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.”

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.

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. 

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.

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.” 

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.

Ryan Smolkin (1973–2023), founder of Smoke's Poutinerie

Ryan Smolkin was a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and social media personality who founded the restaurant chain Smoke's Poutinerie, with over 100 locations in Canada.

Mark Russell (1932–2023), comedian and political satirist 

Joseph Marcus Ruslander , better known by his stage name, Mark Russell , built a career on piano-driven political comedy that provided sharp commentary on current events. His bow tie became part of his signature look, and his long series of PBS specials solidified him as one of the notable satirists of his day.

Grand Daddy I.U. (1968–2022), 1990s rapper and producer

Grand Daddy I.U. was a rapper and producer known for singles including “Something New” and “Sugar Free.”

Jimy Sohns (1946–2022), The Shadows of Knight “Gloria” singer

Jimy Sohns was the lead singer of the pioneering Chicago garage rock band The Shadows of Knight, known for their hit song “Gloria.”  

Rayfield Wright (1945–2022), NFL Hall of Famer with Dallas Cowboys

Rayfield Wright was an offensive tackle who went to five Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s.

Nakotah LaRance (1989–2020), actor and champion hoop dancer

Nakotah LaRance was a world-class hoop dancer who won nine world championships and brought the art to the world as a performer with Cirque du Soleil.

Kumiko Okae (1956–2020), Japanese voice actress in “Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew”

Kumiko Okae was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and TV host who was the voice of Jenny in the 2005 film “Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.”

Kobe Bryant (1978–2020), basketball legend

Kobe Bryant wasone of the greatest players to put on an NBA uniform.Bryant played all 20 of his seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA titles.Wearing his familiar number 24, the shooting guard was an 18-time All-Star and a two-time NBA finals MVP.An unstoppable scorer from outside and inside, he averaged 25 points a game in his career. Bryant was the NBA's fourth highest scorer of all time and the league's first guard to play 20 seasons. When he started with the Lakers in 1996, Bryant was the youngest person ever to play in an NBA game mdash he skipped college in favor of going pro, and he was just 17 when he signed with the Lakers and a little over 18 when he played his first game. Bryant won two gold medals for Team USA in the Olympics, in 2008 and 2012.

Dr. Bernard Fisher (1918–2019), pioneer of breast cancer treatment

Dr. Bernard Fisher was a surgeon whose research revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer.

Jim Leavelle (1920–2019), police officer was escorting Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot

James R. “Jim” Leavelle was a Dallas Police Department homicide detective who was escorting Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot by Jack Ruby. Oswald, who had assassinated President John F. Kennedy two days earlier, died shortly after the shooting. In the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of the moment Ruby shot Oswald, Leavelle is prominent, a tall man wearing a tan suit and Stetson hat, handcuffed to Oswald and reacting with shock. Leavelle later said that he had seen Ruby out of the corner of his eye and had tried to get Oswald behind him, but he was too late. Prior to his service with the Dallas Police Department, Leavelle had served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked in December 7, 1941. Leavelle retired from the police department in 1976 and went on to found a polygraph business.

Peter Thomson (1929 – 2018), Australian golfing legend

Five-time British Open champion…

Peter Wyngarde (1927–2018), stylish British actor inspired Austin Powers

Peter Wyngarde, stylish British actor who starred as playboy detective Jason King and inspired the look of Austin Powers, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, according to The Associated Press. He was 90.

Cortez Kennedy (1968 - 2017), Seattle Seahawks Hall of Famer

NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle played for Seattle…

Emilio Navaira (1962 - 2016), King of Tejano Music

Emilio Navaira, the American-born, Grammy-winning singer known as the King of Tejano Music, died Monday of a heart attack, according to multiple news sources. He was 53. Navaira, who charted nearly a dozen singles on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, over the course of his career, was found unconscious at his house, police in New Braunfels, Texas, said. His greatest country hit was 1995’s “It’s Not the End of the World," which rose as high as No. 27. His song “Por Siempre Unidos” made the top 10 the following year, peaking at No. 7 on Latin Pop Airplay.

Broadway legend Marian Seldes

The Tony Award-winning actress taught fellow actors Robin Williams and Kevin Kline.

A Dance with Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly's stunning talent and grace made him one of the greatest dancers of all time.