Monthly Archives: December 2024
Morton Abramowitz, diplomat galvanized by war and famine, dies at 91
He led calls to send Stinger missiles to anti-Soviet guerrillas in Afghanistan and later founded the International Crisis Group to help global peace efforts.
By Brian Murphy
Jim Abrahams, parody master of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘Naked Gun,’ dies at 80
The screenwriting team of Mr. Abrahams and brothers David and Jerry Zucker often cast veteran dramatic actors in their seriously silly movies.
By Brian Murphy
Tony Campolo, preacher who led the evangelical left, dies at 89
He became a powerful if unusual force within Evangelicalism by challenging believers to separate their faith from conservative politics.
By Emily Langer
Helen Gallagher, two-time Tony winner in Broadway musicals, dies at 98
After winning Tony Awards for revivals of “Pal Joey” and “No, No, Nanette,” Ms. Gallagher made career pivot to the soap opera “Ryan’s Hope.”
By Brian Murphy
Chuck Woolery, host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Wheel,’ dies at 83
After rising to prominence as a handsome, easygoing game-show host, he became a conservative commentator and podcaster.
By Annabelle Timsit and Harrison Smith
Barbara Taylor Bradford, novelist of bold heroines, dies at 91
Mrs. Bradford amassed an enormous following and fortune with books that championed women who were strong, ambitious, resilient — and fabulously rich and beautiful. She wrote more than 30 bestsellers.
By Olesia Plokhii
Fred R. Harris, Oklahoma senator on Kerner Commission, dies at 94
Mr. Harris, a liberal populist, was once considered one of the bright young faces of the Democratic Party. He twice ran for president and chaired the Democratic National Committee.
By Michael H. Brown
Alice Brock, namesake of Arlo Guthrie’s ‘Alice’s Restaurant,’ dies at 83
Guthrie’s 1967 antiwar anthem with the refrain “You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant” begins with an eventful Thanksgiving hosted by Ms. Brock.
By Brian Murphy
Steven J. Rosen, lobbyist who battled classified leak charges, dies at 82
Mr. Rosen was a powerful voice for the pro-Israel group AIPAC before being charged with passing classified secrets in a case that was eventually dropped.
By Brian Murphy
Henry Taylor, prize-winning poet with an eye on rural life, dies at 82
He won a Pulitzer for “The Flying Change,” a 1985 collection reflecting his love of horses and his upbringing in Virginia hunt country.
By Harrison Smith