Celebrity Deaths: Stars We've Lost

Death is a part of life, nonetheless, the loss and pain each goodbye entails cannot be put into words. Even if celebrities aren't as close to us as our family and friends, it sometimes feels like they're a huge part of our lives – through the emotions they make us feel with their music, the characters they bring to life in our favorite movies and TV shows, through their art and through what they stood for. When such inspirational personas pass away, the pain we feel transcends what we might deem appropriate for someone we don't know personally. The following celebrity deaths shook us to our core:

#1 Lisa Marie Presley

The daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley has died at the age of 54. It happened only a day after she and her mother attended the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards to celebrate Baz Luhrmann's film "Elvis," in which Austin Butler plays her father Elvis According to TMZ, the singer-songwriter was found in cardiac arrest at home and was rushed to a hospital. Just hours later came the tragic news that she did not survive.

Lisa Marie Presley is survived by her mother, Priscilla Presley, and her children Riley Keough, Finley Aaron Love Lockwood and Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood. Her son Benjamin had died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 27. In a statement to People, Priscilla Presley said, "It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us."

#2 TV-Host Jerry Springer

At the age of 79, TV host Jerry Springer has passed away. He was known for hosting "The Jerry Springer Show" for a whopping 27 years on television. He also served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978, and later hosted "America's Got Talent" from 2007 to 2008.

His family spokesman confirmed his death: „Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word. He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.“

#3 Moonbin

K-pop fans around the world are in mourning following the sudden death of Moonbin, a member of boy band "Astro", who passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 25. Moonbin's music label Fantagio announced his death on Thursday, but did not provide any information about the cause of death.

Moonbin was a popular K-pop star and had been a member of "Astro" since the group's debut in 2016. He was also part of the subgroup Moonbin & Sanha. Prior to his music career, Moonbin was an actor and model, having joined the Fantagio label's trainee program at an early age.

Moonbin's death is the latest in a series of tragedies to hit the K-pop world in recent years, with several young stars passing away unexpectedly. The industry has faced criticism for the intense pressure placed on its performers and for the lack of support provided to them. South Korea has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world, and many are calling for greater mental health resources for K-pop stars and others in the industry.

As fans and colleagues mourn the loss of Moonbin, many are reflecting on the impact he had on the K-pop world and the legacy he leaves behind.

#4 Charlbi Dean

The South African actress, who is known for her role as Yaya in the 2022 movie “Triangle of Sadness“, unexpectedly died at the age of 32 in August 2022. Her sudden death lead to many speculations as to the cause for her sudden passing. Now, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has revealed that the actress died as a result from bacterial sepsis. It is unclear how she was infected with the bacteria Capnocytophaga, but it could be that her body wasn't able to fight it off because her spleen had to be removed in 2009 after a car accident. Since one of the spleen's functions is to fight off invading germs, this could have added to her not surviving the infection. 

#5 Stephen “tWitch” Boss

He is not only known for being DJ for the Ellen DeGeneres, he also worked as a choreographer and was often seen dancing alongside his wife Allison Holker Boss on their Instagram accounts. Now, the dancer has tragically and surprisingly passed away at the age of 40. Holker Boss issued a statement to people.com, saying:

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us. Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans. To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.

I am certain there won't be a day that goes by that we won't honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.

Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”

According to the LA County Medical Examiner, Boss died by suicide on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Only days earlier, he and his wife had celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Allison Holker Boss and their three kids, Weslie, Zaia, and Maddox Laurel.

If you're struggling with depression or know someone who is, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (USA), the Samaritans at 116 123 (UK), and 133 Suicide Prevention at 113 and 0800 - 0113 (NL).

#6 Kirstie Alley 

Kirstie Alley and John Travolta starred in the "Look Who's Talking!" movies. In the 90s this made her a star and a fashion icon. She didn't exactly have an easy childhood, though. Her violent mother died in 1981 as a result of a car accident and her father was seriously injured in the accident. In 1982 she got her first role in "Star Trek II" then. Although the role was very successful, she was recasted in the III part. In 1989, finally came her big breakthrough with "Look Who's Talking!". Alley was a Scientologist up until to her death and even a very respected member. In 2022, she still participated in the American version of "The Masked Singer" and became in 6th place. Sadly, on 5th of December the actress died at the age of 71 as a result of cancer, which had been discovered only recently.

#7 John Aniston

The “Days Of Our Lives“ actor John Aniston passed away on November 11, 2022. His daughter, actress Jennifer Aniston shared the sad news on her Instagram account, accompanied by a sweet tribute to her father. “I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace - and without pain,” she writes, further highlighting that he always had perfect timing – he left this world on 11/11/22. 

Aniston was part of many well-known TV shows, such as Star Trek: Voyager, Mad Men, and Gilmore Girls. In 2021, his daughter Jennifer Aniston accepted the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, not revealing why her father couldn't attend the award ceremony. 

He died at the age of 89.

#8 Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter shot to fame back in the late 1990s as a pop singer, when he was only 9 years old. He went on tour with the Backstreet Boys because he was the younger brother of Nick Carter. On November 5th, the devastating news reached us that the singer-turned-rapper and actor was found dead Saturday in his house in Lancaster, CA. Multiple sources told TMZ Aaron's body was found in his bathtub. Law enforcement sources also said they received a 911 call at 11 AM Saturday that a male had drowned in the tub.We are deeply saddened. Rest in peace! 

Brother Nick Carter Reacts to Aaron's Death

Nick Carter has now confirmed what had already been suspected: It was indeed his brother Aaron who was found dead on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. In an Instagram post, the member of the Backstreet Boys paid tribute to his late brother by saying, “My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded.” Below his heartfelt words are countless comments offering commiseration, written by both fellow celebrities and fans. 

Backstreet Boys Dedicate Song to Aaron Carter

Despite the sad news, the Backstreet Boys continued their tour performances, but they didn't do so without paying tribute to Aaron Carter. While on stage in London, they announced that they are going to dedicate a song to Aaron, “we lost one of our family members today and we just wanted to find a moment in our show to recognize him.“ The announcement was accompanied by the fans' emotional exclamations and tears, both those of the band and the audience.  

#9 Robbie Coltrane

Robbie Coltrane was well known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. On October 14, sad news flewed all over the world: The actor has died aged 72. In a statement, his agent Belinda Wright confirmed he died in hospital near Falkirk in Scotland. She described Coltrane as a "unique talent", adding his role as Hagrid "brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world". We will truly miss him!

#10 Angela Lansbury

Not yet 20 years old, Angela Lansbury garnered her first Oscar nomination for her movie debut, “Gaslight,” in 1944. She achieved her greatest fame in her 60s for her starring role in “Murder, She Wrote” as crime-solving mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. But now, she has died, according to a statement from her family. “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday,” her family said in a statement. Our condolences!

#11 Queen Elizabeth II.

On September 8th, a gray veil settled over Great Britain. Buckingham Palace announced the sad news that Queen Elizabeth II. has passed away at the age of 96. A statement earlier said the Queen was under medical surveillance on the advice of her doctors. Meanwhile, countless visitors gathered in front of the world-famous residence and hoped that the Queen of England's health would improve – but unfortunately without success. In deep sadness we wish the family and all friends and acquaintances a lot of strength.

#12 Coolio

The “Gangsta's Paradise” singer reportedly died at a friend's house on Wednesday, September 28. At one point, Coolio reportedly went to the bathroom and did not return for a while. When his friend went to check on him, he found Coolio lying on the bathroom floor. The emergency doctor had pronounced him dead on the spot. Paramedics suspect the cause of death was cardiac arrest, but there is no official cause of death yet. 

Michelle Pfeiffer remembers the music legend as “gracious” and says, “30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song (Gangsta's Paradise).“ The two had worked together on the rap video to the song.

As Pfeiffer put it: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio. A life cut entirely too short.”

#13 Darius Campbell Danesh

The Scottish singer and actor was only 41, when he was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota. As of now, the police haven't found any signs of intent or foul play, and the cause of his death is still unknown. His family ask for privacy in this difficult time.

#14 "Full House" Star Bob Saget

He has played his way into our hearts as America's favorite dad. Most people born before 2000 will know Saget for his role as "Danny Tanner" in the sitcom "Full House". While being on tour for his stand up comedy program, Bob Saget was found dead in his hotel room. He was only 65 years old. As of today (January 17, 2022), there's no official report on the cause of death yet. What is known so far is that there's no evidence for foul play or drugs.

Candace Bure, Who Plyed „D.J. Tanner“, Honors Bob Saget With Heartfelt Post

On her Instagram account, „Full House“ star Bure recently shared a long and heartfelt text in tribute of her TV dad. She writes, "Oh, Bob. Why’d you have to leave us so soon? We are all family, but you were the glue. The sticky, messy, squishy, sweet, lovable glue. My childhood is wrapped up in you, my formative teenaged [sic] years and the rest of adulthood." The former child star later continues by saying, "You were never afraid or ashamed to share your emotions, to cry, to love, to laugh and say it out loud. We’ve always been so deeply connected since the day we met when I was 10 years old. You weren’t just like a father, but one of my closest friends in life. This hurts like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I love you, I love you, I love you. You knew that. I knew that [...] I want one more hug." She concludes her post with the following, emotional words: "I’m not saying goodbye because you’ll never leave my heart. Even with this gigantic tear in it 💔"

She's not the only one Bob Saget's death leaves with great sadness:

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Express Their Sorrow Over Bob Saget's Loss

Although Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have turned their backs on acting and "Full House" a long time ago, they held Saget close to their hearts. People.com shared their emotional statement: "Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has. We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences." 

2022 sadly continued with another heartbreaking death...

#15 Adalia Rose Williams

On January 12, 2022, Adalia Rose Williams passed away. The YouTuber had been diagnosed with the Hutchinson-Gilford-Progeria-Syndrome, which has now claimed her life at only 15 years old.
“January 12, 2022 at 7pm Adalia Rose Williams was set free from this world. She came into it quietly and left quietly, but her life was far from it“, reads a post on her Instagram account. On her YouTube channel, she uploaded beauty tutorials, vlogs and funny conversations. By doing so, Adalia showed us how diverse and rich humans and life itself can be – and what it means to be a warrior.

# 16 Former "16 and Pregnant" Star Jordan Cashmyer Has Died at Age 26

Back in 2014, Cashmyer and her then-boyfriend Derek Taylor allowed the cameras to follow the couple as far as the birth of their daughter Evie. Her death at such a young age comes unexpected and as of now the cause of her death is unclear. Cashmyer and Taylor had separated after their participation in "16 and Pregnant" – soon after that, Taylor's mother got full for their daughter.

Betty White

Even though the "Golden Girls" actress died on the last day of 2021, her name is still on everyone's lips. On January 17, 2022, White would have celebrated her 100th birthday. To celebrate the late actress' birthday, Google honored her with an emotional gesture. When you googled Betty White on January 18, 2022, Google let rose petals rain over your smartphone or laptop screen and dedicated the words "Thank you for being a friend" to her. We can only concur!

#17 Gaspard Ulliel

The French actor has reportedly died during a Skiing accident in the Alps on January 19, 2022. Only two days earlier, Disney+ had released the trailer for the upcoming Marvel series “Moon Knight“, in which Ulliel starred as Anton Mogart, aka Midnight Man. The role was supposed to be his big break in the US.

In France, he had already been an acclaimed actor. For his starring role in the 2016 drama “It's Only the End of the World“, he'd won the César Award. On Twitter, French Prime Minister Jean Castex honored the actor with the following words: “Gaspard Ulliel a grandi avec le cinéma et le cinéma a grandi avec lui. Ils s'aimaient éperdument. C'est le cœur serré que nous reverrons désormais ses plus belles interprétations et croiserons ce certain regard. Nous perdons un acteur français.“

Translated into English, his tweet reads: “Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema and cinema grew up with him. They loved each other madly. It is with a heavy heart that we will no longer see his most beautiful interpretations. We have lost a French actor.“

Ulliel died at only 37.

#18 Meat Loaf

The rock legend touched countless hearts with songs like “I'd Do Anything For Love“. On January 20, 2022, the singer passed away at the age of 74 – a heavy loss for the world. His wife Deborah was by his side when he left this world.

#19 Moses J. Moseley

The Walking Dead actor has died at the young age of 31. The cause of death has not been revealed yet, the circumstances of his death are still under investigation. Moseley was best known for his role as Mike in The Walking Dead. In a statement to People Magazine, Moseley's manager shared the following moving words:

„He was loved by everyone who met him. Such a bright light in everyone's eyes. Moses was an amazing person and if you had the opportunity to meet him he would have made your day amazing. He was very talented, he was a great friend, the kind you could call for anything. He was always excited about life and working in the entertainment business.“

Our thoughts are with Moses J. Moseley's family and friends.

#20 Josh Neuman

During a trip to Iceland, U.S. skateboarder and influencer Josh Neuman has died in a plane crash. Shortly after seeing the Northern Lights for the first time, he boarded a flight with two other passengers and the 49-year-old aviator Haraldur Diego. After searching for the lost plane for several days, it was finally found on February 12, 2022 in Lake Thingvallavatn. His family has released a heartfelt statement, saying "[i]n his 22 years on this earth, Josh didn't just live life, he was life, and he lived every day to the fullest extent possible while being kind to everyone."

On the flight, he was accompanied by another well-known influencer:

#21 Nicola Bellavia

The Belgian content creator was on the plane with Neuman, Diego, and Suspicious Antwerp sponsorship manager Tim Alings. On his Instagram profile, he celebrated life and shared his many travel adventures with his followers. He was only 32 years old.

#22 Anna Karen

Karen was most recently known for her starring role as Aunt Sal in the British drama series EastEnders. The actress was born in Durban, South Africa and moved to London when she was only 17 years old. During the production of the BBC sitcom Wild, Wild Women, Karen was offered the role of Olive on the sitcom On the Buses, a role she played for all 74 episodes of the TV series. In the night of February 22, 2022, Karen has tragically died at the age of 85 during a house fire. The cause of the fire is unclear at this point. 

#23 Jean-Pierre Pernaut

After his battle with lung cancer, French TV news anchor Jean-Pierre Pernaut has sadly died in Paris, at the age of 71. He presented the news on 13 Heures in the years between 1988 and 2020 and his unique way of delivering the news made him one of the most popular news readers in France.

#24 Johnny Brown

The Good Times actor has passed away at the age of 84. He'd played the role of Nathan Bookman in the 70s show throughout seasons 2 to 4, and his character was very popular on the show.

His daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, shared the tragic news on her Instagram account on March 4, 2022. According to TMZ, she reported that prior to his death, he had gone to a routine check-up for his pacemaker. The official cause of death has not been revealed yet, however.

Brown is survived by his children, Sharon and John Jr. and his wife, June Brown.

#25 William Hurt

Only one week before his 72nd birthday, actor William Hurt has sadly passed away. His son Will informed The Hollywood Reporter about his family's tragic loss.

Hurt's acting career began in the 1970s and by the 1980s, he had risen to one of the most popular film stars. His debut film Altered States earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 1980, but he was also known for his starring role in Body Heat. In 1985, he earned the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Kiss of the Spider Woman – one of the many nominations he would receive in his lifetime. More recently, he played Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in the Marvel films The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Black Widow (2021).

Our condolences to his family and friends. He will always be remembered.

#26 Peter Bowles

On March 17, 2022 the sad news of the British actor's passing has reached the world. His agent said that the successful screen and stage actor has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 85. He is still well-remembered for his role in the BBC sitcom To the Manor from 1979 to 1981. His art encompassed both comedy and drama, and his acting career shone especially bright during the 1980s and '90s. His most recent project was ITV's Victoria, in which he played the role of The Duke of Wellington until 2019.

He is survived by his wife Sue and his children Guy, Adam and Sasha. The couple had been married for over 60 years.

#27 Taylor Hawkins

While touring through Colombia, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins unexpectedly died in his hotel room at the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota. The circumstances of his death are yet to unravel, but he reportedly called an ambulance because of chest pain. When the ambulance arrived, he had apparently already died. The cause of death is still under investigation, however, several sources, for example the Colombian magazine Semana, report that traces of different substances were found in his blood.

He is survived by his wife Alison and their children Oliver Shane and Annabelle. Our deepest condolences to the family.

#28 Tom Parker

Fans are devastated by the loss of British singer Tom Parker. The The Wanted member had shared the sad news that he is suffering with an inoperable brain tumor back in 2020. This didn't stop him from being part of the band's reunion in 2021, however, after having split up in 2014.

Now, on March 30, 2022 his wife Kelsey had to share the tragic news that her husband had passed away from brain cancer at the young age of 33. On her Instagram account, she expresses her deep sadness at the family's tragic loss:

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side. Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence. We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you."

Our deepest condolences to Kelsey and their children Aurelia and Bhodi.

Tom Parker's Funeral: The Wanted Join Together As Pallbearers

One last time, The Wanted joined together on April 20 to pay their last respects to their late band member Tom Parker. The close-knit group held up the black coffin - which was decorated with a stunning display of white and green flowers. Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Max George and Nathan Sykes put on brave faces as they took on the important role of pallbearers. Hundreds of fans dressed in black gathered the streets in honour of the late singer, with the service being broadcast on screens outside the church. The band members also gave moving speeches about their friend. One Direction star Liam Payne also joined other mourners saying a final goodbye to the late celebrity. Outside the church where the funeral was held, there were also floral arrangements that formed the words "Glad You Came" - the title of a successful hit that the band released in 2011.

#29 Gilbert Gottfried

With his unique sense of humor, Gottfried began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 80s. However, the stage was not the only place where he entertained the masses. In movies like Beverly Hills Cops II and television series like Married.... with Children he played his way into the hearts of a large audience. He was also successful as a voice actor, giving his voice to the parrot Iago in Aladdin (1992), Minister Clion in Hercules and a compulsive dog in Dr. Dolittle, among others.

His family shared the sad news on Gottfried's Twitter account and asked people to remain in good spirits despite the tragic loss:

"Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor."

He died at the age of 67 and is survived by his wife, Dara Gottfried, and his two children, Lily Aster Gottfried, 14, and Max Aaron Gottfried, 12.
 

#30 Naomi Judd

The famous American singer has tragically passed away at the age of 76. Her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd, announced the heartbreaking news on April 30, 2022. Their statement to The Associated Press reads "Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness … We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory." Further, the family has asked for privacy to process their tragic loss.

#31 Marnie Schulenburg

On May 17, 2022, the actress Marnie Schulenburg died while being only 37 years old. She was most famous for her role as Alison Stewart in the series "As the World Turns". Only five month after giving birth to her daughter Coda in 2020 she announced that she was diagnosed with lethal breast cancer and spoke about her fears in social media for a while. Now she lost her last fight against the illness in a hospital in New Jersey.

#32 Ray Liotta

The American actor Ray Liotta has passed away at the age of 67. At the time of his death, he was in the Dominican Republic filming the movie Dangerous Waters. According to his representative, he died in his sleep.

Liotta had his breakthrough with Goodfellas in 1990. In the film he played the protagonist, gangster Henry Hill.

The news of his death came as a surprise to many. Liotta is survived by his fiancée Jacy Nittolo and his daughter Karsen Liotta. May he rest in peace.

#33 Dame Deborah James

The 40-year-old journalist has sadly lost her battle with bowel cancer. In her podcast You, Me and the Big C on BBC Radio 5, James openly talked about the diagnosis she received back in 2016 and has been vocal about her struggles with the illness ever since. Her family shared her final words for us to take to heart, “find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.” x

#34 James Caan

The full name of "The Godfather" star is James Edmund Caan, often called "Jimmy". Even before his role of "Sonny Corleone" in 1972, he had some first performances, for example alongside John Wayne in "El Dorado". After his big breakthrough, Caan withdrew from the public eye from 1982 to 1987, but after that he continued to be quite successful on the TV bus for a few more years. By the way, his son Scott Caan is also an actor. 
In total, James Caan was part of 130 different productions as an actor! At the age of 82, the icon has now passed away and we wish all the bereaved much strength. 

#35 Olivia Newton-John

The “Grease”-star has sadly passed away at the age of 73. The singer and actress had been battling breast cancer for 30 years, however, it has not been officially named as the cause of death. Her husband, John Easterling, disclosed that she died surrounded by friends and family in their family home. 

Olivia Newton-John will be remembered for her unforgettable legacy as a movie star and singer, her iconic role as Sandy in “Grease” and her love of animals. She'd been an advocate for animals rights throughout her career. 

John Travolta, her co-star in “Grease”, shared an emotional tribute on his Instagram:

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever!
Your Danny, your John!”

She will be dearly missed.