15 Celebs We Said Goodbye To In 2024

Every year, it seems like we bid adieu to another legend. This year has been no different, with many famous faces from the entertainment and fashion industries taking their leave of us forever. 

#1 Dame Maggie Smith

Image source: Mike Marsland / gettyimages

The beloved actress passed away at the age of 89. “She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” her sons wrote.

“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.”

The two-time Oscar winner famously portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise and Violet Crawley in the British period drama Downton Abbey.

Smith was remembered fondly by many of her colleagues. Laura Jeanne, who shared a set with the star on both productions, reminisced about Smith’s professional yet rebellious nature.

The British actress told Bored Panda that “funny and down to earth” Smith was once told off for being on her phone while they were all in costume, as she didn’t realize her phone was in the shot.

“She was authentic and honest, and she carried herself with grace,” Jeanne said. “She had a special quality as an actress that’s hard to put into words.”

#2 Kabosu

Image source: kabosumama / instagram

The adorable Shiba Inu from Japan rose to online stardom after being featured in the 2013 Doge meme. Later on, her photo was used for the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, considered the first “meme coin” due to its satirical nature (though its peak market capitalization was of millions of dollars).

The Doge meme consists of a photo of the pedigree dog accompanied by multicolored text in Comic Sans font.

Kabosu was adopted by kindergarten teacher Atsuko Sato in 2008. In 2022, her owner announced that the dog was ill with leukemia. Kabosu passed away peacefully at her home on May 24, 2024 at the age of 18. A memorial service dedicated to the internet sensation drew more than 50 fans.

#3 Iris Apfel

Image source: Mike Pont / gettyimages

The flamboyant interior and fashion designer passed away on March 1 at the age of 102.

Apfel started her career working as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily, earning $15 a week, and continued to work until her last years. In 2022, she partnered with H&M on a clothing line and released a makeup capsule collection with beauty brand Ciaté London.

At her 100th birthday party, she told People Magazine: “At 100, what else is there to do except sit around? I don’t play bridge. I don’t play golf. I love to work, and I really enjoy what I do.”

#4 James Earl Jones

Image source: Mike Coppola / gettyimages

Jones, one of the few artists to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), died at his New York home on September 9 at the age of 93.

The Mississippi-born actor was a pioneer for African Americans for his roles on stage and on television. In 1965, he became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama when he acted in the soap opera As the World Turns.

Jones was recognized for his baritone voice, which he used to portray Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and Mufasa in the Disney classic The Lion King.

#5 John Amos

Image source: Craig Barritt / gettyimages

Amos, known for his roles on Good Times, Roots, and Coming To America, died of congestive heart failure on August 21.
The actor passed away at a hospital in Inglewood, California, at the age of 84.

“He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over,” his daughter, Kelly Cristopher Amos, said in a statement.

“Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”

#6 Carl Weathers

Image source: Harry Langdon / gettyoimages

Weathers “died peacefully in his sleep” on February 1 at the age of 76, his family confirmed in a statement.

“Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations,” the actor’s loved one wrote.

Weathers starred as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films opposite Sylvester Stallone.

His performance in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. His other acting credits include the 1987 film Predator, Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, and Arrested Development.

A death certificate obtained by The Blast which has not been confirmed by his family lists “atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” as the actor’s official cause of death.

#7 Donald Sutherland

Image source: Barry King / gettyimages

Sutherland’s son Kiefer confirmed the news of the actor’s passing on June 20. “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” he wrote on social media.

“I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more…”

The Golden Globe winner lost his life aged 88 after suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He portrayed the villain President Snow in all four of the Hunger Games films, Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, and Hawkeye Pierce in 1970’s M*A*S*H.

#8 Shannen Doherty

Image source: Gregg DeGuire / gettyimages

The Beverly Hills 90210 star lost her battle with breast cancer on July 13. She was first diagnosed in 2015.

“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane shared in a statement.

“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”

#9 Richard Simmons

Image source: Harry Langdon / gettyimages

The famous fitness instructor lost his life at his home at age 76. TMZ reported the news on July 13.

Born Milton Teagle Simmons, he rose to fame by promoting weight-loss programs on his TV show, The Richard Simmons Show, and later through his Sweatin’ To The Oldies aerobic videos.

As part of his commitment to supporting physical exercise, the fitness guru endorsed a bill mandating non-competitive PE in public schools under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Simmons died after suffering a fall in his bathroom, which went untreated until the following day as he wished to spend his 76th birthday at home. His heart disease was a contributing factor in his death.

#10 Alexei Navalny

Image source: Anadolu / gettyimages

The Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist lost his life on February 16 at the age of 47. At the time, he was in prison in Western Siberia. In May 2021, Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience, meaning that his incarceration was the result of his political beliefs.

The news was announced by the Federal Penitentiary Service, which stated that Navalny had died after taking a walk and feeling unwell on the morning of the 16th.

A year before his death, Navalny was treated in hospital after complaining of malnourishment and other ailments caused by mistreatment in prison, as per The Guardian.

The editor of independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Dmitri Muratov, called Navalny’s death “murder” and said that his mistreatment in prison had led to his demise.

#11 Tony Todd

Image source: Leon Bennett / gettyimages

Todd passed away on November 6 at the age of 69 after a long illness. He was known for his roles in horror films, including Final Destination, Night of the Living Dead, The Crow, and Candyman.

Virginia Madsen, Todd’s co-star in the original Candyman film, paid tribute to the late actor on social media.

“My beloved. May you rest in power sweet to the sweet in heaven. The great actor Tony Todd has left us and now is an angel. As he was in life.”

Todd was also a prolific voice actor, working on the Call of Duty and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video games and films like Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

#12 Liam Payne

Image source: Joseph Okpako / gettyimages

The former One Direction member tragically lost his life on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Argentina. He was 31.

Toxicology tests revealed that Payne had “alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants” in his system.

The British singer had been open about his history of addiction prior to his death. In November, three individuals were charged with supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics and the abandonment of a person followed by death.

Those charged in connection with his death included one of the singer’s longtime friends, a hotel employee, and a suspected drug dealer.

#13 Shelley Duvall

Image source: Lester Cohen / gettyimages

The Shining actress passed away at age 75 on July 1 from complications with diabetes.

Duvall starred as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s horror film, The Shining. She also played Olive Oyl in the 1980 adventure film Popeye and worked on Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie and Fred Schepisi’s Roxanne.

Her life partner, Dan Gilroy, told The Hollywood Reporter: “My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley.”

#14 Quincy Jones

Image source: Steve Granitz / gettyimages

Music producer Quincy Jones passed away on November 3, his publicist revealed. He was 91.

The legendary producer received 28 Grammy Awards throughout his career. He produced Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad albums. He was also behind We Are The World, the 1985 song recorded to raise funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

Jones composed the film scores for The Color Purple, In Cold Blood, In The Heat of the Night, The Pawnbroker, The Italian Job, and The Wiz.

“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,” his family said in a statement.

#15 O.J. Simpson

Image source: Focus On Sport / gettyimages

Simpson lost his life on April 10 at the age of 76 after losing his battle to cancer. His family announced the news on social media, asking people to respect their “wishes for privacy and grace.”

In February, it was reported that the football player was undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer.

Simpson was charged with double homicide in 1994 after his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and a friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally murdered in LA. He was acquitted in October of the next year following an 11-month trial, known as “the trial of the century,” which was televised daily and followed by millions of Americans.

He was later declared legally responsible for the deaths in civil court and ordered to pay compensation of $33.5 million.