Notable Celebrity Deaths of 2012

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Larry Hagman, who starred as corrupt oil baron J.R. Ewing in the long-running series "Dallas" years after playing astronaut Tony Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie," died in November at 81.

Screenwriter and director Nora Ephron, who worked on films such as “When Harry Met Sally” and “Julie & Julia,” died of pneumonia on June 26 at the age of 71.

Whitney Houston, the pop singer of "I Will Always Love You," died Feb. 7 at the age of 48.

Film critic Andrew Sarris, who is largely credited for introducing American filmgoers to European new wave cinema, died at the age of 83 in June due to complications from a stomach virus.

Ray Bradbury, author of “The Martian Chronicles” and “Fahrenheit 451,” died June 5 at the age of 91 after a long illness.

Brit Tony Scott, director of a string of high-octane blockbusters including "Top Gun," stunned the industry in August when he committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. He was 68.

Phyllis Diller, whose comic trademarks included her wild hair, big laugh and jokes about her age, helped pave the way for today's outlandish comediennes. She went on several tours to entertertain the troops with Bob Hope. She died in August at 95.

Bee Gees co-founder Robin Gibb died in May at the age of 62 due to cancer of the colon and liver.

Disco queen Donna Summer died at the age of 63 in May.

Bingham Ray, respected independent film veteran, died in January at the age of 57. Ray suffered a stroke while at the Sundance Film Festival.

Esteemed fashion designer Nolan Miller, best known for his creations for the 1980’s show “Dynasty,” died in June at the age of 79.

Don Grady of “My Three Sons” fame died June 27 at the age of 68.

Famed country, bluegrass and gospel musician Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson died in late May at the age of 89 after undergoing abdominal surgery.

Davy Jones, lead singer of the Monkees, died Feb. 29 at age 66

Etta James, singer of the 1961 hit "At Last," died at the age of 76 due to complications from leukemia in January.

Ben Gazzara, an Emmy winner for the series "Run For Your Life," also starred in films and on Broadway in "Anatomy of a Murder" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 81 in February.

Michael Clarke Duncan, an Oscar nominee for “The Green Mile,” died in September. He was 54.

Andy Williams, celebrated for his smooth delivery of songs including "Moon River," died at 84 in September.

Don Cornelius, the creator and longtime host of "Soul Train," committed suicide Feb. 7 at the age of 75.

Most famous for her work on the “Valley of the Dolls” theme song in 1967, Oscar-nominated singer and songwriter Dory Previn died in February at the age of 86.

Kathryn Joosten, two-time Emmy winner for her role as Karen McCluskey on “Desperate Housewives,” died of lung cancer at the age of 72 in June. Joosten was very outspoken and dedicated to raising awareness about cancer.

CAA business executive Charles Melniker died in March at the age of 60 from lung cancer.

Bob Welch, former guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac, committed suicide in early June at the age of 66.

Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on '70s sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter," died of a heart attack in January at the age of 60.

Alex Karras, the former NFL star who went on to act in movies including "Blazing Saddles" and played the dad on TV's "Webster," died at 77 in October. He was also a commentator with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on "Monday Night Football."

Zalman King, producer, director, and screenwriter of erotically-charged films such as "9 1/2 Weeks" and "Wild Orchid," died at the age of 70 following a six-year battle with cancer.

George McGovern's bid for the White House ended in a landslide defeat to President Richard Nixon, but his opposition to the Vietnam War galvanized Hollywood and helped turn the entertainment industry into a major fundraising power for Democrats. He died in October at 90.

Marty Richards, the producer behind the Broadway productions of "Sweeney Todd" and "La Cage aux Folles," as well as the 2002 big-screen adaptation of "Chicago," died in November at 80.

Hollywood and the entertainment industry said goodbye to a number of notables in 2012, from the well-known to those who toiled behind the scenes.

Pop diva Whitney Houston, TV star Larry Hagman, screenwriter Nora Ephron and author Ray Bradbury were among tthe most famous of those who passed away, but many others left their mark as well.

British director movie Tony Scott, critic Andrew Sarris and independent film exeuctive Bingham Ray also died during the past year.

The music industry lost several major names, including singer Andy Williams, Bee-Gees co-founder Robin Gibb, disco queen Donna Summer and Monkees frontman Davy Jones.

Houston, a singer best known for "I Will Always Love You," died in February at the Beverly Hilton on the eve of the Grammys. The singer, who had battled addiction and starred on a reality show with ex-husband Bobby Brown, was found submerged in the bathtub.

Hagman, who starred as corrupt oil baron J.R. Ewing in the long-running TV series "Dallas" years after playing astronaut Tony Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie," died in November. He was 81.

Ephron, the screenwriter and director behind "Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail" and "Julie & Julia" died in her native New York at 71 in June.

Beloved author Bradbury, who wrote such classics as "Fahrenheit 451," "The Martian Chronicles," "The Illustrated Man," "Dandelion Wine," and "Something Wicked This Way Comes," died at 91 in June.

Notable Celebrity Deaths of 2012

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Notable Celebrity Deaths of 2012

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