The Observer's obituaries of 2021
Cultural figures we lost in 2021, remembered by those close to them
Nawal El Saadawi remembered by Mona Eltahawy
Una Stubbs remembered by Martin Freeman
Janet Malcolm remembered by Michael W Miller
The US journalist on his aunt, whose exacting vision – from her writing to her elegant dinner parties – was an expression of love and generosity
Mary Wilson remembered by Otis Williams
The founder of the Temptations on his fiercely determined Motown colleague who lit up the stage with the Supremes and fought for artists’ rights
Stephen Sondheim remembered by Imelda Staunton
The actor on the American composer and lyricist who changed musicals, and whose warmth and generous spirit were equally present in the theatre and at home
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry remembered by Neil ‘Mad Professor’ Fraser
Katharine Whitehorn remembered by Edie Reilly
Roger Michell remembered by Kate Winslet
Sean Lock remembered by Bill Bailey
Shirley Williams remembered by David Owen
Helen McCrory remembered by Cillian Murphy
Those we lost in 2021: Michael K Williams remembered by Felicia Pearson
The actor, who played Snoop alongside Williams’s Omar in The Wire, on her ‘big brother, little sister’ chemistry with the man who transformed her life after spotting her in a Baltimore nightclub
Those we lost in 2021: Jimmy Greaves remembered by Geoff Hurst
The World Cup hat-trick hero recalls his West Ham and England teammate – a gifted and record-breaking goal scorer whose bonhomie and charisma led to a second career as a TV host
Charlie Watts remembered by Dave Green
The Rolling Stones drummer’s childhood friend and fellow musician recalls a home-loving connoisseur and collector of ephemera
