Died 2007

She later played Bernice on “Designing Women.”

One of the first African-American women to host her own TV show.

Steve Allen invented the late-night talk show; Johnny Carson perfected it. Today, Jimmy Fallon and James Corden are part of a new generation innovating the late-night airwaves. Somewhere in between …

Kurt Vonnegut wrote great characters – and he was a bit of a character himself.

Author Norman Mailer, who would have celebrated his 92nd birthday Jan. 31, was a literary giant before his death and remains one long after.

Anyone listening to adult contemporary radio in the late ’70s and early ’80s was bound to hear one distinctively soothing voice singing introspective songs about the intricacies of relationships. That …

Country singer Porter Wagoner, who would have celebrated his 87th birthday Aug. 12, introduced country music to millions as the host of television’s The Porter Wagoner Show. But Wagoner…

Benazir Bhutto, who twice led Pakistan as prime minister and was seeking a third term at the time of her death, would have celebrated her 61st birthday June 21. Here …

Operatic legend Beverly Sills was born 85 years ago today May 25, 1929, giving us all a chance to embarrass ourselves by singing “Happy Birthday” in honor of one of …