Notable October 2021 Deaths
Michael K. Williams
Few deaths in 2021 were as shocking as that of Michael K. Williams. Williams was fresh in our minds after another incredible performance, this time on Lovecraft Country, which just extended his stream of unforgettable characters on excellent HBO dramas: Omar Little on The Wire, Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire, and many more. His talent and charisma made him a fan favorite no matter what role he played, and he was taken away way too soon at the age of 54.
Ruthie Tompson
Passing away this year at 111, Ruthie Tompson is one of the earliest and most iconic animators at Walt Disney Animation. She joined the studio to help put finishing painter touches on its first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, before building a legacy as an artist and eventual scene planner and animator on Disney icons such as Fantastia, Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty, and many more. Her career at the company spanned nearly four decades.
Chris Ayres
Voice actor Chris Ayres passed away at the age of 56. He’ll be best remembered as the voice of the iconic Dragon Ball Z villain Frieza for more than a decade, but was a stage actor, director, and fight choreographer as well.
Joanna Cameron
Known to DC Comics fans as the star of The Secrets of Isis–a TV adaptation of the titular Fawcett Comics superhero, and the first live-action superhero TV series to be fronted by a female star. Cameron’s legacy of playing the Shazam! counterpart would survive both the then-Captain Marvel and Isis’ procurement by DC Comics, where Cameron’s likeness as Isis was enshrined into DC continuity. She passed away at the age of 70.
Camille Saviola
Saviola, who passed away at the age of 71, only had a brief role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, appearing in four episodes, but she became iconic among Trek fans for her performance as the inspirational Bajoran spiritual leader, Kai Opaka–a major figure in the lives of Kira Nerys and Benjamin Sisko, and a catalyst that set in motion their arcs across the entire series.
