Levon Helm's Last Waltz

As the drummer and one of the lead singers for The Band, Levon Helm helped drive a roots rock revival that's still going strong today.

Larry Rosen (1940 - 2015), influential jazz producer

Larry Rosen, one of the most influential modern jazz producers who co-founded GRP Records with Dave Grusin, died Oct. 9 at his home in Park Ridge, New Jersey, according to The Washington Post. He was 75.

Roger Ailes (1940 - 2017), longtime Fox News chief

Roger Ailes, the longtime Fox News chief who built the company into a populist media powerhouse over two decades before resigning last year amid multiple sexual harassment allegations, died Thursday, May 18, 2017. He was 77.

Robert Michael Morris (1940–2017), character actor

Character actor starred on HBO’s “The Comeback”…

Stan Mikita (1940–2018), Chicago Blackhawks legend

NHL Hall of Famer is the Blackhawks all-time leading scorer.

Jackie Shane (1940–2019), pioneering transgender soul singer

Jackie Shane was a pioneering transgender soul singer who became a star in Toronto, Canada in the 1960s. She came back to prominence recently when record label Numero Group released an album of her singles and live recordings. The album was nominated for a Grammy for best historical album. Starting her music career in Nashville, she left for Canada to escape Jim Crow laws, packing nightclubs in Toronto. She abruptly left show business in 1971 to come back to the states and take care of her mother.

David Koch (1940–2019), industrialist who funded conservative politics

David Koch, an industrialist who funded conservative politics, died Friday, August 23, 2019, according to multiple news sources. He was 79.

Elsa Peretti (1940–2021), renowned jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co.

Elsa Peretti was an Italian jewelry designer whose notable pieces for Tiffany & Co. include her iconic “Bone Cuff” bracelet.

Mick Tingelhoff (1940–2021), Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer

Mick Tingelhoff was a center with the Minnesota Vikings in the 1960s and ‘70s and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Emilio Delgado (1940–2022), Luis on “Sesame Street” 

Emilio Delgado was best known for his role as the Fix-It-Shop owner Luis on the children’s television series “Sesame Street.”  

Taurean Blacque (1940–2022), "Hill Street Blues" costar

Taurean Blacque was an actor best known for his role as Detective Neal Washington on the acclaimed 1980s police drama "Hill Street Blues."

Bernard Shaw (1940–2022), original CNN chief anchor

Bernard Shaw was the first chief news anchor for CNN when the network launched in 1980.

Lenny Lipton (1940–2022), “Puff the Magic Dragon” lyricist

Lenny Lipton wrote the poem that became the lyrics to “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and he was a pioneer of 3D filmmaking.

Lucy Simon (1940–2022), Broadway composer and singer   

Lucy Simon  was an acclaimed Broadway composer and singer who sang with her sister Carly Simon as the Simon Sisters in the 1960s.

Zack Norman (1940–2024), Romancing the Stone actor 

Zack Norman was an actor, comedian, and producer who played an antiquities smuggler in “Romancing the Stone.” 

Pat Williams (1940–2024), co-founder of the Orlando Magic

Pat Williams was a longtime basketball executive who helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship and eventually became co-founder of the Orlando Magic.