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.

Ken Norton Sr. was 70.  He was the former heavyweight boxing champion who defeated Muhammad Ali in 1973.

Tommy Morrison was 44.  He was the boxer who beat George Foreman in 1993 to win the WBO heavyweight title.  He later had a starring role in "Rocky V" alongside Sylvester Stallone.

Elmore Leonard was 87.  He was the author of 45 novels including classic thrillers such as Get Shorty, Rum Punch, Maximum Bob and Out of Sight.

Shawn Burr was 47.  He played the bulk of his 16-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings scoring 181 goals and 440 points in 878 regular-season games.

JJ Cale was 74.  Over the years, Eric Clapton recorded several of his compositions including “After Midnight”, "I'll Make Love To You Anytime”, “Travelin’ Light”, "Angel" and "Cocaine" which remains a Clapton concert staple to this day.

Helen Thomas was 92.  She was the first woman to join the White House Correspondents' Association, and the first woman to serve as its president. Her career covering the White House dated back to the Kennedy administration.

Cory Monteith was 31.  He played the character Finn Hudson on the hit TV series Glee.

Jean Stapleton was 90.  She was best known for her portrayal of Edith Bunker, the long-suffering, yet devoted wife of Archie Bunker and mother of Gloria Stivic, on the 1970s situation comedy All in the Family.

Henry Morgentaler was 90.  He was the family doctor who led the abortion movement in Canada.  He was one of the key players in the 1988 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that declared the law prohibiting abortion unconstitutional.

Ray Manzarek was 74.  He was a founding member and keyboardist of 1960s rock group The Doors.

Joyce Brothers was 85.  She was the pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long and prolific career as a syndicated columnist, author, and television and film personality.

Peter Worthington was 86.  He was a journalist with the Toronto Telegram before becoming a founding editor of the Toronto Sun.