The music of Tammy Wynette speaks to the ache and loneliness of relationships turned sour, a subject with which she was well-acquainted

One of the most beloved actors in the history of film, Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird," earned nominatio

Jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan won her way to fame through a talent show at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York

Ivan Dixon is known best for his role on "Hogan's Heroes," playing Staff Sergeant James "Kinch" Kinchloe

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Marlon Brando was one of the most influential actors of his generation, starring in enduring classics like "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Wild One," and "Apoc

Kurt Cobain skyrocketed into the spotlight as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for grunge superstars Nirvana

Heath Ledger began his acting career with guest spots on Australian soaps, but he transitioned quickly to the big screen, and to some of the biggest films of al

Pope John Paul II was the second-longest-serving pope in modern history. He served from 1978 until 2005

When Marvin Gaye died, he left behind an extensive catalog that is as moving and beloved today as it was during his lifetime

Cesar Chavez was one of history's greatest labor leaders, working tirelessly to bring justice to farmworkers

Stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg gained a following for his surreal one-liners, delighting fans and baffling everybody else with jokes like, "My friend asked me

Marlin Perkins taught a generation of young people about animals as the host of "Wild Kingdom" from 1963 to 1985

Dudley Moore is well-known for his work in classic comedies like "10" and the "Arthur" films, for which he picked up an Oscar nomination

Singer-songwriter Buck Owens scored 21 No

Steve McQueen was the King of Cool, an action hero so dedicated to action that he dropped out of the movie business to race motorcycles

Do you know Karl Malden? If you've seen his iconic 1970s and '80s American Express commercials, you do

Solomon Burke was known as the King of Rock and Soul. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member had 35 singles that charted in the U.S

Randy Rhoads was one of the great metal guitarists of all time – many even consider him among the best guitarists in any genre

Wilson Pickett was one of the key architects of soul music, laying the groundwork for the developing genre with high-energy hits including "Mustang Sally," "Lan

In her short musical career, singer Tammi Terrell crafted a string of hits with Marvin Gaye, cementing her place in history as a Motown legend

Lightnin' Hopkins was one of the great blues guitarists of the 20th century, named by Rolling Stone to the magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all

Maureen Stapleton is well-known for her work in films like "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Airport," as well as her frank admission about her struggles with alcoholism an

John Forsythe played one of the most iconic television characters whose face was never seen: Charlie, the millionaire private investigator who spoke to his "ang

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was on the verge of major mainstream musical success when she was shot and killed in 1995

Pearl Bailey, the Tony and Emmy award-winning actress and singer, starred in projects as diverse as "St

June Havoc built her career as a child star, singing and dancing on vaudeville as Baby June, backed by one of history's most famous overbearing stage mothers

Leonard Nimoy was an icon of pop culture, thanks to his legendary portrayal of Mr

Sportscaster Howard Cosell described himself as "arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff." He also was an incredibly talented broadcaster

Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor once said, "Everything makes me nervous – except making films," and making films was something at which she excelled

Animator William Hanna picked up seven Oscars and eight Emmys for his work with Joseph Barbera

Singer and comedian Marilyn Maxwell had a prolific film career as a contract player for MGM, and she sang in several films and on television shows

Moms Mabley was billed as the Funniest Woman in the World, a rare success story as a black lesbian comedian in a world that was, for the bulk of her 20th-centur

Alex Chilton may not be as well-known as some rockers, but he influenced so many. For power-pop geeks, that music genre started with Chilton's band Big Star

Pat Nixon was a perfect example of the modern first lady, one who does much more than stand by her husband's side and entertain important people

Peter Graves was a TV and movie icon, perhaps best known for starring on TV's "Mission: Impossible" from 1967 to 1973 and again in the show's revival from 1988

Journalist and model Peaches Geldof was the daughter of Live Aid founder Bob Geldof and TV presenter Paula Yates

Gordon Jump was a television favorite from the 1970s on

Naomi Sims blazed a trail in the world of high fashion – she was the first African-American supermodel and the first African-American model to appear on the cov

Lawyer Johnnie Cochran was known best for his leadership role in the defense and acquittal of O. J

Jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan won her way to fame through a talent show at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York

Eazy-E came "Straight Outta Compton" in the mid-1980s, revolutionizing hip-hop music as one of the members of N.W.A

With a career spanning more than 50 years, actor Robert Culp built a very diverse body of work

Moses Malone was known as the Chairman of the Boards for his rebounding skills while playing center in the NBA

Dack Rambo was a frequent guest star on shows throughout the 1970s and '80s, eventually landing larger roles on the soap operas "All My Children" and "Another W

Fred Rogers hated television when he first saw it

Natasha Richardson was born into a movie dynasty, the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson, granddaughter of Michael Redgrave and R

Alexander McQueen was one of England's hottest fashion designers at a young age

Many parents have copies of Dr. Benjamin Spock's book "Dr. Spock's Baby & Child Care" on their bookshelves

Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was a superstar for the Minnesota Twins, setting and holding the team's records for career hits, runs, doubles, and total b