News Obituaries
![SpaceX founder Elon Musk speaks into a microphone SpaceX founder Elon Musk speaks into a microphone](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BIZ-SPACEX-X-HQ-TEXAS-GET.jpg?w=132)
Elon Musk says he’s moving SpaceX and X headquarters from California to Texas
Elon Musk said Tuesday on X that he is moving the headquarters of both SpaceX...
![In his complaints to federal health officials, Buxtun drew comparisons between the Tuskegee study and medical experiments Nazi doctors had conducted on Jews and other prisoners. In his complaints to federal health officials, Buxtun drew comparisons between the Tuskegee study and medical experiments Nazi doctors had conducted on Jews and other prisoners.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-OBBUXTUN-0706.jpg?w=130)
Peter Buxtun dies at 86; one-time public health worker blew whistle on Tuskegee syphilis study
In his complaints to federal health officials, Buxtun drew comparisons between the Tuskegee study and...
![Bryant is reported to have suffered a massive stroke recently and died at the age of 69. Bryant is reported to have suffered a massive stroke recently and died at the age of 69.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP070705032467.jpg?w=132)
Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Lakers star Kobe Bryant, has died
Bryant is reported to have suffered a massive stroke recently and died at the age...
![He had fewer but memorable roles after the turn of the millennium, guest-starring on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and acting in the rom-com films “Fever Pitch” and “Made of Honor.” He had fewer but memorable roles after the turn of the millennium, guest-starring on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and acting in the rom-com films “Fever Pitch” and “Made of Honor.”](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Obit_James_Sikking_95317.jpg?w=132)
James Sikking, star of ‘Hill Street Blues,’ ‘Doogie Howser, MD,’ dies at 90
He had fewer but memorable roles after the turn of the millennium, guest-starring on “Curb...
![After years with breast cancer, Doherty died Saturday, according to a statement from her publicist, Leslie Sloane. After years with breast cancer, Doherty died Saturday, according to a statement from her publicist, Leslie Sloane.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Obit-Shannen_Doherty_13087.jpg?w=132)
Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ ‘Charmed’ star, dies at 53
After years with breast cancer, Doherty died Saturday, according to a statement from her publicist,...
![Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday. Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Richard_Simmons_92094.jpg?w=132)
Richard Simmons, a fitness guru who mixed laughs and sweat, dies at 76
Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his...
![Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Obit_Dr_Ruth_Westheimer_65417.jpg?w=132)
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America’s diminutive and pioneering sex therapist, dies at 96
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and...
![He also appeared in commercials and other TV shows, including “The A-Team” and “Fantasy Island.” He also appeared in commercials and other TV shows, including “The A-Team” and “Fantasy Island.”](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-OBGREGORY-0711-e1720735615440.jpg?w=127)
Benji Gregory dies at 46; former child actor starred on ’80s sitcom ‘ALF’
He also appeared in commercials and other TV shows, including “The A-Team” and “Fantasy Island.”
![Duvall, gaunt and gawky, was no conventional Hollywood starlet. But she had a beguiling frank manner and exuded a singular naturalism. Pauline Kael called her the "female Buster Keaton." Duvall, gaunt and gawky, was no conventional Hollywood starlet. But she had a beguiling frank manner and exuded a singular naturalism. Pauline Kael called her the "female Buster Keaton."](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-Z-SHELLEY-DUVALL-AP-13.jpg?w=118)
Shelley Duvall, star of ‘The Shining,’ ‘Nashville,’ dies at 75
Duvall, gaunt and gawky, was no conventional Hollywood starlet. But she had a beguiling frank...
![Walter Hoffman was an early-era big wave charger and board builder who helped kick-start the surf clothing industry. Walter Hoffman was an early-era big wave charger and board builder who helped kick-start the surf clothing industry.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-WALTERHOFFMAN-0711-02.jpg?w=127)
Walter Hoffman, surf industry pioneer and big-wave surfer, dies at 92
Walter Hoffman was an early-era big wave charger and board builder who helped kick-start the...