Died February 22

John ‘Duff’ Lowe (1942–2024), pre-Beatles partner of Lennon, McCartney

John “Duff” Lowe was a musician who played with , Paul McCartney, and in The Quarrymen, which would evolve into the Beatles.

Kent Melton (1955–2024), animation sculptor for Aladdin and Mulan 

Kent Melton was an animation sculptor best known for working on such high-profile movies as “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Mulan,” “Coraline,” and “The Incredibles.” 

Roni Stoneman (1938–2024), banjo player on Hee Haw

Veronica “Roni” Stoneman was a regular cast member and banjo player on “Hee Haw” and performed with the Country Music Association Award-winning Stoneman Family.

Johnathan Szeles (1958–2022), comedian and magician known as The Amazing Johnathan

Johnathan Szeles was a comedian and stage magician known as The Amazing Johnathan, a longtime headliner in Las Vegas.

Mark Lanegan (1964–2022), Screaming Trees singer

Mark Lanegan  was the lead singer for the pioneering grunge band Screaming Trees known for the song “Nearly Lost You.”  

Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919–2021), poet who owned City Lights bookstore

Lawrence Ferlinghetti was a poet who co-founded and owned the famed City Lights bookstore in San Francisco and championed Beat poets including .

B. Smith (1949–2020), restaurateur and lifestyle guru

B. Smith was the owner of the popular Manhattan restaurant B. Smith, whose eye for style made her a well-known designer and lifestyle guru. Born Barbara Elaine Smith, she was also a model who was one of the first black women to appear on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine, in 1976. Called the black Martha Stewart, she starred in the syndicated TV show “B. Smith with Style,” and she wrote cookbooks including “B. Smith’s Entertaining and Cooking for Friends.” As a décor designer, Smith created collections sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and La-Z-Boy.

Morgan Woodward (1925 - 2019), “Cool Hand Luke” actor

Morgan Woodward was the character actor who played the menacing field boss, “The Man with No Eyes” in the classic movie “Cool Hand Luke,” which starred Paul Newman. Woodward’s character never takes off his mirrored sunglasses, remaining completely silent while he oversees the chain gang. Woodward appeared in many western series including “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza.”

Jackie Shane (1940–2019), pioneering transgender soul singer

Jackie Shane was a pioneering transgender soul singer who became a star in Toronto, Canada in the 1960s. She came back to prominence recently when record label Numero Group released an album of her singles and live recordings. The album was nominated for a Grammy for best historical album. Starting her music career in Nashville, she left for Canada to escape Jim Crow laws, packing nightclubs in Toronto. She abruptly left show business in 1971 to come back to the states and take care of her mother.

Clark Gable III (1988 - 2019), hosted reality show "Cheaters"

Clark Gable III was the host of the reality show "Cheaters" as well as an actor and the grandson of Hollywood legend Clark Gable.

Brody Stevens (1970–2019), comedian

Brody Stevens was a Los Angeles based comedian who appeared in the movies “Hangover” and “Due Date.” He was popular in the Los Angeles comedy club circuit, known for his energetic sets. Stevens performed as a warm up act for television shows including “Chelsea Lately.” He was found dead in his home Fridayafternoon,b7the cause of death is under investigation.b7b7

Nanette Fabray (1920–2018), Award-winning actress and humanitarian

Nanette Fabray, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and humanitarian.

Yolande Betbeze Fox (1928 - 2016), Miss America 1950

Yolande Betbeze Fox, the beauty queen who was crowned 1951's Miss America Pageant representative, raised a ruckus after refusing to tour the U.S. in revealing swimsuits. "I'm an opera singer, not a pinup," she said at the time.

Cara McCollum (1992 - 2016), pageant winner

Cara McCollum, a former winner of the Miss New Jersey Pageant, has died in an automobile accident, according to multiple news sources. She was 24. McCollum died Monday after she lost control of her car and crashed into a tree last week, according to a Facebook page, Prayers for Cara, that relatives maintain. "Thank you all for this tremendous outpouring of love and support for our Cara. We can’t begin to tell you how much your prayers have meant to us in this incredibly difficult time," the page states.

Simply Andy Warhol

"Paint what you love" a friend once advised Andy Warhol – and that's exactly what he did.

Florence Ballard, Unsung Supreme

As a founding member of The Supremes, Florence Ballard should have had it all. On the day Ballard would have turned 70, we look back on a life and career tragically cut short.

Chuck Jones: King of Cartoons

Chuck Jones was a giant of the cartoon world, responsible for some of our very favorite classic characters...