by Shannonn Kelly
4:22PM, EST, Thursday February 11, 2010

UK Celebrity fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead at his London home today. He was 40 years old.

UK Police sources have confirmed McQueen committed suicide, after reportedly hanging himself.

The London-born designer, known as Lee to his friends, was famous for designs such as ‘bumster’ trousers and skull-printed scarves.

McQueen’s death is just just days before the start of London Fashion Week and ahead of Paris Fashion Week, when he was set to unveil his new collection on March 9th. His official website has been temporarily taken down.

McQueen’s communications director Samantha Garrett spokeswoman for his company – also called Alexander McQueen, told Reuters by telephone:

“On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home.

“At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family. “Lee’s family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.”

The Metropolitan Police also confirmed the fashion star’s untimely death, releasing a statement saying:

“We were called by London Ambulance Service at about 10.20am this morning to reports of a man found dead at an address in Green Street, W1.

“He is believed to be 40-years-old and from London. Next of kin have been informed, however we await formal identification before releasing the name of the deceased. “A post mortem examination and inquest will take place in due course. “The death is being treated as non-suspicious.”

McQueen was a favorite of celebrity fashionistas such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Bjork to name a few.

McQueen’s mother Joyce passed away on February 2 and Alexander posted on hisTwitter various missives “i’m letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday RIP mum x”

A minute later he added: “but life must go on!” Then on Sunday, McQueen wrote: “sunday evening been a f****** awful week but my friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together …”

According to Jody Thompson, Mirror UK

McQueen’s tragic death comes just weeks before the start of London Fashion Week, one of the highlights in the calendar of the industry.

Posting on an industry website, one fan wrote poignantly: “London Fashion Week without Alexander McQueen is like fabric with no needle and thread…Lee you will be missed.”

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said: “Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs.

“At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. “His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn’t.”

Designer Katherine Hamnett said: “He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste” and Vivienne Westwood said it was “terrible news.”

Son of an East End taxi driver and brought up in a council house, McQueen trained on Savile Row – and once famously wrote something rude using tailor’s chalk in the lining of a suit made for Prince Charles.

He went on to head legendary fashion house Givenchy, before teaming up with Gucci and launching his own-name label, plus a string of boutiques around the world.

The final show of the “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” opened with frenzied applause. “We only have one more hour to steal everything in this place.”, said Conan O’Brien as he prepares to get down to business and have some crazy fun at NBC’s expense.

O’Brien’s fans in the studio and on the Internet have been following him since his years as a writer on Saturday Night Live.

They’ve been following him from his perspective, cherishing every zany bit, completely surrendering to their red-headed stepbrother who never gave into the temptation of mediocrity his predecessor and now whining, successor, the piteously unfunny Jay Leno serves nightly. O’Brien really did things his way.

“I can’t host a show for another 7 months. So, next week look for the Andy Richter show with sidekick me.”, O’Brien chuckled. Andy chimed in, “The new show will be on Animal Planet and you’ll be hosting “Kitten Korner’”. O’Brien is free to sign a contract with another network beginning on September 01, 2010.

The funniest joke of his final monlogue was, “HBO. One last request. When you make a movie, I would like to be played by Academy Award winning actress Tilda Swinton.”

O’Brien introduced tonight’s crazy expensive gag by saying , “It’s gonna take NBC several years to pay this off.” – Then the curtain opened to a rare fossil skeleton of a giant ground sloth spraying beluga caviar on a Picasso.” Cost $65 Million. Memory. Priceless.

Steve Carell held a ‘mock exit interview’ with Conan asking insipid questions such as:
“Did anything trigger your decision to leave?”
“Would you consider working for NBC in the future?”

Then Carell quoted George Clooney’s “Up In The Air” one-size-fits-all dismissal speech, asked for O’Brien’s ID badge, which he proceeded to shred.

Tom Hanks, who coined the phrase “Coco” on O’Brien’s 2nd show, came out wearing sunglasses and carrying 2 glasses of scotch. He passed one to Conan. “It’s been some week. Around my house they call this Daddy’s little reward.”, said Hanks. Hanks and O’Brien met first on SNL in 1985 when O’Brien was a writer and Hanks was a host.

Meanwhile on David Letterman, the #1 of his Top Ten, “Things To Be Happy About”
For once things are starting to go Jay Leno’s way.

After a musical number by friend and musical idol Neil Young and the break, Conan thanked NBC in a very heartfelt speech.

“There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can’t say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at “Saturday Night Live,” “The Late Night Show,” and my brief run here on the “Tonight Show,” I have worked with NBC for over 20 years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we’re going to go our separate ways, but this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from the “Tonight Show” is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult,” O’Brien continued. “This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting the “Tonight Show” and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.

Finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the Internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational. To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life.

All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere,” he concluded. “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

Will Ferrell closed the show in character as a Lynyrd Skynyrd-esq country rocker with his pregnant old lady Dawn, accompanied by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Ben Harper, Beck,  and Max Weinberg to name a few. Conan joined the motley group on guitar to break down Free Bird. Of course, Farrell added more cow bell…

Attention Jay Leno: Here’s something you need to put in your notebook – Take a much needed lesson from Conan O’Brien on how to end your show on a bittersweet, yet elegant high note. Giving thanks for all that a person has in their life and their incredible good fortune.

Behind all the crazy antics and hijinks, is a man with class and humility. That is the least of what makes Conan O’Brien’s return to late Night TV a sweet temptation worth waiting for. See you in 7 months Coco…

Sadly, it’s reported that a funeral for Brittany Murphy will take place Christmas eve at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills, five days after her untimely death. Murphy was 32.

The funeral and burial service will be “strictly private.” Rumors are that there may be a public memorial after the holiday season.

A will prepared by Murphy before she was married to British screenwriter Simon Monjack, leaves her entire estate to her mother, Sharon Murphy, reports New York Daily News.

There were a multitude of drugs found at the scene and seem to solidify rumors linking Brittany Murphy’s frail frame to her death.

But according to Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey told the Daily News that Murphy weighed 115 pounds and that’s within medical recommendations for her height of 5 feet 5 inches.

Media reports said 10 different types of medication were found on her bedside table by an officer from Los Angeles County Coroner’s department.

The medications were in several different names, including those of Murphy, her mother, Sharon, and her husband, Simon Monjack.

They contained anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. The list included Carbamazepine, an anti-convulsant, Methylprednisolone, an anti-inflammatory treatment, Propranolol, a heart drug (apparently Murphy did have a heart murmur), Klonopin and Ativan, both anti-anxiety drugs, Topamax, an anti-seizure medication, the antibiotic Biaxin, pain reliever Vicoprofen, anti-deressant Fluoxetine and Hydrocodone, a pain killer.

The exact cause of Murphy’s death has not been determined pending toxicology and tissue tests that could take four to six weeks. Investigators have ruled out foul play but booked a number of prescriptions in Murphy’s name into evidence.

‘Clueless‘ director Amy Heckerling has said that she believes Hollywood played a large role in transforming the actress from a round-faced teen to a rail-thin adult. Heckerling told Usmagazine.com that she is upset with Hollywood for transforming Murphy’s image.

“It just seemed like she was blowing up, being on every magazine and being treated as though she had suddenly become beautiful,” the New York Daily News quoted Heckerling as telling the mag. “And I think she was feeling very good about that. I’m just not happy with Hollywood,” she added.

Heckerling said Murphy’s size wasn’t the only thing that was worrisome. She said that in recent years, the 32-year old actress ’seemed a little too energetic’. “I just feel like I can’t say, ‘Oh, she was on drugs’. I can’t say that I noticed anything that led me to believe, ‘Oh my god, this person is messed up’. But one hears rumblings. It’s a small town, and you hear from other people on other crews, but that’s all rumors and stuff,” Heckerling said.

“I was feeling — maybe not just then at that particular time, but over time — that she was maybe being pressured to be a certain body type and a certain kind of actress as far as playing the sexy, blonde, thin girl,” Heckerling says. “And that she was buying into what she was supposed to be, rather than just being a wonderful, innocent young girl,” she added.

If you want to remember Brittany Murphy to view a photo gallery, Please click here.

It it with sadness that I report today the passing of singer, actress Brittany Murphy. She was 32. 

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher and “looked as though she was dead at the scene.” Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 AM at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Murphy who dazzled us in her roles in ‘Sin City‘, ‘Clueless‘,  ‘Girl Interrupted‘,  ‘8 Mile‘ and as voice-over actress for the character Luanne in ‘King of the Hill‘, was married to husband, Simon Monjack, a British screenwriter and they lived in Hollywood Hills.

Murphy also had a singing career, originally starting out in musical theater at the age of 14.  On June 6, 2006, Murphy and master dj Paul Oakenfold released the single called “Faster Kill Pussycat”, from the album ‘A Lively Mind’.  The song became a club hit, and hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. It also hit number seven in the UK singles chart in June 2006.

Murphy also sang for the film ‘Happy Feet‘, covering Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland“.

According to Huffington Post

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.

An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but “it appears to be natural,” Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Winter said Murphy’s family was cooperating with the coroner’s investigation but would not be releasing a public statement Sunday. He said funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy’s death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner’s officials were at Murphy and Monjack’s home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.

Messages left for Murphy’s manager, agent and publicist by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Tabloids report that Murphy was reportedly hooked on prescription drugs, including Vicodin, after a series of plastic surgery operations made her dependent on painkillers.

“We have been very worried something like this was about to happen,” a friend told The Sun.

“Brittany has been living life on the edge. She definitely had a drug problem and we have all begged her to seek help. Sadly our words fell on deaf ears.”

Murphy was taking prescription medication for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days, sources have told TMZ.

While many ‘tweets’ about Brittany’s passing are heartfelt from the likes of Hollywood colleagues Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and her ex boyfriend Ashton Kutcher.

Ashton Kutcher (aplusk) 2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon. see you on the other side kid.

Melissa Joan Hart (MellyJHart): I’m so sad to hear of the passing of a peer of mine! RIP Brittany Murphy! We will miss you and all the talent you shared!

Jessica Simpson (JessicaSimpson): Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of Light to so many people. Her smile was contagious. My prayers are with her family and loved ones.

Khloe Kardashian (KhloeKardashian): OMG!!!! This is horrible news when anyone passes. I’m so sorry for her family. Send prayers out please!

Donnie Wahlberg: just wanted to tell you i love u with all my heart! Such a tragedy to hear about britney murphy may she RIP.

Kim Kardashian: I am in shock that Britney Murphy has died! Clueless is my all time favorite movie. My prayers go out to her family and husband

iamshanemorris RIP Brittany Murphy, a talented soul – from Atlanta, GA. Your city will miss you.

Many blog comments focus on her possible cocaine addiction and/or her overweight, disheveled, screenwriter husband who many view as a “con man”.

Canned from her last film and cardiac arrest? Cocaine.
Posted by: oracle2world

COCAINE-SUPPLIED BY HER CON ARTIST SWINDLER HUSBAND, WHO STOOD TO GAIN MILLIONS FROM BRITTNEY’S DEATH. WHY WOULD THE LAPD IMMEDIATELY JUMP TO OPEN AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO HER DEATH? BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE A HELL OF A LOT OF AMMO ON THE CON ARTIST/HUSBAND, THAT’S WHY.
Posted by: schmetterlingtoo

He is a con artist. He conned his last girlfriend out of her car and money. Left her with awful credit. Frequently uses different SS #’s. He left his other girlfriend in London with a $20,000 credit card bill she was unaware of until he was long gone. He is a master at lying. Brittany BEWARE!!!
Posted by: simon

As with every other celebrity story, this will all come out in the media and the facts will surface. I’ll keep updating as we find out more facts.

Italian-American singer and actor Al Martino, born Alfred Cini, died yesterday at his childhood home in Springfield, PA. He was 82.

A former bricklayer, to most film buffs he’s known better as wedding singer Johnny Fontane, a role inspired by Frank Sinatra, in the 1972 film The Godfather. Martino sings the film’s title theme song, “Speak Softly Love“.

His character in the Francis Ford Coppola classic, which starred Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, is a singer and occasional actor and the godson of Brando’s mafia boss character, Don Vito Corleone.

Despite his brush with the acting profession, Martino was best known as a jazz crooner. His hits included Spanish Eyes, Can’t Help Falling in Love, I Love You Because and Volare.

Here in My Heart took the top spot in the UK when the New Musical Express introduced its chart in November 1952, and stayed there for nine weeks.

Though 50 years have passed, only six singles have stayed at No 1 for longer, most notably Everything I Do (I Do It for You) by Canadian soft-rocker Bryan Adams, which topped the charts for 16 weeks. Here in My Heart remained his only UK No 1 hit.

Martino’s chart career in the US was stalled by the growth of rock’n'roll in the late 1950s, but he returned during the 1960s with a run of Billboard hits.

In the U.S., Martino had eleven Top 40 hits in the Billboard pop singles chart in the 1960s and 1970s, with 1963’s I Love You Because (#3) and 1964’s I Love You More and More Every Day (#9) both reaching the Top Ten. He also sang the title song for the film, Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).

The last time Martino was on the music charts came in 1973, with a re-release of Spanish Eyes. In the 1980s he left his record company and continued to perform on the club circuit. His most recent album, Style, was made nine years ago.

Martino was one of a number of south Philadelphia area-born singers of that era, that included Bobby Rydell, Fabian and Frankie Avalon.