50 Celebrity Deaths in 2009

My, what a year 2009 was.  Hollywood lost not just obscure character actors and forgotten silver screen stars pushing into their nineties, but A-list talent in their prime.  Two of President Kennedy’s siblings died in two weeks, as did his Secretary of Defense.  Pioneers of pop, country and rock’n'roll died.  World-famous artists and novelists, and a news anchor who probably talked to every single one of them.

While I’m no Walter Cronkite, this year’s list for the first time includes half a dozen people whom I’ve actually met, had good conversations with, shared a cigarette with, and in one case even worked with professionally.

So, take a moment to wander through the gallery below.  Each photo opens to include a short bio on the person.  Many of these deaths were ignored by the mainstream media, so there may even be names on this list you didn’t know were dead.  Remember their contributions to pop culture, and raise a glass to one or more of them on New Year’s Eve to say, “thanks, you will be missed”.

Image Gallery: 50 Deaths in 2009