Imani Dia Smith, 1999 – 2025

Imani Dia Smith, 26, who played young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway, died on Dec. 21. She was stabbed to death in Edison, NJ, and her boyfriend was arrested and charged in her death. Smith was the daughter of a stage, television, and film hairdresser; The Lion King seems to have been her only acting credit. Her family posted that "Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person,” and that her acting “reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”