50 Celebrities who have passed away in 2024

A number of notable celebrities have passed away, including former One Direction member Liam Payne, Harry Potter actress Maggie Smith, South Korean actor Song Jae-rim, and renowned producer Quincy Jones.

Pay respect to the stars that died in 2024.

1. Medrick Burnett Jr.

Twenty-year-old Alabama college football player Medrick Burnett Jr. died on Nov. 27, a month after sustaining an injury during a game.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office told PEOPLE Burnett “received an injury while playing in the Magic City Classic football game” at Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m, and died weeks later at a Birmingham hospital.

2. Bob Bryar

Former My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar was found dead at his home in Tennessee on Nov. 26, according to TMZ, which was first to report the news. He was 44. A medical examiner began investigating the cause and manner of his death, the outlet also reported.

Bob Bryar was born in Chicago in 1979 and performed with My Chemical Romance from 2004 until he left the band in 2010.

3. Helen Gallagher

Helen Gallagher, a Broadway actress and star of the soap opera Ryan’s Hope, died at the age of 98, Playbill announced via Instagram.

Edith Meeks, executive and artistic director at New York’s Herbert Berghof Studio, told The Washington Post the actress died on Sunday, Nov. 24 at a New York City hospital.

4. Georgina Cooper

British model Georgina Cooper — who rose to fame during the “Cool Brittanica” wave of the ’90s — died in October at age 46, her friends confirmed via Instagram on Nov. 8.

According to The Daily Mail, she died from a blood-brain hemorrhage as a result of long COVID.

5. Niels Arestrup

French-Danish actor Niels Arestrup, best known for his roles in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet, died on Dec. 1, his wife confirmed to France’s Agence France-Presse. He was 75.

The actor won a record three French César awards — France’s equivalent to the Academy Awards — over his long career, most recently for 2013’s The French Minister.

6. Chuck Woolery

Original host of Wheel of Fortune Chuck Woolery died at his home in Texas, his friend and Blunt Force Truth podcast co-host Mark Young confirmed in an email to PEOPLE, after first sharing the news with the Associated Press on Nov. 24.

Born in born in Ashland, Ky., in 1941, Woolery was not only the original host of Wheel of Fortune, but he also hosted the popular dating show Love Connection for over a decade, as well as Scrabble, Greed and Lingo.

7. Colin Petersen

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, best known as the original drummer of Bee Gees, died aged 78, the Best of the Bee Gees Facebook page announced on Nov. 18. No cause of death was revealed.

As an original member of the Bee Gees, Petersen contributed to four albums and to several of their hits, including “Massachusetts,” “To Love Somebody” and “Words.”

8. Wayne Northrop

Wayne Northrop, best known for his acting roles on Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, died six years after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s on Nov. 29. He was 77.

9. Chita Rivera

The Tony-winning actress died at 91. “It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91,” shared her rep Merle Frimark in a statement on Jan. 30.

According to a statement released by her daughter Lisa Mordente, Rivera died in New York “after a brief illness.”

10. Dexter Scott King

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died at 62 on Jan. 22. The King Center announced that Dexter died after a “valiant battle with prostate cancer,” according to a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

11. Gary Graham

Gary Graham, best known for his role in Star Trek: Enterprise, died at 73 on Jan. 22. The actor’s ex-wife, Susan Lavelle, shared the news in a Facebook post. “It is with deep profound sadness to say that Gary Graham, my ex husband, amazing actor and father of our beautiful only child together, Haylee Graham, has passed away today,” she wrote in the tribute posted early Jan. 23.

12. Alec Musser

In January, actor Alec Musser died at age 50. His fiancée Paige Press announced the news on her Instagram Story, writing, “RIP to the love of my life. I will never stop loving you. My heart is broken.”

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office later revealed that the All My Children star died by suicide after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

13. Adan Canto

Actor Adan Canto, best known for his work on The Cleaning Lady and Designated Survivor, died at age 42 following a private journey with appendiceal cancer, according to The Wrap.

14. David Soul

David Soul, best known for playing detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on TV’s Starsky & Hutch, died on Jan.

15. Glynis Johns

Glynis Johns, the Academy Award-nominated actor who costarred with Julie Andrews in the classic 1964 film Mary Poppins as Winifred Banks, died at age 100 in January. Her manager, Mitch Clem, told Variety Johns died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles of natural causes.

16. Angus Mitchell

Angus Mitchell, the only child of hairstylist Paul Mitchell, was found dead in January. He was 53. John Paul DeJoria, co-founder and chairman of John Paul Mitchell Systems, confirmed Angus’ sudden death in an emotional social media tribute.

17. Christian Oliver

Actor Christian Oliver was killed in a plane crash in January. Oliver, known for films including Speed Racer and The Baby-Sitters Club, was 51. A statement from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said the incident occurred off the island of Bequia. The small single-engine aircraft was traveling from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm to St. Lucia.

Three other passengers were aboard the aircraft, including the actor’s two daughters, Madita, 10, and Annik, 12. The pilot was identified as Robert Sachs, who also owned the plane.

18. Carl Weathers

The actor, known for roles in Rocky, Predator and The Mandalorian, died at age 76 on Feb. 1. His family confirmed the news in a statement to Deadline and Variety, saying that he “died peacefully in his sleep.”

19. Earl Holliman

Award-winning screen star Earl Holliman died on Nov. 25 at 96. The actor’s husband, Craig Curtis, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.

Holliman was born on Sept. 11, 1928, in Delhi, La. and was adopted and named by oil field worker Henry Holliman. He made his on-screen debut in 1953’s Scared Stiff and would go on to star in many hit Westerns and dramas throughout the 1950s and ’60s.

Holliman won a Golden Globe Award for his supporting performance as Jim Curry — a role he beat out Elvis Presley for — in the 1956 Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn film The Rainmaker.

20. Barbara Taylor Bradford

Best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford died after a short illness on Nov. 24, PEOPLE confirmed. She was 91.

Bradford’s representatives said in a statement to PEOPLE: “With the deepest and heartfelt sadness, it is confirmed that Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE has died. Barbara, 91, died peacefully at her home yesterday following a short illness, and was surrounded by loved ones to the very end.”

21. Song Jae-rim

South Korean actor Song Jae-rim died at the age of 39.

According to multiple outlets including CNN and The Korea Herald, the former model turned actor was found dead in his apartment in Seoul on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The outlets also reported that Jae-rim was found by a friend with whom he had planned to have lunch. Seoul Seongdong police said there was no evidence of foul play at the property and that a note was also found, CNN added.

22. Lou Donaldson

Noted jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson died on Nov. 9, his family revealed. He was 98.

A pop-up statement on Donaldson’s website read, “The Family of Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson sadly confirms his death on November 9, 2024. A private service will be held. Thank you for your support of Lou and his music throughout his career. Because of you, his legendary contributions to Jazz will live on forever.”

23. Tony Todd

Tony Todd, the prolific actor who starred in horror films such as Candyman and Final Destination, died on Nov. 6 at his home in Marina Del Rey, Calif. He was 69.

Todd appeared in 100 movies and television shows over the course of his long career. His horror credits include the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, The Crow, and the Final Destination movies. He is perhaps most recognized for playing the titular character in 1992’s Candyman. He reprised the role twice — in 1995 and 1999 — before returning to the franchise in 2021, in a reboot directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Jordan Peele.

24. Bobby Allison

Bobby Allison, the 1983 NASCAR Cup Series champion, died peacefully at his home on Nov. 9, NASCAR announced.

A Hall of Fame driver, Allison won 85 career races, with career highlights that included the 1983 Winston Cup Series Champion victory, three Daytona 500 wins and becoming a member of NASCAR’s second Hall of Fame class in 2011. He was 86 at the time of his death.

25. Quincy Jones

Legendary music producer Quincy Jones died at his home in Los Angeles on Nov. 3.

The musician is survived by his seven children: Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, and Rachel Jones. He is also survived by grandchildren Isaiah Jones Koenig, Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV and Nea Jones.

26. Liam Payne

Former One Direction member and “Strip That Down” singer Liam Payne died on Oct. 16, after falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina.

Sources confirmed to ABC News that a partial autopsy revealed the 31-year-old “had multiple substances in his system,” one of them being pink cocaine,” a recreational drug that generally includes a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA — and not necessarily cocaine — per the National Capital Poison Center.

His former bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan — shared a joint statement on Instagram, saying they are processing “the loss of our brother.”

27. Gavin Creel

Broadway star Gavin Creel, who had memorable roles in Hair, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Into the Woods, She Loves Me and Hello, Dolly! (for which he won a Tony) died Sept. 30 at age 48 from sarcoma, an aggressive cancer, just months after receiving the diagnosis.

28. Maggie Smith

On Sept. 27, Dame Maggie Smith’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin revealed the beloved actress had died. “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” they said in a statement via publicist Clair Dobbs.

“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.”

29. John Amos

On Oct. 1, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos announced that his father, beloved Good Times and Roots actor John Amos, best known for his roles on Good Times, Roots and Coming to America, died on Aug. 21.

According to a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, John died of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Inglewood, Calif.

30. Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands, best known for her roles in The Notebook, A Woman Under the Influence, and Gloria, died at age 94 on Aug. 14 surrounded by her family – including her husband Robert and daughter Alexandra – at her Indian Welles, Calif. home. Her son’s agent confirmed the news to Variety.

31. Autumn Crittendon

16 and Pregnant alum Autumn (Oxley) Crittendon died on July 20. She was 27.

32. Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty died at age 53 on Saturday, July 13, after years of living with cancer.

The Beverly Hills 90210 star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

33. Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons died at age 76 in July, his longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed to PEOPLE. The professional fitness coach died at his Los Angeles home after his birthday. TMZ was first to report the news on Saturday, July 13, citing law enforcement. “The world has truly lost an angel,” Estey told PEOPLE of Simmons.

34. Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the sex therapist who became a pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s, died at age 96 on July 12, her publicist Pierre Lehu confirmed to PEOPLE.

35. Shelley Duvall

The Shining actress Shelley Duvall died at age 75 on Thursday, July 11, at her home in Blanco, Texas, her partner Dan Gilroy told The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. THR and The New York Times reported that Duvall died from complications of diabetes.

36. Shifty Shellshock

Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of Crazy Town, died at the age of 49 on June 24. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner shared on its website that the musician, whose real name is Seth Binzer, died at his Los Angeles home, however, no cause of death was listed.

37. Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland, known for The Hunger Games and Ordinary People and more films and television roles, died at age 88 on June 20 in Miami after a long illness, CAA’s Missy Davy confirmed with PEOPLE.

38. Johnny Wactor

Actor Johnny Wactor, who played Brando Corbin on General Hospital, died at the age of 37 following a fatal shooting on May 25 in Los Angeles.

The actor’s mother Scarlett Wactor confirmed his death to TMZ, revealing that Wactor and a colleague saw three men trying to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle, and although he did not attempt to stop them, he was shot and subsequently rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

39. Grayson Murray

Professional golfer Grayson Murray died at the age of 30 in May. His parents later confirmed his cause of death as suicide in a statement released through the PGA Tour on May 26.

40. Morgan Spurlock

Morgan Spurlock, the filmmaker-star of documentaries like 2004’s Super Size Me, died on May 23 in New York from complications of cancer. He was 53.

41. Charlie Colin

Musician Charlie Colin, a founding member of the band Train, died at age 58 in May. TMZ was first to report the news of Colin’s death, with his mother telling the outlet he was house-sitting for a friend in Belgium,when he slipped and fell in the shower.

42. Dabney Coleman

Actor Dabney Coleman died on May 16 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 92. His daughter confirmed the news in a statement to PEOPLE.

43. Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo, known for his roles on Gen V and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina died at the age of 27 in March as a result of a motorcycle accident. A statement provided to PEOPLE on behalf of Perdomo’s family and representatives read, “His passion for the arts and insatiable appetite for life was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth will carry on in those who he loved dearest.”

44. Barbara Rush

Actress Barbara Rush, known for roles in It Came from Outer Space and Peyton Place, died on Easter at age 97.

45. Jennifer Leak

Jennifer Leak, known for her role in 1968’sYours, Mine and Ours, died on March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Fla. She was 76. The actress was diagnosed with the rare neurological disease progressive supranuclear palsy seven years before her death, as reported by The East Hampton Star.

46. Robyn Bernard

General Hospital actress Robyn Bernard died at age 64 in March. The soap actress was found dead in an “open field behind [a] business” in San Jacinto, California, according to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office tells PEOPLE that foul play was not suspected.

47. Toby Keith

Country singer Toby Keith, known for hits such as “Red Solo Cup” and “Should Have Been a Cowboy,” died on Feb. 5 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in fall 2021. He was 62.

48. Kenneth Mitchell

Actor Kenneth Mitchell, best known for his roles in Star Trek: Discovery, died at age 49 on Feb. 24, five years after being diagnosed with ALS.

49. Chris Gauthier

Actor Chris Gauthier, known for his roles in Once Upon a Time, Eureka, and Smallville, died at age 48 on Feb. 23. His manager told TV Line that he died “suddenly and unexpectedly” following a short illness. The English-born Canadian actor’s death was also confirmed by his agency TriStar Appearances/Event Horizon Talent

50. Richard Lewis

Richard Lewis, the comedian and actor known for his role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, died at age 76 in February. Lewis’ rep Jeff Abraham confirmed the news in a statement to PEOPLE, writing, “Comedian/Actor Richard Lewis passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles last night after suffering a heart attack. His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time.”