Goodbye to greats: A roll call of entertainers

MARCH
Jack Wild, 53. Oscar-nominated for “Oliver!”; hero of TV series “H.R. Pufnstuf.” March 1. Cancer.

Dana Reeve, 44. Actress-singer; devoted herself to husband Christopher Reeve after he was paralyzed. March 6. Lung cancer.

Ali Farka Toure, about 66. Famed African musician; two-time Grammy winner. March 7.

Gordon Parks, 93. Life photographer, then Hollywood’s first major black director (“Shaft,” “The Learning Tree.”) March 7.

Anna Moffo, 73. Opera soprano hailed for her glamorous looks as much as her singing. March 10.

Peter Tomarken, 63. Host of 1980s game show “Press Your Luck.” March 13.

Maureen Stapleton, 80. Oscar-winning actress who excelled on stage, screen, and television. March 13.

Ann Calvello, 76. “Roller Derby Queen” known for intimidating rivals, teammates. March 14.

David Blume, 74. Record producer, songwriter (“Turn Down Day.”) March 15.

Narvin Kimball, 97. Last founding member of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band. March 17.

Oleg Cassini, 92. His designs helped make Jacqueline Kennedy the most glamorous first lady in history. March 17.

Philip B. Kunhardt Jr., 78. Producer of television documentaries on freedom, American presidency. March 21.

Sarah Caldwell, 82. Hailed as first lady of opera for her adventurous productions. March 23.

Buck Owens, 76. Flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped country music with hits like “Act Naturally.” March 25.

Richard Fleischer, 89. Film director (”20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”) March 25.

Nikki Sudden, 49. British musician, a cult favorite. March 26.

Dan Curtis, 78. TV producer, director (“The Winds of War.”) March 27.

Britt Lomond, 80. Played dastardly Capitan Monastario in 1950s TV series “Zorro.” March 22.

Henry Farrell, 85. Wrote “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”, spurring a horror genre. March 29.

John McGahern, 71. Irish novelist (“That They May Face the Rising Sun.”) March 30.

Gloria Monty, 84. Producer who turned “General Hospital” into a pop sensation. March 30.

Jackie McLean, 73. Jazz saxophonist (“Jackie’s Bag.”) March 31.

APRIL
Gene Pitney, 66. Singer with a string of hits (“Town Without Pity.”) April 5.

Allan Kaprow, 78. Artist who pioneered the unrehearsed form of theater called a “happening.” April 5.

Vilgot Sjoman, 81. Swedish director; explicit films such as “I Am Curious (Yellow)” stirred controversy. April 9.

June Pointer, 52. Youngest of hitmaking Pointer Sisters (“I’m So Excited.”) April 11. Cancer.

Raj Kumar, 77. One of India’s most beloved movie stars. April 12.

Dame Muriel Spark, 88. British novelist (“The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.”) April 13.

Morton Freedgood, 93. Best-selling author (“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three”) under pen name John Godey. April 16.

Scott Brazil, 50. Emmy-winning producer-director (“Hill Street Blues.”) April 17. Lou Gehrig’s, Lyme disease complications.

Henderson Forsythe, 88. Won Tony for role as sheriff in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” April 17.

Ellen Kuzwayo, 91. South African author (“Call Me Woman.”) April 19.

Elaine Young, 71. Real estate agent to Hollywood stars. April 20.

Alida Valli, 84. Italian actress; co-starred in 1949 classic “The Third Man.” April 22.

William P. Gottlieb, 89. Took well-known photos of jazz greats. April 23.

Phil Walden, 66. Capricorn Records co-founder; launched careers of Otis Redding, Allman Brothers. April 23.

Jane Jacobs, 89. Author; greatly influenced urban planning. April 25.

“Pem” Farnsworth, 98. She helped husband Philo invent television. April 27.

Jay Bernstein, 69. Hollywood publicist, manager; helped turn Farrah Fawcett into household name. April 30.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 81. Indonesian author, democracy advocate. April 30.

MORE FROM ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment Section Front

Entertainers have long misbehaved on TV   Slideshow: ‘Dancing’ season finale Susan Boyle to her bullies: ‘I’m all grown up’   Sophia Loren on return to silver screen   Holiday movie preview   Bon Jovi perform ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’   Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’   Bon Jovi perform ‘Superman Tonight’   Shalit reviews ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’   ‘Loser’ winner: Show was ‘such a blessing’ Entertainment Section Front   Add Entertainment headlines to your news reader: