The 12 Most Amazing News Stories of 2012

Last month, puppeteer Kevin Clash announced he was resigning as the voice of Sesame Street's character Elmo in the aftermath of accusations that he had an inappropriate relationship years earlier with an underage male. Clash denied the accuser's allegation of inappropriate sexual contact and insisted the relationship was in fact consensual.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, which commemorated her 60 years on the throne. As part of the celebrations, the Queen sent sent her grandson Prince Harry on an international trip through Central America, the Caribbean and Brazil as an official ambassador.

In early September, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds tied the knot in a surprise wedding in South Carolina. Dressed in a one-of-a-kind couture, hand-draped silk bridal ballgown designed by Marchesa, the 25-year old bride exchanged vows with her 35-year-old hubby during the small, private ceremony.

Larry Hagman, best known for playing Dallas villain J.R. Ewing, died November 23 at age 81 due to complications stemming from a battle with cancer. Family members were at the star's beside when he died, as were his Dallas co-stars Linda Gray (who played his wife Sue Ellen) and Patrick Duffy (who played his brother Bobby).

In August 2012, it was announced that Jennifer Aniston and her boyfriend Justin Theroux were engaged. A rep for Justin called the event "an extraordinary [birthday] gift" for the actor-screenwriter, who turned 41 on August 10. Jennifer reportedly started dating Justin in May 2011.

Entertainment icon Dick Clark died on April 18, 2012 at the age of 82 after suffering a massive heart attack. The famous host of American Bandstand -- which helped bring rock 'n' roll into the mainstream -- hosted and produced a vast range of programming from game shows to the annual year-end countdown show New Year's Rockin' Eve.

On July 21, 2012 a heavily-armed gunman entered a midnight screening of the The Dark Knight in Aurora, CO and opened fire on the crowd -- killing 12 people and injuries dozens. The suspect, James Holmes, was charged with 24 counts of murder in connection with the horrific tragedy and is awaiting trial.

In June 2012 came the shocking news that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were divorcing after five years of marriage. In a statement confirming that Katie had filed for divorce,  Tom's rep said the Mission Impossible star was "deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children." The couple later reached an agreement on terms for the divorce and for shared custody of their daughter Suri.

One of Hollywood's most anticipated babies arrived on January 7, 2012 when R&B star Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z welcomed their adorable baby daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. About a month later, couple released the first pictures of Blue Ivy on the baby's very own website.

After much anticipation and speculation, a rep for Brad Pitt confirmed in April 2012 that the actor was indeed engaged to Angelina Jolie. Although no date was revealed, a statement issued on behalf of the couple -- which has children together -- said the engagement was "a promise for the future" "their kids are very happy."

Pop superstar Whitney Houston was found dead inside a bathtub inside her Beverly Hills hotel room on February 11, 2012 -- the eve of the Grammy Awards. A coroner's report later attributed her death to drowning, as well as the effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.

2012 turned out to be a big year for entertainment news, with the death of celeb icons, surprise weddings, joyous births and a tragic massacre inside a movie theater. Click through for a look back on the biggest and most amazing stories we covered during the past year!