Sid James attack while performing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre; he died in hospital an hour later. Some, including comedian Les Dawson, claim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre, and subsequently refused to appear at the theatre again. James was born Solomon Joel Cohen on 8 May 1913, to Jewish parents in South Africa, later changing his name to Sidney Joel Cohen, and then Sidney James. His family lived on Hancock Street in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Upon moving to the UK later in life, he claimed various previous occupations, including diamond cutter, dance tutor and boxer; in
Charlie Barnett (comedian) aired on TV, the DVD release of "Def Comedy Jam" contains an extra DVD with "2 Raw 4 TV", which has a Barnett performance. His last film role was in 1996 in the film "They Bite". He died that year at age 41. Having contracted HIV through heroin abuse, Barnett died from complications of AIDS on March 16, 1996, aged 41. Charlie Barnett (comedian) Charlie Barnett (September 23, 1954 – March 16, 1996) was an American actor and comedian. Barnett was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. He first made a name for himself in the late 1970s and early 1980s,