Abdul Salaam (1953–2024), famed New York Jets defenseman

Abdul Salaam was a defensive tackle for the N.Y. Jets in the 1980s, best known as part of the team’s feared and respected New York Sack Exchange foursome that included Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, and Joe Klecko.

Parnelli Jones (1933–2024), 1963 Indy 500 winner

Parnelli Jones was a racing driver who won the 1963 Indianapolis 500 and was a two-time champion at the Baja 1000 desert race.

Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker (1963–2024), member of the Gap Band 

Anthony “Baby Gap” Walker was a songwriter, rapper, dancer, and choreographer with the Gap Band.

George McGinnis (1950–2023), Hall of Fame basketball great

George McGinnis was an ABA and NBA basketball player who led the Pacers to two ABA titles and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

David Jacobs (1939–2023), creator of Dallas, Knots Landing 

David Jacobs was a TV writer and producer who created the hit series “Dallas” and “Knots Landing.” 

Mary Ann Hoberman (1930–2023), award-winning children’s author

Mary Ann Hoberman was a poet and National Book Award winner for her 1978 children’s book “A House Is a House for Me.” 

Margaret Burbidge (1919–2020), astronomer who showed elements form inside stars

Burbidge was a renowned astronomer known for fighting discrimination towards women in the field.

William Goldman (1931 – 2018), Academy Award-winning screenwriter

William Goldman, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “All the President's Men” (1976), died Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in Manhattan of colon cancer and pneumonia, according to multiple news sources. He was 87.

Youree "Miss Cleo" Harris (1962–2016), infomercial psychic

Youree Dell Harris, known better as Miss Cleo the psychic to viewers of iconic late-night infomercial has died at 53.

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton

Country singer Porter Wagoner, who would have celebrated his 87th birthday Aug. 12, introduced country music to millions as the host of television’s The Porter Wagoner Show. But Wagoner...

Cecil B. DeMille: Size Matters

Cecil B. DeMille was a master of spectacle. With this year's Oscar nominations soon to be announced, we take a look back at his cinematic extraganzas.