In memoriam: Remembering the notable figures we lost in 2018
As 2018 draws to a close, Yahoo News looks back at those we lost this year. Join us in remembering a group that includes a former president, one of the greatest singers of all time and iconic actors, authors and directors.
John Young
An astronaut who walked on the moon and commanded the first space shuttle mission, Young died on Jan. 5 at age 87.
Jerry Van Dyke
The actor and younger brother of Dick Van Dyke was best known for his role of Luther Van Dam on “Coach.” He died Jan. 5 at age 86.
Dolores O’Riordan
The Irish lead singer of the Cranberries, known for hits that include “Zombie” and “Linger,” died Jan. 15 at age 46.
Ursula Le Guin
An acclaimed American novelist known for her work in fantasy and science fiction, Le Guin died Jan. 22 at age 88.
Hugh Masekela
A South African trumpeter, Masekela broke through in the United States with his 1968 No. 1 hit, “Grazing in the Grass.” He died on Jan. 23 at age 78.
John Mahoney
The Tony-winning actor, best known for his role as Martin Crane on “Frasier,” died Feb. 4 at age 77.
Lovebug Starski
The D.J. and rapper — real name Kevin Smith — was a hip-hop pioneer. He died Feb. 8 at age 57.
Billy Graham
The prominent evangelist and Southern Baptist minister who advised presidents for decades died on Feb. 21 at age 99.
Nanette Fabray
American actress and singer Nanette Fabray won Tony and Emmy awards in her long career. She died on Feb. 22 at age 97.
Roger Bannister
On May 6, 1954, Bannister, a British neurologist and runner, became the first athlete to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. He died March 3 at age 88.
Stephen Hawking
An English theoretical physicist and author, Hawking was a professor of mathematics at Cambridge who was known for his book “A Brief History of Time” and for his sustained endurance of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which he was diagnosed with in 1963. He died on March 14 at age 76.
Linda Brown
As a schoolgirl, Brown was at the center of the landmark Supreme Court desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education. She died on March 25 at age 75.
Steven Bochco
A television producer and writer, Bochco was a 10-time Emmy winner responsible for shows that included “Hill Street Blues, “L.A. Law” and “NYPD Blue.” He died on April 1 at age 74.
Winnie Mandela
The South African anti-apartheid activist and ex-wife of former president Nelson Mandela died April 2 at age 81.
Milos Forman
The Czech-American director who won Oscars for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus” died April 13 at age 86.
Harry Anderson
The actor who starred in “Night Court” and “Dave’s World” died on April 16 at age 65 of a stroke.
Barbara Bush
The former first lady, wife of former President George H.W. Bush and mother of six — including former President George W. Bush — died at home on April 17 after a series of hospitalizations. She was 92.
Bruno Sammartino
The original WWE (then WWWF) champion — who held the belt for over 11 years — was one of the most popular wrestlers in the world. He died on April 18 at age 82.
Avicii
The Swedish DJ and producer — real name Tim Bergling — was known for hits that included “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother.” He was found dead of an apparent suicide at age 28 on April 20.
Verne Troyer
The actor known for his role as Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” series died on April 21 of alcohol poisoning, a coroner ruled. He was 49.
Margot Kidder
A Canadian-American actress and activist, Kidder was best known for her portrayal of Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in the 1970s “Superman” film series. She died May 13 at age 69.
Tom Wolfe
The acclaimed new-journalism author of “Bonfire of the Vanities” and “The Right Stuff,” known for his trademark white suit, died May 14 at age 88.
Philip Roth
The celebrated author, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel “American Pastoral,” died May 22 and age 85.
Jerry Maren
The last surviving munchkin from “The Wizard of Oz,” the Lollipop Guild member died on May 24 at age 98.
Kate Spade
A world-famous designer known for her handbags and shoes, Spade died by suicide on June 5 at age 55.
Anthony Bourdain
The beloved celebrity chef, author and travel television host was found dead in an apparent suicide in his hotel room in France on June 8. He was 61.
Eunice Gayson
The British actress was the very first Bond girl, appearing as Sylvia Trench in “Dr. No” and “From Russia With Love” opposite Sean Connery’s 007. She died on June 8 at age 90.
Joe Jackson
The patriarch of the Jackson family and manager of the Jackson 5 died on June 27 at age 89.
Adrian Cronauer
The inspiration for Robin Williams’s character in “Good Morning, Vietnam,” the Air Force veteran and disc jockey died July 18 at age 79.
Elbert Howard
A co-founder of the Black Panther Party and the group’s spokesman through much of the ’60s and ’70s, Howard died July 23 at age 80.
Charlotte Rae
The actress known for her role as Edna Garrett in “Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life” died on Aug. 5 at age 92.
V. S. Naipaul
The Trinidadian-British writer known for his work analyzing colonialism was knighted in 1990 and won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2001. He died Aug. 11 at age 85.
Aretha Franklin
One of America’s most popular singers of the 20th century, the “Queen of Soul” was known for hits such as “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “Think.” Rolling Stone magazine ranked her the greatest singer of all time in 2010. She died Aug. 16 at age 76.
Kofi Annan
The former U.N. secretary-general and Nobel Peace Prize winner died on Aug. 18 after a short illness. He was 80.
Robin Leach
The host of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” died Aug. 24 at age 76.
John McCain
The Vietnam War veteran, U.S. senator for Arizona and 2008 Republican candidate for president died of brain cancer on Aug. 25 at 81.
Neil Simon
The playwright, screenwriter and author was one of the most honored writers in American history, earning Tonys, an Emmy, a Pulitzer and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He died Aug. 26 at age 91.
Burt Reynolds
The beloved actor was known for roles ranging from “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Cannonball Run” to “Deliverance” and “Boogie Nights,” for which he earned an Oscar nomination. He died on Sept. 6 at age 82.
Mac Miller
The popular rapper and record producer — real name Malcolm McCormick — was known for working through his history of substance abuse in his lyrics, as well as for a feud with Donald Trump over his song of the same name. He died Sept. 7 at age 26.
Jamal Khashoggi
The Saudi Arabian journalist and Washington Post contributor was killed on Oct. 2. He was 59.
Paul Allen
The billionaire Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist and owner of the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks died of cancer on Oct. 15. He was 65.
Whitey Bulger
The former head of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang and a convicted murderer, Bulger — real name James Joseph Bulger Jr. — was killed in a West Virginia prison on Oct. 30 at age 89.
Stan Lee
The face of Marvel comics co-created some of the most popular superheroes and gained even more recognition later in life for his cameos in the popular Marvel movies. He died Nov. 12 at age 95.
Roy Clark
The country singer and host of the long-running television show “Hee Haw” died Nov. 15 at age 85.
William Goldman
The novelist and screenwriter won Oscars for “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “All the President’s Men.” He died on Nov. 16 at age 87.
Ricky Jay
The actor, author and master showman-magician known for his role in “Boogie Nights” and for his sleight-of-hand skills died on Nov. 24. He was 72.
Bernardo Bertolucci
The Oscar-winning director of “The Last Emperor,” “The Conformist” and “Last Tango in Paris” died of lung cancer on Nov. 26. He was 77.
Stephen Hillenburg
The creator of the Nickelodeon animated television series “SpongeBob SquarePants” died on Nov. 26 of complications from ALS. He was 57.
George H.W. Bush
The 41st president of the United States and 43rd vice president, who had a lifelong career in public service, died on Nov. 30 of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 94.
Ken Berry
The actor known for his roles on “F Troop,” “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “Mama’s Family” died Dec. 1 at age 85.
Pete Shelley
The punk pioneer and lead singer of the band Buzzcocks died Dec. 6 at age 63.
Penny Marshall
A Hollywood fixture, Penny Marshall starred in the hit sitcom “Laverne & Shirley” before transitioning to directing films such as “Big” and “A League of Their Own.” She died Dec. 18 at age 75.
Richard Overton
The supercentarian was the oldest man in the United States and the oldest surviving U.S. World War II veteran. He died on Dec. 27 at age 112.
Amos Oz
The acclaimed Israeli author, known worldwide for a collection of novels, essays and a well-received memoir, chronicled more than half a century of life in Israel. He died of cancer on Dec. 28 at age 79.
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