Patrick Swayze was a legendary actor, dancer and singer … died almost unrecognisable at home in California on 14th September 2009. But behind the scenes Patrick wasn’t always the golden boy he was thought to be. And years after his death the press reported wild rumours. Autopsy: Last Hours of Patrick Swayze
He’s also been married to Lisa for over 30 years. But at a New Years’ Eve Party with friends Patrick suddenly feels unwell. He finds the champagne is burning his insides. Patrick has also been suffering from constipation and stomach cramps for the last few days. ibid.
Jaundice is a sign of a malfunctioning liver … He does have a history of alcohol abuse … Patrick Swayze is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma – a type of pancreatic cancer. ibid.
He was a chronic smoker of 60 cigarettes a day. ibid.
But his cancer was spreading and he was becoming increasingly susceptible to infection. ibid.
‘The shocking death of popular Canadian actor Cory Monteith …’ Autopsy: The Last Hours of Cory Monteith, news
Cory Monteith was a global superstar … Blessed with a talent for acting and genuine Mr Nice Guy charm … An autopsy is carried out: when the results are inconclusive there’s wild speculation of a wild double life. ibid.
Cory Monteith did have an issue with alcohol abuse. ibid.
‘Mr Monteith had a history of illicit drug use.’ ibid. medical report
Cory was fighting a deadly battle with his inner demons. ibid.
There was evidence that Cory was still using heroin. ibid.
Judy Garland was one of the world’s most recognised talents … She was known for her tremendous talent but also for her turbulent lifestyle and stormy love life. But on morning of June 22 1969 Judy Garland was found dead in her London home aged just 47. Autopsy: Judy Garland
The coroner’s report states that Judy Garland died of an overdose of prescription medication. ibid.
She is struggling under the pressure of mounting debts. ibid.
‘Between 25 and 30 suicide attempts over the years.’ ibid. Randy L Schmidt, author ‘Judy Garland on Judy Garland’
Judy’s random pill-taking was exposing her to serious risk. ibid.
She’s underweight and potentially malnourished. ibid.
‘Steve McQueen died today, 50 years old.’ Autopsy: The Last Hours of Steve McQueen, television news
Steve McQueen was a legendary actor. His remarkable performances won him millions of fans and millions of dollars. By the mid 1970s the king of cool was the world’s highest paid movie star … Died almost unrecognisable in a hospital bed in Mexico on 7th November 1980. ibid.
‘Despite reports of Steve looking unwell during the filming of The Hunter his medical records for the year before he died suggest he was in fairly good shape.’ ibid. pathologist
From a rough childhood to deafness Steve didn’t let anything stand in his way. ibid.
‘He had been suffering from a persistent cough that was getting progressively worse.’ ibid.
‘Steve’s cancer was a direct result of his exposure to asbestos.’ ibid.
Norman Wisdom was born in Paddington, London on 4th February 1915. Heroes of Comedy s4e1: Norman Wisdom
Norman’s [Wisdom] first major film There’s Trouble in Store broke house records almost everywhere during its first four weeks on release. ibid.
Walking Happy opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 26th November 1966, and Norman recreated his success at the Tony Awards the following year. ibid.
Norman’s international fame extended to South America, China, Eastern Europe, as well as the former USSR. ibid.
Norman received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a cancer patient in Going Gently which won the BAFTA drama award for 1981/2. ibid.
Kenneth Williams died from an overdose of barbiturates on 14th April 1988. Heroes of Comedy s5e1: Kenneth Williams
Upon his death in 1997 Russell Davies took on the massive task of editing his diaries and letters for publication. ibid.
After Share My Lettuce Kenneth starred in Pieces of Eight with Fenella Fielding and One Over Eight with Lance Percival. ibid.
Kenneth starred in 25 of the 30 Carry On films, more than any other member of the team. ibid.
Sid eventually became a stalwart of the post-war British film industry and starred or featured in no less than 113 movies. Heroes of Comedy s6e2: Sid James
Hattie was born Josephine Edwina Jacques in Sandgate Kent on 7th February 1922. Heroes of Comedy s6e4: Hattie Jacques
Hattie joined the company of the Players Theatre shortly after World War II. ibid.
Hattie joined Hancock’s Half Hour as Hancock’s secretary Miss Grizelda Pugh during the fourth series in 1956. ibid.
Hattie’s television partnership with Eric Sykes ran for sixteen series between 1960 and her death. ibid.
Hattie died of a heart attack on 6 October 1980. ibid.
Norman began appearing in small theatres. The Unforgettable s5e1: Norman Wisdom
By the early ’50s Norman was one of Britain’s biggest variety acts. ibid.
The Rank Organisation contracted him for a seven-year deal. ibid.
Over the next thirteen years Norman would make fourteen more comedy films. Most with the same winning formula. ibid.
By the mid-60s Norman Wisdom was one of Britain’s biggest stars.
In Going Gently Norman was cast as a man on a terminal ward dying of cancer. ibid.
Something tickled me just below my zipper … His finger touched my penis … He just had these real dead eyes looking at me. Spacey Unmasked I, Channel 4 2024, victim on set of House of Cards
It was cold in a way that was almost unhuman. ibid. Victim
He [father] used to have these Nazi meetings at the house … My father had this riding crop and he used to beat the shit out of me. ibid. Brother
Acting was a way for him to escape where he came from. ibid.
Completely out of the blue and completely wordless. Angry. ibid. victim
In that moment I knew I was in a sell-your-soul situation. ibid.
The Hollywood star Kevin Spacey is found not-guilty of sexually assaulting four men. Spacey Unmasked II, UK BBC News
While Kevin Spacey was creative director of the Old Vic, he travelled to the US to give student masterclasses. ibid. caption
2018 Youtube video: Let Me Be Frank. ibid.
In 2019 Spacey is sued for damages resulting from his behaviour on the set of House of Cards. ibid.
A 29-year-old talk-show hostess shot herself in the head live on television. The woman, Christine Chubbuck, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Miss Chubbuch wrote and starred in a daily show called the Suncoast Digest on station WXLT-TV. Kate Plays Christine, news, Sundance Festival 2016
She’s the first person who killed herself on air, and that’s like a remarkable moment. But it does seem that the story has been largely forgotten. ibid. actor Kate
So I have to learn as much about Christine Chubbuch as I possibly can, but I also have to try and understand the mind of a person who would kill herself. ibid.