August 9, 2004–David Raksin, distinguished American film composer whose work for “Laura” became one of the most famous movie songs in history, died of heart failure Monday morning in Van Nuys, California. He was 92.

August 9, 2004–Fay Wray, famed star of “King Kong,” dies at 96. Wray appeared in more than 70 features, but her name will be forever associated with the climactic scene in the 1933 “King Kong.”

Hard to believe that had Elvis Presley lived, he would have been only 72. Today, August 16, marks the 30th anniversary of his death, in 1977. In a 20-year career, Elvis had sold some 600 million singles and albums, more than any other artist, and had made 33 movies, most of which commercially successful.

January 22, 2006–Film, stage and TV actor Anthony Franciosa died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles following a massive stroke. He was 77. Franciosa received both Tony and Oscar nominations for his portrayal of the brother of a heroin addict in “Hatful of Rain.”

Hirschbiegel earned accolades for the 2004 German war film “Downfall” (“Der Untergang”), starring Bruno Ganz, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film, which chronicles the last days of Hitler and the collapse of the Nazi regime, also won several international awards.