Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett: February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

Sad, breaking news from the entertainment community this morning: actress Farrah Fawcett has passed away after losing her battle with cancer.

The veteran actress was best recognized for her role on the popular 70s television series Charlie’s Angels, in which she portrayed Jill Munroe, one of the trio of independent, glamorous private investigators. Her career spanned several decades and popular roles in both film and television series. Most  recently, the release of the TV documentary, Farrah’s Story, which followed her as she bravely faced numerous cancer treatments in the months leading up to her passing, was a remarkable success.

Fawcett’s bubbly energy, beauty, and that famous feathered hairdo made her a fashion icon who will always be remembered by viewers for years to come, most notably for her charismatic smile and the much beloved pose she struck in a tiny red bathing suit.

Farrah Fawcett was 62. Funeral arrangements are pending. M.I.S.S offers our condolences to her family and friends in this difficult time.

Eartha Kitt, the legendary singer, dancer and actress passed away today from colon cancer at the age of 81.  Most famous for her role as cat woman (to my generation), her infamous purrr made her an icon.  She was a true talent and is an inspiration for breaking new ground in an industry where she paved the way for women of color.  It’s a sad day in entertainment history today, but Ms. Kitt’s purrrr will last forever.

“If only one could be sure that every 50 years a voice and a soul like Odetta’s would come along, the centuries would pass so quickly and painlessly we would hardly recognize time.”
-Maya Angelou

Odetta had recently been hospitalized in New York City for kidney failure, and succumbed to heart failure on Tuesday at the age of 77.

Her blues and spirituals led directly to her work for the civil rights movement. They were two rivers running together, she said in her interview with The Times. The words and music captured “the fury and frustration that I had growing up.” She influenced such artists as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez and countless others.

She was slated to perform at Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009.

Read the full obituary from her label M.C. Records HERE.

More Odetta after the jump…

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Rock ‘n Roll pioneer, Bo Diddley, passed away yesterday at the age of 79 from heart failure. His unique sound laid the foundation for much of what we know of rock music and and his influence can be seen in musicians ranging from The Rolling Stones, Guns ‘n Roses, U2, Bruce Springstein and Buddy Holly. Bo Diddley, known for his homemade square guitar, was inducted in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. His musical gifts will be enjoyed for generations to come. Music has suffered a great loss.

Iconic French designer Yves Saint Laurent died today at the age of 71.  Laurent began his fashion career as assistant to Christian Dior and became head designer at 22 after Dior’s death in 1957.   In 1962 Yves Saint Laurent founded his eponymous label.  Saint Laurent is one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the 20th century and he is credited with making the women’s trouser a staple.  He is also famous for, among other things, his Mondrian collection, dressing Catherine Deneuve in Belle du Jour and Le Smoking (famously worn by Bianca Jagger on her wedding day).  He was the first living designer honored by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The fashion and art world suffered a great loss today.  Yves Saint Laurent’s contributions will be felt for decades to come.  

Le Smoking, Helmut Newton, 1975
More photos after the jump . . .
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