Celebrities who died in 2022 (2024)

Table of Contents
Rakim Allen (aka, PnB Rock), 30 Kirstie Alley, 71 Louie Anderson, 68 Kirshnik Khari Ball (aka, Takeoff), 28 Peter Bogdanovich, 82 Stephen "tWitch" Boss, 40 Traci Braxton, 50 James Caan, 82 Irene Cara, 63 Pat Carroll, 95 Aaron Carter, 34 Robbie Coltrane, 72 Kevin Conroy, 66 Julee Cruise, 65 Charlbi Dean, 32 Tony Dow, 77 Queen Elizabeth II, 96 Louise Fletcher, 88 Jason David Frank, 49 Gallagher, 76 Clarence Gilyard Jr., 66 Jean-Luc Godard, 91 Gilbert Gottfried, 67 Keith Grayson (aka, DJ Kay Slay), 55 Mike Hagerty, 67 Philip Baker Hall, 90 Scott Hall (aka, Razor Ramon), 63 Estelle Harris, 93 Taylor Hawkins, 50 Anne Heche, 53 Brad William Henke, 56 Paul Herman, 76 Howard Hesseman, 81 William Hurt, 71 Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (aka, Coolio), 59 Leslie Jordan, 67 Naomi Judd, 76 Sally Kellerman, 84 Angela Lansbury, 96 Jerry Lee Lewis, 87 Ray Liotta, 67 Sacheen Littlefeather, 75 Meat Loaf, 74 Loretta Lynn, 90 Bob McGrath, 90 Christine McVie, 79 Robert Morse, 90 Moses J. Moseley, 31 Roger E. Mosley, 83 Olivia Newton-John, 73 Nichelle Nichols, 89 Monty Norman, 94 Pelé, 82 Wolfgang Petersen, 81 Leslie Phillips, 98 Anita Pointer, 74 Sidney Poitier, 94 Jesse Powell, 51 Bob Rafelson, 89 Ivan Reitman, 75 Peter Robbins, 65 Bobby Rydell, 79 Bob Saget, 65 Henry Silva, 95 Tony Sirico, 79 Paul Sorvino, 83 Ronnie Spector, 78 Willie Spence, 23 John Edward Szeles (aka, The Amazing Johnathan), 63 André Leon Talley, 73 Joe E. Tata, 85 Douglas Trumbull, 79 Gaspard Ulliel, 37 Monica Vitti, 90 Barbara Walters, 93 Fred Ward, 79 David Warner, 80 Vivienne Westwood, 81 Don Wilson, 88
Updated Celebrities who died in 2022 (1)
  • Here are the famous people who died this year.
  • They include Bob Saget, Angela Lansbury, Pelé, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, Coolio, Kirstie Alley, and Sidney Poitier.
  • The filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich and the singer Ronnie Spector also died in 2022.

Rakim Allen (aka, PnB Rock), 30

PnB Rock. Scott Dudelson/Getty

Allen, the rapper who went by the stage name PnB Rock, was best known for hit songs including "Selfish" and "I Like Girls."

He released several popular mixtapes before his debut album, "TrapStar Turnt PopStar," was released in 2019.

On September 12, he was fatally shot during a robbery while eating at the famed Roscoe's Chicken 'N Waffles in Los Angeles.

Kirstie Alley, 71

Kirstie Alley. Erik Hein/ABC/Getty

With her striking looks and her fantastic comedic abilities, Kirstie Alley became one of the biggest stars of the 1980s.

Her debut gained her instant stardom when she played a Vulcan in 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." She followed that with starring in a wide range of roles through the decade from TV movies to the slapstick comedy "Summer School."

But in 1987 she landed the role that would make her a superstar when she was cast as bar manager Rebecca Howe on the hit show "Cheers." She was on the show from 1987 to 1993 and won an Emmy in 1991.

She would go on to win a second Emmy in 1994 for the TV drama "David's Mother."

But her talents weren't just for the small screen. She starred opposite John Travolta in the hit comedy "Look Who's Talking" in 1989. She also starred in its two sequels.

Alley died on November 5 due to cancer.

Louie Anderson, 68

Louie Anderson in 1994. NBC/Getty

Like many stand-up comics of his era, Anderson found his big break when he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in 1984. It led to his being one of the biggest comics in the decade.

He did stand-up comedy specials, made more late-night talk-show appearances, and landed roles in classics like 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and 1988's "Coming to America."

In 1995 he created and starred in the hit Fox animated series "Life with Louie." It led to two daytime Emmy award wins. From 1999 to 2002 he was the host of "Family Feud."

Then from 2016 to 2019 he found his highest acclaim playing the overbearing mother of a rodeo clown played by Zach Galifianakis in the FX series "Baskets." Anderson won a prime-time Emmy for best supporting actor in the show's first season.

Anderson died January 21. Before then the comic announced he was being hospitalized to treat blood cancer.

Kirshnik Khari Ball (aka, Takeoff), 28

Takeoff. Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage/Getty

Takeoff was a member of the successful rap group Migos.

Along with his uncle, Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall), and cousin Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus), the trio became one of the most influential rap groups of their generation with hit songs like "Versace," "Bad and Boujee," "Stir Fry," "MotorSport" with Cardi B, and "Walk It Talk It" with Drake.

The group was known for its unique rapping style in which the trio had short lyrics in which often another member would continue the rap with a single word or sound.

Takeoff, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball,was shot dead at a blowing alley while playing dice alongside Quavo in Houston, Texas in the early hours of November 1.

Peter Bogdanovich, 82

Peter Bogdanovich. Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty

A critic turned filmmaker, Bogdanovich became a darling of 1970s filmmaking with a nuanced filmmaking style that resulted in timeless movies such as "The Last Picture Show" and "Paper Moon."

He also had an eye for talent, discovering the model Cybill Shepherd for "The Last Picture Show," leading to her becoming a star (the two also became a couple).

Though Bogdanovich's later works would not be as successful — he also had to deal with the horrific death of his girlfriend in 1980, the Playboy model Dorothy Stratten, when her estranged husband shot her — he was always a fixture in Hollywood.

With his horn-rimmed glasses and neckerchief, his persona was one of an era long gone but well respected.

Bogdanovich died January 6. No cause was given.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss, 40

Stephen "tWitch" Boss. Valerie Macon/Getty

Boss, who was known best at tWitch, was a fixture on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" as its DJ who brought the party vibe to the popular daytime talk show for years.

But what brought him fame was his talent as a dancer.

He was a semifinalist on MTV's "The Wade Robson Project" in the early 2000s. And in 2008 when he competed on season four of "So You Think You Can Dance" he finished as the runner-up.

Boss' talents landed him roles in movies like "Blades of Glory," "Hairspray," and "Magic Mike XXL."

Along with being on DeGeneres' show, he was her co-host on "Ellen's Game of Games."

Boss died on December 14 by suicide, according to People.

Traci Braxton, 50

Traci Braxton. Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Braxton was best known for starring with her sisters Toni, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar in the reality series "Braxton Family Values" from 2011 to 2020 with their mother, Evelyn.

In 2014, Braxton released her debut solo album "Crash & Burn" in 2014, with the single "Last Call" reaching . She released her second and final album, "On Earth," in 2018.

She died March 12 from esophageal cancer, TMZ reported.

James Caan, 82

James Caan. Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty

The Bronx-born actor will forever be known for playing the hot-tempered Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's classic 1972 Mafia epic "The Godfather." Caan received an Oscar nomination for the role and reprised the part in the final scene of 1974's "The Godfather Part II."

Before "The Godfather" Caan found recognition in Hollywood in a variety of roles. In 1966 he starred opposite John Wayne in the Howard Hawks classic Western "El Dorado." He followed that by starring in Robert Altman's "Countdown" (1967) and Coppola's "The Rain People" (1969).

A year before "The Godfather," Caan became a star when he starred opposite Billy Dee Williams in the TV movie "Brian's Song," which earned Caan an Emmy nomination for his performance as the real-life cancer-stricken NFL player Brian Piccolo.

But Caan's raw performance in "The Godfather" made him an instant legend, and he solidified it over the decades with other memorable performances in "Misery," "Honeymoon in Vegas," and "Elf."

Caan died July 6, according to his official Twitter account. No cause was given.

Irene Cara, 63

Irene Cara. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Cara's incredible voice could not be ignored through the 1980s as she sang the memorable theme song for the 1980s musical movie "Fame." She also starred as Coco Hernandez.

The singer/actress followed that by singing "Flashdance... What a Feeling," the title song to the 1983 hit movie "Flashdance."

The song would go on a Grammy and an Oscar.

Prior to all that, she played Sparkle Williams in the 1976 musical movie "Sparkle."

Cara died on November 25. No cause was given.

Pat Carroll, 95

Pat Carroll was the voice of Ursula in "The Little Mermaid." DisneyParks

Carroll, who had done voice work since the 1960s, gained fame for voicing Ursula, the villain in Disney's classic "The Little Mermaid."

Along with her voice work, Carroll also acted on-screen in "The Danny Thomas Show," "She's the Sheriff," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "Laverne & Shirley." She won an Emmy for her role in the variety series "Caeser's Hour" in 1957.

Carrolldied of pneumonia on July 30.

Aaron Carter, 34

Aaron Carter. Alison Buck/Getty Images

A teen pop-star in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Carter, who is the younger brother of Nick Cater from the Backstreet Boys, released his debut album, "Aaron Carter," in 1997 at the age of nine. His follow-up album, "Aaron's Party (Come and Get It)," was released in 2000.

He released five albums, several of which went platinum. He also starred as himself on shows like "Lizzie McGuire" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." In 2009 he appeared on "Dancing with the Stars."

Carter died on November 5 after he was found dead in his bathtub inside his California home. No cause of death was given.

Robbie Coltrane, 72

Robbie Coltrane. David Corio/Referns/Getty

Known over the world for playing half-human, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movies, Coltrane was already a respected talent on both sides of the Atlantic for is acting before joining the huge franchise.

In the 1990s he became beloved on British TV when he played the lead of the crime series "Cracker" as a criminal psychologist. He would win the British Academy Television Award for best actor in three consecutive years for his work on the show.

In movies his credits included: "Mona Lisa," "Henry V," "Nuns on the Run," "Ocean's Twelve," Pixar's "Brave," and as Russian gangster Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in two James Bond movies, 1995's "GoldenEye" and 1999's "The World's Not Enough."

Coltrane died on October 14, no cause was given.

Kevin Conroy, 66

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman on animated shows and video games for years. Warner Bros and Getty Images

For some, he's the greatest Batman. Though you only heard his voice.

Voice actor Kevin Conroy became a fixture in the hearts of Batman fans when he began voicing the character in the hit animated show "Batman: The Animated Series" in the 1990s.

Unlike others who voiced the Dark Night, Conroy had the talent to give a distinct voice when reading lines as Bruce Wayne and another when he was Batman.

In total, Conroy brought the superhero to animated life in nearly 60 different productions, including 15 films, 15 animated series spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television, and two dozen video games.

Conroy died on November 10 following a battle with cancer.

Julee Cruise, 65

Julee Cruise. CBS/Getty

Thanks to her dreamy vocals, Cruise became synonymous with the director David Lynch's greatest work when she sang the the song "Falling"; the instrumental version became the theme song of his landmark 1980 TV show "Twin Peaks."

Cruise also shows up on the series as a roadhouse singer. She and her music also appeared in Lynch's 1992 movie "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" and the director's 1990 theater production "Industrial Symphony No. 1."

Her other memorable songs include 1990's "Rockin' Back Inside My Heart" and 1999's "If I Survive." In the 1990s she was also a touring member of the band The B-52s.

Cruise died June 9. Her husband, Edward Grinnan, said the cause was suicide.

Charlbi Dean, 32

Charlbi Dean. Joe Maher/Getty

This talented actor seemed on the verge of major stardom as her coming movie "Triangle of Sadness," the latest movie from the acclaimed director Ruben Östlund ("Force Majeure," "The Square"), won the Palme d'Or — the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

The South Afrian model turned actor was also known for playing the assassin Syonide in the CW series "Black Lightning."

"Triangle of Sadness" marked Dean's first major movie.

Dean died August 29; the cause of death was not revealed.

Tony Dow, 77

Tony Dow. CBS/Getty

Dow was known best for playing Wally Cleaver, the older brother to Theodore (better known as "Beaver"), in the iconic late 1950s TV series "Leave it to Beaver."

As Wally, Dow was perfect as the older brother of the curious Beaver, and often gave his brother words of advice. The duo became beloved in households during an era when TVs were becoming common in all households.

Dow, who was a Junior Olympics diving champion before tagging along with a friend to the "Leave it to Beaver" auditions, could never shake the character through his life.

Through his life he landed roles on shows including "General Hospital," "Lassie," and "Love, American Style." But he also was a celebrity in his own right because he was Wally to most people. He landed a cameo as himself on "The Love Boat" as well as John Landis' 1977 comedy "The Kentucky Fried Movie."

Dow died July 27 because of cancer.

Queen Elizabeth II, 96

Queen Elizabeth II. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Queen's 70-year reign was the longest of any British monarch.

Her time on the throne spanned historical moments including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Falklands War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, and the 9/11 attacks.

In pop culture she was spoofed and celebrated endless times while sometimes getting in on the act herself, such as the time she teamed with the James Bond actor Daniel Craig to kick off the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Her death certificate said she died of "old age."

Louise Fletcher, 88

Louise Fletcher. Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Fletcher scored a best actress Oscar for playing the evil Nurse Ratched in 1975's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

In bringing the character to the screen from the 1962 Ken Kesey novel, Fletcher found fame as she crafted one of the most memorable villains in movie history.

Fletcher's other credits included "Exorcist II: The Heretic," "Firestarter," "2 Days in the Valley," and "Cruel Intentions."

She was Emmy nominated for guest roles on "Picket Fences" in 1996 and "Joan of Arcadia" in 2004.

Fletcher died September 23; no cause was given.

Jason David Frank, 49

Jason David Frank. Daniel Boczarski/Getty

For over 100 episodes of the popular 1990s-2000s franchise "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" Jason David Frank played the popular Green Ranger and later White Ranger.

Entertaining children all over the world with his karate moves, as he was an eighth-degree black belt, Frank's Tommy Oliver character was one of the most beloved in the franchise.

Frank died on November 19 by suicide.

Gallagher, 76

Gallagher. Bill Johnson/The Denver Post/Getty

The legendary comic stood out because he did an act unlike any other.

With his trusty sledgehammer, Gallagher would cause audiences to go wild as he would take out pies, watermelons, anything that would make a mess, and smash it on stage with his sledgehammer.

He did it for decades and became a sensation as he did countless comedy specials on cable.

Gallagher died on November 11. No cause was given.

Clarence Gilyard Jr., 66

Clarence Gilyard, Jr. CBS Photo Archive/Getty

A gifted character actor, Gilyard will forever be known for his supporting roles in some of the most well known movies and TV shows of the 1980s and 1990s.

He was "Sundown," one of the hotshot pilots alongside Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in "Top Gun." And he was the wisecracking safe cracker Theo in "Die Hard."

Then on TV he played the P.I. Conrad McMasters opposite Andy Griffith on "Matlock," and then became Chuck Norris' righthand man on "Walker, Texas Ranger."

Gilyard died on November 28. No cause was given.

Jean-Luc Godard, 91

Jean-Luc Godard. Eric Robert/Sygma/Getty

A pioneer filmmaker who was part of the French New Wave, which challenged conventional filmmaking methods, he quickly became an auteur recognizable by just one name: Godard.

With movies like "Breathless" and "Vivre sa vie" in the early 1960s, he became the voice of a rebellious generation. Plus, he played the part. With dark sunglasses and always with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, he was a rebel in every sense of the word.

Godard died September 13 "peacefully at home" in Switzerland with his wife, Anne-Marie Mieville, by his side, according to the French news agency AFP.

Gilbert Gottfried, 67

Gilbert Gottfried. Bobby Bank/WireImage/Getty

Gottfried became a pillar of stand-up for decades thanks to his harsh, grating voice while doing his routine.

That style turned out to be the perfect voice for a Disney character. Voicing the sarcastic parrot Iago in Disney's 1992 animated classic "Aladdin" made him beloved to millions.

Through his career Gottfried had consistent work voicing characters for "SpongeBob Squarepants," "Family Guy," and also Aflac's duck mascot in the insurance company's commercials.

He was also a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" during the 1980-1981 season.

Gottfried died of an unnamed illness, according to his family, on April 12.

Keith Grayson (aka, DJ Kay Slay), 55

DJ Kay Slay. Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty

A legend in hip-hop, Grayson, whose stage name was DJ Kay Slay, was responsible for highlighting many artists thanks to his mixtapes and being a host at New York City's famed rap station Hot 97.

It led to his getting notice at the major labels as he released albums "The Streetsweeper, Vol.1" in 2003 and "Vol.2" in 2004.

His last album, "The Soul Controller," was released in 2021.

He died April 17, four months after being found to have COVID-19, according to People.

Mike Hagerty, 67

Mike Hagerty. Rebecca Sapp/WireImage/Getty

With his everyman looks and comedic timing, Hagerty was a perfect character actor for comedies and dramas.

After coming out of Second City in the 1980s, Hagerty began getting work in Hollywood and caught his first big break playing the best friend of Kurt Russell in the 1987 comedy hit "Overboard," which also starred Goldie Hawn.

Hagerty worked steadily in movies and TVs for decades, showing up in everything from "Cheers" to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with his familiar mustache and Chicago accent.

He's most memorable for playing the building super on "Friends."

Hagerty died April 29. The cause of death was an adverse reaction to an antibiotic, according to TMZ.

Philip Baker Hall, 90

Philip Baker Hall. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty

A legendary character actor for decades, Hall's sad-puppy-dog look and gravelly voice was unmistakable whether it was crafting one of the most memorable characters from "Seinfeld" or appearing in numerous films from Paul Thomas Anderson.

With over 100 credits to his name, Hall had been a scene-stealer all the way back when he scored the lead in Robert Altman's "Secret Honor" in 1984 playing Richard Nixon.

After loads of TV appearances, Hall would gain fame when he starred in Anderson's debug feature in 1996, "Hard Eight." It led to his starring in Anderson's two big hits in the decade: "Boogie Nights" (1997) and "Magnolia" (1999).

Hall also starred in "The Truman Show," "The Insider," and "Zodiac."

But he may forever be known for his memorable appearance on the hit TV show "Seinfeld" as a passionate library cop named Joe Bookman.

Hall died June 12 at his home from complications of emphysema, according to The New York Times.

Scott Hall (aka, Razor Ramon), 63

Scott Hall. WWE

Known as Razor Ramon when he entered the WWE in the 1990s, Hall quickly became a memorable villain in professional wrestling thanks to his confident swagger (that was loosely based on Al Pacino's performance as Tony Montana in the movie "Scarface") and flicking a toothpick at his opponent.

Hall raised his status when he and his friend Kevin Nash suddenly jumped over to WWE's rival outfit WCW in 1996 and formed the New World Order with Hulk Hogan.

It resulted in one of the most popular alliances in pro wrestling.

"I couldn't love a human being anymore than I do you," Nash said in an Instagram post to his friend.

Hall was taken off life support on March 15 after complications from a recent surgery, according to TMZ.

Estelle Harris, 93

Estelle Harris and Jason Alexander. Kevin Winter/Getty

Harris' career spanned decades in Hollywood, but she will be forever known for playing George Costanza's (played by Jason Alexander) overbearing mother on the hit TV show "Seinfeld."

Her high-pitched voice and comedic timing opposite Jerry Stiller, who played George's father, Frank, was one of the many elements that made the show one of the best of all time.

Since then Harris' recognizable voice was found in the "Toy Story" franchise as she voiced Mrs. Potato Head.

Harris died April 2 of natural causes.

Taylor Hawkins, 50

Taylor Hawkins. Brian Rasic/Getty

As the ferocious drummer of the Foo Fighters, Hawkins gave the band its chart-topping rock sound.

And he also looked the part with his long blond hair waiving up and down as he played in the background as the frontman Dave Grohl sang and played his guitar.

After two years as the drummer for Alanis Morissette, Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997 and spent the rest of his life forging a career that made him one of the best drummers of his era.

Hawkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room on March 25 before the band was to perform at a festival in Bogota, Colombia. No cause of death was given, but a tweet from the attorney general of Colombia (via NBC News) indicated that in a preliminary toxicology test 10 substances were found in Hawkins' system, including opioids, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Anne Heche, 53

Anne Heche. Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty

Heche was a fixture on TV and movies since the 1990s.

She was known for her supporting roles in the movies "Donnie Brasco," "Volcano," and "I know What You Did Last Summer." She then went into more leading roles in "Six Days, Seven Nights" opposite Harrison Ford and in Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot remake of "Psycho."

Heche earned a prime-time Emmy Award nomination in 2004 for her work in the Lifetime movie "Gracie's Choice." That same year, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her work in "Twentieth Century," opposite Alec Baldwin.

Heche was also known for her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in the late 1990s. The couple broke up in 2000.

Heche was declared legally dead on August 14, more than a week after she crashed her car into a house in Mar Vista, California, causing a "heavy fire" that left her badly burned, authorities said.

Brad William Henke, 56

Brad William Henke. Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty

The pro football player-turned-actor had memorable performances on both the small and big screen.

Most recently he was best known for playing corrections officer Desi Piscatella in the Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black."

He also had recurring roles on the TV shows "Justified, "Lost," "October Road," and "Dexter," and appeared in movies including "Pacific Rim" and "World Trade Center."

Henke turned to acting in the mid-1990s after retiring from the NFL in 1994. He was drafted in 1989 by the New York Giants. He then played for the Denver Broncos when they faced the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV in 1990.

Henke died on November 29, no cause was given.

Paul Herman, 76

Paul Herman. Lester Cohen/WireImage/Getty

Though you probably don't recognize the name, you will certainly remember Herman's work if you're a fan of mobster movies and TV shows.

Herman was known best for playing one of Henry Hill's "Pittsburgh guys" in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" (he was the one who told Lorraine Bracco, "You want to see helicopters?"). He also starred as Peter "Beansie" Gaeta in "The Sopranos."

Always memorable in any role he played thanks to his fast talking and gap in his front teeth, the veteran character actor also starred in "The Color of Money," "Casino," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "The Irishman."

Herman died March 29. No cause was given.

Howard Hesseman, 81

Howard Hesseman. CBS/Getty

Hesseman was a fixture on TV from the 1970s to the 2010s.

He's best known for his Emmy-nominated role as radio disc jockey "Dr. Johnny Fever" Caravella in the TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" from 1978 to 1982.

Hesseman starred on another hit show, "Head of the Class," as the teacher of a group of academically gifted high-school students, from 1986 to 1990.

Know for his sarcastic comedic talents, Hesseman also appeared in the movies "Shampoo," "Doctor Detroit," "Clue," and "Flight of the Navigator."

Hesseman died on January 29 from complications of colon surgery.

William Hurt, 71

William Hurt. William Hurt/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Thanks to an Oscar-winning performance in 1985's "Kiss of the Spider Woman" — along with memorable performances in "The Big Chill," "Children of a Lesser God," and "Broadcast News" (the latter two earning him Oscar nominations) — Hurt was one of the biggest stars, and sex symbols, in the 1980s.

As an actor, Hurt could deliver both tenderness and raging anger that left audiences entranced.

Later in his career, Hurt moved away from leading-man parts and became a top-notch character actor, appearing in countless movies and TV shows.

He would score his final Oscar nomination for the David Cronenberg gangster thriller "A History of Violence" (a performance in which he had only about 10 minutes of screen time) and most recently played Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel franchise.

Hurt died of natural causes on March 13, according to Variety.

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (aka, Coolio), 59

Coolio. Paul Bergen/Redferns/Getty

Ivey was one of the marquee rappers in the mid-1990s.

With songs like "It Takes a Thief," "Fantastic Voyage," and "C U When I Get There," Ivey, who went by the stage name Coolio, became a fixture in the West Coast rap scene in that decade.

But he would gain worldwide notice with the song "Gangsta's Paradise," which was used in the 1995 film "Dangerous Minds" starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It became the best-selling single of that year and won Coolio a Grammy for best rap solo performance.

Coolio died September 28; no cause was given.

Leslie Jordan, 67

Leslie Jordan. CBS/Getty

Though Jordan's career began in the late 1980s, he found stardom later in life.

He won an Emmy for playing Beverly Leslie, the wealthy socialite, in the hit NBC sitcom "Will & Grace."

Jordan also starred on TV shows "Ally McBeal," "Ugly Betty," "Reba," "Nash Bridges," and "Call Me Kat."

The actor was also a beloved figure during the early days of the pandemic when he would post hilarious and heartwarming videos to Instagram twice a day for over two months. In the short videos, Jordan weighed in on current moments in pop culture, and shared things that brought him joy (including his sticker collection) with followers.

Jordan died on October 25 after he drove his car into the side of a building in Los Angeles.

Naomi Judd, 76

Naomi Judd. Harry Langdon/Getty

Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna made up the legendary country music band The Judds, who landed 14 No. 1 songs over three decades.

The Judds were recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and were planning an arena tour in the fall before Naomi's death.

The Judds' hit songs include "Mama He's Crazy" in 1984, "Why Not Me" in 1984, "Girls Night Out" in 1985, "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain" in 1986, "Grandpa" in 1986, "Turn It Loose" in 1988, and "Love Can Build a Bridge" in 1990.

The duo stopped performing in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis. Wynonna continued with a solo career.

Naomi is also the mother of actress Ashley Judd.

She died on April 30, according to her daughters, due to mental illness. Weeks later, Ashley revealed on "Good Morning America" that the cause of death was a self-inflicted firearm wound.

Sally Kellerman, 84

Sally Kellerman. URLI/GARCIA/ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

Kellerman earned an Oscar nomination for her memorable performance as Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in Robert Altman's 1970 satire "M*A*S*H*."

With her stunning looks and throaty voice, she stood out in any performance she gave.

Kellerman's other career highlights include Altman's 1992 movie "The Player," Rodney Dangerfield's 1986 comedy "Back to School," and countless guest spots on TV through the 1990s and 200s like "Evening Shade," "Murder, She Wrote," HBO's "Dream On," "The Naked Truth," "Touched by an Angel," "Diagnosis Murder," "Columbo," "Providence," "Beverly Hills, 90210," and "Maron."

Kellerman died on February 24. Her daughter Claire said she had been suffering from dementia for the past five years, according to Variety.

Angela Lansbury, 96

Angela Lansbury. Joyce Tenneson/Getty

A legendary actress on both the stage and screen, overher 70-year career Lansbury won five Tonys, six Golden Globes, and an honorary Oscar in 2013.

She's best known for starring in CBS's long-running murder mystery, "Murder She Wrote," and playing the motherly teapot in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." She also sang its famous title song.

But she was also a fixture on the Broadway stage. The play "Mame" earned Lansbury her first Tony for best leading actor in 1966. Her second Tony came three years later for "Dear World." She would win the award three more times over her career.

Between that time she also scored her third best supporting actress Oscar nomination in 1963 for her role in "The Manchurian Candidate."

Her previous supporting actress Oscar nominations were for her first film, 1944's "Gaslight," and the following year's "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

Lansbury died on October 11 of natural causes.

Jerry Lee Lewis, 87

Jerry Lee Lewis. Gunter Zint/K & K Ulf Kruger OHG/Redferns/Getty

The piano-playing rock 'n' roller created songs like "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On."

He was also known for his hard-rocking piano playing and vocals. He would famously play his piano by banging his feet on the keys and sometimes would set his piano on fire.

Lewis found controversy in 1958 when it was revealed that he was married to the 13-year-old daughter of his bassist J.W. Brown who was Lewis' first cousin once removed, Myra Gale Brown. The reveal led to his career faltering.

But his music lived on. He was an inaugural inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 along with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. In 2022, he was an inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Lewisdied at his home in Desoto County, Mississippi. No cause was given.

Ray Liotta, 67

Ray Liotta. Orion Pictures/Getty

Liotta's acting career spanned more than four decades; he often played tough guys thanks to his sinister laugh and hard-to-miss New Jersey accent.

His breakout role was playing psycho Ray Sinclair opposite Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels in the 1986 cult classic "Something Wild," which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. But the actor would find stardom four years later when he played Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 1990 classic "Goodfellas."

As Hill, based on the real-life mobster who became an FBI informant in 1980, Liotta was a powerhouse on-screen, performing opposite two seasoned Hollywood actors, and Scorsese regulars, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

In an interview with Insider in 2018, Liotta admitted the stardom of "Goodfellas" was so sudden and shocking he didn't know how to use it to elevate his career.

"I didn't have a publicist up until 'Goodfellas,'" he said. "I didn't know that was what you're supposed to do. Nobody was helping me. I had the agents, but back then I think I was with the wrong people at that time to get me to the next thing."

Liotta made a mark in films like 1997's "Cop Land" and 2002's "Narc."

Most recently, Liotta had memorable roles in Noah Baumbach's 2019 drama "Marriage Story" and "The Many Saints of Newark" in 2021.

"Younger people, like 14-, 15-year-old kids, come up to me, and they'll say that they saw a movie of mine," Liotta told Insider in 2018, adding that he's "very, very lucky" he did movies that "will live for a long time."

Liotta died on May 26; no cause was given.

Sacheen Littlefeather, 75

Sacheen Littlefeather. Hulton Archive/Getty

Before the envelope mixup in 2017, when "Moonlight" won best picture, and Will Smith walking onstage to slap Chris Rock during the live 2022 broadcast, the most shocking moment in Oscars history came in 1973, when Sacheen Littlefeather bravely walked onstage and read a statement from Marlon Brando declining his Oscar win.

Brando won for his performance as Don Corleone in "The Godfather." When the actor's name was called as the winner, Littlefeather, dressed in an Apache dress, made her way onstage — but she didn't accept the Oscar on his behalf.

Brando boycotted the Oscars to protest how Native Americans were depicted in movies. Littlefeather read a statement written by Brando, but her mic was cut off after a minute. She was later allowed to read the full statement backstage.

Littlefeather spent the rest of her life working on Native American issues. Earlier this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued an apology to Littlefeather for how she was treated that evening in 1973.

Littlefeather died on October 2 from complications related to breast cancer.

Meat Loaf, 74

Meat Loaf. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

With his best-selling album "Bat Out of Hell" and his acting in films including "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Fight Club," Michael Lee Aday, known professionally as Meat Loaf, was famous for his larger-than-life performances.

His songs "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," became global hits with the latter earning him a Grammy.

"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side," read a statement on his Facebook page. "Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours."

Meat Loaf died on January 20. No cause was given.

Loretta Lynn, 90

Loretta Lynn. CBS/Getty

Loretta Lynn sang what she lived.

Her hit 1970 song "Coal Miner's Daughter" recounted her youth in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, where she grew up in poverty. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Charts.

Later, the song would inspire the 1980 movie of the same name, starring Sissy Spacek as Lynn.

When Lynn was 13 years old she married Oliver "Doolittle" Lynn, a 21-year-old war veteran. Lynn says she gave birth to four children by the time she was 18 years old.

Music was her escape from her responsibilities at home. After Doolittle bought her a guitar, Lynn began performing clubs and writing her own music.

At 25 years old, she signed her first record deal with a small company in Canada in 1960.

She went on to produce 16 No. 1 country singles. Lynn was the first-ever woman to win entertainer of the year at the Country Music Awards in 1972. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988.

Lynn died on October 4. No cause of death was given.

Bob McGrath, 90

Bob McGrath. Zach Myman/Patrick McMullan/Getty

McGrath, who was known by millions of kids for generations as Bob Johnson, was one of the original humans on "Sesame Street."

A actor, musician, and children's author, McGrath's kind voice and big smile made him a fixture in the household going as far back as when the landmark children's show began airing in 1969.

He was on the show until 2016. McGrath and castmate Loretta Long were the longest-lasting human characters on the show since it's debut.

McGrath died on December 4. No cause was given.

Christine McVie, 79

Christine McVie. Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty

The legendary keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac, McVie was also responsible for writing original songs for the band including "Don't Stop," "Everywhere," "Say You Love Me," and "You Make Loving Fun."

She married bandmate John McVie in 1969 and the divorced in 1976. But the drama behind the scenes only fueled McVie and the rest of the band, contributing to its greatness.

McVie retired from touring in the 1990s but continued to record music with members of the band. She joined her bandmates for 1997's reunion album "The Dance," and performed for the group's 1998 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

McVie died on November 30 following a short illness.

Robert Morse, 90

Robert Morse. ABC Archive/Disney/Getty

The Tony and Emmy-winning actor is known best for playing Bertram Cooper on the hit series "Mad Men."

The performance earned him five Emmy Award nominations, but he was already an acclaimed character actor before landing that role.

He earned a Tony Award for starring in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in the original Broadway version of the show in 1961. He reprised his role for the 1967 film adaptation.

Morse won his second Tony Award for playing Truman Capote in the 1989 one-man play "Tru." He won an Emmy for his performance when the play aired on "American Playhouse" in 1992.

Morse died on April 20; the cause of death was not disclosed.

Moses J. Moseley, 31

Moses J. Moseley. Amy Graves/WireImage/Getty

Moseley is best known for playing one of Michonne's zombies on "The Walking Dead."

He also starred in "Queen of the South," the "Watchmen" TV series, and "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

Moseley's manager, Tabatha Minchew, told Insider that Moseley was found dead in Stockbridge, Georgia, on January 26.

"Everyone is devastated and still trying to process this," Minchew said. "Moses was an amazing person and so talented. His family, friends, and fans will all miss him deeply. He's gone way too soon."

The cause of his death has not been released.

Roger E. Mosley, 83

Roger E. Mosley. CBS/Getty

The charismatic actor was known best for playing helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin in the hit 1970s TV show "Magnum, P.I.," starring Tom Selleck.

He also showed up in the show's 2018 reboot.

The Los Angeles native was a fixture on TV in the 1970, appearing in "Love Boat," "Night Gallery," "Sanford and Son," "Kung Fu," "Kojak," "McCloud," "The Rockford Files," "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams," and "Starsky and Hutch."

Mosley died on August 7; no cause of death was given.

Olivia Newton-John, 73

Olivia Newton-John. Jeremy Fletcher/Redferns/Getty

Best known for playing Sandy in the big-screen version of "Grease," Newton-John always looked to be having the most fun in the room.

Newton-John released 26 studio albums over her career. Her singles "If You Love Me, Let Me Know" from 1974, and 1975's "Have You Never Been Mellow" would hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the US.

But her biggest song came in 1981 with "Physical." It spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard and has been covered by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa.

Newton-John won four Grammy Awards, including record of the year in 1974. She also competed at the 1974 Eurovision contest with the track "Long Live Love."

And on the big screen, she became an icon as the good-hearted Sandy in 1978's "Grease." Then became a cult-movie fixture in 1980 with the critically bashed (and now beloved) "Xanadu."

Newton-John was diagnosed with cancer three separate times. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, which spurred her advocacy for breast-cancer awareness and screenings. She was diagnosed again in 2013, but this time the cancer had spread to her shoulder.

In May 2017, the singer revealed she was diagnosed for a third time and that the cancer had spread to her lower back. In 2021, she said she was still living with cancer and using cannabis to help with the symptoms.

The star died on August 8 of cancer.

Nichelle Nichols, 89

Nichelle Nichols. Rick Diamond/WireImage/Getty

Nichols will forever be known to sci-fi fans for playing Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series and movies.

By playing a Black woman in a position of authority, she was a trailblazer for Black actors. Nichols also has the distinction of sharing one of TV's first interracial kisses with her costar William Shatner.

Starting in 1977, NASA called on Nichols to help recruit women and African Americans to become astronauts.

Later in her career, Nichols starred in 2002's "Snow Dogs," 2005's "Are We There Yet?," and in 2007 had a recurring role on the second season of NBC's "Heroes."

Nichols died on July 30 of natural causes.

Monty Norman, 94

Monty Norman wrote the theme song of the James Bond movies. Columbia Pictures

There aren't many things in movies as iconic as the opening theme music to the James Bond franchise.

The creator of that memorable electronic guitar riff was the English composer Monty Norman.

Though many believe it was John Barry to came up with the actual theme, he only arranged it; Norman created it. The music appeared in the first Bond movie, 1962's "Dr. No," and has been a staple in the franchise ever since.

Norman also wrote the music for the Hammer horror movie "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" (1960), the Bob Hope movie "Call Me Bwana" (1963), and the UK TV miniseries "Dickens of London" (1976).

Norman died on July 11. No cause was given.

Pelé, 82

Pelé. Alessandro Sabattini/Getty

Regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, transcended the sport across the globe thanks to his amazing play and winning an unprecedented three World Cups for his home country of Brazil.

By the late 1960s Pelé was the most recognizable name in the world. In 1967, two factions in the Nigerian civil war even announced a two-day truce to see Pelé play in Lagos.

Pelé continued his fame after his playing days ended thanks to his humanitarian work, endorsements, and showing up on TV shows and movies. His most memorable was starring opposite Michael Cane and Sylvester Stallone in the John Huston 1981 movie "Victory" in which Pelé is among a group of prisoners of war who have a soccer match against the German National Team in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II.

Pelé died on December 29 of colon cancer.

Wolfgang Petersen, 81

Wolfgang Petersen. Eric Robert/Sygma/Getty

Before there was Michael Bay or Roland Emmerich, there was Wolfgang Petersen.

Thanks to movies like "Das Boot," "The NeverEnding Story," "In the Line of Fire," "Air Force One," "The Perfect Storm," "Outbreak," and "Troy," the German director was one of the landmark filmmakers of the blockbuster genre.

Petersen's talents were evident in the movie that gave him worldwide acclaim, 1981's "Das Boot," about life aboard a German U-boat during World War II. The film caught the attention of Hollywood, and Petersen was plugged into the early days of the blockbuster machine.

He followed "Das Boot" with the fantasy-thriller "The NeverEnding Story," which wowed audiences with its spectacle and has since become a classic. He became a Hollywood fixture, working with actors like Clint Eastwood, who played a secret-service agent "In the Line of Fire"; Harrison Ford, who played POTUS in "Air Force One"; and Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney, who battled the high seas in "The Perfect Storm."

Petersen died on August 12 of pancreatic cancer.

Leslie Phillips, 98

Leslie Phillips was the voice of the Sorting Hat in the "Harry Potter" franchise. Getty/Warner Bros.

Phillips starred in over 200 movies, TV, and radio programs over his 80 year career.

But most recently he's known best for being the voice of the Sorting Hat in the "Harry Potter" franchise.

The actor also starred in three movies from the popular British comedy franchise "Carry On." And for 17 years he was part of the BBC radio program "The Navy Lark."

Phillips died on November 8 following a long illness.

Anita Pointer, 74

Anita Pointer. Erika Goldring/Getty

As a founding member of the dynamic singing group the Pointer Sisters, Anita was the lead vocalist for many of the group's songs as they trail blazed through the music scenes in the '70s and '80s, blending genres such as blues, pop, and R&B.

The group broke ground for Black women in country music, becoming the first female African-American group to perform on the Grand Ole Opry radio program.

Their hits included "Yes We Can Can," "Fairytale," "Jump (For My Love)," and "I'm So Excited."

Pointer died on January 31 due to cancer.

Sidney Poitier, 94

Sidney Poitier. Universal/Getty

Poitier was a trailblazing actor who — along with a career filled with landmark acting, directing, and producing roles — was also a voice for civil rights in the 1960s and an ambassador for his beloved home country of the Bahamas.

He made history when he became the first Black actor to win the Oscar for best actor for his performance in 1963's "Lilies of the Field." He played a handyman who encounters a group of nuns who believe he was sent to them by God to build them a new chapel.

His powerful, naturalistic acting talents were also celebrated in classic movies like "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "In the Heat of the Night."

He was the Bahamian ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007. And from 2002 to 2007, he was the ambassador of the Bahamas to UNESCO.

President Barack Obama presented Poitier with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, the US's highest civilian honor.

Poitier died on January 7 at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was a combination of heart failure, Alzheimer's dementia, and prostate cancer.

Jesse Powell, 51

Jesse Powell. Raymond Boyd/Getty

The Grammy-nominated singer had his big hit in the late 1990s with the song "You."

Powell released four albums over his career: 1996's "Jesse Powell," 1998's "'Bout It" (which was certified gold in 1999), 2001's "JP," and 2003's "Jesse."

He died on September 13; the cause of death was not given.

Bob Rafelson, 89

Bob Rafelson. Doris Thomas/Fairfax Media/Getty

In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, there was no greater a rebel filmmaker in Hollywood than Bob Rafelson.

His cool demeanor and outside-the-box ideas led to the launch of Jack Nicholson's career with 1970's "Five Easy Pieces." He also produced movies that would birth the "auteur" era in Hollywood, like 1969's "Easy Rider" and 1971's "The Last Picture Show."

He even found time to cocreate the pop-phenomenon band, The Monkees.

Rafelson died on July 23 of lung cancer.

Ivan Reitman, 75

Ivan Reitman on the set of "Animal House." George Rose/Getty

As the director of movies like "Meatballs," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters," "Twins," and "Kindergarten Cop," Reitman spent his career making some of the most memorable comedies of all time.

Along with using his talents to make then-newcomers like Bill Murray and John Candy into comedy legends, Reitman also used his clout to produce classics including "Animal House," the original "Space Jam," Howard Stern's "Private Parts," "Road Trip," and "Old School."

Reitman's only Oscar nomination was for producing his son Jason's acclaimed drama, "Up in the Air," which received a best picture nomination.

The two would team up again in 2021 when Reitman produced Jason's "Ghostbusters: Afterlife."

"Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life," his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement to the Associated Press. "We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always."

Reitman died on February 12;no cause was given.

Peter Robbins, 65

Peter Robbins. Lisa Rose / AP

At 9 years old, Robbins was cast as the voice of Charlie Brown.

Between 1963 and 1969, he voiced the iconic character for six "Peanuts" TV specials and one movie, including staples like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (1966).

In the 1960s he also starred on "Rawhide," "The Donna Reed Show," "Blondie," "F Troop," and "Get Smart."

His final acting role was a 1972 episode of "My Three Sons."

Robbins died on January 18; his family told Fox 5 San Diego that he died by suicide.

Bobby Rydell, 79

Bobby Rydell. Michael Levin/Corbis/Getty

A teen idol in the late 1950s when Elvis Presley left the stage to join the Army, Rydell's clean-cut look and catchy pop songs like "Wild One" and a cover of the Italian song "Volare" made him a chart-topper and, later, a must-see on the oldies concert circuit.

With matinee-idol looks, Rydell also appeared in movies, most famously starring opposite Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, and Dick Van Dyke in the big-screen adaptation of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie."

From the mid-1980s onward, Rydell toured the world with two other hitmakers from his era, Frankie Avalon and Fabian, to make up the Golden Boys.

Rydell died on April 5 due to complications from pneumonia, The New York Times reported.

Bob Saget, 65

Bob Saget. ABC/Getty

Saget, the stand-up comedian and actor, was best known for his role as Danny Tanner in the ABC sitcom "Full House," which ran from the late 1980s to mid-1990s. He also hosted "America's Funniest Home Videos."

Despite the clean-cut image he projected in those roles, Saget also had a reputation for his adult-oriented stand-up routines, which were full of raunchy and explicit language.

But for millions, he will always be known as their "TV dad" thanks to his kind-hearted performance as Danny Tanner.

"I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby," the actor John Stamos, who starred as Uncle Jesse alongside Saget in "Full House," wrote on Twitter.

—John Stamos (@JohnStamos) January 10, 2022

Saget was found dead in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, on January 9. No cause was given, but a preliminary autopsy found "no evidence of drug use or foul play," Insider reported.

TMZ reported on February 9 that Saget died of a brain bleed after hitting his head.

"Authorities don't know what object he hit — possibly the headboard — but there was an obvious bruise on the back of his head," according to the site. "Authorities believe Bob did not know the severity of the injury and got under the covers and went to sleep. We're told he never woke up and died from a brain bleed."

Henry Silva, 95

Henry Silva. CBS/Getty

Silva was a character actor known for starring in a slew of movies and TV shows from the 1950s through the 1990s.

He's best known for starring in two Frank Sinatra hits, 1960's "Ocean's Eleven" and 1962's "The Manchurian Candidate."

With 140 acting credits under his belt, the Bronx-born Silva had roles in every genre imaginable, always leaving his mark thanks to his gravitational presence and striking eyes.

Silva died on September 14; no cause of death was given.

Tony Sirico, 79

Tony Sirico as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri on "The Sopranos." HBO

With his unmistakable look and his wise-guy persona, Sirico became a fixture in crime movies and TV shows. But he'll be forever known for playing Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos."

The actor brought a twisted dark comedy to the role that made him a standout on the show and a fan favorite.

Sirico died on July 8; no cause of death was given.

Paul Sorvino, 83

Paul Sorvino. ABC/Getty

In a career that spanned 50 years, Sorvino was known best for playing gangsters and cops. His most notable role was playing the mob boss Paulie Cicero in the Martin Scorsese classic "Goodfellas." He also starred in "Law & Order" in the early 1990s.

But he played everyone from Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone's "Nixon" to Fulgencio Capulet in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "Romeo + Juliet."

Sorvino was also an accomplished painter, poet, and opera singer.

He's survived by his three children, including the actors Mia and Michael Sorvino.

He died on July 25 of natural causes.

Ronnie Spector, 78

Ronnie Spector. Sony Music Archive/Getty

As lead singer of the girl group The Ronettes, Spector was the voice behind classic songs like "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain."

She was married to the music producer Phil Spector (who died last year), from 1968 to 1974, and she talked about his abusive behavior in her memoir. She staged a comeback in the late 1980s when she recorded a sample of "Be My Baby" for the Eddie Money hit "Take Me Home Tonight."

Spector died on January 12 after a bout with cancer.

Willie Spence, 23

Willie Spence. Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty

Spence was the runner-up in season 19 of "American Idol."

The singer became a favorite of the judges and fans from the start, wowing everyone at his audition with his rendition of "Diamonds" by Rihanna.

Spence died in a car accident on October 11.

John Edward Szeles (aka, The Amazing Johnathan), 63

The Amazing Johnathan. Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic/Getty

A fixture on the Las Vegas strip and late-night shows for decades, Szeles, known professionally as The Amazing Johnathan, wowed audiences with his mix of comedy and dangerous magic tricks.

The self-described "Freddy Kreuger of comedy," his go-to bits included spiking his tongue and a trick that made it appear he had a "dangling eyeball," which he'd then suck on.

He died of heart disease on February 22.

André Leon Talley, 73

André Leon Talley. Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Nathan Jensen/ Getty Images

A fashion icon, Talley was Vogue's fashion news director from 1983 to 1987, its first Black male creative director from 1988 to 1995, and then its editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.

As the righthand of Vogue's creative director and editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, Talley's fashion sense and outspokenness made him famous beyond the magazine world.

He was also a close confidant of designers Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, and countless others.

Talley died on January 18; no cause of death was given.

Joe E. Tata, 85

Joe E. Tata. Justin Kahn/WireImage/Getty

Playing Nat Bussichio, the owner of the Peach Pit on the 1990s hit TV show "Beverly Hills, 90210," veteran actor Joe E. Tata was the fatherly voice of a generation.

With his positive spirit and calming vibe on a show filled with drama, Tata was a fixture of the series and nearly as memorable as its young stars.

Tata had collected a long list of TV credits before "90210," including bit parts in 1960s shows like "No Time for Sergeants," "Lost in Space," and "Batman."

Tata also appeared in "The Rockford Files," "Mission: Impossible," "Mannix," "Adam-12," "The A-Team," and "Magnum, P.I."

Tata died on August 24. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease since 2014, TMZ reported.

Douglas Trumbull, 79

Douglas Trumbull. Andy Cross/The Denver Post/Getty

Trumbull became a legend in the visual-effects world after crafting the dazzling looks of movies like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Blade Runner," without using any computer graphics.

Trumbull was nominated for three best visual effects Oscars for the aforementioned movies.

He died on February 7 after a "major two-year battle with cancer, a brain tumor, and a stroke," his daughter Amy announced on Facebook.

Gaspard Ulliel, 37

Gaspard Ulliel. Laurent Emmanuel/AFP/Getty

One of France's best-known actors, Ulliel found fame from his work in movies like "Paris, je t'aime," "A Very Long Engagement," "Hannibal Rising," and "It's Only the End of the World." He won the best actor award at France's César Awards in 2017 for the latter film.

Ulliel was also the face of Chanel's men's fragrance, Bleu de Chanel.

The actor was on the verge of US stardom with his role in the upcoming Marvel series, "Moon Knight."

Ulliel died after being hospitalized for a head injury he sustained in skiing accident near Grenoble, on January 19, the actor's family told AFP.

Monica Vitti, 90

Monica Vitti. Alan Band/Avalon/Fox Photos/Getty

Vitti was a muse to the legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni, starring in his early 1960s titles like "L'Avventura," "La Notte," and "L'Eclisse."

Her performance in "L'Avventura" wowed audiences and led to international fame.

She won five David di Donatello Awards, Italy's version of the Oscars, for best actress. She also won a career Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 1995.

Vitti died on February 2 after living with Alzheimer's disease for many years, according to Italian media reports (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Barbara Walters, 93

Barbara Walters. Dave Pickoff/AP

Known for talking to every important figure and asking the tough questions, Barbara Walters is one of the most renowned broadcast journalists of all-time.

Having worked on everything from the "Today" show to "20/20" she won 12 Emmys and had the ability to speak candidly with anyone across from her, regardless if it was the biggest celebrity or a world leader. And in the process became a trailblazer for female journalists.

Later in her career, she was one of the creators of the hit daytime show "The View."

Walters died on Friday, no cause was given.

Fred Ward, 79

Fred Ward. Kevin Winter/Getty

Ward was a respected character actor with squinting eyes and tough-guy swagger. He became a scene-stealer since appearing in the 1979 film "Escape from Alcatraz," about a group of inmates who break out of the most secure prison in the world, starring Clint Eastwood.

He appeared in classics like "The Right Stuff," "Tremors," and "The Player," as well as beloved B movies like "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" and "Miami Blues." He could always be counted on to deliver a fantastic performance.

Ward died on May 8; no cause of death was given.

David Warner, 80

David Warner. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty

This veteran British actor could do anything on the stage and screen (and did), but he will be most remembered for his villainous roles.

He played Sark, the evil commander in the groundbreaking 1982 Disney movie "Tron," in which he also voiced the main villain, Master Control.

He had a small part as a character named "Evil" in Terry Gilliam's 1981 movie "Time Bandits," and took a memorable turn as the goon Spicer Lovejoy in the 1997 blockbuster "Titanic." He also appeared in "The Omen" and "Doctor Who," among many other roles.

Warner died on July 24 due to "a cancer-related illness."

Vivienne Westwood, 81

Vivienne Westwood. Andy Hosie/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty

This iconic British fashion designer helped make punk style mainstream.

The Sex Pistols were the first to wear her designs, and as the band's popularity grew so did Westwood's stylings, which would define a generation.

Her creations included images of naked figures, bondage detailing, and at times, even offensive imagery like swastikas — something she said she didn't regret in 2009.

By the time she had her first-ever runway show in 1981, Westwood was known as the "godmother of punk." Her runway looks included corset tops, ruffled plaid, strong catchphrases, and striking animal prints.

Westwood died on December 29, no cause was given.

Don Wilson, 88

Don Wilson, left, and Bob Bogle, the cofounders of The Ventures. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Wilson, along with Bob Bogle, was the cofounder of the instrumental rock band of The Ventures.

Wilson and Bogle formed a quartet in Tacoma, Washington, and in the 1960s, The Ventures helped popularize the electric guitar with the song "Walk, Don't Run" and the theme song to the hit series "Hawaii Five-O."

"Our dad was an amazing rhythm guitar player who touched people all over world with his band, The Ventures," his son Tim Wilson said in a statement, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. "He will have his place in history forever and was much loved and appreciated. He will be missed."

Wilson died on January 22 of natural causes.

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