William F. Buckley, Jr.

November 24, 1925 - February 27, 2008


Occupation: American author, Conservative commentator, and founder of the National Review.
Cause of Death: So far unknown, but he suffered from diabetes and emphysema.
Trivia: Though he was a major thought-leader of the Reagan-era Conservative politics, in his later life, he favored drug legalization and banning tobacco.

Steve Fossett

22 April 1944 - 3 September 2007
Legally Dead: 15 February 2008

Occupation: Adventurer and aviator
Cause of Death: Presumably crashed in the Nevada Desert
Trivia: Once swam to Alcatraz

Countdown: Fidel Castro

Yesterday, Fidel Castro, 81, resigned his presidency of Cuba. If we follow the rule that elderly celebrities die within a year of retiring, this means he'll be dead within the year, especially as he's ailing with some intestinal disease.

Tom Lantos

1 February 1928 - 11 February 2008

Occupation: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Cause of Death: Esophageal Cancer
Trivia: Holocaust survivor, escaped from the Nazis TWICE, former international affairs analyst for public television, his wife is a MORMON

trivia update: The ONLY holocaust survivor ever elected to Congress

Celeb Special: Ah Meng

18 June 1960 – 8 February 2008
48
Occupation: Singapore Zoo Celebrity, Endangered Species
Cause of Death: Old age :), 95 in human years
Trivia: Was kept for 11 years illegally as a domesticated pet; named by Singapore government as a "Special Tourist Ambassador"

Roy Scheider

November 10, 1932 - February 10, 2008 (75)

Occupation: Actor
Cause of Death: Multiple Myeloma (:() Complications from a Staph infection
Trivia: Was the original choice to play RAMBO!!

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

? - February 5, 2008

Believed to be 91 years old.

Occupation: Founder and Teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Technique. Best known for teaching his technique to the Beatles in 1968 and bringing it to the United States.

Cause of Death: Old age? He passed away in his sleep, in a yoga position.

Trivia: Was on the cover of Time in October 1975, with the caption, "Meditation: The Answer to All Your Problems?" The Beatles referenced the Maharishi's teaher, Guru Dev, in their song "Across the Universe" with the lyrics "Jai, Guru Dev, Om." This is roughly translated to "Hail to the Divine Guru."

John McWethy

February 23, 1947 - February 6, 2008


Occupation: ABC News correspondant
Cause of Death: Skiing accident, struck a tree with his chest
Trivia: Apparently he was GAY.