Notable Passings

...Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Famer for the Los Angeles Rams who was also known for his television roles, has died at the age of 69. Olsen suffered from mesothelioma. Click the title of this post for his obituary.

Olsen starred in the TV series LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and FATHER MURPHY. He's pictured here with his FATHER MURPHY costar, Katherine Cannon.

...Richard Stapley, who played John Brooke in the colorful 1949 MGM version of LITTLE WOMEN, has died at 86.

Stapley's first film role was a bit part in the Gene Kelly version of THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1948). He also acted at times under the name Richard Wyler.

...I'm just old enough to have vague memories of Willie Davis playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has passed away at the age of 69.

Over the years Davis struggled at times with personal issues off the field, but he leaves behind many great sports memories. He had a 31-game hitting streak in 1969, and he still holds Los Angeles Dodgers records for "for career hits (2091), runs (1004), triples (110), at bats (7495), total bases (3094) and extra base hits (585)."

...Silent film actress Dorothy Janis has passed away at 100.

Motion Picture Gems has a nice tribute to Janis, who appeared in five silent movies. Her best-known film was THE PAGAN (1929) with Ramon Navarro. She was the widow of bandleader Wayne King.