JANUARY
Tanya Roberts |
Siegfried Fischbacher |
Larry King |
Cloris Leachman |
Cicely Tyson |
01 – Mark Eden, Actor (UK) – played Alan Bradley in ITV soap opera “Coronation Street” (1986-’89) – age 92
03 – Gerry Marsden, Singer/songwriter (UK) – formed Liverpool band Gerry and the Pacemakers with his brothers, “How Do You Do It?” (1963), “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” – age 78 (heart problems)
03 – Tanya Roberts, Actress – played Julie Rogers on TV show “Charlie’s Angels” (1980-’81) and Stacey Sutton in Bond film “A View to a Kill” (1985) – age 65 (urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis)
04 – Gregory Sierra, Actor – played Detective Chano Amenguale on TV show “Barney Miller” (1975-’82) and Julio Fuentes on “Sanford and Son” (1972-’77) – age 83 (cancer)
07 – Tommy Lasorda, Baseball pitcher/manager – coached the Los Angeles Dodgers (1973-’76) then managed the team for twenty years (1976-’96), National Baseball Hall of Fame – age 93
07 – Jamie O’Hara, C&W Singer – one half of country duo The O’Kanes, Number One single “Can’t Stop My Heart from Loving You” – age 70 (cancer)
07 – Marion Ramsey, Actress – played Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy films – age 73
08 – Ed Bruce, C&W songwriter/singer/actor – wrote the song “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” (1975), co-starred in TV show “Bret Maverick” with James Garner (1981-’82) – age 81
08 – Diana Millay, Actress – guest starred in over 100 TV shows and played Laura Collins on “Dark Shadows”(1966-’71) and Kitty Styles on TV soap “Secret Storm” – age 85
09 – John Reilly, Actor – played Sean Donely on TV soap opera “General Hospital” (1984-’94) and Alistair Crane on soap opera “Passions”(2005-’08) – age 86
13 – Siegfried Fischbacher, Magician/illusionist – 1/2 of German born magician team Siegfried & Roy, performed magic using live animals especially white lions and tigers – age 81 (pancreatic cancer)
14 – Peter Mark Richman, Actor – appeared in over 30 films and 130 TV series (1956-’11), played Nick” Cain in films “The Murder Men” and “The Crimebusters” – age 93
15 – David Roth, Magician – regarded as one of the world’s greatest coin magicians – age 68
16 – Phil Spector, Record producer – produced mega-hits like You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, “The Long and Winding Road” and “My Sweet Lord”; convicted of murder in 2009 – age 81 (Covid-19 while in prison)
18 – Jimmie Rodgers, Singer – biggest hits; “Honeycomb” (1957), “Kisses Sweeter than Wine” and “Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again” – age 87
19 – Don Sutton, MLB Baseball pitcher – played for multiple teams during 23 seasons, Baseball Hall of Fame, seventh on baseball’s all-time strikeout list – age 75 (cancer)
20 – Mira Furlan, Actress/singer (HR) – played Ambassador Delenn in TV show Babylon 5 (1993–’98) and Danielle Rousseau in Lost (2004–’10) – age 65 (complications of West Nile virus)
22 – Hank Aaron, MLB Baseball player – played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-’76) broke Babe Ruth’s record for career home runs and held it for 33 years, National Baseball Hall of Fame – age 86 (*editors note, I met Hank Aaron on a plane once, he was the nicest down to earth person, I have his autograph)
23 – Hal Holbrook, Actor/director/writer – played character Deep Throat in movie “All the President’s Men”, Abraham Lincoln in two mini-series “Lincoln” & “North and South”, won Tony Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, National Humanities Medal – age 95
23 – Larry King, TV & radio host – The Larry King Show radio program (1978-’94), Larry King Live on CNN TV segment (1985-’10), won two Peabodys, an Emmy award, and 10 Cable ACE Awards – age 87 (Covid-19 & heart disease)
25 – Marie Harmon, Actress – starred in “The El Paso Kid” (1946) and “Gunsmoke” (1947) – age 97
27 – Cloris Leachman, Actress/comedienne – played Phyllis Lindstrom on TV show “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-’75) and Phyllis (1975–1977), in movies “Young Frankenstein” (1974), High Anxiety (1977) – age 94
28 – Cicely Tyson, Actress – played Rebecca Morgan in “Sounder” (1972), title role in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”, Binta in “Roots”; won three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, an honorary Academy Award, a Peabody Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom – age 96
29 – Hilton Valentine, Musician (UK) – original guitarist for the English rock band The Animals, biggest hit “The House of the Rising Sun” – age 77
FEBRUARY
Dustin Diamond |
Christopher Plummer |
Rush Limbaugh |
01 – Dustin Diamond, Actor/comedian – played Samuel “Screech” Powers on TV show “Saved by the Bell” (1989-’93) – age 44 (small-cell lung carcinoma)
02 – Captain Tom, Raised money for charity (UK) – at 99 years old he started walking in his garden to raise £1000, by his 100th birthday e had raised £32.79 million for the NHS Charities Together – age 100
03 – Jim Weatherly, Singer/songwriter – wrote “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)”, won a Grammy Award – age 77
05 – Christopher Plummer, Actor (CA) – starred in The Philadelphia Story (1959), Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” (1965), he won an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a British Academy Film Award – age 91
05 – Leon Spinks, WBC professional boxer – beat Muhammad Ali to win the undisputed heavyweight championship (1978) then lost to Ali in a rematch – age 67 (advanced prostate cancer)
08 – Billy Brown, Actor – starred in Discovery Channel’s reality series Alaskan Bush People – age 68
08 – Mary Wilson, Singer – founding member of the Motown group “The Supremes“, “Where Did Our Love Go” (1963),”Baby Love” (’64), “Stop! In the Name of Love” (’65), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – age 76
09 – Chick Corea, Jazz musician/songwriter – played with the Miles Davis’s band; wrote jazz standards “500 Miles High”, “Windows”; 23 Grammy Awards – age 78 (cancer)
10 – Larry Flynt, magazine publisher/ TV producer – founded Hustler pornographic magazine, three Hustler pornographic TV cable channels as well as clubs and adult stores – age 78
10 – Kim Tyler, Actor – as a child actor played Kyle Nash on TV series “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1965-’67) – age 66 (long battle with cancer)
17 – Rush Limbaugh, Conservative radio & TV talk show host/ author – The Rush Limbaugh Show on AM radio and shifting to FM in the ’90’s and TV (1992-’96) – age 70 (lung cancer)
MARCH
Roger Mudd |
Henry Darrow |
George Segal |
01 – Vernon Jordan, Lawyer/Civil rights activist – life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Bilderberg Group and close advisor to President Bill Clinton – age 85
02 – George Bass, Underwater archaeologist – founded the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (1972),excavated an ancient shipwreck at Cape Gelidonya (1960) – age 88
04 – Mark Pavelich, NHL Ice Hockey player – was on the Gold Medal winning 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that defeated Russia, professionally mostly with New York Rangers – age 63 (possible CTE chronic traumatic encephalopathy)
09 – Biff McGuire, Actor – starred in many “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” TV show episodes, and daytime TV shows “The Secret Storm” (1954-’74) and “All My Children” – age 94
09 – Roger Mudd, Broadcast journalist – had several anchor/co-anchor positions at CBS News (1961-’80) then NBC News (1980-’86) then PBS; won a Peabody Award and five Emmy Awards – age 93
13 – Marvin Hagler, Pro Boxer – was the undisputed middleweight champion (1980 – ’87) defended his title twelve times and held the highest knockout record – age 66 (cause not released yet)
14 – Henry Darrow, Actor – played Manolito “Mano” Montoya on TV Western “The High Chaparral” – age 87
15 – Yaphet Kotto, Actor – played Lieutenant Al Giardello in TV show “Homicide: Life on the Street” (1993-’99) and FBI Agent Alonzo Mosely in movie “Midnight Run” – age 81
18 – Richard Gilliland, Actor – played J. D. Shackelford on TV series “Designing Women” (1986-’91) and Ellis Kapp on The Unit – age 71
18 – W. Kent Taylor, Businessman/philanthropist – founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain – age 65 (suicide)
19 – Glynn Lunney, NASA engineer – flight director during Gemini and Apollo programs and manager of the Space Shuttle program – age 84 (leukemia)
22 – Elgin Baylor, Pro basketball player/coach – played for the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958-’71) and general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers for 22 years – age 86
23 – George Segal, Actor/musician – played Nick in movie “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), played Albert “Pops” Solomon on TV series “The Goldbergs” (2013-’21) – age 87 (complications from bypass surgery)
23 – Houston Tumlin, Child actor – played Walker Bobby, Will Ferrell’s son in movie “Talladega Nights” – age 28 (suicide)
24 – Jessica Walter, Actress – played Evelyn Draper in movie “Play Misty for Me” (1971) and Lucille Bluth on TV series “Arrested Development” (2003-’06) – age 80 (in her sleep)
25 – Robert Rodan, Actor – played Adam in TV series “Dark Shadows”(1966-’71) and Henry Baxter in movie “The Minx” (1969) – age 83 (heart failure)
30 – G. Gordon Liddy Lawyer/FBI agent/radio talk show host – principally known as engineer of the 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters ordered by Richard Nixon – age 90 (Parkinson’s disease)
APRIL
|
Prince Phillip |
Walter Mondale |
Johnny Crawford |
Billie Hayes |
01 – Lee Aaker, Child actor/producer – played Rusty on TV show “The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin” (1954-’59) and co-starred in movie “Hondo” (1953) – age 77 (stroke)
03 – Gloria Henry, Actress – played Alice Mitchell, Dennis’s mother on TV show “Dennis the Menace” (1959-’63) – age 98
05 – Paul Ritter, Actor (UK) – played Martin Goodman in TV comedy series “Friday Night Dinner” (2011-’20) and James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace” (2008) – age 54 (brain tumor)
07 – James Hampton, Actor – played Private Hannibal Dobbs on TV show “F Troop” (1965-’67) and Caretaker in movie “The Longest Yard” (1974) – age 84
09 – Earl Simmons (DMX), Rapper/song writer/actor – best selling songs; “Party Up (Up in Here” and “Where the Hood At? appeared in movies Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds – age 50 (heart attack)
09 – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Greek and Danish royalty and husband to Queen Elizabeth II – served in British Royal Navy becoming a Commander (1939-’52) resigning when Elizabeth became queen and he became her consort – age 99
11 – Joseph Siravo, Actor – played ‘Vinnie’ Taglialucci in movie “Carlito’s Way” (1993) and John Gotti in movie “The Wannabe” (2015) – age 66 (prostate cancer)
14 – Nicholas Springer, Paralympic wheelchair rugby player – was a Gold Medalist in 2006, 2008 and 2010 – aage 35 (meningococcal meningitis)
14 – Rusty Young, Musician/songwriter – original member of country rock band “Poco”, he was a virtuoso on pedal steel guitar – age 75 (heart attack)
16 – Helen McCrory, Actress (UK) – played Narcissa Malfoy in the final three Harry Potter movies and Cherie Blair in movies The Queen (2006) and The Special Relationship (2010) – age 52
16 – Felix Silla, Actor/stuntman – played “Cousin It” on TV show “The Addams Family” (1964-’66) – age 84 (pancreatic cancer)
19 – Walter Mondale, Politician/lawyer – served as vice president of the United States (1977-’81) under President Jimmy Carter, U.S. senator from Minnesota (1964’76) – age 93
20 – Les McKeown, Singer(UK) – lead singer of the Bay City Rollers (1973-’78) biggest hits: “Remember”, “Summerlove Sensation” – age 65 (heart disease)
21 – Joe Long, Musician – was the bass guitarist for “The Four Seasons” (1965-’76) and later the jazz band Jersey Bounce – age 88 (Covid-19)
22 – Shock G (a/k/a Humpty Hump), Rapper – lead vocalist of the hip hop group Digital Underground – age 57 (not announced)
28 – Michael Collins, Astronaut – piloted the Apollo 11 command module Columbia during the first moon walk (1969), was a major general in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Presidential Medal of Freedom winner – age 90 (cancer)
29 – Johnny Crawford, Actor/singer – played Mark McCain in the TV Western series “The Rifleman” (1958-’63) also as an original “Mouseketeer” (1955) – age 75 (Alzheimer’s disease)
29 – Anne Douglas, Philanthropist/producer – married to Kirk Douglas (1954-2020), founded the charity “Research for Women’s Cancers” and won Jefferson Award for Public Service – age 102
29 – Billie Hayes, Actress – played Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo on kids TV show “H.R. Pufnstuf” (1969-’70) and “Pufnstuf” movie (1970) – age 96
MAY
Olympia Dukakis |
Norman Lloyd |
Charles Grodin |
Gavin MacLeod |
01 – Olympia Dukakis, Actress/director/producer – starred in movies Moonstruck, Steel Magnolias, Tales of the City; won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe and many nominations – age 89
02 – Bobby Unser, Race car driver/broadcaster – won Indy 500 three times (1968,’75,’81) and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb thirteen times – age 87
03 – Lloyd Price, R&B Singer – biggest hits; “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” (1952), “Stagger Lee” (1958) and “Personality” (1959) – age 88 (diabetes)
07 – Tawny Kitaen, Actress/model – played Mona Loveland in TV show “The New WKRP in Cincinnati” also Debbie Thompson in movie “Bachelor Party” (1984) – age 59
11 – Norman Lloyd, Actor/director – started in theater in 1931, first movie Saboteur(1942) his last movie, at 100 years old, “Trainwreck” (2015), also on TV show “St. Elsewhere” (1982-’88) – age 106
18 – Charles Grodin Actor/author – cast as a put-upon straight man he did many comedies “Thieves” (1977) “Heaven Can Wait” (1978), also TV “Beethoven” (1992) – age 86
19 – Mark York, Actor – played paraplegic Billy Merchant in TV show “The Office” – age 55
24 – Samuel E. Wright, Actor – the voice of Sebastian in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” (1989) also sang Under the Sea (academy award) – age 74 (prostate cancer)
27 – Kevin Clark, Actor – played Freddy Jones the class drummer in movie “School of Rock” (2003) then gave up acting to concentrate on music – age 32 (hit by a car while cycling)
29 – Gavin MacLeod, Actor – played Murray Slaughter on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970–1977), Captain Merrill Stubing on “The Love Boat” (1977–1986) age 90
29 – Joe Lara, Actor – played Tarzan in TV series “Tarzan: The Epic Adventures” (1996-’97) and TV movie “Tarzan in Manhattan” (1989) – age 58 (plane crash)
29 – B. J. Thomas, Singer – biggest hits: “Hooked on a Feeling” (1968), “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (1969), and “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” (1975) – age 78 (stage IV lung cancer)
31 – Arlene Golonka, Actress – played Millie Hutchins on “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-’68) and Millie Swanson on “Mayberry R.F.D.” – age 85
JUNE
Ned Beatty |
|
|
03 – F. Lee Bailey, Attorney – was involved in high profile cases incl: Sam Shepard (1966), Patty Hearst (1976) and OJ Simpson (1995) – age 87
04 – Clarence Williams III, Actor – played Linc Hayes in TV show “The Mod Squad” (1968-’73) and Philby Cross in Hallmark Channel’s Mystery Woman series – age 81 (colon cancer)
10 Ray MacDonnell, Actor – played Dr. Joe Martin on “All My Children” for 40 years (1970-’09) age – 93
11 – John Gabriel, Actor/singer/lyricist – played Seneca Beaulac in TV show “Ryan’s Hope” (1975-’89) – age 90
13 – Ned Beatty, Actor – appeared in 160 films: Deliverance (1972), Network (1976), Superman (1978), Rudy (1993) – age 83
14 – Lisa Banes, Actress – played Bonnie in movie “Cocktail” (1988), Marybeth Elliot in “Gone Girl” (2014) – age 65 (TBI after being struck by a scooter while walking)
16 – Frank Bonner, Actor – played Herb Tarlek on TV show “WKRP in Cincinnati” (1978’82) and headmaster Father Hargis in St. Augustine’s Academy – age 79 (dementia)
20 – Joanne Linville, Actress/teacher – played Sarah Cross in movie “Scorpio” (1973) and Freddie Lowenstein in “A Star Is Born” (1976), Romulan commander in “Star Trek” – age 93
29 – Stuart Damon, Actor – played Alan Quartermaine on TV soap opera “General Hospital” for 30 years (1977-’13) won an Emmy for G.H. – age 84 (kidney failure)
29 Donald Rumsfeld, Politician – served as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Gerald Ford (!975’77) and George W Bush (2001’06) and a U.S. Congressman from Illinois (193’69) – age 88
JULY
William Smith |
Charlie Robinson |
01 – Philece Sampler, Actress/voice actress – had substantial roles in V soap operas “Days of Our Lives” and “Another World” – age 67 heart attack
03 – James Kallstrom, FBI Assistant Director/host – worked for FBI for 27 years (1970-’97) and hosted the TV show “The FBI Files” – age 78
04 – Sanford Clark, Country-rockabilly singer – biggest hit was “The Fool’ (1956) which charted at #7 – age 85
05 – Richard Donner, Director/producer – directed the hit movies The Omen (1976), Superman (1978), The Goonies (1985), Scrooged (1988) and Lethal Weapon film series – age 91
05 – William Smith, Actor – played in over 300 films and shows including Joe Riley on TV western “Laredo” (1965-’67), Anthony Falconetti in TV mini-series “Rich Man Poor Man” (1976)
06 – Suzzanne Douglas, Actress – played matriarch Jerri Peterson on TV show “The Parent ‘Hood” (1995-’99) and Amy Simms in movie “Tap” (1989) – age 64
07 – Chick Vennera, Actor/singer/dancer – played Joe Mondragon in “The Milagro Beanfield War” and Pepe/Enrique in TV show “The Golden Girls” – age 74
11 – Charlie Robinson, Actor – played court clerk “Mac” Robinson on “Night Court” (1984-’92) and Abe Johnson on “Love & War” (1992-’95) age 75 (metastatic adenocarcinoma)
16 – Biz Markie, Rapper/singer-songwriter/actor – biggest hit “Just a Friend” (1989) nicknamed the Clown Prince of Hip Hop – age 57 (Type 2 diabetes)
17 – Robby Steinhardt, Singer/violinist – front man for rock group Kansas (1973-’82)(1997-’06) top songs; “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” – age 71
24 – Jackie Mason, Comedian/actor – mainly did standup (1955-’21), won three Emmy Awards and a Special Tony Award for his work on Broadway shows – age 93 *(editors note: my wife and I ran into Jackie Mason on a busy shopping avenue in Fort Lauderdale, he would stop every block or so and tell a couple of jokes, thrilling the passerby’s)
26 – Rick Aiello, Actor – played Officer Long in movie “Do The Right Thing” (1989)and same character in “Jungle Fever” (1991) – age 63 (pancreatic cancer)
28 – Dusty Hill, Musician/singer – played bass and keyboards as well as lead and backup vocals for rock group “ZZ Top” (1969’21) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame age 72
28 – Ron Popeil, Inventor/pitch-man – founded Ronco company to promote various products on TV including the Chop-O-Matic, coined the phrase “But wait, there’s more!” – age 86
30 – Jay Pickett, Actor played Frank Scanlon on soap opera “Port Charles” and Detective David Harper on “General Hospital” – age 60 (unexpectedly)
AUGUST
Markie Post |
Alex Cord |
Charlie Watts |
Ed Asner |
01 – Paul Cotton, Guitarist/singer/songwriter – played with rock group Poco, hits “Heart of the Night” (1978), “Break of Hearts” (1982) – age 78
04 – Razzy Bailey, C&W singer/songwriter – had over fifteen Top 10 hits on Country Charts; “What Time Do You Have To Be Back in Heaven?”, “She Left Love All Over Me” – age 82
07 – Markie Post, Actress – played Terri Michaels in TV show “The Fall Guy” (1982-’85) and Christine Sullivan on “Night Court” (1985-’92) – age 70 (cancer)
07 – Dennis Thomas, Musician/saxophonist – co-founded “Kool and the Gang” 1964-present) hits include: “Ladies’ Night”, “Celebration”, “Get Down on It” won 2 Grammy Awards – age 70
07 – Jane Withers, Actress – played Joy Smythe in movie “Bright Eyes” opposite Shirley Temple (1934) and Josephine the Plumber in TV commercials for Comet (1990-02) – age 95
08 – Bobby Bowden, College football coach – coached the Florida State Seminoles (1976-’09), held second place in career wins, won two National Championships – age 91
09 – Alex Cord, Actor – played Michael Coldsmith Briggs (Archangel) in TV show “Airwolf” (1984–’86) and Ringo Kid in movie “Stagecoach” (1966) – age 88
09 – Pat Hitchock, Actress (UK) – played Barbara Morton in movie “Strangers on a Train” (1951), daughter of Alfred Hitchcock age 93
11 – Gloria Warren, Actress/singer/dancer/musician – played Vickie Scott in “Always in my Heart” (1942) and starred in “Cinderella Swings It” – age 95
12 – Una Stubbs, Actress (UK) – played Rita Rawlins in BBC TV shows “Till Death Us Do Part’ and “In Sickness and in Health” and Sandy in movie “Summer Holiday” (1963) – age 84
13 – Nanci Griffith: American singer-songwriter celebrated for her folk and country music contributions. Griffith’s poetic lyrics and emotive melodies captivated audiences for decades, earning her multiple Grammy Awards and a dedicated fan base. Her songs, including “Love at the Five and Dime” and “Gulf Coast Highway,” remain cherished classics in the music industry. – age 68
16 – Richard Lee-Sung, Actor – played 3 characters on TV show MASH including Ham Kin, the Farmer and the Peddler – age 91 (death announced 12/1/2021)
16 – Sean Lock, Comedian/actor (UK) – appeared on public TV’s show “8 Out of 10 Cats” (2005-’15) and “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown” (2012-’21) – age 58 (lung cancer)
19 – Bill Freehan, MLB Baseball player – played catcher with the Detroit Tigers for his entire playing career (1961-’76) also coached University of Michigan baseball team (1989-’95) – age 79 (dementia )
20 – Tom T Hall, – C&W songwriter/ short story writer – Known as ‘The storyteller’, hits: “I Love”, “Country Is””I Love”, “Country Is”; won a Grammy Award, Country Music Hall of Fame – age 85
21 – Don Everly, – Country and rock musician singer – part of the Everly Brothers (1951-’05), sang in close harmony, hits: “Wake Up Little Susie”, “Cathy’s Clown”; inducted into C&W as well as Rock & Roll and Musicians Halls of Fame – age 84
22 – Marilyn Eastman, Actress – played Helen Cooper in cult film “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), also worked on make-up, props and editing of the film – age 87
23 – Michael Nader, Actor – played Dex Dexter on TV show “Dynasty” (1983-’89) and Dimitri Marick on TV soap opera “All My Children” (1991-’01) – age 76 (cancer)
24 – Charlie Watts, Musician/drummer (UK)- drummer for the rock group “The Rolling Stones” (1963-present), also designed many album covers and staging for the Stones, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List Hall of Fame – age 80 (heart related)
28 – Matthew Mindler, Child actor – best known for a starring role in movie “Our Idiot Brother” (2011) and “Frequency” (2013) – age 19 (suicide)
29 – Ed Asner, Actor – played Lou Grant in both “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970’77) and the drama series “Lou Grant” (1977-’82), won seven Emmy Awards (the most of any male actor) and was president of the Screen Actors Guild – age 91
29 – Ron Bushy, Musician/drummer – played drums for rock group Iron Butterfly (1966-’87 on & off), biggest hit: “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (1968) – age 79 (esophageal cancer)
31 – Michael Constantine, Actor – played Kostas “Gus” Portokalos in movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002) and Seymour Kaufman in TV show “Room 222” (1969-’74) – age 94
SEPTEMBER
Willard Scott |
Norm MacDonald |
Jane Powell |
04 – Willard Scott, TV & radio personality/author/clown – the weather reporter on morning TV show “Today Show” (1980-’10 full-time, 2010-’15 part-time), originated and played the Ronald McDonald character (1963-’66) also Bozo the Clown (1959–’62) – age 87
05 – Sarah Harding, Singer/model/actress (UK) – member of all girl group ‘Girls Aloud’, “Walk This Way”, and “The Promise” – starred in movie “Bad Day” age 39 (breast cancer)
06 – Michael K. Williams, Actor – played Omar Little on HBO TV show “The Wire” (2002-’08) and Albert “Chalky” White on “Boardwalk Empire” – age 54 (suspected drug overdose)
08 – Art Metrano, Actor – played Lt./Capt./Cmdt. Mauser in movies Police Academy 2 and Police Academy 3; – age 84
11 – Gloria Warren, Actress/singer/dancer/musician – played Vickie Scott in “Always in my Heart” (1942) and starred in “Cinderella Swings It” – age 95
13 Don Collier, Actor – played Sam Butler in TV Western “The High Chaparral” (1967-’71) and deputy Will Foreman in “Outlaws” (1960-’62) – age 92
13 – Coronji Calhoun, Child actor – played Tyrell Musgrove in movie “Monsters Ball” (2001) – age 30
15 Gavan O’Herlihy, Actor – played Chuck Cunningham in TV show “Happy Days” and movies Willow, and Superman III – age 70
16 – Jane Powell, Actress/singer/dancer – starred in movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954) and “Royal Wedding” (1951), awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – age 92
17 – Tim Donnelly, Actor – played Fireman Chet Kelly” in TV show “Emergency!” (1972-’77), starred in movie “Parts: The Clonus Horror” (1979) – age 77
17 – Jimmy Garrett, Child Actor – played Jerry Carmichael, Lucille Ball’s son on TV show “The Lucy Show” spinoff from “I Love Lucy” show) (1962-’65) – age 66
17 – Basil Hoffman, Actor – played Ed Greenglass on TV show “Hills Street Blues” for several seasons – age 83
17 – Norm McDonald, Actor/comedian/writer (CA) – appeared on “SNL” (1993-’98) as a writer and anchored “Weekend Update” as well as appearing in numerous skits, had his own TV show “The Norm Show”, (1999-’01) – age 61 (acute leukemia)
19 Morris Perry, Actor (UK) – His TV credits include: The Avengers, Z-Cars, Champion House, The Champions, The Persuaders!, Doctor Who – age 96
20 – Sarah Dash, Singer/actress – was an early member of R&B group “Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles” and later “LaBelle, some memorable hits “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Danny Boy” – age 76
21 – Willie Garson, Actor – played Stanford Blatch on TV show “Sex in the City” (1998-’04) and Mozzie in “White Collar” (2009-’14) – age 57 (pancreatic cancer)
21 – Al Harrington Actor – played Det. Ben Kokua on TV show “Hawaii Five-0” (1968-’80) and Mamo Kahike on the “Hawaii Five-0” (2010-’20) reboot – age 85
21 – Peter Palmer, Actor portrayed Li’l Abner in the film (1959) and the Broadway musical (1956) with Edie Adams – he passed the day after his 90th birthday
22 – Melvin Van Peebles, Actor/filmmaker/playwright/novelist – wrote and directed “The Story of a Three-Day Pass” (1967) and later “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (1971) – age 89
28 – Tommy Kirk, Actor – played Travis Coates in “Old Yeller” (1957), The Shaggy Dog (1959), The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) – age 79
28 – Michael Tylo, Actor played Quinton Chamberlain on daytime TV show “Guiding Light” (1981-’97) – age 72
30 – Ravil Isyanov, Actor (RU) – played Anatoli Kirkin in TV show “NCIS: Los Angeles” and Tretiak Guard in movie “The Saint” age 59
OCTOBER
General Colin Powell |
03 – Cynthia Harris, Film & stage actress – played Sylvia Buchman on TV show “Mad About You” (1992-’99) and Iris Hubbard on “L.A. Law” – age 87 (Type 1 diabetes)
06 – Gerald Home, Actor (UK) – played Tessek-Squid Head and Captain Verrack in movie “Return of the Jedi” age 70 (liver cancer)
06 – Patrick Horgan, Stage & film actor (UK) – played Dr. John Morrison on daytime TV show “The Doctors” (1963-’82) – age 92
08 – Granville Adams, Actor – played Zahir Arif on TV show “Oz” (1997-’03) and Officer Jeff Westby on “Homicide: Life on the Street” – age 58 (cancer)
11 – Deon Estus, Musician/singer – was the bass player in pop group Wham!, his song “Heaven Help Me,” charted #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 – age 65
11 – Paddy Moloney, Musician/composer – co-founded and led the Irish musical group “The Chieftains” (1962) – age 83
16 – Betty Lynn, Actress – played Thelma Lou, Deputy Barney Fife’s girlfriend, on TV show “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960 -’68) and Viola Slaughter “Texas John Slaughter” (1958–62) – age 95
17 – Lorli von Trapp Campbell,Singer (AT) – was the second daughter of Maria von Trapp, of the famous Austian singing group portrayed in the movie “The Sound of Music” (1965) – age 90
18 – Val Bisoglio, Actor – played Danny Tovo in TV show “Quincy, M.E.” (1976-’83) and Frank Manero Sr. in movie “Saturday Night Fever” age 95
18 – Colin Powell, Four Star General/diplomat – his credits include: National Security Advisor (1987-’89), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (’89-’93), Secretary of State (2001-’05) – age 84 (Covid-19 complications)
22 Jay Black, Actor – Singer – lead singer of the band “Jay and the Americans” (1960-’73), hits: “Come a Little Bit Closer”, and “This Magic Moment” – age 82 (pneumonia)
22 – Peter Scolari, Actor – played Henry Desmond on TV show “Bosom Buddies” (1980–’82) and Michael Harris on “Newhart” (1984–’90) – age 66 (leukemia)
24 – James Michael Tyler, Actor – played Gunther a barista at Central Perk on TV show “Friends” (1994-’04) – age 59 (prostate cancer)
26 – Mort Sahl, Comedian/actor (CA) – he revolutionized comedy in the 1950s by addressing political and social issues, even wrote jokes for JFK’s campaign speeches – age 94
28 – Camille Saviola, Actress – played religious leader, Kai Opaka in TV show “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and Justice Esther Weisenberg in “First Monday” – age 71 (heart failure)
NOVEMBER
Dean Stockwell |
Arlene Dahl |
03 – Ronnie Wilson, Muscian – founded the R&B group “The Gap Band” with his two brothers, hits: Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me), Outstanding and Shake – age 73
06 – Peter Aykroyd, Actor (CA)- played Ed Marshal in movie “Gas” (1981) and Highmaster Mentot in “Cone Heads”(1991), brother of Dan Aykroyd – age 65 (septicemia caused by an untreated abdominal hernia)
07 – Dean Stockwell, Actor – played Albert “Al” Calavicci in TV sci-fi show “Quantum Leap” (1989–’93) and Brother Cavil on “Battlestar Galactica” (2004–’09) – age 85
09 – Jerry Douglas, Actor – played John Abbott on TV soap opera “The Young and the Restless” (1973-’08) – age 88
12 – Graeme Edge, Muscian/songwriter(UK) – co-founder and drummer for English progressive rockband the Moody Blues (1964-’18), “Nights in White Satin”, “Tuesday Afternoon” – age 80 (metastatic cancer)
13 – Philip Margo, Muscian/writer – was member of musical group “The Tokens”, hits: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Portrait of My Love”, also wrote sci-fi novels – age 78
14 – Heath Freeman, Actor – played Gavin Dillon on TV show “Raising the Bar” and Howard Epps on “Bones” plus many movie roles – age 41 (not yet disclosed)
17 – Adolph Thornton Jr. (Young Dolph), Rapper – biggest hits: “Major”, “RNB” and “Aspen” – age 36 (murder by gunshot)
20 – Billy Hinsche, Musician/singer – a member of the singing group Dino, Desi & Billy which included Dino Martin (Dean Martins son) and Desi Arnez Jr. hits: “I’m a Fool” and “I Hope She’s There Tonight”, alo toured with the Beach Boys – age 70 (lung cancer)
21 – Lou Cutell, Actor – played ‘Amazing Larry’ in movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” (1989) – age 91
24 – Lisa Brown, Actress – played Nola Reardon on TV soap opera “Guiding Light” (1980-’85)(1995-’98) and Iva Snyder on “As the World Turns” (1985’94) – age 67
26 – Stephen Sondheim, Composer/lyricist – some works: “West Side Story” (1957), “Gypsy” (1959), “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962); awards: eight Tony Awards, one Academy Award, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom – age 91
27 – Eddie Mekka, Actor – played Carmine ‘The Big Ragoo’ Ragusa on TV show “Laverne & Shirley” (1976-’83) and Detective Murdoch in TV movie “Catch Me If You Can” – age 69
29 – Arlene Dahl, Actress – starred as Rose Donovan in “My Wild Irish Rose” (1947), and A Southern Yankee (1948), her eldest son is Lorenzo Lamas – age 96
29 – David Gulpilil, Actor (AU) – played Neville Bell in movie “Crocodile Dundee” (1986) and The Tracker in “The Tracker” – age 68 (lung cancer)
29 – Tommy Lane, Actor/stuntman – played a James Bond villain in movie “Live and Let Die” (1973) and also a villian in “Shaft” (1971) – age 83 (COPD)
DECEMBER
Bob Dole |
Michael Nesmith |
John Madden |
Betty White |
04 – Stonewall Jackson, C&W singer/guitarist – sand and recorded at the Grand Ole Opry, biggest hits: “Life to Go” (1958), “Waterloo” (1959), “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo” – age 89
05 – Robert Dole, Attorney/politician – U.S. Senator from Kansas (1969-’96), U.S. House of Representatives (1961-’69),awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for servive in WWII, ran for President in 1996 but lost to President Clinton – age 98
06 – Rhonda Stubbins White, Actress – played Lady Vi on TV soap opera “Days of Our Lives” (2000) and Agnes on “Ruthless” (2020-’21) – 60 (cancer)
07 – Steve Bronski, Singer/songwriter (GB-SCT) – co-founded group Bronski Beat, biggest hits: “Smalltown Boy” and “Why?” (1984) – age 61 (smoke inhalation)
08 – Gil Bridges, Musician – member of rock band “Rare Earth” (1960-present) hite incl: “Get Ready” (1970), “I Just Want to Celebrate” – age 80 (Covid-19)
08 – Robbie Shakespeare, Bass guitarist/record producer (JM) – one half of the reggae group Sly and Robbie age 68 (kidney disease)
08 – Ralph Tavares, R&B Singer – eldest brother of the Grammy winning soul singing group “Tavares”, biggest hits: “It Only Takes a Minute” (1975),“More Than a Woman” – age 79
09 – Anne Rice, Novelist – wrote the gothic fiction series of novels “The Vampire Chronicles” which were made into two movies, Interview with the Vampire (1994) and Queen of the Damned (2002) – age 80 (complications from a stroke)
09 – Larry Sellers, Actor – was of Osage American heritage and played primarily Native American roles including Cloud Dancing on TV show “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” – age 72
09 – Al Unser, Race car driver – won the Indianapolis 500 four times (1970,’71,’78,’87); won the National Championship (1970,’83,’85) brother to Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser Jr. – age 82 (liver cancer)
09 – Cara Williams, Actress – played Billy’s Mother in movie “The Defiant Ones” (1958) and Gladys Porter on TV show “Pete and Gladys” (1960’62) age 96
10 – Michael Nesmith, Musician/songwriter/actor – original member pop rock band and TV show the “Monkees” (1966-’68), won a Grammy for video special “Elephant Parts” – age 78 (heart failure)
11 Jack Hedley, Actor (UK) – played William Baxter in movie “Goodbye Mr. Chips” (1961) and Sir Timothy Havelock in Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” – age 92
13 – Joe Simon, R&B Musician – biggest hits: “The Chokin’ Kind” (1969), “Power of Love” (1972), and “Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)” (1975) – age 85
15 – Bridget Hanley, Actress – played Candy Pruitt in tv western “Here Come the Brides”, and Wanda Reilly Taylor in “Harper Valley PTA” – age 80 (Alzheimer’s disease)
15 – Wanda Young, Singer – part of the Motown all-female singing group the Marvelettes. biggest hits: “Please Mr. Postman” (1961) “Don’t Mess with Bill” – age 78 (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
18 – Kangol Kidd, Hip hop songwriter/producer/break dancer – member of the old school hip hop group “UTFO” age 55 (colon cancer)
19 – Nicholas Geordiade, Actor – played Agent Rico Rossi in TV series “The Untouchables” (1959-’63) also featured in 37 movies or TV shows – age 88
19 – Sally Anne Howes, Actress/singer (UK) – played Truly Scrumptious in movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968), Anna Karenina (1948) – age 91
20 – Paul Mitchell, R&B Singer – member of the singing group “The Floaters”, bigest hits “Float On” and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” – age (not listed)
25 – Richard Marcinko, Commander U.S. Navy – commanded Seal Team 2 during the Vietnam War and later created Seal Team 6 to provide more anti-terrorism capabilities – age 81
26 – Gary B. Beikirch, Combat veteren – Sergeant, 5th Special Forces Group, U.S. Army, awarded the Medal of Honor (1973) for his service inViet Nam also received Distinguished Service Cross (upgraded to the Medal of Honor), Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster – age 74 (pancreatic cancer)
26 – Desmond Tutu, Anglican bishop/human rights activist – was the Bishop of Johannesburg, S Africa (1985-’86) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1989-’96), won a Nobel Peace Prize – age 90
28 – John Madden, Football coach/sportscaster – head coach of the Oakland Raiders (1969–’78) won Superbowl (1977), TV color commentator for NFL games (1979-’08) won 16 Emmy Awards – age 85
28 – Harry Reid, Attorney/politician – U.S. senator from Nevada (1987-’17), led the Senate Democratic Caucus (2005-’17), Senate Majority Leader (2007-’15) – age 82 (pancreatic cancer)
31 – Betty White, Actress/comedian/animal welfare advocate – most memorable roles: Sue Ann Nivens on the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1973–’77), Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” (1985–’92), and Elka Ostrovsky on “Hot in Cleveland” (2010–’15), she won (7) Emmy awards from her 1st in 1951 to last 2011 – age 99
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The Fiftiesweb is grateful to Paula Valenzuela for her very gracious help with compiling Celebrity Deaths 2021!
Country & western musician Nanci Griffith died August 13th aged 68 of natural causes.
Thank you! Added.
Country western musician Nanci Griffith died August 13th aged 68 from natural causes.