Jerry Savelle (1946–2024), author and televangelist

Jerry Savelle was an author and televangelist who wrote over 70 books, spoke in over 3,000 churches and preached “prosperity gospel,” which says giving to religious causes will bring wealth back to the donor.

Clarence Gilyard Jr. (1955–2022), “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Die Hard” star

Clarence Gilyard Jr. was an actor known for starring roles in movies and TV shows including “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Matlock,” and “Die Hard.”

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.”

Mary Higgins Clark (1927–2020), bestselling author was the “Queen of Suspense”

Mary Higgins Clark was the prolific and best-selling “Queen of Suspense.” Her dozens of suspense novels include “A Stranger Is Watching,” “While My Pretty One Sleeps,” and “Loves Music, Loves to Dance.”  

Edward Aschoff (1985–2019), ESPN college football reporter

Edward Aschoff was a college football reporter for ESPN, working the sidelines for their TV and radio coverage for the last three seasons. In 2016, he and fellow ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg won first place for enterprise writing in the Football Writers Association of America's contest for their story on the role of race in college football. He was known at ESPN for his friendly personality and stylish suits. He passed away on his 34th birthday.

Dave Bartholomew (1918–2019), New Orleans music legend

Dave Bartholomew was one of the architects of rock and roll, partnering with Fats Domino on early rock classics including co-writing “Ain’t That a Shame.” The New Orleans trumpeter, band leader, producer, songwriter, and arranger was involved in many iconic songs including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Blueberry Hill,” “I’m Walking,” and “I Hear You Knocking.” Bartholomew was band leader for one of New Orleans premier R&B bands when he became an A&R man for Imperial Records. At Imperial, he brought in Fats Domino, working with him on combining R&B with big band, jazz, and country to create early rock and roll. Bartholomew was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Kate Spade (1962 – 2018), fashion designer

Known for her line of stylish handbags…

Bob Smith (1958 – 2018), groundbreaking gay comedian

First openly gay male comedian to star in his own HBO special…

James Hardy (1985 - 2017), Buffalo Bills wide receiver

Former wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills…

Masaya Nakamura (1925 - 2017), Father of Pac-Man

Masaya Nakamura, the founder of the video game company Namco who was also known as the Father of Pac-Man, died Jan. 22, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 91.

Caroline Aherne (1963 - 2016), The Royale Family actress

Caroline Aherne, an English comedian, actress, and writer, died of cancer July 2, 2016, at her home in Manchester, according to multiple news sources. She was 52.

Lemmy Kilmister (1945 - 2015), Motorhead frontman

Ian Fraser Kilmister, the gravelly voiced heavy metal musician known best simply as Lemmy, who led the band Motorhead for more than 40 years, died Dec. 28, 2015, after a short battle with a highly aggressive form of cancer, the band reported on its official Facebook page. He was 70.