Steve Ditko (1927–2018), Spider-Man co-creator

Steve Ditko, comics artist who co-created the characters of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, was found dead in his New York City apartment on Friday, June 29, 2018, according to multiple news sources. He was 90.

Matt Cappotelli (1979 – 2018), former WWE wrestler

Matt Cappotelli, former WWE wrestler and winner of “Tough Enough III,” died Friday, June 29, 2018, after a yearlong battle with brain cancer, according to multiple news sources. He was 38.

Rest in Anger, Harlan Ellison (1934 – 2018)

When I heard from a friend and fellow fan that writer Harlan Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) died at home Thursday at the age of 84, the first thing I did was ignore my friend for a moment and contact my editor. “Ellison died,” I wrote. “Want something from me?” This is the influence Ellison had on multiple generations of writers. Words first.

Deanna Lund (1937 – 2018), “Land of the Giants” star

Played Valerie Scott on the Irwin Allen science-fiction series…

Joe Jackson (1928 – 2018), Jackson family patriarch

Father of Michael and Janet Jackson…

Constance Adams (2018), pioneering space architect

Named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer…

Richard Harrison (1941 – 2018), “Pawn Stars” star

Known as “The Old Man” on the popular reality series…

Donald Hall (1928–2018), former U.S. poet laureate

Prolific poet won numerous awards.

Charles Krauthammer (1950–2018), influential conservative voice

Worked for The Washington Post and Fox News Channel…

Vinnie Paul (1964 – 2018), Pantera co-founder and drummer

Vinnie Paul, co-founder and drummer of metal band Pantera, died Friday, June 22, 2018, according to multiple news sources. He was 54.

Dick Leitsch (1935–2018), pioneering gay rights activist

Pioneering gay rights activist led 1966 “sip-in” protest at New York City bar.

Big Van Vader (1955 – 2018), wrestling legend

Popular wrestler in the WWE and WCW…

Hubert Green (1946 – 2018), Hall of Fame golfer

Won the U.S. Open in 1977…

Peter Thomson (1929 – 2018), Australian golfing legend

Five-time British Open champion…

XXXTentacion (1998–2018), controversial rapper

His music topped charts despite legal issues.

Walter Bahr (1927–2018), World Cup hero

Last surviving member of the U.S. team that upset England in the 1950 World Cup.

Elizabeth Brackett (1941 – 2018), longtime Chicago journalist

Journalist hosted the WTTW show "Chicago Tonight" for two decades…

Matt “Guitar” Murphy (1929–2018), Blues Brothers guitarist

Matt “Guitar” Murphy, blues sideman who played with the Blues Brothers and legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, died Friday, June 15, 2018, according to multiple news sources. He was 88.

Leslie Grantham (1947 – 2018), British actor starred in soap opera “EastEnders”

Actor Leslie Grantham, the British actor who starred in the soap opera "EastEnders," died Friday, June 15, 2018, according to the Associated Press. He was 71.

Jordan McNair (1999–2018), University of Maryland offensive lineman

Jordan McNair, offensive lineman for the University of Maryland, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, according to multiple news sources. He was 19.

Anne Donovan (1961 – 2018), Hall of Fame basketball player and coach

Anne Donovan, the Basketball Hall of Famer who won a national championship at Old Dominion, two Olympic gold medals as a player and another as a coach, died Wednesday of heart failure, according to the Associated Press. She was 56.

D.J. Fontana (1931–2018), drummer for Elvis Presley

D.J. Fontana, the drummer who helped launch rock ‘n’ roll as Elvis Presley’s sideman, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, according to the Associated Press. He was 87.

Samuel Tom Holiday (2018), Navajo Code Talker

Navajo Code Talker awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery in World War II…

Neal Boyd (1975 – 2018), "America's Got Talent" winner…

Won the contest in 2008 along with a $1 million prize…

Dorothy Cotton (1930–2018), civil rights pioneer

ATLANTA (AP) — Dorothy Cotton, a civil rights pioneer who worked closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died.

How Anthony Bourdain Taught Me When to Stop Being Snarky

I am writing about Anthony Bourdain while on the road in Maine, nestled near an oceanside cove of beach, plucking words out of a vineyard of sorrow while staving off the shakes from a lack of television. This is one of two acceptable conditions under which one may write about Anthony Bourdain, the other being next to a plate of food; nothing pretentious, something comfortable and with a bit of the finger lick, a salty thing if it can be managed.

Jackson Odell (2018) “The Goldbergs” actor

He played Ari on the popular sitcom…

Eunice Gayson (1928 – 2018), the first “Bond” girl

Played Sylvia Trench in the first two Bond movies…

Danny Kirwan (1950–2018), former Fleetwood Mac guitarist

Fleetwood Mac band member from 1968 until 1972.

Gena Turgel (1923 – 2018), Holocaust survivor nursed Anne Frank

Gena Turgel, a Holocaust survivor who comforted Anne Frank at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp before the young diarist's death and the camp's liberation a month later, has died. She was 95.

Maria Bueno (1939 – 2018), Brazilian tennis great

Maria Bueno, a Brazilian tennis great who won three Wimbledon singles titles and four at the U.S. Open in the 1950s and 1960s, and helped usher in modern women’s tennis, has died after battling mouth cancer. She was 78.

Alan O’Neill (2018), “Sons of Anarchy” actor

He played Hugh on the FX show from 2013 – 2014…

Jimmy Gonzalez (2018), frontman for Grupo Mazz

Tejano superstar won six Latin Grammy awards.

Red Schoendienst (1923 – 2018), baseball Hall-of-Famer played for 19 years

Albert Fred “Red” Schoendienst, a baseball Hall-of-Famer who wore a major league uniform as a player, coach, or manager for more than 70 straight seasons, has died at 95.

Kate Spade (1962 – 2018), fashion designer

Known for her line of stylish handbags…

Dwight Clark (1957 – 2018) former 49ers wide receiver

Known for "The Catch" that sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl…

Bruce Kison (1950 – 2018), former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher

Helped the Pirates win two World Series in the 1970’s…

Clarence Fountain (2018), founding member of Blind Boys of Alabama

The esteemed gospel group won four Grammy Awards.

Eddy Clearwater (1935–2018), Chicago bluesman known as “The Chief”

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago bluesman Eddy Clearwater, lauded for his guitar playing and flamboyant showmanship, has died of heart failure.