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Remembering the Stars We Lost in 2024: A Tribute to This Year’s Disney Celebrities

Carl Weathers the Mandalorian
Credit: Walt Disney Television

The year is almost over, and it’s time to reflect on what was good about 2024 and those we lost this year. This year, we lost some of Disney’s biggest celebrities and the voices of our collective childhoods. Here’s a look at those we lost in 2024.

James Earl Jones in The Sandlot

Credit: 20th Century Fox

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones passed away on September 9 at 93. Jones was best known for his pipes. voice Darth Vader in the Star Wars series, Mufasa in The Lion King (1994), and CNN.

But Jones was also a prolific actor, appearing in films over seven decades. He had roles in Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Great White Hope (1970), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), and The Sandlot (1993). 

Director Barry Jenkins included a tribute to Jones in Mufasa: The Lion King. 

Richard M. Sherman. An older man with short dark hair and a big smile sits at a piano. The background reveals a wooden bookshelf adorned with various items, including a framed photograph, a stuffed bear, books, and even a small statue of Mary Poppins, the beloved Disney icon.

Credit: Disney

Richard M. Sherman

Richard M. Sherman and his brother, Robert Sherman, wrote the music of childhoods. The duo is created for the songs from Mary Poppins (1964) and dozens of other songs throughout the Disney Parks.

The Sherman Brothers wrote “it’s a small world” and “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from the Carousel of Progress while working for Walt Disney.

Before his death, Richard Sherman wrote a new verse for “it’s a small world” that debuted in December. 

The elderly person with light skin and blue eyes, resembling Maggie Smith, is wearing a large black hat and a dark, patterned cloak. They hold a golden object and adorn a large teardrop-shaped pendant. The background suggests an indoor setting with dim lighting.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Dame Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith started her career in 1955, and eight decades later, she was still acting up until her death on September 27. Smith is one of the few actors to achieve EGOT status.

She is best known for her roles in Downton Abbey and for playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. The British actress also appeared in Sister Act (1992) and Hook (1991). 

Carl Weathers as Greef Karga in 'The Mandalorian' S1

Credit: Lucasfilm

Carl Weathers

Former NFL player and Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers, died on February 1. Weathers was best known for his roles in action films like Predator (1987), but he also had great comedic timing in Happy Gilmore (1996) and Arrested Development. 

Later in his career, Weathers came to the Star Wars universe, playing Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. He also took on the voice role of Combat Carls in Toy Story 4 (2019).

Bob Newhart as Papa Elf in Elf

Credit: New Line Cinema

Bob Newhart

Comedic legend Bob Newhart passed away on July 18 at the age of 94. Newhart starred in the Bob Newhart Show for seven seasons, then went on to other starring roles in Elf (2003) and The Big Bang Theory. 

Newhard also voiced Bernard in Disney’s Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990). 

An elderly man with white hair and a beard is holding a glass of champagne. He is dressed formally in a dark suit and white shirt, with a white flower pinned to his lapel. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting an auto draft effect, and he has a serious expression on his face.

Credit: Lionsgate

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland was in over 200 movies and television shows before his death this year at 88. He is best known for The Dirty Dozen (1967), M.A.S.H. (1970), Klute (1971), and Ordinary People (1980). 

Later in life, Sutherland played President Snow in the Hunger Games films. He is also the father of actor Kieffer Sutherland.

Three women stand side by side, each holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers. Dressed in identical pink satin gowns with halter necks and shoulder ruffles, they evoke a scene reminiscent of Beverly Hills 90210. Behind them is a tree and some greenery suggesting they are outdoors.

Credit: Aaron Spelling Productions

These giants of cinema and television will always be remembered for their contributions to the silver screen. We lost dozens of other giants this year, like Chuck Woolery, Quincy Jones, Shannen Doherty, Richard Lewis, Rickey Henderson, Bill Walton, and Disney influencer Dominque Brown.

We will never forget them and what they contributed to our lives through their work.

About Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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