RIP – LEONARD STONE

EXPIRED: 11/02/11 – Leonard Stone, 87, wrote a children’s story about a kangaroo, Keepy, who never grew. He forgot about the story and went on to become an actor. He had parts on TV (The Outer Limits, Lost in Space, M*A*S*H, L.A. Law, General Hospital, Barney Miller), Tony nominated stage roles in South Pacific, Redhead, and Look Homeward, Angel. He even appeared on the game show Wheel of Fortune, winning $4,250 in cash and a trip to Bermuda.

But Stone was best known for his portrayal of Sam Beauregarde, the father of Golden Ticket winner Violet Beauregarde, in the 1971 original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in which he exclaimed to his candy-loving daughter who changes color, “Violet! You’re turning violet, Violet!”

Interestingly, long after retirement, just this year in fact, Keepy, his story about the kangaroo who never grew. was published on Kindle and Nook.

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RIP CHARLIE O’DONNELL

EXPIRED: 10/31/10 – Charlie O’Donnell, 78, was the voice that let you know you were watching ‘Wheeeel-offff-Fortune’ for over 26 years, up until the day he died.

And in ‘65/66, he announced the Beatles concerts at the Hollywood Bowl & Dodger Stadiums.

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RIP – ADRIANA XENIDES

EXPIRED: 06/07/10 – Adriana Xenides, 54, set 2 amazing records.

She was the long-running hostess of the television game show “Wheel of Fortune” and she had a gastro-intestinal disease that made her stomach bloat to the size of a 9-month pregnant woman.

She died in Austrailia, where she set both records, after suffering a ruptured intestine.

Xenides, was born in Argentina but was raised in Adelaide, Austrailia.

She started modeling when she was 17 and auditioned for the “letter turner” on “Wheel of Fortune” when she was just 21. A year later, Xenides was a household name.