I had avoided posting in this thread, because my picks would have seemed amazingly trivial to most of you guys. But Steve Irwin was in my top two.
I am just numbed by this. I feel as if I have lost a personal friend.
Went thru a couple with John Belushi whos best work was ahead and Hunter Thompson who I read . Now it is Tiger Woods. He has so much ahead of him and I want to watch him go for it.
Exactly who I came in to mention. I’ll add Clint Eastwood too, as I come to appreciate him more over the years.
Neil Young and Robert Plant will hit pretty hard, as the music of each has been huge in my life. Maybe Billy Gibbons too.
Finally, losing Tony Bennet will just depress the livin’ hell out of me.
Garrison Keillor … I know I’ll have a hard day when that comes around.
I think I’ll be pretty upset when Jim Henson and John Denver finally go.
Um, JThunder , are you sitting down?
Billy Connolly’s death will be pretty disappointing to me.
I was reading the articles about Steve Irwin today, and I found myself tearing up not once, but several times. He was one of the good guys.
When I was growing up, I played a proto-version of the Croc Hunter as often as I pretended to be a Cowboy or a Soldier. He was a fantasy of my younger years come to life on TV. I think that’s why his passing is a such a big deal to me.
This is a tough question. Right now, I would have to say Paul Hogan who was in the Crocodile Dundee film series. Like Steve Irwin, Paul Hogan had that rugged personality. It would be sad to see this Australian hero die. He was also one of the good guys.
I forgot to add Sir Arthur Charles Clarke and I know its coming soon. That guy is nearly 90 years old and I don’t think he’s gonna make it. Ray Bradbury as well. He’s almost 90. Its gonna suck here soon. 
I’m somewhat curious to know what the media reaction will be when Andrew Wyeth passes. I know Mr. Rilch and I will be upset, but we also have a bet going as to whether or not anyone actually uses the phrase “the last great American painter.” Because so much of art nowadays is in other mediums. Anyway, he’ll be missed.
I know my mom’s going to fall apart when Tom Seaver dies. I know my sister will be crushed when Jimmy Buffet does. And Mr. Rilch won’t exactly fall apart when Shatner dies, but it will be a sad day indeed.
For over a decade now, there have been more living ex-presidents than in any other time in history (correct me if I’m wrong). When Clinton was elected, it was Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush I. Then Nixon died, and Clinton and the four remaining ex-POTUS lined up at the gravesite like the Five Doctors. Then Bush II succeded Clinton, making it five again, and then Reagan died to bring it back down to four. Anyway, whichever of them is the next to go will get a lot of media attention. I’ll be interested to hear what they say about Ford, since I barely knew him.
It wasn’t until Haley Osment was charged with DUI, weeks after he wrecked his car, that I realized how hard it would have hit me had he died in that accident. He’s got so much living yet to do, and it would be twice as bad to know that it was his own fault. I really, really hope that was a one-time error; he’d better not end up another River Phoenix.
And speaking of road accidents, I don’t want to think about what would have happened in Pittsburgh if Ben Roethlisberger had died when he crashed his motorcycle. Though he’s relatively new as a sports star; who knows if he’ll still be revered throughout his career and into retirement.
I don’t know how much the British media will care when Ruth Rendell passes. I know the American media won’t bat an eyelash, but she’s my Terry Pratchett, so I’ll be upset for the same reasons Pratchett’s fans have stated.
If Michael Jackson dies any time in the next decade, and it just might happen, it will be another media circus like with Elvis. The hardcore fans will converge on Neverland the way Elvis’s fans converged on Graceland, and the tabloids…well, there goes another 100 acres of forest. I wonder what kind of tributes he’ll get from people like Quincy Jones and Liz Taylor, should she outlive him. Does he really have any friends left, or will other celebs be fighting over who doesn’t have to eulogize him?
And something Mr. Rilch mentioned a few days ago – who could possibly replace Vin Scully?
I know that many people will take it hard when Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood die. Jack is such a great actor and Clint is an American icon. Also, I hate to say it but Gene Hackman might be gone soon.At 76, it isn’t out of the question.
Nobody. Do people realize he has been the Voice of the Dodgers for 50 freaking years? During yesterday’s game he was talking about broadcasting Don Larsen’s perfect World Series game…in 1956. It was a sad day when Chick Hearn passed. I don’t know what will happen when Vin goes to the Great Broadcasters Booth In The Sky, but the world will be a lesser place for it.
Mick Jagger
Tommy Lee Jones