Died January 2024

Shigeichi Negishi (1923–2024), inventor of karaoke 

Shigeichi Negishi was a Japanese engineer who invented the world’s first commercially available karaoke machine, the Sparko Box.

Ellen Gilchrist (1935–2024), National Book Award-winning author 

Ellen Gilchrist was an author who won a National Book Award in 1984 for her story collection, “Victory Over Japan.” 

Don Catlin (1938–2024), leader of anti-doping sports research 

Don Catlin was a researcher of sports doping and steroids who pioneered methods to identify new and previously undetected steroid use in athletes. 

Si Spiegel (1924–2024), WWII hero and artificial Xmas tree pioneer 

Si Spiegel was a World War II bomber pilot who flew missions over Berlin and became a pioneer in modernizing artificial Christmas trees after the war.

Robie Harris (1940–2024), frequently challenged children’s author 

Robie Harris was a children’s author whose books were often the target of challenges and bans.

Toni Stern (1944–2024), lyricist for Carole King

Toni Stern was a lyricist who worked with Carole King to write such songs as the No. 1 hit “It’s Too Late.” 

Adele Springsteen (1925–2024), Bruce Springsteen’s mother 

Adele Springsteen was the mother of singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen; she bought him his first guitar, served as his legal secretary, and was a fan favorite at concerts. 

Joe Madison (1949–2024), The Black Eagle radio host 

Joe Madison was a civil rights activist who hosted the SiriusXM radio talk show “Joe Madison the Black Eagle.” 

Terry Beasley (1950–2024), record-setting Auburn receiver

Terry Beasley was a record-setting receiver for the Auburn Tigers, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a former San Francisco 49er.

Dick Traum (1940–2024), champion of disabled athletes 

Dick Traum was a disabled athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate whose organization, Achilles International, pushed athletic events to provide wider access and resources to competitors with disabilities.

Hinton Battle (1956–2024), three-time Tony Award winner

Hinton Battle was a three-time Tony Award-winning stage performer whose performances in “Sophisticated Ladies,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” and “Miss Saigon” won wide acclaim, and he originated the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway production of “The Wiz.” 

Jean Carnahan (1933–2024), Missouri’s first female U.S. senator

Jean Carnahan represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate and was the former first lady of Missouri.

Melinda Wilson (1946–2024), wife of Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson

Melinda Wilson was a talent manager and the second wife of the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, helping Wilson sever ties with his controversial psychologist and business partner, Eugene Landy.0

Chita Rivera (1933–2024), Broadway star of West Side Story

Chita Rivera was a Broadway star who won two Tony Awards and originated such roles as Anita in “West Side Story” and Velma Kelly in “Chicago.”

Larry Taylor (1942–2024), most recent Medal of Honor recipient

Larry Taylor was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War who received the Medal of Honor in September 2023.

Margo Smith (1939–2024), 1970s country music star 

Margo Smith was a country singer and songwriter who had No. 1 hits with “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “It Only Hurts a Little While.” 

Jimy Williams (1943–2024), longtime MLB manager

Jimy Williams was a Major League Baseball manager and coach who led the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was Manager of the Year in 1999.

N. Scott Momaday (1934–2024), Pulitzer-winning Native American author

N. Scott Momaday was a Kiowa author, essayist, and poet whose novel, “House Made of Dawn,” won the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and helped spark the Native American Renaissance movement in literature.

Gerald McGinnis (1934–2024), inventor of the CPAP machine

Gerald E. “Jerry” McGinnis was a biomedical engineer who invented the CPAP machine and founded several medical technology companies, including Respironics and Lanz Medical Products.

Sandra Milo (1933–2024), star of Fellini’s 8½ 

Sandra Milo was an Italian actress best known for her roles in “8½” and “Juliet of the Spirits,” both of which won Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actress awards.

Rod Holcomb (1943–2024), TV director on ER, Lost 

Rod Holcomb was a TV director and producer who helmed the pilot and series finale of “ER,” along with dozens of other TV episodes.

Harry Connick Sr. (1926–2024), longtime New Orleans district attorney 

Harry Connick Sr. was the district attorney for Orleans Parish (New Orleans) from 1973 to 2003 and the father of musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. 

Roger Donlon (1934–2024), first Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient 

Roger Donlon was a U.S. Army veteran who was given the Medal of Honor for his valor in the Vietnam War.

Lance Larson (1940–2024), Olympic champ and record-holding swimmer

Lance Larson was an Olympic champion swimmer who was ultimately awarded a silver medal instead of gold in what is considered one of the most controversial calls in modern swimming history.

Herbert “Cowboy” Coward (1938–2024), Toothless Man in Deliverance

Herbert “Cowboy” Coward was an actor best known for his role as “Toothless Man” in the hit 1970s thriller, “Deliverance,” where he delivered the infamous “purty mouth” line.

Melanie (1947–2024), Brand New Key singer

Melanie was a folk singer and songwriter who had major hits in the 1970s with “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” and she was one of three women who performed solo acts at Woodstock.

Frank Farian (1941–2024), Milli Vanilli creator

Frank Farian was a German singer, songwriter, and record producer who created the hit pop acts Milli Vanilli and Boney M. 

Charles Osgood (1933–2024), longtime CBS News Sunday Morning host 

Charles Osgood was the host of “CBS News Sunday Morning” from 1994 to 2016 and the host of radio’s “The Osgood File” for close to 50 years.

Arno A. Penzias (1933–2024), Nobel winner for Big Bang theory 

Arno A. Penzias was a scientist who shared the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics for discoveries that helped prove the Big Bang theory. 

Ewa PodleÅ› (1952–2024), contralto with a three-octave range 

Ewa PodleÅ› was a Polish opera singer and contralto who was known for her powerful three-octave range and performances on stages across the world.

Nerene Virgin (1946–2024), star of Today’s Special 

Nerene Virgin was a Canadian actress and journalist who starred in the 1980s children’s TV show “Today’s Special.”

Gary Graham (1950–2024), star of Alien Nation, Star Trek: Enterprise

Gary Graham was an actor best known for co-starring on the television series “Alien Nation,” along with a half-dozen “Alien Nation” TV movies, as well as for his appearances on “Star Trek: Enterprise” as Soval, the Vulcan ambassador to Earth.

Dexter Scott King (1961–2024), Martin Luther King Jr.’s youngest son

Dexter Scott King was the younger son of and the chairman of the King Center for Nonviolent Change.0

Norman Jewison (1926–2024), In the Heat of the Night director

Norman Jewison was the acclaimed director of "In the Heat of the Night," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "The Hurricane," known for confronting his audiences with racism and other social issues during a career spanning more than 50 years.

David Gail (1965–2024), actor in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Port Charles 

David Gail was an actor best known for his roles in such TV shows as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Port Charles.” 

Luis Vasquez (1979–2024), singer and musician known as The Soft Moon 

Luis Vasquez was a singer, composer and musician known professionally as The Soft Moon, his dark wave music project.

David Emge (1946–2024), played Flyboy in Dawn of the Dead 

David Emge was an actor best known for playing Stephen “Flyboy” Andrews in the horror classic “Dawn of the Dead.”

Jack Burke Jr. (1923–2024), two-time major-winning golfer 

Jack “Jackie” Burke Jr. was a PGA Tour golfer and winner of both the Masters and PGA Championship in 1956 who won 16 PGA Tour events overall during his career.

Marlena Shaw (1942–2024), California Soul singer 

Marlena Shaw was a singer whose best-known songs included “California Soul” and “Woman of the Ghetto.” 

Mary Weiss (1948–2024), Leader of the Pack singer 

Mary Weiss was the lead singer of the 1960s teen girl group the Shangri-Las, who had hits with “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” and their enduring No. 1 hit, “Leader of the Pack.” 

Shawn Barber (1994–2024), world champion pole vaulter 

Shawnacy “Shawn” Barber was a Canadian pole vaulter who won his event in both the World Championships and Pam American Games in 2015.

Ronald Powell (1991–2024), 2010 All-American Bowl MVP

Ronald Powell was the 2010 All-American Bowl MVP and a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. 

Peter Schickele (1935–2024), composer known as P. D. Q. Bach

Peter Schickele was a composer and humorist best known for his comedic musical compositions, released under his persona, P. D. Q. Bach.

Dejan Milojević (1977–2024), Golden State Warriors assistant coach

Dejan Milojević was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and a former basketball star in Serbia, where he played for 15 years, winning three MVPs and three championships.

Roy Calne (1930–2024), pioneering organ transplant surgeon

Roy Calne was a British surgeon who specialized in organ transplants, working with the teams who conducted the first liver transplant, intestinal transplant, and several pioneering combined transplants.

Tisa Farrow (1951–2024), actress and model 

Tisa Farrow was a model and actress known for the 1978 crime drama “Fingers” and the horror film “Zombi 2,” as well as for being the sister of actress Mia Farrow.

Jo-El Sonnier (1946–2024), Grammy-winning Cajun musician

Jo-El Sonnier was a Cajun and country singer-songwriter known for “No More One More Time” and “Tear-Stained Letter.” 

Tom Shales (1944–2024), Pulitzer-winning TV critic

Tom Shales was a Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic who spent over 30 years with the Washington Post and was known for his sharp wit and cutting insights.

Lynne Marta (1945–2024), actress in Footloose, Days of Our Lives

Lynne Marta was an actress known for her performances in such movies and TV shows as “Footloose,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Love, American Style.”