Celebrity deaths 2023: Matthew Perry, André Braugher, Suzanne Somers

Las Vegas icon Shecky Greene, a legendary stand-up comic who lorded over The Strip for decades, died Dec. 31 at age 97, The Associated Press reported. The Chicago-born entertainer was a gifted improviser who worked the biggest casino showrooms from the 1950s through the 1980s and was beloved by fellow stars such as Johnny Carson, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra.

Greene never matched their fame but was a regular on talk and variety shows, with roles in “History of the World Part I” (1981) with Mel Brooks, “Splash” (1984) with Tom Hanks, and appeared on “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mad About You.”

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Tap-dancing icon Maurice Hines, Broadway actor, star of "The Cotton Club" and older brother of Gregory Hines, died Dec. 29 at age 80. He had been living at the Actors Fund Home, an assistant living facility in Englewood, New Jersey, and his death was confirmed to USA TODAY by the facility’s director.

Hines, born in 1943 in New York, launched his dance career at age 5 and made his Broadway debut in 1954 in “The Girl in Pink Tights.” Often working as a duo with Gregory, who died in 2003, and their dad, Maurice Sr., he was seen onstage, in nightclubs and on television, including on “The Tonight Show” and “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

In 1984's “Cotton Club,” he and Gregory starred as tap-dancing brothers Clay and Sandman Williams. In 1986, Hines was nominated for best actor in a musical at the Tony Awards for his role in “Uptown … It’s Hot!”

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Musician Bram Inscore, best known for his production work for artists such as Troye Sivan, BTS and Paramore, has died, a representative for Inscore confirmed to USA TODAY Dec. 29. Inscore died by suicide following a "hard fought battle with depression," his family said in a statement.

Inscore co-wrote and co-produced Sivan's electropop hit "Youth," taken from Sivan's 2015 debut album "Blue Neighbourhood." The song went on to be certified double platinum in the U.S. Inscore also composed the theme music for the 2018 Netflix teen dramedy "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser."

"Selfless as a human and generous as a collaborator, he ingeniously served the music but never his own ego," Inscore's family said. "He was truly a unique spirit and though his soul has left his body, it will live forever in his music."

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Actor, television host and radio personality Bobby Rivers has died, his former employer, WISN 12, announced in a story updated Dec. 27. He was 70 years old.

Rivers served as a VJ on VH1 in 1985 alongside Rosie O'Donnell and hosted his own celebrity talk show on the network, "Watch Bobby Rivers," starting in 1988. He also hosted Food Network's short-lived "Top 5" series in the early 2000s.

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Mbongeni Ngema, a renowned South African playwright, producer and composer, died in a car crash at the age of 68, Ngema's family told The Associated Press in a statement Dec. 27. He was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash.

The celebrated playwright was best known for creating the hit "Sarafina!" which first premiered on Broadway in 1988. It was adapted into a musical drama starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992, becoming an international success, and was nominated for Tony and Grammy awards.

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Tom Smothers, one-half of the comedy duo Smothers Brothers, died on Dec. 26, 2023, "following a recent battle with cancer." He was 86.

In a statement via the National Comedy Center, the comedian's brother and "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" co-host, Dick Smothers, remembered Tom Smothers as "a one-of-a-kind creative partner."

Together, Tom and Dick Smothers helmed the highly controversial comedy hour on CBS from 1967 to 1969. The hot takes on American life paved the way for sketch shows like "Saturday Night Live" and cultural commentary in modern late night television such as "The Daily Show" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers."

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Bobbie Jean Carter, the sister of late child star Aaron Carter and Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, died Dec. 23 at 41. Her sister, Angel Carter, confirmed her death in an emotional tribute on Instagram: "Life wasn't fair to you, that I know," she said. "I love you BJ, you’re free now." The exact circumstances of her death were not known, per TMZ.

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Mike Nussbaum, a veteran theater actor, died Dec. 23 at 99. The Chicago stage actor died of "old age," his daughter Karen Nussbaum confirmed to TMZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.

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Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Dixie Chicks, died Dec. 22 at 65. Lynch was killed instantly in a head-on collision by an oncoming car attempting to pass another on an undivided highway near El Paso, Sgt. Eliot Torres of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to USA TODAY. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement posted to Instagram, the band, now known as The Chicks, remembered Lynch. "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together," the band wrote. "Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band."

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André Braugher, the Emmy-winning actor who starred in NBC's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and the '90s police drama "Homicide: Life on the Street," died Dec. 11, his representative confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 61.

Braugher found his breakout role in the 1989 film "Glory," in which he starred opposite Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. But it was through roles such as Det. Frank Pembleton on "Homicide: Life on the Street" and Capt. Raymond Holt on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" in which he became a fan-favorite.

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Benjamin Zephaniah a poet and actor in the BBC TV series “Peaky Blinders,” died at 65 on Nov. 7, his family announced in a statement posted on Instagram. The activist was diagnosed with a brain tumor eight weeks prior, the family said.

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Frances Sternhagen, the veteran actor who won two Tony Awards and became a familiar maternal face to TV viewers later in life in such shows as "Cheers," "ER," "Sex and the City" and "The Closer," died at 93 years old on Nov. 27, son John Carlin said in a statement posted to Instagram.

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British actor Joss Ackland, best known for his roles in "White Mischief," "First and Last" and "Lethal Weapon 2," died Nov. 19, Ackland's agent Paul Pearson confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement. He was 95. The actor died of elderly age.

Ackland starred as Broughton alongside Sarah Miles and John Hurt in the 1987 crime drama "White Mischief," for which he received a BAFTA Film nomination for best supporting actor in 1989. He also scored a BAFTA TV nod for best actor in 1990 for his role in the 1989 TV movie "First and Last."

"He was lucid, erudite and mischievous to the end," Pearson said in the statement. "I loved him deeply and for me he is the reason we have the word 'magnificent' in the dictionary."

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Actress Suzanne Shepherd, best known for her roles in Italian American crime dramas "The Sopranos" and "Goodfellas," died Nov. 17 in her New York City home, Shepherd's agent Sarah Fargo told USA TODAY in a statement. She was 89. A cause of death was not given.

Shepherd starred as Mary DeAngelis, the mother of Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco), in HBO's "The Sopranos" from 2000 to 2007. She also played Karen Hill's mom (Lorraine Bracco) in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film "Goodfellas," which starred Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and the late Ray Liotta.

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"Saturday Night Live" alumnus Dana Carvey shared on Nov. 16 that his oldest son, Dex Carvey, died the previous day.

“Last night we suffered a terrible tragedy. Our beloved son, Dex, died of an accidental drug overdose. He was 32 years old,” wrote Dana in a joint statement with wife Paula Zwagerman.

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TV writer Peter S. Fischer (right), best known for co-creating the iconic crime drama "Murder, She Wrote," died at the age of 88 on Oct. 30, Fischer's grandson Jake McElrath confirmed to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Fischer died at a care facility in Pacific Grove, California. A cause of death was not given.

In addition to "Murder," Fischer also wrote on the TV series "The Law and Harry McGraw" and "Blacke's Magic." In 1985, Fischer alongside "Murder" star Angela Lansbury, center, and producer Robert F. O'Neill received a Golden Globe award for best drama series.

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Tyler Christopher, a Daytime Emmy-winning soap opera star known for his roles in "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," died on Oct. 31, his manager confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 50.

"This news was incredibly shocking, and I am devastated by his loss. He was a very gifted actor, and more importantly, an amazing friend," Lo said. "My heart goes out to his friends and family who loved him so much."

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Drummer Aaron Spears, who toured and performed with a wide range of stars including Ariana Grande, Usher and Carrie Underwood, has died at 47. The musician's wife Jessica announced his death on social media on Oct. 30.

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Richard Moll, who starred as bailiff "Bull" Shannon on NBC's "Night Court," died Oct. 26. He was 80.

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Suzanne Somers, the bubbly blond who starred as Chrissy Snow in '70s sitcom "Three's Company," died Oct. 15 at 76. She had beat back an aggressive form of breast cancer for 23 years and died a day before her 77th birthday. Somers parlayed her film and TV success —which also included a famed bit part in "American Graffiti" and a role opposite Patrick Duffy in the blended family sitcom "Step by Step" — into a second career as an infomercial entrepreneur, selling scores of ThighMasters in the '90s.

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Burt Young, who starred alongside Sylvester Stallone as brother-in-law Paulie in the "Rocky" films, died Oct. 8 in Los Angeles. He was 83.

His manager, Lynda Bensky, confirmed the news in a statement to USA TODAY on Oct. 18.

"Burt was an actor of tremendous emotional range. He could make you cry and he could scare you to death," Bensky said. "But the real pathos that I experienced was the poignancy of his soul. That’s where it came from.”

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Piper Laurie, the strong-willed, Oscar-nominated actor of "Carrie" and "The Hustler," died on Oct. 14 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 91.

Laurie died of old age, her manager, Marion Rosenberg, told The Associated Press via email, adding that she was “a superb talent and a wonderful human being.”

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Singer-songwriter Rudolph Isley (right), one of the founding members of the R&B group The Isley Brothers, has died. He was 84.

Isley's brother, Ronald, confirmed his death in a statement to USA TODAY on Oct. 12. A cause and date of his death was not disclosed.

"There are no words to express my feelings and the love I have for my brother," Ronald said. "Our family will miss him. But I know he's in a better place."

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Mark Goddard, an actor best known for playing Major Don West in the 1960s television show “Lost in Space,” died Oct. 10. He was 87.

He died in Hingham, Massachusetts, of pulmonary fibrosis, his son told John The New York Times in an obituary published by The Associated Press on Oct. 16.

Bill Mumy, who played Will Robinson on “Lost In Space,” wrote a tribute to his “beloved friend and brother” for 59 years on Facebook. Mumy said he spoke to Goddard on his birthday in July and realized he’d likely never see or speak to him again.

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Michael Gambon, the veteran actor who played Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight "Harry Potter" movies, died at 82 following "a bout of pneumonia," his publicist said Sept. 28. Gambon was always instantly recognizable by the deep and drawling tones of his voice. He was cast as the much-loved Dumbledore after the death of his predecessor, Richard Harris, in 2002.

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Irish Grinstead, best known as one-third of the '90s R&B girl group 702, died Sept. 16 at the age of 43, 702's representative Cory Taylor confirmed to USA TODAY. A cause of death was not given.

Grinstead, who comprised 702 with vocalists Kameelah Williams and LeMisha Grinstead, became a household name in music with the release of the gold-certified album "No Doubt" in 1996, which featured the hit single and Missy Elliott collaboration "Steelo." "She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. Sharing the stage with her was a joy I will cherish for the rest of my life!" Grinstead's bandmate and sister LeMisha Grinstead said in a statement.

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Billy Miller, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in "All My Children," "General Hospital" and "The Young and the Restless," died on Sept. 15. He was 43. Miller "was struggling with manic depression when he died" in Austin, Texas, his manager Marnie Sparer confirmed to USA TODAY on Sept. 17, Miller's birthday.

Miller's family, friends and colleagues "will miss his warm personality, generous spirit and genuine kindness," Sparer wrote.

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Steve Harwell, former lead vocalist of rock band Smash Mouth, died Sept. 4 at 56 at his home in Boise, Idaho. Harwell “was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom,” read a statement from Robert Hayes, a longtime manager of Harwell and the band. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him."

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Jimmy Buffett, “Margaritaville” icon, died Sept. 1. He was 76. "He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many," read a statement on his official website.

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

August 08, the singer/songwriter and producer who collaborated with and wrote tracks for artists such as DJ Khaled, Jhené Aiko and Kehlani, died on Aug. 26, his record label Def Jam Recordings confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 29. The R&B singer, who co-wrote DJ Khaled's chart-topper "I'm the One," was 31.

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Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of "Batman" villain Harley Quinn, has died at 67, a representative for her husband, producer and writer Christopher Lloyd, confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 27.

Her Harley debuted in "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992. She was only intended to appear in one episode, but the standout villain proved so popular, Sorkin reprised the role for years in DC Comics animation and video games.

Sorkin’s co-star Mark Hamill, who played the Joker, posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter). "A truly wonderful person,” he wrote. “I'm grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend."

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Hersha Parady, best known for her role as Alice Garvey on "Little House on the Prairie," died Aug. 23 following her battle with a brain tumor, Parady's son Jonathan Peverall told The Hollywood Reporter and Today.com. She was 78.

Parady made her television debut in the '70s with appearances on the series "Bearcats!", "Mannix," "The Waltons" and "The Quest," according to the actress's IMDb page. She became a household name when she landed the role of Garvey on "Little House," co-starring alongside Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon and Karen Grassle from 1976-1980.

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“This Is Us” star Ron Cephas Jones, who won two Emmy Awards for his role as William Hill, a long-lost father who finds redemption, has died at 66, his representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 19. The veteran stage actor suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and underwent a double lung transplant in 2020. The four-time Emmy nominee was also Tony-nominated for “Clyde’s” on Broadway. He appeared in "Mr. Robot" and “Luke Cage" on TV and starred opposite Eddie Murphy in the 2019 film "Dolemite Is My Name."

Sterling K. Brown, who played the actor’s son, Randall Pearson, in “This Is Us,” paid tribute on Instagram. "The world is a little less bright,” Brown wrote. “Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed."

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Renowned fiddler Shoji Tabuchi, known as “the King of Branson,” died Aug. 11 at age 79. He first performed in the Missouri vacation destination in the early 1980s and went on to open his eponymous theater, often appearing with his wife Dorothy and daughter Christina. He was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2020. Shoji, born in Japan, fell in love with the fiddle at an early age and was inspired by Roy Acuff, but did not stick to one musical genre: His shows included country, pop, rock, polka, rap, gospel and patriotic songs in honor of his adopted home.

“We are devastated and heartbroken,” his daughter, Christina Lingo-Tabuchi, wrote on his Facebook page. “Not only will he be terribly missed by his family and friends, he will also be missed by his countless fans throughout the world.”

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Robbie Robertson, guitarist and main songwriter for The Band, died Aug. 9 at 80 “after a long illness,” his publicist Ray Costa said in a statement. The Toronto-born musician penned classics such as "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Robertson and Garth Hudson had been the two surviving members of The Band, which gained acclaim on their own after backing up Ronnie Hawkins and then Bob Dylan in the '60s. The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

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Actor Angus Cloud, best known for his role as Fezco on the TV drama "Euphoria," died July 31 in Oakland, California. He was 25.

Cloud's representative confirmed Cloud's death in a statement to USA TODAY. "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today," the statement from Cloud's family read. "As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend." The family added Cloud was "open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence."

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Carol Duvall, the sunny TV host once dubbed the "Queen of Crafts" by HGTV, died July 31 at age 97, the Detroit Free Press reported. An obituary published by the Traverse City Record-Eagle said she died at a senior living facility. “The Carol Duvall Show,” where she demonstrated everything from scrapbooking to jewelry making, ran on HGTV from 1994 to 2005, then ran another four years on the DIY network.

Duvall got her start in broadcasting in 1951 as the host of a local children’s program in Grand Rapids and went on to work as a news anchor and producer on Detroit television. She launched her career in crafting with a segment on ABC’s “Home” talk show in the 1980s.

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Actor Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian best known for his Pee-wee Herman character, died July 30 at 70 after a private battle with cancer.

Reubens created the fictional and comedic character in the 1970s that he premiered in stage shows. The childish character was so popular he eventually nabbed an HBO special and later a 1985 film with Tim Burton, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," in which Reubens toned down the innuendo to make Pee-wee family-friendly. In 1986 CBS debuted "Pee-wee's Playhouse," a Saturday morning children's program that ran until 1990.

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Randy Meisner, founding member and bassist of the Eagles, died July 26, the band confirmed in a statement July 27. He was 77. Meisner died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Meisner most notably sang on the band's 1975 hit "Take It to the Limit," a weary, plaintive song later covered by Etta James and as a duet by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

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Comedian Ron Sexton, best known for voicing Donnie Baker on "The Bob & Tom Show," died July 21, Sexton's family announced in a post on his official Facebook page. He was 52. Details regarding Sexton's cause of death were not shared.

Sexton’s Donnie Baker character hit the airwaves in 2005 on "The Bob & Tom Show" with anecdotes about the boat he seemingly always had for sale and dropped frequent punchlines like "State law!" and "I swear to God" during his appearances. Sexton also voiced characters like Floyd the Trucker and Kenny Tarmac, in addition to his celebrity impressions. “Ron was a much-loved colleague and friend, and we will miss him greatly," "The Bob & Tom Show" host Tom Griswold wrote in a Facebook post. "He made many, many people happy during his more than 20 years with 'The Bob & Tom Show,' and we will remember him with love and gratitude.”

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Tony Bennett died July 21 at age 96, just two weeks short of his birthday. Publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed the great singer's death to USA TODAY, saying he died in his hometown of New York. There was no specific cause, but Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

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Joséphine Gardin-Chaplin died on July 13 at age 74 in Paris, according to an announcement shared by her family. She was one of Charlie Chaplin's 11 children and acted in several films, including her father's 1952 movie "Limelight."

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Fashion icon Jane Birkin, the British-born singer and actress who famously inspired the Birkin bag, died July 16 in Paris at age 76, according to France's Culture Ministry. She had suffered a series of health problems in recent years that kept her from performing, French newspaper Le Figaro reported.

The star was celebrated for her personal style and political activism, and made headlines for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg, most notably on their song "Je t'aime moi non plus."

Her many films included roles in 1966’s “Blow-Up” and 1978’s “Death on the Nile.” Celebrities adored Birkin for her connection to a namesake designer bag made by Hermès and carried by celebrities such as the Kardashians, Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez.

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"Dakota" Fred Hurt, who starred in "Gold Rush: White Water," died on July 11 after a battle with cancer.

"'Dakota' Fred Hurt passed away this morning surrounded by family. He fought courageously in his battle against cancer," a statement posted to his Facebook page reads. "Fred touched many lives and was loved and supported by many."

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Actress Andrea Evans, best known for her roles on the soap operas "One Life to Live," "The Bold and The Beautiful" and "Passions," died July 9 following a battle with breast cancer, Evans' representative Nick Leicht confirmed to USA TODAY. She was 66.

Evans cemented her status as a soap opera icon with her roles as Tina Lord ("OLTL"), Patty Williams Abbott on "The Young and the Restless" and Rebecca Hotchkiss on "Passions." Evans appearred on the NBC drama "Passions" for over 600 episodes. "She was such a tremendous talent and an absolute joy to work with," Leicht said in a statement.

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Sue Johanson, a nurse who became a popular TV sex expert in Canada and the United States when she was in her 60s, died June 28 following a long decline, her daughter Jane Johanson told The Associated Press. She was 93.

Johanson's straight talk about sexual practices earned acclaim across the U.S. and Canada. People delighted in calling in to "The Sunday Night Sex Show" and its American counterpart, "Talk Sex with Sue Johanson."

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Julian Sands, star of several Oscar-nominated films including "A Room With a View," was found dead on a Southern California mountain five months after he disappeared while hiking, authorities announced June 27. He was 65. Sands' remains were found by civilian hikers on June 24 in the Mt. Baldy wilderness, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office said in a press releaseon June 27. The actor was an avid and experienced hiker who lived in Los Angeles and was reported missing Jan. 13.

Sands, who was born, raised and began acting in England, worked constantly in film and television, amassing more than 150 credits in a 40-year career. Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory, “A Room With a View.” The film won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for best film and was nominated for eight Oscars, winning three.

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Nicolas Coster, a British actor best known for his roles on "Santa Barbara," "All My Children" and "All the President's Men," died June 26, Coster's representative Mike Baldridge confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 89. A cause of death was not given. In addition to his work in film and television, which included a trio of lead actor Daytime Emmy nominations for his role on "Santa Barbara," Coster also appeared in a dozen Broadway shows and several off-Broadway productions.

Dinneen Coster

Frederic Forrest, an Oscar-nominated actor known for his roles in "Apocalypse Now" and "The Rose," died June 23 at the age of 86 at his home in Santa Monica, California, following a long illness. Forrest's friend, actor Barry Primus, confirmed the news to USA TODAY on June 26. Primus was told of Forrest's death by close friend Helen Sanders, who was with Forrest at the time of his passing.

"He had such an eye for eccentric characters, both in life and in his work. When you hired Freddie for a part, you got the whole package," Primus said of Forrest in a statement. "Working with him was a treat and, for me, a learning experience."

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Tony- and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who with composer Jerry Bock made up the premier musical-theater songwriting duos of the 1950s and 1960s with shows such as "Fiddler on the Roof," "Fiorello!" and "The Apple Tree," has died at 99.

Known for his wry, subtle humor and deft wordplay, Harnick died in his sleep June 23 in New York City of natural causes, Harnick’s publicist Sean Katz said. Bock and Harnick first hit success for the music and lyrics to "Fiorello!," which earned them each Tonys and a rare Pulitzer Prize in 1960. In addition, Harnick was nominated for Tonys in 1967 for "The Apple Tree," in 1971 for "The Rothschilds" and in 1994 for "Cyrano – The Musical." But their masterpiece was "Fiddler on the Roof."

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Ryan Siew, guitarist for Australian metalcore band Polaris, died on June 19, the band announced on Instagram. "For 10 incredible years he was our best friend and artistic soulmate. Those years will never be enough," Polaris' band members Rick Schneider, Jamie Hails, Daniel Furnari and Jake Steinhauser wrote.

"He was also much admired and beloved by so many. Ryan, we will love and miss you for the rest of our days, and we will never fill the hole that you leave in all of our lives," they added. The band also canceled the European summer leg of their tour.

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Houston rapper Big Pokey died at 48 after collapsing during a performance, a representative confirmed to USA TODAY. The musician, whose real name was Milton Powell, was performing at a Beaumont, Texas bar on June 17, according to reports.

The rapper was a former member of the influential hip-hop collective Screwed Up Click, and is known for his debut studio album "Hardest Pit in the Litter," released in 1999. Powell released five other albums, including his most recent, "Sensei," which came out in 2021. In 2005, he featured on the Billboard Hot 100 single "Sittin' Sidewayz" with Paul Wall.

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Paxton Whitehead, a prolific actor of screen and stage known for his work on "Friends" and his Tony-nominated turn in "Camelot," died June 16 at 85, his representative confirmed. "Paxton was loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him," Whitehead's rep Robert Attermann confirmed to USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

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Actress and politician Glenda Jackson died June 15. She was 87. Jackson’s agent Lionel Larner told the Associated Press that the "Sunday Bloody Sunday" star died at her home in London after a short illness. He said she had recently completed filming "The Great Escaper," in which she starred alongside Michael Caine.

The two-time Academy Award-winning actress had a second career in politics as a British lawmaker that lasted more than two decades before she returned to acting later in life for a successful stint featuring some of her most acclaimed roles, including the title character in Shakespeare's "King Lear" and a Tony Award for her performance in Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women."

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Johnny "Blackie Onassis" Rowan, best known as drummer of the '90s alternative rock band Urge Overkill, has died. The band confirmed Rowan's death in an Instagram post June 14. A cause of death was not given. "Urge Overkill is saddened to report that Blackie has passed away," the band wrote. "Please respect our privacy at this time. We are sending much love to his family and all his fans. We know he will be missed."

Rowan joined the Chicago rockers' lineup for the group's third album "The Supersonic Storybook," released in March 1991. He also played on the band's 1992 EP "Stull," which featured Urge Overkill's signature hit "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," a Neil Diamond cover that was featured in the Quentin Tarantino film "Pulp Fiction."

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Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Road" and "No Country for Old Men," has died, his publisher announced June 13. He was 89.

McCarthy is most widely known for his post-apocalyptic novel "The Road," published in 2006. The bleak and haunting fable about a father and young son journeying through a ravaged landscape was selected by Oprah Winfrey for her book club; his subsequent televised interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was the famously press-shy author's first. Later that year, McCarthy was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction.

In 2022, McCarthy released his final novels, "The Passenger" and "Stella Maris," a linked pair about a brother and sister cursed by their shared parentage, brilliance and forbidden love for one another.

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Treat Williams, who starred in the 1979 film version of the musical "Hair" and on the television series "Everwood," died at age 71 on June 12 following a motorcycle accident in Dorsey Vermont, his family said in a statement.

Williams acted in several films, including "The Eagle Has Landed," "Prince of the City," "Once Upon a Time in America," "The Late Shift," "127 Hours" and "Run Hide Fight." On "Everwood," Williams played Dr. Andrew 'Andy' Brown from 2002 to 2006, earning two Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Williams also starred as Danny Zuko in the Broadway musical "Grease" from 1972 to 1980. Williams was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1996 for his work in "The Late Shift" and for three Golden Globe Awards: in 1985 for "A Streetcar Named Desire," in 1982 for "Prince of the City" and in 1980 for "Hair."

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Mike Batayeh, an actor and comedian best known for his role in "Breaking Bad," has died. He was 52.

Batayeh's manager Steve Owens said the actor died from a heart attack in his sleep on June 1. Batayeh's agent, Arlene Thornton, paid tribute to Batayeh in a statement to USA TODAY. "He was one of our favorite clients as he was a great actor and very funny guy who had fans all around the world," she said.

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Comedian Pat Cooper, known for his caustic stand-up comedy and appearances in Robert De Niro's "Analyze This," "Seinfeld" and the original "Charlie’s Angels," has died at 93. Cooper died June 6 at his home in Las Vegas, according to Deadline and Entertainment Weekly.

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Françoise Gilot, a prolific and acclaimed painter who produced art for well more than a half-century but was nonetheless more famous for her turbulent relationship with Pablo Picasso – and for leaving him – died June 6 in New York City, where she had lived for decades. She was 101. Gilot's daughter, Aurelia Engel, told The Associated Press her mother had died at Mount Sinai West Hospital after suffering both lung and heart problems.

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Anna Shay, star of Netflix reality show "Bling Empire," has died at 62. Shay's family confirmed her death in a statement Netflix shared with USA TODAY on June 5.

"It saddens our hearts to announce that Anna Shay, a loving mother, grandmother, charismatic star, and our brightest ray of sunshine, has passed away at the early age of 62 from a stroke," Shay's family said. "Anna taught us many life lessons on how not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the finer things. Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but never forgotten."

Netflix

Farrell's sister Dale Candice Forsmoe also shared the news on Facebook.

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Sharon Farrell, known for her roles in "It's Alive," "Marlowe," and "The Young and the Restless," died on May 15. Farrell was 82 and unexpectedly died from natural causes at a hospital in Orange County, California, her son Chance Boyer told The Hollywood Reporter on August 5.

Farrell's sister Dale Candice Forsmoe also shared the news on Facebook.

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Barry Newman, the actor best known for playing a reckless-driving Vietnam vet in "Vanishing Point," has died at 92, according to reports.

His wife Angela told The Hollywood Reporter June 4 that Newman died of natural causes at the NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center on May 11. Angela Newman shared a statement with THR, writing that her late husband "was a rock for so many people, whose spirit he lifted and allowed to be free ... He was truly a light for so many, with an incredible, hilarious sense of humor that lit everything and everyone up."

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Jacky Oh, a former cast member of the sketch comedy/battle rap series "Wild 'N Out" and longtime partner to comedian DC Young Fly, has died at the age of 32. A BET Media Group spokesperson confirmed Oh's death in a statement on the show's official Instagram page June 1.

She shared three children, Nova, Nala and Prince, with DC Young Fly. According to Jacky Oh's Instagram page, she had a lip gloss line called J.nova Collection and was also a realtor. "We thank everyone for their well wishes and ask for privacy during this difficult time," DC Young Fly said in a statement shared with USA TODAY by representative Tamra Goins.

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Sergio Calderón, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Men In Black" actor, died on May 31. He was 77.

"He was surrounded by family at the time," Calderón's rep Julie Smith said in a statement to USA TODAY. He was previously hospitalized for pneumonia, but it's unclear if that was related to his cause of death.

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John Beasley, the veteran character actor who played a kindly school bus driver on the TV drama "Everwood" and appeared in dozens of films dating back to the 1980s, died on May 30 after a "brief and unexpected illness," his manager Don Spradlin said. He was 79.

Beasley played an assistant coach in the 1993 football film "Rudy" and a retired preacher in 1997′s "The Apostle," co-starring and directed by Robert Duvall. On TV, Beasley was the father of Cedric the Entertainer in the TV Land comedy "The Soul Man" and later starred for four seasons alongside Treat Williams in The WB’s "Everwood."

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Ed Ames, the youngest member of the popular 1950s singing group the Ames Brothers, who later became a successful actor in television and musical theater, has died. He was 95. The last survivor of the four singing brothers, Ames died May 21 from Alzheimer's disease, his wife, Jeanne Ames, said on May 28. "He had a wonderful life," she said.

On TV, Ames was likely best known for his role as Mingo, the Oxford-educated Native American in the 1960s adventure series "Daniel Boone" that starred Fess Parker as the famous frontiersman. He also was the center of a bit on "The Tonight Show" that − thanks to his painfully uncanny aim with a hatchet − became one of the show's most memorable surprise moments.

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Samantha Weinstein, an actor who starred in the 2013 remake of "Carrie" and voiced roles in several cartoons, died at the age of 28 from ovarian cancer, her father David confirmed to USA TODAY. She died on May 14 at a hospital in Toronto.

"We’re overwhelmed with the outpouring of tributes to Samantha," her father said. "She led a very full, charmed and authentic life. She was very passionate about her art and worked up until her last days voicing animated characters and living as full a life as she possibly could."

David Weinstein

Ray Stevenson, a veteran character actor best known for his roles in the "Thor" film franchise, "RRR" and the upcoming "Ahsoka" series, died on May 21 at 58. His publicist Nicki Fioravante confirmed the actor's death, four days before his birthday, to USA TODAY in an email on May 22.

Besides playing Volstagg in the first three "Thor" films, Stevenson is also known for portraying Marcus Eaton in the "Divergent" trilogy, Cobra Demolitions expert Firefly in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," retired secret agent Frank Martin Sr. in "The Transporter: Refueled" and Gov. Scott Buxton in 2022's critically acclaimed "RRR." On the small screen, his role as Titus Pullo in "Rome" sparked his career in the United States, earning him a Screen Actors Guild card at the age of 44.

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Songwriter and poet Pete Brown, 82, who co-wrote “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room” for rock supergroup Cream in the 1960s, died May 19 of cancer, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

A poet who worked in the same circles as Allen Ginsberg and Spike Milligan, Brown was asked by drummer Ginger Baker to help write songs for Cream, a band he had formed with guitarist Eric Clapton and bass player Jack Bruce. He formed a songwriting partnership with Bruce after Cream broke up that lasted more than four decades.

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Andy Rourke, bass guitarist of The Smiths, one of the most influential British bands of the 1980s, died after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer, his former bandmate Johnny Marr announced May 19 on social media. Rourke was 59.

"Andy will always be remembered, as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by people who love music. Well done Andy. We’ll miss you brother," Marr wrote.

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Longtime "General Hospital" star Jacklyn Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer, is dead at 70 after a short cancer battle, her family confirmed to The Associated Press on May 11. The actress joined the show in 1977 as Barbara Jean, Luke Spencer's sister, and was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards, including one for her role as Sofia Madison in streaming series “The Bay.” In real life, Zeman worked as a Playboy Bunny to pay for college and dropped out of pre-med at New York University to join ABC soap “One Life to Live” as Lana McClain.

“I am heartbroken,” “General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini tweeted. “She was a bright light and a true professional that brought so much positive energy with her work.”

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Rita Lee Jones, Brazil’s million-selling "Queen of Rock" who gained an international following through her colorful and candid style and such hits as "Ovelha Negra," "Mania de Você" and "Now Only Missing You," died May 8. She was 75.

Otherwise known as Rita Lee, she died at her home in Sao Paulo, according to a statement posted to her official Instagram account. Lee had retired from stage performances in the early 2010s in what she later attributed to physical frailty, and was diagnosed in 2021 with lung cancer, though her son announced a year later that she had defeated the illness.

MARCOS MAZINI, Globo TV (Brazilian TV Channel)

Len Goodman died "peacefully" on April 22 with his wife Sue Barrett and son James, from a previous relationship, by his bedside, his manager Jackie Gill confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement. He was 78.

Goodman was head judge of "Dancing With the Stars" for 17 years, beginning with its 2005 premiere. The show moved to Disney+ in the fall of 2022 after 30 seasons on ABC. A former professional ballroom dancer and British champion, he was also head judge on "Strictly Come Dancing" for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004.

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Todd Haimes, who led the Roundabout Theatre Company from an off-off-Broadway company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy into a major theatrical force with works on five stages — including three Broadway theaters — and dozens of Tony Awards, has died. He was 66.

Haimes, the artistic director and CEO of the nonprofit Roundabout, died in New York City on April 19 due to complications from cancer, Matt Polk, his longtime friend and spokesperson, told the Associated Press.

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Singer and guitarist Otis Redding III, the son and namesake of the legendary 1960s soul singer, died from cancer at age 59, his family said April 19.

Redding was just 3 years old when his father, Otis Redding, perished along with several band members in a plane crash on Dec. 10, 1967. More than a decade later, the younger Redding and his brother, Dexter, formed the funk band The Reddings, which recorded six albums in the 1980s.

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Mark Sheehan, the lead guitarist for Irish rock band The Script died following a "brief illness," the group shared onsocial media April 14. He was 46.

The Script formed in Dublin in 2001 and included Sheehan, lead singer and keyboardist Danny O'Donoghue and drummer Glen Power. The band is known for 2012's "Hall of Fame," 2009 track "Before the Worst" and 2008's hit songs "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Breakeven."

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Mexican ballad singer Julián Figueroa has died at the age of 27, his mother confirmed on April 10. Figueroa was the son of actress Maribel Guardia and singer Joan Sebastian, who died in 2015. Guardia wrote on Instagram that Figueroa died of a heart ailment.

Like his father, Figueroa sang northern-inspired ballads backed by a traditional band. His hits included songs like "Yo sería", "Ay amor" and "Volaré." Figueroa is survived by his mother and his wife, singer and actress Imelda Tuñón, and their son.

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Michael Lerner, best known for his roles in "Barton Fink," "Godzilla" and "Elf," died April 8. He was 81. Lerner’s nephew, "The Goldbergs" actor Sam Lerner, confirmed his death in an Instagram post. A cause of death was not given.

Lerner appeared in numerous television series throughout the '60s, '70s and '80s, such as "The Brady Bunch," "The Odd Couple," "The Rockford Files," "The A-Team" and "Hill Street Blues." His big break in show business came when he landed the role of Jack Lipnick in the 1991 comedy thriller "Barton Fink," with his performance earning him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in 1992.

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Former ABBA guitarist Lasse Wellander died on April 7 after a battle with cancer. He was 70. The Swedish native's family shared the news on his Facebook page. ABBA confirmed his deathin a tribute posted on Instagram April 10. "We mourn his tragic and premature death and remember the kind words, the sense of humor, the smiling face, the musical brilliance of the man who played such an integral role in the ABBA story," band members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad and Benny Andersson wrote.

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Jazz saxophonist and music teacher Edward "Kidd" Jordan died in his sleep April 7, surrounded by family at his New Orleans home, family publicist Vincent Sylvain told The Associated Press. He was 87.

During his 50-year career, Jordan showcased his musical talents across New Orleans while also collaborating with music legends like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. He was also a music professor at Southern University of New Orleans, later becoming chairman of the university's Jazz Studies Program. "His passing is the end of an era of music education in New Orleans," said Jackie Harris, executive director of the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Educational Foundation.

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Mexican-Dominican actorAndrés García died April 4 as a result of liver cirrhosis. He was 81. Mexican singer and actress Anahí confirmed the news on Twitter by writing a heartfelt message saying goodbye to the actor: "I thank God for giving me the gift of your kindness. I know you are in a better place now."

In cinema, the actor stood out in more than 50 films, including "Pedro Navajas," "Toña Machetes" and "Nora la Rebelde," among many others. On television, García worked on telenovelas such as "El Privilegio de Amar" and "El Cuerpo del Deseo." He is survived by his wife Margarita Portillo, as well as three children: Leonardo, Andrés and Andrea.

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Ryuichi Sakamoto, a world-renowned Japanese musician and actor who composed for Hollywood hits such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. Japan’s recording company Avex said in a statement to the Associated Press on April 2 that Sakamoto died on March 28 while undergoing treatment for cancer.

He was a world-class musician, winning an Oscar and Grammy for the 1987 movie “The Last Emperor.” Sakamoto was also an actor, starring in the BAFTA-winning 1983 film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.”

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Brian "Brizz" Gillis, best known for his short-lived role in the '90s boy band LFO, died March 29. Gillis' former bandmate Brad Fischetti confirmed his death in an Instagram post March 30. A cause of death was not given. Gillis was in his late 40s.

Gillis formed the pop-R&B group with fellow vocalists Fischetti and Rich Cronin in 1995. He later departed the group before the release of its self-titled debut album in August 1999. "If it wasn’t for his hard work and dedication in the early days of LFO, the first two chapters, the LFO you came to know and (hopefully) love would not exist," Fischetti wrote.

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Wayne Swinny, guitarist and founding member of hard rock band Saliva, died March 22 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 59. Swinny’s bandmates confirmed his death in a Facebook post, saying Swinny "will be missed by all those who knew him.”

Swinny formed Saliva, a band known for its angsty fusion of hard rock and hip-hop, in the late ‘90s with singer Josey Scott, guitarist Chris Dabaldo, bassist Dave Novotny and drummer Paul Crosby. “Every Six Seconds,” the band's major-label debut, went on to sell 1 million copies and earned the band a Grammy nomination for best hard rock performance in 2002.

SEAN MOORMAN, ISLAND RECORDS

Actor Lance Reddick died suddenly March 17 of natural causes, his publicist Mia Hansen confirmed to USA TODAY.

Reddick was perhaps best known for his turn as respected police officer Cedric Daniels on Baltimore crime drama "The Wire." The actor starred in all five seasons of the series as the lawyer-turned-lieutenant, leading the Baltimore Police Department's narcotics team of detectives. He was also known for his performances in the "John Wick" franchise, "Bosch," and Netflix’s "Resident Evil."

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Australian actor Peter Hardy, best known for his role as Phil Rakich on the 2000s romantic drama "McLeod's Daughters," died March 16 while swimming at a beach in Perth, Australia, Hardy's agent Michael Turkic confirmed to USA TODAY. A cause of death was not given. He was 66.

Hardy made his acting debut on the TV drama "A Country Practice" in 1985 and went on to score roles in shows like "Snowy," "Time Trax," "Halifax f.p." and "Neighbours" throughout the '90s. He joined the cast of "McLeod's Daughters" – starring Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani and Simmone Mackinnon – during the show's sixth season in 2006 and remained until its eighth season in 2009. Hardy's last acting gig was an uncredited role in the 2021 adventure thriller "The King's Man."

"(Peter) will be sorely missed," Turkic said in a statement.

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"What You Won't Do For Love" and "Open Your Eyes" blue-eyed soul singer Bobby Caldwell diedat 71, wife Mary Caldwell shared on his Twitter March 15. She said her husband had been struggling with health issues for the past six years after being "floxed," a condition that arises after an adverse affect from consuming a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, according to treatment center Regenerative Medicine LA.

Caldwell's signature voice transcended genres of jazz, R&B and rock as his soulful hit song "What You Won't Do For Love" ascended the Billboard 100 charts after its 1978 release on his eponymous debut album.

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Musician Jim Gordon died March 13 from natural causes at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California, after a long incarceration and lifelong battle with mental illness, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by his publicist, Bob Merlis. He was 77.

Gordon began his professional career the day after he graduated high school in 1963 with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame charter members the Everly Brothers. As one of the elite Hollywood studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew and member of landmark rock bands such as Derek and the Dominos, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, and Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, Gordon was known as one of the most gifted drummers in rock history.

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South African rapper Costa Titch died hours after he collapsed onstage during a live performance. The rapper was 28. "Death has tragically knocked at our door," his family wrote in an Instagram post shared to the rapper's page on March 12. Titch's death came hours after he performed at Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg on March 11. Videos shared on social media show the rapper collapsing briefly, standing to continue to perform and appearing to lose consciousness once more as staff rushed to his side.

Titch was known for his sound in the South African music genre amapiano. He signed to Akon's Konvict Kulture label in 2020.

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Author and illustrator Ian Woodward Falconer, known for his “Olivia” book series for children, died March 7. He was 63. Falconer’s lawyer and agent Conrad M. Rippy said Falconer died Tuesday of natural causes while with family in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Falconer’s “Olivia” books featured a clever piglet with a great imagination named Olivia, a character he developed for his young niece in 1996. The first book in the series, called “Olivia,” was published in 2000 and became a best-seller. He wrote and illustrated seven sequels, the last of which was “Olivia the Spy” in 2017. In 2022, he published a new book for children called “Two Dogs.”

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Gary Rossington, guitarist of southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died March 5. He was 71. The band confirmed Rossington's death in a Facebook post. A cause of death was not given.

"It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today," the band wrote. "Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does."

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Tom Sizemore, star of the late-'90s war drama "Saving Private Ryan," has died following a brain aneurysm. He was 61. Sizemore died March 3, the actor's manager Charles Lago confirmed to Variety, TMZ and People.

"It is with great sadness and sorrow I have to announce that actor Thomas Edward Sizemore ('Tom Sizemore') aged 61 passed away peacefully in his sleep today at St Joseph’s Hospital Burbank," Lago said in a statement to Variety and TMZ.

The actor is best known for his role as Mike Horvath in the 1998 Steven Spielberg film "Saving Private Ryan," starring Tom Hanks. He also appeared in 2001's "Black Hawk Down" and "Pearl Harbor," as well as the "Twin Peaks" revival series in 2017.

TONY ESPARZA, CBS

Walter Mirisch, the astute and Oscar winning film producer who oversaw such classics as "Some Like It Hot," "West Side Story" and "In the Heat of the Night," died of natural causes Feb. 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said. He was 101.

"Walter was a true visionary, both as a producer and as an industry leader," the academy’s CEO Bill Kramer and its president Janet Yang said in statment, noting Mirisch had served as academy president and an academy governor for many years. "His passion for filmmaking and the Academy never wavered, and he remained a dear friend and advisor."

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Richard Belzer, a longtime stand-up comedian known for "Saturday Night Live" and one of TV's most memorable detectives as John Munch in "Law & Order" franchise shows, died Feb. 19 at 78. His longtime friend Bill Scheft told The Hollywood Reporter, per The Associated Press, that Belzer died at his home in Bozouls in southern France.

In addition to his work as a comedian, Belzer played the role of Detective John Munch for 23 years. The character first appeared in NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street" in 1993 and made his way into several other unrelated shows, including "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," "30 Rock," "The X-Files," "Arrested Development," "The Wire" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." Belzer is survived by his wife, actress Harlee McBride.

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Raquel Welch, who made her name as a Hollywood bombshell in the 1966 films "One Million Years B.C." and "Fantastic Voyage," died Feb. 15 after a brief illness, her manager Steve Sauer told USA TODAY. She was 82.

The actress (born Jo Raquel Tejada), famously known for a poster of her wearing a deerskin bikini, enjoyed a 50-year career that included 30 films and 50 TV series and appearances. She won a best actress Golden Globe in 1975 for her comedic role in “The Three Musketeers,” and was nominated for a Globe in the 1987 TV movie "Right to Die."

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Leiji Matsumoto, the anime creator known for "Space Battleship Yamato” and other classics using a fantastical style and antiwar themes, died at age 85 on Feb. 13.

His manga works “Galaxy Express 999” and “Space Pirate Captain Herlock” were adapted into television anime series in the 1970s and became huge hits in and outside Japan. Matsumoto, whose real name was Akira Matsumoto, died of acute heart failure in a Tokyo hospital, his office, Studio Leijisha, said on Feb. 20.

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David Jude Jolicoeur, known widely as Trugoy the Dove and one of the founding members of the Long Island hip-hop trio De La Soul, died at age 54, his representative Tony Ferguson confirmed Feb. 12.

De La Soul's debut studio album "3 Feet High and Rising" was released in 1989 and praised for being a more light-hearted and positive counterpart to more charged rap offerings like N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" and Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions" released just one year prior. The group released eight albums, the most recent in 2016.

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Cody Longo, an actor who appeared on "Days of Our Lives" and "Nashville," has died, Longo's representative Alex Gittelson confirmed to USA TODAY on Feb. 10. He was 34. A cause of death was not provided.

Longo appeared in several popular television shows, including "Medium," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "CSI: NY." He also appeared in the 2010 horror comedy "Piranha 3D" and played Nicholas Alamain on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" for eight episodes in 2011. “Cody was our whole world," said Longo's wife, Stephanie Clark, in a statement. "The kids and I are shattered and beyond devastated. He was the best dad and best father. We will always and forever miss you and love you.”

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Hugh Hudson, a British filmmaker who debuted as a feature director with the Oscar-winning 1981 Olympics drama “Chariots of Fire” and later made such well-regarded movies as “My Life So Far” and the Oscar-nominated “Greystoke,” died Feb. 10 at age 86. Hudson’s family issued a brief statement announcing his death at a hospital in London “after a short illness.”

Hudson started out as a documentary editor and producer and also worked in TV advertising before finding work in feature films in the late 1970s as a second-unit director on Alan Parker’s “Midnight Express.” He directed “Chariots of Fire,” which starred Ben Cross and Nigel Havers as British athletes of contrasting religions and backgrounds at the 1924 Olympics.

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Carlos Saura, Spain’s celebrated filmmaker, whose career spanned over seven decades and earned him three Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film, has died. He was 91.

Spain’s Cinema Academy said Saura died Feb. 10, a day before he was to receive an honorary Goya award for his prolific career. Saura was a popular director among arthouse cinema enthusiasts. He had earned international recognition for his 1966 movie “La Caza″ (The Hunt) which was awarded the Silver Bear at the International Berlin Film Festival. He later earned another two Silver Bear awards for his work.

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Burt Bacharach, the prolific hit-maker behind "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," "Wishin’ and Hopin’," "A House is Not a Home" and "That’s What Friends Are For," died on Feb. 8 at home in Los Angeles of natural causes, publicist Tina Brausam said. He was 94.

Bacharach, a six-time Grammy winner with more than 70 Top 40 singles in the U.S., composed songs for Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and Aretha Franklin.

John Salangsang, AP

Fashion designer Paco Rabanne, known for his eccentric chain mail designs and fragrances, died Feb. 3. He was 88.

"Among the most seminal fashion figures of the 20th century, his legacy will remain a constant source of inspiration," a post from his label read alongside a portrait of Rabanne in black and white. Rabanne, born Francisco Rabaneda y Cuervo in the Basque region of Spain, was a notable designer in the 1960s, creating iconic pieces that set the pace with metallic, space-age fashions. His recognizable chainmail dresses became a common design composed of plastic or aluminum discs and plates that were connected through metal links.

Courtesy Of Puig

Cindy Williams, right, who played Shirley opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne, left, on the popular sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," died on Jan. 25 in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her family said in a statement on Jan. 30. She was 75.

Williams' credits included the films "American Graffiti" and "The Conversation." But she was by far best known for playing the straitlaced Shirley Feeney on the ABC sitcom "Laverne & Shirley." The show, a spinoff of "Happy Days," was one of the most popular shows on television in its prime. It ran from 1976 to 1983.

BOB D'AMICO/ABC

Lisa Loring, best known to play Wednesday Addams in the original 1960s sitcom "The Addams Family," has died, her agent said. She was 64. Loring's agent, Chris Carbaugh of C and V Promotions, confirmed to USA TODAY Loring died on Jan. 28 surrounded by her family.

"Lisa was a very loving mother, grandmother and friend with a lifetime of amazing stories and experiences," Carbaugh said Monday. "She brought to life one of the most iconic characters in Hollywood history that is still celebrated today. Lisa loved sharing her memories and meeting all her fans across the world. She will be missed dearly." Loring’s daughter, Vanessa Foumberg, told Variety her mother died of a stroke.

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Barrett Strong, an artist and songwriter who was present for the birth of Motown and had a key role in classic hits for the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr and others, has died, the Detroit Free Press (part of the USA TODAY network) confirmed Jan. 29. He was 81.

In 1959, Strong lent his strapping, raspy vocals to Motown’s first big hit “Money (That’s What I Want),” which went on to sell a million copies and helped ignite the company’s fortunes. Strong eventually went behind the scenes as a songwriter, teaming with producer Norman Whitfield in the mid-1960s to cowrite smashes for Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Edwin Starr and the Undisputed Truth.

Dan MacMedan, USA Today Network

Annie Wersching, an actor best known for her roles on "24," "Bosch" and "Timeless," died Jan. 29 following a battle with cancer, her publicist confirmed to USA TODAY. The type of cancer was not specified. She was 45.

Wersching made her television debut in the early 2000s, scoring roles in series such as "Star Trek: Enterprise," "Birds of Prey" and "Frasier." Her more recent roles included Emma Whitmore on NBC's "Timeless" and Julia Brasher on the Prime Video crime drama "Bosch." She also lent her voice to the character of Tess for the 2013 post-apocalyptic video game "The Last of Us," which was later adapted into an HBO drama.

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Tom Verlaine, guitarist and co-founder of the seminal proto-punk band Television, died at the age of 73 on Jan. 28. He died in New York City, surrounded by close friends, after a brief illness, said Cara Hutchison from the Lede Company, a public relations firm.

Though Television never found much commercial success, Verlaine’s jaggedly inventive playing as part of the band’s two-guitar assault influenced many musicians, such as Pavement, Sonic Youth, the Strokes and Jeff Buckley. Verlaine also released eight solo albums, his most commercially successful being his 1981 sophomore album “Dreamtime,” which peaked at No. 177 on the Billboard album chart.

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Screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard, who skillfully adapted stories of historical Black figures in “Remember the Titans” starring Denzel Washington, “Ali” with Will Smith and “Harriet” with Cynthia Erivo, died Jan. 27 at the age of 70. He died at a hospital in Miami of heart failure, according to publicist Jeff Sanderson.

Howard was the first Black screenwriter to write a drama that made $100 million at the box office when “Titans,” a film about a real-life Black football coach coming into a newly integrated Virginia school, crossed that milestone in 2000. “I got into this business to write about the complexity of the Black man. I wanted to write about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Marcus Garvey. I think it takes a Black man to write about Black men,” he told the Times-Herald of Vallejo, California, in 2009.

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Lance Kerwin, an actor known for his roles on 1970s television shows like "James at 16" and "Salem's Lot," has died at 62. His representative John Boitano confirmed the news to USA TODAY on Jan. 25.

His most famous roles were in the TV movie "James at 15," which spawned the TV drama series "James at 16" that ran from 1977 to 1978, and in the 1979 limited series, "Salem's Lot," based on the Stephen King horror novel.

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Mexican comedianPolo Polo, born Leopoldo García Peláez Benítez, died Jan. 23 at the age of 78. The comedian died of natural causes, his son Paul García told TV Azteca’s "Ventaneando" the day of his death.

A former shoemaking businessman, Polo Polo made his comic debut in the 1970s and became known for his adult-themed jokes, a style that was exemplified by his "Son Para Adultos" ("This is for Adults") album series. However, García said his father's racy humor was just part of his stage persona. "He was a nice person, but he didn’t say a lot of vulgar things. It was something he used for his show," he said. "People don’t work 24/7, and my dad was the same way."

Edgar Negrete, LatinContent Via Getty Images

Musician Van Conner, best known as the bassist for rock band Screaming Trees, died Jan. 17, a representative for the band confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 55. Conner's cause of death was pneumonia, the band's rep said in an email, adding that Conner had been ill with "several ailments" since contracting COVID-19 in March 2022.

Conner's brother and bandmate, Gary Lee Conner, took to Facebook on Jan. 18 to mourn his sibling's death. "He was one of the closest friends I ever had and I loved him immensely. I will miss him forever and ever and ever," Gary wrote.

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Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock icon Elvis Presley, died Jan. 12. She was 54.

The singer suffered apparent cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, just north of Los Angeles, and was transported to a local hospital, according to TMZ, the first to report the news. She died hours later. “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Lisa's mother, Priscilla Presley, said in a statement to The Associated Press. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”

Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Robbie Bachman, who provided the beat behind such 70s hits from the Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive as "Takin' Care of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet," has died. He was 69.

Bachman's brother, Randy Bachman posted on Twitter that his brother died Jan. 12. “Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side," he posted. "Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n’ roll machine and we rocked the world together." No cause of death was mentioned.

Fin Costello, Redferns

Carole Cook, an actress who had a lengthy screen and stage career and a close friendship with late comedy icon Lucille Ball, died Jan. 11. She was 98. A representative for Cook told USA TODAY the actress died of heart failure in Beverly Hills, California.

Cook had a lengthy stage career, appearing in the original production of the Broadway hit "Romantic Comedy" and in the national tour of "Steel Magnolias," for which she earned a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She also won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her performance in the tour of "Father's Day." Her film credits include "American Gigolo," "Sixteen Candles" and the animated Disney film "Home on the Range," among others. She also guest starred on several TV shows, including "Grey's Anatomy."

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Tatjana Patitz, one of an elite group of famed supermodels who graced magazine covers in the 1980s and '90s and appeared in George Michael’s "Freedom! '90" music video, died Jan. 11 at age 56. Her agent, Corinne Nicolas, confirmed her death and stated the cause as an illness but did not provide further detail.

Patitz, who was born in Germany, raised in Sweden and later made her life in California, was known as part of an elite handful of "original" supermodels, appearing in the Michael video along with Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.

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Blake Hounshell, a well-known political journalist who edited The New York Times’ “On Politics” newsletter and formerly held several leadership positions at Politico, died Jan. 10 at 44 in Washington, D.C. A Times obituary said Washington police were investigating the death as a suicide.

“He became an indispensable and always insightful voice in the report during a busy election cycle,” Joe Kahn, the Times executive editor, and Carolyn Ryan, the newspaper’s managing editor wrote in a statement. “Blake was devoted to his family and a friend of many on our politics and Washington teams, who have worked alongside him for many years.”

Riccardo Savi, Getty Images For Concordia Summi

Bernard Kalb, a former television reporter for CBS and NBC who in 1986 quit his job as a State Department spokesman to protest a U.S. government disinformation campaign against Libya, died Jan. 8. He was 100.

His younger brother, Marvin Kalb, told The Washington Post that his death at his home in the Washington suburbs followed complications from a fall. Kalb worked as a foreign affairs journalist in both print and television, wrote two books with his more famous younger brother, and served as founding anchor and panelist for the CNN media analysis show "Reliable Sources."

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Adam Rich, who rose to fame as a child star on ABC's "Eight Is Enough," died Jan. 7, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. No cause of death has been determined. He was 54.

Rich, known in childhood for his wide grin and pageboy haircut, found TV fame portraying youngest son Nicholas Bradford on "Eight Is Enough" from 1977 to 1981. The show revolved around Dick Van Patten, who played a newspaper columnist and father of eight kids. Rich also starred in "Code Red," "Dungeons & Dragons" and "Baywatch."

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Russell Banks, an award-winning fiction writer who rooted such novels as “Affliction” and “The Sweet Hereafter” in the wintry, rural communities of his native Northeast and imagined the dreams and downfalls of everyone from modern blue-collar workers to the radical abolitionist John Brown, died Jan. 7. He was 82.

Banks, a professor emeritus at Princeton University, died in upstate New York, his editor, Dan Halpern, told The Associated Press. Banks was being treated for cancer, Halpern said.

PETER FREED, USA TODAY

British author Fay Weldon, known for her sharp wit and acerbic observations about women’s experiences and sexual politics in novels including "The Life And Loves Of A She-Devil," died Jan. 4, her family announced. She was 91.

Weldon was a playwright, screenwriter and prolific novelist, producing 30 novels as well as short stories and plays written for television, radio and the stage. She was one of the writers on the popular 1970s drama series “Upstairs, Downstairs,” receiving an award from the Writers Guild of America for the show’s first episode.

Alex Baker Color

She was sometimes called, "the Queen of Memphis." Other times she was "Lady Boo." But most often, she was "Gangsta Boo," whose real name was Lola Mitchell. The Memphis rapper died Jan. 1 at age 43, reps for the rapper at Echoing Soundz confirmed in a news release. Her cause of death is being investigated.

The pioneering female hip-hop star got her start as a teenager in Three 6 Mafia and has been cited as an influence and a mentor by rappers including Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla.

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Actor Jeffrey Carlson, best known for his dual role as Zarf and Zoe on the soap opera "All My Children" has died, Carlson's representative Brian Davidson confirmed to USA TODAY on July 10. He was 48. A cause of death was not given. Carlson made his television debut in 2001 with a voiceover role in the TV movie "Revenge of the Whale," which co-starred Liam Neeson and David Harbour. Carlson went on to appear in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and the Will Smith romantic comedy "Hitch" before landing the role of Zarf on "All My Children" in 2006. Carlson's character was transgender, and he later returned to the series as Zoe.

"I will forever cherish our laughs and the deep love we have for each other," said Carlson's sister, Elizabeth Carlson Gingras, in a statement. "He has left such an impact on so many people. It’s so hard to find the words to express how special he was."

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