Latest news with #JillSobule
UPI
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Jason Constantine, Lionsgate exec for 'John Wick,' 'Saw,' dies at 55
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Jason Constantine died Thursday at 55. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate June 5 (UPI) -- Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Jason Constantine died Thursday after a battle with cancer, the studio announced. He was 55. Under his tenure, Constantine oversaw Lionsgate original franchises such as John Wick, Saw and The Expendables. Lionsgate credits Constantine championing Saw from the "reverse bear trap" concept short James Wan directed with co-writer Leigh Whannell wearing the trap. The latest John Wick film, Ballerina, is in theaters Friday and Saw 11 is in development. Constantine rose from the role of director of acquisitions 25 years ago to co-president. Lionsgate also credited Constantine's direct involvement on their Best Picture winner Crash, the Oscar-wining Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire, the original Knives Out and more. "His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring," Lionsgate said in a statement. "With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry." Constantine's family asks for donations to be made to Dr. Michael Lim's Research at Standford Medicine or the neuro-oncology team led by Dr. Tim Cloughesy and Dr. Robert Chong at UCLA in lieu of flowers. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
New York Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
15 Surprising Show-Tune Covers for Broadway's Big Night
By Scott Heller Dear listeners, This is Scott Heller, the former theater editor (now I'm on The New York Times Book Review). With the Tony Awards this Sunday, I'm serving up show tunes to Amplifier readers — but not the usual fare. There are no deathless standards here, like Judy Collins singing 'Send in the Clowns' or anything from Barbra Streisand's 'Broadway Album.' And if you're the kind of person who saves your Playbills, you've already listened to the Pet Shop Boys version of 'Losing My Mind' — a lot. Rather, I'm hoping this edition of The Amplifier is full of surprising covers, and covers of show tunes you may not know as theater songs in the first place. I've mostly stayed away from pop albums designed to market the shows themselves, though I couldn't resist opening with one, from well before 'Hamilton' got into that game. And, alas, one of my favorites — Jill Sobule's 'Sunrise, Sunset,' recorded for the 'Fiddler' tribute compilation 'Knitting on the Roof' — doesn't seem to be streamable. But you can find it on her website. Laden with happiness and tears, Scott Who knew? This delightful curiosity comes from a 1968 Motown album on which the trio performed 11 songs from 'Funny Girl,' a tie-in released just as the movie version reached theaters. Take away the ugly duckling story line and the Brooklynese and it doesn't exactly add up. But who cares when greeted with brash horns, sunny vocals and a group cheer after the unforgettable rhyme, 'When a girl's incidentals / are no bigger than two lentils.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
UPI
03-06-2025
- General
- UPI
Japan's Shigeo Nagashima, known as 'Mr. Pro Baseball,' dies at 89
Shigeo Nagashima (L) managed former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui during his time with Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo June 3 (UPI) -- Japanese sports icon Shigeo Nagashima, known as the country's "Mr. Pro Baseball," died from pneumonia Tuesday, Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants announced. He was 89. The Giants said Nagashima died at 6:39 a.m. local time Tuesday at a hospital in Tokyo. The team plans to establish a memorial Wednesday and Thursday in the main square of Giants Town Stadium. "We offer our heartfelt condolences," the Giants said in a statement. Nagashima, who played third base, signed his first professional contract in 1957. He helped the Giants win nine-consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973, while scooping up batting titles and MVP awards. He hit .305 with 2,471 hits and 444 home runs over his 17-year playing career, and he was inducted into Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. Several MLB clubs attempted to lure Nagashima to the United States, but were unable to purchase his contract. He later became the Giants' manager and then worked as a TV commentator, but eventually returned to the dugout to help the Giants win two Japan Series crowns. He was made the Giants' lifetime honorary manager because of his dugout success. "Hearing the tragic news, I cannot find words to express my feelings," Giants owner Toshikazu Yamaguchi said in a statement issued to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. "In my childhood, the Giants meant a team with Mr. Nagashima. That sentiment still has not changed. "He was a man with a burning spirit who was difficult to defeat, and he had a bright personality like the shining sun. He was a superstar who physically symbolized the age of rapid economic growth. He was 'Mr. Pro Baseball,' who led the nation's baseball world. "Even after he began suffering from the illness, his passion for baseball never waned and he encouraged managers, coaches and players. His aims will surely be carried on by his junior fellows." Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani were among others who praised Nagashima. Ishiba told reporters that Nagashima was "like the shining sun and a symbol of hope to everyone." Ohtani posted several pictures of himself alongside Nagashima on his social media accounts. "May your soul rest in peace," Ohtani wrote. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
UPI
02-06-2025
- Health
- UPI
Former ESPN 'Sports Science' host John Brenkus dies at 54
June 2 (UPI) -- Former ESPN personality John Brenkus, who hosted the popular Sports Science, has died, according to a message released on his social media accounts. He was 54. Brenkus died Saturday. His family did not disclose his specific cause of death. "It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away," the statement read. "John, the co-founder of Base Productions, found of and co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy Award-winning Sports Science, had been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help." Brenkus said in 2013 that he battled depression, which led to a suicide attempt. He discussed his mental health battle during a 2023 appearance on Never Shut Up, telling host Marcellus Wiley that he "fell into a very deep depression" and attempted to take his own life while living in Park City, Utah, but was saved by his dog. "I had come off selling my company, selling Sports Science to ESPN and you are kind of living in Park City and feel like you are retiring," Brenkus said. "I'm like, oh my God, I made it. "The isolation you feel living in a mountain town, the cold weather, injuries, things not going right, I spiraled into a deep, deep depression. I was flat-out suicidal." Brenkus said he went to six different "psychologists and psychiatrists" before briefly escaping depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support. Globally, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has contact information for crisis centers around the world. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
UPI
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Northern Exposure,' 'Young Sheldon' alum Valerie Mahaffey dead at 71
Actress Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Image courtesy of UPI May 31 (UPI) -- Northern Exposure and Young Sheldon actress Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Mahaffey's publicist, Jillian Roscoe, confirmed the sad news to The Hollywood Reporter Friday. "I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its endearing actresses. She will be missed," her husband Joseph Kell said in a statement to Mahaffey's other credits include Echo 3, Dead to Me, French Exit, Big Sky, Desperate Housewives, Glee and Devious Maids. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
