Shirley Temple Black, 85, Actress
(April 23, 1928 - Feb. 10, 2014)
Child star turned diplomat, Shirley Temple Black, died earlier this year due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Temple, who was offered a contract with 20th Century-Fox before she was six years old, is predominantly remembered for her cheery singing (with hits like "Bright Eyes" and "Animal Crackers in My Soup") and dancing. In her later years, Temple became active in politics; she was an ambassador to Ghana and later Czechoslovakia, White House chief of protocol during Gerald Ford's presidency, and a foreign affairs officer with the state department under Reagan. An incredible woman, she is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. The bubbly, cherubic sensation will never be forgotten.
Maya Angelou, 86, Poet
(April 4, 1928 - May 28, 2014)
Beloved poet, Maya Angelou, died of natural causes on May 28th, 2014. Angelou, besides having a deep love for the written word, was a known dancer, actress, and singer. Her most acclaimed autobiographical piece, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, brought her international recognition; she recited a poem from the book at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration. Angelou was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and more than 50 honorary degrees. Her spirit and wisdom will always be remembered.
Robin Williams, 63, Actor
(July 21, 1951 – Aug. 11, 2014)
On August 11th, 2014, we lost a great man to the clutches of mental illness. Williams, an actor and comedian, attended Juilliard and was known for his incredible improvisational skills. Williams had a number of achievements under his belt; he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, two Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards throughout his career. In 1986, Williams, alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, founded Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit devoted to the homeless. His energy and kind heart have left a lasting impression on the entire world.
Joan Rivers, 81, Comedian
(June 8, 1933 - Sept. 4, 2014)
Joan Rivers died on September 4th, 2014 due to complications experienced during an otherwise minor throat procedure; she never awoke from her medically induced coma. This sent shock waves nationwide. America could not believe that the sharp tongued, witty, and stylish Rivers was gone. She was intuitively funny, which helped her land her own show in 1986, The Late Show with Joan Rivers. She became the first woman to host a late night network television talk show and she eventually went on to daytime. Her second show, The Joan Rivers Show, won her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host. Rivers was the author of 12 best-selling memoir and humor books, plus a multitude of comedy albums. Rivers spent her final years as the face of the E! celebrity fashion show, Fashion Police. She will be eternally missed.
Oscar de la Renta, 82, Fashion Designer
(July 22, 1932 - Oct. 20, 2014)
The fashion world lost an icon due to complications from cancer on October 20th, 2014. Oscar de la Renta was a fashion designer who was personally trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo of Lanvin. His claim-to-fame was when he became internationally known as one of the couturiers who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy. An award-winning designer, Oscar de la Renta served as President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He is also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critic's Award, received the Council of Fashion Designers Designer of the Year Award (not once, but twice), and was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. His style and eponymous fashion house continue to amaze, even in his passing.
Joe Cocker, 70, Singer (May 20, 1944 – Dec. 22, 2014)
English rock and blues singer, Joe Cocker, who's career spanned nearly six decades, succumbed to lung cancer on December 22nd, 2014. His raspy — yet soulful — voice became his hallmark. "Mad dog" Cocker was known for cover songs such as "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "With a Little Help from My Friends." He held several awards, including a Grammy for "Up Where We Belong". Rock on, Cocker. Your music will be enjoyed forever.
To all the greats who got their wings in 2014, may you rest in paradise.
