Top 7 Obituaries

WSVN -- In 2012 we said goodbye to entertainment greats, political movers and shakers and star-struck space pioneers.

She danced into our lives in the early 80's and became one of the best selling artists of all time. From her music to her movies, America had a love affair with Whitney Houston. But a battle with drugs and alcohol stalled her career in the 90's and Whitney was found dead in a hotel bathtub last February. She was 48 years old.

Another legendary voice was also silenced this year. 73-year-old Etta James. Her bluesy style made her a hit in the 50's.

Donna Summer was the undisputed queen of the dance floor. The 5-time Grammy winner burst onto the disco scene in the 70's and never looked back. Summer died of lung cancer at age 63 at her home in Naples, Florida.

The music world also lost other singers who called Florida home.

The Bee Gees Robin Gibb died after a long battle with colon and liver cancer. The 7-time Grammy winner had a home on Miami Beach.

Davy Jones lived on a ranch near Port St. Lucie. The Monkees heartthrob died after a heart attack at his home. He was 66.

From the stars to the icons who made their careers.

Dick Clark hosted thousands of famous musicians on American Bandstand which ran almost 40 years. He went on to be the host of the annual New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Don Cornelius and his show, Soul Train was credited with bringing African-American performers to main stream television.

The entertainment world also said goodbye to some old friends.

Andy Griffith brought the idyllic world of Mayberry to the black and white screen. Then later, Matlock in living color.

We loved Larry Hagman in I Dream of Jeannie. Then loved to hate him as the evil millionaire J.R. Ewing in the hit show Dallas.

We moved on up with Sherman Helmsley on The Jefferson's.

Richard Dawson gained fame in Hogan's Heroes, a comedy about life in a prisoner of war camp. He later hosted Family Feud.

And who can forget Phyllis Diller's wild hair and crazy laugh? Her son said she died with a smile on her face at her home in Los Angeles at the ripe old age of 95.

He was the gentle giant of the big screen. Actor Michael Clarke Duncan, known for his role as John Coffey in the film The Green Mile died from heart disease at 54.

We also said goodbye to Hollywood screenwriter and novelist Nora Ephron who wrote hits like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.

Television news also lost one of it's greats this year. Mike Wallace was known for his ambush interviews. He was also one of the founding members of 60 Minutes.

In politics, former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter died after a long battle with cancer. He was 82.

And Senator George McGovern will always be remembered as one of the first to challenge the Vietnam War.

Here in Florida, bishop Agustin Roman was known for his work with Cuban exiles in South Florida's Catholic community. Roman and other priests were kicked out of Cuba in 1961 in an effort to cripple the church there. He was 83.

And finally, the nation said goodbye to two heroes who made the universe seem a little bit smaller.

Astronaut Sally Ride was the first American woman to go into space on the shuttle Challenger in 1983. She died from pancreatic cancer at age 61.

And we said goodbye to Neil Armstrong who's words will live in infamy. Armstrong left his footprint on the moon and on the hearts of Americans for generations. He was 82 years old.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)