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

Rico Carty (1939–2024), 1970 NL batting champion

Rico Carty was a veteran Major League Baseball player best known for his time with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, winning the National League batting title in 1970 with a .366 average.

Al Ferrara (1939–2024), L.A. Dodgers outfielder

Al Ferrara was Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds in the 1960s and ‘70s.0

Linda LaFlamme (1939–2024), keyboardist, co-writer of White Bird

Linda LaFlamme was a musician and founding member of It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band with which she performed the 1960s anthem, “White Bird.”

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.

John Amos (1939–2024), star of Good Times and Roots

John Amos was an actor known for his starring roles in such popular shows and movies as “Good Times,” “Roots,” and “Coming to America.”

Charles Cyphers (1939–2024), played the sheriff in Halloween

Charles Cyphers was an actor best known for his performance as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in “Halloween,” the horror movie classic.

Sam Butcher (1939–2024), Precious Moments founder and artist

Sam Butcher was an artist who founded Precious Moments and designed many of their Christian-themed collectible figurines.

Joe Camp (1939–2024), Benji filmmaker 

Joe Camp was the creator, screenwriter, and director behind the beloved “Benji” movie franchise.

Grant Page (1939–2024), daring Mad Max stunt performer  

Grant Page was a daring stunt performer from such Australian films as “Mad Max,” “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” and “The Man from Hong Kong.”

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. 

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.

Margo Smith (1939–2024), 1970s country music star 

Margo Smith was a country singer and songwriter who had No. 1 hits with “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “It Only Hurts a Little While.” 

Norm Snead (1939–2024), four-time Pro Bowl quarterback 

Norm Snead was a 16-year veteran of the NFL and four-time Pro Bowl selection who played for the Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Vikings, and 49ers.

Cale Yarborough (1939–2023), three-time NASCAR champion 

Cale Yarborough was a consecutive three-time NASCAR champion and one of the winningest racers in series history with 83 career victories.

John Morris (1939–2023), organizer of the original Woodstock festival 

John Morris was an event organizer among those who put together the original Woodstock music festival in 1969 and later worked with such artists as Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, , and . 

Pat E. Johnson (1939–2023), Karate Kid choreographer 

Pat E. Johnson was a ninth-degree black belt martial artist, actor, and fight choreographer for several films, most famously for "The Karate Kid" movie series.

Rudolph Isley (1939–2023), founding member of the Isley Brothers

Rudolph Isley was a singer and songwriter who was a founding member of the Isley brothers, known for hit songs like “Shout,” “It’s Your Thing,” and “Twist and Shout.”

Terry Kirkman (1939–2023), singer and songwriter with the Association 

Terry Kirkman was a singer and songwriter with the Association, known for such 1960s hits as “Cherish” and “Never My Love.” 

Dr. Richard Moriarty (1939–2023), Mr. Yuk poison symbol creator

Dr. Richard Moriarty was a pediatrician, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and the director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center, arguably best known as the creator of Mr. Yuk, a widely used symbol to alert people – especially kids – that a substance is poisonous.

Adnan Al-Kaissie (1939–2023), professional wrestler General Adnan

Adnan Al-Kaissie was a professional wrestler and manager who debuted as Billy White Wolf and later adopted the stage name of General Adnan.

David Jacobs (1939–2023), creator of Dallas, Knots Landing 

David Jacobs was a TV writer and producer who created the hit series “Dallas” and “Knots Landing.” 

Mark Margolis (1939–2023), actor in Breaking Bad

Mark Margolis was an actor in film and televisionfor nearly 50 years, with roles in such popular hits as "Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul,Scarface, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,

Catherine Burks-Brooks (1939–2023), Freedom Rider 

Catherine Burks-Brooks was a civil rights activist who joined the Freedom Riders as they campaigned for anti-segregation laws to be enforced in the South. 

Vicki Anderson (1939–2023), singer with the James Brown Revue

Vicki Anderson, a soul singer with the James Brown Revue, also recorded a number of singles as a solo performer. 

Tina Turner (1939–2023), legendary Queen of Rock and Roll

Tina Turner was one of the bestselling recording artists of all time, known for her hits including “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

Ralph Boston (1939–2023), record-breaking Olympic gold medalist 

Ralph Boston was a long jumper who won Olympic gold in 1960 and broke Jesse Owens’ longstanding record.

Mike Shannon (1939–2023), longtime St. Louis Cardinals’ broadcaster 

Mike Shannon was a former third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals who went on to become the team’s broadcaster for nearly 50 years.

Lynn Seymour (1939–2023), renowned ballerina

Lynn Seymour was an acclaimed ballerina with London’s Royal Ballet, hailed as one of the greatest of her time.

Barbara Bosson (1939–2023), Hill Street Blues costar

Barbara Bosson Bochco was an American actress who starred as Fay Furillo on “Hill Street Blues.” 

Eugene Lee (1939–2023), designed SNL, Wicked, Sweeney Todd stages

Eugene Lee was a set designer who worked with “Saturday Night Live” for almost 50 years and won Tony Awards for sets including “Wicked.”

Melinda Dillon (1939–2023), A Christmas Story mom

Melinda Dillon was an actress known for roles in movies including “A Christmas Story” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

Bobby Hull (1939–2023), hockey Hall of Famer with the Black Hawks

Bobby Hull was a legendary Hall of Fame hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks.

Freddie Roulette (1939–2022), blues lap steel guitarist

Freddie Roulette was a blues musician known for his unusual use of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar.

Kathy Whitworth (1939–2022), winningest pro golfer in history

Kathy Whitworth was a legendary golfer who set the record for the most tour victories in history with 88.

Al Strobel (1939–2022), the One-Armed Man in “Twin Peaks”

Al Strobel was an actor who was best known for his role as Phillip Gerard, the “one-armed man” on the cult TV series “Twin Peaks.”

Jim Post (1939–2022), “Reach out of the Darkness” singer

Jim Post was half of the duo Friend & Lover, known for their 1968 hit, “Reach out of the Darkness.”

Herb Kohler Jr. (1939–2022), Kohler Co. billionaire and golf patron

Herb Kohler Jr. was the former CEO of Kohler Co., known for their plumbing products.

Jerry Allison (1939–2022), Buddy Holly and The Crickets drummer 

Jerry Allison was the drummer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets (The Crickets), the highly influential early rock and roll band fronted by Buddy Holly.

Paul Sorvino (1939–2022), actor known for “Law & Order,” “Goodfellas”

Paul Sorvino was an actor known for his performances as Paulie Cicero in “Goodfellas” and NYPD Sergeant Phil Ceretta in “Law & Order.”

John Froines (1939–2022), Chicago Seven trial defendant

John Froines was one of the defendants at the notorious Chicago Seven trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention, as well as a chemist researching toxic substances.

Bob Neuwirth (1939–2022), wrote ‘Mercedes Benz’ with Janis Joplin  

Bob Neuwirth was a folk music singer-songwriter and influential associate of Bob Dylan who wrote ‘Mercedes Benz’ with Janis Joplin.

David Birney (1939–2022), star of “Bridget Loves Bernie”

David Birney was an actor known for roles on TV shows including “Bridget Loves Bernie” and “St. Elsewhere.”

Tommy Davis (1939–2022), Los Angeles Dodgers legend 

Tommy Davis was a major league baseball outfielder and third baseman best known for his time playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.   

Arthur D. Riggs (1939–2022), helped develop synthetic insulin for diabetes treatment

Arthur D. Riggs was a pioneer of biotechnology who helped develop synthetic insulin to treat diabetes.

Annie Flanders (1939–2022), founder of Details magazine 

Annie Flanders was the founder of the hip men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine Details.  

Robert “Bob” Wall (1939–2022), martial artist and actor in “Enter the Dragon”

Robert “Bob” Wall was a martial artist and actor who appeared with in movies including “Way of the Dragon” and “Enter the Dragon.”

Badal Roy (1939–2022), pioneering tabla player

Badal Roy was a pioneering Indian tabla player who played with jazz legends Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman.  

Dallas Frazier (1939–2022), legendary country music songwriter

Dallas Frazier was a hit-making country music songwriter known for writing “Elvira,” which was a hit for the Oak Ridge Boys.