John Hughes (1950-2009)

Really? As if losing the many talents that have passed this year wasn't enough...

To get it out of the way, his remakes were fairly pointless, he seemed a little too content to remake Home Alone in most of the projects that followed it* and the "Weird Science" TV series outstripped the movie in nearly every aspect.

Still, the man is responsible for some of the most beloved (and quotable) teen comedies of all time. Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Some Kind of Wonderful. And then, there are the more adult comedies on his resume: National Lampoon's Vacation, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (European Vacation doesn't count; the bulk of that was written by Robert Klane and, let's be honest, between Weekend at Bernie's, Walk Like a Man and Folks!, he's something of a hack). Who knows if he were to ever come from his self-imposed retirement. Leaving behind a body of work like this is still quite impressive. He will be missed.

* - I must admit to having a sneaking fondness for Baby's Day Out and Home Alone 3. Don't judge me.