Passages 2021: Those we’ve lost through the year

Sen. Harry Reid, D-NV, speaks during the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 27, 2016. Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is photographed in Washington, DC on Oct. 10, 2012. South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. He was 90.

Pittsburgh Pirates first base coach Kimera Bartee during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Aug. 12, 2019. Former Major League Baseball outfielder and Detroit Tigers first base coach Kimera Bartee has died. He was 49. The Tigers made the announcement on Tuesday, saying Bartee died suddenly on Monday, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021.

Drakeo the Ruler performs during Rolling Loud at NOS Events Center on December 12, 2021 in San Bernardino, Calif. Drakeo the Ruler, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, was fatally stabbed in an altercation at a Los Angeles music festival Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. His publicist confirmed the death to the New York Times. The 28-year-old was assaulted at the Once Upon a Time in LA concert Saturday night.

Michael Nesmith of The Monkees performs at the 2014 Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 27, 2014. Nesmith, the guitar-strumming member of the 1960s, made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died at home Friday of natural causes, his family said in a statement. He was 78.

Author Anne Rice signs books during Entertainment Weekly's PopFest at The Reef on October 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, Calif. Rice, the gothic novelist widely known for her bestselling novel "Interview with the Vampire," died late Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at the age of 80. Rice died due to complications from a stroke, her son Christopher Rice announced on her Facebook page and his Twitter page.

Al Unser hugs the Borg-Warner Trophy Tuesday, July 20, 2021, during a gathering of all four four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "This is mine," he laughed. Al Unser, one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 a record four times, died Thursday following years of health issues. He was 82.

Former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas, is interviewed by USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page for a Capital Download segment in his Washington office on May 22, 2014. Bob Dole, who overcame disabling war wounds to become a sharp-tongued Senate leader from Kansas, a Republican presidential candidate and then a symbol and celebrant of his dwindling generation of World War II veterans, has died. He was 98. His wife, Elizabeth Dole, posted the announcement Sunday on Twitter.

Lois Nelson Andrews is photographed in Tuba Fats Square in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. Andrews, a New Orleans cultural icon who led countless processions as grand marshal of jazz funerals and second-line parades, has died at age 69. Andrews, known across the city as the “Mother of Music,” died of lung cancer Nov. 10, 2021.

Young Dolph performs during Memphis Madness held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Officials say rapper Young Dolph has been fatally shot at a cookie shop in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn. on Nov. 17, 2021, and a search is underway for the shooter.

Heath Freeman, an actor who made appearances on several 2000s dramas like "Bones" and "NCIS," died on Nov. 14 at the age of 41.

Lionel Blair, 90, winner of the Lionel d'Or Oldie of the Year award at The Oldie of the Year Awards held at Simpson's In The Strand on January 29, 2019 in London, England. Blair has died at the age of 92, it was reported on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.

Cast members of "Friends", James Michael Tyler, who plays Gunther, is seen during interviews at a press preview for the new Friends Pop-up experience on Sept. 5, 2019. September marks the 25th anniversary of NBC's smash hit "Friends," and to celebrate Warner Bros. TV is opened a temporary pop-up "experience," basically a museum of memorabilia and gift shop, in SoHo, in Manhattan. Actor James Michael Tyler, best known for playing Gunther on the TV series "Friends," has died of prostate cancer at 59 years old.

This photo provided by Jack Caswell shows director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Archenemy" on Dec. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin accidentally Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 on the New Mexico set of the western film "Rust." Authorities continue to investigate the shooting but there are no allegations of wrongdoing by Baldwin.

Emmy award-winning actor Peter Scolari died at 66 on Oct. 22, 2021 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Sec. of State Colin Powell talks to editors and reporters of USA Today on Oct. 18, 2004 in Washington. Powell, former Joint Chiefs chairman and secretary of state, has died from COVID-19 complications. In an announcement on social media Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 the family said Powell had been fully vaccinated. He was 84

In a 2010 photo, actress Betty Lynn, better known as Barney Fife's girlfriend Thelma Lou, retired to Mount Airy, N.C. The beloved actress died Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at the age of 95.

In this April 25, 2017 photo, Fuller Goldsmith smiles while surrounded by friends at Southern Ale House in Tuscaloosa, Ala., while they watch his debut on Chopped Jr. on Food Network. Goldsmith spent much of his early life awaiting chemotherapy treatments at Children's of Alabama hospital, and he got hooked on TV cooking shows. That set him down a path that landed him on Food Network and in kitchens around his native Tuscaloosa. The teen chef died of cancer, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, just days before his 18th birthday.

In this Nov. 20, 2003, file photo, "Late Show With David Letterman'' announcer Alan Kalter poses in the the Late Show studio in New York. Kalter, the quirky, red-headed announcer for David Letterman for two decades who frequently appeared in the show's comedy bits, has died Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut. He was 78.

This Wednesday, July 5, 2017, portrait shows Arizona Republic photographer Nick Oza in Phoenix. Pulitzer Prize-winning Arizona photojournalist Oza, who documented the lives of disaster victims and immigrants, has died after being hospitalized more than three weeks with serious injuries from a traffic accident. He was 57. Oza died early Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, after being hospitalized since Sept. 3.

George Frayne aka Commander Cody performs on stage during the 2013 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at The Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2013 in Indio, Calif. George Frayne, who as leader of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airman enjoyed a cult following in the 1970s with such party and concert favorites as "Hot Rod Lincoln" and "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)," has died. He was 77.

Roger Michell poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'The Duke' during the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 4, 2020. Michell, the British stage, television and film director whose movies include the indelibly popular romcom “Notting Hill,” has died, his family said Thursday. He was 65.

Comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Norm Macdonald died Tuesday after a private battle with cancer, his manager Marc Gurvitz confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 61 years old.

In this Jan. 20, 2015 file photo, French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo attends the Award Gala evening of the 39th Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, in Monaco. French New Wave actor Jean-Paul Belmondo has died, according to his lawyer’s office on Monday Sept. 6, 2021.

Former Loyola NCAA college basketball star Jerry Harkness poses at his home in Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Harkness, who led Loyola Chicago to a barrier-breaking national basketball championship and a was civil rights pioneer, has died. He was 81. The school announced Harkness passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 24, 2021.

Brian Travers, saxophonist and founding member of UB40, died Aug. 22, 2021, at the age of 62 after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. The band's hits over the decades included reggae versions of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" and The Temptations' "The Way You Do The Things You Do." The band confirmed the news on their official Twitter account on Aug. 23, 2021.

In this April 22, 2010 file photo, actress Jane Withers arrives at the premiere of the newly restored feature film "A Star Is Born" in Los Angeles. Withers, the former child actor who bedeviled Shirley Temple on the screen and went on to star in a series of B movies that made her a box-office champion, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. She was 95.

Saginaw Grant, an actor known for his roles in "The Lone Ranger" and "Breaking Bad," died on July 28. He was also hereditary chief of the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma. He was 85.

Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has died at 46 years old. Drummer Joey Jordison arrives at the 2nd Annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards at Club Nokia on April 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, Calif. Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has died at 46 years old.

In this file photo taken on June 07, 2017 Director/producer Richard Donner attends An Academy Tribute To Filmmaker Richard Donner at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in Beverly Hills, California. - Richard Donner, the directer of beloved films like Superman and The Goonies, has died on July 5, 2021. He was 91.

Former Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, is photographed during an interview in New York City on Feb. 8, 2011. Rumsfeld, Republican powerbroker, controversial Defense Secretary and architect of the Iraq war died Tuesday in Taos, New Mexico, he was 88.

Johnny Solinger of Skid Row performs on stage during the day 1 of the Pentaport Rock Festival on Aug. 2, 2013 in Incheon, South Korea. The former singer for Skid Row has dies at age 55.

In this April 26, 2017, file photo, Mark Peel, right, and Daphne Brogdon arrive at the Wolfgang Puck's Post-Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony Celebration at Spago in Beverly Hills, Calif. Peel, a trailblazing chef who helped create modern California cuisine and a dining renaissance in Los Angeles, died Sunday, June 20, 2021, at age 66.

Actor Ned Beatty and wife Sandra Johnson arrive at the Paramount Pictures premiere of the film "Shooter" at the Mann Village Theatre on March 8, 2007 in Westwood, Calif. Beatty, the indelible character actor whose first film role, as a genial vacationer brutally raped by a backwoodsman in 1972's "Deliverance," launched him on a long, prolific and accomplished career, died Sunday, June 13, 2021. He was 83.

Clarence Williams III attends the Los Angeles premiere of 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on August 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, Calif. Clarence Williams III, who starred as Linc Hayes in the TV series "The Mod Squad," died Friday, June 4, 2021 at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with colon cancer. He was 81.

In this July 31, 2018 file photo shows actor Gavin MacLeod during a panel discussion on the PBS special "Betty White: First Lady of Television" during the 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Gavin MacLeod has died. His nephew told the trade paper Variety that MacLeod died early Saturday, May 29, 2021.

In this Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007. file photo, Music artist B.J. Thomas speaks after Gov. Brad Henry, left, presented Thomas with a proclamation at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. B.J. Thomas, the versatile, Grammy-winning singer who enjoyed success on the pop, country and gospel charts with such hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Hooked On a Feeling,” has died, Saturday, May 29, 2021. He was 78.

Actor Charles Grodin speaks onstage at Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights 2013 Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on December 11, 2013 in New York City. Grodin, the offbeat actor and writer who scored as a newlywed cad in "The Heartbreak Kid" and the father in the "Beethoven" comedies, died Tuesday at his home in Wilton, Conn. from bone marrow cancer. He was 86.

Legendary space journalist Jay Barbree, who famously covered every launch of humans from American soil from the start of the Mercury program through the last space shuttle flight, has died. Barbree was 87 and lived on Merritt Island, Fla. His death Friday was confirmed by his longtime employer NBC News.

Actress Tawny Kitaen arrives at the premiere of Relativity Media's "Take Me Home Tonight" at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 on March 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, Calif. Kitaen, the sultry red-haired actress who appeared in films, tv shows and rock music videos during they heyday of MTV, has died. She was 59. Authorities in Orange County, California say she died at her home in Newport Beach on Friday, May 7, 2021.

Johnny Crawford attends the Museum of Television and Radio Cocktail Party on September 9, 2004 at The Museum of Television and Radio, in Beverly Hills, California.

In this Oct. 7, 2010 file photo, Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown poses for the media during a photocall to celebrate the release of the band's career retrospective boxset, 'Rollermania: Bay City Rollers The Anthology' in London. McKeown, the former lead singer of 1970s pop sensation Bay City Rollers, has died suddenly at the age of 65, his family said Thursday, April 22, 2021.  A statement from his family posted on social media said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father Leslie Richard McKeown.”

In this Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, file photo, former Vice President Walter Mondale speaks at a reception in his honor at the Carter Presidential Conference at the University of Georgia, in Athens, Ga. Mondale, a liberal icon who lost the most lopsided presidential election after bluntly telling voters to expect a tax increase if he won, died Monday, April 19, 2021. He was 93.

This Aug. 13, 2016, file photo shows Roosevelt Patterson greeting his grandmother Hester "Granny" Ford during Ford's 111th birthday party. Ford was either 115 or 116 years old depending on which census report was accurate. Either way, she was the oldest living American when she died Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Charlotte, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks “supercentenarians.” They listed her age as 115 years and 245 days.

In this Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, file photo, Mark Wahlberg, executive producer of the HBO series "Entourage," and his mother Alma pose at the HBO party after the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Alma Wahlberg, the mother of entertainers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and a regular on their reality series "Wahlburgers", has died, her sons said on social media Sunday, April 18, 2021. She was 78. "My angel. Rest in peace," Mark Wahlberg tweeted.

Financier Bernard Madoff arrives at Manhattan Federal court on March 12, 2009 in New York City. Bernard Madoff, the financier who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, has died of natural causes in federal prison.

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, died on April 9, 2021 at age 99. He had been hospitalized in recent months for an infection. 

Rapper DMX died on April 9, 2021 at age 50. He had suffered a recent overdose, staying unconscious in the hospital for around a week.  

Author Beverly Cleary died on March 26, 2021. She was 104.

George Segal, longtime movie star and currently the grandfather on ABC's "The Goldberg's" has died at 87 years old.

Yaphet Kotto, known for his roles in 'Alien' and 'Homicide', died on March 16, 2021. He was 81.

Roger Mudd in an undated photo from his career at CBS. The broadcaster died on March 9 at his home in McLean, Virginia.

Rush Limbaugh sits next to First Lady Melania Trump in the First Lady's box as President Donald J. Trump delivers the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. The conservative radio talk show host died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 of lung cancer.

In this April 10, 2014, file photo, Lynn Stalmaster arrives at the TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala in Los Angeles. Lynn Stalmaster, the Oscar-winning casting director whose eye for talent helped launch the careers of John Travolta, Christopher Reeve, Richard Dreyfuss and many other actors, has died. He was 93.

Mary Wilson, founding member of The Supremes, poses in a studio of the Capitol Records building, June 12, 2014, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. Mary Wilson, who co-founded the legendary Motown group The Supremes, died suddenly Feb. 8, 2021 at her home in Henderson, Nev., according to her longtime publicist Jay Schwartz. She was 76.

Boxing champion Leon Spinks speaks at his home before a visit to the Veterans Affairs hospital in North Las Vegas 0n July 27, 2015. Former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks Jr. died Friday night, Feb. 5, 2021, after battling prostate and other cancers. He was 67.

Christopher Plummer, who graced the stage, movie theaters and television screens for six decades, died at 91. Plummer died at his home in Connecticut, with wife Elaine Taylor by his side,

Captain Tom Moore at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, after he achieved his goal of 100 laps of his garden - raising more than 12 million pounds for the NHS. Moore, died at age 100 on Feb. 2, 2021 after being hospitalized with COVID-19. During the pandemic, Moore was known for his efforts in raising money for charity.

Dustin Diamond gets evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house at Elstree Studios on Sept. 6, 2013 in Borehamwood, England. Actor Dustin Diamond, best known playing "Screech" on "Saved By The Bell," has died of lung cancer. He was 44 years old.

Mel Antonen, 64, family man, friend to the world, and renowned sports journalist, died Jan. 30 of a rare acute auto-immune disease and complications from COVID-19. He was a long-time USA Today and MASN-TV baseball reporter who covered nearly three dozen World Series. In a half century in journalism, he reveled and excelled in telling others' stories.

Television and radio host Larry King died on Jan. 23 at the age of 87. King was hospitalized due to COVID-19 in December 2020.

MLB Hall of Famer Hank Aaron died on Jan. 22, 2021 at the age of 86.

Actor John Reilly attends NBC's "Days of Our Lives" and "Passions" pre-Emmy party at French 75 Bistro on April 27, 2006 in Burbank, Calif. Actor John Reilly, 84, of General Hospital fame has died.

English director Michael Apted arrives for the 2019 British Academy Britannia (BAFTA) awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills on October 25, 2019.

Tanya Roberts & Huckleberry during Festival of the Animals, a pet fair to benefit Animal Rescue Organizations at The Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif. Tanya Roberts, best known for her roles as Midge on "That 70's Show" and as a Bond Girl in "A View To A Kill," has died at the age of 65.

George Whitmore, one of the three men on the first team to climb El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, is seen on a hike to Taft Point with El Capitan in the background across Yosemite Valley on May 26, 2016. Whitmore, a member of the first team of climbers to scale El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and a conservationist who devoted his life to protecting the Sierra Nevada, has died. He was 89. Whitmore died on New Year's Day from complications caused by COVID-19, said his wife, Nancy. She said Whitmore, a cancer survivor, was extremely careful about wearing a mask and family don't know where he contracted the virus.

Denver Broncos former running back Floyd Little poses with his bust at the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. On Aug. 7, 2010. Little, the Hall of Fame running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said he died Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.