Fred R. Harris (1930–2024), former Oklahoma senator

Fred R. Harris was a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma who once chaired the Democratic National Committee and twice sought a presidential nomination.

John Delendick (1949–2023), FDNY chaplain on 9/11

Rev. Monsignor John Delendick was a Catholic chaplain with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who comforted firefighters and their families at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

Harald Hasselbach (1967–2023), two-time Super Bowl champion

Harald Hasselbach was an NFL player and defensive end for the Denver Broncos through two Super Bowl victories, including a start in the 1999 game.

Bill Virdon (1931–2021), MLB player, coach, and manager

Bill Virdon was a baseball player, coach, and manager who won two World Series.

Abby Dalton (1932–2020), 'Falcon Crest' star

Abby Dalton was an actor who starred on 'Falcon Crest' and 'The Joey Bishop Show.'

Hal Ketchum (1953–2020), "Small Town Saturday Night" singer

Hal Ketchum was a country music star known for the song "Small Town Saturday Night."

Bruce Boynton (2020), civil rights activist who inspired Freedom Rides

Bruce Boynton was a civil rights activist whose 1960 landmark Supreme Court case inspired the iconic Freedom Rides.

David Dinkins (1927–2020), NYC’s only Black mayor

David Dinkins was the first and, to date, only Black mayor of New York City.

C.P. Crawford (1907–2019), believed to be the oldest man in the United States

Credited his long life to “treating people right.”

Nick Clifford (1921–2019), last surviving Mount Rushmore carver

Nick Clifford was the last surviving worker from the team that carved the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Barbara Hillary (1931–2019), first African American woman to reach the North and South Poles

She never skied until training for her trek to the North Pole.

Harry Morton (1981–2019), Pink Taco founder

Harry Morton  was the founder of the Pink Taco restaurant chain and former co-owner of the Viper Room in Hollywood. He was the son of Peter Morton, the co-founder of the Hard Rock Café chain, and the grandson of Arnie Morton, who founded Morton’s, The Steakhouse. Morton was the former boyfriend of actress Lindsay Lohan and had been romantically linked to other celebrities including Demi Moore and Paris Hilton.  

Andrew Sachs (1930 - 2016), Fawlty Towers actor

British actor Andrew Sachs was known best for playing Spanish waiter Manuel on “Fawlty Towers.”

Joe Esposito (1938 - 2016), Elvis Presley's close friend and road manager

Elvis Presley's close friend and road manager Joe Esposito has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 78.

Ralph Branca (1926 - 2016), All-Star Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher

Ralph Branca, the beloved three-time All-Star pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers who gave up a home run known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, according to multiple news sources, including The Associated Press. News of Branca's death also spread on social media. Bobby Valentine, the former manager of the New York Mets, who is married to Branca's daughter Mary, said Branca, "one of the greatest guys to ever throw a pitch or sing a song, is (no) longer with us," Valentine wrote in a Twitter message. "Ralph Branca Passed this morning."

Roy Acuff, King of Country Music

Roy Acuff helped contribute the star power that was needed to bring country music – and the Grand Ole Opry – into the mainstream...

Junior Walker, Sax Machine

Junior Walker was one of Motown's greatest sax players...

Anita O'Day: The Essence of Cool

On the fifth anniversary of Anita O’Day’s death, we look back on the career of this atypical “girl singer.”

The Many Hats of Roald Dahl

Children's author, writer of spooky adult fiction, TV host, ace fighter pilot and inventor Roald Dahl died 20 years ago today. Here are 20 facts about his life and work.