Goodbye to greats: A roll call of entertainers

JANUARY
Raul Davila, 74. Played Hector Santos on “All My Children” in the 1990s. Jan. 2.

Lou Rawls, 72. Velvet-voiced singer of such hits as “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing.” Jan. 6.

Jack Mabley, 90. Longtime Chicago newspaperman; wrote thousands of columns. Jan. 7.

Don Stewart, 70. Actor (“Guiding Light.”) Jan. 9.

Shelley Winters, 85. The forceful, outspoken star who won two Oscars (“The Diary of Anne Frank”.”) Jan. 14.

Wilson Pickett, 64. Fiery soul music pioneer (“Mustang Sally.”) Jan. 19.

Anthony Franciosa, 77. Hollywood actor (“A Face in the Crowd.”) Jan. 19.

Janette Carter, 82. Country performer; last surviving child of the Carter Family. Jan. 22.

William Rubin, 78. Director of painting and sculpture at Museum of Modern Art. Jan. 22.

Fayard Nicholas, 91. With brother Harold, he wowed the tap dancing world, inspiring dancers from Fred Astaire to Savion Glover. Jan. 24.

Chris Penn, 40. Actor (“Reservoir Dogs”); brother of Sean. Jan. 24. Enlarged heart; multiple medications.

Endesha Ida Mae Holland, 61. Her autobiographical play “From the Mississippi Delta” told how the civil rights movement inspired her. Jan. 25.

Gene McFadden, 56. R&B singer, songwriter (“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.”) Jan. 27. Cancer.

Arthur Bloom, 63. TV news director who helped found “60 Minutes”; his stopwatch used for its ticking image. Jan. 28.

Nam June Paik, 74. Avant-garde artist credited with inventing video art, combining multiple TV screens with sculpture, music, live performers. Jan. 29.

Wendy Wasserstein, 55. Playwright who celebrated women’s lives (“The Heidi Chronicles.”) Jan. 30. Lymphoma.

Moira Shearer, 80. British ballerina and actress whose debut film, “The Red Shoes,” created a sensation. Jan. 31.

FEBRUARY
Al Lewis, 82. Grandpa on “The Munsters.” Feb. 3.

Reuven Frank, 85. Former NBC News president; helped early newscasts adopt more visual approach. Feb. 5.

Franklin Cover, 77. Actor; played the white neighbor on “The Jeffersons.” Feb. 5.

Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, 80. Comic actor in John Wayne films. Feb. 6.

Akira Ifukube, 91. Japanese composer; added menacing music to Godzilla films. Feb. 8.

Phil Brown, 89. Luke Skywalker’s loving, doomed Uncle Owen in “Star Wars.” Feb. 9.

J Dilla, 32. Hip-hop producer for such artists as A Tribe Called Quest. Feb. 10. Complications of lupus.

Juan Soriano, 85. Mexican painter and sculptor. Feb. 10.

Peter Benchley, 65. His 1974 novel, “Jaws,” made millions think twice about stepping into the water. Feb. 11.

Jockey Shabalala, 62. Member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Feb. 11.

Rickie Layne, 81. Ventriloquist whose dummy, Velvel, had a Yiddish accent. Feb. 11.

Andreas Katsulas, 59. Character actor; one-armed man in 1993 film “The Fugitive.” Feb. 13. Lung cancer.

Shoshana Damari, 83. Israel’s beloved “queen of Hebrew music.” Feb. 14.

William Cowsill, 58. Lead singer of The Cowsills family singing group. Feb. 17.

Ray Barretto, 76. Grammy-winning Latin jazz percussionist. Feb. 17.

Richard Bright, 68. Enforcer Al Neri in “Godfather” movies. Feb. 18.

Curt Gowdy, 86. Sportscaster; called 13 World Series, 16 All-Star games, first Super Bowl. Feb. 20.

Bruce Hart, 68. Lyricist (“Sesame Street” theme.) Feb 21.

Anthony Burger, 44. Gospel music pianist. Feb. 22. Suspected heart attack.

Dennis Weaver, 81. Chester on “Gunsmoke”; the cop hero in “McCloud.” Feb. 24.

Don Knotts, 81. Won five Emmys for “The Andy Griffith Show.” Feb. 24.

Octavia E. Butler, 58. First black woman to gain prominence as science fiction writer (“Kindred.”) Feb. 24.

Darren McGavin, 83. Tough-talking actor; grouchy dad in “A Christmas Story.” Feb. 25.

Bill Cardoso, 68. Writer who coined “gonzo” to describe Hunter Thompson’s journalism. Feb. 26.

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, 97. Wrote “God Is My Co-Pilot” about his war exploits. Feb. 27.

MORE FROM YEAR IN REVIEW 2006

Year in review 2006 Section Front

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