John Lawlor (1941–2025), The Facts of Life actor

John Lawlor was a character actor best known for his sitcom roles in “Phyllis” and “The Facts of Life.” 

Jack De Mave (1933–2025), Lassie actor

Jack De Mave was an actor best known for playing Forest Ranger Bob Erickson in two seasons of “Lassie.” 

Robert Machray (1945–2025), fainting Santa from M&Ms ad

Robert Machray was a character actor known for his recurring role on “Cheers” and for starring in a long-running TV commercial for M&Ms.

Anita Bryant (1940–2024), singer and anti-gay activist

Anita Bryant was a beauty queen and singer of the 1950s and ‘60s whose career was derailed by her high-profile crusade against LGBTQ rights.

O.J. Simpson (1947–2024), NFL star, defendant in trial of the century

O.J. Simpson was an NFL star of the 1970s’ Buffalo Bills who went on to an acting career before becoming embroiled in one of the most notorious trials of the 20th century, accused of murdering his ex-wife.

Suzanne Somers (1946–2023), Three’s Company star

Suzanne Somers was an actress best known for her starring role as Chrissy Snow on the 1970s and ‘80s sitcom “Three’s Company.”

Bill Saluga (1937–2023), You-Can-Call-Me-Ray comedian 

Bill Saluga was a comedian known for his schtick that began “You can call me Ray….”

Tatjana Patitz (1966–2023), one of the first supermodels

Tatjana Patitz was one of the original supermodels who rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Dan Wieden (1945–2022), adman who created “Just Do It” for Nike

Dan Wieden was an advertising executive who coined the iconic phrase “Just Do It’ for Nike.   

Judy Tenuta (1949–2022), standup comedy’s “Love Goddess”

Judy Tenuta was a comedian and actress who played the accordion in her act and called herself “The Love Goddess.”

Brad Johnson (1959–2022), Marlboro Man and “Always” star

Brad Johnson was an actor known for roles in movies including “Always” and “Flight of the Intruder.”

Robert Vlasic (1926–2022), instrumental in the success of Vlasic Pickles  

Robert Vlasic helped grow his family’s Vlasic Pickles business into one of the most popular brands in the United States.  

Gilbert Gottfried (1955–2022), iconic comedian and “Aladdin” parrot voice

Gilbert Gottfried was a comedian and actor known for his comically screechy persona and for voice roles including Iago the parrot in Disney’s “Aladdin” and the Aflac Duck.

Ruth Marx (1935–2021), Doublemint Gum jingle singer and Richard Marx's mother

Ruth Marx was a singer known for commercial jingles, as well as the mother of singer Richard Marx.

Jane Withers (1926–2021), child star and “Josephine the Plumber” in commercials

Jane Withers was an actress who was a child star in the 1930s and later became known for Comet cleanser commercials, where she played Josephine the Plumber.

Geoffrey Scott (1942–2021), actor who played Mark Jennings on “Dynasty”

Geoffrey Scott was an actor known for roles including Mark Jennings on the popular 1980s soap opera “Dynasty.”

Wilford Brimley (1934–2020), star of "Cocoon" and Quaker Oats ads

Wilford Brimley was a character actor known for his gruff and grumpy persona in movies including “Cocoon” and "The Natural," television shows such as “The Waltons” and “Our House,” and commercials for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical’s supplies for diabetes patients.

Jerry Bishop (1935–2020), longtime “Judge Judy” announcer

Jerry Bishop was the announcer for “Judge Judy” for 24 years, beginning with the show’s debut. He was also a Los Angeles radio personality and a voiceover artist.

Henry Geller (2020), helped ban cigarette ads from TV and radio

Henry Geller was the former general counsel for the FCC who helped in getting cigarette ads banned from TV and radio.

Robert Conrad (1935–2020), star of TV’s “The Wild Wild West”

Robert Conrad was an actor best known for his starring role as Secret Service agent James West on the 1960s TV show “The Wild Wild West.” The hit show, conceived as “James Bond on horseback,” featured Conrad and his costar, Ross Martin, saving 19th century America from any number of threats using anachronistic gadgets. Conrad also starred as detective Tom Lopaka on “Hawaiian Eye” from 1959 to 1963 and as World War II fighter ace Pappy Boyington on “Baa Baa Black Sheep” – renamed “Black Sheep Squadron” – from 1976 to 1978. His other short-lived series include “The D.A.,” “A Man Called Sloane,” and “High Mountain Rangers.” Conrad starred in a number of TV movies and miniseries, including “Centennial,” “The Duke,” and “Will: G. Gordon Liddy.”

Grumpy Cat (2019), internet sensation

The cat with the scowl was loved by millions.

Will Vinton (1947 – 2018), Claymation animator brought California Raisins to life

The animator behind the California Raisins, Will Vinton also coined the term Claymation.

Chuck McCann (1934 – 2018), beloved comedian and voice actor

The voice of Sonny the Cuckoo Bird who declared "I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!"

John Keil (2017), creator and voice of McGruff the Crime Dog

John “Jack” Keil, creator and voice of McGruff the Crime Dog, died Aug. 25 at home, according to The Associated Press. He was 94.

Richard Trentlage (1928 - 2016), Oscar Mayer jingle songwriter

Richard Trentlage, the writer of “The Oscar Mayer Wiener Song,” died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, in Libertyville, Illinois, according to The Associated Press. He was 87.

Herschell Gordon Lewis (1929–2016)

Horror filmmaker known as the Godfather of Gore.

Bill Backer (1926 - 2016), Coca-Cola ad exec

Bill Backer, a former advertising executive who conceived of the groundbreaking 1971 Coca-Cola television commercial titled “Buy the World a Coke,” died May 13 in Warrenton, Virginia. He was 89.

Julia Meade (1925 - 2016), actress known for commercials

Julia Meade, an actress who worked in film and theater and was well-known as a television commercial pitchwoman, died May 16 at her home in New York, New York, according to multiple news sources. She was 90.

Dick Maugg (1931–2015), Bartles & Jaymes commercial actor

Dick Maugg, known for his role in 1980s advertisements for Bartles & Jaymes brand wine coolers, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 83. His wife, Barbara Maugg, tells the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that he died of cancer July 28. A formal announcement of his death was delayed by a cancer recurrence in the couple's daughter, Karen Coset, also of Santa Rosa, around the same time. She died Oct. 4. Maugg was known best for his role as silent sidekick Ed Jaymes to Frank Bartles in a series of industry-acclaimed advertisements known for their homey style.

Geoffrey Holder: Absolutely Maaarvelous!

Actor, director, dancer, and choreographer died Oct. 5, 2014, at age 84.

Mr. Clean Come to Life

House Peters Jr. might not have been a household name, but the product he advertised certainly was ...

Gordon Jump's Greatest

From "WKRP in Cincinnati" to the lonely Maytag repairman, Gordon Jump frequently played bumbling, hapless sorts — and he played them perfectly.

Howlin' at the Moon with Wolfman Jack

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

Remembering Annette Funicello (1942–2013)

Annette Funicello's fans pay tribute and rememberall the things that made America love her.

Pearl Bailey Riffs and Laughs

Pearl Bailey was so much more than an actress and singer.

The Multitalented Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen wasn't one to limit himself to a single career. Not even just two careers were enough for him… not even three.

Do You Know Karl Malden?

Today would have been Karl Malden's 100th birthday, and we're noting the day with a look at three memorable examples of his work.

588-2300, Empire

Chicagoans all over the world were saddened by the death of Empire Carpet Man, Lynn Hauldren.

The Real Don Draper

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