Sad news! Legendary actress Ruby Dee has died at the age of 91. She was said to have died peacefully at her New Rochelle, New York, home on Wednesday. Her representative, Michael Livingston, confirmed the news of Ms. Dee’s death to CNN.

Throughout her career, Ms. Dee starred in several Hollywood films and Broadway plays, as well as television shows. She played Rachel Robinson in The Jackie Robinson Story in 1950, and costarred alongside Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt and Cab Calloway in St. Louis Blues (1958). One of her most known and amazing roles was her character Ruth Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, opposite Sidney Poitier. With her long-standing career, she earned an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, among several others.









Most recently, the late actress earned her only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in American Gangster (2007), which starred Denzel Washington. Her final film will be the crime drama “King Dog,” alongside Ice-T, which is still in production.

She and her husband and partner, actor Ossie Davis (who passed away in February 2005), often worked together, and even had their own short-lived show, “Ossie and Ruby!” which aired from 1980-81. The two were also pioneers in the Civil Rights Movement, and received the National Civil Rights Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award in 2005 before Mr. Davis’ death.

So sad, but Ruby Dee definitely lived a full life. To be 91, still working and on the move, and looking GOOD, she deserves peace. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.

Image via Afro Newspaper/Gado/Getty Images

10:36:00 AM

It has been confirmed that legendary poet and writer Maya Angelou has passed away at the age of 86.
Her literary agent, Helen Brann, confirmed that Dr. Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As many of us know, Dr. Angelou’s work spans over 50 years, and goes beyond just writing. She’s recorded albums, starred in several films and productions, as well as directed film.

One of my favorite works by her would have to be her famous book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," an autobiographical book. Self-taught, she made a name for herself and was a true inspiration to look up to. I’m saddened to hear about her passing, but it’s good to know that she lived a full life of purpose and joy, doing what she loved and impacting literally millions. That’s a great legacy to leave. 

Thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones. For now, I leave you all with one of my favorite poems by Dr. Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman.” Rest in Peace.

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7:20:00 AM

Saturday night was emotional. Not only did I find out that Trayvon Martin would not receive the justice he deserved in the acquittal of George Zimmerman (though I wasn't all that surprised), I also watched a Vancouver police press conference confirm that Glee's Cory Monteith had passed away. I couldn't even write a post about this when it first happened. I didn't want to read more into the details. Those who know me know that I am a very big Gleek. I've watched the show from the very beginning, bought DVDs and other merchandise, and even went by myself to the movies to see the Glee concert movie in 3D. I've watched, laughed, and talked about the show with friends since it came out. That's just how much I love and respect this show, and the positive message and humor that it brings. So to say that Cory's passing is an emotional shock is an understatement.

It may seem silly or weird to be emotionally touched by a celebrity's death, but I was the same with Michael Jackson and the same with Whitney Houston. You feel a connection through these celebrities' work, you know? So I'm really sad and disheartened. However I wanted to make a post just a few of my favorite moments with Cory and the cast on Glee, to celebrate his life and his work on this show. Check them out below.



Prayers go out Cory's family and friends, as well as the entire Glee cast and crew, and especially to Lea Michele, who Cory worked with and was engaged to. I know that she's beside herself right now. Thoughts and prayers to my fellow Gleeks as well. Rest in peace Cory. You will be greatly missed. 

Image via CNN

5:40:00 AM

According to several reports from other blogs and friends on Twitter, Natina Reed (the rapper from 90s group Blaque) passed away last night.

She was unfortunately killed in a hit and run after trying to cross the street. She would've celebrated her 33rd birthday tomorrow. She leaves a son Tren with rapper Korupt.

This is crazy to me! I loved Blaque! Matter of fact, I was having an impromptu 90s music session the other day and of course Blaque was featured. It's so sad to know that Natina is gone. Thoughts and prayers go to her son, her group members, and the rest of her family and friends.

12:53:00 PM

Yesterday Steve Jobs, creator of all things Apple, passed away at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer. Definitely a sad loss. In celebration of his life and career, here are some things about him that you probably didn't know. (Courtesy of Hollyscoop)

1. Steve dropped out of college. Seems like all the greats do. Though Steve started out at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, he dropped out after 6 months. About a year later, he co-founded Apple.

2. He was adopted. Steve's biological mom gave him up for adoption about a week after he was born. He was adopted by an Armenian couple Paul and Clara Hagopian. In the 90's he started the search for his long lost sister, whom he met when he was 27. His sister, Mona Simpson is an author and professor at UCLA.

Read more after the jump...



3. Steve was a Buddhist. In fact, because of his intense love of his religion, he almost thought about joining a monastery and becoming a monk. He was also married in a Buddhist tradition by a Zen monk who was his own personal guru.

4. He co-founded Pixar. In 1986, Steve purchased the animation studio, Pixar, for $5 million and gave the company another $5 million to experiment with animation. He also was one of the people behind the sale of Pixar to Disney about 20 years later.

5. He was actually fired from Apple. Steve created Apple at the age of 20 out of his parents' garage with his friend Steve Wozniak. After 10 years, he had a falling out with Wozniak and the board of directors sided with Wozniak, and Steve was fired from the company.

6. He didn't eat meat. Steve was actually a pescatarian, which means he ate fish but no other meat.

7. His net worth? $8.3 BILLION. Steve was number #39 on Forbes list of the Richest People in America in 2011. And rightly so!

Rest in peace, Steve. Thank you for your creativity and hard work!

7:01:00 AM

Hey yall. Hope you all had a good Christmas. I know I did. Great time with food, family, and a very competitive Wii competition lol.

Got some sad news, though. I just found out Teena Marie passed away today at the age of 54. CNN has confirmed after hearing from her manager. It's sad to have to report news like this around the holidays. And although, I didn't rock with Teena like that, her success in the R&B world can't be denied. It's crazy how fast legends are leaving us, while we're left with.....well yall know.

RIP Teena. She will be missed. Keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

And I leave yall a song that I did actually like by her :-)




PEACE.

6:14:00 PM