Clifton R. Wharton Jr. (1926–2024), former president of MSU

Clifton R. Wharton Jr. was a former Michigan State University president and deputy secretary of state who broke racial barriers when he took the MSU post in 1970.

Lou Conter (1921–2024), last USS Arizona survivor

Lou Conter was the last survivor of the bombing of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Douglas Lenat (1950–2023), pioneer in AI development 

Douglas Lenat was a computer scientist and artificial intelligence developer who worked on systems to allow AIs to use “common sense” when parsing data.0

Dick Biondi (1932–2023), Chicago DJ who played the Beatles first 

Dick Biondi was a legendary Chicago radio DJ who, in 1963, played the first Beatles song heard on U.S. radio.

Sheldon Reynolds (1959–2023), guitarist for Earth, Wind & Fire

Sheldon Reynolds was a guitarist and co-vocalist for several landmark bands, including Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Commodores. 

Randy Gonzalez (1987–2023), Enkyboys TikTok star

Randy Gonzalez was the star of the Enkyboys TikTok channel along with his young son, Brice Gonzalez.

Vanilla Beane (1919–2022), iconic hatmaker

Vanilla Beane was known as “DC’s Hat Lady” for the ionic hats she made for generations of the capitol’s women.

Joe E. Tata (1936–2022), “Beverly Hills, 90210” actor 

Joe E. Tata was an actor best known for playing Nat, the kind owner of the Peach Pit diner on “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

Robert Indiana (1928 – 2018), creator of iconic “LOVE” pop art

Robert Indiana, the pop artist best known of his 1960s "LOVE" series, has died at his island home off the coast of Maine, according to the Associated Press. He was 89.

Janusz Glowacki (1938 - 2017), Antigone in New York playwright

Janusz Glowacki, the renowned Polish-born U.S. playwright and screenwriter whose “Antigone in New York” won a 1998 critics award, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 78.

Joni Sledge (1956–2017), one of sisters behind hit song "We Are Family"

Joni Sledge, a member of the family group Sister Sledge who recorded the dance anthem “We Are Family,” died Friday, March 10, 2017, in Phoenix, according to The Associated Press. She was 60.

David Smyrl (1935 - 2016)Emmy-winning Sesame Street actor

David L. Smyrl, the actor who played Hooper's Store owner Mr. Handford on the Public Broadcating Service series in the 1990s, has died. He was 80.

Richard Kiel's Giant Legacy

Easily recognizable, thanks to his 7-foot-2 frame, Kiel enjoyed a long and fruitful career in Hollywood.

The Highs and Lows of Nell Carter

Nell Carter's life was a study in extremes.

Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass

Bill Monroe, the "Father of Bluegrass," was born September 13, 1911. Today we're remembering his musical career – it's a seminal one, as he's one of the only musicians who could say he created an entire genre almost single-handedly.

The Many Hats of Roald Dahl

Children's author, writer of spooky adult fiction, TV host, ace fighter pilot and inventor Roald Dahl died 20 years ago today. Here are 20 facts about his life and work.

Mel Tormé: A Series of Odd Jobs

Tormé liked to say that he never had a career, only a series of odd jobs, and he was only half-joking.