FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.’s daughter, Tracey Davis, has died at age 59, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
The younger Davis, an author who wrote about life with her famous father in the books “Sammy Davis Jr.: My Father” and “Sammy Davis Jr.: A Personal Journey With My Father,” suffered a brief illness before her death in Franklin, Tennessee, according to her ex-husband, Guy Garner. It wasn’t immediately known what caused her death, the AP reported.
Garner told the news agency that Tracey Davis “loved and adored” her four children “more than anything.” Her surviving family members, including the children, her two brothers and her mother, actress May Britt Ringquist, “are all shocked and devastated,” Garner said.
News of Tracey Davis’ death came just one month after MGM revealed plans for a biopic about her late father, who died in 1990, according to the AP. The film will be an adaptation of “Sammy Davis Jr.: My Father,” which she wrote with co-author Dolores A. Barclay in 1996, Deadline reported.
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Dawn Wells FILE PHOTO: Actress Dawn Wells attends the 2015 TV Land Awards at Saban Theatre on April 11, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. Wells died Wednesday of illness related to COVID-19. She was 82. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Joe Clark, principal who inspired movie 'Lean on Me,' dead at 82 FILE - In this Dec. 21, 1987, file photo, Eastside High School Principal Joe Clark is pictured at a rally by student supporters in Paterson, N.J. Clark, the baseball bat and bullhorn-wielding principal whose unwavering commitment to his students and uncompromising disciplinary methods inspired the 1989 film “Lean on Me,” died at his Florida home on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, after a long battle with an unspecified illness, his family said in statement. He was 82. (AP Photo/Peter Cannata, File) (Peter Cannata/AP)
French fashion designer Pierre Cardin dead at 98 FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2016, file photo, French fashion designer Pierre Cardin acknowledges applause after a show to mark 70 years of his creations, in Paris. France's Academy of Fine Arts says famed fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at 98. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) (Christophe Ena/AP)
Influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice dead at 69 Influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice died Friday at his home in North Carolina. He was 69. (Jordan Klein/Wikimedia/Creative Commons/Jordan Klein/Wikimedia/Creative Commons)
K.T. Oslin dies at 78 Singer-songwriter K.T. Oslin, best known for her 1987 hit "80s Ladies," died Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. She was 78. (Rick Kern/WireImage, File)
Carol Sutton Actress Carol Sutton, who had roles in "Steel Magnolias" and "Queen Sugar," died Dec. 10 in New Orleans. She was 76. (Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)
Charley Pride dies at 86 Country music legend Charley Pride died on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, of complications related to COVID-19. He was 86. (ABC/Getty Images, File)
Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister Jr. dead at 62 Thomas "Tiny" Lister Jr. attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Dec. 19, 2019, in Los Angeles. Lister died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Natalie Desselle Reid, 'B.A.P.S.' and 'Eve' actress, dead at 53 Actress Natalie Desselle Reid, who played Mickey in the 1997 comedy "B.A.P.S.," died Dec. 7, 2020, at age 53, multiple news outlets are reporting. (John Shearer/WireImage via Getty Images)
Chuck Yeager, first person to break sound barrier, dead at 97 Charles “Chuck” Yeager died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, at the age of 97. Yeager is pictured as a 25-year-old U.S. Air Force captain in Los Angeles on Jan. 21, 1949, two years after he broke the sound barrier. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)
Pat Patterson Pat Patterson, a fixture on the pro wrestling scene for more than five decades, has died, WWE announced Dec. 2. He was 79. (World Wrestling Entertainment)
David Prowse, actor who played Darth Vader, dead at 85 FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, May 26, 2007, actor David Prowse, who was the man in the black Darth Vader suit in the first Star Wars film, signs autographs at Star Wars Celebration IV, marking the 30th anniversary of the release of the first film in the Star Wars saga, in Los Angeles, USA. The British actor, Prowse who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85 on Saturday, according to an announcement by his agent Sunday Nov. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, FILE) (Reed Saxon/AP)
Zappos founder Tony Hsieh dead at 46 FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2013, file photo, Tony Hsieh speaks during a Grand Rapids Economic Club luncheon in Grand Rapids, Mich. Hsieh, retired CEO of Las Vegas-based online shoe retailer Zappos.com, has died. Hsieh was with family when he died Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, according to a statement from DTP Companies, which he founded. Downtown Partnership spokesperson Megan Fazio says Hsieh passed away in Connecticut, KLAS-TV reported. Hsieh recently retired from Zappos after 20 years leading the company. He worked to revitalize the Las Vegas area. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) (Cory Morse/AP)
Soccer great Diego Maradona dead at 60 Soccer great Diego Maradona died of a heart attack Nov. 25 a couple weeks after being released from a Buenos Aires hospital after undergoing brain surgery. He was 60. (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Hal Ketchum Hal Ketchum, whose "Small Town Saturday Night" rose to No. 2 on the country music charts during the 1990s, died Nov. 23. He was 67. (Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)
David Dinkins, New York City's first Black mayor, dead at 93 David Dinkins, New York City's first Black mayor, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. He was 93. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
Pat Quinn, Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator, loses battle with ALS, dead at 37 Motivational speaker Patrick Quinn, co-creator of the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, lost his seven-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at the age of 37. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Grey Goose)
Jake Scott Jake Scott, the safety who was the MVP of Super Bowl VII and led the Miami Dolphins to a perfect season in 1972, died Nov. 19. He was 75. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Author Tracey Davis, daughter of Sammy Davis Jr., dies at 59 Author Tracey Davis, daughter of the late Sammy Davis Jr., died Nov. 2, 2020, at age 59, according to The Associated Press. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Tropicana)
Bobby Brown Jr. Bobby Brown Jr., the son of singer-songwriter Bobby Brown Sr., died Nov. 18. He was 28. (JasonLaVeris/FilmMagic)
Doug Supernaw Country singer Doug Supernaw, who had 11 hits on the Billboard charts, died of lung and bladder cancer, his record label announced Nov. 13. He was 60. (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Paul Hornung Hall of Famer Paul Hornung, who won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame and played for four NFL championship teams at Green Bay, died Nov. 13. He was 84. (Sporting News via Getty Images)
Titus Davis FILE PHOTO: Wide receiver Titus Davis #84 of the Central Michigan Chippewas runs into the endzone during the fourth quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 22, 2012 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Central Michigan defeated Iowa 32-31. Davis died Nov. 11 from a rare kidney disease. He was 27. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Lucille Bridges FILE - In this July 20, 2006, file photo, Lucille Bridges poses next to the original 1964 Norman Rockwell painting, "The Problem We All Live With," showing her daughter Ruby. New Orleans' mayor announced Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, that Lucille Bridges had died at the age of 86. (Steve Ueckert/AP)
Tommy Heinsohn Boston Celtics great Tommy Heinsohn, the fourth person to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and a coach, has died, the team confirmed Nov. 10. He was 86. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Actor Bert Belasco dead at 38 Actor Bert Belasco, known for his roles in the sports series “Pitch” and as the star of BET’s sitcom “Let’s Stay Together,” has died at the age of 38, police confirmed Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (Paul Archuleta//FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Aex Trebek dead at 80 Alex Trebek, the longtime host of the quiz show "Jeopardy!," died Nov. 8. He was 80. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Rapper King Von Rapper King Von was fatally shot outside an Atlanta nightclub in the early hours of Nov. 6. He was 26. (Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Elsa Raven Elsa Raven, left, a character actor who had roles in "Back to the Future," "Amen" and "Days of Our Lives," died Nov. 2. She was 91. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
'American Idol' alum Nikki McKibbin dead at 42 Nikki McKibbin during "American Idol" Season 1 Finale - Results Show - Arrivals at Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. McKibbon died Nov. 1, 2020, at the age of 42, following an aneurysm. (Gregg DeGuire/WireImage via Getty Images)
Actor Eddie Hassell dead at 30 Actor Eddie Hassell has died at the age of 30 after being shot in Texas in a suspected carjacking on Nov. 1, 2020. (Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)
Rance Allen Rance Allen, a longtime gospel singer and minister, has died, The Church of God in Christ announced in a statement on Oct. 31. He was 71. (Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Sean Connery Scottish actor Sean Connery on the set of The Hunt of Red October, based on the novel by Tom Clancy, and directed by John McTiernan. Connery died Oct. 31 at the age of 90. (Paramount Pictures/Corbis via Getty Images)
Herb Adderley Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley, who won six NFL titles with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 30. He was 81. (Mel Evans/Associated Press )
Travis Roy Travis Roy, a former Boston University hockey player who was paralyzed 11 seconds into his first shift on the ice for the college, died Oct. 29. He was 45. (Elise Amendola/Associated Press )
Lou Pallo Lou Pallo, a guitarist known as the "man of a million chords" who anchored the Les Paul Trio for three decades, died Oct. 28. He was 86. ( Al Pereira/WireImage)
Leanza Cornett FILE PHOTO: Miss America 1993 Leanza Cornett attends the 2018 Miss America Competition Red Carpet at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 10, 2017 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Cornett died Oct. 28 after suffering head injuries from a fall earlier in the month. (Michael Loccisano)
Billy Joe Shaver Billy Joe Shaver, who pioneered outlaw-country music and whose songs were recorded by Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Presley, died Oct. 28. He was 81. (Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Sister of actor Jamie Foxx, DeOndra Dixon, dead at 36 Actor Jamie Foxx poses for pictures with his sister DeOndra Dixon before the start of the 2016 Global Down Syndrome Foundation ‘Be Beautiful, Be Yourself’ fashion show at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 12, 2016. Dixon died Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at the age of 36. (JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images)
William Blinn, 'Brian's Song,' 'Roots,' 'Purple Rain' writer, dead at 83 FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 11, 1977 file photo, Screenwriter William Blinn, left, Ed Asner, center, and David Greene pose with their Emmy statuettes at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards presentation in Los Angeles. William Blinn, a screenwriter for the landmark TV projects “Brian’s Song”, “Roots” and the Prince film “Purple Rain,” has died, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. He was 83. (AP Photo/File) (AP)
Lee Kun-Hee Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee died Oct. 25, 2020, the company said in a statement. he was 78. (SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Country musician Jerry Jeff Walker, known for song ‘Mr. Bojangles’ dead at 78 FILE PHOTO: Prolific songwriter and country musician Jerry Jeff Walker, known for his song "Mr. Bojangles," has died. He was 78. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Oct. 21: Marge Champion dies at age 101 In this April 1958 file photo, Marge and Gower Champion pose in the Plaza Hotel Ballroom for the cover of Dance Magazine. Marge Champion died Oct. 21, 2020, at age 101, according to the New York Times. (Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
James Randi James Randi, a magician, illusionist and debunker of paranormal phenomena known as "The Amazing Randi," died Oct. 20. He was 92. (Keith Beaty/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Spencer Davis, founder of The Spencer Davis Group, dead at 81 The Spencer Davis Group, pictured from left to right: Steve Winwood, Pete York, Muff Winwood and Spencer Davis on Jan. 10, 1966. Davis died of pneumonia in October 2020 at the age of 81. (Spooner, Doreen/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Oct. 16: Filmmaker James Redford, actor Robert Redford's son, dead at 58 James Redford, actor Robert Redford's son, has died at age 58 following a battle with cancer, his wife announced Oct. 16, 2020. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Anthony Chisholm Anthony Chisholm, who starred on stage, film and television, died at 77, his talent agency said Oct. 17. (Rob Kim/Getty Images )
Rhonda Fleming Actress Rhonda Fleming, known as the "Queen of Technicolor," died Oct. 14, her longtime assistant confirmed on Oct. 17. She was 97. (Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Fred Dean Pro Football Hall of Fame member Fred Dean, who anchored the San Francisco 49ers defense during the early 1980s, died Oct. 15. He was 68. (Mark Duncan/Associated Press, File)
Conchata Ferrell Actress Conchata Ferrell died Oct. 12 from complications after cardiac arrest. She was 77. (Chris Pizzello/Associated Press )
Roberta McCain dies at 108 Family members announced the death of Roberta McCain, the mother of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. She was 108. (Matt Rourke/AP, File)
Whitey Ford, Yankees pitching great, dead at 91 The death of Yankees pitching great Whitey Ford was announced Friday, Oct. 9. He was 91. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jim Dwyer dead at 63 Journalist Jim Dwyer stands on a corner of Broome St. in Lower Manhattan, New York, while working for New York Newsday on June 3, 1992. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Dwyer died of lung cancer on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (Jon Naso/Newsday via Getty Images)
Johnny Nash Singer Johnny Nash, who topped the music charts in 1972 with "I Can See Clearly Now," died Oct. 6. He was 80. (Tom Sheehan/Sony Music Archive via Getty Images)
Eddie Van Halen FILE PHOTO: Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. His son Wolf Van Halen confirmed his father's death due to cancer. He was 65. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, best known for his role in several Spike Lee films, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in a shooting in Atlanta. He was 70. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images, File)
Bob Gibson Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, who starred for 17 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, died Oct. 2 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 84. (Bettmann/Getty Images )
Cookie Monsta Music producer Cookie Monsta, born Tony Cook, died at age 31, his record label announced Oct. 2. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Singer-songwriter Mac Davis, known for writing 'In the Ghetto,' dead at 78 Singer-songwriter Mac Davis, who penned Elvis Presley's 1969 hit "In the Ghetto," died Sept. 29, 2020, at age 78, multiple entertainment outlets are reporting. He recently had fallen ill after undergoing heart surgery, his family said. (Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Helen Reddy Singer Helen Reddy, who had three No. 1 hits including 1972's "I Am Woman," died Sept. 29. She was 78. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Keith Hufnagel Skateboarding legend Keith Hufnagel died after a 2 1/2-year battle with brain cancer, his company announced Sept. 24.. He was 46. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Playboy Enterprises)
Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis WWE announced Sept. 23 that Joseph Laurinaitis, known as Road Warrior Animal and one-half of the WWE pro wrestling tag team title, has died. He was 60. (Associated Press )
Gale Sayers dies FILE - This is a 1970 file photo showing Chicago Bears football player Gale Sayers. Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who made his mark as one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs and was later celebrated for his enduring friendship with a Chicago Bears teammate with cancer, has died. He was 77. Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open-field runners the game has ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/FIle) (Anonymous/AP)
Tommy DeVito dies of COVID-19 at 92 Tommy DeVito, original guitarist of the pop group The Four Seasons, died of complications related to COVID-19 on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. He was 92. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars, File)
Sept. 21: Jackie Stallone Astrologer Jackie Stallone, mother of "Rocky" star Sylvester Stallone, died Sept. 21, 2020, her family announced on social media. (E. Charbonneau/WireImage for MGM/Getty Images)
Celebrated actor, iconic James Bond villain Michael Lonsdale dead at 89 Actor Michael Lonsdale attends the tribute to "Jean Pierre Mocky 70 ans de Cinéma" at Les Deux Magots on Dec. 9, 2019, in Paris, France. Lonsdale, who played the villain opposite Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1979 film Moonraker, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at the age of 89. (Foc Kan/WireImage via Getty Images)
Winston Groom Winston Groom, whose novel "Forrest Gump" was adapted into a memorable movie, died Sept, 16. He was 77. (Andrew Wardlow/News-Herald via AP)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader GInsburg died Sep,t 18. She was 87. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images )
Sept. 14: Bill Gates Sr. In this April 21, 2010, file photo, Bill Gates Sr. talks to reporters in Seattle. Gates, a lawyer and philanthropist and father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at age 94. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Toots Hibbert, founder of reggae, dead at 77 FILE PHOTO: Toots Hibbert, a founder of reggae who coined the term for the music genre and helped build it into an international movement, died Friday. (SUHAIMI ABDULLAH/Getty Images)
Stevie Lee Professional wrestler and "Jackass 3D" star Stevie Lee died Sept. 9. He was 54. (GoFundMe)
Diana Rigg FILE PHOTO: Diana Rigg attends the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018, in New York City. Rigged died Sept. 10 from cancer at the age of 82. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald Bell dead at 68 Ronald "Khalis" Bell attends a ceremony honoring Kool & The Gang with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. Bell, a co-founder and singer in the group, has died. He was 68. (Rich Fury/Invision/AP, file)
Photos: Notable Deaths 2020 Kevin Dobson Actor Kevin Dobson attends the Durning Patriotism Award at Paramount Studios on Nov. 7, 2013 in Hollywood, California. Dobson, who appeared in “Knots Landing,” “Kojak” and “Days of Lives,” died Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, at the age of 77. (Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)
Bruce Williamson dies The Temptations, L-R Bruce Williamson, Joe Herndon, Otis Williams, Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson performing on stage at Royal Albert Hall. Williamson died from the coronavirus. (Marc Broussely/Redferns/Getty Images)
Lou Brock Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock, a base-stealing threat who led the St. Louis Cardinals to three World Series and two championships during the 1960s, died Sept. 6. He was 81. (Associated Press )
Tom Seaver Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, who won 311 games during his 20-year career and led the "Miracle Mets" to a World Series title, died Aug. 31. He was 75. ( Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Erick Morillo Erick Morillo, noted for his 1993 hit, "I Like to Move It," was found dead at his home in Miami Beach, Florida, on Sept. 1. He was 49. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
John Thompson Jr. Former Georgetown Hoyas head coach John Thompson Jr. has died. He was 78. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Chadwick Boseman Chadwick Boseman, who played strong characters in "Black Panther," "42" and "Marshall," died Aug. 28 after a four-year fight with colon cancer. He was 43.. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp)
Cliff Robinson, NBA All-Star, dead at 53 FILE PHOTO: Cliff Robinson, an NBA All Star who played 18 seasons in the league, has died. He was 53. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Lute Olson Lute Olson, who built the University of Arizona into a basketball powerhouse and won a national title in 1997, died Aug. 27. He was 85. ( Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Power Trip lead singer Riley Gale dead at 34 Riley Gale of the band Power Trip performs at the Loudwire Music Awards at The Novo by Microsoft on October 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Harmony Gerber/Getty Images)
Arnold Spielberg, father of Steven Spielberg, dies at 103 Steven Spielberg, left, and Arnold Spielberg, right, attend the USC Shoah Foundation's Inaugural Inspiration Award & Luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on April 26, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. Arnold Spielberg died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, of natural causes in Los Angeles at the age of 103. (FilmMagic/FilmMagic)
Acclaimed modern Americana singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle dead at 38 Justin Townes Earle performs at City Winery on Jan. 25, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (R. Diamond/Getty Images)
Walter Lure, guitarist for punk pioneers The Heartbreakers, dead at 71 Walter Lure and Johnny Thunders of the Heartbreakers perform on stage at the Music Machine, Camden Town, London, 1977. (Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns) (Erica Echenberg/Redferns)
Jack Sherman, early Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, dead at 64 FILE PHOTO: Jack Sherman, an early guitarist for pioneering rock group the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has died. He was 64. (Jim Steinfeldt/Getty Images)
Chi Chi DeVayne Entertainer Chi Chi DeVayne, who competed on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race," died Aug. 20. She was 34. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Todd Nance Drummer Todd Nance, a founding member of Widespread Panic, died Aug. 19 from complications of a chronic illness. He was 57. (Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Ben Cross died at 72 on August 18, 2020 English actor Ben Cross, known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in “Chariots of Fire,” has died on August 18, 2020 at age 72. (Michael Bezjian/WireImage)
Gov James Thompson FILE PHOTO: In this Nov. 10, 2004 file photo, attorney and former Gov. James Thompson is surrounded by reporters at the Illinois Supreme Court in Springfield, Ill. Thompson, known as “Big Jim” during a long career that eventually made him the state's longest-serving chief executive, has died. He was 84. Thompson died Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, his wife, Jayne, told the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) (Seth Perlman/AP)
Bill Yeoman Legendary University of Houston football coach Bill Yeoman, the father of the veer offense, died Aug. 12. He was 92. (Cotton Bowl/Collegiate Images via Getty Images)
Sumner Redstone dies at 97 FILE PHOTO: In this Sept. 7, 1999 file photo, Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone smiles during the announcement of a merger between CBS and Viacom in New York. Redstone, the strong-willed media mogul whose public disputes with family members and subordinates made him a feared operator in Hollywood, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett) (SUZANNE PLUNKETT/AP)
Trini Lopez Singer Trini Lopez, who sang "If I Had a Hammer" and also appeared in "The Dirty Dozen," died Aug. 11. He was 83. ( Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images)
Actor Wilford Brimey Actor Wilford Brimley was also a spokesperson for Quaker Oats for many years. (NBCU Photo Bank)
Alan Parker dies at 76 FILE PHOTO: Sir Alan Parker, winner of the Fellowship award, poses in the press room at the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House on February 10, 2013 in London, England. Parker died at the age of 76. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Herman Cain dies FILE PHOTO: Herman Cain, former chairman and chief executive officer of Godfather's Pizza, speaks during the final day of the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference on May 31, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Cain died July 30, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Malik B. Rapper Malik B., who co-founded The Roots during the 1990s, has died, the group said July 29. He was 47. (@mpozitolbertphotography via AP)
Olivia de Havilland Academy Award winning actress Olivia de Havilland known for her roles in “Gone With the Wind,” and “The Adventures of Robin Hood” has died. She was 104. (Francois Durand/Getty Images)
John Saxon Actor John Saxon, whose film credits included "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Enter the Dragon," died July 25. He was 83. ( Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Legendary TV host Regis Philbin dead at 88 Regis Philbin, a longtime television host, died Friday, July 24, 2020. He was 88. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Peter Green FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, April 7, 2001, British rock and blues guitarist Peter Green, a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, performing with his own band, Peter Green's Splinter Group, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, in New York. Lawyers representing the family of Peter Green, say in a statement Saturday July 25, 2020, that he has died, aged 73. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, FILE) (MARK LENNIHAN/AP)
Annie Ross Annie Ross, a jazz singer and lyricist noted for the song "Twisted," died July 21. She was 89. (Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)
Stanley Robinson Former University of Connecticut basketball star Stanley Robinson was found dead at a home in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 21. He was 32. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, a Russian-born skater who competed in the 2018 Olympics with Harley Windsor, right, died July 17 in Moscow. She was 20. (Rick Bowmer/Associated Press )
John Lewis John Lewis, a civil rights activist since the 1960s and a 17-term Congressman from Georgia, died July 17. He was 80. (Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press)
July 13: Grant Imahara Grant Imahara, best known as the co-host of "MythBusters" and "White Rabbit Project," has died at age 49, multiple news outlets reported on July 13, 2020. (Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images)
July 13: Naya Rivera Naya Rivera, a singer and actor who played a gay cheerleader on the hit TV musical comedy “Glee,” was found dead July 13 in a Southern California lake. She was 33. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)
Chris Doleman Pro football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman died from brain cancer Jan. 28. He was 58. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
July 12: Kelly Preston In this Nov. 12, 2011, file photo, actress Kelly Preston, left, and her husband, John Travolta, arrive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 2011 Governors Awards in Los Angeles. Preston, whose credits included the films "Twins" and "Jerry Maguire," died Sunday, July 12, 2020, Travolta said. She was 57. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
July 6: Mary Kay Letourneau Mary Kay Letourneau, a Washington state teacher convicted of having sex with her 12-year-old student 23 years ago and later marrying him, died of cancer July 6, 2020, her attorney said. She was 58. (Ron Wurzer/Getty Images)
Country music legend Charlie Daniels dies at 83 Famed country music singer and songwriter Charlie Daniels died Monday, July 6, 2020, in Tennessee following a stroke. (Mark Humphrey/AP, File)
July 6: Ennio Morricone In this July 12, 2009, file photo, Italian composer Ennio Morricone, conducts with the Budapest Symphonic Orchestra - Gyor, performing his best film themes together with the Macedonian Opera Choir, on the opening eve of the 49th Ohrid Summer Festival at the Ancient Theatre in Ohrid, in southwestern Macedonia. Morricone, who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic Spaghetti Western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and the soundtracks of classic Hollywood gangster movies such as "The Untouchables," died Monday, July 6, 2020, in a Rome hospital at the age of 91. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski, file)
Nick Cordero Actor Nick Cordero discusses "A Bronx Tale" with The Build Series at Build Studio on March 16, 2017, in New York City. Cordero died Sunday, July 5, 2020, at the age of 41 following a months-long battle with COVID-19. (Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Hugh Downs dies at 99 Emmy Award-winning television host and news anchor Hugh Downs died Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 99. (Jack Kanthal/AP)
Johnny Mandel Johnny Mandel died June 29, 2020, of a cardiac ailment at his home in Ojai, Calif. He was 94. (Charles Sykes/AP)
Carl Reiner In this Sept. 8, 2014 file photo, Carl Reiner appears at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (Nick Ut/AP, File)
Milton Glaser Milton Glaser a graphic artist who created the iconic "I ♥ NY" logo, died June 26 on his 91st birthday. (Christina Horsten/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Joel Schumacher FILE PHOTO: Joel Schumacher at Kiefer Sutherland's star ceremony on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on December 9, 2008, in Hollywood, California. He died June 22, at the age of 80 after a yearlong battle with cancer. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/WireImage) (Alexandra Wyman/WireImage)
The Ghost - VIP Screening FILE PHOTO: Actor Ian Holm arrives at a VIP screening of The Ghost held at The Courthouse Hotel on March 30, 2010 in London, England. The actor died June 19 at the age of 88. (Fergus McDonald/Getty Images)
June 17: Jean Kennedy Smith Jean Kennedy Smith, the sister of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, died June 17, 2020, at age 92. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
June 18: Vera Lynn Dame Vera Lynn, best known as the singer of the 1939 ballad "We'll Meet Again," died June 18 at age 103. (Kurt Hutton/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Bonnie Pointer Bonnie Pointer, a founding member of the Pointer Sisters singing group, died June 8. She was 69. (Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
Ken Riley Ken Riley, a 15-year NFL veteran with the Cincinnati Bengals who played and coached at Florida A&M University, died June 7. He was 72. (Gary Landers/Associated Press File)
Wes Unseld Basketball Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, a five-time All-Star who led the Washington Bullets to an NBA title in 1978, died June 2. He was 74. (Getty Images )
Larry Kramer Activist and playwright Larry Kramer, whose acclaimed 1985 drama “The Normal Heart” explored government inaction over AIDS, died May 27. He was 84. (Catherine McGann/Getty Images)
Richard Herd Actor Richard Herd, who played Mr. Wilhelm in the television sitcom "Seinfeld," died May 26. He was 87. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Eddie Sutton Hall of Fame basketball coach Eddie Sutton, who led four different teams to the Final Four during his 37-year career at the Division I level, died May 23. He was 84. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Hana Kimura The death of Hana Kimura, a pro wrestler and reality television star, was announced May 23. She was 22 (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Jerry Sloan Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and coached for 30 seasons -- 23 with the Utah Jazz -- died May 22. He was 78. (Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Annie Glenn FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2016 file photo, Annie Glenn arrives to view the casket of her husband famed astronaut John Glenn as he lies in honor, in Columbus, Ohio. Glenn died May 19 due to complications from coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo/AP)
May 13: Gregory Tyree Boyce According to E! News, a relative discovered the bodies of 30-year-old Gregory Tyree Boyce, who played Tyler Crowley in the first "Twilight" film, and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Natalie Adepoju, in their home May 13, 2020. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
The Paley Center For Media's PaleyFest: Rewind - "Leave It To Beaver" FILE PHOTO: Actor Ken Osmond arrives at the Paley Center for Media's PaleyFest: Rewind - "Leave It To Beaver" at The Paley Center for Media on June 21, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. Osmond died May 18 at the age of 76. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) (Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)
May 14: Phyllis George In this Sept. 12, 1970, file photo, Phyllis George, the former Miss Texas, poses after winning the national title of Miss America in Atlantic City, N.J. A family spokeswoman said George died Thursday, May 14, 2020, at a Lexington hospital after a long fight with a blood disorder. (AP Photo/File)
Fred Willard Beloved actor and comedian Fred Willard, who appeared in numerous movies and television series, died May 15. He was 86. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Kitty Bungalow)
Lynn Shelton Independent film director Lynn Shelton, whose credits included "Humpday" and "Your Sister's Sister," died May 15. She was 54. (Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
May 11: Jerry Stiller Comedy veteran Jerry Stiller, who launched his career opposite wife Anne Meara in the 1950s and re-emerged four decades later as the hysterically high-strung Frank Costanza on the smash television show “Seinfeld,” died at 92, his son Ben Stiller announced May 11, 2020. (Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images)
Betty Wright Soul singer Betty Wright hit the charts in 1971 with the "Clean Up Woman," died May 10. She was 66. (John Parra/WireImage)
MAry Pratt Mary Pratt, believed to be the last surviving member of the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, died May 6. She was 101. (Steven Tackeff/Associated Press file)
Little Richard Performs In Gijon FILE PHOTO: Little Richard performs on stage during Day two of Crossroads Festival on July 23, 2005 in Gijon, Spain. The music icon died May 9 at the age of 87. (Jordi Vidal/Redferns)
Andre Harrell Andre Harrell, founder of the R&B and hip-hop label Uptown Records, died May 8. He was 59. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Roy Horn Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy died of complications from COVID-19 in Las Vegas Friday, May 8, 2020. He was 75. (Jeff Bottari/AP)
Millie Small Millie Small who had a No. 2 hit in 1964 with "My Boy Lollipop," died May 5. She was 73. ( Michael Stroud/Express/Getty Images)
Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award FILE PHOTO: Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula speaks during a press conference. Shula died May 4, 2020, at the age of 90. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
"Scrubs" DVD Launch Event And Season 5 Wrap Party Sam Lloyd, known for his role as Ted Buckland on “Scrubs,” died of a brain tumor May 1. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Irrfan Khan FILE PHOTO: Irrfan Khan attends the "Puzzle" Premiere at Eccles Center Theatre during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2018 in Park City, Utah. Khan died April 29 after a battle with neuroendocrine cancer. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
April 27: Ashley "Minnie" Ross "Little Women: Atlanta" star Ashley "Minnie" Ross died April 27, 2020, after suffering injuries in a crash, her management team said. She was 34. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
April 27: Troy Sneed Troy Sneed, a Grammy Award-nominated gospel singer from the Jacksonville, Florida, area whose career spanned decades, has died from the coronavirus. The 52-year-old singer died April 27, 2020, at a Jacksonville hospital from complications of COVID-19, according to a news release. (Beth Gwinn/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Brian Dennehy Actor Brian Dennehy accepts a Tony Award for best actor in a play for "Long Day's Journey into Night" during the 57th Annual Tony Awards on June 8, 2003. Dennehy died of natural causes on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. He was 81. (Richard Drew, Fi/AP)
Willie Davis Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Davis, who played for five NFL championship teams -- including two Super Bowl titles -- with the Green Bay Packers, died April 15. He was 85. (Associated Press/File)
Hank Steinbrenner Hank Steinbrenner, co-owner of the New York Yankees, died April 14. He was 63. (Steve Nesius/Associated Press )
Mort Drucker Mort Drucker the legendary Mad magazine artist and master of caricature died Wednesday. He was 91. (Weil; Bernard/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
John Prine This June 15, 2019 file photo shows John Prine performing at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Prine died Tuesday, April 7, 2020, from complications of the coronavirus. He was 73. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File) (Amy Harris/Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Al Kaline Al Kaline, a baseball Hall of Famer who spent his 22-year career with the Detroit Tigers, died April 6. He was 85. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Bobby Mitchell Bobby Mitchell, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who integrated the Washington Redskins in 1962, died April 5. He was 84. ( Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)
Tom Dempsey Tom Dempsey, who set an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal in 1970, died April 4. He was 73. (Getty Images)
Bill Withers Bill Withers, the singer of hits like "‘Lean On Me," "Ain’t No Sunshine" died at 81. (Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Ellis Marsalis FILE PHOTO: Ellis Marsalis died April 1 from complications from the coronavirus his son said. The jazz great was 85. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
March 29: Alan Merrill Alan Merrill, best known for writing the hit song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," died March 29, 2020, after experiencing coronavirus complications. He was 69. (Neil H Kitson/Redferns via Getty Images)
Joe Diffie Oklahoma-born country music star Joe Diffie died Sunday from coronavirus-related issues, according to his Facebook page. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
Joseph Lowery The Rev. Joseph Lowery, an iconic figure in the civil rights movement, died March 27. He was 98, (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Mark Blum March 26: Stage, movie and TV character actor Mark Blum, who had roles in the films “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Crocodile Dundee,” died from complications from the coronavirus. (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Curly Neal March 26: Globetrotter Crowd favorite, Fred “Curly” Neal died in his home on March 26, 2020 outside Houston on Thursday morning. He was 77. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Stuart Gordon Stuart Gordon, the cult horror filmmaker best known for “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” died March 24. He was 72. (Francois Mori/ Associated Press, File)
Kenny Rogers Country singer Kenny Rogers, noted for "The Gambler" and hits across several musical genres, died March 20. He was 81. (Donald Kravitz/Getty Images)
Lyle Waggoner Actor Lyle Waggoner, who starred on "The Carol Burnett Shpw" and "Wonder Woman" on television, died March 17. He was 84. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)
Max Von Sydow FILE PHOTO: Max von Sydow attends the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at Microsoft Theater on September 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Von Sydow died March 8 at the age of 90. (Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)
Barbara Martin Barbara Martin, an early member of The Supremes, died March 4 at the age of 76. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns) (GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images)
Rosalind P. Walter Rosalind P. Walter attends the 2015 WNET Annual Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on June 9, 2015 in New York City. Walter was the inspiration for the song "Rosie the Riveter." She died March 4 at the age of 95. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
James Lipton FILE PHOTO: James Lipton attends The Hollywood Reporter 35 Most Powerful People In Media 2017 at The Pool on April 13, 2017 in New York City. Lipton died March 2 at the age of 93. (Dimitrios Kambouris)
jack Welch Jack Welch the former CEO for General Electric, has died, his wife announced March 2. He was 84. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for LinkedIn)
Joe Coulombe Joe Coulombe, who founded the Trader Joe's grocery chain, died Feb. 28. He was 89. (Esme via AP)
Clive Cussler Clive Cussler, noted for adventure novels, died Feb. 24. He was 88. (uis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Chitetsu Watanabe Chitetsu Watanabe, of Niigata, died Feb. 23, 2020, less than two weeks after Guinness World Records confirmed that the 112-year-old was the oldest man alive. (Kyodo News via AP)
Merkel Meets With Egyptian President Mubarak FILE PHOTO: Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak died at the age of 91. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Katherine Johnson At Work FILE PHOTO: NASA space scientist, and mathematician Katherine Johnson poses for a portrait at work at NASA Langley Research Center in 1966 in Hampton, Virginia. (Donaldson Collection/Getty Images)
Barbara 'B' Smith Barbara "B." Smith, a former model and restaurateur, died Feb. 22. She was 70. (Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press )
MIke Hughes Daredevil "Mad Mike" Hughes was killed Feb. 22 during a launch of a homemade rocket gone wrong, He was 64. (James Quigg/Daily Press via AP)
Skepta Performs At Olympia London Rapper Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. He was 20 years old. (Joseph Okpako/WireImage, File)
Ja'Net Dubois Ja'Net DuBois, who starred in the 1970s sitcom "Good Times," died Feb. 18, She was 74. (Koi Sojer/Snap'N U Photos/MediaPunch /IPX)
Kellye Nakahara Kellye Nakahara, known for her role in the TV show "M*A*S*H," died Feb. 16. She was 72. (Paramount Pictures/Getty Images)
Mickey Wright Golf legend Mickey Wright, who won 82 LPGA events and 13 major championships, died Feb. 17. She was 85. (Associated Press/File)
Tony Fernandez Tony Fernandez, a five-time All-Star shortstop who played 17 years in the major leagues, died Feb. 15. He was 57. (Paul Burnett/Associated Press)
Caroline Flack Caroline Flack, the former host of the hit British reality show "Love Island," died Feb. 15, according to her family. She was 40. (Jonathan Short/Associated Press)
Raphael Coleman Actor Raphael Coleman, a child star in the "Nanny McPhee" film, died Feb. 7. He was 25. (Max Nash/Associated Press)
Robert Conrad FILE PHOTO: Actor Robert Conrad, best known for his role as Secret Service agent James T. West in “The Wild Wild West” television show, has died. He was 84. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Actor Orson Bean, 91, struck and killed by vehicle in California Actor Orson Bean attends the premiere of Columbia Picture's 'The Equalizer 2' at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 17, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' Last 70mm Film Festival Screening Of "Spartacus" Actor Kirk Douglas attends the last 70mm film screening of "Spartacus" at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on August 13, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Douglas died at the age of 103 in February, 2020 (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
CLARK Mary Higgins Clark, one of the world's most popular writers, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. She was 92. (MIKE DERER/AP)
Marj Dusay Actress Marj Dusay, a veteran actress in five different soap opera series, died Jan. 28. She was 83. (Ben Hider/Getty Images)
Anne Cox Chambers, former owner of WSB-TV and Atlanta philanthropist, dies at age 100
Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant speaks to the media at a press conference before his #8 and #24 jerseys are retired by the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Jim Lehrer FILE PHOTO: PBS's Jim Lehrer has died at the age of 85. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Terry Jones FILE PHOTO: Terry Jones attends a press conference ahead of their upcoming tour at the O2 Arena Monty Python Live at the London Palladium on June 30, 2014 in London, England. (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Jan. 18: David Olney Singer-songwriter David Olney died while performing at a Florida Festival on Jan. 18. He was 71. ( Ebet Roberts/Redferns)
Jan. 8: Buck Henry Writer, actor and director Buck Henry, best known as the screenwriter of “The Graduate,” died Jan. 8, 2020. He was 89. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Jan. 7: Elizabeth Wurtzel FILE PHOTO: Controversial UK Author Elizabeth Wurtzel who wrote 'Prozac Nation' died Jan. 7 at the age of 52. (Neville Elder/Corbis via Getty Images)
Jan. 1: Don Larsen In this March 1956 file photo, New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen poses for a photo during baseball spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla. Larsen, the journeyman pitcher who reached the heights of baseball glory in 1956 for the Yankees when he threw a perfect game and the only no-hitter in World Series history, died Jan. 1, 2020. He was 90. (AP Photo, File)
Jan. 1: Nick Gordon Nick Gordon, the former boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown, died Jan. 1 at age 30, according to multiple news outlets. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Jan. 1: David Stern David Stern, who spent 30 years as the NBA's longest-serving commissioner and oversaw its growth into a global power, died on Jan. 1, 2020. He was 77. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)