As the 17th season of “American Idol” premieres on Sunday, March 3, we remember those six contestants who have left us since the reality TV show began in 2002. Some were fan favorites. Others were memorable oddballs who often made the wrong kind of impression. But all contributed in some way to making “American Idol” what it is today. In our “American Idol” deaths photo gallery above, we take a moment to reflect on the those who we have lost over the years, including such talents as Michael Johns, Rickey Smith and Leah Labelle.
SEEWhen does ‘American Idol’ 2019 start? Who are the judges and host for Season 17? We’ve got the scoop
Paula Goodspeed
Died: November 11, 2008
Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California.
Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didn’t make it past the Season 5 auditions. But that didn’t stop her from obsessing over “Idol” judge Paula Abdul,...
SEEWhen does ‘American Idol’ 2019 start? Who are the judges and host for Season 17? We’ve got the scoop
Paula Goodspeed
Died: November 11, 2008
Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California.
Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didn’t make it past the Season 5 auditions. But that didn’t stop her from obsessing over “Idol” judge Paula Abdul,...
- 3/2/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Halfway through the year, we’ve already lost a number of stars across Hollywood. Here’s a list of some of the notable celebrities and industry professionals in film, TV, music and sports who have passed away so far in 2018.
Jon Paul Steuer
Jon Paul Steuer, a former child actor who starred in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and most recently under the stage name Jonny Jewels for the rock band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S., died on January 1. He was 33.
Mark Tenser
Mark Tenser, president and CEO of B-Movie studio Crown International Pictures, died on January 1. At his request, his age was not disclosed.
Frank Buxton
Frank Buxton, a writer and director best known for his work on “The Odd Couple” and “Happy Days,” died on January 2. He was 87.
Donnelly Rhodes
Donnelly Rhodes, a Canadian actor who played chief medical officer Dr. Sherman Cottle on the “Battlestar Galactica” reboot,...
Jon Paul Steuer
Jon Paul Steuer, a former child actor who starred in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and most recently under the stage name Jonny Jewels for the rock band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S., died on January 1. He was 33.
Mark Tenser
Mark Tenser, president and CEO of B-Movie studio Crown International Pictures, died on January 1. At his request, his age was not disclosed.
Frank Buxton
Frank Buxton, a writer and director best known for his work on “The Odd Couple” and “Happy Days,” died on January 2. He was 87.
Donnelly Rhodes
Donnelly Rhodes, a Canadian actor who played chief medical officer Dr. Sherman Cottle on the “Battlestar Galactica” reboot,...
- 1/1/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler had multiple substances in his system at the time of his fatal crash back in January ... including alcohol, marijuana and painkillers ... according to the autopsy obtained by TMZ Sports. As we previously reported, Butler was behind the wheel of a Range Rover -- with a female passenger, Leah Labelle -- when he lost control around 2:30 Am and crashed into parking meters and a concrete wall. Both died immediately from injuries suffered in the crash.
- 5/31/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Updated to include comment from the Qatar government’s communications office.
Big3 basketball league founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are suing a group of Qatari nationals for $1.2 billion, claiming the investors boasted of connections to the royal family and its riches, but paid little more than half of the money they agreed to invest in the 3-on-3 professional basketball league.
In a suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here), the plaintiffs accuse the investor group of defamation, libel, and interference with contractual relationships. The complaint alleges that one of the investors spread a false and harmful rumor about Kwatinetz, referring to the league’s African-American players as “Rich Nigg*s,” racist language he said he “never had and never would” use. It also claims the investors told players and outsiders that the league was poorly managed.
“When Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong...
Big3 basketball league founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz are suing a group of Qatari nationals for $1.2 billion, claiming the investors boasted of connections to the royal family and its riches, but paid little more than half of the money they agreed to invest in the 3-on-3 professional basketball league.
In a suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here), the plaintiffs accuse the investor group of defamation, libel, and interference with contractual relationships. The complaint alleges that one of the investors spread a false and harmful rumor about Kwatinetz, referring to the league’s African-American players as “Rich Nigg*s,” racist language he said he “never had and never would” use. It also claims the investors told players and outsiders that the league was poorly managed.
“When Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz pursued their lifelong...
- 4/7/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Some of the biggest stars in the NBA went to La Salle University on Sunday to pay tribute to Rasual Butler ... and honored their friend by circling together for an emotional chant. Chris Paul, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Roger Mason Jr., Jim Jackson and others were in Philadelphia for the "service of love" for Butler ... who was killed in a car crash in L.A. on January 31. CP3 was one of the speakers -- he...
- 2/12/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Jordin Sparks is honoring her late sister’s memory.
Last week, the American Idol winner’s 16-year-old step-sister Bryanna Jackson-Frias died following complications from her lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia.
The disease, which is more common in people of African descent, causes red blood cells to stick to vessel walls, blocking blood flow and preventing oxygen from reaching tissues; the lack of oxygen can damage organs and cause pain so severe it requires hospitalization.
“She fought her entire life — all 16 years, in and out of hospitals. And she was so strong,” Sparks, 28, told People Now exclusively on Wednesday. “She just dealt with it,...
Last week, the American Idol winner’s 16-year-old step-sister Bryanna Jackson-Frias died following complications from her lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia.
The disease, which is more common in people of African descent, causes red blood cells to stick to vessel walls, blocking blood flow and preventing oxygen from reaching tissues; the lack of oxygen can damage organs and cause pain so severe it requires hospitalization.
“She fought her entire life — all 16 years, in and out of hospitals. And she was so strong,” Sparks, 28, told People Now exclusively on Wednesday. “She just dealt with it,...
- 2/7/2018
- by Jeff Nelson
- PEOPLE.com
[[tmz:video id="0_drslhnl2"]] The car crash that killed beloved ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah Labelle, was so loud, the audio was picked up on a home surveillance camera about a block and a half away from the incident. You can hear the tires screeching for roughly 2 seconds -- followed by a series of loud bangs. Cops say Butler's Range Rover was traveling at very high speed around 2:30 Am on Jan. 31 when he lost...
- 2/7/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Cops have launched an investigation into the car crash that killed ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife Leah Labelle ... and they're retracing the couple's steps that night to find out exactly what went down. We've learned investigators have visited several businesses near the crash site in Studio City, CA -- including a popular bowling alley where the couple was spotted earlier in the evening. We know what you're thinking -- was alcohol involved?...
- 2/3/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Rasual Butler and Leah Labelle‘s memorial service has been announced by the late NBA star’s only child.
His daughter, Raven Butler, shared the details of the gathering on Instagram Friday with a photo of the invite that read: “Please join Rasual Butler and Lean Labelle’s family and close friends as we celebrate their lives with a memorial service.”
It will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Potter’s House, the Los Angeles Christian church where Butler and Labelle were longtime members. The church’s Thursday night service was streamed online and dedicated in their memory.
Individual services...
His daughter, Raven Butler, shared the details of the gathering on Instagram Friday with a photo of the invite that read: “Please join Rasual Butler and Lean Labelle’s family and close friends as we celebrate their lives with a memorial service.”
It will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Potter’s House, the Los Angeles Christian church where Butler and Labelle were longtime members. The church’s Thursday night service was streamed online and dedicated in their memory.
Individual services...
- 2/3/2018
- by Karen Mizoguchi
- PEOPLE.com
[[tmz:video id="0_ukyg8u6u"]] Kenny Smith says he's still reeling from the "horrific situation" that claimed Rasual Butler's life ... and he's expecting the NBA to honor Rasual in a big way. "Overall, the NBA community will step up. We'll do something on TNT," Kenny said. Condolences poured in Wednesday from ex-teammates and legends like Shaq, Kobe and Allen Iverson ... and the Miami Heat were the first team to put together a video tribute. The Miami Heat pay tribute to Rasual Butler...
- 2/1/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Rasual Butler and his wife, former American Idol contestant, Leah Labelle, both died in a car accident early Wednesday in Studio City, California.
Butler, 38, – a former NBA player for many teams including Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors, the L.A. Clippers, the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards – reportedly lost control of his Range Rover at about 2 a.m. before striking a parking meter.
The car flipped before slamming into a wall. NBC Los Angeles reported that police said the vehicle was traveling at speeds two to three times higher than the limit.
Butler and Belle, 31, who came in 12th...
Butler, 38, – a former NBA player for many teams including Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors, the L.A. Clippers, the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards – reportedly lost control of his Range Rover at about 2 a.m. before striking a parking meter.
The car flipped before slamming into a wall. NBC Los Angeles reported that police said the vehicle was traveling at speeds two to three times higher than the limit.
Butler and Belle, 31, who came in 12th...
- 2/1/2018
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Leah Labelle, a 2004 American Idol finalist, and her husband Rasual Butler, a former NBA player, were killed overnight in a single-car crash in Studio City, Los Angeles police said today. She was 31, and he was 38. Lapd says Butler was at the wheel of a 2011 Land Rover that was traveling at a high rate of speed, drove off the roadway and collided with the curb at about 2:25 Am. The vehicle continued in a northwest direction and collided with three parking meters, a…...
- 2/1/2018
- Deadline TV
Former American Idol contestant Leah Labelle Vladowski and her NBA player husband Rasual Butler were
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- 1/31/2018
- by Lindsay MacDonald
- TVGuide.com - Features
[[tmz:video id="0_1huajz3t"]] Stephen A. Smith says he's devastated over the death of his friend Rasual Butler -- telling TMZ Sports they knew each other for years ... and the NBA player was a really good dude. "Just incredibly sad," the ESPN star said ... "He's a good guy. We have Philly roots together. I've known him for many years. I love his wife. Love his family." "The world lost a good brother." TMZ Sports broke the story ... Butler lost...
- 1/31/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Former American Idol contestant Leah Labelle and her husband Rasual Butler have died after an early morning car crash. Los Angeles Police confirm to E! News that a crash occurred in Studio City, Calif., early Wednesday morning at 2:25 a.m. Pst. Rasual was the driver who lost control and collided with the curb. The Land Rover vehicle, which had Leah as a passenger, flipped twice before coming to a rest in a shopping center parking lot. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner office, both parties were pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy is pending. Fans of American Idol may remember Leah when she first auditioned in front of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson back in 2004. She would...
- 1/31/2018
- E! Online
Ex-nba player Rasual Butler and his wife -- a singer who appeared on "American Idol" -- were both killed in a single car crash in Studio City, CA early Wednesday morning, TMZ Sports has learned. 38-year-old Butler -- who was drafted by the Miami Heat in 2002 -- lost control of his Range Rover around 2 Am, struck a parking meter and slammed into a wall. The car flipped. Officers believe the car was speeding before it lost control.
- 1/31/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Rasual Butler, a former NBA player who was drafted for Miami Heat and went on to play for multiple other teams, was killed in a car crash in Studio City, California, early Wednesday, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office told TheWrap. According to TMZ, Butler’s wife, singer and “American Idol” alum Leah Labelle, was also killed in the crash, though neither the coroner’s office nor the Los Angeles Police Department could confirm the identity of the female passenger, as her next of kin had not yet been notified. Police confirmed to TheWrap that a crash occurred at approximately 2:25 a.m., after...
- 1/31/2018
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Rasual Butler's death is hitting the NBA hard -- with his friends and former teammates sending their condolences to Butler's family. John Wall -- "I will always remember the time we shared together as teammates, you were the big brother. I appreciate the advice you shared, not just about basketball but life. Sending my deepest condolences to the families of Rasual and Leah. May you both rest in peace." Blake Griffin -- "You were...
- 1/31/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
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