Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024.
Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 during a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was traveling home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shared with wife Jessica Klepser — on January 4. The aircraft had engine trouble and fell into the ocean. The plane’s pilot also died onboard in the accident.
In addition to being an actor, Oliver was also a realtor at Beverly Hills brokerage The Agency.
“Christian, Madita and Annik, you will be missed. May you rest in peace,” The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky wrote in a social media tribute. “My prayers are with you and your entire Agency family. You are a great friend, father, husband, actor and agent. You made us laugh, you care more than most. You are missed and loved.”
Four days later, news broke that The Cleaning Lady star Aden Canto had died at the age of 42.
“Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever,” Canto’s rep said in a statement, revealing the actor privately battled appendiceal cancer. “He will be greatly missed by so many.”
Canto is survived by his wife, Stephanie Canto, and their two children: Roman and Eve.
Keep scrolling to remember the stars who died in 2024:
The journalist died on January 23 at his New Jersey home. He was 91. His family told CBS that dementia was his cause of death.
Osgood was the host of CBS Sunday Morning from 1994 until his 2016 retirement. He is survived by wife Jean, his two siblings and five children.
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Coward, who played Toothless Man in Deliverance, was involved in a collision on January 24. The actor, his girlfriend, Bertha Brooks, and their pet Chihuahua dog and pet squirrel were killed in the crash. Local outlets reported that authorities said Coward and Brooks were not wearing seatbelts when they were by an oncoming truck, which was driven by a 16-year-old.
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The Pan American Judo Confederation confirmed the Olympian and Cuban Judo champion’s death via Instagram on January 22. She was 34.
“It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to a legend of Pan-American and Cuban judo,” the post read, via a translation. “Maricet Espinosa, affectionately known as ‘La Mole’, leaves an indelible legacy. Two-time Pan American champion, world medalist and Olympic representative in Rio 2016. Rest in peace, dear Maricet. Our condolences to his family and to Cuban judo. Your spirit and your achievements will always endure. 🥋🕊️.”
The Cuban Sports University also shared the news of González’s death via Facebook, saying they were in “mourning” and “great pain” over González’s passing, per a translation.
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The Hollywood director, best known for films In the Heat of the Night and Moonstruck, died at age 97, a spokesman for the family confirmed.
Jewison was a three-time Oscar Nominee and recipient of the 1999 Academy Award for lifetime achievement.
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The German music producer, known for founding Boney M. and producing Milli Vanilli, died at the age of 82 at his home in Miami.
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The Star Trek star died at the age of 73 after going into cardiac arrest. He died at a hospital in Spokane, Washington.
Becky Graham, the actor’s wife, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
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The actor, known for his roles on the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles and on Beverly Hills, 90210, died at age 58. “There’s barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side always my wingman always my best friend ready to face anything and anyone [with] me,” Gail’s sister, Katie Colmenares, wrote via Instagram on January 21. “The bears will never be the same but I will hold you so tight every day in my heart you gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being missing you every second of every day forever there will never be another 💔💖.”
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Shaw’s daughter, Marla Bradshaw, confirmed the “California Soul” singer’s death at age 81 via Facebook on January 19. “It’s with a very heavy heart that for myself and my family I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist Marlena Shaw has passed away today at 12:03,” Bradshaw stated. “She was peaceful. We were at peace. … She went listening to some of her favorite songs.”
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The pole vaulting world champion died at his home in Kingwood, Texas on January 17, his agent, Paul Doyle, told the Associated Press. While a case of death was not revealed, the athlete had been experiencing health issues, according to the outlet. He was 29.
“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Doyle said in a statement at the time. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”
Barber’s management agency later confirmed the news via Instagram, writing, “A friend that will never be forgotten. Canadian Olympic Pole Vaulter Shawn Barber has passed away. 🕊️.”
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The Golden State Warriors assistant coach died at age 46 on January 17 after being hospitalized for a heart attack one day prior.
“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojević’s sudden passing,” the Golden State Warriors wrote in a statement shared via X. “This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him.”
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The actress died on January 11 after a battle with cancer, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. She was 78.
She appeared as Lulu Warnicker, the aunt of Kevin Bacon’s Ren, in 1984’s Footloose. She also had an extensive TV resume, appearing in classics like Starsky & Hutch and Charlie’s Angels as well as soap operas such as Passions, The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives.
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Battersby’s stepdaughter, actress Kate Beckinsale, confirmed via Instagram that the British director died at age 87. “It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announces the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness,” read an obituary shared by Beckinsale on January 15. “He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87. Funeral will be held in London, details to follow.”
Battersby had directed a number of TV shows and films throughout his career, including A Touch of Frost, Red Mercury, Between the Lines and Eurocops, and married Beckinsale’s mom, Judy Loe, in 1997.
Courtesy of Kate Beckinsale/Instagram
The actress died of natural causes at her Manhattan home on January 13. She was 99.
Best known for starring as Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners, Randolph is survived by son Randolph Charles.
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The All My Children alum died at his home in Del Mar, California, on January 12. He was 50. No cause of death was reported.
The actor starred in Grown Ups, Desperate Housewives and Rita Rocks. He is survived by fiancee Paige Press.
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The actor died on January 10 in at a medical facility in Palm Springs, California, following a surgery, Crombie’s ex-wife Nadine Kijner said. He was 71.
Crombie, best known for playing “Crazy” Joe Davola on Seinfeld, is survived by brother Jim.
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The actor, who portrayed Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives for more than 50 years, died on January 12, according to a statement from the show. He was 98.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes,” the soap opera said in a January 12 statement to Deadline. “One of the longest-running characters on Days of Our Lives, Bill originated the role of Doug Williams in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life. He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.”
Executive producer Ken Corday added, “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of Our Lives. Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”
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Mia Farrow’s youngest sibling died in her sleep on January 10.
“If there is a Heaven, undoubtedly my beautiful sister Tisa is being welcomed there,” Mia wrote via Instagram one day later. “She was the best of us — I have never met a more generous and loving person. She loved life & never complained. Ever.”
Tisa, an actress like Mia, is survived by her siblings, husband Terry Deane and grandchildren. (Tisa and Deane’s son, Jason, died in 2008.)
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Oliver and his daughters are survived by Klepser, Oliver’s parents and his siblings following their fatal plane crash.
“The deep bond, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit shared by Madita and Annik will be profoundly missed in their communities,” Klepser wrote in an Instagram statement. “[Christian’s] loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him.”
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The Designated Survivor alum died after a private cancer battle.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” his wife, Stephanie, wrote via Instagram, quoting Bible verse Matthew 6:19-21. “Forever my treasure Adan, see you soon.”
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The Starsky & Hutch actor died at the age of 80. His wife, Helen Snell, confirmed his passing on January 5.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” Snell said in a statement. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
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Johns, who was best known for playing Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, died on January 4 at the age of 100.
“Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives,” her longtime manager, Mitch Clem, told Us Weekly in a statement. “She entered my life early in my career and set a very high bar on how to navigate this industry with grace, class and truth. Your own truth. Her light shined very brightly for 100 years.”
He added, “She had a wit that could stop you in your tracks powered by a heart that loved deeply and purely. Today is a somber day for Hollywood. Not only do we mourn the passing of our dear Glynis, but we mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood.”
The British actress died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles and will be buried next to her father, who passed away in 1993, in England. She is survived by her grandson Thomas and three great-grandchildren.
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