We lost top-name celebrities in 2012
The deaths last Monday of actors Jack Klugman and Charles Durning only added to the toll in 2012, a year in which more than the usual number of big-name celebrities died.
Or maybe it only seems that way to me.
We’re talking Ernest Borgnine, Dick Clark, Richard Dawson, Phyllis Diller, Robin Gibb and Andy Griffith. And those six are only a handful of those whose last names run the alphabet from A to G.
Then add Larry Hagman, Sherman Hemsley, Whitney Houston, Davy Jones, Donna Summer and Andy Williams.
Which of these—or perhaps someone else who died in 2012—do you think was our greatest star? Which one will you most remember, and why?
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Jan 3, 2013 at 11:27 a.m.
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Almost 57 million (57,000,000) people died last year. Get over it.
Jan 3, 2013 at 11:10 a.m.
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Wow when you see all those names it really hits you as to how many we lost last year.
Jan 2, 2013 at 9:34 p.m.
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And what about Izzi Schkelstruddle who on the Ed Sullivan Show once spun plates on all eight fingers and his thumbs while whistling Dixie and doing the river dance. RIP Izzi.
Jan 2, 2013 at 2:04 p.m.
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Let's not forget Patrick "Ollie" Helf who died of cancer, March 18. Groundskeeper,Ollie, was the man behind the Lambeau Field turf from 1959-1999
Jan 2, 2013 at 10:14 a.m.
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Good point, nicksmom.
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Thanks for that nugget, birdman.
Jan 2, 2013 at 9:43 a.m.
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Celebrities? Who cares! I will remember the Newtown victims and the teachers like Victoria Soto, or the injured Oak Creek police officer who put themselves in harms way to save others. People like that are our greatest stars.
Jan 2, 2013 at 6:16 a.m.
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Jim Fitz. A really good guy.
. . .
I was a lowly rookie caddy at the Country Club one day, with Fitz being one of the foursome. First green I inadvertently was blocking a man’s approach to the green; condescending scowls abounded...like daggers at me, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks.
. . .
From just behind me came a gentle two-note whistle to get my attention. It was Fitz, smiling kindly at me, understanding my angst. He nodded his head toward the frowning man waiting for me to move.
. . .
Other guy chips on to green and play resumes. As it does, Fitz, being the terrific guy he was, walked up to me and placed a fatherly hand on my shoulder and offered, “Don’t let them get to you, son.” He added something indescribable to my soul that day. A true Big Shot in the community, Jim Fitzgerald knew the right thing to do and he did it.
. . .
I’ve never forgotten him or his kindness, and used his role model whenever I could in life since then. Semper Fi, Jim Fitz!
Jan 1, 2013 at 8:49 p.m.
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Don't forget Rodney King.
Jan 1, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.
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@dvonfalkenstein, I agree.
Jan 1, 2013 at 3:15 p.m.
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I know she died. But washed up crack heads shouldn't be sharing a list with some true greats and legends.
Jan 1, 2013 at 11:24 a.m.
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Hey, what's up? I thought the site was supposed to be pay to play starting today.
Jan 1, 2013 at 11:03 a.m.
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Too bad so many make light of the loss of celebrities, but don't give the same homeage to a list of our military heroes or public servants such as police officers & firemen etc. who lost their lives protecting the public.
Jan 1, 2013 at 9:31 a.m.
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You didn't hear Joker? Whitney died this year.
Dec 31, 2012 at 6:41 p.m.
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Sen. Daniel Inouye, member of the 442nd Regimental combat team and winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Dec 31, 2012 at 5:27 p.m.
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We lost some prominent local people, too. Roger Axtell. Jim Fitzgerald. Probably others I'm forgetting.
Dec 31, 2012 at 3:35 p.m.
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You are forgetting the best and most heartwarming actor of all and that is Andy Griffith. I grew up with him and Barney and Opey and still have over 40 of his episodes taped on my DVR. When I want a quiet moment and a totally relaxing time, I will go watch some of the episodes.
Dec 31, 2012 at 2:42 p.m.
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Levon Helm
Dec 31, 2012 at 2:31 p.m.
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Whitney Houston? She shouldn't be on the list.
Dec 31, 2012 at 11:21 a.m.
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Just to name a few...
Stephen R. Covey, 79. Author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"
Sally Ride, 61. She blazed trails into orbit as the first American woman in space.
Sherman Hemsley, 74. Actor who made the irascible, bigoted George Jefferson of "The Jeffersons".
Chad Everett, 75. Star of the 1970s TV series "Medical Center".
Gore Vidal, 86. Author, playwright, politician and commentator.
Judith Crist, 90. Blunt, popular film critic for the "Today" show, TV Guide and the New York Herald Tribune.
Phyllis Diller, 95. Housewife-turned-humorist.
Neil Armstrong, 82, made "one giant leap for mankind" with a small step onto the moon.
Hal David, 91. Stylish, heartfelt lyricist who teamed with Burt Bacharach.
Rev. Sun Myung Moon, 92. Self-proclaimed messiah.
Alex Karras, 77. Feared NFL defensive tackle who went into acting.
George McGovern, 90. Former U.S. senator.
Marvin Miller, 95. Soft-spoken union head who led baseball players in strikes and legal battles.
H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 78. General.
This list was obtained using a quick google search - http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/mov...
Dec 31, 2012 at 11:12 a.m.
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Ray Bradbury, American writer who made a career out of the dreams of a boy growing up in the Midwest.
Dec 31, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.
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Was the Green Mile guy this year too?
The older lady from Desperate Housewives- had cancer and played it in her role too.
Dec 31, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.
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Charles Durning, most definitely. Combat veteran and king of the character actors.
Dec 31, 2012 at 10:48 a.m.
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Charles Durning, most definitely. Combat veteran and king of the character actors.
http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/mo...
Dec 31, 2012 at 10:22 a.m.
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For awhile before Dec. 21 came and went, I was sure that we would see the end of the world.
How else could you explain having Christmas without Andy Williams and New Year's Eve without Dick Clark??
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