William Spriggs, economist who highlighted racial disparities, dies at 68
President Biden called Dr. Spriggs, an economics professor at Howard University and chief economist for the AFL-CIO, a “towering figure in his field."
By Steven GreenhouseAma Ata Aidoo, Ghanaian writer who was voice of African women, dies at 81
Ms. Aidoo's works explored the ghosts of the past such as colonialism and slavery.
By Brian MurphyPat Cooper, stand-up comic who mined his Italian roots, dies at 93
Credited with coining the phrase “bada-bing,” Mr. Cooper’s schtick was the Italian version of Jackie Mason’s jokes about Jewish mothers.
By Michael S. RosenwaldRichard Snyder, titan of publishing industry, dies at 90
The longtime chief of Simon & Schuster grew the company into one of the largest publishing houses in the world.
By Associated PressGeorge Winston, pianist who sought to echo nature, dies at 74
Mr. Winston's compositions became part of the New Age music wave. He called his style "folk piano."
By Brian MurphyJames Watt, combative interior secretary under Reagan, dies at 85
He battled environmentalists and offended even some allies with the uninhibited rhetoric that ultimately drove him to resign.
By Emily LangerMark Worth, newspaper copy editor, dies at 42
He spent much of his career at the Miami Herald before a brief stint at The Washington Post.
By Washington Post staffPat Robertson, televangelist who mixed politics and religion, dies at 93
With a mass TV following, he spearheaded a powerful political coalition of religious conservatives.
By Matt SchudelIlya Kabakov, whose art punctured Soviet propaganda, dies at 89
Mr. Kabakov was renowned for his immersive installations that told bleak stories of life under Communism.
By Michael S. RosenwaldJim Hines, sprinter who broke 10-second mark in 100 meters, dies at 76
Mr. Hines was part the famed "Night of Speed" at the 1968 U.S. track and field championships.
By Brian MurphyHossein Vaziri, wrestling’s villainous Iron Sheik, is dead
The Iranian-born athlete became one of the most reviled — and yet most popular — personalities in the sport during the 1970s and 1980s.
By Ben SumnerRoger Craig, evangelist of the split-finger fastball, dies at 93
As a coach and manager, he taught the devastating pitch to a generation of pitchers. It looks like a fastball, then dives at the last moment.
By Michael S. RosenwaldAstrud Gilberto, who struck fame with ‘The Girl From Ipanema,’ dies at 83
Astrud Gilberto released more than 15 albums and compilations over four decades but remained best-known for "The Girl From Ipanema," her accidental hit.
By Brian MurphyFrançoise Gilot, celebrated artist, writer and muse to Picasso, dies at 101
She made celebrated paintings exhibited at the Met and MoMA, and wrote a best-selling account of her years with Picasso.
By Harrison SmithRobert Hanssen, FBI agent who spied for Moscow, dies in prison at 79
He disclosed highly classified materials and betrayed U.S. assets -- including two who were later executed -- in one of the worst breaches in U.S. history.
By Michael S. Rosenwald, Emily Langer and Adam BernsteinHarvey Pitt, who had turbulent reign as SEC chairman, dies at 78
He was among the nation’s foremost authorities on securities law, but political missteps damaged his credibility.
By James R. HagertyThomas Buergenthal, Holocaust survivor who shaped global rights law, dies at 89
Dr. Buergenthal was part of cases ranging from Israel's separation barrier to atrocities in Central America.
By Brian MurphyKaija Saariaho, innovative Finnish composer, dies at 70
Ms. Saariaho’s music was admired by professional musicians and was increasingly popular with the general public.
By Tim PageJessie Maple, who broke barriers in filmmaking, dies at 86
The filmmaker and camera operator was called “the first African-American woman to direct an independent feature film in the post-civil rights era.”
By Harrison SmithCynthia Weil, Grammy-winning pop lyricist, dies at 82
She helped write “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “On Broadway” and many other era-defining hits
By Associated Press