Obituaries
‘I was quite a maverick kid’ — ‘Fresh Air’ went behind the scenes with Robert Redford
The legendary actor died Tuesday at 89. "I wasn't learning the way I was supposed to learn ..." he explained in 2013. "I realized that my education was going to happen when I got out in the world."
Robert Redford knew how to make a thriller
Robert Redford could do drama. He championed small films. And he made thrillers that are perfect for curling up on the couch on a weekend afternoon.
Movie star and visionary Robert Redford has died at age 89
A movie star to his core, Robert Redford has died after a visionary career in cinema, including founding the Sundance Institute that transformed the market for independent films.
Hermeto Pascoal, whimsical Brazilian composer nicknamed ‘The Sorcerer,’ dies at 89
Pascoal said he had composed thousands of pieces. "I am 100 percent intuitive," he once told NPR. Miles Davis called him one of the most important musicians in the world.
Bobby Hart, who co-wrote ‘Last Train to Clarksville’ and other Monkees hits, dies
Bobby Hart teamed with Tommy Boyce on such hits as "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone."
Earl Richardson, an educator ‘armed with history’ and who changed HBCUs, dies
Richardson, a former president at Baltimore's Morgan State University, led a lawsuit that ended in a historic settlement for four historically Black colleges and universities in Maryland. He was 81.
Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and voice for young conservatives, dies at age 31
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was arguably the most influential voice in young conservatism, and played a pivotal role in President Trump's return to the White House.
Christoph Von Dohnányi, longtime conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, has died
Known for his intellectual and illuminating touch on the podium, the refined conductor was also surprisingly outspoken when it came to politics and his peers.
Davey Johnson, who won 2 World Series with Orioles, managed Mets to title, dies at 82
Davey Johnson, an All-Star second baseman who won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and managed the New York Mets to the title in 1986, died Friday.
Ken Dryden, Hall of Fame goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, dies at age 78
Dryden backstopped the NHL's most successful franchise to championships in six of his eight seasons in the league from 1970-71 to '78-79. He died after a fight with cancer.
Fashion designer Giorgio Armani, whose name became synonymous with luxury, dies at 91
Armani's clothes highlight the body as an object of art. Celebrities have flaunted his fashion on red carpets for decades. He revolutionized the suit jacket, with casual silhouettes and softer colors.
Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene, of ‘Dances With Wolves,’ dies at 73
One of the most respected Indigenous actors of his generation, Greene appeared in more than 200 television shows and movies. He played a Lakota warrior in the 1990 blockbuster Dancing With Wolves.
Focus on the Family Founder James Dobson dies at 89
Conservative Christian leader James Dobson, who founded Focus on the Family and was once called "the nation's most influential evangelical leader," died Thursday.
Terence Stamp, ’60s British film legend and star of ‘Superman,’ dies at 87
The English actor was best known for starring as the arch-villain in the original Superman films and for depicting the title character in Billy Budd.
Danielle Spencer, who played little sister Dee on ‘What’s Happening!!,’ dies at 60
A family spokesperson said Spencer died Monday after battling cancer for several years. As Dee, she was a deadpan, wisecracking sister on What's Happening!! Spencer later became a veterinarian.
Sheila Jordan, a singular voice in jazz, has died
She recorded a magical debut album on Blue Note and was later named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of the Arts.
Famed NASA astronaut and Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell has died at age 97
Lovell commanded the mission that almost ended in disaster after an explosion that threatened the crew's oxygen and electrical supply. The inspiring story of their survival was made into a hit movie.
Eddie Palmieri, a trailblazer in Latin music, has died at age 88
The bandleader and pianist was one of the leading Latin musicians of his generation. He won multiple Grammys and was recognized as an NEA Jazz Master.
Accordion master Flaco Jimenez has died at 86
Over a career that spanned 70 years, Jimenez' playing came to define the Tex-Mex music and carried the tradition-drenched conjuto sound all over the world and across genres.
Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg has died after battling cancer
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball's best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
Tom Lehrer, influential musical satirist, dies at 97
The songwriter and math professor found a following with his satirical political songs.
Singer Cleo Laine, who boasted a four-octave range, has died at 97
London's Sunday Times once called Laine "quite simply the best singer in the world."
Chuck Mangione, whose jazz horn warmed up the pop charts, has died
With his beard, long hair and brown felt fedora, the jazz flugelhorn player and composer cut an unforgettable figure in American culture.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71
According to the Clearwater Police and Fire departments, Terry Bollea died Thursday morning after a cardiac arrest.
‘Helping every dang soul’: Beloved camp director was among those lost in Texas flooding
Jane Ragsdale ran the Heart O' the Hills camp for girls in Kerr County. The camp was between sessions when the deluge hit. The only person killed there was Ragsdale.
David Gergen, adviser to 4 presidents, dies at 83
David Gergen worked in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton as a speechwriter, communications director and counselor to the president, among other roles.
Actor Michael Madsen, known for ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs,’ dead at 67
His representatives confirmed that his death followed a cardiac arrest this morning.
‘Mission: Impossible’ composer Lalo Schifrin dies at 93
Argentine pianist and composer Lalo Schifrin, best known for his scores for Mission: Impossible and more than 200 other films and TV shows, including Bullitt, Mannix and Cool Hand Luke, has died.
Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary turned acclaimed TV journalist, dead at 91
Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary who became one of television's most honored journalists, has died at 91.
Anne Burrell, TV chef who coached the ‘Worst Cooks in America,’ dies at 55
TV chef Anne Burrell, who coached culinary fumblers through hundreds of episodes of "Worst Cooks in America," has died. Medical examiners are set to determine what caused her death.
Alfred Brendel, the cerebral pianist with a dry wit, dies at 94
Routinely called a "musician's musician," the pianist had an atypical career that even he called mysterious. He spent it returning to a handful of favorite composers, with acclaimed results.
Brian Wilson, the troubled genius behind The Beach Boys, has died at age 82
The Beach Boys' co-founder, songwriter and producer transformed pop music into high art, and became America's answer to The Beatles' Lennon and McCartney in the process.
