Michael Newman (1957–2024), Baywatch lifeguard

Michael Newman was a firefighter, lifeguard, and actor who starred on the hit TV show “Baywatch.”

Maurice Williams (1938–2024), singer of Stay from Dirty Dancing

Maurice Williams was a singer and bandleader who fronted the group Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, best known for their song “Stay,” featured in the film “Dirty Dancing.”

Duane Eddy (1938–2024), early rock and roll guitar hero 

Duane Eddy was an early rock and roll guitar hero known for his influential twangy sound, heard on songs like “Peter Gunn” and “Rebel Rouser.” 

Arno A. Penzias (1933–2024), Nobel winner for Big Bang theory 

Arno A. Penzias was a scientist who shared the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics for discoveries that helped prove the Big Bang theory. 

Ewa PodleÅ› (1952–2024), contralto with a three-octave range 

Ewa PodleÅ› was a Polish opera singer and contralto who was known for her powerful three-octave range and performances on stages across the world.

Gary Wright (1943–2023), Dream Weaver singer and songwriter 

Gary Wright was a singer and songwriter known for his hit songs “Dream Weaver” and “Love Is Alive.” 

Tiffany Jackson (1985–2022), WNBA star and coach

Tiffany Jackson was a WNBA star and coach who played for teams including the New York Liberty and Tulsa Shock.

Robert E. Simanek (1930–2022), Korean War Medal of Honor recipient

Robert E. Simanek was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War who was presented with the Medal of Honor for his valor in battle.

Bobby Rydell (1942–2022), 1960s teen idol 

Bobby Rydell was a teen idol in the early 1960s known for the hits “Wildwood Days” and “Volare,” and who starred with Ann-Margaret in the film “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Joey Jordison (1975–2021), founding Slipknot drummer

Joey Jordison was a co-founder and the original drummer for the popular metal band Slipknot.

Frank Carney (1938–2020), co-founder of Pizza Hut

Frank Carney was a businessman who co-founded Pizza Hut along with his brother.

Floyd Zaiger (1926–2020), renowned fruit breeder

FloydZaigerwas a renowned fruit breeder who developed many new varieties of fruit including the Pluot.

I.M. Pei (1917–2019), world-renowned architect

His designs include the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris.

Gordon Hunt (1929 - 2016), director of The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo

Gordon Hunt, the director of TV cartoon favorites including "The Jetsons," "Scooby-Doo," and "The Smurfs," died Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. He was 87.

Howard Davies (1945 - 2016), British theatre director

Howard Davies, an acclaimed British theatre director, died Oct. 25 after fighting cancer, according to his family. He was 71.

Anita Loos, Screenwriting Pioneer

Born on this day in 1888, Anita Loos was among the most important screenwriters in American movie history. We look back at her influential career...