Necrology

Necrology of 2011

In 2011, we said farewell to a number of our favorite entertainers and personalities from the worlds of radio, television, movies, and music.

They’re gone, but not forgotten.

GEORGE ANSBRO, 96, who worked as an announcer on radio and television for more than 50 years at NBC and ABC. His many radio credits included Young Widder Brown, When a Girl Marries, Ethel and Albert, and Dr. IQ. November 5.

KAY ARMEN, 95, Chicago-born singer featured on the radio quiz program Stop The Music, who also performed on radio with Milton Berle, Vic Damone and Don McNeill’s Breakfast Club. She appeared on the television series Washington Square and in the 1955 film Hit the Deck. October 3.

JAMES ARNESS, 88, actor who for 20 years played Marshal Matt Dillon on the television version of Gunsmoke. He also appeared as The Thing From Another World in the 1951 movie of the same name. His other film credits included Battleground, Hondo, and Them! June 3.

JOHN BARRY, 77, who composed music for over 100 films, including Born Free, The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves, but who is best-remembered for his work on 11 films in the James Bond series. January 30.

PATRICIA BRESLIN, 80, actress who appeared in dozens of television shows over a 20-year career, most notably as Mandy Miller on the comedy series The People’s Choice and later as Laura Brooks on Peyton Place. October 12.

CHARLIE CALLAS, 86, rubber-faced comedian who began his career as a drummer for the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill and Buddy Rich and appeared on stage and television for more than four decades. He was seen regularly on The Flip Wilson Show and co-hosted The Joey Bishop Show. January 27.

JEFF CONAWAY, 60, actor who appeared in the stage and screen versions of Grease and spent three seasons as Bobby Wheeler on the television series Taxi. May 27.

JACKIE COOPER, 88, actor and director who began his career at seven years of age and appeared in over a hundred movies and television shows, including a number of the Our Gang films. On television, he starred in The People’s Choice and later played the title role on Hennessey. In the 1970s and 1980s, he portrayed Perry White in the Superman movies. May 3.

SIDNEY COOPER, 92, veteran musician and arranger who performed with Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis. As a staff musician for NBC, he was heard regularly on Eddie Fisher’s Coke Time, The Steve Allen Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. July 18.

NORMAN CORWIN, 101, legendary writer, director and producer whose groundbreaking efforts earned him the title of “The Poet Laureate of Radio.” He began his network radio career in 1938 with the CBS series Norman Corwin’s Words Without Music and became a regular contributor to the Columbia Workshop. His other radio credits included We Hold These Truths, a special program in honor of the sesquicentennial of the Bill of Rights, and On a Note of Triumph, a special program produced to commemorate the end of the war in Europe. Corwin also created plays for United Nations Radio and National Public Radio, and wrote the screenplay for the 1956 film Lust For Life. October 18.

MADELYN PUGH DAVIS, 90, writer best known for her work with Lucille Ball, on the radio show My Favorite Husband and the legendary television series I Love Lucy. She also wrote for The Lucy Show and The Mothers-in-Law. April 20.

SAM DENOFF, 83, writer who began his career as a writer for New York radio station WNEW before moving to television, where his many writing credits included The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Williams Show, and That Girl. July 8.

DON DIAMOND, 90, actor who appeared in supporting roles on many radio series, including Gunsmoke, Escape, Suspense, Let George Do It, and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. On television, he played El Toro on The Adventures of Kit Carson and was the ambitious but inept Crazy Cat on the series F Troop. June 19. JOHN DYE, 47, actor who appeared for nine seasons as Andrew, the Angel of Death, on the television series Touched By an Angel. January 10.

ROBERT EASTON, 81, actor and dialect coach who appeared on radio for two years as part of the Quiz Kids and later was heard as Magnus Proudfoot on the Gunsmoke radio series and as neighbor Lester Nelson on Fibber McGee and Molly. On television, he provided the voice of Lt. Sheridan on the animated series Stingray. December 16.

PETER FALK, 83, Emmy Award-winning actor best known for playing the rumpled detective Columbo over three decades on television. He also starred in the 1965 television series The Trials of O’Brien and in such movies as Murder, Inc., A Pocketful of Miracles, The Cheap Detective, and The Princess Bride. June 23.

ANNE FRANCIS, 80, actress who began her career on radio as a child, performing on Let’s Pretend, Coast To Coast on a Bus, and When a Girl Marries. She was Altaria in the celebrated 1956 film Forbidden Planet. Her other films included Blackboard Jungle, Bad Day at Black Rock, and Don’t Go Near the Water. On television, she starred in the title role on the series Honey West. January 2.

DAN FRAZER, 90, actor who appeared on television as Capt. Frank McNeil on Kojak and as Lt. McCloskey on As The World Turns. His other television credits included The Phil Silvers Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Route 66 and Car 54, Where Are You? December 16.

CARL GARDNER, 83, founder and lead singer for the Coasters, whose hit records included “Charlie Brown,” “Poison Ivy,” and “Yakety Yak.” June 12.

BETTY GARRETT, 91, comedic actress who performed on stage, in movies and on television in a career that lasted for over 60 years. She appeared in the movies On The Town, Take Me Out to The Ball Game, Neptune’s Daughter and My Sister Eileen. On television, she was Irene Lorenzo on All in the Family and Edna Babish on Laverne and Shirley. February 12.

JOE GENTILE, 87, Chicago entrepreneur and owner of Elmhurst radio station WJJG, where he appeared for over a decade as the station’s morning host. October 10.

MICHAEL GOUGH, 94, English actor who appeared in more than 70 movies over a 60-year career, most notably as butler Alfred Pennyworth in the Batman films of the 1990s. Other film credits included The Man in the White Suit, The Boys From Brazil, The Age of Innocence and Corpse Bride. March 17.

FARLEY GRANGER, 85, stage and film actor who starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films Rope and Strangers on a Train. Other film credits included They Live By Night, Hans Christian Andersen, O. Henry’s Full House and The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing. March 27.

DOBIE GRAY, 71, singer who enjoyed success in the 1960s with The In Crowd” and “See You at the Go-Go” and in the 1970s wit the enduring hit “Drift Away.” December 6.

LYNN HAULDREN, 89, Chicago-based advertising copywriter who spent years as the television spokesman for Empire Carpets and wrote the company’s celebrated jingle. April 26.

BILL HAMILTON, 87, veteran Chicago-area broadcaster who worked in radio at stations WCFL and WHFC. On television, he became the first regularly scheduled newscaster on WBKB. He was also the long-time voice of Jewel Food Stores and Polk Brothers department stores. June 28.

DOLORES HOPE, 102, singer who performed on radio and television with Bob Hope, her husband of 69 years. September 19.

GLADYS HORTON, 66, lead singer for the Marvelettes, who enjoyed a string of hit records in the early 1960s, including “Please Mr. Postman,” “Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead,” and “Beechwood 4-5789.” January 26.

FERLIN HUSKY, 85, pioneering country music entertainer in the 1950s and early ‘60s known for hits like "Wings of a Dove" "A Dear John Letter" and "Gone.” On radio and television, he performed on Grand Ole Opry and Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. March 17.

SYBIL JASON, 83, child actress who appeared opposite Shirley Temple in the films The Little Princess and The Blue Bird. August 23.

HAL KANTER, 92, Emmy award-winning writer who worked on radio, television and movies, writing for Jack Oakie, Danny Kaye, Ed Wynn, George Gobel, and The Beulah Show. In the 1960s, he created the groundbreaking television series Julia. November 6.

TOM KEITH, 64, radio actor who appeared for over 35 years on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, performing an amazing variety of characters and vocal effects. October 31.

JACK LaLANNE, 96, pioneering television personality and fitness enthusiast whose workout programs were a staple of the medium for over 30 years. January 23.

ARTHUR LAURENTS, 92, writer for stage and screen whose work included the landmark plays Gypsy, West Side Story and Home of the Brave, and such films as Rope, Anastasia, and The Way We Were. May 5.

JERRY LEIBER, 78, songwriter who, with his partner Mike Stoller, wrote and produced songs for Elvis Presley, The Drifters, The Coasters, Peggy Lee and many others. Their hits included “Hound Dog,” “Up on the Roof,” and “Is That All There Is?” August 22.

CHARLIE LOUVIN, 83, country music singer who performed with his brother Ira from the 1940s into the 1960s as The Louvin Brothers. They were part of the Grand Ole Opry for eight years and enjoyed success on record with songs including “Cash on the Barrelhead,” “My Baby’s Gone,” “You’re Running Wild” and “Satan Is Real.” January 26.

SIDNEY LUMET, 86, child actor who grew up to become a renowned director of such films as 12 Angry Men, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon. April 9.

KENNETH MARS, 75, veteran stage and screen actor who appeared in more than 35 films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Radio Days, and Young Frankenstein. Perhaps his most famous role was that of Franz Liebkind, the Nazi playwright whose musical “Springtime For Hitler” was the centerpiece of Mel Brooks’ classic film The Producers. February 12.

WILLIAM J. McCARTER, 81, broadcasting pioneer who spent 27 years as President and CEO of WTTW/Chicago, when it became the most-watched public television station in the country. April 21.

GENE McDANIELS, 76, singer who enjoyed success in the 1960s with such hits as “Tower of Strength” and “Hundred Pounds of Clay.” July 29.

BILL McKINNEY, 80, character actor who appeared in over a hundred movies and television shows during his career, including a legendary performance as the Mountain Man in the 1972 film Deliverance. Other films included The Parallax View, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, and The Outlaw Josey Wales. December 1.

SID MELTON, 94, character actor whose career spanned over 70 years. He played Ichabod Mudd on the television version of Captain Midnight, “Uncle” Charlie Halper on The Danny Thomas Show and carpenter Alf Monroe on the series Green Acres. November 2.

HARRY MORGAN, 96, actor who was a fixture on television for four decades, as Pete Porter on the series December Bride and its spin-off Pete and Gladys, as Officer Bill Gannon on Dragnet, and for eight years as Col. Sherman Potter on M*A*S*H. He worked on radio as the announcer for Peter Lorre’s Mystery in the Air and appeared in more than 100 movies, including High Noon, Inherit the Wind, How the West Was Won, and The Glenn Miller Story. December 7.

DAVID NELSON, 74, oldest son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and the last surviving member of the Nelson family that appeared on radio and television in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. He also appeared in the movies Peyton Place, The Big Circus, and Cry Baby. January 11.

JOHN NEVILLE, 86, actor who played the title role in the 1988 movie The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and later appeared as The Well-Manicured Man on the television The X-Files. November 19.

BILL NIMMO, 93, announcer who began his career as an overnight disc jockey at WLW/Cincinnati before moving to television, where he served as Johnny Carson’s original sidekick on the show Who Do You Trust? His other television credits included The Jackie Gleason Show and The Regis Phlibin Show. February 22.

CLIFF ROBERTSON, 88, actor who won an Oscar for his performance as the title character in the 1968 film Charly. Other film credits included Picnic, PT 109, Three Days of the Condor, and Spider-Man. On television, he was the villainous cowboy Shame on Batman and also appeared on The Twilight Zone, The Chrysler Theater, and Falcon Crest. September 10.

ANDY ROONEY, 92, writer who spent more than 30 years as the acerbic commentator for CBS television’s 60 Minutes. He also wrote for Arthur Godfrey and Garry Moore during his 60-year career. November 4.

PETE RUGOLO, 95, prolific composer and arranger who worked with Stan Kenton in the1940s and went on to compose music for such television shows as Thriller, The Fugitive, and Richard Diamond, Private Detective. October 16.

JANE RUSSELL, 89, actress who began her film career in the controversial 1943 movie The Outlaw. She later co-starred with Bob Hope in The Paleface, with Victor Mature in The Las Vegas Story, and opposite Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. February 21.

SOL SAKS, 100, writer who worked on radio as a writer for Duffy’s Tavern and The Beulah Show and later wrote for the television series My Favorite Husband, I Married Joan and Mr. Adams and Eve. In the 1960s, he created the long-running television comedy Bewitched. April 16.

MICHAEL SARRAZIN, 70, Canadian actor best-remembered for his role as Robert Syverton, the troubled marathon dancer in the 1970 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? April 17.

SHERWOOD SCHWARTZ, 94, celebrated writer who worked on radio for Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Alan Young, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, and The Beulah Show. During World War II, he worked for the Armed Forces Radio Service, where he contributed to Command Performance and GI Journal. For television, he created the long-running television series Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Bunch. July 12.

ELISABETH SLADEN, 65, British actress best remembered for playing intrepid journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the long-running series Doctor Who and in a 2007 spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures. April 19.

LARRY SMITH, 81, jazz musician and disc jockey who worked in radio for over 50 years, most notably in Chicago at WBEZ. June 24.

LEONARD STERN, 87, prolific writer who worked in radio, television and movies during a career that lasted over 50 years. In radio, he wrote for Milton Berle and Abbott and Costello. His television credits included The Honeymooners, The Steve Allen Show, The Phil Silvers Show, and Get Smart. With Roger Price, he created the popular word game Mad Libs. June 7.

MARGOT STEVENSON, 99, actress who performed on Broadway in the original cast of You Can’t Take It With You. On radio, she was the voice of the lovely Margot Lane on The Shadow. January 2.

ALAN SUES, 85, actor who spent five seasons in the cast of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. He also appeared in the film The Americanization of Emily and on television in “The Masks,” one of the most celebrated episodes of The Twilight Zone. December 1.

CLARICE TAYLOR, 93, actress and comedian who performed in stage and movie productions of The Wiz but may be best-known for playing mother Anna Huxtable on The Cosby Show. May 30.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR, 79, legendary actress and activist who appeared in more than 50 films, including Lassie Come Home, National Velvet, A Date With Judy, Life With Father, Little Women, Father of The Bride, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cleopatra. She won Academy Awards for her performances in the films BUtterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? March 23.

SADA THOMPSON, 83, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress perhaps best known for playing understanding mother Kate Lawrence on the television series Family. May 4.

BOB TRENDLER, 99, musician who spent more than two decades as Mr. Bob, the leader of the band on the long-running Chicago version of Bozo’s Circus. For more than 40 years, he was the musical director of the WGN orchestra and also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. July 18.

ORRIN TUCKER, 100, musician who led his own band for 60 years, enjoying success on radio and on records, including his 1939 recording of “Oh Johnny” with Wee Bonnie Baker. April 9.

MARGARET WHITING, 86, singer who enjoyed chart success with her recordings of “That Old Black Magic,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and “Moonlight in Vermont.” On radio, she performed with Eddie Cantor, Bob Hope, Jack Smith, Gordon MacRae, and Johnny Desmond, and co-starred with Bob Crosby on the series Club Fifteen. January 10.

ROGER WILLIAMS, 87, virtuoso pianist who started out on radio in Iowa before enjoying a string of hit records during the 1950s and 1960s, including “Autumn Leaves,” “Born Free,” and “The Impossible Dream.” October 8.

SUSANNAH YORK, 72, British actress who played Lara, mother of the child Kal-El in the 1978 movie Superman and its sequel, Superman II. Her other film credits included Tom Jones and A Man For All Seasons. January 15.

NORMA ZIMMER, 87, actress and singer who for two decades was known as “The Champagne Lady” on The Lawrence Welk Show. Her voice was also heard on the celebrated 1951 cartoon Suzy Snowflake. May 10.

Necrology of 2010

JAY ANDRES, 86, veteran broadcaster perhaps best-known for his overnight musical programs, including Music ‘Til Dawn and Great Music From Chicago. In a career that lasted over 50 years, he was heard on Chicago stations WBBM, WGN, WFMT, and WDCB. September 27.

MAL BELLAIRS, 90, veteran Chicago-area broadcaster whose five-decade career included time at stations WCFL, WCLR, and 15 years on the air at WBBM. As a commercial spokesman, he was heard on the air for White Fence Farm restaurant and Tri-City Heating. July 12.

FRANZ BENTELIER, 84, Chicago-area violinist who spent more than 40 years as the leader of the Royal Strings Orchestra. March 12.

BARBARA BILLINGSLEY, 94, who achieved television immortality as June Cleaver, “The Perfect Mom” in the celebrated television series Leave It To Beaver and later parodied her image by playing a jive-talking passenger in the movie Airplane! October 16.

TOM BOSLEY, 83, actor who appeared on Broadway in the title role if Fiorello! But achieved his greatest fame as a television father, first as Harry Boyle in the animated series Wait Till Your Father Gets Home and then as Howard Cunningham on the long-running television series Happy Days. October 19.
BEVERLY BRAUN, 79, who spent five years on WGN television as “Miss Beverly,” host of the morning television program Romper Room. May 12.

HIMAN BROWN, 99, legendary writer, producer, and director during the Golden Age of Radio, whose many credits included Inner Sanctum, Grand Central Station, Dick Tracy, The Adventures of the Thin Man, Bulldog Drummond, Joyce Jordan, M.D. In the 1970s, he created and produced The CBS Radio Mystery Theatre. June 4.

LORN BROWN, 71, sportscaster who worked on television for the Chicago White Sox from 1976 through 1979 and again from 1983 to 1988. He spent three years as the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bulls and also broadcast games for the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers. June 24.

DICK BUCKLEY, 85, whose affection for and knowledge of jazz music made him one Chicago's pre-eminent disc jockeys. For 31 years, he was heard on station WBEZ. During his 51 years in Chicago radio, he also worked for WNIB, WAIT, and WAAF. July 22.
SOLOMON BURKE, 70, legendary soul singer whose hits included “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love,” “Cry To Me,” and “If You Need Me.” He won a Grammy for his 2003 release Don’t Give Up on Me. October 10.

STEPHEN J. CANNELL, 69, television writer and producer who helped to create dozens of television shows in the 1970s and ‘80s, including The Rockford Files, Baretta, and The A-Team. September 30.

EDDIE CARROLL, 76, actor who spent more than 35 years as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in a variety of animated projects for the Disney Corporation. He also performed for years in a one-man show about Jack Benny, which he brought to Chicago in 2009 in honor of the 39^th anniversary of Those Were the Days. April 6.
DIXIE CARTER, 70, actress who spent seven seasons playing the opinionated Julia Sugarbaker on the television series Designing Women. Her other television credits included Diff’rent Strokes, On Our Own, and Desperate Housewives. April 10.

MAURY CHAYKIN, 61, who appeared on television as Nero Wolfe and later as producer Harvey Weingard in the series Entourage. His film credits included Dances With Wolves and My Cousin Vinny. July 27.
JILL CLAYBURGH, 66, actress best known for playing independent women in movies and on television. Her film credits included An Unmarried Woman, Silver Streak, and Gable and Lombard. November 5.
ART CLOKEY, 88, legendary animator who created The Gumby Show and Davey and Goliath. January 8.

SHIRLEY BELL COLE, 89, who joined the WGN Radio Players at the age of six and became famous at age 10 for playing the title role in the radio version of Little Orphan Annie. She later appeared on radio as Patsy Donovan on Captain Midnight. January 12.
GARY COLEMAN, 42, actor born in Zion, Illinois who spent eight years as adoptee Arnold Jackson on the television series Diff’rent Strokes. Other television credits included The Jeffersons, Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century, and The Simpsons. May 28.
CAMMIE KING CONLON, 76, who appeared in Gone With the Wind as the daughter of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. September 1.
ROBERT CULP, 79, actor who starred as Kelly Robinson in the groundbreaking action series I Spy and later appeared in The Greatest American Hero and Everybody Loves Raymond. March 24.
TONY CURTIS, 85, actor who starred in over 100 movies, including The Sweet Smell of Success, Spartacus, The Defiant Ones, Houdini, and the movie considered by some to be the greatest comedy ever made, Some Like It Hot. September 29.
JON DAYE, 67, radio and television journalist who hosted the show On Target for Chicago station WVON. July 8.
JIMMY DEAN, 81, singer and musician who scored hits with the records “Big Bad John” and “PT 109” and later starred in his own television variety show for ABC. June 13.
DORIS EATON, 106, the last surviving member of the “Ziegfeld Girls” who performed on Broadway as part of the Ziegfeld Follies. May 11.
BLAKE EDWARDS, 88, Academy Award-winning writer and director who started in radio with Richard Diamond, Private Detective and later created the television series Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky. His film credits include the Pink Panther series, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Great Race, 10, and Victor/Victoria. December 15.
PETER FERNANDEZ, 83, New York actor who appeared on radio in such shows as Suspense, Mr. District Attorney, and The Adventures of Superman. He later provided the voice of the title character on the animated series Speed Racer. July 15.
EDDIE FISHER, 82, singer who enjoyed over 20 Top 10 hits in the 1950s, including “Wish You Were Here,” “I’m Walking Behind You” and “Oh! My Pa-pa.” For five years, he was the star of Coke Time With Eddie Fisher on television and radio. September 22.
JOHN FORSYTHE, 92, actor who starred for five years as Bentley Gregg on the hit TV series Bachelor Father, who later starred as Blake Carrington on the long-running dramatic series Dynasty and was heard as the voice of the unseen Charles Townsend on the series Charlie’s Angels. April 1.
FRED FOY, 89, Radio Hall of Famer who spent two decades as the narrator and announcer for The Lone Ranger. He later became a staff announcer for ABC, where his duties included The Dick Cavett Show. December 22.

MICKEY FREEMAN, 90, actor and comedian perhaps best known for his role of Pvt. Fielding Zimmerman, one of the members of Sgt. Bilko’s platoon on The Phil Silvers Show. September 21.
HARVEY FUQUA, 80, lead singer for the seminal vocal group The Moonglows, whose hits included “The Ten Commandments of Love,” “Please Send Me Someone To Love” and “Sincerely.” July 6.
JACKSON GILLIS, 93, writer whose radio credits included The Whistler and Let George Do It. For television, he wrote The Adventures of Superman, Perry Mason, The Wild Wild West, and Columbo. August 19.
ART GILMORE, 98, long-time announcer whose radio credits included Dr. Christian, Red Ryder, and Amos ‘n’ Andy. On television, he was the announcer for The George Gobel Show, The Red Skelton Show and Highway Patrol. He also provided the voice of President Roosevelt in the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy. September 25.
HAROLD GOULD, 86, actor who appeared as Martin Morgenstern on Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. His film credits included The Sting and Love and Death. September 11.
PETER GRAVES, 83, actor who appeared on television as Jim Newton on the series Fury and as Agent Jim Phelps in the series Mission: Impossible. For more than a decade, he was a host for the A & E series Biography. Film credits include Stalag 17, Night of the Hunter and Airplane!. March 13.
KATHRYN GRAYSON, 88, singer and actress who appeared in the films Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, Anchors Aweigh and ‘Til The Clouds Roll By. February 17.
JUNE HAVOC, 97, actress began her career as “Baby June” in vaudeville and went on to perform on stage, in movies, and on radio, where she was a frequent guest on Suspense and Theatre Guild on the Air. Her movie credits included My Sister Eileen and Gentleman’s Agreement. On television, she starred in the dramatic series Willy and hosted The June Havoc Show. March 28.
DALE HAWKINS, 73, singer and songwriter who enjoyed his greatest success in 1956 with the song “Suzie Q.” February 13.
DENNIS HOPPER, 74, actor and director who appeared in dozens of movies and television shows over a 50-year career. On television, he appeared on The Twilight Zone, Naked City, and Gunsmoke. His movie credits included Rebel Without a Cause, Cool Hand Luke, Apocalypse Now, and Hoosiers, although his most famous roles were that of motorcyclist Billy in the 1969 film Easy Rider, and the psychotic Frank Booth in 1986’s Blue Velvet. May 29.
LENA HORNE, 92, Grammy Award-winning singer who enjoyed great success with her versions of “Stormy Weather” and “The Man I Love” and later starred on Broadway in Lena Horne: The Woman and Her Music. She also appeared in the films Cabin in the Sky, Stormy Weather, ‘Til The Clouds Roll By and The Wiz. May 9.
BUDDY HUGHES, 91, singer who performed with the orchestras of Claude Thornhill, Jimmy Dorsey, and Gene Krupa over a career that lasted over 50 years. August 23.

LAMONT JOHNSON, 88, who played Tarzan on radio for CBS and the Mutual Network, and also appeared on Suspense, The Saint, Broadway Is My Beat, and many other radio series. Later moved to television as a director of such shows as Have Gun Will Travel, The Twilight Zone, and Peter Gunn. October 24.
JOHNNIE KAYE, 84, Chicago bandleader who led the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra for more than 60 years. February 12.
STEVE LANDESBERG, 74, comedian perhaps best known for playing intellectual Detective Arthur Dietrich for seven seasons on the television series Barney Miller. December 20.
ABBEY LINCOLN, 80, singer whose dramatic vocal command and tersely poetic songs made her a singular figure in jazz, who performed with Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, and Max Roach. She also appeared in the films The Girl Can’t Help It, Nothing But a Man, and For Love of Ivy. August 14.
ART LINKLETTER, 97, radio and television personality who became famous as the host of the unscripted shows People Are Funny and House Party, where he got kids to say “the darnedest things.” May 26.
JAMES MacARTHUR, 72, actor who spent 12 years portraying Detective Danny Williams on the long-running television series Hawaii Five-O. Other television credits include Murder She Wrote, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat. October 28.
KEVIN McCARTHY, 96, actor who performed on radio, in movies, and on television over a career that covered nearly 70 years. On radio, he was heard on Suspense and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In movies, he appeared as Biff in Death of a Salesman but is perhaps best-known as Dr. Miles Bennell, the sole survivor of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. September 11.

RUE McCLANAHAN, 76, Emmy Award-winning actress best known for playing the saucy Southern belle Blanche Devereaux for seven years on the television series Golden Girls. Other television credits included Maude and All in the Family. June 3.

JOHNNY MAESTRO, 70, singer who fronted seminal vocal groups The Crests, The Del-Satins, and the Brooklyn Bridge over a fifty-plus year career. His hits included “Sixteen Candles” and “What’s The Worst That Could Happen?” March 24.
ADELE MARA, 87, who started her professional career as a singer and dancer with Xavier Cugat’s orchestra, before appearing in such films as Sands of Iwo Jima and You Were Never Lovelier. May 7.

DON MEREDITH, 72, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who later worked for a decade as a color commentator for ABC and NBC television, including a decade on ABC's Monday Night Football. December 7.
MITCH MILLER, 99, record producer and recording artist who performed with Percy Faith and Andre Kostelantz before becoming a record producer for such performers as Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Frankie Laine, and Johnnie Ray. In the 1950s, he achieved success on records, radio and television as the leader of the Mitch Miller Singers and the host of Sing Along with Mitch! July 31.
JAMES MITCHELL, 89, dancer and actor who appeared in the films Oklahoma! And The Band Wagon, before moving to television as the scheming Paler Cortland on All My Children. January 22.

PATRICIA NEAL, 84, Oscar and Tony Award-winning actress who appeared in dozens of movies over a sixty-year career, including Hud, The Day The Earth Stood Still, A Face in the Crowd, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and The Subject Was Roses. August 8.

LESLIE NIELSEN, 84, actor who began his career with dramatic roles in movies and television series before reinventing himself as a deadpan comic actor in the film Airplane! and the television series Police Squad. He also appeared in the film Forbidden Planet and in dozens of television series, including Playhouse 90, Suspense, The Wild Wild West, and Peyton Place. November 28.
EDWIN NEWMAN, 91, journalist who spent more than 30 years with NBC News as a correspondent and anchorman. He was the anchorman for the Today show in the 1960s and served on the panel of Meet The Press. August 13.
MERLIN OLSEN, 69, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame who enjoyed success on television as a football commentator and as woodsman Johnathan Garvey on the series Little House on the Prairie. March 11.
FESS PARKER, 85, whose television portrayal of the American frontiersman Davy Crockett catapulted him to stardom in the mid-1950s and inspired millions of children to wear coonskin caps in one of America’s greatest merchandising fads. In the 1960s, he returned to television to play the title role on Daniel Boone. March 18.
MICHAEL PATAKI, 72, comic actor who appeared as Roberto on the television series The Flying Nun. Other television credits include Batman, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Happy Days. In the 1990s, he served as the voice of George Liquor on the Ren and Stimpy Show. April 16.
ARTHUR PENN, 88, Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated director best known for the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Other films included The Miracle Worker, The Missouri Breaks, and Little Big Man. September 28.
DOROTHY PROVINE, 75, actress who starred as flapper Pinky Pinkham in the television series The Roaring ‘20s and later appeared in the movies That Darn Cat, The Great Race, and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. April 25.
WARD QUAAL, 91, WGN executive who joined the station as a staff announcer in 1941 and went on to become the president of WGN Continental Broadcasting over a 34-year career. September 24.
LYNN REDGRAVE, 67, actress who rose to fame in the 1966 film Georgy Girl and later appeared in the movies Shine and Gods and Monsters. On television, she spent three years as Ann Anderson in the series House Calls. May 2.
FRANCES REID, 95, actress who assumed the title role on the television version of Portia Faces Life and spent 42 years as Alice Horton on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. February 3.
ROSA RIO, 107, one of the nation’s premier theatrical organists who spent three decades as a staff organist for NBC Radio, playing on thousands of broadcasts during the Golden Age of Radio. Her credits included The Shadow, The Bob and Ray Show, and her own Rosa Rio Time. May 13.
PERNELL ROBERTS, 81, actor who spent six seasons playing Adam Cartwright on the television series Bonanza and later spent seven years in the title role on the CBS series Trapper John, M.D. January 24.
LINA ROMAY, 91, singer who performed with the Xavier Cugat Orchestra and worked in radio opposite Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Rudy Vallee. December 17.
AARON RUBEN, 95, television writer and producer who worked on The Andy Griffith Show before creating and producing Gomer Pyle USMC. On radio, he wrote for Milton Berle and Henry Morgan. January 30.
ZELDA RUBENSTEIN, 76, character actress with the childlike voice who was best known as the psychic called in to rid a suburban home of demonic forces in the 1982 horror movie Poltergeist. January 27.
RON SANTO, 70, all-star third baseman for the Chicago Cubs who spent 20 years as the team’s color analyst on WGN radio. December 2.
DANIEL SCHORR, 93, celebrated and sometimes controversial journalist who began his broadcasting career as a foreign correspondent for CBS before becoming the first employee hired by CNN in 1979. For 25 years, he was a news analyst for National Public Radio. July 23.
JOHNNY SEVEN, 83, a prolific character actor who appeared in dozens of television programs, including The Phil Silvers Show, The Untouchables, and Naked City. For five years, he portrayed Lt. Carl Reese on the series Ironside. January 22.
JOHNNY SHEFFIELD, 79, former child actor who played Boy in the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzon pictures and later played Bomba, the Jungle Boy. October 15.
JEAN SIMMONS, 80, actress who appeared in dozens of movies over a 65-year career, including Hamlet, Spartacus, Elmer Gantry, The Grass Is Greener and Guys and Dolls. January 22.
GLORIA STUART, 100, actress who appeared in dozens of films over a career that spanned more than 70 years. She received an Oscar nomination for her role as Rose in the 1997 movie Titanic. September 26.
JOAN SUTHERLAND, 83, operatic soprano described by Luciano Pavarotti as “the greatest voice of the century.” In addition to her vast stage work, she appeared on The Voice of Firestone and Live From Lincoln Center. October 10.
ALLEN SWIFT, 86, actor who started in radio, appearing on Gangbusters and Casey, Crime Photographer, before moving to television to portray Chief Thunderchicken, Phineas T. Bluster and Flub-a-Dub on the Howdy Doody show. His voice was heard in over 30,000 television and radio commercials. April 18.
ART VAN DAMME, 89, accordionist who began his career playing with Ben Bernie before joining the staff of WMAQ/Chicago. He performed regularly with his quintet on The Dave Garroway Show and The Tonight Show. February 15.
HELEN WAGNER, 91, actress who spent more than half a century playing Nancy Hughes on As the World Turns. May 1.
GLORIA WINTERS, 78, actress who played Penny King on the television version of the adventure series Sky King. Other television credits include The Life of Riley, The Roy Rogers Show, and Richard Diamond Private Detective. August 14.
ILENE WOODS, 81, singer who performed on radio as part of the Sealtest Village Store and as star of The Ilene Woods Show, but who is perhaps best known for providing the voice of the title character in the 1950 animated film Cinderella. July 1.

LORENE YARNELL, 66, dancer and one-half of the mime and dance team Shields and Yarnell, who performed on television’s Sonny and Cher Show before starring in their own variety show on CBS. July 29.