Celebritology Archive: Obits

A Q&A With John Hughes's Pen Pal

At the age of 15, when most Gen Xers desperately coveted an exclusive membership in "The Breakfast Club," Alison Byrne Fields became friends with the man who founded it. Fields, 39, was pen pals with writer-director John Hughes for two years, exchanging roughly 20 to 25 personal letters with him from 1985 to 1987. When the filmmaker died suddenly on Thursday at the age of 59, she wrote a touching personal essay -- entitled "Sincerely, John Hughes" -- that described all the details about their exchange of letters and the relationship they developed. She then posted it to her personal blog, "We'll Know When We Get There." The movie that launched a beautiful letter-writing friendship. (Universal Studios) By Friday morning, the blog post was being Tweeted, Facebooked and passed along via e-mail in electronic droves by Hughes fans moved by her story. By mid-afternoon that same day, she was receiving...

Karl Malden Dead at 97

Karl Malden in 1950. (AP) The Associated Press is reporting that Karl Malden -- actor, Oscar winner, Amex pitchman -- has died at the age of 97. We'll have a gallery up shortly chronicling his life and career. In the meantime, anyone looking to compile a list of flicks for a commemorative Karl Malden movie night may want to add these classics to the viewing list: "A Streetcar Named Desire": Malden won an Oscar for his role as Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell. "On the Waterfront": Come for Marlon Brando's brooding performance, but stay for Malden's winning turn as a Catholic priest. "Baby Doll": Elia Kazan's tale about a man married to a child bride is set against a crumbling Southern backdrop. Not for the kids. Share your memories -- and favorite Malden portrayals -- below....