Actor who Played Alfred in “Batman” Movies Dies

Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth from Batman (1989). (Photo © 1989 Warner Brothers, Guber-Peters Entertainment Company, and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. All DC Comics characters and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are Trademarks & Copyright © 1989 DC Comics, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Actor who Played Alfred in “Batman” Movies Dies
Friday, 18 March 2011

Michael Gough, the British actor best known for playing Alfred the butler in several “Batman” movies has died.

His ex-wife says the 94-year old Gough passed away at his home in England Thursday, surrounded by family.

During the 1990's, Gough portrayed Alfred Pennyworth in “Batman Returns,” “Batman Forever” and “Batman and Robin”.

Gough appeared in more than 150 movie and television shows.

Jazz Great George Shearing Dies at 91

George Shearing: Swing Era (Photo: Idem)

Jazz Great George Shearing Dies at 91
Monday, 14 February 2011

Legendary jazz pianist and composer George Shearing has died. He was 91.

Shearing succumbed to congestive heart failure in New York on Monday.

Born blind in London in 1919, he began playing the piano at the age of three. He was already popular in England when he decided to emigrate to the United States in 1947 where he embarked on an extraordinary career.

Shearing wrote more than 300 compositions. But he is probably best known for the 1952 classic Lullaby of Birdland .

Shearing received numerous awards during his six-decade career, including a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his contribution to music.