More celebrities and notables who died in 2007:
Tammy Faye Bakker Messner – July 20
Tammy Faye was able to overcome the PTL scandal to become a loved talk show host, author, and reality television star.
Tom Snyder – July 29
Tom practically invented the late night talk show genre with his popular “The Tomorrow Show.” He died at age 71 of leukemia.
Merv Griffin – July 6
A television producer and entrepreneur, Merv’s career spanned over 60 years and included such hit game shows as “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.”
Brooke Astor – August 13
Brooke was a New York philanthropist who was famous for the quote “Money is like manure, it should be spread around.” She died at age 105.
Phil Rizzuto – August 13
Rizzuto played shortstop for the NY Yankees from 1941 until 1956, in which time the team won 9 World Series. After retiring, he broadcast Yankee games for 40 years.
Leona Helmsley – August 20
Helmsley was known as the “Queen of Mean” and lived up to the title when she died at age 87. She left $12 million dollars to her dog, but nothing to her grandchildren.
Luciano Pavarotti – September 6
One of the greatest operatic tenors ever, Pavarotti died of pancreatic cancer at age 71.
Jane Wyman – September 10
The first wife of Ronald Reagan, Wyman won the Best Actress Academy Award for 1948’s Johnny Belinda.
Brett Somers – September 15
Another well-known panelist on “Match Game,” comedian Brett was married to actor Jack Klugman. She died of stomach and colon cancer at the age of 83.
Alice Ghostley – September 21
She starred as Bernice on “Designing Women,” but Alice also appeared in many other shows, including “Bewitched” as Esmeralda.
Rex Humbard – September 21
Another televangelist, Humbard’s show “Cathedral of Tomorrow” was shown on over 600 stations when at its peak.
Marcel Marceau – September 22
Arguably the most popular mime ever, Marcel died at age 84 of a heart attack.
Deborah Kerr – October 16
Deborah received over six Academy Award nominations for Best Actress over the span of her career, but never won. She died at age 86 of Parkinson’s disease.