Celebs Who Passed Away In 2022

Correction 8/29/22: An earlier version of this article misstated Ivana Trump's age. She was 73 at the time of her death, not 77.

The following article includes references to drugs, alcohol, and suicide.

In 2022, we sadly said goodbye to many prominent celebrities, notable public figures, and influential cultural icons. Poet and writer Maya Angelou famously said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Perhaps that's the very reason why celebrity deaths can feel quite profound, even when we didn't personally know the star. Whether they're household names on the big or small screen, music legends, or cultural pioneers, they leave permanent memories on the public, and their lives have often impacted us in meaningful ways.

Even though you'd probably never met, the connection was sometimes palpable, and in response — so can be the loss. From "Full House" actor Bob Saget to famed country singer Naomi Judd,these are the famous faces who passed away in 2022.

The Peach Pit will never be the same. As reported by TMZ, actor Joe E. Tata, best known for his character Nat Bussichio — the owner and operator of the prime location for all of the hang-out sessions on the hit '90s drama series "Beverly Hills, 90210" — died at the age of 85. While the outlet did not provide Tata's cause of death, his daughter, Kelly Tata, shared via GoFundMe in 2018 that her father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Kelly also shared on the page that she was there to hold her father's hand during his last moments.

Tata's former "90210" castmate Ian Ziering took to Instagram and penned a lengthy tribute. Alongside a photo of the late actor in his Peach Pit uniform, Ziering wrote that Tata was "one of the happiest people I've ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness ... My smile dims today, but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart, where he will always be. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends and everyone else he was dear to. Rest In peace Joey."

Tata is survived by his daughter.

On August 5, 2022, actor Anne Heche — who starred in films like the remake of "Psycho" and "Donnie Brasco" — was critically injured in a car crash in Los Angeles (via The New York Times). A week after the accident, on August 12, Heche was declared legally dead from "a severe anoxic brain injury — complete oxygen deprivation to the brain" after not regaining consciousness, per TMZ.

As reported by The Guardian, firefighters revealed that the 53-year-old had been stable after being cut free from the wreckage. However, on the way to the hospital, she slipped into a coma. TMZ confirmed the news of her death via a spokesperson for her family. They stated, "We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed, but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy." 

Heche's oldest son, Homer Laffoon, also spoke out following the loss of his mother, telling People magazine, "My brother Atlas and I lost our mom. After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness." He went on to share that he hoped she was rid of any pain and thanked loved ones for their support. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who once dated Heche, took to Twitter to pay her respects, tweeting, "This is a sad day. I'm sending Anne's children, family, and friends all of my love." Heche is survived by her two sons.

The Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, best known for being the straight-laced, goody two-shoes Sandy in "Grease," died on August 8, 2022 at the age of 73. Newton-John's husband, John Easterling, confirmed the icon's death on her Facebook page, revealing she died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. In his heartfelt tribute, featuring a photo of Newton-John, he wrote, "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer." As alluded to by Easterling, Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and, over the course of three decades, had repeated occurrences of the disease (via The Guardian).

Not long after the news broke of her death, Newton-John's "Grease" co-star and hit duet partner John Travolta took to social media to pay tribute to his friend. "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!," Travolta wrote in an Instagram post.

Newton-John is survived by her husband John Easterling, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, sister Sarah Newton-John, and brother Toby Newton-John (via Facebook).

The entertainment world was shocked when the country music legend Naomi Judd, one half of the mother-daughter duo the Judds, died. According to Variety, Judd died on April 30, 2022, at the age of 75. Ashley and Wynonna Judd took to Instagram to confirm the tragic news, writing, "We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness."

The exact cause of death wasn't initially given. However, on May 12, 2022, Ashley revealed that her mother died by suicide during an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. She told Sawyer, "She obviously was suffering. And, as such, her days up until that moment — were hurtful to her."

Throughout The Judds' trailblazing music career, they had 14 No. 1 hits in addition to several accolades, including winning five Grammy awards, nine Country Music Association Awards, and seven Academy of Country Music Awards. Celebrities and musicians worldwide took to social media to pay tribute to Naomi. She died two days before she and Wynonna would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ at​ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

As reported by The New York Times, actor Ray Liotta died at the age of 67. Liotta passed away in his sleep either on the night of May 25 or the morning of May 26 in his hotel room. According to his publicist, Liotta was filming a new movie, "Dangerous Waters," in the Dominican Republic.

The actor/producer's career propelled to new heights after co-starring in the 1989 baseball classic "Field of Dreams" and portraying mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 1990 crime classic "Goodfellas." Throughout his career, Liotta played a wide range of characters, as he didn't want to be typecast. He told the Long Island Weekly in 2018, "I decided that I was here to try different parts and do different things. ...That's what a career should be." 

Liotta's "Goodfellas" co-star Robert De Niro said that he was sad to learn of his friend's death and that the star died "way too young" (via IndieWire). Liotta's fiancée, Jacy Nittolo, later shared a beautiful Instagram post with a carousel of memories. "My life these past couple of years have been nothing but truly magical," she wrote. "Ray and I share a deep love that I will cherish in my heart forever." Nittolo added, "He was the most beautiful person inside and out that I've ever known ... and even that is an understatement." Liotta is survived by his daughter Karsen Liotta, his sister Linda Liotta Matthews, and Nittolo.

Fans mourned worldwide upon the news of Bob Saget's death. As reported by TMZ on January 9, Saget was found dead in his Orlando, Florida hotel room at the age of 65. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter weeks later, his family thanked fans for the outpouring of love and support and also shared his cause of death. They noted, "The authorities have determined that Bob passed away from head trauma. They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep." The comedian and actor had been in Orlando performing on his stand-up tour.

From being America's favorite dad on "Full House" to his more adult-oriented stand-up comedy and everything in between, Saget made his mark on the entertainment industry throughout his career, which spanned over three decades. Tributes flooded social media platforms as fans and celebrities. including the "Full House" cast, mourned the beloved actor.

Dave Coulier tweeted, "My heart is broken. I love you, Bob. Your forever brother, Dave." In a joint statement, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen shared, "Bob was the most loving, compassionate, and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has" (via People). Saget is survived by his wife Kelly Rizzo and his three daughters.

In March 2022, the nation mourned the loss of Madeleine Albright, the American diplomat who became the first woman to serve as the United States secretary of state. According to Albright's daughter Anne, her mother died from complications due to cancer (via The New York Times). The family shared a statement on Twitter, writing that loved ones surrounded the 84-year-old before she died and noted that they "lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend."

One of the many things Albright will be remembered for is being a strong-willed supporter of NATO intervention to stop the genocide in Kosovo (via The New Yorker). After her death, Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, said that Albright gave his people hope, was the voice of his fellow Kosovars when they didn't have one, and his people would "memorialize her eternally" (via NBC Washington).

On April 27, 1,400 people attended an invite-only service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, according to the Associated Press. The service was filled with cheers and laughter, and along with Albright's three daughters, Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as President Joe Biden shared beautiful memories of the icon. Hillary remarked, "The angels better be wearing their best pins and putting on their dancing shoes. Because if as Madeleine believed there's a special place in hell for women who don't support other women, they haven't seen anyone like her yet."

Tom Parker, co-founder and one-fifth of the British boy band The Wanted, died on March 30, 2022, at the age of 33, according to the BBC. In 2020 Parker had been diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor, and in 2021 the band decided it was time for them to get back together and make new music and go on tour (via Metro).

With his wife Kelsey Hardwick by his side, the singer underwent specialist cancer treatment in Spain and was able to join the rest of his mates on the second leg of their UK come-back tour (via Daily Mail). Unfortunately, his cancer had spread to other parts of his body, and during the March 17 performance in Liverpool, United Kingdom, two weeks before his death, Parker needed to sit while on stage (according to the DailyRecord).

On the day of his death, the band took to Instagram and disclosed Parker "passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates." In a separate Instagram post, Hardwick wrote in a heartfelt message, "Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world, and we can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence." The post featured a photo of Parker, Hardwick, and their two children.

Ivana Trump was so much more than a socialite. The 73-year-old, who was married to former U.S. President Donald Trump from 1977 to 1992, was once a champion skier, model, and businesswoman (via Town & Country).  On July 14, the mother of Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Trump Jr. was found dead at the bottom of her New York City apartment stairs. According to ABC News, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of Ivana's death was "blunt impact injuries to the torso sustained as the result of a fall," and was thus accidental.

Not long after the news broke, Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, about the passing of his ex-late-wife, writing that she was a "wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life." He further expressed that Ivana was proud of the ex-couple's children (via Rolling Stone). Her three children released a joint statement praising their mother, saying she was "an incredible woman — a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend." Ivana's funeral was held on July 20, 2022, at Manhattan's St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church (via NBC New York News).

In early January, Hollywood mourned the loss of the beloved actor, director, and activist for civil rights, Sidney Poitier. According to his death certificate obtained by TMZ, he died of a combination of cardiopulmonary failure, Alzheimer's dementia, and prostate cancer.

Poitier starred in a string of ground-breaking films, including "In the Heat of the Night," "Lilies of the Field," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." In 1963 for his work on "Lilies of the Field," he became the first black actor to win the Oscar for best actor (via History). Throughout his career, Poitier would be praised with numerous honors. He won multiple Golden Globes awards and a Grammy for the narration of his autobiography, "The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography." In 2009, he was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The actor's daughter, Sydney Poitier, wrote an emotional tribute to honor her legendary father on Instagram: "There are no words for this. No real way to prepare for this. No prose beautiful enough, no speech eloquent enough to capture the essence of my dad." She praised her father for being a trailblazer and shared that her grief isn't only because she lost her dad but also because "the world lost so much goodness." Poitier is survived by his wife, Joanna Shimkus, and his five daughters (via NBC News).

As reported by Us Weekly, comedian, actor, and television show host Louie Anderson died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 21. According to Anderson's manager, his cause of death was due to complications from a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Anderson's entertainment career spanned nearly four decades, and he commanded the big and small screens. Anderson guest-starred on sitcoms such as "Grace Under Fight" and in dramas like "Touched by an Angel" and "Chicago Hope." Many fans undoubtedly remember his unforgettable role in the iconic 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (via IMDb).

Anderson is also known for portraying Christine Baskets, the mother of the characters in Zach Galifianakis' FX series "Baskets." He even won the Emmy award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his unlikely role. As FX wrote in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, "We are so deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Louie Anderson. ... He truly cared about his craft and was a true professional in every sense." Surviving Anderson are his two sisters, Lisa and Shannon Anderson (via Us Weekly).

As reported by TMZ, Jordan Cashmyer, who appeared on the MTV reality series "16 and Pregnant" in 2014, died on January 16. Cashmyer appeared on the show with her boyfriend Derek Taylor, who had both become homeless after her parents kicked her out due to her pregnancy. The two ultimately called it quits, and Derek's mother had been given temporary custody of their daughter, who Cashmyer gave birth to on March 7, 2014.

According to the Maryland Department of Health Office of Chief Medical Examiner, she died just a few days after her 27th birthday from "fentanyl and cocaine intoxication" (via USA Today). It appears that over the years, the MTV personality started using drugs and had gone to rehab for substance abuse on several occasions. In a statement sent to the outlet via email, Cashmyer's rep, Howard Wood, remarked, "This has been a very sad couple of days." Wood said that he'd known Cashmyer for a few years, and wished better for her and "[wished] life would have been kinder to her."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

In 2011, the reality television series "Braxton Family Values" made its debut, and audiences were introduced to the extended family of legendary singer Toni Braxton. The series documented the lives of the award-winning performer and her four sisters Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar. For seven seasons, the hit show gave viewers a bird's eye view into the Braxton family dynamic that was mixed with a bit of drama with love and lots of laughter. Unfortunately, on March 12, 2022, the family suffered a devastating loss when Traci died from esophageal cancer at the age of 50 (via Us Weekly).

Traci's husband, Kevin Surratt, told TMZ that his wife had been undergoing cancer treatment for a year before her death. Toni took to Facebook to share the news of Traci's death, writing, "It is with the utmost regret that we inform you of the passing of our sister, Traci. Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother, and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly."

Traci was known not only for her singing skills but her work in films such as "Sinners Wanted" and "Chaaw," as well as the stage play "There's a Stranger in My House" (via IMDb). As reported by Hollywood Life, Traci is survived by her husband and her son, Kevin Surratt Jr.

Actress Marnie Schulenburg died on May 21, just days before her 38th birthday, due to complications from breast cancer, according to Variety. Schulenburg made her first television debut as Alison Stewart on the soap opera "As the World Turns" in 2007. Not long after, she would come on board the series full-time and appeared on over 300 episodes until the daytime drama was canceled in 2010. Three years later, the daytime soap star went on to portray Jo Sullivan in the short-lived revival of "One Life To Life." From 2014 to 2017, she starred in the meta soap opera "Tainted Dreams," which documented a soap opera cast's drama behind the scenes (via IMDb).

One of Schulenburg's more recent credits was a role in the Showtime drama "City on a Hill," and she will appear posthumously in the comedy, "Public Service." Schulenburg's husband, actor Zack Robidas, took to Facebook, after her death. In a post, her wrote, "Please don't say Marnie lost her battle to cancer. It's simply not true. I watched her kick cancer's a** everyday since diagnosis" (via Variety). Schulenburg is survived by Robidas and their daughter Coda, who was 2 at the time of her mother's death (via Us Weekly).

In 2020, California teen Cooper Noriega started posting TikTok videos of himself lip-syncing to popular songs, hopping on the latest dance trends, and performing funny sketches (via Business Insider). Before the year was out, Noriega had gained tons of new followers and rose to social media fame, obtaining 3.2 million TikTok followers within just two years. Sadly, his life was cut short. In June, he was found dead in a Burbank, California, parking lot. The 19-year-old's death came only hours after he posted a chilling video about dying "young af" (via Deadline).

His sister Parker took to her brother's Instagram page after his death, writing, "On behalf of our family, we want to thank you all for the kind words of our little coop. His passing is an absolute tragedy to our family and loved ones." Cooper's ex-girlfriend, social media star Sabrina "Sab" Quesada, commemorated Noriega's spirit and, in a Instagram post, wrote, "The light of my life, you're the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm so sorry, my love. May we meet again."

As of this writing, Noriega's untimely death has not yet been determined. Just days before his death, he announced he had started a Discord server dedicated to discussing mental health and revealed he'd been "struggling with addiction" since he was just 9 years old (via People).

Actor Lindsey Pearlman died in February 2022, TMZ reported. Pearlman had a recurring role on the soap "General Hospital" as Maggie McMorris. The accomplished actor had several other television credits, including "The Purge," "Selena: The Series" and "Chicago Justice," to name a few, and acted in numerous theater productions (via IMDb).

A hiker near Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles, California, called authorities after finding her body in her car. Law enforcements told the outlet that the 43-year-old thespian had left two suicide letters before she died. Reportedly, Pearlman called her husband Vance Smith the day prior and revealed she was suicidal (via TMZ). After their conversation, he called the police in an attempt to locate her. While Pearlman's official cause of death hasn't been issued since her autopsy, police sources allegedly told TMZ that it was "a drug overdose."

On his Instagram page, Smith shared the news of his wife's death, writing, "She's gone. I am broken" (via Extra). Lindsey's cousin, Savannah Pearlman, also took to social media, tweeting, "Lindsey was a fierce animal advocate and a talented actress." Savannah invited people to donate to Santé D'Or, a non-profit volunteer ran an animal adoption center and rescue center to honor her late cousin.

As reported by The Guardian, John Stahl died from a brain tumor on March 2. The celeb had an acting career that spanned over 30 years. For over two decades, Stahl portrayed Tom 'Inverdarroch' Kerr on the Scottish soap opera "Take the High Road" (later "High Road"), which was set in the fictional Scottish village of Glendarroch. He appeared in the series beginning in 1982 until the end of its run in 2003 (via IMDb).

Stahl is perhaps best known for starring in the hit HBO fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" as Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold. Fans may not have noticed that Stahl didn't initially play Karstark. However, Stahl decided to audition for the role when the character was recast for Season 2 according to The Guardian. Interestingly, he had auditioned for two other roles before the series started production but had been down for both. 

When screenwriter Peter May heard about the death of Stahl, he took to social media to pay his respects to his former colleague and friend. May had written countless lines for Stahl's character in "Take the High Road." May tweeted, "Terribly sad to hear that my old friend, John Stahl, has passed." He also shared that he had recently seen Stahl. The actor leaves behind his wife, Jane Paton (via BBC). 

Actor Estelle Harris passed away on April 2 at the age of 93 from natural causes, as reported by Deadline. Harris, whose career spanned over 40 years, is best known for her role as Mrs. Costanza, the cranky mother of George Costanza, on the sitcom "Seinfeld." Harris's character was known for her loud, exaggerated, piercing voice. Not only did she constantly scream on the comedy, but her impressive vocals landed her quite a few projects. She lent her voice to cartoons such as "The Proud Family" and "Kim Possible" in addition to playing Mrs. Potato head in the "Toy Story" franchise (via IMDb).

The actor's son, Glen Harris, told Deadline that he was with his mother during her final moments and went on to say, "Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her." Fans and fellow castmates took to social media to share touching tributes about Harris. Her television son, Jason Alexander, tweeted, "One of my favorite people has passed-my tv mama, Estelle Harris. The joy of playing with her and relishing her glorious laughter was a treat. I adore you, Estelle. Love to your family. Serenity now and always."

In May 2022, fans were stunned that the founding member and keyboardist for Depeche Mode, Andrew Fletcher, had died. The band announced the death of Fletcher and wrote how shocked and said they were and stated, "Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint" (via Twitter). After the autopsy was performed, on behalf of his family, Depeche Mode revealed the cause of death on Instagram. Fletcher had died from an "aortic dissection," which is a tear in the main artery of the heart (via Mayo Clinic). They also disclosed that he died naturally, and in their lengthy loving message, they shared they had celebrated the life of Fletcher in London, England, with those near and dear to him and ended their post by stating, "So thank you for all of the love you've shown Andy and his family and friends over the last few weeks. It honestly means the world to all of us. Andy, you'll be missed but certainly not forgotten. Love, Martin & Dave."

Fletcher with singer Dave Gahan, keyboardists Martin L. Gore, and Vince Clarke founded Depeche Mode in 1980s England. The group became one of the most successful rock acts of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 2020. Fletcher is survived by his wife, Gráinne Mullan, and kids, Megan and Joe (via Hollywood Life).

On February 19, 2022, Jane "Nightbird" Marczewski, a singer who was a contestant on season 16 of "America's Got Talent," died of breast cancer-related complications at the age of 31. During Marczewski's audition, the Ohio native shared that she had cancer and only had a 2% chance of surviving but also noted that 2% was better than nothing. After she sang a song she wrote, "It's Okay," she received the coveted Golden Buzzer, which took her straight to the live shows (via People). But unfortunately, the songstress would have to withdraw from the connection a few weeks later because her health had taken a "turn for the worse." 

Marczewski opened up on Instagram about how upset she was about not being able to continue for the finals and noted that she really wanted to win and that, for her, "this isn't how the story was supposed to go." According to NBC News, the Marczewski family released a statement about her death shared, "Those who knew her enjoyed her larger-than-life personality and sense of humor." The family added, "Her lasting legacy will be the gift of hope she gave to so many through her music and the strength she found in Jesus." AGT's host and judges took to social media to share their condolences and, in a group message, stated, "Nightbird will always be a member of the AGT family. Rest In Peace, Jane."

Jak Knight, 28-year-old comic, actor, and writer — whose given name is Jakim Maulana — was found dead on July 14, 2022, on a Los Angeles, California, embankment. After the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner performed an autopsy, it was ruled that Knight's death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound (via People). Knight starred in the Netflix animated series "Big Mouth," lending his voice to the character Devon and serving as the writer and the producer. The Seattle native was also the co-creator and starred in the Peacock comedy series "Bust Down" and for his work on the HBO show "Pause with Sam Jay" (via IMDb).

His crew at "Bust Down," along with Peacock and Universal Television, issued a statement paying tribute to Knight. "He was a brilliant comedian, visionary, and artist, and we were all lucky to experience his greatness. Our hearts are with Jak's family, friends, and community during this heartbreaking time," it read according to The Hollywood Reporter. As a comedian Knight was named in 2014 as Comedy Central Comic to Watch (via Variety).When the network heard Knight died, they took to their Twitter page and posted a photo of him, adding that he was a hilarious and authentic comedian they will miss "tremendously."

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

May Mara had worked in the industry for roughly 30 years, and throughout her career, she starred in a myriad of television shows and movie projects. Mara is well-known for playing Loretta Sweet on NBC drama "ER" and her reoccurring roles on "Law & Order." Her television credits include "Nash Bridges," "Dexter," "Criminal Minds," West Wing," and "Monk" (via IMDb). The veteran actress died in Cape Vincent, New York, at the age of 61 in June of 2022 from an apparent drowning in the St. Lawrence River. As reported by People, per the findings of the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office, Mara's official cause of death "was an accident, due to asphyxiation, due to warm water drowning."

Mara also had roles in several films, including "Love Potion No. 9" and the 2008 slasher "Prom Night." Besides appearing on the small and the big screen, she has also performed on stage in various plays for the Manhattan Theatre Club located in New York City and co-starred alongside Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer in the "Twelfth Night" at a New York Shakespeare Festival in 1989 (via IMDb Bio). In a statement to People, Mara's manager, Craig Dorfman, described the late actress as "electric, funny and a true individual."

In 2019 Cheslie Kryst made history when she became the oldest woman to be crowned Miss USA at 28. Her win also marked the first time that Black women simultaneously held all three major titles: Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA (via Forbes). Kryst would go on to be a New York correspondent with Extra TV as she continued to fight for social and criminal justice reform as a civil litigation attorney (via People). However, everything would soon come crashing down. In January 2022, fans were stunned to learn that Kryst had taken her own life. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the New York Police Department disclosed Kryst had jumped from her Manhattan apartment building and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family also confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement. 

Amongst the outpour of tributes, the Miss USA organization tweeted that they were sad by the news, writing, "She was one of the brightest, warmest, and most kind people we have ever had the privilege of knowing." A few days after her death, Kryst's mother confirmed Cheslie was privately struggling with depression and hid it from everyone (via NBC News). 

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

On January 20, 2022, the world said goodbye to a legend. As reported by TMZ, Meat Loaf — whose real name was Marvin Lee Aday — died after allegedly falling "seriously ill" with COVID-19. His family took to Facebook to confirm his death, but a cause was not given. Alongside a photo with the rocker sitting on a couch, his family penned, "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda, and close friends." They went on to share that they are grateful for all of the "love and support" and asked for privacy as they grieved the singer whom they called an "inspiring artist and beautiful man."

Meat Loaf sold millions of records worldwide, making him one of the most successful performers of all time. The "I'd Do Anything For Love" singer's most popular release was his "Bat Out Of Hell" album trilogy. His first album from the set dropped in 1977 and has sold over 43 million copies (via Billboard). The rockstar leaves behind his wife Deborah and his daughters Pearl and Amanda (via Fader).

The music world and fans of the mega-platinum band Foo Fighters let out a tragic sigh when news broke that longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins had died on March 25, 2022. As USA Today reported, Hawkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Bogota, Colombia, where the group was scheduled to play. Per a translation, from a press release by the Attorney General's Office in Colombia, it was revealed that after a urine toxicology report, "the presence of 10 different substances: THC (marijuana), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and opioids, among others," were found in Hawkin's body (according to ET Online).

In an online post to confirm the news, his bandmates tweeted that they were "devastated" and said that "[h]is musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever." Months after his death, his wife Alison Hawkins shared a statement on Instagram on behalf of herself and their three kids about her husband's tragic death and expressed thanks to Foo Fighters fans for the "outpouring" of love shown. She shared that Hawkins was proud to be a part of the band and was devoted to giving their fans the best show possible. She also wrote, "It is now up to all of us who loved him most to honor Taylor's legacy and the music he gave us," and ended her touching post by stating, "Taylor loved all of you & we love you too."

This year quite a few actors that have portrayed mobsters have died, and on July 6, as reported by TMZ, actor James Caan was added to the list after dying from a heart attack and coronary artery disease. Caan is most famous for his role as the lovable hothead Santino "Sonny" Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's film "The Godfather." The critically acclaimed actor has had a career on the silver screen on and off for over 40 years. He is also known for his parts in movies such as "Misery," "The Yards," and "Elf" (via IMDb).

"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6," his family wrote in a tweet. They thanked everyone for their love and support and asked for privacy as they grieved. The post was completed with Caan's Twitter phrase that he's known for writing, "End of tweet." Al Pacino also honored his "Godfather" co-star in a statement. "Jimmy was my fictional brother and my lifelong friend. It's hard to believe that he won't be in the world anymore because he was so alive and daring," Pacino said. "A great actor, a brilliant director, and my dear friend. I'm gonna miss him," he added (via Deadline). Until the end of his life, Cann steadily worked in the industry playing various roles. His six children survive him (via HITC).

Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried throughout his extensive career was in a slew of movies and television shows. While most of his roles have been memorable, he will forever be remembered for his most incredible portrayal — the beloved bird Iago in "Aladdin" (via IMDb). USA Today reported that Gottfried, one of the most recognizable voices in comedy, died in April 2022 at 67. According to his friend and publicist Glenn Schwartz, Gottfried suffered from a genetic muscle disorder called type II myotonic dystrophy. A post from his family on his Twitter page confirmed his death. Part of the tweet read, "In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend, and father to his two young children." The family asked that everyone "keep laughing as loud as possible" in his memory.

Gottfried started his stand-up career in New York City when he was only 15 years old before briefly joining "Saturday Night Live" in 1980. Aside from appearing on the big and small screen, Gottfried also toured around the country, performing his eccentric and unfiltered style of stand-up comedy. Jon Stewart was one of the many celebrities who honored Gottfried on social media, and he reminisced about opening up for the comic and shared, "Opening for Gilbert Gottfried ... was one of the great thrills of my early stand-up life. He could leave you gasping for breath. Just indescribably unusually hilarious."

Rae Allen was a thespian who performed on the stage, in movies, and on television. Allen died in April 2022, according to her representative, Kyle Fritz. In his statement to The Hollywood Reporter, he said, "I had the pleasure of representing Rae Allen for over 20 years." Fritz said she was a remarkable actress and was thankful to have been a part of her "incredible journey." 

Allen is best known for her roles in the drama series "The Sopranos" as well as in the stage and film versions of the hit musical comedy "Damn Yankees." The Brooklyn, New York, native started her career in the late 1940s on Broadway after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (via IMDb). Allen earned her first Tony Award nomination for her role in "Damn Yankees," and in 1971, was presented with the prestigious award when she won best-featured actress in a play for her portal of Fleur Stein in the play "And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little" (via Playbill). 

"Great artist, dear friend, and momma #RaeAllen has gone on home. What a joy of a being! I love you always. I bet you're dancing," tweeted actress Lori Petty, who starred with Allen in "A League of Their Own." Allen is survived by nieces Laura and Betty Cosgrove.

Soap opera star Lee Lawson died in May of 2022 at age 80, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Though Lawson had a long and successful career, she perhaps was most famous for her portrayal of Barbra Sterling in the daytime drama "Guiding Light." Lawson's daughter, Leslie Bova, shared the news of her mother's death in a Facebook post that disclosed that at her time of death, she had cancer and COVID-19. Bova wrote, "Rest, you brilliant woman. Thank you, mom. R.I.P."

Before Lawson took on her signature role as Sterling from 19981 to 1990, she appeared on the soap opera "Love Of Life" for one season and had a minor and brief part in the daytime drama "One Life to Live" (via IMDb). Between her television roles, Lawson also performed on the Broadway stage and was featured in productions such as the comedic play "Agatha Sue, I love You" and the four-act play "The Plough and the Stars" (via IBDB). Many people took to social media to honor the thespian, including actress Marian Hailey-Moss. Moss posted a throwback photo of Lawson on Facebook and wrote, "My down-to-earth, sassy, smart, and beautiful friend LEE LAWSON is telling it like it is in a better place. A fine actress and a super generous friend. I'll meetcha there LEE!!"

Lenny von Dohlen had a four-decade acting career, and as USA Today reported, von Dolhen died on July 5 at the age of 63. His manager Steven Wolfe told the outlet that he died from a long illness in his Los Angeles home. Von Dohlen is best known for playing Harold Smith on the groundbreaking series "Twin Peaks," and the 1992 feature "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," which served as a prequel and sequel to the television show. Besides the small screen, Von Dohlen also has many silver screen credits, including starring in the 1986 dramatic film "Billy Galvin" as the son of a steelworker who wants his boy to follow in his footsteps (via IMDb).

Catherine von Dolhlen, Lenny's sister, shared a heartfelt tribute to her brother on Facebook. Catherine posted a picture of her embracing Lenny and wrote, "The world lost a magnificent man on July 5. Brother Len was passionate about everything and everyone." She ended her tribute by disclosing that she plans to live her life to the fullest in celebration of Lenny. Before his death, Von Dohlen wrapped a role in an upcoming indie comedy film, "Sallywood," featuring Keith Carradine and Jennifer Tilly, which is currently in post-production. He is survived by his partner James Still, his siblings, and his daughter (via USA Today).

Veteran actor Mitchell Ryan who captivated soap opera fans with his portrayal of Burke Devlin in the groundbreaking daytime series "Dark Shadows" died in March of 2022. As reported by The New York Times, Ryan died at the age of 88 from heart failure, according to his long-time manager Ro Diamond. Throughout Ryan's four-decade acting career, he accumulated over 135 credits appearing in television shows and movies. He was on the comedy sitcom "Dharma and Greg," soap opera "All My Children," and in films such as "High Plains Drifter" alongside legendary Clint Eastwood and "Grosse Point Blank" (via IMDb). 

Kathryn Leigh Scott, Ryan's former costar and love interest on "Dark Shadows" took to Facebook to share the news about his death. Ryan wrote, "My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning. He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I'm heartbroken." Ryan leaves behind his wife Barbara, grandchildren, and a stepdaughter.

Actress June Brown, who was best known for her character Dot Cotton in the British soap opera "EastEnders," died in April of 2022. According to People, the 95-year-old died peacefully in her home in Surrey, United Kingdom, surrounded by her family. A spokesperson for the soap opera told the publication in a statement that "June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television" and shared that the actor produced some of the show's "finest moments."

Actress Gillian Taylforth who portrayed Kathy Beale in the soap, took to social media to honor her co-star and mentor. Taylforth tweeted that she was distraught about Brown's death and added, "June Brown OBE, MBE, was an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress. I shared many scenes with her over the years, and she was always someone I looked up to and learned from." Brown had an extensive acting career with roles in both movies and television shows, and since 1985 with a brief break, she starred in Eastender. The actress was still on the long-running series until two years before her death. Brown is survived by her five children (via The New York Times).

Adding to the extensive list of COVID-related deaths in 2022, actor Brad Johnson died in February from complications due to the virus, according to his publications relations representative, Linda McAlister (via The Hollywood Reporter). Johnson's career spanned multiple decades, which began when he jumped from rodeo cowboy in the mid-1980s to portray the Marlboro Man in the cigarette spots. From there, he would land various film, and television roles and perhaps is best known as Ted Baker in Steven Spielberg's romantic drama "Always" and playing Dr. Dominick O'Malley on Fox's hit drama series "Melrose Place" (via IMDb).

Over the past several years, the thespian stayed away from acting, but it appears he was planning on making a comeback in the Western "Treasure Valley." Unfortunately, the feature film was shut down to the death of soap opera star Jay Pickett while on set in July 2021 before any of Johnson's scenes were filmed. Pickett wrote and was starring in the flick (via USA Today). In Johnson's obituary, his family wrote, "Brad was a true renaissance man... Although he was taken too early, he lived life to the fullest and taught his children to do the same." Brad is survived by his wife Laurie Johnson and their eight children.

On Feb 9, 2022, Rolling Stone reported that funk legend Betty David had died. In a statement, Davis's closest friend Danielle Maggio issued a statement confirming the news and remarked, "Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans." According to the communications director for Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, her cause of death was of natural causes. The vocalist released five studio albums throughout her career and has influenced music to this day. In 1968, the songstress became the second wife of jazz legend Miles Davis and appeared on the cover of his album "Filles de Kilimanjaro." Even though the pair divorced the following year, she is credited with introducing the jazz trumpeter to rock and steering him into his experimental era.

Not long after, Betty quit music and stepped out of the public eye for decades until, in 2017, a documentary about her life and career, "Betty: They Say I'm Different," made its debut. While speaking to The Washington Post, she reminisced about her life and told the publication that she started writing her own music at the age of 12. Davis noted that singing in her mother's kitchen would "drive the neighbors crazy" and shared that she had a gift for putting music to lyrics. Her music has been sampled by various musicians such as Ice Cube, Lenny Kravitz, and Method Man.

Veteran actress Liz Sheridan is best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld's mother, Helen Seinfeld, on the critically acclaimed sitcom "Seinfeld," which ran for nine seasons(via IMDb). Sheridan, according to The Hollywood Reporter, died in April 2022. Her manager, Amanda Hendon, confirmed her death to the outlet and shared that Sheridan died in her sleep of natural causes five days after her 93rd birthday. She died two weeks after her "Seinfeld" castmate Estelle Harris (via Deadline). 

Fans of Sheridan may not know that she started her career not as an actor but as a dancer in the 1950s. In the 1970s, her acting career bloomed when she appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1997's "Happy End," which also featured Meryl Streep, who was just starting out in her career (via The New York Times).

Sheridan would go on to act in a plethora of movies, television movies, dramas, and sitcoms such as "Murder She Wrote, "Alf," and "Empty Nest," to name a few. After learning of her death, Seinfeld posted a sweet tribute to his television mom on his Twitter page. He posted a photo of him hugging Sheridan while on set and wrote, "Liz was always the sweetest, nicest TV mom a son could wish for," he wrote. "Every time she came on our show, it was the coziest feeling for me. So lucky to have known her."

Shirley Spork was one of the 13 founders of The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) in 1950. According to the LPGA, Spork died at the age of 93 years on April 12, 2020, in Palm Springs, California. The organization did not give a cause for the trailblazer's death. While she never won on the LGPA tour, her best finish came in the 1962 LPGA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. Spork's impact on women golfing has spanned seven decades of establishing the tour and teaching the game(via the New York Times).

The LPGA Professionals, initially called the LPGA Teaching & Club Pro Division, began with only six members. Thanks to Spork and many others, the organization is now thriving and has over 1,800 professionals.

A few weeks before her death, Spork learned she would be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. "Getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame is the highest honor ever in our profession, so I've climbed the whole ladder and gotten to the top." Unfortunately, with her passing, Spork didn't go on to enjoy the immense recognition for a few years as she had wanted. After hearing about Spork's death, the United States Golf Association tweeted about the women's golf pioneer. The association tweeted that the sport wouldn't be in its current state if it weren't for her innovation and that "her leadership, friendship, and love of the game will be greatly missed."

Per USA Today, actress Jossara Jinaro died in April 2022 from cancer at the age of 48. Jinaro's husband, Matt Bogado, announced his wife's death on her Facebook page by writing a lengthy tribute that included a family photo. He shared, "Jossara bravely fought cancer and came home to be surrounded by family."

Jinaro is known for portraying Rae on the NBC soap opera "Passions," which ran for nine seasons. The actress and SAG member acted in the drama series from 2002 through 2007 (via IMDb). In addition, Jinaro had quite a lengthy career in Hollywood, appearing in numerous television dramas such as "ER," "Strong Medicine," and "Judging Amy." She even had a small part on "The Young and the Restless" and starred in Hulu's Emmy-nominated drama series "East Los High," which ran on the streaming service for four seasons. Jinaro also appeared on the big screen, producing and acting in the 2016 comedic romance "Love Sanchez" and as Maria in Rob Zombie's horror film "Devil's Rejects" (via IMDb).

After news spread about Jossaro's death, Zombie took to Twitter and tweeted that he was sad "to hear about the passing of Jossaro" and went on to state how great she was in his slasher movie and even did some voice work for him in his 2019 film "3 From Hell."  She is survived by her husband, Matt, and their two boys, Liam and Emrys.

The New York Times reported that longtime film and television actress Joanna Barnes died on April 22, 2022, at her home in California. She was 89. 

According to her friend Sally Jackson, Barnes's cause of death was due to "multiple health problems." Decades before Lindsay Lohan did double duty in the 1998 remake of the Disney movie "Parent Trap," actress Hayley Mills played the twins scheming to reunite their estranged parents. Veteran actor Joanna Barnes is best known for starring in the 1961 film Vicky Robinson: a charming but manipulative woman who wants to marry the father of twins (whom she hates) for his money. In the new version, Barnes reprised her role as the mother of the gold digger who's trying to marry Dennis Quaid's character. Barnes's many film credits include the 1958 movie "Auntie Mame," which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for her performance  and the 1960 movie Spartacus, starring alongside legendary actor Kirk Douglas (via IMDb).

Fans may be surprised to know that Barnes was also an accomplished author. During a 1973 interview with journalist Dick Kleiner, Barnes shared that she enjoyed writing because it was something she did for herself. She told him, "With acting if you win an Oscar or an Emmy, you have to thank everybody. If you write a book, it is completely your own" (via the Independent). Barnes is survived by her two sisters, Lally Barnes Freeman and Judith Barnes Wood (via Deadline).

On September 8, 2022, the world mourned the loss of a woman who defined an era. The honored monarch Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. According to Buckingham Palace, the queen "died peacefully" in the afternoon. Seventeen months prior in April 2021, her beloved husband, Prince Phillip, died (via BBC News).

The queen's rule began in 1952, making her the longest-serving monarch in British history (via CNBC). While the palace did not release her cause of death, Queen Elizabeth II incurred some health problems and missed several Platinum Jubilee festivities as a result (via People).

In a statement made by the queen's eldest son, King Charles III, formerly Prince Charles, he called the death of his mother "a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," adding: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world." Charles ended his heartfelt tribute by writing that his family, through their grief, will be "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

Queen Elizabeth II is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren (via Daily Mail).

On October 4, Loretta Lynn passed away at the age of 90 in her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee (via PBS).

Country music's Cinderella story, Lynn was the daughter of a Kentucky coal miner who married her domineering manager at 15 and had her first child at 16. Later in life, Lynn made friends with Patsy Cline, a fellow singer, who helped her take a stand against her husband. "I started speakin' my mind when things weren't right," she once said (via The New York Times). The story of Lynn's difficult early life was laid out in full in her autobiography "Coal Miner's Daughter," which was later adapted into a film.

However, Lynn's story was only one of her claims to fame. Thanks to her powerful, soulful voice, she became one of country music's biggest stars. As Johnny Cash once remarked, "She's louder than most, and she's gonna sing higher than you think she will. With Loretta you just turn on the mike, stand back and hold on" (via The New York Times). Lynn's most famous songs included "Fist City," "Don't Come Home a Drinkin'," "You Ain't Woman Enough" and "You're Looking at Country." 

Dame Angela Lansbury died at the age of 96, Broadway World reported. In light of her death, Lansbury's children released a public statement expressing their sorrow at their mother's passing. "The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday."

The star was born in London on October 16, 1925, to timber merchant Edgar Isaac and well-known actor Moyna Macgill. When Lansbury was just 10 years old, she got bit by the acting bug and vowed to one day become an actor. She later attended the Webber-Douglas School of Dramatic Art in London. Lansbury went on to enjoy a flourishing career in the entertainment industry that lasted for more than 75 years. More recently, she starred in "Murder, She Wrote," which became the longest-running detective drama show in television history.

In addition to her work on screen, Lansbury also worked on Broadway after making her debut in 1957 with "Hotel Paradiso" which was followed by "A Taste of Honey" in 1960, "Anyone Can Whistle" in 1964, and "Mame" in 1966. Her impressive stage performances earned her a total of five Tony Awards for her work in "Dear World" in 1969, "Gypsy" in 1974, and "Sweeney Todd" in 1979. Lansbury returned to the stage in 2007 after some 23 years.

October 14, 2022, turned out to be a sad day for fans of the "Harry Potter" film franchise. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter Robbie Coltrane, an actor beloved for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movies, died at the age of 72. The actor was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland, and was the son of a teacher and a doctor.

The star graduated from Glasgow Art School before attending Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh, where he studied art. After struggling to become an artist, Coltrane took his career in a different direction and began doing stand-up comedy at Edinburgh clubs. Once he began to pursue acting in London, he changed his last name to pay tribute to the jazz legend John Coltrane (via The Hollywood Reporter). 

Some of Coltrane's early work includes credits for "Flash Gordon" and "Keep It in the Family." He was well-known for playing Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald on "Cracker," for which he earned a BAFTA, as well as parts in more prominent films like "GoldenEye" and "The World Is Not Enough." 

As reported by TMZ on October 24, 2022, actor and comedian Leslie Jordan passed away at the age of 67. While the circumstances of the actor's death aren't entirely clear, it's believed that Jordan suffered from a medical emergency while driving in Hollywood, which resulted in him crashing his vehicle into a building.

Jordan was best known for his work on popular series like "Will & Grace" and "American Horror Story." Some of Jordan's other works include roles in movies like "The Help" and "Ski Patrol" as well as guest roles in series like "Murphy Brown," and "Ugly Betty." The star also appeared on CNN's New Year's Eve 2021 countdown to ring in 2022 alongside Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.

According to Jordan's website, his Hollywood entertainment career began in 1982 when he first arrived with $1,500 that his mom had sewn into his clothes. In addition to his aforementioned work, Jordan was also an equal rights activist, an Emmy Award winner (for his work on "Will & Grace"), a spokesperson, and a voice-over artist. Just a day before his death, the actor posted a video on Instagram of himself singing. During the pandemic, the comedian became a social media star, earning millions of Instagram followers thanks to his hilarious videos.

Early 2000s kids everywhere are mourning the loss of an icon. As reported by TMZ, the former pop star was found dead in his Lancaster, California home on November 5, 2022. The 34-year-old younger brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter is best known for his musical career that began when he was 9 years old.

As a kid, he created many pop hits that topped the charts, including the early aughts hits "I Want Candy," "That's How I Beat Shaq," and "I'm All About You" (via The Washington Post). His debut album, "Aaron Carter," was released in 1997 and, later in his career, he began producing rap music. Additionally, Carter was known for his roles on "Lizzie McGuire," "7th Heaven" and his family's reality television show "House of Carters" (via IMDb).

As of this writing, no further information about a possible cause of death has been revealed. The singer was open about his struggles with mental health and drug addiction. Nick Carter paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late brother on Instagram, writing, "My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never ever faded. I have always held on to the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

On November 30, 2022, Christine McVie died at the age of 79. "She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness," her family shared in a statement released on Instagram. "She was in the company of her family."

You probably knew McVie best as the vocalist and keyboard player of Fleetwood Mac fame. McVie joined the iconic rock band in 1970 and continued to write, play, and sing with them for 28 years. In 1998, she parted ways with the group but returned in 2014. Her long career included songs like "Don't Stop," "Dreams," "The Chain," and "Songbird."

Born Christine Perfect, McVie was born in Birmingham and studied classical piano before joining Fleetwood Mac. She was married to fellow Fleetwood Mac member John McVie from 1968 to 1976. Ten years later, she married Portuguese songwriter Eddy Quintela. The two remained married until 2003.

Her legacy is a great one. Not only will McVie go down in history as a culture-defining musical artist, but she also occupied a key spot in Fleetwood Mac itself. In a band defined by its affairs, scandals, and feuds, McVie was always the calming presence — the voice of reason. "I was supposedly like the Mother Teresa who would hang out with everybody or just try and [keep] everything nice and cool and relaxed," she told Rolling Stone in June 2022. "But they were great people; they were great friends."

Actor Kirstie Alley died at the age of 71 on December 5, 2022, in Florida. "To all our friends, far and wide around the world ... We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered," her children True and Lillie Parker wrote on Twitter at the time. 

You may remember Alley as Rebecca on the legendary NBC series "Cheers." Or, you may know her from her roles in Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's "It Takes Two," the cult classic "Drop Dead Gorgeous," or the John Travolta film "Look Who's Talking." You might also know her from her career in reality TV. After years of acting, Alley went on to appear in "Kirstie Alley's Big Life," "Dancing With the Stars," "UK's Celebrity Big Brother" and "The Masked Singer."

Alley was born in 1951 in Kansas and got her big break on "Cheers." Over the course of her long career, she won two Emmys and was nominated for another six. In her personal life, Alley was married twice, first to her high-school sweetheart and later to Parker Stevenson. She joined the Church of Scientology in 1979, and in 2016, she became a vocal supporter of Donald Trump's campaign (via The Guardian).

Tributes from past co-stars such as Rhea Perlman, John Travolta, Ted Danson, and Kelsey Grammer have all poured in. "I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. ... I will miss her," Danson said in a statement to Deadline.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the TV personality and DJ known for his time working on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," died by suicide on December 13 at the age of 40. His wife, Allison Holker, issued a statement saying, "He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans" (via Los Angeles Times).

tWitch was a multi-talented entertainer. His career took off in 2008 when he placed second on "So You Think You Can Dance." He then went on to do some acting in films like "Step Up" and "Magic Mike XXL," but he really found a home for himself on "Ellen." He began DJing on the daytime talk show in 2014 and was with the show until the series finale in May 2022. He even became an executive producer on the show in 2020 (via TMZ).

DeGeneres took to Instagram to express her feelings over the loss of her former coworker and friend. DeGeneres wrote in the caption of a photo of the two of them, "I'm heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart." tWitch is survived by his wife and dance partner, Allison Holker, and their three children, Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

As 2022 comes to a close, we're remembering another well-loved celebrity — British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Born Vivienne Isabel Swire in Derbyshire, England, on April 8, 1941, Westwood died peacefully in London on December 29, surrounded by loved ones (via People). Her passing was also announced by her husband and business partner, Andreas Kronthaler, whom Westwood married in 1992, according to BBC News. 

Westwood may be best known by some as the 1970s and 1980s style disruptor who gave the punk and new wave music world its avant-garde fashion voice. In her first decades in the business, she created memorable looks for such musical legends as the Sex Pistols and Madonna (via Billboard). By the 1990s, she'd come to be seen as an important designer for red-carpet-walking celebrities, including Helena Bonham Carter for 1997's "The Wings of the Dove" premiere, Gwen Stefani for "The Aviator" premiere in 2004, Rihanna in her custom corset dress for the Victoria's Secret show in 2012, and Billie Piper in her punky, powder blue confection for the 2021 Fashion Awards. Westwood was described as a "force of nature" and "the sun" around which the fashion industry revolved, according to fashion models Naomi Campbell and Bella Hadid, respectively (via BBC News). According to Marc Jacobs, "[Westwood] never failed to surprise and to shock" (via BBC News).

Westwood also used her influence to bring attention and action in regard to human rights and climate change, among other important causes.

Barbara Walters died at the age of 93 on December 30, 2022. "[She] passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones," her spokesperson, Cindi Berger, told CNN. "She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women." Known for her searing interviews and groundbreaking journalism, Barbara Walters was one of the most celebrated newswomen in U.S. history.

Walters was born in 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts (via Britannica). After studying at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, she soon found herself working at NBC as an assistant. She worked her way up as a writer and producer and eventually landed the role of the "Today Girl" in 1964. Walters went on to transform "The Today Show" by becoming a key journalist and presenter — a first for a woman. Throughout the course of her career, Walters anchored several major TV programs, including "20/20" and "The View." She also became famous for conducting dozens of interviews with high-profile personalities. Over the course of her career, Walters picked up 11 Emmy nominations and one win.

There is no doubt that Walters was a transformative figure in the television industry. As Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, said in a statement for ABC following her death, "Barbara was a true legend, a pioneer not just for women in journalism but for journalism itself."