August 14 brought us a comedian with an arrow through his head, one of basketball’s great point guards, voices that helped define generations of music, Academy Award-winning performers, and an actor who went from television comedy to the Marvel universe.

And on the other side of the calendar, we remember a martyr of Auschwitz, a newspaper empire-builder, a revolutionary playwright, the man behind Ferrari, beloved actors, and a jazz voice inseparable from the struggle for civil rights.

Quite a gathering.

Comedian, actor, writer and musician known for The Jerk and, more recently, Only Murders in the Building.

Few performers have managed to make absurdity look quite so dignified.

Or dignity quite so absurd.

Basketball legend and Hall of Fame point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Magic” was not merely branding.

Sometimes the nickname really does fit.

Singer-songwriter and co-founder of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

His harmonies became part of the soundscape of a generation.

British soprano, singer and actress whose career has crossed musical theatre, classical crossover and popular music.

Academy Award-winning actress known for films including Monster’s Ball and the X-Men series.

Oscar-winning actress known for Pollock, Mystic River and a long career across film, television and theatre.

Emmy-winning actress remembered especially for 227 and Sister, Sister.

Some television personalities do not merely enter a scene.

They arrive.

Actress known for That ’70s Show, Black Swan and a wide-ranging film and television career.

American football quarterback who also pursued professional baseball.

Apparently choosing one major sport was insufficient.

Polish Franciscan friar and saint who died at Auschwitz.

His life and death remain associated with extraordinary self-sacrifice in one of humanity’s darkest places.

American newspaper publisher whose media empire made him one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of American journalism.

German playwright whose work profoundly influenced modern theatre.

His name remains closely associated with a style of drama that asked audiences not simply to watch...

but to think.

Italian entrepreneur and builder whose name became synonymous with some of the world’s most famous sports cars.

Few surnames have ever sounded so much like an engine revving.

American actor remembered for films including When Harry Met Sally...

A familiar face whose performances often made supporting characters unforgettable.

American jazz singer and civil rights activist.

Her artistry and activism belonged to the same voice.

Steve Martin made us laugh.

Magic Johnson made basketball look effortless.

David Crosby harmonized.

Sarah Brightman soared.

Halle Berry transformed.

Brecht challenged audiences.

Ferrari accelerated.

Abbey Lincoln sang with purpose.

Different fields.

Different eras.

Different ways of leaving a mark.

A birthday records when a life entered history.

A passing records when that life left the stage.

🎂🕯️♾️

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