In the last week, many notable Americans passed away. This article will cover a few of these amazing people from various walks of life that helped shape American culture and life in some way.
Politics
Joseph M. McDade (1931-2017) was a politician, who represented Pennsylvania's 10th district in the House of Representatives. In 1962 he was elected as Scranton City Solicitor. By the next year, he had been elected to Congress, where he would serve until retiring in 1999.
He was a longtime member of the House Appropriations Committee and served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
McDade died on September 24 at age 85 due to complications from Parkinson's disease.
Entertainers
Barry Dennen (1938-2017) was an actor and singer best known for his association with “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In 1970 he played Pontius Pilate on the album of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The following year he took on the role on Broadway and then again two years later for the 1973 film. He is also known for playing Mendel in 1971's “Fiddler on the Roof” and Watson in 1983's “The Shining.”
He also did voice work for a number of cartoons like “Animaniacs”, “Batman: The Animated Series” and “DuckTales.” Gamers will also know him for voicing charters like Fatman in “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty”, Master Li in “Jade Empire” and Rubick in “Dota 2.” Dennen died on September 26 at age 79 from a brain injury he suffered from a fall in June.
Hugh Hefner (1926-2017) was a businessman who was the founder and editor-in-chief of “Playboy,” which he started in 1953. He was also the CCO of Playboy Enterprises, which he founded the same year. Prior to this, he served in the Army as an infantry clerk from 1944-46.
Starting in the 1960s his business expanded beyond the magazine, opening clubs, building hotels, investing in the entertainment industry and more.
In the 2000s, he launched the hit TV reality show “The Girl Next Door.” However, magazine sales have dropped in recent years with the rise of the internet.
Hefner was a controversial figure that many loved or hated. However, he grew to become a pop culture icon and helped to forever change how America views sex and sexuality.
He died on September 27 at age 91 from natural causes.
Anne Jeffreys (1923-2017) was an actress and singer who had almost 90 credits to her name in a six-decade career. In the 1940s she made several appearances as Tess Trueheart in the “Dick Tracy Series” and also played Helen Rogers in the 1945 film “Dillinger.” In the late 40s and early 50s, she went to Broadway, playing leading roles in plays like “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Three Wishes for Jamie.”
In the mid-50s, she became well known for playing Marion Kerby in the sitcom “Topper.” She was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1973 for Best TV Actress in a Drama for her role as Sybil Van Loween in “The Delphi Bureau.” Later she became known for her acting on TV series playing Nancy Ogden in “Fantasy Island”, Irene Buchannon in “Baywatch” and Amanda Barrington in “General Hospital.” Jeffreys died on September 27 at age 94.
Sports
Red Miller (1927-2017) was a professional football coach who started his career as an assistant at Western Illinois University. He then moved to the NFL, working as an offensive line coach from 1960 until 1976 for the Patriots, Bills, Broncos, Cardinals and Colts. In 1977, he returned to the Denver Broncos to become their head coach.
In his first season, he led them to their first Super Bowl where they lost 27-10 to the Cowboys. The team returned to the playoffs the next two seasons but did not win a game. In 1980, they missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record and Miller was fired. In four seasons he posted a 40-22 record with the team. This May, he was elected to be inducted into the teams' Ring of Fame.
Miller died on September 27 at age 89 due to complications from a stroke.
Joe Tiller (1942-2017) was a college football head coach. From 1965 to 1990 he worked as an assistant coach for several college teams and even in the CFL. In 1991, he finally got his big break as he was hired to become the head coach at Wyoming. In his six seasons at the school (1991-96) he led them to a 39-30-1 record with one conference title and a bowl appearance.
In 1997, he would become head coach at Purdue. From 1997 until 2008 he compiled an 87-62 record with the Boilermakers, becoming the winningest coach in school history. He also led the team to a conference title, 10 bowl appearances and won Big Ten Coach of the Year his inaugural season.
Tiller died on September 30 at age 74.
Others
Joe Bailon (1923-2017) was a car customizer who was credited with creating the paint color Candy Apple Red. His creation of this color led to an entire spectrum of candy paint colors being used on cars. He would go on to also customize cars for celebrities like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
In 1960 he was inducted into the National Roadster Hall of Fame. Prior to his time customizing cars, Bailon served his country in the Army during World War II. Bailon died on September 25 at age 94 after suffering a stroke.
May they all Rest In Peace.
