Stars We Lost in 2016

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Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher In 'Classic Creatures: Return Of The Jedi'
CBS Photo Archive/Hulton Archive

Actress Carrie Fisher died Dec. 27 after suffering a heart attack on a flight days before. She was 60. Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds (who died the day after Fisher at age 84) and Eddie Fisher, was most known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films, and recently chronicled her experience filming those movies in the 2016 memoir The Princess Diarist. She returned to the franchise in 2015 for a cameo in The Force Awakens. Aside from acting, Fisher was also heralded for being candid about her mental health: She openly discussed her struggles with substance abuse and bipolar disorder in multiple interviews and in her books, including 2011's Shockaholic, where she wrote about her experience with electroconvulsive therapy. She's survived by daughter Billie Lourd, an actress best known for her role on Scream Queens.

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Debbie Reynolds

Debbie Reynolds
Archive Photos/Getty Images

Screen and stage legend Debbie Reynolds died Dec. 28 at age 84 after a possible stroke, just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher died at age 60. "She wanted to be with Carrie," Reynolds' son Todd Fisher told Variety. Spanning nearly seven decades, Reynolds' career dates back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when she signed with Warner Bros. at 16 and went on to star in Singin' in the Rain (1952). The American sweetheart's personal life drew as much press as her career; in 1959, her marriage to Eddie Fisher crumbled when the pop singer left Reynolds for close friend Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds later revealed she reconciled with Taylor when the icons found themselves on the same cruise before Taylor's death in 2011. A singer with a No. 1 Billboard hit under her belt ("Tammy" from her 1957 movie Tammy and the Bachelor), Reynolds was also known for her energetic live shows in Las Vegas. Throughout her multi-faceted career, Reynolds collected Hollywood memorabilia, including Marilyn Monroe's white subway dress from The Seven-Year Itch, which she sold for $5.6 million in a 2011 auction.

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George Michael

Wham! World Tour
Michael Putland/Getty Images

Singer-songwriter George Michael was found dead on Dec. 25 at his home in England. He was 53. As one-half of musical duo Wham! with bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, Michael catapulted up the music charts and into the hearts of teenagers in the early 1980s with hits like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and his shaggy hair and tight jeans. Bit by the solo bug, Michael traded bubblegum pop for risqué fare in 1987, declaring "I don't need no bible" in "I Want Your Sex," the first single from his first solo album, Faith, which also spawned the rockabilly-soul hit of the same name. The singer's art was overshadowed by his personal life in 1998 when Michael came out as gay following an arrest for lewd behavior. He went on to release new music — his 2004 album Patience was partly inspired by his relationship with former long-time partner Kenny Goss — and triumphantly belt his anthem "Freedom! '90" at the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony. Michael largely remained out of the spotlight following his Symphonica tour in 2012.

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Ricky Harris

2005 BET Comedy Awards - Arrivals
J.Sciulli/WireImage

Everybody Hates Chris actor Ricky Harris died Dec. 26. He was 54. His entered the entertainment world in the '90s when he appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, and went on to star in 1993's Poetic Justice opposite Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Aside from his roles on sitcoms Everybody Hates Chris and Moesha, Harris more recently appeared in 2015's Dope and on The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

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Zsa Zsa Gabor

Zsa Zsa Gabor, ca. 1952
Courtesy Everett Collection

Actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor died Dec. 18 at age 99. Though she starred in such films as Moulin Rouge (1952), Lili (1953), and Ring Circus (1954), the Hungarian starlet was most famous simply for being famous. Decades before Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian became household names, Gabor's sparkling personality caught the attention of the public — and of the men she married, of which there were nine. Her ex-husbands included actor George Sanders, Barbie creator Jack Ryan, and hotelier Conrad Hilton; upon her death, she had been married for 30 years to Frederic Prinz von Anhalt.

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Craig Sager

2016 NBA Finals - Game Six
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager died Dec. 15 after a battle with leukemia. He was 65. The legendary reporter, known for his colorful wardrobe in addition to his sideline interviews, was the subject of a Sports Illustrated cover story in May of this year. He was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame just days before his death.

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Bernard Fox

The Academy of Magical Arts 40th Annual Awards Show & Banquet
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Actor Bernard Fox died of heart failure on Dec. 14 at the age of 89. The veteran character actor is best known for playing Dr. Bombay on Bewitched, got his first TV credit in 1955, after fighting in WWII with the Royal Navy, on the British series Sixpenny Corner. Over the course of his long career, he appeared on series including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Perry Mason, I Dream of Jeannie, Knight Rider, and Murder, She Wrote; in 1965, he began an eight-episode arc as Colonel Crittenden on Hogan's Heroes. His many film credits include a voice role in The Rescuers movies and parts in The Mummy and Titanic.

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Alan Thicke

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Rich Polk/Getty Images

Actor, TV host, and songwriter Alan Thicke died Dec. 13 after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey. He was 69. The Canadian star was best known for playing Seaver family patriarch Jason on the family sitcom Growing Pains, which ran from 1985–1992. Thicke began his career in the 1970s working as a writer, producer, and talk show personality; his other behind-the-scenes work included writing the theme songs for shows including Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, and Wheel of Fortune. His more recent small screen credits include How I Met Your Mother, Scream Queens, This Is Us, and Fuller House. The father of three real-life sons (including singer Robin Thicke) in addition to his TV brood, Thicke also wrote two books about parenting.

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John Glenn

John Glenn
Jay LaPrete/AP

Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn died Dec. 8, at the age of 95. After serving as a Marine pilot during World War II, Glenn set a speed record as an expert flyer for the Naval Air Test Center, all of which led to his being chosen for the first group of astronauts in NASA's space program. In 1962, he became the first American to orbit the Earth. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974, where he represented Ohio as a democrat until 1997. In 1998, he was invited back into NASA's space program to return to space on the space shuttle Discovery. On Oct. 29 of that year, he became the oldest person ever to travel in space, at the age of 77. He was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

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Joseph Mascolo

Days of Our Lives
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Actor Joseph Mascolo died Dec. 8 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87. Best known for playing the iconic soap villain Stefano DiMera on Days of Our Lives, Mascolo studied under acting coach Stella Adler and then began an impressive stage career with roles in 1966's Dinner at Eight and 1973's That Championship Game. His film roles include Jaws 2, and Heat, amd his non-Days TV credits include appearances on All in the Family and Kojak as well as a brief stint on The Bold and the Beautiful.

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Peter Vaughan

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Helen Sloan/HBO

Actor Peter Vaughan, known for playing Maester Aemon on HBO's Game of Thrones, died on Dec. 6 at the age of 93. Before joining Thrones in 2011, Vaughan had decades of stage and screen credits under his belt. His list of film roles includes 1960's Village of the Damned, 1981's Time Bandits, 1985's Brazil, and 1993's Remains of the Day; he was also well known for playing Harry "Grouty" Grout on the BBC sitcom Porridge in the 1970s.

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Margaret Whitton

THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE, Margaret Whitton, 1993, (c)Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Actress Margaret Whitton died Dec. 4 after a battle with cancer. She was 67. Whitton began her career onstage, with 1973's off-Broadway Baby Goya, but she is best known for her role in as a spiteful baseball team over in the 1989 film Major League. Her other film roles include that movie's 1994 sequel, 9 1/2 Weeks (1986), The Secret of My Success (1987), Ironweed (1987), and The Man Without a Face (1993). Her TV credits include Hometown, A Fine Romance, and Good & Evil.

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Don Calfa

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Actor Don Calfa died Dec. 1 of natural causes at the age of 76. The prolific character actor is best known for playing the mortician Ernie Kaltenbrunner in 1985's The Return of the Living Dead; he appeared in many other films, including New York, New York; 1941; and Weekend at Bernie's, and his long list of television credits includes Barney Miller, Kojak, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

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Alice Drummond

WHERE THE HEART IS, Alice Drummond, 1969-73
Courtesy Everett Collection

Actress Alice Drummond died Nov. 30 at the age of 88. Often playing elderly women, in both comedic and dramatic roles, Drummond's many film credits include Ghostbusters, Awakening, Doubt, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Pieces of April, and Synecdoche, New York; her TV appearances include roles on Dark Shadows, Law & Order, and Boston Legal.

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Van Williams

VAN WILLIAMS
ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Actor Van Williams died Nov. 28 of renal failure. He was 82. Best known for starring in the 1960s TV series The Green Hornet as Britt Reid/The Green Hornet, Williams got his break when he was cast in the 1959 detective series Bourbon Street Beat. Other TV credits include The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Beverly Hillbillies, and he appeared in crossover episodes of Batman as Britt Reid as well.

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Keo Woolford

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 622171112 Filmmaker Keo Woolford poses for a portrait at the Hawaii International Film Festival 2016 at The Royal Hawaiian on November 9, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)
Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Actor, producer, and director Keo Woolford died Nov. 28 after suffering a stroke. He was 49. Best known for playing Det. James Chang on Hawaii Five-0 on CBS, Woolford also had roles in films including Happy Texas (1999), Act of Valor (2012), and Godzilla (2014). He made his feature directorial debut with the 2013 indie The Haumana, which he also wrote and produced and which he was working to follow up when he died. He also starred in The King & I at the London Palladium, playing the King of Siam in over 300 performances.

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Ron Glass

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 180928466 Ron Glass arrives at Dynamic & Diverse - A 65th Emmy Awards Nominee celebration at Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on September 17, 2013 in North Hollywood, California.
Maury Phillips/WireImage

Actor Ron Glass died of respiratory failure on Nov. 25. He was 71. Best known for playing Ron Harris on Barney Miller and Shepherd Book on Firefly and its movie sequel Serenity, Glass got his first role in the 1970s in All in the Family, and would go on to appear in such series as The New Odd Couple, Friends, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He also performed recurring voice roles in Rugrats and The Proud Family, and his films roles include Death at a Funeral and Lakeview Terrace.

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Florence Henderson

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CBS via Getty Images

Actress Florence Henderson, best known for playing lovely lady and iconic TV mom Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch, died Nov. 24 at the age of 82. She made her start as a teenager, enrolling at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and soon appearing in a slew of Broadway shows. While she would pick up roles on such series as The Love Boat; Murder, She Wrote; L.A. Law; Roseanne; Ellen; and 30 Rock and compete on reality shows The Surreal Life and Dancing With the Stars, she would always be best known for playing the warm Brady matriarch. She played Carol in the series' original run from 1969–1974, two TV movies, and three spin-offs. She remained active in the industry until her death, hosting talk show The Florence Henderson Show and cooking show What's Cooking with Florence Henderson.

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Peter Sumner

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope -- Pictured: Peter Sumner as Pol Treidum (screen grab) (CR: Lucasfilm)
Lucasfilm

Actor Peter Sumner died Nov. 22 at the age of 74. Best known for playing Death Star security officer Lt. Pol Treidum, a small but memorable role in 1977's Star Wars, Sumner had the distinction of being the only Australian to work on the seminal sci-fi film. His other credits included the film Ned Kelly and series Play School, Spyforce, Heartbreak High, and Cluedo.

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Sharon Jones

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Steve Mack/WireImage

Soul singer Sharon Jones died Nov. 18 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 60. The lead singer of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Jones released her debut album, Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, in 2002; she earned her only Grammy nomination for the Dap Kings' 2014 album Give the People What They Want. Jones' battle with cancer and return to the stage was documented in the 2015 documentary Miss Sharon Jones!

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Gwen Ifill

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: All Crops: 73890683 Collection: Getty Images News WASHINGTON - APRIL 15: Gwen Ifill, moderator of PBS's 'Washington Week,' listens during a taping of 'Meet the Press' at the NBC Studios April 15, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images for Meet the Press

Journalist Gwen Ifill died Nov. 14 following several months of cancer treatment. She was 61. The longtime co-anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, Ifill was also the moderator and managing editor of Washington Week, and moderated the vice presidential debates during the 2004 and 2008 elections. "Gwen was a standard bearer for courage, fairness, and integrity in an industry going through seismic change," said Sara Just, PBS NewsHour executive producer and WETA-TV SVP. "She was a journalist's journalist and set an example for all around her."

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Leon Russell

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 113279932 BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 1977: Leon Russell performs at the Greek Theater on September 4, 1977 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images)
Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images

Musician and songwriter Leon Russell died in his sleep on Nov. 13. He was 74. An inductee of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Russell famously collaborated with such iconic musicians as Elton John, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and the Rolling Stones over more than five decades in the industry, in addition to his solo work. He was the subject of a documentary, A Poem Is a Naked Person, made by Les Blank in 1974 but not released until 2015.

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Leonard Cohen

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Michael Putland/Getty Images

Legendary singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen died in his sleep, following a fall, on Nov. 7. He was 82. He died just weeks after giving a lengthy interview in the New Yorker, in which he said, "I am ready to die. I hope it's not too uncomfortable. That's about it for me." Cohen made his start as a poet with 1951's award-winning collection Let Us Compare Mythologies, which he published at the age of 17. He released the first of his 14 studio albums, Songs of Leonard Cohen, in 1967; his last, You Want It Darker, came out just weeks before his passing. He is best known for having written such classic songs as "Suzanne," "Sisters of Mercy," and especially the oft-covered "Hallelujah."

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Natalie Babbitt

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Samuel F. Babbitt; Courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

Children's author and illustrator Natalie Babbitt died Oct. 31, having recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. She was 84. Babbitt wrote and illustrated over 20 books over the course of her career, which began in 1967 with the publication of her picture book Dick Foote and the Shark She was most famous for the 1975 children's novel Tuck Everlasting, which has been adapted twice for the screen and once for the stage. Her final books were 2011's The Moon Over High Street and 2012's The Devil's Storybooks, an omnibus edition of two of her earlier books.

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Michael Massee

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Fox

Actor Michael Massee died of cancer on Oct. 20. He was 64. Best known for having played Ira Gaines, a villain in 2001's first season of 24, Massee was prolific in both film and television, having had roles on Carnivàle, Alias, Supernatural, and Rizzoli & Isles. His film roles include 1994's The Crow and 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man.

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Cecilia Hart

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Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

Actress Cecilia Hart died Oct. 16 after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 68. The wife of James Earl Jones, whom she married in 1982 after meeting on the set of the crime drama Paris, the couple also appeared on Broadway together in a 1982 production Othello, with Jones playing the title character and Hart as Desdemona. Her other stage credits include The Heiress in 1976 and Tom Stoppard's Dirty Linen & New-Found-Land in 1977; other TV roles include guest spots on such series as Three's Company, MacGyver, and Law & Order.

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Agnes Nixon

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: All Crops: 102510078 Disney ABC Television Group LAS VEGAS - JUNE 27- Agnes Nixon is honored for her Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award at a brunch on June 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Isaac Brekken/via WireImage/ABC via Getty Images

Writer and producer Agnes Nixon died Sept. 28 from pneumonia as a result of Parkinson's disease. She was 93. Nixon, who was nicknamed the Queen of Soaps, created such long-running soap operas as One Life to Live and All My Children. She was known for writing socially relevant issues and controversial topics to her programs, and also frequently appeared on them herself. "The beauty of a soap, for me as a writer, is to go into the characters," Nixon told EW in 2010. "I think daytime soaps are the form of entertainment that mirrors real life."

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Curtis Hanson

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Rob Kim/FilmMagic

Filmmaker Curtis Hanson died Sept. 20, of natural causes, at the age of 71. He was most famous for 1997's neo-noir L.A. Confidential, which he wrote, directed, and produced and for which he won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. He made his directorial debut in 1973 with the B-movie Sweet Kill, and his later credits include 2000's Wonder Boys, 2002's 8 Mile, and 2005's In Her Shoes. Most recently, he co-directed and co-produced 2012's Chasing Mavericks.

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Charmian Carr

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 149557844 Actress Charmain Carr on July 30, 2012 (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images); THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Charmian Carr 1965. (20th Century Fox)
Valerie Macon/Getty Images; 20th Century Fox

Actress Charmian Carr died Sept. 18 of complications resulting from a rare form of dementia. She was 73. Carr was best known for playing 16(-going-on-17)-year-old Liesl, the oldest von Trapp child, in 1965's The Sound of Music, when she was 21. Soon after making The Sound of Music, Carr appeared in a made-for-TV musical written by Stephen Sondheim, Evening Primrose, opposite Anthony Perkins. The 1966 program was her final credited screen role, as she soon left Hollywood to focus on her family.

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Edward Albee

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 488058477 Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Edward Albee photographed in 1965. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

Celebrated playwright Edward Albee died Sept. 16 after a short illness. He was 88. Famous for his insightful examination of contemporary life, Albee was honored with three Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, two Tony Awards for Best Play, and a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement over the course of his decades-spanning career. He burst onto the scene in 1958 with his one-act The Zoo Story, but his best-known work is 1962's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, for which he won his first Tony and which was later adapted in Mike Nichols' Oscar-winning film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. He later won his three Pulitzers for 1967's A Delicate Balance, 1975's Seascape, and 1994's Three Tall Women.

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Alexis Arquette

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Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Transgender actress Alexis Arquette died Sept. 11 at age 47, from complications related to AIDS. Born Robert Arquette, she was the fourth of five children in a family of actors; her siblings are David, Patricia, Rosanna, and Richmond Arquette. Arquette appeared largely in independent films, and also picked up credits on such films as Bride of Chucky and The Wedding Singer, and she chronicled her transition to a woman in 2007's Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother. Her last role was in 2014's Blended.

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Gene Wilder

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Paramount Pictures

Beloved writer, director, and actor Gene Wilder died Aug. 28 from complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83. The comedy icon and two-time Oscar nominee got his breakout role in the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and his fruitful partnerships with Mel Brooks in the late '60s and '70s (The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein) and Richard Pryor into the '80s (Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil) made him a comedy legend. Following the death of his third wife, Saturday Night Live alumna Gilda Radner, whom he lost to ovarian cancer in 1989, Wilder became an activist for cancer awareness and founded the national cancer support group Gilda's Club. His last onscreen appearance was an Emmy-winning role in Will & Grace in 2003, and in recent years, he devoted much of his energy to writing books.

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Marvin Kaplan

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Everett Collection

Actor Marvin Kaplan died in his sleep on Aug. 25 at the age of 89. Best known for playing Henry Beesmeyer on Alice and voicing the pink cat Choo-Choo on Top Cat, he made his film debut in 1949's Adam's Rib after being discovered by Katherine Hepburn. His other film credits include The Nutty Professor (1963); It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963); Freaky Friday (1976); and Wild at Heart (1990).

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Matt Roberts

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Rob Kim/FilmMagic

Musician Matt Roberts died Aug. 20 at the age of 38. The cause of death is unknown. Roberts was the former guitarist for 3 Doors Down, and was one of its founding members, having formed the band in 1996 along with Brad Arnold and Todd Harrell. He left the band in 2012 due to health concerns. "Words cannot express our sadness as we hear of the loss of our brother, Matt," the band posted to Facebook the day after his death. "He was a truly talented artist and great friend. His memory will live on through the songs we all created. He will be greatly missed."

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Jack Riley

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: All Crops: 111523432 Collection: WireImage Jack Riley during Bob Newhart In-Store Book Signing at Borders in Westwood, CA, United States. (Photo by Paul Redmond/WireImage)
Paul Redmond/WireImage

Actor Jack Riley died from pneumonia on Aug. 19. He was 80. Best known for playing Elliot Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show and voicing Stu Pickles, Tommy Pickles' father, on Rugrats, Riley had a long career in film and television which began in the 1960s, when he appeared on the sitcom Occasional Wife. His other TV credits include The Mary Tyler Moore Show, M*A*S*H, Diff'rent Strokes, Seinfeld, and Friends; he also appeared in several Mel Brooks movies, including History of the World: Part I, High Anxiety, and To Be or Not to Be.

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John McLaughlin

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Courtesy of WTTW National Productions

Television host John McLaughlin died Aug. 16 at the age of 89. The moderator of PBS' political commentary series The McLaughlin Group for over 30 years, McLaughlin had also hosted the series John McLaughlin's One on One, McLaughlin, and McLaughlin's Special Report during his time on the show. Before embarking on his long broadcast career, he was ordained as a priest, taught high school, wrote and edited for the Jesuit publication America, ran for office, wrote speeches for Richard Nixon, and wrote a column for the National Review.

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Fyvush Finkel

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CBS via Getty Images

Actor Philip "Fyvush" Finkel died Aug. 14 at the age of 93, having had with heart problems in the time leading up to his death. Originally a Yiddish theater actor, Finkel made his Broadway debut in the original 1964 production of Fiddler on the Roof as Mordcha, the innkeeper. Over the course of his career, he appeared in various productions of the show, sometimes as Tevye. Finkel is best known, however, for his role on Picket Fences, for which he won an Emmy in 1994. Later credits include a role on Boston Public and in the film A Serious Man.

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Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Star Wars actor Kenny Baker, who brought R2-D2 to life in the beloved film franchise, died on August 13. The British star was 81 at the time of his death in England, made his last appearance as the droid in 2005's Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. "Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances," George Lucas said in a statement on the official Star Wars site. "A talented vaudevillian who could always make everybody laugh, Kenny was truly the heart and soul of R2-D2 and will be missed by all his fans and everyone who knew him."

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Lou Pearlman

Lou Pearlman
Desiree Navarro/FilmMagic

Famed music producer Lou Pearlman died at the age of 62. The music manager was serving a 25-year prison sentence at the time of his death, after being found guilty of conspiracy and money laundering in 2008. Decades prior, Pearlman contributed to the early formation of Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.

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Arthur Hiller

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Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

Director Arthur Hiller died of natural causes on August 17, at the age of 92. Hiller had a long career as director of both film and television, and is best known for directing 1970's beloved drama Love Story, starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal. He picked up his one Oscar nomination for directing the tearjerker, and later went on to serve as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1993–1997. "I was a member of the Board during his presidency and fortunate enough to witness firsthand his dedication to the Academy and his lifelong passion for visual storytelling," current Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said upon the news of his death.

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Sagan Lewis

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: All Crops: 141255599 Collection: NBCUniversal ST. ELSEWHERE -- Season 5 -- Pictured: Sagan Lewis as Dr. Jacqueline Wade -- Photo by: Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank
Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank

Actress Sagan Lewis died Aug. 7 after a long battle with cancer. She was 63. She was best known for co-starring in all six seasons of St. Elsewhere, from 1982–1988, as Dr. Jacqueline Wade. Her other TV credits include M*A*S*H, Moonlighting, The Philanthropist, and the TV movies Cocaine: One Man's Seduction and Full Ride.

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David Huddleston

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: ALL CROPS: 134593428 Actor David Huddleston attends the 40th Anniversary Reunion Of 'The Waltons' at Landmark Loew's - Jersey City on December 2, 2011 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

Actor David Huddleston died Aug. 2 of advanced heart and kidney disease. He was 85. Best known for playing the title character in the Coen brothers' The Big Lebowski, Huddleston was a prolific character actor on both the big and small screens beginning in the late 1960s. His other film roles include Blazing Saddles and the title role in the '80s cult comedy Santa Claus: The Movie; his many TV credits include appearances on The West Wing, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gilmore Girls, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Wonder Years (for which he was nominated for an Emmy), among many others. His stage credits include the 1984 revival of Death of a Salesman and the '90s revival of 1776.

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Gloria DeHaven

Gloria DeHaven
Everett Collection

Actress Gloria DeHaven died on July 30, a few months after suffering a stroke, in hospice care. She was 91. The star of a long list of movie musicals during the Golden Age of Hollywood in the '40s and '50s, her film credits include 1944's Step Lively with Frank Sinatra, 1950's Summer Stock with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, and 1955's So This Is Paris with Tony Curtis. Her career spanned over six decades, her final role being an appearance in a 2000 episode of Touched by an Angel.

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Dave Schwartz

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: Dave Schwartz dies from cancer
The Weather Channel Facebook

Weather Channel meteorologist Dave Schwartz died July 30 after a long battle with cancer. He was 63. He was first diagnosed 10 years ago, and had beat the disease twice before it came back in 2015. He spoke about his battle with cancer on the air earlier this year. His colleagues at the Weather Channel spoke about him as "the most creative personality" at the station whose "passion for weather was contagious."

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Miss Cleo

Miss Cleo
Lilly Echeverria/Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images

Psychic Miss Cleo died on July 26. She was 53. Born Youree Dell Harris, the late TV personality rose to fame in the '90s as the star of a psychic hotline. She died in hospice after battling colon cancer.

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Marni Nixon

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Everett Collection

Singer Marni Nixon died July 24, of breast cancer, at the age of 86. She is best known for lending her stunning soprano to major stars in movie musicals in the '50s and '60s; her dubbing credits include Deborah Kerr's roles in 1956's The King and I and 1957's An Affair to Remember, Natalie Wood's songs in 1961's West Side Story, and Audrey Hepburn's part in 1964's My Fair Lady. All of her uncredited voice work in these iconic films led TIME to name Nixon "the ghostess with the mostess" in a 1964 article; she later picked up credited roles in 1965's The Sound of Music, in which she played Sister Sophia, and in Disney's 1998 animated film Mulan, in which she provided the voice for Grandmother Fa.

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Garry Marshall

Garry Marshall
Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images

Writer, director, and producer Garry Marshall died July 19 from complications of pneumonia following a stroke. He was 81. He began his career in television, first as a writer and then as the creator and executive producer of such beloved sitcoms as Happy Days, The Odd Couple, and Mork & Mindy. He transitioned to directing films in the '80s, and had a breakout hit with 1990's Pretty Woman, which also launched its lead actress Julia Roberts to stardom. His long list of later films includes Beaches, both Princess Diaries movies, and the ensemble romantic comedies New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. His last film, Mother's Day, hit theaters earlier this year, and marked his third collaboration with Roberts. "There is no way to put into words, brief or expounded, how I feel about Garry," the actress said upon Marshall's death. "I do believe, at a time when the world seems to suffer so deeply, we could all benefit from remembering Garry's ideals and stories of kindness and honesty – how good we can be if we just try."

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Matt Villines

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Director Matt Villines died July 9 after a long battle with cancer. He was 39. Willines was best known for his work with Osmany Rodriguez, with whom he directed SNL digital shorts including "Sad Mouse" and the Emmy-nominated "(Do It In My) Twin Bed" as the duo Matt and Oz. The pair also directed an episode of Last Man on Earth, several Funny or Die shorts, and the feature film Brother Nature, which came out this year.

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Abbas Kiarostami

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Dominique Charriau/WireImage

Award-winning director Abbas Kiarostami died on July 4 at the age of 76. The filmmaker, who earned Cannes' Palme d'Or award for 1997's Taste of Cherry, passed away in Paris after a battle with gastrointestinal cancer. Born in Iran, the late artist's other credits include Close-Up and The Wind Will Carry Us.

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Noel Neill

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J.Sciulli/WireImage

Actress Noel Neill died on July 3 after suffering from an extended illness. She was 95. The late star rose to fame as the first on-screen Lois Lane, appearing in Superman (1948), Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), and The Adventures of Superman. Born in Minnesota in 1920, Neill was remembered by her biographer Larry Ward, who wrote, "She was kind, selfless, hardworking, funny with a quick wit, and assertive — all the same qualities that embodied the character of Lois Lane."

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Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel died on July 2. He was 87. The famed writer and Holocaust survivor earned acclaim for his 1960 book Night about his time spent in Nazi concentration camps and continued to campaign for peace and morality over the course of his life. The late Wiesel was remembered by President Barack Obama, who said in a statement of the author, "As a writer, a speaker, an activist, and a thinker, he was one of those people who changed the world more as a citizen of the world than those who hold office or traditional positions of power. His life, and the power of his example, urges us to be better... Just imagine the peace and justice that would be possible in our world if we all lived a little more like Elie Wiesel."

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Michael Cimino

Michael Cimino
Jeff Christensen/AP

Director Michael Cimino died at the age of 77 on July 2. The filmmaker's death was confirmed by Thierry Fremaux, who wrote on Twitter, "Michael Cimino died peacefully surrounded by his family and the two women who loved him. We loved him too." The late Cimino won an Oscar and Golden Globe in 1979 for The Deer Hunter, also earning acclaim for Heaven's Gate, Year of the Dragon, and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

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Robin Hardy

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YouTube

Filmmaker Robin Hardy, best known for his work on 1973's The Wicker Man, died on July 1. He was 86. The late Hardy was remembered by director Edgar Wright after his death, who tweeted, "R.I.P Robin Hardy, director of hugely influential horror 'The Wicker Man'. There would be no 'Hot Fuzz' without it."

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Pat Summitt

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Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Famed women's basketball coach Pat Summitt died on June 28. She was 64. The late Tennessee Lady Volunteers coach passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was remembered by her former colleague Joan Cronan, who said in a statement, "She was the ultimate leader who led by example with strength, character and integrity but also with care. She loved her family and players with a fierceness equalled only by that renowned stare of hers. The legacy she leaves is immense."

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Bill Cunningham

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Noam Galai/Getty Images

Famed photographer Bill Cunningham died at the age of 87 on June 25. Beloved for his work with The New York Times, the late artist was the subject of an acclaimed 2010 documentary, Bill Cunningham New York. The photographer's death was confirmed by his assistant, John Kurdewan, who wrote on Instagram, "William John Cunningham, the genius who created the art form of street photography and had the most singular eye in fashion, died this afternoon from the complications following a stroke. In these last days as Bill was fighting to recover, I told him of all of your good wishes and expressions of love. There are no words for this loss. Bill Cunningham 1929-2016. #billcunningham #theBoss #legend"

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Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin
Tommaso Boddi/WireImage

Anton Yelchin, best known for playing Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek film franchise, died on June 19 at the age of 27. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office said that the actor's body "was found pinned between a car and a gate at a home in Studio City, California." Yelchin began his acting career appearing in shows like ER, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, before going on to earn acclaim for performances in the crime drama Alpha Dog and the indie romance Like Crazy. J.J. Abrams, who directed Yelchin in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, paid tribute to the actor in a handwritten note posted on Twitter after his death. "You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented," he wrote. "And you weren't here nearly long enough."

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Ron Lester

Ron Lester
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Actor Ron Lester died on June 17. The late star, who was 45 at the time of his death, was moved to hospice care after suffering liver and kidney failure, his agent confirmed to EW. Lester made his on-screen debut in the 1997 with Good Burger, and went on to play Billy Bob in Varsity Blues, Seidleman in Freaks and Geeks, and Michael "Sugar Daddy" Bernardino in Popular. The performer was remembered after his death by his Varsity Blues costar James Van Der Beek, who wrote, "Sad day... #RonLester was a sensitive soul with a huge heart. Everything you loved about Billy Bob was authentically Ron. #RIP bud... I'll never forget how committed #RonLester was on every take - even when the camera wasn't on him."

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Christina Grimmie

Christina Grimmie
Noam Galai/Getty Images

Singer Christina Grimmie died on June 11 at the age of 22. An alum of The Voice, the performer was tragically murdered in Florida. Grimmie was shot and killed after a concert in Orlando, with the Orlando Police Department releasing a statement after the incident reading, "With deep regret, we have confirmed Christina Grimmie has died from her injuries." The late star was remembered after her death by former Voice coach Adam Levine, who tweeted, "Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken by Christina Grimmie's death. Our hearts go out to her family."

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Kimbo Slice

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Robert Laberge/Getty Images

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice died on June 6 at the age of 42. Born Kevin Ferguson, the late fighter expanded his career past the ring in his final years, making on-screen appearances in Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh, Locked Down, and The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption. The fierce figure was remembered for his kind spirit after his death, with wrestler Bill Goldberg tweeting, "We lost a very passionate and caring person in @KimboSlice .....don't let the image fool you."

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Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali
Stanley Weston/Getty Images

Famed boxer Muhammad Ali died on June 3 at the age of 74. Known widely as the "Greatest of All Time," Ali was hospitalized a few days before his death reportedly due to respiratory problems, which were complicated by his decades-long battle with Parkinson's syndrome. The iconic athlete was celebrated by his friends, family members, and contemporaries after his death, including John Legend, who said, "The Champ was the towering figure of our times, in the boxing ring and beyond. He was a freedom fighter who used his fists and his wits, his force and his faith to make our world a better and more just place."

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Dave Swarbrick

Dave Swarbrick
Michael Putland/Getty Images

Musician Dave Swarbrick died on June 3. He was 75. The British violinist, singer, and songwriter was beloved for his folk-rock sound, and released more than a dozen albums between his solo projects and work with bands such as Fairport Convention and the Ian Campbell Folk Group.

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Thomas Fekete

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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete died at the age of 27 on May 30. The young performer's death was confirmed by his wife Jessica, who wrote on a GoFundMe page raising money for Fekete's cancer treatment, "Our sweet Thomas passed on last night, peacefully in his sleep, holding my hand. With one last sigh, he let go of the burden of pain and suffering that he has been bravely carrying for so long. I am full of comfort knowing that he is now free, and long for the day I get to be with him again."

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Burt Kwouk

Burt Kwouk
Tim Whitby/WireImage

Illustrious British actor Burt Kwouk died on May 24. He was 85. The veteran star earned acclaim during his lifetime for appearances in multiple James Bond movies, the Pink Panther series, and A Shot in the Dark. Kwouk also earned small-screen credits for Doctor Who, The Avengers, and Tenko.

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Jeanne Parr

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CBS via Getty Images

CBS correspondent Jeanne Parr died May 23 at the age of 92. The mother of Sex and the City and Law & Order star Chris Noth, Parr began her pioneering career in broadcast journalism at a local station in Wisconsin before relocating to New York, where she joined CBS first as a weather girl on The Jim Jensen Show, then as a correspondent, which she remained throughout the '60s. She got her own talk show on CBS, The Jeanne Parr Show, in 1978. After her TV career, Parr produced documentaries and wrote the book The Superwives.

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Nick Menza

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Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic

Former Megadeth dummer Nick Menza died at the age of 51 on May 21. The musician died after collapsing in the middle of a performance with his band OHM in Los Angeles. Tributes poured in for Menza following his death, including one from his former Megadeth bandmate Marty Friedman, who wrote, "We all know the great and unique drummer that Nick Menza was, but he was also a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad. I'm beyond sad, did not see this coming at all. RIP Brother."

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John Berry

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Discogs/Rat Cage Records

John Berry, a founding member of the Beastie Boys, died on May 19. He was 52. The musician died in Massachusetts after a battle with frontal lobe dementia. While he departed the group in the early '80s, Berry was an essential part of Beastie Boys' conception. Berry was remembered after his death by the members of Luscious Jackson, who released a statement reading, "We are heartbroken hearing the news of the passing of John Berry, the original guitarist and founder of the Beastie Boys. He was a good friend and rabble rouser, and if it wasn't for him, there'd be no Beasties, no Luscious Jackson, no Grand Royal and god knows what else. John brought us all together in his crazy wooden house on the UWS… Rest In [Peace] friend."

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Alan Young

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CBS/Getty Images

Alan Young of Mister Ed fame died on May 19. He was 96. Young spent five years on the famed equine show as Wilbur Post after rising to fame with his own The Alan Young Show. The actor also earned voice credits as Scrooge McDuck in various Disney productions, and appeared in Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949), Androcles and the Lion (1952), and The Time Machine (1960).

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Morley Safer

Morley Safer
Charles Eshelman/Getty Images

Longtime 60 Minutes journalist Morley Safer died at the age of 84 on May 19. The newsman wrapped his run on CBS the same month after 46 seasons, saying in a statement at the time, "It's been a wonderful run, but the time has come to say goodbye to all of my friends at CBS and the dozens of people who kept me on the air. But most of all I thank the millions of people who have been loyal to our broadcast."

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Darwyn Cooke

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Bobby Bank/WireImage

Comic book artist Darwyn Cooke died at the age of 53 on May 14. The celebrated cartoonist died in Florida after a battle with cancer. He was known for his work on such titles as DC: The New Frontier, Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Superman Confidential, and The Spirit.

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Rickey Smith

Rickey Smith
Chris Polk/FilmMagic

American Idol alum Rickey Smith died on May 6 at the age of 36. The singer, who competed in Idol's second season in 2003, died after a crash with an alleged drunk driver outside of Oklahoma City. Smith was remembered by his former competitor Clay Aiken, who tweeted, "Suffice it to say my heart is truly breaking today. Heaven's choir has a new beautiful voice. I love you and will miss you, Rickey."

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Madeleine Lebeau

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Everett Collection

Famed French actress Madeleine Lebeau died at the age of 92 on May 1. The late big-screen star was known for her role of Yvonne in Casablanca and earned additional credits for Music for Millions and Cage of Gold. Lebeau also expanded her career to the stage, appearing on Broadway in The French Touch.

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Ashley Sawyer

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MTV

Catfish subject Ashley Sawyer died April 30 of unknown causes at the age of 23. In a 2013 episode of the MTV reality show, Sawyer and her online crush, Michael Fortunato, had both been catfishing each other but decided after meeting that they both felt a connection despite their mutual deception. One month after the episode aired, Fortunato died at the age of 26.

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Billy Paul

Billy Paul
Epic

Singer Billy Paul, who rose to fame with his hit single "Me and Mrs. Jones," died on April 24. He was 81. The death of the acclaimed soul musician was confirmed on his website with a statement reading, "We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition. We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieves the loss of another musical icon that helped pioneered todays R&B music. Billy will be truly missed."

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Prince

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Bertrand Guay/Getty Images

Iconic musician Prince died on April 21. He was 57. Born Prince Rogers Nelson, the Grammy winner was found dead in his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minn. after what has since been ruled as an accidental fentanyl overdose by the Midwest Medical Examiner's office. Prince's death was confirmed by his publicist in a statement, and sparked an immediate outpouring of tributes from stars, who remembered the performer for his innovative music and larger-than-life persona.

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Joan "Chyna" Laurer

Joanie Laurer AKA Chyna
Bobby Bank/Getty Images

Joan Marie Laurer, better known by her stage name of Chyna, died on April 20 at the age of 46. The performer rose to fame as a successful wrestling star, quickly becoming a WWF staple. She also found her way to reality TV, making appearances in The Surreal Life in 2005, The Surreal Life: Fame Games in 2007, and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008. Known as the "9th Wonder of the World," the late star was remembered by friends and colleagues after her death, including wrestler Triple H, who tweeted, "Someone who wasn't afraid to blaze her own trail & create a path for those who would follow. A pioneer whose star shined bright. #RIPChyna"

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Guy Hamilton

Guy Hamilton
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Director Guy Hamilton died in April at the age of 93. The famed British filmmaker helmed multiple James Bond movies, including Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever, also earning directing credits for An Inspector Calls (1954), Funeral in Berlin (1966), Battle of Britain (1969), and Force 10 from Navarone (1978), and screenwriting credits for A Touch of Larceny (1959).

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Rod Daniel

Rod Daniel
©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Filmmaker Rod Daniel died on April 16. He was 73. Daniel made a name for himself behind the camera for Teen Wolf 1985, going on to direct K-9 (1989), Like Father Like Son (1987), and Beethoven's 2nd (1993). Daniel expanded his work to the small screen, working on WKRP in Cincinnati, Filthy Rich, and Newhart, among other programs.

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Doris Roberts

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Everett Collection

Veteran actress Doris Roberts died April 17 at the age of 90. The late star, who was best known for her role of Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, passed away in Los Angeles, her manager confirmed to EW. Roberts made her acting debut in the 1950s and picked up SAG Awards and Emmys over the course of her illustrious career for her turn as Marie, as well as her stint on St. Elsewhere. Survived by a son and three grandchildren, the beloved actress earned additional Emmy nominations for her work in Remington Steele, Perfect Strangers, and American Playhouse.

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Scott Nimerfro

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Jody Cortes/Getty Images

Writer and producer Scott Nimerfro, who was known for his work on Hannibal and Once Upon a Time, died in Minneapolis in April. The late star, who went public with a struggle with angiosarcoma, was 54 at the time of his death. Nimerfro earned acclaim for the time he spent as a writer and producer for Pushing Daisies, and expanded his résumé with production work on Tales from the Crypt, X-Men, and Ringer.

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Dan Ireland

Dan Ireland
Everett Collection

Filmmaker Dan Ireland died at the age of 57 on April 14. The late star, who passed away in his home in Los Angeles, co-founded the Seattle International Film Festival and was known for directing movies like The Whole Wide World (1996) and Jolene (2008). Jessica Chastain, who starred in the latter film, paid tribute to Ireland, tweeting, "The sweetest angel left us. Called his voicemail just to hear his voice once more. I'll miss you baby. #DanIreland #Jolene"

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David Gest

David Gest
AP

Producer David Gest died on April 12 at the age of 62. Gest, who was once married to Liza Minnelli, was found dead in a hotel in London. He rose to fame with his gig producing 2001's Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Solo Years, and also appeared on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother.

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Daisy Lewellyn

Daisy Lewellyn
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Reality star Daisy Lewellyn, who starred in Bravo's Blood, Sweat and Heels, died at the age of 36 in April. The late star passed away after a battle with bile duct cancer, and rose to fame as an author, magazine editor, and television personality. Lewellyn was remembered by Andy Cohen, who tweeted, "I am just heartbroken about Daisy Lewellyn. What a wonderful spirit, force of life, & a great person. She lit up every room. Sad day."

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Dennis Davis

Dennis Davis
Peter Still/Redferns

Drummer Dennis Davis died in April after a battle with lung cancer. The late musician worked with David Bowie for years and was remembered by producer Tony Visconti after his death. "He was one of the most creative drummers I have ever worked with," Visconti wrote.

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Arthur Anderson

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Cecil Beaton/Condé Nast via Getty Images

Actor Arthur Anderson died at the age of 93 on April 9 in his home in Manhattan. An longtime performer, Anderson voiced the original Lucky the Leprechaun character for Lucky Charm's cereal, spent his early career working on radio programs, and later transitioned to the stage.

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Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard
Tony R. Phipps/FilmMagic

Beloved country singer Merle Haggard died on his 79th birthday on April 6. The Grammy winner, who rose to fame in his 20s, struggled with his health in his final months, dying after a battle with double pneumonia. Haggard released dozens of albums during his lifetime, topping country charts with hits like "Okie from Muskogee," "Mama Tried," and "Fightin' Side of Me." Family members and close friends paid tribute to the late star after his death, including Dolly Parton, who told EW in a statement, "We've lost one of the greatest writers and singers of all time. His heart was as tender as his love ballads. I loved him like a brother."

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Erik Bauersfeld

Erik Bauersfeld
Peter Hartlaub via YouTube

Voice actor Erik Bauersfeld died on April 3 at the age of 93. The performer, who was best known for his role of Admiral Ackbar in the Star Wars movies, died in his Berkley, Calif. home. The late star, who also earned credits for Crimson Peak and A.I. Artificial Intelligence, reprised his role of Star Wars' military commander in 2015's The Force Awakens.

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Patty Duke

Patty Duke
Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke died on March 29. She was 69. Duke spent decades in the industry, earning acclaim for her appearances in The Miracle Worker, The Patty Duke Show, and Me, Natalie. The news of her death was confirmed by Duke's actor son Sean Astin, who wrote on Instagram, "This morning, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian, and champion for mental health, Anna PATTY DUKE Pearce, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended to a beautiful place. We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life."

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Jim Harrison

Jim Harrison
Ulf Andersen/Getty Images

Author Jim Harrison died on March 26 in his home in Patagonia, Ariz. at the age of 78. A prolific writer, Harrison published novels, novellas, poetry, nonfiction work, and a children's book during his lifetime, including 1979's Legends of the Fall, which found its way to the big screen in 1994.

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Garry Shandling

Garry Shandling's Life in Pictures
Chris Pizzello/AP

Garry Shandling, the Emmy-winning stand-up comedian who created and starred in one of TV's most influential comedies with The Larry Sanders Show, died of a fatal heart attack March 24 at the age of 66. Shandling began his TV writing career in the '70s with sitcoms such as Sanford & Son and Welcome Back Kotter, before turning to stand-up, and creating Showtime's Emmy-nominated and fourth wall-breaking It's Garry Shandling's Show (1986-1990) with Alan Zweibel soon after. The comedian then found a home at HBO with The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998), and added roles in What Planet Are You From? (which he also wrote), Zoolander, Iron Man 2, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier to his resume.

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Tom Whedon

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: Tom Whedon
instagram.com/misterkarate

TV writer and producer Tom Whedon died March 23. The father of five sons, including writer-director-creator Joss Whedon, writer-producer Jed Whedon, and writer Zack Whedon, Tom Whedon worked on series including The Golden Girls, Captain Kangaroo, The Dick Cavett Show, and All's Fair. He won a Primetime Emmy in 1973 for his work on The Electric Company, and picked up four other nominations over the course of his career.

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Ken Howard

Ken Howard
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Actor and SAG-AFTRA president Ken Howard died March 23. Over the course of his 50+ year career, Howard was best known for playing Ken Reeves on The White Shadow. His other TV credits included Crossing Jordan, 30 Rock, Dynasty, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The West Wing, and an Emmy-winning turn in HBO's Grey Gardens movie. His many film roles included 1776, Clear and Present Danger, Rambo IV, Michael Clayton, J. Edgar, and Joy. He was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2009.

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David Smyrl

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Sesame Street

Actor David Smyrl died March 22 at the age of 80. The actor was best known for playing Mr. Handford, the recurring character on Sesame Street who ran Hooper's store, from 1990 through 1998. Before he became a star of children's programming, he began his TV career in the '70s on Express Yourself. His later credits include The Cosby Show and Benson, for which he won a People's Choice Award.

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Phife Dawg

Phife Dawg
Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic

A Tribe Called Quest founding member Phife Dawg died March 22 at the age of 45. Born Malik Isaac Taylor, the late musician reportedly spent recent years battling health problems, including Type 1 diabetes. Phife reunited with Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White just months before his death, performing the group's hit song "Can I Kick It?" on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.

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Erin Storm

Erin Storm
ABC

Reality star Erin Storm, who appeared on season 12 of The Bachelor, died on March 21 at the age of 41. Storm, who competed for the heart of Bachelor Matt Grant as a part of the ABC dating show in 2008, died after the private plane she was piloting crashed in California. The late star's death was confirmed by her friend Joshua Daniel, who wrote on Facebook, "Erin was a beautiful person inside and out, and that anyone who knew her would tell you the same. She was always a very nice, caring person who beat to her own drum. She was loved by many people and will be dearly missed."

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Larry Drake

Larry Drake
Bill Robbins/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Longtime actor Larry Drake, who was best known for his role of Benny Stulwicz on L.A. Law died March 17 at the age of 66. The late star, who also made appearances in Darkman, Bean, and lent his voice to episodes of Johnny Bravo, earned two Emmy awards for his 1987-1994 turn as Benny. "He was a great person," screenwriter and friend Charles Pogue told EW, "genuine sweet, smart, gentle man. A very loyal, good friend."

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Frank Sinatra Jr.

Frank Sinatra Jr.
Larry Marano/Getty Images

Frank Sinatra Jr., the son of the late Frank Sinatra, died March 16 at the age of 72. Sinatra Jr., who carried on his father's legacy as a singer and songwriter, died of cardiac arrest in Daytona Beach, Fla., his family said in a statement. The son of Sinatra and the legendary crooner's first wife Nancy Barbato Sinatra, Sinatra Jr. released seven studio albums of over the course of his career and regularly toured in support of his music.

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George Martin

George Martin
Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Celebrated producer George Martin — known as the "fifth Beatle" — died on March 8. He was 90. Martin rose to fame for his work with the Beatles, first signing the group in the early '60s. The late star was then knighted in 1996, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and picked up multiple Grammys during the span of his career. Ringo Starr confirmed the news of his late collaborator's death, tweeting, "God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family love Ringo and Barbara George will be missed xxx."

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Nancy Reagan

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: AP_8901140262.jpg First Lady Nancy Reagan gestures during an interview with the Associated Press, on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1989 at the White House
Charles Tasnadi/AP

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan died March 6, at the age of 94. She met her husband, President Ronald Reagan, when they were both actors in Hollywood in 1949. They were married in 1952 and had two children in the '50s before Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966 then President of the United States in 1980. As First Lady, Nancy Reagan was famous for her glamour and her "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign. She was widowed in 2005.

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Tony Dyson

GALLERY: Stars We Lost in 2016: Tony Dyson courtesy of his media kit: http://www.tonydyson.com/wp-content/uploads/Media-kit.zip
Courtesy of tonydyson.com

Tony Dyson, the creator of the original R2-D2 robot for 1977's Star Wars, died March 4 at the age of 68. Dyson was working at the White Horse Toy Company when he was commissioned to build eight copies of the beloved robot, and while he would go on to work on projects for other films, including 1979's Moonraker and 1980's Superman II, R2 remains his most famous contribution to the movies.

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Pat Conroy

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Ulf Andersen/Getty Images

Novelist and memoirist Pat Conroy died March 4 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 70. Best known for the novels The Great Santini (1976) and The Prince of Tides (1986), both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films, the author has been a major figure of Southern literature for over four decades. His other notable titles included his 1927 memoir The Water Is Wide, the 1980 novel The Lords of Discipline, 1995's novel Beach Music, the 2002 memoir My Losing Season, and the 2013 nonfiction follow-up to The Great Santini, the memoir The Death of Santini.

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Joey Feek

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

After a long, heartbreaking battle with cervical cancer, Joey Feek died on March 4 at age 40. The country singer, who performed with her husband Rory Lee Feek as the duo Joey + Rory, detailed her 20 months spent fighting the disease through social media posts and a This Life I Live, a blog run by Rory. The performer, who released studio albums including The Life of a Song, Album Number Two, and Hymns That Are Important to Us as a part of Joey + Rory, was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2014, just months after the birth of the couple's daughter, Indiana. "My wife's greatest dream came true today. She is in Heaven," Rory wrote after Joey died. "The cancer is gone, the pain has ceased and all her tears are dry. Joey is in the arms of her beloved brother Justin and using her pretty voice to sing for her savior."

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Louise Rennison

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Andrew Hasson/Photoshot/Getty Images

English author Louise Rennison, who rose to fame with the release of Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging and other stories of Georgia Nicolson, died Feb. 29 at age 64. Rennison's publisher, Harper Collins, confirmed the news and released a statement reading, "Nobody wrote for teenagers like she did, she understood them, their lives and their extraordinary and powerful friendships. In life, as in her writing, she brought joy and laughter. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the readers whose lives she has touched for almost 20 years."

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George Kennedy

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Everett Collection

Famed actor George Kennedy died at the age of 91 on Feb. 28. Born in New York City in 1925, Kennedy led a prolific career in Hollywood, appearing in films like Cool Hand Luke, The Naked Gun, and Airport, and hitting the small screen in Dallas. Kennedy, who struggled with a few health issues in his later years, died in Boise, Idaho. "He was just a pleasure to work with," Naked Gun director and co-creator David Zucker told EW. "He always knew his lines, and he was very comfortable playing the material for the straight man that it required from him. He didn't try to wink or try to be funny."

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Tony Burton

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Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage

Actor and athlete Tony Burton died Feb. 25 at age 78. The star, who was famous for his role of Duke in the Rocky movies, began his career as a boxer. In the '70s, he started picking up work as an actor, adding appearances in The Shining, Twin Peaks, and Hook to his résumé. Burton was remembered by former costar Carl Weathers, who tweeted of the late actor, "His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful."

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Harper Lee

November 5, 2007
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Famed author Harper Lee died Feb. 19 in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, at the age of 89. A notably private star beloved for her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee came back into the spotlight in 2015 with the release of Go Set a Watchman. Penned by the late writer in the '50s, the novel finally saw a controversial release decades later. "The world knows Harper Lee was a brilliant writer but what many don't know is that she was an extraordinary woman of great joyfulness, humility and kindness," Michael Morrison, President and Publisher of HarperCollins US General Books Group and Canada said in a statement at the time of her death. "She lived her life the way she wanted to – in private – surrounded by books and the people who loved her. I will always cherish the time I spent with her."

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Angela Raiola

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Steve Mack/Getty Images

Mob Wives star Angela Raiola — best known as Big Ang — was 55 when she died Feb. 18 after a year-long battle with stage IV lung and brain cancer. The late star's friend Vinnie Medugno confirmed the news, writing in a note posted to Twitter, "It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01 a.m. Angelia Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home. She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and the closest friends. YOU, (her fans) were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end. She truly went out richer than any monetary value could amount to."

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Lex McAllister

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Craig Sjodin/ABC

Reality star Lex McAllister died Feb. 16 at the age of 31 after an apparent suicide attempt in Columbus, Ohio. The late TV personality was featured vying for Jake Pavelka's heart on the 14th season of The Bachelor in 2010. "I'm so sad to hear about Alexa," Pavelka tweeted. "Such a beautiful girl. My heart breaks for her family. Covering them in prayer during this rough time."

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Vanity

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Born Denise Katrina Matthews, the singer best known as Vanity was 57 when she died on Feb. 15. The late star rose to fame for her work with Prince and as the frontwoman of the trio Vanity 6. The group's debut album included the hit single "Nasty Girl," and Vanity went on to release her own solo albums, as well as lend her voice to soundtracks and other artist's singles. She also spent years working as an actress, making appearances in The Last Dragon, Miami Vice, and Action Jackson.

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George Gaynes

George Gaynes
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Prolific performer George Gaynes died at the age of 98 on Feb. 15. Born in Helsinki in 1917, Gaynes died in Washington state. The character actor first earned on-screen credits in the '50s, making a name for himself with appearances in Police Academy, Punky Brewster, Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, and Bonanza. Soleil Moon Frye, who starred as Gaynes' TV daughter in Punky Brewster, remembered the actor in a tweet reading, "The universe just gained a gigantic star. You will be in my heart and soul always & forever. Your little Punky. RIP George Gaynes."

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Daniel Gerson

Daniel Gerson
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Screenwriter Daniel Gerson died Feb. 6 at the age of 49 after his battle with brain cancer. A BAFTA winner, Gerson rose to fame as the scribe behind Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, and Big Hero 6, as well as his contributions to Chicken Little and The New Addams Family.

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Dave Mirra

Dave Mirra
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BMX rider and TV personality Dave Mirra was 41 when he died Feb. 4 in Greenville, North Carolina, of an apparent suicide. The late star, who made appearances on The New Tom Green Show, Punk'd, and George Lopez, hosted two seasons of MTV's The Challenge in the mid-2000s. "Goodbye Dave Mirra, a true pioneer, icon and legend," Tony Hawk tweeted. "Thank you for the memories... we are heartbroken."

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Maurice White

Maurice White
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Maurice White, the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, died on Feb. 3 at the age of 74 after decades of battling Parkinson's disease. The Grammy winner's former band member Verdine White confirmed the news of his death, writing in a Facebook post, "My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes."

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Joe Alaskey

Joe Alaskey
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Voice actor Joe Alaskey died Feb. 3 at the age of 63. The late star had a prolific career voicing beloved characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and won a Daytime Emmy Award for his turn as the voice of Duck Dodgers. Alaskey continued his voice work until his final years, contributing to Tom and Jerry videos, as well as projects from Looney Tunes and LEGO.

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Bob Elliott

Bob Elliott
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Bob Elliott, of the famed comedy duo Bob and Ray, was 92 when he died Feb. 2 following a battle with throat cancer. The late star's son Chris Elliott, who is also a comedian, confirmed the news of his death to the New York Times. Elliott first appeared with Ray Goulding in the '40s, working with his frequent collaborator for five decades. The funnyman also starred on Get a Life in the '90s, Cabin Boy in 1994, and a 2008 episode of King of the Hill. Elliott's granddaughter, SNL's Abby Elliott, shared a photo on Twitter with the actor, writing, "Papaw was a wonderful grandfather who made everyone around him happy. I'll miss him with all my heart."

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Jacques Rivette

Jacques Rivette
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French New Wave director Jacques Rivette died at the age of 87 on Jan. 29. The death of the innovative filmmaker, who reportedly spent his last years battling Alzheimer's disease, was confirmed by French culture minister Fleur Pellerin. The late director was known for films like L'Amour Fou, La Belle Noiseuse, and Celine and Julie Go Boating.

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Paul Kantner

Paul Kantner
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Jefferson Airplane cofounder Paul Kantner died Jan. 28 at the age of 74. "Paul Kantner was a folk/rock giant and integral part of the 1960s rock scene," Recording Academy CEO/President Neil Portnow said in a statement. "A multifaceted singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer, he was essential to the success of such classic Airplane songs as 'Somebody To Love' and 'White Rabbit.' The music community has lost a true icon, and we share our deepest condolences with Paul's family and friends, and with those who had the privilege of collaborating with him." Kanter worked with Jefferson Airplane for years, reuniting with his bandmates in 1989 for the release of Jefferson Airplane.

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Abe Vigoda

Abe Vigoda
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Veteran star Abe Vigoda died at age 94 on Jan. 26 in his daughter's home in Woodland Park, New Jersey. With his gravelly voice, well-worn mug, bushy eyebrows and weight-of-the-world slouch, Vigoda made his mark in both film and television, drama and comedy. The character actor built up an extensive résumé during his time in Hollywood, earning his first on-screen credit in 1949 and continuing to act into his 90s. Vigoda was best known for playing Phil Fish in Barney Miller, for which he earned three Emmy nominations, and Salvatore "Sal" Tessio in The Godfather franchise.

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Ettore Scola

Ettore Scola
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Filmmaker Ettore Scola died in Rome at the age of 84 on Jan. 19. The Italian director and screenwriter made dozens of movies from the '60s until his final years, earning acclaim for titles like Le bal, C'eravamo tanto amati, La famiglia, and Una giornata particolare.

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Glenn Frey

Glenn Frey
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Founding Eagles member Glenn Frey died Jan. 18 of complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. The acclaimed musician was 67 at the time of his death. "Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide," a statement on the Eagles' website from the Frey family and band read. The late performer played with Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit for years, touring with the band as recently as 2015.

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Dale Griffin

Dale Griffin
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Dummer Dale Griffin died on Jan. 17 at the age of 67. Best known as a founding member of the band Mott the Hoople, Griffin died after battling Alzheimer's disease. The British musician spent a decade as part of the glam band, reuniting with his former bandmates in recent years.

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Clarence Reid

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Famed R&B singer Clarence Reid, who was also known as the rapper Blowfly, died Jan. 17 at age 76. Reid's death came after news that he was battling terminal liver cancer and multiple organ failure. Reid was best known as his sexually explicit alter-ego Blowfly, and released his first collection of "party records" under that name in 1971 –The Weird World of Blowfly. He went on to put out 25 Blowfly records, but under his own name, released three albums and wrote songs for artists like KC and the Sunshine Band, Sam & Dave, and Bobby Byrd.

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Dan Haggerty

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The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams star Dan Haggerty died on January 15. The actor, who was 73 at the time of his death, spent months fighting cancer of the spine. Best known for his turn as the title character in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams and its subsequent small-screen adaptation and sequels, Haggerty also appeared in episodes of The Love Boat and Charlie's Angels.

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René Angélil

René Angélil
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René Angélil, musician and husband of Céline Dion, died Jan. 14 at the age of 73 at his Las Vegas home after a years-long battle with throat cancer. The Montreal-born Angélil got his start in the music business in the '60s as a singer before switching to the business side and eventually managing Dion, who he married in 1994. Angélil continued managing Dion until 2014, when he stepped down soon after his throat cancer — which he was first diagnosed with in the late '90s — returned.

"He always made me feel that we were on our first date, isn't that amazing?" Dion said of her late husband during her first performance in Las Vegas one month later. "Never talking bluntly, and always impressing himself in a soft and gentle way. We were one. And nothing has changed we will always be one."

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Alan Rickman

June 2015
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Alan Rickman, the British actor best known in Hollywood for playing dastardly heavies like Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, died Jan. 14 after losing his battle with cancer. Rickman was so good as Gruber that he became a go-to villain, in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Sweeney Todd, and of course the Potter franchise. But he was far more than just a brilliantly malevolent big screen presence. Rickman was a remarkably versatile actor, with memorable roles in films such as Sense and Sensibility, Dogma, Truly Madly Deeply, Bob Roberts, Michael Collins, and Love Actually.

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David Bowie

David Bowie
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David Bowie, the legendary British rocker who spent the entirety of his career mixing genres and experimenting with theatricality, was 69 when he died Jan. 10 after a battle with cancer. For more than 40 years, he was rock & roll's greatest innovator, blazing a trail right up until the end. His acclaimed final album, Blackstar, was released on his 69th birthday, just two days before his passing. Following a very private 18-month struggle with cancer, the artist "died peacefully," according to a public statement, and "surrounded by his family," which included two children, daughter Alexandria, 15, and son Duncan, 44, and his devoted second wife, supermodel Iman, 60, whom he married in 1992.

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Michael Galeota

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Everett Collection

Former Disney Channel star Michael Galeota died Jan. 10 from natural causes at age 31. Galeota starred as Nick Lighter in Disney's The Jersey from 1999–2004, with the series centering on four teenagers who discover a magic jersey that transports them into the bodies of pro athletes to live out their sports fantasies. He also had small roles on episodes of ER and Ally McBeal in the '90s, and was the lead in the short-lived CBS Saturday morning series Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. (1996–1997).

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Angus Scrimm

Angus Scrimm
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Character actor Angus Scrimm died Jan. 9 in Los Angeles at age 89. Scrimm was best known for his turn as The Tall Man in the Phantasm film franchise, filling out his horror résumé with appearances in Subspecies, Chopping Mall, and Transylvania Twist. "[His] performance as the Tall Man is a towering achievement in horror film history," the late star's friend and collaborator Don Coscarelli wrote, via email to EW. "He was the last in a long line of classic horror movie stars. He was a terrific actor and an even better friend. He will be missed."

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Pat Harrington, Jr.

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Prolific actor Pat Harrington, Jr. died at the age of 86 on Jan. 6. The late star's daughter confirmed the news of his death in a Facebook post, writing, "This is the single most heart wrenching and physically painful thing, I've ever had to endure. I know many of you have lost parents and loved ones, and now I know what it's like to feel the kind of sadness and void that will never be filled but only softened with the passing of time." Harrington won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his role of Dwayne F. Schneider on One Day at a Time, which he starred on from 1975 to 1984. He continued to have a steady acting career after the CBS sitcom's end, earning his last on-screen credit in a 2012 episode of Hot in Cleveland.

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Nicholas Caldwell

Nicholas Caldwell
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Nicholas Caldwell, one of the founding members of the classic R&B group the Whispers, died Jan. 5 at the age of 71 after suffering from congenital heart failure in San Francisco. The group began with Caldwell, brothers Walter and Wallace Scott, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon in 1963, performing in clubs in Watts, California, and the Bay Area. Less than a decade later, the group scored its first top 10 R&B hit with the wistful "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong." The Whispers continued to stay active and perform steadily, playing in Hammond, Indiana as recently as the weekend before Caldwell's death.

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Pierre Boulez

Pierre Boulez
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French composer Pierre Boulez was 90 when he died at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany on Jan. 5. Boulez was a classical composer, conductor, and piano player with 26 Grammy Awards to his name. He was celebrated for his work with Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Cleveland Orchestra, among other groups, and spent years as the music director for New York Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

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