2008 Passings

Many of these people will be missed and remembered with honor.

Richard Knerr
Knerr (right) was cofounder of Wham-O Inc., which unleashed the Hula Hoop on the world a half-century ago along with the Frisbee.

Bobby Fischer
The most powerful American chess player in history, he defied an American ban on business in Yugoslavia to play against his old nemesis, Boris Spassky, whom he beat handily.

Suzanne Pleshette
The dark-haired, smoky-voiced actress played Bob Newhart’s sardonic and sexy wife, Emily Hartley, for six years on the ’70s sitcom “The Bob Newhart Show.” Called a “pro’s pro” by Newhart.”

Heath Ledger
Heath (who went from teen idol in his native Australia to one of the most exciting actors of his generation) Ledger’s death, blamed on an accidental overdose, came as a shock, as his off-screen life wasn’t perceived as being as intense as his on-screen performances.

Roy Scheider
Scheider’s rangy figure, gaunt face, and emotional openness made him appealing in everyman roles, most famously as the agonized police chief of “Jaws.”

William F. Buckley Jr.
The author, journalist, and polysyllabic television personality did more to popularize conservatism in the post-New Deal America than anyone other than Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan.

Arthur C. Clarke
The world-famous science-fiction writer, futurist, and unofficial poet laureate of the space age co-wrote, with director Stanley Kubrick, the screenplay for “2001: A Space Odyssey,” regarded by many as one of the most important science fiction films ever made.

Richard Widmark
Widmark became a Hollywood leading man in “Broken Lance,” “Two Rode Together” and 40 other films.

Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing “Ben-Hur” and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid, and other heroic figures in movie epics of the ’50s and ’60s.

Sydney Pollack
Pollack, the Academy Award-winning director of “Out of Africa,” achieved acclaim making popular, mainstream movies with A-list stars, including “The Way We Were” with Robert Redford and “Tootsie” with Dustin Hoffman.

Bo Diddley
Diddley was a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll whose distinctive “shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians.

Jim McKay
McKay was the host of ABC’s influential “Wide World of Sports” for more than 40 years.

Tim Russert
Russert pointedly but politely questioned hundreds of the powerful and influential as moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Cyd Charisse
Charisse dazzled moviegoers in the 1950s with her dance numbers in classic musicals such as “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) and “Silk Stockings” (1957).

George Carlin
Carlin repeatedly pushed the envelope in his comedy routines by breaching the accepted boundaries of comedy and language. He is best remembered for his “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine, which led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity.

Jesse Helms
The former Republican senator from North Carolina was widely known for his unyielding conservatism and obstructionist tactics, which earned him the nickname “Senator No” during his five terms on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Michael E. DeBakey
DeBakey was a world-famous cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such now-common procedures as bypass surgery and invented a host of devices to help heart patients.

Tony Snow
Snow, who served 17 months as press secretary for George W. Bush, was known for cheerfully sparring with reporters in the White House briefing room. Before joining the White House, Snow hosted the television news program “Fox News Sunday” from 1996 to 2003.

Isaac Hayes
Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless “Theme From Shaft” won Academy and Grammy awards, was found dead in his home.

Bernie Mac
Mac, an award-winning actor-comedian, died at age 50 from complications of pneumonia.

Jerry Wexler
As a record producer, Wexler helped lead the “rhythm and blues” genre to mainstream popularity, propelling the careers of Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and other performers.

Walter “Killer” Kowalski
Kowalski earned his nickname in 1954 after dropping opponent Yukon Eric during a match in Montreal. He became famous for various moves, including a stomach vice grip called the “Killer Clutch.”

Richard Wright
Wright, a founding member of Pink Floyd whose piano and synthesizer work played a critical part in the pioneering rock band’s ethereal sound.

Paul Newman
The Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as “Hud,” “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Color of Money.”

Levi Stubbs
With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”

Michael Crichton
Crichton, 66, a medical doctor turned novelist, sold more than 150 million copies of his books worldwide. He was best-known for his historic and prehistoric science fantasies like “Jurassic Park,” “Timeline” and “The Andromeda Strain.”

Miriam Makeba
The South African singer who gained world recognition with her sultry voice but was banned from her own country for more than 30 years under apartheid, died after collapsing on stage in Italy.

Bettie Page
Bettie Page, the 1950s secretary-turned-model whose controversial photographs in skimpy attire or none at all helped set the stage for the 1960s sexual revolution.

Eartha Kitt
Kitt, a self-proclaimed “sex kitten” famous for her catlike purr, was one of America’s most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and getting a third nomination.

Delaney Bramlett
Bramlett, a singer, songwriter and producer worked with famous musicians such as George Harrison and Eric Clapton and wrote such classic rock songs as “Let it Rain.”

We’re running low on good people.