New Mexico

Gene Hackman (1930–2025), Oscar-winning star of The French Connection

Gene Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor and novelist who starred in films including “The French Connection,” “Mississippi Burning,” and “Unforgiven.”

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (1940–2025), Native American artist

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was a Native American artist, activist, and curator who used her work to explore Native American identity and the United States’ history of oppressing indigenous people.

Fred R. Harris (1930–2024), former Oklahoma senator

Fred R. Harris was a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma who once chaired the Democratic National Committee and twice sought a presidential nomination.

J.D. Souther (1945–2024), co-writer of The Eagles’ most popular hits

J.D. Souther was a singer, songwriter, and occasional actor best known for penning hits for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, including “New Kid in Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” 

Albert "Tootie" Heath (1935–2024), giant of jazz percussion 

Albert "Tootie" Heath was a jazz percussionist who played with , , Herbie Hancock, and others, including his own brothers in Heath Brothers.0

Antoine Predock (1936–2024), award-winning Southwest architect 

Antoine Predock was an architect known for his landscape-inspired buildings in the American Southwest and around the world.

N. Scott Momaday (1934–2024), Pulitzer-winning Native American author

N. Scott Momaday was a Kiowa author, essayist, and poet whose novel, “House Made of Dawn,” won the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and helped spark the Native American Renaissance movement in literature.

John Nichols (1940–2023), The Milagro Beanfield War author 

John Nichols was a New Mexico author known for “The Milagro Beanfield War.” 

John Morris (1939–2023), organizer of the original Woodstock festival 

John Morris was an event organizer among those who put together the original Woodstock music festival in 1969 and later worked with such artists as Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, , and . 

Barbara Mullen (1927–2023), unconventional 1950s model

Barbara Mullen was a model in the 1950s whose slim frame offered a glimpse into the future of modeling.

Bill Richardson (1947–2023), former governor of New Mexico 

Bill Richardson was a two-term governor of New Mexico who later became a private diplomat advocating for Americans unjustly imprisoned while abroad. 

Cormac McCarthy (1933–2023), Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road

Cormac McCarthy was a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for novels including “The Road,” “Blood Meridian,” and “All the Pretty Horses.”

Joe A. Garcia (2023), advocate for Native American tribal sovereignty

Joe A. Garcia was an Ohkay Owingeh leader among the Pueblo people in New Mexico and former president of the National Congress of American Indians who advocated for sovereignty for Native American tribes.

Ben Shelly (1947–2023), former Navajo Nation president

Former Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly built his reputation on advocating for ambitious infrastructure projects, policies focused on public health, and for means of boosting the Navajo people’s economic status. He was perhaps best known, however, for his unplanned yet passionate speeches on these topics, a trait which helped propel him into office. He was also a business owner with a focus on transportation.

Michael Pertschuk (1933–2022), FTC chief behind seatbelt laws & cigarette labels

Michael Pertschuk was the chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who drove legislation on seatbelt use and cigarette warning labels.

Samuel Sandoval (2022), one of the last Navajo Code Talkers of World War II

Samuel Sandoval was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers, who transmitted encrypted messages during World War II.

Forrest Fenn (1930–2020), antiquities dealer who created a treasure hunt

Forrest Fenn was an antiquities dealer and author who hid a treasure chest and inspired a 10-year public hunt for its secret location.

Lori Nelson (1933–2020), “Revenge of the Creature” star

Lori Nelsonawas aa1950s Hollywood star known for ccRevenge of the Creatured and the TV series ccHow to Marry a Millionaire.da

Rudolfo Anaya (1937–2020), “godfather” of Chicano literature

Rudolfo Anaya was called the “godfather” of Chicano literature. He was best known for hisnovel, “Bless Me, Ultima.”

Joe Vandever Sr. (1923–2020), one of the last living WWII Navajo code talkers

Joe Vandever Sr.  was one of the Navajo code talkers who transmitted top secret messages during World War II using Native American languages. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Vandever was among about 400 to 500 code talkers whose expertise in little-known languages has been credited with making the victory at Iwo Jima possible, among other accomplishments. Vandever’s death reportedly leaves just four Navajo code talkers still living. Vandever also served in combat in World War II, fighting in the Pacific.

Kylie Rae Harris (1989–2019), country music singer

Country singer Kylie Rae Harrisreleased a self-titled EP this year.

Ernestine Romero (1987–2019), award-winning Tejano singer

Ernestine Romero was an award-winning Tejano singer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2016, the New Mexico Hispano Music Association awarded her their CD of the Year, Cumbia Song of the Year, and Salsa Tropical Song of the Year awards, and she was also nominated for a Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year that same year. Romero’s most recent album, 2019’s “Mi Tesoro,” marked her 20th year in the music industry. Her 2015 album “Gracias Señor” included a duet with Grammy-winning singer Ruben Ramos.

Pete Domenici (1932–2017), former longtime New Mexico Senator

Republican power broker was in the Senate for more than 30 years.

Holly Dunn (1957 - 2016), Are You Ever Gonna Love Me singer

The former country singer-songwriter had two No. 1 hits in the late '80s and early '90s with "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" and "You Really Had Me Going."

Once in a Hundred Years

What we are remembered for is sometimes a matter of chance.

Aldo Leopold's Wilderness

Pioneering conservationist Aldo Leopold advocated ecologically responsible land management before it was cool.

Googling Greer Garson

Why was Oscar-winning actress Greer Garson trending on Google more than a decade after her death?