Pancreatic cancer is a disease that’s rare but deadly, the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. Join Legacy.com in remembering a few of the many who have died of pancreatic cancer over the years.
Tony Esposito (1943–2021)
Tony Esposito (1943–2021) was a goaltender for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. He was a Hall of Famer who pioneered the butterfly goalie style.
Bobby Bowden (1929–2021)
Bobby Bowden (1929–2021) was the longtime head football coach at Florida State University. He is considered one of the all-time greatest college football coached.
Rick Aiello (1955–2021)
Rick Aiello (1955–2021) was an actor known for roles in movies including “Do the Right Thing” and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.” He was also the son of actor Danny Aiello, with whom he worked in “Do the Right Thing.”
Felix Silla (1927–2021)
Felix Silla (1927–2021) was an actor and stuntman best known for playing Cousin Itt on “The Addams Family.” He also played a hang-gliding Ewok in “Return of the Jedi” and the robot Twiki, voiced by Mel Blanc, on TV’s “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”
Alcee Hastings (1936–2021)
Alcee Hastings (1936–2021) was a Democratic U.S. representative from Florida, who served from 1993 until his death. Prior to his congressional career, Hastings made history by becoming the first Black federal judge in Florida.
Alex Trebek (1940–2020)
Alex Trebek (1940–2020) was the beloved host of the iconic game show “Jeopardy!” for more than 35 years. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host seven times between 1989 and 2020 for his work on “Jeopardy!”
Bob Gibson (1935–2020)
Bob Gibson (1935–2020) was a flame throwing Hall of Fame starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals for 17 seasons. Gibson had more than 3,000 strikeouts, 3,117 in total, becoming only the second player in baseball history to do so at the time.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the second woman and the first Jewish woman appointed to the court in U.S. history. Ginsburg became a towering figure of the political left in later years, elevated to pop culture stardom and referred to as “The Notorious R.B.G.”
View Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s obituary
Frankie Banali (1951–2020)
Frankie Banali (1951–2020) was the drummer for Quiet Riot’s classic hit-making line-up. They had a big hit in 1983 with their cover version of the Slade song “Cum On Feel the Noize.”
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John Lewis (1940–2020)
John Lewis (1940–2020) led the famous 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. He later represented Georgia’s 5th District, encompassing much of Atlanta and some of its suburbs, for 17 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Linda Tripp (1949–2020)
Linda Tripp (1949–2020) was a former White House employee best known for leaking recorded phone calls of Monica Lewinsky talking about the sexual relationship between herself and President Bill Clinton, which helped lead to the president’s impeachment.
Johnny Clegg (1953–2019)
Johnny Clegg (1953–2019) was a South African music legend who performed with two popular multi-racial bands during the minority white rule apartheid era. His bands promoted racial unity and were harassed by the South African government.
Bushwick Bill (1966–2019)
Bushwick Bill (1966–2019) was a member of the iconic Houston based rap trio the Geto Boys. He was featured on the Geto Boy’s hit songs, “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” and “Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta.”
Aretha Franklin (1942–2018)
Aretha Franklin (1942–2018) was the Queen of Soul, a legend of soul music with a powerful and melodic voice. Her unforgettable hit songs include “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Women,” “Freeway of Love,” and “Rock Steady.”
View Aretha Franklin’s obituary
Deanna Lund (1937–2018)
Actress Deanna Lund (1937–2018) starred as party girl Valerie Scott on the sci-fi TV series “Land of the Giants.” Lund had roles in two Elvis Presley movies, “Paradise, Hawaiian Style,” and “Spinout,” and starred opposite Frank Sinatra in “Tony Rome.”
Charles Neville (1938–2018)
Saxophonist Charles Neville (1938–2018) was a founding member of legendary New Orleans band the Neville Brothers. The Neville Brothers released many albums, worked with Keith Richards and Carlos Santana, and won a Grammy in 1989 for the song “Healing Chant” from their Yellow Moon album.
View Charles Neville’s obituary
Edwin Hawkins (1943–2017)
Gospel singer Edwin Hawkins (1943–2017) was best known for the crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” and as a major force for contemporary inspirational music. “Oh Happy Day,” featuring the vocals of Dorothy Combs Morrison, was released as a single credited to the Edwin Hawkins Singers and became a million-seller in 1969, showing there was a large market for gospel songs and for inspirational music during the turbulent era of the late 1960s.
Rick Stelmaszek (1948–2017)
Former Minnesota Twins coach Rick Stelmaszek (1948–2017) helped the team win two World Series championships. Stelmaszek spent 32 seasons as a Twins coach from 1981-2012. He was the longest tenured coach in Twins history and third-longest with a single team in major league history.
View Rick Stelmaszek’s obituary
Jared Martin (1941–2017)
Actor Jared Martin (1941–2017) played Steven “Dusty” Farlow on the hit series “Dallas.” In true soap opera style, his character died in a plane crash but was resurrected after outcry from the fans. Martin appeared in a number of other TV shows and movies.
Richard Hatch (1945–2017)
Actor Richard Hatch (1945–2017) starred in the original 1970s “Battlestar Galactica” TV series and returned in a new role for its acclaimed 2000s reboot.
John Hurt (1940–2017)
Acclaimed English character actor John Hurt (1940–2017) was known for his starring role in “The Elephant Man” as well as for countless smaller roles. He stood out as Winston Smith, protagonist of the dystopian classic “Nineteen Eighty-Four” (1984); Kane, the ill-fated spacefarer who was host to the titular parasite in “Alien” (1979); the insane Roman emperor Caligula in the BBC miniseries “I, Claudius” (1976); a secret incarnation of the face-changing, time-traveling Doctor on the 50th anniversary episode of “Doctor Who” (2013); and Mr. Ollivander, the magic wand salesman who appeared in three of the “Harry Potter” films (2001 – 2011).
Hans Rosling (1948–2017)
In 1993 Hans Rosling (1948–2017) co-founded the Swedish branch of the international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders, a nongovernmental entity that helps people in war-torn and developing countries. A medical doctor and statistician, Rosling made data come alive during worldwide presentations and famous TED talks about social and economic trends.
Alan Rickman (1946–2016)
Alan Rickman was a British actor who played bad-guy and other film roles to perfection. He was best known as terrorist Hans Gruber in “Die Hard” and as Professor Severus Snape of the “Harry Potter” film series.
Horst Rechelbacher (1941–2014)
Austrian-born Horst Rechelbacher (1941–2014) founded the natural beauty products company Aveda in 1978. Starting with just one salon, he eventually sold Aveda to Estee Lauder Cos. for $300 million.
View Horst Rechelbacher’s obituary
Bonnie Franklin (1944–2013)
Bonnie Franklin (1944–2013) played many roles throughout an acting career that lasted almost 60 years, but one stands out. It’s the role that made her famous and earned her a TV Land Innovator Award: single mom Ann Romano on the TV sitcom “One Day at a Time.”
Read more about Bonnie Franklin
Ray Price (1926–2013)
The velvet-voiced Ray Price (1926–2013) was a giant among traditional country performers in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, as likely to defy a trend as he was to defend one. He helped invent the genre’s honky-tonk sound early in his career, then took it in a more polished direction.
Sally Ride (1951–2012)
Sally Ride (1951–2012), the first American woman in space – and also the youngest American in space – inspired generations of women who were blown away by the pleasant-seeming, normal-looking, and completely brilliant and driven young woman who burst onto the national radar in 1983.
Ben Gazzara (1930–2012)
On Broadway, Ben Gazzara (1930–2012) originated the role of Brick Pollitt in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” He went on to a long career in television and film, starring on TV in “Run for Your Life” and appearing in such films as “The Big Lebowski.”
Art Ginsburg (1931–2012)
“Mr. Food” Art Ginsburg (1931–2012) was originally a butcher and ran his own catering business prior to making a name for himself on television as Mr. Food. He ended each of his TV segments with the catch phrase “Ooh! It’s so good!”
Steve Jobs (1955–2011)
“Steve Jobs (1955–2011) was better than Santa Claus, because he’d show up once a year and offer us toys that we’d never even imagined could exist.” –An Apple fan on Twitter
Anne Francis (1930–2011)
In the 1960s Anne Francis (1930–2011) starred on television as private eye and big cat aficionado Honey West. A decade earlier she starred in the sci-fi classic “Forbidden Planet.”
Pete Postlethwaite (1946–2011)
Nominated for an Oscar for “In the Name of the Father,” Pete Postlethwaite (1946–2011) had a powerful presence and authenticity on screen and on stage. Director Steven Spielberg — who used Postlethwaite twice — called him “probably the best actor in the world.”
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Charlie Louvin (1927–2011)
Grand Ole Opry stars of the 1950s and ’60s, the Louvin Brothers were known for their distinctive “close harmony” singing, with Ira Louvin, left, on high tenor and mandolin, and his brother Charlie Louvin (1927–2011), right, on lead vocals and guitar. Their tempestuous relationship as brothers and as bandmates — and Ira’s occasional bad behavior — brought their partnership to an end in 1963.
View Charlie Louvin’s obituary
Pernell Roberts (1928–2010)
Ruggedly handsome actor Pernell Roberts (1928–2010) shocked Hollywood by leaving TV’s “Bonanza” at the height of its popularity. But he came back to television years later, finding fame once again as “Trapper John, M.D.”
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Patrick Swayze (1952–2009)
For many of us who were young women in 1987, there’s no romantic movie that will ever live up to Dirty Dancing — and no romantic leading man who will ever hold a candle to Patrick Swayze (1952–2009).
Read more about Patrick Swayze
Don Hewitt (1922–2009)
In 1968 Don Hewitt (1922–2009) created a new kind of television news program, in which he strove to present reporter-centered stories in a magazine-like format. More than 45 years later, “60 Minutes” is the longest-running prime-time program on television, and the many hosts and commentators it has introduced us to have become superstars of journalism.
Chuck Daly (1930–2009)
After leading the Detroit Pistons to NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, Chuck Daly (1930–2009) coached America’s “Dream Team” to Olympic gold in 1992.
Randy Pausch (1960–2008)
Not everybody can face a terminal diagnosis with humor and wisdom — but Randy Pausch (1960–2008) wasn’t just anybody. The computer science professor had a rare gift for inspiring others, as the world learned when he delivered his now famous “Last Lecture” shortly after being told he had less than a year to live.
Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007)
Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) used his celebrity to raise money for various causes including to help orphans from wars in Bosnia, Liberia and Iraq. In 1999, he performed in Beirut to celebrate the end of their civil war. The concert was attended by 20,000 people, including some who had traveled from as far away as Saudi Arabia to see him.
Read more about Luciano Pavarotti
Syd Barrett (1946–2006)
Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett (1946–2006) wrote nearly all their early material, penning alternately whimsical and creepy lyrics about scarecrows, gnomes and bicycles. He also encouraged the band to experiment with feedback, found sound and unusual song structures.
Brock Peters (1927–2005)
Best known for his heartbreaking performance as the black man falsely accused of rape in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Brock Peters (1927–2005) had a long Hollywood career that included roles in “Star Trek” and “Soylent Green.”
Juliet Prowse (1936–1996)
Actress and dancer Juliet Prowse (1936–1996) had a long career in film, television and on stage. She is best remembered for appearing in “G.I. Blues” opposite a young singer named Elvis Presley.
Marcello Mastroianni (1924–1996)
With “Big Deal on Madonna Street” in 1958 and the Fellini classic “La Dolce Vita” in 1960, Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni (1924–1996) became an international celebrity. He’d be nominated for an Academy Award three times during his career.
Henry Mancini (1924–1994)
Henry Mancini (1924–1994) wrote some of the coolest film and TV scores of all time. His jazzy themes and strings-heavy ballads defined movie music in the 1960s, and they’re endlessly hum-along-able.
Fred Gwynne (1926–1993)
Fred Gwynne’s (1926–1993) biggest role was one that rendered him virtually unrecognizable. Wearing 50 pounds of padding, elevator shoes to add four inches to his already-considerable 6-foot-5-inch frame, full face makeup and a square wig, Gwynne became Herman Munster, the genial patriarch of TV’s “The Munsters.”
Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993)
It was his talent and innovative style that placed Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) in the ranks of the all-time greatest jazz musicians… but his distinctive look didn’t hurt. The bulging cheeks are essential to Gillespie’s image — even people who have never heard his music are likely to recognize a photo of him.
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Michael Landon (1936–1991)
During his decades in television and film, Michael Landon (1936–1991) was a rancher, a pioneer and an angel. But his first big success was in a slightly hairier role: the title character of “I Was a Teen Werewolf.”
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Rex Harrison (1908–1990)
Rex Harrison (1908–1990) won his first Tony Award for his performance as Henry VIII in “Anne of the Thousand Days” in 1949. He won his second Tony for playing Professor Henry Higgins in the Broadway production of “My Fair Lady” in 1957. He reprised the role for the 1964 film version, which earned him a Golden Globe and Oscar for best actor.
Donna Reed (1921–1986)
Donna Reed (1921–1986) and the character she played on her eponymous TV show were not one and the same. Reed’s reality differed from that of her on-screen persona. Though Reed was a mother of four, she was no homemaker — she was a working mom, a busy actress with an Oscar and many movie roles to her credit, and she took a prominent role in developing and shaping her TV show.
Count Basie (1904–1984)
Count Basie (1904–1984) knew what his band’s formula for greatness was. “I think the band can really swing when it swings easy, when it can just play along like you are cutting butter,” Basie wrote in his autobiography. And, man, could Count Basie swing….
Fernando Lamas (1915–1982)
Depending on your age, you might remember Fernando Lamas (1915–1982) as a handsome actor from the 1950s with a seriously seductive accent, Or you might know him only from the “Saturday Night Live” sketches featuring Billy Crystal hosting “Fernando’s Hideaway.”
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Joan Crawford (1904–1977)
Though today she is remembered nearly as much for her off-screen dramatics as her work on the silver screen — Joan Crawford (1904–1977) was the Mommie Dearest of book and film fame — she enjoyed a film career that lasted nearly half a century and saw her appear in more than 80 films.
Jack Benny (1894–1974)
A comedian, vaudevillian, actor and violinist, recognized as a leading entertainer of the 20th century, Jack Benny (1894–1974) was known for his comic timing and the ability to create laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated “Well!” He portrayed his character as a miser who played his violin badly and was always 39 years old.
