Notable Showbiz Deaths of 2021

Roberts' roles include one of CHARLIE'S ANGELS during the twilight of that series' run, and the titular jungle-queen in 1984's SHEENA. Tanya was also Marc Singer's leading lady in THE BEASTMASTER.

Besides producing numerous episodes of George A. Romero's horror-anthology series TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, Castronovo himself starred in one such episode: "No Strings", which reunited actor Barry Dennen and writer David Odell -- both of THE DARK CRYSTAL fame.

McMurtry's resume includes creating the LONESOME DOVE franchise; he also wrote the novel "Horseman Pass By", which was adapted as the movie HUD.

Larry's son is singer-actor James McMurtry.

Prior to SPACEBALLS (where he and his fellow Dinks presented a surprisingly-decent cover of "Bridge on the River Kwai"), Silla made a name for himself with sci-fi fans as "Twiki the robot" from BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (donning the metallic costume while Mel "Mr. Looney Tunes" Blanc provided the voice).

Hayes was popular with the Saturday Morning crowd for starring on not one but two hit TV series produced by brothers Marty and Sid Krofft: "H.R. Pufnstuf" (she was the evil Witchiepoo); "Lidsville" (she was Weenie the Genie).

McRae's work includes portraying Sylvester Stallone's fellow prison inmate "Eclipse" (an apt nickname, given FM's tall and imposing stature) from 1989's LOCK-UP; that same year, McRae co-starred as ill-fated Central Intelligence Agent "Sharkey" in the 007 epic LICENCE TO KILL.

Grodin appeared unbilled in Disney's 20 THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. He later made a name for himself as: Mia Farrow's obstetrician in the 1968 neo-goth classic ROSEMARY'S BABY; oil magnate Fred Wilson in the 1976 remake of KING KONG; jewel thief Nick Holiday in THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER.

MacLeod is best known as "Your Captain, Merrill Stubing" from the hit TV series THE LOVE BOAT. His character's name was a play on that of the show's executive producer, Aaron Spelling; Merrill's daughter Vicki was named after Aaron's real-life actress-daughter Tori.

The show caught on sufficiently that fans referred to Spelling as "Captain Aaron" and to television as his "Ship of Love".

Williams is best known as "Linc" from the hit TV series THE MOD SQUAD; he and Eve "Jan Brady" Plumb also had a fondly-remembered joint-cameo (as spouses!) in 1988's blaxploitation-spoof I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA.

Prior to such movies as THE OMEN and THE GOONIES and SCROOGED, Donner cut his directorial teeth on episodes of such television series as THE TWILIGHT ZONE, COMBAT, and THE RIFLEMAN.

In 1975, Donner helmed SARAH T: PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE ALCOHOLIC...which starred Linda Blair (in the title role), a pre-STAR WARS Mark Hamill, a pre-BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Laurette Spang, a pre-DALLAS Larry Hagman, and a pre-KNIGHT RIDER William Daniels. The TV-film was written by Richard and Esther Shapiro, who later created the hit series DYNASTY.

Two of Smith's best-known roles were in films directed by John Milius: he was the title character's swordmaster-father in CONAN THE BARBARIAN; two years later, he portrayed a relentless Soviet Colonel in RED DAWN.

Shame on you if you can't guess who Downey is the father of; his same-named son starred in such movies as TUFF TURF, LESS THAN ZERO, and CHAPLIN before hitting it big as the title character in IRON MAN.

Vennera's more-memorable roles include that of a con-artist, "Spider the Action-Man", on DIFF'RENT STROKES. He also portrayed one of two bumbling kidnappers from the movie ALONE IN THE WOODS.

Thomas was a founding member of the pop group Kool & the Gang.