"Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers, and would often find himself in fun and unplanned adventures.". He received two Tony awards, two Emmys, a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance in the 2010 drama "Beginners" at the age of 82 (making him the oldest person ever to win an Academy Award), and had a slew of memorable roles in movies including playing Mike Wallace in "The Insider" and a wealthy author in "Knives Out. Actor | Starring in movies like 1971's "Walkabout," 1976's "Storm Boy," the "Crocodile Dundee" franchise, and 2002's "Rabbit-Proof Fence" made him a beloved actor in the country and brought a much-needed spotlight to the world on Aboriginal culture. In 1952, he won the European Heavyweight title for the U.S. Army. Born in Saint Joseph's Hospital in downtown Houston, Texas, Scott Page-Pagter was born on February 13, 1957 in the USA. He died on November 9, 2021 in Brentwood, Los Angeles, Gavan O'Herlihy was born on July 29, 1951 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Billy Hinsche was born on June 29, 1951 in Manila, Philippines. "With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. Celebrities Who Died in 2021 Vol. She was previously married to Pedro Plascencia and Carlos Pauln. Betty White, Michael K. Williams, Norm Macdonald, Cicely Tyson, and DMX died this year. A master at deadpan humor, Charles Grodin became a comedy fixture in the 1980s and 1990s for roles in "The Great Muppet Caper," "Midnight Run," and "Beethoven. "Thank you, Scolari, for every chat between set ups, every hug onscreen and off and every 'Oh, Jeez.' He was married to Chantal Harvey Evans was born on January 7, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. He was previously married to Mara del Refugio Abarca Villaseor. It left Flynt paralyzed with permanent spinal cord damage. Plummer died on February 5, no cause was given. Celebrity deaths 2021: The famous faces and notable figures we said He died on October 28, 2021 in Galway, Connacht, Ireland. The actor died on April 11 following a "long, courageous" battle with colon cancer, according to his agent. 559. No cause was given. We can only hope their loved ones find peace during this difficult time. Roy Orbison 2. Known as the godfather of Black cinema, if it wasn't for the work of Melvin Van Peebles there would be no "Shaft" or any of the other legendary work from the Blaxploitation movement and beyond. Focused on a lady's man (Van Peebles) who turns into a hero in the neighborhood after he goes on the run following an encounter with white police officers, the movie went on to earn over $15 million and proved to Hollywood that Black-focused stories could be profitable. Two figures central to American culture died December 28: former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and . He was previously married to Andi Francis , Marsha Garbowitz and Kathy Izzo. 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 Martha Faith Nessel and Juliette Colden. ", "In her final hours, I sat beside her hospital bed in awe of her accomplishments and her courage, awash in memories of a life that took us from the fog laced hills of the San Francisco Bay Area to the magical streets of New Orleans to the twinkling vistas of Southern California," her son, Christopher, wrote of her passing. At age 11, he moved to Anderson, South Carolina to live with his sister.A Tigers fan, he enrolled at Clemson University and majored Jay Black was born on November 2, 1938 in Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. 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. Legendary Japanese actor Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba was known best for playing the lead in numerous martial arts movies through the 1970s. He was an actor, known for Our Story Our Voice (2007), 24 Peaces and Jock the Hero Dog (2011). "We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature, and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the 'Top,' " the band wrote on its Facebook. "In the late 1960s we became the group that Graeme always wanted it to be, and he was called upon to be a poet as well as a drummer," Hayward continued. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.". The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "She died as she lived. She blazed so brightly. Hutchins died on October 21 due to her wounds. ", She won eight Emmy awards and a Grammy for a spoken word recording of her best-selling autobiography, "If You Ask Me. Character actor Michael Constantine was best known for his role as family patriarch Gus Portokalos in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding. He later starred in the movie adaptation. I will treasure this man who brought Gus to life. He was an actor and producer, known for NCIS (2003), Bones (2005) and ER (1994). Scott Douglas Robbe (February 16, 1955 - November 21, 2021) was an American film, television, and theater producer/director, and veteran activist. Doug's film Producer | ", White played the gullible Rose Nylund on "Golden Girls.". Lester Fisher was born on February 24, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Her mother (who had long suffered from Perky, talented, blue-eyed redhead Cara Williams had acting aspirations from the get-go. "With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes," his family said in a statement to Rolling Stone. He died on November 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was previously married to Shannon Gaughan. Mario Van Peebles described his father's legacy and the final moments of his life in this Instagram post. He was an actor, known for Dreamscape (1984). Stockwell was a Hollywood lifer. She died on December 15, 2021 in Garden City, Michigan, USA. Thomas founded Kool & the Gang in 1964 alongside several teenage friends, including brothers Robert "Kool" and Ronald "Khalis" Bell, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. He died on November 17, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. It also helped that the work was adapted into a popular 1994 movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt as ageless vampires gallivanting around the world for centuries. (2009), Two Cubes Pls (2013) and Ssshhhh Koi Hai (2001). ", Siravo's tough guy roles found him doing work in everything from the stage, to Brian DePalma's "Carlito's Way" (marking his movie debut), and playing Tony Soprano's dad in "The Sopranos. He even choreographed the the dancing for the hit 1994 music video "Pure Love" by Crystal Waters. Kotto died on March 15 near Manila in the Philippines. He died on November 27 at his home in Newhall, California, according to his brother Warren Mekjian. Gerry Marsden 24 Gerry Marsden sadly passed away at the beginning. Famous People Who Died in 2021 - On This Day He was an actor, known for Jesus Henry Christ (2011), The Taming of the Shrew (1988) and The Comedy of Errors (1989). Celebrity deaths in 2021: Remembering the stars who died this year She died on October 26, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Garson co-starred as con man Mozzie on USA Network's "White Collar," from 2009 to 2014. She was an actress, known for Videodrome (1983), Urban Legend (1998) and Funeral Home (1980). He played Brother Cavil in the early 2000s revival of "Battlestar Galactica. His legend will live on forever.". Here, we honor the celebrities who died in 2021: their legacies, their careers, and their impact. The smart and talented actress and playwright Linda Carlson was born in Minnesota of Swedish ancestry. "He was a national treasure who deeply relished his Canadian roots. I will surely miss him," Chiba's manager Timothy Beal told Insider. Over the decades she won the National Book Award, the American Academy of Arts & Letters Gold Medal in Criticism and Belles Letters, the National Medal of Arts and Humanities, and the PEN Center USA's Lifetime Achievement Award. "Cloris was insanely talented," Brooks tweeted following her death. It resulted in Hill and the rest of his bandmates being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Vilified as much as he was revered over his career, Limbaugh was a controversial figure over the decades in which he was often accused of saying sexist and racist remarks. Sadly, these famous people who died in 2021 will remain in our memories. The actress and model is best known for playing Bond girl Stacey Sutton in 1985's "A View to a Kill." As the anchor of Weekend Update from 1994 to 1997, he was taken off as anchor during the O.J. As one of the faces of the "New Journalism" movement in the 1960s and 1970s, Didion's work became a major staple in the era. "His message of triumph over struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, his pursuit of truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity DMX was nothing less than a giant. Celebrities Who Died in 2021 Vol. 1 - YouTube "He delivered that beautifully and brilliantly, while creating an atmosphere and setting that the music would never have achieved without his words.". Graeme's sound and personality [are] present in everything we did together and thankfully that will live on," the band's current lead singer and guitarist, Justin Hayward, wrote on the band's website. She was previously married to Robert Prins. His other credits include "Changing Lanes," starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson; "Venus," which earned Peter O'Toole an Oscar nomination; "Morning Glory," starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton; and "My Cousin Rachel" starring Rachel Weisz. She died on December 23, 2021 in Manhattan, New York City, New York Yvonne Wilder was born on September 21, 1937 in Bronx, New York, New York, USA. She was born Donna Lee Hickey, the daughter of a vaudevillian. 2021 Celebrity Deaths Retrospective - BuzzFeed News She was an actress, known for Videodrome (1983), Urban Legend (1998) and Funeral Home (1980). The father of actor Robert Downey Jr., at five-years-old he made his screen debut in his father's 1970 movie "Pound" alongside his sister, Allyson, who was 7 at the time. Wright died on May 24 after a three-year battle with prostate cancer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Diamond was known best for playing the bumbling comic relief Samuel "Screech" Powers in the beloved 1990s TV series "Saved by the Bell.". Before comedy clubs existed, Sahl began performing at the hungry i music club in San Francisco in the early 1950s. The versatile actress was known best for her comedic work, especially on TV ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Malcolm and the Middle") and in Mel Brooks movies ("High Anxiety," and the memorable Frau Blcher in "Young Frankenstein"). Three revivals of his shows won Tonys and he was awarded a Tony Award for lifetime achievement in 2008. He was previously married to Virginia Jo Fields. Eddie Mekka was born on June 14, 1952 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Joe Siracusa was born on February 3, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. His song "Send In the Clowns" from "A Little Night Music" won song of the year at the Grammys in 1975. Lionel and his sister Joyce's father, a barber encouraged their interest in dancing and theatre. Leakes revealed in June that her husband's cancer had returned. Doug MacLeod was born on October 13, 1959 in Greensborough, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Crowned as leading the new breed of modern comedians by Time magazine in 1960, Mort Sahl is the first entertainer ever to appear on its cover. The trailblazer wowed audiences with his 1971 movie "Sweetback's Baadasssss Song." "SNL" announced his passing on the November 20th episode of the show by showing the short film he starred in titled "The Java Junkie." No cause was given. He was previously married to Yvonne Marie Grace and DeLee Lively. ", according to his longtime producing partner Lori Jo Hoekstra, complications of a stroke she had six days prior. Most notably on television, he played Johnny Soprano in flashback scenes in "The Sopranos." On August 2 Pickett death happened suddenly as he was preparing to shoot a scene for the movie "Treasure Valley," Travis Mills, the movie's director, said on the movie's Facebook page. He was previously married to Elizabeth Dole and Phyllis Eloise Holden. Tell us what you think about this feature. Famous people who died in 2021 | Everything You Need to Know getty TV's perennial Golden Girl. ", "To say Art will be missed dearly would be an understatement," LaFleur's wife Shelley told USA Today in a statement. In 2021, many celebrities died, including actors, singers and other entertainers. Sondheim was one of the most treasured composers-lyricists that ever graced Broadway. He died on December 26, 2021 in Cape Town, South Dick Carson was born on June 4, 1929 in Clarinda, Iowa, USA. Celebrity deaths 2021 - TODAY She is considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses to have graced the screen during the postwar period. The "Gone Girl" and "Cocktail" actor has died after being injured in a hit-and-run accident in New York. Edge died on November 11, no cause was given. [39] Per Kristoffersen, 85, Norwegian footballer ( Fredrikstad, national team ). Later in the month the cause of death was ruled to be an accidental drug overdose. Ken Kragen was born on November 24, 1936 in Berkeley, California, USA. But his two most memorable was his debut feature role in the movie "Deliverance" as Bobby, and playing Otis, Lex Luthor's sidekick in 1978's "Superman. Character actor Peter Scolari had a successful career on both the stage and screen for decades, but he is best known for starring opposite Tom Hanks in the 1980s TV show "Bosom Buddies.". 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. This list includes people like Larry King, Cicely Tyson, Christopher Plummer, Tanya Roberts, Phil Spector and many more. Gabby Petito. Malone. Larry King, Christopher Plummer and Cecily Tyson are among the celebrities who died in 2021, leaving those in their wake heartbroken. Always a fixture on stage between TV and movie gigs, Stockwell's highlight was starring in the 1957 Broadway production of "Compulsion." In the 1990s, he showed a different side of his talents, talk show host, when he did "The Charles Grodin Show" on CNBC. Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty We say goodbye to the famous people that touched our lives. He won a Tony in 1966 for his one-man stage show, "Mark Twain Tonight!" He died on October 13, 2021 in New Sarpy, Louisiana, USA. He was also a decent tenor whose voice was used for the part of Larry Sellers was a Native American actor and stuntman of Osage and Cherokee descent and an adopted member of the Lakota nation. The year took a lot from us, as the pandemic continued and the number of people who died from COVID in the US alone surpassed 800,000 in December. "A huge personality while also an extremely private person, Dennis was the alto saxophone player, flutist, percussionist, as well as master of ceremonies at the band's shows.". He did it with a love of the game and a colorful personality that led to him showing up in several movies and TV shows. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. No cause was given. Every time I hear a horse whinny I will forever think of Cloris' unforgettable Frau Blcher. Larry King 1933 -2021 Veteran television and radio personality Larry King died Jan. 23. He died on November 19, 2021 in Studio City, California, USA. On Oct. 29, 2021, Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson took to Instagram to share that he and wife Cheryl's son Michael Johnson one of four children they adopted had died at 33. She won an Oscar for her performance as a timid school teacher in 1971's "The Last Picture Show" and her work on television earned her an astounding eight Emmy wins. He was an actor and stuntman in various films, including Shaft (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), and Ganja & Hess (1973). She was previously married to Denise Tompkins. Learn about 829 historical figures, notable people and celebrities who died in 2021 like , Charlie Watts and John Madden. He is known for Hell Ride (2008), Murderers' Row (1966) and Automan (1983). 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. The younger brother of fellow actor/stunt man Joe Robinson, Doug was born Douglas Bowbank Robinson in central Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1930. She was previously married to Brian Neary and Tom Nielsen. Hank Aaron, 87 Hank Aaron. In a career that spanned more than 70 years, Cicely Tyson made her mark in every form of entertainment medium having won three Emmy awards, a Tony, honorary Oscar, and Peabody Award. 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). Brother of Dan Aykroyd, Peter was a former cast member and writer for "Saturday Night Live.". Joan Didion was born on December 5, 1934 in Sacramento, California, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Love and a .45 (1994), A West Texas Children's Story (2007) and Breaking Bad (2008). She was an actress, known for Man on Fire (2004), Carnival Nights (1978) and Bellas de noche (1975). 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. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1926, he graduated from NYU and started as a janitor at the DuMont Television Network, working his way through at first as a studio assistant, then as a cameraman on "The Honeymooners" and "Captain Video and Rose Lee Maphis was born on December 29, 1922 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He died on December 28, 2021 in Pleasanton, California, USA. biceps. They couldn't stay away from each other for long. "A breaker of records and racial barriers, his remarkable legacy will continue to inspire countless athletes and admirers for generations to come," said former president Jimmy Carter in a statement to the Associated Press, who attended Braves games and called Aaron "a personal hero.". Camera_department |