Michaela DePrince (1995–2024), ballerina who danced with Beyonce

Michaela DePrince was a ballerina who rose from a war-torn childhood to become a rising international star of the dance world.

Jim Sasser (1936–2024), longtime U.S. senator from Tennessee 

Jim Sasser was a three-term U.S. senator from Tennessee who also served as ambassador to China under former President Bill Clinton.

Frankie Beverly (1946–2024), R&B singer and founder of Maze

Frankie Beverly was the frontman for the soul/funk band Maze, known for hits like “Can’t Get Over You” and “Back in Stride.” 

Sir Ian Wilmut (1944–2023), Dolly the cloned sheep co-creator

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut was a British embryologist who led the Roslin Institute team at the University of Edinburgh that cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996.

Charlie Robison (1964–2023), country singer and songwriter 

Charlie Robison was a Texas singer and songwriter whose country music singles included “I Want You Bad.” 

Diana Rigg (1938–2020), played Emma Peel in TV’s “The Avengers”

Diana Rigg was an actress best known for playing the tough, smart, and stylish spy Emma Peel in TV’s “The Avengers” from 1965 to 1968. Rigg also portrayed the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell, in “Game of Thrones.”

Robert McClelland (1929–2019), surgeon tried to save JFK

Robert McClelland was a surgeon who worked to save President John F. Kennedy after he was shot on November 22, 1963. McClelland was a young general surgeon at Dallas’ Parkland Memorial Hospital at the time, having served in the U.S. Air Force for two years before his residency there. When Kennedy was rushed to the hospital after being shot while traveling through downtown Dallas in his motorcade. McClelland, who was working with surgical residents when Kennedy was brought in, was called into surgery along with lead surgeon Malcolm Perry and Charles Baxter. The surgical team did all they could, but they were unable to save the president. Two days later, McClelland was part of the surgical team that tried to save the life of Kennedy’s assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, after he was shot by Jack Ruby. Later in McClelland’s career, he taught medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern, and he published the journal “Selected Readings in General Surgery” for about 30 years.

Lauren Bruner (1920–2019), one of the last survivors of Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona

Lauren Bruner was a U.S. Navy veteran who was aboard the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked on December 7, 1941.

Jeff Fenholt (1950–2019), original star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway

Jeff Fenholt starred in the original Broadway production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” playing the title role.

Daniel Johnston (1961–2019), influential quirky singer-songwriter

Kurt Cobain and Sonic Youth were fans of his music.

Sam Davis (1944–2019), member of 1970s Steelers dynasty

Sam Davis was a valuable member of the Pittsburgh Steelers 1970s NFL dynasty. He started at left guard, winning 4 super bowls with the legendary team. In 1976, Davis blocked for running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, helping them become the second pair of teammates in NFL history to each rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Davis retired after the 1979 season.

Len Wein (1948–2017), co-creator of Wolverine and the ‘All-New’ X-Men

His vision of a diverse super-team reflected the future of comics fandom.

Richard Kiel's Giant Legacy

Easily recognizable, thanks to his 7-foot-2 frame, Kiel enjoyed a long and fruitful career in Hollywood.