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Obituaries

Brian Wilson in 1965.

Brian Wilson in 1965. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Brian Wilson, the troubled genius behind The Beach Boys, has died at age 82

The Beach Boys' co-founder, songwriter and producer transformed pop music into high art and became America's answer to The Beatles' Lennon and McCartney in the process.

WILSON, BRIAN

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British author Frederick Forsyth poses for a photograph in Hertford, England, Aug. 17, 2006.

British author Frederick Forsyth poses for a photograph in Hertford, England, Aug. 17, 2006. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies at 86

Born in 1938, Forsyth served as a Royal Air Force pilot before becoming a journalist. He covered the attempted assassination of French President Charles de Gaulle, which inspired The Day of the Jackal.

BOSTON - AUGUST 26: Wilson Pickett and Sly and the Family Stone were the two star attractions at Harvard Stadium to help Miss Elma Lewis fund raise for her National Center for Afro-American Artists. Sly led one one of the group's favorite hits, "Dance to the Music."

The Family Stone performs at Harvard Stadium in 1969. Ellis Herwig/Boston Globe/Getty Images hide caption

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Ellis Herwig/Boston Globe/Getty Images

Sly Stone, visionary funk frontman of the Family Stone, has died at age 82

The musical visionary led a multi-racial funk band that produced five Top 10 hits in the late 1960s and early '70s.

Sly Stone, visionary funk frontman of the Family Stone, has died at age 82

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Stanley Nelson was the editor of the Concordia Sentinel in Ferriday, La. He sits behind a desk with framed pictures and awards on the wall.

Stanley Nelson was the editor of the Concordia Sentinel in Ferriday, La. He was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2011 for his "courageous and determined efforts" to tell the story of unsolved murder from 1964. Nelson died at the age of 69. Paperny Films hide caption

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Paperny Films

Louisiana journalist Stanley Nelson exposed secrets of the civil rights era

Stanley Nelson, the editor of a small-town weekly newspaper in Louisiana, exposed secrets about unsolved murders by the Ku Klux Klan. Nelson died this week at the age of 69.

Remembering Stanley Nelson, Louisiana journalist who exposed Ku Klux Klan secrets

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Edmund White at his home in 2019.

Edmund White at his home in 2019. Mary Altaffer/AP hide caption

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Mary Altaffer/AP

Edmund White, who broke ground in gay literature, has died at 85

Many of White's books chronicled his own experiences as a gay man, making an indelible impression on gay culture and how LGBTQ experiences were understood more broadly at the dawning of the AIDS health crisis.

Edmund White, who broke ground in gay literature, has died at 85

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Former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik is shown standing outside the Federal Court in Washington, June 4, 2009.

Former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik is shown standing outside the Federal Court in Washington, June 4, 2009. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Bernard Kerik, who led NYPD on 9/11 before prison and pardon, has died at 69

Kerik, an Army veteran, was hailed as a hero after the 9/11 attack and eventually nominated to head the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, before a dramatic fall from grace that ended with him behind bars.

Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was a champion of local African languages.

Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was a champion of local African languages. Shawn Miller/Library of Congress hide caption

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Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

Books

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Kenyan literary giant who fought colonialism, dies at 87

The Kenyan author championed local African languages and was imprisoned for his work. His name was often mentioned in discussions about the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Kenyan literary giant who fought colonialism, dies at 87

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Marcel Ophuls believed subjectivity was key to filmmaking and saw documentaries as an antidote to the news. He's pictured above on May 5, 1987.

Marcel Ophuls believed subjectivity was key to filmmaking and saw documentaries as an antidote to the news. He's pictured above on May 5, 1987. Chip Hires/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Hires/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Marcel Ophuls, who chronicled 20th century conflict and atrocities, dies at 97

KUNC

"There's a relationship between attention span and morality," Ophuls said. The filmmaker commanded his audience's attention in four-plus-hour documentaries like The Sorrow and The Pity and Hôtel Terminus.

Marcel Ophuls, who chronicled 20th century conflict and atrocities, has died at 97

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George Wendt appeared as Norm in every episode of Cheers, earning six Primetime Emmy nominations.

George Wendt appeared as Norm in every episode of Cheers, earning six Primetime Emmy nominations. AJ Pics/Alamy Stock Photo hide caption

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AJ Pics/Alamy Stock Photo

George Wendt, who played Norm on 'Cheers,' has died

Wendt got his start in Chicago's The Second City improv comedy troupe. He went on to earn six Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as a lovable barfly on Cheers.

George Wendt, who played Norm on 'Cheers,' has died

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Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96

Broadway composer Charles Strouse, creator of the hit musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie, died at his home in New York City on Thursday.

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96

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Broadway composer Charles Strouse in New York City in 2011. Strouse died May 15, 2025 at 96.

Broadway composer Charles Strouse in New York City in 2011. Strouse died Thursday at 96. Andy Kropa/Getty Images hide caption

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Andy Kropa/Getty Images

Music

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' dies at 96

The Broadway composer of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie died Thursday at 96.

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96

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This 2024 photo shows former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica photographed roughly from the shoulders up. He has gray hair and a mustache, and he's wearing a gray jacket.

Former Uruguayan President José "Pepe" Mujica on Oct. 27, 2024. Natacha Pisarenko/AP hide caption

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Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Uruguay's ex-President José Mujica, nicknamed 'world's poorest president,' dies at 89

José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere lifestyle, has died at 89.

Uruguay's ex-President José Mujica, nicknamed 'world's poorest president,' dies at 89

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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In co-stars Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owens at NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, in Los Angeles, in 2002. Buzzi was best known for her regular appearances in the variety TV show during the late 1960s and early 70s.

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In co-stars Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owens at NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, in Los Angeles, in 2002. Buzzi was best known for her regular appearances in the variety TV show during the late 1960s and early 70s. Rene Macura/AP hide caption

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Rene Macura/AP

Culture

Actress and 'Laugh-In' comedian Ruth Buzzi dies at 88

Buzzi, who was best known for her regular appearances on the NBC variety TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, died on Thursday at her home in Texas.

Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88

Pope Francis has died at 88. He was one of the most popular pontiffs in decades, forcing the church to turn its attention back to the poor and disenfranchised and to clean up corrupt Vatican finances.

Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88

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Pope Francis waves to thousands of followers as he arrives at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. During his papacy, Francis strove to reach out to what he called the "periphery" of the world in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Pope Francis waves to thousands of followers as he arrives at the Philippines' Manila Cathedral on Jan. 16, 2015. During his papacy, Francis strove to reach out to what he called the "periphery" of the world in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images hide caption

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Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Remembering Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88

The pope was a strong advocate for the poor and the environment and a towering figure on the world stage, addressing not just Catholics but the men and women of our time.

Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88

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