Entertainment
Another Popular Actor Is Dead After Suffering Heart Attack
Popular US actor, Mark Dodson who provided voices for creatures in the Star Wars and Gremlins movies, has died aged 64.
His daughter Ciara said he had suffered a “massive heart attack” while sleeping, reported TMZ, which said it had spoken to her.
Dodson was the voice of Salacious Crumb, a scruffy monkey-lizard character who was a cackling court jester and pet of gangster Jabba the Hutt in the 1983 film Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.
A year later, he did the voice for mogwai in another Hollywood movie, Gremlins.
The main mogwai, called Gizmo, was friendly and docile, but when a friend of the main character Billy Peltzer accidentally spilled water over Gizmo, five more mogwai came out of him, who were more troublesome and led by the aggressive Stripe.
After being fed after midnight, the mogwai formed cocoons and then emerged as mischievous monsters called Gremlins.
Dodson is credited on movie website IMDb as being one of the mogwai other than Gizmo.
Dodson also did voices for zombies in the 1985 movie Day Of The Dead.
His daughter said he “never ceased making me proud”.
Dodson died in Evansville, Indiana, where he had been due to attend a fan convention.
The Evansville Horror Con posted a tribute on Facebook, saying: “We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of Mark Dodson last night.
“Mark was not only a talented voice actor but also a cherished member of the horror community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans during this incredibly difficult time.
“We hope that you can take a moment out of your day to reflect on the joy and laughter that Mark brought into the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
The Peter Mayhew Foundation, named after the actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series, wrote on X: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we learn of the passing of Mark Dodson.
“Mark was genuine and funny and the characters he brought to life will always be as iconic as he was kind. Thank you for everything Mark, you are missed.”
Dodson worked continuously for several decades in film, video games, radio, and commercials as a voice artist.
He is survived by his daughter and grandchildren.
Entertainment
UK Rapper Jailed 12 Years For Killing Student In Hit-and-run
British rapper “Ghetts” was jailed on Tuesday by a London court for 12 years for killing a student while speeding and over the drink-drive limit.
The award-winning grime artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, failed to stop after his BMW hit Nepalese national Yubin Tamang, 20, in northeast London last October.
The 41-year-old defendant admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
At his sentencing at London’s Old Bailey court, Judge Mark Lucraft handed down the 12-year prison term and disqualified him from driving for 17 years.
He told Clarke-Samuel that CCTV footage showed a “quite appalling litany of incidents” leading up to the fatal collision, which was “simply shocking.”
The judge noted the father-of-two’s “genuine remorse” and letters of support, including from his partner, setting out how he had used his career in music to make a positive impact on his community.
Ghetts, who has collaborated on tracks with Ed Sheeran and won the best male act prize at the Music of Black origin (Mobo) Awards in 2021, was said to be one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit before the crash.
He went through six red traffic lights, repeatedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and was driving at more than twice the speed limit in a 30-mph (48 kilometres per hour) zone before his car hit Tamang as he was crossing the road, the court was told.
The defendant made no call to emergency services, and Tamang died in the hospital from his injuries two days later.
Clarke-Samuel had 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes from the age of 16, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and driving offences.
Sharmila Tamang, the victim’s mother, wept as she read out a statement about her only child in court.
“My son had come for his studies to the UK, saying the UK had the best degree in the world,” she said.
“But on his way back from his work, this happened, and he lost his life.”
AFP
Entertainment
‘Call Me Evangelist Tonto’ – As Tonto Dikeh Ditches ‘King’ Tag
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has ditched the old name tag, King Tonto, and ascribed herself
changing her name to reflect her faith and spirituality – Evangelist Tonto
To celebrate the new month, the actress, who has been active in the movie industry since 2006, announced that she has changed the ‘King’ in her name after eight years.
In a message on her social media account, Tonto disclosed that she arrived at the decision to change her name in obedience to the Holy Spirit and God’s will for her.
She admonished the public to address her as Evangelist Tonto Dikeh, stressing that her decision is based on the instructions of the Holy Spirit.
“In obedience to the Holy Spirit, I make this declaration. It gladdens my heart that I can do this on the first day of March; it just aligns with the prophecy of God upon my life: He’s marching me away from everything that is old and into the prophecies that I am new.
“In alignment with the will and purpose of God upon my life, I will no longer be addressed as King Tonto Dikeh. You can call me the woman of God, Evangelist Tonto, Tonto Dikeh, Aunty Tonto or Big T. Whichever one suits you, but I will no longer be addressed as King Tonto, and this is on the instructions of the Holy Spirit, she said.
Since turning 40 in 2025, Tonto has embraced a Christian life and has ditched her previous controversial lifestyle.
Last month, the movie star graduated from the Discipleship class. Tonto said her journey with God has been the most healing, stretching, overwhelming, and beautiful experience of her life, and that no one can convince her there is no God.
In an Instagram post, the movie star issued a clarion call to Christians to deepen their prayer lives. Sharing a video of her praying, Dike admonished the public to open their heart to receive a miracle, as she was fighting for her life, her destiny, her child, and her generation.
Late last year, the mother of one shared a testimony on her healing from addiction and masturbation. She revealed that she began smoking at the age of 13 due to her father’s influence and smoked for 27 years before the addiction was broken entirely. She also revealed that she struggled with alcoholism and battled masturbation.
Following her testimony, Dikeh reintroduced herself to the world, revealing that she is a living testimony of mercy, among those whom God spared, restored, and commissioned. She said God looked at her mess and spoke destiny into her.
Entertainment
VeryDarkman, King Mitchy drag Seyi Tinubu into messy battle
Philanthropist and content creator, Mitchell Mukoro, popularly known as King Mitchy, has come under intense scrutiny following a social media clash that spiralled far beyond a school renovation project in Delta State.
King Mitchy, who is known for sharing videos of her charitable interventions, had announced that she renovated a dilapidated school within six days. In a celebratory video posted online, she suggested that the project was proof that meaningful change could happen swiftly when there was genuine intent.
However, what appeared to be a straightforward goodwill gesture soon took a controversial turn after she made comments widely interpreted as subtle jabs at a popular activist, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
In one of her posts, she wrote, “I have never seen anyone with integrity explain everyday that he/ she has integrity. I did this in six days to show you how easy it is if you truly want to do something. Lastly, I know a lot of damaged schools. Government teachers even pray for you on top.”
She further alleged, “Yo, this guy planted someone to work at my restaurant to get information but he did not see any tangible thing talk about me.”
Her remarks triggered a sharp response from VeryDarkMan, who accused her of being used as a political pawn to launder the image of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a video posted on his page, he claimed that her intervention in the education sector was politically motivated.
Tagging the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, he wrote, “@Seyitinubu YOUR FATHER FIRST 4years failed so bad that ministry of education stopped working, so you need mitchy to renovate schools (CITY BOY MOVEMENT, RTIFN, MITCHYY) these are product of your father’s failures, @officialasiwajubat won’t need michyy and co if his first term was good… THAT POLITICAL TOOL YOU PEOPLE KEPT UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF D and charity.”
King Mitchy issued a stern warning, stating, “Bro, I promise you this. The day you come for me will be the beginning of your downfall.”
As the exchanges intensified, VeryDarkMan later alleged in another video that both Seyi Tinubu and King Mitchy were threatening his life. He said, “Nigerians, in respect to what is going on now, they are beginning to threaten my life. Seyi Tinubu and King Mitchy are threatening my life.”
Amid the back and forth, some social media users questioned the extent of the renovation after clips surfaced showing sections of the school building still appearing partially damaged.
In what many perceived as a move to clear the air, King Mitchy subsequently shared transaction receipts relating to the project, indicating that she spent over N1m on the renovation.
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