From politics and sports to Hollywood and the media, some memorable characters have left the stage. A look at the year in obits.
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.
Tom McNichol, a frequent contributor to TheAtlantic.com, is a San Francisco writer whose work has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and on NPR's "All Things Considered."