And as the year comes to a close, we remember those who made their mark on Tinseltown before being laid to rest in recent months.
Undoubtedly one of the most influential men of all time was Steve Jobs, whose contributions to technology and inventiveness will continue to affect the human race for decades, if not centuries to come. Mr. Jobs was the co-founder of Apple and the mastermind behind groundbreaking products like the iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTunes and both laptop and desktop computers. Steve passed away on October 5, 2011.
The pop music world was dealt a tragic blow when Amy Winehouse was discovered dead on July 23, 2011 at her home in Camden, London, England. Winehouse had a well-known history of drug and alcohol addiction that she battled with varying success over the years, while still putting out beautifully creative music. Her father Mitch Winehouse founded the Amy Winehouse Foundation in her memory, and Amy’s first posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures hit stores earlier this month.
And on March 23, 2011 longtime movie star, fashion designer, and activist Elizabeth Taylor passed away at age 79. Ms. Taylor was prolific in her film career, got married 8 times to seven husbands, had four children, and was active in AIDS-related causes in her latter years. Elizabeth continues to be one of the most highly-regarded actresses and humanitarians even after her death.
Over the past 12 months we’ve also said goodbye to “Grease” actor Jeff Conaway, race car driver Dan Wheldon, former First Lady and humanitarian Betty Ford, boxing champ Joe Frazier, musician Clarence Clemons, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” personality Uncle Frank, “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn, actor Andy Whitfield, musician Heavy D, rocker Jani Lane, rapper Nate Dogg, actor James Arness, and radio and television personality Andy Rooney. They will all be dearly missed.
