In entertainment as in life, for all the good things that happen each year, there can also be reasons for sorrow. Inevitably, the television industry and its fans lose beloved figures. Some of those who have passed in recent years have been particularly iconic, and in 2009, they ranged from an "Angel" who launched a hairstyle craze to "the most trusted man in America."
Here is a remembrance of some of those who left their marks -- and are already greatly missed.
Walter Cronkite: Though a generation grew up not knowing him as an evening news anchor, the CBS icon was a major influence on virtually everyone who has that role today.
Farrah Fawcett: An overnight sex-symbol sensation as one of "Charlie's Angels," Fawcett would redefine herself professionally ("The Burning Bed") and personally with her fight against cancer.
Ed McMahon: As second bananas go, it's hard to top the jovial sidekick to Johnny Carson over three decades of "The Tonight Show."
Beatrice Arthur: A rare stage star who crossed over to the home screen successfully, Arthur followed the edginess of "Maude" with the enduring comfort of "The Golden Girls."
Michael Jackson: His immediate-classic "Billie Jean" moonwalk on a Motown 25th anniversary special was enough to ensure the King of Pop a lasting place in television history.
Karl Malden: Authoritative work as a police lieutenant on "The Streets of San Francisco" made Malden the perfect person to advise users of a certain credit card, "Don't leave home without it."
Ricardo Montalban: The villainous Khan in the annals of "Star Trek," the suave Montalban also was the ideal host to visitors to "Fantasy Island."
David Carradine: In the role that pretty much shadowed him for the rest of his career, Carradine became -- and remained -- a cult hero as fleet-of-foot wanderer Caine in "Kung Fu."
Patrick Swayze: With "The Beast," the "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" star cycled back to television at the end of his career, having started there in part in the "North and South" miniseries and a memorable "M*A*S*H" role.
Here is a remembrance of some of those who left their marks -- and are already greatly missed.
Walter Cronkite: Though a generation grew up not knowing him as an evening news anchor, the CBS icon was a major influence on virtually everyone who has that role today.
Farrah Fawcett: An overnight sex-symbol sensation as one of "Charlie's Angels," Fawcett would redefine herself professionally ("The Burning Bed") and personally with her fight against cancer.
Ed McMahon: As second bananas go, it's hard to top the jovial sidekick to Johnny Carson over three decades of "The Tonight Show."
Beatrice Arthur: A rare stage star who crossed over to the home screen successfully, Arthur followed the edginess of "Maude" with the enduring comfort of "The Golden Girls."
Michael Jackson: His immediate-classic "Billie Jean" moonwalk on a Motown 25th anniversary special was enough to ensure the King of Pop a lasting place in television history.
Karl Malden: Authoritative work as a police lieutenant on "The Streets of San Francisco" made Malden the perfect person to advise users of a certain credit card, "Don't leave home without it."
Ricardo Montalban: The villainous Khan in the annals of "Star Trek," the suave Montalban also was the ideal host to visitors to "Fantasy Island."
David Carradine: In the role that pretty much shadowed him for the rest of his career, Carradine became -- and remained -- a cult hero as fleet-of-foot wanderer Caine in "Kung Fu."
Patrick Swayze: With "The Beast," the "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" star cycled back to television at the end of his career, having started there in part in the "North and South" miniseries and a memorable "M*A*S*H" role.
