By Bob Nelson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — As the old year draws swiftly to a close, we remember some of the notables who died during 2012.

Andy Griffith seldom looked as if he were acting. He passed away from a heart attack at 86.

The singer Whitney Houson perished from accidental drowning and cocaine.  Disco diva Donna Summer died of lung cancer.

Larry Hagman, who played JR Ewing on “Dallas,” passed away from acute myeloid leukemia, in his early 70s.

Dick Clark, who wore the New Year’s Eve television mantle for decades after Guy Lonbardo, died of a heart attack in his 80s.

Mike Wallace, perhaps America’s toughest interviewer, died in his 90s, specific cause not revealed.

The writer Nora Ephron died of pneumonia resulting from leukemia.

Maurice Sendak, the author and illustrator, died from a stroke in Danbury, Conn. (see related story).

Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, in his 90s, cause of death not released.

Actor Ernest Borgnine, also in his 90s, passed away from renal failure.

And Helen Gurley Brown, age 90, editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and author of Sex and the Single Girl.