Known in the music world as a producer who worked alongside everyone from the Beatles to the Ronettes, Spector was known later in life for being convicted of murder. That is most prevalent in one of his final best-known performances voicing the character of Carl in the Pixar classic, "Up. Covid-19's second wave also took away several known faces. She died on December 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, USA. He died on November 17, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The versatile actor was also a mainstay in many films, such as "Little Manhattan," "There's Something About Mary," and "Groundhog Day.". He also had the story credit alongside his brother in the 1991 comedy "Nothing But Trouble.". In the 1990s, he showed a different side of his talents, talk show host, when he did "The Charles Grodin Show" on CNBC. He died on September 15, 2021 in Bath, England, UK. She was previously married to John Clark. Later in the month the cause of death was ruled to be an accidental drug overdose. "DMX was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions around the world," Def Jam Records, the record label where DMX recorded some of his biggest hits, wrote in a statement following his death. Gina Krasley died on August 1, 2021 in Tuckerton, New Jersey, USA. He was previously married to Kym Douglas and Arlene Martel. "He delivered that beautifully and brilliantly, while creating an atmosphere and setting that the music would never have achieved without his words.". Aaron died of natural causes on January 22. Williams was reportedly found dead in his Brooklyn, New York City apartment on September 6, according to the New York Post. Lionel started as a boy actor with the RSC but there was little money in it., When his father died his agent suggested that they switch to light entertainment where there was more money, For a while he Jan Shutan is best remembered as Lieutenant Mira Romaine, an officer on the starship Enterprise, whose mind is invaded by non-corporeal life forms in Star Trek: The Lights of Zetar (1969). He was a director and cinematographer. ", Starring in over 50 TV shows and movies over his career, Mekka earned a Tony Award nomination playing the lead in the 1975 Broadway musical "The Lieutenant.". Slim 400: Savage (2018) and The Life and Death of Vincent Slim 400 Cochran. She was a writer, known for A Star Is Born (2018), A Star Is Born (1976) and Up Close & Personal (1996). His work is responsible for five Tony Award for best musical, and six of which won for best original score. He died on December 26, 2021 in Cape Town, South Dick Carson was born on June 4, 1929 in Clarinda, Iowa, USA. From Prince Philip and DMX to Harry Reid and John Madden, 2021 was a year full of loss. Journey to the Center of the Earth. Larry King 1933 -2021 Veteran television and radio personality Larry King died Jan. 23. He followed that with working with his brother on his movies. This Grammy-nominated producer died due to a sudden accident in Athens, Greece. The hall of fame player hit his 715th career home run in 1974, breaking the record Babe Ruth held for close to 33 years. This list includes people like Larry King, Cicely Tyson, Christopher Plummer, Tanya Roberts, Phil Spector and many more. Joe Siracusa was born on February 3, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Stars Who Died In 2021: Betty White, Peter Scolari, Willie Garson, & More Betty White has died. For that, we are grateful.". She was an actress, known for Dangerous Ground (1997), Stander (2003) and African Express (1990). He was a producer and actor, known for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1988), Gallagher: An Uncensored Evening (1980) and Gallagher: Two Real (1981). He was previously married to Cathy Worthington. Simpson trial after his jokes constantly saying that Simpson murdered his ex-wife and her friend finally upset an NBC executive who was friends with Simpson. Phil Margo was born on April 1, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He produced Bernard Holley was an English actor who worked consistently in television and theatre for more than 40 years.His television appearances included Z Cars (for 3 years) Doctor Who, Elizabeth R, Now and Then, Birds of a Feather (two series), Carry on Laughing, Ahead of the Class, Keeping up Appearances Keith Dinicol was born on August 12, 1952 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. She began her television career in the late 1930s and starred in shows from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Golden Girls," to "Hot in Cleveland." He became a staple in the musical theater world in the late 1950s when he penned lyrics for "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." He was an actor, known for Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990), National Geographic Explorer (1985) and Murphy Brown (1988). He is known for Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015), Compadres (2016), Camp Manna (2018) and Peter Aykroyd was born on November 19, 1955 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Eddie Mekka was born on June 14, 1952 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. She is irreplaceable, and will be greatly missed.". ", White played the gullible Rose Nylund on "Golden Girls.". She died on December 15, 2021 in Garden City, Michigan, USA. Downey Sr. died on July 7 after years battling Parkinson's disease. She died on October 18, 2021 in Idyllwild, California, Arthur Forrest died at 95 following a 75-year career in television. ", She was also known for playing Polly Gray on the series "Peaky Blinders" and roles in movies ranging from 2006's "The Queen" to the James Bond 2012 movie, "Skyfall. He was previously married to Mara del Refugio Abarca Villaseor. The group's mix of funk and jazz arrangements has become one of the popular, influential, and heavily sampled sounds in contemporary music and has been featured in several film soundtracks, including "Saturday Night Fever," "Rocky," and Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction. That hit caused his other movies like "Yakuza Cop" and "The Bullet Train" to find an audience. Kay Hawtrey was born on November 8, 1926 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The veteran actor was beloved in the industry for his work on movies, TV, and the stage. Beatty died of natural causes on June 13 at his home in LA surrounded by his family and those close to him, the Associated Press reported. The year 2021 took away several celebrities from us. From the original "Superman" in 1978 starring Christopher Reeve to "The Goonies" and the "Lethal Weapon" franchise, Donner's storytelling has touched generations. Well, today your son grieves your loss and will miss our long talks, your laughter from your belly, and your very presence.". Watts died on August 24, no cause was given. He would go on to star in several more of his dad's films before becoming a global star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other blockbusters. Chiba died on August 18 due to pneumonia caused by COVID-19. He was an actor and producer, known for NCIS (2003), Bones (2005) and ER (1994). "For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television, and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster," read the statement in a tweet from his handle the day of his death. He is presently teaching acting at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 10 Famous Celebrities Who Died in Young Age | Tunisha Sharma, Sidhu Moosewala, Sushant Singh Rajput #tunishasharma #sidhumoosewala #sidharthshukla #sushantsi. As the anchor of Weekend Update from 1994 to 1997, he was taken off as anchor during the O.J. I will surely miss him," Chiba's manager Timothy Beal told Insider. Gulpilil died on November 29 after a two year battle with lung cancer. Leachman began her seven-decade career as a Miss America contestant in 1946 followed by. Coronji Calhoun was born on November 28, 1990 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Lisa Brown was born on August 2, 1954 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles. This two-time Tony Award-nominated actor did everything from play Dizzy Gillespie in Clint Eastwood's 1988 "Bird" to being the purple grapes character in a series of Fruit of the Loom underwear commercials, but he'll forever be remembered as the voice of Sebastian the Crab in the Disney classic "The Little Mermaid.". She died on December 25, 2021 in the John Madden was born on April 10, 1936 in Austin, Minnesota, USA. Sophie. Macdonald died on September 14 from cancer, which he had been battling for close to a decade, according to his longtime producing partner Lori Jo Hoekstra. It made him a legend in the comedy world and Macdonald went on to build a career in movies ("Dirty Work," "Billy Madison," and the "Dr. Dolittle" franchise), TV ("Norm" "The Orville"), and dozens of memorable late night show appearances. Bettie Page 3. He was an actor and writer, known for Shake Back (2020), J Stone Feat. He had kept it private from his fans. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you. He was an actor and writer, known for You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), Salomonico (1972) and Masada (1981). She is of Danish, Greek, English, and Welsh descent.Although best known as the devious Sue Ann Nivens on the classic Tiffini Hale was born in Palm Springs, California, USA as Tiffini Talia Hale. Phil Spector (Dec. 26, 1939-Jan. 17, 2021) (Nick Ut - Pool via Getty Images) Spector was considered a musical genius when it came to producing records, including "You've Lost That Lovin'. He was previously married to Virginia Jo Fields. Her first novel, "Interview with the Vampire," brought her instant fame and the book itself has become a classic. Jerry Douglas was born on November 12, 1932 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. Valle quickly became a go-to filmmaker for stars thanks to projects that found Oscar and Emmy acclaim like "Dallas Buyers Club," which earned Matthew McConaughey a best actor Oscar win and the Emmy-winning HBO limited series "Big Little Lies.". Betty White, Michael K. Williams, Norm Macdonald, Cicely Tyson, and DMX died this year. Edge was the drummer and last original member of the legendary rock band The Moody Blues. He died on November 9, 2021 in Brentwood, Los Angeles, Gavan O'Herlihy was born on July 29, 1951 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is known for Hell Ride (2008), Murderers' Row (1966) and Automan (1983). The renowned broadcaster had been on radio or TV since the 1950s speaking to all types of people, and was regarded as one of the best interviewers ever thanks to his friendly style with his subjects. She was an actress, known for Videodrome (1983), Urban Legend (1998) and Funeral Home (1980). Gabby Petito, 22, was found dead in September 2021. Best known for her starring roles as Candy Pruitt in Here Come the Jason Hitch was previously married to Cassia Tavares. He died on October 18, 2021 in Camarillo, California, USA. Mason died on July 24 after being hospitalized for more than two weeks at Mt. People featured on this list, include actresses, lyricists & songwriters, political leaders and athletes who died in 2021. He was previously married to Elizabeth Dole and Phyllis Eloise Holden. A graduate of Belmont HS in 1949 was followed by service in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War and earned the Purple Heart as a survivor of the Don Phillips was born on December 21, 1940 in the USA. His film "Putney Swope," about a Black advertising executive who is accidentally put in charge of a big firm and proceeds to upend the business, was a landmark work of the time and would make Downey a star on the scene. 24 Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding was just 39 when she died in September 2021 Credit: PA Which celebrities died in 2021? Here are some highlights of Stephen Lawrence's work: composing over 300 songs and scores for Sesame Street resulting in three shared Emmy awards for "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition"; composing the title song and several others for Free To BeYou And Me, the landmark Jeanine Ann Roose was born on October 24, 1937 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was signed by a disco label in the late Wakefield Poole was born on February 24, 1936 in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA. He was previously married to Barbara Jean Kalil . Plummer died on February 5, no cause was given. He was previously married to Pati and Sheila Rock. In 2020, then president Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Made for $50,000 from a loan Van Peebles got from Bill Cosby when the studios passed on it, Van Peebles starred, directed, wrote, edited, composed the music, and shot it over 19 days. He was previously married to Karlyn Kuper and Patricia Ann Gundy. In 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. She was previously married to Russell Stoneham and Phil Silvers. It left Flynt paralyzed with permanent spinal cord damage. Moving to Los Angeles in the late 2000s, she attended UCLA's Professional Producing program and was a graduate of the AFI Conservatory, which in 2019 named her a raising star. Shock G's eye for talent was also realized when he brought on a then unknown Tupac Shakur to be a roadie for the band and then a background singer. ", In a statement to The Wrap, his manager Deborah Miller said: "Ned was an iconic, legendary talent, as well as a dear friend, and he will be missed by us all.". He was the third-longest-running Rolling Stones member, behind Jagger and Richards. Saved by the Bell actor Dustin Diamond passed away after his battle with cancer. He is widely recognized as one of the most skilled drummers of all time. Leakes became a cast member on the popular Bravo reality show 11 years after the two became married and the show documented the couple's divorce in 2011. Stan Lee 4. She was born on September 2, 1940 to Lawrence and Doris Trickett, in Kansas City, Kansas. He died on December 12, 2021 Mimi Cozzens enjoyed a well-rounded career on stage, screen and television in a career that has stretched for more than four decades.She was born Mildred Gloria Cozzens in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Glendale, Queens. Grodin's son, Nicholas, said his father's cause of death was bone marrow cancer, according to The New York Times. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, celebrity lawyer Raoul Felder told the Associated Press. ", according to his longtime producing partner Lori Jo Hoekstra, complications of a stroke she had six days prior. Always a fixture on stage between TV and movie gigs, Stockwell's highlight was starring in the 1957 Broadway production of "Compulsion." She had a varied career on stage and screen, but became perhaps best known to viewers as TV station boss Bev Dutton in Newhart (1982). Candy Palmater was born on December 4, 1968 in Point La Nim, New Brunswick, Canada. He died on December 4, 2021 in Nashville Jonshel Alexander was born on February 26, 1999 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. In addition to a career on the stage and screen, Tommy was a jazz musician who played the trumpet and David "Dave" Draper was a bodybuilding champion noted for his blond hair and 24 inch. He also promoted the false theory that former president Barack Obama was not born in the US, something that Donald Trump also subscribed to before he became president. Nia Vardalos, the writer and star of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," paid tribute to Constantine on Twitter upon hearing of his death. She was previously married to Bob Kellijan and Zach Kleiman. "We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members, and close friends is respected at this difficult time.". Famous deaths in 2021. He also found work as an actor, appeared in everything from "The Twilight Zone" and "Matlock," to William Friedkin's neo-noir "To Live and Die in LA" and two Paul Thomas Anderson movies ("Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia"). The year 2021 was a sad year for celebrity deaths. Madden died on December 28, no cause was given. Ruth Prins was born on October 20, 1920 in Sioux City, Iowa, USA. John Madden was many things to sports fans: a Super Bowl-winning NFL head coach, a commentator, the face of a video game Goliath. Always in our hearts. Getty Images Beloved actress Betty White died on New Year's Eve 2021, her rep. She died on November 9, 2021 in Scotland, UK. He also created the HBO shows Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. The legendary actor Dilip Kumar, popular Hindi television actor Sidharth Shukla and actor Puneeth Rajkumar were among those who passed away. Rice died on December 11 of complications from a stroke, according to her son. The actress and model is best known for playing Bond girl Stacey Sutton in 1985's "A View to a Kill." For nearly 60 years Watts was the quiet backbone of one of the biggest bands in the world. Nominated for a Grammy, his songs like "Get at Me Dog" and "X Gon' Give It to Ya" made him a major fixture in the gritty 1990s rap scene. And Wright's singing of Oscar-winning song "Under the Sea" and nominated "Kiss the Girl" helped make the movie into an instant classic. Heath Freeman was born on June 23, 1980 in the USA. "34 years ago almost to the day we had a wild idea we can be a hip-hop band and take on the world through it all," wrote Digital Underground co-founder Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright in tribute to Shock G on Instagram. The son of a signwriter, Bristol-born Robert John ('Bob') Baker studied painting and animation at art college. She was previously married to Dr. Eugene Richard Auger and Dr. James Rudolf Silber. Then there are the non-franchises that are also memorable: horror classic "The Omen," the Bill Murray-starrer "Scrooged," and the hit Western "Maverick.". In January 1950, she was voted Queen of the New Kay Hawtrey was born on November 8, 1926 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She died on November 24, 2021 in Sally Ann Howes grew up in a show business family led by her father, famous English comedian/actor Bobby Howes, her mother Patricia Malone and grandfather, Broadway director Capt. She was an actress, known for Wunda Wunda (1953). "SNL" announced his passing on the November 20th episode of the show by showing the short film he starred in titled "The Java Junkie." But his talents went beyond music, as his performance as a drug dealer trying to get to kingpin level in 1998's "Belly" put him at cult icon status.