Died August 7

by Legacy Staff

Peter Jennings, one of America’s most trusted voices in news, was a Canadian high school dropout. For more than 20 years, Jennings anchored ABC’s “World News Tonight,” hosted numerous special news reports, and moderated presidential debates. In 2001, Jennings covered the 9/11 attacks for 17 hours straight, at one point sharing an emotional moment after receiving a phone call from his own children. He was no stranger to controversy, criticized for calling President George W. Bush a “deserter” and blocking Toby Keith from performing at a Fourth of July celebration. In 2003, Jennings became an American citizen. We remember Jennings’ life today as well as the lives of other notable people who died this day in history.

Click to discover notable people who were born this day in history including “The Little Rascals” child actor Carl Switzer.

2021: Markie Post, actress known for roles in “Night Court,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Hearts Afire,” dies at 70.

2018: Stan Mikita, legendary Hall of Fame hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, dies at 78.

2016: Bryan Clauson, U.S. auto racing driver who was well-known in dirt-track open wheel racing, dies during a race at 27.

2015: Louise Suggs, U.S. professional golfer who was one of the founders of the LPGA Tour and who won 61 LPGA tournaments, dies at 91.

2013: Margaret Pellegrini, U.S. actress known best for playing one of the munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz,” dies after having a stroke at 89.

Margaret Pellegrini (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Pellegrini has said she was 16 when “The Wizard of Oz” was filmed, according to her obituary by The Associated Press. She played one of the “sleepy head” kids and wore a flowerpot on her head in the movie. Later, Pellegrini was a guest speaker at grade schools across the Phoenix metropolitan area for many years. She usually appeared in costume and told stories about her time as a munchkin, The Arizona Republic reported. She also told children that “The Wizard of Oz” movie was a moral lesson. “There are two roads in life that you can take – the wrong road and the right road,” she said. “And remember, there really is no place like home.” Read more

2012: Judith Crist, U.S. film critic known as the critic for New York magazine and TV Guide, dies at 90.

Judith Crist (Associated Press Photo)Starting in 1963 at the New York Herald Tribune, Crist wrote about and discussed thousands of movies, and covered theater and books, The Associated Press noted in her obituary. She was among the first reviewers of her time to gain a national following, and Roger Ebert credited her with helping to make all film critics better known, including such contemporaries as The New Yorker’s Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris of the Village Voice. Read more

2009: Mike Seeger, U.S. folk musician and folklorist who was the half brother of Pete Seeger and co-founded the folk group New Lost City Ramblers, dies of cancer at 75.

2008: Bernie Brillstein, U.S. producer and talent agent who produced “Hee Haw,” “The Sopranos,” and “Ghostbusters” and was the agent for John Belushi and Jim Henson, dies at 77.

As a manager and talent agent, Brillstein helped guide the careers of John Belushi and Jim Henson, and as a producer, he helped bring “Saturday Night Live” and “The Sopranos” to television, according to his obituary by The Associated Press. Brillstein founded the influential management and production company Brillstein-Grey Entertainment with partner Brad Grey in 1991. Read more

2005: Peter Jennings, Canadian-born U.S. newscaster who was the anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight” from 1983 until 2005, dies of lung cancer complications at 67.

As he rose in the network’s ranks, he became a foreign correspondent, leading to his first big breaking story – the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Munich Olympics. As Palestinian terrorists held Israeli athletes hostage, killing 11 Olympians and coaches, Jennings and his camera crew hid near the scene of the tragedy. They were able to provide clear video of the terrorists, and Jennings used his previous experience as a Middle East correspondent to explain the situation thoroughly to his U.S. audience. Read more

1999: Brion James, U.S. character actor who appeared in “Blade Runner,” “48 Hrs.,” and “Dynasty,” dies of a heart attack at 54.

1994: Robert Hutton, U.S. actor who appeared in such movies as “Destination Tokyo” and “Cinderfella” with Jerry Lewis, dies at 74.

1992: John Anderson, U.S. actor known for his roles on television Westerns, including 12 appearances on “Gunsmoke” and 11 appearances on “The Rifleman,” dies of a heart attack at 69.

1985: Grayson Hall, U.S. actress best remembered for her regular role as Dr. Julia Hoffman on the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” dies of lung cancer at 62.

1984: Esther Phillips, U.S. singer whose songs that reached the top of the Billboard rhythm and blues charts included “Double Crossing Blues” and “Release Me,” dies of liver and kidney failure at 48.

1972: Joi Lansing, U.S. actress and model known for appearing in B movies and on many television shows including “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “I Love Lucy,” dies of breast cancer at 44.

1957: Oliver Hardy, U.S. comedian and actor who was famous as one-half of the classic act Laurel and Hardy, dies at 65 – 10 months after having a paralytic stroke.

Click to discover notable people who were born this day in history including “The Little Rascals” child actor Carl Switzer.

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