Michael Claypool was a set decorator and art director who worked on several popular TV shows and movies, such as ER, Mo’ Money, Higher Learning, and The Morning After. He was born on March 27, 1955 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He died in March 2000 at the age of 44. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his career and colleagues?
Contents
The Diagnosis: Cancer
According to IMDb, Claypool died of cancer in March 2000. The exact type and stage of his cancer are not publicly known, but it is likely that he was diagnosed sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s. Cancer is a group of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer, each with different causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes.
Some of the common signs and symptoms of cancer include:
A lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
Weight loss or gain that is unexplained
Fatigue or weakness
Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening, or redness
Persistent cough or hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Fever or night sweats
Pain in any part of the body that does not go away
However, these signs and symptoms may also be caused by other conditions that are not cancerous. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if any of these changes are noticed and persist for a long time.
The Treatment: Chemotherapy and Radiation
The treatment for cancer depends on many factors, such as the type, location, stage, and aggressiveness of the cancer, as well as the patient’s age, health, preferences, and goals. Some of the common treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, stem cell transplant, and clinical trials.
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It can be given orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intrathecally, or intraosseously. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, infection, bleeding, anemia, mouth sores, nerve damage, kidney damage, and infertility.
Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that uses high-energy rays or particles to damage the DNA of cancer cells and prevent them from dividing. It can be given externally or internally. Radiation therapy can cause side effects such as skin changes, hair loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bladder problems, sexual problems, lymphedema (swelling caused by fluid buildup), and secondary cancers.
The Tribute: In Memory of Michael C. Claypool
Claypool’s death was a great loss for the entertainment industry and his colleagues. He was known for his creativity and professionalism as a set decorator and art director. He worked on more than 40 projects in his career spanning over two decades. Some of his notable works include:
ER: A medical drama series that ran from 1994 to 2009. Claypool was the set decorator for 136 episodes from 1994 to 2000. He received four Emmy nominations for his work on the show.
Mo’ Money: A comedy film starring Damon Wayans and Stacey Dash that was released in 1992. Claypool was the art director for the film.
Higher Learning: A drama film directed by John Singleton that was released in 1995. Claypool was the set decorator for the film.
The Morning After: A mystery film starring Jane Fonda and Jeff Bridges that was released in 1986. Claypool was the assistant art director for the film.
Claypool’s colleagues paid tribute to him by dedicating an episode of ER to his memory. The end credit “In memory of Michael C. Claypool” commemorates his death as the show’s set decorator. Claypool died of cancer in March 2000, the second series contributor to die of the disease in the sixth season (the other being Christopher Salamunovich who received a similar credit in 6×01 “Leave It to Weaver”).
Conclusion
Michael Claypool was a talented set decorator and art director who worked on many popular TV shows and movies. He died of cancer in March 2000 at the age of 44. His death was mourned by his colleagues and fans, who remembered him for his creativity and professionalism. He left behind a legacy of impressive and inspiring works that will continue to entertain and educate the audiences for years to come.
