Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Late Blooming Tenor

Susan Boyle wasn’t the first British singing sensation to blossom relatively late in life. Anthony Rolfe Johnson became an opera star despite not even being able to read music at age 30.

Sugar Ray Robinson: The World's Best Fighter

Here are 20 facts you may not know about Sugar Ray Robinson , the boxer once called the greatest fighter of all time.

Alzheimer's Brings Early Grieving

There are so many different types of grief, and each brings its own unique pain and challenges. Grieving the death of a parent is much different from grieving the loss of a child, which is much different from grieving the loss of a spouse … the list continues. But one type of grief we don’t always talk about is the grief that begins before a death. Any long-term illness might lead to this – the horrible knowledge that death is coming inevitably, and soon – but Alzheimer’s disease brings a special set of circumstances that causes a unique and early grief for anyone caring for an affected loved one.

John Berry (1963–2016), Beastie Boys founding member

Founding member of the Beastie Boys hip-hop group.

Frank Chapot (1932 - 2016), Olympic equestrian

Frank Chapot, an equestrian who won two silver medals in six Olympics, died June 20, 2016, at an assisted living center in New Jersey. He was 84. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame announced the death, noting that he was under care for Alzheimer's disease. Chapot was born Feb. 24, 1932, in Camden, New Jersey. He married the former Mary Mairs, a fellow equestrian, in 1965. They performed together at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics as a mixed jumping team, though never winning a medal. Chapot, who competed in the Olympics from 1956 to 1976, won two Olympic silver medals riding Gem Twist. In 1990, the horse was named world’s best horse at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden. He also coached the U.S. equestrian team when it won its first gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Chapot’s team won a silver medal four years later.

Pat Summitt (1952 - 2016), legendary college basketball coach

Pat Summitt, the legendary former coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team, has died of Alzheimer’s disease, according to multiple news sources. She was 64. Summitt coached the Lady Vols basketball team to eight NCAA championships. That was the record at the time of her retirement in 2012. That record has now been passed by Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut. She was the first NCAA coach to reach 1,000 victories and she has the most wins of any female basketball coach in NCAA history. Summitt was born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1952. She played college basketball at the University of Tennessee at Martin and was an All-American. She won a silver medal playing for the USA team in the 1976 Olympics.

Mack Rice (1933 - 2016), Mustang Sally songwriter

Mack Rice, the singer-songwriter who penned “Mustang Sally” and other hits made famous by Wilson Pickett and other big-name artists, died June 27 of Alzheimer’s disease complications at his home in Detroit, Michigan, according to multiple news sources. He was 82.

Roger Tsien (1952 - 2016), Nobel Prize winner for Alzheimer's research

Roger Tsien, a Nobel Prize winner who helped develop a method to track cancer cells and follow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 64.

Charmian Carr (1942 - 2016), The Sound of Music actress

Charmian Carr, an actress known best for playing the eldest daughter in “The Sound of Music” movie, died Sept. 17, 2016, according to multiple news sources. She was 73.

Caring for a Terminally Ill Loved One: First Take Care of Yourself

Self-care takes a back seat when we care for dying loved ones. But it's one of the most important considerations in an emotionally and physically harrowing time.

Grief After a Long Goodbye

Just because we know a loved one is dying doesn’t mean we are prepared for the loss.

Roger Wilkins (1932–2017), Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

Roger Wilkins, a civil rights activist, historian, and journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize, died Sunday, March 26, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 85.

Chelsea Brown (1947 - 2017), Laugh-In cast member

Chelsea Brown, an actress and dancer known best for appearing as a cast member on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," died March 27, 2017, of complications from dementia. She was 69.

Bob Holland (1928–2017), Virginia Beach surfing legend

Virginia Beach surfing legend.

Judith Jones (1924–2017), editor of Julia Child’s cookbooks

Legendary editor of Julia Child’s cookbooks…

Glen Campbell (1936–2017), chart-topping country singer

Glen Campbell, the "Rhinestone Cowboy" country singer who charted 80 hit songs in a career that lasted more than half a century.

Malcolm Young (1953–2017), founding member of AC/DC

Malcolm Young, founding member of Australian hard rock band AC/DC, has died, according to multiple news sources. His death was announced on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. He was 64.

Darlanne Fluegel (1953–2017), stunning star of 1980s crime dramas

Darlanne Fluegel, the stunning star of 1980s crime dramas, died after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

George Klein (1935–2019), Memphis DJ and friend of Elvis Presley

He met Elvis in high school and the two remained lifelong friends.

Katherine Helmond (1929–2019), starred on "Soap" and "Who's the Boss?"

Katherine Helmond was the Emmy-nominated actress best known for television roles including Jessica Tate on "Soap" and Mona Robinson on "Who's the Boss?" She also had notable film roles, particularly in "Brazil," in which she played the plastic surgery-obsessed Ida Lowry.

Unita Blackwell (1933–2019), civil rights activist was advisor to seven presidents

Unita Blackwell was a civil rights activist who rose from an early life as a sharecropper to become an advisor to seven presidents and the first black woman mayor in Mississippi.

Pat Bowlen (1944–2019), Denver Broncos owner

Pat Bowlen was the owner of the Denver Broncos, one of the NFL’s most successful franchises.

Nick Buoniconti (1940–2019), Dolphins Hall of Fame linebacker

He was a leading advocate for football safety.

Bobby Dillon (1930–2019), legendary Packers safety

Career leader in interceptions for Green Bay was blind in one eye.

Sam Davis (1944–2019), member of 1970s Steelers dynasty

Sam Davis was a valuable member of the Pittsburgh Steelers 1970s NFL dynasty. He started at left guard, winning 4 super bowls with the legendary team. In 1976, Davis blocked for running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, helping them become the second pair of teammates in NFL history to each rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Davis retired after the 1979 season.

John Mann (1962–2019), lead singer of Spirit of the West

John Mann was the lead singer of Spirit of the West, a Canadian alternative rock band that had its biggest success in the 1990s with hits including “Political” and “And if Venice Is Sinking.”

Gahan Wilson (1930–2019), grim cartoonist featured in Playboy and The New Yorker

Gahan Wilson, the grim cartoonist featured in Playboy, The New Yorker, and National Lampoon, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz., from complications of dementia. He was 89.

B. Smith (1949–2020), restaurateur and lifestyle guru

B. Smith was the owner of the popular Manhattan restaurant B. Smith, whose eye for style made her a well-known designer and lifestyle guru. Born Barbara Elaine Smith, she was also a model who was one of the first black women to appear on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine, in 1976. Called the black Martha Stewart, she starred in the syndicated TV show “B. Smith with Style,” and she wrote cookbooks including “B. Smith’s Entertaining and Cooking for Friends.” As a décor designer, Smith created collections sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and La-Z-Boy.

Eric Weissberg (1939–2020), “Dueling Banjos” banjo player

Eric Weissberg  played banjo on the hit song “Dueling Banjos,” the theme song for the movie “Deliverance.” The song was recorded by Weissberg and fellow musician Steve Mandell and became a No. 2 hit. Their version of “Dueling Banjos” was popularized in the 1973 movie “Deliverance,” starring Burt Reynolds. Weissberg was in the folk band the Tarriers in the 1960s and was a popular session player who recorded with Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, the Talking Heads, and many others. He remained a popular performer at various folk festivals.

Earl Graves Sr. (1935–2020), founder of Black Enterprise magazine

Earl Graves Sr. was the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, focusing on Black entrepreneurs and businesses.

Emma Amos (1937–2020), artist whose work explored racism and sexism

Emma Amos was a painter whose brightly colored works shone a light on racism and sexism in America.

Jim Kiick (1946–2020), Miami Dolphins running back who won two Super Bowls

Jim Kiick was a running back who played for the Miami Dolphins during their 1972 perfect season.

Frances Allen (1932–2020), pioneering computer scientist

Frances Allen was a pioneering computer scientist and the first woman to win a Turing award.

Russell Kirsch (1929–2020), inventor of the pixel

Russel Kirsch was a computer scientist credited with inventing the pixel andbeing the first to scan aadigitalaphotograph.aa

Lori Nelson (1933–2020), “Revenge of the Creature” star

Lori Nelsonawas aa1950s Hollywood star known for ccRevenge of the Creatured and the TV series ccHow to Marry a Millionaire.da

William Gates Sr. (1925–2020), philanthropist and father of Bill Gates

William Gates Sr. was a lawyer and philanthropist who was the father of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates.

Viola Smith (1912–2020), pioneering female swing drummer

Viola Smith was a drummer billed as the “fastest girl drummer in the world,” playing for big bands in an era when few professional musicians were women.

Carol Arthur (1935–2020), 'Blazing Saddles' actor

Carol Arthur starred in "Blazing Saddles" and was the widow of .

Paul Hornung (1935–2020), Green Bay Packers legend

Paul Hornung was a legendary Hall of Fame running back for the Green Bay Packers.

K.C. Jones (1932–2020), Celtics legend

K.C. Jones was the steady point guard for the Boston Celtics who helped lead the team to eight NBA titles as a player and then two more as the head coach.

Loretta Whitfield (1941–2020), creator of Baby Whitney doll

Loretta Whitfield was an entrepreneur and education counselor who created Baby Whitney, a realistic Black baby doll.

Ed Bullins (1935–2021), playwright of the Black Arts Movement

Ed Bullins was a playwright known for works including “The Taking of Miss Janie” and “In New England Winter.”

Frank Pesce (1946–2022), actor in “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Top Gun”

Frank Pesce was a character actor known for roles in movies including “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Top Gun.”

Annie Flanders (1939–2022), founder of Details magazine 

Annie Flanders was the founder of the hip men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine Details.  

David Birney (1939–2022), star of “Bridget Loves Bernie”

David Birney was an actor known for roles on TV shows including “Bridget Loves Bernie” and “St. Elsewhere.”

Dorothy Tristan (1934–2023), actress in “Klute,” “Scarecrow”

Dorothy Tristan was an actress and screenwriter known for performances in movies including “Klute” and “Scarecrow.”

Lupe Serrano (1930–2023), ballerina who danced with Nureyev

Lupe Serrano was a prima ballerina with the renowned American Ballet Theatre.

Topol (1935–2023), Fiddler on the Roof’s Tevye

Topol was an Israeli actor and singer who starred on Broadway and on the big screen as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Joe Kapp (1938–2023), Minnesota Vikings quarterback 

Joe Kapp was a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the 1950s and ‘60s.