Gene Winfield (1927–2025), custom car designer for movies and TV

Gene Winfield was an icon of the custom car community whose designs were seen in such movies and TV shows as “Blade Runner,” “Star Trek,” and “Bewitched.”

Joey Molland (1947–2025), last surviving member of Badfinger

Joey Molland was an English guitarist and songwriter with Badfinger, who carried on the band for years after its other core members died.

John Lawlor (1941–2025), The Facts of Life actor

John Lawlor was a character actor best known for his sitcom roles in “Phyllis” and “The Facts of Life.” 

Marian Turski (1926–2025), Holocaust survivor and historian

Marian Turski was a Holocaust survivor who became an historian devoted to ensuring the world’s collective memory of the genocide does not fade.

Jim Guy Tucker (1943–2025), former Arkansas governor

Jim Guy Tucker served as governor of Arkansas in the years after Bill Clinton left the position for the presidency.

Tommy Hunt (1933–2025), Hall of Fame soul singer

Tommy Hunt was a soul singer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Flamingos, whose hits include “I Only Have Eyes for You.” 

Ken Flores (1996–2025), stand-up comedian

Ken Flores was a stand-up comedian and the creator of the Chicago comedy showcase LatinXL.

Mike Hynson (1942–2025), The Endless Summer surfer

Mike Hynson was a California surfer and surfboard designer who became a star of the scene in the 1960s when his adventures were captured in the 1966 documentary, “The Endless Summer.” 

Jerry T. Hodges Jr. (1925–2024), Tuskegee Airman

Jerry T. Hodges Jr. was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and one of the last remaining Tuskegee Airmen.

Jeff Baena (1977–2025), The Little Hours filmmaker

Jeff Baena was a screenwriter and director known for such movies as “I Heart Huckabees” and “The Little Hours,” as well as the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza.

Polly Allen Mellen (1924–2024), Vogue fashion editor

Polly Allen Mellen was the longtime fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, known for her deep influence on the fashion world.

Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024), celebrated poet and activist

Nikki Giovanni was an iconic poet of the 1960s and ‘70s Black Arts Movement who authored more than 30 books.

íngela ílvarez (1927–2024), singer who won a Latin Grammy at 95

íngela ílvarez was a Cuban singer and songwriter who won a Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2022, when she was 95 years old.

Merv Rettenmund (1943–2024), World Series champion

Merv Rettenmund was a 13-year veteran of Major League Baseball who won two World Series rings playing with two different 1970s dynasties – the powerhouse Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine – then a third coaching the 1990s Oakland Athletics. 

Mark Withers (1947–2024), actor in Dynasty, Stranger Things

Mark Withers was an actor best known for playing Ted Dinard in the first season of “Dynasty.” 

Leah Kunkel (1948–2024), singer and sister of Cass Elliot

Leah Kunkel was a singer, songwriter, member of The Coyote Sisters, and the younger sibling of “Mama” Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas.

Jodi Rell (1946–2024), former governor of Connecticut

M. Jodi Rell was the governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011.

Bruce Degen (1945–2024), The Magic School Bus illustrator

Bruce Degen was an artist and writer best known for illustrating dozens of books for young readers, including the beloved children’s book series “The Magic School Bus.”

Jeri Taylor (1938–2024), Star Trek writer and producer

Jeri Taylor was a television writer and producer best known for her work with “Star Trek,” including writing for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and co-creating “Star Trek: Voyager.” 

David Harris (1949–2024), played Cochise in The Warriors

David Harris was an actor best known for his performance as gang member Cochise in the cult classic 1979 film “The Warriors.” 

Ron Ely (1938–2024), Tarzan of the 1960s

Ron Ely was an actor best known for starring in the 1960s television show “Tarzan” and hosting the Miss America pageant.

Bobby Gill (1959–2024), NASCAR truck racer 

Bobby Gill was a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer known as a tough competitor on the track.

Johnny Neel (1954–2024), Allman Brothers keyboardist, songwriter

Johnny Neel was a keyboardist and songwriter best known for his work with the Dickey Betts Band and the Allman Brothers Band, co-writing the chart-topping “Good Clean Fun.” 

Dikembe Mutombo (1966–2024), Hall of Fame NBA shot-blocker

Dikembe Mutombo was an NBA star known for his towering height and his shot-blocking skills.

Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024), singer, songwriter and actor

Kris Kristofferson was a singer, songwriter, and actor whose writing helped reshape country music and whose successful jump into acting made him one of the 1970s’ biggest stars.

Bob Weatherwax (1941–2024), Lassie’s dog trainer

Bob Weatherwax was a dog trainer who, like his father, earned acclaim breeding and training the collies that portrayed Lassie.

Will Jennings (1944–2024), Oscar-winning My Heart Will Go On lyricist

Will Jennings was a lyricist who won Academy Awards for “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Up Where We Belong” by and Jennifer Warnes.

James Darren (1936–2024), actor in Gidget, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

James Darren was a singer and actor best known for his work in the “Gidget” movies, as well as his recurring roles in shows like “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “T.J. Hooker.” 

Mike Lynch (1965–2024), tech giant dubbed “Britain’s Bill Gates”

Mike Lynch was a businessman and entrepreneur who founded the tech company Autonomy, which he later sold for nearly $12 billion.

Gena Rowlands (1930–2024), A Woman Under the Influence star

Gena Rowlands was an actress known for roles in such films as “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980), both of which earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

Bob Tischler (1946–2024), former head writer on Saturday Night Live

Bob Tischler was a television writer and producer who produced four comedy albums before becoming the “Saturday Night Live” head writer in the early 1980s, helping champion Eddie Murphy’s rise to stardom.

Connie Chiume (1952–2024), Black Panther actress

Connie Chiume was a South African actress known for her performance as the tribal elder Zawavari in Marvel’s “Black Panther” and its sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Duane Thomas (1947–2024), Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champion 

Duane Thomas was an NFL running back and 1970 Rookie of the Year Award winner who played on the Dallas Cowboys’ first Super Bowl-winning team.

Robin Warren (1937–2024), discovered cause of gastric ulcers

Robin Warren was a pathologist and researcher who won the Nobel Prize for his work in uncovering the cause of peptic ulcers, rewriting our understanding of gut health in the process.

Sandy Posey (1944–2024), Born a Woman singer

Sandy Posey was a singer known for 1960s hits like “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl.” 

Ruth Westheimer (1928–2024), popular sex guru known as Dr. Ruth

Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a sex therapist who became a pop culture icon thanks to her TV and radio appearances.

Bill Cobbs (1934–2024), actor known for Night at the Museum

Bill Cobbs was an actor known for many of his nearly 200 roles on film and TV, including parts in “Night at the Museum,” “Demolition Man,” “The Bodyguard,” “The West Wing,” and "I’ll Fly Away.” 

Taylor Wily (1968–2024), star of Hawaii Five-0 reboot

Taylor Wily was a former UFC fighter and sumo wrestler who became an actor best known for starring in rebooted television shows like “Hawaii Five-0,” “MacGyver,” and “Magnum P.I.”

Patrick Gottsch (1953–2024), founder of RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel

Patrick Gottsch was a media executive who helped shine a spotlight on rural, western American life via RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel, both of which he founded.

Alan Scarfe (1946–2024), actor known for villainous roles

Alan Scarfe was a British Canadian actor known for his villainous roles in movies like “Lethal Weapon III” and “Double Impact,” as well as for his long run on the TV show, “Seven Days.” 

Richard M. Sherman (1928–2024), Oscar-winning Disney songwriter

Richard M. Sherman was a songwriter who, along with brother wrote beloved songs for Disney movies, including “It’s a Small World” and the Oscar-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” 

Rev. Bill Lawson (1928–2024), civil rights leader who worked with MLK

Rev. William “Bill” Lawson was a Houston civil rights leader who helped peacefully integrate his city and worked alongside

Joe Collier (1932–2024), creator of Broncos’ Orange Crush defense

Joe Collier was a longtime NFL coach best known for creating the Denver Broncos’ famed Orange Crush defense, helping lead them to three Super Bowls.

Ian Gelder (1949–2024), Game of Thrones actor 

Ian Gelder was a British actor best known for his performances in “Game of Thrones,” “Torchwood: Children of Earth,” and “Doctor Who.” 

Frank Wakefield (1934–2024), bluegrass mandolin virtuoso

Frank Wakefield was a bluegrass mandolinist and songwriter who innovated new techniques on his instrument.

Bob Cole (1933–2024), Hall of Fame hockey broadcaster

Bob Cole was a Hall of Fame hockey commentator who was a mainstay on Canadian NHL broadcasts for 50 years.

Joe Flaherty (1941–2024), actor in Freaks and Geeks, SCTV

Joe Flaherty was an original cast member of “SCTV” who went on to memorable roles in “Happy Gilmore” and “Freaks and Geeks.”

Dorie Ladner (1942–2024), Freedom Riders civil rights activist 

Dorie Ladner was a civil rights activist whose efforts included being arrested for attempting to have lunch at a segregated Woolworth lunch counter and jailed for picketing in the 1962 Jackson, Mississippi boycotts.

Michael Culver (1938–2024), Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back

Michael Culver was a British actor best known for playing the ill-fated Captain Needa in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and as a racist police inspector in 1984’s “A Passage to India.”