Famous People Who Died in 2006
- Capital punishment, HangingSaddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (; Arabic: صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي Ṣaddām Ḥusayn ʿAbd al-Maǧīd al-Tikrītī; 28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolutionary Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and later, the Baghdad-based Ba'ath Party and its regional organization the Iraqi Ba'ath Party—which espoused Ba'athism, a mix of Arab nationalism and socialism—Saddam played a key role in the 1968 coup (later referred to as the 17 July Revolution) that brought the party to power in Iraq. As vice president under the ailing General Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, and at a time when many groups were considered capable of overthrowing the government, Saddam created security forces through which he tightly controlled conflicts between the government and the armed forces. In the early 1970s, Saddam nationalized oil and foreign banks leaving the system eventually insolvent mostly due to the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, and UN sanctions. Through the 1970s, Saddam cemented his authority over the apparatus of government as oil money helped Iraq's economy to grow at a rapid pace. Positions of power in the country were mostly filled with Sunni Arabs, a minority that made up only a fifth of the population.Saddam formally rose to power in 1979, although he had already been the de facto head of Iraq for several years. He suppressed several movements, particularly Shi'a and Kurdish movements which sought to overthrow the government or gain independence, respectively, and maintained power during the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War. Whereas some in the Arab world lauded Saddam for opposing the United States and attacking Israel, he was widely condemned for the brutality of his dictatorship. The total number of Iraqis killed by the security services of Saddam's government in various purges and genocides is conservatively estimated to be 250,000. Saddam's invasions of Iran and Kuwait also resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. He acquired the title "Butcher of Baghdad".In 2003, a coalition led by the United States invaded Iraq to depose Saddam, in which U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair erroneously accused him of possessing weapons of mass destruction and having ties to al-Qaeda. Saddam's Ba'ath party was disbanded and elections were held. Following his capture on 13 December 2003, the trial of Saddam took place under the Iraqi Interim Government. On 5 November 2006, Saddam was convicted by an Iraqi court of crimes against humanity related to the 1982 killing of 148 Iraqi Shi'a, and sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed on 30 December 2006.
- Cardiovascular disease, PneumoniaJames Brown, often dubbed "the Godfather of Soul," was a seminal figure in the evolution of rhythm and blues into soul music and funk. Born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, Brown's early life was marked by extreme poverty and abandonment. Despite the hardships, he discovered his love for music and performance at a young age, which propelled him to rise above his circumstances and become one of the most influential musical icons of the 20th century. Brown began his career as a gospel singer with the group The Gospel Starlighters. However, his breakthrough came in the mid-1950s when he joined The Famous Flames as a lead vocalist. His electrifying performances and unique blend of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz elements soon grabbed international attention. His hit singles such as "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me" set the stage for a new era of soul music. By the 1960s, Brown had also pioneered funk music with hits like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)," earning him another title - "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business." Brown's influence extended beyond music. He was an active figure during the Civil Rights Movement, using his platform to advocate for black empowerment and social change. His song "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" became an anthem for the movement. Despite personal struggles and legal troubles later in life, Brown's legacy as a trailblazer in music and social activism remains intact. His groundbreaking sound and dynamic performances continue to inspire generations of musicians across various genres. James Brown passed away on December 25, 2006, but his music and his message continue to reverberate, underscoring his enduring impact on the world of music and beyond.
- Cardiovascular diseaseGerald Ford, born as Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. A significant part of his life was marked by his pursuit of peace and security amidst a chaotic time in American history. Before his ascension to the highest office in the land, Ford notably served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and represented Michigan's fifth congressional district for nearly 25 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ford's rise to presidency was unique in American history. He became Vice President under Richard Nixon in 1973 following Spiro Agnew's resignation, due to the Twenty-fifth Amendment that had been ratified just six years prior. His tenure in this role was relatively short-lived as he assumed the presidency just eight months later in August 1974 when Nixon resigned amidst the Watergate scandal. This marked Ford as the first person to assume the presidency without being elected to either the presidency or vice-presidency. Despite the turbulence that marked his entry into the Oval Office, Ford proved himself to be a decisive leader who prioritized domestic stability and international diplomacy. Among his notable actions were granting a presidential pardon to Nixon, an act that drew controversy but which Ford felt was necessary for national healing. On the foreign policy front, Ford continued Nixon's policy of détente with the Soviet Union while also signing the Helsinki Accords, a major step towards promoting human rights globally. After leaving office, Ford remained active in public life, and his post-presidential years were marked by awards and recognition for his service to the nation, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Gerald Ford passed away on December 26, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and dedication to public service.
- Myocardial infarctionShelley Winters, a name that resonates mightily within the realm of Hollywood, was an American actress whose illustrious career spanned over five decades. Born Shirley Schrift on August 18, 1920, in St. Louis, Missouri, she quickly discovered her love for performing arts. After gaining experience acting in high school plays and various summer stock productions, Winters made a brave move to Hollywood, where she began her journey to stardom in the early 1940s. Winters's acting prowess shone through her diversity of roles, ranging from comedic to dramatic to antagonistic, displaying an incredible versatility that set her apart in the industry. She won two Academy Awards for her memorable performances in The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and A Patch of Blue (1965), showcasing her ability to captivate audiences with emotionally-driven characters. Further adding to her accolades, Winters also received nominations for her roles in A Place in the Sun (1951) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Despite her success on screen, Winters also harbored a penchant for literature, writing two tell-all memoirs detailing her experiences in Hollywood. She was known for her forthrightness, often openly discussing her romantic relationships with famous figures like Marlon Brando and Burt Lancaster. Her audacity, combined with her exceptional talent, cemented Shelley Winters as a unique figure in the world of entertainment. Even after her passing in January 2006, her legacy continues to inspire future generations of actors and actresses, making her a timeless icon in the film industry.
- Stingray injurySteve Irwin, often known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was an iconic Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. Born on February 22, 1962, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia, Irwin's passion for animals was evident from an early age. His parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, were wildlife experts who ran a reptile and fauna park in Queensland, which ignited Steve's love for wildlife. Irwin's career in wildlife began at a young age when he started handling crocodiles under his father's supervision. He took over the family business, renaming it to Australia Zoo in 1992. His charismatic persona and infectious enthusiasm for wildlife soon caught the attention of television producers, leading to the creation of the internationally acclaimed show, The Crocodile Hunter. The show, which aired from 1996 to 2007, catapulted him to global fame, making him one of Australia's most recognized and beloved figures. Apart from his television career, Irwin was a committed conservationist. He founded the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation (later renamed Wildlife Warriors) to educate people about the importance of wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Despite his untimely death in 2006 during a filming expedition, Irwin's legacy continues to inspire generations of wildlife enthusiasts around the world. His life's work reflects his profound love for wildlife and his unwavering commitment to its preservation.
- LeukemiaLong recognized as a true auteur in American cinema despite his rather confrontational on set demeanor, director Robert Altman brought an ironic and irreverent perspective to his films that often deconstructed classic film genres like Westerns, crime dramas, musicals and classic whodunits. His films were filled with unexpected quirks, overlapping dialogue - often improvised - and an acutely iconoclastic point of view that was deftly used to skewer long-standing American values. Following a rather inauspicious entry into moviemaking by way of industrial films, Altman cut his teeth in television on shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (CBS/NBC, 1955-1965) before making his mark on American cinema with "M*A*S*H" (1970), a loose and irreverent look at a group of hedonistic army surgeons and nurses that tapped into the angst of the antiwar generation growing up under the shadow of the Vietnam War. Altman next turned his attention to revitalizing the Western with "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" (1971), before earning the enmity of critics who blasted the director for his irreverent caricature of Philip Marlowe in "The Long Goodbye" (1973). But he earned back their admiration tenfold with "Nashville" (1975), a multi-layered satire that followed 24 main characters in numerous intersecting storylines that ably weaved a tapestry depicting the folly of pursuing fame in America. After that critical success, which was later widely considered to be his best film, Altman hit a long, slow slide that ended in the commercial and critical debacle known as "Popeye" (1980). The director spent the ensuing decade making interesting low-budget indies like "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" (1982), "Secret Honor" (1984) and "Vincent and Theo" (1990) before returning to the Hollywood fold with a biting satire, "The Player" (1992), which savaged the very industry that embraced his return. Altman helmed another multi-character piece, "Short Cuts" (1993), a darkly comic look at relationships surviving contemporary Los Angeles that recalled his efforts on "Nashville" two decades prior. Following another brief creative lull that saw "Ready to Wear (Pret-a-Porter)" (1994) and "Kansas City" (1996) added to his canon, the director earned high praise and fawning reverence for the comedy-of-manners wrapped around a country manor whodunit, "Gosford Park" (2001), which underscored arguably one of the most important cinematic careers of the late 20th century.
- Cardiovascular diseaseFeisty, diminutive, red-haired comedian who regularly played very serious dramatic roles in features. A veteran of New York burlesque and the Catskills comedy circuit, Buttons appeared as a pilot in training in the moral-boosting stage drama "Winged Victory," and recreated the role soon thereafter in the 1944 film version. He played on Broadway after WWII and enjoyed tremendous popularity during the first season of TV's "The Red Buttons Show" (1952-55). Part variety show, part sitcom, the program gave full vent to Buttons' manic, fast-talking, knockabout style. One of Buttons' oft-repeated gestures, placing his hands together in a desperate, somewhat prayerful manner, was on regular display in the show, and children everywhere mimicked the "Ho Ho! He He! Ha Ha! Strange things are happening!" theme song. His gallery of characters, meanwhile, including the Sad Sack; the Kupke Kid, a child; Rocky, a boxer; and the bumbling Keeglefarven, played up the at-once argumentative and long-suffering aspects of his persona.
- StrokeGlenn Ford, born Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford on May 1, 1916, in Quebec, Canada, etched a lasting mark in the annals of Hollywood. He was a revered actor, globally known for his roles in Westerns, dramas, and film noirs during a career that spanned more than five decades. His acting prowess displayed an uncanny ability to delve into the depths of a diverse range of characters, from rugged cowboys to resolute detectives. Ford's love for performing was sparked when he was just eight, after his family moved to Santa Monica, California, where he later began his acting journey with small theater productions. His debut on the big screen came in 1939 in the film Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence. But it was his role as Johnny Farrell in Gilda (1946) opposite Rita Hayworth that catapulted him to stardom. His performance in the film was widely praised for its complexity and nuance, establishing him as a leading man in Hollywood. Throughout his career, Ford demonstrated remarkable versatility, appearing in over 100 films. Notable ones include The Big Heat (1953), Blackboard Jungle (1955), and Pocketful of Miracles (1961). Despite Hollywood's ever-changing landscape, Ford remained a constant, respected for his consummate professionalism and dedication to his craft. He was honored with numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in Pocketful of Miracles. Glenn Ford passed away on August 30, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and indelible contributions to cinema.
- Lung cancerDon Knotts, born as Jesse Donald Knotts on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia, emerged as a celebrated figure in the world of entertainment. With humble beginnings as the youngest of four sons in a struggling family, Knotts' rise to fame is a testament to his perseverance and talent. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army before pursuing his passion for acting, starting his career in the late 1940s with minor roles in radio and television. However, it was his role as the comical yet lovable Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show that catapulted him to stardom, earning him five Emmy Awards. Knotts' prowess in comedy extended beyond television, solidifying his reputation in the film industry as well. His memorable performances in movies such as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and The Shakiest Gun in the West showcased his impeccable comedic timing and skill. Despite often being typecast as a nervous character, Knotts demonstrated versatility in his career, transitioning into dramatic roles in later years. He notably appeared in the critically acclaimed series Matlock, once again sharing the screen with Andy Griffith, and lending his voice to the animated series Scooby-Doo, as the quirky landlord, Mr. Furley. Don Knotts' impact on the entertainment industry extends well beyond his life span, as his comedic genius continues to inspire aspiring artists. He passed away on February 24, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and fond memories. From the small town in West Virginia to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Knotts' journey serves as an inspiration for many. His innate ability to make audiences laugh, paired with his humility and commitment to his craft, made him not just a well-respected actor, but a beloved figure in American popular culture.
- Cardiovascular disease, Myocardial infarctionAugusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte (UK: , US: , Spanish: [auˈɣusto pinoˈ(t)ʃe(t)]; 25 November 1915 – 10 December 2006) was a Chilean general, politician and dictator of Chile between 1973 and 1990 who remained the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army until 1998 and was also President of the Government Junta of Chile between 1973 and 1981.Pinochet assumed power in Chile following a United States-backed coup d'état on 11 September 1973 that overthrew the democratically elected socialist Unidad Popular government of President Salvador Allende and ended civilian rule. Several academics – including Peter Winn, Peter Kornbluh and Tim Weiner – have stated that the support of the United States was crucial to the coup and the consolidation of power afterward. Pinochet had been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Army by Allende on 23 August 1973, having been its General Chief of Staff since early 1972. In December 1974, the ruling military junta appointed Pinochet Supreme Head of the nation by joint decree, although without the support of one of the coup's instigators, Air Force General Gustavo Leigh. Following his rise to power, Pinochet persecuted leftists, socialists, and political critics, resulting in the executions of from 1,200 to 3,200 people, the internment of as many as 80,000 people and the torture of tens of thousands. According to the Chilean government, the number of executions and forced disappearances was 3,095.Under the influence of the free market-oriented "Chicago Boys", Pinochet's military government implemented economic liberalization, including currency stabilization, removed tariff protections for local industry, banned trade unions and privatized social security and hundreds of state-owned enterprises. These policies produced high economic growth, but critics state that economic inequality dramatically increased and attribute the devastating effects of the 1982 monetary crisis on the Chilean economy to these policies. For most of the 1990s, Chile was the best-performing economy in Latin America, though the legacy of Pinochet's reforms continues to be in dispute. His fortune grew considerably during his years in power through dozens of bank accounts secretly held abroad and a fortune in real estate. He was later prosecuted for embezzlement, tax fraud and for possible commissions levied on arms deals.Pinochet's 17-year rule was given a legal framework through a controversial 1980 plebiscite, which approved a new constitution drafted by a government-appointed commission. In a 1988 plebiscite, 56% voted against Pinochet's continuing as president, which led to democratic elections for the presidency and Congress. After stepping down in 1990, Pinochet continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army until 10 March 1998, when he retired and became a senator-for-life in accordance with his 1980 Constitution. However, Pinochet was arrested under an international arrest warrant on a visit to London on 10 October 1998 in connection with numerous human rights violations. Following a legal battle, he was released on grounds of ill-health and returned to Chile on 3 March 2000. In 2004, Chilean Judge Juan Guzmán Tapia ruled that Pinochet was medically fit to stand trial and placed him under house arrest. By the time of his death on 10 December 2006, about 300 criminal charges were still pending against him in Chile for numerous human rights violations during his 17-year rule and tax evasion and embezzlement during and after his rule. He was also accused of having corruptly amassed at least US$28 million.
- Bronchitis, Respiratory failureVivacious blonde MGM star of the 1940s and '50s, in light comedies, musicals and romances, with a likably hoarse voice and a wistful girl-next-door quality. After a successful career on Broadway, Allyson appeared in several shorts and then made her feature debut, recreating her peppy ingenue role in the film version of the 1941 Broadway musical, "Best Foot Forward" (1943). Usually cast as sweet and wholesomely girlish types, Allyson brought an occasionally tomboyish quality to roles in films including "Good News" (1947) and "Little Women" (1949). She made a popular romantic team with the boyishly disarming Van Johnson, with whom she co-starred in five films ranging from the musical "Two Girls and a Sailor" (1944) to the drama "High Barbaree" (1947) to the farce "The Bride Goes Wild" (1948). Allyson's singing voice also enhanced the appeal of such comic songs as "Thou Swell" and "Cleopatterer." Allyson later matured into supportive wife roles in the 1950s ("The Stratton Story" 1949, "The Glenn Miller Story" 1954, "Strategic Air Command" 1955), switching gears once to play the shrewish wife in "The Shrike" (1955). In the late 1950s, she turned to starring in a TV anthology drama, "The June Allyson Show," from 1959 to 1961. In later years Allyson did very occasional TV and film work and regularly made appearances in public and in the media to speak of the pleasures of the old Hollywood studio system (as in "That's Entertainment III" 1994). She was married to Dick Powell (with whom she co-starred in "Right Cross" and "The Reformer and the Redhead," both 1950) from 1945 until his death in 1963.
- Cardiovascular diseaseDorothea Towles Church (July 26, 1922 – July 7, 2006) was the first successful black fashion model in Paris.
- Natural causesJack Palance, born as Volodymyr Jack Palahniuk in 1919, was a distinctive figure in the world of film and television. Born into a Ukrainian immigrant family in Pennsylvania, Palance's journey from coal miner to Academy Award-winning actor is a story that encompasses the essence of the American dream. Palance's acting career, which spanned over six decades, offered an intriguing blend of tough-guy roles and dramatic portrayals that showcased his versatility. He made his breakthrough in Hollywood with the film Panic in the Streets (1950) and later gained fame for his role in Shane (1953), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. However, it was his role in City Slickers (1991) that won him an Oscar, finally crowning his illustrious career with the industry's highest accolade. Off-screen, Palance was equally interesting. A professional boxer in his early years, he was also a World War II veteran, having flown combat missions in Europe. Additionally, he was a talented painter, with his works displayed in galleries worldwide. His passion for art and culture extended to his love for writing poetry, leading to the publication of a collection titled The Forest of Love. The legacy of Jack Palance lies not only in his cinematic achievements but also in his diverse array of talents that painted a rich tapestry of a life lived fully.
- John Kenneth Galbraith (October 15, 1908 – April 29, 2006), also known as Ken Galbraith, was a Canadian-born economist, public official, and diplomat, and a leading proponent of 20th-century American liberalism. His books on economic topics were bestsellers from the 1950s through the 2000s, during which time Galbraith fulfilled the role of public intellectual. As an economist, he leaned toward post-Keynesian economics from an institutionalist perspective.Galbraith was a long-time Harvard faculty member and stayed with Harvard University for half a century as a professor of economics. He was a prolific author and wrote four dozen books, including several novels, and published more than a thousand articles and essays on various subjects. Among his works was a trilogy on economics, American Capitalism (1952), The Affluent Society (1958), and The New Industrial State (1967). Some of his work has been criticized by economists such as Milton Friedman, Paul Krugman, and Robert Solow. Galbraith was active in Democratic Party politics, serving in the administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. He served as United States Ambassador to India under the Kennedy administration. His political activism, literary output and outspokenness brought him wide fame during his lifetime. Galbraith was one of the few to receive both the World War II Medal of Freedom (1946) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2000) for his public service and contributions to science. The government of France made him a Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur.
- Respiratory failureCoretta Scott King (née Scott; April 27, 1927 – January 30, 2006) was an American author, activist, civil rights leader, and the wife of Martin Luther King Jr. An active advocate for African-American equality, she was a leader for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. King was also a singer who often incorporated music into her civil rights work. King met her husband while attending graduate school in Boston. They both became increasingly active in the American Civil Rights Movement.King played a prominent role in the years after her husband's assassination in 1968 when she took on the leadership of the struggle for racial equality herself and became active in the Women's Movement. King founded the King Center and sought to make his birthday a national holiday. She finally succeeded when Ronald Reagan signed legislation which established Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on November 2, 1983. She later broadened her scope to include both advocacy for LGBT rights and opposition to apartheid. King became friends with many politicians before and after Martin Luther King's death, including John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Robert F. Kennedy. Her telephone conversation with John F. Kennedy during the 1960 presidential election has been credited by historians for mobilizing African-American voters.In August 2005, King suffered a stroke which paralyzed her right side and left her unable to speak; five months later she died of respiratory failure due to complications from ovarian cancer. Her funeral was attended by some 10,000 people, including four of five living US presidents. She was temporarily buried on the grounds of the King Center until being interred next to her husband. She was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame and was the first African American to lie in the Georgia State Capitol. King has been referred to as "First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement".
- StrokeA title holder in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific producer in television history, Aaron Spelling quietly oversaw some five decades of popular programming that ranged from "The Mod Squad" (ABC, 1968-1973) and "Starsky and Hutch" (ABC, 1975-79) to "Charlie's Angels" (ABC, 1976-1981), "The Love Boat" (ABC, 1977-1986), "Dynasty" (ABC, 1981-89), "Beverly Hills, 90210" (Fox, 1990-2000) and "7th Heaven" (The WB, 1996-2007). An aspiring playwright, Spelling broke into television in the late 1950s, penning scripts for live television before moving into production in the early 1960s. Spelling's most notable series were marked by their compelling plots and characters and the attractive performers he hired to populate them. Audiences loved his shows, which kept their producer active well into his eighth decade. Later known as the father of "90210" star Tori Spelling, the sweet-natured producer's affection for a juicy story, told with verve by an appealing cast, gave his work a lasting immortality that endured long after his passing in 2006.
Jim Brown
James Bradford Brown is an American film director, primarily known for his work in documentary film. He has won four Emmys, most recently for Pete Seeger: The Power of Song. He has directed and produced four feature documentaries that received theatrical distribution. He heads Jim Brown Productions, LLC and Ginger Group Productions, Inc., production companies specializing in cultural and social documentaries and concerts. He studied film at Tisch School of the Arts, and today is an Associate Professor at New York University's Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at Tisch School of the Arts. Brown has also produced and directed works for television, most notably Peter, Paul and Mary: Carry it On- A Musical Legacy; American Roots Music, a four-part series that aired on PBS; Songs of the Civil War, a PBS special co-produced by Ken Burns; In the Hank Williams Tradition, a musical tribute co-produced by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; and A Vision Shared: A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly, a Showtime and PBS special. He has also directed and produced shows for the Travel Channel and Sesame Street.- Natural causesA popular character actor whose talent and charm frequently brought him leading man roles, Darren McGavin was one of the more beloved familiar faces on television. After a turbulent youth, McGavin inadvertently turned to acting and after notable work on stage and television, began making appearances alongside some of film's biggest names like Frank Sinatra "The Man with the Golden Arm" (1955) and Jerry Lewis in "The Delicate Delinquent" (1957). With his rugged good looks and streetwise charisma, McGavin was the perfect choice to play pulp novelist Mickey Spillane's skirt-chasing, hard-living private eye in "Mike Hammer" (syndicated, 1986-59). But it was McGavin's role as the tenacious reporter of the macabre, Carl Kolchak, in the made-for-TV horror movie "The Night Stalker" (ABC, 1972) that would forever endear him to an entire generation of young television viewers. When it became ABC's highest-rated TV movie ever at the time, a sequel and a weekly series, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (ABC, 1973-74), were quickly put into production. A decade later, McGavin delivered his second indelible character when he played the curmudgeonly yet loving father of Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) in the perennial holiday classic, "A Christmas Story" (1983). So influential was the character of Kolchak in the creation of "The X-Files" (Fox, 1993-2002), that series creator Chris Carter later cast McGavin in a pair of episodes. Blessed with impeccable timing and personality plus, McGavin elevated the quality of each and every project on his impressive résumé.
- Multiple sclerosis, PneumoniaTamara Janice Dobson (May 14, 1947 – October 2, 2006) was an American actress and fashion model. Beginning her career in modeling during the late 1960s, Dobson became best known for her title role as government agent Cleopatra "Cleo" Jones the 1973 Blaxploitation film Cleopatra Jones and its 1975 sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold.
- Cancer, Pancreatic cancerSyd Barrett, born Roger Keith Barrett on January 6, 1946, was an influential English singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd, which he formed with his college friends in London during the mid-1960s. An innovative and eccentric artist, Barrett was the leading creative force behind the band's early psychedelic sound, contributing memorable songs like "Arnold Layne," "See Emily Play," and much of their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Barrett's contributions to music were not limited to Pink Floyd. After leaving the band due to mental health issues exacerbated by drug use, he embarked on a solo career. While his tenure as a solo artist was short-lived, producing only two studio albums - The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, they left a lasting impact on the genre of psychedelia. Despite their commercial underperformance at the time of release, they have since gained cult status, being cited as influential by artists across genres. Unfortunately, Syd Barrett's promising musical career was marred by personal struggles. His deteriorating mental health, believed to be a result of heavy LSD use, forced him to withdraw from the public eye by the mid-1970s. For over three decades until his death in 2006, he lived a life of reclusion, away from the glitz and glamour associated with his Pink Floyd days.
- AssassinationAnna Stepanovna Politkovskaya (Russian: А́нна Степа́новна Политко́вская, IPA: [ˈanːə sʲtʲɪˈpanəvnə pəlʲɪtˈkofskəjə]; Ukrainian: Га́нна Степа́нівна Політко́вська [ˈɦɑnːɐ steˈpɑnʲiu̯nɐ pɔlʲitˈkɔu̯sʲkɐ]; born Mazepa [mɐˈzɛpɐ]; 30 August 1958 – 7 October 2006) was a Russian journalist, writer, and human rights activist who reported on political events in Russia, in particular, the Second Chechen War (1999–2005).It was her reporting from Chechnya that made Politkovskaya's national and international reputation. For seven years she refused to give up reporting on the war despite numerous acts of intimidation and violence. Politkovskaya was arrested by Russian military forces in Chechnya and subjected to a mock execution. She was poisoned while flying from Moscow via Rostov-on-Don to help resolve the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, and had to turn back, requiring careful medical treatment in Moscow to restore her health. Her post-1999 articles about conditions in Chechnya were turned into books several times; Russian readers' main access to her investigations and publications was through Novaya Gazeta, a Russian newspaper known for its often-critical investigative coverage of Russian political and social affairs. From 2000 onwards, she received numerous international awards for her work. In 2004, she published Putin's Russia, a personal account of Russia for a Western readership.On 7 October 2006, she was murdered in the elevator of her block of flats, an assassination that attracted international attention. In June 2014, five men were sentenced to prison for the murder, but it is still unclear who ordered or paid for the contract killing.
- Assassination, Murder, PoisonAlexander Valterovich Litvinenko (Russian: Алекса́ндр Ва́льтерович Литвине́нко, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ˈvaltɨrəvʲɪtɕ lʲɪtvʲɪˈnʲɛnkə]; 30 August 1962 or 4 December 1962 by father's account – 23 November 2006) was a British naturalised Russian defector and former officer of the Russian FSB secret service who specialised in tackling organized crime. According to US diplomats, Litvinenko coined the phrase Mafia state. In November 1998, Litvinenko and several other FSB officers publicly accused their superiors of ordering the assassination of the Russian tycoon and oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Litvinenko was arrested the following March on charges of exceeding the authority of his position. He was acquitted in November 1999 but re-arrested before the charges were again dismissed in 2000. He fled with his family to London and was granted asylum in the United Kingdom, where he worked as a journalist, writer and consultant for the British intelligence services. During his time in London, Litvinenko wrote two books, Blowing Up Russia: Terror from Within and Lubyanka Criminal Group, wherein he accused the Russian secret services of staging the Russian apartment bombings and other terrorism acts in an effort to bring Vladimir Putin to power. He also accused Putin of ordering the murder in October 2006 of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. On 1 November 2006, Litvinenko suddenly fell ill and was hospitalised in what was established as a case of poisoning by radioactive polonium-210; he died from the poisoning on 23 November. He became the first known victim of lethal polonium 210-induced acute radiation syndrome. The events leading up to this are a matter of controversy, spawning numerous theories relating to his poisoning and death. A British murder investigation pointed to Andrey Lugovoy, a former member of Russia's Federal Protective Service, as the prime suspect. The United Kingdom demanded that Lugovoy be extradited, which is against the Constitution of Russia, which prohibits extradition of Russian citizens. Russia denied the extradition, leading to the straining of relations between Russia and the United Kingdom. After Litvinenko's death, Marina Litvinenko, aided by biologist Alexander Goldfarb, pursued a vigorous campaign through the Litvinenko Justice Foundation. In October 2011, she won the right for an inquest into her husband's death to be conducted by a coroner in London; the inquest was repeatedly set back by issues relating to examinable evidence. A public inquiry began on 27 January 2015, and concluded in January 2016 that Litvinenko's murder was an FSB operation that was probably personally approved by Vladimir Putin and Nikolai Patrushev who was at the time Director of FSB.
- Lung cancerZola Levitt was a Jewish convert to evangelical Christianity who founded a church, Zola Levitt Ministries, in Dallas, Texas.
- Cardiovascular diseaseMilton Friedman (; July 31, 1912 – November 16, 2006) was an American economist who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his research on consumption analysis, monetary history and theory and the complexity of stabilization policy. With George Stigler and others, Friedman was among the intellectual leaders of the second generation of Chicago school of economics, a methodological movement at the University of Chicago's Department of Economics, Law School and Graduate School of Business from the 1940s onward. Several students and young professors who were recruited or mentored by Friedman at Chicago went on to become leading economists, including Gary Becker, Robert Fogel, Thomas Sowell and Robert Lucas Jr.Friedman's challenges to what he later called "naive Keynesian" theory began with his 1950s reinterpretation of the consumption function. In the 1960s, he became the main advocate opposing Keynesian government policies and described his approach (along with mainstream economics) as using "Keynesian language and apparatus" yet rejecting its "initial" conclusions. He theorized that there existed a "natural" rate of unemployment and argued that unemployment below this rate would cause inflation to accelerate. He argued that the Phillips curve was in the long run vertical at the "natural rate" and predicted what would come to be known as stagflation. Friedman promoted an alternative macroeconomic viewpoint known as "monetarism" and argued that a steady, small expansion of the money supply was the preferred policy. His ideas concerning monetary policy, taxation, privatization and deregulation influenced government policies, especially during the 1980s. His monetary theory influenced the Federal Reserve's response to the global financial crisis of 2007–2008.Friedman was an advisor to Republican President Ronald Reagan and Conservative British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. His political philosophy extolled the virtues of a free market economic system with minimal intervention. He once stated that his role in eliminating conscription in the United States was his proudest accomplishment. In his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, Friedman advocated policies such as a volunteer military, freely floating exchange rates, abolition of medical licenses, a negative income tax and school vouchers and opposed the war on drugs. His support for school choice led him to found the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, later renamed EdChoice.Friedman's works include monographs, books, scholarly articles, papers, magazine columns, television programs and lectures and cover a broad range of economic topics and public policy issues. His books and essays have had global influence, including in former communist states. A survey of economists ranked Friedman as the second-most popular economist of the 20th century following only John Maynard Keynes and The Economist described him as "the most influential economist of the second half of the 20th century ... possibly of all of it".
- Heart failure, Cardiovascular diseaseBetty Friedan ( February 4, 1921 – February 4, 2006) was an American feminist writer and activist. A leading figure in the women's movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century. In 1966, Friedan co-founded and was elected the first president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), which aimed to bring women "into the mainstream of American society now [in] fully equal partnership with men." In 1970, after stepping down as NOW's first president, Friedan organized the nationwide Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granting women the right to vote. The national strike was successful beyond expectations in broadening the feminist movement; the march led by Friedan in New York City alone attracted over 50,000 people. In 1971, Friedan joined other leading feminists to establish the National Women's Political Caucus. Friedan was also a strong supporter of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution that passed the United States House of Representatives (by a vote of 354–24) and Senate (84–8) following intense pressure by women's groups led by NOW in the early 1970s. Following Congressional passage of the amendment, Friedan advocated for ratification of the amendment in the states and supported other women's rights reforms: she founded the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws but was later critical of the abortion-centered positions of many liberal feminists. Regarded as an influential author and intellectual in the United States, Friedan remained active in politics and advocacy until the late 1990s, authoring six books. As early as the 1960s Friedan was critical of polarized and extreme factions of feminism that attacked groups such as men and homemakers. One of her later books, The Second Stage (1981), critiqued what Friedan saw as the extremist excesses of some feminists.
- Pulmonary embolismGerry Eastman Studds (; May 12, 1937 – October 14, 2006) was an American Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts who served from 1973 until 1997. He was the first openly gay member of Congress. In 1983 he was censured by the House of Representatives after he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old page.
- Natural causesSpirited, diminutive American character player of Mexican extraction, in supporting roles in films of the 1950s and 60s. Gonzalez-Gonzalez generally played fairly stereotyped Hispanic roles for comic relief, with many of his characters' names reflecting this. In both "Ring of Fear" and "The High and the Mighty" (both 1954) his character is named Gonzalez; and in "Strange Lady in Town" (1955) he plays one Martinez Martinez. He occasionally enjoyed more substantial roles, as in Howard Hawks' "Rio Bravo" (1959) and the Jerry Lewis comedy "Hook, Line and Sinker" (1968). Gonzalez-Gonzalez has remained active into the 90s, sending up his earlier western roles in the campy "Lust in the Dust" (1984) and acting in such TV movies as "Bates Motel" (1987) and "Donor" (1990).
- CancerGordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks (November 30, 1912 – March 7, 2006) was an American photographer, musician, writer and film director, who became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism in the 1940s through 1970s—particularly in issues of civil rights, poverty and African-Americans—and in glamour photography.As the first famous pioneer among black filmmakers, he was the first African American to produce and direct major motion pictures—developing films relating the experience of slaves and struggling black Americans, and creating the "blaxploitation" genre. He is best remembered for his iconic photos of poor Americans during the 1940s (taken for a federal government project), for his photographic essays for Life magazine, and as the director of the 1971 film Shaft. Parks also was an author, poet and composer.
- StarvationAna Carolina Reston Macan (June 4, 1985 – November 14, 2006) was a Brazilian model.
John Crank
John Crank (6 February 1916 – 3 October 2006) was a mathematical physicist, best known for his work on the numerical solution of partial differential equations. Crank was born in Hindley in Lancashire, England. His father was a carpenter's pattern-maker. Crank studied at Manchester University from 1934 to 1938, where he was awarded a BSc and MSc as a student of Lawrence Bragg and Douglas Hartree. In 1953, Manchester University awarded him a DSc. He worked on ballistics during the Second World War, and was then a mathematical physicist at Courtaulds Fundamental Research Laboratory from 1945 to 1957. In 1957, he was appointed as the first Head of Department of Mathematics at Brunel College in Acton. He served two terms of office as vice-principal of Brunel before his retirement in 1981, when he was granted the title of professor emeritus. Crank's main work was on the numerical solution of partial differential equations and, in particular, the solution of heat-conduction problems. He is best known for his work with Phyllis Nicolson on the heat equation, which resulted in the Crank–Nicolson method. He was a keen gardener and established the John Crank Garden as a retirement gift to Brunel University. He was married to his wife, Joan, for 63 years, who died in 2005. They were survived by their two children.- Natural causesBest known for her work on the enduring television sitcom "Father Knows Best" (CBS/NBC, 1954-1960), Jane Wyatt had displayed her talents in numerous stage and film productions before landing the role that brought her into millions of American living rooms each week. After earning a measure of success on Broadway in the classic farce "Dinner at Eight" (1932-33), the pretty brunette was offered a movie contract and made a splash in Frank Capra's revered fantasy "Lost Horizon" (1937). The efforts that followed included titles like "None but the Lonely Heart" (1944), "Boomerang!" (1947), and "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and Wyatt was usually up for the demands of her parts. Ironically, the New Jersey native's blacklisting in the early 1950s for liberal sentiments led her to concentrate on television assignments and that was likely instrumental in Wyatt joining the cast of "Father Knows Best." As one of the model TV mothers of the 1950s, she was able to embue the character with a disarming combination of cordiality and charm, and the program became a cultural touchstone of its time. While she displayed sufficient diversity, Wyatt was never a major Broadway or motion picture star, but her place in show business legend was secured by "Father Knows Best" and the conviviality she displayed as the matriarch of an idealized 1950s middle-class household.
- Lung cancer, Brain tumorSoul and jazz singer Lou Rawls, who sold over 40 million albums over his fantastic career, also dabbled in screen work throughout the 1960s and later in his life, appearing frequently on "Baywatch Nights" and voicing such animated series as Nickelodeon's "Hey Arnold!." Rawls sang in local choirs in his youth. After a harsh stint in the Army, he established a musical career, and by the early 1960s he was opening for The Beatles, and winning Grammys for his hot-selling records. During this period, he began getting into acting, mostly in one-off roles, on shows like the star-studded Western "The Big Valley." Rawls stepped away from the screen as he found his greatest musical success in the 1970s, with the Platinum-selling record "All Things in Time" and the wildly popular single "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." By the time the 1990s rolled in, Rawls's fame led to small-screen roles and winking cameos, and in 1995 he played the part of Lou Raymond on the beach series spin-off "Baywatch Nights." He was later asked to join the cast of the kids' animated hit "Hey Arnold! ."
- Cancer, Bone cancer, Multiple myelomaLouis Richard Rukeyser (January 30, 1933 – May 2, 2006) was an American financial journalist, columnist, and commentator, through print, radio, and television. He was best known for his role as host of two television series, Wall $treet Week with Louis Rukeyser, and Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street. He also published two financial newsletters, Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street and Louis Rukeyser's Mutual Funds. Named by People as the only sex symbol of "the dismal science" of economics, Rukeyser won numerous awards and honors over his lifetime. Rukeyser was famous for his pun-filled humor, and for trying to get investors to ignore short-term gyrations and think long term. In answering a letter on investing in a hairpiece manufacturer, he quipped that "if your money seems to be hair today and gone tomorrow, we'll try to make it grow back by giving the bald facts on how to get your investments toupee."
- Cancer, Liver tumour, Lung cancerJune Antoinette Pointer (November 30, 1953 – April 11, 2006) was an American Pop/R&B singer, best known as the youngest and one of the founding members of Grammy Award–winning vocal group The Pointer Sisters.
Breast cancer, Lung cancerOriana Fallaci (Italian: [oˈrjaːna falˈlaːtʃi]; 29 June 1929 – 15 September 2006) was an Italian journalist, author, and political interviewer. A partisan during World War II, she had a long and successful journalistic career. Fallaci became famous worldwide for her coverage of war and revolution, and her interviews with many world leaders during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Her book Interview with History contains interviews with Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Yasser Arafat, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Willy Brandt, Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and Henry Kissinger, South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, and North Vietnamese General Võ Nguyên Giáp during the Vietnam War. The interview with Kissinger was published in Playboy, with Kissinger describing himself as "the cowboy who leads the wagon train by riding ahead alone on his horse". Kissinger later wrote that it was "the single most disastrous conversation I have ever had with any member of the press". She also interviewed Deng Xiaoping, Andreas Papandreou, Ayatollah Khomeini, Haile Selassie, Lech Wałęsa, Muammar Gaddafi, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba, Mário Soares, Alfred Hitchcock, and many others. After retirement, she returned to the spotlight after writing a series of controversial articles and books critical of Islam that aroused condemnation as well as support.- Cancer of the larynxDorothy Ann Willis Richards (September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American politician and 45th Governor of Texas (1991–95). A Democrat, she first came to national attention as the Texas State Treasurer, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards was the second female governor of Texas and was frequently noted in the media for her outspoken feminism and her one-liners.Born in McLennan County, Texas, Ann Richards became a schoolteacher after graduating from Baylor University. She won election to the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976 and took office as Texas State Treasurer in 1983. She delivered a nominating speech for Walter Mondale at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards won the 1990 Texas gubernatorial election, defeating Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox in a Democratic primary run-off election and businessman Clayton Williams in the general election. She was defeated in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election by George W. Bush. She remained active in public life until her death in 2006. To date, Richards remains the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Texas.
- Myocardial infarctionAlvis Edgar Owens Jr. (August 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006), professionally known as Buck Owens, was an American musician, singer, songwriter and band leader who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band the Buckaroos. They pioneered what came to be called the Bakersfield sound, named after Bakersfield, California, the city Owens called home and from which he drew inspiration for what he preferred to call American music.While Owens originally used fiddle and retained pedal steel guitar into the 1970s, his sound on records and onstage was always more stripped-down and elemental. His signature style was based on simple storylines, infectious choruses, a twangy electric guitar, an insistent rhythm supplied by a drum track placed forward in the mix, and high two-part harmonies featuring him and his guitarist Don Rich.From 1969 to 1986, Owens co-hosted the popular CBS television variety show Hee Haw with Roy Clark. According to his son, Buddy Allen (Owens), the accidental death of Rich, his best friend, in 1974 devastated him for years and halted his career until he performed with Dwight Yoakam in 1988. Owens is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- PneumoniaCaspar Willard "Cap" Weinberger (August 18, 1917 – March 28, 2006) was an American politician and businessman. As a prominent Republican, he served in a variety of state and federal positions for three decades, including Chairman of the California Republican Party, 1962–68. Most notably he was Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1987.Weinberger was born in San Francisco, California. He served in the 41st Infantry Division in the Pacific theater of World War II. Weinberger's entry into politics was as a California State Assemblyman from 1953 to 1959, and he would go on to serve as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. An accomplished private sector businessman, he later became vice president and general counsel of Bechtel Corporation, and still later Chairman of Forbes magazine. Weinberger's tenure as Secretary of Defense is the third longest in U.S. history, and spanned the final years of the Cold War. He is also known for his key role in the administration's Strategic Defense Initiative and for being indicted in the Iran–Contra affair. Weinberger was awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1987 and an honorary British knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
- Natural causesOne half of the most celebrated animation-producing duos in history, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's company, Hanna-Barbera Productions, created some of the best-loved animated television programming of the 20th century and beyond, including "The Huckleberry Hound Show" (syndicated, 1958-1961), "The Yogi Bear Show" (syndicated, 1961-62), "The Flintstones" (ABC, 1960-66), "The Jetsons" (ABC, 1962-63), "Jonny Quest" (ABC, 1964-65), "Super Friends" (ABC, 1973-1986) and "The Smurfs" (NBC, 1981-89). With Hanna, Barbera began his career with the Oscar-winning Tom and Jerry animated shorts for MGM. When the company shuttered its animation division, the duo launched their own company, striking pay dirt almost immediately with "Huckleberry Hound" and "The Flintstones," their first primetime series. Hanna-Barbera's cartoons, driven largely by bright, simple artwork, clever writing, and memorable characters, led the television animation field until the 1980s, when financial difficulties resulted in their sale to a variety of companies. They rebounded in the 1990s as part of Turner Broadcasting's Cartoon Network, for which they oversaw such cutting-edge cartoons as "The Powerpuff Girls" (1998-2005) before Hanna's death in 2001. Joseph Barbera's vast output of animated fare over the course of his six-decade career contained so many beloved characters and shows that his position as one of the dominant forces in American animation was assured for eternity.
Robert Rosenblum
Colorectal cancerRobert Rosenblum is a writer.- The following is a list of Playboy Playmates of 1954. Playboy magazine names its Playmate of the Month each month throughout the year. Prior to September 1959, Playmates were not asked to complete data sheets.
- LeukemiaCurtis Edward Gowdy (July 31, 1919 – February 20, 2006) was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports and ABC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s. His accomplishments include coining the nickname "The Granddaddy of Them All" for the Rose Bowl Game, taking the moniker from the Cheyenne Frontier Days in his native Wyoming.
- Myocardial infarctionPatrick Dominic Quinn (February 12, 1950, Philadelphia – September 24, 2006, Bushkill, Pennsylvania) was an American actor and a former president of the Actors' Equity Association. The son of a mortician, Quinn studied theater at Temple University. After graduation from college he took his first Equity role in a touring company of Man of La Mancha. He also helped start the Charade Dinner Theater, the first Equity dinner theater in metropolitan Philadelphia. His first Broadway role was in the 1976 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. He also was in the cast of Lend Me a Tenor, Beauty and the Beast, A Class Act and the 1998 revival of The Sound of Music. Quinn's television credits included a recurring role on the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies and parts on various soap operas. He also appeared in all three current versions of the NBC crime drama Law & Order. Quinn's voice was also featured as the main character in a Schoolhouse Rock! song called Tax Man Max. Quinn, who had been a member of Equity since 1970, was elected to the council in 1977. He was elected president in 2000. In 1987 he helped organize the non-profit organization Equity Fights AIDS, which later merged with Broadway Cares. At the time of his death, he was scheduled to succeed Alan Eisenberg as executive director of the association.Quinn died of a heart attack at his country home in Bushkill, Pennsylvania, aged 56. He was survived by his life partner of twelve years, Martin Casella, three brothers, Jimmy, Jerry and John, one sister, Lizanne, their spouses, and nine nieces and nephews.
- Breast cancerSrividya, also known as Sreevidya, was an Indian film actress best known for her work predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films with few Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films for 40 years. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. In addition to acting, she occasionally worked as a playback singer as well. She was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. Srividya's personal life was full of tragedies. In 2006, she died of spine cancer, aged 53.
- Cardiovascular diseaseWilliam Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 – April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of Reinhold Niebuhr's social philosophy led him to become a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and peace movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He also was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones. He went on to serve as Senior Minister at the Riverside Church in New York City and President of SANE/Freeze (now Peace Action), the nation's largest peace and social justice group, and prominently opposed United States military interventions in conflicts, from the Vietnam War to the Iraq War. He was also an ardent supporter of gay rights.
- Michael Delaney Dowd Jr. (August 11, 1920 – August 11, 2006), known as Mike Douglas, was an American "Big Band" era singer, entertainer, television talk show host (The Mike Douglas Show), and actor.
- Lung cancerFreddy Fender (born Baldemar Garza Huerta; June 4, 1937 – October 14, 2006) was an American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. He is best known for his 1975 hits "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and the subsequent remake of his own "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights".
- CancerA laconic performer who possessed an Everyman quality that rendered him perfect for the small screen, actor Dennis Weaver was a television mainstay for more than 40 years, appearing in a variety of television movies while starring on two long-running series, "Gunsmoke" (CBS, 1955-1975) and "McCloud" (1970-77). Having started his career in features, Weaver made the jump to television with a few guest appearances before spending several seasons playing the popular Chester Goode on "Gunsmoke." After leaving the show in 1964, he built off that success into a number of false starts until finally hitting his stride as the star of "McCloud," which showcased him as an easygoing cowboy lawman dealing with the stark pessimism of New York City - a role that many associated with Weaver above all others. While on the show, he starred as an unassuming motorist terrorized by a trucker in "Duel" (ABC, 1971), and spent the decades after "McCloud" ended in a series of made-for-TV movies and series like "Cocaine: One Man's Seduction" (NBC, 1983) and "Buck James" (ABC, 1987-88). An avowed environmentalist and champion of liberal causes, Weaver forged a legacy beyond Hollywood that highlighted his unending empathy for his fellow man, all while retaining his stature as a notable performer.
- György Sándor Ligeti (; Hungarian: Ligeti György Sándor, pronounced [ˈliɡɛti ˈɟørɟ ˈʃaːndor]; 28 May 1923 – 12 June 2006) was a Hungarian-Austrian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde composers in the latter half of the twentieth century" and "one of the most innovative and influential among progressive figures of his time".Born in Transylvania, Romania, he lived in the Hungarian People's Republic before emigrating to Austria in 1956. He became an Austrian citizen in 1968. In 1973 he became professor of composition at the Hamburg Hochschule für Musik und Theater, where he worked until retiring in 1989. He died in Vienna in 2006. Restricted in his musical style by the authorities of Communist Hungary, only when he reached the west in 1956 could Ligeti fully realise his passion for avant-garde music and develop new compositional techniques. After experimenting with electronic music in Cologne, his breakthrough came with orchestral works such as Atmosphères, for which he used a technique he later dubbed micropolyphony. After writing his "anti-anti-opera" Le Grand Macabre, Ligeti shifted away from chromaticism and towards polyrhythm for his later works. He is best known by the public through the use of his music in film soundtracks. Although he did not directly compose any film scores, excerpts of pieces composed by him were taken and adapted for film use. The sound design of Stanley Kubrick's films, particularly the music of 2001: A Space Odyssey, drew from Ligeti's work and also contained pieces by other classical composers.
- Myocardial infarctionPieter Willem Botha, (Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈpitər ˈvələm ˈbʊəta]; 12 January 1916 – 31 October 2006), commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil (Afrikaans for "The Great Crocodile"), was the leader of South Africa from 1978 to 1989, serving as the last Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989. First elected to Parliament in 1948, Botha was an outspoken opponent of majority rule and international communism. However, his administration did make concessions towards political reform, whereas internal unrest saw widespread human rights abuses at the hands of the government. Botha resigned as leader of the ruling National Party (NP) in February 1989 after suffering a stroke and six months later was also coerced to leave the presidency. In F. W. de Klerk's 1992 apartheid referendum, Botha campaigned for a No vote and denounced De Klerk's administration as irresponsible for opening the door to black majority rule. In early 1998, when Botha refused to testify at the Mandela government's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), he was supported by the right-wing Conservative Party, which had earlier contested his rule as the official opposition. For his refusal, he was fined and given a suspended jail sentence for crimes against humanity. The sentence was overturned on appeal. Shortly before his death in late 2006, he renewed his opposition towards egalitarian democracy in favour of a confederate system based upon the principles of "separate development".
- Heart failure, kidney ailment, Perforated ulcerNaguib Mahfouz (Egyptian Arabic: نجيب محفوظ, romanized: Nagīb Maḥfūẓ, IPA: [næˈɡiːb mɑħˈfuːzˤ]; December 11, 1911 – August 30, 2006) was an Egyptian writer who won the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature. He is regarded as one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature, along with Taha Hussein, to explore themes of existentialism. He published 34 novels, over 350 short stories, dozens of movie scripts, and five plays over a 70-year career. Many of his works have been made into Egyptian and foreign films.
- Bladder cancerJohn Anthony Tenta Jr. (June 22, 1963 – June 7, 2006) was a Canadian professional wrestler and a Sumo Rikishi best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake. After a promising start to his sumo career, using the name Kototenzan, Tenta switched to professional wrestling and became a high-profile star for the WWF, feuding with Hulk Hogan and winning the WWF Tag Team Championship with partner, and personal friend, Typhoon. His professional wrestling career also encompassed runs in World Championship Wrestling, where he was known as Avalanche and The Shark, All Japan Pro Wrestling and a return to WWF as Golga. Tenta died in 2006 after a long battle with bladder cancer.
- Belden Gerald Bly Jr. (September 29, 1914 in Everett, Massachusetts – November 3, 2006 in Wakefield, Massachusetts) was an American teacher and member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 16 terms from 1949 to 1980, representing Saugus, Massachusetts. Bly was born in Everett and grew up in Revere, Massachusetts. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1938. He received a master's degree in education from Boston University in 1941 and a law degree from Suffolk University in 1955. Bly was a Rockefeller Republican; a social liberal, but conservative on matters such as the economy and national defense. In 1974, he championed the creation of a non-smoking section of the House. Bly served on the Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Aging. Bly also was a biology and practical law teacher, as well as a coach for the golf, baseball, basketball, football and track teams at Saugus High School. Bly taught at the New England School of Law until his retirement in 1979. The Belden Bly Bridge, the oldest cantilever bridge in the nation, which carries Route 107 over the Saugus River was renamed after him in 1985. Bly kept a law office in Saugus and handled cases until his death in 2006.
- Myocardial infarctionWilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter. A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, many of which crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100. Among his best-known hits are "In the Midnight Hour" (which he co-wrote), "Land of 1,000 Dances", "Mustang Sally", and "Funky Broadway".Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, in recognition of his impact on songwriting and recording.
- Renal failureOduvil Unnikrishnan (13 February 1943 – 27 May 2006) was an Indian film actor. He was known for his versatile acting skills, shown in his portrayal of classical ancient aristocratic personalities in Malayalam cinema with his unique provincial linguistic style, expressions and dialect. He was noted as a serious as well as comic actor. He composed music for an album named Parasuram Express (1984) to lyrics written by Bichu Thirumala and an unreleased film named Sarvam Saha directed by Ravi Gupthan.
- Cardiac arrest, Myocardial infarctionJessica Madison Wright Morris (July 29, 1984 – July 21, 2006), known professionally as J. Madison Wright, was an American actress. Born in Cincinnati, she spent her early years being raised in Lexington, Kentucky. She was best known for her role as Sam Wallace in Shiloh. She co-starred in Shiloh with her younger sister Tori Wright.
- StrokeKirby Puckett (March 14, 1960 – March 6, 2006) was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a center fielder for the Minnesota Twins (1984–95). Puckett is the Twins' all-time leader in career hits, runs, and total bases. At the time of his retirement, his .318 career batting average was the highest by any right-handed American League batter since Joe DiMaggio. Puckett was the fourth baseball player during the 20th century to record 1,000 hits in his first five full calendar years in Major League Baseball, and was the second to record 2,000 hits during his first ten full calendar years. After being forced to retire in 1996 at age 36 due to loss of vision in one eye from a central retinal vein occlusion, Puckett was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility.
- Aviation accident or incidentPeter David Tomarken (December 7, 1942 – March 13, 2006) was an American television personality primarily known as the host of the game show Press Your Luck.
- AirstrikeAbu Musab al-Zarqawi (Arabic: أبو مصعب الزرقاوي, ’Abū Muṣ‘ab az-Zarqāwī, Abu Musab from Zarqa; English pronunciation ; October 30, 1966 – June 7, 2006), born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal al-Khalayleh (أحمد فضيل النزال الخلايلة, ’Aḥmad Faḍīl an-Nazāl al-Ḫalāyla), was a Jordanian jihadist who ran a paramilitary training camp in Afghanistan. He became known after going to Iraq and being responsible for a series of bombings, beheadings, and attacks during the Iraq War, reportedly "turning an insurgency against US troops" in Iraq "into a Shia-Sunni civil war". He was sometimes known as "Sheikh of the slaughterers".He formed al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in the 1990s, and led it until his death in June 2006. Zarqawi took responsibility, on several audio and video recordings, for numerous acts of violence in Iraq including suicide bombings and hostage executions. Zarqawi opposed the presence of U.S. and Western military forces in the Islamic world, as well as the West's support for the existence of Israel. In late 2004 he joined al-Qaeda, and pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden. After this al-Tawhid wal-Jihad became known as Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, also known as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), and al-Zarqawi was given the al-Qaeda title "Emir of Al Qaeda in the Country of Two Rivers".In September 2005, he declared "all-out war" on Shi'ites in Iraq, after the Iraqi government offensive on insurgents in the Sunni town of Tal Afar. He dispatched numerous suicide bombers throughout Iraq to attack American soldiers and areas with large concentrations of Shia militias. He is also thought to be responsible for the 2005 bombing of three hotels in Amman, Jordan. Zarqawi was killed in a targeted killing by a joint U.S. force on June 7, 2006, while attending a meeting in an isolated safehouse in Hibhib, a small village approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) west-northwest of Baqubah. One United States Air Force F-16C jet dropped two 500-pound (230 kg) guided bombs on the safehouse.
Satyadeow Sawh
AssassinationSatyadeow Sawh (Hindi: सत्यदेव शा) (June 13, 1955 – April 22, 2006) was the Agriculture Minister of Guyana and prominent Hindu politician in Guyana. He also served, at various times as ambassador to: Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Satyadeow Sawh (known popularly as "Sash") was born in Central Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Guyana in 1955. He was the last of nine children to his father, a rice farmer and businessman, and mother, a home-maker. He attended the Indian Education Trust College (later the Richard Ishmael Secondary School), where he sat the GCE O-levels and the College of Preceptors examinations. At 18, he migrated to Ontario, Canada, where he worked and pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from York University. He married in 1982, and had two sons. While in Canada he was vibrant in the Association of Concerned Guyanese, a political group promoting change in Guyana. He held the presidency of the group for many years. In 1993, he was appointed Guyana's ambassador to Venezuela. He served in the post for 3 years and was awarded the country's second highest honor, the Order of Francisco de Miranda (First Class) upon completion of his tenure. In 1996, he was recalled to Guyana by the late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, to serve as a minister within the Ministry of Agriculture. He became the Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, with responsibility for Forestry, and was later named the acting Minister of Agriculture, the designation which he held up to his death. On April 22nd, 2006, Sash Sawh, his sister (Phulmattie Persaud), brother (Rajpat Rai Sawh), and security guard (Curtis Robertson) were killed in an attack on Sawh's home in LBI on the East Coast of Demerara. His death lead to wide outpouring of support for his family, amidst anger, fear and mourning among Guyanese both home and abroad.- Myocardial infarctionRobert Keith Orton Sr. (July 21, 1929 – July 16, 2006) was an American professional wrestler.The patriarch of the Orton wrestling family, his two sons (Bob Orton Jr. and Barry Orton) and grandson (Randy Orton) have all wrestled professionally. To distinguish between him and his son, he is also known as Bob Orton Sr..
Kuljeet Randhawa
SuicideKuljeet Randhawa (29th January 1976 – 8 February 2006) was an Indian model and actress. The former Gladrags model was known for her portrayal of bold and strong women-centric characters. She is best known for her work in TV series C.A.T.S., Special Squad and Kohinoor.- LeukemiaDaniel Rogers Pinkham, Jr. (June 5, 1923 – December 18, 2006) was an American composer, organist, and harpsichordist.
- Aviation accident or incidentPablo Santos (January 9, 1987 – September 15, 2006) was a Mexican actor.
- Renal failureHrishikesh Mukherjee (30 September 1922 – 27 August 2006) was an Indian film director, editor and writer regarded as one of the greatest filmmaker of all time , known for a number of films, including [Anari],Satyakam, Chupke Chupke, Anupama, Anand, Abhimaan, Guddi, Gol Maal, Majhli Didi, Chaitali, Aashirwad, Bawarchi, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Namak Haraam and Chemmeen to name a few. Popularly known as Hrishi-da, he directed 42 films during his career spanning over four decades, and is named the pioneer of the 'middle cinema' of India. Renowned for his social films that reflected the changing middle-class ethos, Mukherjee "carved a middle path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the stark realism of art cinema".He also remained the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The Government of India honoured him with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1999 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He received the NTR National Award in 2001 and he also won eight Filmfare Awards.
Philomina
Philomina (1926 – 2 January 2006) was a Malayalam film actress. She acted in more than 750 films in her career. She played mostly character and comedy roles, besides that of mother and grandmother. She started acting on the stage. This experience stood her in good stead when she was offered her first film role. The character of Anappara Achamma in Godfather is acknowledged to be one of the most powerful roles ever in Malayalam cinema.- Lung cancerLeonard Michael Greene (June 8, 1918 – November 30, 2006) was an American inventor and aerodynamics engineer who held more than 200 patents, many of which are aviation-related. He is most well known for his contributions to aviation technology, including his invention, the Aircraft Stall Warning device, which warns pilots when a deadly aerodynamic stall is imminent. To build the device, Greene established the Safe Flight Instrument Corporation in 1946. Apart from his inventive life, Greene also served as the founder and president of the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies, a think tank to address issues such as poverty and social awareness. Additionally, he co-founded the Corporate Angel Network, a charitable organization that flies patients in corporate aircraft. In 1991, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Greene died on November 30, 2006 at the age of 88 in Mamaroneck, New York. The cause was complications from lung cancer.
- Renal failureBilly Preston, born in Houston, Texas, was an American musician. Known for his exuberant keyboarding style and soulful vocals, Preston's contribution to music transcended genres and generations. His journey began as a child prodigy playing piano and organ, leading him to share stages with some of the biggest names in the industry over the course of his career. Preston's talent was evident from an early age, becoming a part of the music scene when he was just 10 years old, performing with famous gospel artist Mahalia Jackson. His career trajectory took a sharp turn upwards when he was discovered by Little Richard at the age of 16, which led to international tours with the rock and roll legend. Later, he worked with the Beatle's, contributing significantly to the band's success. His keyboard work was pivotal in several top tracks, earning him the title of "the fifth Beatle" by fans and music critics alike. Aside from his collaborations, Preston was also an accomplished solo artist, scoring number one hits with lively tunes such as "Will It Go Round In Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing." He won a Grammy for his instrumental "Outa-Space" in 1973, solidifying his place in the annals of music history. His unique fusion of rock, soul, funk, and gospel helped pave the way for many musicians that followed. Billy Preston passed away in 2006 but his legacy continues to influence and inspire artists around the globe.
- Cardiovascular disease, Renal failure, heart and kidney failureJack Warden, a highly acclaimed actor of his time, was born on September 18, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey. Known for his gruff voice and tough-as-nails approach to his roles, Warden made a significant mark in Hollywood with a career spanning over five decades. Before stepping into the acting world, he had a rather unconventional background that included boxing as a welterweight and serving in the US Navy during World War II. His transition from the military to the stage occurred after he joined an acting company as part of a rehabilitation program. Warden's acting career took flight on Broadway, but he gained widespread recognition after his foray into television and film. He was most notable for his roles in 12 Angry Men (1957) and Shampoo (1975), which earned him Academy Award nominations. Despite these high-profile roles, Warden was not one to be typecast, showcasing his versatility across a range of genres from dramas to comedies. A testament to his talent was his two Emmy Awards for his performance in the television series Brian's Song (1971) and The Bad News Bears (1979). Jack Warden left a lasting legacy when he passed away on July 19, 2006. His contribution to the entertainment industry is evidenced by his extensive body of work which includes over 100 film and TV credits. Through his performances, Warden has shown an ability to capture complex characters, often bringing a depth and authenticity that resonates with audiences. His enduring impact on Hollywood serves as a reminder of his unique talent and unyielding dedication to his craft.
- Respiratory diseaseAcademy Award winner Malcolm Arnold was recognized throughout Hollywood for his amazing work as a musician. Arnold began his entertainment career with his music featured in films like "Your Witness" (1950), "You Know What Sailors Are" (1954) and the comedy "The Belles of St. Trinian's" (1954) with Alastair Sim. His music also appeared in "The Sleeping Tiger" (1954) with Alexis Smith, "Hobson's Choice" (1954) with Charles Laughton and the Googie Withers dramatic sports film "Devil on Horseback" (1954). In the fifties, Arnold's music continued to appear on the silver screen, including in films like the drama "Trapeze" (1956) with Burt Lancaster, the drama "Hell in Korea" (1956) with George Baker and "1984" (1956) with Edmond O'Brien. His work was also in the Pier Angeli drama "Port Afrique" (1956). Arnold won a Music (Scoring) Academy Award for "The Bridge on the River Kwai" in 1957. Arnold's music was also featured in the Peter Finch dramatic adaptation "No Love For Johnnie" (1961), the Hayley Mills dramatic adaptation "Whistle Down the Wind" (1961) and the drama "Lisa" (1962) with Stephen Boyd. His music was also featured in the Horst Buchholz dramatic adaptation "Nine Hours to Rama" (1963) and "The Thin Red Line" (1964). Most recently, Arnold appeared on "The Complete History of the U.S. Navy SEALS" (History, 1999-2000). Arnold passed away in September 2006 at the age of 85.
John Symonds
John Symonds (12 March 1914, Battersea, London – 21 October 2006) was an English novelist, biographer, playwright and writer of children's books.- Iris M. Ovshinsky (July 13, 1927 – August 16, 2006) was an American businesswoman and scientist, and the co-founder of Energy Conversion Devices with her husband Stanford R. Ovshinsky, serving as its Vice President from its founding in 1960 until her death. Born Iris L. Miroy in New York City, she earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from Swarthmore College in 1947, a master's degree in biology from the University of Michigan in 1950, and doctorate in biochemistry in 1960 from Boston University. She was first married to Andrew Dibner, with whom she had a son, Steven, and a daughter, Robin. Following her 1959 divorce from Dibner, she married Ovshinsky in 1962; the marriage brought her three stepsons, Ben, Harvey, and Dale. Mr. Ovshinsky was a prolific inventor, credited with inventing the nickel metal hydride battery, and amorphous materials used in a variety of products from flexible solar panels to rewritable CDs and DVDs. Disagreeing with his wife's downplaying of her contributions throughout their careers, Stan said she was a partner in everything they did, "a colleague and collaborator in my scientific activity. She's just too damn modest."Ovshinsky briefly appears in Who Killed the Electric Car? the documentary film which explores the creation, limited commercialization, and subsequent destruction of the battery electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s. Ovshinsky died on August 16, 2006, aged 79, having suffered a myocardial infarction while swimming near her home in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan.
- Frances Bergen was an American actress who appeared in "The Morning After," "The Sting II," and "The Muppets Take Manhattan."
- SuicideRichard W. "Ric" Weiland (April 21, 1953 – June 24, 2006) was a computer software pioneer, programmer and philanthropist. He was the second employee at Microsoft Corporation, joining the company during his final year at Stanford University. At 35, he left Microsoft to focus his time on investment management and philanthropy, becoming a quiet but well-respected donor to the LGBTQ social justice movement, the environment, health and human services, and education. After his death, the Chronicle of Philanthropy called Ric's bequest the 11th largest charitable gift in the nation with more than $165 million distributed between 20 nonprofit beneficiaries.
- Lorne Saxberg (August 6, 1958 – May 6, 2006) was a Canadian television journalist and one of many on-air anchors on CBC Newsworld. Saxberg was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario and joined the CBC's radio arm. As host of Ontario Morning in the late 1980s, he was known for his keen mind, calm demeanour, and melodious voice. "He had a full, rich voice not often heard in modern radio," said Canadian freelance broadcaster James Careless, who worked with Saxberg at Ontario Morning. "He was truly a class act both on and off the air."Saxberg left Ontario Morning to become one of the original CBC Newsworld TV anchors from the latter's start in 1989. Saxberg served with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for 27 years and was popular with news audiences. He was also an active volunteer with the Canadian Media Guild. Saxberg received an Edward R. Murrow Award for his work on the 2005 coverage of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Saxberg took a leave of absence from CBC Newsworld to work at Japan's NHK public broadcaster as a trainer and announcer from 2004. He died in a snorkeling accident in Phuket, Thailand, where he was on vacation. He was 47 years old.Ken Becker, a Newsworld producer who worked with Saxberg, said: "He was the consummate pro and an exceptional journalist...When he was in the anchor chair, you knew you could throw Lorne any story – from the outbreak of war to the birth of a panda at the zoo – and he'd deliver it to the viewer with exactly the right tone." "He brought to every story a vast knowledge on nearly every subject, a reporter's curiosity and an appreciation of fine writing," Becker said. Once, following a report on the Russian precursor of Naked News, Saxberg began to remove his tie as he ended the newscast.
- Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Bone cancerPeter Boyle, a name that resonates with power and charisma in the world of entertainment, was an American actor whose career spanned over four decades. Born on October 18, 1935, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Boyle had a humble upbringing that played a key role in shaping his versatile acting skills. He initially pursued a contrasting path as a Christian Brother, a Catholic religious order, before his passion for acting led him to leave the monastery and study drama under Uta Hagen, a renowned German-American acting teacher. Boyle made his mark in Hollywood with his breakthrough performance in the 1970 film Joe, where he portrayed a bigoted New York City factory worker. His portrayal of such a complex character showcased his ability to dive deep into the human psyche, earning him critical acclaim. Boyle's versatility was further demonstrated when he successfully transitioned from this serious role to the comedic character of the Frankenstein monster in Mel Brooks' 1974 hit Young Frankenstein. His unforgettable performance of "Puttin' on the Ritz" remains one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. Boyle continued to shine in the latter part of his career, most notably as the grumpy father figure Frank Barone in the long-running CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. This role earned him multiple Emmy nominations and further solidified his place in the annals of TV history. A dedicated family man, Boyle was married to Loraine Alterman Boyle, with whom he shared two daughters. In 2006, the entertainment industry mourned the loss of this gifted actor, who passed away at the age of 71. Despite his physical absence, Peter Boyle's legacy continues to live on through his remarkable body of work.
- Anthony J. Adducci ( August 14, 1937 – September 19, 2006) was a pioneer of the medical device industry in Minnesota. He is best known for co-founding Guidant Corp. precursor Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., now part of Boston Scientific, the company that manufactured the world's first lithium battery powered artificial pacemaker. The lithium-iodide cell is now the standard cell for pacemakers, having the energy density, low self-discharge, small size and reliability needed.
- Myocardial infarctionEric Rofes (August 31, 1954 – June 26, 2006) was a gay activist, educator, and author. He was a director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in the 1980s. In 1989, he became executive director of the Shanti Project, a nonprofit AIDS service organization. He was a professor of Education at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, and served on the board of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. He wrote or edited twelve books. One of his last projects was co-creating "Gay Men's Health Leadership Academies" to combat what he saw as a "pathology-focused understanding of gay men" in safe-sex education.
- Natural causesWhile few details of Al Lewis's beginnings are agreed upon, owing to his penchant for telling tall tales, what is verifiable is that he was a beloved character actor who is remembered mainly for his role as the endearing elderly vampire, Grandpa, on the TV sitcom "The Munsters" (1964-66). So whether or not his birth name was Albert or Alexander Meister, the actor was born in Brooklyn, the son of Eastern European immigrant garment workers, and started on the vaudeville stage and on Broadway in the late '50s. He was cast as Machine Gun Manny in the '60 feature gangster film "Pretty Boy Floyd" just as he was becoming better known as a comic actor on television's "The Phil Silvers Show" and the wildly popular cop sitcom "Car 54, Where Are You?," starring Fred Gwynne, with whom he later appeared in "The Munsters." Other notable roles for Lewis include the acclaimed drama "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" ('69) and the film remake of "Car 54, Where Are You?" ('94). Lewis was also highly political and often appeared on Howard Stern's controversial radio programs advocating free speech. A year after appearing in the low-buget film "Night Terror," Lewis fell into a period of ill health and died at the age of 82.
- Cardiovascular diseaseGlenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler Jr. ( SHEM-bek-lər; April 1, 1929 – November 17, 2006) was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8. Only Nick Saban, Joe Paterno and Tom Osborne have recorded 200 victories in fewer games as a coach in major college football. In his 21 seasons as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Schembechler's teams amassed a record of 194–48–5 and won or shared 13 Big Ten Conference titles. Though his Michigan teams never won a national championship, in all but one season they finished ranked, and 16 times they placed in the final top ten of both major polls. Schembechler played college football as a tackle at Miami University, where in 1949 and 1950 he was coached by Woody Hayes, for whom he served as an assistant coach at Ohio State University in 1952 and from 1958 to 1962. In his first ten years at Michigan, Schembechler's teams squared off in a fierce rivalry against Hayes's Buckeyes squads. During that stretch in the Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, dubbed the "Ten-Year War," Hayes and Schembechler's teams won or shared the Big Ten Conference crown every season and usually each placed in the national rankings. In 1988, Schembechler assumed the role of athletic director at Michigan, succeeding Don Canham, the man who hired him as football coach in 1969. Schembechler retired as head football coach after the 1989 season. His longtime assistants, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, helmed the team for the next 18 years. Schembechler left the University of Michigan in 1990 to take a job as president of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers, which he held until 1992. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1993. During his later years, Schembechler remained in Southeast Michigan and hosted a sports radio show. He died in 2006 at the age of 77 on the eve of that year's Michigan–Ohio State football game, a historic No. 1 versus No. 2 showdown.
- StrokeIan Gilmour Scott, (July 13, 1934 – October 10, 2006) was a Canadian politician and lawyer in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1992 who represented the downtown Toronto ridings of St. David and St. George—St. David. He was a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson serving as Attorney General of Ontario and Solicitor General. Along with Robert Nixon and Sean Conway he was considered to be "the intellectual heart and soul" of the Peterson cabinet.
- Myocardial infarctionParavoor Govindan Devarajan, popularly known as G. Devarajan or Devarajan master, was an Indian music composer. He is considered one of the greatest music directors in Indian film music arena. He scored music for more than three hundred Malayalam films, many dramas, and twenty Tamil and four Kannada movies. Many of his compositions remain ever green classics in Malayalam. His music in the Tamil film Annai Velankanni has received many accolades. Devarajan received Kerala Government's Best Music Director award five times, among other honours.
- Cancer, Multiple myelomaMiklós "Mickey" Hargitay (January 6, 1926 – September 14, 2006) was a Hungarian-American actor and the 1955 Mr. Universe. Born in Budapest, Hargitay moved to the United States in 1947, where he eventually became a citizen. He was married to actress Jayne Mansfield, and is the father of actress Mariska Hargitay. During their marriage, Hargitay and Mansfield made four movies together: Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), The Loves of Hercules (1960), Promises! Promises! (1963), and L'Amore Primitivo (1964).
- Traffic collision, Bike accidentAudrey Kathryn Lindvall (August 11, 1982 – August 2, 2006) was an American model. She was the sister of supermodel Angela Lindvall, and the former face of Coach and Ann Taylor.
- Infectious disease, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcal infectionJack Thomas Snow (January 25, 1943 – January 9, 2006) was an American football player who played wide receiver at the University of Notre Dame from 1962 through 1964 and with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL from 1965 to 1975.
- Heart failure, AIDSWilliam Roscoe Leake (April 12, 1961 – September 2, 2006), better known as Willi Ninja, was an American dancer and choreographer best known for his appearance in the documentary film Paris is Burning.Ninja, a gay man known as the godfather of voguing, was a fixture of ball culture at Harlem's drag balls who took inspiration from sources as far-flung as Fred Astaire and the world of haute couture to develop a unique style of dance and movement. He caught the attention of Paris is Burning director Jennie Livingston, who featured Ninja prominently in the film. The film, a critical and box office success, served as a springboard for Ninja. He parlayed his appearance into performances with a number of dance troupes and choreography gigs. The film also documents the origins of "voguing", a dance style in which competing ball-walkers freeze and "pose" in glamorous positions (as if being photographed for the cover of Vogue magazine). In 1989, Ninja starred in the music video for Malcolm McLaren's song "Deep in Vogue", which sampled the then-unfinished movie and brought Ninja's style to the mainstream. One year after this, Madonna released her number one song "Vogue", bringing further attention to the dancing style.
- Christiaan Karel Appel (pronounced [ˈkrɪstijaːn ˈkaːrəl ˈɑpəl] (listen); 25 April 1921 – 3 May 2006) was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet. He started painting at the age of fourteen and studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in the 1940s. He was one of the founders of the avant-garde movement Cobra in 1948. He was also an avid sculptor and has had works featured in MoMA and other museums worldwide.
William Rubin
William Rubin was the director of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art, which he first joined in 1967.- Cardiac arrestJames Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer and rapper who emerged in the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as one third of the acclaimed music group Slum Village. His obituary at NPR stated that he "was one of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists," working with notable acts including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, The Roots, The Pharcyde, Madlib and Common.
- StrokeJohn Dennis Profumo, ( prə-FEW-moh; 30 January 1915 – 9 March 2006) was a British politician whose career ended in 1963 after a sexual relationship with the 19-year-old model Christine Keeler in 1961. The scandal, which became known as the Profumo affair, led to his resignation from the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan. After his resignation, Profumo worked as a volunteer at Toynbee Hall, a charity in East London, and became its chief fundraiser. These charitable activities helped to restore his reputation and he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1975.
- Cardiovascular diseaseStanisław Herman Lem (Polish: [staˈɲiswaf ˈlɛm] (listen); 12 or 13 September 1921 – 27 March 2006) was a Polish writer of science fiction, philosophy, and satire, and a trained physician. Lem's books have been translated into 41 languages and have sold over 45 million copies. From the 1950s to 2000s, he published many books, both science fiction and philosophical/futurological. He is best known as the author of the 1961 novel Solaris, which has been made into a feature film three times. In 1976, Theodore Sturgeon wrote that Lem was the most widely read science fiction writer in the world.Lem's works explore philosophical themes through speculation on technology, the nature of intelligence, the impossibility of communication with and understanding of alien intelligence, despair about human limitations, and humanity's place in the universe. They are sometimes presented as fiction, but others are in the form of essays or philosophical books. Translating his works is difficult due to passages with elaborate word formation, idiomatic wordplay, alien or robotic poetry, and puns.
- Myocardial infarctionSlobodan Milošević (; Serbo-Croatian: [slobǒdan milǒːʃeʋitɕ] (listen); Serbian Cyrillic: Слободан Милошевић; 20 August 1941 – 11 March 2006) was a Yugoslav and Serbian politician who served as the President of Serbia (originally the Socialist Republic of Serbia, a constituent republic within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) from 1989 to 1997 and President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000. He led the Socialist Party of Serbia from its foundation in 1990 and rose to power as Serbian President during efforts to reform the 1974 Constitution of Yugoslavia in response to the marginalization of Serbia and its political incapacity to deter Albanian separatist unrest in the Serbian province of Kosovo. Milošević's presidency of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was marked by several major reforms to Serbia's constitution from the 1980s to the 1990s that reduced the powers of the autonomous provinces in Serbia. In 1990 Serbia transitioned from a Titoist one-party system to a multi-party system and attempted reforms to the 1974 Constitution of Yugoslavia. The constituent republics of the country split apart amid the outbreak of wars, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was founded by the former SFRY republics of Serbia and Montenegro. Milošević negotiated the Dayton Agreement on behalf of the Bosnian Serbs, which ended the Bosnian War in 1995. During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, Milošević was charged by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) with war crimes in connection to the wars in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo. Milošević resigned from the Yugoslav presidency amid demonstrations following the disputed presidential election of 24 September 2000, and he was arrested by Yugoslav federal authorities on 31 March 2001 on suspicion of corruption, abuse of power, and embezzlement. The initial investigation into Milošević faltered for lack of evidence, prompting the Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić to extradite him to the ICTY to stand trial for charges of war crimes instead. At the outset of the trial, Milošević denounced the Tribunal as illegal because it had not been established with the consent of the United Nations General Assembly; therefore he refused to appoint counsel for his defence. Milošević conducted his own defence in the five-year-long trial, which ended without a verdict when he died in his prison cell in The Hague on 11 March 2006. Milošević suffered from heart ailments and hypertension, and died of a heart attack. The Tribunal denied any responsibility for Milošević's death and stated that he had refused to take prescribed medicines and medicated himself instead.After Milošević's death, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded separately in the Bosnian Genocide Case that there was no evidence linking him to genocide committed by Bosnian Serb forces during the Bosnian War. However, the Court did find that Milošević and others in Serbia had committed a breach of the Genocide Convention by failing to prevent the genocide from occurring and for not cooperating with the ICTY in punishing the perpetrators of the genocide, in particular General Ratko Mladić, and for violating its obligation to comply with the provisional measures ordered by the Court. Milošević's rule has been described by observers as authoritarian or autocratic.
Wallace Potts
LymphomaWallace Potts (4 February 1947 – 29 June 2006) was an American film director, screenwriter, and archivist. He is best known for his work as the research archivist for the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation in Bath, England, from 1993 until his death in 2006.- Cardiovascular disease, CardiomyopathyChris Penn, born on October 10, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, was an American actor renowned for his roles in several critically acclaimed films. Born to director Leo Penn and actress Eileen Ryan, he hails from a family rich in Hollywood pedigree, with his elder brother Sean Penn being an award-winning actor and younger brother Michael Penn a successful musician. Chris Penn's acting journey commenced in the late 1970s, following which he carved out a robust career spanning nearly three decades. Penn was known for his versatility and ability to play varied characters. He showcased this talent in an array of genres, from drama to comedy to action. His breakthrough role came in 1983 with All the Right Moves, where he starred alongside Tom Cruise. However, it was his memorable performance as Nice Guy Eddie Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's classic Reservoir Dogs in 1992 that cemented his place in cinematic history. Penn's other notable films include Footloose (1984), Mulholland Falls (1996), and Rush Hour (1998). Despite his success in film, Penn's life contained its share of struggles. He battled weight issues and endured personal hardships, all of which reflected in his performances, adding depth to his characters. Penn passed away prematurely at the age of 40 on January 24, 2006.
- Lethal injection, Capital punishmentAngel Maturino Reséndiz (August 1, 1959 – June 27, 2006), also known as The Railroad Killer/The Railway Killer/The Railcar Killer, was an itinerant serial killer suspected in as many as 23 murders across the United States and Mexico during the 1990s. Some also involved sexual assault. He became known as "The Railroad (or Railway) Killer" as most of his crimes were committed near railroads where he had jumped off the trains he was using to travel about the country. On June 21, 1999, he briefly became the 457th fugitive listed by the FBI on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list before surrendering to the Texas authorities on July 13, 1999. He was convicted of murder and was executed by lethal injection. Reséndiz had many aliases but was chiefly known and sought after as Rafael Resendez-Ramirez. One of his aliases, Ángel Reyes Reséndiz, was very close to the name Ángel Leoncio Reyes Recendis listed on his birth certificate. He was born in Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico.
- CancerJohn Stanley Wojtowicz (March 9, 1945 – January 2, 2006) was an American bank robber whose story inspired the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon.
- Robert C. Baker (December 29, 1921 – March 13, 2006) was an inventor and Cornell University professor. He invented the chicken nugget as well as many other poultry-related inventions. Due to his contributions to the poultry sciences, he is a member of the American Poultry Hall of Fame.
- Motor neuron diseaseHarry Edson Browne (June 17, 1933 – March 1, 2006) was an American writer, politician, and investment advisor. He was the Libertarian Party's Presidential nominee in the U.S. elections of 1996 and 2000. He is the author of 12 books that in total have sold more than 2 million copies.
- Alzheimer's diseaseGerard Kornelis van het Reve (14 December 1923 – 8 April 2006) was a Dutch writer. He started writing as Simon van het Reve and adopted the shorter Gerard Reve [ˈɣeːrɑrt ˈreːvə] in 1973. Together with Willem Frederik Hermans and Harry Mulisch, he is considered one of the "Great Three" (De Grote Drie) of Dutch post-war literature. His 1981 novel De vierde man (The Fourth Man) was the basis for Paul Verhoeven's 1983 film. Reve was one of the first homosexual authors to come out in the Netherlands. He often wrote explicitly about erotic attraction, sexual relations and intercourse between men, which many readers considered shocking. However, he did this in an ironic, humorous and recognizable way, which contributed to making homosexuality acceptable for many of his readers. Another main theme, often in combination with eroticism, was religion. Reve himself declared that the primary message in all of his work was salvation from the material world we live in. Gerard Reve was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was the brother of the Slavicist and essayist Karel van het Reve, who became a staunch anti-communist in his own way; the personal rapport between the brothers was not good. They broke up altogether in the 1980s.
Alan Freeman
Alan Leslie Freeman, MBE (6 July 1927 – 27 November 2006), sometimes nicknamed "Fluff", was an Australian-born British disc jockey and radio personality in the United Kingdom for 40 years, best known for presenting Pick of the Pops from 1961 to 2000.Jerry Brudos
Jerome Henry "Jerry" Brudos (January 31, 1939 – March 28, 2006) was an American serial killer and necrophile who committed the murders of at least four women in Oregon between 1968 and 1969.- StrokeOleg Cassini was an actor who appeared in "As the World Turns," and "The Hollywood Fashion Machine."
Paris Theodore
Multiple sclerosisParis Theodore (January 9, 1943 – November 16, 2006) was an American inventor of gun holsters and firearms and shooting techniques used by government agents and police departments in the U.S. and abroad, as well as by the fictional James Bond.Nadarajah Raviraj
Firearm, AssassinationNadarajah Raviraj (Tamil: நடராஜா ரவிராஜ், romanized: naṭarājā ravirāj, [n̪əɖəˈɾ̪aːdʒaː ˈɾ̪əviɾ̪aːdʒ]; 25 June 1962 – 10 November 2006) was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and politician. He was Mayor of Jaffna in 2001 and a Member of Parliament for Jaffna District from 2001 to 2006. A member of the Tamil National Alliance, he was shot dead on 10 November 2006 in Colombo.- Traffic collisionGianclaudio Giuseppe Regazzoni (5 September 1939 – 15 December 2006), commonly called "Clay", was a Swiss racing driver. He competed in Formula One races from 1970 to 1980, winning five Grands Prix. His first win was the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in his debut season, driving for Ferrari. He remained with the Italian team until 1972. After a single season with BRM, Regazzoni returned to Ferrari for a further three years, 1974 to 1976. After finally leaving Ferrari at the end of 1976, Regazzoni joined the Ensign and Shadow teams, before moving to Williams in 1979, where he took the British team's first ever Grand Prix victory, the 1979 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He was replaced by Carlos Reutemann at Williams for 1980 and moved back to Ensign. Following an accident at the 1980 United States Grand Prix West he was left paralyzed from the waist down, ending his career in Formula One. Regazzoni did not stop racing, however; he competed in the Paris-Dakar rally and Sebring 12 hours using a hand controlled car during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1996, Regazzoni became a commentator for Italian TV. He was known as a hard charging racer; Jody Scheckter stated that if "he'd been a cowboy he'd have been the one in the black hat." Regazzoni died in a car accident in Italy on 15 December 2006.
- CancerRobert Long (22 October 1943 in Utrecht as Jan Gerrit Bob Arend (Bob) Leverman – 13 December 2006 in Antwerp) was a Dutch singer and television presenter.
Parami Kulatunga
AssassinationLieutenant General Parami Sugandika Bandara Kulatunga, RSP, VSV, USP, GW (Sinhala:පාරමී කුලතුංග) (9 October 1951 in Kandy – 26 June 2006 †) was a Sri Lankan general. He was serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and its third highest-ranking officer. at the time of his assassination. On the morning of 26 June, he was killed by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber who drove an explosives laden motorbike into his staff car as it was driving to a military base at Pannipitiya near Colombo.- Myocardial infarction, LeukemiaDonald Delbert Jardine (24 March 1940 – 16 December 2006) was a Canadian professional wrestler best known for his masked gimmick as The Spoiler. While a major star in various wrestling promotions, Jardine saw his greatest successes in the National Wrestling Alliance affiliated territories of Championship Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling and Big Time Wrestling, which would eventually become known as World Class Championship Wrestling, from the early 1960s through the mid 1980s.
- Diabetes mellitusDavid Emmett Cockrum (; November 11, 1943 – November 26, 2006) was an American comics artist known for his co-creation of the new X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus. Cockrum was a prolific and inventive costume designer who updated the uniforms of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He did the same for the new X-Men and many of their antagonists in the 1970s and early 1980s.
- AccidentPeter Geoffrey Brock (26 February 1945 – 8 September 2006), otherwise known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain", or simply "Brocky", was one of Australia's best-known and most successful motor racing drivers. Brock was most often associated with Holden for almost 40 years, although he raced vehicles of other manufacturers including BMW, Ford, Volvo, Porsche and Peugeot. He won the Bathurst 1000 endurance race nine times, the Sandown 500 touring car race nine times, the Australian Touring Car Championship three times, the Bathurst 24 Hour once and was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2001. Brock's business activities included the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) that produced Brock's racing machines as well as a number of modified high-performance road versions of his racing cars.
Louis R. Vitullo
Louis R. Vitullo (1924? – January 3, 2006) was a Chicago police sergeant and later became chief microanalyst at the city's crime lab. He is best known as the first person to standardize evidence collection in cases of sexual assault, which until then was not done in a systematic fashion. The resulting evidence kits were initially called Vitullo kits and continued to be known as such even after his name was officially removed from them. They are now more commonly known as sexual assault evidence kits (SAEK) or rape kits for short.- Oral cancerJack Wild (30 September 1952 – 1 March 2006) was an English actor and singer, best known for his debut role as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! (1968), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor as well as Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Wild is also known for his roles as Jimmy in the NBC children's television series H.R. Pufnstuf (1969) and in the accompanying 1970 feature film as well as Much the Miller's Son in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).
Karl Engel
Karl Engel was a Swiss pianist. In 1952 Engel was awarded the second prize at the Queen Elisabeth competition. Throughout his concert career he cultivated the art song repertory and worked extensively on works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann. He also held a professorship at Musikhochschule Hannover for three decades. Engel was a student of Paul Baumgartner at the Basel Conservatory from 1942 to 1945. After World War II he studied with Alfred Cortot at the École Normale de Musique de Paris in 1947-1948. In 1952 he won 2nd prize at the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition in Brussels. Karl Engel toured internationally as a soloist with orchestras, a recitalist and a chamber music performer. He became particularly known for his complete cycles of Mozart piano concertos 1974-1976, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Leopold Hager and sonatas, and the Beethoven Piano Sonatas. His performances of complete piano works of Robert Schumann during the 1970s were highly esteemed. He also distinguished himself as an accompanist, often appearing in Lieder recitals with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hermann Prey, Peter Schreier and Brigitte Fassbaender.- Traffic collisionHeather Bratton (June 25, 1987 – July 22, 2006) was an American fashion model, who was known in the mid-2000s as a promising teenage fashion model.
Richard Boston
Richard Boston (29 December 1938 – 22 December 2006) was an English journalist and author, a rigorous dissenter and a belligerent pacifist. An anarchist, toper, raconteur, marathon runner and practical joker, he described his pastimes as "soothsaying, shelling peas and embroidery" and argued that Adam and Eve were the first anarchists: "God gave them only one order and they promptly broke it".- Myocardial infarctionSaparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (Turkmen: Saparmyrat Ataýewiç Nyýazow, Cyrillic: Сапармырат Атаевич Ныязов; 19 February 1940 – 21 December 2006) was a Turkmen politician who served as the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was First Secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt. He continued to lead Turkmenistan for 15 years after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Turkmen media referred to him using the title "His Excellency Saparmurat Türkmenbaşy, President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers". His self-given title Türkmenbaşy, meaning Head of the Turkmen, referred to his position as the founder and president of the Association of Turkmens of the World. In 1999, the Assembly of Turkmenistan declared Niyazov President for Life of Turkmenistan. In his time, he was one of the world's most totalitarian, despotic and repressive dictators. He promoted a cult of personality around himself and imposed his personal eccentricities upon the country, such as renaming Turkmen months and days of the week to references of his autobiography the Ruhnama. He made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. In 2005, he closed down all rural libraries and hospitals outside of the capital city Ashgabat, in a country where at that time more than half the population lived in rural areas, once stating that, "If people are ill, they can come to Ashgabat." Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Global Witness, a London-based human rights organisation, reported that money under Niyazov's control and held overseas may be in excess of US$3 billion, of which between $1.8–$2.6 billion was allegedly situated in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund at Deutsche Bank in Germany.
- John Dean "Jeff" Cooper was a United States Marine, the creator of the "modern technique" of handgun shooting, and an expert on the use and history of small arms.
- Surgical complications, Lung cancerTony Jay was an English actor who appeared in "Beauty and the Beast," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Twins
Bill Meistrell
Parkinson's disease- Surgical complicationsClifford James Geertz ( (listen); August 23, 1926 – October 30, 2006) was an American anthropologist who is remembered mostly for his strong support for and influence on the practice of symbolic anthropology, and who was considered "for three decades...the single most influential cultural anthropologist in the United States." He served until his death as professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton.
