Died April 2018

Robert Mandan (1932 – 2018), starred on “Soap”

He played philandering husband Chester Tate…

Pamela Gidley (1965 – 2018), "Twin Peaks" actress

She appeared in "MacGyver" and ''CSI"…

Jhoon Rhee (1932–2018), "father of American Taekwondo"

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, the man known as the "father of American Taekwondo," has died at the age of 86.

Michael Anderson (1920 – 2018), legendary director

Directed the sci-fi cult classic "Logan's Run" and "Around the World in 80 Days."

Alfie Evans (2016 – 2018), British toddler with rare illness

Alfie Evans, the British toddler with a rare degenerative brain condition that sparked a medical ethics debate and legal case, died Saturday, April 28, 2018. He was 23-months old.

Christian Mondor (1925–2018), priest known as the “Surfing Padre”

The Rev. Christian Mondor, known as the “Surfing Padre,” died Wednesday, April 25, 2018, after a bout with pneumonia, according to the Associated Press. He was 92.

Charles Neville (1938–2018), saxophonist for the Neville Brothers

Charles Neville, saxophonist and founding member of the Neville Brothers, has died at the age of 79, according to multiple news sources.

Bob Dorough (1923–2018), “Schoolhouse Rock” musician

Wrote and performed songs like “Three Is a Magic Number.”

Roy Hawthorne Sr. (2018), World War II Navajo Code Talker

Enlisted in the Marines at 17…

Bennie Cunningham (1954 – 2018), former NFL tight end

Won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers…

Davey Nelson (1944–2018), former All-Star infielder

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Davey Nelson, a Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster and former All-Star infielder who also coached in the majors, has died. He was 73.

Avicii (1989–2018), world famous Swedish DJ and producer

Avicii's hits include “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother.”

Gil Santos (1938 – 2018), longtime New England Patriots broadcaster

Gil Santos, the New England Patriots’ longtime radio voice, died Thursday, April 19, 2018, according to the Associated Press. He was 80.

Earle Bruce (1931 – 2018), former Ohio State football coach

Earle Bruce, former Ohio State football coach, died Friday, April 20, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio, according to the Associated Press. He was 87.

Randy Scruggs (1953–2018), Grammy-winning country music artist

A musician, producer, and the son of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs.

Barbara Bush (1925–2018), former first lady of the United States

Barbara Bush, the former first lady of the United States, died April 17, 2018, at the age of 92.

Vel Phillips (1923–2018), civil rights pioneer

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Vel Phillips, a civil rights pioneer who helped lead open housing marches in Milwaukee in the 1960s and was the first black person elected to a Wisconsin statewide office, has died. She was 94.  

Jennifer Riordan (2018), Albuquerque bank executive, remembered after airplane tragedy

Her family wrote, “Jennifer’s vibrancy, passion, and love infused our community"...

Bruno Sammartino (1935–2018), all-time wrestling great

He was known as the "Living Legend."

Carl Kasell (1934 – 2018), star of NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”

The newscaster was the beloved judge on the popular news quiz show…

Harry Anderson (1952 – 2018), “Night Court” star

Played the quirky Judge Harry T. Stone on the popular sitcom…

Hal Greer (1936 – 2018), Hall of Famer

He was the Philadelphia 76ers all-time leading scorer…

R. Lee Ermey (1944 - 2018), "Full Metal Jacket" actor

Former U.S. Marine made a Hollywood career of playing military men.

Milos Forman (1932–2018), two-time Academy Award-winning director

Milos Forman, two-time Academy Award-winning director of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus.”

Daphne Sheldrick (1934 – 2018), elephant conservationist featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D”

Daphne Sheldrick, British-Kenyan elephant conservationist who was featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D” documentary, died Thursday, April 12, 2018, after a long battle with breast cancer, according to the Associated Press. She was 83.

Tim O’Connor (1927 – 2018), “Peyton Place” and “Buck Rogers” actor

Tim O’Connor, longtime character actor who co-starred in “Peyton Place” and “Buck Rogers,” died Thursday, April 5, 2018, at his home in Nevada City, Calif., according to multiple news sources. He was 90.

Sergio Pitol (1933 – 2018), celebrated Mexican author

Known for "The Magician of Vienna" and "Mephisto's Waltz"…

Mitzi Shore (1930 – 2018), owner of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles

Comedians such as Robin Williams made a name for themselves at the influential club…

Donald McKayle (1930–2018), pioneering African-American choreographer

Directed and choreographed the Tony Award-winning musical “Raisin.”

Yvonne Staples (1937–2018), member of The Staple Singers

Yvonne Staples, member of the gospel/soul family singing group The Staple Singers, has died at the age of 80, according to the . 

Chuck McCann (1934 – 2018), beloved comedian and voice actor

The voice of Sonny the Cuckoo Bird who declared "I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!"

Susan Anspach (1942 – 2018), actress starred in “Five Easy Pieces.”

She had feature roles in “Play It Again, Sam" and “Blume in Love.”

Cecil Taylor (1929–2018), pioneering free-jazz pianist

NEW YORK (AP) — Cecil Taylor, the visionary pianist who revolutionized jazz by launching the free-jazz movement in the late '50s, died Thursday at his home in Brooklyn. He was 89.

Daniel Akaka (1924–2018), first Native Hawaiian elected to Congress

Daniel Akaka, the first U.S. senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, died Friday, April 6, 2018 after a long illness. He was 93.

Frederick D. Reese (1929–2018), civil rights activist led Selma’s “Courageous Eight”

Frederick D. Reese, early civil rights activist and leader of Selma’s “Courageous Eight,” died Thursday, April 5, 2018, according to the Associated Press. He was 88.

Isao Takahata (1935 – 2018), acclaimed anime director

Director of “Grave of the Fireflies” and “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.”

Johnny Valiant (1946 – 2018), WWE Hall of Fame wrestler

The two-time World Tag Team Champion was known as “Luscious.”

Winnie Mandela (1936–2018), prominent anti-apartheid activist

Former wife of Nelson Mandela was a major figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa…

Bob Beattie (1933–2018), helped launch the Skiing World Cup

Ski racing pioneer was a popular television commentator…

Steven Bochco (1943 - 2018), creator of "Hill Street Blues" and "NYPD Blue"

TV producer's hits also included "L.A. Law," "Doogie Howser M.D.," and more.