Celebrities

The Mayan calendar ends a 5,126-year cycle on Dec. 21, 2012. That might not mean a thing. Or it could signal the end of the world. There's a lot of leeway here.

For the sake of this story, let's assume that this is it. Those know-it-all Mayans had it figured out, and humanity will reach its expiration date this coming Dec. 21.

What is a person to do?

Some believe that in 2011, the world lost its most beautiful woman.

When Elizabeth Taylor, 79, took leave of this life in March, hers joined many celebrated names now in the possession of memory and history. Her beautiful face, and the Everyman face of Harry Morgan, who passed away at 96, led a cavalcade of lives completed this year.

Newsmakers. By far the biggest newsmaker to die this year was Osama bin Laden, 54, terrorist leader of al-Qaida. Apple innovator and visionary Steve Jobs, 56, moved on to the next vision.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Dobie Gray, who hit the top of the music charts in 1973 with "Drift Away," has died in Nashville. He was 69.

Charlie Andrews, Gray's attorney and friend, said Wednesday that Gray died at home in his sleep early Tuesday. He had been in declining health for several months. The death also was reported on the singer's web site.

Gray's other hits included "The In Crowd" in 1965 and "Loving Arms" in 1973.

He also was a songwriter and sang on several motion picture soundtracks including "Uptown Saturday Night," "Out of Sight" and "Casey's Shadow."

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

LOS ANGELES -- Alan Sues, who brought his flamboyant and over-the-top comic persona to the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" in the 1960s and 1970s, has died, a close friend said Sunday night.

Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press.

"He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.

LOS ANGELES -- Anne Hathaway has signed on for a new role: Fiancee.

A spokesman for the 29-year-old actress says Hathaway is engaged to boyfriend and fellow actor Adam Shulman.

Publicist Stephen Huvane revealed no other details.

Hathaway is among the stars of the anticipated Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises." She was nominated for an Academy Award for 2008's "Rachel Getting Married" and hosted the 2011 Oscars with James Franco.

Hathaway's other credits include "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Get Smart."