Louis Vincent Albano, better known as Captain Lou Albano to professional wrestling fans, died this morning at age 76 as the result of an undisclosed illness. Albano had been under hospice care in Miami prior to his death.

Albano was a professional wrestler, manager and actor. With an over-the-top personality and a flare for boisterous declarations, Albano was a pioneer of the antagonistic wrestling manager in the 1980's. Throughout his forty-two-year career Albano guided 15 different tag teams and 4 singles competitors to championship gold.

Albano played Cyndi Lauper's father in her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" video and also appeared in subsequent Lauper videos including "She Bop", "Time After Time" and "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough".

Below is a clip from Pro Wrestling Illustrated of the always rambunctious Albano trading insults with managing foe Paul E. Dangerously:

Read more about the life of Lou Albano...

John Hughes -- critically acclaimed film director, producer and writer -- passed yesterday, Thursday August 6, according to the New York Daily Times.

Best known for his work in establishing the teen coming-of-age comedy genre, Hughes, 59, will be sincerely missed. 

Hughes was considered to be a film genius of the 1980's, whose credits include National Lampoon's Vacation; Ferris Bueller's Day Off; Weird Science; The Breakfast Club; Some Kind of Wonderful; Sixteen Candles; Pretty in Pink: Uncle Buck; and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Below is a montage of Hughes' movies from the 1980's to music from The Who...

Billy Mays -- the gregarious infomercial pitchman who could making anything sound like a blast -- passed away on Sunday, June 28, according to The New York Times.

Probably most well-known for his OxiClean commercials, Mays, 50, will be greatly missed. Although not a game show personality, his larger-than-life presence definitely made him feel like part of the family.

Below is a clip of Mays parodying himself in a bit for the Electronic Retailers Association's 2008 Awards...