Born December

Wings Hauser (1947–2025), Vice Squad actor

Wings Hauser was a character actor whose many roles spanned decades and included parts in “Vice Squad,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Roseanne,” and many other productions.

Gwen McCrae (1943–2025), Rockin’ Chair singer 

Gwen McCrae was a soul, funk, and disco singer best known for her 1975 hit, “Rockin’ Chair.” 

Lynne Marie Stewart (1946–2025), Miss Yvonne on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse 

Lynne Marie Stewart was a veteran actress known for playing Miss Yvonne on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and Charlie’s mother on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” 

Jerry Butler (1939–2025), first leader of The Impressions

Jerry “Iceman” Butler was the original lead singer for The Impressions, who went on to a successful solo career and later became a Chicago politician.0

Howard Twilley (1943–2025), Miami Dolphins wide receiver

Howard Twilley was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins for 11 seasons, including the team’s 1972 perfect season.

Aga Khan IV (1936–2025), spiritual leader, magnate, and philanthropist

The Aga Khan IV was the spiritual leader of the Isma'ili branch of Shia Islam, a billionaire philanthropist who helped build homes, hospitals and schools throughout the world.

John Erwin (1936–2024), voice of He-Man

John Erwin was an actor who voiced He-Man and Morris the Cat, among many other roles.

Marianne Faithfull (1946–2025), As Tears Go By singer

Marianne Faithfull was a singer and actress who became a pop icon in the 1960s thanks to a string of successful singles and movies, as well as a romance with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

Loretta Ford (1920–2025), pioneering nurse practitioner

Loretta Ford was a nurse who co-founded the first nurse practitioner program in the United States.

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.

Buck White (1930–2025), country musician with The Whites

Buck White was a Grand Ole Opry member and the patriarch of the family group The Whites. 

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024), MLB’s all-time stolen base leader

Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer who still holds the records for most runs and most stolen bases more than 20 years after his retirement.

Rodessa Barrett Porter (1930–2024), gospel music great

Rodessa Barrett Porter was the last surviving member of the beloved gospel trio The Barrett Sisters.

Israel Vázquez (1977–2024), three-time world champion boxer

Israel Vázquez was a Mexican boxer nicknamed "El Magnifico" whose three world championships and rivalry with Rafael Márquez made him one of Mexico’s most beloved boxers.

Mary McGee (1936–2024), pioneering motorcycle racer

Mary McGee was one of the first women to race motorcycles, profiled in the recent ESPN documentary, “Motorcycle Mary.” 

Bob Bryar (1979–2024), former My Chemical Romance drummer

Bob Bryar was the former drummer for My Chemical Romance, including on their hit 2006 album “The Black Parade.” 

Peter Sinfield (1943–2024), co-founder of King Crimson

Peter Sinfield was a poet and songwriter best known as co-founder and lyricist for influential progressive rock band King Crimson, penning the lyrics on their acclaimed debut LP, “In the Court of the Crimson King.” 

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.

Al Ferrara (1939–2024), L.A. Dodgers outfielder

Al Ferrara was Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds in the 1960s and ‘70s.0

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.

Bobby Allison (1937–2024), NASCAR Hall of Fame driver

Bobby Allison was a NASCAR Hall of Fame racecar driver whose triumphs include 85 Winston Cup victories and three Daytona 500 wins over the course of his decades-long career.

Ben Baldanza (1961–2024), former Spirit Airlines CEO

Ben Baldanza was the former president and CEO of Spirit Airlines, best known for helping pioneer the budget airline model.

Teri Garr (1944–2024), Oscar nominee for Tootsie

Teri Garr was an actress known for roles in such movies as “Tootsie,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Mr. Mom,” and many more.

Bill Hay (1935–2024), NHL Hall of Famer for Chicago Black Hawks

Bill Hay was a Hall of Fame hockey player best known for his eight seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks, including winning the NHL’s rookie of the year prize in 1960. 

Rick Nolan (1943–2024), former U.S. congressman from Minnesota

Rick Nolan represented Minnesota as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981 and again from 2013 to 2019.

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.

Toni Vaz (1922–2024), NAACP Image Award creator

Toni Vaz was an actress and the first Black stuntwoman in Hollywood, best known for being the creator of the NAACP Image Awards.

Tim Johnson (1946–2024), longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota

Tim Johnson was a longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota who was the last Democrat to win statewide election in the state.

Lily Ebert (1923–2024), Holocaust survivor and author

Lily Ebert was a Holocaust survivor and author who became a social media sensation when she took her quest to find the soldier who rescued her from a concentration camp to TikTok.

Sammy Basso (1995–2024), progeria advocate and biologist

Sammy Basso was one of the oldest known people with the premature aging disease progeria, and he worked to find a cure for his own affliction. 

Greg Landry (1946–2024), Detroit Lions Pro Bowl QB

Greg Landry was a quarterback for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, and Chicago Bears in the 1960s through ‘80s.

Billy Shaw (1938–2024), eight-time AFL All-Star football player

Billy Shaw was a star guard for the Buffalo Bills who made the AFL All-Star squad eight times and won back-to-back AFL championships with the team.

John Amos (1939–2024), star of Good Times and Roots

John Amos was an actor known for his starring roles in such popular shows and movies as “Good Times,” “Roots,” and “Coming to America.”

Maggie Smith (1934–2024), star of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter

Maggie Smith was an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-winning actress known for roles in “Downton Abbey” and the “Harry Potter” series, along with dozens of other notable movies, television shows, and stage performances.

Billy Edd Wheeler (1932–2024), co-writer of the country hit Jackson

Billy Edd Wheeler was a songwriter and author whose work earned him induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, best known for “Jackson,” the Grammy Award-winning single by and .

Chad McQueen (1960–2024), Karate Kid actor, son of Steve McQueen

Chad McQueen was an actor and race car driver best known for his work in “Karate Kid” and for being the son of movie star .

Frankie Beverly (1946–2024), R&B singer and founder of Maze

Frankie Beverly was the frontman for the soul/funk band Maze, known for hits like “Can’t Get Over You” and “Back in Stride.” 

John Cassaday (1971–2024), noted X-Men, Planetary comic book artist

John Cassaday was a comic book artist best known for his work with Joss Whedon on “Astonishing X-Men" and as the co-creator of “Planetary.” 

Screamin’ Scott Simon (1948–2024), Sha Na Na pianist

Screamin’ Scott Simon was a pianist best known for his decades of work with the popular doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na, with whom he performed from 1970 to 2022.

Steve Silberman (1957–2024), science writer and autism activist

Steve Silberman was an acclaimed author known for his award-winning science writing, musings on the music of the Grateful Dead, and acclaimed advocacy for the autistic and neurodivergent community. 

Sid Eudy (1960–2024), 1990s WWF wrestling star

Sid Eudy was a 1990s wrestling star and former champion with the WCW and WWF (now the WWE) best known as “Sycho Sid” and “Sid Vicious.” 

Jack Russell (1960–2024), lead singer for Great White

Jack Russell was a rock singer and musician best known as the co-founder and frontman of Great White, who had a big hit with their cover of Ian Hunter’s “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” 

Gail Lumet Buckley (1937–2024), author of Black family histories

Gail Lumet Buckley was an author and journalist whose work chronicled her family’s experiences from slavery to middle class America.

Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), Irish author of The Country Girls

Edna O’Brien was an Irish author whose acclaimed books included her groundbreaking 1960 debut novel, “The Country Girls.” 

Duke Fakir (1935–2024), last surviving founder of the Four Tops

Duke Fakir was a singer best known as the last surviving founder of legendary Motown group the Four Tops.

Evan Wright (1964–2024), Generation Kill author 

Evan Wright was a writer and journalist whose work often explored dark themes, most notably in his 2004 book on the Iraq War, “Generation Kill,” which was adapted into an HBO miniseries.

Michael Zulli (1952–2024), artist known for The Sandman, Puma Blues

Michael Zulli was a comic artist best known for his work on Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed series “The Sandman,” as well as his independent book, “The Puma Blues.” 

Tony Mordente (1935–2024), original West Side Story cast member

Tony Mordente was an actor in the original cast of “West Side Story,” the ex-husband of Broadway star , and a longtime television director.

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.”