Born 1954

Sylvester Turner (1954–2025), freshman congressman from Texas

Sylvester Turner was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024, then briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Jill Jacobson (1954–2024), actress in Falcon Crest, Star Trek

Jill Jacobson was an actress known for roles in such TV shows as “Falcon Crest,” “The New Gidget,” and two versions of “Star Trek.” 

Tony Todd (1954–2024), star of Candyman films

Tony Todd was an actor best known for his starring roles in the “Candyman” and “Final Destination” film franchises.

Alex Salmond (1954–2024), former first minister of Scotland

Alex Salmond was the first minister of Scotland from 2007 through 2014, leading the country as it prepared to vote on a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

Johnny Neel (1954–2024), Allman Brothers keyboardist, songwriter

Johnny Neel was a keyboardist and songwriter best known for his work with the Dickey Betts Band and the Allman Brothers Band, co-writing the chart-topping “Good Clean Fun.” 

Ken Page (1954–2024), voice of Oogie Boogie

Ken Page was a cabaret singer and Broadway star known for playing Old Deuteronomy in “Cats,” as well as for his work in “Ain't Misbehavin'” and “The Wiz” and for voicing Oogie Boogie in the film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

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. 

Joe D'Alessandris (1954–2024), Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach

Joe D'Alessandris was a longtime NFL offensive line coach who had been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2017.

Roger Cook (1954–2024), This Old House landscaper

Roger Cook was a garden and landscape contractor featured on “This Old House” for decades.

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (1954–2024), WNBA coach & father of Kobe Bryant

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was a former NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers, a WBNA coach, and the father of NBA superstar . 

Tessie Prevost Williams (1954–2024), pioneer of early desegregation

Tessie Prevost Williams was a pioneer of early desegregation who was among the first to attend integrated schools in New Orleans.

Tom Kent (1954–2024), founder of the TKRN radio network

Tom Kent was a longtime radio host and former label executive who founded the TKRN radio network, which provides syndicated radio shows for over 600 stations.

Angela Bofill (1954–2024), This Time I’ll Be Sweeter singer

Angela Bofill was a Cuban-Puerto Rican singer known for ‘80s hits like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Too Tough,” “I’ll Try,” and “I’m On Your Side.”

Harry Roland (1954–2024), “The World Trade Center Man”

Harry Roland was a street orator whose rhyming reminders and remembrances of the attacks on 9/11 kept memories alive long after they occurred.

Phil Wiggins (1954–2024), iconic blues harmonica master

Phil Wiggins was a master of the blues harmonica known for his long musical partnership with guitarist/vocalist .

Jasper White (1954–2024), James Beard Award-winning Boston chef

Jasper White was a chef who helped put New England cuisine on the map as the owner of Jasper’s and Jasper White’s Summer Shack.

Keith LeBlanc (1954–2024), Grandmaster Flash, Nine Inch Nails drummer

Keith LeBlanc was a drummer whose work can be heard on early hip-hop records by The Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, as well as on tracks by such artists as Nine Inch Nails and R.E.M.

Cindy Morgan (1954–2023), Caddyshack, Tron star 

Cindy Morgan was an actress best known for her roles in the movies “Caddyshack” and “Tron.”

Scott Kempner (1954–2023), punk pioneer with the Dictators 

Scott Kempner was a New York guitarist and a founding member of the proto-punk band the Dictators, as well as the rock band the Del-Lords, known for his aggressive three-chord attack on the guitar.

Willie Hernández (1954–2023), Detroit Tigers MVP relief pitcher

Guillermo “Willie” Hernández was a relief pitcher who helped the Detroit Tigers to victory in the 1984 World Series.

Walter Davis (1954–2023), Olympic gold medal-winning NBA star

Walter Davis was a basketball star at the University of North Carolina who later had six All-Star NBA appearances and won an Olympic gold medal with the 1976 USA men’s basketball team.  

Jack Sonni (1954–2023), guitarist for Dire Straits

Jack Sonni was a musician and writer best known as the second guitarist for Dire Straits during their “Brothers in Arms” era.

George Frazier (1954–2023), Twins pitcher and Rockies broadcaster 

George Frazier was a Major League Baseball pitcher who helped the Minnesota Twins to victory at the 1987 World Series.

Jim Tweto (1954–2023), Flying Wild Alaska star 

Jim Tweto was a bush pilot who starred in the Discovery Channel reality series “Flying Wild Alaska.”

Lanny Poffo (1954–2023), WWE wrestler and Randy Savage’s brother

Lanny Poffo was a WWE wrestler known as “Leaping Lanny” and “The Genius,” as well as the younger brother of WWE legend and the son of wrestler .

Ashton Carter (1954–2022), former Defense Secretary under President Obama

Ashton Carter was the Defense Secretary under President Obama from 2015 until 2017.

Kevin Locke (1954–2022), Native American musician and hoop dancer

Kevin Locke was an acclaimed Native American musician and hoop dancer who worked to preserve native musical traditions.

Shinzo Abe (1954–2022), longtime Japanese prime minister

Shinzo Abe was the prime minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and 2012 to 2020, the country’s longest-serving prime minister.

Deborah McCrary (1954–2022), singer with the McCrary Sisters

Deborah McCrary was a singer with the Nashville gospel music quartet the McCrary Sisters.

Ray Liotta (1954–2022), “Goodfellas” star

Ray Liotta was an actor who starred as Henry Hill in “Goodfellas” and as Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams.”

George Pérez (1954–2022), comic book artist who rebooted Wonder Woman

George P érez was a comic book artist and writer known for his work on series including “Wonder Woman” and “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

Mike Hagerty (1954–2022), played Mr. Treeger on “Friends”

Mike Hagerty was an actor known for roles in TV shows including “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” and “Somebody Somewhere.”

John Clayton (1954–2022), former ESPN NFL reporter 

John Clayton was a longtime NFL reporter who was with ESPN for over 20 years.

Clark Gillies (1954–2022), New York Islanders legend

Clark Gillies was a legendary left winger for the New York Islanders team that won four straight Stanley Cup championships in the 1980s.

Lisa Brown (1954–2021), actress in “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns”

Lisa Brown was an actress best known for soap opera roles on “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns.”

Raymond T. Odierno (1954–2021), former U.S. Army chief of staff

Raymond T. Odierno was a U.S. Army general who helped shape the Iraq War and became the Army’s chief of staff.

Marilyn Golden (1954–2021), disability rights activist

Marilyn Golden was a disability activist who fought for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Gregg Leakes (1954–2021), businessman featured on “Real Housewives of Atlanta”

Gregg Leakes was a businessman who was the husband of NeNe Leakes, a star of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Mark Peel (1954–2021), Campanile chef who was a judge on “Top Chef”

Mark Peel was a celebrity chef who founded the Los Angeles restaurant Campanile and appeared on TV shows including “Top Chef” and “Hells’ Kitchen.”

John Paragon (1954–2021), played Jambi the Genie on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”

John Paragon was an actor who played Jambi the Genie on the 1980s cult classic children’s TV show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

Karla Burns (1954–2021), Tony-nominated singer and actress

Karla Burns was a singer and actress who became the first Black person to win England’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Award, for her performance in “Show Boat.”

John Davis (1954–2021), real Milli Vanilli singer

John Davis was one of the real vocalists behind Milli Vanilli including their 1989 hit "Girl You Know It's True."

Greg Steltenpohl (1954–2021), founder of Odwalla and Califia Farms

Greg Steltenpohl was an entrepreneur who founded the beverage companies Odwalla and Califia Farms.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler (1954–2021), former middleweight boxing champion

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a boxer who held the middleweight championship from 1980 to 1987.

Debra White Plume (1954–2020), Lakota activist at Wounded Knee and Standing Rock

Debra White Plume was a Lakota activist who was one of the leaders of the protests at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Steve Holland (1954–2020), Molly Hatchet guitarist

Steve Holland was a guitarist for the popular Southern rock band Molly Hatchet during their hit years. He was the last surviving original member of the band’s classic lineup.

Claudell Washington (1954–2020), former MLB outfielder

Claudell Washington was a longtime versatile MLB outfielder who was a two-time All-Star. 

Ed Schultz (1954 – 2018), broadcasting personality

Former host of "The Ed Show" on MSNBC…

Bennie Cunningham (1954 – 2018), former NFL tight end

Won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers…