As another year winds down, it feels natural to look back at what transpired, and examine some of the bigger headlines and events of 2021.
The world lost quite a few celebrities, athletes, influencers and political figures this past year, including Prince Philip, Cicely Tyson, Stephen Sondheim, Betty White and Norm Macdonald, just to name a few.
Recommended Videos
We took a look through the Getty Images archive, to collect the following photos of even more famous faces who died this year. In no way is this a complete list, but you’ll likely recognize the following people.
In no particular order ...
Prince Philip
Betty White
Stephen Sondheim
Hank Aaron
Baseball great Hank Aaron is shown as an Atlanta Braves outfielder during spring training. (Getty Images)
Mary Wilson
Cicely Tyson
Here, actress Cicely Tyson is shown as she was photographed in 1976 in New York City. (Getty Images)
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996. In this photo, he's taking up his position as Visiting Professor in Post Conflict Societies at Kings College London, in January 2004. (Getty Images)
Christopher Plummer
Norm Macdonald
Bob Dole
Michael K. Williams
Michael K. Williams is shown in August 2021 in Los Angeles. Williams might be best remembered for his roles on HBO's "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire." (FilmMagic/Getty Images)
DMX
Rapper DMX performs in January 2012 in Long Beach, California. (WireImage via Getty Images)
Charlie Watts
Dustin Diamond
Actor Dustin Diamond, best known for his role on "Saved By the Bell," poses for a portrait during the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (Getty Images)
Larry King
Willie Garson
Dusty Hill
Colin Powell
Here's then-Secretary of State Colin Powell as he listens to the president at the time speak on trade promotion authority. (Corbis via Getty Images)
Donald Rumsfeld
Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is seen in May 2012. (Getty Images)
Ed Asner
Actor Ed Asner is seen at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in February 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. Asner played Lou Grant in the 1970s and early 1980s, on both "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spin-off series. (FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Biz Markie (Marcel Theo Hall)
Here's a 1970s photo of Biz Markie, a rapper, DJ, and record producer perhaps best known for the 1989 single "Just a Friend." (Getty Images)
Peter Scolari
Actor and director Peter Scolari poses at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. (WireImage via Getty Images)
Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman is seen at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles in 2004. The actress and comedian in her career won eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 22 nominations. (WireImage via Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher
Siegfried Fischbacher is shown at left, with Roy Horn, at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in June 2006 in Las Vegas. The pair made up the famous magician duo Siegfried & Roy. (Getty Images)
Marvin Hagler
Famed boxer Marvin Hagler is seen at his 1981 Mustafa Hamstro fight in Madison Square Garden in New York. Hagler won with a knockout in the third round. (Getty Images)
James Michael Tyler
Beverly Cleary
Children's book author Beverly Cleary is seen at center. At the time of this photo, she was meeting with then-President George W. Bush as one of the recipients of the 2003 National Endowment for the Arts award, in the Oval Office of the White House. Clearly might be best known for creating the book character Ramona Quimby. (Getty Images)
Walter Mondale
Here's Walter Mondale in 1982. Mondale served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, under then-President Jimmy Carter. (Getty Images)
Eric Carle
Virgil Abloh
Willard Scott
Astronaut Michael Collins
Astronaut Michael Collins, a command module pilot of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, is seen in 1969. (Getty Images)
Sen. Carl Levin
Joan Didion
Jessica McClintock
Sen. John Warner
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh is shown in his studio. Limbaugh was a radio personality, conservative political commentator and author. (Corbis via Getty Images)
Bernie Madoff
Bernard Madoff, at center, walks out from federal court after a bail hearing in January 2009 in New York City. The financier ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history. (Getty Images)
Harry Reid
John Madden
Is there a celebrity death that touched you especially this past year? Let us know in the comments.
