Everett Collection
2022 was a rough year. The world lost so many iconic artists, actors, and musicians. Let’s remember all of those who died this year and celebrate their lives and the legacy that lives on through their work.
May they all rest in peace. Now let’s go back and learn about the stars we lost this year.
Igor and Grichka Bogdanoff, who dominated French television throughout the 1980s, both died from COVID-19 within days of one another on Dec. 28, 2021, and Jan 3, 2022. The two were characterized by their popular science shows and distinctive looks, multiplied by being twins.
Actor and activist Sidney Poitier passed away at the age of 94 on January 6. He was best known for his roles in In The Heat of the Night and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Sidney was also the first male black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor (for 1963’s Lilies of the Field).
On January 8, Michael Lang, music promoter and producer, passed away. He was 77 when he died from a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He is credited as one of the driving forces behind the Woodstock Music & Art Festival in 1969.
Bob Saget, best known as Danny Tanner on the series Full House died on Jan. 9. He was 65 years old when he passed away suddenly at his hotel in Florida.
Dwayne Hickman, who played the title character on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis passed away at age 87 from complications of Parkinson’s disease on Jan. 9.
Ronnie Spector, who was known as the lead of the ’60s girl group The Ronettes, died at the age of 78 on Jan. 12 as confirmed by Spector’s family. “Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer,” the family wrote in a statement on the singer’s official website.
Over the weekend of January 15 and 16, Betty Bonaduce, mother of actor Danny Bonaduce, died. She was 97 years old when she passed, according to a social media post by her son that went live late Sunday afternoon. The post did not list an official cause of death.
Actress Yvette Mimieux passed away on January 17. She was 80 when she died in her Los Angeles home and her death was confirmed in a statement by her family. Throughout her career in the ’60s, Mimieux frequently played quiet, “wounded… sensitive” roles.
Charlie Brown has died. More accurately, the actor who originally voiced him in the classic cartoons of the 1960s — Peter Robbins — has, sadly, died by suicide at the age of 65 after spending much of his life suffering from bipolar disorder. He died on Jan. 18.
The singer that the world knew as Meat Loaf, but who was born Marvin Lee Aday (later changed to Michael), has died at the age of 74 on Jan. 20, though his music — including songs “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” — and acting performances (Rocky Horror Picture Show) will continue to live on long after his passing.
Comedian Louie Anderson died at the age of 68 on Jan. 21. He passed away in a Las Vegas hospital after being admitted earlier this week for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a form of cancer.
Actor Howard Hesseman has passed away at the age of 81. He died on Saturday, January 29, in the afternoon from complications related to colon surgery. News of his passing came from Hesseman’s manager, Robbie Kass.
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald died on Wednesday, February 9 at the age of 75. He is reported to have passed away peacefully at his home in New York due to cancer. News of his passing comes from both a representative of McDonald’s and from McDonald’s son.
Canadian-American film director/producer Ivan Reitman, whose credits include Ghostbusters, Meatballs, Stripes, and Animal House, died at the age of 75 on Feb. 12.
Actress Sally Kellerman died at the age of 84 on Feb. 24. She was living at an assisted living facility in California due to complications of dementia. Sally was best known for her role as US Army Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the film MASH.
Actor Ned Eisenberg passed away on Sunday, February 27. He was 65 years old and died following a battle with two very rare cancers. His family confirmed the news of his passing with NBC, which hosts one of his biggest acting credits, a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Conrad Janis, best known in pop culture as Mindy’s father, Fred McConnell, on the sitcom Mork & Mindy, but well known as an American jazz trombonist as well, died at the age of 94 on March 1.
Johnny Brown, an actor best known for his role on the show Good Times died at age 84. His daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, broke the sad news to everyone in a statement, saying, “Johnny Brown June 11, 1937 – March 2, 2022. Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken.”
One of the most successful sitcoms in TV history is My Three Sons, which ran from 1960 until 1972 and spanned two networks. It stars Fred MacMurray as widower Steven Douglas and follows him as he attempts to raise his three sons. Tim Considine, who played one of those sons, died at 81 on March 3.
Although he enjoyed a 50+ year career as an actor, Mitchell Ryan, who passed away at the age of 88 on March 4, is probably best remembered for his 1966 to 1967 turn as Burke Devlin on the daytime Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows — before the arrival of true horror elements on that show.
William Hurt died at the age of 71. He was an actor whose career began in the 1970s, then gained notable traction through the ’80s that continued to the end of his life. He passed on March 13th, exactly one week before his 72nd birthday.
It has been reported that Scott Hall has died. The WWE Hall of Famer was 63 when he passed on March 14th, reportedly from a medical emergency that put him on life support.
Country music artist and pianist Bobbie Nelson died at the age of 91. She died on March 10 in Austin, Texas. Her family announced via social media that she passed away “peacefully and surrounded by family,” though the post did not specify the cause of death. Bobbie, together with her brother Willie Nelson, 88, made up the family band Willie Nelson and Family.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright passed away on March 23rd. Her family confirmed the news and paid tribute to the first woman to ever become Secretary of State. Madeleine sadly died after a battle with cancer. She was 84 years old.
Country singer and songwriter Jeff Carson died on Saturday, March 26. He was 58 when he died; according to his publicist, the cause was a heart attack. He passed in Williamson Medical Center, located in Franklin, Tennessee.
Actor Paul Herman died on March 29, the same day as his 76th birthday. News of his passing comes from a former castmate of his, Michael Imperioli, who announced, “Our friend and colleague PAUL HERMAN has passed away. Paulie was just a great dude. A first class storyteller and raconteur and one hell of an actor.”
Estelle Harris died on April 2nd. The actress was 93 years old when she passed away from natural causes in Palm Desert, California. News of her passing comes from her son, Glen Harris, who announced on Saturday, “It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm.”
1960s heartthrob Bobby Rydell passed away on April 5th. He was best known for his ’60s hit songs as well as for appearing in the film Bye Bye Birdie. He died at the age of 79 after a battle with pneumonia. He reportedly toured up until the time he got sick.
At the age of 68, Francisco González died. Media outlets cite his son in reporting that González had cancer prior to his passing. Confirmation came from the Instagram page of Los Lobos, of which González had been a founding member.
Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried died at the age of 67 after a long illness on April 12th, confirmed by his family. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. 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 statement reads.
Actress best known for her roles in Seinfeld and ALF, Liz Sheridan died on April 15th. She was 93 years old and her rep confirmed that she died overnight of natural causes. Liz was a longtime dancer and appeared on Broadway many times.
Actor David Birney died at the age of 83, according to his life partner Michele Roberge. He passed on April 29 at his Santa Monica home; Birney had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease back in 2017.
Singer Naomi Judd, best known for being a part of the Grammy-winning group The Judds, passed away on April 30th. Her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd released a statement confirming their mother’s death at age 76.
It has been reported that Charles Siebert, the actor known for the series Trapper John, M.D., died at the age of 84 on May 1st. He apparently died from Covid-related pneumonia at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. The sad news was confirmed on the website of the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, California, where Siebert appeared frequently.
Charactor actor Mike Hagerty passed away on May 5th. He is best known for his role as Mr. Treeger on Friends but he appeared in many sitcoms over the years as minor characters. His final role was in the HBO comedy Somebody, Somewhere.
It has been confirmed by a press release that country star Mickey Gilley has died from complications after a recent hospitalization on May 7th. He was 86. Gilley passed away “peacefully” surrounded by close friends and family, according to his publicist Zach Farnum. He had also recently returned home after playing 10 shows in April.
Actor Jack Kehler died on Saturday, May 7. News of his passing comes from his son, Eddie Kehler, who told Entertainment Weekly on Monday that his father died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center from complications related to leukemia. He was 75 years old.
Veteran character actor Fred Ward died on May 8th. He was 79 years old. A rep for Fred confirmed that he passed away last weekend but did not reveal his cause of death. Fred was an award-winning actor and producer, best known for The Right Stuff, Tremors, Miami Blues, and most recently True Detective.
Actress Maggie Peterson has died. She was 81 when she passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, May 15, according to her family. They also shared that her health had been on a decline since her husband died.
ER and West Wing star John Aylward passed away at the age of 75 on May 16th. He died at his home in Seattle due to natural causes. His long-time friend and agent, Mitchell Stubbs confirmed the news with a statement.
It has been reported that Marnie Schulenburg, best known for starring in As the World Turns and One Life to Live, sadly died at the age of 37 on May 17th. She had been battling cancer, and all the while was documenting the entire process from becoming a new mother to a cancer patient. She had been battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
Founding member of the band Depeche Mode, Andy “Fletch” Fletcher has died. The remaining members of the band released a statement about his death. He was 60 years old and reportedly died of natural causes on May 26th.
Ray Liotta died at the age of 67 on May 26th. The Goodfellas star reportedly died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming Dangerous Waters. Liotta was best known for appearing in films throughout his career like Unlawful Entry (1992), Cop Land (1997), Hannibal (2001), Blow (2001), Identity (2003), Observe and Report (2009), Killing Them Softly (2012), The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), and Marriage Story (2019). Perhaps he was best known for his role as Henry Hill in the 1990 film Goodfellas.
It has been reported that Bo Hopkins, an actor known for his role in American Graffiti and The Wild Bunch, died at the age of 84 on May 28th. The news was confirmed on the actor’s website. “It is with great sadness that we announce that Bo has passed away,” the statement read.
It has been reported that the original Gerber baby Ann Turner Cook, whose face was best known for gracing the front of all Gerber products, died at age 95 on June 3rd. Gerber announced the passing of Cook in a statement.
Jim Seals, of the 1970s soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died. He was 80 when he passed away of currently unknown causes on June 6. News of his death comes from his cousin, country singer Brady Seals, in a Facebook post. Other friends and relatives further confirmed the news throughout much of Tuesday.
Philip Baker Hall appeared in many popular shows and films during his lifetime including Magnolia, Seinfeld, and Boogie Nights. He passed away at the age of 90 on June 12th. His death was confirmed by his wife, Holly Wolfle Hall, and his longtime friend and neighbor, Los Angeles Times reporter Sam Farmer.
Musician Brett Tuggle died on June 19. News of his passing was confirmed by his son Matt, who said, “His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness.” The cause of death has been attributed to complications from cancer. He was 70 years old.
Actress Mary T. Mara, best known for her roles in television dramas such as Law & Order, ER, and Nash Bridges, has died. She was found dead in a river according to a statement by the New York State Police. They believe the 61-year-old drowned while swimming in the St. Lawrence River in the town of Cape Vincent on Sunday, June 26th.
Manny Charlton died at the age of 80. News of his passing, which occurred on July 5, is confirmed by a social media post shared by his grandson Jamie Charlton. From the late ’50s until his death, he was a prolific guitarist, even requested directly by established stars of the time. Charlton was a founding member of the band Nazareth.
It has been reported that prolific actor James Caan, known for his roles in films like The Godfather and Misery, has died at the age of 82. His family confirmed the sad news in a tweet to his Twitter account. “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Like Betty White before him, actor-comedian Larry Storch — beloved for his role as Corporal Agarn on the 60’s comedy TV Western F Troop — died of natural causes at age 99 on July 8th, just six months before he would have turned 100.
L.Q. Jones, best known as a character actor in many Westerns, died on July 9th. He was 94 years old and died of natural causes at his home in Hollywood Hills. His grandson, Erté deGarces confirmed the news.
Actor Paul Sorvino has passed away. He was 83 years old when he died of natural causes on July 25. News of his death comes from Sorvino’s publicist, Roger Neal, who shared a statement on behalf of Sorvino’s wife Dee Dee Sorvino.
It has been reported that Leave it to Beaver star Tony Dow has died at the age of 77. His management team had previously posted a misinformed statement about Dow’s death when he was allegedly still alive and in hospice. In a new post, they’ve confirmed that Dow has officially passed on July 27.
Pat Carroll, best known for voicing Ursula in The Little Mermaid, passed away at the age of 95. She died on July 30, 2022, after battling pneumonia. Pat started acting in local productions as young as age 5 and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School. Mary Tyler Moore, Lucie Arnaz, and Diane Disney (Walt and Lillian Disney’s daughter) also graduated from the all-girls school.
Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols passed away at the age of 89 on July 30th. She died of natural causes and her death was confirmed by her son Kyle on her official Facebook page. He wrote, “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years. Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.”
He was 89 when he passed away on August 5 in Orange County, California. News of his passing comes from his family, though by time of writing there has been no confirmation about a cause of death, but his obituary says it was sudden.
Clu Gulager was one of the original cowboys on television. He died of natural causes on Aug. 5 at the age of 93. He starred in many TV westerns in the 1950s and 1960s and became an icon. His most famous western roles were in The Tall Man, Wagon Train, and The Virginians. His career continued into the ’70s and ’80s when he guest-starred on many popular shows such as Barnaby Jones, Hawaii Five-O, and Magnum P.I.
He was 83 years old when he was involved in a car crash that left him in critical condition. He passed away surrounded by family on August 7 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Ch-a, in a Facebook post.
Olivia Newton-John, best known for starring in the hit musical movie Grease, died at the age of 73 on Aug. 8. She had been battling her third bout of cancer. Her husband released the following statement: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Anne Heche died on Aug. 11 at the age of 53 a week after she endured a tragic car accident. The news was confirmed by friend Nancy Davis on Instagram. In a statement, she writes: “Heaven has a new Angel. My loving, kind, fun, endearing and beautiful friend @anneheche went to heaven. I will miss her terribly and cherish all the beautiful memories we have shared.”
She was 49 when she died on August 13 after battling cervical cancer for two years. A friend who manages her social media account shared the news on Facebook last Saturday.
On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Marsha Hunt died. She was 104 years old when she passed away from natural causes in her Los Angeles home. Hunt had called that place home for years, says Roger C. Memos, director of the documentary Marsha Hunt’s Sweet Adversity.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 on Sept. 8. Doctors were concerned about her health and placed her under medical supervision at her home at Balmoral (Castle). She passed away peacefully there surrounded by the Royal family.
The Oscar-winning actress Louise Fletcher, best known for playing Nurse Ratched in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, has died at age 88. She reportedly died in her sleep surrounded by family at her home in Montdurausse, France, as confirmed by her agent, David Shaul on Sept. 23.
On Sunday, October 2, Sacheen Littlefeather passed away. The actor and activist was 75 years old when she died of currently unconfirmed causes. News of her passing comes from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which shared the news on social media later that evening. News outlets have noted that she had been suffering from breast cancer.
It has been reported that country music icon and coal miner’s daughter, Loretta Lynn, has died at the age of 90. Lynn’s family confirmed the sad news to The Associated Press that the singer had died in her home in Hurricane Mills, TN. “Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home in her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” they said.
Angela Lansbury has reportedly passed away at the age of 96 after 75+ years of starring in a number of films and theatrical shows. Her family released a statement, saying, “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.”
Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane has died. He was 72 years old when he passed on October 14. News of his death comes from his agent Belinda Wright and agency WME. Coltrane gained international acclaim with the roles of Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films and as James Bond’s ally Valentin Zukovsky in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
Actor and comedian Leslie Jordan passed away at the age of 67. It is suspected that he suffered a medical emergency while driving out in Hollywood. His BMW crashed into the side of the building on Oct. 24.
Musician Jerry Lee Lewis passed away at the age of 87 on Oct. 28. He reportedly died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. As of now, no cause of death has been revealed but he did suffer from a stroke several years ago. Jerry was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame for his contribution to country music after his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Kymberly Herrin passed away. She died on October 28 from a currently undisclosed cause of death at 65 years old. Herrin was an actress who became known for her prominent appearance in the ZZ Top music video, “Legs.” She was also known for Ghostbusters and as a former Playboy bunny.
He passed at the age of 86 on October 31 in Paris, vacationing with his wife, Heather Lowe. The cause of death has been attributed to natural causes and news of his passing comes from Lowe in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
At the age of 76, comedian Gallagher died. News of his passing comes from his longtime manager, who shared an update with TMZ. The comedian had reportedly been under hospice care when he suffered from massive organ failure this Friday, November 11. Before this, he had suffered multiple heart attacks over the years.
On Friday, November 11, John Aniston died. He was 89 years old when he passed. News of his death was confirmed by his daughter and fellow actor Jennifer Aniston with a tribute post shared on Monday. His career spans six decades but John most recently boasted a prominent role in the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Actor Robert Clary died at the age of 96 years old on Nov. 16. He is best known for his role as Corporal LeBeau in the series Hogan’s Heroes, which ran from 1965 until 1971. It was one of the first shows to make the transition from black-and-white to color episodes. He was the final surviving original cast member of Hogan’s Heroes.
Christine McVie, one of the members of hit musical group Fleetwood Mac, died on November 30th, 2022. The news was confirmed by her family, saying, “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness.”
Of course, we do apologize that we could not fit all of the people we’ve lost this year on one list. May they all rest in peace.
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