The New York Times has created a truly unique and invaluable series of profiles — on videotape — of famous people just before their death.

They include (in alpha order) Edward Albee, Barbara Bush, John Glenn, Stephen Hawking, Hugh Hefner, Stan Lee, John McCain, Arnold Palmer, Philip Roth, Neil Simon, and Liz Smith.

Also, “Remembering Aretha Franklin” and “Remembering Kate Spade.”

Here is a direct link to the complete series.