Breaking News

Umberto Eco, famed author of 'The Name of the Rose,' dead at 84

By Joshua Berlinger and Ben Brumfield, CNN

Updated 0505 GMT (1305 HKT) February 20, 2016

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

people we've lost oct 2016
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Hide Caption
1 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/28/entertainment/debbie-reynolds-hospitalized/index.html" target="_blank">Debbie Reynolds</a>, one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the 1950s and 1960s, died December 28, one day after her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher, passed away. She was 84.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Debbie Reynolds, one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the 1950s and 1960s, died December 28, one day after her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher, passed away. She was 84.
Hide Caption
2 of 119
Actress <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/27/entertainment/carrie-fisher-obit-star-wars/index.html" target="_blank">Carrie Fisher</a>, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchises, died December 27, according to her daughter's publicist. Fisher had suffered a cardiac event on December 23. She was 60 years old.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actress Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchises, died December 27, according to her daughter's publicist. Fisher had suffered a cardiac event on December 23. She was 60 years old.
Hide Caption
3 of 119
Actor and comedian <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/27/entertainment/ricky-harris-death-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">Ricky Harris</a>, who was a regular on the TV sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and first gained attention on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," died December 26, according to his publicist. He was 54.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actor and comedian Ricky Harris, who was a regular on the TV sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and first gained attention on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," died December 26, according to his publicist. He was 54.
Hide Caption
4 of 119
Singer <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/27/entertainment/george-michael-fadi-fawaz/index.html" target="_blank">George Michael</a>, who shot to fame with the '80s band Wham!, died on Christmas Day, according to Britain's Press Association. He was 53 years old.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Singer George Michael, who shot to fame with the '80s band Wham!, died on Christmas Day, according to Britain's Press Association. He was 53 years old.
Hide Caption
5 of 119
English novelist <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/27/europe/richard-adams-watership-down-obit/" target="_blank">Richard Adams</a>, author of the famous children's book "Watership Down," died at the age of 96 on December 24.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
English novelist Richard Adams, author of the famous children's book "Watership Down," died at the age of 96 on December 24.
Hide Caption
6 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/18/entertainment/zsa-zsa-gabor-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Zsa Zsa Gabor</a>, the Hungarian beauty whose many marriages, gossipy adventures and occasional legal scuffles kept her in tabloid headlines for decades, died December 18, said her former longtime publicist Ed Lozzi. She was 99.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Hungarian beauty whose many marriages, gossipy adventures and occasional legal scuffles kept her in tabloid headlines for decades, died December 18, said her former longtime publicist Ed Lozzi. She was 99.
Hide Caption
7 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/15/us/craig-sager-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Craig Sager</a>, the longtime Turner Sports sideline reporter best known for his colorful -- and at times fluorescent -- wardrobe, died December 15 after battling acute myeloid leukemia, the network said. He was 65.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Craig Sager, the longtime Turner Sports sideline reporter best known for his colorful -- and at times fluorescent -- wardrobe, died December 15 after battling acute myeloid leukemia, the network said. He was 65.
Hide Caption
8 of 119
Actor <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/us/alan-thicke-dead/index.html" target="_blank">Alan Thicke</a>, known for his role as the father in the sitcom "Growing Pains," died on December 13, according to his agent, Tracy Mapes. He was 69. Thicke's career spanned five decades -- one in which he played various roles on and off screen, from actor to writer to composer to author.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actor Alan Thicke, known for his role as the father in the sitcom "Growing Pains," died on December 13, according to his agent, Tracy Mapes. He was 69. Thicke's career spanned five decades -- one in which he played various roles on and off screen, from actor to writer to composer to author.
Hide Caption
9 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/08/health/john-glenn-dead/index.html" target="_blank">John Glenn, </a>the first American to orbit the Earth, died December 8, according to the Ohio State University. He was 95.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, died December 8, according to the Ohio State University. He was 95.
Hide Caption
10 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/10/entertainment/obit-joseph-mascolo-stefano-dimera-days-of-our-lives-trnd-irpt/index.html">Joseph Mascolo</a>, the actor who portrayed archvillain Stefano DiMera in the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," died December 7 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, the network said. He was 87.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Joseph Mascolo, the actor who portrayed archvillain Stefano DiMera in the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," died December 7 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, the network said. He was 87.
Hide Caption
11 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/09/entertainment/greg-lake-dies-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">Greg Lake</a>, a founding member of influential progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer, died December 7 after a bout with cancer, his manager said. He's seen here at left with bandmates Keith Emerson, center, and Carl Palmer in 1972.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Greg Lake, a founding member of influential progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer, died December 7 after a bout with cancer, his manager said. He's seen here at left with bandmates Keith Emerson, center, and Carl Palmer in 1972.
Hide Caption
12 of 119
Actor <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/entertainment/ron-glass-barney-miller-actor-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Ron Glass</a>, known for his role on the police sitcom "Barney Miller," died November 25, his agent said. Glass also starred in "Firefly" and its film sequel "Serenity."
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actor Ron Glass, known for his role on the police sitcom "Barney Miller," died November 25, his agent said. Glass also starred in "Firefly" and its film sequel "Serenity."
Hide Caption
13 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/25/entertainment/florence-henderson-obit/index.html" target="_blank">Florence Henderson</a>, whose "Brady Bunch" character Carol Brady was one of television's most famous mothers, died November 24 at the age of 82, her manager, Kayla Pressman, said.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Florence Henderson, whose "Brady Bunch" character Carol Brady was one of television's most famous mothers, died November 24 at the age of 82, her manager, Kayla Pressman, said.
Hide Caption
14 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/18/entertainment/singer-sharon-jones-dead-at-60/" target="_blank">Sharon Jones</a>, the powerful lead singer of the Dap-Kings, died November 18 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, manager Alex Kadvan told CNN. She was 60.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Sharon Jones, the powerful lead singer of the Dap-Kings, died November 18 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, manager Alex Kadvan told CNN. She was 60.
Hide Caption
15 of 119
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/11/14/media/gwen-ifill-obituary/index.html" target="_blank">Gwen Ifill</a>, the veteran journalist and newscaster who co-anchored "PBS NewsHour," died after a battle with endometrial cancer, according to PBS on November 14. She was 61.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Gwen Ifill, the veteran journalist and newscaster who co-anchored "PBS NewsHour," died after a battle with endometrial cancer, according to PBS on November 14. She was 61.
Hide Caption
16 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/13/entertainment/leon-russell-obit/" target="_blank">Leon Russell</a>, who emerged as a rock 'n' roll star in the 1970s after working behind the scenes as a session pianist for other musicians, died November 13, his wife told CNN. He was 74.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Leon Russell, who emerged as a rock 'n' roll star in the 1970s after working behind the scenes as a session pianist for other musicians, died November 13, his wife told CNN. He was 74.
Hide Caption
17 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/entertainment/robert-vaughn-dead/index.html" target="_blank">Robert Vaughn</a>, who played a slick spy on TV's "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", died November 11, his manager, Matthew Sullivan, told CNN. Vaughn was 83.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Robert Vaughn, who played a slick spy on TV's "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", died November 11, his manager, Matthew Sullivan, told CNN. Vaughn was 83.
Hide Caption
18 of 119
Canadian singer-songwriter<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/10/entertainment/leonard-cohen-singer-songwriter-dead/index.html" target="_blank"> Leonard Cohen</a> died at the age of 82, according to a post on his official Facebook page on November 10. A highly respected artist known for his poetic and lyrical music, Cohen wrote a number of popular songs, including the often-covered "Hallelujah."
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen died at the age of 82, according to a post on his official Facebook page on November 10. A highly respected artist known for his poetic and lyrical music, Cohen wrote a number of popular songs, including the often-covered "Hallelujah."
Hide Caption
19 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/07/politics/janet-reno-dies/" target="_blank">Janet Reno</a>, the first female US attorney general, died November 7 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease, her sister Maggy Hurchalla said. Reno, 78, served in the Clinton White House from 1993 to 2001.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Janet Reno, the first female US attorney general, died November 7 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease, her sister Maggy Hurchalla said. Reno, 78, served in the Clinton White House from 1993 to 2001.
Hide Caption
20 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/24/us/tom-hayden-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Tom Hayden</a>, a peace activist whose radical views helped spur the anti-Vietnam War movement, died October 23. He was 76.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Tom Hayden, a peace activist whose radical views helped spur the anti-Vietnam War movement, died October 23. He was 76.
Hide Caption
21 of 119
Actor and comedian <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/21/entertainment/kevin-meaney-comedian-obit/index.html" target="_blank">Kevin Meaney</a>, who had been a regular on late-night TV and was famous for delivering the line, "That's not right," died, his agent said October 21. Meaney's age and the cause of death weren't immediately known.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actor and comedian Kevin Meaney, who had been a regular on late-night TV and was famous for delivering the line, "That's not right," died, his agent said October 21. Meaney's age and the cause of death weren't immediately known.
Hide Caption
22 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/19/us/phil-chess-records-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Phil Chess</a>, the co-founder of the iconic rock-and-roll and blues label Chess Records, died October 18, according to his son. He was 95. Phil and his brother Leonard founded Chess Records in the late 1940s and helped spawn the careers of many popular musicians in the 1950s.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Phil Chess, the co-founder of the iconic rock-and-roll and blues label Chess Records, died October 18, according to his son. He was 95. Phil and his brother Leonard founded Chess Records in the late 1940s and helped spawn the careers of many popular musicians in the 1950s.
Hide Caption
23 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/13/entertainment/dylan-rieder-dead/index.html" target="_blank">Dylan Rieder</a>, a professional skateboarder and model, died on October 12 due to complications from leukemia, according to his father. He was 28.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Dylan Rieder, a professional skateboarder and model, died on October 12 due to complications from leukemia, according to his father. He was 28.
Hide Caption
24 of 119
Actor <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/13/entertainment/tommy-ford-obit/index.html" target="_blank">Tommy Ford</a>, best known for his role as Tommy in the 1990s hit sitcom "Martin," died in Atlanta, a spokeswoman for his family announced on October 12. Ford was 52.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Actor Tommy Ford, best known for his role as Tommy in the 1990s hit sitcom "Martin," died in Atlanta, a spokeswoman for his family announced on October 12. Ford was 52.
Hide Caption
25 of 119
Award-winning author <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/04/entertainment/gloria-naylor-dies/" target="_blank">Gloria Naylor</a>, whose explorations of the lives of black women in the 1980s and 1990s earned her wide acclaim, died on September 28. She was 66.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Award-winning author Gloria Naylor, whose explorations of the lives of black women in the 1980s and 1990s earned her wide acclaim, died on September 28. She was 66.
Hide Caption
26 of 119
Golfing legend <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/us/arnold-palmer-death/index.html" target="_blank">Arnold Palmer</a>, who helped turn the sport from a country club pursuit to one that became accessible to the masses, died September 25 at the age of 87, according to the U.S. Golf Association.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer, who helped turn the sport from a country club pursuit to one that became accessible to the masses, died September 25 at the age of 87, according to the U.S. Golf Association.
Hide Caption
27 of 119
Miami Marlins pitcher <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/us/mlb-pitcher-jose-fernandez-dead/index.html" target="_blank">Jose Fernandez</a>, one of baseball's brightest stars, was killed in a boating accident September 25, Florida authorities said. He was 24.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, one of baseball's brightest stars, was killed in a boating accident September 25, Florida authorities said. He was 24.
Hide Caption
28 of 119
Veteran actor <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/entertainment/bill-nunn-do-the-right-thing-actor-dead-trnd/index.html">Bill Nunn, </a>best known for playing Radio Raheem in "Do the Right Thing" and Robbie Robertson in the "Spider-Man" trilogy, died September 24 at age 63.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Veteran actor Bill Nunn, best known for playing Radio Raheem in "Do the Right Thing" and Robbie Robertson in the "Spider-Man" trilogy, died September 24 at age 63.
Hide Caption
29 of 119
Grammy and Emmy Award winner <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/25/entertainment/stanley-dural-buckwheat-zydeco-dead/index.html">Stanley Dural Jr., also known as Buckwheat Zydeco,</a> died September 24 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was 68.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Grammy and Emmy Award winner Stanley Dural Jr., also known as Buckwheat Zydeco, died September 24 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was 68.
Hide Caption
30 of 119
"L.A. Confidential" director and writer <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/21/entertainment/curtis-hanson-death/" target="_blank">Curtis Hanson</a>, 71, died of natural causes on September 20, Los Angeles police said. He won an Oscar with Brian Helgeland for the screenplay on "L.A. Confidential," and he also directed "8 Mile" and "Wonder Boys."
Photos: People we lost in 2016
"L.A. Confidential" director and writer Curtis Hanson, 71, died of natural causes on September 20, Los Angeles police said. He won an Oscar with Brian Helgeland for the screenplay on "L.A. Confidential," and he also directed "8 Mile" and "Wonder Boys."
Hide Caption
31 of 119
<a href="http://www.preview.cnn.com/2016/09/18/us/liesl-sound-of-music-dies/index.html" target="_blank">Charmian Carr</a>, best known for her role as Liesl in "The Sound of Music," died September 17 at the age of 73, according to her family. Carr died of complications from a rare form of dementia.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
Charmian Carr, best known for her role as Liesl in "The Sound of Music," died September 17 at the age of 73, according to her family. Carr died of complications from a rare form of dementia.
Hide Caption
32 of 119
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/17/entertainment/author-wp-kinsella-dead/index.html">W.P. Kinsella,</a> the author of "Shoeless Joe," the award-winning novel that became the film "Field of Dreams," died at 81 on September 16.
Photos: People we lost in 2016
W.P. Kinsella, the author of "Shoeless Joe," the award-winning novel that became the film "Field of Dreams," died at 81 on September 16.
Hide Caption
33 of 119