Richard Foreman, Iconoclastic Playwright and Impresario, Dies at 87
The Ontological-Hysteric Theater, which he founded in 1968, presented more than 50 of his plays, among them “My Head Was a Sledgehammer” and “Permanent Brain Damage.”
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Obituaries
Highlights
CreditSara Krulwich/The New York Times Costas Simitis, 2-Time Prime Minister of Greece, Dies at 88
Mr. Simitis imposed financial measures to prepare for Greece’s entry into the eurozone and laid the groundwork for the Olympic Games’ return to Athens.
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CreditPapadopoulos Charalambos/Sygma, via Getty Images Tom Johnson, Minimalist Composer and Village Voice Critic, Dies at 85
He charted the rise of musical minimalism on New York’s downtown scene in the 1970s. He later gained notice for abstract works of his own.
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CreditGene Maggio/The New York Times Jeff Baena, Film Director and Screenwriter, Dies at 47
Mr. Baena, who was married to the actress Aubrey Plaza, co-wrote the existential comedy “I Heart Huckabees,” and wrote and directed films including “Life After Beth” and “The Little Hours.”
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CreditRich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb
Marie Winn, Who Wrote of a Famous Central Park Hawk, Dies at 88
She chronicled the melodrama of Pale Male, a red-tailed hawk who became an avian sensation as it took up residence atop a Manhattan apartment building.
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CreditLibrado Romero/The New York Times David Lodge, British Novelist Who Satirized Academic Life, Dies at 89
His 15 well-plotted novels teemed with romance and strange coincidence. An erudite literary critic with an ear for language, he also wrote a raft of nonfiction books.
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CreditLeonardo Cendamo/Getty Images Britt Allcroft, Who Brought Thomas the Tank Engine to TV, Dies at 81
She adapted the children’s book series to TV, creating a lasting cultural behemoth that spawned movies, merchandise and theme parks.
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CreditC. Woods/Daily Express, via Hulton Archive, via Getty Images Jocelyne Wildenstein, Socialite and Tabloid ‘Catwoman,’ Dies at 79
Her lurid divorce from the wealthy scion of an art-world dynasty earned headlines. Her elaborate plastic surgeries brought even more attention.
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CreditLawrence Lucier/Getty Images As the year winds to a close, we’re recalling those we’ve lost who forged consequential lives.
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Overlooked
More in Overlooked ›Overlooked No More: Fidelia Bridges, Artist Who Captured the Natural World
A prolific artist, she was known for her graceful watercolors of birds, plants and butterflies, and was considered as the equal of Winslow Homer in her day.
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CreditOliver Ingraham Lay, Charles Downing Lay, and Lay Family papers, 1789-2000 Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Overlooked No More: Margaret Getchell, Visionary Force at Macy’s
As the store’s first female executive, she helped turn it into what it is today, paving the way for other women to hold senior positions in retail.
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Credit Overlooked No More: Go-won-go Mohawk, Trailblazing Indigenous Actress
In the 1880s, the only roles for Indigenous performers were laden with negative stereotypes. So Mohawk decided to write her own narratives.
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CreditNational Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution Overlooked No More: Margaret E. Knight, Innovator of the Flat-Bottomed Paper Bag
She came up with a method of automation so that workers would not have to make the bags by hand. Then she fought for credit for her work.
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CreditBoston Sunday Post, via Newspaper Archive Overlooked No More: Mariama Bâ, Voice of African Feminism
She became a literary star in Senegal with novels that addressed women’s issues as the country, newly free from French colonial rule, was discovering its identity.
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CreditJörg Schmitt/picture alliance, via Getty Images
Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116
Born in 1908, she raised four children, ran a family textile factory during World War II, and remained an avid hiker into her 80s.
By Martin Fackler
Charles Shyer, Filmmaker Who Focused on Women, Dies at 83
His long collaboration with Nancy Meyers produced a string of hit movies, including “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride,” that spoke to the moment.
By Clay Risen
Wayne Osmond, Singer and Guitarist With the Osmonds, Dies at 73
He was a founding member of the family pop group, whose slew of hits in the 1970s included the No. 1 record “One Bad Apple.”
By Hank Sanders and Emmett Lindner
Mary Anne Krupsak, a First as a New York Politician, Dies at 92
She was the first woman elected lieutenant governor in the state after defying party leaders and her eventual running mate, Hugh Carey, to win the nomination.
By Sam Roberts and Kenneth R. Rosen
Richard A. Easterlin, ‘Father of Happiness Economics,’ Dies at 98
He put forth the so-called Easterlin paradox, finding that the richer you are doesn’t mean the more satisfied you’ll be with your life.
By Trip Gabriel
Rosita Missoni, Who Turned Zigzag Sweaters Into High Fashion, Dies at 93
With colorful knitwear, she and her husband, Ottavio, built one of the world’s most recognizable brands, helping to make Milan a capital of “alta moda.”
By Bonnie Wertheim
Agnes Keleti, World’s Oldest Olympic Champion, Dies at 103
She turned to gymnastics after surviving World War II as a persecuted Jew and won 10 Olympic medals competing against far younger athletes.
By Richard Goldstein
Lenny Randle, ‘Most Interesting’ Major Leaguer, Is Dead at 75
His career was defined by bizarre episodes — blowing a rolling ball foul, knocking down a pitcher and standing at the plate when the lights went out in New York City.
By Richard Sandomir
Dick Capri, Catskills Comic Who Took His Shtick to Broadway, Dies at 93
He was a regular at the mountain resorts where many comedians honed their acts, then had a star turn in the long-running revue “Catskills on Broadway.”
By Richard Sandomir
Woody Fraser, Pioneering Producer of Daytime Talk Shows, Dies at 90
He created groundbreaking programs, like “The Mike Douglas Show,” brought “Good Morning America” to life and won an Emmy for “The Richard Simmons Show.”
By Clay Risen
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