Top Ten Dead Celebrities of 2006

Most people know this actor as Grandpa from The Munsters TV show. However, he had a lot more going on in his life. He performed in the circus, wrote children's books, earned a Ph.D. in child psychology, opened a restaurant and hosted a radio show.

Lewis died of natural causes on Feb. 3.

9 - PETER BOYLE - Age 71

This actor meant something different to each generation. Recently, he played Ray Barone's father on 'Everybody Loves Raymond." The previous generation remember him as the Monster in "Young Frankenstein," tap-dancing and warbling "Puttin' on the Ritz." He also played the anti-hippie title character in the 1970 movie "Joe."

Boyle succumbed to heart disease and cancer on Dec. 12.

8 - AARON SPELLING - Age 83

He was a television producer who had a huge run of hits that influenced countless other TV shows. He never lost his touch from "Charlie's Angels" in the '70s to "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place" in the 90s. Other hit shows from Spelling included "The Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," "Charmed" and "7^th Heaven."

Spelling died on June 23 of complications from a stroke.

7 - JEANE KIRKPATRICK - Age 80

She was a political pioneer as the first female ambassador to the United Nations. President Reagan appointed her to the post in 1981. She once claimed to be a lifelong Democrat, but she switched to the Republican Party in 1985.

Kirkpatrick had been suffering from heart disease and died in her sleep on Dec. 7.

6 - DANA REEVE - Age 44

The Broadway actress gained more fame as the wife of "Superman" actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in a horse riding accident. Together, they formed the Christopher Reeve Foundation and raised millions of dollars for paralysis research.

After her husband died in 2004, Dana succumbed to lung cancer on March 6.

5 - CORETTA SCOTT KING - Age 78

She founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in 1969 to continue the civil rights work of her husband, the Rev. Martin Luther King.

King died of respiratory pneumonia on Jan. 31.

4 - STEVE IRWIN - Age 44

We all said "Crikey!" when we heard of the demise of TV's "Crocodile Hunter." His manic energy and love of nature made him a huge star. He worked for conservationist causes and served as the director of the Australia Zoo.

Ironically, it wasn't a crocodile, but a stingray that got Irwin on Sept. 4.

3 - BETTY FRIEDAN - Age 85

The iconic feminist founded the National Organization for Women and the National Women's Political Caucus. She also wrote The Feminine Mystique.

Friedan died of congestive heart failure on Feb. 4.

2 - ROBERT ALTMAN - Age 81

The prolific director was still making movies well into his 70s. His influence will be felt in movies for several generations to come. His style includes large casts of characters doing different things, all tied together by an overarching theme. "Nashville" is his masterpiece, and I personally love "The Player." Other Altman favorites include "M*A*S*H," "Gosford Park" and "A Prairie Home Companion."

Altman died of cancer on Nov. 20.

1 - DON KNOTTS - Age 81

Everyone loved this adorably goofy actor, whether he was playing Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" or Ralph Furley on "Three's Company." Knotts' other memorable roles included the title character in "The Incredible Mr. Limpet;" Theodore Oglivie in "The Apple Dumpling Gang;" and the TV repairman in "Pleasantville."

Knotts died of respiratory complications on July 21.

HONORABLE MENTION

Actor Jack Palance (87), Journalist Ed Bradley (65), Basketball coach Red Auerbach (89), Texas Gov. Ann Richards (73), Talk-show pioneer Mike Douglas (81), Iditarod sled-race champion Susan Butcher (44), actor Red Buttons (87), Country singer Buck Owens (76), Actress Maureen Stapleton (80), Baseball player Kirby Puckett (45), actor Dennis Weaver (81), Wilson Pickett (64), Shelley Winters (85).