Lenny Schultz (1933–2025), stand-up comedian

Lenny Schultz was a stand-up comedian whose frenetic physical comedy influenced later comedians like , , and Carrot Top.

Slick Watts (1951–2025), beloved Seattle SuperSonics player

Slick Watts was a fan-favorite basketball player of the 1970s best known for his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, his skills on the court, and his distinctive headbands.

Brian James (1955–2025), founding guitarist for the Damned

Brian James was the founding guitarist and a songwriter for the Damned, who went on to co-found the Lords of the New Church.

Roy Ayers (1940–2025), influential musician and composer

Roy Ayers was a musician and composer whose work on the vibraphone helped push the boundaries of jazz, soul, and funk through works like his 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” 

Joey Molland (1947–2025), last surviving member of Badfinger

Joey Molland was an English guitarist and songwriter with Badfinger, who carried on the band for years after its other core members died.

David Johansen (1950–2025), New York Dolls frontman

David Johansen was the frontman for the glammy proto-punk band the New York Dolls, who ended up being one of the most influential of the era, and also had a solo career under the name Buster Poindexter. 

Boris Spassky (1937–2025), Russian chess grandmaster 

Boris Spassky was a Russian chess grandmaster and world champion who famously lost to Bobby Fischer in the so-called “Match of the Century” in 1972.

Robert John (1946–2025), Sad Eyes singer

Robert John was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1979 hit, “Sad Eyes,” and his version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from 1971.

Gwen McCrae (1943–2025), Rockin’ Chair singer 

Gwen McCrae was a soul, funk, and disco singer best known for her 1975 hit, “Rockin’ Chair.” 

Roberta Flack (1937–2025), Killing Me Softly with His Song singer

Roberta Flack was a singer who had No. 1 hits with “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.”

Jerry Butler (1939–2025), first leader of The Impressions

Jerry “Iceman” Butler was the original lead singer for The Impressions, who went on to a successful solo career and later became a Chicago politician.0

Gary Mage (1946–2025), Hall of Fame bowler

Gary Mage was a Hall of Fame bowler who excelled in the 1960s and ‘70s, then went on to form the PBA Northwest Region, which he oversaw until 2020. 

David Edward Byrd (1941–2025), 1960s rock poster artist

David Edward Byrd was an artist known for his psychedelic posters promoting 1960s rock acts and for his logos and posters for significant Broadway musicals. 

John Erwin (1936–2024), voice of He-Man

John Erwin was an actor who voiced He-Man and Morris the Cat, among many other roles.

A Look at Notable & Celebrity Deaths from January 2025 Week 3

Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reviewed and fact-checked by the Legacy.com news team in the third week of January 2025.

Christian Juttner (1964–2024), star of Return From Witch Mountain

Christian Juttner was a child actor of the 1970s best known for “Return From Witch Mountain,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” and “The Magical World of Disney.” 

Garth Hudson (1937–2025), last surviving member of The Band

Garth Hudson was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted keyboardist and the last surviving member of The Band.

Anita Bryant (1940–2024), singer and anti-gay activist

Anita Bryant was a beauty queen and singer of the 1950s and ‘60s whose career was derailed by her high-profile crusade against LGBTQ rights.

Jimmy Carter (1924–2024), 39th president of the United States

Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States of America, serving from 1977 to 1981.

Alfa Anderson (1946–2024), legend of disco with Chic

Alfa Anderson was a singer best known for her work with the disco icons Chic, who created enduring dance hits with songs like “Le Freak” and “Good Times.” 

Mike Brewer (1944–2024), One Toke Over the Line singer

Mike Brewer was half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, best known for their 1971 hit song, “One Toke Over the Line.” 

The Amazing Kreskin (1935–2024), 1970s TV mentalist

The Amazing Kreskin was a mentalist who became a TV star of the 1970s with his many appearances on “The Tonight Show” and other talk shows.

Michael Cole (1940–2024), The Mod Squad actor

Michael Cole was an actor best known for playing Pete Cochran in the 1960s and ‘70s crime drama, “The Mod Squad,” and a 64-episode stint on “General Hospital.” 

Malcolm Smith (1941–2024), Baja 1000 racing legend

Malcolm Smith was a racing driver known for his five wins at the Baja 1000 and four at the Baja 500, both notoriously grueling desert races.

Leah Kunkel (1948–2024), singer and sister of Cass Elliot

Leah Kunkel was a singer, songwriter, member of The Coyote Sisters, and the younger sibling of “Mama” Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas.

Alice Brock (1941–2024), the real Alice of Alice’s Restaurant

Alice Brock was a restaurant owner immortalized in Arlo Guthrie’s epic classic song, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” better known as “Alice’s Restaurant.” 

Chuck Woolery (1941–2024), Love Connection host

Chuck Woolery was a longtime game show host best known for “Love Connection” and as the original daytime host of “Wheel of Fortune.” 

Sir Lady Java (1942–2024), entertainer and transgender rights activist 

Sir Lady Java was a noted singer, dancer, and entertainer of the 1960s and ‘70s club scene in Los Angeles who became an early transgender activist.

Dennis Bryon (1949–2024), Bee Gees drummer on disco hits 

Dennis Bryon was a Welsh drummer best known as a member of the Bee Gees during their massive 1970s disco stardom.

Greg Hildebrandt (1939–2024), iconic fantasy artist

Greg Hildebrandt was an artist best known for his works of fantasy and science fiction set in the worlds of Middle-earth, plus “Star Wars” and Magic: The Gathering, often created in partnership with his late twin brother, Tim Hildebrandt.

Phil Lesh (1940–2024), Grateful Dead bassist

Phil Lesh was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and remained the band’s bassist for its entire 30-year career.

Rudy May (1944–2024), Angels, Yankees pitcher

Rudy May was a left-handed pitcher for such Major League Baseball teams as the California Angels and New York Yankees from the 1960s through ‘80s.0

Jack Jones (1938–2024), The Love Boat theme singer

Jack Jones was a singer and actor best known for such songs as “Wives and Lovers” and the theme song to the TV show “The Love Boat.” 

Christine Boisson (1956–2024), Emmanuelle actress

Christine Boisson was a French model and actress who first drew attention in the 1974 film “Emmanuelle” and went on to have over 80 screen credits and lead dozens of stage productions.

Philip G. Zimbardo (1933–2024), Stanford Prison Experiment researcher

Philip G. Zimbardo was a psychologist, professor and author best known as the researcher who created and administered the Stanford Prison Experiment. 

Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024), singer, songwriter and actor

Kris Kristofferson was a singer, songwriter, and actor whose writing helped reshape country music and whose successful jump into acting made him one of the 1970s’ biggest stars.

Freddie Salem (1954–2024), former guitarist for Outlaws

Freddie Salem was a rock guitarist best known for his time with the Southern rock band Outlaws. 

Eugene “Mercury” Morris (1947–2024), two-time Super Bowl winner

Eugene “Mercury” Morris was a running back with the Miami Dolphins, winning two Super Bowls with the team in the 1970s and earning three Pro Bowl selections. 

J.D. Souther (1945–2024), co-writer of The Eagles’ most popular hits

J.D. Souther was a singer, songwriter, and occasional actor best known for penning hits for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, including “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” 

Tommy Cash (1940–2024), country singer and brother of Johnny Cash

Tommy Cash was a country musician who enjoyed 11 Top 40 country hits, including three straight in the Top 10. He was the brother of country icon .

Tito Jackson (1953–2024), Jackson 5 singer and guitarist

Tito Jackson was a singer and guitarist best known for being part of the hit-making group The Jackson 5, who enjoyed four No. 1 hits and launched the career of pop icon . 

Frankie Beverly (1946–2024), R&B singer and founder of Maze

Frankie Beverly was the frontman for the soul/funk band Maze, known for hits like “Can’t Get Over You” and “Back in Stride.” 

Herbie Flowers (1938–2024), Walk on the Wild Side bassist

Herbie Flowers was an English bassist who played on legendary tracks like “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Space Oddity.”

Screamin’ Scott Simon (1948–2024), Sha Na Na pianist

Screamin’ Scott Simon was a pianist best known for his decades of work with the popular doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na, with whom he performed from 1970 to 2022.

Will Jennings (1944–2024), Oscar-winning My Heart Will Go On lyricist

Will Jennings was a lyricist who won Academy Awards for “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Up Where We Belong” by and Jennifer Warnes.

James Darren (1936–2024), actor in Gidget, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

James Darren was a singer and actor best known for his work in the “Gidget” movies, as well as his recurring roles in shows like “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “T.J. Hooker.” 

Phil Donahue (1935–2024), TV talk show icon

Phil Donahue was a longtime talk-show host whose signature program all but created the template that daytime TV would follow for years to come.

Peter Marshall (1926–2024), longtime Hollywood Squares host

Peter Marshall was a television entertainer and game-show star best known for his 16-year, 5,000-episode run as the host of “Hollywood Squares” from 1966 to 1981.

Gena Rowlands (1930–2024), A Woman Under the Influence star

Gena Rowlands was an actress known for roles in such films as “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980), both of which earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.