The Kojak star died Dec. 16 at 90 of cardiac arrest. Frazer began his acting career in 1950 and earned his first on-screen role in the 1963 film Lillies of the Field, but he is best remembered as Capt. Frank McNeil to Telly Savalas' Kojak in the '70s crime drama. His other TV credits include Car 54, Where Are You?, Barney Miller and Law & Order.

The controversial Vanity Fair writer died Dec. 15 at 62 after a year-long battle esophageal cancer. Known for his prolific prose, wit and divisive stances, Hitchens memorably slammed religion as well as such public figures as Mother Teresa, Bill Clinton and Henry Kissinger in his work. He published his final collection, Arguably, in September.

The M*A*S*H star died Dec. 7 at 96. As Col. Potter on the long-running series, in which he co-starred from 1975 to '83, Morgan won an Emmy in 1980 as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He reprised the character in a spin-off titled AfterMASH. Prior to M*A*S*H, he played Bill Gannon, the partner of Jack Webb's Joe Friday in Dragnet from 1967 to 1970.

The Laugh-In regular died Dec. 1 at 85. During his run on the show from 1968 to 1972, Sues was noted for playing loud, flamboyant and clownish characters, including Big Al, an effeminate sportscaster obsessed with ringing a bell, and Uncle Al the Kiddies' Pal, an unendingly drunk children's entertainer.

The comedian died Nov. 28 at 41, a month after suffering a stroke. The Opie and Anthony Show regular made his Def Jam Comedy debut in 2007 and has had specials on HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central. As an actor, he appeared on Arrested Development, The Office, and in the films 25th Hour and Head of State. His last TV performance was at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen in September.

The Oscar-nominated director died Nov. 27 at 84 following multiple strokes. The avant-garde filmmaker was noted for such controversial and provocative movies as Women in Love, which was censored for featuring full-frontal nudity from its two male leads. In 1971, he wrote and directed The Boy Friend, starring supermodel Twiggy, an homage to the musicals of the 1930s. Russell also adapted the rock opera Tommy, which was based on music from The Who.

The rap legend died Nov. 8 at 44 after collapsing outside his Beverly Hills home. Born Dwight Arrington Myers, he fronted Heavy D & The Boyz, best known for singing the opening theme song for In Living Color and MADtv, and their smash hit "Now That We've Found Love." As an actor, Heavy D appeared on A Different World, Roc, Living Single, Bones, Boston Public and Law & Order: SVU. He also starred in the film Life and made a cameo in Tower Heist, which opened four days before his death.

The former heavyweight champ died Nov. 7 at 67 after a month-long battle with liver cancer. Known as "Smokin' Joe" and armed with a devastating left hook, Frazier became the first boxer to beat Muhammad Ali when the undefeated champs battled in 1971. He lost their next two fights, including the epic Thrilla in Manila that ended after his trainer, Eddie Futch, stopped Frazier, who was nearly blinded, from going out for the 15th round. Frazier's career record was 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts. He only lost to two fighters: Ali and George Foreman.

The Emmy-winning comedy writer died Nov. 6 at 92 from complications of pneumonia. Kanter created the groundbreaking series Julia in 1968, which starred Diahann Carroll as a widowed nurse and a single mother. It was the first TV series to feature an African-American actress playing a professional woman instead of a domestic worker. Kanter was also a longtime Oscar writer, winning two Emmys for his work.

The famously curmudgeonly 60 Minutes commentator died Nov. 4 at 92 following complications from unspecified surgery. Rooney signed off the CBS newsmagazine a month earlier after delivering his weekly wry and prickly essays for 33 years. He won four Emmys, including one for his essay that revealed there was no Mrs. Smith behind Mrs. Smith Pies.

The two-time Indy 500 winner died Oct. 16 at 33 in a fiery crash at the Las Vegas speedway after his car flew over another one and hit a wall, bursting into flames. An England native, Wheldon debuted on the IRL IndyCar Series in 2002 and won rookie of the year the following year. Aside from clinching the Indy 500 twice, in 2005 and 2011, he was the IRL IndyCar series champion in 2005.

Mengers, one of the most influential Hollywood agents during the 1960s, '70s and '80s, died following several small strokes on Oct. 15. She was 78, thought some sources claimed her to be 81. Until her retirement in 1986, Mengers worked at Creative Management Associates and International Creative Management and was one of the pioneering female agents in the business. Her clientele included Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, Cher, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman, Sidney Lumet, Steve McQueen, Nick Nolte, Burt Reynolds, Cybill Shepherd and Barbra Streisand, who served as Mengers' maid of honor in her 1973 wedding to Belgian writer-director Jean-Claude Tramont.

The Apple co-founder and tech visionary died Oct. 5 at 56 after a seven-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Aside from his work at Apple, Jobs also owned Pixar and helped make the company one of the most successful movie studios. He served as an executive producer on Pixar's first hit, Toy Story, in 1995 and was placed on the Walt Disney Company's board of directors after Disney bought Pixar in 2006. Jobs stepped down as Apple CEO in August, six weeks before his death.

Bay, best known as Adam Sandler's grandma in Happy Gilmore, died Sept. 15 at 92. On the small screen, she famously played the woman who fought with Jerry Seinfeld over the last loaf of marble rye bread on Seinfeld.

The Spartacus star died Sept. 11 at 39 after an 18-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life," Starz said in a statement. "Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace."

The Oscar winner, better known to modern audiences as Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man trilogy, died Sept. 10 at 88 of natural causes. Robertson, who memorably played President John F. Kennedy in PT-109, won the Best Actor Oscar for 1968's Charly and adaptation of Flowers for Algernon.

Jimmy Kimmel's beloved Uncle Frank died Aug. 23 at 77 after a battle with cancer. The retired New York policeman and Las Vegas casino security guard rose to fame in 2003 when Kimmel invited him out to Los Angeles to appear on his talk show. "Uncle Frank loved being a part of this show," Kimmel said. "Thanks to all of you who came to the show and who watched for indulging me and letting me put my crazy uncle on television."

Leiber, one half of the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller, died Aug. 22 at 78 from cardiopulmonary failure. Along with his writing partner Mike Stoller, Leiber penned Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" and The Clovers' "Love Potion No. 9" and "Kansas City," which went on to become the official song for Kansas City, Miss. His music was adapted into a Broadway musical revue, Smokey Joe's Cafe, which was nominated for seven Tonys in 1995.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and husband of Taylor Armstrong committed suicide on Aug. 15. The couple's marital troubles were well-documented on the series, culminating with Taylor filing for divorce in July. He was 47.

The 47-year-old former Warrant lead singer was found dead Aug. 11 in a hotel. Lane left the group in 2004 after 18 years, but briefly rejoined in 2008. In 2005, he appeared on Celebrity Fit Club.

The football player-turned-Police Academy star died Aug. 3 at 66. The No. 1 draft pick in 1967 by the Baltimore Colts, Smith played for nine seasons and won the Super Bowl with the Colts in 1971. He went on to have a successful acting career, playing Moses Hightower in six of the seven Police Academy films and appearing on shows such as Charlie's Angels and Married ... With Children.

The freestyle skier, who won silver in aerials at the Vancouver Olympics, committed suicide on July 25. Known as "Speedy," Peterson created the multi-flipping maneuver "The Hurricane." He battled substance abuse and depression and was arrested for a DUI three days before his death. He was 29.

The 27-year-old Grammy winner was found dead July 23 in her London apartment. Though Winehouse battled alcohol and drug addictions, her family said she had been sober. But a coroner later ruled the singer died of alcohol poisoning and said her blood-alcohol level was more than five times the legal drunk-driving limit at the time of her death.

The Gilligan's Island and Brady Bunch creator died July 12 at 94. Schwartz also created the short-lived series It's About Time and Dusty's Trail and worked on Big John, Little John, which starred Brady Bunch's Robbie Rist, and Harper Valley PTA. His last project was the Elliott Gould '80s sitcom Together We Stand.

The wife of former President Gerald Ford, died July 8 at 93. During his presidency, Ford made headlines as a proponent for breast cancer and an advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment. She was even named Newsweek's "Woman of the Year" in 1975. One year after leaving the White House, Ford checked into Long Beach Naval Hospital to be treated for alcohol and painkiller abuse. In October 1982, she co-founded the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif., with philanthropist Leonard Firestone.

The Emmy- and Tony-winning star of TV's Columbo died on July 23 in his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83. In 2007, it was announced that the actor was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Jackass star Dunn died in West Goshen, Pa., when his Porsche flew over a guardrail, slammed into a tree and burst into flames. He was 34.

The longtime saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band died June 18 at 69, six days after suffering a stroke. Known as "The Big Man," Clemons met Springsteen on the Jersey Shore in 1971 and played on two songs on the New Jersey rocker's debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. Clemons joined Springsteen's inaugural E Street Band in late 1972 and played with them until his death. Clemons played on 21 Springsteen albums and was featured prominently on many of his biggest hits, including "Blinded By the Light," "Thunder Road," "Jungleland," "Badlands" and "I'm Goin' Down." Most recently, Clemons collaborated with Lady Gaga on several songs, including her current single "The Edge of Glory."

The Honeymooners writer and Mad Libs creator died June 7 at 88 from heart failure. Stern wrote 14 episodes for the classic sitcom and three more series: I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster, He & She and The Governor and J.J. He later served as head writer on The Steven Allen Show and executive producer and writer on the spy comedy Get Smart.

Gold, who wrote The Golden Girls theme song "Thank You for Being a Friend," died June 3 at 59 from an heart attack. The musician, who had had been responding well to cancer treatment, began his solo career in 1975 and would go on to release nine studio albums. In 1977, he scored his first hit with the single "Lonely Boy," which reached No. 7 on the Billboard charts. "Thank You for Being a Friend" landed at No. 25 in 1978, seven years before it would become the theme song for The Golden Girls. He also performed "Final Frontier," the theme song for another NBC sitcom — Mad About You — from 1992 to 1997.

Arness, best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, died June 3 at 88 from natural causes. Arness also appeared in a number of films, including 1947's The Farmer's Daughter, opposite Loretta Young; the 1951 sci-fi classic The Thing from Another World; and the 1954 sci-fi thriller Them!.

Taylor, who played Cliff Huxtable's mom on The Cosby Show died May 30 at 93 from heart failure. Her big break came when she was cast as Harriet on Sesame Street. She then went on to star alongside Liza Minnelli in the 1970 film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon. She originated the stage role of Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, in the Broadway production of The Wiz, which opened in 1975.

The Grease and Taxi star died May 27 at 60 after being taken off life support. Conaway had been in a coma after he was found unconscious at his home on May 11. Initially, it was thought that he had overdosed on prescription drugs, but later it was revealed he was suffering from pneumonia and sepsis. In recent years, Conaway turned to reality TV. He was a contestant on the third season of Celebrity Fit Club, but was forced to leave the show and enter rehab. Two years later, he returned to VH1 to appear on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, seeking treatment for addictions to cocaine, painkillers and alcohol.

Brooks the Academy Award-winning songwriter of the '70s hit "You Light Up My Life," committed suicide at 73 on May 22. His death came two years after Brooks was charged in the sexual assault of about a dozen women, and five months after his son, Christopher Brooks, was charged in the death of his former girlfriend in a separate case. Brooks also won Golden Globe and Grammy awards for "You Light Up My Life." He directed two films after You Light Up My Life, and later composed music and wrote lyrics for the stage.

Savage died May 20 at 68 after a car accident in Tampa, Fla. The "Macho Man's" career included 20 professional wrestling championships and seven world championships. He wrestled for World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, but his legacy in the sport is defined by his work in World Wrestling Federation between 1985 and 1994. Savage appeared on TV shows and movies like Spider-Man, and lent his voice to animated work like 2008's Bolt. He released a rap album in 2003 titled Be a Man. His most famous work outside the wrestling was a string of commercials for Slim Jim, which featured the catchphrase, "Snap into a Slim Jim, oooooh yeah!"

The New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was found dead at 28 in his Minneapolis apartment on May 13. Known as the "Boogeyman," Boogaard hailed from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and played for the Minnesota Wild for five seasons before signing a four-year, $6.5 million contract with the Rangers in July. Boogaard's season ended Dec. 9 when he sustained a concussion in a fight with the Senators' Matt Carkner in Ottawa. He did not play again.

The guitarist and vocalist for the seminal '60s and '70s British trio, The Walker Brothers, died May 7 at 67 after battling liver cancer. Born John Maus in the United States, he joined Scott Engel and Gary Leeds to form The Walker Brothers, and they each adopted the surname Walker, though none of them were related. The band moved to England where it had instant success with the song "Love Her" in 1964. The group's other hits included "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore," "Make it Easy on Yourself" and "My Ship Is Comin' In."

Cooper, best known as Daily Planet editor Perry White in the original Superman films, died May 3 at 88 after a sudden illness. After starting acting at 3, Cooper became the youngest actor to be nominated for an Oscar when he was up for Best Actor at age 9 for Skippy. He earned two Emmy awards for his directing work on M*A*S*H and The White Shadow.

Snow, who scored a top 5 hit in 1975 with "Poetry Man," died April 26 at 60 as a result of complications from a brain hemorrhage she suffered last year. The musician also sang the theme for NBC's A Different World and could be heard singing the Roseanne theme during that show's series finale. She also voiced the General Foods International Coffees' jingle "Celebrate the Moments of Your Life."

The TV on the Radio bassist died April 20 at 34 from lung cancer. Smith joined the Brooklyn-based band in 2005, a year before the group rose to critical acclaim with their third EP, Return to Cookie Mountain. The album was named Spin Magazine's 2006 album of the year.

The Doctor Who star died April 19 at 63 from cancer. As Sarah Jane Smith on the long-running British sci fi series, she was the companion to the third and fourth Doctor incarnations (portrayed by Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker). Later, her character returned to the revived franchise with the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Sarah Jane was then spun off into her own children's series, The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The folk singer and father of Tim Robbins died April 5 at 80 from prostate cancer. Robbins joined the Highwaymen in 1962, shortly after the group released the hit "Michael." Robbins took the group in a more political direction when he joined and recorded five albums before the Highwaymen disbanded in 1964. His wife, musician Mary Robbins, died 12 days later at age 78 of a heart arrhythmia.

The director of such classics as Network, Serpico, 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon and The Verdict died April 9 at 86 from lymphoma. Lumet, whose daughter is Rachel Getting Married screenwriter Jenny Lumet, earned four Oscar nominations and received an honorary Oscar in 2005.

The actor, best known for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers Rope and Strangers on a Train, died March 27 at age 85 of natural causes. In the later part of his career, Granger turned to Broadway, starring in productions of The Seagull, The Crucible, The Glass Menagerie, Deathtrap, The King and I and Talley & Son, for which he won an Obie Award in 1986.

The 32-year-old 106 & Park regular was shot and killed on March 27 down the street from his Staten Island home. Before joining BET, DJ Megatron (real name: Corey McGriff) showed off his skills on New York's hip-hop radio station Hot 97.

Ferraro, the first female vice presidential candidate on a national ticket, died March 26 at 75 from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer she's had for 12 years. First elected a U.S. representative from the state of New York in 1978, Ferraro and Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale lost to Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and running mate George H.W. Bush in 1984.

The glamorous screen legend and activist died March 23 at 79 of congestive heart failure. A two-time Oscar winner for BUtterfield 8 and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Taylor, who was married eight times to seven men, was best known in her later years for her tireless work in AIDS advocacy, establishing the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amfAR.

The disco singer, who was heard on Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg's "Good Vibrations," died March 21 at 64 after a long illness. Holloway, who started as a gospel singer, scored a No. 1 dance hit in 1980 with "Love Sensation," which has since been sampled numerous times, most famously by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

The "boogie-woogie" piano player died March 21 at age 97. Perkins, who began his career in 1943, is said to have taught Ike Turner how to play the piano and influenced other famous piano players such as Elton John and Billy Joel.

The British actor best known for playing Alfred Pennyworth in four Batman movies died March 17 at age 94. He appeared in more than 150 films, including the Hammer Horror movies from the '50s.

The rapper and singer, known for his infectious hooks in hip-hop songs, died March 15 at 41. Nate, whose real name was Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, had been in therapy after suffering two strokes in 2007 and 2008, according to friend and collaborator Warren G. "We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986," Snoop Dogg tweeted. "I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day ... u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit."

The prolific LSD producer who worked with The Grateful Dead died March 12 at 76 in a car accident. Stanley produced an estimated pound of pure LSD, or roughly 5 million "trips" of normal potency of the hallucinogenic drug in the mid-1960s. After meeting Grateful Dead members in 1966, he became the psychedelic band's first financial backer and served as manager before becoming its sound engineer. He designed the band's famous lightning bolt logo, aka Steal Your Face, with his friend, Bob Thomas.

The former Alice in Chains bassist died March 8 at age 44. He appeared on Celebrity Rehab and its spin-off Sober House in 2010. "Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family," Dr. Drew tweeted.

The comedian, who finished fourth on Season 7 of Last Comic Standing, died March 6 at age 44 of a heart attack. DeStefano had just finished a run of shows titled Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy, which was largely based on being HIV positive, his past drug addiction and his wife's death.

The '40s and '50s sex symbol died Feb. 28 at age 89. After rising to fame in Howard Hughes' 1943 film The Outlaw, which challenged Hollywood's production code, Russell became a pin-up for World War II soldiers. She later starred in The Paleface opposite Bob Hope and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe. In the '70s, she memorably served as a spokeswoman for Playtex's "18-hour bras."

The Chronicles of Narnia producer was found dead Feb. 17 at age 39. In addition to his film work, Moore earned raves for his first novel, Hero, about a gay teen superhero, which hit shelves in 2007. He had been working on a sequel as of 2009.

Mars, who played the Nazi playwright in the original film version of The Producers, died Feb. 12 at age 75 from pancreatic cancer. The actor's other credits include Young Frankenstein, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Radio Days and What's Up, Doc?

The former Thin Lizzy guitarist, 58, was found dead in his hotel room in Spain on Feb. 6. Moore played with Thin Lizzy for three different periods from 1973 to 1983 and released his most recent album, Bad for You Baby, in 2008.

The character actress died Feb. 5 of congestive heart failure at age 89. Rea was best known for her TV work, playing Brett Butler's mother-in-law on Grace Under Fire and Olivia Walton's cousin, Rose, on The Waltons. She also appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard, Step by Step, I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke and MacGyver.

Getty, the grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty and the father of Balthazar Getty, died Feb. 5 at age 54 after a lengthy illness. When he was just 16, Getty was abducted in Rome. He was detained for five months by captors who severed one of his ears after his family initially refused to pay the ransom. In 1981, a drug-induced stroke left Getty partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

The actress, best known as sports car-driving vixen Varla in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, died Feb. 4 at 72 from heart failure. Satana, who said she once turned down a marriage proposal from Elvis Presley, also appeared in Irma La Douce, and the 1960s television shows Burke's Law and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

The Swedish actress died Feb. 4 at age 66 after battling an illness. Known for appearing in sexually explicit Swedish films, Nyman gained international fame when she landed the lead role in I Am Curious — Yellow, the 1967 film that was banned in the U.S. for two years due to the nudity and sex scenes. She also starred in the sequel I Am Curious — Blue and in Ingmar Bergman's Autumn Sonata with Ingrid Bergman.

The Last Tango in Paris star died Feb. 3 at 58 after a long bout with cancer. She was 19 when she made the Bernardo Bertolucci film, in which she had graphic sex scenes — including the notorious "butter scene" — with a 48-year-old Marlon Brando. Years later, Schneider said she "felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci" in Tango.

The Oscar-winning composer died Jan. 30 at age 77. Barry scored 11 of the James Bond films, including From Russia with Love, You Only Live Twice and The Man with the Golden Gun. He won Oscars for his work on Dances with Wolves, Out of Africa, The Lion in Winter and Born Free.

The musician, half of the country act The Louvin Brothers, died Jan. 26 at 83 from pancreatic cancer. Louvin's hits with his brother Ira include "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby," "When I Stop Dreaming," "Hoping That You're Hoping" and "My Baby's Gone." The brothers became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

The TV fitness pioneer died Jan. 23 at age 96 from respiratory failure from pneumonia. His eponymous show, which aired from 1951 to '85, urged coach potatoes to get fit using simple household items instead of fancy excercise equipment. LaLanne also founded a chain of namesake fitness studios and in recent years marketed Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer in infomercials. He maintained a youthful physique and used to joke: "I can't afford to die. It would wreck my image."

The Peace Corps. founder and former Democratic vice presidential candidate died Jan. 18 at 95 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease — a cause daughter Maria Shriver has championed in recent years. Shriver was married to Eunice Kennedy, sister of John F. Kennedy, for whom he served as Midwest campaign manager for Kennedy's 1960 presidential bid. He launched the Peace Corps. in 1961 and, following President Kennedy's assassination, led President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. Shriver was on the Democratic ticket with George McGovern in 1972, but the two were defeated by incumbent President Richard Nixon.

The music impresario and TV producer died Jan. 17 at 76 from heart failure. Kirshner hosted the syndicated Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, from 1973 to '81, which boosted the careers of Billy Joel and the Police, as well as comics Billy Crystal, Arsenio Hall and David Letterman. In 1958, Kirshner co-founded Aldon Music where he landed some of the top songwriting teams of the day, including Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Their songs were recorded by the Drifters, the Shirelles and Bobby Vee.

The British actress died Jan. 15 at age 72 from cancer. After getting her big break in Tom Jones, York earned Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and famously told the Academy she was offended to receive the nomination without being asked.

Keenan, the lead singer of the British electronic group Broadcast, died Jan. 14 at age 42 from complications of pneumonia. She and James Cargill formed Broadcast in the mid-'90s as a quintet and released the album The Noise Made by People. By 2005, Keenan and Cargill were the only remaining band members. Broadcast's most recent release was a collaboration with The Focus Group in 2009.

The last surviving member of the Ozzie and Harriet family, Nelson died Jan. 11 at age 74 after battling complications of colon cancer. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, co-starring his parents and brother Rick, premiered in 1952 and ran for 14 seasons, becoming the longest running live-action sitcom in U.S. history. Nelson directed and produced many episodes of the show and later produced the short-lived spin-off Ozzie's Girls, in which Ozzie and Harriet rented the boys' rooms to two college girls.

The Touched By an Angel star died Jan. 10 at age 47 from a heart attack. Dye landed the recurring role of Andrew, the angel of death, on Angel in 1995 before getting promoted to series regular in the third season. His other credits include guest spots on Murder, She Wrote and Promised Land.

Yates, who directed one of cinema's legendary car chase scenes in Bullitt, died Jan. 9 at 82 after a long illness. He received four Oscar nominations for directing and producing Breaking Away and The Dresser.

The singer-songwriter died Jan. 4 at age 63 following a long battle with an unspecified illness. Rafferty co-founded the soft-rock group Stealer's Wheel, which recorded the 1972 single "Stuck in the Middle with You." The tune had a resurgence in popularity when it was used in a pivotal scene in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Rafferty later pursueed a successful solo career that included the 1978 hit "Baker Street."

The Forbidden Planet star died Jan. 2 at 80 from complications of pancreatic cancer. Known for the prominent beauty mark near her mouth, Francis also earned an Emmy nomination as the titular character on the short-lived private detective series Honey West.

The British actor with the face you could never forget died Jan. 2 at 64 after a long battle with cancer. Postlethwaite earned an Oscar nomination for In the Name of the Father and was also known for his roles in The Usual Suspects, Alien 3, Amistad, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Shipping News, The Constant Gardener, and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. He most recently appeared in Inception and The Town.