THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
This has been a rough week for celebrities.
In a four-day span, we lost three men who were icons in the entertainment industry. On Monday, Malcolm- Jamal Warner of “The Cosby Show” and “Malcolm and Eddie” fame died from drowning; rock ’n’ roll legend Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday; and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan departed this mortal coil on Thursday.
About the only ties these three men had to Williamson County were probably rest stops in-between performances in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, or visiting family or friends who may have lived or worked in Texas.
Nonetheless, these three men lived in the greater public consciousness through appearances on television, radio or online.
I “knew” Warner first because he played Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”
In the dramedy, Theo was the only son of five children to Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Claire (Phylicia Rashad) Huxtable. Warner was perfect for the role of the sole male sibling in a home with four sisters.
While Warner gained more fame from “The Cosby Show,” he had a costarring role in the late 1990s show “Malcolm and Eddie.”
In that comedy, Warner and co-star Eddie Griffin played “opposites attract” roles as they worked and lived together in Kansas City, Missouri.
Osbourne was the frontman for the band, Black Sabbath, before embarking on a solo career. His antics included reportedly biting the head off of a live bat while on stage during a concert and relieving himself on the grounds of The Alamo, for which he later made amends.
The British showman had numerous hits — with his band or solo — such as “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” He also had a popular reality TV show starring himself and his family.
Then, there’s Hogan. The biggest name in professional wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s, Hogan — born Terry Bollea — put the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) on the map with his signature red-and-yellow attire of bandana, tank top and shorts.
Hogan was not only one of the biggest names in wrestling, but he also played the heel role in the late 1990s as well.
For those who don’t follow professional wrestling, the heel plays the villain.
The “Immortal Hulk Hogan” fell shy of immortality at 71.
It’s hard to believe we lost three cultural icons from the 1980s and 1990s, but we were blessed to have been entertained by them.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@ granitemediapartners. com.
