It is sad when I write this article the first of each New Year. People that we have grown up with, watched on TV, saw play sports, listened to their music or looked up to. Each year, we lose a part of our history. This year we lost a President and First Lady. Legends of the Music Industry have passed.
Gone But Not Forgotten – 2018:
JANUARY
01 – Jon Paul Steuer, Actor – played Alexander Rozhenko in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” – age 33
04 – Ray Thomas, Musician (UK) – founding member of the rock group The Moody Blues “Nights In White Satin” – age 76 (prostate cancer)
05 – Jerry Van Dyke, Actor – played David Crabtree in TV show “My Mother the Car“(1965) and Luther Van Dam on “Coach” (1989-’97) – age 86
05 – John Young, Captain, USN / NASA Astronaut – flew on the first manned Gemini mission (1965) and five more missions including a moon walk (1972) – age 87
08 – Denise LaSalle, Blues Singer – recognized as the “Queen of the Blues”, top hit “Trapped By A Thing Called Love” (1971) – age 78 (complications from a fall)
08 – Donnelly Rhodes, Actor (CAN) – played convict Dutch Leitner on TV show “Soap” (1977-’81) – age 80 (cancer)
10 – Eddie Clarke, Musician (UK) – guitarist for the heavy metal band Motörhead – age 67 (pneumonia)
10 – Doreen Tracey, Actress/Singer – a regular on TV show “Mickey Mouse Club” (1955-’58) – age 74 (cancer)
12 – Keith Jackson, Sportscaster – the voice of ABC Sports’ College football coverage (1966–2006) – age 89
13 – Jean Porter, Actress – contract actress for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who appeared in over 30 movies from 1938-’61 – age 95
13 – Naomi Stevens, Actress – an extremely popular character actress (1950s-’80s) played Mrs. Dreyfus in the 1960 movie “The Apartment” – age 92
14 – Dan Gurney, Race car driver/owner – won races in the Formula One, Indy Car, NASCAR, Can-Am, and Trans-Am Series – age 86 (pneumonia)
15 – Dolores O’Riordan, Singer (IRL) – lead singer for rock band the Cranberries; top hits “Linger” and “Zombie” – age 46 (unknown)
15 – Peter Wyngarde, Actor (UK) – portrayed Jason King in TV shows Department S (1969–70) and Jason King (1971–72) – age 90
16 – Bradford Dillman, Actor – played Luther Sebastian in the film “The Helicopter Spies” which was made from a The Man From U.N.C.L.E. episode – age 87 (pneumonia)
17 – Jessica Falkholt, Actress (AUS) – played Hope Morrison in TV series “Home and Away” – age 29 (car accident killed her entire family)
17 – Simon Shelton, Actor (UK) – played Tinky Winky in the BBC TV show “Teletubbies” (1997-2001) – age 52 (hypothermia)
19 – Olivia Cole, Actress – played Matilda in the mini-series “Roots” (1977) for which she won an Emmy – age 75 (heart attack)
19 – Dorothy Malone, Actress – played Constance MacKenzie on Peyton Place (1964-’68) – age 92
19 – Allison Shearmur, Film producer – worked on American Pie, Jason Bourne and The Hunger Games franchises – age 54 (lung cancer)
20 – Wendell Castle, Artist/Furniture maker – probably the father of “furniture art” – age 85
20 – John Coleman, TV Meteorologist – original weatherman on ABC’s Good Morning America (1975) and co-founder of The Weather Channel (1982) – age 83
20 – Naomi Parker Fraley, she is credited as the inspiration for the Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It” WWII era poster – age 96
20 – Jim Rodford, Musician – played with the Kinks (1978-’96) then played with redo of The Zombies – age 76
22 – Connie Sawyer, Actress – nicknamed “The Clown Princess of Comedy”, appeared in movies and TV from 1955 – 2014 – age 105
26 – Stacey Young, Model (UK) – she appeared in many 1980’s music videos with her singer husband Paul Young – age 52 (brain cancer)
27 – Mort Walker, Cartoonist – wrote the newspaper comic strips Beetle Bailey (1950) and Hi and Lois (1954) – age 94
30 – Mark Salling, Actor/Musician – portrayed Noah “Puck” Puckerman on TV show “Glee”(2009-’13) – 35 (suicide)
February
01 – Fidel Ángel Castro Díaz-Balart, Scientist – Fidel Castro’s oldest son – age 68 (suicide)
02 – Dennis Edwards, Singer – lead singer for The Temptations (1968-’77) “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” – age 74
02 – Jon Huntsman Sr., Businessman/Philanthropist – Huntsman was known for his philanthropy including Huntsman Cancer Institute – age 80
04 – John Mahoney, Actor (UK/USA) – played Martin Crane (Frazier’s Dad) on TV show “Frasier” (1993-2004) – age 77 (throat cancer)
07 – Mickey Jones, Musician/Actor – drummer for The First Edition with Kenny Rogers – age 76 (a long illness)
07 – John Perry Barlow, Poet/Cyber Activist – lyricist for the Grateful Dead and founded Electronic Frontier Foundation – age 70
07 – Jill Messick, Producer – “She’s All That and” “Mean Girls” – age 50 (suicide)
09 – Reg E. Cathey, Actor – portrayed Freddy Hayes in “House of Cards” (2013-’17) – age 59 (lung cancer)
09 – John Gavin, Actor/Politician – portrayed Julius Caesar in “Spartacus” (1960); U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (1981-’86) – age 86 (leukemia)
11 – Vic Damone, Singer/Songwriter – “You’re Breaking My Heart” (1949); “On the Street Where You Live (1956) – age 89
12 – Marty Allen, Comedian/Actor – 1/2 of the comedy duo Allen & Rossi, 44 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show – age 95
12 – Louise Latham, Actress – played Bernice Edgar in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “Marnie” (1964) – age 95
12 – Daryle Singletary, C&W Singer – “I Let Her Lie” (1995), “Amen Kind of Love” (1996) – age 46 (blood clot)
15 – Lassie Lou Ahern, Actress – she was a child actress in “Our Gang” films and one of the last surviving cast members – age 97 (flu)
21 – Emma Chambers, Actress (UK) – played Alice Tinker in BBC show “The Vicar of Dibley” (1994-’98) – age 53 (heart attack)
21 – Billy Graham, Baptist Minister and TV Christian evangelist – “Billy Graham Crusades” (1947-2005); spiritual adviser to every U.S. President from Harry Truman to Barack Obama – age 99
22 – Nanette Fabray, Actress/Singer/Dancer – Sid Caesar’s comedy partner on “Caesar’s Hour”1954-’57), played Katherine Romano on the TV show “One Day at a Time” (1979-’84) – age 97
23 – Lewis Gilbert, Producer/Director (UK) – “Alfie” (1966), “Shirley Valentine” (1989), “You Only Live Twice” (1967) – age 97
27 – Peter Miles, Actor (UK) – played Rotane in several episodes of “Blake’s 7” – age 89
March
01 – Bill Burkette, Singer – original member of ‘The Vogues’, “You’re the One”, “Five O’Clock World” – age 75
02 – Ronnie Prophet, C&W Musician (CAN) – performed in Canadian TV shows “Grand Old Country” and “The Ronnie Prophet Show” – age 80
03 – David Ogden Stiers, Actor – played Major Charles Emerson Winchester III in TV show M*A*S*H(1977-’83) – age 75 (bladder cancer)
10 – Hubert de Givenchy, Fashion designer (FR) – “House of Givenchy” – famously dressed Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy (see 1960s Fashion section) – age 91
11 – Sir Kenneth Dodd, Comedian/Singer-songwriter (UK) – recorded “Tears” the #1 hit in 1965 and #3 for all of 1960s – age 90
12 – Nokie Edwards, Musician – played lead guitar and bass for The Ventures, a Hall of Fame instrumental rock band – age 82 (complications from hip surgery)
12 – Craig Mack, Singer/rapper – also known as MC EZ, biggest hit was “Flava in Ya Ear” – age 47 (heart failure)
14 – Jim Bowen, Comedian (UK) – host of ITV’s game show Bullseye (1981-’95) – age 80
14 – Stephen Hawking, Theoretical Physicist (UK) – Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – age 76 (ALS)
20 – Frank Avruch, Actor – portrayed Bozo the star of “Bozo the Clown” syndicated TV show (1959-’70) – age 89 (heart disease)
21 – Anna-Lisa, Actress (NO) – played Nora Travers on “Black Saddle” (1959-’60) – age 84
22 – Wayne Huizenga, Entrepreneur/Philanthropist – one time owner of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and the Florida Panthers – age 80 (cancer)
22 – Charles Lazar, Entrepreneur – founder and CEO of Toy “R” Us toy chain (1957-2018) – age 94
23 – DuShon Monique Brown, Actress – played Connie in TV show “Chicago Fire” (2012-present) – age 49 (heart disease?)
23 – Debbie Lee Carrington, Actress – played Little Bigfoot in Harry and the Hendersons (1987) – age 58
23 – Delores Taylor, Actress – developed the character “Billy Jack’ and starred in all three Bill Jack movies; “Billy Jack” (1971), “The Trial of Billy Jack” (1974), “Billy Jack Goes to Washington” (19740 – age 85 (dementia)
25 – Linda Brown, Civil Rights figure – was the subject of a Supreme Court case which outlawed school segregation (Brown v. Board of Education – 1954) – age 76
30 – Bill Maynard, Actor/Comedian – lead role in “Oh No, It’s Selwyn Froggitt! (1976–78)” – age 89 (complications from a fall)
April
02 – Susan Anspach, Actress – played Catherine Van Oost in “Five Easy Pieces” (1970) and Nina Blume in “Blume in Love” (1973) – age 75 (heart failure)01 – Steven Bochco, TV Writer/Producer – “Hill Street Blues” (1981-’87), ” L.A. Law” (1986-’94) – age 74 (leukemia)
02 – Winnie Mandela, Politician (ZA) – anti-apartheid activist, married to Nelson Mandela – age 81
05 0 Tim O’Connor, Actor – played Dr. Elias Huer in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” – age 90 (cancer)
08 – Chuck McCann Actor/Comedian – hosted childrens TV show “The Chuck McCann Show” – age 83 (congestive heart failure)
10 – Yvonne Staples Gospel/R&B Singer – Family gospel group The Staple Singers #1 hit “Let’s Do It Again” – age 80
12 – Alex Beckett, Actor (UK) – played Barney Lumsden in BBC TV show “Twenty Twelve” (2012) – age 35
15 – R. Lee Ermey, Actor – (Sgt. USMC retired) played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket” (1967) – age 74 (complications from pneumonia)
16 – Harry Anderson, Actor – played Judge Harry Stone on TV show “Night Court” (1984-’92) – age 65
16 – Pamela Gidley, Actress – starred in “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” – age 52 (cause not released)
17 – Barbara Bush, First Lady wife of Pres. George H. W. Bush 1989-’93) and mother of Pres. George W. Bush (2001-’09), founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy – age 92 (congestive heart failure)
18 – Bruno Sammartino, WWF Professional Wrestler – “The Living Legend” held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship longer than anyone else – age 82 (heart failure)
18 – Dale Winton, TV Host (UK) – “Dale’s Supermarket Sweep” (1993-’07) “In It to Win It” (2002-’16) – age 62
19 – Ronald Blasket, Comedian/Ventriloquist (AUS) – Gerry Gee’s Jamboree (1959) his doll was named Gerry Gee – age 96
20 – Avicii (Tim Bergling), Electronic music producer (SWE) – “Sunshine”, “I Could Be the One” he was nominated for 2 Grammy’s – age 28 (suffered from acute pancreatitis)
21 – Verne Troyer, Actor – played Mini-Me in Austin Powers movies (1997,’99,&’02) at 2′ 8″ tall he was the worlds shortest actor – age 49 (possible alcohol poisoning)
23 – Bob Dorough, Musician/Songwriter – composed and performed the “Schoolhouse Rock!” series of educational cartoons – age 94
27 – Kristin Nelson, Actress – married to Rick nelson and appeared regularly on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” – age 72 (sudden heart attack)
27 – Paul Junger Witt, Producer – TV shows “The Partridge Family”, “Golden Girls” and movies “Dead Poets Society’ – age 77 (cancer)
29 – Robert Mandan, Actor – played Chester Tate on TV sitcom “Soap” (1977-’81) – age 86 (a long illness)
May
04 – Steve Coy, Musician (UK) – played drums and keyboard for the rock group “Dead or Alive” (1982-2016) – age 56
04 – Catherine Godbold, Actress (AU) – played Deborah Hale Regnery on “The Saddle Club” (2007-’09) – age 43 (brain cancer)
07 – Gayle Shepherd, Singer – one of four sisters who formed “The Shepherd Sisters” Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and American Bandstand – age 81 (dementia)
13 – Margot Kidder, Actress – played Lois Lane in three Superman movies (1978,’80,’83) – age 69
14 – Tom Wolfe, Author/Journalist – wrote the novel “The Right Stuff” (1979) – age 88 (infection)
16 – Joseph Campanella, Actor – played Lew Wickersham in “Mannix” and Joe Turino on “The Guiding Light” – age 93
20 – Patricia Morison, Actress – played Maid Marian in “The Prince of Thieves” (1947) – age 103
21 – Philip Roth, Novelist – wrote “Portnoy’s Complaint” (1968), received a Pulitzer Prize for “American Pastoral” – age 85 (congestive heart failure)
21 – Clint Walker, Actor – played Cheyenne Bodie in the TV western “Cheyenne” (1955-’63) – age 90 (congestive heart failure)
24 – John Peter Bain, Video gaming commentator (UK) – aka TotalBiscuit, was a popular gaming critic on YouTube – age 33 (colon cancer)
24 – Tony Travis, Actor/singer – played Eddie Crane in “The Beatniks” (1960) also Jamboree!(1957) – age 92
26 – Alan Bean, Capt, USN Ret/Astronaut – aboard Apollo 12 he was with the 2nd mission to land on the moon (1969) – age 86 (sudden illness)
28 – Fredric Arnold, Actor – played Atty. Fred Shay in “Lost Angeles” (1989) – age 96
28 – Cornelia Frances, Actress (AU) – portrayed Morag Bellingham on “Home and Away” (1988-’97) – age 77 (bladder cancer)
June
05 – Kate (Valentine) Spade, Fashion designer/Entrepreneur – owned over 140 domestic and 175 international stores – age 55 (suicide)
06 – Jerry Maren, Actor – he was the last living munchkin from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) – age 98
08 – Anthony Bourdain, TV Personality/Chef – TV show “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (2005–2012) – age 61 (suicide)
08 – Jackson Odell, Actor/songwriter – played Ari Caldwell on “The Goldbergs” – age 20
13 – D. J. Fontana, Drummer – played the drums for The Blue Mean Boys and then for Elvis Presley (1954-’68) – age 87
15 – Leslie Grantham, Actor – played Den Watts in the BBC TV show “EastEnders” (1985–1989, 2003–2005) – age 71
18 – Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, aka XXXTentacion – Singer/songwriter,rapper – American Music Awards winner for favorite Album titled “17” (2018) – age 20 (murdered)
21 – Charles Krauthammer, Author/Columnist – Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Washington Post and several Fox TV commentary shows – age 68 (small intestine cancer)
22 – Deanna Lund, Actress – played Valerie Ames in TV sci-fi “Land of the Giants” (1968-’70) – age 81 (pancreatic cancer)
25 – Richard Benjamin Harrison, Businessman/Reality TV star – known as the Old Man on the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” age 77 (Parkinson’s disease)
27 – Joe Jackson, Manger – Father and patriarch of the Jackson family and The Jackson 5 – age 89 (pancreatic cancer)
29 – Helen Griffin, Actress (UK) – wrote and starred in “Little White Lies” (2005) – age 59
July
08 – Tab Hunter, Actor/Singer – played Danny in “Battle Cry” (1955): as a singer “Young Love” #1 on charts (1957) – age 86
10 – Carlo Benetton, fashion Designer/entrepreneur – one of four siblings who own Benetton Group a design fashion house in Italy along with other substantial holdings in the Italian hotel and restaurant business – age 74
12 – Roger Perry, Actor – played attorney Jim Harrigan in TV show “Harrigan and Son”(1960-’61) with Pat O’Brien – age 85 (prostate cancer)
12 – Robert Wolders, Actor (NL) – played Erik Hunter in TV Western “Laredo” – age 81
13 – Nancy Sinatra Sr., first wife of Frank Sinatra (1939-’51) and mother of his three children – age 101
21 – Elmarie Wendel, Actress – Mrs. Dubcek on TV show “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1999-’01) – age 89
August
05 – Charlotte Rae, Actress – played Edna Garrett on TV sitcoms “Diff’rent Strokes” and its spin-off, “The Facts of Life” – age 92 (bone cancer)01 – Mary Carlisle,Actress/dancer – played a starry-eyed romantic interest in over 60 films incl. “College Humor” with Bing Crosby (1933) – age 104
07 – Stan Mikita, Ice Hockey player (CA) – played for the Chicago Black Hawks (1959-’80) and was considered the leagues best centre of the 1960s – age 78 (dementia with Lewy bodies)
16 – Aretha Franklin, Singer – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 18 time Grammy winner, known as “Queen of Soul“, top songs: “Respect” (1967), “Natural Woman” (1967), “Think” (1968) – age 76 (pancreatic cancer)
21 – Barbara Harris, Actress – played Evelyn Kelcher in “Peggy Sue Got Married” and Mary Blank in “Grosse Pointe Blank” – age 83 (lung cancer)
22 – Ed King, Musician – lead guitarist and bassist for southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd he co-wrote “Sweet Home Alabama” – age 68 (cancer)
24 – Robin Leach, Entertainment reporter/writer (UK) – hosted “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” (1984-’95) – age 76 (stroke)
25 – John McCain, War Hero – US Senator (1987-2018, his death), US House (1983-’87), Capt. US Navy ret. (1958-’81) was called a “maverick” in the Senate – age 81 (brain tumor “glioblastoma”)
26 – Neil Simon, Playwright/screenwriter – wrote “Barefoot in the Park” (1963), “The Odd Couple” (1965 won a Tony award), (3) Tony’s (1) Pulitzer Prize – age 91 (renal failure)
31 – Susan Brown, Actress – played Dr. Gail Adamson Baldwin on TV soap opera “General Hospital” (1977-’85), (1989–’90) and (1992–’04) – age 86
31 – Gloria Jean, Actress/singer – very popular actress who starred or co-starred in 26 feature films (1939-’59)
31 – Vanessa Marquez, Actress – played nurse Wendy Goldman on TV show “ER” (1994-’97) – age 49 (shot by police)
September
03 – Jacqueline Pearce, Actress (UK) – played the villain Servalan in the BBC sci-fi “Blake’s 7” (1978-’81) – age 74 (lung cancer)
04 – Bill Daily, Actor/comedian – played astronaut Roger Healey on “I Dream of Jeannie” and Howard Borden on “The Bob Newhart Show” – age 91
04 – Christopher Lawford, Author/actor – son of Peter Lawford and nephew of President John F. Kennedy – age 63 (heart attack)
06 – Richard DeVos, Businessman/philanthropist – co founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team – age 92
06 – Liz Fraser, Actress (UK) – several of the early Carry On films: Carry On Regardless (1961), Carry On Cruising (1962), and Carry On Cabby (1963) – age 88 (complications following an operation)
06 – Burt Reynolds, Actor – his movies included “Deliverance” (1972), “Smokey and the Bandit” I & II (1977 &’80), “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) – age 82 (cardiac arrest)
07 – Mac Miller, Singer/music producer – his debut album Blue Slide Park charted at #1 on the Billboard top 200 – age 26 (drug overdose)
08 – Chelsi Smith, Model/actress – won Miss Texas (1994), Miss USA (1995), Miss Universe (1995) – age 45 (liver cancer)
10 – Peter Donat, Actor (CAN) – played Bill Mulder, Agent Mulder’s adoptive father, in “The X-Files” – age 90 (complications of diabetes)
11 – Fenella Fielding, Actress (UK) – known as “England’s first lady of the double entendre”, appeared in “Carry On Regardless” (1961) – age 90 (stroke)
14 – Zienia Merton, Actress (UK) – played Sandra Benes in the ITC TV show “Space: 1999” (1975-’77) – age 72
15 – Dudley Sutton, Actor (UK) – played Tinker Dill in TV show “Lovejoy” (1986 & 1991–’94) – age 85 (cancer)
26 – Roger Robinson, Actor – played Fred Shuttlesworth in TV mini-series “King” (1978) – age 78
27 – Marty Balin, Musician/songwriter – founding member of Jefferson Airplane and Starship; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1966) – age 76
October
01 – Peggy Sue Gerron she was the inspiration for Buddy Holly’s hit song “Peggy Sue” (1957) and later song “Peggy Sue Got Married” – age 78
01 – Juan Romero, Food worker – knelt beside Robert (Bobby) F Kennedy and comforted him immediately after his assassination (1968) – age 68 (heart attack)
05 – Bernadette Carroll, Singer – with the Angels (originally the Starletts) #1 release was “My Boyfriend’s Back” (1963) – age 74
06 – Don Sandburg, Actor/writer/producer – he performed, wrote and produced “Bozo’s Circus” on WGN (1961-’69) – age 87 (Alzheimer’s)
06 – Scott Wilson, Actor – played Hershel Greene on TV show “The Walking Dead” (2011-’14) – age 76 (leukemia)
07 – Peggy Mccay, Actress – played Caroline Brady on soap oprea “Days of Our Lives” (1983-2016) – age 90
07 – Celeste Yarnall, Actress – starred in horror film “Eve” (1968) was also the final Miss Rheingold beer girl (1965) – age 74 (ovarian cancer)
08 – Arnold Kopelson, Film producer – won an Acadamy Award for “Platoon” also did “The Fugitive” and “The Devil’s Advocate” – age 83
15 – Paul Allen, Inventor/philanthropist – co-founder of Microsoft (1975); gave billions to charities in education, wildlife and environmental conservation, the arts, healthcare, community services, and more – age 65 (non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
18 – Randy Safuto, Vocalist – lead singer of “Randy and the Rainbows” (1962-’63) biggest hit “Denise” – age 71 (complications from a heart attack)
21 – Earl E. Bakken, Inventor – developed the first external, battery-operated, transistorized, wearable artificial pacemaker (1957) – age 94
22 – Gilberto Benetton, fashion Designer/entrepreneur – one of four siblings who own Benetton Group a design fashion house in Italy along with other substantial holdings in the Italian hotel and restaurant business – age 77
24 – Tony Joe White, Singer/songwriter – biggest hit “Polk Salad Annie” 1968 and writing “Rainy Night in Georgia” 1969 – age 75 (heart attack)
27 – Freddie Hart, C&W Musician – biggest hit “Easy Loving” won Song of the Year award (1971,’72) – age 91 (pneumonia)
29 – Jimmy Farrar, Singer/songwriter – lead singer for Molly Hatchet the southern rock group (1980-’82) – age 67 (heart failure)
31 – Kenny Marks, Christian singer – got discovered on Billy Graham’s Afterglow Concert Series, hit song “Say a Prayer for Me Tonight” – age 67 (heart attack)
NOVEMBER
02 – Roy Hargrove, Jazz musician – bandleader of the jazz group The RH Factor, won two Grammy Awards (1997-’02) – age 49 (cardiac arrest)01 – Dave Rowland, C&W Singer – part of the singing trio “Dave & Sugar”, #1 hits; “The Door Is Always Open” and “Tear Time” – age 74 (stroke)
03 – Sondra Locke, Actress – movies: “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” (1968), “Willard” (1971) – age 74 (cardiac arrest related to breast and bone cancers)
04 – Donna Axum, Beauty pageant winner – Miss Arkansas & Miss America (1964) also was author, television executive producer, actress, philanthropist and civic leader – age 76 (Parkinson’s disease)
11 – Wayne Maunder, Actor (CA) – played Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer in TV show “Custer” (1967) and Scott Lancer in “Lancer” (1968-’70) – age 80
11 – Douglas Rain, Stage & voice actor (UK) – provided the voice for the HAL 9000 computer in “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) – age 90
12 – Stan Lee, Comic book writer/editor/publisher – creative and business head of Marvel Comics (1941-2010) famous for his cameo appearances in Marvel character movies – age 95
13 – Katherine “Scottie” MacGregor, Actress – played Harriet Oleson on TV show “Little House on the Prairie” (1974-’83) (see Little House page) – age 93
15 – Roy Clark, C&W Musician/singer – hosted the TV show “Hee Haw” (1969-’97), very influential in promoting country music – age 85 (complications of pneumonia)
16 – William Goldman, Screenwriter/novelist/playwright – won two Academy Awards, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “All the President’s Men” (1976) – age 87 (colon cancer)
20 – Robert Blythe, Actor (UK) – played Richard ‘Fagin’ Hepplewhite in TV show “High Hopes” – age71
23 – Nicolas Roeg, Director/cinematographer (UK) – directed “Performance” (1970), “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (1976) – age 90
26 – Bernardo Bertolucci, Director/screenwriter (ITA) – directed “Last Tango in Paris” (1972), “The Last Emperor” (1987) – age 77 (lung cancer)
26 – Stephen Hillenburg, Cartoonist – Directed, produced, and wrote “SpongeBob SquarePants”
(1999 – present) – age 57 (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – ALS)
30 – George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States (1989-’93), 43rd Vice President of the U.S. (1981-’89), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1967-’71), Lieutenant (jg) U.S. Navy WWII (1942-’45) – age 94
December
01 – Ken Berry Actor/dancer/singer. – starred in “F-Troop” (1965-’67), “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-’68) – age 85
03 – Philip Bosco, Actor – starred in movie “The Savages” (2007), won Tony award for play “Lend Me a Tenor” – age 88 (dementia)
04 – Peter Armitage, Actor (UK) – played Bill Webster on the TV show “Coronation Street” on ITV – age 78
06 – Pete Shelley, Singer/songwriter (UK) – lead singer and guitarist for the group “Buzzcocks” (1976-’81) – age 63 (heart attack)
13 – Nancy Wilson, Singer – triple Grammy Award winner; “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” (1964), “Guess Who I Saw Today” – age 81 (renal cancer)
17 – Penny Marshall, Actress/director/producer – played Laverne DeFazio on TV show “Laverne & Shirley” (1976-’83) – age 75 (complications of diabetes)
26 – Frank Adonis, Actor – played Patsy in “Raging Bull” (1980) and Anthony Stabile in “Goodfellas” (1990) – age 83 (kidney failure)
28 – June Whitfield, Actress (UK) – “Happy Ever After” (1974–’78) and “Terry and June” (1979–’87) – age 93
In closing, another year has pasted. Just a few days into the new year and I am already getting death notifications. Hopefully it will slow down.
………Gone, But not forgotten……………..
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He is a Consultant for Southern Heritage Gun & Pawn in Tuscumbia. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns& Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is married to Tracey Inman. Bobby and Tracey are photographers for Subtle & Slams Photography. He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily. Bobby is the Photographer for Continental Championship Wrestling.
