Melody Beattie (1948–2025), Codependent No More author

Melody Beattie was an author best known for her self-help books, including “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” which sold more than seven million copies.

Michael Culver (1938–2024), Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back

Michael Culver was a British actor best known for playing the ill-fated Captain Needa in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and as a racist police inspector in 1984’s “A Passage to India.” 

Richard Truly (1937–2024), former astronaut who led NASA

Richard Truly was an astronaut and vice admiral in the U.S. Navy who became the first former astronaut to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and was head of NASA when the famous “Pale Blue Dot” photo was captured.

Richard Lewis (1947–2024), Curb Your Enthusiasm comedian

Richard Lewis was a comedian and actor known for his acerbic style and for TV roles in “Anything but Love” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Royston Ellis (1941–2023), Beatles-connected beat poet 

Royston Ellis began as a poet in the so-called Beat Generation, with a career spanning the 1950s through the 2010s. His primary claim to fame may be his connection to The Beatles, and to John Lennon in particular, but he also wrote dozens of books on travel, works of fiction, biographies, and poetry. 

Ricou Browning (1930–2023), Creature from the Black Lagoon’s Gill-man

Ricou Browning was an actor, stuntman, screenwriter, and director who played the Gill-man in the classic horror film “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

Burny Mattinson (1935–2023), Disney animator for decades

Burny Mattinson was a Disney animator and the company’s longest serving employee, having worked there since 1953.

Ned Eisenberg (1957–2022), actor known for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

Ned Eisenberg was a character actor best known for his role as defense attorney Roger Kressler on “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Veronica Carlson (1944–2022), British actress in Hammer horror films

Veronica Carlson was a British actress known for her roles in Hammer horror films including “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed.”

Jerry Merryman (2019), pocket calculator co-inventor

Helped create the revolutionary device at Texas Instruments.

Nathaniel Taylor (1938–2019), “Sanford and Son” star

Nathaniel Taylor was best known for his role as Lamont’s friend Rollo on the classic 1970s sitcom, “Sanford and Son.” He played the character as well on the 1980 spinoff series “Sanford.” Other roles include Rerun’s brother in law on “What’s Happening!!” and a guest appearance on “Adam-12.”  Fred Sanford and Rollo were known for their humorous banter on the show.  

Edward Nixon (1930–2019), brother of President Richard Nixon

Edward Nixon was the youngest brother of President Richard Nixon and worked on his brother's presidential campaigns in 1968 and 1972.

William H. T. Bush (1938 - 2018), brother and uncle to presidents

William H. T. Bush, a wealthy investor and the brother and uncle of presidents, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, according to The Associated Press. He was 79.

The Kindest Man in the World: Fred Rogers (video)

Fred Rogers ( ) changed the face of children’s educational television as the creator and host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The show, produced for 33 years in Pittsburgh and broadcast to homes across America on PBS, gave preschoolers a daily half hour of imaginative “make-believe” puppetry and gentle talk that encouraged every child’s inner life.

Riverside, California, Plane Crash Victims

Three people were killed and two others injured Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, when a small plane plunged into two homes in Riverside, California, according to multiple news sources.

Lillian Gish: First Lady of American Cinema

Lillian Gish had a legendary acting career. From her first silent film in 1912 to her final movie performance in 1987 at age 93, Gish worked for an amazing 75 years.

A Visit to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Anyone who grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood — that is, almost everyone under the age of 50 or so — probably feels like they know Fred Rogers . As the gentle, friendly host of one of television's longest-running children's programs, Rogers taught, sang toand counseled generations of kids. His frequent, reassuring presence in their lives elevated him to the status of a beloved uncle or grandfather. Many of those viewers already know that Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, or that he wrote all the songs he sang on his show.