The year 2024 has seen the passing of many influential figures who left their mark on the world. From legendary actors and actresses who graced our screens to literary giants and innovative minds, their absence is deeply felt. We remember some of these notable individuals who passed away this year.
Jeannette Charles – June 2
British actress who often portrayed Queen Elizabeth II due to her resemblance to the monarch. After studying the Queen’s voice, as well as her appearance, Charles also made in-character personal appearances at trade shows and corporate events, and soon broadened into film. She has portrayed the Queen in numerous productions, including notable appearances in films like “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (1988), “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002), and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” (1985). Her television credits include appearances in shows like “Saturday Night Live”, “To the Manor Born” and “Doctor Snuggles.” She passed away at the age of 96.
Erich Anderson – May 31
American actor best known for his film role in the 1984 horror film “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” as Rob Dier. Anderson also appeared in films such as “Bat*21,” “The Final Cut” and “Unfaithful” (2002). He made guest appearances on various television series, including “House,” “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “The Mentalist,” “Monk,” and “Felicity.” He passed away at the age of 67.
Marian Robinson – May 31
Marian Robinson was the mother of Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States. During Barack Obama’s presidency, Robinson moved into the White House to help support the First Family. Her presence was particularly significant in helping to provide stability and normalcy for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha Obama, during their time in the White House. “My mom Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for whatever I needed. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away,” said Michelle Obama. Marian Robinson passed away at the age of 86.
Bill Walton – May 27
American professional basketball player and television sportscaster. He played college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics. Walton won a championship with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and was named the 1978 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also won another title with the Boston Celtics in 1986 as a key reserve player. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was known for his passing and defensive skills. After retiring, he worked as a basketball commentator. Walton passed away at the age of 71.
Johnny Wactor – May 25
American actor best known for his role as Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera “General Hospital.” He joined the cast in January 2020 and quickly became a fan favorite. Wactor’s character, Brando Corbin, was a member of the extended Corinthos family, which is central to many of the show’s storylines. Before his role on “General Hospital,” Wactor appeared in a variety of television series and films. His credits include shows like “Westworld,” “Siberia,” “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “Animal Kingdom,” and “The OA.” Wactor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles on May 25, 2024, at the age of 37. He was attacked when three men were trying to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle.
Morgan Spurlock – May 23
American documentary filmmaker, television producer, screenwriter, and author, best known for his 2004 documentary film “Super Size Me.” In this film, Spurlock explores the health effects of a diet consisting solely of McDonald’s food for 30 days. The documentary was critically acclaimed, received an Academy Award nomination, and sparked widespread discussions about fast food and obesity in America. He also directed “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden” and “One Direction: This Is Us” and created TV shows such as “30 Days,” “Morgan Spurlock Inside Man” and “7 Deadly Sins”. Spurlock passed away at the age of 53.
Charlie Colin – May 22
American musician, best known as the bassist for the rock band Train. Colin’s career took off when he co-founded the group Apostles with Jimmy Stafford and Rob Hotchkiss. Although the group disbanded, the members eventually reunited to form Train in 1993, with Colin as the bassist. Train achieved significant success, scoring their first Top 20 hit with “Meet Virginia” in 1999 and their big breakthrough with “Drops of Jupiter” in 2001. Colin’s contributions to Train earned him two Grammy Awards in 2002 for Best Rock Song and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for “Drops of Jupiter”. He also co-wrote other hit singles like “Meet Virginia” and “Calling All Angels”. After leaving Train in 2003, Colin continued to play music and provide background vocals for various bands.
Richard Foronjy – May 19
American actor known for his work in film and television, primarily during the 1980s and 1990s. He often played supporting roles, frequently portraying characters with a tough or authoritative demeanor. Some of his notable appearances include roles in popular movies such as “Midnight Run,” “Carlito’s Way,” and “Once Upon a Time in America,” and TV shows like “MAS*H,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Serpico.” Foronjy passed away at the age of 86.
Ebrahim Raisi – May 19
Iranian politician who was the president of Iran from 2021 until his death in 2024. Raisi began his career as a prosecutor in Tehran at age 25 and rose through the ranks of the judiciary, serving as the Prosecutor General of Iran and Chief Justice of Iran. He was a hardline conservative cleric known for his ultraconservative political views. In 2021, Raisi was elected president amidst low voter turnout, becoming the second most powerful figure in Iran after Khamenei. Raisi died at age 63 when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in northern Iran due to bad weather conditions. The Foreign Minister and several other officials were also killed in the accident.
Dabney Coleman – May 16
American actor known for his roles in numerous films and television shows. Renowned for his portrayals of sarcastic, often abrasive characters, Coleman starred in iconic films like “9 to 5,” “Tootsie,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and “WarGames.” On television, he earned acclaim for his roles in “Buffalo Bill,” “The Slap Maxwell Story,” and Boardwalk Empire. Coleman has won one Primetime Emmy Award from six nominations and one Golden Globe Award from three nominations. He passed away at the age of 92.
Tony McFarr – May 13
Renowned stuntman and actor. McFarr performed in dozens of movies and shows, including various blockbuster films such as “Jurassic World,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Furious 7,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “The Darkest Minds.” He worked with stars like Chris Pratt, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Jon Hamm, and Brendan Fraser. McFarr passed away at the age of 47.
Alice Munro – May 13
Canadian writer known for her exceptional short stories. She received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 for her mastery in the contemporary short story genre. Munro’s narratives are characterized by precise imagery, lyrical style, and intense emotional depth, portraying the complexities of everyday life. Raised in Ontario, she began writing as a teenager and persevered in her writing career despite initial rejections. Munro’s notable works include “Dance of the Happy Shades,” “Dear Life,” “The Moons of Jupiter,” and “Runaway.” She has received numerous awards, including the Governor General’s Award, the Man Booker International Prize, and the Nobel Prize in Literature. She passed away at the age of 92.
David Sanborn – May 12
American saxophonist, best known for his work in jazz, Rhythm and blues, and pop music. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous legendary musicians across various genres, including David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton, among many others. Sanborn won six Grammy Awards and has had eight gold albums and one platinum album. He passed away at the age of 78.
Steve Albini – May 7
American musician, record producer, audio engineer, and music journalist. He worked on several thousand albums over his career. He worked with acts such as Nirvana (“In Utero”), Pixies (“Surfer Rosa”), Bush, PJ Harvey (“Rid of Me”), the Jesus Lizard, and former Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Albini was critical of the music industry, arguing that it exploited and stylistically homogenized artists. He also played in various bands, most notably Big Black and Shellac. He passed away at the age of 61 due to a heart attack.
César Luis Menotti – May 5
Argentine football player and head coach who won the 1978 FIFA World Cup as the head coach of the Argentina national team. As a player, he had a successful career with clubs like Rosario Central and Boca Juniors, and also represented Argentina. Menotti later transitioned into coaching, developing an attacking, possession-based style of play that became known as “Menottismo.” In 1974, he was appointed as the manager of the Argentine national team and guided them to their first-ever World Cup triumph four years later. After the 1978 success, he went on to manage several other clubs in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, and Uruguay over the following decades, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in Argentine football history. He passed away at the age of 85.
Darius Morris – May 4
American professional basketball player. He played in the NBA for four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Brooklyn Nets from 2011 to 2015. Morris also had stints in the NBA G-League and played professionally in China, Russia and France. He was known for his college basketball career at the University of Michigan, where he was a standout player. Darius Morris passed away at the age of 33.
Paul Auster – April 30
American writer known for his complex and postmodern literary style. Auster gained recognition for his works such as “The New York Trilogy” (which consists of three interconnected novels: “City of Glass,” “Ghosts,” and “The Locked Room”), “Moon Palace,” “The Music of Chance,” and “The Brooklyn Follies.” Auster’s writing often delves into themes of identity, chance, and fate, with a narrative style characterized by self-referentiality and the reappearance of characters across his novels. Auster passed away at the age of 77 due to complications from lung cancer.
Mike Pinder – April 25
English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the co-founder and original keyboardist of the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. Pinder was a key contributor to The Moody Blues’ early success, playing on classic albums like “Days of Future Passed” and “In Search of the Lost Chord.” His distinctive keyboard work helped define the band’s signature sound, characterized by lush orchestration and psychedelic elements. After leaving the band in 1978, Pinder pursued a solo career. In 2018, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Moody Blues. He died at his northern California home at the age of 82.
Chan Romero – April 22
American rock and roll artist known for his song “The Hippy Hippy Shake.” He gained fame for this song, which has been covered by various artists, including The Beatles, and was included in the films “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” “X-Men: First Class,” and “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” A He hitchhiked to Los Angeles at the age of 17, where he wrote “The Hippy Hippy Shake.” He passed away at the age of 82.
Daniel Dennett – April 19
American philosopher known for his work in the philosophy of mind, consciousness, and atheism. He authored over 400 scholarly articles and more than 20 books, blending philosophy with fields like neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Dennett’s interdisciplinary approach and contributions to understanding consciousness, evolution, and religion have made him a prominent figure in contemporary philosophy. He was one of the leading members of New Atheism, along with Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris, and. He passed away at the age of 82.
Joe Flaherty – April 1
American actor, writer, and comedian known for his work on the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV from 1976 to 1984, his role as Harold Weir in “Freaks and Geeks”, and his part as Donald the heckler in “Happy Gilmore”. Throughout his career, Flaherty made numerous appearances in various television shows, including “The King of Queens,” “Frasier,” “That ’70s Show,” “Family Guy,” and “Married… with Children,” among others. He passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
Louis Gossett, Jr. – March 29
American actor known for his significant contributions to film, television, and stage performances. Gossett began his acting career in the late 1950s and gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with notable roles in various films and television shows. Gossett Jr. was the first Black man to win the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982). Throughout his career, Gossett has appeared in numerous films, including “A Raisin in the Sun,” “The Deep,” “Iron Eagle” series, and “Enemy Mine,”. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance as “Fiddler” in the ABC television miniseries “Roots” in 1977. In addition to his work in film, Gossett has also made significant contributions to television, starring in series such as “ER,” “Watchmen,” “Stargate SG-1,” and “Boardwalk Empire.” He passed away on March 28, 2024, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87.
Steve Harley – March 17
English singer, songwriter, and the frontman of the glam rock group Cockney Rebel. Harley formed Cockney Rebel in the early 1970s. The band’s music blended elements of rock, glam rock, and progressive rock, achieving significant commercial success in the UK during the 1970s. He achieved fame with hits like “Judy Teen,” “Mr. Soft,” and the number one song “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me).” He passed away at the age of 73.