Late Greats 2012: Stars Pay Tribute

''I saw her do an interview where she basically said, 'I'd had a thousand number-one hit records, I'd had huge albums, I'd toured the world, I'd met all the most famous people in the world, and I fell in love with this guy,' and she said, 'You know what, all I cared about was being in love. All I cared about was my husband. Nothing else mattered.'' If you've ever been that deeply in love, where you're ready to just give everything up, then you can kind of understand that. Especially because she had pretty much topped every pinnacle.''

Houston died in L.A. of accidental drowning and effects of heart disease and cocaine use.

For more from these stars' tributes to 2012's Late Greats, pick up this week's EW on newsstands now or buy it online.

''Andy Griffith never looked like he was acting. His brilliance was in his normalcy, his perfect reflection of real life. His art was the Norman Rockwell of the screen, rural and real.''

Griffith died of a heart attack in Manteo, N.C.

''His role in The Green Mile was a tremendously challenging part for any actor, much less one with as little experience as Michael had coming into it. His growth as an actor during the process was startling and inspiring.''

Duncan died in L.A. of complications from a heart attack.

''It's important to remember that when you're laughing at one of my shows or at Whitney Cummings or Tina Fey on TV, it's because of Phyllis Diller and jokes like this: 'I have a tremendous sex drive. My boyfriend lives 40 miles away.'''

Diller died in L.A. of undisclosed causes.

''The Beasties are like ''3 the Hard Way'' in their own right, and Yauch was the father-type leader. There was a maturity to him even at the zaniest moments. And that voice! One of the top 10 greatest ever.''

Yauch died of cancer in New York City.

She was part of a wave of powerful singers like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross who made being a strong woman a desirable thing. Donna helped give the label diva a positive meaning.''

Summer died of lung cancer in New York City.

''There's something very powerful about that voice. Nobody else's can embody the soul of music like hers. She had a spirit about her that has clearly translated to many generations.''

James died of leukemia in Riverside, Calif.

''Ask 100 people about Larry, and every answer starts with a smile. ... Someone wrote me, 'A large person leaves a large hole in your heart.' I know what he meant, but my heart always will be full of Haggy. I just wish I could turn the corner and see him. And smile.''

Hagman died of acute myeloid leukemia in Dallas.

''Dick Clark...would call U personally and always speak with grace and candor that is rare in an industry that is rife with gamesmanship. That kinda class is sorely missed.''

Clark died of a heart attack in Santa Monica.

''When I first came to Hollywood...this big, gentle teddy bear of a guy slipped his arm around me, took me to the set of McHale's Navy, and taught me what it meant to be part of the wonderful business called 'show business.'''

Borgnine died of renal failure in L.A.

''I met Mike in 1981. I had made certain success on Broadway that year and he had deigned to interview me. He was utterly charming, and I felt extremely confident that my knowledge of his well-known tricks would keep me in control. I was wrong. His first question was 'Why is it that you're not a household name?' It knocked me sideways, and for the next half hour I never stopped fighting for my life.''

Wallace died of undisclosed causes in New Canaan, Conn.

''Don Cornelius was a visionary, a pioneer, a genius. Without a doubt, one of the most important influences in popular culture. What he did through Soul Train to advance music, and not just black music, cannot be understated.''

Cornelius died in an apparent suicide in L.A.

''Jenni was a powerful artist, a wonderful human being, a dedicated mother and grandmother, a symbol of strength, a warrior, and a dear friend who truly helped all of us around her. It is still hard for me to comprehend and accept what has happened.''

Rivera died in a plane crash near Nuevo León, Mexico.

''Nora kept doing things well. It was really annoying! She was a great writer, a great director, and then it turned out she was a great chef. People can devote their entire lives to just one of those things and not get the same results she did. ... Whatever she was doing, Nora set the bar.''

Ephron died of pneumonia resulting from acute myeloid leukemia in New York City.

''Sherman Hemsley gave me 10 years of love and fun. We were a wonderful family, and he was a generous and loving costar.''

Hemsley died of lung cancer in El Paso.

''Just before he died, we were talking about doing a Top Gun sequel together. I was excited to be working with him again after all these years. Like everyone, I was devastated when I heard that he was gone. He was a dear friend. I loved him. I still love him.''

Scott died in an apparent suicide in L.A.

''What is the moon in Sendak's work? She is mystery, consolation, and constancy. Like Sendak's legacy, she's always fresh as long as children, those wildest of things, insist on being read to. I look for my friend; I miss him and love him. The moon winks back at me, once a month.''

Sendak died in Danbury, Conn., of complications from a stroke.

''Because there is no cosmic point to the life that each of us perceives on this distant bit of dust at galaxy's edge, all the more reason for us to maintain in proper balance what we have here. Because there is nothing else. Nothing. This is it. And quite enough, all in all.'' —Vidal, in 1988's At Home

''...I'm not afraid of machines. I don't think the robots are taking over. I think the men who play with toys have taken over. And if we don't take the toys out of their hands, we're fools.'' —Bradbury, in a 1976 interview

For more from these stars' tributes to 2012's Late Greats, pick up this week's EW on newsstands now or buy it online.