What Broadway performers deaths have surprised/saddened? — Page 3

Jason Opsahl---nice, hard working guy. so sad that he struggled the way he did.

Carrie Hamilton---saw her in the first tour of Rent. such a bright spark and so young.

Kathleen Freeman---comedic genius, brilliant performer, classy lady

I second Anne Bancroft---they don't make actresses like her anymore

Fred Ebb. After I read the book "Colored Lights" I became obsessed with Kander and Ebb, and when Fred Ebb died I was really sad.

Gregory Hines, Nell Carter, and Madeline Kahn. All three big surprises. Gregory hines never lost that youthful look, that great smile. I'll never forget Nell Carter presenting an award at the Tony's, and swaying to the song "Anything Goes" (which was one of the nominations). She was so full of life. I wanted to see Madeline Kahn in another wonderful role like she had in "On The Twentieth Century." I didn't know she would leave us so soon.

So, I found out he diewd in 2001 in Germany, but how?

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"Jason Raize also was struggling with substance abuse when he hung himself on a horse farm in Australia."

Jason Raize is reported to have suffered from clinical depression. Rumors of his substance abuse are unsubstantiated.

Thanks.

Thanks TruthLasso, you beat me to it.

Besides, frankly airing out how one took his own life, especially in Jason's case, is still terribly hard to read. It's as bad as finding out for the first time.

Many others mentioned, they were sick and we go, "well, they had this or that" and we dismiss it, no we accept it -- as the disease taking over. Clinical depression is a disease too, and in Jason's case it did take over. The difference is, when someone is depressed it's a secret, but when someone has something like cancer it's more commonly known.

It was a great surprise that someone so talented and so young died, after being so inspired by one who was seemingly so full of life.

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"Besides, frankly airing out how one took his own life, especially in Jason's case, is still terribly hard to read. It's as bad as finding out for the first time."

THANK YOU, TM!! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who's wounded anew every time Jason's death is brought up.

PA, I appreciate your explanation and share in your hope that one day there will be no more mystery, stigma, or ignorance regarding mental illness and its symptoms, including substance abuse.

Unfortunately, that day has not come yet. To be honest, the pain of knowing that Jason suffered so horribly from depression is bad enough. (Depression has a hold on me as well. I wouldn't wish what I go through during an episode on my worst enemy.) To hear these still-unsubstantiated rumors of drug abuse just brings more pain, and to speak as though you know the truth when you really don't is...well, it's just not right, and I don't like to call people wrong. But you can't hold Jason up as an example if he's not actually an example.

When the rumors turn out to be true...THAT'S the time to start a compassionate, intelligent discussion. Although you'll have to excuse me if I choose not to participate. Drugs or no drugs, it's still hard.

Thanks again.

Does anyone happen to remember Jason Raize perform on the Disney Channel ages ago, with Jessica Simpson in concert?

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Merman, Martin, Louden and Kahn. All originals all missed.

Definately Jonathan Larson's death. I know I didn't know about him until I was watching the PBS special on b-way musicals. I wasn't really interested into RENT until later on and when I heard that he just suddenly died at such a young age was such a shock to me. He had sooooooooo many more stories to write, more music to share with us.

Arthur Miller. I still cry sometimes when I see one of his plays in the bookstore.

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Michael Bennett's death at 44 was heartbreaking. I had several friends who'd been on Broadway and on tour with his shows and they were simply devastated. His premature death -- and the thousands of deaths from AIDS in the entertainment industry over the years -- forever altered theatre, music, film and the world itself. So much talent snuffed out in its prime. It's profoundly sad to think about.

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