Born 1942

Barry Goldberg (1942–2025), blues keyboardist

Barry Goldberg was a blues and rock keyboardist and producer who played with a long list of music icons, including Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Steve Miller, and many others.

Charles Person (1942–2025), youngest of the Freedom Riders

Charles Person was a civil rights activist best known as the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, a group of activists who challenged illegal, unconstitutional racial segregation that was rampant throughout the American South.

Art Evans (1942–2024), Die Hard 2 actor

Art Evans was an actor best known for his performance as chief airport engineer Leslie Barnes in “Die Hard 2.” 

John Spratt (1942–2024), South Carolina congressman

John Spratt was a longtime member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Democrat from South Carolina’s Fifth District.

Jim Leach (1942–2024), 30-year Iowa congressman

Jim Leach was a respected Republican congressman from Iowa who served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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.

Bob Love (1942–2024), Chicago Bulls great

Bob Love was a three-time All-Star forward for the Chicago Bulls who later became the team’s goodwill ambassador.

Bela Karolyi (1942–2024), coach who transformed U.S. gymnastics

Bela Karolyi was a gymnastics coach whose sometimes-controversial methods helped transform U.S. gymnastics and bring home gold medals, techniques that also stirred up criticism for alleged abuse.

Alan Rachins (1942–2024), L.A. Law, Dharma & Greg actor

Alan Rachins was an actor and writer best known for his work on shows like “L.A. Law,” which earned him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and “Dharma & Greg.”

Mike Haffner (1942–2024), former Broncos receiver and broadcaster

Mike Haffner was a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos who later became a color commentator for NBC and longtime sports broadcaster.

Lonnie Warwick (1942–2024), longtime Vikings linebacker

Lonnie Warwick was an NFL linebacker best known for his eight years with the Minnesota Vikings’ Purple People Eaters, and for playing in Super Bowl IV.0

Zoot Money (1942–2024), famed ‘60s keyboardist

Zoot Money was a keyboardist and actor whose shift from R&B to psychedelia in the 1960s saw him playing with acts like The Animals, Humble Pie, and others, as well as his own group, Big Roll Band.

Afa Anoa’i (1942–2024), one half of the WWF’s Wild Samoans

Afa Anoa’i was a professional wrestler, manager, and promoter who was one half of the famed WWF duo The Wild Samoans and the uncle of WWE champion Roman Reigns.

Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942–2024), founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock

Bernice Johnson Reagon was a singer, band leader, and social activist best known for performing with two influential singing ensembles: the 1960s protest group The Freedom Singers and the Grammy-nominated a cappella troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Johnny Canales (1942–2024), Tejano singer and TV host

Johnny Canales was a Mexican Tejano singer and popular television show host who helped launch the career of singer Selena.

Maria De Aragon (1942–2024), actress who played Greedo in Star Wars

Maria De Aragon was a Canadian actress who worked in B movies in the 1970s before landing her best known – and uncredited – role, playing Greedo in “Star Wars.” 

Fritz Peterson (1942–2023), Yankees all-star who traded families

Fritz Peterson was an all-star pitcher for the New York Yankees known both for his control on the mound and for a headline-grabbing “family swap” with his teammate, Mike Kekich.

Larry Beightol (1942–2024), longtime NFL coach

Larry Beightol was a lifelong football coach and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductee who had a two-decade career in the NFL, including stints with the Packers, Jets, Dolphins and other teams. 

Jerry Grote (1942–2024), catcher for the Miracle Mets 

Jerry Grote was a Major League Baseball catcher who won the 1969 World Series with the New York Mets.

Joe Lieberman (1942–2024), former senator and vice president nominee 

Joe Lieberman was a former U.S. Senator and vice-presidential candidate who ran with Al Gore in 2000 and was the first person of Jewish faith on one of the two major parties’ U.S. presidential tickets.

Maurizio Pollini (1942–2024), famed Italian pianist and conductor 

Maurizio Pollini was an award-winning Italian pianist and conductor who helped lead the establishment of the Rossini Opera Festival. 

Sandra Crouch (1942–2024), Grammy Award-winning gospel artist 

Sandra Crouch was a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter who also performed on several Motown records and contributed songs by the Jackson 5.

Gylan Kain (1942–2024), poet who set the stage for rap music 

Gylan Kain was a groundbreaking poet whose work with The Last Poets helped create modern performance poetry and set the stage for rap music.

Dorie Ladner (1942–2024), Freedom Riders civil rights activist 

Dorie Ladner was a civil rights activist whose efforts included being arrested for attempting to have lunch at a segregated Woolworth lunch counter and jailed for picketing in the 1962 Jackson, Mississippi boycotts.

Ole Anderson (1942–2024), pro wrestler with Four Horsemen 

Ole Anderson was a pro wrestler who joined with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard to form the Four Horseman wrestling team.

John ‘Duff’ Lowe (1942–2024), pre-Beatles partner of Lennon, McCartney

John “Duff” Lowe was a musician who played with , Paul McCartney, and in The Quarrymen, which would evolve into the Beatles.

Larry Taylor (1942–2024), most recent Medal of Honor recipient

Larry Taylor was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War who received the Medal of Honor in September 2023.

Marlena Shaw (1942–2024), California Soul singer 

Marlena Shaw was a singer whose best-known songs included “California Soul” and “Woman of the Ghetto.” 

Richard Romanus (1943–2023), Mean Streets actor

Richard Romanus was an actor best known for his prominent role in Martin Scorsese’s critical breakthrough, “Mean Streets,” and for playing Dr. Jennifer Melfi’s husband in “The Sopranos.” 

John Bailey (1942–2023), Academy Awards president during #MeToo

John Bailey was a former film cinematographer who worked on such movies as “Ordinary People” and “Groundhog Day,” before becoming president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Oscars, during the #MeToo era.

Richard Roundtree (1942–2023), star of Shaft 

Richard Roundtree was an actor who became the first Black action star when he played an ultra-cool private detective in “Shaft.” 

László Sólyom (1942–2023), former Hungarian president 

László Sólyom was a legal scholar who became Hungary’s third post-communism president, helping to guide the country towards a free-market democracy during a time of difficult transition.

Dick Butkus (1942–2023), Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker

Dick Butkus was a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears and an eight-time Pro Bowl player before becoming an actor, broadcaster, and philanthropist.

Rick Jeanneret (1942–2023), Hall of Fame NHL broadcaster 

Rick Jeanneret was a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Buffalo Sabres, the longest serving play-by-play announcer in NHL history. 

Sixto Rodriguez (1942–2023), 'Searching for Sugar Man' musician

Sixto Rodriguez was an internationally recognized Detroit musician best known in the United States for being featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” 

Edward Sexton (1942–2023), tailor who helped define British rock style

Edward Sexton was a tailor and fashion designer whose work, sometimes in collaboration with Tommy Nutter, helped define the look and style of late 1960s and early 1970s British rock.

Ama Ata Aidoo (1942–2023), award-winning Ghanaian author, politician

Ama Ata Aidoo was a Ghana-born writer, poet, politician and academic known for works such as “Our Sister Killjoy,” “Changes: A Love Story,” and “The Dilemma of a Ghost.”

Ted Kaczynski has died 

Ted Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist who was called the Unabomber by the media, died in prison on June 10, 2023, at the age of 81.

The Iron Sheik (1942–2023), pro wrestling superstar

Hossain Khosrow Ali Vaziri , better known as The Iron Sheik , was a professional wrestler who won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.

Charles “Cotton” Nash (1942–2023), played in the NBA and MLB 

Charles “Cotton” Nash was a basketball star at the University of Kentucky in the 1960s who went on to play both basketball and baseball professionally.

Marion Berry (1942–2023), former U.S. representative from Arkansas 

Marion Berry was a Democrat who represented Arkansas’ 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2011.

Bob Berry (1942–2023), quarterback for the Falcons and Vikings

Bob Berry was a quarterback who went to the Pro Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons and three Super Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings.

Dave Wilcox (1942–2023), Hall of Fame 49ers linebacker

Dave Wilcox was a Hall of Fame linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers who was known as “The Intimidator” for his aggressive style of play.

Seymour Stein (1942–2023) record exec who launched Madonna’s career 

Seymour Stein was the co-founder of Sire Records, who helped launch the careers of musicians including Talking Heads and Madonna. 

Willis Reed (1942–2023), all-time Knicks great

Willis Reed was an all-time New York Knicks great who helped his team win two NBA championships in the 1970s.

Otis Taylor (1942–2023), groundbreaking Chiefs wide receiver

Tall, powerful, and fast, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Otis Taylor helped evolve professional football by changing the way teams and fans saw the position. His strength and speed made him a formidable opponent, leading him to three Pro Bowls and being named AFC Player of the Year in 1971. Taylor’s 46-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl IV still makes highlight reels to this day, leading the team to an upset victory over the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Floyd Sneed (1942–2023), Three Dog Night drummer

Floyd Sneed was the drummer for Three Dog Night, known for hits including “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come.”

Richard Miller (1942–2022), creator of Princess Leia’s gold bikini

Richard Miller was a sculptor for Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) who built iconic props for movies including “Return of the Jedi” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”

Jim Kolbe (1942–2022), longtime U.S. representative from Arizona

Jim Kolbe was a Republican who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 until 2007.