Famous people who were killed by fans and everyday people
With each year that passes, we are surprised and dismayed to hear of the deaths of some of the greatest icons of music, cinema, sports, fashion, and more. This year, we're faced with the natural cycle of life and its unnatural tragedies once again. Nonetheless, these stars are immortalized by their cultural impact and the bodies of work they leave behind.
In 2024 we have already bid farewell to many beloved stars of stage and screen, as well as some divisive public figures. Click through this gallery to remember those who have left us so far.
Legendary British actor Timothy West passed away on November 12 at the age of 90. He was a star of the stage and a mainstay in British television from the 1960s on.
Tony Todd, known for starring in the 'Candyman' horror movies, died on November 6 in his California home. He was 69 years of age.
On Sunday, November 3, music titan Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91. A statement from his family read, "Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones's passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him."
Beloved comedy actress Teri Garr passed away on October 29 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 70. Garr was best known for her roles in films like 'Young Frankenstein' (1974) and 'Tootsie' (1982).
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on October 25 at the age of 84. He was considered to be one of the greatest bassists in modern rock history.
Rockstar Paul Di'Anno, best known as the original singer for Iron Maiden, passed away on October 21. "Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66," read a statement from his record label.
Actor Michael Newman passed away at the age of 68 on October 20. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2006 when he was 50. Newman was best known for starring in the hit series 'Baywatch' for over 150 episodes.
Actress Mitzi Gaynor was a classic triple threat of the Hollywood Golden Age. She starred in the 1958 film adaptation of the musical 'South Pacific' and later went on to headline shows in Las Vegas. She passed away at 93 on October 17.
On Wednesday, October 16, former One Direction member Liam Payne fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The tragic incident occurred at 5 pm local time. The 31-year-old had reportedly been on vacation in Argentina with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, but she returned to the US two days before his death. It's believed that Payne had been acting erratically on the day of his death and hotel staff called the emergency services "reporting an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," according to a statement from El Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias (SAME). When police arrived at the hotel, a loud sound was heard, and Payne was found in an internal courtyard having fallen three stories from his room. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, but it's believed he lost consciousness on the balcony and fell.
Ethel Kennedy died at the age of 96 on October 10 after suffering a stroke. She was the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. Following his death, she raised their 11 children and dedicated her life to social activism.
On October 7, Cissy Houston passed away in hospice care after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Johnson confirmed. The Grammy-winning singer and mother of Whitney Houston was 91 years old. "Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives," Johnson said in a statement. "A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts." Houston won two Grammys for best traditional gospel album, and sang backup for legends like Elvis, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, and her niece, Dionne Warwick.
Pete Rose is widely considered to be one of the best baseball players of all time, despite the gambling scandal that ended his career. The legend passed away on September 30 at the age of 83.
Another sporting legend, former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo also passed away on September 30. The Basketball Hall of Famer was just 58 years old.
Country music legend Kris Kristofferson died at the age of 88 on September 28. He was both a music star and an actor, most famously starring in the 1976 remake of 'A Star Is Born' opposite Barbra Streisand.
Dame Maggie Smith, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, passed away at 89. The news was shared by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin. "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September," read the statement. "An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother." Smith was best known by many for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the 'Harry Potter' films, but her career included countless memorable roles on both stage and screen.
'Beverly Hills Cop' actor John Ashton passed away at the age of 76 on September 26. During his prolific career in TV and film, he amassed over 200 credits.
Tito Jackson, a key member of the legendary Jackson 5, passed away at the age of 70 on September 15. Alongside his brothers Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie, and the late Michael Jackson, Tito helped propel the group to stardom with four consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. His contributions to music earned him three Grammy nominations and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as part of the Jackson 5. Just days before his death, Tito, together with brothers Jackie and Marlon, paid tribute to Michael at a memorial in Munich ahead of a concert.
The former president of Peru passed away at 86 on September 11. He ruled for a decade in the 1990s but was jailed in 2005 for many charges including embezzlement and human rights abuses. Fujimori was released early in 2023 while ill with tongue cancer, which eventually took his life.
Frankie Beverly, lead singer of the famous funk band Maze, passed away at 77 on September 10. Maze is best known for the hit 'Before I Let Go,' which was covered on Beyoncé's 2019 album Homecoming.
Famed ballerina Michaela DePrince tragically passed away at the age of 29 on September 10. The young star was known for her appearances on 'Dancing With the Stars' and Beyoncé's 'Lemonade' film. Her cause of death has not been shared.
James Earl Jones, best remembered for his powerful voice, has passed away. He was surrounded by family when he died on Monday, September 9, according to his agent. Jones was an icon of stage and screen who enjoyed a career spanning many decades. “From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history,” said Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, in a statement. “A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences.”
On Thursday, August 5, Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan was found dead at his home. He would have celebrated his 34th birthday that day. His cause of death has not yet been revealed. Quan was one of the most influential modern rappers on the Atlanta scene and was best known for his 2013 hit 'Type of Way.'
The legendary Swedish soccer manager passed away on August 26 at the age of 76. Eriksson is remembered as the first foreign coach of the England team, guiding the "golden generation" to victory. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in January.
WWE champion Sidy Eudy, better known by the name Sid Vicious, passed away on August 26. He was just 63 years old and had reportedly been suffering from cancer.
Widely considered one of the greatest talk show hosts in US history, Phil Donahue passed away at the age of 88 on August 18. 'The Phil Donahue Show' ran from 1967 to 1996.
The French film legend had been battling poor health since suffering a stroke in 2019. Delon was a star of the golden era of French cinema and in the '70s became an international sensation. He passed away on August 18 at the age of 88.
Gena Rowlands passed away on August 14 at 94 years of age. Two months before her death, her son revealed that she had been living with Alzheimer's disease for five years. Rowlands is best known for her work with her late husband and collaborator, John Cassavetes.
Former baseball star Billy Bean passed away on August 6, leaving behind an important legacy in the sporting world. Bean was the second Major League Baseball player in history to come out as gay. He died of leukemia at just 60 years of age.
Trailblazing South African actress Connie Chiume, known for her role in the 'Black Panther' movies, passed away after a period of illness on Aug 6. She was 72 years old.
Patti Yasutake, who played nurse Alyssa Ogawa in multiple seasons of 'Star Trek' and also appeared in the hit Netflix series 'Beef,' passed away after a battle with cancer on August 5. She was 70 years old.
Actor John Aprea, known for his roles in 'The Godfather Part II' (1974) and 'Full House,' passed away on August 5. He was 83 years old.
Actress and comedian Erica Ash passed away on July 28 at the age of 46 after a long battle with cancer. She was known for her work on series like 'MadTV' and 'Survivor's Remorse.'
Three members of the family gospel group the Nelons were killed in a tragic plane accident on July 26. Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason Nelon Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler all died in the crash, as well as Amber's husband, the band's assistant, the pilot, and the pilot's wife. The Nelons were a Grammy-nominated group and members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Beloved comedic actor Bob Newhart passed away on July 18 at the age of 94. The Grammy-winning comedian was known for his stand-up on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and more recently, he played Professor Proton on 'Young Sheldon.'
Conservative political commentator and TV host Lou Dobbs passed away at the age of 78 on July 18.
Actress Shannen Doherty passed away at the age of 53 on July 13 after a long battle with breast cancer. The ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ star was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015, and announced in 2023 that it had spread to her brain.
Fitness guru Richard Simmons passed away on July 13 at the age of 73. His publicist shared that Simmons died in his home in Los Angeles but did not provide further details.
Simply known as Dr. Ruth, the pioneering therapist and talk show host passed away at the age of 96 on July 12 after decades of providing frank advice to Americans.
Shelley Duvall passed away at the age of 75 on July 11 from complications from diabetes. The actress was particularly famous for her roles in ‘3 Women’ (1977), for which she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, and Stanley Kubrick's ‘The Shining’ (1980).
Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was killed in a car accident with two others on July 6. He was just 24 years old.
Beloved actor Martin Mull passed away at the age of 80 on June 27. He was best known for his roles in the shows ‘Roseanne’ and ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch.’
Character actor Bill Cobbs appeared in countless films, from ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’ (1994) to the ‘Night at the Museum’ franchise. He died at the age of 90 on June 25.
Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of the band Crazy Town who had the hit ‘Butterfly’ in 1999, passed away at the age of 49 on June 24. The singer’s cause of death was not shared, but he had been open about his struggles with substance abuse in the past.
Canadian actor Donald Sutherland passed away on June 20 after a long illness, according to his management agency. What he once referred to as his "meandering little career” spanned over half a decade and included early iconic films such as 'M*A*S*H' (1970), 'Klute' (1971), and 'Don't Look Now.' In 1986, he appeared alongside his son Kiefer Sutherland in the film 'A Time to Kill.' In more recent years, his profile rose again with his role as the evil President Snow in the 'Hunger Games' film series.
French New Wave icon Anouk Aimée passed away at the age of 92 on June 18. The French actress was particularly famous for her roles in ‘La Dolce Vita’ (1960) and ‘A Man and a Woman’ (1966).
Baseball legend Willie Mays played in the Major League from 1951 to 1973, making his name with the New York and San Francisco Giants. Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid,” he was voted in the Hall of Fame into 1973. He passed away at the age of 93 on June 18.
Best known for playing Brian Tanner on 'ALF,' the former child actor Benji Gregory died at 46. The late actor was found dead in his car on June 13 in a parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. It's believed that he died from a vehicular heatstroke, as the temperatures rose to 109°F (42°C) on that day. His service dog was also found dead in the vehicle. However, the cause of death is still pending.
Three-time Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West passed away at the age of 86 on June 12. West was one of the all-time greats and played as an All-Star every year of his career. The silhouette in the NBA logo is based on West.
NBA legend Bill Walton passed away on May 27 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer. He gained stardom as a basketball player with UCLA and the Boston Celtics in the ‘70s and ‘80s, making his way into the Hall of Fame, and later became a beloved sportscaster.
Director Morgan Spurlock, known for his 2004 documentary 'Super Size Me,' passed away at the age of 53 after a short, private battle with cancer. His family shared the news on May 24.
On May 20, a helicopter carrying Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi, and the foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, along with four others, crashed, leaving no survivors.
Veteran actor Dabney Coleman, who famously played the boss in '9 to 5' (1980), passed away at the age of 92 on May 16.
The iconic Candian author, known as a master of the short story, passed away on May 13. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013 and the 2009 Man Booker International Prize for her life's work. She was 92 at the time of her death.
The 'Godfather of Latino Comedy' passed away on May 11 after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He was 66 years old.
Prolific British actor Bernard Hill died on May 5 at the age of 79. He was famous for his roles as King Théoden in the 'Lord of the Rings' series, as well as the captain of the Titanic in the iconic 1997 film.
Actress Susan Buckner, who played cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease' (1978), passed away at the age of 72 on May 2.
Richard Tandy was a key member of the Electric Light Orchestra and primarily the band's keyboardist. He passed away on May 1 at the age of 76.
Dickey Betts was a founding member and guitarist of the famous Allman Brothers Band. He died at the age of 80 on April 18 of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to his manager.
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli passed away at his home in Florence, Italy, on April 12. He was 83 years old and had been ill for a long period.
Korean pop singer Park Bo-Ram died at the age of 30 on April 11. The young star was famous for songs like 'Beautiful' and 'Like a Dream.' She reportedly went into cardiac arrest at a friend's house and was rushed to hospital where she passed away.
O.J. Simpson, the former football champion whose reputation was tarnished by the biggest criminal trial of the '90s, passed away on April 10. The news was shared by his family via his X account the following day. “On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren." The one-time superstar football player and TV personality was accused of the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman in 1994. Although he was found not guilty, his reputation never recovered.
Young Native American actor Cole Brings Plenty, known for his role in the 'Yellowstone' prequel '1923,' was found dead in a wooded area of Kansas on April 5. He had been reported missing several days earlier after being named a suspect in a domestic violence investigation. He was 27 at the time of his death.
Comedy legend Joe Flaherty passed away on April 1 after a brief illness at the age of 82. He was known for playing the father of the Weir family in 'Freaks and Geeks,' and starred in the sketch comedy show 'SCTV.'
Chance Perdomo died tragically in a motorcycle accident on March 29, at the age of 27. He was known for his roles in the Netflix series 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' and Amazon's 'Gen V.'
Esteemed actor Louis Gossett Jr. passed away at the age of 87 on March 29. He's remembered as the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1982 film 'An Officer and a Gentleman.'
Character actor M Emmet Walsh appeared in over 220 films during his long career, including famous titles like 'Blade Runner' (1982) and 'Knives Out' (2019). He passed away on Tuesday, March 19, at the age of 88.
Belarusian former ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, died on March 18. He was found dead of an apparent suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami. He was 42 at the time.
Eric Carmen passed away over the weekend of March 9-10, according to a statement from his wife via his website. Carmen was the frontman of the Raspberries, and later found solo fame with songs like 'All By Myself' and 'Hungry Eyes.' He was 74 at the time of his death.
Crooner Steve Lawrence passed away on March 5 at the age of 88. His career spanned 70 years and 55 years of that was spent performing in a popular double act with his wife and musical partner, Eydie Gormé. His publicist shared that he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Akira Toriyama, the famous Japanese manga author who created the 'Dragon Ball' franchise, died at the age of 62 on March 1. His cause of death was an acute subdural hematoma.
New York fashion icon and centenarian Iris Apfel passed away on March 1 at the age of 102. The famous business woman was best known for her eccentric style and was the subject of the 2014 documentary 'Iris.'
Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney passed away on February 29 at the age of 84. He served in office between 1984 to 1993. Mulroney had been suffering from prostate cancer and heart problems prior to his death.
Beloved comedian and star of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' Richard Lewis died at the age of 76 on February 27. He passed away peacefully at his home after suffering a heart attack during the night, his publicist revealed.
'Captain Marvel' (2019) actor Kenneth Mitchell passed away at the age of 49 on February 24. The 'Star Trek: Discover' star died of complications of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
Argentinian trans activist, author, and actress Cecilia Gentili passed away on February 6, at the age of 52. Gentili was described by LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD as “a pillar in the trans community.” She played the role of Miss Orlando in the hit series 'Pose.'
Country music star Toby Keith died on February 5 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer. Keith had several major hits during his career, including 'Red Solo Cup' and 'Should've Been a Cowboy.' He was 62 at the time of his death.
Don Murray passed away on February 2 at the age of 94. The actor earned an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1956 film 'Bus Stop,' in which he starred opposite Marilyn Monroe. He went on to star in a number of other Westerns such as 'A Hatful of Rain' (1957), and the war drama 'Shake Hands with the Devil.' More recently, he appeared in the 2017 'Twin Peaks' revival.
Mark Gustafson was an Oscar-winning director and animator, best known for co-directing Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio' (2022). He was also the animation director for Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009). Gustafson passed away from a heart attack at the age of 64 on February 1.
Carl Weathers passed away at the age of 76 on February 1. The actor started out as a pro football player before landing his career-defining role as Apollo Creed in the 'Rocky' franchise. More recently, he starred in the 'Star Wars' spin-off series 'The Mandalorian.' It's believed he died following a long battle with heart disease.
Broadway star Hinton Battle was the first performer to play the Scarecrow in 'The Wiz.' He died on January 29, at the age of 67, following a long illness. The three-time Tony winner also appeared in the film 'Dreamgirls' (2006).
Another Broadway legend, Chita Rivera passed away after a brief illness at the age of 91 on January 30. Rivera was the first actress to play Anita in 'West Side Story' on Broadway in 1957, which made her an overnight star. She was one of the most nominated performers in Tony Awards history.
Italian actress Sandra Milo passed away at the age of 90 on January 29. She was famously a muse of legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, starring in his films '8½' (1963) and 'Juliet of the Spirits' (1965).
Folk singer Melanie Safka, known professionally as Melanie, died of an undisclosed illness at the age of 76 on January 23. She rose to fame after a standout performance at Woodstock in 1969, and had hits with songs like 'Brand New Key' and 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).'
'Star Trek: Enterprise' star Gary Graham passed away suddenly at the age of 73 on January 22, after going into cardiac arrest.
Beloved Canadian director Norman Jewison died on January 20, aged 97. During his impressive career, he directed an eclectic array of films, including 'In the Heat of the Night' (1967), 'Fiddler on the Roof' (1971), and 'Moonstruck' (1987).
Jazz and soul singer Marlena Shaw, who famously sang 'California Soul,' passed away at the age of 81 on January 19.
Shawn Barber, a pole vault world champion, passed away at his home in Texas on January 17, 2024. The Associated Press reported that he had been dealing with health issues and died of "medical complications." Barber was just 29 years old.
Actor David Gail, who appeared in the shows 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'The Round Table,' passed away at the age of 58 on January 16. He had been on life support for several days after suffering substance-related cardiac arrest.
Joyce Randolph was an icon of '50s TV, starring in the sitcom 'The Honeymooners' as Trixie Norton, as well as on 'The Jackie Gleason Show.' Randolph was the last surviving member of 'The Honeymooners' cast at 99, until she passed away on January 13.
Alec Musser, an American actor and model, was found dead of an apparent suicide on January 12. He was 50 years old. Muser modeled for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, and starred in the soap opera 'All My Children.' He's also remembered for his hilarious appearance in 'Grown Ups' (2010).
Bill Hayes was a soap opera legend, appearing in over 2,100 episodes of the long-running soap 'Days of Our Lives' between 1970 and 2023. His wife and co-star, Susan Seaforth Hayes, announced that he had died on January 12 at the age of 98.
American drummer James Kottak was best known for his tenure with German rock band Scorpion. Kottak was found dead in his home of an apparent cardiac arrest on January 9 at the age of 61.
Renowned German soccer player and manager Franz Beckenbauer died on January 7, at 78 years of age. Beckenbauer was one of three men in history to have won World Cup titles both as a player and manager.
Mexican actor Adan Canto lost his battle with appendiceal cancer on January 8. He was just 42 years old and left behind two young children. He is remembered for his roles in the shows 'Designated Survivor' and 'The Cleaning Lady,' as well as the movie 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' (2014).
Another of these three, Brazilian soccer legend Mario Zagallo, died on January 5 at the age of 92. Zagallo broke records as both a player and a manager of Brazil's national team, winning two World Cup titles as a player and two as a manager.
Glynis Johns, best known for playing Winifred Banks in the classic film 'Mary Poppins' (1964), passed away at the impressive age of 100 on January 4.
Actor David Soul died at the age of 80 on January 4, surrounded by his loved ones. He is best remembered for his iconic role as Hutch in the hit TV series 'Starsky & Hutch.'
German actor Christian Oliver was tragically killed in a plane crash along with his two young daughters and the pilot when their aircraft went down in the Caribbean on January 4. Oliver was 51 and his daughters were 10 and 12. He was known for his appearances in movies like 'The Baby Sitters Club' (1995) and 'Valkyrie' (2008), and the series 'Sense8.'
Sources: (People) (Entertainment Weekly)
See also: Celebrities killed in air crashes
100 celebrities who have passed away in 2024
From Roberto Cavalli to Liam Payne
CELEBRITY Deaths
With each year that passes, we are surprised and dismayed to hear of the deaths of some of the greatest icons of music, cinema, sports, fashion, and more. This year, we're faced with the natural cycle of life and its unnatural tragedies once again. Nonetheless, these stars are immortalized by their cultural impact and the bodies of work they leave behind.
In 2024 we have already bid farewell to many beloved stars of stage and screen, as well as some divisive public figures. Click through this gallery to remember those who have left us so far.