Famous people and celebrities who died in 2021

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 2021. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Jan. 4 Tanya Roberts
Tanya Roberts was an American actress and model, best known for her roles in the 1980s television series 'Charlie's Angels' and the sitcom 'That '70s Show.' She also starred in several notable films, including 'A View to a Kill' (1985) as a Bond girl. [bio]
Jan. 20 Mira Furlan
Mira Furlan was an acclaimed Croatian and Yugoslav actress, best known internationally for her roles as Delenn in the science fiction television series 'Babylon 5' and as Danielle Rousseau in the US television series 'Lost.' [bio]
Jan. 23 Hal Holbrook
Hal Holbrook was an acclaimed American actor, best known for his portrayal of Mark Twain in his one-man stage show, as well as his work in film and television. [bio]
Jan. 27 Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned over seven decades across film, television, and stage. Renowned for her versatility and comedic prowess, Leachman won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, multiple Emmy Awards, and a BAFTA. She is considered one of the most awarded actresses in television history. [bio]
Jan. 28 Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson was an acclaimed American actress and fashion model, renowned for her portrayal of strong African-American women on stage, film, and television. Over her career of more than seven decades, she became a trailblazer for Black actors, earning numerous accolades and widespread respect for her impactful performances and advocacy. [bio]
Feb. 5 Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer was a renowned Canadian actor recognized for his distinguished career on stage, film, and television, spanning over seven decades. He gained worldwide fame for his role as Captain Georg von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music' (1965) and was acclaimed for his versatility and breadth as an actor. [bio]
Feb. 17 Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh was a prominent American radio talk show host, commentator, and conservative political icon, famous for his influential program "The Rush Limbaugh Show" which aired nationwide for over three decades. [bio]
March 23 George Segal
George Segal was an American actor and musician who became well known for his work in film and television from the 1960s onward. He was recognized for his versatility and comedic timing, appearing in numerous prominent roles throughout his career. [bio]
April 16 Helen McCrory
Helen McCrory was a highly acclaimed British actress known for her work in film, television, and theatre. Over her career, she garnered praise for her versatility and commanding screen presence, particularly in period dramas and complex, layered roles. [bio]
May 1 Olympia Dukakis
Olympia Dukakis was an acclaimed American actress, director, and producer best known for her Academy Award-winning performance in the film 'Moonstruck.' Over her six-decade career, she was recognized for both her stage and screen work. [bio]
May 3 Lloyd Price
Lloyd Price was an influential American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his pioneering contributions to the development of rock and roll and rhythm and blues with hits such as 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' and 'Personality.' [bio]
May 18 Charles Grodin
Charles Grodin was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host, known for his deadpan delivery and roles in both films and television. He gained fame with performances in movies like 'The Heartbreak Kid,' 'Midnight Run,' and the 'Beethoven' series. [bio]
May 29 Gavin MacLeod
Gavin MacLeod was an American actor best known for his roles as Captain Merrill Stubing on 'The Love Boat' and Murray Slaughter on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' His distinctive performances made him an enduring presence on American television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]
June 13 Ned Beatty
Ned Beatty was an acclaimed American actor known for his prolific career in film, television, and theater. He was widely recognized for his supporting roles in several critically acclaimed films from the 1970s onward, earning praise for his versatility and distinctive on-screen presence. [bio]
June 29 Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld was an American politician and businessman who twice served as the United States Secretary of Defense, under Presidents Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. He was also a congressman, White House Chief of Staff, and CEO of several companies, making him an influential figure in American politics for decades. [bio]
July 5 Raffaella Carrà
Raffaella Carrà was an influential Italian singer, actress, dancer, and television presenter celebrated for her dynamic performances and trailblazing presence in European entertainment, particularly in Italy and Spain. She became an icon of Italian pop culture and a symbol of emancipation and modernity through her decades-long career in music and television. [bio]
Aug. 15 Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller was a legendary German footballer renowned for his prolific scoring abilities, earning the nickname 'Der Bomber.' He is widely considered one of the greatest strikers in the history of football, with an unmatched goal record at both club and international level. [bio]
Aug. 24 Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts was an English drummer best known as a founding member of the Rolling Stones, one of the most influential and enduring rock bands in history. Renowned for his unique blend of jazz and rock drumming, Watts played with the group from 1963 until his death in 2021, contributing significantly to their signature sound and global success. [bio]
Aug. 29 Edward Asner
Edward Asner was a highly respected American actor and voice artist, best known for his role as Lou Grant on both 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and its spinoff 'Lou Grant.' Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Asner earned acclaim for his work on television, in film, and as a voice actor, notably as the voice of Carl … [bio]
Aug. 31 Michael Constantine
Michael Constantine was an American actor best known for his role as Kostas "Gus" Portokalos in the film 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and its sequel. He had a prolific career in film, television, and stage, spanning over six decades. [bio]
Sept. 6 Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jean-Paul Belmondo was a renowned French actor and major figure in European cinema, recognized as a leading icon of the French New Wave movement. Known for his charismatic and rugged screen presence, he starred in numerous classic films spanning a career of more than five decades. [bio]
Nov. 7 Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell was an American actor with a career spanning over 70 years. He was known for his work as a child actor in the 1940s and for acclaimed performances in film and television, including 'Quantum Leap', 'Blue Velvet', and 'Married to the Mob'. Stockwell earned an Academy Award nomination and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. [bio]
Nov. 26 Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim was an influential American composer and lyricist, renowned for revolutionizing the musical theater with his sophisticated lyrics, complex music, and inventive storytelling. His works have left a lasting mark on Broadway and the global stage. [bio]
Nov. 29 Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl was an American actress best known for her performances in MGM films of the 1940s and 1950s. She was also a successful businesswoman, columnist, and beauty consultant. [bio]
Dec. 5 Bob Dole
Bob Dole was an American politician, attorney, and decorated veteran who served as U.S. Senate Majority Leader and was the Republican nominee for President in 1996. [bio]
Dec. 10 Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith was an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, and novelist best known as a member of the pop rock band The Monkees and for his pioneering work in country rock and music video production. [bio]
Dec. 11 Anne Rice
Anne Rice was a best-selling American author, renowned for her epic series of gothic fiction novels, most notably 'The Vampire Chronicles', which brought vampires into mainstream popular culture. Her works are celebrated for their sensuous prose and exploration of morality, sexuality, and the supernatural. [bio]
Dec. 12 Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández was a legendary Mexican singer, actor, and film producer, often referred to as 'El Rey de la Música Ranchera' (The King of Ranchera Music). His powerful voice and iconic performances made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in Latin American music. [bio]
Dec. 23 Joan Didion
Joan Didion was an influential American writer known for her sharp, observant prose in novels, essays, and screenplays. A major figure in New Journalism, she explored themes of social fragmentation, culture, and personal loss. [bio]
Dec. 31 Betty White
Betty White was an iconic American actress and comedian, renowned for her groundbreaking work in television during a career that spanned over eight decades. She was widely celebrated for her roles on 'The Golden Girls' and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' [bio]