Paul Skipper/JPI Studios

It is with great sadness to report that Paul Skipper, a long-time photographer at JPI Studios, died on Tuesday, June 4 (previously incorrectly reported by us as Monday, June 3). While it is unknown at this time what caused Skipper’s death, tweets have gone out from several past and present “Days of our Lives” cast/crew members, which is the show Skipper primarily shot for, including one from Eric Martsolf (Brady Black) that read: “Paul Skipper- RIP. No one shot more terrific pictures for our genre.” His tweet was responded to by Crystal Chappell (ex-Carly Manning), who said “so very true. Loved his dear heart.”

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Corday Productions, Inc.

Fran Bascom, who had been nominated nine times for her work as a casting director at NBC’s “Days of our Lives” by the Casting Society of America, has died. After reportedly feeling under the weather late Sunday, June 2, Bascom was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, where she died. A cause of death is not known at this time.

Former “DAYS” cast member, Farah Fath (ex-Mimi Lockhart; ex-Gigi Morasco, “One Life to Live“), and former “DAYS” head writer, Sheri Anderson, noted Bascom’s death on Twitter earler today.

Rest Peacefully, Fran. I’m forever grateful for you,” said Fath. Anderson tweeted, “Nothing but lovely memories of one of the sweetest and BEST casting directors in town. Rest in Peace, Fran.”

In addition to her casting work on “DAYS,” Bascom also cast for a number of TV movies and popular sitcom “Designing Women.”

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87-year-old “Dallas” actor Steve Forrest (ex-Wes Parmalee/Ben Stivers) passed away on Saturday, May 18 in Thousand Oaks, California. In addition to his primetime soap role, the Texas native — who was initially discovered by Hollywood legend Gregory Peck — was known for television roles in “S.W.A.T.,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Gunsmoke,” as well as for roles in films like “Prisoner of War” (opposite Ronald Reagan), “Heller In Pink Tights” (with Sophia Loren), “The Flaming Star” (with Elvis Presley) and “The Longest Day” (with John Wayne).

Forrest’s popular “S.W.A.T.” line, “Let’s roll!” has become a memorable catchphrase in modern culture.

John Paschal/JPI Studios

It is with great sadness to report that Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor, “The Young and the Restless“) has died. The 84-year old actress, who has been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks, died this morning in her hospital bed with her daughter by her side.

“Mom passed this morning. She was in peace and without fear. U all have been incredible in your love. In her name share it 2 day with others,” said Cooper’s son, Corbin Bernsen, in a message posted on his Twitter page just a short time ago. He later added a longer message to his followers on Facebook (see below).

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According to a report by NBC New York and Gothamist.com, a staff member of ABC’s “The Chew” was murdered on Thursday, January 10 after being shot in the stomach near Macon Street and Throop Avenue in the Bed Stuy section of Brooklyn. Identified as Ivan Giovanettina, 41, the prop supervisor for the daytime talk show was taken to Kings County Hospital and pronounced dead. A recording of the suspected shooters was posted on YouTube in hopes of someone being able to help identify the perpetrators. The recording took place a few blocks away at Tompkins Avenue and Halsey Street. An arrest has yet to be made.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Bobbi Jordan, who had appeared for three years in the mid-1970s on “General Hospital” in the role of Terri Webber Arnett, has died. The actress died at her home in Encinitas, California on November 9 of an apparent heart attack. She was 75 years old.

In her role on “GH,” Jordan is probably best remembered for when her character crashed her car “after the wife of the man she was dating — just released from a sanitarium — tampered with her brakes. (Of course, he would operate on her to save her life.)”

A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, 939 Second St., Encinitas, CA 92024.

TeleNext Media, Inc.

Emily Squires, who was nominated for fifteen Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards throughout her career based on her work on “As The World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” “Sesame Street” and “Between the Lions,” passed on Wednesday, November 21 at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. She was 71 years old.

Squires directed episodes of “Sesame Street” from 1982 to 2007, while also serving on the shows writing team. She also served as a script writer on “ATWT,” “GL,” Search for Tomorrow,” and “The Secret Storm.”

A cause of death has not been determined according to her husband Len Belzer.

Mark Seliger/TNT

Larry Hagman, best known for such iconic roles as Major Tony Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie” and J.R. Ewing on “Dallas,” has died, reports The Dallas Morning News. The actor, 81, died at 4:20 PM local time earlier today.

Reportedly, members of Hagman’s family stated the cause of death as complications from his recent battle with cancer.

A native of Texas himself, Hagman portrayed the legendary Ewing character from 1978 to 1991 on CBS and again this past summer after TNT rebooted the series for a new generation. Hagman returned along side original co-stars Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray. The second season of the TNT incarnation, which Hagman had been filming, is set to premiere in January.

“Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most,” said the actors family in a statement. “Larry’s family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time.”

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On Saturday, November 17, 2012, Gene Bua (“Somerset,” “Love of Life” and “How To Survive a Marriage“) passed away after battling Parkinson’s disease for the past 13 years according to a posting on the actor and his wife Toni‘s website Bua Acting for Life. ”The great Master Teacher and my hero and Lion King for 47 years, Gene Bua, passed into the Light on Sat. Nov. 17th at 1:40, after battling 13 years of Parkinson’s and yet still going on to teach, write songs, be a mighty friend, and enjoy much of his life. I am surrounded by his power, love and radiance as I walk through these coming days with as much Grace as God will allow me. Very much love to you all,” said Mrs. Bua of her husband on the website.

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On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, the world of soaps lost a true legend in Barbara Esensten, who passed at age 75. Esensten co-created “The City” along with her more than 20 year long writing partner James Harmon Brown. The duo worked together on such shows as “Dynasty,” “All My Children,” “Days of our Lives,” “One Life to Live,” “Port Charles” and “Guiding Light.”

In a posting on Esensten’s facebook page, former “Guiding Light” head writer Jill Lorie Hurst said, “I think you know how much I love you and one of the many reasons is how much YOU loved your wonderful family – Mike, the kids, the grandkids – that great house of yours – and your good old partner Jim Brown. You were such a good boss/girlfriend and you always smelled so good. I miss you already.”

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