LOS ANGELES

Richard Glatzer, 63, writer and director of ‘Still Alice’

Richard Glatzer, who wrote and directed the Alzheimer’s drama “Still Alice” alongside his husband, Wash Westmoreland, while battling ALS, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 63.

He was diagnosed in 2011 with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The pair took on the project of “Still Alice” in a very early stage of Glatzer’s disease. By the time of the press tour for the film in late 2014, Glatzer was only able to communicate by typing on an iPad with his big toe.

Julianne Moore won a best actress Oscar last month for playing the title role.

A New York native, Glatzer collaborated with Westmoreland on a number of films, including the 2006 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner “Quinceañera.”

In addition to Westmoreland, Glatzer is survived by his daughter, Ruby Smith, and his sister, Joan Kodner.

Windell Middlebrooks, star of Miller beer commercial, 36

Windell Middlebrooks, an actor who gained TV commercial stardom as a burly, no-nonsense beer delivery man who confiscated the brew from undeserving snobs, has died, his family said Tuesday. He was 36.

Middlebrooks died Monday in the Los Angeles area, said his manager and friend, Steve Ivey. The cause of death and further details were not immediately released.

In a statement, Middlebrooks’ family members said they “with sorrowed hearts, announce the passing of a young, black star” who had exited the stage with “great joy.”

“It was Windell’s biggest wish that his final scene not be lived on social media,” his family said, asking for privacy to mourn.

Besides his eye-catching TV spots for Miller High Life beer, Middlebrooks’ credits included the TV series “Body of Proof,” “Cougar Town” and “Scrubs.” He is in the new Adam Carolla film “Road Hard.”

“In all my years, I’ve never known a kinder soul, and he will be dearly missed by all of us who knew him,” Ivey said.

Details on survivors were not immediately available.

TUCSON, Ariz.

Bill Badger, 78, helped subdue Giffords gunman

The man credited with saving lives when six people were killed and 13 injured in the shooting of former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords has died.

Retired Army Col. Bill Badger was wounded before he helped hold down the gunman in a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store parking lot on Jan. 8, 2011.

Badger’s wife, Sallie Badger, says he died of pneumonia Wednesday at age 78. She says the shooting didn’t play any role in his death.

Giffords said Wednesday that she’s sad to learn of Badger’s passing. She was nearly killed in the shooting and still struggles to speak and walk.

She called Badger a great man and a hero.

Badger was shot in the head as the gunfire erupted but still managed to help subdue the gunman, Jared Loughner.

– The Associated Press