What Happened This Year 2018

People Who Died in 2018

Mel Ramos

American painter and illustrator
Born
July 24th, 1935 90 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 83 years old

A prominent figure in the Pop Art movement, this American painter and illustrator gained recognition for combining imagery of female figures with commercial products. The work often incorporated bright colors and a sense of commercialism, reflecting contemporary culture. This artist's style was heavily influenced by advertising, leading to iconic pieces that explored themes of sexuality and consumerism. In addition to painting, involvement in academia enriched the artistic community, influencing future generations of artists.

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Miloš Forman

Czech-American film director and screenwriter
Born
February 18th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 86 years old

A prominent figure in cinema, significant contributions occurred during the late 20th century. Emigrated to the United States in the 1960s and gained recognition with films such as 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and 'Amadeus'. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' won five Academy Awards, including Best Director. 'Amadeus' also received critical acclaim, capturing eight Oscars at the 1985 Academy Awards. Forman's work often explored themes of freedom and individuality, utilizing unique storytelling techniques and character development.

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Morris Halle

Linguist; co-authored The Sound Pattern of English
Born
July 23rd, 1923 102 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 95 years old

Born in Latvia and later relocating to the United States, a prominent linguist focused on phonology and syntax. Contributed significantly to the generative grammar movement, collaborating with Noam Chomsky. Co-authored a key text, 'The Sound Pattern of English', which became influential in the study of phonetics and phonology. Led academic contributions as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where extensive research on the phonological structure of languages took place. Played a vital role in shaping modern linguistic theory and education.

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Sergey Litvinov

Russian hammer thrower and Olympic medalist
Born
January 23rd, 1958 67 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 60 years old

This athlete specialized in the hammer throw and achieved significant success on the international stage. Competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning a silver medal. Established a personal best throw of 84.24 meters in 1987, ranking among the top hammer throwers of that era. Dominated the national scene in Russia, securing multiple Soviet championships and setting national records during his competitive years.

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Pandel Savic

American football player
Born
July 15th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 93 years old

An American football player played as a tackle for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1950s. Prior to joining the Giants, played college football at the University of Virginia. Helped the team secure an NFL Championship title in 1956, contributing to the franchise's success. Later returned to the University of Virginia as a football coach, where influence extended to coaching future players.

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Dick Slater

Professional wrestler and wrestling promoter
Born
May 19th, 1951 74 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 67 years old

A professional wrestler and promoter, achieved recognition in the 1970s and 1980s. Competed in major wrestling promotions including World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Also contributed as a trainer to upcoming wrestlers throughout a long career spanning multiple decades. Gained a reputation for his technical wrestling skills and charismatic persona, influencing a generation of wrestlers.

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Bevan Congdon

Cricketer for New Zealand national team
Born
February 11th, 1938 87 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 80 years old

Played first-class cricket for several teams, including Auckland and Central Districts. Represented New Zealand in Test matches and One Day Internationals. Participated in the 1975 Cricket World Cup. Worked as a cricket coach after retirement from playing.

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Elfriede Rinkel

German SS officer during World War II
Born
July 14th, 1922 103 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 96 years old

Served as an SS officer during World War II, participating in various military operations. Held a significant position within the SS, contributing to the administration and execution of policies aligned with the regime. Involved in activities that were part of the broader conflict of the war, facilitating the structures of the SS.

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Nancy Wilson

Singer and actress, part of jazz trio
Born
February 20th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
2018 7 years ago — 81 years old

An influential figure in music and television, this artist gained prominence for contributions to jazz and pop music. Notable works include hits such as 'Guess Who I Saw Today' and collaborations with various artists, displaying versatility across genres. In television, standout performances included appearances on shows such as 'The Dean Martin Show' and 'Soul Train'. The significance of this artist in the industry extended beyond music, with accolades including three Grammy Awards for outstanding vocal performances. Throughout a career that spanned several decades, diverse styles and deep emotional expression characterized the work.

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