Notables who died in 2004 in the arts

Marlon Brando screamed "Stella!" and set about bringing a new realism and machismo to the stage and screen. Ray Charles shouted "What'd I Say" and began melding categories of music in ways no musician ever thought of.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brando and Charles were twin revolutionaries in the arts, transforming their private conflicts into work that captured the hearts and minds of millions and -- perhaps even more important -- schooled innumerable artists who followed.

They are two of the brilliant figures in the arts and popular culture who died in 2004.

Jack Paar's wit and intelligence made him the talk show host every entertainer who ever sat behind a desk hoped to emulate.

Bob Keeshan, as Captain Kangaroo, taught his millions of little TV viewers about the magic of life.

Christopher Reeve was a respected actor even beyond his "Superman" roles -- but then a heartbreaking accident that left him paralyzed pushed him onto an even larger stage, as a passionate advocate for spinal cord research.

Richard Avedon and Henri Cartier-Bresson expressed their artistry through the camera lens; Nobel-winner Czeslaw Milosz through poetry.

Popular culture figures who died in 2004 include Fay Wray, the beauty clutched in King Kong's hand; Julia Child, who taught public television viewers that there was a culinary world beyond Betty Crocker; Rodney Dangerfield, who summarized the plight of every put-upon comic who ever lived with his "I don't get no respect"; and Arthur Hailey, whose novel "Airport" led to the string of all-star disaster movies in the 1970s.

The musical world lost opera singer Robert Merrill, jazzman Illinois Jacquet and rapper O.D.B.

Real-life violence invaded the arts world with the slayings of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh and rocker "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Here, a roll call of artists, performers and pop culture figures who died in 2004. (Cause of death of younger notables when available.)

JANUARY:

Elma Lewis, 82. Her work as a fine arts teacher in Boston's black community won her a "genius grant" and a presidential arts medal. Jan. 1.

Etta Moten, 102. Pioneering black actress-singer; featured in show-stopping "Carioca" number in Astaire-Rogers film "Flying Down to Rio." Jan. 2.

Lynn Cartwright, 76. Veteran actress; portrayed the older Geena Davis character in "A League of Their Own." Jan. 2.

Beatrice Winde, 79. Tony Award-nominated actress (Melvin Van Peebles' "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death," 1971.) Jan. 3.

Brian Gibson, 59. Director of acclaimed films including "What's Love Got To Do with It?" Jan. 4. Cancer.

John Toland, 91. Won 1971 Pulitzer for nonfiction for "The Rising Sun," on the Japanese empire during World War II. Jan. 4.

Jake Hess, 76. Grammy-winning singer in gospel quartets; influenced Elvis Presley. Jan. 4.

Joan Aiken, 79. Children's book author ("The Wolves of Willoughby Chase"). Jan. 4.   Continued...