Keeping the "They Come in Threes" Myth Going....

Category:  News/Obituary

There's a popular myth that celebrity deaths tend to come in threes.  That seemed to have some validity on Sunday (12/15), when the deaths of three actors were announced.

Peter O'Toole:  His roles were vast, from the title roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Goodbye Mr. Chips to the swashbuckling Errol Flynn-like character in My Favorite Year, O'Toole's real-life escapades were more extravagant than any fictional creation he portrayed on screen.  He was famous for being a wild man offstage, although heart surgery in the 1970's forced him to quit drinking.  He only retired from acting last year.  An eight-time Oscar nominee, his only statue was an honorary one.  He died December 14th after a long illness at the age of 81.

Tom Laughlin:  Although Tom Laughlin had a long list of credits as a character actor in the 1950's and 60's it was the half-Indian Green Beret character he created, Billy Jack, that is his legacy.  He wrote and starred in four installments of the "Billy Jack" series (which co-starred his wife, Delores Taylor).  Laughlin had been in poor health for years, having endured prostate and tongue cancers and a series of strokes.  He died December 12th at the age of 82.

Joan Fontaine:  the sister of of Olivia deHavilland, Joan Fontaine had the distinction of being the only female performer to ever win an Oscar for an Alfred Hitchcock film (Suspicion, 1941).  She and deHavilland are the only pair of sister to be Oscar winners.  Fontaine died of natural causes in her California home at the age of 96.

Farewell to these three who have brought many happy moments to many fans.