Ace Frehley, Prunella Scales, Diane Ladd, and Gilson Lavis Dies

Some more music and film stars to report on here.

These artists were guitar players and a founding member of the band KISS; a movie and TV star an actress in the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers; was a movie star in such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and TV like Kingdom Hospital; and a drummer in bands like Squeeze and for Jools Holland.

Ace Frehley

Ace Frehley (born Paul Daniel Frehley April 27, 1951 – died Thursday, October 16, 2025) was raised in the Bronx, New York, the youngest of three children of an electrical engineer father and a homemaker mother. He picked up an electric guitar at age 14 and largely educated himself in rock techniques, drawing inspiration from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Cream.

Film

  • 1978: Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
  • 1988: Frehley’s Comet: Live + 4 (VHS)[77]
  • 1992: X-treme Close-Up
  • 1994: Ace Frehley – Acevision Volume #1[78]
  • 1996: Kiss Unplugged
  • 1998: Kiss: The Second Coming Documentary
  • 1999: Detroit Rock City
  • 2001: Family Guy: A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas
  • 2004: Kiss Loves You
  • 2005: Remedy
  • 2006: Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977
  • 2007: Kissology Volume Two: 1978–1991
  • 2007: Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000
  • 2009: Let’s Go Cobo (Documentary)

In 1973 he co-founded the rock band Kiss, becoming its original lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist and adopting the “Spaceman” persona that became his trademark. With Kiss he helped shape their theatrical image,

penned legendary solos like those in “Shock Me” and contributed to albums that went on to define hard rock. After leaving Kiss in 1982 he pursued a solo career—his self-titled 1978 solo album stood out among his bandmates’ releases.

Solo_and_Frehley’s_Comet

  • Ace Frehley (1978)
  • Frehley’s Comet (1987)
  • Second Sighting (1988)
  • Trouble Walkin’ (1989)
  • Anomaly (2009)
  • Space Invader (2014)
  • Origins Vol. 1 (2016)
  • Spaceman (2018)
  • Origins Vol. 2 (2020)
  • 10,000 Volts (2024)

Solo_Singles

  • 1978: “New York Groove”
  • 1987: “Into the Night”
  • 1987: “Rock Soldiers”
  • 1988: “Words Are Not Enough”
  • 1988: “Insane”
  • 1988: “It’s Over Now”
  • 1989: “Do Ya”
  • 2009: “Outer Space”
  • 2014: “Gimme a Feelin'”
  • 2014: “The Joker”
  • 2016: “White Room”
  • 2016: “Fire and Water”
  • 2018: “Bronx Boy”
  • 2018: “Rockin’ with the Boys”
  • 2019: “Mission to Mars”
  • 2020: “Space Truckin'”
  • 2020: “I’m Down”
  • 2023: “10,000 Volts”
  • 2024: “Walkin’ on the Moon”
  • 2024: “Cherry Medicine”

Later he rejoined Kiss for the 1996–2002 era before focusing on his own music. His accolades include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 and being named among Guitar World’s “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists.”

In his personal life, he was known as “Ace” to fans and lived partly in New Jersey; though married in the past, details of his survivors have not been widely publicized at the time of his passing. His death followed a fall that resulted in a brain bleed and the decision to withdraw life support; he was 74.

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Prunella Scales

Prunella Scales (born Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth June 22, 1932 – died Monday, October 27, 2025) was born in Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England, and during World War II her family moved to Devon, where she attended Moira House Girls’ School and later won a scholarship to the Old Vic School in Bristol. She began her career as an assistant stage-manager and then as an actress.

Film

  • 1953 Laxdale Hall
  • 1954 Hobson’s Choice
  • 1954 What Every Woman Wants
  • 1954 The Crowded Day
  • 1958 Blind Spot Petrol
  • 1958 Room at the Top Council
  • 1962 Waltz of the Toreadors
  • 1976 The Littlest Horse Thieves
  • 1978 The Hound of the Baskervilles
  • 1978 The Boys from Brazil
  • 1983 The Wicked Lady
  • 1987 The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne
  • 1988 Consuming Passions
  • 1989 A Chorus of Disapproval
  • 1992 Howards End
  • 1992 Freddie as F.R.O.7
  • 1994 Wolf
  • 1994 Second Best
  • 1995 An Awfully Big Adventure
  • 1997 Stiff Upper Lips
  • 1999 Mad Cows
  • 1999 An Ideal Husband
  • 2000 The Ghost of Greville Lodge
  • 2003 Johnny English
  • 2011 Horrid Henry: The Movie
  • 2012 Run for Your Wife

She appeared in early TV and film roles before gaining fame for her portrayal of Sybil Fawlty in the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975–79). Her stage work encompassed both comedy and classical drama, and she earned high praise for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991).

TV

  • The Royal (2011)
  • Marple (2008)
  • The Shell Seekers (2006) 2 episodes
  • Where the Heart Is (2005)
  • Casualty (2004)
  • Tesco Roger Moore James Bond Style Television Commercial (2003)
  • Dickens (2002)
  • The Human Face (2001) 1 episode
  • Silent Witness (1996) 2 episodes
  • Animated Tales of the World (2000) (voice)
  • Midsomer Murders (2000)
  • The Big Knights (1999-2000) (voice) 13 episodes
  • Keeping Mum (1998)
  • Dennis the Menace (1998) (voice)
  • Dalziel and Pascoe (1996)
  • The World of Lee Evans (1995)
  • Searching (1995) 6 episodes
  • Look at the State We’re In! (1995)
  • Signs and Wonders (1995) 4 episodes
  • The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (1994) (voice)
  • The Rector’s Wife (1994) 3 episodes
  • After Henry (1988-1992) 38 episodes
  • Screen One (1991)
  • Screenplay (1989)
  • Thompson (1988)
  • Theatre Night (1987)
  • Unnatural Causes (1986)
  • Mapp & Lucia (1985-1986) 10 episodes
  • Mop and Smiff (1985-1986) (voice) 13 episodes
  • Let’s Parlez Franglais (1984)
  • Weekend Playhouse (1984)
  • Wagner (1983)
  • SWALK (1982) 6 episodes
  • Never the Twain (1982)
  • Bergerac (1981)
  • Jackanory (1970–1980) 10 episodes
  • Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) 12 episodes
  • Target (1978)
  • Pickersgill People (1978)
  • Mr. Big (1977) 13 episodes
  • BBC2 Playhouse (1977)
  • Lucky Feller (1976) 2 episodes
  • BBC Play of the Month (1975)
  • Comedy Playhouse (1974)
  • Crime of Passion (1973)
  • 7 of 1 (1973)
  • Country Matters (1973)
  • Full House (1973)
  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (1971)
  • Horizon (1966)
  • On the Margin (1966)
  • The Marriage Lines (1961-1966) 44 episodes
  • A Christmas Night with the Stars (1963–1964) 2 episodes
  • ITV Play of the Week (1957–1963) 3 episodes
  • Call Oxbridge 2000 (1962)
  • Saki (1962)
  • The Seven Faces of Jim (1961)
  • Coronation Street (1961) 5 episodes
  • ITV Television Playhouse (1955–1960) 3 episodes
  • Saturday Playhouse (1958–1960) 2 episodes
  • Inside Story (1960)
  • BBC Sunday-Night Play (1960)
  • The Secret Garden (1960) 7 episodes
  • BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (19554–1959) 2 episodes
  • Champion Road (1958) 2 episodes
  • Television World Theatre (1958)
  • Pride and Prejudice (1952) 4 episodes

Throughout her career she received numerous nominations and honours, including a CBE. She was married to actor Timothy West from 1963 until his death in 2024 and they had two sons, Samuel and Joseph West;

she is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her death at age 93 followed a period living with dementia; she passed away peacefully at her London home.

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Diane Ladd

Diane Ladd (born Rose Diane Ladner November 29, 1935 – died Monday, November 3, 2025) was born in Laurel, Mississippi, United States, the only child of Mary Lanier (an actress) and Preston Ladner (a veterinarian/traveling salesman).

Movies

  • Isle of Hope (2022)
  • Gigi & Nate (2022)
  • Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
  • Charlie’s Christmas Wish (2020)
  • Miracle in the Valley (2019)
  • The Last Full Measure (2019)
  • AmeriGeddon (2016)
  • Sophie and the Rising Sun (2016)
  • Joy (2015)
  • I Dream Too Much (2015)
  • Just Before I Go (2014)
  • Grave Secrets (2013)
  • American Cowslip (2009)
  • Jake’s Corner (2008)
  • Inland Empire (2006)
  • When I Find the Ocean (2006)
  • Come Early Morning (2006)
  • The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
  • Christy: Finding Faith (2003)
  • Charlie’s War (2003)
  • More Than Puppy Love (2002)
  • Redemption of the Ghost (2002)
  • Rain (2001)
  • Daddy and Them (2001)
  • The Law of Enclosures (2000)
  • 28 Days (2000)
  • Can’t Be Heaven (1999)
  • Route 66
  • Primary Colors (1998)
  • The Westing Game (1997)
  • James Dean: Race with Destiny (1997)
  • Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
  • Citizen Ruth (1996)
  • Mother (1995)
  • Raging Angels (1995)
  • Mrs. Munck (1995)
  • Father Hood (1993)
  • Carnosaur (1993)The Cemetery Club (1993)
  • Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (1992)
  • Forever (1992)
  • Blue Champagne (1991)
  • Rambling Rose (1991)
  • A Kiss Before Dying (1991)
  • Spies Inc. (1992)
  • Wild at Heart (1990)
  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
  • Plain Clothes (1988)
  • Black Widow (1987)
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
  • Sweetwater (1983)
  • All Night Long (1981)
  • Embryo (1976)
  • Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
  • Chinatown (1974)
  • White Lightning (1973)
  • The Steagle (1971)
  • WUSA (1970)
  • Macho Callahan (1970)
  • The Rebel Rousers (1970)
  • The Reivers (1969)
  • 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962)
  • The Wild Angels (1966)
  • Something Wild (1961)

After graduating high school at 16, she turned down a law-school scholarship and pursued acting instead, training on stage in New Orleans and New York. Over more than six decades she appeared in over 200 films and television shows and earned three Academy Award nominations for her performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991).

TV

  • Chesapeake Shores (2016-2022) 46 episodes
  • Young Sheldon (2021) 1 episode
  • Christmas Lost and Found (2018) TV Movie
  • Ray Donovan (2016) 1 episode
  • Enlightened (2011–2013) 18 episodes
  • Deadtime Stories (2012) 1 episode
  • Menace (2008) TV Movie
  • Montana Sky (2007) TV Movie
  • ER (2006) 1 episode
  • Cold Case (2005) 1 episode
  • Kingdom Hospital (2004) 13 episodes
  • Gracie’s Choice (2004) TV Movie
  • A Long Way Home (2003) TV Movie
  • Damaged Care (2002) TV Movie
  • Living with the Dead (2002) 2 episodes
  • Christy: Choices of the Heart (2001) 2 episodes
  • Christy: The Movie (2000) TV Movie
  • Strong Medicine (2000) 2 episodes
  • Sharing the Secret (2000) TV Movie
  • Best Actress (2000) TV Movie
  • The Staircase (1998) TV Movie
  • Grace Under Fire (1994–1997) 2 episodes
  • Touched by an Angel (1997) 1 episode
  • Breach of Faith: A Family of Cops II (1997) TV Movie
  • Cold Lazarus (1996) 3 episodes
  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge (1996) TV Movie
  • Directed by (1994) 1 episode
  • Hush Little Baby (1994) TV Movie
  • Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) 2 episodes
  • Sisters (1993) 1 episode
  • Harts of the West (1993) 1 episode
  • L.A. Law (1993) 1 episode
  • Middle Ages (1992) 1 episode
  • Shadow of a Doubt (1991) TV Movie
  • The Lookalike (1990) TV Movie
  • In the Heat of the Night (1990) 1 episode
  • Rock Hudson (1990) TV Movie
  • Heartland (1989) 1 episode
  • Father Dowling Mysteries (1989) 1 episode
  • Bluegrass (1988) TV Movie
  • Celebration Family (1987) TV Movie
  • Crime of Innocence (1985) TV Movie
  • The Love Boat (1980–1985) 3 episodes
  • I Married a Centerfold (1984) TV Movie
  • Faerie Tale Theatre (1983) 1 episode
  • Grace Kelly (1983) TV Movie
  • Desperate Lives (1982) TV Movie
  • Alice (1980–1981) 23 episodes
  • Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980) TV Movie
  • Black Beauty (1979) 1 episode
  • Willa (1979) TV Movie
  • Thaddeus Rose and Eddie (1978) TV Movie
  • City of Angels (1976) 3 episodes
  • The November Plan (1976) TV Movie
  • Addie and the King of Hearts (1976) TV Movie
  • Movin’ On (1975) 1 episode
  • The Devil’s Daughter (1973) TV Movie
  • Then Came Bronson (1969) 1 episode
  • Ironside (1968) 1 episode
  • Gunsmoke (1964–1967) 3 episodes
  • The Big Valley (1967) 1 episode
  • Shane (1966) 1 episode
  • Daniel Boone (1966) 1 episode
  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964) 1 episode
  • The Great Adventure (1964) 1 episode
  • The Fugitive (1964) 1 episode
  • Hazel (1963) 1 episode
  • Mr. Novak (1963) 1 episode
  • Perry Mason (1963) 1 episode
  • 77 Sunset Strip (1963) 1 episode
  • Armstrong Circle Theatre (1963) 1 episode
  • Wide Country (1963) 1 episode
  • The Detectives (1961) 1 episode
  • Deadline (1959) 1 episode
  • Naked City (1958–1959) 2 episodes
  • The Walter Winchell File (1958) 1 episode
  • Decoy (1957) 1 episode
  • Stanley (1956) 1 episode
  • The Secret Storm (1954-1974) (multi episodes)
  • The Big Story (1949) 1 episode

She won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe among many other awards and remained active into the 2020s. Her personal life included marriages to actor Bruce Dern (1960-69), with whom she had two daughters (one of whom died as a toddler), William A. Shea Jr. (1969-77) and later

Robert Charles Hunter (married 1999, died 2025). She is survived by her daughter Laura Dern and grandchildren. She leaves a legacy of versatility, bold character work and a commitment to her craft.

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Gilson Lavis

Gilson Lavis (born David Leslie Gilson Lavis June 27, 1951 – died Wednesday, November 5, 2025) was born in Bedford, England and started playing drums at about age 12. He began his professional musical career in his teens, touring early with the likes of

Chuck Berry and Dolly Parton before joining the pop-rock band Squeeze in 1976 where his precise drumming anchored their rise during the late 1970s and 1980s (“Cool for Cats”, “Up the Junction”). Later he became the drummer for Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and

in later years developed a parallel career as a portrait artist specializing in black & white acrylic studies of musicians. He retired from drumming toward the end of 2024 and died at age 74 at his home in Lincolnshire, England; he is survived by his wife and son and remembered both for his musical groove and artistic vision.

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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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