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. 20 Mira Furlan
Mira Furlan was a renowned Croatian-American actress best known for her iconic roles in science fiction series 'Babylon 5' and 'Lost', where she portrayed memorable characters that left a lasting impact on television.
Jan. 23 Hal Holbrook
Renowned American actor with a distinguished career spanning stage and screen, known for iconic roles in films like 'All the President's Men' and his acclaimed Mark Twain one-man show. He won multiple Emmy Awards and was a respected theater performer.
Jan. 27 Cloris Leachman
Acclaimed American actress known for her iconic role in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and her Oscar-winning performance in 'The Last Picture Show'. She was a versatile talent with multiple Emmy Awards and a significant impact on television and film.
Jan. 28 Cicely Tyson
Pioneering African American actress who broke racial barriers in film and television, winning numerous awards for her powerful performances in movies like 'Roots' and 'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'.
Feb. 5 Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer was an acclaimed Canadian actor with a remarkable career spanning stage and screen, best known for his iconic role as Captain von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music' and his Oscar-winning performance in 'Beginners'.
Feb. 17 Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh was a highly influential conservative radio host who dominated political talk radio for decades. His controversial and polarizing show shaped conservative media discourse in the United States.
March 23 George Segal
Versatile American actor and musician known for Oscar-nominated performance in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' and numerous comedic and dramatic film roles. He was also an accomplished banjo player who released a jazz album in 1967.
April 16 Helen McCrory
Renowned British actress known for her roles in Harry Potter, Peaky Blinders, and numerous stage productions. She was a highly respected performer in film, television, and theater.
May 1 Olympia Dukakis
Acclaimed American actress who won an Academy Award for her role in 'Moonstruck' in 1987, with a distinguished 40-year career spanning stage and screen. She was a critically acclaimed performer with multiple awards, including two Obie Awards for her theatrical performances.
May 3 Lloyd Price
Influential R&B and rock and roll singer-songwriter known for pioneering the genre and hits like 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy'.
May 18 Charles Grodin
Renowned American actor, comedian, and talk show host known for his deadpan humor and memorable roles in films like 'Midnight Run' and 'Beethoven'.
May 29 Gavin MacLeod
Beloved American actor famous for his iconic roles in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'The Love Boat', who was a prominent television personality in the 1970s and 1980s.
June 13 Ned Beatty
Acclaimed American character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Deliverance', 'Network', and 'Superman II'. He appeared in over 70 plays before his Hollywood breakthrough and was renowned for his versatile acting abilities.
June 29 Donald Rumsfeld
Prominent American political figure who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense twice, first under President Ford and later under President George W. Bush. He was a key architect of the Iraq War and played a significant role in U.S. defense policy during the early 2000s.
July 5 Raffaella Carrà
Raffaella Carrà was a legendary Italian television presenter, singer, and dancer who revolutionized Italian entertainment with her charismatic performances and iconic style, becoming a cultural symbol of the 1970s and 1980s.
July 7 Dilip Kumar
Legendary Bollywood actor known as the 'Tragedy King' who significantly influenced Indian cinema during its golden era and won numerous awards.
Aug. 29 Edward Asner
Edward Asner was a renowned American actor best known for his Emmy-winning role as Lou Grant in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and its spin-off series. He was a prolific television and film actor with a career spanning several decades.
Aug. 31 Michael Constantine
Renowned Greek-American actor known for his roles in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and numerous television and film appearances. He had a long and distinguished career spanning several decades.
Sept. 6 Jean-Paul Belmondo
Iconic French actor who revolutionized cinema in the late 1950s, known for his rugged charm and versatile performances in both avant-garde and action films.
Sept. 16 Jane Powell
Iconic MGM musical star of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her petite stature and remarkable soprano voice. She was a prominent actress and singer who appeared in numerous Hollywood musicals during the golden age of cinema.
Oct. 22 Peter Scolari
Emmy Award-winning actor known for his roles in 'Bosom Buddies' and 'Newhart', who collaborated frequently with Tom Hanks early in his career.
Nov. 7 Dean Stockwell
Acclaimed American actor known for his versatile roles in film and television, most famously starring in the science fiction series 'Quantum Leap' from 1989 to 1993. He was a child actor who successfully transitioned to adult roles, appearing in notable films like 'Blue Velvet'.
Nov. 26 Stephen Sondheim
Legendary Broadway composer and lyricist who revolutionized musical theater with innovative works like 'West Side Story' and 'Sweeney Todd'. He won multiple Tony Awards and is considered one of the most influential musical theater artists of the 20th century.
Nov. 29 Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl was a prominent American actress of the 1950s, known for her glamorous roles in Hollywood films like 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' and musical comedies.
Dec. 5 Bob Dole
Prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Senator and was the Republican presidential nominee in 1996, running against Bill Clinton.
Dec. 10 Michael Nesmith
American musician and founding member of the iconic pop-rock band 'The Monkees', created as a TV show mimicking the Beatles' style. The group produced several hit songs and became a significant part of 1960s pop culture.
Dec. 11 Anne Rice
Renowned American novelist best known for her gothic and vampire fiction, particularly 'Interview with the Vampire'. She was a prolific writer who explored themes of supernatural and sensual storytelling.
Dec. 12 Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández was a legendary Mexican ranchera singer, actor, and businessman known as 'El Rey de la Música Mexicana' (The King of Mexican Music). He was a cultural icon who significantly influenced Latin American music and entertainment for decades.
Dec. 23 Joan Didion
Renowned American writer known for her influential novels and essays that captured the cultural landscape of California and American society in the late 20th century. She was a key figure in New Journalism and critically acclaimed for her distinctive narrative style.
Dec. 31 Betty White
Beloved American actress and television icon who was a pioneer in comedy and entertainment, best known for her roles in 'The Golden Girls' and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'. She won multiple Emmy Awards and was a beloved public figure known for her wit, humor, and advocacy for animal rights.