By Marisa Laudadio
9:00am PDT, Apr 21, 2024
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Look back at all the bold-faced names we've lost in 2024 so far…
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts — a guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band — is dead at 80, his family announced on April 18. Manager David Spero told Rolling Stone the "Ramblin' Man" writer-performer had cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard 'Dickey' Betts," his loved ones said. "The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch passed away earlier today at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide."
Keep reading for more stars who died this year…
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Grammy-winning singer Mandisa — who many remember as one of the contestants who made it to the top 10 on season 5 of "American Idol" in 2006 — was found dead on April 18. She was 47.
"We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased," a rep for the singer told People magazine in a statement on April 19. "At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time."
After "Idol," Mandisa released six gospel and Christian albums, four of which earned Grammy nominations. She won a Grammy in 2014.
MORE: Stars who died in 2023
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O.J. Simpson — one of the most controversial figures in pop culture of the last three decades — is dead at 76.
The former Hall of Fame football star, broadcaster and actor — who became far more notorious after he was accused of murdering former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman 30 years ago in 1994 — died on April 10.
"Our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace," his family wrote on X.
After what was dubbed the Trial of the Century, a jury found the man nicknamed "The Juice" during his sports career not guilty of the murders in the criminal case, but in 1997, a civil jury found him liable for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages. O.J. always maintained his innocence.
He later served nine years in a Nevada prison following a 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping after he held two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel.
MORE: The best reactions to O.J. Simpson's death from Caitlyn Jenner, Kato Kaelin, Fred Goldman, LAPD detectives and more
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Designer Roberto Cavalli passed away at his home in Florence, Italy, on April 12. The fashion icon, who dressed everyone from Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren to Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez, was 83.
"A life lived with love. It is with great sadness that today we say our final goodbyes to our founder Roberto Cavalli," his fashion house shared on Instagram, confirming the sad news of his passing. "From humble beginnings in Florence, Roberto succeeded in becoming a globally recognised name loved and respected by all. Naturally talented and creative, Roberto believed that everyone can discover and nurture the artist within themselves. Roberto Cavalli's legacy will live on via his creativity, his love of nature and via his family who he cherished."
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Barbara Rush — the Hollywood actress best known for her work in the film "It Came from Outer Space" and on TV's "Peyton Place" — died at 97 on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Daughter Claudia Cowan confirmed the news in a statement to Fox News, writing, "My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition. It's fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family."
During her long career, Barbara worked with a who's who of male movie stars including Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, John Drew Barrymore, Rock Hudson, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin, among others.
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"Gen V" star Chance Perdomo died in a motorcycle accident on March 29, his representatives confirmed the following day. He was 27.
"His passion for the arts and insatiable appetite for life was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth will carry on in those whom he loved dearest," they said. "We ask to please respect the family's wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother."
Chance scored his first big break in Hollywood in 2018 when he made his debut as Ambrose Spellman on the Netflix series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." He went on to star as Landon Gibson in the final three films in the "After" franchise after taking over the role from actor Shane Paul McGhie.
Chance then starred as burgeoning superhero Andre Anderson on "Gen V," the extremely well-reviewed spinoff of the hit Amazon Prime Video series "The Boys." The first season debuted in September 2023, and a second season is currently in the works. According to TheWrap, production on season 2 is being pushed in the wake of Chance's death.
MORE: Stars we lost too soon
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Joe Lieberman — the immensely popular longtime Connecticut senator and former vice presidential candidate — passed away in New York City on March 27 due to complications from a fall. He was 82.
The politician known for working with both Democrats and Republicans was thrust into national political consciousness when he became Al Gore's VP pick in the 2000 election. At the time, he was the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major party's ticket. He later ran for president.
After his death, many members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle honored him, as did prominent members of the media and Hollywood stars — read their tributes here.
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Actress Robyn Bernard — who was best known for her role as singer Terry Brock on the daytime drama "General Hospital" in the '80s — was found dead in an open field in Riverside County, California, on March 12. She was 64.
Police are investigating.
Robyn was the older sister of "Wings" star Crystal Bernard.
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Singer-actor Steve Lawrence — half of the iconic entertainment duo Steve & Eydie with late wife Eydie Gorme — is dead at 88.
The Emmy and Grammy winner's rep confirmed that Steve, who was also a Broadway star and Tony Award nominee, passed away on March 7 from complications of Alzheimer's disease, ABC News reported.
Eydie preceded Steve in death, passing away in 2013.
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Award-winning sports journalist Chris Mortensen — who covered the NFL for nearly 40 years and spent more than three decades as an analyst at ESPN — died at 72 on March 3.
His cause of death was not shared publicly, but in recent years, he'd been battling cancer.
He left ESPN in 2016 after revealing he'd been diagnosed with throat cancer, then returned to work in 2017 despite the disease spreading to his lungs. In a statement at the time, he explained, "I have many inspirational examples of men, women and children who have faced this very fight. We all know somebody, right? I also have the love and prayers of my wife Micki, my family, my friends, colleagues and, most of all, my faith that serve as sources of tremendous strength. I have a peace about this and look forward to the battle."
The lauded broadcaster was admired and beloved by many in the sports world and beyond, many of whom publicly mourned the journalism legend — see the best reactions here.
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According to her official Instagram account, fashion icon Iris Apfel died at 102 on March 1. The fashionista — who reportedly died at her home in Long Beach, Florida — was known for wearing loud colors and bold patterns. "The world can be a gray place, so colors, patterns and textures are a way to bring some fun to life," she told People magazine in 2022. The interior designer started her career in the textiles industry. It wasn't until the 2000s that she made a name for herself in fashion.
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On Feb. 25, Thomas Kingston — a British financier who in 2019 married Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent (one of the late Queen Elizabeth II's first cousins) — died at 45.
Days later, Katy Skerrett, the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, confirmed to People magazine that "the cause of death given was traumatic wound to the head." The Telegraph reported that Thomas died by suicide at his parents' home in England's Cotswolds region. According to the coroner, he had lunch with his parents before his dad took their dogs on a walk and "on his return, Mr. Kingston was not in the house," Skerrett said, as reported by The Telegraph. According to an X post from Sky News correspondent Dan Whitehead, Thomas "was found in a locked outbuilding with a catastrophic head injury — a gun was found at the scene."
A statement was released on Feb. 27 on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray, which read, "It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother. Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family, and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing."
Further, King Charles III and Queen Camilla issued a statement that read, "The King and The Queen have been informed of Thomas's death and join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in grieving a much-loved member of the family. In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family."
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.
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Stand-up comedian Richard Lewis — who in recent years earned new fans for his acting work on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" — died at his Los Angeles home on Feb. 27 from a heart attack, his publicist confirmed.
Less than a year earlier, the onetime late night show staple announced that he'd been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder.
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Tony Ganios, who's best known for playing Anthony "Meat" Tuperello in the "Porky's" comedy movie franchise in the '80s, is dead at 64.
The actor — who also appeared in everything from "The Wanderers," "Continental Divide" and "The Taking of Beverly Hills" to TV's "Wiseguy" and the blockbuster film "Die Hard 2" (he was the killer who got stabbed in the eye with an icicle by Bruce Willis' John McClane) — passed away on Feb. 18.
His fiancée, Amanda Serrano-Ganios, announced his death on social media, writing, "The last words we said to each other were 'I love you.' Love is an understatement. You are everything to me. My heart, my soul and my best friend. I love you #tonyganios."
She explained on X that Tony "hadn't felt well and hid it from me for days. When he finally told me, and was taken to the hospital, his spinal cord was severely infected. They did surgery, next morning, his heart stopped. I'm crushed."
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Country music legend Toby Keith died on Feb. 5 following a three-year battle with cancer.
His family confirmed the news with the following statement: "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."
In June 2022, the singer revealed he'd been diagnosed with stomach cancer a year earlier and had been undergoing treatment.
He leaves behind his wife of four decades, Tricia Lucus, and their three children: Shelley, Krystal and Stelen.
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Carl Weathers — a former NFL linebacker for the Oakland Raiders who became an actor and famously starred as Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise — "died peacefully in his sleep" on Feb. 1, his family said in a statement. He was 76.
"Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life," they said. "Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."
In addition to his work in the "Rocky" franchise, Carl also starred in "Predator," "Action Jackson," "Happy Gilmore" and more. In 2021, he earned an Emmy nomination for his work on the "Star Wars" show "The Mandalorian."
Sylvester Stallone shared a video on Instagram honoring his "Rocky" co-star. "Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I'm so torn up, I can't even tell you. I'm just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn't realize how great," Sly said. "I never could've accomplished what we did with 'Rocky' without him."
He continued, "He was absolutely brilliant — his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, most importantly, his heart, his soul. It's a horrible loss. He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching."
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On Jan. 30, the daughter of Broadway legend Chita Rivera confirmed that the actress — who won two Tony Awards and received a Kennedy Center Honor as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom — had died in New York after a brief illness.
The entertainer, whose Broadway credits span seven decades and include dozens of shows like "West Side Story," "Guys and Dolls," "Can-Can," "Merlin" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman," was 91.
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Melanie — the folk singer who gave the world hits like "Brand New Key" and "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" in the early '70s — died on Jan. 23.
The single-monikered Woodstock performer (who was born Melanie Safka) was 76.
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Acclaimed director Norman Jewison — who helmed famed films including "Fiddler on the Roof," "Moonstruck," "In the Heat of the Night," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "A Soldier's Story" and "The Thomas Crown Affair" — died at his Los Angeles home on Jan. 20.
The seven-time Academy Award nominee was 97.
"Farewell Sweet Prince. Thank U For One Of The Greatest, Happiest, Most Fun Experiences Of My Life," Oscar-nominated "Moonstruck" actress Cher wrote on X upon hearing the sad news. "Without U, I Would Not Have My Beautiful Golden Man. Norman U Made Moonstruck The GREAT FILM Ppl. Script, Actors, Etc, NEEDED U DEAR. NORMAN JEWISON. LIVES ON THROUGH HIS WORK."
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Charles Osgood — the Emmy-winning journalist who spent 45 years at CBS News and led "CBS Sunday Morning" for more than two decades — died on Jan. 23 at his home in New Jersey. He was 91.
According to CBS News, he passed away after living with dementia for a period of time.
The broadcaster was also known for his radio news segment, "The Osgood File," which aired from 1971 to 2017.
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Actor David Gail is dead at 58.
Sister Katie Colmenares announced the sad news on Instagram on Jan. 20, writing, "There's barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side always my wingman always my best friend ready to face anything and anyone w me the bears will never be the same but I will hold you so tight every day in my heart you gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being missing you every second of every day forever there will never be another." She did not share the date nor cause of death.
David was best known for his work as Dr. Joe Scanlon on the soap opera "Port Charles," Brenda's fiancé Stuart Carson on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and Dean Collins on the WB series "Savannah."
Days later, his family shared in a statement that the actor passed away on Jan. 16 due to "complications from sudden cardiac arrest." People magazine reported that, according to a rep, David had been put on life support after emergency personnel's attempts to revive him, after finding him unresponsive, with CPR and defibrillation failed.
"The family has no reason to suspect the cause of his death was anything but heart failure," the rep said in a statement, adding, "David will be remembered for his love of acting and his absolute passion and dedication to his friends and family. He possessed a unique quality that made everyone feel special in his presence."
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Lynne Marta — whose four-decade career saw her appear in everything from "Gidget" and "The Monkees" to "Love, American Style," "Footloose" and "Days of Our Lives" — died of cancer in Los Angeles on Jan. 11.
She was 78.
Lynne also made headlines for her long romance with "Starsky & Hutch" co-star David Soul (pictured) — who also died in 2024 — in the late '70s, and for her eyewitness testimony against the killer of her friend and neighbor Rebecca Schaeffer, the "My Sister Sam" actress who was shot and killed by a stalker in 1989.
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Actor and fitness model Alec Musser — who appeared on the daytime drama "All My Children" from 2005 to 2007 and portrayed a water park patron in a memorable scene from the 2010 comedy "Grown Ups" — is dead at 50.
His fiancée, Paige Press, confirmed to TMZ that Alec passed away at his Del Mar, California, home on Jan. 12. She further told Fox News that the star, who was vaccinated, was suffering from "a severe case of COVID" and that she believed it contributed to his death.
However, on Jan. 16, a press release from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office revealed the coroner had determined that Alec died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, adding that his fiancée last saw Musser on the evening of Jan. 12 when she went to bed then discovered his body "seated and slumped forward on the bathroom floor" the next morning with a firearm nearby.
Paige mourned Alec on Instagram, writing, "RIP to the love of my life. I will never stop loving you. My heart is so broken."
"Grown Ups" star Adam Sandler took to social media to mourn Alec, writing, "I loved this guy. Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man. Thinking of Alec Musser and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person."
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK.
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The last surviving member of the original cast of the hit 1950s TV show "The Honeymooners" is dead at 99.
Joyce Randolph — who played Trixie Norton opposite Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden and Art Carney as Ed Norton — passed away at her home in Manhattan on Jan. 13, son Randolph Charles confirmed to CBS News.
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Soap opera star Bill Hayes — who played scam artist Doug Williams opposite his real-life wife, actress Susan Seaforth, who played heiress Julie Olsen Banning Anderson Williams, on "Days of Our Lives" for five decades — is dead at 98.
The daytime drama actor passed away on Jan. 12 in Los Angeles.
After meeting on the show, Bill and Susan (pictured here at the Daytime Emmys in 2018) married in real life in 1974 — and their characters wed on the show three times!
Before his soap opera fame, Bill was also a singer who performed "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," which hit No. 1 on the music charts in 1955, as well as a regular on "Your Show of Shows," Sid Caesar's TV variety series.
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Peter Crombie, who's best known for playing sitcom writer "Crazy" Joe Davola on the fourth season of "Seinfeld," died on Jan. 10 after suffering an intestinal illness, Variety reported.
He was 71.
Peter also appeared in a slew of other projects including television shows like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Law & Order," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "NYPD Blue" and films such as "Natural Born Killers," "The Doors" and "The Blob."
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Tisa Farrow, who found fame in the '70s as an actress, died in her sleep on Jan. 10 in Rutland, Vermont, Variety reported. She was 72.
Her famous sister, movie star Mia Farrow, mourned Tisa on Instagram, writing, "If there is a Heaven, undoubtedly my beautiful sister Tisa is being welcomed there. She was the best of us — I have never met a more generous and loving person. She loved life and never complained. Ever. She was a nurse for 27 years, a wonderful sister to Steffi, Prudence and me, a devoted mother to Jason, who died in Iraq, Bridget and little grandson Kylor — the lights of her life."
Tisa appeared in several projects in the 1970s including "Homer," "And Hope to Die," "Some Call It Loving," "Strange Shadows in an Empty Room," "Fingers" and "Search and Destroy."
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Rocker James Kottak died on Jan. 9 in Louisville, Kentucky. A cause of death was not shared publicly.
He was the drummer for the Scorpions from 1996 to 2016 and previously played drums in Kingdom Come from 1987 to 1995.
"Very sad news … our dear friend and Drummer for 20 years James Kottak has passed at the age of 61," the Scorpions wrote on Facebook, adding, "James was a wonderful human being, a great musician and loving family man … he was our Brother from another Mother and will be truly missed. … Rock 'n Roll Forever. RIP James."
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Social media star Lynn Yamada Davis — the beloved TikTok creator famous for her "Cooking With Lynja" account — died on Jan. 1 in Red Bank, New Jersey, after a battle with esophageal cancer, daughter Hannah Mariko Shofet confirmed to The New York Times.
Lynn was 67.
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On Jan. 9, The Wrap confirmed that actor Adan Canto had died at 42 following a private battle with appendiceal cancer.
He was known for his work on TV shows including "The Cleaning Lady," "Designated Survivor," "The Following" and "Narcos" as well as in the film "X-Men Days of Future Past."
"Designated Survivor" co-star Kiefer Sutherland mourned Adan, sharing alongside a picture of them on Insatgram, "It seems lately I have had to make too many posts like this one, but I am heartbroken by the loss of Adan Canto. He was such a wonderful spirit. As an actor his desire to do well, to be great, and then do better, was truly impressive and he will be greatly missed. I am also heartbroken for his wife, Steph and his two young children. Adan, may you rest in peace."
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David Soul — the actor best known as detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson on the hit '70s TV show "Starsky & Hutch" — died on Jan. 4, his wife told People magazine.
The actor — who also notably appeared in projects including "Here Come the Brides" and "Magnum Force," performed in the theater and released songs in the '70s including "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady" — was 80.
"David Soul — beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother — died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend," his widow, Helen Snell, said in a statement. "His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."
"Starsky and Hutch" actor Paul Michael Glaser also publicly mourned his co-star, whom he called, in a statement shared with Page Six, "a brother, a friend, a caring man." Said Paul, "I find it difficult to comprehend David's passing. Seems only yesterday that we were sharing loving insults on the phone. It just takes time, I tell myself; saying good-bye to such a dear friend and important part of my life I suspect that I will let myself feel his loss, our loss, only gradually."
Paul also offered his love to David's widow and six children. "I want to extend my condolences to dear Helen, whom he loved and cherished and who stood beside him through these difficult years. He could never tell me enough what she meant to him. To all his sons and his daughter China, my deepest sympathies," he said in his statement, adding to the fans, "We have all lost a dear friend who shall live on in our memories. David — rest in peace, brother."
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Glynis Johns is dead at 100 following a career that spanned more than 80 years and saw her win a Tony Award as well as earn an Academy Award nomination.
The South Africa-born British actress — who notably played Mrs. Banks in 1964's "Mary Poppins" — passed away "peacefully" on Jan. 4 at a Los Angeles assisted living home, longtime manager Mitch Clem told CNN of the entertainer, who was one of the last surviving big stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
"Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives," her manager said in a statement. "She entered my life early in my career and set a very high bar on how to navigate this industry with grace, class, and truth."
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Actor Christian Oliver and his daughters were killed in a plane crash in the Caribbean on Jan. 4.
The "Baby-Sitters Club," "Speed Racer" and "Valkyrie" actor, 51, and his girls — Madita, 10, and Annik, 12 — died in the waters off the island of Bequia, along with the pilot, when their single-engine aircraft "experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean" while traveling from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm to St. Lucia, officials from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said in a statement following the tragedy.
On Jan. 5, Christian's widow and the girls' mother, Jessica Klepser, shared a statement through her employer, WundaBar Pilates, where she's a regional manager, in which she shared her grief.
"Madita, a vibrant 7th-grade student at Louis Armstrong Middle School, was known for her lively spirit and excelled in academics, dance, singing, and performances. Annik, a 4th-grade student at Wonderland Ave Elementary School, was recognized for her gentle yet strong demeanor. She was always the first to offer a kind word or a comforting hug. Her passions included basketball, swimming, and various forms of art," the statement read. "The deep bond, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit shared by Madita and Annik will be profoundly missed in their communities."
The statement also praised Christian, "an actor in Europe and the US, and a real estate agent with a broad network of close friends worldwide," noting that "his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him."
A GoFundMe was set up to "help cover the cost of returning Christian and the girls home, funeral and memorial services [and] legal expenses."
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On Jan. 7, it emerged that actress Cindy Morgan, who was best known for playing Lacey Underall in "Caddyshack" and Lora/Yori in the original "Tron" movie, had passed away in Florida.
According to The Palm Beach Post, Cindy's roommate called police upon returning to their Lake Worth beach home after the holidays and was concerned because she hadn't seen Cindy "and thought there was a strong odor coming from her room," authorities said in a media advisory. The roommate last saw the actress alive on Dec. 19, and Cindy last posted on social media on Dec. 21.
Deputies discovered Cindy had passed away and, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office confirmed that the star, who was 72, had died of natural causes.
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Angus Mitchell — the only child of famed hairstylist Paul Mitchell — is dead at 53.
TMZ reported that the hairdresser, who was also the co-owner of his late father's company, appeared to have drowned in a pool at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was discovered early on the morning of Jan. 3.
John Paul DeJoria, the co-founder and chairman of John Paul Mitchell Systems, confirmed the sad news as he grieved his business partner in a statement, writing, "It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the sudden passing of Angus Mitchell. As a hairdresser and co-owner of JPMS, Angus had a deep love of family, community, and the beauty industry. Angus was the son of late co-founder Paul Mitchell and was a beloved colleague and important part of our JPMS family. Angus had a huge heart that impacted countless people who crossed his path. We are grateful for the time we got with him, though it ended far too soon. During this shocking and difficult time, we kindly request privacy as we navigate this profound loss."
