Famous People Who Died in 2018, Celebrity Remembrances (2024)

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Penny Marshall, director and actress, 75

En español | (Oct. 15, 1943 — Dec. 17, 2018) Penny Marshall was a comic actress who was also a master director of drama, and the first woman to direct a movie grossing over $100 million — twice, with 1988’s Big, which boosted Tom Hanks’ career, and 1992’s A League of Their Own, with Hanks, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell. Starting out in a Head & Shoulders commercial with fellow unknown Farrah Fawcett and afflicted with self-doubt, she lost the audition to play Rob Reiner’s wife on All in the Family but was married to him for years. Her lovable Bronx honk became famous in the No. 1 TV comedy Laverne & Shirley (1976-83), and she wound up producing or directing films that made over $700 million. Her film Awakenings, a heart-wrenching adaptation of an Oliver Sacks book, earned three Oscar nominations, including best picture and best actor (Robert De Niro).

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Nancy Wilson, singer and actress, 81

(Feb. 20, 1937 — Dec. 13, 2018)Nancy Wilson defied categorization — her popularity as a singer stretched across decades, and she volleyed between musical genres so much that she came to refer to herself as a “song stylist.” “I take a lyric,” she once told an interviewer, “and make it mine.” Her first success came in 1960 when, shortly after moving from her Ohio hometown to New York City, she signed a record deal and recorded “Guess Who I Saw Today,” which became one of her signature hits. In all, she recorded more than 70 albums, winning three Grammy Awards. She also became a television staple — winning an Emmy for The Nancy Wilson Show — and dabbled in movies, too. In the 1990s, she enjoyed a long run as host of NPR’s Jazz Profiles show. For her many talents, it was that singular singing voice for which Wilson, dubbed “The Girl With the Honey-Coated Voice,” will be most remembered.

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Ken Berry, actor, 85

(Nov. 3, 1933— Dec. 1, 2018) Before rising to fame on F Troop and Mayberry R.F.D., Ken Berry was a soldier. His Army sergeant, Leonard Nimoy, helped get him a Universal Studios contract. Later in his acting career, Berry was cast by Carol Burnett on her eponymous variety show and its spin-off Mama’s Family. His favorite role, though, was as the bumbling Capt. Parmenter on F Troop (1965-67). His pratfalls won praise from Buster Keaton, and along with Robin Williams, Berry was one of the few TV stars whose script writers left it up to him to invent the physical comedy that made his performances legendary.

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George H.W. Bush, U.S. President, 94

(June 12, 1924 — Nov. 30, 2018)The 41st president died at his home in Houston after an extended period of declining health.George H.W. Bush was a decorated World War II Navy pilot, U.S. congressman, director of the CIA, ambassador to China and two-term vice president for President Ronald Reagan. He served one term as president, from 1989 to 1993, during which he saw the end of the Cold War. He also signed two landmark laws for older Americans: the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. In later years, he embraced active aging, celebrating several birthdays by skydiving, and spent time with his large family, including oldest son and 43rd President George W. Bush, and Barbara, his wife of 73 years, who died in April.“Politics,” he said in a wistful 2009 speech, “doesn’t have to be mean and ugly.”

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Roy Clark, musician and host, 85

(April 15, 1933 — Nov. 15, 2018)The grinning, guitar-picking, corny joke-cracking host of TV’s countrifiedLaugh-InrivalHee-Haw, who had 24 Top 40 country singles, died of complications from pneumonia. Roy Clark grew up a block from a pig farm in Washington, D.C., and started as a prizefighter, but got swept up in D.C.’s hot country-music scene. He played with D.C.’s Jimmy Dean on the first nationally televised country show, got a break in Las Vegas, and had his first crossover hit, “The Tips of My Fingers,” in 1963. When CBS fired the Smothers Brothers in 1969,Hee-Hawgot the slot, and it aired for decades. Clark said that he “opened a lot of people’s eyes not only to what I could do but to the whole [field] of country music, from the Glen Campbells and the KennyRogersesright on through to the GarthBrooksesand Vince Gillises.”

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Stan Lee, comics writer and publisher, 95

(Dec. 28, 1922 — Nov. 12, 2018)Former Marvel Comics chief Stan Lee, who created Spider-Man, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four with artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, has left a heroic—if not a superheroic — legacy. The son of an unemployed Romanian immigrant dressmaker in New York, Lee (born Stanley Lieberman) gotan $8-a-week job with his cousin’s husband’s comic-book publisher at 17, wound up as the boss, and revolutionized superheroes in the 1960s by making them witty, neurotic, lifelike and far more cinematic. Moving to Hollywood in 1980, he remade the film industry in Marvel’s image, launching movies grossing more than $24 billion and making an estimated $70 million himself.New Yorkmagazine called him “the single most significant author of the pop-culture universe in which we all now live.”

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Paul Allen, philanthropist, 65

(Jan. 21, 1953 — Oct. 15, 2018)While Paul Allen’s biggest accomplishment may be cofounding Microsoft alongside Bill Gates, the billionaire did much more. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in the early 1980s, Allen left his Microsoft job and founded such worthwhile causes as the Allen Institute for Brain Science. He also bought the Seattle Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers.He had a big impact on popular culture, too. He created Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture and restoredSeattle's Cinerama. And his $500 million helped launch DreamWorks SKG Studio, whose founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey KatzenbergandDavid Geffen once said about him:"Paul was a remarkable pioneer, a generous philanthropist and a special partner for us.”Allen died from complications related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,a cancerhe was treated for in 2009 and that recently returned.

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Burt Reynolds, actor, 82

Feb. 11, 1936 — Sept. 6, 2018)At the height of his fame in the 1970s, Burt Reynolds was the most bankable,biggestmovie star on the planet. His sly grin and unabashed embrace of his sex-symbol status powered theSmokey and the Banditfranchise and Me Decade hits likeDeliverance,The Longest YardandHooper. His star faded by the late 1980s after some questionable career choices — Reynolds reportedly turned down roles inStar Wars,Terms of EndearmentandDie Hard. He burst back onto the movie scene in 1997’sBoogie Nights, playing a seedy, '70s p*rn flick producer. The role earned him his only Academy Award nomination, for best supporting actor. His high-profile ‘80s marriage to Loni Anderson ended in an ugly 1993 divorce. In later years, he confided toVanity FairthatBanditcostarSally Field, whom he dated in the '70s, was the true love of his life.

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Neil Simon, playwright, 91

(July 4, 1927 — Aug. 26, 2018)A master of comedy, Neil Simon’s laugh-filled hits included The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park, and his Brighton Beach trilogy dominated Broadway for decades. In the second half of the 20th century, Simon was the American theater’s most successful and prolific playwright, often chronicling middle class issues and fears. Simon was the recipient of four Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize and the Kennedy Center Honors, among other awards. He died of complications from pneumonia.

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John McCain, U.S. Senator, 81

(Aug. 29, 1936 — Aug. 25, 2018)As someone who lived a life of public service, John McCain had a lasting impact on the United States. A 1958 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he was shot down during a bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1967 and was tortured as a prisoner of war before his release in 1973.After retiring from the Navy as a captain, he was elected from Arizona to the U.S. House in 1982 and the Senate in 1986. During the 2000s he ran twice unsuccessfully for president, earning the Republican nomination in 2008. Known as a maverick, McCain got back to work as a senator, a job he continued — even through brain cancer — until the day he died.

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Aretha Franklin, singer-songwriter, 76

(March 25, 1942 — Aug. 16, 2018) From child gospel singer in Detroit to the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin built a career that spanned seven decades. The music icon, whose performance at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors caused President Obama to shed a tear, won 18 Grammys for hits that include "Respect" and "Freeway of Love." The singer and pianist was a trailblazer, and her work inspired people of different generations and races. In 1987 she was the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. According to her publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, she died of advanced pancreatic cancer.

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Charlotte Rae, actress, 92

(April 22, 1926 — Aug. 5, 2018)Comedic actressCharlotteRae dominated the TV screen throughout the late 1970s and 1980s playing Edna Garrett, first as a housekeeper onDiff'rent Strokesand then as the zany housemother and confidante to a group of boarding school girls in the spin-off,The Facts of Life. The Tony- and Emmy-nominated actress said the character she portrayed onFacts of Lifewas important to society, noting in a 1982 interview, "I've tried to make her a human being with dimensions. ... I don't want her to be Polly Perfect, because she must have human failings and make mistakes."Rae had other notable roles, including playingWoody Allen's mother in the filmBananasand Sylvia Schnauser onCar 54, Where Are You?In the years leading up to her death, Raebattled cancer.

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Tab Hunter, actor, 86

(July 11, 1931 — July 8, 2018) As a young actor in the 1950s and ’60s, Tab Hunter was seemingly everywhere, starring in movies, on television, even on Broadway — and recording a chart-topping record (1957’s "Young Love") to boot. He was marketed as a heartthrob, publicly squiring starlets such as Debbie Reynolds and Natalie Wood around town. Even then, though, his hom*osexuality was somewhat of an open secret in Hollywood, and it contributed to his star fading as the ’60s ended. His second act was spurred by his appearance in 1981’s Polyester, in which he starred opposite drag queen Divine. He worked, quietly but consistently, throughout his later years and settled in with his longtime partner, producer Allan Glaser. By the time of his death, his sexuality had gone from his secret to his shining beacon: Harvey Fierstein tweeted goodbye to a “gawjuss gay icon.”

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Anthony Bourdain, chef and writer, 61

(June 25, 1956 — June 8, 2018)Known for his work in the kitchen and his knack for storytelling, Anthony Bourdain inspired many with his culinary flair. The celebrity chef, who died of suicide, got his start running several New York restaurants and eventually became an executive chef atbrasserieLes Halles in Manhattan. In 1999 he contributed an article to theNew Yorker,“Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” which got worldwide attention and led to other writing projects, including his books,Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary UnderbellyandA Cook's Tour: GlobalAdventuresin Extreme Cuisines.His storytelling moved to TV, where he hosted programs for the Food Network, Travel Channel and, most recently, CNN.

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Kate Spade, fashion designer, 55

(Dec. 24, 1962 — June 5, 2018)Kate Spade, who committed suicide, will be celebrated for her colorful work for years to come. From handbags to jewelry, the fashion designer built a billion-dollar brand from scratch. She started the business with her then-boyfriend, Andy Spade, in 1993. The couple, who married in 1994, eventually caught the attention of department stores and fashion editors with their handbags, and, in 1999,Neiman Marcus bought a majority stake of Kate Spade New York. While the two continued as business partners, Kate said the 2005 birth of their daughter,Frances,was a big factor in selling the remainder of their company. In 2016 the Spades got back into the business world, launching a shoe and handbag company, Frances Valentine.

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Philip Roth, writer, 85

(March 19, 1933 — May 22, 2018)Though he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1998 for his novelAmerican Pastoral, Philip Roth was best known for his controversial bookPortnoy's Complaint, published in 1969. One of the 20th century’s most prolific and notable authors, Roth published more than two dozen books exploring what it means to be a Jewish man in America. Roth’s novels often blurred the lines between fiction and nonfiction, with many of his novels including a character named Nathan Zuckerman who acted as Roth’s alter ego. In 2012, Roth announced his retirement from writing, saying thatNemesis(published in 2010) would be his last novel.

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Joseph Campanella, actor, 93

(Nov. 21, 1924 — May 16, 2018)Even if you don’t know his name, you’d probably recognize his face. For six decades, Joseph Campanella was a ubiquitous presence on television, appearing in a wide range of shows, includingThe Bold Ones,The ColbysandMarcus Welby, M.D.Campanella played Lew Wickersham in the late1960s-early ‘70s seriesMannix, for which he received a supporting Emmy nomination in 1968. He also played Ed Cooper, ex-husband to Bonnie Franklin’s Ann, for six seasons of the originalOne Day at a Time.The New York City native launched his career in 1950s TV, appearing on several classic series, such asRoute 66, The Big ValleyandMission: Impossible.He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jill; their seven children; and seven grandchildren.

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Tom Wolfe, writer, 88

(March 2, 1931 — May 14, 2018)Best-selling author and journalist Tom Wolfe was a pioneer of “New Journalism.” The Yale graduate started out as a reporter, working for newspapers including theWashington PostandNew York Herald-Tribune.He moved on to writing books, including popular novels such as the high-society satireThe Bonfire of the Vanitiesand the nonfiction worksThe Electric Kool-Aid Acid TestandThe Right Stuff. His unique and often explosive writing style was part of his way of bringing fiction-writing techniques to journalism. Often sporting a white suit and hat, Wolfe was routinely spotted out and about in New York, where he lived until his death.

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Margot Kidder, actress, 69

(Oct. 17, 1948 — May 13, 2018)Most famous for her role as tenacious reporter Lois Lane in Superman, Kidder boasted a career that spanned five decades. Her Malibu home was where Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and her boyfriend Brian De Palma planned their Hollywood takeover in the early 1970s. She appeared in several films during the 1970s, including De Palma'sSisters (1972). But it wasn't until she playedopposite Christopher Reeve in fourSupermanmoviesthat she truly becamefamous, which she found "weird." She also acted inThe Great Waldo Pepperwith Robert RedfordandThe Amityville Horror. A bipolar episode halted her career in the 1990s, but she recovered, and came back from bankruptcy, with respected work inSmallville and The L Word, among others.She won a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for playing Mrs. Worthington inthe children's series R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour.

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Robert Mandan, actor, 86

(Feb. 2, 1932 —April 29, 2018)Best known for playing Chester Tate on the satirical sitcomSoap, Robert Mandan started out working in theater before moving on to a career in TV that spanned four decades. Mandan appeared in shows likeThree’s Company,The Facts of LifeandThe Love Boat. When he was hired to play Chester Tate in 1977, Mandan had appeared in soap operas such asThe Edge of NightandSearch for Tomorrow. AfterSoapended in 1981, Mandan made a return to daytime dramas, appearing inSanta Barbarain 1990,Days of Our Livesin 1998 andGeneral Hospitalin 2007.

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Bob Dorough, musician, 94

(Dec. 12, 1923 — April 23, 2018)You may know his songs better than his name. After all,Schoolhouse Rock!composer Bob Dorough’s catchy tunes taught children of the'70s and '80s a lot about math and grammar. Among his memorable classics:“Three Is a Magic Number," “Conjunction Junction” and "Get Your Adverbs Here," musical short films that aired during ABC's Saturday-morning cartoon lineup for 12 years. Born in Arkansas, Dorough played several instruments for Army bands during World War II and also performed in jazz clubs in cities around the world.Later in life, he also wrote songs that accompanied children's books.

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Bruno Sammartino, wrestler, 82

(Oct. 6, 1935 — April 18, 2018)WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, known as the Living Legend, rose to fame in the early 1960s, when he won the then-WWF championship and held the title for eight years — the longest reign for a wrestler. At one point, he was among the highest-paid U.S. athletes. He immigrated to the U.S. from Italy when he was 14, weighing a mere 80 pounds, but by his mid-20s, he was holding steady at a muscular 275. He was an idol to many, including pop sensation Bruno Mars, who says he got his nickname from the WWE wrestler.

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Barbara Bush, first lady, 92

(June 8, 1925 — April 17, 2018) First lady Barbara Bush and her husband, George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, were married longer than any other presidential couple — 73 years. She also was the mother of the 43rd president, George W. Bush, and a former Florida governor, Jeb Bush. Mrs. Bush was hospitalized several times recently. She suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Graves’ disease. The Bush family announced April 15 that she had decided to no longer receive additional medical treatment and focus on “comfort care.” While serving as first lady, the grandmotherly Mrs. Bush founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to help give people the ability to simply read and write.

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Carl Kasell, broadcaster, 84

(April 2, 1934 — April 17, 2018)For more than three decades, people across the nation tuned their radios to Carl Kasell to hear the day’s news. The National Public Radio (NPR) news anchor knew as a child he wanted to be on the radio. He got his start as a disc jockey at just 16, and broke into radio news after serving in the military. He joined NPR in the mid-1970s, becoming a newscaster forMorning Editionwhen the program launched in 1979. But Kasell may have been better known as the longtime "official judge and scorekeeper" for NPR’sWait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!,a news quiz show that airs on weekends. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.

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Harry Anderson, actor and magician, 65

(Oct. 14, 1952 — April 16, 2018) As the quirky Judge Harry Stone on Night Court, Harry Anderson brought us laughs for nine seasons and also earned three Emmy nominations. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, we also saw Anderson from time to time onCheers, known again as Harry — this time as con man Harry "The Hat" Gittes. After both shows ended, he landed the lead role on CBS’Dave’s Worldfor five years. Anderson then decided to focus more on what he loved — magic. He performed regular shows combining his funny side and his magic tricks.

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R. Lee Ermey, actor, 74

(March 24, 1944 — April 15, 2018)After serving in the Marine Corps for more than a decade, R. Lee Ermey got into acting and landed a perfect role as a drill sergeant inFull Metal Jacket. He broughtauthenticityto his character,Gunnery Sergeant Hartman,and it earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 1988. Over the years, Ermey went on to appear in a number of films and shows, earning dozens of credits, but he has always been — and will be — remembered as a drill sergeant.

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Milos Forman, filmmaker, 86

(Feb. 18, 1932— April 13, 2018)Oscar-winning director Milos Forman directed popular American films such asOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which won five Academy Awards in 1976, andAmadeus. Born in what was then known as Czechoslovakia, Forman said one of his greatest pleasures was to return to the Czech Republic in the 1980s to shootAmadeus.His great work in Hollywood continued for years, and he was again nominated for an Oscar for the 1996 movieThe People vs. Larry Flynt.One of the last films he directed was the 2006 dramaGoya's Ghosts.

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Chuck McCann, actor and comedian, 83

(Sept. 2, 1934 — April 8, 2018)Children growing up in the 1960s in the New York arearemember Chuck McCann as the funny TV host who was often accompanied by puppets.Just for FunandThe Chuck McCann Showwerejust the beginning for the actor. He went on to appear in films and commercials, including one for General Mills in which he voiced Sonny the Cuckoo Bird and the famous line, "I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.” He also made guest appearances onLittle House on the Prairie,BonanzaandColumbo.

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Winnie Mandela,activist, 81

(Sept. 26, 1936 —April 2, 2018)South African anti-apartheid activistWinnie Mandela, often referred to as the Mother of theNation,has died following a long illness. She was married to South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, for 38 years, including the 27 years he was imprisoned. Famously photographed walking hand in hand as Mandela left prison a free man in 1990, the couplewerean enduring symbol of the fight against apartheid for nearly three decades. But their marriage was a different story; the couple separated in 1992 and were divorced in 1996. During her husband’s incarceration, Mandela worked tirelessly for his release and for the rights of black South Africans. As a result, she endured years of detention, banishmentandarrest by white officials.

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Steven Bochco, TV writer-producer,74

(Dec. 16, 1943 —April 1, 2018)Boundary-pushing writer-producer Steven Bochco passed away after battling leukemia for years. TV historians might someday categorize shows as B.B. and A.B. — Before Bochco and After Bocho. It’s not hyperbole to state that the strong-willed and prolific TV titan fundamentally changed what viewers expect from a small-screen drama. His biggest hits — Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law and NYPD Blue — pushed the envelope and caused angst among network censors in the 1980s and ‘90s, garnering 271 Emmy nominations and 71 wins, collectively. “We wouldn’t have the excellence on TV, on cable, broadcast and streaming if it wasn’t for what Steven Bochco did on broadcast TV,” longtime television critic David Bianculli told the New York Times. “He was a pioneer.”

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Frank Avruch, entertainer, 89

(May 21, 1928 — March 20, 2018)Known best for playing the titular role in the much-watched kids TV program Bozo the Clown, Frank Avruch entertained millions of children for years. While there were many Bozos, Avruch was the first to be nationally syndicated. He starred in Bozo's Big Top from 1965 to 1970. The entertainer had other jobs, too, including serving as a board member of UNICEF'S New England chapter and working for WCVB in Boston for more than 40 years. According to his family he died of heart disease.

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Stephen Hawking, scientistandauthor, 76

(Jan. 8, 1942 — March 14, 2018)When he spoke, people listened. As a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking changed the way scientists think about the universe. Among his accomplishments: his prediction in the 1970s that black holes can emit energy. Time after time, Hawking beat the odds, including in his personal life. At 21, he was diagnosed with a formof amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known asLou Gehrig's disease, which eventually made him use a wheelchair.He was given only a few years to live. But the university professor kept working despite the debilitatingdisease and wrote many books, includingABrief History of Time.While many people have played him in films and TV shows, Hawking appeared in some himself, includingThe Big Bang Theory.A film based on his life,The Theory of Everything, was released in 2014.

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Hubert de Givenchy, designer, 91

(Feb. 21, 1927 — March 10, 2018)His work could be seen around the world.French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy created famous gowns for women such as Queen Elizabeth II, Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. Among his biggest designs was the “little black dress” Hepburn wore in the opening scenes of 1961'sBreakfast at Tiffany’s.The work of the 6-foot-6 designer is still being seen today:Black Pantherstar Chadwick Boseman wore custom Givenchy designs to this year’s Oscars.

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David Ogden Stiers, actor, 75

(Oct. 31, 1942 — March 3, 2018)The tall, balding andsomewhat snobbishdoctor onM*A*S*H,Charles EmersonWinchester III,wasn’t an original part of the hit TV show cast, butDavid Ogden Stiers made his characterfit right in. The actor joined the show in 1977 and left a lasting impression when the show ended six seasons later. From there, he went on to appear in other TV shows, films and on Broadway, butM*A*S*Hwas his biggest highlight and earned him two Emmy nominations. The 75-year-old died after a battle with bladder cancer.

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Roger Bannister, athlete, 88

(March 23, 1929—March 3, 2018)He was more than the athlete who ran the first sub-4-minute mile in track and field; Roger Bannister became a national inspiration in Britain in the years after World War II. Shortages and a postwar malaise left the empire in need of a lift. Bannister also had a long post-track career as a neurologist, earning a knighthood for his medical work.

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Nanette Fabray,actress and performer, 97

(Oct. 27, 1920 — Feb. 22, 2018)From the stage to TV and the big screen,Nanette Fabray did it all. She started singing and dancing as a child, and then it was off to Broadway.Her big hit came in the late 1940s when she won a Tony for best actress in a musical, forLove Life.In the 1950s, she —and her big smile — gave TV a shot, and she won threeEmmy awards for her workin the sketch comedy showCaesar's Hourwith Sid Caesar.She also appeared in several films, including 1953'sThe Band Wagon,with Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Jack Buchanan.An advocate for the hearing impaired, Fabray was outspoken about her own disability. After she underwent multiple operations over the decades, doctors were able to restore her hearing in the 1970s.

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Billy Graham,evangelist, 99

(Nov. 7, 1918— Feb. 21, 2018)One of the world's most famous Christian evangelists, the Southern Baptist preacher known as "America's pastor" began his spiritual journey at 16. From there, Billy Graham broke barriers and took his spiritual message across the world, preaching to an estimated 200 million people in 185 countries during his lifetime. Thanks to his near-constant presence on radio, television and the internet, his message reached countless more. He began holding revival meetings in the 1940s and went on to become an adviser to several U.S. presidents. In recent years, as his health worsened, his son Franklin Graham played an increasingly greater role in managing his international ministry.

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Marty Allen, comedian, 95

(March 23, 1922 — Feb. 12, 2018)Recognized by his wild black hair and for his sense of humor, Marty Allen brought us many laughs. The comedian was a fixture on TV for many years, initially as part of Allen & Rossi. He and Steve Rossi appeared onThe Ed Sullivan Show44 times in addition to regular stints onThe Tonight Show With Johnny CarsonandThe Merv Griffin Show. The duo was a nationwide hit but split in 1968. Allen then went on to appear on many other TV shows and was a regular entertainer in Las Vegas, where he died. His wife, and performing partner of 30 years,Karon Kate Blackwell, was by his side.

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Vic Damone, singer, 89

(June 12, 1928 — Feb. 10, 2018)The smooth baritone ofVic Damonewon praise from Frank Sinatra as "the best pipes in the business." The crooner's career spanned five decades and included dozens of hits, such as "On the Street Where You Live," "You're Breaking My Heart" and "My Heart Cries for You." Damone and Sinatra dominated the pop music landscape after World War II alongside fellow Italian Americans Dean Martin, Perry Como and Tony Bennett. Damone appeared in several MGM movies and continued to attract large audiences in nightclubs and concerts into his 70s.

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Reg E. Cathey, actor, 59

(Aug. 18, 1958 — Feb. 9, 2018)Best known for his roles as Norman Wilson inThe Wireand Freddy Hayes inHouse of Cards,Reg E. Cathey diedafter a battle with cancer. The actor was nominated three times for an Emmy for his role onHouse of Cards, bringing him a win for outstandingguest actor in 2015. Cathey also delighted comic book fans with his roles as Freeze inThe Maskand Dr. Franklin Storm inFantastic Four.The Wire creator David Simon called Cathey not only a fineactor,but one of the most delightful human beings he'd ever met on set.

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John Gavin, actor, 86

(April 8, 1931 — Feb. 9, 2018)Known as aruggedly handsome actor in the 1950s and '60s,John Gavin laterenjoyed a stint in diplomacy in the 1980s. Although Gavin never achieved superstardom, he played several memorable parts, including Julius Caesar in the Oscar-winningSpartacus, Lana Turner's suitor in the melodramaImitation of Lifeand Janet Leigh's boyfriend, Sam Loomis, in Alfred Hitchco*ck'sPsycho. In the 1970s, he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild before becoming U.S. ambassador to Mexico under Ronald Reagan.

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John Mahoney, actor, 77

(June 20, 1940 — Feb. 4, 2018)Funny and lovable on and off thescreen, John Mahoney was best known for his role as asharp-wittedand sometimes cranky father on the TV sitcomFrasier,which aired from 1993 to 2004. He playedMartin Crane, a dad that was never afraid to voice his opinion when it came to his sons, Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce). His dog, Eddie, also brought added entertainment to his character and the show. Aside from TV and two dozenmovie roles — includingMoonstruck, Eight Men OutandSay Anything —Mahoneymade appearances on the stage, winning a Tony for his 1986 performance inThe House of Blue Leaves.

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Dennis Edwards, singer, 74

(Feb. 3, 1943 — Feb. 1, 2018)Grammy-winning singer Dennis Edwards was the voice of the Temptations for two decades, having joined the popular R&B vocal groupin the late 1960s. Some of the biggest hits he sang on include “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” "Just My Imagination” and “Cloud Nine.” Before replacing the quintet's original lead singer, David Ruffin, Edwards was a hit in another Motown group called the Contours. Edwards and the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

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Jerry Van Dyke, actorandcomedian, 86

(July 21, 1931 — Jan. 5, 2018)A comedian, an actor — and sometimes a mix of both — Jerry Van Dyke worked into his 80s. Highlights of his career include acting alongsidehis older brother Dickon the classic sitcomThe Dick Van Dyke Showin the 1960s. Although he was known for several roles, the younger Van Dyke got his big break in 1989 when he was cast as assistant football coach Luther Van Dam on the TV seriesCoach,a role that kept him busy throughout much of the 1990s. The part earned him fourEmmy nominationsfor supporting actor. His most recent TV appearance, on ABC’sThe Middlein 2015,reunited him once again with his older brother, with the two playing a pair of squabbling siblings.

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Also of Interest: Those We Lost in 2017