Steve Jobs
This fall, the world suffered the great loss of one of its most creative minds. On Oct. 5, 2011, Steve Jobs, the chairman and co-founder of Apple Inc. died at the age of 56 from respiratory arrest. Jobs, who had long battled with pancreatic cancer, helped Apple became one of the world’s most valuable companies at an estimated market cap of $350 billion.
Since his death, there has been a release of a biography that covers the mogul’s roller coaster of a life. It is rumored that a movie about Jobs and Apple is in the works with Ashton Kutcher set to play Jobs.

Ashton Kutcher
Speaking of Kutcher, he has had a busy year in the public eye.
In the midst of a very public divorce with actress Demi Moore, Kutcher landed a starring role on the hit CBS series “Two and A Half Men” following the controversial parting of the show’s star, Charlie Sheen.
“Two and A Half Men” has been able to stay popular and Kutcher has been credited with bringing in a younger viewing audience. He also managed to reel in an estimated $20 million for the role.

Kim Kardashian
Who was really “winning” this year was the Kardashians, the fabulously popular reality family that we all love to hate.
After Kim’s whirlwind wedding and divorce to basketball player Kris Humphries in all of 72 days, there was a lot of speculation as to whether or not her marriage was all a publicity stunt.
Say what you will about them, but the Kardashians must be doing something right.
They reportedly just signed a deal for three more seasons of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” for $40 million dollars.
Guess Sheen isn’t “winning” after all.

Katy Perry
In a year where public divorces were commonplace, singer/songwriter Katy Perry split from funnyman Russell Brand after only a little over a year of marriage on Dec. 30, 2011.
But her private turmoil didn’t seem to slow down her career in the slightest.
In fact, the California-born songstress was able to accomplish an impressive feat in tying Michael Jackson’s record of five number-one hits from a single album with her third studio album, Teenage Dream. Katy Perry is the first female in history to log such an achievement.

Whitney Houston
On Feb. 11, 2012, the powerful voice of singer Whitney Houston was lost. At only the age of 48, the mega-star, who has had a public battle with drugs, was found dead in her hotel bathroom.
The autopsy report concluded that the cause of her death was a combination of drowning, heart disease, prescription drugs and cocaine use. Houston had recently completed filming “Sparkle,” a movie about the struggles and temptations of living in the limelight. This film is scheduled to be released August 17 and it also stars past “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.

Simon Cowell
Talent shows continue to dominate television news. Despite slumping ratings, “American Idol” inked Ryan Seacrest for another three seasons.
Controversial radio disc jockey Howard Stern is joining the cast of “America’s Got Talent” for a reported $20 million annually.
Meanwhile, original “American Idol” creator Simon Cowell has had to bite his tongue as his show “X factor” has not been able to live up to its advanced hype.
Looking for a ratings boost, Cowell reportedly is negotiating to sign pop idol Britney Spears as a judge.

— Contact Deana Bellen.