David Letterman.
Leon Russell.
I’d really rather go first.
When I found out that Mr Rogers died, I cried. I’m from a single-parent household and he was like a father to me. My being from Pittsburgh made it worse, as he was a “real” person, not just some guy on TV.
I’ll probably react the same way when Bob McGrath from Sesame Street dies.
Paul McCartney
Ringo Star
Mick Jagger
Keith Richards
William Shatner
Leonard Nimoy
Does my list include only old people who might die this year, or anyone at all who I would be upset about about? 'Cause if Wayne Gretzky died it would almost be like our own Princess Diana tragedy. I’m not kidding.
If he died back when he was still playing, I can not imagine the reaction.
He’d be on our money.
Steve Martin
Steven Spielberg
Sam Neill
I’m surprised it took so long for someone to mention Nimoy. I’m fairly certain it will happen by the end of the decade. The only celebrity deaths that ever saw me shed a tear were Linus Pauling and Charles Schultz. I’ve been in love with Marlo Thomas since I was six years old, so I imagine her death will be a somber occasion for me. Even as an adult, I’ve always wanted to beat the shit out of Phil Donahue and steal his girl. Likewise with Teri Garr, who as a teenager I was convinced was the most beautiful woman in the observable universe. I think MS usually only subtracts about ten years from a person’s lifespan, so I imagine she’ll be around for at least the foreseeable future. She’s only 14 years older than I am.
Stirling Moss (it might be Sir Stirling Moss by now. If not it damn well should be.)
I got a gut punch this morning. I am very sad to see that John Henson has passed. I was upset by his father’s passing, too, but I’ve had Muppets on my mind thanks to the Toyota commercials and this bothering me more than I think it should.
My first memory is of being on the floor in the living room watching The Muppet Show. Jim Henson’s creations have always been a part of my life in one way or another. I guess I’m so bothered by it because it feels like I’m losing pieces of what made me who I am. There’s a lot of other crap going on that’s really making me feel my age but that’s a different discussion.
I’ll probably cry for a week when Patrick Stewart (Captain Dad I Always Wished I Had) dies. Hayao Miyazaki will be another one.
Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carol King all such a major part of my life starting in 1970 or so. These would bring the shadow of mortality to mind very strongly
Sophia Loren, Carl Yastrzemski, Larry Bird, Tom Brady, Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara, Paraguayan Soccer Girl, in that order.
Mike Rowe. I’m sad enough there are no more “Dirty Jobs” and that he’s auctioning off his souveniers from the show (for charity). If I heard Mike Rowe passed away (though he’s relatively young, he has decades ahead of him), it would make me feel stabbed through the heart. I have a deep, steady, enduring love for him.
Also: David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, and Martha Stewart.
They are all old men but I will be very sad when Shatner, Nimoy, and Christopher Lee pass away. Also Bob Dole. And heck, Jimmy Carter, too. Ditto for Carol Burnett, Dick Van Dyke, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner. Also Stan Lee.
I get more upset when younger celebrities die, though. Every one of the above have had long full lives.
Terry Pratchett. Not only is he a very awesome person, but when he dies, a whole world dies with him. Also, Paul McCartney, because somehow listening to a musician’s music seems to change after they’re gone.
Alice Cooper, Leonard Nimoy, Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Alan Parsons, Alan Rickman, Stephen King
For younger celebs, David Tennant and Robert Downey Jr.
Carol Burnett, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Mel Brooks, Eric Idle, Bob Newhart, Robert Plant, Patrick Stewart, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Eta: **FriarTed ** reminded me: Jimmy Carter, too.
Without thinking too much about it…
- Michael Palin
- Jeff Bridges
- Paula Poundstone
- Ringo
- David Lindley
None.
I know that it is going to happen to them and eventually to me, so while I might be a little sad when I see them on TV or in a film again after it occurs, I won’t be “upset.”
What I find to be creepy are films like Casablanca or The Searchers and television shows such as I Love Lucy or Different Strokes where all or the majority of the major cast members are dead or have been for many years. It seems almost ghoulish sometimes to realize that often the stars have been deceased longer than I have been alive.
Mary Tyler Moore
Bob Newhart
Ed Asner
Ian McShane
Paul McCartney
And, in the second tier:
Gary Trudeau
Ringo
Candice Bergen
Bill Cosby
Abe Vigoda, obviously.