Famous and Infamous People Who Died in 2008

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A look back at the people we lost; the famous faces and world changing personalities who died in 2008.

JANUARY

Heath Ledger - Died at the age of 28

Nominated for an Oscar for his role in Brokeback Mountain, his last film Dark Knight broke box office records when it was released shortly after his death.  His Dark Knight role earned him a post-humus Golden Globe nomination.

Bobby Fischer - Died at the age of 64

World renowned American chess genius who beat Russia's Boris Spassky in 1972, in what was later dubbed the "chess match of the century".

Suharto - Died at the age of 86

President of Indonesia from 1967 to 1998, ousted after the Asian financial crisis triggered a wave of unrest.

Robert Weaver  - Died at the age of 87

The “godfather of Canadian literature” who helped promote the careers of Alice Munro, Timothy Findley, Mordecai Richler, Margaret Atwood and Leonard Cohen.

Sir Edmund Hillary – Died at the age of 88

The first man ever known to have set foot on the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.

Milt Dunnell – Died at the age of 102

Legendary Toronto Star writer/editor and Canadian Hall of Fame journalist known for his endless knowledge and depth of life experience having witnessed many key historical events with his own eyes.

FEBRUARY

Roy Scheider  - Died at the age of 75

Best known for playing the police chief in the Jaws series of movies, his roles in The French Connection and All That Jazz gained him Oscar nominations and earned him the respect of his peers. A long struggle with cancer finally ended his life.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – Died at the age of 91

The Indian guru widely credited with introducing John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Beatles to ancient Hindu meditation methods.

MARCH

Jeff Healey – Died at the age of 41

Blinded by cancer when he was only a baby, he rose to fame as a rock, blues and jazz musician and won a Juno in 1990 for entertainer of the year.  After battling cancer his entire life it was the cause of his untimely death.

Paul Scofield  - Died at the age of 86

Winner of two Oscars, most notable, best actor for A Man For All Seasons in 1967, he was one of the most renowned Shakespearian theatre actors of his generation.

Sir Arthur C Clarke – Died at the age of 90

British science fiction author and thought experiment pioneer who foresaw the arrival of space shuttles, satellite communications networks and some even say, the Internet.

APRIL

Charlton Heston  - Died at the age of 84

One-time sex symbol and classic movie star he was also an active campaigner for Civil Rights and president of the National Rifle Association.

MAY

Luc Bourdon – Died at the age of 21

Vancouver Canucks rookie defenseman who was on the gold-winning 2006 and 2007 world junior teams.  Killed suddenly in a motorcycle accident before his NHL career debut.

Irvine Robbins – Died at the age of 90

One half of the legendary ice cream duo Baskin-Robbins he has been credited with bringing rocky road, pralines and cream and other exotic ice-cream concoctions to almost every corner of North America.

JUNE

Yves St Laurent – Died at the age of 71

World renowned Haute Couture designer, and fashion powerhouse, who introduced mini-skirts and trouser suits to women's wardrobes in the 1960s and built a vast and powerful fashion and beauty empire.

Cyd Charisse – Died at the age of 86

Considered one of classic Hollywood’s great beauties, she danced with stars like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

JULY

Jesse Helms – Died at the age of 86

An extremely vocal Republican who was never afraid to speak up in the US Congress, he was dubbed "Senator No" by his critics for his tendency to actively campaign against most Democratic initiatives.

John Templeton – Died at the age of 95

A mutual-fund pioneer, investor and philanthropist who built his huge empire in Canada, he was very involved in behind-the-scenes politics and was a great supporter of the Arts.

AUGUST

Isaac Hayes – Died at the age of 65

A flamboyant performer known for his deep and hypnotic voice, he won an Oscar in 1971 for the theme song of the cult film Shaft. He was known to a younger generation as the voice of Chef on South Park, a role he is rumoured to have vacated after the show attacked Tom Cruise and Scientology, of which he was said to be a follower.

Geoffrey Ballard – Died at the age of 76

Founder of Ballard Power Systems Inc. and considered the father of the fuel cell industry.  Named a lifetime Friend of the Environment for his work, including the introduction of the world’s first hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered, zero-emission transit bus, he was ahead of his time.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – Died at the age of 89

World famous Russian Nobel-prize-winning novelist who documented the strain and horror of Stalin's labour camps in his famous novel, Gulag Archipelago.

Wilf Creighton – Died at the age of 104

Canadian survivor of the Halifax explosion of 1917.

SEPTEMBER

Dale Auger – Died at the age of 50

World famous Cree painter, filmmaker, author and educator from northern Alberta; one of Canada’s most successful aboriginal artists and a staunch advocate of the preservation of First Nations Arts.

OCTOBER

Levi Stubb – Died at the age of 72

A founding member of the legendary Motown band The Four Tops, known for his rich, baritone voice, and smooth dance moves. Sang the lead in most of the group's biggest hits including Reach Out (I'll Be There).  Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990

Paul Newman - Died at the age of 83

In a career spanning five decades, Newman became a living legend.  His long marriage to Joanne Woodward was a rare Hollywood success.

Ben Weider – Died at the age of 85

Health and fitness pioneer, successful businessman, philanthropist and scholar best known for founding the International Federation of Body Builders, and discovering the talents of Arnold Schwarzenegger, with his brother Joe.

NOVEMBER

Michael Crichton – Died at the age of 66

Best-selling author of novels like Jurassic Park and Sphere, and creator of the popular TV Drama ER, he succumb to cancer much to the shock of his legions of fans.

DECEMBER

Ted Rogers - Died at the age of 75

Canadian media mogul responsible for creating the largest wireless, cable and media company in the country.  He put the Rogers family name on sports arenas, phones and trucks, and changed the way that Canadians communicate.

Martha "Sunny" von Bulow  - Died at the age of 76

The US heiress who spent almost three decades in a coma and was at the center of many 1980s courtroom dramas, most notably the trial of her husband Claus von Bulow on charges that he induced her coma to access her vast fortune.

Patriarch Alexiy II Alexei Ridiger – Died at the age of 79

Head of the Russian Orthodox Church and thought to have links to the KGB. Elected Patriarch Alexiy II in 1990.

Eartha Kitt – Died at the age of 81

One of the few artists ever to be nominated for all three major US entertainment awards; the Tonys, the Emmys and the Grammys. She was best known for her role as Catwoman in the Batman series, and for singing the classic holiday song Santa Baby.

Bettie Paige – Died at the age of 85

Often called the Notorious Bettie Page, the buxom brunette beauty was the original 1950's pin-up girl who has inspired countless centerfolds and swimsuit models.

Mark Felt ("Deep Throat") – Died at the age of 95

The FBI agent known as Deep Throat, who helped Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein expose the Watergate scandal that lead to the impeachment of US President Richard Nixon.