Three gone, and a surprising forth

We lost three more from the world of film last week. One, a woman who was one of the top post World War II stars of her era, another, the nephew of Walt Disney, and a driving force in keeping the company on track. Then, among his many film rolls, a man who will perhaps forever be remembered for his role in George Pal's "War Of The Worlds".

Even though I was very aware of Jennifer Jones film career, my first introduction came with her final screen role as Lisolette Muller in "The Towering Inferno". Later I would discover some of the earlier movies that made her famous, like "The Song of Bernadette", which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Never shying away from strong woman's roles, she set herself apart from others of her time.

Roy E. Disney was the nephew of Walt Disney, and had a hand in bringing down CEO's Ronald Miller and Michael Esner during two bitter 'save-Disney' disputes over the direction the Disney Company was taking at the time. Never one to rise above the 'powers that be', Roy only reared his family's head when something seemed to betray what his uncle stood for. It's hard now to imagine the Walt Disney Company without the influence of one of Walt's siblings or relatives. However, Roy's endurance is one of the true legacies of the Disney empire.

Gene Barry's career spanned movies and television. "The Name of the Game" and Burke's Law" were staples of prime time TV, and of course there's his iconic turn in the classic "War Of the Worlds". But the one thing I was surprised to learn was where he'd been living since early this past summer...and where he eventually died; The Sunrise Senior Living right here in Woodland Hills. Just seven blocks from where I live. I grew up with "War Of The Worlds", and it made me stop and contemplate the place where he passed a bit more reverendly. I actually drive by there just about every day on the freeway.

Probably the most surprising death was Brittany Murphy's. She was only 32 and died from cardiac arrest....32! The precise cause of the arrest is still being determined, but I am still so surprised that this happened to someone who seemed so healthy and on the right path in her life and career. Aside from various recurring roles on television and starring in such films as "Clueless", "Girl, Interrupted", "Don't Say a Word", and "8 Mile", she also sang on Paul Oakenfold's track "Faster Kill Pussycat", a favorite of mine.

Click on the individual photos to read their obituaries.