Charles Osgood Remembers 2006's Departed

Many Influential People Passed Away In The Year Just Past

(CBS) 
Photographer Arnold Newman was known for his portraits of the famous and powerful.

Nam June Paik once said, 'if it's not interesting, it's not art.' What Nam June Paik did was very interesting. He was a video pioneer, the first to turn television into art.

What Aaron Spelling did on television wasn't always considered art, but boy, did people watch. He was a prime time giant.

Frank Stanton was a broadcasting giant. He led CBS into the television age.

Everybody loved Peter Boyle. Whether as Raymond's old man, or as Young Frankenstein, Peter Boyle never missed a beat.

Don Knotts died this year. He gave us one of the great comic characters in television history, that bumbling deputy, Barney Fife. Don Knotts, you tickled us so.

And Peter Benchley, you terrified us so. Vacationers didn't think it was safe to go into the water, thanks to your "fish story," Jaws.

Buck Owens was country music's biggest star for a time with a string of hits in the 60s then as co-host of the TV hit "Hee Haw." Goodbye to him.

June Allyson was everybody's sweetheart. She was the darling of the movie musical and the wholesome girl next door. June Allyson never went out of fashion.

Oleg Cassini was all about fashion. And while many women wore his designs, it was one woman's clothes that made the man. As Jackie Kennedy's designer, Oleg Cassini redefined glamour.

Harry Olivieri redefined lunch. He and his brother Pat created the Philadelphia cheese-steak.

Kids have a "yabba dabba doo time" thanks to Joe Barbera's creations. With partner Bill Hanna, he gave us cartoon characters like "the Flintstones," "Yogi Bear" and "The Jetsons." We'll be "tooning" in to watch his handiwork for years to come.

Lew Anderson, you were a class clown. As Clarabell for most of the Howdy Doody Shows in the '50s, you never spoke until the very last show. Goodbye to you, Lew Anderson.

And goodbye to you, Wendy Wasserstein. A fine playwright, yours was the voice of a generation of modern women.

We said goodbye to Ruth Brown this year. Soulful and spirited, she was so popular they called the fledgling record company she sang for "the House that Ruth built."

That company was Atlantic Records and the man behind it was Ahmet Ertegun. He brought us Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones and Sonny and Cher. More than anyone else, Ahmet Ertegun shaped the sound of music for the past 60 years.

Ed Bradley brought us stories — powerful, provocative, human stories. Stories about the events and the people, who shaped our world. Ed helped shape our world with his passion, his drive and his dignity. Ed Bradley was a role model for us all.

Gerald Ford took on a role he hadn't sought at a time he hadn't chosen. Though many didn't forgive his pardon, at a time of great turmoil, his was a steady hand. He wanted history to remember him as someone who healed the country. And so it has.

So we say goodbye to them all and to all we couldn't name.

Though our hearts are heavy, they're also full of gratitude for the lives they lived and the gifts they shared.

[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.