The renowned writer, actress and civil rights activist died in May at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. at the age of 86. Born Marguerite Ann Johnson in St. Louis, Angelou held several jobs, including being a manager for prostitutes, a restaurant cook and the first black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco, before she became a dancer and toured Europe with the opera production Porgy and Bess. In 1959, she met novelist James O. Killens, who urged her to concentrate on her writing. Her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was published in 1969 to critical acclaim. Angelou went on to write seven autobiographies, spoke more than six languages and earned over 30 honorary degrees. She also received a Pulitzer Prize nomination for her collection of poems called Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, a Tony nomination for her role in the 1973 play Look Away and three Grammys for spoken albums, and in 2010, she was awarded the U.S.' highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Barack Obama.
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Gottlieb, who wrote and directed Mannequin, died on in May after he was involved in a motorcycle accident north of La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. He was 69. The prolific director and producer also wrote and helmed Mr. Nanny, in addition to directing The Shrimp on the Barbie and A Kid in King Arthur's Court. Most recently, Gottlieb taught screenwriting classes at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
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The character actor best known for creating and portraying the character Billy Clyde Tuggle on All My Children died on May 22 at the age of 69. The playwright and longtime TV and film star earned two Daytime Emmy nominations and was married to actress Christine Baranski, with whom he had two daughters.
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The 1950s crooner who was known for the hit "You Don't Know Me" died of natural causes in his Palm Desert home surrounded by family and friends on May 18. He was 83. Vale's recording of "The Star-Spangled Banner" also became a fixture at sporting events. The Gold Record he received for it was displayed at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He had two children with his wife of 55 years, Rita.
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Bendjelloul, who had directed the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, committed suicide after struggling with depression. He was 36. The Swedish filmmaker had also been a child actor on the TV series Ebba and Didrik and later was a reporter for Sweden's public broadcaster SVT.
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The Golden Globe-winning actor, star of F.B.I. and 77 Sunset Strip, passed away at his ranch in Solvang, Calif., at the age of 95. The New Yorker began his career on Broadway before landing a few film roles and a recurring role as Dandy Jim Buckley on Maverick in the late '50s. He later provided the voice of the trusty Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series and associated spin-offs.
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The English actor known for his roles in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Long Good Friday and Hook died of pneumonia at the age of 71. Hoskins won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, and earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination in 1987 for his performance in Mona Lisa. He received two more Golden Globe nominations for arguably his most famous role as P.I. Eddie Valiant in 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and for 2005's Mrs. Henderson Presents. He is survived by four children and his wife, Linda Banwell.
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Rodney Bryce, who was known among the music community as DJ E-Z Rock, died at the age of 46 of unknown causes, although Biz Markie claimed it was from a diabetic seizure. Bryce teamed up with MC Rob Base for the dancefloor anthem "It Takes Two" in 1988. The duo's debut album It Takes Two, which also featured the familiar song "Joy and Pain," would go platinum and charted as high as number 31 on the Billboard 200.
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House music star Rashad Harden was found dead of a suspected drug overdose. He was 34. Known as DJ Rashad, pioneered a technique known as footwork, which combines synthesizers, bursts of fast beats and R&B samples with classic stepper's movements and hip-hop dancing. The practice originated in Chicago.
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The country singer died in April from complications from past stomach surgeries and digestive issues. He was 43. Sharp made his country debut in 1997 with a cover of Tony Rich's single "Nobody Knows." The single topped the Billboard country charts for four weeks. His debut album, Measure of a Man, also produced several Top 5 singles including "If You Love Somebody" and "She's Sure Taking It Well."
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