DJ E-Z Rock was 46.  He was one half of the rap duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock who had hits with "It Takes Two" and "Joy and Pain".

Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter was 76.  He was the former professional boxer who became an advocate for the wrongly convicted after spending 19 years in prison for a triple murder he didn't commit. Carter's struggle for freedom and exoneration was made famous in a number of books, a Bob Dylan song

The Ultimate Warrior was 54.  He was the wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) from 1987 to 1991 and again in 1992 and 1996.

Mickey Rooney was 93.  He was the actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances spanned nearly his entire lifetime.

David Brenner was 78.  He was the lanky, toothy-grinned "Tonight Show" favorite whose brand of observational comedy became a staple for other standups, including Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reiser.

Harold Ramis was 69.  He was the actor, writer and director best known for Meatballs, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Analyze This.  He was also the original head writer of SCTV and one of three screenwriters for National Lampoon's Animal House.

Jim Fregosi was 71.  He was the former Blue Jays manager and all-star shortstop who managed the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1993 World Series.

Ralph Waite was 85.  He was the actor best known as John Walton Sr. on the warmhearted 1970s TV series The Waltons.

Sid Caesar was 91.  He was the comedic actor best known for the television series Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, and as Coach Calhoun in Grease.

Shirley Temple was 85.  She was the dimpled, curly-haired child star who sang, danced, sobbed and grinned her way into the hearts of Depression-era moviegoers.

Ralph Kiner was 91.  He hit 369 home runs during his 10-year career, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He won or tied for the National League lead in homers in each of his first seven seasons.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was 46.  He was the actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Capote but was always amazing. Seriously.  He was fantastic in Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, Happiness, Magnolia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Almost Famous, Punch-Drunk Love, 25th Hour, Owning Mahowny, Charlie Wilson's War,

Pete Seeger was 94.  He was the singer, folk-song collector and songwriter who spearheaded an American folk revival and spent a long career championing folk music as both a vital heritage and a catalyst for social change.  Seeger's best known songs include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," "Turn! Turn!

Dave Madden was 82.  He played the role of Reuben Kincaid, the band's manager in The Partridge Family.  He was born in Sarnia, Ontario.

Russell Johnson was 89.  He was best known for playing the brainy Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan's Island.

Ariel Sharon was 85.  He was one of the most influential figures in Israel’s history, a military commander and political leader who at the height of his power redrew the country’s electoral map only to suffer a severe stroke from which he never recovered.

Phil Everly was 74.  He and his brother Don were the Everly Brothers, an influential harmony duo who recorded the hits Wake Up Little Susie, Bye Bye Love and All I Have to Do Is Dream.

James Avery was 68.  He was the actor most famous for his role as the judge "Uncle Phil" Banks in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He also voiced the villain Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Peter O'Toole was 81.  He was the actor who found stardom in David Lean's masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia.

Nelson Mandela was 95.  He endured 27 years in prison before winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and becoming South Africa's first president from 1994 to 1999.

Lou Reed was 71.  His band the Velvet Underground became one of the most influential in rock by fusing art and music in collaboration with artist Andy Warhol in 1960s New York. Seven years ago I wrote about my late discovery of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground when I

Tom Clancy was 66.  He was the author best known for his technically detailed espionage and military science storylines that are set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War.  The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears all become

Dave Nichol was 73.  He was the popular pitchman for the Loblaws grocery store chain in Canada.  He brought us the delicious Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie and the "Memories of" products.