R.i.p 2010

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Steve Landesberg, best known to television audiences as Det. Sgt. Arthur Dietrich on the '70s sitcom "Barney Miller," died today following a long battle with cancer.

He was 65.

The funnyman died on Monday, according to his agent Jeffrey Leavitt. He had reportedly been battling cancer.

Landesberg started his career as a stand-up comedian in New York before landing his most famous role as Detective Arthur Dietrich in hit TV sit-com Barney Miller in 1975, with the show running until 1982. A veteran of stand-up at places like the Improv and a member of the New York Stickball Team improv group, Landesberg had a long career in television, movies, commercials, and on the stage.

After guesting several times and appearing as a semi-regular, Landesberg joined Barney Miller as a regular in its fourth season. His character’s deadpan delivery of myopic facts became a staple of the series. He was nominated three times for supporting actor Emmys for the sitcom. The series ran for eight seasons, from 1975 until 1982. Landesberg even reprised the role for the short-lived "Barney Miller" spinoff "Fish," a vehicle for fellow castmember Abe Vigoda.

After "Barney Miller" went off the air, the actor did extensive voice-over work, as well as making numerous guest appearances on a variety of television series including "The Golden Girls," "Seinfeld," "That 70s Show," "Law and Order," "The Rockford Files," "Everybody Hates Chris," and a featured guest appearance in an episode of the A&E's "The Cleaner." He also worked quite a bit in voice overs, acting on shows like American Dad!, Capitol Critters, Dinosaurs, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. His most recent regular role was Dr. Myron Finkelstein on the Starz original comedy "Head Case," for which he co-wrote seven episodes.

Landesberg is also credited with the quote "Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense."

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ross Landesberg, and a daughter, Elizabeth.

[Phalanx]

Wow...this has just been a terrible year for comedy greats...

[Elvis_Christ]

Originally Posted by crabapple

Captain Beefheart is most definitely missed. RIP

Yeh fuck :( Lame news.... RIP

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Motown's Teena Marie has passed at 54

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Teena Marie, who made history as Motown's first white act but developed a lasting legacy with her silky soul pipes and with hits like "Lovergirl," ''Square Biz," and "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, has died.

She was 54.

The confirmation came from a publicist, Jasmine Vega, who worked with Teena Marie on her last album. Her manager, Mike Gardner, also confirmed her death to CNN.

Teena Marie, known as the "Ivory Queen of Soul," was certainly not the first white act to sing soul music, but she was arguably among the most gifted and respected, and was thoroughly embraced by the black audience.

She was first signed to the legendary Motown label back in 1979 at age 19, working with James, with whom she would have long, turbulent but musically magical relationship.

The cover of her album, "Wild and Peaceful," did not feature her image, with Motown apparently fearing backlash by audiences if they found out the songstress with the dynamic voice was white.

But Marie notched her first hit, "I'm A Sucker for Your Love," and was on her way to becoming one of R&B's most revered queens. During her tenure with Motown, the singer-songwriter and musician produced passionate love songs and funk jam songs like "Need Your Lovin'," ''Behind the Groove" and "Ooh La La La."

Marie had a daughter and had toured in recent years after overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs.