Notable Deaths In 2011

Jan.%2023%3A%20Hailed%20as%20the%20father%20of%20the%20fitness%20movement%2C%20Jack%20LaLanne%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2096%20at%20his%20home%20in%20Morro%20Bay%2C%20Calif.%20LaLanne%20is%20best%20known%20for%20his%20television%20program%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Jack%20LaLanne%20Show%26%238221%3B%20that%20debuted%20nationally%20in%201959%20and%20for%20his%20line%20of%20home%20juicers.%20%28credit%3A%20Toby%20Canham%2FGetty%20Images%29

Jan.%2018%3A%20The%20father%20to%20former%20Calif.%20First%20Lady%20Maria%20Shriver%20and%20brother%20in-law%20to%20John%20F.%20Kennedy%2C%20Shriver%20founded%20the%20Peace%20Corps%20and%20was%20a%20former%20Democratic%20vice%20presidential%20candidate.%20He%20was%2095.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Snyder-Pool%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Jan.%204%3A%20Gerry%20Rafferty%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2063%20after%20a%20long%20illness.%20He%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20hit%20single%20%26%238220%3BStuck%20in%20the%20Middle%20With%20You%26%238221%3B%20that%20was%20used%20by%20director%20Quentin%20Tarantino%20for%20an%20iconic%20scene%20in%20%26%238220%3BReservoir%20Dogs.%26%238221%3B%20%28credit%3A%20Universal%20Music%20Publishing%20Group%29

Jan.%203%3A%20Actress%20Anne%20Francis%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2080%20after%20battling%20lung%20cancer.%20She%20was%20best%20known%20for%20her%20role%20in%20the%20movie%20%26%238220%3BForbidden%20Planet%26%238221%3B%20and%20for%20her%20work%20in%20television.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Jan.%202%3A%20Actor%20Pete%20Postlethwaite%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2064%20after%20a%20battle%20with%20pancreatic%20cancer.%20He%20was%20best%20known%20for%20roles%20in%20movies%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BIn%20The%20Name%20Of%20The%20Father%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Usual%20Suspects%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BLost%20World%3A%20Jurassic%20Park%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BInception.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%20once%20called%20%26%238220%3Bthe%20best%20actor%20in%20the%20world%26%238221%3B%20by%20Steven%20Spielberg.%20%28credit%3A%20Lisa%20Maree%20Williams%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Dec.%2018%3A%20Inheriting%20power%20from%20his%20father%20in%201994%2C%20North%20Korean%20dictator%20Kim%20John%20Il%20led%20his%20nation%20through%20a%20devastating%20famine%20while%20frustrating%20global%20powers%20about%20giving%20up%20nuclear%20arms%20in%20return%20for%20energy%20and%20other%20assistance.%20State%20media%20announced%20his%20death%20from%20cardiac%20and%20cerebrovascular%20diseases%20at%20age%2069.%20%28credit%3A%20Pool%2FGetty%20Images%29%20

Sept.%2020%3A%20Known%20as%20the%20inventor%20of%20the%20popular%20snack%20chip%20Doritos%2C%20Arch%20West%20died%20in%20a%20hospital%20in%20Dallas%2C%20Texas%2C%20at%20the%20age%20of%2097.%20%28credit%3A%20Frito%20Lay%2FGetty%20Images%29

Dec.%208%3A%20Jerry%20Robinson%20was%20best%20known%20as%20the%20creator%20of%20the%20Joker%2C%20Batman%E2%80%99s%20archnemesis.%20Robinson%20was%20asked%20to%20join%20the%20Batman%20team%20on%20a%20tennis%20court%20in%20the%20Poconos%20by%20creator%20Bob%20Kane.%20He%20was%2089.%20%28credit%3A%20DC%20Comics%29

Dec%208%3A%20Best%20known%20for%20his%20work%20as%20Col.%20Potter%20in%20the%20classic%20TV%20show%20%26%238220%3BM%2AA%2AS%2AH%26%238221%3B%20and%20Officer%20Bill%20Gannon%20in%20%26%238220%3BDragnet%2C%26%238221%3B%20Morgan%20had%20a%20career%20that%20spanned%20over%2050%20years%20as%20playing%20gruff%20authority%20figures.%20He%20died%20in%20his%20home%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20at%20the%20age%20of%2096.%20%28credit%3A%2020th%20Century%20Fox%20Television%29%20%20

Nov.%2021%3A%20Anne%20McCaffrey%20was%20a%20prolific%20science%20fiction%20writer%20who%20was%20best%20known%20for%20her%20Pern%20series.%20Her%20writing%20career%20started%20with%20the%20low%20paying%20science%20fiction%20magazines%20of%20the%201950s%20and%20then%20she%20rose%20to%20fame%20at%20the%20publication%20of%20her%20story%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Ship%20Who%20Sang.%26%238221%3B%20She%20was%20still%20writing%20to%20the%20time%20of%20her%20death%20at%2085.%20%28credit%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpercollins.com%29

Nov.%2021%3A%20Seattle%20Mariners%E2%80%99%20Greg%20Halman%20was%20fatally%20stabbed%20in%20Rotterdam.%20Halman%20signed%20with%20the%20Mariners%20in%202004%20at%20the%20age%20of%2016%20for%20a%20seven-year%20contract.%20He%20showed%20great%20promise%20before%20his%20career%20was%20cut%20short%20at%20the%20age%20of%2024.%20%28credit%3A%20Otto%20Greule%20Jr.%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Nov.%2017%3A%20Kurt%20Budke%2C%20the%20head%20coach%20of%20the%20Oklahoma%20State%20women%E2%80%99s%20basketball%20team%2C%20died%20in%20a%20plane%20crash%20along%20with%20an%20assistant%20coach%20on%20a%20recruiting%20trip.%20He%20was%2050.%20%28credit%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fwww.okstate.com%29

Nov.%2012%3A%20Evelyn%20Lauder%20was%20a%20refugee%20from%20Nazi-occupied%20Europe%20who%20married%20into%20the%20Lauder%20clan%20and%20became%20an%20executive%20at%20Estee%20Lauder.%20In%201989%2C%20she%20was%20diagnosed%20with%20breast%20cancer%2C%20and%20soon%20after%20started%20the%20Pink%20Ribbon%20campaign%20to%20fight%20against%20the%20disease.%20She%20died%20from%20ovarian%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2075.%20%28credit%3A%20Theo%20Wargo%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%20for%20Estee%20Lauder%29

Nov.%208%3A%20Bill%20Keane%20was%20the%20creator%20of%20%26%238220%3BFamily%20Circus%2C%26%238221%3B%20one%20of%20the%20most%20popular%20newspaper%20comics%20of%20all%20time.%20He%20was%20known%20for%20his%20family%20friendly%20style%2C%20and%20gentle%20humor.%20He%20was%2089.%20%28credit%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familycircus.com%2F%29

Nov.%208%3A%20Heavy%20D%2C%20born%20Dwight%20Arrington%20Myers%2C%20once%20fronted%20the%20influential%20hip-hop%20group%20Heavy%20D%20and%20the%20Boyz.%20Once%20calling%20himself%20the%20%26%238220%3BOverweight%20Lover%2C%26%238221%3B%20Heavy%20D%20was%20known%20for%20his%20girth%2C%20but%20he%20lost%20the%20weight%20in%20his%20later%20years.%20He%20died%20after%20collapsing%20on%20the%20sidewalk%20of%20his%20Beverly%20Hills%20home%20at%20the%20age%20of%2044.%20%28credit%3A%20Alberto%20E.%20Rodriguez%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Nov.%207%3A%20Joe%20Frazier%20fought%20in%20some%20of%20the%20most%20legendary%20matches%20in%20the%20history%20of%20boxing%20against%20Muhammed%20Ali.%20In%20what%20was%20called%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Fight%20of%20the%20Century%2C%26%238221%3B%20Frazier%20knocked%20Ali%20down%20in%20the%20final%20round%2C%20and%20beat%20him%20on%20points.%20Both%20of%20them%2C%20however%2C%20needed%20to%20be%20taken%20to%20the%20hospital%20immediately%20after%20the%20match.%20%26%238220%3BSmokin%E2%80%99%20Joe%26%238221%3B%20Frazier%20beat%20Ali%20but%20he%20lost%20the%20fight%20against%20liver%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2067.%20%28credit%3A%20Brad%20Barket%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Nov.%205%3A%20Andy%20Rooney%20was%20the%20caustic%2C%20but%20always%20funny%2C%20commenter%20on%20CBS%E2%80%99%20%26%238220%3B60%20Minutes.%26%238221%3B%20His%20commentaries%20ranged%20from%20musing%20if%20there%20was%20a%20real%20Mrs.%20Smith%20that%20made%20Mrs.%20Smith%20pies%20to%20how%20he%20should%20be%20treated%20by%20fans%20if%20spotted%20in%20a%20restaurant.%20%28%26%238220%3BJust%20let%20me%20eat%20my%20dinner.%26%238221%3B%29%20He%20died%20from%20complications%20from%20a%20surgery%20at%20the%20age%20of%2092.%20%28credit%3A%20Joe%20Corrigan%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Nov.%201%3A%20Dorothy%20Emma%20Howell%20Rodham%20was%20the%20mother%20to%20former%20senator%20and%20presidential%20candidate%20Hillary%20Rodham-Clinton.%20She%20was%2092.%20%28credit%3A%20Stan%20Honda%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Oct.%2020%3A%20Eccentric%20dictator%20Muammar%20Qaddafi%20rose%20to%20power%20in%20the%20late%201960s%20and%20ruled%20Libya%20until%20Libyan%20rebels%20overthrew%20his%20government%20and%20ultimately%20killed%20him.%20Qaddafi%20is%20accused%20of%20being%20behind%20the%20Pan%20Am%20Flight%20103%20bombing%20over%20Lockerbie%2C%20Scotland%2C%20that%20killed%20270%20people.%20%28Credit%3A%20Mahmud%20Turkia%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%20

Oct.%2016%3A%20Indianapolis%20500%20winner%20Dan%20Wheldon%20died%20in%20a%20fiery%20IndyCar%20crash%20in%20Las%20Vegas%20at%20the%20age%20of%2033.%20%28credit%3A%20Gavin%20Lawrence%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Oct.%209%3A%20Two%20weeks%20before%20he%20died%20in%20a%20Chicago%20hotel%20room%2C%20former%20Weezer%20bassist%20Mikey%20Welsh%20wrote%20on%20Twitter%2C%20%26%238220%3BDreamt%20i%20died%20in%20chicago%20next%20weekend%20%28heart%20attack%20in%20my%20sleep%29.%20need%20to%20write%20my%20will%20today.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20from%20an%20apparent%20drug%20overdose%20at%20the%20age%20of%2040.%20%28credit%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMikeyWelshArt%29

Oct.%208%3A%20Al%20Davis%2C%20the%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20owner%20of%20the%20Raiders%2C%20helped%20push%20the%20NFL%20and%20the%20sport%20of%20football%20to%20the%20prominent%20place%20it%20stands%20today.%20Starting%20off%20as%20a%20coach%20of%20the%20Raiders%2C%20he%20moved%20on%20to%20be%20the%20general%20manager.%20He%20left%20for%20a%20few%20years%20to%20be%20the%20AFL%20commissioner%20and%20after%20both%20leagues%20merged%2C%20he%20returned%20to%20the%20Raiders%20as%20a%20general%20partner%20and%20eventually%20owned%20the%20club.%20He%20died%20in%20his%20home%20in%20Oakland%20at%20the%20age%20of%2082.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Bahr%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Oct.%205%3A%20A%20penchant%20for%20playing%20tough%20guys%2C%20actor%20Charles%20Napier%20had%20a%20long%20career%20that%20took%20him%20from%20%26%238220%3BRambo%3A%20First%20Blood%20Part%20II%26%238221%3B%20to%20%26%238220%3BStar%20Trek%3A%20Deep%20Space%209.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2075.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

Oct.%205%3A%20Steve%20Jobs%20was%20the%20beloved%20genius%20who%2C%20along%20with%20a%20few%20others%2C%20started%20Apple%20Computers%20in%20a%20garage.%20He%20grew%20the%20company%20into%20a%20dominant%20technological%20force%20that%20became%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20company.%20Jobs%20died%20after%20a%20long%20battle%20with%20pancreatic%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2056.%20%28credit%3A%20Justin%20Sullivan%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

Sept.%2016%3A%20Kara%20Kennedy%2C%20the%20eldest%20daughter%20of%20former%20Massachusetts%20Sen.%20Ted%20Kennedy%2C%20died%20from%20a%20heart%20attack%20at%20the%20age%20of%2051.%20%28credit%3A%20Chip%20Somodevilla%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Sept.%2011%3A%20Actor%20Andy%20Whitfield%20was%20best%20known%20for%20playing%20the%20title%20role%20in%20%26%238220%3BSpartacus%3A%20Blood%20and%20Sand.%26%238221%3B%20In%202010%2C%20he%20was%20diagnosed%20with%20non-Hodgkin%E2%80%99s%20lymphoma%20and%20began%20immediate%20treatment.%20The%20disease%20ended%20up%20taking%20his%20life%20at%20the%20age%20of%2039.%20%28credit%3A%20Jason%20Merritt%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Sept.%2010%3A%20Actor%20Cliff%20Robertson%20won%20a%20Best%20Actor%20Academy%20Award%20in%201968%20for%20his%20role%20in%20%26%238220%3BCharly.%26%238221%3B%20In%201977%2C%20he%20exposed%20a%20studio%20boss%20as%20a%20forger%20and%20embezzler%20which%20left%20him%20blacklisted%20from%20Hollywood%20for%20years.%20He%20played%20a%20few%20parts%20since%20then%2C%20but%20his%20most%20recent%20role%20was%20Ben%20Parker%20in%20%26%238220%3BSpider-Man%203.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2088.%20%28credit%3A%20John%20W.%20Ferguson%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Sept.%208%3A%20For%20decades%2C%20actress%20Mary%20Fickett%20played%20Ruth%20Martin%20in%20the%20popular%20daytime%20drama%20%26%238220%3BAll%20My%20Children.%26%238221%3B%20During%20one%201973%20episode%2C%20she%20made%20an%20impassioned%20speech%20against%20the%20war%20in%20Vietnam%20that%20she%20won%20an%20Emmy%20Award%20for.%20It%20was%20the%20first%20Emmy%20given%20to%20a%20daytime%20drama%20actress.%20She%20was%2083.%20%28credit%3A%20American%20Broadcasting%20Company%20%28ABC%29%20%2F%20Creative%20Horizons%29

Aug.%2023%3A%20Frank%20Potenza%20worked%20as%20a%20beat%20cop%20in%20Manhattan%20for%2020%20years%20before%20joining%20his%20nephew%20Jimmy%20Kimmel%E2%80%99s%20late%20night%20talk%20show.%20With%20his%20comedic%20timing%20and%20genuine%20personality%2C%20%26%238220%3BUncle%20Frank%26%238221%3B%20gained%20his%20own%20following.%20He%20died%20from%20cancer%20at%2077.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Aug.%2022%3A%20R%26amp%3BB%20songwriter%20Nick%20Ashford%20and%20his%20wife%20Valerie%20Simpson%20created%20Motown%20hits%20like%20%26%238220%3BAin%E2%80%99t%20No%20Mountain%20High%20Enough%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BAin%E2%80%99t%20Nothing%20Like%20The%20Real%20Thing.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20from%20throat%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2070.%20%28credit%3A%20Bryan%20Bedder%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

Aug.%2010%3A%20Jani%20Lane%20was%20the%20lead%20singer%20of%20Warrant%20during%20its%20heyday%20in%20the%201980s.%20He%20wrote%20a%20number%20of%20the%20group%E2%80%99s%20hits%2C%20including%20%26%238220%3BCherry%20Pie%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BDown%20Boys%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BUncle%20Tom%E2%80%99s%20Cabin.%26%238221%3B%20Lane%20died%20from%20alcohol%20poisoning%20at%20the%20age%2047.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

Aug.%207%3A%20Hugh%20L.%20Carey%20was%20the%20former%20governor%20of%20New%20York%20who%20navigated%20New%20York%20City%20and%20the%20state%20through%20the%20treacherous%20financial%20climate%20of%20the%201970s.%20He%20was%2092.%20%28credit%3A%20George%20De%20Sota%20%2F%20Newsmakers%29

Aug.%203%3A%20Bubba%20Smith%20was%20a%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20football%20player%20for%20the%20Baltimore%20Colts%2C%20Oakland%20Raiders%2C%20and%20Houston%20Oilers.%20After%20football%20he%20went%20to%20Hollywood%2C%20clinching%20his%20most%20famous%20role%20as%20Moses%20Hightower%20in%20the%20%26%238220%3BPolice%20Academy%26%238221%3B%20series.%20He%20was%20died%20from%20acute%20drug%20intoxication%20and%20heart%20disease%20at%20the%20age%20of%2066.%20%28credit%3A%20Warner%20Bros.%20Pictures%2FGetty%20Images%29

%20July%2028%3A%20Hideki%20Irabu%20is%20best%20known%20for%20his%20time%20with%20the%20New%20York%20Yankees.%20He%20was%20plagued%20by%20personal%20issues%20in%20his%20last%20few%20years%2C%20and%20died%20of%20an%20apparent%20suicide%20near%20his%20home%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20at%20the%20age%20of%2042.%20%28credit%3A%20Stan%20Honda%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%2023%3A%20Singer%20Amy%20Winehouse%20was%20a%20talent%20best%20known%20for%20the%20Motown-inspired%20song%20%26%238220%3BRehab.%26%238221%3B%20Struggling%20with%20addiction%20for%20several%20years%2C%20she%20finally%20succumbed%20and%20died%20from%20alcohol%20poisoning%20at%20the%20age%20of%2027.%20%28credit%3A%20Shaun%20Curry%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%2012%3A%20Television%20producer%20Sherwood%20Schwartz%20created%20the%20popular%20sitcoms%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Brady%20Bunch%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BGilligan%E2%80%99s%20Island.%26%238221%3B%20Schwartz%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2094.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%208%3A%20Betty%20Ford%20was%20the%20wife%20to%20former%20President%20Gerald%20Ford.%20After%20her%20time%20in%20the%20White%20House%2C%20she%20founded%20the%20Betty%20Ford%20Center%2C%20a%20clinic%20dedicated%20to%20helping%20patients%20suffering%20from%20addiction.%20She%20died%20from%20natural%20causes%20at%20the%20age%20of%2093.%20%28credit%3A%20Chip%20Somodevilla%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2023%3A%20Peter%20Falk%20was%20best%20known%20as%20the%20beloved%20television%20character%20Columbo%2C%20the%20rumpled%20L.A.%20homicide%20detective.%20Falk%20was%20also%20known%20as%20the%20grandfather%20in%20the%20classic%20film%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Princess%20Bride.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20in%20his%20Beverly%20Hills%20home%20at%20the%20age%20of%2083.%20%28credit%3A%20Toby%20Canham%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2020%3A%20Ryan%20Dunn%20was%20a%20daredevil%20who%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20work%20on%20%26%238220%3BJackass.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20in%20a%20drunk%20driving%20accident%20at%20the%20age%20of%2034.%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%29

June%2014%3A%20Lawrence%20Eagleburger%2C%20former%20secretary%20of%20state%20for%20President%20George%20H.W.%20Bush%2C%20had%20a%20distinguished%20political%20career%20earning%20the%20Presidential%20Citizens%20medal%20and%20the%20Department%20of%20States%E2%80%99%20Distinguished%20Service%20award.%20He%20was%20also%20given%20an%20honorary%20knighthood%20from%20Britain%E2%80%99s%20Queen%20Elizabeth%20II.%20He%20died%20from%20a%20heart%20attack%20at%20the%20age%20of%2080.%20%28credit%3A%20Saul%20Loeb%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2012%3A%20Best%20known%20as%20the%20sax%20player%20for%20Bruce%20Springsteen%E2%80%99s%20E%20Street%20Band%2C%20he%20was%20also%20an%20actor%20that%20appeared%20in%20TV%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BDiff%E2%80%99rent%20Strokes%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Simpsons%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Wire.%26%238221%3B%20Clemons%20suffered%20a%20deadly%20stroke%20at%20the%20age%20of%2069.%20%28credit%3A%20Vince%20Bucci%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%203%3A%20Jack%20Kevorkian%20was%20infamous%20from%20his%20championing%20of%20a%20patient%E2%80%99s%20right%20to%20die.%20In%201999%2C%20he%20began%20a%20prison%20sentence%20of%2010%20to%2025%20years%20for%20second-degree%20murder%20for%20an%20assisted%20suicide.%20He%20was%20released%20in%20eight%20years%20on%20parole%20with%20the%20condition%20that%20he%20would%20not%20offer%20suicide%20advice%20to%20any%20other%20patients.%20He%20was%2083.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

May%2020%3A%20Born%20Randall%20Mario%20Poffo%2C%20the%20%26%238220%3BMacho%20Man%26%238221%3B%20Randy%20Savage%20was%20a%20legendary%20wrestler%20best%20known%20for%20his%20flashy%20ringside%20wardrobe%20and%20distinct%20gravelly%20voice.%20During%20his%20career%2C%20he%20held%2020%20championships%20within%20several%20promotions.%20He%20died%20of%20a%20sudden%20heart%20attack%20at%20the%20age%20of%2058%20while%20driving%20with%20his%20wife%20Barbara%20Lynn%20Payne.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%2017%3A%20Harmon%20Killebrew%20enjoyed%20a%20long%2022-year%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20career%20for%20the%20Minnesota%20Twins%2C%20belting%20573%20home%20runs.%20He%20was%20a%20tremendous%20hitter%20and%20he%20earned%20the%20nicknames%20%26%238220%3BKiller%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BHammerin%E2%80%99%20Harmon.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2074%20after%20a%20battle%20with%20esophageal%20cancer.%20%28credit%3A%20A.%20Messerschmidt%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%201%3A%20Osama%20Bin%20Laden%2C%20who%20planned%20the%209%2F11%20attacks%20in%20New%20York%20and%20Washington%2C%20D.C.%2C%20was%20the%20leader%20of%20the%20terrorist%20group%20Al-Qaeda.%20He%20was%20killed%20in%20a%20raid%20in%20Pakistan%20that%20was%20conducted%20by%20U.S.%20Navy%20SEALs.%20He%20was%2057.%20%28credit%3A%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%207%3A%20Robert%20Stempel%20was%20the%20CEO%20of%20General%20Motors%20from%201990%20to%201992%20when%20he%20was%20voted%20out%20after%20GM%20closed%20about%20a%20dozen%20plants%2C%20lost%2074%2C000%20jobs%2C%20and%20lost%20%247%20billion.%20Stempel%20was%20also%20behind%20the%20push%20for%20electric%20cars.%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2077%20in%20West%20Palm%20Beach%2C%20Fla.%20%28credit%3A%20Peter%20Parks%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

May%205%3A%20Arthur%20Laurents%20was%20a%20playwright%2C%20stage%20director%2C%20and%20screenwriter.%20He%20got%20his%20start%20in%20radio%20and%20then%20moved%20on%20to%20do%20training%20films%20for%20the%20U.S.%20Army%20during%20WWII.%20After%20the%20war%2C%20he%20started%20writing%20for%20Broadway%20and%20composed%20classics%20like%20%26%238220%3BWest%20Side%20Story%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BGypsy%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BLa%20Cage%20Aux%20Folles.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2093.%20%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29

April%2020%3A%20Gerard%20Smith%20was%20the%20bass%20player%20for%20the%20popular%20band%20TV%20on%20the%20Radio.%20He%20was%20battling%20lung%20cancer%20when%20the%20band%20released%20the%20album%20%26%238220%3BNine%20Types%20of%20Light.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2036.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

April%2020%3A%20Tim%20Hetherington%2C%2040%2C%20and%20Chris%20Hondros%2C%2040%2C%20were%20award%20winning%20photojournalists%20that%20were%20killed%20by%20mortar%20shells%20while%20covering%20the%20Libyan%20civil%20war.%20%28credit%3A%20Katie%20Orlinsky%20via%20Getty%20Images%29

April%2019%3A%20Greite%20Waitz%20won%20a%20total%20of%20nine%20New%20York%20City%20Marathons%2C%20a%20world%20championship%20gold%20medal%2C%20and%20an%20Olympic%20silver%20medal.%20She%20is%20considered%20one%20of%20the%20greatest%20runners%20of%20all%20time.%20She%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2057%20after%20a%20six-year%20battle%20with%20cancer.%20%28credit%3A%20Patrick%20McDermott%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

April%209%3A%20Director%20Sidney%20Lumet%20started%20his%20career%20in%20Off-Broadway%20productions%20before%20going%20to%20television.%20He%20then%20moved%20on%20to%20movies%20where%20he%20directed%20well%20known%20flicks%20like%20%26%238220%3B12%20Angry%20Men%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BDog%20Day%20Afternoon.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2087.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%2026%3A%20Geraldine%20Ferraro%20was%20the%20first%20female%20vice%20presidential%20candidate%20after%20Democrat%20Walter%20Mondale%20picked%20her%20to%20be%20his%20running%20mate%20in%201984.%20She%20grew%20up%20in%20New%20York%20City%20and%20she%20started%20her%20career%20as%20a%20teacher%20and%20a%20lawyer%2C%20eventually%20moved%20on%20to%20be%20a%20district%20attorney%20and%20won%20a%20House%20seat%20in%201978.%20Ferraro%20died%20due%20to%20complications%20from%20blood%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2075.%20%28credit%3A%20Tim%20Sloan%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%2023%3A%20One%20of%20the%20most%20glamorous%20actresses%20that%20have%20ever%20graced%20the%20silver%20screen%2C%20Elizabeth%20Taylor%20died%20due%20to%20congestive%20heart%20failure%20at%2079.%20She%20was%20best%20known%20for%20roles%20such%20as%20Cleopatra%20in%20%26%238220%3BCleopatra%26%238221%3B%20and%20Virginia%20Woolf%20in%20%26%238220%3BWho%E2%80%99s%20Afraid%20of%20Virginia%20Woolf.%26%238221%3B%20Taylor%20also%20led%20a%20crusade%20against%20AIDS%20after%20the%20death%20of%20her%20friend%20Rock%20Hudson.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%2023%3A%20Lanford%20Wilson%20was%20a%20Pulitzer%20Prize%20winning%20playwright%20whose%20work%20brought%20attention%20to%20Off-Off-Broadway.%20His%20works%20were%20often%20considered%20to%20be%20earthy%20and%20realist%20and%20are%20still%20performed%20in%20regional%20theaters%20across%20the%20country.%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2073%20from%20pneumonia.%20%28Credit%3A%20Smith%20%26amp%3B%20Kraus%20Pub%20Inc.%2FGetty%20Images%29

March%2018%3A%20Warren%20Christopher%20was%20best%20known%20as%20President%20Clinton%E2%80%99s%20secretary%20of%20state%20and%20as%20a%20diplomat%20who%20secured%20the%20release%20of%20U.S.%20hostages%20from%20Iran%20for%20President%20Carter.%20He%20died%20due%20to%20complications%20from%20kidney%20and%20bladder%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2085.%20%28credit%3A%20Karen%20Bleier%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

March%2017%3A%20Michael%20Gough%20enjoyed%20a%20long%20acting%20career%20that%20began%20in%201946.%20Gough%20was%20featured%20in%20a%20number%20of%20different%20films%20and%20television%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Boys%20From%20Brazil%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BSleepy%20Hollow%26%238221%3B%20and%20most%20famously%20Bruce%20Wayne%E2%80%99s%20butler%20Alfred%20Pennyworth%20in%20several%20%26%238220%3BBatman%26%238221%3B%20movies.%20He%20was%2094.%20%28credit%3A%20Warner%20Bros.%20Pictures%2FGetty%20Images%29%20

March%2015%3A%20Born%20Nathaniel%20Hale%2C%20he%20became%20known%20as%20one%20of%20the%20smoothest%20R%26amp%3BB%20and%20rap%20vocalists%20of%20his%20generation.%20He%20came%20to%20national%20attention%20after%20he%20was%20featured%20in%20Dr.%20Dre%E2%80%99s%20album%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Chronic%26%238221%3B.%20Nate%20Dogg%20long%20suffered%20from%20ill%20health%20and%20had%20two%20strokes%20in%202007%20and%202008%20and%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2041.%20%28Credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29%20

March%208%3A%20Mike%20Starr%20was%20a%20founding%20member%20of%2090s%20grunge%20rock%20band%20Alice%20in%20Chains%20who%20struggled%20with%20addiction%20throughout%20his%20adult%20life.%20He%20died%20in%20his%20home%20in%20Salt%20Lake%20City%20at%20the%20age%20of%2044.%20Toxicology%20tests%20showed%20that%20he%20had%20xanax%20and%20alcohol%20in%20his%20system%20when%20he%20died.%20%28credit%3A%20Irwin%20Entertainment%20%2F%20VH1%20Television%29

Feb.%2028%3A%20Legendary%20sex%20symbol%20and%20actress%20Jane%20Russell%20played%20opposite%20Marilyn%20Monroe%20in%20the%20classic%20%26%238220%3BGentlemen%20Prefer%20Blondes.%26%238221%3B%20She%20starred%20in%20over%2020%20movies%20in%20her%20career%20and%20has%20a%20star%20on%20the%20Hollywood%20Walk%20of%20Fame.%20She%20was%2089.%20%28credit%3A%20Mark%20Ralston%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Feb.%2027%3A%20Brooklyn%20Dodgers%E2%80%99%20Duke%20Snider%20was%20considered%20one%20of%20the%20best%20centerfielders%20of%20his%20time%2C%20and%20was%20elected%20to%20the%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20in%201980.%20He%20was%20in%20declining%20health%20in%20recent%20years%20because%20of%20diabetes.%20He%20was%2084.%20%28credit%3A%20Lisa%20Blumenfeld%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Feb.%2016%3A%20Len%20Lesser%20died%20from%20pneumonia%20at%20the%20age%20of%2088.%20He%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20role%20as%20Uncle%20Leo%20on%20the%20popular%2090s%20sitcom%20%26%238220%3BSeinfeld%26%238221%3B.%20However%2C%20he%20had%20roles%20in%20TV%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BGunsmoke%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BHave%20Gun%20Will%20Travel%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BDragnet.%26%238221%3B%20%28Credit%3A%20Meaghan%20Murphy%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29