Carole D’Andrea (1937–2025), West Side Story actress 

Carole D’Andrea was an actress who originated the role of Velma in “West Side Story” on Broadway, then also played her in the 1961 film adaptation.

Mort Künstler (1927–2025), acclaimed historical artist 

Mort Künstler was an artist best known for his pulp adventure work and paintings of significant historical events in American history, especially those of the Civil War.

Gene Barge (1926–2025), acclaimed saxophonist and producer 

Gene Barge was a saxophonist and producer whose talents crossed paths with generations of music icons, including Natalie Cole, Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Little Richard, and many more.

Francisco San Martin (1985–2025), Days of Our Lives actor

Francisco San Martin was an actor known for roles in such TV shows as “Days of Our Lives” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Bill McCartney (1940–2025), founder of the Promise Keepers 

Bill McCartney was a longtime football coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, leading the team to three straight Big Eight Conference titles, while forming the Promise Keepers ministry at the same time. 

Garth Hudson (1937–2025), last surviving member of The Band

Garth Hudson was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted keyboardist and the last surviving member of The Band.

Wayne Osmond (1951–2025), founding member of The Osmonds

Wayne Osmond was a founding member of The Osmond Brothers, the family singing group that later became The Osmonds.

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.

Rocky Colavito (1933–2024), Cleveland’s great MLB slugger

Rocky Colavito was a popular Major League Baseball player with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers in the 1950s and ‘60s, a six-time all-star who was one of the great sluggers of his era.

Marshall Brickman (1939–2024), Annie Hall and Jersey Boys cowriter

Marshall Brickman was a screenwriter best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Woody Allen, most notably the Best Picture-winning classic, 1977’s “Annie Hall,” for which the pair won an Oscar.

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.

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.”

Ella Jenkins (1924–2024), first lady of children’s music

Ella Jenkins was a singer and songwriter who focused on creating music for children during her entire decades-long career.

Madeleine Riffaud (1924–2024), French Resistance fighter

Madeleine Riffaud was a journalist and fighter with the French Resistance in World War II, refusing to bow to the Nazis despite capture and torture.

Joey Jay (1935–2024), first Little Leaguer to make the majors 

Joey Jay was the first Little League player to make the Major Leagues, winning 99 games over a 13-year MLB career.

Sarah Danser (1990–2024), Naked and Afraid star

Sarah Danser was a reality TV personality known for her appearances in several seasons of “Naked and Afraid” and its spin-off, “Naked and Afraid XL.”

Dr. Warren M. Washington (1936–2024), scholar and climate scientist

Dr. Warren M. Washington was an acclaimed climate scientist and scholar who advised six U.S. presidents on climate change and served as chair of the National Science Board.

Patti McGee (1945–2024), first female skateboarding champion

Patti McGee was the first woman to skateboard professionally and the first winner of the women’s division of the National Skateboard Championships.

Liam Payne (1993–2024), One Direction singer

Liam Payne was a singer and pop star best known for his time with the best-selling British group One Direction, one of the biggest boy bands of all time.

Ka (1972–2024), Brooklyn rapper and NYC firefighter 

Ka was a prolific Brooklyn-based rapper whose lyrically-rich albums earned him accolades, and who was also known for his two-decade career as an FDNY firefighter, where he rose to captain.

Abdul Salaam (1953–2024), famed New York Jets defenseman

Abdul Salaam was a defensive tackle for the N.Y. Jets in the 1980s, best known as part of the team’s feared and respected New York Sack Exchange foursome that included Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, and Joe Klecko.

Jay J. Armes (1932–2024), famous private investigator

Jay J. Armes was a private investigator from Texas who became famous thanks to his unusual cases, prosthetic hands, offbeat lifestyle, and action figure made in his likeness. 

Nelson DeMille (1943–2024), best-selling thriller author

Nelson DeMille was a best-selling author of thriller and suspense novels, best known for his John Corey and Joe Ryker series, published under the name Jack Cannon. 

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.” 

Betty A. Bridges (1941–2024), prolific actress and Todd Bridges’ mom

Betty A. Bridges was a teacher and actress known for guest spots on such TV shows as “Diff’rent Strokes,” on which she appeared alongside her son, Todd Bridges.

Johnny Gaudreau (1993–2024), All-Star NHL winger

Johnny Gaudreau was an All-Star winger in the NHL who played for nearly a decade with the Calgary Flames and most recently with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jon McBride (1943–2024), NASA astronaut and space shuttle pilot 

Jon McBride was a NASA astronaut, test pilot, and space shuttle pilot who flew the first-ever mission with seven people on board.

Shaun Martin (1978–2024), Snarky Puppy keyboardist

Shaun Martin was a seven-time Grammy Award winner as a keyboardist for the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy and music director and producer for gospel singer Kirk Franklin.

Capt. Paul Bucha (1943–2024), Medal of Honor Recipient

Capt. Paul Bucha was a Vietnam War veteran who received the military’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his leadership during a battle against overwhelming odds in 1968. 

Toumani Diabaté (1965–2024), influential West African musician

Toumani Diabaté was a Malian musician and composer best known for his innovative work on the kora, through which he blended traditional West African music with influences like jazz, flamenco, and others.

Evelyn Thomas (1953–2024), disco singer known for High Energy

Evelyn Thomas was a singer best known for her 1984 dance club hit, “High Energy.” 

Joe Engle (1932–2024), NASA astronaut and X-15 test pilot

Joe Engle was a pilot and NASA astronaut who was one of just 12 pilots to fly missions on the North American X-15, an experimental spaceplane.

Vic Seixas (1923–2024), mid-century tennis champ

Vic Seixas was a champion tennis player who won 15 Grand Slam titles and took victory in men’s singles at Wimbledon in 1953. 

Khyree Jackson (1999–2024), Minnesota Vikings rookie

Khyree Jackson was a former college football player about to make his professional debut as a cornerback with the Minnesota Vikings.

Martin Mull (1943–2024), comedic actor in Clue, Arrested Development

Martin Mull was a comedic actor known for roles such as Colonel Mustard in “Clue,” Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development,” Principal Willard Kraft on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and Leon Carp on “Roseanne.” 

Jewel Brown (1937–2024), Houston jazz legend

Jewel Brown was a Houston jazz legend who for years performed with the band of jazz icon Louis Armstrong.

Shifty Shellshock (1974–2024), Crazy Town lead singer

Seth Binzer , better known as Shifty Shellshock , was the lead singer for the rap-rock band Crazy Town, known for their hit, “Butterfly.” 

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.

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.

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.

Parnelli Jones (1933–2024), 1963 Indy 500 winner

Parnelli Jones was a racing driver who won the 1963 Indianapolis 500 and was a two-time champion at the Baja 1000 desert race.

Johnny Wactor (1986–2024), General Hospital actor

Johnny Wactor was an actor best known for his performance as Brando Corbin in “General Hospital” beginning in 2020.

C. Gordon Bell (1934–2024), helped bring computers into homes

C. Gordon Bell was an electrical engineer who worked on some of the world’s first small-profile computers and, as a result, helped usher in the era of the home PC.

Richard Foronjy (1937–2024), real crook turned actor 

Richard Foronjy was a former criminal and prison inmate at Sing Sing and Attica who became a character actor, playing cops and criminals in films like “Carlito’s Way,” “Serpico,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” and “Repo Man.” 

John Koerner (1938–2024), blues guitarist who mentored Bob Dylan

“Spider” John Koerner was a blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who enjoyed a six-decade career and ably mentored a young Bob Dylan.

Don Perlin (1929–2024), co-creator of Marvel’s Moon Knight

Don Perlin was a longtime comic book artist on comics like “The Defenders,” “Werewolf by Night,” and “Ghost Rider,” who is best known as the co-creator of Moon Knight and Valiant’s Bloodshot.

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.

Bob Avellini (1953–2024), 1970s Chicago Bears quarterback

Bob Avellini was a quarterback for the Chicago Bears in the 1970s and early ‘80s who threw a famous pass that helped the team to the playoffs in 1977.

Marla Adams (1938–2024), longtime Young and the Restless star

Marla Adams was an actress best known for her Emmy winning-portrayal of the manipulative Dina Abbott Mergeron on daytime soap the “Young and the Restless,” a role she played on and off for five decades.