This festive season, many families will be gathering around the TV to watch some beloved Christmas favorites. At the top of my list: Jingle All The Way.

The 1996 movie sees workaholic father and lousy husband Howard Langston (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) race against the clock to secure the hottest toy of the season for his young son and avoid revealing that he's lied to his wife.

After neglecting his family - son Jamie (Jake Lloyd) and wife Liz (Rita Wilson) - for far too long, Howard's persistent neighbor, Ted (Phil Hartman), sees an opportunity to steal Liz away from him.

Like many of his on-screen roles, Hartman steals the scene every time he appears on screen.

An unassuming everyman who had a perfect understanding of humor, Hartman appeared in some of TV and film's most beloved productions - such as Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and NewsRadio.

Sadly, Hartman's personal life was marred by misfortune, and on May 28, 1998, his life came to a tragic end.

Marital relationships came and went, and his quiet, introverted nature often clashed with his on-stage charisma.

"My sense of Phil was that he was really two people," observed his second wife, Lisa Jarvis told 20/20. "He was the guy who wanted to draw and write and think and create and come up with ideas. He was the actor [and] entertainer, and then he was the recluse."

Hartman's third marriage, to Brynn Omdahl, brought both happiness and turmoil. They shared two children, Sean and Birgen, and, at least initially, Hartman found joy in his family life. However, the vast disparity in their career successes and Hartman's reclusive tendencies began to strain their relationship.

"As the months go on, the cracks begin to show, and Phil does what he did with his last two relationships - he begins to withdraw emotionally," explained Thomas, a close friend.

On that tragic evening of May 27, 1998, Omdahl's struggles with addiction took a violent turn.

Earlier that evening, Omdahl - who had been in and out of rehab - had enjoyed dinner with a friend. Despite not seeming upset throughout the evening, and argument between Omdahl and Hartman ensued once she returned home.

Omdahl had been prone to violent outbursts when she mixed drugs and alcohol with her antidepressants.

Following an argument, Hartman retreated to the couple's bedroom. However, at around 2:00AM, Omdahl entered the room wielding a .38 Smith & Wesson and shot Hartman multiple times in the head and chest as he slept.

The beloved actor died instantly.

After continuing to drink, a hysterical Omdahl eventually called her friend, Ron Douglas. Omdahl seemingly attempted to fabricate a story that Hartman had gone out of the evening. Despite telling Omdahl to try and get some sleep, she instead showed up at Douglas' front door 20 minutes later.

While inside Douglas' home, Omdahl repeatedly confessed to killing Hartman - but due to the state she was in, Douglas did not immediately believe her.

After sobering up, Omdahl drove home, with Douglas following closely behind. On the way, she called her friend Judy and once again confessed to killing Hartman.

Concerned for her friends, Judy also made her way to the couple's home.

When Omdahl and Douglas arrived at the property and entered the bedroom, he promptly called 911 to alert the authorities. When Judy arrived, the couple's two children - Sean, 9, and Birgen, 6 - were removed from the home.

Further tragedy ensued when the Los Angeles Police Department arrived at the property.

With the police approaching, Omdahl locked herself in the bedroom and sat on the bed next to Hartman's body. She then made a phone call to her sister.

When officers started banging on the bedroom door, Omdahl hung up on her sister and took her own life.

With the entertainment world mourning the loss of such an incredible talent, Mike Scully, executive producer of The Simpsons, remembered his late friend in an interview with the LA Times.

"This is a tragedy in so many ways," Scully said. "Phil was just tremendous fun to work with. The minute he said hello, you were laughing."

One of his last roles was that of Phil Fimple in 1998's Small Soldiers. They honored the legendary actor with a touching post-credit vignette doing what he did best... making people laugh.

Featured image credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty

Actor Felix Silla has passed away at the age of 84 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the sad news was confirmed by Silla's long-time friend Gil Gerard, who was also the late actor's co-star on the NBC series Buck Rogers In The 25th Century.

Taking to Twitter on Friday (April 16), Gerard wrote: "Felix died just a few hours ago and the only good I can draw from his passing is that he didn’t suffer any longer.

"I will miss him terribly, especially the great time we had at our panels. Just him telling me to, "go 'f' myself."

To most, Silla will be remembered best for his portrayal as the lovable Cousin Itt in the 1960s ABC comedy The Addams Family.

Cousin Itt was instantly recognizable thanks to his floor-length hair - and was brought to life thanks to Silla's memorable performance.

Hours prior to Silla's passing, Gerard told fans on Twitter: "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you all that my dear friend of over forty years, Felix Silla, is dying of pancreatic cancer. I spoke briefly with him and his family last night and they tell me that he’s going into hospice care today. Prayers."

Silla stood just shy of 4 feet tall, and first appeared in The Addams Family back in 1965, in the show's 20th episode, in which a zookeeper mistakes Cousin Itt for a wild animal and wants to cage him.

In an interview with the LA Times back in 2014, Silla revealed that his Cousin Itt costume was originally made out of human hair - which led to several fire hazard issues.

"All the guys on the set smoked," he recalled. "They just dropped their butts and stepped on them. The producers worried that I might step on a smoldering cigarette and go up in flames. They gave me synthetic hair, which was flame-retardant."

The actor will also be remembered by die-hard Star Wars fans for his role as the hang-gliding Ewok in Return Of The Jedi.

Some of his other notable roles include the robot sidekick Twiki on Buck Rogers and the maniacal Litvak in The Black Bird.

According to the Metro, Silla was also a trained stuntman - and performed stunt work in The Towering Inferno, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Poltergeist, Howard the Duck, Batman Returns, and many more.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, whom he married in 1965, and their two daughters, Bonnie and Diana. Their son, Michael, passed away back in 2020.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: UPI / Alamy

An actor from The Big Bang Theory has sadly passed away, it has been confirmed.

The Big Bang Theory is beloved because it blends sharp, joke-dense writing with genuine warmth, turning a niche love of science and comics into universal stories about friendship, vulnerability, and growing up.

Fans connect to the ensemble - from “big” breakout stars like Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, and Johnny Galecki to “smaller” but scene-stealing favorites like Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, and Melissa Rauch - because each character gets room to evolve: awkward geniuses learn empathy, the “cool neighbor” finds depth, and relationships feel earned rather than gimmicky.

Its recurring guest stars, memorable catchphrases, and clever cultural references reward rewatching, while the show’s heart - celebrating curiosity, loyalty, and found family - keeps it timeless beyond the punchlines.

Sadly, it has been reported that Kimberly Hébert Gregory, an actress known for starring in many shows, including The Big Bang Theory, has died at the age of 52.

The late star's death was announced on October 3 by her ex-husband, actor Chester Gregory, who described her as “brilliance embodied” and a woman whose “presence carried both fire and grace".

"A Black woman whose mind lit every room, whose presence carried both fire and grace. You taught us lessons in courage, in artistry, in resilience, and in how to keep showing up, even when life demanded more than its share," he wrote. "Through our best, through our greatest challenges, what remained was love, respect, and a bond no storm could break."

A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Tributes from Hollywood and Beyond

Actor Walton Goggins, who starred alongside Gregory in HBO’s Vice Principals, led heartfelt tributes online, calling her “one of the best I’ve ever worked with," and adding: “She made me laugh like no other," per The Independent.

Busy Philipps, who also appeared on Vice Principals, shared her devastation: “She was a light and a force. She will be missed.” Others expressing grief included Leslie Jones, Niecy Nash, and Jason Ritter, who called her “so brilliant and so kind.” Yvette Nicole Brown said: “I’m so sorry for you and your son's loss @chestergregory. And OUR loss as a community.”

In his emotional Instagram post, Gregory added: “So much more than ex-wife, you were my friend. Our son, the song we wrote together, is the living echo of your light. Through him, your brilliance will never fade. Through him, your laughter will always resound."

"Thank you, Kimberly, for every chapter we shared. Your story was never defined by the battle, but by the beauty you carried through it," he concluded.

An Accomplished Career in Theater, Film, and TV

Born on December 7, 1972, in Houston, Texas, Gregory’s passion for performance was evident from a young age.

She attended the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, earned a psychology degree from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s in clinical social work from the University of Chicago, and later trained in acting at DePaul University’s MFA program.

Her stage career took off in the 1990s with the Chicago Theatre Company. She earned critical acclaim and a Drama Desk nomination for her role in Lynn Nottage’s By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.

Gregory then transitioned to television in 2007 with her debut on The Black Donnellys and quickly gained a reputation as one of TV’s most versatile performers.

She appeared in Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order, Two and a Half Men, Shameless, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Better Call Saul, The Big Bang Theory, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, The Chi, and New Amsterdam.

Her breakout television role came as Dr. Belinda Brown in Vice Principals, where she starred opposite Danny McBride and Walton Goggins. She also portrayed Ruth Jean Baskerville Bowen in National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha, appeared in Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer, and acted in Five Feet Apart and John Henry.

Her voice work included roles in Craig of the Creek, Carol and the End of the World, Jessica’s Big Little World, and No Activity.

Gregory was a vocal advocate for representation in the arts and mentorship for young Black women in creative fields. In a 2017 Time essay, she reflected on the importance of self-belief and persistence in an industry that often presents roadblocks.

She is survived by her son.

Featured image credit: Warner Bros.

Earlier today it was announced that comedian and actor Jerry Stiller has died at the age of 92 from natural causes.

Confirming the news on Twitter, son and actor Ben Stiller wrote: "I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad."

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Jerry Stiller is perhaps best known for starring as George Costanzas’ father Frank on the hit US sitcom Seinfeld, before going on to play Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, alongside Kevin James and Leah Remini.

Following the news of his passing, tributes have poured in on social for the late actor.

Leah Remini, who played Jerry's on-screen daughter for nine years in King of Queens, wrote on Instagram:

"I was lucky enough to work with Jerry Stiller, playing his daughter for 9 years on The King Of Queens, but even luckier to know him, the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather. I am only comforted knowing that Anne & Jerry, the great comedy duo of Stiller & Meara are back together. I will be forever grateful for the memories, the fatherly talks off screen and for the many years of laughter, the kindness he had shown to me and my family...You will be so very missed Jerry.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Amy & Ben."

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Actress Rebecca Metz also shared her memories of Jerry, writing: "Very early on, I had a few lines on King of Queens. My dad (also a Jerry) came to the taping and got to meet Jerry Stiller, who kvelled over how proud he must be of me. A comedy legend and the sweetest, most humble man. May his memory be a blessing."

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ESPN host Mike Greenberg wrote: "Rest In Peace, Jerry Stiller. Thank you for making me laugh so many times."

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Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes took to Twitter to write: "I absolutely adored the work of Jerry Stiller. One of the funniest comedians ever, stole every scene he was in - not a single project that didn't get better simply for having him in it. I'm so grateful for all he gave. My condolences to you, Ben, and your family."

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The beloved comedian and actor was born in New York in 1927, and served in the US Army during World War II. In 1953, he married comedian Anne Meara. The two would go on to form the comedy duo act simply called Stiller and Meara.

Stiller, who was Jewish, used the dissimilarities between him and his Catholic, Irish-American wife, who was also two inches taller, for what became their signature routine on The Ed Sullivan Show.

During a 2005 Archive of American Television sit-down with her husband, Meara said: "That was Jerry’s idea, to use and plumb the depths of our backgrounds, exaggerate them and have the two differences of the Jewish and the gentile."

They were married until her death at the age of 85 on May 23, 2015.

Their daughter, Amy Stiller, is also an actress, and acted alongside her father in several King of Queens episodes.

Jerry also co-starred alongside son Ben in movies like Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, The Heartbreak Kid, and Zoolander 2.

Our thoughts are with Jerry's family, friends, and fans at this time.

James Michael Tyler, who was best known for playing Gunther on the hit show Friends, has died at the age of 59, the actor's rep told TMZ.

It was reported that he passed away peacefully on Sunday morning at his LA home after battling stage 4 prostate cancer.

Paying tribute to the actor, his family said: "The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh Friend), from the hit series Friends, but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate, and loving husband."

The actor first spoke about his diagnosis on June 21, revealing he had been receiving treatment for nearly three years. In the interview, he stated that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer back in 2018.

James, who shot to worldwide fame playing coffee shop worker Gunther, later revealed that the cancer had spread to his spine. The actor's manager and friend, Toni Benson, explained at the time that the star had been paralyzed as a result of this.

In an interview with People magazine, Benson spoke about James' determination to survive, stating: "He's going to fight this. Lately, he's been having amazing days. He's done his second round of chemo and so far he is doing really well, and he's hopeful it will be effective."

Benson added: "Though he's wheelchair-bound, he's very mobile. He has the most amazing attitude. I don't think he's going anywhere for a long time."

The actor shared that his illness had been made manageable by treatment for some time, stating:

"All I had to do was take a pill in the morning and the night, and boom, life was pretty much normal [...] I had no symptoms, I didn't feel any symptoms. And it was very easy to regulate."

However, he explained that the cancer had since mutated, and concluded the interview by calling for more men to request a PSA test when they next visit their doctor, as it would make any signs of cancer "easily detectible".

Our thoughts are with James' friends, family, and fans at this difficult time.

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