Bill Pinkney (1935–2023), pioneering sailor 

Bill Pinkney was the first Black sailor to make a solo circumnavigation of the globe via the notoriously difficult southern route, around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.

Margaret Keane (1927–2022), “Big Eyes” artist

Margaret Keane was an artist known for her paintings of children with large sad eyes whose story of her husband stealing credit from her was told in the 2014 film “Big Eyes.”

Henry Darrow (1933–2021), “The High Chaparral” star

Henry Darrow was an actor known for roles in TV shows including “The High Chaparral,” “Santa Barbara,” and “Zorro.”

Norm Crosby (1927–2020), legendary old school comic

Norm Crosby was a legendary old school comic known as the "The Master of Malaprop."

Forrest Compton (1925–2020), “Gomer Pyle” actor

Forrest Compton was an actor best known for his roles on “Gomer Pyle: USMC” and “The Edge of Night.” 

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020), children’s author who wrote “Strega Nona”

Tomie dePaola was a children’s book author and illustrator whose hundreds of books included the Caldecott Honor-winning “Strega Nona.”

Jessye Norman (1945–2019), Grammy-winning opera singer

Jessye Norman was an operatic soprano known for her matchless voice and for her signature roles including Strauss’ Ariadne. She made her debut on the operatic stage in 1969, portraying Elisabeth in Wagner’s “Tannhauser” in Berlin. Inspired as a girl by listening to performances at New York’s Metropolitan Opera on the radio, Norman made her debut at the Met in 1983, singing the part of Cassandre in “Les Troyens” by Berlioz. She would go on to sing at the Met more than 80 times. Norman performed at the second inaugurations of presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and she sang at England’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th birthday as well as at the bicentennial of the French Revolution. She won five Grammy Awards, including one for lifetime achievement, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1997, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2009.

Jeff Fenholt (1950–2019), original star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway

Jeff Fenholt starred in the original Broadway production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” playing the title role.

Yisrael Kristal (1903–2017), world’s oldest man

World’s oldest man and Holocaust survivor.

Dick Latessa (1929 - 2016), Tony Award-winning Hairspray actor

Dick Latessa, an actor who won a Tony Award for best featured actor in a musical for "Hairspray,” died Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 87.

Richard Nicoll (1977 - 2016), fashion designer

Richard Nicoll, a British-born fashion designer, died Friday, Oct. 21, in Sydney, Australia, where he lived, according to multiple news sources. He was 39.

Signe Toly Anderson (1941 - 2016), Jefferson Airplane founding member

Signe Toly Anderson, a singer who was one of the original members of the Jefferson Airplane, has died. She was 74. Anderson died Jan. 28 at her home in Beaverton, Oregon. Her daughter, Onateska Ladybug Sherwood Anderson, confirmed the death. She said her mother had chronic obstructive lung disease. Anderson left the band after its first record and after giving birth to her first child; she was replaced by Grace Slick. Anderson performed live with the band Oct. 15, 1966, for two sets. She offered a farewell to the fans, saying, "I want you all to wear smiles and daisies and box balloons. I love you all."

40 Facts About Agatha Christie

Mystery writer Agatha Christie died 40 years ago this week. Here are some facts you may not know about the best-selling novelist of all time.

Fay Wray: Damsel in Distress

The success of "King Kong" made its leading ape and leading lady household names.

Roy Acuff, King of Country Music

Roy Acuff helped contribute the star power that was needed to bring country music – and the Grand Ole Opry – into the mainstream...

Nipsey Russell: The Poet Laureate of TV

Nipsey Russell wasn't called the Poet Laureate of Television for nothing. The frequent game show panelist and celebrity roaster truly had a way with rhymes...