Jerry Clower; Grand Ole Opry Comedian

Jerry Clower, 71, Grand Ole Opry comedian for 25 years. A hulking 275-pounder who wore stunning red or yellow suits, Clower pronounced his first name JAY-ree and was known for spinning truth-based tales about rural Southern culture and the fictional Ledbetter clan. His stories often involved church revivals, country fairs, cotton farming or crappie fishing. In addition to the Grand Ole Opry, Clower was co-host of the “Country Crossroads” cable television show and the syndicated series “Nashville on the Road.” He also wrote four books and recorded albums of his humor from 1970 until this year, when “Peaches and Possums” was released. He performed about 200 shows a year, mostly in small towns and at fairs. On Monday in Jackson, Miss., of cardiorespiratory arrest.

Rep. Charles Diggs Jr.; Resigned After House Censure

Rep. Charles Diggs Jr., 75, who was driven from Congress when he was censured for having operated a kickback scheme. Diggs, a Democrat, represented Detroit in the House of Representatives from 1954 until 1980. He won reelection even after he was convicted in 1978 of operating a payroll kickback scheme in his congressional office. But two years later he was censured by his colleagues and resigned. He served seven months of a three-year prison term. Diggs claimed that he was a victim of selective prosecution and double standards because he was black. He had worked in his father’s funeral home business and in his later years ran a funeral home in Maryland. During his tenure in the House, Diggs founded the Congressional Black Caucus. On Monday in Washington of a stroke.

George Shdanoff; Actor, Director, Acting Coach

George Shdanoff, 92, actor, director, playwright and acting coach who co-directed the Chekhov Theatre. Shdanoff worked with Michael Chekhov in the troupe, which began in England and later moved to New York. Along with Shakespearean classics, the group presented several plays adapted by Shdanoff from Dostoevsky novels. As an actor, Shdanoff performed on stages in Germany, France and England, creating such roles as the title character in “The Tale of the Soldier.” Shdanoff came to Hollywood after the Chekhov Theatre dissolved and worked as a director and teacher at the Actors Lab. He also acted in the 1946 film about ballet, “Specter of the Rose,” directed by Ben Hecht and starring Judith Anderson. Among Shdanoff’s students were Patricia Neal, Janet Blair, Jack Palance, Yvonne De Carlo and Sharon Gless. He also earned praise as a director from such performers as Gene Kelly, Yul Brynner, Robert Stack and James Keach. On Aug. 14 in Los Angeles.