Isaac Hayes died Sunday, August 10th at the age of 65 of an apparent heart attack. Found collapsed next to his treadmill, he was rushed to a local Memphis, Tennessee hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Reports vary on the cause of death, with one report claiming a simultaneous stroke and heart attack. This may be supported by a mild stroke he suffered in January of 2006. The family has also stated that Hayes was under care for a number of medical conditions including high blood pressure.

All signs point to a natural cause of death.

Hayes is best known as the deep voiced singer of the Theme to Shaft, which won the 1971 Oscar and two Grammy awards. To a younger generation, he voiced the character of Chef on South Park, before quitting the show due a conflict with his Scientology beliefs.

Isaac will be remembered for the great impact he made on music, ranging from soul to rap to funk. Oddly, Hayes and Bernie Mac will be featured in the movie Soul Men, scheduled to be released in November 2008.

While Hayes was found near a treadmill, please don’t give the shaft to your exercise program. It’s an important part of keeping healthy at any age.

We wish the entire Hayes family our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please leave your comments, recollections and thoughts.

In early June, it was reported that Paul Newman had what potentially could be terminal lung cancer. However, the report was controversial and the only statement from the very private Newman was that he was ‘doing nicely’.

In May, publicist Daniel Burstein stated that Newman would not direct Of Mice And Men due to health issues, but would not specify further on the actor’s condition. The health rumors started all the way back in January of this year. In response Newman joked and poked fun at these rumors.

I am being treated for athlete’s foot and hair loss – unless the doctors know something I don’t.

Recent reports have Newman leaving the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, which specializes in cancer treatment. He has finished his chemotherapy treatment and tells his family he wishes to die at home.

If true, this is a difficult time for Newman and his family. Intensely private, the media attention (even this blog post) are somewhat intrusive. As many families may attest, having time to say goodbye is very important. David Kuhl, author of What Dying People Want, has great insight into this difficult issue.

We wish Paul Newman – screen icon, philanthropist and racer – and his family our best wishes

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Is Bernie Mac Dead?

Dead? Say what? Not a chance!

Recently hospitalized in Chicago for pneumonia, a slew of pranks and rumors surfaced claiming that he’d died. Mac’s publicist Danica Smith was emphatic.

It is a very horrible rumor. It is absolutely untrue. Nothing has changed from yesterday.

The rumor may have taken hold since Mac is in remission from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in organs. The inflammation creates tiny lumps of cells called granulomas that can only be seen under a microscope. Though it can effect almost any organ, sarcoidosis most frequently effects the lungs and lymph nodes.

Let’s not forget that pneumonia isn’t anything to sneeze at. Coupled with Influenza, it is still one of the top leading causes of death in the U.S. Thankfully, Mac’s representatives say he is responding well to treatment and should be back on his feet soon.

Here’s hoping the comedy legend can laugh this one off.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Huffington Post reports that the “cancer was detected through an MRI ordered by a doctor and is not life-threatening”.

Applegate caught the cancer early which is vital to beating the disease. At 36 years old, many are shocked by Applegate’s diagnosis. However, her mother is a survivor of both breast and cervical cancer.

A family history increases the risk of cancer, so it’s good to see that Christina wasn’t ignoring the possibility, even at such a young age. In fact, Christina has been a long-time supporter of Susan G. Koman For the Cure.

We hope you join us in wishing Christina a quick and speedy recovery.