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In Memoriam: Remembering the TV stars we lost in 2021
We said goodbye to favorites from The Rifleman, The Love Boat, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and more.
As we reach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the beloved television talents that passed away in 2021.
Over the past 12 months, we have had to say goodbye to Emmy legends, Mayberry loves, beloved captains, barrier breakers, former child stars, and more. Thankfully, their wonderful work lives on.
Here are some of the losses that hit the TV industry in 2021. Visit our remembrances page to read more obituaries.
Images: The Everett Collection
Betty White, the TV legend whose career spanned eight decades
Ed Asner, TV legend, star of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant
He held the record for the most Emmy awards of any male performer and shaped Chicago's improv scene. He was 91.
Cloris Leachman, Phyllis from Mary Tyler Moore and most awarded actress in Emmy history
Johnny Crawford, Mark McCain on The Rifleman and original Mouseketeer
Gavin MacLeod of The Love Boat and The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Before becoming Stubing and Slaughter, he made memorable appearances in Mayberry. He was 90.
Michael Nesmith of the Monkees
Betty Lynn, who played Barney Fife's love Thelma Lou
She toured Asia during USO shows, became fast friends with Bette Davis, and retired to the real-life Mayberry.
Cicely Tyson, a pioneering TV icon who garnered countless awards
Markie Post, a 1980s television icon from Night Court and The Fall Guy
Peter Scolari, star of Bosom Buddies and Newhart
Hal Holbrook, the Mark Twain impersonator who replaced Perry Mason
Jessica Walter, the 'Arrested Development' star with six decades of TV credits
George Segal, Oscar-nominated comedy legend of TV and film
Arlene Golonka, love interest to both Howard and Sam in Mayberry
Richard Gilliland, actor on 'Designing Women' and 'The Waltons'
He played Mary Ellen Walton's second husband and married his 'Designing Women' costar in real life.
Dustin Diamond, who became a Nineties icon as Screech in Saved by the Bell
Christopher Plummer, legendary screen star in The Thorn Birds and The Moneychangers miniseries
Frank Bonner, the colorful Herb Tarlek of WKRP in Cincinnati
Dean Stockwell, star of 'Quantum Leap' who began his career as a child star
Clarence Williams III, the hip undercover detective Linc on The Mod Squad
Norman Lloyd, 106-year-old television star and entertainment icon
Charles Grodin, beloved comedy star of TV and film
Joanne Linville, who had memorable roles in Star Trek and The Twilight Zone
Billie Hayes, the wicked witch known as Witchiepoo from H.R. Pufnstuf
Felix Silla, Cousin Itt of The Addams Family and Twiki on Buck Rogers
Henry Darrow, star of 'The High Chaparral'
James Hampton, F Troop bugler and Michael J. Fox's dad in Teen Wolf
Gloria Henry, the mom on Dennis the Menace
Robert Hogan, the namesake of the Col. Hogan character on Hogan's Heroes
Bruce Kirby, who played a sergeant on both Columbo and M*A*S*H
Amy Johnston, Vinnie Barbarino's love on Welcome Back, Kotter
Erin O'Brien, who played Andy Griffith's gal and the title character in the '77 Sunset Strip' pilot
Lee Aaker, child star who played Rusty in 'The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin'
John Reilly, soap opera star who got his start in Westerns with James Arness
Gregory Sierra, actor in everything from Gunsmoke to Barney Miller
Norm MacDonald, SNL Weekend Update anchor
He was a favorite late-night guest and played a washed-up hockey player in his own sitcom Norm.
Gavan O'Herlihy, Richie's older brother, Chuck, in Happy Days
He reunited with Ron Howard years later for the movie Willow and played the memorable gang leader in Death Wish 3.
Jerry Douglas, who starred on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for over three decades
Eddie Mekka, Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa from Laverne & Shirley
He also appeared in a scene-stealing dance number with Madonna in "A League of Their Own". He was 69 years old.
Peter Mark Richman, prolific TV and film actor in everything from The Twilight Zone to Three’s Company
Chuck Hicks, robot boxer in The Twilight Zone and frequent Clint Eastwood collaborator
Linda Carlson of Newhart, Kaz and Westside Medical
She worked with Leonard Nimoy on Broadway and played Pearl Bodine of the Beverly Hillbillies on the big screen. She was 76.
Kim Tyler, former child star of 'Please Don't Eat the Daisies' and 'The Andy Griffith Show'
Richard Lee-Sung, a M*A*S*H actor who actually served in the Korean War
Mark Wilson, magician host of Sixties Saturday morning series The Magic Land of Allakazam
Bridget Hanley, the sweet Candy Pruitt from Here Come the Brides
Cynthia Harris, who wooed King Edward in ‘Edward and Mrs. Simpson’ and played Sylvia in ‘Mad About You’
She also appeared on the big screen with Barbra Streisand and had guest roles on Kojak, Three’s Company and The Bob Newhart Show.
Tommy Kirk, star of Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, and the Hardy Boys of The Mickey Mouse Club
He was named a Disney Legend for his work in The Absent-Minded Professor, Swiss Family Robinson, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones and more.
Jean Hale, the Mad Hatter's moll on Batman who married Dabney Coleman
Al Harrington, the Honolulu local who became a big part of Hawaii Five-O
Tim Donnelly, funny fireman Chet Kelly on Emergency!
Jane Powell, star of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and many other Golden Age musicals
Don Collier, a real rancher who landed starring roles on The High Chaparral and Outlaws
Art Metrano, comedian and Police Academy star
He won Johnny Carson over with his simple but hilarious “magic” act and appeared in Joanie Loves Chachi as Uncle Rico.
Michael Constantine, star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding who appeared all over classic television
He played Principal Kaufman in Room 222 and guest starred in Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, Hogan’s Heroes and The Dick Van Dyke Show – just to name a few.
Michael Nader, the dashing Dex Dexter of Dynasty and Siddo on Gidget
Patricia Hitchcock, daughter of Alfred Hitchcock who appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alex Cord, who played the CIA boss on Eighties action favorite Airwolf
The rugged TV actor met his wife on Night Gallery and was lifelong friends with Robert Fuller. He was 88.
Jackie Mason, the comedian who famously feuded with Ed Sullivan
Charlie Robinson, who played Mac on Night Court
He was the lovable court clerk in cardigan sweaters, though not the first clerk on the sitcom.
Richard Donner, Superman and The Goonies director who got his start in 1960s television
He directed episodes of The Rifleman, Perry Mason, Gilligan’s Island and The Twilight Zone.
William Smith, muscleman actor of Laredo and Hawaii Five-O
Jane Withers, Golden Age child actor and beloved star of 1960s commercials
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123 Comments
R.I.P. Sayaka Kanda (1986-2021)
Mary Wilson (March 6, 1944-February 8, 2021) and Florence Ballard (June 30, 1943-February 22, 1976)
I've written about Wanda Young and the Marvelettes in other forums.
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It started with Kurt Douglas 103 Feb. 5th 2020
Then Olivia De Havilland 104 July 26th 2020
Then to top them both was Norman Lloyd 106 just this year May 11, 2021
I remember Kurt Douglas playing in so many block buster movies. He seemed to put his all into it. Anne Douglas his wife also made it into the 100+ years (102) before she passed in Feb. this year.
Sad to see these fine actors passing R.I.P ALL