A Tribute to the Celebrities We Lost in 2023
22 Jan 2024If for some, the year 2023 became a year of success and new beginnings, for certain celebrities, this year marked the last in their lives. We have chosen to honor their memory and remember iconic actors, singers, athletes, and many other great individuals who are no longer with us.
Michael Lerner
He was a true legend of cinema! He starred in X-Men and Barton Fink, for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, among many other films.
His younger brother Ken, nephew Sam, and niece Jenny are also actors, and we hope they will continue the legacy of their brilliant uncle. Unfortunately, at the age of 81, Michael passed away on April 8 - the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Paul Reubens
This famous star, born as Paul Rubenfeld, is an American actor and comedian best known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. The actor was a prominent figure and also found himself in high-profile controversies. As reported by People on July 31, 2023, in 1991, Reubens was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in an adult movie theater, a charge he did not contest.
Posthumous apologies were posted on the actor's official Instagram page for not disclosing his cancer diagnosis until his death on July 30.
Alan Arkin
Alan is a versatile American actor, director, and musician with a career spanning several decades. Arkin began his career on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination in 1963 for his performance in Enter Laughing. Over the years, Arkin continued to showcase his acting prowess in various genres.
The actor's most successful work is considered to be the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine, after which he became an Oscar Winner. On July 30, his sons Adam, Matthew, and Anthony announced the death of the legend, without specifying the exact cause of death.
Jerry Springer
The beginning of the life of this legendary television host was far from simple. He was born on the London Underground, which served as an air-raid shelter during World War II. The family of the future star fled Nazi Germany before being sent to concentration camps.
Interestingly, before becoming a famous television host, Springer served as the mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, twice. Jerry passed away at the age of 79 on April 27 from pancreatic cancer.
Burt Young
The star of Columbo and Rocky had a rich and interesting life. However, in his youth, Burt never suspected that he would become a globally renowned actor. He served in the United States Marine Corps. Later, he became interested in a girl, and while escorting her to acting classes, Burt caught the eye of a mentor who saw his creative potential and invited him to join his lessons.
Eventually, at the age of 28, Young landed his first film role! The star passed away on October 8 at the age of 83, and the exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
Frances Sternhagen
Surprisingly, this famous actress gained prominence not in her youth but later in life. Frances' breakthrough as an actress came in 1990 in Rob Reiner's screen adaptation of Stephen King's novel Misery, where she portrayed Virginia.
Additionally, Frances appeared in lighthearted comedic series, such as Sex and the City, playing Bunny MacDougal, Charlotte's mother-in-law. The actress passed away at the age of 94, leaving this world in her home in New Rochelle.
Susan Sommers
This American actress, author, and businesswoman is most famous for her role as the fashionable blonde Chrissy Snow in the ABC channel sitcom Three's Company. The star also authored a series of bestsellers, such as The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones (2006) and Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones (2006).
Unfortunately, Susan battled breast cancer for 23 years, and on October 15, she passed away just one day before celebrating her 77th birthday at her home in Palm Springs, California.
Ryan O'Neal
Primarily known for the iconic film Love Story, this renowned actor had a tumultuous life. Besides scandalous romances and estrangements from his children, the actor faced two cancer diagnoses, but he persisted, continuing to develop his career.
Unfortunately, O'Neal passed away on December 8 at the age of 82. The cause of the actor's death has not been disclosed.
David McCallum
The star of the series NCIS was a favorite of millions worldwide! He also appeared in Sex and the City, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and approximately a hundred other films and TV shows! Additionally, the actor was a three-time Emmy Award winner.
McCallum is reported to have passed away in a New York hospital, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 90 on September 25.
Mark Margolis
The star of some of the best modern series like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul led an incredible life. Surprisingly, at the age of 19, he had a deep connection with a 60-year-old woman named Stella Adler at the acting studio where he studied. "If God is a woman, then it's her," Mark used to say about her.
As you can see, the acting lessons paid off, and he became a globally renowned actor. Unfortunately, on August 3, Margolis passed away at the age of 83.
Ray Stevenson
Known for his roles in the series Vikings and the film The Three Musketeers, Ray decided to connect his life with acting quite late. After school, he studied to become an architect and worked in the field for several years in one of the architectural bureaus in London.
It was only at the age of 25 that he enrolled in drama school, which he completed four years later. Stevenson passed away at an early age, at 58. The cause of the actor's death is not disclosed.
Norman Lear
The American television writer and producer who created many sitcoms of the 1970s such as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, had Ukrainian roots - his mother was from this country.
Norman had both a successful career and a rich personal life. He was married three times, including a marriage of over 30 years to Lyn Lear. On December 5, Norman passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 101.
Jeff Beck
He was an outstanding virtuoso guitarist, admired by millions for his talent. Notably, Beck ranked 5th on Rolling Stone magazine's 2011 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. In January 1967, Beck formed his own band - The Jeff Beck Group.
Many renowned musicians dreamed of collaborating with Beck, and his guitar can be heard in albums by John Bon Jovi, Mick Jagger, and many others. In recent years, Jeff played alongside Johnny Depp. Jeff Beck passed away at the age of 79 after a sudden bacterial meningitis infection.
Andre Braugher
The two-time Emmy Award winner, achieved everything on his own. He was the youngest child in a large family with three other siblings. His mother worked at the post office, and his father was a bulldozer operator. Nevertheless, Andre chose a creative profession and became a popular actor.
In House, Braugher played Dr. Nolan, who treats House himself. However, at the age of 62, the actor passed away due to health problems, the details of which were not disclosed.
Jane Birkin
This famous woman grew up in London, but she gained fame in France. Notably, she became famous not only for her film roles but also for her high-profile romance with her famous colleague Serge Gainsbourg. However, both celebrities had rather volatile personalities, leading to public arguments. In 1969, Birkin and Gainsbourg sparked a scandal with the erotic song Je t'aime… Moi non plus, where Jane's moans were audible.
The single was banned in several countries and condemned by the Vatican for its sexual undertones. Unfortunately, Birkin passed away in Paris on July 16. She was 76 years old. The Hermès Birkin bags named after her and the films she participated in will continue to remind everyone of this remarkable woman.
Matthew Perry
His life was full of notable events. He was not only famous but also very wealthy. After the success of the TV series Friends, Matthew Perry started earning around a million dollars per episode. In 2018, due to an unhealthy lifestyle, Perry experienced a ruptured intestine, but doctors managed to save the actor.
However, last year, the 54-year-old actor unfortunately passed away due to the acute effects of ketamine, as reported by CNN. It was stated that the actor was undergoing ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety.
Coco Lee
The singer of the main song in the animated film Mulan, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 48. Her single Do You Want My Love made it to the top 50 of the American Billboard Dance Club Play chart.
As reported by The Guardian on July 5, 2023, the cause of the Asian superstar's death was suicide after a prolonged period of depression. This news shocked the fans of the singer who had truly delighted them with her talent.
Lee Sun-kyun
The South Korean actor gained global attention for his brilliant role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite. It seemed like the actor had everything for happiness - he was talented and wealthy.
However, on December 27, he was found dead in a car where he had committed suicide, as reported by Marie Claire on the same day. It should be noted that the star's body was discovered during the search after the actor's manager called the police, informing them that the 48-year-old Lee had left home, leaving a suicide note.
Rosalynn Carter
The former First Lady of the United States, whose husband is now often regarded by politicians as the "best former president" in U.S. history, was a remarkable individual. She was the closest advisor to Jimmy Carter during his single term as the head of the White House and for four decades thereafter as a representative of humanitarian organizations.
Their marriage was exemplary - the Carters were married for over 77 years, creating what they both called a "full partnership." Unfortunately, Rosalynn passed away at the age of 96. Last year, Rosalynn Carter was diagnosed with dementia.
Raquel Welch
The career of this incredible actress developed gradually. At the age of nineteen, she began acting in amateur theater, and later, after marrying James Welch, she moved to San Diego and worked as a weather forecaster.
She gained popularity in 1966, starring in well-known films such as Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C., which turned her into a sex symbol, as she caused a sensation by appearing in a small bikini. Raquel passed away on February 5th at the age of 83.
Lisa Marie Presley
The only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, she was a famous rock-country singer. Like her father, Lisa Marie dedicated a significant portion of her income to charity. She also oversaw the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
She had a rich personal life, marrying four times. Among her notable husbands were actor Nicolas Cage and Michael Jackson. Unfortunately, the singer passed away at a very early age, at 54. As reported by the BBC, the cause of her death was an intestinal blockage due to adhesions that formed in her body after weight loss surgery.
Burt Bacharach
The American composer Burt Bacharach was a brilliant musician, with eight Grammy Awards and three Oscars to his name. He gained worldwide fame for his collaboration with the iconic actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.
The composer had the opportunity to work as an arranger and conductor for her shows, and later, Burt dedicated himself to writing his own songs. One of the greatest composers of the 20th century, he passed away at his home in Los Angeles on February 8 at the age of 94, due to natural causes.
Tatiana Patitz
Interestingly, this internationally renowned model entered the profession entirely by chance. A beauty scout noticed her in one of the department stores and offered her a collaboration. In the mid-80s, she made her first appearance on the cover of Vogue, becoming one of the world's first supermodels.
At the age of 56, Patitz still looked stunning, and, according to her, she was not afraid of aging at all. Unfortunately, the supermodel did not live to a ripe old age; she passed away at the age of 56 due to breast cancer.
Tyler Christopher
This well-known actor had a rather prolific career, portraying Nicholas Cassadine in 1,153 episodes of the soap opera General Hospital from 1996 to 2016. For his work on the show, he received four Daytime Emmy nominations and won the award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series in 2016. Tyler also had a challenging personal journey.
As reported by the Daily Mail on November 1, 2023, he openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. The 50-year-old Tyler was found dead in the bedroom of his apartment in San Diego. According to the Daily Mail, the actor passed away this morning from a heart attack.
Jimmy Buffett
This American musician and entrepreneur was highly successful – he wrote songs and owned a network of restaurants, resorts, and cottage communities! Thanks to his business empire, he consistently ranked among the highest-earning artists according to Fortune magazine.
Unfortunately, on September 1, he passed away. Jimmy Buffett died at the age of 76. The singer, unfortunately, could not overcome skin cancer.
Wolfgang Schäuble
This outstanding individual was one of the prominent German politicians, leading the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and holding various positions over the years, including Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of the Interior.
It's worth noting that Wolfgang Schäuble played a crucial role in the reunification of Germany! Unfortunately, this remarkable figure passed away from cancer on December 26 at the age of 81, surrounded by his family.
Tina Turner
An incredible singer who captured the hearts of people worldwide with her voice and charisma! In 1967, Tina Turner became the very first woman and the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine! Despite her success and fame, the star faced numerous challenges in life, including cancer, a stroke, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
At the age of 81, the singer announced her retirement from the stage, and at 83, she passed away on May 24 in her home in Switzerland. As reported by the Daily Mail, the cause of death was attributed to "natural causes following a prolonged undisclosed illness".
Henry Kissinger
He was the 56th Secretary of State, an American scholar, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, widely regarded as the most influential U.S. Secretary of State since World War II.
Furthermore, the secret negotiations conducted by Kissinger in 1971 led to the historic visit of Richard Nixon to Beijing and ultimately the normalization of relations between the United States and China. At the age of 100, Henry Kissinger departed from this life on November 29.
Ryuichi Sakamoto
This remarkable Japanese musician was among the most sought-after and highly paid composers in the world. He was often referred to as the "grandfather of electronic pop music". After beginning his career in the 1970s, he never ceased to evolve and create, working tirelessly until shortly before his death.
His final album was released just a couple of months before Ryuichi's passing. On July 10, 2014, an official statement was posted on the website, revealing that the composer had been diagnosed with a form of cancer. At the age of 71, Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away on March 28.
Richard Roundtree
It's time to remember another internationally renowned actor who passed away in 2023. Global fame came to Richard in the early 70s when he portrayed the iconic private detective John Shaft in several films.
Over his 50-year career, Roundtree appeared in more than 150 movies and TV series. Unfortunately, the star fell victim to pancreatic cancer and passed away at the age of 81.
Tony Bennett
This brilliant musician earned 19 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career, dedicating much of his time to music and philanthropy. Notably, the star faced a challenging period in the 1970s when Bennett successfully overcame drug addiction, as reported by the Daily Mail on May 16, 2014.
Interestingly, the last recording made by Amy Winehouse before her death was Body and Soul, a work with Tony Bennett for the album Duets II. Unfortunately, the star passed away on July 21 at the age of 96.
Tori Bowie
At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, this well-known sports champion won every medal. It seemed like she had her entire life ahead of her, as she was only 32 years old at the time of her death, having achieved significant success. In addition to her sports career, she ventured into the modeling industry. However, last year she was found dead in her home, and the cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
According to the autopsy report cited by USA TODAY Sports, Tori died from complications during pregnancy. At the time of her death, she was in the eighth month of pregnancy, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, potential complications for Bowie included respiratory distress and eclampsia.
Gina Lollobrigida
This lovely Italian actress was a true beauty! Having won beauty pageants multiple times, in 1947 Gina daringly participated in the Miss Italy competition, where she secured the third position.
Many recognized her for her role in the film FanFan-Tulip alongside the already famous Gerard Philipe in the lead role. The star passed away on January 16 at the age of 95 in Rome.
David Crosby
American musician, performer, and songwriter David Crosby achieved numerous gold and platinum records over his more than 30-year musical career. He is considered one of the pioneers of folk-rock.
The musician co-founded the popular group The Byrds in 1964 in the United States and beyond, along with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. At the age of 81, the star passed away. As reported by Variety, the musician's wife stated that he died after a prolonged illness, surrounded by family.
Julian Sands
This well-known actor achieved stunning success in the late 1980s, after which he moved to Hollywood. He gained worldwide fame for his role as a warlock in the horror film Warlock. Among his most notable works are The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Ocean's Thirteen, and others. In addition to his passion for cinema, Julian loved mountain climbing, which ultimately led to his untimely death.
Last year, he embarked on another trek with another tourist, and they went missing. The search lasted for a very long time, and after five months, on June 24, human remains were accidentally discovered in the mountains in California. Forensic experts confirmed that these were indeed the remains of Julian.
Silvio Berlusconi
Now we want to remember one of the most famous Italian politicians. He proved that you can become a great politician at any age - Berlusconi entered politics in 1994 (at the age of 57), creating his own party from scratch in January of the same year.
Silvio Berlusconi was repeatedly involved in high-profile scandals. In total, he was a subject of around 60 civil and criminal cases. The politician faced accusations ranging from connections with the mafia to bribery and tax crimes. Silvio Berlusconi passed away at the age of 87.
Gianluca Vialli
This former Italian footballer and football manager has an intriguing background. In the mid-1990s, Vialli made history by becoming the player-manager of Chelsea in the English Premier League.
During his tenure, he led Chelsea to FA Cup and League Cup victories, making him the first Italian manager to win a major English trophy. Unfortunately, he died on January 6, 2023 at the age of 59 from pancreatic cancer.
Angus Cloud
He became a true star of the popular series Euphoria! Cloud's role in Euphoria was, to a large extent, autobiographical, as the young man in real life had destructive habits similar to his character in the show. The actor never publicized his personal life and rejected any speculations about romantic feelings for Zendaya.
Unfortunately, Angus passed away at a very young age of 25. Cloud died from a lethal mixture of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and benzodiazepines, as reported by NBC News on September 26, 2023.
Bray Wyatt
The professional wrestler and performer initially performed in WWE under the ring name Husky Harris. However, he later repackaged his character into Bray Wyatt, the leader of the Wyatt Family. Outside of wrestling, Bray Wyatt is also a musician and has contributed to the production of some of his entrance theme music.
In 2021, Bray Wyatt was unexpectedly released from WWE, surprising many fans and colleagues in the wrestling industry. On August 24, he tragically passed away at the young age of 36 due to a heart attack.
Ken Block
Block began his rally racing career in 2005, competing in events like the X Games and the World Rally Championship (WRC). He gained recognition for his aggressive driving style and precision.
Block's iconic car in Gymkhana videos is the Ford Fiesta RX43, a highly modified version of the Ford Fiesta. The car is known for its distinctive livery and high-performance specifications. It's hard to believe that he passed away so early. Ken Block died at the age of 55 as a result of a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Woodland.
Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick is an American actor known for his versatile roles in television and film. He has starred in a number of well-known films and TV shows. He is best known for his roles as Cedric Daniels in the TV series The Wire and Phillip Broyles in Fringe. He has also appeared in Lost, Bosch, and John Wick film series.
Lance suffered from ischemic heart disease and coronary artery atherosclerosis. On the morning of March 17, he was found dead in his own home in Los Angeles. Reddick was 60 years old.
Paco Rabanne
Before pursuing a career in fashion, Rabanne studied architecture at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. One of Paco Rabanne's most distinctive contributions to fashion was his use of unconventional materials.
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In the 1960s, he gained widespread attention for his avant-garde designs using materials like metal, plastic, and paper. His iconic metal dresses made from linked metal discs became particularly famous. Unfortunately, the founder of his own fashion house, Paco Rabanne, died at the age of 88, leaving behind a huge fashion legacy.
Paul O'Grady
O'Grady gained fame as Lily Savage, a brash and comedic character. Lily Savage became a popular figure in the British entertainment scene, known for her quick wit and irreverent humor. The character often appeared in drag shows and comedy performances.
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The actor's death at the age of 67 was announced by his partner Andre Portacio. One of O'Grady's last television appearances was with Queen Consort Camilla in the 2022 one-off episode For the Love of Dogs.
Paul Grant
This person, who played in Star Wars and Harry Potter, was a fantastic actor. Grant's height is 132 centimeters; he portrayed a goblin in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He was a very charismatic and talented individual. No one expected that at the age of 56, he would pass away so early and unexpectedly.
@"Star Wars" And "Harry Potter" Actor Paul Grant Dead At 56 | E! News/ E! News/YouTube.com
The actor lost consciousness near King's Cross Station in London and was taken to the hospital; later, doctors confirmed brain death, as reported by Sky News.
Glenda Jackson
She was a distinguished British actress and former politician. After her retirement from politics in 2015, Glenda Jackson returned to acting. In 2018, she starred in a critically acclaimed production of King Lear on the London stage, playing the title role.
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Her fans around the world were incredibly saddened when Glenda passed away at the age of 88 after a brief illness. The actress died surrounded by family at her London home.
Sinead O'Connor
This charismatic woman is an Irish singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and powerful performances. One of O'Connor's biggest hits is the emotionally charged ballad Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990. The song, originally written by Prince, topped charts worldwide and earned O'Connor critical acclaim, including several Grammy nominations.
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The singer passed away at a young age of 56. The cause of death is undisclosed. However, as reported by the BBC on July 26, 2023, the singer had been open about her long-term struggle with depression and had admitted that suicidal thoughts often haunted her.
Sir Michael Gambon
Gambon initially gained recognition for his work in the theater. He has been associated with prestigious institutions such as the National Theatre in London and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Gambon has been featured in a wide array of films. He is perhaps best known for portraying Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series, taking over the role after the death of Richard Harris.
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At the age of 82, Sir Michael Gambon passed away. He died in the hospital, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Anne and son Fergus, due to complications from pneumonia.
Steve Mackey
Mackey joined the band Pulp in 1989 and played a significant role in their success during the Britpop era of the 1990s. Pulp's albums, especially Different Class (1995), achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. In addition to his work with Pulp, Mackey has collaborated with various artists and bands.
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The musician passed away at the age of 57 in the hospital, where he had spent several months. His diagnosis and the cause of death were not disclosed.
Barry Humphries
The Australian comedian, satirist, and actor best known for his character Dame Edna Everage was also known for his work as a visual artist and writer. He has published several books, often drawing on his satirical and comedic sensibilities. Globally, his artwork has been displayed at galleries.
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Barry Humphries' comedy has at times sparked controversy due to the provocative nature of his characters. Some have criticized his humor as reinforcing stereotypes, while others celebrate it as sharp satire. The actor passed away as a result of complications following hip surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital at the age of 89.
Harry Belafonte
Belafonte gained widespread fame in the 1950s as the King of Calypso. His album Calypso (1956) became the first album by a single artist to sell over a million copies. The album included the hit Banana Boat Song (Day-O).
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Harry Belafonte's legacy extends beyond his musical and acting accomplishments. His contributions to social activism, civil rights, and humanitarian causes have solidified his place as a cultural icon and a champion for justice and equality. He passed away in his home in New York at the age of 96.