On September 6th, legendary operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti passed away in his home in Modena, Italy, after a lengthy illness. Though he was, perhaps, most famous for his performances with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo (as the Three Tenors), Pavarotti leaves a legacy that stretches far beyond.

He was the first opera singer to perform on Saturday Night Live, was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2001, and holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of curtain calls -- 165. His 1993 concert in New York's Central Park drew more than 500,000 people.

Pavarotti was also tirelessly committed to helping refugees and other victims of war, raising money for the causes via his annual "Pavarotti and Friends" concerts, as well as specific concerts for victims in Bosnia, Kosovo, Guatemala and Iraq. He also worked with the UN as a Messenger of Peace, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, child rights, and many other issues.

But in the end, Pavarotti will be remembered as a great man who moved millions with the power of his astounding voice. Choosing a clip for this piece was an exquisite chore; how do you find one performance that defines a man who was not only one of the greatest opera singers of our time, but who peformed with everyone -- from James Brown to Lou Reed to Liza Minelli?

Well, you can't. But hopefully, this performance of Schubert's Ave Maria will be a start, at least.

Rest in peace, Luciano.

We children of the 80s -- at least, those children of the 80s who weren't hiding from bullies and the blinding sun -- undoubtedly fondly remember watching Mr. Wizard's World on Nickelodeon. We were luckier than the outdoor kids, because we grew up learning about the possibilities provided by science, and the magic of the natural world. Which is way better than physical activity, anyway.

So it's a sad day for all us former indoor kids, because today Don Herbert, the titular Mr. Wizard, passed away at the age of 89 after a long battle with cancer. We may ask the Internet our questions about science now. But Mr. Wizard, you'll still be missed.

When such an icon of our political debate passes away suddenly, it's hard to know what sort of reaction to have to the news. Sympathies of course to his friends and family, who have lost a loved one. But for the rest of us, let's remember one of his most notable contributions to the public discourse -- words spoken when America least needed to hear them.

As a result of his position as the head of the MPAA, Jack Valenti will be remembered as one of American film's most controversial figures. Despite what you might think of those byzantine ratings board policies, the former special assistant to President Johnson was Hollywood's charismatic voice in Washington for 38 years. He also had fabulous cheeks -- and a sense of humor about them. So in memory of the man, please enjoy his cameo appearance on the classic 90s animated series Freakazoid.

A woman of many ups and downs, Anna Nicole Smith was the Marilyn Monroe of our generation--even in her death. Earlier this afternoon, the former Playmate was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida. Pronounced dead upon her arrival to Memorial Regional Hospital, her cause of death is still unknown.

As a new mom who was still in her prime, the news of Anna Nicole's sudden death caught many of us off guard. To lose such a young and well-known personality is a tragedy, yet many are busy placing bets on her autopsy results. Regardless of the cause of her death, I think that it's important to celebrate Anna's life and cultural impact.

Anna Nicole Smith was as a woman of fame and media excess. Known for her folds in Playboy, Anna Nicole was the spokesmodel for TrimSpa and Guess Jeans, and also starred in the high-profile reality program, The Anna Nicole Smith Show. Leaving herself exposed to very public lifestyle, Anna Nicole suffered over a decade of legal problems, controversy, and alleged substance abuse.

To pay tribute to the sex symbol turned reality star, I would like to share this video clip, starring Anna Nicole herself. I think this video of the former Playmate is a perfect example of the excessive and sultry persona that was, and still is, Anna Nicole Smith.