Joe Kubert

One of the comic book artist masters -- via nj.com. Best known for his work on "Hawkman" and "Sgt. Rock." We lived for Sgt. Rock every month down at the drugstore. THANKS, JOE!

Al Freeman Jr.

Actor and director on stage, in film and on television -- via Playbill. A solid and versatile pro, he worked extensively in theater at the beginning of his career, culminating in his role as Jamie in "Long Day's Journey into Night" in 1981. He was a long-time player on the soap opera "One Life to Live"; and he did many films, most notably in the role of Elijah Muhammad in Spike Lee's "Malcom X."

He had to overcome two sets of stereotypes. He was old enough to have played some subservient "Negro" types early in his career; then, in the wake of growing opportunities for black actors, he was often typecast in the mold of the articulate, examplary "noble Negro" of the 1960s, in the wake of Sidney Poitier's dominant screen persona.

He was vastly more talented than that, and proved it often. Would have loved to see him do more work. Thanks, Al!

Carlo Rambaldi

Oscar-winning special effects master -- via the New York Times. Also made memorable movie monsters and extraterrestrials in "Alien," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Dune," "Conan the Barbarian," and many more. He also did a lot of Bava films, including "Planet of the Vampires" and gialli (Italian slasher/horror films) such as "Twitch of the Death Nerve" and "Deep Red."

David Wages

Editor for film and television -- via westernboothill.com.

Severino Araujo

Bandleader -- via oglobo.globo.com.