Stepping off the stage: stars who died in 2005

Jonny Carson TV host

Died January 23, aged 79

Carson's was the voice that put millions of Americans to bed every night at the end of his Tonight Show. Over the course of three decades, Carson hosted 4,531 shows, talked to 22,000 guests and divorced three wives. He went before the cameras for his final show in 1992, retiring to his Malibu estate, his yacht, and the company of his fourth wife Alexis.

Anne Bancroft Actress

Died June 6, aged 73

Hailed as one of the finest stage actresses of her generation, Bancroft is still best remembered for her role as Mrs Robinson from the 1967 film The Graduate, where she seduced a young Dustin Hoffman. Although playing his girlfriend's mother, Bancroft was only 35 and Hoffman 30 when they filmed the classic. Born Anna Maria Italiano in New York City, Bancroft was nominated for an Oscar five times. She is survived by her husband, director Mel Brooks.

Luther Vandross Singer