Celebrities who died at age 51

Clara Lou Sheridan (February 21, 1915 – January 21, 1967), known professionally as Ann Sheridan, was an American actress and singer. She worked regularly, first in film and later in television, from 1934 until her death. Notable roles include San Quentin (1937) with Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart, Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) with James Cagney and Bogart, They Drive by Night (1940) with George Raft and Bogart, The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) with Monty Woolley, Kings Row (1942) with Ronald Reagan, Nora Prentiss (1947), and I Was a Male War Bride (1949) with Cary Grant.

Sabel Hay Shields (August 15, 1957 – April 18, 2009), better known as Sable Starr, was a famous American groupie, often described as the "queen of the groupie scene" in Los Angeles during the early 1970s. She claimed during an interview published in the June 1973 edition of Star magazine that she had sexual relationships with Iggy Pop, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and Marc Bolan.

Eleanor Jane Mondale Poling (January 19, 1960 – September 17, 2011) was an American radio personality, television host, and actress.

Alice Elizabeth Chapman (née Smith, October 29, 1967 – June 26, 2019) was an American bounty hunter and reality star who co-starred with her husband Duane "Dog" Chapman, on the reality television shows Dog the Bounty Hunter, Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, and Dog's Most Wanted.

Elise Finch (February 24, 1972 – July 16, 2023) was an American television meteorologist with WCBS-TV New York City from 2007. Previously with NBC's Early Today, with the CBS Phoenix, Arizona affiliate KPHO, an anchor and reporter at the CBS and Fox Youngstown, Ohio affiliates WKBN and WYFX, and the ABC Austin, Minnesota affiliate KAAL. She started her television broadcasting career working behind the scenes at E! Entertainment Television.

Negrita Jayde (July 5, 1958 – August 28, 2009) was a Canadian female bodybuilding champion, personal trainer, author, actress and businesswoman. She was the longtime partner and fiancée of Gregory Hines, at the time of his death in August 2003. Her books include Supervixen: Secrets for Building a Lean and Sexy Body.

François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 – 12 October 1989) was a major figure in 20th-century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is referred to as Franco Luambo or simply Franco. Known for his mastery of African Rumba, he was nicknamed by fans and critics "Sorcerer of the Guitar" and the "Grand Maître of Zairean Music", as well as Franco de Mi Amor by female acolytes.

William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who mostly played in trios. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continues to influence jazz pianists today.

Eric Gerard Laneuville (born July 14, 1952) is an American television director, producer and actor. His first acting roles were in the science-fiction film The Omega Man (1971) with Charlton Heston, and the ABC television series Room 222 (1970–1973). His role as Luther Hawkins in the television series St. Elsewhere is his best known role. He also starred in A Force of One (1979) playing Charlie, the adopted son of Chuck Norris's character. In more recent years, he frequently directs such one-hour dramas as Blue Bloods and NCIS: Los Angeles. He directed Body of Proof episode "Missing". He also appeared in Love at First Bite.