John Singleton (1968–2019), directed the groundbreaking urban drama “Boyz n the Hood”

John Singleton wrote and directed “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), the groundbreaking urban drama film starring Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr. as young men negotiating gang culture in South Central Los Angeles. Singleton was nominated for the Academy Award for best director for “Boyz n the Hood,” becoming the first Black director nominated for the award and, at age 24, the youngest person ever nominated. Singleton also directed films including “Rosewood” (1997), “Shaft” (2000), “Baby Boy” (2001), and “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), and he directed the 1992 video for Michael Jackson's hit single “Remember the Time.” He was a producer of some of his own films as well as “Hustle and Flow” (2005) and “Black Snake Moan” (2006). He was co-creator and producer of the FX TV drama series “Snowfall.”

Branko Lustig (1932–2019), Auschwitz survivor and “Schindler’s List” producer

Branko Lustig was the Oscar-winning producer of movies including “Schindler’s List” and “Gladiator.”

Carl Reiner (1922–2020), legendary comedy writer, director, and performer

Carl Reiner was a legendary comedy writer and performer who created "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and directed films including "The Jerk.”

Dana Baratta (1961–2020), “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” writer

Dana Baratta was a producer and screenwriter known for credits including “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” and “Dawson’s Creek.”

Ken Spears (1938–2020), Scooby-Doo co-creator

Ken Spears was a TV writer and producer best known for co-creating Scooby-Doo.

John Langley (1943–2021), creator of “Cops”

John Langley was a TV producer best known for creating the hit reality show “Cops.”

Irma Kalish (1924–2021), pioneering TV writer for “Maude,” “The Facts of Life”

Irma Kalish was a pioneering TV producer and writer for classic sitcoms including “Maude,” “The Facts of Life,” and “Good Times.”

Ken Kragen (1936–2021), organizer of “We Are the World” and Hands Across America

Ken Kragen was a music manager and TV producer who organized the famous “We Are the World” and Hands Across America charity events in the 1980s.

Ivan Reitman (1946–2022), director of “Ghostbusters”

Ivan Reitman was a filmmaker who directed movies including “Ghostbusters” and “Stripes.”

Alan Ladd Jr. (1937–2022), producer who greenlit “Star Wars”

Alan Ladd Jr. was a producer and movie executive who greenlit “Star Wars” and produced “Braveheart.”

Bob Rafelson (1933–2022), “Five Easy Pieces” director and Monkees co-creator

Bob Rafelson was a filmmaker known for movies including “Five Easy Pieces” and “The King of Marvin Gardens,” as well as for co-creating the Monkees.

Don Newkirk (2022), De La Soul collaborator  

Don Newkirk was a New York City musician and producer known for his work with De La Soul and Prince Paul.  

Randy Fullmer (1950–2023), Who Framed Roger Rabbit animator

Randy Fullmer was an animator and producer on such Disney films as “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” 

William Friedkin (1935–2023), award-winning director of The Exorcist

William Friedkin was an award-winning director and screenwriter who was best known for "The Exorcist" and "The French Connection." 

Lynn Loring (1943–2023), Search for Tomorrow actress

Lynn Loring was an actress in such TV shows as “Search for Tomorrow” and “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” as well as a notable television executive.

Zack Norman (1940–2024), Romancing the Stone actor 

Zack Norman was an actor, comedian, and producer who played an antiquities smuggler in “Romancing the Stone.” 

Mark Damon (1933–2024), House of Usher star 

Mark Damon was an actor and producer who starred in “House of Usher” and went on to a groundbreaking career in independent film distribution.

Samm-Art Williams (1946–2024), playwright known for Home

Samm-Art Williams was an actor, writer, and producer who worked on shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and “Martin” whose Tony Award-nominated 1979 play, “Home,” is returning to Broadway this summer.

Sam Rubin (1960–2024), longtime entertainment news anchor

Sam Rubin was a longtime Los Angeles news anchor known for his more than three decades of celebrity interviews.

Al Ruddy (1930–2024), Oscar-winning Godfather producer

Al Ruddy was an Oscar-winning producer who won acclaim for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby.” He also co-created the TV shows “Hogan’s Heroes” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” 

Jon Landau (1960–2024), producer of Titanic and Avatar

Jon Landau was an Oscar-winning producer of “Titanic” and “Avatar” and a close collaborator with director James Cameron.

Bob Tischler (1946–2024), former head writer on Saturday Night Live

Bob Tischler was a television writer and producer who produced four comedy albums before becoming the “Saturday Night Live” head writer in the early 1980s, helping champion Eddie Murphy’s rise to stardom.

Jeri Taylor (1938–2024), Star Trek writer and producer

Jeri Taylor was a television writer and producer best known for her work with “Star Trek,” including writing for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and co-creating “Star Trek: Voyager.” 

Lynda Obst (1950–2024), film producer who boosted women

Lynda Obst was a film producer who helped boost women’s role in Hollywood, best known for movies like “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Interstellar,” “Flashdance,” and “Adventures in Babysitting.”

Charles Shyer (1941–2024), Father of the Bride writer-director

Charles Shyer was a filmmaker known for such movies as “Private Benjamin,” which he co-wrote and co-produced, and “Father of the Bride,” which he co-wrote and directed.

Barry Michael Cooper (2025), New Jack City writer

Barry Michael Cooper was a journalist, screenwriter and producer best known for his “Harlem trilogy” of films: “New Jack City,” “Sugar Hill,” and “Above the Rim.”