R. I. P.

[billyS]

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman died, aged 76. Foreman, known as Big George in the ring, competed for decades starting in the 1960s, winning gold at the Olympics and numerous title belts, including the world heavyweight title twice.

He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in their famous Rumble in the Jungle fight in 1974. But his professional boxing career boasted 68 knock outs, almost double that of Ali. He lost five bouts over his career.

Foreman won his first world heavyweight championship in 1973 then did it again in 1994 when he was 45. He retired from the sport in 1997.

My lasting image of him was at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. He was an underdog but he gave some Russian dude a bloody nose, and at the height of the Cold War this was a feel good moment for Americans.

Even more so when he beat him and went on to win the Gold medal.

And then came that moment when he walked around the ring carrying a small American flag.

The country was in turmoil and two other black athletes had stirred a controversy that week by giving the Black power salute on the winners podium.

But here was George showing he was proud to be an American.

 

[headsup]

My lasting image of him was at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. He was an underdog but he gave some Russian dude a bloody nose, and at the height of the Cold War this was a feel good moment for Americans.

Even more so when he beat him and went on to win the Gold medal.

And then came that moment when he walked around the ring carrying a small American flag.

The country was in turmoil and two other black athletes had stirred a controversy that week by giving the Black power salute on the winners podium.

But here was George showing he was proud to be an American.

I remember when he was on the Johnny Carson show, and Johnny asked him if he thought his next opponent was tough and he said "I sure hope not". He had a sense of humor and you had to like him.

 

[Looking4head]

I’m must be younger than some of you. I never watched him fight in his prime. It was later in the 90s when I thought he really had no business in the ring.
That being said, for my generation, the Foreman grill was iconic!

 

[billyS]

I’m must be younger than some of you. I never watched him fight in his prime. It was later in the 90s when I thought he really had no business in the ring.
That being said, for my generation, the Foreman grill was iconic!

He had devastating power. When he took the heavyweight crown from Smokin Joe Frazier he literally lifted him off the ground with an upper cut.

 

[mugi]

His fight against Ron Lyle, fresh out of the Colorado State Penitentiary for murder is known as the greatest heavyweight slugfest in the history of the sport. It could have gone either way. No boxing skills were necessary. It was more like a bar room brawl. Both fighters hit the canvas. Back and forth nonstop war. Big George eventually caught Lyle in the corner with a barrage of 13 continuous unanswered punches as Lyle collapsed unable to answer the count.

In George’s second career as a God-fearing overweight grandpa preacher boxer, he faced the 26 year old Michael Moorer, a young stud boxer who defeated Evander Holyfield for the belt.

Moorer pretty mercilessly pounded Foreman for 10 rounds and was way ahead on points. Moorer’s trainer, Teddy Atlas (the one who put a loaded gun to the head of a young Mike Tyson and threatened to pull the trigger if he ever touched his sister) pleaded with his fighter, Moorer, to stay away from the injured desperate puffy-faced but still dangerous Foreman, especially since even if he lost the last two rounds to Foreman, he would still win the fight.

But, Michael Moorer didn’t listen, didn’t dance, and continued to stand toe-to-toe trading punches with BIG BAD OLD AND STILL MEAN GEORGE FOREMAN. And, battered George saw an opening in the tenth round and unleashed a devastating massive right sledgehammer to end the fight.

George Foreman immediately went to his corner and dropped to his knees in prayer. He regained the heavyweight title as the oldest heavyweight champion in the world at 45 years old.

BIG GEORGE FOREMAN, thank you, and Godspeed.

 

[trigger]

Richard Chamberlain, 90. Played Dr. Kildare. He was also in The Thornbirds and Shogun.

 

[Onebat]

Val Kilmer 4/1/25

 

[eros]

Val Kilmer 4/1/25

The iconic Doc Holiday from the movie Tombstone. I believe he was battling throat cancer for quite a while.

 

[MayorSimpleton]

The iconic Doc Holiday from the movie Tombstone. I believe he was battling throat cancer for quite a while.

Or one of his earliest roles as Chris Knight in Real Genius. Not probably remembered by many but I loved that movie.

 

[antwerp1701]

Val Kilmer 4/1/25

He was excellent as John Holmes in Wonderland.

 

[The Exiled]

The Iceman, RIP.

 

[trigger]

Batman Forever.

 

[headsup]

Val Kilmer 4/1/25

I can replay the scene where Doc Holiday wins the showdown with Johnny Ringo over and over. Val was a fine actor.

 

[Arichards9000]

I can replay the scene where Doc Holiday wins the showdown with Johnny Ringo over and over. Val was a fine actor.

I'm your huckleberry

 

[headsup]

I'm your huckleberry

Huckleberry is what became the word we hear, but the original word or term was huckle bearer.

A huckle is what a pallbearer grabs on a coffin, so saying you'll be someone's huckle bearer means you will carry their coffin.

Val called his memoir "I'm your Huckleberry" so he just went with it.

None of this has anything to do with Phil Rizzuto or Moon River I suppose.

 

[trigger]

Jay North, 73. Played Dennis the Menace. He died from colorectal cancer.

 

[billyS]

Jay North, 73. Played Dennis the Menace. He died from colorectal cancer.

He was only 73?

 

[mugi]

Jay North, 73. Played Dennis the Menace. He died from colorectal cancer.

As a youth, always wished i could have had Dennis the Menace’s life. The kid was beautiful. His home, the neighborhood, picture perfect. (except for cranky Mr. Wilson)
His dad was so balanced and happy. His mom — delicious.

Always thought “Dennis” had a far better life than “The Beaver,” (Beaver Cleaver). The Beaver always had issues. Dennis the Menace always wiggled his way out of everything. (likes Bugs Bunny) Always ready to take on life in his overalls with his slingshot in his back pocket. Delightful upbeat kid. Don’t think he did much after that series.

Great memories.

 

[trigger]

Octavia Dotel, 51. Pitcher for the Mets and Yankees and other MLB teams. Died because of a bar's roof collapsing in the Dominican Republic.

 

[genius]

As a youth, always wished i could have had Dennis the Menace’s life. The kid was beautiful. His home, the neighborhood, picture perfect. (except for cranky Mr. Wilson)
His dad was so balanced and happy. His mom — delicious.

Always thought “Dennis” had a far better life than “The Beaver,” (Beaver Cleaver). The Beaver always had issues. Dennis the Menace always wiggled his way out of everything. (likes Bugs Bunny) Always ready to take on life in his overalls with his slingshot in his back pocket. Delightful upbeat kid. Don’t think he did much after that series.

Great memories.

Alas he was a one trick pony. He couldn't get acting work after he aged out of his role as Dennis and the series ended.

Producers wouldn't hire him for other roles as all the saw was D-T-M.
Got so bad he joined the US Navy for a stint.