Celebs Who Died In 2024

This article includes mentions of mental health, addiction, and suicide.

Though an overall entertaining year for many pop culture lovers, 2023 also came with the loss of some of our favorite stars. In January, only a few days after ushering in the new year, the world said goodbye to Lisa Marie Presley, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest, per CNN. Sadly, as the year went by, more tragedy swept through the industry, taking along, many of our beloved celebrities including Angus Cloud, Lance Reddick, and of course, our favorite friend, Matthew Perry. Unfortunately, 2024 looks to be no different.

With the new year came new dreams, hopes, and aspirations, and while 2024 might have marked the beginning of a new thing, it also, quite sadly, has ushered in the end of some heartbreaking news. On January 6, TMZ reported that "Caddyshack" star Cindy Morgan was found dead in her home on December 30, 2023. According to People, Morgan's roommate called the police after perceiving a strange smell from the actor's room. 

 To honor them and their numerous incredible strides, here's a list of celebrities who have died in 2024.

What's worse than a tragedy? A triple tragedy. On January 4, German actor Christian Oliver and his two daughters Madita Klepser and Annik Klepser, aged 12 and 10 respectively, were killed in a plane crash near a Caribbean island. Robert Sachs, pilot and owner of the airplane was also killed in the crash, per Deadline. According to The Guardian, authorities reported that the airplane took off from Bequia, an island in the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and was set to land in St. Lucia before it sadly crashed into the Caribbean Sea.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Jessica Klesper, Oliver's ex-wife, described Madita as "a vibrant 7th-grade student" who lit up a room with her lively spirit. Annik, on the other hand, is said to have been a 4th-grader with a "gentle yet strong demeanor." In her tribute, Jessica also said that Oliver's tragic death "will be deeply felt by all who knew him." Per his IMDb, the German actor enjoyed a years-long career during which he appeared in movies like "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" as well as 2013's "House of Good and Evil." Additionally, Oliver is best known for his role as Jan Ritcher in the 2003 German show, "Alarm für Cobra 11."

On January 8, actor Adan Canto died of appendiceal cancer at the age of 42, his publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed in a statement to USA Today. "Adan had a depth of spirit that few truly knew. Those who glimpsed it were changed forever. ... He will be greatly missed by so many," Allen wrote. In the wake of his death, Canto's death has been mourned by many of his friends and industry colleagues. "I don't have the words just yet... but my dear sweet friend Adan just gained his wings. Forever, forever in my heart," Halle Berry who starred alongside Canto in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," wrote on Instagram. Maggie Q, who stared alongside Canto in the hit political thriller series "Designated Survivor," remembered the late actor for his unwavering "kindness and warmth and generosity of spirit."

Though he made his acting debut in the 2009 Mexican series "Estado de Gracia," it was not until Kevin Williamson's 2013 television show "The Following" that Canto made his first appearance in an American production. In addition to "Designated Survivor," and "X-Men," Canto also appeared in "Narcos," playing the role of Colombian politician Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, per IMDb. His most recent roles include Arman Morales in "The Cleaning Lady" and Kavinsky in "Agent Game."

Alec Musser, best known for his role on "All My Children," died on January 12 at the age of 50. "RIP to the love of my life. @alecmusser I will never stop loving you. My heart is broken," read an Instagram post by Musser's fiancee, Paige Press, with magazine cutouts of Musser (via The Hollywood Reporter). Musser's uncle also confirmed the tragic news to TMZ, but shared no cause of death at the time. 

Between 2005 and 2007, Musser appeared in "All My Children," playing the role of Del Henry in 43 episodes. Outside of the long-running show, Musser also had credits in shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "Rita Rocks," as well as the 2010 comedy drama "Grown Ups," where he starred alongside Adam Sandler, per IMDb. Beyond acting, Musser also made a name for himself in modeling, working with brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Target and a few major magazines, including GQ and Men's Health.

Following news of Musser's death, his former co-star Adam Sandler took to social media with a touching tribute to the late actor. "I loved this guy. Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man. Thinking of Alec Musser and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person," Sandler wrote on Instagram. 

Amalija Knavs, the Slovenian-born mother of Melania Trump, died at 78 years old on January 9. The former first lady took to X to make the announcement. "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," she wrote at the time.

During Donald Trump's presidency, Melania's mother was a central figure for the family. Not only did she visit the White House often, but she lived at Trump Tower with her daughter and grandson Barron Trump before they moved into the White House. On January 18, Melania delivered a touching seven-minute eulogy at her mother's funeral, and discussed how helpful Knavs had been to the Trump family. "She celebrated our successes and provided unwavering support during chaotic times," Melania said. "And for that, I am entirely grateful. Rest in peace, my beloved mommy."

A few days before her funeral, Donald spoke kindly of his deceased mother-in-law while addressing a crowd after winning the Iowa caucuses on January 15. "She was amazing," the former president said while also crediting Melania's mother for his son's famously tall stature. "Boy, did she take care of Barron. That's how he got so tall. He only ate her food," Donald jokingly shared, per Fox News. 

Thanks to her involvement with the family, Barron developed a close relationship with his grandmother. "There have been times when Barron has been with his grandparents more than with Melania, and a lot more than with Donald," a source told People on January 9.

Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King, died on January 20 from prostate cancer. His death was announced in a statement from the King Center, an organization that promotes and protects the King family legacy, two days after his death. Dexter's wife, Leah Weber King, shared words about his passing. "He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu," Leah said in the statement. "As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might."

Dexter was both the chairman of the King Center, and president of the King Estate. "He devoted his life to the continued perpetuation of his father's legacy and the protection of the intellectual property his father left behind," the organization's statement read.

Once the news of Dexter's death was announced, Reverend Al Sharpton was among those to pay tribute online. Meanwhile, Dexter's brother, Martin Luther King III, shared how jarring it was to learn of his sibling's death. "The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this," he wrote on X that same day.

Of course, the King family were no strangers to struggle and tragedy. During a joint interview with his siblings, Dexter spoke about learning of his father's death when he was only 7 years old. "Even to this day, when I see a breaking news flash I have PTSD," he told CBS in 2018.

Carl Weathers died "peacefully in his sleep" on February 1. The "Rocky" actor was 76 years old. "Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations," his family announced in a statement.

Weathers was a successful athlete, playing pro football for the Oakland Raiders as a linebacker before trying his hand to acting. Weathers tackled a broad range of roles during his screen career. His most famous role was that of Apollo Creed, the heavyweight boxer who went head to head against Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa in the iconic 1976 flick and again in the 1979 sequel. Weathers' character became Balboa's trainer in the third and fourth installments of the "Rocky" franchise.

Weathers almost didn't get the role after insulting Stallone during his audition. "There was nobody to read with, and they said you're going to read with the writer [Stallone]," Weathers told The Hollywood Reporter in December 2015. "We read through the scene, and at the end of it, I didn't feel like it had really sailed, that the scene had sailed, and they were quiet, and there was this moment of awkwardness, I felt, anyway. So I just blurted out, 'I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with.'"

Garrison Brown, son of "Sister Wives" star Janelle and Kody Brown, tragically passed away at the age of 25. On March 5, 2024, authorities were rushed to Garrison's home, where he was pronounced dead on the scene, per TMZ. Officials report that Garrison suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and with no foul play suspected, officials are looking at his death as an apparent suicide. However, his cause of death is yet to be confirmed. 

Shortly after the sad news was revealed, Janelle put her and Kody's tension behind to pay tribute to her late son on social media. Posting two photos of Garrison, she wrote, "Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown. He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him," she continued, "His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory." The family also posted on Garrison's social media revealing his passing and again asking for privacy. 

"Sister Wives" fans grew familiar with Garrison as he would appear on the TLC show now and then. He tend to live a more private life than his famed parents, and according to Fandom, after graduating from Nevada's Army National Guard basic training in 2016, he went on to attend the College of Southern Nevada. 

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Barbara Rush, an iconic figure of 1950s cinema, celebrated for her roles in dramas like "Magnificent Obsession" and "The Young Philadelphians," as well as her appearances in the soap operas "Peyton Place" and "All My Children," died on March 31 at the age of 97. "My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition," her daughter, news reporter Claudia Cowan, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "It's fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family."

On Instagram, Cowan referred to her mother as "among the last of Old Hollywood Royalty," a nod to her ascent to fame during Hollywood's golden age. During this time, Rush was under contract with major studios such as Paramount, Universal, and 20th Century Fox and shared the screen with some of the industry's most sought-after leading men, including Paul Newman, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, and Rock Hudson. She also dabbled in some theater work, starring in "Forty Carats" and Broadway's "A Woman of Independent Means."

Despite never clinching an Oscar or an Emmy, Rush's love for her craft never faltered. "I was just realistic," she told Danny Miller in an interview (via Films of the Fifties). "I loved to work, I enjoyed being there, and I would have happily done anything they asked me to, I never refused a role." She is survived by Cowan, her son Christopher Hunter, and four grandchildren.