Crocodile Hunter, Audience Tamer

The world lost a truly great man over the weekend, when noted conservationist Steve Irwin was killed when he was stung in the heart by a stingray in a freak accident along the Great Barrier Reef.

"Truly great man?" you ask, "That guy was a nutcase!" Well, yeah, he was. But he also called more attention to the plight of animals in the wild, habitat loss, and the importance of biodiversity than any animal show star (and almost anyone, PERIOD) ever. His fun nature, crazy antics, and willingness to show even the most ugly, disgusting animals as necessary, fascinating, and beautiful made for great TV and also taught the world a lot about how every species plays a role in the world environment.

Steve Irwin, you will be missed.