Yevgeny Prigozhin rose from being an ex-con and hot dog vendor to winning lucrative Kremlin contracts and heading a formidable mercenary army. But it all came to a when the private plane carrying him and others mysteriously exploded over Russia.
Prigozhin's Aug. 23 death put an exclamation point on what had already been an eventful year for the brutal mercenary leader. His troops brought Russia a rare victory in its grinding war in Ukraine, capturing the city of Bakhmut. But internal friction with Russian military leaders later burst into the open, with Prigozhin briefly mounting an armed rebellion 鈥 the most severe challenge yet to Russian President Vladimir Putin鈥檚 rule.
The rebellion was called off and a deal was struck in less than 24 hours. However, just two months later, Prigozhin joined the list of those who have run afoul of the Kremlin and died unexpectedly.
He was just one of a number of noteworthy people who died in 2023.
The world also said goodbye to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who died Nov. 29. Serving under two presidents, Kissinger's shadow loomed large in the foreign policy arena, prompting both from around the globe. And he continued his involvement in global affairs even in his final months.
Another political figure who died this year was former U.S. first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died Nov. 19. She was the closest adviser to her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, during his one term in the White House and then across four decades of
Others from the world of politics who died this year include: former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; former U.S. senators Dianne Feinstein, James Buckley and James Abourezk; former British treasury chief Nigel Lawson; former Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf; former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O鈥機onnor; former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang; former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari; former New Mexico governor and American ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson; former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver; and former Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
Among the entertainers who left the world this year was singer Tina Turner, who died May 24. Turner's powerful voice and stage presence brought her fame across multiple decades, first with her abusive husband, Ike Turner, in the 1960's and 70's. But after leaving their marriage, she found fame again in the 1980's with her hit 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Love Got to Do With It.鈥
Others in the world of arts and entertainment who died this year include: actors Suzanne Somers, Matthew Perry, Raquel Welch, Richard Belzer, Chaim Topol, Jacklyn Zeman, Lance Reddick, Alan Arkin, Paul Reubens, David McCallum, Richard Roundtree and Tom Sizemore; musicians Jimmy Buffett, Sin茅ad O鈥機onnor, Rita Lee Jones, Burt Bacharach, David Crosby, Fito Olivares, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Astrud Gilberto, Coco Lee and Tony Bennett; civil rights activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte; TV producer Norman Lear; author Cormac McCarthy; filmmaker William Friedkin; TV hosts Bob Barker and Jerry Springer; poet Louise Gl眉ck; guitarist Jeff Beck; fashion designer Mary Quant; wrestler The Iron Sheik; composer Kaija Saariaho; and 鈥淪esame Street鈥 co-creator Lloyd Morrisett.
Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2023 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):
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JANUARY
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, 67. A drummer who backed up his brothers Maurice and Verdine White in the Grammy-winning ensemble Earth, Wind & Fire. Jan. 1.
, 55. A motorsports icon known for his stunt driving and for co-founding the action sports apparel brand DC Shoes. Jan. 2. Snowmobiling accident.
, 90. The last surviving astronaut from the first successful crewed space mission in NASA鈥檚 Apollo program. Jan. 3.
, 91. A British author known for her sharp wit and acerbic observations about women鈥檚 experiences and sexual politics in novels including 鈥淭he Life And Loves Of A She-Devil.鈥 Jan. 4.
, 75. A Republican lawmaker who was the driving force behind Arizona鈥檚 landmark 2010 anti-immigration legislation known as the 鈥渟how me your papers鈥 law. Jan. 5.
, 84. The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who awed critics and readers with his singular art of lyricism and economy, tragic insight and disruptive humor. Jan. 9.
, 51. An ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and one half of the conservative political commentary duo Diamond and Silk. Jan. 8.
, 78. A guitar virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of blues, jazz and rock 鈥榥鈥 roll, influencing generations of shredders along the way and becoming known as the guitar player鈥檚 guitar player. Jan. 10.
, 82. The former and last king of Greece, who won an Olympic gold medal in sailing and spent decades in exile after becoming entangled in his country鈥檚 volatile politics in the 1960s. Jan. 10.
, 56. She was one of an elite group of supermodels who graced magazine covers in the 1980s and 鈥90s and appeared in George Michael鈥檚 鈥淔reedom! 鈥90鈥 music video. Jan. 11.
, 54. The only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father鈥檚 legacy. Jan. 12.
, 60. An American stunt performer who set records with daredevil motorcycle jumps following in the tire tracks of his thrill-seeking father Evel Knievel. Jan. 13.
, 98. He interviewed music acts including the Beatles during a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio that earned him the title of the world鈥檚 longest-working disc jockey. Jan. 13.
, 93. The co-creator of the beloved children鈥檚 TV series 鈥淪esame Street,鈥 which has used empathy and fuzzy monsters like Elmo and Cookie Monster to charm and teach generations around the world. Jan. 15.
, 95. An Italian film legend who achieved international stardom during the 1950s and was dubbed 鈥渢he most beautiful woman in the world鈥 after the title of one of her movies. Jan. 16.
, 74. A member of the Boston Celtics 1981 championship team, a longtime NBA coach and the player credited with scoring the league鈥檚 first 3-point basket. Jan. 17.
, 81. The brash rock musician who evolved from a baby-faced harmony singer with the Byrds to a mustachioed hippie superstar and troubadour in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Sept. 18.
, 75. She was among the most recognizable stars in America in the 1970s and 1980s for her role as Shirley on the beloved sitcom 鈥淟averne & Shirley.鈥 Jan. 25.
, 82. An Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS. Jan. 26.
, 89. She starred in classic British films including 鈥淚ce Cold in Alex鈥 and 鈥淰ictim.鈥 Jan. 27.
, 81. One of Motown鈥檚 founding artists and most gifted songwriters who sang lead on the company鈥檚 breakthrough single 鈥淢oney (That鈥檚 What I Want)鈥 and collaborated with Norman Whitfield on such classics as 鈥淚 Heard It Through the Grapevine,鈥 鈥淲ar鈥 and 鈥淧apa Was a Rollin鈥 Stone.鈥 Jan. 28.
, 73. The guitarist and co-founder of the seminal proto-punk band Television who influenced many bands while playing at ultra-cool downtown New York music venue CBGB alongside the Ramones, Patti Smith and Talking Heads. Jan. 28.
, 84. A Hall of Fame forward who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup Final. Jan. 30.
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FEBRUARY
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, 88. The Spanish-born designer known for perfumes sold worldwide but who made his name with metallic space-age fashions that put a bold, new edge on catwalks. Feb. 3.
, 95. The man who former Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot while they were hunting quail on a Texas ranch more than 17 years ago. Feb. 4.
, 95. A Buddhist abbot who established a thriving religious community in southern Taiwan and built universities overseas. Feb. 5.
, 79. The general who seized power in a bloodless coup and later led a reluctant Pakistan into aiding the U.S. war in Afghanistan against the Taliban. Feb. 5.
, 94. The singularly gifted and popular composer who delighted millions with the quirky arrangements and unforgettable melodies of 鈥淲alk on By,鈥 鈥淒o You Know the Way to San Jose鈥 and dozens of other hits. Feb. 8.
, 91. Spain鈥檚 celebrated filmmaker who earned three Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film during his seven-decade career. Feb. 10.
, 86. A British filmmaker who debuted as a feature director with the Oscar-winning Olympics drama 鈥淐hariots of Fire鈥 and made other well-regarded movies including 鈥淢y Life So Far鈥 and the Oscar-nominated 鈥淕reystroke.鈥 Feb. 10.
, 95. He served as East Germany鈥檚 last communist leader during a turbulent tenure that ended in the country鈥檚 first and only free election. Feb. 11.
, 54. Widely known as Trugoy the Dove, he was one of the founding members of the Long Island hip hop trio De La Soul. Feb. 12.
, 89. A beloved New Orleans session musician who backed Little Richard, Lloyd Price and other early rock stars, and with his own group made the party favorites 鈥淒on鈥檛 You Just Know It鈥 and 鈥淩ockin鈥 Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu.鈥 Feb. 13.
, 85. The anime creator known for 鈥漇pace Battleship Yamato鈥 and other classics using a fantastical style and antiwar themes. Feb. 13.
, 82. Her emergence from the sea in a skimpy, furry bikini in the film 鈥淥ne Million Years sa国际传媒鈥 propelled her to international sex symbol status in the 1960s and 鈥70s. Feb. 15.
, 81. The All-Star catcher and Hall of Fame broadcaster who during 60 years in baseball won two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals and had a long run as one of the country鈥檚 most recognized, incisive and talkative television commentators. Feb. 16.
, 84. A prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewis鈥檚 affection in 鈥淭he Nutty Professor.鈥 Feb. 17.
, 78. The longtime stand-up comedian who became one of TV鈥檚 most indelible detectives as John Munch in 鈥淗omicide: Life on the Street鈥 and 鈥淟aw & Order: SVU.鈥 Feb. 19.
, 85. A former Palestinian prime minister and one of the architects of interim peace deals with Israel. Feb. 22.
, 92. A South Dakota Democrat who grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, became the first Arab American U.S. senator and was known for his quick wit as he advocated for populist causes. Feb. 24.
, 93. The first female speaker of Britain鈥檚 House of Commons. Feb. 26.
, 93. A skilled swimmer best known for his underwater role as the Gill Man in the quintessential 3D black-and-white 1950s monster movie 鈥淐reature from the Black Lagoon.鈥 Feb. 27.
, 88. A former interim prime minister of Haiti who helped rebuild and unite the country after a violent coup in the mid-2000s. Feb. 27.
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MARCH
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, 89. The French soccer great who scored a record 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup. March 1.
, 96. The first woman to run the U.S. Census Bureau and its leader during the contentious debate over how to compensate for undercounts of minority groups in the 1990 census. March 2.
, 61. The 鈥淪aving Private Ryan鈥 actor whose bright 1990s star burned out under the weight of his own domestic violence and drug convictions. March 3.
, 88. The Nobel literature laureate whose darkly poetic novels were built from his childhood memories during Japan鈥檚 postwar occupation and from being the parent of a disabled son. March 3.
, 75. A renowned activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of people with disabilities. March 4.
, 71. A co-founder and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who helped write the classic answer song 鈥淪weet Home Alabama鈥 and played unforgettable slide guitar on the rock anthem 鈥淔ree Bird.鈥 March 5.
, 65. A trailblazing New Zealand politician who in 1999 became the world鈥檚 first openly transgender member of Parliament. March 6.
, 103. She was the last known survivor of a German group known as the White Rose that actively resisted the Nazis. March 6.
, 85. A monumental Navajo Nation leader who guided the tribe through a politically tumultuous era and worked tirelessly to correct wrongdoings against Native Americans. March 7.
, 87. A leading Israeli actor who charmed generations of theatergoers and movie-watchers with his portrayal of Tevye, the long-suffering and charismatic milkman in 鈥淔iddler on the Roof.鈥 March 8.
, 89. The Emmy award-winning performer who went from acclaim for his acting to notoriety when he was tried and acquitted in the killing of his wife. March 9.
, 91. A Chinese military doctor who revealed the full extent of the 2003 SARS outbreak and was later placed under house arrest for his political outspokenness. March 11.
, 95. The stoic and demanding Hall of Fame coach who took the Minnesota Vikings and their mighty Purple People Eaters defense to four Super Bowls in eight years and lost all of them. March 11.
, 76. The lanky leaper who revamped the technical discipline of high jump and won an Olympic gold medal with his 鈥淔osbury Flop.鈥 March 12.
, 82. A pioneer for women鈥檚 and family rights in Congress. March 13.
, age unknown. A smooth-voiced South African jazz musician who was lauded for her contribution to the country鈥檚 music industry in a career spanning more than two decades. March 14.
, 62. She helped make lingerie and sex toys a female-friendly mainstream business as head of Britain鈥檚 Ann Summers chain. March 16.
, 60. A character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including 鈥淭he Wire,鈥 鈥矲ringe鈥 and the 鈥淛ohn Wick鈥 franchise. March 17.
, 86. The former U.S. congressman was a colorful politician who was convicted in the Abscam bribery scandal in the late 1970s and whose wife talked to Playboy about an in-session dalliance on the U.S. Capitol steps. March 17.
, 75. A Tejano musician known for songs that were wedding and quinceanera mainstays, including the hit 鈥淛uana La Cubana.鈥 March 17.
, 80. He dramatically emerged from the locker room minutes before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals to spark the New York Knicks to their first championship and create one of sports鈥 most enduring examples of playing through pain. March 21.
, 92. The iconic drag queen who was crowned the world鈥檚 oldest working drag performer in 2016 by the Guinness Book of World Records. March 23.
, 67. An entertainer who achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television. March 28.
, 71. A world-renowned Japanese musician and actor who composed for Hollywood hits such as 鈥淭he Last Emperor鈥 and 鈥淭he Revenant.鈥 March 28.
, 99. A bridal industry pioneer and Holocaust survivor who decided over a half century ago that brides deserved better than cookie-cutter dresses. March 29.
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APRIL
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, 91. The tax-cutting U.K. Treasury chief under the late Margaret Thatcher and a lion of Conservative politics in the late 20th century. April 3.
, 103. The last living prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials, who tried Nazis for genocidal war crimes and was among the first outside witnesses to document the atrocities of Nazi labor and concentration camps. April 7.
, 86. An advocate of equal rights and the environment who was the first woman elected to Switzerland鈥檚 seven-member executive branch. April. 7.
, 81. The Brooklyn-born character actor who played a myriad of imposing figures in his 60 years in the business, including monologuing movie mogul Jack Lipnick in 鈥淏arton Fink,鈥 the crooked club owner Bugsy Calhoun in 鈥淗arlem Nights鈥 and an angry publishing executive in 鈥淓lf.鈥 April 8.
, 84. The best-selling crime novelist known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk detective series, and for her own murderous past that inspired the movie 鈥淗eavenly Creatures.鈥 April 10.
, 102. Mad magazine鈥檚 award-winning cartoonist and ageless wise guy who delighted millions of kids with the sneaky fun of the Fold-In and the snark of 鈥淪nappy Answers to Stupid Questions.鈥 April 10.
, 93. The visionary fashion designer whose colorful, sexy miniskirts epitomized Swinging London in the 1960s and influenced youth culture around the world. April 13.
, 90. A prominent televangelist who once led the Southern Baptist Convention. April 18.
, 92. A wealthy Republican businessman who served two terms as Los Angeles mayor and steered the city through the Northridge earthquake and the recovery from the deadly 1992 riots. April 19.
, 66. He led the Roundabout Theatre Company from an off-off-Broadway company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy into a major theatrical force with works on five stages 鈥 including three Broadway theaters 鈥 and dozens of Tony Awards. April 19.
, 89. A Tony Award-winning comedian internationally renowned for his garish stage persona Dame Edna Everage, a condescending and imperfectly-veiled snob whose evolving character delighted audiences over seven decades. April 22.
, 78. A long-serving judge on 鈥淒ancing with the Stars鈥 and 鈥淪trictly Come Dancing鈥 who helped revive interest in ballroom dancing on both sides of the Atlantic. April 22.
, 96. The civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world. April 25.
, 88. The white woman who accused Black teenager Emmett Till of making improper advances leading to his lynching in Mississippi in 1955. April 25.
, 79. The onetime mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional guests willing to bare all 鈥 sometimes literally 鈥 as they brawled and hurled obscenities before a raucous audience. April 27.
, 81. He emerged from a two-decade career as an Air Force surgeon to become one of the best-known late-term abortion providers in the United States. April 28.
, 73. He helped integrate high school basketball in Georgia before playing for the Harlem Globetrotters and becoming a county commissioner in his native Savannah. April 29.
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MAY
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, 84. The legendary folk singer-songwriter known for 鈥淚f You Could Read My Mind鈥 and 鈥淪undown鈥 and for songs that told tales of Canadian identity. May 1.
, 32. The sprinter who won three Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. May 2. Complications of childbirth.
, 73. A hard-throwing left-hander who became one of baseball鈥檚 biggest draws in the early 1970s and helped lead the brash A鈥檚 to three straight World Series titles before his career was derailed by drug problems. May 6.
, 86. A pioneering mezzo-soprano who became the first Black singer to perform at Germany鈥檚 Bayreuth Festival during a more than three-decade career on the world鈥檚 top stages. May 7.
, 75. Brazil鈥檚 million-selling 鈥淨ueen of Rock鈥 who gained an international following through her colorful and candid style and such hits as 鈥淥velha Negra,鈥 鈥淢ania de Voc锚鈥 and 鈥淣ow Only Missing You.鈥 May 8.
, 86. He won two NCAA men鈥檚 basketball championships and built Louisville into one of the 1980s鈥 dominant programs during a Hall of Fame coaching career. May 9.
, 47. Known as Dooce to fans, the pioneering mommy blogger laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her website and on social media. May 9.
, 70. She played Bobbie Spencer for 45 years on ABC鈥檚 鈥淕eneral Hospital.鈥 May 9.
, 93. The veteran entertainer whose decades-long career as a family favorite on British and Australian television was shattered when he was convicted of sexual assaults on young girls. May 10.
, 96. The shocking and influential avant-garde artist who defied sexual and religious taboos in short films such as 鈥淪corpio Rising鈥 and 鈥淔ireworks,鈥 and dished the most lurid movie star gossip in his underground classic 鈥淗ollywood Babylon.鈥 May 11.
, 89. One of the most influential poker players of all time and a two-time world champion. May 14.
, 87. The pro football Hall of Famer was an unstoppable running back who retired at the peak of his career to become an actor as well as a prominent civil rights advocate during the 1960s. May 18.
, 72. A pastor and best-selling author who founded the influential Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. May 19.
, 59. Bass guitarist of The Smiths, one of the most influential British bands of the 1980s. May 19.
, 58. The Irish actor who played the villainous British governor in 鈥淩RR,鈥 an Asgardian warrior in the 鈥淭hor鈥 films, and a member of the 13th Legion in HBO鈥檚 鈥淩ome.鈥 May 21.
, 95. The youngest member of the popular 1950s singing group the Ames Brothers, who later became a successful actor in television and musical theater. May 21.
, 83. The unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and 鈥70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Love Got to Do With It.鈥 May 24.
, 94. A stage-trained actor with rough-hewn good looks who became an icon to American youth in the 1960s as he cruised the country in a Corvette convertible in the hit television series 鈥淩oute 66.鈥 May 24.
, 87. The retired Phoenix police captain was the arresting officer in the landmark case partially responsible for the Supreme Court鈥檚 Miranda rights ruling that requires suspects be read their rights. May 29.
, 79. The veteran character actor who played a kindly school bus driver on the TV drama 鈥淓verwood鈥 and appeared in dozens of films dating back to the 1980s. May 30.
, 84. A former Greek foreign minister known for his undiplomatic outbursts and on whose watch Greece suffered one of its most embarrassing foreign policy debacles in 1999. May 31.
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JUNE
___
, 70. She wrote acclaimed works that made her the among the most prominent composers of the 21st century. June 2.
, 73. The Grammy-winning pianist who blended jazz, classical, folk and other stylings on such million-selling albums as 鈥淎utumn,鈥 鈥淲inter Into Spring鈥 and 鈥淒ecember.鈥 June 4.
, 83. The Brazilian singer, songwriter and entertainer whose off-hand, English-language cameo on 鈥淭he Girl from Ipanema鈥 made her a worldwide voice of bossa nova. June 5.
, 79. A former FBI agent who took more than $1.4 million in cash and diamonds to trade secrets with Moscow in one of the most notorious spying cases in American history. June 5.
, 90. A visionary and imperious executive at Simon & Schuster who in bold-faced style presided over the publisher鈥檚 exponential rise during the second half of the 20th century and helped define an era of consolidation and growing corporate power. June 6.
, 101. A prolific and acclaimed painter who created art for more than a half-century but was nonetheless more famous for her turbulent relationship with Pablo Picasso 鈥 and for leaving him. June 6.
, 81. A former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly, bombastic villain in 1980s battles with some of the sport鈥檚 biggest stars and later became a popular Twitter personality. June 7.
, 93. A religious broadcaster who turned a tiny Virginia station into the global Christian Broadcasting Network, tried a run for president, and helped make religion central to Republican Party politics in America through his Christian Coalition. June 8.
, 81. Branded the 鈥淯nabomber鈥 by the FBI, he was the Harvard-educated mathematician who retreated to a shack in the Montana wilderness and ran a 17-year bombing campaign that killed three people and injured 23 others. June 10.
, 88. The scientist who spurred a worldwide environmental conservation movement with his discovery that whales could sing. June 10.
, 86. The boastful billionaire media mogul who was Italy鈥檚 longest-serving premier despite scandals over his sex-fueled parties and allegations of corruption. June 12.
, 71. An actor whose nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series 鈥淓verwood鈥 and the movie 鈥淗air.鈥 June 12. Motorcycle crash.
, 89. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who in prose both dense and brittle took readers from the southern Appalachians to the desert Southwest in novels including 鈥淭he Road,鈥 鈥淏lood Meridian鈥 and 鈥淎ll the Pretty Horses.鈥 June 13.
, 87. A two-time Academy Award-winning performer who had a second career as a British lawmaker before an acclaimed late-life return to stage and screen. June 15.
, 92. The history-making whistleblower who by leaking the Pentagon Papers revealed longtime government doubts and deceit about the Vietnam War and inspired acts of retaliation by President Richard Nixon that helped lead to his resignation. June 16.
, 48. A popular Texas rapper and original member of Houston鈥檚 pioneering Screwed Up Click. June 18.
, 68. The former pitcher was a World Series champion who had a nearly three-decade run as a television broadcaster. June 19.
, 94. The federal judge who freed boxer Rubin 鈥淗urricane鈥 Carter and in a landmark case famously said tobacco companies engaged in a 鈥渧ast鈥 conspiracy to conceal the dangers of smoking. June 20.
, 93. A charismatic politician who is considered the mother of the modern Scottish independence movement. June 21.
, 99. A Tony- and Grammy Award-winning lyricist who with composer Jerry Bock made up the premier musical-theater songwriting duos of the 1950s and 1960s with shows such as 鈥淔iddler on the Roof,鈥 鈥淔iorello!鈥 and 鈥淭he Apple Tree.鈥 June 23.
, 100. He shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work developing the lithium-ion battery that transformed technology with rechargeable power for devices ranging from cellphones, computers, and pacemakers to electric cars. June 25.
, 96. She donated $10 million to the Feminist Majority Foundation, which she co-founded and pushed to bring the most common method of abortion to the United States. June 25.
, 93. A nurse who became a popular TV sex expert in sa国际传媒 and the United States when she was in her 60s. June 28.
, 89. The wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in everything from farcical comedy to chilling drama, receiving four Academy Award nominations and winning an Oscar in 2007 for 鈥淟ittle Miss Sunshine.鈥 June 29.
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JULY
___
, 91. A former top Communist Party figure who acted as an envoy to pro-democracy protesters in Beijing鈥檚 Tiananmen Square in 1989 and was forced out after the protests were crushed. July 3.
, 70. An American businessman known for his enthusiastic ownership of the English soccer team Millwall. July 4. Car crash.
, 48. A Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter who had a highly successful career in Asia. July 5.
, 76. The suspect in the 1982 Tylenol poisonings that killed seven people in the Chicago area, triggered a nationwide scare and led to an overhaul in the safety of over-the-counter medication packaging. July 9.
, 44. A Hawaii surfer known for shooting awe-inspiring photos and videos from the inside of massive, curling waves. July 9. Surfing accident.
, 77. A pianist whose televised debut with the New York Philharmonic as a 16-year-old in 1963 launched an international career of more than a half-century. July 12.
, 76. An actor and singer who made France her home and charmed the country with her English grace, natural style and social activism. July 16.
, 59. His pioneering antics tricking employees in the 1980s and 1990s into helping him steal software and services from big phone and tech companies made him the most celebrated U.S. hacker. July 16.
, 96. The eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as 鈥淚 Left My Heart In San Francisco鈥 graced a decadeslong career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. July 21.
, 80. He was an organizer in the 鈥淧eanut Brigade鈥 that helped elect his cousin Jimmy to the White House and later enforced the president鈥檚 frugal ways in the West Wing. July 23.
, 56. The gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s was as much known for her private struggles and provocative actions as her fierce and expressive music. July 26.
, 77. A founding member of the Eagles who added high harmonies to such favorites as 鈥淭ake It Easy鈥 and 鈥淭he Best of My Love鈥 and stepped out front for the waltz-time ballad 鈥淭ake It to the Limit.鈥 July 26.
, 70. The actor and comedian whose Pee-wee Herman character 鈥 an overgrown child with a tight gray suit and an unforgettable laugh 鈥 became a 1980s pop cultural phenomenon. July 30.
, 25. The actor who starred as the drug dealer Fezco 鈥淔ez鈥 O鈥橬eill on the HBO series 鈥淓uphoria.鈥 July 31.
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AUGUST
___
, 71. The New Jersey lieutenant governor rose to become one of the state's most prominent Black leaders and passionately advocated for revitalizing cities and against gun violence. Aug. 1.
, 83. The Emmy-nominated actor who played murderous former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in 鈥淏reaking Bad鈥 and then in the prequel 鈥淏etter Call Saul.鈥 Aug. 3.
, 87. The Oscar winning director who became a top filmmaker in his 30s with the gripping 鈥淭he French sa国际传媒ion鈥 and the horrifying 鈥淭he Exorcist鈥 and struggled in the following decades to match his early success. Aug. 7.
, 81. He lived in obscurity as his music career flamed out early in the U.S. only to find success in South Africa and a stardom of which he was unaware. Aug. 8.
, 80. The Band鈥檚 lead guitarist and songwriter who in such classics as 鈥淭he Weight鈥 and 鈥淯p on Cripple Creek鈥 mined American music and folklore and helped reshape contemporary rock. Aug. 9.
, 95. The lyricist, director and writer of 鈥淭he Fantasticks,鈥 the longest-running musical in history. Aug. 11.
, 50. The rapper known for his work in the hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo and hit song 鈥淯p Jumps da Boogie鈥 featuring Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. Aug. 13.
, 92. The judicious manager, entrepreneur, facilitator and adviser who helped launch or guide the careers of Quincy Jones, Bill Withers and many others and was known as the 鈥淏lack Godfather鈥 of music and beyond. Aug. 13.
, 88. An esteemed Native American leader from Wisconsin and the first woman to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Aug. 15.
, 88. A music industry giant who co-founded A&M Records with Herb Alpert and rose from a Los Angeles garage to the heights of success with hits by Alpert, the Police, the Carpenters and hundreds of other performers. Aug. 16.
, 88. The renowned British broadcaster who interviewed some of the world鈥檚 most famous celebrities of the 20th century from Muhammad Ali to Miss Piggy. Aug. 16.
, 87. A legendary Czech music critic who introduced Western music to generations of listeners behind the Iron Curtain and became one of the voices of the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution. Aug. 17.
, 75. Convicted in a 1973 murder, she spent 25 years in prison before being exonerated on the basis of new evidence. Aug. 17.
, 100. The former New York senator was an early agitator for then-President Richard Nixon鈥檚 resignation and winner of a landmark lawsuit challenging campaign spending limits. Aug. 18.
, 82. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur and computer scientist who helped invent the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems. Aug. 19.
, 66. A veteran stage actor who won two Emmy Awards for his role as a long-lost father who finds redemption on the NBC television drama series 鈥淭his Is Us.鈥 Aug. 19.
, 84. A retired Catholic bishop who acknowledged covering up allegations of sexual abuse in his upstate New York diocese and later married a woman in a civil ceremony. Aug. 19.
, 62. As head of the Wagner Group, he made his name as a profane and brutal mercenary boss before mounting an armed rebellion that was the most severe and shocking challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin鈥檚 rule. Aug. 23. Plane crash.
, 99. The enduring, dapper game show host who became a household name over a half century of hosting 鈥淭ruth or Consequences鈥 and 鈥淭he Price Is Right.鈥 Aug. 26.
, 49. He was thrust into the political spotlight as 鈥淛oe the Plumber鈥 after questioning Barack Obama about his economic policies during the 2008 presidential campaign. Aug. 27.
, 91. The Pro Football Hall of Fame member was the player personnel director alongside the stoic, fedora-wearing coach Tom Landry and media-savvy general manager Tex Schramm as part of the trio that built the Dallas Cowboys into 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Team鈥 in the 1970s. Aug. 31.
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SEPTEMBER
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, 76. The singer-songwriter who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song 鈥淢argaritaville鈥 and turned that celebration of loafing into a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions. Sept. 1.
, 75. A two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and an American ambassador to the United Nations who dedicated his post-political career to working to secure the release of Americans detained by foreign adversaries. Sept. 1.
, 56. The longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth that was behind the megahit 鈥淎ll Star.鈥 Sept. 4. Acute liver failure.
, 84. The Israeli spymaster who was credited with advancing Israel鈥檚 historic peace treaty with Jordan during his term as director of the Mossad intelligence agency. Sept. 5.
, 79. The cloning pioneer whose work was critical to the creation of Dolly the Sheep in 1996. Sept. 9.
, 95. The controversial South African politician and traditional minister of the Zulu ethnic group. Sept. 9.
, 91. He coached Eastern Kentucky to two NCAA Division I-AA football championships in a Hall of Fame career. Sept. 12.
, 83. He revived the spectacular in Japanese Kabuki theater to woo younger and global audiences. Sept. 13.
, 65. A Broadway character actor who shined in zany, feel-good musicals and won a Tony Award for 鈥淣ice Work If You Can Get It.鈥 Sept. 14.
, 91. A renowned Colombian painter and sculptor whose depictions of people and objects in plump, exaggerated forms became emblems of Colombian art around the world. Sept. 15.
, 98. The first former Communist to rise to Italy鈥檚 presidency and the first person to be elected twice to the mostly ceremonial post. Sept. 22.
, 61. A convicted mastermind of some of the Sicilian Mafia鈥檚 most heinous slayings, Italy鈥檚 No. 1 fugitive was captured after decades on the run. Sept. 25. Died in a prison hospital.
, 90. The actor who became a teen heartthrob in the hit series 鈥淭he Man From U.N.C.L.E.鈥 in the 1960s and was the eccentric medical examiner in the popular 鈥淣CIS鈥 40 years later. Sept. 25.
, 90. A centrist Democrat from California and champion of liberal causes who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics. Sept. 28.
, 82. The Irish-born actor knighted for his storied career on the stage and screen who gained admiration from a new generation of moviegoers with his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight 鈥淗arry Potter鈥 films. Sept. 28.
, 98. A renowned agricultural scientist who revolutionized India鈥檚 farming and was a key architect of the country鈥檚 鈥淕reen Revolution.鈥 Sept. 28.
, 85. A prominent Egyptian-American academic and pro-democracy activist during the reign of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Sept. 29.
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OCTOBER
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, 57. The knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year. Oct. 1.
, 80. A Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears whose speed and ferocity set the standards for the position in the modern era. Oct. 5.
, 61. A chef known for his Italian-inspired Californian restaurants who won an Emmy Award for best host for 鈥淓asy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello鈥 and appeared on Bravo鈥檚 鈥淭op Chef鈥 and 鈥淭op Chef Masters.鈥 Oct. 6. Allergic reaction that resulted in anaphylactic shock.
, 83. The Oscar-nominated actor who played Paulie, the rough-hewn, mumbling-and-grumbling best friend, corner-man and brother-in-law to Sylvester Stallone in the 鈥淩ocky鈥 franchise. Oct. 8.
, 102. He was the youngest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre and spent his latter years pursuing justice for his family and other descendants of the attack on 鈥淏lack Wall Street.鈥 Oct. 9.
, 82. The author, commentator and political strategist whose landmark book, 鈥淭he Emerging Republican Majority,鈥 became a blueprint for GOP thinking in the 1970s and beyond. Oct. 9
, 100. The author and activist whose coming-of-age novel 鈥淒addy Was a Number Runner鈥 is widely regarded as a groundbreaking and vital portrait
