Nick Gravenites (1938–2024), bluesman who wrote for Janis Joplin

Nick Gravenites was a blues singer and guitarist who sang with the Electric Flag and wrote music for . 

Mandisa (1976–2024), Grammy-winning American Idol finalist

Mandisa was a contemporary Christian singer who came to prominence when she competed in season five of “American Idol” in 2006.

John Sinclair (1941–2024), poet, activist and counterculture icon 

John Sinclair was a Detroit-based poet, activist, and counterculture icon as well as the manager of the pioneering rock group MC5.

Vernor Vinge (1944–2024), cyberspace pioneering sci-fi author 

Vernor Vinge was a five-time Hugo Award-winning science fiction author, among the first to envision cyberspace and who warned about technology and AI reaching a point beyond human control.

Ramona Fradon (1926–2024), trailblazing comic artist

Ramona Fradon was a trailblazing comic artist who was one of just two women artists working professionally in comics when she began, and who helped co-create characters like Metamorpho and Aqualad.

Jo-El Sonnier (1946–2024), Grammy-winning Cajun musician

Jo-El Sonnier was a Cajun and country singer-songwriter known for “No More One More Time” and “Tear-Stained Letter.” 

Phill Niblock (1933–2024), experimental composer and filmmaker 

Phill Niblock was an experimental composer and filmmaker known for creating a vast catalog of challenging music and films featuring minimalist drones and tonal experiments. 

Edmundo Desnoes (1930–2023), author of Memorias del subdesarrollo 

Edmundo Desnoes was the author of the novel “Memorias del subdesarrollo,” which was adapted into an acclaimed film.

Dorothy Pitman Hughes (1938–2022), Ms. Magazine co-founder

Dorothy Pitman Hughes was a pioneering feminist who worked closely with Gloria Steinem to fight for women’s rights.

Maury Wills (1932–2022), Los Angeles Dodgers legend

Maury Wills was a legendary shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was known for his base stealing.

Hershel Williams (1923–2022), Battle of Iwo Jima hero  

Hershel Williams was a U.S. Marine who was awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

Larry Sellers (1949–2021), "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" actor

Larry Sellers was an actor of Osage, Cherokee, and Lakota ancestry who was best known for playing Cloud Dancing on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

Joe Lara (1962–2021), "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures" star

Joe Lara was an actor best known for starring in the TV series "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures."

Big Al Carson (1953–2020), legendary New Orleans blues singer

Big Al Carson was a renowned blues singer who was a fixture of the New Orleans music scene.

Jana Novotna (1968 – 2017), former Wimbledon champion

Lost heartbreaking match in the 1993 Wimbledon final before winning in 1998…

Marc Spitz (1969–2017), Spin magazine writer

A music journalist and author, Marc Spitz wrote for Spin magazine and Salon.com.

Chuck Williams (1915-2015), Williams-Sonoma founder

Chuck Williams, founder of the high-end home goods empire Williams-Sonoma, died peacefully of natural causes Saturday at his San Francisco home, The Associated Press and San Francisco Chronicle report.

Moses Gunn: Five Great Roles

Moses Gunn was an award-winning actor on stage and screen. In the 1960s he helped expand opportunities for African-American actors when he co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company, which boasts among its alumni notables like Denzel Washington, , , and . In his own career, he played iconic roles both big and small, earning an Obie, or Off-Broadway Theater Award, and an NAACP Image Award, as well as nominations for a Tony and an Emmy. From Othello on Broadway to beloved sitcoms like The Cosby Show , Gunn was always a star. Here are a few of our favorite Moses Gunn roles.

George McFarland, AKA Spanky

To a generation of "Our Gang" fans, George McFarland was simply Spanky...

Groucho the Great

From vaudeville to Hollywood to television, for nearly 70 years Groucho Marx was one of the all-time great kings of comedy.