Chicago

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Ella Jenkins (1924–2024), first lady of children’s music

Ella Jenkins was a singer and songwriter who focused on creating music for children during her entire decades-long career.

Cat Glover (2024), Sign o' the Times dancer

Cat Glover was a singer, dancer and choreographer best known for her work with in the 1980s, most notably the “Sign o' the Times” concert film.

Ina Jaffe (1948–2024), longtime NPR correspondent

Ina Jaffe was a journalist and radio personality who, for 36 years as an investigative correspondent, had been one of NPR’s most recognizable and reliable voices.

Evelyn Thomas (1953–2024), disco singer known for High Energy

Evelyn Thomas was a singer best known for her 1984 dance club hit, “High Energy.” 

Martin Mull (1943–2024), comedic actor in Clue, Arrested Development

Martin Mull was a comedic actor known for roles such as Colonel Mustard in “Clue,” Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development,” Principal Willard Kraft on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and Leon Carp on “Roseanne.” 

Kinky Friedman (1944–2024), singer, humorist, and provocateur

Kinky Friedman was a singer, humorist, columnist, and all-around provocateur who led the band The Texas Jewboys and once ran for governor of Texas.

Spencer Milligan (1937–2024), dad Rick Marshall on Land of the Lost

Spencer Milligan was an actor best known for playing Rick Marshall, the park ranger and widowed father on the popular Saturday morning adventure show, “Land of the Lost.” 

Ann Lurie (1945–2024), nurse who became major philanthropist 

Ann Lurie was a nurse who became one of Chicago’s best known and most generous philanthropists.

Warren Winiarski (1928–2024) Napa Valley wine pioneer 

Warren Winiarski was a winemaker whose Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars helped put California’s Napa Valley on the world stage of winemaking.

Marian Robinson (1937–2024), mother of First Lady Michelle Obama

Marian Robinson was the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama and basketball executive Craig Robinson, instilling in both the importance of education. 

Steve Albini (1962–2024), uncompromising music producer

Steve Albini was a musician and music producer whose uncompromising beliefs and back-to-basics approach helped capture the sound of acts like Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Bush.

Bob Avellini (1953–2024), 1970s Chicago Bears quarterback

Bob Avellini was a quarterback for the Chicago Bears in the 1970s and early ‘80s who threw a famous pass that helped the team to the playoffs in 1977.

Ramona Fradon (1926–2024), trailblazing comic artist

Ramona Fradon was a trailblazing comic artist who was one of just two women artists working professionally in comics when she began, and who helped co-create characters like Metamorpho and Aqualad.

Richard Hunt (1935–2023), sculptor who reshaped public spaces

Richard Hunt was a Chicago-based sculptor whose work has reshaped public spaces with over 160 pieces displayed in 24 states, and who was called “one of the greatest artists [the city] has ever produced” by President Barack Obama.

George Cohon (1937–2023), founder of McDonald’s Canada

George Cohon was the founder of McDonald’s Canada who later brought the iconic hamburger chain to Russia.

Mars Williams (1955–2023), saxophonist for the Psychedelic Furs

Mars Williams was a rock and jazz saxophonist who played for the Psychedelic Furs and on the modern holiday classic “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses. 

Thierry Rautureau (2023), “The Chef in the Hat” 

Thierry Rautureau was a celebrity chef known for his Seattle restaurants and his appearances on “Top Chef Masters” and other TV shows.

Ida Applebroog (1929–2023), political multimedia artist 

Ida Applebroog was a multimedia artist whose work confronted gender, depression, sexual identity, mental health, and social politics. 

Dorothy Hoffner (1918–2023), record-breaking centenarian skydiver 

Dorothy Hoffner was a Chicago woman who set a world record when she went skydiving at the age of 104, just a week before her death.

Dick Butkus (1942–2023), Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker

Dick Butkus was a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears and an eight-time Pro Bowl player before becoming an actor, broadcaster, and philanthropist.

Sliman Bensmaia (1973–2023), pioneer of touch-enabled prosthetics

Sliman Bensmaia was a neuroscientist and leading expert on the sense of touch who developed technology that allows prosthetic limbs to sense temperature and touch in a realistic way.

DJ Casper (1965–2023), creator of Cha Cha Slide

Willie Perry Jr., better known as DJ Casper, was a Chicago disc jockey and songwriter best known as the creator of the party favorite “Cha Cha Slide.” 

Rocky Wirtz (1952–2023), Chicago Blackhawks owner 

Rocky Wirtz was the owner of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks since 2007.

Richard Barancik (1924–2023), last of the Monuments Men of WWII 

Richard Barancik was the last surviving member of the Monuments Men, a group of around 400 who worked to help protect, preserve, and return cultural items, art, and other significant artifacts affected by or stolen during World War II. 

Dick Biondi (1932–2023), Chicago DJ who played the Beatles first 

Dick Biondi was a legendary Chicago radio DJ who, in 1963, played the first Beatles song heard on U.S. radio.

Blackie Onassis (1965–2023), drummer for Urge Overkill 

Blackie Onassis was a drummer for Chicago-based alternative rock band Urge Overkill during their most successful period. 

Newton Minow (1926–2023), FCC chair under Kennedy

Newton Minow was a former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under President who is best known for his “vast wasteland” speech, which aimed pointed criticism at commercial television.

Chabelo (1935–2023), longtime star of Mexican television

Born Xavier López Rodríguez but better known by his stage name, Chabelo was an actor, comedian, and TV show host beloved by generations of viewers. His best known work was “En Familia con Chabelo,” a family variety show that ran from 1967 to 2015. The show’s 48-year run made Chabelo a well-known personality to multiple generations of Latin American families and a mainstay of Sunday morning television.

Greg Foster (1958–2023), world champion hurdler 

Greg Foster was an American hurdler. He is the only person to win three consecutive World Championship titles in the sport.

Bobby Hull (1939–2023), hockey Hall of Famer with the Black Hawks

Bobby Hull was a legendary Hall of Fame hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks.

Freddie Roulette (1939–2022), blues lap steel guitarist

Freddie Roulette was a blues musician known for his unusual use of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar.

Geraldine Hunt (1945–2022), “Can’t Fake the Feeling” singer

Geraldine Hunt was an R&B singer who had a disco hit in 1980 with “Can’t Fake the Feeling.”

Jim Post (1939–2022), “Reach out of the Darkness” singer

Jim Post was half of the duo Friend & Lover, known for their 1968 hit, “Reach out of the Darkness.”

Ramsey Lewis (1935–2022), Grammy-winning jazz pianist

Ramsey Lewis was a legendary jazz pianist who had a hit in 1965 with “The In Crowd.”

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

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

Sam Gooden (1934–2022), founding member of The Impressions

Sam Gooden was an original member and baritone voice for the legendary Chicago soul group The Impressions.   

Jimy Sohns (1946–2022), The Shadows of Knight “Gloria” singer

Jimy Sohns was the lead singer of the pioneering Chicago garage rock band The Shadows of Knight, known for their hit song “Gloria.”  

Mary Alice (1936–2022), “A Different World” and “Sparkle” actress 

Mary Alice was an actress who starred in the musical film “Sparkle” and won a Tony award for her performance in “Fences."

John Froines (1939–2022), Chicago Seven trial defendant

John Froines was one of the defendants at the notorious Chicago Seven trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention, as well as a chemist researching toxic substances.

Mike Hagerty (1954–2022), played Mr. Treeger on “Friends”

Mike Hagerty was an actor known for roles in TV shows including “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” and “Somebody Somewhere.”

Cynthia Albritton (1947–2022), artist known as Cynthia Plaster Caster

Cynthia Albritton was a pop artist known as Cynthia Plaster Caster for her casts of rock stars’ penises.

Hollis Resnik (1955–2022), Chicago actress known for “Les Misérables”

Hollis Resnik was one of the greats of the Chicago theater scene, who also had movie and TV roles.

Jimmy Johnson (1928–2022), legendary Chicago blues guitarist

Jimmy Johnson was a legendary Chicago blues and soul guitarist who played with B.B. King, Magic Sam, and Otis Clay.0

Sam Lay (1935–2022), legendary Chicago blues drummer

Sam Lay was a legendary Chicago blues drummer who played with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Betty White (1922–2021), beloved star of “The Golden Girls”

Betty White was a beloved American actress who starred in "The Golden Girls" and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”