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.

Khyree Jackson (1999–2024), Minnesota Vikings rookie

Khyree Jackson was a former college football player about to make his professional debut as a cornerback with the Minnesota Vikings.

Jimmy Weldon (1923–2023), voice of Yakky Doodle duck 

Jimmy Weldon was a longtime ventriloquist, best known for voicing Hanna-Barbera's cartoon duck, Yakky Doodle, and for his puppet character, Webster Webfoot.

Peter Nero (1934–2023), Grammy-winning Philly Pops conductor 

Peter Nero was a Grammy Award-winning pianist, well-known as the conductor of Philly Pops for more than three decades and often interpreting popular music through jazz and classical styles.

Jeffrey Carlson (1975–2023), All My Children star 

Jeffrey Carlson was an award-winning stage actor, known for playing the trans character Zoe on the long-running soap opera “All My Children.” 

Johnie Cooks (1958–2023), Super Bowl champ with the Giants 

Johnie Cooks was a Mississippi State University football legend and won Super Bowl XXV as a linebacker with the New York Giants.

Norah Vincent (1968–2022), bestselling author of “Self-Made Man”

Norah Vincent was an author known for her bestselling book “Self-Made Man,” detailing a year and a half when she lived disguised as a man.

James Caan (1940–2022), legendary actor starred in “The Godfather”

James Caan was a longtime Hollywood star known for “The Godfather,” “Brian’s Song,” and “Misery.”

Suzzanne Douglas (1957–2021), actress known for “The Parent ‘Hood,” “Tap”

Suzzanne Douglas was an actress known for roles in TV shows and movies including “The Parent ‘Hood,” “Tap,” and “When Stella Got Her Groove Back.”

Joe Porcaro (1930–2020), jazz drummer who played with his sons’ band, Toto

Joe Porcaro was a drummer who recorded with decades of musical superstars and contributed percussion to his sons’ band, Toto, including on their hit song “Africa.”

Charlie Daniels (1936–2020), “Devil Went Down to Georgia” singer

Charlie Daniels was the legendary country rocker known for the hit song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”  

Ennio Morricone (1928–2020), Oscar-winning composer of movie soundtracks

Ennio Morricone was an Oscar-winning composer of movie soundtracks whose iconic music was the backdrop to films including “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

Mandla Maseko (1988–2019), South African scheduled to be first black African in space

South African Air Force member Mandla Maseko was poised to become the first black African in space.

Cameron Boyce (1999–2019), star of Disney's "Descendants"

Cameron Boyce was best known for starring as Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil, in the Disney Channel franchise "Descendants."

Joao Gilberto (1931–2019), “father of Bossa Nova”

The Brazilian guitarist partnered with Stan Getz on hit records in the 1960s.

Joan Lee (1922–2017), wife of Marvel icon Stan Lee

The wife of Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee for 69-plus years…

10 Things To Know About Louis Armstrong

He's one of the greatest musicians this world has ever seen: Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans-born trumpet player and singer, who died July 6, 1971, was an entertainer who possessed a unique voice and playing style that's still imitated today. During Armstrong's lifetime, only one of his recordings ever reached the No. 1 Billboard spot in the U.S.: his 1964 cover of "Hello, Dolly," which pushed the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" from the top spot on the Hot 100 chart. Since his death, Armstrong's recordings have enjoyed great popular success, especially his cover of "What a Wonderful World."

Buddy Ebsen, Hoofer at Heart

Buddy Ebsen became famous as an actor, but his first love was dancing.

Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys

When Roy Rogers began his movie career in the 1930s, the cowboy was achieving new fame on the silver screen—and he became one of the most famous of them all.