Every actor in the Glee cast that passed

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Every actor in the Glee cast that passed

Unfortunately, there is a significant number of these Happiness Figures who died, either from reasons later in life or from more tragic circumstances. Happiness Premiered in May 2009 and ushered in an era of Ryan Murphy TV shows that, collectively, still can’t rival the cultural influence of his original hit series about a glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School. Although American Horror Story may now be better known, and American Crime Story More critically acclaimed, HappinessThe first season in particular was a phenomenon.

Happiness Employed a fantastic ensemble cast of talented actors and singers who drove the tongue-in-cheek comedy of the teen show. However, they are better known for belting out HappinessS incredible covers of songs. Although the quality of the series is admitted quickly, the early seasons of the show are some of the best network television has to offer. Happiness Often brought in famous TV actors and singers for guest and recurring roles, although as the years passed, a number of them died, along with a few key young actors from the main cast.

Actor

Character

Cory Monteith

Finn Hudson

Mark Salling

Noah Puckerman

New Rivera

Santa Lopez

Robin Truckee

Jean Sylvester

Michael Lerner

Sydney Green

Tim Conway

Marty Rogers

Olivia Newton-John

himself

Meatloaf

Barry Jeffries

Jean sincerely

Old librarian

Barbara Tarbuck

Nancy Bletheim

Jane Galloway Heitz

Lillian Adler

Phyllis Applegate

Birdie Lawrence

Tonita Locastro

Imelda

Mike Hagerty

Pete Sosnowski

Michael Mandel

Mo

Roger Keller

Bill

Patty Duke

Jan

Sonya Eddy

angry mom

James Lipton

himself

Susan Krull

Eccentric Vogue Woman

Edmund Sheep

Hipster male

Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson

Date of birth: 11 May 1982

actor: Cory Monteith has struggled with substance addictions for much of his life and tragically, On July 13, 2013, at the age of 31, he was found dead in his hotel room. Due to a mixed blood toxicity of heroin and alcohol. Despite his life being cut so short, he still managed an impressive career. On TV, Monteith played Gunnar in Kaya and Charlie Tanner in Kyle XY. In the film, he appeared in Monte Carlo Like Owen Andrews and in Final destination 3 Like Cahill.

Monteith was also an accomplished drummer, which is why you can see Finn playing the drums in a handful of scenes in the show. He was also a greedy philanthropist who wanted to give back when he found success. His favorite non-profit group was Project LimelightAn organization based in Vancouver that is a free performing arts program for children.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Final destination 3 (2006)

Cahill

Kaya (2007)

Gunnar

Monte Carlo (2011)

Owen Andrew

character: At the beginning of the series, Finn Hudson is The quarterback of the football team with a secret talent for singing. Although he is embarrassed by this side of himself, his romantic interest, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), brings out the sensitive side of his character.

Related

Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman

Date of birth: August 17, 1982

actor: Mark Saling marks another tragic passing among the cast of Happiness. On January 30, 2018, Salling was found dead after taking his own life at the age of 35. HappinessSalling appeared in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger As Billy and was a special guest star on The X Factor. His only two film roles followed Glee: The 3D Concert Movie were two direct-to-video movies, Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Like James Rhodes, and The graveyard Like Eric.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996)

James Rhodes

Walker, Texas Ranger (1999)

Billy

The graveyard (2006)

Eric

character: Noah Puckerman is Finn’s best friend and another star athlete on the football team. He is The bad boy of the school and a serial daterBut his injury is more on the kind side, making him a generally good friend. As the show progresses, he becomes a more responsible and honest person and less of a bully, embracing his place among the glee club.

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez

Date of birth: January 12, 1987

actor: Naya Rivera’s death is tragic and heroic. Rivera and her four-year-old son Josey were renting a boat on a reservoir in Ventura County, California, Lake Piru, on July 8, 2020, when she disappeared. Josey was found alone sleeping on the boat and the search operation found Rivera’s body in the lake. The sheriff’s report and Josie’s statements suggested that a strong rip current exhausted Rivera while she and her son were swimming and, With her last ounce of strength, she managed to get her son into the boat But can’t get into himself (through Everyone).

Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist.

Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist. She was especially involved with The Trevor Projectwhich aims to help LGBTQ+ teens who may be considering taking their own lives. Her other television roles included Collette Jones Step up: high waterBlanca Alvarez in the series Shallow servicesAnd Donna in The Bernie Mac Show. Rivera’s film performances include playing Vera in At the devil’s door and release Selena Kyle Batman: The Long Halloween.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

The Bernie Mac Show (2002-2006)

Dana

At the devil’s door (2014)

Vera

Step up: high water (2018-2019)

Collette Jones

character: Santana Lopez is One of the most popular cheerleaders in Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) squad and began the series as a bad girlPairing well with pack. She softened later in the show and eventually came out as bisexual, marrying Brittany (Heather Morris). Despite the softening, she maintains a biting wit that gives her some of the show’s best one-liners. Her solo performances are also favorites.

Robin Trotsky as Jean Sylvester

Date of birth: June 30, 1956


Jean Sylvester (Robin Trocki) sits in a hospital bed in Glee.

actor: Robin Trocki, who died on December 14, 2019, at the age of 63, from complications with Alzheimer’s disease, Only one role in her acting career, as Jean Sylvester on Happiness.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Happiness (2009-2011)

Jean Sylvester

character: Sue Sylvester treats everyone pretty terribly, that is, except for her older sister Jean. Jean has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living facility. Jean is only in a handful of episodes, but her appearances throughout the series serve to show that Sue has a heart. She leaves at the end of season 2.

Michael Lerner as Sidney Green

Date of birth: June 22, 1941


Sidney Green (Michael Lerner) talking to someone in Gli.-1

actor: Michael Lerner passed away on April 8, 2023, at the age of 81, from complications caused by a series of brain seizures. Before that, he was known as a prolific character actor, appearing in many notable productions. On TV, Lerner played Mel Horowitz in the Clueless series and judge Myron Winkleman in Courthouse. His film roles included Mr. Greenway in elevenMayor Ebert in GodzillaSenator Brickman in Days of Future PastAnd Jack Lipnick in Barton Finkwhich earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Barton Fink (1991)

Jack Lipnick

Clueless (1996-1997)

ML Horwitz

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Senator Brickman

character: Sidney Green is a director and producer who has appeared in a handful of episodes In season 4. He was working on the Broadway play Funny girl When Rachel auditioned. His screen time is limited in the series and his character is not fully fleshed out as much of the focus in the storyline is on the different styles of Rachel and Santana.

Tim Conway as Marty Rogers

Date of birth: December 15, 1933


Marty Rogers (Tim Conway) looks upset in Glee.-1

actor: Tim Conway had a prolific and award-winning career before he died on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85 from normal pressure hydrocephalus. Conway earned six Emmy Awards from 13 nominations And was nominated for two Golden Globes, winning once. His best known television roles include various characters on The Carol Burnett ShowEnsign Charles Beaumont Parker on McHale’s NavyAnd he was the voice of Barnacle Boy on Spongebob Squarepants. In movies, Conway played Amos Tucker in The apple dumpling trend and Tim in The shaggy here

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

McHale’s Navy (1962-1966)

Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker

The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978)

Various

The apple dumpling trend (1975)

Amos Tucker

character: Marty Rogers Appears alongside Billy Dee Williams and June Squibb in Season 5, Episode 19, “Old Dog, New Tricks”. The three are retired actors and members of a nursing home trying to put on a stage version of Peter Pan. Happiness has been known for stunt casting legendary pop culture figures in bit parts, and Conway is one of many who appear during the show.

Olivia Newton-John as herself

Date of birth: September 26, 1948


Olivia Newton-John and Sue Sylvester singing in sportswear in Glee

actor: Olivia Newton-John died on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73 from cancer. Before that she was A Golden Globe-nominated singer and actor who was best known for her performance as Sandy Olson in Lubricate. Her other notable film roles include Kira In Xanadu and Lina Bingham in It’s my party. Newton-John’s television roles include numerous appearances as himself on American Idol,RuPaul’s Drag RaceAnd Dancing with the stars. She also won four Grammy Awards, including one for Video of the Year for “Physical”.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Lubricate (1978)

Sandy Olson

Xanadu (1980)

Kira

It’s my party (1996)

Lina Bingham

character: Olivia Newton-John stars as herself in a recurring role on Happiness. She pokes fun at her own “good girl” public image, playing a diva-ish singer who helps Sue repair her reputation By having her appear in a remake of the music video for “Physical”. Newton-John later appeared as a self-centered judge in a singing competition. It’s a fun role for musical fans to see her in since they’re so used to seeing the actor playing good girl characters instead.

Meatloaf like Barry Jeffries

Date of birth: September 27, 1947


Tim Stanwick (Barry Bostwick) and Barry Jeffries (Meat Loaf) look at someone on Glee

Actor: Meat Loaf is best known as a musician and his 1977 album Bat out of hell Was at one point the 4th best-selling album in history (via Forbes). Meat Loaf, real name Michael Lee Aday, has also appeared in many television shows and movies. He appeared on television Game Ghost Wars Like Doug Rennie and one episode of Monk Like Reverend Hadley Jorgensen. His notable film roles include Eddie In The Rocky Horror Picture ShowRobert “Bob” Paulsen in Action ClubAnd tiny in Wayne’s world.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Eddy

Action Club (1999)

Bob Paulsen

Game Ghost Wars (2017-2018)

Doug Rennie

character: Barry Jeffries, along with Tim Stanwick (Barry Bostwick), appear in season 2, episode 5, as managers of a local news station Who plots to help Sue do an exhibition about the upcoming school play. It’s not a huge role for him, but like many other pop-culture figures, it made the audience pause to find out exactly where they knew him.

Jean candid as old librarian

Date of birth: August 16, 1919


The librarian (Jean Beemes) looks angry at Glee.-1

actor: Jean Sincere died on April 3, 2013, at the age of 93 of natural causes. Her notable television credits include appearing in one-episode roles in shows like Fraser, iCarly, Malcolm in the middle, He, 7th heavenAnd more. In the movies, Ms. Hogenson voices in earnest The Incredibles And played Ruby in Pulse.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Pulse (1988)

Rubin

The Incredibles (2004)

Mrs. Hogenson

iCarly (2012)

Gloria

character: Noted only as the ancient librarian, The school employee is constantly seen shooing the glee club members just as they are about to break into song. She is responsible for a great running gag in the show since it is clear that the glee club’s antics are not appreciated by the rest of the school. She speaks for the first time when she asks the club to make a song for her church.

Barbara Tarbuck as Nancy Blatheim

Date of birth: January 15, 1942


Nancy Bletheim (Barbara Tarbuck) looks shocked at Glee.

actor: Barbara Tarbuck died on December 26, 2016, at the age of 74 after contracting the neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Her notable television roles include playing Mother Superior Claudia in American Horror Story: AsylumBarbara Colohan in NYPD Blueand Lady Jane Jacks in General Hospital. Tarbuck’s movie roles include Helen In Big trouble and Connie Vaughn in Go high.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

General Hospital (1996-2010)

Lady Jane Jacques

Go high (2004)

Connie Vaughn

American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013)

Mother Superior Claudie

character: Nancy Bletheim is The William McKinley High geometry teacher whose only appearance comes in season 3Episode 1 of Happiness. It’s rare for many other teachers outside of Mr. Shu and Coach Sylvester to be featured on the show since their own battle over art in schools takes up more time than the kids actually going to class.

Jane Galloway Heitz as Lillian Adler

Date of birth: September 18, 1941


Lilian Adler (Jane Galloway Heitz) holding a book and looking up at Glee.

actor: Jane Galloway Heitz died on November 13, 2019, at the age of 78, due to heart failure. for the time being She often has small roles in shows like Shame like claire Monk Like essay, and Gray’s Anatomy Like Annie’s mom. Heitz’s film roles include Nurse Irma Beck in I know who killed me And Audrey in Madison.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Madison (2001)

Audrey

I know who killed me (2007)

Nurse Irma Beck

Monk (2007)

Essie

character: Only Lillian Adler Appeared in the pilot of HappinessAs the original glee club director. Not all fans will realize that though since Her scenes were cut and are now only available in the director’s cut. But her photograph hangs in the trophy case of the Glick Club with the quote “According to his definition, happiness is about opening up to joy.“This makes Jane Galloway Heitz a bigger presence on the show than she might have thought since Mr. Shu often looks to her image for inspiration.

Phyllis Applegate as Birdie Lawrence

Date of birth: May 8, 1930


Myrtle (Phyllis Applegate) knitting at a table in Better Call Saul.

actor: Phyllis Applegate, who died on January 13, 2023, at the age of 92, appeared in many television shows and movies, generally in small roles. On TV, she played Myrtle in Better call SaulIda Pearl in Any day nowAnd Darnell’s grandmother in My name is Os Earl. Applegate’s movie credits include Grace In Insidious: Chapter 3 And Aunt Billie in Black dynamite.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Black dynamite (2009)

Aunt Billie

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

grace

Better call Saul (2017)

Myrtle

character: Birdie Lawrence appeared in Happiness Season 4, Episode 3, Vol A member of the Show Choir Rules Committee. Characters who appeared in sequences of judging competitions or confirming competitions often only appeared in the show once. Those actors were “day players” for the show, able to come in and do a day’s work and make a lasting impression on an episode.

Tonita Castro as Imelda

Date of birth: January 15, 1953


Imelda (Tonita Locastro) looks up to someone in Glee.

actor: Tonita Castro died on May 8, 2016 at the age of 63 after a battle with stomach cancer. Castro’s television credits include Edna In DadsPunch in Go onand Consuela in Crawl show. Her film roles include Elsa in Looking for a friend before the end of the worldAunt Rosita in Our family weddingand Bonita in Strange people.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Our family wedding (2010)

Aunt Rosita

Go on (2012-2013)

Fist

Dads (2013-2014)

Edna

character: In Season 1, Episode 21, Imelda Appears briefly as Sue’s household. With not much of Sue’s home life shown outside of her relationship with her sister and her desire to have a child in later seasons, it is unknown if Sue keeps her household staff around the series.

Mike Hagerty as Pete Sosnowski

Date of birth: May 10, 1954


Pete Sosnowski (Mike Hagerty reading from a clipboard in Glee.

actor: Mike Hagerty died on May 5, 2022, at the age of 67, after suffering a seizure and slipping into a coma. Hagerty’s notable television roles include Frank McNamara on The George Carlin ShowMr. Trigger on FriendsAnd Mike on Happy Levi. His film credits include Davey In Wayne’s world And a peanut seller in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shook Me.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Wayne’s world (1992)

Davey

The George Carlin Show (1994-1995)

Frank McNamara

Happy Levi (2006-2007)

Mike

character: Pete Sosnowski is the associate director of the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and Presides over the 2010 Western Ohio Sectional Championship, eventually revealing that New Directions and the Warblers Tide. He appeared in season 2, episode 9.

Michael Mandel as Mo

Date of birth: June 11, 1959


Michael Mandel on stage at eleven, wearing his hat.

actor: Michael Mandel died on July 26, 2020, at the age of 60. Previously, he starred in television shows such as Person of interest like coach The Electric Company Like Mr. Abercrombie, and NYC 22 Like Alton Fancy. His movie roles include Cleavon In I love you Philip Morris And Murray in New Year’s Eve. He also notable Performed twice in the stage production of eleven As the Macy’s Store Manager.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

The Electric Company (2009)

Mr. Abercrombie

I love you Philip Morris (2009)

Klavon

NYC 22 (2012)

Alton Fancy

character: Mo Appears briefly in Season 2, Episode 22, “New York”.

Roger Keller as Bill

Date of birth: November 19, 1949


Bill (Roger Keller) asking a question in Glee.

actor: Roger Keller died on January 10, 2017, of cancer at the age of 67. He had only appeared in a handful of television roles until that point. Keller played Reverend Forke in Murphy BrownAnd Unnamed characters in points like Fraser, Good luckAnd Wings.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Good luck (1987)

Shopkeeper

Fraser (1994-1997)

Cough man/waiter

Murphy Brown (1998)

Reverend Forke

character: Bill is A minor character who appeared briefly in season 3, episode 12, “The Spanish Teacher”.

Patty Duke as January

Date of birth: December 14, 1946


Jan (Patty Duke) smiling at someone in Glee.

actor: Patty Duke, who died on March 29, 2016 at age 69 of sepsis, Earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Helen Keller in The miracle worker. She was also nominated for four Golden Globes in her career, winning twice, and she earned 10 Emmy nominations and won three times. Duke’s other notable film roles include Nellie O’Hara in Valley of the Dolls and Natalie Miller in I, Natalie. Her television credits include Patty Lane on The Patty Duke Show and Bernadette Hennessey Armagh in Captain and the Kings.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

The miracle worker (1962)

Helen Keller

The Patty Duke Show (1963-1966)

Patty Lane

I, Natalie (1969)

Natalie Miller

character: Jan is A jeweler in season 4, episode 22, who helps Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) pick out a ring for Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer). Jan and her friend Liz (Meredith Baxter) have dinner with the young people and encourage them to take the leap, explaining how views of queerness have changed since they were young. Jan then adds to Liz, inspiring Blaine to do the same.

Sonya Eddy as Angry Mom

Date of birth: June 17, 1967


Sonya Eddy as Epiphany looks worried in General Hospital.

actor: Sonya Eddy died on December 19, 2022, at the age of 55 after non-emergency surgery led to an infection. She appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies before then. On TV, she was Best known for performances in General Hospital Like Epiphany Johnson, Legit Like Ramona, and Those who can’t Like Tommy. Eddie’s notable film roles include Deborah In V/H/S/99 and Hannah in The incredible Burt Wonderstone.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

General Hospital (2006-2022)

Epiphany Johnson

Legit (2013-2014)

Ramona

V/H/S/99 (2022)

Debra

character: The Angry Mom played by Sonya Eddy appeared in season 3, episode 4, III She throws a brick at Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba)..

James Lipton as himself

Date of birth: September 19, 1926


James Lipton on an empty hall in Gly

actor: James Lipton was an actor, writer, and Talk show host best known for hosting Inside the Actors StudioThat earned him 18 Emmy nominations and one win. He was only in small roles. On TV, he played the Warden Stefan Gentles in Arrested developmentDr. Richard Rahl in SuburgatoryAnd let’s go The Goldbergs. His film credits include Captivated Like yourself and Bolt Like the director’s voice. Lipton died on March 2, 2020, at the age of 90 from bladder cancer.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Inside the Actors Studio (1994-2018)

himself

Arrested development (2004-2019)

Garden Stephen Gentles

Suburgatory (2012)

Dr. Richard Rahl

character: James Lipton Appears as in Happiness Season 3, Episode 22. As Finn graduated from high school, he auditioned for Lipton to get a spot at the Actors Studio.

Susan Krul as Eccentric Vogue Woman

Date of birth: July 8, 1966


An eccentric Vogue woman (Suzanne Krull) looks bored in Glee.

actor: Susan Krull died on July 27, 2013, at the age of 47, after suffering an aneurysm. Krull is best known for playing Lynn Karnoff on Lost and Miss Burwich in Zoey 101. Her movie roles included performances in Race to Witch Mountain Like Gail Ross and Rudderless Like Bertie Dupree.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Zoey 101 (2005-2008)

Miss Burwich

Lost (2007-2010)

Lynn Karnoff

Rudderless (2014)

Bertie Dufrey

character: Season 4, Episode 3 sees Susan Krul as An eccentric interviewer for Vogue Fashion magazine.

Edmund Schaff as Hipster Male

Date of birth: May 19, 1935


Bill the Hipster (Edmund Schaff) stands at attention in Glee.

actor: Edmund Schaaf died on June 16, 2023 at the age of 88. Small roles on shows like Modern family Like Victor, Desperate housewives Like Walter, and Crazy people Like Chester Rockingham. His film roles include parts in Herbie fully loaded Like thin and Put it away Like Mr. Zachary.

Notable Movie and TV Roles:

Title

Role

Put it away (1996)

Mr. Zachary

Herbie fully loaded (2005)

Thin

Modern family (2015)

Victor

character: In Season 2, Episode 9, of Happiness New directions compete against another group called the hipsters. Despite their name, they are not a Brooklyn music group. Instead, they are A team of older, but surprisingly singers, one of them is Bill.

Glee honored the death of Cory Monteith in a touching episode

Monteith was honored in season 5, episode 3 “The Quarterback”


A close-up of Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) among mourners during his Glee tribute episode

…Monday we should not remember how he died, but for how much joy he brought into the lives of others.

Cory Monteith died while the cast was filming season 5 of Happiness. Filming was stopped and the cast and crew were given time off while a new episode was drafted to honor him. It was named “The Quarterback” in honor of his character, Finn Hudson, whose character died off-screen between episodes 2 and 3 of the season.

The episode was an emotional one for the cast and the fans of the show as it revolved around the characters grieving the loss of Finn, but in reality, it was the loss of Monteith. Chris Colfer’s Kurt provides the voiceover announcing Finn’s death, and the character refuses to tell the audience the manner of death so that the episode can be about honoring Finn’s life instead. It was a fitting way to remind the audience that Monteith should not be remembered for how he died, but for how much joy he brought to the lives of others.

The episode brought many members of New Directions back together to attend a memorial service for Finn. Lea Michele, who was dating Monteith at the time of his death, didn’t return as Rachel Berry until the final moments of the episode to perform a farewell song with “Make You Feel My Love.”

Songs featured in the episode include the opening number “Seasons of Love” performed by several cast members, originally from Leaseand Naya Rivera’s emotional rendition of the band Perry’s “If I Die Young.” Producers of the show agreed to donate proceeds from the sale of the EP for the episode to Monteith’s favorite charity, Project Limelight.

Songs featured in “The Quarterback”

performer(s)

“Seasons of Love”

Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz

“I’ll stand by you”

Amber Riley

“Fire and Rain”

Kevin McHale and Chord Overstreet

“If I Die Young”

New Rivera

“no issue”

Mark Salling

“To Make You Feel My Love”

Lee Michelle

This episode is mentioned as one of the most emotional, and one of the best episodes of Happiness During the show’s run. “The Quarterback” remains the highest rated episode of Happiness By fans on rating platforms and on databases like IMDb.

In order to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s luck club. Fox Happiness was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, with Lea Michele, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.

Figure

Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley

Release date

May 19, 2009

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