Actors

Acclaimed comedic actress Jessica Walter has died in her sleep in her New York City home on Wednesday at the age of 80. Walter is known for her roles as Lucille Bluth in 'Arrested Development' and Malory Archer in 'Archer,' among others.

"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica," her daughter Brooke Bowman said in a statement. "A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off. While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre."

The streaming service HBO Mac has ordered a two-part documentary exploring the life and death of the late actress Brittany Murphy, WarnerMedia announced on Thursday.

Our Brittany Murphy documentary cuts through the tabloid noise with an elevated, nuanced depiction of a sensational story. Crafting a grounded account of Brittany Murphy’s life struggles and sudden passing comes with great responsibility and we’ve partnered with a masterful creative team to produce a thoughtful examination of a tragedy that has long been cause for speculation,” so Jennifer O’Connell, executive vice president, Non-Fiction and Live-Action Family Programming, HBO Max.

The LAPD sexual assault division launched an investigation into an allegation of rape made against actor Armie Hammer. A 24-year-old woman, identified only as Effie, has come forward, alleging Hammer violently raped her for over four hours in Los Angeles on April 24, 2017. Effie and Hammer met on Facebook when she was 20 and were in an on-and-off relationship between 2016 and 2020, during which Hammer allegedly abused her "mentally, emotionally and sexually."

"During those four hours, I tried to get away, but he wouldn’t let me. I thought he was going to kill me. Then [he] left with no concern for my well-being," she said Thursday during a press conference.

Hammer has denied the allegations, and his attorney stated that all his relationships "have been completely consensual, discussed and agreed upon in advance, and mutually participatory" and that Effie's "own correspondence with Mr Hammer undermines and refutes her outrageous allegations."

Tony and Emmy award-winning actor and director Hal Holbrook has died at the age of 95. Holbrook is known for his portrayal of Mark Twain in the self-directed one-man show "Mark Twain Tonight" and his roles in "Into the Wild", "Lincoln" and "All the President's Men".

Emmy- and Tony-winning actress Cicely Tyson has died at the age of 96 on Thursday, just days after the publication of her memoir "Just As I Am".

Tyson is known for her roles in movies, TV shows and on broadway and co-founded the Dance Theater of Harlem in 1969.

"I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing. Cicely thought of her new memoir as a Christmas tree decorated with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life. Today she placed the last ornament, a Star, on top of the tree," so her manager Larry Thompson in a statement.

American television host Larry King has been at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for over a week after being diagnosed with Covid-19, CNN, his employer for many years, reports. There is no news regarding his current state of health. King has Type 2 diabetes and previously underwent treatment for lung cancer.

British actor Jeremy Bulloch has died "peacefully, in hospital, surrounded by his family, from health complications following his many years living with Parkinson's disease" at the age of 75 on Thursday. Bulloch is known for portraying the character Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy.

"He had a long and happy career spanning more than 45 years. He was devoted to his wife, three sons, and ten grandchildren and they will miss him terribly. We ask that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time," his agent said.

Elliot Page, who earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his starring role in "Juno" after breaking out in the 2005 film "Hard Candy," came out as transgender on Tuesday, sharing the news in a long social media post.

Page, who has been credited in film and TV roles as Ellen Page, currently stars in Netflix’s hit superhero series "The Umbrella Academy".

Shortly after Page's announcement, GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) posted a tweet noting that the actor "has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people".

The British Actress Dame Diana Rigg, famous for TV roles as Emma Peel in The Avengers and as Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 82 of cancer, after being diagnosed in March.

Rigg also appeared as Tracy Bond, James Bond’s only wife, in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

The actor has posted on his Twitter account that he has been tested positive for Covid-19 on his 60th birthday.

He stated that he is feeling relatively well, suffering from tiredness and that he is positive towards a fast recovery. During his isolation he is planning on reading, writing and making plans to "give meaning" to his past 60 years, stating that he has lots of enthusiasm.

Italian actress Franca Valeri has died at the age of 100 in her sleep at her Roman home on August 9. Valeri, the pioneer of female comic roles in Italy's post-war, was described by Italy's President Sergio Mattarella as a "versatile and popular actress who will remain in the hearts of Italians for her great talent and her extraordinary likability."

Valeri started working in film in the early 1950s and worked alongside Italian actor Totò and directors Federico Fellini and Mario Monicelli. She died just nine days after her 100th birthday.

Actor Wilford Brimley has died at age 85 in St. George, Utah on Saturday after suffering from a kidney ailment. Brimley, who spotted a walrus moustache, is known for his roles in the 1985 fantasy movie "Cocoon", the television series "The Waltons" and sports film "The Natural". He was also a spokesperson for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical, a diabetes-testing supply company.

Actress and two-time Academy Award winner Olivia de Havilland has died peacefully from natural causes in her Paris Home on July 26. She was 104 years old. De Havilland made her debut in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but was best known for her role as Melanie Hamilton in the 1939 movie classic "Gone With The Wind" and was considered as one of the movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

In the 1950s, she moved to Paris and received the National Medal of the Arts and France's Légion d'Honneur. She was also appointed to Dome Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Nick Cordero has died at age 41 after a month-long battle with Covid-19. The Broadway actor had tested positive for the novel Coronavirus in March and was hospitalised shortly after. He spent over 90 days in the intensive care unit at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where he received a temporary pacemaker, had one of his legs amputated and was put into a medically induced coma.

His wife, Amanda Kloots, confirmed his passing on Instagram, writing: "God has another angel in heaven now. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him. Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone’s friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. I will love you forever and always my sweet man."