Charles Osgood Remembers 2006's Departed

Many Influential People Passed Away In The Year Just Past

(CBS)  Sunday Morning anchor Charles Osgood pays tribute to those who died in 2006.

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This year many influential people left this world. As 2006 comes to an end, we celebrate their lives and give thanks for what they left us.

James Brown left us just this week. The Godfather of Soul and funk and disco and rock — James Brown was one of the most influential musicians of our time. Mostly, he just made us feel good.

Filmmaker Robert Altman made audiences think. He was an adventurous director of films like "The Player," "M*A*S*H." and "Nashville." Thank you, Robert Altman, you made it look so easy.

Golfer Byron Nelson also made it look so easy. Before Tiger or Jack or Arnie, there was Lord Byron. In just one year he won an astounding 18 tournaments, 11 of them in a row. Imagine that.

Betty Friedan imagined a society of equal rights for women and men and fought to make it so. Her book, "the Feminine Mystique," became the manifesto of the women's movement.

Shelley Winters, your star shone brightly for more than 50 years. You could be sexy or shrill, violent or vulnerable, but always memorable.

We'll never find another singer like Lou Rawls. Classy. Smooth. "The silkiest chops in the singing game," said Frank Sinatra. And he was right.

Nothing smooth about Wilson Pickett. "Wicked Pickett," they called him, all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Buck O'Neil never made it into baseball's Hall of Fame. He missed it by one vote just this year. A star of the Negro leagues, first as a player and then a manager, he became the first black coach in the major leagues. Buck O'Neil was a trailblazer.

Susan Butcher's trail went through the Alaska wilderness. Four times in five years, she and her team won the grueling Iditarod sled-dog race. She was a champion musher.

Red Auerbach was a dogged competitor. He turned his Boston Celtics into one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports. "You'll never be a legend unless you win," he once said. Red Auerbach was a legend.

So was Bob Mathias. He won the Olympic decathlon in 1948 when he was just 17. Four years later, he won the gold again.

Boxer Floyd Patterson won Olympic gold, then was the first ever to become heavyweight champion twice.

Trumpet player Maynard Ferguson could really hit those high notes.

Johnny Apple gave us the lowdown on wars, politics and living well for 40 years in The New York Times.

The wonderful words of Comden and Green. Adolph Green died four years ago and now Betty Comden is gone too. They wrote the lyrics to scores of songs for Broadway and Hollywood. What a team were Comden and Green.

And what a team were the Nicholas Brothers. Fayard taught himself to dance, then he taught his baby brother Harold. Fayard left us this year, six years after his brother. No one could do what the Nicholas Brothers did. Not then. Not now. They were two of a kind.

[n_a_t_t_y]

i thought you did a good job in summarizing the deaths of the year 2006, but i was quite disapointed that you did not mention the loss of Steve Irwin. I respect him very much, and i would like for you to recognize him.

[dp1949]

In a sort of macabre way I do look forward to watching those that departed us during the year.

How can you miss Steve Irwin, Glenn Ford and Peter Jennings? Yet, you mentioned several other persons that I am sure the overwhelming majority of the people watching your program never heard of. It is interesting to know who started the Philadelphia cheese steak, and there were of few others of that importance, but the three that I mentioned above were much more significant.

[acapobia-2009]

Dear Ed Bradley,

You've demonstrated to my wife Sharon and I, your love and caring way towards all of humanity, which we both appreciate very much. Thank You, and Know That We Love You For Doing So!

Tony and Sharon Capobianco

[jahinton1]

Thanks for the memories, Charles. I enjoy it every year; how soon we forget.

[jahinton1]

Thanks for the memories, Charles. I enjoy it every year; how soon we forget.

[lexielou2]

I really enjoy watching CBS Sunday Morning each Sunday. But today I was disturbed when in your rememberance of the departed in 2006 you left ABC's Peter Jennings out. I feel sure that if ABC was doing the same thing that they would be sure to include Mr. Bradley! Thank you and have a great 2007.

[mdc76082]

hennighg,

MINOR! Anyone who died in 2006 should be remembered. Not just the glitziest and glamourous as we always adure to. No one life is minor. I don't care if you die and are buried in a gold casket or if you are buried in a pine box in a paupers grave, you still contributed to this great country in one way shape or form. To call a human life minor is to call yourself minute and meaningless. Sorry bub, life is too *** short to be called minor.

[facey2-2009]

I was wondering why no mention of actor Glen Ford was made passing away in 2006? He was one of my favorite actors and at the time of his passing very little mention of the event was made in the media. As I recall the program entertainment Tonight never even mentioned it.

[facey2-2009]

I am wondering why actor Glen Ford one of my favorite actors was not mentioned? I noted at the time of his passing very little mention was made in the media. Entertainment Tonight made no mention of him at all to the best of my knowledge.

[hennighg]

Steve Irwin, Steve Irwin. So one minor guy was left off. He would rate last next to the people on the list. A great list, and a nice way to remember who died in 2006. Osgood did good.

[smith721]

I was surprised and a little dismayed that Charles Osgood forgot Steve Irwin in his look back on the influential people lost in 2006.

[mgpm-2009]

James Brown had an altercation once with his wife...he wasn't a habitual woman beater. Sheesh. Give it up....he did a lot more good than bad in this life. RIP James. I agree...Steve Irwin will be deeply missed.

[veracityny]

I always enjoy watching this segment. It is nice to reflect on how these people touched our lives. I am though a bit disappointed. James Brown was convicted of domestic abuse and his image was shown quite often in this segment. I know that we try to reflect on the good people do when thinking about them, but how can we forget the bad. Also, why was Steve Irwin missing from the piece? There's a mate that will be missed.