John Cassavetes: Godfather of Indie Cinema

We take a look back at maverick director John Cassavetes, whovirtually invented American independent cinema.

Anna May Wong: Dragon Ladies and Butterflies

Anna May Wong was a movie actress at a time when the U.S. wasn’t quite ready for Chinese-American leading ladies.

Al Lewis as Grandpa Munster

Al Lewis didn't mind being typecast as the genial vampire Grandpa from The Munsters.

The Best of Ritchie Valens

Rock and roll star Ritchie Valens , alongside and the , on a cold early morning that came to be known as "The Day the Music Died."

Remembering PGA pioneer Charlie Sifford

We're remembering pro golf pioneer Charlie Sifford, the first African-American to earn what is now called a PGA Tour card.

Joe Alaskey (1952 - 2016), voice actor for Bugs Bunny and many more

Joe Alaskey, a comedian and Emmy Award-winning voice actor who succeeded Mel Blanc in lending his voice to Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester, has died, according to multiple news sources.

Ndugu Chancler (1952–2018), legendary session drummer

Ndugu Chancler, legendary session drummer who played on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” has died at the age of 65, according to multiple news sources.

Julie Adams (1926–2019), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” actress

Julie Adams, the actress best remembered for her work in “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 92.

Kristoff St. John (1966–2019), "Young and the Restless" star

Kristoff St. John was a star of TV's “The Young and the Restless,” portraying Neil Winters from 1991 to 2019. His performance on the popular soap opera earned him two Daytime Emmy Awards and ten NAACP Image Awards. Prior to his success on “The Young and the Restless,” St. John was a cast member of the short-lived “Generations,” the first soap opera to center on a Black family. Other notable appearances included “Roots: The Next Generations,” “Happy Days,” and “The Cosby Show.” 

Bob Friend (1930–2019), longtime Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher

Bob Friend, longtime Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and member of 1960 World Series-winning team, died Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Pittsburgh, according to multiple news sources. He was 88.

Willie Wood (1936–2020), legendary Packers defensive back

Willie Wood was a legendary Hall of Fame defensive back for the Green Bay Packers. Wood was one of the best defensive backs in NFL history, grabbing 48 interceptions during his career, with a reputation a tough hitter. He had a memorable interception in Super Bowl I when the Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the Hall of Fame. Wood went into coaching and was the first black coach in professional football when he coached the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League in 1975.

Deborah Batts (1947–2020), pioneering judge who was overseeing Michael Avenatti trial

Deborah Batts was the nation’s first openly LGBTQ federal judge, who was set to oversee Michael Avenatti’s Stormy Daniels-related embezzlement trial. She was nominated for a federal judgeship by President Bill Clinton in 1994, and she was sworn in later that year after a smooth confirmation hearing. Serving as the U.S. District Judge for Manhattan, Batts oversaw cases including a 2006 civil suit against an EPA administrator who was accused of misleading the public about the risk of toxic air pollution around the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Paco Rabanne (1934–2023), space age fashion designer

Paco Rabanne was a fashion designer known for his space age designs in unusual materials, such as metal and plastic.

Aston Barrett (1946–2024), bassist for Bob Marley & the Wailers

Aston “Family Man” Barrett was the bandleader and bass player for and the Wailers and helped create the reggae sound.

Helena Rojo (1944–2024), Mexican actress in telenovelas 

Helena Rojo was a Mexican actress who starred in several telenovelas and in such movies as Werner Herzog’s “Aguirre, the Wrath of God.”

Rich Dauer (1952–2025), Orioles second baseman

Rich Dauer was a longtime second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, winning a World Series with the team in 1983 and securing a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame.0

David Edward Byrd (1941–2025), 1960s rock poster artist

David Edward Byrd was an artist known for his psychedelic posters promoting 1960s rock acts and for his logos and posters for significant Broadway musicals.