Mr. Charles brought his influence to bear as a performer, songwriter, bandleader and producer. Though blind since childhood, he was a remarkable pianist, at home with splashy barrelhouse playing and precisely understated swing. But his playing was inevitably overshadowed by his voice, a forthright baritone steeped in the blues, strong and impure and gloriously unpredictable.

Aspiring Playboy model Genevieve Gowman is circulating a copy of a marriage license showing she was legally wed to the diminutive actor who played Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” films, disputing his claims they were never husband and wife.

Court documents obtained by Reuters on Thursday also show that the 5-foot-6-inch Gowman is seeking spousal support from the 2-foot-8-inch Verne Troyer as part of a divorce filing in March that cites irreconcilable differences