Famous people who died in 2023
Scores of notable people around the globe passed away in 2023. They came from all corners and all walks of life.
Many graced screens big and small, others performed music that inspired us to dance. We cheered them, or perhaps rooted against them, in their athletic endeavors.
Some were political leaders whose decisions affect our lives today. Others were inventors and scientific innovators. And many had unusual professions or hobbies.
Their names are ones we won’t forget.
Here are their stories.
January
Art McNally, 91: He was the NFL’s head of officiating for more than 50 years and was a pioneer in instant replay in sports; Jan. 1
Fred White, 67: The Grammy-winning musician was a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire and served as the band’s drummer; Jan. 1
Frank Galati, 79: He was an actor, director and teacher who won two Tony Awards in 1990 for his staging of “The Grapes of Wrath”; Jan. 2
Bessie Laurena Hendricks, 115: The Iowa resident, who once taught in a one-room schoolhouse, was thought to be the oldest person in the United States at the time of her death; Jan. 3
Walter Cunningham, 90: He was the last surviving astronaut from the Apollo 7 mission, which paved the way for the moon landing in 1969; Jan. 3
Fay Weldon, 91: The British author, whose novel “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” later became a film starring Meryl Streep, also was a playwright and a writer on the popular 1970s series “Upstairs, Downstairs”; Jan. 4
Adam Rich, 54: The actor was best known to TV audiences as “America’s little brother” on “Eight is Enough”; Jan. 7
Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway, 51: The political commentator was an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, and she and sister Rochelle “Silk” Richardson had regular roles at Fox News; Jan. 8
Melinda Dillon, 83: She was a two-time Oscar nominee best known for the movies “A Christmas Story” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”; Jan. 9
Charles Simic, 84: The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet was the nation’s poet laureate from 2007-08; Jan. 9
Jeff Beck, 78: He was a guitar virtuoso who influenced generations of musicians, shooting to fame with The Yardbirds and later performing with such vocalists as Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde and Buddy Guy; Jan. 10 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
King Constantine II, 82: He was Greece’s last king, being forced into exile in 1967 after a military coup; Jan. 10
George Pell, 81: The Australian cardinal was the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of child sex abuse and spent 404 days in solitary confinement, only to have his convictions overturned; Jan. 10
Charles Kimbrough, 86: The Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor was best known for playing a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown”; Jan. 11
Tatjana Patitz, 56: The elite supermodel graced magazine covers in the 1980s and ’90s and appeared in George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” music video; Jan. 11
Charles White, 64: The former USC tailback was the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner, who then went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL; Jan. 11
Robbie Bachman, 69: He was the drummer for the Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive; Jan. 12
Lisa Marie Presley, 54: She was the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy; Jan. 12
Ray Cordeiro, 98: The disc jockey had a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio and was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest-working DJ; Jan. 13
Robbie Knievel, 60: The stunt performer set records with daredevil motorcycle jumps — including at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and a Grand Canyon chasm — and followed in the tracks of his thrill-seeking father, Evel; Jan. 13
CJ Harris, 31: The singer placed sixth on the 13th season of “American Idol”; Jan. 15
Gina Lollobrigida, 95; The Italian actress, once touted as “the most beautiful woman in the world,” starred in such films as “Come September,” “Trapeze” and “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell”; Jan. 15
Lloyd Morrisett, 93: He was a psychologist and experimental educator who became the co-creator of “Sesame Street”; Jan. 15
Jay Briscoe, 38: The professional wrestler, who was born Jamin Pugh, was a Ring of Honor star; Jan. 17
Chris Ford, 74: The Boston Celtics legend also was a longtime NBA coach and the player credited with scoring the league’s first 3-point basket; Jan. 17
Sister André, 118: She was a French nun, born Lucile Randon, who was believed to be the world’s oldest person at the time of her death; Jan. 17
David Crosby, 81: The legendary singer-songwriter was a folk rock pioneer who was one of the founding members of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Jan. 18 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
Roslyn Pope, 84: She was a civil rights activist who wrote the “Appeal for Human Rights,” which helped launch a campaign of boycotts and sit-ins, then later worked as a college professor and a musician; Jan.18
Anton Walkes, 25: He was a pro soccer player who started his career with English Premier League club Tottenham, then later played for Atlanta and Charlotte in the MLS; Jan. 19
Cindy Williams, 75: The actress appeared in dozens of film and TV roles but was best known for playing Shirley Feeney on the smash 1970s sitcom “Laverne & Shirley”; Jan. 25
Jessie Lemonier, 25: The former NFL linebacker played for the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions; Jan. 26
Billy Packer, 82: He was an award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered every Final Four tournament from 1975 to 2008; Jan. 26
Sylvia Sims, 89: The British actress starred in scores of film and TV roles, including “Ice Cold in Alex,” “Victim,” “The Queen” and “EastEnders”; Jan. 27
Lisa Loring, 64: The actress was best known for her role as Wednesday Addams in the original “The Addams Family” sitcom; Jan. 28
Barrett Strong, 81: The Motown musician was a co-writer on many of the label’s biggest hits, and he sang lead on the company’s breakthrough single, “Money (That’s What I Want)”: Jan. 28
Tom Verlaine, 73: He was an acclaimed vocalist-guitarist whose experimental art-rock band Television helped define the New York City punk scene in the 1970s; Jan. 28
Ira “Bob” Born, 98: He served as CEO of the Pennsylvania-based candy maker Just Born Quality Confections and was nicknamed “the Father of Peeps”; Jan. 29
Annie Wersching, 45: The actress was best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series “24″ and providing the voice for Tess in the video game “The Last of Us”; Jan. 29
Bobby Hull, 84: The Hockey Hall of Famer was a two-time MVP who won a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 1961, and is the father of Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull; Jan. 30
February
Paco Rabanne, 81: The Spanish-born fashion designer was known for perfumes sold worldwide and for metallic, space-age apparel; Feb. 3
Harry Whittington, 95: He was a Texas attorney who gained fame after then-Vice President Dick Cheney injured him in a hunting accident in 2006; Feb. 4
Pervez Musharraf, 79: The former military ruler of Pakistan pledged support for the United States after it attacked Afghanistan in 2001, then fled his country in self-exile in 2008; Feb. 5
Burt Bacharach, 94: The award-winning composer wrote scores for Broadway and for movies, as well as such hits as “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “Walk on By”; Feb. 8
Hugh Hudson, 86: The British filmmaker was best known for directing the Oscar-winning movie “Chariots of Fire”; Feb. 10
Dave Hollis, 47: He was a film executive who oversaw the release of such blockbusters as “Black Panther,” then later became a self-help author; Feb. 11
Austin Majors, 27: He was a child actor who appeared in such TV shows as “NYPD Blue,” “ER” and “NCIS”; Feb. 11
Trugoy the Dove, 54: The musician, born David Jude Jolicoeur, was a co-founder of the groundbreaking hip-hop trio De La Soul; Feb. 12
Ted Lerner, 97: He was a real-estate mogul who was the owner of the Washington Nationals; Feb. 12
![1976: U.S. actress Raquel Welch gives a press conference on February 4, 1976 before her show at the Palais des Congrs in Paris. (AFP via Getty Images)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BNG-L-WELCHPIX-0215-017.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Raquel Welch, 82: The iconic actress, who appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies, was known for such films as “Fantastic Voyage” and “One Million Years B.C”; Feb. 15
Tim McCarver, 81: He was a Baseball Hall of Famer who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies before becoming an award-winning broadcaster; Feb. 16
Stella Stevens, 84: The actress and director had scores of TV and film appearances, starring in such notable films as “The Nutty Professor” and “The Poseidon Adventure”; Feb. 17
Richard Belzer, 78: He was a stand-up comedian who later played Detective John Munch on the TV shows “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order: SVU”; Feb. 19
Red McCombs, 95: The Texas businessman, who was a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, also was the owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Vikings; Feb. 19
John Motson, 77: He was one of Britain’s most famous soccer commentators, calling nearly 2,500 games for the BBC from 1968 to 2018; Feb. 23
Walter Mirisch, 101: The Oscar-winning producer of “In the Heat of the Night” also oversaw such classic films as “Some Like It Hot,” “West Side Story,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Pink Panther”; Feb. 24
Gordon Pinsent, 92: The performer, called “one of Canada’s most iconic actors,” appeared in such films as “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “The Shipping News” and “Away from Her”; Feb. 25
Bob Richards, 97: He was pole vaulting champ, known as the “Vaulting Vicar,” who won a pair of Olympic gold medals in the event, and was the first athlete ever featured on a Wheaties box; Feb. 26
Ricou Browning, 93: He was a swimmer who starred in “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” then later worked as a stuntman, writer and director on a handful of TV and movie projects; Feb. 27
March
Just Fontaine, 89: The French soccer legend, who scored a record 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup, later served as head coach of the French and Moroccan national teams; March 1
Jerry Richardson, 86: He played two seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts, then later was the first owner of the expansion Carolina Panthers franchise; March 1
Wayne Shorter, 89: The jazz legend was a pioneering saxophonist who won 12 Grammy awards, and he played with such musicians as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Carlos Santana; March 2
Kenzaburo Oe, 88: The Japanese author, who based his books on his childhood memories and his life parenting a disabled child, won the 1994 Nobel Prize in literature; March 3
Tom Sizemore, 61: The actor was known for roles in such films as “Saving Private Ryan” and “Heat,” but he also made headlines for domestic violence and drug convictions; March 3
Judy Heumann, 75: She was an activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, such as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act; March 4
Pat McCormick, 92: She was a champion diver who won two gold medals at both the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics; March 7
Chaim Topol, 87: The Israeli actor was famed for playing Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” earning an Oscar nomination for the 1971 film, and more than 3,500 times on stage; March 8
Robert Blake, 89: The Emmy-winning actor was best known for his role on the TV show “Baretta,” but later gained notoriety when he was tried and acquitted of murdering his wife; March 9
Bud Grant, 95: He led four Minnesota Vikings teams to the Super Bowl in the 1970s, and won four league championships during his 10 years in the Canadian Football League; March 11
Rolly Crump, 93: He started as an illustrator with Walt Disney, then went on to become a theme park designer who created three of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions; March 12
Dick Fosbury, 76: He was an Olympic gold medalist who revamped high jump event with his “Fosbury Flop”; March 12
Joe Pepitone, 82: The three-time MLB All-Star played for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves during his 12-year career; March 13
Pat Schroeder, 82: She was a longtime Colorado congresswoman who was an outspoken advocate for women’s and family rights, and battled for greater acceptance of women in government; March 13
![FILE - U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, D-Colo., sits on the porch outside her Capitol Hill headquarters in Denver on July 18, 1994. Schroeder, a pioneer for women's and family rights in Congress, has died at the age of 82. Schroeder's former press secretary, Andrea Camp, said Schroeder suffered a stroke recently and died Monday night, March 13, 2023, at a hospital in Florida, the state where she had been residing. (AP Photo/file/Joe Mahoney, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SJM-L-OBSCHROEDER-0315.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Bobby Caldwell, 71: The soulful singer-songwriter had a big hit with “What You Won’t Do For Love,” and his music was sampled by such artists as Tupac Shakur, Common and John Legend; March 14
Gloria Dea, 100: She was the first magician to perform on the Las Vegas Strip, and she later appeared in several movies, including “Plan 9 From Outer Space” and “King of the Congo”; March 18
Jim Jenks, 84: He was the founder of the Ocean Pacific line of surf clothing, and was instrumental in bringing pro surfing to California in the 1980s; March 19
Willis Reed, 80: The basketball legend basketball legend was the heart of 1970s-era New York Knicks teams, and his performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals is one of sports’ most enduring examples of playing through pain; March 21
Darcelle XV, 92: The drag queen, born Walter C. Cole, was crowned the world’s oldest working drag performer, and she hosted the West Coast’s longest running drag show at her Portland nightclub; March 23
Randall Robinson, 81: The civil rights activist helped lead the fight to end apartheid in South Africa, lobbied for humane policy for Haitian refugees and sought reparations for Black Americans; March 24
Paul O’Grady, 67: The British TV and radio host, who shot to fame as the drag queen Lily Savage, was an advocate for LGBTQ rights at the height of the AIDS crisis; March 28
Ryuichi Sakamoto, 71: He was a Japanese actor musician who won an Oscar for his score on “The Last Emperor” and was a pioneer of the electronic music of the late 1970s; March 28
April
Klaus Teuber, 70: The German board-game designer created the hugely popular game Catan; April 1
Seymour Stein, 80: The music executive helped launch the careers of such artists as Madonna, Talking Heads and the Ramones, and he also was a creator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation; April 2
Paul Cattermole, 46: The British singer was a member of the early 2000s pop group S Club 7; April 6
Ben Ferencz, 103: As an Army soldier, he witnessed first-hand the horrors of the Holocaust, then later prosecuted Nazis during the Nuremberg trials following World War II; April 7
Lasse Wellander, 70: The Swedish guitarist played with several groups but was best known for being the long-term guitarist for ABBA; April 7
Michael Lerner, 81: The actor was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film “Barton Fink,” but also appeared in such movies as “Harlem Nights,” “Elf,” and “Eight Men Out”; April 8
Al Jaffee, 102: He was a beloved cartoonist for Mad magazine, creating the Fold-In and “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions” sections of the humor publication; April 10
Mary Quant, 93: The “trailblazing” British fashion designer revolutionized fashion in the 1960s, and she is credited with figuring out how to market miniskirts to the masses; April 13
Ahmad Jamal, 92: He was an award-winning jazz pianist whose laid-back approach to music inspired scores of performers, with his work sampled on dozens of rap songs; April 16
Chris Smith, 31: The former NFL defensive end played for five teams in his career, including the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders; April 17
![FILE - Talk show host Jerry Springer speaks in New York on April 15, 2010. Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show unleashed strippers, homewreckers and skinheads to brawl and spew obscenities on weekday afternoons, has died. He was 79. A family spokesperson died Thursday at home in suburban Chicago. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SJM-L-OBSPRINGER-0420.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Richard Riordan, 92: He served as mayor of Los Angeles from 1993 to 2001, then later served in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration; April 19
Len Goodman, 78: He was a British dance champion who was most famous for serving as a judge on the American reality show “Dancing With the Stars”; April 22
Barry Humphries, 89: The Australian comedian was famed for portraying Dame Edna Everage, won a Tony for his portrayal of the condescending snob; April 22
Tori Bowie, 32: She was a track-and-field star for Team USA, winning three medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio; April 23
Ginnie Newhart, 82: She was married to comedian Bob Newhart for 60 years, and inspired the classic ending to his sitcom “Newhart”; April 23
Harry Belafonte, 96: The singer of the much-loved “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” also was actor and activist who was an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement; April 25
Carolyn Bryant Donham, 88: She accused 14-year-old Emmett Till of whistling at her at a grocery store in Mississippi in 1955, and the accusations led to his lynching; April 25
Dick Groat, 92: He was an MLB star, winning an MVP award with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960, who also played in the NBA for a short period of time in the 1950s; April 27
Jerry Springer, 79: The former mayor of Cincinnati later went on to become the host of the infamous “The Jerry Springer Show” talk show; April 27
Larry “Gator” Rivers, 73: The basketball player was a beloved member of the Harlem Globetrotters, then later became a county commissioner in his native Georgia; April 29
May
Gordon Lightfoot, 84: The legendary Canadian folk singer and songwriter was known for such 1970s hits as “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”; May 1 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
Lance Blanks, 56: The former NBA player held several front-office jobs — including as general manager of the Phoenix Suns — before becoming an analyst for ESPN; May 3
Newton Minow, 97: He was a former Federal Communications Commission chief and, in the early 1960s, famously proclaimed that network television was a “vast wasteland”; May 6
Grace Bumbry, 86: The mezzo-soprano, who was considered “one of the first great African American stars” of opera, performed all over the world, including at the White House in 1962; May 7
Rita Lee, 75: The musician was Brazil’s beloved “Queen of Rock,” and her music popularized feminist themes and addressed her struggles with drug abuse; May 8
Heather Armstrong, 47: She was a pioneering mommy blogger on the website Dooce.com, then wrote several books describing her battles with addiction and depression; May 9
Denny Crum, 86; He was a legendary college basketball coach who got his start as an assistant to John Wooden at UCLA, then later led Louisville to two NCAA titles; May 9
Jacklyn Zeman, 70: The actress played nurse Bobbie Spencer on “General Hospital” for five decades, and later gained an Emmy nomination for her role on the crime drama “The Bay”; May 9
Hodding Carter III, 88: The one-time civil rights activist became a spokesperson for the State Department during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, then returned to journalism after his time with the government; May 11
Don Denkinger, 86: The longtime Major League Baseball umpire was considered one of the finest of his era, but his blown call in the 1985 World Series overshadowed his years of excellence; May 12
Doyle Brunson, 89: The legendary poker player, often called the “Godfather of Poker,” was a two-time world champion and a 10-time winner of the World Series of Poker; May 14
![Tina Turner performs a song during the German television show 'Wetten Dass...?' ('Bet It...?') in Leipzig, Germany, on Nov. 13, 2004. Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and '70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at 83. (AP Photo/Alexandra Winkler, pool)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SJM-L-OBTURNER-03-0524.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Gloria Molina, 74: She was a groundbreaking lawmaker who was the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the State Assembly; May 14
Marlene Hagge-Vossler, 89: She was a founding member of the LPGA, and won 26 times on the LPGA Tour; May 16
Jim Brown, 87: The NFL legend, considered one of the greatest football players ever, also was a civil rights activist in the 1960s, then later became an actor with more than 30 films to his credit; May 18
Martin Amis, 73: The British author wrote several bleakly comic novels, including Money: A Suicide Note,” “London Fields” and “The Information,” plus a well-regarded memoir; May 19
Andy Rourke, 59: The British musician was a bassist with The Strokes, then later played with such artists as The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor; May 19
Ray Stevenson, 58: The actor appeared in dozens of TV and film roles, including the “Thor” movies and several Star Wars-related series, including “Ahsoka”; May 21
Tina Turner, 83: The legendary singer got her start in a duo with ex-husband Ike Turner, then rocked the charts as a solo artist in her 40s, and was an inspiration to many after she spoke out about domestic abuse; May 24
June
Mike Batayeh, 52: The actor and comedian had roles in several TV shows, but was best known for playing laundromat manager Dennis Markowski on “Breaking Bad”; June 1
Kaija Saariaho, 70: The acclaimed composer is considered one of the most prolific of the 21st century, and she created new sounds by weaving electronics in her compositions; June 2
George Winston, 73; He was a New Age pianist who sold millions of albums, including “Autumn,” “Winter Into Spring” and “December”; June 4
Astrud Gilberto, 83: The Brazilian singer and songwriter, considered the face of bossa nova, was best known for singing the smash hit “The Girl from Ipanema”; June 5
Robert Hanssen, 79: He was a former FBI agent who was sentenced to life in prison for taking money and gifts from the Soviet Union in exchange for classified information on the U.S. government; June 5
Pat Casey, 29: He was a BMX star who medaled at the X Games and pioneered such stunts as the decade backflip and the fakie cashroll; June 6
Françoise Gilot, 101: She was a notable French painter who also gained fame for her turbulent relationship with Pablo Picasso; June 6
Richard Snyder, 90: He was a book publisher who oversaw the meteoric rise of Simon & Schuster, publishing such books as “All the President’s Men” and “Lonesome Dove”; June 6
Iron Sheik, 81: The pro wrestler, who was born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri in Iran, was a villain that fans loved to jeer, and later became a popular personality on social media; June 7
Pat Robertson, 93: He was a Christian broadcaster, best known for the show “The 700 Club,” who helped make religion central to GOP politics; June 8
Ted Kaczynski, 82: He was known as the “Unabomber” and was behind a deadly string of bombings that killed three people and injured 23 others; June 10
Roger Payne, 88: The scientist discovered that whales can sing, and his work helped spark a global environmental conservation movement; June 10
Silvio Berlusconi, 86: The Italian media mogul later served as his country’s prime minister, but his time in office was embroiled in sex scandals and fraud allegations; June 12
John Romita Sr., 93: He was a comic book author who created such beloved Marvel characters as Wolverine and Punisher; June 12
Cormac McCarthy, 89: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author was best known for such books as “No Country for Old Men,” “The Road” and “Blood Meridian”; June 13
Robert Gottlieb, 92: The celebrated book author’s career was launched with Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” and he later worked with such authors as Toni Morrison, John Le Carré and Michael Crichton; June 14
Homer Jones, 82: The NFL star, who played for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, is credited with the invention of the spike; June 14
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AP20059215207354.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Glenda Jackson, 87: She was a film actress who won two Oscars, then pivoted to become a member of Parliament in her native England, then returned to acting later in life; June 15
Daniel Ellsberg, 92: He was a government consultant who became a whistle-blower with his leak of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed secrets about the Vietnam War; June 16
Sheldon Harnick, 99: He was a Tony- and Grammy Award-winning lyricist who, with composer Jerry Bock, worked on such shows as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Fiorello!”; June 23
John Goodenough, 100: He was a Nobel-winning scientist whose work led to the creation of the lithium-ion battery; June 25
Nicolas Coster, 89: He was an actor who appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, but was best known for his roles on the soap operas “Another World” and “Santa Barbara”; June 26
Alan Arkin, 89: The Oscar-winning actor appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including “Wait Until Dark,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Argo” and “The Kominsky Method”; June 29
Christine King Farris, 95: She was a civil rights activist and professor at Spelman College in Atlanta who worked to help preserve the legacy of her brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; June 29
Julian Sands, 65: The British actor had more than 150 credits in career, appearing in such films and TV shows as “A Room With a View,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “24” and “Dexter”
July
Mikala Jones, 44: The Hawaiian surfer, who won two national championships as an amateur, was famed for photos and videos from inside waves; July 9
Milan Kundera, 94: The reclusive author, who was born in Czechoslovakia but became a citizen of France; was best known for the book “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”; July 11
Jane Birkin, 76: She was a British actress and singer who was celebrated for her political activism, but she also was the namesake for a luxury Hermes handbag; July 16
Kevin Mitnick, 59: He was a pioneering computer hacker who went from being a felon to a respected cybersecurity professional and public speaker; July 16
Angelo Mozilo: He was the former CEO of Countrywide Financial who had a key role the subprime mortgage meltdown that led in part to the 2008 financial crisis; July 16
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Singer Sinead O'Connor performs at The 2011 amfAR Inspiration Gala Los Angeles held at the Chateau Marmont on October 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for amfAR)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SJM-L-OBOCONNOR-01-0726.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Tony Bennett, 96: The singer, most famous for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” released more than 70 albums, was the oldest artist to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard charts, and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement; July 21
Randy Meisner, 75: The musician was a founding member of The Eagles, singing lead on the hit song “Take It to the Limit,” but also played with such musicians as Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor; July 26
Sinéad O’Connor, 56: The Irish singer-songwriter was famed for her version of the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” but she also came under fire after tearing up a photo of the pope on “Saturday Night Live” in 1992; July 26
Paul Reubens, 70: The actor and comedian was best known for playing the character Pee-wee Herman in such TV shows and films as “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”; July 30
August
Sheila Oliver, 71: The lawmaker, who was New Jersey’s lieutenant governor at the time of her death, was the first Black woman to hold a statewide elected office in New Jersey; Aug. 1
Mark Margolis, 83: The character actor was best known for playing fan favorite Hector Salamanca on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”; Aug. 3
DJ Casper, 58: The Chicago disc jockey, born Willie Perry Jr., was the creator of the iconic song “Cha Cha Slide”; Aug. 7
William Friedkin, 87: He was a noted film director who won an Oscar for “The French Connection,” then later directed the horror classic “The Exorcist”; Aug. 7
Jamie Reid, 76: The anarchist British artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers, and later created politically relevant work that criticized Donald Trump and sought freedom for Russian punk band Pussy Riot; Aug. 8
Sixto Rodriguez, 81: He was a singer-songwriter albums whose flopped in the U.S. in the 1970s, but — unknown to him — he became a star in South Africa, and his story was told in the documentary “Searching for Sugar Man”‘ Aug. 8
Robbie Robertson, 80: The legendary Canadian songwriter and guitarist with The Band helped reshape American music, and he organized an all-star gathering in San Francisco that became the basis for the documentary “The Last Waltz”; Aug. 9
Darren Kent, 39: The British actor had roles in several films and TV shows, but he was best known for playing a goatherd in “Game of Thrones”; Aug. 11
Clarence Avant, 92; The entertainment icon, known as the “Black Godfather” of music, helped launch or guide the careers of Quincy Jones, Bill Withers and many others; Aug. 13
Ada Deer, 88: She was the first woman to lead Bureau of Indian Affairs and was a fierce advocate for tribal sovereignty; Aug. 15
![Bob Barker of "The Price Is Right" speaks at his Farewell Press Conference during the 2007 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour for CBS at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on January 18, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GettyImages-73039380.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Jerry Moss, 88: He was a titan of the music industry, founding A&M Records with partner Herb Alpert, then later releasing such albums as Carole King’s “Tapestry” and Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!”; Aug. 16
Michael Parkinson, 88: He was Britain’s talk show king and interviewed some of the most famous celebrities of the 20th century, including four famed talks with Muhammad Ali; Aug. 16
Ron Cephas Jones, 66: The actor, who won two Emmys for his role on “This Is Us,” had a long theater career and appeared in such films as “Half Nelson” and “Dolemite Is My Name”; Aug. 19
Bray Wyatt, 36: The professional wrestler, born Windham Rotunda, was a star in the WWE who won several championship; Aug. 24
Bob Barker, 99: The beloved TV personality was best known for hosting such game shows as “The Price Is Right” and “Truth or Consequences,” and was famed for his animal rights activism; Aug. 26
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, 49: The political activist, known better as “Joe the Plumber,” shot to fame in 2008 when he questioned then-candidate Barack Obama during a stop in Ohio; Aug. 27
Mohamed Al Fayed, 94: The Egypt-born businessman once owned Harrods department store in London and Fulham Football Club, and publicly grieved son Dodi and Princess Diana after their deaths in 1997; Aug. 30
September
Jimmy Buffett, 76: The beloved singer-songwriter of “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” also had a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions; Sept. 1 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
Bill Richardson, 75: The longtime politician was a former governor of New Mexico, then became a UN ambassador who worked to free detained Americans; Sept. 1
Gary Wright, 80: The singer-songwriter was best known for the 1970s hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love Is Alive”; Sept. 4
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Obit_Jimmy_Buffett_10902-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Charlie Robison, 59: He was a country singer-songwriter who was best known for the hit “I Want You Bad”; Sept. 10
Ian Wilmut, 79: The British scientist led the team that in 1997 cloned Dolly the sheep, and he also used cloning techniques to make stem cells that could be used in regenerative medicine; Sept. 10
Leina’ala Ann Teruya Drummond, 77: The native of Hawaii was a flight attendant and former Miss Hawaii who became the “face” of Hawaiian Airlines; Sept. 18
David McCallum, 90: The Scottish actor appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, and was the star of “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “NCIS”; Sept. 25
Brooks Robinson, 86; The Baseball Hall of Famer was a Baltimore Orioles legend and is considered one of greatest third basemen in MLB history; Sept. 26
Michael Gambon, 82: The Irish-British actor had a wide-ranging career, with such notable roles as Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” films and in the 1980s TV series “The Singing Detective”; Sept. 27
October
Tim Wakefield, 57; He was a knuckleball pitcher who helped the Boston Red Sox win World Series in 2004, and was well-known for his sportsmanship and community involvement; Oct. 1
Dick Butkus, 80: The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a standout linebacker for the Chicago Bears, then later went on to a career in acting; Oct. 5
Burt Young, 83: The actor was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film “Rocky,” and had roles in such films and TV shows as “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and “The Sopranos”; Oct. 8
Dorothy Hoffner, 104: The centenarian set the world record for the oldest skydiver ever, making the jump just a week before her death; Oct. 9
Rudolph Isley, 84: He was a founding member of rhythm and blues group the Isley Brothers, famed for such songs as “Shout,” “Twist and Shout” and “It’s Your Thing”; Oct. 11
Louise Glück, 80: She was a Nobel-winning poet, praised for “her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal”; Oct. 13
Piper Laurie, 91: The three-time Oscar nominee was known for such films as “The Hustler” and “Carrie,” and had notable stage and TV roles, including on “Twin Peaks”; Oct. 14
Martti Ahtisaari, 86: The former prime minister of Finland won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in facilitating Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s; Oct. 16
Bobby Charlton, 86: The British soccer legend was called “the greatest Manchester United player of all time,” and led the England team that won the 1966 World Cup; Oct. 21
Bobi, 31: The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog from Portugal set the Guinness World Record as the oldest dog to ever live; Oct. 21
Vincent Asaro, 88: He was reputed to be a member of the Bonanno crime family, and gained notoriety for his alleged involvement in the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK airport depicted in the movie “Goodfellas”; Oct. 22
Tasha Butts, 41: She was a star basketball player at Tennessee, then had a brief WNBA career before becoming a women’s basketball coach at Georgetown; Oct. 22
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Obit-Matthew-Perry.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Don Laughlin, 92: The resort and casino owner created the Nevada town south of Las Vegas that bears his name; Oct. 22
Bishan Bedi, 77: The Indian cricket great took 1,560 first-class wickets, the most by any Indian bowler ever; Oct. 23
Richard Roundtree, 81: The pioneering Black actor shot to fame with his roles in the film “Shaft” and the TV miniseries “Roots”; Oct. 24
Richard Moll, 80: The longtime character actor was best known for playing lovable bailiff Bull on the original “Night Court,” then later voiced several video games and comic book projects; Oct. 26
Li Keqiang, 68: He was China’s former premier and was the country’s top economic official for a decade; Oct. 27
Adam Johnson, 29: The college hockey star at Minnesota-Duluth went on to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, then died in a tragic accident while playing in England; Oct. 28
Matthew Perry, 54: The beloved actor was one of the stars of the sitcom “Friends,” had scores of other film and TV roles, and wrote a best-selling memoir about his struggles with addiction; Oct. 28
Frank Howard, 87: He was a fan favorite baseball star, playing for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers, and slugging 382 home runs; Oct. 30
Tyler Christopher, 50: The Emmy-winning actor was a soap opera star, playing Nikolas Considine on “General Hospital” and Stefan Di Mera on “Days of Our Lives”; Oct. 31
Ken Mattingly, 87: The astronaut was slated to be on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, but stayed behind after being exposed to rubella and helped save the imperiled crew; Oct. 31
Taraja Ramsess, 41: He was an actor and martial artist but was best known for working as a stuntman on several movies, including “Black Panther” and “Creed III”; Oct. 31
November
Bob Knight, 83: The basketball coaching legend led Indiana to 3 NCAA men’s basketball titles and the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 1984, but he also was known for his explosive temper and outbursts; Nov. 1
Evan Ellingson, 35; He was a child actor who had roles in TV’s “CSI: Miami” and “24,” and the films “My Sister’s Keeper” and “Letters From Iwo Jima”; Nov. 5
Frank Borman, 95: He served as the commander on the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, and helped pave the way for the 1969 moon landing; Nov. 7
Maryanne Trump Barry, 86: She was a former federal judge and prosecutor, and was the eldest sister of former President Donald Trump; Nov. 13
Peter Seidler, 63: He was the owner of the San Diego Padres, and in recent years invested millions of dollars in the team in an effort to bring the city a World Series win; Nov. 14
![FILE - This photo provided by the White House is the official portrait of first lady Rosalynn Carter in the Vermeil Room of the White House, Feb. 18, 1977. Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. She was 96. (The White House via AP, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-ROSALYNN-1120-12.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Dex Carvey, 32: The artist and comedian was the son of comedy legend Dana Carvey; Nov. 15
A.S. Byatt, 87: The acclaimed British author won the Booker Prize in 1990 for “Possession,” then was a finalist for the award again in 2009 for “The Children’s Book”; Nov. 16
George “Funky” Brown, 74: The drummer was a founding member of Kool & the Gang, and he co-wrote some of the band’s best-known songs, such as “Celebration” and “Ladies Night”; Nov. 17
Rosalynn Carter, 96: She was the former first lady who, with husband Jimmy, spent his post-presidency on humanitarian missions, building houses with Habitat for Humanity and promoting public health and democracy; Nov. 19
Willie Hernández, 69: The left-handed relief pitcher won both the MVP and Cy Young awards in 1984 as a member of the Detroit Tigers; Nov. 20
Marty Krofft, 86: The noted TV producer, with brother Sid, was behind such children’s hits as “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” and brought Donny and Marie Osmond to primetime; Nov. 25
Mary Cleave, 76: She was an astronaut who was the first woman to fly on a space shuttle after the Challenger disaster, then later was the first woman to oversee NASA’s research programs; Nov. 27
Frances Sternhagen, 93: The acclaimed actress won two Tony awards, but also was known for her roles in the TV shows “Sex and the City” and “Cheers”; Nov. 27
Henry Kissinger, 100: The controversial secretary of state under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford helped end the Vietnam War and open relations between the U.S. and China; Nov. 29
Charlie Munger, 99: The businessman and philanthropist worked with Warren Buffett to build Berkshire Hathaway into an investing powerhouse; Nov. 28
Shane MacGowan, 65: The singer-songwriter was the frontman for the bands The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes; Nov. 30 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
December
Sandra Day O’Connor, 93: The groundbreaking judge was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court; Dec. 1
Denny Laine, 79: The singer-songwriter was a co-founder of the bands The Moody Blues and Wings, and with longtime collaborator Paul McCartney won a Grammy for “Band on the Run”; Dec. 5
Norman Lear, 101: The award-winning TV producer behind such groundbreaking shows as “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” also was an outspoken advocate for liberal causes; Dec. 5
Ryan O’Neal, 82: The actor got his start on TV’s “Peyton Place,” but shot to stardom with roles in such films as “Love Story” and “Paper Moon,” then remained in the headlines for his turbulent family life; Dec. 8
Andre Braugher, 61: The acclaimed actor won Emmys for his performance on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” then gained fans for his comedic performance on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”; Dec. 11
![In this Sept. 17, 2014 file photo, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks during a lecture, in Concord, N.H. O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, says she has the beginning stages of dementia and "probably Alzheimer's disease." O'Connor made the announcement in a letter Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. She said that her diagnosis was made "some time ago" and that as her condition has progressed she is "no longer able to participate in public life." (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sandradayoconnor.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Dick Nunis, 91: He was a longtime executive at Disneyland, and he was part of the teams that developed Disney World and other parks around the globe; Dec. 13
George McGinnis, 73: The Basketball Hall of Famer was a star in both the ABA and NBA, captivating fans with his one-handed jump shot and uncanny athleticism; Dec. 14
Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, 86: He served as emir of Kuwait for three years, and previously served as defense minister during the Iraqi invasion in 1990; Dec. 16
James McCaffrey, 65: The actor, who had roles in such TV series as “Rescue Me” and “Suits,” also was known for voicing “Max Payne” in the popular video game franchise; Dec. 17
Eric Montross, 52: The college basketball star won an NCAA title with North Carolina in 1993, had an eight-season NBA career, then returned to UNC as a radio broadcaster; Dec. 17
Scores of notable people around the globe passed away in 2023. They came from all corners and all walks of life.
Many graced screens big and small, others performed music that inspired us to dance. We cheered them, or perhaps rooted against them, in their athletic endeavors.
Some were political leaders whose decisions affect our lives today. Others were inventors and scientific innovators. And many had unusual professions or hobbies.
Their names are ones we won’t forget.
Here are their stories.
January
Art McNally, 91: He was the NFL’s head of officiating for more than 50 years and was a pioneer in instant replay in sports; Jan. 1
Fred White, 67: The Grammy-winning musician was a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire and served as the band’s drummer; Jan. 1
Frank Galati, 79: He was an actor, director and teacher who won two Tony Awards in 1990 for his staging of “The Grapes of Wrath”; Jan. 2
Bessie Laurena Hendricks, 115: The Iowa resident, who once taught in a one-room schoolhouse, was thought to be the oldest person in the United States at the time of her death; Jan. 3
Walter Cunningham, 90: He was the last surviving astronaut from the Apollo 7 mission, which paved the way for the moon landing in 1969; Jan. 3
Fay Weldon, 91: The British author, whose novel “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” later became a film starring Meryl Streep, also was a playwright and a writer on the popular 1970s series “Upstairs, Downstairs”; Jan. 4
Adam Rich, 54: The actor was best known to TV audiences as “America’s little brother” on “Eight is Enough”; Jan. 7
Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway, 51: The political commentator was an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, and she and sister Rochelle “Silk” Richardson had regular roles at Fox News; Jan. 8
Melinda Dillon, 83: She was a two-time Oscar nominee best known for the movies “A Christmas Story” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”; Jan. 9
Charles Simic, 84: The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet was the nation’s poet laureate from 2007-08; Jan. 9
Jeff Beck, 78: He was a guitar virtuoso who influenced generations of musicians, shooting to fame with The Yardbirds and later performing with such vocalists as Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde and Buddy Guy; Jan. 10 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
King Constantine II, 82: He was Greece’s last king, being forced into exile in 1967 after a military coup; Jan. 10
George Pell, 81: The Australian cardinal was the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of child sex abuse and spent 404 days in solitary confinement, only to have his convictions overturned; Jan. 10
Charles Kimbrough, 86: The Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor was best known for playing a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown”; Jan. 11
Tatjana Patitz, 56: The elite supermodel graced magazine covers in the 1980s and ’90s and appeared in George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” music video; Jan. 11
Charles White, 64: The former USC tailback was the 1979 Heisman Trophy winner, who then went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL; Jan. 11
Robbie Bachman, 69: He was the drummer for the Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive; Jan. 12
Lisa Marie Presley, 54: She was the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy; Jan. 12
Ray Cordeiro, 98: The disc jockey had a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio and was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest-working DJ; Jan. 13
Robbie Knievel, 60: The stunt performer set records with daredevil motorcycle jumps — including at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and a Grand Canyon chasm — and followed in the tracks of his thrill-seeking father, Evel; Jan. 13
CJ Harris, 31: The singer placed sixth on the 13th season of “American Idol”; Jan. 15
Gina Lollobrigida, 95; The Italian actress, once touted as “the most beautiful woman in the world,” starred in such films as “Come September,” “Trapeze” and “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell”; Jan. 15
Lloyd Morrisett, 93: He was a psychologist and experimental educator who became the co-creator of “Sesame Street”; Jan. 15
Jay Briscoe, 38: The professional wrestler, who was born Jamin Pugh, was a Ring of Honor star; Jan. 17
Chris Ford, 74: The Boston Celtics legend also was a longtime NBA coach and the player credited with scoring the league’s first 3-point basket; Jan. 17
Sister André, 118: She was a French nun, born Lucile Randon, who was believed to be the world’s oldest person at the time of her death; Jan. 17
David Crosby, 81: The legendary singer-songwriter was a folk rock pioneer who was one of the founding members of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Jan. 18 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
![SYRACUSE, NY - OCTOBER 09: David Crosby performs onstage at the One World Concert at Syracuse University on October 9, 2012 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Syracuse University)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SJM-L-OBCROSBY-03-0119.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Roslyn Pope, 84: She was a civil rights activist who wrote the “Appeal for Human Rights,” which helped launch a campaign of boycotts and sit-ins, then later worked as a college professor and a musician; Jan.18
Anton Walkes, 25: He was a pro soccer player who started his career with English Premier League club Tottenham, then later played for Atlanta and Charlotte in the MLS; Jan. 19
Cindy Williams, 75: The actress appeared in dozens of film and TV roles but was best known for playing Shirley Feeney on the smash 1970s sitcom “Laverne & Shirley”; Jan. 25
Jessie Lemonier, 25: The former NFL linebacker played for the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions; Jan. 26
Billy Packer, 82: He was an award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered every Final Four tournament from 1975 to 2008; Jan. 26
Sylvia Sims, 89: The British actress starred in scores of film and TV roles, including “Ice Cold in Alex,” “Victim,” “The Queen” and “EastEnders”; Jan. 27
Lisa Loring, 64: The actress was best known for her role as Wednesday Addams in the original “The Addams Family” sitcom; Jan. 28
Barrett Strong, 81: The Motown musician was a co-writer on many of the label’s biggest hits, and he sang lead on the company’s breakthrough single, “Money (That’s What I Want)”: Jan. 28
Tom Verlaine, 73: He was an acclaimed vocalist-guitarist whose experimental art-rock band Television helped define the New York City punk scene in the 1970s; Jan. 28
Ira “Bob” Born, 98: He served as CEO of the Pennsylvania-based candy maker Just Born Quality Confections and was nicknamed “the Father of Peeps”; Jan. 29
Annie Wersching, 45: The actress was best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series “24″ and providing the voice for Tess in the video game “The Last of Us”; Jan. 29
Bobby Hull, 84: The Hockey Hall of Famer was a two-time MVP who won a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 1961, and is the father of Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull; Jan. 30
February
Paco Rabanne, 81: The Spanish-born fashion designer was known for perfumes sold worldwide and for metallic, space-age apparel; Feb. 3
Harry Whittington, 95: He was a Texas attorney who gained fame after then-Vice President Dick Cheney injured him in a hunting accident in 2006; Feb. 4
Pervez Musharraf, 79: The former military ruler of Pakistan pledged support for the United States after it attacked Afghanistan in 2001, then fled his country in self-exile in 2008; Feb. 5
Burt Bacharach, 94: The award-winning composer wrote scores for Broadway and for movies, as well as such hits as “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “Walk on By”; Feb. 8
Hugh Hudson, 86: The British filmmaker was best known for directing the Oscar-winning movie “Chariots of Fire”; Feb. 10
Dave Hollis, 47: He was a film executive who oversaw the release of such blockbusters as “Black Panther,” then later became a self-help author; Feb. 11
Austin Majors, 27: He was a child actor who appeared in such TV shows as “NYPD Blue,” “ER” and “NCIS”; Feb. 11
Trugoy the Dove, 54: The musician, born David Jude Jolicoeur, was a co-founder of the groundbreaking hip-hop trio De La Soul; Feb. 12
Ted Lerner, 97: He was a real-estate mogul who was the owner of the Washington Nationals; Feb. 12
![1976: U.S. actress Raquel Welch gives a press conference on February 4, 1976 before her show at the Palais des Congrs in Paris. (AFP via Getty Images)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BNG-L-WELCHPIX-0215-017.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Raquel Welch, 82: The iconic actress, who appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies, was known for such films as “Fantastic Voyage” and “One Million Years B.C”; Feb. 15
Tim McCarver, 81: He was a Baseball Hall of Famer who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies before becoming an award-winning broadcaster; Feb. 16
Stella Stevens, 84: The actress and director had scores of TV and film appearances, starring in such notable films as “The Nutty Professor” and “The Poseidon Adventure”; Feb. 17
Richard Belzer, 78: He was a stand-up comedian who later played Detective John Munch on the TV shows “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order: SVU”; Feb. 19
Red McCombs, 95: The Texas businessman, who was a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, also was the owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Vikings; Feb. 19
John Motson, 77: He was one of Britain’s most famous soccer commentators, calling nearly 2,500 games for the BBC from 1968 to 2018; Feb. 23
Walter Mirisch, 101: The Oscar-winning producer of “In the Heat of the Night” also oversaw such classic films as “Some Like It Hot,” “West Side Story,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Pink Panther”; Feb. 24
Gordon Pinsent, 92: The performer, called “one of Canada’s most iconic actors,” appeared in such films as “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “The Shipping News” and “Away from Her”; Feb. 25
Bob Richards, 97: He was pole vaulting champ, known as the “Vaulting Vicar,” who won a pair of Olympic gold medals in the event, and was the first athlete ever featured on a Wheaties box; Feb. 26
Ricou Browning, 93: He was a swimmer who starred in “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” then later worked as a stuntman, writer and director on a handful of TV and movie projects; Feb. 27
March
Just Fontaine, 89: The French soccer legend, who scored a record 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup, later served as head coach of the French and Moroccan national teams; March 1
Jerry Richardson, 86: He played two seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts, then later was the first owner of the expansion Carolina Panthers franchise; March 1
Wayne Shorter, 89: The jazz legend was a pioneering saxophonist who won 12 Grammy awards, and he played with such musicians as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Carlos Santana; March 2
Kenzaburo Oe, 88: The Japanese author, who based his books on his childhood memories and his life parenting a disabled child, won the 1994 Nobel Prize in literature; March 3
Tom Sizemore, 61: The actor was known for roles in such films as “Saving Private Ryan” and “Heat,” but he also made headlines for domestic violence and drug convictions; March 3
Judy Heumann, 75: She was an activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, such as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act; March 4
Pat McCormick, 92: She was a champion diver who won two gold medals at both the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics; March 7
Chaim Topol, 87: The Israeli actor was famed for playing Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” earning an Oscar nomination for the 1971 film, and more than 3,500 times on stage; March 8
Robert Blake, 89: The Emmy-winning actor was best known for his role on the TV show “Baretta,” but later gained notoriety when he was tried and acquitted of murdering his wife; March 9
Bud Grant, 95: He led four Minnesota Vikings teams to the Super Bowl in the 1970s, and won four league championships during his 10 years in the Canadian Football League; March 11
Rolly Crump, 93: He started as an illustrator with Walt Disney, then went on to become a theme park designer who created three of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions; March 12
Dick Fosbury, 76: He was an Olympic gold medalist who revamped high jump event with his “Fosbury Flop”; March 12
Joe Pepitone, 82: The three-time MLB All-Star played for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves during his 12-year career; March 13
Pat Schroeder, 82: She was a longtime Colorado congresswoman who was an outspoken advocate for women’s and family rights, and battled for greater acceptance of women in government; March 13
![FILE - U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, D-Colo., sits on the porch outside her Capitol Hill headquarters in Denver on July 18, 1994. Schroeder, a pioneer for women's and family rights in Congress, has died at the age of 82. Schroeder's former press secretary, Andrea Camp, said Schroeder suffered a stroke recently and died Monday night, March 13, 2023, at a hospital in Florida, the state where she had been residing. (AP Photo/file/Joe Mahoney, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SJM-L-OBSCHROEDER-0315.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Bobby Caldwell, 71: The soulful singer-songwriter had a big hit with “What You Won’t Do For Love,” and his music was sampled by such artists as Tupac Shakur, Common and John Legend; March 14
Gloria Dea, 100: She was the first magician to perform on the Las Vegas Strip, and she later appeared in several movies, including “Plan 9 From Outer Space” and “King of the Congo”; March 18
Jim Jenks, 84: He was the founder of the Ocean Pacific line of surf clothing, and was instrumental in bringing pro surfing to California in the 1980s; March 19
Willis Reed, 80: The basketball legend basketball legend was the heart of 1970s-era New York Knicks teams, and his performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals is one of sports’ most enduring examples of playing through pain; March 21
Darcelle XV, 92: The drag queen, born Walter C. Cole, was crowned the world’s oldest working drag performer, and she hosted the West Coast’s longest running drag show at her Portland nightclub; March 23
Randall Robinson, 81: The civil rights activist helped lead the fight to end apartheid in South Africa, lobbied for humane policy for Haitian refugees and sought reparations for Black Americans; March 24
Paul O’Grady, 67: The British TV and radio host, who shot to fame as the drag queen Lily Savage, was an advocate for LGBTQ rights at the height of the AIDS crisis; March 28
Ryuichi Sakamoto, 71: He was a Japanese actor musician who won an Oscar for his score on “The Last Emperor” and was a pioneer of the electronic music of the late 1970s; March 28
April
Klaus Teuber, 70: The German board-game designer created the hugely popular game Catan; April 1
Seymour Stein, 80: The music executive helped launch the careers of such artists as Madonna, Talking Heads and the Ramones, and he also was a creator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation; April 2
Paul Cattermole, 46: The British singer was a member of the early 2000s pop group S Club 7; April 6
Ben Ferencz, 103: As an Army soldier, he witnessed first-hand the horrors of the Holocaust, then later prosecuted Nazis during the Nuremberg trials following World War II; April 7
Lasse Wellander, 70: The Swedish guitarist played with several groups but was best known for being the long-term guitarist for ABBA; April 7
Michael Lerner, 81: The actor was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film “Barton Fink,” but also appeared in such movies as “Harlem Nights,” “Elf,” and “Eight Men Out”; April 8
Al Jaffee, 102: He was a beloved cartoonist for Mad magazine, creating the Fold-In and “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions” sections of the humor publication; April 10
Mary Quant, 93: The “trailblazing” British fashion designer revolutionized fashion in the 1960s, and she is credited with figuring out how to market miniskirts to the masses; April 13
Ahmad Jamal, 92: He was an award-winning jazz pianist whose laid-back approach to music inspired scores of performers, with his work sampled on dozens of rap songs; April 16
Chris Smith, 31: The former NFL defensive end played for five teams in his career, including the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders; April 17
![FILE - Talk show host Jerry Springer speaks in New York on April 15, 2010. Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show unleashed strippers, homewreckers and skinheads to brawl and spew obscenities on weekday afternoons, has died. He was 79. A family spokesperson died Thursday at home in suburban Chicago. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SJM-L-OBSPRINGER-0420.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Richard Riordan, 92: He served as mayor of Los Angeles from 1993 to 2001, then later served in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration; April 19
Len Goodman, 78: He was a British dance champion who was most famous for serving as a judge on the American reality show “Dancing With the Stars”; April 22
Barry Humphries, 89: The Australian comedian was famed for portraying Dame Edna Everage, won a Tony for his portrayal of the condescending snob; April 22
Tori Bowie, 32: She was a track-and-field star for Team USA, winning three medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio; April 23
Ginnie Newhart, 82: She was married to comedian Bob Newhart for 60 years, and inspired the classic ending to his sitcom “Newhart”; April 23
Harry Belafonte, 96: The singer of the much-loved “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” also was actor and activist who was an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement; April 25
Carolyn Bryant Donham, 88: She accused 14-year-old Emmett Till of whistling at her at a grocery store in Mississippi in 1955, and the accusations led to his lynching; April 25
Dick Groat, 92: He was an MLB star, winning an MVP award with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960, who also played in the NBA for a short period of time in the 1950s; April 27
Jerry Springer, 79: The former mayor of Cincinnati later went on to become the host of the infamous “The Jerry Springer Show” talk show; April 27
Larry “Gator” Rivers, 73: The basketball player was a beloved member of the Harlem Globetrotters, then later became a county commissioner in his native Georgia; April 29
May
Gordon Lightfoot, 84: The legendary Canadian folk singer and songwriter was known for such 1970s hits as “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”; May 1 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
Lance Blanks, 56: The former NBA player held several front-office jobs — including as general manager of the Phoenix Suns — before becoming an analyst for ESPN; May 3
Newton Minow, 97: He was a former Federal Communications Commission chief and, in the early 1960s, famously proclaimed that network television was a “vast wasteland”; May 6
Grace Bumbry, 86: The mezzo-soprano, who was considered “one of the first great African American stars” of opera, performed all over the world, including at the White House in 1962; May 7
Rita Lee, 75: The musician was Brazil’s beloved “Queen of Rock,” and her music popularized feminist themes and addressed her struggles with drug abuse; May 8
Heather Armstrong, 47: She was a pioneering mommy blogger on the website Dooce.com, then wrote several books describing her battles with addiction and depression; May 9
Denny Crum, 86; He was a legendary college basketball coach who got his start as an assistant to John Wooden at UCLA, then later led Louisville to two NCAA titles; May 9
Jacklyn Zeman, 70: The actress played nurse Bobbie Spencer on “General Hospital” for five decades, and later gained an Emmy nomination for her role on the crime drama “The Bay”; May 9
Hodding Carter III, 88: The one-time civil rights activist became a spokesperson for the State Department during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, then returned to journalism after his time with the government; May 11
Don Denkinger, 86: The longtime Major League Baseball umpire was considered one of the finest of his era, but his blown call in the 1985 World Series overshadowed his years of excellence; May 12
Doyle Brunson, 89: The legendary poker player, often called the “Godfather of Poker,” was a two-time world champion and a 10-time winner of the World Series of Poker; May 14
![Tina Turner performs a song during the German television show 'Wetten Dass...?' ('Bet It...?') in Leipzig, Germany, on Nov. 13, 2004. Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and '70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at 83. (AP Photo/Alexandra Winkler, pool)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SJM-L-OBTURNER-03-0524.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Gloria Molina, 74: She was a groundbreaking lawmaker who was the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the State Assembly; May 14
Marlene Hagge-Vossler, 89: She was a founding member of the LPGA, and won 26 times on the LPGA Tour; May 16
Jim Brown, 87: The NFL legend, considered one of the greatest football players ever, also was a civil rights activist in the 1960s, then later became an actor with more than 30 films to his credit; May 18
Martin Amis, 73: The British author wrote several bleakly comic novels, including Money: A Suicide Note,” “London Fields” and “The Information,” plus a well-regarded memoir; May 19
Andy Rourke, 59: The British musician was a bassist with The Strokes, then later played with such artists as The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor; May 19
Ray Stevenson, 58: The actor appeared in dozens of TV and film roles, including the “Thor” movies and several Star Wars-related series, including “Ahsoka”; May 21
Tina Turner, 83: The legendary singer got her start in a duo with ex-husband Ike Turner, then rocked the charts as a solo artist in her 40s, and was an inspiration to many after she spoke out about domestic abuse; May 24
June
Mike Batayeh, 52: The actor and comedian had roles in several TV shows, but was best known for playing laundromat manager Dennis Markowski on “Breaking Bad”; June 1
Kaija Saariaho, 70: The acclaimed composer is considered one of the most prolific of the 21st century, and she created new sounds by weaving electronics in her compositions; June 2
George Winston, 73; He was a New Age pianist who sold millions of albums, including “Autumn,” “Winter Into Spring” and “December”; June 4
Astrud Gilberto, 83: The Brazilian singer and songwriter, considered the face of bossa nova, was best known for singing the smash hit “The Girl from Ipanema”; June 5
Robert Hanssen, 79: He was a former FBI agent who was sentenced to life in prison for taking money and gifts from the Soviet Union in exchange for classified information on the U.S. government; June 5
Pat Casey, 29: He was a BMX star who medaled at the X Games and pioneered such stunts as the decade backflip and the fakie cashroll; June 6
Françoise Gilot, 101: She was a notable French painter who also gained fame for her turbulent relationship with Pablo Picasso; June 6
Richard Snyder, 90: He was a book publisher who oversaw the meteoric rise of Simon & Schuster, publishing such books as “All the President’s Men” and “Lonesome Dove”; June 6
Iron Sheik, 81: The pro wrestler, who was born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri in Iran, was a villain that fans loved to jeer, and later became a popular personality on social media; June 7
Pat Robertson, 93: He was a Christian broadcaster, best known for the show “The 700 Club,” who helped make religion central to GOP politics; June 8
Ted Kaczynski, 82: He was known as the “Unabomber” and was behind a deadly string of bombings that killed three people and injured 23 others; June 10
Roger Payne, 88: The scientist discovered that whales can sing, and his work helped spark a global environmental conservation movement; June 10
Silvio Berlusconi, 86: The Italian media mogul later served as his country’s prime minister, but his time in office was embroiled in sex scandals and fraud allegations; June 12
John Romita Sr., 93: He was a comic book author who created such beloved Marvel characters as Wolverine and Punisher; June 12
Cormac McCarthy, 89: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author was best known for such books as “No Country for Old Men,” “The Road” and “Blood Meridian”; June 13
Robert Gottlieb, 92: The celebrated book author’s career was launched with Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” and he later worked with such authors as Toni Morrison, John Le Carré and Michael Crichton; June 14
Homer Jones, 82: The NFL star, who played for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, is credited with the invention of the spike; June 14
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Glenda Jackson, 87: She was a film actress who won two Oscars, then pivoted to become a member of Parliament in her native England, then returned to acting later in life; June 15
Daniel Ellsberg, 92: He was a government consultant who became a whistle-blower with his leak of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed secrets about the Vietnam War; June 16
Sheldon Harnick, 99: He was a Tony- and Grammy Award-winning lyricist who, with composer Jerry Bock, worked on such shows as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Fiorello!”; June 23
John Goodenough, 100: He was a Nobel-winning scientist whose work led to the creation of the lithium-ion battery; June 25
Nicolas Coster, 89: He was an actor who appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, but was best known for his roles on the soap operas “Another World” and “Santa Barbara”; June 26
Alan Arkin, 89: The Oscar-winning actor appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including “Wait Until Dark,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Argo” and “The Kominsky Method”; June 29
Christine King Farris, 95: She was a civil rights activist and professor at Spelman College in Atlanta who worked to help preserve the legacy of her brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; June 29
Julian Sands, 65: The British actor had more than 150 credits in career, appearing in such films and TV shows as “A Room With a View,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “24” and “Dexter”
July
Mikala Jones, 44: The Hawaiian surfer, who won two national championships as an amateur, was famed for photos and videos from inside waves; July 9
Milan Kundera, 94: The reclusive author, who was born in Czechoslovakia but became a citizen of France; was best known for the book “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”; July 11
Jane Birkin, 76: She was a British actress and singer who was celebrated for her political activism, but she also was the namesake for a luxury Hermes handbag; July 16
Kevin Mitnick, 59: He was a pioneering computer hacker who went from being a felon to a respected cybersecurity professional and public speaker; July 16
Angelo Mozilo: He was the former CEO of Countrywide Financial who had a key role the subprime mortgage meltdown that led in part to the 2008 financial crisis; July 16
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Singer Sinead O'Connor performs at The 2011 amfAR Inspiration Gala Los Angeles held at the Chateau Marmont on October 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for amfAR)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SJM-L-OBOCONNOR-01-0726.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Tony Bennett, 96: The singer, most famous for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” released more than 70 albums, was the oldest artist to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard charts, and was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement; July 21
Randy Meisner, 75: The musician was a founding member of The Eagles, singing lead on the hit song “Take It to the Limit,” but also played with such musicians as Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor; July 26
Sinéad O’Connor, 56: The Irish singer-songwriter was famed for her version of the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” but she also came under fire after tearing up a photo of the pope on “Saturday Night Live” in 1992; July 26
Paul Reubens, 70: The actor and comedian was best known for playing the character Pee-wee Herman in such TV shows and films as “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”; July 30
August
Sheila Oliver, 71: The lawmaker, who was New Jersey’s lieutenant governor at the time of her death, was the first Black woman to hold a statewide elected office in New Jersey; Aug. 1
Mark Margolis, 83: The character actor was best known for playing fan favorite Hector Salamanca on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”; Aug. 3
DJ Casper, 58: The Chicago disc jockey, born Willie Perry Jr., was the creator of the iconic song “Cha Cha Slide”; Aug. 7
William Friedkin, 87: He was a noted film director who won an Oscar for “The French Connection,” then later directed the horror classic “The Exorcist”; Aug. 7
Jamie Reid, 76: The anarchist British artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers, and later created politically relevant work that criticized Donald Trump and sought freedom for Russian punk band Pussy Riot; Aug. 8
Sixto Rodriguez, 81: He was a singer-songwriter albums whose flopped in the U.S. in the 1970s, but — unknown to him — he became a star in South Africa, and his story was told in the documentary “Searching for Sugar Man”‘ Aug. 8
Robbie Robertson, 80: The legendary Canadian songwriter and guitarist with The Band helped reshape American music, and he organized an all-star gathering in San Francisco that became the basis for the documentary “The Last Waltz”; Aug. 9
Darren Kent, 39: The British actor had roles in several films and TV shows, but he was best known for playing a goatherd in “Game of Thrones”; Aug. 11
Clarence Avant, 92; The entertainment icon, known as the “Black Godfather” of music, helped launch or guide the careers of Quincy Jones, Bill Withers and many others; Aug. 13
Ada Deer, 88: She was the first woman to lead Bureau of Indian Affairs and was a fierce advocate for tribal sovereignty; Aug. 15
![Bob Barker of "The Price Is Right" speaks at his Farewell Press Conference during the 2007 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour for CBS at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on January 18, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GettyImages-73039380.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Jerry Moss, 88: He was a titan of the music industry, founding A&M Records with partner Herb Alpert, then later releasing such albums as Carole King’s “Tapestry” and Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!”; Aug. 16
Michael Parkinson, 88: He was Britain’s talk show king and interviewed some of the most famous celebrities of the 20th century, including four famed talks with Muhammad Ali; Aug. 16
Ron Cephas Jones, 66: The actor, who won two Emmys for his role on “This Is Us,” had a long theater career and appeared in such films as “Half Nelson” and “Dolemite Is My Name”; Aug. 19
Bray Wyatt, 36: The professional wrestler, born Windham Rotunda, was a star in the WWE who won several championship; Aug. 24
Bob Barker, 99: The beloved TV personality was best known for hosting such game shows as “The Price Is Right” and “Truth or Consequences,” and was famed for his animal rights activism; Aug. 26
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, 49: The political activist, known better as “Joe the Plumber,” shot to fame in 2008 when he questioned then-candidate Barack Obama during a stop in Ohio; Aug. 27
Mohamed Al Fayed, 94: The Egypt-born businessman once owned Harrods department store in London and Fulham Football Club, and publicly grieved son Dodi and Princess Diana after their deaths in 1997; Aug. 30
September
Jimmy Buffett, 76: The beloved singer-songwriter of “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” also had a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions; Sept. 1 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
Bill Richardson, 75: The longtime politician was a former governor of New Mexico, then became a UN ambassador who worked to free detained Americans; Sept. 1
Gary Wright, 80: The singer-songwriter was best known for the 1970s hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love Is Alive”; Sept. 4
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Charlie Robison, 59: He was a country singer-songwriter who was best known for the hit “I Want You Bad”; Sept. 10
Ian Wilmut, 79: The British scientist led the team that in 1997 cloned Dolly the sheep, and he also used cloning techniques to make stem cells that could be used in regenerative medicine; Sept. 10
Leina’ala Ann Teruya Drummond, 77: The native of Hawaii was a flight attendant and former Miss Hawaii who became the “face” of Hawaiian Airlines; Sept. 18
David McCallum, 90: The Scottish actor appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, and was the star of “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “NCIS”; Sept. 25
Brooks Robinson, 86; The Baseball Hall of Famer was a Baltimore Orioles legend and is considered one of greatest third basemen in MLB history; Sept. 26
Michael Gambon, 82: The Irish-British actor had a wide-ranging career, with such notable roles as Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” films and in the 1980s TV series “The Singing Detective”; Sept. 27
October
Tim Wakefield, 57; He was a knuckleball pitcher who helped the Boston Red Sox win World Series in 2004, and was well-known for his sportsmanship and community involvement; Oct. 1
Dick Butkus, 80: The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a standout linebacker for the Chicago Bears, then later went on to a career in acting; Oct. 5
Burt Young, 83: The actor was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film “Rocky,” and had roles in such films and TV shows as “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and “The Sopranos”; Oct. 8
Dorothy Hoffner, 104: The centenarian set the world record for the oldest skydiver ever, making the jump just a week before her death; Oct. 9
Rudolph Isley, 84: He was a founding member of rhythm and blues group the Isley Brothers, famed for such songs as “Shout,” “Twist and Shout” and “It’s Your Thing”; Oct. 11
Louise Glück, 80: She was a Nobel-winning poet, praised for “her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal”; Oct. 13
Piper Laurie, 91: The three-time Oscar nominee was known for such films as “The Hustler” and “Carrie,” and had notable stage and TV roles, including on “Twin Peaks”; Oct. 14
Martti Ahtisaari, 86: The former prime minister of Finland won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in facilitating Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s; Oct. 16
Bobby Charlton, 86: The British soccer legend was called “the greatest Manchester United player of all time,” and led the England team that won the 1966 World Cup; Oct. 21
Bobi, 31: The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog from Portugal set the Guinness World Record as the oldest dog to ever live; Oct. 21
Vincent Asaro, 88: He was reputed to be a member of the Bonanno crime family, and gained notoriety for his alleged involvement in the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK airport depicted in the movie “Goodfellas”; Oct. 22
Tasha Butts, 41: She was a star basketball player at Tennessee, then had a brief WNBA career before becoming a women’s basketball coach at Georgetown; Oct. 22
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Don Laughlin, 92: The resort and casino owner created the Nevada town south of Las Vegas that bears his name; Oct. 22
Bishan Bedi, 77: The Indian cricket great took 1,560 first-class wickets, the most by any Indian bowler ever; Oct. 23
Richard Roundtree, 81: The pioneering Black actor shot to fame with his roles in the film “Shaft” and the TV miniseries “Roots”; Oct. 24
Richard Moll, 80: The longtime character actor was best known for playing lovable bailiff Bull on the original “Night Court,” then later voiced several video games and comic book projects; Oct. 26
Li Keqiang, 68: He was China’s former premier and was the country’s top economic official for a decade; Oct. 27
Adam Johnson, 29: The college hockey star at Minnesota-Duluth went on to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, then died in a tragic accident while playing in England; Oct. 28
Matthew Perry, 54: The beloved actor was one of the stars of the sitcom “Friends,” had scores of other film and TV roles, and wrote a best-selling memoir about his struggles with addiction; Oct. 28
Frank Howard, 87: He was a fan favorite baseball star, playing for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers, and slugging 382 home runs; Oct. 30
Tyler Christopher, 50: The Emmy-winning actor was a soap opera star, playing Nikolas Considine on “General Hospital” and Stefan Di Mera on “Days of Our Lives”; Oct. 31
Ken Mattingly, 87: The astronaut was slated to be on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, but stayed behind after being exposed to rubella and helped save the imperiled crew; Oct. 31
Taraja Ramsess, 41: He was an actor and martial artist but was best known for working as a stuntman on several movies, including “Black Panther” and “Creed III”; Oct. 31
November
Bob Knight, 83: The basketball coaching legend led Indiana to 3 NCAA men’s basketball titles and the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 1984, but he also was known for his explosive temper and outbursts; Nov. 1
Evan Ellingson, 35; He was a child actor who had roles in TV’s “CSI: Miami” and “24,” and the films “My Sister’s Keeper” and “Letters From Iwo Jima”; Nov. 5
Frank Borman, 95: He served as the commander on the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, and helped pave the way for the 1969 moon landing; Nov. 7
Maryanne Trump Barry, 86: She was a former federal judge and prosecutor, and was the eldest sister of former President Donald Trump; Nov. 13
Peter Seidler, 63: He was the owner of the San Diego Padres, and in recent years invested millions of dollars in the team in an effort to bring the city a World Series win; Nov. 14
![FILE - This photo provided by the White House is the official portrait of first lady Rosalynn Carter in the Vermeil Room of the White House, Feb. 18, 1977. Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. She was 96. (The White House via AP, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-ROSALYNN-1120-12.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Dex Carvey, 32: The artist and comedian was the son of comedy legend Dana Carvey; Nov. 15
A.S. Byatt, 87: The acclaimed British author won the Booker Prize in 1990 for “Possession,” then was a finalist for the award again in 2009 for “The Children’s Book”; Nov. 16
George “Funky” Brown, 74: The drummer was a founding member of Kool & the Gang, and he co-wrote some of the band’s best-known songs, such as “Celebration” and “Ladies Night”; Nov. 17
Rosalynn Carter, 96: She was the former first lady who, with husband Jimmy, spent his post-presidency on humanitarian missions, building houses with Habitat for Humanity and promoting public health and democracy; Nov. 19
Willie Hernández, 69: The left-handed relief pitcher won both the MVP and Cy Young awards in 1984 as a member of the Detroit Tigers; Nov. 20
Marty Krofft, 86: The noted TV producer, with brother Sid, was behind such children’s hits as “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” and brought Donny and Marie Osmond to primetime; Nov. 25
Mary Cleave, 76: She was an astronaut who was the first woman to fly on a space shuttle after the Challenger disaster, then later was the first woman to oversee NASA’s research programs; Nov. 27
Frances Sternhagen, 93: The acclaimed actress won two Tony awards, but also was known for her roles in the TV shows “Sex and the City” and “Cheers”; Nov. 27
Henry Kissinger, 100: The controversial secretary of state under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford helped end the Vietnam War and open relations between the U.S. and China; Nov. 29
Charlie Munger, 99: The businessman and philanthropist worked with Warren Buffett to build Berkshire Hathaway into an investing powerhouse; Nov. 28
Shane MacGowan, 65: The singer-songwriter was the frontman for the bands The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes; Nov. 30 (Read an appreciation of his career here.)
December
Sandra Day O’Connor, 93: The groundbreaking judge was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court; Dec. 1
Denny Laine, 79: The singer-songwriter was a co-founder of the bands The Moody Blues and Wings, and with longtime collaborator Paul McCartney won a Grammy for “Band on the Run”; Dec. 5
Norman Lear, 101: The award-winning TV producer behind such groundbreaking shows as “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” also was an outspoken advocate for liberal causes; Dec. 5
Ryan O’Neal, 82: The actor got his start on TV’s “Peyton Place,” but shot to stardom with roles in such films as “Love Story” and “Paper Moon,” then remained in the headlines for his turbulent family life; Dec. 8
Andre Braugher, 61: The acclaimed actor won Emmys for his performance on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” then gained fans for his comedic performance on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”; Dec. 11
![In this Sept. 17, 2014 file photo, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks during a lecture, in Concord, N.H. O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, says she has the beginning stages of dementia and "probably Alzheimer's disease." O'Connor made the announcement in a letter Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. She said that her diagnosis was made "some time ago" and that as her condition has progressed she is "no longer able to participate in public life." (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sandradayoconnor.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Dick Nunis, 91: He was a longtime executive at Disneyland, and he was part of the teams that developed Disney World and other parks around the globe; Dec. 13
George McGinnis, 73: The Basketball Hall of Famer was a star in both the ABA and NBA, captivating fans with his one-handed jump shot and uncanny athleticism; Dec. 14
Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, 86: He served as emir of Kuwait for three years, and previously served as defense minister during the Iraqi invasion in 1990; Dec. 16
James McCaffrey, 65: The actor, who had roles in such TV series as “Rescue Me” and “Suits,” also was known for voicing “Max Payne” in the popular video game franchise; Dec. 17
Eric Montross, 52: The college basketball star won an NCAA title with North Carolina in 1993, had an eight-season NBA career, then returned to UNC as a radio broadcaster; Dec. 17