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The term "trial of the century" has been used to describe such juicy court cases as the kidnapping of the Lindburgh baby, the Tate-labianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and his followers, and the Los Angeles Department's use of excessive force in the arrest of Rodney King. But in my lifetime, I have never seen a more captivating (and depressing) spectacle than NFL Hall of Fame running back and beloved media personality O.J. Simpson being tried for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. Every single second of the proceedings was aired on CNN, and when star witnesses got called in, the major networks preempted their soap operas to captivate their viewership with a sudsy, high-stakes murder-mystery packed with real-life twists and turns.

Most people couldn't buy O.J. Simpson as a murderer. He was a willing, charismatic pitchman for a number of products, and...

Robert Downey Sr., the director of the anti-establishment satirical classic Putney Swope and the father of actor Robert Downey Jr., died early today in his sleep at home in New York City. He was 85.

His death was announced by wife and author Rosemary Rogers to the New York Daily News. Rogers told the publication that Downey Sr. had suffered from Parkinson’s for more five years. Robert Downey Jr. confirmed the death on Instagram today, writing that his father was “a true maverick filmmaker” who “remained remarkably optimistic” throughout “the ravages of Parkinson’s.”

See Downey Jr.’s Instagram tribute below.

Born in New York City, Downey Sr. became a significant force in the city’s underground film movement in the 1960s, writing and directing the 1961 short fantasy film Ball’s Bluff in which a Civil War soldier wakes up to find himself in 20th Century Central Park.

Other offbeat indie films followed,...

Geoffrey Scott, an actor known for his roles in “Dark Shadows” and “Dynasty,” has died, his wife confirmed to Variety. He was 79.

Scott was also a lauded commercial actor, starring in over 100 commercials such as the “Walk a Mile for a Camel” campaign shot at the Taj Mahal and a Maxwell House Coffee ad alongside Margaret Hamilton. Scott was also featured as one of the Old Spice and Marlboro men.

Born on Feb. 22, 1942, Scott grew up in San Fernando Valley, Calif., on the same street where both John Wayne and Clark Gable lived. Scott got his start in show business when he was signed by legendary agent Dick Clayton, who represented the likes of James Dean, Burt Reynolds and Jane Fonda, which led to a contract with Universal.

His first major acting role was as Sky Rumson in the vampire soap “Dark Shadows” in 1970. In 1972, Scott portrayed Jeffrey Jordan in “Where the Heart Is,...

Tommy “Tiny” Lister, the professional wrestler-turned-actor perhaps best known for his turn as the bully Deebo in the “Friday” films, passed away on Thursday, his manager confirmed. He was 62.

According to TMZ, Lister was found unconscious in his Marina Del Rey home on Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead on the scene and there is no word as of yet as to the cause of death.

Lister — who stood 6 feet, 5 inches tall — started his career as a wrestler before moving on to films. His early roles included “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “No Holds Barred” and the HBO football series “1st & Ten.”

After his appearance in “No Holds Barred” — which starred Hulk Hogan — he transferred the Zeus character from the film over the wrestling ring. He wrestled against Hogan as part of a tag team match at SummerSlam in 1989, where he was pinned by Hogan. His final appearance in the WWF came later that year,...