Died July

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.

Capt. Paul Bucha (1943–2024), Medal of Honor Recipient

Capt. Paul Bucha was a Vietnam War veteran who received the military’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his leadership during a battle against overwhelming odds in 1968. 

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.

Bobby Banas (1933–2024), actor and dancer in West Side Story

Bobby Banas was a dancer, actor, and choreographer known for his work in “West Side Story,” “Mary Poppins,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and other classic movie musicals.

Francine Pascal (1932–2024), Sweet Valley High creator

Francine Pascal was an author who helped revolutionize young adult literature with her popular “Sweet Valley High” series and its spinoffs.

Chino XL (1974–2024), rapper and actor

Chino XL , who once beefed with , was a New Jersey-based rapper and actor best known for his debut album, “Here to Save You All.” 

Kim Johnson (1944–2024), Survivor: Africa runner-up

Kim Johnson was a noted runner-up in “Survivor: Africa,” the 2001 third season of the popular reality competition TV show.

Erica Ash (1977–2024), MADtv and Survivor’s Remorse actress

Erica Ash was an actress best known for her comedy work in the Fox sketch comedy show “MADtv” and the Starz sitcom “Survivor’s Remorse.” 

Gail Lumet Buckley (1937–2024), author of Black family histories

Gail Lumet Buckley was an author and journalist whose work chronicled her family’s experiences from slavery to middle class America.

Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), Irish author of The Country Girls

Edna O’Brien was an Irish author whose acclaimed books included her groundbreaking 1960 debut novel, “The Country Girls.” 

The Nelons plane crash (2024) 

Seven people were killed in a Wyoming plane crash on Friday, July 26, 2024, including three members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame group the Nelons.

Martin Phillipps (1963–2024), of the New Zealand rock band the Chills

Martin Phillipps was a singer, songwriter and musician best known as the founder and leader of the New Zealand rock band the Chills.0

Lewis H. Lapham (1935–2024), longtime editor of Harper's Magazine

Lewis H. Lapham was a writer and editor best known for his long tenure as editor of Harper's Magazine, as well as for his own publication, Lapham’s Quarterly.0

Toumani Diabaté (1965–2024), influential West African musician

Toumani Diabaté was a Malian musician and composer best known for his innovative work on the kora, through which he blended traditional West African music with influences like jazz, flamenco, and others.

John Mayall (1933–2024), godfather of British blues

John Mayall was a British blues guitarist and bandleader who helped launch the careers of legends like Eric Clapton, , and Mick Taylor.

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

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

Mark Carnevale (1960–2024), PGA Tour golfer and commentator

Mark Carnevale was a professional golfer who won Rookie of the Year in 1992 after winning the Chattanooga Classic, and he later became a commentator for Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio.

Jerry Fuller (1938–2024), Travelin’ Man songwriter

Jerry Fuller was a singer and songwriter best known for his compositions for other artists, including Ricky Nelson’s “Travelin’ Man” and “Young Girl” for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.

Duke Fakir (1935–2024), last surviving founder of the Four Tops

Duke Fakir was a singer best known as the last surviving founder of legendary Motown group the Four Tops.

Jerry Miller (1943–2024), guitarist and co-founder of Moby Grape

Jerry Miller was a guitarist best known as one of the co-founders of ‘60s rock band Moby Grape, as well as the frontman of the Jerry Miller Band.

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.” 

Whitney Rydbeck (1945–2024), one of the original crash test dummies

Whitney Rydbeck was a film and television actor with a penchant for physical comedy, perhaps best known for portraying one of the original crash test dummies in a classic 1980s public safety campaign. 

Esta TerBlanche (1973–2024), All My Children star

Esta TerBlanche was a South African actress best known for playing Gillian Andrassy on “All My Children.” 

Sheila Jackson Lee (1950–2024), 30-year congresswoman from Texas

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a 30-year congresswoman from Texas best known for her advocacy of progressive causes.

Nguyá»…n Phíº Trọng (1944–2024), former president of Vietnam

Nguyá»…n Phíº Trọng was the president of Vietnam from 2018 to 2021 and the long-serving general secretary of the country’s ruling Communist Party.

Yvonne Furneaux (1926–2024), star of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita

Yvonne Furneaux was an actress who starred in classic films such as “La Dolce Vita” by Federico Fellini, “The Mummy,” co-starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and Roman Polanski’s “Repulsion.”

Abner Haynes (1937–2024), Kansas City Chiefs legend

Abner Haynes was a star running back who was the first-ever Player of the Year in the AFL and a Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame inductee.

Cheng Pei-Pei (1946–2024), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star

Cheng Pei-Pei was a Chinese-born actress and martial artist best known for her performances in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Come Drink with Me.” 

Lou Dobbs (1945–2024), television host and political commentator

Lou Dobbs was a television host and political commentator best known for his 30-year association with CNN and his decade with Fox Business Network, a tenure which came to an end when Dobbs was fired after promoting election conspiracies. 

Bob Newhart (1929–2024), star of The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart

Bob Newhart was the deadpan comedian and actor known best for starring in his self-titled sitcoms, "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart."

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.

Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942–2024), founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock

Bernice Johnson Reagon was a singer, band leader, and social activist best known for performing with two influential singing ensembles: the 1960s protest group The Freedom Singers and the Grammy-nominated a cappella troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Evan Wright (1964–2024), Generation Kill author 

Evan Wright was a writer and journalist whose work often explored dark themes, most notably in his 2004 book on the Iraq War, “Generation Kill,” which was adapted into an HBO miniseries.

Naomi Pomeroy (1974–2024), Top Chef Masters star

Naomi Pomeroy was a Portland, Oregon chef who founded the restaurant Beast and competed on cooking shows like “Iron Chef” and “Top Chef Masters.” 

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (1954–2024), WNBA coach & father of Kobe Bryant

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was a former NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers, a WBNA coach, and the father of NBA superstar . 

Maxine Singer (1931–2024), biologist who helped map DNA 

Maxine Singer was a molecular biologist who helped map DNA and led the debate about the ethics of genetic engineering.

Tessie Prevost Williams (1954–2024), pioneer of early desegregation

Tessie Prevost Williams was a pioneer of early desegregation who was among the first to attend integrated schools in New Orleans.

Jacoby Jones (1984–2024), former Baltimore Ravens receiver 

Jacoby Jones was a former NFL wide receiver and Pro-Bowl player who scored a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return touchdown with the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.

James Sikking (1934–2024), Hill Street Blues, Doogie Howser actor

James Sikking was an actor best known for playing Lt. Howard Hunter on “Hill Street Blues” and the father of show namesake “Doogie Howser, M.D.” 

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.

Alex Janvier (1935–2024), one of Canada’s most renowned artists

Alex Janvier was a First Nations Canadian painter whose merging of Indigenous influences and modern art made him one of Canada’s most prized artists.

Dave Loggins (1947–2024), Please Come to Boston singer-songwriter

Dave Loggins was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1974 soft rock hit “Please Come to Boston” and the theme song to the Masters Golf Tournament.

Monte Kiffin (1940–2024), innovative NFL defensive coordinator 

Monte Kiffin was an NFL coach for more than 50 years known as an innovative defensive coordinator and creator of the widely imitated “Tampa 2” defense.

Michael Zulli (1952–2024), artist known for The Sandman, Puma Blues

Michael Zulli was a comic artist best known for his work on Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed series “The Sandman,” as well as his independent book, “The Puma Blues.” 

Joe Engle (1932–2024), NASA astronaut and X-15 test pilot

Joe Engle was a pilot and NASA astronaut who was one of just 12 pilots to fly missions on the North American X-15, an experimental spaceplane.

Shelley Duvall (1949–2024), star of The Shining, Faerie Tale Theatre

Shelly Duvall was an actress known for standing out in the horror classic, “The Shining,” as well as for playing Olive Oyl in “Popeye,” supporting work in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” and her role in the Robert Altman favorite, “Nashville.” 

Joe Egan (1946–2024), Stuck in the Middle with You singer 

Joe Egan was a singer, songwriter and founding member of Stealers Wheel, best known for co-writing and singing the song, “Stuck in the Middle with You.” 

Joe Bonsall (1948–2024), 50-year member of The Oak Ridge Boys

Joe Bonsall was a singer and author who spent 50 years with the country music vocal group The Oak Ridge Boys.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (1934–2024), U.S. senator from Oklahoma

Sen. Jim Inhofe was a U.S. senator from Oklahoma for nearly three decades who served in public office in one form or another for nearly 60 years overall.