I know that everyone is going to leave this earth eventually, it is just a given in the equation of life.  Some however, evoke thoughts and memories of a time past; a fond recollection of a moment in our lives that stands out from the rest, and for me, Peter Graves did just that.

       A week long family vacation to Washington, DC with my parents and my younger sister, when I was only 11 became much more than a sightseeing trip of monuments and history.  Brochures and cameras in hand, the four of us spent the first couple of days, visiting the Lincoln Memorial, watching money be printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and after enjoying the view, walking down the 896 steps of the Washington Monument.  It was my first taste of history that was tangible and current.  Our next stop came midweek, when after a hardy breakfast we took a taxi to the White House.  There we stood, outside the curving iron fence, peering through the bars at the Presidential residence.  My Father then shepherded us over to the waiting line that would eventually give way to a tour of the most famous house in the country.  A mere 30 minutes later, there we were, standing at the visitors entrance of the White House, ready to go in when out walks Actor Peter Graves! 
       Now mind you, my entire family enjoyed watching each episode of Mission Impossible.  The show began with Agent Phelps, (played by Graves), listening to a tape of instructions outlining the details for his team's latest mission and explaining that if he or any of his agents were killed or captured "the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions" and then the tape would always self-destruct right in the player, within seconds of Phelps listening to it.  I don't think the writers of those words, have any idea how often during the shows initial run that those lines were repeated by fans, young and old.

       I'm not sure my Father could believe his eyes, judging by the look on his face.  There, standing 2 feet from him, dressed in a suit and tie with that beautiful white hair, Mr. Graves smiled, said hello, reached out and shook my Fathers hand, as my Mother and us girls watched on in awe.  He then told us to enjoy the tour as we stepped through the door and  he proceeded to shake a few more hands of those in line.  I don't really remember what I saw inside the White House, but I'll never forget the consummate gentleman and Actor I met at the door that day. 

      Today, March 14, 2010, with sad heart, and fond memories I wish you farewell Peter Graves, rest in peace.  Born Peter Aurness, March 18, 1926.  Known professionally as Peter Graves, a truly iconic American film and television actor.  His role as Jim Phelps in the series Mission: Impossible won him a Golden Globe Award in 1971 and earned him nominations for Emmy Awards and Golden Globe awards in other seasons of that show.  As host of A&E Biography, he won an Emmy Award for outstanding informational series in 1997.  Peter was the younger brother of  actor James Arness of Gunsmoke fame. GOODNIGHT!!!

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Richard St. John Harris.....Born  in 1930, Limerick City, County Limerick, Munster, Ireland.  He was the fifth of eight children.  Educated at Crescent College by the Jesuits, he was a member of several Munster Rugby teams, and was talented enough to have gone on and made a profession of the sport, had he not contracted tuberculosis in his teens.  Unable to participate he remained a staunch fan of the Munster Rugby teams until his death, and attended many of the matches, fellow rugby fans Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton.

Harris moved to England after recovering from TB and desired to become a director. Not finding a suitable training course, he enrolled in the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to learn acting.  As a student, Harris directed his own production of Clifford Odets's play Winter Journey in the small "off-West End" Irving Theatre.  The critics gave the show great revues, but financially it was a failure, and having rented the theatre and invested in the production, Harris ended up temporarily broke and without permanent housing because of this venture.

After graduating the Academy, Harris joined a Theatre Workshop and was soon getting roles in West End theatre productions.  Harris made his movie debut in 1958 in the film Alive and Kicking.  Another notable performance was the role of King Arthur in the film adaptation of the musical play Camelot. He enjoyed a successful Broadway run and continued to appear on stage in this role for years.
Seeking further creative outlets, Harris recorded several albums of music; one titled "A Tramp Shining" included a hit song written by Jimmy Webb called "MacArthur Park".  Even though Harris mispronounced the seven minute long song's name as "MacArthur's Park", in the summer of 1968, it rose to #2 on the American Billboard magazines Hot 100 pop song chart and also topped several music sales charts in Europe.

This lone recording achievement is probably what he is best remembered for. Following it, Harris wrote a song "There are Too Many Saviours on My Cross" considered by many as a criticism of the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland for a second album of music, composed mostly by Webb, titled "The Yard Went On Forever" and published in 1969.

Richard returned to the big screen between 1970 and 2002 giving us rich and unforgettable performances in roles such as a reluctant police informant in the coal-mining tale The Molly Maguires, co-starring with Sean Connery. Then the "Man in the Wilderness", the "Juggernaut", the "Cassandra Crossing"; acting alongside Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner, and in "Orca".  Harris gained a bit of cult status for his role as the mercenary tactician Rafer Janders in the movie "The Wild Geese".  During this period, and always one to try his hand at something new, Harris published a widely-acclaimed book of poetry, "I, In The Membership Of My Days", in 1973, which was later re-published as an audio recording of his reading his own poems. 

Harris gained further notoriety playing the supporting role of Albus Dumbledore in the first two of the Harry Potter films, accepting the role mainly because his 10 year granddaughter threatened to never speak to him again.  For his final act, He voiced the character Opaz in the animated film, Kaena: The Prophecy, which was dedicated to him posthumously in 2003.

Often he told stories about "The Tower House", his haunted English Mansion, and home for much of his later years.  He was twice married and divorced, with 3 children from the first, and counted Peter O'Toole as a life long friend.  Richard Harris was an accomplished Irish actor, singer and songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer.  Despite his divorces, Harris was a member of the Roman Catholic Knights of Malta, and was also dubbed a knight by the Queen of Denmark in 1985. 

Grammy nominated in 1968 for the Album of Year "A Tramp Shining", and as the Contemporary Pop Male Vocalist for the singing "MacArthur Park" and again for Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording for The Prophet - 1975.  He won a Grammy in 1973 for Best Spoken Word Recording for Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  He also earned Academy Award Nominations for: Best Actor in a Leading Role 1964 - This Sporting Life, and Best Actor in a Leading Role 1991- The Field.

Rumor has it that after doing the first 2 Harry Potter films, Mr. Harris asked his agent if there was a way out of the contract, to do the rest of the films. The agent's reply was "The contract is written in such a way that your only way out is to die".  Within a month he had passed away.  Harris died of Hodgkin's disease on October 25, 2002, London, England, UK, at age 72, just two and a half weeks before the American premiere of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  His remains were cremated, and his ashes were scattered in The Bahamas Islands, where he also owned a home.

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     Anthony Newley arrived on this earth September 24, 1931.  London Born, he survived the Luftwaffe bombings during the Blitz and made his first appearance in a film role in 1948, in Perter Ustinov's "Vice Versa".  He followed up with the part of the "The Artful Dodger" in a David Lean's production of "Oliver Twist". 
     As a vocalist, Newley found his voice with the song "I've waited so Long", which charted to #3 in England.  During the 1960's he wrote hit songs for the likes of Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, and Sammy Davis, Jr.  He enjoyed great success as an actor on the stages of London's West End and Broadway, as well as in Hollywood films and as a frequent guest on American Television, appearing on such shows as Merv Griffin.

     Through the years the Master Showman compiled a catalog of performances and albums.  Here is a sampling of his best work starting with:  Cranks" in 1955, followed over the years by Love is a Now & Then Thing, Tony, In My Solitude, 1966's Who Can I Turn to, The Genius of Anthony Newley, Anthony Newley Sings Songs from Doctor Doolittle, For You, Ain't It Funny, The Singers and His Songs, 1985's "Mr Personality and last but not least, 1992's Too Much Woman.  A number of compilation albums have been released since his death in April 1999.

      His unique style and presence has not went unnoticed.  Entertainers such as entertainer/singer David Bowie, known for his magnificent album "Station to Station", and Actor Johnny Depp of "Alice and Wonderland" and "Pirates of the Carribbean" stake claim to careers that were deeply influenced by the late Anthony Newley. 

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The following are lists of some notable personalities who intentionally terminated their own lives. Suicides committed under duress are included. Individuals who might have died by their own hand, or whose intention to die is in dispute, but who are widely believed to have deliberately killed themselves are listed under Possible suicides.

1.Ahn Jae-hwan (April 25, 1972 – September 8, 2008) :

Ahn Jae-hwan (April 25, 1972 – September 8, 2008) was a South Korean actor.

His wife was comedienne Jung Sun-hee.

Ahn was found dead in his car on September 8, but the exact time of his death has not been
revealed. It is considered to be a case of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.He was 36 years old.

2.Timothy Douglas "Tim" Carter (5 October 1967 – 19 June 2008) :

Timothy Douglas "Tim" Carter (5 October 1967 – 19 June 2008) was a retired football goalkeeper. He was a goalkeeping coach at the time of his death.

Carter's body was found by a passerby on 19 June 2008, in bushes in the Highfield Close area of
Stretford, Greater Manchester. Emergency services were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at midday. His death is not being treated as suspicious.Sources stated that Carter's body was found with a rope around the neck and it is believed he had committed suicide.

3. Choi Jin-sil (December 24, 1968 – October 2, 2008) :

Choi Jin-sil (December 24, 1968 – October 2, 2008) was a South Korean actress and model. She was considered as one of the best actresses in South Korea, nicknamed "The Nation's Actress".On October 2, 2008, Choi was found dead at her home, and the police chief stated that it was "a clear case of suicide".It has been speculated that negative comments by Korean netizens and rumors regarding her lending money to Ahn Jae-hwan contributed to Choi's depressed state.

4.Edward "Eddie" Davidson (1973 – July 24, 2008) :

Edward "Eddie" Davidson (1973 – July 24, 2008), also known as "the Spam King," was an American e-mail marketer who from July 5, 2002 through April 15, 2007 conducted a Colorado business using the name Power Promoters. The primary nature of Davidson's business consisted of providing promotional services for companies by sending large volumes of unsolicited commercial electronic messages ("spamming"). The spamming was designed to promote the visibility and sale of products offered by various companies. Davidson utilized the services and assistance of other individuals whom he hired as "sub-contractors" to provide spamming at his direction on behalf of his client companies.
Davidson walked away from a federal prison camp in Florence on July 20, 2008. He was subsequently found dead in Arapahoe County, Colorado on the morning of July 24, 2008, after reportedly killing his wife and three-year-old daughter who was strapped to a car seat, in an apparent murder-suicide.His 16-year-old daughter was also shot, but has survived, while his 7 month old son remained unharmed.

5.Clifford Davies (c.1948 – April 13, 2008) :

Clifford Davies (c.1948 – April 13, 2008) was a British drummer, songwriter and producer.

After receiving tuition from pipe band drummer Jock Cree, and playing local gigs in the Aldershot area, in the early 70s he went on to join the second incarnation of British jazz-rock band If from 1972 and 1975, playing on four albums by the band and contributing many of their songs. Following If's break-up, Davies joined US hard rock guitarist Ted Nugent from 1975 to 1982 as drummer, producer and/or co-producer of all Nugent's recordings over those years, in collaboration with Lew Futterman, who had also produced If.
Clifford Davies was found dead in his home in Atlanta on April 13, 2008. He died from a self
inflicted gun shot wound.Reed Beaver, the owner of Equametric Studio where Davies was employed as chief engineer, reported that Davies called him the night before his body was found and was "extremely distraught" over medical bills.

6.Johnny Jackson (August 28, 1969 - October 3, 2008) :

Johnny Jackson (August 28, 1969 - October 3, 2008),commonly known in the music industry as Johnny "J", was a multi-platinum songwriter, music producer and rapper who was perhaps best remembered for his production on Tupac Shakur's albums All Eyez on Me and Me Against the World, as well as many of Shakur's subsequent posthumous albums.He was born in Juárez, Mexico, in 1969 and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Johnny "J" was co-owner and CEO of Klock Work Entertainment.

According to his own MySpace page, Johnny J died on October 3, 2008 at the age of 39.While serving a sentence for DWI in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility located in Los Angeles, California, he allegedly jumped off an upper tier of the prison in an apparent suicide.

7.Anders Göthberg (born October 9, 1975 - died March 30, 2008) :

Anders Göthberg (born October 9, 1975 - died March 30, 2008) was a Swedish guitarist.
Göthberg played guitar for Broder Daniel and Honey Is Cool. He lived his latter life in Stockholm
with his girlfriend, artist Paola Bruna. Göthberg committed suicide by jumping from Västerbron in Stockholm.

8.Brandi Hawbaker (1982 - April 13, 2008) :

Brandi Hawbaker (1982 - April 13, 2008) was an American professional poker player. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Hawbaker started her career in the late 1990's and relocated to Los Angeles, California. During her career, she had four cashes for a total of $40,389, with her biggest being at the World Poker Tour's Festa Al Lago V in October, 2006. She was known for her controversial nature and attractiveness.

Hawbaker committed suicide in April 2008.According to friend and former boyfriend Brandon Gerson, she suffered from a "very serious untreatable mental illness" and had visited doctors in several states seeking help within the last year-and-a half.

9.Jeff Fehring (21 April 1955 – 25 July 2008) :

Jeff Fehring (21 April 1955 – 25 July 2008) was an Australian rules footballer who played for
Geelong and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (as the AFL was then known) from 1977 to
1981.Fehring's VFL career was over at the end of the 1981 season. He became a cattle farmer after marrying in 1984, but with water prices affected by drought, he was forced to sell his farm and livestock and move to Alexandra where it was hoped there would be more rain. Despite working several jobs, Fehring lost his emu and cattle farm, and his marriage. Taking custody of his two children, he moved to Darwin briefly, before buying a pub and hotel in Deniliquin in southern New South Wales. That business also failed, and beset by health problems including Type 2 diabetes and recurring heart problems, Fehring committed suicide on 25 July 2008.

10.Youssef Sjoerd Idilbi (Drachten, May 7, 1976 – Amsterdam, May 15, 2008) :

Idilbi studied theater in Groningen and Amsterdam. His television debut came in 1999, with the role of Abdullah Yildirem in the series Westenwind. He also played in Russen (2001–2002) and Onderweg naar morgen (2002–2003), and in the West Frisian language series Dankert en Dankert.Idilbi committed suicide on May 15, 2008, by jumping off the roof of the Theater School in Amsterdam.

There is a common resemblance among all of them...can you tell me that ?

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HARRY Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has confessed in a frank interview to a gay magazine - he is a Liberal Democrat.

The handsome actor - who turned 20 yesterday - appears on the latest cover of Attitude and inside reveals his true political feelings.

He tells of his deep dislike for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.

The multi-millionaire also tells how he grew up surrounded by his parents' gay pals and hates anyone with a homophobic attitude.

Radcliffe - who is not gay and is dating actress Laura O'Toole - said: "I just loathe homophobia. It's just disgusting and animal and stupid and it's just thick people who can't get their heads around it and are just scared.

"I grew up around gay people entirely. I was the only child in my class who had any experience of homosexuality or anything like that."

The actor - who battles soul-sucking Dementors as the boy wizard and is currently starring in Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince - said he supports Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg because the other parties offer nothing to young people.

He said: "I rather like Nick Clegg. At the next election I will almost certainly vote Lib Dem.

"If all the people who liked them voted for them you could change politics overnight and we could have a proper three party system."

Asked about Gordon Brown he said: "Paul Merton said, and I agree with him, 'it's a tragedy that this man has waited all his life to do this job - and now he finds out he can't do it.'

"I don't like the New Labour thing. I never experienced the optimism of New Labour, I was too young but I hear everyone was up and it was fantastic. I've only seen the bad years of it."

Radcliffe's opinion on David Cameron is no more positive.

He raged: "No! No, no, no, no, no! David Cameron is barely distinguishable from Tony Blair."

He added: "I think the reason why people don't vote is because the politicians are all so central now, it doesn't seem to matter who you vote for."

He also blasted the BNP who won two seats in the recent Euro elections, saying: "I hate any type of prejudice."

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