Remembering the Celebrities We Lost in 2009

As 2009 draws to a close and a new year arrives, I like to pay tribute to the celebrities we lost in 2009:

Walter Cronkite, anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981. He was dubbed "The Most Trusted Man in America" He worked with CBS for over 50 years.
The historic news events during Cronkite's run on the CBS Evening News: The assasination of JFK in 1963, the Vietnam War, the Watergate Scandal in 1973. He did election coverage for the network.

Senator Ted Kennedy was a political lion. The Kennedy family had suffered losses of family members over the years. John F. Kennedy died in 1963, John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1999, Jackie Onassis in 1994, and Eunice Kennedy in 2009.

Patrick Swayze made women swoon when he starred in the 1987 movie, "Dirty Dancing". He also starred in movie hits "Ghost", "Red Dawn" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar".

The music world was shocked to hear the passing of "the King of Pop"-Michael Jackson. MJ changed the face of music forever with million sellers--"Beat It", "Thriller", "Bad" and "Billie Jean". He started singing with his brothers in the early 1970s--the Jackson 5. He inspired millions of dancers with his famous moonwalk and other dances. Jackson's music videos were events and must see.

Les Paul, guitarist, inspired many guitarists. His guitar playing was unlike any other. Gibson makes the famous guitars named after him. He had recording hits with his then wife Mary Ford in the early 1950s.

John Hughes directed movie classics from the 1980s: "The Breakfast Club", "Pretty in Pink" and "Sixteen Candles". Those movies were popular with teens in the '80s.

Natasha Richardson, famed Broadway and movie actress, delighted audiences with her beauty, her personality and her singing.

Farrah Fawcett died on the same day as Michael Jackson. She made a name for herself when she starred in the 1970s television series, "Charlie's Angels". Her famous poster made teenage boys and men fall in love with her. In 1983, she starred in the classic television movie "The Burning Bed" where she played an abused wife and mother. In the final years of her life, she suffered from cancer. Fans and celebrity friends prayed for her recovery. She was married to actor Ryan O' Neal.

Ed McMahon was Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on the "Tonight Show" from 1962 to 1992. He hosted a talent show titled "Star Search" that introduced us to some of today's hottest stars, Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Rosie O' Donnell, Brad Garrett, Dave Chappelle, Drew Carey, Martin Lawrence and many others.

David Carradine starred in the classic television series "Kung Fu". He also starred in Quentin Taratino's "Kill Bill" movies.

Bea Arthur made us laugh as Maude in the 1970s and Dorothy on the "Golden Girls" in the 1980s.

Last week, we were shocked to hear the passing of actress Brittany Murphy at the age of 32. She got her big break in the movie "Clueless". She played Eminem's girlfriend in the 2001 movie "8 Mile". She was the voice of Luann on the animated TV show "King of the Hill"

These talented people will be sorely missed but their work will live on forever. We will always remember them whenever we watched them on TV or listened to their songs on the radio. Let's hope 2010 will have fewer celebrity deaths.

Have a safe and happy new year!!!