In Memoriam: Celebrities & Public Figures Who Died in 2021

1. Chucky Thompson

Chucky Thompson, an award-winning music producer who spawned chart-topping hits with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, was found dead, according to HipHopWired. It was not immediately clear how old Thompson was. It was not immediately clear when Thompson died.

2. Bob Moses

Robert “Bob” Moses, a lifelong educator and civil rights leader who inspired generations of organizers, engaging with them around the importance of collective action and respecting local knowledge, died on Sunday (July 25). He was 86 years old.

3. Biz Markie

Biz Markie, the pioneering rap star whose hit song “Just A Friend” made him a household name in the ’90s, died on Friday (July 16) following a long battle with diabetes. He was 57 years old.

4. Suzzanne Douglas

Suzzanne Douglas, a stage, TV and movie actress who always played roles of strong Black women, has died, multiple news outlets reported July 8. She was 64 years old.

5. Clarence Williams III

Clarence Williams III, the enigmatic actor who rose to fame as the character “Linc” On “The Mod Squad,” becoming a Black power icon during the ’70s, died on June 4 at the age of 81.

6. Samuel E. Wright

Actor Samuel E. Wright, best known for his voice work as the loveable character “Sebastian” in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” died on Monday after a three-year battle with prostate cancer according to his daughter who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter. Wright was 74.

7. Chi Modu

Chi Modu, a celebrated hip-hop photographer whose lens captured iconic images of the genre’s elite, has died at the age of 54. Little details are known regarding his passing which was announced on May 23 on his official Instagram page.

8. Paul Mooney

Legendary comedian Paul Mooney, whose real name was Paul Gladney, passed away on May 19 at the age of 79 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Oakland, California.

9. Shock G

Digital Underground’s Shock G died on April 22 from unknown causes. He was 57.

10. Black Rob

HipHopWired reported:

“Hip-Hop has lost another great artist way too soon. Black Rob of Bad Boy Records and “Whoa” fame has passed away.

“Born Robert Ross, Black Rob aka Banco Popular aka Bacardi Rob was just 51.”

His death was announced April 17.

11. Gerren Taylor

“Baldwin Hills” star Ashley Taylor Gerren, also known as Gerren Taylor, 30, died in her sleep on April 12.

12. DMX

Rapper DMX died on April 9 at the age of 50 after suffering from a heart attack.

13. Midwin Charles

CNN and MSNBC analyst Midwin Charlesdied on April 7 , according to a statement posted by her familyon social media. The attorney and legal commentator was 47-years-old.

14. Craig “muMs” Grant

News circulated on March 25 that renowned poet and actor Craig “muMs” Grant died from an unknown cause.

15. Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor, the NBA legend and Hall of Fame player, died March 22 at the age of 86.

16. Yaphet Kotto

Actor Yaphet Kotto died March 15 at the age of 81. His wife announced the death via his Facebook page but didn’t offer a cause of death. 

17. Reggie Warren

Celebrated singer Reggie Warren died on March 14 surrounded by loved ones in his Pasadena, California, home. Warren was a founding member of TROOP, a New Jack Swing R&B group that rose to fame in the early 90’s. He was 52.

18. Jo Thompson

Jo Thompson, a Detroit native, died on March 9 at the age of 92.

19.

20. “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler

“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, the legendary boxing middleweight champion, died March 13 at the age of 66. Hagler’s wife said in a Facebook postthat he “passed away unexpectedly at his home” in New Hampshire.

21. Robert Ashby

Robert Ashby, one of the three surviving members of the Tuskegee Air Force died on March 5 at the age of 95, the Associated Pressreports.

22. Lawrence Otis Graham

Lawrence Otis Graham, a New York Times bestseller, died on Feb. 19. He was 59 years old.

23. Jahmil French

Fans mourned the 28-year-old “Degrassi” actor’s death on March 2. 

24. Bunny Wailer

Wailer, a reggae icon and musical giant died on March 2 at the age of 73.

25. Irv Cross

Irv Cross, a former NFL defensive back who made history in the broadcasting industry died on Feb. 28. He was 81.

26. Douglas Turner Ward

Douglas Turner Ward, an actor and champion of Black playwrights who was the co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, died Feb. 20 at the age of 90.

27. Prince Markie Dee

Prince Markie Dee, who rose to fame as a founding member of the pioneering 1980s rap group, Fat Boys, died Feb. 17 at the age of 52. He reportedly died from congestive heart failure.

28. Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson, a former wide receiver for several NFL teams, was found dead in a hotel room in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 15. He was just 38 years old. 

29. Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh died at the age of 70 on February 17th after a battle with lung cancer. 

30. Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson of The Supremes died at the age of 76 on February 8th.

31. Chick Corea

Jazz Pianist Chick Corea died at 79 on February 9.

32. Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond, who entertained Saved By The Bell fans for years as Samuel “Screech” Powers passed away on February 1, according to TMZ. He was 44.

33. Cicely Tyson

34. Cloris Leachman

35. Larry King

Broadcasting legend Larry King died on January 23, 2021 at the age of 87. 

36. Hank Aaron

The Hall of Famer and former home run king died at 86 on January 22, 2021.

37. Magician Siegfried Fischbacher

The “Siegfried & Roy” magician Siegfried Fischbacher is dead. The Rosenheim native died on Jan. 13, 2021, at the age of 81, his sister confirmed to the German Press Agency on Jan. 14. 

38. Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda

Former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda passed away on January 7th, 2021 at 93. 

39. Tanya Roberts

“That 70’s Show” actress Tanya Roberts died Jan. 3rd, 2021

40. Football Hall of Fame Running Back Floyd Little

Hall of Famer Floyd Little died of cancer at 78

41. Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal

Paul Westphal, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, dies at age 70 from Brain Cancer