Oct 17, 2023
By: Sahib Preet SinghIn the world of entertainment and creativity, the legacies of iconic figures often continue to shine long after their time on this Earth has passed. From literary luminaries and musical maestros to beloved cartoonists and sporting legends, their influence endu...
Died: September 2, 1973 (aged 81) – J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of Middle-earth, has posthumously earned an estimated fortune of $500 million. In August, Embracer, a Swedish video game company, acquired Middle Earth Enterprises along with several o...
Died: January 26, 2020 (aged 41) – Kobe Bryant, the beloved late L.A. Lakers icon, left a lasting legacy even beyond the basketball court. Forbes reported that he held a 7% stake in BodyArmor, an energy drink company, and was a board member before his ...
Died: August 16, 1977 (aged 42) – Despite having left the building over four decades ago, Elvis Presley's financial reign remains rock solid. The King posthumously benefited significantly from the surge in Covid-era tourists flocking to his iconic Gra...
Died: December 25, 2006 (aged 73) – The legacy of the "hardest working man in show business," James Brown, lives on even after his passing in 2006. Primary Wave, an independent music publisher based in New York, acquired Brown's music rights...
Died: June 25, 2009 (aged 50) – The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, continues to be a major moneymaker even beyond his untimely passing in 2009. His Cirque de Soleil show in Las Vegas, dedicated to his legacy, is thriving again as COVID restrictions wane, wh...
Died: November 7, 2016 (aged 82) – The soulful maestro behind "Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen, found his publishing and masters under the stewardship of Hipgnosis, a publicly traded music management and intellectual property company led by Merck Merc...
Died: September 24, 1991 (aged 87) – Dr. Seuss, the beloved creator of whimsical worlds like Whoville and iconic characters like The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax, continues to enchant audiences. Recent book sales, amassing over $16 million since November, ...
Died: August 5, 1992 (aged 38) – Though his name may not be as recognizable as some, the late drummer Jeff Porcaro was an industry legend during his lifetime. Co-writing the platinum-certified hit "Africa" for the '80s rock band Toto was jus...
Died: February 12, 2000 (aged 77) – Snoopy and the beloved Peanuts characters have been a perennial source of income, just as they've been a perpetual source of woe for poor Charlie Brown. Yet, the game is evolving. For the first time in over five dec...
Died: August 28, 2016 (aged 66) – Juan Gabriel, one of the most prolific Mexican composers and singers in history, crafted around 1,800 songs during his lifetime, enchanting audiences with his flamboyant style and fashion sense, often adorned in sequins. H...