2016: the year of dying famously

[quartermainefan]

Celebrity Deaths 2016
JANUARY

04 – Robert Stigwood, Entertainment Manager – managed the Bee Gees and Cream – age 81

06 – Pat Harrington Jr., Actor – Schneider on “One Day at a Time” – age 86

07 – Troy Shondell, Singer – only big hit was “This Time (We’re Really Breaking Up)” – age 76

07 – Kitty Kallen, Singer – Big Band Era, biggest hit was ‘”Little Things Mean a Lot” – age 94

08 – David Bowie, Musician – (2) time Grammy winner influenced music and culture for four generations – age 69

11 – David Margulies, Actor – the Mayor in Ghost Busters I and II (1984 & 1989)- age – 78

14 – Alan Rickman, Actor – Hans Gruber in ‘Die Hard’ and Severus Snape in ‘Harry Potter’ – age 69

14 – René Angélil, Singer / Manager – husband and manager of Celine Dion – age 73

15 – Dan Haggerty, Actor – The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams – age 74

15 – Noreen Corcoran, Actress – Kelly Gregg in Bachelor Father (1957-59) – age 72

18 – Glen Frey, Singer / Songwriter – founded The Eagles “Take It Easy”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” – age 67

26 – Abe Vigoda, Actor – Detective Fish on Barney Miller (1975-’77) – age 94

28 – Paul Kantner, Singer / Songwriter – co-founder of The Jefferson Airplane – age 74

28 – Mike Minor, Actor – Steve Eliot on “Petticoat Junction” – age 75

FEBRUARY

02 – Bob Elliot, Comedian – one-half of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray – age 92

03 – Maurice White, Musician / songwriter – founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire – age 74

03 – Joe Alaskey, Voice Actor – Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety – age 63

04 – Joe Dowell, Pop Singer – #1 hit song “Wooden Heart” (1961) – age 76

13 – Antonin Scalia, Supreme Court Justice – appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986 – age 79

15 – George Gaynes, Actor – Commandant Eric Lassard on the Police Academy series – age 98

19 – Harper Lee, Novelist – Pulitzer Prize for fiction (1961) for novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” – age 89

22 – Yolande Fox, Singer – Miss America 1951 and sang opera – age 87

22 – Sonny James, Country Music Singer/Songwriter – the first teenage country crossover #1 single “Young Love” – age 87

24 – Lennie Baker, Musician – 1950s music tribute group and TV show Sha-Na-Na (1969-2000) – age 69

25 – Tony Burton, Actor – boxing trainer to Apollo Creed and later Rocky in six “Rocky” movies – age 78

28 – George Kennedy, Actor – Academy Award for “Cool Hand Luke” also in all the “Airport” movies – age 91

29 – Gil Hill, Police Commander/Actor – Inspector Todd in three “Beverly Hills Cop” movies – age 84

MARCH

04 – Joey Martin Feek, C&W Muscian – husband and wife country duo “Joey + Rory” – age 40

06 – Nancy Reagan, First Lady of the U.S.(1981-1989) Husband, 40th President Ronald Reagan – age 94

08 – Sir George Martin, Producer for the “Beatles” albums, known as “The Fifth Beatle” – age 90

09 – Robert Horton, Actor – Flint McCullough in “Wagon Train” (1957-1962) – age 91

10 – Keith Emerson, Musician / keyboardist – created Emerson, Lake & Palmer rock group – age 71

13 – Adrienne Corri, Actress – Mrs. Alexander in A Clockwork Orange (1971) – age 85

16 – Frank Sinatra Jr., Singer – son of Frank Sinatra and a talented singer – age 72

17 – Larry Drake, Actor – Benny Stulwicz on L.A. Law (1987-1994) – age 66

18 – Joe Santos, Actor – Lieutenant Dennis Becker on The Rockford Files (1974-1980) – age 84

21 – Peter Brown, Actor – Deputy Johnny McKay in “Lawman” (1958-62) and Chad Cooper in “Laredo” (1965-67) – age 80

22 – Rob Ford, Politician – crack smoking Mayor of Toronto, Canada – age 46

22 – Richard Bradford, Actor – “Man in a Suitcase” on British ITC (1967) – age 81

22 – Phife Dawg, Singer – Rapper with the group A Tribe Called Quest, also known as “Five Foot Assassin” – age 45

23 – Joe Garagiola, Baseball Player – MLB catcher and announcer and television host – age 90

23 – Ken Howard, Actor – Coach Reeves on TV show “White Shadow” & President of SAG-AFTRA – age 71

24 – Earl Hamner, Jr., Writer/Producer – created “The Waltons” TV show – age 92

24 – Garry Shandling, Comedian – “Garry Shandling Show” and “The Larry Sanders” Show – age 66

27 – Mother Angelica, Franciscan Nun – founder of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) – age 92

28 – James Noble, Actor – Governor Gatling on “Benson” (1979-1986) – age 94

29 – Patty Duke, Actress – played identical cousins in “The Patty Duke Show” (1963-1966) – age 69

APRIL

06 – Merle Haggard, C&W singer/songwriter – “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”, “Okie From Muskogee” – age 79

12 – Anne Jackson, Actress – married to Eli Wallach who died in 2014 – age 90

17 – Doris Roberts, Actress – Marie Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (1996–2005) – age 90

21 – Prince, Musician – flamboyant on stage, seven Grammy Awards, “Purple Rain” – age 57

21 – Lonnie (Mack) McIntosh, Guitarist – pioneered the ‘lead guitar solo’, “Wham!” & “Memphis” – age 74

23 – Madeleine Sherwood, Actress – Reverend Mother Placido in “The Flying Nun” (1967-70) – age 94

24 – Billy Paul, Singer – Grammy Award for “Me and Mrs. Jones” (1972) – age 81

MAY

08 – William Schallert, Actor – Martin Lane (Patty’s Father) on The Patty Duke Show – age 93

12 – Julius La Rosa, Singer – “Anywhere I Wander” fired by Arthur Godfrey on the air – age 86

19 – Morley Safer, Journalist – CBS News for 52 years (1964-2016), 60 Minutes for 46 years (1970-2016) won 12 Emmy Awards – age 84

19 – Alan Young, Actor – Wilbur Post on “Mr. Ed” (1961-66) – age 96

27 – Mike Barnett, Singer – co-founder of the singing group “The Lettermen” – age 89

JUNE

03 – Muhammad Ali, Professional Boxer – (formerly Cassius Clay) three time heavyweight champion (1964, 1974, and 1978), proclaimed “The Greatest” – age 74

10 – Gordie Howe, Hockey player – Detroit Red Wings for 25 seasons, 23-time NHL All-Star – age 88

13 – Michu Meszaros, Actor / Circus Performer – was the man in the ALF costume (ALF TV Show 1986-1990) – age 76

14 – Ann Guilbert, Actress – Millie Helper in The Dick Van Dyke Show and Yetta Rosenberg in The Nanny – age 87

14 – Ronnie Claire Edwards, Actress – Corabeth Walton Godsey on The Waltons (1972-81) – age 83

17 – Ron Lester, Actor – Billy Bob in movie “Varsity Blues” – age 45

19 – Anton Yelchin, Actor – Pavel Chekov in three Star Trek movies (2009-16) – age 27

27 – Mack Rice, Song writer – “Mustang Sally” & “Respect Yourself” – age 82

28 – Scotty Moore, Guitarist – backed Elvis in early recordings and pioneered new styles – age 84

28 – Buddy Ryan, NFL Football Coach – while defensive coordinator for Chicago Bears invented the 46 defense – age 85

28 – Pat Summitt, NCAA Basketball Coach – University of Tennessee Woman’s team (1974 – 2012) the winningest NCAA coach ever – age 64

JULY

02 – Michael Cimino, Writer/Director – “Deer Hunter”, “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” – age 77

02 – Elie Wiesel, Jewish Writer/political activist – Holocaust survivor, and Nobel Laureate – age 87

02 – Teddy Rooney, Actor/Musician – son of Mickey Rooney and Martha Vickers – age 66

03 – Noel Neill, Actress – Lois Lane in “Adventures of Superman” (1952-58) – age 95

06 – Danny Smythe, Musician – founding member of the Box Tops (Devilles) “The Letter” (1967) – age 67

16 – Bonnie Brown, C&W Muscian – family musical group The Browns “The Three Bells” – age 77

19 – Garry Marshall, Writer/Producer/Actor – created “Happy Days”, “Mork & Mindy”, “Laverne & Shirley” – age 81

27 – Jerry Doyle, Actor – Michael Garibaldi in “Babylon 5” (1994–98) – age 60

30 – Gloria DeHaven, Actress/Singer – “So This Is Paris”, “The Girl Rush” – age 91

AUGUST

02 – David Huddleston, Actor – Character actor “Santa Claus: The Movie” – age 85

03 – Ricci Martin, Entertainer – son of Dean Martin – age 62

06 – Pete Fountain, Jazz Musician – played with both Al Hirt and Lawrence Welk – age 86

11 – Glenn Yarbrough, Singer – The Limeliters (1959-63) “Baby the Rain Must Fall” – age 86

13 – Michel Richard, Chef/Restaurateur – restaurant Citrus in L.A. and 5 other cities – age 68

13 – Kenny Baker, Actor – played R2-D2 in the Star Wars franchise also played Paploo, the Ewok – age 81

14 – Fyvush Finkel, Actor – lawyer Douglas Wambaugh on “Picket Fences” – age 93

19 –Jack Riley, Actor – Elliot Carlin on “The Bob Newhart Show” – age 80

23 – Steven Hill, Actor – District Attorney Adam Schiff on “Law & Order” (1990-2000) – age 94

25 – Jeanne Martin, Model – Orange Bowl Queen (1947) & Dean Martin’s wife – age 89

25 – Marvin Kaplan, Actor – telephone worker Henry on the TV show “Alice” – age 89

29 – Gene Wilder, Actor – Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka – age 83

SEPTEMBER

01 – Jon Polito, Actor – Steve Crosetti on “Homicide: Life on the Street” – age 65

06 – Hugh O’Brian, Actor – starred in TV series “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” (1955–1961) – age 91

09 – James Stacy, Actor – Johnny Madrid Lancer on “Lancer” (1968-’70) – age 79

17 – Charmian Carr, Actress – Liesl Von Trapp (eldest daughter) in The Sound of Music – age 73

24 – Bill Nunn, Actor – Robbie Robertson in Spider-Man film trilogy – age 63

25 – Jean Shepard, C&W Singer/Songwriter – Pioneered C&W for women, “A Dear John Letter” – 82

25 – José Fernández, Baseball player – starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins and Cuban refugee – age 24

25 – Arnold Palmer, Golfer – One of the greatest golfers ever, did more to popularize the sport than any other golfer – age 87

28 – Shimon Peres, Statesman – President of Israel (2007-’14), Prime Minister twice, held various offices from 1959-2007 – age 93

OCTOBER

21 – Kevin Meaney, Comedian – “Uncle Buck” in the TV series by the same name – age 60

24 – Bobby Vee, Singer – “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes” – age 73

30 – Tammy Grimes, Stage Actress – Molly in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” – age 82

NOVEMBER

03 – Kay Starr, Singer – “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Rock And Roll Waltz” – age 94

07 – Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States 1993-2001 nominated by President Bill Clinton – age 78

07 – Leonard Cohen, Poet / Songwriter – “Suzanne”, “Hallelujah” and “Bird on the Wire” – age 82

11 – Robert Vaughn, Actor – Napoleon Solo in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-’68) – age 83

13 – Leon Russell, Musician / Songwriter – “A Song for You”, “Tight Rope” and “This Masquerade” – age 74

14 – Gwen Ifill, Journalist – “Washington Week” and “PBS NewsHour” on PBS – age 61

15 – Holly Dunn, C&W Singer / Songwriter – “Are You Ever Gonna Love Me” and “You Really Had Me Going” – age 59

24 – Florence Henderson, Actress / Singer – Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch” (1969 to 1974) – age 82

25 – Fidel Castro, Dictator – Prime Minister then President of Cuba from 1959-2008 then gave same powers to his brother – age 90

25 – Ron Glass, Actor – Det. Ron Harris on “Barney Miller” (1975-1982) – age 71

26 – Fritz Weaver, Actor – Dr. Josef Weiss in the mini series “Holocaust” – age 90

28 – Van Williams, Actor – Kenny Madison in “Bourbon Street Beat” (1959) & “Surfside 6” (1960) – age 82

28 – Jim Delligatti, McDonald’s franchisee – created The Big Mac – age 98

30 – Keo Woolford, Actor – Det. Chang on Hawaii Five-0 (2010 version) – age 49

30 – Grant Tinker, Television executive – Chairman and CEO of NBC (1981-’86) married to Mary Tyler Moore (1962-’81) – age 90

DECEMBER

03 – Don Calfa, Actor – Paulie the hitman in “Weekend at Bernie’s” (1989) – age 76

03 – Billy Chapin, Actor – Little John Harper in “The Night of the Hunter” (1955) – age 72

07 – Greg Lake, Musician – founding member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer “Lucky Man” – age 69

08 – Joseph Mascolo, Actor – Stefano DiMera on “The Days of Our Lives” (1982-’85) & (1993-2001) – age 87

08 – John Glenn, WWII & Korean War Fighter Pilot. Marine Colonel. NASA Astronaut. Senator from Ohio (1974-99). Married for 73 yrs – first American to orbit the Earth (1962) – age 95

12 – Jim Lowe, Singer – biggest hit “The Green Door” (1956) – age 93

13 – Alan Thicke, Actor – Jason Seaver, the father on “Growing Pains” (1985-’92) – age 69

14 – Bernard Fox, Actor – Dr. Bombay in “Bewitched” and Colonel Crittendon in “Hogan’s Heroes” – age 89

15 – Craig Sager, Sports Reporter – best known for covering the NBA and for his loud suits – age 65

18 – Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hungarian Actress and Socialite – Moulin Rouge (1952), married nine times to mostly wealthy men – age 99

[Juliajms]

Wow.  I knew a lot of famous people died in 2016, but that list is huge.

[DRW50]

That was technically the end of 2015 but this started with me when I heard about Natalie Cole, a singer I was very fond of, and someone I knew had been ill but hadn't realized was so close to death. Sadly that seemed to be the pattern of so many this year. In some morbid way if Zsa Zsa is the last for this year (unlikely as that is), it will be more of a note of peace because she was so obviously severely ill for a long time and I'd questioned if someone was keeping her alive. 

 

I hadn't known Kay Starr was even still alive, or that she'd passed. Or the man who sang that "Green Door" song (very catchy).

[dragonflies]

Has there been another year so many have died in? WOW didn't know it was this many

[DaytimeFan]

And let's throw in Raine, Countess Spencer (Diana, Princess of Wales' stepmother) and Betsy Bloomingdale (Nancy Reagan's best friend)...2016 has been a bloodbath of bold face names. 

[quartermainefan]

 

 

Probably not, but I imagine this will become fairly routine as the baby boomers start to get old.   Except for a few outliers like Anton Yelchin, almost everyone on this list is 70s-90s.    TV created a lot more famous names in the 1950s and 60s than the decades before,  and math says they will dying off at a regular rate.   Same for all those rock acts of the woodstock generation, no longer hip 20somethings, now in their 70s.  Starting in about ten years we will be reading about the deaths of rolling stones and their contemporaries.

[KMan101]

Quite a large list but I feel like the last, at least decade, has seen quite a few big names go every year. I think some, like Prince and David Bowie and Alan Thicke put a list like this more in the spotlight but I seem to remember at least the last few years, noting how many big names have been passing away.

[I Am A Swede]

You can now add the French actress Michèle Morgan to the list. She died on the 20th of this month, 96 years old. She was perhaps most famous for the classic movie "Port of shadows" (French title: "Le Quai des brumes") from 1938, where she starred opposite Jean Gabin.

She was also the first winner of the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946.

 

Another famous death this year, with more of a soap opera connection, is Brian Rix, an English actor famous for his long-running stage farces and multiple television appearances. He died on August the 20th, 92 years old. He was also the younger brother of Sheila Mercier, who played the matriarch Annie Sugden on the long-running soap "Emmerdale Farm"/"Emmerdale" for over two decades.

[jcar03]

Meg Mundy died on January 12, 2016 at age 101.  Mundy appeared on The Doctors from 1972-1982.

 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=MEG-MUNDY&pid=177363656

[DRW50]

 

I remember reading about her in a huge book that David Shipman wrote many years ago, about "The Great Movie Stars." There were three books - golden age, middle years, and modern age. It was the first time i"d heard of so many actors from places like France or Italy or even the UK. 

[All My Shadows]

Where did you get this list from, quartermainefan? I can't deal with them not including Agnes.

[SFK]

I Googled Gloria DeHaven the other day after seeing her on some Family Feud reruns on Buzzr.  I was sorry to see that she'd passed only months ago.

 

I didn't know about Mother Angelica and Joe Alaskey.

[I Am A Swede]

I wonder if 2016 is done now, or if there's more to come.....

[MissLlanviewPA]

Texas country pioneer singer-songwriter Guy Clark is missing from the May list. 

 

And Phyllis Schlafly and Lou Pearlman died this year, too, although those last two, the latter one especially, aren't viewed as being as so sad to many, albeit for different reasons.