Edie Adams

Edie Adams, Oct. 15, age 81: The blond sexpot TV personality was probably best known for her come-hither ads for Muriel cigars ("Why don't you pick one up and" -- pause -- "smoke it sometime"). But Adams was a classically trained singer who graduated from the Juilliard school,... more and performed regularly on Broadway, notably as Daisy Mae in the production of "Li'l Abner" in the '50s. She was also a deft comedian, and was memorable for her roles in films like "The Apartment," "Lover Come Back" and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." Later, she would guest star on TV, including in "Designing Women" and "The Love Boat." She was married three times, including to the love of her life, performer Ernie Kovacs, from 1954 until his death, in 1962, in a car accident.

(AP)