In memoriam: Stars who have died in 2024 so far

Chance was an American and British actor known for starring in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as well as Gen V, as the After film series. 

The 27-year-old star, who also received a BAFTA nomination in 2018 for the BBC drama Killed by My Debt, died in a motorcycle accident on 29 March. It is believed that he had been travelling to Toronto to begin filming the second season of Gen V. 

Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a Supporting Actor Oscar, passed away at the age of 87 in March. 

The New York-born actor won the Academy Award for his portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer And A Gentleman in 1982.

His family released a statement confirming his death. 

"It is with our heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved father passed away this morning," it read.

"We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."

Cecilia Gentili, star of FX's award winning show Pose, died aged 52 years old on February 6. 

Not only known for her acting, Cecilia was a notable activist within the trans community who dedicated her life to raising awareness for HIV/AIDS, and equity for sex workers and the LGBTQ+ community. 

A statement on the actress' Instagram announced: "Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit.

"Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity. We will be sharing more updates about services and what is to come in the following days."

Kenneth Mitchell, best known for his turns in Captain Marvel and Star Trek: Discovery, passed away at the age of 49 on February 24.

The Canadian actor had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, since 2019, which had impacted his ability to work in recent years as well.

His family released a statement announcing his passing, and he is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt (also an actor) and their two children, Lilah and Kallum.

Sex and The City and Days of Our Lives actor Eddie Driscoll passed away aged 60 in December 2023. 

The star was known for his roles in The Last Ship, as well as one-episode appearances in This Is Us, Mad Men, and Desperate Housewives. 

The sad news was announced in February by Eddie's friend, Jimmy Palumbo, who said the actor had died from a saddle pulmonary embolism after months of fighting stomach cancer.

Country music star Toby Keith died aged 62 on February 5 following a battle with stomach cancer. 

A statement on his Instagram and website read: "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."

He died after his cancer diagnosis in 2022, which he had described as "a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and down."

He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Tricia Lucus, and their three children; Shelley Covel Rowland, singer Krystal Keith, and son Stelen. He also had four grandchildren.

Days of Our Lives star Bill Hayes died aged 98, with his death confirmed in a statement on January 12.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes. One of the longest-running characters on Days of our Lives, Bill originated the role of 'Doug Williams' in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life," a rep for the television series told People.

"He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years," the rep added. 

Hayes met his wife on the set of the soap opera in 1970. They soon became a real-life couple and wed in October 1974, two years before their on-screen alter-egos tied the knot.

In 2018, Hayes was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards for his decades-long portrayal of Doug Williams on the soap opera. 

Seinfeld actor Peter Crombie died aged 71 on January 10 following a short illness. His ex-wife, Nadine Kijner, announced his death on Instagram as she shared her "shock and extreme sadness" over his passing.

She penned alongside photos from their wedding day: "It is with shock and extreme sadness that I share my ex-husband died this morning. Thank you for so many wonderful memories and being such a good man. 

"Fly free into the Un-boundless source of light, Peter. May you be greeted with love by your parents, and Oliver. So, so many people loved you because you were a kind, giving, caring and creative soul."

Crombie also starred in films including Natural Born Killers, Born on the Fourth of July, and TV shows House of Frankenstein, Law & Order, and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Adan Canto, who was most recently known for starring in the FOX show The Cleaning Lady, passed away at the age of 42 after a private battle with appendiceal cancer on January 9, according to Variety.

The Mexican actor's first big role was in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past, playing Sunspot, and he followed that up with performances in the FOX drama The Following and the ABC series Blood & Oil. He also starred in the Netflix hits Narcos and Designated Survivor.

"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Adan Canto. A wonderful actor and dear friend, we were honored to have him as part of the Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment families since his U.S. debut in 'The Following' more than a decade ago," Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment said in a joint statement.

He is survived by his wife since 2017 Stephanie Ann and their two children, Roman Alder, three, and Eve Josephine, one.

British actress Glynis Johns, known for her portrayal of Winifred Banks in the iconic 1964 Disney musical Mary Poppins, passed away at the age of 100 on January 4. Her manager of 25 years, Mitch Clem, shared news of her passing in a statement, calling it a "somber day for Hollywood". 

"Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives," he said. 

"Today is a somber day for Hollywood. Not only do we mourn the passing of our dear Glynis, but we mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood."

Starsky & Hutch actor David Soul, who played Detective Kenneth 'Hutch' Hutchinson in the classic 1970s crime-solving series, passed away aged 80 on January 4 surrounded by his loving family.

His wife, Helen Snell, confirmed his death on January 5, saying in a statement: "David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family."

She added: "He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

The Baby-Sitters Club actor Christian Oliver – who also appeared in The Good German, Speed Racer, and Valkyrie – was tragically killed in a plane crash aged just 51 alongside his two young daughters, Madita, 12, and Annika, 10, on January 4.

The trio and the pilot, Robert Sachs, were all pronounced dead after "the single-engine plane they were traveling in experienced engine trouble and fell into the ocean". The incident occurred off the island of Bequia as the family was traveling from J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm to St. Lucia.

Oliver's wife, Jessica Klepser, released a statement the following day, expressing her "deep sadness" as she paid tribute to her late husband and their daughters.