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As we reflect on 2024, we have curated an “In Memoriam” tribute featuring 30 remarkable entertainers who have passed away this year. This collection spans various fields, including film, television, theater, and music, spotlighting several distinguished artists who have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Here, we highlight a selection of the individuals remembered in our gallery:
James Earl Jones passed away on September 9 at the age of 93. A celebrated actor, he was awarded two Tony Awards for his performances in The Great White Hope and Fences. Jones also received three Emmy Awards for his work in Heat Wave, Gabriel’s Fire, and Summer’s End. In addition to winning a Grammy for Great American Documents in 1977, his accolades include the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002, a SAG life achievement award in 2009, and an honorary Oscar in 2011. His iconic voice graced numerous films, including The Great White Hope, as well as the beloved roles of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King (both the original 1994 version and the 2019 remake).
Quincy Jones died on November 3 at the age of 91. With an astounding 28 Grammy Awards to his name, he collaborated with music legends like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles, among others. His accolades include an Emmy Award for the landmark series Roots and a Tony Award for The Color Purple. His impressive contributions to the arts were recognized with the Hersholt humanitarian award, induction into the Kennedy Center Honors, and membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Toby Keith passed away on February 5 at the age of 62. Renowned as a prominent figure in country music, he was nominated for a Grammy seven times and was an esteemed inductee into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bob Newhart died on July 18 at the age of 94. Known for his unique comedic style, his debut album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, earned him three Grammy Awards in 1961, including Album of the Year. He starred in two hit CBS series, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, and was nominated for an Emmy nine times, with a win in 2013 for his guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory. His significant contributions to television were acknowledged with his induction into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.
Chita Rivera passed on January 30 at the age of 91. A legendary figure in dance and theater, she garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning two for her work in The Rink and Kiss of the Spider-Woman. Rivera’s illustrious career was celebrated with the Kennedy Center Honors and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to performing arts.
Gena Rowlands died on August 14 at the age of 94. An acclaimed actress, she received two Academy Award nominations for her performances in A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria, along with an honorary Oscar in 2015. Her filmography includes notable works such as Faces, Another Woman, and The Notebook. Rowlands won three Emmy Awards for her roles in The Betty Ford Story, Face of a Stranger, and Hysterical Blindness.
Maggie Smith died on September 27 at the age of 89. An illustrious actress, she won two Academy Awards for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite, also receiving several nominations for her work in Othello, Travels with My Aunt, A Room with a View, and Gosford Park. Smith’s television performances garnered her three Emmy Awards for Downton Abbey and one for My House in Umbria. She also claimed a Tony Award for Lettice and Lovage, having previously been nominated for Private Lives and Night and Day.
Donald Sutherland passed away on June 20 at the age of 88. He was celebrated for his performances in a wide array of films, including The Dirty Dozen, Ordinary People, M*A*S*H, Klute, JFK, and the The Hunger Games series. Sutherland won an Emmy Award for his role in the miniseries Citizen X and received an Honorary Oscar in 2017.
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