RICHARD BOONE - January 10

Film actor who became mainly known
for starring in the hit 1950s western
TV series Have Gun, Will Travel.
(Age: 63. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

BILL HALEY - February 9

Electric guitar pioneer and bandleader
of The Comets, mainly known for the
hit 1950s tune Rock Around the Clock.
(Age: 55. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

JOE LOUIS - April 12

Boxer and longtime heavyweight champion of the world.
(Age: 66. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________    

BOB MARLEY - May 11

Musician/songwriter who became the main promoter of raggae music.
(Age: 36. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________    

ALLEN LUDDEN - June 9

Very well-liked TV game show host,
including College Bowl, but mainly known
for his stint on the classic Password.
Also married to actress Betty White.
(Age: 63. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________    

ROSS MARTIN - July 3

Known mostly as that master of disguise guy
on the TV western series The Wild Wild West.
(Age: 61. C.O.D.: Heart attack.)
________________________________________

HARRY CHAPIN - July 16

Singer/songwriter of the hit Cat's In The Cradle.
(Age: 38. C.O.D.: Car crash.)
________________________________________

PADDY CHAYEFSKY - August 1

Only person ever to win three solo Academy Awards for writing:
Network, The Hospital, and Marty.
(Age: 58. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________  

MELVIN DOUGLAS - August 4

Movie veteran who was also in the popular
Being There, which starred Peter sellers.
(Age: 80.)
________________________________________   

VERA-ELLEN - August 30

Actress and singer in many musicals of the 1940s.
(Age: 65. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

CHIEF DAN GEORGE - September 23

Played Old Lodge Skins in Little Big Man.    
(Age: 82.)
________________________________________ 

ROBERT MONTGOMERY - September 27

Character actor in several films (Here Comes Mr. Jordan)
who also created and hosted The Robert Montgomery Show
on TV during the 1950s. Also the father of Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery.   
(Age: 77.)
________________________________________    

GLORIA GRAHAME - October 5

Gorgeous blonde actress who played
Ado Annie in the film Oaklahoma.    
(Age: 57. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

ANWAR SADAT - October 6

(Day after Gloria Grahame.)
Egyptian president who signed the Camp David accords in 1978.    
(Age: 62. C.O.D.: Assassinated by gun.)
________________________________________  

WILLIAM HOLDEN - November 16

Starred in many well-received movies, including
Picnic, Sabrina, Sunset Blvd., and Network.    
(Age: 63. C.O.D.: Complications from alcohol use.)
________________________________________

HARRY VON ZELL - November 21

Second banana to George Burns and Gracie Allen
on the 1950s comedy TV series The Burns And Allen Show.   
(Age: 75.)
________________________________________  

JACK ALBERTSON - November 25

Co-starred on the 1970s comedy TV series Chico And The Man.   
(Age: 74. C.O.D.: Cancer.)
________________________________________

NATALIE WOOD - November 29

Most beautiful American star during
the second half of the 20th century.
A kid star in Miracle On 34th Street,
and a teen star in Rebel Without A Cause,
she went on to do West Side Story,
Love With The Proper Stranger,
Sex And The Single Girl, The Great Race,
Penelope, Meteor, and Brainstorm.   
(Age: 43. C.O.D.: Drowned.)
________________________________________

HOAGY CARMICHAEL - December 27

Singer/songwriter who also did
some film acting, including Tulsa.
Happy two days after Christmas Day - you're dead!  
(Age: 82.)
________________________________________

= 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! =