PETER FINCH - January 14

He was the mad as hell guy in Network and
won a posthumous Oscar for his performance.
(Age: 60. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

ANAIS NIN - January 14

(Same day as Peter Finch.)
Author of erotica, including Henry and June,
based on her affair with fellow author Henry Miller.
(Age: 73. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

BURT MUSTIN - January 28

Usually played an old guy (even earlier in
his career) from the 1950s through the '70s. 
(Age: 84. C.O.D.: Murdered.)
________________________________________  

FREDDIE PRINZE - January 29

(Day after Bert Mustin.)
Stand-up comic and star of the
hit TV series Chico And The Man. 
(Age: 22. C.O.D.: Suicide by gun due to drug use.)
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ANDY DEVINE - February 18

Acted in dozens of movie and TV
westerns, often played a sidekick. 
(Age: 71. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________  

EDDIE "ROCHESTER" ANDERSON - February 28

Usually performed with comedy great
Jack Benny on both radio, films and TV.  
(Age: 71. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

DIANA HYLAND - March 25

She played the mother of teenagers in
Eight Is Enough. At the time of her
death she was dating teen star John Travolta,
with whom she had co-starred in
The Boy In The Plastic Bubble.
(Age: 41. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

JOAN CRAWFORD - May 10

Almost more famous for being the subject
of the book "Mommie Dearest" than for her acting.
She won an Oscar for Mildred Pierce.
Was also the first wife of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. And had a long affair with Clark Gable.
(Age: 69. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

STEPHEN BOYD - June 2

Played Charlton Heston's competitor in Ben Hur.
(Age: 49. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

MATTHEW GARBER - June 13

Kid actor in Disney movies like Mary Poppins,
and The Three Lives Of Thomasina.
(Age: 21.)
________________________________________  

ALAN REED - June 14

(Day after Matthew Garber.)
Did radio and movies, but became most famous as the
voice of Fred on TV cartoon series The Flintstones.
(Age: 69.)
________________________________________

WERNHER VON BRAUN - June 15

(Day after Alan Reed.)
Physicist widely considered to
be the father of modern rocketry.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist"
to use said rockets to fight stupid wars, but it sure helps!
(Age: 65. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

ELVIS PRESLEY - August 16

Yep, he's pressed, alright.
Groundbreaing singer, musician and movie actor,
who spanned the music scene from rockabilly,
rock 'n' roll, country rock and pop.
(Age: 42. C.O.D.: Heart attack due to drug use.)
________________________________________  

GROUCHO MARX - August 19

"This is the lousiest obit section I've ever read."
Vaudeville performer who with his brothers
went on to make legendary comedy movies
like Duck Soup, Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers, A Day At the Races,
and A Night At The Opera.
He later hosted the long-running
TV game show You Bet Your Life.
(Age: 86.)
________________________________________

SEBASTIAN CABOT - August 23

Actor in TV series fare including Checkmate,
and Family Affair.
(Age: 60. C.O.D.: Brain aneurysm.)
________________________________________

ETHEL WATERS - September 1

Fine singer and actress mainly known for the film Member Of The Wedding.
(Age: 80. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________ 

ZERO MOSTEL - September 8

Appeared in great stuff including The Producers, and
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.
(Age: 62. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________   

BING CROSBY - October 14

Singer and actor in many films, notably
the "Road" series with comedian Bob Hope.
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

GUY LOMBARDO - November 5

It used to be traditional to welcome in the
New Year listening to bandleader Guy Lombardo
and his Royal Canadians play "Olde Lang Syne."
(Age: 75.)
________________________________________  

RICHARD CARLSON - November 24

Did many B-movie suspense and sci-fi films,
including Creature From The Black Lagoon.
Happy Thanksgiving - you're dead!
(Age: 65.)
________________________________________

CHARLIE CHAPLIN - December 25

Genius actor/director who made classic
movies including The Kid, The Gold Rush,
and The Great Dictator.
Married a variety of much younger women,
including Paulette Goddard and Oona O'Neil.
Also the father of Geraldine Chaplin.
Happy Christmas Day - you're dead!
(Age: 88.)
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= WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR THIS YEAR, FOLKS! BUT STAY TUNED - YOU KNOW THE GRIM REAPER AIN'T DONE WITH THOSE CELEBS YET! MEANWHILE, ON THE UPPER RIGHT YOU CAN ALWAYS CHECK OUT THE LIST OF LATE LAMENTED LAYABOUTS FROM OTHER YEARS! ENJOY! =