John Cernuto (1944–2025), poker legend

John Cernuto was a longtime poker pro who won three World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Series of Poker Circuit rings over the years.

Mimi Hines (1933–2024), Funny Girl star 

Mimi Hines was an actress, singer, and comedian who stepped in to replace Barbra Streisand in the lead role of “Funny Girl” on Broadway.

Pete Rose (1941–2024), controversial MLB hits leader

Pete Rose was a legend of the Cincinnati Reds, the MLB’s all-time leader in hits, at-bats, and other metrics. He was permanently banned from baseball after betting on his own team’s games while managing the Reds.

Tony Mordente (1935–2024), original West Side Story cast member

Tony Mordente was an actor in the original cast of “West Side Story,” the ex-husband of Broadway star , and a longtime television director.

O.J. Simpson (1947–2024), NFL star, defendant in trial of the century

O.J. Simpson was an NFL star of the 1970s’ Buffalo Bills who went on to an acting career before becoming embroiled in one of the most notorious trials of the 20th century, accused of murdering his ex-wife.

Hydeia Broadbent (1984–2024), HIV/AIDS activist born HIV-positive

Hydeia Broadbent was an HIV/AIDS activist who, after being born HIV-positive, devoted her life to pushing for education and awareness of HIV/AIDS-related issues.

Shecky Greene (1926–2023), old school Vegas headliner 

Shecky Greene was a legendary comedian known for his headlining shows in Las Vegas.

David McKnight (1936–2023), actor in J.D.’s Revenge, Under Siege

David McKnight was an actor who starred in the 1976 blaxploitation horror film “J.D.’s Revenge,” along with appearances in dozens of other movies and TV shows, including “Under Siege,” “Superhero Movie,” and others.

Elinor Otto (1919–2023), one of the original Rosie the Riveters

Elinor Otto was one of the original Rosie the Riveters, who continued building airplanes for decades after World War II. 

Don Laughlin (1931–2023), Nevada resort town namesake

Don Laughlin was a developer, casino operator, and hotelier who built the Nevada resort town of Laughlin, named after himself and now the third largest casino destination in the state.

Irish Grinstead (1980–2023), singer with 702

Irish Grinstead was a singer with the 1990s girl group 702, known for their songs "Where My Girls At?" and "Get It Together." 

Geechy Guy (1964–2023), Guinness record-setting comic 

Geechy Guy was a standup comedian often seen in Las Vegas clubs who set a Guinness World Record for the most jokes told in an hour.

Brian Shul (1948–2023), celebrated aviator and SR-71 pilot 

Brian Shul was a Vietnam-era attack pilot who barely survived being shot down, only to come back as a celebrated SR-71 pilot before becoming an acclaimed public speaker and photographer. 

Doyle Brunson (1933–2023), Hall of Fame poker player

Doyle Brunson was a Hall of Fame poker player who was the first to win $1 million and was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the game.

Gloria Dea (1922–2023), magician who brought magic to Vegas

Names like David Copperfield and Penn & Teller dominate the billboards on the Las Vegas strip, but it all began with magician, actor, and dancer Gloria Dea . She was just 19 when she performed at El Rancho Vegas on May 14, 1941, the first known performance by a professional magician in the then growing resort city. She would go on to have a career as an actor before retiring from the performing arts. She was inducted into the UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame this week by Copperfield, a ceremony scheduled prior to her death.

Robbie Knievel (1962–2023), daredevil and son of Evel Knievel

Robbie Knievel was a daredevil known for motorcycle stunts, following in the footsteps of his father, .

Mills Lane (1937–2022), Hall of Fame boxing referee and TV judge

Mills Lane was a boxing referee who officiated many notable bouts, including the “Bite Fight” between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

Clarence Gilyard Jr. (1955–2022), “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Die Hard” star

Clarence Gilyard Jr. was an actor known for starring roles in movies and TV shows including “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Matlock,” and “Die Hard.”

Hank Goldberg (1940–2022), longtime ESPN NFL reporter

Hank Goldberg was an NFL reporter for ESPN as well as a handicapping expert.

Hugh McElhenny (1928–2022), star 49ers halfback in the 1950s

Hugh McElhenny was a halfback for NFL teams including the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Harry Reid (1939–2021), former U.S. Senate Majority Leader

Harry Reid was a U.S. Senator from Nevada from 1987 to 2017, including an eight-year tenure as the Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015.

Roy Horn (1944–2020) of Siegfried & Roy, tiger-wrangling magician

Roy Horn was an internationally renowned illusionist whose duo with Siegfried Fischbacher, famed for sharing the stage with lions and tigers, was the most popular show in Las Vegas for more than a decade.

Curtis Hanson (1945–2016), 8 Mile filmmaker

Curtis Hanson, the Oscar-winning screenwriter who directed "8 Mile" and "L.A. Confidential."

Gloria DeHaven (1925 - 2016)

Gloria DeHaven, a singer and actress who starred in a number of MGM musicals, died July 30, 2016, one week after her birthday, in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to multiple news sources. She was 91.

Lakota Woman

Mary Ellen Moore-Richard knew early on there were pieces of her past amiss and missing as she grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Her mostly white dad left the family and her step-father taught her to drink at age 10. At a boarding school on the reservation, she was abused, taught to practice Christianity, and admonished not to use her native tongue. No wonder, then, that by the 1970s she had joined the American Indian Movement—AIM—an activist group that protested, sometimes violently, for Indian rights.