Here are the most influential people who died in 2024
This year brought the passing of celebrities, politicians, activists, business leaders, and other influential individuals around the world.
Here is a roll call of some noteworthy figures who died in 2024, including three centenarians.
1. O.J. Simpson
It was a murder case almost everyone had an opinion on.
O.J. Simpson 's "trial of the century" over the 1994 killings of his ex-wife and her friend bared divisions over race and law enforcement in America and brought an intersection of sports, crime, entertainment and class that was hard to turn away from.
In a controversial verdict, the football star-turned-actor was acquitted in the criminal trial but later found civilly liable in the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Years later, he served nine years in prison on unrelated charges. His death in April brought an end to a life that had become defined by scrutiny over the killings.
He was just one of many influential and noteworthy people who died in 2024.
2. Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel, a textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style, died on March 1 this year at 102 years old.
3. Attorney Paul Alexander
Paul Alexander was a Texas man who spent most of his life using an iron lung chamber and built a large following on social media, recounting his life from contracting polio in the 1940s to earning a law degree.
He died age 78 on March 11.
4. Dexter King
Dexter Scott King dedicated much of his life to shepherding the civil rights legacy of his parents, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
He died on January 22 at the age of 62.
4. Bob Newhart
The deadpan accountant-turned-comedian became one of the most popular TV stars of his time after striking gold with a classic comedy album.
He died on July 18 at age 92.
5. Donald Sutherland
The Canadian actor whose wry, arresting screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from "M.A.S.H." to "The Hunger Games" died on June 20 at age 88.
6. Phil Donahue
His pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others.
Donahue died on August 18 at the age of 88.
7. James Earl Jones
Jones overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen, eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, "The Lion King" and Darth Vader.
He died on September 9 at the age of 93.
8. Pete Rose
Rose was baseball's career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied.
He died on September 30 at the age of 83.
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