THEGAYUK

Tag: Obituary

All the latest breaking obituaries. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on obituaries.

  • Obituary: Film Maker, Producer and Actor Richard Attenborough

    Since the death of Richard Attenborough was announced yesterday, we have been reminded of the prolific work of this British theatrical and film genius, which scooped up endless awards over his very long career.

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  • Obituary: Dora Bryan

    The death of veteran actress Dora Bryan has been announced this week at the grand old age of 91 years old.

    This star of stage, screen and radio specialised in playing scatter-brained blondes and even though they were often small parts, she always managed to steal the scene.

    Her long and varied career saw her working alongside some of the greats in British entertainment. She was on Hancock’s Half Hour on radio, co-starred in British classic movies such as The Great St Trinians Train Robbery, and Carry On Sergeant appeared in numerous TV shows including The Last of The Summer Wine and Victoria Wood’s Dinner Ladies and she starred in the West End in shows like ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’.

    There was a serious side to her acting too and in 1962 she won a BAFTA Best Actress Award for her role in Tony Richardson’s gritty film A Taste Of Honey.

    To gay men, she was the complete epitome of camp and managed to be as outrageous as she could in all the great comic roles that came her way. None so more when towards the end of her career she played go to June Whitfield’s best friend in the Jennifer Saunders Absolutely Fabulous a role, which earned her another BAFTA Best Actress Nomination.

    This tiny woman was in her way, a legend, an Icon and a true star in the old-fashioned sense of the word. The world will be a sadder place now that she has gone.

  • RIP: Gore Vidal (1925 – 2012)

    Gore Vidal, the great American essayist, scriptwriter, novelist, politician and actor died on Wednesday aged 86.

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  • RIP: Donna Summer Defining Diva

    Controversy aside, Donna Summer is one of the undisputed disco divas to grace the earth.

    Donna Summer died on the 17th May 2012, Key West, Florida following a battle with cancer.

    Although seen as a gay icon, Summer’s career took a blow when in the mid 80’s reports of alleged anti-gay remarks regarding AIDS which resulted in a significantly negative effect on her career. It is alleged that she said that AIDS was a punishment from God for the immoral lifestyles of homosexuals.(1)(2) Summers denied that she ever made such a comment and in a letter to ACT UP (an AIDS campaign group) in 1989 she said that it was:

    “a terrible misunderstanding. I was unknowingly protected by those around me from the bad press and hate letters… If I have caused you pain, forgive me.”

    Also in 1989, Summer told The Advocate magazine that:

    “A couple of the people I write with are gay, and they have been ever since I met them. What people want to do with their bodies is their personal preference.” (3)

    In 1991 Summers filed a lawsuit against NEW YORK magazine when it reprinted the rumours as fact.

    However Donna’s lasting legacy is her infectious, upbeat and downright catchy tunes, which has had this writer dancing round his man-bag at many a disco.