Phil Harris, The Unlikeliest TV Star

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

Ofra Haza, Madonna of the East

Devotional poetry written by a 17th century rabbi isn't your typical pop chart fodder. But then Ofra Haza, born on this day in 1959, wasn't your typical pop star...

John Cassavetes: Godfather of Indie Cinema

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

Ethel Merman: Secrets of La Merm

When most people think of Ethel Merman, they think only of that big, brassy voice. On the anniversary of her birth, we offer 10 things you might not know about La Merm...

Gene Siskel: The Balcony is Closed

Auteur theorist Andrew Sarris proclaimed Max Ophuls' opulent 1954 drama The Earrings of Madame de… his favorite movie of all time. The esteemed Pauline Kael once said her favorite film was Menilmontant , a silent French film from 1924. But a third critic whose influence on American audiences towered over the aforementioned New York intellectuals preferred something a little closer to home.

The Big Bopper Story

We look back at The Big Bopper's misunderstood and underappreciated musical legacy.

The Betty Friedan Mystique

Betty Friedan , author of the landmark The Feminine Mystique , died five years ago today on her 85th birthday. We took a look back at her life and the impact of her work.

Bill Haley: The Father of Rock 'n' Roll

Bill Haley helped usher in the rock 'n' roll era with hits like "Rock Around the Clock." Thirty years after his death, we take a look back at his life and music.

Sal Mineo: The Switchblade Kid

We look back at the life and work of actor Sal Mineo, tragically murdered in an alley in West Hollywood just as his stalled career was on the upswing.

The Tennessee Williams Revival

Playwright Tennessee Williams continues to inspire decades after his death.

Poor Old Johnnie Ray

Johnnie Ray would have turned 85 today. We offer a primer for those who only know him from the Dexy's Midnight Runners song...

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.

There He Is, Bert Parks

In the glory days of the Miss America pageant, emcee Bert Parks was as much a part of the event as the more than 50 women who competed for the crown each year...

Like Liberace

From the marvelous costumes to the silly banter to the grandiose and bombastic playing style, everything about Liberace was beloved by his fans...

The Soothing Sounds of Percy Faith

Percy Faith may not have invented easy-listening music, but he certainly perfected it...

Waylon Jennings: Outlaw

Sometimes country singer Waylon Jennings was just a little bit more than the law would allow.

We Will Always Love Whitney

2012's Grammy awards came at a sad and shocking time for the music world: just one day before the award ceremony, Whitney Houston died at age 48.

Bewitched by Dick York

Dick York, who died 20 years ago today, was once poised for a spectacular career. But then disaster struck.

Davy Jones, Teen Idol

The world has lost a teen idol and icon of the 1960s: Davy Jones, beloved member of the Monkees, and an actor, singer and songwriter.

Sandra Dee, Ingénue

With her cute-as-a-button features and her petite figure, Sandra Dee was the picture of wide-eyed innocence.

Peter Benchley: Just When You Thought it Was Safe...

Later this month at the Cannes Film Festival, Steven Spielberg will present a restored version of his classic creature-feature, Jaws... and once again, it won't be safe to go back in the water.

Richard Feynman and the Wonders of Science

It's not every day that we want to listen to a science lecture... but Richard Feynman made science fun.

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 Dance with Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly's stunning talent and grace made him one of the greatest dancers of all time.

Chuck Jones: King of Cartoons

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

Charles Schulz: The Man Behind Peanuts

As we prepare to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas," here are 20 facts about Charles Schulz's life and career....

Al Lewis as Grandpa Munster

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

Karen Carpenter Had Only Just Begun

The death of Karen Carpenter is one of the great tragedies of the music world. Blessed with a warm, friendly singing voice and a natural flair for drums – but perhaps feeling a lack of control over her life, professionally and personally – she turned to diets to shape the one thing she felt she could control: her body. Anorexia nervosa and its vicious circle of dieting and pills eventually led to her death 30 years ago at the young age of 32.

Ossie Davis: Success on His Own Terms

On Feb. 4, 2005, the world lost a great champion of civil rights, who overcame racism and prejudice to become one of the most-honored actors of his generation. Today we look back at accomplished and outspoken Ossie Davis.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift

As if being a role model to generations of female pilots wasn’t enough, Anne Morrow Lindbergh was also an award-winning author and prolific writer of poetry and non-fiction.

Nat King Cole: Unforgettable

Nat King Cole died Feb. 15, 1965. On the anniversary of his death, here are 25 facts about the life and legacy of the legendary singer.

McLean Stevenson: Lt. Col. Henry Blake of the 4077th

In 1996, two actors died just one day apart but these two men were bound by more than just their dates of death...

Johnny Paycheck's Rallying Cry

From his rough look to his rebel attitude, Johnny Paycheck embodied the outlaw country movement...

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.

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."

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.

King of the Jukebox: Louis Jordan

In the 1940s, no self-respecting jukebox would have been complete without at least a few records by Louis Jordan. The pioneering bandleader-singer-saxophonist was one of the top hitmakers of the day, making Black and White audiences alike move their feet to his uniquely infectious tunes. Along the way, he created some of the earliest precursors to rock ‘n’ roll and rap, and his wild success on the charts—as well as in diners, dance clubs and drive-ins—led fans to dub him "The King of the Jukebox."

Kids Love Berenstain Bears

The Berenstain Bears have captivated generations of children.

Simply Andy Warhol

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

Whitney Houston: The Greatest of All

What would the music world be today if there had been no Whitney Houston?

The Stanley Kramer Century

Some of the most important movies of the 20th century owe their creation to filmmaker Stanley Kramer.

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.

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.

You're a Good Man, Vince Guaraldi

If you know the name Vince Guaraldi, you probably associate it with one iconic piece of music.

Remembering College Basketball Legend Dean Smith

Legendary college basketball coach Dean Smith led North Carolina to two NCAA championships.

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.

Hunter S. Thompson: Beyond Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hunter S. Thompson is best known for having written Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , but there’s much more to remember about this complicated man.

Century Spotlight: Arthur Miller

A century after Arthur Miller was born, we remember the prolific playwright's legacy. Miller reflected the American experience in his work, exploring topics that resonated with his mid-20th-century audiences.

Bob Elliott (1923 - 2016), half of Bob and Ray comedy duo

Bob Elliott, who was one-half of the comedy duo Bob and Ray, has died. He was 92. Elliott, who entertained radio and television audiences for decades along with Ray Goulding, died Tuesday in Cundy's Harbor, Maine, The New York Times reported. No cause of death was disclosed.