Died September 2021

Gavan O’Herlihy (1951–2021), played Chuck on “Happy Days”

Gavan O’Herlihy was an actor known for playing Chuck Cunningham in the first season of “Happy Days.”

RIP: Who We Lost in September 2021

Join us in a look back at some of the most notable lives that ended in September 2021.

Dottie Dodgion (1929–2021), pioneering jazz drummer

Dottie Dodgion was a drummer who worked with jazz icons including and .

Charles Cummings (1930–2021), Easy-Bake Mini-Wave Oven inventor

Charles Cummings was a toy inventor who created the Baby Alive doll and the Easy-Bake Mini-Wave Oven.

Juli Reding (1935–2021), actress known for “Tormented”

Juli Reding was an actress known for movies and TV shows including the 1960 horror film “Tormented.”

Tom Carroll (1936–2021), youngest Yankee ever to play in a World Series

Tom Carroll was the youngest New York Yankee ever to play in a World Series, and the second youngest World Series player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.

Myron Dewey (1972–2021), filmmaker known for covering Standing Rock protests

Myron Dewey was a documentary filmmaker who covered the protests at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, including directing “Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock.”

Eiichi Yamamoto (1940–2021), anime pioneer known for “Belladonna of Sadness”

Eiichi Yamamoto was a Japanese amine pioneer who directed and co-wrote classics of the genre including "Belladonna of Sadness," “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.”

Armando “Chick” Galella (1921–2021), Pearl Harbor survivor

Armando “Chick” Galella was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and later worked to honor the military personnel who died there.

Marilyn Golden (1954–2021), disability rights activist

Marilyn Golden was a disability activist who fought for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Michael Tylo (1948–2021), soap opera star known for “Guiding Light”

Michael Tylo was a soap opera star known for his performances on “Guiding Light” and other shows.

Tommy Kirk (1941–2021), "Old Yeller" star

Tommy Kirk was an actor best known for starring in Disney films such as "The Shaggy Dog" and in beach party movies.

Mel Thompson (2021), YouTube beauty influencer

Mel Thompson was a makeup artist and a beauty influencer on YouTube and Instagram.

Dr. Lonnie Smith (1942–2021), Hammond organ virtuoso and jazz master

Dr. Lonnie Smith was a Hammond organist known for his jazz and soul jazz music.

Sue Thompson (1925–2021), singer known for “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)”

Sue Thompson was a singer known for 1960s songs including “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” and “Norman.”

Freddie Fu (1950–2021), pioneer in knee surgery

Dr. Freddie Fu was an orthopaedic surgeon who pioneered new techniques for more successful ACL repair surgery.

Andrea Martin (1972–2021), R&B singer and songwriter

Andrea Martin was an R&B singer and songwriter who wrote hits for artists including Toni Braxton, Monica, and En Vogue.

George Frayne IV (1944–2021), Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen frontman

George Frayne IV was a singer and pianist, the frontman for country rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

Walter Scott Jr. (1931–2021), billionaire businessman and philanthropist

Walter Scott Jr. was a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, the CEO of Peter Kiewit Sons Inc.

Montana Amtrak Derailment Victims (2021)

At least three people died when an Amtrak train derailed in Montana on Saturday, September 25. At least 50 others were injured, with seven hospitalized.

Roberto Roena (1940–2021), legendary salsa percussionist

Roberto Roena was a Puerto Rican salsa percussionist known for his work with legendary bands including El Gran Combo and Fania All Stars.

Penny Harrington (1942–2021), pioneering female police chief

Penny Harrington was the chief of the Portland, Oregon Police Bureau in the mid-1980s, becoming the first woman to lead a major U.S. city’s police department.

Pee Wee Ellis (1941–2021), bandleader for James Brown, Van Morrison

Pee Wee Ellis was a saxophone player who led and Van Morrison’s bands as well as co-writing songs such as “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

Melvin Van Peebles (1932–2021), influential actor and filmmaker

Melvin Van Peebles was an actor and filmmaker best known for his influential 1971 film, “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.”

Peter Palmer (1931–2021), star of “Li’l Abner”

Peter Palmer was an actor who starred in the title role of “Li’l Abner,” both on Broadway and in the 1959 movie adaptation.

Willie Garson (1964–2021), “Sex and the City” star

Willie Garson was an actor best known for playing Stanford Blatch on “Sex and the City.”

Tim Donnelly (1944–2021), actor known for “Emergency!”

Tim Donnelly was an actor best known for playing fireman Chet Kelly in the 1970s TV drama “Emergency!”

Leonard “Doc” Gibbs (1948–2021), celebrated percussionist and “Emeril Live” bandleader

Leonard “Doc” Gibbs was a master percussionist known for his time as the leader of the house band on “Emeril Live.”

George Holliday (2021), videotaped L.A. police beating Rodney King

George Holliday was a plumber who videotaped the 1991 police beating of that led to riots in Los Angeles.

Sarah Dash (1945–2021), singer who co-founded Labelle

Sarah Dash was a singer who was a founding member of Labelle, best known for their 1974 hit “Lady Marmalade.”

Clive Sinclair (1940–2021), personal computing pioneer

Clive Sinclair was an English inventor who helped revolutionize the computer industry with his creation of the first home computer available for less than $200.

Fred Dakota (1937–2021), Native American casino pioneer

Fred Dakota was a businessman who founded the first full-scale Native American casino in the United States.

Anthony “A.J.” Johnson (1966–2021), actor known for “Friday,” “House Party”

Anthony “A.J.” Johnson was an actor and comedian known for roles in movies including “Friday” and “House Party.”

Roger Brown (1937–2021), NFL star with the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome”

Roger Brown was a defensive tackle and six-time Pro Bowler with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams in the 1960s.

Joan Washington (1946–2021), Hollywood dialect coach

Joan Washington was a dialect coach who worked with stars including Penelope Cruz and Jessica Chastain.

Jane Powell (1929–2021), star of Hollywood’s Golden Age musicals

Jane Powell was an actress and singer who starred in musicals of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

Reuben Klamer (1922–2021), creator of the Game of Life

Reuben Klamer was a toy and game inventor who created the Game of Life for Milton Bradley.

Norm Macdonald (1959–2021), comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” star

Norm Macdonald was a comedian who anchored “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” for several years in the 1990s.

Parys Haralson (1984–2021), NFL linebacker

Parys Haralson was an NFL linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints.

Ruth Olay (1924–2021), jazz singer of the 1950s and ‘60s

Ruth Olay was a jazz singer who worked with notable musicians including and .

George Wein (1925–2021), Newport Jazz Festival founder

George Wein was a jazz impresario who founded the groundbreaking Newport Jazz Festival.

Don Collier (1928–2021), actor known for “The High Chaparral,” “Outlaws”

Don Collier was an actor known for roles in Westerns, including “The High Chaparral” and “Outlaws.”

Ben Best (1974–2021), “Eastbound & Down” co-creator and star

Ben Best was an actor and screenwriter known for co-creating and starring in the HBO series “Eastbound & Down” and the cult indie film “The Foot Fist Way.”

María Mendiola (1952–2021), singer known for “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”

MaríaMendiola was a singer with Baccara, a Spanish disco duo known for their 1977 hit, “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.”

Mick Tingelhoff (1940–2021), Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer

Mick Tingelhoff was a center with the Minnesota Vikings in the 1960s and ‘70s and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Terry Brennan (1928–2021), former Notre Dame head football coach

Terry Brennan was a football player for Notre Dame in the 1940s who became the coach of the Fighting Irish in the 1950s.

Sam Cunningham (1950–2021), NFL star who inspired college football integration

Sam Cunningham was a football player who helped break down racial barriers at the University of Southern California before excelling with the New England Patriots.

Art Metrano (1936–2021), actor known for “Police Academy” movies

Art Metrano was an actor and comedian best known for playing Ernie Mauser in the second and third “Police Academy” movies.

Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño (1934–2021), creator of the McDonald’s Happy Meal

Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño was a businesswoman who ran the first McDonald’s franchise in Guatemala and invented the Happy Meal.