Bill Zehme, who elevated celebrity profiles to an art form, dies at 64
Mr. Zehme brought humor and a literary voice to profiles of Warren Beatty, Frank Sinatra, David Letterman, Sharon Stone and other stars.
By Michael S. RosenwaldMark Russell, political satirist with a star-spangled piano, dies at 90
With his instrument of choice, he called himself a "political cartoonist for the blind.”
By Bart BarnesKenneth Brody, investment banker who led Export-Import Bank, dies at 79
A prominent figure in Washington as well as on Wall Street, he rallied donors in the financial industry behind Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign.
By Emily LangerYang Bing-yi, who built a soup-dumpling empire, dies at 96
He partnered with his wife to start the Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung, which helped popularize Shanghai-style soup dumplings around the world.
By Harrison SmithKeith Reid, ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ lyricist, dies at 76
He was a member of the British band Procol Harum when he wrote "A Whiter Shade of Pale," which sold more than 10 million copies.
By Tim PageEdward MacMahon, who helped defend ‘20th hijacker’ after 9/11, dies at 62
Mr. MacMahon became a harsh critic of the military commissions in Guantánamo Bay, calling them "trial by whim."
By Brian MurphyWilliam Wulf, computer pioneer who opened way for internet, dies at 83
Dr. Wulf envisioned a digital network open to all. He found an ally in Al Gore.
By Brian MurphyRandall Robinson, founder of influential Africa lobby, dies at 81
The founding executive director of TransAfrica was for years the foremost U.S. activist representing Africans and the African diaspora.
By Emily LangerRichard Berendzen, AU president tainted by obscene-call scandal, dies at 84
Before resigning the presidency in 1990, he was credited with elevating American University’s national profile. He later returned to AU to teach astronomy.
By Harrison SmithConnie Martinson, who interviewed thousands of authors on TV, dies at 90
Ms. Martinson self-funded her cable and public television show. Guests included Gore Vidal, Joyce Carol Oates, Norman Mailer, Maya Angelou and Rosa Parks.
By Michael S. RosenwaldWalter Cole, world’s oldest drag queen as Darcelle XV, dies at 92
Walter Cole, in his drag persona Darcelle XV, became an unofficial goodwill ambassador in Portland and a symbol of the city's cherished quirkiness.
By Brian MurphyGordon Moore, Silicon Valley pioneer who co-founded Intel, dies at 94
His innovations in the design and manufacture of semiconductor chips helped launch Silicon Valley and transform the computer into the ubiquitous, defining machine of modern life
By Kathleen DayRudolph ‘Rudy’ Lamone, U. Md. business school dean, dies at 91
Rudolph P. “Rudy” Lamone, dean of the University of Maryland's business school for nearly two decades, helped create a center for entrepreneurship at the school.
By Frederick N. RasmussenPatrick French, renowned biographer of V.S. Naipaul, dies at 56
The British author chronicled the modern history of India and Tibet but was best known for “The World Is What It Is,” his incisive biography of Naipaul.
By Harrison SmithVirginia Zeani, renowned and versatile opera diva, dies at 97
She was the volatile and conflicted Sister Blanche in the world premiere of Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites” at La Scala in 1957.
By Tim PageGladys Kessler, federal judge in landmark tobacco lawsuit, dies at 85
In a major ruling in 2006, she found that cigarette makers had conspired for decades to deceive the public about the deadly threat posed by smoking.
By Emily LangerRev. Frank Griswold III, Episcopal champion of gay clergy, dies at 85
The Rev. Griswold in 2003 consecrated the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and touched off a firestorm across the wider Anglican communities.
By Brian MurphyWillis Reed, who led the Knicks to two NBA titles, dies at 80
His heroic performance during Game 7 of the NBA Finals vs. the Lakers is considered one of the league’s greatest moments.
By Michael S. RosenwaldJohn Jenrette, roguish congressman snared in Abscam sting, dies at 86
His rise in the House of Representatives ended in 1980, after he was convicted of taking a $50,000 bribe in an FBI sting operation.
By Harrison SmithGloria Dea, Las Vegas magician who vanished into obscurity, dies at 100
Ms. Dea was the first magician on what became known as the Las Vegas strip. She later had a brief career as a Hollywood starlet.
By Michael S. Rosenwald