Star Scope: Starts who passed away in 2023: Part 5

Michael Gambon

Beloved Harry Potter actor Michael Gambon died Sept. 28 after a bout with pneumonia at 82. Decades before taking over the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the fantasy film series from the late Richard Harris, the Irish-English performer got his start as a respected theatrical performer under the direction of Laurence Olivier, going on to win several Olivier Awards for his work on stage. His subsequent TV and film appearances resulted in four BAFTA Awards, two SAG Awards, and two Emmy nominations.

David McCallum

David McCallum, the Scottish actor best known for his role on NCIS, died of natural causes at age 90 on Sept. 25. McCallum's breakout role was on the espionage series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., in which he played the Russian secret agent Illya Kuryakin, the partner of Robert Vaughn's American Napoleon Solo. McCallum went on to appear in films such as The Great Escape, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Freud, and A Night to Remember. He appeared in episodes of numerous popular TV shows, including Sex and the City, Law & Order, and The Outer Limits. The actor's biggest role in his later years came in NCIS, in which he played the cast's beloved father figure Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard. McCallum appeared in 457 episodes of the series, which has run for 20 seasons to date. McCallum is survived by his wife of 56 years, Katherine, as well as his four children and his eight grandchildren.

Nashawn Breedlove

Nashawn Breedlove, the actor and rapper best known for his performance in 2002's 8 Mile, died on Sept. 24 at age 46. His cause of death is unknown. Breedlove played a rapper named Lotto in 8 Mile, a member of Detroit rap group the Free World, who battles Eminem's Jimmy at the climax of the film. Lotto famously insults Jimmy by comparing him to "that dude from Leave It to Beaver" during his freestyle. Jimmy ultimately defeats Lotto before moving on to face Papa Doc, played by Anthony Mackie. Under his stage name Ox, Breedlove also appeared on the soundtrack of the 2001 film The Wash, starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, performing on the song "Don't Talk S---." TMZ reported that Breedlove died in his sleep at his home in New Jersey. The actor's mother Patricia A. Breedlove paid tribute to him in a Facebook post.

Terry Kirkman

Terry Kirkman, a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the '60s folk-rock band the Association, died on Sept. 23 at 83. The band quickly found success with its first album, And Then... Along Comes the Association. It featured their classic songs, "Along Comes Mary" and "Cherish," for which the band would earn three Grammy Award nominations. The band, inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, was the first to perform at the legendary Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967, opening the weekend's performances. Kirkman left The Association after seven albums in 1972. He rejoined in 1979 for a five-year run before leaving music entirely. He spent time as an addictions counselor and as the clinical director of the Musicians Assistance Program, which became MusiCares, per Pitchfork.

Nic Kerdiles

Nic Kerdiles, the ex-fiancé of Chrisley Knows Best star Savannah Chrisley, died Sept. 23 after a motorcycle accident in Nashville, local news outlet WRKN News 2 reported. He was 29. Kerdiles, who was previously engaged to Chrisley from 2018 until 2020, appeared on several episodes of her family's reality series Chrisley Knows Best as well as its spinoff, Growing Up Chrisley. He was also a professional hockey star, playing for the Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets from 2014 until 2018.

Roger Whittaker

Roger Whittaker, a folk singer known for his hits "Durham Town" and "The Last Farewell," as well as his proficient whistling capabilities, died at 87. Born in Nairobi, Kenya to English parents in 1936, he first began singing and penning songs in Welsh folk clubs while studying at the University of Bangor. Since then, Whittaker went on to sell nearly 50 million records worldwide. Some of his other greatest hits include "New World in the Morning" and his 1982 take on "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Irish Grinstead

Irish Grinstead, a member of the R&B girl group 702, died on Sep. 16, according to an Instagram statement from her sister, Lemisha. Irish was 43. A cause of death was not disclosed but her sister cited a "long battle," and the singer previously announced a break from performing due to "serious medical issues." Her death comes 15 years after that of her twin sister, Orish Grinstead, who was part of the group's original lineup before passing away from kidney failure in 2008. The Las Vegas–raised Grinstead sisters, who named their girl group after their hometown area code, rose to fame in the late '90s. They are best known for their 1999 single "Where My Girls At?," which was produced and co-written by Missy Elliott and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group released three albums before disbanding in the mid-2000s, but reunited in 2017 for live performances and a slot on the reality show BET Presents: The Encore.

Billy Miller

Billy Miller, the soap opera star best known for The Young and the Restless and General Hospital died at 43. No cause of death was provided, but the actor was struggling with manic depression when he died. Born on Sept. 17, 1979, in Tulsa, Okla., Miller landed his first big role on All My Children in 2007, but rose to fame for the role of spoiled rich boy Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless. Miller was lauded by critics and audiences, eventually taking home three Daytime Emmys for his performance as the character. After leaving the show in 2014, Miller later returned to daytime television on General Hospital, as both Jason Morgan and his twin brother, Andrew Cain. His other notable credits include recurring stints on Ringer, Suits, Ray Donovan, and Truth Be Told. He also appeared alongside Bradley Cooper in the Clint Eastwood drama American Sniper, and owned several Los Angeles restaurants and bars for many years.

Michael McGrath

Michael McGrath, the Tony award-winning actor best known for originating the role of Patsy in Spamalot on Broadway, died at 65 on Sept. 14. A native of Worchester, Mass., McGrath made his Broadway debut in 1992 as part of the ensemble in the hit musical My Favorite Year. He would go on to star in more than a dozen different Broadway productions over the course of his 30-year stage career, including The Goodbye Girl, Wonderful Town, Memphis, Tootsie, Plaza Suite, and Nice Work If You Can Get It, which earned McGrath a Tony award in 2012. In addition to his stage career, McGrath's film credits include 2002's Changing Lanes, 2005's The Interpreter, and 2009's The Secret of the Kells.

Charlie Robison

Charlie Robison, the country singer-songwriter best known for the top-40 hit "I Want You Bad," died Sept. 10 from cardiac arrest and complications that followed. He was 59. Robison began his career in the 1980s playing with Austin-based bands like Two Hoots and a Holler until he started his own group, Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he went solo with the album Texas Hill Country. Just two years later, he signed with Sony's country-focused Lucky Dog imprint. In 2001, "I Want You Bad," off the album Step Right Up, gave Robison his biggest hit. He also spent a year serving as a judge on the USA reality show Nashville Star. In 2018, Robison revealed that a surgical procedure on his throat left him unable to sing. He retired from touring and recording.

Gary Wright

Gary Wright, a musician best known for his hit songs "Love Is Alive" and "Dream Weaver," died Sept. 4 at 80. Wright, who was also credited as a critical force in establishing the use of synth in rock and pop music, released his breakthrough album The Dream Weaver in 1975 after previously performing as a member of rock band Spooky Tooth as well as a solo artist. He also played keys as part of George Harrison's 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Between 1970 and 2010, Wright released 12 albums, as well as several collaborations, an EP, and work on various soundtracks. More recently, Wright also released a greatest hits compilation in 2017.

Steve Harwell

Steve Harwell, founding member and former frontman of Smash Mouth, died Sept. 4 at the 56. A former rapper with the group F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech), Harwell formed Smash Mouth in San Jose in 1994 with Kevin Coleman, Greg Camp, and Paul De Lisle. The band was best known for the hits "Walkin' on the Sun," "All Star," and a cover of The Monkees' "I'm a Believer." Though Smash Mouth's popularity waned as the new millennium wore on, Smash Mouth continued to record and perform. In 2013, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which led to medical setbacks including heart failure and acute Wernicke Encephalopathy. In 2021, Harwell retired from performing altogether, citing ongoing health issues.

Marcia DeRousse

Marcia de Rousse, the actress best known for her role on HBO's True Blood, died at 70 after a long illness on Sept. 2. After her first screen credit in 1981's Under the Rainbow, de Rousse went on to appear in numerous television shows over the next two decades, including episodes of St. Elsewhere and The Fall Guy. She later appeared in the 2003 dramedy Tiptoes, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Beckinsale. On True Blood, de Rousse played Dr. Ludwig, a physician specializing in care for supernatural creatures. In her final film role, she reunited with Beckinsale in 2016's The Disappointments Room.

Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter behind the escapist classic "Margaritaville," died Sept. 1 at 76. His death was announced in a statement on his website. Though it did not specify a cause of death or where he died, Buffett had rescheduled a series of concerts this past spring, saying that he had been hospitalized. Buffett achieved international fame in 1977 with his breakthrough hit, "Margaritaville," which has become a vacation anthem. He went on to transform the track into a business empire, launching several stores, a collection of hotels, the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, and T-shirt and footwear lines. His beach-friendly musical style was partly inspired by a trip he took to Key West, Fla., with fellow musician Jerry Jeff Walker in 1971. Buffett began touring in the early years of his career and continued to do so until his death.

Gayle Hunnicutt

Gayle Hunnicutt, the actress best known for her turn as Vanessa Beaumont on Dallas, died on Aug. 31 at 80. Born in Forth Worth, Tex., Hunnicutt appeared in the final three seasons of the hit series as the mother of J.R. Ewing's illegitimate son. Her career began, however, more than two decades earlier with appearances on Mister Roberts, Get Smart, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Hey, Landlord. She moved to the U.K. after marrying British actor David Hemmings and made her mark in film and TV abroad, appearing in horror films like Fragment of Fear, Voices, and The Legend of Hell House. Prior to joining Dallas, she also made appearances on iconic '80s shows like The Love Boat, Taxi, Fantasy Island, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Jack Sonni

Jack Sonni, the musician and writer endearingly and best known as "the other guitarist" in Dire Straits (besides the Knopfler brothers), died Aug. 30 at 68. He joined the band to help with their 1985 album Brothers in Arms, which became their most successful record, and performed on their subsequent tour. Sonni nominally retired from music in 1988 when his twin daughters were born, and pursued other interests like writing — but in later years performed alongside other former members of Dire Straits as part of the group Dire Straits Legacy.

Robert Klane

Robert Klane, a screenwriter known for penning the films Weekend at Bernie's and Where's Poppa, died Aug. 29 at 81. Klane, who also served as executive producer on those films in addition to several others, wrote the screenplay for Unfaithfully Yours, The Man With One Red Shoe, Walk Like a Man, Folks!, Weekend at Bernie's II, and National Lampoon's European Vacation. Born Oct. 17, 1941 in Port Jefferson, Long Island, Klane was a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to producing and screenwriting, he also directed Thank God It's Friday, an episode of the TV series Baby Boom, Weekend at Bernie's II, and the TV movie Odd Couple: Together Again. Klane also wrote several novels.

Jamie Christopher

Jamie Christopher, an assistant director who worked on the Harry Potter and Marvel series along with numerous other beloved films, died on Aug. 29 at age 52 from heart complications. Christopher worked on all eight Harry Potter movies and six films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Widow, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and this year's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Other prominent credits as an assistant director or second unit director include Alien 3, Goldeneye, The Fifth Element, The Mummy, The Da Vinci Code, The Bourne Ultimatum, Justice League, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Knives Out. Harry Potter star Tom Felton and directors Rian Johnson and James Gunn shared tributes to Christopher on their social media pages. "Jamie Christopher was one of the faces I most looked forward to seeing every day on the Harry Potter films," Felton wrote. "He always kept spirits high on set, was incredibly cheeky & a brilliant Assistant Director."

Faye Fantarrow

Faye Fantarrow, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from the U.K., died at age 21 on Aug. 26 after a battle with a rare Glioma brain tumor. Fantarrow had previously survived leukemia twice. The singer released her debut EP AWOL earlier this year with help from mentor and producer Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Fantarrow's mother announced the news on Twitter. Fantarrow had been named One To Watch by BBC Introducing, and also won Alan Hull's annual Songwriting Award in 2021. The singer's publicists said that Fantarrow had raised funds to receive experimental treatment in California, but was only able to undergo one round before becoming too unwell to travel back to the United States. The leftover funds were donated to charity for medical research.

Bob Barker

Bob Barker, who was the affable host of The Price Is Right for 35 years, died on Aug. 26 at the age of 99. Barker was a steadfast presence on television for decades, hosting the longest-running game show in U.S. history and serving as the longest-tenured game show host. Barker began his showbiz career in radio before TV beckoned in 1956, when he was asked to host Truth or Consequences, a gig he would hold for 18 years. In 1972, CBS tasked Barker with spearheading one of the programs in its new 90-minute block of daytime game shows. The Price Is Right became an overnight hit, generating a 32 share in households — nearly a third of American televisions would be tuned to it when it aired. Barker stunned his legion of fans by announcing that June 7, 2007, would mark his last episode of Price. Before his retirement at the age of 83, Price devotees continued to wait for hours outside CBS Television City in Los Angeles just to hear Barker utter the phrase "And the actual retail price is..." years after the show hit primetime.

Arleen Sorkin

Arleen Sorkin, the actress best known for originating the role of Harley Quinn in the animated DC Universe, died in Aug. 24 at 67. Her breakthrough performance as Calliope Jones Bradford on Days of Our Lives earned her two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress and lay the ground for her next career milestone. Upon seeing an episode of the soap opera in which she dressed as a jester, Batman: The Animated Series co-creator Paul Dini reached out to Sorkin, an old college friend, asking her to join the series as a wise-cracking henchwomen for the Joker. This marked the first appearance of Harley Quinn, who was meant to appear in just one episode, but was such a hit that Sorkin returned for eight more episodes before reprising the role in video games, movies, and several more animated series. Harley Quinn has since become an internationally recognizable character who has been played by Margot Robbie, Kaley Cuoco, and Tara Strong. Dini credits Sorkin with giving Harley her bubbly personality, Jewish identity, and Brooklyn accent. Sorkin's other TV credits include Duet, Open House, Frasier, and a brief stint hosting America's Funniest Home Videos.

Bernie Marsden

Bernie Marsden, the rock and blues guitarist who rose to fame with the metal band Whitesnake in the 1970s and '80s, died on Aug. 24 at 72. Marsden joined the newly formed rock group in 1978 and co-wrote several of their hits, including "Here I Go Again," "She's a Woman," and "Fool for Your Loving." After leaving Whitesnake in 1981, Marsden released several solo albums and formed the groups Alaska and MGM. The Buckingham, England, native was also a preeminent collector of guitars; his 2018 book, Tales of Tone and Volume, is a photographic ode to "one of the most unique and expansive private guitar collections in the world," according to Marsden's website. In his honor, Gibson Guitars released a limited-edition Gibson Les Paul solid-body electric guitar called "The Beast."

Bray Wyatt

Windham Rotunda, the third-generation WWE star better known by his ring name Bray Wyatt, died Aug. 24 at 36. Born into a wrestling family, he was the son of Mike Rotunda, the grandson of Blackjack Mulligan, the brother of Bo Dallas, and the nephew of Barry Windham and Kendall Windham. Over the course of his career, he won the WWE Championship, the WWE Universal Championship, the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship, and the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship.

Hersha Parady

Hersha Parady, best known for her role as schoolteacher Alice Garvey on Little House on the Prairie, died on Aug. 23 at age 78. Parady appeared in other shows and films, but none had the lasting impact of Alice. She first appeared on Little House's third season as a different character and then debuted as Alice in season four. She appeared in more than 30 episodes, up until her memorable final appearance, when Alice dies trying to rescue children from a burning schoolhouse accidentally set ablaze by Albert Ingalls. Parady also made appearances on Unsolved Mysteries, Second Noah, and a role as Principal Dimly on Keenan & Kel.

Terry Funk

Professional wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk died Aug. 23 at age 79. Funk's career spanned more than 50 years and he was hugely influential in the development of hardcore wrestling. Funk developed numerous rivalries during his career, most notably with Jerry Lawler and Ric Flair and was a mentor to Mick Foley. Like many pro wrestlers, Funk moonlighted in films and television shows, appearing in the Sylvester Stallone armwrestling drama Over the Top and the Patrick Swayze action thriller Road House, as well as episodes of Swamp Thing, Quantum Leap, and The Adventures of Brisco Country, Jr. Funk even had a brief career in music, releasing three albums of soft rock.

Elizabeth Hoffman

Elizabeth Hoffman, the actress best known for playing mom Beatrice Reed Ventnor on the NBC drama Sisters, died Aug. 21 at 97. Hoffman appeared on all six seasons of Sisters, playing the mother of Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember, and Julianne Phillips' characters. She also portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt in two Herman Wouk miniseries, The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. Hoffman's other screen credits included The River Wild, Dante's Peak, Stargate SG-1, Little House on the Prairie, The A-Team, L.A. Law, Born on the Fourth of July, Matlock, and Thirtysomething.

David Jacobs

David Jacobs, a writer and producer of iconic '80s soaps such as Dallas and Knots Landing, died Aug. 20 at 84. He was first credited as a writer on the 1977 TV series Kingston: Confidential. Jacobs went on to produce or write for numerous shows in the decades that followed, including Family, Kaz, Married: The First Year, The Lazarus Syndrome, Secrets of Midland Heights, Shannon, Chicago Story, Bodies of Evidence, and Four Corners. But his most well-known work came in creating Dallas, which followed the saga of the Ewing family and its massive oil empire and ran for 356 episodes, as well as its California-based spin-off Knots Landing, which ran for 344 episodes. Jacobs also co-created the shorter-lived series Paradise, which ran for 56 episodes.

Ron Cephas Jones

Ron Cephas Jones, the prolific stage and screen actor best known for his role as William Hill on the hit NBC family drama This Is Us, died Aug. 19 at 66. His work as William, the biological father of Sterling K. Brown's Randall Pearson, earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Emmys. On the stage, Jones garnered acclaim for his roles in Richard III, The Tempest, and Clyde's. On the screen, he appeared in shows like Luke Cage, Mr. Robot, Truth Be Told, and Law & Order: Organized Crime and films such as Across the Universe, Dolemite Is My Name, and Half Nelson. He is survived by his daughter, fellow actor Jasmine Cephas Jones.

Ray Hildebrand

Ray Hildebrand, one half of the pop duo Paul & Paula, died of dementia on Aug. 18 at 82. At the request of a friend in 1962, Hildebrand wrote a romantic ballad called "Hey Paula" and recorded it with fellow musician Jill Jackson. The song was named after the friend's girlfriend, but Hildebrand wrote it with his own former girlfriend, Judy Hendricks, in mind. It became a No. 1 hit in 1963, and Paul & Paula would record three albums that year. Hildebrand reunited with his muse, Hendricks, and they were together until her death in 1999. He and Jackson would also reunite as Paul & Paula to perform in oldies shows and other events.

Nancy Frangione

Nancy Frangione, the soap star best known for her roles as Cecile DePoulignac on Another World and Tara Martin on All My Children, died Aug. 18 at 70. Frangione made her soap debut as Tara on All My Children in 1977, starring as the character until 1979 before landing her most notable role as the scheming Cecile in Another World in 1980, which nabbed her Soap Opera Digest's Outstanding Villainess award. She would go on reprise the role several times between 1980 and 1995. Her other credits included shows The Nanny, Matlock, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Highway to Heaven, and TV movies Sharing Richard and In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing.

Rose Gregorio

Rose Gregorio, a Tony-nominated actress who worked mostly in film and television, died Aug. 17 from pneumonia at age 97. A Chicago native, Gregorio got her start in Chicago theater before making her first television appearance in 1961. She later made both her film and Broadway debuts in 1968. Though in the following decade she mostly focused on film and television roles (The Eyes of Laura Mars, The Bob Newhart Show) she returned to Broadway after an eight-year hiatus in 1977 to star in the original production of Michael Cristofer's The Shadow Box, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play.

Jerry Moss

Jerry Moss, a longtime music executive and co-founder of A&M Records, died Aug. 16 at 88. Alongside trumpeter Herb Alpert, Moss co-founded the record company — which famously signed acts such as Joe Cocker, Styx, Joe Jackson, Squeeze, Suzanne Vega, the Human League, Cat Stevens, Amy Grant, and Soundgarden — in 1962. Major albums released by A&M Records include Carole King's Tapestry, Jackson's Control, the Police's Synchronicity, Bryan Adams' Reckless, and Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive. Moss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Alpert in 2006.

Chris Peluso

Chris Peluso, a Broadway star known for starring roles in Mamma Mia and Wicked, died Aug. 15 at 40. Peluso first gained attention in the theater world as an understudy covering the Balladeer in the 2004 revival of Assassins, Louis and Nicolas in Elton John's Lestat, and three leading male roles in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. However, his most notable roles included playing Sky in Mamma Mia on Broadway and both starring as and serving as an understudy for Fiyero on the Wicked tours. He also starred in the Off Broadway production of The Glorious Ones. Peluso's talent extended overseas as well: He appeared in several London productions including Show Boat, Miss Saigon, The Woman in White, and Death Takes a Holiday, as well as the U.K. tour of Funny Girl.

Darren Kent

Darren Kent, the actor and director best known for his performance on Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 36. An Essex native, Kent got his start as an actor in the early aughts, landing roles in the horror film Mirrors and the Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Stewart-led fantasy film Snow White and the Huntsman before getting his big break in the season 4 finale of Game of Thrones. Kent, who had a rare skin condition, went on to star in several popular television shows, including EastEnders and the BBC adaptation of Les Misérables, as well as on the big screen in My Feral Heart, The Little Stranger, and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. He was also as involved behind the camera as he was in front of it — he wrote, directed, and produced several short films, including 2021's You Know Me.

Magoo

Magoo, the producer and one half of rap duo Timbaland & Magoo, has died at the age of 50. Born Melvin Barcliff, Magoo rose to prominence as a member of Timbaland & Magoo, formed in Norfolk, Va. in the 1990s when he and Timbaland were teenagers. The duo initially got their start as members of the group S.B.I. (Surrounded By Idiots), which also consisted of Pharrell Williams and Larry Live. Timbaland & Magoo released three studio albums: 1997's Welcome to Our World, 2001's Indecent Proposal, and 2003's Under Construction, Part II. Jay-Z, Twista, Ludacris, and Brandy were among the collaborators. Along with "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" featuring Missy Elliott and Aaliyah, other hits included "Luv 2 Luv Ya" and "People Like Myself."

Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant, the influential music executive often dubbed the "Black Godfather" of music, entertainment, politics, and sports, died Aug. 13 at 92. For decades, Avant was one of the entertainment world's most influential behind-the-scenes dealmakers and for Black artists in particular, he served as a crucial protector. Among those who credit him with providing guidance and support are Quincy Jones, Jay Z, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, and Pharrell Williams. Starting his career in the 60s, Avant founded two record labels, which helped to launch the careers of Little Willie John, Lalo Schifrin, Sarah Vaughan, Bill Withers, and Sixto Rodriguez, to name a few. He also aided athletes Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and record-breaking baseball player Hank Aaron, for whom he negotiated the largest endorsement deal in professional sports history. He advised President George H.W. Bush, and played a significant role in fundraising for Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Avant, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was also the subject of a Netflix documentary, The Black Godfather.

Shelley Smith

Shelley Smith, the 70s supermodel-turned-actress who starred in The Associates and For Love and Honor, died Aug. 8 at age 70. Her husband of 18 years, actor Michael Maguire, tearfully announced the news in a Facebook video, revealing that his wife passed after going into cardiac arrest days earlier. Born Oct. 25., 1952, Smith kicked off her successful modeling career in the early 1970s, landing the cover of Harper's Bazaar and later earning features in Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and more. She pivoted to television in 1979, starring alongside Martin Short in all 13 episodes of the short-lived legal drama, The Associates. Around the same time, she became a popular contestant on game shows including Super Password, Body Language and Dick Clark's $10,000 Pyramid. In 1983, she starred as Captain Carolyn Engel on the single season of the NBC military series For Love and Honor. Later TV appearances included Fantasy Island, Diff'rent Strokes, Magnum. P.I., and Murder She Wrote. In 1991, she founded an egg donor fertilization company, now known as Hatch Fertility, after successfully undergoing a vitro fertilization pregnancy and having twins of her own.