Famous Deaths In 2011

Jan.%202%3A%20Actor%20Pete%20Postlethwaite%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2064%20after%20a%20battle%20with%20pancreatic%20cancer.%20He%20was%20best%20known%20for%20roles%20in%20movies%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BIn%20The%20Name%20Of%20The%20Father%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Usual%20Suspects%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BLost%20World%3A%20Jurassic%20Park%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BInception.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%20once%20called%20%26%238220%3Bthe%20best%20actor%20in%20the%20world%26%238221%3B%20by%20Steven%20Spielberg.%20%28credit%3A%20Lisa%20Maree%20Williams%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Jan.%203%3A%20Actress%20Anne%20Francis%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2080%20after%20battling%20lung%20cancer.%20She%20was%20best%20known%20for%20her%20role%20in%20the%20movie%20%26%238220%3BForbidden%20Planet%26%238221%3B%20and%20for%20her%20work%20in%20television.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Jan.%2018%3A%20The%20father%20to%20former%20Calif.%20First%20Lady%20Maria%20Shriver%20and%20brother%20in-law%20to%20John%20F.%20Kennedy%2C%20Shriver%20founded%20the%20Peace%20Corps%20and%20was%20a%20former%20Democratic%20vice%20presidential%20candidate.%20He%20was%2095.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Snyder-Pool%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Jan.%2023%3A%20Hailed%20as%20the%20father%20of%20the%20fitness%20movement%2C%20Jack%20LaLanne%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2096%20at%20his%20home%20in%20Morro%20Bay%2C%20Calif.%20LaLanne%20is%20best%20known%20for%20his%20television%20program%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Jack%20LaLanne%20Show%26%238221%3B%20that%20debuted%20nationally%20in%201959%20and%20for%20his%20line%20of%20home%20juicers.%20%28credit%3A%20Toby%20Canham%2FGetty%20Images%29

Feb.%2016%3A%20Len%20Lesser%20died%20from%20pneumonia%20at%20the%20age%20of%2088.%20He%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20role%20as%20Uncle%20Leo%20on%20the%20popular%2090s%20sitcom%20%26%238220%3BSeinfeld%26%238221%3B.%20However%2C%20he%20had%20roles%20in%20TV%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BGunsmoke%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BHave%20Gun%20Will%20Travel%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BDragnet.%26%238221%3B%20%28Credit%3A%20Meaghan%20Murphy%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Feb.%2027%3A%20Brooklyn%20Dodgers%26%238217%3B%20Duke%20Snider%20was%20considered%20one%20of%20the%20best%20centerfielders%20of%20his%20time%2C%20and%20was%20elected%20to%20the%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20in%201980.%20He%20was%20in%20declining%20health%20in%20recent%20years%20because%20of%20diabetes.%20He%20was%2084.%20%28credit%3A%20Lisa%20Blumenfeld%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Feb.%2028%3A%20Legendary%20sex%20symbol%20and%20actress%20Jane%20Russell%20played%20opposite%20Marilyn%20Monroe%20in%20the%20classic%20%26%238220%3BGentlemen%20Prefer%20Blondes.%26%238221%3B%20She%20starred%20in%20over%2020%20movies%20in%20her%20career%20and%20has%20a%20star%20on%20the%20Hollywood%20Walk%20of%20Fame.%20She%20was%2089.%20%28credit%3A%20Mark%20Ralston%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%208%3A%20Mike%20Starr%20was%20a%20founding%20member%20of%2090s%20grunge%20rock%20band%20Alice%20in%20Chains%20who%20struggled%20with%20addiction%20throughout%20his%20adult%20life.%20He%20died%20in%20his%20home%20in%20Salt%20Lake%20City%20at%20the%20age%20of%2044.%20Toxicology%20tests%20showed%20that%20he%20had%20xanax%20and%20alcohol%20in%20his%20system%20when%20he%20died.%20%28credit%3A%20Irwin%20Entertainment%20%2F%20VH1%20Television%29

March%2015%3A%20Born%20Nathaniel%20Hale%2C%20he%20became%20known%20as%20one%20of%20the%20smoothest%20R%26amp%3BB%20and%20rap%20vocalists%20of%20his%20generation.%20He%20came%20to%20national%20attention%20after%20he%20was%20featured%20in%20Dr.%20Dre%C3%ADs%20album%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Chronic%26%238221%3B.%20Nate%20Dogg%20long%20suffered%20from%20ill%20health%20and%20had%20two%20strokes%20in%202007%20and%202008%20and%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2041.%20%28Credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%2017%3A%20Michael%20Gough%20enjoyed%20a%20long%20acting%20career%20that%20began%20in%201946.%20Gough%20was%20featured%20in%20a%20number%20of%20different%20films%20and%20television%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Boys%20From%20Brazil%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BSleepy%20Hollow%26%238221%3B%20and%20most%20famously%20Bruce%20Wayne%C3%ADs%20butler%20Alfred%20Pennyworth%20in%20several%20%26%238220%3BBatman%26%238221%3B%20movies.%20He%20was%2094.%20%28credit%3A%20Warner%20Bros.%20Pictures%2FGetty%20Images%29

March%2018%3A%20Warren%20Christopher%20was%20best%20known%20as%20President%20Clinton%26%238217%3Bs%20secretary%20of%20state%20and%20as%20a%20diplomat%20who%20secured%20the%20release%20of%20U.S.%20hostages%20from%20Iran%20for%20President%20Carter.%20He%20died%20due%20to%20complications%20from%20kidney%20and%20bladder%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2085.%20%28credit%3A%20Karen%20Bleier%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

March%2023%3A%20Lanford%20Wilson%20was%20a%20Pulitzer%20Prize%20winning%20playwright%20whose%20work%20brought%20attention%20to%20Off-Off-Broadway.%20His%20works%20were%20often%20considered%20to%20be%20earthy%20and%20realist%20and%20are%20still%20performed%20in%20regional%20theaters%20across%20the%20country.%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2073%20from%20pneumonia.%20%28Credit%3A%20Smith%20%26amp%3B%20Kraus%20Pub%20Inc.%2FGetty%20Images%29

March%2023%3A%20One%20of%20the%20most%20glamorous%20actresses%20that%20have%20ever%20graced%20the%20silver%20screen%2C%20Elizabeth%20Taylor%20died%20due%20to%20congestive%20heart%20failure%20at%2079.%20She%20was%20best%20known%20for%20roles%20such%20as%20Cleopatra%20in%20%26%238220%3BCleopatra%26%238221%3B%20and%20Virginia%20Woolf%20in%20%26%238220%3BWho%26%238217%3Bs%20Afraid%20of%20Virginia%20Woolf.%26%238221%3B%20Taylor%20also%20led%20a%20crusade%20against%20AIDS%20after%20the%20death%20of%20her%20friend%20Rock%20Hudson.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

March%2026%3A%20Geraldine%20Ferraro%20was%20the%20first%20female%20vice%20presidential%20candidate%20after%20Democrat%20Walter%20Mondale%20picked%20her%20to%20be%20his%20running%20mate%20in%201984.%20She%20grew%20up%20in%20New%20York%20City%20and%20she%20started%20her%20career%20as%20a%20teacher%20and%20a%20lawyer%2C%20eventually%20moved%20on%20to%20be%20a%20district%20attorney%20and%20won%20a%20House%20seat%20in%201978.%20Ferraro%20died%20due%20to%20complications%20from%20blood%20cancer%20at%20the%20age%20of%2075.%20%28credit%3A%20Tim%20Sloan%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

April%209%3A%20Director%20Sidney%20Lumet%20started%20his%20career%20in%20Off-Broadway%20productions%20before%20going%20to%20television.%20He%20then%20moved%20on%20to%20movies%20where%20he%20directed%20well%20known%20flicks%20like%20%26%238220%3B12%20Angry%20Men%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BDog%20Day%20Afternoon.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2087.%20%28credit%3A%20Stephen%20Lovekin%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

April%2019%3A%20Greite%20Waitz%20won%20a%20total%20of%20nine%20New%20York%20City%20Marathons%2C%20a%20world%20championship%20gold%20medal%2C%20and%20an%20Olympic%20silver%20medal.%20She%20is%20considered%20one%20of%20the%20greatest%20runners%20of%20all%20time.%20She%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2057%20after%20a%20six-year%20battle%20with%20cancer.%20%28credit%3A%20Patrick%20McDermott%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

April%2020%3A%20Tim%20Hetherington%2C%2040%2C%20and%20Chris%20Hondros%2C%2040%2C%20were%20award%20winning%20photojournalists%20that%20were%20killed%20by%20mortar%20shells%20while%20covering%20the%20Libyan%20civil%20war.%20%28credit%3A%20Katie%20Orlinsky%20via%20Getty%20Images%29

April%2020%3A%20Gerard%20Smith%20was%20the%20bass%20player%20for%20the%20popular%20band%20TV%20on%20the%20Radio.%20He%20was%20battling%20lung%20cancer%20when%20the%20band%20released%20the%20album%20%26%238220%3BNine%20Types%20of%20Light.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2036.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%205%3A%20Arthur%20Laurents%20was%20a%20playwright%2C%20stage%20director%2C%20and%20screenwriter.%20He%20got%20his%20start%20in%20radio%20and%20then%20moved%20on%20to%20do%20training%20films%20for%20the%20U.S.%20Army%20during%20WWII.%20After%20the%20war%2C%20he%20started%20writing%20for%20Broadway%20and%20composed%20classics%20like%20%26%238220%3BWest%20Side%20Story%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BGypsy%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BLa%20Cage%20Aux%20Folles.%26%238221%3B%20He%20was%2093.%20%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29

May%207%3A%20Robert%20Stempel%20was%20the%20CEO%20of%20General%20Motors%20from%201990%20to%201992%20when%20he%20was%20voted%20out%20after%20GM%20closed%20about%20a%20dozen%20plants%2C%20lost%2074%2C000%20jobs%2C%20and%20lost%20%247%20billion.%20Stempel%20was%20also%20behind%20the%20push%20for%20electric%20cars.%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2077%20in%20West%20Palm%20Beach%2C%20Fla.%20%28credit%3A%20Peter%20Parks%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29

May%201%3A%20Osama%20Bin%20Laden%2C%20who%20planned%20the%209%2F11%20attacks%20in%20New%20York%20and%20Washington%2C%20D.C.%2C%20was%20the%20leader%20of%20the%20terrorist%20group%20Al-Qaeda.%20He%20was%20killed%20in%20a%20raid%20in%20Pakistan%20that%20was%20conducted%20by%20U.S.%20Navy%20SEALs.%20He%20was%2057.%20%28credit%3A%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%2017%3A%20Harmon%20Killebrew%20enjoyed%20a%20long%2022-year%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20career%20for%20the%20Minnesota%20Twins%2C%20belting%20573%20home%20runs.%20He%20was%20a%20tremendous%20hitter%20and%20he%20earned%20the%20nicknames%20%26%238220%3BKiller%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BHammerin%C3%AD%20Harmon.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2074%20after%20a%20battle%20with%20esophageal%20cancer.%20%28credit%3A%20A.%20Messerschmidt%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%2020%3A%20Born%20Randall%20Mario%20Poffo%2C%20the%20%26%238220%3BMacho%20Man%26%238221%3B%20Randy%20Savage%20was%20a%20legendary%20wrestler%20best%20known%20for%20his%20flashy%20ringside%20wardrobe%20and%20distinct%20gravelly%20voice.%20During%20his%20career%2C%20he%20held%2020%20championships%20within%20several%20promotions.%20He%20died%20of%20a%20sudden%20heart%20attack%20at%20the%20age%20of%2058%20while%20driving%20with%20his%20wife%20Barbara%20Lynn%20Payne.%20%28credit%3A%20Kevin%20Winter%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

May%2027%3A%20Jeff%20Conaway%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20roles%20in%20the%20movie%20%26%238220%3BGrease%26%238221%3B%20and%20the%20TV%20series%20%26%238220%3BTaxi.%26%238221%3B%20He%20struggled%20with%20addiction%20for%20a%20number%20of%20years%20and%20was%20featured%20in%20the%20reality%20series%20%26%238220%3BCelebrity%20Rehab.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20from%20complications%20due%20to%20an%20overdose%20at%20the%20age%20of%2060.%20%28credit%3A%20Todd%20Williamson%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%20for%20TV%20Land%29

June%203%3A%20Jack%20Kevorkian%20was%20infamous%20from%20his%20championing%20of%20a%20patient%26%238217%3Bs%20right%20to%20die.%20In%201999%2C%20he%20began%20a%20prison%20sentence%20of%2010%20to%2025%20years%20for%20second-degree%20murder%20for%20an%20assisted%20suicide.%20He%20was%20released%20in%20eight%20years%20on%20parole%20with%20the%20condition%20that%20he%20would%20not%20offer%20suicide%20advice%20to%20any%20other%20patients.%20He%20was%2083.%20%28credit%3A%20Frazer%20Harrison%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2012%3A%20Best%20known%20as%20the%20sax%20player%20for%20Bruce%20Springsteen%26%238217%3Bs%20E%20Street%20Band%2C%20he%20was%20also%20an%20actor%20that%20appeared%20in%20TV%20shows%20such%20as%20%26%238220%3BDiff%26%238217%3Brent%20Strokes%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Simpsons%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Wire.%26%238221%3B%20Clemons%20suffered%20a%20deadly%20stroke%20at%20the%20age%20of%2069.%20%28credit%3A%20Vince%20Bucci%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2014%3A%20Lawrence%20Eagleburger%2C%20former%20secretary%20of%20state%20for%20President%20George%20H.W.%20Bush%2C%20had%20a%20distinguished%20political%20career%20earning%20the%20Presidential%20Citizens%20medal%20and%20the%20Department%20of%20States%26%238217%3B%20Distinguished%20Service%20award.%20He%20was%20also%20given%20an%20honorary%20knighthood%20from%20Britain%26%238217%3Bs%20Queen%20Elizabeth%20II.%20He%20died%20from%20a%20heart%20attack%20at%20the%20age%20of%2080.%20%28credit%3A%20Saul%20Loeb%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

June%2020%3A%20Ryan%20Dunn%20was%20a%20daredevil%20who%20was%20best%20known%20for%20his%20work%20on%20%26%238220%3BJackass.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20in%20a%20drunk%20driving%20accident%20at%20the%20age%20of%2034.%20%28credit%3A%20Michael%20Buckner%2FGetty%20Images%29

June%2023%3A%20Peter%20Falk%20was%20best%20known%20as%20the%20beloved%20television%20character%20Columbo%2C%20the%20rumpled%20L.A.%20homicide%20detective.%20Falk%20was%20also%20known%20as%20the%20grandfather%20in%20the%20classic%20film%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Princess%20Bride.%26%238221%3B%20He%20died%20in%20his%20Beverly%20Hills%20home%20at%20the%20age%20of%2083.%20%28credit%3A%20Toby%20Canham%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%208%3A%20Betty%20Ford%20was%20the%20wife%20to%20former%20President%20Gerald%20Ford.%20After%20her%20time%20in%20the%20White%20House%2C%20she%20founded%20the%20Betty%20Ford%20Center%2C%20a%20clinic%20dedicated%20to%20helping%20patients%20suffering%20from%20addiction.%20She%20died%20from%20natural%20causes%20at%20the%20age%20of%2093.%20%28credit%3A%20Chip%20Somodevilla%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%2012%3A%20Television%20producer%20Sherwood%20Schwartz%20created%20the%20popular%20sitcoms%20%26%238220%3BThe%20Brady%20Bunch%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BGilligan%26%238217%3Bs%20Island.%26%238221%3B%20Schwartz%20died%20at%20the%20age%20of%2094.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%2023%3A%20Singer%20Amy%20Winehouse%20was%20a%20talent%20best%20known%20for%20the%20Motown-inspired%20song%20%26%238220%3BRehab.%26%238221%3B%20Struggling%20with%20addiction%20for%20several%20years%2C%20she%20finally%20succumbed%20and%20died%20from%20alcohol%20poisoning%20at%20the%20age%20of%2027.%20%28credit%3A%20Shaun%20Curry%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

July%2028%3A%20Hideki%20Irabu%20is%20best%20known%20for%20his%20time%20with%20the%20New%20York%20Yankees.%20He%20was%20plagued%20by%20personal%20issues%20in%20his%20last%20few%20years%2C%20and%20died%20of%20an%20apparent%20suicide%20near%20his%20home%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20at%20the%20age%20of%2042.%20%28credit%3A%20Stan%20Honda%20%2F%20AFP%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

Aug.%203%3A%20Bubba%20Smith%20was%20a%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20football%20player%20for%20the%20Baltimore%20Colts%2C%20Oakland%20Raiders%2C%20and%20Houston%20Oilers.%20After%20football%20he%20went%20to%20Hollywood%2C%20clinching%20his%20most%20famous%20role%20as%20Moses%20Hightower%20in%20the%20%26%238220%3BPolice%20Academy%26%238221%3B%20series.%20He%20was%20died%20from%20acute%20drug%20intoxication%20and%20heart%20disease%20at%20the%20age%20of%2066.%20%28credit%3A%20Warner%20Bros.%20Pictures%2FGetty%20Images%29

Aug.%207%3A%20Hugh%20L.%20Carey%20was%20the%20former%20governor%20of%20New%20York%20who%20navigated%20New%20York%20City%20and%20the%20state%20through%20the%20treacherous%20financial%20climate%20of%20the%201970s.%20He%20was%2092.%20%28credit%3A%20George%20De%20Sota%20%2F%20Newsmakers%29

Aug.%2010%3A%20Jani%20Lane%20was%20the%20lead%20singer%20of%20Warrant%20during%20its%20heyday%20in%20the%201980s.%20He%20wrote%20a%20number%20of%20the%20group%26%238217%3Bs%20hits%2C%20including%20%26%238220%3BCherry%20Pie%2C%26%238221%3B%20%26%238220%3BDown%20Boys%2C%26%238221%3B%20and%20%26%238220%3BUncle%20Tom%26%238217%3Bs%20Cabin.%26%238221%3B%20Lane%20died%20from%20alcohol%20poisoning%20at%20the%20age%2047.%20%28credit%3A%20Frederick%20M.%20Brown%20%2F%20Getty%20Images%29

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