Bruce French (1945–2025), veteran actor known for Passions

Bruce French was a veteran actor of stage and screen best known for portraying Father Lonigan in over 400 episodes of the NBC daytime drama, “Passions.”

Arnold Díaz (1949–2023), Shame on You consumer watchdog

Arnold Díaz was a reporter and consumer watchdog whose news segments “Shame on You,” “Shame Shame Shame,” and “What a Shame” made him an icon in the New York City news scene and the bane of bad businesses everywhere.

Gina Lollobrigida (1927–2023), Italian film star of Hollywood's Golden Age

Gina Lollobrigida, one of the world's most renowned movie actresses of the 1950s and '60s, died Jan 16, according to authorities in her home country of Italy.

Hank Goldberg (1940–2022), longtime ESPN NFL reporter

Hank Goldberg was an NFL reporter for ESPN as well as a handicapping expert.

Jessie Lee Daniels (1963–2022), R&B singer with Force MDs

Jessie Lee Daniels was a singer with the R&B group Force MDs, known for their 1985 Top Ten hit “Tender Love.”

Deon Estus (1956–2021), bassist for Wham! and George Michael

Deon Estus was the bassist for Wham! and as well as a singer who had a solo hit with 1989’s “Heaven Help Me.”

Delia Fiallo (1924–2021), screenwriter known as the “Mother of Telenovelas”

Delia Fiallo was a Cuban-American romance novelist and screenwriter who wrote dozens of popular telenovelas for Latin American television.

Floyd Little (1942–2021), Denver Broncos legend

Floyd Little was a legendary running back for the Denver Broncos and a five-time Pro Bowler.

Roosevelt Taylor (1937–2020), former Bears All-Pro safety

Roosevelt “Rosey” Taylor was a former Bears All-Pro safety who helped lead the Chicago Bears to the 1963 NFL championship title.   

Bill Withers (1938–2020), legendary soul singer & songwriter

Bill Withers was a legendary and musician known for the hit songs “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Use Me.”

Damon Keith (1922–2019), federal judge promoted equality

Damon Keith was a federal judge with a long and prolific career, serving on the U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for more than 40 years. Presiding over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, Keith never retired, serving until his death at 96. His most notable decision was in a 1971 case regarding the Nixon Administration. Nixon's Justice Department was wiretapping people suspected of conspiring to bomb a CIA office, and they were doing it without court orders. Keith ordered them to cease wiretapping without warrants. The Justice Department appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld Keith's decision 8-0. Keith was also known for a 1971 order to desegregate schools in Pontiac, Michigan via bussing, as well as for upholding the affirmative action policy in the Detroit Police Department.

Neil Simon (1927–2018), “The Odd Couple” playwright

Neil Simon, one of the most popular and prolific playwrights and screenwriters of the second half of the 20th century, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, of complications from pneumonia, according to his publicist Bill Evans as reported by CNN. He was 91.

Fredo Santana (1990–2018), Chicago rapper and cousin of Chief Keef

Fredo Santana rapped about street life on Chicago's South Side.

Steve Julian (1958 - 2016), California radio host

Broadcaster Steve Julian, who served as the longtime morning edition host for Southern California’s National Public Radio affiliate 89.3 KPCC, died April 24, according to multiple news sources. He was 57. Julian died of complications of brain cancer, according to the radio station’s vice president of content, Melanie Sill. He was diagnosed with the cancer in November 2015. Since 2000, the smooth-voiced host provided listeners in Southern California with the news, traffic, and weather.

Will Smith (1981 - 2016), New Orleans Saints defensive end

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot to death Saturday night in New Orleans, according to ESPN.

Lee Reherman (1966 - 2016), American Gladiators star

Lee Reherman, the actor who played Hawk on the television series "American Gladiators," died Monday. He was 49.

Colin Welland (1934 - 2015), Chariots of Fire screenwriter

Colin Welland, the Academy Award-winning English screenwriter of "Chariots of Fire," died Nov. 3 at 81.