She was an unassuming office worker, before the Nazis came to power.

Risking her life on a daily basis, she protected two families in the attic of her office building for over two years until they were ratted out. Following the war, she became the defender of the legacy of a young teenage girl who’d written a diary during her life in the attic.

Miep Gies was never one for praise over her role in the protection of the Frank family, even during the celebration of her 100th birthday last year. However, no one can deny her role in telling the story of Anne Frank so that all knew what went on during that horrific period in history. Miep was a true hero, risking her life every day to protect people from total evil.

A toast to you, ma’am. You are honored here today.

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I wasn’t going to do this one. However, I get the feeling that this one will end up being a warning story to many when all is said and done.

She was a member of the generation of actors and actresses that came up in the 1990s, and while she had a quirky talent her star never quite rose on the silver screen. Her talents were used to their prime in voice work, where she became Luanne Platter for 13 years on “King of the Hill.”

To say that this story may even become more tragic once the details of her death come out is an understatement, but all we can say is that the loss of potential talent here is pretty unfortunate. It’s a waste of a death, especially when Ms. Murphy was as young as she was.

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ADDITIONAL NOTE: Marie will be posting later regarding this topic.

The Wetwired Community extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to two of our own, who suffered a tremendous loss in their family this weekend. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Out of respect for their privacy we will keep their names out of this article, but we share in your loss.

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It’s a fair bet that you have no idea who Crystal Lee Sutton is. To be honest, before researching this post I had never heard the name.

That being said, you probably know her most famous act. In this case, that would be standing on a textiles desk at her plant, shortly before being escorted out after being fired for pro-union activities, with a handwritten “UNION” sign above her head.

Crystal Lee Sutton was the inspiration for the movie Norma Rae, and in the process brought union representation to the textile workers of North Carolina. In her last years she became a face of health care reform, after waiting months for lifesaving medicine treatments while her insurance company waited to decide if she deserved the treatments.

Whether or not you agree with her efforts towards unionizing, she had a profound effect on work conditions in her lifetime. That is pretty impressive for a then-33-year-old mother making $2.65 an hour at a textile plant.

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Even in drag, he was a man’s man.

In an industry of fakes (somewhat required for acting, really), he seemed like a genuine good guy. Always wiling to take on something different in his roles, he was most famous for being the most badass bouncer in the South and the man who made sure Baby wasn’t in a corner. He also managed to turn claymolding into eroticism while having no problem making fun of his image (witness his Chippendales sketch with Chris Farley or his role in To Wong Foo if you don’t believe me).

Overall, he was a good guy. That’s the best thing that can be said about Patrick Swayze.

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The solid-body electric guitar is more than just an instrument. It’s a work of art, used by musicians the world over.

The have this man to thank for that. Les Paul arguably did more for the evolution of music in the past 50 years than any other man. His legacy is that of millions of men and women that pick up their first guitar, suck at first and then learn to create magic.

Well played, sir.

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Sixteen Candles.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Wierd Science.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

My personal favorite, Uncle Buck.

The list reads as required viewing for anyone who came of age in the 1980s- and the list doesn’t include the classics he had written and not directed. We didn’t just know John Hughes’ movies, we wanted to be in them. We searched the map for Shermer, IL and when we found out it too was fictional, a little part of us died inside.

His muse was a teenage redhead with the ability to break our hearts and make us laugh at the same time. He brought out the best performance from a larger-than-life comedian whose best work was about to be behind him. He is a direct influence on one of the most critically acclaimed director/writers of the 1990s, Kevin Smith.He left the directing profession just at the right time, when the industry began to pass his style of storytelling by the wayside. His mark on pop culture is indelible and unmistakable. He lived as a bit of a recluse in the later years, which is unfortunate for the millions of fans that saw his movies.

We at Wetwired are fans of his work, and as such we honor the man whom we always wanted to see take one more shot at the big screen. Knowing that John Hughes won’t have that chance now, hurts. Thank you for the work, sir.

Detention dismissed.

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Few people are so closely identified with their performance over their career that their very name defines the role. However, Walter Cronkite did exactly that.

Arguably one of the most influential people of the 20th century as well as in the entire history of televised media, Cronkite defined what would become the television newsperson. His life is one of great work and ethic, and his legacy would be known to even those who were not alive to see his news program. Where he went, America followed and observed with rapt attention. His oft-imitated commentary on the Vietnam War set a standard for news commentary (as opposed to simply givng the news), but no one has matched his ability. Now, few dare to try.

Good night, sir. Thank you for letting us know the way it was.

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Two television icons, one week.

The first was a bonafide hero, serving in two wars for his country. He then followed it up with 50 years of being in our homes, serving 30 of them next to a legend.

The other was an icon in her own right, being the face (and body) that defined sex for a generation (or two) of men from the 1970s and 80s. Not only was she a sex symbol, but she could also perform as an actress better than many. She earned several Emmy nominations over the years and was well-respected, even when she played the “ditzy blonde” to the hilt.

A tribute to two television icons, for whom the broadcast waves are a little less funny for their loss.

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His voice was legendary.

To say that the man was known by many is an understatement; in fact, Paul Harvey’s voice was heard by more Americans than anyone else on a daily basis. At age 90, Paul was well into a contract that would have gone well past his hundredth year of life.

The money was well worth it, it seemed. As a child, one of my favorite activities was listening to Paul Harvey on the radio and hearing the stories as well as the news. He could tell a tale better than almost anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to, and he will be missed.

Good day, sir.

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Despite the rather titillating imagery she posed for over the course of 8 years, Bettie Page was a rather innocent and naive woman. She found posing fun, and in the process she inspired a revolution about how we think of sex, sexuality and beauty.

Bettie died Thursday, the result of a heart attack that left her on life support for 8 days. She was 85, well past her physical prime and well aware of the changes to our society she had inspired. She struggled with depression in later years, and became a recluse after being attacked for her artwork. She’ll always be remembered though fora smile, a wink and a nod at what we were thinking but never discussed at the time.

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Few actors are seen as a real mensch in this world. Paul Newman led the way for the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, both in work and in work for others.

I give my respects to the man who not only personified cool for 60 years but redefined philanthropy in Hollywood with his charitable efforts. He was the archetype of the modern Hollywood star, but was more importantly an honorable and good man.

You will be missed, good sir.

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