I caught some grief from a Bolognabrain reader recently about not doing a post on the death of Andy Griffith. I felt that loss personally although I can’t say why. I was raised with his show, his movies, his music and his comedy and I just couldn’t bring myself to write another farewell. Well, now enough time has passed and I can say goodbye to Andy and I will miss you. But other famous people have passed this week and I figured I would say goodbye to them as well.
Sally Ride was America’s first woman astronaut. As a lover of all things space, she was an inspiration for me. As it turns out, she is also the first astronaut to admit being gay. Although that revelation didn’t come out until her death, she remains an inspiration and a pioneer. She was 61.
Chad Everett has also passed this week at the age of 75. He was famous for his role in the 70’s television drama, Medical Center. I recall that show because my Grandma loved it but I remember him best on shows like The Love Boat and Murder She Wrote.
Sherman Hemsley passed away at the age of 74. Hemsley played George Jefferson for more than 10 years. To this day I can still do the George Jefferson walk. While he certainly wasn’t the first black actor on television, he was a pioneer. He was successful and often angry. That was a pretty unusual combination for a 70’s black television character but he was one of those people who could make me laugh without ever saying a word.
May all these individuals rest in peace. Whether it was science or making us laugh, may we remember the unique talents that gave them the special place they hold in our collective hearts.
