Country-Rock Legend Joe Ely and General Hospital Star Anthony Geary Both Dead at 78; George Clooney Retires from On-Screen Kisses
National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day is celebrated
From The LifeMinute.tv Team
December 16, 2025
Country-rock legend Joe Ely dies at 78
Joe Ely, a trailblazer of the progressive country music scene, passed away yesterday at the age of 78. The iconic Texas singer-songwriter died from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia, surrounded by his family in New Mexico. Ely first rose to prominence as a co-founder of The Flatlanders in 1972, leaving an indelible mark on the Texas music scene. Over his storied career, he won a Grammy with Los Super Seven, received the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named the Official Texas State Musician in 2016. Known for his electrifying live performances, Ely collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists—from The Clash to Bruce Springsteen—cementing his status as a genre-defying Texas troubadour. Renowned for blending traditional country with rock energy, fearless storytelling, and a rebellious spirit, Joe Ely’s music continues to resonate, securing his legacy as one of Texas’ most influential and beloved musical figures.
General Hospital star Anthony Geary dies at 78
Anthony Geary, the beloved actor best known for his legendary portrayal of Luke Spencer on General Hospital, has died at the age of 78. The eight-time Daytime Emmy winner passed away Monday due to complications from a scheduled surgical procedure he had undergone three days earlier. Geary died in Amsterdam, where he had been living in retirement with his husband, Claudio Gama. Geary became a household name through his groundbreaking work on General Hospital, playing Luke Spencer for nearly 37 years—from his debut in 1978 until his retirement in 2015, with a brief hiatus in the 1980s. His portrayal of the complex, often unpredictable character captivated audiences and helped redefine daytime television storytelling. Over the course of his career, Geary became one of the soap opera’s most iconic and longest-running stars, earning acclaim not only for his acting talent, but also for the emotional depth and humanity he brought to his character.
George Clooney says he will no longer be "kissing girls" on-screen
Hollywood legend George Clooney has announced that he will no longer be “kissing girls” in films. In a recent interview, the 64-year-old actor revealed that after a conversation with his wife, Amal Clooney, about his age, he decided to step away from romantic on-screen moments. “I’ve been trying to go the route Paul Newman did — ‘Okay, well, I’m not kissing a girl anymore,’” Clooney explained. This follows his remarks to 60 Minutes in March, where he said he would be leaving romantic films behind entirely. “I’m not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore,” he said. Clooney leaves behind a memorable legacy of on-screen romances, having shared iconic kiss scenes with stars like Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. While he may be stepping away from romantic roles, his charm, charisma, and enduring screen presence remain unmistakable.
Today’s holidays:
National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day.
In today’s birthday news:
ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons 76, actor Jon Tenney 64, actor Benjamin Bratt 62, comedian JB Smoove 60, actress Krysten Ritter 44, actor Theo James 41, TikTok star Alix Earle 25.