Search Results for: blog leona helmsley dies

Suzanne Pleshette Dies

While she will likely be best remembered as Bob Newhart’s raspy-voiced wife on “The Bob Newhart Show” I will never forget how hilarious Suzanne Pleshette was playing Karen’s mom Lois On “Will & Grace.” Too funny. Sadly those laughs have been silenced today, as news comes that Pleshette has died at age 70. According to Pleshette’s attorney and friend, the actress died of respiratory failure last night at her Los Angeles home. Pleshette underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer in 2006 and never quite regained her strength. Pleshette would have turned 71 on January 31st and by all accounts she led … Continue reading →

Jane Wyman Dies

One of my grandmother’s favorite actresses died this morning. Jane Wyman was an Oscar-winner and appeared in a host of big screen musicals and dramas. But, it was her stint on TV’s “Falcon Crest” that endeared her to my grandma. When I was growing up, every Friday night my grandma would have a date with Larry Hagman (on “Dallas”), immediately after seeing what devious dealings J.R. was plotting she would stay tuned for “Falcon Crest.” Whenever Wyman was on I’d hear my grandma say, “I like that lady.” I was never quite sure if she was referring to Wyman’s formidable … Continue reading →

Leona Helmsley’s $12 Million Bequest to Her Dog

As I often do when I eat breakfast, I watched the Today Show this morning. I tuned in right as Ann Curry interviewed a lady from Court TV about the late Leona Helmsley bequeathing $12 million to her Maltese, Trouble. I guess the big hoopla has to do with the fact that not only did she specifically not leave anything to two of her four grandchildren, but she either didn’t leave a dime to her 12 great-grandchildren or what she did leave was ridiculously small compared to the largest bequest she made –the $12 million to Trouble, who at eight-years-old … Continue reading →

Leona Helmsley Dies

Leona Helmsley died this morning in Connecticut. Better known as the “Queen of Mean” for the way she treated her employees, Helmsley reportedly died of heart failure. She was 87. According to her publicist, Helmsley was not in pain when she passed away at her summer home in Greenwich. Which is not to say that her life was void of suffering. The billionaire made headlines in the late 80s during her trial for tax evasion. That’s when she uttered the now infamous phrase: “Only little people pay taxes.” The line stuck with her for decades and made her a household … Continue reading →

Ending 2007 on a High Note

Who knew the death of Leona Helmsley would inspire good in others? In a previous blog I covered the passing of the “Queen of Mean,” which was followed by Courtney’s blog regarding Helmsely’s decision to bequeath $12 million of her fortune to her beloved pooches. The idea to bestow riches on four-legged loved ones seems to be catching on because now various newspapers are running headlines that tell of three Maryland dogs who just inherited a pretty penny. The canines – named Buckshot, Katie and Obu-Jet – inherited $400,000 and a house shortly after their owner died. All tolled the … Continue reading →

In Memoriam – Part 3

More celebrities and notables who died in 2007: Tammy Faye Bakker Messner – July 20 Tammy Faye was able to overcome the PTL scandal to become a loved talk show host, author, and reality television star. Tom Snyder – July 29 Tom practically invented the late night talk show genre with his popular “The Tomorrow Show.” He died at age 71 of leukemia. Merv Griffin – July 6 A television producer and entrepreneur, Merv’s career spanned over 60 years and included such hit game shows as “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” Brooke Astor – August 13 Brooke was a New … Continue reading →

Celebrity Milestones: Life and Death

LIFE “Shark” star Jeri Ryan is acquiring a ferocious appetite. Not, for underlings, but for greasy French fries and with good reason… The actress just announced that she is pregnant with her second child. Ryan wed French chef Christophe Emé in his hometown outside Angers, France less than three months ago and now the couple is preparing to add to their family. Ryan also has a 12-year-old son, Alex, from a previous relationship. According to her publicist, the 39-year-old actress is due in March 2008 and is “thrilled beyond words.” DEATH On a much sadder note actress Miyoshi Umeki, who … Continue reading →