Singer, songwriter, musician, actor Isaac Hayes was found dead in his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on 10 August 2008. Born 20 August 1942 in Covington, Tennessee, the baritone may be best remembered for the “Theme from Shaft“, or, in his later years, the recurring role of “Chef” on television’s South Park (and his famous split from the show’s creators over their take on Scientology). Hayes was the first black composer to win an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1972, for the “Theme from Shaft” (for which he also won a Grammy). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
Best known as a musician, he had a secondary career as an actor, appearing in several genre productions including: Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008), Stargate SG-1 (four episodes in 2005 and 2006), Anonymous Rex (2004), Dream Warrior (2003), Uncle Sam (1997), Escape from L.A. (1996), Sliders (1996), Oblivion 2: Backlash (1996), Magic Island (1995), Tales from the Crypt (1994), Oblivion (1994), Wired (1989), and Escape from New York (1981).