Stars we lost in 2018

The Goodfellas actor died Dec. 26 at the age of 83. He was best known for his role as Anthony Stabile in the 1990 Martin Scorsese film. The actor was also in Scorsese’s Raging Bull as Patsy and Casino as Rocky. He appeared in several other popular films as well, such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and True Romance.

The actor, director, and writer died Dec. 18 at the age of 84. As an actor, Masterson appeared in 1968’s Counterpoint, 1973’s The Exorcist, and 1975’s The Stepford Wives. As a director, he helmed the 1985 adaptation of The Trip to Bountiful, followed by titles like Full Moon in Blue Water in 1988, Night Game in 1989, and Arctic Blue in 1993. He famously wrote the book for the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Larry L. King, bringing the story of a brothel known as the Chicken Ranch to Broadway in 1978. Masterson also co-directed the musical and earned two Tony nominations for his work directing and writing the show.

Penny Marshall, who starred in Laverne & Shirley and directed hit films like Big and A League of Their Own, died on Dec. 17 due to complications from diabetes at the age of 75. In 1988, with Big, she became the first woman in Hollywood history to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office — and in 1992, she did it again with A League of Their Own. She also directed Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Awakenings, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

The founder of popular apps Vine and HQ Trivia died on Dec. 16 of a suspected overdose. He was 35.

The legendary jazz singer died on Dec. 13 at her home in Pioneertown, Calif., at the age of 81. Wilson — whose nicknames included “The Baby” and “The Girl With the Honey-Coated Voice” — released more than 70 albums over the course of her career. Her biggest hit was “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” in 1964, which earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Recording. She went on to win two more Grammys, in 2005 and 2007, for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Wilson was also a civil rights advocate who was honored with the NAACP Hall of Fame Image Award in 1998 and was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in 2005.

The Buzzcocks singer died Dec. 6 at the age of 63. Shelley formed the Buzzcocks with fellow singer Howard Devoto in 1976 and wrote their most famous song, 1978’s “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).” Following the band’s breakup, Shelley released a string of solo albums, including 1981’s Homosapien and 1983’s XL1. The Buzzcocks re-formed in 1989.

The reality TV personality died on Dec. 4 at the age of 34 following a battle with breast cancer. Strauss competed on cycle 8 of the competition series America’s Next Top Model, earning fans for her fun-loving personality and eccentric fashion.

The actor, known for his roles on television shows F Troop and Mayberry R.F.D., died on Dec. 1. He was 85. His first big role was as Capt. Wilton Parmenter on F Troop, which he considered to be the highlight of his career. After the show ended, he appeared on the final season of the Andy Griffith Show as town councilor Sam Jones, and went on to appear as the same character on spinoff show Mayberry R.F.D. He also appeared on Carol Burnett Show spin-off Mama’s Family, as well as in the films Herbie Rides Again and The Cat From Outer Space. 

The 41st president died on Nov. 30 at the age of 94. Bush served as the vice president for eight years before acting as commander in chief from 1989 to 1993 for one term. He was the last veteran of World War II to serve as president, and his term was highlighted by helping to usher the United States out of the Cold War. His son George W. Bush also served as the nation’s 43rd president.

The creator of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob Squarepants died Nov. 27 at the age of 57. Hillenburg revealed in March 2017 that he had been diagnosed with ALS, and he passed away from complications of the condition. SpongeBob SquarePants launched on Nickelodeon in 1999 with Tom Kenny as the voice of the titular energetic sea sponge. It went on to spawn animated and live-action films, as well as a Broadway musical. Before that, Hillenburg worked on Rocko’s Modern Life and Rugrats. In May of last year, SpongeBob was renewed through a 12th season, set to premiere in 2019.

The world-renowned Italian filmmaker died on Nov. 26. He was 77. Bertolucci was best known for his explicit depictions of sex and carnality in films like 1972’s Last Tango in Paris starring Marlon Brando. He also helmed features like The Spider’s Stratagem and The Conformist — both released in 1970. He won two Oscars over the course of his 56-year career, both for 1987’s The Last Emperor, a historical drama that he wrote and directed. 

The screenwriter died on Nov. 25 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 76. She collaborated with her husband William Huyck on the screenplays for many films, including American Graffiti (directed and co-written by George Lucas), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (produced by Lucas), and Howard the Duck (directed by Huyck). A working relationship with Lucas also led to her contributions to Star Wars — polishing the script, contributing dialogue, and famously reshaping the character of Princess Leia.

The magician, actor, and writer died on Nov. 24 at the age of 72. Jay was widely regarded as among the most skilled magicians of his, or any, generation. Jay’s acting credits included director David Mamet’s 1987 thriller House of Games, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 film Boogie Nights, and the HBO TV show Deadwood. Mamet also directed Jay’s 1994 Broadway show, Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants. Jay’s books included 1986’s Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women and 2011’s Celebrations of Curious Characters.

The acclaimed British director died on Nov. 23 at the age of 90. He was best known for his work helming titles like Roald Dahl adaptation The Witches, The Man Who Fell to Earth with David Bowie, and the provocative Don’t Look Now. 

The LFO singer died Nov. 21 after a yearlong battle with stage IV cancer. He was 41. LFO, who found fame in 1999 with their hit “Summer Girls” and released a new single, “Perfect 10,” last year, was made up of Lima and Brad Fischetti. The band’s third member, Rich Cronin, died of leukemia in 2010.

The Oscar-winning screenwriter behind such classic films as All the President’s Men and The Princess Bride died at his Manhattan home on Nov. 16. He was 87. Goldman started his writing career as a novelist, penning books like Temple of Gold and Boys and Girls Together in the ’50s and early ’60s. He hit his stride as a screenwriter, however, and was responsible for classics including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Harper, Misery, and The Stepford Wives.

Kim Porter, who dated Sean “Diddy” Combs for many years before their 2007 split and was also mother to three of his children, was found dead in her home Nov. 15. She was 47.

Country music trailblazer and Hee Haw host Roy Clark died at his home on Nov. 15. He was 85. Clark hosted Hee Haw for its entire 24-year run; the show ended in 1993. In addition to his hosting gig, Clark was a notable country musician himself, opening a theater in Branson, Missouri. His biggest hit was 1969’s “Yesterday When I Was Young.” 

Katherine “Scottie” MacGregor, the actress who played the villainous Harriet Oleson on the long-running TV show Little House on the Prairie, died Nov. 13 at 93. While Oleson was originally intended to be an occasional guest character, MacGregor’s performance was so well received that she became a regular on the series, which aired from 1974 to 1982.

The torch-bearing writer, editor, and longtime Marvel Comics head honcho died Nov. 12 at 95. Lee’s innovations pushed comic books from the edge of obscurity to the cultural forefront as a legitimate American art form. And he helped usher in an era when superhero movies, including such global blockbusters as Marvel Studios’ Iron Man and Avengers franchises, rank as Hollywood’s most reliably bankable entertainment properties. Lee helped oversee the creation of countless iconic superheroes, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, Black Panther, and The Fantastic Four. Modern audiences remembered him fondly for his winking cameos in Marvel films over the years.

The Canadian theater veteran best known for lending his voice to the artificially intelligent computer HAL 9000 in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 classic 2001: A Space Odyssey died Nov. 11. He was 90. The Winnipeg native was hired by Kubrick to voice the onboard computer system guiding Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) through space as a replacement for the too-American voice of Martin Balsam. Rain also spent 32 seasons performing on stage as part of Canada’s Stratford Company in nearly 80 productions between 1953 and 1998. In 1972, he received a Tony nomination for his supporting work in Vivat! Vivat Regina!

The Oscar-nominated actress and director died of bone and breast cancer on Nov. 3. She was 73. Locke rose to fame at the age of 24 with her award-nominated turn in the adaptation of Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. She also had memorable roles in The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Gauntlet, Every Which Way But Loose, Any Which Way You Can, and Sudden Impact. Locke also had a notable personal and professional relationship with Clint Eastwood, eventually ending in a publically acrimonious split in 1989. She also was noted for her skills as a director and stepped behind the camera for three films — Ratboy, Impulse, and Do Me a Favor.

Actor James Karen, who had more than 200 screen roles to his credit, died Oct. 23 at his home. He was 94. Perhaps best known as real-estate developer Mr. Teague in 1982’s Poltergeist, Karen was a prolific character actor, appearing in a wide range of films including Mulholland Drive, Wall Street, and The China Syndrome, as well as thousands of commercials and numerous television roles.

Danny Leiner, the director behind stoner comedies Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Dude, Where’s My Car?, died on Oct. 19. Leiner passed away “after a long illness,” according to Ross Putman, who produced multiple films with Leiner. He was 57. The filmmaker also directed episodes of Felicity, Freaks and Geeks, Party of Five, Gilmore Girls, Arrested Development, The Sopranos, and The Office. He reunited with actor Seann William Scott from the  Dude days for his final feature, Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach, in 2009.

Thee owner of the Nevada brothel where Lamar Odom was found unconscious from a drug overdose three years ago, was found dead at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nevada on Oct. 16. He was 72. Hof owned several legal brothels Nevada, including the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, which served as the prime location for the HBO reality show Cathouse: The Series. He was also running for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly.

The famed actress of the 1960s and ’70s, best known for her memorable turn on Star Trek, died Oct.7 at 74. She played Yeoman Martha Landon on the October 1967 episode “The Apple” opposite Chekov (Walter Koenig). She also appeared opposite Elvis Presley in the film Live a Little, Love a Little.

The Days of Our Lives star died Oct. 7. McCay joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in 1983 and portrayed Brady family matriarch Caroline for 35 years. She was nominated multiple times for Daytime Emmys for her work, though she won a Primetime Emmy for guest-starring on The Trials of Rosie O’Neill. The actress also received Primetime Emmy nominations for Cagney & Lacey and Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story. She was 90.

Wilson, who rose to fame playing murderer Robert Hickock in 1967’s In Cold Blood and more recently was a series regular playing veterinarian-turned-farmer Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead, died Oct. 7 from complications from leukemia. He was 76.

The screenwriter died Oct. 5, one day before the release of her film The Hate U Give, following a long battle with cancer. Among her other credits are George of the Jungle, The Kid, The Game Plan, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, and Under the Tuscan Sun, which she also directed. She was 58.

The comics artist best known for co-creating the character Judge Dredd for the British sci-fi title 2000 AD died Oct. 2. He was 70.

The producer behind hits including Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back died Sept. 23 of cancer. Kurtz was an early collaborator of George Lucas’, producing American Graffiti and the first two Star Wars films before going on to produce Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal. He was 78.

The three-time Tony-nominated Broadway star died Sept. 13 following a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. Mazzie was nominated for her roles in Ragtime, Passion, and Kiss Me, Kate, and also starred in a wide range of productions including Spamalot, Next to Normal, and Bullets Over Broadway. Most recently, she replaced Kelli O’Hara in the Lincoln Center revival of The King and I. She was 57.

The character actor perhaps best known for his role on The X-Files died Sept. 10. Donat played William Mulder, father of David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder, on six episodes of The X-Files, opposite Rebecca Toolan as Teena Mulder. On the big screen, he appeared in The Godfather Part II, War of the Roses, The Game, and Tucker: The Man and His Dream. He was 90.

The comic actor, who found breakout success as Major Healey on the hit 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie and also had notable roles on The Bob Newhart Show and Alf, died Sept. 8. He was 91.

Mac Miller died Sept. 7 at the age of 26. The rapper, born Malcolm McCormick, was found dead of an apparent overdose. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Miller started rapping as a teenager and first gained mainstream popularity with his 2011 song “Donald Trump.” Later that year, he released his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, which topped the Billboard charts and eventually went certified gold. Miller’s death came just a month after he released his fifth studio album, Swimming.

The movie star famous for his macho swagger in films of the ’70s and ’80s died Sept. 6, at age 82. After early success on the TV Western Gunsmoke, Reynolds later ruled the box office in films like Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit. In the late ’90s, he had a career resurgence, earning an Oscar nomination for his work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights.

The actor and nephew of President John F. Kennedy died Sept. 4. Lawford was an actor with more than 40 credits to his name, including Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Thirteen Days — a film about the Cuban Missile Crisis that featured his uncles John and Robert Kennedy as characters. Lawford had a robust career on television, guesting on a wide range of series, including Frasier, Chicago Hope, The O.C., All My Children, and General Hospital. He was also a correspondent on the entertainment news program Extra and the son of actor Peter Lawford. He was 63.

The Doctor Who production designer died in late August. He had signed on to the British time travel show in 2010 and oversaw the look of the series for 71 episodes in all, while the titular character was portrayed first by Matt Smith and then Peter Capaldi. He was 74.

Neil Simon, the prolific playwright whose Broadway hits included the newlyweds-in-Manhattan romp Barefoot in the Park, the prototypical bromance The Odd Couple, and the autobiographical Brighton Beach Memoirs, died on Aug. 25 in New York City of complications from pneumonia. He was 91.

John McCain, the Republican senator from Arizona who was the GOP presidential nominee in 2008, died Aug. 25 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 81. While he will be remembered as a GOP maverick and war hero who spent more than five years as a prisoner in Vietnam, McCain spoke to EW in 2008 about his love of pop culture and made several appearances on Saturday Night Live.

Dancer and choreographer Lindsay Kemp, a mentor to David Bowie and influence on the singer’s Ziggy Stardust persona, died Aug. 24. Kemp formed his dance company in the 1960s and tutored the likes of English singer Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, and Mia Farrow. He was 80.

Robin Leach, who showcased the “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” of the rich and famous in his decades of journalism for magazines and TV, died Aug. 24 at age 76. Leach was best known as the host of TV’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and also wrote for publications like the New York Daily News, Ladies’ Home Journal, The Star, and PEOPLE.

The former guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd who co-wrote the band’s iconic hit “Sweet Home Alabama” died Aug. 23. King’s musical career started in the ’60s as the guitarist for Strawberry Alarm Clock, a psychedelic rock band he co-founded. He was 68.

The formerly 704-lb. woman who was featured on TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life died Aug. 23. She was 50.

Craig Zadan, one of film and TV’s most prolific producers of musicals, died Aug. 20 of complications from shoulder replacement surgery. He was 69. Zadan, with his producing partner Neil Meron, worked on big-screen versions of Chicago and Hairspray, as well as five live musicals for NBC that began with The Sound of Music and included 2018’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. They also were behind the cult hit Smash and produced three Oscar telecasts.

The actress, who starred in Family Plot and Freak Friday, died Aug. 16 of lung cancer. Harris made a name for herself as an actress in the 1960s and ’70s, earning a 1967 Tony award for her performance in Broadway’s The Apple Tree and an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her work opposite Dustin Hoffman in 1971’s Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? She was 83.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, died Aug. 16 at her home in Detroit. She was 76. One of the most successful musicians of all time, the “Respect” singer won 18 Grammys and placed 73 titles on Billboard’s Hot 100 during her seven decades in the music industry.

The actress Charlotte Rae, best known for playing the wise and lovable house mother Mrs. Garrett on The Facts of Life, died Aug. 5 at her home in Los Angeles, her representatives confirmed. She was 92. Rae revealed she’d been diagnosed with bone cancer in April 2017.

Mary Carlisle, who played ingenues in a wide range of studio films in the 1930s, died at the age of 104 on Aug. 1. She was known for starring opposite Bing Crosby in three musical comedies, including College Humor (1933). She also appeared in Grand Hotel opposite Greta Garbo and acted in films with the likes of John Barrymore, Jack Benny, Will Rogers, and Maureen O’Hara. Typecast as a perpetually girlish and innocent young woman, Carlisle retired from acting after 1943’s Dead Men Walk and ran an Elizabeth Arden beauty salon for many years.

The Hell’s Kitchen competitor and chef died Monday, July 30 following complications from colitis.Vogel first appeared on the Fox reality series in 2014, and finished in 12th place. The chef also appeared on the Food Network show Cutthroat Kitchen. She was 34.

The wrestler most famous for contending under the name Grandmaster Sexay died July 30. He often paired with Scotty 2 Hotty as the tag team Too Cool and was also well-known as the son of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Elmarie Wendel, known for portraying the eccentric landlady Mrs. Dubcek on the ’90s sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun, died at age 89 on July 22. In addition to her role on 3rd Rock, Wendel appeared in several guest-starring roles on television, including as assembly line worker Gina on George Lopez from 2003 to 2007. She also made her mark as a voice actress as Aunt Grizelda in the 2012 big-screen Dr. Seuss adaptation The Lorax. In 2015, she lent her voice to the popular videogame Fallout 4.

Fudge, a fisherman featured on the National Geographic reality show Wicked Tuna, died at age 28 on July 19. “National Geographic and Pilgrim Media Group were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas ‘Duffy’ Fudge passed away this week,” read a statement on the show’s official Facebook page. “Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s fishing vessel, Pinwheel, and has appeared on both Wicked Tuna and our spinoff series Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.“

Neilson, a star of Bravo’s reality show Ladies of London, died July 17 at age 49. In addition to being a reality star, Neilson previously worked as a model and was close friends with supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, as well as the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Nancy Sinatra Sr., the first wife of legendary Rat Pack crooner Frank Sinatra and mother of his three children, died Friday, July 13 at 101. Born Nancy Barbato, she met Frank when they were both teenagers. The pair married in 1939 in Jersey City, New Jersey — Nancy Sr.’s hometown. The couple divorced in 1951, but she chose never to remarry, often speaking publicly of her wish to reconcile with Sinatra.

The 1950s matinee idol best known for his portrayal of Washington Nationals slugger Joe Hardy in the big-screen adaptation of the musical Damn Yankees died July 8 at the age of 86. Hunter was one of the last contract players of the studio era, starring in a range of films including Battle Cry, The Sea Chase, and The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. He became a gay icon in later years when he confirmed rumors of his sexuality in his 2005 autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential, which inspired an acclaimed 2015 documentary.

French director Claude Lanzmann died July 5. The filmmaker was best known for his nine-and-a-half-hour Holocaust documentary Shoah. Lanzmann received multiple awards from the likes of BAFTA, the Berlin Film Festival, and France’s César Awards for Shoah. The documentary, filmed in the 1970s, recounted events from the Holocaust through interviews with survivors, bystanders, and perpetrators in 14 countries. No historical footage was used. Instead, Lanzmann told these stories through testimonies and visits to the locations where crimes took place.

Richard Swift, a member of the Black Keys, died July 2, at 41. The acclaimed rock outlet’s bassist on tour in 2014, Swift also performed in bandmate Dan Auerbach’s other group, the Arcs, and had been a member of the Shins from 2011 to 2016. “He was the funniest person we ever met, one of the most talented musicians we have ever worked with and we feel so honored to have known him,” Auerbach and fellow Black Keys member Patrick Carney said in a statement. “RIP Richard.”

The legendary and reclusive comic artist — who with Stan Lee co-created iconic Marvel heroes including Spider-Man and Doctor Strange — died June 27 at the age of 90. Ditko left a strong influence on Marvel Comics during his heyday there, most notably devising iconic aspects of Spider-Man including his red-and-blue suit, webshooters, and more.

Harlan Ellison, a prolific and contentious writer most lauded for his ventures into science-fiction and horror, died June 27, at 84. Across an eclectic 60-year career, Ellison delivered quirky and engrossing sci-fi stories such as A Boy and His Dog, set in post-apocalyptic America, and “Repent Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman, about a futuristic world in which time is strictly controlled by the sinister Ticktockman. Ellison’s television work included such iconic series as Star Trek and The Outer Limits.

Legendary manager Joe Jackson died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on June 27, at age 89. The Jackson family patriarch and father of 11 groomed his children for musical success in the Jackson 5 before managing the solo careers of his daughters La Toya, Rebbie, and Janet. Jackson first broke into the music business as a singer and guitarist in the 1950s Chicago-based band the Falcons. In recent years, he faced allegations of abuse by his children but claimed in a 2013 interview on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight he had no regrets as far as how he raised his children.

Richard Harrison, known as the “Old Man” of History Channel’s Pawn Stars, died June 25 at age 77. He was featured with son Rick Harrison on the show, which follows the only family-owned pawn shop in Las Vegas. “He lived a very full life and through the History television show ‘Pawn Stars’ touched the lives of people all over, teaching them the value of loving your family, hard work and humor,” Rick wrote on Instagram. A Navy veteran, Harrison lost $1 million in the real estate market and looked to start fresh in Sin City, where he transplanted his family and opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in 1988.

Operation Repo star Carlos Lopez Jr. died June 25 at the age of 35. Lopez starred on the car repossession reality series from 2012 to 20 14 and made appearances on iCarly, America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back, CSI: Cyber, and American Made. According to his IMDb profile, Lopez “served 37 months in combat with the 1st Cavalry, 82nd Airborne, 101st, 451st CA Bn.”

Vinnie Paul, the drummer for Pantera, Damageplan, and Hellyeah, died June 23 at the age of 54. Paul started Pantera in 1981 with his younger brother, Dimebag Darrell. The beloved groove-metal band rose to greater fame in the 1990s with four consecutive platinum-selling albums. Paul and Dimebag proceeded to form the group Damageplan, and following the tragic death of his brother, Paul re-emerged with supergroup Hellyeah, which released five albums, most recently 2016’s Undeniable. “Today, the world not only lost a legend, but also a genuine human being who lived to put a smile on the faces of everyone he met. May he be reunited with his brother as we all strive to continue his legacy,” Hellyeah’s record label, Eleven Seven Label Group, said in a statement.

Hollywood producer Martin Bregman, known for his collaborations with actor Al Pacino, including Scarface, Dog Day Afternoon, and Serpico, died June 16 at age 92. Bregman got his start as a business and personal manager for a wide range of stars, including Pacino, Barbra Streisand, Faye Dunaway, Michael Douglas, Bette Midler, Woody Allen, and Alan Alda. He then transitioned to producing and helped bring a wide range of films to the screen, including Panic at Needle Park, The Seduction of Joe Tynan, Sweet Liberty, Matilda, and The Bone Collector.

The iconic Blues Brothers guitarist died June 15 at age 88. Murphy found early fame in 1950s Chicago with blues singer Howlin’ Wolf before collaborating with the likes of Otis Rush, Chuck Berry, and Joe Louis Walker. Murphy joined Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in 1978 after they saw him perform in a New York club. He was cast as the soul food chef and weary husband of a waitress played by Aretha Franklin in The Blues Brothers movie and its sequel, Blues Brothers 2000. In 2012, Murphy was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan died June 8 in London at age 68. Kirwan joined Fleetwood Mac when he was still a teenager, and was one of the eight band members inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

The first ever “Bond girl” in the beloved James Bond franchise died June 8 at age 90. Gayson portrayed the sultry Sylvia Trench in both 1962’s Dr. No and 1963’s From Russia With Love. In Dr. No, she helped set up the famous exchange in which 007 introduces himself as “Bond, James Bond.” Gayson also appeared in Revenge of Frankenstein and Melody in the Dark, as well as television shows such as The Avengers, The Saint, and Secret Agent.

Anthony Bourdain, the chef, author, and host of CNN’s Parts Unknown, died June 8, at 61. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink, and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller,” CNN said in a statement confirming his death. “His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much.”

Veteran TV actress Georgann Johnson died on June 4 at the age of 91. Johnson was best known for her roles in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and numerous daytime dramas including The Doctors, Another World, All My Children, and As the World Turns.

Fashion designer Kate Spade died on June 5, 2018, at the age of 55. After a stint as an editor at Mademoiselle magazine, Spade founded her eponymous line of handbags in 1993. In the ensuing decades, her label and its signature brand of whimsical, feminine glamour expanded to include clothing, footwear, and other accessories — and became a major force in American fashion.

Maren, who was the last surviving Munchkin from the cast of The Wizard of Oz, died in early June at the age of 98. The actor appeared in TV bits on popular shows over the years including The Twilight Zone,  Seinfeld, and Bewitched, but he is best remembered for his role as the central member of the Lollipop Guild in the 1939 Technicolor’s film’s Munchkinland sequence.

Actor Frank Doubleday died May 30 from complications of esophageal cancer at age 73. Doubleday’s biggest roles came by way of director John Carpenter, starring in the 1976 thriller Assault on Precinct 13 and 1981 distoypia Escape From New York. His later credits include Broadcast News, L.A. Bounty and Dollman. He’s the father of actresses Kaitlin and Portia Doubleday.

Hugh Dane, best known as Hank the security guard on NBC’s The Office, died May 16, 2018. He was 75. Though Hank was undoubtedly Dane’s most beloved character, the actor was also known for roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Boy Meets World, Bridesmaids, and more. Office costar Rainn Wilson saluted Dane on Twitter after his passing, writing, “He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him.”

Robert Mandan, the actor best known for his role as the adulterer Chester Tate on the ABC drama Soap, died April 29, 2018, at the age of 86. Mandan’s TV career included everything from Fantasy Island and The Love Boat to Three’s Company and The Facts of Life, but it was his Soap role that brought him fame. He played the knee-slapping part from 1977 to 1981.

Philip Roth, the seminal American novelist best known for American Pastoral, died May 22 at age 85. Roth won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for that novel but leaves behind a vast array of other works, including Goodbye Columbus, Portnoy’s Complaint and The Human Stain. Born in Newark, NJ, and raised in its lower-middle-class Jewish neighborhood of Weequahic, he drew upon this upbringing to become an unparalleled literary authority at exploring lust, Jewish life, and the deeper-set American condition. 

Tom Wolfe, the acclaimed author and forefather of New Journalism, died May 14 at age 88. He had been hospitalized with an infection. Though best known as the author of the commercially and critically successful novel The Bonfire of the Vanities, Wolfe first made a name for himself as a journalist, coining the term “New Journalism” while reporting a story for Esquire magazine in 1963. Wolfe’s brand of immersive journalism involved the writer and the reader in the narrative, and mixed hard reporting with literary devices you’d normally find in a novel. While he wasn’t the first to write in this style, he helped popularize it. In 1973, he compiled and edited The New Journalism, which collected work by Joan Didion, Hunter S. Thompson, and other authors who typified the genre. Throughout the ’70s, Wolfe published some of his most influential work, including the essay “The Me Decade and the Third Great Awakening” and his 1979 book The Right Stuff, which centered on the astronauts of the Mercury Seven.

The actress best known for portraying Lois Lane opposite Christoper Reeve’s Superman died Sunday, May 13 at the age of 69. Kidder starred in 1978 blockbuster Superman: The Movie and its three sequels. Her many other film credits included Brian De Palma’s 1973 thriller Sisters, 1975’s Robert Redford-starring The Great Waldo Pepper, and the horror classics 1974’s Black Christmas and 1979’s The Amityville Horror. The actress was also an outspoken advocate for mental health following a much publicized manic episode in 1996.

Scott Hutchinson, longtime frontman for the Scottish indie-rock band Frightened Rabbit, died May 10 at age 36. The raw, beating heart of the acclaimed five-piece, Hutchinson wrote sad, soulful, and stirring songs that often addressed his on-going struggles with mental health, a subject he also openly discussed in interviews. This honesty was emblematic of the singer and guitarist, who had released five albums with Frightened Rabbit since 2006. His death came in the aftermath of a tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary of The Midnight Organ Fight, the band’s angstily anthemic magnum opus.

Carlos Carvalho, an award-winning filmmaker, has died after a fatal accident involving a giraffe while on location in South Africa. He was 47. He was hit in the head by a male giraffe on site named Gerald. He later succumbed to his injuries after he was flown to a hospital. Carvalho won the Silver Lion at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003 for a public service announcement for Childline. In 2014, he won an African Movie Academy Award for The Forgotten Kingdom, for which he served as cinematographer.

Producer Paul Junger Witt died from cancer on April 27 in Los Angeles. He was 77. Witt was a respected producer credits include The Partridge Family, The Golden Girls, Brian’s Song, and Dead Poet’s Society. Born in New York City and educated at the University of Virginia, Witt began his Hollywood career in the Columbia Pictures mailroom before going on to work for Danny Thomas Productions in 1973. Two years later, he and Thomas’ son Tony formed Witt/Thomas Productions that later became Witt/Thomas/Harris — a partnership that continues to exist today.

Verne Troyer, the actor best known for playing Mini-Me to Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies, died April 21 at age 49. A statement posted to his social media accounts remembered Troyer as “an extremely caring individual” who “wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh,” while also acknowledging that he struggled with “his own battles.” Myers said of his costar, “Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honor of working with him. It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed.”

The Swedish DJ behind hits including “Wake Me Up!” “Levels,” and “You Make Me,” died at age 28 on Friday, April 20. Born Tim Bergling, Avicii rose to international success as a DJ creating hits like “Levels,” “Wake Me Up,” and “Hey Brother.” He announced he would retire from touring in 2016, but continued to release new music like his most recent EP, Avīci (01), which hit number three on the Billboard Electronic Albums chart.

The country songwriter, guitarist, and producer died April 18 at the age of 64. Scruggs won multiple Grammy Awards and was named Musician of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards twice. He penned many celebrated country songs and played on countless albums, most notably Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken and John Hartford’s Aereo-Plain. His only solo album was 1998’s Crown of Jewels.

Barbara Bush, the beloved wife and mother of two former presidents, died April 17 at the age of 92. The former first lady and former President George H.W. Bush had the longest-lasting marriage in presidential history: 73 years. Barbara Bush championed many causes throughout her life, from homelessness to AIDS, but she was most known as an advocate for literacy. She founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and served as its honorary chairperson.

The actress, who starred in the Twin Peaks film Fire Walk With Me, died at the age of 52 on April 16. Gidley made her film debut in Thrashin‘ in 1986, appearing alongside Josh Brolin and Sherilyn Fenn. She also appeared in films such as Cherry 2000, The Blue Iguana, and Permanent Record and had recurring roles on Angel Street, Strange Luck, The Pretender, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Night Court star Harry Anderson was found dead in his home April 16. He was 64. The actor was well known to audiences for his portrayal of Judge Harry Stone on nine seasons of Night Court and earned three Emmy nominations for his work on the show. He went on to play the titular character in Dave’s World, which was based on syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry, for four seasons until 1997. His other TV credits included the original It miniseries, Cheers, Son of the Beach, 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and Comedy Bang! Bang!.

Actor R. Lee Ermey, best known for his role as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, died April 15. He was 74. Ermey spent 11 years in the Marines before retiring and turning to an acting career. After taking some acting classes, one of Ermey’s first roles was playing a helicopter pilot in the 1979 classic Apocalypse Now. He eventually went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for his memorable performance as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in 1987’s Full Metal Jacket.

The Oscar-winning director of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus died April 13. Forman made a name for himself as a director in Czechslovokia before coming to the U.S., where he found major success with films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Valmont, Hair, Amadeus, and Ragtime. He won the Best Director Oscar twice, for Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus, and earned a third nomination for The People vs. Larry Flynt.

The actor, comedian, and voiceover artist died of congestive heart failure in Los Angeles on April 8. McCann originated many memorable voice roles, including the General Mills cartoon Sonny the Cuckoo Bird; he first recorded “I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” in 1962. He also had voice roles in DuckTales, The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, The Garfield Show, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, GI Joe, and The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, among many others. His first major film role was in the 1968 drama The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, opposite an Oscar-nominated Alan Arkin. He went on to star in the 1971 comedy The Projectionist, which made use of his talent for impressions.

Susan Anspach, an actress who appeared in films including Five Easy Pieces and Blume in Love, died April 2. She was 75. Ansbach made her film debut in Hal Ashby’s The Landlord before transitioning to bigger roles in films like Five Easy Pieces, Woody Allen’s Play It Again, Sam, Paul Mazursky’s Blume in Love, and Dusan Makavejev’s Montenegro. 

The prolific television producer died April 1 after a long battle with cancer. He was 74. Over the course of his illustrious career, Bochco was the creative force behind such mega-hits as NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and Doogie Howser, M.D., to name just a few. He is credited for adding a groundbreaking dose of gritty reality to his police dramas, which ultimately changed the way such stories are depicted even today, and was known for pushing boundaries when it came to nudity and language on network television. Bochco picked up a total of 10 Primetime Emmys (out of a whopping 30 nominations) and four Peabodys. He was honored with the Producers Guild of America’s David Susskind lifetime achievement award in 1999.

Road Rules alum Brian Lancaster died on March 29 at age 43.  The MTV was found dead in his Pennsylvania home, due to what his family believed to be heart failure, as he had history of arrhythmia. In 1999, Lancaster appeared on the seventh season of the MTV reality series, Road Rules: Latina America.  After his time on reality television, worked as an advertising account manager, telecommunications project manager, special educator teacher and bartender.

Chicago Fire actress DuShon Monique Brown died March 23, at the age of 49. A longtime theater actor, Brown was best known to TV audiences for her portrayal of Connie, Chief Boden’s no-nonsense assistant on six seasons of Chicago Fire. Brown’s acting career also included guest spots on Prison Break, Empire, and Shameless.

Frank Avruch, who was a beloved fixture of 1960s children’s programming as Bozo the Clown, died March 20 of heart disease. In addition to his enduring legacy as Bozo the Clown, Avruch also served as a UNICEF ambassador, worked as a radio reporter, and appeared in the 1981 made-for-TV movie Summer Solstice.

The famous theoretical physicist and cosmologist died at age 76 on March 14. Hawking is best known for his discoveries in relativity and black holes, which he explored in great detail in his 1988 best-seller A Brief History of Time. His life inspired the Oscar-winning film The Theory of Everything, and Hawking himself appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Big Bang Theory.

The hip-hop pioneer from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment label died at 46 on March 12. Mack’s biggest hit was the Grammy-nominated “Flava in Ya Ear,” off his debut album, Project Funk Da World. Mack was a protege of Diddy and was considered one of the foundational artists of Bad Boy.

The legendary fashion designer died at the age of 91 on March 10. Givenchy was renowned as a designer, but he was best known for his collaborations with actress Audrey Hepburn who, in addition to owning many of his designs in her personal collection, wore his clothes in films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, and Funny Face. He dressed other notable celebrities including, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The Givenchy fashion house still remains a popular choice for A-list Hollywood talent.

The actor best known for his role as Maj. Charles Winchester III on M.A.S.H. died March 3 at the age of 75. Stiers earned two Emmy nominations for his role on M.A.S.H. and also had a prolific voice acting career, bringing to life the likes of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Governor Ratcliffe and Wiggins in Pocahontas, Jumba in Lilo & Stitch, and the narrator in M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water.

Comedian Barry Crimmins died Feb. 28 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 64. In the late ’70s, Crimmins founded Boston’s Ding Ho Comedy Club, which helped launch the careers of many stand-ups, including Steven Wright, Denis Leary, and Dana Gould. Crimmins also played an influential role in developing and promoting a more politically minded and socially aware vein of comedy.

The world-famous evangelist died at the age of 99 on Feb. 28. Known as “America’s pastor,” Graham harnessed the momentum of mass media and modern travel in the 20th century to reach millions with his Southern Baptist message. Radio and television appearances were commonplace for the charismatic preacher, and he embarked on preaching tours across the world throughout his long career.

The Bollywood icon died at the age of 54 on Feb. 24. Sridevi ascended to Bollywood stardom through her leading roles in the ’80s and ’90s, becoming one of the highest-paid actors in the industry, with several awards to boot. Her  breakout role came in the 1983 Bollywood comedy Himmatwala, and from there she worked in a variety of genres, including song-and-dance melodrama and broad comedy. She appeared in some 300 films, and won six Filmfare Awards, one of the oldest film prizes in India.

The Notting Hill star died at age 53 on Feb. 24. Chambers was best known for portraying Honey, the younger sister of Hugh Grant’s William Thacker, in Notting Hill. She also had a memorable role on the British comedy The Vicar of Dibley, portraying Alice Tinker from 1994 to 2007.

The daughter of comedian Bill Cosby died at the age of 43 on Feb. 23. She had a brief acting career, appearing in a 1989 episode of her father’s sitcom The Cosby Show as a girl at a party. In recent years, she stood by her father amid mounting allegations of sexual assault.

Star of stage and screen Nanette Fabray died Feb. 22 at age 97. Fabray won a Tony for best leading actress in a musical for 1949’s Love Life. In the 1950s, she won multiple Emmy awards for her work opposite Sid Caesar on Caesar’s Hour. Fabray was perhaps best known to audiences as Grandma Katherine Romano on the original version of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time.

The singer for the ’60s girl group The Crystals died at age 74 on Feb. 16. Alston sang on many Crystals hits, including “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me.” Alston was one of the founding members of the girl group and served as the lead singer.

A veteran of the Broadway stage, Maxwell died at the age of 61 on Feb. 11. She made her Broadway debut as an understudy for the 1989 musical City of Angels and went on to become a celebrated and respected stage actress, earning five Tony nominations within seven years: for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2005), Coram Boy (2007), Lend Me a Tenor and The Royal Family (both in 2010), and Follies (2012). She was a two-time Drama Desk Award winner, for her roles in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Royal Family. Maxwell also had numerous guest starring roles on television shows inclduing Law & Order, All My Children, Gossip Girl, and The Good Wife.

The legendary crooner died Feb. 11 at age 89. Damone released more than 2,500 records during his seven decades in music, and Frank Sinatra said he had “the best pipes in the business.” Damone topped the charts with hits like “You’re Breaking My Heart,” “My Heart Cries for You,” and “Tzena Tzena Tzena,” as well as Broadway musical numbers like “On the Street Where You Live.”

The Oscar-nominated composer died at the age of 48 on Feb. 9. Jóhannsson was best known for writing the Oscar-nominated scores for The Theory of Everything and Sicario. He also had a working relationship with director Denis Villeneuve, writing scores for the films Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival. His final scores before his death included one for mother! and the not-yet-released Mary Magdalene.

The actor, who won an Emmy for his work on House of Cards, died at the age of 59. His death was reported Feb. 9. Though he’d won recent acclaim for his portrayal of rib maestro Freddie Hayes on the Netflix political drama, he also had memorable turns on HBO’s The Wire and Oz. The Wire creator David Simon first reported his death and wrote, “Not only a fine, masterful actor — but simply one of the most delightful human beings with whom I ever shared some long days on set. On wit alone, he could double any man over and leave him thinking. Reg, your memory is a great blessing.”

A midcentury star of films including Psycho and Imitation of Life, John Gavin died Feb. 9 at the age of 86. He was best known for portraying Janet Leigh’s boyfriend in Psycho and starring opposite Lana Turner in Douglas Sirk’s lush remake of melodrama Imitation of Life. Gavin also had memorable roles in films including Spartacus, Midnight Lace, and more. He also served as the President of SAG in the 1970s and as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico under Ronald Reagan.

The actor best known for stints on Justified and Home Improvement died at the age of 76 on Wednesday, February 7. Jones had a long career as a character actor, but was beloved for his work as Pete Bilker of K&B Construction on 13 episodes of Home Improvement. More recently, he starred as Rodney “Hot Rod” Durham, a player in the Harlan County crime scene, in the second and third seasons of Justified. 

The beloved actor, best known for his role as Frasier Crane’s father on sitcom Frasier, died on Feb. 4 at the age of 77 following a brief illness. Mahoney began his acting career in his late thirties, becoming a member of the renowned Chicago Steppenwolf Theatre company. He won a Tony in 1986 for his role in John Guare’s House of Blue Leaves. In addition to his most indelible role on Frasier as curmudgeonly Martin Crane, he made memorable appearances in films including Say Anything, Reality Bites, and The American President. 

A key member of legendary Motown vocal group The Temptations, Dennis Edwards died Feb. 2 at the age of 74. Though he joined the group eight years into their existence, Edwards helped catapault them to success, singing on hits like I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” He left and rejoined the group many times throughout his life and had a brief stint as a solo artist in the ’80s and ’90s.

Best known for playing Puck on Fox’s musical dramedy Glee, Salling died of an apparent suicide on Jan. 30. He was 35. In December 2016, Salling pled guilty to child pornography after authorities discovered more than 25,000 images and 600 videos depicting child pornography on computers and thumb drives that belonged to the actor. 

Prolific cartoonist Mort Walker as best known for creating lazy private character Beetle Bailey, which he wrote for over four decades. Walker died of natural causes at his home in Connecticut on Jan. 27 at the age of 94. He began publishing comics at the age of 11, and though Beetle Bailey was his most famous creation, he worked on many others including Hi and Lois, Boner’s Ark, and Sam & Silo.

An Emmy-winning actress known for her work in such TV programs as Roots and Backstairs at the White House, died Jan. 19 at her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, at the age of 75. She won an Emmy for portraying Mathilde, wife of Ben Vereen’s Chicken George on groundbreaking mini-series Roots. Cole also had memorable roles on North and South, Murder She Wrote, and appeared alongside Oprah on The Women of Brewster Place.

Star of Discovery Channel’s documentary reality television series Storm Chasers, Joel Taylor died on January 23 at the age of 38. The cause of death was unclear, but did not appear to be related to chasing storms. “I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend,” former co-star Reed Timmer tweeted. “We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend.”

Author Dallas Myer, better known by his pen name Jack Ketchum, died from cancer Jan. 24 at the age of 71. Ketchum was beloved for his horror novels, including 1980’s Off Season, 1989’s The Girl Next Door, and 1995’s Red, the latter two of which were both adapted for the big screen.

Founder and lead singer of The Fall Mark E. Smith died Jan. 23 at the age of 60. Smith formed The Fall in 1976 with fellow original members Martin Bramah, Una Baines, and Tony Friel. But throughout the British post-punk band’s prolific run, which included 32 studio albums, Smith was the only constant. 

The influential science fiction and fantasy author died Jan. 22 at the age of 88 in her home in Portland, Oregon. Le Guin penned dozens of novels and short stories and earned praise for injecting issues of politics, sexuality, and feminism into sci-fi/fantasy literature. She had a prolific output as a writer and earned numerous Hugo and Nebula Awards, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the National Book Foundation.

Known as the “father of South African jazz,” musician Hugh Masekala died Jan. 23 at the age of 78 after a battle with prostate cancer. The trumpeter was an innovative jazz musician and an anti-apartheid activist. ““His contribution to the struggle for liberation will never be forgotten,” said President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa.

The Oscar winner for Douglas Sirk melodrama Written on the Wind died on January 19 at the age of 92. Malone was best remembered for her Oscar-winning turn as a man-eating heiress opposite Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind and her more than 400 episodes as Constance Mackenzie on long-running primetime soap Peyton Place. One of the last remaining stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Malone also had memorable roles in projects like The Big Sleep, The Tarnished Angels, and Basic Instinct. 

Wyngarde, who was best remembered for portraying the titular adventurer and spy in U.K. television series Jason King, died on January 18 in London following a long illness. He also had memorable turns in The Innocents, Flash Gordon, and Doctor Who. 

The Cranberries frontwoman died suddenly at the age of 46 on Jan. 15. The Irish singer-songwriter released five albums with the band after joining as their lead singer in 1990. The band reunited following a break in the mid-2000s. O’Riordan also released two solo albums, most recently 2009’s No Baggage.

Husband of Real Housewives of New York City star Jill Zarin, Bobby Zarin died on Jan. 13 following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 71. Zarin ran Zarin Fabrics, which was opened by his father, Harry Zarin, in 1936. Tributes immediately poured out from other members of the RHONY cast, as well as Andy Cohen and other Bravo staff.

One of the original Mousekeeters on the 1950s iteration of Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, Doreen Tracey died from pneumonia at the age of 74 on Jan. 10. She continued her career as a child star in an Annette Funicello-led spin-off and a Disney Western film with Fess Parker before becoming a publicist in later life. Tracey represented legendary musician/artist Frank Zappa. Despite straining relations with Disney by posing naked in her mouse ears for Gallery magazine in 1976, Tracey maintained a bond with the studio and her fellow Mouseketeers, attending reunions and appearing on television specials.

The Motörhead guitarist died from pneumonia at the age of 67 on Jan. 11. Known to fans as “Fast” Eddie because of his blisteringly fast playing, he was an essential part of the British heavy metal band’s early success. The guitarist co-wrote many of the band’s best-known tracks, including “Ace of Spades.” Clarke left Motörhead following the release of 1982’s Iron Fist and formed the band Fastway. He was the last surviving member of what many deemed the band’s definitive line-up.

Rhodes was best known for playing the hapless escaped convict Dutch Leitner on Soap and the gruff medical officer “Doc” Cottle on the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. He died of cancer on Jan. 8 at the age of 81. Though best known for those two roles, he had an extensive career as a journeyman actor, popping up in bit roles in numerous films and television shows.

Beloved for his four-time Emmy-nominated role as Luther Van Dam on the ABC sitcom Coach, Jerry Van Dyke died at the age of 86 on Jan. 5. Brother to song-and-dance-man Dick Van Dyke, Jerry made a career as a comic actor, appearing alongside his brother as Stacey Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Most recently, he earned new fans portraying the father of Patricia Heaton’s Frankie on ABC’s The Middle.