Remembering the influential lives lost in 2012

As 2012 comes to a close and we welcome a new year, we remember the influential people who died in the past 12 months. The list includes two of the most important astronauts in NASA history, one of the most beloved children's authors of the 20th century, the "Queen of Disco," and one of the longest serving U.S. senators in history. Here's a look back at lives that were lost this year...

Neil Armstrong

(1930-2012)

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

This legendary astronaut was the first human being ever to set foot on the moon. He captivated the world when he said, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

Andrew Breitbart

(1969-2012)

The conservative internet publisher and activist, who inspired the Right and infuriated the Left, passed away suddenly at the age of 43. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Helen Gurley Brown

(1922-2012)

The former editor of Cosmopolitan is widely credited for giving the long-running women's magazine its characteristically frank sexual tone. (Photo: George De Sota/Newsmakers)

Dave Brubeck

(1920-2012)

The celebrated pianist and composer helped to bring the sounds of jazz into the homes of ordinary Americans across the country, with support from the members of The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He died one day short of his 92nd birthday. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Dick Clark

(1929-2012)

The "world's oldest teenager" was best known as the host of the variety show American Bandstand from 1957-1987. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ATI)

Phyllis Diller

(1917-2012)

Known for her wacky, self-deprecating stage persona, this actress and comedic pioneer helped to pave the way for today's female comics. (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

Nora Ephron

(1941-2012)

The prolific writer and trailblazing filmmaker is known for classics like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Andy Griffith

(1926-2012)

The beloved actor behind TV's honorable Sheriff Andy Taylor and cantankerous defense attorney Ben Matlock died at age 86. (Photo: Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)

Whitney Houston

(1963-2012)

This R&B phenomenon was known as the voice of her generation with inescapable hits like "I Will Always Love You." (Photo: Hanne Jordan/dpa/Corbis)

Daniel Inouye

(1924-2012)

This World War II hero represented the Aloha State as a U.S. Senator since it was welcomed into the union in 1959. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Etta James

(1938-2012)

"The Matriarch of the Blues" might be best remembered for her powerful rendition of "At Last," an iconic song that's become a staple at weddings. (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Rodney King

(1965-2012)

King became a symbol of the nation's racial tensions after his 1991 beating by Los Angeles police officers was caught on camera and subsequently led to a week of deadly riots. (Photo: J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images)

George McGovern

(1922-2012)

Former Sen. George McGovern (D-S.D.), most famous for losing to President Richard Nixon in the landslide 1972 election, died at age 90. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images)

Joe Paterno

(1926-2012)

Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno also known as JoePa, succumbed to lung cancer. (Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Sally Ride

(1951-2012)

An inspiration to little girls all over the world, Sally Ride was the first American woman to go to outer space. (Photo: NASA)

Tony Scott

(1944-2012)

The British-born director and producer was responsible for some of the most memorable films of the past 30 years, including 1986's smash Top Gun, as well as Days of Thunder, True Romance, and many more. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Maurice Sendak

(1928-2012)

Author and illustrator of the classic children's tale Where The Wild Things Are shaped the imaginations of generations. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Arlen Specter

(1930-2012)

The longest-serving U.S. senator in Pennsylvania history and a frequent and proud thorn in the side of both political parties, Specter switched parties twice but was always true to himself. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Ravi Shankar

(1920-2012)

Dubbed the "godfather of world music" by George Harrison, Shankar was a true master of the traditional Indian instrument the sitar and muse to the Beatles. (Photo: Express Newspapers/Getty Images)

Donna Summer

(1948-2012)

The indisputable "Queen of Disco," known for hits like "Love to Love You Baby," died at age 63 following a battle with cancer. (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Gore Vidal

(1925-2012)

The celebrated novelist, playwright, and critic wrote a dozen novels, first making waves with 1948's The City and the Pillar, about a love affair between two male athletes. (Photo: Central Press/Getty Images)

Mike Wallace

(1918-2012)

The CBS news pioneer introduced a more aggressive, investigative style of TV reporting. His colleagues and critics remember him as TV's "grand inquisitor." (Photo: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

Kitty Wells

(1919-2012)

The pioneering country music singer had been ready to leave the industry in 1952 when, at age 33, she recorded what became her signature song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." (Photo: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Adam 'MCA' Yauch

(1964-2012)

One of the founding members of the pioneering rap group Beastie Boys, Yauch died at age 47, succumbing to a long battle with cancer. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)