Dan Achen was 51. He was lead guitarist for the Hamilton rock band Junkhouse.

Peter Graves was 83. He was the actor best known for his starring role in the television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973, and its revival, from 1988 to 1990. I'll always remember him as Captain Clarence Oveur from Airplane!

Merlin Olsen was 69. He was a member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" in the 1960s, along with Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier. He later starred on NFL broadcasts, commercials, and the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy."

Corey Haim was 38. He was the Toronto actor who starred in such films as "Lucas", "The Lost Boys" and "License to Drive". Locals will remember him as Larry on "The Edison Twins" before he shot to fame in the mid-to-late 80s. Growing up in this city, it seemed like

Mark Linkous was 47. He was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the alternative rock band Sparklehorse. Here's Sparklehorse's appropriately titled "Sick of Goodbyes".

Andrew Koenig was 41. He played the role of Richard "Boner" Stabone in Growing Pains.

Doug Fieger was 57. He was the lead singer of the rock band The Knack who had a hit in 1979 with "My Sharona".

Pauly Fuemana was 40. He was the frontman for OMC, the New Zealand duo who found fame with the hit song "How Bizarre". I was newly married when "How Bizarre" broke and my wife was a big fan of the tune.  The song guaranteed OMC a spot on a whole

J.D. Salinger was 91. He was the legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned.

Zelda Rubinstein was 76. She was the diminutive character actress with the childlike voice who was best known as the psychic called in to rid a suburban home of demonic forces in the 1982 horror movie "Poltergeist."

Pernell Roberts was 81. He played the eldest Cartwright brother in TV's "Bonanza" and had the lead role in "Trapper John, M.D.".

Paul Quarrington was 56. He was an award-winning author, filmmaker, playwright and musician who gained national acclaim with his rock 'n' roll novel "Whale Music."

Kate McGarrigle was 63. She was the Canadian folk and roots music singer best known for her work with her sister, Anna, as the McGarrigle Sisters. The Kate and Anna McGarrigle song I remember most fondly is The Log Driver's Waltz from a certain NFB animated short we all know

Carl Smith was 82. He was the country music hitmaker of the 1950s and 1960s known for his dynamic voice and good looks.  He had 41 chart singles during the 1950s, including the hits "Are You Teasing Me," "Back Up Buddy," and "Hey Joe!".

Teddy Pendergrass was 59. He was one of the premier R&B singers in America, leading Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes to the top of the charts with indelible soul classics such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "I Miss You."

Art Clokey was 88. He was a pioneer in the popularization of stop motion clay animation, creating Gumby and Davey and Goliath.

Vic Chesnutt was 45. He was the acclaimed singer-songwriter who built a devoted following with his folk-rock songs, many of which dealt eloquently with themes of pain and mortality.

George Michael was 70. He was a veteran Washington sportscaster who gained national recognition with his syndicated "The George Michael Sports Machine" highlights show. I used to watch The George Michael Sports Machine in the late 80s and early 90s.  Here's a clip:

Alaina Reed-Amini was 63. She was the actress best known for her long-running roles on "Sesame Street" and "227." I knew her best as Gordon's sister Olivia on the show that helped raise me.

Brittany Murphy was 32. She was the actress known for her roles in such films as "Clueless," "8 Mile" and "Girl Interrupted". My kids knew her best as the voice of Gloria in Happy Feet.

Chris Henry was 26. He was a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. His best season with the Bengals was in 2006, when the wide receiver tallied 36 catches for 605 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games.

Oral Roberts was 91. He was a pioneer in televangelism who founded a multimillion-dollar ministry and a university that bears his name. Here's a cut from 1989 that I dug.  It's MC 900 Ft. Jesus with "Truth is Out of Style".

Haydain Neale was 39. He was the Juno Award-winning lead singer of Jacksoul.

Soupy Sales was 83. He was a pioneer of slapstick television comedy who once estimated he had taken 20,000 pies in the face.

Captain Lou Albano was 76. He was a professional wrestler, actor and all-around legend. If you don't know Captain Lou Albano as a manager in the WWF, and I personally loved his persona, you probably know him from his many cameos in Cyndi Lauper videos.  Here he is in her