As the year comes to a close, the G.o.D. remembers the artists and celebrities who died over the past 12 months. Here is a list of the notable deaths of 2006.
JANUARY
Shelley Winters
Actress, died January 14, born August, 18, 1920
Won her first Oscar for the 1959 drama THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK; played “Nana Mary” on TV’s ROSEANNE; third Oscar nomination for her role in the original THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE.
Chris Penn
Actor, died January 24, born October 10, 1965
RESERVOIR DOGS, younger brother of Sean and Michael Penn.
FEBRUARY
Al Lewis
Actor/author/politician, died February 3, born April 30, 1923
Played “Grandpa” on THE MUNSTERS; ran for governor of New York.
Franklin Cover
Actor, died February 5, born November 20, 1928
Played “Tom Willis” on THE JEFFERSONS.
Phil Brown
Actor, died February 9, born April 30, 1916
Played “Uncle Owen” in STAR WARS.
Peter Benchley
Writer, died February 11, born May 8, 1940
Wrote the novel and screenplay for JAWS.
Andreas Katsulas
Actor, died February 13, born May 18, 1946.
Played “G’Kar” on BABYLON 5; “Tomalak” on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Don Knotts
Actor, died February 24, born July 21, 1924
Played “Barney Fife” on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW; “Mr. Furley” on THREE’S COMPANY.
Dennis Weaver
Actor, died February 24, born June 4, 1924
GUNSMOKE; MCCLOUD
Darren McGavin
Actor, died February 25, born May 7, 1922
THE NIGHT STALKER; A CHRISTMAS STORY
MARCH
Ronald Anthony Cross
Writer, died March 1, born September 12, 1937
Wrote the ETERNAL GUARDIANS series.
Dana Reeve
Actress/singer, died March 6, born March 17, 1961
Wife of the late Christopher Reeve, who played the title role in the SUPERMAN movies.
Richard Fleischer
Director, died March 25, born December 8, 1916
Directed 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA; SOYLENT GREEN; CONAN THE DESTROYER, and RED SONJA. His father was animator Max Fleischer.
Stanislaw Lem
Writer, died March 27, born September 12, 1921
Polish science fiction writer, best known for SOLARIS (which was adapted for the big screen and starred George Clooney).
MAY
Paul Gleason
Actor, died May 27, born May 4, 1944
Played the high school principal THE BREAKFAST CLUB; the trader who ends up in the cage in TRADING PLACES.
JUNE
Tim Hildebrandt
Artist, died June 11, born January 23, 1939
Half of the fantasy art duo known as “The Brothers Hildebrandt” along with his brother Greg known for their late 70s JRR Tolkien LORD OF THE RINGS calendars and STAR WARS posters.
Aaron Spelling
Producer, died June 23, born April 22, 1923
TV producer, THE LOVE BOAT; T.J. HOOKER; BEVERLY HILLS 90210; CHARMED
Moose (Dog)
Animal actor; died June 26 at age 16.
The lovable Jack Russell terrier that played “Eddie” on TV’s FRASIER.
JULY
Syd Barrett
Singer/songwriter, died July 7, born January 6, 1946
Original member of PINK FLOYD.
Mickey Spillane
Writer, died July 17, born March 9, 1918.
Created the Mike Hammer detective novels.
Mako
Actor, died July 21, born December 10, 1933
PEARL HARBOR; CONAN movies.
David Gemmell
Writer, died July 28, born August 1, 1948
Fantasy novelist, LEGEND; TROY: THE LORD OF THE SILVER BOW.
AUGUST
Mike Douglas
Television show host, died August 11, born August 11, 1925
Hosted popular daytime talk and variety shows, most notably THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, for more than 20 years.
Bruno Kirby
Actor, died August 14, born April 28, 1949
CITY SLICKERS; WHEN HARRY MET SALLY; THIS IS SPINAL TAP; son of Bruce Kirby.
Joseph Stefano
Writer/producer, died August 25, born May 5, 1922
Wrote the screenplay for PSYCHO and co-created THE OUTER LIMITS; he also wrote for the TV series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and SWAMP THING.
Glenn Ford
Actor, died August 30, born May 1, 1916
Played Clark Kent’s adopted father in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE; GILDA; The Blackboard Jungle
SEPTEMBER
Steve Irwin
Television show host, died September 4, born February 22, 1962
CROCODILE HUNTER; ANIMAL PLANET
Edward Albert
Actor, died September 22, born February 20, 1951
BUTTERFRIES ARE FREE; played “Mr. Collins” in POWER RANGERS; son of Eddie Albert.
OCTOBER
Jane Wyatt
Actress, died October 20, born August 12, 1911
Played Mr. Spock’s mother in STAR TREK television show and movies; FATHER KNOWS BEST; the original LOST HORIZON
NOVEMBER
William Styron
Writer, died November 1, born June 22, 1925
SOPHIE’S CHOICE; CONFESSIONS OF NAT TURNER.
Jack Palance
Actor, died November 10, born February 18, 1919
SHANE; CITY SLICKERS (Won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar).
Jack Williamson
Writer, died November 10, born April 29, 1908
Science fiction writer, LEGION OF SPACE
Robert Altman
Director, died November 20, born February 20, 1925
Director of M*A*S*H, THE PLAYER, and GOSFORD PARK; won an Honorary Oscar in 2006.
Dave Cockrum
Artist, died November 26, born November 12, 1943
Comic book artist best known for his work on LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES and UNCANNY X-MEN.
DECEMBER
Martin Nodell
Artist, died December 9, born November 15, 1915
Co-creator of Green Lantern comic book superhero.
Peter Boyle
Actor, died December 12, born October 18, 1935.
Played Raymond’s father on TV’s EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; memorable roles in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and JOE.
Mike Evans
Actor/writer, died December 14, born November 3, 1949
Played the original role of “Lionel” on ALL IN THE FAMILY and THE JEFFERSONS; co-creator and writer for GOOD TIMES.
Joseph Barbera
TV cartoon creator, died December 18, born March 24, 1911.
Co-creator of YOGI BEAR; TOM AND JERRY; THE FLINTSTONES. Made up half of creative team HANNA-BARBERA.
James Brown
Singer/songwriter/performer, died December 25, born May 3, 1933
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