1990s

D'Wayne Wiggins (1961–2025), co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!

D'Wayne Wiggins was a singer and producer best known as the co-founder of R&B hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné!, who repeatedly hit the charts in the 1980s and ‘90s with songs like “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “Anniversary,” and “If I Had No Loot.”

Gene “Groove” Allen (1964–2025), Groove B. Chill rapper

Gene “Groove” Allen was a rapper and actor best known for his work in the hip-hop trio Groove B. Chill and for his roles in movies like “House Party” and “House Party 2.” 

Sam Nujoma (1929–2025), first president of Namibia

Sam Nujoma was a leader of Namibia’s decades-long War of Independence, later elected its first president.

Fay Vincent (1938–2025), former MLB commissioner

Fay Vincent was a former Major League Baseball commissioner who helped guide it through the 1989 earthquake, a 1993 expansion of the National League, and other key milestones in the sport.

Barry Michael Cooper (2025), New Jack City writer

Barry Michael Cooper was a journalist, screenwriter and producer best known for his “Harlem trilogy” of films: “New Jack City,” “Sugar Hill,” and “Above the Rim.”

Bill Byrge (1938–2025), Bobby from the Ernest comedies

Bill Byrge was a character actor best known for playing the quirky character Bobby in the “Ernest” series of movies.

Slim Dunlap (1951–2024), The Replacements guitarist

Slim Dunlap was a rock musician best known as the second guitarist for Minneapolis rock legends The Replacements, replacing founding member Bob Stinson and playing on the band’s final two albums.

John Marsden (1950–2024), Tomorrow, When the War Began author

John Marsden was an Australian author and educator best known for his 1993 young adult novel “Tomorrow, When the War Began.” 

Saafir (1970–2024), Bay Area rapper and actor

Saafir was a Bay Area rapper and actor known for his innovative rhythms, collaborations with artists like Xzibit, and acting career, which included the film “Menace II Society.”

Manuel “Guajiro” Mirabal (1933–2024), famed Cuban trumpeter

Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal was a famed trumpeter best known for his work with Buena Vista Social Club, who sparked a renewed interest in Cuban music in the 1990s. 

Michael Newman (1957–2024), Baywatch lifeguard

Michael Newman was a firefighter, lifeguard, and actor who starred on the hit TV show “Baywatch.”

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.

Fatman Scoop (1968–2024), rap star and hype man 

Fatman Scoop was a DJ, rapper, and hype man best known for his booming voice, which appeared on hits by Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey, as well as his own club mainstay, “Be Faithful.” 

Sid Eudy (1960–2024), 1990s WWF wrestling star

Sid Eudy was a 1990s wrestling star and former champion with the WCW and WWF (now the WWE) best known as “Sycho Sid” and “Sid Vicious.” 

Kevin Sullivan (1948–2024), WCW wrestler known as the Taskmaster 

Kevin Sullivan was a pro wrestler with WCW and an early incarnation of WWE who went by such ring names as the Taskmaster and the Prince of Darkness. 

Chino XL (1974–2024), rapper and actor

Chino XL , who once beefed with , was a New Jersey-based rapper and actor best known for his debut album, “Here to Save You All.” 

Jon Landau (1960–2024), producer of Titanic and Avatar

Jon Landau was an Oscar-winning producer of “Titanic” and “Avatar” and a close collaborator with director James Cameron.

Jamie Kellner (1947–2024), TV exec who launched Fox and the WB

Jamie Kellner was a prominent television executive best known for helping launch Fox and the WB, and for overseeing networks like TBS, TNT, and CNN.

Sarah Becker (2024), The Real World: Miami star 

Sarah Becker was a therapist and comic book editor best known as a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Miami.” 

Brother Marquis (1966–2024), rapper with 2 Live Crew

Mark Ross, aka Brother Marquis, was a mainstay of the Miami rap group 2 Live Crew, whose raunchy lyrics set the stage for anti-censorship battles in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Art “One Glove” Jimmerson (1963–2024), groundbreaking UFC fighter

Art “One Glove” Jimmerson was a former national Golden Gloves middleweight champion boxer who competed in the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship competition and became the first person ever to tap out in a UFC fight.

O.J. Simpson (1947–2024), NFL star, defendant in trial of the century

O.J. Simpson was an NFL star of the 1970s’ Buffalo Bills who went on to an acting career before becoming embroiled in one of the most notorious trials of the 20th century, accused of murdering his ex-wife.

Rev. Cecil Murray Sr. (1929–2024), Los Angeles civil rights leader

Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray Sr. was a minister and civil rights leader who emerged as a calming voice during the Los Angeles Riots of 1992.

C.J. Snare (1959–2024), lead singer for FireHouse 

Carl “C.J.” Snare was the lead singer for the hard rock band FireHouse, known for 1990s hits like “Love of a Lifetime” and When I Look into Your Eyes.” 

Greg Lee (1970–2024), singer for L.A. ska group Hepcat 

Greg Lee was a founding member and singer for the influential L.A. ska group Hepcat, which helped lead California’s ska and reggae revival.

Angela McCluskey (1960–2024), frontwoman of Wild Colonials

Angela McCluskey was a singer and musician best known as the frontwoman of the ‘90s group Wild Colonials, and who collaborated with such artists as Morgan Page, Télépopmusik, , and Kendrick Lamar.0

Gerald M. Levin (1939–2024), exec who made Time Warner a powerhouse

Gerald M. Levin was a corporate executive who helped create the Time Warner powerhouse by guiding the merger between Time Inc., and Warner Media before leading the disastrous merger between Time Warner and AOL. 

Lichelle “Boss” Laws (1969–2024), pioneering female rapper 

Lichelle Laws was better known as Boss, a pioneering rapper and the first woman signed to Def Jam Records.

Karl Wallinger (1957–2024), World Party frontman 

Karl Wallinger was a Welsh musician and songwriter known for his work with World Party and the Waterboys.

Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1925–2024), former president of Tanzania

Ali Hassan Mwinyi was the second president of Tanzania after the country’s 1961 independence from Great Britain, serving from 1985 to 1995.

Brian Mulroney (1939–2024), Canadian PM who improved ties with U.S. 

Brian Mulroney was a former Canadian prime minister who played an integral role in strengthening economic relations with the United States.

Virgil (1962–2024), WWE star

Virgil was a WWE star who also wrestled as Soul Train Jones and Victor. 

Dex Romweber (1966–2024), half of the power duo Flat Duo Jets 

Dexter “Dex” Romweber was a rockabilly musician and one half of the power duo Flat Duo Jets, who were a major influence on back-to-basics rock acts like The White Stripes. 

C-Knight (2023), rapper with the Dove Shack 

C-Knight was a rapper with the hip-hop group the Dove Shack, known for their 1995 hit “Summertime in the LBC.” 

The 45 King (1961–2023), producer for Jay-Z, Eminem 

Mark Howard James , better known by his stage name The 45 King , was a hip-hop producer who worked with greats like Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, and Eminem. 

Martti Ahtisaari (1937–2023), Nobel-winning Finnish president

Martti Ahtisaari was the former president of Finland and the recipient of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.

Joe Matt (1963–2023), cartoonist of the autobiographical Peepshow

Joe Matt was a cartoonist and illustrator best known for his autobiographical and deeply personal comic, “Peepshow.”

Irish Grinstead (1980–2023), singer with 702

Irish Grinstead was a singer with the 1990s girl group 702, known for their songs "Where My Girls At?" and "Get It Together." 

Lauch Faircloth (1928–2023), U.S. senator from North Carolina 

Lauch Faircloth was a politician who served one term representing North Carolina in the U.S. Senate as a Republican.

Steve Harwell (1967–2023), lead singer of Smash Mouth

Steve Harwell was the co-founder and lead singer of Smash Mouth, best known for their hits “All Star,” “Walkin' on the Sun,” and their cover of the Monkees’ “I'm a Believer.”

Magoo (1973–2023), rapper with Timbaland

Magoo was a rapper who collaborated with celebrated rapper and producer Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley as the duo Timbaland & Magoo.

Sinéad O'Connor (1966–2023), Nothing Compares 2 U singer

Sinéad O’Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter known best for her 1990 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

Teresa Taylor (1962–2023), drummer for Butthole Surfers

Teresa Taylor was a drummer for Butthole Surfers, an influential underground rock band out of Texas, best known for their wild experiments and their crossover hit, “Pepper.” 

Blackie Onassis (1965–2023), drummer for Urge Overkill 

Blackie Onassis was a drummer for Chicago-based alternative rock band Urge Overkill during their most successful period. 

George Winston (1949–2023), Grammy-winning pianist 

George Winston was a pianist known for his solo instrumental recordings, such as “Autumn” and “December.” 

Paul Cattermole (1977–2023), S Club 7 singer

Paul Cattermole was a singer with the British pop group S Club 7, known for hits including “Never Had a Dream Come True.” 

Vivian Trimble (1963–2023), keyboardist for Luscious Jackson

Vivian Trimble was the keyboardist and a pivotal member of the alternative group Luscious Jackson, best known for their song, “Naked Eye.”

Bob “Bushwhacker Butch” Miller (1944–2023), wrestling hall of famer

Bob Miller was a professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Bushwhacker Butch .

Brian “Brizz” Gillis (1975–2023), co-founded boy band LFO 

Brian “Brizz” Gillis was a founding member of the boy band LFO, who had a hit in 1999 with “Summer Girls.”