Mark Withers (1947–2024), actor in Dynasty, Stranger Things

Mark Withers was an actor best known for playing Ted Dinard in the first season of “Dynasty.” 

Dikembe Mutombo (1966–2024), Hall of Fame NBA shot-blocker

Dikembe Mutombo was an NBA star known for his towering height and his shot-blocking skills.

Michel Cí´té (1950–2023), prominent Québécois actor

Michel Cí´té was a French-Canadian actor who starred in such movies as “C.R.A.Z.Y.” and “Cruising Bar.” 

Klaus Teuber (1952–2023), Catan board game creator

Klaus Teuber was a German board game designer who created the influential game Settlers of Catan.

Willis Reed (1942–2023), all-time Knicks great

Willis Reed was an all-time New York Knicks great who helped his team win two NBA championships in the 1970s.

Clarence Smoyer (1923–2022), World War II hero  

Clarence Smoyer was a World War II tank gunner known as the “Hero of Cologne” for his bravery in helping to defeat a German panther tank during the important 1945 battle.

Virginia Patton (1925–2022), “It’s a Wonderful Life” actress 

Virginia Patton was an actress who is best remembered for playing the sister-in-law of Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey in the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”   

Ian McDonald (1946–2022), founding member of King Crimson and Foreigner

Ian McDonald was a British multi-instrumentalist who co-founded King Crimson and Foreigner.

Eric Carle (1929–2021), “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author

Eric Carle was an author and illustrator of children’s books, including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”

Thomas Jefferson Byrd (1950–2020), actor known for Spike Lee films

Thomas Jefferson Byrd was an actor known for roles in Spike Lee films including “Clockers” and “Get on the Bus.”

Larry Kramer (1935–2020), playwright and AIDS activist

Larry Kramer was an influential playwright and AIDS activist whosebest-knownplay isThe Normal Heart, which was about theearly days of the AIDScrisis.

Phyllis George (1949–2020), groundbreaking sportscaster, Miss America, first lady of Kentucky

Phyllis George, who during her remarkable career was one of the first female sportscasters in American television as well as Miss America and the first lady of Kentucky, died Thursday at the age of 70.

Rosalind P. Walter (1924–2020), the original Rosie the Riveter

Rosalind P. Walter was an heiress whose work building fighter planes during World War II inspired the creation of Rosie the Riveter. In later years, she became a philanthropist who supported causes including wildlife conservation, public television, and education opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Gabriele Grunewald (1986–2019), elite runner inspired as she battled cancer

Gabriele Grunewald, an elite runner who became well-known for documenting her cancer journey on social media, died Wednesday, June 11, 2019 in Minneapolis of complications of cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 32.

How Anthony Bourdain Taught Me When to Stop Being Snarky

I am writing about Anthony Bourdain while on the road in Maine, nestled near an oceanside cove of beach, plucking words out of a vineyard of sorrow while staving off the shakes from a lack of television. This is one of two acceptable conditions under which one may write about Anthony Bourdain, the other being next to a plate of food; nothing pretentious, something comfortable and with a bit of the finger lick, a salty thing if it can be managed.

George Michael (1963–2016), pop superstar

English pop singer George Michael sold more than 100 million albums and was an inspirational icon for a generation of gay youth who came of age in the 1990s.