Arts & Letters –– Business –– Miscellaneous
Movies, Stage, & Television –– Politics & Government –– Music –– Sports
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Tom Adams (age 93) - Adams was a commercial artist whose rt was well-known throughout the English-speaking world and beyond, at least in part because he created the covers for paperback editions of Agatha Christie's mysteries. Adams drew covers for other authors, as well as painting portraits of such figures as Benjamin Britten and Federico Fellini. Adams died December 17, 2019. |
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Marion Chesney (age 83) - Writing under some seven pen names, Scotswoman Marion Chesney Gibbons was one of the most prolific mystery/romance writers of the twentieth century, with more than a hundred novels to her various names. Several of her M. C. Beaton novels have also been adapted for television. Chesney died December 30, 2019.
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| Robert K. Massie (age 90) - Massie practiced the craft of journalism at magazines such as Colliers, Newsweek, and The Saturday Evening Post; and taught aspiring writers at both Princeton and Tulane Universities. His greatest love, however, was biography. He specialized in the Romanov dynasty of Russia, with works such as Nicholas and Alexandra and Peter the Great, for which he won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for biography. Massie died December 2, 2019. |
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Syd Mead (age 86) - Mead began his artistic career as a designer for Ford Motors, but established his own firm in the 1970s. His specialty was futuristic design, which allowed him entrance onto Hollywood sets for science fiction movies. His work in that arena included such films as
Aliens, Blade Runner 2049, Tron, and
Johnny Mnemonic. His other work ranged from hotels to cars to electronics. Mead died
December 30, 2019.
PHASE 2 (age 64) - Born Lonny Wood, PHASE 2 was a graffiti artist (now termed "aerosol artist") with a wide following among New Yorkers. He is credited with the invention of the widely-imitated lettering style called "softies" or bubble letters. Wood was also active early on in the hip-hop scene. He died of ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, on
December 13, 2019.
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Mark Butler (age 61) - Butler was a member of a quartet of Pennsylvania businessmen who founded a string of bargain outlets in 1982. He was named CEO of the company, Ollie's Bargain Outlets, in 2003 and held the position until his death. Butler also owned a chunk of a minor-league baseball team in Harrisburg, PA, and chaired the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation. He died
December 1, 2019.
Donald Marron (age 85) - Marron was a financier who founded his own company in the 1950s and rode it all the way to the top of PaineWebber, which he sold in 2000. He then founded a privte equity firm specializing in financial services. Marron was well-known as an art collector and for his philanthropic work. His name is on the NYU's school of urban management and on a division of Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He died
December 6, 2019.
Joseph Segel (age 88) - Segel is the man responsible for both the QVC television network and that mainstay of Sunday newspaper supplements, the Franklin Mint. In all, Segel founded almost two dozen direct-marketing companies covering mail, magazines, and television. For his efforts, he was named one of the greatest business leaders of the 20th century by Harvard Business School. Segel died
December 21, 2019.
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Lawrence Bittaker (age 79) - Bittaker and Roy Norris were convicted in 1981 of serial rape, kidnapping, and murder for a series of crimes committed in 1979. The two were known in the press as the Tool Box Killers. Bittaker was on death row in San Quentin when he died on December 13, 2019. |
| Ram Dass (age 88) - Born Richard Alpert in Massachusetts, he was a Harvard professor and associate of Timothy Leary when he underwent a spiritual "awakening" in 1967, converted to Hinduism, and returned to America as Ram Dass. He became a yogi and leader in the American Ashram movement. He died December 22, 2019. |
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George Laurer (age 94) - While working for IBM in the 1970s, Laurer developed the now-ubiquitous UPC , or Universal Product Code barcode. A grocery store group adopted his design in 1973, and the resrt is history. Laurer worked at IBM for more than 30 years, garnering 25 patents over his career. He died
December 5, 2019.
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Lil BUB (age 8) - Lil Bub was born the runt of her litter, but lived larger than life. She became one of the most well-known celebrity cats due to her strange appearance - she was born with a form of dwarfism that gave her short legs and a malformed jaw. Bub appeared in the documentary "Lil Bub and Friendz, and her celebrity led to other movie appearances and a "book." She died unexpectedly December 1, 2019. |
Tetsuo Nakamura (age 73) - Nakamura Nakamura, a medical doctor, headed Peace Japan Medical Services in Afghanistan, where he worked mainly on irrigation projects and in building hospitals and mosques. He spent more than thirty years in the country, which granted him honorary citizenship in 2019. Nakamura was assassinated by presumed Taliban insurgents on
December 4, 2019.
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 | Rene Aberjonois (age 79) - Aberjonois played a wide variety of characters in film and on television, ranging from Father MulCahy in the film version of M*A*S*H to the shape-shifting alien Odo on "Deep Space Nine." He was nominated for the Emmy Award nine times and SAG awards three. Aberjonois succumbed to lung cancer on December 8, 2019. |
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Danny Aiello (age 86) - Aiello's Italian good looks and gravel voice served him well in both film and television, beginning with a walk-on part as a low-level gangster in The Godfather Part II. HIs breakout role was in 1989's Do the Right Thing as Sal, the pizza man. He also played Jack Ruby and had the lead role in ILieberman in Love. Aiello died December 12, 2019. |
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Chuy Bravo (age 63) - Jesús "Chuy Bravo" Melgoza was a Mexican-American actor and comedian with a... wide array of credits. He made several pornos, as well as mainstream films such as The Honeymooners. He is perhpas best known as the diminutive (4'-3") sidekick of Chelsea Handler in the television show "Chelsea Lately." Chuy died December 15, 2019. |
| Chris Cotton (age 32) - Cotton was a stand-up comedian from Philadelphia who was a writer and performer on the Comedy Central network, headlining an online talk show called "Every Damn' Day" since 2018. Cotton's death on December 11, 2019, was attributed to a blood clot. |
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 | D. C. Fontana (age 80) - Dorothy Fontana used her initials early in her career as a television writer to avoid being stereotyped. It worked: Fontanta began writing on a military-themed series ("The Lieutenant"), which earned her a shot at a new television series: "Star Trek." She wrote episodes in all Star Trek series, as we;; as working as story editor and producer. Fontana was nominated for a Hugo Award for STTNG, and colelcted Writers Guild awards three times. She died December 2, 2019. |
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Leonard Goldberg (age 85) - The widely respected Goldberg had a long career in film, including classics such as Brian's Song, and in television. On the small screen, he was long associated with Aaron Spelling, which included both the television and film versions of "Charlie's Angels." He was, however, also responsible for "Fantasy Island" and "Starsky and Hutch," despite which Goldberg collected an Emmy and a Walk of Fame star. Goldberg died December 4, 2019. |
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Don Imus (age 79) - For many years a radio gadfly, Imus is credited - if that's the right word - with inventing the "shock jock" radio host. Often insulting, Imus was an equal-opportunity offender, whether insulting women of color or AM radio icon Rush Limbaugh. Whether he was truly "one of the 25 greatest talk show host of all time" or merely a dirtbag for hire, everyone knew his name. Imus died December 27, 2019. |
| Ron Liebman (age 82) - Liebman's career continually crossed from television to movies to the stage. He reeived a Drama Desk award for his role in the play "Angels in America," and an Emmy for the lead role in the short-lived television series "Kaz." On film he was less well-received, picking up and handful of nominations for the "Stinker" and "Raspberry" awards. Liebman died December 6, 2019. |
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| Sue Lyon (age 73 - Forever to be known as the original Lolita (1962), for which she won a Golden Globe, Lyon fashioned a brief career as a seductive teenager. She reprised the casting in The Night of the Iguana two years later before moving on to occasional adult roles, including that of the wife of Evel Knievel and other occasional film appearances in the 1970s. Her last role came in 1980. She died December 26, 2019. |
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Philip McKeon (age 55) - McKeon was the elder brother of actor Nancy McKeon ("The Facts of Life"). At age 12, he was tapped to play the young son of the title character in the sitcom "Alice," based on tthe movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Any More. McKeon made occasional guest appearances after the show's end, spending most of his time as a radio host in Texas. He died December 10, 2019. |
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Shelly Morrison (age 83) - Morrison acted in television and on the stage for more than fifty years, often as an ethnic maid or housekeeper. She played a maid more than 30 times, including what is probably her most recognizable role, that of Karen's backtalking maid Rosario on "Will & Grace." She also had recurring roles in "The Flying Nun" and "Courthouse." Morrison passed away December 1, 2019. |
| Carroll Spinney (age 85) - Spinney, a gifted puppeteer, spent five years inside the costume of the "Sesame Street" character Big Bird. He also played Oscar the Grouch and many other characters. He won four daytime Emmy awards for his work on the children's show, including a Lifetime Achievement award in 2006, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Spinney passed December 8, 2019. |  |
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Jerry Herman (age 88) - Over his long career, Herman won five Tony and two Grammy awards and was a 2010 Kennedy Center honoree. Among his works are the scores for Hello Dolly and La Cage aux Folles on Broadway, both of which won Tony awards. He also "flipped" dozens of houses after redecorating them. Herman died December 27, 2019. |
| Neil Innes (age 75) - Innes was a British writer and comedian, well-known for his collaborations with the comedy troupe Monty Python. Innes penned many of the sketches and songs featured in the group's television series, and appeared on-screen in both TV and movies. He was also a founding member of Beatles spoof band The Rutles, and a musician in his own right with more than a dozen solo albums. Innes passed away December 29, 2019. |  |
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Sleepy LaBeef (age 84) - Thomas LaBeff was a rockabilly singer and occasional actor from southern Arkansas. Over a nearly forty-year career, Sleepy released almost thirty albums as well as dozens of singles in the 1950s and 60s. He dabbled in film as well, playing a monster in a 1968 B movie sometimes known as The Monster and the Stripper. LaBeef died on December 26, 2019. |
| Jerry Naylor (age 80) - Naylor (born Jerry Naylor Jackson) assumed the lead singer position of the Crickets in 1961, two years after the untimely death of Buddy Holly. The Naylor-led Crickets charted several hits, including "Don't Ever Change," which was covered by the Beatles during their formative years. After retirement, Naylor became a public speaker and radio personality and was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died December 4, 2019. |
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Juice Wrld (age 21) - Rapper "Juice Wrld" was born Jarad Hughes in Chicago. He released a handful of singles and two studio albums, collecting nominations for the MTV Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards in 2018 and winning the Billboard Top New Artist award in 2019. Wrld suffered a seizure of unknown origin at an airport in his hometown and died on December 8, 2019. |
| Allee Willis (age 72) - Although relatively unknown to anyone outside the business, Willis was a prolific songwriter whose talent reached into multiple genres. Her best-known pop music includes collaborations with Earth, Wind, and Fire that include "Boogie Wonderland" and "September." She also wrote "Neutron Dance" for the Poynter Sisters, and the song "I'll Be There for You" that is used as the theme for "Friends." Willis won two Grammys for soundtrack albums, Beverly Hills Cop (1986) and the stage version of The Color Purple (2016). She died December 24, 2019. |
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Berkley Bedell (age 98) - Bedell was an Iowa boy who became a millionaire from the fishing tackle business he started in 1945. He entered politics in the 1970s as a populist, Democratic representative of rural Iowa (my how things change). He served in the House from 1975 to 1987, when he retired and was replaced by Gopher from "The Love Boat." In government, he concentrated on issues important to his constituents, such as farming and small business. Bedell died
December 7, 2019.
J. Charles Jones (age 82) - A graduate of Harvard Law and a civil rights attorney, Jones had a long career in the fight for justice. He was a former Freedom Rider and one of the founding members of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960. Jones passed away
December 27, 2019.
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Paul Volcker (age 92) - Volcker chaired the U. S. Federal Reserve from 1979 to 19887 under Presidents Carter and Reagan, and chaired President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board. He was a member of the Trilateral Commission and chaired the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget; and was best known for his anti-inflationary bent. Volcker died December 8, 2019. |
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| Cas Banaszek (age 74) - Banaszek, a tackle, was the 49ers first-round draft pick in 1967. He remained in San Francisco for the entire eleven years of his career (1968-1977), appearing in 120 games and 112 as a starter. After retirement, he served as the team's OL coach for 1981. Banaszek died December 4, 2019. |
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Jon Comer (age 43) - Despite or perhaps because of an amputated lower leg and a prosthetic limb due to a childhood accident, Comer became a professional skateboarder. He was considered an inspiration for adaptive athletes and widely respected by other skateboarders. Comer died of undisclosed causes
December 5, 2019.
| Elbert Dubenion (age 86) - Dubenion, a wide receiver, was a 27-year-old draft pick of the Browns in the 1959 NFL draft. He was released before playing a down, but made the roster of the Buffalo Bills the in their first season, 1960. In all, he spent nine years with the Bills, racking up 294 receptions and 35 TDs, He was a four-time All-Star and holds the AFL record for the longest reception for a touchdown, 93 yards. Dubenion died December 26, 2019. |
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George Ferguson (age 67) - Ferguson was the 11th overall pick of the 1972 NHL draft, spending six seasons with the Maple Leafs before being traded to Pittsburgh in 1978. After five seasons with the Pens, Ferguson closed out his NHL career with the North Stars, retiring in 1984. His career stats include nearly 800 games, in which the center amassed 398 points. Ferguson passed away December 16, 2019. |
 | | Rusty Hilger (age 57) - Hilger was a perennial backup quarterback in the NFL, spending three seasons with the Raiders before finishing with the Lions and Colts. His best season was with the 1988 Lions, when he was the team's offensive MVP. He finished his career with a W-L record of 11-19. Hilger succumbed to cancer on December 24, 2019. |
| Bronco Horvath (age 89) -Horvath appeared in six different NHL uniforms over a career that lasted from 1955 to 1968. IN all, he played in more than 434 games, the majority with the Boston Bruins including the 1959-60 season in which he was tied for the league lead in goals and was an All-Star for the second time. He played his last NHL game with the North Stars in 1968. Horvath died December 17, 2019. |
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Junior Johnson (age 83) - North Carolina-born Richard "Junior" Johnson was the embodiment of the NASCAR legend: he started out in the family moonshine business, honing his driving skills on twisty mountain roads while outrunning "revenuers." He joined the NASCAR circuit in 1955, winning fifty races in his eleven-year career. After retirement, he became a team owner, with such legendary divers as Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip in his stable. He joined the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010, and his life was told in the movie The Last American Hero (1973). Johnson died December 20, 2019. |
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Vaughan Johnson (age 57) - Johnson had a 10-year career as a linebacker in the USFL and NFL, playing eight years for the Saints before finishing with the Eagles in 1994. He was a four-time Pro-Bowler as a Saint, and an All Pro selection in 1988. Johnson succumbed to kidney disease on December 12, 2019. |
| Scott Kleinendorst (age 59) - Kleinendorst spend parts of eight seasons in the NHL, mostly with the Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes). The left-handed defenseman managed a total of 48 points in 281 NHL games while racking up 452 penalty minutes, suggesting a role as an enforcer. The retired player was killed in an industrial accident on December 17, 2019. |
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Remilia (age 24) - A trans woman, Maria "Remlia" Creveling was briefly a professional eSports player in the League of Legends Championship Series, the first woman to so participate. She streamed on Twitch and also competed as an amateur. She died
December 27, 2019.
Moondog Rex (age 69) - Randy Colley wrestled under several names, most notably the ring name "Moondog Rex." His career lasted from the 1970s to his retirement in 1996 during the heyday of the WCW, including several years with the WWF. Among the hardware he collected during his career was a WWF tag team championship with partners Moondog Spot and Moondog King. Colley died
December 15, 2019. Woof.
| Bill Simpson(age 79) - Simpson began his career in drag racing and road racing, including the 1974 edition of the Indy 500. He retired from driving in 1977 and dedicated himself to racing safety. His company, Simpson Performance Products, was blamed in part for the death of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., resulting in Simpson's resignation from the firm. He remained active in auto safety, however, with a new company that featured helmets, fireproof suits, restraints, and other equipment. Simpson died December 16, 2019, after suffering a stroke. |
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Vladimir Tsyplakov (age 50) - The Belarusian left-winger compiled more than a decade in the NHL with the L A Kings and Buffalo Sabres. Tsyplakov was drafted by the Kings in the 1995 draft at age 26 after several seasons in Russia. He returned to Russia after the 2000-01 season in Buffalo, having played in 331 NHL games and amassing 170 points. He died December 14, 2019. |
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