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Necrology for 2024

 

 

In 2024, we said farewell to some of our favorite entertainers and personalities from the worlds of radio, television, movies, and music. Here, we take a moment to acknowledge their passing and thank them for their contributions.

They’re gone, but not forgotten.

JOHN AMOS, 80, actor who spent three seasons as family patriarch James Evans Sr. on the television series Good Times. He played weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later played the adult Kunta Kinte on the ABC miniseries Roots. August 21.

MICHAEL COLE, 84, actor perhaps best known for playing undercover police officer Pete Cochran on the television series The Mod Squad. In the 1990s, he was Harlan Barrett on the daytime soap opera General Hospital. December 10.

DABNEY COLEMAN, 92, actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows during a six-decade career. He was Mayor Merle Jester on the television series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and also appeared on The Outer Limits, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Fugitive, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and That Girl, where he played Dr. Leon Bessemer. His movie credits include 9 to 5, Melvin and Howard, On Golden Pond, War Games and Tootsie, where he played philandering director Ron Carlisle. May 16.

ROGER CORMAN, 98, iconic movie producer and director known as “King of the B’s” during a career that lasted nearly seventy years. As a director, his credits include Little Shop of Horrors, The Raven, X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes and Tales of Terror, the anthology film that starred Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. May 9.

KATHRYN CROSBY, 90, actress who appeared in the films Anatomy of a Murder, Operation Mad Ball, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and The Brothers Rico, but is perhaps best remembered for appearing on countless television Christmas specials with her husband Bing Crosby and their children. September 20.

JAMES DARREN, 88, actor and singer who played the dreamy surfer Moondoggie in three Gidget movies and also appeared in the films Guns of Navarone, Knock on Any Door and Let No Man Write My Epitaph. On television, he was electronic genius Tony Newman on The Time Tunnel and later played officer Jim Corrigan on T.J. Hooker. He also enjoyed success with the records “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty.” September 2.

DIX DAVIS, 97, actor who appeared on dozens of Golden Age radio shows. He was younger brother Randolph Foster on A Date With Judy, Henry Barbour’s grandson Pinky on One Man’s Family, and comedy writer Belly-Laugh Barton on The Jack Benny Program. His other radio credits include The Lux Radio Theater, Dr. Christian and The Cavalcade of America. January 6.

SHANNEN DOHERTY, 53, actress who played Brenda Walsh for four seasons on the television series Beverly Hills 90210 and later played the witch Prue Halliwell for three seasons on the series Charmed. July 13.

PHIL DONOHUE, 80, television personality hailed as “the king of daytime talk,” thanks to his eponymous Peabody Award-winning talk show, which was broadcast from Cincinnati, Chicago and New York and syndicated nationally from 1970-1996. In later years, he hosted talk shows on CNBC and MSNBC. August 18.

SHELLEY DUVALL, 75, actress who became famous for playing eccentric characters in movies and on television. Her film credits include McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Nashville, Annie Hall, The Shining, Roxanne and Popeye, where she played Olive Oyl. In the 1980s, she was the producer and host of television’s Faerie Tale Theatre. July 11.

ABDUL “DUKE” FAKIR, 88, last surviving member of The Four Tops, who enjoyed a string of hits for the Motown label during the 1960s, including “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and their biggest record, “I Can’t Help Myself,” July 22.

JOE FLAHERTY, 82, actor who played multiple characters on the Emmy-winning Second City Television series. He later played father Harold Weir on the series Freaks and Geeks and appeared in the films Used Cars, Back to the Future II and Happy Gilmore. April 1.

BARBARA FULLER, 102, actress who appeared in dozens of radio and television shows. She was Claudia Barbour for 14 years on the radio version of One Man’s Family and Peggy Fairchild on the soap opera Stepmother. Her other radio credits include The Lux Radio Theater, Nightbeat, The Light of the World, The Man Called X and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. On television, she appeared on The Adventures of Superman, Perry Mason, Wanted: Dead or Alive, The Millionaire and My Three Sons, among others. May 15.

TERI GARR, 79, actress who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows during a five-decade career. She was the devoted lab assistant Inga in Young Frankenstein and Dustin Hoffman’s girlfriend Sandy in Tootsie. Her other film credits include Oh God!, The Black Stallion, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Mr. Mom. October 29.

MITZI GAYNOR, 93, actress and dancer who played Nellie Forbush in the 1957 movie version of South Pacific. Her other film credits include Les Girls, There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, The Joker Is Wild and We’re Not Married! October 7.

LOUIS GOSSETT JR., 87, actor who appeared in nearly 200 movies and television shows during a career that lasted more than sixty years. He played Fiddler on the ABC miniseries Roots and also appeared on Bonanza, Daktari, The Rockford Files and Watchmen. His movie credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Iron Eagle and An Officer and a Gentleman, where his portrayal of Sgt. Emil Foley won him an Academy Award. March 29.

CLARENCE “FROGMAN” HENRY, 87, New Orleans-based singer who enjoyed success with the songs “I Don’t Know Why I Love You But I Do” and “Ain’t Got No Home,” in which he memorably sang like a frog. April 7.

DARYL HICKMAN, 92, actor who starred in more than a hundred movies and television shows in a career that lasted more than sixty years. He played Winfield Joad in the 1940 movie version of The Grapes of Wrath and also appeared in the films The Human Comedy, Keeper of the Flame, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and Leave Her to Heaven. May 22.

EARL HOLLIMAN, 96, actor who starred on the first episode of The Twlight Zone, “Where Is Everybody?” and later played Lt. Bill Crowley for four seasons on the television series Police Woman. His movie credits include Forbidden Planet, The Big Combo, Giant, The Rainmaker and Summer and Smoke. November 25.

OLIVIA HUSSEY, 73, actress who starred as a teenage Juliet in the 1968 movie version of Romeo and Juliet and later played Mary in the 1977 television series Jesus of Nazareth. December 27.

GLYNIS JOHNS, 100, actress who appeared in more than sixty films during a six-decade career. She was Mrs. Banks in 1964’s Mary Poppins, Maid Jean in The Court Jester and Mrs. Firth in The Sundowners. Her other film credits include Around the World in Eighty Days, Another Time Another Place and While You Were Sleeping. January 4.

JACK JONES, 86, singer who enjoyed success in the 1960s with his recordings of “Wives and Lovers,” “Dear Heart,” “The Race is On,” “Lollipops and Roses,” “The Impossible Dream” and others. He also sang the theme song for the hit television series The Love Boat. October 23.

JAMES EARL JONES, 93, pioneering and prolific actor who appeared in nearly two hundred movies and television shows over a six-decade career. He was the voice of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy and the voice of Mufasa in the 1994 animated film The Lion King. He also appeared in the movies The Great White Hope, Field of Dreams, Coming to America, The Hunt for Red October and others. September 4.

QUINCY JONES, 91, legendary Grammy Award-winning producer and arranger who worked on stage and recording with Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Lesley Gore and Michael Jackson. He composed the theme for the television series Sanford and Son and the scores for such films as The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of The Night and The Italian Job. November 3.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, 88, actor and singer who wrote the hit songs “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” In the 1980s, he joined Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson to form the group The Highwaymen. His film credits include Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Blade, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born. September 28.

LINDA LAVIN, 87, Tony Award-winning actress who played waitress and single mother Alice Hyatt for nine years on the television series Alice. Her other television credits include Barney Miller, The Good Wife and the Netflix series No Good Deed. She appeared in the movies The Muppets Take Manhattan and Being the Ricardos, where she played writer Madelyn Pugh. December 29.

STEVE LAWRENCE, 88, singer who rose to fame as an original cast member of Steve Allen’s Tonight show and recorded and performed for years, both as a solo act and alongside wife Eydie Gorme. His records included such hits as “Go Away, Little Girl,” “Party Doll,” and “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” which he sang in the Broadway show Golden Rainbow. He was a frequent guest on The Carol Burnett Show and also appeared on the series Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis: Murder and Hot in Cleveland. His film credits include The Blues Brothers and The Lonely Guy. March 7.

MITZI McCALL, 93, actress and comedienne who performed on stage and television with her husband Charlie Brill. The duo appeared frequently on The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. August 8.

PETER MARSHALL, 98, actor, singer and comedian who worked on stage and screen in the 1950s with comedian Tommy Noonan, but is best known for his 16-year run as host of the television game show The Hollywood Squares. His other television credits include The Millionaire, 77 Sunset Strip, WKRP in Cincinnati and Love, American Style. August 15.

SERGIO MENDES, 83, Grammy-winning musician who led the group Brasil ’66. Their 1966 recording “Mas Que Nada” was instrumental in bringing bossa nova music to a global audience. September 5.

MARTIN MULL, 80, actor, comedian and musician who played wife-beater Garth Gimbel on the soap opera parody Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and his smarmy twin brother Barth Gimbel on the spin-off series Fernwood 2-Night and its sequel, America 2-Night. In later years, he played Roseanne Conner’s boss Leon Carp on the series Roseanne and clueless principal Willard Kraft on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. His other television credits include Wonder Woman, Taxi, Arrested Development, Veep, and his 1985 comedy special, A History of White People. June 27.

DON MURRAY, 94, actor whose seven-decade career included the films Bus Stop, Advise & Consent, Shake Hands with the Devil and Peggy Sue Got Married. His television credits include Studio One, The United States Steel Hour, Matlock and Twin Peaks, where he played businessman Bushnell Mullins. February 2.

BOB NEWHART, 95, comedian whose “button-down mind” humor led to great success in nightclubs, television and movies. He won a Grammy for his debut album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. On television, he starred for six seasons as psychologist Bob Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show. Later, he played New England innkeeper Dick Loudon for eight seasons on the series Newhart and appeared as “Professor Proton” on The Big Bang Theory. His movie credits include Hell is For Heroes, Catch-22, Cold Turkey, In and Out, Elf and Legally Blonde 2. July 18.

CHARLES OSGOOD, 91, Emmy Award-winning journalist known as “poet in residence” at CBS News, where he worked for more than 40 years. From 1994-2016, he was the host of the network’s Sunday Morning television show. From 1971-2017, he hosted The Osgood File, a daily series of commentaries for CBS Radio. January 23.

JANIS PAIGE, 101, actress who starred on stage, movies and television in a career that spanned six decades. Her film credits include Winter Meeting, Romance on the High Seas, Two Guys From Milwaukee and 1957’s Silk Stockings, in which she and Fred Astaire performed “Stereophonic Sound.” On television, she played Catherine Hackett on Trapper John, MD and had recurring roles on the soap operas General Hospital and Santa Barbara. June 2.

JOYCE RANDOLPH, 99, actress best remembered for playing Ed Norton’s wife Trixie on the television series The Honeymooners. Her other television credits included The Clock, Buck Rogers and Rocky King, Detective. January 13.

CHITA RIVERA, 91, Tony Award-winning actress and dancer who starred in the original Broadway productions of Bye, Bye Birdie, West Side Story, Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman. On screen, she appeared in the movie version of Sweet Charity. January 30.

GENA ROWLANDS, 94, award-winning actress who received an Oscar nomination for her 1974 film A Woman Under the Influence, one of seven films directed by her husband John Cassavettes. Her other film credits include The High Cost of Loving, Gloria, The Notebook and Hope Floats. On television, she played femme fatale Adrienne Van Leyten on the series Peyton Place and also appeared on 87th Precinct, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, 77 Sunset Strip and Columbo. August 14.

BARBARA RUSH, 97, actress who appeared in more than a hundred films and television shows during a seven-decade career. Her film credits include It Came From Outer Space, Strangers When We Meet, When Worlds Collide, Come Blow Your Horn and Robin and the 7 Hoods, in which she played Marian. On radio, she appeared on Family Theater and the Lux Radio Theater. March 31.

RICHARD SHERMAN, 95, Oscar-winning composer who, with his brother Robert, served as in-house composers for Walt Disney Studios, where they wrote “It’s a Small World,” and songs for the films Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap and others. Their other songs include “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Snoopy Come Home” and “You’re Sixteen,” which was a hit for both Johnny Burnette and Ringo Starr. May 25.

MAGGIE SMITH, 89, versatile British-born actress who won Oscars for her performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite. Her other films include The V.I.Ps, Travels with My Aunt, Murder By Death, A Private Function, Sister Act, A Room With a View, Gosford Park and the Harry Potter films, where she played Professor Minerva McGonagall. From 2010-2015, she played Dowager Countess Violet Crawley on the popular British series Downton Abbey. September 27.

DAVID SOUL, 80, actor who played detective Ken Hutchinson on television’s Starsky and Hutch. He was lumberjack Joshua Bolt on Here Come the Brides and appeared on such series as Flipper, Star Trek and All in the Family. January 4.

DONALD SUTHERLAND, 88, actor who appeared in more than 180 movies and television shows over a six-decade career. His movie credits include The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H, Klute, National Lampoon’s Animal House, Ordinary People, and The Hunger Games film series, where he played President Snow. June 20.

M. EMMET WALSH, 88, character actor who appeared in more than 150 movies, including Blood Simple, Blade Runner, Straight Time, Silkwood and Knives Out. March 19.

CARL WEATHERS, 76, actor best known for playing boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky films of the 1970s. He later played policeman Hampton Forbes on the television series In the Heat of the Night. February 1.

MARY WEISS, 75, who rose to fame in the 1960s as the lead singer for The Shangri-Las, whose hits included “Leader of the Pack,” “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Past, Present, Future.” January 19.

ANNE WHITFIELD, 85, actress who performed on hundreds of radio shows, most notably as daughter Phyllis for seven years on The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. She also appeared on The Lux Radio Theater, Let George Do It, Nightbeat, NBC University Theater of the Air and Suspense. She played General Waverly’s grand-daughter Susan in the film White Christmas and also appeared on the television shows Perry Mason, Father Knows Best and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. February 15.

MAURICE WILLIAMS, 86, leader of celebrated doo-wop group The Zodiacs, who enjoyed success in the 1950s with their songs “Little Darlin’,” “May I” and “Stay.” August 6.

Necrology for 2022

 

 

In 2022, we said farewell to some of our favorite entertainers and personalities from the worlds of radio, television, movies, and music.

They’re gone, but not forgotten.

In 2022, we said goodbye to some of our favorite performers and personalities from the worlds of radio, television, movies, and music. Here, we take a moment to acknowledge their passing and thank them for their contributions.

KIRSTIE ALLEY, 71, actress who spent six seasons on television’s Cheers as bar manager Rebecca Howe and later starred on the series Veronica’s Closet. Her movie credits include Look Who’s Talking and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. December 5.

ERNIE ANDREWS, 94, actor and singer who was 17 when he enjoyed success with the 1945 record “Soothe Me.” He sang with the Harry James Orchestra in the 1950s and ‘60s and performed with Nat “Cannonball” Adderly, Kenny Burrell and others. He also appeared on the radio series Destination Freedom. February 21.

JOANNA BARNES, 87, actress who appeared in nearly a hundred television shows over a five-decade career, including Playhouse 90, Cheyenne, M Squad, Maverick and others. April 29.

JULES BASS, 87, writer, composer and producer who made his mark in television animation, most notably as director of the Christmas specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. October 25.

MARILYN BERGMAN, 93, Oscar-winning composer who wrote lyrics in collaboration with her husband Alan. Among their hits were “The Windmills of Your Mind,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “Nice ‘n’ Easy” and “The Way We Were.” January 8.

CONRAD BINYON, 91, veteran radio actor who was the first actor to play Chester Riley’s son Junior on The Life of Riley. He played Butch, the nephew to Lionel Barrymore’s character on the series Mayor of the Town and also appeared on Suspense, The Cavalcade of America, The Buster Brown Gang and others. November 12.

DAVID BIRNEY, 83, actor who starred on the groundbreaking series Bridget Loves Bernie and spent a season playing Dr. Ben Samuels on St. Elsewhere. His other credits include The FBI, Cannon, The Love Boat and The Adams Chronicles, where he played John Quincy Adams. April 27.

PETER BOGDANOVICH, 82, celebrated film director whose movies included The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, What’s Up Doc and Targets. As an actor, his credits included The Sopranos, where he played psychotherapist Dr. Eliot Kupferberg. January 6.

JAMES CAAN, 82, actor who appeared in more than a hundred movies and television shows over a 60-year career. He was Sonny Corelone in the 1973 film The Godfather, producer Billy Rose in Funny Lady and writer Paul Sheldon in 1990’s Misery. His other film credits include Chapter Two, Thief, Honeymoon in Vegas and Elf. July 6.

CARLETON CARPENTER, 95, actor and singer who performed the hit “Aba Daba Honeymoon” with Debbie Reynolds in the 1950 film Two Weeks With Love. His other films included Summer Stock, Father of the Bride, Three Little Words and Up Periscope. January 31.

PAT CARROLL, 95, Emmy Award-winning actress and comedienne who became famous for voicing the sea witch Ursula in the 1989 animated feature The Little Mermaid. On television, she appeared on Caesar’s Hour, ER and Make Room For Daddy, where she played Bunny Halper, the wife of Danny Williams’ agent. July 30.

ROBERT CLARY, 96, actor who spent six seasons playing prisoner of war Corporal Lewis LeBeau on the television series Hogan’s Heroes and later played Robert LeClair on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. November 6.

ROBBIE COLTRANE, 72, actor best known for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. October 14.

TIM CONSIDINE, 81, actor who played Mike Douglas for six seasons on the television comedy My Three Sons and was Spin Evans on The Adventures of Spin and Marty. March 3.

JOAN COPELAND, 99, stage and screen actress who spent five years playing the villainous Andrea Whiting on the television soap opera Search For Tomorrow. Her other television credits include Naked City, The Patty Duke Show, The Defenders and How to Survive a Marriage. January 4.

MERRI DEE, 85, groundbreaking broadcaster who spent more than forty years in Chicago television, working as a reporter, news anchor and talk show host on stations WCIU, WSNS and WGN. March 16.

TONY DOW, 77, actor best known for playing Wally Cleaver on the television series Leave It to Beaver. July 27.

LAMONT DOZIER, 81, songwriter whose collaboration with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland produced some of Motown Records’ biggest hits, including “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “Heat Wave,” “How Sweet It Is” and many others. August 8.

RALPH EMERY, 88, known as “the dean of country music broadcasters” who was heard on radio powerhouse WSM/Nashville for 25 years and spent three years as the host of radio’s Grand Ole Opry. For 23 years, he hosted the syndicated Ralph Emery Show. January 15.

LOUISE FLETCHER, 88, actress who won an Oscar for playing the antagonistic Nurse Ratched in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and later played religious leader Kai Winn on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. September 23.

MICKEY GILLEY, 86, singer who released more than forty Top 40 country singles over a six-decade career, including “Room Full of Roses,” “The Power of Positive Drinkin’” and “Stand By Me,” which was featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. May 7.

JACK GING, 90, actor who appears on nearly a hundred television show over a six-decade career. He starred for two seasons as young psychologist Paul Graham on The Eleventh Hour and appeared on Mackenzie’s Raiders, Tales of Wells Fargo, M Squad and The A-Team. September 9.

CLU GULAGER, 93, actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows in a career that lasted nearly 75 years. He was oil foreman Abilene in the 1971 movie The Last Picture Show and his television credits include Studio One, Playhouse 90, Have Gun Will Travel, MacGyver and many others. August 5.

PHILIP BAKER HALL, 90, actor who appeared in nearly two hundred movies and television shows during a fifty-year career. His television credits include M*A*S*H, The Waltons and Falcon Crest. June 11.

ESTELLE HARRIS, 93, actress who played Estelle Costanza on the series Seinfeld and provided the voice for Mrs. Potato Head in Disney’s Toy Story movies. April 2.

KATHRYN HAYS, 87, actress who played fiery matriarch Kim Sullivan Hughes for 38 years on the popular soap opera As the World Turns. Her other television credits include Hawaiian Eye, Naked City, Route 66 and The United States Steel Hour. March 25.

ANNE HECHE, 53, actress who won an Emmy for her portrayal of twin sisters Vicky and Marley on the television soap opera Another World. Her movie credits include Donnie Brasco, Volcano, Six Days Seven Nights and I Know What You Did Last Summer. August 14.

HOWARD HESSEMAN, 81, actor and comedian who spent four seasons as morning disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on television’s WKRP in Cincinnati and later starred as teacher Charlie Moore on the series Head of the Class. January 29.

DWAYNE HICKMAN, 87, actor who became famous for playing the title role in television’s The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He also played nephew Chuck Collins for four seasons on the Bob Cummings Show and played Uncle Jed in the 1965 film Cat Ballou. January 9.

MARSHA HUNT, 104, actress who starred in movies, television, radio and the stage during a career that lasted more than 70 years. Her films include Pride and Prejudice, The Human Comedy, Panama Hattie, Raw Deal and Smash-up: The Story of a Woman. On radio, she played Blanche Bickerson on the Charlie McCarthy Show and appeared on The Lux Radio Theater, Suspense and The Cavalcade of America. September 7.

WILLIAM HURT, 71, Oscar-winning actor who appeared in more than 70 films during a five-decade career. His movie credits include The Big Chill, Broadcast News, Children of a Lesser God and Kiss of the Spider Woman. March 13.

BILL JACKSON, 86, cartoonist and puppeteer who became a fixture on Chicago television during the 1960s and ’70s on stations WFLD, WGN and WLS, hosting the shows Cartoon Town, BJ and Dirty Dragon and BJ’s Gigglesnort Hotel. January 17.

JONI JAMES, 91, singer nicknamed “The Queen of Hearts” who sold more than 100 million records during her career. Among her hits were “Why Don’t You Believe Me?”, “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Have You Heard?” and “How Important Can It Be?” February 20.

CONRAD JANIS, 94, actor and musician best known for playing Mindy McConnell’s father Fred on the television series Mork & Mindy. His other television credits include Suspense, Studio One, Get Smart and Frasier. March 1.

NAOMI JUDD, 76, singer who performed with daughter Wynonna as The Judds, winning five Grammy Awards and releasing more than twenty Top 20 country singles, including “Why Not Me,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “I Know Where I’m Going” and “Grandpa (Tell Me About the Good Old Days).” April 30.

SALLY KELLERMAN, 84, actress who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows over a 65-year career. She played Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the 1970 movie version of M*A*S*H and appeared on the television series Bachelor’s Father, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Outer Limits, Ben Casey and many others. February 24.

ANITA KERR, 94, singer who began her career in radio at WSM/Nashville and late enjoyed international fame as the leader of The Anita Kerr Singers, who won three Grammy Awards and were heard on records by Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Ann-Margaret and many others. October 10.

ANGELA LANSBURY, 96, Academy Award-winning actress who appeared in more than sixty films over an eight-decade career, including Gaslight, National Velvet, The Harvey Girls, The Court Jester, Blue Hawaii and The Manchurian Candidate. For twelve years, she played writer Jessica Fletcher on the television series Murder, She Wrote. October 11.

JERRY LEE LEWIS, 87, pianist known as “The Killer,” who became one of the pioneering figures of rock & roll, with such hits as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Breathless” and “High School Confidential.” October 28.

RAMSEY LEWIS, 87, Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist who enjoyed success as the leader of The Ramsey Lewis Trio on such records as “The In Crowd” and “Wade in the Water.” As a broadcaster, he was heard on Chicago stations WNUA and WDCB, where he hosted Ramsey Lewis’ Legends of Jazz. September 12.

RAY LIOTTA, 67, Emmy-winning actor who appeared in more than a hundred movies and television shows during a career that lasted over forty years. His movie credits include Goodfellas, Something Wild, Dominic and Eugene and Field of Dreams, where he played “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. May 22.

JIMMY LYDON, 98, actor who performed in movies, television and radio during a five-decade career. He played Henry Aldrich in nine films for Paramount during the 1940s and appeared on such television shows as Racket Squad, The Twilight Zone and Wanted: Dead or Alive. On radio, he co-starred on the 1949 comedy Young Love. March 9.

LORETTA LYNN, 93, groundbreaking country music singer and songwriter who enjoyed more than thirty Top 40 country songs during a six-decade career. Among her hits were “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” “Success,” “Fist City,” “One’s on the Way” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which was the name of the 1980 film about her life and career. October 4.

STUART MARGOLIN, 82, actor best known for playing ex-con “Angel” Martin on the long-running television series The Rockford Files. His other credits include Love, American Style, The Gertrude Berg Show, The Fugitive and The Monkees. December 12.

DIANE McBAIN, 81, actress who played socialite Daphne Dutton on the television series Surfside Six. Her other television credits include Maverick, Batman, 77 Sunset Strip and Burke’s Law. December 21.

BOB McGRATH, 90, actor and singer best known as one of the original cast members of the PBS series Sesame Street, where he played Bob Johnson for more than 45 years. As a singer, he was a featured tenor on Mitch Miller’s television series Sing Along With Mitch. December 4. GLORIA McMILLAN, 88, actress who played Harriet Conklin on the radio and television versions of Our Miss Brooks. Her other radio credits include The Lux Radio Theater, The Eddie Bracken Show and Fibber McGee and Molly. January 19.

ROBERT MORSE, 90, actor and comedian who rose to fame playing J. Pierrepont Finch in the Broadway and movie versions of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. His other films include The Matchmaker, The Loved One and A Guide For the Married Man. He also played advertising executive Bert Cooper on the television series Mad Men. April 20.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, 73, singer and actress who played Sandy Olsson in the 1978 movie version of Grease. As a singer, she enjoyed more than two dozen Top 40 singles in the 1970s and ‘80s, including “Let Me Be There,” “I Honestly Love You,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Physical.” August 8.

NICHELLE NICHOLS, 89, African-American actress who became famous for playing Lt. Nyota Uhuru on the television series Star Trek and its subsequent movies. July 30.

VIRGINIA PATTON, 97, actress best known for playing Ruth Dakin Bailey, sister-in-law to George Bailey in the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. August 18.

NEHEMIAH PERSOFF, 102, actor who appeared in more than 150 television shows over a six-decade career, including Suspense, Climax!, Naked City, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Honey West and Angels in America. His movie credits include Some Like It Hot, The Harder They Fall and Yentl. April 5.

MAGGIE PETERSON, 81, actress best known for playing country girl Charlene Darling on The Andy Griffith Show. May 15.

SIDNEY POITIER, 94, groundbreaking performer whose role in Lilies of the Field made him the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. His other films include No Way Out, The Defiant Ones, A Raisin in the Sun, To Sir With Love, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? January 6.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS, 90, actor who played special agent Tom Colby for seven seasons on television’s The FBI. His other television credits include The Millionaire, The Twilight Zone, Maverick and Pete Kelly’s Blues. August 24.

PETER ROBBINS, 65, actor who was the first to give voice to the character of Charlie Brown in such television specials as A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and the 1969 movie A Boy Named Charlie Brown. January 18.

MITCHELL RYAN, 88, actor who appeared on more than a hundred television shows over a 60-year career. He was the vengeful Burke Devlin on Dark Shadows and later played eccentric industrialist Edward Montgomery on Dharma & Greg. His movie credits include Thunder Road, High Plains Drifter, The Friends of Eddie Coyle and others. March 4.

BOBBY RYDELL, 79, actor and singer who enjoyed more than a dozen Top 40 hits during the 1950s and ‘60s, including “Volare,” “We Got Love” and “Swingin’ School.” He played teenager Hugo Peabody in the 1961 movie version of Bye Bye Birdie. April 5.

BOB SAGET, 65, actor and comedian who spent eight seasons as Danny Tanner on the ABC comedy Full House and also hosted the series America’s Funniest Home Videos from 1989-1997. January 9.

VIN SCULLY, 94, legendary broadcaster who spent a record 67 years as the voice of baseball’s Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers on radio and television. He also covered baseball and golf on radio and television for CBS and NBC. August 2.

HENRY SILVA, 95, actor who appeared in more than 80 movies during a career that lasted for more than 50 years. His film credits include Ocean’s Eleven, Cinderfella, The Manchurian Candidate and Ride a Crooked Trail. On television, he appeared on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Thriiler, The Untouchables, Dr. Kildare and many others. September 14.

PAUL SORVINO, 83, actor who appeared in more than a hundred films over a 50-year career, including Oh, God!, That Championship Season, Dick Tracy and Goodfellas, where he played crime boss Paulie Cicero. July 25.

RONNIE SPECTOR, 78, singer who rose to fame in the early 1960s as the leader of the Ronettes, whose hits included “Be My Baby,” “Baby I Love You,” “I Can Hear Music” and “Walking in the Rain.” January 12.

LARRY STORCH, 99, actor and comedian who performed for more than sixty years on television, radio, movies, cartoons and nightclubs. He played Cpl. Randolph Agarn for two seasons on television’s F Troop and provided the voice of Koko the Clown on the 1961 series Out of the Inkwell. His movie credits include Captain Newman, MD, The Great Race, 40 Pounds of Trouble and Sex and the Single Girl. July 8.

BARBARA WALTERS, 93, trailblazing television journalist famous for her thoughtful and probing interview style, speaking with everyone from movie stars to leaders of state. She began her career at NBC’s Today show in 1961 and became the show’s first female co-host. For 25 years, she co-hosted ABC’s television newsmagazine 20/20 and was a featured panelist for 17 years on The View. December 30.

DAVID WARNER, 80, British-born actor who appeared in more than two hundred movies and television shows over a 60-year career. His film credits include Tom Jones, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Omen, Titanic and Time After Time, where he played Jack the Ripper. July 24.