Notable deaths of 2012: Arts and culture figures

The former New York City Ballet principal who settled in Los Angeles and directed the Westside School of Ballet for many years died in October at 93. Mounsey, who had been fighting cancer, was active until the end, working on this year’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”
MORE: Yvonne Mounsey dies at 93; Westside School of Ballet director  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The classical pianist and writer died in December at 85 from cancer. Though he gave concerts and recitals around the world, Rosen is perhaps best remembered for his books, including the seminal “The Classical Style,” which won a National Book Award in 1972.
MORE: Charles Rosen dies at 85; pianist wrote ‘The Classical Style’   (Hiroyuki Ito / Getty Images)

The German composer, who died in October at 86, wrote music for symphonies, opera, chamber groups and ballet. His diverse output was noted for its eclectic styles that drew on atonality, jazz and regional music.
MORE: Hans Werner Henze, versatile German composer, dies at 86   (Erich Auerbach / Getty Images)

The British composer died in December at 73 following a battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. His many works for orchestra and operas were notable for their use of electronic sounds, mixing traditional instruments with digital technology.   (Maurice Foxall / AP)

The German baritone died in May at 86. Throughout his career, he championed German lieder, or songs, by Schubert, Mahler and other composers. He appeared at opera houses around the world and sang operas by Mozart, Wagner and many others.
MORE: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone who championed German lieder, dies at 86  (Bruechmann / EPA)

The award-winning composer of “A Chorus Line” and many other stage musicals and movies died unexpectedly in August at 68 after a brief illness. The songwriter had an active career as a conductor and had recently joined the Pasadena Pops as its lead conductor. His final musical was “The Nutty Professor,” based on the Jerry Lewis movie. He will be succeeded at the Pasadena Pops by his frequent on-stage collaborator Michael Feinstein.
MORE: Marvin Hamlisch dies at 68: Sudden, brief illness halted busy life | Marvin Hamlisch, 68, remembered by theater collaborators  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The L.A.-based theater producer, who died in August at 59 of cancer, helped to launch a number of long-running local productions, including Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” and “Forever Plaid.” Stein won a Tony Award in 1999 as one of the producers of the play “Side Man.” She also ran the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills for 10 years with her producing partner Susan Dietz.
MORE: Joan Stein dies at 59; Tony-winning theater and TV producer  (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)

The prolific author, playwright, screenwriter, novelist and critic died in July at 86 due to complications from pneumonia. Vidal’s death came at the same time as a Broadway revival of his election-year play “The Best Man.” His other works for the stage include “Romulus” and “Weekend.”
MORE: Gore Vidal dies: Cultural icon made his mark on Broadway | Gore Vidal, iconoclastic author, dies at 86>  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The L.A. actress of stage and screen died in July at 69 after a battle with cancer. Though she often played comical supporting roles on television and in the movies, she also acted in theater and was a founding board member of the Latino Theatre Company in downtown L.A.
MORE: Latino Theater Company remembers Lupe Ontiveros  (Dr. Billy Ingram / WireImage)

The stage and comedy writer died in August at 58 after collapsing in his New York apartment building. O’Donnell won a Tony Award for his musical adaptation of the John Waters movie “Hairspray.” He worked on another John Waters adaptation, “Cry-Baby,” which debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse before transferring to Broadway.
MORE: ‘Hairspray’ stage musical writer Mark O’Donnell dies at 58  (Mary Altaffer / AP)

The Tony-winning stage producer died in November at 80 after a battle with cancer. He produced many original Broadway hits, including “Chicago,” “Sweeney Todd” and “La Cage aux Folles.” In 2003, he won a best picture Oscar for the film adaptation of “Chicago.”
MORE: Martin Richards, stage producer and philanthropist, dies at 80   (Evan Agostini / Getty Images)

The Tony-winning costumer designer, whose work can currently be seen in “Anything Goes” at the Ahmanson Theatre, died in July at 58 after a battle with cancer. His many designs for the stage include the recent productions of “Chaplin” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”
MORE: Martin Pakledinaz, Tony Award-winning costume designer, dies at 58  (Suzanne Plunkett / AP)

Sculptor and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett was one of the most prominent African American artists of the last century. She died in April at 96. A longtime resident of Mexico, she often fused American and Latin American influences in her work.
MORE: Elizabeth Catlett dies at 96; among 20th century’s top black artists | Elizabeth Catlett: Her journey goes on   (ASAl Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Sports artist LeRoy Neiman, who was a familiar presence at Super Bowl games and the Olympics, died in June at 91. His colorful artistry reached millions of people through his work creating live drawings of the Olympics for television and as an artist of the Super Bowl on CBS.
MORE: Sports artist LeRoy Neiman, who worked on 5 Olympics, dies at 91   (Diane Bondareff / Associated Press)