2014 Notable Deaths

Joe Cocker English singer Joe Cocker died after a battle with cancer. He was 70. (credit: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

Director Mike Nichols died on Nov. 19, 2014. He was 83. Nichols brought his talents to film, TV and stage hits such as "The Graduate,'' "Angels in America'' and "Monty Python's Spamalot.'' (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AFI)

Mike Nichols Director Mike Nichols died on Nov. 19, 2014. He was 83. Nichols brought his talents to film, TV and stage hits such as "The Graduate,'' "Angels in America'' and "Monty Python's Spamalot.'' (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AFI)

Marcia Strassman, who played Gabe Kaplan’s wife, Julie, on the 1970s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter,” died Oct. 26. She was 66. (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment)

Marcia Strassman Marcia Strassman, who played Gabe Kaplan’s wife, Julie, on the 1970s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter,” died Oct. 26. She was 66. (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment)

Oscar de la Renta Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta died at his home in Kent, Connecticut on Oct. 20, 2014. He was 82. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Comedian Joan Rivers died on Sept. 4, 2014 a week after suffering complications during a routine throat procedure at a doctor’s office. She was 81. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Joan Rivers Comedian Joan Rivers died on Sept. 4, 2014 a week after suffering complications during a routine throat procedure at a doctor’s office. She was 81. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Robin Williams Robin Williams committed suicide inside his California home on Aug. 11, 2014. He was 63. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Jan Hooks Actress-comedian Jan Hooks died on Oct. 9, 2014 of an undisclosed illness.(Photo by Darryl James/Getty Images)

Acclaimed actor and Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, whose film career on both sides of the camera spanned 60 years died on Aug. 24, 2014. He was 90. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Galaxy Book Awards: Arrivals Acclaimed actor and Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, whose film career on both sides of the camera spanned 60 years died on Aug. 24, 2014. He was 90. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Lauren Bacall Legendary actress Lauren Bacall died of a stroke on Aug. 12, 2014. She was 89. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Elaine Stritch, the brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a theatrical icon, died on July 17, 2014. She was 89. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Elaine Stritch Elaine Stritch, the brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a theatrical icon, died on July 17, 2014. She was 89. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Ford Supermodel Of The World 2006/2007 Ford Models founder Eileen Ford died Wednesday, July 9, 2014. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for Ford Models)

Casey Kasem, the internationally famous broadcaster with the cheerful manner and gentle voice who became the king of the top 40 countdown with a syndicated show that ran for decades, died on June 15, 2014.. He was 82. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images)

Casey Kasem Casey Kasem, the internationally famous broadcaster with the cheerful manner and gentle voice who became the king of the top 40 countdown with a syndicated show that ran for decades, died on June 15, 2014.. He was 82. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images)

Ruby Dee, an acclaimed actor and civil rights activist whose versatile career spanned stage, radio television and film, died on June 11, 2014. She was 91.(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Ruby Dee Ruby Dee, an acclaimed actor and civil rights activist whose versatile career spanned stage, radio television and film, died on June 11, 2014. She was 91.(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Emmy-winning actress Ann B. Davis, who became the country’s favorite and most famous housekeeper as the devoted Alice Nelson of “The Brady Bunch,” died on June 1, 2014 at a San Antonio hospital. She was 88. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TV Land)

Ann B. Davis Emmy-winning actress Ann B. Davis, who became the country’s favorite and most famous housekeeper as the devoted Alice Nelson of “The Brady Bunch,” died on June 1, 2014 at a San Antonio hospital. She was 88. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TV Land)

Dr. Maya Angelou Dr. Maya Angelou, poet and author, has passed away at age 86, CBS News has confirmed. (Photo by Ken Charnock/Getty Images)

British actor Bob Hoskins, whose varied career ranged from "Mona Lisa'' to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'' died on April 30, 2014. He was 71. A family statement released Wednesday by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital after a bout of pneumonia.
(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Bob Hoskins British actor Bob Hoskins, whose varied career ranged from "Mona Lisa'' to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'' died on April 30, 2014. He was 71. A family statement released Wednesday by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital after a bout of pneumonia. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Mark Shand, the brother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, died after sustaining a serious head injury following a fall in New York on April 23, 2014. (credit: MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Mark Shand Mark Shand, the brother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, died after sustaining a serious head injury following a fall in New York on April 23, 2014. (credit: MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Peaches Geldof, the daughter of entertainer Bob Geldof, died on April 7, 2014 at the age of 25. Geldof had worked as a model and a television presenter. She was active in the fashion world, and was a frequent attendee at fashion shows (Photo by Dominique Charriau/Getty Images)

Peaches Geldof Peaches Geldof, the daughter of entertainer Bob Geldof, died on April 7, 2014 at the age of 25. Geldof had worked as a model and a television presenter. She was active in the fashion world, and was a frequent attendee at fashion shows (Photo by Dominique Charriau/Getty Images)

Shirley Temple, the dimpled, curly-haired child star who sang, danced, sobbed and grinned her way into the hearts of Depression-era moviegoers, died Feb. 10, 2014. She was 85. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Shirley Temple Black Shirley Temple, the dimpled, curly-haired child star who sang, danced, sobbed and grinned her way into the hearts of Depression-era moviegoers, died Feb. 10, 2014. She was 85. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Sid Caesar, the prodigiously talented pioneer of TV comedy who paired with Imogene Coca in sketches that became classics and who inspired a generation of famous writers, died on Feb. 12, 2014. He was 91. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Getty Images)

Sid Caesar Sid Caesar, the prodigiously talented pioneer of TV comedy who paired with Imogene Coca in sketches that became classics and who inspired a generation of famous writers, died on Feb. 12, 2014. He was 91. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Getty Images)

Comedy actor, director and writer Harold Ramis, best known for his roles in movies such as "Ghostbusters'' and "Stripes,'' died on Feb. 24, 2014 at his suburban Chicago home after a four-year battle with an autoimmune disease. He was 69. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Harold Ramis Comedy actor, director and writer Harold Ramis, best known for his roles in movies such as "Ghostbusters'' and "Stripes,'' died on Feb. 24, 2014 at his suburban Chicago home after a four-year battle with an autoimmune disease. He was 69. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Ralph Kiner Legendary Mets broadcaster and Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner passed away on Feb. 6, 2014. He was 91. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote'' and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated comic figures, was found dead on Feb. 2, 2014 in his Greenwich Village apartment. He was 46. (credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote'' and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated comic figures, was found dead on Feb. 2, 2014 in his Greenwich Village apartment. He was 46. (credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

L'Wren Scott, a fashion designer and Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, was found dead on March 17, 2014. She was 49. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Banana Republic)

Banana Republic, L'Wren Scott And Krista Smith Celebrate The Launch Of The Banana Republic L'Wren Scott Collection L'Wren Scott, a fashion designer and Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend, was found dead on March 17, 2014. She was 49. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Banana Republic)

Phil Everly, the youngest of the pioneer rock duo the Everly Brothers, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Jan. 3, 2014. He was 74. (credit: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images)

Phil Everly Phil Everly, the youngest of the pioneer rock duo the Everly Brothers, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Jan. 3, 2014. He was 74. (credit: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images)

Saul Zaentz, a music producer whose second career as a filmmaker brought him best-picture Academy Awards for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," ''Amadeus" and "The English Patient," died on Jan. 3, 2014. He was 92.(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Saul Zaentz Saul Zaentz, a music producer whose second career as a filmmaker brought him best-picture Academy Awards for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," ''Amadeus" and "The English Patient," died on Jan. 3, 2014. He was 92.(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Russell Johnson, the actor who played "The Professor'' on "Gilligan's Island,'' died of natural causes on Jan. 16, 2014. He was 89. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Russell Johnson Russell Johnson, the actor who played "The Professor'' on "Gilligan's Island,'' died of natural causes on Jan. 16, 2014. He was 89. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ruth Robinson Duccini, the last of the original female Munchkins from the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz,'' died of natural causes on Jan. 16, 2014. She was 95. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Ruth Robinson Duccini Ruth Robinson Duccini, the last of the original female Munchkins from the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz,'' died of natural causes on Jan. 16, 2014. She was 95. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

American troubadour, folk music singer and activist Pete Seeger died at a hospital in New York on Jan. 27, 2014. He was 94. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Pete Seeger American troubadour, folk music singer and activist Pete Seeger died at a hospital in New York on Jan. 27, 2014. He was 94. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Mickey Rooney, Hollywood's top box-office draw in the late 1930s to early 1940s, died on April 6, 2014 at his North Hollywood home at age 93. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney, Hollywood's top box-office draw in the late 1930s to early 1940s, died on April 6, 2014 at his North Hollywood home at age 93. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

James Scott Brady, former Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under U.S. President Ronald Reagan, died on Aug. 4, 2014. He was 74. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

James Brady

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Former White House Press Secretary James Brady visits the press briefing room that bears his name in the West Wing of the White House March 30, 2011 in Washington, DC. Brady was visiting the White House on the 30th anniversary of the day he was shot in the head by John Hinckley, Jr., during his attempted assassination former President Ronald Reagan March 30, 1981. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

James Scott Brady, former Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under U.S. President Ronald Reagan, died on Aug. 4, 2014. He was 74. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Ariel Sharon, the hard-charging Israeli general and prime minister who was admired and hated for his battlefield exploits and ambitions to reshape the Middle East, died on January 11, 2014, eight years after a stroke left him in a coma from which he never awoke. He was 85. (credit: Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images)

Ariel Sharon Ariel Sharon, the hard-charging Israeli general and prime minister who was admired and hated for his battlefield exploits and ambitions to reshape the Middle East, died on January 11, 2014, eight years after a stroke left him in a coma from which he never awoke. He was 85. (credit: Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images)