Every year we lose several people from the world of entertainment and the public eye, and this year was no different. I am hoping I won’t have to add to this list of selected names that passed in 2006, but if I have missed anyone please let me know using the comments below or if you would like to add someone you lost please feel free to add them as well.
- Aaron Spelling (Died June 23, 2006) – The major TV producer died due to complications from the stroke he had suffered June 18. He is probably best known for producing such shows as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Dynasty,” “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Melrose Place” among many others.
- Chris Penn (Died January 24, 2006) – Sean Penn’s baby bro passed away this year due to what was referred to as an enlarged heart and the effects of a mix of multiple medications. Penn’s most memorable moment on screen was most likely his role as Nice Guy Eddie Cabot in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.
- Cory Lidle (Died October 11, 2006) – The New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle died when the small plane he was flying with his flight instructor slammed into a 40-story apartment building in New York City.
- Dana Reeve (Died March 6, 2006) – The widow of actor Christopher Reeve died of lung cancer at age 44.
- Don Knotts (Died February 24, 2006) – You all remember him as Deputy Barney Fife on “The Andy Griffith Show” and landlord Ralph Furley on “Three’s Company” and he passed this year of pulmonary and respiratory complications.
- Ed Bradley (Died November 9, 2006) – The longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent died of leukemia.
- Gerald Levert (Died November 10, 2006) – Famous singer of such songs as “I Swear” and “I’d Give Anything” died of a heart attack this past year.
- Glenn Ford (Died August 30, 2006) – Glenn Ford made more than 100 films and played Superman’s father, Jonathan Kent, in the 1978 film died due to complications from multiple strokes.
- Jack Palance (Died November 10, 2006) – The 87 year-old Oscar winner died of natural causes in 2006
- Kirby Puckett (Died March 6, 2006) – The Hall of Fame baseball player died after suffering a stroke.
- Lou Rawls (Died January 6, 2006) – The famous singer was hospitalized December 2005 for treatment of lung and brain cancer and passed the following month.
- Maureen Stapleton (Died March 13, 2006) – The Oscar winner died from chronic pulmonary disease.
- Peter Benchley (Died February 11, 2006) – The author famous for his terrifying novel “Jaws” died due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and fatal scarring of the lungs.
- Red Buttons (Died July 13, 2006) – The actor who won an Oscar in 1958 for his role in Sayonara died this year due to vascular disease.
- Steve Irwin (Died September 4, 2006) – No secret who this guy is as the famed “Crocodile Hunter” died after being stung by a stingray while shooting a TV program off Australia’s north coast.
- Peter Boyle (Died December 12, 2006) – Best known for his role as Frank Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” Peter Boyle died after suffering from multiple myeloma and heart disease.
- Robert Altman (Died November 20, 2006) – The famed director for such films as M*A*S*H, The Player and Gosford Park died of complications from cancer.
- Shelley Winters (Died January 14, 2006) – Two-time Oscar winner Shelley Winters died of natural causes.
- Coretta Scott King (Died January 30, 2006) – If I need to tell you who this is I am truly sorry. The widow of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died this year due to respiratory pneumonia.
- Bruno Kirby (Died August 14, 2006) – You may remember him as Jess from When Harry Meet Sally. Kirby died due to complications from leukemia.
- Red Auerbach (Died October 28, 2006) – You can’t forget one of the largest names in NBA history. Auerbach died of a heart attack.
- Joseph Barbera (Died December 18, 2006) – Part of the Hanna/Barbera cartoon animation team creating such characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo and the Flintstones. Barbera died of natural causes.
- James Brown (Died December 25, 2006) – The “Godfather of Soul” died from pneumonia, a biopic is already being planned with Spike Lee expected to direct.
- Gerald R. Ford (Died December 26, 2006) – The United States’ first unelected president who is likely to be remembered as the man who pardoned Nixon.
