Movies, television, and music enrich the lives of fans so much that losing a favorite artist
is always difficult.
But it also provides us an opportunity to look back and celebrate the many wonderful
moments these stars have provided us throughout the years.
Here's a look at some of the beloved celebrities we sadly lost in 2017.
Miguel Ferrer
NCIS: Los Angeles star Miguel Ferrer passed away from cancer on January 19th, 2017, at
age 61.
Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said in a statement,
"Today, NCIS: Los Angeles lost a beloved family member.
Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on scene,
a wicked sense of humor, and a huge heart."
Ferrer was the son of singer Rosemary Clooney and Jose Ferrer, and a cousin of actor George
Clooney.
Before NCIS, Ferrer starred in shows like CHiPS, Magnum, P.I., and Twin Peaks.
Mary Tyler Moore
TV and film legend Mary Tyler Moore, who won seven Emmys and was nominated for a Best Actress
Oscar, passed away on January 25th, 2017, at age 80.
Her rep told Page Six the Hollywood icon was
"...in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine.
A groundbreaking actress, producer, and passionate advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, Mary will be remembered as a fearless visionary who turned the world on with her
smile."
John Hurt
Legendary British actor John Hurt was lost on January 27th, 2017, after a battle with
pancreatic cancer.
He was 77.
An Oscar nominee for his roles in Midnight Express and The Elephant Man, Hurt is perhaps
best known for roles in blockbusters including Alien, Hellboy, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull, and the Harry Potter franchise, as well as for his role as the
War Doctor in Doctor Who.
"Good afternoon, I'm looking for the Doctor."
"Well, you've certainly come to the right place."
Hurt earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Academy of Film and Television
Arts in 2012 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2015.
Al Jarreau
Iconic jazz singer Al Jarreau passed away on February 12th, 2017, just days after retiring
from live performances.
The seven-time Grammy winner's official Twitter account announced the news with a post reading,
"[Jarreau] passed away this morning.
He was in the hospital, kept comfortable by his wife, son, and a few of his family and
friends."
Jarreau's most famous track was likely the theme song to the TV series Moonlighting,
which reached number 23 on the Billboard charts in 1987.
He was 79.
Bill Paxton
Actor Bill Paxton passed away on February 26th due to complications from surgery.
He was 61 years old.
His family released a statement to People that said, in part,
"A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the
art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved
and prolific actor and filmmaker.
Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless
energy were undeniable."
Paxton's earliest big screen roles included Terminator and Aliens, but he gained acclaim
in the 1990s with starring turns in Apollo 13, Twister, and Titanic.
He went on to earn three Golden Globe nominations as the lead in the HBO series Big Love.
Judge Joseph Wapner
Famous TV Judge Joseph Wapner died of natural causes on February 26th at age 97.
Wapner was the first judge on The People's Court beginning in 1981.
He presided over the television courtroom for 12 years, and he's been credited as the
first reality television courtroom star.
Before he was a TV star, Wapner was a war hero, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star
in World War II.
One of Wapner's two sons told CNN, "He is a man of the greatest honor and integrity
that anybody has ever met."
Chuck Berry
Often credited as the inventor of rock n' roll, Chuck Berry was found dead on March
18th, 2017 at 90 years old.
Berry's 1950s-era hits included "Johnny B. Goode," "School Days," "Maybellene," "Sweet
Little Sixteen," and "Roll Over Beethoven."
His life wasn't without controversy, though: He was arrested in 1959 for allegedly bringing
a minor suspected of prostitution across state lines, for which he served 18 months in prison.
In 1979, he served three months in prison for tax evasion.
A decade later, several women sued Berry for allegedly videotaping them in the restroom
of his St. Louis-area restaurant; he eventually confessed to the deeds and paid restitution
to 74 women.
Berry's family said in a statement,
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Chuck Berry [...] passed away at his home today
at the age of 90.
Though his health had deteriorated recently, he spent his last days at home surrounded
by the love of his family and friends."
Mike Aktari
Jerseylicious star Mike Aktari passed away on March 13th, 2017 at 28 years old.
Aktari's ex-girlfriend and co-star, Olivia Sharpe, wrote a heartfelt tribute to Aktari
on Instagram following his passing.
"My heart has never hurt this hard.
I wouldn't trade those three years we spent together for the world.
You showed me never ending love and loyalty.
You accepted me as my crazy goofy self and loved it.
You looked at me the way no one ever has.
You had the most wonderful heart."
Don Rickles
Legendary comedian Don Rickles passed away in the early morning on April 6th, 2017.
The funnyman was 90 years old when he died of kidney failure in his Los Angeles home
with his wife of more than 50 years, Barbara, by his side.
Rickles was close friends with Frank Sinatra, with whom he worked frequently.
He was a regular on The Tonight Show and The Dean Martin Show in the 1960s, as well as
a Las Vegas fixture in the 1980s.
He also had his own TV show, The Don Rickles Show, on ABC in 1972.
But he's perhaps most famous to younger fans as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the Toy
Story franchise.
"Hey Ham!
Look, I'm Picasso!"
"Eh, I don't get it."
Clay Adler
Reality star Clay Adler, who appeared on MTV's Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County, was
found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 26th, 2017 at the age of 27.
Adler was close with actress Jennifer Lawrence, with whom he got his start in Hollywood, and
his passing reportedly hit her hard.
A source told Hollywood Life,
"Clay brings Jennifer back to her humble beginnings and hearing that he took his own life really
has made Jennifer feel heartbroken.
It is really sad because she remembers him fondly and never wants to hear anything like
this happen to anyone, especially to someone she once knew very well."
Charlie Murphy
Comedian and Chappelle's Show star Charlie Murphy lost his battle with leukemia on April
12th, 2017 at 57 years old.
The older brother of actor and comedian Eddie Murphy, Charlie wrote for several of Eddie's
films, including Vampire In Brooklyn and Norbit.
He was also an accomplished voiceover artist, but is perhaps best known for his stint on
Chappelle's Show, where he helped create classic skits including Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood
Stories.
"In your face, Charlie Murphy!"
Charlie's family told Entertainment Weekly in a statement,
"Our hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle, and friend
Charlie.
Charlie filled our family with love and laughter, and there won't be a day that goes by that
his presence will not be missed."
Erin Moran
Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi star Erin Moran was found unresponsive in her home on
April 22nd, 2017, at age 56.
Sheriff Rod Seelye and Coroner Gary Gilley of Harrison County, Indiana, where Moran lived,
said in a statement,
"...Moran likely succumbed to complications of stage 4 cancer.
Standard toxicology tests were performed and the results are pending however no illegal
narcotics were found at the residence."
Her Joanie Loves Chachi co-star Scott Baio paid tribute to Moran on Twitter.
"May people remember Erin for her contagious smile, warm heart, and animal-loving soul.
I always hoped she could find peace in her life.
God has you now, Erin."
Jonathan Demme
Oscar-winning director, screenwriter, and producer Jonathan Demme lost his life on April
26th, 2017, at 73 years old after a battle with cancer.
Demme won an Oscar for directing The Silence of the Lambs, and gained wide acclaim for
Philadelphia and Rachel Getting Married.
Bruce Springsteen, who won an multiple awards for "Streets Of Philadelphia," which he wrote
and performed for the Philadelphia soundtrack, paid tribute to Demme on his website, writing,
"He was an inspiration for me, a beautiful filmmaker and a great spirit.
Always smiling, always involved with the world and always pushing you to go for your best.
He'll be deeply missed."
Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin
Rob & Big star Christopher "Big Black" Boykin suffered heart failure on May 9th, 2017 at
45 years old after a brief hospitalization.
Co-star and best friend Rob Dyrdek was devastated, tweeting a tribute that read,
Powers Boothe
Character actor Powers Boothe passed away in his sleep on Sunday, May 14th, 2017, at
68 years old.
Boothe won a Best Actor In A Limited Series Emmy for his haunting portrayal of Jim Jones
in Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.
That launched a career that spanned decades, including movies such as Red Dawn, Tombstone,
and Sin City, as well as TV shows like Marvel's Agents of SHIELD and Deadwood.
Roger Moore
Legendary James Bond star Sir Roger Moore, who appeared in seven films as superspy double-oh-seven,
lost his battle with cancer on May 23rd, 2017 at 89 years old.
In a message posted to the actor's Twitter account, his children wrote,
"We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the word,
by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for
UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement."
Gregg Allman
Iconic musician Gregg Allman, co-founder of The Allman Brothers band and former husband
of Cher, passed away on May 27th, 2017 at 69 years old in his Savannah, Georgia, home.
In a statement on Allman's website, his family wrote,
"Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years.
During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and
solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul.
Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times."
Chris Cornell
Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell took his own life on May 18, 2017.
He was 52 years old.
Cornell's wife, Vicky, didn't believe that the singer was depressed, but told People
he'd struggled with addiction and previously relapsed in 2009.
She believes prescription drugs in his system altered his mental state.
"My Chris was happy, loving, caring and warm…
This was not a depressed man—it wasn't like I missed that.
What I missed were the signs of addiction…
He didn't want to die.
If he was of sound mind, I know he wouldn't have done this."
Adam West
The original onscreen Batman from the 1960s hit TV series, Adam West passed away at 88
years old on June 9th, 2017, after a quiet, brief battle with leukemia.
West previously admitted to Variety that he found it hard to find work after starring
as the kitschy Bruce Wayne, but he maintained a sense of humor about it, going into voice
acting on shows such as Family Guy, and making cameos on shows including Powerless.
"Some years ago I made an agreement with Batman.
There was a time when Batman really kept me from getting some pretty good roles…"
"So I decided that since so many people love Batman, I might as well love it too.
Why not?
So I began to re-engage myself with Batman.
And I saw the comedy.
I saw the love people had for it, and I just embraced it."
His family said in a statement, "Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight, and aspired
to make a positive impact on his fans' lives.
He was and always will be our hero."
Chester Bennington
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington ended his own life on July 20th, 2017 at age 41.
His housekeeper discovered his body just as the singer was preparing to leave to go on
tour.
Linkin Park cancelled its tour in light of the news and created a tribute site in Bennington's
memory, writing,
"Our hearts are broken…
Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled…
While we don't know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made
better by you."
George A. Romero
Zombie movie legend, director, and creator of Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero
passed away on July 16th, 2017, at 77 years old.
In a statement, his manager, Chris Roe, said Romero passed away
"...listening to the score of The Quiet Man, one of his all-time favorite films, with his
wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and daughter, Tina Romero at his side.
He died peacefully in his sleep, following a brief but aggressive battle with lung cancer,
and leaves behind a loving family, many friends, and a filmmaking legacy that has endured,
and will continue to endure, the test of time."
Sam Shepard
Actor and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard died on July 27th, 2017 of complications
from ALS.
He was 73.
Shepard won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1979 for his play Buried Child.
He was also nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dashiell Hammett
in Dash And Lilly and earned a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for The Right Stuff.
He published a novel, The One Inside, in February 2017.
Jerry Lewis
Comedy legend Jerry Lewis died on August 20th, 2017 at 91 years old.
A performer from the age of 5, Lewis gained worldwide fame when he teamed up with crooner
Dean Martin in 1946.
After a decade together, the two split, and Lewis embarked on a successful solo career,
which included the hit films The Nutty Professor and The King of Comedy.
But he may be best known for his charity work, raising more than $2.5 billion for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association through his annual telethons.
Tom Petty
Legendary singer-songwriter Tom Petty suffered a lethal heart attack on October 2nd, 2017.
He was 66.
Best known as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he and the band rose to
fame in the '70s with hits such as "American Girl" and "Breakdown."
As a solo artist, Petty's biggest release was the timeless "Freefallin,'" which helped
earn him revered spots in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.
He was also a member of the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch.
Robert Guillaume
Veteran stage and screen actor Robert Guillaume passed away on October 24th, 2017.
After playing the acerbic butler on the hit sitcom Soap, Guillaume headlined the spinoff
series Benson, earning Emmy nominations for both shows.
He also earned a Tony nomination for the 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls, and won a 1994
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Performance, reprising his best known film role of Rafiki
from The Lion King for the audio children's book The Lion King Read-Along.
Later in his career, he also gained acclaim for the short lived cult classic Sports Night.
He was 89.
Fats Domino
Rock and roll pioneer Fats Domino passed away October 25th, 2017 at age 89.
Born Antoine Domino, Jr., Domino was one of the very first inductees into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame.
He sold more than 110 million records throughout his life, which included rock standards "Ain't
That a Shame" and "Blueberry Hill," which was selected for the Library of Congress'
National Recording Registry.
Della Reese
The star of the hit TV series Touched By an Angel, Della Reese passed away on November
19, 2017 at age 86.
Reese began her career as a jazz and gospel singer before turning to acting in the late
1960s, becoming the first African-American woman to guest host The Tonight Show.
But it was her role on Touched By an Angel that turned her into a household name.
Her co-star, Roma Downey, told People,
"She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and pastor, as well as an award-winning
actress and singer.
Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people."
David Cassidy
Partridge Family star and former teen idol David Cassidy lost his life on November 21st,
2017 at age 67.
He had been publicly battling dementia and reportedly suffered from organ failure in
the days leading up to his passing.
Cassidy struggled with fame, most notably after 800 fans were injured and one killed
in a stampede at one of his concerts in 1974.
He battled alcoholism and was arrested for driving under the influence several times.
His family said in a statement:
"David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain
that had gripped him for so long.
Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years."
Jim Nabors
Actor and singer Jim Nabors, star of Gomer Pyle and The Andy Griffith Show, died November
30, 2017 at age 87 following a year of declining health.
In addition to his television work, Nabors was also a staple on the variety show circuit
and showcased his rich vocals in Las Vegas and Hawaii, where he had a residency.
In early 2013, when Washington state legalized gay marriage, Nabors tied the knot with his
longtime love, Stan Cadwallader.
Nabors said at the time,
"It's pretty obvious that we had no rights as a couple, yet when you've been together
38 years, I think something's got to happen there, you've got to solidify something.
And at my age, it's probably the best thing to do."
Cadwallader told The Associated Press,
"Everybody knows he was a wonderful man.
And that's all we can say about him.
He's going to be dearly missed."
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