2018 saw the passing of several celebrities, political figures, singers and people who made Broadway great. T2C honors those we lost and have made our world just a little dimmer.
Paul Allen (Jan. 21, 1953 – Oct. 15, 2018): The co-founder of Microsoft and the owner of the NFL team the Seattle Seahawks died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Allen and Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975. Allen left the company in 1983 but retained a large percentage of stock that became extremely valuable in the years after the company went public. As of 2018, Allen had a net worth of more than $20 billion. He invested in his passions, including sports teams, the arts and space. Over his lifetime, Allen gave more than $2 billion to various philanthropic causes.
Harry Anderson (Oct. 14, 1952 – April 16, 2018): Best known for his portrayal of Judge Harry Stone in the TV comedy “Night Court”. He is also remembered for his role of Harry “The Hat” Gittes in “Cheers” (1982-93) and was a gifted magician, having done several magic/comedy shows for TV.
Kofi Annan (April 8, 1938 – Aug. 18, 2018): The former United Nations secretary general. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate served the global organization from 1997 to 2006, and is commended for his extensive efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.
LYON, FRANCE – MAY 31. Israeli writer Aharon Appelfeld poses during a portrait session held on May 31 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Ulf Andersen/Getty Images)
Aharon Appelfeld (Feb. 16, 1932 – January 4, 2018): Arguably the world’s greatest writer of fiction about the world’s foremost nonfiction atrocity, the Holocaust. A Holocaust survivor himself and one of the icons of Israel’s first generation, was 85. No writer captured and reclaimed the lost world of European Jewish life with as much imaginative intensity and heartfelt longing.
Ethel Ayler (May 1, 1930 – Nov. 18, 2018): “The Cosby Show” actor died at the age of 88. Ayler, who played Carrie Hanks on “The Cosby Show” (1984-92), was also an established Broadway performer, having worked in projects such as “The Cool World,” “Kwamina,” “Black Picture Show” and “The Little Foxes.”
Gary Beach
Gary Beach (Oct. 10, 1947 – July 17, 2018):Beach won a Tony Award, for his hysterical portrayal of the truly diabolical theater director in the 2001 Mel Brooks’ hit The Producers has died. He reprised his “Springtime For Hitler,” in the 2005 film. he performed roles in the TV series “The John Larroquette Show,” ‘’Murder, She Wrote,” ‘’Saved by the Bell” and “Will & Grace.” He played Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and received a Tony nod. Another Tony nod came for the revival of La Cage aux Folles. His last Broadway show was the final revival of Les Miserables as Thénardier.
Beverly Bentley
Beverly Bentley (Feb, 26, 1930 – Sept. 14, 2018): Had a long and distinguished career in television, film, and theater, beginning during the Golden Age of television in the 1950s, when she appeared regularly on the “Arthur Godfrey Show,” “Beat the Clock” with Bud Collier, “The Big Payoff” with Bess Meyerson, “The Price Is RIght” with Bill Cullen, and such dramatic series as “Naked City,” “The Defenders,” and “Studio One.” She was married to Norman Mailer and starred in The Deer Park and Why Are We in Viet Nam?, Leroi Jones‘ Dutchman and The BIg Knife. Beverly is the mother of actor Steven Mailer and film producer Michael Mailer.
Bernardo Bertolucci (March 16, 1941 – Nov. 26, 2018): The award-winning Italian director died aged 77 at his home in Rome, Italy. He directed movies like “Last Tango in Paris” (1972), the Oscar-winning “The Last Emperor” (1987), “The Sheltering Sky” (1990) and “Me and You” (2012).
Steven Bochco (Dec. 16, 1943 – April 1, 2018): The prolific TV producer and writer winner of multiple Primetime Emmys. Bochco’s most notable works were hit series “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “NYPD Blue.”
Anthony Bourdain (June 25, 1956 – June 8, 2018): The celebrity chef, author and TV personality was shooting an episode for CNN’s “Parts Unknown.” A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he first came to be known for his book “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.”
Linda Brown (1943 – March 26, 2010): rown, who was a schoolgirl at the center of the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case which rejected racial segregation in the country’s schools, died at 75, as confirmed by sister Cheryl Brown Henderson. The case aimed at eradicating federal education laws which condoned segregated schools for black and white students. When Brown’s father Oliver, an assistant pastor, tried to enroll her at the Sumner School in Topeka, Kansas, U.S., the all-white elementary school rejected her application, leading to the lawsuit.
Barbara Bush (June 8, 1925 – April 17, 2018): The former U.S. first lady was the matriarch of a Republican political dynasty — just the second woman in American history to have had a husband and a son elected president (Abigail Adams was the first). Her husband, George H.W. Bush, was vice president to Ronald Reagan for two terms then succeeded him as president. Literacy was her major issue as first lady.
George H.W. Bush (June 12, 1924 – Nov. 30, 2018): The 41st U.S. president died at the age of 94. His presidential term lasted from 1989 to 1993. His sonGeorge W. Bush, was the 43rd president of the U.S.
Rasual Butler (May 23, 1979 – Jan. 31, 2018) and Leah LaBelle (Sept. 8, 1986 – Jan. 31, 2018): The former NBA player and his wife, a finalist in season 3 of “American Idol,” were killed in a car crash in Studio City, California. U.S. Butler played 13 seasons for eight teams in the NBA; his last was with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015-16 season. LaBelle, who was signed to Epic Records, produced hit singles such as “Sexify” and “Lolita.”
Montserrat Caballé (April 12, 1933 – Oct. 6, 2018): The Spanish opera singer was 85. Caballé’s career spanned 50 years. She was best known for the song “Barcelona,” which she performed with Freddie Mercury and later went on to become an anthem for the 1992 Olympic Games held in the city.
Reg E. Cathey (Aug. 18, 1958 – Feb. 9, 2018): Known for his baritone voice, Cathey played the role of Freddy on “House of Cards.” His other notable roles came in “The Wire,” “Oz” and the movie “The Fantastic Four.”
Emma Chambers (March 11, 1964 – Feb. 24, 2018): The “Notting Hill” actress who played Honey, the younger sister of Hugh Grant’s character.
Bill Daily (Aug. 30, 1927 – Sept. 4, 2018): Daily was best known for playing Major Roger Healey in “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70) and Howard Borden on “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78).
Vic Damone (June 12, 1928 – Feb. 11, 2018): Known for hit singles such as “You’re Breaking My Heart,” “On the Street Where You Live” and “My Heart Cries For You”. Aside from his singing career, Damone also acted in a number of films including “Rich, Young and Pretty” and “Deep in My Heart.”
Hugh Dane (Oct. 21, 1942 – May 16, 2018): Best known for his portrayal of Hank the security guard in the American version of “The Office”. Some of his other notable roles were in films and TV series such as “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1991-92), “Roc” (1991-94) and “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” (2015).
Bob Dorough (Dec. 12, 1923 – April 23, 2018): The creator of “Schoolhouse Rock!” upbeat songs such as “Conjuction, Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill” helped his viewers understand math functions, grammar rules and the legislative process.
Dennis Edwards (Feb. 3, 1943 – Feb. 2, 2018): The Temptations’ lead singer who delivered Grammy-winning hits such as “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “Cloud Nine”. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee also had a successful solo career after leaving the Motown group.
Harlan Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018): The award-winning writer, who wrote short stories, novellas and contributed to TV series such as “The Outer Limits” and “Star Trek”.
R Lee Ermey (March 24, 1944 – April 15, 2018): Best known as the gunnery sergeant from the Oscar-nominated “Full Metal Jacket”. Ermey had made a name portraying authority figures in movies such as “Mississippi Burning” (1988) and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (2003, pictured).
Mary Tyler Moore, Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray (Oct. 27, 1920 – Feb. 22, 2018):The 20s child actress who later became a Broadway and movie star. Fabray, won the Emmy and Tony awards, had worked with the likes of Fred Astaire and Sid Caesar during film and television’s Golden Age.
Milos Forman (Feb. 18, 1932 – April 13, 2018): The Czech-born director, who won Oscars for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and “Amadeus” (1984). Forman’s other notable works were the musical “Hair” (1979) and the drama “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996).
Cornelia Frances (April 7, 1941 – May 29, 2018): The Australian actress died at 77 in Sydney from cancer. She was best known for her roles in “Home and Away” (1988-2017) and “Sons and Daughters” (1982-86).
Aretha Franklin Photo by Rose Billings
Aretha Franklin (March 25, 1942 – Aug. 16, 2018): One of the best-selling artists of all time and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Franklin was a musical and cultural icon. The Queen of Soul scored her first big hit in 1967 with a legendary version of Otis Redding’s “Respect.” Over the next decades she topped the charts with “Chain of Fools” (1968), “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (1968) and “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me” (1987), among others.
Eunice Gayson (March 17, 1928 – June 8, 2018): The first Bond girl, starred as Sylvia Trench alongside Sean Connery in the first two Bond movies — “Dr No” (1962) and “From Russia With Love” (1963). Some of Gayson’s other notable movies include “Melody in the Dark” (1949) and “The Revenge of Frankenstein” (1958).
John Gavin (April 8, 1931 – Feb. 9, 2018): “Psycho” actor Gavin was in “Spartacus,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” He was the President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1971 to 1973 and was also appointed the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1981 to 1986.
Lewis Gilbert (March 6, 1920 – Feb. 23, 2018): The director of the Oscar-nominated “Alfie” (1966) and three James Bond films, “You Only Live Twice” (1967), “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977) and “Moonraker” (1979), died at the age of 97.
GIVENCHY
Hubert de Givenchy (Feb. 21, 1927 – March 10, 2018): French designer Hubert de Givenchy created the famous looks for Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy, and was best known for the “little black dress” worn by Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
William Goldman (Aug. 12, 1931 – Nov. 16, 2018): The Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “All the President’s Men” (1976) died at age 87.
Billy Graham (Nov. 7, 1918 – Feb. 21, 2018): Dubbed “America’s Pastor” by former President George W. Bush, Reverend Billy Graham was one of the most influential preachers of the 20th century, he hosted the annual “Billy Graham Crusades” on TV, from 1947 to 2005. He also provided spiritual counsel to every president, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.
Carol Hall
Carol Hall (April 3, 1936 – Oct. 11, 2018): A Drama Desk winner as the composer and lyricist of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Ms. Hall was one of the first women to write both music and lyrics for a Broadway musical, with the 1978 hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Nominated for nine Tony Awards. Ms. Hall first came to prominace writing individual songs for A… My Name Is Alice. She also wrote the sequel The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Paper Moon and the Emmy Award-winning TV special and gold album Free to Be… You and Me.
Barbara Harris
Barbara Harris (July 25, 1935 – Aug, 21, 2018): Ms. Harris was a stage, screen and improv actress and founding member of the Second City improvisational theater. Off-Broadway she stared in Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad, for which she won the 1962 Obie Award for supporting actress, a role which she recreated for the film adaptation. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever led to Bock and Harnick’s, The Apple Tree, which won her a Tony Award. Harris went on to appear in the films Plaza Suite, A Thousand Clowns, Freaky Friday, Robert Altman’s Nashville, Peggy Sue Got Married, and Who Is Harry Kellerman, and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?, for which she received a 1972 Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking (Jan. 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018): The English physicist and mathematician, who made significant contributions to cosmology, despite suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a rare and life-threatening condition. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.
Stephen Hillenburg (Aug. 21, 1961 – Nov. 26, 2018): The American marine biologist and noted cartoonist died aged 57 following a prolonged battle with ALS. He was the creator of the popular animated series, “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) and writer on the popular Nickelodeon series, “Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-96) and “Rugrats” (1997-98).
Tab Hunter (July 11, 1931 – July 8, 2018): The American actor, television host, film producer and author was known as the ‘50s Hollywood Golden Boy. He starred in over 40 films, most notably “The Burning Hills” (1956), “Damn Yankees” (1958), “Grease 2” (1982) and “Polyester” (1981)
Joe Jackson (July 26, 1928 – June 27, 2018): Jackson was the patriarch of the Jackson family.
Georgann Johnson (Aug. 15, 1926 – June 4, 2018): The veteran screen and Broadway actress, is best known for “Midnight Cowboy” (1969). Johnson also starred as the mother of Jane Seymour’s character in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1993-97) and movies such as “The Slugger’s Wife” (1985) and “Blind Date” (1987).
James Karen (Nov. 28, 1923 – Oct. 23, 2018): The actor, known for his role in the films “Poltergeist” (1982) and “The Return of the Living Dead” (1985). In a career spanning over 70 years, Karen made several appearances in both film and television.
Margot Kidder (Oct. 17, 1948 – May 13, 2018): The actress who is best known for playing Lois Lane to Christopher Reeve’s Superman in the original “Superman” films.
Charles Krauthammer (March 13, 1950 – June 21, 2018): The former Fox News commentator and Pulitzer winning conservative columnist.
Robin Leach (Aug. 29, 1941 – Aug. 24, 2018): The celebrity journalist, best known for hosting the TV series “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” (1984-94). He also made guest appearances on TV shows such as “Hotel” (1987), “Nitecap” (1992), “Family Guy” (1999) and “Great News” (2017).
Stan Lee
Stan Lee (Dec. 28, 1922 – Nov. 12, 2018): Writer, editor, publisher, producer, TV host, and former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. He was the co-creator of iconic superhero characters, including Iron Man, Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. He will best be remembered for being the creative visionary who revolutionized the comic book industry.
Judith Leiber
Judith Leiber (Jan. 11, 1921 – April 28, 2018): The famous handbag designer was famous for her whimsical and haute couture bags that were coveted by celebrities.
Sondra Locke (May 28, 1944 – Nov. 3, 2018): The actress and director’s died of cardiac arrest at the age of 74. She was best known for films like “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” (1968), which won her an Oscar nomination, “Bronco Billy” (1980) and “Sudden Impact” (1983). She made her directorial debut with “Ratboy” in 1986.
Gillian Lynne
Dame Gillian Lynne: (Feb. 20, 1926 – July 1, 2018) If you think of the Broadway show Cats, then you think of dancer, director, and choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne. Dame Gillian Lynne went from classical ballet to dancing in theatre, film and television. She created the choreography and or performed for eleven feature films including include A Wonderful Life, Half a Sixpence, Man of La Mancha and Yentl. Gillian was in a film with Errol Flynn, but was uncredited and was the choreographer on The Owl and The Pussy Cat starring Barbra Streisand. On television she directed The Various Ends of Mrs F’s Friends, Easy Money, The Look of Love, The Morte d’Arthur, which won the Samuel G Engel Award in America, and A Simple Man, which won a 1987 BAFTA. She also staged many of The Muppet Shows.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (Sept. 26, 1936 – April 2, 2018): The South African anti-apartheid activist and former wife of Nelson Mandela, known as the “Mother of the Nation”.
John Mahoney (June 20, 1940 – Feb. 4, 2018): The character actor, who played the cranky dad Martin Crane in “Frasier,” was also in “Say Anything,” “Barton Fink,” “The American President,” “Flipped” and recently in “Hot in Cleveland.”
Dorothy Malone (Jan. 30, 1925 – Jan. 19, 2018): The actress, won an Oscar for her role in “Written on the Wind” (1956). She was also known for her performance in the TV series “Peyton Place” and 1992 film “Basic Instinct,” in which she featured as a friend of Sharon Stone’s character.
Robert Mandan (Feb. 2, 1932 – April 29, 2018): Best known for his portrayal of Chester Tate in the popular sitcom “Soap” (1977-81, pictured), madden also starred in several shows such as “Private Benjamin” (1982-83), “Three’s a Crowd” (1984-85) and “The Love Boat” (1978-87). Some of his notable films include “The Carey Treatment” (1972), “Zapped!” (1982) and “The Matchmaker” (1997).
Jerry Maren (Jan. 24, 1920 – May 24, 2018): The American actor, who was the last surviving munchkin from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” died at 98.
Marin Mazzie
Marin Mazzie: (Oct. 9, 1960 – Sept. 13, 2018): Her break out role as “Clara” saw her posing naked in the Stephen Sondheim musical Passion. The show earned her a Tony nominated for best featured actress in a musical. It was the first of three Tony Award nominations. In 1996 she starred Off Off Broadway in The Trojan Women: A Love Story and met the actor Jason Danieley. They married a year later. Jason currently co-stars in Pretty Woman on Broadway. Her next two Broadway appearances also brought her Tony nods. In 1998, she played Mother in the Tony Award winning Ragtime and made the song “Back To Before” a musical theatre classic. She also received a Tony nomination as Best Actress in a Musical. She received another Best Actress nod in the iconic Cole Porter classic Kiss Me, Kate.
Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall (Oct. 15, 1943 – Dec. 17, 2018): The actor and director first made a mark as Laverne in the sitcom “Laverne and Shirley” (1976-83), but she made a more lasting impression as a director. Marshall directed “Big” (1988), which became the first film directed by a woman to gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office. She went on to direct “Awakenings” (1990), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, “A League of Their Own” (1992), and many more films. Marshall died of complications from diabetes at her Hollywood Hills home.
Vivian Matalon
Vivian Matalon (October 11, 1929 _ Aug. 21, 2018)Tony-Winning actor director, last Broadway credit was Temperley’s play Souvenir, with Judy Kaye and Donald Corren, in 2005. Matalon’s first Broadway credit Noël Coward in Two Keys, came to Broadway in 1974, with a cast that included Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. Matalon’s, busiest year on Broadway was 1980, where he briefly had three shows running at once — Morning’s at Seven, the revival of “Brigadoon” and the Arthur Miller play The American Clock. In 1983, he directed the musical The Tap Dance Kid, which earned him a nomination for best direction of a musical, as well as a 1983 revival of The Corn Is Green starring Cicely Tyson.
Al Matthews (Nov. 21, 1942 – Sept. 22, 2018): The “Aliens” actor was was also in “Superman III” (1983), “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997) and “The Fifth Element” (1997). He was also a former U.S. Marine who served in the Vietnam War.
Jan Maxwell
(Nov. 20, 1956 – February 11, 2018): Broadway star, five-time Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk Award winner was last seen on stage in City of Conversation at Lincoln Center, for which she was nominated for 2015 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and Scenes From an Execution for the Potomac Theatre Project at Atlantic Theater’s Stage II. She graced Broadway in Dancing at Lughnasa (1992), A Doll’s House (1997), The Sound of Music (1998) and The Dinner Party (2001). She received her first Tony nomination in 2005 for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 2007 she was nominated for Coram Boy. In 2010 she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Lend Me a Tenor and Best Actress in The Royal Family. In 2012 her portrayal of Phyllis in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies
John McCain (Aug. 29, 1936 – Aug. 25, 2018): The former U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate died at 81, just four days before his birthday. A Vietnam war veteran, he served as an aviator in the navy. He spent over five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. In 2008, he lost the presidential election to Barack Obama. He was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer in July 2017.
Peggy McCay (Nov. 3, 1927 – Oct. 7, 2018): The Emmy-winning actress, portrayed Caroline Brady on “Days of Our Lives” from 1983 to 2016.
Allyn Ann McLerie (Dec. 1, 1926 – May 21, 2018): The actress, worked in Broadway, Hollywood and small screen. She is known for “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” (1969), “The Way We Were” (1973), “Cinderella Liberty” (1973) and “All the President’s Men” (1976).
Donald Moffat (Dec. 26, 1930 – Dec. 20, 2018): The veteran actor died at the age of 87. He died from complications following a recent stroke. Known for his performance in the movies “The Thing” (1982), “The Right Stuff” (1983) and “Clear and Present Danger” (1994), Moffat was also a theater actor and began his career with productions of Shakespeare plays.
Liliane Montevecchi
Liliane Montevecchi (Oct. 13, 1932 – June 29, 2018): Exquisitely French, like the finest vintage champagne. A Prima Ballerina in Paris with the Roland Petit’s dance company. Later becoming an MGM film star. On Broadway Ms. Montevecchi received a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her performance in Tommy Tune’s Nine. She followed that up with another Tune show, Grand Hotel.
Patricia Morrison
Patricia Morison (March 19, 1915 – May 20, 2018): Known for playing the shrewish diva in the original Broadway production of “Kiss Me, Kate” in 1948, the veteran actress and singer died of natural causes at age 103. Morison’s career started as a teen when she was cast in the 1933 production of “Growing Pains” followed by roles in “The Song of Bernadette” in 1943, “Without Love” in 1945, and “The King and I” opposite Yul Brynner in 1954.
Brian Murray
Brian Murray (Sept. 10, 1937 – Aug. 20, 2018) A South African actor and director. His King Lear, earned three Tony Award nominations. His onscreen credits include The Angry Silence, The League Gentlemen, and voice work in Disney’s Treasure Planet and the independent animated feature My Dog Tulip. Murray made his Broadway debut in All in Good Time in 1965 and has gone on to celebrated performances in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Sleuth, Da, Noises Off, The Little Foxes, Twelfth Night, Uncle Vanya, The Crucible, and The Rivals, a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for The Little Foxes, and seven Tony and Drama Desk nominations. He made his directorial debut in 1973 with a revival of The Waltz of the Toreadors and directed productions of Hay Fever, Arsenic and Old Lace, Blithe Spirit, and The Show Off.
Jackson Odell (July 2, 1997 – June 8, 2018): The “Modern Family” actor died at the age of 20 at his home in California. His other notable role was as Ari Caldwell on ABC’s “The Goldbergs” from 2013 to 2015. He was also a singer-songwriter who contributed to the soundtrack of the film “Forever My Girl” (2018).
Alan O’Neill (1971 – June 6, 2018): The “Sons of Anarchy” actor Alan O’Neill, 47, died in his apartment.
Dolores O’Riordan
Dolores O’Riordan (Sept. 6, 1971 – Jan. 15, 2018): The lead singer of the Cranberries. A few of her hit singles include “Linger” and “Zombie.”
Roger Perry (May 7, 1933 – July 12, 2018): The actor, who played Captain John Christopher on the “Star Trek” TV series. Perry acted in several other films and TV series such as “Roller Boogie” (1979), “The Facts of Life” (1981-83), “Falcon Crest” (1982-85) and “Wreckage” (2010).
William Phipps (Feb. 4, 1922 – June 1, 2018): The voice of Prince Charming in the classic Disney film “Cinderella” (1950). Other work includes the films “Crossfire” (1947), “Five” (1951), “Cat-Women of the Moon” (1953) and “The War of the Worlds” (1953).
Charlotte Rae
Charlotte Rae (April 22, 1926 – Aug. 5, 2018): The actress, comedian, singer and dancer died at the age of 92 from bone cancer. Rae is best remembered for her portrayal of Mrs. Garrett in the hit sitcom “The Facts of Life” (1979-86), which she had first portrayed in “Diff’rent Strokes” (1978-84). In a career spanning over six decades, she was a part of films, television and theater, some of her notable appearances being “Bananas” (1971), “Hair” (1979), “Sisters” (1994-95), “ER” (2008), “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” (2008) and “Pretty Little Liars” (2011).
Todd Reid (June 3, 1984 – Oct. 23, 2018): Former Australian tennis prodigy died at the age of 34, Reid won the Wimbledon boy’s singles title. He ranked as the country’s number the player after Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis. In 2005, he was forced to quit the sport after several injuries and a bout of glandular fever.
Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds (Feb. 11, 1936 – Sept. 6, 2018): The beloved actor of the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies and many others in the 1970s, died from cardiac arrest. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Ocscar in 1997 for his performance in “Boogie Nights” and continued to act until his death.
Philip Roth (March 19, 1933 – May 22, 2018): Known for his novels like “The Human Stain” (2000), “The Dying Animal” (2001) and “Indignation” (2008). Roth won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, for “American Pastoral” and was also awarded the American National Medal of Arts in the same year by the National Endowment of the Arts. In 2010, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame for his contributions to literature.
Mark Salling
Mark Salling (Aug. 17, 1982 – Jan. 30, 2018): The former star of the hit show “Glee” was scheduled to be sentenced for child pornography charges on March 7 and faced up to seven years in jail.
Connie Sawyer (Nov. 27, 1912 – Jan. 21, 2018): One of the oldest working actresses of Hollywood, Sawyer died at the age of 105 having over 140 film and TV credits. She was best known for her roles in “The Pineapple Express” and “When Harry Met Sally….” She was also seen in a number of TV shows including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Will & Grace,” “ER” and “How I Met Your Mother.”
Harvey Schmidt (Sept. 12, 1929 – Feb. 28, 2018): The composer of The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical in history.
Ed Schultz (Jan. 27, 1954 – July 5, 2018): Former MSNBC talk show host, brilliant anchor, one of the best TV-journalists in America.
Neil Simon with his Tony Award
Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – Aug. 26, 2018): The playwright and screenwriter died in New York City, at age 91. Simon is known for “The Odd Couple,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Sweet Charity,” “Biloxi Blues” and “Lost in Yonkers” (which won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1991). A three-time Tony Awards winner, he was also presented with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Diana Sowle (June 19, 1930 – Oct. 19, 2018): Sowle, best known for playing Mrs. Bucket in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971), died at the age of 88. Her other film roles include “Guarding Tess” (1994) and “Clear and Present Danger” (1994). Aside from acting, she also ran a free tutoring program for underprivileged children for over two decades in Washington, D.C., U.S.
Kate Spade (Dec. 24, 1962 – June 5, 2018): The New York fashion designer whose namesake handbags were a sensation in the 1990s. Spade branched out to clothing, jewelry, shoes, eyewear, and more. Coach, Inc. acquired the Kate Spade for $2.4 billion in May 2017.
David Ogden Stiers (Oct. 31, 1942 – March 3, 2018): Known for his roles in TV series such as “M*A*S*H” (1977-83) and “The Dead Zone” (2002-07), he was also noted for his voice work in Disney films such as “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “Pocahontas” (1995) and “Lilo & Stitch” (2002).
Jon Paul Steuer (March 27, 1984 – Jan. 1, 2018): The “Star Trek” star and child actor known for the American sitcom “Grace Under Fire” (1993-98).
Vittorio Taviani (Sept. 20, 1929 – April 15, 2018): The Palme d’Or-winning Italian director along with his brother Paolo, the prolific Taviani Brothers worked on movies such as “Padre padrone” (1977), “The Night of the Shooting Star” (1982), “Kaos” (1984) and “Caesar Must Die” (2012).
Verne Troyer (Jan. 1, 1969 – April 21, 2018): Best known for the portrayal of Mini-Me in “Austin Powers” series and Griphook in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001).
Jerry Van Dyke (July 27, 1931 – Jan. 5, 2018): The Emmy-nominated younger brother of actor Dick Van Dyke, Jerry, who portrayed the role of Luther Van Dam in the sitcom “Coach” (1989-97). In a career spanning over five decades, he starred in films like “Love and Kisses” and “Angel In My Pocket.”
Hugh Wilson (Aug. 21, 1943 – Jan. 14, 2018): The “Police Academy” director. Some of his other works include films “Guarding Tess” (1994), “The First Wives Club” (1996) and “Blast from the Past” (1999).
Nancy Wilson (Feb. 20, 1937 – Dec. 13, 2018): After a long illness, the Grammy-winning jazz singer at 81. Wilson had a career spanning more than four decades. Her award-winning albums include “Turned to Blue” and “R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal).” She was also known for the NBC variety series, “The Nancy Wilson Show.”
Tom Wolfe (March 2, 1930 – May 14, 2018): The award-winning author was best known for his nonfiction novel “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” in 1968 and his debut fiction work, 1987’s “The Bonfire of the Vanities.”
Peter Wyngarde (c. 1927 – Jan. 15, 2018): Best known for playing Jason King in the 1970s British police series “Department S”. Some of his other popular shows and films include “The Avengers,” “The Saint,” “The Prisoner,” “The Innocents” and “Flash Gordon.”
Neil Meron and Craig Zadan
Craig Zadan (April 15, 1949- Aug. 20, 2018): Producer on the films Chicago, Hairspray and Gypsy, starring Bette Midler, Footloose and the television show “Smash”. He also brought back the TV musical along with his producing partner Neil Meron. On Broadway, Zadan and Meron produced the revivals of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2011 and Promises, Promises in 2010.
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