obituaries

Remembering John Dilenschneider, one of the many Americans lost to COVID-19

4:29pm October 29, 2021

Jack Dilenschneider died of COVID-19 in September at age 89. After started a small law firm in Ohio in the 1960s, he went south to defend civil rights activists and others trying peacefully to vote.

Beloved barber of official — and unofficial — Washington has died

4:36pm October 28, 2021

Diego D'Ambrosio, who for decades cut the hair of ambassadors, prime ministers and Supreme Court justices, died Friday at 87 years old.

Gene Freidman, the 'Taxi King' who inflated prices of taxi medallions, dies at 50

4:28pm October 27, 2021

Gene Freidman, know as the "Taxi King" after operating the largest fleet of taxis in New York City and inflating the cost of taxi medallions, died on Sunday at the age of 50.

Bernard Haitink leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2003. The beloved conductor died Oct. 21 at age 92.

Music & Culture

Remembering Bernard Haitink, the anti-glamour conductor

4:21pm October 27, 2021

by Brian Bell

Boston-based radio producer Brian Bell remembers Bernard Haitink, and the meticulous approach to music that defined one of the finest conductors of the past half-century.

Political satirist and stand-up comedy pioneer, Mort Sahl, dies at 94

7:03am October 27, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

Mort Sahl had a stream-of-consciousness style of humor, and credited jazz as his influence. He started doing stand-up in the '50s, a time when most comedians were men in suits rattling off one-liners.

Comedian Mort Sahl cracks a joke at a press conference in London on July 10, 1961.

Arts

Mort Sahl, a political satirist and stand-up comedy pioneer, has died at 94

7:26pm October 26, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

Sahl started doing stand-up in the 1950s, a time when most comedians were men in suits, rattling off one-liners. Sahl wore a V-neck sweater, tucked a newspaper under his arm, and just ... talked.

Actor James Michael Tyler, pictured at the Central Perk pop-up celebrating the 20th anniversary of Friends in September 2014 in New York City, has died at age 59.

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther on 'Friends,' dies at 59

9:07pm October 24, 2021

by James Doubek

Tyler was the most frequently recurring guest star over the 10-year run of Friends, playing the shy barista Gunther.

Jay Black, lead singer of the rock group Jay and the Americans, pictured circa 1965, has died at age 82.

Jay Black, lead singer of pop group The Americans, dies at 82

4:33pm October 24, 2021

by Hazel Cills

The singer of Jay and the Americans was known as the voice in 1960s hits including "This Magic Moment" and "Come a Little Bit Closer."

Arts

Peter Scolari, of 'Newhart,' 'Bosom Buddies' and 'Girls,' dies at 66

6:19pm October 22, 2021

by The Associated Press

Scolari, a versatile character actor whose television roles included recurring parts on Evil and Girls, has died after fighting cancer for two years.

The conductor Bernard Haitink leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in an undated photo. Haitink died Thursday at age 92.

Renowned conductor Bernard Haitink, beloved for his modesty, has died at age 92

1:17pm October 22, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink had a six-decade career leading major orchestras across Europe, the U.S. and the U.K. He was hailed as a musician's musician, prizing the art well above glamor.