'Different World' actor Lou Myers dies
BY Wire Reports
Thursday, February 21, 2013
2/21/13 at 5:10 AM
Actor Lou Myers, best known for his role as ornery restaurant owner Mr. Gaines on the television series "A Different World," has died.
Tonia McDonald of Myers' nonprofit, Global Business Incubation Inc., said Myers died Tuesday night in Charleston, W.Va. She said he was 76.
Myers' television credits included "NYPD Blue," "E.R.," "The Cosby Show," "Touched by an Angel," and more. He also appeared in a number of films, including "Tin Cup," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Wedding Planner" and more.
"A Different World" ran from 1987 to 1993 and originally starred Lisa Bonet from "Cosby" fame. Myers said he owed his introduction to Hollywood to Bill Cosby.
Myers also appeared on Broadway including "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" African American Style and "Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple."
In 2005, the Appalachian Education Initiative listed Myers as one of 50 "Outstanding Creative Artists" from the state of West Virginia.
Myers was chairman of Global Business Incubation, which helps urban small businesses, and chairman of the Lou Myers Scenario Motion Picture Institute/Theatre.
'Girl baseball player' who set stolen bases record dies
Sophie Kurys, who stole 201 bases in 1946 while playing in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, died Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz. She was 87.
Nicknamed the "Flint Flash," Kurys starred for the Racine Belles in the league featured in the 1992 movie "A League of Their Own."
Kurys' mark of 201 steals - in 203 attempts - was recognized in a recent exhibit by the Hall of Fame. Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton set the minor league mark last year with 155. Rickey Henderson holds the modern major league record with 130.
Kurys led the league in steals for seven straight years and swiped 1,114 bases in her career. Mostly a second baseman, she slid home with the winning run in the 14th inning of the 1946 championship game.
