Souleymane Cissé (1940–2025), acclaimed Malian filmmaker

Souleymane Cissé was a Malian filmmaker whose work, especially 1987’s “Yeelen,” has been cited as among the greatest-ever examples of African cinema.

Ramona Edelin (1945–2024), activist who coined the term African American

Ramona Edelin was an academic and civil rights activist who helped bring the term African American into widespread use. 

Robert Reid (1955–2024), Houston Rockets star in the 1980s

Robert Reid was a 13-year NBA veteran best known for his long tenure with the Houston Rockets, with whom he went to two NBA Finals.

Ewen MacIntosh (1973–2024), actor in U.K. version of The Office

Ewen MacIntosh was a British actor and comedian best known for playing Keith Bishop in the original British sitcom, “The Office.” 

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.

Richard Belzer (1944–2023), Law & Order: SVU costar 

Richard Belzer was an American comedian and actor best known for his role as detective John Munch in “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “Law & Order: SVU.”    

Gary Brooker (1945–2022), Procol Harum lead singer

Gary Brooker was a co-founder and lead vocalist of the classic progressive rock band Procol Harum known for their song “Whiter Shade of Pale.”

Charley Taylor (1941–2022), Hall of Fame wide receiver

Charley Taylor was a legendary Washington wide receiver who caught over 600 passes during his Hall of Fame career.  

Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski (1990–2022), “America’s Got Talent” star

Jane Marczewski was a singer known as “Nightbirde” who became a fan favorite after a stirring audition on “America’s Got Talent” while she was battling cancer.  

Lawrence Otis Graham (1961–2021), author who explored race in America

Lawrence Otis Graham was a lawyer and author whose examinations of race and privilege in America became best-sellers.

Bill Wright (1936–2021), first Black golfer to win a USGA title

Bill Wright was the first Black golfer to win a United States Golf Association (USGA) event, 1959’s Amateur Public Links Championship in Denver.

James Burke (2021), “O-o-h Child” singer with the Five Stairsteps

James Burke was a member of the Five Stairsteps, who had a hit in 1970 with “O-o-h Child.”

Dianna Ortiz (1958–2021), nun who survived kidnapping and founded anti-torture group

Dianna Ortiz was a Catholic nun who was abducted and tortured while serving as a missionary in Guatemala, and later foundedtheTorture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International(TASSC).

Arturo Di Modica (1941–2021), Wall Street’s “Charging Bull” sculptor

Arturo Di Modica was a sculptor known for his “Charging Bull,” which became a beloved landmark after he secretly placed it on Wall Street in the middle of the night.

Jens Nygaard Knudsen (2020), Lego minifigure creator

Jens Nygaard Knudsen was the creator of the beloved Lego minifigure. He designed the “Lego Man” or figures with no identifiable race and interchangeable limbs. The Lego figures were released to the public in 1978. Knudsen worked as a designer for Lego from 1968 until 2000, helping to create the popular Lego Castle and Lego Space designs.

Sy Sperling (2020), Hair Club for Men founder

Sy Sperling  was the founder of Hair Club for Men, a popular hair restoration company.

Pop Smoke (1999–2020), up and coming rapper

Pop Smoke  was an up and coming rapper known for his 2019 hit song “Welcome to the Party.” The track was mixed by ASAP Ferg, Meek Mill, Pusha T and others. A remix was done a few months after the original that featured Nicki Minaj. Pop Smoke was born Bashar Barakah Jackson in Brooklyn, New York. Pop Smoke’s debut mixtape “Meet the Woo” was released in July 2019. His second mixtape titled “Meet the Woo 2” was released on February 7.

Don Newcombe (1926–2019), former Dodgers great

Don Newcombe was a legendary pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers who was the first Black pitcher to start a World Series game during his rookie season in 1949, winning the Rookie of the Year award. Known for his rocket fastball, he helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title in 1955 with a 20-5 record. His best year was 1956, when he won the NL MVP award, leading the league with 27 wins. He was selected to four all-star teams during his career.

Karl Lagerfeld (1933 - 2019), iconic fashion designer

Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion icon who had been creative director at Chanel since 1983. He also served as creative director for Fendi since 1965, and he founded his own fashion line.

Christopher Wiggins (1931 - 2017), Swiss Family Robinson actor

Canadian character actor Christopher Wiggins, known for roles in "Friday's Curse" and "Swiss Family Robinson," died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. Wiggins, who had Alzheimer's disease, was 86. Born in Blackpool, England, in 1931, Wiggins was a banker before moving to Canada in 1952 and beginning his acting career. His early work included roles on 1950s television series "Folio" and "Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans." He won a 1969 best actor Canadian Film Award for his role in "The Best Damn Fiddler From Calabogie to Kaladar."

Larry Coryell (1943–2017), jazz guitarist

Texas-born jazz guitarist known as the Godfather of Fusion.

Umberto Eco (1932 - 2016), The Name of the Rose author

Umberto Eco, the Italian author of “The Name of the Rose,” died Feb. 19, 2016, of cancer, according to The Associated Press. He was 84.

Harper Lee (1926 - 2016), To Kill a Mockingbird author

Harper Lee, author of the classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," has died. She was 89.

The Stanley Kramer Century

Some of the most important movies of the 20th century owe their creation to filmmaker Stanley Kramer.

Johnny Paycheck's Rallying Cry

From his rough look to his rebel attitude, Johnny Paycheck embodied the outlaw country movement...