Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Pete Postlethwaite – British actor Peter Postlethwaite died of cancer January 3. The Oscar nominee starred in "Inception," "Romeo + Juliet" and the second "Jurassic Park." Steven Spielberg reportedly called him the "best actor in the world." He was 64. Full story Hide Caption 1 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Jane Russell – Jane Russell, a voluptuous star of the 1940s and 1950s, died February 28 of respiratory difficulties. She was 89. Russell was best known for her role in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" alongside Marilyn Monroe. Full story Hide Caption 2 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Mike Starr – Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead March 8. He was 44. Starr also appeared on the third season of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," which chronicled his battle with drugs. Hide Caption 3 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Nate Dogg – Hip-hop star Nate Dogg, born Nathaniel Hale, died March 15 after complications from multiple strokes. He collaborated on several hits with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. He was 41. Full story Hide Caption 4 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Elizabeth Taylor – Regarded as one of the world's most legendary actresses, Elizabeth Taylor died March 23 after being hospitalized for six weeks with congestive heart failure. The two-time Oscar winner was known for her iconic movies, much-admired beauty and charitable acts. She was 79. Full story Hide Caption 5 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Elisabeth Sladen – Elisabeth Sladen, the Liverpool-born actress who played Sarah Jane Smith in "Doctor Who," died April 19 after a battle with cancer. She was 63. Hide Caption 6 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 M-Bone – The rap group Cali Swag District's M-Bone died May 15 after a drive-by shooting in Inglewood, California. M-Bone, whose real name was Montae Talbert, was part of the group that created the 2010 hip-hop hit "Teach Me How to Dougie." He was 22. Full story Hide Caption 7 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Jeff Conaway – Jeff Conaway, 60, rose to stardom through his roles in TV series "Taxi" and the movie "Grease." He died May 27 after two weeks in a medically induced coma. Full story Hide Caption 8 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Clarence Clemons – Clarence Clemons, the legendary E Street Band saxophone player and actor, died from a stroke on June 18. He was 69. Full story Hide Caption 9 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Ryan Dunn – "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn, known for his dangerous stunts and off-the-wall tricks, died June 20. Dunn was killed in a fiery car crash that police later said resulted from alcohol and driving at high speeds. He was 34. Full story Hide Caption 10 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Peter Falk – Peter Falk, who played TV detective Lt. Columbo, died June 23. He was 83. The renowned actor earned two Oscar nominations and starred in many movies and plays such as "The In-Laws" and "The Princess Bride." Full story Hide Caption 11 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Amy Winehouse – Singer Amy Winehouse was found dead July 23 in her London apartment. The 27-year-old performer infamous for her arrests and substance abuse problems died of alcohol poisoning. Full story Hide Caption 12 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Nickolas Ashford – Motown singer and songwriter Nickolas Ashford died August 22 at age 69. The hitmaker had been battling throat cancer, but his publicist Liz Rosenberg said his death "was quite sudden." Full story Hide Caption 13 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Cliff Robertson – Academy Award winner Cliff Robertson died of natural causes September 10. Robertson, 88, starred in many stage, television and movie productions such as "Spider-Man" and "Charly." Hide Caption 14 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Andy Whitfield – Andy Whitfield, 39, rose to fame playing the muscular gladiator in Starz's "Spartacus" series. He died September 11 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Full story Hide Caption 15 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Vesta Williams – The body of R&B singer Vesta Williams was found September 22 in an El Segundo, California, hotel room. She was 53. Williams was best known for her 1980s hit songs "Don't Blow a Good Thing" and "Congratulations." Hide Caption 16 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Steve Jobs – Apple co-founder and Chairman Steve Jobs died October 5. Jobs was known as a visionary who helped craft the world's leading tech company. After battling pancreatic cancer and various other health issues, Jobs' family said he "died peacefully ... surrounded by his family." He was 56. Full story Hide Caption 17 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Mikey Welsh – Mikey Welsh, the former bassist for the rock band Weezer, died unexpectedly October 8. Welsh was found in a Chicago hotel room "unresponsive and not breathing." He was 40. Full story Hide Caption 18 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Leonard Stone – Leonard Stone, best known for his role in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," died of cancer November 2, just two days before his 88th birthday. Stone appeared on several television shows including "General Hospital," "Mission: Impossible" and "Gunsmoke" and won a Tony for his performance in the musical "Redhead." Hide Caption 19 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Andy Rooney – TV journalist Andy Rooney, a commentator on CBS's "60 Minutes," died November 4 from complications after minor surgery. He was 92. Full story Hide Caption 20 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Heavy D – Rapper Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers, died November 8 at the age of 44. Officials say a pulmonary embolism killed the rapper. Full story Hide Caption 21 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Patrice O'Neal – Comedian Patrice O'Neal died November 29 after suffering complications of a stroke that occurred more than a month earlier. He was 41. Full story Hide Caption 22 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Dev Anand – Dev Anand, a Bollywood star, died of a heart attack December 4 at age 88. "Dev Anand was a great artist who entertained generations of cinema lovers over five decades," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Full story Hide Caption 23 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Harry Morgan – Emmy-winning "M-A-S-H" star Harry Morgan died December 7 after battling pneumonia. He was 96. Morgan starred in more than 100 movies and also made his way to Broadway. Hide Caption 24 of 26

Photos: Stars who passed away in 2011 Christopher Hitchens – Christopher Hitchens was best known for his literary works published in Vanity Fair. "Those who read him felt they knew him, and those who knew him were profoundly fortunate souls," said Vanity Fair magazine editor Graydon Carter. He died from complications of esophageal cancer December 15 at age 62. Full story Hide Caption 25 of 26