Death Hasn't Taken the Summer Off

By Marc Schneider Posted Sep 1st 2009 02:00PM

JUNE Deaths
3 -- Blues queen Koko Taylor, 80, complications from stomach surgery.
3 -- 'Enter the Dragon' villain Shih Kien, 96, kidney failure.
4 -- David Carradine, 72, asphyxiation.
23 -- Ed McMahon, 86, natural causes.
25 -- Farrah Fawcett, 62, cancer.
25 -- Michael Jackson, 50, homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication.
28 -- TV pitchman Billy Mays, 50, heart disease.
28 -- Entertainer Fred Travalena, 66, cancer.
29 -- 1950s sitcom star Gale Storm, 87, natural causes.

JULY Deaths
1 -- Karl Malden, 97, natural causes.
1 -- 'Fargo' actor Harve Presnell, 75, pancreatic cancer.
4 -- 'Tarzan' actress Brenda Joyce, 92, pneumonia.
17 -- Walter Cronkite, 92, natural causes.
19 -- 'Angela's Ashes' author Frank McCourt, 78, melanoma.
19 -- British invasion singer Gordon Waller, 64, cardiovascular disease.
21 -- 'You Can't Do That on Television' star Les Lye, 84.
22 -- 'American Idol' contestant Alexis Cohen, 23, struck by car.

AUGUST Deaths
6 -- John Hughes, 59, heart attack.
10 -- Folk music revivalist Mike Seeger, 75, cancer.
13 -- Guitar innovator Les Paul, 94, pneumonia.
28 -- Adam Goldstein (DJ AM), 36, cause pending autopsy results.

It's being called the Summer of Death, and for good reason. Beginning with the bizarre passing of 'Kung Fu' actor David Carradine and then recently the sudden end to DJ AM's life, the past few months have been rife with over 20 fallen celebrities and pop culture figures.

There was no pattern in the levels of prestige among the fallen, just death upon death, involving the trustworthy (Walter Cronkite), the quirky (Billy Mays) and the innovative (Les Paul). Each were met with sadness, or shock, or ambivalence -- depending on the person.

Which celeb left the biggest legacy? How did you react? Take our end of summer (of death) polls after the jump.

Of course, the bigger the star, the bigger the reaction.

On any other day, Farrah Fawcett's cancer death would have garnered hours of coverage, with every cable network looping footage from 'Charlie's Angels' and other moments in her career. But she wasn't the only celebrity to die on June 25, was she?

The summer of 2009 will be forever defined by the loss of perhaps the world's most recognizable figure: Michael Jackson.

When news broke on TMZ that Jackson had been rushed to the hospital, the Internet literally convulsed with activity. Millions began feverishly updating their Facebook and Twitter pages while simultaneously seeking news updates and Jackson videos on YouTube to blast over office computer speakers.

It was a once-in-a-generation spectacle, and the aftermath -- ongoing as we await MJ's actual burial -- has been as intriguing as the actual event.

How people learn about, react to and cope with celebrity deaths is a story unto itself, especially after this funeral-filled summer. Tell us what you think:

Tags: michael jackson, MichaelJackson, obits, obituary, summer of death, SummerOfDeath

Comments

(211)

Monday 07 September

By jazz

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I agree and sorry to have to say that

Tuesday 01 September

By Chelsey

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Amen

By Jonitia

Hello......people die. Just because a person is a celebrity does not give them a free pass against death. IT can be from old age, sickness, drugs,accidents, etc but death will come for us all.

By Laurie

I am so glad you shared your insight. I thought I would live forever......

By Anthony 19MCA

Let's also remember those poor children in third-world countries dying of hunger and witnessing their parents getting murdered or painfully dying of diseases that are easily cureable but they can't afford. Don't forget child exploitation and helpless children performing sexual acts in order for their families to have food to eat. People stop living living in your shelterd lives and be brave enough to inform yourselves on what's really going on in the world, besides what the media puts in your faces for entertainment. RIP all good people, celebrity or not, rich or poor.

By campwv1028

I agree Jonita, we should not point fingers or judge other people and we will all, for sure face death one day. Thanks for your comment.

By tiffany

yes we are all goin 1 day but mj was an icon to most ppl thats y it was so hard, well mayb not 2u

Tuesday 08 September

By Brad

Unfortunately, Without Death, Life Does Not Exist.
If You Don't Die, You Never Lived.

By bob40wil

No one gets out alive, rich, poor or in between we all become just yesterdays news.

By TERI

YOU ARE SO RIGHT. THATS A QUOTE FROM JIM MORRISON

By SKIPPY61843

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my heart goe out to the family

By GingerRoot

All but a few were over 60, many much older, 70s, 80s. I'd say old age didn't take the summer off.

By erin

They forgot Teddy K. HaHA

By Judy S

I really miss Dominick Dunne.

By PUNKBOOKKEEPER

Certainly agree, Dominick Dunne was a great loss, as was the fabulous songwriter, Ellie Greenwich, author of "River Deep, Mountain High" and "Be My Baby".

By deanna b

once you lose a child, celebrity deaths are not shocking-nor are any others

By Aleem

Man, I don't care weather your crossing the street, driving to and from work, or just taking a casual walk on the sidewalk, if your going to die then your going to die period. I mean you can be preventative by watching the things you do but it will catch you if it wants.

By howard

IT SADDENS ME THAT THE LATE GREAT ARTO GATTI NOT ON THE LIST

Wednesday 02 September

By Amy Z.

LOL they forgot Ted Kennedy! Anyways, my dog and my cousin's mother-in-law both passed away in July... Gosh, what a summer!!

By Fred

I don't remember where I heard this but there is a quote, "No one gets out of here alive".

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