Ron Santo was 70. He was a legend in Chicago as a former Cubs third baseman-turned-wildly popular announcer. He finished his major league career with a .277 average over 15 major league seasons, with 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs.

Jim Kelley was 61. He was a longtime sports writer and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who recently worked alongside Bob McCown co-hosting Prime Time Sports on The Fan 590.

Leslie Nielsen was 84. He experienced success as a serious actor in the films Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure before achieving his greatest successes in the comedy films Airplane! and The Naked Gun. I absolutely adored Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! and The Naked Gun.  Here's a little something I

Laurie 'Bambi' Bembenek was 52. She was the former Playboy Club bunny whose escape from prison and flee to Canada popularized the phrase "Run Bambi Run."

Jill Clayburgh was 66. She was the sophisticated Hollywood and Broadway actress known for portrayals of empowered women in a career spanning five decades, highlighted by her Oscar-nominated role of a divorcee exploring life after marriage in the 1978 film "An Unmarried Woman."

Sparky Anderson was 76. He was the first major league manager to win a World Series in both the American and National Leagues.  He managed the Cincinnati Reds to World Series victories in 1975 and 1976 and the Detroit Tigers to a World Series victory in 1984.

Gregory Isaacs was 59. He was the Jamaican reggae singer whose smooth style earned him the nickname "Cool Ruler."

Denis Simpson was 59. He was the original bass vocalist for The Nylons, but I knew him best as host of Polka Dot Door.

Bob Guccione was 79. He was the founder and publisher of Penthouse magazine.

Tom Bosley was 83. He was the patient, understanding father on television’s long-running "Happy Days." Rest in peace, Mr. C.

Barbara Billingsley was 94. She gained supermom status for her gentle portrayal of June Cleaver, the warm, supportive mother of a pair of precocious boys in "Leave it to Beaver." I enjoyed her performance in Airplane. My brother Steve had Barbara Billingsley in The Dead Pool, drafted in September 2000.

Solomon Burke was 70. He was the larger-than-life "King of Rock and Soul," whose songs blended soul, gospel, country and R&B.

Greg Giraldo was 44. He was the stand-up comedian perhaps best known for his Comedy Central roasts.

Tony Curtis was 85. He shaped himself from a 1950s movie heartthrob into a respected actor, showing a determined streak that served him well in such films as "Sweet Smell of Success," "The Defiant Ones" and "Some Like It Hot."

George Blanda was 83. He was the Bears, Oilers and Raiders quarterback whose passing and kicking exploits during a 26-year NFL career led him to a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gloria Stuart was 100. She was a glamorous blonde actress who starred in 1930s horror films and musicals before reviving a long-dormant career in 1997 with her Oscar-nominated performance as the older version of Kate Winslet's character Rose in the box-office smash "Titanic."

Eddie Fisher was 82. He was the singer and entertainer who co-starred in the films Bundle Of Joy and Butterfield 8. He was also married to Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, and Connie Stevens and he's the father of Carrie Fisher and Joely Fisher.

Rich Cronin was 36. He was the lead singer and songwriter of successful 90s boy band LFO, best known for their hits "Summer Girls" and "Girl on TV".

Robert Schimmel was 60. He was a standup comic I knew best from his frequent guest appearances on Howard Stern's radio show.

Bobby Thomson was 86. He hit the famed "Shot Heard 'Round the World" that won the 1951 National League pennant for the New York Giants.

Bobby Hebb was 72. His 1966 pop music classic "Sunny" described a sincere smile from a woman that lifted the singer's burdens.

Lorenzen Wright was 34. He played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Cavaliers, Clippers, Hawks, Grizzlies, and Kings.

Maury Chaykin was 61. He was the prolific and award-winning actor who appeared in such films as Whale Music and Dances with Wolves.

George Steinbrenner was 80. He had owned the Yankees since 1973, winning seven World Series championships over that time. Larry David voiced a great Steinbrenner on Seinfeld.