Elizabeth Taylor Outlives Her NYT Obituary Writer Mel Gussow

Elizabeth Taylor, who died Wednesday at 79, not only rose to the heights of stardom during her legendary life, she also accomplished something rare even for susperstars: she outlived one of her obituary writers.

In this case, the writer was former New York Times journalist Mel Gussow. It is common practice for news organizations to write obituaries of notable figures before they have actually died. What is not as common is for the obituary writer to die before the obituary is published. But Gussow died in 2005, forcing the Times to attach a note to his obituary: "Mel Gussow, the principal writer of this article, died in 2005. William McDonald and the Associated Press contributed updated reporting."

This is not the first time that a Hollywood legend outlived a New York Times obituary writer. In 2003, Bob Hope died at 100. His obituary writer, former Times film critic Vincent Canby, had died in 2000.

Comments

[ranchero42]

09:45 PM on 03/27/2011

How many obituary writers survived George Burns or Eubie Blake or the Queen Mum?

We could go on like this all day, I'm guessing? While I'm at it, pretend I'm mentioning Leni Riefenstahl only in passing - so to speak.

[boomcat44]

02:18 PM on 03/26/2011

Well, shouldn't her obituary have been incomplete?
Like, cut off at the very last paragraph, or something?

"Elizabeth Taylor leaves behind...AAACKK!!!"

[Zumba Marumba]

02:17 AM on 03/25/2011

This also happened last year with the Guardian's obit of Joan Sutherland:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/11/dame-joan-sutherland-obituary

[PerfectTommy]

11:27 AM on 03/24/2011

Good for her, not that I wish(ed) any ill on the obit writer. One thing I was wondering, over the years when I scanned the headlines of the tabloids at the checkout, she was always hovering at death's door - how many times do you think she was on the cover of one of those?

[Nebris]

08:22 PM on 03/23/2011

Bless her heart. Bet Gussow would smile too. Sweet dreams, Princess. xoxox

[Clarabell]

05:29 PM on 03/23/2011

I love it that she outlived him. My mom outlived her dentist and all of her doctors -- that was a bummer :-). (and some of mine are retiring -- also a bummer).

[Reader2323]

05:28 PM on 03/23/2011

And what a great obituary the late Mel Gussow wrote! Read it at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/movies/elizabeth-taylor-obituary.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1300894610-yjbqhsZfeqkjFHgkb7QZBg&pagewanted=all. Thorough, balanced, accurate, interesting. A very well-written summary of an unusual life.

[makemesmile]

04:44 PM on 03/23/2011

I remember buying the movie star magazines as a young teenager and seeing all of the stories and photos of real movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor. Those were good times.

[Rogurak]

08:33 PM on 03/23/2011

I've been thinking of that too. Makes me smile too. She was wonderful.

[mlaiuppa]

04:42 PM on 03/23/2011

End of an era.

May she find peace at last.

[MJAIKMAN]

04:39 PM on 03/23/2011

//This is when you know you're getting older. Another touchstone in your life passes away. Rest In Peace Elizabeth. How's Richard?

[Jayann]

04:25 PM on 03/23/2011

I honestly never thought I would read her obit. She was close to death (and drama) so many times during her life.....amazing and sad that she is actually gone.

[justsayno]

03:50 PM on 03/23/2011

Funny how these stars never make the front page

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/

[GraceNotes]

05:09 PM on 03/23/2011

When Bob Hope died, the Vincent Canby obit appeared on the front page of the NYT.

[janibowe]

03:42 PM on 03/23/2011

RIP, you saucy dame. I love that you were nothing less than yourself. You will be missed.

[YetAnotherAlex]

04:00 PM on 03/23/2011

Don't forget Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine!

[jojobinx]

03:16 PM on 03/23/2011

Rest in peace Elizabeth, you will see Richard again.

[GraceNotes]

05:10 PM on 03/23/2011

And Mike Todd, and Rock Hudson, and Montgomery Clift, and the list goes on.