What Happened This Year 2008

People Who Died in 2008

Diane Webber

Model and actress from 'The Naked City'
Born
July 27th, 1932 92 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 76 years old

Engaged in modeling, dancing, and acting from the mid-20th century. Featured as a pin-up and appeared in several publications. Gained recognition for the role in the television series 'The Naked City'. Worked with various filmmakers and contributed to the entertainment industry during her career.

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Elizabeth Gilels

Violinist and educator, prominent performer
Born
September 30th, 1919 105 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 89 years old

A violinist and educator with a significant impact on classical music, contributions included performances in prestigious venues and collaborations with renowned orchestras. Taught at various institutions, influencing the next generation of musicians. Performance repertoire included works from composers like Bach and Tchaikovsky, showcasing technical prowess and artistic interpretation. Gilels also participated in international festivals, earning recognition for both performances and teaching.

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Marpessa Dawn

Actress in Black Orpheus
Born
January 3rd, 1934 91 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 74 years old

Born in the United States and later becoming a French citizen, an actress, singer, and dancer achieved prominence through her role in the film 'Black Orpheus', which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1960. The film, a vibrant retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in Rio de Janeiro, showcased both talent and charisma. Beyond film, performed in various theatrical productions and contributed to the arts through dance and music, establishing a multi-faceted career that spanned continents.

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Bob Cunis

New Zealand cricketer, Test player
Born
January 5th, 1941 84 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 67 years old

Cunis played as a right-arm fast-medium bowler for New Zealand's national cricket team from 1969 to 1977. His international career spanned 12 Test matches. In first-class cricket, he represented Auckland and was known for his effectiveness as a bowler and his ability to contribute in the lower order. Cunis was a part of New Zealand's early cricketing achievements, contributing to the team's development during a formative period. His performances helped establish a foundation for future New Zealand cricket.

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Kenneth Parnell

American sex offender and abductor
Born
September 26th, 1931 93 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 77 years old

Engaged in criminal activities primarily as a sex offender. Gained notoriety for the abduction of Steven Stayner in 1972, a case that drew national attention. Convicted in 1993 for attempting to abduct another child, which led to a lengthy prison sentence. Frequently discussed in the context of child abduction and exploitation cases.

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Peter Rühmkorf

German writer and poet
Born
October 25th, 1929 95 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 79 years old

Authored numerous poetry collections and novels, contributing significantly to contemporary German literature. Notable works include 'Der Prominente' and 'Die Flügel der Nacht', which exhibit a blending of personal and political themes. Awarded prestigious literary honors, including the William-Lehmann-Preis and the Friedrich Hölderlin Prize for exemplifying literary excellence. His writing often reflected the complexities of post-war Germany and explored existential themes, making him a prominent figure in the literary landscape.

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Norm O'Neill

Australian cricketer and sportscaster
Born
February 19th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 71 years old

Played international cricket for Australia from 1958 to 1965, primarily as a batsman. Contributed to the team during several Test matches and participated in the successful Ashes series of 1961. Transitioned to a career in sports broadcasting after retirement, providing insights and commentary on cricket for various media outlets.

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Ivo Pukanić

Croatian journalist and media executive
Born
January 21st, 1961 64 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 47 years old

A prominent Croatian journalist and media executive, significant contributions included founding the influential media company Nacional. Pukanić focused on investigative journalism, covering numerous political and social issues in Croatia. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pukanić's work attracted both recognition and controversy, often tackling sensitive subjects that sparked public debate. His career was marked by a commitment to uncovering truths behind various topics impacting Croatian society. In 2008, he was tragically killed in a bombing, which brought attention to the dangers faced by journalists in the region.

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Edwin Turney

Businessman, co-founder of AMD
Born
March 26th, 1929 95 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 79 years old

Co-founded Advanced Micro Devices in 1969, which became a key player in the semiconductor industry. Played a significant role in the development of microprocessors that powered personal computers. Contributed to the establishment of AMD as a competitor to Intel in the technology sector.

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