Stars we lost in 2019

Sonny Mehta

The publishing legend, who served as Knopf's editor-in-chief for 32 years, died Dec. 30, at 77. Mehta joined the publishing house in 1987 as editor-in-chief, becoming only the third person in history to lead Knopf. In the following decades, he published six recipients of the Nobel Prize (including Toni Morrison, Alice Munro, and Kazuo Ishiguro) and dozens more Pulitzer Prize winners. Under Mehta's leadership, Knopf acquired bestsellers like E.L. James' Fifty Shades novels and Stieg Larsson's Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series, as well as publishing books by celebrities and world leaders like Pope John Paul II, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Sheryl Sandberg.

Neil Innes

The British comedian and musician died Dec. 29 at age 75. Innes was known for his many collaborations with the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python and for co-creating the Rutles, a Beatles parody band, with Python member Eric Idle. He was also a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and continued to perform live until shortly before his death.

Don Imus

The controversial radio personality died Dec. 27, at the age of 79. Imus made a name for himself with inflammatory and offensive comments on the air. In 2007, after he was initially served a two-week suspension, CBS fired Imus for racist and sexist remarks against the Rutgers women's basketball team. Imus in the Morning was canceled as a result. He returned to radio shortly after on a new network but made waves once again due to racist statements about the suspension of Cowboys player Adam Jones. Throughout his career, he continued to be called out for racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-Semitic remarks.

Kushal Punjabi

The Bollywood star died Dec. 27, at 42. Punjabi was well known for popular Bollywood films including Lakshya (2004), Kaal (2005), and Salaam-E-Ishq (2007), in which he co-starred with Priyanka Chopra.

Jerry Herman

The Tony Award-winning composer behind Hello Dolly! and other popular works died Dec. 26, at age 88. Herman made his Broadway debut in 1960 with the revue From A to Z. One of his biggest hits would come in 1964 with Hello, Dolly! Many of its songs went on to become pop standards. He followed up that show with Mame, which opened in 1966 and starred Angela Lansbury. Herman's second-biggest musical was 1984's La Cage aux Folles, which won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Sue Lyon

The actress, best known for playing the title role in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, died Dec. 26, at 73. After Lolita, Lyon had TV and film roles in The Night of the Iguana, Tony Rome, Evel Knievel, and more. Her last acting credit was in the 1980 horror film Alligator.

Allee Willis

The Grammy-winning songwriter who penned the Friends theme song died Dec. 24, at 72. Willis was best known for her work with the group Earth, Wind & Fire, and wrote their hit song "September." She also co-wrote the Broadway musical The Color Purple and the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, earning Grammy Awards for both. She was responsible for the theme song from The Karate Kid, a.k.a. "You're the Best," Patti LaBelle's "Stir It Up," and the Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance," among many others.

Andrew Dunbar

The actor, best known as the body double for Alfie Allen's Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones, died Dec. 24. In addition to being the body double for Theon, Dunbar appeared portrayed a Stark bannerman and a soldier in the Battle of the Bastards. His other TV credits included Krypton, Line Of Duty, and Derry Girls. Dunbar also worked as a Game of Thrones tour guide and as a DJ.

Claudine Auger

The former Bond girl died Dec. 19, at the age of 78. She played Domino opposite Sean Connery in 1965's Thunderball. Before Léa Seydoux, Eva Green, and Carole Bouquet, Auger was the first French actress to star opposite 007, appearing in the Bond series' fourth entry. Following her international breakthrough, Auger continued to act, appearing in films, mostly French and Italian productions, and on British television as well.

Emmanuel Ungaro

The French fashion designer died in Paris on Dec. 21, at 86. Ungaro once worked for Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga before moving on to a gig with Andre Courrèges, and by 1965 he opened his eponymous fashion house. He was a powerful player in the fashion industry for four decades, designing garments for revered fashion models including Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, and dressing First Lady Jackie Kennedy.

Cosmo the Dog

Cosmo, the dog who portrayed the Fullers' beloved pup on Fuller House, died Dec. 16 following complications from surgery. He was 4 years old. Cosmo's acting credits weren't limited to Fuller House — he was a TV pro, having also been on Suits, The Middle, Grey's Anatomy, and in commercials for brands including Skechers and Chewy.com. Some of his favorite activities included chasing bubbles and playing tug-of-war.

Chuy Bravo

Actor and comedian Chuy Bravo (born Jesus Melgoza) died Dec. 15 from a heart attack while visiting family in Mexico. He was 63. Bravo became a household name after teaming up with comedian Chelsea Handler on her popular E! network series Chelsea Lately, where they collaborated from 2007 to 2014.

Anna Karina

Dutch-French actress, writer, and singer Anna Karina (born Hanne Karin Bayer), known for making French New Wave films, died of cancer Dec. 13. She was 79. Karina starred in more than 30 films throuhgout her career, including seven collaborations with former husband Jean-Luc Godard. Karina was also a singer, author, and director.

Danny Aiello

Danny Aiello, the actor known for his work in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Norman Jewison's Moonstruck, and more, died Dec. 12 after a sudden illness. He was 86. Aiello landed his first movie gig in the 1970s, when he featured in a small role opposite Robert De Niro in Bang the Drum Slowly. Soon after, he appeared as Tony Rosato in The Godfather: Part II. "Michael Corleone says hello" was his famous line from the acclaimed film saga. He continued acting in various films and television shows, notably in Fort Apache the Bronx, opposite Paul Newman; Once Upon a Time in America, opposite De Niro; The Purple Rose of Cairo, opposite Mia Farrow; Moonstruck, opposite Cher; Jacob's Ladder, opposite Tim Robbins; and Léon: The Professional, opposite Jean Reno and Natalie Portman.

Chris Cotton

Comedian Chris Cotton, who appeared on Comedy Central's streaming talk show Every Damn Day, died Dec. 11. He was 32.

Philip McKeon

Philip McKeon, the former child actor known for playing Tommy Hyatt on the 1970s and '80s sitcom Alice, died Dec. 10. McKeon, the elder brother of Facts of Life star Nancy McKeon, was 55. He began his career as a model at age 4, followed by roles in stage productions and films. He landed Alice after lead actress Linda Lavin saw him performing on Broadway, and the show ran from 1976 to 1985. McKeon's other TV credits included CHiPs, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat.

Marie Fredriksson

Marie Fredriksson, lead singer of the Swedish band Roxette, died Dec. 17 at 61, after a 17-year battle with cancer. Perhaps best known in the U.S. for their Pretty Woman ballad "Must Have Been Love" (which was ultimately certified gold in six countries, including the U.S., and platinum in Australia), Roxette was formed in 1986 by Fredriksson and Per Gessle. Other hits by the band include 1989's "The Look" (one of four singles to reach the top of the charts in the U.S), "Listen to Your Heart," and "Joyride."

Caroll Spinney

Legendary puppeteer Caroll Spinney, who brought Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life on Sesame Street, died Dec. 8, at 85. He had been living with the movement disorder dystonia for some time. In addition to Sesame Street, Spinney voiced Big Bird in 1979's The Muppet Movie, Oscar the Grouch in 1981's The Great Muppet Caper, and both beloved characters in 1985's Follow That Bird.

Juice Wrld

The rapper died Dec. 8 after suffering a seizure. He was 21. Born Jarad Anthony Higgins, he made a big splash in 2018 with his song "Lucid Dreams" from his debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance. In June 2018, Higgins released a two-song EP Too Soon… he dedicated to deceased rappers Lil Peep and XXXTentacion. He collaborate with numerous artists including Travis Scott and The Chainsmokers.

René Auberjonois

Actor René Auberjonois, known for his roles on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Boston Legal, died of lung cancer Dec. 8. He was 79. Auberjonois was famous for playing Odo, a changeling and the chief of security for the titular space station in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He played the character for 173 episodes from 1993 to 1999.

Ron Liebman

The actor known for his roles in Norma Rae, Friends, and Angels in America, died Dec. 6. He was 82. Throughout his lengthy career, Leibman held roles in television, on the stage, and in film. He won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1979 for his role as Martin "Kaz" Kazinsky in the crime drama series Kaz, which he also co-created. Friends fans will also recognize him as Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) short-tempered father, Dr. Leonard Green. Other notable television roles include work on the series Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Archer, The Sopranos, among many others. Liebman was also a prolific stage actor and made his biggest splash as caustic lawyer Roy Kohn in the original production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, for which he won the 1993 Tony for Best Actor in a Play.

Robert Walker Jr.

The actor known for the memorable Star Trek episode "Charlie X," died Dec. 5 at the age of 79. In "Charlie X," the second episode of the original series, which ran from 1966 to 1969, Walker played the lone survivor of a shuttle crash with dangerous powers. In addition to the popular sci-fi show, Walker had roles on series including Dallas (as Harding Devers), Bonanza, Charlie's Angels, Columbo, CHiPs, Murder, She Wrote, and L.A. Law. He also appeared in numerous films, including 1964's Ensign Pulver and 1969's Easy Rider and Young Billy Young. As the son of actors Robert Walker and Jennifer Jones, he also had significant Hollywood roots.

Cha In-ha

Cha In-ha, a young Korean actor who was known for his roles in The Banker and Miss Independent Ji Eun 2, died on Dec. 4. He was 27. South Korean police told the local outlet that his manager discovered the young actor's body at his home. Police are currently investigating details, but no cause of death has been released. Besides starring in The Banker and Miss Independent Ji Eun 2, the actor also appeared in Temperature of Love, Wok of Love, and First, Clean Passionately. Most recently, Cha starred in MBC's new romantic-comedy series Love With Flaws.

D.C. Fontana

Dorothy Catherine Fontana, a writer on the original Star Trek series, died Dec. 2. She was 80 years old. Fontana, who went professionally by "D.C.," passed away after fighting a brief illness. The writer is credited with developing the Spock character's backstory and "expanding Vulcan culture," SyFy reported of her massive contribution to the beloved sci-fi series. Fontana was the one who came up with Spock's childhood history revealed in "Yesteryear," an episode in Star Trek: The Animated Series, on which she was both the story editor and associate producer.

Jack Burns

Young ballet star and actor Jack Burns died at age 14. He was found dead at his home in Greenock, Inverclyde, in Scotland on Dec. 1, according to Metro UK. A cause of death has not been disclosed, but police told the UK news outlet that they are not treating it as suspicious. Burns appeared in the British miniseries In Plain Sight and One of Us (the latter released on Netflix with the title Retribution) and studied at the Elite Academy of Dance, a classical ballet school in Greenock.

Lil Bub

Instagram celebrity Lil Bub the cat died on Dec. 1 at the age of 8, according to a post written by her owner Mike Bridavsky. Lil Bub was rescued by Bridavsky in 2011 after she was found in an Indiana tool shed with the rest of her siblings and feral mother.

Shelley Morrison

Shelley Morrison, who played the beloved Rosario on Will & Grace, died Dec. 1 at age 83. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for heart failure after a brief illness. Morrison starred as Rosario Salazar, Karen Walker's (Megan Mullally) maid on the first run of Will & Grace. Hailing from El Salvador, Rosario (known as Rosie) had a contentious yet loving relationship with Karen. The popular character appeared in 68 episodes of the comedy but was not featured in the revival, with Morrison declining to return after retiring from acting.

Godfrey Gao

Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model Godfrey Gao died on Nov. 27 after suffering an apparent heart attack while filming Chase Me, a reality show featuring intense physical competition. It remains unclear what caused Gao's death.

Goo Hara

K-pop star Goo Hara died at the age of 28. She was found dead at her home in Seoul, Korea on Nov. 24, the Gangnam Police Department confirmed according to multiple media reports. Hara was a member of the popular K-Pop group Kara, who made their big debut in 2007 with the album The First Blooming. In 2015, Hara made the leap to solo artist with the release of her EP "Alohara (Can You Feel It?)." She also had an active career in acting, with a mix of traditional and reality roles for film and television.

Harry Morton

Hollywood restauranteur Harry Morton died at his Beverly Hills home on Nov. 23. The 38-year-old was discovered unresponsive by his younger brother Matthew. Harry, who is the son of Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Peter Morton, founded the Mexican food restaurant Pink Taco when he was just 18 years old. The brand later expanded into a chain with locations all over the United States including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

Michael J. Pollard

Michael J. Pollard, the actor best known for his Oscar-nominated performance in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, died on Nov. 20. He was 80. Along with serving as the inspiration for Michael J. Fox's stage name, Pollard starred opposite Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde as C.W. Moss, a character based on W.D. Jones, the accomplice to the infamous outlaws in real life. That role went on to earn him Best Supporting Actor nominations at both the Oscars and the Golden Globes, as well as winning him the BAFTA for most promising newcomer.

Jane Galloway

Jane Galloway Heitz, an actress and former casting agent who appeared in several films and TV shows, died Nov. 13. She was 78. Heitz was known for her brief but notable appearances on Glee as former glee club director Lillian Adler. Heitz only appeared in person twice on the show, in flashback — in the extended director's cut of the pilot (which aired on Fox in 2009), and in the 2015 series finale — but her photo was often seen on display in the choir room, including in the show's very last shot. The actress made her film debut in David Lynch's The Straight Story in 1999, opposite Richard Farnsworth and Sissy Spacek. She went on to appear on such series as The Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy, ER, and Shameless.

William Wintersole

William Wintersole, who starred on The Young and the Restless from 1986 to 2011, died on Nov. 5. He was 88. Wintersole collected a lengthy TV resume throughout his career. Besides portraying attorney Mitchell Sherman on The Young and the Restless, he also appeared on multiple episodes of Mission: Impossible, Emergency!, General Hospital, Robert Kennedy and His Times, The Secrets of Lake Success, and more. He also appeared on iconic TV series like I Dream of Jeannie, Kojak, Little House on the Prairie, Star Trek: The Original Series, and The Fugitive.

Laurel Griggs

Broadway actress Laurel Griggs died on Nov. 5 in New York City from a "massive asthma attack," according to Page Six. Griggs made her Broadway debut at age 6 as Polly in Rob Ashford's musical production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2013, opposite Scarlett Johansson. She is best known for her role as Ivanka in the Tony Award-winning musical ONCE. She performed the role for 17 months between 2013 and 2015. Then in 2016, she appeared in the romantic comedy Café Society alongside Steve Carell, Blake Lively, and Kristen Stewart. She was also featured in several episodes of Saturday Night Live.

Christopher Dennis

Christopher Dennis, who entertained tourists for more than 25 years as Hollywood Boulevard's Superman, was found dead Nov. 2 in the San Fernando Valley at age 52. His cause of death is currently unknown, and Los Angeles County authorities declined to offer any further information.

Brian Tarantina

The character actor died Nov. 2 at the age of 60. Most recently, he starred on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Jackie, the emcee at the Gaslight comedy club where Midge performs. The longtime character actor had many guest-starring roles on shows including Gilmore Girls, The Black Donnellys, The Sopranos, Heroes, Law & Order, and The Good Wife, and appeared in movies such as The Kitchen, Jacob's Ladder, Donnie Brasco, Uncle Buck, and Summer of Sam.

Rudy Boesch

One of the very first Survivor contestants, Boesch died on Nov. 1 at the age of 91 following complications from Alzheimer's disease. The retired Navy SEAL competed on the first season of CBS reality competition series, Survivor: Borneo, back in 2000. He made it to the finals and finished in third place. When he was on the show, Boesch was 72, making him the oldest Survivor competitor to ever play the game in all 39 seasons. Boesch returned to the franchise to compete once again in 2004 for Survivor: All-Stars where he was the second person voted out.

Bernard Slade

The creator of the 1970s TV series The Partridge Family died Oct. 30 at the age of 89. In addition to creating the iconic TV series, he also was nominated for an Oscar for adapting his own play Same Time, Next Year. Slade also wrote for Bewitched and developed two Sally Field vehicles: The Flying Nun and The Girl With Something Extra.

John Witherspoon

The comedian and actor known for the Friday series died Oct. 29 at the age of 77. Witherspoon appeared as Willie Jones, the hilariously crotchety father of Ice Cube's character in the 1995 classic comedy Friday. He reprised his role in the next two films in the series, 2000's Next Friday and 2002's Friday After Next. He was a prolific actor and collaborated with a slew of talented costars, including Eddie Murphy in four films, such as Vampire in Brooklyn and Dr. Dolittle 2, as well as Tracy Morgan on The Tracy Morgan Show and 2006's Little Man. Witherspoon also appeared on series including The Wayans Bros., The First Family, and the beloved animated show The Boondocks, in which he reunited with his Friday costar Regina King.

Johanna Lindsey

The profilic and influential romance writer died Oct. 27, at 67. Lindsey wrote nearly 60 romance novels, beginning with 1977's Captive Bride. Her novels sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to publisher Simon & Schuster, and nearly every single one of her books achieved best-seller status. Her last book was July's Temptation's Darling.

Robert Evans

The legendary producer and studio executive died Oct. 26 at the age of 89. The hugely ambitious but terribly inexperienced Evans took over the ailing Paramount in the '60s and reinvented it as the most profitable studio in town. His remarkable slate at the Gulf+Western company included The Italian Job, Love Story, Harold and Maude, and The Godfather Parts I and II, as well as The Great Gatsby, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown, his final film as head of production at Paramount for which he received his one and only Best Picture Oscar nomination.

Bill Macy

The actor, best known for playing Bea Arthur's on-screen husband in the All in the Family spin-off Maude, died Oct. 17. He was 97. Macy is best known for his role of Walter Findlay on Maude, which ran on CBS from 1972-1978. Arthur's character, Maude Findlay, was introduced as a cousin of Edith Bunker, played by Jean Stapleton on All in the Family. Over the course of his career, Macy also frequented many shows as a guest star, including Seinfeld, St. Elsewhere, Jack & Jill, L.A. Law, and Nothing in Common. In 2010, he appeared on an episode of TNT's Hawthorne.

John Clarke

The actor, best known for starring as Mickey Horton on Days of Our Lives, died Oct. 16. He was 88. First debuting on Days in 1965, Clarke acted on the soap for 39 years before leaving in 2004. From 1961-62, he starred in the ABC crime drama The New Breed, and also appeared on The Twilight Zone, Death Valley Days, Maverick, and more. On the film side, Clarke was featured in projects like Judgement at Nuremberg, The Satan Bug, Man Missing, and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Sulli

The K-pop star died Oct. 14 at the age of 25. Sulli was best known as a founding member of the girl group f(x) and as the star of popular TV dramas and films. Sulli (real name Choi Jin-ri) began her career in 2009 as one of the original members of the pop group f(x), assisting the group's rise to fame via four No. 1 albums and four No. 1 singles in their home country. She later left the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career, and released her debut single "Goblin" earlier this year. In addition to singing, Sulli led the popular TV drama To the Beautiful You before appearing in major Korean movies like The Pirates (2014), Fashion King (2014), and Real (2017).

Scotty Bowers

The charismatic pimp who largely serviced classic Hollywood's closeted LGBTQ community died Oct. 13 at the age of 96. As outlined in his 2012 memoir (and director Matt Tyrnauer's nonfiction film Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood), Bowers claimed he helped arrange same-sex liaisons for iconic stars like Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Rock Hudson, and more from the 1940s through the 1980s.

Robert Forster

The actor, best known for his role in Jackie Brown and most recently in Last Man Standing and the Breaking Bad movie El Camino, died Oct. 11. He was 78. After working in theater, he made the move to Los Angeles and nabbed parts in films like Reflections in a Golden Eye, Medium Cool, and Justine. He played cops on TV in shows like Police Story and Nakia and nabbed action roles in flicks like The Delta Force opposite Chuck Norris. Quentin Tarantino revived his career with a role in Jackie Brown, which earned Forster an Oscar nomination. He went on to appear in Mulholland Drive, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Firewall, and The Descendants. He also kept busy in TV series including Karen Sisco, Heroes, Alcatraz, and Twin Peaks, where he had a recurring role as Sheriff Frank Truman.

Sam Bobrick

The the creator of NBC's popular teen sitcom Saved by the Bell and writer of dozens of stage plays died Oct. 11 at 87. In addition to creating the hit Saved by the Bell, Bobrick wrote on Captain Kangaroo, The Andy Griffith Show, Bewitched, The Flintstones, and Get Smart. He was also a prolific playwright, writing titles like The Psychic, No Hard Feelings, Murder at the Howard Johnson's, Norman, Is That You?, and Wally's Cafe.

Larry Junstrom

The founding member of Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd and longtime bassist for the band .38 Special died Oct. 7. He was 70. Junstrom began his musical career in the mid-'60s playing in early versions of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He departed the group before they recorded their debut album, Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd, in 1973. n 1977, Donnie Van Zandt — younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer, Ronnie — invited Junstrom to join his band, .38 Special, to replace bassist Ken Lyons. He held the gig for nearly four decades, playing on hits including "Hold on Loosely," "Caught Up in You," and "Rockin' into the Night."

Karen Pendleton

One of the original Mouseketeers on Disney's The Mickey Mouse Club died Oct. 6 at the age of 73. Pendleton joined the cast of The Mickey Mouse Club at age 8, becoming one of the show's youngest cast members. She remained on the show for the entirety of its original 1955-1959 run on ABC, one of only nine kids, including Annette Funicello, to do so. Pendleton was known for her blond curls and for her frequent song pairings with fellow Mouseketeer Cubby O'Brien, including in the show's closing sequence.

Diahann Carroll

The actress and singer, who broke many barriers on stage and screen in projects like Julia, Dynasty, and Grey's Anatomy, died Oct. 4, at 84. Carroll was the first black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress for a musical, for No Strings in 1962. In 1968, she was given the starring role of the network drama Julia, and it marked the first time audiences saw a black actress as something other than a domestic worker. The series earned Carroll a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series in 1968 and an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy in 1969. Carroll cemented her status as a legend on Dynasty, portraying Dominique Deveraux. The jet-setting rival half-sister to Blake Carrington faced off with Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington Colby. It marked the first time a prime-time soap featured a black lead.

Ginger Baker

The legendary drummer, who shot to fame in the 1960s as a member of the pioneering British rock trio Cream, died Oct. 6 at age 80. Baker was best known for his work with Cream, which he co-founded with Eric Clapton in London in 1966. The third member of the band, bassist Jack Bruce, died in 2014. Cream, widely cited as the original supergroup since all three members came from accomplished bands, sold 35 million albums in just over two years. The band was awarded the world's first-ever platinum disc for their double album Wheels of Fire, and produced psychedelic hits like "I Feel Free" and "Sunshine of Your Love."

Kim Shattuck

The lead singer and bassist of the Muffs died Oct. 2 at the age of 56. The Muffs are best known for their cover of Kim Wilde's "Kids in America," which appeared on the 1995 soundtrack of Clueless.

The Muffs released four albums with Shattuck as their lead singer: 1995's Blonder and Blonder, 1997's Happy Birthday to Me, 1999's Alert Today Alive Tomorrow, and 2004's Really Really Happy. They went on hiatus for several years before returning with 2014's Whoop Dee Doo and were on the verge of releasing their next album when Shattuck died. She collaborated with numerous bands over the years, including NOFX and the Dollyrots.

Rob Garrison

The actor, known to fans as Tommy from The Karate Kid movies and YouTube's sequel series Cobra Kai, died Sept. 27, at 59. The actor secured a place for himself in pop culture history with his role in the 1984 hit Karate Kid. After appearing in that film and The Karate Kid Part II, Garrison went on to appear in shows including Columbo, Coach, and Homefront. In 2019, he reunited with Zabka for a season 2 episode of Cobra Kai, in which Johnny and his old Cobra Kai buddies (Ron Thomas and Tony O'Dell) spring Tommy from the hospital, where he is being treated for cancer.

Linda Porter

The Superstore scene-stealer died Sept. 27, at 86. The character actor is best known for her recurring role on NBC's comedy as Myrtle, one of Cloud 9's oldest employees, who was laid off but continued to appear on the series, most recently in season 4's finale. In addition to Superstore, Porter's extensive resume boasts many guest appearance roles on shows like Gilmore Girls, Showtime's Twin Peaks revival, American Horror Story, The Mindy Project, 2 Broke Girls, Childrens Hospital, Togetherness, Bunheads, How I Met Your Mother, Disney Channel shows like Phil of the Future, and films like The House, Pee-Wee's Big Holiday, and Dude, Where's My Car?

Sid Haig

The legend of the horror genre from films like House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects died Sept. 21, at age 80. Haig got his start in horror with 1967's Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told. He was later cast in Rob Zombie's House of 1,000 Corpses and its sequel The Devil's Rejects.

Haig also appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown and would later re-team with the filmmaker on Kill Bill, Vol. 2. Other credits to Haig's name include Night of the Living Dead 3D, 2007's Halloween, The Lords of Salem, and Bone Tamahawk.

Aron Eisenberg

The actor, who played Nog on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died Sept. 21, at age 50. The Hollywood-born actor joined the Star Trek universe in 1993 with Deep Space Nine and made brief appearances in 1995's Star Trek: Voyager and 2017's Star Trek: Renegades.

Suzanne Whang

The charismatic television personality, who hosted HGTV's House Hunters for eight years, died Sept. 17, at 56. In addition to her work on House Hunters, Whang performed in various television projects, including Criminal Minds, The Mick, Boston Legal, and From Here on OUT.

Cokie Roberts

The pioneering journalist and longtime political commentator died of complications from breast cancer on Sept. 17. She was 75. Roberts was best known for her routine appearance on This Week With George Stephanopoulos. She was also a regular commentator for ABC News and contributed to National Public Radio.

Brian Turk

The actor died Sept. 16, at 49, after a battle with cancer. Turk had starred in the mid-2000s HBO series Carnivàle, and also made a couple of appearances on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the '90s.

Ric Ocasek

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and lead singer of the Cars died Sept. 15, at age 75. Emerging from the New Wave scene, the Cars were one of the most recognizable bands in the 1970s and 1980s, known for their infusion of pop elements — like the synthesizer — into guitar-heavy rock. The band had 13 top-40 singles, including "Shake It Up," "You Might Think," "Tonight She Comes," and its highest-charting track, "Drive." The band released seven studio albums, the most recent being 2011's Move Like This. Ocasek and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Eddie Money

The singer behind hits like "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Take Me Home Tonight," and "Baby Hold On," died on Sept. 13 at the age of 70. The singer's eponymous first album dropped in 1977, with hits "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Baby Hold On." Songs "Think I'm in Love," "Shakin," his Ronnie Spector duet on "Take Me Home Tonight," and "I Wanna Go Back" would follow.

Mardik Martin

The screenwriter and frequent collaborator of Martin Scorsese on films like Raging Bull and Mean Streets died Sept. 11, at 82. Martin co-wrote many of Scorsese's most famous films, including 1973's Mean Streets, which he penned with the director, and 1977's New York, New York, which he wrote with Earl Mac Rauch. Martin spent a year and a half researching boxer Jake LaMotta's life for 1980's Raging Bull, starring Robert De Niro. He and co-writer Paul Schrader earned a Golden Globe nomination for the movie's screenplay.

Robert Axelrod

The actor, who voiced the characters Lord Zedd and Finster on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, died Sept. 7 at age 70. Axelrod also had voice roles in the Spider-Man TV series, Digimon Adventure, and Cowboy Bebop, and one of his most recent appearances was in the comedy film The Clapper, starring Ed Helms.

John Wesley

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor died Sept. 8 at the age of 72. While well known for his role as Dr. Hoover on Fresh Prince, Wesley appeared in many other TV shows, as well as in movies and on stage in theatrical productions. Other notable credits of his include Mr. Jim on Martin and appearances on Medium, NCIS, Moving, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot and the short film, Second Acts.

Chris March

March, a veteran of Bravo's Project Runway and Mad Fashion, died Sept. 5, at 56. March appeared in season 4 of Project Runway, on which he famously featured human hair in his couture pieces. Following the reality competition show, he designed looks for Madonna, Prince, Cirque du Soleil, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and Meryl Streep. In 2011, he developed and starred in Mad Fashion, which followed his design work with celebrity clientele, including Jennifer Coolidge and Chrissy Teigen. The show ran for 10 episodes. March later appeared on season 4 of Project Runway All-Stars in 2015.

LaShawn Daniels

The songwriter died Sept. 4 at the age of 41. LaShawn was most known as the man behind the iconic Destiny's Child hit "Say My Name." His other notable songwriting credits include Whitney Houston's "It's Not Right but It's Okay," Jennifer Lopez's "If You Had My Love," Spice Girls' "Holler," Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World."

Kylie Rae Harris

The country singer died in a three-vehicle crash on Sept. 4, at age of 30. Harris, who released two albums and a recent self-titled EP, was in the northern New Mexico of Taos to play the Big Barn Dance, according to Saving Country Music.

Carol Lynley

The actress, best known for playing the ship's singer in The Poseidon Adventure, died Sept. 3 at 77. She starred in a wide variety of films, including Return to Peyton Place, The Last Sunset with Rock Hudson and Kirk Douglas, and Bunny Lake is Missing, in which she portrayed the mother of a kidnapped child. Lynley was known for waifish sensuality, which translated into one of her most iconic roles as screen siren Jean Harlow in the 1965 biopic Harlow. She often employed her unique looks as a model, even posing for Playboy in 1965. The Poseidon Adventure marked her biggest hit, and Lynley notably sang in the film. The song she performed, "The Morning After," went on to win the 1973 Oscar for Best Song.

Haley Smith

The former American Idol contestant died Aug. 31 at the age of 26. Smith, who was originally from Utah, initially made it through the Colorado auditions back in 2012 but was eliminated in the second round in Hollywood. She was known for wowing Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson with her folk twist on Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good."

Valerie Harper

The actress, who won four Emmys and one Golden Globe Award for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Rhoda, died Aug. 30 at 80, after a long battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Following her terminal diagnosis in 2013, Harper was cast in the 17th season of Dancing With the Stars, but was eliminated in week 4. Harper actually began her career as a dancer on Broadway. She later returned to the stage, and in 2010 received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play, for her performance as Tallulah Bankhead in Looped. In recent years, Harper's voice talents had been utilized for numerous parts on The Simpsons and American Dad.

Peter Fonda

The legendary actor and member of a Hollywood dynasty died August 16 at the age of 79. Fonda was the son of classic actor Henry Fonda and brother of icon Jane Fonda. Fonda was perhaps best known for co-writing and starring in the counterculture classic Easy Rider, which helped launch a revolution in American cinema by showing independent films could attain massive success. He had a resurgence in 1997 with his role in Ulee's Gold, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He continued to act until the end of his life, appearing in such films as The Limey, Ghost Rider, and 3:10 to Yuma. His final film, the Vietnam War drama The Last Full Measure, is scheduled to be released in October.

Richard Williams

The acclaimed animator died on August 13 at the age of 86. He was a triple Oscar and BAFTA winner, who was best known for his work as the animation director on the 1988 live-action and animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He created many legendary characters like Roger and Jessica Rabbit. He animated the title sequences for the 1970s classics The Return Of The Pink Panther and The Pink Panther Strikes Again and also worked on Casino Royale. The Little Island, his first film, was released in 1958 and won a BAFTA. He won his first Oscar for his animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in 1971.

David Berman

The indie rocker died August 7 at the age of 52. The singer-songwriter formed Silver Jews in 1989 with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich of Pavement. The band released six albums between 1994 and 2009 when Berman announced his retirement from music and dissolved the group. He was the only permanent member of the band during its existence. Earlier this year, Berman returned to music, re-emerging with a new band called Purple Mountains. The group released a self-titled debut album in July and had scheduled a tour of North America to begin Aug. 10.

Toni Morrison

The Nobel Prize-winning author died August 6 at the age of 88.Morrison, the writer of acclaimed and influential novels like Beloved and Song of Solomon, was a giant of American literature. Her most famous novel, Beloved, was published in 1987 and centers on a woman who killed her baby daughter rather than let her become a slave. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and inspired a 1998 movie adaptation starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. In 1993, Morrison won the Nobel Prize for Literature, becoming the first black woman of any nationality to do so. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Morrison the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Hal Prince

The titan of Broadway, who produced and/or directed many of the century's most popular musicals, died July 31 at the age of 91. Over the course of his career in musical theater, Prince earned 21 Tony Awards — far more than any other individual. His first came in 1955 for The Pajama Game, and his last was a Lifetime Achievement Award granted in 2006. In between, Prince earned awards as both producer and director. He brought to the stage such influential musicals as Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and The Phantom of the Opera, which remains the longest-running show in Broadway history.

Russi Taylor

The actress who voiced one of Disney's most recognizable characters in Minnie Mouse, as well as several characters on The Simpsons — died July 26 at the age of 75. A longtime fan of Disney, the Boston-area-born Taylor won the role of Minnie in 1986 and voiced her in such films as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Runaway Brain, Get a Horse!, and Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers. She also played Minnie on TV shows including Mickey Mouse Works, House of Mouse, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Mickey and the Roadstar Racers, as well as in animated shorts and theme park projects. Russi's voice carried throughout the Disney empire; she also played Nurse Mouse in The Rescuers Down Under, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and their friend Webbigail Vanderquack in the original DuckTales animated series, as well as characters in TaleSpin, The Little Mermaid, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Kim Possible, Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, and Tangled: The Series. Simpsons fans know as brilliant, bullied Martin Prince and twins Sherri and Terri, as well as Uter and occasionally Lewis Clark.

Gabe Khouth

The actor, known for his work on ABC's Once Upon a Time, died July 23 at the age of 46. The Canadian actor played Sneezy, one of the Seven Dwarfs, on Once Upon a Time, and also appeared on Supernatural, iZombie, and Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events, among other titles.

Rutger Hauer

The Blade Runner star died on July 19 at the age of 75. Early in his career, Hauer collaborated with Paul Verhoeven on 1973's Turkish Delight and 1977's Soldier of Orange. He achieved almost instant iconic status among science fiction fans with his performance in Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner as the replicant Roy Batty. Hauer's many other credits included 1985's Verhoeven-directed Flesh+Blood, 1986's The Hitcher, 1992's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 1994's Surviving the Game, 2005's Sin City, the same year's Batman Begins, the TV show True Blood, and 2011's Hobo with a Shotgun.

David Hedison

The actor, best known for roles in Another World and two James Bond films, died July 18 at the age of 92. Hedison starred as scientist André Delambre in the classic 1958 horror film The Fly and later appeared in two James Bond movies, playing CIA operative Felix Leiter in 1973's To Live and Let Die and then reprising the role in 1989's License to Kill. His other credits include the TV shows Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and the daytime soap operas Another World and The Young and the Restless.

Karl Shiels

The Irish actor died July 15 at the age of 47. His screen credits included the films Batman Returns, Haywire, and Veronica Guerin and the TV series Peaky Blinders, Into the Badlands, and Fair City.

Denise Nickerson

The actress best known for playing the spoiled, gum-obsessed girl Violet Beauregarde in the beloved film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, died July 10 at the age of 62. Nickerson was 13 when she appeared in Willy Wonka, which starred Gene Wilder as the eccentric chocolatier. Nickerson made her screen debut in an episode of the TV series Flipper, and appeared on shows including Dark Shadows, The Electric Company, and The Brady Bunch. She left Hollywood in 1978 and later became a nurse.

Rip Torn

The Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor known for his work on The Larry Sanders Show and in the Men in Black movies died July 9 at the age of 88. The actor played the loyal late-night producer Artie on Larry Sanders. Torn was nominated for six Emmys for his work on the beloved sitcom, winning in 1996. He also earned Emmy noms for The Atlanta Child Murders in 1985, Chicago Hope in 1996, and 30 Rock in 2008. His other TV credits included Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Lyon's Den, Will & Grace, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. In addition to his television nominations, Torn earned an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 1983's Cross Creek. In Men in Black and its first sequel, Torn played Zed, one of the founding members of the eponymous alien monitoring organization. More recently, he was seen on the big screen in Dodgeball, Marie Antoinette, 3 Weeks to Daytona, and Bridge of Names.

Freddie Jones

The British actor died July 9 at the age of 91. Jones' many credits included the Hammer horror films Frankenstein Must be Destroyed (1969) and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973), Federico Fellini's And the Ship Sails On (1983), the fantasy film Krull (1983), and Barry Levinson's Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). In recent years, he had become familiar to fans of the British soap Emmerdale for playing the role of Sandy Thomas. Jones was also a favorite of director David Lynch, who cast him in the films The Elephant Man (1980), Dune (1984), and Wild at Heart (1990).

Charles Levin

Seinfeld actor Charles Levin's cause of death has been revealed nearly four months after his remains were discovered in Southern Oregon. The actor died from an accidental fall at the age of 70 on July 8, according to USA Today. Suicide and foul play were ruled out, and the death was officially ruled an accident.

Martin Charnin

The creator and director of the hit Broadway musical Annie died July 7 at the age of 84. Charnin won a Tony Award for Best Original Score, with composer Charles Strouse, for Annie. Charnin went on to write lyrics for dozens of productions, including seven Broadway musicals. He directed seven shows as well. He also received three Emmys for his work on television variety specials, and a Grammy for Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," which sampled the lyrics from Annie.

Cameron Boyce

The Disney Channel star died Saturday, July 6 as a result of an ongoing medical condition. He was 20 years old. Boyce was best known to audiences for his roles on Disney Channel series Jessie and the television movie franchise Descendants, in which he portrayed Cruella de Vil's son Carlos.

Eddie Jones

The actor, best known to audiences as Superman's adoptive father Pa Kent on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, died July 6. He was 84. Jones has a notable onscreen career, including as the widowed father to second baseman Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh) in 1992's A League of Their Own and as owner of the horses War Admiral and Man O'War in 2003's Seabiscuit. He made his biggest impression as the kindly Jonathan "Pa" Kent, father to Clark Kent/Superman (Dean Cain) on Lois & Clark. His feature film résumé was rich and included Bloodbrothers, Prince of the City, Year of the Dragon, The Grifters, Trading Places, The Rocketeer, and Steven Spielberg's The Terminal. In addition to his recurring role on Lois & Clark, Jones also starred as the head of a spy agency on Syfy Channel's The Invisible Man from 2000-02. Other television credits include guest starring roles on Veep, Aquarius, Crossing Jordan, Ghost Whisperer, Party of Five, Touched by an Angel, and Cheers.

Arte Johnson

The actor best known for playing the dirty old man opposite Ruth Buzzi's purse-hurling spinster on Laugh-In died on July 3. He was 90 years old. The Michigan-born funnyman developed a prolific resume in Hollywood, starting with appearances in old sitcoms like The Danny Thomas Show, It's Always Jan, and I Dream of Jeannie to variety shows like The Red Skelton Show, Bob Hope Presents Chrysler Theater, and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. From 1967 to 1971, Johnson was responsible for some of the variety show's more memorable characters, like the German soldier who hissed "verrrrrrrryyy interesting" and the dirty old man who repeatedly tried to pick up on Gladys (Buzzi). He won an Emmy for his work on Laugh-In in 1969.

Beth Chapman

The Dog the Bounty Hunter star died June 26 at the age of 51. Chapman appeared on the A&E reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter alongside her husband Duane for eight seasons. Their new show Dog's Most Wanted had been filming for several months at the time of her death and new episodes are expected to air eventually.

Max Wright

Actor Max Wright died June 26 at the age of 75. He was best known for portraying father Willie Tanner on the hit '80s sitcom ALF. Wright was a veteran actor of the small screen, popping up on a great many shows over a three-decade career, including Cheers, Taxi, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Mad About You. He also appeared in such films as Reds and Bob Fosse's All That Jazz, and the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand. Wright had a substantial stage career in addition to his onscreen work. He received a Tony Award nomination in 1998 for his performance in Anton Chekhov's Ivanov.

Gloria Vanderbilt

The heiress, socialite, fashion icon and mother of CNN's Anderson Cooper died June 17 at the age of 95. Throughout her life, Vanderbilt made a name for herself as an actress, fashion designer, artist and author, but her time in the spotlight began at birth as she was born into one of the wealthiest families in America. Vanderbilt was synonymous with her jeans empire but also designed home furnishings, dresses, and blouses. Vanderbilt starred alongside Cooper in the 2016 HBO documentary, Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper, where she reflected on her remarkable life.

Franco Zeffirelli

The Italian film director died June 15 at the age of 96. Zeffirelli was best known for his 1968 adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which starred Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, and earned the filmmaker a Best Director Academy Award nomination. The filmmaker's other directing credits included 1967's Elizabeth Taylor- and Richard Burton-starring The Taming of The Shrew, the 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth, 1981's Endless Love with Brooke Shields, 1983's La Traviata, and his 1990 adaptation of Hamlet, which starred Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Ian Holm, and Helena Bonham Carter. In 2018, actor Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!) accused Zeffirelli of harassing and sexually abused him during the shoot for the 1993 film Sparrow.

Edith Gonzalez

The telenovela star died June 13 at the age of 54 following a three-year battle with cancer. Gonzalez is most known for her lead role as Monica in the 1993 telenovela series, Corazón Salvaje. She also starred in Mujer de Madera, Doña Barbara, Palabra de Mujer, Las Bravo and Eva la Trailera.

Bushwick Bill

The co-founding member of the legendary rap trio Geto Boys died June 10 at the age of 52. He officially joined the Geto Boys in 1986 after performing as a backup dancer for the group. Together with Willie D and Scarface, the Geto Boys put Houston and southern hip hop on the map at a time when the East and West Coasts dominated the scene. With hits like "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" and "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangster," which was famously featured in 1999's Office Space, the trio paved the way for future southern acts like OutKast, UGK, T.I., Lil Wayne, and many more.

Mary Duggar

Mary Duggar, grandmother to the reality television family The Duggars, died June 9. News of the matriarch's passing was first shared by the Duggars on their official Facebook page Sunday afternoon, where the "feisty" and "incredible" County Onstar was remembered by her famous family in a tribute post. She had appeared with her family on television for 15 years.

Dr. John

Musician, singer, and New Orleans music legend Mac Rebennack — a.k.a. "Dr. John" — died at the age of 77 on June 6. Dr. John's 1968 debut album Gris-Gris failed to make a commercial impact upon its release, but over time came to be recognized as a classic mix of psychedelic rock and rhythm-and-blues. Five years later, he cracked the Top Ten with the song "Right Place Wrong Time." His many collaborators included The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Rickie Lee Jones, and Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, who produced his 2012 album, Locked Down.

Paul Darrow

The British actor Paul Darrow died June 4 at the age of 78. Darrow gained fame in his homeland in the late '70s playing the sardonic, egomaniacal, and routinely insulting anti-hero Kerr Avon in the low budget but much-loved U.K. science fiction show Blake's 7, about a group of spaceship-dwelling rebels attempting to outwit the totalitarian Federation. His many other credits include the TV shows Emmerdale, Z Cars, Little Britain, and Doctor Who, on which he appeared twice, playing different characters in the adventures "Doctor Who and the Silurians" and "Timelash."

Carmine Caridi

The actor died May 28 at 83. Caridi — who also appeared in Murder, She Wrote; The Money Pit; Starsky and Hutch; the '80s Fame TV series; and NYPD Blue — was best known for his role in The Godfather: Part II as Carmine Rosato, part of the Rosato faction in a feud with Frank Pentangeli (Michael V. Gazzo). Caridi also appeared in The Godfather: Part III as Albert Volpe, one of Michael Corleone's casino investors.

Daniel Wright

The former Biggest Loser contestant died May 26 at age 30, after a nearly two-year battle with leukemia. Wright appeared on seasons 7 and 8 of the NBC weight-loss reality show.

Niki Lauda

The Austrian car-racing icon and three-time Formula One world champion died at the age of 70 on May 21. Lauda became legendary for his participation in the 1976 world championship. The driver was horribly burned in a crash at the German Grand Prix but, after a brief period of recovery, returned to the competition, setting up a battle between himself and his rival, the British James Hunt, which the latter would ultimately win, narrowly beating Lauda. That struggle later became the subject of Ron Howard's film Rush, in which Chris Hemsworth played Hunt and Daniel Brühl portrayed Lauda.

Tim Conway

The legendary comedian, who had a knack for improv and cracking up his fellow cast members on The Carol Burnett Show, died May 14. He was 85. Conway launched his career on ABC's The Steve Allen Show, but he didn't achieve nationwide fame until taking the role as the blundering Ensign Parker on the '60s sitcom McHale's Navy. He went on to star on The Tim Conway Show in 1970 for a short stint before finally joining The Carol Burnett Show. Conway's 11 years on the sketch show garnered him four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, thanks to his hilarious characters like the Old Man and Mr. Tudball. Later in his career, Conway provided the voice for Barnacle Boy on Spongebob Squarepants and even made a special appearance on the second season of 30 Rock, playing '50s TV icon Bucky Bright, for which he received an Emmy. He also won a Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Emmy in 1996 for his turn on Coach as Hayden's (Craig T. Nelson) gardener, Kenny.

Grumpy Cat

The feline with a frown permanently scrawled across her face died May 14 at the age of 7. Grumpy Cat, whose real name was Tardar Sauce, became an instant internet star when a photo was shared to Reddit in September 2012 with the caption, "Meet grumpy cat." The image spread like wildfire and earned the animal the Meme of the Year honor from the Webby Awards, as presented by Patton Oswalt. From there, Grumpy Cat became the face of a business, from clothing apparel to plushies to comic books to a cover of New York Magazine that chronicled the cat's rise and popularity.

Doris Day

The actress and singer, who was beloved for her girl-next-door image in the 1950s and '60s, died May 13 at 97. Day was best known for her romantic comedies opposite Rock Hudson, particularly Pillow Talk, for which she earned an Oscar nomination. Other notable films included The Man Who Knew Too Much, Calamity Jane, and Love Me or Leave Me. In her later years, Day left Hollywood and dedicated herself to animal activism with the Doris Day Animal League.

Peggy Lipton

The actress and former model, who shot to fame in the late 1960s on the police series The Mod Squad and later starred on David Lynch's surreal cult favorite Twin Peaks, died May 11. She was 72. Lipton became a Hollywoof "It" Girl and earned four Emmy nominations for her turn as Julie Barnes, the flower child turned undercover detective, on ABC's counterculture crime drama The Mod Squad. In 1974, she married legendary music producer Quincy Jones, and they had two daughters, Rashida and Kidada Jones. She returned to acting in the role of Double R Diner owner Norma Jennings on Twin Peaks in 1989. Lipton reprised her role for Showtime's Twin Peaks revival in 2017.

Alvin Sargent

The two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter died May 9 at the age of 92. Sargent won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay for 1977's Julia, about playwright Lillian Hellman (played by Jane Fonda) smuggling funds into Nazi Germany. He won his second Oscar in 1981, for Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford. Other notable films he penned include three Spider-Man movies, Paper Moon, the 1976 A Star Is Born, and What About Bob?

Peter Mayhew

The British actor best known for playing the furry hero Chewbecca in the Star Wars films died April 30, at 74. Mayhew's 7-foot-3 frame made him a distinct presence in movies. Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca — Han Solo's loyal Wookiee co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon — in each of the major phases of the Star Wars franchise, from the original trilogy to the prequel Revenge of the Sith to the next-gen sequel The Force Awakens.

John Singleton

The Oscar-nominated director died April 29 at 51, after suffering a major stroke. Singleton was the first black filmmaker to score an Oscar nomination for Best Director, for his 1991 debut, Boyz in the Hood. His other credits include Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, and Four Brothers.

Larry 'Flash' Jenkins

An actor who appeared in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fletch, and EDtv, Jenkins died April 25 at age 63. His other screen credits included the 2017 film Low Town and TV shows such as The White Shadow, Instant Mom, The Shield, The Fugitive, Home Improvement, and M*A*S*H. He's perhaps best known on a mainstream basis for his brief appearance as one of the two guys who took a joyride in the car of Cameron's dad in Ferris Bueller.

Ken Kercheval

The actor died April 24 at 83. Kercheval became famous around the world for playing Cliff Barnes in the oil business drama Dallas. Cliff was the brother of Victoria Principal's character, Pam, and always seemed to be one step behind his archenemy, Larry Hagman's always-scheming tycoon J.R. Ewing, who was Pam's brother-in-law. Kercheval was also an accomplished stage actor, appearing in the original Broadway productions of The Apple Tree and Cabaret. The actor's many other screen credits included 1978's Sylvester Stallone-starring film F.I.S.T., the 1993 TV movie Woman on the Ledge, and the TV shows L.A. Law and ER.

Stefanie Sherk

The Canadian model and actress died April 20 at the age of 43. Sherk was married to Oscar nominee Demián Bichir. She had a number of acting credits to her name, including a role in Bichir's directorial debut, Un Cuento de Circo & A Love Song, in 2016. Sherk also had roles in #Hashtag: The Series, Valentine's Day, Star Power, Loco Love, and the upcoming horror movie Grudge, which she filmed with John Cho and Andrea Riseborough.

Lorraine Warren

The paranormal investigator died April 19 at 92. Warren was portrayed by Vera Farmiga in 2013's horror film The Conjuring and its 2016 sequel, The Conjuring 2. Farmiga will portray Warren again in this summer's Annabelle Comes Home. Warren claimed to have clairvoyant powers and, together with her husband, Ed, investigated thousands of alleged hauntings, traveling as far as the U.K. and Japan. In 1976, she and Ed investigated the so-called Amityville Horror, a haunting in Long Island that inspired a 1979 film and a slew of spin-offs.

Gene Wolfe

The science fiction author died April 14 at the age of 87. He was the author of such acclaimed books as The Fifth Head of Cerberus and The Book of the New Sun. Since none of his books have yet been adapted for the screen, Wolfe is not well known in mainstream pop culture, but his work is beloved by fans of fantasy and sci-fi.

Georgia Engel

The actress, who rose to fame as soft-spoken Georgette Franklin on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died April 12 at the age of 70. The actress has said her MTM role was meant to be a one-episode guest spot, but Engel went on to appear in almost 60 episodes of the top-rated comedy. After MTM ended in 1977, she continued to work with co-star Betty White on The Betty White Show and, more recently, on Hot in Cleveland. Over the decades, she appeared on everything from The Love Boat to Mork & Mindy to Fantasy Island to Coach to Passions. She had a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond from 2003 to 2005, and was nominated for an Emmy each of the three seasons she appeared on the sitcom. (She previously received two nominations for her work on MTM.)

Charles Van Doren

The former quiz show contestant known for his role in rigging contests in the 1950s died April 9 at the age of 93. Van Doren, the son of two then-prominent literary figures, rocketed to fame with a 14-week winning streak on the NBC quiz show Twenty-One starting in November 1956. He earned $129,000, a record at the time, and a job at NBC News. But in 1959, he testified to Congress that the show's producers had provided him with the answers, and pleaded guilty to perjury for lying to a grand jury. Ralph Fiennes portrayed him in Robert Redford's 1994 film Quiz Show.

Nadja Regin

The Serbian actress, who appeared in two James Bond films, died April 8. She was 87. Regin made her first Bond appearance in 1964's From Russia with Love alongside Sean Connery as 007, then returned for her second role in 1965's Goldfinger, where she played a devious belly dancer attempting to seduce the spy. She later appeared in several British TV series before quitting acting in the 1980s to establish a publishing company, Honeyglen Publishing Ltd, with her sister Jelena.

Seymour Cassel

The veteran character actor, known for his collaborations with filmmakers John Cassavetes and Wes Anderson, died April 7 at the age of 84. Cassel made several movies with Cassavetes and was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting performance in the filmmaker's 1968 drama Faces. He also worked with Cassavetes on 1959's Shadows, 1961's Too Late Blues, 1971's Minnie and Moskowitz, 1976's The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1977's Opening Night, and 1984's Love Streams. Later in his career, Cassel became a favorite of Anderson, who cast him in 1998's Rushmore, 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums, and 2004's The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Cassel's many other film credits included 1990's Dick Tracy and 1993's Indecent Proposal.

Tania Mallet

The British actress and model died on March 31 at the age of 77. Mallet, once described by her cousin Helen Mirren, 73, as "impossibly beautiful and kind," rose to fame as a model in the '50s and '60s and is best known for appearing as Bond girl Tilly Masterson in 1964's Goldfinger opposite Sean Connery.

Nipsey Hussle

The rapper died in a shooting on March 31 at the age of 33. Over the years, Nipsey Hussle has dropped several mixtapes and worked with JAY-Z. His debut studio album, Victory Lap, was nominated at the Grammy Awards in February.

Agnès Varda

The French filmmaking legend died March 29 at the age of 90. The renegade female director helped shape the French New Wave movement throughout the 1960s, and was best known for scripted New Wave staples like 1962's Cleo from 5 to 7 and 1965's Le Bonheur. She turned her attention to shorts and documentaries throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, making her proper return to full-length theatrical fiction in the early 1980s with Documenteur: An Emotion Picture (1981) and the Venice Golden Lion-winning Vagabond (1985). She was nominated for her first Oscar in 2018 for directing Faces Places, and the Academy presented her with an honorary Oscar for her contributions to the medium that same year.

Joe Pilato

The Day of the Dead actor died March 26 at the age of 70. Pilato's credits include the horror movies Effects and Wishmaster. But Pilato was beloved by genre fans for his portrayal of the bombastic, tyrannical, and foul-mouthed Captain Rhodes in George Romero's 1985 zombie film Day of the Dead, the concluding movie in the director's original undead trilogy.

Scott Walker

The musician, who rose to fame as part of the Walker Brothers, died at the age of 76 on March 25. Born Noel Scott Engel, he changed his name to Walker after joining the band. The band had several hits in the early '60s, with songs like "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" and "Make It Easy on Yourself." In the late '60s, Walker struck out on his own and released a string of critically-acclaimed solo albums: Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3, and Scott 4. Over the years, he did a mix of solo albums and film scores. Most recently, he composed the score to the 2018 Natalie Portman film Vox Lux.

Larry Cohen

The director and screenwriter died March 23 at the age of 77. Cohen's many credits as a writer-director include the horror films It's Alive (1974), Q (1982), and The Stuff (1985), as well as the blaxploitation movie Hell Up in Harlem (1973), and the Billy Dee Williams-starring thriller Deadly Illusion (1987). He also wrote the scripts for 1987's Best Seller, 1988's Maniac Cop, and 2002's Colin Farrell-led Phone Booth. Cohen was recently the subject of a documentary, King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen.

Justin Carter

The budding country singer died March 21 at the age of 35. He reportedly died after a prop gun accidentally went off in his apartment. The rising singer recently signed a deal with Triple Threat Management and was considered "the next Garth Brooks," said the company's Mark Atherton.

John Carl Buechler

The filmmaker and special effects artist John Carl Buechler died March 18 at the age of 66. A much-beloved figure in the horror community, Buechler directed films including 1986's Troll, 1988's Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, and 1991's Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College. He contributed special effects to a long list of genre projects, including 1988's Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, the same year's A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, and 2006's Hatchet, which featured the swamp-dwelling killer Victor Crowley.

Bernie Tormé

The Irish guitarist died March 17 at the age of 66. He recorded several albums with Gillan, the hard rock band fronted by former Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan, and played with Ozzy Osbourne. Among the albums Tormé recorded with Gillan was 1981's Future Shock, which reached No. 2 on the U.K. album charts. He played with Osbourne following guitarist Randy Rhoads' 1982 death in a plane accident. He also fronted the Bernie Tormé Band and released several solo albums, including last year's Shadowland.

Richard Erdman

The character actor died March 16 at the age of 93. He was best known to audiences as Korean War veteran Leonard "Bucket of Guts" Rodriguez in the comedy series Community. Erdman had an extensive resumé as a character actor with many notable turns in projects throughout Hollywood's Golden Age, including films like Cry Danger, Stalag 17, and The Men.

Dick Dale

The "King of the Surf Guitar," whose biggest hit served as the opening song for 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction, died March 16 at the age of 81. Dale is known as the pioneer of surf rock, the rock music subgenre defined by Southern California's surf culture. Along with his band the Del-Tones, Dale (né Richard Anthony) is most known for his '60s hit "Misirlou," which was sampled by the Black Eyed Peas for their popular track "Pump It" in 2006.

Jim Raman

The former Amazing Race contestant died March 12 at the age of 42. Raman competed on the long-running reality show in 2014 during its 25th season. Partnered with his wife Misti, the couple ended the race in second place. Although the Ramans didn't win the show, they were strong racers, finishing five of the show's 12 legs in first place.

Jed Allan

The soap actor, best known for his roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Steve Sanders' dad and Santa Barbara, died March 9 at the age of 84. A longtime character actor on TV, his first role in daytime dramas occurred in 1963 when he joined General Hospital to play Edward L. Quartermaine III. After stints on classic shows like Lassie, Columbo, Mod Squad, Love, American Style, and Adam-12, Allan joined Days of Our Lives in 1977 to play Don Craig. He stayed on the NBC sudser until 1985 before joining Santa Barbara a year later to play C.C. Capwell. He remained there until 1993. n 1994, he went primetime to play Ian Ziering's dad, Rush, on Fox's Beverly Hills, 90210 for five years.

Sid Sheinberg

The film executive died at the age of 84 on March 8. Sheinberg headed MCA Inc. and Universal Studios for decades, during which time he boosted and mentored the career of Steven Spielberg, who for a spell in the '70s, was referred to as "Sheinberg's folly." During his stewardship of Universal, the studio's hits included The Sting, Back to the Future, and the Spielberg-directed blockbusters E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park.

King Kong Bundy

The professional wrestler died March 4 at the age of 61. Bundy made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981, and his most iconic wrestling moment came five years later when he battled Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match at Wrestlemania 2. Hogan won the match. Bundy left the WWF in the late '80s but came back in 1994 as part of the Million Dollar Corporation, by which time the WWF had changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Luke Perry

The actor, who shot to superstardom as heartthrob Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, died March 4 after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52. Though he was beloved for his role on 90210, Perry worked steadily in television throughout his career, with memorable turns on Oz, John from Cincinnati, Windfall, and Criminal Minds. Recently, he endeared himself to a new generation as congenial, straitlaced Fred Andrews on Riverdale, which he was still filming at the time of his death.

Keith Flint

The frontman of U.K. dance act The Prodigy was found dead on March 4. He was 49. Flint was originally the Prodigy's dancer but performed lead vocals on two 1996 singles, "Firestarter" and "Breathe," both of which were No. 1 hits in the U.K. "Firestarter" also reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Most recently, Flint contributed vocals to the Prodigy's seventh album No Tourists, which was released last year. The band were due to start a U.S. tour in May.

Janice Freeman

The Voice contestant, who competed for Team Miley on the NBC series in 2017, died March 2 at the age of 33 due to complications from pneumonia and a blood clot. The singer rose to fame on season 13 of the popular competition series, where she was recruited for coach Cyrus' team and made it to the Top 11. Her biography from her time on the show said Freeman's goal in achieving a successful music career was to "provide stability" for her daughter Hannah. It also focused on her recovery from a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2012. She and Cyrus shared a close bond that lasted after Freeman left the show, as she revealed on Twitter in January 2018 that the singer even helped cover her housing bills for six months.

André Previn

The Oscar-winning composer and conductor died Feb. 28 at the age of 89. Previn was a musical icon, known for his jazz albums, his various stints as musical director at organizations like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and London's Royal Philharmonic, and his Oscar winning scores. Overall, he was nominated for 13 Oscars and won four times for orchestrations the pre-existing scores for My Fair Lady, Gigi, Porgy and Bess, and writing the original score for Irma La Douce. He was also well-known for his highly publicized marriages, most notably to actress Mia Farrow, which precipitated the end of her marriage to Frank Sinatra.

Andy Anderson

The one-time drummer for rock band The Cure died on Feb. 26 after a brief battle with stage four cancer. He was 68. Anderson was best known for his work with The Cure, which he first joined in 1983. He recorded on the albums Japanese Whispers, The Top, and Concert, as well as 1983 singles "Speak My Language" and "The Love Cats." "The Love Cats" marked The Cure's first top 10 hit in the U.K. After his time with the rock band, he dedicated much of his career to working as a session musician, playing with the likes of Iggy Pop, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, the Sex Pistols' Glen Matlock, Edwyn Collins, Peter Gabriel, Isaac Hayes, Youth, The Steve Hillage Band, and more.

Katherine Helmond

The seven-time Emmy-nominated actress died Feb. 23 at the age of 89. Helmond was best-known for her work as the sexually adventurous Mona Robinson on the ABC sitcom Who's the Boss? alongside Tony Danza, Judith Light, and Alyssa Milano. She also appeared on Susan Harris' ABC daytime satire Soap from 1977 to 1981. The performance earned her four consecutive Emmy nominations for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; she later received a pair of additional nominations for her work on Who's the Boss? and another for her guest spot on a 2002 episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, where she played Patricia Heaton's mother. Among Helmond's other notable television credits are Doris Sherman — a widowed owner of a fictional NFL team — on ABC's Coach and Caroline Bellefleur (grandmother to Portia Bellefleur) on HBO's True Blood. She also acted in a trio of films by Terry Gilliam, including Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).

Stanley Donen

The legendary Hollywood director died on Feb. 23 at the age of 94. Master of the musical, Donen oversaw 1949's On the Town and 1952's Singin' in the Rain — both of which he co-directed with the production's star, Gene Kelly — as well as 1954's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and 1957's Funny Face. His notable films spanned the gamut of genres from thrillers like Charade to romantic comedies like Indiscreet to marital dramedy Two for the Road. He was responsible for a litany of classics beyond this, including Royal Wedding, Damn Yankees, Bedazzled, Lucky Lady, and The Grass Is Greener. While never nominated for an Oscar, he received a lifetime achievement award in 1998.

Clark James Gable

Hollywood icon Clark Gable's grandson was found dead Feb. 22 at the age of 30. The descendant of Hollywood royalty, Gable was the host of the reality TV series Cheaters, which exposes infidelity within relationships. He was filming a crime drama titled Sunset Dawn shortly before his death, according to Variety.

Peter Tork

Tork, who played bass and keyboards with The Monkees, died at the age of 77 on Feb. 21. Tork appeared with the rest of The Monkees — Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Davy Jones, who passed away in 2012 — on two seasons of the band's eponymous TV show in the late '60s and in the 1968 film, Head. During this period, the group enjoyed a string of hits, including "Daydream Believer," "I'm a Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone." Tork was the first member to leave the band at the end of the '60s, but participated in reunions, starting in the mid-'80s. In 1994, he released a solo album, Stranger Things Have Happened.

Beverley Owen

The actress died Feb. 21 after battling ovarian cancer. She was 81. Owen was best-known for portraying Marilyn Munster in the first season of classic sitcom The Munsters. She began her TV career on As the World Turns and went on to have roles in Wagon Train and Another World. She remained best-known for playing Marilyn, a role actress Pat Priest took over after Owen's departure from the show.

Karl Lagerfeld

The legendary fashion designer, who was creative director of Chanel, Fendi, and his eponymous line Karl Lagerfeld, died on Feb. 19 at the age of 85. The German-born Lagerfeld began designing for Fendi in 1965 and joined Chanel as creative director in 1983, reviving the famed fashion house founded by Coco Chanel. In addition to fashion design, Lagerfeld was a photographer and video director and worked with top models and actresses across the fashion industry and Hollywood.

Bruno Ganz

The Swiss actor died Feb. 16 at the age of 77. Ganz was best known for his portrayal of Adolf Hitler in Downfall, which subsequently sparked a viral YouTube trend, and the angel Damien in Wings of Desire. More recently, Ganz appeared in 2011's Unknown with Liam Neeson, 2013's The Counsellor for director Ridley Scott, Lars von Trier's The House That Jack Built, and Mitko Panov's I Witness in 2018. Two more roles, in Terrence Malick's Radegund and Dominik Graf's Golem will be released posthumously.

Carmen Argenziano

The Stargate SG-1 actor died Feb. 10 at the age of 77. Argenziano's acting career began in the 1970s, most notably with a role in The Godfather Part II. He truly flourished in television, appearing on Cheers, Melrose Place, ER, CSI:NY, Hawaii Five-0, The Mentalist, and Criminal Minds. He is best known as Jacob Carter/Selmak on the series Stargate SG-1.

Albert Finney

The renowned British actor died Feb. 8 at the age of 82 following a brief illness. Getting his start in British "kitchen sink" dramas of the 1950s and '60s, he went on to become a major star, earning five Oscar nominations over the course of his career for Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express (playing detective Hercule Poirot), The Dresser, Under the Volcano, and opposite Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich. His work spanned the gamut of cinema, working with top directors on projects like Miller's Crossing, Two for the Road, Big Fish, Annie, Traffic, and James Bond film Skyfall.

Kristoff St. John

The actor known for playing Neil Winters on TV's most-watched daytime drama, The Young and the Restless, was found dead in his home Feb. 3. He was 52. St. John originated the role of Neil on Y&R in 1991. He won two Emmys for playing the makeup executive, who was best known for his tempestuous relationship with Drucilla Winters (played by Victoria Rowell). At the start of his TV career, St. John appeared in shows including Happy Days, Wonder Woman, and the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. Later on, he had recurring roles on Diagnosis: Murder and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

Jan-Michael Vincent

The actor, best-known for playingone of the leads in director John Milius' 1978 coming-of-age film Big Wednesday, died Feb. 10 at the age of 73. He also starred in the CBS show Airwolf, which premiered in 1984 and concerned the crew of a high-tech helicopter. Vincent's other notable credits included the 1971 drama Going Home, the 1977 science fiction film Damnation Alley, the following year's stuntmen-focused action-comedy Hooper — in which he starred alongside Burt Reynolds — and the 1983 miniseries The Winds of War. Vincent was twice nominated for Golden Globes, earning recognition for his performances in Going Home and The Winds of War.

Julie Adams

The actress best known for her role as Kay Lawrence in the beloved 1954 monster movie Creature from the Black Lagoon died Feb. 3, at age 92. Her many other credits included 1965's Elvis Presley-starring Tickle Me, Dennis Hopper's 1971 film The Last Movie, the TV show Murder, She Wrote, and 2006's Oliver Stone-directed World Trade Center.

Dick Miller

The character actor died Jan. 30, at the age of 90. Miller was best known for his work in Terminator and Gremlins. He also appeared in several films directed by Roger Corman, including 1959's A Bucket of Blood and 1960's The Little Shop of Horrors. He later became a favorite of filmmaker Joe Dante, a Corman protégé, who cast Miller in 1978's Piranha, 1981's The Howling, both Gremlins films, and The 'Burbs, among other projects. Miller also appeared in Chopping Mall and was the subject of the 2014 documentary That Guy Dick Miller.

James Ingram

The Grammy-winning R&B singer behind hits like "Yah Mo B There" and "I Don't Have the Heart" died Jan. 29, at the age of 66. Ingram received two Grammys over the course of his career, which began in 1973, and numerous other nominations. "One Hundred Ways," released in 1981, won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and his duet with Michael McDonald on "Yah Mo B There" won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1984. Ingram also contributed significantly to film music, lending vocals to An American Tail's "Somewhere Out There" and receiving Oscar nominations for "Look What Love Has Done," from 1994's Junior, and "The Day I Fall in Love," from 1993's Beethoven's 2nd.

Michel Legrand

The Oscar-winning composer behind film scores to Yentl and The Thomas Crown Affair died Jan. 26, at age 86. Legrand, a notable jazz pianist, went on to win three Oscars, five Grammys, one Golden Globe, and one BAFTA Award over the course of his illustrious career. He won statuettes from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for his work on 1968's The Thomas Crown Affair (starring Steve McQueen), 1971's Summer of '42 (starring Jennifer O'Neill), and 1983's Yentl (starring Barbra Streisand). He was nominated for 10 others. Legrand also composed scores for The Three Musketeers (1973), the James Bond film Never Say Never (1983), Wuthering Heights (1970), and Le Mans (1971), in addition to winning Grammys for his jazz work, including a 1975 album with Phil Woods, Images.

Fatima Ali

The Pakistani-American chef, known for her appearance on season 15 of Top Chef, died in January from a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma. She was 29. Ali was diagnosed in 2017, but she told PEOPLE she was "technically cancer-free" at Aspen's Food & Wine Classic in July. In an intimate essay published in Bon Appetit in October, she divulged that her cancer had returned.

Jo Andres

The artist and filmmaker behind 1996's Black Kite died in January at 65. Andres was the wife of Boardwalk Empire actor Steve Buscemi. The two married in 1987 and enjoyed a 31-year marriage before her death. Their son, Lucian, was born in 1990.

Kevin Barnett

The comedian died Jan. 22 from complications caused by pancreatitis. He was 32. Together with Lil Rey Howery and Josh Rabinowitz, Barnett created the sitcom Rel, which revolves around a Chicago nurse whose life is turned upside down when he discovers his wife is having an affair with his own barber. It launched in the fall of 2018 on Fox. Before Rel, Barnett also wrote for Comedy Central's Broad City and NBC's The Carmichael Show.

Kaye Ballard

The actress, singer, and comedian died Jan. 21 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 93. Ballard was best known for her role on the NBC sitcom The Mothers-in-Law, opposite Eve Arden. She also appeared in the 1946 musical Three To Make Ready with The Wizard of Oz star Ray Bolger. After a stint in cabaret, she moved to the small screen, first by playing one of the two wicked stepsisters in the live telecast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella featuring Julie Andrews in 1957. She was a regular on NBC's The Perry Como Show and appeared on The Patty Duke Show before becoming a household name as Kaye Buell, a live wire whose son married her next-door neighbor's daughter in The Mothers-in-Law. It aired from 1967 to 1969.

Tony Mendez

Tony Mendez, the spy whose involvement in the Iran hostage crisis inspired Ben Affleck's Argo, died Jan. 19. He was 78. With his wife, Mendez co-wrote The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War, which chronicles their time serving as CIA operatives spying on Moscow during the Cold War in the 1970s. The book will be published on May 21. Mendez was also a founding member of the International Spy Museum.

Andy Vajna

The film producer died Jan. 20 at the age of 74. Some of Vajna's most notable productions include Sylvester Stallone's first three Rambo films. He also produced many films set in Hungary, such as 1996's Evita starring Madonna. In 2005, he co-produced (alongside the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Lucy Liu) the documentary Freedom's Fury, which told the story of the 1956 Olympic water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union. Since 2011, Vajna had been a political commissioner in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, in charge of developing Hungary's film industry.

Mary Oliver

The Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner died Jan. 17 at age 83. Oliver's poems, which often touched on themes of nature and spirituality, were infused with a joyfulness, a profound acceptance of the universe, that made her one of the most beloved poets in the country.

Carol Channing

Carol Channing, the effervescent star who charmed audiences on Broadway and beyond, died of natural causes Jan. 15, at the age of 97. The three-time Tony Award winner was best known for starring as matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, a role she performed for more than 5,000 performances. She also starred as the gold-digging "little girl from Little Rock" Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a role Marilyn Monroe would portray in the film version of the musical.

Bob Einstein

The Curb Your Enthusiasm actor died Jan. 2 at the age of 76. Einstein played Marty Funkhouser, a longtime friend who vexes Larry David in nearly two dozen episodes of the HBO comedy since making his debut in season 4. His last appearance came in the most recent season. (He was slated to be part of the upcoming 10th season but could not participate due to his declining health.)

His other credits include Roseanne, Ocean's Thirteen, and Arrested Development, the latter of which he appeared in several episodes as the "surrogate" for an imprisoned George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor).

Daryl Dragon

One half of the legendary 1970s pop duo Captain & Tennille, Dragon died Jan. 2 at the age of 76. Dragon's ex-wife and musical partner, Toni Tennille, was reportedly by his side at the time of his death. Before becoming a star in his own right, Dragon was a keyboardist for the Beach Boys. Later, Tennille and Dragon began collaborating and producing hits like "Muskrat Love," "Shop Around," and "Do That to Me One More Time." In 1976, they won a Grammy for "Love Will Keep Us Together."

Gene Okerlund

The WWE personality known as "Mean Gene" died on Jan. 2 at the age of 76. Okerlund, who was nicknamed "Mean Gene" by wrestler-turned-Minnesota-governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura, started out his broadcasting career by interviewing the stars of the Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association in the '80s before moving to the World Wrestling Federation (later renamed WWE) in 1984. He was also a ringside commentator and an occasional musician. He sang the national anthem at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and even contributed a cover of "Tutti Frutti" to WWE's The Wrestling Album that same year.