IN MEMORIAM: 2011 Passages of Theater & Entertainment's Most Memorable

2011 saw the loss of many famous talents who - in their own ways - left their permanent stamp on the theater community and entertainment world. In the photo sampling below, BroadwayWorld fondly remembers those we've lost, but whom we will never forget.

Among the most profound losses in the theater community include screen goddess and Tony nominee Elizabeth Taylor (THE LITTLE FOXES), legendary director and scribe Arthur Laurents (WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, among dozens of others), playwrights Lanford Wilson (TALLEY'S FOLLY, ANGELS FALL, FIFTH OF JULY, FENCES, among others) and Romulus Linney (THE LOVE SUICIDE AT SCHOFEILD BARRACKS), La Mamma's fearless leader Ellen Stewart, everyone's favorite "Knickie" Jeff Conaway, husband and wife actor/costume designer duo Tom Aldredge and Theoni V. Aldredge, two-time Tony winning designer David I Mitchell (BARNUM, ANNIE), DEATH TRAP star Farley Granger, and TV icon and one-time Broadway star Peter Falk.

The theater world additionally bid farewell to actors Mary Fickett, Jane White, Phyllis Love, Doris Belack, Philip Rose, Judy Lewis, Donald Grody (also head of Actor's Equity Association from 1973 - 1980), Anna Massey, Margaret Tyzack, Marian Mercer, Jay Garner, Michael Gough; notable songbirds Jerry Leiber, Lee Pockriss, Edwin Judd Woldin, Joseph Brooks, John Scoullar, Margaret Whiting, Hugh Martin; designer Lou Stancari; directors Michael Langham and Marsha Hanna; playwrights Sidney Michaels, Donald Lyons; producers Michael Brenner, Tommy Brent, Philip Rose, Randall L. Wreghitt, John Cossette, Edward Hastings and more.

In the world of entertainment, we additionally bid farewell to music man Nick Ashford, actor/director Jackie Cooper, directors Ken Russell and Sidney Lumet, television personality Andy Rooney, songstress Phoebe Snow and many more.

Lastly, of course, we must not forget tech maverick and revolutionary Steve Jobs, who not only opened up new possibilities for theater, film and TV creation with new technology, but who changed the world.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR
February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011 

Elizabeth Taylor attending THE MIRROR CRACKED Movie Premiere, Ziegfield Theatre, New York City. 1980

Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton in THE LITTLE FOXES, Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1981

Elizabeth Taylor Receives a Theatre World Award for THE LITTLE FOXES at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in New York City, 1981

Elizabeth Taylor Attends The Tony Awards Party, Waldorf Astoria Hotel New York City, June 1981

Elizabeth Taylor and Zev Buffman Visit Laurie Beechman, Bill Hutton & Cast of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, New York City, 1982

Elizabeth Taylor Visits Bill Hutton and the Cast of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT in New York City, 1982

Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minnelli Attending the United Negro College Fund Awards, Sheraton Center Hotel, New York City

As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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