Notable Figures Who Passed Away in 2024

The lives and legacies of notable figures who passed away in 2024, including Dame Maggie Smith, Alexei Navalny, Quincy Jones, and Brent Sikkema. Acknowledge their impactful contributions to arts, politics, science, and beyond in this comprehensive tribute.

Acting & Cinema

Dame Maggie Smith: Dec 28, 1934-Dec 4, 2024

Renowned actress with a 70-year career spanning stage, film, and TV. Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

James Earl Jones: Jan 17, 1931-Jul 10, 2024

Iconic voice actor and performer. Voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, Tony-winning stage actor.

Donald Sutherland: Jul 17, 1935-May 18, 2024

Acclaimed actor in war and drama films. MASH*, The Hunger Games.

Shelley Duvall: Jul 7, 1949-Nov 8, 2024

Known for psychological and dramatic roles. The Shining, Annie Hall.

Teri Garr: Dec 11, 1944-Oct 29, 2024

Actress known for her comedic roles in iconic films. Young Frankenstein, Tootsie.

Mitzi Gaynor: Sep 4, 1931-Oct 17, 2024

Singer, dancer, and actress in classic movie musicals. South Pacific, There’s No Business Like Show Business.

Music

Quincy Jones: Mar 14, 1933-Nov 3, 2024

Legendary producer and musician. Produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Off the Wall.

Françoise Hardy: Jan 17, 1944-Sep 15, 2024

Melancholy ballad singer-songwriter. Tous les garçons et les filles, Mon amie la rose.

Liam Payne: Aug 29, 1993-Mar 23, 2024

Member of globally successful boy band One Direction. What Makes You Beautiful, multiple chart-topping albums.

Phil Lesh: Mar 15, 1940-Oct 25, 2024

Bassist for The Grateful Dead, influential in the rock and jam band scenes. American Beauty, Workingman’s Dead.

Cissy Houston: Sep 30, 1933-Oct 7, 2024

Grammy-winning gospel and soul singer, mother of Whitney Houston. Backed Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and released gospel hits.

Literature

Barbara Taylor Bradford: May 10, 1933-Nov 24, 2024

Bestselling novelist known for strong female protagonists. A Woman of Substance, The Cavendon Chronicles.

Paul Auster: Feb 3, 1947-Aug 21, 2024

Influential author known for philosophical detective stories. The New York Trilogy.

Alice Munro:Jul 10, 1931-Nov 2, 2024

Canadian Nobel laureate in literature. Short stories capturing rural life, Nobel Prize winner.

Politics & Leadership

Jimmy Carter: Oct 1, 1924-Dec 29, 2024

39th U.S. President, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and global humanitarian. Camp David Accords, Habitat for Humanity, eradicating diseases.

Alexei Navalny: Jun 4, 1976-Feb 14, 2024

Russian opposition leader advocating anti-corruption. Vocal critic of Vladimir Putin, mysterious death in prison.

John Prescott: May 31, 1938-Dec 7, 2024

UK’s former deputy prime minister. Advocate for workers’ rights and public infrastructure projects.

Sports

Franz Beckenbauer: Sep 11, 1945-Nov 20, 2024

Iconic footballer and coach, nicknamed “Der Kaiser.” Won the World Cup as player (1974) and manager (1990).

Kelvin Kiptum: Dec 2, 1999-Jan 15, 2024

Marathon world record holder. Fastest marathon time (2:00:35), died in a road accident.

Art World

Carl Andre: Sep 16, 1935-Jan 3, 2024

Minimalist sculptor redefining contemporary sculpture. Equivalent VIII, material-driven installations.

Richard Serra: Nov 2, 1938-Mar 14, 2024

Monumental steel sculptures challenging scale and space. The Matter of Time.

Faith Ringgold: Oct 8, 1930-Apr 21, 2024

Artist and activist exploring Black identity and feminism. Tar Beach series, story quilts.

Barbara Gladstone: Jun 30, 1936 -Jun 20, 2024

Art dealer representing leading contemporary artists. Worked with Keith Haring, Kara Walker, and Shirin Neshat.

Brent Sikkema: Oct 17, 1962-Jan 15, 2024

NYC art dealer representing major artists like Kara Walker. Co-owner of Sikkema Jenkins Gallery.

Frank Stella: May 12, 1936-May 30, 2024

Abstract artist known for geometric and architectonic sculptures. Black Paintings, site-specific works.

Activism & Advocacy

Lilly Ledbetter: Apr 14, 1938-Oct 12, 2024

Advocate for wage equity and namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Instrumental in reforming pay discrimination laws.

Holocaust Survivor

Lily Ebert: Dec 29, 1923-Oct 9, 2024

Auschwitz survivor turned TikTok educator, raising Holocaust awareness. Co-author of Lily’s Promise.