Michael Jackson, Ted Kennedy, Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze were four of the most media covered deaths of 2009.
Other notable deaths included the peculiar demise of television Kung Fu star David Carradine, Las Vegas comedian/impersonator Danny Glans, and porn star Marilyn Chambers.
Actor Dom Deluise, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Tonight Show Johnny Carson's sidekick Ed McMahon were among the famous deaths.
In alphabetical order, below is a list of some of the more prominent deaths of 2009.
Bea Arthur, TV's Maude.
Carl Ballantine, actor/magician. TV's McHale's Navy.
Gene Barry, actor, many movies and TV's Burke's Law.
Estelle Bennett, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, "Be My Baby" with Ronettes.
Jimmy Boyd, singer/actor. "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus."
Dennis Cole, TV's Felony Squad.
Walter Cronkite, CBS news anchor.
Rob Gauntlett, mountain climber, world known adventurer.
Henry Gibson, comic. TV's flower poet on Laugh-In.
Ellie Greenwich, songwriter, co-wrote "Leader of the Pack," "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Chapel of Love".
Paul Harvey, radio broadcaster.
Don Hewitt, TV news producer/director. Creator of 60 Minutes.
Pat Hingle, Commissioner Gordon actor in Batman movies.
John Hughes, filmmaker, "Pretty in Pink," "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
Jennifer Jones, actress, 1943 best actress Oscar winner
Jack Kemp, former pro quarterback and VP candidate.
Karl Malden, actor in movies and TV's Streets of San Francisco.
Al Martino, singer/actor. The Godfather's Johnny Fontaine wedding singer.
Billy Mays, TV pitchman.
Patrick McGoohan, TV's The Prisoner
Steve McNair, NFL Quarterback. Tennessee Titans
Ricardo Montalban, TV's Fantasy Island.
Brittany Murphy at age 32, star of Clueless movie & others.
Les Paul, guitar legend and inventor of electric guitar.
Jody Powell, press secretary for President Jimmy Carter.
Natasha Richardson , actress and daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and the wife of actor Liam Neeson.
William Safire, writer.
Soupy Sales, comic, especially for kid's TV.
England Dan Seals, singer of duo Seals and Croft, "Diamond Girl," "I'd really love to see you tonight."
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics. Sister of JFK.
Ron Silver, actor TV's West Wing.
Gayle Storm, TV's My Little Margie.
Wyman Tisdale, 12 years in NBA
Fred Travalena, comic/impersonator.
Mary Travers, folk singer with Peter, Paul and Mary.
John Updike, writer, "Witches of Eastwick."
Brad Van Pelt, five time NFL pro-bowler with NY Giants.
Lucy O'Donnell Vodden, inspiration for John Lennon's "Lucy in the sky with diamonds."
Andrew Wyeth, artist.
James Whitmore, "Give em Hell Harry" actor.
Enjoy this article?
Receive free e-mail alerts when new articles are available from Jack Dennis. Just click on the "Subscribe" button above.
Comments
I will always love and miss you Michael.
R.I.P. Prince Charming.
Michael will be in our hearts. He is our King, the Kennedys they say are the U.S. royalty but MJ will always be King! May we keep his family inour prayers.
RIP Michael, youre gone but not forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miss you Farrah! You were the fairest of them all. A great actress and sex symbol of the 70's.
Losing Farrah was the first time I cried over a celebrity death. Forget the fact she was probably the most beautiful actress of all-time, but her spirit during her fight is was had me in awe of her. What a tragedy that with all the progress theyve made with cancer that she couldnt have been spared.
Holy shiz! Thats a lot of deaths!
But Michael Jacksons death will be the most painful
Im still not over It, I just cant.
@SashaPanda (Twitter)
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!