Tazio Secchiaroli,73, one of the world's most famous photographers and the "paparazzo" who inspired Federico Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita," died yesterday in Rome.

Eugene Aserinsky,77, a scientist who discovered rapid eye movement -- the sleep stage associated with dreaming -- died Wednesday after his car veered off the road and crashed into a tree in La Costa, Calif. It was not known what caused him to veer off the road.

Michael Denison,82, a character actor and an on- and off-stage partner of actress Dulcie Gray, died Tuesday in London of cancer. His last film role was in 1994 in "Shadowlands," which starred Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.

Corbett Monica,68, a comedian and actor who opened for Frank Sinatra and other big-name singers and was a regular on the "Joey Bishop Show," died of cancer Wednesday in North Miami, Fla.

Bob McAllister,63, a magician who hosted the three-hour Sunday morning children's extravaganza known as "Wonderama," died in New York on Tuesday of lung cancer. In 1953, he won a contest on Ted Mack's "Amateur Hour." Later, he hosted children's shows in Norfolk, Va., and Baltimore before getting his "Wonderama" job.

Pub Date: 7/25/98