Celebrity Deaths This Week in History at WRAL.com

This Week in History is a collection of National and International icons who have played an important role in Sports, Entertainment, Business, Education, Politics, Science, Technology and many other influential areas.

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Celebrity Deaths This Week in History

Heath Ledger, 28

April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008

The Oscar-nominated actor was found dead of an accidental drug overdose at a downtown Manhattan residence
Abbe Pierre, 94

August 5, 1912 - January 22, 2007

French priest praised as a living legend for devoting his life to helping the homeless, using prayer and provocation to tackle misery.
Ann Miller, 80

April 12, 1923 - January 22, 2004

Child dance prodigy who fast-tapped her way to movie stardom that peaked in 1940s musicals like "On the Town," "Easter Parade" and "Kiss Me Kate.
Johnny Carson, 79

October 23, 1925 - January 23, 2005

The 30-year host of the "Tonight Show" died of complications from emphysema.
Jack LaLanne, 96

September 26, 1914 - January 23, 2011

Fitness guru who inspired television viewers to trim down, eat well and pump iron for decades before diet and exercise became a national obsession
Nell Carter, 54

September 12, 1948 - January 23, 2003

Actress who played the stout, sassy housekeeper on the 1980s sitcom "Gimme a Break!" and won a Tony Award in 1978 for her sultry turn in the Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin".
Bob Keeshan, 76

June 27, 1927 - January 23, 2004

Television's 'Captain Kangaroo'
Kay Yow, 66

March 14, 1942 - January 24, 2009

North Carolina State's Hall of Fame women's basketball coach who won more than 700 games while earning fans with her decades-long fight against breast cancer.
Charlie Louvin, 83

July 7, 1927 - January 26, 2011

Country Music Hall of Famer, best known for the special brand of harmony he and his brother Ira created with the Louvin Brothers duo in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
Gordon B. Hinckley, 97

June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008

The Mormon church's oldest president, who presided over one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history.
Jack Paar, 85

May 1918 - January 27, 2004

The smart-alec comic who pioneered late-night talk on "The Tonight Show" in 1957, died after a long illness.
John Updike, 76

March 18, 1932 - January 27, 2009

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, prolific man of letters and erudite chronicler of sex, divorce and other adventures in the postwar prime of the American empire.
J.D. Salinger , 91

January 1, 1919 - January 28, 2010

Legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned.
Archbishop Christodoulos, 69

January 17, 1939 - January 28, 2008

Greece's Orthodox Church leader, who eased centuries of tension with the Vatican, died of cancer at his home.

Celebrity Deaths This Week in History Archive

Celebrity Deaths This Week in History

Heath Ledger, 28

April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008

Abbe Pierre, 94

August 5, 1912 - January 22, 2007

Ann Miller, 80

April 12, 1923 - January 22, 2004

Johnny Carson, 79

October 23, 1925 - January 23, 2005

Jack LaLanne, 96

September 26, 1914 - January 23, 2011

Nell Carter, 54

September 12, 1948 - January 23, 2003

Bob Keeshan, 76

June 27, 1927 - January 23, 2004

Kay Yow, 66

March 14, 1942 - January 24, 2009

Charlie Louvin, 83

July 7, 1927 - January 26, 2011

Gordon B. Hinckley, 97

June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008

Jack Paar, 85

May 1918 - January 27, 2004

John Updike, 76

March 18, 1932 - January 27, 2009

J.D. Salinger , 91

January 1, 1919 - January 28, 2010

Archbishop Christodoulos, 69

January 17, 1939 - January 28, 2008

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Celebrity Deaths This Week in History Archive

Celebrity Deaths This Week in History

Heath Ledger, 28

April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008

Abbe Pierre, 94

August 5, 1912 - January 22, 2007

Ann Miller, 80

April 12, 1923 - January 22, 2004

Johnny Carson, 79

October 23, 1925 - January 23, 2005

Jack LaLanne, 96

September 26, 1914 - January 23, 2011

Nell Carter, 54

September 12, 1948 - January 23, 2003

Bob Keeshan, 76

June 27, 1927 - January 23, 2004

Kay Yow, 66

March 14, 1942 - January 24, 2009

Charlie Louvin, 83

July 7, 1927 - January 26, 2011

Gordon B. Hinckley, 97

June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008

Jack Paar, 85

May 1918 - January 27, 2004

John Updike, 76

March 18, 1932 - January 27, 2009

J.D. Salinger , 91

January 1, 1919 - January 28, 2010

Archbishop Christodoulos, 69

January 17, 1939 - January 28, 2008

The Year in Review

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