Those We Lost In 2013…

As with every year, the world lost many people from entertainment, politics, and the worldwide platform in general.  I narrowed down a long list to a cross-section of 13 notables for the year 2013.  In trying to decide the order for the list of names, I finally settled on chronological for date of death starting with the most recent rather than alphabetical.

Joan Fontaine, Actress—died December 15, 2013

Best Actress Oscar winner for the 1941 Alfred Hitchcock film SUSPICION, starring opposite Cary Grant.  Sister of Oscar winning actress Olivia de Havilland.

Peter O'Toole, Actor—died December 14, 2013

Probably best known for his leading role as the title character in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.  Nominated 8 times for a best actor Oscar.  Turned down an honorary Oscar for his collective body of work.  My personal favorite of Peter O'Toole's movies is the 1982 comedy MY FAVORITE YEAR.

Nelson Mandela, South African President—died December 5, 2013

Prominent political figure in South Africa's politics, imprisoned for many years because of his fight to end Apartheid, emerged from prison to be elected President of South Africa.

Paul Walker, Actor—died November 20, 2013

Most recently noted for his work in the FAST AND FURIOUS movies, ironically died in a car crash.

Tom Clancy, Author—died October 1, 2013

Gave us many best selling novels, several made into movies such as THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, PATRIOT GAMES and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER with several different actors portraying his Jack Ryan character in various films.  SHADOW RECRUIT, the most recent movie featuring Clancy's Jack Ryan character, is scheduled for release in the U.S. on January 17, 2014.

James Gandolfini, Actor—died June 19, 2013

Best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO television series THE SOPRANOS.

Jean Stapleton, Actress—died May 31, 2013

A long acting career, but she's best known as Edith Bunker, wife of the outspoken Archie Bunker on ALL IN THE FAMILY, the ground breaking television series from the 1970s.

George Jones, Singer—died April 26, 2013

A long career as a country singer.

Jonathan Winters, Comedian—died April 11, 2013

A long career as a comedian and comedy actor, including the role of Robin Williams and Pam Dawber's son on the television series MORK & MINDY.  I loved him in IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD along with several other brilliant comedy actors.

Annette Funicello, Actress—died April 8, 2013

Started her career as one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers followed by several starring movie roles before her career was short circuited by Multiple Sclerosis which she battled for many years.

Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister United Kingdom—died April 8, 2013

The first and so far only woman to ever hold the office as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister.  She served three terms 1979-1990 and was known as the Iron Lady.  In 1992, the title of Baroness was bestowed on her.

Roger Ebert, Film Critic—died April 4, 2013

Long time film critic for the Chicago Sun Times, partnered on television for many years with film critic Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune where they became well-known for their thumbs up and thumbs down movie reviews.  In 1975 he won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.

Ed Koch, New York City Mayor—died February 1, 2013

He served three terms as Mayor from 1978 through 1989 and is credited with saving New York City from bankruptcy.

As I said, this is only a small cross-section of those we lost in 2013.