Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Earl “The Twirl” Cureton (1957–2024), NBA “big man” and college star 

Earl “The Twirl” Cureton was an NBA player and college standout who excelled at the University of Detroit Mercy and played pro ball with the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and others.

Bobby Ussery (1935–2023), Hall of Fame jockey 

Bobby Ussery was a Hall of Fame jockey who won the Kentucky Derby on Proud Clarion in 1967.

Joe Matt (1963–2023), cartoonist of the autobiographical Peepshow

Joe Matt was a cartoonist and illustrator best known for his autobiographical and deeply personal comic, “Peepshow.”

Irene Papas (1926–2022), actress known for “Zorba the Greek”

Irene Papas was a Greek actress known for movies including “Zorba the Greek,” “The Guns of Navarone,” and “Z.”

Shonka Dukureh (1977–2022), “Elvis” actress and blues singer 

Shonka Dukureh was a blues singer and actress who appeared as Big Mama Thornton in the recent Baz Luhrmann movie “Elvis.” 

Tim Donnelly (1944–2021), actor known for “Emergency!”

Tim Donnelly was an actor best known for playing fireman Chet Kelly in the 1970s TV drama “Emergency!”

Jeraldine Saunders (1923–2019), creator of "The Love Boat"

Jeraldine Saunders was the creator of the hit ABC television series "The Love Boat." The show, which ran from 1977 through 1986, began with a made-for-TV movie based on Saunders' 1974 nonfiction book "Love Boats."

Mort Walker (1923 - 2018), cartoonist created "Beetle Bailey" and "Hi and Lois"

Mort Walker, the cartoonist who created “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi and Lois,” died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, of pneumonia at his home in Stamford, Conn. He was 94.

Anne Jackson (1925 - 2016), Tony-nominated actress

Tony-nominated actress Anne Jackson died April 12, according to The New York Times. She was 90.

Will the real Kitty Carlisle please stand up?

Kitty Carlisle is perhaps best remembered for her appearances on some of the favorite TV game shows of the 1950s, '60s and '70s...

Sarah Burke on the Slopes

Sarah Burke is a legend in the sport of freestyle skiing.