It’s happened to the best of us. Sometimes a character’s death strikes an emotional chord in us and we can’t help but shed a tear over a person –or animal– that only lived on screen. Here are 15 of those characters who we’re still mourning.

Bambi’s mom

In the 1942 animated classic film Bambi, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fawn frolicked in the first snowfall of the season unaware that his world was about to change. This was Bambi’s first winter so his mother stuck closely to his side. Imagine Bambi’s horror when a hunter shot and killed his beloved mom right before his innocent eyes. Thankfully, Bambi had the love and support of his father, the Great Prince of the Forest, and his best friend, a rabbit named Thumper, to help him through the loss of his mother.

When we hear his name, we swoon, and when we see him on the screen, big or small, we pay close attention. Since the mid-nineties, Idris Elba has been making appearances on dozens of television shows, taking on the role of gigolos, bar hoppers and forensic scientists, and also the notable role of a cunning drug lord and an aspiring businessman on the critically-acclaimed show, The Wire. A few years later, he earned reoccurring roles on The Big C and The Office, and presently, he’s headed into the third season of his hit British crime series, Luther, which has earned him a Golden Globe.

The Sierra Leonean/Ghanaian West Londoner’s contribution to the film world has been just as significant. Starting off small, he’s played a lowly mechanic in Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls, a troubled and harassed husband in the thriller Obsessed, and a valiant spaceship captain in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. He’s been in more than 20 movies to date, and he’s currently filming two more as we speak, one of those movies being a biopic about Nelson Mandela’s life, in a film entitled, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and the other movie is a sequel to Thor, where he will be reprising his role of the all-knowing guardian, Heimdall. And, word around the web is that Idris may be in line to become the next James Bond once Daniel Craig’s contract is fulfilled. One can only hope, as it’s time they bring some color to that role.

Booming film and television career aside, we respect Elba’s hustle, because he tries his hand at everything and has a plethora of other ventures in the works. We’ve spotted him on dozens of print and online Tanqueray ads, holding ice glasses of gin and wearing a gamesome expression. And, as of 2011, he became the face of a new Smartwater campaign.  He’s also been seen in the music videos of Fat Joe, Angie Stone and UK artist Gigs. Elba co-produced and performed on Jay’s American Gangster album, and he starred in and directed a moving Mumford & Sons music video, called “Lover Of The Light.” And, he’s released two EPs, and performed all over as a DJ with the stage name DJ Big Driis the Londoner. And, by no means is he an amateur in the music department. He’s been DJing since the late 80s, having once owned a DJ company with a group of close friends.

In terms of his personal life, the once divorced transatlantic stud has one daughter, Isan Elba, for whom he bought a home in Atlanta to be closer to; and he has one son, by the name of Ortega. Elba shares time between Atlanta, London and Los Angeles, considering U.S. his home, though he still prides himself on being a ‘London boy.’ And, forever discreet about his love life and presumed single, it was rumored that Elba has excluded black women from his net of dating hopefuls, BUT, he enthusiastically denied those claims on Twitter. And we can’t help but be enamored by a guy who isn’t vain, and actually claims to not know what the hype surrounding his beauty is all about. I mean really!? Has he looked in the mirror!? That skin? That smile? That body? That accent? He could be our Valentine anytime, but we’ll just have to dream about that happening…for now…

Simon Burchell/WENN

Part of the job of being a celebrity is that you’re often photographed when you’re out.  However, some people just seem to find their way into entertainment news way too often. But you also have those who, although you see their picture taken, you don’t often hear much else from them…unless they want you to.

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Source: bearlyrambling.blogspot.com

Back in the day, I used to hear people talk about “The Wire” the way they talk about “Roots” in that it was must-see television that would blow your mind and change your way of thinking. Of course, at that time, I thought folks were just being over-the-top with their adoration of the show, but that was until I decided to invest about two months of my life to watch the entire five seasons. And yes, my mind was blown. As crazy and good as the storylines were, it was the characters who had me engrossed. If you were a fan, I’m sure you would agree, and you probably also want to know where the hell all these talented individuals went to and what they’ve done with their lives since. We can’t tell you where they ALL are, why, that would take forever AND a day. But we can play “Where’s Waldo?” with some of our favorite characters and faces. Per the usual, be ready to click.

Source: starpulse.com

We’ve done our share of child star stories in the past, but we usually go searching for kids from obscure movies who literally go missing off of the face of the earth. Today, I decided to do a little research on a few kids from some of my favorite black sitcoms (and a drama) over the past few years, and see what they have been up to. From silly but smart comedies like “Everybody Hates Chris” to dramatic and thought-provoking shows like “The Wire,” these young stars were some of my favorites in their respective programs. Be prepared to click per the usual.

Source: blog.zap2it.com

Of course it’s not –  that would be absurd. But you know what, the absurd makes for great comedy. Which is exactly why the people at Funny or Die and cast members from “The Wire” got together to make a spoof of what a musical version of this iconic show might actually look like. Buckle your seat belts because hilarity is about to ensue. Check out the video below.

Before we go any further, I need to ask did you all notice the white boy giving us his fiercest booty pop in split formation at around the 2:20 mark? That moment alone would have made the video worth watching but the prize was made even sweeter by the number of cast members who decided to take part in this. I mean really, did you ever think you’d see “Snoop” in a dress? We absolutely love this. The only thing that would make this video better is if Idris Elba was in it. But we’re certainly not complaining. This was the laugh we needed today.

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• Am I The Problem? Finding Accountability Within
• Don’t Look Back: Are You Spending Too Much Time Obsessing Over Your Past?
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• What About Ciara? Knicks Star Amar’e Stoudemire Proposes To Mother of His Children

Source: mylazythoughts.tumblr.com

When I watch a movie, if it’s good, I’m all in. Completely invested, often times too much so. Throughout the duration of the movie, I struggle with the characters. When they laugh, I laugh. When they cry, I cry. I go through it. And if the film is really good, I find myself trying to find solutions to the problems they encountered, long after the movie is over. Some stories and the characters in them just stick with you. This is particularly true when it comes to the “bad guys.” From an early age we think we know who falls into that category and we try to avoid the bad dudes at all costs. But in these memorable movies, the bad guy is thrown in your face. You have to deal with him and sometimes he’s a bit terrifying. See who I’m talking about.

Source: NY Daily News

Who would’ve thought we’d actually see the life and times of Ol’ Dirty Bastard coming to the big screen? Well, it’s true, and Michael K. Williams of “The Wire” has won the leading role.

The movie, titled “Dirty White Boy,” will be based on the true story of 22-year-old Jarred Weisfeld, a VH1 intern-turned-manager for the Wu Tang Clan star. Directed by newcomer Joaquin Baca Asay, the story will follow Weisfield’s rise and his relationship with ODB, a.k.a. Russel Jones, up through the rapper’s death from an overdose in 2004.

Todd Hagopian, one of the film’s producers, said in a statement:

“I know Michael K. Williams will leave audiences completely in awe as Russell Jones, the man behind the character Ol’ Dirty Bastard.”

I can definitely see it. There’s no word on when filming will begin or when the movie is expected to be released but this should definitely make for an interesting story.

What do you think about this film and Michael Williams taking on this role?

Ladies, we all appreciate a fine looking man. So much so that we might start to confuse their mannish good looks for actual talent. But you know a man is a good actor when he plays a role so convincingly that you start to fall for his character more than the physicality he was blessed with genetically. Granted, some of the men below are fine already, but we all know that a fine man can play a horrible character that’ll have you too disgusted. Check out this list of characters to see what we mean…

Source: The Wire Wikia

Detective Ellis Carver in The Wire

So Seth Gilliam is a naturally beautiful man. Like for real, I’ve had extensive conversations with my friend about how often and how ferociously this man could get it. He’s fine! But looks aside, it was his character that had me crushing on him. (I saw a picture of him, the real Seth, out of character and he just didn’t have the same effect on me.) I like that he grew and matured on The Wire. He went from a shady street cop who was stealing money from drug busts to a detective who would turn in men from his own department, if it meant doing the right thing. You’ve got to love a man who matures!

Let’s be as real as possible: not every mother out in these streets is as clean cut, loving, and wholesome as a Clair Huxtable or a Florida Evans. And while the folks behind some of our favorite television shows have done a great job of providing pretty positive (if not smothering at times) mothers, we’ve also seen our share of straight up terrible ones. Some are funny terrible, others have been just straight up bad with a lack of their own home training. Here’s a list of a few that entertained us by being so trifling.