Not even halfway through 2012, and there’s already been a lot of celebrities we’ve lost this year. Here’s some more:
May 2012
2 – Patricia Medina – Natural Causes (92)
Medina appeared in many films in the ‘40s and ‘50s including Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, Plunder in the Sun, Fortunes of Captain Blood, and Phantom of the Rue Morgue.
2 – Junior Seau – Suicide (43)
Seau was an NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots. He was elected to the All-Pro ten times, the Pro Bowl twelve times and named as part of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team. Seau was a sports legend in San Diego, opening restaurants and performing community service.
4 – Bob Stewart – Natural Causes (91)
Stewart created many game shows that still air today; including “The Price is Right,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Password,” and “Pyramid.”
4 – Adam “MCA” Yauch – Salivary Gland Cancer (47)
Yauch was one-third of the Beastie Boys, a hip hop group that sold over 22 million albums during its four decade career. Yauch was also a Buddhist who served as an activist for Tibetan independence.
6 – George Lindsey – Unknown Causes (83)
Lindsey appeared on such shows as “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” and “The Rifleman” but will always be remember for playing the character “Goober” on “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Mayberry R.F.D.,” and “Hee-Haw.”
9 – Vidal Sassoon – Leukemia (84)
The British hairdresser was known as a “rock star” for his simple yet popular hair styles, including the “wash and wear” look.
10 – Carroll Shelby – Pneumonia (89)
In addition to Porsche, the automotive world also lost Shelby, known for designing the AC Cobra.
13 – Donald “Duck” Dunn – Unknown Causes (70)
Dunn was a bass guitarist who played with the likes of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Rufus Thomas, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Issac Hayes, and Levon Helm.
17 – Donna Summer – Lung Cancer (63)
The Queen of Disco was known for such hits as “Bad Girls,” “Hot Stuff,” and “She Works Hard for the Money.” She died believing her cancer was brought about by breathing toxic particles in the air when in NYC during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
20 – Robin Gibb – Colorectal Cancer (62)
Disco was dealt another blow with the death of Gibb, one of the two surviving members of the Bee Gees. Although a band for two decades before it hit, the Bee Gees were best known for their disco music, including the <i>Saturday Night Fever</i> soundtrack.