2008 passings: Hollywood

Ron Boltz, announcer
Bernie Brillstein, manager
Bud Browne, filmmaker
George Carlin, comedian
Warren Cowan, publicist

Gene Evans, fireworks showman
Johnny Grant, honorary mayor
Charlton Heston, actor
Bobbi Holtzman, director
Ollie Johnston, pioneer animator

Harvey Korman, actor
Don LaFontaine, voice artist
Ron Leavitt, TV writer
Heath Ledger, actor
Thomas "Bud" McDonald, Our Gang actor

Anthony Minghella, director
Jack Narz, game show host
Paul Newman, actor
Sydney Pollack, director
Brad Renfro, actor

Otto Spoerri, Oscars seating master
Paul Starr, makeup artist
Lloyd Thaxton, TV host and director
Elmer Valentine, club owner

David Rensin, co-author of Brillstein's memoir: "When he finally read the first draft on a plane to England, he called to say that even though he knew the story by heart, the book had, to his surprise, kept his interest. Believe me, it wasn't the writing; it was the life I had written about."

Britt Allcroft on Carlin: "For the entire six years we collaborated during the 1990s on the PBS television show 'Shining Time Station,' this George worked with a teddy bear at his side."

You know it's in your blood when: Upon hearing of Newman's death, longtime hockey writer Lisa Dillman — who grew up a rink rat — had to rent "Slap Shot."

Dear Sirs: Heston's letters to the editor of the L.A. Times.

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