April deaths 2011
Notable People We Lost in April
In April we said farewell to many beloved figures, including a supercentenarian, a writing trailblazer and a modern rock star.
Click ahead to read about the lives of:
Larry Finch
Skip O'Brien
Bill Brill
Tul Bahadur Pun
1951-2011
Best known for her 1975 hit "Poetry Man," Phoebe Snow (real name?) interrupted her promising career to care for her brain-injured daughter.
Bio | Video | Photos
Popular songs:
"Harpo's Blues"
"No Regrets"
"Teach Me Tonight"
"Shakey Ground"
1958 – 2011
Poly Styrene (real name?) was the British singer for the early punk band X-Ray Spex. Although the group recorded only two studio albums, she is often credited for influencing the riot grrrl movement.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
She was inspired to form a band after seeing an early punk sensation.
Their debut single became a punk anthem.
1954-2011
Norwegian athlete Grete Waitz (from which city?) ran her first marathon in 1978. She won that race -- and broke the tape in eight more.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
Early in her career, she set two world records.
In her first New York City Marathon, she set another one.
She was given a royal honor.
1929-2011
Gorman was a Major League Baseball icon. He managed a team once called the Beaneaters and a team nicknamed the M's.
Bio | Video | Photos
His career:
Baltimore Orioles
Kansas City Royals
Seattle Mariners
New York Mets
Boston Red Sox
1951-2011
Finch was a groundbreaking basketball star. As a player, he rivaled Bill Walton in a championship game. As a coach, he was an all-time winner.
Bio | Video | Photos
His highlights:
1972-73 season
1991-92 season
1994-95 season
1948-2011
Russell was a Texas musician (listen to his songs) who experienced success abroad. He recorded new albums throughout his career, including one last year.
Bio | Video | Photos
Popular songs:
"Living at the End of the Gun"
"Big Brother"
"Rats and Roaches"
"Crossroads"
1930-2011
McWherter, a former Tennessee governor, made great strides for minority groups and government transparency.
Bio | Photos
McWherter trivia:
Beer distributor
Political patriarch
Clinton favorite
1925-2011
Blumberg received a Nobel Prize for an important discovery. He worked closely with NASA, right until his death.
Bio | Video | Photos
Blumberg quotes:
Preventing cancer
Improving the planet
Saving a life
1950-2011
O'Brien was an actor best known for his recurring role on a hit TV drama.
Bio | Photos
Film highlights:
"Black Sheep"
"Liar Liar"
"Blow"
1952-2011
McGuire held a renowned position with the National Hockey League and coached several teams.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
Guelph Storm's trophy
Hartford Wolf Pack's playoffs
1933-2011
Edwards was a serial killer who remained at large most of his life and escaped prison. He was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list as early as 1961.
Bio | Photos
Murders:
1977 murders
1980 murders
1996 murder
1931-2011
Brill was a fiery sportswriter who wrote for regional newspapers. He made an erroneous prediction in 2004 that incited a conference win.
Bio | Photos
Brill awards:
Sportswriter of the Year
Special contributions
Hall of Fame
1896-2011
Breuning was the oldest American supercentenarian ever. Always well dressed, Breuning appeared on television in 2009 to remark on current affairs.
Bio | Video | Photos
Breuning quotes:
Stay busy
Second marriages
Fear of death
1921-2011
Schaefer was a public servant who served as mayor, governor and comptroller. Schaefer's life was not without controversy, but he remained undefeated for 50 years.
Bio | Video | Photos
Schaefer's legacy:
Integration
Oriole Park
Aquarium bathing suit
Downtown
1940-2011
Sarrazin was an actor who starred with Jane Fonda (video) in an acclaimed film. His varied career included science fiction and comedy.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
"Saturday Night Live"
"Frankenstein"
"Sometimes a Great Notion"
"Harry in Your Pocket"
1931-2011
Volkmer was a longtime state representative and a longtime U.S. representative who fought for equal rights. His views on gun control separated him from his political party.
Bio | Photos
Notable views:
Voting rights
Fair housing
Superfund
1923-2011
Rusher served as a strong conservative voice through journalism, activism and public speaking. He was a fusionist with strong feelings about former President Ronald Reagan.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
Draft Goldwater
"Good Morning America"
"The Rise of the Right"
1946-2011
Sladen was an actress known for her role in a popular 1970s show. She had a long marriage with a co-star.
Bio | Video | Photos
Sladen trivia:
Onstage flirting
Daughter's cameo
Cardboard cut-out
1934-2011
Rudolph was a winning golfer on the PGA Tour. One golfer lost against Rudolph on purpose.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
Tennessee Open amateur
Fig Garden landslide
Ryder Cup win
1975-2011
Smith was a multi-instrumentalist for TV on the Radio (hear some tracks). The band issued a statement upon his passing.
Bio | Video | Photos
Notable collaborations:
With David Bowie (more about Bowie)
With Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead songs)
With Katrina Ford (Ford's songs)
1923-2011
Pun received one of the highest British military awards and the Burma Star. He bravely persevered alone in a World War II battle.
Bio | Video | Photos
Pun's victories:
Immigration
Memorials
India Service Medal
1921-2011
Pugh was one of the first female TV writers, and she wrote for one of the greatest female-led shows of all time.
Bio | Video | Photos
Career highlights:
"My Favorite Husband"
Woman of the Year
Golden Globe
"Laughing With Lucy"