The Awful Frank Sidebottom

A look back at the classic comedy of Chris Sievey and his alter ego Frank Sidebottom.

Teddy Pendergrass is Back

This morning we were surprised to see among the top 10 most popular search terms reported by Google.After all, Pendergrass—singer, songwriter, drummer, and soul pioneer—died Jan. 13, 2010, nearly 6 months ago.

Phil Harris, The Unlikeliest TV Star

TV viewers were devastated when "Deadliest Catch" captain Phil Harris died suddenly.

Dick Buckley, Chicago Jazz Stalwart

Dick Buckleyhosted jazz programs on WBEZ in Chicago for 30 years.

John Callahan, Equal Opportunity Offender

Cartoonist, musician, author, quadriplegic, and Portland fixture John Callahan died July 24, 2010, at age 59.

Theo Albrecht, Unknown Billionaire

He hadn’t spoken publicly since 1971. The last photograph taken of him was snapped in 1987. He was once kidnapped for 17 days, and liked growing orchids. Oh, and he had an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion...

Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Late Blooming Tenor

Susan Boyle wasn’t the first British singing sensation to blossom relatively late in life. Anthony Rolfe Johnson became an opera star despite not even being able to read music at age 30.

Peter Fernandez, Voice of Speed Racer

Fans of anime and manga owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Fernandez, who helped bring "Speed Racer" to American audiences in the 1960s.

The Enigma of Bruno S.

Director Werner Herzog plucked street performer Bruno S. out of obscurity and made him a movie star. But what happened when the cameras stopped rolling?

Michael Been, Heeding the Call

The Call frontman Michael Been died of a heart attack backstage at a music festival. He may not have wanted it any other way.

The Nightmare World of Satoshi Kon

Japanese writer and filmmaker Satoshi Kon had a unique style and vision that was unlike any other in anime.

Leonard Skinner: The Man Behind the Name

Leonard Skinner died yesterday at age 77. If his name sounds familiar but you can’t quite place it, try substituting the vowels with the letter “y”...

Norman Wisdom, Chaplin’s Favorite Clown

Norman Wisdom was Britain’s biggest box office draw and an icon in, of all places, Albania. What made his brand of humour so popular?

Manute Bol: Big Man, Big Heart

We remember Manute Bol, one of the tallest and nicest guys to ever play in the NBA.

The Creations of Alex Anderson

Rocky and Bullwinkle creator Alex Anderson died Oct. 22, 2010 at age 90. We take a look back at his career and the lovable moose and flying squirrel he's remembered for.

Charles Reynolds: The Unknown Magician

Magician Charles Reynolds designed some of the 20th century's most baffling illusions.

The Films of Dino De Laurentiis

Prolific film producer Dino De Laurentiis had a hand in making nearly 150 movies during a career that spanned over six decades. Here's a look at 6 of our favorites.

Blake Edwards Gets Serious

Blake Edwards was known chiefly as a director of comedies. But he also produced some outstanding dramatic fare over the course of his career.

New J.D. Salinger Book? Maybe Next Year

When J.D. Salinger died, some readers believed we’d see a flood of posthumous releases. A year after his death, can we still hope for them?

Malcolm McLaren’s Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle

Malcolm McLaren – performer, manager, self-promoter – was one of the driving forces behind the popularization of the UK punk scene. On the anniversary of his death, we explore the ways he influenced three seminal punk and post-punk acts… for better and for worse.

Dixie Carter vs. Julia Sugarbaker

Dixie Carter played many roles in her acting career, from doctors to lawyers to divas, but she is best known for playing Julia Sugarbaker on TV's "Designing Women." We look at the way she breathed life into television's favorite – and most opinionated – interior designer.

Leslie Nielsen, Straight Man

When Leslie Nielsen died Nov. 28, 2010, his death had many reflecting on his legacy of laughter. Today we're taking a look at his often overlooked career as a dramatic actor.

June Havoc, Child Star

June Havoc was one of the first child movie stars, and she was one of the youngest. She also had one of the most difficult stage parents of all time...

John Forsythe, Small-Screen Standout

Though John Forsythe appeared in many movies, it's his television work we best remember....

Dennis Hopper's Best

We're taking a look at Dennis Hopper's greatest hits, starting with an iconic road movie.

Art Linkletter Said the Darndest Things

Art Linkletter would have turned 100 today. He died just two years ago after what was clearly a wonderful life...

Doug Fieger Had the Knack

Doug Fieger's name may not be a household word, but if you've been around for the past three decades or so, we bet you've heard one of his songs...

A Look at Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Redgrave was a beloved member of one of our favorite acting families.

Fess Parker: Winemaker

Forty years after he'd made his name portraying Davy Crockett, actor Fess Parker still had fans seeking autographs and photos. But they wouldn't go to the Walt Disney lot to find him.

Tony Curtis: The Artist

On screen, actor Tony Curtis was at his peak during the 1950s and '60s. Then, in the 1980s, Curtis revealed another side of himself: He was an artist.

Trendsetter Alexander McQueen

Fashion designer Alexander McQueen spent a relatively short time in the spotlight — he was only 40 when he ended his own life Feb. 11, 2010 — and yet he continues to influence his field.

Miep Gies, Hero of the Holocaust

For decades, schoolchildren the world over have learned about Anne Frank. The teenager who hid with her family from the Nazis, in an attempt to escape the concentration camps where she later died, has become a household name. From time to time, Frank's writing turned to the scant six visitors her family sometimes received in the annex. As we grow up, we learn less about them than we do about the Frank family, but they're as deserving of international fame as Frank was, because they were the brave friends who worked to keep the Franks hidden. Their names were Victor Kugler, Johannes Kleiman, Bep Voskuijl, Johannes Hendrik Voskuijl, Jan Gies and Miep Gies.

Alex Chilton, Big Star, and Musical Immortality

Alex Chilton isn't a household name. Even if you don't know who he is, though, you probably know at least a few of his songs.

Ronnie James Dio: Four Songs

When Ronnie James Dio died at 67 in 2010, heavy metal lost one of its most influential voices. In his memory we’re listening to four great songs from throughout his long career.

Elizabeth Edwards: A Legacy of Caring

Elizabeth Edwards, who lost her long and public fight against breast cancer Dec. 7, 2010, didn't seek the spotlight. Instead, it found her when her husband, John, decided to run for political office. She embraced her role, becoming her husband's closest adviser during his stint in the U.S. Senate, when he was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004, and as he sought his party's presidential nod in 2008.