In the last year, we’ve lost quite a few famous celebrities for one reason or another. So, why not take the time to remember who we’ve lost so that we can remember them for all that they have given us.
Kobe Bryant
Known as “Black Mamba” on the court, Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Playing all 20 of his season with the Lakers, his skill, leadership, and competitive nature led to five NBA championship, 18 All-Star recognitions, and being recognized as the NBA Finals MVP twice. After retiring, he even won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball in 2017. However, in early 2020, while traveling with his daughter, Gianna, their helicopter went down and neither survived the crash.
Robert Forster
Appearing in several movies throughout his Hollywood career, he’ll always be remembered for his roles in Reflections in a Golden Eye and Medium Cool. He even won a Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role for playing Granite Slate in Breaking Bad. In October 2019, surrounded by his family, Forster passed away from brain cancer.
Juice WRLD
Jarad Anthony Higgins, better known by his stage name Juice WRLD, was a rapper and singer based out of Chicago. The songs he released on Spotify helped him get a contract with Grade A Productions and Interscope Productions. He passed away after ingesting several unknown pills during a flight from Van Nuys back to Chicago.
Bob Saget
Bob Saget passed away in 2022 at only the age of 66. A comedian legend and talk show host, Saget will always be remembered for his role on Full House, and the sequel, Fuller House.
Cameron Boyce
While adults’ exposure to him may have been more limited, Cameron Boyce was a well-known mainstay on Disney Channel, with roles on Jessie, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Unfortunately, at only age 20, he passed away from complications with his epilepsy.
Rocky Johnson
Rocky’s son Dwayne has since surpassed him in fame, but we shouldn’t forget what the original Johnson did as well. A famous wrestler, he won several titled with the National Wrestling Alliance. And in 1983, he won the World Tag Team Championship with his partner, Tony Atlas. They became the first black champions in World Wrestling Entertainment history. In January 2020, he ignored certain symptoms, believing that he just had the flu. And that led to him passing from a pulmonary embolism.
Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried probably had one of the most recognizable voices in media. That’s probably why he had such a succesful career as a comedian and voice actor. Unfortunately, he also passed away in 2022 at only 67.
Rip Torn
Rip Torn had a comedic career that spanned more than 60 years, as both an actor and voice actor. Some of his roles includes Patch O’Houlihan in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and Zed in the Men in Black franchise. At the age of 88, Torn died after suffering from Alzheimer’s for some time.
Neil Peart
Neil Peart was the youngest person to be inducted into the Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1983. He wasn’t just a drummer, but also the lyricist of the band Rush. He was even a noted author, writing several memoirs that included the themes of his lyrics. However, after suffering from an illness for more than three years, Peart died of glioblastoma at age 67.
Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald was well-known for his deadpan sense of humor and comedy style. Being a cast member of Saturday Night Live and having his own show, he left his mark on comedy. But he unfortunately passed away at age 62 in 2021.
Chuy Bravo
Chuy Bravo was a Mexican-American actor, known best for serving as sidekick to Chelsea Handler on her talk show, Chelsea Lately. Although acting was his major focus, he had also founded the Bravo Academy in Los Angeles to help its Latin Community talents work in the entertainment industry. He passed away at 63 in December of 2019.
Stefanie Sherk
A Canadian native, Stephanie Sherk moved to the US to further her career as a model, producer, and actress. She’s appeared in several televisions series, such as CSI: Cyber and #Hashtag: The Series. In addition, she had writing credits on Valentine’s Day, Big Date, and Crash Landing. She died at age 43 in April 2019.
Beth Chapman
Wife of reality TV star, Duane “Dog” Chapman passed away from cancer in June of 2019. She was best known for her appearances on the series Dog the Bounty Hunter, Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, and Dog’s Most Wanted. They had been married since 2006.
Ashley Massaro
Ashley Massaro had quite the varied body of work. She was a WWE professional wrestler, radio personality, TV host, glamour model, and even a contestant on Survivor: China. Although, it’s her wrestling career she’s most famous for. She died in May 2019.
Danny Aiello
A great actor of Italian descent, Danny Aiello was a great actor. Known for appearing in several movies, including Harlem Nights and The Godfather Part II, his most critically acclaimed role comes from his portrayal of Sal Frangione in Do the Right Thing. This role got him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He died in 2019 in the month of December.
John Witherspoon
Beginning his Hollywood career all the way back in 1965, he’s appeared in more television shows than you can count. He’s also appeared in several music videos of different hip-hop and and rap artists. Unfortunately, he passed away in October of 2019.
Regis Philbin
After passing away in 2020, Regis Philbin’s family made this statement; “We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career…” 60 years in the entertainment industry, as a talk and game show host, actor, and even a singer.
Ray Liotta
This was a rather recent loss, which makes it all the more painful. Ray Liotta passed away at age 67, a rather young age all things considered. Famous for movies such as Goodfellas and Field of Dreams, he’s made his mark on the culture of humanity.
Grant Imahara
Grant Imahara had become a mainstay of the show Mythbusters in its third season. He became instantly popular, but his life ended all too soon. In July 2020 he died of a brain aneurysm.
Naya Rivera
Best known for her roles in Glee and Step Up, Naya Rivera passed away after a tragic accident at Lake Piru. She and her son had gone swimming, and while her child had managed to make it back to their boat, Rivera didn’t. It took five days to recover her body. She was only 33.
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston had battled cancer for two years before she couldn’t anymore. She passed away at the age of 57 July 12th 2020. The wife of John Travolta, she was best known for her parts in Jerry Maguire, For Love of the Game, and What a Girl Wants.
Carl Reiner
Carl Reiner passed away in 2020 at the age of 98. His entertainment career was long and varied, acting as a comedy writer, director, and actor for more than six decades. He had won nine Emmys, a Grammy, and even the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Mary Pat Gleason
Mary Pat Gleason was 70 years old when she died in June 2020. Her face and personality was iconic, with roles in Saved by the Bell, Sex and the City, and Desperate Housewives. Of course, that’s not all she’s done, and has performed in several movies as well.
Fred Willard
A comedy legend with a long body of word, Fred Willard passed away in May 2020 of natural causes. However, he left behind a massive impact on the comedy genre and on Hollywood as a whole.
Jerry Stiller
The father of Ben Stiller, passed away May 2020. On social media, Ben said “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.” He will always be remembered for his most iconic roles.
Little Richard
The “wild man” of early rock ‘n’ roll, Little Richard, passed at age 87 in May 2020. He had been battling bone cancer for some time. With hits such as “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally”, his music will not be easily forgotten.
Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd died of lung cancer April 30th 2020. The comedic actor was best known for his roles in Scrubs and Seinfeld. Zach Braff in particular sung his praises in a Tweet following his praises, speaking of his wit and how he’s cherish the time they had spent together.
Howard Finkel
Howard Finkel was such an important announcer for the World Wrestling Federation, he was inducted into its Hall of Fame. He’s known for introducing many of the greatest wrestlers with his deep, booming voice. However, he suffered a serious stroke in 2018 and had suffered from poor health ever since. And in April 2020, he passed away.
Betty White
Everyone knows who Betty White is. With an entertainment career that’s spanned nearly 90 years, it’d be too difficult and time-consuming naming her most iconic roles. She lives to the age of 99, dying only a few weeks before her 100th birthday, December 31st 2021.
