The year 2024 witnessed the passing of numerous influential individuals who left a profound impact on the world. From political leaders and activists to business visionaries, athletes, entertainers, and trailblazing change-makers, here is a tribute to some of the notable figures we lost this year.
Liam Payne, member of globally popular British boy band One Direction, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires at the age of 31.
James Earl Jones, an imposing stage and screen presence who voiced “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, died at 93.
Shannen Doherty, a star of 1990s TV show “Beverly Hills, 90210” died at 53.
Phil Donahue, who changed the face of U.S. daytime television with a long-running syndicated talk show, died at 88.
Quincy Jones, who worked with musicians ranging from Count Basie to Frank Sinatra and reshaped pop music with his collaborations with Michael Jackson, died at 91.
Maggie Smith, the British actress of stage and screen known for her roles in the “Harry Potter” movies and “Downton Abbey,” died at 89.
Tito Jackson, founding member of the popular Black American Motown group The Jackson 5, died at 70.
Chita Rivera, a Broadway legend who created the role of Puerto Rican firebrand Anita in “West Side Story,” died at 91.
Bob Newhart, who fled the tedium of an accounting job to become a master of deadpan humor as a standup comedian and U.S. sitcom star, died at 94.
Roberto Cavalli, the Italian fashion designer known for his animal-print designs, died at 83.
Willie Mays, American baseball legend with all-around skills, died at 93.
Sheila Jackson Lee, a U.S. lawmaker who was a prominent voice on African American and women’s rights, died at 74.
Donald Sutherland, the Canadian actor who charmed audiences in movies such as “M*A*S*H,” “Klute,” and “The Hunger Games,” died at 88.
Peter Higgs, the British Nobel-winning physicist whose theory about an undetected particle changed science, died at 94.
Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, was killed in Gaza at 62.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah through decades of conflict, was killed by Israel in an airstrike.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, the charismatic Swedish soccer manager who became the first foreigner to lead the England national team, died at 76.
Ratan Tata was one of India’s most internationally recognized business leaders died aged 86.
Zakir Hussain, one of the world’s greatest tabla players, died at the age of 73.
West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer holds up the World Cup trophy after his team defeated the Netherlands by 2-1, in the World Cup soccer final at Munich’s Olympic stadium, in West Germany, on Jul. 7, 1974. German soccer great Franz Beckenbauer died at 78.
Talat Hussain, a celebrated Pakistani figure known for his immense contributions to the arts, passed away in Karachi on May 26, 2024.
Veteran Pakistani actor Abid Kashmiri has passed away at the age of 74.
