News Obituaries

Lee Rich, ad exec who became a top TV producer, dies at 93

He was a former advertising executive who became one of television's top producers, bringing powerhouse shows such as "Dallas," "Knots Landing" and "The Waltons" into American homes in the 1970s and '80s.

Read story

Archive by category ''News Obituaries

NEWS OBITUARIES

'Big Willie' Robinson, L.A. drag race organizer, dies at 69

"Big Willie" Robinson was a 6-foot-6, 300-pound former Los Angeles street racer, a gentle giant who promoted organized drag racing as a way to unite people of all races and classes and ease racial tensions.

1 day ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Al Gordon, Emmy-winning writer for Jack Benny, dies at 89

Al Gordon, an Emmy Award-winning comedy writer who spent much of his more than 40-year career writing for Jack Benny's penny-pinching, vain and perennially 39-year-old persona, has died. He was 89.

1 day ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Terry Martin, surfboard shaper hailed as perfectionist, dies at 74

Well into his 70s, Terry Martin could be found most days in his workshop in the Orange County community of Dana Point sanding blocks of polyurethane foam into precision-shaped surfboards. With his big white beard and barrel chest, he looked like Santa riding out a blizzard of swirling white dust.

1 day ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

H.H. Brookins, L.A. pastor who was influential black leader, dies at 86

The Rev. Hamel Hartford Brookins, an influential bishop and former pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles who became a political power broker, civil rights leader and mentor to former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and many others, has died. ...

2 days ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Eugene Polley, inventor of first wireless remote control, dies at 96

Television watchers have cause to lift their remote controls for a moment of silence.

3 days ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Evelyn Bryan Johnson, flier who held Guinness record for female pilots, dies at 102

With her husband serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II, Evelyn Bryan Johnson was looking for something to occupy her time when she wasn't running their dry-cleaning business in Jefferson City, Tenn.

3 days ago
SPORTS

Original Bull Bob Boozer dies at 75

CHICAGO - Bob Boozer, an Olympic gold medalist and original Chicago Bull, died Saturday night in Omaha, Neb. He was 75.

5 days ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Robin Gibb, who rose to pop fame as one-third of the Bee Gees, dies at 62

Robin Gibb, a singer and songwriter who joined two of his brothers in forming the Bee Gees pop group that helped define the sound of the disco era with the best-selling 1977 soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever," has died. He was 62.

5 days ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Tom Fuentes, longtime Orange County Republican Party leader, dies at 63

Tom Fuentes, whose forceful leadership of the Orange County Republican Party confirmed it as an epicenter of GOP fundraising and political clout, has died. He was 63.

6 days ago
NEWS OBITUARIES

Frank Edward Ray, hero in Chowchilla school bus hijacking, dies at 91

Frank Edward Ray, the school bus driver hailed as a hero for helping to lead 26 children to safety after a bizarre kidnapping in the San Joaquin Valley town of Chowchilla, Calif., 36 years ago, has died. He was 91.

7 days ago