obituaries

Remembering Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens

2:18pm July 17, 2019

by Terry Gross

Stevens, who died Tuesday, was appointed by President Ford and served on the court for 35 years before retiring in 2010. He spoke to Fresh Air in 2011 about his memoir, Five Chiefs.

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Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, then 91, works in his office at the Supreme Court on Sept. 28, 2011.

Retired Justice John Paul Stevens, A Maverick On The Bench, Dies At 99

7:06am July 17, 2019

by Nina Totenberg

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has died at the age of 99. Appointed by President Gerald Ford, he was known for his "crafty and genial hand" and as a "judge's judge."

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South African musician Johnny Clegg, right, with his longtime bandmate Sipho Mchunu, performing in New York City in 1996. Clegg died Tuesday at age 66.

Music & Culture

Johnny Clegg, A Uniting Voice Against Apartheid, Dies At 66

2:33pm July 16, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The pioneering South African singer, songwriter and activist died Tuesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sports

Remembering Ball Player Jim Bouton And 'Ball Four'

8:26am July 13, 2019

Jim Bouton, the baseball player who spilled the dirt on the Major Leagues with his celebrated memoir, Ball Four, died this week at the age of 80.

Sports

Remembering Major League Pitcher Jim Bouton, Author Of 'Ball Four'

3:29pm July 12, 2019

by Terry Gross

Bouton, who died Wednesday, spoke to Fresh Air in 1986 about his 1970 tell-all memoir, in which he drew on his seven years with the New York Yankees to offer an insider's guide to baseball.

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Arts

Remembering 'Larry Sanders Show' Actor Rip Torn

3:29pm July 12, 2019

by Terry Gross

Torn, who died Tuesday, won an Emmy Award for playing the gruff producer Artie on The Larry Sanders Show. In 1994, he told Fresh Air that he based his character on Johnny Carson's long time producer.

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Character Actor Rip Torn Dies At 88

4:41pm July 10, 2019

by Andrew Limbong

Character actor Rip Torn was known for playing dark roles at the beginning of his career, only to shift to more comic characters later on, winning an Emmy in the process. Torn died Tuesday at 88.

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Rip Torn during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. On Tuesday, Torn died at age 88.

Arts

Actor Rip Torn, Who Made His Mark On 'The Larry Sanders Show,' Dies at 88

9:40am July 10, 2019

by Bobby Allyn

Torn developed an unpredictable and stubborn reputation, both on camera and in his personal life, but his performances also proved influential on scores of successful television shows.

Politics & Government

Ross Perot, Texas Billionaire Businessman And Former Presidential Candidate, Dies At 89

4:43pm July 09, 2019

by Brian Naylor

Ross Perot, the colorful Texas billionaire businessman who twice ran for president as a third-party candidate, died early Tuesday at his home in Dallas. He was 89.

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Music & Culture

Remembering João Gilberto

8:09am July 07, 2019

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Brazilian musician João Gilberto has died. We have this appreciation.