In memoriam: Celebrities who died in 2021
July 10, 2021
Slide 1 of 44: Here's a look at the famous people who've left us in 2021.
Slide 2 of 44: Roberts was known for her roles as Midge in “That ’70s Show” and as a Bond Girl in 1985’s “A View to Kill." She was 65.
Slide 3 of 44: Dearon Thompson, who played Malik McGrath on the medical drama “ER” and also had a career in hip-hop, died at 55 of a suspected heart attack.
Slide 4 of 44: The critically acclaimed filmmaker is probably best known for his fascinating every-seven-years documentary series "Up" but he also directed Bond flick "The World Is Not Enough" and the award-winning "Coal Miner's Daughter."
Slide 5 of 44: Reilly is best known for his longtime role as retired spy Sean Donely on “General Hospital."
Slide 6 of 44: The colorfully tattoed "Survivor" star (2005 season) became popular with viewers despite her nickname: "No Fun Angie." She died after battling a rare form of colorectal cancer.
Slide 7 of 44: Fischbacher, at left, and his partner Roy Horn were world-famous magicians and entertainers, best known for their appearances with white lions and white tigers. Horn died eight months before Fischbacher.
Slide 8 of 44: Spector was considered a musical genius when it came to producing records, including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," but in 2003 he was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson and he died in prison.
Slide 9 of 44: Harry Brant, the flamboyant fashionista son of billionaire Peter Brant and supermodel Stephanie Seymour, died of an accidental prescription drug overdose at the age of 24.
Slide 10 of 44: King began his career on radio in the '50s and went on to host Larry King Live on CNN, which ran for 20-plus years and taped over 6,000 shows, which means he probably interviewed just about anyone you can think of.
Slide 11 of 44: You may not recognize his name but if you watch enough movies and TV shows, you certainly do his face. He appeared in movies from "All the President's Men" to "Lincoln" and won an Emmy as well as a Tony.
Slide 12 of 44: A legend among comedy writers and performers, she and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are the most awarded actresses in Emmy history, with eight each. She also won an Academy Award for 1971's "The Last Picture Show."
Slide 13 of 44: Another classy, luminary in the entertainment world, Tyson was a Tony and Emmy winner who was also Oscar-nominated for her role in the 1972 film “Sounder." She was an incredible 96.
Slide 14 of 44: Sophie Xeon, the artist's full name, was an innovative and influential musician, record producer, singer, songwriter and DJ. Pitchfork dubbed Xeon, a trans woman who died tragically after a fall in Greece, "the influential British producer who molded electronic music into bracingly original avant-garde pop."
Slide 15 of 44: There are few kids who were teenagers in the '80s who weren't at least familiar with the cheesy, goofy TV show "Saved By the Bell" and especially the character Screech, played by Diamond. He was 44 when he died of cancer.
Slide 16 of 44: The Academy Award-winning actor ("The Sound of Music" -- heard of it?) was another respected Hollywood vet and one of the few ever actors ever to win an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony.
Slide 17 of 44: The man who published the adult-magazine-changing Hustler as well as opened strip clubs and "adult" shops, was a fascinating and polarizing figure who had an amazing life, amassing a fortune and also fighting for free speech. Too much to cover here, but look him up. But type in only -- and I repeat only: Larry Flynt; do not including Hustler. Do you understand me? Not responsible for search results.
Slide 18 of 44: If you don't know who Mary Wilson is, take a look at this fantastic photo: Wilson is on the left, Diana Ross is in the middle and that's Florence Ballard on the right. The Supremes remain the most commercially successful vocal group with 12 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Slide 19 of 44: He was an inventive American jazz composer, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. Considered one of the most influential jazz pianists of the post-John Coltrane era, Corea won 23 Grammys. He was 79.
Slide 20 of 44: The conservative, influential, controversial (many) and extremely popular radio talk show host died from cancer at age 70.
Slide 21 of 44: Ferlinghetti was a Beat Generation poet, painter, social activist, and the co-founder of one of America's most well-known bookstores: San Francisco's City Lights. When Ferlinghetti turned 100 in March 2019, the city of San Francisco proclaimed his birthday, March 24, "Lawrence Ferlinghetti Day."
Slide 22 of 44: Cross was a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, but his legacy will be as the first Black sports analyst on national television while working for CBS and its "The NFL Today" show which remains legendary. Cross was 81.
Slide 23 of 44: Jordan was an American business executive and civil rights activist who was later chosen by President Bill Clinton to be one of his closest advisers.
Slide 24 of 44: If the last name sounds familiar it's because Bunny (born Neville O'Riley Livingston) was one of the co-founders and last living member of Jamaican reggae group the Wailers, whose lead singer you may have heard of: Bob Marley. Bunny, who died at 73, was a three-time Grammy winner.
Slide 25 of 44: Mudd, 93, a five-time Emmy winner, was an American broadcast journalist who was a correspondent and anchor for CBS News and NBC News. He also worked as the primary anchor for The History Channel.
Slide 26 of 44: Longtime actor George Segal passed away due to complications during surgery. He was 87. The Long Island native had an impressive career that spanned six decades, decorated with an Oscar nomination in 1966 ("Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?") and continued success well into the 2000s.
Slide 27 of 44: Probably best known for her hilarious role as Lucille Bluth on the legendary, groundbreaking sitcom "Arrested Development" and also for her voice work on the hilarious animated series "Archer."
Slide 28 of 44: One of the most beloved and read writers ever, especially among children, young adults and, yeah, even adults. She created characters such as Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins and Ralph the Mouse while tapping into true emotions for everyone -- past, present or future.
Slide 29 of 44: He was a member of the British royal family as the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving consort to a monarch in British history. He was 99.
Slide 30 of 44: Born Earl Simmons but known by his stage name DMX (Dark Man X), Simmons was a successful American rapper, songwriter and actor.
Slide 31 of 44: Madoff, the the financier who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history, died on April 14 at the age of 82.
Slide 32 of 44: She was perfection in "Peaky Blinders" and acted in three Harry Potter movies (as Narcissa Malfoy), a James Bond film and Martin Scorsese's great family flick "Hugo."
Slide 33 of 44: Mondale, from currently troubled Minnesota, served as the 42nd U.S. Vice President from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. Mondale was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1984 United States presidential election but lost to incumbent Ronald Reagan. Mondale was 93.
Slide 34 of 44: Collins (pictured right) was part of the historic Apollo 11 crew in 1969. He famously flew the Columbia module around the moon while the other two astronauts—Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong—landed on the surface. Collins passed away from cancer on April 28th at the age of 90.
Slide 35 of 44: She won an Oscar and a Golden Globe, among many accolades, for her performance playing Cher's mother in the 1988 classic "Moonstruck." Her cousin is former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. She was 89.
Slide 36 of 44: She was a big deal in the '80s after her role in the Tom Hanks comedy "Bachelor Party" and in her performances in the rock band Whitesnake's videos.
Slide 37 of 44: Grodin started his acting career back in the 1960s and continued to succeed in Hollywood in the following decades, including making nearly 40 appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” The actor and comedian—who did "deadpan" like few could—passed away on Tuesday at age 86.
Slide 38 of 44: Mooney's iconic work as a comedian and writer—including his time writing for the "The Richard Pryor Show"—pushed the envelope on American culture, taking aim at topics such as racism. He appeared in several shows along the way, too, from "The Buddy Holly Story" to "Chappelle's Show," where he also had writing credits. Mooney passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 79.
Slide 39 of 44: The longtime criminal defense attorney rose to fame during the O.J. Simpson trial, where he played an integral part in getting an acquittal for the alleged double-murderer. He passed away on June 3 at the age of 87.
Slide 40 of 44: The versatile, truly respected actor worked with legendary directors like Robert Altman and ("Nashville"), turned in an Oscar-nominated performance ("Network"), was twice nominated for an Emmy and was once hailed by Daily Variety as the "busiest actor in Hollywood." He completed his career with 160 screen credits. But, it is his brave performance in "Deliverance" that will define an incredible career.
Slide 41 of 44: Bonner's career bgean in the late 1960s and skyrocketed in the '70s and '80s. His resume includes both acting and directorial work, with his most notable work coming as the sales manager Herb Tarlek on the classic television show "WKRP." Bonner passed away on June 16 at the age of 79.
Slide 42 of 44: The former Secretary of Defense severed under two presidents—Gerald Ford and George W. Bush—with the gap of time between them making Rumsfeld both the youngest and second-oldest to hold the position. Oftentimes comical with the press, his involvement with the decisions following the September 11 attacks will be the lasting discussion point when looking over his political career. Donald Rumsfeld passed away on June 30 at the age of 88.
Slide 43 of 44: Richard Donner had an iconic career in Hollywood, one that spanned over six decades. He was both a producer and a director, with more than a few notable projects such as the 1978 "Superman" that starred Christopher Reeve, "The Goonies" and the "Lethal Weapon" films. Donner passed away on July 5 at the age of 91.
Slide 44 of 44: Robert Downey Sr. made a name for himself as a filmmaker by creating unconventional films and plays that often teetered on the absurd and comical irreverence. His breakout hit "Putney Swope," a satirical comedy about a Black advertising executive who is accidentally appointed chairman of a powerful advertising firm, was the benchmark of his work. Downey Sr. passed away on July 7 at the age of 85.
Dearon Thompson, who played Malik McGrath on the medical drama “ER” and also had a career in hip-hop, died at 55 of a suspected heart attack.
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