Newton R. Russell dies at 85; veteran California legislator

Newton R. Russell dies at 85; veteran California legislator

A longtime Republican state senator and assemblyman, Newton R. Russell was admired on both sides of the aisle for his fairness and knowledge of the arcane rules of the state pension system.

John Goddard dies at 88; adventurer fulfilled most of childhood goals

As a boy growing up in L.A., Goddard dreamed of adventures in faraway lands: climbing the world's most perilous peaks, navigating its major rivers and exploring its most remote regions.

Ray Manzarek dies at 74; keyboardist for the Doors

Manzarek, who was influenced by John Coltrane, added a jazz component to the band's rock sound and filled the role of bassist. The band charted 15 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 starting in 1967.

Boruch Spiegel dies at 93; survivor of Warsaw ghetto uprising

One of the few remaining survivors of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, Boruch Spiegel fought against Nazi troops during the 1943 revolt.

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L.A. Kings vs. Blues

L.A. Kings vs. Sharks

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 PASSINGS: Bernard Waber

PASSINGS: Bernard Waber

Bernard Waber, author of popular children's books, dies at 91

PASSINGS: Alan O'Day

PASSINGS: Alan O'Day

The songwriter wrote for other artists and had his own hit recording with 'Undercover Angel' in 1977.

Hedda Bolgar dies at 103; renowned psychoanalyst

Hedda Bolgar dies at 103; renowned psychoanalyst

Hedda Bolgar, known for her energy and optimism, began her studies in Vienna in Sigmund Freud's day. She fled the Nazis and eventually settled in Southern California, where she was chief of psychology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and helped found several local institutions devoted to the field.

Ken Venturi dies at 82; golfer had dramatic win in 1964 U.S. Open

Ken Venturi dies at 82; golfer had dramatic win in 1964 U.S. Open

Suffering dehydration and exhaustion in 100-degree heat, he rallied to win by four strokes. He won 14 tournaments as a pro and was also a longtime TV commentator for CBS Sports.

Jorge Rafael Videla dies at 87; Argentine dictator

Jorge Rafael Videla dies at 87; Argentine dictator

Jorge Rafael Videla led a rebellion that overthrew Isabel Peron in 1976 and then oversaw a seven-year reign of terror known as the dirty war.

PASSINGS: Vincent G. Dowling, John La Montaine

PASSINGS: Vincent G. Dowling, John La Montaine

Vincent G. Dowling, actor and director who gave Tom Hanks an early break, dies at 83; John La Montaine, American composer who won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1959, dies at 93

Geza Vermes dies at 88; scholar wrote about Dead Sea Scrolls

Geza Vermes dies at 88; scholar wrote about Dead Sea Scrolls

Geza Vermes was one of the first scholars to translate the scrolls into English. He later wrote engaging works about the Jewish origins of Jesus.

Billie Sol Estes dies at 88; notorious Texas con man in 1960s scandal

Billie Sol Estes dies at 88; notorious Texas con man in 1960s scandal

Billie Sol Estes went to prison for his role in defrauding the U.S. Agriculture Department. The scandal roiled the administration of Lyndon Johnson.

Chuck Muncie dies at 60; Saints and Chargers running back

Chuck Muncie dies at 60; Saints and Chargers running back

Muncie played for UC Berkeley and went on to play in the NFL from 1976 to 1984. He was suspended in 1984 for cocaine use. He devoted his later life to helping others avoid drugs.

PASSINGS: Kenneth Battelle

PASSINGS: Kenneth Battelle

Kenneth Battelle, hairstylist to Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and other luminaries, dies at 86

Dr. Joyce Brothers dies at 85; popular TV psychologist

Dr. Joyce Brothers dies at 85; popular TV psychologist

Brothers helped bring psychology to the mainstream, addressing such subjects as sexual fulfillment and infidelity. By the '70s, she was a fixture of TV, radio, film and print.

Gordon Gayle dies at 95; received Navy Cross for attack on Peleliu

Gordon Gayle dies at 95; received Navy Cross for attack on Peleliu

Wounded in the assault on Peleliu in World War II, he refused to be evacuated, 'personally leading his battalion … over 1,400 yards of open ground in the face of intense hostile … fire.'

Edgar Allan Jones Jr. dies at 92; law professor played judge on TV courtroom shows

Edgar Allan Jones Jr. dies at 92; law professor played judge on TV courtroom shows

Jones, who taught full time at UCLA, was cast as the judge on KABC-TV's 'Traffic Court.' He was such a hit that he was elevated to network TV as the judge on ABC's 'Day in Court' and 'Accused.'

James Tolbert dies at 86; lawyer pressed Hollywood on civil rights

James Tolbert dies at 86; lawyer pressed Hollywood on civil rights

The longtime entertainment attorney, also an NAACP branch president, was a pioneer in pushing for more industry jobs for African Americans.

PASSINGS: Dallas Willard, Jack Butler, Fredrick McKissack

PASSINGS: Dallas Willard, Jack Butler, Fredrick McKissack

Dallas Willard, influential Christian philosopher who taught at USC, dies at 77; Jack Butler, NFL Hall of Famer who helped revolutionize the cornerback position, dies at 85; Fredrick McKissack, prolific author who wrote about African American history, dies at 73.

Taylor Mead dies at 88; underground film legend and bohemian artist

Taylor Mead dies at 88; underground film legend and bohemian artist

Taylor Mead appeared in 130 films and became one of Andy Warhol's first superstars. The dropout from the world of privilege was a familiar face on New York's Lower East Side.

Al Fritz dies at 88; Schwinn exec developed the Sting-Ray bike

Al Fritz dies at 88; Schwinn exec developed the Sting-Ray bike

Al Fritz became known as an industry visionary for creating the Sting-Ray, 'the Corvette of bicycles.' The low-slung bike with sky-high handlebars became a national phenomenon.

Ottavio Missoni dies at 92; patriarch of Italian fashion brand

Ottavio Missoni dies at 92; patriarch of Italian fashion brand

The label gained prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s for its knitwear and kaleidoscopic zigzag designs.

Herbert Blau dies at 87; theater director helped shape CalArts

Herbert Blau dies at 87; theater director helped shape CalArts

Herbert Blau was a transformational figure who introduced controversial ideas and new energy into the American regional-theater landscape.

PASSINGS: Jeanne Cooper, Mario Machado, Bryan Forbes

PASSINGS: Jeanne Cooper, Mario Machado, Bryan Forbes

Jeanne Cooper, actress on 'The Young and the Restless,' dies at 84; Mario Machado, L.A. TV reporter and anchor, dies at 78; Bryan Forbes, director of 'The Stepford Wives,' dies at 86