth star was known for his several top Billboard chart pop-punk hits, including the songs “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star.”

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William Friedkin
Director William Friedkin poses for portraits after interviews for his film Killer Joe in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

Joel Ryan/ASSOCIATED PRESS

WILLIAM FRIEDKIN

Oscar-winning director William Friedkin, best known for his films The Exorcist and The French Connection, died in early August at the age of 87.

Paul Reubens, Pee wee Herman
Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, poses on stage after a performance of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

Charles Sykes/AP


PAUL REUBENS

Comedian and Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens died in July after suffering a six-year battle with cancer. When he passed, his family said the 70-year-old actor “delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness.”

O'Connor
Irish singer Sinead O’Connor is seen at the Grammy Awards at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Feb. 22, 1989. (AP Photo)

Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SINEAD O’CONNOR

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The talented and complicated Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died in July at 56. She was famous for her top music hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The song was No. 1 worldwide in 1990.

In the last year of her life, O’Connor canceled numerous live shows after losing her 17-year-old son Shane O’Connor who had died by suicide. O’Connor had signaled that she wanted never to perform again because there wasn’t “anything to sing about.” The singer had a history of struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Obit Tom Sizemore
FILE – Actor Tom Sizemore poses in New York, April 18, 2013. Sizemore, the “Saving Private Ryan” actor whose bright 1990s star burned out under the weight of his own domestic violence and drug convictions, died Friday, March 3, 2023, at age 61. (AP Photo/John Carucci, File)

John Carucci/AP


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TOM SIZEMORE

Actor Tom Sizemore, best known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, died in March after suffering a brain aneurysm.

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Iran warns Washington it will retaliate against any attack

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Iran warns Washington it will retaliate against any attack


DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Iran warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that any U.S. attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional U.S. military bases as “legitimate targets”, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told parliament.

Israel is on high alert for the possibility of a U.S. intervention to support a nationwide protest movement in Iran, sources said.

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Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by William Mallard

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Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics

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Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics


The Washington National Opera on Friday announced it is parting ways with the Kennedy Center after more than a decade with the arts institution.

“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement.

The decoupling marks another high-profile withdrawal since President Donald Trump and his newly installed board of trustees instituted broad thematic and cosmetic changes to the building, including renaming the facility “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”

The opera said it plans to “reduce its spring season and relocate performances to new venues.”

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A source familiar with the dynamic told CNN the decision to part ways was made by the opera’s board and its leadership, and that the decision was not mutual.

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said in a statement, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”

Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump’s hand-picked board, said on X, “Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and limiting in choice and variety.”

Grenell added, “Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart. And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”

Since taking the reins at the center, Grenell has cut existing staff, hired political allies and mandated a “break-even policy” for every performance.

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The opera said the new policy was a factor in its decision to leave the center.

“The Center’s new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance—a requirement incompatible with opera operations,” the opera said.

Francesca Zambello, the opera’s artistic director, said she is “deeply saddened to leave The Kennedy Center.”

“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and new ways of performing, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she said.

The New York Times first reported the opera’s departure.

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Founded in 1956 as the “Opera Society of Washington,” the group has performed across the district, taking permanent residency in the Kennedy Center in 2011.

The performing arts center has been hit with a string of abrupt cancellations from artists in recent weeks including the jazz group The Cookers and New York City-based dance company Doug Varone and Dancers who canceled their performances after Trump’s name was added to the center – a living memorial for assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

The American College Theater Festival voted to suspend its relationship with the Kennedy Center, calling the affiliation “no longer viable” and citing concerns over a misalignment of the group’s values.

American banjo player Béla Fleck withdrew his upcoming performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, saying that performing at the center has become “charged and political.”

The Brentano String Quartet, who canceled their February 1 performance at the Kennedy Center, said they will “regretfully forego performing there.”

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CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center on the additional cancellations.

The opera said, “The Board and management of the company wish the Center well in its own future endeavors.”

CNN’s Betsy Klein and Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.



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Andre Washington’s 20 points help Eastern Illinois take down Tennessee Tech 71-61

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Andre Washington’s 20 points help Eastern Illinois take down Tennessee Tech 71-61


CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Andre Washington had 20 points in Eastern Illinois’ 71-61 victory over Tennessee Tech on Thursday.

Washington shot 8 for 13, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Panthers (5-10, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Meechie White added 13 points and four steals. Kooper Jacobi finished with 11 points and added seven rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (6-10, 1-4) were led in scoring by Jah’Kim Payne, who finished with 11 points. Tennessee Tech also got 10 points from Mekhi Turner.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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