Heartbreaking news to share ILOSM family. Denise Dowse — the actress best known for her role as “Marlene” in the Ray Charles biopic, “Ray”; “Insecure”; and “Beverly Hills 90210” — has passed away at age 64.

Denise was battling a viral meningitis infection for several days. As a result, she’d been in a coma for a week, after the infection caused inflammation in the membranes that encased her brain and spinal cord. Sadly, she lost her battle with the illness on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Sister Of Denise Dowse Speaks Out

 

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A post shared by Denise Dowse (@denisedowse)

Denise’s sister, Tracey, released a statement shortly after Denise’s passing:

“I want to take this moment to thank our friends and family for all of the love and prayers.
It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life.

Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director. She was my very best friend and final family member. Denise loved all of you. I know that she is watching over us with all the love she has.

I ask for privacy and your continued prayers.

I will provide, at a later time, her Celebration of Life information. I will update you here.
Again I am so grateful for all the calls, text messages, direct messages, and silent prayers for my sister. We could not have made it so gracefully and painlessly without all of the prayer warriors around the world
Thank you for giving so selflessly.

I love you, Tracey.”

On August 7th — a week prior to Denise’s passing, while she was still hospitalized — her sister, Tracey, wrote the following message:

“[Denise’s] doctors do not know when she will come out of the coma as it was not medically induced. … As many of you know I am a private person. So this is hard for me. I am requesting support and prayers be offered me and my sister, and my only immediate family @denisedowse. … She is a vibrant actor and director that should have many years ahead of her. Thoughts, prayers and support are greatly appreciated.”

What Is Meningitis : Symptoms And Warnings

The Mayo Clinic defines meningitis as an inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Most U.S. cases result from a viral infection, but can be caused by bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections, according to the clinic’s website. Some cases can improve without treatment in a few weeks while others are life-threatening, requiring emergency antibiotic treatment.

According to medical website, The Mayo Clinic:

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers signs and symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Most cases of meningitis in the United States are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Some cases of meningitis improve without treatment in a few weeks. Others can be life-threatening and require emergency antibiotic treatment.

The Mayo Clinic also urges that individual “seek immediate medical care if you suspect that someone has meningitis. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis can prevent serious complications.”

Rest In Peace And Power Queen

Denise made her mark in the acting world years ago, with some of her other memorable roles being in “Grey’s Anatomy, “Good Trouble,” “The Guardian,” “Coach Carter,” “Rocket Power,” and many more. She was a beautiful soul who will be greatly missed. Denise Dowse, rest peacefully and powerfully queen.

The post R.I.P. – “Ray” And “Insecure” Actress Denise Dowse Passes Away, Her Sister Gives Details appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Re-introducing CJ Sanders

His name is CJ Sanders, and he’s now 25 years old. He’s a college graduate and former college football star athlete. In   he received his Master’s Degree.

Word on the old school curb is that he was one of the best wide receivers on the college circuit beginning in his freshman year through his entire collegiate career. He played for Notre Dame University, which has one of the most intense football programs on the college level.

According to rival.com,  CJ was considering what college he would attend after his 2014 high school graduation, he was considered a four-star recruit by and he was rated as the 37th best wide receiver prospect of his class. CJ accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame became a key member on the team.

Although CJ loves acting, a passion for football was inevitable because he was surrounded by the sport his entire life. His dad, Christopher Sanders is a former Tennessee Titans wide receiver and he also played for the Houston Oilers and the Tennessee Oilers, Christopher Sanders. His stepfather, Corey Harris, is a former safety who played 12 seasons in the NFL.

Here is a short video of CJ Sanders cuttin’ up on the football field…

Determined!

This young man is one determined individual and if it’s one thing we truly love to see, it’s seeing the younger generation shooting for the stars in their own ways. Just like the old school saying goes: ‘Shoot for the stars and even if you fall short, you’ll still land on a cloud.’ We wish CJ Sanders nothing but success along his journey to greatness.

Be sure to follow CJ Sanders on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thelifeofceej/ and Twitter at www.twitter.com/thelifeofceej

The post This “Ray” Movie Actor Is All Grown Up, Doing Great Things…And His Dad’s A Celebrity Too appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

SHARON WARREN: ‘I’M NO PITY PARTY’

“RAY” ACTRESS IS HUMBLED, GROUNDED, & GRATEFUL

Sharon revealed to Ebony Magazine, that if it weren’t for her own hardships and financial struggles, she wouldn’t have been able to play the hell outta that “Ray” role the way that she did.

Via Ebony Magazine: “Every artist has done that,” [Warren says about being homeless]. “I’m not saying you have to do that, but I don’t want to appeal to people’s sympathy. Aretha [Ray Charles’ mom] wouldn’t have ever come out of me had I not discovered who Sharon was first. I took that time to really get real and experience life, just live, become grounded and become real. I wasn’t making a whole lot of money, but I was doing a lot of writing. I felt so alive.”

Wow, motivation, drive, focus, and hard work goes a VERY long way.

Sharon also admitted that she was still financially strapped after “Ray,” but that she was just grateful for the experience.

WHO SHARON MIMICKED FOR HER “RAY” ROLE

Sharon Warren on her late grandmother’s influence: “She just made it real. She had a world of knowledge. Everything that you see me going through [in “Ray”], every word that I say, there is an energy behind it because of my grandmother.” -Ebony

As far as what Sharon’s doing with her acting these days, we aren’t really sure, but she is a writer and based on her Twitter page, she’s continuing to write poetry and such. The thing we’d love to know though, is why in the world hasn’t an actress as authentically captivating as Sharon Warren, been involved in far more major projects by now — be it TV, film, whatever? Hopefully, we’ll get to see her grace the screen again one day soon.

The post “Ray” Movie Actress Revealed Her Worst Past Experience, And Her Hardships After The Film appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Re-introducing CJ Sanders

His name is CJ Sanders, and he’s now 24 years old. He’s a college graduate and former college football star athlete. In   he received his Master’s Degree.

Word on the old school curb is that he was one of the best wide receivers on the college circuit beginning in his freshman year through his entire collegiate career. He played for Notre Dame University, which has one of the most intense football programs on the college level.

According to rival.com,  CJ was considering what college he would attend after his 2014 high school graduation, he was considered a four-star recruit by and he was rated as the 37th best wide receiver prospect of his class. CJ accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame became a key member on the team.

Although CJ loves acting, a passion for football was inevitable because he was surrounded by the sport his entire life. His dad, Christopher Sanders is a former Tennessee Titans wide receiver and he also played for the Houston Oilers and the Tennessee Oilers, Christopher Sanders. His stepfather, Corey Harris, is a former safety who played 12 seasons in the NFL.

Here is a short video of CJ Sanders cuttin’ up on the football field…

Determined!

This young man is one determined individual and if it’s one thing we truly love to see, it’s seeing the younger generation shooting for the stars in their own ways. Just like the old school saying goes: ‘Shoot for the stars and even if you fall short, you’ll still land on a cloud.’ We wish CJ Sanders nothing but success along his journey to greatness.

Be sure to follow CJ Sanders on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thelifeofceej/ and Twitter at www.twitter.com/thelifeofceej

The post This “Ray” Movie Actor Is All Grown Up And Doing Great Things…His Dad’s A Celebrity Too appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

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The post Oh My! This “Ray” Movie Actress Revealed One Of Her Worst Past Experiences appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Remember the kid who portrayed the young Ray Charles in the autobiographical film, Ray, starring Jamie Foxx? He did an incredible job as “young Ray” and it’s been many years since we last saw him.
We’ve recently found out that he’s been very busy doing what he’s doing now. He is an adult now and he’s pursuing another one of his passions.

Re-introducing CJ Sanders

His name is CJ Sanders and he’s now 19 years old. As you can see, he’s a football player and word on the old school curb is that he’s one of the best wide receivers on the college circuit. He is a freshman at Notre Dame University, which has one of the most intense football programs on the college level.

According to rival.com, last year when CJ was considering what college he would attend after his 2014 high school graduation, he was considered a four-star recruit by and he was rated as the 37th best wide receiver prospect of his class. CJ accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame earlier this year and is now a key member on the team.

Although CJ loves acting, a passion for football was inevitable because he was surrounded by the sport his entire life. His dad, Christopher Sanders is a former Tennessee Titans wide receiver and he also played for the Houston Oilers and the Tennessee Oilers, Christopher Sanders. His stepfather Corey Harris, is a former safety who played 12 seasons in the NFL.

Here is a short video of CJ Sanders cuttin’ up on the football field…

Determined!

This young man is one determined individual and if it’s one thing we truly love to see, it’s seeing the younger generation shooting for the stars in their own ways. It’s just like the old school saying goes: ‘Shoot for the stars and even if you fall short, you’ll still land on a cloud.’ We wish CJ Sanders nothing but success along his journey to greatness.

The post This “Ray” Movie Actor Is All Grown Up, Check Out What He Does Now appeared first on I Love Old School Music.