Born 1951

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.

Olivia Hussey (1951–2024), Romeo and Juliet star

Olivia Hussey was an actress best known for her starring performance as Juliet in filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet.” 

David Mallett (1951–2024), Maine singer-songwriter

David Mallett was a singer-songwriter from Maine best known for his children’s folk composition, “Garden Song,” which has been widely covered by other artists, including a popular version by . 

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.

Zakir Hussain (1951–2024), renowned Indian tabla player

Zakir Hussain was an icon of Indian classical music and world fusion, widely considered one of the world’s greatest tabla players.

Judy Belushi-Pisano (1951–2024), actress and John Belushi’s widow

Judy Belushi-Pisano was an actress and the widow of comedian and actor , who worked to preserve her late husband’s legacy.

Al Kresta (1951–2024), Catholic radio show host

Al Kresta was a prominent Catholic radio show host heard on stations across the country who also helped launch Ave Maria Communications.

T.M. Stevens (1951–2024), veteran funk-rock bassist 

T.M. Stevens was a veteran funk-rock bassist who played with Billy Joel, , Steve Vai, , and many others.

Debra Byrd (1951–2024), American Idol’s head vocal coach 

Debra Byrd was a singer who recorded with Barry Manilow and Bob Dylan, as well as the head vocal coach on “American Idol.”  

Chris Mortensen (1951–2024), NFL reporter for ESPN

Chris Mortensen was an ESPN reporter known for his decades of Super Bowl coverage.

Ed Ott (1951–2024), hard-nosed Pirates catcher

Ed Ott was a tough, hard-nosed catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and part of the squad that won the 1979 World Series.

Don Gullett (1951–2024), 1970s Cincinnati Reds’ dynasty pitcher

Don Gullett was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds during their 1970s dynasty, winning two World Series before spending 16 years with the team as a coach.

Tisa Farrow (1951–2024), actress and model 

Tisa Farrow was a model and actress known for the 1978 crime drama “Fingers” and the horror film “Zombi 2,” as well as for being the sister of actress Mia Farrow.

Gene Carr (1951–2023), former NHL player with the Kings, Rangers 

Gene Carr was an ice hockey forward in the NHL who played with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, and he was known for his friendship with Eagles frontman .

Dwight Twilley (1951–2023), I’m on Fire singer 

Dwight Twilley was a singer and songwriter who had power pop hits in the 1970s and ‘80s with the Dwight Twilley Band and as a solo artist.

Henry Boucha (1951–2023), Detroit Red Wings center 

Henry Boucha was a center in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars.

Fred Lewis (1951–2023), drummer for funk band Lakeside 

Fred Lewis was the drummer for the funk band Lakeside, known for their 1981 hit “Fantastic Voyage.” 

Bernie Marsden (1951–2023), Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter

Bernie Marsden was an English guitarist best known as a co-founder of the hard rock band Whitesnake. 

Treat Williams (1951–2023), star of Hair, Everwood

Treat Williams was an actor known for starring roles in such movies and TV shows as “Hair,” “Deep Rising,” and “Everwood.”

Tim Bachman (1951–2023), Bachman-Turner Overdrive founding guitarist 

Tim Bachman was a guitarist who co-founded the Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). 

John Regan (1951–2023), bassist for Peter Frampton

John Regan was a bass player who recorded and toured alongside Peter Frampton, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, and Ace Frehley.

Bobby Caldwell (1951–2023), What You Won’t Do for Love singer

Bobby Caldwell was a singer and songwriter known for music including the 1978 R&B hit “What You Won’t Do for Love.”

Gary Rossington (1951–2023), last surviving original Lynyrd Skynyrd member

Gary Rossington was a founding guitarist of the iconic Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, the last of the band’s original members to die.

John Adams (1951–2023), Cleveland Indians’ drumming superfan

John Adams was a Cleveland Indians (renamed the Guardians in 2021) superfan known for playing the bass drum at home games for decades.

James “Buster” Corley (1951–2023), co-founder of Dave & Buster’s 

James “Buster” Corley  was the co-founder of the Dave & Buster’s chain of restaurants with arcades.

Kirstie Alley (1951–2022), star of “Cheers,” “Veronica’s Closet”

Kirstie Alley was an actress who starred on TV in “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet” as well as in movies including “Look Who’s Talking” and “Drop Dead Gorgeous.”

Bí¶rje Salming (1951–2022), legendary Maple Leafs defenseman 

Bí¶rje Salming was a legendary defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs who was the first Swedish player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Greg Bear (1951–2022), sci-fi author and Comic-Con co-founder

Greg Bear was a science fiction author and a co-founder of the influential San Diego Comic-Con.

John Stearns (1951–2022), All-Star catcher for the Mets

John Stearns was a four-time All-Star catcher for the New York Mets in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Javier Marías (1951–2022), award-winning Spanish novelist

Javier Marías was a novelist considered by many to be the greatest living Spanish writer.

Anne Garrels (1951–2022), longtime NPR foreign correspondent  

Anne Garrels was a foreign correspondent for NPR who reported from the front lines of numerous conflicts.

Michael Henderson (1951–2022), R&B singer and Miles Davis’ bassist

Michael Henderson was a bassist in band as well as an R&B singer with hits including “Wide Receiver.”

Alec John Such (1951–2022), founding bassist for Bon Jovi

Alec John Such was the founding bassist of the chart-topping rock band Bon Jovi.

Ric Parnell (1951–2022), Spinal Tap drummer 

Ric Parnell was a rock drummer best known for playing Mick Shrimpton in the cult classic film “This Is Spinal Tap.”

Guy Lafleur (1951–2022), Montreal Canadiens legend 

Guy Lafleur was a legendary Hall of Fame winger for the Montreal Canadiens who helped the team win five Stanley Cup Championships.

Robin Herman (1951–2022), pioneering woman sports journalist

Robin Herman was a journalist who became one of the first two women allowed in locker rooms of a men’s professional sport to interview players.

Morgan Stevens (1951–2022), “Fame,” “Melrose Place” actor

Morgan Stevens was an actor known for TV roles including drama teacher David Reardon on “Fame.”

Billy Hinsche (1951–2021), longtime Beach Boys collaborator

Billy Hinsche was a musician who recorded and toured with the Beach Boys for many years.

Gavan O’Herlihy (1951–2021), played Chuck on “Happy Days”

Gavan O’Herlihy was an actor known for playing Chuck Cunningham in the first season of “Happy Days.”

Lizzie Bravo (1951–2021), Beatles fan who sang on “Across the Universe”

Lizzie Bravo was a Beatles fan who was invited by the band to sing backing vocals as they recorded “Across the Universe” in 1968.

Vivian Milligan (1951–2021), NJ pollution fighter from HBO's 'Mann v. Ford'

Vivian Milligan was a clean water activist who prominently fought for the cleanup of a New Jersey Superfund site.

Maki Kaji (1951–2021), “Father of Sudoku”

Maki Kaji was known as the “Father of Sudoku” for bringing the number puzzle to a worldwide audience through his magazine, Nikoli.

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas (1951–2021), founding member of Kool & the Gang

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas was one of the founding members of Kool & the Gang, playing saxophone and other instruments.

Rush Limbaugh (1951–2021), iconic conservative talk show host

Rush Limbaugh was a conservative radio talk show host known as one of the most iconic voices of the political right for more than 30 years.

Duke Bootee (1951–2021), influential rapper who co-wrote “The Message”

Duke Bootee , born Edward Fletcher, was an early rapper who co-wrote the influential hip-hop song “The Message,” performed by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Sylvain Sylvain (1951–2021), New York Dolls guitarist

Sylvain Sylvain was a co-founding member and rhythm gutiarist for the influential glam punk band the New York Dolls.

Nancy Darsch (1951–2020), one of the original WNBA coaches

Nancy Darsch was a women’s basketball coach who helped take USA Basketball to gold at the 1984 and 1996 Olympics and was one of the original WNBA coaches.

Ronald Bell (1951–2020), co-founder of Kool & the Gang

Ronald Bell was a musician who co-founded Kool & the Gang and wrote and composed songs including their 1980 No. 1 hit, “Celebration.”

Frankie Banali (1951–2020), Quiet Riot drummer    

Drummer for Quiet Riot’s classic hit-making line-up, Frankie Banali also played with W.A.S.P.