Skip to content

Top Navigation

EW.com Entertainment Weekly EW.com Entertainment Weekly
  • TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • TV Recaps
    • Fall TV
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Mystery
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music
    • Music Reviews
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Awards
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Order Past Issues this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe

Explore EW.com

EW.com Entertainment Weekly EW.com Entertainment Weekly
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Here are all 70 puppies competing in Puppy Bowl XVII

      Read More Next
    • The best books to keep you warm this January

      Read More Next
    • The Masked Dancer revealed: Every unmasked celebrity on season 1

      Read More Next
  • TV

    TV

    See All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • TV Recaps
    • Fall TV
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Mystery
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies

    Movies

    See All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music

    Music

    See All Music
    • Music Reviews
  • Books

    Books

    See All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater

    Theater

    See All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events

    Events

    See All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Awards

    Awards

    See All Awards
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Order Past Issues this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Celebrity Chevron Right
  3. Stars we've lost in 2021

Stars we've lost in 2021

By EW Staff
Updated January 15, 2021 at 05:37 PM EST
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet

1 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Larry King

Credit: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Larry King, the famed interviewer and longtime CNN host whose career spanned more than six decades, died on Jan. 23, 2021. He was 87. King died early Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to a statementĀ shared on his social media accounts. A cause of death was not given, but KingĀ was hospitalizedĀ earlier in January with COVID-19.

Ā 

1 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mira Furlan

Credit: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

Lost and Babylon 5 actress Mira Furlan died on Jan. 20 due to complications with West Nile virus, her manager confirmed in a statement to EW. She was 65. Lost creator Damon Lindelof and Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski both shared tributes after her death.

2 of 16

3 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Phil Spector

Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Grammy Award-winning producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector died on Jan. 16 of natural causes. He was 80. Spector was the creator of the music production technique known as the Wall of Sound. He was also behind some music's biggest hits for The Beatles, the Ramones, The Righteous Brothers, among others.Ā 

3 of 16

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sylvain Sylvain

Credit: Barney Britton/Redferns

New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain died on Jan. 13 at age 69 after a battle with cancer. The New York Dolls' self-titled 1973 debut album, as well as their 1974 sophomore effort,Ā Too Much Too Soon, became acclaimed and influential punk rock records. Although short-lived, the band went on to influence groups like Guns N' Roses, the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and the Smiths, whose frontman Morrissey helped reunite the surviving band members for a 2004 festival.

4 of 16

Advertisement

5 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peter Mark Richman

Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Peter Mark Richman, an actor with over 130 television credits, died on Jan. 14 at the age of 93 of natural causes. Richman notably held recurring roles onĀ Three's CompanyĀ as Reverend Snow — the father of Suzanne Somers' character Chrissy Snow — and onĀ Dynasty as Andrew Laird, the attorney for Carrington family. He also appeared onĀ Beverly Hills, 90210Ā andĀ LongstreetĀ and guest-starred on series such asĀ The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Murder She Wrote,Ā The Fugitive,Ā Bonanza, andĀ Star Trek: The Next Generation. In his eight-decade career, Richman also produced works as a playwright. His one-man showĀ 4 Faces was made into a movie in 1999, in which he also starred.

5 of 16

6 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Joanne Rogers

Credit: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Joanne Rogers, the widow of television icon Fred Rogers died January 14 at the age of 92. She was married to Rogers for 50 years until his death in 2003. Rogers was the keeper of the flame for the "Mister Rogers" legacy, serving on the board of Fred Rogers Productions and helping celebrate his work in documentaries and feature films like It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.Ā Rogers was also an accomplished classically trained concert pianist and released two albums as part of a duo.

6 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Siegfried Fischbacher

Credit: Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Siegfried Fischbacher, one half of the iconic Las Vegas magician duo Siegfried & Roy, died Jan. 13 of pancreatic cancer at age 81. His death came less than a year after his longtime professional and romantic partner Roy Horn, who died of complications from COVID-19 last spring. "There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried," Fischbacher said at the time.

7 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

John Reilly

Credit: ABC/Everett Collection

Veteran soap star John Reilly died on Jan. 9 from unknown causes. He was 84. For five decades, Reilly starred in hit soaps including General Hospital,Ā As the World Turns, Passions, and Sunset Beach. He also made one brief appearance on Days of Our Lives in 2001. In the '90s, he starred as Bill Taylor, Kelly Taylor's (Jennie Garth) unpredictable father, on Beverly Hill, 90210.

8 of 16

Advertisement

9 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Michael Apted

Credit: Everett Collection

British filmmaker Michael Apted died on Jan. 8, at 79. Apted directedĀ the long-running UpĀ documentary series and Oscar-nominated features includingĀ Coal Miner's DaughterĀ andĀ Gorillas in the Mist. Apted was a researcher on the first installment of the groundbreaking Up series, 1964's Seven Up, and he helmed the rest, concluding with 63 Up in 2019. In a career spanning genres and decades, he directed features including Nell,Ā The World Is Not Enough, Stardust, Gorky Park, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Apted also served as president of the Directors Guild of America from 2003 to 2009 and received the organization's Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award in 2013.

9 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dearon 'Deezer D' Thompson

Credit: Scott Garfield/NBCU Photo Bank

Dearon "Deezer D" Thompson died Jan. 7, at 55. The actor was best known for portraying nurse Malik McGrath on the beloved NBC medical drama ER from 1994 until 2009, including the pilot and series finale. Thompson also appeared in movies such as Fear of a Black Hat,Ā CB4, Bringing Down the House,Ā andĀ RomyĀ andĀ Michele's High School Reunion.

10 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Marion Ramsey

Credit: James Lemke Jr/WireImage

Actress Marion Ramsey died Jan. 7, at 73. She was best known for portraying Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy movies. Ramsey was also an accomplished stage actor, appearing on Broadway in GrindĀ andĀ Eubie, as well as touring the country inĀ Hello, Dolly, starring opposite Bette Davis inĀ Miss Moffatt, and costarring in two productions of Little Shop of Horrors. She was one of the three singers that the original Broadway show Dreamgirls was based on and also performed many voice roles, including in Robot Chicken and the animated series The Addams Family.

11 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tanya Roberts

Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Former Bond girl Tanya Roberts died Jan. 4, at 65, from a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis. Roberts starred as Stacey Sutton in 1985'sĀ A View to Kill, opposite Roger Moore as 007. She also starred on That '70s Show as Donna's sweet-but-dim mother, Midge. The actress worked on Charlie's Angels in the '80s and appeared in the shows Fantasy Island, Hot Line, The Blues Brothers Animated Series,Ā andĀ Eve, and in films like Sins of Desire, Legal Tender, Sheena,Ā The Beastmaster, Almost Pregnant, and Tourist Trap.Ā Her last role was playing Elle in the series BarbershopĀ in 2005.

12 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Barbara Shelley

Credit: Everett Collection

British actress Barbara Shelley died Jan. 4, at 88, after contracting COVID-19. She was best known for appearing in horror movies produced by Hammer Films, including 1958's Blood of the Vampire, 1966'sĀ Dracula: Prince of Darkness, and 1967'sĀ Quatermass and the Pit. Shelley also starred in 1960's non-Hammer horror classic Village of the Damned. Her many small-screen credits included the British TV shows Blake's 7,Ā Doctor Who, andĀ Eastenders.

13 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eric Jerome Dickey

Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey died Jan. 3, at 59, after a long illness. Throughout the Memphis native's lengthy career, he published 29 novels, including multiple New York TimesĀ best-sellers:Ā Milk in My Coffee,Ā Cheaters,Ā Chasing Destiny,Ā The Other Woman,Ā Sleeping With Strangers,Ā Resurrecting Midnight,Ā Sister, Sister,Ā An Accidental Affair, andĀ Decadence. Dickey also penned the 2007 Marvel Comics miniseriesĀ Storm, chronicling the epic love story between the Black superheroes Storm (of X-Men fame) andĀ Black Panther.

14 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gerry Marsden

Credit: Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images

Liverpool legend Gerry Marsden died Jan. 3, at 78, after an illness related to a heart infection. Marsden was the lead singer of the '60s British band Gerry and the Pacemakers, known for "You'll Never Walk Alone," which was a rendition of the song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. The group's version became the anthem of Liverpool Football Club.

15 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

George Gerdes

Credit: Ali Goldstein/ABC via Getty Images

George Gerdes died Jan. 1, at 72. The actor appeared in the films The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Hidalgo, and Rumor Has It.Ā HeĀ was a regular presence on TV, with roles inĀ series such asĀ L.A. Law,Ā Seinfeld,Ā NYPD Blue,Ā The X-Files,Ā Chicago Hope,Ā Cold Case, ER, Lost, True Blood, and Dexter. Most recently, he appeared inĀ Perry MasonĀ andĀ Grey's Anatomy, and portrayed Ray Scales in three episodes ofĀ Bosch.

16 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By EW Staff

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 16 Larry King
2 of 16 Mira Furlan
3 of 16 Phil Spector
4 of 16 Sylvain Sylvain
5 of 16 Peter Mark Richman
6 of 16 Joanne Rogers
7 of 16 Siegfried Fischbacher
8 of 16 John Reilly
9 of 16 Michael Apted
10 of 16 Dearon 'Deezer D' Thompson
11 of 16 Marion Ramsey
12 of 16 Tanya Roberts
13 of 16 Barbara Shelley
14 of 16 Eric Jerome Dickey
15 of 16 Gerry Marsden
16 of 16 George Gerdes

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EW.com Entertainment Weekly

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://ew.com

View image

Stars we've lost in 2021
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.