20 Beloved Stars Who Passed Away on Thanksgiving Day

Florence Henderson won the hearts of generations as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch. She died of heart failure on November 24, 2016, surrounded by family and close friends.

Pat Morita earned an Academy Award nomination for his unforgettable portrayal of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid. He died of kidney failure on November 24, 2005, at his home in Las Vegas.

Junior Walker led the All Stars through signature hits like Shotgun and What Does It Take. The virtuoso saxophonist died on November 23, 1995, leaving a lasting mark on soul and rhythm and blues.

Philippe Noiret starred in over one hundred films and won two Cesar Awards. He earned global acclaim playing the warm projectionist Alfredo in Cinema Paradiso before passing away on November 23, 2006.

Daria Nicolodi co-wrote the horror landmark Suspiria and starred in Deep Red and Inferno. A luminary of European cinema, she died in Rome on November 26, 2020, at the age of 70.

Danny Wells brought Luigi to life on The Super Mario Bros Super Show and played Charlie the bartender on The Jeffersons. He passed away in Toronto on November 28, 2013, at age 72.

P. D. James created the beloved Scotland Yard detective Adam Dalgliesh and wrote the dystopian classic The Children of Men. She died at her Oxford home on November 27, 2014, aged 94.

Anita O'Day redefined big band singing with her rhythmic swing and syncopated phrasing. Known as The Jezebel of Jazz, she died in West Hollywood on November 23, 2006, after releasing her final album.

Betty Comden co-wrote the scripts and lyrics for Singin in the Rain, The Band Wagon, and On the Town. A Tony and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, she passed away in Manhattan on November 23, 2006.

Karyn Kupcinet appeared in television series like Hawaiian Eye and The Wide Country. Her untimely death on November 28, 1963, remains one of mid-century Hollywood's most discussed cold cases.

Steve Tracy won over television audiences as Percival Dalton, the endearing husband of Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. He passed away in Tampa on November 27, 1986, at age 34.

Marie Wilson charmed radio and film audiences in the title role of My Friend Irma. A major Hollywood personality with three stars on the Walk of Fame, she passed away on November 23, 1972, at age 56.

Richard Carlson headlined iconic mid-century genre classics like Creature from the Black Lagoon and It Came from Outer Space. The actor and director died of a stroke on November 24, 1977, in Encino.

Hank Mann was a founding member of Mack Sennett's legendary Keystone Kops and appeared in classic Charlie Chaplin films like Modern Times and City Lights. He died in South Pasadena on November 25, 1971.

Norman Granz transformed the recording industry by creating Verve Records and launching the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series. A fierce fighter against racial segregation, he died in Geneva on November 22, 2001.

Dame Myra Hess lifted British national morale during the Blitz by organizing nearly two thousand lunchtime concerts at London's National Gallery. The renowned classical pianist died in London on November 25, 1965.

Maurice Béjart revolutionized twentieth century dance with dynamic works like Bolero and his innovative Ballet of the 20th Century company. The French choreographic master died in Lausanne on November 22, 2007.

Enid Blyton captivated young readers worldwide with enduring series including Noddy, The Famous Five, and The Secret Seven. With over six hundred million books sold, the beloved author passed away on November 28, 1968.

Don McNeill hosted The Breakfast Club on network radio and early television for thirty-five consecutive years from 1933 to 1968. A broadcast pioneer, he passed away in Evanston, Illinois, on November 28, 1996.

Willie Pep compiled a staggering record of 229 career victories and is celebrated as one of boxing's supreme defensive masters. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee passed away on November 23, 2006.