Brando, Ray Charles, others - Who will take their place?

[KurtNYC]

I fight off a mild depression every year looking back at the people who had such enormous impact on so many lives. In Bob Dylan's new book he mentions that WWII ended an era when bigger than life figures oversaw the clash of civilizations: Stalin, Roosevelt, Hitler, Churchill. But my own concern lies more with those who seemed more like one of us, who rose up and made a positive change in this stumbling herd we call civilization.

There aren't nearly enough acknowledgements for those that improve the lives of others. Here are some we lost last year:

Richard Avedon
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Marlon Brando
Ray Charles
Bob Keeshan
Ann Miller
Helmut Newton
Christopher Reeve
Alistair Cooke
Julia Child
Spalding Gray
Jack Paar
Sir Peter Ustinov
Estee Lauder
Alan King
Tony Randall
Rick James
Laura Branigan
Johnny Ramone
Russ Meyer
Geoffrey Beene
Janet Leigh
Rodney Dangerfield
O.D.B.,(real name: Russell Jones)

And these, with explanations:
David Dellinger, 88. Peace activist; one of Chicago Seven tried for protests during 1968 Democratic National Convention. Passed May 25, 2004.

Norman Heatley, 92. British scientist whose work on penicillin production helped save countless lives.

John "J.J." Jackson, 62. Helped usher in music video era as early MTV personality.

Jan Berry, 62. Half of surf music duo Jan & Dean

Arnold Beckman, 104. Prolific inventor of scientific instruments; philanthropist

Paul F. Wehrle, 82. Disease expert; helped battle smallpox, polio

Mary McGrory, 85. Washington Post columnist; won Pulitzer for Watergate writings.

Sam Dash, 79. Attorney whose questions during Senate Watergate hearings made him a household name.

Dr. Charles Kelman, 74. Developed outpatient cataract operation that has helped millions

Mattie Stepanek, 13. Child poet whose inspirational verse made him a best-selling writer ("Heartsongs") and a prominent voice for muscular dystrophy sufferers.

Marvin Davis, 79. Billionaire oilman, philanthropist and, in the 1980s, owner of 20th Century Fox

Pierre Salinger, 79. JFK's press secretary; later top correspondent for ABC News.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041222/ap_on_re_us/ye_deaths2004_1


Au revoir Henri Cartier-Bresson!

[bobbobbins]

1. I guess I'll have to fill their shoes.

[theboss]

2. I'm willing to replace ODB

If the job is available.

Sing it, bitch!!