PAT HARRINGTON JR. - January 6

"Okay, Miz Romano - now I'm history, too.
Truly the end of an era, in a way, ya might say..."
This always pleasant but overly talkative know-it-all
One Day At A Time actor (maybe related to Cliff Claven?)
played Schneider the handyman. He previously performed
on the original Steve Allen Show of the 1950s.
(Age: 86. C.O.D.: Alzheimer's.)
________________________________________

KITTY KALLEN - January 7

Make that Kitty Kroakin'.
(The day after Pat Harrington.
One day after that time - get it?)
Anyway, Kallen was a pop singer whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1960s—to include the Swing Era of the Big Band years, the post-WWII pop scene and the early years of rock 'n roll. She performed with some of the most popular big bands of the 1940s, including those of Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James, before striking out on a solo career. her hits included It's Been A Long, Long Time, Besame Mucho, and Little Things Mean A lot. Between January and November 1945, Kallen had two songs recorded with the Harry James Orchestra in the Top 20, six in the Top 10, and two at the #1 spot.
(Age: 94.)
________________________________________

DAVID BOWIE - January 10

"Ground Patrol to Deceased Dave..."
This offbeat pop-rock icon did albums including Ziggy Stardust,
The Man Who Sold The Moon, and Hunky Dory.
Apparently he did very well with that Moon real estate deal.
But ever since then, the aliens there
haven't let our astronauts go back to it.
(We're talking to you, Edgar Mitchell.)
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Liver cancer.)
________________________________________

ALAN RICKMAN - January 14

Didn't know he was even sick, man.
This actor was best known for playing Professor Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise.
He co-starred in many other films, including our fave - the hit sci-fi spoof Galaxy Quest.
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

DAN HAGGERTY - January 15

We almost couldn't "bear" to see this guy go.
(Day after Alan Rickman.)
He was the star of The Life And Times Of Grizzly Adams.
(And yes, apparently actual bears were somehow involved.)
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

GLENN FREY - January 18

"Wheel comb too dee Hotell Hellafornia..."
Guitarist, vocalist and founder of the
relentlessly mellow rock band The Eagles.
(Age: 67. C.O.D.: Pneumonia.)
________________________________________

WALT "NO NECK" WILLIAMS - January 23

Congrats for hitting the 20th century's
national average lifespan of 72.
Major league baseball player (Chicago White Sox,
Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees).
(Age: 72. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

MIKE MINOR - January 25

Sometimes the Minor leagues ain't too shabby.
Yep, he was that lucky dude acting for many years
with all those hot TV chicks on Petticoat Junction,
The Beverly Hillbillies, and later All My Children.
(Age: 75. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

ABE VIGODA - January 26

Now they can finally have
that big fish fry in the sky.
(Day after Mike Minor.)
Most folks had assumed this Grim Reaper double
was already dead several times, to the point that
even Grimmy himself got confused about it for awhile.
This deadpan (to put it mildly) actor was in
The Godfather, the TV series Barney Miller, and
was also a popular guest on Late Night with
Conan O'Brien.
(Age: 94. C.O.D.: One death report too many.)
________________________________________

SIGNE TOLY ANDERSON - January 28

For whom the bell tolys? It tolys for thee, Toly.
(Same day - and age - as former Airplane bandmate Paul Kantner.)
A well-respected jazz and folk singer, Anderson joined Jefferson Airplane in 1965, singing on the group's first album Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. Left the band and was replaced by Grace Slick. Anderson continued to perform live for almost a decade with Carl Smith And The Natural Gas Company.
(Age: 74.)
________________________________________

PAUL KANTNER - January 28

Paul can't ner anymore.
(Same day - and age - as former Airplane bandmate Signe Toly Anderson.)
Classic hard rock musician (Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship)
and songwriter ("Wooden Ships," etc.). Multiple organ failure got him,
which is strange, since he played guitar, not the organ.
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Organ disorganization.)
________________________________________

BOB ELLIOTT - February 2

Like his partner Ray, both a comedy and an improv genius.
Comedian (radio's Bob and Ray), actor,
and father to comedian Chris Elliott.
Also played the dad on Chris' TV show Get A Life.
Ironically, Bob died on anniversary number 23
of the film Groundhog Day, in which Chris co-starred. So Bob...
Happy Groundhog Day - you're dead!
(Age: 92. C.O.D.: Throat cancer.)
________________________________________

JOE ALASKEY - February 3

(Day after Bob Elliott, and same day as Maurice White.)
Voice actor (Looney Tunes, Rugrats, Casper).
But oddly not from Alaska.
(Age: 63. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

MAURICE WHITE - February 3

(Day after Bob Elliott, and same day as Joe Alaskey.)
Songwriter and rock musician (Earth, Wind & Fire).
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Parkinson's disease.)
________________________________________

DAN HICKS - February 6

(Same day as Edgar Mitchell.)
Singer-songwriter and leader of the
band Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks.
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Liver cancer.)
________________________________________

EDGAR MITCHELL - February 6

(Same day as Dan Hicks.)
Astronaut (Apollo 14).
(Age: 85.)
________________________________________

VANITY - February 15

Prince's pretty protege poops out.
Happy day after Valentine's Day,
or happy Presidents Day -
take your pick - you're dead!
(Age: 57. C.O.D.: Kidney failure.)
________________________________________

HARPER LEE - February 19

(Photo © 1957 by Michael Brown .)
Author of To Kill A Mockingbird,
and Go Set A Watchman, published
over half a century apart.
(Age: 89.)
________________________________________

CHARLIE TUNA - February 19

(Same day as Harper Lee.)
Los Angeles-based rock music radio
DJ personality during the 1960s and '70s.
(Age: 71.)
________________________________________

GEORGE KENNEDY - February 28

Actor (Airport, The Naked Gun).
Won a best supporting actor Oscar
for his role in Cool Hand Luke (1968).
(Age: 91. C.O.D.: Heart disease.)
________________________________________

PAT CONROY - March 4

Author (The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline).
(Age: 70. C.O.D.: Pancreatic cancer.)
________________________________________

JOEY FEEK - March 4

(Same day as Pat Conroy.)
Country singer (Joey + Rory).
(Age: 40. C.O.D.: Cervical cancer.)
________________________________________

NANCY REAGAN - March 6

First Dragon Lady of the United States (1981–1989) and actress
(Donovan's Brain, The Next Voice You Hear).
As Nancy Davis, did Hellcats Of The Navy (1966)
with her future hubby Ronald Reagan.
(Age: 94. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

PAUL RYAN - March 6

(Same day as Nancy Reagan.)
Comic book artist (Fantastic Four, Superman, Iron Man).
(Age: 66. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

RICHARD DAVALOS - March 8

Actor (Cool Hand Luke, Kelly's Heroes).
Played James Dean's brother in East Of Eden.
(Age: 85.)
________________________________________

GEORGE MARTIN - March 8

(Same day as Richard Davalos.)
British Hall of Fame record producer
(The Beatles), composer, arranger and
engineer, six-time Grammy Award winner.
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

ROBERT HORTON - March 9

(Day after Richard Davalos and George Martin.)
Actor (Wagon Train).
(Age: 91.)
________________________________________

KEITH EMERSON - March 10

(Day after Robert Horton.)
British rock keyboardist
(The Nice; Emerson, Lake & Palmer).
(Age: 71. C.O.D.: Suicide by gun.)
________________________________________

BEN EDMONDS - March 11

(Day after Keith Emerson.)
Rock journalist and editor (Creem, 1971–1975),
who discovered Mink DeVille for Capitol Records.
(Age: 65. C.O.D.: Pancreatic cancer.)
________________________________________

FRANK SINATRA JR. - March 16

Singer (That Face!) and actor (Hollywood Homicide).
Son of Frank Sinatra, who once claimed he was
kidnapped, then admitted it was a publicity stunt.
(Age: 72. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

LARRY DRAKE - March 17

(Day after Frank Sinatra Jr.)
Actor (L.A. Law, Darkman,
Dr. Giggles, Johnny Bravo) and
Emmy award winner (1988, 1989).
Happy St. Patrick's Day - you're dead!
(Age: 66.)
________________________________________

JOE SANTOS - March 18

(Day after Larry Drake.)
Actor (The Rockford Files, The Postman, The Last Boy Scout).
(Age: 84.)
________________________________________

PETER BROWN - March 21

Actor (Lawman, Laredo, Foxy Brown -
don't get any ideas... Pam Grier played Foxy).
(Age: 80.)
________________________________________

ROB FORD - March 22

(Day after Peter Brown.)
Politician who was Mayor of Toronto, Canada (2010–2014),
and an admitted alcoholic and crack user.
The Chris Farley of Canadian politics.
(Like if Farley had played the political guy
in Black Sheep, instead of his brother.)
(Age: 46. C.O.D.: Liposarcoma.)
________________________________________

JOE GARAGIOLA - March 23

(Day after Rob Ford.)
Baseball player (Cardinals, Cubs, Pirates) and
Hall of Fame sportscaster (MLB GOTW),
World Series champion (1946).
(Age: 90. )
________________________________________

KEN HOWARD - March 23

(Same day as Joe Garagiola.)
Actor (1776, The White Shadow, J. Edgar),
President of SAG/SAG-AFTRA (2009–2016),
Emmy winner (1981, 2009).
(Age: 71. )
________________________________________

EARL HAMNER JR. - March 24

(Day after Joe Garagiola and Ken Howard.)
Television writer and producer (Falcon Crest,
The Waltons, The Twilight Zone).
(Age: 92. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

GARRY SHANDLING - March 24

(Same day as Earl Hamner Jr.)
Comedian, actor and writer
(The Larry Sanders Show,
It's Garry Shandling's Show,
Captain America: The Winter Soldier).
(Age: 66. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

PATTY DUKE - March 29

Both Lanes Now Closed
Played twin cousins Patty and Cathy Lane
on the hit TV series The Patty Duke Show.
Actress (Valley Of The Dolls, etc.).
Won an Oscar in 1962 for The Miracle Worker,
a biographical movie based on the life of Helen Keller.
The mother of actor Sean Astin (Rudy), and the
former wife of Addams Family star John Astin.
Also President of the Screen Actors Guild (1985-1988).
Attempted suicide several times, due to being
a longtime passenger on the Bi-Polar Express.
(BTW, there are twin sisters, but no twin cousins.)
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Sepsis.)
________________________________________

MERLE HAGGARD - April 6

Well, Merle had been lookin' a lot
more haggard than usual, lately.
Country western singer (Oakie From Must-do-cokie, or whatever).
Happy birthday - you're dead!
(Age: 79. C.O.D.: Pneumonia.)
________________________________________

ANNE JACKSON - April 12

Actress (The Shining, Folks!, Dirty Dingus Magee).
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

DORIS ROBERTS - April 18

"I work all day in the kitchen,
and whado I get? Kack-roaches!"
They must have played her on that horrid TV
ad a million times, and we always hated her in it.
(She later did that Raymond show,
and we didn't exactly love him, either.)
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

CHYNA - April 20

This chick never did learn how to spell China -
and she wasn't even Chinese, which is even dumber.
Wrestler, TV performer and adult film actress.
Hey, at least she had a varied resume.
(Age: 45. C.O.D.: Drug overdose.)
________________________________________

LONNIE MACK - April 21

Chicken picker done got plucked.
This fantastic fretman was a major pioneer of blues rock guitar music, inspiring every great player from Eric Clapton to Keith Richards to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
(Age: 74.)
________________________________________

PRINCE - April 21

Code Blue Rain.
Little Red Coffin - STAT!
The artist formerly known as alive.
(Same day as Lonnie Mack,
and the day after Chyna.)
Found dead in his studio, with his records.
Usually it's the other way around - first he
releases bad records from his studio,
and then they die.
(Certainly not a good year to go by just one name.
Besides Chyna, Prince's protege Vanity also died
this year - on February 15 - and also at age 57.)
(Age: 57. C.O.D.: Drug overdose.)
________________________________________

MADELINE SHERWOOD - April 23

Mother Superior finds things drearier.
Actress (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Flying Nun).
(Age: 93.)
________________________________________

BILLY PAUL - April 24

He and deceased bones.
(Day after Madeline Sherwood. )
R&B singer ("Me And Mrs. Jones" - AKA Meeb Ant Mippip Joe's).
(Age: 81. C.O.D.: Pancreatic cancer.)
________________________________________

DANIEL BERRIGAN - April 30

Collared for a casket.
(Same day as Wayne Crawford.)
Priest, poet, peace activist and ex-convict (Catonsville Nine).
(Age: 94.)
________________________________________

WAYNE CRAWFORD - April 30

(Photo: With co-star Karen Kopins.)
Not so speedy now, huh?
(Same day as Daniel Berrigan.)
Actor, writer and producer (Valley Girl, Jake Speed).
(Age: 69.)
________________________________________

GARY WELSH - May 1

Lawyer, political commentator and blogger.
Happy May day - you're dead!
(Age: 53. C.O.D.: Suspected murder by gunshot.)
________________________________________

WILLIAM SCHALLERT - May 8

Veteran character actor (The Patty Duke Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, In The Heat Of The Night), President of SAG (1979–1981).
(Age: 93.)
________________________________________

JULIUS LA ROSA - May 12

Pop singer ("Anywhere I Wander", "Eh, Cumpari!") and actor (Another World).
(Age: 86.)
________________________________________

DARWYN COOKE - May 14

Comic book artist (Catwoman, The Spirit, DC: The New Frontier).
(Age: 53. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

JULIA MEADE - May 16

Actress (The Ed Sullivan Show, Pillow Talk).
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

MORLEY SAFER - May 19

Actually he couldn't be less safe.
(Same day as Alan Young.)
TV journalist (60 Minutes).
(Age: 84. C.O.D.: Pneumonia.)
________________________________________

ALAN YOUNG - May 19

Make that Alan Really Very Old.
(Same day as Morley Safer.)
Movie star (The Time Machine), TV performer
(Mister Ed) and voice actor (Duck Tales).
(Age: 96.)
________________________________________

MELL LAZARUS - May 24

Lazarus Lowering.
Syndicated cartoonist (Miss Peach, Momma).
(Age: 89.)
________________________________________

JAN CROUCH - May 31

Now that crouch is more like a slouch.
Clone of Tammy Faye Baker has the devil take 'er.
TV evangelist ("televangelist") and broadcasting executive
(Trinity Broadcasting Network) for decades. She already
"spread the word" church-wise during her first season -
the rest was needless overkill. (Yawn.) Her particular
Holy Horrid High Falutin' Hairdo and Maniac Makeup was
almost as crazy as fellow religious nut you-know-who, but not quite.
(Age: 78.)
________________________________________

MUHAMMAD ALI - June 3

Best. Boxer. Ever.
Boxer who began as an Olympic gold medalist (1960), then went on to be a three-time WBC world heavyweight champion (1964, 1974, 1978).
(Age: 74.)
________________________________________

THERESA SALDANA - June 6

Was in the Best. Boxing. Movie. Ever. (Raging Bull.)
Actress (Other than Raging Bull, was also in I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and TV's The Commish.)
(Age: 61. C.O.D.: Renal failure.)
________________________________________

GORDIE HOWE - June 10

Best. Hockey player. Ever.
Canadian Hall of Fame ice hockey super-star (Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Houston Aeros).
(Age: 88.)
________________________________________

ANN MORGAN GUILBERT - June 14

Actress (The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Nanny, Grumpier Old Men).
(Age: 87. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

MARY ANN KING - June 17

Romper Doom.
Popular children's television host (Romper Room). Mary Ann King, who peered through her "Magic Mirror" to host the children's TV show "Romper Room" in Los Angeles, has died. "Romper Room" ran in the United States from 1953 to 1994. King, who locally hosted the show from 1966 to 1976, was known on-air as Miss Mary Ann. The program aired worldwide with different hosts in each locale, but in California the much-beloved Mary Ann King was the undisputed queen.
(Age: 82.)
________________________________________

ANTON YELCHIN - June 19

Rushin' to the end.
(Same day as Alvin Toffler.)
Soviet-born American actor (Star Trek, Alpha Dog, Fright Night).
This outstandingly odd obit is easily one for the Darwin Award archives. (Google it.)
(Age: 27. C.O.D.: Car crash - causing blunt traumatic asphyxia.)
________________________________________

ALVIN TOFFLER - June 27

Indeed we are all shocked that Al died here in the future,
instead of the past. The guy was a regular Nostril Thomas.
Writer and futurist (Future Shock, The Third Wave).
(Age: 87.)
________________________________________

SCOTTY MOORE - June 28

"Well, Scotty Moore
was 84
when they slammed the door
and he hit the floor..."
(Day after Alvin Toffler.)
Guitarist with Elvis Presley's backup band starting in the early days.
(Age: 84.)
________________________________________

MICHAEL CIMINO - July 2

Director and screenwriter (The Deer Hunter, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Heaven's Gate).
(Age: 77.)
________________________________________

NOEL NEILL - July 3

(Day after Michael Cimino.)
Actress in both the original 1940s movie serials and the 1950s TV series of Superman.
(Age: 95.)
________________________________________

NORMAN ABBOTT - July 9

Classic television director (Leave It To Beaver, Welcome Back Kotter, The Jack Benny Program).
(Age: 93.)
________________________________________

GARRY MARSHALL - July 19

Director, producer, writer and actor (Happy Days, Pretty Woman, Murphy Brown.
(Age: 81.)
________________________________________

MARNI NIXON - July 24

Singer (The King And I, West Side Story, My Fair Lady) and actress (The Sound Of Music).
(Age: 86. C.O.D.: Breast cancer.)
________________________________________

JACK DAVIS - July 27

(Same day as Richard Thompson.)
Cartoonist and illustrator (Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, Georgia Bulldogs), co-founder of Mad.
(Age: 91.)
________________________________________

RICHARD THOMPSON - July 27

(Same day as Jack Davis.)
Cartoonist (Cul de Sac).
(Age: 58. C.O.D.: Parkinson's.)
________________________________________

RICCI MARTIN - August 3

Singer and son of Dean Martin.
(Age: 62.)
________________________________________

PETE FOUNTAIN - August 6

Greatest clarinet player next to Benny Goodman.
(Age: 86.)
________________________________________

GLENN YARBROUGH - August 11

Folk singer ("Baby The Rain Must Fall," "It's Gonna Be Fine," "San Francisco Bay Blues").
(Age: 86.)
________________________________________

ARTHUR HILLER - August 17

Film director, writer and actor, who was
also President of AMPAS (1993–1997).
He directed many modern classics, including:
Carpool 1992
Taking Care Of Business 1989
See No Evil, Hear No Evil 1987
Outrageous Fortune 1984
Romantic Comedy 1982
The In-Laws 1976
Silver Streak 1976
W.C. Fields And Me 1975
Man Of La Mancha 1971
The Hospital 1971
Love Story 1970
The Out Of Towners 1969
Penelope 1966
(Age: 92.)
________________________________________

JACK RILEY - August 19

A veteran of The Bob Newhart Show and several Mel Brooks films, he also voiced the popular animated Rugrats TV series character Stu Pickles.
(Age: 80. C.O.D.: Infection from pneumonia.)
________________________________________

STEVEN HILL - August 23

Actor (Mission: Impossible, Law & Order, The Firm).
(Age: 94.)
________________________________________

MARVIN KAPLAN - August 25

Actor (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Alice, The Great Race).
(Age: 89.)
________________________________________

GENE WILDER - August 29

Actor (Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, The Producers), screenwriter and author.
(Age: 83. C.O.D.: Complications from Alzheimer's.)
________________________________________

HUGH O'BRIAN - September 5

Actor (The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Shootist, Twins).
(Age: 91.)
________________________________________

CURTIS HANSON - September 20

Film director and screenwriter (L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile, Wonder Boys), Oscar winner (1998).
(Age: 71. C.O.D.: Fronto-temporal deterioration.)
________________________________________

ARNOLD PALMER - September 25

Best. Golfer. Ever.
Hall of Fame professional golfer.
(Age: 87.)
________________________________________

HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS - September 26

Best. Gore director. Ever.
(Day after Arnold Palmer.)
Film director (Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs).
(Age: 87.)
________________________________________

KEVIN MEANEY - October 21

Stand-up comedian and actor (Big, Uncle Buck TV series).
(Age: 60.)
________________________________________

JACK CHICK - October 23

(Same day as Tom Hayden.)
Cartoonist (Chick tracts) and fundamentalist Christian publisher.
(Age: 92.)
________________________________________

TOM HAYDEN - October 23

(Same day as Jack Chick.)
Writer, politician and activist (Chicago Seven), member of the California State Senate (1992–2000).
(Age: 76.)
________________________________________

BOBBY VEE - October 24

(Day after Jack Chick and Tom Hayden.)
Pop singer ("Rubber Ball", "Take Good Care Of My Baby", "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes") and actor.
(Age: 73. C.O.D.: Alzheimer's.)
________________________________________

KAY STARR - November 3

Singer ("Wheel Of Fortune", "The Rock And Roll Waltz").
(Age: 94. C.O.D.: Alzheimer's.)
________________________________________

LEONARD COHEN - November 7

(Same day as Janet Reno.)
Poet and singer.
(Age: 82.)
________________________________________

JANET RENO - November 7

(Same day as Leonard Cohen.)
Lawyer and politician, U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001).
(Age: 78.)
________________________________________

ROBERT VAUGHN - November 11

Mainly known as Napoleon Solo in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. spy TV series.
(Age: 83. C.O.D.: Leukemia.)
________________________________________

LEON RUSSELL - November 13

Musician.
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Complications from heart attack.)
________________________________________

MOSE ALLISON - November 15

Jazz pianist, singer and songwriter ("Young Man Blues").
(Age: 89.)
________________________________________

RALPH BRANCA - November 23

(Same day as Joe Esposito.)
Pro baseball player (Brooklyn Dodgers, Detroit Tigers).
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

JOE ESPOSITO - November 23

Esposito at right.
(Same day as Ralph Branca.)
Road manager for and close buddy of singer Elvis Presley.
He later also worked as a writer and publisher.
(Age: 78.)
________________________________________

FLORENCE HENDERSON - November 24

(Day after Ralph Branca and Joe Esposito.)
Actress (The Brady Bunch) and singer.
Happy Thanksgiving - you're dead!
(Age: 82. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

FIDEL CASTRO - November 25

(Day after Florence Henderson and same day as Ron Glass.)
Cuban politician, Prime Minister (1959–1976), President (1976–2008).
Happy Black Friday - you're dead!
(Age: 90. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

RON GLASS - November 25

(Day after Florence Henderson and same day as Fidel Castro.)
Actor (Barney Miller, Firefly, Deep Space).
Happy Black Friday - you're dead!
(Age: 71. C.O.D.: Respiratory failure.)
________________________________________

FRITZ WEAVER - November 26

(Day after Fidel Castro and Ron Glass.)
Actor (Fail Safe, Holocaust, The Thomas Crown Affair), Tony winner (1970).
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

JIM DELLIGATTI - November 28

(Same day as Grant Tinker.)
American entrepreneur, creator of the Big Mac, sold by the McDonald's hamburger fast food chain. At his funeral ceremony, they plan to cover him with sesame seeds, and feature between his buns a pickle, two onions, and extra cheese.
(Age: 98.)
________________________________________

GRANT TINKER - November 28

(Same day as Jim Delligatti, of McDonald's Big Mac fame, which features as it's mascot Ronald McDonald, a clown. You know - a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants.) Television studio executive - CEO of NBC (1981–1986). Also the husband of actress Mary Tyler Moore from 1962 to 1981. If you didn't get the clown gag above, then you missed the best episode ever of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
(Age: 90.)
________________________________________

VAN WILLIAMS - November 28

The Green Hornet (Van Williams) at left,
with partner in crime-busting Kato (Bruce Lee).
(Same day as Jim Delligatti and Grant Tinker.)
Mainly known as the star of the 1960s
adventure series The Green Hornet.
A bit earlier than that he had also
starred on the detective show Surfside 6.
Film-wise, he was featured in Tall Story,
The Caretakers, and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.
Our only regret is that the second one
wasn't called The Caretakers Story.
(Age: 83. C.O.D.: Renal failure.)
________________________________________

DON CALFA - December 1

Actor (The Return Of The Living Dead,
Weekend At Bernie's, Me, Myself And I).
(Age: 76.)
________________________________________

BILLY CHAPIN - December 2

(Day after Don Calfa.)
Child actor (The Night of the Hunter).
Also the brother of actress Lauren Chapin
of the TV series Father Knows Best.
(Age: 72.)
________________________________________

GREG LAKE - December 7

Singer and musician (King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer).
His old ELP band mate Keith Emerson
passed away back in March of this year.
Happy Pearl Harbor Day - you're dead!
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

JOHN GLENN - December 8

(Day after Greg Lake.)
American astronaut on Mercury-Atlas 6 (and a Space Shuttle
mission many years later when he was in his 70s).
Was also a politician - U.S. Senator from Ohio (1974–1999).
(Age: 95.)
________________________________________

ALAN THICKE - December 13

Now Al's a whole lot more on the thin side.
Actor (Growing Pains, Not Quite Human), talk show host (The Alan Thicke Show), and songwriter.
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

BERNARD FOX - December 14

(Day after Alan Thicke.)
Welsh-born American actor (played Dr. Bombay on Bewitched,
and Malcolm Meriweather on The Andy Griffith Show.
Also performed in films including Titanic, and The Mummy).
(Age: 89. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

ZSA ZSA GABOR - December 18

("I'm dead at last, dahling!")
Before she'd finally drop, she just had to hit a cop.
Hungarian-born socialite and actress (Moulin Rouge,
Touch Of Evil, Lili, Queen Of Outer Space).
Lotsa people could never stand her, frankly.
So they all had to wait almost 100 years for this day,
which is, all things considered, really kinda hilarious.
(Age: 99. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

GEORGE MICHAEL - December 25

Shown next to "that other guy."
Star of the 1980s Brit pop group Wham.
Merry Christmas - you're dead!
Wait for it... WHAM!
(Age: 53. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

CARRIE FISHER - December 27

Actress (Star Wars, When Harry Met Sally...), novelist and screenwriter (Postcards from the Edge).
(Age: 60. C.O.D.: Heart failure.)
________________________________________

DEBBIE REYNOLDS - December 28

(Day after her daughter Carrie Fisher.)
Singer and actress (Singin' In The Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Irene).
Ironically also did the best ever impression of Zsa Zsa Gabor. (See December 18.)
(Age: 84. C.O.D.: Stroke.)
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WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER - December 31

Actor best known for playing Private Lester Hummel on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. from 1965 to 1968 and Father Mulcahy on the TV series M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983, and its spinoff AfterMASH from 1983 to 1985.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, he was a descendant of famed American silversmith (Revere Ware) and patriot Paul Revere ("The British are coming!"). Ya, that guy who warned us about those advancing rotten Redcoats. Then Chistopher, in his onscreen priestly portrayals, warned us against sinful stuff.
So Father Mul, Happy New Year's Eve - you're dead!
(Age: 84. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
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= WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR THIS YEAR, FOLKS!
BUT STAY TUNED - THE GRIM REAPER
AIN'T DONE WITH THOSE CELEBS YET!
MEANWHILE, AT THE UPPER RIGHT, CHECK OUT
THE LIST OF LATE LAMENTED LAYABOUTS
FROM PAST YEARS! ENJOY! =