HispanicBusiness

Not long before his death, Griffith spoke warmly about his "Andy Griffith Show" co-star George Lindsey, who died May 6 at the age of 83, following a brief undisclosed illness.

"Our last conversation was a few days ago," Griffith said in a statement at the time. "We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our 80s, we were not afraid to say, 'I love you.' That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. 'I love you.'"

British filmmaker Tony Scott's suicide by jumping off a Los Angeles bridge Aug. 19 still remains a mystery. The director of blockbuster action flicks like "The Taking of Pelham 123" and "True Romance" was reportedly working on a sequel to his 1980s classic "Top Gun" when he took his own life at age 68.

Although initial speculation in the media was that he was ill, his family vehemently denied this and no one has publicly offered a possible motive. He was the younger brother and producing partner of Oscar-winning director Ridley Scott.

Michael Clarke Duncan, a bouncer and bodyguard from Chicago who earned an Oscar nod for his heart-wrenching portrayal of a death row inmate with special powers in "The Green Mile," died Sept. 3 at the age of 54.

Regarded by his fellow actors, directors and journalists as a gentle giant with a 1,000-watt smile, the star of "Armageddon," "Daredevil" and "Sin City" died in a Los Angeles hospital two months after suffering a heart attack at his home where his fiancee, "The Apprentice" competitor Omarosa Manigault, was credited with performing CPR and reviving him.

Larry Hagman, the actor who became one of TV's favorite villains as J.R. Ewing in the 1980s nighttime soap "Dallas," died Nov. 24 at the age of 81 after a battle with cancer. He died in the show's titular city where he had been reprising his role of J.R. in an updated version of "Dallas."

The son of Broadway star Mary Martin also was known for his work on the genie-themed sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie."

Latin music star and TV personality Jenni Rivera was killed, along with six other people, in a Learjet crash shortly after takeoff Dec. 9. She was 43.

The recording artist has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and was recently named one of People En Espanol's 25 most powerful women. The mother of five children also starred in the reality TV show, "I Love Jenni," and was set to headline an ABC sitcom called "Jenni."

Not to be forgotten are "Waking Ned Devine" scene-stealer David Kelley, "Once is Not Enough" actress Deborah Raffin, "Moon River" singer Andy Williams, "General Hospital" patriarch John Ingle, mob turncoat-turned-author Henry Hill, "Gone with the Wind" belle Ann Rutherford, "Welcome Back Kotter" classmates Robert Hegyes and Ron Palillo, and "My Three Sons" player Don Grady.

Also lost in 2012 were Ben Gazzara, who created the role of Brick in the original production of Tennessee Williams' play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," as well as conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart, banjo master Earl Scruggs, "I Love Lucy" cast member Doris Singleton, "Moesha" co-star Yvette Wilson and "Soul Train" founder Don Cornelius.