Ellen Gilchrist (1935–2024), National Book Award-winning author 

Ellen Gilchrist was an author who won a National Book Award in 1984 for her story collection, “Victory Over Japan.” 

Bob Richards (1926–2023), first athlete featured on Wheaties boxes

Bob Richards was an Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting who became the first athlete featured on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes.

Antonio Inoki (1943–2022), Japanese combat sports pioneer 

Antonio Inoki was a Japanese professional wrestler and combat sports pioneer who fought Muhammad Ali to a draw in an exhibition match in 1976.

Herb Kohler Jr. (1939–2022), Kohler Co. billionaire and golf patron

Herb Kohler Jr. was the former CEO of Kohler Co., known for their plumbing products.

Ivana Trump (1949–2022), Donald Trump’s first wife

Ivana Trump was a businesswoman and the first wife of former President Donald Trump, as well as the mother of his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump.

Sidney Poitier (1927–2022), one of the 20th century's greatest actors

Sir Sidney Poitier was an acting legend who starred in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best actor, for his performance in "Lilies of the Field."

Willie Garson (1964–2021), “Sex and the City” star

Willie Garson was an actor best known for playing Stanford Blatch on “Sex and the City.”

Bobby Unser (1934–2021), three-time Indy 500 winner

Bobby Unser was a racing driver who was one of only 10 drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 three times.

Jean Kennedy Smith (1928–2020), last surviving Kennedy sibling

Jean Kennedy Smith was the last surviving sibling of President and a diplomat who helped with the effort toward peace in Northern Ireland.

Marj Dusay (1936–2020), soap opera regular

Marj Dusay was a soap opera veteran who starred on five different soaps including “Capitol, “All My Children” and “Guiding Light.” She played an alien named Kara on the original “Star Trek” in an episode titled “Spock’s Brain” in which she steals his brain to take back to her planet. Dusay also played Blair’s mother on the sitcom “Facts of Life.” She made her big screen debut in the 1967 Elvis movie “Clambake” and appeared on many television shows including “The Odd Couple,” “Mod Squad,” and “Get Smart.”

Gloria Vanderbilt (1924–2019), iconic fashion designer

The designer and socialite was also the mother of CNN's Anderson Cooper.

The Legacies of Kurt Cobain, 25 Years Later

Kurt Cobain has inspired decades of alternative and indie music, but who inspired him?

Nancy Wilson (1937–2018), award-winning song stylist

Nancy Wilson (1937–2018) was a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer who sang many styles of music but is most closely associated with jazz. Among her notable recordings are the 1964 hit “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” and her debut single, “Guess Who I Saw Today.” Aware of her singing talent from a young age, she transformed her gift for song into a performing and recording career that spanned more than half a century, beginning in the 1950s and extending until her retirement in the 2010s.

Gillian Lynne (1926 – 2018) “Cats” choreographer

Worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on "Phantom of the Opera"…

Linda Brown (1943–2018), student in landmark Brown v. Board of Education case

The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down racial segregation in schools…

Hubert de Givenchy (1927–2018), fashion icon

Designed Audrey Hepburn's little black dress in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"…

Margo Chase (1958–2017), Chase Design Group founder

Chase Design Group founder worked on Target, Pepsi, Nestle branding…

John Geils Jr. (1946–2017), J. Geils Band leader

Founded the J. Geils Band that made the hits "Freeze Frame" and "Centerfold."

Joost van der Westhuizen (1971 - 2017), rugby legend

Joost van der Westhuizen, the rugby legend who won a World Cup with South Africa in 1995, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 45.

Dave Schwartz (1953 - 2016), Weather Channel meteorologist

Dave Schwartz, an on-air meteorologist with the Weather Channel for more than two decades, died July 30, 2016, of cancer, according to the cable television station. He was 63.

Ansel Adams: Father of American Photography

Though he died more than 25 years ago, Ansel Adams’ name has been all over the news this week thanks to a lucky garage sale find.