It’s been a horrible year for dead celebrities, folks–just like Liz said.  First Bernie Mac, dead of pneumonia and now none other than Isaac Hayes, reported dead just minutes ago via CNN.

Found unconscious on his floor by police, next to, of all things, a STILL RUNNING TREADMILL, he was taken to the hospital where an attempt to revive him took place.  This attempt failed, sadly, and Hayes was declared dead at roughly two o’ clock this Sunday, August 10th.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the legendary voice of South Park’s Chef left after a falling out with show’s creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker following the lampooning of scientology, Hayes’ own religion.  This led to one of South Park’s most popular episodes, the two part Return of Chef (watchable in its entirety by the ad-supported South Park Studios.

Wow.  Really, just…wow.  It’s hard to believe that Isaac Hayes, who spent so many years dominating the music scene then was brought back out of semi-obscurity by a foul-mouthed chunk of social satire the likes of which we’d never seen before is actually no longer part of our earthly experience.  It’s even more of a surprise given the circumstances in which he was found–not with drugs or a gun, but next to a treadmill.  Leaving aside the whole Scientology thing, the man brought plenty of joy and laughs to people’s lives, and losing him is no small loss.

So long, Isaac…safe journey, and rest well.

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