In memoriam 2024: The famous faces we sadly said goodbye to in 2024

Publish Date
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:53PM

We said goodbye to some legendary names in 2024.

Among the icons and entertainers who left the world this year was music producer Quincy Jones, who passed in November. His many contributions included producing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album and working with hundreds of other musicians over a long and storied career.

Closer to home, we also farewelled Willie Hona, former guitarist and singer for legendary New Zealand reggae band Herbs, who passed surrounded by his whānau in May after a battle with cancer.

Other artists and entertainers who died this year include: musicians Sergio Mendes, Toby Keith, Phil Lesh, Melanie, Dickey Betts, Françoise Hardy, Fatman Scoop, Duane Eddy and Frankie Beverly; actors James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera, Donald Sutherland, Gena Rowlands, Louis Gossett jnr, Shannen Doherty, Shelley Duvall, Kris Kristofferson, Sandra Milo, Anouk Aimée, Carl Weathers, Joyce Randolph, Tony Todd and Song Jae-lim; film-makers Roger Corman and Morgan Spurlock; authors Faith Ringgold and N. Scott Momaday; and TV fitness guru Richard Simmons.

Here's a look at some of the legendary figures we lost this year, organised by date:

In Memoriam: Celebrities who passed in 2024.

January

David Soul, 80. Actor-singer who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky & Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us.” Jan. 4.

Adan Canto, 42. Mexican singer and actor best known for his roles in “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Agent Game” as well as the TV series “The Cleaning Lady." Jan. 8.

Marlena Shaw, 81. Jazz and R&B vocalist whose “California Soul” was one of the defining soul songs of the late '60s. Jan. 19.

Mary Weiss, 75. Lead singer of the 1960s pop group the Shangri-Las, whose hits included “Leader of the Pack.” Jan. 19.

Norman Jewison, 97. Canadian filmmaker and director known for "In the Heat of the Night," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Moonstruck." Jan. 22.

David Gail, 58. Known for his roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and the "General Hospital" spinoff "Port Charles." Jan. 22.

Melanie, 76. Singer-songwriter who rose through the New York folk scene, performed at Woodstock and had a series of 1970s hits including the enduring cultural phenomenon “Brand New Key.” Jan. 23.

Herbert Coward, 85. He was known for his “Toothless Man” role in the movie “Deliverance.” Jan. 24. Car crash.

Chita Rivera, 91. American dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident Jan. 30.

Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, 77. The longtime wife and manager of Brian Wilson whom the Beach Boys co-founder often credited for stabilizing his famously troubled life. Jan 31. 

February 

Adele Zerilli Springsteen, 98. The longtime legal secretary, musical muse and concert dance partner who captured countless hearts in her son Bruce Springsteen 's E Street Nation and beyond. Feb. 1. 

Carl Weathers, 76. Former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore.” Feb. 1.

Ian Lavender, 77. An actor who played a hapless Home Guard soldier in the classic British sitcom “Dad’s Army.” Feb. 2.

Toby Keith, 62. A hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans. Feb. 5.

Henry Fambrough, 85. The last surviving original member of the iconic R&B group The Spinners, whose hits included “It’s a Shame,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and “The Rubberband Man.” Feb. 7.

Kenneth Mitchell, 49. He was known for his roles in "Star Trek: Discovery. Feb 25. 

Richard Lewis, 76. An acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain.” Feb. 27.

March

Iris Apfel, 102. A textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style. March 1.

Akira Toriyama, 68. The creator of the best-selling Dragon Ball and other popular anime who influenced Japanese comics. March 1.

Mark Dodson, 64. Voice actor known for his roles in "Gremlins" and "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi." March 3. 

Eric Carmen, 74. The singer-songwriter fronted the power-pop 1970s band the Raspberries and later had soaring pop hits like “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” from the hit “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack. March 11.

Robyn Bernard, 64. She was a former "General Hospital" star. March 14. 

David Breashears, 68. Mountaineer, author and filmmaker who co-directed and co-produced a 1998 IMAX documentary about climbing Mount Everest. March 16. 

Jennifer Leak, 76. She was known as a soap opera star and actress in the 1968 film "Yours, Mine and Ours." March, 18.

M. Emmet Walsh, 88. The character actor brought his unmistakable face and unsettling presence to films including “Blood Simple” and “Blade Runner.” March 19.

Louis Gossett Jr., 87. The first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots.” March 28.

Chance Perdomo, 27. An actor who rose to fame as a star of “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “Gen V.” March 29. Motorcycle crash.

Barbara Rush, 97. A popular leading actor in the 1950s and 1960s who co-starred with Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman and other top film performers and later had a thriving TV career. March 31.

April

Joe Flaherty, 82. Actor and writer Joe Flaherty, known for his roles on "Happy Gilmore" and "Freaks and Geeks." April 1. 

John Sinclair, 82. A poet, music producer and counterculture figure whose lengthy prison sentence after a series of small-time pot busts inspired a John Lennon song and a star-studded 1971 concert to free him. April 2.

Cole Brings Plenty, 27.  The actor appeared in a spinoff of the popular television western “Yellowstone." April 5. 

Faith Ringgold, 93. An award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling. April 12.

Eleanor Coppola, 87. She documented the making of some of her husband Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic films, including the infamously tortured production of “Apocalypse Now." April 12. 

Dickey Betts, 80. The guitar legend who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man.” April 18.

Mandisa, 47. The Grammy-winning artist who sang her way into the top 10 on "American Idol" in 2006. April 19. 

Duane Eddy, 86. A pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as “Rebel Rouser” and “Peter Gunn” helped put the twang in early rock ‘n’ roll and influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless others. April 30.

May

Willie Hona, 70. Singer-guitarist who rebuilt Herbs in 1983 after the founding members' departure. He was the band’s frontman and part of their most successful songwriting partnership during their commercial peak. May 5.

Bernard Hill, 79. Actor best known as Captain Edward Smith in "Titanic" and King Théoden in the "Lord of the Rings." May 5.

Steve Albini, 61. Alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more. May 7.

Susan Buckner, 72. Actress best known for playing Olivia Newton-John's cheerleading friend Patty Simcox in "Grease." May 7. 

Ian Gelder, 74. Actor best known for playing Kevan Lannister on the popular HBO series "Game of Thrones," May 8. 

Roger Corman, 98. The “King of the Bs” helped turn out such low-budget classics as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters” and gave many of Hollywood’s most famous actors and directors early breaks. May 9.

Mark Damon, 91. Award-winning actor who later transitioned to the business side of the industry. May 13. 

David Sanborn, 78. The Grammy-winning saxophonist who played lively solos on such hits as David Bowie's “Young Americans” and James Taylor's “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and enjoyed his own highly successful recording career as a performer of melodic, contemporary jazz. May 14.

Dabney Coleman, 92. The mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie.” May 16.

Charlie Colin, 58. The bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like “Drops of Jupiter" and “Meet Virginia." May 22.

Morgan Spurlock, 53. Documentary filmmaker and Oscar nominee who notably ate only at McDonald’s for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet. May 23. Complications of cancer.

Richard M. Sherman, 95. American songwriter known for penning songs for "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" — as well as the most-played tune on Earth, "It's a Small World (After All)." May 25.

Albert S. Ruddy, 94. Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for "The Godfather" and "Million Dollar Baby," developed the prison-sports comedy "The Longest Yard" and helped create the hit sitcom "Hogan's Heroes." May 28.

June

Janis Paige, 101. American actress and singer. With a career spanning nearly 60 years, she was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. June 2.

Anouk Aimée, 92. French star and dark-eyed beauty of classic films including Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” and Claude Lelouch’s “A Man and a Woman.” June 18.

Donald Sutherland, 88. Canadian actor whose career spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games.” June 20.

Taylor Wily, 56. Actor best known for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in the "Hawaii Five-0." June 21.

Bill Cobbs, 90. American actor, known for Louisiana Slim in "The Hitter," Walter in "The Brother from Another Planet," and Reginald in "Night at the Museum." June 25.

Shifty Shellshock, 49. Front man of the band Crazy Town who sang the hit 2000 song "Butterfly." June 25.

Martin Mull, 80. comic and actor from "Fernwood Tonight" and "Roseanne." June 27.

July

Jon Landau, 63. The Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on three of the biggest blockbusters of all time, “Titanic” and two “Avatar” films. July 6. 

Joe Bonsall, 76. A Grammy award winner and celebrated tenor of the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys. July 9.

Shannen Doherty, 53. "Charmed" and "Beverly Hills, 90210" actress who passed after a lengthy battle with cancer. July 13.

Richard Simmons, 76. American fitness instructor and television personality. He was a promoter of weight-loss programs, most prominently through his television show, The Richard Simmons Show and later the Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos. July 13.

Abdul “Duke” Fakir, 88. The last surviving original member of the beloved Motown group the Four Tops, which was known for such hits as “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love.” July 22.

Martin Phillipps, 61. New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for The Chills. July, 28.

August

Maurice William, 86. Singer and founder of the Zodiacs, whose songs were covered by the Hollies and Jackson Browne, and featured in Dirty Dancing and American Graffiti. Aug. 5.

Jack Russell, 63. The lead singer of the bluesy ’80s metal band Great White, whose hits included “Once Bitten Twice Shy” and “Rock Me.” Aug. 7.

Greg Kihn, 75. American rock musician, radio personality, and novelist. Founded and led the Greg Kihn Band. Best known for"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" and "Jeopardy". Aug. 13.

Gena Rowlands, 94. American actress, whose career in film, stage, and television spanned nearly seven decades. Known for her collaborations with her actor-director husband John Cassavetes in ten films, including "Gloria" as well as her son's film "The Notebook". Aug. 14.

Phil Donahue, 88. His daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others. Aug. 19.

John Amos, 84. He starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots.” Aug. 21.

Fatman Scoop, 56. Hip-hop artist who topped charts in Europe with “Be Faithful” in the early 2000s and later lent his distinctive voice to hits by artists including Missy Elliott and Ciara. Aug. 30. 

September

Sergio Mendes, 83. Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global legend. Sept. 5.

James Earl Jones, 93. Legendary EGOT-winning actor known for roles in Star Wars, Field of Dreams, The Lion King. Sept. 9.

Chad McQueen, 63. Dutch in the "Karate Kid" franchise and was the only son of actor Steve McQueen. Sept. 12.

Tito Jackson, 70. Original member of The Jackson 5 and brother of late Michael Jackson Sept. 15.

John David “JD” Souther, 78. A prolific songwriter and musician who helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. Sept. 17.

Kathryn Crosby, 90. She appeared in such movies as “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad”, “Anatomy of a Murder,” and “Operation Mad Ball” before marrying famed singer and Oscar-winning actor Bing Crosby. Sept. 20.

John Ashton, 76. Actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films. Sept. 26.

Dame Maggie Smith, 89. One of Britan's most recognisable actresses, with a career spanning over seven decaded. Her roles included the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. Sept. 27.

Kris Kristofferson, 88. American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a pioneering figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. Sept. 28.

Drake Hogestyn, 70. The “Days of Our Lives” star appeared on the show for 38 years. Sept. 28.

Gavin Creel, 48. Broadway musical theater veteran who won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” opposite Bette Midler and earned nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Sept. 30.

Ken Page, 70. A stage and screen actor who starred alongside Beyoncé in “Dreamgirls,” introduced Broadway audiences to Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” and scared generations of kids as the voice of Oogie Boogie, the villain of the 1993 animated holiday film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Sept. 30.

October

Christopher Ciccone, 63. Artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna. Oct. 6.

Cissy Houston, 91. A two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and other stars. The mother of singer Whitney Houston. Oct. 7.

Liam Payne, 31. One Direction singer whose chart-topping British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans. Oct. 16. 

Mitzi Gaynor, 93. The effervescent dancer and actor starred as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film “South Pacific” and appeared in other musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. Oct. 17.

Phil Lesh, 84. A classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling by reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Oct. 25.

Teri Garr, 79. The comedy actor rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star in such favorites as “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie.” Oct. 29. 

November

Quincy Jones, 91. Multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy included producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album as well as writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists. Nov. 3.

Colin Petersen, 78. Australian musician and actor and the first non-Gibb brother to become an official member of the Bee Gees. Nov. 18.

Chuck Woolery, 83. The game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble”. Nov. 23.

Bob Bryar, 44. The former drummer with My Chemical Romance who played on the band’s career-defining rock opera, “The Black Parade." Nov. 24. 

December

Wayne Northrop, 77. He was best known for his roles in "Dynasty," "Days of Our Lives" and "L.A. Law." Dec. 1.

Debbie Nelson, 69. The single mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics. Dec. 2.

George Joseph Kresge Jr., 89. He was known to generations of TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin. Dec. 10.

Michael Cole, 84. He played Pete Cochran on "The Mod Squad." Dec. 11

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