Dawn Wells, the actress who played Mary Ann Summers on the hit TV show “Gilligan’s Island,” died in Los Angeles at the age of 82 due to complications from COVID-19. She won the 1959 Miss Nevada crown and represented the state at the Miss America pageant. She appeared in episodes of TV shows such as “Maverick” and “Bonanza,” before landing the role of Mary Ann in “Gilligan’s Island” from 1964 to 1967. For the 50th anniversary of the show in 2014, she wrote a book, “What Would Mary Ann Do?: A Guide To Life.” Wells starred in a spinoff series, “Rescue From Gilligan’s Island,” in 1978.

Revolutionary fashion designer Pierre Cardin, turned the fashion world upside down, creating for the masses when couture was aimed at the rich. His futuristic, ready-to-wear clothing and product lines were ahead of their time, influenced by geometric shapes and materials that made them more architectural. Born in Italy, but raised in France, his designs were worn all over the world - from Russia to Japan - and by celebrities from Lauren Bacall to the Beatles. <br><br>Pierre Cardin poses with two fashion models in 1979.

Ann Reinking, a Tony Award-winning choreographer, dancer and actor, performed on Broadway for almost three decades. She was known for playing Roxie Hart in the musical "Chicago," a role which earned her a Tony in 1997. Reinking collaborated with Bob Fosse for 15 years. She was described by Fosse as "one of the finest dancers in the jazz-modern idiom. Reinking died Dec. 12, 2020, in Seattle, according to her manager. She was 71.<BR><BR>Reinking in the film "All That Jazz" in 1979.

Acclaimed British spy novelist John le Carre wrote thrillers such as "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." His real name was David Cornwell but was required to write under a pen name as an intelligence officer with the British Foreign Service. Inspired by his work with spies behind the Iron Curtain, he began writing Cold War spy novels and developed the iconic character George Smiley. His post-Cold War novels included "The Night Manager" and "The Constant Gardener." Many of his stories were adapted for TV and movies. Le Carre, died on Dec. 12 of pneumonia.

Charley Pride, the pioneering Black country music legend who topped the charts with dozens of songs, has died at 86 due to complications from COVID-19 in Dallas. Born in Sledge, Miss., Pride took to music early, but was also a talented baseball player. He played in the Negro Leagues for the Memphis Red Sox as a pitcher, stepping away from the sport to serve in the Army. He signed with RCA in 1965 - the same label as Elvis Presley - and became the label's top-selling country music artist.<br><br> Charley Pride performs circa 1975

The American aviation legend Charles "Chuck" Yeager was the first pilot to break the sound barrier in 1947. Yeager flew for more than 60 years, including piloting an X-15 to near 1,000 mph (1,609 kph) at Edwards Air Base in October 2002 at age 79. His exploits were told in Tom Wolfe’s book “The Right Stuff,” and the 1983 film it inspired. The retired Air Force brigadier general died Dec. 7, 2020, according to his wife Victoria Yeager. He was 97.<BR><BR>Then Col. Chuck Yeager poses at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he commanded the Test Pilot School in 1962.

Retired U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes was known for legislation curbing fraudulent accounting practices. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which he co-sponsored, created federal oversight for the industry. Representing Maryland for 30 years, Sarbanes headed the Senate Banking Committee and served on the Foreign Relations Committee. He died Dec. 6, 2020, according to his son, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes.<BR><BR>Sarbanes speaks to a crowd during a reception in his honor in Baltimore, Nov. 1, 2005.

David L. Lander brought the character of Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman to life through all 8 seasons of "Laverne & Shirley," a character he developed with his longtime comedic partner Michael McKean, whom he met at Carnegie Melon University. Once the show ended Landers made several guest appearances and movies before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. On Dec. 3, 2020, Landers lost his decades-long battle with MS surrounded by family. He was 73. </br></br>David L. Lander poses for a portrait as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman in "Laverne & Shirley," circa 1980.

Broadcast journalist Tim O'Brien began his career at a Michigan radio station before moving to report the news for local TV stations in Detroit, Washington, D.C. and then New Orleans while earning a law degree from Loyola. In 1977, he was hired to work at ABC News' Washington bureau, where he became the network's legal affairs correspondent, covering the Supreme Court for 22 years. After leaving ABC, he won an Emmy for his contributions to CNN's coverage of the 9/11 attacks and contributed to a weekly program on PBS. He died Nov. 30 at the age of 77.<br><br> Here, O'Brien is pictured in 1979.

British actor David Prowse was best known for his role as the iconic movie villain Darth Vader in "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." In the U.K., he was also known for his portrayal of the Green Cross Code Man, appearing in television commercials to warn children of the dangers of crossing the street. For this public service he earned an MBE, a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in 2000. Prowse died on Nov. 28, at the age of 85.<br><br>Pictured here on May 26, 2007, Prowse signs autographs at at Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles.

Entrepreneur Tony Hsieh was the CEO of Zappos from 1999 until he retired in August 2020. He also worked to help revitalize downtown Las Vegas, where Zappos headquarters are located. Hsieh was injured in a house fire in New London, Conn., on Nov. 18, 2020, and succumbed to those injuries on Nov. 27. <br><br>Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, speaks at the 2013 Aspen Ideas Festival on July 29, 2013, in Aspen, Colo.

Legendary soccer player Diego Maradona captained the Argentina 1986 World Cup Championship team. In the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England, he scored Argentina's two winning goals: one known as the "Hand of God" and the other as the "Goal of the Century." Though considered one of the game's greatest players, his career was marred by a cocaine addiction. He went on to coach the Argentinean national team. Maradona died of cardiac arrest on Nov. 25, while recovering from brain surgery. He was 60. <BR><BR>Maradona balances a soccer ball on his head in Mexico City, May 22, 1986.

David Dinkins was New York City's first Black mayor in 1990. A barber's son, Dinkins made his way through city politics and was elected during a period of high crime, unemployment, big budget deficits and racial strife. Facing major problems and criticized for not doing enough, he served only one term. In later years, he received more credit for his accomplishments. He taught at Columbia University and hosted a radio talk show. Dinkins died Nov. 23 at the age of 93.<br><br>The former Mayor of New York David Dinkins poses for a photo in New York, Nov. 5, 2008.

Pat Quinn, co-creator of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, died at the age of 37 following his battle with the degenerative disease. Quinn and Pete Frates launched the viral video campaign to raise awareness and fund research for ALS. Celebrities and everyday people posted videos of themselves pouring an ice-cold bucket of water over their head and then nominating others to do the same. Quinn was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 30. The campaign raised $220 million and sparked studies to find new treatments. He died in New York.

Legendary Green Bay Packer Paul Hornung was the NFL MVP in 1961 and played on four championship teams. "The Golden Boy" won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. Hornung died in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., Nov. 13, 2020, after a long battle with dementia. He was 84. <br><br> Notre Dame quarterback Paul Hornung imitating the posture of the Heisman Trophy that he received at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York, Dec. 12. 1956.

Lucille Bridges, who walked her 6-year-old daughter Ruby Bridges, past crowds of people screaming racist slurs as Ruby entered an all-white New Orleans elementary school as its first Black student in 1960, has died at age 86. Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, who was escorted by U.S. Marshalls to the school, described her mother on Twitter as a brave hero and a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. <BR><BR>Bridges stands next to the 1964 Norman Rockwell painting, "The Problem We All Live With" at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, which shows her daughter Ruby escorted to school.

Alex Trebek, the quick-witted and debonair television host who won over generations of fans at the helm of the popular quiz show "Jeopardy!,” died on Nov. 8, 2020, at age 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Ontario, Canada, his career stretched back to 1966 and included "High Rollers," "Double Dare" and "The $128,000 Question.” But it was “Jeopardy!” that made him a pop culture icon, earning him six Daytime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Trebek also created the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue at the University of Ottawa.

Photographer Baron Wolman was the first chief photographer for Rolling Stone. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Wolman published his first story on the newly built Berlin Wall while stationed with the U.S. Army. He moved to California after his discharge where he met Jann Wenner in 1967, and was invited to join his new publication. During his time with Rolling Stone, Wolman photographed the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969, along with some of the most celebrated musicians of the time. Wolman died on Nov. 2. He was 83. <br><br> Portrait of photographer Baron Wolman, 1969.

Actor Sir Sean Connery, best known for his iconic portrayal of James Bond, died on Oct. 31 at the age of 90. The Scottish actor’s career spanned seven decades and he won an Oscar for his role in the 1987 film, “The Untouchables.” Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 and was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” when he was 59 years old.<br><br> Sean Connery dons a white tuxedo as Bond in "Goldfinger", 1966.

Country music singer-songwriter and musician Jerry Jeff Walker, known for writing the hit "Mr. Bojangles," died of cancer at age 78 on Oct. 23. Originally from Oneonta, New York, Walker relocated to Texas in the early '70s. He became a fixture in county music, gaining attention for his version of the song "L.A. Freeway." Once firmly ensconced in the Austin, Texas, progressive country rock music scene, Walker and his Lost Gonzo Band recorded the seminal live album "¡Viva Terlingua!" in 1973.</br></br> Jerry Jeff Walker performs onstage at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Feb. 26, 1978.

Actress Conchata Ferrell's career spanned decades. She starred in several television shows and movies during the 1980s, and was nominated for her first Emmy for "L.A. Law." However, her most notable role was as Charlie Sheen's housekeeper in the sitcom "Two and a Half Men," a role she played for 12 seasons and which earned her another two Primetime Emmy nominations. </br></br>Actress Conchata Ferrell arrives at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium, Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Morgan, the Hall of Fame second baseman who became the sparkplug of dominant Cincinnati Reds teams in the mid-1970s, has died. He was 77. <br><br> Morgan was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, a 10-time All-Star and won five Gold Gloves. A dynamo known for flapping his left elbow at the plate, Little Joe could hit a home run, steal a base and disrupt any game with his daring. <br><br> Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds poses for an MLB season portrait. Joe Morgan played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1972-1979.

Famed New York Yankees' pitcher Whitey Ford was a Hall of Fame left-hander and six-time World Series champion. He played for the Yankees for his entire professional career, 16 years, with a two year break while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Ford died at his home on Long Island, N.Y, Oct. 8. He was 91.<br><br>Ford throws during a batting practice in 1971.

Johnny Nash, a singer-songwriter, actor and producer who rose from pop crooner to early reggae star to the creator and performer of the million-selling anthem, "I Can See Clearly Now," died at the age of 80 on Oct. 6.<br><br> American singer and songwriter Johnny Nash in a park in London in 1972.

Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen was the main songwriter and founder of the American rock band "Van Halen," which dominated the hard rock scene in the 1970s and 1980s. The popular band was known for hits such as "Runnin' with the Devil," "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love," "Jamie's Cryin'," "Dance the Night Away," "Unchained," "Panama" and the No. 1 hit, "Jump." Eddie Van Halen died Oct. 6, 2020, in Santa Monica, Calif., at the age of 65 after battling cancer.

Argentinian cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado-Tejon, widely known by his pen name of Quino, was the creator of the comic strip Mafalda, centered on an inquisitive and irreverent 6-year-old girl who asked thought provoking questions about daily life, politics and the environment. Mafalda became one of the most well-known and beloved cartoon characters in Latin America, and the strip was translated into more than two dozen languages. Quino died on Sept. 30 at his home in Argentina. He was 88. <br><br> Here, Lavado-Tejon poses next to a sculpture of Mafalda in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2009.

Grammy-winning artist Helen Reddy became a feminist icon thanks to her hit, "I Am Woman," which appeared on the Australian singer's debut album, "I Don't Know How to Love Him." The song reflected Reddy's interest in female empowerment and furthering the fight to equality. Re-released in 1972, "I Am Woman" became a No. 1 hit and an anthem for the movement. She was the first Australian-born artist to have a U.S. No. 1 hit and the first to win a Grammy. Reddy also had a TV and movie career, even hosting her own variety show. Helen Reddy died Sept. 29, 2020, in Los Angeles, at the age of 78.

Gale Sayers, a running back for the Chicago Bears, became the youngest player ever to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1977 at the age of 34. Sayers played seven seasons in the NFL, from 1965 to 1971. In his rookie year, he scored six touchdowns in one game. Sayers wrote an autobiography, "I Am Third," which spawned the Emmy Award-winning TV movie "Brian's Song." After his football career, he worked as a businessman and philanthropist. Sayers died on Sept. 23, 2020, at the age of 77.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court justice and champion for women's rights, has died at the age of 87. Ginsburg was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1993. She was the second woman to sit on the high court, joining Sandra Day O'Connor, and went on to become its longest-serving woman in history and the first female Jewish justice. <br><br> Ginsburg in her chambers in Washington, D.C., Aug. 23, 2013.

Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, one of the founders of reggae music, claimed to have coined the term with his 1968 hit, “Do The Reggay.” Hibbert formed the band “Toots & The Maytals," and recorded hit singles such as “Sweet & Dandy.” Their album “Funky Kingston" is considered a classic of the genre. He appeared in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come.” His 2004 album, “True Love,” won a Grammy for best reggae album. In 2018, the band went on a 50th anniversary tour. He was admitted into the hospital with COVID-like symptoms and died in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sept. 11, 2020, at the age of 77.

Actress Diana Rigg starred as Emma Peel in the TV series “The Avengers” from 1965 through 1967. She co-starred in the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service" in 1969. In 1994, she won a Tony for her role in "Medea" on Broadway and that same year she was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to drama. She won an Emmy for her role as Mrs. Danvers in "Rebecca" in 1997. More recently, Rigg played Olenna Tyrell on the TV series “Game of Thrones.” Rigg died Sept. 10, 2020, at the age of 82.

Tom Seaver was one of the greatest pitchers to wear a New York Mets uniform. While only winning one World Series with the team, he captured three Cy Young awards given annually to the best pitcher in the National and American Leagues and became a household name following his unforgettable 1969 season, leading the Mets to their first World Series championship in team history. Seaver finished his career with 311 wins, 3,640 strikeouts and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. He died after a battle with dementia surround by family. He was 75.

Georgetown University and Hall of Fame basketball coach John Thompson Jr., known as “Big John,” won the national championship in 1984, seven Big East Titles and went to three Final Fours with the school. He won an Olympic bronze medal with the 1988 U.S. basketball team. Thompson molded NBA stars Patrick Ewing and Allen Iverson, among others, and stood up for minority students, using his position to bring attention to inequities. He played only two seasons for the NBA but went on to coach, mentor and be a role model and father figure to many. Thompson died at age 78 on Aug. 30, 2020.

Actor Chadwick Boseman was born in South Carolina in 1976. He studied directing at Howard University before attending a theater program at Oxford. He appeared in a series of television shows before playing Jackie Robinson in the 2013 film, "42." He portrayed the Marvel character Black Panther in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War," two years before the release of the blockbuster film "Black Panther," one of the highest grossing films of all time. His death was announced on Aug. 28. He was 43.<br><br>Here, Chadwick Boseman poses for a portrait in New York to promote "Black Panther," in 2018.

Ben Cross, a veteran actor who starred in the 1981 Academy Award-winning film for best picture, “Chariots of Fire,” and “Star Trek,” died after a brief illness on Aug. 18, 2020. He was 72.<BR><BR>Cross had the leading role in "Chariots of Fire" as Olympic runner Harold Abrahams. The film depicted the true story of two British athletes at the 1924 Olympics. Among other roles, Cross played Spock's father in the 2009 version of "Star Trek," appeared with Sean Connery and Richard Gere in "First Night" in 1995, and was the lead in the TV series "Solomon."

Sumner Redstone was a media titan who made his family drive-in theater business into a global conglomerate. He served in the armed forces during World War II, and went on to receive a law degree from Harvard. In the 1950s he took over the family business and in 1967 became president of the theater and media company National Amusements. He grew the business, started investing, and became a billionaire by the 1980s. In 1987, he started a takeover of Viacom, in 1993 he acquired Paramount and in 2000 he acquired CBS. Sumner Redstone died in Los Angeles on Aug. 11, 2020, at the age of 97.

Trini Lopez was best known for his rendition of the song “If I Had A Hammer,” which reached No. 1 in 36 different countries and rose to No. 3 on the U.S. charts in 1963. Lopez received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1963. He opened for The Beatles during a concert series in Paris in 1964. The Gibson guitar company designed a line of guitars named after him. In 1969, NBC aired “The Trini Lopez Show.” He continued to perform until 1981. His music appeared in both television and movie productions. Trini Lopez died on Aug. 11, 2020, at the age of 83, after contracting COVID-19.

Brent Scowcroft, a former Air Force general who served as national security adviser to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, helped navigate the Persian Gulf War and the evacuation of Americans from Saigon in 1975. Respected for his nonpartisan approach and keen insight, he served as an adviser to presidents from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991, and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. Scowcroft died on Aug. 6, 2020, at the age of 95.

In a career that stretched from the 1960s through 9/11 and beyond, Pete Hamill's literate, lyrical New York City newspaper columns were a benchmark for generations of writers. He wrote columns for the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Newsday, The Village Voice, New York magazine and Esquire, as well as produced screenplays, novels and a best-selling memoir, 'A Drinking Life.' “One of the best days in my life is when I got my first press pass,” he once recalled fondly. “To be a newspaperman is one of the best educations in the world."

Wilford Brimley’s first film role was in "True Grit" in 1969. His other movies include "The Natural," "Cocoon" and "The Firm." He starred in the television show "Our House" and had a recurring role in "The Waltons." He was a guest star on "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Seinfeld." Brimley was also well known for his work in commercials for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical. Wilford Brimley died in St. George, Utah, on Aug. 2, 2020, at the age of 85.

Renowned film director Sir Alan Parker helmed such movies as “Fame,” “Midnight Express,” “Evita,” “The Commitments” and “Mississippi Burning.” He was a founding member of the Directors Guild of Britain and was the first chairman of the UK Film Council. He directed 14 movies, six of which he wrote. He was adept at many genres, excelling in musicals as well as comedies and dramas. His films have won multiple awards, including 19 BAFTAS, 10 Golden Globes and 10 Academy Awards. He was awarded a CBE in 1995, and was knighted in 2002. Sir Alan Parker died on July 31, 2020, at the age of 76.

Herman Cain was a businessman who ran for the Republican nomination in the 2012 presidential election. He was CEO of Godfather’s Pizza from 1986-1996 and served as CEO of the National Restaurant Association from 1996-1999. In 2013 he became a Fox News contributor and in 2019 he co-chaired the coalition Black Voices For Trump. Herman Cain died in Atlanta at the age of 74, July 30, 2020, after being hospitalized with COVID-19 for nearly a month.<br><br>In this Dec. 2, 2011, file photo, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to supporters in Rock Hill, S.C.

Actress Olivia de Havilland is best known for her role as Melanie Hamilton in "Gone With the Wind." The two-time Academy Award winner appeared in several films opposite Errol Flynn, including "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Captain Blood," as well as appearing in TV shows. De Havilland's known rivalry with sister Joan Fontaine is something of a Hollywood legend, however the pair are the only siblings to win best actress Academy Awards. </br></br>British actress Olivia de Havilland sits for a portrait session, circa 1935.

Regis Philbin became a household name in the 1980s cohosting "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and later padded an impressive resume by hosting "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Philbin died at age 88 on July 25, 2020.<BR><BR> Philbin won six daytime Emmys and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards show in 2008.

C.T. Vivian was a civil rights activist, minister, author and close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout his life, Vivian organized and participated in sit-ins and freedom rides as well as worked in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Dr. King. Since the 1970s Vivian resided in Atlanta, where he was active in many community building projects and founded the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. Vivian died on July 17 at the age of 95. <br><br> In this Jan. 4, 2012 photo, C.T. Vivian poses in his home in Atlanta.

Photographer Paul Fusco is best known for documenting the funeral train that carried Robert F. Kennedy and the thousands that lined the tracks to pay tribute. He also covered social issues such as coal miners, migrant labor, AIDS and people sickened after the Chernobyl meltdown. Trained in the Army school of photography, he served in the Korean War and later became staff photographer at Look Magazine, joining the prestigious Magnum Photos agency after the magazine closed. Fusco died at age 89 on July 15, 2020. <br><br>Magnum photographer Paul Fusco edits photographs.

John Lewis was a civil rights icon. He led demonstrations against segregation when he attended Fisk University, and participated in sit-ins and the Freedom Rides. He was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington in 1963, and took part in the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. He represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District since 1987. He served on the Ways & Means Committee and was head of the Oversight Subcommittee. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2011.<br><br>John Lewis died July 17, 2020, at the age of 80 after a 7-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Actress and singer Naya Rivera rose to fame on the hit TV musical comedy “Glee." She began acting at age 4, appearing in such series as “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Family Matters” and “The Bernie Mac Show.” Rivera's body was found after she disappeared on Lake Piru in Southern California on July, 8. She was 33. <br><br> Rivera poses for a portrait session at the 2013 Giffoni Film Festival, July 24, 2013, in Giffoni Valle Piana, Italy.

Zindzi Mandela, youngest daughter of former South African President Nelson Mandela, continued the legacy of her father as an activist against apartheid and supporter of land reform in South Africa. She garnered international prominence when she read her father's rejection of President P.W. Botha's offer of conditional release from prison in 1985. Mandela, who was serving as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark, died on July 13, 2020, at the age of 59. <br><br> Zindzi Mandela holds a sign, top left, August 29, 1985, during a demonstration requesting the release of ANC activists.

Actress Kelly Preston appeared in over 60 productions including “Jerry McGuire,” “Twins,” and “Mischief.” She met her husband, actor John Travolta, on the set of the “The Experts” and the couple had three children together. Their eldest son, Jett, 16, died after a seizure in 2009. Preston died on July 12, 2020, at the age of 57 after a 2-year battle with breast cancer. <br><br> Kelly Preston poses for a portrait in 2004.

Charlie Daniels moved to Nashville in 1967 and worked as a session musician, notably backing Bob Dylan for 1969's "Nashville Skyline." A few years later he formed the Charlie Daniels Band and in 1979, the group topped the charts with his song "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," winning three CMA awards and a Grammy for best country vocal. He was nominated for five more Grammy Awards from 1980 to 2005. In 2008, he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. He passed away in Hermitage, Tenn., on July 6.

Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer had a career that spanned decades, creating soundtracks for top directors from Hollywood and Italy in such films as "The Untouchables," "Cinema Paradiso," "The Battle Of Algiers" and "A Fistful of Dollars". Morricone created the iconic theme for the movie “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” In 2007, he won an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement and in 2016 he won an Oscar for best score for "The Hateful Eight."<br><br>Ennio Morricone died in Rome on July 6, 2020, at the age of 91.

Nick Cordero, from Hamilton, Ontario, made his Broadway debut in 2012 in the show "Rock of Ages." Two years later, he earned a Tony Award nomination for his work in "Bullets Over Broadway." He also appeared in such television shows as "Blue Bloods" and "Law And Order: Special Victims Unit." Most recently, he was performing in the West Coast production of "Rock Of Ages" in Los Angeles. On March 31, he was admitted to the hospital with what was later diagnosed as complications from COVID-19.<br><br>Nick Cordero died in Los Angeles on July 5, 2020, at the age of 41.

Hugh Downs, a familiar face and voice to American tv viewers for decades, got his start in journalism on radio in Ohio at age 18. After serving in the Army in WWII, he joined NBC. Downs helped launch "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar in 1957, became the host of the game show "Concentration", co-host of the NBC News "Today" show and then went on to anchor the ABC News magazine 20/20.<br><br> His family said he died in his sleep at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on July 1, 2010.

Carl Reiner, one of the original kings of comedy, worked alongside Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks through his early years on TV before turning his attention to writing. Creating "The Dick Van Dyke Show" made him a household name and ultimately earned him five Emmy Awards. Reiner also received several Grammy nominations for his comedy work and spoken word albums. </br></br>Comedian Carl Reiner signs and discusses his new book "I Remember Me" at Santa Monica Library, Dec. 19, 2013, in Santa Monica, Calif.

Filmmaker Joel Schumacher, originally from New York, had a career in fashion before making the move to Hollywood to pursue a film career in his early 30s. He found work in costume design before switching roles to direct films that include "St. Elmo's Fire," "The Lost Boys," "Flatliners," and "Dying Young." His last film was 2011's "Trespass," with Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage. He died on June 22 at the age of 80.<br><br>Director Joel Schumacher poses for a portrait in Las Vegas on March 15, 2010.

Ian Holm, the British actor whose long career included roles in "Chariots of Fire" and "The Lord of the Rings," has died from a Parkinson's related illness. He was 88. <br> <br> He won a Tony Award and was nominated for 6 BAFTAs and an Oscar. <br> <br> Ian Holm poses on June 12, 2005, at the Hollywood Mews in London.

Jean Kennedy Smith, last surviving sibling of President John F. Kennedy, died at her home in Manhattan, on June 17, 2020. She was 92.<BR><BR>Appointed ambassador to Ireland by President Bill Clinton, she played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process.<BR><BR>Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, at her residence, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, May 7, 1998.

Legendary Texas Southern University debate coach Dr. Thomas F. Freeman died at age 100, on June 6, 2020, from natural causes, according to his family. He trained thousands of students over his seven-decade career, including Martin Luther King Jr., while King was a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He also taugh Reps. Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, as well as Grammy Award-winning singer Yolanda Adams.<BR><BR>Dr. Thomas Freeman delivers a speech at the Children's Museum of Houston, Jan. 21, 2013, on Martin Luther King Day in Houston.

Singer Bonnie Pointer was a member of the Grammy Award–winning vocal group, The Pointer Sisters. Pointer formed the group with her three sisters and they released their debut album in 1973. Pointer left the group to pursue a solo career in 1977.<br><br>Pointer poses for a portrait in 1979 in Los Angeles.

Kurt Thomas was an Olympic gymnast and the first American to win the world championship in men's gymnastics. Thomas died on June 5, 2020, after a suffering a stroke.<br><br>Thomas never won a gold medal in the Olympics but was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003. He also had two signature moves named after him, the "Thomas flair" and the "Thomas Salto." <br><br>Kurt Thomas of the United States poses with his medals on Nov. 1, 1977 during the 20th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bulgarian-born artist Christo Vladimirov Yavachev, simply known as Christo, was known internationally for his massive ambitious public arts projects. He died at home in New York City on May 31, 2020. He was 84.<BR><BR>He installed more than 7,500 saffron-colored vinyl gates in New York City's Central Park. He also wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin in fabric as well as the Pont Neuf in Paris and the Kinstalle in Switzerland. <BR><BR>Christo at the opening of the exhibition "Christo" at the Galerie Gmurzynska art gallery in Zurich, Switzerland April 19, 2018.

Pioneering gay rights activist and author, Larry Kramer, spearheaded the HIV/AIDS movement. He drew attention with his outspoken candor to the growing health epidemic surrounding gay men and this new disease by staging sit-ins and protests in the streets. His crusade for answers inspired him to write the screenplay, "The Normal Heart," which looked at the early years of the AIDS pandemic and his campaign to get politicians to do something for gay men's rights. The screenplay won a Tony award in 2011 during its revival and was turned into a made-for-TV movie starring Mark Ruffalo in 2014.

Actor Ken Osmond was best known for playing the obnoxious Eddie Haskell on "Leave It to Beaver." Matt Groening, creator of "The Simpsons," told the New York Times in 1993, "Bart is like what would happen if Eddie Haskell got his own show." Osmond made guest appearances on TV after "Leave It to Beaver," but eventually left show business to become a police officer. In 2014, he co-authored the biography, "Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy." His death was reported on May 18. He was 76.<br><br>Here, Osmond appears in an image from "Leave It to Beaver," circa 1957 to 1963.

Lynn Shelton, an independent filmmaker known for "Humpday" and "Little Fires Everywhere," poses at the premiere of the film "Laggies" during the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah, Jan. 17, 2014. The writer and director started her career as an independent photographer died from an unidentified blood disorder, according to her publicist, the AP reports. She was 54.

Fred Willard, the beloved comedic actor best known for his roles in such films as "Best in Show," "Anchorman" and "This is Spinal Tap," died in his sleep May 15, 2020, his daughter confirmed. Willard was 86.<br><br>WIllard was a sketch-comedy master. His career spanned 50 years, including the tv series "Modern Family" and "Fernwood 2 Night." <br><br>Fred Willard arrives for "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror" 20th Anniversary party at the Barker Hangar, on Oct/ 18, 2009 in Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 18, 2009.

Jerry Stiller was best known for his television roles as Arthur in “The King Of Queens” and Frank Constanza in “Seinfeld.” He starred in such movies as “Hairspray” and “The Taking Of Pelham One, Two, Three.” He often performed as part of a comedy duo with his wife of 62 years, Anne Meara. He was the father of actor/director Ben Stiller. Jerry Stiller died on May 11, 2020, at the age of 92.

Singer Betty Wright is best known for R&B hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do." In 1975 she won a Grammy for best R&B song for "Where Is the Love." She was nominated for a total of six Grammys, including album of the year in 2008 for her contribution to Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III."<br><br>Wright died from cancer in Miami on May 10. She was 66. <br><br>Here, Betty Wright performs on stage during North Sea Jazz Festival on July 7, 2012, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Little Richard. The self-proclaimed "architect " of rock and roll whose piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R&amp;B to white America, died on May 9, 2020. He was 87. <BR><BR>Born Richard Penniman, Little Richard helped shatter the color line on the music charts along with Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. He sold more than 30 million records and influenced the Prince, The Beatles, Otis Redding and David Bowie among others.

Roy Horn was part of the German-American performance duo Siegfried & Roy. The entertainers were known for their use of white lions and tigers in their shows. Their decade-long show in Las Vegas would become one of the most visited shows on the strip. Horn died from complications from COVID-19 in Las Vegas, May 8. He was 75.<br><br> Siegfried & Roy pose with a white tiger in this undated photo.

Born in New York and raised in the Bronx, Andre Harrell's music career started in the early 1980s as one half of the hip hop duo Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Harrell moved behind the scenes when he was hired by Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records. In 1986, he left Def Jam to start Uptown Records which signed Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G. and Heavy D & The Boyz, among others. He is also credited with hiring Sean Combs, the future P. Diddy, as an intern. His death was announced on May 8. He was 59.<br><br>Here, Harrell speaks during Sean Combs' 50th birthday party on Dec. 14, 2019, in Los Angeles.

NFL coach Don Shula led the Miami Dolphins to the league's only undefeated season in 1972. Over the course of his career, he went on to win a record 347 games, including playoff matches, and led Miami to the Super Bowl five times, winning three. Before Miami, Shula coached the Baltimore Colts, who hired him at the age of 33, then the youngest NFL coach ever. He retired in 1995 with an overall coaching record of 347-173-6.<br><br>Here, Shula is carried on his player's shoulders after his 325th NFL victory, Nov. 14, 1993. This win made Shula the most successful coach in league history.

Irrfan Khan was one of India's best-known exports to Hollywood. He appeared in many films, including "Slumdog Millionaire," "Jurassic World," and "Life of Pi." Khan was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine cancer in 2018. He was admitted to an Indian hospital for a colon infection and died on April, 28, 2020. He was 54.<BR><BR>The veteran character actor's last Bollywood movie, "Angrezi Medium," was released in India in March 2020.<BR><BR>Khan poses for a portrait to promote the film "Puzzle" during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Jan. 22, 2018.

Actor Brian Dennehy started his acting career on television in the 1970s, with guest roles on shows like "Kojak," "M*A*S*H," and "Dallas," but he later became famous on the big screen in films like "Tommy Boy," "Cocoon," and his breakout role of Sheriff Teasle in the 1982 Rambo film, "First Blood." In 1999 and 2003 he won Tony awards for his work in Broadway revivals of "Death of a Salesman" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night." He died on April 15 at the age of 81.<br><br>Here, Brian Dennehy accepts an award at the 7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, March 11, 2001.

Folk singer-songwriter John Prine was known for his poignant lyrics, insight and sometimes humorous take on the human condition. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 and honored with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2020. Though Prine never had a big hit, he had a long and steady career, writing classic songs such as “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” and “Angel from Montgomery,” which has been covered by stars such as Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash and Bette Midler.<br><br> Prine died from complications of COVID-19 on April 7, 2020, at the age of 73.

Singer and songwriter Bill Withers was born the youngest of six children in West Virginia. After a stint in the Navy, he went to Los Angeles in 1967 and started a music career that earned him three Grammy awards for the songs "Ain't No Sunshine," "Just the Two of Us," and "Lean on Me." He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. According to a statement that his family sent the AP, he died in Los Angeles on March 30. He was 81.<br><br>Here, Withers poses for a portrait on Feb. 8, 1974, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ellis Marsalis Jr. was a prominent jazz pianist and teacher in New Orleans. His melodic style, with running improvisations in the right hand, has been described variously as romantic, contemporary or simply "Louisiana jazz." While teaching jazz in New Orleans, several of his students would later become well-known jazz musicians, citing Marsalis as an influence, including Harry Connick Jr., Victor Goines and Terence Blanchard. </br></br>Portrait of jazz musician Ellis Marsalis in New Orleans, 2000.

Adam Schlesinger co-founded Fountains of Wayne with lead singer and guitarist Chris Collingwood in the mid-1990s. The band produced five albums together. In 2003, Fountains of Wayne found mainstream success with their single "Stacy's Mom." Outside of the band, Schlesinger was active in TV and movies. He wrote the title song to the 1996 Tom Hanks-directed film "That Thing You Do!" which was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe, and he won an Emmy for his work on the show "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." </br></br>Adam Schlesinger performs during Bonnaroo 2007 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Country singer Joe Diffie had 18 Top Ten singles throughout the '90s with such hits as “Pickup Man” and "John Deere Green.” Diffie was named along with several of his songs in Jason Aldean’s 2013 single “1994.” He died from complications from the coronavirus on March 29th. Diffie was 61. <br><br> Diffie performs on Day 3 of Country Thunder Milwaukee, July 23, 2016, in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, the fiery Alabama preacher and civil rights icon, fought for equality alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lowery died at his home in Atlanta on March 27, 2020. He was 98.<BR><BR>After meeting King in the 1950s, Lowery became a leading force in the civil rights struggle. He led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) for two decades. President Barack Obama awarded Lowery the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.<BR><BR>Joseph Lowery at the Lincoln Memorial during 50th anniversary ceremonies of the 1963 March on Washington, Aug. 28, 2013, in Washington.

Playwright Terrence McNally won a remarkable four Tony awards over just six years in the 1990s for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Love! Valour! Compassion!," "Master Class" and "Ragtime." In 1991 his play "Frankie and Johnny at the Clair de Lune" was adapted into a movie starring Michelle Preiffer and Al Pacino. He was awarded an Emmy award for the TV adaptation of his play, "Andre's Mother." He died on March 24 at the age of 81.<br><br>Here, McNally works with actors on "Mothers and Sons," at the Roundabout Theatre Company rehearsal studios on Jan. 31, 2014 in New York.

Actor-singer Kenny Rogers produced such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady,” and “Islands in the Stream.” Rogers died at his home in Sandy Springs, GA, on March 20, 2020. He was 81.<BR><BR>Known for his husky voice and silver beard, the Grammy-winning balladeer's music spanned jazz, folk, country and pop. Rogers sold tens of millions of records, won three Grammys, and was the star of TV movies based on the "The Gambler" and other songs.<BR><BR>Rogers poses for a portrait in 1979 in Los Angeles.

Max von Sydow had a decades-long acting career and was best known for his roles in such films as "The Seventh Seal" in 1957 and "The Exorcist" in 1973. He was also known for playing the Three Eyed Raven on the hit television show, "Game of Thrones." He was twice nominated for an Academy Award - for "Pelle the Conqueror" in 1988 and for "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" in 2012. He died on March 8, 2020. He was 90. <br><br>Max von Sydow is shown in this Feb. 6, 2012, file photo.

Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner was known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet as well as having a successful solo career. He was a five-time Grammy winner and in 2002 was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. On March 6, Tyner died at his home in New Jersey. He was 81. <br><br>Tyner attends "The Recording Academy New York Chapter presentation of Duke Jazz Talks," Oct. 29, 2008 in New York.

TV personality James Lipton's career in the entertainment industry spanned multiple decades and fields, having a stint as a writer, actor and producer, before earning recognition as the longtime host of "Inside the Actors Studio." During the show's 22 seasons Lipton interviewed high-profile, A-list actors, posing questions about their career, roles and method. He was known for his existential ending question: "If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say when you arrive at the pearly gates?"

Jack Welch, the American business executive, author and former chairman and CEO of GE, led the company through its most prosperous decades and became an influential business manager. He joined GE as a chemical engineer and quickly rose up the ranks, becoming the company's youngest vice president in 1972 and CEO in 1981. He was named "Manager of the Century" by Fortune in 1999 and nicknamed "Neutron Jack" for his aggressive style and propensity for slashing jobs. He died on March 1 at the age of 84.

Hosni Mubarak was president of Egypt for three decades before being ousted by the military during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Rising to office after his predecessor, Anwar el-Sadat, was killed, Mubarak survived multiple assassination attempts during his rule which was marked by repression, corruption and poverty. He suppressed terrorism and maintained a stable peace, aligning Egypt with the West. He died on Feb. 25 at the age of 91.<br><br>Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Jan. 26, 2006.

NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson was born in 1918 and her skill with numbers was apparent from a young age. She studied math in college and graduated with honors in 1937, going on to work as a teacher and raise a family until starting at Langley Research Center in 1953. She worked on multiple key projects for NASA, including John Glenn's orbit of the earth in 1962, before retiring in 1986. In 2015 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the next year she was depicted in the film "Hidden Figures." She died on Feb. 24 at 101.<br><br>Johnson poses for a photo at Langley in 1966.

Model and restaurateur B. Smith began her career as a model in the 1960's. In 1986, she opened her first restaurant and would go on to publish several cookbooks and host her own cooking and lifestyle show. Smith died on Feb. 22 at the age of 70.<br><br>Here, Smith is pictured at her restaurant in New York in 2001.

Rapper Bashar Barakah Jackson known as Pop Smoke, rose to fame with his hit song "Welcome to the Party" off his debut album "Meet the Woo," released in 2019. Jackson was shot and killed in his Hollywood Hills home on Feb. 19. He was 20. <br><br> Pop Smoke performs onstage during day 2 of the Rolling Loud Festival, Dec. 15, 2019, in Los Angeles.

Actress and singer Ja'net Dubois was best known for her role as Willona Woods on the sitcom "Good Times." She co–wrote and sang the theme song "Movin' on Up" for the television show "The Jeffersons." DuBois died Feb. 17, at her home in Glendale, Calif. <br><br>A studio image of Dubois in 1975.

Joseph Shabalala was the founder of the South African Grammy-winning choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The group gained worldwide fame as a result of its collaboration with Paul Simon on the album "Graceland." Known for their a cappella singing style, called isicathamiya, the group has received 17 Grammy nominations and won five Grammys. Shabalala, who retired from Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 2014, died Feb. 11, in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.<br><br>Here, Joseph Shabalala performs with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, April 10, 2005, at Town Hall in New York.

Actor Robert Conrad, most recognized for his work on the 1960's television shows "Wild Wild West" and "Hawaiian Eye" continued acting in a career that lasted for over 40 years. He won a People's Choice Award in 1977 and was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1978 for his work on "Baa Baa Black Sheep." He died on February 8.<br><br>Here, Robert Conrad poses for a photo, circa 1960.

In a career that spanned decades, Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas starred in dozens of movies including "Spartacus" and "Lust for Life." He received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts, among numerous accolades. No stranger to controversy, Douglas played a key role in dissolving the so-called "Hollywood blacklist" during the McCarthy era in the 1950's and remained active in humanitarian causes. Douglas died at this home in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 5.<br><br>Here he is pictured circa 1950.

Basketball player Kobe Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Considered to be one of the best players of all time, Bryant was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school. He would go on to win five NBA championships. <br><br>Bryant was killed, Jan. 26, 2020, when a helicopter he was on crashed in Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. <br><br> Bryant points after making a basket in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles in 2009.

PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer spent nearly half a century working in journalism. Known for his role as a debate moderator during U.S. presidential elections, he would go on to moderate 12, more than any person in history. Lehrer also authored numerous fiction and non-fiction books drawing from his years of journalism experience. Lehrer died on January 23, at his home in Seattle. He was 85.<br><br>Here, Lehrer poses for a portrait in his office in Arlington, Va., May 12, 2011.

Comedian, actor, director, writer and historian Terry Jones is best known for his work with Monty Python. This includes starring in and co-directing "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" with Terry Gilliam and directing "Life of Brian" and "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life."</br></br>Jones wrote the screen play for the cult film "Labyrinth" directed by Jim Hensen and starring David Bowie.</br></br>Jones died from complications of dementia at his home in London, Jan. 21, 2020, he was 77.</br></br>Jones speaks during an interview with Reuters at Sao Luis theater in Lisbon, Portugal, Jan. 10, 2008.

David Stern was the NBA's longest-serving commissioner, working with the NBA for nearly two decades before he became its fourth commissioner on Feb. 1, 1984. He was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. Stern oversaw the birth of seven new franchises and the creation of the WNBA and NBA Development League, now known as the G League, providing countless opportunities for players. He died on January 1 at the age of 77.<br><br>Here, former NBA Commissioner David Stern listens to a question during a news conference in Springfield, Mass., Aug. 7, 2014.

Yankees pitcher Don Larsen reached the heights of baseball glory when he threw a perfect game in game five of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was selected MVP of the series and retired in 1967 with an 81-91 record over 14 major league seasons. "They can never break my record," Larsen said of his game. "The best they can do is tie it. Oct. 8, 1956, was a mystical trip through fantasyland. Sometimes I still wonder whether it really all happened."<br><br> Here, New York Yankees' Don Larsen poses for a photo on the pitchers mound, three days after his historic game.