Real-life tragedy led to character’s death

Q. I’m a recent watcher and fan of “Rizzoli and Isles” and have been enjoying the reruns of the show. Why was Detective Barry Frost killed off the show? Did something happen to the actor playing that role?

A. The TNT series, which recently ended its run, had a tragic loss in 2013. Lee Thompson Young, the actor who played Frost, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; he reportedly had been dealing with depression and bipolar disorder.

On “Rizzoli,” Frost was then killed off in an automobile accident; the memorial to Frost on the show served as a touching tribute to Young as well.

And as loyal viewers know, Frost remained a presence on the show to the end. Jane had kept a robot belonging to Frost on her desk. In the series finale, as she was getting ready to leave Boston, she passed the robot on to Frankie.

Q. I watched the show called “First Take” and I was wondering what happened to the guy that was on. I think his name was Skip. Now there is someone else with Stephen.

A. Skip Bayless, who used to talk sports with Stephen A. Smith on “First Take,” left ESPN for Fox Sports and the FS1 show “Undisputed with Shannon Sharpe.” And that’s Max Kellerman now on “First Take.”

Q. Several months ago someone asked who the voice in Arby’s commercials was, and you told them Ving Rhames. But you were wrong. James Earl Jones does the Arby’s commercials. In the beginning they had him in person, then they changed to just using his voice. If you can go back and watch the earliest ads, you’ll see James Earl Jones is the one doing the Arby’s commercials, and still is.

A. I hate to disappoint readers, but you’re wrong on this one. I contacted Arby’s directly, and a spokesman confirmed that Ving Rhames is the voice in the ads (but has not appeared on camera for the company so far).

James Earl Jones has done extensive voice work, including in commercials, and I enjoyed his funny on-camera appearances with Malcolm McDowell for Sprint.

But the Arby’s spokesman said Jones has not been affiliated with the brand.

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