Disney News

Tag: death

  • Disney Employee Killed in Accident Near Pop Century Resort Gondola Construction

    Disney Employee Killed in Accident Near Pop Century Resort Gondola Construction

    An employee at Walt Disney World died in an apparent industrial accident today near Pop Century Resort.

    The accident happened in an industrial area near the Pop Century Resort and Waldorf Astoria golf course. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 9:15 a.m. to respond to a guard gate next to the Pop Century Resort at Disney, officials said.

    The man who was in his late 30s was found unconscious, deputies said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

    “All of us at Walt Disney World Resort are deeply saddened today by the loss of one of our Cast Members. Our thoughts and concerns are with his family, friends, and fellow co-workers. This is a tragic accident, and we are providing resources and care for those impacted and working closely with the proper authorities to understand how this happened,” George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort said in a release.

    Officials have not identified the employee and no other information was immediately available. What we do know is that crews have been working in the area on a Skyliner gondola transit system meant to link the theme park Epcot to a slew of Disney resorts, including Pop Century.

  • Grand Floridian Greeter Richard Gerth Has Passed Away

    Grand Floridian Greeter Richard Gerth Has Passed Away

    Some very saddening news is hitting the Disney Community today that will break the hearts of countless Cast Members and guest alike. Richard Gerth, the Grand Floridian Greeter, passed away at the age of 92 last night due to complications from pneumonia.

    On Tuesday morning reports that Richard had fallen ill surfaced. He had been taken to hospice and according to a Facebook page that has contact with the family, Richard passed in the early morning hours.

    Starting his career at Walt Disney World in 1991, Richard Gerth, has been welcoming guests with his smile and happy disposition for generations. Gerth had become so well-known that many families make getting a picture with him an annual tradition.

    Guests loved Richard and he loved meeting them too. “I think just about every day is a good day…To be acknowledged by another person is the greatest feeling that anyone could get out of a job,” Gerth said during a 2014 interview.

    Gerth was recognized in 2013 by Disney when they awarded him the Walt Disney Legacy Award. This is the highest honor that Cast Members can achieve at Disney Parks and Resorts and those who have been honored with it wear a blue name tag rather than the traditional white name tag.

    Richard was everything you would want a cast member to be.  He was warm and friendly and it is a great loss for the Disney community.  Our thoughts, prayers and condolences and thoughts go out to his family. He was a Disney Legend and he will be greatly missed.

  • Detectives Investigating Mimi Kaboom Actresses Death as Possible Suicide

    Detectives Investigating Mimi Kaboom Actresses Death as Possible Suicide

    Stacy Fulford, who played Mimi Kaboom in Streetmosphere at Hollywood Studios passed away Thursday and investigators are now saying it was not an accident or natural causes.

    We spoke to officials at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office who confirmed there is an active investigation in to the beloved cast members death. “The evidence suggests suicide”, according to detectives. “We can say no foul play is suspected in the death of Ms. Fulford-Morreale.” OCSO’s spokesperson Jane Watrel said.

    OCSO responded to a call for an attempted suicide at 1:10am on the morning of December 28th and they arrived on the scene minutes later. She was pronounced deceased at her home, but the exact circumstances are still unclear at this time as it is still an ongoing investigation. According to the medical examiner’s office the preliminary cause of death is suicide pending toxicology results of course.  No further information is available at this time until detectives conclude the investigation and the medical examiners report is finalized.

    There has been an outpouring of support for the actress who was only 29 years old. The recent news came as such a shock to friends, cast members and fans alike, as she was adored by all who knew her. Her daily performances in the park and infectious spirit brought so much joy to guests and her loss is felt by so many.

    We talked to several of her friends who shared their feelings and memories. Those close to Stacy recall her as a person of high character who could entertain anyone. “She was kind, talented, contiguously fun, and just frankly, better than i can properly put into words.” one friend said. Another friend said, “There was a levity to being around her that’s hard to find. Plus that huge smile of hers could brighten anyone’s day.”

    One of Stacy’s closest college friends, Chaya (Erica) Goldman recalled, “She was so beautiful and so funny, so committed.” She continued, “Stacy was a ball of sunshine. She could make anybody laugh.”

    She posted her fond memories recently on Facebook.

    Fans from all over the world took to the internet to show their support for the entertainer as well.

    Fulford worked full-time at Walt Disney World as a Citizen of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as various other venues around the parks. Specializing in improvisation, she was also skilled in and passionate about both Shakespeare and musical theatre. Outside of Disney, Stacy could be seen onstage at various theatres around the greater Orlando area. She was also very passionate about rescue animals and rescued her dog and cat and encouraged others to rescue as well.

    Stacy was loved so much and was a light to all who knew her and her light will shine forever. Our sympathies go out to her family, friends and to all the Citizens of Hollywood who worked with her. Memorial Services for Stacy Fulford take place on Sunday January 7, 2018 at 2:00pm at Indian River City United Methodist Church in Titusville, FL Florida.

  • Mark Hamill Pays Tribute to Carrie Fisher on the Anniversary of Her Death

    Mark Hamill Pays Tribute to Carrie Fisher on the Anniversary of Her Death

    On the one year anniversary of beloved Carrie Fisher’s death, Mark Hamill is remembering his Star Wars costar with a very some very touching words.

    Quoting a piece of dialogue from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Fisher’s final film in the franchise, Hamill wrote on Instagram “No one’s ever really gone” followed by the hashtags #AlwaysWithUs and #CarrieOnForever.

    No one’s ever really gone… #AlwaysWithUs #CarrieOnForever

    A post shared by Mark Hamill (@hamillhimself) on

    The post was accompanied by photos of Hamill and Fisher as well as a sketch of Fisher famously flipping the bird as she holds her beloved dog Gary.

    Hamill and Fisher became close when they were both rising stars after meeting on the first Star Wars in 1977.

    Hamill and Fisher starred in the original three Star Wars films in the 1970s and 1980s, and they finally reunited in the latest movies, 2015’s The Force Awakens and the latest film The Last Jedi, which is dedicated to her memory.

    Fisher had several poignant moments with the whole cast, including her daughter Billie Lourd. The young actress made her debut in the 2015 Star Wars movie The Force Awakens alongside her mother.

    Lourd also remembered the actress on Instagram, revealing that she traveled to Norway to honor her mother.

    “Star Trek” icon William Shatner, who often engaged in playful public battles with Fisher about whose franchise was better, also shared a photo on Twitter of him and Fisher.


    Many celebrities and fans shared heartfelt messages about Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in “Star Wars.” Fisher died at age 60 just two days after Christmas in 2016, following a heart attack she had on a flight from London to Los Angeles.