As we all prepare to say hello to the new year, let's take a moment to remember the stars we had to say goodbye to in 2024.
Like Toby Keith, who died at the age of 62 on Feb. 5 after his battle with stomach cancer. Following the country music star’s passing, several artists paid tribute on social media—including Blake Shelton, who called him a "friend, a hero and an inspiration," as well as Carrie Underwood, who noted, "a true-blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!"
Five months later, on July 13, Shannen Doherty also lost her life to cancer at age 53. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star was honored by her castmates, including Jennie Garth, who described her in a post as "courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous," and Brian Austin Green, who called Doherty his “sister.”
"You loved me through everything," he wrote on Instagram. "You were a big part of my understanding of love. I'll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you."
In September, Hollywood lost more legends. James Earl Jones died at the age of 93 on Sept. 9. Reflecting on the EGOT winner’s work—which included providing the voice for Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King—Mark Hamill noted he was "one of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable." Less than three weeks later, on Sept. 27, Dame Maggie Smith passed away at age 89.
Among the celebrities to pay tribute to the actress were her Downton Abbey castmate Michelle Dockery—who expressed how "there was no one quite like Maggie" and praised her as a "maverick”—and Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe.
“She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny,” he wrote in part of a message at the time. “I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her.”
Just weeks later, fans were shocked to learn of the death of Liam Payne, who fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Argentina on Oct. 16 and died of “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage,” his autopsy revealed. The One Direction alum was 31 years old.
His bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan expressed their heartbreak.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Harry wrote in part of an Instagram tribute. “Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. Those years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."
In honor of their memory, read about more stars fans lost this year.
Dora Moono Nyambe
The humanitarian, who rose to fame on TikTok raising funds to her school in rural Zambia died suddenly on Christmas Day. She was 32.
Jimmy Carter
The former U.S. President and Nobel Prize laureate died Dec. 29, less than three months after his 100th birthday.
Sophie Hediger
The Swiss snowboarder, who competed at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, died in an avalanche in Arosa, Switzerland on Dec. 23, the sports federation Swiss-Ski confirmed. She was 26 years old.
"We are stunned and our thoughts are with Sophie's family, to whom we express our deepest condolences," the organization’s CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement shared to its website, later adding, "For the Swiss Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie Hediger has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays. We are immeasurably sad. We will keep an honorable memory of Sophie."
Diane Delano
David Murphey
The 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days star passed away at his home in Nevada on Dec. 11 after "experiencing health issues over the last several years," his family confirmed on Instagram. He was 66 years old.
"David was a veteran, small business owner, and software engineer," his loved ones continued. "He had recently retired from the Clark County Treasurer’s office in Nevada, having also worked for H&R Block and IGT. He was also well known for his time as a cast member on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. His time on the show allowed him to connect with viewers, see the world, and share his experiences with his thousands of followers on Instagram. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans."
Dominique Brown
The Disney influencer died at age 34 after suffering a medical emergency at a holiday event pop culture merchandise retailer BoxLunch hosted in Los Angeles Dec. 5.
Mark Withers
The actor, best known for roles on TV shows such as Dynasty and Stranger Things, died at age 77 after battling pancreatic cancer, his daughter told Variety Dec. 6.
Bob Bryar
The former My Chemical Romance drummer died in November at age 44.
"It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance," the band wrote on Instagram Dec. 2. "We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace."
Chuck Woolery
The inaugural host of Wheel of Fortune, also known for hosting the dating show Love Connection, died at age 83 on Nov. 23. 2024.
Paul Teal
The One Tree Hill alum died on Nov. 15 at the age of 35, seven months after a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, his partner Emilia Torello confirmed to TMZ.
Tony Todd
The horror film icon, best known for starring in the Candyman and Final Destination franchises, died Nov. 6 at age 69.
Quincy Jones
The Grammy-Winning music producer passed away at 91 on Nov. 3, according to a statement from his family. "Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones' passing," the message read. "And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him."
Alan Rachins
The L.A. Law and Dharma & Greg alum died Nov. 2 at age 82.
Teri Garr
The Tootsite acrtess passed away on Oct. 29 at 79 after a more than two-decade long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), her manager, Marc Gurvitz, confirmed to CNN.
Holden Trent
The Philadelphia Union goalkeeper died at age 25 on Oct. 26.
David Harris
The Warriors actor passed away on Oct. 26 at the age of 75 after suffering from cancer, according to The New York Times.
Phil Lesh
The Grateful Dead co-founder and bassist passed away in October at 84 "surrounded by his family and full of love,' according to his official Instagram. "Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love," the announcement continued. "We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time."
Michael Newman
The Baywatch star, who was best known for playing the character of Newmie on the long-running series, died Oct. 22 from heart complications at the age of 68.
Sarah Danser
The Naked and Afraid alum died on Oct. 22 at 34, two days after being involved a car accident, according to a local Hawaii news station.
Michael Kelcourse
The beloved Bravo butler, who appeared on Southern Charm for years as Patricia Altschul's right-hand man, passed away at 71 after complications from a spinal cord injury and stroke.
Mitzi Gaynor
The Hollywood actress died from natural causes at 93 on Oct. 17, her representatives announced. Gaynor was known for her roles in classic films like 1958's South Pacific, and 1952's We're Not Married!
Liam Payne
The former One Direction member died Oct. 16 after falling three stories from a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to local authorities.
George Baldock
The Panathinaikos defender was found dead in his south Athens, Greece home Oct. 9. He was 31.
Christopher Ciccone
Madonna's brother died Oct. 4 at age 63 after a cancer battle.
Taylor Rousseau Grigg
The TikToker's husband Cameron Grigg said on Instagram Oct. 5 that his wife, 25, had passed away, adding that her "earthly body is still here with us being ran by machines to keep her organs viable for donation."
Ken Page
The Broadway star and voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas died "peacefully" in his St. Louis home, a rep for the actor confirmed Oct. 1. He was 70.
Maggie Smith
The Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star died at the age of 89, her family confirmed on Sept. 27.
Dikembe Mutombo
The former NBA star died at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer.
Gavin Creel
The Tony Award winning actor died from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, on Sept. 30. He was 48.
Kris Kristofferson
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and A Star Is Born actor died at age 88 on Sept. 28.