Notable Deaths in January 2023
Who Died Recently
January 30, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Bobby Hull, 84
(January 3, 1939 – January 30, 2023)
Canadian Hall of Fame ice hockey player (Chicago Blackhawks), Stanley Cup champion (1961).
Cause of death: unknown.
Bobby Hull, a 12-time All-Star and two-time Hart Trophy winner who was also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away on Monday, the Chicago Blackhawks reported. He was 84.
Hull, who was dubbed the Golden Jet during his playing career due to his lightning-quick skating and blond hair, won the hearts of Chicagoans when he teamed up with Stan Mikita to help the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961, breaking a 23-year title drought. He spent 15 seasons with Chicago, where he now holds the record for the most goals scored in a career (604).
He shared the ice with his brother Dennis, a Blackhawks goal scorer with 298 goals, for eight of those seasons.Bobby Hull won the NHL scoring championship for the third time in his career in 1964-65 and 1965-66, earning back-to-back Hart Memorial Trophies as the league's most valuable player.
Hull departed the Blackhawks and the NHL in 1972 to sign the first $1 million contract in professional hockey history (10 years, $1.75 million), and he became a player/coach for the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. He played seven seasons in the WHA after helping the Jets win the Avco Cup in 1976 and 1978.
He won two Gordie Howe Trophies for being the league's most valuable player in 1972-73 and 1974-75, the latter of which included a career-high 77 goals. Hull was admitted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
His son Brett is also a member; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 after a 19-season career during which he scored 741 goals. Bobby and Brett Hull are the only father-son duo to have each taken home the Hart Trophy. They were also the only father and son to be included in the top 100 NHL players for 2017.
January 29, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Annie Wersching, 45
(March 28, 1977 – January 29, 2023)
American actress (24, The Last of Us, Runaways).
Cause of death: cancer.
Annie Wersching, well known for her roles as FBI agent Renee Walker in "24" and as Tess in the video game "The Last of Us," has died. She was 45 years old. Wersching died Sunday morning in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer, according to her spokesperson.
The cancer kind was not disclosed. Wershing was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, yet he still worked. Wersching, who was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, appeared on dozens of television series over her two-decade career.Her debut appearance was in "Star Trek: Enterprise," and she later had recurring parts as the Borg Queen in the second season of "Star Trek: Picard," the seventh and eighth seasons of "24," "Bosch,"
"The Vampire Diaries," and Marvel's "Runaways." Additionally, she performed Tess' voice and motion capture for the well-known video game "The Last of Us." She is survived by her three boys and her actor spouse Stephen Full. On Sunday, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help the family.
January 19, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
David Crosby, 81
(August 14, 1941 – January 19, 2023)
American singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
Cause of death: "long illness."
Legendary US musician David Crosby passed away at age 81 after a "long illness."
The singer, guitarist, and composer was a founding member of the Byrds and appeared on all five of their studio albums, including the 1965 number-one Bob Dylan version of Mr. Tambourine Man. In addition, he co-founded Crosby, Stills & Nash with fellow artists Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.
Later, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young was included in the program. Floyd Crosby's son David dropped out of school in Los Angeles and chose to pursue a career in music, becoming an Oscar-winning cinematographer.Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964, but he was let go from the band three years later.
In 1968, when Crosby and Stills first met, they started working together on music. Soon after, Graham Nash joined them to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, whose first two albums—1969's Déjà Vu, which they co-wrote with Neil Young, and 1970's self-titled debut—went on to sell millions of copies. Crosby's first solo album, If I Could Only Remember My Name, was released in 1971.
He released a couple more solo albums in the 1980s and 1990s before taking a 20-year gap and releasing five more albums since 2014.
In 1983, Crosby was adjudged guilty of possessing both cocaine and a loaded firearm. He left California for Florida after being granted bail and turned himself into police in December 1985.
He completed five months of his five-year sentence before being granted release. Crosby contributed to five of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, according to Rolling Stone, and he was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
January 16, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Gina Lollobrigida, 95
(4 July 1927 – 16 January 2023)
Italian actress (Bread, Love and Dreams, The Wayward Wife), one of the most beautiful women of all time.
Cause of death: natural causes.
Gina Lollobrigida, an Italian actress, died at the age of 96, according to the news agency ANSA. Lollobrigida rose to prominence in the 1950s as a Mediterranean sex symbol, and after leaving the film industry, she worked as a photographer and sculptor.
Lollobrigida, who was born on July 4, 1927, to a modest family in the small village of Subiaco in the mountainous region of Abruzzo in central Italy, worked with the world's greatest actors, including Frank Sinatra, Sean Connery, Marcello Mastroianni, and Humphrey Bogart.
Lollobrigida has appeared in numerous European and American films since the 1950s, including "The Romans", "A Dog's Life", "Trapeze", "The Ringer of Notre Dame" and "Outsmarting the Devil".
Lollobrigida co-starred in the latter with Humphrey Bogart. "She makes Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple," the legendary Bogie said at the time. She returned to Italy after a successful career in Hollywood and only appeared on film and television on occasion.
"La Lollo" then returns to her first artistic loves, photography, and sculpture, to which she completely devoted herself in the early 1980s.
Gina was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame five years ago.
Gina has received attention in recent years as a result of her court case with her son Milko. The issue arose when Milko accused his mother's 35-year-old assistant, Andrea Piazzolla, of defrauding Gina and obtained a court ruling limiting Gina's use of her money for necessities.
January 13, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Robbie Knievel, 60
(May 7, 1962 – January 13, 2023)
American daredevil and stuntman.
Cause of death: pancreatic cancer.
Daredevil Robbie Knievel, 60, died on Friday morning after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Knievel died while under hospice care, according to a family member. Robbie Knievel, the son of famed daredevil Evel Knievel, was a professional daredevil.
Born on May 7, 1962, in Butte, Montana, he grew up in the shadow of his father, who was one of the most famous and successful daredevils of all time. Robbie followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a professional daredevil in his own right.
He began performing stunts in the 1980s, quickly establishing himself as a skilled and daring performer. He performed many death-defying stunts, including jumping over cars, and buses and even jumping over the Grand Canyon. Robbie also set several world records, including the longest motorcycle jump in history, which he accomplished by jumping over 350 feet.
He also set the record for the most motorcycles jumped over in one jump, by jumping over 20 motorcycles. He was known for his fearless attitude and his ability to push the boundaries of what was considered possible. He performed stunts all over the world, from Las Vegas to London, and his shows were always sold out.
In addition to performing stunts, Robbie also devoted a lot of time and energy to charity work. He was a strong supporter of children's charities and was involved in many fundraising events. He also used his platform as a daredevil to raise awareness for various causes, such as animal welfare and conservation.
Robbie also made several appearances in films and television shows, including "Viva Knievel!" and "Robbie Knievel: The Evel Spirit."
Despite the dangerous nature of his profession, Robbie was a devoted family man and was married to his wife, Cindy, for over 30 years. He had two children, Robbie Jr., and Krysten.
January 12, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Lisa Marie Presley, 54
(February 1, 1968 – January 12, 2023
American singer-songwriter ("Lights Out")
Cause of death: cardiac arrest.
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer whose blues-tinged voice was heard on three albums, passed away on Thursday at the age of 54.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Presley experienced a heart arrest at her Calabasas residence. Just a few days prior to the incident, Presley and her mother, Priscilla, were present at the Golden Globes, where Austin Butler, who played Elvis in the biography about the musician, won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama. Butler remarked in his acceptance speech, "Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever."
Born on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, she was raised in the spotlight as the daughter of one of the most famous musicians of all time. Despite her famous parents, Lisa Marie had a tumultuous childhood, marked by the 1977 death of her father and her parents' divorce in 1973.
As an adult, Lisa Marie stepped out of her famous father's shadow and established herself as a musician in her own right. She released her debut album, "To Whom It May Concern," in 2003, which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 chart.
She went on to release three more albums, "Now What" in 2005, "Storm & Grace" in 2012, and "Love Songs for the Living Dead" in 2020. Lisa Marie also had a successful acting career, with appearances in films such as "The People vs. Larry Flint" and "CSI: Miami."
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Lisa Marie was also known for her philanthropy. She was a vocal advocate for children's rights and animal welfare, and actively supported numerous charitable organizations.
Lisa Marie was married four times, twice to musician Danny Keough, and later to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage. She had two children, Riley, and Benjamin Keough.
January 11, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Ben Masters, 75
(May 6, 1947 – January 11, 2023)
American actor (Passions, All That Jazz, HeartBeat).
Cause of death: COVID-19.
Ben Masters, who played Julian Crane on NBC's Passions from 1999 to 2008, died Wednesday in Palm Springs, California. He was 75.
Masters had dementia for several years, according to his representatives, and COVID was reported as his official cause of death.
Ben Masters was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1942. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied acting and theater. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He began his career on stage, performing in various off-Broadway productions.
In the late 1970s, Masters made his film debut with a small role in the movie "Rollercoaster". He quickly landed more film roles throughout the 70s and 80s, including "The Great Santini" and "The Great Smokey Roadblock". He also began to appear on television, with guest appearances on shows like "Kojak" and "The Jeffersons".
In the 1980s and 1990s, Masters' career took off, with a string of successful film and television roles. He appeared in films like "Silverado" and "The Last of the Finest", and he had a recurring role on the television series "Picket Fences".
He also made guest appearances on popular shows like "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue". Throughout his career, Masters has also been active in theater. He has appeared in many stage productions, both on Broadway and off-Broadway. Some of his notable theater roles include appearances in productions of "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Death of a Salesman" and "Of Mice and Men". In addition to his acting career, He was also known for his political activism.
He was a vocal supporter of progressive causes and has been involved in various charitable organizations. He was also active in environmental causes.
Carole Cook, 98
(January 14, 1924 – January 11, 2023)
American actress (The Lucy Show, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Home on the Range).
Cause of death: heart failure.
Actress Carole Cook, whose lengthy career spanned more than 60 years in theater, television, and film, passed away at the age of 98.
Carole Cook was an accomplished American stage, film, and television actress who had a career spanning over six decades. Born on January 1st, 1924, she began her acting career in the late 1940s and quickly established herself as a talented and versatile performer.
Carole passed away on September 18th, 2021. Carole started her career in theater and made her Broadway debut in 1951 in the musical “Two’s Company”, she was praised by critics and audiences alike for her performance. She later appeared in productions of “The Pajama Game”, “The Gay Life”, and “A Very Rich Woman”.
Carole received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the 1962 musical “Tenderloin”, for which she was recognized for her skillful portrayal of the lead character. Throughout her career, Carole appeared in many stage productions, both on Broadway and in regional theater. She was known for her versatility as an actress, and for her ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles with ease. She was also a gifted singer and dancer, which often made her versatile enough for different productions.
She also had a successful career in film and television. She appeared in various films, such as “The Great Race” (1965), “The World of Henry Orient” (1964), and “Funny Lady” (1975). On television, she made guest appearances on popular series such as “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, and “The Golden Girls”.
Carole was well-respected by her peers and was known for her professionalism and dedication to her craft. She had an undeniable stage presence and was a gifted singer and dancer. Beyond her acting career, She was an active supporter of various charitable causes, including animal rights and children's health. Her generous spirit, passion, and energy made her an inspiration to many. Carole's passing is a great loss to the entertainment community, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew her and admired her work.
Tatjana Patitz, 56
(25 March 1966 – 11 January 2023)
German model and actress.
Cause of death: breast cancer.
Tatjana Patitz, one of the original 90s supermodels, has died aged 56. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Tatjana Patitz, one of the most iconic and recognizable faces of the 1990s supermodel era.
Tatjana was known for her striking beauty, unique look, and captivating presence, which helped to pave the way for a new generation of models. Tatjana was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1966, and began her modeling career in the mid-80s.
She quickly rose to prominence, gracing the pages of countless magazines and walking the runway for some of the biggest designers in the world. Her stunning looks, striking features, and distinct, statuesque figure helped her to stand out in a crowded field. She was part of the Elite Model Management agency, where she was signed in the mid-80s, from there Tatjana was able to launch her career to the top.
Tatjana's contributions to the fashion industry were many, and her impact was undeniable. She was known for her versatility, as she was able to seamlessly transition from high fashion to commercial and editorial work, and was considered one of the most sought-after models of her time.
She was not only modeling but also acting, she had small roles in movies like "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" and "Schtonk!" Tatjana's passing is a great loss to the fashion community, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew her and admired her work. She was more than a supermodel, she was a trailblazer, a true artist, and a beautiful human being.
Tatjana's light and legacy will always shine bright and her memory will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to have known her. Rest in Peace Tatjana Patitz.
January 5, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Earl Boen, 81
(August 8, 1941 – January 5, 2023)
American actor (Terminator, Monkey Island, Warcraft).
Cause of death: lung cancer.
Earl Boen, who played Terminator in Terminator 2 and Naked Gun 3, passed away of lung cancer in Hawaii. Boen began acting in the mid-1950s and worked on the stage with many repertory companies between 1965 and 1976 before coming to Hollywood. Aside from his most prominent appearance in Arnold Schwarzenegger's sci-fi film series, he also starred in Dolly Parton's 1980 screwball comedy 9 to 5, the 1996 drama Living in Peril, and the hit sitcom Seinfeld, among many others. On television, Boen played Rev. Lloyd Meechum in the 1980s sitcom Mama's Family.
Earl Boen participated in a variety of shows as a guest star, including Wonder Woman, Great Performances, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Streets of San Francisco, to name a few. Boen retired from film in 2003, but he continued to do voice work for radio, animated TV shows, and video games. Captain LeChuck from the "Monkey Island" video game series, Seor Senior Sr. from Kim Possible, and Mr. Bleakman from Clifford the Big Red Dog are some of his most well-known voiceovers. Boen married actress Carole Kean in 1970. She was 58 years old when she died of ovarian cancer on April 23, 2001.
Russell Pearce, 75
(June 23, 1947 – January 5, 2023)
American politician, member (2006–2011) president (2011) of the Arizona Senate, and author of the controversial SB1070 immigration bill.
Cause of death: fall.
Russell Pearce, a former Senate president and the author of the controversial immigration bill SB1070, passed away on January 5. He was 75.
He was born and reared in Arizona and served in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. He then spent 23 years as a deputy sheriff in Maricopa County. Pearce was first elected to the Texas House in 2000 and then to the Senate in 2006. Pearce drafted Arizona's contentious SB 1070 immigration bill, which limits when a police officer can inquire about someone's immigration status and only when there is a reasonable suspicion that they are an illegal immigrant.
After then-Governor Jan Brewer signed the measure, tens of thousands of people marched on the Capitol.
When the law was challenged by the administration of the late President Barack Obama, a federal court generally ruled it to be unconstitutional. Ultimately, the courts ruled that the law's demand that immigrants carry registration papers be enforced was unconstitutional.
Additionally, it prevented the execution of a rule that forbade immigrants from obstructing traffic when soliciting or accepting day labor on the streets. He held the position of Vice-Chair of the Arizona GOP before resigning in September 2014 due to criticism surrounding a eugenicist remark about forcing sterilization on low-income women receiving Medicaid.
Quentin Williams, 39
(November 24, 1983 – January 5, 2023)
American politician, member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Cause of death: traffic collision.
Quentin Williams, a 39-year-old Middletown resident, and Democrat who had just been sworn in for a third term perished in the collision. Friends and coworkers were shocked to learn of his passing after just seeing the newly appointed co-chairman of the General Assembly's Labor and Public Employees Committee on the first day of the 2023 legislative session on Wednesday.
Williams worked as the charter school system's director of policy and advocacy for Excellence Community Schools in Stamford, Connecticut. Williams also served as Middletown, Connecticut city,'s treasurer.
Williams won 61% of the vote in 2018 compared to Republican rival Anthony Gennaro's 39%, earning him a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives. He won elections again in 2020 and 2022. State police reported that a rising political star from Connecticut who was returning home after the governor's inauguration event when a wrong-way motorist struck his car head-on in the early morning hours of Thursday was slain.
A second driver also passed away. Just after 2:30 a.m., a car traveling the wrong way struck Williams head-on on Route 9 in Cromwell as he was traveling south toward Middletown, according to state police.
According to authorities, his car then burst into flames. Cromwell is located about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) south of Hartford, which hosted the governor's inaugural ball. The wrong-way motorist was identified as Kimede Mustafa, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, who also perished in the crash.
There were no other persons present. Williams hoped to run for higher office in the future; he previously served as co-chairman of the legislature's Housing Committee. The governor has ordered that state flags be lowered immediately and that they remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has yet to be established.
January 3, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
James D. Brubaker, 85
(March 30, 1937 – January 3, 2023)
American film producer (Rocky, The Right Stuff, Gia).
Cause of death: multiple strokes.
James D. Brubaker, a producer on some of the comedians Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey's most successful films, as well as the high-profile astronaut thriller The Right Stuff, died today at his Beverly Hills home of complications from a series of strokes.
He was 85. Michael James Kelly, his stepson, died before him. Donations in his memory can be donated to streetlights.org, a non-profit organization that prepares young people from varied backgrounds for careers in film production.
Brubaker served in the Army and attended Cal State L.A. before obtaining a job as a driver for MGM. He was nicknamed "Bru" by his coworkers. As a Teamster, Brubaker got his start in the business by driving horses to John Wayne movie locations in Mexico. He also drove for the films "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Harold and Maude."
The veteran producer amassed 28 producing credits, including "A Walk in the Clouds" with Keanu Reeves, "Dragonfly" with Kevin Costner, and "Gia" with Angelina Jolie. for Eddie Murphy, including "Life," "The Nutty Professor," and "Klumps," as well as both "Liar, Liar," starring Jim Carrey, and "Liar, Liar" and "Bruce Almighty." He sat on the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and belonged to the Producers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Brubaker also spoke at UCLA and USC film schools and gave disadvantaged children training chances on his film sets.
Brubaker was intimately involved with the Rocky picture trilogy, having worked as a driver on the first chapter in 1976, as a production manager on Rocky II in 1979, and as an Associate Producer on the third in 1982. In 1985, he executive produced Rocky IV. Brubaker previously worked with Stallone as an associate producer on 1984's Rhinestone and as an executive producer on 1986's Cobra.
Three films featuring Murphy were produced or co-produced by Brubaker (The Nutty Professor, 1996; Life, 1999; and The Klumps, 2000). His two features with Carrey were 1997's Liar Liar and 2003's Bruce Almighty.
Walter Cunningham, 90
(March 16, 1932 – January 3, 2023)
American astronaut, the last surviving member of the Apollo 7 crew.
Cause of death: complications from a fall.
Walter Cunningham, a former NASA astronaut best known for piloting the Apollo 7 mission in October 1968, passed away as a result of complications from a fall. He was 90.
The Apollo 7 launch followed a tough period for NASA. A fire on the launchpad killed three astronauts during an Apollo 1 test just 21 months before. NASA modified several processes in the interval, and the command module underwent a series of safety enhancements. Cunningham retired from NASA in 1971 after working as a manager for Skylab, the United States space station.
He retired as a colonel from the Marine Corps Reserve and attended Harvard Business School, dabbling in startup finance. He also hosted his own radio show. Cunningham was a physicist who became well-known for his skepticism about climate change, claiming that humans are not responsible for rising global temperatures.
Cunningham was born in Creston, Iowa, on March 16, 1932. He graduated from Venice High School in Los Angeles, California, in 1950. After graduating from high school, Cunningham attended Santa Monica College until 1951, when he joined the United States Navy and began aviation training. He was an active duty fighter pilot with the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956, flying 54 missions as a night fighter pilot in Korea.
When Cunningham first sailed for Korea, armistice talks were still ongoing, and the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed just before he arrived. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1956 to 1975, eventually retiring as a colonel.
Cunningham joined NASA as part of the agency's third astronaut class in 1963. He had been allocated to Apollo 2, but the mission was canceled due to a launchpad fire that killed the Apollo 1 crew. Between October 11 and October 22, 1968, Apollo 7 was in Earth's orbit. The mission was a success in general; the crew sent the first live television transmissions from orbit.
Frank Galati, 79
(November 29, 1943 – January 3, 2023)
American theatre director Tony winner (1990) and actor.
Cause of death: still unknown at this time.
Frank Galati, Tony Award-winning director, writer, actor, Steppenwolf Theatre Company member, and Goodman Theatre associate director, passed away on Monday night at the age of 79. The cause of death was not immediately determined.
Galati, who was born in 1943, had retired to Florida with his wife Peter Amster, although he had scarcely taken a vacation from a career in which he claimed to be the most important Chicago theater artist the city had ever seen. He taught at the University of South Florida (Tampa, Florida) before graduating from Northwestern with a master's degree in speech in 1966 and a doctorate in interpretation in 1971.
During this time, he directed and appeared in a number of plays. Frank Galati received an Academy Award nomination for his script for "The Accidental Tourist" in 1989. His version of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," which starred Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney, John C. Reilly, and others, premiered at Steppenwolf in 1998 and then transferred to Broadway.
Galati received a Tony Award for it in 1990, and he likely accomplished more than any other single production to expose the globe to the tremendous skills of Chicago theater at the time. Galati also co-wrote "Boss," a musical parody of Richard J. Daley based on the book by late Tribune columnist Mike Royko, and directed the Broadway shows "Suessical the Musical" and "The Pirate Queen".
"Knoxville," her final show, was a new musical written by his friends and collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the writers of "Ragtime." It was a smash hit at Sarasota's Asolo Repertory Theater. "As I Lay Dying" in 1995, "After the Quake" in 2005, Doctorow's "The March" in 2012, "The Herd" in 2015, and the world premiere of John Kander and Fred Ebb's "The Visit" at the Goodman in 2001 are among his neglected Chicago works. In 2004, Galati was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
The new musical "Knoxville," written by her collaborators and friends Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the creators of "Ragtime," was her last performance. The Sarasota, Florida, Asolo Repertory Theater saw great success with it.
In addition to "As I Lay Dying" in 1995, "After the Quake" in 2005, Doctorow's "The March" in 2012, "The Herd" in 2015, and the world premiere of John Kander and Fred Ebb's "The Visit" at the Goodman in 2001, he also wrote several other works that are no longer performed in Chicago. In 2004, Galati was honored with a spot in the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
January 2, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Ken Block, 55
(November 21, 1967 – January 2, 2023)
American rally driver (World RX, Rally America, Global Rallycross), co-founder of DC Shoes.
Cause of death: snowmobile accident.
The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office in Utah confirmed Block's death in a Facebook post. At around 2:00 p.m., Block was riding on a steep hill in the Mill Hollow region west of Woodland, Utah, when his snowmobile "upended, landing on top of him," according to authorities.
Block was traveling with a group but was alone when the event occurred. He was declared dead at the site. Block raced in motocross and skateboarding in addition to rally vehicles. Block was a co-founder of DC Shoes, which specializes in footwear for extreme sports and in which the Californian had previously competed.
From 2005 to 2014, Ken Block won 16 Rally America races and earned five X Games medals. From 2006 through 2008, Block finished third, second, and third in Rallycross at the X Games. He's also one of only a few Americans to have earned World Rally Championship points.
In 2010, he founded the Monster World Rally Team, afterward dubbed the 'Hoonigan Racing Division,' before departing Ford in 2021 and returning to Subaru. Following connections with Ford and Subaru throughout his career, he negotiated an agreement with Audi in the fall to help market the automaker's electric vehicles.
While his success in motorsports was important, it was his embrace of social media that catapulted him to stardom. Block's feats became renowned, and recordings of him driving predominantly Fords over various obstacle courses went popular on the internet.
Block's YouTube channel has approximately 2 million subscribers, and he has over 7 million Instagram followers. His Gymkhana video series has some of the most popular motorsports videos on the internet.
Cliff Gustafson, 91
(February 12, 1931 – January 2, 2023)
American baseball coach (Texas Longhorns).
Cause of death: congestive heart failure.
Cliff Gustafson, longtime Texas baseball coach, died on Monday at the age of 91. He led the Longhorns to two national championships and over two dozen conference titles in 29 seasons.
Gustafson was a member of the Longhorns' College World Series-bound team in 1952. He returned as head coach in 1968 and stayed until 1996. He concluded his career with a 1,466-377 record. Gustafson has a lifetime winning percentage.792, ranking him second among all Division I coaches. When he retired, he had the most victories in college baseball history, with 1,466 to his credit.
Gustafson has a 1,466-377 record in 29 seasons as head coach between 1968 and 1996 while winning national titles in 1975 and 1983. Additionally, he participated in the College World Series a record 17 times. He was elected into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 1983 and is also a member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.
Gustafson coached 133 All-Southwest Conference players, nine SWC Players of the Year, six Academic All-Americans, 35 first-team All-Americans, 12 second-team All-Americans, and nine third-team All-Americans, as well as multiple MLB Draft picks. Gustafson, who was named National Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1983, was second all-time in the College World Series with 44 victories.
January1, 2023
NOTABLE deaths
Gangsta Boo, 43
(August 7, 1979 – January 1, 2023)
American rapper (Three 6 Mafia).
Cause of death: still unknown at this time.
Gangsta Boo (born Lola Chantrelle Mitchell), a pioneering Memphis rapper and Three 6 Mafia member, has died. Fellow Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul confirmed her death on January 1, 2023, by posting a photo of Gangsta Boo to his Instagram account. She was discovered dead on her doorstep, but no cause of death has been determined. According to Fox13 Memphis, her body was discovered at 4 p.m. local time. She was 43 years old.
Lola Chantrelle Mitchell was born on August 7, 1979, in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. Boo began rapping when he was just 14 years old.
Enquiring Minds, Boo's first solo album, was released in 1998 and peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list and number 46 on the Billboard 200. The album included the unexpected success Where Dem Dollas At!? Boo's second album, Both Worlds *69, was released in 2001 and peaked at number eight on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart and number 29 on the Billboard 200.
Enquiring Minds II: The Soap Opera, her third album, was released in 2003. The album charted at number 53 on R&B/Hip-Hop and number 24 on Independent Albums.
She became a member of the Three 6 Mafia spin-off group Da Mafia 6ix and was heavily featured on their debut mixtape 6ix Commandments. She left the band in 2002 for a variety of reasons, including financial mismanagement, creative differences, and the desire to pursue a solo career.
She launched a successful solo career that included multiple songs and collaborations with well-known artists such as Juicy J, Outkast, and French Montana, among others. When Gangsta Boo wasn't in the studio, she was frequently seen updating her over 259,000 Instagram followers on her life.
