2011 Notable deaths: February

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2011 Notable deaths: February

2011 Notable deaths: February

JANE RUSSELL (June 21, 1921 - Feb. 28, 2011) star of '40s and '50s films, died Feb. 28 at her home in the central coast city of Santa Maria, Calif. Her death from respiratory failure came 70 years after Hughes had put her on the path to stardom with his controversial Western "The Outlaw." She was 89.

UGA VIII: The Bulldogs mascot died Feb. 4, at not quite 17 months old and after only a half-season serving as the university mascot. The white English bulldog was diagnosed in January with lymphoma, a common cancer in dogs.

CHUCK TANNER (July 4, 1928 February 11, 2011) was a former Braves and Pittsburgh manager. He managed the Pirates to one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history in 1979. Tanner died at his home in New Castle, Pa., after a long illness. He was 81.

EDDIE KIRKLAND (Aug. 16, 1923 - Feb. 27, 2011) was a former bandleader for Otis Redding and recorded with John Lee Hooker, among others. Shortly before 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27, Kirkland attempted a U-turn and turned into the path of a Greyhound bus, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Kirkland died from injuries sustained in the crash.

LEN LESSER (December 3, 1922 - February 16, 2011) was a character actor, probably best known as Uncle Leo on "Seinfeld," died Feb. 16 from complications of cancer. He was 88.

BETTY GARRETT (May 23, 1919 - February 12, 2011) was a comedic actress who appeared in many MGM musicals. In her later years, she had roles on popular TV shows, such as "All in the Family" and "Laverne and Shirley." Garrett died of an aortic aneurysm on Feb. 12 at the age of 91.

PEGGY REA (March 31, 1921 - February 5, 2011) who played dozens of TV "character roles" where she was called by endearing nicknames like "Angel Food Cake," died Feb. 9 at her home in Toluca Lake, Calif., of congestive heart failure. She was 89.

TURA SATANA (July 10, 1938 - February 4, 2011) who gained cult status for her role in the 1965 Russ Meyer movie "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" died Feb. 6 of heart failure. She was 72.

KENNETH MARS (April 4, 1935 - Feb. 12, 2011) seen here with Gene Wilder, was an actor known for his comedic talents in such films as "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers." Mars died from pancreatic cancer on Feb. 12 at age 75.

GARY MOORE (April 4, 1952 - Feb. 6 2011) was a rock guitarist and former member of influential Irish band Thin Lizzy. Moore died Feb. 8 at the age of 58. Manager Adam Parsons said Moore was found dead at a hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol, where he was on holiday. It appears to have been natural causes.

MARVIN SEASE (February 16, 1946 - February 8, 2011) a blues and soul singer known for his 1980s hit "Candy Licker," died Feb. 8 after a lengthy illness. He was 64.

JOHN PAUL GETTY III (Nov. 4 1956 - Feb. 5, 2011) was an American heir, the grandson of J. Paul Getty. He was kidnapped in Italy and his ear was cut off before ransom was paid. He died at the age of 54 after a long illness caused by a drug overdose in 1981.

BILL MONROE (July 17, 1920 - Feb. 17, 2011) who hosted the Washington political television show "Meet the Press" for nearly a decade in the late 1970s and early 1980s, died Feb. 17. He was 90. In this 1985 file photo, Bill Monroe of NBC's "Meet the Press", center, sits with former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford at Tulane University in New Orleans.

SHAWN LEE (Oct. 24, 1966 - Feb. 26, 2011) was a professional football player who played 11 seasons in the NFL. He played in Super Bowl XXIX. Lee died at the age of 44 from cardiac arrest triggered by double pneumonia.

DAVID FRIEDMAN (December 24, 1923 - February 14, 2011) was a film producer. He was mainly known for producing gory B-movies such as the cult classic, "Blood Feast." He died of heart failure at the age of 87.

FRANK BUCKLES (Feb. 1, 1901- Feb. 27, 2011)held the title of the last surviving American veteran of World War I. He served a long and decorated military career and remained active even after he turned 100. Buckles died at the age of 110 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

BEN FRICKE (Nov. 3, 1975-Feb. 21, 2011) played guard and center for both college and professional football teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. Fricke died after a brief battle with colon cancer. He was 35. After his pro career ended, Fricke went back to school and before his death was teaching and coaching high school football.

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JANE RUSSELL (June 21, 1921 - Feb. 28, 2011) star of '40s and '50s films, died Feb. 28 at her home in the central coast city of Santa Maria, Calif. Her death from respiratory failure came 70 years after Hughes had put her on the path to stardom with his controversial Western "The Outlaw." She was 89.

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