- 31
- Dec.
- 2024
In 2024, the world lost many influential figures from art, fashion, literature, music and cinema. From Hussein Madi and Iris Apfel to Françoise Hardy and Alain Delon, these icons left indelible marks on their fields. This selection pays tribute to the immense talent and legacy of those who passed.
This is Beirut presents its Walk of Fame dedicated to iconic figures from the artistic and cultural world who passed away in 2024. From Hussein Madi to Olivia Hussey, including Donald Sutherland and Alain Delon, this selection, far from exhaustive, pays tribute to individuals whose talent and legacy marked this painful year.
Hussein Madi (88) (January 17, 2024), Acclaimed Lebanese Modernist Artist
Nicknamed the “Lebanese Picasso,” Hussein Madi, who passed away at the age of 88, was a versatile modernist artist who excelled in painting, engraving and sculpture. His international recognition was reflected by the presence of his works in prestigious institutions like the Arab World Institute in Paris and the British Museum in London. His unique style blended Eastern and Western influences, creating a distinctive artistic language that left a mark on contemporary Lebanese art.
Fadi Ibrahim (67) (February 20, 2024), Prominent Figure in Lebanese Television
Fadi Ibrahim, a prominent figure in Lebanese television, passed away at the age of 67 due to complications related to diabetes. His career spanned several decades, marked by memorable roles in popular TV series. His most recent appearances included the series Al Khataya and Aqd Elhaq in 2024. He leaves behind a rich filmography that testifies to his talent as an actor and his significant contribution to Lebanese audiovisual culture.
Iris Apfel (102) (March 1, 2024), Iconic American Fashion Designer
Iris Apfel, an American fashion icon, passed away on March 1, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 102. Born in Queens, New York, she co-founded the textile company Old World Weavers with her husband Carl, and collaborated with nine US presidencies at the White House. Known for her bold style and iconic oversized glasses, she gained international recognition later in life through an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005. Iris Apfel inspired generations with her unique blend of high fashion and whimsy, becoming a true fashion legend.
Akira Toriyama (68) (March 1, 2024), Legendary Japanese Mangaka
Akira Toriyama, the legendary Japanese mangaka, passed away on March 1, 2024, in his hometown Nagoya at the age of 68 from an acute subdural hematoma. Known for revolutionizing manga and animation, he distinguished himself with iconic works such as Dr. Slump (1980-1984) and Dragon Ball (1984-1995), one of the most influential and best-selling series in history. Toriyama also left his mark on video game design and created characters for the famous Dragon Quest franchise. A Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, he leaves behind an invaluable legacy that shaped both Japanese and global popular culture.
Alice Munro (92) (May 13, 2024), Acclaimed Canadian Short Story Writer and Nobel Laureate
Alice Munro, born Alice Ann Laidlaw on July 10, 1931, in Wingham, Ontario, passed away on May 13, 2024, in Port Hope at the age of 92. Considered one of the greatest writers of English-language fiction, she devoted her career to elevating contemporary short stories to an art form. Her stories, often set in Ontario's rural landscapes, explore moral dilemmas and human relationships with exceptional psychological depth. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature, she leaves behind a remarkable body of work comprising one novel and 14 collections of short stories that continue to inspire global literature.
Roberto Cavalli (83) (April 12, 2024), Italian Fashion Designer
Roberto Cavalli, the legendary Italian fashion designer, passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on November 15, 1940, in Florence, he left an indelible mark on the fashion world with his bold animal prints and flamboyant style. An innovator since the 1970s, he patented a leather printing technique and introduced iconic trends such as sand-washed jeans at Milan Fashion Week in 1994. As the founder of the Just Cavalli brand, he captivated international celebrities and expanded his empire into accessories, fragrances and furniture.
Paul Auster (77) (April 30, 2024), Acclaimed American Novelist and Essayist
The American novelist Paul Auster passed away in his Brooklyn home at the age of 77 from lung cancer. A prolific author of over 30 books translated into more than 40 languages, he gained international literary acclaim with his New York Trilogy in 1987. Winner of the Médicis Prize for Foreign Literature for Leviathan in 1993, he was particularly revered in France, which he considered his “second country.”
Donald Sutherland (88) (June 20, 2024), Legendary Canadian Actor
Donald Sutherland, a Canadian film legend, passed away on June 20, 2024, in Miami, Florida, at the age of 88. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, he left a permanent mark on over six decades of cinema with nearly 200 memorable roles. He rose to fame in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and gained further recognition for his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in MASH* (1970). His diverse filmography includes masterpieces such as Klute (1971), Don't Look Now (1973) and The Hunger Games series (2012-2015), where he played President Snow. A recipient of an Honorary Oscar in 2017 for his lifetime achievements, he was also named a Companion of the Order of Canada, highlighting his immense contribution to cinema. He is also the father of actor Kiefer Sutherland. He leaves a lasting legacy in the seventh art.
Anouk Aimée (92) (June 18, 2024), Internationally Acclaimed French Actress
Actress Anouk Aimée passed away at the age of 92 in her Parisian home. Born Françoise Dreyfus on April 27, 1932, she rose to international fame with her role in Claude Lelouch's A Man and a Woman, which won the Palme d'Or in 1966 and earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress. She worked with some of the greatest directors of Franco-Italian cinema, notably Federico Fellini in La Dolce Vita and 8½. Her last notable return to the screen was in 2019 at Cannes, where she reunited with Jean-Louis Trintignant in The Best Years of a Life.
Françoise Hardy (80) (June 11, 2024), Iconic French Singer
A French music icon, Françoise Hardy passed away in Paris at the age of 80. Her son, Thomas Dutronc, shared her death on social media. The singer had been battling two cancers since 2004: lymphoma and later laryngeal cancer, which caused intense suffering. In recent months, she became a figure in the fight for the right to die and wrote an open letter to President Macron in December 2023 to advocate for euthanasia. Her funeral was held privately at the Père-Lachaise crematorium on June 20.
Shannen Doherty (53) (July 13, 2024), Iconic American Actress
Shannen Doherty, an emblematic actress of the 1990s, passed away on July 13, 2024, in her home in Malibu, California, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with breast cancer that began in 2015. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she first gained fame as a child in Little House on the Prairie before becoming a television icon as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills 90210 (1990-1994). She later left a lasting impression with her role as Prue Halliwell in Charmed (1998-2001). Known for both her talent and the controversies surrounding her career, she captivated audiences for decades, including during the 2019 reboot of Beverly Hills 90210. Her public and transparent fight against cancer, especially after it spread to her brain in 2023, deeply touched her fans. She leaves behind a lasting legacy in American television history.
Gena Rowlands (94) (August 14, 2024), Legendary American Actress and Icon of Independent Cinema
Gena Rowlands, a legendary actress of American independent cinema, passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94. Born on June 19, 1930, in Wisconsin, she left an indelible mark on cinema through her exceptional collaboration with her husband, John Cassavetes. Together, they redefined the standards of independent cinema and created ten major films, including A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980), which earned her two Oscar nominations. A revered figure in the seventh art, she received two Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards and an Honorary Oscar in 2015 for her lifetime achievements. After Cassavetes' death in 1989, Rowlands continued to shine, notably with her poignant role in The Notebook (2004), directed by her son Nick Cassavetes. Her career and unique talent made her an authentic and unforgettable icon of American independent cinema.
Alain Delon (88) (August 18, 2024), Iconic French Actor and Cinema Legend
A monumental figure of French cinema, Alain Delon passed away at his estate in Douchy at the age of 88. His exceptional career, which began in the 1950s, saw him portray unforgettable roles in films that became classics: The Leopard, La Piscine, Le Samouraï and Rocco and His Brothers. His legendary beauty and restrained acting style made him an international cinema icon. He worked with some of the greatest directors, including Visconti, Melville, Antonioni, Losey. Beyond acting, he became a producer and amassed a significant art collection. His last years were marked by controversies and highly publicized family conflicts.
Elias Khoury (76) (September 15, 2024), Prominent Lebanese Novelist and Advocate for Justice
A major figure of engaged Lebanese literature, Elias Khoury passed away in Beirut at the age of 76 after a long illness. Born in 1948, he dedicated most of his work to denouncing injustice and intolerance. His first novel, The Ties of the Circle, written at 27, was followed by numerous successes, including Little Mountain (1977) about the Lebanese Civil War. His magnum opus, Gate of the Sun, adapted into a film by Yousry Nasrallah, recounts the epic of Palestinian refugees. Until his final days in the hospital, he continued to write and published A Year of Pain in July 2024.
Maggie Smith (89) (September 27, 2024), Renowned British Actress of Stage and Screen
The legendary British actress Maggie Smith passed away peacefully at a London hospital at the age of 89. Known worldwide for her roles as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, she leaves behind an extraordinary career crowned with numerous awards, including two Oscars, six BAFTAs and four Emmy Awards. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced her death, clarifying that she was surrounded by her family and friends in her final moments.
Liam Payne (31) (October 16, 2024), Singer and Former Member of One Direction
British singer Liam Payne tragically passed away in Buenos Aires at the age of 31. A former member of the boy band One Direction, he lost his life after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo district. Emergency responders arrived quickly and confirmed his death due to severe injuries. Born on August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, he rose to meteoric fame with One Direction in the 2010s. According to Billboard, he attended a concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan in Buenos Aires two weeks before his death.
Quincy Jones (91) (November 4, 2024), Legendary American Record Producer, Arranger and Composer
American music legend Quincy Jones passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 91. A legendary producer of Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, his career spanned over seven decades. Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, he distinguished himself as an arranger, composer and producer, working with the greatest music stars of the 20th century. He will be particularly remembered for producing Michael Jackson's iconic albums, including the legendary Thriller.
Olivia Hussey (73) (December 27, 2024), Acclaimed British-Argentine Actress
Olivia Hussey, a globally renowned actress, passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 73. At just 15 years old, she gained fame for her iconic role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in 1968. She had a rich and varied career. She won a Golden Globe and portrayed memorable characters like the Virgin Mary in Jesus of Nazareth. She also excelled in horror with films like Black Christmas. A talented and versatile actress, she leaves behind an artistic legacy and her loved ones, including her husband David Glen Eisley and her three children.
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