Rammellzee, Hip-Hop Pioneer

Music blogs were buzzing yesterday with the news that legendary had died at age 49. As is increasingly the case these days, the news first broke not over the wires but on Twitter, where fellow old school hip-hop Renaissance man Fab Five Freddy first shared news of his death.

Ed Limato: The Nicest Shark in Hollywood

Ed Limato was a rarity in Hollywood — an agent who was genuinely liked by his clients and colleagues.

The Big Stein

Who said it: Yankees owner George Steinbrenner or Seinfeld's the Big Stein?

Carl Gordon, Late Bloomer

In his late 30s, Carl Gordon found himself twice-divorced, stuck in a dead-end manual labor job with the feeling that his life was going nowhere. By the time he died this week at age 78, he’d appeared in 26 TV shows and movies and a slew of Broadway productions.

The Real Don Draper

The story of Draper Daniels, inspiration for Jon Hamm's character on the Emmy-winning Mad Men.

Who is Lina Morgana?

The story of a young unknown singer who died years ago doesn't seem like headline news — until you factor in Lady Gaga.

9/11: Messages of Sympathy and Support

On Sept. 11, 2001, life in America changed forever. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Legacy created a , where people across the country and around the world could share condolences for the victims. Here's a look at what people were feeling in the immediate aftermath.

The Curious Journey of H.A. and Margret Rey

We take a look back at Curious George creators H.A. and Margret Rey.

Fiddler on the Roof

Here are 10 facts about the award-winning musical, "Fiddler on the Roof."

Terry Southern, American Satirist

Here are 15 things to know about the man who helped script "Dr. Strangelove" and "Easy Rider."

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.

Big Joe Turner, Grandfather of Rock 'n' Roll

During a career that lasted six decades, Big Joe Turner helped pioneer rock and roll. We take a look back at his life and career 25 years after his death.

John Cassavetes: Godfather of Indie Cinema

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

Zora Neale Hurston: Genius of the South

In the summer of 1973, a young writer made a pilgrimage south to Fort Pierce, Florida, to visit the final resting place of an artist whose novels, plays and essays had inspired so much of her own writing. She arrived at the Garden of Heavenly Rest to find the segregated cemetery abandoned, weed-choked and overgrown with brambles, and it took her some time to locate the unmarked grave she sought. But find it she did, and before leaving she placed the stone she and a fellow scholar had paid for with their own money. The marker was modest, but its message was not.

Eartha Kitt: The Most Exciting Woman in the World

What does it take to be the most exciting woman in the world? Beauty certainly doesn't hurt. A gift for singing, dancing and acting can help, too. How about a great sense of humor and a love for social justice? Add a seductive purr of a voice, mix well, and you've got , the performer once called "the most exciting woman in the world."

Paddy Chayefsky, Keeping it Real

Paddy Chayefsky was the leading screenwriter during TV’s golden age and remains the only solo scribe to win three Academy awards. On his 88th birthday, we look back at his life and work.

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.

Sugar Ray Robinson: The World's Best Fighter

Here are 20 facts you may not know about Sugar Ray Robinson , the boxer once called the greatest fighter of all time.

Carl Laemmle, Movie Mogul and Humanitarian

We look back on the life and legacy of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle, a man who not only helped create Hollywood, but saved hundreds of families during the Holocaust.

A Century of Bernard Herrmann

Bernard Herrmann remains one of cinema’s most celebrated composers. On his 100th birthday, we take a look at his life and some of his greatest film scores.

Late State Fair Participants

These people all found success at their local State Fair.

Remembering 9/11, Ten Years Later

We commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 by remembering the past and reflecting on how to build our future.

The Stories Behind West Side Story

They helped make "West Side Story" one of the greatest musicals of all time.

Semper Fi

In recognition of the Marine Corps' 236th birthday on Nov. 10, 2011, and Veterans Day today, we give an ooh-rah to a handful of former Marines who died in recent weeks.

LaVern Baker Swings

To honor the 15th anniversary of LaVern Baker's death, we're listening to a few of her greatest tracks...

Liz Claiborne: The Business of Fashion

Liz Claiborne changed the fashion world – and the business world, too.

The Beauty of Estee Lauder

The secret to success, according to makeup maven Estee Lauder: hard work, perseverance and determination...

Bruno Kirby, Classic Sidekick

Bruno Kirby was rarely the star, but that didn't make him any less memorable.

Rod Serling: The Twilight Man

Ingenious premises, twist endings, the uncanny – nobody did these better than The Twilight Zone and its creator, Rod Serling.

Heads You Win: Remembering Harlem Funeral Director George Bernard Benta

You probably aren't familiar with funeral director George Bernard Benta, but we're guessing you've heard of a few of his famous clients. During his six-plus decades directing services at the Harlem funeral home his father founded, Benta handled the final arrangements for luminaries , James Baldwin, , and , among others. He made all families — famous or not — feel welcome, and became famous himself for his philosophies on life. Legacy contributor Susan Soper shares his story.

A Starr Birder Takes Flight

Starr Saphir was a familiar sight in Central Park where, for the past 30 years, she guided bird watchers.

Tito Puente's Timbales

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, we remember Latin jazz legend Tito Puente, “El Rey de los Timbales."

Nora Ephron, Box Office Gold

Ephron's movie comedies became contemporary classics thanks to their screenwriter's intelligence and wit...

Howlin' at the Moon with Wolfman Jack

In a time when radio DJs were stars, one of the brightest was Wolfman Jack.

Simply Andy Warhol

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

Dancing With Gregory Hines

If ever there was a performer who could do it all, it was Gregory Hines…

Elizabeth Berger, Downtown Girl

Liz Berger helped shape the reimagining and rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks.

The One and Only Betty Carter

Jazz great Carmen McRae once remarked, "There's really only one jazz singer – only one: Betty Carter" ...

Joan Hackett: Gone Too Soon

Actress Joan Hackett died of ovarian cancer 30 years ago today at just 49 years old, the same devastating disease as comedienne Gilda Radner, actress Jessica Tandy, singer Dinah Shore...

The Burt Lancaster Centennial

From handsome tough guy to great filmmaker: 10 facts about Hollywood movie star Burt Lancaster.

Eartha Kitt: Sex Symbol

When died five years ago at 81, her New York Times obituary called her "a seducer of audiences." One of the first widely known African-American sex symbols, Kitt purred—literally—whether on screen as Catwoman in the Batman television series or onstage singing "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her "the most exciting woman alive."

Bob Keeshan: Captain Kangaroo

Bob Keeshan's career took him from a short stint as the original Clarabell the Clown on NBC's Howdy Doody to a 30-year run as Captain Kangaroo on his own CBS show. The New York Times called the captain "one of the most enduring characters television ever produced."

Jackie Kennedy

First lady, fashion icon, photographer, editor, world traveler, arts patron, historic preservationist — Jackie Kennedy had many roles. Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929, the woman known affectionately as "Jackie O" is arguably the most-beloved first lady in American history. Her style and grace, even in the midst of unspeakable events such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, inspired our nation. Join us as we walk through her life in photographs.

Once in a Hundred Years

What we are remembered for is sometimes a matter of chance.

From Ashes Comes a New Home

When Marie Rose Abad was killed at the World Trade Center in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she became a hero to strangers living thousands of miles away.

Tony Curtis: The Artist

On screen, actor Tony Curtis was at his peak during the 1950s and '60s. Then, in the 1980s, Curtis revealed another side of himself: He was an artist.

Broadway legend Marian Seldes

The Tony Award-winning actress taught fellow actors Robin Williams and Kevin Kline.

Delightful Big Bank Hank

Hank Jackson, aka , died Nov. 11, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Broadway's Tribute to Elaine Stritch

The lights of Broadway went dark in July to honor the memory of Elaine Stritch, one of the greatest players who ever graced the Great White Way.