The list of those we lost in 2012 continues:
August 2012
6 – Marvin Hamlisch – Respiratory Arrest (68)
Hamlisch was an American composer and conductor who was part of the elite EGOTs – someone who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. He also won a Pulitzer Prize and two Golden Globes. He composed the theme song “The Entertainer” for The Sting and “The Way We Were” from the Barbra Streisand film.
14 – Ron Palillo – Heart Attack (63)
Juan Epstein wasn’t the only Sweathog (“Welcome Back, Kotter”) that was lost this year. Ron Palillo played Arnold Horshack, known for his “Ooh-ooh-ooooh!” saying when he knew an answer to a question.
19 – Tony Scott – Suicide (68)
Scott, the younger brother of director Ridley Scott, was known for directing and producing such films as Top Gun, Days of Thunder, True Romance, and The Taking of Pelham 123. He jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge with the reason still unclear.
20 – Phyllis Diller – Natural Causes (95)
A comedienne and actress, Diller was best known for her self-deprecating humor. She was also a ground breaker for female comics, starting her career in 1955 and making her last appearance in 2011.
23 – Jerry Nelson – Emphysema – (78)
Nelson was a puppeteer best known for his work on “Sesame Street” (as the voice of Mr. Snuffleupagus and Count von Count), “The Muppet Show,” and “Fraggle Rock.”
25 – Neil Armstrong – Complications from Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery – (82)
Armstrong was a part of Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 and became the first man to walk on the moon. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the Congressional Gold Medal.
September 2012
1 – Hal David – Stroke (91)
David was a lyricist who, along with Burt Bacharach, penned such hits as “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “This Guy’s in Love with You,” and “What the World Needs Now is Love.”
3 – Michael Clarke Duncan – Heart Attack (54)
Clarke Duncan appeared in Armageddon, The Whole Nine Yards, and The Scorpion King, but may best be remembered as the gentle giant John Coffey in The Green Mile.
25 – Andy Williams – Bladder Cancer – (84)
Williams had a singing career that began in 1938 and ended with his death. He had seventeen gold and three platinum certified albums with “Moon River” becaming his biggest hit. He was also the host of “The Andy Williams Show” from 1962 to 1971 and performed as his Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri.