Celebrities & Public Figures Who Died in 2021

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As we being 2021, we have already begun to lose celebs and public figures that have impacted us over the years. Sports legends like Denver Broncos great Floyd Little and Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal are among the legendary figures who have passed away in 2021.

As we deal with the looming threat of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic along with the facts of life, we know that death is inevitable. However, the memories of these amazing people will always live on.

Check out the list below.

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1. Mary Wilson, Co-Founder Of "The Supremes" Dead At 76

In a statement, Berry Gordy Said “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown’ … I was always proud of Mary.  She was quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of The Supremes.  Mary Wilson was extremely special to me.  She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”

2. Marty Schottenheimer

Former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer died Monday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease

3. Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond, who entertained Saved By The Bell fans for years as Samuel “Screech” Powers has passed away, according to TMZ. He was 44.

The actor was battling stage 4 lung cancer and his condition had turned grave over the past week. He had recently completed his first round of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer in January. Sadly, cancer had begun to spread to his lungs and as hospital officials began to prepare Diamond for hospice care, he sadly passed away on Monday (February 1).

4. Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson, the Emmy and Tony-winning actress who set a standard for grace among Black actresses through her near seven-decade career, has passed away. Her manager, Larry Thompson confirmed to Variety the legendary actress passed on Thursday (January 28). She was 96.

5. Cloris Leachman Has Died At 94 Years Old

Actress and comedian Cloris Leachman died of natural causes Tuesday at her home in Encinitas, California, with her daughter Dinah, by her side, her son has told TMZ.

6. Sekou Smith

Beloved NBA analyst Sekou Smith has reportedly died of complications from COVID-19. He was just 48.

7. Larry King

Larry King, award-winning journalist and television host has passed away. Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger, his’s broadcasting career spanned six decades, starting as a radio announcer at a Miami radio station in 1957. In 1985, King moved to the news network CNN to host “Larry King Live,” interviewing residents, celebrities, and iconic public figures for 25 years, ending in 2010. CNN would say that King did over 30,000 interviews throughout his legendary career.

8. Hank Aaron

Baseball has its icons and its legends. There’s the Babe, there’s Willie but there’s only one “Hammerin” Hank.

Hank Aaron, a civil rights legend and the home run king of baseball, passed away on Friday (January 22) peacefully in his sleep, his daughter confirmed. He was 86.

9. Duke Bootee

Edward G. Fletcher, known as Duke Bootee has died. Duke was best known from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message.”

10. Magician Siegfried Fischbacher died

The “Siegfried & Roy” magician Siegfried Fischbacher is dead. The Rosenheim native died on Jan. 13, 2021, at the age of 81, his sister confirmed to the German Press Agency on Jan. 14. 

11. Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda

Former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda passed away on January 7th, 2021 at 93. 

12. Tanya Roberts

“That 70’s Show” actress Tanya Roberts died Jan. 3rd, 2021

13. Football Hall of Fame Running Back Floyd Little

Hall of Famer Floyd Little died of cancer at 78

14. Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal

Paul Westphal, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, dies at age 70 from Brain Cancer