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.
Necrology for 2021 In 2021, 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.
LEE AAKER, 77, actor best known for his role as Cpl. Rusty on the television series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. His movie credits include Hondo, Bye Bye Birdie and O. Henry’s Full House, where he played the kidnapped J.B. Dorset in “The Ransom of Red Chief.” April 1.
ED ASNER, 91, actor who appeared in hundreds of movies and television shows in a career that lasted over sixty years. He played irascible station manager Lou Grant for seven seasons on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and reprised the role for another four seasons on the spin-off series Lou Grant. His other television credits include Naked City, Route 66, The Fugitive and ER. He also played retiree Carl Fredrickson in the animated movie Up and Santa Claus in the 2003 film Elf. August 29.
NED BEATTY, 83, character actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows over a five-decade career. His film credits include Deliverance, Nashville, Network, Silver Streak, All the President’s Men and the first two Superman films, in which he played Lex Luthor’s dimwitted assistant Otis. June 13.
FRANK BONNER, 79, actor best known for playing advertising agent Herb Tarlik for four seasons on television’s WKRP in Cincinnati. June 16.
DON COLLIER, 92, actor who played ranch foreman Sam Butler for four seasons on the television series The High Chaparral. He was also Deputy Will Foreman on the Western series The Outlaws and appeared on The Virginian, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Waltons and others. September 13.
MICHAEL CONSTANTINE, 94, actor who appeared in more than a hundred television shows, winning an Emmy for his portrayal of high school principal Seymour Kaufman on the television series Room 222. His movie credits include The Hustler, Don’t Drink the Water and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where he played family patriarch Gus Portakalos. August 31.
JILL COREY, 85, singer who rose to fame on television, appearing regularly on Your Hit Parade and shows hosted by Dave Garroway, Robert Q. Lewis and Johnny Carson. On radio, she was heard on Stop the Music and on the syndicated 1957 series Jill Corey Sings. April 3.
JOHNNY CRAWFORD, 75, actor who appeared on television four seasons as Mark McCain, son of Chuck Connors’ title character on The Rifleman. His other television credits include The Danny Thomas Show, Mister Ed, Hawaii Five-O and others. April 29.
ROZ CRON, 95, musician who performed on stage and radio during the 1940s as part of the groundbreaking, integrated all-female jazz band The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. February 7.
ARLENE DAHL, 96, actress and writer who played Harry Ruby’s wife Eileen Percy in the 1950 movie Three Little Words, and also appeared in the films My Wild Irish Rose, Watch the Birdie and Journey to the Center of the Earth. For two decades, she also wrote a syndicated beauty column, “Let’s Be Beautiful.” November 29.
STUART DAMON, 84, actor who played Dr. Alan Quartermaine for thirty years on the long-running soap opera General Hospital. June 29.
HENRY DARROW, 87, actor who played Manolito Montoya on television’s The High Chaparral and the first Latino actor to play the dashing Zorro on television. His other television credits include The Wild Wild West, Harry O and Star Trek: Voyager. March 14.
DUSTIN DIAMOND, 44, actor best known for playing teenager Samuel “Screech” Powers on the television series Saved By the Bell and its various spinoffs. February 1.
OLYMPIA DUKAKIS, 89, actress who won an Oscar for her performance as the sardonic Rose Castorini in the 1988 movie Moonstruck. Her other films included Working Girl, Look Who’s Talking, Steel Magnolias and Mr. Holland’s Opus. May 1.
DON EVERLY, 84, one-half of the Everly Brothers, whose close harmonies made them one of the most popular and influential musical acts of the 1950s. Among their hits were “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Let It Be Me” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream.” August 21.
JOHN GABRIEL, 90, actor who played the domineering Dr. Seneca Beaulac for more than a decade on the long-running television soap opera Ryan’s Hope. His other television credits include You Are There, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. June 11.
LARRY GELMAN, 90, actor who appeared in more than a hundred movies and television shows during a career that lasted more than fifty years. His credits include children’s dentist Bernard “Tippy” Tupperman on The Bob Newhart Show, Oscar Madison’s poker-playing buddy Vinnie on The Odd Couple and officer Bernstein on Eight is Enough. June 7.
NICHOLAS GEORGIADE, 88, .actor perhaps best known for playing agent Enrico Rossi for four seasons on the television series The Untouchables. His other credits included Playhouse 90, The Millionaire, Mannix and Mission: Impossible. December 19.
ARLENE GOLONKA, 85, actress who appeared in more than a hundred movies and television shows during a five-decade career. She played cheerful waitress Millie Hutchins on The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff series, Mayberry RFD. Her other television credits include Naked City, Car 54 Where Are You?, Get Smart, That Girl and others. May 31.
CHARLES GRODIN, 86, versatile actor who became famous for playing dry, deadpan comical characters in movies and on television. He rose to fame as a caddish newlywed in the 1972 film The Heartbreak Kid and also starred in Beethoven, Midnight Run, Heaven Can Wait, The Lonely Guy, The Great Muppet Caper and others. May 18.
TOM T. HALL, 85, singer and songwriter whose lyrical compositions earned him the nickname “The Storyteller” and a dozen number one country hits. Among his sings were “Harper Valley PTA,” “A Week in a Country Jail,” “The Year That Clayton Delamey Died” and “I Like Beer.” August 20.
JAMES HAMPTON, 84, actor who appeared on dozens of television shows during a six-decade career. He played Hannibal Dobbs on the series F Troop and LeRoy B. Simpson on The Doris Day Show. His other credits include Gunsmoke, Dr. Kildare, Gomer Pyle USMC and Days of Our Lives. April 7.
BILLIE HAYES, 96, actress best known for playing Witchiepoo on the children’s adventure series H.R. Pufnstuf. April 29.
GLORIA HENRY, 98, actress who played long-suffering mother Alice Mitchell for four seasons on television’s Dennis The Menace. Her other television credits include My Little Margie, Ford Television Theater, Tales of Wells Fargo and Parks and Recreation. April 3.
ROBERT HOGAN, 87, actor who appeared in more than 125 television shows over a 60-year career. He played the Revered Tom Winter on Peyton Place and also appeared on Hawaiian Eye, The Twilight Zone, The Young Marrieds, The FBI and Alice. May 27.
SALLY ANN HOWES, 91, actress best known for playing Truly Scrumptious in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her television credits include Mission: Impossible, Journey Into Fear and Marcus Welby, MD. December 19.
STONEWALL JACKSON, 89, singer who had more than thirty Top 40 country hits during a career that lasted for over fifty years, including “Waterloo,” “Life to Go,” “B.J. the D.J,” and “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water.” December 4.
DICK KAY, 89, television reporter who spent 38 years at WMAQ/Chicago, first as a writer and later as the station’s political editor. May 13.
LARRY KING, 87, renowned interviewer who became one of the most celebrated talk-show hosts in broadcasting history. He began his career as a disc jockey WAHR/Miami in 1957 and later rose to national prominence with a syndicated show over the Mutual Broadcasting System. For 25 years, he hosted Larry King Live on CNN, where he interviewed an estimated 6,000 guests. January 23.
BRUCE KIRBY, 95, actor who appeared in more than a hundred television shows over a six-decade career. He played Sgt. George Kramer on Columbo and district attorney Bruce Rogoff on L.A. Law. His other credits include The Patty Duke Show, The Mothers-in-Law, Bonanza and Car 54, Where Are You? January 24.
YAPHET KOTTO, 81, actor who was James Bond villain Kananga in the 1973 film Live and Let Die and chief engineer Parker in 1979’s Alien. For six seasons, he was Lt. Al Giardello on the television series Homicide: Life on the Street. March 15.
CLORIS LEACHMAN, 94, actress who appeared in more than 200 movies and television shows during a career that lasted more than 70 years. She was part of The Bob and Ray Show in the 1950s and later won two Emmys for her portrayal of meticulous landlady Phyllis Lindstrom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and two more for her portrayal of cranky grandmother Ida Welker on Malcolm in the Middle. Her movie credits include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and The Last Picture Show, for which she won an Oscar. January 27.
NORMAN LLOYD, 106, actor who appeared on radio, television, movies and the stage during an 80-year career. His radio credits include The Cavalcade of America, Words at War, The Columbia Workshop, Columbia Presents Corwin and Suspense. On television, he was Dr. Daniel Auschlander on the long-running series St. Elsewhere and a producer for five seasons on Alfred Hitchcock Presents. His movie credits include Charlie Chaplin’s Limelight, Saboteur, Spellbound, The Southerner, The Age of Innocence and Trainwreck. May 11.
BETTY LYNN, 95, actress best known for playing Thelma Lou, the devoted girlfriend of deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. Her movie credits include Cheaper By the Dozen, June Bride, Father Was a Fullback and Meet Me in Las Vegas. October 16.
RAY MacDONNELL, 93, actor who spent more than 40 years in the role of family patriarch Dr. Joe Martin on the television soap opera All My Children. June 10.
GAVIN MacLEOD, 90, actor who played sardonic newswriter Murray Slaughter on television’s Mary Tyler Moore Show and later spent 11 seasons playing Capt. Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat. May 29.
GERRY MARSDEN, 78, singer who enjoyed success in the 1960s as frontman for Gerry and the Pacemakers, whose hits included “Ferry Cross the Mersey,” “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “How Do You Do It?” January 3.
BIFF McGUIRE, 94, character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows over a 65-year career, including Mama, Studio One, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Defenders, Search For Tomorrow and others. March 9.
EDDIE MEKKA, 69, actor who became famous for playing Carmine Ragusa, boyfriend of Shirley Feeney on the television series Laverne and Shirley. November 27.
ART METRANO, 84, actor and comedian best known for playing the ruthless Lt. mauser in three Police Academy movies. His many television credits include Bewitched, Mod Squad, Ironside and L.A. Law, where he played Judge Richard Fiorello. September 8.
DIANA MILLAY, 86, actress best known for playing the immortal Laura Collins on television’s Dark Shadows. Her other TV credits include The Wild Wild West, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Perry Mason and Route 66. January 8.
ROGER MUDD, 93, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist who worked as an anchorman and reporter at CBS, NBC, PBS and the History Channel during a 50-year career. March 9.
MICHAEL NESMITH, 78, musician and video producer who rose to fame on television as one-fourth of The Monkees, for whom he wrote such songs as “Mary, Mary,” “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” and “Papa Gene’s Blues.” December 10.
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, 91, Oscar-winning actor who appeared in more than 125 movies over a seven-decade career, perhaps most notably as Captain von Trapp in 1965’s The Sound of Music. His other films include Knives Out, Stage Struck, Somewhere in Time, The Man Who Would Be King and Murder By Decree, in which he played Sherlock Holmes. February 5.
MARKIE POST, 70, actress who played public defender Christine Sullivan for eight seasons on the television series Night Court. She also played bail bondswoman Terri Michaels for three seasons on The Fall Guy and co-starred on the ABC comedy Hearts Afire. August 7.
JANE POWELL, 92, singer and actress who performed on stage, screen and radio in a career that lasted for nearly 70 years. Her movie credits include Royal Wedding, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Two Weeks with Love and A Date With Judy. On radio, she was heard regularly on The Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show and Songs By Sinatra and as a guest on such shows as the Contented Hour and The Railroad Hour. In the 1980s, she played grandmother Irma Seaver on the television series Growing Pains. September 16.
LLOYD PRICE, 88, who became one of the early stars of rock & roll in he 1950s, with the hits “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Just Because,” “Personality” and “Stagger Lee.” May 3.
CARMEL QUINN, 95, Irish-born singer who appeared on television and radio with Arthur Godfrey. She also performed frequently on The Tonight Show, and The Merv Griffin Show. March 6.
PETER MARK RICHMAN, 93, steely character actor who appeared on more than a hundred television shows during his seven-decade career, including Suspense, Studio One, Playhouse 90, The F.B.I., Barnaby Jones and Dynasty, where he played attorney Andrew Laird. January 14.
CHARLES ROBINSON, 75, actor perhaps best known for playing court clerk Mac Robinson for seven seasons on television’s Night Court. His other credits include Cannon, The White Shadow, Touched By an Angel and Mom, where he played the visually impaired neighbor Mr. Munson. July 11.
JIMMIE RODGERS, 87, singer who enjoyed success in the 1950s with his recordings of “Honeycomb,” “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,” “Oh-oh, I’m Falling in Love Again” and “Secretly.” January 18.
JEANNINE ROOSE, 84, actress who spent six seasons on radio’s Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show as the Harris’ daughter Alice and played young Violet Bick in the 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life. December 31.
MORT SAHL, 94, influential comedian whose running commentary on politics and social issues made him one of the most popular acts of the 1950s and a frequent guest on shows hosted by Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett and many others. October 26.
PETER SCOLARI, 66, actor who co-starred on the television comedy Bosom Buddies for two seasons but is perhaps best known for playing local TV producer Michael Harris for six seasons on Newhart. October 22.
WILLARD SCOTT, 87, radio and television personality who rose to national fame in 1980 when he began a 16-year run as the amiable weatherman on NBC’s Today show. From 1955-1972, he and partner Ed Walker performed as The Joy Boys on WRC/Washington DC. September 4.
GEORGE SEGAL, 87, actor who appeared in more than a hundred movies and television shows in a career that lasted for more than sixty years. He played Nick in the movie version of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and also appeared in the films King Rat, The Owl and the Pussycat, Fun With Dick and Jane and Look Who’s Talking. On television, he played publisher Jack Gallo for six seasons on Just Shoot Me! and frolicsome Andrew Solomon on The Goldbergs. March 23.
GREGORY SIERRA, 83, actor who appeared in nearly a hundred television shows over his career, playing detective Chano Amenguale on Barney Miller and Julio Fuentes on Sanford and Son. His other credits include Gunsmoke, The Flying Nun, Soap and Hill Street Blues. January 4.
WILLIAM SMITH, 88, who began his career as a child actor in such 1940s films as The Song of Bernadette, Going My Way and Meet Me in St. Louis, eventually appearing in more than 250 movies and television shows over a nine-decade career. July 5.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM, 91, Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-winning composer who became one of the most important figures in Broadway history. His shows are West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods. November 26.
MARTHA STEWART, 98, actress and singer who sang with the bands of Glenn Miller, Harry James and Claude Thornhill. On radio, she performed on Your All-Time Hit Parade, Radio Almanac and others. As an actress, she appeared in the films Doll Face, Daisy Kenyon and In a Lonely Place. February 17.
JIM TILMON, 86, broadcaster who spent more than 25 years in Chicago television as a reporter and weather forecaster, working for WTTW, WMAQ, WFLD and WBBM. In 1968, he hosted the groundbreaking African-American talk show Our People and later hosted Tilmon Tempo for WMAQ. January 16.
CECILY TYSON, 96, actress who won an Emmy for her portrayal of a woman who lived through slavery and became part of the civil rights movement in 1974’s The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. She also appeared in the television miniseries Roots, King and A Woman Called Moses and played Ophelia Harkness on the series How to Get Away With Murder. Her movie credits include The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Sounder, Fried Green Tomatoes and The Help. In the 1970s, she was a host on the Sears Radio Theater. January 28.
BOB WALLACE, 80, Emmy Award-winning features reporter who became famous for engaging in daring, sometimes life-threatening stunts in pursuit of a story during his two decade stint at WBBM/Chicago. April 28.
JESSICA WALTER, 80, actress who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows over a 70-year career. She was self-absorbed family matriarch Lucille Bluth on the series Arrested Development, and also appeared on such television shows as The Defenders, Route 66, Trapper John M.D. and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Her movie credits include Grand Prix, Lilith and Play Misty For Me. March 24.
JOAN WELDON, 90, actress best remembered for playing Dr. Patricia Medford in the classic 1954 movie Them! February 11.
BETTY WHITE, 99, legendary actress who worked in radio, television and movies during an eight-decade career. In 1949, she became one of the early stars of television, hosting a daily self-titled talk show. In the 1950s, she starred on the situation comedies Life With Elizabeth and A Date with the Angels. She was also man-hungry homemaker Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the sweetly scatterbrained Rose Nylund for seven seasons on The Golden Girls and feisty caretaker Ella Ostrovsky on Hot in Cleveland . On radio, she appeared on Family Theater, The Great Gildersleeve, This Is Your FBI and others. December 31.
CARA WILLIAMS, 96, actress who starred for two seasons as wife Gladys Porter on the series Pete and Gladys and for a season on her self-titled television show. Her movie credits include The Defiant Ones, Meet Me in Las Vegas, Boomerang and others. December 9.
CLARENCE WILLIAMS III, 81, actor who rose to fame playing undercover cop Linc Hayes for five seasons on television’s Mod Squad. His other television credits include Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Twin Peaks and Empire. June 4.
MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS, 54, actor who played idiosyncratic criminal Omar Little for five seasons on television’s The Wire and Albert “Chalky” White, leader of Atlantic City’s black community on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. September 6.
MARK WILSON, 91, master magician who spent four years on CBS and ABC as the host of Magic Land of Allakazam, the first network television series devoted to magic. January 19.
MARY WILSON, 76, a founding member of The Supremes, who became Motown Records’ most successful act of the 1960s and one of the most popular female vocal groups of all time. Among her hits with the Supremes were “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “I Hear a Symphony” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” February 8.
JANE WITHERS, 95, who rose to fame as a child star in Hollywood during the 1930s, appearing in such films as Ginger, Polly O’Day, The Holy Terror and Pack Up Your Troubles. On radio, she played Susie Robertson on Mayor of the Town and appeared on the Screen Guild Players and Lux Radio Theater. In later years, she appeared in the films Giant and Captain Newman M.D. and for 11 years played Josephine the Plumber in a series of commercials for Comet cleanser. August 7.
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