2021: Celebrity Deaths – the fallen stars
Famous people, actors, singers, musicians, athletes, novelists, that died within 2021.
Carlos Marín
The surviving members of the group Il Divo—Urs Buhler, Sebastien Izambard and David Miller—announced on Dec. 19 that Marín died at the age of 53.
“He will be missed by his friends, family and fans,” part of their statement on Instagram read. “There will never be another voice or spirit like Carlos. For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend. We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace.”
Drakeo the Ruler
The rapper was fatally stabbed backstage at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. music festival in Los Angeles on Dec. 18. He was 28.
Vicente Fernández
Music legend Vicente Fernández passed away at the age of 81 on Dec. 12. “It was an honor and a great pride to share with everyone his great musical career and to give everything to his audience,” a statement read on Instagram, which was translated from Spanish to English. “Thank you for continuing to applaud, thank you for continuing to sing.”
Anne Rice
The gothic fiction novelist died at age 80 on Dec. 11 from complications from a stroke. She was best known for The Vampire Chronicles, whose first book Interview With the Vampire inspired a hit 1994 movie starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst.
Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith, a singer-songwriter and member of the Monkees, died on Dec. 10. He was 78. In a statement to Rolling Stone, his family said the musician passed away of natural causes.
“With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes,” they said. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us.”
Demaryius Thomas
The retired football star, who won the 2016 Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, was found dead at his Georgia home on Dec. 9. He was 33 years old.
Bob Dole
Bob Dole, who ran for president in 1996 against Bill Clinton and retired that same year from politics, died at the age of 98 after battling stage four lung cancer. “It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep,” the Elizabeth Dole Foundation said in a statement. “At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years.”
Jonshel Alexander
The Beasts of the Southern Wild child star was fatally shot in New Orleans on Nov. 27. She was 22 years old.
Virgil Abloh
Louis Vuitton artist director and Off-White founder, Virgil Abloh, died at the age of 41 after privately battling “a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma,” a statement read on his Instagram on Sunday, Nov. 28.
Stephen Sondheim
The acclaimed composer and lyricist died on Nov. 26. He was 91 years old.
Peter Aykroyd
The Saturday Night Live cast member and writer passed away at the age of 66, the NBC show confirmed in a tribute.
Joey Morgan
The actor, who appeared in films Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse and Flower, passed away on Nov. 21 at the age of 28, his rep confirmed.
Art LaFleur
The character actor, known for roles in films such as The Sandlot and Field of Dreams, died at age 78 after battling atypical parkinsonism, his wife Shelley confirmed on Nov. 18.
Heath Freeman
The Bones and NCIS actor died in November. The star was 41 years old.
William Lucking
The Sons of Anarchy star died on Oct. 18.
James Michael Tyler
The actor, best known for playing Gunther on Friends, died on Oct. 24 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Peter Scolari
The Emmy-winning actor passed away at the age of 66 on Friday, Oct. 22 following a two-year battle with cancer, his manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky confirmed.
Trevor Jones
The former Millionaire Matchmaker contestant passed away on Oct. 9 at the age of 34 from a “sudden Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome event,” according to a GoFundMe page set up in his honor.
Emani 22
The R&B singer passed away at the age of 22, record producer J Maine confirmed to press.
Ricarlo Flanagan
The actor and comedian, who appeared in Showtime’s Shameless, passed away after contracting coronavirus.
John Wes Townley
The former NASCAR driver was killed in a “double shooting” in Georgia on Oct. 2, authorities confirmed.
Roger Michell
The director of films such as Notting Hill died at age 65 on Sept. 22.
Willie Garson
On Sept. 21, the Sex and the City star passed away at 57 years old.
Anthony Johnson
The Friday actor passed away in September 2021 at the age of 55.
His rep told E! News in a statement, “Our BH Talent family is saddened about the loss of an amazing iconic legend in comedy, our client and friend Anthony ‘AJ’ Johnson. We are praying for all those that were touched by his comedy, acting, but most of all his life. We are especially praying for his beloved wife, children, siblings and manager. Please give them the time they need to process and grieve such a huge loss.”
Norm Macdonald
The Saturday Night Live alum passed away on Sept. 14 following a private battle with cancer, his manager Marc Gurvitz confirmed to NBC News.
Michael Constantine
The actor, who played dad Gus Portokalos in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding and its spinoffs, passed away in his Pennsylvania home at the age of 94 on Aug. 31. His agent told NBC News Constantine died of natural causes.
Erik Cowie
The Tiger King star, who once worked as a head zookeeper for Joe Exotic, was found dead in NYC on Sept. 3.
Michael K. Williams
The actor, known for roles on The Wire, Boardwalk Empire and Lovecraft Country, died Monday, Sept. 6 at 54 years old.
Sarah Harding
The Girls Aloud singer died at age 39 on Sept. 5 after battling metastasized breast cancer.
Willard Scott
The veteran Today show weatherman, who was succeeded by Al Roker, died on Sept. 4 at age 87.
Ed Asner
The television icon, who was best known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff series Lou Grant, died on Sunday, Aug. 29, per Deadline. The actor was 91 years old.
Matthew Mindler
The former child star, who appeared in the 2011 comedy film My Idiot Brother, was found dead at age 19 after being reported missing.
Jimmy Hayes
The former NHL player and father of two passed away on Aug. 23. “The Boston Bruins are heartbroken by the passing of Dorchester native and former Bruin Jimmy Hayes,” the NHL team shared on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with his wife Kristen, his sons Beau and Mac, and the entire Hayes family during this very difficult time.”
Larry King
The TV and radio host passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 23, his production company announced in a tweeted statement. He was 87 years old.
Don Everly
The last surviving member of the Everly Brothers rock n’ roll duo, famous in the ’50s and ’60s, died on Aug. 21 at age 84. His death comes seven years after his brother and bandmate Phil Everly, who died in 2014 at age 74.
Una Stubbs
Una Stubbs, who played Mrs. Hudson on the show Sherlock, died at the age of 84 on Thursday, Aug. 12. While the actress’ cause of death was not revealed, her agent Rebecca Blond told the BBC Stubbs had been ill for a few months.
Markie Post
The Night Court, The Fall Guy and Scrubs actress died at age 70 on Aug. 7 after a three-year cancer battle.
Trevor Moore
The comedian, actor and co-founder of the sketch comedy group and IFC series The Whitest Kids U’ Know died on Aug. 6. He was 41.
Nicole Hurst
Justin Timberlake mourned his longtime backup singer on Aug. 6, soon after her death, with a heartbreaking Instagram tribute. The vocalist, who also performed with Kelly Clarkson and Janet Jackson, had battled cancer on and off for eight years.
Jay Pickett
Jay Pickett, who was best known for starring on Port Charles, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, died on Friday, July 30. According to the late star’s co-star and co-producer on the movie Treasure Valley, Jim Heffel, the actor passed away while filming a scene. He was 60 years old.
Jackie Mason
The comedian and voice of Krusty the Clown’s rabbi father on The Simpsons died at age 93 on July 24.
Harry Brant
The 24-year-old son of supermodel Stephanie Seymour and publisher Peter Brant died on Jan. 17 of an accidental overdose. “We will forever be saddened that his life was cut short by this devastating disease,” Harry’s family told the NYT. “He achieved a lot in his 24 years, but we will never get the chance to see how much more Harry could have done.”
Mat George
Popular podcast host, Mat George, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 17, CBS Los Angeles reported. He was only 26. Moreover, the late star’s co-host Michaela Okland confirmed his passing on Twitter.
“I would rather you guys here [sic] this from me than a news article,” she began her post. “Mat was killed in a hit and run last night. I don’t really have any other words right now. I wish I could contact everybody who knows him personally but the news is already out and I just can’t do it right now.”
Biz Markie
The rapper, best known for his 1989 song “Just a Friend,” died on July 16 at the age of 57. He reportedly passed from complications with diabetes.
Ladarius Clardy
The Kennesaw State University quarterback was killed after more than 50 gunshots were fired at his vehicle in Pensacola, Fla, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office announced on July 1. Clardy was 18 years old.
Phil Spector
Music producer Phil Spector passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16 at the age of 81. He was serving a 19-year prison sentence for murder.
Daniel Mickelson
The actor and brother of model Meredith Mickelson died on July 4. He was 23. “There wasn’t a person i loved more on this earth,” Meredith wrote on Instagram.
Matiss Kivlenieks
The professional hockey player died after suffering a fatal head injury during a fireworks-related incident on July 4.
Johnny Solinger
The Skid Row singer died on June 26 at age 55. Solinger joined the band in 1999 as a replacement for Sebastian Bach and left group in 2015, after which he was replaced by Tony Harnell.
Lisa Banes
The actress, who appeared in films Gone Girl and Cocktail, passed away at the age of 65 after being struck by a motorized scooter. “We are heartsick over Lisa’s tragic and senseless passing,” her manager, David Williams, said in a statement to NBC News. “She was a woman of great spirit, kindness and generosity and dedicated to her work, whether on stage or in front of a camera and even more so to her wife, family and friends. We were blessed to have had her in our lives.”
Alex “Sir Kipsta” Dragomir
The 17-year-old YouTuber passed away after a seven-hour heart operation, his family confirmed. “Helllo , as you all might already know my brother passed away today,” Alex’s sister tweeted from his account, “he had a very hard operation which lasted 7 hours but his heart couldn’t take it anymore ,he was too weak to survive. Heaven gained another angel Baby angel he was my rock my everything . RIP Alex.”
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