Loss of a Legend…Civil Rights Icon & Comedian, Dick Gregory, Has Passed…

Death rears its ugly head again, this time claiming one of the greatest men of the twentieth century, civil rights activist and comedian, Dick Gregory. He was 84.

The news was verified by The Hollywood Reporter.

Dick Gregory in 1966 before being arrested

“It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr. Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, D.C.,” his son, Christian Gregory said via a statement from his father’s rep. “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

“He was one of the sweetest, smartest, most loving people one could ever know,” his publicist of 50 years, Steve Jaffe, tells THR. “I just hope that God is ready for some outrageously funny times.” A full statement and details of Gregory’s funeral will be released Sunday, Jaffe said.

According to an Aug. 17 statement written by his son, Gregory was recently hospitalized.

#RIP…Bishop Eddie L. Long Has Passed…

Death has reared its ugly head yet again and invaded the ranks.

No we do not have another celebrity death, but someone who was a celebrity in his own right–and a pastor. It is with a heavy heart we report that Bishop Eddie L. Long has passed.

There has been a report on Channel 2 Action News, and  reports are coming in from social media, members of his congregation, and namely his former Minister of Music, Byron Cage. Byron tweeted the following below.

As you may already know Bishop Long was the pastor of megachurch, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. He was known for years for his large congregation, affluence, and powerful sermons of hope and love throughout the metro-Atlanta area. In recent years he was embroiled by controversy, namely allegations of sexual misconduct. In the last year, however, it was his dramatic weight loss that caught national news. Originally, Bishop explained his weight loss was attributed to a raw, vegan diet; and later a still as of yet unexplained illness. Then homophobic pastor, Kim Burrell, alleged his weight loss was due to engaging in a homosexual lifestyle. He died from an aggressive form of cancer.

Whatever anyone’s personal feelings are about Bishop Long he was still a man and a human being. We will be praying for his family and congregation during this tragic time. Feel free to leave your comments and APPROPRIATE condolences below.

Written By: Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning

 

 

The Year of The Grim Reaper–Actress Debbie Reynolds (@DebbieReynolds1) Dies A Day After Her Daughter, Carrie Fisher (@carrieffisher)…

2016 is a savage! When we say that we are talking about the sheer number of celebrities and horrifying events that have happened in this year alone. Massacres, fallen icons, police brutality–when does it all stop?

Tragically, it will not be today as iconic actress, Debbie Reynolds has died only a day after the death of her daughter and actress, Carrie Fisher!

via BBC News:

US actress Debbie Reynolds has died, a day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher, her son has announced.

US media said the 84-year-old had a stroke. She was taken to a Los Angeles hospital earlier on Wednesday.

The Hollywood legend is best known for her role in the 1952 musical Singin’ in the Rain, opposite Gene Kelly.

Fisher – renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series – died on Tuesday aged 60, following a cardiac arrest on a plane.

Reynolds was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre after being taken ill on Wednesday.

Announcing her death later, her son Todd Fisher told AP news agency: “She’s now with Carrie and we’re all heartbroken.”

He added that the stress of his sister’s death “was too much” for their mother.

continued next page…

Prayers…Will Smith’s Father Passes…

“He was an independent businessman-he set up refrigeration in supermarkets-and he always provided for us.” Will Smith

Our condolences go out deeply to Will Smith and his family on today. The actor’s father, Willard Carroll Smith, Jr., has passed away. The news was shared by Will’s ex wife, reality star, Sheree Fletcher.

[VIDEO] Just in Time For Christmas- Will Smith Stars in “Collateral Beauty! (@CBeautyMovie)”

Will Smith may finally get that Oscar he has been pining for with his upcoming film, Collateral Beauty! Here Will stars as a counselor who helps people change their lives for the better. He loses his way, however, when his daughter dies and falls into a deep depression. To cope with his grief he begins writing letters to Time (Jacob Latimore), Love (Keira Knightley), and Death (Helen Mirren). Much to his surprise, these abstract entities take human form and meet him to answer his letters and help him through his grief. Check out the trailer below.

This trailer makes us feel like Collateral Beauty will be Eat, Pray, Love meets A Christmas Carol. The film is right we all want more love and time, and fear death. I just hope it makes waves at the box office, because I can see it touching a lot of people. Will is still an amazing actor and that cast is stellar. Helen Mirren as Death seems kind of charming, Keira Knightley aptly should personify Love, and who better than a young star like Jacob Latimore to represent Time. This is the latter’s true introduction to Hollywood. Be sure you catch Collateral Beauty on Friday, December 16th in theaters nationwide!

Written By: Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning

#ThrowbackThursday: #RIP The Best of Shawty Lo (@THATSSHAWTYLO)!

Yesterday we reported the devastating news of Atlanta rapper Carlos Walker, known as Shawty Lo, passing away Wednesday morning in a car accident. Today, we want to honor Shawty Lo by remember 5 of his best hits!

Shawty Lo meant a lot not only to his friends and family, but to the whole city of Atlanta! He was responsible for putting out many Atlanta “anthems,” as all of his songs made crowds all over the city hype. The rapper originally started by forming a rap group called ‘D4L’ in 2003, which you may remember by their hit song “Laffy Taffy.” With D4L, Shawty Lo also created his own label ‘D4L Entertainment.’

#RIP…Atlanta Rapper, Shawty Lo (@THATSSHAWTYLO), Killed in Overnight Car Wreck

According to Dish Nation, reports are that a man was killed in an accident in south Fulton County early Wednesday morning, the man was identified as the well-known rapper Shawty Lo.

Dish Nation confirmed the news with Shawty Lo’s manager.

 

 

According to police, it happened on the exit ramp from Interstate 285 southbound to Cascade Road. Officers told FOX 5 a 2016 white Audi lost control just before 2:30 a.m. Police said the Audi went over the guardrail, struck a tree and landed in a deep embankment, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. Investigators said the driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Two female passengers were able to escape from the car and were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Shawty Lo, whose real name is Carlos Walker, was only 40 years old. According to his Instagram page, he was at the Blue Flame Lounge late Tuesday night.

This has truly been the year of celebrity deaths. His demise only reminds us just how short life really is. As some of his friends mentioned they were just partying with him last night and now he is no more. Our prayers go out to his family during this trying time.

#Tragedy–Meek Mills’ (@MeekMill) Cousin, Rapper Lo, Killed in Philly

Death is truly not a respect of person. We all know this, but tend to forget that when it comes to celebrities and their families. Earlier this week, Meek Mills’ 21 year old  cousin, Angelo “Lo” Colon, was killed in Philadelphia. He was one of five people killed in a spree of shootings and stabbings!

Lo was an aspiring rapper, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his famous cousin. Now, tragically, that will never happen. The violence has to STOP. Meek went to Instagram yesterday to post about his younger cousin.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKU82zBhvLj/?taken-by=meekmill&hl=en

This is really terrible, and unfortunately Meek is not the only celebrity to lose a family member to violence this year. As you may recall, Toya Wright’s brothers, Rudy and Josh were killed in New Orleans, Miss Robbie of “Welcome To Sweetie Pies” lost her oldest grandson Andre, and just last month Dwyane Wade’s cousin was killed in a drive by. We are praying for Meek’s family and all those who have lost loved one to violence. Let’s do better and be better people!

Written By: Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning

Alexis Arquette (@AlexisArquette) Cause of Death and Tell-All Book Revealed

This week, HeyMikeyATL reported to you that transgender American actress Alexis Arquette, best known for her roles in Pulp Fiction and The Wedding Singer, died on Sunday morning at 12:32 a.m. at the age of 47.

We also noted that TMZ claimed Alexis had been battling an illness, and that that may have been her cause of death.

People has now confirmed that the illness that Alexis Arquette was battling was AIDS related.

We also have another piece of updated information since the reporting of Alexis’ death, and that is that the transgender activist may have had a tell-all book planned. According to Page Six Alexis had been offered multiple deals to write this tell-all book, and apparently she was considering the last few deals before she passed.

Page Six quotes a source stating,

“She told me she was gearing up, and it was draining her because she knew she could blow the lid off a lot of closeted gay men and women and their respective marriages. She said, ‘I’m not quite ready for that kind of battle. But when I do write my book, and uncover all the hypocrisy, this town will come to a stop.’”

This does not come to surprise being that Alexis has made allegations exposing well-known celebrities for allegedly being homosexual.

Rest in Paradise: Former NWA Manager Jerry Heller Dies

A staple in hip hop culture and one of the most controversial men of his time, former NWA manager Jerry Heller, has passed away at age 75. According to TMZ, Heller died after suffering a medical emergency while driving that resulted in him sustaining serious injuries after crashing his minivan in California. It’s still unclear whether Heller died from the medical emergency or the injuries from the crash.

Jerry Heller’s career in the Entertainment Industry began when he worked as an agent and promoter, working with artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, the Who and Black Sabbath in the Sixties and Seventies. In the mid ’80s, Heller co-founded Ruthless Records with Compton rapper Eazy-E. According to several stories throughout the years, Eazy-E paid Alonzo Williams of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru (another Heller-signed act that featured Dr. Dre) for an introduction to the manager.