notable deaths in january 2021

This is a list of recent notable deaths in January 2021.

The following deaths of notable and famous people occurred in January 2021. Death list of celebrities, athletes, politicians and other famous peoples who died in January 2021. Huge list of all important deaths organized by day. Names are reported under the date of death. New deaths articles are added to their respective date in January 2021.

A typical entry reports in the list of Recent notable Deaths in January 2021 contains the following information:

Name, age, country of citizenship, what subject was noted for, cause of death, and reference.

January 1, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Mark Eden has died aged 92.

(14 February 1928 – 1 January 2021)

English actor who had a career spanning more than five decades, was definitely best known for his portrayal of Alan Bradley, the Coronation Street show's main antagonist until the character was killed off (from 1986 to 1989), has died after several years battling Alzheimer's disease in hospital at the age of 92, leaving behind actress wife Sue Nicholls - his co-star in Coronation Street, his friend and longtime agent has confirmed.Mark Eden was also worlwide known for a 1965 David Lean's epic romantic drama film ''Doctor Zhivago'' alongside Omar Sharif, Julie Christie and Klaus Kinski, TV v Series ''London Belongs to Me'' (1977) alongside Derek Farr, Madge Ryan and Fiona Gray, and also for TV Drama - Adventure series, ''Doktor Who'' (1963). Mark Eden also worked with iconic American rock band the Beach Boys and wrote a very successful musical about them. His late son David (1957-2017), from his first marriage to actress Joan Long, was also an actor. Eden's granddaughter Emma Griffiths Malin, is an English actress and also a distinguished film director. His autobiography Who's Going to Look at You? about his Journey from 'no Hope Street' to Coronation Street and the most hated man in Britain, was published in early 2010.
Cause of death: Alzheimer's disease.

Ben Chafin has died aged 60.

(May 18, 1960 – 1 January 2021)

American lawyer, banker, farmer, and Republican politician, who was represents the 38th District in the Senate of Virginia (since 2014), has died ad the age of 60 from COVID-19 complications at the VCU Medical Center Richmond, Virginia, U.S., his legislative office confirmed. Ben Chafin first served in the Virginia House of Delegates in early 2013 where he represent the fourth district, before being elected to represent the 38th district in the state Senate (2014), with 59.55% of the vote. He was married to his wife retired teacher Lora Lee Carr for almost 40 years and a father of three.Chafin, a Russell County native, has always pushed hard to bring new jobs and investment to his 38th district.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 2, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Paul Westphal has died aged 70.

(November 30, 1950 – January 2, 2021)

American Hall of Fame basketball player who played for 12 seasons for Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, before start coaching NBA teams in Phoenix, Seattle and Sacramento, has died of glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer in Scottsdale, Arizona, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed. Westphal was 70 years old.
Westphal was an outstanding shooter, a very intelligent playmaker playmaker and a top defensive player, who played alongside John Havlicek, Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White for the Celtics’ 1974 NBA champions, and became a five-time NBA All-Star between the 1976-77 and 1980-81 seasons. He coached Phoenix Suns to the league playoff final in 1993. Westphal was also two-time NBA All-Star Game head coach (1993, 1995) and NAIA champion (1988). Westphal's number 44 will forever hold its place in Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor. Westphal was inducted as player into the Kansas City College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2019.
Cause of death: glioblastoma (brain cancer).

January 3, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Don Salls has died aged 101.

(June 24, 1919 – January 3, 2021)

Don Salls, World War II veteran, former college fullback and defensive football player (Alabama), and longtime head football coach at Jacksonville State University (JSU), has died peacefully at the age of 101. His death was confirmed by his stepdaughter, Tracy and Ken Gaddy, executive director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Salls was also a battle stars and Purple Heart military decoration recipient, because he was wounded (shot in the hand during combat operations) and then, unfortunately diagnosed with a broken back. During his successful nearly two-decade long career at Jacksonville State, Salls won almost 100 games at Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville’s all-time winner), and winning three college conference championships. After leaving coaching, he worked as a teacher in the Jacksonville school’s education department until retirement in early 1981. In 1992, as one of the greatest Alabama athletes, Don Salls was inducted into the Birmingham 's Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Cause of death: natural causes.

Gerry Marsden has died aged 78.

(24 September 1942 – 3 January 2021)

English musician, Gerry and the Pacemakers singer, and British television personality, who was best known for great hits like “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” "Ferry Cross the Mersey" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" has sadly died following short illness ( heart infection) at Arrow Park Hospital in Arrowe Park, Merseyside, England, his longtime close friend, British broadcaster Pete Price announced on social media. He was 78 years old. The BBC also confirmed the singer’s death. The iconic Marsden’s most successful cover “You’ll Never Walk Alone” became a Number One hit in the U.K. for four consecutive weeks in 1963, and soon was adopted as the most famous “soccer anthem” of Liverpool F.C. In the late 1960s, Gerry Marsden reformed the Gerry and the Pacemakers with a new line-up and up until eaarly 2018, continued to tour venues across the UK. As an actor, Marsden was best known for Zodijak (2007), alongside Robert Downey Jr., and drama film An American Rhapsody (2001)alongside Nastassja Kinski. He was awarded the MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his work with charitable and welfare organisations, in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honors.
Cause of death: heart infection.

Tanya Roberts has died aged 65.

(October 15, 1955 – January 3, 2021)

American actress, producer, and former model Tanya Roberts (born Victoria Leigh Blum), who is best known for her role as a James Bond girl Stacey Sutton in 1985's "A View to a Kill" alongside Roger Moore and Julie Rogers in the 1970s iconic television series ''Charlie's Angels'', alongside Farrah Fawcett, and also as a Midge Pinciotti in television period sitcom ''That '70s Show'', alongside Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, has died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, her and close friend and representative Mike Pingel confirmed Roberts ’death. Less than two weeks ago, Roberts ’collapsed suddenly while walking her dog near his home in Hollywood Hills, California.The cause of death of the famous actress has not yet been revealed. Roberts began her successful career in the early 1970s as a model in many tv commercials and made her film debut in 1975 with the horror flick ''Forced Entry'' directed by director Jim Sotos. Tanya Roberts also picked up parts in comedies like 1986's ''Body Slam'' alongside Dirk Benedict and erotic thrillers-drama like 1990's ''Night Eyes'' alongside Andrew Stevens. She also made many appearances in various TV series, like the 1994's crime drama ''Burke’s Law'' dieected by James L. Conway.
Cause of death: has not yet been revealed.

January 4, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Barbara Shelley has died aged 88.

(13 February 1932 – 4 January 2021)

Hammer Horror's 'number one leading lady' and Doctor Who star, a renowned British film and television actress Barbara Shelley (born Barbara T. Kowin) has died at Hospital where she was admitted in December 2020, after contracting COVID-19, her longtime agent and close friend, Thomas Bowington confirmed. She was 88 years old. In the 1960s it became Hammer Film Productions Ltd. number-one female star without competition, and worlwide known for appearing in a string of Hammer horror films including 1964's ''The Gorgon'' directed by Terence Fisher, alongside Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Richard Pasco, 1966's ''Dracula: Prince of Darkness'' directed by Terence Fisher, alongside Andrew Keir and again Christopher Lee and 1967's science fiction horror film ''Quatermass and the Pit'' directed by Roy Ward Baker, alongside James Donald, Andrew Keir and Julian Glover. Although a native of London, Barbara Shelley began her successful film career in Italy, appearing in the 1954's Italian crime musical melodrama ''Tragic Ballad'', 1955's Italian musical crime melodrama ''New Moon'', 1956's Italian-West German melodrama ''Supreme Confession'', and 1956's Italian comedy film ''Totò, Peppino and the outlaws'' directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Barbara Shelley was also known for TV roles in series including British ITC mystery spy thriller television series ''The Saint'', 1960s British television series ''The Avengers'', historical-fiction drama television series ''The Borgias'', BBC science fiction television programme ''Blake's 7'' and British courtroom drama series ''Crown Court'', and later played Hester Samuels in British soap ''EastEnders''.
Couse of death: complications from COVID-19.

January 5, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Bob Brett has died aged 67.

(13 November 1953 – 5 January 2021)

Australian tennis coach Bob Brett, the former coach of tennis legends Boris Becker , Goran Ivanisevic, Johan Kriek, Nicolas Kiefer, Mario Ančić, and Marin Čilić, who worked as a coach on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour for around three decades and was also founder and head of the prestigious tennis academy in San Remo, Italy, has sadly died after a long cancer battle in Paris, France, his close friend Mats Thyren confirmed. World famous tennis coach was 67 years old. Brett had been admitted to a clinic hospital in Paris since December 2020 for liver cancer that spread quickly to the other organs of the legendary Australian coach. From 1989 to 1991, The Australian trenerska ikona helped Germany's legend Boris Becker win Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open and led him to the top of the ATP world rankings. From early 2000, Bob Brett also has been working alongside Japanese men’s tennis stars including Shuzo Matsuoka and Kei Nishikori. Last year, Bob Brett established a non-profit association, the Kent Yamazaki & Bob Brett Tennis Foundation, a Western Australia based tennis community . The Foundation constantly supports financially and socially disadvantaged youth and for junior tennis players who show elite potential in Australia.
Cause of death: liver cancer.

Colin Bell has died aged 74.

(26 February 1946 – 5 January 2021)

Manchester City legedary midfielder Colin Bell, nicknamed by City's fans "The King of the Kippax" or simply "Colin the King" has sadly died at the age of 74, after a short non-Covid-related illness, the Manchester City have announced. Colin Bell starting his career at Bury F.C. (1963–1966), but he moved to F.C. Manchester City, through the 1965-66 season in a nearly £ 50,000 deal. From 1966 to 1979, the iconic City soccer star played nearly five hundred games for a beloved club and scoring a total of 152 goals. City named stand at Etihad Stadium, the home of Manchester City F.C. after him in 2004. Over a 13-year spell with the Manchester City, he won the First Division title, FA Cup 1968–69, League Cup 1969–70, and European Cup Winners' Cup, 1969–70. Bell was part of the England soccer squad 48 times and scored a total of 9 goals. Colin Bell was also: Manchester City Player of the Year 1968, PFA Football League Division 1 Team of the Year (1974–75), selected as one of the Football League 100 Legends (1998), and Manchester City Hall of Fame (2004). Bell was deemed by international association soccer news website Goal.com to be England's twenty-sixth best ever soccer player and listed as the greatest ever Manchester City soccer player on the London Times website. In 2004, Colin Bell was awarded an MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to the British community. He finished his career in 1980 with a brief spell in the United States playing for professional soccer club San Jose Earthquakes in the North American Soccer League.
Cause of death: unknown (short non-Covid-related illness).

January 6, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Alan Igbon has died aged 68.

(May 29, 1952 – death announced on 6, December 2020)

British actor, known for his roles in many British television series such as ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', crime-action television drama series ''The Professionals'' and television drama series of five episodes ''Scum and Boys from the Blackstuff'', has died peacefully at the age of 68, Igbon's niece, Lee-Ann Igbon have announced on social media.The cause of death has not yet been revealed. The Coronation Street star born in Hulme, Manchester, enjoyed his first big break in early 1979 starring in crime - drama television film ''Scum'', the cinematic re-make of the controversial borstal ( youth detention centre ) TV film directed by Alan Clarke, alongside Ray Winstone, Mick Ford, and Julian Firth, where he played prisoner Meakin. Igbon also starred in a number of other celebrated British television dramas including 1982's ''Brookside'', a British soap opera set in Liverpool,produced by Mersey Television(now Lime Pictures) and 1986's sitcom ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'', about seven English construction workers who leave Country to search for employment in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Cause of death: unknown.

January 7, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Marion Ramsey has died aged 73.

(May 10, 1947 – January 7, 2021)

American actress, singer and Broadway veteran who appeared in the 1978's Eubie Blake's hit biographical jazz musical show “Eubie!” at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 439 performances, but is best known fo for playing soft-spoken Sgt. Laverne Hooks in the series of American comedy films franchise ''Police Academy'', has died at the age of 73, in her Los Angeles home, her management company Roger Paul Inc.have announced on social media. The exact cause of death has not yet been revealed. In the early 1976, Ramsey had started a four-decade-long career in TV and film, with a guest appearance on CBS sitcom television series ''The Jeffersons'', alongside Isabel Sanford. That same yearRamsey became a regular on the sketch comedy/variety TV series ''Cos'' hosted by Bill Cosby. Marion Ramsey has also appeared in the 2003's TV Movie ''Recipe for Disaster'', alongside John Larroquette and Lesley Ann Warren, 2013's black-and-white silent film about the silent movie era ''Return to Babylon'', alongside Jennifer Tilly and María Conchita Alonso, and in the television films for American basic cable channel SyFy, such as 2015's science fiction horror thriller television film ''Lavalantula'' alongside Steve Guttenberg, Nia Peeples and Ione Skye and also in the 2016's sequel ''2 Lava 2 Lantula !'' directed by Nick Simon.Interestingly, Ramsey's voice was in real life is much bolder and completely different than the voice of her Police Academy character soft-spoken Sgt. Laverne Hooks.
Cause of death: unknown.

Neil Sheehan has died aged 84.

(October 27, 1936 – January 7, 2021)

American journalist and 1988's Pulitzer Prize winner for his bestseller book ''A Bright Shining Lie'', and his achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, who was also the first to obtain the ''Pentagon Papers'', a officially titled Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force, that was included a massive history of long-standing United States involvement in the Vietnam War, has died at the age of 84 of complications from Parkinson’s disease in Washington, D.C. The journalist's death was confirmed by his daughter, Catherine Sheehan Bruno. In the last 30 years of his life Sheehan had a lot of health problems including a pinched nerve and osteoarthritis. Energetic and driven, Neil Sheehan arrived in Vietnam in early 1962, at age 25, firmly believing in the justification of American intervention, but left Vietnam, four years later in 1966, completely disillusioned, shaken and anguished. In 1971, the Nixon administration tried to halt publication but the Supreme Court reject the government's position and establish a landmark First Amendment decision, emphasizing the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press.He also received the 1990's Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
Cause of death: complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Deezer D has died aged 55.

(March 10, 1965 – January 7, 2021)

American actor, hip-hop performer, and motivational speaker, Deezer D, (born Dearon Thompson) who was best known as nurse Malik McGrath on the beloved Steven Spielberg-produced medical drama television series “ER,” has died at the age of only 55. The actor's death was confirmed by his brother Marshawn. He was found at his Los Angeles home, and has died from a suspected heart attack, although no official cause of death has been released yet. Deezer had previously survived major and very complicated heart surgery in 2009. Deezer was also well-known for his roles in the '' CB4'', 1993's comedy film directed by Tamra Davis, alongside chris rock, ''Fear of a Black Hat'', 1994's sports comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Berg, and Jamie Foxx, and also ''Romy and Michele's High School Reunion'', 1997's comedy film directed by David Mirkin, alongside Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. He was almost 15 years a part of NBC’s legendary and highly watched Thursday night “must-see-TV” lineup for nearly 200 episodes. Deezer released his only full-length solo recording rap album, “Delayed, But Not Denied,” in early 2008, and was available on iTunes. Deezer D's latest song, "History Can't Be Stopped," was released posthumously just a day after his untimely death, on January 8, 2021.
Cause of death: suspected heart attack.

January 8, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Ed Bruce has died aged 81.

(December 29, 1939 – January 8, 2021)

Legendary American country music singer-songwriter and actor Ed Bruce (born William Edwin Bruce Jr.), who was recorded several Top Ten country hits, including 1975's legendary song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", written by him and his wife Patsy Bruce (country songwriter and manager) and 1982's country number one hit written by Wayland Holyfield and Randy Hatch, "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had", has died in Clarksville, Tennessee, from natural causes, according to his longtime publicist and close friend Jeremy Westby. He was 81 years old. He signed with MCA record label in early 1980, where he would score a string of big solo successes that included hit songs "Diane," "Evil Angel" and "Love's Found You And Me." Bruce returned to RCA Records (then owned by Radio Corporation of America) in 1984, and scored a No. 3 country music hit with "You Turn Me On Like A Radio" in early 1985. Ed Bruce was also an actor, best known for 2009's biographical crime drama ''Public Enemies'', alongside Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, 2010's drama film '' Country Strong'', alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, and 2016's epic road comedy-drama film '' American Honey'', alongside stars Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf. Ed Bruce also co-starred in the 1981's NBC's Western television series ''Bret Maverick'' with Hollywood icon, actor James Garner. In the late 1980s, he hosted the Hollywood's motorsports television show ''American Sports Cavalcade'', and tv show ''Truckin’ USA''. Less than two years ago, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Arkansas Country Music Awards.
Cause of death: natural causes.

January 9, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

January 10, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Hubert Auriol has died aged 68.

(7 June 1952 – 10 January 2021)

Legendary French car and motorbike rally driver, first presenter of the Koh-Lanta reality show on TF 1, and former director of the Paris-Dakar rally (between 1995 and 2004), which is open to amateur and professional drivers, Hubert Auriol, Nicknamed "the African" (because he was born in Addis Abeba) and ''the King of the Dakar'', who won the Paris-Dakar rally by car with a Citroen ZX Rallye Raid in 1992 and twice in motorbike with a BMW R80G / S (1981 and 1983), has sadly died from a cardiovascular accident following a lengthy severe illness and COVID-19 infection, in intensive care at Garches Hospital, according to his family. He was 68 years old. He began competing in motocross in the early 1970s. Auriol has taken part in The Paris-Dakar rally events 17 times, of which 9 events on a motorcycle and seven on a car. It was under his direction, between 1995 and 2004, that the Paris-Dakar rally would set off for the first time outside France and even twice from Dakar (1997 and 2000). In 2008, in North of Africa, Auriol founded the Africa Eco Race, as an answer to the cancellation of 2008 Paris-Dakar rally, due to security threats in Mauritania. In 2019, he published an autobiography entitled ''Straight On Main Track'' (TDSPP), and also he co-writing a autobiography e book ''Paris-Dakar: a males’s story''. He also holds the record of the being one the world's fastest people, in the company of France racing driver Henri Pescarolo, Patrick Fourtick and British Arthur Powell, to circumnavigate the whole world in a simple propeller plane, in early 1987. They are in historical a flight that lasted only 88 hours, broke the record set five decades earlier by American business magnate and record-setting pilotr Howard Hughes. For his motorcycling achievements, in 1995, Auriol was awarded the National Order of Merit, and the Legion of Honor (the highest French order of merit), In 2012, as one of the most world's successful and iconic motorcycle racers, He was named an FIM (The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Legend for his great contribution to the development of world motorcycling, and also was enthroned at the FIA Hall of Fame, in 2019. Hubert Auriol lived in Suresnes in the western suburbs of Paris with his wife Caroline and three daughters Julie, Jenna and Leslie.
Cause of death:

coronary heart assault and complications from COVID-19.

January 11, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Eve Branson has died aged 96.

(12 July 1924 – 11 January 2021)

Mrs Eve Branson, the British billionaire, ex-ballet dancer, philanthropist, child welfare advocate, founder of the Virgin Group (British multinational venture capital conglomerate), and one of directors of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, has died from COVID-19 complications in Fulham, England, her son Richard Branson, business magnate, investor and author announced. She was 96 years old. In February 1970, she gave her son Richard Branson the first £ 100, and he turned that humble start-up capital into his £ 3billion fortune and large business empire. Eve Branson was also founder and director of the Eve Branson Foundation. This charitable organisation provides communities of young people in Morocco with business consulting, income-generating projects and ongoing training, with tools to learn and share new knowledge. As a twenty-year-old girl, Branson served in the Women's Royal Naval Service ( the women's branch of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy), during World War II. After the war ended, she toured Germany as a ballet dancer with ENSA, the Navy, Army and Air Force organisation established to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel. In early 2013, Branson published her autobiography in the style of a fast-paced adventure novel, entitled '' Mum's the Word: The High-Flying Adventures of Eve Branson ''.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 12, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Tim Lester has died aged 52.

(June 15, 1968 – January 12, 2021)

Twenty days after Kevin Greene’s tragic death, another member of the mid-90s Iconic Steelers has sadly died. Tim Lester (born Timothy Lee Lester ), former NFL's football running back, nicknamed the “Bus Driver”, known for blocking for Jerome Bettis, has died of COVID-19 complications, Lester's alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University announced. A Miami native, he attended Eastern Kentucky University , where he was a two-time College first- football team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection, which operates in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. He was only 52 years old. Lester was drafted in the 1992 NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting by the Los Angeles Rams. After two seasons spent in Los Angeles, Lester played 4 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1995–1998), where he used as a lead blocker and finishing his Steelers ’four-year career with fifteen carries to go along with twenty-six receptions. Lester played with the Steelers Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Arizona after the 1995 season, when The Cowboys defeated the Steelers by the score of 27–17. Lester finished his eight-year professional football career with the Dallas Cowboys in 1999. Tim Lester, Eastern Kentucky Athletics and Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Famer, founded New Found Life Youth Football and the youth team of the Milton Steelers, Atalanta. Many Lester's former teammates post on socialmedia their condolences and sadness.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 13, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Joël Robert has died aged 77.

(26 November 1943 – 13 January 2021)

Belgian motocross racer, 250cc class six-time world champion during the 1960s and early 1970s, who also played a very important role in the introduction and promotion of the motocross races in the US, as Motocross pioneer by participating in the Edison Dye’s annual Inter-Am tours motocross series in early 1970's, has died from complications Covide-19 after he spent several days in a comatose state at hospital in Gilly, Belgium, his family announced. He was 77 years old. In early 1964, Robert became the youngest motocross world champion, as a 22-old privateer riding a 250cc class Czech motorcycle CZ. Joël Robert was at the vanguard of generations of great Belgian riders that would dominate the FIM World Championships the late 1970s, and the1980s, 1990s and 2000s, including, Gaston Rahier, Andre Malherbe, Eric Geboers, Joel Smets, and a ten-time world champion, Stefan Everts. Joël Robert was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame of the American Motorcyclist Association along with Swedish motocross racer Torsten Hallman in 2000. Robert also acted as a longtime successful manager for Belgium’s Motocross des Nations team.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 14, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Peter Mark Richman has died aged 93.

(April 16, 1927 – January 14, 2021)

Broadway, film and television veteran character actor, Peter Mark Richman (born Marvin Jack Richman), who from the mid-1950s until his last roles in 2011's thriller film '' Mysteria '' appeared in over 30 films and had guest starring roles on more than 130 television series, including a recurring role as Chrissy's dad, Rev. Snow on the classic sitcom ''Three's Company'', has passed away of natural causes in Los Angeles, California, U.S., his family announced. He was 93 years old. Richman, a Philadelphia native, before becoming an actor, has played football for several years in a Pennsylvania Eastern Pro Conference league. Peter Mark Richman has also appeared in the 1956's William Wyler’s American Civil War drama “The Friendly Persuasion,” alongside iconic Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire and Anthony Perkins, ''The Black Orchid'', 1959's Martin Ritt's drama film, alongside Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn,''Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan'' 1989's Rob Hedden's slasher film, as Charles McCulloch, alongside Jensen Daggett and Scott Reeves and as Arthur Dunwell in the 1991's David Zucker's comedy film “Naked Gun 2: The Smell of Fear”, alongside Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley. He also had recurring roles in “Beverly Hills 90210” and the soap opera Dynasty as Andrew Laird. He is survived by his wife, actress Helen (Landess) Richman and five children, as well as six grandchildren.
Cause of death: natural causes.

January 15, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

January 16, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Phil Spector has died aged 81.

(December 26, 1939 – January 16, 2021)

Phil Spector, (born Harvey Phillip Spector) American Hall of Fame musician, (co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pop music group Teddy Bears), Grammy-winning record producer (Wall of Sound), convicted murderer, and founder of Philles Records, formed in 1960, has died from complications of COVID-19, at hospital in Stockton, California, U.S., the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced. He was 81 years old. Phil Spector was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison in 2009 for the 2003 second-degree murder - fatal shooting of American actress and fashion model Lana Clarkson. The actress was found slumped over in a chair at Spector's Alhambra, California house with a bullet wound to her head. Spector, a New York native, produced recordings by stars including The Beatles (album, Let It Be), Darlene Love, Ike and Tina Turner ("River Deep – Mountain High"), Ronnie Spector, Cher ("A Woman's Story"), the American punk rock band the Ramones. Spector won a 1973 Grammy Award for Album of the Year as a producer of "The Concert for Bangladesh.", a live triple album credited to "George Harrison & Friends", and was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1989) and the Songwriters' Hall of Fame (1997). In early 2004, the entertainment Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 63 on their list of the greatest artists in history.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 17, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Sammy Nestico has died aged 96.

(February 6, 1924 – January 17, 2021)

Sammy Nestico (born Samuel Louis Nistico), Pittsburgh native, iconic award-winning jazz composer and arranger, who was best known for his arrangements for the legendary William James's "Count" Basie orchestra from 1967 to 1984 (including winning Grammys for arranging 1981s ''Warm Breeze'', and legendary 1983s '' 88 Basie Street''.), has died from natural causes at his home in southern California, his family announced.

He died just ten days before his 97th birthday. Definitely, with the Nestico's death, the world of jazz lost one of its greatest legends. During World War II, he constantly worked with the US airforce and and marine bands, taught at the University of Chicago, in Chicago's Hyde Park and conducted many projects for Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Toni Tennille, Barbra Streisand, and the Southwest Germany’s Radio Symphony Orchestra. During his nearly seven-decade career in the television and film industry, Nestico also wrote more than 600 songs. He is also worlwide known for his work on Todd Field's drama film ''Little Children'' (2006), Steven Spielberg's coming-of-age period drama ''The Color Purple'' (1985), and Kieth Merrill's comedy-drama film ''Harry's War'' (1981). He was also supplying music for TV shows as CBS's Mannix (1967 – 1975), ABC's crime drama television series ''Charlie's Angels'' (1976 –1981), and ABC's crime drama series ''The Mod Squad'', (1968 –1973). Sammy Nestico has also written many successful commercial jinglesfor for the biggest American and European brands, including Ford Motor Company, Americard, Anheuser-Busch, Mattel Toys and Dodge. Sammy Nestico has also worked with many modern-day crooners, including Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer Michael Buble, Award winning crooner Matt Dusk, and operatic tenor Daniel Rodriguez.
Cause of death: natural causes.

January 18, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Andy Gray has died aged 61.

(1959 – 18 January 2021)

The Perth-born, legendary Scottish actor and comedy writer, who was a well-known face on television and the stage for more than four decades, has died at hospital after a battle with Covid - 19, his family announced. He was 61 years old. Gray had two years ago been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndromes a rare type of blood cancer, but returned to the stage to appear at the King's Theater in Edinburgh the past year. In the early 1980s, Gray trained in Drama at the prestigious Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University. Among his best known TV roles were "Chancer" in the 1980s Scottish television sitcom ''City Lights'', in the Colin Gilbert's BBC Scotland sketch show ''Naked Video''(1986 – 1991), and more recently "Pete Galloway" in 2002s BBC One Scotland's soap ''River City''. Andy Gray also appeared in the Jason Connery's 2016 historical drama film ''Tommy's Honour'', alongside Peter Mullan andJack Lowden‎. As one of the stars of the Edinburgh's King's Theater, he appeared alongside Grant Stott in Philip Meeks's Fringe comedy show ''Kiss Me Honey Honey'', which won a Edinburgh Comedy Award at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Cause of death: COVID-19

January 19, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Chuck Mills has died aged 92.

(December 1, 1928 – 19, January 2021)

death announced on this date.
Chuck Mills, American college football coach and member of the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame, who was Utah State’s head football coach for six seasons, from 1967-72 and who was also one of the pioneers of American football in Japan, when he led the first American collegiate football team in ‘the land of the rising sun’ in the early 1970s, has died died from natural causes at his home in Honolulu, his family announced. He was 92 years old. During his nearly five-decade-long coaching career, Chuck Mills served as the head coach at Pomona College in Claremont, California (1957–1961), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in Indiana County (1962–1963), the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York (1964), Utah State University in Logan, Utah from 1967 to 1972, and led the Aggies to four winning seasons, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (1973–1977), Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon (1980–1988), and the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut (1997). He coached five All-Americans during his time at Utah State University , including center and defensive tackle Phil Olsen, defensive end Bill Staley, Quarterback Tony Adams, wide receivers Mike O’Shea and Tom Forzani. Mills retired to Hawaii soon after and spent the past two decades staying involved in administrative football career as a consultant (Blue–Gray Football Classic,The Southern Oregon Raiders football team and The United States Coast Guard Academy), at all levels of the game.
Cause of death:natural causes

January 20, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Mike Sadek has died aged 74.

(May 30, 1946 – January 20, 2021)

American baseball player Mike Sadek, a former backup catcher, who spent his entire eight-year major league career (1973 – 1981), with the San Francisco Giants, and also served as Robert De Niro's body double In the 1996 sports - thriller film ''The Fan'', in scenes where famous actor's was throwing a baseball, has died from complications related to a lengthy battle with heart and lung disease in San Andreas, California, the team announced. Sadek, known as the “Sheik,” was 74 years old. The Twins chose Sadek in the fifth round of the 1969 draft, but he made his MLB debut on April 13, 1973. His 64 games in the 1980 major league season were a career high. Sadek also spent nearly three decades in the Giants as an important member of the Giants' front office. Sadek is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
Cause of death: heart and lung disease.

January 21, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Randy Parton has died aged 67.

(December 15, 1953 – January 21, 2021)

American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, businessman, and Dolly Parton's younger brother and the older brother of actress Rachel Dennison., Randy Parton, (born Randel Huston Parton), who recorded several successful singles during the 1970s and early 1980s, has died after a battle with cancer in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S., his sister Dolly announced in a post on social media. Randy was 67 years old. In 1984, Randy Parton sang a song for the Rhinestone soundtrack; his sister Dolly and Sylvester Stallone starred in the musical comedy film. He was also the first person to record the famous song "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" in early 1982. He also headlined a show at Dolly Parton's Dollywood amusement park in the Knoxville-Smoky Mountains, since it opened in early 1986. He was best known for his duet with sister Dolly on country song 'Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You'., who took it to the top of the country singles charts in the mid-1980s. Randy Parton is survived by his wife, Deb, his two children and two grandchildren.
Cause of death: cancer

January 22, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Hank Aaron has died aged 86.

(February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021)

American Hall of Fame professional baseball right fielder and civil rights activist, Hank Aaron, (nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank"), longtime MLB home run king whose 755 career home runs (second-highest home run scorer of all time), broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record and who played twenty-three seasons (1954 – 1976), in Major League Baseball, has died in his sleep at the age of 86, in Atlanta, Georgia, his family announced. Aaron spent twenty-one seasons (1954–1974), with the professional baseball team Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and two seasons (1975–1976), with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL). He was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1976, from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, for outstanding achievement by an African American (as player and one of the few African-Americans in a baseball executive position after retiring). In 1982, Aaron was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in his first year of eligibility. In early 1999, Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run, and was the first major award to be introduced by MLB in nineteen years. In the same year, the dominant American baseball publication - The Sporting News ranked him fifth on its list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players". In July 2002, as one of the most accomplished baseball players of all time, Hank Aaron was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W Bush. In January 2016 Aaron received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette(Japanese order, established in 1875), from Akihito, the Emperor of Japan.
Cause of death: natural causes

January 23, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Larry King has died aged 87.

(November 19, 1933 – January 23, 2021)

Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger), the longtime legendary CNN host, who hosted his flagship CNN show, ''Larry King Live'', for over twenty-five years and became an American television icon through his interviews with many celebrities, movie stars, politicians but also with everyday people, whose long-term and dedicated work and also most powerful and invigorating stories was recognized with awards including ten Cable ACE Awards for Cable Excellence, an Emmy award, and two Peabodys, has died aged 87, from COVID-19 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. His son, Chance Armstrong King, confirmed father's death. A statement on King’s facebook and Twiter accounts also confirmed the sad news. King had been hospitalized with symptoms of the coronavirus about ten days earlier.He had a heart attack in early 1987 and after that he wrote two books about life with a heart disease. A year later he founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. He retired ten years ago after taping more than 6,000 episodes of the "Larry King Live" and conducted an estimated over 50,000 interviews in his sixty year career. In his final programme on television, he told his shows viewers: "I don't know what to say, except to you, my audience, thank you. Instead of goodbye, how about so long?". He was also worlwide known for the CNN nightly interview television program ''Larry King Live'' (2012 - 2020), weekly political talk show ''Politicking with Larry King'', and most recently, ''Larry King Now'', broadcast on Hulu and RT (Russia international broadcaster). King was also very often criticized for his non-confrontational approach and very simple open-ended questions. He boasted of not doing much research for the shows and interviews because he could learn along with television viewers. King was also a producer and occasional actor, best known for his work on Ivan Reitman's ''Ghostbusters'' (1984), Tony Scott's ''Enemy of the State'' (1998) and DreamWorks computer-animated comedy film ''Bee Film'' (2007). King was married eight times to seven women: Freda Miller (1952 -1953), Annette Kaye (1961 - 1961), Alene Akins (1961 - 1963), Mickey Sutphin (1963 - 1967), Sharon Lepore (1976 - 1983), Julie Alexander (1989 - 1992), Shawn Southwick (1997 - 2019), and had five children.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 24, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

George Armstrong has died aged 90.

(July 6, 1930 – January 24, 2021))

Hockey Hall of Famer, legendary Canadian professional ice hockey centre and coach George Armstrong, the famous right-winger who played twenty-one seasons in the the Atlantic Division of the NHL Eastern Conference for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and captained Toronto to 4 Stanley Cups in the 1960s, has died of heart complications at the age of 90. Armstrong's death was announced by the Maple Leafs, Armstrong's family. Armstrong played nearly 1,200 games for Toronto Maple Leafs between the early 1950s and late 1971, and was also the team's iconic captain for 13 seasons. He was a member of 4 Stanley Cup championship teams (1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, and 1966–67), and scored the final goal of the NHL's "Original Six" era (the group of 6 teams that made up the National Hockey League for the twenty-five seasons) as Toronto won the 1967 Stanley Cup. He also played in seven NHL All-Star Games. In 1975, George Armstrong, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Some four decades later, he was voted no. 12 on the franchise’s list of the 100 greatest Maple Leafs of all time. Armstrong was also the first player of Indigenous descent to score in the National Hockey League. In July 1972, Armstrong was announced as the head coach of one of the dominant junior teams in history, the Toronto Marlboros, which he led to two Memorial Cup victories in 1973 and 1975. During the 1988–89 season, he was the Maple Leafs assistant general manager and scout. He would become one of a 5 Leafs honored with a banner at Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre, and his number was retired in 2016 at the Toronto Maple Leafs centennial anniversary home opener.
Cause of death: heart complications

January 25, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

January 26, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Peter Thorburn has died aged 81.

(19 March 1939 – 26 January 2021)

Former New Zealand rugby union player and All Blacks selector, who was also coach of North Harbor, and the USA national rugby union team at the 2007 World Cup and Bristol in the English Premiership has died in Takapuna North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand after a short illness, his family and the North Harbor Rugby Union announced. He was 81 years old. Thorburn played for ten years as a flanker for Auckland until mid-1985. The same year, when the provincial union was formed he became the first coach of the North Harbor professional rugby union team. He held this position until his retirement in late 1991.Thorburn was selector of The New Zealand men's national rugby union team (All Blacks), in the mid-1990s and, later, between early 2000 and late 2001. He also worked at English Premiership club Bristol between 2001 and 2003 as a director of rugby. In the 2013 New Year Honours (by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of New Zealand) he received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for contributions and development to rugby.
Cause of death: unknown.

Sekou Smith has died aged 48.

(1972 – January 26, 2021)

Sekou Smith, a brilliant american sportswriter, journalist, veteran NBA reporter and television analyst, who was best known as the author of NBA.com's ''Sekou Smith’s Hang Time Blog'', and a host of ''The Hang Time Podcast'', has sadly died after a battle with COVID-19, the league announced. Definitely one of the most dedicated reporters in the NBA was only 48 years old. He is survived by his wife and their three children. A graduate of Jackson State with a bachelor’s degree in communications, he started working career at at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. Before he joined Turner Sports and NBA Digital in November 2009, Smith, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan was an NBA beat writer at morning daily newspaper ''the Indianapolis Star', (2001 - 2005),' and ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' (2005-2009), a major daily newspaper in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. Sekou Smith was also a mainstay on NBA TV's studio show ''The Beat'', as a Senior Analyst.
Cause of death: COVID-19.

January 27, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Cloris Leachman has died aged 94.

(April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021)

Oscar winner and eight Primetime Emmy winner, American actress, comedian and animal rights advocate Cloris Leachman, whose extensive career spanned over eight-decades, has died in her sleep from natural causes at her home in Encinitas, California, Her manager, Juliet Green and spokesperson Monique Moss announced. She was 94 years old. During her longtime brilliant career, Leachman, who was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2011, for extraordinary contributions to U.S. television, earned 22 Emmy nominations and eight Primetime Emmy awards, one Golden Globe Award, one British Academy Film Award, and one Daytime Emmy Award. She was the most nominated and, along with actress, comedian, singer and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus, most awarded actress in whole Emmy history. Leachman won an Academy Award in 1971 for her memorable role in Peter Bogdanovich' coming-of-age drama film "The Last Picture Show." She was also memorable as Frau Blücher in Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy horror "Young Frankenstein", alongside Gene Wilder, and in her roles in 1977's satirical comedy film "High Anxiety", produced and directed by Mel Brooks, and 1981's sketch comedy film "History of the World: Part I". Leachman also had an occasional role as Ida on Fox television sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle," winning Emmys in 2002 and 2006 for that popular TV series.
Cause of death: natural causes.

January 28, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Cicely Tyson has died aged 96.

(December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021)

Emmy and Tony-winning iconic american actress and fashion model Cicely Tyson, who distinguished herself in theater, film and television in a brilliant career spanning more than seventy years, and who was best known for her memorable portrayal of strong black Americans women - thus she broke the film industry barriers for other African-American actresses, has died at the age of 96. The actress ’death was announced by her family, via her longtime manager and close friend Larry Thompson, who did not immediately provide the cause of death. Influential actress and a onetime model, garnered widespread attention for her brilliant performance as the sharecropper's wife Rebecca Morgan in Martin Ritt's drama film ''Sounder'' (1972), for which she was nominated for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. For the role of a hundred-year-old former slave in John Korty's ''The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'' (1974), Cicely Tyson earned her two Emmy Awards and and a nomination for a British Academy Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She also appeared in the ABC television miniseries ''Roots'' (1977), alongside John Amos and Ben Vereen, television miniseries ''King'' (1978) and ''A Woman Called Moses'' (1978), NBC tv miniseries based on the life of Harriet Tubman, American abolitionist and political activist and the escaped African American slave. In addition to her film and television career, Tyson appeared in various notable theater productions, including her Off-Broadway performance in Errol John's play ''Moon on a Rainbow Shawl'', (Drama Desk Award in 1962). In 2016, Tyson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. On November 2018, She became the first African-American woman to receive an honorary Academy Award. Last year, she was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Cause of death: unknown

January 29, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

John Chaney has died aged 89.

(January 21, 1932 – January 29, 2021)

Former legendary American college men's basketball coach John Chaney,a brilliant zone defense innovator and a passionate leader who led the Temple Owls men's basketball team for twenty-four seasons (1982-2006), and had more than seven hundred NCAA victories, has died at the age of 89, a short, unspecified illness, his family and the university announced. He won 516 games with the Owls, a school record, includning 6 Atlantic 10 regular-season titles and counting his time at Cheyney University (1972–1982), where he won the NCAA Division II title in 1978, he had more than seven hundred NCAA victories. Chaney became the second Temple Owls men's basketball coach inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame upon his election in 2002. Four years later, he was also inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. After 43 years of coaching career, on March 2006, he announced his retirement from coaching.
Cause of death: unknown (short, unspecified illness)

January 30, 2021

NOTABLE deaths

Steve Stephens has died aged 90.

(April 22, 1930 – January 30, January 2021)
(death announced on this date)

Arkansas icon and broadcasting pioneer of early television, Steve Stephens, (born Stephen Owen Stephens), great personal relations practitioner and presenter who was best known as the host of Steve's Show, a hugely popular and wildly local television program on ‎Arkansas THV11, from 1957 to 1964, has died after a long battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 90 years old. Steve Stephens, a golden-throated voice talent, was also a decorated Marine for his service in Korea during 1952 and 1953. He attained the rank of sergeant thanks to his courage and leadership skills. After a host and TV weatherman career (THV11), in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a member of U.S. Sen. John McClellan’s staff in the mid-1960s, in Washington, D.C., as a special media relations assistant. In late 1968 he returned to Arkansas to form his own agancy, which provided advertising and public relations services. The agency later also became a reputable travel agency. In 1986 he joined Stephens Inc. a privately held, independent financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, as assistant to the chairman of the board, and later as director of communications, as an influential personal relations practitioner. He retired in 1998 after over five decades spent in the business and broadcasting community of Arkansas.
Cause of death: cancer