January 1 - June 30, 2025 : Most surprising death so far ?

Michelle Trahctenberg. She was so young and I had no idea she was so sick.

Patti Lupone’s career

Not the death itself, but the circumstances of the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were surprising. No one likes to think about the deceased decomposing for days before being discovered.

The United States of America

Jill Sobule maybe? So random. Gene Hackman was kind of bizarre, although he was old and had dementia, because of the circumstances with his wife having passed first from hantavirus.

Tim Kruger, the tall fit porn top.

Another vote for poor Jill Sobule, she was an upstairs-bedroom guest in the home that burned down with her inside it.

R4 watches too much MSNBC.

R7. Actually, I have stopped watching much TV at all. But I remain an informed political American citizen.

With the criminal Trump, the heartless Congress and Supreme Court MAGA hacks and uniformed Americans, democracy is dying despite trying to fight back. Republics don't last forever, and an incredible amount of damage is being done to the country. Perhaps the 2026 midterm elections will offer some hope.

Morris the Alligator diedin May of this year. He lived a full lifespan for a captive alligator--80 years old--much longer than alligators that live in the wild do. You might remember him for his superior acting in the film Happy Gilmore, although he had roles in other popular films.

Perhaps, in light of the soon-to-be-built Alligator Alcatraz, it is better that Morris has gone on to that great swamp in the sky, rather than suffer the indignity of his species being used as the symbol of that shameful enterprise.

I am including him on this thread to share Adam Sandler's touching tribute to him.

[Quote] Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers - really anyone with arms or legs - but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that’s who you were.

[Quote] I know your character’s decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.

A childhood friend just yesterday. Suddenly and without any recent illness. I am rather shell-shocked today.

Democracy

[quote]No one likes to think about the deceased decomposing for days before being discovered.

Tell me about it, r3.

[quote]The United States of America

That's hardly been a sudden thing, r4.

This is an obscure one, but I was surprised to read online of the death in March (from cancer) of Emilie Dequenne, who starred in a film directed by the Dardennes brothers called "Rosetta." I saw that film in zero-degree weather at the Angelika Theater in NYC in late 1999, at a time in life that was so dark and pivotal, I kind of imprinted on the film.

I hadn't thought of that film (or the talented star) in years until I read the online obit.

R3 I have to agree with you on that one. That was quite shocking / surprising.

R10 I'm sorry to hear this. I found out about a childhood friend this past weekend, as well (she passed on the 26th). She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer a few days after Easter, and didn't tell anyone but her sister, her husband and adult son. She put on a brave face in front of everyone the past eight weeks. Her sister posted on social media about her death on Saturday, shocking everyone. She was 63 - she would be turning 64 in a few weeks. I still can't bring myself to accept this. Tough times.