Questions and Answers about
Notable Deaths
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Who directed the 1985 cinematic gem, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”?
Answer: Tim Burton directed “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” in 1985. This was before he became the go-to guy for all things delightfully macabre, like “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” and the recent Netflix series “Wednesday.” Sadly, Paul Reubens, who brought Pee-wee Herman to life, passed away on July 31, 2023, after a private battle with cancer.
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in HistoryAt what age did influential and controversial diplomat Henry Kissinger die?
Answer: Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in 20th-century diplomacy. died at age 100 on Nov. 29, 2023. Born on May 27, 1923, in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany, Kissinger’s life was a century-spanning saga that saw him flee Nazi persecution as a teenager, serve in the US Army during World War II, and rise to become one…
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in AnimalsWho was the world’s first cloned mammal?
Answer: [caption id="attachment_81564" align="alignright" width="220"]lt;img class=”size-medium wp-image-81564″ src=”https://HowSmart.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-Ian-Wilmut-The-New-York-Times-YouTube-2023-09-12-172841_edited-e1694676044655-220×91.jpg” alt=”Ian Wilmut” width=”220″ height=”91″ / Screenshot: The New York Times YouTube Channel[/caption]_x000D__x000D_Born in 1996 and announced in 1997. Dolly, the sheep, was the world’s first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Sir Ian Wilmut, the mastermind behind this groundbreaking achievement. died on Sept. 10, 2023. Wilmut was…
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in Classic RockWhich band belted out the iconic tune “All Star” in the late ’90s?
Answer: The catchy tune “All Star” that had us all humming, “Hey now, you’re an all star,” was the masterpiece of the band Smash Mouth. This Grammy-nominated pop rock band. led by Steve Harwell, made waves in the late ’90s and early 2000s with hits like “Walkin’ on the Sun.” Sadly, the music world recently…
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in Classic RockWhich beach-loving singer had ‘Parrot Heads’ flocking to his tours?
Answer: The sun-soaked Jimmy Buffett had fans so devoted they even had a name – Parrot Heads! With hits like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” who wouldn’t want to be part of that flock? Sadly, on Sept. 1, 2023, Jimmy flew off to the big beach in the sky. He died at 76 of Merkel…
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in PoliticsWhat did Russian President Putin say about Yevgeny Prigozhin after his death?
Answer: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head honcho of the Russian mercenary Wagner force and the failed June 2023 rebellion, often dubbed “Putin’s chef,” met his untimely end in a plane crash on August 23, 2023. Following the event, President Vladimir Putin, in a rare display of culinary critique, described Prigozhin as an adept entrepreneur who navigated…
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in Classic RockWhose photo did Sinéad O’Connor tear up on live TV in 1992?
Answer: O’Connor protested against sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, but many viewers were outraged by her gesture and boycotted her music. She was also banned for life by NBC, the network that aired Saturday Night Live, where she performed the stunt. O’Connor converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat in 2018.…
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What is the Birkin Bag?
Answer: The Birkin Bag is one of the world’s most coveted and expensive handbags. created by French luxury house Hermès. It was named after British actress and singer Jane Birkin, who died on July 17, 2023, at 76. Birkin sketched the bag design in 1984 on an airplane sickness bag while sitting beside Jean-Louis Dumas,…
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Which of these unforgettable appearances did NOT earn the late Alan Arkin an Oscar nomination?
Answer: Alan Arkin’s performance as George Aaronow in Glengarry Glen Ross was memorable but did not award him an Oscar. He died on June 29, 2023, at 89. Arkin won an Oscar in 2006 for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine, for which he also won the BAFTA award, and was nominated for three other…
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in booksWhich of these authors did Stephen King call “maybe the greatest American novelist of my time”?
Answer: Cormac McCarthy was a celebrated US novelist who wrote acclaimed books such as The Road, No Country for Old Men, and Blood Meridian. He died of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on June 13, 2023, at 89. Stephen King tweeted his tribute to McCarthy. calling him “maybe the greatest…
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What was the name of the hippie leader played by Treat Williams in the 1979 musical film Hair?
Answer: Treat Williams starred as George Berger, a charismatic hippie, in the film, directed by Milos Forman and based on the Broadway musical Hair. Some of his other notable appearances include Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, Deep Rising, and TV’s Everwood. Williams died on June 13, 2023, at 71, after a motorcycle…
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in PoliticsHow many times did Silvio Berlusconi, the scandalous billionaire and media mogul, serve as Italy’s prime minister?
Answer: Silvio Berlusconi was Italy’s longest-serving postwar prime minister, serving three non-consecutive terms: 1994-1995, 2001-2006, and 2008-2011. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, controversial policies, and numerous legal troubles. In 2013, he was found guilty of tax fraud in a case involving his media empire. He was sentenced to four years in prison, later…
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in Classic RockHow old was Tina Turner when she recorded her first solo album?
Answer: Tina Turner was 44 when she released her first solo album. “Private Dancer” in 1984. The album sold five million copies and launched her tour career, which made her a worldwide phenomenon. At the 1985 Grammys. the album won her three awards for “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and a fourth award…
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in SportsWhere did soccer legend Pelé end up after kicking his last bucket?
Answer: Pelé, who won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 goals in his career. died on Dec. 29, 2022, at 82. His body was placed in a golden casket and laid to rest in a mausoleum in Santos, where he played most of his club soccer._x000D__x000D_
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in TVJerry Springer hosted which prime-time competition?
Answer: Jerry Springer, who died on Apr. 27, 2023, at 79, hosted America’s Got Talent for two seasons, from 2007 to 2008. He replaced Regis Philbin, who hosted the first season and was succeeded by Nick Cannon, who hosted from 2009 to 2016. Springer was best known for his scandalous daytime talk show, which ran…
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What is the birthplace of Barry Humphries, the comedy genius who created Dame Edna Everage?
Answer: Barry Humphries was born in Melbourne, Australia, on February 17, 1934. He created the character of Dame Edna Everage, a condescending and snobbish housewife in the mid-50s. Humphries died on April 22, 2023, at 89, in a Sydney hospital due to complications following hip surgery._x000D__x000D_
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in TVWhich of these TV shows did NOT have Lance Reddick in a notable role?
Answer: Reddick played the multi-skilled Continental Hotel concierge Charon in Lionsgate’s “John Wick” movies, including the fourth in the series that releases later in March 2023. He starred on the Fox series “Fringe” as special agent Phillip Broyles, the smartly dressed Matthew Abaddon on “Lost,” played recurring roles on “Intelligence” and “American Horror Story,” and…
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in Classic RockWho sang Sweet Home Alabama, the 1974 southern rock anthem that dissed Neil Young?
Answer: “Sweet Home, Alabama” was written by Gary Rossington, Ed King, and Ronnie Van Zant, who was the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd and died in a plane crash in 1977. The song was a response to Neil Young’s songs Southern Man and Alabama, which criticized the South for its history of slavery and segregation.…
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in Classic TVWhat TV show originated Detective John Munch’s character?
Answer: NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street premiered in 1993, with Richard Belzer playing John Munch. In 1999, after Homicide was canceled. Belzer was offered a regular role on the Law Order spinoff Special Victims Unit. Munch has appeared in ten series on five networks. He retired after his 22nd season, making him the second…
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What was Gina Lollobrigida’s first English-language movie?
Answer: One of the post-World War II era’s first major European sex symbols. Gina Lollobrigida, died on Jan. 16, 2023, in Rome, at 95. Lollobrigida’s first English-language movie was John Huston’s 1953 camp drama, “Beat the Devil,” in which she played Humphrey Bogart’s wife and partner in crime. Lollobrigida also had a diverse second career…
